Mercurius Britanicus, HIS APOLOGIE To all Well-affected People.
Together with an humbe Addresse To the High Court of Parliament.
Published according to Order.
⟨Aug: 11 th.⟩ LONDON, Printed for R. W. 1645.
MERCURIUS BRITANICUS, His Apologie, &c.
IT is to thee I write; as for the Malignant ignorant Rabble, I value them not.
I thought to have proceeded in my wonted Weekly course; but hearing of the many Clamours abroad (exasperated by the malicious tongues of such as glory in the name of Royalists) against Britanicus, and being informed of some discontent also among our Friends, I judged it expedient first to remove this Prejudice by a timely Satisfaction.
I intend not to act a self-justification where I know I have offended; and there can be no greater argument or aggravation of my offence, than to have merited the displeasure of the Parliament: VVith all humility then I bow to the Censure of that Supreme Court, the most equall and excellent Arbiter in all Cases whatsoever: Yet (and I hope without blame) I shall [Page 2] take liberty to say somewhat in excuse of my fault, and endeavour to mitigate that with Reason, which others raile at in Passion.
As touching the matter I have written, I should wilfully belie my own Conscience, if I did not avow it for Truth; and I have weekly given sufficient Evidences to the whole Kingdome, that it is so: Know then, Reader, (and I think thou dost know) that in such a case Britanicus will neither dissemble, nor tremble: But in some Circumstantials, as the manner, &c. I confesse I have overshot my self, though I hope, not beyond Recovery; for when the Occasion and Cause of my boldnes is known, I suppose few will pronounce me utterly inexcusable.
My meditating on the Kings Letters to the Marquis of Ormond, was the occasion; and the only cause (without ostentation I speak it) was my zeale to the Honour of the Parliament, and that poor gasping Kingdom of Ireland, now yielding up the ghost: The former being so often branded in those Letters with the most infamous slander of Rebels, when the abominable Irish at the same time are called Subjects; and the latter (together with their precious Religion [Page 3] and Liberties) prostituted by an open sale to the Tyrannie and Cruelty of the most barbarous Rebels in the world. The consideration of these things (I must confesse) transported me beyond my self, and clouded my judgement with so much passion, that I did not discern when my Pen slipped: And truly, what Christian would not have been moved upon such strange apprehensions as I then collected out of the Kings own Letters? which you may read at large in the last weeks Britanicus. I will give an Instance or two out of it.
‘The King in one Letter bids Ormond tell the Rebels, that Poynings Act, and all Lawes against Papists shall be abrogated, upon condition they will side with him against England and Scotland: And this (he sayes plainly) is neither against Conscience nor Honour.’
‘A second Instance is, that in another Letter he charges Ormond, howsoever, to continue the Cessation, if a Peace could not be obtained upon such Termes as had been sent him; and that rather than the Bargain should faile about the Cessation, he must bid so high, as to promise to joyn with the Rebels against the Protestants; And for a conclusion, the [Page 4] King talks of granting more hereafter, if he be able.’
‘A third Instance out of another Letter is: That Poynings Act (the maine fundamentall of the English Protestants in Ireland, is once againe prostituted to the pleasure of Irish Rebeli: That the chiefe of the Rebels ( Browne, Muskery, and Plunket) having signified their desires in matter of Religion, receive not only satisfaction, but thankes also for their Motion; yea further, and Counsell to sticke to it; and lastly an encouragement from the King's own hand, telling those hellish Firebrands, that so they and their Nation shall have comfort in what they have done: That his finall resolution concerning Religion in Ireland is, a suspension of the Penall Lawes against Catholiques for the present; and after that the Irish have helped him to ruine us here, an absolute abolishment of them by a Law: Touching this, he concludes with an Injunction of Secresie, but now it is published on the House-tops.’
I could give you more; but the consideration (I say) of these things, together with his manifest endeavour to ruine and roote out all [Page 5] true Professors of the Power of Godlinesse, in this famous City and Kingdom, extorted that from me on the sudden, which (upon second thoughts) I disavow, as unseemely and foolish.
That those expressions came out somwhat unseasonably, I grant, in regard Propositions are to be sent: but this is more than I knew at the time of my writing; howsoever, I am sure the Houses had not then determined to send any, and I my self am so desirous of an end of these miseries by an happy Accommodation (if possible) that I ever did, and shall endeavour to expresse my self sutably thereunto, when occasion is offered.
That I have mentioned any thing to disgrace the King in his naturall infirmity, (as some concieve) I utterly deny; for if I may have the liberty allowed by the Civill Law ( Cujus est condere, ejus est & interpretari) the Marginall Adage is otherwise to be construed.
Thus much (well-affected Reader) for thysatisfaction: now give meleave to make a Request; that thou be not swayed aside by the noise of Malignant and Malicious Tongues, whose harebrain'd Masters plot and labour to heighten discontents against me: But consider, that though [Page 6] Britanicus hath erred once against the King, yet never did against the Kingdom.
I shall conclude with my humble Addresse to the High and Honourable Court of Parliament.
AS the sense of your displeasure first brought me to a sight of my offence, so it is a punishment beyond all that can be inflicted: I never joyed in any thing more than in your prosperous Successe, because thereby I enjoyed Life and Liberty to do You and the Kingdom Service; nor do I desire either of them any longer than they may be usefull to that end, but shall be ready (if commanded) to render my self a willing Sacrifice to the Publique. Yet (most honourable Councell) if in your impartiall Judgement, the weight of my rash errour do not sinke me, I earnestly crave it may not recieve any aggravation [Page 7] from the malice of Malignant Adversaries; whom I may justly suspect to have, now I am under a Cloud (as they ever have had in time of greatest Serenity) a particular Designe in Secret against me. What I may expect from such men, their insulting Language declares, and the manifold Abuses put upon him now in Prison, who was only an Instrument, not Principall in the businesse: And therefore prostrating my self to the favour of that High Court, the Sanctuary and sacred Refuge of all such as have been faithfull to their Country, I most humbly begge thier Pardon and Protection.