between them for my part I never did I came to Oxford with my Lord Howard whom I look upon to be a very honest worthy Gentleman my Lord Clare my Lord Paget and my Lord Huntingdon and this Capt. Brown and Don Lewis were in my company and came along with us as they were my Lord Howard's Friends Brown I have known I believe two or three months but Lewis I never saw before that day they said they came with my Lord Howard I take God to witness I never had but one sixpence or any thing else to carry on any design and if it were to save my life now I can't charge any man in the world with any design against the Government as God is my witness or against his Majesty or any other person As for what Arms I had and what Arms others had they were for our own defence in case the Papists should make any attempt upon us by way of Massacre or any Invasion or Rebellion that we should be ready to defend our selves God is my witness this is all I know If this be a Plot this I was in but in no other But never knew of any numbers or times appointed for meeting but we said one to another that the Papists had a Design against the Protestants when we did meet as I was a man of general Conversation and in case they should rise we were ready but then they should begin the Attempt upon us This was my business and is the business of every good Subject that loves the Laws of his Country and his King For England can never hope to be happy under those Blood-thirsty men whose Religion is Blood and Murther which I do with all my Soul and did ever since I knew what Religion was abhor and detest viz. the Church of Rome as pernicious and destructive to humane Societies and all Government I beseech God that every Man of you may unite together as Protestants against this common Foe Gentlemen it is my sence and I do in that believe I am as certainly murthered by the hands of the Papists as Sir Edmundbury Godfrey himself was though the thing is not seen These Witnesses certainly are mercenary men and I beseech God Almighty to have mercy upon their Souls and forgive them and either by his Judgments or mercies reclaim them that they shed no more innocent blood There is not a man of them that I know of that ever heard me say or do any bit of Treason in my life This is the first I mayn't say it is but almost the twentieth Sham-Plot that they have endeavoured to put upon the Nation to delude the People and put off their own damnable Plot. This is not the first but I think the sixteenth or seventeenth I pray God that my blood may be the last I pray God defend every man's blood and all Protestants in England from the hand of these bloody Papists by whose means I die this Death and if they shall go on in this nature I hope the good God will open every mans eyes to see it before he feels it And I beseech you if you have any love for your King your Country and the Protestants unite together if you are Protestants I pray God those that deserve the name let them be called how they will either Dissenters or Church of England men that they may unite together like men like Christians against the common Foe who will spare neither the one side nor the other but beat you one against another like two Pitchers the last that stands they will certainly destroy if they can This is my sence and God is my witness I speak my Conscience I do not know Mr. Sheriff whether there be any thing else I have to say or no. We have a good God and I beseech every man that hears me this day for we live in a sinful Age good People and it behoveth every one of you it cannot be long before all that look upon me in this condition must lie down in the Dust and God knows must come into an eternal estate either for Mercy or Judgment I beseech you in the name of God he is a God of Mercy and a God of Patience and long suffering that you would break off your Sins by Repentance and serve a good God who must be your Friend at last or else you are lost to Eternity O Lord how ungrateful wretches are we that have a God of such infinite Mercy and goodness that affords us our Life our Health and a thousand Mercies every day and we like ungrateful People not deserving the name of Men or Christians live riotous lives in Debauchery and Swearing in Malice and the Lord knows how many Evils I beseech God that I may be this day a means in the hand of God to bring some of their Souls over to him I beseech you remember what I say Indeed I do not know I have been so strangely used since I have been a Prisoner what to say being brought from one Affliction to another that my Body is worn out and my Memory and Intellects have failed me much to what they were I can't remember what I have to say more but that the Lord Jesus Christ would bless my Country and preserve it from Popery and in mercy bless his Majesty good God be merciful to him make him an instrument in thy hands to defend his Protestant Subjects Lord in mercy defend him from his Enemies good God bless this People good Lord continue the Gospel of Jesus Christ thy Gospel in its purity to us and our Posterity as long as the Sun and Moon endureth O Lord save all that call upon thee be merciful to all thy Servants all thy People that put their trust in thee good Lord deliver them from the hands of their Enemies good Lord let their Lives and Bodies and Souls be all precious in thy sight O merciful God put a stop to these most wicked Conspiracies of thy Enemies and the Nations Enemies the Papists let no more Protestant blood be shed but this of mine I beseech thee O my God O Lord look upon me O Lord bless me O good God receive me into thy blessed presence by Jesus Christ my alone Saviour and Redeemer in whom alone I put my trust for Salvation It is thee O God that I trust in thou righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth All Popery all Pardons all Popes and Priests all Dispensations I disown and will not go out of the World with a lye in my mouth From the sincerity of my heart I declare again that what I 've said to you is the very Sentiments of my Soul as God shall have mercy upon me and to the best of my knowledge I desire the Prayers of you good People while I am here and once more I beseech you to think upon Eternity every one of you that hear me this day the Lord turn your Hearts and Souls if you have been wicked livers if you
Character and have been often found in their haste to draw more guilt upon themselves than what they pretended to chastize in others To avoid this mischief in many well polished Kingdoms several Courts of Justice are instituted who take cognizance of the same facts but so subordinate unto one another that in matters of life limb liberty or other important cases there is a right of appeal from the inferiour before which it is first brought to the Superiour where this is wanting means have been found to give opportunity unto the Judges to reflect upon their own sentences that if any thing had been done rashly or through mistake it might be corrected man even in his best estate seeming to have need of some such helps Tiberius Caesar was never accused of too much lenity but when he heard that Lutorius Priscus had been accused of Treason before the Senate condemned and immediately put to death Tam praecipites deprecatus est poenas He desired that such sudden punishment might for the future be forborn and a Law was thereupon made That no Decree of the Senate should in less than ten days be transmitted to the Treasury before which time it could not be executed Tac. An. 3. Matters of this nature concerning every man in England it is not to be doubted but our Ancestors consider'd them and our Constitutions neither admitting of subordinate Judicatures from whence appeals may be made nor giving opportunities unto Juries to re-examine their Verdicts after they were given they could not find a way more suitable unto the rules of Wisdom Justice and Mercy than to appoint two Juries with equal care according unto different methods the one in private and at leisure the other publickly in the presence of the party and more speedy to pass upon every man so as none can be condemned unless he be thought guilty by them both and it cannot be imagined that so little time as is usually spent in Trials at the Bar before a Petit Jury should be allowed unto one that pleads for his life or unto them who are to be satisfied in their Consciences unless it were presumed that the Grand Jury had so well examined prepared and digested the matter that the other may proceed more succinctly without danger of error Therefore let the Grand Juries faithfully perform their high Trust and neither be cheated nor frighted from their Duty Let them pursue the good old way since no Innovation can be brought in that will not turn to the prejudice of the accused Persons and themselves Let them not be deluded with frivolous Arguments so as to invalidate a considerable part of our Law and render themselves insignificant ciphers in expectation that Petit Juries will repair the faults they commit since that would be no less than to slight one of the best fences that the Law provides for our Lives and Liberties and very much to weaken the other When a Grand Jury finds a Bill against any person they do all that in them lies to take away his Life if the crime be capital and it is ridiculous for them to pretend they relie upon the virtue of the Petit Jury if they shew none themselves They cannot reasonably hope the other should be more tender of the Prisoners concernments more exact in doing Justice or more careful in examining the Credit of the Witnesses when they have not only neglected their duty of searching into it but added strength unto their Testimony by finding a Bill upon it They cannot possibly be exempted from the blame of consenting at the least unto the mischiefs that may ensue unless they use all the honest care that the Law allows to prevent them nor consequently avoid the stain of the blood that may be shed by their omission since it could not have been if they had well performed their part before they found the Indictment whereby the party is exposed to so many disadvantages that it is hard for the clearest Innocence to defend it self against them But when the one and the other Jury act as they ought with courage diligence and indifference we shall have just reason with the wise Lord Chancellour Fortescue to celebrate that Law that instituted them To congratulate with our Country men the happiness we enjoy Fort. de laud. Leg. Ang. cap. 26. whilst our Lives lie not at the mercy of unknown Witnesses hired poor uncertain whose Conversation or Malice we are strangers to but Neighbours of Substance of honest report brought into Court by an honourable sworn Officer men who know the Witnesses and their Credit and are to hear them and judge of them That want no means for disclosing of Truth and from whom nothing can be hid which can fall within the compass of Humane Knowledge POstquam Rex per spatium trium Annorum amplius in partibus transmarinis remansisset Ex chronico ab Anno 1272. 1 Ed. 1. ad An. 1317. 10 Ed. 2. Miss de partibus Vasconiae Franciae in Angliam rediisset valde anxiatus conturbatus fuit per quotidianum clamorem tam Clericorum quam Laicorum petentium ab eo congruum remedium apponi versus Justiciarios An. Dom. 2289. Anoque Regni Regis Ed. 1.18 alios Ministros suos de multimodis oppressionibus gravaminibus contra bonas leges consuetudines regni illis factis Certe scimus quam plurimos eorum qui judiciis sub Ed. 1. praefuere viros quidem marimos aevo in illo Jurisconsultos celeberrimos repetundarum quod lites suas fecerant aliosque praeter Ministros forenses aliquot merito damnatos multos exitia carcere punitos Ex Seldein ad Fletam dissertatio p. 548. super quo Dominus Edvardus Rex per regale scriptum Vicecomitibus Angliae praecipit quod in omnibus Comitatibus Civitatibus Villis mercatoriis publice proclamari facerent quod omnes qui sese sentient gravari venirent apud Westm ad proximum Parliamentum ibi querimonias suas monstrarent ubi tam majores quam minores opportunum remedium celerem justitiam recuperent sicut Rex vinculo juramenti die Coronationis suae astrictus fuit Ac jam adest magnus dies judiciarius Justiciorum aliorum Ministrorum Concilii Regis quem nulla tergiversatione nullo munere nulla arte vel ingenio placitandi valent eludi Coadunat is itaque Clero Populo in magno Palatio Westmonasterii consessis Archiepiscopus Cantuariensiâ— vir magnae pietatis columna quasi sanctae Ecclesiae Regni surrexit in medio ab alto ducens suspiria Noverit universitas vestra ait quod convocati sumus de magnis arduis negotiis regni heu nimis perturbatâ— his diebus enormiter mutilati unanimiter fideliter efficiater simul cum Domino Rege ad tractandum ordinandum audivistis etiam universi querimonias gravissimas super intolerabilious injuriis oppressionibus quotidianis
do live wicked lives the Lord in mercy convert you and shew you your danger for I as little thought to come to this as any man that hears me this day and I bless God I have no more deserved it from the hands of men than the Child that sucks at his Mothers breast I bless my God for it I do say I have been a sinner against my God and he hath learned me Grace ever since I have been a Prisoner I bless my God for a Prison I bless my God for Afflictions I bless my God that ever I was restrain'd for I never knew my self till he had taken me out of the World Therefore you that have your liberties time and precious opportunities be up and be doing for God and for your Souls every one of you To his Son Where is my dear Child Mr. Sheriff I made one request to you you gave me an imperfect Answer you said you were of the best Reformed Church in the world the Church of England according to the best Reformation in the world I desire you for the satisfaction of the world to declare what Church that is whether Presbyterian or Independant or the Church of England or what Colledge Good Mr. Sheriff for your satisfaction for 20 years and above I was under the Presbyterian Ministry till his Majesties Restauration then I was conformable to the Church of England when that was restored and so continued till such time as I saw Persecution upon the Dissenting People and undue things done in their Meeting-places then I went among them to know what kind of people those were and I take God to witness since that time I have used their Meetings viz. the presbyterians others very seldom and the Church of England I did hear Dr. Tillotson not above three weeks before I was taken I heard the Church of England as frequently as I heard the Dissenters and never had any prejudice God is my witness against either but always heartily desired that they might unite and be Lovers and Friends and I had no prejudice against any man and truly I am afraid that it is not for the Nations good that there should be such Heart-burnings between them That some of the Church of England will preach that the Presbyterians are worse than the Papists God doth know that what I say I speak freely from my heart I have found many among them truly serving God and so I have of all the rest that have come into my company Men without any manner of Design but to serve God serve his Majesty and keep their Liberties and Properties men that I am certain are not of vicious lives I found no Dammers or those kind of People amongst them or at least few of them To his Son Kissing him several times with great passion Dear Child Farewell the Lord have mercy upon thee Good people let me have your Prayers to God Almighty to receive my Soul And then he Prayed and as soon as he had done spake as followeth The Lord have mercy upon my Enemies and I beseech you good People whoever you are and the whole World that I have offended to forgive me whomever I have offended in word or deed I ask every man's pardon and I forgive the World with all my soul all the Injuries I have received and I beseech God Almighty forgive those poor Wretches who have cast away their souls or at least endangered them to ruine this body of mine I beseech God that they may have a sight of their Sins and that they may find mercy at his hands Let my blood speak the justice of my Cause I have done And God have mercy upon you all To Mr. Crosthwait Pray Sir my Service to Dr. Hall and Dr. Reynall and thank them for all their kindnesses to me I thank you Sir for your kindness The Lord bless you all Mr. Sheriff God be with you God be with you all good People The Executioner Ketch desired his pardon and he said I do forgive you The Lord have mercy on my Soul The SPEECH of the Late Lord RUSSEL to the SHERIFFS Together with the PAPER deliver'd by him to them at the place of Execution on July 21. 1683. Mr. SHERIFF I Expected the Noise would be such that I could not be very well heard I was never fond of much speaking much less now Therefore I have set down in this Paper all that I think fit to leave behind me God knows how far I was always from Designs against the King's Person or of altering the Government and I still pray for the Preservation of both and of the Protestant Religion I am told that Captain Walcot has said some things concerning my knowledge of the Plot I know not whether the Report is true or not I hope it is not For to my knowledg I never saw him or spake with him in my whole Life and in the Words of a dying Man I profess I know of no Plot either against the King's Life or the Government But I have now done with this World and am going to a better I forgive all the World and I thank God I die in Charity with all Men and I wish all sincere Protestants may love one another and not make way for Popery by their Animosities The PAPER deliver'd to the SHERIFFS I Thank God I find my self so composed and prepared for death and my Thoughts so fixed on another World that I hope in God I am now quite weaned from setting my heart on this Yet I cannot forbear now in setting down in Writing a fuller Account of my Condition to be left behind me than I 'll venture to say at the place of Execution in the noise and clutter that is like to be there I bless God heartily for those many Blessings which he in his infinite Mercy has bestowed upon me through the whole course of my Life That I was born of worthy good Parents and had the Advantages of a Religious Education which I have often thank'd God very heartily for and look'd upon as an invaluable Blessing For even when I minded it least it still hung about me and gave me checks and has now for many years so influenced and possessed me that I feel the happy Effects of it in this my extremity in which I have been so wonderfully I thank God supported that neither my imprisonment nor the fear of Death have been able to discompose me to any degree but on the contrary I have found the Assurances of the Love and Mercy of God in and through my blessed Redeemer in whom only I trust and I do not question but that I am going to partake of that fulness of Joy which is in his presence the hopes thereof does so wonderfully delight me that I reckon this as the happiest time of my Life tho' others may look upon it as the saddest I have lived and now die of the Reformed Religion a true and sincere Protestant and in the Communion of the Church
certain that in all Absolute Governments the poorest Countreys are always most favourably dealt with When the Ancient Nobility and Gentry there cannot enjoy their Royalties their Shrevaldoms and their Stewardaries which they and their Ancestors have possessed for several hundreds of years but that now they are enjoyned by the Lords of the Council to make Deputations of their Authorities to such as are their known Enemies Can we expect to enjoy our Magna Charta long under the same Persons and Administration of Affairs If the Council-Table there can Imprison any Nobleman or Gentleman for several years without bringing him to Trial or giving the least Reason for what they do can we expect the same Men will preserve the Liberty of the Subject here I will acknowledge I am not well vers'd in the particular Laws of Scotland but this I do know that all the Nothern Countries have by their Laws an undoubted and inviolable Right to their Liberties and Properties yet Scotland hath out-done all the Eastern and Southern Countries in having their Lives Liberties and Estates subjected to the Arbitrary Will and Pleasure of those that Govern They have lately plundered and harrassed the richest and wealthiest Countries of that Kingdom and brought down the Barbarous Highlanders to devour them and all this without almost a colourable Pretence to do it Nor can there be found a Reason of State for what they have done but that those wicked Ministers designed to procure a Rebellion at any Rate which as they managed was only prevented by the miraculous Hand of God or otherwise all the Papists in England would have been Armed and the fairest Opportunity given in the just time for the Execution of that Wicked and Bloudy Design the Papists had and it is not possible for any Man that duly considers it to think other but that those Ministers that Acted that were as guilty of the Plot as any of the Lords that are in question for it My Lords I am forced to speak this the plainer because till the Pressure be fully and clearly taken off from Scotland 't is not possible for me or any Thinking Man to believe that Good is meant us here We must still be upon our Guard apprehending that the Principle is not changed at Court and that these Men that are still in Place and Authority have that Influence upon the Mind of our Excellent Prince that he is not nor cannot be that to us that his own Nature and Goodness would incline him to I know your Lordships can order nothing in this but there are those that hear me can put a perfect Cure to it until that be done the Scottish Weed is like Death in the Pot Mors in Olla But there is something too now I consider that most immediately concerns us their Act of Twenty two thousand Men to be ready to invade us upon all Occasions This I hear that the Lords of the Council there have treated as they do all other Laws and expounded it into a standing Army of Six thousand Men. I am sure we have Reason and Right to beseech the King that that Act may be better considered in the next Parliament there I shall say no more for Scotland at this time I am afraid your Lordships will think I have said too much having no concern there But if a French Noble-Man should come to dwell in my House and Family I should think it concern'd me to ask what he did in France for if he were there a Felon a Rogue a Plunderer I should desire him to live elsewhere and I hope your Lordships will do the same thing for the Nation if you find the same cause My Lords give me leave to speak two or three Words concerning our other Sister Ireland thither I hear is sent Douglas's Regiment to secure us against the French Besides I am credibly informed that the Papists have their Arms restored and the Protestants are not many of them yet recovered from being the suspected Party the Sea-Towns as well as the In-land are full of Papists That Kingdom cannot long continue in the English Hands if some better Care be not taken of it This is in your Power and there is nothing there but is under your Laws therefore I beg that this Kingdom at least may be taken in consideration together with the State of England For I am sure there can be no Safety here if these Doors be not shut up and made sure THE INSTRUMENT OR Writing of Association THAT THE True Protestants of ENGLAND entred into IN THE Reign of Q. Elizabeth FOrasmuch as Almighty God hath Ordained Kings Queens and Princes to have Dominion and Rule over all their Subjects and to preserve them in the Possession and Observation of the true Christian Religion according to his holy Word and Commandment And in like sort that all Subjects should Love Fear and Obey their Soveraign Princes being Kings or Queens to the utmost of their Power at all times to withstand pursue and suppress all manner of Persons that shall by any means intend and attempt any thing dangerous or hurtful to the Honour States or Persons of their Soveraigns Therefore we whose Names are or shall be subscribed to this Writing being Natural Born Subjects of this Realm of England and having so gracious a Lady our Soveraign Elizabeth by the Ordinance of God our most rightful Queen Reigning over us these many Years with great Felicity to our inestimable Comfort And finding lately by divers Depositions Confessions and sundry Advertisements out of Foreign Parts from credible Persons well known to her Majesties Council and to divers others That for the furtherance and Advancement of some pretended Title to the Crown it hath been manifested that the Life of our gracious Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth hath been most dangerously to the Peril of her Person if Almighty God her perpetual Defender of his Mercy had not revealed and withstood the same By whose Life we and all other her Majesties True and Loyal Subjects do enjoy an inestimable benefit of Peace in this Land do for the Reasons and Causes before alledged not only acknowledge our selves most justly bound with our Lives and Goods for her Defence in her Safety to persecute suppress and withstand all such Intenders and all other her Enemies of what Nation Condition and Degree whatsoever they shall be or by what Council or Title they shall pretend to be her Enemies or to attempt any Harm upon her Person but do further think it our bounden Duties for the great Benefit of Peace Wealth and Godly Government we have more plentifully received these many Years under her Majesties Government then any of our Forefathers have done in any longer time of any other Progenitors Kings of this Realm Do declare and by this Writing make manifest our bounden Duties to our said Sovereign Lady for her Safety And to that end We and every of us First Calling to Witness the Name of Almighty God do Voluntarily and
most willingly bind our selves every one of us to the other joyntly and severally in the Band of one Firm and Loyal Society And do hereby Vow and Promise by the MAJESTY OF ALMIGHTY GOD That with our whole Powers Bodies Lives and Goods and with our Children and Servants We and every of us will faithfully serve and humbly obey our said Sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth against all States Dignities and Earthly Powers whatsoever and will as well with our joynt and particular Forces during our Lives withstand offend and pursue as well by Force of Arms as by all other means of Revenge all manner of Persons of what State soever they shall be and their Abettors that shall attempt any Act Council or Consent to any thing that shall tend to the Harm of her Majesties Royal Person and will never desist from all manner of Forcible Pursuit against such Persons to the utter Extermination of them their Counsellors Aiders and Abettors And if any such wicked Attempt against her most Royal Person shall be taken in hand or procured whereby any that have may or shall pretend Title to come to this Crown by the untimely Death of her Majesty so wickedly procured which God for his Mercy sake forbid may be avenged We do not only bind our selves both joyntly and severally never to Allow Accept or Favour any such pretended Successor by whom or for whom any such detestable Act shall be Attempted or Committed as unworthy of all Government in any Christian Realm or Civil State But do also further Vow and Protest as we are most bound and that in the Presence of the Eternal and Everlasting God to Prosecute such Person and Persons to Death with our joynt or particular Forces and to ask the utmost Revenge upon them that by any means we or any of us can devise and do or cause to be devised and done for their utter Overthrow and Extirpation And to the better Corroboration of this our Loyal Band and Association We do also testifie by this Writing that we do confirm the Contents hereof by our Oaths corporally taken upon the Holy Evangelist with this express Condition That no one of us shall for any respect of Persons or Causes or for Fear or Reward separate our selves from this Association or fail in the Prosecution thereof during our Lives upon pain of being by the rest of us prosecuted and supprest as perjur'd Persons and as Publick Enemies to God our Queen and to our Native Country To which Punishment and Pains we do voluntarily submit ourselves and every of us without Benefit of any Colour or Pretence In Witness of all which Premises to be inviolably kept we do to this Writing put our Hands and Seals and shall be most ready to accept and admit any other hereafter to this Society and Association The ACT of Parliament of the 27th of Queen Elizabeth in Confirmation of the same FOrasmuch as the good Felicity and Comfort of the whole Estate of this Realm consisteth only next under God in the Surety and Preservation of the Queens most excellent Majesty And for that it hath manifestly appeared that sundry wicked Plots and Means have of late been devised and laid as well in Foreign Parts beyond the Seas as also within this Realm to the great indangering of his Highness most Royal Person and to the utter Ruine of the whole Commonweal if by Gods merciful Providence the same had not been revealed Therefore for preventing of such great Perils as might hereafter otherwise grow by the like detestable and divilish Practices at the humble Suit and earnest Petition and Desire of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same Parliament Be it Enacted and Ordained if at any Time after the end of this present Session of Parliament any open Invasion or Rebellion shall be had or made into or within any of Her Majesties Realms or Dominions or any Act attempted tending to the hurt of her Majesties most Royal Person by or for any Person that shall or may pretend any Title to the Crown of this Realm after her Majesties Decease or if any thing shall be compassed or imagined tending to the hurt of her Majesties Royal Person by any person or with the Privity of any person that shall or may pretend Title to the Crown of this Realm that then by Her Majesties Commission under Her Great Seal the Lords and other of Her Highness Privy Council and such other Lords of Parliament to be Named by her Majesty as with the said Privy Council shall make up the Number of Four and twenty at the least ving with them for their Assistance in that behalf such of the Judges of the Courts of Record at Westminster as Her Highness shall for that purpose assign and appoint or the more part of the same Council Lords and Judges shall by virtue of the Act have Authority to examine all and every the Offences aforesaid and all Circumstances thereof and thereupon to give Sentence or Judgment as upon good proof the matter shall appear unto them And that after such Sentence or Judgment given and Declaration thereof made and published by Her Majesties Proclamation under the Great Seal of England all persons against whom such Sentence or Judgment shall be so given and published shall be excluded and disabled for ever to have or claim or to pretend to have or claim the Crown of this Realm or of any Her Majesties Dominions any former Law or Statute whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And that thereupon All Her Highness Subjects shall and may lawfully by virtue of this Act and Her Majesties Direction in that behalf by forcible and possible means pursue to Death every such wicked person by whom or by whose means assent or privity any such Invasion or Rebellion shall be in Form aforesaid denounced to have been made or such wicked Act attempted or other thing compassed or imagined against Her Majesties Person and all their Aiders Comforters and Abettors And if any such detestible Act shall be Executed against her Highness most Royal Person whereby Her Majesties Life shall be taken away which God of his great mercy forbid that then every such person by or for whom any such Act shall be executed and their Issues being any wise assenting or privy to the same shall by virtue of this Act be excluded and disabled for ever to have or claim or pretend to have or claim the said Crown of this Realm or of any other Her Highness Dominions any former Law or Statute whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding And that all the Subjects of this Realm and all other Her Majesties Dominions shall and may lawfully by virtue of this Act by all forcible and possible means pursue to Death every such wicked Person by whom or by whose means any such detestible Fact shall be in Form hereafter expressed denounced to have been
against the Incroachments of Arbitrary Power In pursuance of which Great and Good Ends we shall always be ready as we are obliged to adhere to you our Honoured Representatives with the utmost hazard of our Persons and Estates City of Chichester the same Day After the Unanimous Choice of John Braman and Richard Farington Esquires who serv'd for that City in the late Parliament they had the Sence of that Eminent City delivered to them by a Worthy Person in the Name and by the Consent of the rest in the following Speech Gentlemen THe Faithful discharge of the like high Trust we formerly gave you is the true Inducement of our chusing you again And as we heartily thank you for your past worthy Behaviour in Parliament and in a particular manner for your being for the Bill of Exclusion for the Bill of Uniting all His Majesty's Subjects for Vindicating our almost lost Right of Petitioning for frequent Parliaments and for your endeavour to call those wretched Pensioners to an Account that betray'd the Nation in the late Long Parliament So we pray you to persevere in your faithful Service of us until the Nation be throughly secured against Popery and Arbitrary Power And since that Famous and Renowned Bulwark of the Protestant Religion the ever-to-be-honoured City of London have commanded their Sheriffs to present their Thanks to the true English and Noble Earl of Essex and by him to the rest of those Right Honourable Peers for their late Excellent Petition and Advice to His Majesty so we being willing to imitate so Good and Great an Example do desire you in our names to present in like manner our humble and hearty Thanks to the said Earl and those Noble Lords Borough of Colchester February 15. 1680 1. After the Election made a great Number of the Free-Burgesses of this Corporation agreed upon the following Address to be presented to their Representatives To the Honourable Sir Harbottle Grimston Baronet and Samuel Reynolds Esq now chosen Burgesses for our Corporation of Cochester in the County of Essex WE the Free-Burgesses of the said Corporation being deeply sensible of the unspeakable danger threatning His Majesty's Life and the Protestant Religion and the well established Government of this Kingdom from the Hellish Designs of the Papists and their wicked Adherents And that our Religion and Liberties can only under God be secured to us and our Posterity by wholsome Advice in Parliament Have now chosen you to represent us there in confidence of your Integrity and Courage to discharge so great a Trust in this time of Imminent Danger And we do desire you to allow us to speak our stedfast Resolution with utmost hazard of our Lives and Fortunes to shew our Approbation of what shall be resolved in Parliament for maintaining the Protestant Religion and our Liberties against Popery and Arbitrary Government And we hope you will endeavour to the utmost of your Power to disable James Duke of York and all other Popish Pretenders from Inheriting the Imperial Crown of this Realm And we shall pray for your good success Here we cannot but inform the Reader That the Notorious Thompson in his Popish Intelligence of the 15th of March would insinuate as if there were no such Address by Printing a Story That the Mayor Aldermen and some others of this Town being Assembled on February 28. 1680 1. A Printed Paper purporting to be the manner of the Election and containing also an Address made to the Members c. was read amongst them and that none of the Assembly would own his Consenting to or making that Paper or Address Touching which it must be Noted 1. That the Mayor and several of these Gentlemen were disobliged by being Out-Voted and much offended because they could not carry it for their Friend Sir Walter Clarges and so had no Reason to Address to the Members duly and fairly Elected because they had vigorously appeared for a contrary Party 2. That there are in that Pamphlet in relating the manner of the Election some galling Truths or if you please Reflections which possibly had better been spared and therefore no wise man would own the making it But for the Address it self 't is certain That it was agreed upon consented unto and will be Justified by the far greater part of the Electors of this Antient and Eminently Loyal Borough of which 't was thought fit here to give this brief Account for obviating any slanderous Objection that might be made on that occasion The Address of the Gentlemen and Free-holders of Bedford To the Right Honourable the Lord Russel and Sir Humphrey Munnox Elected Knights for that Shire on the 14th of February 1680 1. WHen it pleased His Majesty to summon His Peers and Commons of this His Realm to meet Him at Westminster in the last Parliament we accordingly then Chose You to Act on our behalf And being abundantly satisfied not only in Your Courage Integrity and Prudence in general but also in Your particular Care and faithful conscientious Endeavours 1. To assert our Right of Legal Petitioning for Redress of our just Grievances and to punish those who were studious to betray it 2. To secure the Meeting and Sitting of frequent Parliaments already by Law provided for for the preservation of our Lives Liberties and Estates and for the support of His Sacred Majesty and even of the Government it self 3. To Repeal the Act of the 35th of Elizabeth whereby all true Protestants might possibly in case of a Popish Successor from which God of his infinite Mercy defend us be liable to utter Ruine Abjuration and perpetual Banishment .4 To secure his Majesty's Royal Person the Protestant Religion and well Established Government of this Realm 5. To destroy and root out Popery 6. To use the most effectual means conducing to so good an End viz. The Exclusion of a a Popish Successor both by name and otherwise We have therefore now chosen you again to represent us in like manner in this Parliament called to be held at Oxford in full Trust and Confidence that with the same Courage and Integrity you will persevere in the same good Endeavours pursuing all things that by joynt consent of your Fellow-Members shall be found for our publick Good and Safety And in full assurance that you will not consent to the disposal of any of our Moneys till we are effectually secured against Popery and Arbitrary Power do resolve by Divine Assistance to stand by you therein The Address of the Gentry and Free-holders of the County of Suffolk to their Representatives Chosen the 14th of February 1680 1. presented to them by Sir Philip Skippon in the name and by consent of the rest of the Electors To the Honourable Sir Sam. Barnardiston and Sir Will. Spring Baronets Knights of the Shire for the County of Suffolk Gentlemen WE the Free-holders of this County having chosen you our Representatives in the last Parliament in which we had satisfactory Demonstration of your
Is he a wise man who if his house be falling by reason of too much weight upon the roof will lay more upon it rather than propt it up and take off some of the weight So they who take the Church to consist of Ceremonies must pardon me that I am not of their opinion since the word of God warrants no such thing and my reason tells me that they are too much interested in the cause to be fit judges for with them he is accounted a good Son of the Church who keeps a great stir about Ceremonies though he live never so ill a life and perhaps is drunk when he performs his Devotion but if a man seem to be indifferent as to Ceremonies and make them no more than indeed they be yet in Practice Conforms more than he that makes a great noise about them though he live never so godly a life and as near as he can to the rule of God's word yet he is a Fanatick and an enemy to the Church but God Almighty tells us he will have mercy and not Sacrifice Gentlemen They who accuse me for an enemy to the King and Church have left you out of the story but I hope I shall not forget you but remember on whose errand I am sent and as I have hitherto stuck to your interest I hope nothing will draw me aside from it and if I know my own heart I am perswaded that neither rewards threats hopes nor fears will prevail upon me I desire nothing but to promote God's glory and the interest of the King and people and if it shall please God to let me see the Protestant Religion and Government established I shall think I have lived long enough and I shall be willing at that instant to resign my breath Gentlemen I thought good to say this to you and I thank you for your patience and hope I shall so behave my self in your Service that I shall make it appear I am sensible of the honour you have done me I humbly thank you all An Account of the Proceedings at the Sessions for the City of Westminster against Thomas Whitfield Scrivener John Smallbones Woodmonger and William Laud Painter for Tearing a Petition prepared to be presented to the King's Majesty for the Sitting of the Parliament With an Account of the said Petition presented on the 13th instant and His Majesty's Gracious Answer IT being the undoubted Right of the Subjects of England Vide the Resolutions of the Law Cook Jurisdict of Courts 79. Hobart 220. Vel. Magna Chart. Exl. Spencer 51. Vide the Proclamations of K. Charles I. and warranted by the Law of the Land and the general Practice of all former Times in an humble manner to apply themselves to His Majesty in the Absence of Parliaments by Petition for the Redress of their Grievances and for the obtaining such things as they apprehend necessary or beneficial to the safety and well being of the Nation And it being their Duty to which they are bound by the expres words of the Oath of Allegiance * I do Swear from my Heart That I will hear Faith and true Allegiance to His Majesty His Heirs and Successors and Him and Them will Defend to the uttermost of my power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against His or Their Persons Their Crown and Dignity And will do my best endeavour to disclose and make known unto His Majesty His Heirs and Successors all Treasons and Trayterous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against him or any of them to represent to Him any danger which they apprehend Threatning His Royal Person or His Government divers Persons in and about the City of Westminster considering the too apparent and unspeakable Danger His Majesty and His Kingdoms are in from the Hellish Plots and Villainous Conspiracies of the Bloody Papists and their Adherents and conceiving no sufficient or at least so fit Remedy could be provided against it but by the Parliament by whom alone several Persons accused of these accursed Designs can be brought to Tryal did prepare and sign a Petition humbly representing to His Majesty the imminent danger His Royal Person the Protestant Religion and the Government of this Nation were in from that most damnable and hellish Popish Plot branched forth into several the most Horrid Villainies For which several of the principal Conspirators stand impeached by Parliament and thereby humbly praying that the Parliament might Sit upon the 26th of January to try the Offenders and to Redress the important Crievances no otherways to be redressed of which Thomas Whitfield John Smallbenes and William Laud Inhabitants in Westminster taking notice upon the 20th day of December last they sent to Mr. William Horsley who had signed and promoted the Petition and in whose custody it was to bring or send it to them for that they desired to sign it And thereupon Mr. Horsley attended them and producing the Petition in which many Persons had joyned he delivered it at their request to be by them read and signed but Mr. Whitfield immediately tore it in pieces and threw it towards the Fire and Smallbones catching it up said That he would not take 10 s. for the Names and then they declared that they sent for it for that very purpose and owned themselves all concerned in the design Upon Mr. Horsley's complaint hereof to a Justice of the Peace a Warrant was granted against them and they being taken thereupon after examination of the matter were bound to appear and answer it at the next quarter Sessions of the Peace for the City of Westminster and upon Friday the 9th of January instant the Sessions being holden and there being present several Justices of the Peace that are eminent Lawyers the matter was brought before them and the Grand Jury Indicted the said Whitfield Smallbones and Laud as followeth viz. The City Borough and Town of Westminster in the County of Middlesex THe Jurors for our Soveraign Lord the King upon their Oath do present that whereas the Subjects and Liege People of the Kings and Queens of this Realm of England by the Laws and Customs of the Realm have used and been accustomed to represent their Publick Grievances by Petition or by any other submissive way And that the 20th day of December in the one and Thirtieth Year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord Charles the Second by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith c. at the Parish of St. Martin's in the Fields within the Liberty of the Dean and Chapter of the Collegiate Church of St. Peter of the City Borough and Town of Westminster in the County of Middlesex a Petition written in paper was prepared and Subscribed with the hands of divers the said King's Subjects and Liege People to the Jury unknown and to our said Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second Directed and to our said Soveraign Lord
the Earl's Restitution was no less than He and his Family might well expect of His Majesty's Goodness and Justice It is true The Earl was again accused and condemned which may appear indeed strange to such as know not all particulars upon the same old Acts of Leasing-making and with as little ground if possible as now and was Pardoned by His Majesty for which he hath often and doth always acknowledg that he owes to His Majesty both his Life and Fortune But upon this occasion and being baited as he is he hopes His Majesty will not take it ill that he say That His Majesty's Mercy was in this case determined by Justice And for proof that His Majesty did then know him to be innocent Did not His Majesty then say It was impossible to take a Man's Life upon so small an account Though nevertheless it had been done if His Majesty had not interposed and pardoned him Did not the Chancellor Clarendon who was Patron to the most considerable of the Earl's pursuers hearing of his Condemnation Bless God he lived not in a Countrey where there were such Laws He should have said such Judges And I believe many more will say the same now Did it not plainly appear at that time that his principal pursuers were very bitter malicious and unjust to him For the Earl had not only served His Majesty in that troublesome and hazardous appearance in the Hills but he had been particularly useful to Earl Middletoun then His Majesty's Lieutenant General and had stood by him when these deserted him whom notwithstanding he took afterwards by the hand when he was His Majesty's Commissioner in the year 1661. and then designed new Interests and new Alliances whereof some did hold and some never held And then indeed it was that he and others thought it proper for them to destroy the Family of Argyle to make their own Fortunes But it pleased God and His Majesty to dispose otherwise Then it was that the Earl was so hotly pursued for his Life having at that time no Fortune all being in His Majesty's hands Then was the accusation of Treason likewise urged by the same persons and must have carried but it was not found necessary Leasing-making being sufficient to take his Life and as it falls out when any Game is started and the Hounds in chase all the little Curs run alongs So the Earl wanted not then many pursuers that are now scarce to be heard of And further some of the parties themselves confessed the particulars to the Earl afterwards who yet now return to act their former parts and that they had then laid down a resolution to intrap him per fas aut nefas but notwithstanding all this ill humour and violence all the ground they could get for a quarrel in two years time was one single Letter among many they intercepted the occasion and import whereof was as follows About a Twelvemonth after the death of the late Marquess of Argyle The Earl his Son being by the loss of his Estate and burden of his Debts brought into straits a Friend from Edenburgh wrote to him then at London to do what he could for himself at Court and the sooner the better for he needed neither expect Favour nor Justice from some in Scotland and if matters were delayed his Father 's whole Estate would be begg'd away in parcels His Friend likewise complained that the Earl did not write to inform his Friends in Scotland and on this he insisted several post-days which at last drew an answer from the Earl that he had been to wait upon His Majesty and had found him both just and kind to him and doubted not the effects of his Royal favour that he was sensible of his loss by delay yet must proceed discreetly and not press to give His Majesty trouble but must take His Majesty's method and wait his time That he judged much of what his Friend told him was true but he must have patience It was his misfortune that some took pains to make His Majesty believe that the Parliament was his Enemy and the Parliament to believe the King was his Enemy and by such informations he was like to be a sufferer but he hoped in God all should be well This blast must blow out and will blow over The King will see their tricks And upon this Letter specially those last words the Earl was accused of Leasing-making betwixt King and Parliament and that he expected changes and so had a great deal of the same stuff laid to his charge as now you have heard And if the now Register will produce the Eal's principal Letter and the Paper the Earl gave in to the Parliament these two would clear all the Case then and now as you may see Mutatis Mutandis being much the same and some of the same Tools used But to go on The Earl's words in that Letter being clear and plain viz. That he complained of others that reported Lies to the King and Parliament but did himself report none to either He acknowledged the Letter which could never have been proven to be his and as soon as he heard that it was intercepted did render himself to His Majesty before he was called for But which very much troubled him had not access Yet His Majesty was so gracious that instead of sending him Prisoner to Scotland with a Guard as was much pressed he allowed him to go down on a Verbal Bail And His Majesty was pleased to say That he saw nothing in the Earl's Letter against His Majesty or the Parliament but believed the Earl did design to reflect on the Earl of Middleton The Earl came to Edinburgh a fourthnight before the day appointed by His Majesty and thought to have had the liberty of the City till that day should come but was sent to the Castle the next day after his arrival Upon which he advertised His Majesty of his condition who would hardly believe they would take his Life till it was told plainly it was designed and if he died it lay at His Majesty's door upon which His Majesty was graciously pleased to send immediately an Order to the Earl of Middleton not to proceed to Execution against him Yet the Sentence of Death was pronounced and the Day of Execution remitted by the Parliament to the Earl of Middleton Which he accepted of albeit he had no particular instruction for it from His Majesty which before a year went about Earl Middleton found could not be justified by him and some of the Earl's chief accusers were declared by His Majesty to be themselves Leasing-makers And then the Earl by His Majesty's favour and goodness was restored to a part of his Predecessors Estate and Titles which he took as thankfully as if a new Estate and new and greater Honours had been conferred upon him And though His Majesty was pleased at the granting of these Titles to say He could help them when he pleased yet His Majesty knows
Crime if it had been found about him written by another hand and I could name one or two Persons who as they were able enough to Compose such Papers so had power enough over his Spirit to engage him to Copy them and to put themselves out of danger by restoring the Original You ought to address your self to the Learned Divines of our Church for answer to such things in them as puzzle you and not to one that has not the honour to be of that Body and that has now carried a Sword for some time and imploys the leasure that at any time he enjoys rather in Philosophical and Mathematical Enquiries than in matters of Controversie There is indeed one Consideration that determined me more easily to comply with your desires which is my having had the honour to discourse copiously of those matters with the late King himself and he having proposed to me some of the particulars that I find in those Papers and I having said several things to him in answer to those Heads which he offered to me only as Objections with which he seemed fully satisfied I am the more willing to communicate to you that which I took the liberty to lay before His late Majesty on several occasions the particulars on which he insisted in discourse with me were the uselessness of a Law without a Judge and the necessity of an infallible Tribunal to determine Controversies to which he added the many Sects that were in England which seemed to be a necessary consequence of the Liberty that every one took to interpret the Scriptures and he often repeated that of the Church of Englands arguing from the obligation to obey the Church against the Sectaries which he thought was of no force unless they allowed more Authority to the Church then they seemed willing to admit in their Disputes with this Church of Rome But upon the whole Matter I will offer you some Reflections that will I hope be of as great weight with you as they are with my self I. All Arguments that prove upon such general Considerations that there ought to be an Infallible Judge named by Christ and cloathed with his Authority signify nothing unless it can be shewed us in what Texts of Scripture that nomination is to be found and till that is shewed they are only Arguments brought to prove that Christ ought to have done somewhat that he has not done So these are in effect so many Arguments against Christ unless it appears that he has Authorised such a Judge therefore the right way to end this Dispute is to shew where such a Constitution is Authorised So that the most that can be made of this is that it amounts to a favourable presumption II. It is a very unreasonable thing for us to form Presumptions of what is or ought to be from Inconveniences that do arise in case that such things are not for we may carry this so far that it will not be easie to stop it It seems more suitable to the infinite Goodness of God to communicate the knowledge of himself to all Mankind and to furnish every Man with such assistances as will certainly prevail over him It seems also reasonable to think that so perfect a Saviour as Jesus Christ was should have shewed us a certain way and yet consistent with the free Use of our Faculties of avoiding all sin nor is it very easie to imagine that it should be a reproach on his Gospel if there is not an Infallible Preservative against Errour when it is acknowledged that there is no infallible Preservative against sin for it is certain that the one Damns us more Infallibly than the other III. Since presumptions are so much insisted on to prove what things must be appointed by Christ it is to be considered that it is also a reasonable Presumption that if such a Court was appointed by him it must be done in such plain terms that there can be no room to question the meaning of them and since this is the hinge upon which all other matters turn it ought to be expressed so particularly in whom it is vested that there should be no occasion given to dispute whether it is in one Man or in a Body and if in a Body whether in the Majority or in the two thirds or in the whole Body unanimously agreeing in short the Chief thing in all Governments being the Nature and Power of the Judges those are always distinctly specified and therefore if these things are not specified in the Scriptures it is at least a strong Presumption that Christ did not intend to authorise such Judges IV. There were several Controversies raised among the Churches to which the Apostles writ as appears by the Epistles to the Romans Corinthians Galatians and Colossians yet the Apostles never make use of those passages that are pretended for this Authority to put an end to those Controversies which is a shrew'd Presumption that they did not understand them in that sense in which the Church of Rome does now take them Nor does St. Paul in the Directions that he gives to the Church-men in his Epistles to Timothy and Titus reckon this of submitting to the directions of the Church for one which he could not have omitted if this be the true meaning of those disputed passages and yet he has not one word sounding that way which is very different from the directions which one possessed with the present view that the Church of Rome has of this matter must needs have given V. There are some things very expresly taught in the New Testament such as the Rules of a good Life the Vse of the Sacraments the addressing our selves to God for Mercy and Grace thro' the Sacrifice that Christ offered for us on the Cross and the worshipping him as God the Death Resurrection and Ascention of Jesus Christ the Resurrection of our Bodies and Life Everlasting by which it is apparent that we are set beyond doubt in those matters if then there are other passages more obscure concerning other matters we must conclude that these are not of that Consequence otherwise they would have been as plainly reveal'd as others are but above all if the Authority of the Church is delivered to us in disputable terms that is a just prejudice against it since it is a thing of such Consequence that it ought to have been revealed in a way so very clear and past all dispute VI. If it is a Presumption for particular Persons to judge concerning Religion which must be still referred to the Priests and other Guides in Sacred Matters this is a good Argument to oblige all Nations to continue in the Established Religion whatever it may happen to be and above all others it was a convincing Argument in the Mouths of the Jews against our Saviour He pretended to be the Messias and proved it both by the Prophesies that were accomplished in him and by the Miracles that he wrought as for the
II. in regard to Religion faithfully related by his then Assistant Mr. Jo. Hudleston UPON Thursday the Fifth of February 1685. Between Seven and Eight a Clock in the Evening I was sent for in haste to the Queens Back-stairs at Whitehall and desired to bring with me all things necessary for a dying Person Accordingly I came and was order'd not to stir from thence till further notice being thus obliged to wait and not having had time to bring along with â—â—e the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar I was in some Anxiety how to procure it In this conjuncture the Divine Providence so disposing Father Bento de Lewis a Portugez came thither and understanding the circumstance I was in readily profer'd himself to go to St. James's and bring the Most Holy Sacrament along with him Soon after his departure I was call'd into the King's Bed-Chamber where approaching to the Bed side and kneeling down I in brief presented his Majesty with what Service I could perform for God's Honour and the happiness of his Soul at this last Moment on which Eternity depends The King then declared himself That he desired to die in the Faith and Communion of the Holy Roman Catholick Church That he was most heartily sorry for all the Sins of his life past and particularly for that he had deferred his Reconciliation so long That through the Merits of Christ's Passion he hoped for Salvation That he was in Charity with all the World That with all his Heart he Pardon'd his Enemies and desired Pardon of all those whom he had any wise offended and that if it pleased God to spare him longer life he would amend it detesting all Sin I then advertis'd his Majesty of the benefit and necessity of the Sacrament of Penance which Advertisement the King most willingly embracing made an exact Confession of his whole Life with exceeding Compunction and Tenderness of Heart which ended I desired him in farther sign of Repentance and true sorrow for his Sins to say with me this little short Act of Contrition O my Lord God with my whole Heart and Soul I detest all the Sins of my Life past for the Love of Thee whom I love above all things and I firmly purpose by thy Holy Grace never to offend thee more Amen Sweet Jesus Amen Into thy Hands Sweet Jesus I commend my Soul Mercy Sweet Jesus Mercy This he pronounced with a clear and audible voice which done and his Sacramental Penance admitted I gave him Absolution After some time thus spent I asked his Majesty if he did not also desire to have the other Sacraments of the Holy Church administred unto him He reply'd By all means I desire to be partaker of all the helps and Succours necessary and expedient for a Catholick Christian in my condition I added and doth not your Majesty also desire to receive the Pretious Body and Blood of our dear Saviour Jesus Christ in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist His Answer was this If I am worthy pray fail not to let me have it I then told him it would be brought to him very speedily and desired his Majesty that in the interim he would give me leave to proceed to the Sacrament of Extreme Unction he replyed with all my Heart I then Anoyled him which as soon as perform'd I was call'd to the door whither the Blessed Sacrament was now brought and delivered to me Then returning to the King I entreated His Majesty that he would prepare and dispose himself to receive At which the King raising up himself said let me meet my Heavenly Lord in a better posture than in my Bed But I humbly begg'd His Majesty to repose himself God Almighty who saw his Heart would accept of his good intention The King then having again recited the fore-mentioned Act of Contrition with me he received the most Holy Sacrament for his Viaticum with all the Symptoms of Devotion imaginable The Communion being ended I Read the usual Prayers termed the Recommendation of the Soul appointed by the Church for Catholicks in his Condition After which the King desired the Act of Contrition O my Lord God c. to be repeated this done for his last Spiritual encouragement I said Your Majesty hath now received the Comfort and Benefit of all the Sacraments that a good Christian ready to depart out of this World can have or desire Now it rests only That you think upon the Death and Passion of our Dear Saviour Jesus Christ of which I present unto you this Figure shewing him a Crucifix lift up therefore the Eyes of your Soul and represent to your self your sweet Saviour here Crucified Bowing down his Head to kiss you His Arms stretched out to Embrace you His Body and Members all Bloody and Pale with Death to Redeem you And as you see him Dead and fixed upon the Cross for your Redemption So have his Remembrance fixed and fresh in your Heart beseech him with all humility That his most precious Blood may not be shed in vain for you And that it will please him by the Merits of his bitter Death and Passion to pardon and forgive you all your Offences and finally to receive your Soul into his Blessed hands and when it shall please him to take it out of this Transitory World to grant you a joyful Resurrection and an Eternal Crown of Glory in the next In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost Amen So Recommending His Majesty on my Knees with all the Transport of Devotion I was able to the Divine Mercy and Protection I withdrew out of the Chamber In Testimony of all which I nave hereunto subscribed my Name JO. HVDLESTON Some REFLECTIONS on His Majesties Proclamation of the Twelfth of February 1686 7. for a Toleration in Scotland together with the said Proclamation I. THE Preamble of a Proclamation is oft writ in hast and is the flourish of some wanton Pen but one of such an extraordinary nature as this is was probably more severely Examined there is a new designation of his Majesties Authority here set forth of his Absolute Power which is so often repeated that it deserves to be a little searched into Prerogative Royal and Soveraign Authority are Terms already received and known but for this Absolute Power as it is a new Term so those who have coined it may make it signifie what they will The Roman Law speaks of Princeps Legibus solutus and Absolute in its natural signification importing the being without all Ties and Restraints then the true meaning of this seems to be that there is an Inherent Power in the King which can neither be restrained by Laws Promises nor Oaths for nothing less than the being free from all these renders a Power Absolute II. If the former Term seemed to stretch our Allegiance that which comes after it is yet a step of another nature tho' one can hardly imagine what can go beyond Absolute Power