Parentator. Memoirs of remarkables in the life and the death of the ever-memorable Dr.…

Upon this, Mr. Mather kneeled, and the King Offering his hand unto him, he Kissed it; and for this Time took his Leave.

Mr. Mather Immediately got ready, not only a Memorial of the Grievances which filled his Country with the Cry of the Oppressed, but also a Petition for a Redress of them, in several Proposed Instances. Indeed, he could not now propose the Restoration of the Condemned & Vacated Charter; But he did Propose (what the King himself had Instructed him to call) a MAGNA CHARTA, for an Everlasting Liberty of Conscience to the Churches, to the Religion whereof no less than an utter Extinction was intended and eagerly pursued by the Sons of Strangers who now Lorded it over them. He did therewithal Propose, a Confirmation of the Peoples Title to their Lands, which had been brought under such an Abominable Contestation. He did also Propose, a Liberty for an Assembly. But he had nothing more at Heart than the Interest of the College; whereof he was now the Rector: (and his appearing in ⟨p. 113⟩that Quality was no little Advantage to him in his Present Agency:) but the Ruin whereof was evidently in the View of the Persecutors. Having prepared the way for it by Private Applications, to the Lords of the Kings Privy Council, and the Chief Ministers, he again Waited on His Majesty, (July 2.) and was Admitted into his Closet; where he Presented kneeling his Memorial and Petition. The King put forth his Hand to take him up and said, You shall not kneel, Sir: and therewithal received the Papers out of his Hand; saying, I suppose these Papers concern New-England, and are about the same things, which you had some Discourse with me, not long since upon: And then putting them into his Pocket he said, He would take care about it. Mr. Mather was accompanied with Two Gentlemen whom the King treated, (not to say, Cheated) as his Favourites▪ Both of whom Declared unto his Majesty, That if he showed Favour to New-England it would have a Good Influence on the whole Body of Dissenters in England; Whereto the King Replied, I believe so, and it shall be done! And Mr. Mather then added, That his poor Subjects in New-England, very much Desired he should be Acquainted with their Condition: But he said, The Obligation will be beyond Expression great, if your Majesty, will Please to grant them a Charter for their College. Certainly, Sir, they may think it hard that the College built by NonConformists,