under 9. The chief Officers of Seate as Chancellors Keepers of the Great Seal c. to be approved of by Parliament 10. That his Highnesse would encourage a Godly Ministry in these Nations and that such as do revile or disturb them in the Worship of God may be punished according to Law and where the Laws are defective new ones to be made in that behalf 11. That the Protestant Christian Religion and no other and that a confession of Faith be agreed upon and recommended to the people of these Nations and none be permitted by words or writings to revile or repreach the said Confession of Faith c. Which he having Signed declared his acceptance in there words That he came thither that day not as to a Triumph but with the most serious thoughts that ever he had in all his life being to undertake one of the greatest burthens that ever was laid upon the back of any humane creature so that without the support of the Almighty he must sink under the weight of it to the damage and prejudice of these Nations This being so he must ask help of the Parliament and of those that fear God that by their Prayers he might receive assistance from God for nothing else could enable him to the discharge of so great a duty and trust That seeing this is but an Introduction to the carrying on of the Government of these Nations and there being many things which cannot be supplied without the assistance of the Parliament it was his duty to ask their help in them not that he doubted for the same Spirit that had led the Parliament to this would easily suggest the same to them For his part nothing would have induced him to take this unsupportable burthen to flesh and blood but that he had seen in the Parliament a great care in doing those things which might really answer the ends that were engaged for and make clearly for the Liberty of the Nations and for the Interest and preservation of all such as fear God under various forms And if these Nations be not thankful to them for their care therein it will fall as a sin on their heads Yet there are some things wanting that tend to reformation to the discountenancing vice and encouragement of virtue but he spake not this as in the least doubting their progress but as one that doth heartily desire to the end God may Crown their work that in their own time and with what speed they judge fit these things may be provided for There remained only the Solemnity of the Inauguration or Investiture which being agreed upon by the Committee and the Protector was by the Parliament appointed to be performed in Westminster-hall where at the upper end thereof there was an Ascent raised where a Chair and Canopy of State was set and a Table with another Chair for the Speaker with Seats built Scaffold-wise for the Parliament on both sides and places below for the Aldermen of London and the like All which being in a readiness the Protector came out of a Room adjoyning to the Lords House and in this order proceeded into the Hall First went his Gentlemen then a Herald next the Aldermen another Herald the Attorney General then the Judges of whom Serjeant Hill was one being made a Baron of the Exchequer June 16. then Norroy the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury and the Seal carried by Commissioner Fiennes then Garter and after him the Earl of Warwick with the Sword born before the Protector Bare headed the Lord Mayor Tichborn carrying the City Sword being the special of Coaks of the Protector by his left hand Being seated in his Chair on the left Hand whereof stood the said Titchborn and the Dutch Ambassador the French Ambassador and the Earl of Warwick on the Right next behind him stood his Sons Richard Fleetwood Cleypoole and the Privy Council upon a lower descent stood the Lord Viscount Lisle Lords Montague and Whitlock with drawn Swords Then the Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington in the name of the Parliament presented to him a Robe of Purple-Velvet a Bible a Sword and a Scepter at the Delivery of these things the Speaker made a short Comment upon them to the Protector which he divided into four parts as followeth 1. The Robe of Purple This is an Emblem of Magistracy and imports Righteousness and Justice When you have put on this Vestment I may say you are a Gown-man This Robe is of a mixt colour to shew the mixture of Justice and Mercy Indeed a Magistrate must have two hands Plectentem amplectentem to cherish and to punish 2. The Bible it is a Book that contains the Holy Scriptures in which you have the happinesse to be well vers'd This Book of Life consists of two Testaments the Old and New the first shews Christum Velatum the second Christum Revelatum Christ vailed and revealed it is a Pook of Books and doth contain both Precepts and Examples for good Government 3. Here is a Scepter not unlike a Staff for you are to be a Staff to the weak and poor it is of ancient use in this kind It 's said in Scripture that The Scepter shall not depart from Judah It was of the like use in other Kingdoms Homer the Greek Poet calls Kings and Princes Scepter-Bearers 4. The last thing is a Sword not a Military but Civil Sword it is a Sword rather of defence then offence not to defend your self only but your people also If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword as the valiant Lord Talbot had upon his it should be this Ego sum domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum I am the Protectors to protect my people This Speech being ended the Speaker took the Bible and gave the Protector his Oath afterwards Mr. Manton made a prayer wherein he recommended the Protector Parliament Council the Forces by Land and Sea Government and people of the three Nations to the protection of God Which being ended the Heralds by Trumpets proclaimed his Highness Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging requiring all persons to yeild him due obedience At the end of all the Protector with his Train carried by the Lord Sherrard Warwick's Nephew ahd the Lord Robert's his eldest Son returned in the same posture the Earl of Warwick sitting at one end of the Coach against him Richard his Son and Whitlock in one and the Lords Lisle and Mountague in the other Boot with Swords drawn and the Lord Claypool Master of the Horse led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons to White-hall The Members to the Parliament House where they prorogued their sitting to the Twentieth of January He vvas novv setled and established in his first assumed Dignity to the satisfaction of some part of the Army only Lambert vvas gravelled with that clause in it which gave the Protector power to name his Successor Whereby he savv himself deprived and frustrated
grief to the good and well affected of the Land to observe the little progresse which was made therein who thereupon applied to the Army expecting redress by their means notwithstanding which the Army being unwilling to meddle with the Civil Authority in matters so properly appertaining to it it was agreed that his Excellency and Officers of the Army which were Members of Parliament should be desired to move the Parliament to proceed vigorously in performing what was amiss in Government and to the setling of the Commonwealth upon a foundation of justice and righteousnesse which having done we hoped that the Parliament would seasonably have answered our expectations But finding to our grief delays therein we renewed our desires in an humble Petition to them which was presented in August last and although they at that time signifying their good acceptance thereof returned us thanks and referred the particulars thereof to a Committee of the House yet no considerable effect was produced nor any such progress made might imply their real intentions to accomplish what was Petitioned for but on the contrary there more and more appeared amongst them an aversion to the things themselves with much bitterness and opposition to the people of God and his Spirit acting in them which grew so prevalent that those persons of Honour and Integrity amongst them who had eminently appeared for God and the publique good both before and throughout this War were rendred of no further use in Parliament then by meeting with a corrupt party to give them countenance to carry on their ends and for effecting the desire they had of perpetuating themselves in the supreme Government For which purpose the said party long opposed and frequently declared themselves against having a new Representative and when they saw themselves necessitated to take that Bill into consideration they resolved to make use of it to recruit the House with persons of the same spirit and temper thereby to perpetuate their own sitting which intention divers of the activest amongst them did manifest labouring to perswade others to a consent therein And the better to effect this divers Petitions preparing from several Counties for the continuance of this Parliament were encouraged if not set on foot by many of them For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained several meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what sitting means and remedy might be applied to prevent the same least that this Cause which the Lord hath so greatly blessed and bore witness to should languish under their hands and by degrees be wholly lost and the Lives Liberties and comforts of his People delivered into their Enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest People of this Nation as well as by the Army and wisdome and direction being sought from the Lord it seemed to be a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God going along with us to consider of some more effectual means to secure the Cause which the good People of this Commonwealth had been so long engaged in and to establish Righteousnesse and Peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary and agreed upon that the Supream Authority should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons men fearing God and of approved Integrity and the government of the Commonwealth committed unto them for a time as the most hopeful way to encourage and countenance all Gods People reform the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and understanding their true interest in the Election of successive Parliaments may have the Government setled upon a true 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 possible to avoid extraordinary courses we prevailed with about twenty Members of Parliament to give us a Conference with whom we freely and plainly debated the necessity and justness of our Proposals on that behalf and did evidence that those and not the Act under their consideration would most probably bring forth something answerable to that Work the foundation whereof God himself hath laid and is now carrying on in the World The which notwithstanding found no acceptance but in stead thereof it was offered that the way was to continue still this present Parliament as being that from which we might reasonably expect all good things And this being vehemently insisted upon 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 They being plainly dealt with about this and told That neither the Nation the honest Interest nor we our selves would be deluded by such dealings They did agree to meet again the next day in the Afternoon for mutual satisfaction it being consented to by the Members present that Endevours should be used that nothing in the mean time should be done in Parliament that might exclude or frustrate the Proposals before-mentioned Notwithstanding this the next morning the Parliament did make more hast then usual in carrying on their said Act being helped on therein by some of the persons engaged to us the night before none of them which were then present endevouring to oppose the same and being ready to put the main Question for consummating the said Act whereby our aforesaid Proposals would have been rendred void and the way of bringing them into a fair and full Debate of Parliament obstructed For preventing whereof and all the sad and evil consequences which must upon the grounds aforesaid 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 imbroyled in new Troubles at a Time when our Enemies abroad are watching all advantages against us and some of them actually ingaged in War with us we have been necessitated though with much reluctancy to put an end to this Parliament which yet we have done we hope out of an honest heart preferring this Cause above our names lives families or interests how dear soever with clear intentions and real purposes of heart to call to the Government persons of approved fidelity and honesty believing That as none wise will expect to gather Grapes of Thorns so good men will hope that if persons so qualified be chosen the fruits of a just and righteous Reformation so long prayed and wished for will by the blessing of God be in due time obtained to the refreshing of all those good hearts who have been panting after these things Much more might have been said if it had been our desire to justifie our selves by aspersing others and raking into the Mis-government of Affairs but we shall conclude with this That as we have been led by necessity and Providence to act as we have done even beyond and
it was thought impossible for them to have equipped another Fleet able to look out Navies in the Face Withall there were so many Discontents and Divisions in that popular State that they were ready to ruine themselves without any of our help yet did this puny and unfledged Prince come to a Treaty and agreement with them upon most mean and inconsiderable Terms when it had been no question but another rub at Sea or beleaguering their Ports would have brought them down to the Humble Complement of Our faithful Tributaries which of how great advantage it might have been to the Trade and consequently the greatnesse of this Kingdome I take not upon me to determine His next Affair was a Conclusion of a League with the Queen of Sweeden which he transacted by the Embassy of the Lord Commissioner Whitlock who being commissioned at his Departure by the foolish Parliament was invested with new Credentialls from Cromwell whom accordingly he owned as his most serene Highness his Master But that which he most aspected was the two neighbouring potent Monarchies of France and Spain with one whereof he must of necessity quarrell and so spend the ill blood and convey away those humors which were so redundant in the old Soldiery both of the Kings and Essexes Army and if not employed in some forraign war would create him trouble at home this the French Cardinal newly restored to the administration of that Monarchy timely foresee and therefore a Treaty was privately and industriously carried on here by Mounsieur Bourdeaux Neufville to an amicable Association and League against the Spaniard Cromwell's Covetousnesse and thirst of Gold prevailing against his Interest and Ambition and thirst of Malice and Mischief against the Royal Family which was now shaded under the French Flower de Lyzes whereby all petsons expected an Invasion from hence of that Kingdome that if it were possible for his Treason he might drive it out of the World But Mazarine's Golden expedient temporary Medium of shifting the King and his Relations out of that Kingdome by vertue of the said League wholly swayed and inclined him to a War against Spain which not long after was commenced The greater invitation thereto being Three ships pretended Hamburgers but laden with the King of Spains Peices of Eight whether for his Account or no uncertain that had been newly stayed and seized by the Court of Admiralty at the prosecution of one Violet a Goldsmith and notwithstanding the Spanish Ambassador Don Alonso de Cardenas protested and strugled against it were carried to the Tower and there minted to the Sum of 400000. Sterl This and other moneys in the Exchequer gave the greater courage to his Ambition and his raw and unsetled Usurpation He had also now accepted satisfaction from the King of Portugal and was entred into League and Friendship with Him How many are the troubles cares and miseries of Tyrant greatnesse No sooner is one design one passion gratified and accomplished but another disquiet and danger invades or perplexes Him No sooner had he sacrificed to his Covetousnesse but now he must offer Victims to his cruelty the next Assurance of his hated Throne There is in the Labyrinth of Vice as in the orderly Frame of Arts and Sciences a Circle a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Spherical Motion from one evil to another till the last terminates at the beginning their qualities and quantities being only altered augmented or diminished by Time or other circumstances From the deep Design of forraign Mines He next converted his thoughts upon a Home-spun Plot. A horrible Practice of Machivilian Policy and Art of Empire with which even just Scepters have been polluted and stained by some unhumane Ministers of State upon pretences of preventing danger who stand chargeable even with the Loyal blood this Leach suckt through their Conduits to entrap and engage innocent persons upon Suspicion of others of the same party who are obnoxious to the Government in Machinations and Conspiracies of their own forming and contrivance and by their Emissaries betray and then condemn them This was the first bloody remarque of Cromwell's Princing managed by his Secretary Thurloe who drew in Col. John Gerrard and Mr. Vowell two eminent Royalists into his snare of conspiring the Death of the Protector with others who confessed the intention for which they were both condemned by a High Court of Justice Cromwell not daring to trust the Laws or a Jury the Birthright of Englishmen no more then did the Juncto of Regicides and the first beheaded at Tower-Hill and the other hanged at haring-Crosse the Collonel declaring That he was so far from having hand or heart in it or any encouragement from the King as was falsly suggested that he feared he should not dye right in his favour as being but suspected of that though so just assassinate it being below His Majesties Honour and Religion Mr. Vowell referred his Cause and his unjust Judges and the Tyrant to Heavens Tribunal This was the Rozin there wanted now the Consent of the People in Parliament to sidle his Instrument He resolved therefore to call one forthwith for the Nation began to murmure at him and some openly to refuâ—e obedience and to forget the pleasing acquiescence in the change he had made since they saw he made it only for himself The Nine days wonder was over and they had recovered themselves to a fresh sense of their Slavery which might afterwards stupifie and benum them before the several opposite parties of Royalists and Common-wealth-men could understand one another and bandy both against Him Having now plotted and secured the Elections of as many Sectaries and of his Party to the ensuing Parliament as his young Interest could procure him in the Month of July to recreate himself and his Familiar Thurloe with some robust and jogging Exercise to void the Gravel with which he was much troubled He would needs shew his skil in driving a Coach with six great German Horses sent him as a present by the Count of Oldenburgh in Hide-Park but those generous Horses no sooner heard the Lash of the Whip but away they ran with Thurloe sitting trembling in it for fear of his own Neck over Hill and Dale and at last threw down their unexpert Governour from the Box into the Traâ—es and there bad likely to have trod and drawn him to peices but Vengeance was yet again pleased to respite him and put him over to a like judicial Execution after his immature Death in 1660. Of this ominous chance many ingenlous Songs were made and one called the Jolt by Sir John Berkenhead which being in Print in a History and in the Rump Songs though the Author mistaken is purposely forborn The Elections were made one and the same day throughout England most of the Boroughs had but one Burgeâ—s and the Shires some of them 6. or 7. Knights all of them under sure qualifications of not having been or being of the Cavalier party there were
the Sight which appeared in this order The first room where the Spectators entered was wholly hung with Black at the upper-end whereof was placed a Cloath and Chair of State In like manner was the second and third all having Scutcheons very thick upon the Walls and Guards of Partizans placed in each room for people to pass through The fourth room was compleatly hung with black Velvet the Ceiling being of the same here lay the Effigies with a large Canopy of Black Velvet fringed which hung over it The Waxen Picture lying upon it's back apparrell'd in a rich Suit of Velvet robed in a little Robe of Purple-Velvet laced with a rich gold Lace furr'd with Ermins upon the Kirtle was a large Robe of Purple-Velvet laced and furr'd as the former with rich strings and tassels of Gold The Kirtle was girt with a rich embroydered Belt wherein was a Sword bravely guilt and hatched with gold which hung by the fide of this fine thing In the right hand was a Scepter in the left a Globe upon his head was placed a Purple-Velvet-Cap furr'd with Ermines sutable to the Robes behind the head was placed a rich Chair of Tissued gold whereon was placed an Imperial Crown which lay high that the people might behold it The Bed of State whereon he lay was covered with a large Pall of Black Velvet under which was a Holland Sheet born up by six stools covered with Cloth of Gold About the Bed was placed a compleat Suit of Arms and at the Feet of the Effigies stood his Crest This Bed had fix'd about it an Ascent of two steps a little from thence stood eight silver Candlesticks abut five foot high with white wax Tapers standing in them of three foot long All these things were environed with Rails and Ballasters four-square covered with Velvet at each corner thereof was erected an upright pillat which bore on their tops Lions and Dragons who held in their paws Streamers crowned On both sides of the Bed were set up in Sockets four great Standards of the Protectors Arms with Banners and Banrols of War painted upon Taffaty About the Bed stood men in mourning bare-headed and without the Rails others to receive people in and turn them out again When this Shew had been seen for many weeks together the Scene was then altered the Effigies being removed into another room it was there set up standing upon an Ascent under a Cloath of State being vested as it was before lying only now his purple-Velvet-Cap was changed for a Crown In the same manner as formerly were men waiting upon him bare-headed In this manner he continued until the 23. of Novemb. which day was appointed to to carry him in solemnity to Westminster-Abby This great Funeral was performed with very great State in this manner following All things being in readiness the Waxen Picture of the Protector with a Crown on his Head a Sword by his Side a Globe and Scepter in his hands was taken down from his standing and laid in an open Chariot covered all over with Black Velvet adorned with black Velvet and with Plumes and Scutcheons and drawn by six Horses in black Velvet The Streets from Somerset-house to Westminster-Abby were guarded by Soldiers in new Red-coats and Black Buttons with their Ensigns wrapt in Cypresse which made a Lane to keep off Spectators from crouding the Actors The Procession In the first place went a Marshal attended by his Deputy and 13. more on horse-back to clear the way after him followed the poor men of Westminster by two and two in Mourning Gowns and Hoods next to them the Servants of those Persons of quality that attended the Funeral These were followed by the Protectors late domestick Servants with his Barge-men and Water men Then came the Servants of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London Following them were Gentlemen Attendants on Foraign Ambassadors and Publick Ministers After marched the poor Knights of Windsor in Gowns and Hoods then the Clerks Secretaries and Officers of the Army Admiralty Treasury Navy and Exchequer next the Commissioners of the Excise of the Army and Committee of the Navy Then the Commissioners for approbation of Preachers behind these followed all the Officers Messengers and Clerks belonging to the Privy Council and both Houses of Parliament Next in order followed his Physitians The Head officers of the Army the Officers and Aldermen of London The Masters of Chancery and his Highnesse Council at Law The Judges of Admiralty Judges of both Benches and Lord Mayor of London The Persons Allied in Blood to the Protector and the Members of the other House The publick Ministers of Forraign-Princes The Holland Ambassador alone having his Train held up by four Gentlemen Then the Portugal Ambassador and the French Ambassador in like manner The Commissioners of the Great Seal The Commissioners of the Treasury The Members of his Privy-Council All the Grandees in Close Mourning but it was once advised other wayes for fear of a surprise in the Streets the rest but in ordinary The whole Assembly passing along in divisions were distinguished by Drums Trumpets Banners and Horses whereof there were eleven in all four being covered with black Cloath and seven in Velvet These passing in fine order at length came the Chariot with the Effigies on each side of which were six Banner-Rolls twelve in all born by several Persons and likewise several Pieces of the Protectors Arm carried by eight Officers of the Army attended by the Heralds Next went Garter principal King of Arms attended by a Gentleman on each hand bare-headed Next came the chief Mourner And to conclude all came the Horse of Honour in very rich Trappings imbroydered on Crimson-Velvet and adorned with white red and yellow Plumes of Feathers being led by the Master of the Horse The Rear of this brave shew was brought up by the Protectors Cuard of Halberdiers the Warders of the Tower and a Troop of Horse The Effigies in this manner being brought to the West-Gate of the Abby-Church of Westminster it was taken from the Chariot by ten Gentlemen who carried it to the East end of the Church and there placed the Picture in a most magnificent Structure built in the same form as one before had been on the like occasion for King James but much more stately And here they lodged and Usurped a Grave the impatient Spectators fretting at this pompous Mummery and Magnificent cheat taking his funeral triumphs for a more solemn Cozenage of the Executioner till the due inevitable justice of Heaven found them out after the reduction of His Sacred Majesty in peace to His Kingdomes which would very difficultly have been so accomplished if this resolute destroyer had survived to that blessed time On the 30. day of January 1660 that day 12 years of his most nefarious parricide his Carcasse with Bradshaws and Iretons having been digged out of their Graves were carried to the Red Lyon in Holborn and from thence drawn in Sledges to Tyburn where they hanged from Ten of the Clock in the morning till Sun-set with their Faces towards White-hall and were then inhumed under the Gallowes and His Head set upon Westminster-Hall to be the becoming Spectacle of his Treason where on that Pinacle and Legal Advancement it is fit to leave this Ambitious wretch FINIS