th a consciousness of his own unworthiness,
and of his total inability to perform the work which he saw (p. 004)
before him, without the strength and guidance of divine grace. For
that strength and that guidance, we are assured, he prayed, and
laboured, and watched with all the intenseness and perseverance of an
humble faithful Christian. Those who are familiar with the expressions
of a contrite soul, will fully understand the sentiments recorded of
Henry of Monmouth at this season of his self-humiliation, and the
dedication of himself to God, and may yet be far from discovering in
them conclusive arguments in proof of his having passed his youth in
habits of gross violation of religious and moral principle. We have
already quoted the assertions of his biographer, that day and night he
sought pardon for the past, and grace for the future, to enable him to
bend his heart in faith and obedience to the Sovereign of all. And
even during the splendour and rejoicings of his coronation he appeared
to withdraw his mind entirely from the greatness of his worldly state,
thus forced upon him, and to fix his thoughts on the King of kings.[3]

[Footnote 1: Close Roll.]

[Footnote 2: "The high esteem which the nation had
of Henry's person produced such an entire
confidence in him, that both houses of parliament
in an address offered to swear allegiance to him
before he was crowned, or had taken the customary
oath to govern according to the laws. The King
thanked them for their good affections, and
exhorted them in their several places and stations
to employ all their power for the good of the
nation. He told them that he began his reign in
pardoning all that had offended him, and with such
a desire for his people's happiness, that he would
be crowned on no other condition than to make use
of all his authority to promote it; and prayed God
that, if he foresaw he was like to be any other
than a just and good king, he would please to take
him immediately out of the world, rather than seat
him on the throne, to live a public calamity to his
country."--Goodw