Series 1 > Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles the Second and Scotland in 1650

A LEADING ARTICLE
11
XIII
A BRIEF RELATION 1
{Extract)
If the mindes of men were not forestalled with a prejudice i64|.
that proceeds more from will and faction than from a cleare March9i.
and calme understandinge, and hath therefore in it much of a
character of the Divine displeasure against them (for, quos
perdere vult Jupiter dementat), it were not possible that either
the now governing partie in Scotland, or those who against
their duty, and to their sufficient danger, adhere to them in
England, should—against so many manifestations of Providence,
in such series of victories against them, and so many discoveries
from the idolls themselves whom they worship of their own
infidelity and falshood, and aversation to these mens interests
—still espouse that quarrell, and pursue that poynt which they
cannot arrive at without inevitable ruine.
There hath been many hints given them of what they will
feele; what hath been spoken in closets, hath been printed to
the world; it hath not been hitherto believed, because perhaps
it is by a penne that means not to flatter them; they have
sometime been told their faults as well as their danger. They
had no reason to doubt the truth of the one, because it was
accompanied with the other, which they cannot but know to
be perfectly true, or if they doe not, all men else who know
them doe.
And although perhaps without the skill of divination, he
that hath observed the passages of Providence, both at home
and abroad for some yeares past, and bringing the whole at
once into his view and contemplation, might be able to give a
judgement of things future very neere the truth, and to prae-
ominate sad things to some places and persons neere of kin to
certaintie, and therefore forbeare to give more warning by dis¬
covery, when tis probable there will be no use made of it:—the
divine decree being ready to bring forth when backsliders in
heart shall be filled with their own wayes; and hypocrisie shall
1 Feb. 12-19 (E. 593. 14), P- 337-