98 though he serv'd not for his owne country, to which notwithstandinif he was an ornament, being one of the wisest councellors and excellent speakers in the house, and by him was that bill promoted and carried on which past for the continuation of this parliament. He had a younger brother living at Nottingham, who cold ly own'd the parliament. Sr. Thomas Hutchinson continued with the parliament, was firme to their cause, but infinitely desirous the difference might rather have bene compos'd by accommodation, then ended by conquest; and therefore did not emproove his interest to engage the country in the quarrell, which, if he could have prevented, he would not have had come to a wa.rre. He was however clearly on the parliament side, and never discourag'd his two sons, who thought this prudentiall tardinesse in their father was the declension of that vigour which they deriv'd from him,- and which better be- . came their youth. It is true they were the foremost in poynt of time and in degree, except a piece of a nobleman that was after drawne in, who owned the parliament's interest in their country. Mr. Henry Ireton, their cousin, was elder then they, and having had an education in the strictest way of godlinesse, and being a very grave and solid person, a man of good learning, greate understandworth some specimens, from one of which is extrac ted this as a singular trait of candour and delicacy . H It is pleasing to the nature of man that others should obey u his will, and well-framed dispositions of princes may easily be persuaded their u power is unlimited, when they are also put in mind that they have therefore more " cause to do well, and for doing well are more renowned : for the most oppressive u designs we have suffered under, the pretences to hi s maj esty have been the good of u his subjects: hi s is the sin, who is to jndge by the laws, who knows the laws are to "the contrary, yet puts and confirms such thoughts in hi s prince. He that incite.5 "another to arbi1rary government usually cloth it fo r self-end s, and when they are " compassed, hates him for taking that power he himself persuaded him unto." This will be found an elegant so lu tion of the paradox which appears in the character given by Mrs. Hutchinson of Charles the First, "that so good i\ man should make so bad a u prince.''
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=