shun the danger paid him eleven hundred and seventy pounds at the very instant yet did he deliver her the counterfeit coppy onely meaning to make use of the true one to get another some of the Earls adversaries This imposter being found out he was censured to perpetual imprisonment condemned in three thousand pounds two of which were to go to the Countess and his ears nailed to the pillory with this writing over his head A notorious Cheater I shall conclude all with some few observations on this unfortunate Earl as to his first rise my Lord of Leicester introduced him who had married his mother a tye of affinity Sure it is that he no sooner appeared in the Court but he took with the Queen and Courtiers and I believe they all could not choose through the sacrifice of the Father but look on the living Son whose image by the remembrance of former passages was afresh like the bleeding of men murthered represented to the Court The Cicero of our modern times parallels him and Buckingham where the difference was is too transparent certain it is to use Sir Robert Nauntons own words that there was in this young Lord together with a most goodly person a kinde of urbanity or innate courtesie which both won the Queen and took too much on the people which amongst other disparities Buckingham never did attain to the latter What hath been imputed to his fall is that he drew too fast from the Queens indulgence like a childe sucking of an over uberous Nurse which caused him to express himself in such peremptory language when he heard that my Lord Mountjoy received a favour from the Queen for his running so well a tilt when as though he would have limited her respects he said Now I believe every fool must have a favour which made the Queen swear by Gods death it was fit that one or other should take him down and teach him better maners All Authours agree that he was a man of a rash spirit thirsty after the uncertain fame of popularity which helpt him on to his Catastrophe One writeth this Latine Epitaph on him Epitaphium de eodem Comite Ecce sub hoc tumulo situs est celeberrimus Heros Qui cecidit patrii spesque decusque soli Fama ingens annis juvenis fortissimus armis Nobilitate potens religione pius Terra Britannia parens testis Hibernia lethi Tristia fata gemunt fortia facta canunt Facta togae bellive magis praestantia mirer Optima pace domi Maxima marte foris Mors fera corpus habet Coelo Comes inclyte vivis Vita dicata Deo mors nonna vita data est The Life of Sir ROBERT CECILL Tu pater patriae Princeps Prudentia cujus Extulit immensum roges populosque Britannos THis Earwig of the Court Sir Robert Cecil afterwards Earl of Salisbury was the Son of the Lord Burleigh and the Inheritour of his Wisdom and by degrees Successour of his places and favours though not of his Lands for he had Sir Thomas Cecil his elder Brother afterwards created Earl of Exeter He was first Secretary of State then Master of the Wards and in the last of Queen Elizabeths Reign came to be Lord Treasurer all which were the steps of his Fathers greatnesse and of the Honour he left to his House For his Person he was not much beholding to Nature though somewhat for his Face which was the best part of his outside but for his inside it may be said and without Solecisme that he was his Fathers own Son and a pregnant Proficent in all Discipline of State He was a Courtier from his Cradle which might have made him betimes yet at the age of twenty and upwards he was much short of his after-proof but exposed and by change of climate he soon made shew what he was and would be He lived in those times wherein the Queen had most need and use of men of weight and among able ones this was a chief as having his sufficiency from his instructions that begat him the Tutourship of the times and Court which were then the Accademies of Art and Cunning. This great Master of State and the staff of the Queens declining age who though his little crooked person could not promise any great supportation yet it carried thereon a head and a head-piece of a vaste content and therein it seems Nature was so diligent to compleat one and the best part about him as that to the perfection of his memory and intellectuals she took care also of his senses and to put him in Linceos oculos or to pleasure him the more borrowed of Argus so to give unto him a prospective sight and for the rest of his sensitive Vertues his predecessour Walsingham had left him a receipt to smell out what was done in the Conclave and his good old father was so well seen in the Mathematicks as that he could tell you thorow all Spain every part every ship with the burthens whither bound with preparation what impediments for diversion of enterprizes counsels and resolutions And that we may see as in a little Map how docible this little man was I will present a taste of his abilities The Earl of Devonshire upon the certainty the Spaniard would invade Ireland with a strong Army had written very earnestly to the Queen and the Councel for such supplies to be sent over that might enable him to march up to the Spaniard if he did land and follow on his prosecution against the Rebels Sir Robert Cecill besides the general dispatch of the Councell as he often did wrote this in private for these two began then to love dearly My Lord Out of the abundance of my affection and the care I have of your well doing I must in private put you out of doubt for of fear I know you cannot be otherwise sensible then in the way of honour that the Spaniard will not come unto you this year for I have it from my own what preparations are in all his Parts and what he can do For be confident he beareth up a reputation by seeming to embrace more then he can gripe But the next year be assured he will cast over unto you some Forelorn-hopes which how they may be reinforced beyond his present ability and his first intention I cannot as yet make any certain judgement but I believe out of my intelligence that you may expect there landing in Munster and the more to distract you in several places as at Kinsale Bur-haven Baltimore where you may be sure coming from Sea they will first fortifie and learn the strength of the Rebells before they dare take the field howsoever as I know you will not lesson not your care neither your defences and whatsoever lies within my power to do you and the publick service rest thereof assured And to this I would adde much more but it may as it is suffice to present much as to his abilities in the pen
of Mr. Lilburne was for differences betwixt the State and him Master Lilburne desired that Master Prideaux might be excepted against as his enemy one of the faction of the Court against his life Judge Keble told him that he spoke irrationally and indiscreetly he having so fair respect and so free a hearing to except against so great a Minister of the Court afterwards Judge Jermyn a sound Lawyer but a better forenoon then afternoons man said That since Master Lilburne begun to plant his Ordnance against the Authority of the Court that the Court did sit by a lawful Authority derived from the Parliament the supreme Authority of England that he was accused of High Treason had his Jury of Freemen of London Citizens men of religious integrity he instanced many cases to him concluding that he desired him to put himself upon his Tryal by Law and to hear with patience those offences of Treason were laid to his charge Master Lilburne notwithstanding continued to use several arguments against the Commission of Oyer and Terminer which he knew to be that by the virtue of which they did sit and since he was to be tryed for his life he desired to hear their Commission read but since they had denyed him that he desired all his friends to take notice how contrary to reason and equity they dealt with him Judge Keble urged him still not taking notice of his Traverses to hold up his hand at the Bar which he explained to him was no more but a special notice that the party is the man inquired for and therefore if he were John Lilburne the man that was charged he bid him but say that he was the man and that he was there and that should suffice Lilburne accordingly said I am John Lilburne Son to John Lilburne Judge Jermyn afterwards to perswade him to hold up his hand gave him two reasons why that custom had been alwayes used First for notice that those who are called for capital and criminal offences that they should hold up the hand to declare that they are the men Secondly he said that a pure innocent hand did set forth a clear and unspotted heart for which reason he bid Mr. Lilburne hold up his hand if he refused to do it he deprived himself of the prime benefit of the customs of England Master Lilburne still quibling with the Court and refusing Judge Keble gave order that the Indictment should be read to which purpose Master Broughten read Hold up your hand Master Lilburne and hearken to the charge thou standest indicted of High Treason by the name of John Lilburne late of London Gentleman for that thou art a false Traytor not having the fear of God before thy eyes but being stirred up and moved by the instigation of the Devil c. After he had read it out Master Broughton said What saist thou John Lilburne art thou guilty of this Treason of which thou standest indicted or not guilty Lilburne answered That by the Laws of England he was not to answer questions against or concerning himself Another Judge said Master Lilburne by the Laws of the Land you are to plead to your charge and it is no accusing of your self to say you are guilty or not guilty Master Lilburne instanced the Petition of Right to the former purpose he also excused himself as he was ignorant of the formalities of the Law having none of the Law Books in English and therefore fore them to take away his life in a Language he understood not was extream hard therefore he humbly desired to have Councel assigned him to consult with Judge Keble told him he could not grant him that favour it was not consistent with the Law Master Lilburne still refused to plead without Councel withal he said he was not guilty in any of the treasons in manner or form as they were laid down in the Indictment pointing to it and withal said Now I have pleaded and crave the Liberties of England that you will assign me counsel Master Boughton said By whom wilt thou be Tryed Lilburne replyed By the known Laws of England and a legal Jury of his equals constituted by Law One of the Clerks said you must say by God and your Countrey Master Lilburne said he never read in the Laws of England that he was to plead in that manner Judge Keble explained the word Countrey to him saying By it was meant a Jury of his equals Master Lilburne desired as he had bin a prisoner seven moneths deprived of Books that he might have a reasonable time allowed him to prepare himself for his Plea and Defence or else to knock him in the head in the place where he stood for he must needs be destroyed if they denyed him the means of his preservation After many of his evasions Judge Nichols told him that if he would not be lead by the proceedings of Law it would be worse for him Master Lilburne instanced the freedom of his Tryal at Oxford the Judges in effect told him that he was now at London on a different manner of fact He answered they might murther him if they would observing Master Prideaux the Atturney General whispering Judge Thorpe in the ear he said on the Bench It was not lawful for a Judge to be whispered To which Judge Thorpe replyed that as he was the prosecutor of the State against him he might confer privately with him Master Lilburne quoted to the contrary Cooks Institutes the third part Cap. Treason upon which Judge Keble took him up short and said that if he would not come to something and behave himself according to the bounds of Reason and Law he would cause his Jury to be returned Master Lilburne replyed that he desired to have the priviledge of the Laws of God which he said he himself must acknowledge to be the Law of England and he was sure that the Law of God was that they should do as they would be done by now he said it could not be by the Laws of God for his adversaries to have the helps of all manner of councels by snares quirks tricks and provocations to take away his life and for him to be denyed the benefit to consult with any to preserve himself against such potent malice Judge Jermyn answered the question was not whether the Law of God and the Law of reason and the Law of man may be consonant to each other and whether the Court or John Lilburne shall be Judges thereof that was the question Master Lilburne crying for all equity to himself but allowing the Court none Judge Keble said further that when a man had done such treasonable things that it was the Law of God that he should answer directly and positively whether he were guilty or no and if he answer not guilty and they be not fully proved against him there is no more to be said After some other trifling pro and con Master Lilburne compared the prerogative that he said the Judges made
said he did not doubt but that he could sufficiently excuse himself if he were permitted to speak to some of the Bench in private Being bid to chuse whom he would he chuse the grave old Justice who then had his pouch at his girdle as they wore them in those dayes and whilest that he whispers him in the ear he slily cuts his purse Sir Thomas knowing by the sign that the business was dispatcht presently took occasion to move the Bench to distribute some alms upon a poor needy fellow that was there and for example sake began first himself the old Justice when he lookt for his purse found it cut away and much wondering said He was confident he brought it with him Sir Thomas Moor replyed pleasantly What will you charge any of us with Felony The Justice's colour rising as he was ashamed he calls the Cut-purse and bids him give him his purse again and withal advised the good old Justice hereafter not to be so bitter a censurer of other innocent mens negligences when as himself could not secure his purse in that open Assembly It chanced another time that a Beggars little Dog which she had lost was sent to the Lady Moor for a present she kept it a week being much pleased and delighted with it but at last the Beggar having notice where her Dog was came and complained to Sir Thomas as he was sitting in his Hall at Chelsey that his Lady kept her Dog from her presently my Lady was sent for and the Dog brought with her which Sir Thomas taking in his arms he caused his Wife to stand at the upper end of the Hall and the Beggar at the lower end Then saying that he sate there to do every one justice he bad each of them call the Dog which when they did the Dog ran presently to the Beggar forsaking his Wife which when he saw he desired her to be contented for it was none of hers yet she repining at the sentence he agreed with the Beggar and gave her a piece of Gold All parties being satisfied every one smiling at this strange discovery of truth Sir Thomas Moor demanding his money of one that was in his debt spake this sentence in Latine to Sir Thomas Moor Memento morieris to which Sir Thomas presently replied What say you Sir Memento Mori aeris Remember Mores money It is also storied of him that whereas upon Holy Dayes during his High Chancellourship one of his Gentlemen when Service was done at Church used to come to his Ladies Pew and say Madam my Lord is gone The next Holy Day after his surrender of his office of Chancellourship and putting off his former retinue of Gentlemen he came to his Wives Pew himself and making a low congee said Madam my Lord is gone It is further reported of him that when he was sent by his Master Henry the Eighth into Germany that a little before he delivered his Embassage to the Emperour he bid one of his servants to fill him a Beer-glasse of wine which he drunk off twice commanding his servant to bring him a third he knowing Sir Thomas Moors temperance that he was not used to drink at the first refused to fill him another as he told Sir Thomas of the weight of his employment But his servant not daring to deny his Master the third glass Sir Thomas made his immediate address to the Emperour and spake his Oration in Latine to the admiration of all the Auditours Afterwards Sir Thomas merrily asking his man what he thought of his speech he said that he deserved to govern three parts of the World and he believed if he had drunk the other glass the Elegancy of his Language might have purchased the other part of the World Another time a certain Friend of his presented him with a Book which he intended to publish being well conceited of his own Wit which no body else thought worth the reading because he would Sir Thomas should oversee it ere it were printed he brought it to him who perusing it and finding nothing therein worthy the Press said with a grave countenance If it were in Verse it would deserve better Upon which words he went and turned it into verse then brought it again to Sir Thomas who looking thereon said soberly Yea marry now it is somewhat for it is Rime now before it was neither Rime nor Reason Infinite are the conceited expressions that continually fell from him But to return from whence we have digrest during the time he was Chancellour of the Dutchy he was twice made Ambassadour joyned in Commission with Cardinal Wolsey once to the Emperour Charles into Flanders the other time to the French King into France Being once at Bruges in Flanders where an arrogant fellow had set up a Thesis that he would answer any question could be propounded unto him in what Art soever Of whom when Sir Tho. Moor heard he laughed and made this Question to be put up for him to answer Whether Averia capta in Withernamia sunt irreplegebilia adding that there was one of the English Ambassadours Retinue that would thereof dispute with him This bragging Thraso not so much as understanding those Terms of our Common Law knew not what to answer to it and so he became ridiculous to the whole City for his presumptuous bragging The Sea of Rome being now void Cardinal Wolsey ambitiously seeketh for the place but by means of the Emperour Charles the First was disappointed whereupn the Cardinal as we have recorded in his Life to be revenged on the Emperour and to ingratiate himself with the French King endeavours a Divorce betwixt King Henry and Queen Katherine Aunt to the Emperour thereby to procure him to match with the French Kings sister And for the better accomplishing therof he requested Longland Bishop of London and Ghostly Father to the King to put a scruple into the Kings head that it was not lawful for him to marry his Brothers Wife which the King not sorry to hear of opened it first to Sir Thomas Moor whose counsel he required therein of purpose quoting certain places of Scripture that seemed to serve his turn Sir Thomas Moor unwilling to displease the King by discovering his opinion began to excuse himself as one that had never profest the study of Divinity to be every way unfit to meddle with such matters the King not satisfied with this answer still pressed upon him so sore for it that in conclusion he condescended to his request And further because the business was of such weight and importance as required advisement and good deliberation he besought his Grace that he would give him sufficient time seriously to consider it wherewith the King very well contented told him that Tunstal and Clark Bishops of Durham and Bathe with others the most learned of his privy Councel should also confer with him therein Sir Thomas Moor departing compared those places of Scripture with the Expositions of divers of the
into England lies on this Heroick Knight but as in the Life of Sir Francis Drake I have cleared him that his Marriners first brought it in So for that report that when he went to his Trial he took three Pipes in the Coach I rather look on him as he was too guilty of occasioning the mode of this vanity rather then that it was any Institution of his own The day appointed for his Execution being come a Scaffold was erected for him before the Parliament House upon which being brought with a chearful countenance and undaunted look he spake as followeth My Honourable Lords and the rest of my good Friends that are come to see me die know that I much rejoyce that it hath pleased God to bring me from darkness to light and in freeing me from the Tower wherein I might have died in disgrace by letting me live to come to this place where though I lose my life yet I shall clear some false accusations unjustly laid to my charge and leave behinde me a testimony of a true heart both to my King and Countrey Two things there are which have exceedingly possest and provoked his Majesties indignation against me viz. A confederacy or combination with France and disloyal and disobedient words of my Prince For the first his Majesty had some cause though grounded upon a weak foundation to suspect mine inclination to the French Faction for not long before my departure from England the French Agent took occasion passing by my house to visit me we had some conference during the time of his abode onely concerning my Voyage and nothing else I take God to witness Another suspicion is had of me because I did labour to make an escape from Plimouth to France I cannot deny but that willingly when I heard a rumour that there was no hope of my life upon my return to London I would have escaped for the safeguard of my life and not for any ill intent or conspiracy against the State The like reason of suspicion arose in that I perswaded Sir Lewis Stenkly my Guardian to flee with me from London to France but my answer to this is as to the other that onely for my safeguard and nought else was my intent as I shall answer before the Almighty It is alledged that I feigned my self sick and by art made my body full of blisters when I was at Salisbury True it is I did so the reason was because I hop'd thereby to defer my coming before the King and Councel and so by delaying might have gained time to have got my pardon I have an example out of Scripture for my warrant that in case of necessity and for the safeguard of my life David feigned himself foolish and mad yet it was not imputed to him for sin Concerning the second imputation laid to my charge that I should speak scandalous and reproachful words of my Prince there is no witness against me but onely one and he a Chymical Frenchman whom I entertained rather for his Jeasts then Judgement This man to incroach himself into the favor of the Lords and gaping after some great reward hath falsely accused me of seditious speeches against his Majesty against whom if I did either speak or think a thought hurtful or prejudicial Lord blot me out of the Book of Life It is not a time to flatter or fear Princes for I am a Subject to none but deatb therefore have a charitable conceit of me that I know to swear is an offence to swear falsely at any time is a great sin but to swear falsely before the presence of Almighty God before whom I am forthwith to appear were an offence unpardonable therefore think me not now rashly or untruly to confirm or protest any thing As for other Objections in that I was brought perforce into England that I carried sixteen thousand pounds in Money out of England with me more then I made known that I should receive Letters from the French King and such like with many protestations he utterly denied Having ended his Speech he saluted the Company and after he had made his addresses to heaven submitted his neck to the stroak of the Axe Thus ended this worthy Knight a man of such admirable parts that he is more to be admired then sufficiently praised Leaving him to his repose till the last great day I shall onely set down this following Epitaph made by himself Even such is time which takes in trust Our youth and joyes and all we have And payes us but with age and dust Within the dark and silent grave When we have wandred all our wayes Shuts up the story of our dayes From the which earth death grave and dust The Lord shall raise me up I trust The Life of Mr. William Cambden THis learned Antiquary who so diligently preserved the memories of many noble Families of this Nation and whose laborious Works have been a great light to Histories already extent and such as future Ages shall produce is deservedly placed amongst our Heroes that he whose pen made so many others live in his never dying Brittania may likewise live here in this present Work amongst the rest of our English Worthies He was Son to Master Sampson Cambden descended of an ancient family in Staffordshire his Mother was extracted from the worshipful family of the Curwens in Cumberland as he himself witnesseth in his Britannia He was born in the Old-Baily in the City of London Anno. 1550. That he was well educated his learned Works make manifest being put to School first in Christ-Church then at Pauls At fifteen years of age so soon was he ripened for the University he went to Magdalen Colledge in Oxford where having much profited he removed from thence to Broadgates Hall where he gave some proofs of his learning in those short Latin graces the Servitors still use From thence he went to Christ-Church where he attained to such eminency as his abilities preferred him to be Master of Westminster School There is as a learned Gentleman observes scarce any profession in the Common-wealth more necessary which is so slightly performed The reasons whereof he takes to be these First young Schollars make this calling their refuge yea perchance before they have taken any degree in the Vniversity commence Schoolmasters in the Countrey as if nothing else were required to set up this profession but onely a Rod and a Ferula Secondly others who are able use it onely as a passage to better preferment to patch the rents in their present fortune till they can provide a new one and betake themselves to some more gainful calling Thirdly they are disheartned from doing their best with the miserable reward which in some places they receive being Masters to the Children and slaves to their Parents Lastly being grown rich they grow negligent and scorn to touch the School but by the proxie of an Vsher But our Schoolmaster was of another temper studying his Schollars natures as carefully as
educatus Cantabrigiae Aulae Pembroch Alumnorum Sociorum Prefaectorum Vnus nemini secundus Linguarum Artium Scientiarum Humanorum Divinorum omnium Infinitus Thesaurus stupendum Oraculum Orthodoxae Christi Ecclesiae Dictis Scriptis Precibus Exemplo Incomparabile Propugnaculum Reginae Elizabethae à sacris D. Pauli London Residentiaerius D. Petri Westmonast Decanus Episcopus Cicestrensis Eliensis Wintoniensis Regine Jacobo tum ab Eleemosynis Tum ab utriusque Regni Consiliis Decanus denique sacelli Regii Idem ex Indetessa opera in studiis Summa sapientia in rebus Assidua pietate in Deum Profusa largitate in egenos Rara amaenitate in suos Spectata probitate in omnes Aeternum admirandus Annorum pariter publicae famae satur Sed bonorum paessim omnium cum luctu denatus Caelebs hinc migravit ad Aureolam coelestem Anno Regis Caroli III o. Aetatis suae LXXI o. Christi MDCXXVI Tantum est Lector quod te maerentes posteri Nunc volebant atque ut ex voto tuo valeas Dicto Sit Deo Gloria His Works were many and pious Ninety six Sermons preached upon several occasions like which the Christian World hath not many such bodies of Sermons he being a Preacher that had both the Urim and the Thummim the former in his word the latter in his example In the next place his Opera Posthuma Concio ad Clerum pro gradu Doctoris Ad Clerum in Synodo Provinciali Coram Rege habita V o. August 1606. In discessu Palatini XIII o. Aprill 1613. Theologica Determinatio de Jurejurando De Vsuris De Decimis Respontiones ad 3. Epistolas Petri Molinei An Answer to the 18. and 20. cc. of Cardinal Perons Reply A Speech in the Star-Chamber against Master Thrask Another there concerning Vows in the Countess of Shrewburies case His Respontio ad Apologiam Cardinalis Bellarmini An Author whom when he wrestled with felt him he being one as well able to shift for himself as any of the Roman party His Manual of Devotions he originally penned in the Greek Tongue which Mr. Drake hath most excellently translated Another excellent Volumn of his on the Commandments publisht by Master Jackson with his Incomparable Lectures on Genesis which he preacht in Saint Pauls A Volumn which had he lived to have revised could not have been out-done To conclude how consummate a Divine how exact a Preacher how accute a Disputant how judicious a Moderatour and how eminent a Christian he was there is nothing more easie to determine both from the admiration of the best men and from the malignity of the worst then from these his Incomparable Writings which he left behind him for his perpetual Monuments The Life of Doctour DONNE Dean of PAULS THis Worthy Prelate whose Learning hath made him deservedly famous was born in London extracted by his Fathers side from an ancient and worshipful Family in Wales and by his Mother from the learned Sir Thomas Moor and the laborious Judge Rascal those two great Pillars of Law and Learning His first Education was in his Fathers house where a private Tutour had the care of him under whom he so profited that at nine years of age he was sent to the University of Oxford having besides the Latine and Greek attained to a knowledge of the French Tongue Languages which few Children understand at that age nay many scarcely their own Remaining in Hart-Hall having for the advancement of his studies Tutours in several Sciences to instruct him he in short time advanced to such a height of Learning as declared him fit to receive his first degree in the Schools but his Parents being of the Romish perswasion conscionably averse to some parts of the Oath dehorted him from it whose advice as Paternal Commands he dutifully obeyed Here fell he in acquaintance with that great Master of Language and Art Sir Henry Wootton betwixt whom was such friendship contracted that nothing but death could force the separation And now like a laborious Bee desirous to gather honey from more flowers then one he was transplanted from Oxford to Cambridge our other renowned Nursery of Learning where he much improved his studies but took no degree for the reasons formerly mentioned Being about seventeen years of age his Father died who left him three thousand pound in ready money his mother and those to whose care he was committed willing he should be able to manage such an estate took him from Cambridge and placed him in Lincolns-Inne where for the improvement of his knowledge they provided him Tutors in several Sciences as the Mathematicks and others but with these they had instructions also to instil into him the Principles of the Romish Church And indeed they so wrought with him having for their advantage besides their opportunity the example of his most dear and pious Parents that they had almost obliged him unto their faith But rectifying his judgements by the holy Scriptures and conferring Papists and Protestants Works together he was not onely drawn off from their Opinions but more settledly grounded in the Protestant Religion And now having a youthful desire to travel and a fit opportunity by occasion of the Earl of Essex going to Cales he embraced the advantage and went along with him and having seen the issue of that expedition left them and went into Italy and from thence into Spain where by his industry he attained to a perfection in their Languages and returned home with many useful observations of those Countreys their Laws and Government Soon after his return the Lord Elsmore Lord Keeper of the great Seal and after Chancellour of England taking notice of his abilities entertain'd him for his chief Secretary in whose service he fell in love with a young Gentlewoman who lived in that Family Neece to the Lady Elsmore and Daughter to Sir George More Chancellour of the Garter and Lieutenant of the Tower And notwithstanding her Friends opposed and endeavoured what they could to prevent it yet some faithful promises having interchangeably past betwixt them they resolved and did marry without the knowledge or advice of those that might justly claim an interest in the disposing of them But his Father-in-law Sir Geor. More was so immeasurably incens'd at what was done that he not only detained his wife from him but procured the Lord Elsmore to discharge him of the place he held under his Lordship And although the Lord Chancellour at his dismission protested he thought him a fitter Secretary for a King then a Subject yet could not this put a period to Sir Georges choller never leaving till he had cast him into prison as also his two special Friends Master Samuel Brook who was after D in D. and Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge who had married him and his Brother Master Christopher Brook of Lincolns-Inne who gave him his Wife and witnessed the Marriage In the time of Master Donnes melancholly Imprisonment how true I know not onely I
that some conclude his death was for necessity and rather for the satisfaction of rancourous apprehensions then for any guiltiness in the cause The lower House perceiving by the Lieutenants insinuating and witty defences a great encrease of his friends in the Lords House they resolved of no more hearing of him in publique but to draw up a Bill of Attainder and present the same to the Lords whereby first the matter of Fact should be declared to have been sufficiently proved and then in the matter of Law that he had incurred the censure of Treason for intending to subvert the Fundamentall Laws of the Kingdom And they were confident the Lords would ratifie and approve of this Bill of theirs and give judgement accordingly But the Lords fearing such Proceedings as a beaten path troden out to the ruine of their own lives and estates told the House of Commons that they themselves as competent Judges would by themselves onely give sentence in the Cause nor was there course suitable to the practise and State of the Kingdom the safety of the Nobility or to Equity or common Justice It was replied by them of the Lower House that they were resolved to go on with their Bill and if the same should be rejected by the Lords they feared a rupture and division might follow to the utter ruine and desolation of the whole Kingdom That no content would be given to the Subject unless the man who had so much intruded upon their right and discontented the people might be punished as a Traytour and dealt withal according to his demerits But the Lords were resolute in their first determinations and resolved to give him a fair hearing in the matter of Law whereupon his Councel were called to the Bar Master Lane the Princes Attorney Master Gardiner Recorder of London Master Loe and Master Lightfoot who spake both much and to the purpose Yet would this nothing satisfie the House of Commons no though the King in person in a set Speech declared unto them That there never was such a project nor had the Lord Strafford ever offered such advice for the transporting of an Irish Army into England neither had advised him to establish an Arbitrary Government that he would never in heart nor hand concur with them to punish him as a Traytour and desir'd therefore that they would think of some other way how the business might be composed Nor should it ever be less dear to him though with the loss of his dearest blood to protect the innocent then to punish the guilty But this made the House of Commons a great deal the more pressing fearing by the Kings peremptory answer that there was some plot underhand But the House of Commons were not so much inflamed by the Kings Speech as the common people who to the number of five or six thousand having Weapons and Battoons in their hands came to VVestminster and at the entering at every Coach cryed out for speedy justice and execution with a wonderful and strange noise After this they drew up the names of those either in the House of Commons or the House of Lords whom they imagined to favour the Lieutenant and gave them the Title of Straffordians with this close That all those and all other enemies to the Common-wealth should perish with him and did post up the names of fifty five at the Corner of Sir William Brunkards house in the old Pallace-yard in Westminster writing underneath This and more shall be done to the Enemies of Justice afore-written The House of Commons in the mean time were not idle but brought forth a Protestation or band of Association as they termed it much like the Covenant taken not long before in Scotland which without further process or delay was subscribed by the whole House except the Lord Digby and an Uncle or Friend of his Not long after the Bill against the Lord Stafford past the Lords there were forty five present of which nineteen voyced for him and twenty six against him the greatest part of his friends absented themselves upon pretence whether true or suppositious that they feared the multitude otherwise his suffrages had more then counterpoised the voters for his death Nothing wanted now but the Kings assent to this Bill which the same afternoon was desired of him the King desired respite for two dayes consulting in the mean time with some Bishops and Judges what to do in this case who as the sequel shows advised him thereunto so that we may herein admire at the wonderful Providence of God to suffer not onely the King and the Country but the Church too to be involved in his blood who had stood so stiffly in the Churches maintenance But nothing gained his Majesties assent thereunto so much as a Letter from the Lieutenant himself wherein he desired his Majesty that for the preventing of such mischiefs as might happen by his refusal to pass the Bill intimating his consent therein as this following Letter of his testifies May it please your sacred Majesty It hath been my greatest grief in all these troubles to be taken as a person which should endeavour to represent and set things amiss between your Majesty and your people and to give Counsels tending to the disquiet of the three Kingdoms Most true it is that this mine own private condition considered it hath been a great madness since through your gracious favour I was so provided as not to expect in any kinde to mend my fortune or please my minde more then by resting where your bounteous hands had placed me Nay it is most mightily mistaken for unto your Majesty it is well known my poor and humble advises concluded still in this That your Majesty and your people could never be happy till there were a right understanding betwixt you and them no other means to effect and settle this happiness but by the Councel and assent of the Parliament or to prevent the growing evils upon this State but by intirely putting your self in the last resort upon the loyalty and good affections of your English Subjects Yet such is my misfortune this truth findeth little credit the contrary seemeth generally to be believed and my self reputed as something of separation between you and your people under a heavier censure then which I am perswaded no Gentleman can suffer Now I understand the mindes of men are more incensed against me notwithstanding your Majesty hath declared that in your Princely opinion I am not guilty of treason nor are you satisfied in your conscience to pass the Bill This bringeth me into a very great strait there is before me the ruine of my Children and Family hitherto untouched in all the branches of it with any foul crimes Here is before me the many ills which may befal your sacred Person and the whole Kingdom should your self and Parliament part less satisfied one with the other then is necessary for the preservation both of King and people Here are before me
use of to Nebucadnezzar that endeavoured to destroy Daniel by his prerogative as he was to be thrown into the Lions Den making this application that if they would not allow him councel to consult with to make a Plea for his life it was a vain thing for him to spend any more words Judge Keble the afterwards President of the High Court of Justice replyed Mr. Lilburne this language is but the sparks of that venemous heat that is within you and they may burst out to prove you guilty before us and in our presence if so be that you are charged with without any other proof or proceedings for you may do it I tell you that you may do it where you stand therefore take heed what you say Mr. Lilburne replyed Sir I have cast up my account and I know what it can cost me he blest God he had learnt to dye having alwayes carryed his life in his hand for about twelve years together Judge Keble replyed he should not now lay it down if he did not destroy or cast away the Common-wealth but if he went about to destroy the Common-wealth the Common-wealth would destroy him Master Lilburne replyed he desired nothing but councel and to produce his witnesses Mr. Prideaux the Atturney General answered that if Master Lilburne had these concernments granted to him it would be a president for all future times by means of which there would be no ends of Tryals in criminal cases and that it was a wonderful strange thing to him that when the prisoner had pleaded the usual way that they did not immediately proceed to Tryal He did desire that Master Lilburne might be dealt with all legal just and fair preceedings of the Court he did desire accordingly the proceedings of the Common-wealth be so too that Master Lilburne may be without delay according to the Law proceeded against for his notorious Treasons Judge Keble immediately said well Mr. Lilburne the Court is very tender not to take up any of your time you have heard what was declared to you there that Master Atturney hath made Process against you returnable to morrow at seven of the Clock and therefore to spend more time would be your loss and dammage the Sheriffs of London are to take care to return the Jury to morrow morning and therefore the Court doth adjourn till seven of the Clock to morrow in the morning in the mean time they commit the prisoner at the Bar to the Lieutenant of the Tower again a prisoner Judge Keble said that he had more favour then any prisoner in England ever had for by the Laws of England in matters of Treason whereof Master Lilburne is indicted he ought to have been Tryed presently and immediately and because all the world shall know with what candor and justice the Court doth proceed against him we deferred time till to morrow morning which is the Courts extraordinary favour and the doors are wide open that all the world may know it Mr. Lilburne said Sir I can shew you a hundred presidents to the contrary to disprove what you say Judge Keble bids adjourn the Court Mr. Lilburne humbly thanked the Judges for their extraordinary favour and so the Curtains were drawn for that day the Court having adjourned till the next morning the Prisoner was remanded to the Tower The 26. of October the Friday following he was brought to the Bar with his Brother Collonel Robert Lilburne his Sollicitour Master Sprat and some other of his friends being hardly admitted Judge Keble saying your Brother shall not stand by you there I will onely have one hold your Papers and Books and the rest not to trouble you therefore let them come out of the Court. Master Lilburne pleaded for his Councell instancing Major Rolfes Tryal at Oxford about his intent to poison the King where he had Councell allowed him to which Judge Keble subtlely answered Mr. Lilburne when you come to Tryal you shall see there will be no need of Councel the Court will be instead of Councel to you nay the Court if they see matter of Law for Councel though you do not ask it they will give it you and therefore set your heart at rest for if there be any thing Rational in Law that we can spy out as well as your Councel wee 'l help you in it Master Lilburne answered Sweet Sir I pray but one word more if you deny me what the Law affords me and that which hath been granted to the Law by Cavalier Judges yea and by your fellow Judges who are now in power at this day the Lord deliver me from standing in need of you to be my Councellours Sayes Keble we are upon our lives as well as you Master Liburne replied No by your Favor not in so eminent a manner Judge Keble replied we are upon our lives and our souls to all eternity Master Lilburne desired to be heard one word Judge Keble said he would hear no more Upon which Master Prideaux desired the Court would proceed and not prolong time being he had pleaded not guilty and had confessed someting Lilburne replied No sir you do me wrong and abuse me I never confessed any thing neither did I plead not guilty he said his Plea was conditional grounded on their promises not to take any advantages of his ignorance in their Formalities Judge Keble exasperated at his obstinacy cried out Go on be silent Master Lilburn desired that at least they would let him hear the grand Jury speak for he understood from some of themselves that they never found him guilty but do conceive themselves wronged by some words yesterday that passed from some of the Judges he desired to hear them speak Judge Keble desired him to be rational a word he often used and that he would be silent and hear the Court he told him he could lose no more time to hear him he bid the Crier call the Jury the Crier called and Master Lilburne earnestly prest to be heard but could not Master Lilburne desired to see their faces Judge Keble warned Master Sprat Johns Sollicitour not to talk to the Prisoner he said he might stand and hold the Books but he should not come near the Prisoner to talk to him as he had done the day before Master Lilburne said that the Law allowed a stander by to speak in the Prisoners behalf at the Bar much more to whisper to him but more especially if he were his Sollicitour The Crier called the names Miles Petty William Wormwell John Sherman Thomas Dainty Ralph Ely Edward Keiser Edward Perkins Ralph Packman Francis Woodall William Commins Henry Hauson Roger Jenkenson Joshua Hammond Richard Allen Richard Nevil John Main Henry Jooley Arthur Due Roger Sears John Mayo Henry Jooley Arthur Due Roger Sears The Cryer said you good men of the City appear Stephen Jues John Sherman Ralph Ely Roger Jenkenson Roger Sears John Mayo Nicholas Murren The Clerk of Court sayes to the Jury here is your
Masculine Petition of the eleventh of September 1648. so much owned by petitions out of several Counties yea and by the Officers of the Armies large Remonstrance from Saint Albones the sixteenth of November 1648. page 67.68 69. the subtance of all which I thou the aforesaid John Lilburne meaning conceive is contained in the printed sheet of paper signed by my fellow prisoners Mr. William Walwin Mr. Richard Overton and Mr. Thomas Prince and my self dated the first of May 1649. and intituled The Agreement of the free people of England which false scandalous and traiterous Book called the Agreement of the people of England tends to the alteration and subversion of the Government aforesaid the principles of the aforesaid Agreement I meaning your self the said John Lilburne hope and desire you the friends of the aforesaid John Lilburne meaning will make the final centre and unwavering standard of all your desires hazards and endeavours as to the future settlement of the peace and Government of this distressed wasted and divided Nation the firme establishing of the principles therein contained being that onely which will really and in good earnest marry and knit the interest what ever it be that dwels upon them unto the distressed or oppressed Commons of this Nation Not to instance the particular application how these and his other Books were stigmatized more at large in the Indictment as also his traiterous intents purposes and designs to their extent displayed The Indictment being reading and the noise of the people in the Hall great the prisoner said he could not hear and had some few lines before read over to him Master Lilburne therefore prayed the people to hold their peace Gentlemen I beseech you be quiet speaking to the people Lord Keeble replyed Quiet you your self we will quiet them for you The Cryer said If any man can give any Evidence to my Lords the Justices of Oyer and Terminer against Mr. John Lilburne let him come in and he shall be heard Master Lilburne desired to be heard to speak two or three words Lord Keeble said It is not a fit time you shall be heard in your due time but hear what the witnesses say first Master Lilburne replyed He conceived he was much wronged in saying that he pleaded not guilty for he pleaded no such plea I appeal to the Court and to all that heard me whether I pleaded any such plea for before I pleaded the Court became engaged to me to take no advantage of my ignorance of the formalities of the Law and promised to give me as much priviledge as my Lord Duke of Hambleton and others enjoyed before the Court of Justice By your favours said he I pleaded conditionally and now I make my absolute Plea to the Indictment which was this that he excepted against the matter and form of it in matter time and place and humbly craved Counccel to assign and plead to the errors thereof He beseecht them to hear him a few words Sir with favour he humbly craved liberty to speak a few words he said I shall keep me close to that which is my right and my duty and that is to the matter of Law in my Indictment There are many things put into the Indictment by the Testimonies of Witnesses now sworn that are pretended to be acted in several Countries whether that be according to Law or no I do not know whether you will judge it so or no but sure I am if either those express Statutes that I have already cited to the Jury or the third part of Cooks Institutes be Law I ought not to be tryed for Treason but by a Jury of the next Neighbour-hood in the self-same County the fact is pretended to be committed in and therefore it is very questionable to me whether my Indictment be legal for that it chargeth me with facts of treason committed in three several Counties and that being matter of Law I desire Counsel to argue that point in the first place There are also a great many other exceptions I have to make against the Illegality of the Indictment and having particularized one I humbly crave that which is my right by Law that I may have Counsel assigned to me you have said you will do what shall become ingenious and understanding men and just Judges in it and therefore I crave leave according to my undoubted Right to have Counsel assigned to plead in matters of Law to the insufficiency of the Indictment and particularly to that point I have nominated There are also a great many things arise out of the matter of fact that will be points of Law likewise and some of them appear to be so there were never two clear and positive witnesses to one fact sworn against me but to most of the particular Treasons there is but one a piece and I cannot yield tha to be legal but questionable in the Law which I desire Counsel to dispute I know not any of all the Books fixed upon me but the Out-cry that hath two plain witnesses to it and yet it is not sworn that I am the Author of it the state of the first is this that I was at the Printers before the Copy was taken away and that I gave one of those Books to a Souldier to sum up the Notes of the matter of fact that thereon hath been endeavoured to be proved is too hard a task to be done by me immediately and therefore I conceive it but just for you to assign me Counsel to agree with the Counsel against me what are the points of fact upon the proof from which the points of Law are to be deducted and whatever you that call your selves my Judges may think of this yet I hope and verily believe that these my honest fellow Citizens that are the Gentlemen of my Jury who have thereby as men the issues of my life and death in their hands and will think it but a just and rational motion and request and therefore before them again I desire to have Counsel assigned to plead in Law to the errours of the Indictment and also to the Law arising upon the fact this with a larger priviledge was granted by one of your own brother-Judges to Major Rolfe last year as his right by Law and I do again appeal to Mr. Justice Nichols then one of Rolfes Counsel for the truth of this I pray speak Sir is it not true but the Judge sitting as if he had neither life nor soul Mr. Lilburne further said I hope Sir it doth not enter into your thoughts presently to put me to an undigested extemporary answer to so large an Indictment as that is that hath been read against me that it is possible for any mans brain if it were as big as the biggest Magazine in London to carry it in his head and Sir I hope you do not conceive that my memory is of a greater largeness then the greatest Magazine in this City you engaged unto me when I
know or ever heard of in England for good Law Judge Keble answered If you can convince us that matter of Law does concern you the Iury you say something Mr. Lilburne answered Sir I have been shuffled too much out of my Liberties already give me leave to read but the Law to the Jury I will make use of nothing now to them but your own words and when I have done I will leave my self to them and the guidance of God upon their conscience and having the Book open in his hand he said in the first part of Cooks Institutes sex 366. fol. 226 227 228. in his Exposition of Ployden hath these words The Lord Keble answered Have we dealt so fairly with you all this while pray be confident those that are quotations there are not for your purpose but I thought how good a Lawyer you were for to set Cooks Commentaries upon Ployden when there is no such Book or Commentary go to your matter of Fact which is clear but for this let it fall down and spare your self and trouble your self no more with Cook he has no Commentary upon Ployden But Master Lilburne prest to speak Judge Iermyn cryes out Hold Sir Mr. Lilburne replyes What will not you allow me liberty to read your Law O unrighteous and bloody Judges Judge Iermyn answers By the fancy of your own minde you would puzzle the Iury we know the Book a little better then you do there is no such Book as Cooks Commentary upon Ployden The Lord Keble said Sir you shall not read it Judge Iermyn sayes he cannot be suffered to read the Law he had broached an erroneous opinion that the Iury are Iudges of the Law which is enough to destroy all the Law in the Land there was never such a damnable heresie broached in this Nation before The Cryer cryes out Hear the Court. Master Lilburne answers Do your pleasure then here I le dye Jury take notice of their injustice but seeing they will not hear me I appeal to you and say It is an easie matter for an abler man then I am in so many interruptions as I meet with to mistake Ployden for Littleton I am surehere is Cooks Commentaries upon Littleton and these be his words In this case the Recognitors of the Assize may say and render to the Justices their Verdict at large upon the whole matter which I am sure is good Law forasmuch as we see it continually done in all actions of Trespass or Assault where the Jury doth not onely judge of the validity of the proof of the Fact but also of the Law by assigning what damages they think is just Lord Keble said I am sure you are in an errour in a gross one as possible a man can be in this is so gross that I thought it could not have come from Master Lilburne that professeth himself to be a rational and knowing man Master Lilburn goes on And in another place he saith For as well as the Jurors may have Cognizance of the Lease they also as well may have Cognizance of the condition And further there Cook saith Here it is to be observed that a special Verdict or at large may be given in any Action and upon any Issue be the Issue General or Special And in Section 368. Littleton hath these words Also in such Case where the Inquest may give their Verdict at large if they will take upon them the knowledge of the Law upon the matter they may give their verdict generally Cooks words upon it are fully to the same purpose who saith Although the Jury if they will take upon them as Littleton here saith the knowledge of the Law may give a general Verdict I am sure this is pertinent to my purpose and now I have done Sir The Lord Keble replyes You have spent a little time but you have done your self no good I thought you had understood the Law better then I see you do Master Lilburne Now Sir as to matter of Fact according to your own desire seeing you have broke your promise and will allow me no Councel but lye at catch with me sayes he I shall come to it without any Preamble The Statute of the 1 Edward 6. Chap. 12. I desire the Jury may take notice of the Statutes and the 5. and 6. of Edward the sixth Chap. 11. here 's the Statute Book which doth expresly declare That no man shall be condemned for Treason petty Treason nor any such like Crimes but by the Evidence and clear proof of two legal and sufficient Witnesses Sir Edward Cook in his third part Institutes Chapter of High Treason is absolutely of the same opinion folio 12 In this branch sayes he four things are to be observed First this word proveablement proveably that is upon direct and manifest proof not upon conjectural presumptions or inferences or strains of wit but upon good and sufficient proof of two Witnesses and this is folio 12. And here in the Adverb proveablement proveably hath a great force and signifieth a direct and plain proof And secondly This word attaint necessarily implyeth that he be poceeded with and attainted according to the due course and proceedings of Law and not by absolute power or by other means as in former times it hath been used And folio 24. Chap. Petty Treason he saith It hath been holden that upon the Tryal of misprision of Treason there must be two lawful Witnesses as well upon the Tryal as the Indictment as it was resolved by the Justices in the Lord Lumleys case Hill 14. Eliz. reported by the Lord Dier under his own hand and in the margent he hath this note upon it That this is the last resolution of the Judges upon it And a litttle below in the same folio and folio 25 he saith Therefore upon the Indictment which is in manner of an accusation by the Statutes of 1. Edward 6. Cap. 12. 5. 6. Edward 6. Cap. 11. Two lawful Witnesses are requisite And in folio 240. he hath the same his words are these Attainders of Treason c. ought to be upon plain and direct evidence as before is said for if the party be executed restitution may be had of his Lands but never can be had of his life Now I have done Sir Lord Keble I hope the Jury hath seen the Evidence so plain and so fully that it doth confirm them to do their duty and to finde the Prisoner guilty of what is charged upon him J. Iermyn This that you have said makes much for the Iury. Afterwards there were several witnesses examined Mr. Thomas Newcomb as to a Book he printed the last sheet of it entituled The Apprentices Out-cry which Mr. Newcomb by circumstances acknowledged was taken before it was perfected Afterwards John Took John Skinner Thomas Lewis John Hawkins John Merriman the Witnesses were sworn all which Master Lilburne did so order with his Queries and confident Questions that they were at their wits ends Mr. Lilburne all
being by the divine disposal from the foregoing part of his life as strange as ever I have read in History His last words were to this effect Christian People I come hither to dye I am brought hither to dye and that I may dye Christian like I humbly beseech the assistance of your Christian prayers that by the benefit of them my passage may be the more easie Yet because men in that condition which it hath pleased God to reduce me to give the more credit to Speech in the discharge of my duty towards God I shall use a few words and so conclude I pray all of you joyn with me to praise this Almighty God to whom I desire to render all hearty thanks as for all his mercies so in particular for this that he hath brought me hither that whereas I owe a debt to sin and to nature that now I can pay the debt to nature I can pay it upon the account of Grace And because it is fit to render the blessed account of that hope that is in me I shall tell you to the praise of Almighty God that I have been born and bred up in the Doctrine of the Church of England I have no negative Religion believing to be saved by the onely merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ and whatsoever else is profest in the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England authorized by Law humbly beseeching Almighty God to restore unto this Church her peace prosperity and patrimony whereof I have been an obedient and a loving however an unworthy Son and now both my hope being confident and my faith perfected there remains onely Christian Charity Charity we carry into heaven Charity on earth that I leave beseeching all whomsoever I have offended to forgive me as I from the bottom of my heart do all whomsoever blessing Almighty God for the happy advantage he takes to bring me the sooner to heaven I bless Almighty God that he hath given me this advantage as he hath been merciful to me before the foundation of the world in my Saviour so that now he hath in mercy honoured me with a suffering for his name in obedience to his Commandment On this day sevennight I was summoned before that Justice which condemned me on Friday last praised be Almighty God that by this way he hath brought me nearer to himself My charge I presume is publick as my punishment is visible if there have been any thing in the management of my part being unskilful having discontinued my own countrey many years I shall beseech the Christian Charity of all you my beloved Countrey-men to impute it rightly to the ignorance of my unskilful wayes of managing of affairs it was objected unto me there that I had a vanity of delighting in strange tongues I do acknowledge that I was best skilled in the Italian but free from that vanity I thank Almighty God and therefore I would in defence of my life if it had been the custom here or the Judges favour have used that language which was almost as natural to me as my mother tongue It was objected that I did not so freely as a thorow-paced Cavalier own my Master I was told since I came into England this skill I have in our Laws that a legal denyal in Law might be tollerable I hope I did not exceed the bounds of that in any thing for God forbid that I should be ashamed of serving so good so pious so just a Master putting off his hat for this I rejoyce and I humbly beseech Almighty God to fill my heart and my tongue and all that hear me this day with thankfulness for it As to the business that another construction had been made and believed here then what was there the righteous God knoweth it if any weakness were in the management that was mine I was sent to serve and protect not to injure any as God acquits me of the intention of matter of fact as having not done any manner of evil that way however here understood blessed be his holy name again putting off his hat so those Gentlemen of the Turky Company if they would might acknowledge for they know it very well the impossibility of my doing them any manner of harm Whereas that of the Embassy objected against me that my Master honoured me with it though I was never worthy of it I was his messenger and Internuntio for the conservation onely of his good Subjects of all the Merchants untill such time as he could confirme that Gentlemen now Resident or to send any other and they themselves know that there was an unpossibility as I bless God there was an innocency in me unto any such intention to do them harm for my Masters commands were point blank the contrary I was onely sent for their good as I never owned the title so the very letters themselves speaking no other I never did so much as think of any manner of address to the Grand Signior but gave him the letter from my Master the rest of the English Nation that were there present may when they please assert so much This I would insert that those Gentlemen as they have been losers by the miscarriages of others may now have a breach of their charity with me but if it be as it seems it is now in this Countrey a sin to be loyal I hope my God hath forgiven that when it is upon harmless employment not invading any according to my just Masters order for indeed I have been alwayes bred up in the Religion of Loyalty my Allegiance hath been incorporated into my Religion and I have thought it a great part of the service due from me to Almighty God to serve the King again putting off his hat He said I need not make any apology for any thing in relation to the present Affairs in England for were I as I spake beformy Judges were I as evil as my sentence here hath made me black it were impossible for me to have prejudiced any body in England or to England belonging in that employment but I bless God for his infinite mercy in Jesus Christ who hath taken me to himself by this manner of way it was the best Physick for the curing of my soul and those that have done it have no more Power then that of my body I leave nothing behinde me but that I am willing to part withal all that I am going to is desirable and that you may all know that Almighty God hath wrought in me a total denyal of my self and that there is that perfect reformation of me within of my own corruptions by the blessed assistance of his holy spirit I desire Almighty God in the abundance of the bowels of his mercy in Jesus Christ not onely to forgive every enemy if any such be in the world here or wheresoever but to bring him into his bosom so much good and particular comfort as he may at any time whether the cause
were just or unjust have wished me any manner of evil for I take him to be the happy instrument of bringing me to heaven I am tedious but I have an inward comfort I bless Almighty God pray Gentlemen give leave speaking to some that prest upon him I should never do it but to give satisfaction to all charitable hearts I have been troublesome Here he made a pause as discontented at the disturbance of those on the Scaffold when the Sheriff said to him Sir you have your liberty to speak more if you please at length he proceeded But as to that part Mr. Sheriff that did concern the denyal as it was affirmed by Master Atturney General of my Masters employment truly landing at White Hall I told that Councel there was warrantable Commissions to an old Officer which by the blessing of God I have by me and I have other acceptable things that God hath blessed me withal we that are Merchants abroad we allow our selves any sufferance that may induce to our own safety inlargement of trade or preservation of what is ours Why I had by the favour of my gracious Master a confirmation of my old Commission of Consulage in Greece but as to the Embassy no more then my credential Letters did speak nor no more then that I attempted an Internuncio they call it in those places which is a messenger between the one and the other King they both unhappily dyed of several deaths and both violent too and it is a custom not unknown to you Master Sheriff and other Gentlemen that practise in the world that Princes of course for the continuation of amity do send messengers where there is peace that the transaction of those publick expressions of reciprocal affections may be performed but for Embassy God forbid I should own it I never had it however they have used it as the happy means to bring me to God this day whom I in the Bowels of my Saviour beseech to forgive those people that have done it I owe them no harme God return better things into their bosoms with all the good of this and an everlasting life As for my part I have been long absent I have meddled with no affairs in England sufficient to me is Gods grace to the salvation of my soul I have been alwayes fearful of offending Almighty God according to the grace he hath given me but to learn a new Religion or new wayes that I must say Mr. Sheriff to you and all others that hear me I could never dispense with my conscience to give offence to Almighty God I am now if it may be with your Commission Master Sheriff to pour out my soul to Almighty God in two or three words the place is straitned if I knew wherein to give any satisfaction to any person whatsoever that imagines I have offended him or he me I am here in the fear of God to do it I forgive them with all my soul and my forgiveness is clear as I am now going to receive happiness at the hand of my Saviour if I thought it were satisfaction to Sir Thomas Bendish and all the company or any who think they have offended me I am come Master Sheriff to pay that debt I owe to nature to pay it upon the score of a Loyal Subject my conscience within me informing me that for the intentions of serving my Prince I could not deserve such a death though ten thousand times more other wayes Having expressed himself to this effect with much meekness he submitted his neck to the Axe having first said Lord Jesus receive my soul the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body Not long after Brown Bushel was beheaded under the Scaffold on Tower Hill one who had formerly done great service to the Royal Party both by Sea and Land crimes of such a nature as brought him into compass of Piracy and then of high Treason These Funerals were still accompanied with more mourners Soon after ensuing the deaths of Mr. Love and Mr. Gibbons who were beheaded on Tower-hill the 22. of August 1651. their Crimes objected were for combining with the Scots to reestablish Charles Stuart Mr. Loves Tryal with his Speech and manner of his death are in a large printed volume to which I refer my Reader all that I shall insert will be no more then what hath been by another already observed in print that there was a monstrous storm about the time of Mr. Loves suffering another about the time of the Protectors death that Mr. Love though with a late assent to Regal power suffered as a Presbyterian Divine Doctor Hewit as one alwayes establisht and confirmed as a Primitive after whose Execution within a short time after great Cromwel expired many others were apprehended upon the same account but these two onely suffered Passing over these Golgotha's the reader may be pleased to understand that all these persons here mentioned save onely the Earl of Darby suffered death before that memorable Battel at Worcester though in our History we have related them after as not willing to discontinue the series of our affairs with Scotland by such diversions I shall onely insert without any reflection what I have read of a person remarkable for his cruelties that he being told of a Comet Leiger Star of heaven that one said portended his death answered That he was very glad that the heavens were so merry as to make Bonefires for his triumph before he dyed This miscreant entertaining this for a Maxime that he that had put out so many eyes if he stood in need should scarcely finde a friend to close up his own But to return to matters of more publick concernment the Isles of Jersey Jernsy and Man who had hitherto held for the King submitted themselves so that now all seemed quiet when suddenly a War brake forth with Holland begun onely at first upon points of Honour at Sea Van Trump the Dutch Admiral refusing to vail his Flag a Ceremonial Honour which the English appropriate to themselves as being Lords of these narrow Seas whereupon a sharp Fight ensued betwixt them wherein the Dutch were discomfited one of their ships sunk and another of thirty Guns taken with the Captains of both and about a hundred and fifty Prisoners This Skirmish produced open War betwixt the two Nations notwithstanding Overtures of Peace made by the Hollander so that now both sides prepare to offend each other General Blake the English Admiral surprizes twelve Dutch men of War towards the Isles of Orkney Sir George Ascue in the Road betwixt Dover and Calice sets upon their Fleet being thirty in number of which ten were taken and burnt the rest hardly escaping Soon after near Plimouth he gave them another fight wherein the Dutch went again by the worst These successes were seconded by others very remarkable General Blake steering Northwards took six Holland ships of a great value about the Downes Captain Penne also took six more