spoken assunder and agreeing together made up a full proof That no testimony may be neglected in matters of Treason That if any part of the charge was denied by the Defendant and proved by the Appellant it might convince him in a manner of the Whole And urged the offence of Ramseys challenging Rey. But more of that hereafter But Doctor Reeves prosecuted the matter for that Ramsey's Councel endeavoured to prove that he might decline the Combate or forbear answering because of some words which reflected upon my Lord Rey as matter of reproach that Rey had uttered words of Treason to catch Ramsey and then to turn Informer But said he No office can be accounted base when the King and Kingdoms safety is concern'd citing a story out of Livie that the Romans confederate with the Sanubies were to undergo a base office that stood not with Honour and resolved so long as it was advantagious to the Romane State it might with Honour be undertaken Doctor Eden was earnest to excuse himself for putting in these words against the Lord Rey saying that his Client enforced to have them inserted But being a point of Honour the Earl Marshal iuterposed That true it was the best man may not refuse the basest office to preserve a King and Nation But again it was most unworthy the degree of honour for any man to angle and intrap another and then to present him to that Kings Iustice. Then the Pleaders argued concerning Meldrams Testimony That no proof ought to be omitted for the King But it was offered for Ramsey to joyn issue upon that point in Law for the Bill was laid against him not general but particular to Place Time and matter viz. That in May last in a Ship and afterward at Amsterdam then again at Delph Ramsey should say such and such words which if Meldram would justifie besides himself they ought to be admitted otherwise it was no good matter but must refer to a new Bill That the Defendant had answered fully for that the Lord Rey profered his service to the Marquesse without pressing to know any designe That nothing in the Letters could convict Ramsey That the Lord Rey standing upon his great offices under the King of Swede and so not necessitated to serve the Marquess He had not those places of command then but since and that since his coming into England he said that he would have served under the Marquess and concluded that Ramsey and the Marquess might use such words and yet not intend Treason to his Majesty But having in this Tryal medled so much with the Marquess the Court was fain to enter an order or Protection to clear the Marquess his words or actions from dishonour Then the Court proceeded to Examine witnesses viva voce Archibal Raukin was to prove the challenge as the Bringer upon these questions he confessed That he was in Ramseys chamber at Richmond the last of October That Ramsey did not imploy him to carry any challenge to the Lord Rey But at that time Ramsey told him that it was his grief to be restrayned not to meet Rey who was a Trayterous villain and wished to meet him in the open fields at Barn-Elms he would make him dye for it and tear his heart with other such words of reproach and wished this Deponent to tell Rey so much which he did but it was three weeks after and then not until the Lord Rey told him that Ramsey had sent him a challenge so that said Ramsey my Message was but a relation not a challenge But Rauken was observed to falter from what he affirmed before Dr. Reeves and others viz. to have carried the challenge and that Ramsey could not deny it so that Rauken was threatned not to accuse Ramsey Gilbert Seaton deposed That Ramsey said he had made it come to Rey's ears to have ended this businesse without troubling the King or Lords Then Doctor Duck summoned up all the proceedings observing that formerly in the presence of the King Ramsey had with deep protestations and oath denied the time place and matter which he now confesseth and though then not examined upon oath yet in France and other Countreys the very holding up of the hand is an oath and so Tertullian sayes of the Romanes and Ramsey confessing part he might be guilty of the whole charge Doctor Eden said That Rey was not a competent witnesse against Ramsey though for the King for he was particeps criminis Capitalis Inimicus for the first his Bill made him so for it Ramsey spake Treason so did Rey for the second it appeared by Reys violent prosecution and if all failed his sword must make it good and so the Defendant was not bound to answer nor to accept the challenge unlesse he will to which he is so willing But Doctor Duck said these Reasons did not currere quatuor pedibus Some of the Conspirators with Cataline were revealers of the Treason and allowed as witnesses Doctor Reeves concluded that although some of the Lord Reys witnesses did not affirm what they might it would encourage him to set a sharper edge upon his sword when he entered the Lists and that the God of right would so weaken the heart of Ramsey that it should fail him when he took his sword in hand The Holy-daies of Christmass drawing nigh The Court ordered that either party might repair to Sr. Henry Martin and possesse him with further proofs out of these witnesses already Examined but of no other And so adjourned the Court till Monday the ninth of Ianuary when after some small debates but no further Matter or Proofs the businesse was briefly determined to be referred to the Kings pleasure Which came to this Account That Hamiltons power with the King got all favour for Ramsey and well rewarded in due time And Rey having done the duty of a Loyal Subject left the Court and Kingdom and returned to his Command in Sweden But this story though tedious will enlighten us further to the truths of the Scotish affairs This Year increased Discontents in the Clergy at Oxford University First many conceived that the renovations reducing their use of primitive times in Divine service was now no lesse than Innovation against which they bitterly Invected in their Pulpits and Pasquils Their very texts giving just cause of offence and mutiny as Let us make us a Coptain and return into Egypt And he cryed against the Altar in the word of the Lord and said O Altar Altar and many such reflecting upon the Persons of the most Eminent in the Church and violating the Kings Declaration for depressing Arminian controversies some of the offenders being convented before their superiours the vice Chancellor Appeal to the Proctors Bishop Laud mistaking these retrograde proceedings in appeals from Ascendents to Descendents caused the King at Woodstock to order the difference and censured the offenders to be expelled the University The
and so an abrogation of those of Ireland Now there was not a reception of the one instead of the other but the one with the other there being no difference in substance but onely in method number of subjects determined and other circumstantials argue no more an abrogation then that doth of the Apostles Creed by our reception of the Nicene Creed and Athanasius's wherein some points are more enlarged Or that the reception into our use the form of the Lords prayer according to S. Matthew abrogates that of S. Luke being the shorter Neither do I see but if for the manifestation of the union of the whole Reformed Churches We then should approve and receive the Articles of Religion agreed in other Reformed Churches and they receive ours it were no abrogating of either And the difference in them being onely in Circumstantials and not in substance all might be called one confession That as of many Seas one Ocean of many National Churches one Catholique Church so of many formes of Confessions but one faith amongst them That Argument from the Apostles speech of making void the old Covenant by speaking of a new or taking in the first day of the week to be the Sabbath instead of the last when but one in seven was to be kept doth not fit the Case for in these there was a superinduction and reception of the one for the other but in the Canon the Articles of England are received not instead but with those of Ireland And the practise of divers Bishops confirms it who many years after that upon an Ordination examined the persons as formerly according to the Articles of Ireland and took their subscription of them And in this I shall give you the sence of a most eminent learned and judicious person upon the view of what the Observator rescued had written of it I have received saies he the Book you sent me and have perused it I see he will have the allowance of our Articles of England by the Synod in Ireland to be a virtual disanulling of the Irish Confession which I conceive saith nomore but that both Confessions were consistent And the Act of that Synod not a revocation of the Irish Articles but an approbation of ours as agreeing with them He hath his flings at the Sermon preached at the Lord Primates Funeral but in truth he wrongs himself and our Church in those detractions from him Now this being so that the Articles of Ireland were not abrogated nor by the Primate so apprehended where was the ground of any displeasure disaffection or former grudge pretended very uncharitably by the Observator to be the cause of the Lord Primates carrying a sharp tooth against the Earl of Strafford It could not be for the first Canons passing which was all that was done in it for himself proposed and commended it and such as were intimate with him never heard him express any displeasure to the Earl upon that account And what Arguments soever may now be picked out of the draught of the Canon to imply an abrogation virtually or legally which is the last refuge the Observator flies unto are of no force to prove his displeasure then who did not so apprehend it and if he had then taken any such offence they are strangers to that holy man that can believe he could smother a grudge so many years but for such as have so aspersed him I shall pray that the thoughts of their hearts may be forgiven them So much for the clearing of that mistake concerning the Articles of Ireland which being made the Foundation of that other Building we are next to enter upon must accordingly fall with it also viz. The second Scandal in putting forward of the Earl of Strafford 's death But first to the whole matter which I shall lay down as plainly and briefly as the business will bear it The House of Commons having voted the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford which with some difficulty passed at last the House of Lords also and so tendered to the King for his royal assent He refused it for the present as not being satisfied upon his Hearing the Charge and Defence with the Evidence on both sides of which himself was witness That no sufficient proof was made nor any Law then in force whereby the Earl could be guilty of high Treason It was therefore necessary that Judges for the Law and Divines for his Conscience should satisfie him therein and they were with him to that end sent for by him and not sent to him The Houses of Parliament already really assured that their Proceedings and Votes for the Earl's condemnation ought to be sufficient satisfaction for the King without scruple of his own conscience to sign to their judgment the King being a party in Life and Death of a Delinquent ought to confide in the Verdict of the Iury. Nor was the King present as to satisfie his own conscience but his curiosity and it had been a strange President in the Parliament to consent unto much less to send any persons to the King to clear his conscience contrary to the Parliaments sentence especially such persons not having Vote in the House as the Judges have not Nor are the Bishops so much as assistant in cause of bloud or death by the fourth Canon of the Council of Toledo And it is confessed by both Authours that the Judges and Divines also were not willing to give their Opinions point blank against the Vote in Parliament And certainly if they had they might well have expected to be further questioned for it But in truth the Judges told the King that in point of Law the Oath made by Sir Henry Vane of the Earls advice to raise Horse to aw this Nation the Earl was guilty of Treason which though but singularis testis and which circumstances have been taken for sufficient testimony in Treason and more the King could not draw from the Judges as to any other particular but they flew to their general Opinion that super totam materiam he was guilty The King then starts his last Doubt that in his conscience he could not pass the Bill although the Earl were guilty having promised him under his hand that his Prerogative should save him never to pass that Bill nor to consent to the acting of any thing to take away his life And this was now that point of conscience Breach of Promise mostly insisted upon wherein the Divines were to satisfie And we have heard what hath been said of them And now let us see what the Arch-bishop of Armagh is pleased to say and that under his own hand-writing The Arch-bishop of Armagh's Testimony in Answer to the Historian pag. 257. l. 29. That Sunday morning writes he wherein the King consulted with the four Bishops London Durham Lincoln and Carlile the Arch-bishop of Armagh was not present being then Preaching as he then accustomed every Lords day to do in the Church of
a fourth part of the Members of either House whose judgments free single and apart did approve or desire such destructive changes in the Government of the Church I am perswaded there remains in far the major part of both Houses if free and full so much Learning Reason Religion and just Moderation as to know how to sever between the use and the abuse of things the institution and the corruption the Government and the mis-government the primitive paterns and the aberrations or blottings of after copies Sure they could not all upon so little or no Reason as yet produced to the contrarie so soon renounce all regard to the Laws in force to Antiquitie to the pietie of their reforming progenitours to the prosperitie of former times in this Church and State under the present Government of the Church Yet by a strange fatalitie these men suffer either by their absence or silence or negligence or supine credulitie believing that all is Gold which is gilded with the shews of Zeal and Reformation their private dissenting in Iudgment to be drawn into the common Sewer or stream of the present Vogue and humour which hath its chief rise and abetment from those popular clamours and Tumults which served to give life and strength to the infinite activitie of those men who studied with all diligence and policie to improve to their innovating Designs the present Distractions Such Armies of Propositions having so little in my judgment of Reason Iustice and Religion on their side as they had Tumult and Faction for their rise must not go alone but ever be back and seconded with Armies of Souldiers though the second should prevail against my person yet the first shall never over-come me further than I see cause for I look not at the number and power so much as I weigh their Reason and Iustice. Had the two Houses first sued out their Liverie and once effectually redeemed themselves from the Wardship of the Tumults which can be no other than the Hounds that attend the Crie and Hollow of those men who hunt after Factions and private Designs to the râ—ine of Church and State Did my judgment tell me that the Propositions sent to me were Results of the major part of their Votes who exercise their freedom as well as they have a Right to sit in Parliament I should then suspect mine own judgment for not speedily and fully concurring with every one of them For I have charitie enough to think there are wise men among them and humilitie to think that as in some things I may want so 't is fit I should use their advice which is the end for which I called them to a Parliament But yet I cannot allow their wisdom such a compleatness and inerrabilitie as to exclude my self since none of them hath that part to act that Trust to discharge nor that Estate and Honour to preserve as my self without whose Reason concurrent with theirs as the Sun's influence is necessarie in all Natures productions they cannot beget or bring forth any one compleat and authoritative Act of publick wisdom which makes the Laws But the unreasonableness of some Propositions not more evident to me than this is that they are not the joint and free desires of those in their major number who are of right to sit and vote in Parliament For many of them savour very strong of that old Leaven of Innovations masked under the name of Reformation which in my two last famous Predecessour's daies heaved at and sometimes threatned both Prince and Parliament But I am sure was never wont so far to infect the whole mass of the Nobilitie aâ—d Gentrie of this Kingdom however it dispersed among the Vulgar nor was it likely so suddenly to taint the major part of both Houses as that they should unanimously desire and affect so enormous and dangerous Innovations in Church and State contrarie to their former education practice and judgment Not that I am ignorant how the choice of many Members was carried by much faction in the Countreys some thirsting after nothing more than a passionate revenge of what ever displeasure they had conceived against me my Court or the Clergie But all Reason bids me impute these sudden and vast desires of change to those few who armed themselves with the many-headed and many-handed Tumults No less doth Reason Honour and Safetie both of Church and State command me to chew such morsels before I let them down If the straitness of my Conscience will give me leave to swallow down such Camels of Sacrilege and Injustice both to God and man as others do they have no more cause to quarrel with me than for this that my throat is not so wide as theirs yet by Gods help I am resolved that nothing of passâ—on or peevishness or list to contradict or vanitie to shew my Negative power shall have any byass upon my judgment to make me gratifie my will by denying any thing which my Reason and Conscience commands me not Nor on the other side will I consent to more than Reason Iustice Honour and Religion perswade me to be for God's glorie the Churches good my peoples welfare and mine own peace I will studie to satisfie my Parliament and my people but I will never for fear or flatterie gratifie any Faction how potent soever for this were to nourish the Disease and oppress the bodie Although many mens loyaltie and prudence are terrified from giving me that free and faithfull counsel which they are able and willing to impart and I may want yet none can hinder me from craving of the couâ—sel of that mightie Counsellour who can both suggest what is best and incline my heart stedfastly to follow it It is now by these Propositions laid open to all men that the Cabalists of their business have with great cunning reserved themselves untill due preparations should be fitted for their grand Design to quarrel with the King for they having removed a troublesom Rub in their way the Law that they might undermine the very foundation of it a new power had been assumed to interpret and declare Laws by extemporary Votes without any case judicially before them and without the King Orders and Ordinances pressing upon the peoples as Laws The next step an upstart Authority without the King to command the Militia the Magazine and Town of Hull and bestrid Hotham in his bold-faced Treason with unpresident Invectives against the Government with false Aspersions of His favouring a Rebellion in Ireland that the King ought to pasâ— all Laws offered by them to him however his Conscience shall be unsatisfied notwithstanding the clause in Law 2 H. 5. They do acknowledg there That it is of the Kings Regalitie to grant or denie such of their Petitions as pleaseth himself That the King's Guard is with intent to levie War against the Parliament to render him odious to the people They have so awed his good Subjects with censures and imprisonments that none
Against abuses committed on Sundays The King to make Leases of Lands parcel of his Dutchy of Cornwall For ease of obtaining Licences of Alienation and in the Pleadings of Pardon in the Exchequer or else where For restraining Misbehaviour in Inns and Alehouses That this Session shall not determine by his Majesties royal assent to these Acts. Then passed a Bill in the Lower House of Tonnage and Poundage but because it was limited to one year whereas former Grants to his Majesties Predecessors were for Life It was foundred in the Upper House The Reason of this Restraint was thus In a Parliament the 18. of King Iames the Kings learned Councill culled out of that Act reasons for pretermitted Customes and other Impositions which were accounted Grievances to the Subject and an Imoderate charge upon those Customes and therefore their Design was to reduce them to the rate settled long since tempore Mariae but they wanted time enough to mold it now The next Assembly met the first day of August at Oxford The Divinity School for the Commons and the Gallery above for the Lords Hence is observed a pretty Note To give up the Divinity-School to the Commons and that Chair to their Speaker put them into an usurpation of Determinations of Divinity and henceforward no Parliaments without a Committee of Religion of Lay-Persons not onely to mannage controversies of Divinity but to ruine the old and to establish a New And because the Kings designes required Expedition He summons both Houses to christ-Christ-Church Hall where he urged to them his Necessities for setting forth his Fleet. But his desires found no other consideration than for a formal Petition against Recusants and the causes of their increase with the Remedies Most Gracious Soveraâ—gn IT being infallibly true that nothing can more establish your Throne and assure the peace and prosperity of your People then the unity and sincerity of Religion We your Majesties most humble and loyal Subjects and Commons in this present Parliament assembled observing that of late there is an apparent mischievous encrease of Papists within your Dominions hold our selves bound in conscience and duty to present the same unto your sacred Majesty together with the dangerous consequences and what we conceive to be the most principal causes and what may be the remedies thereof 1. Their desperate ends being the subversion both of Church and State and the restlessness of their Spirits to attain those ends The Doctrine of their Teachers and Leaders perswading them that therein they shall do God good Service 2. Their evident and strict dependance upon such Foreign Princes as no way affect the good of your Majesty and this State 3. An opening a way of Popularity to the ambition of any who shall adventure to make himself head of so great a party The principal causes of the increase of Papists 1. The want of due execution of the Laws against Iesuits seminary Priests and Papists Recusants occasioned partly by Connivance of the State partly by many abuses of Officers 2. The interposing of foreign Princes by their Ambassadours and Agents in favour of them 3. Their great Concourse to the City and their frequent conventicles and conferences there 4. The Education of their children in Houses and Seminaries of their Religion in foreign parts which of late have been greatly multiplied and enlarged for the entertainment of the English 5. That in many places of this your Realm your people are not sufficiently instructed in the knowledge of true Religion 6. The licentious publishing of Popish and seditious Books 7. The imployment of men ill affected in Religion in places of Government who countenance the Popish party The Remedies be these 1. That there be great Care taken in the choise and admitting School-Masters and that the Ordinaries make diligent inquiries of their demeanours and proceed to the removing of such as shall be faulty 2. That the antient Discipline of the University be restored being the famous Nursery of literature 3. That for the propagation of the Gospel such able Ministers as have been formerly silenced may by fair entreaty of the Bishops be reduced to the service of the Church and that Non-residency Pluralities and Commendums may be moderated 4. That a straight provision may be made against transporting of English children to Popish Seminaries beyond Seas and for recalling such as are there already 5. That no Popish Recusant be permitted to come within the Court unless upon special occasion agreeable to the Statute 3â— Iacobi 6. That all Jesuits Priests and others having taken Orders from the See of Rome may be banished by Proclamation and in case of disobedience may be proceeded against according to the Laws of the Land 7. That none by any authority derived from the See of Rome be permitted to confer Orders or exercise any Ecclesiastical function within your Majesties Dominions 8. That all former Grants of Recusants lands made to the use and interest of such Recusants may by the advice of your Majesties Council be voided 9. That all Recusants may be excommunicated and not absolved but upon conformity 10. That all Recusants be removed from places of authority and government 11. That all Recusants be disarmed according to the provision of the Law 12. That they may be all confined to remain at their Country habitations and not to travel above five miles from thence 13. That none of your Majesties natural born Subjects be suffered to repair to the hearing of Masses or other superstitious service at the Chappels or houses of foreign Ambassadours or elsewhere 14. That all such insolencies as any Popishly affected have lately committed to the dishonour of our Religion be exemplarily punished 15. That the penalâ—y of 12. d. every Sunday for default of coming to Divine Service in the Church without lawful excuse may be put in Execution Lastly that your Majesty would be pleased to order that the like courses may be taken in Ireland for the establishing of true Religion there The Kings Answer was so satisfactory and sodain to each particular being heretofore branched to his Father and the remedies resolved upon them and now so reasonably required as that the King took him from hence to speak for himself and to put them to it to supply his very urgent Necessities to set forth his Navy It found affection in some earnest to give and to satisfie the present occasion with expedition Others having no heart to deny nor willing to contribute but cunningly to gain convenient time as to prejudice the Design which was to be sodain and there were these the most averse that quarreled not the Expedition for it was secret and so ought to be but old Sir Robert Mansel a quarrelous person for his interest in the Glass house then in dispence must be set up a Man of great Experience and sound Judgement but where in the Narrow Seas And he by Guess had declared against the Design and tendered some overtures
all retired to Bugden where he lived very Hospitably and in manner and order of the good Bishops not without an eye and ear over him of such as were Intelligencers of Court And at Westminster Hall the Ceremony begun towards the Abbey Church in order thus 1. The Aldermen of London by couples ushered by an Herauld 2. Eighty Knights of the Bath in their Robes each one having an Esquire to support and a Page to attend him 3. The Kings Serjeants at Law Solicitor Atturney Masters of Request and Iudges 4. Privy Councellors that were Knights and the chief Officers of the Kings Houshold 5. Barons of the Kingdome bare-headed in their Parliament Robes with Swords by their sides 6. The Bishops with Scarlet Gowns and Lawn sleeves bare-headed 7. The Vice-Counts and Earls not in their Parliament but in their Coronation Robes with coronetted Caps on their Heads 8. The Officers of State for the day whereof these are the Principal Sir Richard Winn Sir George Goring The Lord Privy Seal The Archbishop of Canterbury The Earl of Dorset carrying the first Sword The Earl of Essex carrying the second Sword The Earl of Kent carrying the third Sword The Earl of Mountgomery carrying the Spurs The Earl of Sussex carrying the Globe and Cross upon it The Bishop of London carrying the Golden Cup for the Communion The Bishop of Winchester carrying the Golden Plate for the Communion The Earl of Rutland carrying the Scepter The Marquess Hamilton carrying the Sword of State naked The Earl of Pembroke carrying the Crown The Lord Maior in a Crimson Velvet Gown carried a Short Scepter before the King amongst the Serjeants The Earl of Arundel as Earl Marshall of England and the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High Constable of England for that day went next before his Majesty The King entred at the West Gate of the Church under a rich Canopy carried by the Barons of the Cinque Ports His own Person supported by Doctor Neil Bishop of Durham on the one hand and Doctorâ— Lake Bishop of Bath and Wells on the other His train six yards long of Purpleâ—Velvet held up by the Lord Compton Master of the Robes and the Lord Viscount Doncaster Master of the Wardrobe Here he was met by the Prebends of Westminster Bishop Lawd supplying the Deans Place in their rich Copes who delivered into the Kings hands the Staff of King Edward the Confessor with which he walked up to the Throne Which was framed from the Quire to the Altar the King mounted upon it none under the degree of a Baron standing therein save only the Prebends of Westminster who attended on the Altar Three Chairs for the King in several places first of Repose the second the antient Chair of Coronation and the third placed on an high square of five steps ascent being the Chair of State All settled and reposed the Arch-bishop of Canterbury presented his Majesty to the Lords and Commons East West North and South asking them if they did consent to the Coronation of K. Charles their lawful Soveraign The King in the mean time presented himself bareheaded the consent being given four times with great acclamation the King took his Chair of Repose The Sermon being done the Arch-Bishop invested in a rich Cope goeth to the King kneeling upon Cushions at the Communion Table and askes his willingness to take the Oath usually taken by his Predecessors The King is willing ariseth and goeth to the Altar and is interrogated and thus answereth Coronation Oath Sir Sayes the Arch-bishop will you grant and keep and by your Oath confirm to the People of England the Laws and Customes to them granted by the Kings of England your lawful and Religious Predecessours and namely the Laws Customs and Franchises granted to the Clergy by the glorious King St. Edward your Predecessor according to the Lawes of God the true profession of the Gospel established in this Kingdome agreeable to the Prerogative of the Kings thereof and the antient Customes of the Realm The Kings answer I grant and promise to keep them Sir Will you keep Peace and Godly agreement according to your power both to God the holy Church the Clergy and the people I will keep it Sir Will you to your power cause Law Iustice and discretion to mercy and truth to be executed to your Iudgement I will Sir will you grant to hold and keep the Laws and Rightfull Customes which the Comminalty of this your Kingdome have and will you defend and uphold them to the honour of God so much as in you lieth I grant and promise so to do Then one of the Bishops read this Admonition to the King before the people with a lowd voice Our Lord and King wee beseech you to pardon and to grant and to preserve unto Vs and to the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and do Law and Iustice and that you would protect and defend Vs as every good King to his Kingdomes ought to be Protector and Defendor of the Bishops and the Churches under their Government The King answereth With a willing and devout heart I promise and grant my Pardon and that I will preserve and maintain to you and the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical privileges and due Law and Iustice and that I will be your Protector and Defender to my Power by the Assistance of God as every good King in his Kingdom in right ought to protect and defend the Bishops and Churches under their Government Then the King ariseth and is led to the Communion Table where he makes a solemn Oath in sight of all the people to observe the premisses and laying his hand upon the Bible saith The Oath The things which I have here promised I shall perform and keep So help me God and the Contents of this Book Then were his Robes taken off and were offered at the Altar He stood a while stripped to his Doublet and Hose of White Sattin Then led by the Arch Bishop and Doctor Lawd the Bishopâ—of St. Davids he was placed in the Chair of Coronation a Close Canopy spread over him the Arch-bishop anointing his Head Shoulders Arms and Hands with a costly ointment the Quire singing an Anthem of these words Zadook the Priest anointed King Solomon Hence he was led up in his Doublet and Hose with a White Coife on his head to the Communion Table where the Bishop of St. Davids Deputy for the Dean brought forth the antient Abiliments of King Edward the Confessor and put them upon him Then brought back to the Chair of Coronation he received the Crown of King Edward presented by the Bishop of Saint Davids and put on his Head by the Archâ— Bishop of Canterbury the Quire singing an Anthem Thou shalt put a Crown of pure Gold upon his head whereupon the Earls and Viscounts put on their Crimson Velvet Caps with Coronets about them the
Barons and Bishops alwaies standing bareheaded Then every Bishop came to the King to bring their Benediction upon him and he in King Edwards Robes with the Crown upon his Head rose from his Chair and bowed to every Bishop apart Then was girt about him King Edwards Sword which himself after wards took off and offered it up at the Communion Table with two Swords more in relation to Scotland and Ireland or to some antient Principalities with his Predecessors enjoyed in France The Duke of Buckingham as Master of the Horse put on his Spurs and thus compleatly crowned his Majesty offered first Gold then Silver and afterwards Bread and Wine which was to be used at the holy Communion Then the King was conducted by the Nobility to the Throne upon the square Basis of five Descents the Quire singing Te Deum where he received the Oath of Homage from the Duke of Buckingham as Lord High Constable for that day and the Duke swore all the Nobility to be Homagers to his Majesty at the Kings knee Then the Earls and Barons laid their hands on the Crown upon the Kings head protesting to spend their bloods to maintain it to him and his lawful Heirs The Bishops kneeled down but took no oath the King kissing each of them Then the King took a Scrowl of Parchment out of his Bosom and gave it to the Lord Keeper Coventry who read it to the Commons four several times East West North and South the effect His Majesties pardon to all that would take it under his Broad-Seal From the Throne to the Communion Table where the Arch-bishop kneeling at the North side read prayers and the Quire sung the Nicene Creed the Bishops Landaff and Norwich read the Epistle and Gospels The Bishops of Durham and Saint Davids in rich copes with his Majesty received the Communion the Bread from the Archbishop the Wine from Bishop Saint Davids The King received last of all whilest Gloria Patri was sung and some prayers by the Arch-bishop conclude the solemnity After the King had disrobed himself in King Edwards Chapel he came forth in a short Robe of Red Velvet girt unto him lined with Ermins and a Crown of his own upon his head set with very pretious stones And thus the Train going to the Barges at the water-side they returned to White-hall about three a clock afternoon This being as yet the last solemnity of this King Charles I could say no less to preserve it to memory to shew what that State had been till it be so again And now the King calls a Parliament which met the sixth of February Sir Henage Finch Recorder of London chosen Speaker of the Commons House So soon are they summoned after their last Dissolution It was the Kings design then to take this short time of recess to cool the heat of some fiery Spirits and now for him to give all possible satisfaction to their former pressures of Grievances which had been lately fully cleared unto them in pursuance of their pretended devout care for settling of Religion But still the house of Commons scrutiny and by a Committee strictly examine what abuses had interferred the execution of his Majesties Grace therein And the Lords betake themselves to a Grievance of their own Order The old ones had a former complaint five years since to King Iames against such New Lords of foreign Titles of Honour that claimed thereby precedency of Inferior titles at home and were then quelled in that quarrel as being in the pleasure of the Prince to effuse the beames of Honour and to collate what he please upon whom and how he please But now another dress and much more boldly To the Kings most Excellent Majesty In all humility SHeweth unto your most Excellent Majesty your ever Loyal Subjects the Lords Spiritual and Temporal now in Parliament assembled That whereas the Peers and Nobility of this your Kingdome of England have heretofore in civility yielded as to strangers precedency according to their several degrees unto such Nobles of Scotland and Ireland as being in titles above them have resorted hither Now divers of the nâ—tâ—ral born Subjects of this Kingdom resident here with their Families and having their chief Estates among us do by reason of some late created Dignities in those Kingdomes of Scotland and Ireland claim Precedency of the Peers of this Realm which tends both to the dis-service of your Majeâ—â—â— and these Realms and to the great disparagemont of the English Nobility as by these reasons may appear 1. It is a novelty without precedent That men should inherit Honors where they possess nothing else 2. It is injurious to those Countreys from whence their Titles are derived that any should have Vote in Parliament where they have not a foot of Land 3. It is a grievance to the Countrey where they inhabit that men possessing very large Fortunes and Estates should by reason of foreign Titles be exempted from those services of Trust and Charge which through their default become greater pressures upon others who bear the burthen 4. It is a shame to Nobility that persons dignified with the Titles of Barons Viscounts c. should be obnoxious and exposed to arrest they being in the view of the Law no more then meer Plebeians We therefore humbly beseech your Majesty that you will be pleased according to the example of the best Princes and Times upon consideration of these inconveniences represented to your Majesty by the nearest Body of Honour to your Majesty that some course may be taken and an Order timely settled therein by your Princely Wisdom so as the inconvenience to your Majesty may be prevented and the prejudice and disparagement of the Peers and Nobility of this Kingdom may be redressed To which the King for the present Promised to take order therein And the next News was the commitment of the Earl of Arundel to the Tower and this the cause The King having a Design to reconcile an antient fewd of two families by contracting them into a Marriage between the Lord of Lorn son and heir to the Earl of Arguile and bred up in England a Protestant for that purpose and the Eldest Daughter of the late Duke of Lenox which though well known to the Earl of Arundel he very boldly marries his eldest Son the Lord Matravers unto her and excuses it to be the private contrivance of the two Mothers but he is committed to the Tower and being in time of Parliament the Peers Petition the King That no Peer is to be imprisoned without Order of the Upper House unless for Treason Felony or Denial of the security for the peace which retrived their old dispute Priviledge and lasted the debate of a Months time In which space Mr. Pym Chairman to the Câ—mmittee of Religion reports the Inquisition of their discovery A Letter to the Lord Maior of York for Reprieve of some Iesuits Priests and other Recusants which Letter was compared
my Religion The Earl replying desired the Prince to pardon him if he had offended him saying It was but out of his desire to serve him Whereas it had been the duty of a faithful servant to God and his Master to have disswaded the Prince from it had he found him staggering in his Religion Eighthly That he afterward having Conference with the Prince about the Romish Religion trayterously endeavoured to perswade him to turn Romish Catholique using an Argument to that end That the State of England never did nor could possibly do any great thing but when obedient to the Pope of Rome Ninthly That during the time aforesaid the Prince advising with the Earl about a new Offer by the King of Spain That the Prince Palatine should marry the Emperours Daughter â—e brought up in his Court and so should be restored to the Palatinate The Earl said It was a reasonable Proposition And when the danger of changing his Religion was objected the Earl replyed That without some such great Act the peace of Christendom could never be procured Tenthly That the Prince departing from Spain and leaving the Powers of Disposorios with the said Earl to be delivered upon the return of his Dispensation from Rome the Prince fearing lest after the Dispensation the Infanta might be put into a Monastery wrote a Letter back to the Earl commanding him not to make use of those Powers untill he could give him assurance that a Monastery should not rob him of his Wife which Letter the Earl receiving returned an answer disswading that Direction Shortly after which the Prince sent another Letter discharging him of his former Command But his late Majesty by the same Messenger sent him a more express Direction Not to deliver the Disposorios until a full conclusion had concerning the Palatinate adding this expression That he would never joy to marry his Son and to leave his onely Daughter weeping In which Dispatch though there was some mistake yet in the next following it was corrected and the Earl tied to his former Restrictions which he promised punctually to observe Neverthelesse contrary to his Duty and Allegiance he after set a day for the Disposorios without any assurance or so much as treating of those things to which he was restrained and that so short a day that if extraordinary diligence with good successe in the Journey had not concurred the Princes hands might have been bound up and yet he never sure of a Wife nor the Prince Palatine of Restitution Lastly That in an high an contemptuous manner he hath preferred a scandalous Petition to this Honourable House to the dishonour of the late King and his now Majesty especially one Article of that Petition wherein he gives his now Majesty the Lye by denying and offering to falsifie what his Majesty had affirmed There needs no strain of partiality to implead the difference of these charges assuredly if the Earls charge against the Duke could have served the turn It might have spared the Commons Impeachment the other comming far short of the designe which was to do it to the purpose And therefore This weighty Cause was managed by six Members Mr. Glanvil Mr. Herbert Ma. Selden Mr. Pim Mr. Wans ford Mr. Sherland to them was added Sr. Dudly Diggs as Prolocutor and Sr. Iohn Elliot brought up the Rear And so though the matter of the Prologue may be spared being made up with Elegancy yet rather then it shall be lost you may please to read it at this length My Lords THere are so many things of great importance to be said in very little time this day that I conceive it will not be unacceptable to your Lordships if setting by all Rhetorical affectations I onely in plain Country language humbly pray your Lordships favour to include many excuses necessary to my manifold infirmities in this one word I am commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons house to present unto your Lordships their most affectionate thanks for your ready condescending to this Conference which out of confidence in your great wisdoms and approved Justice for the service of his Majesty and the welfare of this Realm they desired upâ—â— this occasion The House of Commons by a fatal and universal concurrence of complaints from all the Sea-bordering parts of this Kingdom did find a great and griâ—vous interruption and stop of Trade and Traffique The base Pirats of Sally ignominiously infesting our Coasts taking our ships and goods and leading away the Subjects of this Kingdom into barbarous Captivity while to our shame and hinderance of Commerce our enemies did as it were besiege our Ports and block up our best Rivers mouths 〈◊〉 Friends on flight pretences made embargoes of our Merchants goods and every Nation upon the least occasion was ready to contemn and slight us So great was the apparent diminution of the ancient honour of this Crown and once strong reputation of our Nation Wherewith the Commons were more troubled calling to remembrance how formerly in France in Spain in Holland and every where by Sea and Land the Valours of this Kingdom had been better valued and even in latter times within remembrance when we had no Alliance with France none in Denmark none in Germany no Friend in Italy Scotland to say no more ununited Ireland not setled in peace and much less security at home when Spain was as ambitious as it is now under a King Philip the second they called their wisest the House of Austria as great and potent and both strengthened with a malitious League in France of persons ill-affected when the Low-countreys had no being yet by constant counsels and old English wayes even then that Spanish pride was cool'd that greatness of the house of Austria so formidable to us now was well resisted and to the United Provinces of the Low countreys such a beginning growth and strength was given as gave us honour over all the Christian World The Commons therefore wondring at the Evils which they suffered debating of the causes of them found they were many drawn like one Line to one Circumference of decay of Trade and strength of Honour and of Reputation in this kingdom which as in one Centre met in one great man the Cause of all whom I am here to name the Duke of Buckingham Here Sir Dudly Diggs made a stand as wondring to see the Duke present Yet he took the Roll and read the Preamble to the charge with the Dukes long Titles and then went on My Lords This lofty Title of this mighty Man me thinks doth raise my spirits to speak with a Paulo majora canamus and let it not displease your Lordships if for foundation I compare the beautiful Structure and fair composition of this Monarchy wherein we live to the great work of God the World it self in which the solid body of incorporated Earth and Sea as I conceive in regard of our Husbandry Manufactures and Commerce by Land and Sea may
into one Opinion that thereby no reason given to the House their Restraint was an Arrest of the whole Body and a breach of Priviledge must needs follow which was so remonstrated to the King and they therefore released But what ground â—r Presidents had the Judges a late law of their own making for it is well observed That in the Parliament 35. Eliz. Sr. Peter Wentworth and Sr. Henry Bromley by petition to the Upper House to be supplicants with them of the Lower House unto her Majesty for entailing the succession of the Crown the Bill being drawn by them These two were summoned before Sr. Thomas Henage one of the Privy Councel and commanded to forbear the Parliament and to stand secured to their Lodgings and after further examination before the Councel were committed Wentworth to the Tower Bromley and other Courtiers to the Fleet. Another instance Mr. Morice Attorny of the Dutchy of Lancaster for moving against the justice of the Courts of Ecclesiastical Iudges Subscriptions and Oaths was taken out of the House so saith another Authour and committed to Prison for whose release Mr. Wroth humbly moved the House to be petitioners to her Majesty But was answered That the Queen must not accompt for actions of Royal Authority which may be of high and dangerous consequence nor can it become them to search into the Prerogative of Soveraigns These Members were five in all and might have been Precedents for the King and his five Members in due place hereafter But this course now taught the Lords to resent the like indignity to them in the Earl of Arundels case who lay committed to the Tower as before said and so they would sit still without motion to any matter till that he might be reâ—admitted which was instantly done To ballance with the Dukes Enemies Three Persons his confederates were made Barons to compeer in the Lords House the Lord Mandevil the eldest son to the Earl of Manchester created by Patent Baron Kimbolton Grandison son to the created Baron Imbercourt and Sr. Dudly Carlton made Baron Tregate being newly returned from his Trade of seven years Leiger Ambassadour abroad in Venice and Holland But it is said That the Lords found out an Old Order to Counter checque that designe That no Creations sedente Parliamento should have power to vote but onely to sit Not to Iudge but to learn to understand during that Session so that their Suffrages were excluded But I am assured of the contrary for they sate and voted Hence it is truly observed That in the late Parliament 1640. Seymor Littleton and Capel were so created sedente Parliamento and Digby Rich and Howard of Charlton called by special Writ were also admitted their votes and afterwards the last of the nineteen Propositions to the King at York for the King to passe a Bill to restrain Peers made hereafter to sit and vote in Parliament unlesse with consent of both Houses To which the King absolutely refused But however they were admitted the Duke was put to his own Innocency partially stiled impudency and lodges injustice on the Peers whose ill opinion he sayes deprest him and partial affection elevated the other who received the Attornies charge with undaunted spirit and returned so home an Answer as the House was amply satisfied of which take his own so saying for we hear not a word more nor other of it than that he saies so But the Dukes defence came quick to the Lords the eighth of Iune Who he sayes sequestered him from the House until his cause was determined upon which he was much dejected when really of himself he had forbore the House And therefore this morning had resolved to send it but was advised to present it himself which we shall finde to this purpose The Commons Impeachment and Declaration against the Duke of Buckingham FOr the speâ—dy redresse of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the Honour and Safety of our Soveraign Lord the KING and of his Crown and dignities and to the good and welfare of his people the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Soveraign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against GEORGE Duke Marquesse and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Baron of Whaddon great Admirall of the Kingdoms of ENGLAND and Ireland and of the principalitie of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant Generall Admirall Captain Generall and Governour of his Majesties Royall Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Soveraign Lord the King Lord Waâ—den Chancellour and Admirall of the Cinque-ports and of the Members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Iustice in Eyre of all Forests and Chaces on this side of the River of Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckingham-shire Steward and Bailiffe of Westminster Gentleman of his Bed-chamber and one of his Majesties honourable Frivie Councel in his Realms both of England Scotland and Ireland and Knight of the most noble order of the Garter The Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences Crimes and other matters comprised in the Articles following And him the said Duke do accuse and impeach of the the said Misdemeanors Misprisions Offences and Crimes ARTIC I. The Duke 's 1. Reply THat he the said Duke being young and unexperienced hath of late years with exorbitant ambition and for his own advantage procured and engrossed into his own hands severall great Offices both to the danger â—f the State and prejudice of that Service which should have been performed in them and to the discouragement of others who are thereby precluded from such hopes as their virtues abilities and publique employments might otherwise have obtained THat his late Majesty did of his own Royal Motion bestow them upon him and he hopeth and concieveth he may without blame recieve what his bountiful Master conferred upon him if the Common-wealth doth not suffer thereby Nor is it without precedents that men eminent in the esteem of their Soveraign have held as great and many Offices as himself But if it shall be proved that he falsely or corruptly hath executed those Offices he is and will be ready to resign them with his life and fortunes to his Majesties dispose II. Reply 2. That in the 16. year of the Reign of the late King he did give and pay to the then Earl of Nottingham for the Office of Great Admiral of England and Ireland and of the principality of Wales and Generall Governour of the Seas and Ships of the said Kingdomes and for the surrender of the said Offices to the intent the said Duke might
fled nor could any creature discern the Murderer but by several suspitions of those that were left last above with the Duke and therefore some cried out upon Soubiez the Frenchmen Friar whilest Felton having no power to fly far uncertain what to do stepped aside into the Kitchin near at hand hither the uproar and search followed some cried out Where 's the Villain Felton mistaking the words for Here 's the Villain suddenly started and said I am he whom they seized and with much ado to preserve alive from the fury of the Servants Mr. Stamford the Dukes follower tilting at him with a Rapier which others put by that missed but little of his intent to repay him to the full This being the truth we can scarce give credit that any one much less that the Earl of Cleveland and some others who were in the hearing of the thing reported that the most religious Murderer in the very act of striking said Lord have mercy on thy soul a Speech which the Duke had scarce ability to say himself but was onely heard to say some report with an Oath The Villain hath kill'd me We must observe the Authours easiness to believe Reports so improbable that the Earl and others Witnes enow should be so near to hear the thing and the several sayings and yet could not meet with the man till he discovered himself How very Christian-like he stiles â—he Malefactour The most religious Murderer and grounds his faith no doubt upon his charitable Requiem for the Duke's Soul which he had scarce ability to say for himself and yet with the same certainty he assures us that the Duke was heard to say much more and that with an Oath The Villain hath kill'd me This Oath was either an Asseveration which needed not or a Curse more wretched and both alike unlikely to be true Strange Reports are seldome of certainty which wise men justly forbear without good proof To say upon hear-say that A. B. hath hang'd himself is an abominable untruth if he be living Yet in such case the party belied hath time and means hereafter personally to recover his good fame by disproving the Report But to create and chronicle a fatal Scandal upon the very Soul of a noble person dying and that irreccoverably beyond the reach of repair is no doubt most unbeseeming an Historian or a good Christian. And for his two especial almost singularly observable things are thus mistaken that the Gorps was he says totally abandoned by each living man Indeed he dead the inquisition for Murder made every good man a party in the search as in such distraction is always needfull and besides the Duke's Dutchess and other Ladies in the upper Chamber hastened all mens affections and charity thitherward to preserve them and others in desperate agony And for the other ill news hath wings carried to Court by Captain Charls Price who found the King in the Presence chamber at his publick daily Prayers and the Company about him on their knees over whose heads he unhandsomly bestrid to make his way to the King rounding his ear The Duke is murdered which being thus passionately acted and so observed the Chaplain he made a stop till the King bid him go on as not to interrupt his Devotions with any outward accident But others he says thought he might dislike the mode of the Dukes dispatch yet was well pleased with the thing as if Providence had rid him of the subject whom he could not prefer with safeâ—y nor desert with honour an unhandsome character of the Kings conscience Many Messengers posted to Court with this ill News more hasty than able to satisfie the particulars therein and as passionately the Courtiers posted to Portsmouth There was one had command to inquire of the Fact to see the man and to search out somewhat to satisfie the King and with his Warrant to the Governour was put in to the Prisoner a little timber meagre gastly frightfull face Fellow already clapt into a small Centry house upon the Guard horribly laden with manacled Irons neither to sit nor to ly down but to be crippled against the Wall with him thus in private and to sweeten his devilish conditions the party pretended that in affection to some of his Friends he came of this visit to administer comfort with his Prayers the best effects of Charity to him But he answers that he was not so ignorant to believe that a man in his condition should be admitted such comforts but â— rather receive you an Examiner said he impowred to make inquisition of me and this Action of mine And after some disâ—oâ—rse Sir said he I shall be brief I killed him for the â—â—use of God and my Countrey Nay said the other there may be hope of his life the Surgeons say so It is impossible he replied I had the force of forty men assisted by him that guided my hand And being interrogated to several Questions he made these Answers That he was named John Felton heretofore 〈◊〉 to a Foot Company â—â—der Sir James Ramsey that he had endâ—â—voured for a Commission to be Captain in this Expedition and faild tâ—â—ein but without any regret upon the Duke from whom he had found respect nor for any private interest whatsoever that the late Remonstrance of Parliament published the Duke so odious that he appeared to him deserving death which no Iustice durst execute That it was not many days since he resolved to kill him but finding the Duke so closely attended that it should be his business to pass a Voluntier and do it in this Voyage Somewhat he said of a Sermon at St. Faiths Church under Pauls where the Preacher spake in justification of every man in a good cause to be Iudg and Executioner of sin which he interpreted to be him That passing out at the Postern-gate upon Tower-hill he espied that fatal Knife in a Cutler 's Glass-caâ—e which he bought for sixteen pence It was the point-end of a tuff Blade stuck into a cross Haft the whole length Handle and all not twelve Inches fastened to his right Pocket and from that time he resolved therewith to stab him That some days after he followed the Train to Portsmouth and coming by a Cross erected in the High-way he sharpened the point thereof upon the stone believing it more proper in justice to advantage his design than for the idolatrous intent it was first erected That he found continual trouble and disquiet in minde untill he should perform this Fact and came to Town but that Morning That no Soul living was â—â—cessary with him by any ways or means of the Dukes Execution That he was assured his Fact was justified and he the Redeemer of the Peoples sufferings under the power of the Dukes â—surpations c. And his Paper tackt in the Crown of his Hat seemed to satisfie his Conscience that he was thereof well pleased A little assurance may serve the turn to satisfie any
Spanish Ambassadour entered into their Traversies whiles an Anthem was sung and whilest the Dean Dr. Laud with three other Bishops went up to the Altar with a Latine Bible upon which the King laid his hand Secretary Coke having read the Oath the King kissed the Book and signed the Articles which he delivered up to the Ambassadour and so passed to the Banquetting-house to a princely Feast which the Kings good Friend assures us the Subject paid for with the aid of an old Prerogative-statute of Tax for Knighthood It was ancient indeed and from time to time of all Kings and Sovereigns since Edward the second framed then more for ease of the Subject than profit of that King then reduced to such to be made Knights that had twenty pounds per annum but before that time all men of fifteen pound per annum were required to take it But why it should ly skulking it seems to him onely who devises the matter and the manner To appear at the Coronation onely Ad arma gerenda not to be per force Knighted as was vulgarly supposed This vulgar Historian confines us to the manner Every man to receive a Belt and a Surcoat out of the Kings Wardrobe and if in four days there were no cause to fight without a Sword it seems they might take leave and be gone again The Statute is intituled Statutum de Militibus That our Sovereign Lord the King hath granted that all such as ought to be Knights and be not and have been distrained to take upon them that Order before the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord shall have respect to take upon them the foresaid Arms of Knighthood untill the Vigil of Saint Hilary c. And câ—rtainly it was their quality of thirty pound Rent per annum a plentifull Revenue in those former times made them capable not their sufficiency of body to bear Arms when thousands more of less Estates might be found fitter for fighting But being in force now notwithstanding those that refused it were brought to the Exchequer I believe above one hundred thousand pounds And the long Parliament that succeeded to please the People repealed it So that all the advantages he had to help himself were either condemned as done against the old Laws of the Land or else some new Law must be made to deprive him of the other that wanting all other means to support himself he might be forced upon the Alms of the Parliament The original ground was heretofore when the Services done by Ten were taken in kinde it was thought fit there should be some way of trial and approbation of those that were bound to such Services Therefore it was ordained that such as were to do Knights service after they came of age and had possession of their Lands and should be made Knights that is publickly declared to be fit for service Divers Ceremonies and Solemnities were in use for that purpose and if by the parties neglect this was not done he was punishable by Fine There being in those days an ordinary and open way to get Knighthood for those which were born to it c. The use of this hath for divers Ages been discontinued yet there have passed very few Kings under whom there hath not been these Summons requiring those holding Lands of such a value as the Law prescribes to appear at the Coronation or some other great Solemnity and to be knighted so as it is not new in the kinde nor new in the manner nor in excess of it indeed heretofore the Fines were moderate in some proportion and of late to meaner People Inholders Lease-holders Copi-holders Merchants and others scarce any man of value free from it And the Proceedings out by good Example President or Rule of Justice by Distresses and Issues The Disease of Europe was now become Martial War in Italy Germany in Bands of old Souldiers France afraid of a Neighbourstorm hindred all Propositions of Peace England besides the general Interest of the Reformed had the particular of the Palsgrave and always in Mutinies the States general are most concerned the Protestant Princes suppressed the House of Austria grown already to heigth threatned their â—uine nay the State of Venice was invited to increase the flame and disorder of this powerfull Body So then from North to South and of each side also was Germany beset with Enemies It was in Midsummer that Gustavus Adolphus King of Swede descended into Germany invited by themselves and incited by the assistance of all the former Princes and States though slenderly performed by them all Much to do he had to finde the cause of a Quarrel But Reasons he made and published which the Emperour answered and that sufficiently as we may conclude in the main concerning the Emperours depriving the Dukes of Meckelenburgh his Kinsmen of their Dutchies To which he was told That the Imperial Majesty was not to be controuled at home by foreign Pretences His Ears being open to Intercessours but not to Commands His general Pretence was as he vaunted to be the defence of the Protestant Cause and Religion which produced effects of a cruel bloudy and horrid War there then and other where since by the immense ambition of some few persons whom we may not name though their Vice we blame The Emperours old General Wallestein Duke of Frithland was at this Diet dismissed that Command by the perswasions of the French and Duke of Bavaria who had joyned a League defensive and offensive And his other General Tilly was turned Beadsman to his devotions and happy he had been to have so continued whilest he had Fortune his Hand-maid with as much glory as any Captain in the World which he changed to be conquered His former happiness was concluded in these That he heard Mass daily never touched a Woman never lost a Battel But he is wrought upon even by their Priests and prepares for War His first Master-piece was by cunning not force for finding Magdeburgh an Emperial rich Town of Saxony in some distraction then which brought such distraction after as no History can paralel The difference proceeded from their first choyce of Augustus Son to the Elector of Saxony for their Administrator But the Emperour and Pope commended the Arch Duke Leopâ—old now Governour of the Low Countreys The Town take parts and are appeased by Wallenstens power who turned the Town into a Garison and the forfeit of 150. thousand Rix Dollers Then Leopold presses further with very high demands which Christian of Brandenburgh and the Duke of Saxony interpose as therein concerned Brandenburgh enters the Town disguised and offers his and the King of Swedens protection who is received opening his passage into Pomerania and Meckelendburgh which he soon mastered And thus busied abroad he leaves Brandenburgh to rejoyce at his own designe when Poperheim posts thither makes havock of all before him and stops the Fox in his hole and besieges Magdeburgh December 1630.
Reprobates and therefore believes our Churches regeneration is by infusion of Grace by sowing the good seed But to answer him in this Let all Christians religiously pray and live according to the grace of Restitution and humbly submit their judgements concerning the secresie of personal Election and so this man sins against the 17. Article 4 The Anabaptist His purenesse is a supposed birth without Original sin and his Tenet that Infants must not be baptized and this believer opposeth the 9. and 27. Articles 5. The Brownists purenesse is to serve God in Woods and Fields and his opinion is that Idolatry cannot be reformed without pulling down of Churches Christ indeed whipt the buyers and sellers out of the Temple though it was prophaned yet without any pulling down and this man is against the 35. Article 6. Loves familist serves God as well at his neighbours charge as at his own omnia sunt communia the things which they possesse are not their own but all are Common He teacheth that unlawful swearing is worse than murther and this is against the 39. Article 7. The Precisian will not swear before a Magistrate That unlawful swearing is a greater sin than murther God indeed is greater then man here is the compare but then the effect destructive is greater by murther God commands that the murtherer die blood for blood he deals not so severely with the swearer See the 39. Article 8 The Sabbatarian preaches down Holy dayes preaching that the Instrumental directing cause to keep holy the sabbath day he makes to be the keeping holy the sabbath But Gods holy Worship prayer is keeping holy the sabbath day for preaching the holy direction teacheth holy worship prayer to be the holy practise of that day to praise the Lord for our Redemption the sole principal end of preaching on the Lords day His preaching is a Sylva synonymorum Tautologies Iterations His praying much erroneous and this is against the 35. Article 9. The Anti-disciplinarian is above the Kings supremacy Imperious Imagination his highnesse is the Churches greatest Authority and he saith this is as good a rule to know the reformed true faith is the holy Writ He is a strict observer of the Law therefore he accounts it the best Religion His tenet is That Kings must be subject to the Puritan To the Puritans Presbyters Censure submit their Scepters throw down their Crowns lick up the dust of their feet This Mr. Rogers in his eleventh page of his Preface to the 39. Articles And T. Cartwright teacheth in his Reply page 1080. And here the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance are broken against the 21. Article His tenet that all Priests should be equal See Varellus and Vivetus sermons two Geneva Presbyters against the â—3 33. and 36. Articles and against the twentieth Article 10. The presuming Predestinatist hath an inspired knowledge to be saved by Gods absolute Election as sure as it were now in Heaven no life in him but Gods essential glory against the 17. Article and the 3. Article Thus was it then amongst us Reformed and since it hath increased ten times worse But the Papist is not clear from Crimes schismes and sins The contest between Iesuites Priests and Secular Priests have evermore their debates and now grounded upon this occasion Richard Smith titular Bishop of Calcedon his honour there in Greece but his profit from England over all the Romish Catholicques especially for ordaining of Priests and confirmations of persons Baptized But when he came hither we cannot finde till now we have caught him here Yet Pope Gregory the thirteenth delegated one William Bishop to Calcedon who died 1624. After him succeeded another by Mission of Urbane the eighth 1625. this Richard Smith to the same Title But why to a foreign Title and not at as easie a rate to English as in Ireland he had to all Sees there the reason is He had in Ireland a Counter-party of People for Number and Quality in every Diocesse and Parish not so in England where it had been ridiculous in the Granter and dangerous in the Accepter To oppose his power up starts Nicholas Smith a Regular in malice to his advancement and quarrelled also against Doctor Kelson President of the Colledge of Doway who had printed a Treatise of the dignity and necessity of Bishop and secular Clergy Nicholas Smith's Reasons were for the Regulars first such Bishops uselesse in England in times of persecution Either for Ordination which might be supplied by foreign Bishops Or Confirmation of children which any Priest might perform by Commission from the Pope Secondly Burthensom to the already pressures of the English Catholicques And Thirdly the Person of Calcedon not lawfully called Kelson undertakes Answers to all these and the Insolency of the Regulars seemed more secular And indeed the Irish Regular exceeded such in England maintaining That the superiours of Regulars were more worthy than Bishops which caused the Doctors of Sorborn in Paris to censure the Proposition and the Arch-Bishop of Paris to condemn Nicholas Smiths Book and other Tractates of that sense But Bishop Smith would take upon him to approve of such Regulars Priests as were to be constant Confessors which the Jesuites opposed as an usurpation upon them And being the better Polititians contrive a Declaration under the name of the most noble and eminent Catholiques against his pretended Authority which Declaration was offered to the Spanish Ambassadour Don Carlos de Coloma together with the Kings Proclamations to ferret his person He declined both his power and presence to seek safety in France The Bishop fled the dogs bark Knot vice provincial of the English Jesuites and Flood another of St. Omers undertake him and Kelson also but were censured and silenced though not their several factions unto this day But this bickering is lodged under the product of the peace with Spain as if to encourage the Catholiques to rant it in Ireland also towards a Toleration The Lords Justices at Dublin at Church in one Parish the Priests at Masse in another who were seized by the Arch-Bishop and Major and all the City Officers their Trinkets taken away Images hewen down the Priests and Fryers delivered up to the Souldiers and yet rescued by the people from whom a strong power enforced them and eight Popish Aldermen clapt in prison for being remisse to attend their Major upon which mis-behaviour and mutiny fifteen Houses were seized to the Kings use and the Fryers and Priests persecuted and Two of them to save publique Execution hang'd themselves in their hose-garters The Earl of Essex would needs try Mastery with a fresh Mistresse being over born by his first Wife as their story is truly told in the life of King Iames 18. years since He then but a stripling but ever since getting strength and being falsely fram'd for Martial Exploits in the Low-Conntries where he Disciplin'd himself but without any high renown or feats of Arms or any extraordinary
that solemnity was done and she in Bed he presents Amptil his Page to her Person and unchaste imbracements reasoning with Scripture that her Body now made subject unto him and so at his command if to evil not her fault let her sin ly at his door but she refusing he left her at this time and takes Amptil whom he That the Kings Majesty had committed the Trial of the business to your Grace my Lord High Constable the Earl Marshal and this Court which course was warrantable by the Laws of other Nations and also by our own who have used the same manner of Trial. That our Law admitted sundry Proofs for Treason which in other matters it did not That all Subjects were bound to discover Treasons and cited two ancient Civilians Hieronymus and Tiberius who gave their Reasons for this kinde of Trial. And he mentioned sundry Records of our own Chronicles and Examples herein as the Duke of Norfolk combating against the Duke of Hartford in Henry 4. his time Jo Ely and William Scroop against Ballamon at Burdeaux the King being there The Lord Morley impeached Mountague Earl of Salisbury And that Thomas of Walsingham and Thomas of Woodstock in their learned Writings expressed sundry Presidents for this manner of Proceeding wishing the Court in Gods Name to go on to the Trial and the Appellant to give in his Evidence Then the Appellant came up upon the Table to whom the Earl Marshal delivered the Petition which he had the day before exhibited to the King And the Defendant being also called up the Petition was read which was in effect That he having accused Ramsey of Treason and also Meldram his Kinsman and of Confederacy against whom Captain Nothwick was witness therefore had desired that the Court would proceed against Meldram first But he was told by the Court that their Cases differing the Appellant was ordered to deliver in his Charge against the Defendant which he did in writing by Bill containing sundry Particulars viz. That in May last in the Low-countreys Ramsey complained to him against the Court of England That the matters of Church and State was so out of frame as must tend to a change if not desolation That thereforefore he had abandoned the Kingdom to live where now he was and to expect a mutation forthwith to which end he had brought present Moneys to maintain him at six pounds a day for three years That Marqucss Hamilton had a great Army promised to him for pay whereof the King had given in hand ten thousand pound and all the Wine Customes in Scotland for sixteen years presently to be sold for the Armies subsistence And that he staid but for Ammunition and Powder to come over for which his Lordship was to mediate with his Majesty of Sweden and the States and then link themselves together of whose minde Rey should know hereafter That their Friends in Scotland had gotten therefore Arms and Powder out of England and that what he should procure in Holland was to be brought over by the Marquess and that all Scotland were sure to them except Three That France and Spain thirsted for England but Hamilton would defeat them for himself His onely fear was of Denmark where he meant to land and either to take him off or make a party That afterwards at Amsterdam Ramsey with Alexander Hamilton solicited him the Lord Rey to be true to them and to be of their Council though as yet they durst not reveal too much of Hamilton's secrets but if he repaired to England he would intrust him with Letters and that his Brother in Law Sea-port knew all This being the effect of the Charge He added That if Ramsey would deny it he was a Villain and a Traitour which he would make good And therewith cast him his Clove Ramsey denied all and said Rey was a Liar a barbarous Villain and threw down his Glove protesting to gar him dy for it if he had had him in place for that purpose Rey was temperate without any passion but smiling replied Mr. Ramsey we will not contend here Answer to my Bill Then Ramsey offered some Reasons of the impossibility of the Charge the slender Numbers of men from England but six thousand raw Souldiers against three Kingdoms whom the first Proclamation might dissipate That the Marquess was neither so wicked nor weak in judgment and if he should conceit to surprize the King what hope had he against his Children and Kindred And therefore said he my Lord Rey is a barbarous Villain and a Liar and he will gar him dy for it or lose his dearest bloud He was interrupted by the Earl Marshal telling him he must not stand upon conjectures but answer the Bill of Form according to Law and was advised to take counsel therein Then Ramsey in general acknowledged all the particular circumstances of time and place alleged by Rey and the discourse to that effect but concluded that no Treason was intended or uttered and craved Counsel to answer which was granted And so the Court adjourned till the fifth of December but upon a fresh Arrest by the Earl Marshal they were to put in Bail for Appearance which were the old Security and Ramsey ordered to answer upon Oath At which Day appearing the fame of the Cause brought thither such a crowd of People as was not imaginable Rey entered as before in manner and habit but Ramsey was new suited in black Satten and presented his Answer in writing to this effect That having well considered the time place and communication with the Lord Rey beyond the Seas as before urged he confesses That Rey demanded of him whether the Marquess Hamilton intended to come over and follow the Wars He said Yes And told him of his Forces six thousand men and of the ten thousand pounds in money and Wine-customes in Scotland which he would selt to maintain the Army and that he would come so provided with Ammunition that being joyned with his Friends he valued no Enemy Upon which Rey replied that his own two Regiments should wait upon him but the place of these Forces to meet was at Sea and there to receive directions from the King of Swede where to rendezvouz Upon which Rey said that his Life and Fortunes should wait on the Marquess who being told of his friendship wrote a Letter to Rey which Ramsey delivered in effect that Rey would get some Ammunition from the King of Swede which was wanting And that speaking in general of matters amiss in England Rey answered God amend all To whom Ramsey replied By God Donnold we must help him to amend all And to all the other matters and things he utterly denies and craves revenge upon Rey's person by dint of Sword Then Doctor Eden of Council for Ramsey spake to the Court That being assigned his Council his opinion was that the Defendant might decline the Combate and reply to the Appellant's Bill in brief with these Reasons First
to second and so he was fain to desist but he exercises his fury at home on the very Branches of the House of Lorain persecutes the Duke of Guise to the death and so to destroy the Family which forced Lorain his Manifesto That not able to contest with his powerfull Enemy he tranfers all his Rights upon his Brother Francis and so retires to be General of the Catholick Army in Germany Richelieu assured that this mad deed of Guise was but pro tempore till that this Dukes Brother had sent to Rome for a Dispensation to marry his Cosin Germane and to render his Cap to the hands of his Holiness seizes him and his new Bride at Paris Prisoners to the Bastile out of which they escape disguised through Savâ—y Florence and Venice so far about ere they got safe to Vien Thus malitious was Richelieu to attempt the extinction of this most illustrious and most ancient Family issued from Charlemain and other Kings sacred for their Services to Christendom nay to France her self in the Battel of Crecy and all the Wars of the English And that story of truth that Iohn of Orleans of this Family like a second Iudith saved France from the oppression of Strangers And so the Cardinal having deprived the lawfull Prince called in the Gothick Nation to ruine it and therefore they that accuse this Duke of having so often falsified his faith silence the the cause thereof either through malice or ignorance This year by a Floud near Glucstat in Holstein there were drowned six thousand persons and above fifty thousand Cattel And by the Plague which beginning in the North passed through Holland there died about twenty thousand persons in the Town of Leyden onely without reckoning those that were consumed in Amsterdam and other Towns This Contagion was fomented by the Famine in Germany not the Living able to bury the Dead The French were totally beaten out of Germany and so we may observe Catholicks against Catholicks Lutherans against Catholicks and now follows Lutherans against Lutherans and then the Reformates against the Reformates the most extravagant War since the World began wherein the most unbridled passions of man had the Helm Vengeance produced Licentiousness and that also such barbarous Cruelties as can be imagined And after their miserable effects we in Great Brittain felt the like misfortunes none escaping where Gods hand of Justice prosecutes sinfull Creatures Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury makes his Visitation and as usual with all his Predecessours Inquisition is made but now more narrowly than had been heretofore of the great neglect of religious Duties both of Clergy and Laity for a uniform obedience to the Rules of the Church much neglected in Arch-bishop Abbot's time And because some Bishops had been over-nice to examine their own Diocess in favour of the Presbyterians this Arch-bishop on purpose to direct them the way was the rather severe and so by his Examinations and Example it began to be strictly observed and as boldly opposed by the Puritan It is instanced in the Remove of the Communion Table from the Body of the Chancel to the upper East End with the side of the Table against the Wall Altar-wise with a Rail or Ballaster about it and no new things commanded now for the Committee of Parliament had taken liberty eight years since to except against some Ceremonies and in fear or remisness to displease them the neglect of Duties were the rather more narrowly commanded now and but time for never more profaness in divine Service which the King understanding by often Complaints thought fit to give order for the amendment In whose power by Statute 1 Eliz. c. 2. he is to ordain and publish such further Rites and Ceremonies as may be most for the Advancement of Gods glory the edifying of his Church and the due reverence of Christ 's holy Mysteries and Sacraments And this was done by the Dean and Chapter three years since at Saint Gregories Church the Communion Table set Altar-wise and though complained of by some ordinary Parishioners the King and Council hearing the cause made an Order for confirmation thereof So then these Proceedings had been before First the Statute of Queen Elizabeth the Kings Prerogative and the ancient Laws of the Land and indeed it was a Renovation of a Rite not an Innovation And truly to instance the Bishop of Lincoln for opposing with his Holy Table Name and Thing which was rather to oppose the Kings Command than to speak his Conscience for never Prelate lived more Episcopal than he when he was retired at Bugden yet for his ends after he seemed a Puritan and what not perfidious to secure himself and to please the Publick and so at last became a professed Presbyterian and there he setled to be one of their own whose Characters are much minced in their demerits if you afford them free of any moral scandal I wish they were not but I fear rather guilty of all by their Hypocrisie in all And without doubt more to blame than the Prelate Ministers who are falsly reproached to be vitious even to scandal for which he is justly blamed And as the Ceremonies of outward worship were inquired into so were the Doctrines and Manners of Ministers specially of the Lecturers chosen by the People the more factious the fitter for their Pulpits Such an Examination came before the King and his Council between the Bailiffs of the Town of Yarmouth in Norfolk on the one side and the Dean and Chapter of Norwich and Master Brooks the Minister and Preacher there on the other side upon the Return of a Commission sent thither for the Examinations of Proofs The Case was thus Mr. Brooks being Minister and Preacher at Yarmouth by the Patronage and supplyment of the Dean and Chapter to whom it belonged The factious there had notwithstanding set up one Mr. Brinesley not conform to the canons of the Church to be a Lecturer of their own and to officiate in a room called a Chappel being formerly used by the Dutch for their assembling in their service never consecrated and but lately a ware-house for Merchants goods And the rather the people were invited thither in throngs neglecting their Parish Churches Against Mr. Brinesley comes thither an Inhibition from the Arch Bishop of Canterbury directed to Mr. Brooks who serves him therewith in his Meeting-place And for which the Town authority committed Mr. Brooks by the heels encouraging the other to go on in his Lecturing Whereupon It was Ordered with this Preface That the Matters of the Church at Yarmouth had been factiously carried by the refractory spirits of some Persons in chief places of power there whereby the busie humours of those whose Ears itch after Novelty have been nourished and incouraged And therefore his Majesty being sensible and careful in the countenancing and maintainance aswell of Ecclesiasticall Authority and Discipline as of civil Order and Government
England which received opposition and intermissions till the year 1616. where at Aberdine their general assembly of Clergy made an act authorizing some of their Bishops to compile a form of Liturgie or book of Common-Prayer first for the King to approve which was so considerately there revised and returned for that Kingdome to practice which same service book was now sent for by this King and committed to some Bishops here of their own to review and finding the difference not much from the English He gave command in Scotland to be read twice a day in the Kings Chappel at Holyrood-house at Edenburgh that Communion should be administred in that form and taking on their knees once a month the Bishop to wear his Rocket the Minister his surplice and so to inure the people by president of his own Chappel therâ— first and afterward in all parts for the publique The Scottish Bishops liked it reasonable well for the matter but the manner of imposing it from hence upon them was conceived somewhat too much dependancie of theirs on our English Church therefore excepting against the Psalms Epistles and Gospels and other sentences of Scriptures in the English book beeing of a different translation from that of King Iames they desired a Liturgie of their own and to alter the English answerable to that and so peculiar to the Church of Scotland which indeed was more liker that of King Edward the sixth which the Papist better approved and so was the rather permitted by the King as to win them the better to our Church And so had it been accustomed to the Scottish several Churches for some years without any great regret and now particularly proclaimed to be used in all Churches to begin on Easter sunday which was respited to Sunday the three and twentieth of Iuly being then to be countenanced at Edenburgh by the Lords of Session then sitting as it had been before commanded in publique Sermons to the people by divers Ministers by Rallock that Covenanter afterwards and others of the same And accordingly in St. Giles Church the chief of Edenburgh the Dean in presence of the Counsell Bishops Lords and Magistrates beginning to read the women first and meaner men began the Mutiny clapping their hands and cursing with their tongues raising such a hubbub that none could be heard but themselves The Bishop designed for the Sermon stepâ— up into the Pulpit to interpose their madness and minding them of their irreverence and horrible prophanation of that sacred place which incensed them into fury flinging what came to hand Stones Seats Stooles and cordgells almost to his murther Then the Arch Bishop St. Andrews Lord Chancellor and others offering to a peace were no better handled untill the Provost Bayliffs and civill Magistrates were forced to shut the multitude out of the Church And so the Service-book was read throughout though with the rage of the people hollowing knocking and battering of the windows without with staves and stones and watching for the Preachers the Bishops he was incompassed with the cominalty of the baser sort and hardly escaped their intent to smother him to death And so in sundry other Churches in the City with the like clamour and disorder which moved the Councill further to assemble at the Chancellors and there to command the Lord Revall and Officers to order the people into a more quiet for the afternoon which was done with some moderation in the Churches but after Sermon endangering the Earl of Roxborough Lord Privy seal to be the first Martyr St. Stephen for but having the Bishop of Edenburgh put in the Coach with him And in outward shew Magistrates dissembled their resentment of those disorders and pronounced an order of the Councill to themselves to advice upon anobligatory Act of security to the Ministers persons that did or hereafter that should undertake to read the Book and maintenance also for them And afterwards in shew some of the most unruly were slightly punished as being therefore under hand encouraged to do so again for which at first had they been hanged the example might have discovered all others from falling into the like folly the King having thâ—n force enough at Sea to have blocked up their Haven he might soon have brought the Edenburghts to obedience and after them the whole Nation But by his suffering of them then and of such like following after he was come to that misery as one saies well cum vel excedenda sit natura minuenda dignitas either out go his own nature or forgoe his own Authority And the Scots were so well assured of the Kings Levity as that with a couple of Letters from them to the Arch Bishop of Canterbury to palliate the practice and to promise their paines to the compleat effecting of his Majesties desire in the Service-book and so signed by all the Bayliffs who proved afterwards the onely Actors in the like mutinie The Stage indeed became afterwards better hanged and the Schemes better set out their intended Tragedy with a specious Title â—f Piety and Religion The next Moneth of businesse abroad Vacation and Harvest employed them from their confluence of acting until October when all such came to Edinburgh of all conditions and from all Counties of that Kingdom which looked so like a Muster for Insurrection that the Councel was put to prevent it by three Proclamations the 17. of October 1 That no Church matters should be resolved but that all persons depart home unlesse they shew good cause to the Councel upon pain of Rebellion 2. For removing the Session or Term from Edingburgh to Lithgow for the present and afterwards the succeeding Sessions to Dundee till further pleasure 3. And the third for calling in and burning a seditious Book intituled A Dispute against the English Popish Convention obtruded upon the Kirk of Scotland These proceedings prevailed not to appease them for the next day the Councel Chamber being the place appointed â—o Examination of a Judicial Tryal before Sr. William Elphingstone and the Bishop of Galloway passing thither was suddenly surrounded with the tumult of disordered people to the very Councel House where he was again assaulted with a fresh Troop to the hazzard of his life had he not been defended and pulled in whom yet they demanded with such outrage as necessarily called to his succour the Earl of Trahair then Treasurer and the Earl of Wiggon of the Councel who got in and were then in worse case being all besieged and enforced to send for aid to the Provost and Officers assembled at the City Councel They also in the like extremity sent word by their Messenger Sr. Thomas Thomson of the same mischief to themselves and that to save their lives from fury were forced to subscribe 1. To joyn in opposition to the Service-Book and in Petitioning to that purpose 2. To restore Ramsey and Rollock two silenced Ministers 3. And to receive Henderson again their
former Reader Important reasons no doubt for a Rebellion yet it somewhat appeased the multitudes rage and gave opportunity for some of the chief Officers to endeavour to raise the siege against the poor Bishop of Galloway and Lords at the Councel and to passe thorow the rude company who cryed out God defend all such as defend the Cause and confound the Service-Book and the maintainers of it In this outrage Trahair trodâ—n down under foot almost to death the City Officers were sent to sundry Lords privately assembled on behalf of the common Cause against the Service-Book who resenting the present danger of destruction to all guarded those out of the Councel chamber through the croud to their several Lodgings and amongst those Ring-leaders who more busie then two of the Bayliffs that subscribed these former Letters to the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Somewhat calmed That afternoon was Proclaimed this their seditious Insurrection for all persons to disband their convention and to keep the peace upon the highest pain to offenders But to little effect for now the Citizens send Commissioners to the Councel Table to expostulate and require satisfaction and performance of the Paper promised upon the Pacification And thus began their new Religious and glorious Reformation which they say God hath so miraculously prospered The first acted as we have heard in the Church The second in the streets of the chief City upon the persons of the most eminent of Birth and Authority by the very pattern of Geneva their Mother Discipline And by this rascal example the third Insurrection becomes countenanced by others and at last Acted and drawn into the form of two Petitions to the Chancellor The first from the common rowt of gathering hands of Men Women and Children The other brings up the Rear to the Councel In the Name of the Noblemen Gentry Ministers and Burgesses And both of them against the Service-Book and Canons of the Church To my Lord Chancellor Wee Men Women and Children c. urged with this Book of Service and having considered the same c. childrens consideration c. To the Secret Councel Complaining That the Arch-Bishop and Bishops have drawn Two Books the One of Prayers centaining the seeds of several superstitions Idolatry and false doctrine The Other of Canons against such as oppose that Book on pain of Excommunication And a hundred Canons more say they tending to superstition and errours which we must i the obey or break our Covenant with God or be Horned for Rebels These Petitions were Poasted to the King who rather expected submission and for pardon of the former Insurrections and therefore delayed any answer but caused the Councels Proclamation there to satisfie the subjects of the Kings aversnesse from Popery which was pretended in all their Pulpits to make him odious in their intentions And Rixburgh Lord Pivâ— Seal being come to Court to tell the Newes was returned back with Instructions to the Councel who sat at Dalkieth near Edinburgh lest by a further distance the Rebellion might take boldnesse to increase And they removed the Session or Term from Lithgow to Sterling a place of strength twenty four miles from Edinburgh And Trahair also coming to the King was soon returned also with further Instructions and all the Councel being met proclamed the dispersion of the Multitude got together And now indeed the confederate Lords and others did the same thing which formerly they called the Uproars of Rascalls Themselves avowing the first affront to the King his Authority and Laws The Earl of Hume and the Lord Lindsey being assisted with numbers of all Ranks made Protestation against the Proclamations at Sterling and after at Lithgow and last at Edenburgh And the Kings Hearlds with their Coats of Arms forced to stay and hear the Protestation in scorn of all Authority In which Protestation of theirs may be observed their Insolent demands in humble terms protesting against All Acts to be done in Councel where the Bishops shall be present Their Protestation against them making them parties that they may not be Iudges and so they must be forthwith removed and then afterwards accused Condemn first and try them after And comparing these demands now with such other succeeding you will finde that a nearer in likelihood of the Kings Concession the farther they fly to Capitulations intolerable And now begins that most unnatural causelesse and horrible Rebellion that former times or I hope after ages will paralel But somewhat more must be said to discover the temper of such of the Nobility actors herein The Earl of Trahair by his subtile insinuations and seeming affections to the Church crept into close friendship with Laud Arch Bishop of Canterbury and by his means advanced to be Lord Treasurer of Scotland by the resignation of the Earl of Morton for a sum of money from the King and the command of the Kings Yeomen of the Guard resigned to Morton by the Earl of Holland who was then made Groom of the stool Trahair thus setled into favour and power professed his obligations to the Arch Bishop calling him Patron the better to deceive him who in truth raised him up thereby to be a more able Instrument and as he thought him willing for the service of the Church and setling the Service Book and Book of Canons than the Scottish Bishops themselves could be But the very day before that the Book was to be read Trahair with others of the Privy Councel there accessary with him withdrew to Dalk-house seven miles from Edinburgh to expect the event at that distance and though the story is truly set down by the Kings grand Declaration and with much favour to Hamilton Roxburgh and Trahair whose treacheries were shadowed in those actions and in that time even from the King himself and all others until of late discovered by the event See page 124. grand Declaration But most strange it is that not any one of them nor their complices nor of the Councel should prove so honest or loyal to their Soveraign that had deserved well from them all as to give the least Intelligence to the King from thence to have set him in the right way of preventing their treachery And yet 't is true that the honâ—st Earl of Nidsdale Sr. Robert Spotswood and some of the Bishops posted hither to Court Informing the King of their strong combination which might have been then dissipated but Hamiltons and Roxburghs power and Interest put them by for upon the first tumult 23. Iuly the King sends Roxburgh to discover and examine the setters on of the common people who returns with assurance that not any person of quality had been abetters all the Officers and Ministers of Justice very dutifull and earnest to suppresse them and to prevent the future which soon after proved the contrary when it was too late to discover the mischief And indeed the Arch Bishops direction failed hereafter in not discovering the subtilty
who was Henry The very same reason in the Title of the Earl of Strathern the Children of a first Marriage by Common Law are to be preferred in the succession before the Children of the second Marriage for the marrying of Elizabeth Moor did but legitimate her Children to succeed after the Children of the first Marriage As for the authority of Parliament we may consider whether that Authority may confer and intail a Crown from a lawfull Heir thereof to the next apparant Heirs Or whether an Oath given unto a King by Mans Law should be performed when it tendeth to the suppression of Truth and Right which stand by the Law of God Then if one Parliament hath power to intail a Crown whether may not another Parliament upon the like consideration restore the same to the right Heirs But it may be objected that the Subject resigneth all his Right to his King and then consider whether a Subject may safely capitulate with his Prince that is to give over and quit claim all Right and Title which he hath to his Sovereign Crown his right being sufficient And if by his Capitulation his Heirs be bound And if besides it be honourable for a Prince to accept his conditions The trouble which Edward Baliol raised in Scotland their Histories mention notwithstanding that his Father John Baliol had resigned unto Robert King of Scotland all the Right which he or any other of his had or thereafter might have to the Crown of Scotland He anno 1355. gave to Edward the third King of England a full Resignation of his pretended Right of the Crown of Scotland as before being assisted by the said King and the confederate Gentlemen of Scotland in a Parliament holden at Perth where he had been confirmed King of Scotland by the three Estates If the Pope the King of Spain or France after some Revolution of years seeking to trouble the peace of this Isle should entertain and maintain one of the Heirs of the Earl of Strathern as Queen Elizabeth did Don Antonio the Prior of Crato who claimed the Crown of Portugal to reclaim whose Kingdom she sent a Fleet to settle him or should marry one of them to their nearest Kinswoman and served him armed with power to claim his Title to the Crown of Scotland as King James the fourth of Scotland practised upon Perkin Warbeck named Richard Duke of York to whom he gave in Marriage Katherine Gordoun Daughter to the Earl of Huntley and thereafter all his Forces to establish his said Ally invaded England whether had he not a fair Bridg to come over to this Isle It would be likewise considered if the Earl of Strathern though a mean Subject these two hundred years having been debarred all Title to the Crown and now by the favour of King Charls being restored in bloud and served Heir to his great Progenitours and indirectly as by appendices to the Crown if either out of displeasure and want of means to maintain his Estate he or his should sell or dispose their Right and Title of the Kingdom of Scotland to some mighty Prince such as was perhaps lately the King of Sweden who wanted nothing but a Title to invade a Kingdom not knowing whether to discharge his victorious Forces It would be considered if that Title disposed to such a Prince were sufficient to make him King of Scotland or if establishing his Right upon fair conditions such as is Liberty of conscience absolution and freedom from all Taxes Subsidies the People of Scotland might give him their Oath of Allegiance or if he might redact the King of Scotland to give him satisfaction or composition for his Right to the Crown of Scotland It was to be considered the times turning away the mindes of Subjects from their Prince by changes as hath befallen that inconstant Nation to these present times how dangerous was it besides to his own person And for the Earl the Examples following may inform for first Lewis King of France having under stood that a Nobleman of Artois called Canacare had vaunted to be lineally descended as in truth he was from Clodioule Chevelu and so by that succession was Heir to the Crown caused him extirpate and all his Race Henry 4. King of England after the deposure of King Richard the second kept Edmund Mortimer Earl of March who had a just Title to the Crown under such Guard as he could never attempt any thing till to his Death But Henry the seventh King of England took away Edward Plantaginet Duke of Warwick Heir to George Duke of Clarence in jealousie of his succession to his Uncle Edward the fourth Margaret Plantaginet his sole Daughter married to Richard Pole by Henry the eighth restored to the Earldom of Salisbury was attainted three score and two years after her Father had suffered and was beheaded in the Tower in whose Person died the Sirname of Plantaginet Ann Plantaginet Daughter to Edward the fourth being married unto Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norfolk was the ground and chief cause that King Henry the eighth cut off the Head of Henry Earl of Surrey though he pretended that the cause of his Arreignment was for bearing certain Arms of the House of York which onely belonged to the King Mary Queen of England put to death the Lady Jane Grey and the Lord Guilford her Husband for their Title to the Crown and by the same reason was the destruction of Mary Queen of Scotland by Queen Elizabeth The like reason also made King James of Great Brittain imprison the Lady Arabella and her Husband she being with childe but by Imprisonment and flight she miscarried and died and then he was released The Duke of Guise deducing his Genealogy from Charls le grand in the Reign of the French King Henry the third was suspected to aspire to that Crown and suffered at last for that presumption And to return to Scotland it is evident in their History that for thâ—se two hundred years last past the Race of Euphane Ross in her children David Earl of Strathern and Walter Earl of Athol have been kept under and for good reason of State ought to be so still unless the policy of a Prince wâ—uld the rather raise them up to a considerable suspâ—â—ion thereby to deserve a greater Destruction This discourse of Strathern is inserted fâ—r particular satisfaction of some English that have doubâ—ed of his Descâ—nt And now the Sâ—ots begin to invest themselves with the supreme Ensigns of Sovâ—reignty and Marks of Majesty by erecting of four Tables of Council for ordering the Affâ—irs of thaâ— Kindgom a new way of Judicature of their own composing in contempt of the King and his Council erected much like those of the detestable pretended holy League in France entring into Covenant against all Opposers the King himself not excepted They erected many Tables in Edinburgh four were principal consisting of the Nobility Gentry Buâ—roâ—ghs and Ministers many subordinate Tables of
Deputy Magistrate Seeing therein their Title bears evidence against them for in their three first subscriptions is exprest either King Iames his own act or an ordinance of the secret Councel equivalent to regality or at the desire of the General Assembly to intreat it If they had power to command the new taking of an old Oath as they had not what authority had they to interpret it concerning the five Articles of Perth the Service Boâ—k the Book of Canons and high Commission their Predecessours abjuring onely those Romish corruptions of that time near sixty years since but what could not be more evident was taken upon trust with Jesuitical Equivocation to many such Objections The former Confession and Band annexed heretofore was mâ—de in defence of the King his Authority and Person with their bodies and lives in defence of the Gospel of Christ and Liberties of that Kingdom To which they now have added a mutual defence of one another against all opposers the King not exâ—epted nor any for him Nay by two Acts of their own Parliaments Declare all leagâ—es of subjects amongst themselves without the King to be seditious and punishable The Oath of Iames the sixth and ninth Parliament of Queen Mary the Kings consent never granted nor ever asked The fire of this seditious Covenant flaming throughout the corners of that Kingdom the King to appease those passages sends the Marquesse of Hamilton with power of High Commissioner to conclude and determine for the peace of the Kingdom But why a peace-maker Commissioner and not a war-like Commander And if by a fair Imparlance why Hamilton so much reason to be distrusted as before observed unlesse rather to be deceived than to distrust against the advice of some Scotish Lords the Earl of Sterling Secretary of State the Bishops of Rosse and Broken Privy Counsâ—llours Sr. Robert Spotswood Lord President of the Colledge of Justice and Sr Iohn Hay Master of the Robes who came post hither to disswade the King from him and to present the Marquesse Huntley for that service one utterly in Enmity against Covenanters where the other was suspected But the King carried on by fate suffered the weak contribution of the Duke of Lenox his advise though the old Enemy of his house than that a County Lord Huntley should carry it from them both And indeed it was a Royal deputation fitted for King Hamiltons ambition who having lost the Scotish army for the King of Swedes ayd He fell upon secret designes for his own ends obliging all Scots at Court his dependants and by his authority in Scotland he had the means to alien any from the King to himself as he did in his trust cosen the King by granting what the Covenanters desired even to his Crown by degrees To suspend and after to suppresse the Common Prayer and Canons the five Articles of Perth got by Inches from his Father to be confirmed by Parliament and the Covenant authorized with the calling of General Assemblies for votes of Covenanters to censure and Excommunicate the Bishops and to abolish Episcopacy and all the Royal Clergy to be ruined making himself the greatest figure in Scotland and the King his cypher He acting all in the after Warre as the story proceeds to shew in particular But in Iune the sixth day his Commission was read at Dalkieth four miles from Edinburgh where the Covenanters increased devising because some powder landing at the Fryth for supply of the provision of Edinburgh Castle that assuredly the plot was to blow away the Covenant by destroying the Covenanters And in earnest they were to disdain any notice of the Commissioner or his arrand unlesse he came to them where they were fixed with better force than to adventure out of Edinburgh they having openly landed two good ships loaded with Arms and Amunition and then invited him to come thither which he did Being met with the Nobility and Gentry Covenanters and all sides making a lane of the looser sort who were made believe that Popery and Bishops were One with bitter cursings against both and therefore He being setled at Haly-rood House desired the Covenanters to dismisse their Multitude which they did to be eased of the charge And then He demanded first What they would expect from him Secondly What might be expected from them in duty to the King To the first That nothing but a General Assembly and Parliament would please them and so in both they would be their own Judges and for return to any former obedience they acknowledge no dissertion in the least degree from justifying their actions and rather renounce Baptism than loose one Article of their Covenant or rebate one syllable of the literal rigour of it Religion and Laws be at stake They double their guards of the city the Ministers libel the pulpits and send to the Commissioner the Sunday Eve that whosoever should read the English service though in the Kings Chappel should die the death where they were observed and increasing Insolency they send several letters to each of the secret Councel to require them to take the Covenant Therein expressing the comfortable experience they have already of the wonderfull favour of God upon renewing their Confession of their Faith and Covenant their resolution and beginnings of Universal Reformation to God his great glory contentment of his Majesty blessing to the Kingdom and joy of all good subjects And doubt not that your Lordship will both subscribe to the Covenant and be promover to it in the duty of a good Patriot the Office and trust of a Privy Councellour this the time of trial of your affection to Religion the respect of your fame the eyes of men and Angels being upon your carriage the Lord Iesus a secret witnesse to observe and a Iudge hereafter to reward and confesse such men before his Father that take his part before men All and each of these call and cry to God and your Lordship in a cause of so great and singular necessity as you expect at the hour of death to be free of the terrour of God and to be refreshed with the comfortable remembrance of Christ Iesus King of Kings and Lord of Lords The Marquesse now findes this place too hot for him and removes to Dalkieth without adventuring upon the English Divine Service formerly continually used there for twenty years in audience of the Councel Nobility and Judges and here he Proclames his Maiest es gracious Declaration for relieving of their grievances and satisfying of good people in his forwardnesse for maintenance of the Religion professed in that Kingdom His aversnesse from Popery Not to presse the practise of the Service-Book and Canons but in a legal way of proceeding and had ordered the discharge of all acts and Councels concerning them and to indict a General Assembly or Convocation and Parliament to agitate the welfare of the Church and Kingdom The Covenanters afraid that this Justice and clemency might
sets forth his Proclamation and Declaration To inform his loving Subjects of the seditious practices of some in Scotland seeking the overthrow of this Royal Power under false pretext of Religion the seven and twentieth of February 1638. referring to theirs in Edinburgh the fourth of February before and therein he discovers their traiterous intentions by the multitudes of their Pamphlets and Libels against Regal Authority by their Letters to private persons inciting them against the King by their Covenanters private meetings at London and in sundry places of the Kingdom some whereof he knows and some he hath seen by their contempt and protests against his Majesties commands by their rejecting of his Covenant because commanded by him and their inducing their own into Band and Covenant of conspiracy against him and lastly by their hostile preparations of Arms. He remonstrates all the former passages of his grace clemency and indulgence towards them their undâ—tifull returns of all and now their insolencies by their erecting a Print of their own raise Arms block up and besiege his Castles tax his Subjects slight his Counsellours set up Tables Councils of their own sit by Committees of their late pretended Assembly He takes God to witness he is constrained by these their Treasons to take Arms for the safety of that and this Kingdom They refusing the Oath of Allegeance and Supermacy because they have taken their Covenant He resolves to maintain Episcopacy there and refers to a large Declaration coming forth which suddenly succeeded of all the Passages as aforementioned to that Day of the Date February 27. at White-Hall To which they answer by theirs at Edinburgh the two and twentieth of March next following under the title of An Ordinance of the General Assembly And begin with their usual Canting That though the secrets of Gods way cannot be sounded yet considering his Providence in their personal affairs the Lord is about some great Work on Earth for the Cup of affliction propined to other Reformed Kirks is now presented to them though instead of a gracious Return of their humble Petitions from time to time the Return is a late Declaration of the seven and twentieth of February last libelâ—ed against them though the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against their Cause and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ now in question which Declaration proceeds from the unchristian Prelates and their party inserting the image of their Hierarchy into the Kings Portraict and by their unequal poise overturn the Boat of all the Passengers and the Steer-man himself to perish And in good earnest they rip up their Reasons first by their long suffering of the Prelates insolency against their Ministery purity of Doctrine their Reformation the wonderfull Work of Gods Mercy to that Nation and so most falsly seting down the aforesaid Passages to their own ends fearing Popery to be introduced and because all the particular mischiefs calamities and curses recited shall not fall upon them to prevent the after-quelling of their childrens return wherefore hath the Lord done thus and hus against then the men shall say because they have forsaken the Covenant of the Lord therefore have all these Evils come upon them And for doing any harm to England cursed be their breasts if they harbour any such thought Implore the good opinion of their well affected Brethren in England And so to conclude their War defensive they cite the Law Natural and Civil that Ad defensionem sufficit quoâ— praecedat offensa vel justus timor offensae nec debet quis expectare primum istum melius enim jura intacta servare quam post vulneratam causam remedium quaerere quando praecedunt signa actus manifestae offensionis quando aliter nosmet tueri non possumus tum inculpata necessaria diciâ—ur tutela ac in dubia insultus quicquid facit in incontinentâ— praesumitur ad sui defensionem facere It is enough for defence that the offer of offence or just fear of offence go before as we profess it to be our case at this present even the defence of God and his Religion Edinburgh the 22. of March 1639. And so you see the occasion of this War which is untruly said to be the Arch-bishops advice and we are told the reason because it was the Bishops War the Covenanters called it so by which the Historian is observed to be one and that though it was so hinted a War to maintain the Bishops Hierarchy we are assured of the truth that though their contract and Covenant against the Liturgy and Episcopacy were their chief pretencs yet not the causes Religion the Vizard to disguise Rebellions when covetousness sacrilege rapine have a chief hand then as you may reade the true occasion in the entrance of this History under this Title The Scots Interest But as the English Clergy so the Nobility and Gentty had contributed largely and raised a considerable Power under Conduct of the Earl of Arundel the Kings General the Earl of Essex Lieutenant General of the Foot and the Earl of Holland of the Horse a considerable part of the Royal Navy with plenty of Corn and Ammunition intrusted the Kings fatal oversight to the command of the Marquess Hamilton who is marked out by an Observator and that justly to have anchored with his Fleet in the Frith of Edinburgh receiving his Mothers Visit a rigid Covenanter which the Scots themselves could then interpret That the Son of such a Mother would not hurt them for there he loitered to no good purpose for the King untill that he was informed of the Treaty tending to Pacification at Barwick and then he got on Land and poasted thither on purpose to disturb the intentions or master them to his own sinister respects as you shall reade hereafter And with these Forces the King himself sets ouâ— the very day of the same Moneth of his advance to this Crown March 27. And because it was a sudden War we shall soon march to the Enemy for in April he came to York where he stayed some time being the Rendezvouz for his Army marshalling his Men and consulting also of necessary Affairs of the State and Council-table and to indulge with a Proclamation April 13. Revoking and making null sundry Grants Licences and Commissions unduly obtained upon false suggestions I shall number them to the shame of such corrupt Ministers as did not prevent them viz. against Cottages and Inmates Scriveners and Brokers several Commissions for compounding with Offenders for transporting of Butter for importing of Log-wood for selling Under-sheriffs Places for destruction of Woods in Iron-works for Concealments and Incroachments within twenty Miles of London for transporting Sheep-skins and Lamb-skins for dressing Venison Pheasants Patridges in Inns Ale-houses Ordinaries and Taverns for licensing Wine-cask Brewers transporting Lamperes And revokes several Grants viz. for weighing Hay and Straw in London and three Miles compass the Office for registring
is very memorative how hardly King James the sixth procured the Post-Nati of Scotland by which they are admitted to all dignities priviledges and offices in England must they have freeâ—dom here and must the English be debarred there o Tempora o Mores 4. How many of themselves at that instant had preferment to hereditable rites of Iudiciary and why must the King be now limited 5. The Chancellour of Scotland holds his precedency without any positive Law why not the Treasurer and Privy Seal the first branch of the Kings Crown is to distribute honours and precedencies as he please But the King having knowledge of these their Extravagancies sent to his Commissioner the Earl of Traquair to Prorogate the Parliament until the second of Iune and if they should presume to sit still then to discharge them upon pain of Treason But if they did yeeld obedience thereto his Majesty was graciously pleased to admit such persons to his presence as they should send to represent their desires and his Commissioner to repair to the King and to bring all the transactions of that Session Against this command they protest and stile it a Declaration of the Parliaments 18. December 1639. WHereas John Earl of Traquair his Majesties Commissioner having closed the Assembly and sitting in Parliament with them did now take upon him without their consent or offence to prorogate the Parliament upon a private warrant this being a new and unusual way without president in this Kingdom heretofore once being convened have continuation by the expresse consent of the Estates We therefore declare that any prorogation made by the Commissioners Grace without consent of Parliament shall be of no force and the actors to be censured in Parliament And knowing that Declarations have been published against us and our proceedings made odious to such 〈◊〉 do not consider that we are not private subjects but a sitting Parliament We therefore declare that whatsoever we might do lawfully in sitting still yet we have resolved for the present to make Remonstrance to his Majesty and some of each Estate to remain still at Edinburgh to attend his gracious Answer And if it shall happen that our malicious enemies do notwithstanding prevail against us we professe our selves free of the outrages and Insolencies that may be committed in the mean time we do our best to prevent confusion and misery And the Committee appointed to expect the Kings Answer were the Earls Lothian and Dalhouse the Lords Yester Balmerino Cranston and Naper for the Barons the Commissioners of the Lothians Fife and Twidale the Burroughs named the Commissioners of Edinburgh Lithgow Sterlin Hadington Dunbar to attend at Edinburgh the return of his Majesties Answer Their Deputies came to the King at White Hall the Earl of Dumfirmlin and the Lord Loudon but coming without warrant from the Kings Commissioner Traquair being a high contempt they were in disdain commanded home again without audience Then comes Traquair and privately consults a whole night with Hamilton and between them was framed a writing a represenration to the Councel of the most considerable matters proposed in that Parliament satisfactory enough to make the wound wider for however Traquair managed his Commission the end of the designe was to foment a war and to engage the King and for the Scots they were prepared And it is most true that a muttering there was in Court against Traquairs treachery for the Arch Bishop of St. Andrews the Bishops of Rosse and Brichen accused Traquair of High-Treason in the grosse miscarriage of his Commission in the General Assembly and Parliament and subscribed the charge the Scots law in such cases bearing poenam Talionis if they could not prove it A strange law against the secutity of Kings certainly treasonable in the making and no where else is practized but in Scotland But upon the whole matter related by Traquair the debate was whether considering the Insolency and height of their demands even in civil obedience it were not fit to reduce them to their duty Then the Question whether by the presence of the Kings Person and acting power of justice there But that was expresly opposed by arguments of policy and other reasons offered in writing with this title Shall the King go to Scotland I wish he may if with honour and safety he can but as the case stands and spirits are affected I see neither 1. THe treaty of peace is by them most falsly interpreted without any regard at all to His Majesties honour 2. The many and palpable violations of the Articles of peace are known to the King 3. It is evident what his Majesty expects at their hands for to let go all the disgraces offered to his Royal authority since the beginning of these troubles what one thing the King hath obtained of them in acknowledgement of so many favours upon their several petitions bestowed upon them 4. Their obstinate resolution to adhere in all points to their Assembly at Glasgow is undeniable witnesse their false and disgraceful glosse upon that Article of the treatie witnesse their oath of adherence to that Assembly since the peace witnesse their protestation against calling of Bishops and Arch Bishops to the Assembly witnesse the violence offered to the Clergy for not adhering to the Assembly even since the peace 5. So the Assembly now to be holden at Edinburgh shall have but one act for all and that shall be the ratification of the Assembly held at Glasgow 6. Now shall the King countenance such an Assembly the very constitution and first meeting whereof is most derogatory to the honour of his Crown while by a mutinous crew of Incendiarie Preachers and a conspiracy of Lay Elders the Prelates of the Church are by meer violence against all authority Law example or reason excluded abjured excommunicated 7. Shall the most Christian Defender of Faith countenance such a conspiracy against God his Church and himself where the most matchlesse Villany that ever was hatched shall be made piety Rebelions conscience and Treason reason all the Loyal and Orthodox Clergy banished most Ignorant and trayterous fire-brands put in their places the Supream power in Spiritual and Ecclesiastical causes violently pulled from the Crown and devolved in the hands of a mixt meeting of Ministers and Lay-men 8. It is high Treason in my minde to conceal from His Majesty that his Supremacy in Elections is in greater security for the Crown in the hands of any whosoever then in the power of such men whose pernitious maximes subjects the Crown to the pleasure of the people whom they have ever since their Reformation set on fire when they have been so pleased and stirred up to Rebellion by their seditious Sermons have countenanced all the commotions against authority in King Iames his reign and robbed the King of the hearts of his Subjects by most trayterous calumnies And now there is not one Presbytery free of Seditious Sermons even since the peace 9. Shall
Band made by King Iames the sixth 1580. obliging those mutually to assist one another at the Kings command but this Band of theirs made without the Kings consent and excepting him is a cunning Combination against and to abuse the People as if by it they were tied by Oath to joyn in Arms or Rebellion No Covenant in the whole World that ever had left out the Head or had not a Negative voice except in cases of Rebellion as this is Then they were told of their treasonable actions Their provisions of Arms. Their levying Taxes of ten Marks per centum every Mark a Hangmans wages in England thirteen pence half penny publishing seditious Papers burned by the Hangman refusing the Lord Estrich sent by the King to be Governour of Edinburgh Castle committing Outrages upon the Garrisons there Raised Fortifications against the Castle and Inchgarvy imprisoned the Lord Southeck and others for their fidelity to the King delivered up the power of Government of several Towns to a Committee which is High Treason and then to fill up the measure to the brim the King produces their own Letter to the French Kirk to call in forreign aid So then the Covenant the Articles of Perth the scandalous Paper burnt and this Letter is to be particularly expressed and somewhat to be said concerning them This Covenant was accompanied with a Supplication or Imprecation upon Record and witness to posterity against them That we the General Assembly acknowledg that there resteth nothing for crowning of his Majesties incomparable goodness towards us but that the Members of this Church and Kingdom be joyned in one and the same Confession and Covenant with God with the Kings Majesty and amongst our selves and do even declare before God and the World that we never had nor have any thought of withdrawing our selves from that humble and dutifull subjection and obedience to his Majesty and his Government which by the descent and under the Reign of an hundred and sevâ—â— Kings is most chearfully acknowledged by us and our Predecessors That we never had nor have any intention or desire to attempt any thing that may tend to the dishonour of God or diminution of the Kings greatness and authority but on the contrary acknowledg all our quietnes stability and happiness to depend upon the safety of his Majesties person and maintenance of his greatness and Royal authority as Gods Vicegerent set over us for the maintenance of Religion and Ministration of Iustice. We have solemnly sworn and do swear not onely our mutual concurrence and assistance for the cause of Religion and to the utmost of our power with our means and life to stand to the defence of our Dread Sovereign his Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the said true Religion Liberties and Laws of this Church and Kingdom but also in every cause which may concern his Majesties honour shall according to the Laws of this Kingdom and the duty of good Subjects concurre with our Friends and Followers in quiet manner or in Arms as we shal be required of his Majesty his Council or any having his authority and therefore being most desirous to clear our selves of all imputation of this kinde and following the laudable example of our Predecessors 1589. do most humbly supplicate your gracious Majesty and the Lords of his Majesties most honourable Privy Council to injoyn by Act of Council that this Confession and Covenant which as a testimony of our fidelity to God and loyalty to our King we have inscribed be subscribed by all his Majesties Subjects of what kinde and quality soever The thirtieth of August 1639. How they have faithfully observed this National Profession let the World judg and how they have grounded their Covenant which follows God will judg of their Oath It was presented to his Majesties Commissioners by this assembly That besides many other the true and real causes of so many evils which hath troubled this Kirk and Kingdome might appear First the pressing of this Kirk by Prelates with a Service-book or Common-prayer without direction or warrant from the Kirk and contayning besides the Popish frame thereof divers Popish Errors and Ceremonies and the seed of manifold gross superstitions and Idolatry with a Book of Canons without warrant or direction from the general Assembly establishing a Tyranical power over the Kirk in the persons of Bishops and overthrowing the whole discipline and Government of the Kirk by Assemblies with a Book of consecration and ordination without warrant or authority civil or Ecclesiastical apointing Offices in the house of God which are not warranted by the word of God and repugnant to the discipline and acts of our Kirk and with the High-commission erected without the consent of this Kirk subverting the Iurisdiction and ordinary Iudicatories of this Kirk and giving to persons meerely Ecclesiastical the power of both swords and to persons meerly civil the power of the Keyes and Kirk-censâ—res A second cause was the Articles of Perth viz. The observation of festival daies kneeling at the Communion confirmation administration of the Sacraments in private places which were brought in by a Null Assembly and are contrary to the confession of faith as it was meant and subscribed anno 1580. and divers times since and to the order and constitution of this Kirk Thirdly the change of the Government of this Kirk from the assemblies of the Kirk to the persons of some Kirkmen usurping priority and power over their brethren by the way and under the name of Episcopal Government against the confession of faith 1580. against the order set down in the Book of Policy and against the intention and constitution of this Kirk from the beginning Fourthly The civil places power of Kirkmen their sitting in Session Councell and Exchequer their riding sitting voycing in Parliament and their sitting on the Bench as Iustices of peace which according to the constitutions of this Kirk are Incompatible with their spiritual function lift them up above their brethren in worldly pomp and do tend to the hindrance of the Ministry Fiftly their keeping and authorizing corrupt assemblies in Linlithgow 1606. and 1608. at Glascow 1610. at Aberdine 1616. at Saint Andrews 1617. at Perth 1618. Which are null and unlawful as being called and constitute quite contrary to the order and constitution of this Kirk received and practized ever since the reformation of Religion and withal labouring to introduce novations in this Kirk against the order and Religion established A sixt cause is the want of lawfull and free assemblies rightly constitute of Pastors Doctors and Elders yearly and oftener pro ne nata according to the liberty of this Kirk expressed in the Book of Policie and acknowledged in the act of Parliament 1592. After which the whole assembly with one heart and voyce did declare that these and such other proceedings from the neglect and breach of the Nationall
did call the Assembly pretended our humble and loyal Proceedings disorders our courses disagreeable to Monarchical Government nor the Castle of Edingburgh rendered which was onely taken for the safety of the Town of Edinburgh simply without assurance by Writ of their indempnity except for the trust we reposed in their Relation and confidence in his Majesties royal words which we believe they did not forget but will bring those which did hear the Treaty to a right remembrance thereof which Paper was onely written for that cause lest either his Majesty or his Subjects should averr that they spake any thing without a Warrant And yet the Lords of the English Council and of their party disavowed it openly at the Council-table And afterwards pag. 33. they say That the said Paper containing some of his Majesties expressions in the time of the Treaty which were put in the hands of the English and others have suffered innocently For first it was the means that brought about the Pacification and gave some satisfaction to his Majesties Subjects against certain words and clauses of the Declaration which without that Mitigation they would never have been able to digest Secondly it did bear nothing contrary to the Articles of Pacification but was a mollifying of his Majesties Declaration that it might be more readily received of the Subjects This is most untrue or else there would have been no question made of it Thirdly it had been extreme and more than imaginable impudency to put in the hands of the English Nobility a Paper professing what was openly spoken a little before in their own hearing that it might be remembered afterwards as occasion should serve and yet containing untruths and seditious Positions contrary to all that was done for Peace So it was done as they declared at the English Council-table Fourthly when there was great Murmuring and Exceptions taken at the words of the Kings Declaration our Commissioners were carefull to remember every lenifying sentence and word which proceeded from his Majesties mouth and the hearers were no less carefull to not all with their Pens which was by them related every man according as he was able to conceive And thus at first there were Relations somewhat different both in word and writ an evil very ordinary at such times till our commissioners joyning did bring all to their remembrance that neither more or less might be written than was spoken and what was written might be written to some of the English in futuram rei memoriam One thing it may be hath fallen further contrary to his Majesties desire that the Paper hath come to the knowledg of strangers which we may averr hath not been done by us and which was impossible for us to avoid for our Commissioners being about the desired Peace could not in their Relations conceal his Majesties gracious Expressions and these intended for our tranquillity coming into so many hands at home have possibly been divulged unnecessarily carried abroad contrary to our intended desires This in the simplicity of our hearts we â—o declare to be the plain truth of that which hath been before urged against us and is now so much noised and it is likely that the smoke of the fire and the hand of the hang-man have carried it to the knowledge of many who otherwise would never have known of it by the breath or hands of other And thus much concerning that Paper The Letter was written to the French King with this endorsment Au Roy To our King which in France is alwayes understood from those subjects onely to their Natural Prince Sire Vostre Majeste Cestant l'asyle sanctuaire des Princes Estates affligez c. SIR YOur Majesty being the refuge and sanctuary of afflicted Princes and States We have found it necessary to send this Gentleman Mr. Calvil to represent unto your Majesty the candor and ingenuity as well of our Actions and proceedings as of our intentions which we desire to be engraven and written to the whole world with a beam of the Sun as well as to your Majesty We therefore most humbly beseech you Sir to give Faith and Credit to him and to all that he shall say on our part touching us and our affairs being almost assured Sir of an assistance according to your wonted clemency heretofore and alwayes shewed to this Nation which will not yeeld the glory to any other whatsoever to be eternally Sir Your Majesties most humble most obedienâ— and most affectionate servants Rothes Montrose Lesly Mar Montgomery Lowdon Forrester To which the Scots make this Excuse This Letter is the Decumanus fluctus say they This is that French Letter so much talked of and insisted upon as to open a gate to let in foreign power into England which by what consequence can be inferred we would fain know when a people is sore distressed by sea and land is it not lawfull by the Law of God and Man to call for help from God and Man If there were no help nor assistance by Intercession by supply of money c. is all assistance by sword and men may not friends and equals assist as well as superiours we never had intention to prefer any foreign power to our native King whom God hath set over us The Proclamation at that time as may be seen by our Remonstrance page 34. was without example Great forces by Sea and Land were coming upon us Informations went abroad to foreign Nations to the prejudice of us and our cause This made us resolve to write unto the French King apprehending that upon sinister resolution his power might be used against us what kinde of assistance of men or mediation are best known by our Instructions ready to be seen and are signed also by the Lord Lowdons hand now in prison Ayd and assistance hath been given in former times as now in the return of our troubles upon Denmark Holland Sweden Poland or other Nations for help And when all is said or done the Letter is but an Embryo forsaken in the birth as containing some unfit expressions and not agreeable to our Instructions and therefore slighted by the subscribers Another Letter was formed consonant to the Instructions and signed by many hands but neither of them sent Their greatest trust was in their English brethren and Mr. Pickring was then and afterwards with them to assure them thereof until divers of them of better quality came there secretly and disguisedly and gave them more assurance from their party here in England and Nath. Fines the Lord Savil Mr. Cambden Mr. Lawrence and others as appeared afterwards in the petition of eleven Lords that posted to York in August 1640. and Treaty at Rippon because wee conceived it would come to late to France to avert the danger The Letter it self carrieth two tokens unperfected First That it wanted a date Secondly That it hath no superscription from us Both these are turned against us The blank date hath
whole should contribute this was about June In Michaelmas following the King but by no advice of mine commanded me to goe to all the Judges for their opinions upon the case and to charge them upon their Allegiance to deliver their opinions But this not as a binding Opinion to themselves but that upon better consideration or reason they might alter but only for his Majesties satisfaction and that he must keep it for his own private use as I conceive the Iudges are bound by their Oaths to do I protest I never used any promise or threats to any but did only leave it to the Law and so did his Majestie desire That no speech that way might move us contraâ—y to this that I delivered There was no Iudge which subscribed that needed solicitation unto there were that refused Hutton and Crook Crook made no doubt of this thing but of the introduction I am of opinion that when the whole Kingdome is in danger whereof the King is Judge and the danger is to be born by the whole Kingdome When the King would have sent to Hutton for his opinion the then Lord Keeper desired to let him alone and to leave him to himself that was all the ill office he did in that business February the six and twentieth upon Command from his Majesty by a then Secretary of State the Judges did Asseâ—ble in Serjeants Inn where then that Opinion was delivered and afterwards was inrolled in the Star-Chamber our other Court at which time I used the best arguments as I could where at that time Crook and Hutton differed in opinion not of the thing but whether the King was sole Judge Fifteen Moneths from the first they all subscribed and it waâ— Registred in the Star-Chamber and other Courts the reason why Crook and Hutton did subscribe was because they were over-ruled by the greater number this was all I did till I came to my Argument in the Exchequer where I argued the Case I need not to tell you what my Arguments were they are publique about the Town 〈◊〉 I tell you three or four things in the matter whether the Kingdome were in danger and in case of apparent danger it was not upon the matter but upon demuâ— I delivered my self then as free and as clear as any that the King ought to govern by the positive Laws of the Kingdome and not alter but by consent in Parliament and 〈◊〉 if he made use of it as a Revenue or otherwise that this Judgment could not hold him but never declared that mony should be raised I heard you had some hard opinion of me about this secret business it was far from my business and occasions but in Mr. 〈◊〉 absence I went to the Justice-seat when I came there I did both King and Common-wealth good service which I did with extream danger to my self and fortunes left it a thing as advantagious to the Common-wealth as any thing else I never went about to overthrow the Charter at the Forrest but held it a 〈◊〉 thing and ought to be maintained both for the King and 〈◊〉 Two Judges then were that held that the King by the Common-law might make a Forrest where he would when I came to be judge I declared my opinion to the contrary that the King was restrained and had no power to make a Forrest but in his own Demesn Lands I know that there is something laid upon me touching the Declaration that came out the last Parliament It is the Kings affaires and I am bound without his Licence not to disclose it but I hope I shall obtain leave from his Majesty and then I shall make it appear that in this thing I have not deserved your disfavours and will give good satisfaction in any thing I know that you are wise and will not strain things to the uttermost sence to hurt me God did not call David a man after his own heart because he had no feelings but because his heart was right with God I conclude all with this That if I must not live to serve you I desire I may die in your good opinion and favour But all could not serve to keep him from their Censure who voted him that very day a Traytor First For refusing to read the Remonstrance against the Lord Treasurer Weston 4. Car. when the Parliament desired it Secondly For soliciting perswading and threatning the Iudges to deliver their opinion for levying Ship-money Thirdly for several illegal actions in Forrest-matters Fourthly For ill Offices don in making the King to dissolve the last Parliament and causing his Majesties Declaration thereupon to be put forth The next day he was accused before the Lords but he was early up and thereby the more neer to give them the slip and the wiser he when no other defence could serve the Scrutiny he withdrew into Holland and there remained whilst his accusers became the more guilty and then he came home again The Parliament increasing in repute and power and minding to new-mold and over-turn or turn over to a new leaf were moddeling a Bill for a Triennial-Parliament and to bring it about businesses were devised and invited and the Counties set a work to send in their Petitions one of them subscribed with above eight hundred Presbyters and that was directly against the Hierarchy of Bishops which the King observed and mistrusting the willing reception He tells both houses the three and twentieth The King had reprieved one Goodman a Priest formerly condemned at the Sessions at Old Baily which made work for the Commons and by Master Glyn their Messenger to the Lords request them to adjoyn their Petition to his Majesty to be informed who should dare to be Instrumental in retarding of Justice in the Face of a Parliament to which the King by the Lord Privy Seal the eight and twentieth of Ianuary tells them the cause he being found guilty as being a Priest onely upon which account neither King Iames nor Queen Elizabeth ever exercised the penal Law This onely begat another Conference two days after with the Lords from which came this 〈◊〉 to the King That considering the state and condition of this present time they conceive the Law to be more necessary to be put in stricâ— execution than at any time before First because by divers Petitions from several parts of this Kingdom Complaints are made of the great increase of Popery and Superstition and the People call earnestly to have the Laws against 〈◊〉 put in execution Secondly Priests and Iesuits swarm in great number in the Kingdom and appear here with such boldness and confidence as if there were no Laws against them Thirdly it appeareth to the House that of late years about the City of London Priests and Iesuits have been discharged out of Prison many of them being condemned of High Treason Fourthly the Parliament is credibly informed that at this present the Pope hath a Nuncio or Agent resident in the City
February had required the Arch-bishop of Armagh lately come into England to give them his Directions concerning the Liturgy and Episcopal Government whose Answer was thus The Bishop of Armagh's Direction to the Parliament concerning the Liturgy and Episcopal Government being thereunto required by them Febr. 1640. To satisfie you Demands both concerning the Liturgie and Episcopal Government First for the Book of Common Prayer it may be alleged First that God himself appointed in the Law a set Form of Benediction Numb 6. 23 24 25 26. Secondly that David appointed set Psalms to be sung upon especial occasions as the Title to each of them sheweth Thirdly that the Prophet Joel appointed a third Form of Prayers to be used by the Priests at a solemn feast Joel chap. 2. verse 15. 17. Fourthly That Christ not only commands us to pray after such a manner Mat. 6. 9. but to use a set form of words Luke 11 2. when you pray say Our father c. Fiftly the spirit of God is no more restrained by using a set form of Prayer then by singing set hymns or Psalms in Meeter which yet the adversaries of our Common-prayer Practise in their Assemblies Sixtly of All Prayers premeditated are the best Eccle. 5. 30. of Premeditated Prayers those which are allowed by publique Authority are to be preferred above those which are uttered by any private Spirit Seventhly All the Churches in the Christian world in the first and best times had their set formes of Liturgie whereof most are extant in the writings of the Fathers to this day Eightly Let our Service-book be compared to the French Dutch or any other Liturgies prescribed in any of the former Churches and it will appear to any indifferent reader that it is more exact and compleat then any of them Ninethly Our Service-book was penned and allowed of not onely by many Learned Doctors but glorious Martyrs who sealed the truth of the Reformed Religion with their Blood Yet it cannot be denied that there are quaedam in pulchro Corpore mendae And it were to be wished so it be done without much noyse First That the Calendar in part might be reformed and the Lessons taken out of the Apocrypha might be struck out and other Lessons taken out of the Canonical-Scriptures appointed to be read in the place of them for besides that there is no necessity of reading any of the Apocrypha there are in some of the Chapters set in the Index passages repugnant to the doctrine of holy-scriptures as namely in some Chapters of Tobit Secondly that in the Psalms Epistle and Gospels and all sentences alledged out of holy-scripture the last translating of King James Bible may be followed for in the former there be many passages not agreeable to the Original as may be proved by many instances Thirdly That in the Rubrick where of late the word Priest hath been put instead of the word Minister it may be expunged and the word Minister restored which is less offensive and more agreeable to the language of all Reformed Churches And likewise that some clauses which seem to have surreptitiously crept into it to be expunged as namely after the Communion every Minister shall Communicate and shall so receive the Sacraments and other rites according to the order in this Book appointed which words can carry no good sence in a Protestants eare nor those after Private baptism that it is certain by Gods word that Children being baptized have all things necessary for their salvation and be undoubtedly saved Fourthly that in the Hymns instead of the song of the three-Children some other word might be placed out of the Canonical scriptures and that a fitter Psalm were chosen at the Churching of a woman for those verses he will not suffer thy foot to be moved and the Sun shall not burn thee by day nor the moon by night seem not very pertinent Fiftly that in the Pravers and Collects some expressions were better as where it is said Almighty God which only worketh great wonders send down upon our Bishops c. And let thy great mercy loose them for the honour of Jesus Christ his sake and from fornication and all other deadly sins and the like Sixtly That in the singing Psalms either the lame rythms or the superfluous words as I say's and for why's And homely phrases as thou shalt feed them with brown bread and take thy hand out of thy lap and give thy foes a rap and mend this geer and the like may be corrected or at least a better translation of the Psalms in meeter appointed in place of this old Secondly for Episcopal-government it may be alleged First That in the old-law the Priests were above the Levites Secondly that in the Gospel the Apostles were above the Seventy Disciples Thirdly That in the subscriptions of St. Paules Epistles which are part of the Canonical Scripture it is said that Timotheus was ordained the first Bishop of the Church of the Ephesians Fourthly That Episcopal ordination and Jurisdiction hath express warrant in holy Scripture as namely Titus 1. 5. for this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders that is Ministers in every City and of Tim. 5. 22. Lay hands suddenly on no man and 5. 19. Against an Elder or Minister receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses Fiftly The Angels of whom the Epistles were indorsed the unanimous consent of all the best Interpreters both ancient and latter expound it to be the Bishops of those Cities Sixtly Eusebius and other Ecclesiastical writers affirm none contradicting them that the Apostles themselves chose James Bishop of Jerusalem and that in all their Apostolical Seats succeeded Bishops which continued in all the Christian world and no other Government heard of in the Church for fifteen hundred years and more then by Bishops and the Canons of Councels both General and Provincial which consisted of Bishops Seventhly That so many acts of Parliament and Laws of the Kingdome and Statutes of Colleges of both Universities have relation to Bishops that the removing of them especially there haveing been never any other Government setled in this Kingdome will breed an Infinite confusion and no Reformation but rather a deformation in the Church yet it were to be wished that in something our Government might be reduced into the constitutions and practice of the Primitive Church especially in these particulars First that Bishops did ordinarily Preach either in the Metropolitan Church or in the Parochial-Churches in their visitations Secondly That they might not Ordain any Minister without the consent of three or four at the least grave Pastors Thirdly That they might not suspend ab officio et beneficio at their pleasures by their sole authority and only with a necessary consent of some assistance and that for such causes and crimes only as the antient Canons or the Laws of this Kingdome appoint Fourthly that none might be
fourteen days 5. That according to such his Declarations and Speeches the said Earl of Strafford did use and exercise a Power above and against and to the subversion of the Fundamental Laws and stablished Government of the said Realm of Ireland extending such his Power to the Goods Free-holds Inheritances Liberties and Lives of his Majesties Subjects of the said Realm viz. the said Earl of Strafford the twelfth day of December Anno Domini 1635. in the time of full peace did in the said Realm of Ireland give and procure to be given against the Lord Mount Norris then and yet a Peer of Ireland and then Vice-Treasurer and Receiver-general of the Realm of Ireland and one of the principal Secretaries of State and Keeper of the Privy Signet of the said Kingdom a Sentence of Death by a Council of War called together by the said Earl of Strafford without any warrant or authority of Law or offence deserving any such punishment And he the said Earl did also at Dublin within the said Realm of Ireland in the Moneth of March in the fourteenth Year of his Majesties Reign without any legal or due proceedings or trial give or cause to be given a Sentence of Death against one other of his Majesties Subjects whose name is yet unknown and caused him to be put to death in execution of the said Sentence The Earls Reply That there was then a standing Army in Ireland and Armies cannot be governed but by Martial Law that it hath been put in constant practice with former Deputies that had the Sentence been unjustly given by him the Crime could amount but to Felony at most for which he hoped he might as well expect Pardon from his Majesty as the Lord Conway and Sir Iacob Astley had for doing the like in the late Northern Army That he neither gave Sentence nor procured it against the Lord Mount Norris but onely desired justice against the Lord for some Affront done to him as he was Deputy of Ireland That the said Lord was judged by a Council of War wherein he sate bare all the time and gave no Suffrage against him that also to evidence himself a Party he caused his Brother Sir George Wentworth in regard of the nearness of Bloud to decline all acting in the Process Lastly though the Lord Mount Norris justly deserved to dy yet he obtained his Pardon from the King 6. That the said Earl of Strafford without any lâ—gal proceedings and upon a Paper-petition of Richard Rolstone did cause the said Lord Mount Norris to be disseised and put out of possession of his Free-hold and Inheritance of his Manour of Tymore in the County of Armagh in the Kingdom of Ireland the said Lord Mount Norris having been two Years before in quiet possession thereof The Earls Reply That he conceived the Lord Mount Norris was legally divested of his Possessions there being a Suit long depending in Chancery and the Plaintiff complaining of Delay he upon the Complainants Petition called unto him the Master of the Rolls Lord Chancellour and Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas and upon Proofs in Chancery decreed for the Plaintiff Wherein he said he did no more than what other Deputies had done before him 7. That the said Earl of Strafford in the Term of Holy Trinity in the thirteenth Year of his now Majesties Reign did cause a case commonly called the Case of Tenures upon defective Tiâ—les to be made and drawn up without any Iury or Trial or other legal Process and without the consent of Parties and did then procure the Iudges of the said Realm of Ireland to deliver their Opinions and Resolutions to that Case and by colour of such Opinions did without any legal proceeding cause Thomas Lord Dillon a Peer of the said Realm of Ireland to be put out of possession of divers Lands and Tenements being his Free-hold in the County of Mago and Rosecomen in the said Kingdom and divers others of his Majesties Subjects to be also put out of possession and disseised of their Free-hold by colour of the same resolution without legal proceedings whereby many hundreds of his Majesties Subjects were undone and their Families â—tterly rained The Earls Reply That the Lord Dillon with others producing his Patent according to a Proclamation on the behalf of his Majesty the said Patent was questionable upon which a Case was drawn and argued by Council and the Judges delivered their Opinions But the Lord Dillon or any other was not bound thereby nor put out of their Possessions but might have traverst the Office or otherwise have legally proceeded notwithstanding the said Opinion 8. That the said Earl of Strafford upon a Petition exhibited in October 1635. by Thomas Hibbots against Dame Mary Hibbots widow to him the said Earl of Strafford recommended the said Petition to the Counsel Table of Ireland where the most part of the Counsel gave their vote and opinion for the said Lady but the said Earl finding fault herewith caused an order to be entered against the said Lady and threatned her that if she refused to submit thereunto he would imprison her and fine her five hundred pound that if she continued obstinate he would continue her imprisonment and double her fine every month by month whereof she was enforced to relinquish her estate in the Land questioned in the said Petition which shortly was conveyed to Sir Robert Meredeth to the use of the said Earl of Strafford And the said Earl in like manner did imprison divers others of his Majesties subjects upon pretence of disobedience to his orders and decrees and other illegal commands by him made for pretended debts titles of Lands and other causes in an arbitrary and extrajudicial course upon paper Petitions to him preferred and no other cause legally depending The Earls Reply That true it is he had voted against the Lady Hibbots and thought he had reason so to do the said Lady being discovered by Fraud and Circumvention to have bargained for Lands of a great value for a small Sum. And he denied that the said Lands were after sold to his use or that the major part of the Council-board voted for the Lady the contrary appearing by the Sentence under the Hand of the Clerk of the Council which being true he might well threaten her with Commitment in case she disobeyed the said Order Lastly were it true that he were criminal therein yet were the Offeâ—ce but a Misdemeanour no Treason 9. That the said Earl of Strafford the 16. day of Feb. in the 12. year of his now Majesties reign assuming to himself a power above and against Law took upon him by a general Warrant under his hand to give power to the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor his Chancellor or Chancellors and their several officers thereto to be appointed to attach and arrest the Bodies of all such of the meaner and poorer sort who after citation should either refuse to appear before them or appearing should
Strafford with the assistance of the said Arch-bishop did procure his Majesty by sundry Speeches and Messages to urge the said Commons House to enter into some Resolution for his Majesties supply for maintenance of his War against his Subjects of Scotland before any course was taken for the relief of the great and pressing Grievances wherewith this Kingdom was then afflicted Whereupon a Demand was then made from his Majesty of twelve Subsidies for the release of Ship money onely and while the said Commons then assembled with expressions of great affections to his Majestie and his service were in Debate and Consideration of some Supply before Resolution by them made he the said Earl of Strafford with the help and assistance of the said Arch-bishop did procure his Majesty to dissolve the last Parliament upon the fifth Day of May last and upon the same Day the said Earl of Strafford did treacherously falsly and maliciously endeavour to incense his Majesty against his loving and faithfull Subjects who had been Members of the said House of Commons by telling his Majesty they had denied to supply him And afterward upon the same did treacherously and wickedly counsel and advise his Majesty to this effect viz. That having tried the affections of his People he was loose and absolved from all Rules of Government and was to do every thing that Power would admit and that his Majesty had tried all ways and was refused and should be acquitted both of God and Man and that he had an Army in Ireland meaning the Army above mentioned consisting of Papists his Dependents as is aforesaid which he might imploy to reduce this Kingdom to obedience The Earls Reply That he was not the principal cause of dissolving the last Parliament for before he came to the Council-table it was voted by the Lords to demand twelve Subsidies and that Sir Henry Vane was ordered to demand no less but he coming in the interim he perswaded the Lords to vote it again declaring to his Majesty then present and them the danger of the breach of the Parliament whereupon it was again voted that if the Parliament would not grant twelve Subsidies Sir Henry should descend to eight and rather than fail to six But Sir Henry not observing his Instructions demanded twelve onely without abatement or going lower that the height of this demand urged the Parliament to deny and their denial moved his Majesty to dissolve the Parliament so that the chief occasion of the breach thereof was as he conceived Sir Henry Vane He confesseth that at the Council-table he advised the King to an offensive War against the Scots but it was not untill all fair means to prevent a War had been first attempted Again others were as much for a defensive War it might be as free to vote one as the other Lastly Votes at a Council-board are but bare Opinions and opinions if pertinaciously maintained may make an Heretick but never can a Traitour And to Sir Vane's Deposition he said it was onely a single Testâ—mony and contradicted by four Lords of the Iunto Tables Depositions viz. the Earl of Northumberland the Marquess of Hamilton the Bishop of London and Lord Cottington who all affirmed that there was no question made of this Kingdom which was then in obedience but of Scotland that was in Rebellion and Sir Henry Vane being twice examined upon Oath could not remember whether he said this or that Kingdom and the Notes after offered for more proof were but the same thing and added nothing to the Evidence to make it a double Testimony or to make a Privy-counsellours Opinion in a Debate at Council high Treason The four and twentieth Article not urged 25. That not long after the dissolution of the said last Parliament viz. in the months of May and June he the said Earl of Strafford did advise the King to go on rigorously in levying of the Ship-mony and did procure the Sheriffs of several Counties to be sent for for not levying the Ship-money divers of which were threatned by him to be sued in the Star-chamber and afterwards by his advice were sued in the Star-chamber for not levying the same and divers of his Majesties loving subjects were sent for and imprisoned by his advice about that and other illegal payments And a great loan of a hundred thousand pounds was demanded of the City of London and the Lord Maior and the Aldermen and the Sheriffs of the said City were often sent for by his advice to the Counsel Table to give an accâ—unt of their proceedings in raising of Ship-money and furthering of that loan and were required to certifie the names of such Inhabitants of the said City as were fit to lend which they with much humility refusing to do he the said Earl of Strafford did use these or the like speeches viz. That they deserved to be put to Fine and Ransom and that no good would be done with them till an example were made of them and that they were laid by the heels and some of the Aldermen hâ—nged up The Earls Reply That there was a present necessity for Money that all the Council-board had voted with yea before him That there was then a Sentence in Star-chamber upon the Opinion of all the Judges for the legality of the Tax of Ship-money and he thought he might advise the King to take what the Judges had declared was by Law his own He confessed that upon Refusal of so just a service the better to quicken the Citizens to the payment of Ship-money he said they deserved to be fined Which words might perhaps be incircumspectly delivered but conceives cannot amount to Treason especially when no ill consequence followed upon them and it would render men in a sad condition if for every hasty word or opinion given in Council they should be sentenced as Traitours But that he said it were well for the kings service if some of the Aldermen were hanged up he utterly denieth Nor is it proved by any but Alderman Garway who is at best but a single Testimony and therefore no sufficient Evidence in case of Life 26. That the said Earl of Strafford by his wicked counsel having brought his Majesty iâ—to excessive charges without any just cause he did in the moneth of July last for the support of the said great charges counsel and approve two dangerous and wicked Projects viz. To seise upon the Bullion and the Money in the Mint And to imbase his Majesties Coin with the mixtures of Brass And accordingly he procured one hundred and thirty thousand pounds which was then in the Mint and belonging to divers Merchants strangers and others to be seised on and stayed to his Majesties use And when divers Merchants of London owners of the said Bullion came to his house to let him understand the great mischief that course would produce here and in other parts what prejudice it would be to the Kingdom by discrediting the Mint and hindring the
allowing to the King onely Primus accubitus in coenis And why onely Stephen Was it not voted by Act of the Parliament at Oxford and concluded in several Articles That Edward 2. life was taken away by Bishop Thorlton The story is that this Man Adam de Orlton was Bishop of Hereford took a Text 2 Kings 4. Caput meum aegrotat My head my head aketh whereby he advised the cure of a sick head of the Kingdom to be cut off and therefore must be guilty of his Murder afterwards Indeed there was an enigmatical Verse fathered also upon him Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est which Verse the Bishop utterly denied Then comes he to Edward 3. that Iohn Arch-bishop of Canterbury incited the King and Parliament to a bloudy War with France And why John Was it not voted in Parliament where all the Peers were as hot upon it as he Indeed because the Clergie in those days spake better sense than an ignorant unlearned Lord many Historians father the ill success of former actions upon them Promotors of the Designs as if in re stulta sapientes and in malo publico facundi That in Parliament the Laity offered Richard 2. a Fifteenth if the Clergy would also give a Tenth and a half which William le â—ourtney Arch-bishop opposed as not to be taxed by the Laity and thereupon the Lords besought the King to deprive them of their Temporalities thereby says he to humble them to humble them and damn the Authours of Sacrilege and cruelty yet were they mercifull not to take away all Spiritualities also Then follows H. 4. an Usurper he says and that the Bish. of Carlile opposes him in a Speech and therein so reasonable was the cause just I cannot say that the Lords combined to depose him for there were living of the House of Clarence Title to precede his of Mortimer for whom five other Bishops went Ambassadours abroad to get assistance and those Bishops also scape not the censure of doing evil by justifying this others Right to the Crown and deposed him also but then it was so voted in Parliament and therefore not all the blame to be laid upon those Bishops that acted but their part and it is true that in a Parliament in that Kings Reign a Bill was exhibited against the Temporalities of the Clergie but not passed Parliamentum indoctorum says one and the Commons fitter to enter Common with their Cattle Henry 5. succeeds he says who was incited by Arch-bishop Chidley to revive his Title to France with the effusion of much bloud and ill success And was it not true that the King had good Title to France And the same cause had Edward 3. And as just was it against the domestick Title of Henry 4. and so in sum in either of the Bishops by their Council You say it was not the Office of Bishops to incense Wars either Domestick or Foreign But then Policy is pickt up for a Reason being you say to divert the King from reforming the Clergy That in the time of Henry 6. the Protectour Duke of Glocester accused Beaufort Cardinal of Winchester But then take all the story he was also Chancellour of England great Uncle to this King Son to John of Gaunt and his Brother Cardinal of York and the greatest Crime intended was because of his greatness which the Protectour durst not trust and therefore devised a Charge of which he was not guilty but acquitted by Parliament Edward 4. follows who was taken Prisoner he says by Arch-Bishop Nevil declaring him an Usurper and entailed the Crowns of England and France upon Henry and his Issue male and in default upon Clarence disabling King Edward's eldest Brother He was a party in the Plot if there were any but then take the Junto of the Authours it was the power of that great Warwick and others that did create and unmake Kings at pleasure the confusion of the right submitting to power whether right or wrong Edward 5. his Crown was by the Prelates placed on his murderous Uncle Richard 3. the Cardinal Archbishop taking the Brother Richard out of Sanctuary that so both of them might be taken away That Cardinal was a great Actour therein but the Duke of Bukingham did the business upon whose head the Cardinal would have set the Crown who had no right thereto Henry 7. he says was perswaded by the same Cardinal Morton and prevailed to the Crown He might assist therein what honest English man would not have done so But to say that the Cardinal was the main Instrument we shall want the force of all Arguments but Gods good Providence Henry 8. called the Bishops half Subjects to him Wolsey and Campeius refused to give Judgment for his Divorce Numbring up against them the Petitions Supplications and Complaints of godly Ministers Doctour Barns Latimer Tyndal Bean and others And were not some of these godly men Bishops also That the Statutes of 31 Henry 8. yet in force against them That in Anno 37. Letters Patents were granted to Lay-men to exercise all manner of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as the Kings Officers not the Bishops Let us never deduce Reason or Iustice from that Kings Actions more like an Atheist than a Christian either Ecclesiastical or Temporal besides the Mutation and Change of Religion then not affording any good President in either kinde But thus much as in excuse was in time of Popery He proceeds to others no less detestable he says nay more heinous since the Reformation but with this Proviso that in the Reigns of all the succeeding Sovereigns to this present he charging those reverend Bishops good men chief Pillars of the Church great Lights of Learning they doing those things as Bishops which he believes they would not have done as private Ministers to hold their Bishopricks to please great Lords Princes Kings and Emperours have not onely yielded but perswaded to introduce Idolatry to dis-inherit right Heirs to Kingdoms and force good Princes to Acts unnatural and unjust But he is not against Episcopacy or a Church-government but so much degenerate it is from the first substance Vox praeterea nihil yet would not have it demolished till a better Model be found out God-a-mercy for that And presently he charges Arch-bishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridley for perswading Edward 6. that the Lady Mary might be permitted Mass in her own Chapel more like Politicians than Divines though not prevailing with that pious Prince She was the right Heir apparent to her Brother and the onely right Issue to the Crown begotten no doubt in lawfull Matrimony bred up in Romish and the might of Charls the Emperour would and did in Reason and Policy afford her liberty of her Profession without any scandal upon those Bishops for their opinion therein her Mother had suffered too much injustice and it was no justice to have denied to her Daughter this desire After Edward 6. those two Bishops Cranmer and Ridley says he
promoted the Lady Ianes Title before the lawfull Heir Queen Mary and the Bishops and Lords writ to Mary that she ought to submit to her Cousin the Lady Iane as her Sovereign that Canterbury and Ely subscribed that Letter and Ridley preached the same at Paul's Cross and so concluded them disloyal Traitours The Protestant Bishops were engaged upon the Faith of Religion to promote Jane besides the visible cause of Danger to the State and Kingdom was notorious in the accession of Mary and proved fiery hot to the execution of their persons the most of the powerfull Lords were Protestants the other being beyond Seas or kept under at home and but two of all the Bishops that signed to the Letter The next godly Princess was Elizabeth who began her Reign with a Conference for increase of Reformation of Religion earnestly pressed by good Divines Scorie Cox Iewel Ebiner Grindall Whitehead Horn Gest but were opposed by the Bishops to the prejudice of the Queens desire therein That at the Queens Coronation the Bishops did refuse to anoint or consecrate her and names them York Canterbury dead and ten more the chiefest And were not all these Popish Bishops that hated her Nay there might be another cause which is not hinted by him though his whole discourse hath insisted upon the Sovereigns Titles there might be reason enough to dispute it now but he forbears and so do I. But the lawfull Line succeeds her And so King Iames says he commences with a Conference for Reformation at Hampton Court where were Doctour Reynolds and Sparks of Oxford Knewstubs and Chaderton of Cambridg but were resisted in the Reformation by eight Bishops and six Deans alleging there was no need of Reformation but God and good men did know the contrary In his Reign they introducing Schisms Heresies and Idolatry of Popery and Arminianism and what not Irreligion to the Deity mischief and danger to the Kingdom There needs not particular observation concerning his Notes of this Kings time that there was a Conference complete an equal number of Disputants continuing some Days the whole Discourse imprinted and now common which I finde Master Thomas passes over as not willing to stand to the Test of that Conference being nothing at all for his purpose but to the contrary As for their Actions in his Majesties Reign which he thinks do poise all and over-ballance all formerly done since the beginning of Parliaments put together in the other Scale which he referrs to the Reports of the Committees for the Pope of Lambeth and his Cardinals Wren and others and briefly concludes that they having in Parliaments contrived Treasons Rebellions Domestick and Foreign Incendiaries and Grievances to State and Church Arch-Enemies to King and Common-wealth He hopes his Majesty will Lege talionis make their Episcopacy onely Tituâ—â— for they are to have priority or precedency Quoad Ordinem not Quoad Ministerium wherein the poorest Curate is his Companion but as he is not for equality and parity so not too great a distance These being his Reasons for their unlawfulness and sitting in Parliament any longer And this was spoken in May. This Speech was accounted the Cutâ—throat of Episcopacy which the rather I insert and the Reasons I observe because much of the matter is Records and so not out of my way nor unnatural for an Historian to observe and therefore herein I may be excused from any note of partiality mis-becoming a Register of Records Master White and others there were that followed with inveterate Speeches against Episcopacy but because all of them of one nature and to record them here impertinent I shall refer the Reader to their Reasons published in several Pamphlets and to others that answered them both Clerks and Lay-men the whole business of this time taken up with Freedom of the Presses to prate any thing scandalous on any side and that you may see their plotting take this Letter which I set down somewhat before its due place and time it came from Master Iohn White of Dorchester to his Nephew Master White at London Septemb. 8. The King being in Scotland thus writes Touching our main business says he the King will come back from Scotland shortly without effecting any thing answerable to his and others expectations and consequently may be fit enough to be won to condescend to any reasonable Demands If the Commons hold their own they may have what they will desire All the work will be to hold them stiff to their former Resolutions to which they may be well prepared by their Friends in the time of this Access if they bestiâ— themselves as they ought Sir we conceive if we could could win Master Mainard to joyn throughly about the taking away of Episcopacy it would much further the cause The way must be to charge home the thirteen Bishops that are now impeached if they be found in a Praemunire and so cast out of the Higher House it is hoped the better Lords will prevail and then the Work is at an end The way to prevail with Master Mainard is by his Wife and with her by Master Hughs a Lecturer I conceive It were worth a Iourney thither for you to ride over and speak with her if these who deal with this man go about it with metal I am confident it will be carried Good Sir afford your helping hand herein with as much speed as possibly you can Yours John White Dorchester September 8 1641. I need not suppose this mans Character the Tone too well known and to what Sect he appertained but the manner of their working by the lecturing weak Women who have more strength in their pewling than Sampson had in his Locks But the state of a Question was propounded concerning Bishops whether or no Iure Divino as hath been heretofore remembred but now it was that Master Grimston argued That Bishops are Jure Divino is of a question That Arch-bishops are not Jure Divino is out of question That Ministers are Jure Divino there is no question Now says he if Bishops which are questioned whether Jure Divino and Arch-bishops which out of question are not Jure Divino suspend Ministers that are Jure Divino I leave it to you Master Speaker Mr. Selden's Answer That the Convocation is Jure Divino is a question That Parliaments are not Jure Divino is out of question That Religion is Jure Divino is no question Now Master Speaker that the Convocation which is questioned whether Jure Divino and Parliaments which out of question are not Jure Divino should meddle with Religion which questionless is Jure Divino I leave to you Master Speaker Grimston replies But Arch-bishops are no Bishops Selden answers That 's no otherwise true than that Iudges are no Lawyers and Aldermen no Citizens Busie the Commons House have been to settle a new Mode of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and the seventeenth of Iuly ordain every Shire of England and Wales to be
whereof six only were hanged Many treacherous designs of the Town Papists failed many Protestants fled to sea and although Docter Barnard their chief Minister had the conveniency offered him to be gon he would not desert his Congregation thin as they were telling them as St. Ambrose said to Iustina Non prodam lupis gregem mihi commissum hic â—ccide si libet At this time comes a competent strength of one hundred horse and ten hundred foot under command of Sir Henry Tichburn appointed Governour of the Town the fourth of November which the Catholiques resented coldly upon whom the Protestants had just suspition and therefore wearied succours were faine to stand Guard that Night And now it was time to name the Brat and call it a through Rebellion which till now was favoured with the interpretation of an Act of discontented Gentlemen Not long after the State added three companies of foot so beside the Town Arms they were compleat 1500. foot and 160. horse Not many nights after there was dropt in the street a faire Declaration of the Catholiques of Ireland framed upon presumption that the design contrived had been effected and by the way at each corner seems to have been fixed and this the most authentick that came to light Whereas we the Roman Catholiques of the Kingdom of Ireland have been continually loving and faithfull Subjects to his sacred Majesty and notwithstanding the several and heavy oppressions suffered by the subordinate Governments to the ruine of our lives honours and estates yet having some liberty of our Religion from his Majesty out of the affluence of his Princely love to us we weighing not corporal loss in respect of the great immunity of the soule are instantly resolved to infix our selves in an immutable and pure allegiance for ever to his royal Majesâ—y and successors Now it is That the Parliament of England maligning and envying any graces received from his Majesty by our Nation and knowing none desired of us as that of Religion and likewise perceiving his Majesty to be inclined to give us the liberty of the same drew his Majesties Prerogative out of his hand thereby largely pretending the general good of his Majesties Kingdoms But we the sad Catholicks and loyal Subjects to his Majesty do probably finde as well by some Acts to pass by them the said Parliament touching our Religion in which the Catholicks of England and Scotland did suffer as also by threat to send over the Scotish Army with the Sword and Bible in hand against us That their whole and studied Plots both was and is not onely to extinguish Religion by which we onely live happily but also likewise to supplant us and raze the name of Catholicks and Irish out of the whole Kingdom And seeing this surmise so dangerous tending absolutely to the overthrow of the liberty of our consciences and Countrey and also our gracious Kings power forced from him in which and in whose prudent care of us our sole quiet and comfort consisted and without which the fear of our present Ruines did prescribe opinion and premonish us to save our selves We therefore as well to regain his Majesties said Prerogative being onely due to him and his Successours and being the essence and life of Monarchy hoping thereby to continue a strong and invincible unity between his royal and ever happy love to us and our faithfull Duty and Loyalty to his incomparable Majesty have taken Arms and possessed our selves of the best and strongest Forts of this Kingdom to enable us to serve his Majesty and to defend us from the tyrannous resolution of our Enemies This in our consciences as we wish the peace of the same to our selves and our posterity is the pretence and true cause of our raising Arms by which we are resolved to perfect the advancement of truth and safety of our King and Countrey Thus much we thought fit in general to publish to the world to set forth our innocent and just cause the particulars whereof shall be speedily declared God save the King Upon the fifth of November the Lords and Council of Ireland sent their second Dispatch from Dublin unto the King in Scotland and several Letters also into England to the Parliament and Council and to the Earl of Leicester elect Lord Lieutenant setting down the particular Narrative of the Rebellion and so take together the success of both Dispatches The first Letters arrived at London the last of October and that Even were delivered and the next Morning the Upper House sent them down to the House of Commons by the Lord Keeper Privy Seal High Chamberlain Admiral Marshal Chamberlain the Earls of Bath Dorset Leicester Holland Berks Bristoll Lord Mandevil Say Goring Wilmot who had Chairs to sit while the Letters were read and so departed The House instantly resolved into a Committee and order That fifty thousand pounds be forthwith provided That the Lords be moved that Members of both Houses may declare to the City of London the present necessity to borrow fifty thousand pounds to be secured by Act of Parliament That a Committee of both Houses consider of the affairs of Ireland That Owen O Conally the Discoverer shall have five hundred pounds presently and two hundred pounds per annum Pension till provision of Land of Inheritance of a greater value That the persons of all Papists of quality in England be secured That no persons except Merchants shall pass to Ireland without Certificate from the said Committee To all which the Lords consented Then the House of Commons vote twenty thousand pounds for present supply A convenient number of Ships for guarding the Sea-coasts of Ireland That six thousand Foot and two thousand Horse be forthwith raised for Ireland and Officers to be appointed over them That Magazines of Victual be forthwith sent to Westchester to be sent to Dublin as occasion shall require That the Magazines now at Carlile be forthwith sent over to Knockfergus in Ireland That the Kings Council consider of a Pacification for Rewards to such as shall do service in Ireland and for a Pardon to such Rebells as shall submit within a time and of a Sum of Money for Rewards to bring in the Heads of the principal Rebells That Letters of Thanks be returned to the Lords Justices there That the Committee do consider how and in what manner to make use of Scotland here And a Bill to be prepared for pressing of Souldiers for Ireland An Ordinance passed for the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland to raise three thousand five hundred Foot and six hundred Horse and not to press our dear Brethren of Scotland any further than for one thousand Foot to pass from Scotland to the North of Ireland And Arms to be delivered out by the Master of the Ordnance out of the store for Ireland for eight thousand Foot and a thousand Horse Thus much was discoursed upon the first Letters And now upon the second Dispatch the Parliament voted two
cannot doubt of his Subjects affections for he acknowledges the joyfull reception at his now entring into London He bringing as perfect affections to his People as ever Prince did or as good Subjects can possibly desire and is as far from repenting any good that he hath done this Session that he resolves to grant what else can be justly desired in point of Liberties or in maintenance of the true Religion Particularly he commends unto them the state of Ireland the prâ—paratâ—ons going on but slowly which is the cause that two Lords are arrived from 〈◊〉 who come instructâ—d from his Council there to aâ—swâ—r that demanâ— which both Houses made by Petition that met him at Bâ—rwick and which the Duke of Richmond did send back by the Kings command to his Scotish Council Therefore desires the Houses to appoint a Committee tâ— end the business with these two Lords Then because no Jealousie should aâ—ise concerning Religion he settles his Command for obedience to the Laws ordained for that purpose and Proclaimes the tenth of December That Divine service be performed in England and Wales according to the Laws and Statutes and that obedience be given by all people to the same And that all Ministers Ecclesiastâ—cal and Temporal do put the said Acts of Parliament in due execution against all contemners and disturbers of Divine service and that no Persons Vicars or Curates introduce any Rite or Ceremony other then these established by the Laws of this Land And two daies after he publishes his Proclamation That all the Members of both Houses repair to the Parliament at or before the twelfth of Januâ—ry next for continuance thereof c. And being come He salutes them thus the fourteenth of December Because thâ—y delaied the consideration of thâ— most iâ—portant business Ireland he reminds them that at his last presence He recommended to them the lamentable condition of the affaires of Ireland and the miserable condition of the Protestants there That he will not wast time to tell them the detestation he bears to Rebellion in General and of this in particular but knowing that Deeds and not Declarations must suppress this great insolencie therefore he offers his paines power and industry to contribute to this necessary work of reducing the Irâ—sh to obedience That for the Bill for pressing of Souldiers lodged with the Lords but if it come to him he promiseth to pass it And because some had started the question into a dispute concerning the â—â—unds of the Kings prerogative herein He offers to avoide such dâ—bate that the Bill shall pass with a Salvo Jure both for King and People and concludes Conjuring them by all that is or can be dear to them or him to hasten with speed the business of Ireland No sooner said but they Petitioned Him with what they had in readiness for priviledge of Parliaments being their Birth rights Declaring with all duty and reverence That the King ought not to take notice of any matter in agitation and debaâ—e in either Houses 〈◊〉 by their Information Nor ought not to propound any Condition Provision or limitation to any Bill or Act in debate or preparation or to manifest or declare his consent or discent approbation or dislike beforâ— it be presented in course Nor ought to be displeased with any debate of Parliament they being Iudges of their own errors and offences in debating matters depending That these priviledges have been broken of late in the speech of his Majesty on Thursday last the fourteenth of December particularly in mentioning the Bill for Impress offering also a Provisional clause by a Salvo Jure before it was presented and with all they take notice of his Majesties displeasure against such as moved a question concerning the same And they desire to know the names of such persons as reduced his Majesty to that Item that he may be punished as they his great Council shall advise his Majesty The King seeing them setled in this posture and to doe nothing till the Kings answer satisfactory to their Petition He with some regret withdrawes to Hampton Court hoping that his absence might take off the occasion of presenting him with such Exceptions But the next day they apoint a Committee to follow him thither having had time enough in their recess and the Kings being in Scotland to form matter enough to perplex him for now they speak plain all the whole frame of Government is out of tune which they Remonstrate as the State of the Kingdome which they accompany with a Petition But there fell out an Accident in Scotland whilst the King was there concerning the two Marquesses Hamilton and Arguile upon some information that their Persons were in danger they both withdrew from the Parliament of Scotland and for some daies removed out of Edenburgh the suggestions were examined in that Parliament where they had power enough yet nothing was apparent to their prejudice and the examinations upon the whole matter sent hither by the King to the Parliament in England such strange glosses and interpretations were made upon that accident reflecting upon the King and his honour as if at the same time there had been such a design to have been acted here as they had fancied there And a suddain resolution was taken here first by the Committee during the recess after by the Houses to have a Guarâ— for the defence of London and Westminster and both the Houses of Parliament which made some impression in the minds of the best Subjects in a time when they were newly freed from the fears of Two Armies to be now again awakened with the apprehension of dangers of which seeing no ground they were to expect no end But matters thus stated and all possible cunning used by a faction and their Emissaries the Ministers at this time when the clamour was raised of the unlawfulness that the Clergy should meddle in temporal affaires were their chief Agents imployed to derive their seditious directions to the people And were for a week together attending the doores of both Houses to be sent in their errands to inforce the most desperate feares in the minds of all men that could be imagined and to be sure that the memory of former bitterness might not slacken They therefore provide for the Kings Intertainment against his return to London a Remonstrance of the state of the Kingdome herein laying before the King all the mistakes all the misfortunes which had happened since his first coming to the Crown and before to that houre forgetting the blessed condition notwithstanding the unhappy mixture which all the Subjects had enjoyed by peace and plenty under this King to the envy of Christendome Objecting to the King therein the actions of some nay the thoughts of others and reproaching him with things which he after professes never entred into his Imaginations not to his knowledge into the thoughts of any other therein reviling the King to the people and complaining of
all Irish Papists many of the chief Commanders now in the Head of the Rebells have been licensed to pass thither by his Majesties immediate Warrant His Majesty therefore having used all possible ways to prevent it he would be resolved if this Speech were so delivered by Master Pym that they review upon what information it was grounded and so to be found false and the King injured or the King to be assured by whose means his Authority has been so highly abused as to be made to conduce to the assistance of that abhorred Rebellion and so to see himself vindicated Febr. 7. To this Message they justifie the Authour Master Pym what he said to be the sense of the House and ordered to be printed and that they are so advertised had your Majesties Warrant and that some others have been staid and are yet in safe custody and named these to be the Lord Delvin and four others in his company and one supposed to be a Priest Colonel Butler Brother to the Lord Miniard now in Rebellion and Sir George Hamilton all Papists and another the Son of the Lord Nettersfield whose Father and Brother are now in Rebellion And are sorry that his Majesties extreme caution therein hath been so ill seconded by his Ministers of which they beseech him to prevent the future dishonour to his Majesty and mischief to the Kingdom Febr. 10. To this the King replies Whether such a general Advertising be ground enough for Master Pym's Speech and their positive Affirmation and challenges them to name any so warranted which he is assured that they cannot and bids them lay it to heart how this their Authority may trench upon his Honour in the affections of his good people as if not sensible enough of that Rebellion so horrid and odious to all good Christians by which in this Distraction what Danger may possibly ensue to his person and estate and therefore expects their Declaration to vindicate his Innocency and Honour And as for the Persons named Butler and Nettersfield had their Passes of his Majesty in Scotland long before any Restraint here being assured of Butler's loyal affection to his service and Uncle to the Earl of Ormond approved faithfull and both Protestants and of Nettersfield there never had been any the least suspition Nor did the King know of their Order of Restraint till Hamilton's stay who was the last that had any Licence And if any had been Papists yet of known integrity they may remember that the Lords Justices of Ireland declared in their Letters that they were so far from owning a publick Jealousie of all Papists that they had armed divers Noble-men of the Pale that were Papists and therefore expects their Declaration for his Vindication as in Duty and Justice they ought to do This he required but that they would not do and the King must sit down by the loss and rest so satisfied Nay they never left clamouring till he had turned out Sir Iohn Byron and put in Sir Iohn Coniers at their Nomination to be Lieutenant of the Tower of London And then they proceed to their Nomination of several fit persons for Trust of the Militia in their respective Counties And passes an Act for disabling all persons in Holy Orders to exercise any Temporal Jurisdiction or Authority as if no men of Religion were fit to do Justice He tells them by Message that to satisfie and compose all Distempers he will by Proclamation require all Statutes concerning Recusants to be put in execution That the seven condemned Priests shall be banished and all Romish Priests within twenty Days to depart the Kingdom That he refers the consideration of the Government and Lituâ—gie of the Church wholly to the Houses And offers himself in person to the Irish War Again the Parliament are at their five Members and Lords and Commons petition that though your Majestie â—inde cause to desert their Prosecution yet in their Charge the whole Parliament is imputed and therefore desire the King to send the Informers against the said Members with their suggestions to the Parliament to be proceeded as in 37 38 Edward 3. Thus forward they are and the Parliament begin to ordain the power of the Militia for safeguard of the Parliament Tower and City of London under the Command of Serjeant Major General Skippon approving all his Orders and Commands already therein by former Directions and now they establish him therein declaring that if any person shall arrest or trouble him for so doing he doth break the Privâ—leges of Parliament violate the Liberty of the Subject and is thereby declared an Enemy to the Common-wealth No more mention of King or Kingdom And they petition him to settle the Militia according to their Nomination of particular persons in Trust therein for all the several Counties To which the King respites till his Return being now to conduct the Queen and the Princess Mary to Dover for their Voyage into Holland Which they answer is as unsatisfactory as an absolute Denial pretending that the Irish endeavour to invade England with assistance of the Papists here Febr. 22. The Lord Digby for some passages heretofore to prevent the Censure of the Parliament was fled beyond Seas and had written three Letters one to the Queen and two others to Secretary Nicholas and Sir Lewis Dives which the Parliament intercepting and opening very maliciously â—omenting the Jealousie between the King and his People therefore upon the Desire of the King for that Letter to the Queen they send hâ—m all three with their prayers for the King to perswade her Majesty not to correspond with him or any other Fugitive or Traitours who depend on the Examination and Judgment of Parliament The King now returned from Dover from whence the Queen and the Princess Mary voyaged to Hâ—lland where she was to negotiate Forreign Aid and Assistance for the Kings Designs being too hot for him to remain at London sends to Hampton Court for the Prince to meet him at Greenwich wherein the Parliament were surprised as now doubting the effect and therefore send a Message thâ—t the Prince his Removal may be a cause to promote Jealousies and Fears which they conceive very necessary to avoid but could not prevail to prevent it The Parliament havâ—ng now the Militia the security of the Tower and City of London Trained Bands of the Kingdom and all the Forces out of the Kings hands they begin to think upon Propositions of themselves for reducing the Rebells of Ireland and order That two Millions and an half of those Acres to be confiscate of Rebells Lands in four Provinces may be allotted to such persons as will disburse Moneys for mannaging that War viz. For each Adventure of Two hundred pounds one thousand Acres in Ulster Three hundred pounds one thousand Acres in Connaught Four hundred and fifty pounds one thousand Acres in Munster Six hundred pounds one thousand Acres in Lemster All English Measure Medow Arable
the Kings Answers unsatisfactory And that the Kingdom be put into a posture of Defence in such a way as is agreed upon by Parliament and a Committee to prepare a publick Declaration from these two Heads 1. The just causes of the Fears and Iealousies given to the Parliament and to clear them from any Iealousies conceived against them 2. To consider of all matters arising from his Majesties Message and what is fit to be done A man would wonder upon what grounds they should arm by Sea and Land specially so hastily resolved as the next day March 2. Advertisements they say of extraordinary preparations by the neighbouring Princes both by Land and Sea the intentions whereof are so represented as to raise a just apprehension of sudden Danger to the King and his Kingdoms unless the wisdom of Parliament prevent it And therefore the Earl of Northumberland Admiral of England is commanded with all speed to order the Rigging of the Kings Ships and fit them immediately for the Sea And to frighten us into fear all Masters and Owners of Ships are perswaded to do the like for the emergent occasions of publick Defence In order to these the Beacons were new made up Sea-marks set up such riding posting with Pacquets whispering and Tales telling as put the people in fear of they knew not what wise men onely told the Truth discovering the Enemy wholly at home I have been as brief as may be in the business of this year and yet to satisfie the curious I cannot omit all the occasions of this miserable Eruption which follows presuming yet that this Declaration designed may be spared the recording for certainly no new matter can be invented and what hither to hath been the cause the Reader has leave to judg But not to amuse your imaginations it self must satisfie the Declaration was born to Roiston by the Earls of Pembroke and Holland He who read it to the King this Lord being raised and created to become his most secret Counsellour the most intimate in affection the first of his Bed-chamber his constant companion in all his sports and recreations even in that place and to this hour At the sight of him the Kings countenance me thought mixed into compassion and disdain as who should as Caesar did Et tu mi fili But on he went to this effect March 9. The manifold Attempts to provoke your Majesties late Armie and the Scots Armie and to raise a Faction in London and other parts the Actours having their dependence countenance and encouragement from the Court witness Jermin's Treason who was transported beyond Sea by your Majesties Warrant and that dangerous Petition delivered to Captain Leg by your Majesties own Hand with a Direction signed C. R. The false and scandalous Accusation against the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members Plotting and designing a Guard about your person labouring to infuse into the people an ill opinion of the Parliament as if to raise Arms for a Civil War in which Combustion Ireland would be lost That the Lord Digby was sent to Sir John Pennington to be landed beyond Sea to vent his traiterous conceptions for the King to retire to some place of strength offering to correspond by cyphers with the Queen as if to procure some forreign Forces to assist your Majestie answerable to your remove with the Prince as in a readiness for the acting of it Manifold Advertisements which they have from Rome Venice Paris and other parts expecting the effects of the Kings Design to alter Religion and ruine the Parliament That the Popes Nuntio hath solicited the Kings of France and Spain to lend his Majesty four thousand Men a plece to help to maintain his Royalty against the Parliament And this foreign Force the most pernicious and malignant Design of all the rest so they hope it is from his thoughts Because no man will easily believe you will give up your People and Kingdom to be spoiled by strangers if you did not likewise intend to change both your own profession in Religion and the publick profession of the Kingdom that so you might be more assured of these foreign States of the Popish Religion for the future support and defence They â—eseech his Majesty to consider how fair a way he hath to happiness honour greatness plenty security if he would but joyn with his Parliament and people in defence of the Religion and Kingdom This is all they expect from him and for which they shall return their Lives Fortunes and utmost Endeavours to support him and Sovereignty And for the present have but onely this to desire To turn away his wicked Counsellours and put his trust in Parliament At the reading of that part which mentioned Master Iermin's transportation by his Majesties Warrant the King interrupted him and said That 's false And at the business of Captain Leg he told him 'T is a Lie And at the end of all he said He was confident the Parliament had worse information than he had Councils What have I denied you The Militia said Holland That 's no Bill The other replied It was necessary Which I have not denied but in the manner His Lordship would perswade the King to come near the Parliament Have you given me cause said the King This Declaration is not the way to it and in all Aristotle's Rhetoricks there is no such Argument of perswasion Pembroke that he might say something said it over again The Parliament prays him to come to them The King told him Words were not sufficient What would you have Sir said he The King replied To whip a Boy in Westminster School that could not tell that by my Answer Then the Lord asked him to grant the Militia for a time Not an hour this was never asked of any King with which I will not trust my Wife and Children But his Majesties Answer to all was this That to their Fears and Iealousies he would take time to satisfie all the World hoping that God would in his good time discover the secrets and bottoms of all Plots and Treasons to set him upright with his people For his Fears and Doubts are not trivial while so many scandalous Pamphlets seditious Sermons sundry Tumults publick are uninquired into and unpunished He must confess his Fears calling God to witness they are the greater for the Religion for his people and for their Laws than for his own Rights or safetie of himself and yet he tells them none of these are free from Danger What would you have said he Have I violated your Laws Have I denied any one Bill What have ye done for me Have my people been transported with Fears and Apprehensions I have I offer a free pardon as your selves can devise There is a Iudgment from Heaven upon this Nation if these Distractions continue God so deal with me and mine as all my thoughts and intentions are right for the maintenance of the true Protestant profession the observation and preservation of
dare present their tenderness of his sufferings their own just grievances and the sense of the violation of the Laws if they did it was stifled in the birth and called Sedition and burnt by the Hang-man They have so restrained his Houshold sworn Servants seized upon his Money which his credit had gotten to buy him Bread so that in effect they have blocked him up in York They have filled the Peoples ears with Fears and Jealousies idle Tales false Allarms by which to prepare the peoples impressions the better to advance their Design when it should be ripe And now the King it seems must be ready to receive these humble desires Nor do they tell the King that these Propositions are all No these are yet but Preparatives Some of these disguised with mixtures of real honest things others specious and popular and some already granted by the King all which are cunningly twisted with those other things of their main Design Ambition and private Interest and so not easily to be discerned in their proper colours Not that the King fixes this Design upon all and both Houses many absent many dissenting but professes to all the World that the malignity of the Design dangerous and wicked hath proceeded from all subtil informations mischievous practises and evil counsels of ambitious spirits dis-affected to God Religion unity peace and prosperity of the people with a strong influence upon the very actions of both Houses And these Propositions coming to the King in the name of both Houses he takes the more notâ—ce of every of them and answers to this effect following which because he expresseth in the first person plural not usual heretofore I shall so represent it If the nineteen Propositions had been in a Tragedie unknown to us and our people they might have been believed as they profess to be in order to the ends proposed in the Petition to us and our people honour peace and happiness But being understood will rather appear a Mockerie and a scorn And we unworthie of our Trust or Descent from so many famous Ancestours if we abandon that power which enables us to protect our people and Laws and so assume others into it as to divest our selves of it as if we were already vanquished and a prisoner and the most unfortunate of our predecessours that have been reduced to by the most criminal of their Subjects And though the Bait laid to draw us to it the promises of a plentifull and unparallel'd Revenue were reduced from generals which signifie nothing to clear and certain propositions would but resemble Esau's Bargain to part with such Flowers of our Crown as are worth all the rest of the Garland which gives us cause to believe that the Contrivers of these had no intention of a good Accommodation but rather to widen that Division which is by their fault fallen upon us both It is asked That all the Lords and others of our Privy Council and such or all great Officers and Ministers of State either at home or beyond Sea to leave out no person or place that our dishonour may not be bounded at home should be put from our Privy Council and from these Offices and Imployments unless by them approved How faithfull soever we have found them or how innocent in offending the onely Rule for all men to walk by But to this part of the Demand we are willing that they shall take a larger Oath than you desire in your 11th Demand for maintaining the whole Law That they shall be persons of Trust and abilities without exception reasonable And to be left to the justice of the Law upon sufficient charge or proof against any of them And that we have given you the best pledg of the effects of our promise and the best securitie for their dutie a Triennial Parliament to make them warie how they provoke and us warie how we chuse such as may discredit our Election But that without any fault objected onely because some persons who have too great an influence on both Houses shall judg them not affected to that new Utopia of Religion and Government into which they endeavour to transform the Kingdom we will never consent to the displacing of any of merit and affection to us and the publick whom we have intrusted since we conceive it would take away from the affection of our service the care of us and the honour of our justice And we the more wonder that it should be asked of us since by your twelfth Demand your selves count it reasonable after the present turn be served that the Judges and Officers who are then placed may hold them Quam diu se bene gesserint But this Demand is but one Link of a good Chain or but the first Round of the Ladder by which our just ancient regal power is endeavoured to be fetched down to the ground not with the persons now chosen but with our chusing that you are displeased for they must be approved by both Houses And of the two if we would grant away either we would sooner be content that you should nominate and we approve lest by our Election we should hazzard whom we esteemed to the scorn of your refusal if they be not agreeable to the passion interest or humour of the major part of the House Not to speak of the great Factions and Divisions which this power would introduce in the Parliament between both Houses and in the several Counties for the choice of persons and between them that were so chosen Nor is the potion prescribed onely for once for the curing of some pressure or present disease but for a Diet to us and our posteritie It is demanded That our Counsellours all chief Officers of Law and State Commanders of Forts and Castles and all Peers hereafter made be approved of by them from time to time and rather than ever it should be left to the Crown to whom it doth and shall belong if any place fall void in intermission of Parliaments the major part of the approved Counsellours is to approve them And so we must not onely acquit our Right but for Councellours we are restrained in the number as in the persons and if they have this power it were not fit we should be trusted to chuse those which were to be trusted as much as we It is demanded That such matters as concern the publick and are proper for the high Court of Parliament may be debated resolved and transacted onely in Parliament and such as presume to do to the contrary shall be censured by Parliament and such other matters of State as are proper for debate with our Privy Council shall be concluded by such of our Nobility or rather herein your Nobilitie and others as shall be chosen for that place by approbation of Parliament and that not publick acts concerning the affairs of the Kingdom proper for our privie Council be esteemed valid or proceeding from royal Authority unless it be done
as to a Bill for Education of their Children we have always wished it to be so and incourage you in it and we will do it The Reformation of Church-government and Liturgie we have sufficiently told you in our Answer to your Petition at Hampton Court Decemb. 1. To which they are referred As also in our first Declaration printed by advice of our Council and our Message of the fourth of February of all which we the more hoped of success because you seem now in this to desire but a Reformation and not as is frequently preached a Destruction of the present Discipline and Liturgie and we shall take care for preaching Ministers As to your Bills we can say nothing till we see them We would not have the Oath of all privie Counsellours and Iudges straitened to particular Statutes but to all Statutes of all Parliaments and shall willingly consent that an inquirie c. Therein we shall be most ready to joyn with the State of the United Provinces c. with our life and fortune if need require It was not our fault that an Act was not passed to clear Kimbolton and the five Members but yours that inserted such clauses in the Preamble and Act That no Member upon any accusation of Treason could be seized without consent of that House though the known Law be That Privilege of Parliament extends not to Treason And so how guiltie soever may have fair leave to run away and prevent his Trial. And concludes conjuring them and all men to rest satisfied with his profession and real intentions with some particular advises to them which he often hath hinted in most of his Answers And then to grant his general pardon c. If such an Answer as this proceeds from the advice and sufficiency of a few malignant Counsellours about the King when their nineteen Demands had been hammered out by labour and pains of a full Committee and then debated several days after we may rest satisfied that either the justice of the Cause easily carried on the consideration or that the Parliament party had the weaker pates And not onely is the King thus enforced to answer those above to the Parliaments Transactions but he is put to it to undeceive his Neighbours at Court the Commons of the County of York must be satisfied and therefore the King declares to them the Reasons of summoning the Gentry and not them That he never intended the least neglect unto them in any former Summons of the Countie his love excluding none And sums up to them the particular Reasons of his remove from White-hall enforced by Tumults as yet unpunished and securing himself here in their Countie on whose fidelitie he doth relie being to be used for the defence of the orthodox Religion professed by Queen Elizabeth the defence of the Laws and the peace of the Kingdom The Example of the Parliament having made him to prepare for a Guard so far from War as it serves onely to secure him and them His choice being of the prime Gentrie and of one Regiment of his Trained Bands never intending to use the force of strangers And these thus armed take the Oaths of Allegeance and Supremacie And intends to put the Trained Bands of all the Kingdom to be under persons of Honour and loyaltie to him and the Countie And all to protect them against oppressions and delusive fancies of such as presuming upon his royal Authoritie pretend by their Warrants to protect the people He intends to ease the Countie of their Trained Bands and Billet-money And shall make his grace and bountie to them answerable to their best fidelitie and loyaltie And now warlike preparations go on of both sides the Parliament most forward do order That all the Deputie Lieutenants of England and Wales that be not Members of the House of Commons be present at the several days and places of Training and Mustering the Counties and all Lords Lieutenants are ordered to dispatch their Warrants and Commissions accordingly and that some Members of both Houses shall be sent down to be present and to countenance the service June 4. Hereupon all the spare Lords that lookt for imployment are actively busied to repaire to the several Counties And henceforth Letters and avisâ—es from them to their favourites of both Houses are Posted to the Parliament of their vigilant services and the effects by wondrous appearance of the people then necessarily requiring the Parliaments Letters and Messages of thanks to them and to the Country together with Letters and submissions of the respective officers of each trained band to their right Honourable Lords Lieutenants acknowledging their indefatigable diligence herein and the tender of all their lives in the publique service which their Lordships are desired to commend to the knowledge of the supream Council of the Nation who must publish a grand Approbation of all which the others have don or shall do Then followes Resolutions upon several questions To provide for every County competent numbers of orders and Declarations of the House of Commons from time to time That every Minister Constable c. may have one of each How they shall be Printed how bundled up how transported so that a wonder it was how busily new Officers got imployments with such hurrying and posting up and down as if all this world were wilde for a war for now comes out Propositions and Orders of Parliament for bringing in of Money or Plate to maintain Horse Horsemen and Arms for the publique peace and defence of the King and both Houses of Parliament the tenth of Iune All the Northern Roads be searched by the Justices of Peace for seizing of Arms Ammunition of all sorts that are to be carried thitherward Then comes Intelligence from beyond the Seas by Letters from Amsterdam with a list of the number of Arms and Ammunition speedily to be furnished for the King upon jewels pawned by the Queen particularly mentioned and no doubt by him who was appointed by Her for that service But he prays that his own name may be concealed pour evitro de tiltre despiou though with zeal and ardour he professes he affects the good cause for which he is thus treacherous and being now dead I forbear to record to memory who he was The King provides Commissioners of Array and first to Leicestershire accompanied with his Letters to the Lords Lieutenants of the County Grounding his Commission on the votes of Parliament the fifteenth of March last That the Kingdom being in danger of Enemies abroad and a Popish party at home it is necessary to put the people into a posture of defence A small number of both Houses without the Kings consent or the opinion of the Judges have attempted by way of Ordinance to put in Execution the power of the Militia dispossessing such of the Nobility as He intrusted with the Command and â—ominated others of their own election and this design of theirs by a new way of Ordinance
to the King disarmed the wel-affected to the King in that Town And that the Earl of Warwick contrary to the Kings command under his hand being legally discharged of any conduct of his Majesties Ships hath taken upon him to dispossess the King of his Navy and imployed them against him and imprisoned divers of his Majesties loyal Officers and Subjects And therefore the King is resolved with Gods assistance to force Hotham and all other his Assistants in this his treasonable defence and invites all his good Subjects to assist him in this his resolution Dated at Beverley the eighth of Iuly Three daies after the Parliament Resolve That an Army shall be raised for defence of King and Parliament and of all such as obey the orders of both Houses That the Earl of Essex shall be the general and they to live and dy with him and that a petition should be sent to the King by the Earl of Holland Sir Iohn Holland and Sir William Stapleton to Beverley and that the Earl of Bedford be General of the Horse which so troubled the Earl of Holland who was refused upon voting that it was never digested Indeed the Parliament were wary not to intrust two Brothers with Land and Sea service together The effect of their petition was to pray the King to disband all his forces which are reckoned up to be about Hull and from Newcastle Tynmouth Lincoln and Lincoln-shire to recall his Commissioners of Array and to dismiss his guards and come to his People and Parliament and hearken to their advice and then what they will do for him The King might smile at this and therefore tells them They were never unhappy in their Petitions and supplications whilst they desired the preservation of Religion the Kings Honour and the peace of the Kingdome But after their martial designs and some proceedings and effects of their forces and after their votes and raising of an Army their Generals assigned and possessing his Navy to advise him to denude himself and wait upon them is pitiful councel to which he will not submit The Parliament provide for the sinews of war to that end they declare for Lone of Money upon publique faith of the Parliament upon which and the Ministers invitations the best part of their preachings turned into perswasions and prayers to the people for their contributions and assistance that it became incredible what a mass of money plate and Ammunition was presented even at the Parliaments feet from the golden cupbords of vessels to the Kitchen-maids silver bodkins and Thimble The King had some help from the diligent indeavours of the Queen beyond Seas and out of Holland upon the pawned Jewels and at home contributions of the Lords and Gentry Loyal to his service for what was publique he gives thanks To the Vice-chancellor and all other his Loyal Subjects of the university of Oxford for the free Loan of a very considerable sum of money in this his time of so great and eminent necessity shall never depart out of his royal memory Nor is it reasonable to deny them a memorable Record for ever which in duty to them I may not do Beverley 18. Iuly From thence the King removes to Leicester summons the appearance of the Gentlemen Free-holders and Inhabitants of that County telling them of the acceptable welcome he hath found in these Northern parts finding that the former errours of his good Subjects thereabout have proceeded by mistakes and misinformatioâ—s proceeding from the deceits used by Declarations and publications of the Parliament pretended for the peace of the Kingdom which rather would destroy it To prevent their mischief he needs not ask their assistance of Horse Men Money and Hearts worthy such a Cause in which he will live and die with them Iuly 20. The Earl of Stamford Lord Lieutenant of the County of Leiceister for the Parliament had removed the County Magazine from the Town to his own house at Bradgate over which he had set a Guard or Garison against the Kings command for which he and his Adherents are by name proclaimed Traitours which troubled the Parliament and discouraged their party untill they were vindicated by a publick Declaration that being for the service of the Parliament and the peace of the Kingdom it was an high Breach of Privilege in the King and that the said Earl and his Assistants are protected by them and all good Subjects The first of August brings the King back again to Yorkshire where he summons the Gentlemen of that County tells them the forward preparations of the Parliament to a War and desires their advice what Propositions they conceive for them to ask and he to grant in reference to their and his safety and for the present desires them to spare him some Arms out of their store which shall be redelivered when his provisions shall come thither and that his Son Prince Charls his Regiment for the Guard of his person under the command of the Earl of Cumberland may be compleated The Parliament declare for the raising of all power and force by Trained Bands and otherwise to lead against all Traitours and their Adherents that oppose the Parliament and them to slay and kill as Enemies to the State and peace of the Kingdom naming such of the Kings party that were his Lieutenants of Array of the Northern Counties viz. the Earl of Northampton the Lord Dunsmore Lord Willoughby of Eresby Son to the Earl of Lindsey Henry Hastings and others of the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham Leicester Warwick Oxfordshire And for the Western Counties the Marquess Hertford the Lord Paulet Lord Seymer Sir Iohn Stowel Sir Ralph Hopton and Iohn Digby and others in the County of Somerset And to oppose these and others the Parliament doth authorize the Earl of Essex the General as also these to be the Lieutenants of several Counties viz. the Lord Say of Oxon the Earl of Peterborough of Northampton Lord Wharton of Buckingham Earl of Stamford of Leicester Earl of Pembroke of Wiltshire and Hampshire Earl of Bedford of Somersetshire and Devon Lord Brook of Warwick Lord Cranborn of Dorsetshire Lord Willoughby of Parrham of Lincolnshire Denzil Hollis of the City and County of Bristol And thus ranked they are to kill and â—lay their Enemies August 8. And the King traceth them in these steps replies to theirs and will justifie the quarrel and for that purpose published his Proclamation against the Earl of Essex the General that he is Rebell and Traitour to the King and his Crown and all Colonels and Officers under him that shall not instantly lay down are guilty of high Treason And because of their two particular Designs to march Northward against the King and others Westward to seize and force the Garison and Fort of Portsmouth therefore he commands Colonel Goring his Captain Governour there to oppose the Rebells And commands his Cousin and Counsellour William Marquess Hertford his Lieutenant General of
Aug. 16. Upon these grounds The Parliament of England take resolution and declare their approbation and thanks to the secret Council and Assemblie in Scotland for their desires of unitie in Religion and uniformitie in Church-government in the three Kingdoms we having say they often had that matter in debate concurring in judgment and experience of the manifold mischiefs which the Government of the Prelacie hath in all times and ages produced in this Church and State and so we hope to satisfie the Christian desires of our dear Brethren of Scotland although we know that hereby we shall exceedingly irritate that malignant partie who will bend all their forces to ruine that holy work and to ruine and destroy us in the undertaking being the very same partie which hath now incensed and armed his Majestie against us The very same Design of rooting out Reformed Religion endeavoured to begin that Tragedie in Scotland which being perfected in one Nation will be accomplished in the other Religion is the band and safetie of both And as we resolve by the national Covenant betwixt the two Kingdoms to be carefull of Scotland so we doubt not but the secret Council and Assemblie there will be always ready to express their brotherly kindness to us according to the Articles ratiâ—ied between both Parliaments and advantagious to all the professours of the Reformed Religion in Christendom And so this being the Proeme to their Declaration the Parliament goes on with lamentable sighs and groans from the bowels of their hearts for being obstructed in this piaculous work of true Reformation and after much striving and seeking God wrestling with the Engines of Satan they have jumped in resolution with their Brethren in Scotland that the Prelatical party is the cause of all distraction And being thus backed they take the boldness to declare That this Government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissioners Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchie is evil and prejudicial to the state and Government of this Kingdom and resolve the same shall be taken away And according to our Declaration of the seventh of February we will consult with godly Divines to setle a Government of Reformation And intend that a Bill for this Assemblie may be passed for their Meeting the fifth of Novemb. next And desire their dear Brethren of Scotland to concur with them in petitioning the King for his approbation And because nothing will prosper without their handy work they pray them to send some out of their many good â—nd godly Divines of that Kirk to assist our Assemblie for setling of one Confession one Directorie and one Catechism in all three Kingdoms to the relief and deliverance of the poor afflicted Churches abroad and confusion of the tyrannie of Rome being the prime cause and fountain of all calamities bloudy massacres outrages cruelties and bitter persecution of Gods people and saints in all the Christian world for many ages Here is now a resolution to reform all Christendom and beat down Popery in a trice but the result was that under colour of Religion the Design went on and so prospered in outward success And now to encourage the well-affected to lend money and bring their Plate upon Publick Faith which without a mans strong belief could hardly get Customers to come in fearing belike that the Kings gentleness and mercy might agree to an Accommodation having been upon terms of Treaty on his part The Parliament therefore once again to ascertain their Resolution to fight it out to the last man and being confident of success do declare That the Arms which they have been forced to take up and shall take up for the preservation of the Parliament Religion the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom shall not be laid down untill his Majestie shall withdraw his protection from such persons as have been voted by both Houses to be Delinquents and shall leave them to the justice of the Parliament to the end that those great charges and damages wherewith all the Common-wealth hath been burdened since the Kings departure from his Parliament may be born by the Delinquents And all his Majesties good and faithfull Subjects who by loan of moneys or otherwise at their charges have or shall assist the Common-wealth may be repayed and satisfied out of the Delinquents Estates And these Delinquents were sure to be made so out of the noblest and richest persons in the Nation against whom there could be found but the scent of Malignancie so that it became a huge crime first to be rich or able in any condition to be either Neuter or not wel-affected to the Parl. or to be suspected so to prove it a slender Accusation would serve the turn witness sundry persons which we shall have occasion to speak of ruined upon that score onely And first they begin with Iames Lord Strange Son and Heir of William Earl of Derby who to the intent and purpose to subvert the Laws c. did upon the fifteenth of July last past at Manchester in the Countie of Lancaster traiterously summon call together and raise great Forces and did kill murder and destroy Richard Percival a Linnen Webster for which the Parliament impeach him of high Treason And the sixteenth of September he is so published in all Churches and Chapels and Markets in the Counties of Lancaster and Chester and where the Parliament had any power for the County was mostly for the King against which party the City of London are desired to advance sixteen thousand pounds for setting forth ten thousand Dragoons and some Troops of Horse for suppressing that party upon Publick Faith which was soon raised but not repayed The King being at Shrewsburie whither Judg Heath came and advised for the Adjourning part of Michaelmass Term from the first Return In Octab. Sancti Martini Octob. 4. And at Bridg-North he proclames Thomas Nichols Humphrey Mackworth and Thomas Hunt Esq guilty of high Treason active men in the Militia and assisting the Kings Enemies in their Rebellion Octob. 14. The L. Fairfax for the Parl and Mr. Bellases for the King with considerable parties Commissioners on either side had concluded upon certain Articles concerning the peace in Yorkshire and dated the 29. of September To which the Parliament take exception That the Parliament gave no such authoritie to binde that Countie to a Neutralitie it being prejudicial to the whole Kingdom for one Countie to withdraw from the rest which thâ—y are bound by Law to assist It being derogatorie to the power of Parliament for private men to suspend the execution of the Militia and therefore it is ordered that no such Neutralâ—â—â—e be observed in that Countie without any defensive force whereby it will be open to the King to return with his Armie for Winter quarter in that plentifull Countie New-castle near for his Supplies by Sea And so they declare the Lord Faâ—â—fax and his
of answering these they ran quite away leaving the Field with five hundred Muskets fourteen Barrels of Pouder a whole Stand of Pikes with some Arms but their Cannon they got off This Fight lasted form two a clock afternoon till one the next morning These aforesaid we finde slain with eight Officers and some Gentlemen of note Mr. Leak Son to the Lord Daincourt found dead at day-light with his Enemies Colours about his arm Mr. Barker Lieutenant Colonel Wall Serjeant Major Lower Captain Iames Captain Chalwell and Mr. Bostard But then it is said that Waller's Foot were absolutely dispersed or cut off with great loss of Officers Horse and Foot modestly reported onely it is assured the Cavaliers kept the Field Arms and Pillage and such other signs of Victory And this was done the fifth of Iuly Whilest Waller fights their General Essex solicites the Parliament with Letters inclining to petition for a Peace which though it took well with some Lords yet being read to the Commons Mr. Vassal a London Burgess desired that their General should be pressed to speak more plainly and that if after the expence of two Millions of Treasure he had a minde to lay down Arms he should let them know it that as good a Souldier as he should take them up meaning Sir Will. Waller who was generally cried up by the City untill they heard of his Defeat near the Devises Round-way-down whither the King having sent some Troops of Horse towards the West which came within three Miles of the Devises were met with by Waller's Forces being on the Down between the Cavaliers and the Town to hinder their joyning with the rest of the Army Some Regiments of Horse on each side began the fight with equal success till Waller's Horse made â— Retreat to their Strength which lay on a Hill where he was and drew out his Foot and commanded the Onset but his Horse not enduring the hazzard left the Foot to their Enemies Sword or mercifull Quarter hundreds of them slain and more Prisoners taken four fair Brass Guns Ammunition and Baggage eight and twenty Colours and nine Corners I wonder at this Defeat for Sir William Waller had advantage of number in Men and Arms five Regiments of Foot six of Horse five hundred Dragoons eight Brass Guns It is confest that the Cavaliers were but fifteen hundred Horse additional to the other Forces with two small Pieces of Cannon And to adorn the Victory the Queen made her triumphant Entry into Oxford that day her Return from beyond Seas And on the other side to encourage Sir William Waller at this time when their Generalissimo was suspected the Parliament voted to make and confirm Leases of the Office of Botelier of England a Place of good profit and credit both The twelfth of August the Earl of Lindsey Great Chamberlain of England was welcomed to Oxford from his Restraint and Imprisonment since Edg-hill Fight being now received by the Queen Council and Court with all Expressions of Honour to him and more could not be done for the present in respect of the Kings absence at Gloâ—ester Siege The five and 20. of August the Earls of Bedford and Holland went from London towards Oxford and being gotten to Wallingford intrusted themselves with the Kings Forces untill their coming to submit to his Majesty in the mean time they are received by the Governour Colonel Blagge with honourable respect and so at last they were brought to the King professing their Duty and Allegeance and acknowledging their Errours this long time whom the King received with favour and forgiveness They held not out in this their Protestation but fled back again to the Parliament The Committees of Nottingham and Lincoln held intelligence with some Prisoners of theirs in the Marshals â—ustody at Newark whom they designed to blow up or to surprize the Magazine there whilest they had some favour and freedom of the Goaler their Letter conveyed to the Imprisoned discovers as much as will be necessary to know the men more than the matter Gentlemen and Prisoners for the Lord Jesus our long laboured Design is now ripe Your care is expected according to your faith and promise We doubt not but the opportunity of the Liberty afforded you may advance the good Cause The Magazine is near enough to you Give notice to our Brâ—thren under the Provost Marshall Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall finde so doing Matth. 24. 46. The appointed time holdeth which we hope to our hands Lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh Luke 21. 28. Whereâ—ore comfort one another with these words 2. Thess. 4. 18. The rest will we set in order when we come 1 Cor. 11. 24. Greet all the Brethren 1 Thess. 5. 26. The Lord establish the Work of our hands upon us Work of our hands establish he it Psal. 90. is the Prayer of Yours in the Lord The Committee of Nottingham and Lincoln Scripture is often made use of by the Sectaries to factious and seditious ends and here to the hazzard of Murder the easiest terms I can afford them The Lecturers were the most busie meddling men even so as ever have been the Kiâ—kmen of Scotland and therefore Mr. Saltmarsh a seditious Minister contrived certain Propositions of Counsel which were read in the House amongst many were these 1. That all means should be used to keep the King and his People from sudden union 2. To cherish the War under the Notion of Popery as the surest means to engage the People 3. If the King would not grant their Demands then to root him out and the royal Line and collate the Crown upon some body else This last was too harsh to be swallowed by reasonable good men who excepted against it but Mr. Henry Martin said He saw no reason to condemn Mr. Saltmarsh adding That it were better one Family should be destroyed than many To which Mr. Nevil Pool replied That Mr. Martin might explain what One Family he meant Martin bold and beastly answers The King and his Children For which Speech before the time was ripe to discover that Secret he was voted a Prisoner to the Tower Mr. Pym himself urging upon him his extreme lewdness of life but this punishment was but to cool the heat of the House for that time for Martin was soon released upon the change of the Lieutenant of the Tower forthwith following The Recruits of the Army fell heavy upon the City of London who were caressed with all kindness to finish the Work and to set out Sir William Waller again and to win upon them Sir Edward Coniers was commanded to surrender his Lieutenancy of the Tower unto Pennington the Mayor of London and so Mistris Mayoress was quit with Mistris Ven that she should be Governess of Windsor Prison as she called it and thereby command over Souldiers which was a power she now might equal with hers
Eccleshal Castle surrounded with the Enemies Garisons the Governour the more wary adds to his former number of Men and gets in good Provisions and prepares for a Siege And long it was not ere Sir William Brereton Colonel Gell Colonel Greeves Colonel Ridgby and Colonel Iackson joyning Forces with the Counties of Stafford and Derby fell suddenly into Eccleshal Town and with easie bickering got possession of it standing in guard within the Church which faces the Castle The Governour burns all about not an Out-house Barn or Stable affords them other shelter The next day Brereton summons the Castle for the King and Parliament Bird makes present Answer That his Commission was to keep it for the King and unless the other could produce his Majesties Warrant to the contrary it would be labour lost to expect any other Reply but what power and strength should enforce Immediately the Besiegers with two Pieces of Cannon of four and twenty pound Bullet played all day against the Wall without any effect the next day they battered a Turret which at the last fell down and hurt three men and so their Ordnance continued their utmost force for a Week vvhen by so long trial they could not make any Breach they drevv off their Guns and made a Line to surround the Castle not so soon done but that they vvere fain to endure the good effects of several Sallies out of the Castle whereby he lost a Lieutenant and others and some hurt with greater execution on the Enemy And thus it continued for some Moneths with extremity to whose Relief the King sends in September the Lord Capel and the Lord Loughborough with considerable Forces against whom the Besiegers not able to withstand quit their Trenches and retire to the Church and there fortified themselves Then forthwith the Governour sends out what Forces he could spare joyning with the Lords sufficient now to attempt upon the Church by straitning or storming But it seems they had order onely to relieve the Castle not to fight afterwards and force the Enemy away but to be gon themselves and so to leave the business to desperation which the Governour knew would be destruction which he could not prevent and therefore with long dispute and many reasons offered and nothing prevailing he delivered it up to the Lords who put in one Captain Abel a Dane to command there But the old Souldiers not pleased with their New Governour and a stranger to them and a Foreign most of them immediately quit their service and marched away with Captain Bird. The Castle thus relieved the Parliament Commanders call a Council and now resolve to draw off and quit the Siege but a false brother discovering the weakness of the Castle and the discontent with their New Governour the Enemy attempts the battery again and after two daies the Dane surrenders it upon reasonable quarter Thus while the fight they Parliaments Ordinance commands all men to pay nothing to his Majesty the Queen or Prince which is due or ought to be paid unto them whereas the Lords and Commons in September last passed an Ordinance for seizing upon all his Majesties the Queens and Princes Revenues and for receiving all and all manner of Rents certain or casual in England and Wales with all the Arrears and Debts any way due to his Majesty Queen or Prince shall be paid to the Receivers of the Committee for the Revenue c. whose Acquittances shall be sufficient discharge There was late news from Virginia that the Plantation there denied contribution to the Emissaries of the Parliament complaining of the obstruction of their trade at London whereupon an Ordinance of Moderation came forth For abating the Excise upon Virginia Tobacco that the Protestants their brethren in other Countries may not suffer among Malignants and Delinquents in England endeavouring to gain upon Foreign Plantations which in truth were first setled mostly by such as could not indure Discipline at home Sir William Waller having deserved well of the Houses had a new Commission to be Sergeant Major General of Hampshire Surrey Sussex and Kent having layen long before Arundel Castle and this Commission being promised heretofore the General Essex obstructed it being suspected to play his own game with much vanity It was wonderfull how much the Lectures were frequented in London the Town so full of Schollars calling themselves plundred Ministers and so began the coloured Leaguer long Cloak Boots and Spurs as constantly in the Pulpit as heretofore the Gown Canonical Cloak or Cassock but then the Independant a new name for such as liked neither were working to set up themselves or rather thaâ— spirit that set the other at work plaies tricks with them and scatters them into thoughts and factions grinning on each other but yet not setled into tenents neither so that moderate men could not as yet tell what to make of either The Parliament therefore publish their Manifest in effect That it belongs to Christian Magistrates to be Leaders in Reformation of the Church That it is the dutyâ— of all people to pray for them and wait upon them That the Parliament have required the Assembly of Divines to make the VVord of God their own Rule That nothing can be more destructive against the cause of Religion than to be divided amongst themselves That the Assembly and Parliament for so it runs will not onely reform Religion throughout the Nation but will concur to whatsoever shall appear to be the Rights of particular Congregations That all people forbear till they see whether the right Rule will not be commended to them in this orderly way we enjoying more Liberty to serve God than ever was seen in England Here 's fast and loose the People in doubt what Profession to undertake or by this Declaration of what Religion was the Parliament then began Iack Presbyter so styled to be baffled in every Pamphlet and they again to return encounters the people had sport enough to be for neither and in truth of no profession at all but went a wool-gathering to pick up the flieces pilled from the Orthodox Ministry now in much misery mourning for the fall of Sion The Committee for Innovations appointed Workmen to pull down that famous Organ in St. Paul's Church at London and it was imprinted the like they did in King Henry the Seventh's Chapell at VVestminster and all other parochial Churches in and about London and so by degrees the whole Church of Paul's not repairing but uncovering the Roof whereby in time the whole Church and Steeple will fall down after so great a Sum of Money that had been heretofore contributed to the Repair or rather re-edifying thereof more gracefull than the first erecting And now the Parliament do publish That whereas his Majesty doth make a VVar against his Parliament for the promoting thereof divers Forces both of Horse and Foot have been and are levied therefore that no man be mislead through ignorance the
Close Committee For Subjects to make foreign Confederacies without their Soveraigns assent to invade the Territories of their undoubted King to go about by force to change the Laws and Religion established is grosse Treason without all contradiction and in this case it argues strongly who have been the Contrivers and Fomenters of all our Troubles No Covenant whatsoever or with whomsoever can justifie such proceedings or oblige a Subject to run such disloyal courses If any man out of Ignorance or Fear or Credulity have entred into such a Covenant it bindes him not except it be to Repentance Neitheâ— is there any such necessity as is pretended of your present posture your selves cannot allege that you are any way provoked by us neither are we conscious to our selves of the least intention to molest you Those ends which you propose are plausible indeed to them who do not understand them the blackest Designs did never want the same pretences If by the Protestant Religion you intend our Articles which are the publick Confession of our Church and our Book of Common Prayer established by Act of Parliament you need not trouble your selves we are ready to defend them with our Bloud If it be otherwise it is plain to all the World that it is not the Preservation but the Innovation of Religion which you seek however by you styled Reformation And what calling have you to refâ—rm us by the Sword We do not remember that ever the like indignity was offered by one Nation to another by a lesser to a greater That those men who have heretofore pleaded to vehemently for Liberty of Conscience against all Oaths and Subscriptions should now assume a power to themselves by Arms to impose a Law upon the Consciences of their fellow Subjects A vanquished Nation would scarce endure such Terms from their Conquerours But this we are sure of that this is the way to make the Protestant Religion odious to all Monarchs Christian and Pagan Your other two ends that is the honour and happiness of the King and the publick Peace and Liberty of his Dominions are so manifestly contrary to your practice that we need no other motives to withdraw you from such a course as tends so directly to make his Majesty contemptible at home and abroad and to fill all his Dominions with Rapine and Bloud In an Army all have not the same intentions We have seen the Articles agreed upon and those vast Sums and Conditions contained in them as if our Countreymen thought that England was indeed a Well that could never be drawn dry and whatsoever the intentions be we know right well what will be the consequents if it were otherwise no intention or consequent whatsoever can justifie an unlawfull action And therefore you do wisely to decline all disputation about it it is an easie thing to pretend the Cause of God as the Jews did the Temple of the Lord but this is far from those evident Demonstrations which you often mention never make Consider that there must be an account given to God of all the Bloud which shall be shed in this Quarrel The way to prevent it is not by such insinuations but to retire before the Sword be unsheathed or the Breach be made too wide you cannot think we are grown such tame Creatures to desert our Religion our Laws our Liberties our Estates upon command of Foreigners and to suffer our selves and our Posterity to be made Beggars and Slaves without opposition If any of ours shall joyn with you in this Action we cannot look upon them otherwise than as Traitours to their King Vipers to their native Countrey and such as have been Plotters or Fomenters of this Design from the beginning But if mis-information or fear hath drawn any of yours ignorantly or unwillingly into this Cause we desire them to withdraw themselve at last and not to make themselves Accessaries to that Deluge of Mischief which this second Voyage is like to bring upon both Kingdoms The Scots for a Moneth together have likewise spread abroad this slander That divers of the Nobility have lately deserted the King which the Lords of the Assembly of Parliament at Oxford took upon them to convince that in time to come there might not be left one Loop-hole of Excuse for this their Rebellion Directing their Letters To the Lords of the Privy Council and Conservatours of the Peace of the Kingdom of Scotland Our very good Lords If for no other reason yet that Posterity may know we have done our Duties and not sate still whilest our Brethren of Scotland were transported with a dangerous and fatal misunderstanding c. We have thought it necessary to tell you that when you are informed that the Earls of Arundel and Thanet and the Lords of Stafford Stanhop Coventry Goring and Craven are beyond Seas and the Earls of Chesterfield Westmerland and the Lord Montague of Boughton under restraint at London for their Loyalty and Duty to his Majesty and the Kingdom your Lordships will easily conclude how very few now make up the Peers at Westminster there being not above five and twenty Lords present or privy to these Councils And so they go on to give their Reasons why this Assembly at Oxford are dissenting and absent from Westminster being forced away by the Multitude of the meaner sort of the City Rabble of London and prosecuted by unparliamentary Debates and Votes without freedom or safety to their Lives And therefore we do protest against any Invitation made to the Scotish Nation to enter this Kingdom with an Army And we do conjure your Lordships by our common Allegeance under one gracious Sovereign by the amity and affection of both Nations by the Treaty of Pacification and by all obligation divine and humane which can preserve peace upon earth to prevent the effusion of so much Christian Bloud and the confusion and desolation which must follow this Invasion c. And therefore your Lordships may be assured we shall expose our lives and fortunes in the just and necessary defence of the Kingdom Engaging our Honours to be our selves most religious observers of the Act of Pacification and we hope to receive such an answer from you as may preserve the two Nations c. Your Lorships most affectionate humble servants And signed by all the Lords and Peers of the great Assembly at Oxford about sixty as before in the Roll aforesaid We will end this year with Prince Ruperts relief of that gallant Garison at Newark from the three weeks hot siege of Sir Iohn Meldrum for the Parliament wasting his Army from seven thousand to five thousand the manner was thus Prince Rupert being at West-Chester upon Tuesday night March 12. received his Majesties commands to march with all speed to the relief of Newark with four thousand Foot under five Regiments and four Colours and two thousand Horse and Dragooners Upon these Summons he made haste to Shrewsbury speeding away Major Legge General of the
not upon it 8. Psalm 114. 6. Yea I will pray yet against their wickedness for within a while I shall even pray in their miseries 9. Isai 63. 11. Israel remembered for He that is God remembered See Epist. Mund. East 10. Matth. 27. 9. Whom they bought of the children of Israel for whom the children of Israel valued See Gosp. last Lent 11. Luke 1. 28. Hail full of grace for freely beloved See Annunc 12. Luke 1. 48. The lowliness of his hand-maid for poor degree See Magnificat 13. 1 Cor. 9. 27. Should be a castaway for reprovable See Epist. Septuag 14. Gal. 4. 25. Agar in Arabia bordereth upon Ierusalem for answereth to Ierusalem that now is See Epist. 4. Lent 15. Phil. 2. 7. Christ was found in his apparel like a man for in shape as a man See Epist. last Sund. in Lent 16. Heb. 9. 25. The high Priest entred into the holy place with strange bloud for other bloud that is not his own See Wednesd before Easter 17. 1 Peter 3. 20. When the long-suffering of God was once looked for for The long-suffering of God abode or waited See Easter Eve XII Because it mis-applieth some places of the holy Scriptures to the countenancing of erroneous and doubtfull matters 1. Revel 14. 1. To those children whom Herod caused to be murdered whom the Collect calls Gods witnesses See Innocents 2. 1 Peter 3. 17. To the time that Christ abode in the grave See Easter Eve 3. Revel 12. 7. To Michael as a created Angel See Michael And then they protest before Almighty God That we acknowledg the Churches of England as they be established by publique Authority to be true visible Churches of Christ That we desire the continuance of our Ministery in them above all earthly things as that without which our life would be bitter and wearisom unto us That we dislike not a set Form of Prayer to be used in the Church and finally That whatsoever before written is not set down of any evil minde or with a purpose to deprave the Books of Common Prayer Ordination or Homilies but onely to shew some Reasons why we cannot subscribe to all things contained in the same What they protest now was otherwise concluded to confound it A brief Narrative of the Scots affaires from 1639. We may not conceal the valiant and admired Actions of the Kings affaires in Scotland under conduct of the most Noble Iames Marquesse of Montrose Earl of Kinkardin c. General Governour by Commission for his Majesty in that kingdom A Narrative wherein we may finde Montrose his judgement and ingenuity gallantry in person patience in travel evennesse of spirit in dangers quick in resolution his wisdom in counsels his excellent vertue in all things and to all men which his very enemies could not but afford him For while the Covenanters at the first in 1638. pretended preservation of Religion the honour and dignity of the King and good of the people He sided with them they all then engaging by solemn Attestation and Oaths never to move by force but by petition to their Soveraign In 1639. Montrose was their Minion to whom they spoke out that the Stuarts had governed too long and they would now be at liberty and would strike at the Head resolving to raise an Army and at Dundee the solemn Convention resolve to invade England but had it counsel six weeks before in which time they divulge in all the three Kingdoms their several Pamphlets Apologetical seting some gloss upon their intended expedition Montrose was absent whilst this was working and being returned and made acquainted with all was intrusted to command 2000. Foot and 500. Horse and his meer friends conducted 5000. more of this Army with intention on their parts to side with the King and at the River Tweed that separates both Nations Montrose was by lot to passe over first which he did on foot and his men followed by which and other his forwardness he shadowed his intentions of Loyalty and service to his Soveraign when opportunity should minister the occasion for now a pacification is concluded Another Scotish Army is raised and marching over Tine neer Newcastle the English Army come thither to oppose them retreated to York and gave way willingly for the Scots to possesse Newcastle and a cessation agreed upon and the Treaty began at London In this time the King at York receives private Letters from Montrose professing his duty and fidelity to the King nor did they contain any more but being stollen out of his pocket by the treacherous Scots of the Kings Bed-chamber and copied out were sent to the Covenanters The Army disbanded Montrose returned into Scotland joynes in League with some prime of the Nobility to defend the Kings Cause and so by a division which was his aim but betrayed to the Covenanters who joyning with the Parliament of England by solemn engagements designed Montrose his ruine They corrupt the Courtiers and understand that the King had writ Letters to Montrose quilted in the Messengers Sadle one Stuart servant to Traquair whom they seise at the borders of Scotland and rip out the Letters yet nothing therein but what became the best of Kings to write and the best of Subjects to obey Neverthelesse the Covenanters scattered abroad Tragicall Reports of Plots between the King and Montrose for the overthrow of Religion and ruine of the Kingdoms which their Mercenary Ministers made use of to winde and turn the mindes of the people the best way to promote their cause and Rebellion They seise Montrose on the suddain with Napier Lord of Marcheston and Sir Sterling Keer his kinsmen and friends into the Castle of Edenburgh The peace concluded and the King come into Scotland called a Parliament gives them their hearts desire but could not procure Montrosses tryal nor release till after the Kings departure towards the end of the year and Montrose retires to his own house The next year 1642. the Covenanters unmask on all sides the English raise Armes for a civil war the Scots are caressed who raise forces also to assist the Parliament of England and labour all possible means to win upon Montrose and offer him to be Lord General of their Army He holds off and privately with the Lord Ogleby comes with two Troops of Horse to the Queen newly landed out of Holland at Burlington in Yorkshire and discovering to her all the former passages and the danger of the King and that there was no other way of remedy but to resist force with force and to oppose their entrance into this evil But Hamilton now returnes out of Scotland sent thither by the King to appease the Scots with whom he traiterously combines and purposely comes to the Queen to deâ—â—oy Montrose his Counsels as rash and unadvised offering himself to pacifie the Scots and so returns home and Hamilton seems there active for the King as his chief Commissioner The Scotish Covenanters of themselves summon a
which was assessed in Money proportionable to the condition of the Family The Scots are come and great care taken at Westminster for pay of that Army the twentieth part over all the North they have power to assess for themselves and all Malignants Estates that they can seize within their reach Nay several Counties and Associations are assessed for them Against whom the Marquess of Newcastle marched Northwards and to attack him in Yorkshire follows Sir Thomas Fairfax who was guided by his Father as the Father is by the grand Committee at Westminster as the Committee is by the Scots This dependency being very necessary to assure them good Welcome for so says their Letter to the Lord Fairfax My Lord VVe have taken into consideration the opportunity offered for reducing of Yorkshire whilest the Marquess of Newcastle hath drawn his Forces towards the North to oppose the Scots and how necessary it is to hinder his further Levies that Sir Thomas your Son march into the VVest Riding with all his Horse with two Regiments of Foot out of Lancashire and that your self take the Field with what Forâ—es you can and joyn with your Son for effecting these ends to hold a continual Intelligence with the Scots Army by drawing near Tees March 2. Northumberland Jo Maitland And here we see the great Earl of Northumberland invites the ancient Enemies of England into his own County and the Lord Fairfax into Yorkshire Cambridg University lay under the ordering of the Earl of Manchester Serjeant Major General of the Association where these Heads of Houses were turned out Dr. Beal Dr. Martin Dr. Stern in whose places were put in Masters of the Colleges Mr. Palmer Mr. Arrowsmith Mr. Vines as men more fit indeed such others as these were changed into the like I know not how more fit I am sure some of them are famous for false Latine Sir William Waller forward on his way to finde out the Lord Hopton who was drawn out of Winchester with sufficient Horse to oppose Sir William Balfore whom Waller had sent before to possess Alresford but came last for his Lordship was there first and forced Waller into small Villages in the morning Hopton drew down to Bramdean Heath and found Waller on a fair Hill and would not be forced thence till a long Dispute the Hill thus gained Colonel Lisle with his commanded Men kept it all night in this time of darkness Waller had mastered another Hill of greater advantage by the covert of Trees and Hedges which Colonel Appleford was to repossess and found it a hard Task to mount up against the powring shot of such as lined the Hedges not seen from whence it came Volleys well performed which yet were fain to give way to force which cost them dear enough for they paid a good price for it Here was a pretty breathing if Waller went off Hopton would follow to his undoing if they came on they would undo themselves but the Allarm was given by a mistaking Corporal of Hopton's who took his Enemies for Friends and so were engaged too far to seek throughout within their Ambuscadoes who now play their parts by this Advantage and put Hopton to a Retreat and neither parts had cause to cry Victoria for both sides were soundly beaten I intitle the Fight to the Lord Hopton but General Forth was there upon the other score he came in with the Lord Iohn Stuart sore wounded but I know not how concluded for dead yet Sir Arthâ—r Hasâ—erig called it A safe Deliverance though at London it was cried up for a Victory on this side Sir William Balfore in his Letter to his General â—ssex numbers then to be eight Commanders killed by him the Lord Stuart indeed and Sir Iohn Smith died afterwards of their wounds two gallant Gentlemen so did Colonel Sandys and Colonel Manning and Colonâ—l Scot Colonel Appleyard and Captain Pierson Sir Edward Stowel and Sir Henry Bard these were hurt and deserve honourable mention But at London they mention three Lords killed Stuart is confessed but not the General who they make a double one for his two Titles Forth and Ruthen And so they are described to be Gebal Moab and Ammon and to be utterly vanquished by the Servant of God Sir VVilliam VValler And the Parliament had some of theirs slain Dalbier wounded and Colonel Thomson had his Leg shot off by a Cannon Bullet And this happened upon a Friday March 29. The Cavaliers in disorder drew their Cannon off towards VVinchester but wheeled off unseen to Basing House VValler marches to VVinchester which was rendered to him upon Summons and Hopton is now at Oxford But a solemn Thanksgiving was ordered in London for this Victory and some Members sent to the City to encourage them for Supplies The Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery told them That the City Auxiliaries had done their part and if they went but once more they would rid the Kingdoms of these Rogues the occasion of all our miseries And upon these preparations and success of the Parliament the King draws all his Forces to a Rendezvouz to oppose his Adversaries And as VValler had done such Encouragements heightened others to undertake Mountains Colonel Griffith commonly called Prince Griffith had the confidence to propose to the House of Commons That if he might have a Commission to command in chief of all North Wales next under General Essex and to have Delinquents Estates there by him to be discovered and the Income of such as he should conquer in North Wales not exceeding the Sum of fifteen thousand pounds he would engage his Life and Estate to raise such Forces as should reduce Wales to obedience Which was referred to the Committee of both Kingdoms And he set out in all magnificence with his Silver Trumpets and guarded Coats But at his first Encounter with some of Prince Rupert's Forces whom he sought out for a single Duel Prince Griffith was totally routed which occasioned a merry Lady to tell him He looked sadly ever since he lost his Silver Trumpets And so cashiered he became debaucht and abused the Lady Herbert for which he was imprisoned but her honour much concerned he was released and so having spent a reasonable Fortune he was necessitated to travel beyond Seas where at Paris he was killed in a Tavern the end of his impudency We may enter this Spring with the setting out of General Essex and his Army to be recruited to seven complete Regiments of Foot and six Regiments of Horse and a constant Pay of thirty thousand five hundred and four pounds a Moneth for four Moneths And the Parliaments Navy to be complete for this Summer with addition of twelve Merchants Ships in the places of nine others unserviceable and fifteen small Catches to be added to the Fleet. And a new way of Contribution was devised for getting Moneys towards the charge of arming the Auxiliary Forces now raising within the City of London That all Inhabitants
returns sundry Pieces of strength were delivered up to his Mercy as Ilfercombe September 12. Barstable six daies after Saltash storm'd and taken and returns homewards to Banbury and raises that siege and in November his Army Rendezvouse on Burlington Green raiseth Dennington siege and advanceth to Hungerford where the Parliaments Forces leaves the field and rise from Basing siege the King regains Monmouth and returns to Oxford 23. of November And notwithstanding these Martial exploits to them that he was therein defensive and a sufferer also in his good successe he woes his Adversaries for peace all the way he marches out and returning home for after the defeat of Waller at Copredy Bridge he writes himself from Evesham 4. Iuly to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster C. R. We being deeply sensible of the Miseries and Calamities of this our Kingdom and of the grievous sufferings of our poor Subjects doe most earnestly desire that some expedient way be found out which by the blessing of God may prevent the further effusion of blood and restore the Nation to peace from the earnest and constant endeavouring of which as no discouragement given us on the contrary part shall make us cease so no success on ours shall ever divert us For the effecting thereof we are most ready and willing to condescend to all that shall be for the good of us and our people whether by the way of conformity which we have already granted or such further concessives as shall be requisite to the giving of a full assurance of all the performance of all our most real professions concerning the maintenance of the true reformed Protestant Religion established in this Kingdom with due regard to the ease of tender consciences the just priviledges of Parliament and the liberty and property of the people according to the Laws of the Land As also by granting a general pardon without or with exceptions as shall be thought fit In order to which blessed peace we doe desire and propound to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster That they aâ—pâ—int such and so many persons as they shall think fit sufficiently authorized by them to attend us at our Army upon safe conduct to come and return which we do hereby grant and conclude â—iâ—h us how the premisses and all other things in question betwixt us and them may be fully setled whereby all unhappy mistaking between us and our people being removed there may be a present cessation of Arms and as soon as may be a total disbanding of all Armies the Subject have his due and we be restored to our rights Wherein if this our offer shall be accepted there shall be nothing wanting on our part which may make our people secure and happy Given at our Court at Evesham 4. of Iuly 1644. And to shew his gracious inclination to Peace and that he seeks all fair ways and means thereto see how he descends to seek it from a Subject and his deepest Enemy the Earl of Essex at Lestithiel and the King at Liskard Essex I have been very willing to believe that when ever there should be such a Conjuncture as to put it in your power to effect that happy Setlement of this miserable Kingdom which all good men desire you would lay hold of it that season is now before you you having it at this time in your power to redeem your Countrey and the Crown and to oblige your King in the highest degree an action certainly of the greatest piety prudence and honour such an opportunity as perhaps no Subject before you hath ever had or after you shall ever have to which there is no more required but that you join with me heartily and really in the setling of those things which we have both professed constantly to be our onely aims Let us do this and if any shall be so foolishly unnatural as to oppose their Kings their Countries and their own good we will make them happy by Gods blessing even against their wills the onely Impediment can be want of mutual confidence I promise it you on my part as I have endeavoured to prepare it on yours by me Letter to Hertford from Evesham I hope this will perfect it when as I here do I shall have engaged to you the word of a King that you joining with me in that blessed work I shall give both to you and your Armie such eminent marks of my confidence and value as shall not leave a room for the least Distrust amongst you either in relation to the publick or your self unto whom I shall then be Liskaâ—d Aug. 6. 1644. Your faithfull Friend C. R. If you like of this hearken to this Bearer whom I have fully intrusted in particulars but this will admit of no delay To confirm the Kings Intentions and to assure the Armies Ingagement also the great Officers and Commanders subscribe to another Letter to the Earl of Essex My Lord VVe having obtained his Majesties leave to send this to your Lordship shall not repeal the many gracious Messages Endeavours and Declarations which his Majestie hath made and have been so solemnly protested in the presenâ—e of God and Man that we wonder how the most scrupulous can make any doubt of the real and royal performance of them But we must before this apprâ—aching occasion tell your Lordship that we bear Arms for this end onely to defend his Majesties known Rights the Laws of the Kingdom the Libertie of the Subject the Privilege of the Parliament and the true Protestant Religion against Poperie and popish Innovations and this being the professed cause of your Lordships taking Arms we are confident that concurring in the same opinions and pretences we shall not by an unnatural VVar weaken the main strength of this Kingdom and advance the Design of our common Enemies who long since have devoured us in their hopes My Lord the exigent of the time will not suffer us to make any laboured Declarations of our Intentions but onely this That on the Faith of Subjects the Honour and Reputation of Gentlemen and Souldiers we will with our Lives maintain that which his Majestie shall publickly promise in order to a bloudless Peace nor shall it be in the power of any private persons to divert this Resolution of ours and the same we expect from you And now we must take lâ—ave to protest that if this our Proffer be neglected which we make neither in fear of your power nor distrust of our own but onely touched with the approaching miseries of our Nation that what calamities shall oppress posteritie will lie heavie upon the souls and consciences of those that shall decline this Overture which we can not hope so seasonably to make again if this Conjuncture be let go and therefore it is desired that your Lordship and six other persons may meet our General to morrow at such an indifferent place as you shall think fit attended with
Pietie and Iustice therein And offered to joyn in any course for the good of that Kingdom These being the Particulars it will be considerable how far these Propositions trench upon the Kings rights without any considerable compensation First In that of Religion The Parliaments Commissioners proposed the taking away his whole Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction his Donations and Temporalities of Bishopricks His first Fruits and Tenths of Bishops Deans and Chapters instead whereof the Parliaments Commissioners did not offer to constitute the least dependance of the Clergie upon the King And for this considerable a part of his Revenue they proposed only the Bishops Lands to be setled on him reserving a power even in those Lands as the Parliament shall think fit whereas all the Lands both of Bishops Deans and Chapters if those Corporations must be dissolved doe undoubtedly belong to the King in his own Right And for the Militia as it is proposed The King is so totally divested of the Regal power of the Sword that he shall be no more able either to assist his Neighbour Allies though men were willing to engage therein or to defend his own Dominions from Rebellion or invasion and consequently the whole power of Peace or War the undoubted right of the Crown is taken from him And so for Ireland The power of nominating his Deputy or Officers there of managing or the least medling in that War or making Peace is thereby taken from the King Nay it was proposed to bereave him of the power of a Father Education or Mariage of his own Children and of a Master in the rewarding of his own Servants And it was observed to the Parliaments Commissioners That after a War of neer four years for which the defence of Religion Property of Subjects and Priviledges of Parliament were made the Cause should be treated and concluded in 20. daies the time limited by the Parliament Nor indeed in all the Treaty there hath not been offered to be treated concerning the breach of any Law or of the property of the Subject or priviledge of Parliament but only Propositions for altering a Government established by Law and for the making of new laws by which almost all the old are or may be cancelled and there was nothing insisted on of the Kings Commissioners which was not Law or denied that the other Commissioners have demanded as due by Law And for conclusion of all which we conserve for the last place the Kings Commissioners being agast at the others sudden Declaration of no more time to Treat besought them to interpose with the Parliament that this Treaty may be revived and the whole matters not treated on may be considered and that depending the Treaty to the end they may not Treat in blood there may be a Cessation of Arms and the miserable people may have some earnest of a blessed peace And because they cannot give a present Resolution they are desired to represent all to the two Houses and that the King may have their speedy Answer So then in all the fore-recited passages it may easily be observed First the Parliaments Indisposition and Aversion from Treating Secondly their Impotency and Qualification of their Commissioners to Treat Thirdly their Expostulations and Demands in the Treaty And lastly their Obduration against all Enlargement Prorogation or Reviving of the Treaty The King complaines of what is come to pass the fruitless end of this Treaty that his Commissioners offered full measured Reasons and the other Commissioners have stuck rigidly to their demands the same with their former propositions which had been too much though they had taken him Prisoner and transmitted the command of Ireland from the Crown of England to the Scots which shewes that Reformation of the Church is not the chief end of the Scotish Rebellion But it being in him presumption and no piety so to trust to a good cause as not to use all lawfull means to maintain it Therefore he gives power to the Queen in France to promise that he will take away all the penal laws against the Roman Catholicks in England as soon as he shall be able to do it so be he may have assistance the visible necessity of his affairs so much depending on it the ill effect of the Treaty enforcing And professes in these words I look saies the King upon the way of Treaties as a retiring from fighting like Beasts to arguing like men whose strength should be more in their understandings then in their limbs And though I could seldome get opportunities to Treat yet I never wanted either desire or disposition to it having greater confidence of My Reason then my Sword I was so wholly resolved to yield to the first that I thought neither my self nor others should need to use the second if once we rightly understood each other Nor did I ever think it a diminution of me to prevent them with expresses of my desires and even importunities to Treat It being an office not onely of humanitie rather to use Reason then Force but also of Christianitie to seek peace and ensue it As I was very unwillingly compell'd to defend my self with Arms so I very willingly embraced any thing tending to peace The events of all VVar by the Sword being very dubious and of a Civil VVar uncomfortable the end hardly recompensing and late repairing the mischief of the means Nor did any success I had ever enhance with me the price of Peace as earnestly desired by me as any man though I was like to pay dearer for it then any man All that I sought to reserve was mine Honour and my Conscience the one I could not part with as a King the other as a Christian. The Treaty at Uxbridge gave the fairest hopes of an happy composure had others applied themselves to it with the same moderation as I did I am confident the War had then ended I was willing to condescend as far as Reason Honour and Conscience would give me leave nor were the remaining differences so essential to my peoples happiness or of such consequence as in the least kinde to have hindered my Subjects either security or prosperity for they better enjoyed both many years before ever those demands were made some of which to deny I think the greatest Iustice to my self and favour to my Subjects I see Iealousies are not so easily allaied as they are raised Some men are more afraid to retreat from violent Engagements then to Engage what is wanting in equity must be made up in pertinacie Such as had little to enjoy in peace or to lose in war studied to render the very Name of Peace odious and suspected In Church-affairs where I had least liberty of prudence having so many strict ties of Conscience upon me yet I was willing to condescend â—o far to the setling of them as might have given fair satisfaction to all men whom Faction Covetousness or Superstition had not engaged more then any true zeal charity or love of
the purchasers then the sword had done before Eighty barrels of power did the work most terrible to the Assailants that dreamed not of such an Accident Upon the firing the Cavaliers gave a charge also in the amaze of their Enemy and commanded by Sir Iohn Digby did the execution resolutely and bid farewel at Eleven at night and marched away into Cornwal These were old Souldiers of Gorings and Greenviles and now scattered abroad by this encounter Hopton was shot in the Thigh and Digby in the Head some Prisoners and Horse taken of such as were slaine But the rest kept rendezvouz at Stratton the Prince at Lamiston and Fairfax follows The 25. of February he sends a party of 1000. Horse and 400. Dragoons before he came to Lamiston commanded by Colonel Basset a gallant Gentleman fell upon this forelorn-hope and after a hot skirmish and the whole Army coming near hand he quitted the Town And the Prince hears of this and the forces marching towards Pendennis Castle he quits the place and ships himself with the Lord Capel Lord Culpepper and Sir Edward Hide March the first to the Isle of Scilly The Lord Hopton with some small forces at Trurâ— in Cornwal the General sends him summons Sir Through Gods goodness to his people and his just hand against their Enemies forces being reduced to such condition as to my sense the hand of God continuing with us they are not like to have subsistence or shelter long to escape thence nor if they could have they whither to goe for better To prevent the shedding of more blood I have sent you this summons for your self and them to lay down Arms upon those conditions enclosed which are Christian-like Noble and Honourable to be accepted March 5. Some time was taken up in this Treaty and concluded That the Lord Hopton shall disband his Army in the West the General Fairfax excepting His Lordship to have fifty of his own Horse and fifty of Fairfax for his Convoy to Oxford all strangers to have Passes beyond Seas and to carry with them what is their own without Horses and Arms. All English Officers to go home to their Habitations or if they will beyond Seas Each Colonel to have his Horse and two Men and Horses to wait on them Each Captain one Man and Horse The Troopers Twenty shillings a piece and to goe where they pleased March 13. But Hopton hearing of the ill effects of the Propositions for peace takes shipping with divers other of his Officers and sailed into France where he remained many years after And the West being cleared Fairfax returns back again to the Siege of Bristol where we leave him to take breath And in this time also the Kings party spared not to weaken his Enemies Towns are retaken some surprised encounters answered defeats redoubled death and devastation that I dread to write of all It sufficeth that mostly we have named the Fields and Fights for I have almost done whilst I devote my self to his Majesties pious Meditations upon this subject The various Successes sayes the King of this unhappy war have at least afforded me variety of good meditations sometimes God was pleased to try me with victory by worsting my Enemies that I might know how with moderation and thanks to own and use his power who is only the true Lord of Hosts able when he pleases to repress the confidence of those that fought against me with so great advantages for power and number From small beginnings on my part he let me see that I was not wholly for saken by my peoples love or his protection Other times God was pleased to exercise my patience and teach me not to trust in the arm of flesh but in the living God My sins sometimes prevailed against the justice of my cause and those that were with me wanted not matter and occasion for his just chastisment both of them and me Nor were mine Enemies lesse punished by that prosperity which hardened them to continue that injustice by open hostility which was begun by most riotous and unparliamentary Tumults There is no doubt but personal and private sins may oft-times over-balance the justice of Publick engagements nor doth God account everie gallant man in the worlds esteem a fit instrument to assert in the way of VVar a righteous Cause The more men are prone to arrogate to their own skil valour and strength the lesse doth God ordinarily work by them for his own glory I am sure the event or success can never state the Iustice of any Cause nor the peace of mens consciences nor the eternal fate of their Soules Those with me had I think clearly and undoubtedly for their Iustification the Word of God and the Laws of the Land together with their own Oathes all requiring obedience to my just Commands but to none other under Heaven without me or against me in the point of raising Arms. Those on the other side are forced to flie to the shifts of some pretended Fears and wild fundamentals of State as they call them which actually overthrow the present fabrick both of Church and State being such imaginary Reasons for self-defence as are most impertinent for those men to allege who being my Subjects were manifestly the first assaulters of me and the Laws First by unsuppressed Tumults after by listed Forces The same Allegations they use will fit aâ—y Faction that hath but power and confidence enough to second with the Sword all their demands against the present Laws and Governours which can never be such as some side or other will not finde fault with so as to urge what they call a Reformation of them to a Rebellion against them some Parasitick Preachers have dared to call those Martyrs who died fighting against me the Laws their Oaths and the Religion Established But sober Christians know that glorious title can with truth be applied only to those who sincerely preferred Gods truth and their duty in all these particulars before their lives and all that was dear to them in this world who having no advantageous designs by any Innovation were religiously sensible of those Ties to God the Church and my self which lay upon their Souls both for obedience and just assistance God could and I doubt not but he did through his mercy crown many of them with eternal life whose lives were lost in so just a Cause the destruction of their bodies being sanctified as a means to save their soules Their wounds and temporal ruin serving as a gracious opportunitie for their eternal health and happiness while the evident approach of death did through Gods grace effectually dispose their hearts to such Humility Faith and Repentance which together with the Rectitude of their present engagement would fully prepare them for a better life then that which their enemies brutish and disloyal fiercenâ—sse could deprive them of or without Repentance hope to enjoy They have often indeed had the better against my side in the
the Force that could be spared from all the Southern County and the City of London also It was vigorously assaulted and gallantly defended with â—uch Sallies at several times and successes as rendred the Gâ—â—eral â—ot very prosperous At last the whole City was surrounded and by often Skirmishes they within grew weak of fighting men provisions of all sorts spent both for Ammunition and Victuals and whilst they within had hopes to their hearts they neglected â—ay disdained offers of Treaty or capitulation for almost three moneths when horrid necessity inforceth them to consider of a Treaty when Horse-flesh and Dogs Cats and Vermin failed for Food No hope of succour the Princes Fleet part fell from him the Wâ—lsh reduced the Earl of Hollands Insurrection suppressed Revolts Muâ—inies Allarms in several Counties quieted the Scots whole Army of Invasion totally defeated and the King himself lay'd aside for whose sake all these pretended And of all which the Besieged had continual intelligence then the Horror waxed high And therefore the chief Commanders within capitulate with the Camp without That they at the desire of the Inhabitants think fit to send to the General they are constrained to turn out the Towns-pâ—ople for bâ—tter accommodation of the Souldiery whereby their houses and gâ—ods would be left lyable to ruine for prevention they think fit to Treat with the General for surrender of the City to which purpose they would send out Officers to Parley To whose Letter they have this Answer That the General believes their extream pressure upon the Inhabitants and all the rest but he clears himself from the occasion of their sufferings he is compassionately willing to allow the proper Inhabitants only to come forth provided the Committee of Essex now prisoners within be first sent out and excepting the wives children of such as remain behinde in Arms. And concerning the Rendition of the Town hâ—â—ffers that all Souldiers under the degree of a Captain shall have free pass to their homes and all Captains and other Offcers superiour with Lords and Gentlemen to submit to mercy These Conditions would not go down with Goring therefore the next day five hundred women are forced out upon the powdercharged Cannon and Muskets to frighten them back but better so to dye then to return to Famine and thus they make a stand and crave rather sudden destruction They within make a Sally for a dead horse and one slain yet â—fter two dayes stink it is got in for food And to the Generals Letter they within Reply That they would not Render themselves to mercy to any but to God alone And therefore to spare blood they send out their utmost offer the lowest conditions they could yield unto 24. Aug. Which in truth were too high for the General to grant And therefore he is peremptory not to give Answer Then they 〈◊〉 send out a Drum with Mr. Barnardeston one of the Committee pâ—â—â—oners and Colonel Tuke desiring a Treaty upon what the General offered heretofore and concerning the explanation of the words to submit to mercy how far they would extend and in reference to the Officers and Souldiers and Townsmen And had Answer that in respect the Officers and Souldiers c. had neglected that former offer that now they should have only fair Quarter the rest to submit to mercy But however the Treaty should succeed the misery was much within and therefore the private Souldiers were resolved to deliver up their Commanders who caress the Souldiers with Wine and Victuals and fair words to joyn with them to break through the Besiegers over the North-bridge the way to escape but that Design shrunk for it was soon apprehended by the Souldiers that whilst they should fight the Commanders would fly And therefore in this high distemper they all submit to mercy the twenty seventh of August The Inhabitants of the Town were fined fourteen thousand pounds to be preserved from Plunder â—â—d two dayes after Sir Charls Lucas and Sir Geo. Lisle were shot to death they disputed this kinde of Justice to be in cold bloud without any Tryal without president of men at Arms and unsouldier-like but seeing no remedy Lucas was said to dye like a Christian justified his taking up Arms in defence of the King his Sovereign and bad them doe their worst he was prepared Lisle came to the stake kissed the others warm Corps wreaking in bloud and was shot to death also But why this unusual Execution was so acted I cannot be satisfied which the General in his Letter to the Parliament calls Military Execution and hopes that your Lordships will not think your honour or justice prejudiced had he put it to the question before their death the Lords would have resolved him but it was now too late and must be submitted to the worlds censure The rest of the Lords Officers Gentlemen and Souldiers are referred to the Parliaments mercy or justice Indeed the Commissioners that treated put the question what is meant by fair Quarter what by rendering to mercy It was resolved to the first That with Quarter for their lives they shall be free from wounding or beating shall enjoy warm clothes to cover them shall be maintained with Victuals fit for prisoners while they be prisoners For the second That they be rendered to mercy or render themselves to the General or to whom he shall appoint without certain assurance of Quarter so as the General may be free to put some immediately to the Sword Although the General intends chiefly and for the generality of those under that condition to surrender themselves to the mercy of the Parliament Neither 〈◊〉 â—he General given cause to doubt of his civility to such as render to mercy The chief Commanders deserve to be mentioned Some amends for their sufferings they were Valiant men The Earl of Norwich the Lord Capel Lord Loughborough Sir Charles Lucas Sir William Compton Colonel Sir Geo. Lisle Sir Bernard Gascoigne Sir Abraham Shipman Sir Iohn Watts Sir Lodowick Dyer Sir Henry Appleton Sir Denart Strutt Sir Hugh Ovelly Sir Rich. Maliverer Colonels Garter Gilburn Farr Till Hamond Chester Heath Tuke Ayloff and Sawyer Eight Lieutenant Colonels nine Majors thirty Captains Commissary General Francis Lovelace Master of the Ordnance Major Gen. Graveston Gentlemen sixty five Lieutenants seventy two Ensigns and Corners sixty nine Serjeants a hundred eighty three private Souldiers three thousand sixty seven The Gen. Fairfax having done his Work Marches Northwards to Yarmouth and up and down these Counties to settle Peace caress his Garrisons receiving testimonies of thanks for his Victorious Successes and returns to St. â—lbans his Head Quarters in the beginning of October from which time we shall hear more of him and his hereafter The universal distractions of the Parliament and Kingdom by Insurrections Revolts Tumults and Disorders both on Land and also in the Fleet at Sea made the City of London sensible of the sufferings which fell heavily
hath over them who knows them to be exposed to as many dangers being the greatest Patrons of Law Justice Order and Religion on earth as there be either men or Devils which love confusion Nor will he suffer those men long to prosper in their Babel who build it with the bones and cement it with the bloud of their Kings I am confident they will finde Avengers of my death among themselves the injuries I have susteined from them shall be first punished by them who agreed in nothing so much as in opposing me Their impatience to bear the loud cry of my bloud shall make them think no way better to expiate it then by shedding theirs who with them most thirsted after mine The sad confusions following my destruction are already presaged and confirmed to Me by those I have lived to see since my troubles in which God alone who only could hath many waies pleaded my cause not suffering them to go unpunished whose confederacie in sin was their only security who have cause to 〈◊〉 that God will both further divide and by mutual vengeance afâ—â—â—ward destroy them My greatest conquest of death is from the power and love of Christ who hath swallowed up death in the victory of his Resurrection and the glory of his Ascension My next comfort is that he gives me not only the honour to imitate his example in suffering for righteousness-sake though obscured by the â—oulest charges of Tyranny and Injustice but also that charity which is the noblest revenge upon and victory over my Destroyers by which I thank God I can both forgive them and pray for them that God would not impute my bloud to them further then to convince them what need they have of Christs bloud to wash their souls from the guilt of shedding mine At present the will of my enemies seems to be their only rule their power the measure and their success the exactor of what they please to call Justice while they flatter themselves with the Fancy of their own safety by my danger and the security of their lives and designs by my death forgetting that as the greatest temptations to sin are wrapped up in seeming prosperities so the severest vengeances of God are then most accomplished when men are suffered to complete their wicked purposes I bless God I pray not so much that this bitter cup of a violent death may pass from me as that of his wrath may pass from all those whose hands by deserting me are sprinkled or by acting and consenting to my death are embrewed with my bloud The will of God hath confined and concluded mine I shall have the pleasure of dying without any pleasure of desired vengeance This I think becomes a Christian toward his enemies and a King toward his Subjects They cannot deprive me of more then I am content to lose when God sees fit by their hands to take it from me whose mercy I believe will more then infinitely recompense what ever by mans injustice he is pleased to deprive me of The glory attending my death will far surpass all I could enjoy or conceive in life I shall not want the heavy and envied Crowns of this world when my God hath mercifully crowned and consummated his graces with glory and exchanged the shadows of my earthly Kingdoms among men for the substance of that heavenly Kingdom with himself For the censures of the world I know the sharp and necessary Tyranny of my destroyers will sufficiently confute the Calumnies of Tyranny against me I am perswaded I am happy in the judicious love of the ablest and best of my Subjects who doe not only pitty and pray for me but would be content even to dye with me or for me These know how to excuse my failings as a man and yet to retain and pay their duty to me as their King there being no Religious necessity binding any Subjects by pretending to punish infinitely to exceed the faults and errors of their Princes especially there where more then sufficient satisfaction hath been made to the publick the enjoynment of which private ambitions have hitherto frustrated Others I believe oâ—â—ofter tempers and less advantaged by my ruine do already feel sharp convictions and some remorse in their consciences where they cannot but see the proportions of their evil dealings against me in the measure of Gods retaliations upon them who cannot hope long to enjoy their own thumbs and toes having under pretence of pairing others nailes been so cruel as to cut off their chiefest strength The punishment of the more insolent and obstinate may be like that of Korah and his complices at once mutining against both Prince and Priest in such a method of divine justice as is not ordinary the earth of the lowest and meanest people opening upon them and swallowing them up in a just disdain of their ill-gotten and worse used Authority upon whose support and strength they chiefly depended for their building and establishing their designs against me the Church and State My chiefest comfort in death consists in my peace which I trust is made with God before whose exact Tribunal I shall not fear to appear as to the cause so long disputed by the Sword between me and my causeless enemies where I doubt not but his righteous judgment will confute their fallacy who from wordly success rather like Sophisters then sound Christians draw those popular conclusions for Gods approbation of their actions whose wise providence we know oft permits many events which his revealed word the only clear safe and fixed Rule of good actions and good consciences in no sort approves I am confident the Justice of my Cause and clearness of my conscience before God and towards my people will carry me as much above them in Gods decision as their successes have lifted them above me in the vulgar opinion who consider not that many times those undertakings of men are lifted up to Heaven in the prosperiry and applause of the world whose rise is from Hell as to the injuriousness and oppression of the design The prosperous windes which oft fill the sails of Pirats do not justifie their Piracie and rapine I look upon it with infinite more content and quiet of soul to have been worsted in my enforced contestation for and vindication of the Laws of the Land the freedom and honour of Parliaments the Rights of my Crown the just liberty of my Subjects and the true Christian Religion in its Doctrine Government and due encouragements then if I had with the greatest advantages of success over-born them all as some men have now evidently done what ever designs they at first pretended The prayers and patience of my friends and loving Subjects will contribute much to the sweetning of this bitter Cup which I doubt not but I shall more chearfully take and drink as from Gods hand if it must be so then they can give it to me whose hands are unjustly and barbarously lifted up against me And
according to the prescript of his word which hath long since been miserably convulst and disjoynted And this a National Synod duly called and freely debating will best effectuate To the King namely my Successor you will render full right if you restore those things which by the clear letter of the Law stands expressed Lastly you will put the people in their rights and due Liberties not by listing them in the consort of the Throne and sway of the Scepter but by recovering unto the Laws their Authority and the peoples observance to the abrogating of which by the enormous power of the Sword when as by no means I could be induced I was brought hither to undergoe a Martyrdom for my people So his last breath gently dissolving into a most meek prayer the Bishop of London promps him â—hat if his most excellent Majesty pleased he would openly profess what he thought touching his Religion not that any one alive could suspect it of which himself at all times throughout the whole space of his life had given manifest testimony but for custom and the peoples satisfaction Hereupon saies the King That he deposited the testimony of his faith with that holy man meaning the Bishop or else expected defence on this behalf of all men who well knew his Life and profession Namely That I dye saith he in the Christian faith according to the profession of the Church of England as the same was left me by my Father of most blessed memory Then looking about upon the Officers Having saies he a most gracious God and most just Cause that I shall by and by â—â—â—ange this corruptible Crown for an Immarcessible one I both trust and exult and that I shall depart hence into another Kingdom altogether exempt and free from all manner of disturbance Then preparing towards the Circumstances the Bishop put on his night-cap and unclothed him to his Sky-colour Satten Wastecoat He said I have a good Cause and a gracious God and gave his George Order to the Bishop bidding him remember to give it to the Prince There is but one Stage more Sir saies the Bishop this is turbulent and troublesome and but a short one but it will soon dismiss you to a way further even from Earth to Heaven there you are assured of joy and comfort I go saies the King from a Corruptible to an Incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be but peace and joy for evermore Then lifting up his eyes and hands to Heaven mildly praying to himself he stooped down to the Block as to a Prayer Desk and most humbly bowed down his generous neck to God to be cut off by the vizarded Executioner which was suddenly done at one blow Thus fell Charles and thus all Britain with him Tuesday 30. of Ianuary about the minute of two a clock afternoon There are those persons who have seriously observed some passasages afterwards against the Corps which they stile barbarous in relation to his blood shed thereabouts nay to the Block and to the Sand distained therewith and to his Hair the ground whereof was 〈◊〉 those things were procured by the Royal party well-affected even for a price Certainly there were very many such that coveted any thing as a Relique which evidenced his Martyrdom as they esteemed it And to this day there are divers Devoters that affirm the effects of Cure by application of those things distained with his bloud we need not go farre to finde out the truth hereof if we take the Narrative of the Woman-patient at Dedford near the City of London being thereby cured of her blindness and many others of like infirmities His Head and Trunk was instantly put into a Coffin covered with black Velvet and conveyed into the Lodgings at Whitehall There it was imbowelled by Chirurgions of their own but a Physitian privately thrusting himself into the dissection of the body relates that Nature had designed him above the most of Mortal men for a long life And all sides manifested by those that beheld the admirable temperature almost all ad pondus of his body and mind Then they bear it to St. Iames's House and Coffin it there in Lead About a fortnight after some of the Kings Friends the greatest of Nobility and Honour the Duke of Lenox Marquess of Hartford the Earl of Southampton and the Bishop of London begged the Body to bury it which they conducted to Windsor Chappel Royal and interred it there in the Vault of King Henry the eighth having only this Inscription upon the Coffin Charls King of England From the Bishop of London long time kept Prisoner they take away all the Kings Papers ransack his Coffers and clothes for Scripts and Scroles but Almighty God in his providence hath preserved a Volume of the Kings own a Posthume work of which if any man or Broughton shall impartially weigh the matter the Elegancy of the Stile the nerves of Reason the ardour of Piety even envy it self will confess he deserved the Kingdom amongst Writers and though his own is wrested from him the mercy of his Lord and Saviour hath given 〈◊〉 Crown of Erernal Glory He was a King worthy to be numbred amongst the best of Princes in al-beading ages a strength of will but of more and greater Endowments of vertue of a most strict temperature in the natural disposition of flesh and blood and by the effects of Divine grace the most exact observer of Conjugal Rites and therein for his continency much admired His personage comely of an even well timber'd tallness which assisted him to be excellent in all exercises and therein to be indefatigable for the minde or body None of the Kings no not one not of Britain only but also all as many as any where sat on Throne ever left the world with more sorrow for his his luck women miscarried men fell into melancholly some with Consternations expired men women and children then and yet unborn suffering in him and for him The Pulpit places of all Sects and Opinions lamented even the same men in vain bewailing the losse of him whom they strove heretofore who should first undoe now they extoll and compare to Iob for patience to David for piety to Solomon for prudence most worthy he was of Government if otherwise it had not been his due to Govern herein he performed that great piece to Act one man in every place with the same Tenor of Vertue and condition The same Mean in the most different fortunes without any mutation of the temperature of the mind He addulced as with Charms his Enemies to be made his adorers Reproaches he converted into Praises He in a word excelled in goodness of whom this world was not worthy and therefore the Heavens have him there He had his failings of perfection in the first years of his Reign not so well versed in the affairs of State but that he being put to it trusted too much to others
differences and offences by impartiality or so order affairs in point of power that you shall not need to fear or flatter any faction For if ever you stand in need of them or must stand to their courtesie you are undone the Serpent will devour the Dove you may never expect less of Loyalty Iustice or Humanity then from those who engage into Religious Rebellion their interest is alwaies made Gods under the colours of piety ambitious policies march nor only with greatest security but applause as to the populacy you may hear from them Jacobs voice but you shall feel they have Esau's hands Nothing seemed less considerable then the Presbyterian Faction in England for many years so compliant they were to publick order nor indeed was their party great either in Church or State as to mens judgments but as soon as discontents drave men into sidings as ill humors fall to the disaffected part which cause's inflamations so did all at first who affected any Novelties adhere to that side as the most remarkable and specious note of difference then in point of Religion All the lesser Factions at first were officious servants to Presbytery their great Master till time and military success discovering to each their peculiar advantages invited them to part stakes and leaving the joint stock of uniform Religion they pretended each to drive for their party the trade of profits and preferments to the breaking and undoing not only of the Church and State but even of Presbytery it self which seemed and hoped at first to have ingrossed all Let nothing seem little or despicable to you in matters which concern Religion and the Churches peace so as to neglect a speedy reforming and effectual suppressing Errors and Schisms what seem at first but as a hand breadth by seditious Spirits as by strong windes are soon made to cover and darken the whole heaven When you have done justice to God your own Soul and his Church in the profession and preservation both of truth and unity in Religion the next main hinge on which your prosperity will depend and move is that of Civil Iustice wherein the setled Laws of these Kingdoms to which you are rightly Heir are the most excellent Rules you can govern by which by an admirable temperament give very much to Subjects industry liberty and happiness and yet reserve enough to the Majesty and Prerogative of any King who owns his people as Subjects not as Slaves whose subjection as it preserves their property peace and safety so it will never diminish your Rights nor their ingenious Liberties which consist in the injoyment of the fruits of their industry and the benefit of those Laws to which themselves have consented Never charge your head with such a Crown as shall by its heaviness oppress the whole body the weakness of whose parts cannot return any thing of strength honour or safety to the head but a necessary debilitation and ruine Your Prerogative is best shewed and exercised in remitting rather then exacting the rigor of the Laws there being nothing worse then Legal Tyranny In these two points the preservation of establisted Religion and Laws I may without vanity turn the reproach of my sufferings as to the worlds censure into the honour of a kinde of Martyrdom as to the testimony of my own conscience the troublers of my Kingdoms having nothing else to object against me but this that I prefer Religion and Laws established before those alterations they propounded And so inded I do and ever shall till I am convinced by better Arguments then what hitherto have been chiefly used towards me Tumults Armies and Prisons I cannot yet learn that Lesson nor I hope ever will you that it is safe for a King to gratifie any Faction with the perturbation of the Laws in which is wrapt up the Publick Interest and the good of the Community How God will deal with me as to the removal of these pressures and indignities which his Iustice by the very unjust hands of some of my Subjects hath been pleased to lay upon me I cannot tell nor am I much solicitous what wrong I suffer from men while I retein in my soul what I believe is right before God I have offered all for Reformation and safety that in Reason Honour and Conscience I can reserving only what I cannot consent unto without an irreparable injury to my own Soul the Church and my people and you also as the next and undoubted Heir of my Kingdoms To which if the divine Providence to whom no difficulties are insuperable shall in his due time after my decease bring you as I hope he will my counsel and charge to you is that you seriously consider the former real or objected miscarriages which might occasion my troubles that you may avoid them Never repose so much upon any man's single Counsel fidelitie and discretion in managing affairs of the first magnitude that is matters of Religion and Iustice as to create in your self or others a difâ—idence of your own judgment which is likely to be alwaies more constant and impartial to the interests of your Crown and Kingdom then any mans Next beware of exasperating any Factions by the crosness and asperity of some mens passions humours or private opinions imployed by you grounded only upon the differences in lesser matters which are but the Skirts and Suburbs of Religion Wherein a charitable connivence and Christian toleration often dissipates their strength whom rougher opposition fortifies and puts the despised and oppressed Party into such combinations as may most enable them to get a full revenge on those they count their persecutors who are commonly assisted by that vulgar commiseration which attends all that are said to suffer under the notion of Religion Provided the differences amount not to an insolent opposition of Laws and Government or Religion established as to the essentials of them Such motions and minings are intolerable Alwaies keep up solid Piety and those fundamental truths which mend both hearts and lives of men with impartial favor and justice Take heed that outward circumstances and formalities of Religion devour not all or the best encouragements of learning industry and piety but with an equal eye and impartial hand distribute favours and rewards to all men as you finde them for their real goodness both in abilities and fidelity worthy and capable of them This will be sure to gain you the hearts of the best and the most too who though they be not good themselves yet are glad to see the severer wayes of vertue at any time sweetned by temporal rewards I have you see conflicted with different and opposite Factions for so I must needs call and count all those that act not in any conformity to the Laws established in Church and State no sooner have they by force subdued what they counted their common enemie that is all those that adhered to the Laws and to me and are secured from that fear but they