The Earle of VVarwicks ſurrender of the Ordinance and authoririty formerly granted to him by both Houſes of Parliament, &c.
BEing lately in Kent, to ſpeed out the Fleet, that an Eaſterly winde might not prevent their ſeaſonable getting forth of the River; And receiving notice of an Ordinance of Parliament, whereby the Members of both Houſes, holding Offices under their2 Authority, ſtand diſcharged after the end of Forty dayes, I thought it my duty, (after my giving in charge to the Captaines, then in thoſe parts, to bee faithfull in their Truſts) to make my returne backe, that I might teſtifie my cheerfull Compliance with the Houſes Reſolution.
While I have had the Honour to ſerve the Parliament in the great Truſt by them repoſed in me, both ſince my being Lord Admirall, and before, I have endeavoured to performe my Duty, with fidelity, and diligence, being acted therein by no other deſigne, but a deſire to advance Gods glory, and my Countries Service. And my Endeavou's (though accompanied with thoſe common Infirmities that are incident to men) have (through the bleſſing and goodneſſe of God) not been without ſome viſible advantage to the Publique, being made inſtrumentall to preſerve the Parliaments Intereſt in the Fleet, when it was3 laboured with Letters, and Commands under the broad Seale, from his Majeſtie, to be turned againſt them; And ſome ſervice hath accrued to the State by the releiving of our Friends, and interception of Supplies intended to the Enemy; Beſides thoſe leſſe obſervable preventions of danger, which without a vigilant eye, might have infeſted the Kingdome.
But as I did, in obedience to the Command of both Houſes, Receive, and hitherto Mannage that employment, ſo did my heart, with all poſſible readineſſe, ſubmit to their pleaſure, ſo ſoone as it was held forth in that Ordinance. And therefore, in teſtification of that high and honourable eſteem that I owe, and ſincerely beare to their wiſedomes, I do with al humility, and cheerfullneſſe, reſigne and ſurrender into their hands, the Office of Lord Admirall where with they were pleaſed formerly to intruſt me, And ſhall value it as my higheſt honour, and contentment,4 next to my God, to be ſerviceable to them, and my Country in any other condition where into his providence ſhall caſt me. Not counting my Perſon, nor deereſt intereſts, too pretious to be layd out in maintenance of that great cauſe of Religion, and Liberty, wherein they are ſo juſtly engaged. And in all their Reſolutions, my faithfull and ready Concurrence ſhall demonſtrate to all the world, That my higheſt ambition is, no other, then, to contribute my beſt endeavour for their Service. And that I am reſolved to ſtand, and fall with them in the upholding of Gods truth, and the publique Liberty; knowing well by many yeares experience, that the welfare of this Kingdom, cannot ſubſiſt without Gods bleſſing in the preſervation, and ſafety of the Parliament, Which I here preſent, as the reall, and can did expreſſions of a minde, full of integrity, and humble reſpect towards them.
And I ſhall joyne my Prayers, together5 with my utmoſt aſſiſtances, that as God hath thus far honoured them with doing of great Services to his name, ſo hee will continue to ſhine upon their Councells, untill this ſhaken Kingdome be eſtabliſhed upon a laſting, honourable, and holy foundation.