spirits use) will not think themselves safe while that is at all. And possibly this is the present state of things.
In this great work (at least to make it appear perfect and lasting to the kingdom) it is necessary the Queen realty join: for if she stand aloof, there will be still suspicions, it being a received opinion in the world, that she hath a great interest in the King's favour and power. And, to invite her, she is to consider with her self, whether such great virtues and eminent excellencies (though they be highly admired and valued by those that know her), ought to rest satisfied with so narrow a payment as the estimation of a few, and whether it be not more proper for a great Queen to arrive at universal honour and love than private esteem and value?
Then, how becoming a work for the sweetness and softness of her sex is composing of differences and uniting hearts: and how proper for a Queen, reconciling King and people!
There is but one thing remains, which whispered abroad busies the King's mind much (if not disturbs it) in the midst of these great resolutions; and that is the preservation of some servants, whom he thinks somewhat hardly torn from him of late, which is of so tender a nature, I shall rather propound something about it than resolve it.
The first Quære will be whether, as things now stand (kingdoms in the balance) the King is not to follow nature, where the conservation of the more general commands and governs the less: as iron by particular sympathy sticks to the loadstone, but yet, if it be joined with a great body of iron, it quits those particular affections to the loadstone, and moves with the other to the greater, the common country.
The second will be whether, if he could preserve those ministers, they can be of any use to him hereafter? Since no man is served with a greater prejudice, than he that employs suspected instruments, or not beloved, though able and deserving in themselves.
The third is, whether to preserve them there be any other way than for the King to be first right with his people? Since the rule in philosophy must ever hold good: nihil dat, quod non habet. Before the King have power to save, he must have power.
Lastly, whether the way to preserve this power be not to give it away? For the people of England have ever been like wantons, which pull and tug as long as the princes pulled with them, as you may see in Henry the third, King John, Edward the second, and indeed all the troublesome and unfortunate
