so long a storm, and so many neighbouring revolutions and tumults.  For to confess the truth, it had been possible enough for a man of my complexion to have shaken hands with any one constant and continued form whatever; but the contrary invasions and incursions, alternations and vicissitudes of fortune round about me, have hitherto more exasperated than calmed and mollified the temper of the country, and involved me, over and over again, with invincible difficulties and dangers.

I escape, ’tis true, but am troubled that it is more by chance, and something of my own prudence, than by justice; and am not satisfied to be out of the protection of the laws, and under any other safeguard than theirs.  As matters stand, I live, above one half, by the favour of others, which is an untoward obligation.  I do not like to owe my safety either to the generosity or affection of great persons, who allow me my legality and my liberty, or to the obliging manners of my predecessors, or my own:  for what if I were another kind of man?  If my deportment, and the frankness of my conversation or relationship, oblige my neighbours, ’tis that that they should acquit themselves of obligation in only permitting me to live, and they may say, “We allow him the free liberty of having divine service read in his own private chapel, when it is interdicted in all churches round about, and allow him the use of his goods and his life, as one who protects our wives and cattle in time of need.”  For my house has for many descents shared in the reputation of Lycurgus the Athenian, who was the general depository and guardian of the purses of his fellow-citizens.  Now I am clearly of opinion that a man should live by right and by authority, and not either by recompense or favour.  How many gallant men have rather chosen to lose their lives than to be debtors for them?  I hate to subject myself to any sort of obligation, but above all, to that which binds me by the duty of honour.  I think nothing so dear as what has been given me, and this because my will lies at pawn under the title of gratitude, and more willingly accept of services that are to be sold; I feel that for the last I give nothing but money, but for the other I give myself.

The knot that binds me by the laws of courtesy binds me more than that of civil constraint; I am much more at ease when bound by a scrivener, than by myself.  Is it not reason that my conscience should be much more engaged when men simply rely upon it?  In a bond, my faith owes nothing, because it has nothing lent it; let them trust to the security they have taken without me.  I had much rather break the wall of a prison and the laws themselves than my own word.  I am nice, even to superstition, in keeping my promises, and, therefore, upon all occasions have a care to make them uncertain and conditional.  To those of no great moment, I add the jealousy of my own rule, to make them weight; it wracks and oppresses me with its own interest.  Even in actions wholly