KING CHARLES HIS FAREWELL. LEFT As a Legacy to his dear CHILDREN; Written a little before his Death. Containing Many Excellent Admonitions and Directions how to demean themselves in all Estates and Conditions. WITH His Prayers in the time of His Troubles.  
LONDON; Printed for SKG 1649.   

 depiction of a man or King Charles I seated on a throne beneath a curtain, handing a book to a young man or Charles II kneeling before him; Charles I wears a cloak with the emblem of a cross within a sun; above, an arm emerging from a cloud holds out a crown   

KING CHARLES HIS FAREWELL.  
SON, if these Papers, with some others, wherein I have set down the private reflections of my Conscience, and my most impartial thoughts touching the chief passages, which have been most remarkable, or disputed in my late troubles come to your hands, to whom they are chief designed; they may be so fare useful to you, as to state your judgement aright in what hath passed; whereof a pious is the best use can be made; and they may also give you some directions, how to remedy the present distempers, and prevent (if God will) the like for time to come.  
It is some kind of deceiving and lessening the injury of my long restraint, when I find my leisure and solitude have produced something worthy of myself, and useful to you; That neither You nor any other may hereafter measure My Cause by the Success, nor my Judgement of things by my Misfortunes, which I count the greater by far, because they have so far lighted upon You and some others, whom I have cause most to love as well as myself, and of whose unmerited sufferings, I have a greater sense than of mine Own.  
But this advantage of wisdom You have above most Princes, that You have begun, and now spent some years of discretion, in the experience of troubles, and exercise of patience, wherein Piety, and all virtues, both Moral and Political, are commonly better planted to a thriving (as trees set in winter) then in the warmth, and serenity of times, or amidst those delights, which usually attend Princes Courts in times of peace and plenty, which are prone, either to root up all plants of true Virtue and Honour, or to be contented only with some leaves, and withering formalities of them, without any real fruits, such as tend to the public good, for which Princes should always remember they are born, and by providence designed.  
The evidence of which different education the holy Writ affords us in the contemplation of David and Rehoboam: The one prepared, by many afflictions for a flourishing Kingdom, the other softened by the unparaleld prosperity of Solomon's Court, and so corrupted to the great diminution, both for Peace, Honour, and Kingdom, by those flatteries, which are as unseparable from prosperous Princes, as Flies are from fruit in summer; whom adversity, like cold weather, drives away.  
I had rather you should be Charles le Bon, then le Grand, good then great, I hope God hath designed you to be both, having so early put you into that exercise of his Graces, and Gifts bestowed upon you, which may best weed out all vicious inclinations, and dispose you to those Princely endowments, and employments, which will most gain the love, and intent the welfare of those, over whom God shall place you.  
With God I would have you begin and end, who is King of Kings; the Sovereign disposer of the Kingdoms of the world; who pulleth down one, and setteth up another.  
The best Government, and highest Sovereignty you can attain to, is, to be subject to him, that the Sceptre of his Word and Spirit, may rule in your heart.  
The true glory of Princes consists in advancing God's Glory, in the maintenance of true Religion, and the Churches good; Also in the dispensation of civil Power, with Justice and Honour to the public peace.  
Piety will make you prosperous; at least it will keep you from being miserable; nor is he much a loser, that loseth all, yet saveth his own soul at last.  
To which Centre of true happiness, God, I trust, hath and will graciously direct all these black lines of affliction, which he hath been pleased to draw on me, and by which he hath [I hope] drawn me nearer to himself. You have already tasted of that Cup whereof I have liberally drank, which I look upon as God's Physic, having that in healthfulness which it wants in pleasure.  
Above all, I would have you, as I hope you are already; well grounded and settled in your Religion; The best profession of which, I have ever esteemed that of the Church of England, in which you have been educated; yet I would have your own Judgement and Reason now seal to that sacred bond which education hath written, that it may be judiciously your own Religion, and not other men's custom or tradition, which you profess.  
In this I charge you to persevere, as coming nearest to God's Word for Doctrine, and to the primitive examples for Government, with some little amendment, which I have otherwhere expressed & often offered, though in vain. Your fixation in matters of Religion will not be more necessary for your souls then your Kingdom's peace, when God shall bring you to them.  
For I have observed, that the Devil of Rebellion, doth commonly turn himself into an Angel of Reformation; and the old Serpent can pretend new Lights; when some men's Consciences accuse them for Sedition and Faction, they stop its mouth with the name and noise of Religion; when Piety pleads for peace and patience, they cry out Zeal.  
So that, unless in this point You be well settled, you shall never want temptations to destroy you and yours, under pretensions of reforming matters of Religion, for that seems even to worst men, as the best and most auspicious beginning of their worst defignes.  
Where, beside the Novelty which is taking enough with the Vulgar, every one hath an affectation, by seeming forward on an outward Reformation of Religion, to be thought zealous, hoping to cover those irreligious deformities, whereto they are conscious, by a severity of censuring other men's opinions or actions.  
Take heed of abetting any Factions, or applying to any public Discriminations in matters of Religion, contrary to what is in your Judgement, and the Church well settled: your partial adhering, as head, to any one side, gains you not so great advantages in some men's hearts (who are prone to be of their King's Religion) as it loseth you in others, who think themselves, and their profession first despised, then persecuted by you: Take such a course as may either with calmness and charity quite remove the seeming differences and offences, by impartiality, or so order affairs in point of power, that you shall not need to fear or flatter any faction; for if ever you stand in need of them, or must stand to their courtesy you are undone: The Serpent will devour the Dove: you must never expect less of loyalty, justice, or humanity then from those who engage into religious Rebellion: Their interest is always made Gods; under the colours of Piety, ambitious policies march, not only with greatest security, but applause, as to the populacy; you may hear from them Jacob's voice, but you shall feel they have Esau's hands.  
Nothing seemed less considerable than the Presbyterian Faction in England, for many years; so compliant they were to public order; nor indeed was their Party great, either in Church, or State, as to men's judgements: But as soon as discontents drove men into Sidings (as ill humours fall to the disaffected part, which cause inflammations) so did all, at first who affected any novelties adhere to that side, as the most remarkable and specious note of difference (then) in point of Religion.  
All the lesser Factions at first were officious servants to Presbytery their great Master: till time and military success discovering to each their peculiar advantages, invited them to part stakes, and leaving the joint stock of uniform Religion, pretended each to drive for their party, the trade of profits or preferments, to the breaking and undoing not only of the Church and State, but even of Pesbytery itself, which seemed and hoped at first to have engrossed all.  
Let nothing seem little or despicable to you, in matters which concern Religion and the Church's peace, so as to neglect a speedy reforming and effectual suppressing Errors, and Schisms, which seem at first but as a hand-bredth, by seditious Spirits, as by strong winds are soon made to cover and darken the whole Heaven.  
When you have done justice to God, your own soul and his Church, in the profession and preservation both of truth and unity in Religion. The next main hinge on which your prosperity will depend, and move, is, That of civil Justice, wherein the settled Laws of these Kingdoms, to which you are rightly heir, are the most excellent rules you can govern by; which by an admirable temperament give very much to Subject's industry, liberty, & happiness; and yet reserve enough to the Majesty & Prerogative of any King, who owns his people as Subjects, not as slaves; whose subjection, as it preserves their prosperity, peace, and safety; so it will never diminish your Rights, nor their ingenuous Liberties; which consists in the enjoyment of the fruits of their industry, and the benefit of those Laws to which themselves have consented.  
Never charge your Head with such a Crown, as shall by its heaviness oppress the whole body, the weakness of whose parts cannot return any thing of strength, honour, or safety, to the Head, but a necessary debilitation and ruin.  
Your Prerogative is best showed, and exercised in remitting, rather than exacting the rigour of the Laws, there being nothing worse, than legal tyranny.  
In these two points, the preservation of established Religion and Laws, I may (without vanity) turn the reproach of my sufferings, as to the world's censure, into the honour of a kind of Martyrdom, as to the testimony of my own Conscience. The troubles of my Kingdoms having nothing else to object against me but this, That I prefer Religion, and Laws established, before those alterations they propounded.  
And so indeed I do, and ever shall, till I am convinced by better Arguments, than what hitherto have been chief used towards Me, Tumults, Armies, and Prisons.  
I cannot yet learn that lesson, nor I hope ever will you, That it is safe for a King to gratify any Faction with the perturbation of the Laws, in which is wrapped up the public Interest, and the good of the community.  
How God will deal with Me, as to the removal of these pressures, and indignities, which his Justice by the very unjust hands of some of my Subjects, hath been pleased to lay upon Me, I cannot tell: nor am I much solicitous what wrong I suffer from men, while I retain in my soul, what I believe is right before God.  
I have offered all for Reformation and Safety, that in Reason, Honour, and Conscience, I can; reserving only what I cannot consent unto, without an irreparable injury to my own soul, the Church, and my people, and to you also; as the next and undoubted Heir of my Kingdoms.  
To which, if the divine Providence, to whom no difficulties are insuperable, shall in his due time after my decease bring you, as I hope he will: My Counsel and Charge to you, is, That you seriously consider the former real or objected miscarriages, which might occasion my troubles, that you may avoid them.  
Never repose so much upon any man's single counsel, fidelity, and discretion, in managing affairs of the first magnitude, (that is, matters of Religion and Justice) as to create in yourself, or others, a difference of your own judgement, which is likely to be always more constant and impartial to the interest of your Crown and Kingdom than any man's.  
Next, beware of exasperating any Factions by the crossness, and asperity of some men's passions, humours, or private opinions, employed by you, grounded only upon the differences in lesser matters, which are but the skirts and suburbs of Religion.  
Wherein a charitable connivance and Christian toleration often dissipates their strength, whom rougher opposition fortifies: and puts the despised and oppressed party, into such Combinations, as may most enable them to get a full revenge on those they count their Persecutors, who are commonly assisted by that vulgar commiseration, which attends all, that are said to suffer under the notion of Religion.  
Provided the differences amount not to an insolent opposition of Laws, and Government, or Religion established, as to the essentials of them, such motions and minings are intolerable.  
Always keep up solid piety, and those fundamental Truths (which mend both hearts and lives of men) with impartial favour and Justice.  
Take heed that outward circumstances and formalities of Religion devour not all, or the best encouragements of learning, industry, and piety; but with an equal eye and impartial hand, distribute favours and rewards to all men, as you find them for their real goodness both in abilities and fidelities worthy and capable of them.  
This will be sure to gain you the hearts of the best, and the most too: who though they be not good themselves, yet are glad to see the severer ways of virtue at any time sweetened by temporal rewards.  
I have, You see, conflicted with different and opposite factions; (for so I must needs call and count all those, that act not in any conformity to the Laws established, in Church and State) no sooner have they by force subdued what they counted their common Enemy, (that is, all those that adhered to the Laws, & to Me) and are secured from that fear, but they are divided to so high a rivalty, as sets them more at defiance against each other, than against their first Antagonists.  
Time will dissipate all factions, when once the rough horns of private men's covetous and ambitious designs, shall discover themselves, which were at first wrapped up and hidden under the soft and smooth pretensions of Religion, Reformation, and Liberty: As the Wolf is not less cruel, so he will be more justly hated, when he shall appear no better than a Wolf under Sheep's clothing  
But as for the seduced Train of the Vulgar, who in their simplicity follow those disguises, My charge and counsel to you, is, That as you need no palliations for any designs, (as other men) so that you study really to exceed [in true and constant demonstrations of goodness, piety, and virtue, towards the people] even all those men, that make the greatest noise and ostentations of Religion; so you shall neither fear any detection, (as they do, who have but the face and mask of goodness) nor shall you frustrate the just expectations of your people; who cannot in Reason promise themselves so much good from any Subject's novelties, as from the virtuous constancy of their King.  
When these mountains of congealed factions shall by the Sunshine of God's mercy, and the splendour of your virtues be thawed and dissipated; and the abused Vulgar shall have learned, that none are greater Oppressors of their Estates, Liberties, and Consciences, than those men, that entitle themselves, The Patrons and Vindicators of them, only to usurp power over them: Let then no passion betray you to any study of revenge upon those, whose own sin and folly will sufficiently punish them in due time.  
But as soon as the forked arrow of factious emulations is drawn out, use all princely arts, and clemency to heal the wounds; that the smart of the cure may not equal the anguish of the hurt.  
I have offered Acts of Indemnity, and Oblivion, to so great a latitude, as may include all, that can but suspect themselves to be any way obnoxious to the Laws; and which might serve to exclude all future jealousies and insecurities.  
I would have you always propense to the same way, when ever it shall be desired and accepted, let it be granted, not only as an act of State policy and necessity, but of Christian charity and choice.  
It is all I have now left Me, a power to forgive those that have deprived Me of all; and I thank God I have a heart to do it, and joy as much in this grace, which God hath given Me, as in all My former enjoyments; for this is a greater argument of God's love to Me, than any prosperity can be.  
Be confident (as I am) that the most of all fides who have done amiss, have done so, not out of malice, but misinformation, or misapprehension of things.  
None will be more loyal and faithful to me and you, than those Subjects, who sensible of their Errors, and our Injuries, will feel in their own Souls most vehement motives to repentance, and earnest desires to make some reparations for their former defects.  
As your quality sets you beyond any Duel with any Subject, so the Nobleness of your mind must raise you above the meditating any revenge, or executing your anger upon the many.  
The more conscious you shall be to your own merits, upon your people, the more prone you will be to expect all love and loyalty from them, and to inflict no punishment upon them for former miscarriages: You will have more inward complacency in pardoning one, than in punishing a thousand.  
This I writ to you, not despairing of God's mercy and My Subjects affections towards you, both which I hope you will study to deserve, yet We cannot merit of God, but by his own mercy.  
If God shall see fit to restore Me, and You after Me, to those enjoyments which the Laws have assigned to Us, and no Subjects without an high degree of guilt and sin, can divest Us of, then may I have better opportunity, when I shall be so happy to see you in peace, to let you more fully understand the things that belong to God's glory, your own honour, and the Kingdom's peace.  
But if you never see My face again, and God will have Me buried in such a barbarous Imprisonment and obscurity, [which the perfecting some men's designs require] wherein few hearts that love me are permitted to exchange a word or a look with Me, I do require and entreat you as your Father, and your KING, that you never suffer your heart to receive the least check against, or disaffection from the true Religion established in the Church of England.  
I tell you I have tried, and after much search, and many disputes, have concluded it to be the best in the world, not only in the Community, as Christian, but also in the special notion, as Reform, keeping the middle way between the pomp of superstitious Tyranny, and the meanness of fantastic Anarchy.  
Not but that (the draught being excellent as to the main, both for Doctrine and government in the Church of England) some lines, as in very good figures, may happily need some sweetening or polishing, which might here have easily been done by a safe and gentle hand: if some men's precipitancy had not violently demanded such rude alterations, as would have quite destroyed all the beauty and proportions of the whole.  
The scandal of the late Troubles, which some may object, and urge to you against the Protestant Religion established in England, is easily answered to them, or your own thoughts in this, That scarce any one who hath been a beginner, or an active Prosecutor of this late War against the Church, the Laws, and Me, either was, or is a true Lover, Embracer, or Practiser of the Protestant Religion established in England: which neither gives such rule, nor ever before set such examples.  
'Tis true, some heretofore had the boldness to present threatening Petitions to their Princes and Parliaments, which others of the same Faction (but of worse Spirits) have now put in execution; but let not counterfeit and disorderly zeal abate your value and esteem of true piety, both of them are to be known by their fruits; the sweetness of the Wine and Figtree is not to be despised, though the Brambles and Thorns should pretend to bear Figs and Grapes, thereby to rule over the Trees.  
Nor would I have you to entertain any aversation or dislike of Parliaments, which in their right constitution with freedom and honour, will never injure or diminish your greatness, but will rather be as interchanging of love, loyalty, and confidence between a Prince and his People.  
Nor would the eveats of this black Parliament have been other than such [however much biased by Factions in the Elections] if it had been preserved from the insolences of popular dictates, and tumultuary impressions: The sad effects of which will no doubt, make all Parliaments after this more cautious to preserve that Freedom, and Honour, which belongs to such Assemblies (when once they have fully shaken off this yoke of Vulgar encroachment) since the public interest consists in the mutual and common good of both Prince and People.  
Nothing can be more happy for all, than in fair, grave, and Honourable ways to contribute their Counsels in Common, enacting all things by public consent; without tyranny or Tumults. We must not starve ourselves, because some men have surfeited of wholesome sood.  
And if neither I, nor you, be ever restored to our Rights, but God in his severest justice, will punish My Subjects with continuance in their sin, and sister them to be deluded with the prosperity of their wickedness; I hope God will give Me and You that grace, which will teach and enable Us, to want, as well as to wear a Crown, which is not worth taking up, or enjoying, upon sordid, dishonourable, and irreligious terms.  
Keep you to true principles of piety, virtue, and Honour, You shall never want a Kingdom.  
A principal point of your honour will consist in your deferring all respect, love, & protection to your Mother, My Wife; who hath many ways deserved well of Me, and chief in this, that [having been a means to bless Me with so many hopeful Children; (all which, with their Mother, I recommand to your love and care) She hath been content with incomparable magnanimity and patience to suffer both for, and with Me, and You.  
My prayer to God Almighty is, (what ever becomes of Me, who am, I thank God, wrapped up and fortified in My own innocency, and his Grace) that he would be pleased to make you an Anchor, or Harbour rather, to these tossed and weatherbeaten Kingdoms; a Repairer by your wisdom, justice, piety, and valour, of what the folly and wickedness of some men have so far ruined, as to leave nothing entire in Church or State; to the Crown, the Nobility, the Clergy, or the Commons; either as to Laws, Liberties, Estates, Order, Honour, Conscience or lives.  
When they have destroyed Me, (for I know not how far God may permit the malice and cruelty of My Enemies to proceed, and such apprehensions some men's words and actions have already given Me) as I doubt not but My blood will cry aloud for vengeance to Heaven: so I beseech God not to power on't his wrath upon the generality of the people, who have either deserted Me, or engaged against Me, through the sartifice and hypocrisy of their Leaders, whose inward horror will be their first Tormenter, nor will they escape exemplary judgements.  
For those that loved Me, I pray God, they may have no miss of Me when I am gone; so much I wish and hope, that all good Subjects may be satisfied with the blessings of your presence and virtues.  
For those that repent of any defects in their duty towards Me, as I freely forgive them in the word of a Christian KING; so I believe you will find them truly zealous, to repay with interest that loyalty and love to You which was due to Me.  
In sum, what good I intended, do you perform, when God shall give you power: much good I have offered, more I purposed to Church and State, if times had been capable of it.  
The deception will soon vanish, and the Vizards will fall off apace; This mask of Religion on the face of Rebellion (for so it now plainly appears since My restraint and cruel usage, that they fought not for Me, as was pretended) will not long serve to hid some men's deformities.  
Happy times I hope attend you, wherein your Subject's [by their miseries] will have learned, that Religion to their God, and Loyalty to their King, cannot be parted without both their sin and their infelicity.  
I pray God bless You, and establish your Kingdoms in righteousness, your Soul in true Religion, and your honour in the love of God and your People.  
And if God will have disloyalty perfected by my destruction; let My memory ever, with My name, live in you; as of your Father, that loves you, and once a King of three flourishing Kingdoms; whom God thought fit to honour, not only with the Sceptre and government of them, but also with the suffering many indignities, and an untimely death for them; while I studied to preserve the rights of the Church, the power of the Laws, the honour of my Crown, the privilege of Parliaments, the Liberties of my People, and My own Conscience, which, I thank God, is dearer to Me than a thousand Kingdoms.  
I know God can, I hope he will yet restore Me to My Rights. I cannot despair either of his mercy, or of My People's love and pity.  
At worst, I trust I shall but go before you to a better Kingdom, which God hath prepared for me, and Me for it, through My Saviour Jesus Christ, to whose mercies I commend You and all mine.  
Farewell, till We meet, if not on Earth, yet in Heaven.   

Monday, 29. January, 1648. A true Relation of the KING'S Speech to the Lady Elizabeth, and the Duke of Gloucester, the day before His Death.  
HIS Children being come to meet Him, He first gave His blessing to the Lady Elizabeth, and bade her remember to tell her Brother James when ever she should see him, That it was his Father's last desire, that he should no more look upon Charles as his eldest Brother only, but be obedient unto him as his Sovereign; and that they should love one another, and forgive their Father's Enemies. Then said the King to her, Sweet heart you'll forget this: No (said she) I shall never forget it while I live: And pouring forth abundance of Tears, promised him to write down the Particulars.  
Then the King taking the Duke of Gloucester upon his knee, said, Sweetheart, now they will cut off thy Father's head; (upon which words the Child looked very steadfastly on him.) Mark Child what I say, they will cut off My Head, and perhaps make thee a King: But mark what I say, you must not be a King, so long as your Brother Charles and James do live; For they will cut off your Brother's heads (when they can catch them) and cut off thy head too at the last: and therefore I charge you, do not be made a King by them. At which the Child sighing, said, I will be torn in pieces first. Which falling so unexpectedly from one so young, it made the King rejoice exceedingly.   

Another Relation from the Lady Elizabeth's own hand.  
WHat the King said to Me the 29. of January, 1648. being the last time I had the happiness to see him; He told Me, He was glad I was come, and although He had not time to say much, yet somewhat He had to say to Me, which he had not to another, or leave in writing. Because he feared their Cruelty was such, as that they would not have permitted him to write to me. He wished me not to grieve and torment Myself for Him; for that would be a glorious death that he should die; it being for the Laws and Liberties of this Land, and for maintaining the true Protestant Religion.  
He bid me read Bishop Andrew's Sermons, hooker's Ecclesiastical Policy, and Bishop Laud's Book against Fisher, which would ground me against Popery.  
He told me he had forgiven all his Enemies, and hoped God would forgive them also; and commanded Us, and all the rest of my Brothers and Sisters to forgive them; He bid me tell my Mother, That his thoughts had never strayed from her, and that his love should be the same to the last.  
Withal, he commanded me and my Brother, to be obedient to her. And bid me send his Blessing to the rest of my Brothers and Sisters, with commendations to all his friends: So after he had given me his Blessing, I took my leave.  
Further, He commanded Us all to forgive those people, but never to trust them; For they had been most false to him, and to those that gave them power, and he seared also to their own souls; And desired me not to grieve for him, for he should die a Martyr, And that he doubted not but the Lord would settle his Throne upon his Son, and that We should be all happier, than We could have expected to have been, if he had lived: With many other things, which at present I cannot remember.  
ELIZABETH.   

THe KING said to the Duke of Gloucester, that He would say nothing to him but what was for the good of his soul: He told him, that He heard the Army intended to make him King; but it was a thing not for him to take upon him, if he regarded the welfare of his Soul; sor he had two Brothers before him: and therefore commanded him upon his Blessing, never to accept of it, unless it redounded lawfully upon him: And commanded him to fear the LORD, and He would provide for him.  
Copia Vera.   

An Epitaph upon King CHARLES.  
So falls that stately Cedar; while it stood  
That was the only glory of the Wood;  
Great Charles, thou earhly God Celestial Man,  
Whose life like others, though it were a span:  
Yet in that span, was comprehended more  
Than earth hath waters, or the Ocean shore;  
Thy heavenly virtues, Angels should rehearse,  
It is a theme too high for humane Verse:  
He that would know thee right, then let him look  
Upon thy rare incomparable Book,  
And read it o'er; which if he do,  
He'll find thee King, and Priest, and Prophet too,  
And sadly see our loss, and though in vain,  
With fruitless wishes call thee back again.  
Nor shall oblivion sit upon thy Hearse,  
Though there were neither Monument nor Verse.  
Thy sufferings and thy death let no man name;  
It was thy glory, but the Kingdom's shame.  
J. H.   

A Perfect Copy of PRAYERS Used by His MAJESTY In the time of His Sufferings. Delivered to Doctor JUXON, Bishop of London, immediately before His Death. Also a Copy of a Letter from the PRINCE.  

A PRAYER in time of Captivity.  
O Powerful and Eternal God to whom nothing is so great that it may resist; or so small, that it is contemned; look upon My Misery with thine eye of Mercy, and let Thine infinite power vouchsafe to limit out some proportion of deliverance unto Me, as to Thee shall seem most convenient; let not Injury, O Lord, triumph over Me; and let my faults by Thy hand be corrected; and make not my unjust Enemies the Ministers of thy Justice: But yet my God, if in Thy Wisdom this be the aptest chastisement for my unexcusable transgressions; if this ingrateful bondage be fittest for my over-high desires; if the pride of my (not enough humble) heart be thus to be broken, O Lord, I yield unto Thy will, and cheerfully embrace what sorrow Thou wilt have me suffer: Only thus much let me crave of Thee, (Let my craving, O Lord, be accepted of, since it even proceeds from Thee) that by Thy goodness which is Thyself, Thou wilt suffer some beam of Thy Majesty so to shine in My Mind, that I, who in My greatest Afflictions acknowledge it My Noblest Title to be Thy Creature, may still depend confidently on Thee. Let Calamity be the exercise, but not the overthrow of My virtue. O let not their prevailing power be to my destruction. And if it be Thy will that they more and more vex Me with punishment; yet, O Lord, never let their wickedness have such a hand, but that I may still carry a pure mind, and steadfast resolution ever to serve Thee, without fear or presumption, yet with that humble Confidence which may best please Thee; so that at the last I may come to Thy eternal Kingdom, through the Merits of Thy Son our alone Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.   

Another Prayer.  
ALmighty and most merciful Father, look down upon me Thy unworthy servant, who here prostrate myself at the Footstool of Thy Throne of Grace; but look upon me, O Father, through the Mediation and in the Merits of Jesus Christ, in whom Thou art only well pleased; for, of myself I am not worthy to stand before Thee, or to speak with my unclean lips to Thee most holy and eternal God; for as in sin I was conceived and born, so likewise I have broken all thy Commandments by my sinful motions, unclean thoughts, evil words, and wicked works; omitting many duties I ought to do, and committing many vices which Thou hast forbidden, under pain of Thy heavy Displeasure: as for my sins, O Lord, they are innumerable, wherefore I stand here liable to all the miseries in this life, and everlasting Torments in that to come; if Thou shouldest deal with me according to my deserts. I confess, O Lord, that it is Thy Mercy, (which endureth for ever) and Thy compassion (which never fails,) which is the cause that I have not been long ago consumed: but with Thee there is mercy and plenteous Redemption; in the multitude therefore of Thy mercies, and by the Merits of Jesus Christ, I entreat Thy Divine Majesty, that Thou wouldst not enter into judgement with Thy servant, nor be extreme to mark what is done amiss, but be Thou merciful unto me, and wash away all my sins with that precious blood that my Saviour shed for me. And I beseech thee, O Lord, not only to wash away all my sins, but also to purge my heart by Thy holy Spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption; and as Thou dost add days to my life, so good Lord, I beseech Thee, to add repentance to my days, that when I have passed this mortal life, I may be partaker of Thy everlasting Kingdom, through the Merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

A Prayer and Confession, made in and for the times of Affliction.  
ALmighty and most merciful Father, as it is only Thy goodness that admits of Our imperfect Prayers, and the knowledge that thy mercies are infinite, which can give Us any hope of Thy accepting or granting them; so it is our bounden and necessary duty to confess our sins freely unto Thee; and of all men living, I have most need, most reason, so to do, no man having been so much obliged by Thee, no man more grievously offending Thee: that degree of knowledge which Thou hast given Me, adding likewise to the guilt of My transgressions. For was it through ignorance, that I suffered innocent blood to be shed by a false pretended way of Justice? or that I permitted a wrong way of Thy Worship, to be set up in Scotland? and injured the Bishops in England? O no; but with shame and grief I confess, that I therein followed the persuasions of worldly wisdom, forsaking the Dictates of a right-informed Conscience: Wherefore, O Lord, I have no excuse to make, no hope left, but in the multitude of Thy mercies; for I know My repentance weak, and My prayers faulty: Grant therefore merciful Father, so to strengthen My repentance, and amend My prayers, that Thou mayest clear the way for Thine own mercies, to which, O let thy Justice at last give place, putting a speedy end to My deserved afflictions. In the mean time, give Me Patience to endure, Constancy against Temptations, and a discerning spirit, to choose what is best for Thy Church, and People, which thou hast committed to My Charge. Grant this, O most merciful Father, for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake, our only Saviour. Amen.   

A Prayer in time of imminent danger.  
O Most merciful Father, though My sins are so many and grievous, that I may rather expect the effects of thy anger, than so great a deliverance, as to free Me from My present great danger; yet, O Lord, since Thy mercies are over all Thy works, and Thou never failest to relieve all those who with humble and unfeigned repentance come to Thee for succour, it were to multiply, not diminish My transgressions to despair of Thy heavenly favour: wherefore I humbly desire Thy Divine Majesty, that Thou wilt not only Pardon all my sins, but also free Me out of the hands, and protect Me from the malice of My cruel Enemies. But if thy wrath against My heinous Offences will not otherways be satisfied, than by suffering Me to fall under my present afflictions, Thy will be done; yet with humble Importunity, I do and shall never leave to implore the assistance of Thy heavenly Spirit, that my cause, as I am Thy Vicegerent, may not suffer through my weakness or want of courage. O Lord, so strengthen and enlighten all the faculties of my mind, that with clearness I may show forth Thy Truth, and manfully endure this bloody Trial, that so my sufferings here may not only glorify Thee, but likewise be a furtherance to my salvation hereafter. Grant this, O merciful Father, for his sake who suffered for Me, even Jesus Christ the Righteous. Amen.  
FINIS.   

A Copy of a Letter which was sent from the PRINCE to the KING; Dated from the Hague Jan. 23. 1648.  
SIR;  
HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesty's present condition, but such as I receive from the Prints, or (which is as uncertain) Report, I have sent this Bearer Seamour to wait upon your Majesty; and to bring me an account of it: that I may withal assure your Majesty, I do not only pray for your Majesty according to my duty; but shall always be ready to do all which shall be in my power, to deserve that blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon  
SIR; Your Majesty's most humble and most obedient son and servant CHARLES. Hague Jan. 23. 1648.  
The Superscription was thus,  For the King.