A LETTER SENT From a Gentleman IN THE HAGUE, TO A Noble and Loyal EARL IN SCOTLAND.   

My dear Lord,  
I Hold a very great Obligation to your fair opinion, that you dare so boldly rely upon my weak, uncertain, and most unfixt judgement, as to make it the basis and foundation whereon you have designed to build such noble resolutions as shall render you to the world in all your actions glorious: This were, if possible, to make me more your Lordship's debtor, when in your high civilities, and undeserved favours you have expressed yourself a Tyrant, and have already engaged me above my Abilities, or hopes to return the least satisfaction. Without your commands, to which I own a duty, and shall pay a reverence, I should forbear to give you the present of my slender observation, and inconsiderable knowledge, in which you will sooner meet a perplexity, than any contentation. My ready obedience shall witness my respects, of which I can give no other account, then that they are infinite.  
My Lord, The eyes of all Christendom are intent and fixed on our young and most hopeful King; he is the sole and Noble object of all men's thoughts and expectations, and indeed, the most proper object of all Princes, whose interests are so inextricably involved in his, that what is his cruel and unjust Fate this day, by a sudden revolution may be theirs the next. Certainly, It is not improvidence, but necessary prudence, to use their utmost endeavours, and employ all their force to secure their own, when their Neighbour's house is set on fire: which they can no way better do, then by diligently attempting to extinguish those flames, that so nearly and dangerously threaten them. If the People, that Nobile sterquilinium, by an usurped power, will take into their hands the public managing of Kingdoms, I know not what Government can be either safe or lasting. When Monarchy, (under which we have flourished and Prospered so many ages, and have been happy, to the wonder and envy of other Nations) is supplanted and destroyed, our fundamental laws totally subverted: when Kings are fotced to render that account of their Actions before men, before their subjects, which they own to God alone and should not pay till the last Audit; When they are sentenced and barbarously put to death; When the encroaching sword controls the awful Sceptre, and Crowns (the glory of the King's head) are with contempt and scorn basely trampled under foot. Outrages so horrid, that I abhor from my very soul the unworthy memory of them: the only naming of them puts me into distemper, and my thoughts into a confusion I grow enraged when I consider, how of the best of Kings, the best of 〈◊〉, the best of Saints, those Apocryphal Devils have made a cursed example without a Precedent.  
 shall revolve and search all the Registers of Antiquity, return to the first Annals, and make the strictest inquiry into the Records of History, shall never find that Justice did serve for a hand maid to 〈◊〉 in a Murder so inhuman, and so execrable; or that her sacred 〈◊〉 and Power was ever so blasphemed, that the most damnable impiety ●●●ginable should resume the title of Righteous Judgement.  
And that the most just and pious King, having acted nothing contrary to Law, and being above Law, should be made subject to that Law, and suffer under a mere formality.  
My Lord, It is lost time, and no benefit to repeat past and so unpleasing actions; it is high time to advise what is expedient and necessary to be done, and since there is no remedy, no power to recall what is passed presently provide against future inconveniences. I shall freely communicate to your Lordship my sense; and (if I understand any thing aright) what it is I conceive most fit and just.  
My Lord, I understand myself so well, as I shall not presume to advise, conscious of my own weaknesses. Yet I know myself so well again, as I can find no reason why I should despair so, as not to dare to inform. Information is the life of Counsel, Counsel the life of a Prince: in the life of a Prince how many are concerned? The King hath now had time enough to consult with his Melancholy, his Griefs must now yield place to his nobler Anger, his Majesty grow austere, and put on just indignation. I would see those Blacks (sad emblems of Sorrow) changed into revenging Scarlet, and the whole earth wearing his purple Livery, died in the blood of  Rebels. Yet should the inundation swell to that height, which might threaten an universal Deluge, it would not suffice to wash away the stains of their black and detestable Murder. No sacrifice can expiate and appease the incensed Deity, when innocent blood spilt on the ground, can by no art be gathered up.  
Revenge, Revenge is sweet! whose daily meditation is not Revenge, till he can meet an hour and opportunity to breath i● on those unparallelled villains, he is a Conspirator, he consented, and is guilty of the King's Death and Murder. How far short of his duty falls that Subject, that tamely spends and wastes his strength in effeminate tears, whose Masculine vigour should be exhausted in drops of blood? I would choose to avenge; yet I cannot choose too but bemoan so dear a loss.  
My Lord, I am confirmed in the same opinion, in which your last Consultations, and your Lordship's most answerable reasons did irresistibly engage me. I conclude from those really true premises, the King must force his way to his Crown in England through the heart of Scotland, it is most just and necessary to reduce first to there due obedience that people that first and most unjustly rebelled. The Question, and the Difficulty will be objected, which way? I propose to myself but two▪ either by force or Policy: the sowing of the Lion's skin to the Foxes, or the joining of a Man's head to the neck of a horse, is not a third distinct, but rather a conjunction of both policy and force in one, where singly they come short of there expected operation: the nimbleness, and dexterity of the one quickens and spirits the powers of the other. Policy and reason serve for a bridle to restrain and curb Force, when it grows too refractory and headstrong. If Policy prevails in the purposes of the King [policy is a kind of beating the Bush, while the Birds fly away and escape, for they are too old to be caught with Chaff, and too strong to be held with lymetwigs.] The King must then send an address to the House of Parliament that defiled Cage of all manner of unclean fowls, and if he will ever rightly understand the true state of that Kingdom, he must employ men able and faithful of his own.  
I remember well, what I heard long since the Earl of Dorset tell the late King, [of ever blessed Memory] that, had he sent an Englishman into Scotland, to negotiate his affairs there, when he commanded the then Marquis of Hamilton, he had perfectly understood the real condition of that Kingdom, and happily prevented the ensuing calamities of all.  
If not impossible it is very improbable that ever the King shall come to a full knowledge of Scotland, while he employs Scotchmen into there native country, where there proper and indeed all there interest lies. [Which very few men do, and those find it very hard too to divest themselves of their own interests, and lay them aside.] There Allies, there Estates, there Friends there one thing, or another, abates there Zeal to his Majesty's service, what earnestness soever they put on for a disguise.  
But this is that which most dwells with me I am so blind, I cannot see how it is safe for the King to trust men that are privy to his designs here, and have so great relation to Scotland: whither or no [for fall back fall edge, they will provide for their own preservation] will not they [which hitherto hath been constantly, practised,] conceal something from both, that neither the King, nor his Subjects of Scotland shall come to a right understanding of each other▪ they themselves shuffling and dealing will know how the Cards go, and will suit their game accordingly. This benefit the King will receive by employing English, He shall be certain to know faithfully what he must trust to; and in extremities it is a singular good, to know the worst of ills. Which way soever his Majesty's Counsel shall incline, the sending to them will be no Remora to his other resolutions, for he may, and must prepare for action howsoever.  
If the King resolve [as I know not how he better can] to make use of his power, and force them to the obedience, from which they are fain, My Lord, you understand well, who must do his business, and beat their Apostasy, into duty and performances: not they, who Traitorously presumed to take the Crown from hi● Majesty's head, and Rebelliously entrenched on his Sacred authority but those who would have set, and held it on. Not they, who to prosecute I know not what private, sinister, and unhandsome ends, publicly repent of having served the last Sainted King of Sacred memory, in the just preservation of his Royal Person and duest Prerogatives: not they, who in his Majesty's greatest exgencies, and necessities, not only deserted his employments but as if that had not been enough, entered into a confederacy with his severest and most Barbarous enemies: Not they, who to show their power in one kingdom, weakened and ensebled the strength of two and empoverished the King's friends; to enrich his enemies: Not they who led out Freemen in Scotland, to render them Prisoners in Engla●d, and slaves to Foreign Countries. I have no F●●th ●n Covenants, nor will I ever more trust the Oaths of perfidious and Perjured me●. I will ●epose more confidence in one excommunicated Christian than in a legion of Heathenish Covenanters. Till this time I never thought excommunication a blessing When Allegiance is there crime and obedience the cause why they are excluded the Pale of there reformed Church. I shall look, and hope for salvation without it, and a little doubt theirs that are within. Let me live and die with those noble Souls that to save their honours, have with those bad bold men, lost there Titles. They are rich and happy though robbed of all it was possible to take from them. They are honourable although degraded, and have good right to there Coats and Honours, what usurping Covenanter soever and unjust pretender swell in the borrowed robes of their untainted Titles  
My Lord, i● did not a little please me, after their several mockfasts in Scotland, to see the very common people as if they were undeceived, entertain the Covenant with scorn and laughter, in the very Churches: so ridiculous and horrid a thing did it seem to them, for any to offer that again which they had broke the first time, and intended nothing less than to keep the second. I pity there present and sad condition, which coming but lately from thence, I cannot so soon forget: which to repair I am confident they would now prefer the King's interest, to any whatsoever.  
My Lord Your Lordship knows, that I know their several Factions and their Fractions: Kind Heaven multiply their divisions. Divide & impera, was said of old, and I could wish upon as good grounds the Heads of those Factions were more hearty together by the Ears, that they were at that distance▪ I could from my heart wish their heads from their shoulders. Till some of their heads shall be divided from their bodies, it will be hard to divide the body of that Kingdom, from those Heads. I fear Combination, and suspect Conspiracies amongst those Covenanters. It was much the discourse before I left those parts there had been meetings in the night, [the aptest season for dark intentions] between the greatest seeming adversaries and irreconcilable. Let them design in Hollowest Caverns of the Earth, and plot in deapest Hell, from whence they borrow there black Counsels, whose Actions will not endure the light, whose professions differ from their Actions who draw near to the King with their lips, when their hearts are far from him. I dread that Monster worse than the Nightmare, which these Nocturnae lucubrationes valde p●riculosiores, will in time, if not prevented, unseasonably produce, when they blush not to fit in Counsel by night, that are ashamed to be seen converse in the day, when the Sun would blush to discover them together.  
My Lord, Were it not strange for me to tell and you to believe, that yet the Covenant is urged to the King That fatal Covenant which his Glorious Father, of ever blessed Memory, with honour unexampled, and a conscience inviolable, rejected and contemned. Away with the Covenant, that mere stalking Horse trained up to betray and make a prey of poor innoeent and unwary simplicity: What vizard must they put on, what confident face, that offer to the King or expect he should keep, what they themselves have most wilfully violated? I blush for them that they are no whit out of countenance, to present so unsavoury a dish to his Princely palate of which many having furfetted they disgorged it before, and have not themselves tasted in the second course: who having been in the unlawful the dismal engagement are debarred from participating without public repentance made: Well may they give satisfaction to there Kirke and retake that precious morsel, the Covenant itself can give none to the King, when he shall consider the ruins of his Kingdoms, reflect on the loss of his Crown, and meditate on the Barbarous murder of his innocent Father, sadly occasioned by their damnable league, and cursed Covenant, against which he is neither Loyal, nor Religious, that enters not his protestation.  
My Lord, their remains one thing I shall acquaint your Lordsh with, which seriously I grieve to write: there are who whisper unprofitable & dangerous delays in the King's care insinuating what a longer time may bring forth.  
I should be wondrous sorry to see the old but pregnant Mother of truth delivered of more Monsters and prodigies: I fear all will miscarry if there appear no likelihood of quick & sudden action, & our big expectation, and seeming hopes will conclude in a tympany. I fear ill designs and worse intendments, when tedious advice, and lingering counsel serve for no other end then to retard execution, when long deliberations prevent necessary performances and give his Majesty's enemies who are not wanting in Scotland, opportunity to strengthen and corroborate themselves, and oppose him with greater advantages principiis obsta, is sound advise when we sensibly find, sero medicina paratur. The continuation of there practices wants nothing but continuance of time to cement those deadly conspirators of both Kingdoms to strongly, that I know not how many ages will suffice to dissolve them. They will be so firmly linked together, the King will find it a difficult work and an uncouth labour to unrivit and break them in pieces: the King's flownes when danger and necessity urge, will add to them, and take from himself. How providently do they begin to secure themselves by either securing the Royal party, or forcing those, whose loyalty they suspect, and of whose disloyalty they have not a perfect assurance, to give caution good security nor to disturb the peace of there Zion. We may vainly flatter and fond deceive ourselves with hopes from those Men who have taken off the heads of so many gallant persons for no other cause, then that of the Kings, and there faithfulness to his commands and service. And which is the most inhuman and savage thing, sold there King into the Land of Bondage, to be cruelly oppressed, and basely suffered him to be butchered, where a professed Hangman in that, than themselves more noble disdained the base employment. And both are rendered to posterity memorable, only the Hangman takes place, as justly deserving the pre-eminence; and I am confident there would arise a contention about his, were some of them to be exalred. My Lord I wish it were as safe, as necessary for the King to appear there in his Royal Person, and indisputable right. Or that there were not a necessity for one of the Royal line. Certainly the presence and Majesty of a King hath at least such influence on rebels, that if it terrify them not▪ it abates much of their pride and malice, many will readily rise in arms to assist him that will not stir a foot to follow though the best of their fellow Subjects. Carry what virtue soever a Commission can, it is their vice among many others, they foolishly distinguish his Person and his power and fond believe, to justify there resistance that they rebel not against the King when they fight against his authority. And albeit they cannot deny, in the word of a King, against whom there is no rising, there is Power many of them will oppose that power derived from him, that will not dare to affront his person. So unwisely do they argue and dispute, his personal and politic capacity a costly distinction. But how shall the King be entertained in Scotland by those that so earnestly invited, and gave so full and hearty a welcome to his most cruel enemy▪ would they not entreat the second time there coming, to keep him company. False people in common civilities out done by a Hangman, who in that one act, the not doing it expressed less of the slave, and more of loyalty to the King then ever they had done in there counterfeit pretences. And ignoble shadows of faith and Allegiance.  
This is the reason why many declare there dislike to that Nation and anaversion to the Kings going into Scotland, providing merely for his safety and their own; they are extremely unwilling he should adventure his Person, and embark with those that had shipwrackt your Royal Sovereign: he is an unskilful Mariner, or too bold and hardy that hazards the splitting of his vessel against a discovered Rock, or running on ground on shelves and known quicksands, where he is swallowed up unpitied. Really it is a high adventure, and his Majesty enterpriseth a dangerous, and desperate voyage, when he goes to harbour in Scotland. But when we discourse of crowns, and Sceptres, and regaining of revolted Kingdoms, and when he hath nothing left him, but his life (which Heaven preserve) to make himself, and his Subjects happy, who will not hazard that, which will otherwise be spent under the degree of a Prince heir apparent, and undoubted Successor to three potent Kingdoms.  
In the pursuit of private affairs, let who will stop, or desist, at pleasure, as they find it most conducing to their advantages, and the attaining of their proposed ends; in the progress to the recovery of an Empire, there is no mean between the death of an enemy, and the life of a Prince. It was the Devil's doctrine, all that a man hath he will give for his life. The gallant man returns him the lie, who to save that life, will not lose his honour.  
For the King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, to reside in Holland, ubi precario regnatur, & aliena vivitur Quadra, is to go less than himself, when his high attempts, and mighty Actions should proclaim to the whole world, from what Royal and most renowned Ancestors, he is lineally descended.  
My Noble Lord, how should we joy to view him on the head of a Puissant Army, confronting the Eenmy, in that bold posture Lucan draws Caesar, when he courts his metalled Soldiers, Steeled with courage and resolution, 
Ita per ignavas gentes, per inhospita Regna  
Atque uno ferri motu prosternite Mundum.   
I have as great regards to his Royal Person, as who bears the most but I know,  Non jacet in molli lecto veneranda Corona. 
The Gods sell all things to us Mortals here below, at the price of labour and sweat, and sure they set Crowns at a higher Rate. I would see him make the tributary earth his couch, and the auspicious Heavens spreading there embroidered and spangled Canopy over his sacred Head. And when the busy Traitor and too troublesome Enemy will spare him so much leave and leisure as to refresh himself, make the grass his Carpet and the ground his table that was lately both his pillow and bed I would see him cut out a way to his Crown through the bowels of his proud and rebellious Foes. Heap up Piles of slaughtered bodies and make there bleeding necks the steps, by which he should ascend into his Royal Throne.  
I would see him run the hazard of a War, and trust the propitious heavens with the success. I know what share Fortune challengeth to herself in every Battle, and I would allow that Blind Chance, better Christians call it Providence no more than what cannot be denied. Not to trust, were to disparage providence, not to believe it, were a piece of Atheism It were absolute madness to imagine, and believe, that the justly provoked deity (against which the bloodthirsty Murderers have opposed themselves and taken counsel together) will not be severely avenged of them for the loud crying blood of there Anointed. When with one eye I look down on there Diabolical proceed against so pure an innocence▪ my other exalted regards just Heaven, that hath an eye to them sees all there follies and shall have them in derision I cannot but smile when I seriously consider he that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh at their Calamity and mock when there fenres shall invade them like a furious and Impetuous Tempest and there destruction violently swallow them up like a whilewind. When but in equal balance I weigh the actions of these cursed Pagans. I find no parallel but the Jews crucifying our Saviour. There was Christ sold and betrayed by one of his Disciples one yet sat at table with him here his Anointed is bought, sold and betrayed by his followers, whom he had embosomed; betrayed by those, that had fed at his table, had eaten there daily bread at his bounty warmed them at his fires made hey in the sunshine of his favours and had sheltered themselves from the violence of oppressors under the shadow of his Kingly protection, there was Christ betrayed by one of his counsel. Here was one, unus instar omnium betrayed by many of his privy Counsel. The Band the Captains and Officers of the Jews came forth to take Christ, as a thief with flave and swords. They hurry him from place to place. How often have the Captains, Officers and thiefs of this cursed Band, come out against, King Coarles, the First. Charles the Great the Good, the First Great, Good, King three Kingdoms were alone most happy in. They came not only with staves and swords. But fire, bullets, and what ever deadly engines of War could promise them, or procure his unhappy Death. From how many several Prisons did they convey him. Changing only the Dungeon not his bad condition while he himself stood constant to his own excelling goodness. If they took often Counsel how they might slay our Saviour preaching in the temple they have as often meditated his fall and murder praying in his chamber. While the fall of a roof, must lay a foundation for his ruin and death?  
There was innocence slandered and accused by falf witnesses. For every one our Saviour had, our King had ten thousand. At last two false witnesses risen up; but two? would suffice: a bloody Priest, and a thirsting Multitude. But how in innumerable swarms did they rise against our dread Sovereign every one fixing and leaving a poisonous and deadly sting behind! The Jews reviled, mocked Christ, and spit in his face, what unheard of usage did the King groan under, what horrid abuses contumelies, reproaches base aspersions were heaped on him by these ungentile Devils, yet he opened not his mouth. There were soldiers too, that Gaped on him, and spit on his Majesty's Face. Those men accused falsely Jesus the Son of God▪ of Blasphemy. See here a God among the Sons of men Blasphemed by falls Accusers. His sacred Name blasted with disdainful titles of tyrant, yet never King more merciful, more just. Traitor, yet no Subject: and faithful to his God. He never betrayed the trust received from him Murderer. Yet who can lay innocent blood to his charge? The soldiers among the Jews cast lots for his Garments. It was all our Saviour had: the Jewish Parliament and the Pagan Army have divided the spoil and amongst themselves shared his royal inheritance with the fat of the land. And now there remains nothing worse to be done then the bringing of our Saviour to the cross and our Sovereign to the Block whither he bore the cross of his Saviour. There is a soldier ready with a spear to pierce his sides, here stand soldiers ready with an Axe to strike of his head: one fatal and cursed blow, ends both there lives: ●e joy in the former; it was happy for us; grieve and mourn in this latter, it was ill for us, though for him happy. Christ sits at the right hand of the Father, & certainly Charles sits at the right hand of the Son and both shall come to judge the Quick and the Dead. If these men prosper and carry it to there Graves. I shall renounce one Article of my Faith. There crimes are so new so horrid and so great there can be nothing added to increase there number or power: or render them to the world more odious and contemptible. I trust to see them like the Jews scattered and dispersed, and foorer expect the calling of the Jews. than the conversion of these sinners. I look upon them as certainly they are, Antichrist: and daily pray for there sudden downfall. I account the Jews less Guilty▪ than they, while they crucified our Saviour, not knowing he was the Lord of life. Or acknowledging him there King. By how many oaths of Allegiance Adamantine covenants in which they had desperately sworn, and protestations and vows were they indissolubly tied to him, a● there Lord and King. Yet they have put him to death, and of all then Oaths and damned Covenants kept but that one particular, of making him a glorious King.  
My Lord, Pardon me that I forget myself, and from a Soldier I turn a Preacher, it is a liberty that carries with it a Passport in the Age we live in. I know better to handle my Arms then a Text; which were I to analize, the Campane should afford a Pulpit: Rebels be the auditors which I would have preach, and thundered into such a Fear and trembling they should not to have patience to stay out half the Sermon which should be a lecture of Anatomy delivered in bullets. Fire, and sword.  
My Lord there is one thing which your Lordship must pardon me, it is this tedious [call it what you please] work of supererogation, and as little meritorious. I promised a letter and it is swollen into a Pamphlet, had it been more neatly dressed it might have found the easier excuse. If from the result of so uneven, so disproportioned judgement you can collect the least satisfaction, I shall pardon myself in that, I have been the less troublesome, and add no more, then that there is not a person living more, My Lord,  
Your Lordship's faithful, and Affectionate Servant. R.G.