presently enjoyned His old Crambe of a Fast throughout the Army p. 133. l. 5. r. to its vanquished Enemies Nol's own argument p. 136. l. ult for professing read possessing The Life and Death OF OLIVER CROMWEL THE Late Usurper c. FATE when it decreed and ordained the unhappy birth of this Famoso by he most secret and hidden malice brought him into the World without any terrible remark of his portentuous Life neither Comets nor Earthquakes nor such like Violences of nature ushering or accompanying Him to the declaring and pointing out that the Scourge of the English Empire and Nation was now born as she did by indiscernible methods train him up to the possession of the Throne and as secretly and cunningly after all his bloody and most nefarious actions shift him out of it and with a blast of her spent Fury turned him into his wish'd for Grave Nor did she midwife him into this light which he so horribly polluted by any unusual preternatural or monstrous way not with seeth or Heels forward or long hair nor with any marks upon his Flesh as it is storied of Julius Casar our Richard the Third and others nor were theâ—e any presagious dreams or fearful divinations of his Mother when she was impregnate with him as is mentioned of several who have proved like him to be the destruction and common Enemies of Mankind None of all these signs revealed or discovered the abstruse and most reserved deep and mysterious Fortune of this person The subtleties Arts and Policies of his destiny potently and irresistibly conspiring with his as close Treasons and dissembled Treacheries to the ruin and overthrow of this Church and State singly and insensibly accomplished by the mean and unobserved Hand of this bold and perjurious politique All therefore that to this purpose is noted of him is this that he was born the last year of that wonderful Century of 1500. to begin the next with his fital Marvails just before the union of the Two Kingdoms of England and Scotland by King James as if it were congenial to Crowns as to the other lesser accessions of Felicity in private persons to have at the same instant a temperament and alloy to their lustre and greatnesse that as fortunes right hand presented a Scepter so her left hand was ready with a Scourge to wreak her â—nvy upon the glory and grandeur of that renowned succession to and accruement of dominion Every thing hath its good and evil Angel to attend or haunt it and that grand and happy revolution was to be afflicted and prosecuted by this Fury to an almost dissolution of its well composed united and established Frame He was born and descended of a very ancient knightly Family of his name in the County of Huntingdon where for many ages they have had a very large and plentiful patrimony it will suffice therefore to deduce him from no further originals then Sir Henry Cromwell his Grandfather a Gentleman highly honoured and beloved both in Court and Country who had issue Sir Oliver his eldest Son Henry Robert Richard and Sir Philip the youngest whose Son upon Suspicion of poysoning his Master a Lawyer was accused thereupon and convicted and hanged some 35. years agoe This our Oliver Cromwell was Son of Mr. Robert Cromwell the third Son of Sir Henry a Gentleman who went no lesse â—n esteem and reputation then any of his Ancestors for his personal worth which did seem inherent in that Family till his unfortunate production of this his Son and Heir whom he had by his Wife Elizabeth Steward the Neice of Sir Robert Steward a Gentleman of a competent Fortune in that County but of such a maligne effect on the Course of this his Nephews life as hereafter shall be declared that if all the Lands he gave him as some were Fenny Ground had been irrecoverably lost and deluged by any accident or disaster whatsoever it might have past for a most propitious providential prevention of that dire mischief and miseries that Estate occasioned He was born April the 25. in St. Johns Parish in the Town of Huntingdon and was christned in that Church the 29. of the same Month Anno Domini 1599. where Sir Oliver Cromwell his Uncle gave him his name being received into the bosome of the Church by her Rites and Ceremonies both which he afterwards rent and tore and ungraciously and impiously annulled and renounced From his Infancy to his Childhood he was of a crosse and peevish disposition which being humoured by the fondnesse of his Mother made that rough and intractable temper more robust and outragious in his juvenile years and adult and Masterless at mans estate No sooner therefore had he obtained the uâ— of his Tongue but his Father careful of his Education sent him to School to learn the Elements of Language and principalls of Religion both which he studied with the same indifference and inside and fallacious endevour as afterwards appeared by his never speaking what he thought nor believing what he heard or was instructed in so that his main policy was a radical and original hypocrisie which growing up with him could not but be at last after so many years of Experience most exquisitely perfected From this A. B. C. Discipline and the slighted Governance of a Mistris his Father removed him to the Tuition of Dr. Beard Schoolmaster of the Free-School in that Tovvn vvhere his Book began to persecute him and Learning to commence his great and irreconciliable Enemy for his Master honestly and severely observing that and other his Faults vvhich like vveeds sprung out of his rank and uncultivable nature did by Correction hope to better his manners and vvith a diligent Hand and carefull Eye to hinder the thick grovvth of those vices vvhich vvere so predominant and visible in him yet though herein he trespassed upon that respect and lenity due and usual to Children of his Birth and quality he prevailed nothing against his obstinate and perverse inclination The Learning and Civility he had coming upon him like fits of Enthusiasme now a hard Student for a week or two and then a Truant or Otioso for twice as many months Nunquam sibi constans of no settled constancy the very tenour and mode of his future life till his grand attainment Among the rest of those ill qualities which fructuated in him at this age He was very notorious for robbing of Orchards a puerile crime and an ordinary trespasse but grown so scandalous and injurious by the frequent spoyls and damage of Trees breaking of Hedges and Inclosures committed by this Apple Dragon that many solemn Complaints were made both to his Father and Master for redresse thereof which missed not their satisfaction and expiation out of his hide on which so much pains were lost that that very offence ripened in him afterwards to the throwing down all boundaries of Law or Conscience and the stealing and tasting the forbidden fruitâ— of Soveraignty by which as the Serpent
with the sum of that abortive Regal Consultation which like the Philosophers Stone or rather the Apples of Sodom vanished and perished in the Attrectation After many Meetings and Conferences together at White-hall the Commissioners being impowered to receive his Highnesses Scruples at his request the whole Affair being managed with Royal State and respect to him they came to these Disputes It was alledged by the Committee who were to offer and make play that the Title of King had been confirmed by all Parliaments for 1300 years and the person not the name displeasing to any of them That it was interwoven with the Laws and the very consent of this Parliament in being To this the Protector answered that these were swasory not compulsive or convincing Arguments That the Title of the Protector might be made accommodable to the Laws by the content of the Parliament as well as the Title of King was made so by the same that the Title of King would be displeasing to many godly men and Officers of the Army who had declared against the Title and Office To these it was replied That the Title ought to be accommodated to the Laws not the Laws to them That Invention of Titles was suspected as the Veil or Concealment of some Design against the publique and that therefore the Parliament of England had scrupled the new Title of King of Great-Britain to King James That if he regarded not his own honour and Greatnesse yet he should respect the Honour and Reputation of the Kingdome That the name of Protector had always been unfortunate to the Kingdome during the Minority of our Princes and also to themselves That it being given him by the Soldiery it sounded of Victory That when the Kingly Title was abolished in the Roman Empire nothing but confusion followed nor could the State find Rest either under Consul or Dictators or Prince of the Senate untill the pleasure and will of Caesar came to be acknowledged for Law Other instances there were of the Commissioners who severally by order of the Committee delivered their Answers to Him as namely the reason of the change of the Stile of Lord to King of Ireland in H. 8. time for the better and more regular Government of that Nation and Examples of a neighbouring Protestant Kingdome of Sweden who had crown'd their Marshal that took up Arms with them against their Soveraign but their main Argument was drawn from the Statutes of 9 Edw. 4. 3 H. 7. by which all persons were indempnified that took up Arms for the King in being which was one and the chief reason said Whitlock why so many at first assisted the King against the Parsiament and would be his Highnesses case and Security And lastly to his Argument of displeasing many godly men and that Providence seemed to crosse the introduction of the Kingly Office by a seven years War to the overthrow of it He was answered that the reduction of the Common-wealth to Monarchy was a greater Act then from Monarchy to the Protectorate that in all Governments some men would be unsatisfied and that therefore his safest way would be to rely on this Settlement by the Parliament But after all Cromwell's Fears surmounted his Ambition and he told then in a long Harangue that He could not accept the Title of King being against his conscience The Protector having refused the Title of King awaiting a more opportune time and advantage to reach to that top and heighth of his ambition which inwardly tormented him was now by the Parliament to be confirmed in his former dignity and a Committee called of the Settlement was ordered to prepare an Explanatory part to the Humble Petition and Advice in respect of the Protectors Oath his Councils the Members of Parliament the other House which was to consist of 60. and od Lords of Cromwell's Election of which in their place we shall give an Account all which with some Acts being prepared and finished the Protector came to the Painted-Chamber and sent for the Parliament where the Speaker tendred him these Acts of State besides others relating unto Trade c. 1. An Act for Assessement of 60000 l. a Month for 3. Months from March for the three Kingdomes Another money Act for 50000 l. for three years at 35000 l. for England 6000 l. for Scotland and 9000 l. for Ireland An Act for preventing multiplicity of Buildings in and about the Suburbs of London and within 10. Miles thereof and a whole years Revenue to be paid for every Dwelling or House buil upon any new Foundation since 1620. and this was the reason and soul of that Law An Act for punishing such as live at high rates and have no visible Estates And lastly for the observation of the Lords Day there was a Bill for ascertaining and satisfying the Publique Faith that these Patriots might seem to intend the ease of the people but it was but once read and committed and resumed afterwards to as much purpose very briskly by the Council of this Protector At the Signing of there Cromwel made this short Speech I perceive that among these many Acts of Parliament there hath been a very great care had by the Parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Commonwealth by these Bills for levying of money now brought to me which I have given my Consent unto and understanding it hath been the practice of those who have been Chief Governours to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the Publick I do very heartily and thank-fully acknowledge their kindness herein The principal substance of the Humble Petition c. was this 1. That his Highness under the Title of Lord Protector would be pleased to exercise the Office of Chief Magistrate over England c. and to govern according unto all things in this Petition and Advice also that in his life-time he would appoint the Person that should succeed in the Government after his death 2. That he would call Parliaments consisting of two Houses once in three years at farthest 3. That those persons who are legally chosen by a free election of the people to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from doing their duties but by consent of that House whereof they are Members 4. In the fourth was shewn the qualifications of Parliament-Members 5. In the fifth the Power of the other House 6. That the Laws and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept and no Laws altered suspended abrogated repealed or new Law made but by Act of Parliament 7. For a constant yearly Revenue ten hundred thousand pounds to be setled for maintenance of the Navy and Army and three hundred thousand pounds for support of the Government besides other temporary supplies as the Commoas in Parliament shall see the necessities of the Nations to require 8. That the number of the Protectors Council shall not be above one and twenty whereof the Quorum to be seven and not
State and shape of it seemed rather a Scene or boscage of Wild and brutall Creatures than a Governed or civil Community But because this particular hath been so largely treated off and is yet fresh in memory and will hardly ever be forgotten it will not be much material to urge it further unlesse to the maintainance of this Maxime That the Uproars and Rebellions of Subjects upon what pretence soever do alwayes end in the greatest Tyrannies and turn to their most unsufferable and ignominious miseries and that their Darling Demagogues whom with applauses and Arms they have shouldred up and have reared and exalted above the reach of the Law make it no nicety afterwards to trample upon the Necks of their raisers and to swim in their Blood which itching swell'd their ambition to the Throne Nor did the Volge know when or could their Boutefeus tell where to cease what Issue would happen of these their troubles Rash and blind Furies that made way to the unobserved advancement of this private Male-content who like Marius from his lurking holes in the Fens of Minturna after the defeat of his fortunes crept into the Supreme Power and died his purple with a more indelible tincture of Noble and Plebeyan blood The Jealousies and Fears and the like piques and quarrelling pretences of the Parliament proving hopelesse of reconcilement or accommodation by the artifices of a Faction wherein Mr. Pyns Hambden and other Puny's with Cromwel mainly buâ—ed themselves and the just Judgement of God giving up up our Peace Prosperity and Plenty to the Calamity of a most unnatural War the long desired occasion and expectation of those who had lodg'd their private hopes in the Common Ruine did most gladsomely salute the Designs of Oliver who having spent the utmost farthing of his Estate and secured from an Imprisonment by his priviledge as a Member was one of the first of those adventurous Knights that mounted the Good Cause behind them and so took the Feild which now Ploughed with Swords and Spears and watered with Blood answered its long denyed increase and from a lucklesse Pesant made him a fortunate Pedant Prince For Enyo no â—ooner sounded her Trumpets under the Earl of Essex's Banners then entitled Generallissimo for thâ— King and Parliament but Gromwell offered him his Service and was thereupon honoured with a Commission of Captain of Horse which to raise he returned to his own County of Huntingdon where among the Zealots he was never had in greater Estimation He was likewise named a Commissioner in the Ordinance for the Militia for that and the neighbouring Shires then entering into an Association against the King the Ground worke and eminent endevour of this great Conspirator in pursuance of that rebellious Project of his party at Westminster following herein the practice of all Ringleaders who do first collect rabbles and engage and assure places of retreat and fastnesse to all Events though herein he practiced the more difficult and unprecedented combination of a people for Wealth and Sobriety and Civility and judgement for a great part most contrary to his Designs little to be suspected of taking part with him But it so luckily evened to him that by his lopping off as it were this Limb of the Kingdome and depriving the King thereby of any assistance thence and of the convenience of the ports of those Eastern Counties for any forraign supplies one Canton of the Kingdome was as planet struck in point of Allegiance and not only a Member Mancum inutile dextre Pers but of a very sinister consequence to the Royal Cause the Gangreen thereof spreading and diffusing it self through the whole Masse of the Nation by feeding the Humourous rage of the War through the whole distemper thereof till it finally consumed all this being the abundant Magazine of Men and Horses for the Parliament Service This therefore was Cromwell's first Province or Superintendency wherein he exercised the original Office of a Major General when as yet he sounded no more then a Captain being the chief Committee-man of the Association making himself most notably eminent by his activity and zealous industry in promoting the good Cause and levying and listing of Forces and Disciplining them the skill whereof he had presently learned from an exact observation of some veterane commanders viz. Coll. Dolbier whom he had by great sums of advance money and as extraordinary pay allured to his side The grosse of those Troops he raised here and sent from this Seminary to the Camp and School of Action were such whose dull Spirits were to be beaten into the knowledge of Arms and like the Turks Asapi were on purpose sent thither to blunt the weapons of the Kings generous Cavalry on purpose to beget in them a relash and contemptuous neglect of so base and despicable an enemy that such their regardlesse confidence might conclude their ruine He himself was all the while continued by especial Order of Parliament in this Employment like an Independent Commander to have an Eye upon any Attempts that might be made thereabouts and as a purer and preciser reserve to the mix'd multitude that then from the equal motives of pay and zealotry rusht into the War And therefore Oliver understanding how miserably the Cavalry freshmen of his party were worsted at every Encounter and well knowing the nature of the quarrell which was pretended for Religion resolved and advised that there were no men so likely to oppose the conquering Gallantry of those Gentlemen on the Kings side then such who were or should be engaged upon account of Conscience and Zeal which would Spirit them with the same magnanimous Fortitude and make them also to endure the difficulties and hardships of the War with a more pertinacious Constancy as having bodies better able and minds more finely sublimed upon that score pro aris focis then the mix'd and most rascally Herd of loose and vicious people Against the dangerous evil of this Association the King directed his Commission of Array which was first put in execution in Hartfordshire by Sir Henry Conisby High Sheriff of that County who proclaimed it at St. Albans and intended to raise the County to the Kings Assistance but by the vigilance of Oliver Cromwell the Design was prevented for by that time the Members at Westminster had notice of Sir Henry's Loyal endevour Cromwell with a party of horse had surprized and seized that party almost in the very instant of their appearance and sent Sir Henry and some other prime Gentlemen engaged with him Prisoners to London to the great satisfaction and liking of the Parliament Grandees who were at first agast at an attempt made for the King so neer their own Dores and thereupon this their Commander was ordered the Thanks of the House and from thence forward look'd upon as an eminent person and a Champion of the Cause which now jeoparded it in the field whence the towardly settlement of these parts with-held
he borrowed 600 foot of M. G. Brown from Abingdon and with them fell presently to storming but was notably repulsed losing 50. men without any successe at all and before he could get off was attaqued by a party of General Gorings Horse commanded by himself then newly come out of the West from Taunton Seige who being as vigilant and valourous a Commander as himself gave Cromwell the first brush he received in the War taking three Colours and Major Bethel prisoner and so returned to his former Leaguer at Taunton In the mean while General Fairfax by Order of the Committee of both Kingdoms of England and Scotland who ordered the Conduct of the War was advancing into the West for the relief of the said Town of Taunton and because the King was yet at Oxford preparing to take the Feild Cromwell was left behind in the same parts where now he quartered with Major General Brown to attend the Kings motion and to impede his Conjunctures with the Princes Rupert and Maurice then comming withâ— Compleat Body of Horse out of Worcestershire but His Majesty had equipped so gallant an Army that Cromwell durst not venture to fight him or retard his march any whither so that Fairfax was presently recalled and ordered to sit down before Oxford to reduce the King to the care of that place and upon advantages to fight him when News came that the King having joyned with the Princes and relieved Chestor besieged by Sir William Brereton was now returning and bending his March towards the Associate Counties the heart and unrouch'd strength of the Parliament Cause and therefore Cromwell was immediately dispatch'd into the Isle of Ely with three Troops to secure that against any Invasion it being as the Bulwark or Fortresse of the rest But the King diverting from that course came and sate down before Leicester and after summons stormed and took it which put the Parliament into such a fright that they commanded Fairfax to rise from Oxford and presently find out the King and fight him who was now as he himself writ to the Queen in a better and more successeful condition then any time since the War This Order Fairfax having never sent in a summons to the City as forejudging he should rise without it disgracefully readily obeyed but withall requested them that they would forthwith dispatch away Cromwell from the Isle of Ely to command the Horse extolling his Experience and Sucoeffe in that Service Accordingly Cromwell reinforced and recruted with some Troops of the Association returned to the Army then marching to Northampton where the General was informed that the King lay about Daventry quartering his Foot and Carriages upon Borough hill as if he intended to fight upon that ground if they should advance but he stayed only till the 1200 Horse which he had sent to carry the Cattle he had taken out of Leicester and Northamptonshire for the supply of Oxford were returned intending thence according to advice of his Councel of War to march to the relief of Pomfret Castle in the North and to reduce those parts lost to him ever since Marstâ— Moor and so to draw on Fairfax after him and fight him at advantage which he could not do in these Counties that were every were Garrisoned by the Parliament forces But this Resolution the quicker Consultation and Opinion of Cromwell soon disappointed for by his advice now that their Army could expect no other Additions but Coll. Rossiter who was then also in a Days march of them for Sir John Gell was joyned already Ireton was presently dispatcht with a Brigade of Horse to observe the posture of the Kings Army and if they weâ— upon their March Northwards to skirmish then in the Rear and keep them in Action till the whole body could come up and engage June the 13. Fairfax came to Gilsborough within 5 miles of Borongh hill whence the Cavaliers the 120â— Horse being returned were marching northwards and the next night to the wonder and amazement of the King Ireton gave an Alarum to His Own quarters at Naseby whence about a 11. of the Clock the King dislodged and hastâ—ed to Harborough where Prince Rupert and the Van of the Army was quartered here a Council of War was presently convened and by the Kings fatal Opinion concluded that because there was danger of bringing off the real of his Army the Enemy pressing so near and hard upon them that therefore they should desist from their March further Northwards and immediately turn back upon the Enemy and give him Battel relying chiefly upon the valour of the Infantry now flusht and encouraged with the Plunder and spoil of Leicester This was put in execution though the major voyces were for staying till General Goring with his forces were come up and the Kings will obeyed For very early in the Morning the Scouts brought word that the King was making all hast to the Engagement being falsly informed that Fairfax in fear was retreating to Northampton whereas he had now disposed of Naseby-field awaited Him having Cromwell with Whalley on his right wing and Ireton on his left the one opposed to my Lord Langdale and the Northern Horse and the other to Prince Rupert General of the Cavalry the King himself being Generalissimo To come to the Event Prince Rupert totally routed Ireton who being engaged and driven upon the Kings rightmost foot was there wounded in the Thigh with a Halbert and taken Prisoner and the Field on that hand cleared which Fairfax and Cromwell observing having not yet stirred from their ground Fairfax with a short Speech encouraged the Troops to the Charge which was seconded with some devout ejaculations from Cromwell who clapping Spurs to his Horse fell in with Langdale's Brigade and quite charged through three bodies and utterly broke them nor did he stop till with fine force he had likewise beat that Wing from their ground without possibility of rallying or recovering it again In this Action a Commander of the Kings knowing Gromwell advanced smartly from the Head of his Troops to exchange a Bullet singly with him and was with the like galantâ—y encountred by him both sides forbearing to come in till their Pistoâ— being discharged the Cavalier with a slanting Back-blow of a broad Sword having cut the Ribond that tyed his Murrion and with a draw threw it off his head and now ready to repeat his stroke his party came in and rescued him and one of them alighting threw up his Headpiece into his Saddle which Oliver hastily catching as being affrighted with the chance clapt it the wrong way on his head and so fought with it the rest of the day which proved most highly fortunate 〈◊〉 his side though the King most magnanimouâ— and expertly managed the sight exposing himself to the eminentest perils of the Feild raised him beyond the Arts and reach of Envy or his Enemies of the Presbyterian party who had so long been heaving at him to out him
together Death officiously removing this great impediment also so that by this time there was not an Officer left in the Army that did not acknowledge Cromwell's Sultanship the General himself being lulled and bewitched with the Syren Charms of his zealous insinuations The Presbyterian Party in the Parliament began now to be sensible whither these devices tended and therefore to Counterplot this Caball of Cromwells they resolved upon a new disbanding of some the Scots having friendly departed home and transporting of other Regiments for the service of Ireland for that the necessity of that Kingdome did require the Translation of the waâ— thither This the Independents presently perceived and gave Cromwell timely notice of who knowing himself to be principally aimed at caused it by some of his Familiars to be spread about the Souldiery that the Parliament by the major Vote of some corrupt Members had voted the disbanding of the Army to cheat them of their Arrears and then to send them in a necessitous condition into Ireland to be there knock'd 〈◊〉 the Head by the Rebells This presently put the Common Soldiers into such a rage who always judge by the first appearance that they â—lew out into most opprobrious and reviling Language against the Parliament but fury being no present remedy to this evil Ireton anâ— his instructed Pupills prescribe a Module never heard of or practised in War before of a Military Common-Council who should assemble 2 commission Officers and two private Soldiers out of every Regiment to consult for the good of the Army to draw up their grievances and present them to the General and he to the Parliament these to be called by the name of Adjutators Having thus made sure of the Army he thought it time now to make sure of the King whom the Parliaments Commissioners had brought to his Captivity at Holmby-house and therefore Ireton and he having sometime before acquainted themselves with the King in this his restraint and vowed and protested their readinesse to serve him to the ensnaring the Kings belief while they condoled the hard usage and unreasonable carriage of the Parliament towards him especially in point of Liberty of Conscience and the Worship of God His Majesties Chaplains having been obstinately refused him they judged it no difficult thing to get his person into their Custody and deceive his good nature with the same semblances of it in themselves only the manner was not presently resolved by them For without the Generals consent and command it could not be done in his name nor might it avowedly be done by the Councill of War for it would be a peremptory and hazardous enterprise and engage the whole Kingdome about their Ears but at last it was concluded betwixt them that this surprizal of the King should be fathered on the Council of Adjutators as the sense and Act of the Army Thus in all these pushes and puzzels of accidents did they extricate themselves by that Mungrill consistory a meer Chimâ—â—â— or Brainsick Idaea of a convention which was conversant only about shadowes and umbrages of things while Cromwell ran away with the substance This way being agreed upon one Cornet Joyce a busie pragmaticall person whom Cromwell his Familiar had tutoured in the Method of boldnesse and Rebellion was privately conferred with about it and after some familiar compellations hugged into the Conspiracy and immediately dispatch'd away with a party of 1000 Horse on the 4. of June to Holmby where he arrived late at Night but being very importunate to speak with the King was by his order admitted to whom he declared his â—â—â—and and being demanded by whose Authority whither by the Generall or Councell of War no other answer could be drawn from him but that it was from the Army adding that if the King should refuse to go along with him he must carry him away per force The King neverthelesse deliberated the whole night and consulted with the Parliaments Commissioners what was most adviseable for him to do though the sway of his judgement in 〈◊〉 him to the Army Custody from a just 〈◊〉 of the sullennesse and Rebellious obstinacy of the Parliament who had by Joyce offered him as the last and chief Artifide of Cromwell to all 〈◊〉 of ranks and persons the liberty of Conscience with other specious and dutiful pretences From Holmby therefore next morning the King was carried to Childersly then the head quarters of the Army though the King desired to go to Newmarket his own house as perswading himself in some greater degree of Royalty then in the Parliaments Tuition but this was at first denyed and a complementary amends made him by the Generall and more particularly by Cromwell that His Majesty could no where be safer or more regally honoured then in their quarters which were the only Sanctuary of his person This daring presumption of seizing the King gave light to the World what this Oliver would at last appear though no certain Conclusions could be made what the mischief did presently signify It was sufficient to Cromwell's design to amuse the World and let them guesse at the danger he had readily prepared beyond any sudden remedy And therefore he now personates the Kings Interest professeth himself exceeding sorry to have mistaken the quarrell intimates and insinuates to the King that there were a corrupt party meaning the Presbyterians in Parliament who alone withstood his Resolution and that He and all the power and friends he could make were resolved to assert his Rights and vindicate them from those unreasonable injuries of the Juncto as he spared not frequently to own the same Honesty to the Kings friends then admitted to attend Him particularly He declared to Collonel John Cromwell a Commander in the States Service in Holland then in England That he thought the King of England was the most injured Prince in the World and clapping his hand to his Sword in some passion said Cousin This shall right him to the very great Contentment of that Loyal Subject whom we shall have further occasion in this Discourse and from this Passage to mention In the mean while the King is at his earnest desire which Cromwell seemed most officiously to study conveighed to Newmarket House and thither his friends and Chaplains without any restriction admitted and such a sudden change made in the condition of the King as to his Liberty and Honour that most of his party were dazeled with the shews of it and could not foresee the Treason that was hid under those fair Umbrages Nor could the King himself so cunningly Cromwell carried it give any true judgement of this his Surprizal more then that the Examples and rules of all Policy generally resolved him That the Person of a Prince in whosoever hands it remaineth addeth Strength and Authority to that Party The King being thus in Olivers hands as he had declared upon Joyces telling him that he had the King in Custody that he had the Parliament then in
his Pocket so his next Main Work was to perform his word and to this intent he never ceased exasperating the King against the Presbyterian Members in Parliament thereby indisposing the King to any accommodation with them though the Terms or Propositions sent his Majesty were so unreasonable that they needed no disswasion to his Assent but this Ambodexter so invisibly managed both the injustice of the Juncto and the indignation and resentment of the King that he was look'd upon no otherwise then as a partial Spectator and Wellwisher to the Kings Fortunes Nay so far had he proceeded in this Dissimulation and Treachery the more detestable by how much the simple confidence of so innocent a Prince was abused and deceived that he stuck not sundry times voluntarily and of his own accord to assure the King that if the Parliament failed in their duty and did not speedily restore him and settle the Kingdome the Army should do it without them and that to that very purpose the newly constituted Council or Court of Adjutators were now proceeding and that speedily his Majesty should see the effect of his Faithfulness and Allegiance while he the more indiscernably sought and most nefariously practised his Ruine The Presbyterians in Parliament were hastily alarum'd at these Transactions of Cromwell and therefore the Army having assumed to themselves by decree of this their Court of Adjutators a right of Petitioning as English Freemen as being no mercenary Souldiers resolved as was partly hinted before to divide the Army and send part of it to Ireland and forthwith to Cashiere Cromwell and his Chief Partizans and to run parallell with his designs to send propositions to the King at the same time as the Army had hammered out some proposals of more equall and of fairer pretences then theirs that the King acknowledged the justâ—â— dealing of the Army with which satisfaction of the King Cromwell seemed very much delighted assuring His Majesty that more then that now proposed which yet plainly asserted the Regall and Monarchall right should in time be brought about and that he might be confident in him as his most Dutifull and Faithful Subject Thus practiced he with the King by Delusion and Treachery but against the Parliament he proceeded in a more forcible way for his party therein had tryed all wayes to overreach the Presbyterian with finesse and Artifice but found them so vigilant and sensible of their proceedings and being also far the Major part of the House that no issue was to be expected from debates and disputes with them for a Declaration was now published forbidding the Souldiers to Petition the Parliament as being under their pay and command and for disobedience hereunto Sir Philip Stapleton and Mr. Hollis had drawn their Swords upon one Major Tuleday and committed another one Nicholas Tâ—w to Newgate in the month of May and a private resolution had been taken to secure Cromwell then in Town and not suffer him to return to the Army now full of Rebellious mutiny against them which might have put an end to this grand conspiracy and the mischiefs ensuing but Oliver having sudden intimation of the design got secretly and hastily out of Town and upon a Flea-bitten nag without stop or stay arrived at the Rendezvouz at Triploe Heath June the 5. his Horse all in a foam and there was welcomed with the Shouts of the whole Army to whom he declared the actions and designs of the Parliament And here was made that pernicious and destructive engagement of perpetuating the Army till their desires that is till Cromwell's devices should be attained and this for his better security he caused to be confirmed at another more generall Rendezvouz June the 14. at New-market where he himself was the first man alighting from his Horse at the head of his Regiment and lying upon his Belly that subscribed it which was in severall Parchment Rolls universally Followed I must not omit one further remarque on this occasion one Edward afterwards better known by the name of Collonel Sexby and one Lazingby both of the Councill of Adjutators were ordered by the said Councill to attend the Lieut. General Cromwell then quartering near Colchester in Essex with a draught of the engagement every word whereof was privily dictated by himself Ireton yet at the receipt hereof Cromwell very angerly rising up in his bed demanded how they durst presume to give him any Papers they replyed it was the sence of the Army and that they were commanded to deliver it Be you well assured of that saith he in the same rage and presently thereupon read it instantly changing his Countenance to a mild and devout aspect said It is a most just thing God prosper it I will stand by the Army with it to the utmost of my life and Fortunes and so after many familiar Caresses dismissed them it being his constant custome afterwards during this Intrigue to take the meanest Souldier by the hand clap him on the Shoulder or box him lightly on the Ear thereby to ingratiate himself into their affections and it accordingly succeeded in this bold attempt and enterprise upon the Parliament For immediately hereupon an Impeachment is drawn up and presented to and approved by this Councill of Adjutators against 11. Members of the House of Commons the chief of the Presbyterian party viz. Sir William Waller Collonel Massey Sir John Clotworthy Mr. Deâ—â—ill Hollis Collonel Long Mr. Anthony Nichols Sir Philip Stapleton Mr. Glyn c. the main of which charge was that they had been the obstructers and prejudicers of several Petitions to the Parliament for redresse of publique greivances retarded the settlement of the Kingdome and had shared the Revenue thereof among themselves and last of all had underhand complyed with the King Imputations of all sorts to make some thing stick and to catch one parties or others belief of their criminal Suggestions This was accordingly with impudence enough presented to the House of Commons though they had expressely declared against this unparallel'd violence and straightways the Army advanceth nearer to London resolving not to desist their march till they were superseded the House which affront was most abjectly suffered by the Parliament and the said Members after some frivolous debates suspended sitting till they had cleared themselves and now Cromwell having thus awed the Parliament and abused the King was come to a fair prospect of his aspired greatnesse making good that praesagious saying of his upon the seizing of the King by Joyce there remained now nothing to hinder the facilitating of the residue of his Plot but the City of London and we shall see him cajole and Baffle them worse and more insolently then the Parliament But before we mention that we must return to the King now traversing the Countrey with the Army and shewed to the people in great State and received and welcomed every where by them with all demonstrations of joyfull Allegiance and in like manner yet Complemented
from Hampton-Court which place was found to be too near to London for fear of a rescue in a dark and tempestuous night in November 1647. and forced to cast himself into the disloyal hands of Coll. Hamond Governour of the Isle of Wight and Brother to the most Learned and Reverend Dr. Hamond which consideration Cromwell forelaid would invite the King in his distresse to betake himself thither where we shall leave him in a most disconsolate Imprisonment the Votes of Non Addresses being not long after procured by Cromwell's Menaces to the Parliament when upon the Debate of them he declared in such like words That it was now expected by the good people of the Nation and the Army that the Parliament would come to some Resolution and Settlement as the Price of all the Blood and Treasure that had been expended in the War and that they would not now leave them to the expectation of any good from a Man whose heart God had hardned but if they did they should be forced to-look for their preservation some other way At the end of this Speech he laid his hand upon his Sword by his side as was the more observed because formerly in the same place it could not keep him from trembling when Sir Philip Stapleton a man of spirit and metal baffled him but Sir Philip and his seconds were now out of Dores Next to him spoke Ireton in the very same sense being newly chosen a recruit for the Parliament by their illegal writ of Election extolling and magnifying the valour civility and duty of the Army concluding with the same threats that if the Parliament would not settle the Kingdome without the King then they of necessity must and would So that after some Opposition the said votes passed against any further Addresse to be made to the King and now Oliver thought himself cock-sure and therefore the King Parliament and City being in his power he had no rub left to his Ambition but those Imps and Spirits of his own raising and conjuring up the Adjutators and Levellers of the Army who having conn'd their Lesson of the Agreement with the people were became most artful and skilful Governours already boasting in the Country many of which silly people they had induced to their side upon the accompt of laying all in common and in a wild Parity that the Parliament sate only during their pleasure and till a new Representative then a forming should take upon them the Government nor did they more dutifully respect and behave themselves to their Officers whom they counted as peices of the Prerogative Military therefore decried all Courts and Counsells of them which began to separate and act by themselves without the mixture of their Adjutators This exorbitancy and heigth of the Soldiery was altogether as destructive to Cromwell now he had done his work with them for this time as any of the other 3 Interests but desperate diseases must have desperate Cures for immediately the Headquarters being then at Ware Coll. Eyer a Leveller was seised and imprisoned and one Arnold a private Soldier shot to death for promoting the former solemn Engagement and Agreement of the People and after that He cashiered all such who favoured the same and to fan and cull out the rest he proceeded to disband 20 out of a Troop by which the most of that party were totally excluded the like was done in London by the Imprisonment of Mr. Prince and others of the same Faction Having for the present still'd that commotion in the Army the danger of a second war seemed a fresh to threaten the Juncto and Cromwell by reason of their injurious Votes of Non-Addresse and therefore to prevent so potent and formidable a Conjunction of all Interests and Parties against him He now by his Party and Emissaries proposeth an accommodation between the Presbyterians and Independents and a way and means whereby they may be so united at the motion of this in the House of Commons a Gentleman replyed That if there were any such persons who had any private Interest different from the publique and under the distinction of parties had prejudiced the Kingdome he was not fit to be a Member of that House Neverthelesse it was insisted on that the House would declare and ratifie their Votes of nulling and making void the Votes that passed in the absence of the Speakers that fled into the Army in 1647. and their Engagement of adhering to the Army which were tacitly confessed to be then unduly procured so fearful and doubtful was he again of the issue of those new Troubles he foresee would fall out and therefore would shelter himself and justifie his Actions by the Authority he had so often bafled The same Artifices he used likewise to the City offering them now upon the like condition of uniting Interests the freedome of their Lord Maior and Aldermen viz. Sir John Gayr Alderman Langham Alderman Adams and others and the setting up again their Posts and Chains but when they having already treated and engaged with the Scots then in preparation for a March into England refused to give ear to any propositions or terms resenting the base affronts He and the Army had put upon them He questioned his Argent Glover who gave him Commission to make any such Overtures and in great rage turned him out of his Service The danger still increasing he suffered the Lords as namely the Earls of Suffolk Lincoln Lord Maynard Willoughby c. whom he had impeached of High Treason after his March into London to be freed from their Imprisonment in the Tower and with them the Maior and Aldermen aforesaid and as a further satisfaction and submission to the Authority of the Parliament A Declaration of the Army is published wherein they bewail their former miscarriages and misdemeanors towards the Parliament their medling with the civil power and that force and violence they had offered to the two Houses and in Conclusion promise faithfully and dutifully to acquiesce in their Resolutions and Wisdom With this Hocus Pocus deluding the Presbyterian party into a kind of stupid neutrality or rather worse while yet they would by no means comply with the King untill Polyphemus Courtesie appeared in this Cromwellian Craft The Scots under Duke Hamilton having entred England and divers Insurrections happening in England and Wales according as was expected Cromwell was ordered by the Parliament to attend the first of them which was the Welch and Northern Armies though the Scots delayed their March so long till all was neer lost in England and after a short Siege upon the Defeat at St. Pagons which was atcheived in his absence took in Tenby-Castle Pembroke Castle held out a while longer thence he marched for Lancashire having joyned with Major General Lambert who attended the motion of the Scotch Army and at Preston his forces amounting to few more then 9000 Men whereas the Scots were not lesse then 20000 gave Duke Hamilton Battle
the Princes both confirmed by the States for Cromwell to write his own conditions in if he would now preserve the life of the King The Collonel putting some confidence in what Oliver formerly had told him willingly undertook the Errand and forthwith repaired to London just before the Kings Martyrdome and found him out at his house but so recluse and lockt up in his Chamber with an order that none should know he was within that he could not be admitted till he had told his name After mutual Salutations the Collonel desired a word or two in private which being granted he began roundly to tell him of the flagitiousnesse of the Fact now almost ready to be committed and how derestable it sounded abroad adding that of all men living he never should have imagined that he would have had a hand in it having protested so much for the King in his hearing Whereupon Cromwell fell to his old shifts telling him it was not he but the Army that 't is true once he did say such words but times were altered and Providence seemed to dispose things otherwise that he had prayed and fasted for the King but no return that way was yet made to him whereupon the Collonel stepping back clapt the Dore to to the agasting of Cromwell who suspected an assassinate and coming close to him Cousin said he it is no time to dally with words in this matter look you here sayes he pulling out the abovesaid Papers out of his Pocket 't is in your own power not only to make yourself but your Pasterity Family and Relations happy and honourable for ever otherwise as they have changed their name before from Williams to Cromwell so now they must be forced to change it again for this Fact will bring such an ignominy upon the whole generation of them that no time will be able wipe away Cromwell here paused and seemed to ponder with himself and after a little space said Cousin I desire you will give me till night to consider of it and do you go to your Inn but go not to bed till you hear from me I will conferre and consider further about the businesse The Collonel did so and about one of the Clock within an evening or two of the murther a Messenger came to him and told him he might go to Bed and expect no other answer to carry to the Prince for the Councill of Officers had been seeking God as he also had done the same and it was resolved by them all that the King must dye The other is of the same peice with the former not to mention his threatning of Collonel Downs into an acquiescence with other the Regicides upon the adjournment of the High Court of Justice at the Kings request into the Painted Chamber nor his like usage of Collonel Ingoldshy and holding his hand while he signed that horrid Sentence and many other particulars of the same Crime and perfectly discovers how much an Athâ—ist or mocker of God he was in his pretended piety and Devotion The very same day appointed for this Murther Cromwell and the Officers assembled together to consider of some means if possible with security still to the Nation of saving the Kings life and many tediousexpedients were offered by some not so bloody as the rest a speedy Remonstrance to the Parliament proposed and in the mean while the King should be Respited Cromwell likewise seemed very forward expressing how glad he should be if such a thing might be effected for he was not ignorant he said what calumny that action would draw upon the Army and themselves in particular though they did nothing therein but in obedience to the Parliament But before we said he proceed in so weighty a matter let us seek God to know his mind in it hereto they agreed and Oliver began a long-winded prayer and continued in it till a Messenger whom he had appointed for that purpose came rapping at the dore and hastily told them that they need not trouble themselves about the King for the work was done which being unexpected to many of them did at present astonish them while Cromwel holding up his hands declared to them that it was not the pleasure of God he should live and therefore he feared they had done ill to tempt Him against his wil or words to that effect When the Kings body was removed and Coffined Cromwell to satisfie himself of the full and certain consummation of all his practices against his sacred life would needs see him himself and upon his return thence was heard to say That if he had not been a King he might have lived longer Other passages there were which concern this dolefull subject both preceding and succeeding it as namely Olivers Conferences with Hugh Peters at Ware his feigned letters out of the North to applaud this Fact and extolling the Justice and Courage of the Army by whose means it was that the great Cedar of the Forrest was fallen without any noise and now the time was comming when we should rejoyce under our own Vines and Fig-trees whence this Criminal had his leaves and we Blood instead of Wine but of this more then enough With much craft and cunning did he now hide his daring ambition for though it was thought as feasible for him now to have seized the Crown as afterwards considering that his Usurpation was to be maintained by Arms yet he well knowing what a Faction there was in the Army of the Levelling principle ventured not to put his oâ—acular Title to a present Tryal but awayt more promising opportunities In the mean while to quarrell these Levellers and confine the Democratical Regiment or a Free state so was it now called to a narrow compasse and to assume the greatest part of the Government to himself especially the executive power thereof according as Ireton had projected the module soon after New-market Heath engagement a Councill of State like the 30 Tyrants of Athens was established which consisted principally of his Creatures and this was but a forerunner of his single Tyranny like rayes by a burning Glasse contracted into one Beam The word being now given out amongst the Officers of the Army That this Nation must have one prime Magistrate or Ruler over them and that the Genâ—rll hath power to make a Law to bind all the Commons of England These tendencies to Slavery first of all enraged the Levellers who having promised to themselves a good share of the spoil of the Kingdome found they were meerly deluded and that all the engagements and agreements were but so many Rattles by which the Army was drawn on to act Cromwell's designs who had on purpose contrived that Councill of Adjutators to engage the masse of the Souldiery in the danger of his Treasonable conspiracy that knowing themselves in the same predicament with him they must resolve to stand by him like a wily Fox who being pursued will herd himself among Sheep and so avoid the dogs
was killed by Carbine shot refusing to take quarter at such perfidious peoples hands This Hurly burly being over and ended like a flash the General came to Oxford where he was highly treated and he and Oliver made Doctors of the Civil Law This proved the utter Suppression of that party rendred the Army entirly at his command without any farther dispute of their Leading so that they presently submitted to the Lot which Regiments should be sent to Ireland then almost reduced to the Kings obedience by the M. of Ormond which thus decreed it viz. 11. Regiments One of Dragoons under Col. Abbot Of Horse Iretons Scroops Hortons and Lamberts Of Foot Eures Cooks Hewsons and Deans And three new ones viz. Cromwells Venables and Phayrs Cromwell was ordained Commander in Chief and tituladoed with the Style of Lord Governour of Ireland while Fairfax was lest here to attend the Parliament and passe away his time in the Dotages of his Successe giving him the Honour of subduing that Realm and preparing it to his Usurtion He with a very potent Army was now landed at Dublin Whereupon a strong Garrison of 2500 Foot and 300 horse resolved men under the charge of Sir Arthur Aston was put into Drogheda the nearest Garrison to the late defeat of the Ms of Ormond which Cromwell having refreshed his Army a while at Dublin came to besiege The Town was stormed resolutely thrice and as well defended-Sir Arthur Aston being so confident that he advised the Lord Lieutenant not to precipitate any thing for he should hold them play a while but in the third assault Collonel Wall being unâ—ortuâ— nately killed his dismaid Souldâ—ers listened to thâ— offer of quarter before they had need of it and admitted them upon those terms Cromwell having notice that the Flower of the Irish Army was in his hands gave order to put all in Arms to the Sword where were killed Sir Arthur Asteâ— Sir Edmund Varney Collonel Warren Coll. Dun Finglassâ— Tempest c. with 3000 Souldiers the best in that Kingdome He comes next before Wexford which having resused to accept of a Garrison now the Enemy was under their walls was contented to admit of 500 Men under the command of Sir Edmund Butler and the Lord Lieutenant came also in sighthâ— the Town before whose face Stafford the Governour of the Castle basâ—ly betrayed it to Cromwell together with the Town who there are acheroroâ—fly murthered 2000 more Rosse was the next place whither a Garrison was sent under the command of Luke Taaf with order the Town not being tenable to render upon Conditions which accordingly a breach being made they did and marched away with their Arms. His next attempt was upon Duncannon but the noble Wogan and the English Cavaliers gave him a foyle hence he retreated to Rosseâ— â—ere he made a floating bridge that to having a passage to the other side he might comâ—ell Ormond either to divide his Army to observe his motions or otherwise to get a passage into Munster where he held intelligence with several places that would then Revolt and accordingly for all my Lord Taaff was sent thither before hand to secure them yet Youghall Corke and all the English Towns of Munster openly Revolted and many of my Lord Inchiqueens men allured by Money and Commands in Cromwell's Army ran over to the Enemy and his Excellency the L. Lieutenant having lost the opportunity of Fighting Cromwell by his dislodging from Duncannon by night vvhen the Irish vvere cheaâ—full and earnest to engage vvas never after in a condition fit to venture a battel He therefore passes over his Bridge and so into the County of Kilkenny facing his Enemy and moving up and dovvn after him vvhile his Lieut. G. Jonâ—s with parties took in the Castles and Carrick vvas vvretchedly betrayed to him by Martin that commanded there vvhence 〈◊〉 passes his Army into Munster and takes severall Castles by the appearance onely of his Horse onely at Kilteran he received a repulse but Ballisannon was sold to him Kilkenny was taken next aster a stout defence made the Towns-men complying contrary to the Souldiers knowledge who were driven into the Castle and there conditioned The next enterprize he went in hand with was to take Clonmell kept by Major Generall Hugh Neake who behaved himself so well that the Enemy having lost 2500 Men before it had gone away without it had it not bin that the Gariâ—on wanted Powder so that they got over the River to Waterford in the night leaving the Townsmen to make conditions for themselves which the Enemy not knowing the Souldiers were gone readily granted Soon after Collonel Roch received a brush from my Lord Broghill in the County of Cork vvhere the Bishop of Rosse being taken vvas hanged I have thus briefly discoursed of the War in Ireland that I might hasten to the grand event and from the Camp after another expedition conduct him to the Palace the main consequence of his Life vvhich rendred all his other actions so notable and conspicuous The Irish War thus in a manner ended and the Scotch War ready to Commence the Committee of Estates there having concluded vvith the King at Breda and he upon his Voyage to that Kingdom wheâ—e all correspondence with the English was by Proclamation forbidden and all manner of Provision stopt from carrying into England though the Juncto at Westmiâ—ster had used all Artifices to keep the Scots from closing with Him who were so far disposed thereto that they had barbarously murâ—hered the Great Marquiss of Montross a Hero far surpassing Oliver in Conduct and who was untimely and unfortunately taken away from the rescue of his Country Cromwell like a Fury was ready at hand to take revenge of that Fact For having been seeretly called for over from Ireland to amuse all Parties both the Irish who trembled at his presence and made no considerable resistance against him and his Fortune and the General himself at home who expected not such his sudden â—valship to his Command which gave him no time for mature consideration of the design the Scots who though Alarumed by frequent rumours of an English Invasion yet were not so forward in their Levies as having assurance of Fairfax's dissatisfaction he was now wasted over into England preventing the Letters he had sent to the States to know their express pleasure for his departing that Kingdome On the beginning of June he returned by the way of Bristoll from Ireland to London and was welcomed by Fairfax the General many Members of Parliament and Council of State at Hounsle-heath and more fully complemented at his Lodgings and in Parliament by the Thanks of the House and the like significant Address of the Lord Mayor c. of London being look'd upon as the only Person to the Eccsipse and diminution of the Generals Honour which we shall presently see him paramount in the same supreme Command The World that considered the carriage of this Politique towards his Prince
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
Treachery was before related County Troops were now also established for security to his Highnesse such Trooper 8 l. a year pay and more in case of Service a Captain a 100 l. and Officers proportionably and as these new Forces were raised here so were other old ones disbanded in Scotland and Ireland in which last place the disbanded were yet to be the same kind of Militia they being setled in the Rebel forfeited Lands their Tenure being their Service and thus that Kingdome was re-peopled An Agent that had come hither from Ragotzi Prince of Transilvania now departed the Conspiracy betwixt whom and the King of Sweden and the Swede and Cromwel was just ripe for execution The Spanish War therefore commencing the Protector began new practices against the Cavalier party whose interest and spirit was against his Government as high as ever he foresaw that by the French peace the King only shifted changed war from one quarter to another and was yet as neer as ever and in a more opportune and advantageous posture for that the King of Spain and he would certainly concur against him and so the Low Countries his Provinces and Ports be open and at the service of our Soveraign therefore his party was by all ways how unjust and tyrannical soever to be crusht and supprest it began with the Clergy who were neither to keep School nor cure nor be Chaplains except they give signal testimony of their Apostacy from the Church it next extended to all â—orts of men the revived Act of 1652 forbidding all Cavallers or such as meant well to the peace of the Kingdom in their subicription to the personal Treaty in 1648. by a new Proclamation to that purpose from giving voyces of Electing or to be elected themselves upon their utmost peril then came out a Declaration for Decimating such who were actually in Arms and to shew the Reasons of such proceedings against them Cromwel therein taking it for granted that the whole Mass of them were engaged in the late design of Penruddocks and observing their Malignity to the Government by refusing to match their Relations but within themselves and so to propagate the quarrell from one Generation to another that they supplyed their King as they call'd him with money that their Clergy were as refractory as ever and that therefore since by them the peace so endangered could not be kept nor the cause and the well affected secured but by keeping up a standing Army by a constant pay it was requisite the charge should be born by those who caused it For the better dispatch of this Affair He had erected a new Military Authority like the Turkish Bashaws distributed into several Provinces or Counties with an unbounded power England being now cantoned into this Hendecharchy viz. Kent and Surrey under Col. Kelsey Sussex Hantshire and Berk-shire under Goff Gloucestershire Wilts Dorset Somerset Devon and Cornwal under Col. Desborough Oxfordshire Buckingham Hartford Cambridge Isle of Ely Essex Norfolk and Suffolk under Lieutenant General Fleetwood London Major General Skippon Lincolnshire Nottingham Derby Warwick and Leicester under Whalley Northamptoushire Bedford Rutland and Huntingdon under villanous Butler Worcestershire Hereford Shropshire and Northwales under Col. Berry Cheshire Lancashire and Stafford under Col. Worsely York shire Durham Cumberland Northumberland and Westmorland under Lord Lambert Westminster and Middlesex under Col. Berkstead their Commission was to take a Roll and Account of all suspected persons of the Kings party and such as were actually so to receive security of them in which they were to be bound to act nothing against the Government and to reveal all Plots that should come to their knowledge they were to suppress all Horse-Races Cock matches and other Concourses of people to secure the High Ways to take engagement from Cavaliers for their Servants and Children and those that did not so nor give security to commit to prison and to rate and receive the mony rising from this Decimation In short there was nothing which they might not do nor which they did not such an Arbitrary vast power they had from the Protector To this purpose a M. Gen. Office was erected in Fleetstrees as other Courts had where these Recognizances were entred and all other the like Affairs dependencies and concerns thereof entred and Pecord d by this means the Tyrant intended to inform himself of the value and quality of every Estate and person together with the number of that party in every County throughout the Kingdome Most of those Loyal persons formerly secured were hereupon set at liberty but by another 20. Mile Proclamation driven into the Country into the bounds of the several Major Generals who presently took cognizance of them and summoned them to their respective Residences they sate sometimes without other times with some of the old Committees where they received accounts of Estates which were rated to the tenth peny yearly Some bought off that Tax and incumbrance by a present Sum at three years purchase which was very acceptable for mony was the thing the Usurper wanted others looked for a nearer Redemption and to be constrained to that paiment the well affected and godly people voyced this to be a just and reasonable imposition for when should they be at quiet and enjoy themselves in the goods they had got free from the interrupting endevour of this old and restless Enemy so that there wanted not Abettoâ—s and Assistants to this most religious work of the Major Generals who had ordered in the first place that no Cavalier should keep or wear either Arms offensive or defensive but streightways deliver them so that they lay a the mercy of whomsoever they met and at the Discretion and charity of whosoever resorted to their Houses for what they had left The Barbarous Cruelty and Severity of these Bashaws to the Orthodox Clergy while with the Hotnesse of the persecution it suffocated the true Religion did warm and foster the viperous brood of â—ects and Heresies into monstrous luxuriances For besides the Ranter who at this time began to infest the Church and multiply exceedingly and the Socinian who denied the Divinity of Christ one Biddle being infamous for those impious opinious as Erbury formerly a Minister for Ranting the Quakers appeared like Locusts and overspread the whole Kingdome even to the Disquiet of Oliver himself who could not endure to hear of their Anti-Magisterial-principles the â—chisme consisting chiefly of such as had been of the Army or Rebel Faction The Heighth of that Phrenzy and Delusion so possessed the haughty mind of one Janies Naylor as if Pride and Ambition were the raigning secular sins that he fancied himself to be our Saviour procuring such Worship to be done him as was due only to that Blessed Divinity This Blasphemous Impostor was severely punished by the consent of Oliver who perceived Lansbâ—re whose Soldier this was formerly to stickle for him on design to cajole his party But not from any sense of this
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