THE HISTORY OF Independency The Fourth and last Part. Continued from the Death of his late MAIESTY King CHARLS the First of happy Memory till the deaths of the chief of that Juncto By T.M. Esquire a Lover of his King and Country Cicero Epist Lib. 2. Ep. 3. Civem mehercule non puto esse quitemporibus his ridere possit Id. Lib. 5. Ep. 12. Habet autem praeteriti doloris secura recordatio delectationem LONDON Printed for H. Brome at the Gun in Ivie-Lane and H. Marsh at the Princes Arms in Chancery-Lane 1660. Most Dread Soveraign IT is neither arrogance nor ambition that makes me thus boldly to intrude into your presence for I know so great a Sun will quickly dazle my weak eyes but because the former parts were honoured with your royal Fathers name this therefore hopes to be sheltered under your Princely wing this but concluding what they begun and making you the happy repayrer of those Breaches which that powerfull and restless faction of Independency made on the Regalia of England that posterity may as well see in this their felicity by you in the ruine of that faction as formerly they read their own misery in the Treasonable actings thereof against his late Majesty of ever glorious memory I have no more but only to pray that you may in this World be blessed with the wisdom and happynesse of Solomon a peaceable long and all glorious Reign the age of Methuselah wherein you may enjoy the full contents of a most happy life and at last full of honour and dayes arrive to the perfect fruition of a more glorious Kingdom in Gods presence before whom is fullness of joy and at his right hand pleasures for evermore This from his soul is the daily prayer of Your Majesties most faithfull subject and Servant T. M. 29 Oct. 1660. TO THE SACRED MAJESTY OF Great BRITTAINS MONARCH The Triumphant Son of a most Glorious Father who was in all things More than Conquerour The Illustrious ofspring of a Royal Traine of ANTIENT PRINCES CHARLES The Second of that Name Entituled PIOUS By the sole Providence of an Almighty hand of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith Restorer of the English Church unto its Pristine State and Glory Patron of Law and Liberty Not to be Seconded by any but himself Who is the best of Kings And of all Vertue to the World THE GRAND EXEMPLAR To the Nobility Gentry Clergy and Commons of ENGLAND IT is I think more out of custome than necessity that I do at this time premise any thing the Subject whereof we treat having been fatally felt by most of the Nation in some way or other yet is it necessary that the history of such turgencies in the State should be communicated that posteâ—ity may hereafter see in their rise and fall the certain punishment of Treason though for a time guarded and upheld by armed violence and the highest policies of a subtle malice It is said of the Epicureans that though they acknowledged no providence nor any immortality of the soul and proposed pleasure as the only end of their lives yet they maintained most of them that they that were lovers of pleasure must of necessity be lovers of Justice and that without virtue it was not possible for men to live intrue pleasure So as it was said of the Stoicks who were for the most part notable hypocrites that they spoke good things and did foul actions but that the Epicureans spoke and taught things that seemed foul and shamefull but did that which was fair and honest Certenly these two sects of Phylosophers might be the very parallel of our date times wherein our Stoicall Grandees could speak nothing but holiness where the practice of their lives was a continued series of horrid Treasons while a litle innocent mirth and freeness of speech was the greatest that lay or indeed could be cast upon integrity of their despised Antagonists so that we might see Cucullus non fecit Monarchum It had been well for England if the sad occasions of writing this history of the times had never happened but they have been And as our Saviour saith Offences must come but wo be to them by whom they come so then to declare the actings and their method and manner is but so to lay them open that they may for the future be the better avoided and prevented The knowledg of all persons the meaning of all matters Voss de seri Agt. de art histor and the depth of all secrets is lockt up in history according to that of Vossius alluding to that of the Roman Poet Qui quid sit turpe aut pulchrum quid utile quid non Plenius melius Chrysyppo Crantore dixit And this I dare promise you in the ensuing Manual without too violent reflections to widen differences all the observations arising as naturally from the relations as suteable words do fitly supply the ready tongue of a Learned Oratour It is the general happinesse at this present that we can read the downfall of faction and rejoyce in the glory of restored Majesty with safety and content and I pray God that all the mischiefs of the remaining Achitophel's Shimei's and Rabshakeh's may sall upon their own heads but peace happiness and prosperity may waite on our Solomon that he may be blessed and his throne be established before the Lord forever To Conclude As your Loyalty in the worst oftentimes hath been signal if in nothing else yet in sufferings so dispise not to read this tractate wherein I dare presume you will find something which before you knew not the work ' its true is short but will not I hope want substance inest enim sua gratia parvis and to remember these things certainly cannot be irksome Saepe recordari medicamine melius omni to see and escape danger causeth not only admiration but pleasure which that you may receive with content by the perusall hereof is desired I shall only add one word in particular first to the Nobility You are Right Honourable Princes in the Congregation of our Israel Men of renown exemplarily both in your names and honours Be as eminent in service for your Prince as obliged to him for favours that it may be recorded of you as it is of Davids Worthies These are the mighty men which David had who strengthened themselves with him in his Kingdom according to the word of the Lord. 2. To the Gentry You are they whom Jethro counselled Moses to provide out of all the people to assist him and be mediatours between Prince and People approve your selves according to that counsel to be able men such as fear God men of truth and hating covetousness so shall the Lord give a blessing as he hath promised 3. To the Clergy God hath made you as a Beacon upon an hill that you might forewarn Israel of her sins ye are the salt of the Earth while you preach to
C. his carriage he pulled off his doublet when the Heads-man kneeling down Lord Capell said I forgive thee from my soul and shall pray for thee There is five pounds for thee and if any thing be due for my cloaths you shall be fully recompenced And when I ly down give me a short time for a prayer then again blessing the People very earnestly and desiring their prayers at the moment of death he said to the Executioner you are ready when I am ready are you not then as he stood putting up his hair with hands and eyes lift up he said O God I do with a perfect and a willing heart submit to thy will O God I do most willingly humble my self so kneeling down and fitting his neck to the block as he lay with both his hands stretched out he said When I lift up my Right hand then strike When after he had said a short prayer L. Capell beheaded he lifted up his right hand and the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body which was taken up by his servants and put into a Coffin Having thus brought to pass their bloody purpose shortly after they acquitted the Lord Goring and Sir John Owen as to their lives but seized upon all they had according as they did upon most of the Estates of the Nobility and Gentry throughout England for such now was their unsatiable malice The barbarousness of the faction that they thought it not enough to ruine and destroy the heads of Families but with divellish rancor endeavour to blot out the name and memoriall of Posterity by such unheard of cruelties and barbarous actions as would make a Savage Scithian or Barbarian blush to think on so that we may say with Cicero in the like case Rem vides quomodo se habeat orbem terrarum Imperiis distributis ardere bello urbem fine legibus sine judiciis sine jure sine fide relictam direptioni incendiis Which indeed is the very present case Thus did they grow from bad to worse acting rather like butchers then Men each one of them proving to all about him a devouring wolfe whose insatiate gorge was never filled with his pray so that having in effect the mastery of them whom they called their Enemies like true thieves they fall out about parting the stakes The Army and Independent close the Presbyterian faction will brook no superior the Independent no equall upon these terms stands the Kingdom divided when the later grown now more powerfull by the additon of the Army whose guilt in the murther of the King had suggested to them that the only way to save and raise themselves was to confound and reduce all things else to an Anarchy In pursuance of which Principle they at last proceed against the very root of Monarchy and after many uncouth debates resolved that the Nation should be setled in the way of a free State Free-state appointed and Kingly government be utterly abolished Now was the stile in all proceedings at the law altered the seals changed and the Kings armes and statues in all places taken down that so their seared consciences might not at the sight thereof be terrified with the sad remembrance of their committed crimes And that no sparke or attendant of antient Majesty might be left remaining soon after they vote the house of Lords to be burdensome and useless Lords house voted useless and that the People might understand their meaning also on the 21th of February they proclaim at Westminster and send it to the City the next Day to the like purpose but the then Lord Mayor refusing to do it as being contrary to his honour conscience and Oath rather chose to suffer an unjust imprisonment which he did in the Tower Any honest Man would have thought this example would have put a stop to the attempt of any villain for the making that proclamation but so farr were they from being deterred that they rather grow more implacable and having found some hair brained and half decayed Cittizens out of them one is set up as a mock-Mayor who being a fellow fit for their turns after a short complement or two with the Juncto The Proclamation against Kingship he enters the Stage and Proclaims the abolishing of Kingship and the House of Lords Having thus brought their design to some kind of maturity they find another invention to be as a Shibboleth a mark of distinction between themselves and other men The engagement a mark of distinction and that was the engagement forsooth whereby every man should promise to be true and faithfull to the Common-wealth of England without a King or house of Lords and he that would not subscribe to this was forced either to fly or which was as bad to stay at home and have neither the benefit nor the protection of the law of the land nor any advantage either of his liberty or Estate Now might you have seen Vice regnand and nothing but Schisme and faction Countenanced now might you have beheld England sometime the Glory of the World now become its by words the name of English being among forreign Nations esteemed as a crime sufficient so did the Land mourn for oaths that she was ready to vomit out her inhabitants while the Juncto still endeavour to palliate their villany and to get allies among neighbour Princes and States to many of whom they send Embassadours as they stiled them and were again reciprocally courted and owned and particularly by the Spanyard and the French but the Dutch did seem to be Men of a better mould and temper The dutch quarrel and therefore having no better ground they quarrell for superiority denying to vaill to the English because they were the younger State yet still owning that respect to the Monarchy hereat the English though yet but an Embrio begin to startle and weighing the unsetledness of their basis and that all they had hitherto done was only dawbed together with untempered morter St. Johns sent to treat but returnes without doing any thing they resolve to try all wayes rather then fall out and will seek to gain that by Courtship which they are unwilling to hazard by force as a fit Man for this work they pick out a pure Saint Mr. Oliver St. Johns and dispatch him into Holland with as large a train as great State and as full instructions as they could possibly afford or invent whether when he is come he makes his addresse to the Lords States but with so little approbation and success that in a little time he began to grow weary of his businesse especially when the multitude began to grow clamourous against him insomuch that he durst hardly stir abroad so that being both outworded and outwitted after many debates brotherly expostulations Declarations and hearty desires to small or rather indeed to no purpose he gravely makes his Congee takes his leave and vanisheth The Juncto
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
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.
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.
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