severally made an incomparable Speech wherein with great eloquence they set forth the many years misery under which the Nation laboured then repeated the Kingdomes Joyes at present for their hoped happinesse in the future by his Majesties Restauration and so commended to his Princely care his three Kingdomes and people with their Laws and priviledges whereto the King in a Majestick style made this short but full return That he was so disordered by his Journey and the Acclamations of the people still in his Ears which yet pleased him as they were demonstrations of Affectiou and Loyalty that he could not express himself so full as he wished yet promised them that looking first to Heaven with a Thank-ful heart for his Restoration he would have a careful Eye of especial grace and favour towards his Three Kingdomes protesting that he would as well be a Defendor of their Laws liberties properties as of their faith Having thus received and taken several Congratulations and Entertaiments and dismissed his Noble Honourable Worshipful and Reverend Guard of the Nobility Gentry Citizens and Ministry he retired to Supper and afterwards having devoutly offered the Sacrifice of Prayer and Praise to the most high for his safe return he went to his Repose and Bed The first Beam that darted from our Royal Sun infused such a sense of piety into the peoples Affection that it even made them break into an Excess of Joy it was that happy Omen of a vertuous Government the admirable Proclamation against debauchednesse wherein such is his Majesties zeal he takes no notice of his Enemies but our sin which had so long occasioned his exile not sparing therein those who pretended to be his friends yet by their prophanenesse disserved him A happy Prince and happy people sure where the Extremity of Justice endevoureth to take nothing from the Subject but a Liberty to offend which so highly pleased the people that their Joyes rather increased then diminished according to that of the Poet. Littora cum plausu clamor superasque Deorum Implevere Domos gaudent generumque salutant Auxiliumque Domus servatoremque fatentur The Shores ring with applause the Heavens abound With grateful Clamours which therein resound All men salute him Father Prince and King That home again their banish'd peace doth bring Which is further also expressed by the Poet in these words Largis satiantur odoribus ignes Sertaque dependent tectis ubique lyraeque Tibiaque cantus animi felicia laeti Argumenta sonant reseratis aurea valvis Atria tota patent pulchroque instructa paratu Proceres ineunt convivia Regis The Bonfires light the Skie Garlands adorn The Streets and Houses Nothing is forborn That might express full joy while to his Court The King by Nobles follow'd doth resort And in their Feasts Gods wondrous Acts report So restless were the Nights of our pious King that he began to account all time spent in vain and amisse wherein he did not do or offer some good to his Kingdome to this purpose on the first of June the very next day but one after his Arrival accompanied with his two Brothers and Sir Edward Hide Lord Chancellour of England with many other honourable persons went by water to the House of Lords where having seated himself in his Royal seat the Black Rod was sent to the Commons to inform them of his being there They immediately adjourned and with their Speaker waited his Majesties pleasure who in a short speech acquainted them with the Occasion and Cause of his present sending for them viz. To pass those Bills which he understood were prepared for him the said Bills being therefore read according to ancient form by the Clerk of the Crown were passed by his Majesty First The Bill constituting the present Convention to be a Parliament Secondly For authorizing the Act of Parliament for 70000. l. per mens for 3 moneths Thirdly For Continuance of Easter Term and all proceedings at Law which done the Lord Chancellor Hide in a pithy Speech told both Houses with how much readinesse his Majesty had passed these Acts and how willing they should at all times hereafter find him to pass any other that might tend to the advantage and benefit of the people desiring in his Majesties behalf the Bill of Oblivion to be speeded that the people might see and know his Majesties extraordinary gracious care to ease and free them from their doubts and fears and that he had not forgotten his gracious Declaration made at Breda but that he would in all points make good the same Things being brought to that happy issue the King wholly intends to settle the Kingdome and because that in the multitude of Counsellors there is both peace and safety he nominates and elects to himself a Privy Councel whereof were The Duke of York The Duke of Glocester The Duke of Somerset The Duke of Albemarle The Marquiss of Ormond The Earl of Manchester The Earl of Oxford The Earl of Northampton Lord Seymour Lord Say Lord Howard Sir Atho Ashly Cooper Sir William Morris Mr. Hollis Mr. Annesley On several such men he bestowed great offices as Marquess of Ormond to be Lord Steward of His Honourable Houshold The Earl of Manchester Lord Chamberlain The Duke of Albemarle to be Master of the Horse and Knight of the Garter Sir Will. Morris one of the Secretaries of State which took up some time in which the Parliament according to the Kings desire proceeded in the Act of Oblivion which at last after many tedious and strong debates passed both Houses and on the _____ day of _____ in the Twelfth year of his Majesties Reign had his Royal assent and was confirmed wherein were excepted from pardon both as to Life and Estate Iohn Lisle VVilliam Say Sir Hardresse VValler Valentine VVauton Thomas Harrison Edward Whalley John Hewson VVilliam Goffe Cornelius Holland Thomas Chaloner John Carew John Jones Miles Corbet Henry Smith Gregory Clement Thomas VVogan William Heveningham Isaac Pennington Henry Martin Iohn Barkstead Gilbert Millington Edmund Ludlow Edmund Harvey Thomas Scot VVilliam Cauley John Downes Nicholas Love Vincent Potter Augustine Garland John Dixwell George Fleetwood Simon Meyne Sir Michael Livesey Robert Titchburn Owen Row Robert Lilburn Adrian Scroop Iohn Okey James Temple Peter Temple Daniel Blagrave Thomas VVayte John Cooke Andrew Broughton Edward Dendy VVilliam Hewlet Hugh Peters Francis Hacker and Daniel Axtell Who had fate in judgement on sentenced to death and did sign the instrument for the horrid murther and taking away the precious Life of our late Soveraign Lord King Charles the First of Glorious memory several of whom have by divers means in sundry places been taken and others have surrendred themselves according to a Proclamation of summons set out by the King for that purpose the persons that surrendred themselves were these Owen Row Augustine Garland Edmund Harvey Henry Smith Henry Marten Simon Meyne VVilliam Heveningham Isaac Pennington Sir Hardress Valler Robert Titchborn George
and to force and compel the King to govern otherwise then according to his own royal authority and direction it is manifest rebellion The second that in every Rebellion the Law intendeth as a consequent the compassing the death and deprivation of the King as foregoing that the rebel will never suffer that King to live or raign which might punish or take revenge of his treason And this is not onely the wisdome of the Laws of our own Kingdome but it is also the censure of forraign Laws the conclusion of common reason which is the ground of Law and the demonstrative assertion of experience which is the warranty of all reason For the first the Civil Law that saith Treason is nothing else but Crimen Laesae vel dimminutae Majestatis making every offence which abridgeth or hurteth the power and authority of the Prince as an insult or invading of the Crown and extorting the imperial Scepter And for common reason and experience they cry it is not possible that a Subject should once come to that height as to give law to his Soveraign but what with terror of his own guilt and what with the insolency of the change he will never permit the King if he can chuse to recover his authority nay or to live Experâ—ence further tells us and 't is confirmed by all stories and examples two notable ones we had formerly in our own Chronicles the first of Edw. the 2d who when he kept himself close for danger was summoned by proclamation to come and take upon him the Government but as soon as he presented himself was made prisoner next forced to resign and shortly after was tragically murthered in Berkly-Castle The other is of K. Rich. the second before whom the Duke of Hereford afterwards K. Hen. the 4th presented himself with three seemingly humble but indeed flattering reverences yet in the end both deposed him and put him to death but our own experience outvies all else in the Horrid murther of our late dread Soveraign which is related in the former parts the punishment whereof is fully related in this last part and therefore I shall no more thereof in this place You may have observed that the practice of our Regicides was after they had ruined the Gentry to advance their own kindred and allyes though never so insufficiently unworthy to the most profitable places of the Common wealth by which means all kind of exorbitances were committed without controul the Death of the King being attended with infinite oppressions as in such changes is usual which made Writers say that the Death of Caesar was no benefit to the Romans but rather brought greater Calamities on them they underwent befere as may qe found in Aspian The success was the like when Nero fell for the next year that followed after his Death felt more oppression and spilt more blood then was shed in all those nine years wherein he had so tyrannically reigned So when the Athenians had expelled one Tyrant they brought in thirty and when the Romans expelled their King they did not put away the Tyranny but only change the Tyrants But such and so tender is the hand of heaven over us that he hath not only restored our Kings as at the first and all our Counsellors as at the beginning but brought us home our King so accomplished and pious that we must needs confesse with the Children of Israel because the Lord hath a delight in us therefore hath he made him King over us Oh then let us render without grudging unto Caesar the things that are Caesars acknowledge him as Gods immediate Vicegerent not prescribing him in what manner we will be ruled nor by what means But in all things with obedience and humility to submit to his command like Julian the Apostata's Soldiers who would not sacrifice at his words sed timendo potestatem contemnebant potestatem in fearing the power of God they regarded not the power of man yet when he led them against his enemies Subditi errant propter Dominum eternum etiam Domino Temporali I will conclude all with one word of Advice Since God hath so bettered our condition that our words are hardly able to express our happinesse to avoyd the danger of a relapse through a too carelesse security let circumspection moderation take away all bitternesse rather reflecting on the offences then the persons of any offenders so it may be those concerned will not be so desperate to proceed on further in their wicked courses but with speed retire and make some recompence to injured parties by their future provident endevours for the Common good And for these Loyal hearts who have borne the brunt of the storm both at home and abroad since God hath rescued them as brands out of the fire 't is hoped they will be nothing the more secure in their vigilant care of future occurrences having alwayes a provident eye for the timely prevention of such inconveniencies as might steal on them in their own or be intended against them from forrain parts That so the Throne of our Solomon may continue for ever and peace be upon our Israel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sed bene velle meretur veniam Cicero THE END ☞ There is now in the Press ready to come forth that so much desired Book intituled An Exact History of the Life and Actions of Hugh Peters As also his Diary Sold by H. Brome and H. Marsh c.
others be not your selves cast away but in season and out of season labour labour to declare Christ not of contention and strife but sowe the word to effect that fruit may grow thereby And Lastly to the Commons who are tumidum instabile vulgus I shall only wish that they will labour for peace and according to their Royal Princes dictate in his late Declaration concerning Ecclesiasticall affairs acquiesce in his condescentions concerning the differences which have so much disquieted the Sate by which endeavour all good Subjects will by Gods blessing enjoy as great a measure of felicity as this Nation hath ever done which is the earnest prayer of Your c. T. M. No. 2. 1660. THE HISTORY OF Independency The Fourth and Last part THE former parts of this Book having traced the prevalent and strong Factions of Presbyterian and Independent The Proeme through the several devious pathes wherein they marched and with what devillish cunning they did each endeavour to be greatest by surprising or at least undermining the other until at last they unriveted the very foundations of Government by the execrable murther of their undoubtedly lawful Soveraign a crime so abhorred that it is even inexpiable not to be purged with sacrifice for ever I say these things having received so lively a delineation in the former parts shall need no new recitalls I shall then begin at the end thereof which was when the sacred Reliques of betrayed Majesty specie justitiae received a fatal stroke from blood-thirsty hands neither able to protect it self or be a shadow and Asylum for rejected Truth and unspotted Loyalty Thus in an unsetled and confused posture stood poor England when the Sceptre departed from Israel and the Royal Lyon was not only robbed of his prey but his Life which Barbarism once committed what did the Independent Faction now grown chief ever after stick at Having tasted Royal Blood the Blood of Nobles seemed but a small thing to which end and to heighten and perfect their begun villanies they erect another High Court of Justice for the Tryal of James Earl of Cambridge Henry Earl of Holland Lords H H. C. tryed George Lord Goring Arthur Lord Capell and Sir John Owen Knight whereof that Horslecch of Hell John Bradshaw was also President who with sixty two more as honest men as himself by a Warrant under the hands of Luke Robinson Nicholas Love and J. Sarland summoned for that purpose did accordingly appear upon Munday the fifth day of February 1648. for the putting in Execution an Act of Parliament as they called it for the erecting of an High Court of Justice for the trying and adjudging the Earls and Lords aforesaid with whom according to their fore-settled resolution making short work for they would admit of no plea of the five they presently condemned three to lose their heads on a scaffold in the Pallace-yard at Westminster Lords condemned on Friday the ninth day of March which day being come about ten of the clock that Morning Lieutenant Collonel Beecher came with his Order to the several Prisoners at S. James's requiring them to come away from whence they were immediately hurried in Sedans with a strong guard to Sir Thomas Cottons house at Westminster where they continued about two hours spending the whole time in holy devotion and religious exercises After which the Earl of Cambridge preparing first for the Scaffold after mutual embraces and some short parting expressions to and for his fellow-sufferers he took his leave and went along with the Officers attended on by Dr. Sibbalds whom he had chosen for his Comforter in his sad condition Being arrived at the Scaffold and seeing several Regiments both of horse and foot drawn up in the place after he had waited a little while with a fruitless hope and expectation of receiving some comfortable news from the Earl of Denbigh who was his Brother having sent for his Servant who being returned and having delivered his Message to the Earl of Cambridge privately he said So It is done now Hamiltons speech at his death and turning to the front of the Scaffold he spake to this effect That he desired not to speak much but being by providence brought to that place he declared to the Sheriff that the matter he suffered for as being a Traytor to the kingdom of England he was not guilty of having done what he did by the command of the Parliament of his own Countrey whom he durst not disobey they being satisfyed with the justnesse of their procedure and himself by the commands by them laid upon him and acknowledging that he had many wayes deserved a worldly punishment yet he hoped through Christ to obtain remission of his sins That he had from his Infancy professed the same Religion established by Law in the land That whereas he had been aspersed for evil intents towards the King all his actions being hypocritically disguised to advance his own self-interest hereto he protested his innocency professing he had reason to love the King as he was his King and had been his Master with other words to the same effect That as to the matter of invitation into the kingdom he referred himself to the Declaration then in Print and setting forth how ready and willing he was ever to serve the English wishing happinesse and peace to them and praying that his blood might be the last that should be drawn heartily forgiving all saying I carry no rancour along with me to the grave That his Religion was such as he spoke of before whose Tenets he needed not to expresse as being known to all and himself not of a rigid opinion being not troubled with other mens differing judgments with which words and forgiving all that he might have even the greatest animosity against he kneeled down with Dr. Sibbald and prayed with much earnestnesse and devotion which pious exercise performed and some short ejaculations passing between himself and the Doctor the Earl turning to the Executioner said Shall I put on another cap and turn up my hair Which way is it that you would have me lye Sir The Executioner pointing to the front of the Scaffold the Earl replyed What my head this way Then the Undersheriffs son said My Lord the Order is that you lay your head toward the High Court of Justice Then the Earl after some private discourse with his servants kneeled down on the side of the Scaffold and prayed a while to himself afterwards with a smiling and cheerful countenance he embraced the Doctor in his Arms and then his servants saying to them Ye have been very faithful to me and the Lord blesse you then turning to the Executioner said I shall say a very short prayer while I lie down there and when I stretch out my hand my right hand then Sir do your duty and I do freely forgive you and so I do all the World So lying down and having fitted himself Hamilton executed devoutly
praying to himself a short space he stretched out his right hand whereupon the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body which was received by two of his Servants then kneeling by him into a Crimson Taffeta scarfe and that with the body immediately put into the Coffin brought thither for that purpose and so carried to Sr. John Hambletons house at the Mewes This Execution done the Sheriffs guard went immediately to fetch the Earl of Holland whom they met in the midway where the under Sheriffs son having received him into his charge conducted him to the Scaffold Mr. Bolton passing all the way hand in hand with him Being come upon the same and observing he could not spake aloud enough to be heard by the People by reason of the numerousness of the Souldiery that encompassed him he said Hollands speech on the Scaffold I think it is to no purpose to say any thing then proceeded That his breeding had been in a good family that had ever been faithfull to the true Protestant Religion in which he had ever lived and now resolved by Gods grace to dye That he hoped God would forgive him his sins though he acknowledged his Justice in bringing him thither for punishment of them in this World He observed that he was looked on as one that had ill designs against the State Truly saith he I look upon it as a judgement not having offended the Parliament in any thing save an extreme vanity in serving them very extraordinarily That his affections had been ever known to be faithfull and without wavering where the Parliament wrought changes beyond and against reason and Religion there He left them That he ever sought the peace of the Kingdom and that made him do what he did That he knew not how to judge of the thâ—n present affairs but should pray that the Kingdome might be again governed by the King by the Lords by the Commons and that the People may look upon the Posterity of the King with that affection they owe that they may be called again without bloodshed and admitted into that power and glory that God in their birth intended to them That he wisheth happiness even to the causers of his death praying heartily to God to forgive them And as Chancellor of Cambridge really praying that that University might flourish and be a continuall Nursery both to Learning and Religion Then mentioning again his Religion and family relating something to his own behaviour and his being a great sinner yet that he hoped God would hear his prayers and give him faith to trust in him with his prayers for the People he ended Then turning to the side he prayed for a good space of time after which by the instigation of Mr. Bolton he said That he was the less troubled with his violent death when he remembred how his Saviour suffered for him and again when he considered the King his Master not long before passed the same way with others at this time with himself with a serious and pithy justification of his said Master the late Kings Majesty a short recapitulation of his first speech concerning his Actions Religion breeding and sufferings After all wholly casting himself on the merits and mercies of Jesus christ forgiving his Enemies praying for peace and that their blood might be the last which was shed strangely the tryall being as extraordinary as any thing in the Kingdom but be owned it as Gods hand then having some divine conference with Mr. Bolton for neer a quarter of an hour and spoken to a Souldier that took him prisoner and others he embraced Lievtenant Collonel Beecher and took his leave of him After which he came to Mr. Bolton and having embraced him and returned him many thanks for his great pains and affection to his soul he prepared himself to the block whereupon turning to the Executioner he said here my friend let my Cloaths and my body alone there is ten pounds for thee that is better than my cloaths His behaviour I am sure of it And when you take up my head do not take off my cap then taking his farewell of his Servants he kneeled down and prayed for a pretty space with much earnestness Then going to the front of the Scaffold he said to the People God bless you all God give all happiness to this Kingdom to this People to this Nation Then laying himself down he seemed to pray with much affection for a short space and then lifting up his head seeing the Executioner by him he said stay while I give the signe and presently after stretching out his hand and saying now now just as the words were coming out of his mouth E. of Hâ—â—â— death the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body The Execution of the Earl of Holland being thus performed the Lord Capell was brought to the Scaffold as the former and as he passed along he put off his hat to the People on both sides looking about him with a very stern countenance when mounting on the Scaffold having before taken his leave of his Chaplain and bidding his Servants that were with him to refrain from weeping coming to the front of the Scaffold Lo. Capell his speech before hiâ— death he spoke to this purpose That he would pray for those that sent him thither and were the cause of his violent Death it being an effect of the Religion he professed being a Protestant with the profession whereof he was very much in love after the manner as it was established in England by the 39. Articles That he abhorred Papistry relying only on Christs merits That he was condemned to dye contrary to the Law that governs all the World that is by the Law of the Sword the Protection whereof he had for his Life yet among Englishmen he an Englishman acknowledged Peer condemned to dye contrary to all the laws of England That he dyed as to the cause he fought in for maintaining the fifth Commandement injoyned by God himself the Father of the Country the King as well as the natural Parent being to be obeyed thereby That he was guilty of Voting against the Earl of Strafford but he hoped God had washed off the guilt of his blood with the more precious blood of his Son That his late Majesty was the most vertuous and sufficient known Prince in the World God preserve the King that now is his Son God send him more fortunate and longer dayes God restore him to this Kingdom that that family may reign till thy Kingdom come that is while all Temporal power is consummated God give much happiness to this your King and to you that in it shall be his subjects That he did again forgive those that were the causers of his coming thither from his very soul so praying again for the King and his restoration and for the peace of the Kingdom he finished his speech Then turning about to the Executioner L.
at his teturn somewhat discontented at his fruitless Embassie yet finding no other remedy and willing to make the best of a bad market prepare for war for by this time the Dutch had begun both to affront them and seize on what they could catch as lawfull prize which so vexed the English Puny State that they presently fall to an open war the various successes of which and the losses that accrewed thereby toeach party by means of the same I shall not make the work of my pen having only designed to delineate those black deeds of impiety acted within the narrow limits of our England by the horridest crew of bloody miscreants that were ever spared by Divine vengeance from sudden destruction The English affairs and Government being thus wrested into the hands of a few desperate persons Ireland looked at the next thing aimed at is the reducing of Ireland for effecting whereof they give a Commission to Cromwell sent to Ireland and prove Victorious and raise an Army under the Command of Cromwell which he as suddenly transports thither Ormond and Inchequeen having at that time all the Country in obedience to his Majesty save only Dublin kept by Col. Michael Jones and London-derry by Sir Charles Coot when lo as it were to wellcome Cromwell Jones immediately before his arrival had made way for him by the overthrow of Ormonds forces about Dublin And now as if fortune had already designed him the laurell St. Charles Coot in an other place at Londonderry worsteth a Second party and the Earl of Ormond and the Lord Inchequeen having joyned their broken froces into a considerable strength are again together overthrown at Connaught The concatenation of these successes together with the cruelty exercised by Cromwell at the taking of Tredagh by storm where his rage spared neither age nor sex a barbarism scarcely used by the very Turkes cast such a Panick fear over the whole Nation that the strong holds fell into his power like over-ripe fruit into the prepared hands of its ready gatherer So hidden and misticall is the series of Gods providence that for a time the most enormous crimes are counted vertues the poor loosing honestfoul constrained to stoop and bow under the heavy yoke of a prevailing tyrant yea Majesty it self enforced like the clouded Sun compulsively to hide his beams and retire with his light for a while as though it had been but borrowed but as the Sun so Majesty can never be kept in perpetuall darkness for by this time the Independent who had for a space been chief find a Competitor of the Leveller The Leveller begins to stir who resolves either to share in the whole and so reduce and keep all in an equality whereby himself may be one of the greatest or else to endeavour to bring back all into its originall channel and to shew they meant as they said with better hearts then success or strength they rise in three or four places for they are assoon quasht as seen and themselves and their design end both together A garment of linnen and woollen was forbidden to be worn by the Leviticall law and I suppose because the mixture would be improper either for wearing or handfomness of sight in the same manner may I say of the Levelling faction that though they in intent were reall for restoring the King yet God would not suffer it to be brought to pass by such hands that had been so deeply dyed before in royall blood The royal party though under hatches and now suffering for their loyalty having passed and been refined in the fire of affliction must be the Men whose unspotted fingers shall not only pull down the Idolized Babel of the Peoples imagination but repair the decayed ruines of our broken Government and reinstate exiled Majesty upon its throne adorned with safety and with beauty both and guarded with the safest strength of faithfull hearts and hands better then walls of brass or formed troops of mercenary Souldiers But that time was not yet come Scots send to the King although the Scots sent a peculiar messenger the Lord Libberton to the King desiring him among other things that he would please to appoint a place for a Treaty to be between his Majesty and his Kingdom of Scotland which offer of theirs was graciously accepted and a Treaty appointed at Breda on the 15th of March whither the Scots Commissioners came the 16th and on the 19th fell to their business neither would by any means relinquish their Presbytery though but in part and as to the particular person of the King himself whom they strongly bound up to the Covenant Directory and Catechismes Treaty at Bredah concluded where to his Majesty after many long and seriuos debates having unwillingly consented The Scots on their part did promise 1. That his Majesty should be admitted to the throne of Scotland 2. That his Rights then should be by Parliament recovered from the hands of Usurpers and 3. That they would assist to bring the murtherers of his Father of blessed memory to condigne punishment and to restore him to his Native Kingdom of England A happy Omen surely was this promise and undertaking hoped to be and so indeed it might have proved if it had been gained from any but the worst of Scotch-men the Presbyterians for at the very same time as it were when they had concluded the Treaty and thus highly promised the King as is before mentioned I say at the same time having gotten the famous Marquess of Montross into their hand whose only fault was Loyalty to his Prince having brought him with as much ignominy as they could devise to Edenburgh they there charge him for keeping away the King observe the King was now upon the point of coming to them from his subjects 2. For the invading that Kingdom 3. For all the murders in the war and for wast upon Argiles Estate c. Mark here I pray Montross murthered and the reasons thereof Montross must be murthered the best subject the King had in Scotland and just when the King is ready to come thither as if it were done in despight to him but why for keeping away the King No he had promised to be with them with all speed which Montross in prison could not have hindred Was it for invasion alas neither for he had none but his own Countrymen and of them but a very few and they quickly and easily defeated what was it for then for muder alas neither what then O! here 's the Divel that murthered the famous Montross for waste upon Argiles Estate Argile I say that underminer of his Soveraign who in a short time after upon his arrival was by the means and instigation of him upon pretence of non-performance by the King left destitute either of friends whom they banished from his Court The K. in Scotland hâ—ld to hard meat means which they curtailed him of and strength allowing him
and plunderings fines and taxes but at last we must all be decimated We were tanquam Oves destined for slaughter and such was our misery there was none to redeem sad testimonies whereof were Geraâ—d Grove and others about this time whose blood only could expiate a crime they never thought or were guilty off In this unlimited posture of arbitrary power did the the Kingdom stand when that Arch-Machiavilian Cromwell adding strength to the wings of his ambitious mind soared an Eagle-height and made all the circumference of his actions to center at the royall State thinking with a grasp of the Scepter to ennoble his name and family not minding either the danger of the passage or the slipperriness of the station when arrived at the top And indeed such was his fortune that he did ascend the throne in which it was for the future his restless endeavour to settle himself and his posterity and the better to cast a seeming gloss of legality upon his usurpation Cromwels second Parliament confirm him as Protector he summons another Parliament in the Year 1656. hoping thereby to work his ends unseen and so he did as to the vulgar eye for soon after their meeting and first triall of their temper he so moulds them to his own humour by a recognition that they are over-hastily delivered of a strange abortion by them called the petition and advice c. in which with much solemnity though damnable hypocrifie they desire him to be King but in more general terms to take upon him the government and be chief Magistate which he very gravely considering of diverse dayes returnes his denyall in part but withall insinuates in part his willingness to be setled Lord Protector at which newes his faction rejoycing with many Eulogies for his humility in refusing the Kingship he is by the said Parliament who adjourned for the same end solemnly installed Protector at Westminster by Widdrington who was the Speaker to that convention by Whitlock Lisle Warwick c. And upon their resisting he is petitioned to accept of almost two millions by the year for his support to maintain a crew of idle wenches his daughters whose pampered lusts were grown almost insatiable 2. To erect a new house of Lords of his own Creatures who being indebted to him for their raising durst do no other than by a slavish submission perform his tyrannous will 3. To name his successor that so he might entail his yoke of tyrannical Usurpation and slavish oppression on the Kigdom and severall other things which with much adoe after many perswasive intreaties and much unwillingness God knowes he accepts of No sooner is this done The said Parliament dissolved but the fox laughs in his sleeve to see how he has cheated the Parliament And therefore to make them know their rider after a few words of exhortation to them of the want of them in the Country and the necessity of their retiring thither for the peace of the Nation with a friendly nod he dismisseth them and sends them home Thus with much cunning and dissimulation having attained the perfection of his desires Cromwell seeks to strongthen himself knowing that such greatness must be upheld with allies and every noble coat of armes must have his supporters he strengthens himself at home by intermixing with noble blood marrying own of his Daughters to the Lord Faulconbridge and an other to the heir apparent of the Earldom of Warwick the later of which though in the prime of his yourâ— finding the disagreement between Noble and Rebell blood was soon over-heated and by the suddenness of his death left his wife the widow of a loathed bed In the next place he seeks friendships and leagues abroad and intending to close with France He closeth with France he directly quarrels with the Spanyard and affronts him in severall places near about one time particularly he sends one part of the Fleet under the command of Pen to Hispaniola but with so little disadvantage that he was enforced to retreat thence with no small loss falling soon after on Jamaica with better success winning a part thereof though most inconsiderable the whole Island being not worth the tenth part of the blood and treasure it hath cost this Kingdom being no way at all serviceable either for the advance or security of trade in those parts Mazarine in France finding the benefit of these helps upon the very first motion strikes with him a league offensive and defensive Cromwell promising to assist the French with 7000. Men to maintain the war against the Flanders which at this time he sent they proving so helpfull by their valour that in a short time they gain Mardike Dunkirke gained Gravelin and Dunkirke the last of them according to articles being delivered up to the English in whose hand it yet remains In the interim while these things were transacting Cromwell suspicious of every blast of wind and fearfull of every motion contrives in himself to take off two or three of the most eminent of the Kings party in England to daunt the rest among whom he separates one layman Sir Henry Slingsby and one Churchman Dr. Dr. Hewits death Hewit for the slaughter and conscious to himself that they had done nothing contrary to the law of the land he durst not try them by a Jury but re-erects his monstrous high Court of Justice before which being brought they denyed the authority thereof as unwarrantable which so wrought upon the patience of Mr. Lisle their bloodily learned President and the rest of the gange that they according as they were fore-instructed by their Master Divell Oliver without any great matter of circumstance condemne them both to be beheaded which sentence was accordingly executed on them the 8th Day of June at Towerhill notwithstanding all the means their friends could use of engagements perswasions and money and the deep earnest and continued intreaties sollicitations and supplications of Mrs. Claypoole his best beloved daughter Mrs. Clapooles death for so inexorable he continued that like the deaf adder he stopped his ears to the charmer charme he never so wisely at which unheard of cruelty and for that Dr. Hewits Lady as is said was then with child Mrs. Claypoole took such excessive grief that she suddenly fell sick the increase of her sickness making her rave in a most lamentable manner calling out against her Father for Hewits blood and the like the violence of which extravagant passions working upon the great weakness of her body carried her into another World even at the heighest thereof No sooner did Cromwell receive the deplorable newes of this sad death of his Daughter but himself falls into a desperate melancholly Observe which never left him till his Death which was not long after Give me leave here to relate a passage which I received from a Person of Quality Viz. It was believed and that not without some good cause that Cromwell the same
as to breed an open enmity between him and the City thereby to compell him to serve them perpetually by being assured that they were mortall enemies yet not willing since he had gone so farr with success to loose all now by passion he with silence obeyes them readily and thereby cleerly finds the temper of the City to be positively resolute for Liberty and right so that being sensible they might be trusted he hopes shortly to make them an amends which he had an occasion offered to do soonâ—e than he expected Is ungeneâ—all'd for the Parliament had a double design upon him first to weaken him in his interest and credit by an imployment which they knew would so incense the City and then while he is acting their unreasonable commands they are busie in undermining him in his power for when he had done their design as they thought to the enraging of the Citizens and breeding in their hearts revengefull thoughts He joynes with the City he returnes to White-Hall upon Friday the 10th Day of February upon which day his Commission did expire instead of the renewing whereof which he might with much justice have expected as the reward of his merit he is made a Colonel again and only made equal in command with six men more as short of him in desert as in honesty wherewith when he had acquainted the Officers of his Army who were much unsatisfied with such a reward for their late abominated imployment agreed unanimously among themselves that the Parliament intended to lay them aside notwithstanding their former faithfull service to them and to perpetuate the Nations slavery by their datelesness and therefore they resolved to march with their General into the City to joyn with them and declare for a free Parliament to this purpose a conference is had at the Three Tunnes near Guild-hall where the City and Army strike hands at which time his Excellencies Officers remonstrate the resent they had of the violence they were commanded to offer that famous City which was of a stamp unparalleled in the most horrid rage of former ages whose barbarousness even spared that when they harassed the whole Nation beside then give warning of several persons both within and without the City whose tyrannous minds they feared abhorring in an especiall manner a late petition delivered in the house by one Praise-God Barebone being a treasonous libell subversive of all order and Government dangerous to religion both in discipline and worship and destructive to all Lawes Statutes and Customes even in fundamentalls wishing at last the Parliament to think of determining their Session and provide for future Parliaments This being by his Officers I say presented to his Excellency and by him in a letter communicated to the Speaker he marcheth into London and taketh quarters Free P. promised declaring for a free Parliament and this blow was it made Independency stagger for so highly were both City and Country pleased with this Declaration that they did hardly know in what manner to express their joy ringing their bells making bonfires the air resounding nothing but the name and prayses of Monck and the Streets filled with gratefull hearts who on bended knees prayed for blessings on the head of the hoped restorer both of the Church and Common-wealth and in this relolution he persisted notwithstanding all the flatteries threatnings and snares of the house who now studied nothing more than his ruine as in him foreseeing their own nevertheless he waits for the Parliaments answer to his last letters to them but finding they neither minded him nor them and thought of nothing but setling their own interest and continuing themselves in power he procures a conference between some fitting members of the house and some of the honourable Gentlemen and worthy Patriots that were excluded from it at which himself being in person present and weighing judiciously the reasons and arguments formed on both fides which he heard with a deep and reserved silence after all were withdrawn he concluded with himself upon result from the whole that the pretended settlement proposed by the house was of compass too narrow and too weak of foundation to bear up the Nation and repair its breaches Secluded members admitted he resolved therefore to withdraw all manner of force from the house and to admit men of more sober moderate and less byassed judgments whose Spirits being more apt for publick good would establish the Kingdom upon termes comprehensive of every considerable interest therein hereupon on the one and twentyeth day of February meeting the secluded members at White-hall and expressing himself to them in a speech not delivered by himself but by his Secretary wherein he commended to their care 1. Religion that great primum mobile unum necessarium without which to live rather befits beasts than men and this was proposed in the most sober and moderate way imaginable yet neither countenancing errour nor allowing libertinisme 2. He commended to them the State desiring them to be good Physitians to its crazed body by applying suteable Physick which he said he supposed would be a full and a free Parliament upon whose resolves as himself so he doubted not but the whole Nation would acquiesce he told them the house was open for them to enter and prayed for their good success The secluded members being thus admitted How they begin and wherein proceed fall immediately to work where they were abruptly forced to break of in December 1648. Confirming their Vote made then by another now that the concessions of the late King were a sufficient ground to proceed on for setling the peace of the Kingdom hereby not only vindicating themselves but as it were at once disanulling all that had been done as dissonant thereto during the whole time of their recess This began to infuse a new spirit of life into the Kingdom in whom at this springing season of the year began a new to bud and peep out the bloomes of a too long frost-nipped loyalty so that one now might have seen what twenty years before could never shew countenances that lately were dejected through the cruell tyranny of their Aegipitian task masters now gather cheerfull looks and like fresh blown roses yield a fragant savour The Parliament thus sitting freely vote his Excellency Lord Generall of all the forces in England Scotland and Ireland by vertue of which Commission he disarmes all the Phanatick party both in City and Country the Parliament in the mean time providing to secure the Nation by two seasonable Acts the one of Assessment and the other of the Militia the last impowering and arming Gentlemen and Men of worth and power to stand up for their Liberties and Priviledges and put the Country into a posture of defence against all encroaching pretenders whatsoever and the former enabling them to raise moneyes which are the sineues of war for maintaining of the forces so raised to assert their and our rights Thus setling
the ancient Government of the City and vacating the Phanatick power in the Country they commend the establishment of the Nation to a full and free Parliament to be called the 25th of Aprill 1660. Issuing out writs to that purpose in the name of the keepers of the Liberty of England by authority of Parliament and setling a Councell of State of most discreet and moderate men to whom the affairs of the three Nations in the intervall and untill the meeting of the Parliament on the aforesaid 25th of Aprill was committed who with much discretion managed their power to the satisfaction of all sober minded men and so saving to the house of Lords their rights notwithstanding the Commons were in this Juncture of time put upon necessity to act without them commending the Souldiery once more to his Excellency upon the sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord 1659. Lorg P. legally ended a day worthy to be remembred they dissolved themselves and so at last put a legall period to that fatall long-Parliament which could not be dissolved by any but by it self And thus we see Independency laid in the dust and ready to give up the ghost and indeed not long after we shall see fully to expire the Prodromi of whose miserable end might be these and the like The Councel of State in this intervall of power The intervall with very great caution and wariness manage their affairs turning neither to the right hand nor to the left but keeping a direct course as knowing in medio ibunt tutissimi they set out a Proclamation against all disturbers of the peace under what pretence or name soever sparing none that in a time of such hopes durst either move a hand or tongue to work a disturbance taking care also that the order of the last Parliament touching elections should be duly and punctually observed Elections for a new Parl. as considering that the peace or ruine of the Nation would lye in their hands His Excellency the Lord Generall in this interregnum accepts of severall invitations and treatments in the City by several of the worthy companies yet still having an eye to the main he keeps close to his Officers who were not yet fully resolved and often confers with them in a more familiar manner than ordinary whereby he so wrought on them that at last he brought them to declare that they would acquiesce in the resolves of the approaching Parliament and indeed this was a shrewd forerunner of the fall of Independency as I said before whose only hope was builded on the averseness of these men to lawfull power which when they saw frustrated they might well depair yet endeavour once more to endeavour a confusion which being observed by the Councell and that a discontented Spirit possessed some of the old Officers and Grandees according to the power given them to that purpose they send for all suspected persons confining them unless they subscribed an engagement to demean themselves quietly and peaceably under the present Government and acquiesce submissively in the determination of the Parliament next ensuing which reasonable engagement Lambert and some others reâ—using were carefully confined to several prisons by which means the peace was wonderfully preserved but notwitstanding all this care such were the restless endeavours of that divellish faction that whether by the neglect or treachery of his keepers is not yet known Lambert gets out of prison cuningly who being a man of loose principles and desperate fortunes so encouraged the Phanatick party and stirred up their drooping Spirits that they began to threaten great matters and for perfecting their wicked design begin to gather to an head near Edg-hill which they hoped would prove to them an auspicious Omen for the beginning of a Second war but Heaven would no longer wink at such intollerable villanies for the sins of these Amorites were fully ripe for judgment so that they were discovered and quickly nipped in the bud Lambert and his accomplices being so eagerly pursued by Col. R. Ingoldsby that they were suddenly forc'd to scatter and shift for themselves by flight Taken and sent to the Tower neither was that so swift or secure but that Lambert was taken prisoner by the said Col. Ingoldsby and sent prisoner up to London at which time passing by Hide park on the twenty fourth of Ayril he saw all the City Regiments both of horse and foot Trayned Band and Auxiliaries completed armed and trayned and ready to hazard their Lives and Fortunes against all seditious and factious Traitors to their King and Country The news of this first appearance of armed loyalty being spred abroad into the Countreys The first loyal muster did so animate and encourage the old oppressed that casting off their fetters and fears together they begin to appear in their wonted guise and because they were by the Phanaticks traduced as men of blood and full of revenge not to be satisfied but with the utter ruine of their adversaries thereupon to undeceive the vulgar who might possibly have been misled by such lies if not answered did from their several and respective Counties as also in the Cities of London and Westminster declare The Gentry declare that they were far from any thoughts of revenge it belonging to God alone alluding to that text of Scripture Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord but as for Justice they would acquiesce in the judgment of the approaching Parliament This being done The Parliament begins and the whole Parliament at the appointed time beginning first with their duty to God they follow that golden Pythagorean rule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 giving him hearty thanks for that their freedome of meeting which when they had cordially done they fell in order to their Governour First They fear God then honour the King As the same Pythagoras goes on 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The very Heathen we see by the meer light of Nature could dictate that which our Grand Enthusiasts of Religion would not for these many years by the ignis fatuus of their new lighted notion walk after But the Parliament were better principled for after their devotions regularly paid to God they in the very next place own their duty to their Prince upon the first day of May a happy day to be remembred to posterity voting the Government to be by King Kingly government voted Lords and Commons a constitution so incomparably mixed that it may rather be admired then envied neither were they satisfied to rest there but on the Eighth day of the same May caused his Majesty to be proclaimed King of England King proclaimed Scotland France and Ireland which was performed with so much Solemnity and Joy as I presume England I dare say hardly any Kingdome in the World ever saw or were sensible of the like the shouts and acclamations of the pleased people rending the
very skies as a token of their extraordinary Thankfulnesse to Heaven and at night by the multitude of their bonfires turning the Darknesse into a kind of lightsome day This hapy beginning thus owned by the general consent of all honest men made the Parliament resolute to cute their begun endeavours which the more orderly to do for order befitteth men best both as Subjects and Christians they immediately prepared Commissioners Commissioners sent to the King who were persons choyce for their integrity and wisedome like those heads of the children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do being intrusted to wait on his Majesty and to desire him to come to his Parliament and People with all convenient speed Before whose arrival his Majesty had withdrawn himself from Bruxels not upon any account as was by the ignorant and malicious insinuated but out of a design of safe guard to his own sacred Person as knowing those two principles of the Romanists si violandum est jus Regni causa violandum est and nulla fides servanda est haereticis might prove dangerous if not fatal to his interest as affairs then stood He well remembred Richard the first his case sirnamed Caeur-du-Lion and what his detention once cost England and therefore had no reason to cast himself into the like hazard Therefore having discharged all Accounts whatsosoever at Bruxels he as I said removes his Court to Breda As that first he might hold the more certain and quick intelligence with his friends in England where there hardly wanted any thing to complete his Restoration and the Kingdomes satisfaction but his Personal presence so in the second place he there knew himself safe being within the jurisdiction of his beloved sister King at Breda the Princesse Royal Mary Princesse of Orange whose tender love and zeal to him in his affliction deserves to be written in brasse and graven with the point of a Diamond During the time of his residence there to shew himself to be a second Solomon a Prince of Peace and not onely so but the most pious and merciful of Princes who was wise as a Serpent yet innocent as a Dove by the Honourable the Lord Viscount Mordant and Sir Richard Grenvile since by his Majesties special grace created Earl of Bath Gentleman of his Majesties Bedchamber He sent a most gracious Declaration with respective Letters to the Lords to the Commons to the City and to the Army Whetein His Majesty first offers a Pardon for all miscarriages and misdemeanors against his Father His Majesties Declaration layes Independency dead or himself to all persons such onely excepted as shall be excepted by the Parliament promising likewise securitie to all whose guilt might otherwise endanger them so as they laid hold on his Majesties Pardon within 40. dayes after the publication thereof 2. He refers the purchasers of Kings Queens and Bishops Lands to Justice to the Law and to the Parliament 3. He assures the Souldiery of their Arrears for past services although done against him and of incouragement and pay for the future under him This Declaration was received with no ordinary joy and solemnity the messenger Sr. Iohn Greenvil being rewarded with 500. pounds to buy him a Jewell and upon reading thereof and a conference had with the Lords who had now reassumed their Native right by taking their places in the higher House they agree unanimously each in their several house That a Letter be sent in answer to his Majesties gracious Letter and Declaration superscribed To his most Excellent Majestie which were since more immediately drawn up and sent by Commissioners before prepared as is already mentioned sixe from each House who were in the name of both Houses 1. To give his Majesty most humble and hearty thanks for his gracious Letter and Declaration 2. To desire his Majesty to return to the exercise of his Regal Office and come to his Parliament and people with all speed possible And thirdly to that purpose to desire him to appoint a place for the Navy to attend him the Commissioners that went from the house of Peeres were these The Earl of Oxford Lord Brook Commissioners names that went to the King Earl of VVarwick Lord Berckley Earl of Middlesex Lord Visc Hereford Of the House of Commons were selected these following Lord Charleton Sir George Booth Lord Bruce Sir Iohn Holland Lord Falkland Sir Antho. Ashly-Cooper Lord Mandevile Sir Horatio Townsend Lord Herbert Sir Henry Cholmly Lord Fairefax Mr. Hollis The City of London having also received the like Letters and Declarations the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council appoint a loyal and humble answer to be returned wherein they give his Majesty thanks for his tender care grace and favour to their ancient and renowned City which was sent by these worthy Gentlemen For the City of London Alderman Adams Recorder VVilde Alderman Robinson Alderman Bateman Theophilus Biddolph Richard Ford Alderman Vincent Alderman Frederick Alderman VVale John Lewis Esquire William Bateman Esq Alderman Bludworth Major Chamberlin Colonel Bromfield Sir James Bunce Bar. Alderman Langham Alderman Reinoldson Alderman Brown Sir Nicholas Crispe Alderman Tompson All these Letters were sent away but the first that arrived to his Majesties hand was from his Excellency the Lord General Monck who by the leave of the House sent the same by his brother in Law Sir Thomas Clergies who was as being the first beyond all expression welcome and after some long but not tedious conferences Knighted and at length dismissed with as much kindnesse as he was at first received with joy After whom arrived shortly all the forenamed Commissioners Commissioners how received by the King together with some of the Ministry and were received by his sacred Majesty his two illustrious brothers of York and Glocester and his sister of Orange with demonstrations of affections on both sides such as are not capable of a description by my rude pen for they were such as may be imagined onely not defined like the joyes of a condemned soul now at point to dy when suddenly and beyond expectation it is not onely snatcht out of the very jawes of death but mounted aloft into a seat of Honour how it is even overpressed with the overflux of such a sudden yet joyful change and stands extasied not knowing or at leâ—st not well discerning the realities of those violent emotions under the happinesse whereof it at present labours which surpassing joy grown over and they dismissed with abundance of satisfaction with all speed his Majesty according to the earnest request of his Parliament prepared for England his Royal brother the most illustrious Duke of York Lord high Admiral taking order for the Navy And in the way to the Sea-side his Majesty was honourably entertained by the States General at the Hague of whom having taken his leave and thanked them for their Treatment and Presents he proceeded in his
journey During this time the Navy under the conduct of General Mountague was come to attend and wait on his Royal pleasure upon notice of which attended by the Princesse of Orange and her son and the Queen of Bobemia he comes aboard the Naseby Frigot The King comes aboard for England and â—ands at Dever by him then named the Charles and after a repast there parting with high satisfaction pleasure and content on both sides with his Royal and Princely attendants he lanched forth and quickly with a prosperous and safe gale of wind anuuente Coelo came within two leagues of Dover Monck meets him a place formerly not so infamous for receiving the Barons in their rebellious wars against the King and harbouring Lewis of France as now it was famous for its loyalty in the joyful reception of its lawful Soveraign when he was come thither he sends Post for the General being resolved not to set foot on English ground till he came thither who upon the first hearing of that happy news presently took Post to meet him having before taken care for Pallaces to entertain him and left order for several Regiments of Horse to attend him for his Majesties security Providing with valor against open enemies and with prudence against pretended and basely false friends which being performed according to Order His Excellency waites upon his Majesty at Dover He is no sooner come thirher but upon knowledge thereof the King Landed at whose Honored feet in the most humble posture of a Loyal Subject on his Knees Our Great General presents himself and was received and imbraced by his Majesty in the open armes of an endeared mercy with so much affection as might well manifest the great respect the King bore to his high deserts for to shew that his embrace was signal and far from a meer complement he went nearer and kissed him No endearment is ever thought too great where there is grounded Love neither rested he there but like a true friend and lover indeed takes a delight in his society for the more clear demonstration whereof to all the world he took him with his two Brothers the Dukes of York and Glocester into his Coach with him to Dover aâ—oresaid KINGS journey to London and the manner of it where after a dutiful acknowledgment from the Magistrates there and solemn though short entertainment he rid to the City of Canterbury so famed for her Arch-bishops Sea his Majesty being in the middle between his two brothers and the Duke of Buckingham and the General riding bare before him In this Equipage with the whole Gentry and Nobility of England attending and thousands of the meaner ranke he arrived as I said at Canterbury being met by the Magistracy in their richest habiliments of Honour and by the Ministry of the place who after a grave Speech and hearty Gratulation presented him with a rich Bible as He was Defender of the True Faith and afterwards with a Golden Boul full of Gold rendring it as a Tribute to him to whom Tribute was due From Canterbury where he rested all Sunday and gave thanks to God his Father and mighty Deliverer On Munday he came to Cobham-Hall in Kent a House belonging to the Duke of Richmond but without any stay there passed on the same night to Rochester from whence on Tuesday May the 29. the day of the week which was fatal for the murther of his Royal Father but happy to himself not onely for his Birth but also for giving the first hopes of his long wished and prayed for return by the Vote of the Parliament on Tuesday the 1. of May and his being proclaimed nemine contradicente on Tuesday the 8. of May. I say on that day attended by the Duke of Buckingham the Earle of North-hampton the Earle of Cleaveland the Earle of Norwich the Earle of Shrewesbury and many others with their several respective Troops of the choyce Nobles and Gentry of the Land and his Excellency with many Regiments of his best Horse the Lord Gerard with the choyce Life-guard and the whole Countrey flocking in cutting down Palmes and strowing the wayes with all sorts of Fragrant Flowers and decking the Lanes and Passage with the greatest variety of Country Pomps Garlands beset with Rings Ribands and the like the Air ecchoing all along and redoubling the perpetually iterated Hosanna's He came to London The Metropolis of his Kingdome whose preparations were no lesse sumptuous then joyful making a short stay onely at Black-heath a place many yeares since and more then once noted and remembred for the tumultuous assemblies of several Rebels but now much more famous for the united Congregation of the whole Kingdomes Loyalty from hence about nâ—on order was given for a speedy march to London in which Major General Broun did lead the Van with a compleat Troop of Gentlemen all in cloth of Silver Doublets Alderman Robinson followed him with an other select company the severall Lords came after with their respective Troops then came the Life-Guard After the Marshals and Heralds with some antient Lords the Duke of Buckingham and the Lord Generall bareheaded and then his Majesty rid between his two brothers the Duke of York on the right hand and the Duke of Glocester on the other after whom followed his Excellencies Life-guard and then the Regiments of the Army all completely accoutred with back breast and Pot. In this order they came to Saint Georges fields in a part of which towards Newington was a Tent erected in which the Lord Mayor King rides through the Citie and Aldermen in their most solemne Formalities with their Officers Servants Livery-men and Lackeyes innumerable waited to which place when his Majesty came the Lord Mayor presented him on his knees with all the Insignia of the City viz. Sword Mace Charter c. Which he immediately returned with promise of Confirmation and conferred the Honour of Knighthood on the Lord Mayor in the place whereafter a short refreshment three hundred in Velvet Coats and Chains representing the several Companies passing on before the Lord Mayor bearing the Sword before the King they proceeded in an excellent order and equipage into and through the City which was all hung with Tapistry and the Streets lined on the one side with Livery men on the other side with the Trained Bands both taking and giving great satisfaction until at last even tyred with the tedious pleasure of his Welcome Journey he came to the Gate of his Pallace of Whitehall which struck such an impression of greif into his sacred heart by the Remembrance of his Fathers horrid Murther there as had almost burst forth if not stopt or recalled by the Joy he received from the acclamations of the people and the thought that he was peaceably returned after so many years unto His own House The King being come in went presently to the Banqueting House where the Houses of Parliament attended for him to whom the two Speakers
Adrian Scroop and Mr. Iohn Jones together in one hurdle were carried to the same place and suffered the same pains of death being afterwards returned to Newgate and thence their quarters placed on several of the City Gates and their heads deservedly disposed on the top of London Bridge and other places These being thus dispatched having received the reward of their Treason Mr. Daniel Axtel and Master Francis Hacker were brought before the Court to be tried Against the first of whom viz. Axtell was in proof that is the imagining and compassing the death of the King that he bid his Souldiers cry out Justice Justice and Execution Execution and beat them till they did it That he bid shoot the Lady that spoke and call'd Cromwel Traytor saying not a quarter of the people of England consented to their wicked Charge that he said to Col. Huncks upon his refusal to sign the warrant for executing the King I am ashamed of you the Ship is now coming into Harbour and will you strike sayle before we come to Anchor that he laughed at the Transactions as applauding them while others sighed that after the King was murthered he kept Guards upon the dead body and knew who cut off the Kings head having sent one Elisha Axtell for the Executioner upon which proof the Jury found him guilty of the said Treason whereof he stood indicted 10. Francis Hacker was arraigned and by diverse witnesses it was sworn against him that he was Commander of the Halbeteers who kept the King prisoner and would not suffer any accesse to be unto him that he guarded him to their mock-Court and after kept him sure till he was murthered that he was one of the persons to whom the Warrant for execution was directed and that he signed it that he brought the King to the fatal block and was upon the scaffold being a principal agent about the Kings death for which horrid Treason the Jury found him guilty after which the Court sentenced both him and Axtell to suffer death as Traytors according to which judgement they were on Friday the 19. of October about 9. of the clock in the morning drawn upon one hurdle from Newgate to the common place of execution generally called Tyburn and there were hanged Mr. Axtel was bowelled and quartered and so returned back and disposed as the former but the body of Mr. Hacker by his Majesties great grace and favour and at the humble suit and intercession of his friends was given to them entire and by them afterwards buried The last of this crew that was for present execution was Will. Hulet against whom was proved that he was one of those which came with a Frock on his body and a Vizor on his face to perpetrate the horrid murther on the Person of the King and that being so disguised upon the Scaffold he fell down before the King and asked him forgivenesse being known by his voice that himself said He was the man that beheaded K. Charles for that he had one 100 l. and preferment That Hewson said of him that he did the Kings business upon the Scaffold That he either did cut it off or took it up and said Behold the head of a Traytor That being questioned about the said words he said whosoever said it matters not I say now it was the head of a Traytor with many other things to the like purpose for which most abhorred Treason the Jury found him guilty and he was condemned to be hang'd drawn and quarter'd at Tyburn This was the deserved Catastrophe that was set to these men who without any reason nay contrary to reason Lawes both Divine and Humane yea even in defiance of Heaven dipped their hands in the sacred blood of their lawful Soveraign according to that of the Wiseman The eye that mocketh his Father Rex Pater Patriae and despiseth his Mother Ecclesia est Mater the Ravens of the Valley shall pick it out which which we see befallen them their heads in several places being become a spectacle both to Angels and Men and a prey to the Birds of the Aire In the last place it is provided by the said Act of Oblivion that if VVilliam Lenthal VVill. Burton Oliver St. Iohn Iohn Ireton Alderman Col. Iohn Disborrow Col. VVill. Sydenham Iohn Blackwel of Moreclack Christ Pack Alderman Richard Keeble Charles Fleetwood John Pyne Rich. Dean Major Richard Creed Philip Nye Clerk Iohn Goodwin Clerk Sir Gilbert Pickering Col. Thom. Lister and Col. Raph Cobbet shall after the 1. of September 1660. accept or exercise any Office Ecclesiastical Civil or Military or any other publick imployment within the Kingdome of England Dominion of VVales or Town of Barwick upon Tweed that then such person or persons as do so accept or execute as aforesaid shall to all intents and purposes in Law stand as if he or they had been totally excepted by name in the Act. The like penalty is imposed on all such who did give sentence of Death upon any person or persons in any of the late illegal or Tyrannical high Courts of Justice or signed the Warrant for execution of any person there condemned Thus by the blessing of God I have waded through the many intricate Meanders and Revolutions untill at last I have as it were brought you by the hand to see that desperate Faction of Indepencency as one may say laid into its Grave all the heads thereof being so annihilated by the Iustice of the known Law of the Land that I hope its memory shall be raked up in such an Eternal forgetfulnesse that posterity seeing no foot-steps thereof shall conceive it to be a bare name a mere notion or aliquid non ens of which in nature there can be no subsistance An Appendix HOw far the Treasons of faction have reached and how high they durst soare is to be seen before I shall onely now in short give a hint how highly the Law of England resents such impious acts I say then the wisdome and foresight of the Laws of this Land in all cases of Treason maketh this judgement that the Subject that riseth or rebelleth in forcible to over-rule the royal will and power of the King intendeth to deprive the King both of Crown and Life and this is no mystery or quidity of the Common Law but an infallible conclusion drawn out of reason and experience for the Crown is not a ceremony or Garland but as Imperial consisteth of preheminence and power This made former Traytors in all their quarrels against their Princes not to strike down-right because God unto Lawful Kings did ever impart such beams of his own glory as Rebels never durst look straight upon them but ever turned their pretences against some about them this caused the Judges sometime to deliver their opinions for matter in Law upon two points The first that in case where a subject attempteth to put himself into such strength as the King shall not be able to resist him