C R  
HONI SOIT x MAL Y PENCE   flower surmounted by a crown  thistle surmounted by a crown  fleur-de-lys surmounted by a crown  harp surmounted by a crown  
The Character of a True subject, OR The loyal Fidelity of the thrice honourable Lord, the Lord marquess Huntley, expressed in this his speech in the time of his imprisonment, by the Covenanters of Scotland, Anno 1640. Together with the fruitless hopes of rebellious insurrections, and wars taken in hand, against God his laws, and their Princes Prudent Government.  
I Stand before you a prisoner, accused of Loyalty; For who can charge me of any other crime? you seem to do me some great favour, when you leave it to my free election, whether I will be so or not: is any so in love with fetters, but that he would change them for freedom, (were the conditions equal)? true it is, Liberty is offered: but like Merchants you value it at such a rate, that my fidelity, honour, and all that is dear to a noble mind, must be the price to purchase it. If I refuse what you propound, rack, torture, loss of goods, lands, and perhaps life itself: (a hard choice) it is in my power to be a free man: but how? if I will be a slave, enter into covenant, and take an oath which in itself is plain perjury: as if treason were nothing, unless I made it sacramental. I have already given my Faith unto my Prince, upon whose head this crown is by law of Nature and Nations justly fallen. Shall I falsify that Faith, and join my wicked hands with yours to put it off again? (Heaven forbid): what but Religion, Liberty and Glorious shows are pretended? dare not all rebel's cloak their purposes with such goodly titles? They are much deceived who think that religion, and rebellion can be companions; or that God will favour their attempts, that strike at himself through the Prince's sides. In that very word King, there is such a Deity enclosed, that who wounds them, wounds the divine Nature. Why do you then so rashly draw the sword under so holy a veil? was religion ever built on blood? did the primitive Christians ever propagate the gospel with other than their own blood? which they at all times shed, not only to God; but to their own princes although pagans, but never against them. As the devil was the first rebel, so Judas was the only traitor among the Apostles: and shall we rank ourselves with those hated examples of disloyalty and treachery? But were our case good, and we able to contend with the forces of England: when have we fought with them, but we have been beaten? even then, when their dominions and strength were less, by all that Ireland and Wales have added to their power: and then, when they did labour, both with foreign, and their own civil distractions, their title no better than the sword: yet we found it a hard task to keep our Kings in their seats, whose royal offspring we do endeavour to tumble out. We have no France to flee unto for succour, our ancient league is worn out, theirs wholly Simented, by strong tie of marriage. To depend upon any other foreign assistances, were to build Castles in the air. And besides that, Traitors are distasteful to all Kings: our persons cause, is not more odious than our religion. It is easy to begin, but let us see what will be the event of such ill grounded war. I foressee with horror the miseries that attend it: as firing of houses, wasting of goods, famine, ruin of towns and cities, and the unjust liberty usurped, lost in an instant and for ever; Wife, Children and blood, man by nature holds most dear; if we pity not ourselves, yet let us not forget them we hold most dear: Kings have strong hands to put a bit in the most stubborn; if you cannot relish gentle subjection, how will you digest slavery? Put not back therefore this blessed arm that stretcheth out to receive us; when all is wilderness, we shall then beg what now we refuse.  
For my part, I am in your powers, and know not how this free speech of a prisoner will be taken. Howsoever you dispose of me, I will never distain my Ancestors, nor leave that foul title of Traitor, as an inheritance to my posterity: you may when you please take my head from my shoulders; but not my heart from my sovereign.   

London Printed by E. G. and are to be sold at the horse-shoe in Smithfield, 1640.