have litttle new matter worth the writing saving now we are much troubled with the Scottish Cause the Commissioners of both Parties are now here and to write unto you that the end will be certainly as yet I cannot We finde both Parties very stiffe and hitherto the Kings Party very resolute for the maintenance of his Authority her Majesties scrupulosity touching his Title and Government we partly know the unworthinesse of their Queen to rule she granteth but the Instances of their Cause to depose her from her Dignity she can hardly be perswaded in so yet she remaineth much perplexed On the one side she is loth to set her up or to restore her to her estate again On the other side she is loth to defend that which she is not well perswaded to have justice with it between these her Councel chiefly seek for these two things that her self may be preserved in safety and the true Religion maintained Assuredly for as the state of the world standeth and upon through examination of this Cause it appears that both the wayes be dangerous touching the Queen of Scots for there is danger in delivering her to Government so is there danger in retaining her in prison her friends begin to speak proudly for her We were wont alwayes to have a friend on our side if need were but as far as I can see there is none of that side of the Sea to be found that be Princes absolute Well our case is the harder and we must say Si Deus nobiscum quis contra nos Touching this matter as soon as it shall grow to any likelihood either of the one side or of the other I will advertise you and withal send you the reasons of the Advice In the mean time whatsoever you may hear believe me there is no man in England can tell you which way it will go Yet in respect of the King there and his continual dealing for the said Queen her Majesty rather giveth in words more favourable that way then the other Mr. Norris is arrived here yesterday being Shrove-Sunday after Mr. Secretary was created Baronet Burleigh and I think ere it be long he shall have the Office of the Privy Seal but as yet remaineth Secretary still and within a day or two Sir Thomas Smith is like to be called to assist him The Parliament is to begin the second of April next The Queens Majesty thanks be to God is in good health and all your Friends as you lest them save Sir Nicholas Throgmorton our good Friend Your Wise was here lately to take her leave of her Majesty who used her very well and graciously I pray you let us hear as often as you can conveniently I would gladly understand of some good for the poor Cardinal Castillian I desire and also long to hear of the Queens Majesties Present how it is liked Thus with my hearty Commendations I bid you heartily farewell Your assured Friend R. Leicester The 26 of March 1570 To my very Friend Sir Francis Walsingham Ambassador for the Queens Majesty in France I have upon the Receipt of your Letter written by Sir E. Gilbert dealt with her Majesty touching your chargeable dwelling there I trust her Majesty will have due consideration thereof Your shall perceive by her Majesties Letters her further pleasure touching Monsieur whose cause hath been broken to her by my Lord of Buck. from the Queens Mother We perceive they deal very daintily and doubt much her Majesties Intention to Marriage at least that she had rather hear of it then perform it But assuredly I do verily believe her Majesties minde herein is otherwise then it hath been and more resolutely determined then ever yet at any time before yet do they mean to deal so secretly on that side as though they will not yet believe it and accordingly her Majesty mindeth not to deal but as privately as may be devised that if that should not take effect the less reproach to either party Her Majesty hath broken this matter with my Lord of Burleigh and me and I think will not use any more till some appearance fall out what is like to become of the matter The person of Monsieur is very well liked of his conversation is harder to know I see her Majesty misliketh not of his estate for she is o minde to marry with the Gretest and he is left almost above the greatest to be had the conditions will be all wherein I am right glad and we are bound to thank God to see her Majesty so well to stand to the maintenance of the cause of Religion for their will be no great difficulty in respect of his person and estate to cause a Marriage between them So yet I perceive with the impeachment any way of the true Religion here now established she will for no cause deal with him as you may perceive by her Majesties own Letters to you albeit she doth not mean in respect of his policy to drive him in open shew in the mean time to renounce his own profession but conditionally if they should match then wholly to maintain this as well privately as publiquely God send her Majesty alwayes during her life so to stand to the defence of so just a cause and withal his blessings upon her for us all that we may live and see her bring forth of her own body as may hereafter succeed her as well in that happinesse as in the enjoying of her Kingdom So not doubting but we shall shortyly hear from you I commit you to God Your assured Friend R. Leicester The 23. of March 1571. These two Letters sufficiently evidence that he dived to the bottom of the State Affairs of those times Hitherto I have touched him in his Courtship I conclude him in his Lance. He was sent Governour by the Queen to the united States of Holland where we read not of his wonders for they say that he had more of Mercury then of Mars and that his device might have been without prejudice to the great Caesar Veni vidi redii Having remained there two yeats and made a peace with the Provinces he died in his way to Kenelworth Castle his body lieth enterred in the Temple of the Blessed Virgin in Warwick shire with this Inscription Spe certa resurgendi in Christo Hic situs est Illustrissimus Robertus Dudleius Joannis Ducis Northumbriae Comitis Warwici Vicecomitis Insulae c. filius quintus Comes Lecestriae Baro Denbighiae Ordinis tam sancti Georgii quam sancti Michaelis Eques auratus Reginae Elizabethae apud quam singulari gratia florebat Hippocomus Regiae aulae subinde Seneschallus ab intimis Consiliis Forestarum Chacearum Parcorum c. citra Trentum Summus Justiciarius Exercitus Angliae à dicta Regina Elizabetha missus in Belgio ab anno 1585. ad annum 1587. Locum-tenens Capitaneus Generalis Provinciarum Confoederatarum ibidem Gubernator Generalis Praefectus Regnique Angliae Locum-tenens
Commons so satisfied therewith but that some of them stood it out even unto imprisonment Much debate was afterward about it and the King got not so much money as ill will of the Subjects thereby At this time the King received a Letter from Sidan King of Morocco the Contents follow A Letter from Sidan King of Morocco to Charles King of ENGLAND When these our Letters shall be so happy as to come to your Majesties sight I wish the Spirit of the righteous God may so direct your minde that you may joyfully embrace the Message I send presenting to you the means of exalting the Majesty of God and your own reward amongst men The Regal Power allotted to us makes us common servants to our Creatour then of those people whom we govern so that observing the duties which we owe to God we deliver blessings to the world in providing for the publick good of our State we magnifie the Honour of God like the Celestial Bodies which though they have much veneration yet serve onely to the benefit of the world It is the excellency of our Office to be Instruments whereby happiness is delivered to the Nations Pardon me Sir This is not to instruct for I know I speak to one of a more clear and quick sight then my self but I speak this because it hath pleased God to give me a happy victory over some part of those rebellious Pyrates that have so long molested the peaceable trade of Europe and hath presented further occasion to rout out the generation of those who have been so pernicious to the good of our Nations I mean since it hath pleased God to be so auspicious to our beginnings in the Conquest of Salla that we might joyn and proceed in hope of like success in the War against Tunis Algier and other places Dens and Receptacles for the inhumane villanies of those who abhor Rule and Government Herein whilest we interrupt the corruption of malignant spirits of the world we shall glorifie the great God and perform a Duty that will shine as glorious as the Sun and Moon which all the earth may see and reverence a work that shall ascend as sweet as the perfume of the most precious odours in the Nostrils of the Lord a work grateful and happy to men a work whose memory shall be reverenced so long as there shall be any that delight to hear the Actions of Heroick and magnanimous spirits that shall last as long as there be any remaining among men that love and honour the piety and vertue of noble mindes This action I here willingly present to you whose piety and vertues equal the greatness of your power that we who are servants to the great and mighty God may hand in hand triumph in the glory which this action presents unto us Now because the Islands which you govern have been ever famous for the unconquered strength of their shipping I have sent this my trusty Servant and Ambassadour to know whether in your Princely wisdom you shall think fit to assist me with such Forces by Sea as shall be answerable to those I provide by Land which if you please to grant I doubt not but the Lord of Hosts will protect and assist those who fight in so glorious a cause Nor ought you to think this strange that I who much reverence the peace and accord of Nations should exhort to a War Your great Prophet CHRIST JESVS was the Lion of the Tribe of Judah as well as the Lord and Giver of peace which may signifie unto you that he who is a Lover and Maintainer of peace must alwayes appear with the terrour of the Sword and wading through Seas of Blood must arrive to Tranquillity This made James your Father of glorious memory so happily renown'd admongst all Nations It was the noble fame of your Princely vertues which resounds to the utmost corners of the earth that perswaded me to invite you to partake of that blessing wherein I boast my self most happy I wish God may heap the riches of his blessings on you encrease your happiness with your dayes and hereafter perpetuate the greatness of your name to all Ages The occasion of writing this Letter was as followeth a rabble of Pyrats rest themselves in Salla a Port Town of the Realm of Fess and belonging to the King of Morocca creating thence great mischief to him both by Sea and Land and not to them onely but to all the Merchants of other Countries whose business led them towards the Seas Vnable to suppress them for want of shipping he craved aid of King Charles of England by whose assistance he became Master of the Port destroyed the Pyrats and sent three hundred Christian Captives for a present to his sacred Majesty An. 1634. Nor staid he here but aiming at the general good of Trade and mankinde he sent this Letter to his Majesty by one of the chief Eunuchs of his Chamber handsomly attended in the Port and quality of an Ambassadour desiring the like aid against those of Tunis and Algiers who did as much infest the Mediterranean as the Pyrats of Salla did the Ocean In order whereunto his Majesty began immediately to strengthen and increase his Royal Navy and to that end required the wonted naval Aid lately best known by the name of Ship-money from all his Subjects and possible enough might have pursued this design for suppressing the Pyrats of Algiers and Tunis if he had not been unhappily hindered by the insurrection of the Scots and those continued troubles which ensued upon it I have the rather inserted this Letter considering how seriously our learned Doctor Heilin in his Cosmography reflected on it so as to blame Mr. Le-strange for omission of it the truth is the Letter carries some weight with it and savours of more piety then could be expected from a Mahometan His Ambassador was entertained with great honour with a magnificent Masque and a costly Antick Show through the Streets at the vast expences of the Inns of Court Gentlemen To proceed far greater troubles arose in Scotland concerning the Book of Common Prayer The King at his last being there observing that God Almighty was very negligently and as he thought undecently worshipt took the Reformation thereof into his Princely care to which end he gave directions to the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishop of Ely and to divers other Bishops to Revise Correct Alter and Change as they pleased the Liturgy compiled in his Fathers time which accordingly they did and having shewed it to the King he approved thereof in regard that coming nearer to the first Liturgy of King Edward the Sixth in the Administration of the Lords Supper it might be a means to gain the Papists to the Church who liked far better of the first then second Liturgy But the Scotch a scrupulous Nation in their opinion who as one saith of them are more affraid of the name of yielding then resisting and would sooner offend against
command to desist from his purpose because the Treaty betwixt the Prince and the Scottish Commissioners was now very near a conclusion made him precipitate himself and those that were with him into most inevitable ruine for considering his small preparation it was a desperate action to attempt so mighty a business but the matter being fatal he must needs contribute his own endeavours towards that destruction which his cruel fortune had provided for him Nor could the loss of two Ships with all the men and arms therein whom he had sent before to prepare his way alter his resolution but with the rest of his company passes over to Orkney and having raised what force he could there embarcks himself and in a short space lands upon the point of Cathnes which is the farthest land to the Northwest of Scotland as knowing the world was much astonisht at this invasion now whilest the King was upon a Treaty he published a Declaration wherein he laboured to clear himself of any aspersion of sinister ends that his intention was onely against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the Kingdom raised and maintained a War against the Kings Father and did now by their subtil practices endeavour to destroy the Son also but the Countrey for several causes did not come to second him as he expected so that being encountred by the Earl of Sunderland and Collonel Staughorn his Army was overthrown two hundred killed and twelve hundred taken In this skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caused to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the Portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was killed after he had several times refused quarter there was Collonel Hurry taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgety Collonel Hay of Naughton Colonel Grya and most of the Officers and two Ministers Montross himself after he saw the day was absolutely lost having with his Sword hewn out his way through the midst of his enemies hoping fortune might afterward be more favourable to him he endeavours by policy to save his life and forsaking his Horse throws away his Cloak and Sword then exchanging apparrel with a Highlander in that habit keeps himself undiscovered in the Fields for three or four dayes together but such narrow search being made for him that he could not long escape he freely discovers himself to the Lord of Astron who had been one of his followers before thinking to finde friendship at his hands but he greedy of the reward which was promised to his apprehender by the Council of State money having a deeper impression in his heart then amity seized on him and with a strong guard conveyed him to David Lesley He being now in the custody of his mortal enemies from whom he could not expect the least favour he yet exprest a singular constancy and in a manner a carelesness of his own condition And now joyful of their prey they conduct him to Edenburgh where by the way lodging one night at the Town of Dundee notwithstanding they had suffered more by his Army then any Town else within that Kingdom yet were they so far from insulting over him that they testified a great deal of sorrow for his woful condition and furnished him with cloathes suitable to his birth and person The Parliament of Scotland being otherwise affected who was then informed of his taking thought fit to give out this Sentence against him before he came to Edenburgh That so soon as he should come to Town he should be met at the Gate by the Magistrates and Hangman that he should be tyed with cords upon a Cart bare-headed and the Hangman to ride upon the Horse that drew the Cart covered before him amd so to be brought though the Town that he should be hanged on a Gibbet at the Cross of Edenburgh until he dyed his History and Declaration hanging about his neck and so hang three hours in publick view of all the people after wich he should be beheaded and quartered His head to be fixt upon the prison-house of Edenburgh and his Legs and Arms over the Gates of the Cities of Sterling Glascow St. Johns Town and Aberdeen All which was executed upon him with a great deal of insultation especially of the Ministery who having him now at their mercy could never be satisfied with his calamities they reviled him with all possible spite objected frequently to him his former condition and his present misery and pronounced heavy judgements against him and being asked why they could not otherwise be satisfied but by so ignominious handling of him they replyed They knew no other way to humble him and bring him home to God The fatal day being come design'd to put a period to all his troubles there was erected in the middle of the market-place a large Scaffold brest high in the midst of which was planted a Gibbet of extraordinary height to this place was he conducted by the Baliffs he was cloathed in a Scarlet Cloak richly laced with Gold lace as he came along the Streets in great State there appeared in his countenance so much Beauty Majesty and Gravity as amazed the beholders John Taylors honest Verses will serve for this dishonourable Scotch expedtion In a good cause to dye it is no shame Although a Halter do procure the same Being come thither he was much detained with a great many frivolous questions of which partly the Ministers partly those whom the States suffered to be about him desired to be satisfied He made a short Speech in which he was often interrupted the tenour of which was That be was satisfied in his conscience for what he had done for his Royal Master the King as in relation to War That for his own particular sins which were infinite he bad beg'd pardon earnestly of God and had an inward hope to obtain it he freely forgave all those who had sought his overthrow and intreated the charity of all the people to pray both for him and themselves The Ministers because he was under the Sentence of excommunication refused to pray for him and even on the very Scaffold were very bitter against him After he had about a quarter of an hour prayed with his Hat before his eyes he was ready to go to his suffering when his Book and Declaration and all other printed Papers which he had published in his life being tyed in a string together were hanged a bout his neck he was very earnest that he might have the liberty to keep on his hat it was denyed he requested he might have the priviledge to keep his Cloak about him neither would that be granted in despite of all their affronts uncivil and barbarous usage with a most undaunted courage he went up to the top of that prodigious Gibbet where having freely pardoned the Execuoner he gave him three
into England lies on this Heroick Knight but as in the Life of Sir Francis Drake I have cleared him that his Marriners first brought it in So for that report that when he went to his Trial he took three Pipes in the Coach I rather look on him as he was too guilty of occasioning the mode of this vanity rather then that it was any Institution of his own The day appointed for his Execution being come a Scaffold was erected for him before the Parliament House upon which being brought with a chearful countenance and undaunted look he spake as followeth My Honourable Lords and the rest of my good Friends that are come to see me die know that I much rejoyce that it hath pleased God to bring me from darkness to light and in freeing me from the Tower wherein I might have died in disgrace by letting me live to come to this place where though I lose my life yet I shall clear some false accusations unjustly laid to my charge and leave behinde me a testimony of a true heart both to my King and Countrey Two things there are which have exceedingly possest and provoked his Majesties indignation against me viz. A confederacy or combination with France and disloyal and disobedient words of my Prince For the first his Majesty had some cause though grounded upon a weak foundation to suspect mine inclination to the French Faction for not long before my departure from England the French Agent took occasion passing by my house to visit me we had some conference during the time of his abode onely concerning my Voyage and nothing else I take God to witness Another suspicion is had of me because I did labour to make an escape from Plimouth to France I cannot deny but that willingly when I heard a rumour that there was no hope of my life upon my return to London I would have escaped for the safeguard of my life and not for any ill intent or conspiracy against the State The like reason of suspicion arose in that I perswaded Sir Lewis Stenkly my Guardian to flee with me from London to France but my answer to this is as to the other that onely for my safeguard and nought else was my intent as I shall answer before the Almighty It is alledged that I feigned my self sick and by art made my body full of blisters when I was at Salisbury True it is I did so the reason was because I hop'd thereby to defer my coming before the King and Councel and so by delaying might have gained time to have got my pardon I have an example out of Scripture for my warrant that in case of necessity and for the safeguard of my life David feigned himself foolish and mad yet it was not imputed to him for sin Concerning the second imputation laid to my charge that I should speak scandalous and reproachful words of my Prince there is no witness against me but onely one and he a Chymical Frenchman whom I entertained rather for his Jeasts then Judgement This man to incroach himself into the favor of the Lords and gaping after some great reward hath falsely accused me of seditious speeches against his Majesty against whom if I did either speak or think a thought hurtful or prejudicial Lord blot me out of the Book of Life It is not a time to flatter or fear Princes for I am a Subject to none but deatb therefore have a charitable conceit of me that I know to swear is an offence to swear falsely at any time is a great sin but to swear falsely before the presence of Almighty God before whom I am forthwith to appear were an offence unpardonable therefore think me not now rashly or untruly to confirm or protest any thing As for other Objections in that I was brought perforce into England that I carried sixteen thousand pounds in Money out of England with me more then I made known that I should receive Letters from the French King and such like with many protestations he utterly denied Having ended his Speech he saluted the Company and after he had made his addresses to heaven submitted his neck to the stroak of the Axe Thus ended this worthy Knight a man of such admirable parts that he is more to be admired then sufficiently praised Leaving him to his repose till the last great day I shall onely set down this following Epitaph made by himself Even such is time which takes in trust Our youth and joyes and all we have And payes us but with age and dust Within the dark and silent grave When we have wandred all our wayes Shuts up the story of our dayes From the which earth death grave and dust The Lord shall raise me up I trust The Life of Mr. William Cambden THis learned Antiquary who so diligently preserved the memories of many noble Families of this Nation and whose laborious Works have been a great light to Histories already extent and such as future Ages shall produce is deservedly placed amongst our Heroes that he whose pen made so many others live in his never dying Brittania may likewise live here in this present Work amongst the rest of our English Worthies He was Son to Master Sampson Cambden descended of an ancient family in Staffordshire his Mother was extracted from the worshipful family of the Curwens in Cumberland as he himself witnesseth in his Britannia He was born in the Old-Baily in the City of London Anno. 1550. That he was well educated his learned Works make manifest being put to School first in Christ-Church then at Pauls At fifteen years of age so soon was he ripened for the University he went to Magdalen Colledge in Oxford where having much profited he removed from thence to Broadgates Hall where he gave some proofs of his learning in those short Latin graces the Servitors still use From thence he went to Christ-Church where he attained to such eminency as his abilities preferred him to be Master of Westminster School There is as a learned Gentleman observes scarce any profession in the Common-wealth more necessary which is so slightly performed The reasons whereof he takes to be these First young Schollars make this calling their refuge yea perchance before they have taken any degree in the Vniversity commence Schoolmasters in the Countrey as if nothing else were required to set up this profession but onely a Rod and a Ferula Secondly others who are able use it onely as a passage to better preferment to patch the rents in their present fortune till they can provide a new one and betake themselves to some more gainful calling Thirdly they are disheartned from doing their best with the miserable reward which in some places they receive being Masters to the Children and slaves to their Parents Lastly being grown rich they grow negligent and scorn to touch the School but by the proxie of an Vsher But our Schoolmaster was of another temper studying his Schollars natures as carefully as
Parents what manner of person he was like to prove is hence easie to conjecture since no advantages either from Nature or Education could be imagin'd to be wanting to him he past the more tender years of his childhood not without rare testimonies of many growing excellencies and great abilities of mind nor did he come on faster in age then in ingenuity and acuteness of wit which promised high assurances of that profound and universal knowledge and comprehension of things which rendred him afterwards so famous and brought him to be taken notice of by many noble persons and others that were eminent both in dignity and place and principally by the Queen her self who as I have heard from some of repute and credit took much delight oftentimes to discourse with him and to try his wit with difficult questions but with so much gravity and deliberate judgement did he behave himself that the Queen was us'd to call him the little Lord Keeper of the Seal Being askt of her how old he was he yet a childe ingeniously answered That he was the yonger by two years for her happy Reign When he had attained the age that was thought ripe for the University or rather more early then others commonly us'd to go he was by his Fathers appointment entered of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge under the tuition of the most Reverend John Whitgift Doctour of Divinity at that time Master of that Colledge afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury a Prelate of the first magnitude and most conspicuous for Sanctity Learning Patience and Humility under whom he was found to have made a wonderful progress in the Liberall Arts and Sciences and above all that were his contemporaries while he gave himself up wholly to his study in the University wanting yet somewhat of sixteen years of age The Philosophy of Aristotle as his Lordship hath been pleased to impart to me in private discourse began to seem unsavoury and distasteful to him not out of any disesteem of that Author for it was ever his custom to load him with high praises but because of the insufficiency of that way of Philosphy since it was so contriv'd and dispos'd as his Lordship was oftentimes pleas'd to inculcate as if it had been fram'd onely for disputations and controversies and was altogether barren as to the production of such operations as tended to the benefit of humane life in which opinion he persisted to his very last gasp After he had run through the whole course of the Liberal Arts his Father thought fit to have him bend and apply himself chiefly to the study of Politicks and for that cause took care to send him into France in the Company of Sir Amie Pawlet at that time appointed Ambassadour in ordinary to the French King He had not been there very long ere he was so far lookt upon as to be thought a fit person to be sent into England upon some special message to the Queen which employment having worthily discharg'd he was sent back by the Queen not without some testimony of her grace and favour Upon his going into France the second time he took this resolution not to see England again till after some certain-years expired During his travels in France his Father the Lord Keeper died leaving behinde him as I have heard from some that were acquainted with his affairs a considerable sum of money purposely set apart for the purchasing of certain Lands and Revenues for the use of this his youngest Son who onely of all the rest was left after his Fathers decease destitute of a hereditary patrimony for though in his Fathers estate yet not in his Fathers affection held he the lowest place But since the buying of those Lands was onely intended and not performed in his Fathers life-time there fell no more to his share then according to the proportion of money that was to be distributed among five brothers which was the cause that he enjoy'd but a slender and somewhat hard fortune during his yonger years for he came not to the possession of that noble and most delightful Mannor of Gorhambury till many years after and that by the death of his most dear Brother Mr. Anthony Bacon a man of great note and one that had been much conversant in the Courts of Forreign Princes for the excellency of his Wit equal but for knowledge in the Liberal Arts inferiour to his Brother Between these two there had ever past a most firm league of friendship as being besides the same paternal extraction united by a more strict tye of having both one Mother As soon as he return'd out of France his care was to pitch upon some certain course of life thereupon he addicted himself to the study and profession of the common Law of England in which undertaking he in a short time made an admirable progress Although to use his own words he made choice of that profession rather as subservient and auxiliary then as his principal intention He set forth from the first to the last divers Tractates concerning this subject in which though perhaps by some of the ancient standers of that profession he might be exceeded as to the bulk of volume and number of cases yet for matter of weight and his insight into the fundamentals and mysteries of the Law he gave place to none He had scarce serv'd out his Apprentiship in the Law before he was by the Queen taken into her learned Council extraordinary a favour as I have heard scarce granted to any one before The habitation he chose as most commodious for his studies and Office of Advocate was amongst the honourable society of Grey's-Inne into the number of which Society he admitted himself there he erected that neat and elegant structure which at this day is known by the name of the Lord Bacons Buildings in which at times he spent the greatest part of his life some few years onely excepted even to the very day of his death In this Society he carried himself with that mildness that affability and generosity of minde that thereby he attracted to himself great love and respect from the Seniors and Students of that Inne But though he was tied by the exigence of his fortune and for his better maintenance to profess the Law yet his minde and affection inclin'd more to the Political Arts and Offices of State of which if it had pleased her Royal Majesty he was as capable as any In the full strength of his age he admitted himself of the number of those that followed that noble though unfortunate Heroe the Earl of Essex whom as a most faithful and bosom Councellour he served to his utmost power ad still laboured to instill into his minde wholesom and honourable precepts till at length that Earl giving ear to the counsels of certain rash and hair-brain'd men ran head-long to his own destruction This he ow'd to the native and ingenuous endowments of his minde that they opened to him an easier and
universal grievance of your people 7. The great grief of your Subjects by long intermission of Parliaments and the late and former dissolution of such as have been called without the happy effects which otherwise they might have produced For remedy whereof and prevention of the dangers that may arise to your Royal Person and to the whole State they do in all humility and faithfulness beseech your most excellent Majesty that you would be pleased to summon a Parliament within some convenient time whereby the causes of these and other great Grievances which your people lye under may be taken away and the Authours and Councellors of them may be brought to such legal trial and condign punishment as the nature of their several offences shall require And that the present War may be composed by your Majesties wisdom without blood in such manner as may conduce to the honour and safety of your Majesties person the comfort of your people and the uniting of both your Realms against the common enemy of the reformed Religion And your Majesties Petitioners shall ever pray c. Concluded the 28. of August 1640. Francis Bedford Robert Essex Mulgrave Say Seal Edward Howard William Hartford Warwick Bullingbrooke Mandevile Brooke Pagett This Petition being seconded by another from the Scots to the same effect the King the twenty fourth day of the same moneth assembled the Lords together at York where it was concluded that a Parliament should be summoned to convene November the third next ensuing in the mean time a cessation of Arms was concluded between both Nations whereupon the King and Lords posted to London Tuesday November the third according to pre-appointment the Parliament assembled no sooner were they set but Petitions came thronging in from all Counties of the Kingdom craving redress of the late general exorbitancies both in Church and State many who were in prison were ordered to be set at liberty as Pryn Bastwick and Burton and the Bishop of Lincolne and many who were at liberty were ordered to be sent to prison as Sir William Beecher the Earl of Strafford and the Archbishop of Canterbury Secretary Windebank and the Lord Keeper Finch who was forced to flye the Land Ship-money was voted down the late Cannons damn'd Peace is concluded with Scotland and three hundred thousand pound allowed them for reparations This was summarily the first actings of the Parliament which gave much content to many people especially the Londoners who to the number of 15000. Petition for the abolishing of Episcopacy it self Indeed some few of the Cleargy at this time as at all others were corrupt in their lives many of them being vicious even to scandal yea many of those who pretended much purity in their conversations were most covetous and deceitful in their dealings besides their pride was intollerable insomuch that a great one amongst them was heard to say He hoped to live to see the day when a Minister should be as good a man as any upstart Jack Gentleman in England Well therefore might it it be said of the Priests of our times what Gildas sirnamed the wise wrote of the Priests of his time Sacerdotes habet Britannia sed insipientes quam plurimos Ministros sed impudentes clericos sed raptores subdeles c. Great Brittain hath Priests indeed but silly ones Ministers of Gods word very many but impudent a Cleargy but given up to greedy rapine c. Yet let none mistake me I write not thus to perswade any to an ill opinion of the Ministry for though our Church had cause to grieve for the blemishes of many yet might she glory in the ornaments of more so that Episcopacy received not at this time the fatal blow but was onely mutilated in her former glory the House of Commons voting that no Bishop shall have any vote in Parliament nor any Judicial power in the Star Chamber nor bear any sway in Temporal Affairs and that no Cleargy-man shall be in Commission of the Peace The Parliament having thus set bounds to the exorbitant power of the Cleargy they next fell upon the Tryal of the Deputy of Ireland who as you heard not long before was committed prisoner to the Tower this man at first was a great stickler against the Prerogative until allured by Court preferment he turned Royalist Westminster Hall was the place assigned for his Tryal the Earl of Arundel being Lord High Steward and the Earl of Lindsey Lord High Constable the Articles charged against him being very many are too long to recite I having more at large in their place inserted them in his Life The sum of them were for ruling Ireland and the North of England in an arbitrary way against the Laws for retaining the Kings revenue without account for encreasing and encouraging Popery for maliciously striving to stir up and continue enmity betwixt England and Scotland and for labouring to subvert Parliaments and incense the King against them yet notwithstanding this high charge the Earl by his answers so cleared himself that the King told the Lords he was not satisfied in Conscience to Condemn him of high Treason but acknowledged his misdemeanours to be very great at last wearied with the clamours of the people the Earl also by a letter desiring the same he granted a Commission to four Lords to Sign the Bill for his Execution which Execution was accordingly performed on Tower-hill May 10. 1641. Thus dyed this unhappy Earl a sacrifice to the Scots revenge cut off as it was thought not so much for what he had done as for fear of what he afterwards might do a man of the rarest parts and deepest judgement of any English man of our late times The same day fatal to the King he Signed the Bill for the Deputy of Irelands death he also Signed the Bill for a trienial or perpetual Parliament which should not be dissolved without consent of both Houses some say Duke Hamilton counselled him to it others say it was the Queen whoever it was it was his ruine for the Parliament now fearless of a dissolution began to act in an higher way then before being fortified with a strong guard of Souldiers whereof the Earl of Essex was Captain they without the Kings leave or knowledge appoint an extraordinary Assembly in the City that should mannage all weighty and great occurrences and to weaken his Majesty the more or rather to satisfie the insolence of the people they cast twelve Bishops into Prison because they went about to maintain their priviledge by the publick Charter The King moved with this accused five of the lower House and one of the upper House of high Treason their names were the Lord Viscount Mandevil Mr. Pym Mr. Hampden Sir Arthur Haslerig Mr. Hollis and Mr. Strowd This action of the Kings was by the Parliament adjudged a great breach of their Priviledges certainly it much encreased the differences between them and left scarce any possibility of reconcilement This small river of
be taken pro Confesso and the Court ot proceed to Justice The President repeats in brief the passages of the last day and commands the King to answer to the Articles of the Charge unless he had rather hear the Capital Sentence against him The king persists to interrogate concerning the Cause and sayes That he less regards his life then his Honour his Conscience the Laws the Liberties of the people all which that they should not perish together there were weighty reasons why he should not prosecute his defence before the Judges and acknowledge a new form of Judicature for what power had ever Judges to erect a Judicature against the King or by what Law was it granted sure not by Gods Law which on the contrary commands obedience to Princes nor by Mans Laws the Laws of our Land sith the Laws of England enjoyn all Accusations to be read in the Kings Name nor do they indulge any power of judging the most abject Subject to the Lower or Commons House neither lastly their Power flow from any Authority which might be pretended extraordinary delegated from the people seeing ye have not askt so much as every tenth man in this matter The President interrupting his Speech rebukes the Kings and bids him be mindeful of his doom affirming once more that the Court was abundantly satisfied of their Authority nor was the Court to hear any reasons that should detract from their power But what sayes the King or where in all the world is that Court in which no place is left for reason Yes answered the President you shall finde Sir that this very Court is such a one But the King presses that they would at least permit him to exhibit his reasons in writing which if they could satisfactorily answer he would yield himself to their Jurisdiction Here the President not content to deny grew into anger demanding the Prisoner to be taken away The King replied no more to these things then Remember sayes he this is your King from whom you turn away your ear in vain certainly will my Subjects expect Justice from you who stop your ears to your King who is ready to plead his Cause The Saturday after the 27. of January before they assembled sixty eight of the Tryers answered to their names The President in a Scarlet Robe and as the King Came the Souldiers cryed out for Execution of Justice The King speaks first and desires to be heard a word or two but short and yet wherein he hopes not to give just occasion wherein to be interrupted and goes on A sudden Judgement sayes the King is not so soon recall'd But he is sharply reproved of contumacy The President profusely praises the patience of the Court and commands him now at length to submit otherwise he shall hear the sentence of of death resolved upon by the Court against him The King still refuses to plead his Cause before them but that he had some things conducible to the good of his people and the peace of the Kingdom which he desires liberty to deliver before the Members of both Houses But the President would not vouchsafe him so much as this favour least it should tend he said to the delay and retardation of Justice To which the King replies It were better to sustain a little delay of a day or two then to precipitate a Sentence which will bring perpetual Tragedies upon the Kingdom and miseries to Children unborn If sayes he I sought occasion of delay I would have made a more elabourate contestation of the Cause which might have served to protract the time and evade at least the while a most ugly sentence but I will shew my self a defender of the Laws and of the Right of my Country as to chuse rather to dye for them the Martyr of my People then by prostituting of them to an arbitrary power go about to acquire any manner of liberty for my self but I therefore request this short liberty of speaking before a cruel Sentence be given for that I well know 't is harder to be recall'd then prevented and therefore I desire that I may withdraw and you consider They all withdraw the King into Cottons House and the Tryers into the Court of Wards and in half an hour return The President as he had begun so he proceeds into a premeditated Speech to hasten Sentence which the King offers reason to forbear whilest he might be heard before his Parliament and this he requires as they will answer it at the dreadful day of Judgement and to consider it once again But not prevailing the President goes on wherein he aggravates the Contumacy of the King and the hatefulness of the cimes he asserts Parliamentary Authority producing Examples both Domestick and Forreign c. his Treasons he stiles a breach of Trust to the Kingdom as his Superiour and is therefore called to an account minimus majorum in Judicium vocat his murthers are many all those that have been committed in all the War betwixt him and his people are laid to his charge all the innocent blood which cannot be cleansed but by the blood of him that shed the blood So then for Tyranny Treason Murther and many other crimes he wishes the King to have God before his eyes and that the Court calls God to witness that mearly their Conscience of Duty brings them to that place of this employment and calls for Gods assistance in his Execution The King offered to speak to these great Imputations in the Charge but he was told that his time was past the Sentence was coming on which the President commanded to be read under this form Whereas the Commons of England have appointed them an High Court of Justice for the Trial of Charles Stuart King of England before whom he hath been three times convented and at the first time a Charge of High Treason and other Crimes and Misdemeanours were read in the behalf of the Kingdom of England c. To which Charge he the said Charles Stuart was required to give his answer and so exprest several passages at his Tryal in refusing to answer for all which Treasons and Crimes the Court doth adjudge that the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and Publique Enemy shall be put to death by the severing his Head from his Body This Sentence sayes the President now read and publisht is the Act Sentence Judgement and Resolution of the whole Court to which the Members of the Court stood up and assented to what he said by holding up their hands The King offered to speak but he was instantly commanded to be taken away and the Court brake up After the Sentence the King was hurried away mockt and reviled by the Souldiers they puft their Tobacco in his face no smell being more offensive to his father and him such as saluted him they bastinadoed one that did but sigh God have mercy they cane'd they intrude almost into his Closet hardly permitting him
another place I have spoken very largely and liberally of it I believe you will hear by other means what arguments I used in that case but truly that that is a stranger you that are English men behold here an English man now before you and acknowledged a Peer not condemned to dye by any Law of England not by any Law of England nay shall I tell you more which is strangest of all contrary to all the Laws of England that I know of And truly I will tell you in the matter of the civil part of my death and the cause that I have maintained I dye I take it for maintaining the Fifth Commandment enjoyned by God himself which enjoyns Reverence and Obedience to Parents All Divines on all hands though they contradict one another in many several opinions yet most Divines do acknowledge that here is intended Magistracy and Order and certainly I have obeyed that Magistracy and that Order under which I have lived which I was bound to obey and truly I do say very confidently that I do dye here for keeping for obeying that Fifth Commandment given by God himself and written with his own Finger And now Gentlemen I will take this opportunity to tell you That I cannot imitate a better nor a greater ingenuity then his that said of himself For suffering an unjust judgement upon another himself was brought to suffer by an unjust judgement Truly Gentlemen that God may be glorified that all men that are concerned in it may take the occasion of it of humble Repentance to God Almighty for it I do here profess to you that truly I did give my Vote to that Bill of the Earl of Strafford I doubt not but God Almighty hath washed that away with a more precious Blood that is with the Blood of his Son and my dear Saviour Jesus Christ and I hope he will wash it away from all those that are guilty of it Truly this I may say I had not the least part nor the least degree of malice in the doing of it but I must confess again to Gods Glory and the accusation of my own frailty and the frailty of my nature that truly it was an unworthy cowardize not to resist so great a torrent as carried that business at that time And truly this I think I am most guilty of but malice I had none but whatsoever it was God I am sure hath pardoned it hath given me the assurance of it that Christ Jesus his Blood hath washed it away and truly I do from my soul wish that all men that have any stain by it may seriously repent and receive a remission and pardon from God for it And now Gentlemen we have had an occasion by this intimation to remember his Majesty our King that last was and I cannot speak of him nor think of it but I must needs say that in my opinion that have had time to consider all the Images of all the greatest and vertuousest Princes in the world and truly in my opinion there was not a more vertuous and more sufficient Prince known in the world then our gracious King Charles that dyed last God Almighty preserve our King that now is his Son God send him more fortunate and longer dayes God Almighty so assist him that he may exceed both the vertues and sufficiences of his Father for certainly I that have been a Councellour to him and have lived long with him and in a time when discovery is easily enough made for he was young he was about fifteen or sixteen years of age those years I was with him truly I never saw greater hopes of vertue in any young person then in him great judgement great understanding strong apprehensions much honour in his nature and truly a very perfect English man in his inclinations I pray God restore him to this Kingdom and unite the Kingdoms one to another to the happiness both of you and him that he may long live and reign among you and that that Family may reign till thy Kingdom come that is while all temporal power is consumated I beseech God of his mercy give much happiness to this your King and to you that in it shall be his Subjects by the grace of Jesus Christ Truly I like my beginning so well that I will make my conclusion with it that is That God Almighty would confer of his infinite and inestimable grace and mercy to those that are the causers of my coming hither I pray God give them as much mercy as their own hearts can wish for my part I will not accuse any one of them of malice truly I will not nay I will not think there was any malice in them what other ends there are I know not nor I will not examine but let it be what it will from my very soul I forgive them every one and so the Lord of Heaven bless you all God Almighty be infinite in goodness and mercy to you and direct you in those wayes of obedience to his commands to his Majesty that this Kingdom may be a happy and glorious Nation again and that your King may be a happy King in so good and so obedient people God Almighty keep you all God Almighty preserve this Kingdom God Almighty preserve you all Having ended his Speech he called for the Executioner on whom he bestowed five pounds saying to him I not onely forgive thee from my soul but desire of God to give thee grace for a better employment Having stood still a while he said God Almighty stench this blood God Almighty stench stench stench this issue of blood this will not do the business God Almighty finde out another way to do it Then having taken his leave of those friends and servants that were about him he addrest himself to prayer and upon a sign given by him had his head severed from his body by the Executioner Our forementioned Poet better affected to this Honourable Lord then to the other two that dyed with him bestows this Epitaph upon him in remembrance of his Vertues Here Virtue Valour Charity and all Those rare endowments we Celestial call Included are nor wonder at the story Capel lies here Loyalties chiefest glory I shall close up all onely give you the abstract or rather the introduction to an Elegy that a deserving person bestowed on him Disturb me not my soul is mounting high To pyramide great Capels memory I le range my thoughts it is a world that shall Be rul'd by Capels Eccho hallow all Ye sacred Muses and conspire to bring Materials for this work and learn to sing For should you weep your eyes might undertake To drown the world which I intend to make Forbear your tears are useless you must now Gaze upon earth with an undaunted brow Capel hath taught us how to entertain The pallid looks of fate by him we gain The art of dying and from him we have The definition of a deathless Grave Rare soul I say
of his years taken from further opportunities of doing good either to himself his friends the Common-wealth or more especially as to my continued services to my Creatour Truly if my general known course of life were but enquired into I may modestly say there is such a moral honesty upon it as some may be so sawcy as to expostulate why this great judgement is fallen upon me but know I am able to give them and my self an answer and out of this breast am able to give a better accompt of my Judgement and Execution then my Judgers themselves or you are able to give It is Gods wrath upon me for sins long unrepented of many judgements withstood and mercies slighted therefore God hath whipped me by his severe Rod of Correction that he might not lose me I pray joyn with me in prayer that it may not be a fruicless Rod that when by this Rod I have laid down my life by his staff I may be comforted and received into Glory I am very confident by what I have heard since my sentence there is more exceptions made against proceedings against me then I ever made My Triers had a Law and the value of that Law is indisputable and for me to make a question of it I should shame my self and my discretion In the strictness of that Law something is done by me that is applicable to some clause therein by which I stand condemnable The means whereby I was brought under that interpretation of that which was not in my self intended malitiously there being testimony given by persons whom I pitty so false yet so positive that I cannot condemn my Judges for passing sentence against me according to Legal Justice though Equity lieth in the higher breasts As for my Accusers or rather Betrayers I pitty and am sorry for them they have committed Judas crime but I wish and pray for them with Peters tears that by Peters repentance they may escape Judas his punishment and I wish other people so happy they may be taken up betimes before they have drunk more blood of Christian men possibly less deserving then my self It is true there have been several addresses made for mercy and I will put the obstruction of it upon nothing more then upon my own sin and seeing God sees it fit having not glorified him in my life I might do it in my death which I am contented to do I profess in the fear of God particular malice to any one of State or Parliament to do them a bodily injury I had none For the cause in which I had long waded I must needs say my engagement or continuance in it hath laid no scruple upon my Conscience it was on Principles of Law the knowledge whereof I profess and on principles of Religion my Judgement satisfied and Conscience rectified that I have pursued those wayes which I bless God I finde no blackness upon my conscience nor have I put it into the Bead-roll of my sins I will not presume to decide controversies I desire God to honour himself in prospering that side that hath right with it and that you may enjoy peace and plenty beyond all you possess here In my Conversation in the world I do not know where I have an enemy with cause or that there is such a person whom I have to regret but if there be any whom I cannot recollect under the notion of Christian men I pardon them as freely as if I had named them by name I freely forgive them being in free peace with all the world as I desire God for Christs sake to be at peace with me For the business of death it is a sad sentence in it self if men consult with flesh and blood But truly without boosting I say it or if I do boast I boast in the Lord I have not to this minute had one consultation with the flesh about the blow of the Axe or one thought of the Axe more then as my passport to Glory I take it for an honour and I owe thankfulness to those under whose power I am that they sent me hither to a place however of punishment yet of some honor to dye a death somewhat worthy of my blood answerable to my birth and qualification and this courtesie of theirs hath much helped towards the pacification of my minde I shall desire God that those Gentlemen in that sad Bead-roll to be tryed by the High Court of Justice that they may find that really there that is nominal in the Act an High Court of Justice a Court of High Justice high in its Righteousness though not in its severity Father forgive them and forgive me as I forgive them I desire you now that you would pray for me and not give over praying till the hour of my death not till the moment of my death for the hour is come already the instant of time approaches that as I have a great load of sins so I may have the wings of your prayers to help those Angels that are to convey my soul to Heaven and I doubt not but I shall see my Saviour and my gallant Master the King of England and another Master whom I much honoured my Lord Capel hoping this day to see my Christ in the presence of the Father the King in the presence of him my Lord Capel in the presence of them all and my self there to rejoyce with all other Saints and Angels for evermore After the uttering of these and many the like words declaring his faith and confidence in God with as much undaunted yet Christian courage as possibly could be in man he exposed his neck to the fatal Axe commending his soul into the hands of a faithful and merciful Creatour through the meritorious Passion of a gracious Redeemer and having said Lord Jesus receive me the Executioner with one blow severed his head from his body For such a collateral design not long after one Master Benson was executed at Tyburne one that had some relations to Sir John Gell who was tried for the same Conspiracy with his man Sir Johns former services to the Parliament being his best and most assured intercessours for his life and at that time were more then ordinary advantages to him And now being entered into this Tragical Scene of blood I shall in the next place give you an account of the beheading of Sir Henry Hide He was by the Scots King commissionated as Ambassadour to the Grand Signior at Constantinople and stood in competition with Sir Thomas Bendish then Ambassadour for the English for his place whereupon they had a hearing before the Vizier Bassa the result whereof was that Sir Thomas Bendish should dispose of the said Sir Henry Hide as he thought good who was to the same purpose sent to Smyrna thence into England and there condemned and executed before the Royal Exchange in London March 4. 1650. I have inserted his Speech which reflects on his Transactions this unfortunate Gentlemans end
upon the Coast of France as they were returning homewards from the Venetian service richly laden being all men of War of considerable burthens Soon after so great their feud was that the Navies engaged in another Fight at a place called the Kentish Knock wherein the Dutch were again defeated eleven of their men of War set upon four of the English in the Straights took the Phenix Frigot and much damaged the other In a short space after another Sea Engagement ensued on the Back-side of Goodwin Sands wherein the English were worsted four ships taken and a considerable loss of men The greatest fight of all was near the Isle of Wight and Portland wherein the Dutch received a great overthrow fifty Merchants being taken nine men of War above two thousand slain and fifteen hundred taken Prisoners But this great Victory soon after received a check the English Fleet in the Levant Seas being again worsted by the Dutch with the loss of divers ships and men But leaving off these Sea Affairs for a time let us come to General Cromwel from whom I have already been enforced to digress who pretending for the better accomplishing of his own designs the dilatory proceedings pernicious and arbitrary actings in the Parliament to perpetuate their Session to be very dangerous and enthrall the Nation this train of his he knew would take well with the people who were great adorers of the name of liberty and desirous of change he therefore resolved to put a period to the Parliament and accordingly accompanied by the chief Officers of the Army he entered the House and having declared his intentions some by force some through fear and others not without a great deal of reluctancy and murmuring departed the House To set a fair gloss upon what he had done and to give some satisfaction to the people he publishes a Declaration the substance whereof followeth That after God was pleased marvellously to appear for his people in reducing Ireland and Scotland to so great a peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the Parliament had opportunity to give the people the harvest of all their labour blood and treasure and to settle a due liberty in reference to Civil and Spiritual things whereunto they were obliged by their duty engagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them But they made so little progress therein that it was matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applied themselves to the Army expecting redress by their means who though unwilling to meddle with the Civil Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in the Common-wealth and in settling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousness which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires by an humble Petition in August 1652. which produced no considerable effects nor was any such progress made therein as might imply their real Intentions to accomplish what was petitioned for but rather an averseness to the things themselves with much bitterness and opposition to the people of God and his spirit acting in them insomuch that the godly party in Parliament were rendred of no further use then to countenance the ends of a corrupt party for effecting their desires of perpetuating themselves in the supream Government For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained several meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applied to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectual it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his people and the whole Nation expected from them But that this cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the lives liberties and comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of some effectual means whereby to establish righteousness and Peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary that the Supream Government should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons fearing God and of approved integrity for a time as the most hopeful way to countenance all Gods people reform the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and understand their true interest in the election of successive Parliaments that so the Government might be settled upon a right Basis without hazard to this glorious cause or necessitating to keep up Armies for the defence of the same And being still resolved to use all means possibly to avoid extraordinary courses we prevailed with about twenty Members of Parliament to give us a conference with whom we plainly debated the necessity and justness of our Proposals The which found no acceptance but instead thereof it was offered that the way was to continue still this Parliament as being that from which we might probably expect all good things This being vehemently insisted on did much confirm us in our apprehensions That not any love to a Representative but the making use thereof to recruit and so to perpetuate themselves was their aim in the Act they had then under consideration For preventing the consummating whereof and all the sad and evil consequences which upon the grounds aforesaid must have ensued and whereby at one blow the interest of all honest men and of this glorious Cause had been endangered to be laid in the dust and these Nations embroyled in new troubles at a time when our enemies abroad are watching all advantages against and some of them actually engaged in War with us we have been necessitated though with much reluctancy to put an end to this Parliament This Declaration was seconded by another for settling a Councel of State to give some satisfaction to the people what Government they intended which Declaration for the Readers further satisfaction take as followeth Whereas the Parliament being dissolved persons of approved fidelity and honesty are according to the late Declaration of the 22. of April last to be called from the several parts of this Commonwealth to the Supream Authority and although effectual proceedings are and have been had for perfecting those Resolutions yet some convenient time being required for the assembling of those persons it hath been found necessary for preventing the mischiefs and inconveniences which may arise in the mean while to the publick Affairs that a Councel of State be constituted to take care of and intend the peace safety and present mannagement of the Affairs of this Commonwealth which being settled accordingly the same is hereby
having past his Laurels he had a minde to reach at the Crown they were somewhat mistaken it had too many thorns in it which of themselves are sharp enough to fetch blood if we should not otherwise accept of the interpretation of the Fifth Monarchy Gentleman who means by them the displeased Souldiery to whom such lustres could never have been acceptable as some other of our late Pamphletters have libell'd him to be another Henry the Fifth that he would have stoln the more then protested against Diadem off from the Pillow if he had a minde to it it is more then they know the worst they could have said of him had been that he entertained somewhat more then self-denying thoughts or rather as the Poet hath it Magnis tamen excedit ausis Indeed outwardly he seemed to have little of vain glory in him or else he turned his dark Lanthorn to himself his closeness being alwayes such that this great Politician walkt invisible others stood in the light to him but he in the dark to all onely for his most grand Transaction there was no vizzard could disguise it that he should after so many selfish refusals a word lately put into the new canting Dictionary of the Enthusiasts that he should after the slighting as it were of so many tendred forfeited and sequestred Estates presented to him by the Parliament for his remarkable services after that in parts and piecemeals he had denied the pomps and vanities of this wicked world he made it his master-design to take in all at once as he knew well enough how to cog a die he had thrown for all won all and swept all at once rendering his Motto Pax quaeritur Bello into that English which pleased him best the Protectorship To reflect briefly on his Domestical Affairs he was not uxorious but respectful to his Wife to his Children he had a paternal affection careful of their educations and of their aspirings to advancement he endeavoured to cast a lustre on them which did not take with the people though as to his Son Richard there was a more then ordinary consent For his pleasures there is no extraordinary news of them some Frolicks I have heard of with those he was most familiar the truth is he had too little leasure for trivial repasts he did with them as great persons do with Banquets come and look upon them and so turn away As he begun from a private fortune as I have already intimated that fortune quickened in him all seeds of observation being alwayes more prosperous in himself then confirmed from the affections of others For the imputations against him of moneys in his Treasury certainly if he had been such a hoarder the urgency of his pressing Affairs would never suffer him to be so poor as to stand still and admire his riches Before I end I cannot chuse but remark his hard dealings with Parliaments which he formerly so vindicated against the late King for his breach of priviledge about the five Members whatsoever fine thred he did twist for himself in all his religious speeches those that are right Englishmen will never clear him from his violations though he mannaged those actings as that they were to him but short tempests or small over-castings as whatsoever injury the Nations endured he had one pretence or other to shift it off from his own shoulders extreamly mistaking himself as the people look less on the failings of those who have been their own choice then on those who have taken on them to be earvers for themselves he thought himself crafty enough for Parliaments and from his death-bed he determined himself cock sure as he was flesht with his former fortunes he could never have imagined his posterity should ever have been lean 'T is true we may be so political as on this earth to endeavour to grasp these humane Affairs to our own Interests but we must lay down our greatest wisedoms when we come to sleep in the silent grave as after death there is no providing against the cross blows of fortune To conclude as far as we can conjecture his Confederates continuing alike victorious and fortunate with him he might if he had lived to it extended his victories to some other parts of the world if he did no more it was either through the disturbances of the times or long of himself for what he minded he compassed Certain it is that he so husbanded his successes that he did not live to see himself unfortunate who having assumed or rather snatcht his honours shewed himself to be one of the strangest sort of wonders that our late times have produced One writ a strange Epitaph on him Here lies Oliver Cromwel who that he might be Protector himself first brought the English Monarchy on its knees FINIS Courteous Reader These Books following are printed for Nathanael Brooke and are to be sold at his Shop at the Angel in Cornhill Excellent Tracts in Divinity Controversie Sermons Devotions THe Catholick History collected and gathered out of Scripture Councils and Ancient Fathers in Answer to Dr. Vane's lost Sheep returned home by Edward Chesensale Esq Octavo 2. Bishop Morton on the Sacrament in Folio 3. The Grand Sacriledge of the Church of Rome in tataking away the sacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table by D. Featley D. D. Quarto 4. The Quakers Cause at second hearing being a full Answer to their Tenets 5. Re-assertion of Grace Vindiciae Evangelii or the Vindication of the Gospel a Reply to Mr. Anthony Burghess Vindiciae Legis and to Mr. Ruthford by Robert Town 6. Anabaptists anatomized and silenced or a Dispute with Mr. Tombs by Mr. J. Crag where all may receive clear satisfaction in that Controversie The best extant Octavo 7. A Glimpse of Divine Light being an explication of some passages exhibited to the Commissioners at White Hall for approbation of Publick Preachers against J. Harrison of Land Chappel Lancashire 8. The zealous Magistrate a Sermon by T. Threscos Quarto 9. New Jerusalem in a Sermon for the Society of Astrologers Quarto in the year 1651. 10. Divinity no enemy to Astrology A Sermon for the Society of Astrologers in the Year 1643. by Dr. Thomas Swadling 11. Britannia Rediviva A Sermon before the Judges August 1648. by J. Shaw Minister of Hull 12. The Princess Royal in a Sermon before the Judges March 24. by J. Shaw 13. Judgement set and Books opened Religion tryed whether it be of God or Man in several Sermons by J. Webster Quarto 14. Israels Redemption or the Prophetical History of our Saviours Kingdom on Earth by K. Matton 15. The Cause and Cure of Ignorance Errour and Prophaneness or a more hopeful way to Grace and Salvation by K Young Octavo 16. A Bridle for the Times tending to still the murmuring to settle the wavering to stay the wandring and to strengthen the fainting by J. Brinsley of Yarmouth 17. Comforts against the fear of death wherein are discovered several
Dispensatory in what Language soever 86. Cabinet of Jewels Mans Misery Gods Mercy Christs Treasury c in eight excellent Sermons with an Appendix of the nature of Tythes under the Gospel with the expediency of Marriage in publique Assemblies by J. Crag Minister of the Gospel 87. Natures Secrets or the admirable and wonderful History of the generation of Meteors describing the Temperatures of the Elements the heights magnitudes and influences of Stars the causes of Comets Earthquakes Deluges Epidemical Diseases and Prodigies of Precedent times with presages of the weather and descriptions of the weather-glass by T. Wilsford 88. The Mysteries of Love ane Eloquence or the Arts of Wooing and Complementing as they are managed in the Spring Garden Hide Park the New Exchange and other eminent places A work in which is drawn to the life the Deportments of the most Accomplisht Persons the Mode of their Courtly entertainments Treatment of their Ladies at Balls their accustomed Sports Drolls and Fancies the Witchcrafts of their perswasive Language in their Approaches or other more Secret Dispatches c. by E. P. 89. Helmont disguised or the vulgar errors of imparcial and unskilful Practicers of Physick confuted more especially as they concern the Cures of Feavers the Stone the Plague and some other Diseases by way of Dialogue in which the chief rareties of Physick are admirably discourcoursed of by J. T. Books very lately Printed and in the Press now Printing 1. Geometry demonstrated by Lines and Numbers from thence Astronomy Cosmography and Navigation proved and delineated by the Doctrine of Plain and Spherical Triangles by T. Wilsford 2. The English Annals from the Invasion made by Julius Caesar to these times by T. Wilsford 3. The Fool transformed A Comedy 4. The History of Lewis the eleventh King of France a Trage-Comedy 5. The Chaste woman against her will a Comedy 6. The Tooth-drawer a Comedy 7. Honour in the end a Comedy 8. Tell-tale a Comedy 9. The History of Donquixiot or the Knight of the ill favoured face a Comedy 10. The fair Spanish Captive a Trage-Comedy Sir Kenelm Digby and other Persons of Honour their rare and incomparable secrets of Physick Chyrurgery Cookery Preserving Conserving Candying distilling of Waters extraction of Oyls compounding of the costliest Perfumes with other admirable Inventions and select Experiments as they offered themselves to their Observations whether here or in Forreign Countreys 11. The soul 's Cordial in two Treatises the first teaching how to be eased of the guilt of sin the second discovering advantages by Christs Ascension by that faithful Labourer in the Lords Vineyard Mr. Christopher Love late Minister of Lawrence Jury the third Volume of his Works 12. Jacobs seed the excellency of seeking God by prayer by the late Reverend Divine Master Jeremiah Burroughs 14. The Saints Tomb-stone or the Remains of the Blessed A plain Narrative of some remarkable Passages in the holy Life and happy Death of Mistress Dorothy Shaw Wife of Mr. John Shaw Preacher of the Gospel at Kingston upon Hull collected by her dearest Friends especially for her sorrowful Husband and six Daughters consolation and imitation 15. The so well entertained Work the New World of English Words or a general Dictionary containing the Terms Etymologies Definitions and perfect Interpretations of the proper significations of hard English Words throughout the Arts and Sciences Liberal or Mechanick as also other subjects that are useful or appertain to the Language of our Nation to which is added the signification of Proper Names Mythology and Poetical Fictioâ—s Historical Relations Geographical Descriptions of the Countreys and Cities of the World especially of these three Nations wherein their chiefest Antiquities Battles and other most memorable Passages are mentioned A Work very necessary for Strangers as well as our own Countrey-men for all persons that would rightly understand what they discourse or read Collected and published by E. P. for the greater honour of those learned Gentlemen and Artists that have been assistant in the most Practical Sciences their Names are presented before the Book 16. The so much desired and learned Commentary on Psalm the fifteenth by that Reverend and Eminent Divine Mr Christopher Cartwright Minster of the Gospel in York to which is prefixed a brief account of the Authours Life and of his Work by R. Bolton 17 The Way to Bliss in three Books being a learned Treatise of the Philosophers Stone made publick by Elias Ashmole Esq 18. Wit restored in several Select Poems not formerly publisht by Sir John Mennis Mr. Smith and others 19. The Judges Charge delivered in a Sermon before Mr. Justice Hall and Mr. Serjeant Crook Judges of the Assize at St. Mary Overies in Southwark by R. Purre M. A. Pastor of Camerwel in the County of Surrey a Sermon worthy of the perusal of all such persons as endeavour to be honest and just Practitioners in the Law 20. The Modern Assurancer the Clerks Directory containing the Practick part of the Law in the exact Forms and Draughts of all manner of Presidents for Bargains and Sales Grants Feoffements Bonds Bills Conditions Covenants Joyntures Indentures to lead the uses of Fines and Recoveries with good Proviso's and Covenants to stand seized Charter parties for Ships Leases Releases Surrenders c. And all other Instruments and Assurances now in use intended for all young Students and Practicers of the Law by John Hern. 21. Moor's Arithmetick the second Edition much refined and diligently cleared from the former mistakes of the Press A Work containing the whole Art of Arithmetick as well in Numbers as Species Together with many Additions by the Authour to come forth at Machaelmas Term. Likewise 22. Exercitatio Elleiptica Nova or a new Mathematical Contemplation on the Oval Figure called an Elleipsis together with the two first Books of Midorgius his Conicks Analiz'd and made so plain that the Doctrine of Conical sections may be easily understood a Work much desired and never before publisht in the English Tongue by Jonas Moor Surveyor General of the great Level of the Fennes to come forth at Michaelmas Term 27. Naps upon Parnassus a sleepy Muse nipt and pincht though not awakened such voluntary and Jovial Copies of Verses as were lately receiv'd from some of the Wits of the Universities in a Frolick dedicated to Gondibert's Mistress by Captain Jones and others Whereunto is added for D monstration of the Authors Prosaick Excellencies his Epistle to one of the Universities with the Answer together with two Satyrical Characters of his own of a Temporizer and an Antiquary with Marginal Notes by a Friend to the Reader 24. America painted to the Life the History of the Conquest and first Original undertakings of the advancement of the Plantations in those Parts with an exquisite Map by F. Gorges Esq 25. Culpeper's School of Physick or the Experimental Practice of the whole Art so reduced either into Aphorisines or choice and tried Receipts that the free born Students of the three Kingdoms may
Evidences of the work of Grace by J. Collins of Norwich 18. Jacobs Seed or the excellency of seeking God by prayer by Jer. Burroughs 14. The sum of practical Divinity or the Grounds of Religion in a Catechistical way by Master Christopher Love late Minister of the Gospel a useful Piece 20. Heaven and Earth shaken a Treatise shewing how Kings and Princes and all other Governments are turned and changed by J. Davis Minister in Dover admirably useful and seriously to be considered in these times 21. The Treasure of the Soul wherein we are taught by dying to sin to attain to the perfect love of God 22. A Treatise of Contentation fit for these sad and troublesome times by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 23. Select thoughts or choice helps for a pious spirit beholding the excellency of her Lord Jesus by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 24. The Holy Order or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion to which is added songs in the night or chearfulness under afflictions by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 25. The Celestial Lamp enlightening every distressed soul from the depth of everlasting darkness by T. Fetisplace Admirable and Learned Treatises of Occult Sciences in Philosophy Magick Astrology Geomancy Chymistry Phisiognomy and Chyromancy 26. Magick and Astrology vindicated by H. Warren 27. Lux veritatis Judicial Astrology vindicated and Demonology confuted by W. Ramsey Gent. 28. An Introduction to the Teutonick Philosophy being a determination of the Original of the soul by C. Hotham Fellow of Peter House in Cambridge 29. Cornelius Agrippa his fourth Book of Occult Philosophy or Geomancy Magical Elements of Peter de Abona the nature of spirits made English by R. Turner 30. Paracelsus Occult Philosophy of the Mysteries of Nature and his secret Alchimy 31. An Astrological Discourse with Mathematical Demonstrations proving the influence of the Planets and fixed Stars upon Elementary Bodies by Sir Christ Heyden Knight 32. Merlinus Anglicus Junior the English Merlin revived or a Prediction upon the Affairs of Christendom for the year 1644. by W. Lilly 33. Englands Prophetical Merlin foretelling to all Nations of Europe till 1663. the actions depending upon the Influences of the Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter 1642. by W. Lilly 34. The Starry Messenger or an Interpretation of that strange Apparition of three Suns seen in London the 19 of November 1644. being the Birth-day of King Charles by W. Lilly 35. The Worlds Catastrophe or Europes many Mutations until 1666. by W. Lilly 36. An Astrological Prediction of the Occurrences in England part of the Years 1648 1649 1650. by W. Lilly 37. Monarchy or no Monarchy in England the Prophesie of the White King Grebner his Prophesie concerning Charles Son of Charles his Greatness illustrated with several Hieroglyphicks by W. Lilly 38. Annus Tenebrosus or the Dark Year or Astrological Judgements upon two Lunary Eclipses and one admirable Eclipse of the Sun in England 1652. by W. Lilly 39. An easie and familiar way whereby to judge the effects depending on Eclipses by W. Lilly 40. Supernatural Sights and Apparitions seen in London June 30. 1644. by W. Lilly as also all his Works in one Volume 41. Catastrophe Magnatum an Ephemerides for the Year 1652. by N. Culpeper 42. Teratologia or a discovery of Gods Wonders manifested by bloody Rain and Waters by J. S. 43. Chyromancy or the Art of divining by the Lines engraven in the hand of man by dame Nature in 198. Genitures with a learned Discourse of the soul of the World by G. Wharton Esq 44. The admired Piece of Physiognomy and Chyromancy Metoposcopy the Symmetrical Proportions and signal Moles of the Body the Interpretation of Dreams to which is added the Art of Memory illustrated with Figures by R. Sanders folio 45. The no less exquisite then admirable Work Theatrum Chymicum Britannicum containing several Poetical Pieces of our famous English Philosophers who have written the Hermitick Mysteries in their own ancient Language faithfully collected into one Volume with Annotations thereon by the Indefatigable Industry of Elias Ashmole Esq illustrated with Figures Excellent Treatises in the Mathematicks Geometry of Arithmetick Surveying and other Arts or Mechanicks 46. The incomparable Treatise of Tactometria seu Tetagmenometria or the Geometry of Regulars practically proposed after a new and most expeditious manner together with the Naural or Vulgar by way of Mensural comparison and in the Solids not onely in respect of Magnitude or Demension but also of Gravity or Ponderosity according to any Metal assigned together with useful experiments of Measures and Weights observations on gauging useful for those that are practiced in the Art Metricald by T. Wybard 47. Tectonicon shewing the exact measuring of all manner of Land Squares Timber Stones Steeples Pillars Globes as also the making and use of the Carpenters Rule c. fit to be known by all Surveyors Land-meters Joyners Carpenters and Masons by L. Diggs 48. The unparalel'd Work for ease and expedition entituled The Exact Surveyor or the whole Art of Surveying of Land shewing how to plot all manner of Grounds whether small Inclosures Champian Plain Wood-lands or Mountains by the plain Table as also how to finde the Area or Content of any Land to Protect Reduce or Divide the same as also to take the Plot or Chart to make a Map of any Mannor whether according to Rathburne or any other eminent Surveyors Method a Book excellently useful for those that sell purchase or are otherwise employed about Buildings by J. Eyre 49. The Golden Treatise of Arithmetick Natural and Artificial or Decimals the Theory and Practice united in a simpathetical Proportion betwixt Lines and Numbers in their Quantities and Qualities as in respect of Form Figure Magnitude and Affection demonstrated by Geometry illustrated by Calculations and confirmed with variety of Examples in every Species made compendious and easie for Merchants Citizens Seamen Accomptants c. by Th. Wilsford Corrrector of the last Edition of Record 50. Semigraphy or the Art of Short-writing as it hath been proved by many hundreds in the City of London and other places by them practised and acknowledged to be the easiest exactest and swiftest Method the meanest capacity by the help of this Book with a few hours practice may attain to a perfection in this Art by J. Rich Authour and Teacher thereof dwelling in Swithins-Lane in London 51. Milk for Children a plain and easie Method teaching to read and write useful for Schols and Families by J. Thomas D. D. 52. The Painting of the Ancients the History of the beginning progress and consummating of the practice of that noble Art of Painting by F. Junius Excellent and approved Treatises in Physick Chyrurgery and other more familiar Experiments in Cookery Preserving c. 53. Culpeper's Semiatica Vranica his Astrological Judgement of Diseases from the decumbiture of the sick much enlarged the way and manner of finding out the cause change and end of the Disease also whether the sick be likely to
live or dye and the time when Recovery or Death is to be expected according to the judgement of Hypocrates and Hermes Trismegistus to which is added Mr. Culpepers censure of Urines 54. Culpeper's last Legacy left to his Wife for the publick good being the choicest and most profitable of those secrets in Physick and Chyrurgery which whilest he lived were lockt up in his brest and resolved never to be published till after his death 55. The Yorkshire Spaw or the vertue and use of that Water in curing of desperate Diseases with directions and Rules necessary to be considered by all that repair thither 56. Most approved Medicines and Remedies for the diseases in the body of man by A. Read Doctour in Physick 57. The Art of simpling an Introduction to the knowledge of gathering of Plants wherein the definitions divisions places descriptions differences names vertues times of gathering temperatures of them are compendiously discoursed of also a discovery of the lesser World by W. Coles 58. Adam in Eden or Natures Paradise the History of Plants Hearbs and Flowers with their several originall names the places where they grow their descriptions and kindes their times of flourishing and decreasing as also their several signatures anatomical appropriations and particular physical vertues with necessary Observations on the Seasons of planting and gathering of our English Plants A Work admirable useful for Apothecaries Chyrurgeons and other Ingenuous Persons who may in this Herbal finde comprized all the English Physical Simples that Gerard or Parkinson in their two voluminous Herbals have discoursed of even so as to be on emergent occasions their own Physicians the Ingredients being to be had in their own Fields and Gardens Published for the general good by W. Coles M. D. 59. The Compleat Midwives Practice in the high and weighty concernments of the body of Mankinde the second Edition corrected and enlarged with a full supply of such most useful and admirable secrets which Master Nicholas Culpeper in his brief Treatise and other English Writers in the Art of Midwifry have hitherto wilfully passed by kept close to themselves or wholly omitted by T. Chamberlaine M. P. illustrated with Copper Figures 60. The Queens Closet opened incomparable Secrets in Physick Chyrurgery Preserving Candying and Cookery as they were presented to the Queen by the most experienced persons of our times many whereof were honoured with her own practice Elegant Treatises in Humanity History Romances and Poetry 61. Times Treasury or Academy for the accomplishment of the English Gentry in Arguments of Discourse Habit Fashion Behaviour c. all summed up in Characters of Honour by R. Brathwait Esq 62. Oedipus or the Resolver of the Secrets of Love and other natural Problems by way of Question and Answer 63. The admirable and most impartial History of New England of the first Plantation there in the Year 1628. brought down to these times all the material passages performed there exactly related 64. The tears of the Indians the History of the bloody and most cruel proceedings of the Spaniards in the Island of Hispaniola Cuba Jamaica Mexico Peru and other places of the West-Indies in which to the life are discovered the tyrannies of the Spaniards as also the justness of our War so successfully managed against them 65. The Illustrious Shepherdess The Imperious Brother written originally in Spanish by that Incomparable Wit Don John Perez de Montalbans translated at the requests of the Marchioness of Dorchester and the Countess of Stafford by E. P. 66. The History of the golden Ass as also the Loves of Cupid and his Mistress Psiche by L. Apuleius translated into English 67. The Unfortunate Mother a Tragedy by T. N. 68. The Rebellion a Comedy by T. Rawlins 69. The Tragedy of Messalina the insatiate Roman Empress by N. Richards 70. The Floating Island a Trage-Comedy acted before the King by the Students of Christs Church in Oxon by that Renowned Wit W. Strode the songs were set by Mr. Henry Lawes 71. Harvey's Divine Poems the History of Balaam of Jonah and of St. John the Evangelist 72. Fons Lachrymarum or a Fountain of tears the Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah in Verse with an Elegy on Sir Charles Lucas by J Quarles 73. Nocturnal Lucubrations with other witty Epigrams and Epitaphs by R. Chamberlain 74. The Admirable ingenuous Satyr against Hipocrites Poetical with several other accurately ingenuous Treatises lately Printed 75. Wits Interpreter the English Parnassus or a sure Guide to those admirable Accomplishments that compleat the English Gentry in the most acceptable Qualifications of Discourse or Writing An Art of Logick accurate Complements Fancies Devices and Experiments Poems Poetical Fictions and A la mode Letters by J. C. 76. Wit and Drollery with other Jovial Poems by Sir J. M. M. L. M. S. W. D. 77. Sportive Wit the Muses Merriment a new Spring of Drollery Jovial Fancies c. 78. The Conveyancer of Light or the Compleat Clerk and Scriveners Guide being an exact draught of all Presidents and Assurances now in use as they were penned and perfected by diverse Learned Judges Eminent Lawyers and great Coveyancers both Ancient and Modern whereunto is added a Concordance from King Richard the Third to this present 79. Themis Aurea The Laws of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross in which the occult Secrets of their Philosophical Notions are brought to light written by Count Mayerus and now Englisht by T. H. 80. The Iron Rod put into the Lord Protectors hand a Prophetical Treatise 81. Medicina Magica tamen Physica Magical but Natural Physick containing the general Cures of Infirmities and Diseases belonging to the Bodies of Men as also to other animals and domestick Creatures by way of Transplantation with a Description of the most excellent Cordial out of Gold by Sam. Boulton of Salop. 82. J. Tradiscan's Rarities publisht by himself 83. The Proceedings of the High Court of Justice against the late King Charles with his Speech upon the Scaffold and other proceedings Jan. 30. 1648. 84. The perfect Cook a right Method in the Art of Cookery whether for Pastry or all other manner of Al a Mode Kick-shaws with the most refined wayes of dressing flesh fowl or making of the most poinant Sawces whether after the French or English manner with fifty five wayes of dressing of Eggs by M. M. Admirable Vseful Treatises newly Printed 85. The Expert Doctors Dispensatory the whole Art of Physick restored to practice the Apothecaries shop and Chyrurgions Closet opened with a Survey as also a correction of most Dispensatories now extant with a Judicious Censure of their defects and a supply of what they are deficient in together with a learned account of the vertues and quantities and uses of Simples and Compounds with the Symptomes of Diseases as also prescriptions for their several cures by that renowned P. Morellus Physician to the King of France a Work for the order usefulness and plainness of the Method not to be parallel'd by any