order of adjournment July 30. but neither of the Speakers At length they proceeded to a new election and voted Mr. Pelham a Counsellour and Member of the Commons House Speaker pro tempore The Lords made choice of the Lord Grey to be Speaker of their House pro tempore The Sergeant at Armes being absent with the Mace when the Commons chose their Speaker had the City Mace and chose Mr. Norfolke Sergeant at Armes After which proceeding to debate the great affaires touching the City and Kingdome they voted as followes 1. That the King come to London 2. That the Militia of the City shall have full power to raise what Forces they shall thinke fit to the same 3. That they may make choice of a Commander in chiefe to be approved of by the House and such Commanders to present other officers to be approved of by the Militia The Common-councell made choice of Major Generall Massie to command in chiefe all the City Forces Ordered by the Militia that all Reformadoes and other officers should the next day at two of the clocke beliâ—ted in St. Jamses fields And that the forces already listed should be put in a Regimentall way A great appearance in St. Jamses fields of officers and Reformadoes that were listed Order given for staying of horses in the City and many listed Most of the eleven Members sate in the House and in the afternoone M. Gen. Massie Sir William Waller and Col. Gen. Poyntz were at listing the Reformadoes Command given that all shops be shut up by sound of the Trumpet throughout the City The Declaration of the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-councell published A briefe of which that his Majesty was surprised at Holdenby and no place for his Majesties residence allowed by the Army nearer then their Quarters therefore to settle peace and establish true Religion ease the Kingdomes burden establish his Majesties just rights maintaine the Parliaments Priviledges and relieve bleeding Ireland they professe the maine of their enterprise c. A Petition in the names of many thousands well-affected Citizens for some way of composure c. At which time Col. Gen. Poyntz and other officers of the new list attending for their orders upon the Militia came into Guild-hall yard and most cruelly hackt and hew'd many of the aforesaid Petitioners divers whereof were mortally wounded whereof some since dyed The Earle of Warwicke and Earle of Manchester having quit the Houses retired into Essex and sent word to the Generall they had cast themselves upon his protection The Lord Say Lord Mogrene and divers other Lords with many of the House of Commons came to the Head quarters desiring the Generalls protection Six Aldermen and twelve Common-councell men are sent with a letter to the Generall from the City wherein they declare their unwillingnesse to a new War desiring his Excellency to receive the sense they apprehend the Army hath taken against the City A letter presented to the Generall from the inhabitants of Southwarke relating their withstanding the designe of raising a new War desiring some aid from his Excellency for their protection Generall Massie sends out Scouts but neare Brainford thirty of his men were chased by ten of his Excellencies and tooke foure of Gen. Massies A letter from the City to the Generall shewing their readinesse to joyn with his Excellency and according to his direction to receive those honourable Members that were forc'd to retire by reason of the tumultuous affront and willingly submit to be determined by both Houses as they shall thinke fit having recalled their late Declaration against the Armies proceedings c. About two of the clocke in the morning Col. Rainsborough Col. Huson Col. Pride and Col. Thistelâ—el with their severall Regiments of Horse and Foot marched into the Borrough of Southwarke the great Fort was presently yeelded up to them without opposition His Majesty in a letter sent to the Generall acquits himselfe of the great scandall of having a hand in the late tumult testifying his dislike thereof accounting it a very dishonourable way to be brought to London in a tumultuous way The Members that were forced away returne to sit in Westminster againe guarded by the souldiers The Houses being sat with their old Speakers The House of Peers upon debate passed an Ordinance for making his Excellency Thomas Lord Fairfax high Constable of the Tower of London The House ordered a gratuity of a months pay to be given to all the Non-commission officers and private Souldiers for their great service A Committee appointed to finde out the chiefe promoters of the late designe of the Tumult at Westminster and raising a new War His Excellency marches through the city with his Army Horse and Foot and traine of Artillery without the least affront or prejudice to any they were marching through the city from eleven of the clocke untill eight at night By many thousands young men and Apprentices of London there was presented a humble acknowledgement and congratulation to his Excellency for his many great services to the Kingdome and City of London resolving to live and dye with his Excellency An Ordinance past both Houses for declaring all Votes Orders and Ordinances past both Houses since the forcing both Houses July 26. untill the 6. of this present August 1647. to be null and void The Lords and Commons make a new Militia consisting of 36. in number The line of Communication and workes about the City demolished and the Ordnance drawne off Upon information of the eleven late impeached Members who had been very active in the late designe it was ordered that they appeare at Westminster 16. Octob. A letter from Lieu. Gen. Crumwel to the House of Commons acquainting Mr. Speaker that his Majesty had withdrawne himselfe at 9. the last night his Majesty having left his cloake behinde him and some letters in his withdrawing roome His Majesties letter Hampton-Court Novem. 11. 1647. Liberty being that which in all times hath been but especially now is the condition the aime and desire of all men Common reason shews that Kings lesse then any should endure captivity yet I call God to witnesse with what patience I have endured a tedious restraint which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of my suffering might conduce to the peace of these three Kingdomes or the hindring of more effusion of blood I did willingly undergoe but now finding by two certaine proofes that this my continued patience would not onely turne to my personall ruine but likewise be of much more prejudice then furtherance to the publique good I thought I was bound as well by naturall as politicall obligations to feeke my safety by retyring my self for some time from publique view both of my friends and enemies and I appeale to all indifferent men to judge if I have not cause to free my selfe from the hands of those who change their principles with their condition and who are not ashamed openly to intend the destruction of
TRUE INFORMATION OF THE Beginning and Cause of all our troubles how they have been hatched and how prevented WHEREIN VVe may see the manifold contrivances and attempts of forraigne and home-bred Enemies against the Parliament Kingdome and purity of RELIGION AND How all their Endeavours whether by Force or fraud never prospered A Work Worthy to be kept in Record and to bee communicated to POSTERITY The people that will not understand shall fall LONDON Printed in the Yeare 1648. True Information of the beginning and cause of all our troubles how they have bin hatched and how prevented 1 Parliament 1. IN the first yeare of King Charles his Reign a Parliament being called at Oxford two subsidies were granted no grievances removed but the said Parliament soone dissolved 2 The sad effects which the dissolution of this Parliament produced were the losse of Rochell by the unhappy helpe of Englands Ships 3 The diversion of a most facile and hopefull warre from the West-Indies to a most expencive and successelesse attempt on Cales 4 The bloody and unblessed attempt on the Isle of Ree and thereby a precipitate breach of peace with France to our great losse 5 A peace concluded with Spaine without consent of Parliament contrary to a promise formerly made to the Kingdome by King James a little before his death whereby the Cause of the Palatinate was altogether most shamefully deserted by us 6 The Kingdome suddenly billetted with Souldiers and a concomitant project set on foot for Germane Horfes to force men by feare to fall before arbitrary and tyrannicall taxations continually to be laid upon them 2 Parliament 7 The dissolution of a second Parliament at Westminster in the second yeare after a declarative grant of no lesse then five Subsidies and the sad issues that flowed to the Kingdome thereupon 8 As first the violent exacting from the people of that mighty summe of the five Subsidies or a summe equall to it by a Commission for a Royall-Loan as it was called 9 Many worthy Gentlemen imprisoned and vexed that refused to pay it 10 Great summes of money extorted from Subjects by Privy Seals and Excises 11 The most hopefull Petition of Right blasted in the very blossome of it 3 Parliament 12 A third Parliament called and quickly broken in the fourteenth yeare of the King and therein Parliamentary priviledges extreamly violated by after ill-usage of some of the best and worthiest Members thereof who were clapt up close prisoners denied all ordinary and extraordinary comforts of life and preservation of health which might have proved perpetuall to them had not a fourth Parliament which afterward happened necessitated their releife and release 13 And this third Parliament thus dissolved O the miserable effects that followed thereon also 14 Scandalous and opprobrious Declarations published to asperse and besmeare the proceedings of the last Parliament and some of the best Members thereof yea Proclamations set out to those effects thereby extreamly to dis-hearten the Subjects yea and plainly forbidding them once to name a Parliament or to desire them any more 15 VVhence immediately gushed out this damme of Parliaments thus being broken down the violent inundations even to a deluge of miseries of mighty summes of money got by that strange and straining project of Knight-hood yet under a faire colour and pretence of Law for it and for all the rest that followed 16 As the most burthensom Book of Rates the most heavy and unheard of till then taxation of Ship money the enlargement of Forrests contrary to Magna Charta the injurious taxation of Coat and Conduct money the forcible taking away of the Trained-Bands Armes the desperate designe of ingrosing Gunpowder into their hands and keeping it fast from the Subject in the Tower of London not to be had thence but at most excessive rates 17 The destruction of the Forrest of Dean that most famous Magazine and timber-store-Timber-store-house of the whole Kingdome which was sold to Papists 18 The monstrous Monopolies of Sope Salt Wine Leather and Sea-coal yea almost of all things in the Kingdome of most necessary and common use 19 Restraint of Subjects Liberties in their Trades and Habitations for refusall of which foresaid heavy pressures many were vext with long and languishing suites some fined and confined to prisons to the losse of health in many of life in some Some having their houses broke open their goods seized on their studies or closets searched for writings bookes and papers to undoe them Some interrupted also in their Sea-Voyages and their ships taken from them in an hostile manner by projectors as by pirates or common enemies 20 The crushing cruelties of the Star-Chamber-Court and Councill Table in those dayes chiefly for the fomenting and increasing of most exorbitant taxations pressures and unjust suit against the Subject 21 Thus farre for the miseries of the Common-Wealth now also for the Churches danger and distresse the amazing miseries of the Subjects Consciences also by the intolerable burden of Popish Ceremonies Romish Innovations and such like other outrages of the Arch Prelate of Canterbury and his Prelaticall Agents and Instruments over the whole Kingdome in matters of religion divine worship and spirituall cases of Conscience 22 The most palpable and abominable Romish Ceremonies used at the Kings Coronation and insolent and impious false and destructive additions in the Oath administred to the King at his said first Inauguration to the Crowne by that most arrogant Arch-Bishop 23 And the manifold other impious impositions in matters of religion divine worship and spirituall cases of Conscience for refusing and opposing of which how was the honest-hearted and tender-conscienced subject grievously oppressed by fines imprisonments stigmatizings mutilations whippings pillories gagges confinements and banishments yea and that into perpetuall close imprisonments in the most desolate remote and as they hoped and intended remorslesse parts of the Kingdome 24 The putting downe yea utterly ruinating of that most famous and honourable worke that ever this Kingdom saw in a private way for the advancement of Gods glory in the propagation of the Gospel I mean the Feoffees for buying in of Impropriations Noy the then Atturney-Generall openly in Court accusing that blessed worke to bee a worse plot against the Church he meant the Prelaticall-Church sure than the Papists Powder-plot 25 The advancing for the most part none to Ecclefiasticall Dignities and Livings but Arminians yea Popish hearted Pontificians Suspending and silencing with deprivations degradations and excommunications almost all the most pious painful and Orthodox-learned Pastours over the Kingdom whom they could catch in their snares and all this under a pretence of peace unity and conformity in which foresaid cases the High-Commission like the Spanish-Inquisition with its most pregmaticall pranks was all along most intolerable and abominable 26 Printing-presses set open for the Printing and publishing of all sorts of Popish and Arminian tenets but shut up and restrained from Printing sound and Orthodox Doctrines 27 Nay not onely thus
lamentably molested us at home in England but attempted the like on our brethren in Scotland indeavouring to impose upon their consciences also a New Liturgie and a booke of Canons upon the first introducing whereof into their Church they not induring them threw stones and stooles at the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews head and beat him out of the Church crying out a Pape a Pape and so rid themselves of them 28 Upon which refusall of theirs O what foule calumnies and scoffes were immediatly cast upon them and they called and counted rebels and traytors yea so proclaimed in all Churches in England 29 An Army was also raised to oppresse and suppresse them for thus resisting the Arch-prelates most injurious impositions on them A mighty and tumultuous rising of Apprentices and young men in Southwarke and Lambeth side with clubs and other weapons especially at the Arch-bishops house which put him into such a fright as made him flye to Croyden to convey himselfe to some more private and remote place and although Pharoahs Magisians were so honest that at the fight of the dust of the earth turned into lice they cryed out it was the finger of God but he grew more and more outragious and caused one to be hanged and quartered and his head set on London-Bridge 30 Our Brethren of Scotland likewise raising an Army in their own just defence and by force of armes inforcing their owne peace 31 A first pacification being then made by the King and some of his Nobility and ratified under hand and Seal twixt them and the Scots yet was it shortly after shamefully violated and broken quite off by the Arch-prelate of Canterbury and the Earle of Straford and burnt by the hangman at the Exchange 4 Parliament 32 A fourth Parliament was thereupon shortly after called again by those complotters meanes but to a very ill intent and another Parliament summoned also at the same time by the Earle of Straford in Ireland both of them onely to levy and procure monies to raise another Army and wage a new War against the Scots 33 The Ships and goods of our Brethren of Scotland were in all parts and ports of this Kingdome and of Ireland also surprised and seized on for the King their Commissioners denyed audience to make their just defence to the King and the whole Kingdome of Scotland and England too hereupon much distracted and distempered with leavying of monies and imprisoning all among us that refused the same 34 This Parliament also refusing to comply with the King Canterbury and Straford in this Episcopal war against the Scots was soon dissolved broken up by them and thereupon they returned to their former wayes of waste and confusion and the very next day after the dissolution thereof some eminent members of both Houses had their Chambers and Studies yea their Cabinets and very pockets of their wearing cloathes betimes in the morning before they were out of their beds searched for letters and writings and some of them also imprisoned and a false and most scandalous declaration was published against the House of Commons in the Kings name 35 A forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London to be made a president if it prevailed there for the whole Kingdom but some Aldermen refusing were sorely threatned and imprisoned 36 In which interim the Clergies Convocation continuing notwithstanding the dissolution of the Parliament new conscience-oppressing Canons were forged and a strange Oath with a monstrous c. in it was framed for the establishing of the Bishops Hierarchy with severe punishments on the refusers to take it 37 In this Convocation sore taxations were also imposed upon the whole Clergie even no lesse than six Subsidies besides a bountifull contribution to forward that intended war against our brethren of Scotland 38 For the advancing of which said summes for this war the Popish pontifician party and their scandalous priests were most free and forward yea and a solemn prayer was composed and imposed by the Bishops on their Ministers every where to be used and read in all Churches against the Scots as rebels and traytors 39 The papists also in a high measure enjoyed even almost a totall toleration and a Popes Nuncio suffered amongst us to act and govern all Romish affaires yea a kind of a private popish-parliament kept in the Kingdom and popish jurisdictions erected among them 40. Commissions were also secretly issued out for some great and eminent papists for martiall Commands for levying of Souldiers and strengthening their party with Armes and Ammunition of all sorts and in great plenty 41. His Majesties treasure was by these meanes so extreamly exhausted and his revenues so anticipated that he was inforced to compell as it were his own Servants Judges and Officers of all sorts to lend him great summes of money and prisons filled with refusers of these and the other illegall payments yea many High-Sheriffes summoned into the Star-chamber and to the Councel-Board and some of them imprisoned for not being quicke enough in levying of Ship money and such like intolerable taxations 42. In summe the whole Kingdome was now brought into a lamentable and languishing condition of being most miserably bought and sold to any that could give and contribute most of might and malice against us and no hope of humane help but dolour desperation and destruction to be the portion of all The Arch-Prelate of St Andrewes in Scotland reading the new Service-booke in his pontificalibus assaulted by men Women with Crickets stooles Stickes and Stones The rising of Prentises and Sea-men on Southwark side to assault the Arch-bishops of Canterburys House at Lambeth 5. Parliament Anno 1640. Novemb. 3. 44. But behold a desperate plot and designe was herein also immediately set on foot to spoyle or poyson it in the very Embrio and constitution of it in the first choyce of the Members thereof by Letters from the King Queen malignant and Popish Earles Lords Knights and Gentry posted into all parts of the Kingdome to make a strong party for them But by admirable divine providence this their plot was counterplotted and wonderfully frustrated and the Parliament most hopefully congregated and setled 45. Shortly after a very formidable Spanish-Fleet or Armado appeared on our English narrow Seas in sight of Dover and was comming in as was on very strong grounds more than probably conjectured as a third party to help to destroy us the Spaniards hoping that by this time we and the Scots were together by the eares but they were by Gods mercy beaten off from us by our Neighbours of Holland And we fighting against them we fought against our friends The Souldiers in their passage to Yorke turn Reformers pul down Popish pictures breake downe rayles turne altars into tables and those Popish Commanders that were to command them they forced to eat flesh on Fridayes thrusting it downe their throats and some they slew 46. In the time of ours and the Scots Armies residing
bound from Newcastle to Holland laden with Sea-coale but in the midst thereof was found between 3 or 4000 livre. hid in the coales sent to buy armes for the King a third great Ship called the Fellowship of at least 400 tun carrying 24 peeces of Ordnâ—nce all these â— ships taken by the parliaments ships and made prize of 83 The comming in of our brethren of Scotland with an army of at least 20000 horse and foot invited thereunto by the parl. in the bitter depth of winter when they marched up to the middle in snow and were forced to bring their Artillery over the Ice of the frozen river of Tyne and the Citizens of London lent the Parliament a 100000 li. for the Scots first pay to encourage their advance to helpe us against the Kings forces On Tuesday the 23 of May 1643. The House of Commons diving into the depth and searching to the root of the Kingdomes great and grievous distractions and deepe distempers and finding that all Papists in the Kingdome have for the most part been main and most eminent yea and most virulent actors and abetters of this present most unnaturall warre against the Parliament and that therefore they should be proceeded against as traytors to the State and Kingdome and thereupon also having just cause to search and see into the prime and principall head or leader of that perfideous faction fell necessirily 23 May 1643. Voted that the Queene Pawning the Iewells of the Crowne in Holland there with buying Armes to assist the Warr against the Parlamt her owne actuall performances with her popish army in the North was high Treason transmited to the Lords images Crucifixes papistorall bookes in Somerset and Jameses ware burnt and Caphuchin friers sent away May 1643 an ordinance for the makeing of Fortes Tronches and Bull workes about the Cittie Iuly-1-43 the Assembly of Diuines mett Dr. Jwiss Prolocutor 120 the totall May â—â— Challen or and Tomkins were hangd for seekeing to betray the Cittie into a long and serious debate touching the proceedings of the Queen in her late being in Holland and since her late coming back into the north of England not onely in her countenancing and incouraging her aiding and assisting the present civill war but in her actuall performance in the same to foment and advance it to the utmost ruine as much as in her was of our Religion and whole Realine for all which and many other such like misdemeanours it was debated and at last fully agreed that she was as liable to the censure of the Law as any Subject in the Kingdome whereupon it was put to the question whether the Queenes pawning the Jewels of the Crown in Holland and therewith buying Armes and Ammunition to be sent into England to assist the said war against the Parliament and her own actuall performances with her Popish Army in the North were not high Treason and it was resolved most unanimously by the whole House for the affirmative afterward it being also put to the question whether they should forthwith declare their intentions to proceed against her by impeachment of high Treason this also was immediatly resolved for the affirmative and Voted that Articles of impeachment should be speedily drawne up against her which Votes the House of Commons transmitted to the Lords for their assent The Bishop of Canterburies first prayer on the Scaffold 10 Jan. 1644. O Eternall God and mercifull Father looke downe upon me in mercy in the riches and fullnesse of all thy mercies look upon me but not till thou hast nailed my sins to the crosse of Christ looke upon me but not till thou hast bathed me in the blood of Christ not till I have hid my selfe in the wounds of Christ that so the punishment that is due to my sins may passe away and go over 〈◊〉 and since thou art pleased to try me to the uttermost I humbly beseech thâ—e give me now in this great instant full patience proportionable comfort a heart ready to dye for thine honour and the Kings happinesse and this Churches preservation and my zeale to these far from arrogancy be it spoken is all the sin hâ—mane fralty excepted and all incidents thereunto which is yet known of me in this particular for which I now come to suffer I say in this particular of Treason but otherwise my sins are many and great Lord pardon them all and those especially whatsoever they be which have drawn down this present judgement upon me and when thou hast given me strength to â—eare it then doe with me as seemes best in thine owne eyes and carry me through death that I may look upon it in what visage soever it shall appear to me and that there may be a stop of this issue of blood in this more then miserable Kingdome I shall desire that I may pray for the people too as well as for my selfe O Lord I beseech thee give grace of repentance to all people that have a thirst for blood but if they will not repent then scatter their devices so and such as are or shall be contrary to the glory of thy great name the truth and sincerity of Religion the establishment of the King and his posterity after him in their just rights and priviledges the honour and conservation of Parliaments â—â— their ancient and just power the preservation of this poore Church in her truth peace and patrimony and the settlement of this distracted and distressed people under the ancient laws and in their native liberties and when thou hast done all this in mercy for them O Lord fill their hearts with thankfullnesse and with religious dutifull obedience to thee and thy Commandements all their dayes So Amen Lord Jesus and I beseech thee receive my soul to mercy Our Father c. The Bishop of Canterburies last prayer on the Scaffold Lord I am comming as fast as I can I know I must passe through the shadow of death before I 〈◊〉 come to see thee but it is but umâ—ra mortis a meere shadow of death a little darknesse upon nature but thou by thy merits and passion hast broke through the jaws of death so Lord receive my soule and have mercy on me Sr. Alexander Carow Sr. Iohn Hotham Captin Hotham the Arch Bishop of Canterbury beheaded on Jowerhill for Treason against the Parliament 1645. The Great Seale broken before the Lords and Commons on Tusday the 11 August 1646 and blesse this Kingdome with peace and plenty and with brotherly love and charity that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them for Jesus Christ his sake if it be thy will And when he said Lord receive my soule which was his sign the Executioner did his office 84 A desperate plot of the Royalists to starve up the City of London by breaking into Surry Sussex Kent and the other associated Counties but disappointed by the Parliaments Victories at Aulton and Alsford fought by Sir Walliam
Waller with the help of the City of Londons Regiments and the Royalists plots to hinder our brethren of Scotlands comming in to our helpe by letters and Embassadors sent from France and messengers from King Charles to inveagle them to help from us but all in vaine by Gods good providence and 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 85 The King granted a cessation of armes with the bloody rebels of Ireland and afterward justified it by a Declaration of his printed and published at Oxford but it was remarkeably observed that he never prospered in any of his great designs after that 86 A Solemn League and Covenant taken by the Lords and Commons in Parliament and by the City of London and all parts of the Kingdome in the Parliaments power for a pure reformation of Religion and Church Government and a mutuall defence betwixt us and our brethren of Scotland 87 A notable plot by the Royalists to have Nottingham Town and Castle betrayed unto them the Officers therein being proffered above 10000 livre. to consent to it but prevented by Colonell Hutchinson who was the Governour thereof 88 A Generall plot against the Protestant Religion over all Christendome and the Danes and Hollanders also but God wrought a mighty overture therein by the sudden breaking out of the Danes plot against the Swedes and their over-running almost all Denmark thereupon that he could do nothing 89 A desperate plot against the City of London under a pretence of petitioning for peace acted by Sir Basil Brook Colonell Read and one Mr. Ripley Vilet 2 Citizens of London and others but discovered and prevented 1645. 90 Two desperate plots for the betraying of Alsbury into the Royalists hands and another against Southampton but all three timely discovered also and prevented 91 One Mr. Edward Stanford a Papist plotted with Captain Backhouse a Capt. of Horse under Colonell Massie for the betraying of the city of Glocester into the Enemies hands and proffered 5000 livre. for a reward thereof 200 li whereof was paid in hand to the said captaine but by Gods providence the plot frustrated and Gloucester safely preserved 92 Englands great wonder to Gods glory there being about May 30 1644. six brave armies in this Kingdome on the Parl. side and other forces for defence of the city of London besides â—3 A plot to have betrayed our whole Army in Cornwall in the West but by Gods blessing most of the Souldiers lives were preserved though with the losse of our Artillery 95 Sir Alexander Carew Sir John Ho ham captain Hotham and the Arch prelate of Canterbury beheaded on Tower-Hill for treason against the Parliament 95. A peace onely pretended by the Royalists at Uxbridge and a treacherous petition framed by the malignants of Buckingham shire wherein one Sir John Lawrence of that County was a great stickler but the mischiefe of both was frustrated 96. A desperate assault on Melcomb-Regis to have betrayed it into the Royalists hands wherein divers of the malignant Townsmen had a principall hand and Colonell Goring and Sir Lewis Dives were agents therein but the plot was frustrated the Towne and Forts recovered and two ships with rich prize from Rhoan in France were seized on to make amends for their trouble 1645. 97. Divers Earles and Lords forsooke Oxford and came in and submitted themselves to the Parliament 98. A desperate plot in the West against the Parliament by the Clubmen but by Gods providence turned to the Enemies greatest hurt in the issue 99. A devillish sudden plot upon Scotland which was almost over-run by traiterous Montrosse but as suddenly recovered againe by Gods blessing on Generall David Lesley and Montrosse discomfited and beaten away into the mountaines 1646. 100. A Discovery of grosse impiety in the Oxonians pretending a desired Treaty with the Parliament for a well-grounded peace and yet at that time the Earle of Glamorgan had a Commission to the ruine of all the Protestants in Ireland and so consequently of us in England also 101. The Great Seale broken before the Lords and Commons on Tuesday the 11. of August 1646. Die Sabbati 5. April 1645. Be it Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That all and every person of what degree or quality soever that hath lived or shall live within the Kings Quarters or been aiding assisting or adhering unto the forces raised against the Parliament and hath or shall come to inhabit or reside under the power and protection of the Parliament shall sweare upon the holy Evangelist in manner following The Negative Oath I A. B. Doe swear from my heart that I will not directly nor indirectly adhere unto or willingly assist the King in this Warre or in this Cause against the Parliament nor any Forces raised with the consent of the two Houses of Parliament in this Cause or Warre And I do likewise sweare that my comming and submitting my selfe under the power and protection of the Parliament is without any manner of designe whatsoever to the prejudice of the proceedings of the two Houses of this present Parliament and without the direction privity and advice of the King or any of his Councell or Officers other then what I have now made knowne So helpe me God and the Contents of this Book And it is further Ordained by the authority aforesaid that the Commissioners for keeping of the Great Seale of England for the time being shall have power and are hereby authorised to render and administer the said Oath unto any Peere or Wife or Widow of any Peere so comming to inhabit as abovesaid And it shall be lawfull to and for the Committee of the House of Commons for Examinations the Committee for the Militia in London and all Committees of Parliament in the severall Counties and Cities of the Kingdome to tender and administer the said Oath unto every person so comming to inhabit as abovesaid And if any person not being a Member of or Assistant unto either of the Houses of Parliament shall refuse or neglect to take the said Oath so duly tendered unto him or her as abovesaid the said Commissioners and Committees respectively shall and may commit the same person to some prison there to remaine without Baile or Mainprize untill he shall conforme thereunto Jo. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum 1646. The King escaped out of Oxford in a disguised manner with two onely in his company one of which was Mr. Ashburnham the King and the other Party going for the said Ashburnham's men The King carried a Cloak-bagge or Portmantle behind him like a serving man Ordered that it be declared and it is hereby declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled that what person soever shall harbour or conceale or know of the harbouring or concealing of the Kings person and shall not reveale it immediately to the Speakers of both Houses shall bee proceeded against as a Traytor to the Common-wealth forfeit his whole estate and dye without mercy A Letter from the Commissioners of Scotland
concerning His Majesties comming to the Scotch Army May 5. 1646. RIght Honourable The discharging of our selves of the duty wee owe to the Kingdome of England to you as Commissioners from the same moves us to acquaint you with the Kings comming in to our Army this morning which having overtaken us unexpectedly hath filled us with amazement and made us like men that dreame wee cannot thinke that hee could have beene so unadvised in his resolutions as to have cast himselfe upon us without a reall intention to give full satisfaction to both Kingdomes in all their just and reasonable demands in all those things that concerne Religion and Righteousnesse whatsoever be his disposition or resolution you may be assured that we shal never entertaine any thought nor correspondency with any purpose nor countenance any indeavours that may in any circumstance incroach upon our League and Covenant or weaken the union oâ— confidence betwixt the nations that union to our Kingdom was the matter of many prayers and as nothing was more joyful unto us then to have it set on foot so hitherto have we thought nothing too deare to maintaine it and we trust to walke with such faithfullnesse and truth in this particular that as we have the testimony of a good conscience within our selves so you and all the world shal see that we mind your interest with as much integrity and care as our owne being confident you will entertaine no other thoughts of us Signed May 5 1646. LOTHIAN His Majesties letter to the Parliament of England touching his good intention not to prolong the warre but to secure his person and labour the composing of the differences betwixt him and the Kingdomes The King Escapes out of Oxford in a disguised maner A Remonstrance exhibited in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-councell of the City of London to the High Court of Parliament Some particulars whereof are these following 1 That some strict and speedy course may be taken for the suppressing of all private and separate Congregations 2 That all Anabaptists Brownists Hereticks Schismaticks Blasphemers and all such Sectaries as conforme not to the publique discipline established or to bee established by the Parliament may fully be declared against and some effectuall course settled for proceeding against such persons 3 That as we are all Subjects of one Kingdome so all may be equally required to yeeld obedience to the Government either set or to be set forth 4 That no person disaffected to the Presbyterian Government set or to be set forth by the Parliament may be imployed in any place of publique trust His Majesty gave speedy order to several Officers for the surrender of the Towne Castles and Forts which then were in the hands of the Kings Commanders viz. Oxford Worcester Litchfeild and Wallingford A Petition delivered to his Excellency from the Officers and Souldiers in the Army touching their faithfullnesse in the Parliaments service doing Summer service in the Winter season c. Further presented severall designes of theirs 1. That an Ordinance of Indempnity with the Royall assent be desired 2. That satisfaction may be given to the Petitioners for their arrears both in their former service and in this Army before it be disbanded 3. That those who have voluntarily served the Parliament in this Kingdome may not be prest to serve in another Kingdome c. 4. That those who have lost lives limbs or estates may be provided for and relieved A letter from his Excellency to the severall officers of the Army for the advance of the Irish service and prevention of all hindrances c. 1647. The Apology in answer to his Excellencies letter relating their sense of a second storme now hanging over their heads by the malice of a secret enemy worse then the former now vanquished expressing their sorrow that they cannot desire their owne security without hazard to his Excellency c. A second Apology of all the private Souldiers in the Army to their Commission officers Concerning the abuse to divers wel-affected to the Army by imprisonment to the ruine of their estates and losse of their lives And for their candid intentions and endeavours declared no lesse then troublers and enemies to the State and Kingdome resolving rather to dye like men then to be enslaved and hanged like dogs c. Whereunto were annexed divers particulars agreeable to the former delivered in to his Excellency March 21. 1646. A Letter from his Excellency to the Earle of Manchester concerning the votes of both Houses as also his griefe of heart for the distractions betwixt the Parliament and Army desiring that all things may be determined in love c. A Letter from his Excellency to both Houses concerning the Kings being brought from Holdenby That some Souldiers secure the King from being secretly conveyed away That the Souldiers of Holdenby with the Kings consent brought him away from thence c. That his Majesty was unwilling to returne backe againe to Holdenby c. And that the removall of his Majesty from Holdenby was no designe knowledge or privity on his part c. A particular charge against the eleven Members impeached by the Army 1. That Mr. Denzil Hollis being one of the speciall Commissioners for the Parliament to present propositions to the King at Oxford made private addresses to the Kings party then in armes against the Parliament and did secretly plot and advise them against the Parliament c. 2. That the said Mr. Denzil Hollis and Sir Phillip Stapleton during the late war when the Earle of Lindsey went from the Tower to Oxford sent severall messages of intelligence to the Earle of Dorset c. 3. That the said Mr. Hollis Sir Phillip Stapleton Sir Wil. Lewis Sir John Clotworthy Sir Wil. Waller Sir Joh. Maynard Ma. Gen. Massie Mr. Glyn Mr. Long Col. Edward Harley and Anthony Nicholas in the months of March April May and June last in prosecution of their evill designs met in divers places with persons disaffected to the State for holding correspondency with the Queen of England now in France and incouraged her party there 4. And indeavoured to bring in forraigne forces and listed divers Commanders and Souldiers there to raise and leavy a new warre 5. And affronted divers Petitioners that came in a peaceable manner boysterously assaulting them c. 6. Imprisoned some Members of the Army and to dis-obliege the Army from the Parliament The solemn engagement of the Citizens Commanders officers and Souldiers c. The Sollomne Engagement of the Citizens Commanders and Souldiers A Pamphlet of Paul Bests burnt according to the order of Parliament The Army marching toward the City orders were given to the Traine-bands to goe to the workes The Auxiliaries are raised to defend the City A Proclamation by beat of the Drum for all that are able to beare Armes and are not listed to come to receive them The House of Commons and the Lords likewise met according to the