21.1. The second speech of the duke of Summerset to the people.

The second speech of the duke of Summerset to the people.

[1] _DEerelie beloued friends, there is no such matter in hand, as you vainlie hope or beleeue. It seemeth thus good to almightie God, whose ordinance it is meet & necessarie that we be all obedient vnto. Wherfore I praie you all to be quiet, and without tumult: for I am euen now quiet, and let vs ioine in praier vnto the Lord, for the preseruation of our noble king, vnto whose maiestie I wish continu|all health, with all felicitie and abundance & all maner of prosperous successe: where|vnto the people cried out, Amen. Moreo|uer, I wish vnto all his councellors the grace and fauour of God, whereby they may rule althings vprightlie with iustice, vnto whome I exhort you all in the Lord to shew your selues obedient, the which is [page 1069] also verie necessarie for you, vnder the paine of condemnation, and also most pro|fitable for the preseruation and safegard of the kings maiestie. And forsomuch as here|tofore I haue had oftentimes affaires with diuers men; & that it is hard to please euerie man that hath beene offended or in|iuried by me, I most humblie require and aske them forgiuenesse: but especiallie al|mightie God, whome thoroughout all my life I haue most greeuouslie offended. And vnto all other, whatsoeuer they be that haue offended me, I doo with my whole heart forgiue them.

[1] [2] And once againe (dearelie beloued in the Lord) I require that you will keepe your selues quiet and still, least thorough your tumult you might cause me to haue some trouble, which in this case would nothing at all profit me, neither be anie pleasure vnto you. For albeit the spirit be willing and readie, the flesh is fraile and wauering, and thorough your quietnesse I shall be much more the quieter: but if that you fall vnto tumult, it will be great trouble & no gaine at all vnto you. Moreo|uer, I desire you to beare me witnesse, that I die heere in the faith of Iesus Christ, desiring you to helpe me with your praiers, that I maie perseuere constant in the same vnto my liues end.