XII. ALL WELL WEARIED.

TWO gentlemen, father and son, both of great quality, lived together; the son on a time, Father, said he, I would fain be satisfied how it cometh to pass, that of such agreements which I make betwixt neighbours fallen out, not one of twenty doth last and continue. Whereas not one of twenty fails wherein you are made arbitrator.

The reason, answered the other, is plain. No sooner do two friends fall out, but presently you offer yourself to compromise the difference, wherein I more commend your charity than your discretion. Whereas I always stay till the parties send or come to me, after both sides, being well wearied by spending much money in law, are mutually desirous of an agreement.

Had any endeavoured, some sixteen years since, to have advanced a firm peace betwixt the two opposite parties in our land, their success would not have answered their intentions, men’s veins were then so full of blood, and purses of money.

But since there hath been so large an evacuation of both, and men begin soberly to consider that either side may (by woful experience) make other miserable, but it is only our union can make both happy, some hope there is, that a peace, if now made, may probably last and continue, which God in his mercy make us worthy of, that we may in due time receive it.