A LETTER SENT TO THE HONOURABLE GEORGE Lord DIGBY in FLUSHING, From a Worthy Gentleman in Windsor, January the 24. 1641.  
Together, With the true copy of a Letter sent from Sir JOHN BYRON, Lieutenant of the Tower, to the House of Commons, concerning divers matters of great note and Consequence.  
Printed at London for R. J. 1641.   

A LETTER Sent to the Honourable George Lord Digby in FLUSHING, from a worthy Gentleman in WINDSOR, January the 24. 1641.  
NOw the world seeth by woeful experience in you, that it is end that crowneth the accord, and that the fairest beginnings, sometimes are attended with sad, if not black issues: let me advise you to reflect upon yourself, not only as Baron, and eldest son of an Earl, but as a father of divers sweet children, and a husband unto a fair Lady; and that your Lordship would not attempt both causelessely and necessitously to make that noble race on her side mourn. If true natural affection is so dead and stiff in you, that you have left us almost no hope to see or hear of you, to be cause of joy unto your own. Oh, my Lord we have all too just cause to fear, that the Straffordian leaven hath leavened the better part, if not the whole lump: The Lord God grant that you bleed not inward, and at length prove a dolorous object to the world, but most of all to none but yourself: whose ruin will seem to many the least condoleable, by how much the more it will prove apparently wilful, not casual, much less necessary.  
My Lord, there are too many eyes open: there is no thought of dazzling them, all your Lordships not long since saw a gallant star fall, and were pleased to give forth, that that star wanted not light but grace. Your Lordship was not for some good time together, either unwilling or backward in the just pursuit of him, with the rest of the Worthies: what caused you to retreat? God only knows certainly, men by conjecture: but this may be assured of, that if you or others go his ways, you will after so notorious and remarkable an example, find harder and more impassible difficulties in the accomplishment of your designs, and less favourable usage upon your defeat. My Lord, notorious and wifull errors, if not crimes, after so late and famous exemplary indiction and infliction of Law, will seem to be his, who is rather possessed then reduced.  
My Lord, your Lordship did very ill to take Sea, and for Flushing, worse to give occasion, which may seem, first to persuade it, if not to enforce it. But good my Lord, as you respect God, your country, your noble Wife and Father, your own honour, and that of your ancient family look no further: neither once think upon France, except with grief and fear, the one for those three unfortunate, if I may not say unworthy: or unnatural men, who by their unnatural forwardness to violate their Country, have utterly as deservedly, ruinated themselves, and caused divers of their friends though inno●ent to savaour ill, if not to stink. My Lord, I beseech you let me not hear of you; therefore if I should, upon my truth and honour, I shall not only hold and esteem you, but absolutely pronounce you and vote you for lost, there is hopes either upon returning or staying, there's some space. There may be hopes that the Parliament, which seeks no man's overthrow but his reclaiming, may pass by some things, may forget others, may qualify this, and remit that: so that your Lordship be found either in State or place, that may not give cause.  
This counsel that may do much good can do you no harm, you are heartily desired to follow from him, who you perfectly know was never guilty of any thing but of hearty love and fidelity towards you and yours, neither ever willingly would alter his mind, you still persisting in terms thereof capable.   

The true copy of a Letter sent from the Lieutenant of the Tower ●●r I. Byron. to the Speaker of the Honourable House of Commons in defence of himself and to satisfy the world.  
Sir,  
MY words have already been so misreported, that I am forced to return my answer in writing, and think my condition at this time very unfortunate, that according to the warrant of Summons, I received this morning from the honourable House of Commons, I cannot personally attend there without both the breach of His majesty's express command, not to stir out of the Tower without his leave, and likewise of the oath I took at my coming into this place, to observe His majesty's commands. This I hope well considered will exempt me from the censure of contumacy, or disobedience to the commands of that honourable House, whose just Liberties and Privileges, I shall ever be ready to maintain with my life and fortunes. And I most humbly desire the honourable House to rest assured, that it is far from my thought (what false reports soever have been raised to the contrary) to divide myself betwixt the King and the Parliament, and that my affections are united equally to serve both, though in the condition I am indifferent from other men) I can perform only a single personal obedience here (Unless His Majesty please to absolve me from this command) In the mean time, if by the house, it shall be thought fit to demand any particulars, I am ready with all clearness, and ingenuity to give satisfaction, and with the like cander and fidelity, to behave myself in all other actions, as becomes a person entrusted, and one more willing to deposit his life for the true Protestant Religion, the peace and tranquillity of this City and commonwealth, then ambitious to continue Lieutenant of the Tower. In which resolution, I rest.  
Your humbly Servant, I. Byron. Tower of London, 12. lanuary, 1641.  
FINIS.