it safer for his Person to depart from thence to his Sister at the Hague till the Royall affairs in England might gain a better posture which he did and there found a reception answerable to his birth Not long after the King his Royall Father being in danger to be inclosed in Oxford by Generall Fairfax who returning out of the West had designed to block it up took care for his safety and attended only by Mr. Ashburnham or as some say attending on him went privily out thence and threw himself upon the Scotch Army then at Newark who shortly after notwithstanding his confidence of them for a summe of money delivered him up most perfidiously and traiterously to his implacable Enemies the English Army These after many pretences of Treaties and seeming willingnesse to come to an accord with him on that black day the 30. of Ianuary 1648. most villanously and trayterously beyond the imagination of the World murder'd him Thus far is a short view of those hardships and afflictions undergone by this noble Prince during his fathers life and raign we will now proceed to those he hath since ran through which we may more properly particularly call his Own Among which the Chief and greatest and from whence all his other miseries flowed as from their spring head was the deprivation of his Kingdome and Royalties For that part of the Parliament of England which had usurped the whole power or more were not onely content to take away his Fathers life but by their Proclamation deprive him of all right in the Government of those three Kingdomes which they take upon themselves contrary both to the Word of God the Fundamental Lawes of the Nation and his own undoubted right by birth he being lineally descended from that Family which had successively governed England for above three hundred yeares He was at the time of his Fathers death at the Court of his Sister the Royall Princesse of Orange in the Hague in expectation to hear rather of the Conclusion of a Treaty then of his Murder to which effect he writ by the Lord Seymour the following Letter to him some short time before his Death For the King SIR HAving no means to come to the knowledge of your Majesties present Condition but such as I receive from the prints or which is as uncertain reports I have sent thts bearer Seymour to wait upon your Majesty and to bring mean account of it that I may withall assure your Majesty I doe not onely pray for your Majesty according to my duty but shall alwaies be ready to do all which shall be in my power to deserve that blessing which I now humbly beg of your Majesty upon Sir Your Majesties Most humble and most obedient Son and Servant CHARLES Hague Jan. 23. 1648. And here he staid till he heard the heart-breaking newes of his Fathers Murther when shortly after he took his Iourney to the Queen his mother in France hoping there to get aid but found none which might render him in a Capacitie to revenge his Father's Death or demand his own Right by force and in vain it was to think of any fair means to attain it Yet there wanted not some friends of his in England who willing to demonstrate how ready they were to adventure themselves for him and his right as far as their weak abilities would stretch caused under hand a Proclamation to be printed proclaiming him King of England Scotland France and Ireland and advising all his good Subjects to give all due Allegiance to him but the low condition of the Royallists then in England and the great strength and potency of the Parliaments Army made this Proclamation unvalid and those who at a fit opportunity would willingly have complied with it were forced to direct their Obedience to the contrary Goal But though England prov'd thus defective to his Interest not so much I dare say in Allegiance as power Yet Ireland is at his Devotion for the Marquess of Ormond and the Lord Inchequin having made a peace with the Quondam Rebels he is by joynt consent both of Papists and Protestants proclaimed King in most towns of that Nation Dublin and London Derry only excepted which were kept from their Allegiance the one by the Lieu. General Iones the other by Sir Charles Coot who jointly strove to justifie the Parliament of England's late ctions He being thus proclaimed there is solemnly invited to come over to them to which invitation his Mother earnestly adds her desires but the best of his friends and Counsellours as earnestly disswaded him upon reasons drawn both from prudence and Policy since in probability the design not succeeding it would utterly ruine his hopes with all the Protestant party then stedfast to him both in Scotland England or that if he would needs venture himself with this party they desired him at least to attend whether by any good event of theirs there might be any probability of successe 'T is supposed that this Council swaied with him more out of his real affection to the Protestant Religion then any other Politick reason Yet he immediately after took a journey to the Isle of Iersey which startled some as though he had intended to have proceeded thence for Ireland but that suspition proved unnecessary he was accompanied hither by his Brother the Duke of York who was lately come to him out of Holland and many other Nobles and Gentlemen the Islanders immediately upon his arrival most joyfully proclaimed him King and the Lord Iermyn Earl of Yarmouth was made Governour of that Island who constituted Sir George Carteret his Deputy Governour The King sends from hence his Royal Command to the Governour of Gernsey Island which was then wholly subjected Cornet Castle only excepted to the Parliaments force requiring him to surrender the said Island to him and that his good Subjects there might have liberty to return to their due obedience but his Command proved ineffectual Many affirm but how true I know not that the Reason of the Kings removal to this Island was out of design to surprize Dartmouth and some other places in the West by the Levellers help who having then made a defection from the Parliaments Army in England were say they to have joyned with the Royallists for the intents and purposes aforesaid but whether so or no I cannot affirm though I can certainly tell this that were it so it proved uneffectual for the Levellers were soon overpowered and quell'd Whilest King Charles was here expecting a Messenger from the States of Scotland came new's of the unfortunate overthrow of the Marquess of Ormond his Army by Lieu. General Iones before Dublin which caused a general sorrow among all his followers for there had been great hopes and expectations of that Army it amounting to no lesse then twenty two thousand men and was esteemed able not onely to have taken Dublin but likewise to have resisted Cromwell's then new comming Army in the field yet whether
of the Army from Lambert that by their help they return take their seats in the House and dissolve his Committee of Safety command the Soldiers of his Army to repair to their appointed Quarters and Order Generall Monck to bring up his Army to London in all which they are punctually obeyed Lambert's Souldiers deserting him and Generall Monck according to their orders marching up his Army quite through England Yet the Nation had so great hopes of the Noble General that in all his passage through England â—he is courted with addresses from the Gentry of every County remonstrating the distractions they long had and were still like to lye under and inteating that they would be as they hoped hee 'd prove the Deliverer and saver of his Countrey that to settle them in some way of Government a Parliament might be called by the free Votes of the people that they might no longer be Governed by such Wolves as onely made a Prey of them nor their Governours be subjected to the awe and force of an exorbitant Army To all these desires he returned answers promising such things as might be for the good of the Nation But being come to London where he was received with a great deal of joy he put the people almost quite out of hopes of him nay rather into a fear that instead of proving their deliverer he would be the means to enslave them for by the commandment of the Rump he enters the City with his whole Army imprisons many of their Common Council digs up their Posts and breakes down their Gates whilst the stupifi'd Citizens having now fear added to their slavery durst hardly murmur at but with sighs and nods bid adieu to their Liberty Yet notwithstanding this violence the Noble Generall revives their hopes and retiring himself into the City refusing to be subject to the Iuncto's command Shortly after he admits those Members of the House of Commons which were in 1648. forceably excluded by the Army for having given their Votes that the Rings Concessions at the Isle of Wight Treaty were sufficient grounds for a peace and settlement who having taken their places in the House we had now got a step towards our ancient happinesse one of the three Estates of the Kingdom viz. the House of Commons being permitted to sit freely a thing not known so us in twelve precedent years God of Heaven of his mercy to these Nations grant that the other two may in his due time admitted to the discharge of their power and trust that these Nations once so famous under that Government may no longer continue to be the scorn and derision of foreign Countries And great hopes there is now that these Kingdomes may again return to be happy since disloyalty the first cause of their miseries and distractions begins blessed be God every day to be depressed and loyalty to flourish many of those who formely with a zealous fury broak their oath of Allegiance to their King wishing now that they had a King to shew allegiance to perceiving that all innovations of Government are not whatsome would have themseem to be viz. ways to liberty freedom but meer baits of ambitions self-minded men to hook in the people to slavery But to return to his Majesty in Flanders of whose itenary life we have already given you a particular account it will not be impertiment to say somewhat of his sedentary and retired living that by his oeconomy we may judge of his Monarchy and of the government of those few subjects in his Family of that of his three Kingdoms His Majesty hath spent most of his time wherein he hath been out of his Dominions in Flanders under the protection of the Catholique King of Spaine nor had he ever anywhere else so setled a Court and habitation as here where his chiefe attendants are the Lord Chancellor Hide the Marquis of Ormond the Earle of Norwich the Lord Wentworth the Lord Digby and many others Nobles and Gentlemen whose loyalty to his sacred Majesty and his Royall Father hath made exiles to their Country a particular number of which he makes use of for his Councell doing nothing without serious and mature advice and yet being of so stagacious a judgement that whatever he sayes is seldome contradicted by the most judicious of his Councellors not out of feare or flattery but out of a reall assent to and concurrence with his judgement And indeed those great opportunities which he hath had by his so long being abroad of diving into the great Councels of Forrein Princes and States must necessarily make him a person of a very perspicuous understanding endow him with all those qualities which may deservedly attain the name of Great and render him as well an able Statist as a King he having during his expulsion travelled through and lived in the Countries of three the most potent Princes in Christendome viz. the Emperour 's of Germany and the Kings of Spaine and France and so to the Germain resolution added the Spaniards prudence and the Frenchmans expedition To these extraordinary helps which never a Prince in Christendome can boast of we may yet adde those more then ordinary gifts wherewith nature hath been pleased to endow him which being so extreamly improved we can hardly now discern but that it may be known what they were take the character of an Honourable Lord upon his death bed who speaking of him when about fifteen or sixteen yeers of age hath these words Truly I never saw greater hopes of vertue in any young person then in him Great judgement great understanding strong apprehension much of honour in his nature and a very perfect Englishman in his inclinations So that both nature and industry have seemed to use their utmost endeavours to make him a perfect Prince his very affliction turning in this to his benefit and making him in knowledge and sufferings the Refiner of knowledge unparraleld Some forreign Princes as well envying as pittying hiâ— expulsion This perfect knowledge of his he hath indeed had but small occasion to practice except a little in Scotland where I think hee demonstrated himselfe a person so prudent and carefull in his affairs that it is beyond my pens expression His Subjects good was his only care nor did he ever act any thing but what might tend more to theirs then his own interest still consulting whether it might benefit them not himself His Letter to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury sufficiently demonstrates his affection to his very enemies he would win not conquer the hearts of those who though they have broke their Allegiance to him yet hee would esteem still his Subjects He would not conquer with blood lest he should be thought a Tyrant He endeavours by faire means to attain the love of his Subjects that what ever his very enemies think of him he may approve himself to be a just Prince And did fortune give him power yet would he rather attempt
represented his Majesty no otherwise then any loyal person for this age requires that distinction that hath either heard of or known him will confesse him to be but if they will not let them be convinced by that saying of a worthy Gentleman long time an attendant upon his Majesty who having given me a large account of his virtues at length concluded That Tully himself if now alive could not sufficiently expresse his praise Gentlemen it is to you in General that I present this History that you may see and be sensible to whom you have been loyal and then I believe that you will judge that your loyalty hath found it's just reward in being loyal to so just a Prince and if any of you have suffered for him read but his sufferings you cannot value your own Yet I intend not this at all to his pretended Tavern friends which I believe whilest they are so are so onely there and indeed I cannot look upon these as faithfull Subjects for how can that man be loyal to his Prince who hath not the power to be true unto himself Drunken subjects though never so loyal will prove the ruine both of themselves and their Soveraign Gentlemen let those that are truly loyal joyn their prayers with mine for the happinesse of his most SACRED MAIESTY since in his we must necessarily include our own and more then ours our COVNTRIES To the Readers in general Courteous Readers IF in this History I have displeased any person they cannot be so much displeased as I am sorry I have endeavoured to please all nor have I more then Iustice enforced me to favoured any I have laboured as I professed to write impartially where I have not done so I am confident there will not want Carpers If in some particulars affection hath swayed me though I confesse it a fault yet it brings it's excuse What loyal Subject can relate his Soveraigns sufferings without a passion what Free born English man's heart begins not to rise within him when he does but think of those Tyrannies and Oppressions his Native Countrey hath of late groaned under where I have been bitter it has been with reason where sweet with a great deal of Iustice Yet one thing I shall desire the Reader to take notice of that when I speak of the Presbyterians I mean not those moderate people who are as truly loyal as they are godly but some amongst them like wolves in sheeps clothing such as Straughan and Kerry in Scotland who only pretend themselves to be Presbyterians but are in their proof found Sectaries these are the Flea-bitten Clergy the Sowers of strife and sedition and a scandal to those to whom they pretend to be Brethren To conclude that all the Subjects of this Land may with one heart and voice agree together for the Restauration of our afflicted Sovereign but of our more afflicted selves to just Rights and Priviledges is the earnest prayer of A Hearty well-wisher to his Countrey THE HISTORY OF CHARLES the II. Third MONARCH of Great Britain c. THe Histories of Englands late oppreessours have already cloy'd and overladed the exuberant Presse whole Volumes daily coming forth either of the Actions of the late long Parliament or the Life of their aspiring Generall Cromwell which though adorn'd with all those flatteries that could possibly proceed from the most beneficed pens yet cannot in the least justifie their actions to the more sober sort of people for though their memories may here smell sweet to some who have rather tasted of their favour then suffered under their oppression yet do they but render them to the sufferers more infamous and to the Neuter ridiculous like the extolling of Don Quixot's Chivalry And though there have been some who have adventured to set them out to the life and paint them in their own colours yet have many of these as far exceeded the bounds of Truth as the others came short of it rather exasperated by their own or to please their fellow-sufferers into so great extremes have either side been lead out of fear or flattery anger or passion Moderation and Impartiality are the chiefest virtues of an Historian and therefore he who writes an History should chuse such a subject to write on where neither fear nor gain can induce him to flatter anger or passion to too much bitternesse Most of our modern Historians have proposed to themselves either profit advantage or employment by their Works which hath made them run into their so many grosse errours and flatteries whilst had they only endeavoured to represent things persons and actions impartially they had gained to themselves farre greater honour of true Writing I have chosen a subject to write of which I conceive may lead me to a mediocrity the Persons afflictions may induce me to pity him but they will in most mens judgements restrain me from flattery Nor need I out of fear I being now though unwillingly out of his reach mince the truth of his if any bad actions I confesse the Task I undertake is highly adventurous my pen may slip times may change however my heart shall guide me to an impartiality Charles the II. Heir apparent to the Crown of Great Britain and Ireland and crowned King of Scots whose History I intend to treat of was born on the 29. of May 1630. to the great joy of the King Queen and indeed the whole Nation for never yet had England a Prince born of so noble an extract and grand Alliance his father by lineal right and descent King of Great Britain and Ireland his mother daughter to that thrice Illustrious Prince Henry the Fourth King of France and worthily sirnamed the Great and Maria de Medicis By his Grand-mothers side was he near allied to the Kings of Denmark by the marriage of his Aunt the noble Princesse Elizabeth to the Elector Palatine of Rhene and King of Bohemia and afterwards by the marriage of his Royall Sister the Princesse Mary to the Prince of Orange Thus was he allied to most of the most Potent Princes in Christendome And happy might this Nation have been under his Government if we may believe the vogue of that wisest of men Solomon who pronounces that Kingdome blessed whose Prince is the son of Nobles He was some years after his birth according to the ancient Customes of England for the Kings Eldest son invested Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and was in his minority brought up under the care of the Earle of Neweastle till in the year 1646. the Lord Hopton's Army in which he was being near inclosed by Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of all the Parliaments Forces in the Devizes of Cornwall and the King his Fathers affairs being in a desperate condition all over England he was by the serious advice of his best friends perswaded to taâ—e shipping and depart for the Scillies from whence he was by the Parliament invited to return to London but he thought
by the carelessness of the Commanders or security of the Souldiers I am loath to judge this mighty Army then beleaguring Dublin was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of it's Number This overthrow the repulse of Sir Robert Stuart and Col. Mervin from London-Derry by Sir Charles Coot and Cromwell's suddain landing in Ireland whose motion now there was no field Army either to attend or oppose made his Majesties affairs grow almost as desperate in Ireland as they were before in England But the Scots Kirk who had sold their King into the hands of the Independent English Army after they heard that they had condemned him to death repent them of their Wicednesse wash their hands from any guilt in his bloud Expostulate with the English sitting in Parliament about their so severe proceedings and protest against having any hand in his Murder and to make the world believe they had yet some touch of loyalty within them they had just after his death proclaimed Charles Prince of VVales eldest Son to the late murthered King Charles the first and his lawfull and undoubted Heir King of Great Britain France and Ireland and had immediately resolved in the Committee of Estates then sitting to send some sitting persons to treat with his Majestie about sundry Articles before his reception to the Crown but long Debates and demurrs there were in the businesse before they could resolve what and whom to send For some there were in this Grand Committee of Estates who fee'd or seduced by the Sectaries in England impeaded to the utmost of their power and endeavours all proceedings in the businesse so that once instead of debating what or whom they should send to his Majestie it came to be a debate whether they should send or no but at length a letter and propositions was by the prevailing part concluded on and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton appointed to be the Messenger who on the 25. of September 1649. received his dispatches and some time after arrived before his Majestie at Iersey The chief of their desires was to this effect 1. That his Majesty would graciously be pleased himself to sign the solemn League and Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Parliament that every person in that Kingdome might take it 2. That he would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamilton's last return 2. For receiving severall Acts made by English for the Militia 3. That the Kings of Scotland may have no negative voice 3. That his Majestie would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That he would put away all Papists from about him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with their Commissioners An honour able Company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend his Majesty to whom likewise they would send a sufficient provision to maintain him a train suitable to his birth and deserved Greatnesse 6. That he would be graciously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires These Propositions were very stifly debated Pro and Con some were so fierce that they would have his Majesty utterly reject the Scâ—â—s Propositions as dishonourable and disadvantageous to his affairs Others were of opinion that it would more conduce to the Kings Interest to accept of such Conditions as he could agree with the Scotch Commissioners which would be a readier way to attain the Crown then by Montrosses his designs who had lately received Commissions from the King to assault the North of Scotland with what force he could raise however the businesse was still demurred and delayed and no answer for a good while given to the Lord Libberton who earnestly prest it till such time as answer could come from Montrosse then in Holland and out of France touching their opinions concerning these Propositions concerning which Montrosse teturned answer to his Majesty desiring him to hear ken to the Scots Commissioners whilst they would propose and agree to any thing which might stand with his Majesties honour for the restoring him to his Rights and Dignities That for himself he should rather be content to endure banishment from his Highnesse sight and person then in the least prejudice his affairs Thus this faithfull and loyall servant courted Banishment as the late famous Earle of Strafford had done death for his Master 's good and service but too generous was he and had too great a sense of goodness and gratitude to grant his request but returned him this answer That he had so high a sense of his fidelity and loyalty all along and that he had performed so many signall services both for his father and himself that he could not in honour leave him and therefore desired him to presse him no farther The Queen Mother likewise earnestly presses her son to the acceptance of the Scotch Propositions for a Treaty as the onely and readiest way for the establishing of him in his Kingdomes These resolves of his Mother and the Marquess of Montrosse wrought strongly with his Majesty yet not withstanding they are as stoutly opposed by the Lord Cleveland Byron Gerard and others whose chief opposition proceeded from the alledged Treachery of the Scots to his father That they were Scots still and might practice the same upon him But the majority of voices carrying it for a Treaty it was resolved on yet in regard it would require some time to frame an answer Sir William Flemming was sent Agent to the Committee of Estates in Scotland till such time as the Laird Libberton could be dispatch't Short time after Mr. Windram returned into Scotland with a Letter instructions by word of mouth whereby he gave the Committee of Estates who having long expected were therefore more desirous to hear what he now brought an account how much he found his Majesty compliant to their Propositions viz. That as to what acted in the two last Sessions of Parliament he was content a General Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamilton's party in his last engagement should bear Office in State without consent of Parliament That he had appointed Breda in Holland for the place of a solemn Treaty for the making of a full accommodation and agreement between him and his loving Subjects of Scotland The Contents of his Letter were as followeth For the Committee of Estates of Scotland CHARLES R. WE have received your Letters lately presented to us by Mr. Windram of Libberton and we accept graciously all the expressions of affection and fidelity therein contained towards us with your tender resentment of our present Condition and the just indignation which you professe to have against the execrable Murther of our Father And we believe that your intentions are full of Candor towards us as we are and alwayes really have been
desirous to settle a clear and right intelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient Kingdome of Scotland which may be an assured foundation of their happinesse and peace for the time to come and an effectual means to root out all the seeds of animosity and divisions caused by these late troubles and also to unite the hearts and affections of our subjects one to another and of them all to us their King and lawfull Soveraign to the end that by their Obedience to our Royal and just Authority we may be put in a Condition to maintain them in peace and prosperity and to protect them in their Religion and Liberty as it appertains to us according to our charge and office of a King And as we have alwayes resolved to contribute whatever is to be done by us to obtain these good effects and for the just satisfaction of all our Subjects in this Kingdome We have now thought fit upon the Return of Mr. Windram to command and desire you to send unto us Commissioners sufficiently authorized to treat and agree with us both in Relation to the Interest and just satisfaction of our Subjects there as also concerning the aid and assistance which in all reason we may expect from them to bring and reduce the murtherers of our late most dear father of happy memory to condigne punishment and to recover our just rights in all our Kingdomes And we will that they attend us on the fifteenth of March at the Town of Breda where we intend to be in Order thereunto And in confidence of a Treaty as also to make known to you and all the World that we sincerely desire to be agreed VVe have resolved to addresse these unto you under the Name and Title of a Committee of Estates of our Kingdome of Scotland and will and expect that you use this grace no other wayes for any advantage to the prejudice of us or our affairs beyond what we have given this Qualification and Title for namely for the Treaty and in order to it Although we have considerations sufficient and very important to disswade and oblige us to do nothing in this kind antecedently at this time Also we hope the confidence which we declare to have in your clear and candid intentions towards us will furnish you with strong Arguments to form in your selves a mutual confidence in us which by the blessing of God Almighty by your just and prudent moderation and by that great desire we have to oblige all our Subjects of that Kingdome and by the means of the Treaty which we attend and hope for may be a good foundation of a full and happy peace and an assured security to this Nation for the time to come which we assure you is wished of us with passion and which we shall endeavour by all means in our power to effect This is the full of his Majesties Letter to the Committee of Estates in Scotland and much to this effect was there another writ by him to the Committee of the Kirk But this I the rather fully insert in regard of the many Calumnies cast upon it and by it upon his Majesty His enemies hereby taking occasion to carp upon him by pretending his inveterate desire of revenge which was so contrary to the last precepts given him by his dying father I think I need not answer his enemies objection they by those carps only condemning themselves of a self-guiltinesse but to the more sober sort of people I shall referre it and let them seriously consider whether the beginning progresse and end of the Letter demonstrate him not a man more addicted to peace and quietnesse then to revenge and destruction The principal Objection which his enemies have against him is that he desires the aid of his Scotch Subjects to bring the murderers of his Father to condigne punishment does this shew him a lover of Revenge or of Justice I would fain know which of his enemies or of his Fathers Murderers would not should I have done the same to any of their so near Relations have endeavoured to have brought me under the utmost censure of the Law But to proceed these letters are seriously debated both in the Committee of Estates and Kirk the first order its confideration to a select sub-Committee of their own consisting of nine Lords and others who present their opinions upon it to the grand Committee and these provide ready a state of the Case to be presented to the Parliament of Scotland which was shortly after to assemble But mean while a select number of the Kirk and State make up a Committee who by common consent were to consider what was to be done about sending Commissioners and Propositions to his Majesty these had strong and serious debates for the arrogant Kirkmen would not have his Majesty admitted into Scotland but upon Conditions which should make him wholly subservient to their commands but the State would have such tart conditions wholly waved and though their own were rough enough yet at length a mediation is concluded on between theirs and the Kirks And the Earle of Castles the Lord Lothian Burley and Libberton Sir Iohn Smith and Mr. Ieoffreys for the Estates Mr. Broady Lawson and Wood are appointed Commissioners for the Kirk These having received their Commissions and Instructions took their journey for Holland arrived at Breda some few daies before his Majesty got thither On the 16. March 1649. he also arrived there and on the 19. the Lord VVent worth Master of the Ceremonies conducted them to Audience being come before his Majesty who in a large Chamber purpose provided expected them The Lord Castles in behalf of the Estates and Mr. Lawson in behalf of the Kirk having made their Speeches declared the occasion of their coming and shewing their Commissions they delivered the ensuing Propositions in the behalf both of the Kirk and States of Scotland 1. That all those who had been excommunicated by the Church still continued so should be forbid accesse to Court 2. That all Acts of the Parliament of Scotland should be by him ratified and approved of That the solemn League and Covenant the Presbyterian Church-government The Directory Confession and Catechisme should be enjoyned in Scotland and the same used and practised in his family and an Oath to be taken by him that He would never oppose it or endeavour to alter it 3. That he would by solemn Oath and under his hand and seal declare and acknowledge his allowance of the solemn League Covenant and the National Covenant of Scotland 4. That he would consent and agree that all civil matters might be determined by subsequent Parliaments in Scotland and all Ecclesiastical matters by the General Kirk assembly as was formerly granted by his Royal father To these Propositions his Majesty demanded Whether this were fully and wholly all that the Committee of Estates and Kirk in Scotland had to desire or propound and whether these Commissioners
of State which the Cardinal defends and the King also enclines to his side by the instigation of the Queen his Mother yet nothing but the Cardinal's banishment will satisfie the Princes who join the Duke of Lorain to them then in the service of the Spaniard with an Army of ten thousand men so that they intend with his assistance if they could not obtain their desires by fair means to have forc't it Thus these differences were arrived at such a height that nothing but a Civil War was like to ensue which made his Sacred Majesty of England use his utmost endeavours to compose and stay this breach before it came to an utter overflow to which effect he daylie went to and fro betwixt the King the Princes endeavouring to bring them to a reconciliation urging by his own example the miseries and calamities that must necessarily fall upon every man's head by a Civil War telling the King that the late Example of his Royal Father of happy memory might be an inducement to him to be at peace with his Subjects rather then embroil his Kingdoms in a bloody War by which though he might for the present gain the better yet in the end he would still be sure to have the worse Yet these Arguments and his Majesty's earnest endeavours for peace and reconciliation produced nothing but only contract an unjust odium upon him from both parties for his good will the Princes believing that he counselled the King against them and the Cardinal again him So that he lost the love of both by endeavouring to make them love one another yet notwithstanding the ill successe he had this Noble Prince stil pursues his pacifick intentions til such time as he gains a conference between the King Cardinal and Princes but this proves ineffectual for the Princes heightened with the aid they expected from the Duke of Lorain instead of coming to an accord onely exasperate differences Yet his sacred Majesty ceases not but indeavours to bring them yet to a peaceable compliance and in order thereunto procures another conference where he himself would be Moderatour but this proves as ineffectual as the former For the Prince of Conde was above all others outragious and would come to no agreement except Mazarine were first banished France and the French King as violently persisted in his resolution against it alledging That he had approved himself both a faithfull servant and an able Minister of State So instead of agreement both sides prepare for Warre yet are both sides equally angry and exasperated against his sacred Majesty for his good will towards them and the nation the one and other party imagining that both he and his Mother had given counsels opposite to their designs But that which above all exasperated the Princes against his Majesty of England was the sudden luke-warmness of the Duke of Lorain in the businesse For though he had drawn off his Army as though he had complied with their resolutions to come to a battel yet being sent for by the Princes to advance towards Paris he refused to come which made the Princes believe there had been some underhand-dealing with him and that which most of all increased their jealousies that King Charles had a hand in it was this The Duke of Beaufort coming to the Camp of Lorain to desire him in the name of the Princes to come up and fight found there his Mâ—jesty his Brother the Duke of York in private conference with Lorain who withdrawing when Beaufort appeared Beaufort finding the Duke's aversness to the enterprize confirmed him and he confirmed the Princes of the King of England's endeavours whereby he had withdrawn Lorain from their party This coming to the peoples ears who were absolute favourers of the Princes and invetrate enemies to Mazarine so extremely incensed them against the English Princes that they threaten violence and indignities to their persons and are not afraid to affront the Queen their Mother in her Coach which made his Majesty to avoid the popular fury retire himself from the Lovure to St. Germane Nor is the Cardinal less incensed though under a more politick vail For though both Princes People might imagine and believe that his Majesty had counsel'd things opposite to their intentions yet the Cardinal very wel knew that he had advised the King as the best course to consent to his departure out of the Kingdom and that if he had endeavoured to draw Lorain from their party 't was only out of a desire he had to expedite their agreement he therefore resolves to thwart him in all his designs And so he did to the utmost of his endeavours For his Majesty though suspected by the Princes in his several conferences with Lorain to have endeavoured to divert him from them was onely transfacting with him for the recovery of his Kingdome of Ireland out of the hands of the English Republick to which effect several Articles were drawn up between the Duke of Lorain and the Lord Taaf two of which were 1. That the Duke of Loraine should transport an Army of 10000. men at his own charges into Ireland there to join with such as should be found Loyal for the Recovery of his Majesties Rights in that Kingdom 2. That the Duke of Lorain should by his Majesty be invested with the Power and Title of Protector Royal of Ireland These Articles though drawn up never came to be signed the cause of which some have imagined to be the disability of the Duke to perform the Enterprize without the Aid of some other Prince but we may in more reason guesse it proceeded from the strenuous endeavours of Mazarine his Majesty 's so lately made-enemy to divert the Duke's Army then from any other cause Many in England upon hearing of these Propositions made to the Duke of Lorain which I must confess some believe to have never proceeded any farther then Discourse of the Dukes feared his Majesties too great inclination to the Romish Religion which fear his after-retirement at St. Germain's convinced there was no need of For here he spent his time wholly in Piety and Devotions according to the best Worship of the Church of England never forgetting to pray for those his Enemies who were not only content to have deprived him of his Kingdomes but continually belched forth both slanders and maledictions against him His Majesty having staid at S. Germaines till such time as the heat of the popular fury was over which decreased still towards him as they found Mazarine more averse to him returned again to the Lovure where during his abode his brother the Duke of Glocester who had a long time been detained by the Iuncte of England in the Isle of Wight and was lately permitted by them to go to his Sister the Princess Royall in Holland came to him accompanied from the Hague by Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Richard Greenvile he was at his arrivall at Paris honourably received by the
blandishents then force He knows that whilst he kills a Subject he weakens his kingdom Rebels themselves may be found usefull and though justice can not yet his Majesties clemency will admit their pardon but if they resist to the utmost their blood is on their own heads What man is not willing to destroy him who he knows would be his murderer Thus is his justice and his clemency mixt together he would not kill where he might with safety save â—â—r does his unspotted innocency raise fancies or fears in him As he is guilty of nothing so ther 's nothing hee fears Whilst he endeavours to be true to his subjects those endeavours force a belief in him that his subjects will be true to him His very nature enclines him to a compassion He pitties those that will not pitty themselves and whilst they are conspiring his destruction his prayers procure their safety Nor can the utmost of their injuries provoke him to a retalliation He hath learned not only of God but of the King his father to forgive his enemies Nor is it his desire to obtain his Kingdomes that makes him willing to forgive his enemies but his desire to forgive his enemies that makes him willing to obtain his Kingdoms he counts the possession of his Royalties but as a transitory dignity the pardon of his enemies a Divine and lasting one Neither is his piety lesse then his justice they are both in the Superlative degree he hates wickednesse not because the world should see him glory that would make him an Hypocrite but because God abhors it t is Love not Fear makes him Religious he Fears God only because he Loves him He hates not the Vicious but abhominates their Vices his hatred extends not to persons but to things He dislikes not the Swearer t is his Oaths he abhors he hates not the Drunkard but his Drunkennesse Yet does his mercy extend beyond their sins as he is a King so he is a God he is gracious to pardon as well as just to punish nor can a submission or reformation but overtake his remission His constant service of God excites others to live by his example he sleeps not without invoking the blessing of the Almighty nor do his eyes open without a returned thanks He knows 't is God alone which can restore and protect him nor can the wickednesse of man prevail against Him Nor does his publick devotion shew him less zealous then his private the one demonstrates him full of Zeal the other void of Hypocrisie he would have others holy as well as himself he knows that saying concerns him being a King above all private Men Non nobis solis nati sumus Private persons are not alone born for theÌ„selves muchless Kings the publique concern is their duty 't is not enough for the Master of the house that he be godly whilst his Family is wicked There must be Precept as well as Example and if need be correction as well as instruction This makes his Majestie deservedly famous he counts it as great a fault to suffer a sin in another whilst he hath power to correct it as to commit it himself he knows that what crimes soever a Magistrate suffers willingly to be committed he brings upon his own head He is therefore above all things carefull not to father vice lest he should be accounted vicious he detests that in another which did he commit he knows he might justly detest himself for and endeavours by Example to reforme that in others which he knows were it in him would seem odious to them He abhors vice as well because it is so as because God abhors it His nature inclines him to vertue and as he cannot admit ' its contrary in himselfe so he cannot endure it in another His constancy in Religion is no less conspicuous then his piety His discerning judgement knows what is truth and that truth is followed by his setled will Yet he hates not the Popish Religion but their Idolatry he abhors not them but their false worship He loves all that know Christ at all but wishes that they might know him more His stedfastnesse in Religion proceeds not from self-interest he sticks not so much to the true Protestants because he knows the English to be addicted to that Religion because hee thinks it for his benefit because he imagines that it would prove very difficill to obtaine his Crown and leave it But because he knows it to be true He knows the Prince is born for the people as well as the people for the Prince He knows their interests to be inter woven He knows that without them he cannot stand yet will he sooner loose them then relinquish verity He is the perfect pattern of Piety but more of Patience his afflictions have not made him repine he knows God to be just he believes that as God restored Iob twofold so will he likewise restore unto him his Kingdomes Yet he thinks it just in God to suffer them to be detained from him He laments more his Subject slavery then his own Exile he grives that they have been so long blind yet rejoyces for their sakes that they have now a Glimmering he constantly prays for the restoring of their fight not so much because they should restore his as their own Rights and Priviledges He is inwardly troubled and perplexed at the many Schisms Sects and Heresies that are raised in the Church of England he is sorry that their rise is from some mens envy towards him he pities and his pitty produces his prayers for them He is willing that though they will not obey him yet that they may serve God He was never heard to curse his Enemies many times to pray for them and desire God to forgive even his Fathers Murtherers his good will surpasses their cruelty And whilst they are conspiring his Destruction he is praying for their Salvation He is a perfect Enemy to all Debauchedness he is sorry those who pretend themselves his friends in England are so great a scandal to him He wishes that they would so carry themselves that he might adventure to own them as his Friends for he understands not the good will of those who drink his Health for the liquors sake nor wishes for their help who over their Sack only swear they will Fight for Him He is no greater a hater of vice then a Cherisher of vertuous Actions he loves them in his very Enemies and often grives when he finds occasion to think that many of them will rise up in Judgment against his most pretended Friends He is most exactly just in all his Commands and faithful in performance of all his Promises Take the Character given him by the dying Marquesse of Montrose For his Majesty now Living saith he Never People I believe may be more happy in a King his commands to me were most Iust in nothing that he promiseth will be fail He deals justly with all Men c. So punctual is he