A copy OF A LETTER found IN THE PRIVY LODGEINGS AT Whitehall.  
Printed in the year, 1641.   

A copy OF A LETTER found IN THE PRIVY LODGINGS AT Whitehall.  
THat it is fit for the King to do something extraordinary at this present, is not only the opinion of the wisest, but their expectation also; men observe him more now, then at other times: for Majesty in an eclipse, like the sun, draws eyes, that would not so much as have looked towards it, if it had shined out and appeared like itself. To lie still now, at least, shows but a calmness of mind, not a magnanimity: since in matters of government to think well at any time (much more in a very active) is little better than to dream well; nor must he stay to act till his people desire, because 'tis thought nothing relisheth with them less: for therefore hath nothing relished with them, because the King for the most part hath stayed till they desired, and done nothing but what either they have, or were petioning for. But that the King should do, will not be so much the question, as what he should do. And surely for the King to have right council given him at all times is strange, and at this time almost impossible; his party for the most part (I would it were modestly spoken and it were not all of them) have so much to do for their own preservation, that they cannot without breaking a law in nature, intend another's. Those that have courage, have not perchance innocency, and so dare not show themselves in the King's business; and if they have innocency, they want parts to make themselves considerable, and so consequently the things they undertake. Then in the Court, they give such council as they believe the King is inclined to, and determine of his good by his desire, which is a kind of setting the sun by the dial. Interest which cannot err by passion, which may in going about to show the King a cure, but a man should first show him the disease. But to Kings, as to some kind of patients, it is not always proper to show them how ill they are; And is too much like a country clown, not to show the way unless he know of you first, from whence you come, and discourse of things: Kings may be mistaken, and counsellors corrupted, but true interest alone (said the Duke of Rohan) cannot err. It were not amiss therefore to find out this interest, for setting down right principles before conclusions, is weighing the scales before we deal for the commodities.  
Certainly the interest of the King is the union of the people, and whosoever hath told him otherwise, (as the Scripture saith of the devil) was a Seducer from the first. If there had been one Prince in the whole World that made felicity in this life, and left a fair fame after death, without the love of his Subjects, there were some colour to despise it. There was not among all our princes a greater Courter of the people, than Richard the third; not so much out of fear as out of wisdom, and shall the worst of Kings have striven for that, and shall not the best? it being an angelical thing to gain love.  
There be two things in which the people expect to be satisfied, Religion, and justice, nor can it be done by any little Acts, but by real and Kingly resolutions. If any think that by dividing the factions (a good rule at other times) he shall master the rest, he will be strangely deceived, for in beginning of things it would do much; but when whole kingdoms are resolved of those now that lead those parties, if you would take off the major number the lesser would govern, and do the same things still. Nay if you could take off all, they would set up one and follow him; for as Cato said of the Romans they were like sheep, and that the way to drive them was in a flock, for if one would be extravagant, all the rest would follow; so it will be here, it will dearly appear, that neither the person of the Scottish or English actors upon the stage are considerable to the great Body of England. But the things they undertake, which done by another hand and so done that there remains no jealousy, and leaves them where they were and not much risen in value. And of how great consequence it is for the King to resume the right and be author himself let anybody judge, since (as Comines saith) those that have the art to please the people, have the power to raise them.  
To do things so that there remain no jealousy is very necessary, and is no more than really reforming, that is pleasing them, for to do things that shall grieve hereafter, and yet pretend love amongst Lovers themselves, where there is the easiest faith will not be accepted. It will not be enough for the King to do what they desire, but he must do something more; for that will show the heartiness; I mean by doing more, doing something of his own, as throwing away things they call not for, or giving that they expected not; and when they see the King doing the same things with them, that will take away all thought or apprehension, that he thinks the things they have done already ill.  
Now if the King ends the difference, and takes away the suspect for the future, the cause will fall out to be no worse, than when two dualists enter the field, the worsted party (the other having no ill opinion of him) hath his sword given him again without any farther hurt, after he hath been in the others power. But otherwise it is not safe to imagine what will follow, for the people are naturally not valiant, nor not much cavaliers, now 'tis the nature of Cowards to hurt when they receive none, and wound even the dead; they will not be content while they fear and have the upper hand, to fetter only royalty, but perchance as timorous spirits use, will not think themselves safe while it is at all. And possibly this is now the state of things.  
In this great work at least to make it appear perfect and lasting to the kingdom, it is necessary that the Queen really join: for if she stand aloof, there will be still suspicion, it being a received opinion in the World, that she hath a great interest in the King's favour and power. And to invite her, she is to consider with herself, whether such great virtues and eminent excellencies (though she be highly admired and valued by those that know her and are about her, aught to rest satisfied with so narrow a payment, as the estimation of a few, and whether it be not more proper for a Queen so great to aim at universal honour and love then private esteem and value. Besides how becoming a work of the sweetness and softness of her love is compounding of differences, and uniting hearts: and how proper for a Queen reconciling King and people.  
There is but one thing more remains, which whispered abroad busieth the King's mind, if not disturbs it. In the midst of those great resolutions. And that is the preservation of some servants, which he thinks somewhat hardly torn from him of late, which is a thing of so tender a nature, I shall rather propound something about it then resolve it.  
The first Quere will be whether (as things now stand) kingdoms in the balance, the King is not to follow nature, where the conservation of the general weal commands and governs the less. As Iron in particular sympathy sticks to the loadstone, but if it be joined with a greater body of Iron, it quits those particular affections to the loadstone, and moves with the other the greater body, the common Country.  
The second will be, whether if he could preserve these Ministers they can be of any use to him hereafter, since no man is served with a greater prejudice, than he that employs suspected Ministers, or not beloved, though able and deserving in themselves.  
The third is, whether to preserve them there be any other way then for the King first to be right with his people since the rule in Philosophy must ever hold good nemo dat, quod non habet; before the King have power to preserve, he must have power.  
And lastly, whether the way to preserve this power, be not to give it away; for the people of England have ever been like wantons which pull and tug as long as the Prince hath pulled with them, as you may see in King Henry the third, King John, and King Edward the second, and ended all their troublesome and unfortunate reigns. But when the Princes have let it go, the people come and put in their hands again, that they may play on, as in Queen Elizabeth.  
I will conclude all with a prayer, not that I think it needs for the present, (prayers are to keep us from what may be, as well as preserve us from what is) that the King may not be too unsensible of what is without him, nor too resolved of what is within him; to be sick of a dangerous disease and feel no pain cannot be but with loss of understanding: 'tis an aphorism of Hippocrates. And on the other side Opinionist is a sullen Porter, and (as is witnessed of Constans) shuts out oftentimes better things than it lets in.  
FINIS.