XII. MONARCHY AND MERCY.

IN reading the Roman (whilst under consuls) and Belgic History of the United Provinces, I remember not any capital offender, being condemned, ever forgiven, but always after sentence follows execution. It seems that the very constitution of a multitude is not so inclinable to save as to destroy. Such rulers in aristocracies or popular states cannot so properly be called gods, because, though having the great 96attributes of a deity, power and justice, they want (or will not use) the most godly property of God’s clemency, to forgive.

May I die in that government under which I was born, where a monarch doth command. Kings, where they see cause, have graciously granted pardons to men appointed to death; herein the lively image of God, to whom belongs mercies and forgivenesses. [Dan. ix. 9.] And although I will endeavour so to behave myself as not to need my sovereign’s favour in this kind, yet, because none can warrant his innocency in all things, it is comfortable living in such a commonwealth, where pardons heretofore on occasion have been, and hereafter may be procured.