Foxes Martyrology not any who had the least appearance of Noblenesse and worth but suffered by death or sequestration whilest his own Mushrom'd Gentility sprung up in a Night of Rebellion were the simple nothings then adored His spies of whom he had many were very usefull to him the charges of whom amounted to no lesse then two hundred Thousand pounds per annum These were not onely distributed about all places of England but very conversant in the Courts of most Christian Princes by this silver hook he gained intelligence from most places and seldome are any secrets so close lock't up that a golden key will not open Then for Souldiers he took such a course that he had always enough of them having brought the Commons so low by want of Trade that they must either take up Armes or starve nor would he want occasion to keep up an Army on foot for when he had no cause he could soon create one witness the war he made with Spain Englands fast friend in all the late troubles by which the Trade of England hath been more detrimented then by all the wars we have had since 1638. Having thus tyrannized over England the space of five years he at last made his exit in a most horrible tempest we may well say that God was not in that winde though we have cause to praise his blessed and holy name for that wind-fall As he lived unbeloved so he died unlamented breathing out his soul with the sin of perjury for at his being chosen Protector he called God to witness he was against Englands government being made Hereditary abusing to that purpose the saying of Solomon Ecclesiastes 2.19 Who knoweth whether his son shall be a wise man or a fool Yet at his death he endeavoured all he could to settle it in his posterity leaving his Son Richard Protector of England and his Son Henry Lord Lieutenant of Ireland And though at his death the Common-wealth was indebted some millions of pounds yet never was any King of England buried in that state as was this grand Tyrant the charges of his funerall amounting to no lesse then sixty thousand pounds besides that he was presumptuously interred among His Majesties Ancestors at Westminster in that very place where His Majesty had intended for His own rest as if he had resolved not only to detain Him from His right when He was alive but when He was dead also The Protector being interred among the Kings and Queens at Westminster at a vaster charge then had been used before in the richest times his Son Richard an honest private gentleman well beloved in Hampshire ascended the throne by the invitation and encouragement of Fleotwood Desborough Sydenham the two Jones's Thurlow and others the relations and confidents of his father and by the contrivance of the Court received congratulations prepared at Whitehall from most of the Counties and Cities of England and from the Armies of England Scotland and Ireland with engagements to live and dye with him with addresses from the Independent Churches brought by Goodwin and Nye their Metropolitans This introduction being made to transferre the Government from the line of the Stuarts to the line of the Cromwells it was conceived by some who had proceeded thus far that a Parliament chosen by influences from Court would easily swallow what was so well prepared to their hands Accordingly it was resolved by the Protectors Juncto that a Parliament should be called who being met at the time and place appointed they first declare Richard Cromwell Lord Protector and chief Magistrate of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland Then they vote after 14. days opposition from the honest party in the house to transact with the new House of Lords Other things they did not so pleasing to the Protector and his party For they order a Committee to look after the accompts of the Nation in order to retrenching and lessening the charge of the Common-wealth They had also by a saving vote asserted their interest in the fleet and had under consideration an act for taking away all Laws Statutes and Ordinances concerning Excise and Tunnage and Poundage after three years Proceeding thus successfully with much satisfaction to the Nation the Protector and the Officers of the Army who before were jealous of one another grew now jealous of the House of Commons and therefore they thought it seasonable to contend for the power before the People should recover it from them both In order hereunto the Officers of the Army keep their Councels at Wallingford-House and the Protector with his party countermin'd them at Whitehall The result of the Officers debates was a Canting Representation written in such an equivocating language that the sting was easily visible through the Honey Hereupon the Protector begins to think of securing himself and forbids their meetings but in vain Wherefore both sides keep guards one against another day and night In this divided posture affairs continued till Friday the 22. of Aprill 59. on which morning early the Protectors brother Fleetwood Disborough his Unkle carrying the greater part of the Army with them and the Protectors party flinching the conquest was obtain'd without one drop of blood and the Protector forc'd to consent to the dissolving of the Parliament contrary to the best advice his own interest and promises Far different was the courage of this young Protector from that of our magnificent Hero Henry the 5. who having hastily taken the Crown from the pillow of his not yet deceased father and being by him with a sad sigh told that God knew how unjustly he had gotten it replyed That since his father had by his sword attained it and being now at his death by Gods Providence devolved on him that therefore his sword should maintain it as his Right against all opposers But our pittifull Protector wanted both his wit and valour for having by fortune gotten a Crown without the effusion of either bloud or treasure yet was loth to do so much as to draw a sword for its preservation thus according to the English Proverb Lightly come lightly go men seldome prizing that which they never sweat for The fathers servants being now grown the Sons Masters allow him some thousands of pounds and order him to retire into the Country but the turning out Richard was not all they had to do his Brother Henry was still possessed of Ireland who was looked upon as a man of a more couragious spirit and doubtless they had found him so would the Officers of the Army have stuck close to him as at first they promised but they according to the course of the world left him when he had most need of them and so made him incapable either of assisting himself or restoring his Brother The Protector being thus devested of all power and authority Lambert comes again upon the stage a person of so large a spirit and undaunted courage that Oliver fearfull of his great endownments had
Waller Mr. Meir Col. Waite Col. Temple Tichborn Fleetwood Col. John Temple and some few others Nor could His Majesty want employment having enough to doe to receive all these addresses which were made to him from all the Shires and Towns of England which though they throng'd in so fast yet His Majesty was still ready to entertain them with so much grace and favour that he gave satisfaction to all Nor was this joy confin'd within the limits of England other Countries partaking thereof and making themselves concern'd in our great alterations particularly at Heidelburgh Frankendale Wormes and Herldbron in all which places was a day of publick prayers and thanksgiving for the restoration of His Sacred Majesty of Great Brittain The King of Portugall also when he heard the news thereof presently gave order that the same night all the great guns of the Castle and Forts of the Town and Harbour should be fired The whole City was adorn'd with lights and in every window of the Kings Palace were set two great Torches of white wax besides Bonfires and Fireworks in the streets the King and Queen next morning with the Infanta and Nobility went forth in solemn manner to the Church of St. Anthony's of the Capuchins all the bells in the Town ringing the while By which it was plainlyseen with what reall joy and satisfaction the people of this Court and Nation receiv'd the welcome tydings of so happy a change And now we are beyond sea it may not be from the purpose to relate something of the great Marriage between the King of France and the Infanta of Spaine which happened much about this time especially the King of France being a Prince so nearly related to the Crown of England The King of Spaine being now after a tedious journey arrived at Fintarabia the Ceremonies of the Marriage being the same with the Ceremonies of ordinary marriages but more pompous were celebrated and performed by the Bishop of Pamplona with the assistance of the Patriarch of the Indies in the Church of said Town Before the performance the Infanta kneel'd twice before the King her Father first to ask him blessing and secondly before she gave her consent to the Marriage The Ceremony being ended the King of Spaine gave her all the respect due to so great a Queen giving her the right hand both in his going out of the Church and as they rode together in the Coach He likewise gave her his own lodgings and took hers where though she had not been seen before she then did ride in publick within a day or two after the two Kings had an interview where both Kings were uncovered that the grandees of Spaine might not take an occasion to be cover'd Then the King of Spaine having deliver'd his daughter into the hands of the King of France the Queen Mother took her away in her Coach which done the two Kings parted with all demonstration of amity and affection Afterwards the young Queen was presented with severall presents from her Father and Monsieur the Kings Brother and Cardinall which were so rich and so magnificent that never were more Royall presents seen In the mean time the Parliament to shew the value of that pardon from the benefit of which they were excepting so many persons came to His Majesty and in the name of themselves and the Commons of England laid hold on His Majesties gracious pardon mentioned in his Declaration from Breda wherefore on Munday being the 25. of June His Majesty publish'd a Proclamation in pursuance of his former Declaration declaring that His Majesty did graciously accept of the address of the House of Commons After this the House proceed upon the Act of Indempnity and having resolved that those persons before mentioned should be excepted from life they agree upon 20. more which though yet excluded from death should suffer all penalties and forfeitures excepting life concerning which business after they had had many debates they conclude at last upon these persons following William Lenthall Sir Hen. Vane Sir Arthur Haslerig Col. Sydenham Col. Disborough Ald. Ireton Col. Axtell Mr. Keeble Capt. Blackwell Major Creed Charles Fleetwood Alderman Pack Col. Pine Col. Cobbet Capt. Dean Oliver St. John Will. Nye Ministers John Goodwin Ministers But as the King saw them quick in their justice so he thought them too slow in their mercy and therefore having often press'd them to perfect the Act of Indempnity and nothing yet finish'd he goes himself to the House to hasten them telling them with what impatience he did expect that Act to be presented to him for his assent as the most reasonable and solid foundation of peace and security That he thought the House of Commons too long about it thanking God that he had the same intentions and resolutions which he had at Breda and then reading what he had then writ to them he added afterwards that if they did not then joyn with him in extinguishing the fear which keeps the hearts of men awake and apprehensive of safety and security they would keep him from performing his promise He then thank'd them for their justice to those who had been the immediate murderers of his Father and assured them he never thought of excepting any other and at length conjur'd them that setting all animosities aside to pass that Act without further delay His Majesty having thus put them in mind of their clemency was not forgetfull himself of that gratitude which he thought due to those who had serv'd him with a meritorious loyalty and there casting an eye of grace upon his Excellency the Lord Generall Monck for his faithfull service he was graciously pleas'd to create him Duke of Albemarly Earl of Finington Baron of Potheridge Beaucham and Teyes Captain Generall and Commander in chief of all His Majesties forces both in England Scotland and Ireland Master of His Majesties Horse Knight of the most noble order of the Garter and one of His Majesties most honourable privy Councill Whereupon accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham and other personages of high quality he took his leave of the House of Commons and went to take his place in the House of Peers Gen. Mountague also created Earl of Sandwich Viscount Hinchimbrook Baron of St. Needs Master of the Wardrobe one of the Commanders of the treasurie and Knight of the Garter not long after took his place in the House of Peers Sir John Greenvile who adventur'd first to bring His Majesties Letters over to the Houses and the Lord Generall His Majesty was pleas'd to create Earl of Bath Nor was His Majesty unmindfull of Col. Carles to whom with a small alteration of his name he gave a new coat of Armes which will always be a significant record of that service wherein his Loyalty was so usefull Nor did the Penderils His Majesties faithfull servants in his shelter at Boscobel goe unrewarded of one of whom named William it is reported that being in the Park of St. James's and
security to all interests to perswade a re-admission of the Lord Richard to his Protectorship which was well answered by a stout Officer telling them their onely end in that was to set up one again whom they themselves had already learn'd to pull down that they were under command and knew it their duty not to dispute but to submit to what orders they received from their superiours which they likewise wished them to doe The dispute being ended they prepare for action but Col. Alureds Troop deserting them Lambert seeing himself forsaken seeks to fly but providence had so ordered it that notwithstanding he was mounted on a Barbery which might have hastned him in his flight yet being on ploughed land his Horse was of little advantage to him And now he who before had gained the name of stout and valiant in many battles when he saw Col. Ingoldsby ride up to him and demand him prisoner was presently taken without drawing his sword and driven to that pittyfull shift to cry out Pray my Lord let me Escape Pray my Lord let me Escape There were taken with him Colonel Cobbet Major Creed Lieutenant Colonel Young Captain Timothy Clare Captain Gregory and Captain Spinage and some other private souldiers Colonel Okey Colonel Axtel and Captain Cleer Okeys son in law escaped though pursued four miles April the 24. the day before the Parliament sitting they were brought up prisoners to the Council who after examination committed Lambert Cobbet and Creed close prisoners to the Tower The same day the Militia forces of the City Trained Bands and Auxiliaries according to an Order of the Council marched into Hide Park the Mayor in his Coller of S's with the Mace Sword and Cap of Maintenance the Aldermen in Scarlet and the Commissioners of the Militia in handsome equipage going before them to a place erected for their entertainment Each Col. had his Tent and their Regiments very full severall of the Nobility and Gentry of great quality going as Voluntiers in Alderman Robinsons Regiment were 250. in the rest very many The Regiments were all so gallantly accountered as did sufficiently speak both the riches and strength of the City there being little visible difference betwixt the Trained Bands and Auxiliaries but onely in their age This certainly was an happy Omen of our future settlement that the day before the sitting of the Parliament there should not onely appear so gallant a Body of able Citizens to defend them but the Chief of that faction that endeavoured the disturbance of the Nation should be delivered into their hands and the rest of his Accomplices timely discovered and dispersed April 25. both Houses of Parliament met at Saint Margarets Church in Westminster where Doctor Reynolds preached before them taking his Text out of Mal. 4. ver 2. The Sermon ended they repaired to their Houses The Lords made choice of the Earl of Manchester for their Speaker the House of Commons of Sir Harbotle Grimstone This was a great joy to the whole Nation to see our Grand Council restored again to their former priveledges a large step to our ancient freedome yet not comparable to what the first of May produced when both Houses of Parliament and Generall Monck received each of them a Letter from his most Sacred Majesty King Charles the second with a gracious Declaration to all his Loving Subjects brought by Sir John Greenvil since made Earl of Bath His Letters speake his piety and unwearied care for his Subjects prosperity desiring rather to prepare and improve the affections of his Subjects at home for his restauration then to procure assistance from abroad though then propounded to him to invade either of his kingdomes Our intended brevity will not permit us to give you the exact draught of his Letters though deserving to be Registred in Letters of Gold take a view of his gracious expressions of piety goodness and love to the Nation in this his following Declaration CHARLES R. CHARLES by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all our Loving Subjects of what degree or quality soever greeting If the generall distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole kingdome doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding may be bound up all we can say will be to no purpose However after this long silence We have thought it Our duty to declare how much We desire to contribute thereunto And that as We can never give over the hope in good time to obtain the possession of that Right which God and Nature hath made our due so we doe make it our daily suit to the Divine Providence that he will in compassion to Us and Our Subjects after so long misery and suffering remit and put Us into a quiet and peaceable possession of that Our right with as little blood and damage to Our people as is possible Nor doe we desire more to enjoy what is Ours then that all Our Subjects may enjoy what by Law is theirs by a full and entire Administration of Justice throughout the Land and by extending Our mercy where it is wanted and deserved And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any Conscious to themselves of what is passed to a perseverance in guilt for the future by opposing the quiet and happinesse of their Country in the restauration both of King Peers and People to their Just Ancient and Fundamentall Rights We do by these presents declare That We doe grant a free and generall pardon which We are ready upon demand to passe under Our Great Seal of England to all Our Subjects of what degree or quality soever who within fourty days after the publishing hereof shall lay hold upon this Our grace and favour and shall by any publick Act declare their doing so And that they return to the Loyalty and Obedience of good Subjects excepting onely such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament Those only excepted let all Our Loving Subjects how faulty soever relie upon the word of a King solemnly given by this present Declaration That no Crime whatsoever committed against Us or Our Royall Father before the Publication of this shall ever rise in Judgment or be brought in Question against any of them to the least endamagement of them either in their Lives Liberties or Estates or as far forth as lies in Our power so much as to the prejudice of their Reâ—utations by any Reproach or term of distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects We Desiring and Ordaining that hence forward all Notes of Discord separation and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all Our Subjects whom We invite and conjure to a perfect Union among themselves under Our Protection for the Re-settlement of Our Just Rights and theirs in a free Parliament By which upon the word of a King We will be advised And