I Most humbly intreat your Lordships favourable Interpreta­tion of what I now Write, that since your Lordships are resolved to proceed against those who have not Complied with the King's Command in Reading his Declaration, it is absolute­ly impossible for me to serve his Majesty any longer in this Commission. I beg leave to tell your Lordships, That tho' I my self did Submit in that particular, Yet I will never be any ways Instrumental in Punishing those my Brethren that did not: For as I call God to Witness, that what I did was meer­ly on a Principle of Conscience, so I am fully satisfied, that their forbearance was upon the same Principle. I have no reason to think otherwise of the whole Body of the Clergy, who upon all Occasions have signalized their Loyalty to the Crown, and their Zealous Affections to his present Majesties Person, in the worst of Times. Now my Lords, the Safety of the Church of England, seeming to be exceedingly Concern'd in this Prosecution, I must Declare I cannot with a safe Conscience sit as Judge in this Cause upon so many Pious and Excellent Men, with whom (if it be God's Will) it rather becomes me to suffer, than to be in the least accessary to their Sufferings: I therefore Earnestly Request your Lordship to interceed with his Majesty, That I may be Graciously dismissed any further Attendanee at the Board, and to assure him, that I am still ready to Sacrifice whatever I have to his Service; but my Conscience & Religion.