Rendevous and in the head of the Army to Declare against it in the mean while he resolved to pot to the High Court of Iustice and stop all their Procéedings against the King Therefore he sought for his Lieutenant General Cromwel and â—â—ding him told him he was much troubled and unsatisfied in his mind about the proceedings of the â—ich Court of Iustice against the â—â—ng and therefore came on purpose to veâ—â—â—e tâ—â—â— to precâ—ed no further until the House â—â—tiand sate again Cromâ—el told his General That he also had the same trouble upon his spirit concerning the saving of the Kings life they were now about his lift he did confess and what to do he knew not onely 〈◊〉 said he saw God answeting their prayers and going before their â—â—â—eâ—ts They had sought God by Fading and those of â—câ—ntâ—â—â— opinion had sought God by Fasting but God seemen to cross their prayers and they seemed meaning the Presbiterians to him to he in the dark and deserted Let us therefore said he as we have seen the Providence of God answering our prayers hitherto when we have sought him so let us before we proâ—â—â—â— any further in such a weighty business goe first to God in prayer and wait â—â—rthâ—â—s God may be seen in his Providence whilest we are at prayer the General was content to use all pious means Hereupon Cromwel stops the General from prohibiting the Court of Iustice to proceed any 〈◊〉 against the King until prayer was done in the mean time Cromwel privately sends Ireton from White-hall to the Painted Châ—â—â—â— to them there drawing up the Sentence to â—â—nish it Seal it and â—â—â—thwith disperse themselves whilest Ireton goes Cromwel keeps the General at prayer and holds him there 〈◊〉 than upon his knows almost two hours till Ireton returned again and thâ—â— Cromwel who prayed all that while drew to a conclusion Cromwel pretending now in all haste to goe to the Court of Iustice to stop procéedings against the King was told by Ireton in the Generals hearing that they had signed the Sentence against the King and were then even then newly broke up and gone to their several homes Cromwel pretended that this was immediate Providence and an eminent and gracious return of prayer and we ought not in any wise said he but to admire and be silent and wait upon the Providence of God and sée what the issue will be for certain it must be glorious when it comes in the Arms of prayer With such and such Saint â—â—â—e â—rorâ—ssions did by cozen the honest General and made him return fruâ—trate of his purpose under pretence of using holy means to attain his own purpose Cromwel by this Religions cheat haring put the business past recalling pretended to those Ladies and Gentlewomen that solicited him about the preservation of 〈◊〉 Kings life That none was sâ— desirous to save the King as he and therefore gave out that the worst they should 〈◊〉 to him was onely to bring him on the Scaffold to â—erâ—â—â—â— him that he might yeeld to those things that werâ— for the good of the Kingdomeâ— Thus the Officers of the Army had leave to tell their Souldiers and â—hen thought no otherwise as they solemaly vowed and swore afterwards But to the Hâ—â—ory in order as it lieth January the 27th being Saturday the Hâ—â—h Court of Iustice as â—â—e called themselves met and now Bradshaw had got on his Redâ—coat and 〈◊〉 he comes attended with 67 of is party that sate with him a â—angst whom were those two Sons of Perdition Cromwel and Ireton The King came from Sir Robert Cotton 's house Gâ—â—rded with Souldiers and the Mace before him when he came into the Court and turned himself about looks down the Hall and every way about him the Souldiers who were now taught a new Lesson cryed out Execution Execution in the Kings Ears to astonish him with the horrid thoughts of sadden death The King perceiving by the Red Gown on Bradshaws back and by the cry of the Souldiers that they intended that day to pass their Sentence of Death on him desired to be heard and the rather because it did conduce excéeding much to the good of the Kingdom for the peace of it and the good of the People in it which he protested he aimeâ— at more then his own particular good Therefore he desired to be heard before they passed Sentence on him before the Lords and Commons in the Painâ—ed Chamber there he had something to say to them which â—apâ—y concerned both and that which would be worth the hearing it not he gave them leave to be the Iudges and lay the blame on him However such a delay he said could not be prejudicial to them and this demand he thought being it so much concerned the well-fare of the Kingdom and the life of a King it might easily be granted him but it they refused to grant him this reasonable request he would protest against them as men that were not reall for the Liberty of the Subject and Peace of the Kingdom The Court withdrew for half an hour and then returned again with this Answer to the King That they had been too long delayed by him already and therefore notwithstanding all the profers of Peace to the Kingdom and Liberty to the Subject they were resolved to proceed to Sentence and Judgement The King professed it was the Kingdoms welfare and peace more eâ—en his own life that he look 〈◊〉 at chasfly and a delay of a day or two â—â—â—thâ—r night give Peace to the Kingdom whereas an hastâ— I idgement way bring that trouble to the Kingdom which the Child anboâ—a â—â—ay repent it And therefore said the King I do again out of their duty 〈◊〉 oâ—â— to God and my Countrey desire that I may be heard by the Lords and Commons in the Painted Chamber to this Bradshaw the President replyed This was but that he had said before and therefore the Court desired to hear what he would say before they did procéed to â—entence this I say said the King that if you will hear me I do not doubt to give satisfaction to you and to my People and therefore 〈◊〉 do â—e qâ—â—re you as you will adâ—â—â—er it at the Dreadful day of Iudgment that you will considâ—r it once again The Lord onely knowes what thâ— King had to say to them but it was doubtâ—â—lâ— something of great importance and that which lay within his Breast which he would fâ—â—â— hâ—â—ve râ—veâ—led before he died but these unreasonable any Bloody-miâ—ded men whose onely design was to drink his innocent Blood would not hear him but after they haâ— exproâ—â—hed him called him the greatest of Tyrants and used many Blasphemens Speeched against him caused a Bold Fellow to stand us and read a Sentence which was to sever the Royal Head of Charles Stewart King of England Scotland France and Ireland from his Body After it was read said Bradshaw standing up this is the Sentence and Iudgement of
The Bloody Court OR The Fatall Tribunall BEING A brief History and true Narrative of the strange Designs wicked Plots and Bloody Conspiracies carryed on by the most sordid'st vile and Usurping Tyrants in these late Years of Oppressions Tyranny Martyrdome and Persecutions DISCOVERING I. The Poysonous Asps King-killing Basilisks weeping Hypocrites and devouring Caterpillars who in their Damnable Treasons have far surpassed the Powder-Conspiracy secretly contriving but openly acting the Murther of our late Gracious King Charles the ruine of all the Royal Issue the everthrow of all our Laws the blowing up of all Parliaments the subverting of the whole State of Government and the setting up of a consused Babel watered with the blood of the KING and His People II. An Exact Description of these hard-hearted Belshazzars infamous Impostors Luciferian Brats wicked Schismaticks cruel Hypocrites desperate Usurpers Damnable Blood-suckers both of King and Nobles who with Iron Hands and Adamantine Hearts would also have pull'd our present Lord and Soveraign out of the Arms and Embraces of His Loyal and Liege Subjects III. The Bloody Tragedy of all Tragedies against King Lords and Commons the several Scenes presenting their most horrid Villanies and the most barbarous and Tyrannical Massacre that was ever heard of since the World began cons … ted amongst the Grandees of the Independent Sword-men against the chief Royalists and Presbyterians both Nobles Gentry and Citizens with the manner how it was prevented and the exposing of these B … ff-Grandees and in s … ing proud Officers to their Needles Hammers Lasts Slings Carts and Flails and all true Subjects to enjoy their Rights Printed for G. Horton And published by a Rural Pen for general satisfaction The Bloody Court OR The Fatal Tribunal THe Crown of England was the ancientest Christian Crown in the World and that which had those two famous Pillars Religion and Law the purest and best in the world to under-prop it which made it so Renowned But our late Vsurping Tyrant and his King-killing Basilisks holding a Confedaracy with the Popish Faction endeavoured a supplanting of the Magistracy and Ministry the Laws of the Land and the Religion of the Church of England had not the Honest Royalist and Sober-minded Presbyter proved a strong Defence and Fortress against that Blood-sucking and Iesuitical Factiâ—n who lay so occultly at the Helm of Government and pretended so cunningly to act all for the Protestant Religion yet under the Vizard of Hypocrisie and Rebellion they pretend a Reformation but through a Sea of innocent Blood as we shall plainly describe in the following Historical discâ—urse with is their setting up a High Court of Inâ—ustice and a pretended Council of State to be two during High-Courts The one for the ordering the great affairs of the Kingdom the other to judge and determine matters Criminal Here old England became visibly in its Government a new Spain And it 's worthy of observation to note That Corneâ— Joyce having with a party of souldiers by Order from Cromwel seized on the Kings person at Newport in the Isle of Wight by breaking open the door in the night when the King was in Bed and taking him thence and bringing him over the water to Hurst Castle Colonel Harrison was by Cromwel sent with a strong party of horse to guard the King from thence to Windsor And immediately the … their bloody Court was erected and the Trial of Our gracious Soveraign proclaimed which terrible Eccho resounded with so much horrour and detestation in the ears of all Loyal hearts that they abhorred the very thoughts of so monstrous and barbarous an Act. And notwithstanding all Remoras being removed wh … right under the proceeding of the Popish F … in the … tting in 〈…〉 that ever was committed upon the face of the Earth since the … ring of our blessed Lord and 〈◊〉 to work they goe having the King in their clutches again he being the onely Protestant King in the World this good King had neither Wife nor Children admitted to come near him nor Friend nor Chaplain nor Servant of his own wherein he could take the least comfort either in discourse or in beholding their countenances He had no body to speak his mind unto no body to sympathize with him or so much as to bestow a sight upon him in his solitary and disconsolate condition but like another David when his Wife and Children were gone and he had no House to put his head in Then did those about him speak it openly That they would put Him to Death and that not in a passion but soberly as if it were a pious meritorious work to kill the onely pious Protestant King in the World The good King through his great sufferings and unheard of afflictions both of body and mind wherewith God was pleased to exercise him became a pattern of patience and will be so to all posterity For under all those reproaches which he heard with his Ears and read with his Eyes against his Crown Dignity Person Name and Posterity notwithstanding the violence offered to him in the midst of the Night in breaking into his Chamber and taking him out of his Bed carrying him partly by Land and partly by Sea to Hurst Castle from thence to Windsor from Windsor to St. James in all which he was not heard so much as to speak evil of his Adversaries or to use a bitter word or demean himself impatiently but as a Lamb leaving to the slaughter so meek was he in those merciless Butchers hand At St. James he was kept until the Scaffold were erected in Westminster-hall where it was reported that not onely the Officers cast foul reproaches of Tyranny and Murder into his face dayly and hourly but oft times the Common-souldiers by blowing of Tobacco which he could not indure by beating of Drums at unseasonable hours close by him did extreamly abuse him besides there most uncivil words to his very face yet was he patient under all being abused and reviled he reviled not again At last Colonel Tomlinson was the Kings Goaler whose high commendations above all other men in the Army was this That he dealt civily with the King On January the 20th 1648. The pretended High Court of Iustice sate a certain man called Bradshaw a Counsellor at Law who being a man of a fluent Tongue and bold and it seems alwayes a bitter man against the â—ing was found out and by promises of great preferment and of â—â—â—matteas was easily perswaded to be the man to act the part of a Iudge or rather of a God and take upon him to Iudge and Condemn the Protestant King This Fellow they made a Searlet Gaâ—on for him that he might look like some body above his Fellows they gave him also a strange name they Dy'd him in Red and dipped him by the name of my Lord President yet he had his name before he had his Red coat for it seems they were in such haâ—â— to dispatch this pions king
who stood in the way to hinder their designes that the business was come to the last day ere the Taylor as I take it had done that garment which made him the Scarlet coloured Beast he was full of Blasphemy before this Blasphemous Beast was made the Iudge and one Cook a Fellow that had formerly â—ed out of the Kingdome whether his knavery or Poverty or both drove him I cannot tell but one or both I am sure This Fellow as I am informed by a Gentleman of worth was forced beyond Sea to beg for his Food being an English-man and having Latine enough to beg his living by he resorted to the Colledges of English Jesuites where like Perfius's Parot his Belly taught his Tongue his Fluencie I mention this onely what intrest the Jesuites had in this fellow by pre ingagements This Fellow when he asked for Bread they gave him Scorpious doubtless which made the Popish Faction chuse him above all others to be a Solicitor General to mannage a Charge of Treasâ—â— against a Protestant King in his own Dominions Be consident a true Protestant dares not be so base a Traytor nor any but an Apostate English-man be so base a scandal to his Nation but they were hall fellow well met at this Court here might a man have beheld the iuice of that Toad Mariana swelling up each Villain in the Court to spet Venom in the sootiess Face of his Royal Majesty My intention in this short Discourse is not to eatch Womens Affections but to inform mans Iudgements otherwise it were very easie I think to make the seniest heart to spring a floud of Tears or split in shivers to read this Tragedy Turns Natures order upside down transform how you can to make a prodigy it cannot he so horrid or so dismal a spectacle as here I could not present the Reader Could you see a company of ugly filthy Goal-birds with their Ferâ—ors on rise up lay hands upon the innocent Iudge and clap their Fetters on his Leggs place him at their Barr call him the Maleâ—â—or and pass the Sentence of Death upon him Could you sée this Iudge wich patience submit to the ugly and unjust Sentence of thefs Bloody Rogues and meekly suffer himself to be led to the place of Execution and there have his innocent Head sâ—bered from his Shoulders Yet there is ten times a more horrid sight to be seen in this then that can be But I must pass it over least when I get into it I know not how to get out onely take these sew touches which is well worthy of observation There was never so much Majesty and meekness seen together in any man that was but a meer man â—â—ueâ— the Worâ—d was made that we can râ—â—d or hoâ—r of as was in this Kiâ—â— this cause much the more by how much be iâ—â—uâ—ed his Enemies reproaches which were moâ—â— bitter and cruel He had so much Majesty at his first appearing at the Court before them that he made his Iudgeâ— tremble at his apoâ—arâ—â—â—â— and so much méekness in his replyes to their reproaches that it then thawed the frozen Bawels of those rigid Clowns his Iudges to a kind of inward reâ—â—nctancy ask some of their Consciences whether this is not true they do confess it It should séem some of them had been enquiring of Lilly the Sorcerer whither they should take away his life to whom he repâ—â—ed That if the Head of his Staff fell off His Head would faâ—l off also And the â—â—ry first day the King was brought before them they hâ—d Bemiâ—ched the Head of his staff to fall off which made them that were his Iudges confident of success in their Treason They drew a formal Charge against the King wherein they charged him as a Tyrant a Traytor a Murderer and a Publick Enemy to the Commonwealth After the Charge was read Bradshaw desired him that he would answer to his Charge The King with an amiable grave countenance beholding his Enemies and joyning with it such méek language so full of déep and solid Reason made his Enemies admire and applaud him and his friends to wéep bitterly for him The King would not because in Conscience he could not acknowledge their Authority if he had he had betrayed the Liberties of his People For if the King should have granted which was the onely thing they desired the legality of their Court what Subject durst have denied it Therefore the King said and that truly he stood for his Peoples Liberties and the Peace of his Countrey not allowing to have his Subjects cut off illegally It was admirable to sée this Heroick Prince bear up indauntedly under all thoso discouragements with which he was oppressed He had at his Right hand Cook calling for Iustice against the Traytor the Murderer the Tyrant and the Pubâ—ick Euemy of the Kingdom on the Right hand and on the left at least â—â—â—enty Halbertéers directly before him Bradshaw sâ—â—â—â—ily and pâ—rt â—â—â—ptuosly interrogating reviâ—ling and slaâ—â—eâ—ing of 〈◊〉 behind 〈◊〉 in Westminster-hall there were thousands of Souldiers who when the King turned his face and looked down on them they cryed out aloud being taught before hand what to say Justice Justice Justice The King has brought Four rimes to his publick Tryal before these Bloody-minded-men and still benied their Authority and proved it as well he might to be no legal Authority whereupon the two next dayes they sate not publickly but privately in the Painted Chamber where they were drawing up the Sentence to Murder the most spotless and innocent King I should have mentioned in due place that when the Commons had Voted the High Court of Iustice to sit they adjourned themselves until their time of sitting was out and also how Cromwel a little before they took this Traytorous Enterprize in hand called for a Fast to seek God in a business of so great concernment This Fast the House kept and the Souldiers at White-hall At the same time did the Presbyterian Ministers Fast and Pray to prevent the mischeifs that Cromwel was acting against the Church and State the Magistracy and the Ministry of England After Cromwel had done Fasting they presently procée ded to the Tryal of the King He and Ireton who had promised the King to establish him and they were the veriest Knaves and. Villains that ever-lived They said if they did not perform every tittle that they promised him these two errand Knaven and Villains from their own mouths I judge them so were there in my sight at the Court of Iustice to take away his life The Citizens of London and the Presbiterian Ministers for mond â—lse â—irred to save the Kings life hearing that they were sitting in the Painted Chamber to draw up the Sentence of Death against the King went boldly to General Fairfax and acquainted him with the sin and the dangerous consequence of such a horrid Murder The General was fully convinced of it and thereupon resolved to call a General
was come but to raise him up to goe to his Grave this sound was to him the less terrible by how much the less it was unerepected for he was quickly ready This was on Tuesday the 30th of January 1648. About Ten of the Câ—ock with a party of 500 Sâ—uâ—diers before the King add a party of 500 behind him and about 30 Partizans on each side him he was Guarded through St. James Park to White-hall Dr Juxon being allowed to goe alonge with him as his Chapâ—â—in The King had prepared himself for the Sacrament resolving to eat a sâ—â—â—â—tual Brookfall before he took his long jeuruey to the spiricual Jerusalem Dr. Juxon at the Sacrament following the Protestant Liturcy of England tâ—â—o the Lessons appointed for that day the second Lessen bâ—ing Matth. 27. Providence so ordeving it that Christ would not onely give himself slain to this Royal Martyr of his in the Sacrament for his support in his sufferings but lay before his eyes the pattern of his â—wer safferings for him to follow The King asked whether that were the Lesson appointed for the day the Bisheâ—â— told him it was where the King exceedingly refoâ—ced as seeing the glorious hand of his Saviour speaking as it were from Heaven to him and resolving that doubt which he had in him whether he had bess refuse to submit to the punishment as he did not submit to the guilt he there prieciâ—ing how his innocent Saviour submitted to the punishment who had no guile faund in him reseâ—ved being a sinner to submit willingly to the Hand of God and to lay down his life without sturgâ—ing as his blessed Lord and Saviour had left him a patterâ— With much devotion â—oy and spiritual liâ—eliness he was observed to receive the Sacrament after which there was a sudden messags same unto him as it on purpose to disturb him that he man spéedily parpace himself for the Glass was turned and he had but that hour near to live which message was as an Arrow that through the heart of the Bishop and the rish that loved the King whereupon the King said to the Bishop My Lord do not you pity me well after one hour is expired I shall pity you and all the People in my Kingdom As he came through the Banqueting house there they had placêd his Câ—ffin in his Eye purposely to deject him and strike him with terrour when he came on the Scaffold and saw the Block the Pullies and Devises which were made to bring him as an Ore to the slaughter and to force him to the Block in case he resused to loy nown his Royal Neck there on He lifted â—p his Eyes towores Heaven and said I am a Sinner and willing to submit my self to the punishing Hand of GOD but not to the Unjust Sentence of Men. He made a Spâ—ech upâ—â—th â—â—â—â—â—old out of which I shall onely recite this â—assage because I will not be tedious The Peoples I therty He proves consists in Government for the maintainance of their Government he saith he was condemned Sirs saith he it was for this that now I am come here If I would have given way to an Aroitrary way for to have all Lawes changed according to the power of the Sword I needed not to have come hither and therefore I tell you and pray God it be not laid to your charge That I am the Martyr of the People After his Speech he called for his Night caâ— and putting it on prepared himself to suffâ—r that punishment his Enemies had Iudged him unto The Sun shined that morning very clear without intermission until the King came to the Fâ—tai Block and lay down and then at that instant a Dark thick Cloud covered the face of the Sâ—n which for a time so constimeed insomâ—ch that a Gentle woman â—anding brâ—â—e to behold this Dreadful Traâ—edy crâ—ed out Look look Sir the Sun is ashamed and hideth his Face as loathing to see this Florrid Murder immediately upon her words the â—atal Blow was given such a one against Christian Religion as all the Dâ—vtis in Hell could not strike at once so dreadfall a peruicious blow agâ—in This Bloddy stroke being struck upon the Royal Neck of the onely Protestant King in the World it séemed rather to fall upon the People thâ—n the King for so soon as it fell upon his Neck the People cryed oâ—t with so grievous and doleful a cry as I nâ—vec heard before it raised a flood of teares which sprâ—ng out of the Eyes of all that had Ears to hear and Hearts to understand the Treason from the Noble to the Beggar I observed that day was a wéeping day I searce saw a Shop of the thousands I beheld that day wherein I saw not wéeping Eyes with Hands wringing each other to express the anguish of their Hearts The Presbyterian Congregations in the City of London for the most part assembled together all or the most part of the night before the King was to suffer to pray for him if it were the will of God to pray him out of trouble however to prepare him for his sufferings and to carry him through them with the comforts of the Holy Ghost Never did King goe to Heaven in a greater Cloud of Prayers and Tears then this King and never was their greater mourning for the loss of any King then this I think there was scarce a Protestant in the World to whom the true Relation came but shed tears for him I have talked with Travellers who can tell more then this how much the King was mourned for especially when they saw his Book which is Translated into all Languages almost and sent into every Countrey At this time there was a consultation held amongst the Grandees of the Sword-men concerning a Massacre 〈◊〉 the cheif Royalists and Presbyterians both Noble Gentrey and Citizens of the chief of whom they had a List as also some in Prison This was as I was by several hands informed carried in the Affirmative until one more politick then the rest rose up and told them It was the ready way to have their own Throats cut since now they had the Army at London and the Army divided into Levellers and others which Levellers were falling off more and more and therefore this Blade like Achitophel gave Councel wisely faying That they had time enough to deal with them hereafter without the running of so desperate a hazard This was the stopping of that Bloody Massacre and there was good ground for it for Lilburn Osburn Overton Prince and Walwin perceiving themselves cheated of their design and that Cromwel called them in onely to keep them quiet not to yield to any of their demands and perceiving that Cromwels designs were to bring old England into the Spannish Mode that is to set up a Council of State to manage the Affairs of State and an Inquisition or High Court of Iustice to Iudge in matters Criminal 〈…〉 into what a Tyrannical road he was got like open-hearted men did declare to the World That the way was Tyrannical and against the Liberty of the People and did protest against Cromwel as a deceitful Seducer and a subtil Hypocritical Traytor These Libellers as they basly called them did lie as a cross Bar in the Popish Factions way which hinored from wedding the Blood of the Protestants as they intended However they shewed their intentions for within a Moneth we had News from several parts of same Ministers that were shot for praying … r the King and Preaching for the Covenant Or Calton a Pious Graâ—e anâ—â—â—aruâ—ed Minister of London was within a Main so after the King was out off appreben 〈◊〉 a Lâ—â—aytor and â—â—â—yt into Prison for praimor thâ—t God would â—â—rifore the late Kings Son to his Iâ—â—st Right after they had out off the Parter 〈◊〉 King they proâ—â—â—ded to â—â—t off the â—â—â—at Protestant Paâ—â—s it of Europe a of peclaily those that had opâ—osen it any 〈◊〉 heretofore the Popâ—â—â—tion They had three insure Mâ—â—â—es of the Land â—â—â—old Duâ—â— Haâ—milton the Earl of Holland into the Lord Capel these three who were sincere Protestants and protectâ—es of the Driâ—odot Government and Lawes of the Kingdom these had their Heads chopped est in one was upon one Block Hamilton in Holland they owen a grutâ—â— too 〈◊〉 over since they broke the Poorâ— desion in making up the breach 〈…〉 the two Nationa in 1639 no being shite â—â—nents of procuri◠〈…〉 Maâ—ent to the over thrâ— King of the Poâ—sh Fâ—â—ction 〈…〉 About this time those of the Lower House 〈…〉 Telves the Supreain Authority of the Nation 〈…〉 as a Frée State sent to the 〈…〉 of London 〈…〉 about a Râ—conciliation and Aâ—â—â—e 〈◊〉 betwixt them 〈…〉 Thâ—â— they would not take away the Church Reâ—en aâ—â— but father â—â—grease them The Mâ—â—ster of the 〈◊〉 made this 〈◊〉 That before they knew in what and how far they would require them to comply with them they would give no posiâ—â— answer At this thur Oâ—â—erton Prince Wâ—â—lvin no Lilburn who were of the Levelling party were caâ—â— one a our of Cromwels aâ—â—â—ctions since I had no lise of them before he called them waints and now he callâ—â— them Divels and Giddy headed Felloweâ— what â—uâ—â—r they opeâ—â—ly Declared against the present Poâ—â—eâ— as â—lleiâ—â—â— Tyranâ—â—ical and coutrary to the Liberty of the People of England for which they were I â—â—prisoned in the Tower which much â—â—laged â—he 〈◊〉 party whereby Provideuce so ordeced it that they laid over to the World in Hele Printed beeks the secret under hand Plotting of Cromwel and â—â—eron with the Popish Faction waiâ—â— Popish Pâ—irty to promeâ—â— themseives to the Crown FINIS
the whole Court at which the Court stood up Cromwel and Ireton rising up the two formost and readiest in the Court though they knew themselves the very hinderers of the setiing the peace of the Kingdom and the chief causers of the Kings ruine in disswading him from Treating with the Commissioners of shoth Kingdoms The King after Sentence stood up vo speak but Bradshaw told him that after the Sentence he might not speak neither wâ—u'd he hear him but gave command to the Goâ—rd to withdraw the Passoner The King said that he might speak after Sentence and then he would have spoke but the â—aâ—rd opened the Bâ—r where they put the King and Bradshaw rese to depart so that they sleighted the Kings words Whereupon the King turning himself to come forth said If I your King anâ—â—ot suffered to speak for my self what Justice can my People expect to have These were the last words the King spoke in Westminster-hall as the King passed from the C urt through the Souldiers the Souldiers with a loud shout tryed Execution Execution and with such fierceness that I which steed neat the King trenâ—bled with fear least they would have Murdered him in the Hâ—ll but it séems it was but to fright him and distemper his well-composed Spirit This was the hurry of all about him immediately after the Sentence Is the King condemned What Is he now going to his Execution Is it to night or the morrow morning Thus they tryed in his Ears on purpose to am … him some they say reviled and mocked him and others with indignation spit upon him yet was he not disturbed in his Soul so much as to tread one foot awry or to show the least discontent in his Majestick and Royal countenance He was carried from Sir Robert Cottons to St. James where he had the liberty of his Chaplain allowed him who spent that last Sabbath of his on Earth with much comfort and joy together all that Holy day he spent in Holy Meditations as Hearing Reading and Praying and trimming up his Celestial Spouse his Soul for her Celestial Bridegroom which he every hour looked for The Lords Day being done he spent the most part of the long night in Devout Prayer never putting of his cloaths a worthy Lady told me that a Souldier which Giarded him by stealth heard the King alone at Prayer who prayed so sweetly so fervently and so charitably that he thought if ever any King had communion with God on Earth it was he he did confess his sin and his Families and Peoples in with much debasedness of Spirit and prayed heartily for Remission and for those his Persecutors pardon and for establishing of the true Protestant Religion After this manner spent he the night The next morning being very desirous to see his Children that were in England with much ado they were permitted to go to visit their imprisoned and condemned Father At this time they 〈…〉 through the Kingdom in a Pamphlet that the Presbyterian Ministers such as Mr. Calamy Mr. Case Mr. Love Mr. Jenkins c. that they were content to have the King Tryed Condemed and Deposed but not Beheaded 〈◊〉 I suppose that same malicious knaves or ignorant fools brought 〈◊〉 his for 〈◊〉 saying That the Presbyterians brought his Neck to the Block and the Independents cut it off but the 〈…〉 did that 〈…〉 themselves and 〈◊〉 Hugh Peters's Sermon of binding Kings in chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron and 〈…〉 the Imiprisoning Trying 〈◊〉 and going about to Behead the King The Lady Elizabeth and the Duke of Gâ—ocester being come to weep in their condemned Royal Fathers Bâ—some the King with pleasant countenance and voice blessed them and 〈…〉 speaking thus to the Lady Elizabeth SWeet heart I am glad you are come for though I have not time to say mâ—eâ— to you yet I have that to say to you which I have not to say or leave in writing with another for you for suâ—â— is their cruelty toward me that they will not permit me to write to you nor any of my children The King sâ—â—ing the sorrowful young Lâ—dy weep most â—itâ—erâ—y â—nd torment her sâ—lf witâ— grief he out of pity to her saâ—â— I pray thee do nâ—t grieve nor torment thy self for me for though I shall be put to Death to morrow yet the Death that I shall dye will be a Glorio is Death for I dye for the Lawes of my Kingdome and the Libertie of my People and the maintainance of the true Protestant Religion in which I would have you well grounded and therefore admonish you to read Bishop Andrews Sermons Hookers Ecclesiasticall Policie and Bishop Lands book against Fisher which will ground you against Popery I have this day forgiven all mine Enemies and I hope God will forgive them and I do command you and all the rest of your Brothers and Sisters to forgive them and tell my dear Wife your Mother that my thoughts have never straied from her but she hath alwayes been next my heart and my love shall be the same to her to my last minute I charge you and your Brother to be obedient to her and be sure to love your Brothers and Sisters to whom I would have you send my Blessing with commendation to all my Friends And my dear Daughter God Almighty preserve thee from all my Enemies whom I charge you to forgive but never to trust them for they have been most false to me and false to the Parliament that intrusted them and I â—ear to their own Souls and now thou art parting with thy Father my dear Daughter do not goe away grieving from me for though I dye I shall dye a Martyr and I doubt not but the Lord will settle my Son in my Throne for which I am this day thrown and and you my children will be more happy then you could expected to have been if I had lived All this and much more he said to the Lady Elizabeth instructing the young Duke his Son to learn betimes to serve and fear the Lord and he would provide for him It would have drawn water out of a Rocke-heart to have seen the sad parting of this Solitary Condemned Imprisoned King and his dear Children The poor Lady went away wéeping not onely Tears but Blood and Blood in great abundance so that the Physitians concluded that she would bléed to Death The King sadly parting with his beloved Children for they parted never to fée each other more he forth with betook himself to private oâ—â—â—es knowing the time of his departing out of this World drew on apace not having many hours more to live this night also he spent its trimming up his Lamp for to meet his Bridegroom who was near at hand not putting off his cloaths all night he altogether neglected his body for the good of his precious soul The next morning as if the day of Iudgement had béen coâ—ue they awaked him with a Trumpet not to tell him the Resurrection