To hang a man for six-and-eightpence, and I know not what; to hang for a trifle and acquit murder,--is in the ministration of the law through the ill-framing of it. I have known in my experience abominable murders committed. And to see men lose their lives for petty matters: this is a thing God will reckon for. XIII. _To the Second Protectorate Parliament, January 23, 1657._ Truly, I shall in a word or two congratulate you with good _you_ are in possession of, and in some respect, I also with you. God hath bestowed upon you, and you are in possession of it,--Three Nations, and all that appertains to them. Which in either a geographical, or topical consideration, are Nations. In which also there are places of honour and consideration, not inferior to any in the known world,--without vanity it may be spoken. Truly God hath not made so much soil, furnished with so many blessings, in vain! But it is a goodly sight, if a man behold it _uno intuitu_. And therefore this is a possession of yours, worthy of congratulation. This is furnished,--give me leave to say, for I believe it is true,--with the best People in the world, possessing so much soil. A People in civil rights,--in respect of their rights and privileges,--very ancient and honourable. And _in_ this People, in the midst of this People, you have, what is still more precious, a _People_ (I know every one will hear and acknowledge it) that are to God "as the apple of His eye,"--and He says so of them, be they many, or be they few! But they are many. A People of the blessing of God; a People under His safety and protection. A People calling upon the Name of the Lord; which the Heathen do not. A People knowing God; and a People (according to the ordinary expressions) fearing God. And you have of this no parallel; no, not in all the world! You have in the midst of you glorious things. XIV. _April 13, 1657._ Truly I have, as before God, often thought that I could not tell what my business was, nor what I was in the place I stood in, save comparing myself to a good Constable set to keep the peace of the parish. XV. SPEECH XI. _April 13, 1657._