and the House of Commons Vote That the Kings Person should be dâ—manded of the Scots and that their whole Army return home upon Receiâ—â— of part of thâ—ir Arrears the rest to be sent after them And a Committee is appointed to Treat with the Scotch Commissioners about drawing up Propositions to be sent to the King wherein much time was spent in wrangling whilst the English deny the Scots to have any Right in the Disposal of the King of England and the Scots as stifly alledged He was their King as much as of the English and they had as good Right to dispose of the King in England as the English could Challenge in Scotland But at last they agreed on Sixteen General Propositions which were presented to the King at New-Castle Iuly 27. 1646. But these Propositions were such that the King did not think fit to comply withal The Scots general Assembly sent a Remonstrance to the King desiring him to settle Matters in England according to the Covenants c. But all this did not do and therefore the Scots who had hiâ—herto so sharply disputed about the Disposal of the Kings Person are content upon the Receipt of Two Hundred Thousand Pounds to depart home and leave the King in the Power of the Parliament who Voted him to Holmby-House and sent their Commissioners to receive him from the Scots at New-Castle to whom Feb. 8. 1646. He was accordingly delivered and the Scots returned home Some Petitions from Essex and other Places are presented to the Parliament inveighing against the Proceedings of the Army which much vexed the Soldiers who sharply Apologize for themselves And now the Army to the great Terror of the Parliament march towards London and came as far as St. Alban's notwiâ—hstanding a Message from Both Houses not to come within Twenty Five Miles of the City which the General excused saying That he Army was come thither before they received the Parliaments Desire And here he obtains a Months Pay The Parliament then drew up Propositions of Peace to be sent to the King at Hampton-Court the same in substance with those offered at New Castle and had the like effect The Business of Episcopacy being always the main Objection which the Parliament were resolved to Abolish And the King preferring that before all other Respects would rather loose All than consent thereunto The Scots Commissioners send a Letter Novemb. 6. 1647. to the Speaker of the House of Commons aâ—d require That the King may be admitted to a Personal Treaty or at least That he should not be carried from Hampton-Court violently but that Commissioners of both Parliaments may â—reely pass to and from Him to Treat for the Settlement of the Kingdom After which divers Mesâ—ages past between the King and the Parliament and several Conferrences were set on Foot particularly that of Henderson's but they proving â—ruitless the Parliament with most of the Officers of the Army that joyned with them brought the King to a Tryal by a Judicature of their own setting up which proved his Ruine THE SECRET HISTORY OF King CHARLES II. WHEN Charles the Second was restored to the Thrones of England Scotland and Iroland never any Monarch in the World came to the Possession of so large a Dominion with more Advantages to have done good sor Himself to his Subjects at Home and to his Allies Abroad The People all experienced in Maâ—tial Discipline as having but newly sheathed the Sword of Civil War and Foreign Conquest so that their Valour was dreaded abroad where-ever he should have menaced an Enlargement of his Territories Besides all this he had the Love of his Subjects Equal if not Superior to any Prince that ever Reigned before him And he had the Affection of his Parliament to the highest degree But after all this he was no sooner settled in his Throne but through the Influence of Evil Counsellors upon a Disposition naturally Vitious and easily corrupted with Esseminate Pleasures he abandoned himself to all manner of Softness and Voluptuous Enjoyments and harbouring in his â—osome the worst of Vices base ingratitude betraâ—ed Himself that he might betray his People for where the Constitution of a Nation is such That the Laws of the Land are the Measures both of the Soveraign's Commands and the Obedience of the Subjects whereby it is provided That as the one is not to invade what by Concessions and Stipulâ—tions is granted to the Ruler so the other is not to deprive them of their lawful and determined Rights and Liberties There the Prince who strives to Subvert the Fundamental Laws of the Society is the Traytor and the Rebel and not the People who endeavour to Preserve and Defend their own Nor must we ascribe the Miscarriages of his Reign altogether to the Remissness of his Nature but to a Principle of Revenge which his Mother had infused into him not so much for the loss of her Hâ—sband but out of her inbred Malice to the Protestant Religion which no where flourished in that Splendor as in England fostered and cherished by the vow'd Enemy of this Nation his Brother the Duke of York who had been openly heard to declare in his Bed-Chamber at St. Iames's That he was resolved to be revenged upon the English Nation for the Death of his Father and what an Ascendant this Brother had over over him the whole Kingdom has felt by sad and woful Experience For indeed the King had all along an Affection for him so entire and baneful to the Nation that he could only be said to Reign while his Brother Ruled With all these Royal Vertues and imbred and fomented Animosisies to render him at his Return a Gracious Soveraign to this Kingdom let us trace him from his Cradle to find out those Princely Endowments which invisibly encreasing with him as he grew in Years dazzled in such a manner the Eyes of doâ—ing Politicians of that Age to recal him against that known and vulgar Maxim of Common Prudence Regnabit sanguine multo Ad Regâ—um quisquis unit â—b eilioâ— When he was but very young he had a very strange and unaccountable Fondness to a Wooden Biâ—let without which in his Arms he would never go abroad nor lie down in his Bed From which the more observing sort of People gathered that when he came to years of Maturity either Oppresâ—ors and Blockheads would be his greatest Favourites or else that when he came to Reign he would either be like Iupiter's Log for every Body to deride and contemn or that he would rather chuse to command his People with a Club than Rule them with a Scepter And indeed They that made the first and last conjectures found in due time they were not altogether in the wrong For the Throne was no sooner empty by the Death of his Father before he could be permitted to sâ—at himself in it but he gave the World a plain Discovery what sort of People they were who when he came to Reign were most
us and Thanks to themselves then that some of our Countrey-Men Zealous of the Truth though differing from the Religiin which we have sucked from our Infancy should have an Hâ—nourable Occasion of making their abode in the Court of Rome from whom your Holiness may be certainly insormed of the state of our Affairs In this regard We recommend to you the Bishop of Vazion who as he dâ—th impute whatsoever increase of his condition to your Holyness alone so We are earnest Suitors that for our sake especially the Hâ—nour of the Cardinals Cap may be added to his former Advantages By this means the Calumny of our Enemies will cease when such are present with you who may be able to assert the truth of our doing We do not desire any of our Actions should be concealed from just Arbitrators for though We have been bred up in the Truth of that Religion which we now profess yet We have always determined That there is nothing better and safer than piously and without ostentation to endeavour the promoting of those things which really belong to the Gloâ—y of God's Name and laying aside the Goads of Envy and applying the warmth and fomentation of Charity diligently to consider what belongeth not to the empty Name of Religion but to the Holy Symbol of true Piety But because we have discoursed more at large of these things with the Bearer hereof a Man not Vnlâ—arned and indifferently well conversant in our Affairs We have thought best to be no more tedious by a long Letter From Holy Rood Septemb. 24. 1599. Your Holiness's Most Dutiful Son James Rex This Letter was conveyed by Edward Drummond the Lawyer whom the King sent to the Pope the Duke of Tuskany the Duke of Savoy and other Princes and Cardinals First You shall most respectively Salute in Our Namâ— the Pope and those other Prinâ—es and Cardinals and having delivered our Letters of Credence shall signifie That we exceedingly desire to reserve with them the measure of Love and Good VVill which is fitting to remove not only all suspicion but any thing that may be the cause of suspicion That altho we persist in the Religion which we sucked from our Iâ—fancy yet we are not so void of Charity but to think well of all Christians if so be they continue in their Duty first towards God and then towards the Magistrate whose Sâ—bjects they are That we never exercised any Cruelâ—y against the Catholicks for their Religion And because it doth very much concern us that we may be able to assert the Truth by our Friends and Subjects with the same diligence that Slanderers Lye therefore you shall endeavour to the utmost to perswade the Pope aâ— well at our Entreaty as for the desire of thâ—se mâ—st illustrious Princes whom in our Letters we have solicited on our behalf to make the Bishop of Vazion Cardinal wherein if you be successful as soâ—n as we shall be certified thereof we will proceed further You must be cautious not to proceed any farther in this businessâ— either with the Pope or thâ— most Illustrious Cardinals â—â—less there be a certain hope of our wished event THE SECRET HISTORY OF King CHARLES I. THE Misfortunes of this Monarch Son to King Iames with the uncouth dismal and unexpressable Calamities that happened thereupon was in a great measure caused by the imprudent Commissions and voluntary Omissions of King Iames As it may justly be said He like Adam by bringing the Crown into so great a Necessity through profuse Prodigality became the Original of his Sons Fall who was in a manner compell'd to stretch out his Hands towards such Gatherings and Taxes as were contrary to Law by which He fell from the Paradice of a Prince to wit The Hearts of his People though thâ— best Politicians exâ—ant might Miscarry in their Calculation of a Civil-War immediately to follow upon the Death of Queen Elizabeth in Vindication of the numerous Titles and Opinions then current Yet the Beggarly Rabble attending King Iames not only at his first coming out of Scotland but through his whole Reign like a fluent Spring found still câ—ossing the River Tweed did so far justifie the former conjecture as it was only thought mistaken in relation to time The fiâ—st thing this King did after the performing his Father's Funeral Rights was the consummating the Marriâ—ge withâ— Henrietta Maria a Daughter of Fâ—ance whom he had formerly seen in his Journey through that Countrey into Spain The King then call'd a Parliament who met the 11th of Iune following to whom he represented in a short Speech The urgent necessity of raising a Subsidy to â—aâ—ry on the VVar with Spain But the Parliament presented first their Two Petitions concerning Reasâ—ns of Religion and Complaint of their Suffâ—rings which points had been offered to his Father King Iames In both which they at present received Satiâ—faction Upon which the King obtained two Subsidies to be paid by Protestants and four by Papist Laiety and three from the Clergy On the 11th of Iuly 1629. the Parliament was Adjourned â—ill August the 1st when the King declared to them the necessity of setting forâ—h a Fleet for the Recovery of the Palatinate The Lord Treasurer insâ—anced the several Sums of Money King Iames died Indebted to the City of London this occasioned very warm Debates in the House of Commons who alleadged That Evil Councils guided the King's Designs That the Treasury was misimployed That it would be necessary to Petition the King for Honester and Abler Councilâ— Thaâ— it was not usual to grant Subsidies upon Suâ—sidies in one Parliament and no Grievances Redressed with many other of the like nature And being incensed against the Duke of Buckingham they began to think of divesting him â—f his Office and to require an account of the publick Money c. To prevent whichâ— the King Dissolved the Parliament And now the King 's put upon taking up Money upon Loan of such Persons as were thought of Ability to Lend To whom Letters were Issued out in the King's Name to exâ—ite them to it But this not answering the King Summons a Parliament to Siâ— Feb. 6. and being Meâ— they â—ell immediately â—pon Debate of the publick Grievances much the same as the former Then the House of Commons were very busie in searching the Signet Office for the Original of a Leâ—ter under the Signet written to the Mayor of York for Reprieving divers Priests and Jesuits This was Reported by Pim Chair-Man to the Committee for Religion but the King immediately demanded a supply for the English and Irish Forces This was highly resented by the Commons and several sharp Speeches were made in the House But notwiâ—hâ—â—anding the Commons aâ— last Voted Three Subsidies and Three Fifteenâ— and the Bill shall be brought in as soon as the Grievances which were Represented were Redressed But the King observing they did not make the hasâ—e he expectâ—d sends a sharp Message to them complains against their Grievances and
and White-Hall that the King fearing their Intentions thought fit to withdraw to Hampton-Court The next day the Five Members were Triumphantly guarded to Westminster by a great number of Citizens and Sea-men with Hundreds of Boats and Barques About this time the Parliament had notice that the Lord Digby and Coll. Lunsford were raising Troops of Horse at Kingston where the Country Magazine was lodged Whereupon they Order That the Country Sheriffs Justices of the Peace and the Trained Bands shall take care to Secure the Countries and their Magazines Lunsford was Seised and sent to the Tower but Digby escaped beyond Sea The King removed to Royston and Ianuary 20. He sends a Message to the Parliament proposing the Securiâ—y of his own Rights and Prerogative and as to matter of their Grievances He would equal or excâ—ed the most Indulgent Princes in Compliance with them After this the House of Commons importune the King to put the Militia and Command of the Tower inâ—o their Hands as the only available Means for the removal of their Fears and Jealousies But the King not willing to Comply with their desire signified to them that He thought the Militia to be lawfully subject to no Command but his own and therefore would not let it go out of his Hands it being derived to Him from his Ancestors by the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom The King bâ—ing now at Hamptonâ—Câ—urt sent for the Earl of Essex aâ—d Holland and other Membâ—rs of both Houses that were his Domesticks but they refused to come In the mean time Mr. Pym at a Conferâ—nce complaining of the general sâ—ocking of Papists into Iâ—elâ—nd affirmed That since the Lieutenant had ordeâ—ed a stop upon the Ports against all Irish Papists many of the chiâ—f Commanders now at the Hâ—â—d of the Râ—bels had been Licensed to pass thither by the King 's immediate Warrant The King was highlyâ— offended at this Speech which he signified to thâ— House wâ—o in their Answâ—r to his Messageâ— justifie Mr. Pym's words to be the sence of the Houseâ— and that they had yet in safe Custody the Lord Delvin Sir G. Hamilton Collonel Butler and Mr. Nettervil To which the King replys That the afore-mentioned Persons had their Passages granted before He knew of the Parliaments Order of Restraint therefore expected their Declaration for his Vindication from that odious Calumny of Conniving or under-hand Favouring that horrid Rebellion But the King's Desire proved fruitless for they next moved to have Sir I. Byron tnrned out from being Lieutenant of the Tower and at their nomination Sir I. Coniers succeeded They then proceed to Name fit Persons sor Trust of the Militia of the several Counties particularly that for the Defence of the City of London the Parliament the Tower to be Commanded by Major General Skipton The King had deferred His Answer to their Petition for settling the Miâ—itia of the Counties according to the Nomination till his Return from Dover where he took leave of his Wife and Daughter and so returned to Greenwich where he being Arrived sends his Answer to the Petition about the Militia That He was willing to divest Himself of the Power of the County Militia for a limited time but not of London and other Cities and Corporations This Answer did not in the least satisfie so that the Breach growing every day wider the King declined these Parts and the Parliament and moved to Theobald's About the beginning of March He receives a Petition from the Parliament wherein they require the Militia more fervently than before affirming That in ease of denial the eminent dangers would câ—nstrain them to dispose of it by the Authority of Parliament desiring also That He wnuld make his Abode near London and the Parliament for the better carrying on of Affairs and preventing the Peoples Jealousies and Fears All which being refused they presently oâ—der That the Nation be put into a posture of Defence in such a way as was agreed upon by Parliament and a Committee to prepare a publick Declaration from these Heads 1. The just Causes of the Fears and Jealousies given to the Parliamentâ— at the same time clearing themselves from any Jealousies conceived against Himself 2. To consider of all Matters arising from His Majesties Message and what was fit to be done And now began our Troubles and all the Miseries of a Civil War The Parliament every day entertaining new Jealousies and Suspitions of the King's Actions They now proceed on a sudden to make great Preparations both by Sea and Land And the Earl of Northumberland Admiral of England is commanded to Rig the Kings Ships and fit them for Sea And likewise all Masters and Owners of Ships were perswaded to do the like The Beacons were prepared Sea-marks set up and extraordinary Postings up and down with Pacquets All sad Prognosticks of the Calamities ensuing August 22. 1642. The King comes to Nottingham and there erects his Standard to which some Numbers resorted but â—ar shot of what was expected And three days after the King sends a Message to the Parliament to propose a Treaty which was accepted but quickly broke off again The War being now begun the New raised Soldiers committed many Outrages upon the Country People which both King and Parliament upon complaint began to Rectifie The King himself was now Generalissimo over his own and the Earl of Essex for the Parliament The King's Forces received the first Repulse at Hull by Sir I. Hotham and Sir I. Meldram and the King takes up his Quarters at Shrewsbury Portsmouth was next Surrendered to the Parliament and presently after Sir I. Biron takes Worcester for the King In September the two Princes Palatines Rupert and Maurice Arrived in England who were presently Entertained and put into Command by the King This uncivil Civil-War was carried on in general with all the Ruines and Desolations immaginable wherein all Bonds of Religion Alliance and Friendship were utterly destroyed Wherein Fathers and Children Kindred and Acquaintances became unnatural Enemies to each other In which miserable Condition this Nation continued for near Four Years viz. From August the 22. 1642. the time the King set up his Standrrd at Nottingham to May the 6. 1646. the time when the King quitting all Hopes put himself into the Protection of the Scotch Army at Newark During this Process of time several Mâ—ssagâ—s past divers Treaties set on Foot and other Overtures of Accommodation but all came to no effect The War in England being now aâ—ter so much Bloodshed and â—uine brought to some end the Parliament were at leisure to dispute with the Scots concerning the keeping of the King who fâ—aring least Fairfax should fall upon them and compel them to deliver him up Retreated further Noâ—thwaâ—dâ— towards New-Castle The Parliament sent an Invitation to the Prince of Wales to come to â—ondon with Promise of Honour and Safety but he did not think fiâ— to venture The King sends from New-Casâ—le to the Army about a Treaty
People freely to Elect their Representatives In the Year 1634. The Design of Ship-Money was first set on Foot and Attorney General Noâ— being consulted about he pretends out of some Musty Records to find an Ancient President of raising a Tax on the Nation by the Authority of the King alone for setting out a Navy in case of danger which was thereupon put in Execution though noâ— without great Discontent both among the Clergy and Laiety Discontents in Scotland likewise began to increase and a Book was Printed and Published charging the King with indirect Proceedings and having a tendency to the Rtmish Belief And now to blow up these Scotch Sparks to a Flame C. Richeliâ— sent over his Chaplain and another Gentleman to heighten their Differences And some time aâ—ter viz. the latter end of the Year 1653. great Differences arose about Church-Matters in England chiefly occasioned by A. B. Laud's strict enjoyning many new Ceremonies not formerly insisted on and now vehemently opposed by those called Puritans to whom adhered many of the Episcopal Party Several Gentlemen of Quality had refused to pay the Ship-Money and among the rest Esquire Hambden of Bucks upon which the King refers the whole Business to the Twelve Judges in Michdelmas Term 1636. Ten of whom gave their Judgments against Hambden but Hutton and Cook refused it The King 1637. Issuing out a Proclamation in Scotland Commanding the Use of the Liturgy Surplice Altar c. There occasioned great Disorders and Tumults among the Common People who sometime after with the Genâ—ry entred into a Solemn League and Covenant to preserve the Religion then profest The Covenant the Scots were resolved to maintain and to that purpose they sent privately for General Lesley and other great Officers from beyond Sea providing themselves likewise with Arms c. After this they Elect Commissioners for the general Assembly whom they cite to move the Arch Bishops and Bishops to appear there as guilty Persons which being refused the People present a Bill of Complaint against them to the Presbitery at Edenburg who accordingly warned them to appear at the next General Assembly At their Meeting the Bishops sent in a Protestation against their Assembly which the Covenanters thought not fit to Read And soon after they abolished Episcopacy and then prepared for a War On which the King prepares an Army against them with which Anno. 1639. He Marches in Person into the North but by the Mediation of some Persons a Treaâ—ise of Peace was begun but soon broken off The King therefore confiders how to make Provisions for Men and Money and calling a Secret Cabinet Council consisting only of Lauâ— Strafford and Hamilton it was concluded That for the Kingâ—s Supply a Parliament must be Called in England and another in Ireland The Scots fore-seeing the Storm prepared for their own Defence making Treaties in Swedeâ— Denmark Holland and Poland And the Jesuits who are never â—dle endeavoured to Foment In the Year 1640. and the Sixteenth of the Kings Reign a Parliament was Called in which the King prâ—sses theâ—â—or a speedy Supply to Suppress what he calls the Violences of the Scots buâ— this Parliament not complying with the Kings desire were by the advice of the Iuncto Dissolved having only sate Twenty Two Days Laud by his violent Proceedings against those called Puritans and by his strict enjoyning of old un-observed Ceremonies which by many were thought Popish procured to himself much Hatred from the generality of People That upon May 9. 1640. a Paper was fixt on the Royal Exchange inciting the Prentices to go and Sack his House at Lambeth the Monday aâ—ter but the Arch-Bishop had notice of their Design and provided accordingly that at the time when they came endeavouring to enter his House they were repulsed The King calls a select Juncto to consult about the Scots where the Earl of Strafford delivered his Mind in such terms as afterwards proved his ruine War against them was resolved on and Money was to be procured one way or other The City was invited to Lend but absolutely reâ—used Some of the Gentry contributed indifferent freely So that with their assistance the Army was compleated the King himself being Generalissimo marches his Army into the North where was some Action in which the Scots had the better A Treaty is then set on foot and at last concluded the chief Conditions for the calling a Parliament in England who accordingly Met Nov. 3. 1640. And the King in his Speech tells them That the Scotish Troubles were the cause of their Meetingâ— and therefore requires them to consider of the most expedient means for câ—sting them out and desired a Supply from them for maintaining of his Army The Commons began with the Voting down all Monopolies and all such Members as had any benefit by them were voted out of the House They then voted down Ship-Money with the Opinion of the Judges thereupon to be Illegal and a charge of High Treason was ordered to be drawn up against Eight of them and they begun with the Keeper Finch Decemb. 11. Alderman Pennington and some Hundreds of Citizens presented a Petition subscribed by 15000 Hands against Church Discipline and Ceremonies and then the Commons Voted That the Clergy in a Convocation have no power to make Canons or Laws without Parliaments and that the Canons are against the Fundamental Laws of the Realm the King's Prerogative and the Property of the Subject the Right of Parliaments and tend to Faâ—tion and Sedition In pursuance hereof a Charge was ordered to be drawn up against Arch-Bishop Laud and others and after voted Guilty of High Treason and sent to the Tower The Scâ—ts likewise preferred a Charge against the Arch-Bishop and the Earl of Strafford requiring Justice against them both as the great Incendiaries and Disturbers both of Church and Stâ—te On Monday March 25. 1640. the Earl of Sâ—rafford's Tryal began in Westminâ—ter Hall the King Queen and Prince being present and the Commons being there likewise as a Committee at the managing their Accusation the chief of whom was Pym. The Earl made a long defence but the Commons were resolved to prosecute him to Death and to proceed against him by Bill of Attainder which they proceeded to dispatch And upon the 25th of Apâ—il they passed the Bill and a few days after the Lords did likewise The Bill being finished and the King willing to save the Earl May 21. makes a Speech to both Houses in the Earl's behalf and so Dismissed them to their great Discontent Which was propagated so far that May 23. weâ—e 1000. Citizens most of them Armed came thronging to Westminster crying out for Justice against the Earl of Strafford On Sunday following the King consulted the Judges and several Bishops Mâ—nday May 10. The King gives Commission to several Lords to Pass Two Billsâ— One the Bill of Attainder against Strafford the Other for continuing the Parliament during the Pleasure of Both Houses The next
day the King writes a Letâ—er to the House to excuse his not Signing Strafford's Execution But the Commons would not be satisfied until the Bill was signed The Fall of this great Mâ—n startled many other Officers of State and occasioned the resigning their Places August 6. Both the English and Scotâ—h Armiâ—s were Disbanded and Four Days after the King went towards Scotland and was entertained with great Demonstrations of Affection by that Nation and conferred several Places of Honour and Power upon divers of them He confirm'd likewise the Treaty between the Two Nations by Act of Parliament Octob. 23. 1641. The Horrid and Notorious Massacre and Reâ—â—llion broke out in Ireland At which time the Irish to dishearten the English from any Resistance asserted That the Queen was with their A mâ— That the King would come amongst them also anâ— assist them That they did but maintain his Câ—use agaiâ—st the Puritans That they had the King's Commâ—ssiâ—n for what they did Whether these Assertions wâ—re true or falseâ— we shall not pretend to determine but leave it to the Readers own Senâ—imentsâ— only we beg leâ—ve to incert here by way of Parenthesis a Letter sent to the Popâ— by order of Charles the II. when he had taken the Câ—venâ—nt and was professing the Presbyterian Religion in Scotland it was carried thither and pressed forward by one Dallie an Irish Priest and Confessor to the then Queen â—f Portugal under the Title of Propositions and Motives for and on the behalf of the most iâ—vincible King of Great Britain France and Ireland to Pope Innocent the X. in the Year of Jubilee 1650. which Dallie taking France in his way spake with the Queen Mother and received her Directions for the better management of the Affair Most Blessed Father OUR Agent at present Residing at Rome with all Humility shews your Holiness That the principal Cause and Occasion of that Regicide Tyranically perpetrated upon the Person of Charles the First Father of the aforesaid Charles the Second by his Rebels and cruel Subjects the like whereof was never heard of â—rom the beginning of the World not only among Civil Nations but even among the most Barbarous themselves have been the Graces Favours and Concessions so often and so many ways extended to the Catholick Religion and the Asserters and Professors thereof in the Kingdom both of England and Ireland The Truth of which appears in that the aforesaid Charles the First gave Authority to the Marquiss of Ormond by several Commissions for the Establishing and Perfecting all Conditions with the Confederate Catholicks of the Kingdom of Ireland of sufficient Security for the Catholick Faith Furthermore the said Charles the First fearing lest the said Ormond being an Heretick should not satisfie the said Confederates in all things He sent thither the Marquiss of Worcester a Man truly and wholly Catholick with a more ample Commission in which Commission the said Marquiss of VVorcester had fâ—ll Authority of concluding a Peace with the said Confederate Catholicks and of giving them Conditions altogether satisfactory as well concerning Liberty of Religion as also as to other Injuries that had been done unto them which the said Marquiss of VVorcester making with them an abâ—olute Peace did abuâ—dantly fulfil Further This appeareth in that the said Charles the First even in England it self did by Commissions set the Catholicks namely the said Marquiss of VVorcester Sir Arthur Ashton and many others over his Armies and made them Governours of Cities Castles and Strong Holds notwithstanding the Clamour of the People against it and which was not a slight motive of the Regicide committed upon him wheâ—eby it appears that although the said King Charles the First dyed not a Catholick yet he died for them Again most Blessed Father the same Agent most humbly â—epresents That the present King Charles II. the true and undoubted Heir of the foresâ—id Charles I. and of all his Kingdoms to whom the said Kingdoms belong of Right according to that of Christ Give to Caesar the thing that are Caesars while his Father yet lived was known to have good and true Inclinations to the Cathâ—lick Faith following which and going on in his Fathers steps he did not only râ—commend it to the Marquiss of Ormond but gave it him in Express Command to satisfie in all things the Confederate Caâ—holicks in Ireland namely That he shouâ—d grant them the â—ree Exercise of their Religion That he should abrogate the Penal Laws made against them and that he should restore to the said â—atholicks whether Laicks or Ecclesiâ—sticks their Lands Estates Possessions or what other Rights did at any time belong unto them and by the said Laws had been unjustly taken away In Obedience to which Commands the said Marquiss in the Name and by the Authority of the said two Kings namely Charles the First and Second made and concluded a firm Peace with the said Confederate Catholicks By the Conclusion of which Peace the said present Kingâ— and all his Dominions hath involved himself with the Catholicks in an irreconcileable War against the Parliamentarâ—an Regicides of England whose Blood therefore the said Cruel Tyranâ—s insatiably thirst after as they did after his Fathers The said Agent further offers to your Holiness That the inhumane Regicides do wickedly Usurp to themselves in the Dominions aforementioned all the Authority of the King do most cruelly Persecute all the Catholicks both in England and Ireland pâ—rtly by condemning them to Banishment partly by putting them into Prisons and otherwise corporally punishing them and lastly by putting them to Death a Witness of the Truth hereof is that great Slaughter made by Cromwel in the taking of the two Cities of Droghedah and VVexâ—oâ—d and other Places where all the Catholicks without Distinction of either Sex or Age were Slaughtered Witness hereof also the raging Persecution and Death of Catholicks in England by all which and by their Parliamentarian Decrees themselves and their Covenant with God as they call it it is evident even beyond the clearness of the light of the shining Sun That these Tyrannical Regicides do ultimately intend and put forth all their Power for the utter Destruction of all Catholicks and to â—xtirpate by the Root and wholly to extinguish the Catholick Faith throughout the World openly asserting and boasting with great Glory that these things being once finished in those Dominions they will then invade France and after that run through Germany Italy and all Europe throwing down Kings and Monarchs whose very Titles are most odious and abhorrent unto them Briefly they have no other thing in their Aim than these Two Namely The extirpation of the Catholick Religion and the destruction of Monarchy To which wicked Machination of theirs forasmuch as it could never have any the least Hopes that either the King or his Father should at any time in the least Assent they have put the one to Death and the other to Exile And these Rebels now with a neâ—arious boldness
by an Enacted Law And no leâ—s frankly they Surrendred the Power of the Militia into his Hands of both which Acts being done in haste they had leisure enough afâ—erwards to repent But notwithstanding all the great Kindness of this Parliament and their more than extraordinary Liberality to the King of several Millioâ—s of the Peoples Money which was with the same Profusion wasted upon his Pleasures and the carrying on his Designs for the Introducing of Popery and French not a Penty hardly to the good of the Nation while â—hâ— Sâ—amen were sed with a Bit and a Knock and the Merchants that supplied the Stores of the Navy were Cheated of their Money and never paid to this day with what Scorn and Contempt he â—sed them and how far from that Esteem and Veneration he profesâ—ed to have for them while he was wheedling for his Restauration is apparent to all the Kingdom 'T is true the King continued them till all Men of impartial Knowledge and Judgment thought them Dissolved by Law and â—ill that they were Dissolv'd by himself the 25th of Ianuary 1678. not that they Sat so long but were discontinued and contemptuously spared from Meeting to Meeting many times by the inâ—imated Ordeâ—s and to promote the Designs of the French King and â—ever suffered them to Sir but when the King was in extreâ—m necessity of Money Among the rest oâ— those Prorogaâ—ions there was one at a time when the greatest urgency in Affairs the greaâ—est danger that threatned the Eâ—glish Nation required their Sittlng when they were diving into the Bottom of the Popish Plot and endeavâ—uring to bring to condign Punishment the chief Instruments which the King had made use oâ—â—o compâ—ss his Arbitrary and Popish Design Very remarkable is the Actions of the Preceding Night which was follow'd by the Morning Prorogations the relation of which is so gross that we think to draw a Curtain over it lest common Fame should lead us into an Error in any particular However this is certain that Prince Rupert the next Morning understanding what Resolutions were taken pressed the King with all the vehemency imaginable that Argument and Reason could enforce but at the same time the Duke of York stuck close to his Proâ—her telling him That his Cousin Rav'd c. so that the Duke that advised for the Ruine of the Nation was believed but the Priâ—ce that spoke his Mind freely for the Good of the Kingdom was dismisled for a Mad-man So well did the King Act his Part that when his well-meaning Counsellors lent their assisting hands to prevent the Consequences of French and Popish Dictates they were mistaken in the Man and gave their wholsome Advice to him that was not â—ound to take it During this Sessions of Parliament many foul things came to light for while the King had raised an Army and prâ—ssed the Parliament for Money to maintain them under pretence of making a War with France which was the earnest desire of all the Protestant pâ—rt of the Kingdom The Parliamenâ— were â—ully informed that while the King boasted of the Alliaâ—ces which he had made for the Preservation of Flanders and the Protestant Religion both at home and abroad he was secrâ—tly entred into Treatiâ—s and Alliâ—ncâ—s at the same time with the French King and Mr. Garroway of the House of Commons had gotten a Copy of the private Treâ—ty between the King of England and the French King at the same Instâ—nt that the Secretary and the others of the Court Parâ—y cried out a War iâ—somuch that several that were then in the House of Commons began to blush when they saw the Cheat so palpably discerned It was farther discovered That a great Favoueite of the Dukes had been sent over into France under a pretence oâ— Expostulating and requiring Satisfaction for the Injuries which the English had received from the French but in reality to carry the Project of Articles for the Peace and to the setâ—le and confirm all things fasâ— about the Money that was to come from France and to agree the Methods for Shamming the Conâ—ederates about their expected Alliances They found themselves cheated of all the Pole Bill Money which they had given so little a while before upon the Assurance of a War intended against France â— the greatest part of which they perceiv'd was immediately tho appropriated to the French War only converted to other Uses as the paying of old Debts so that very little was left for paying any Necessaries bought or to be bought towards the pretended War with France Nor were they ignorant of the real Design for which the King had raised his Army and what care the King and his Brother took that there should be no other Officers in that Army than what were fit for the Work in Hand which was to introduce Popery and French Government by main force The greater part being downright Papists or else such as resolved so to be upon the first Inâ—imation The Duke recommending all such as he knew â—it for the Turn and no less than an hundred Commissions were Signed to Irish Papists to raise Forces noâ—withstanding the Act by which means both the Land and Naval Forces were in safe Hands And to compleat the Work hardly a Judge Justice of the Peace or any Officer in England but what was of the Dukes promotion Nor were they ignorant of the private Negotiations of the Duke carried on by the Kings Connivance with the Pope and Cardinal Norfolk who had undertaken to raise Money from the Church sufficient to supply the King's Wants till the Work werd done in case the Parliament should smoke their Design and refuse to give any more Nor was the Parliament ignoranâ— what great Rejoicing there was in Rome it self to hear in what a posture His Majesty was and how well provided of an Army and Money to begin the Business The Parliament also understood while they were labouring the War with France and to resist â—he growth of Popery and Arbitrary Power That the King underthand assisted the French with Mâ—n and Ammunition of all sorts and soon after that a Câ—ssation was concluded both at Nimeguen and Paris That the King had got some Money from France for that Job by which the French King was now sure to hold all his Conquests â—broâ—d which had England been real to the Coâ—â—edâ—rates might have been easily wrested out of his Hands But it seems it was not so muâ—h Money as our King expected which made him Angry so that he began to threaten That if the Fâ—ench King did not perform his Promise of 300000 l. Annuity for Three Years he would undo all thaâ— he had done against the next Parliament But the French King derided those vain Threatâ— menacing in his turn That if the King of England would not be content with his Tâ—rms and do and say to the Parliament according to his Directions he would discover both him and hiâ— Correspondents in betrayiâ—g the Nâ—tion and discover all
but their pity and compassion â—o thâ— King which would not permit them to expose him so black tho it was as certain that they frequently imported their knowledge to their Friends Noâ— did it a litâ—le add to confirm the Truth of what is here related That Emislariâ—s should be sâ—nt from the Court to deal under-hand with the Coroner and the Jury to have gotten a Verdict of Felo de se â— But the Proofs of his being murthered were so apparent such as his Neck being broke and the cleanness of his Shoâ—s that nothing could corrupt the Jury from bringing it in otherwise than it was Under these distresses did the King and Duke labour terribly afraid of the approaching Parliament for the sake of their Popish Minions and Instruments whose utmost Care and Industry could not prevent itâ— but that several of Coleman's Letters and Papers were found which detected the Negotiations of the King and Duke for all the World can never separate them by maintaining that the Duke durst ever have transacted such Treasons abroad being then no more than another Subject without his Brother's consent so that they were in an extraordinary quandary whether the Parliament should Sit or not But the King 's extream necessity for Money prevailed upon him to let them Sit Besides that the King who had all along acted under his Protestant Mask was sensible that the Kingdom would have cry'd out Shameâ— had he put off the Parliament at such a conjuncture of Combuâ—tion and Distraction as that was But when the Parliament met according to the usual wont how many Stories and Shams was there endeavoured to be put upon them For in the interval of the Session notwithstanding that the Parliament had givâ—n him Money to Disband the New-raised Army He to try an Experiment how the Nation would brook his wrigling iâ—to that Arbitrary Power which he aimed at all along had spent the Money upon his other Occasions and kept up the Army still Nevertheless to excuse the Fraud which he had put upon the disgusted Nâ—tion he tells the Parliament That he had been obliged â—o keep up his Troops to keep his Neighbours from absolute Despair and that he had bâ—en sollicitâ—d from abroad not to Disband them Now was ever such a Story told by a Prince and vouched in the Face of the Nation by a bred Lawyer viz. his Chancellor to justifie the Breach of a Law of the Three Estaâ—es of the Kingdom as soon as made and then to â—â—im the Parliament off with Christendom and the Worlds commending us for the breaking our own Laws to patch up a Peace which tended to nothing but the ruine of those for whom it was made The Sum of which was in short that the King to serve his own Arbitrary Ends had run himself into an Inconvenience by defrauding the Nation however the Parliament was to be contented with it and to pay for it to boot that is to pay double for the keeping up a Popish Army to secure the Protestant Religion But the Parliament taking little notice of these fine Stories fell to the main Business which was to sound the depth of the Plot. Upon Examination of which notwithstanding that many Papers of great Importance had with a more than ordinary Industry been conveyed away â—et by those that were sound so much appeared that the House Voâ—â—d it to be a Damnable Plot to root up and desâ—â—â—y the Religion and Government of the Kingdom and privately got the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs to Sign Warrants for the Apprehending the Popish Lords which was done accordingly Anâ— for their further Security they prepared a Bill for putting the Nation into a posture of Defence and for raising the Miâ—iâ—ia throuâ— hour the Kingdom to be in Aâ—ms for so many days which passed both Houses without â—ny difficulty but the King out of his Zeal to the Protestant Religion refused to Pass it And then it was that the Parliament found too late the Complement which they had pasâ—ed upon him in returning him the Power of the Militia which he made use of keeping up standing Armies for their Destruction but refused for the Security of the Nation This therefore not prevailing they began to provide against Papists Sitting in either House and â—ram'd a Bill with a Test to be taken by every Member of both Houses â— or else to losse thâ—ir Seat This though his Protestant Majesty did not openly oppose himself yet after a close Consulâ—ation held at St. Iames's He ordered all his Instruments in the Lords House to witâ—stand the passing of it thereâ— which though â—hey could not Effect yet they prevailed so far that they got a Proviso in it â—or the D. of York whereby they did him the kindness as to declare him a Papist to all the World After this the Parliament proceeded to the Impeachâ—ng of such Persons as they had found to be dâ—epest in the Contrivance of all our Mischiefs but That his Majesty lookt upon 't as a Business that so â—early concerned his own Honour that like his Father when the Duke oâ— Bâ—ckingham was accused of poysoning Iames I he would not endâ—re the Parliament in such a Iehu-like Chase after the Popish Conspirators but Foot baâ—â—ed them again with a Prorogation for several Months So careful was his Proâ—estant Majesty to stiâ—e as much as in him lay and to prevent the Prosecution of an Inâ—ernal Plot which he knew was so deeply laid like the Axe of Popary to the Root of all his Protestant Dominions Nor was this all for so soon as he had dismissed the Parliament and had secured his Accomplices he took all the Care imaginable to discredit Oates and Bedlow's Evidence Forty One was again inculcâ—ted into all the ignorant Paâ—es about the Town and Merry â— Andrew Roger had his Pension out of the Gazette coutinued to ridicule the Plot which he did in a most leud and shameless manner and Money given to set up a new Divinity Academy in a publick Coffee-House to Act the Protestant Whore of Babylon and give about his Revelation Cup to the Raw Inferior Clergy and instract them in beâ—â—er Doctrine than ever they learnt in the University Nor did he stop at the endeavouring to discredit the Testimonies of those Witnesses but sent his Head Emissaâ—ies to corrupt them to a denial and retracting what they had discovered and when that would not do Knâ—x and Lane were sub-armed to accuse Oates of Buggery thereby to have taken him Add to this his Dissolving of this Enquiring Parliament at the Solicitation of the Duke and the extraordinary diligence of his Protestant Majesty to get the next Parliament fit for his Turn which was suddenly to be called to stop the Mouths of the People To which purpose all the Money that could possibly be spared out of the Exchequer was Issued out to divers Persons to manage the Elections all ovâ—r the Kingdom under the old notion of Secreâ— Service in one Article 1500 l. in another
for the punishment of which no Laws can be too severe were encouraged and courted with Rewards Nullus a pâ—na â—â—minum cessariâ— dies dicreta accusaâ—oâ—ibius praâ—â—â—â—â— premia nemine delatorum sides abrogata omne Câ—imen pro Capitali receptum etiam paucorum simpliciumque Verborum No day passed without some Punishment inflicted great Rewards given to Informers no Informer but what was beliâ—v'd all Crimes were adjudged Capital tho' meerly a few idle Words Such a harmony there was between these Times and pernicious Reign of that Master in Cruelty and Dissimulation Tiberius But the Roguery being discovered while Fitz Haris thought to have put Everard upon this Dilemma either to Hang or fix the Libel upon others he came to run himself into the Noose Lord into what an Agony it put the King the Duke his dear Brother and their then Jugling Instruments that the King who a little before was so overjoyed with the accoâ—nt of the contrivance which was given him at Whitehall that he could hardly contain himself from displaying the Raptures of his Soul was now so highly incensed against Fitz Harris that he was heard to say That he should Die if there were no more Men in England But his Confession to the Recorder Sir George Treby so enraged his Employers that he was presently lockt up in the Tower out of the reach of all Men but the Lieâ—tâ— to damn him for spoiling so good a Design But above all things there was such a dread amongst the Conspirators lest the Parliament should come to the knowledge of the depth of the Design that their resolute insisting to have the Cognizance of the Crime within their own Jurisdiction was the occasion of the sudden Dissolution After which a Chief Justice was Exalted on purpose to Hang Fitz-Harris out of the way to prevent his farther Discovery for no sooner was the Parliament Dissolved but Fitz-Harris was Hanged and by that means many a Mystery of Iniquity concealed The Dissolution of this and the forgoing Parliament was justified by a Declaration in the King's Name which being published with all the Severity and Reproach that could be cast upon those Worthy Patriots verified the Report of what the King had been heard to say That he would make the name of Parliaments to be forgotten in England However the Parliament being blown up and the King running away in a pretended pannick Fear from Oxford to colour the ensuing Projects of Plotting and Subordination no sooner was he settled again at London and Fitz-Harris hang'd to the great Joy of those thâ—t Adored him before but the Gazette was cram'd with Addresses from all Parts of the Nation to thank the King for his Expressions and Promises to Govern by Law which was no more than his Duty But those Addresses were only Signed by the unthinking loose and rascally part of the People who were not sensible of the Mischief which was thereby intended which was to make the Nation out of Love with Parliaments thereby to unhinge the Government and to introduce Tyranny and Arbitrary Power And that the Addressors were only the Câ—â—â—ile of the Kingdom with only a Tool of Quality at the Head of them the Con well kâ—ew Some time aâ—â—â—â— Fitz-â—â—â—â—â—â— was Executed a Paper was Published in the name of his Reâ—â—â—â—tion which his Wiâ—â— hearing â—râ—ed 〈…〉 and viewing â—â— â—â—ked 〈…〉 those were her Hâ—â—bands Papers 〈…〉 her They were To whic◠〈…〉 band wâ— Dâ—â—â—ed for tâ—â—t she 〈◊〉 all thâ—◠〈◊〉 to be false However upon the Groâ—â—d-work of this Reâ—â—ntation a Committee of Subordination wâ—sâ—â—ected by whose Directions Tuâ—bervil Dugdale and all the Irish Evidence who had been most conversant with the Earl of Shaftsbury upon the Account of the Irish Plot together with one Booth by whom a full Detection of the whole Villany has since â—een made with a full disclosure of all the Artifices made use of to have corrupted the Integrity of that honest Gentleman Captain Wilkinson And all those Varlets were now lisâ—ed and received into Pay by the said Committee of Subornation and a swearing School being set up according to the directions of the Committee they receive every one their distinct Cues and Lessons to con and get by Heart against occasion should serve by the Settlement of the Committee which was approved as was every thing else they did by his Protestant Majesty Colledge's Tryal is too well known to be here repeated but after Ages will observe how he was removed from London where he had been acquitted to another remote Countrey where his Prosecutors were assured of his Destruction by deluded Ignorance and partial Knavery how he was accused and testified against by Nabâ—â—h's â—vidence the Scandal and Reproach of all Mankind whose Memories stink upon the Eâ—rtâ— and would soon be forgotten but that their Names are made use of to transmit the Infamy of their Employerâ— to Posterity All the severiâ—es used at his Tryal wereâ— palpable Demonstrations of that Innocent Man's being determined to Destruction right or wrong on purpose to lay the Foundation of farther Butcheries so that being fâ—eâ—hed by this Success the next attempt of the King's Justice was upon the â—arl of Shaftsbury for the same preâ—ended Treason for which Colledge had suffered And here Posterity will make the same Observations and Concluâ—ionâ— in general as in Colâ—â—dge's Case But more particularly will after Ages easily conclude from hence That it was not for any contrivance of his Lordship but by a Project of Court and Popish Revenge to destroy a Person who by his Courage Wisdom and good Intelligence had Opposed and Defeated so many of their Designs against the Religion and Welfare of the Nation For that this Plot upon his Lordship was so early communicated to Rome and other Foreign Parts That it was talked of at Paris and in Flanders sometime before his Lordship was imprisoned in England They will observe the Injustice done his Lordship in refusing to let him see or know the Persons that deposed against him which was not denied either to Coleman or the Jesuits and which being so contrary to Law was a plain Demonstration That either the Witnesses were not thought of Credit sufficient to support the Confinement of so great a Peer or else that it was not convenient to trust the general course of their Lives to be scrutined too soon The Motives that induced the Court to begin with this great and eminent Peer will be easily discernable to suâ—ceeding Ages For to what Man of Sense and Reason is it not apparent That it was the Policy of the Court That their Revenge against this Earl should not be Adjourned till they had tryed the Credit of their Witnesses upon other considerable Persons for fear lest by his Lordships Industry and Abilities he should not only have detected and exposed the whole Intrigue but have broken the Engine by which the Two Brothers thought to have made themselves absolute Lords of the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom
either â—he Peâ—sons whom he had reliev'd came to be accus'd or he to be prosecuted upon this account And by the same Justice it was that Mr. Robert Bailzie of Ierismond was Hanged and Quartered for a Crime of which he had been Impeached and Tryed befâ—re the Council and fined Six Thousand Pounds Sterling And all this his Highness did by over-ruling the Lawyers of Scotland by which means he had made the Judges and Jury as malicious against the Protestants and is Revengeful against the Asserters of the Liberâ—ies of Seotland as himself Such Exorbitancies of Injustice and Arbitrary Power that his Brother could never have eâ—dured in a Subject had they not been aâ—â—ed all along with his Knowledge and Consent Otherwise had not the King been strangely infatuated to beliâ—ve that whatever his Brother dâ—d was for the Advancemenâ— of that Cause to which he was so well effected himself he could never have been so un-apprehensive of the Danger he was in from a Brother so actually in a Conspiracy against his Life For which Reason he was by the E. of Shaftsbury said to be a Prince nâ—t to be paralell`d in Histâ—ry For certainly bâ—sides the early Tryal which the King had of his Ambition beyond Sea he hâ—d a fair warning of the hasty Advances which he made to his Throne in a sâ—ort time after his Marriage to the Queen For no sooner was it discovered the Queen was unlikely â—o have any Issue by the King but he and his Partâ— made Proclamâ—tion of it to the World and that he was the certain Heir He takes his Seat in Parliament as Prince of Wales with his Guards about him He assumes the Princes Lodgings at White-Hall his Guards upon the same place without any intermission between him and the King so that the King was in his Hands and Power every Night All Offices and Preferments are bestowed upon him and at his Disposition not a Bishop made without him After this he changes his Religion to make a Party and such a Party that his Brother must besure to die and be made away` to make room for him And for the undeniable Proof of all this aâ— length the Plot breaks out headed by the Duke his Interest vnd Design Plain it was that where-ever he came he endeavour'd to remove all Obstacles to his intended Designs out of the way And therefore some there are who attribute the Extremity of the Duke`s rigour towards the Earl of Argyle to the great Authority which the Earl had in some part of the High-Lands and the Awe which he had over the Papiâ—ts as being Lord Justiciary in those parts and his being able upon any occâ—sion to check and bridle the Marq. of Huntly now Duke of Gourdon fâ—â—m attempting the Distâ—rbance of the Publick Peace or the prejudice of the Protestants However this is observable That notwitstanding the height of severity which was extended to him there was as much favour shewn the Lord Macdonald whose invading the Shire of Argyle with an Armed Force meerly because he was required by the said Earl as being given him for what he did though when the Council sent a Herald to him to require him to diâ—band his Forces he caused his Coat to be torn from his Back and sent him back to Edinburgh with all the Marks both of Contempt of themselves and Disgrace to the Publick Officer But his Religion was sufficient to attone at that time for his Treason And now the Duke having a standing Army of Five Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse in Scotland at his Devotion as well as in England and the Parliament the main Object of his Hatred and his Fear being dissolved back he returns into England where under the shelter of his Brother`s Authority he began in a short time to exert his Tyrannous Disposition and play the same unjust and Arbitrary Pranks as he had done in Scotland and because it was not seasonable yet to make use of Armed Forces he set his Westminster-Hall Red-Coats like Pioneers before a Marching Army to level the way for Popery and Arbitrary Controul to march in over the ruined Estates and murder'd Bodies of their Opposers The Iudges were his Slaves the Iuries at his beâ—k nothing could withstand him the Law it self grows lawless and Iefferies ridden plâ—ys the Debaushee like himself Justice or something in her likeness Swaggers Hectors Whips Imprisons Fines Draws Hangs and Quâ—rtersâ— and Beheads all that come near her under the Duke's displeasure Alderman Pilkington the Late Honourable Lord Mayor for standing up for the Rights and Liberties of the City and for refusing to pack a Jury to take away the Earl of Shaftsbury's Life is Prosecuted upon a Scandaluâ— Magnatum at the Suiâ— of the Duke Convicted and Condemned in a Verdict of an Hundred Thousand Pounds And Sir Patience Waâ—d for offering to confront the â—uborn'd Witnesses is Indicted of Perjury for which he wâ—s forced to fly to Vtretcht to avoid the Infamy of the Pillory though in all his Dealings so well known to be a Person of that Justice and Integrity that for all the hopes of the Duke he would not have told an untruth Sir Samuel Bernardiston for two or three treacherously intercepted Letters to his Friends in the Countrey fin'd ten thousand pounds which he was not sufferâ—d to discharge by Quarterly Payments but the Estaâ—e seized by the Duke's Sollicitors to the end he might have an opportunity to be the more prodigal in the wake oâ— it But this hunting after the Lives as well as the Estates of others was more intollerable and that be the prostituted Testimony of subâ—rn'd Iâ—ish â— Rogues and Vagabonds and when that would not take the desired Effect by the â—orced Evidence of Persons ensnared and shackled under the Terrors of Death till the drudgery of Swearing was over Men so fond of Life that they bought the uncertain prolongation of a wicked Mortality at the unhollowed price of certain and immortal Infamy And therefore not knowing how to die when they knew not how to live accounted it a more gainful Happiness to quit the Pardon of Heaven's Tribunal for the Broad Seal of England By this means fell the Vertuous Lord Russell a Sacrifice to the Bill of â—xclusion and the Duke's Reveege and yet of that Integriâ—y to his Country and untainted course of Life of whom never any spoke evil but those that knew no evil in him only because he was one of those who sought to exclude the Duke from the hopes of Tyranny and Oppression the Duke was resolv'd to exclude him from the Earth But then comes the Murther of the Earl of Essex for that it was a most Barbarous and Inhumane Murther committed by Bravo`s and bloody Ruffians set on hired and encouraged by potent Malice and Cruelty the preguant Circumstances no less corroborated by Testimonies wanting only the confirmation of Legal Judicature has been already so clearly made out that there is no place left for a hesitating belief