according to Law that sometimes he moderates the rigour of the Law according to Equity pardons Malefactors and in cases that are not decided by any Law interposes his Imperial Sentence Lastly that I may assert nothing rashly but all upon the credit of Lawyers the life force and authority of every thing that is acted in England is to be found in the King alone But because the King of England has not like Briareus an hundred hands nor can he like the Sun view all things at one glance he hath been accustomed to create from amongst the Nobility Bishops Judges and Commons of the Kingdom without the envy and emulation of any such and so many Counsellors as he pleases to assist and ease him in the weighty care of the Government Having named these Prerogatives of a most August and Imperial Crown what shall I call that barbarous and inhumane Principle and Purpose of bringing the King to Judgment before the Kings Tribunal and then to smite him with the Sword which he alone is to draw the King I say whom the Law it self openly declares can never die There is no necessity of curbing arbitrary government by such inhumane Tyranny upon the sacred Person of the King since whatever may be done in the administration of the Government either against the Laws of the Country or inconsistent with the good and profit of the People the blame and punishment of it is cast upon the publick Ministers so that it was not flattery but the highest Justice which gave ground to this noted maxime That the King cannot err nor do any wrong because the whole blame and all the punishment is wont and ought to fall upon the publick Ministers and Counsellors whose duty it is to admonish the Prince and to deny their concurrence with him in any thing that is unjust and to resigne their place rather than obey him when he commands any thing contrary to Law Nay the Laws are so sollicitous for the safety of the Prince as of him who is to maintain and preserve the Law that the next Heir to the Crown whatsoever Crime he might be guilty or accused of whilst he was a private person yet by the death of his Predecessor as by a certain postliminious Absolution he is freed from all taint and guilt and his stepping up into the Throne purges him from all defects It is enough to curb him that holds the Reins of the Government That he must expect the Judgment of God Nevertheless it is not lawful for the King to rule arbitrarily in England oppress his Subjects or make and abrogate Laws by his sole Authority But as the Law allows a decorous administration of absolute Authority in some things to the King so does it assigne to the Commons others and those no inconsiderable Priviledges in the Kingdom in common with the King that so the joynt Authority in Government might the more easily engage the Subjects to obedience For for the making and repealing of Laws and the interpreting and explaining former ambiguous Statutes for raising of Money out of the ordinary course when there is occasion for it legitimating of Bastards naturalizing of Strangers altering and setling the Rights of Possessions confirming by civil Sanctions the Divine Worship after it hath by the Convention of the Clergy been formed according to the Word of God setting Rates upon Weights and Measures and the like that the people may not seem to suffer any thing without their own consent and concurrence the Votes of Parliament which is the supreme Court of England and in conjunction with the King under God hath a certain Omnipotence in this little World are necessarily required The Parliament is an Assembly of the States of the Kingdom consisting of the Bishops Lords and Representatives of the Commons called by the King who is the Head of it who meet and sit in two distinct places called the Upper and Lower Houses in respect of dignity not of scituation The Upper House which is called the House of Lords contains two Estates to wit the Spiritual Lords who are the Bishops and the Temporal who are Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons the Judges of the Kingdom assisting to give advice in matter of Law but not to vote The Lower House consists of the third Estate of the Kingdom who are the Commons and is therefore called also the House of Commons they are chosen by the plurality of Voices of the Freeholders of the Counties and Freemen of Corporations two Knights for each County or Shire and two Burgesses for the most part for every City and Corporation-Town according to the use and custom of the place The day and place of the meeting of the Parliament is appointed by the King by him also it is prorogued transferred and adjourned to another place or dissolved at his pleasure The Peers are summoned to attend in Parliament by Writs severally directed to them and signed by the King To the rest the Sheriffs of the several Counties by virtue of a Writ out of the Chancery give notice that the King within a certain time orders an Election to be made of Knights and Burgesses which he commands to be made by the Sheriff in time and place convenient Vetus Rescripti formula ad Dynastas Rescriptum Regis ad Dynastas seu Pares sic sonat Carolus Dei gratiâ c. Reverendissimo in Christo Patri c. si Episcopos compellet Consanguineo nostro si Duces Marchiones vel Comites alloquatur Dilecto fideli nostro si Barones Quia de advisamento Concilii nostri pro quibusdam arduis urgentibus negotiis Nos Statum defensionem Regni nostri Angliae Ecclesiae Anglicanae concernentibus quoddam Parlamentum nostrum ad Westmonast c. teneri ordinavimus ibidem vobiscum cum caeteris Praelatis Magnatibus Proceribus dicti Regni nostri Angliae colloquium habere tractatum vobis in fide Dilectione si ad Episcopos mittatur Rescriptum per fidem Allegiantiam si ad Pares quibus nobis tenemini firmiter injungendo mandamus quod consideratis dictorum negotiorum arduitate periculis imminentibus cessante quacunque excusatione die loco dictis personaliter intersitis Nobiscum cum caeteris Praelatis Magnatibus Proceribus super dictis negotiis tractaturi vestrúmque Consilium impensuri hoc sicut Nos honorem nostram ac salutem Regni praedicti Ecclesiae sanctae Expeditionémque dictorum negotiorum diligitis nullatenus omittatis si ad Episcopos scribat praemonere Decanum Capitulum Ecclesiae vestrae tolúmque Clerum vestrae Dioeceseos quod idem Decanus Archidiaconi in propriis personis ac dictum Capitulum per unum idémque Clerus per duos Procuratores idoneos plenam sufficientem potestatem ab ipsis Capitulo Clero habentes praedictis die loco personaliter
complains and demands reparation for the affront But the House of Commons approve Sir John Hotham's Fact and vote that the King had violated the Priviledges of Parliament in proclaiming a Member of the House guilty of Treason Before he was heard in their House they give Orders to the Earl of Warwick to send some Souldiers from on board into the Town and to transport the Magazine from thence to London But Sir John Hotham repenting too late when he perceived that these Sparks had put the whole Country into a flame having afterwards obtained pardon and being about to deliver up the Town to the King was taken and payed to the Parliament what he owed to the King both he and his Son being beheaded Amongst these preludes to War there is some mention and hopes of peace for after some months the Parliament send an Answer to the King's Proposals which he made at Windsor upon his departure for the North in nineteen Articles or Demands of which this is the sum 1. That all the King's Privy-Council great Officers and Ministers of State may be put out excepting such as the Parliament shall approve and to assigne them an Oath 2. That all affairs of State be managed by the Parliament except such matters as are transferred by them to the Privy-Council and to be concluded by the major part of the Nobility under their hands the full number not to exceed 25 nor under 15 and if any place fall void in the interval of Parliament then the major part of the Council to chuse one to be confirmed at the next Session of Parliament 3. That all the great Officers of the Kingdom shall be chosen with approbation of Parliament c. as before said 4. The government and education of the King's Children by Parliament c. ut supra 5. Their Marriages to be treated and concluded by Parliament c. 6. The Laws against Papists Priests and others be executed without Toleration or Dispensation except by Parliament 7. No Popish Lord or Peer to have vote in Parliament and their children to be educated in the Protestant Faith 8. To Reform Church-government as the Parliament shall advise 9. To settle the Militia as the Parliament have ordered and for the King to recal all his Declarations published against their Ordinances therein 10. All Privy-Counsellers and Judges to take Oath for maintenance of the Petition of Right and other Statutes which shall be made this Parliament 11. All Officers placed by Parliament to hold their places quam diu bene se gesserint 12. All Members of Parliament put out during this time be restored again 13. The Justice of Parliament to pass upon all Delinquents and they to appear or abide their censure 14. The general Pardon to pass with Exceptions as the Parliament shall advise 15. All Forts and Castles of the Kingdom to be disposed of by Parliament ut supra 16. The King to discharge all his Guards and Forces now in being and not to raise any other but in case of actual Rebellion 17. The King to enter into a strict Alliance with all Reformed States for their assistance to recover the Rights of his Royal Sister and her Princely Issue to those Dignities and Dominions which belong unto them 18. To clear the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members by Act of Parliament 19. No Peer hereafter to be made shall sit in Parliament without their consent And these Articles being confirmed the Parliament engage to make him a happy Prince To these Commands rather than Articles of Peace being such as were more proper to move Indignation than to gain an Assent the King sends an Answer by two noble and discreet Lords the Marquess of Hertford and the Earl of Southampton who were enjoyned to treat on more equal terms in the House of Lords But they not being admitted the Treaty came to nothing And because in this place we have made mention of Peace and Proposals we are to take notice that afterwards in the heat of the War at the instance of the King Propositions of Peace being mutually sent and Commissioners on both sides twice meeting to treat about it nothing could be effected and mostly by the Parliaments fault For seeing they proposed such severe Conditions on their own parts and which tended onely to their own advantages and the King on the other hand such just and equitable Terms more favourable to the Parliament and State than to himself and Family the People began to be enraged and to fall off dayly from the Parliament The King of France also how sincerely I shall not judge and the States of the Vnited Provinces interposed for accommodating the differences but were rejected by the Parliament and the Scots who likewise offered to mediate were refused by the King as partial But farewel Peace Bellona is now at the doors The People being in the disposition we mentioned before Deputies were sent with Commissions into all the Counties and the Parliamentarian Rebels by force and their own authority invade the Militia which they could not obtain from the King by petitioning The King on the contrary commands them to desist upon pain of Treason citing the Act of the 25 Edw. 3. whereby To contrive the death of the King Queen or Prince to violate the Queen or the Wife of the Prince to take up Arms against the King to assist the Kings enemies within or without the Kingdom to counterfeit the great Seal or Kings Coyn are for the future declared to be Treason having also alleadged other Acts whereby it is declared That the power of the Militia and taking up of Arms belongs onely to the King But they make answer That the Letter of the Law is for the King but the mind of it for them That it is not forbidden to take up Arms against the Kings Person but against his Authority which being in all Courts of Judicature was most eminently in the Parliament To this the King replies That that distinction was condemned above three hundred years since when the Spencers under that cover carrying on Sedition were condemned to death by the Parliament That besides the present Parliament was not free but the better part of the Members being excluded the rest were slaves to the Faction These courses taking no effect the King also sends Deputies into all Counties with authority from his Majesty to array and arm the Subjects and to have fit men in readiness if necessity should require for suppressing Rebellions and Seditions And from this we may date our Sorrows and Calamities whilst the King endeavouring to maintain his ancient Rights and they again to invade them War breaks out in the Kingdom But the Match was unequal on what side soever the Right stood The Parliament superiour in strength prevails and in most Counties usurps the Government the Royal Cause being very weak and in a few Counties struggling for life With no greater
contains this clause I will bear 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 make known unto his Majesty his Heirs and Successors all Treasons and traiterous Conspiracies which I shall know and hoar of to be against him or any of them c. But lest any one being advanced to the high Honour and Dignity of consulting with the King and sharing in some part of the Government should forget that he is still a Subject the better to keep him within the bounds of duty he is to take another Oath of Supremacy in these words I A. B. do utterly testifie and declare in my Conscience That the Kings Highness is the onely Supreme Governour of this Realm and of all other his Highness's Dominions and Countries as well in all Spiritual or Ecclesiastical things or causes as Temporal and that no foreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm And therefore I do utterly renounce and forsake all foreign Jurisdictions Powers Superiorities and Authorities and do promise from henceforth I shall hear Faith and true Allegiance to the Kings Highness his Heirs and lawful Successors and to my power shall assist and defend all Jurisdictions Priviledges Pre-eminences and Authorities granted or belonging to the Kings Highness his Heirs and Successors or united or annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm So help me God and by the contents of this Book Being thus obliged to their duty upon their entry into this auspicious Honour by the Votes of the Lower House according to the Kings designation or nomination a Speaker is chosen whom they accompany to the King beseeching his Majesty to approve their election which the King readily grants This being done the Speaker in the name of himself and of all the Commons thanks the King and begs of his Majesty that they may enjoy their Priviledges and have the freedom of debating and that if any one in the heat of discourse should speak too warmly his Majesty would not take it ill nor be offended and that they may have free access to his Majesty and the Upper House so often as occasion shall require Which being granted they are dismissed All men heretofore were admitted to petition this August Assembly provided their Petitions were preferred within six days after the opening of the Parliament and by the hands of some appointed by the Upper House it belonging to them to judge what were fitting to be presented in Parliament and to reject such as were trivial or seditious Each House has power to consult debate and form Bills about the matters proposed by the King or concerning the making or abrogating of Laws so that what is agreed upon in the one House is by Messengers to be sent to the other and if both concur in judgment after the matter hath been debated the Assent is marked over the head of the Bill if it be in the Lords House in this form of words Les Seigneurs out assentes The Lords have consented And in the House of Commons thus Les Communes out assentes The Commons have consented But if they disagree many times both Houses or Committees chosen by them meet in conference in a convenient place which is called the Painted Chamber where the Lords covered and sitting in solemn manner receive the Commons standing uncovered and both argue the matter in debate If in such Conferences opinions disagree as it happens sometimes the thing is laid aside but if they concurr the Bill is carried to the King which if he approve of it is written upon Le Roy le veut The King wills it whereby as by a Soul infused into the body it receives life and passes into a perfect Law to be afterwards promulgated to the people If on the contrary the King approve not the Bills brought to him he uses to write over head Le Roy s'avisera The King will consider of it sometimes he utterly rejects them and then they are wholly laid aside But matters of Religion which require the Kings more especial care are not so intirely committed by him to the Parliament but to the Convocation of the Clergy to be handled unless for the sanction of Parliament to give them the authority of a Law which otherwise they could not sufficiently have The Deans Archdeacons two Prebendaries commissionated by the several Chapters and as many Priests out of every Diocess meet in an appointed place to consult about affairs of that nature where having first chosen a Prolocutor they settle points of Religion Ceremonies and other matters belonging to the Church and the imposition of Subsidies also in name of the Clergy yet in these latter times their Acts bind not the People until as we said before they be passed into a Law by the King with consent of both Houses of Parliament And so cautious have our Kings been that Laymen should not meddle in such affairs that as it is recorded in History Queen Elizabeth severely checked the Parliament for having appointed a Fast without â—sking her leave nor would she be satisfied till they begg'd her Majesties pardon for it That we may return to the Authority of Parliament each House hath its several and distinct Priviledges The House of Lords not onely concurs in Council and making of Laws but hath also power of Judicature and giving Judgment and so of administring an Oath especially in weightier Causes as in the corruption of Judges and Magistrates and in highest Appeals which yet the Lawyers say cannot lawfully be brought to a tryal without the consent and warrant of the King and is never done unless the Judges of the Law do assist The House of Commons claims to it self the priviledge of petitioning and proposing Laws or of prosecuting but never of judging unless within its own walls and over the Members of their own House nor that neither beyond a Fine and Imprisonment By ancient custom that House was so far from pronouncing any Sentence much less in cases of Life and Death in the name of the People against the meanest Servant in England that it never took to it self the power of administring an Oath It is also extant in the Rolls to this purpose Vpon the humble supplication of the House of Commons that whereas all Parliamentary Judgment belongs to the King and the Peers and not to the Commons unless by a Grant and Permission from the King it would please the Kings Majesty that they be not contrary to custom obliged to give Judgment whereupon the King for the future excused them from that trouble reserving the Parliamentary power of Judging for the time to come to the King and
to this Sword to cut it By this means many being terrified and thinking it safer to keep at home and abstain from coming with danger to the House for that fault alone they were excluded by the prevailing Faction Others who did appear durst not for fear of their own lives give their Votes freely for the publick Good so that from that time forward all authority of Parliament seemed to be worn out of date since the Riff-raff of the People challenged the right of voting in Parliament and put a restraint upon the liberty of the rest But to return to Strafford The Lords being overcome by these Arguments succumb and scarcely a third part of them being present the Bill of the House of Commons past in the Lords House by the plurality of seven voices The King is not so easily prevailed upon though the riotous Rabble hardly forbearing their hands continually plagued him with Clamours and Threatnings and the Noblemen and Courtiers that were about him plied him incessantly with their Prayers and Remonstrances Nor would he signe the Bill until the Judges who durst not so much as mutter against the actions of the Parliament and People satisfied him that he might do it in Law and some Bishops in Conscience and until the brave Earl had by a Letter perswaded and almost besought him to do it like another Curtius that he might fall a Sacrifice for the publick Peace and the safety of the Royal Family The Sentence being past against the Earl the the King immediately sent the Prince with Letters to the Lords earnestly recommending it to them that at least they would delay the execution for some time But they having sent twelve of their number to wait upon his Majesty perswade him that without great danger to himself and Family it could not be done The fall of so great a man from the very Pinacle of Honour terrified the inferiour Lords who bore publick Offices The Master of the Court of Wards the Lord High Treasurer who had with great integrity discharged that Office and the Princes Governour freely resigne their places like some Creatures who biting off the Prize of the chace escape the fury of the Huntsmen The Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace who were formerly in Office comply with the times and worship the rising Sun In this thing almost alone the King abandoned not himself wholly to the will of the Parliament for afterwards he granted them every thing that they themselves were not ashamed to ask The Jurisdiction of the Kings honourable Privy-Council that of the Court of Stannaries wherein by Patent from the King the Lord Warden decided all Controversies relating to the Labourers in the Mines and the Officers concerned in that work as also of the Court of the President and Council of Wales established in the marches betwixt England Wales wherein as in Chancery Law-suits amongst the Inhabitants were by the Kings Substitute determined according to the Rules of Equity were stinted and limited by narrower bounds The extent also of the Kings Forests and Chaces was abridged into a narrower compass The Star-Chamber wherein the Chancellor of the Kingdom being President greater Crimes which were not at all or not sufficiently provided against by any particular positive Law were tried and punished such as Sedition Conspiracy Faction Scandalum Magnatum c. and those also who by cunning or power eluded the force of the Law was wholly abrogated The Court of High Commission wherein the Archbishop presiding some Nobles and the learned in the Law by the Kings authority past sentence upon the more enormous Crimes that fell under Ecclesiastical censure suffered the same fate also The Court of the Lord President and Council of the North was abolished which for a long time had administred Justice to that part of the Kingdom and wherein Seditions Conspiracies and Associations were by Royal authority supprest and Law-suits about civil matters determined amongst those who wanted money to go according to the Laws for a tryal to London With all these the King readily parted in prospect of the publick good though they were shining Jewels in the Imperial Crown He suffered all Monopolies to be rescinded leaving it fully to the Parliament to punish all those who in prosecution of them had acted any thing contrary to Law and Justice He renounced also his Right of raising Souldiers and the Ship-money in lieu of which alone the former Parliament had offered him six hundred thousand pounds He also freely parted with Tunnage and Poundage which none of the Kings his Predecessors who without any interruption had enjoyed it past all prescription would ever consent to And that all Grievances might be timely remedied for the future and that no Great man or Magistrate might infringe the lately-granted Concessions or oppress the People if he himself should omit to call a Parliament once in three years he gave power to the Chancellor to issue out Writs for that effect and the Chancellor failing to the Lords and Sheriffs and in fault of them to the People to meet for Elections Lastly at their desire he granted that which some magnified as a favour exceeding all former benefits and others complained of as a mischief surpassing all future Grievances to wit That they might have time to pay the publick Debts and secure to Posterity the Priviledges granted by his Majesty he suffered a Law to pass whereby the Parliament had leave to sit until by consent of both Houses it should be thought fit to dissolve it as if he would make amends for the many intervals of Parliaments by the long continuance of one Which however others may interpret it was an argument of his great candour and sincerity towards his Subjects or at least a symptom of a mind not inclin'd to Violence and War No man would think now but that the Kings Power was abundantly limited and that the Property of the Subject and Priviledges of Parliament were sufficiently enlarged But alas these Harpies are not satisfied and one of them made answer to a Gentleman that put the question to him What more has the King now to grant That he may said he lay aside all Authority and commit himself and the management of all Affairs to our care That the Factious might attain their ends they suggest so many Fears and Jealousies to the weaker and less discerning Members that like the heads of Hydra more Divisions and Animosities sprung from the Kings grace and desire of appeasing them and his Concessions so far from satisfying them increased onely their thirst and made them insolent in demanding more as it usually happens in popular Councils where the people once infatuated with Jealousies some dance to the Pipes of others others that they may not appear shorter sighted or less publick spirited than the rest see Plots beyond the Moon and look for joynts in a Bull-rush This
amongst others is chiefly to be observed That the King having given secret orders to the Army then on foot which at his own charge he had raised against the Scots though after the Truce they were payed by the Parliament to march to London that he might more conveniently repress the Tumults and Insolencies of the People it was by the Factious charged upon him as a Crime But though he might lawfully do it yet they examined many Officers and Souldiers about the matter and finding none privy to it they made it their chief care by laying all the blame at the Kings door to incense the People more against him Now the Parliament has leisure the Power being in their hands to send the Scots home to their own Country who having received a promise of three hundred thousand pounds English to be paid within three years and being loaded with Thanks Pay and Booty of which they were not so free to the English Army they departed both the English and Irish Armies being at the same time disbanded Nay it was hotly disputed which of the Armies should first be dismissed this or that till at length with much ado it past in Parliament that both should be disbanded together The King followed the Scots into Scotland where having called a Parliament and having granted and confirmed by Law whatever Avarice Ambition and Wantonness could devise to his own loss he reconciles all Parties and for that time heals up all wounds of War and Dissention But the Parliament dogs the King with Commissioners as spies over all his actions who under pretext of cementing a stricter Union with their Friends and dear Brethren might break off their friendship to the King and indeed by tales whispers and crafty insinuations they had very near spoiled all the Kings business at that time The Parliament of England also during this space was by the Votes of both Houses prorogued to a certain day The King upon his return was received with applause in London and with the Queen and Royal Issue magnificently feasted by the City which the Parliamentarians and some others took ill lest the Kings Majesty being elevated by those Congratulations of the Citizens might think the people had received sufficient satisfaction or that his own affairs were setled to advantage And the King having sent for the Lord Mayor and chief Citizens to Hampton-Court gave them in recompence a sumptuous and Princely Treat which grated upon the Factious who were resolved to mingle sorrows with their joys After some days they congratulate his return with a Declaration or rather an infamous Libel In it the Parliamentarians mustered up all the grievances of the State or rather the murmurings of insolent and wanton men aggravating with the utmost spight and malice whatever had been committed by the Courtiers Courts Magistrates or Kings Officers what calamities or misfortunes had happened during his whole reign yea and those things also which being reformed ought justly to have been buried in silence and at the same time cause it to be printed and published This was forged during the Kings absence being moved under other pretexts by the chief Sticklers of the House and having been debated from three in the afternoon all night long until ten next morning and many wise men in the mean time through age and infirmity and others which is far worse through fear and cowardise withdrawing it was at last with much ado approved by the plurality of eleven voices The King finding fault that they had made it publick without expecting his Answer a few days after published another Declaration in refutation of it This was in a manner the first Declaration of War For though the King endeavoured a Cure by somentations and mollifying Remedies yet the Sore festered and was not to be cured without Fire and Sword The Rabble again broke out into Tumults under colour of the Ceremonies Liturgie and Church-government The Factious whisper that the power of the Militia must be taken out of the Kings hands which they intended immediately to seize By which it clearly appeared that the boldness of the disaffected and the ways of sedition were rather encouraged than conquered by patience and that the Troubles were no less raised by the consent than by the artifice and machination of the Factious the King having discovered some of them to have been accessary to the Scottish Invasion That the King therefore might not always suffer things to go on but obviate and timely stifle the growing Rebellion in the bud he accuses five Commoners and one of the Peers of High-Treason and desires them to be brought to a fair tryal according to Law before the Judges of the Kingdom But the Faction growing now more powerful and numerous in the Parliament many good men also being over sollicitous lest the Priviledges of Parliament might be in the least infringed the House of Commons which durst never before own the defence of any who were accused of Felony Murder or Treason takes them into protection and so far from complying with the King who undertook the prosecution himself they rather accuse him as invading the Priviledges of Parliament and will not suffer any Member to be brought to the Bar or taken off by accusations from the care of the Publick or that the Judges and Arbitrators of the Affairs of the Kingdom should be disgraced by criminal Processes The King being provoked at this by the advice of some of his Privy-Council who were themselves Members of the House went to Westminster-hall attended with about an hundred Noblemen and Gentlemen with their Servants and commands that no body else be suffered to come up stairs and that they should not upon any provocation offer the least affront to any man Entering the House of Commons accompanied onely by the Prince Palatine of the Rhyne he demands the Incendiaries to be delivered up to him and promises to proceed against them according to the known Laws They being warned as it was reported by means of the Earl of H. and of a Lady who was now willing to set off her wit as formerly she had done her beauty the gifts of different Ages amongst the Parliament-men had withdrawn themselves Wherefore the King having accused the Abscondents returned without any hurt or injury done to any man But when he perceived that the Members were in a chaff and highly displeased he mildly remitted the Suit and that he might soften the angry minds of the men he retracted what he had done and in a manner begg'd pardon for his fault Nevertheless they who lay continually at the catch to blow the Coals of Jealousies and Offences taking hold of this opportunity of inveighing against the King set the minds of the ignorant agog and scattered abroad in all places such sparks of Division as were enough to put the whole Kingdom in a flame The Rabble of the neighbouring
after the Victory that the goodness of the Cause made them not doubt of distributed amongst the Purchasers and many thousand English listed themselves for the service Nevertheless such was the misery of this Nation that that which is wont to procure some short Peace at least amongst those who are at greatest variance served onely to inflame our Broils On the one hand they who were altogether given to changes buzzing I know not what fears and jealousies into the ears of those who were but too prone to make the worst of things obtain in Parliament that the War be not carried on in the name of the King nor that any Souldier who had shew'd his Loyalty to the King or had served in the Scottish Expedition should be admitted into this War And for managing the War they also prefer factious men and such as were ungrateful to the King On the other hand the King intended to lead the Army against the Rebels in person urging and insisting That he might use the right and power of War which the Laws and Customs of the Kingdom entrusted him with The King at length desiring to overcome his Competitors by courtesie and yielding if he could not by power and strength consents that the War be carried on in his own and the Parliaments name and that the Commissions should run in the name of the King and Parliament granting the Parliament the power of levying and arming the Army and of chusing the Generals and Commanders and the King reserving to himself no liberty of making Peace or pardoning the Rebels without the consent of Parliament Yet neither so did the swellings of the Parliament abate for not long after the Civil War breaking out in England the Parliament make use of an hundred thousand pound raised for the Irish War and two or three Regiments of men that were to be sent over for suppressing that Rebellion for oppressing of the King here at home Nay and they make no scruple to employ the money that was charitably collected for the relief of the poor distressed Protestants and for building of Churches in paying their own Souldiers On the other side the King's Souldiers seize the Ammunition sent by the Parliament towards Chester which so soon as they gave it out that it was designed for the War in Ireland the King commanded to be restored The Parliament that by putting indignities upon the King they might raise their own Reputation alleadging some silly slight suspicions are not ashamed to impute the Irish Rebellion to the King as the Author of it But as the truth was his Majesty retorts the crime and infamy of it with far better reasons upon the factious Members of Parliament Yet these things hinder not but that our Auxiliary forces bâ—at the Irish Rebels and put them to flight in all places kill plunder burn and destroy many thousands of the Natives and by a great slaughter revenge the murder of their Country-men But at the same time they lay all the Country waste and desolate which at length was no less prejudicial to themselves than to the Natives for the War increasing in England the Souldiers wanting Corn Ammunition Clothes Pay and indeed all things necessary and at length being unable to support their wants it is hardly to be exprest what miseries and calamities our Country-men suffered in Ireland and having long struggled with these difficulties and with all importunity but in vain begg'd assistance from the Parliament The Privy-Council of the Kingdom Commanders of the Army and the Souldiers themselves write to the King earnestly begging to be disbanded or employed in other service where they might have any Enemy but Hunger to fight with The King at length seeing the Scots were coming with assistance to the Parliament-forces being too weak to make head against the Rebellion moved on the one hand by his own necessities and on the other by the importunate Prayers of his Subjects commands a Truce to be made with the Irish for a year that in the mean time if it were possible he might make Peace upon good terms A Truce being made with the Irish and Forces being left sufficient for maintaining the Garrisons the Souldiers return from Ireland to the assistance of the King whose fortune against the Parliament at home manifestly declined But the Scots who inhabited the greatest part of Vlster supplied with Pay and Ammunition by the Parliament refuse the Truce as also some English in Connaught and Vlster who lived in good correspondence with the Scots A little after the Lord Inchiqueen who commanded the Munster-Forces having brought over some thousands of men to the Kings assistance when he thought himself not treated according to his dignity and merit flying over secretly into Ireland tampers first with those of Cork and then with all such of the Province of Munster as were on the English side and having drawn them over to the Parliament he rejects the Truce and is presently assisted by the Scottish Forces and supplied with Money Provisions and Ammunition from the Parliament Ireland being now delivered from the English Souldiers the Natives lay hold on the opportunity of recovering the whole Kingdom under the command of Owen Ro General of the Rebels and having broken the truce which they had solemnly made and arming of a sudden they had surprized and seized the Marquess of Ormond not dreaming of any such thing had he not being informed of it a little before by by-ways mays made his escape to Dublin Having afterward joyned their Forces those who were willing to keep the Truce being instigated to the contrary by the Nuncio who produced the Popes Bull they all together besiege the City of Dublin by Land whilst at the same time the Parliament-Ships shut up the Haven The Marquess being overmatched by the Forces of three Nations acquaints the King with his condition who sends him instructions that if he could not defend the City he should rather deliver it up to the Parliament than suffer it to fall into the hands of the Irish Having therefore agreed upon Articles amongst which it was one That he should have liberty to go to the King that he might give his Majesty an account of all the affairs of Ireland the Marquess returned into England and found the King at Hampton-Court environed by the Parliaments Rebel-Souldiers where being informed that he was to be apprehended by Order of Parliament he secretly withdrew into France that he might escape their Snares Not long after when the King was committed to Prison in the Isle of Wight and that the Rebels had cut off all hopes of restoring Peace and Liberty by their Vote of no more addressing to the King of which more hereafter having received new instruction he returned in quality of Lord-Lieutenant into Ireland where he endeavoured with all care to make the best Peace he could and to unite the English Scots and Irish for
rob their Parents Fathers their Children Servants their Masters Wives their Husbands so that the mutual Offices to which men are bound in society were denied to those that differed from them in opinion For these reasons many contrary to the Dictates of Conscience run into the noose of the Covenant and at length whether that they thought themselves obnoxious to the Kings Laws or really bound in conscience by their Oath they seriously espoused the Party of the Parliament Against this many learned and pious men took up the Cudgels and in several Treatises amongst which was the Judgment of the University of Oxford an unanswerable piece in Latin confuted it as contrary to the Laws both of God and man the Covenanters in the mean time making no answer but with force and the sharper Arguments of the Sword The Scots who faithfully promised the King to give him no trouble in his affairs in England having by those previous artifices cleared their way into that Kingdom with twenty thousand men come to the assistance of the Parliament But first for forms sake they send Commissioners to the King to perswade him being inclinable enough of himself to make peace with the Parliament and to offer themselves as Mediators of the Controversie but the King having rejected them as unjust and partial Judges and commanded them to mind their own affairs at home they call a Parliament against all Law in the Kings name and then declare War The King foreseeing the Storm that was like to fall upon himself and Party had provided against it as well as possibly he could The Lords and Members of the House of Commons who though they were excluded the Houses thought it their duty still to stand by the Publick came over to the Kings side and the former to the number of forty with the Lord Keeper of the great Seal and the latter above two hundred transfer the Parliament to Oxford where being called to Council before they were admitted to take Arms by the King they held a Session of Parliament by the Kings authority nothing being wanting to the power and dignity of a Parliament but Walls and the place appointed by the Kings Writ To these the King gave strictly in charge that they would do what lay in their power to avert the Storm or at least consult how they might be able to resist it This Parliament wrote to the Scots that they would not in an hostile manner invade the King and Kingdom of England nor violate the Pacification formerly made They declare it Treason to take up Arms against the King or without his consent to call a foreign Nation into the Kingdom and that therefore the rump-Rump-Parliament sitting at Westminster were upon both accounts guilty of High-Treason They also pass an Act for raising as much money as could reasonably be expected from the exhausted Counties and Towns which still continued in obedience to the King for defraying the charges of a double War now approaching The King also by Letters earnestly dehorted the Scots from that unlawful attempt and prohibits them by Proclamation That being his Subjects and obliged by so many bonds they would not come to the assistance of Rebels But this being signed by the hands of nineteen Lords the prevailing Rebels of Scotland with matchless insolence in Subjects cause it publickly to be burnt by the common Hangman The Marquess of Hamilton is commanded to keep the Scots at home that they might not meddle in the affairs of another Kingdom who being discovered to have unfaithfully discharged that Office having under pretext of danger fled out of Scotland to the King was afterward committed to Prison The Marquess of Montross being made General and Commissioner of Scotland is dispatched thither that by giving them a diversion at home they might be kept from invading England This Commission was valiantly discharged by the Marquess having with a handful of men and those raw and undisciplined put whole Armies to flight and every-where wasted the Country However the Scots pursuing their point left not England before by the help of Fairfax they had routed no small part of the Kings Army which they had long diverted from quelling the Parliamentarians elsewhere taken Newcastle and other strong places and handed on the Victory into the more Southern parts Henceforward the Kings affairs do dayly decline and were at length totally ruin'd Victory everywhere smiling upon the Rebels The Republican Rebels having obtained many Victories began to vent their hatred and indignation against the Lords and especially after the last Newberry-Fight they grew sick of the Earl of Manchester For he in a Council of War giving his opinion and exhorting them to Peace which he judged more expedient to the State seemed not so thorough-paced and fierce upon the War as they could have desired and being therefore in a long Speech accused by Cromwel in the Lower House he defends himself in the Vpper retorting the accusation So that both Houses thought it more convenient to compose the difference betwixt them than to enter into the merits of the Cause The Kings Forces being at length scattered and broken by the Scots on the one hand and the Parliament-Rebels on the other Pay and Provisions being wanting and Factions arising betwixt the Commanders of the Army and the Lords that all things might conspire to draw down Judgments upon us His Majesty had in his mind first to come to London and trust himself in the hands of the Parliament next to cast himself into the arms of the English Army but being rejected by both and his affairs in a very doubtful condition he ventured to betake himself to the Scots the French Embassadour who then was in the Scottish Army and some Scottish Commanders having obtained from them promises of honour safety and freedom for his Majesties person This revived former Grudges betwixt the English and Scottish Rebels which had almost broken out into a War It was likewise given out that the Earl of Essex who from a General was now become a private person would joyn with the Lords and Commons that conspired for their ruine in new Articles and Resolutions with the Scots but his sudden death occasioned by lying on the ground when he was all in a sweat after hunting dissipated all those rumours Nevertheless the Rebels thought fit at publick cost to humour him with magnificent Funerals as being more for their interest to shew gratitude to a dead friend than to have him perhaps a living enemy Upon this they began to deny the Scots their Pay put a necessity upon them of exacting Money and free Quarters from the Counties where they lay expose them to hatred extenuate their merits undervalue the courage of the Nation call them mercenary Souldiers of fortune whilst they in the mean time paid them onely with Reproaches threaten to drive them out of the Kingdom by force of Arms publickly provoke
them and at length march Northward against their Brethren Nor durst the English Presbyterians who favoured the Scots say much to the contrary lest they should seem more concerned for the insolence of a foreign Nation than the honour of their Country-men At length after long Debates the Scots pretending that it was contrary to the Laws of Nations and Hospitality to deliver up the King who of his own accord put himself under their protection into the hands of the Parliamentarians our Republican Rebels on the other hand urging in the name of the Parliament That the Scots serving and receiving pay in England ought not to have received the King into their Army and much less keep him there against the will of the Parliament but after some formal previous Treaties that might serve to enhaunce the price it was resolved that the King should be delivered up to the Parliamentarian-Rebels And that they might have a specious colour for so horrid an action They urge the King to take the Covenant pretending that without that they could not lawfully take him with them into Scotland The King promises to take that Oath provided he were satisfied in some scruples of Conscience concerning Church-government which Province was committed to the Minister Heuderson the then Oracle of the Kirk who weakly and unsuccessfully attempted it for in their disputes the King in the judgment of all had the better on 't but money prevailed The Scots having received an hundred thousand pounds English in ready money and the promise of an hundred thousand more to be paid within a year draw out of England leaving the King to the mercy of the Parliament but with this condition That no injury should be offered to his Majesties person and that he might be received in one of his houses in or about London with honour safety and freedom that so he might be prevailed with by Arguments from both Nations to confirm and approve their Propositions The King being received at Newcastle by the Parliament-Commissioners four Lords and eight Commoners was with a guard of Souldiers conducted to Holmeby house in Northamptonshire where he suffered a splendid indeed but close imprisonment all who had either actually been or suspected to be of his Party being removed from him nay and his domestick Chaplains also whose assistance he had often desired of the Parliament The Conquerours now in striving for the Booty and Government did no longer dissemble their opinions but divide themselves into various Sects and Names which hitherto we called by the common name of Factious or Rebels but shall now divide them into their several Classes and Forms as likewise shewing by what cunning and degrees they who got into power advanced to the Supremacy Which that we may the more clearly do it will not be amiss to look into some past Ages It is not to be denied but that the seeds of Faction were sow'd in England from the very beginning of the Reformation Nor are the Roman Catholicks to be proud of this since they have given the examples to others by subjecting the Crowns and Scepters of Kings to the Mitre of the Pope and Keys of St. Peter and are no less dangerous to Kings whom they have pulled from their Thrones and exposed to the Daggers of Assassinates From that time some but in no great number are for shaking off Rome in every thing and not leaving the least monument of the ancient Church-government or Liturgie But the greater number and those the wiser thinking it enough to retrench what was superfluous and superstitious are for retaining Episcopal government and a publick reformed Liturgie the one because it suited well with Monarchical government and civil interest of the State and the other because it seemed pious and adapted to the publick Worship of God Both these as being consonant to primitive Constitutions Kings and Parliaments wisely to prevent the inconveniencies that happen from skipping from one extreme to another thought fit to establish by Laws and to inflict severe Penalties upon Dissenters This at first gave ground to heart-burnings afterwards to reasonings about the matter and the licentious humour of disputing prevailing to more bitter Controversies so that at length as it usually happens amongst Brethren who differ in points of Religion they fell to Contentions and invective Disputations the common enemy egging them on on both sides And thus the Quarrel being managed with mutual hatred and animosity the Anti-Episcopal Party or the Jesuits in their name defame the established Church with Reproaches and scandalous Libels which forced from the Bishops and Ecclesiastical Courts Suspensions Deprivations Imprisonments and Banishments But that severity though executed according to the prescript of Law drew hatred upon the Prelates and made the Anti-Episcoparians to be pitied and the rather that they seemed to suffer for Conscience-sake and the purity of Gospel-worship being otherwise in appearance men of strict lives and conversations zealous Preachers fervent in Prayer ready to do pious Offices and in a word in all things else very good men And this made many Towns Noblemen and Gentlemen take them into protection make very much of them and at length joyns with them in opinion and conspire together against the Hierarchy or Church-government Who despairing to procure the abolition of it from the Kings they hope to compass it by Parliament and therefore they endeavour to lessen the Royal Authority by magnifying a Parliamentary power wherein being assisted by all the other Sects of Fanaticks the seditious and turbulent off-scourings of Christians and Subjects they begin to make a distinction betwixt and divide the Royal Prerogative from the Liberty of the People two things that are very consistent together that laying hold on that pretext they might set up for publick-spirited men and be thought the Patriots of the Nation Having by this means at length raised their Authority amongst the common People so as to be chosen Members of Parliament they set all their Engines at work for accomplishing their intended Project there is nothing in their mouths but the Rights of the People Priviledges of Parliament and the publick Liberty they lay open to the quick the faults of the Magistrates and Courtiers in scandalous Pamphlets they inveigh against Episcopacy and the established government of the Church censure the Manners and Pluralities of Church-men they expose the administration of publick government and make it their care and study in all things to weaken the Kings Power and lessen his Reputation To these their cunning contrivances a commodious occasion happened Whilst in the Reign of King James Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhyne the Kings Son-in-law having been engaged in the German War was with his whole Family by the Imperial Forces driven out of his Territories To defend the Cause of the Protestant Religion which seemed to be in danger and to restore this banished Prince so nearly allied to the King
were made specious pretexts for their following ill designes And by these pretences they endeavour but in vain to engage that wise King in a War until Prince Charles seconding their Addresses and the Emperour refusing to agree to reasonable terms of Peace he was rouzed up to Arms. War being thereupon proclaimed whilst preparations were making and all Europe expected great matters from England the Parliament upon I know not what slight Grievances Jealousies and Suspicions leave the King in the lurch so that unless King Charles upon the death of his Father would make himself ridiculous to the World he was necessitated to raise money by his own authority laying on unusual Taxes and Impositions by virtue not onely of old dormant Laws but also of new interpretations without calling a Parliament which is customary on more urgent occasions This incensed the People and afforded a plentiful crop of Murmurs and Complaints and inclined good and honest Subjects who were far from any thoughts of Innovations but alarmed with the fears of Arbitrary Government and the loss of the Liberty of the Subject as they imagined to plot and combine with the Factious Malecontents for curbing the power of the King All these Sects at first though differing in opinions and designs were called by the name of Puritans During the rage of the Civil War after that the Scots came to the assistance of the Parliament and many had been noosed into the Solemn League and Covenant the Presbyterians were powerful both in wealth and number raise their heads above the rest Nor can they be excused from Rebellion who having abolished the Church-government and Liturgie introduced the Presbytery and Directory in place thereof aiming at the change of Civil Government also from Monarchy to an Aristocracy though they pretended to retain the name and person of a King and making use of the assistance of the other Sects who fought openly under their Banners though they cunningly concealed their designes Next came into play the better sort of Independents and some of the Tribe of Anabaptists who wished for no setled National Church-government and who liked a Democracy best yet still retaining the name and person of a King But the chief was a Faction most properly so called consisting of the rigidest sort of Presbyterians and a medly of many other Fanaticks who having destroyed the Monarchy and the Royal Family root and branch were some of them for an Oligarchy others for Anarchy and most for a Democracy I may also adde a Christocraty that Fifth-monarchy which not a few longed for wherein worldly Powers Magistrates and all profane Authority being brought down and trodden under foot Christ with his Saints might exercise dominion over the wicked and ungodly of the Earth These are they who are in a more particular sence to be called Rebels and Traytors to the Government who though they all looked different ways and served in the Presbyterian Armies for some time yet they were the fire-brands that kindled civil Dissensions among them till getting the power in their hands into which by degrees they had screwed themselves they had the boldness to fall off from the rest set up for themselves in their own names and publickly to magnifie their own Atchievements At first whilst the clouds of Troubles were but a gathering these factious Rebels were hardly distinguished by any name but skulk'd under the cloak of good Patriots and the godly Party But in the mean time they carefully watched all occasions of blowing up the fire of a Civil War and so soon as the War flamed out and the State was all in disorder lest differences might be taken up they used all arts to make the King jealous of his Parliament and the Parliament again of the King every where throwing in Bones of Contention and as it is the custom of all Demagogues distracted the thoughts of the giddy and light-headed Multitude with jealousies and fears By this their indefatigable industry in calumniating the King and exposing of him in all things to the hatred of the people they first alienate the minds of the Multitude from their Prince and then from Peace When they observed any Proposals made by the Parliament to the King or by the King to the Parliament which in probability might heal the wounds of Contention and War and restore a solid Peace they slily perplex and disturb the Negotiation when they prosper they swell in their demands lest what they had already got by force of Arms they might seem to acquire precariously and by concession but if fortune frowned upon them then were they for rouzing despondent minds That in that condition they would not think of making Peace when in their low fortune they must of necessity submit to harder Conditions nor that they would so far abase the honour of Parliament as to seem to do any thing through fear or force Nay and by false Reports counterfeit Letters and suborned Witnesses they pretend to discover strange Plots and monstruous Dangers disguised under the specious mask of Friendship They adjure others by the bowels of love and pity to the Commonwealth by their affection to the publick and the Cause of Christ and in long Speeches and Arguments plead That in carrying on the War they should rather expect to know the will and pleasure of God so they thought fit to speak in a matter of so great consequence than to make Peace with the King upon unsure Conditions prejudicial to the Publick The easie and credulous who are apt to suspect any thing and those also who were conscious of their own guilt being intangled by these Artifices they propose so hard Conditions to the King that he could not with a safe conscience honour and the safety of his Friends consent to them whilst they slighted and rejected his Majesties Letters and most just Proposals almost twenty times sent to them In the mean time these good men whilst they boast of their extraordinary zeal for the publick Liberty and the pure reformed Religion making use of the War for their own private advantages step into the greatest and most profitable places of the State And then having got deeper rooting by degrees they win upon others and draw them into the Conspiracy making great progresses both in the Parliament and Country in this stirring up the Mobile to prefer Petitions or rather putting the peoples names to Petitions framed by two or three of their own Faction and in the other by cunning and knavery accommodating the Authority of Parliament to their own arts and devices By this means it was no difficult matter either at midnight or early in the morning when the other Members that differed them appeared not or were absent about their own private affairs to snatch an opportunity of carrying things by vote and to lay hold on occasion by the forelock so that the less but more
treacherous discovery of a certain Earl they understood was by the Captain of the Guard with full authority to be brought to London and having done so they endeavour to please him with officious and flattering promises of greater liberty and freedom and more dutiful usage pretending to lament his condition as being by the severity of the Parliament in a manner buried alive within his own Palace as in a Prison deprived of the company of his Friends and Servants Professing which to them was more than an Oath that they would never lay down their Arms until they had put the Scepter into his hands and procured better Conditions for his Friends They allow him the assistance of his Chaplains the exercise of his Religion and a free correspondence with the Queen by Messengers and Letters without any examination His Royal Children were likewise suffered to visit him that so far at least he might seem to be at home and to enioy the dearest part of his Kingdom In so much that the Camp seemed to be transformed into the Court whilst his Majesties domestick Servants return with joy to their Master and Courtiers increase daily in number And that they may seem to be serious in treating with the King about the setling of affairs they frame Propositions whereby they gave it out That things were contrived to the best for the interest of his Majesty of themselves and of the Publick to which if the King would condescend they engage on their parts immediately to restore him to the height of Royal Majesty When afterwards the King liked them not as they were proposed by their Commissioners they soften them and made as if they had almost accommodated them to the intentions of the King nay one or two of his Majesties Servants whensoever they had a mind to it were permitted to be present in their Councils of War In the mean time they publish Declarations and Remonstrances to the dishonour of the Parliament accuse them of Covetousness Selfishness Ambition Injustice Cruelty and Tyranny demand their Arrears accuse eleven able Commoners and as many Peers of the contrary Faction of High-Treason and having brought frivolous Articles against them they urge that being excluded the House they may be brought to a Tryal They desire nay command that the present Parliament be within a prefixed time dissolved foreseeing that to be the onely way whereby they might hope to gratifie the People and that a new and better Parliament should be called in place of it thereby to flatter the hopes of wretched Sufferers It is not to be denied but that they proposed many useful things that they might cajole the people wherein they never forgot sometimes obliquely and sometimes also directly to speak in favour of the King and that to this purpose That the King Queen and Royal Family be restored to their just Rights without which they cry no solid Peace can be expected Yet for the most part they play fast and loose by Conditions annexed or ambiguous words so that afterward they might easily extricate themselves from these Promises provided they had the luck to get the better of the Presbyterians But when the Parliament thought it neither honourable nor safe to comply with these military demands the Army inverting now the Cause declare for the King and People and march against the Parliament On the other hand the Parliament with the Londoners prepare for a defence and vote that the King should be invited to London the people in a manner forcing them to it who with importunate Petitions and Clamours thundred tumultuously in Westminster-hall In the mean time the Speakers of both Houses with about fifty Members partly Aristocraticks and partly Democraticks privily flie from London and betake themselves to the Camp in great consternation pretending violence offered unto them by their fellow-Members Citizens and some disbanded Souldiers and demand reparation by Arms yet all this while they left others of their own stamp behind them in the Parliament that might blow the Coals and disappoint the Councils of the rest The Citizens who like men in an Ague after a burning heat fall presently into a shaking cold were easily appeased by the fair promises of the Army That the King should be restored which was their onely desire the Parliament dissolved and publick Peace and Justice setled But the Country-people who heretofore were in a readiness to flock to the assistance of London were now equally disgusted both with the Citizens and Parliament as those who having first kindled the War were still unwilling to put out the flame and seemed to be the onely men that shut their Gates against Peace that was ready to return into the Kingdom What 's now to be done The Parliament desponds and the officious Citizens who were for the Army and Faction open the Gates and without any previous Articles tamely deliver up the City to the mercy of the Souldiers Upon this the fugitive Members are with no small pomp instantly restored to their places The accused Presbyterians flie and some as it is usual temporizing strike in with the victorious Party and the rest lose courage From that time forward the History of the Evils they had done is to be read in those they suffer Some of the Members of the House of Commons the Mayor also and many chief Citizens being committed to the Tower smart for their late fear and cowardise in abandoning the safety of their fellow-Citizens and their former obstinacy and insolence against the King Seven or eight Lords accused of Treason are cast into Prison but afterward the heat of Emulation by little and little cooling and being almost quite over the Prisoners without any Indictments brought against them are discharged from their loathsome Prisons to be an example to others not to presume hereafter to resist Nor could this satisfie them unless also to shew their strength and the continence and discipline of the Souldiers the Commanders of the Army led their men with Artillery and Ammunition as in triumph over the Citizens through the chief streets of London When the Army had now mastered the two strong Forts of the Kingdom the Parliament and the City of London being doubly victorious over their friends and enemies there remained no more to be done but how they might at their leisure settle and confirm themselves in the Power which now they had obtained The Lieutenant and Garrison of the Tower of London are chosen out of the dregs of the Citizens but such as had nobilitated themselves by being Slaves to the Faction the old Lieutenant with the accustomed Garrison being turned out for no other fault but that he favoured the Presbyterians The Commissioners who had the power of ordering the whole Army as also the Colonels Captains and other Officers are forced to turn out to make way for men of a new mould But some may think that it was overdoing that when
of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales Isles of Guernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any part of the said Forces or concerning the Admiralty and Navy or concerning the levying of Moneys for the raising maintenance or use of the said Forces for Land-service or for the Navy and Forces for Sea-service or of any part of them and if that the Royal Assent to such Bill or Bills shall not be given in the House of Peers within such time after the passing thereof by both Houses of Parliament as the said Houses shall judge fit and convenient That then such Bill or Bills so passed by the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid and to which the Royal Assent shall not be given as is herein before expressed shall nevertheless after declaration of the said Lords and Commons made in that behalf have the force and strength of an Act or Acts of Parliament and shall be as valid to all intents and purposes as if the Royal Assent had been given thereunto Provided that nothing herein before contained shall extend to the taking away of the ordinary legal power of Sheriffs Justices of Peace Mayors Bayliffs Coroners Constables Headboroughs or other Officers of Justice not being Military Officers concerning the administration of Justice so as neither the said Sheriffs Justices of Peace Mayors Bayliffs Coroners Constables Headboroughs and other Officers nor any of them do levy conduct employ or command any Forces whatsoever by colour or pretence of any Commission of Array or extraordinary command from his Majesty his Heirs or Successors without the consent of the said Lords and Commons And if any persons shall be gathered and assembled together in warlike manner or otherwise to the number of thirty persons and shall not forthwith disband themselves being required thereto by the said Lords and Commons or command from them or any by them especially authorized for that purpose then such person or persons not so disbanding themselves shall be guilty and incur the pains of High-Treason being first declared guilty of such offence by the said Lords and Commons any Commission under the great Seal or other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding And he or they that shall offend herein to be incapable of any pardon from his Majesty his Heirs or Successors and their Estates shall be disposed as the said Lords and Commons shall think fit and not otherwise Provided that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights Liberties and Franchises Customs and Usages in the raising and employing the Forces of that City for the defence thereof in as full and ample manner to all intents and purposes as they have or might have used or enjoyed the same at any time before the making of the said Act or Proposition To the end that City may be fully assured it is not the intention of the Parliament to take from them any priviledges or immunities in raising or disposing of their Forces which they have or might have used or enjoyed heretofore The like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit XVII That by Act of Parliament all Peers made since the day that Edward Lord Littleton then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal deserted the Parliament and that the said Great Seal was surreptitiously conveyed away from the Parliament being the one and twentieth day of May 1642. and who shall be hereafter made shall not sit or vote in the Parliament of England without consent of both Houses of Parliament And that all Honour and Title conferred on any without consent of both Houses of Parliament since the twentieth day of May 1642. being the day that both Houses declared That the King seduced by evil Council intended to raise War against the Parliament be declared Null and Void The like for the Kingdom of Scotland those being excepted whose Parents were passed the Great Seal before the fourth of June 1644. XVIII That an Act be passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms respectively for confirmation of the Treaties passed betwixt the two Kingdoms viz. the large Treaty the late Treaty for the coming of the Scots Army into England and the setling of the Garrison of Barwick of the 29th of November 1643. and the Treaty concerning Ireland of the 6th of August 1642. for the bringing of ten thousand Scots into the Province of Vlster in Ireland with all other Ordinances and Proceedings passed betwixt the two Kingdoms and whereunto they are obliged by the aforesaid Treaties And that Algernon Earl of Northumberland John Earl of Rutland Philip Earl of Pembrooke and Mungomery Theophilus Earl of Lincoln James Earl of Suffolk William Earl of Salisbury Robert Earl of Warwick Edward Earl of Manchester Henry Earl of Stanford Francis Lord Dacres Philip Lord Wharton Francis Lord Willoughby Dudly Lord North John Lord Hunsdon William Lord Gray Edward Lord Howard of Estrick Thomas Lord Bruce Ferdinando Lord Fairfax Mr. Nathaniel Fines Sir William Armine Sir Philip Stapilton Sir Henry Vane senior Mr. William Perpoint Sir Edward Aiscough Sir William Strickland Sir Arthur Hesilrig Sir John Fenwick Sir William Brereton Sir Thomas Widdington Mr. John Toll Mr. Gilbert Millington Sir William Constable Sir John Wray Sir Henry Vaine junior Mr. Henry Darley Oliver Saint John Esq his Majesties Sollicitor-General Mr. Denzel Hollis Mr. Alexander Rigby Mr. Cornelius Holland Mr. Samuel Vassell Mr. Peregrin Pelham John Glyn Esq Recorder of London Mr. Henry Martin Mr. Alderman Hoyle Mr. John Blakiston Mr. Serjeant Wilde Mr. Richard Barwis Sir Anthony Irby Mr. Ashurst Mr. Bellingham and Mr. Tolson Members of both Houses of the Parliament of England shall be the Commissioners for the Kingdom of England for conservation of the Peace between the two Kingdoms to act according to the Powers in that behalf exprest in the Articles of the large Treaty and not otherwise That his Majesty give his Assent to what the two Kingdoms shall agree upon in prosecution of the Articles of the large Treaty which are not yet finished That an Act be passed in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively for establishing the joynt Declaration of both Kingdoms bearing date the 30th day of January 1643. in England and 1644. in Scotland with the Qualifications ensuing 1 Qualification That the persons who shall expect no pardon be onely these following Rupert Maurice Count Palatines of Rhine James Earl of Darby John Earl of Bristol William Earl of New-castle Francis Lord Cottington George Lord Digby Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely Sir Robert Heath Kt. Dr. Bramhall Bishop of Derry Sir William Widdrington Col. George Goring Henry Jermin Esq Sir Ralph Hopton Sir John Biron Sir Francis Doddington Sir John Strangewayes Mr. Endymion Porter Sir George Radcliffe Sir Marmaduke Langdale Henry Vaughan Esq now called Sir Hen. Vaughan Sir Francis Windibanke Sir Richard Greenvill Mr. Edward Hide now called Sir Edw. Hide Sir John Marley Sir Nicholas Cole Sir Thomas Riddel Jun. Sir John Colepepper Mr. Richard
and scornfully raze out of their Journal as an Act unworthy of Parliament New Orders in place of the former pass in this House of Commons whereby they invade the Government by Votes which before they had snatched by Arms. They first vote That all Power resides in the People Secondly That that Power belongs to the Peoples Representatives meaning themselves in the House of Commons Thirdly That the Votes of the Commons have the force of a Law without the consent of the King or House of Lords a plain Horatian Law that what the lowest Order of the People enacteth binds the whole body of them Fourthly That to take Arms and make War against the Representatives of the People or the Parliament is High-Treason Fifthly That the King himself took up Arms against the Parliament and that therefore he is guilty of all the bloud shed in this Civil War that so they might seem to excuse themselves of the Villany and ought by his own bloud to expiate it These were the Preludes to that most horrid and abominable Villany I tremble to mention it which it behoved them to bring about by degrees for trusting now to their great power which indeed was as great as they thought fit to take to themselves they had the boldness to erect a new Tribunal of most abject wretches against the King to which they give the name of the High Court of Justice thinking that its name might procure it reverence In this Mock-Court they appoint an hundred and fifty Judges that they might in number at least represent the people the most factious Sticklers of the whole Faction to whom they give power of arraigning trying judging and condemning Charles Stuart King of England In the number of these they appoint six Earls out of the House of Lords and the Judges also of the Kingdom lately chosen by themselves But the greater part consist of the Commanders of the Army who first conspired the murder of the King and the Members of the House of Commons who were the most inveterate enemies to Monarchy The rest were Rascals raked out of the Kennel of London or the Neighbourhood Amongst these some were Coblers Brewers Silversmiths and other Mechanicks the greater part were Bankrupt Spend-thrifts Debauchees and Whoremasters who nevertheless by the Disciples of the Sect were called Saints Nay there was none of them but did expect impunity for his cheating the Publick Sacriledge Bribery and other enormous Crimes or did hope to glut his Avarice with the Kings Revenue Houses Furniture or gainful places to be conferred upon him for so bold an attempt or in a word that was not drawn in and allured up to the horrid fact by the tamperings threats and promises of Cromwel Ireton and the other Commanders of the Army In the mean time there was hardly any regard had to the Lords and it was commonly believed that being now terrified by so many and so great dangers they would of their own accords absent from the House except four or five that were slaves to that Republican Faction The Rebels thought that the authority of these was sufficient to confirm any attempt whatsoever as they had already oftener than once experienced Nor indeed were their hopes altogether frustrated However when the matter came to the push their luck proved somewhat worse than they expected for a few Lords used daily to come to the House but that day when the Bill for trying the King was to be brought to the Lords House for their consent unexpectedly seventeen Lords were present who all not excepting those who favoured the Republicans not onely deny their consent but cast the Bill over the Bar as destructive and contrary to Law This inraged the Oligarchick Rebels and put them upon thoughts of revenge taking it hainously that so publick an affront and disgrace had been put upon them However at present they thought it enough to dash all the Lords out of the number of the Kings Judges By and by also the Judges of the Kingdom were struck out of that black List because being privately asked their opinions in that affair though through the interest of this Faction they had been lately by authority of Parliament raised to their places they had answered That it was against the known and received Laws and Customs of England to bring the King to a Tryal For a President of this Court who might match it in fame and reputation they pitch upon one John Bradshaw a base-born broken Pettifogger a fellow of a brazen forehead and an insolent and sawcy tongue who a little before was of no value amongst those of his own Gang. One Cooke they make Attorney-General a fellow of the same stamp poor guilty as was reported of Polygamy who had plaid a thousand tricks and cheats to get Bread and now was ready to do any villany in hopes of profit They privately consult for some days about the matter and form of the Arraignment or the manner of perpetrating the Villany where in drawing the Kings Indictment one Dorislaus a Doctor of the Laws a German who was either banished or had fled his Country took the greatest pains In the mean time all the Presbyterian Ministers of London in a manner and more out of several Counties yea and some out of the Independents also declare against the thing in their Sermons from the Pulpit in Conferences monitory Letters Petitions Protestations and publick Remonstrances They earnestly beg That contrary to so many dreadful Imprecations and Oaths contrary to publick and private Faith confirmed by Declarations and Promises contrary to the Law of Nations the Word of God and sacred Rules of Religion nay and contrary to the welfare of the State they would not defile their own hands and the Kingdom with Royal Bloud The Scots by their Commissioners protest against it The Embassadours of the States General of the Vnited Provinces if they faithfully perform'd their Masters Orders intercede Some English Noblemen to wit the Earl of Southampton the Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hertford and Earl of Lyndsey c. do what lies in their power they neither spare prayers nor money offer themselves as Hostages or if the Republicans demanded it their lives as being onely guilty if the King had offended in any thing The people whisper their rage for that was all they could now do hardly restraining their unarmed fury Our present King then Prince CHARLES used all means to assist his Father in this danger Besides the Embassadours of the States General whom he had procured to be sent he daily dispatched Agents as well from the Prince of Orange as himself and such as were Relations Kinsmen and Friends to Cromwel Ireton and the rest of the Conspirators who being warranted with full power might by prayers promises threats or what arguments they judged fit either disswade them from that unparallel'd Barbarity or at least for
and France as being divided at home and many of them had the confidence openly to glory that they would break that Yoke wherewith the Kings of the Earth oppress the People Nor truly could any man have told where the fierceness of this Scourge would have ended and where that Floud would have spent it self unless the divine Majesty which hath hollowed a channel for the Sea set bounds and limits to it and said Hither shalt thou come and no further had not opposed the over-swelling pride of these Waters and commanded his Angel to sound the Retreat A Chronological INDEX FOR This First Part. Old Stile MDCXXV KIng James being dead CHARLES the First succeeds King of Great Britain He marries Henrietta Maria Sister to Louis XIII King of France MDCXXV VI VII VIII The King calls three Parliaments and little or nothing done as often dissolves them MDCXXX Prince CHARLES is born MDCXXXIII James Duke of York is born MDCXXXVII Prin Burton Bastwick having lost their ears are put in prison The Scots grow rebellious MDCXXXIX The King meets the Scots intending to invade England but having made a Pacification disbands his Army MDCXL The Stirs of the Scots occasioned the Kings calling of a Parliament at Westminster which was dissolved without any success So the Scots invade England and take Newcastle The King marches against them but having made a Truce calls a Parliament at Westminster The Parliament meets and under pretext of Reformation put all into Confusion Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford Deputy of Ireland and William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury are accused MDCXI The Deputy of Ireland condemned by a Law made for the purpose is beheaded The King also by Act of Parliament grants That the Parliament shall not be dissolved without the consent of both Houses William of Nassaw Son to Frederick Prince of Orange is married to Mary Daughter to K. Charles The Scots full of money return into their own Country The King follows them into Scotland The Irish conspire against the English and cruelly fall upon them The King returns to London from Scotland A Remonstrance of the Lower House offered to the King MDCXLI MDCXLII The King accuses five Commoners and one Lord of High-Treason The King goes into the House of Commons The King withdraws from London Sends a Pacificatory Letter to the Parliament Sends the Queen into Holland with her Daughter He himself goes towards York Sir John Hotham shuts the Gates of Hull against the King Vnjust Propositions of Peace are made by the Parliament to the King The Parliament raising an Army the King at length sets up his Standard at Nottingham Both Armies engage at Edge-hill and both challenge the Victory MDCXLIII A Treaty of Peace appointed at Oxford comes to nothing The Earl of Newcastle gets the better of Fairsax Commander of the Rebels in the North. In the West Waller a Commander of the Rebels is routed by the Kings Party Prince Rupert taketh Bristol Maurice his Brother takes Exeter In the mean time the King himself besieges Gloucester Essex General of the Rebels relieves Gloucester The King meets Essex upon his return and fights him at Nubury The English Rebels put to a streight call in the Scots and take the Covenant The King therefore makes a Truce with the Irish for a year MDCXLIII IV. James Marquess of Hamilton is committed to prison The Scots again enter England The King holds a Parliament at Oxford The Earl of Montross is sent Commissioner into Scotland Essex and Waller Generals of the Rebels march towards Oxford The King defeats Waller at Cropredian-bridge Then pursues Essex into the West The Scots in the mean time joyned with the English defeat the Cavaliers at Marston-moore And then take York by surrender In the West the King breaks all Essex his Forces Vpon his return he is met by Manchester at Newbury where they fight a second time Alexander Carey is beheaded MDCXLIV V. Hotham the Father and Son are beheaded William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury is beheaded Macquire an Irish Lord is hanged The Treaty of Peace at Uxbridge comes to nothing Fairfax General of the Parliament Forces defeats the King at Naseby Henceforward all by degrees fell into the hands of the Parliament MDCXLVI The King having in vain tried the English departing privately from Oxford commits himself into the hands of the Scots Fairfax takes Oxford by composition Robert Earl of Essex dies MDCXLVI VII The Scots sell the King to the English and return fraighted with Money The King is made close Prisoner in Holdenby-Castle The Marquess of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland delivers up Dublin to the English The Army take the King out of Prison And march against the Parliament The Speakers of both Houses with fifty other Members flie to the Camp The Souldiers attend the Members that fled to West-minster Vnjust Conditions of Peace are proposed to the King at Hampton-court The King makes his escape to the Isle of Wight From thence writing Pacificatory Letters they propose to him four Demands as preliminary to a Conference The King is made close Prisoner MDCXLVII VIII The Parliament votes no more Addresses to the King The Counties everywhere stir the Kentish Essex-men and some others take up Arms. The Duke of Buckingham Francis his Brother and Earl of Holland in vain take up Arms. The Fleet comes over to the Prince of Wales The Scots commanded by Duke Hamilton advance into England They are defeated by Cromwel and Hamilton taken Fairfax takes Colchester upon surrender Rainsborough a Commander of the Parliament Army killed at Duncaster A Conference appointed with the King in the Isle of Wight The Marquess of Ormond returns Lord Lieutenant into Ireland The Remonstrance of Ireton is approved in a Council of War And is presented to the Parliament in name of the Army and People of England The King is carried from the Isle of Wight to Hurst-Castle Nevertheless the Parliament votes That the Kings Concessions are a sufficient ground for a Peace Many Parliament-men are made Prisoners by the Souldiers MDCXLVIII IX The rest amongst other and unheard things vote That all Power is originally in the People Then That the King himself is to be brought to a tryal The King therefore is brought to the Bar. The King is brought a fourth time and condemned CHARLES the best of Kings by unparallel'd Villany is beheaded James Duke of Hamilton Henry Earl of Holland and the generous Arthur Lord Capel are beheaded Lastly Monarchy it felf is abolished by the Regicides The Act is proclaimed by the mock-Mayor of London
so many dangers under the protection of Almighty God they all safely arrived in the Spey The People were not a little gladded by the Kings Landing in Scotland testifying their Joys with Shouts and Acclamations and Bonefires But the Commissioners that with shew of greater Honour they might conduct him to Edinburrough put back those that in sense of Duty came to salute and honour him and beat off others with Fists and Sticks that more importunately approached He was splendidly entertained by the Magistrates of Aberdeen who for a pledge of their Love presented him with fifteen hundred Marks which he distributed amongst his indigent and almost famished Servants And that occasioned a Proclamation for securing their Money That such as thought fit to bestow any thing for the interest of the King it should only be brought into the publick Treasury The Magistrates of Dundee entertained him likewise magnificently saving that a Member of Montross was to be seen upon a Poll on the top of the Town Hall and that the Estates urged him to sign new Articles Afterwards he came to Edinburrough amidst the reiterated and joyful Acclamations of all the People and is again by the Heralds proclaimed King of Scotland England and Ireland The Kings Majesty is managed according to the pleasure of some Commissioners access is allowed to such as they thought fit all others being kept back His Guard is Commanded by the Lord Lorn Son to the Marquess of Argile by whom all the avenues are observed that no man might envy that splendid custody In the mean time the Presbyterian Ministers talk of nothing but Crimes now inveighing against the Sins of his Father and by and by again against the Idolatry and Heresie of his Mother and the obstinacy of both towards the Reformation the Government and Church of Christ They never rest telling him of Wars Slaughter Bloodshed of his Education and living amongst Bishops Men of no Religion and that in a saucy manner without the least sense of reverence or shame Labouring to make him a new Creature by lessons of Repentance and Humility severe rebukes and admonitions that he might carry his Cross before he put on his Crown and mount by the Valley of Bacha to the Throne of regal Authority And all these things they so absurdly and clownishly set about that their Doctrins and Instructions were more apt to make him nauseate and eternally hate their ways than to gain him to a liking or assent to their Opinions The King one evening walking in the Garden a couple of dapper Covenant Levites making up to him and very severely chid him for profaning the Lords Day by a Walk though he had heard two Sermons and been publickly at Morning and Evening Prayers that day besides other private Meditations that he was much given to The Laity also instead of a Crown of Gold shining with Jewels which they bragg'd they would Crown him with the precious Stones being secretly and by degrees pick'd out of it give him one of Feathers such as Demetrius truly said no man in his senses would stoop and take up from the ground by allowing him his Robes the Name of Majesty and Ensigns of a King with the troubles and difficulties of doing Justice though that also must be administred after their way whilst they invaded and reserved to themselves the substantial Prerogatives of making Laws and Peace and War But these things could not be so kept up from the Regicides though the Parliaments claw'd one another with mutual signs of good-will by Conferences and Messengers at least no Hostility as yet appears but that by their Friends and Emissaries in Holland and Scotland who were well paid for their pains they were informed of the whole series of the pacification And therefore they consult how they might provide before hand against a storm that haug over their heads There was an Army in readiness under the Command of Fairfax but that General was not very prone to enter into a War with the Scots who had not as yet provoked the English by any injuries they suspected him rather to have a kindness for that Nation and to be inwardly displeased at the Murder of the King and subversion of the Government They therefore recal Cromwell out of Ireland to give him the charge of the Scottish War He quickly returning home Crowned with Victories and Success in a triumphant manner entred London amidst a crowd of Attendants Friends Citizens and Members of the rump-Rump-Parliament Guarded by a Troop of Horse and a Regiment of Foot and amongst them Fairfax himself went out two miles to meet him and congratulate his Arrival But when they were come to Tyburn the place of publick Execution where a great croud of spectators were gathered together a certain flatterer pointing with his finger to the Multitude Good God! Sir said he what a number of People come to welcome you home He smiling made answer But how many more do you think would flock together to see me hanged if that should happen There was nothing more unlikely at that time and yet there was a presage in these words which he often repeated and used in discourse The Regicides and he having consulted it is thought fit to ease the Lord Fairfax of the burden and Cromwell is declared Captain General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland who undertakes the War against the Scots having ordered Souldiers and Provisions to be sent towards Berwick The Scots instantly send Letters to the Rump-Parliament Cromwell and Haselrigg Governour of New-Castle wherein they complain that the Rump-Parliament design an Invasion of their Country and that contrary to the Vnion agreed upon betwixt both Nations and the publick Faith mutually given no War being denounced the Cause not published nor their Answers expected without giving them time to repent if they had offended in any thing But that the Scene might be continued The English Officers give an Answer The summ of which that the Genius of these times may the better appear to Posterity I shall here shortly relate And after a Preface it was to this purpose We are blamed for the Murder of the King for which we are bound rather to give God thanks and applaud the Parliament since the King was guilty of more bloodshed than the cruelty of all his Predecessours an obstinate Enemy of Reformation and of all good men who besides taught his Son to follow his footsteps Him the sounder part of the People the timorous and bad Members being secluded justly put to death God Almighty show'd them the who way at first approving it by wonderful successes and continual benedictions What is on the other hand objected that the Treaty the Law of Arms and the League and Covenant are violated by a War made before it be denounced but that Treaty is already abrogated by Hamilton at the Command of his own Parliament unless it be thought that the English
now at length sued for pardon But the hatred and animosities betwixt the Rump and the Soldiers the Seeds whereof had been long ago sown though during the common danger they appeared not began now to show themselves and after long and mutual grudges to break out into Flames and to devour one another So rare a thing it is for Thieves and Robbers to agree long together The Soldiers object that these men did for ever appropriate to themselves and their Friends all places of Honour and Command barring all others from any share with them and that under colour of the publick good they divided amongst themselves all profitable Offices without any regard to the Publick For what end had they taken Arms against the King exposed their lives to so many dangers ript up the bowels of their Country-men and friends Did they bring the King to the Block for in that execrable Villany they triumphed that they might only settle them in their Seats so as they might securely live at their ease for ever and right or wrong domineer over all without any distinction and Murder and Sacrifice to their own private Lust or Revenge as many Subjects as they pleased Away with it say they it were better to return to the old way of Government Raise King CHARLES from the Dead and submit to his Rule seeing it was known that he followed the Laws and accordingly squared the administration of his Government They therefore earnestly desire That at length an end might be put to the Parliament a new and fair Representative chosen by the good people and that the Laws might be reformed besides the many other things which had already so often cloyed them with Petitions The goodly Warriours made these specious demands not out of a pure zeal for the Publick good but that having baulked them by determining their Authority they themselves might have their turn in the Government hoping that by branding them with these reproachful Characters they would at length be fain to put the Power into their hands On the other hand the Rump-Members Magisterially grave by a long possession of Authority bid the Soldiers mind their own Affairs look to their Arms and obey Orders that they to whom the care of the Common-wealth was committed and the business of settling a new Government having long laboured in the Affair with no small Progress would at length by the help of God bring it to perfection They bid them have a care in the mean time that they make no Tumults seeing they who had pulled a King from his Throne wanted neither Resolution nor Force to reduce into order licentious Souldiers though milder courses were more pleasant to them But the Soldiers disdaining that they should be thought pragmatical and medlers in Affairs that did not belong unto them answer those State-Advisers That they were not Mercenary Soldiers nor had not taken up Arms only in Prospect of pay but for maintenance of the Publick Liberty neither would they lay them down till they found the common Fruit of their endeavours That they ought not to boast of putting the King to Death so they mutually gloried in that Horrid Villany since they onely stood by as in Disguise and Masquerade but that they by their Valour and at their own Peril accomplished the thing at the mention of which they would have started had they not been encouraged and set on by men of the Sword The Rump therefore being now more afraid of their Servants and idle Soldiers than formerly of the Royal Enemy endeavour by all ways to reduce them to Obedience or at least fairly to dismiss and disband them but still under another pretence alledging that the Commonwealth was not able to entertain so many idle and lazy Soldiers Wherefore under colour of lessening the Charges of the Publick they pass an Act for Disbanding part of the Army and the rest to have but half pay and to be divided and separated in several Countries that at once they might secure themselves against the attempts of the Cavaliers and take from their own Souldiers all opportunity of making Innovations The Soldiers smell out the design and it prickt them to the heart that they were now to be cast down from that height from whence they received plentiful incomes and almost shared in the Government They take it very ill to be cut short of their pay of their domineering after their accustomed manner in the Countries and of making their own advantages in suppressing the beginnings of Sedition Therefore the Officers refuse to be disbanded reciprocally pretending the Publick good They also frame a Petition such as they had formerly presented with proposals much to the same effect and desire a speedier answer nor would they lay down their Arms before the remnant of the old Parliament being abolish'd a Representative were lawfully chosen and that for the greater expedition some of the Officers of the Army as Commissioners should be admitted into the House or at least sit and debate about the Proposals with the Members of Parliament The Rump condescending to this twelve of each party meet and consult in common Where Oliver St Johns more skilful than the rest in the Common Law raising scruples and perplexing matters that were clear in themselves so confounded the Rude Soldiers that about one word they spent above two Months These Proposals were also debated in the Rump but since it would be tedious to mention all of them I shall briefly onely relate with what sharpness and quite opposite Opinions they clashed about the Representative Some were for shaping it after this manner some after another and some after none at all The Presbyterians who were but few in number are for having it conform to the Solemn League and Covenant a strict and previous Inquisition being made into the Manners and Religion of the men The Vtopians dreamt of I know not what Olygarchy made up of the Godlier Party winnowed and sifted to the highest Purity Others were for a kind of Circulation that every one successively and in course might have their turns in the Government Besides there was no less strife about the Time Some thought it very dangerous nay without doubt fatal to assign any day of dissolution and to introduce a new Representative Others would have no such change to be made but every third fourth or fifth year But those who were in Power think it safest that new Members should be chosen in place of those that died or were turned out And most Votes agreed in this which they forthwith enacted though the night before they had privately promised the contrary to the Officers to wit that they would model a new Representative So soon as Cromwell heard of that he hastens to the Parliament House ordering ten or twelve Soldiers to follow him and stay for him at the door He himself accompanied only with Fleetwood entring in To this
that they seemed rather to decline than promote the Determination of the Controversie by opposing this rapid Motion However he resolved to connive and allow them liberty to trade in England with an Indulgence of their Religion according to the Rites of Moses without any publick Examination going before or as it is usual amongst Catholicks coming yearly after and without teaching or catechising them But this Year was famous for the Actions of Mountague since Earl of Sandwich and of Blake For they with a Joynt-Commission commanding the Fleet whilst they were cruising upon the Coast of Spain without the Straits Mouth met with Eight great Spanish Ships whom Stainer presently engages with Three Frigats onely for the rest could not come up because of the Wind but with so much Bravery and Resolution he plied them with his Broadsides that within three or four Hours space he mastered them all one being sunk another burnt two escaping into Cadiz and two more forced ashore and broke to pieces wherein were lost Sixty thousand Wedges of Silver besides other rich Goods of vast Value However two of them fell into the hands of the Victorious with a great deal of Coyned Gold to the quantity of Six hundred thousand Pieces much Silver curiously-wrought Plate and other things of value together with two Sons of the Marquess de Baydexio Don Joseph de Savega and Don Francisco de Lopes the Marquess himself with his Lady and Daughter who was to be married to the Son of the Duke of Medina Sidonia being burnt The two Brothers that remained alive were by Cromwell discharged without any Ransom England now being sufficiently plagued by those petty Tyrants whom they called Major-Generals who as we said before began to be uneasie to all another Parliament is called but not after the ancient manner but onely made up of the Commoners or People Thirty being called out of Scotland and as many from Ireland Cromwell tampering with many and the Major Generals hindring the Elections and Votes of several that the House might not be filled with Republicans In the mean while no Man is suffered to enter the House till first he subscribed to the Authority of the Protector so that by that means most of the Republicans of either sort are excluded from sitting Sir Thomas Widdrington is chosen Speaker Many things passed here in favour of Cromwell as That it should be Treason to conspire his Death and That the Royal Family should be renounced Nor is it in this place to be omitted that about this time many things were publickly talked of to the prejudice of the King as That he was Consumptive and could not live long That he was also Melancholy and inclinable to a Monastick Life laying aside all desire of Government and that the Duke of York was a Professed Papist that by that means they might wheadle over the credulous and unwary to their Party by removing every thing that might curb and keep them in awe The Customs are renewed a vast Triennial Tax also imposed upon all Houses built upon new Foundations in London and witbin Ten miles round that every one of them should pay a years Rent At length at the Motion of a certain Citizen of London the Parliament resolves to give Cromwell the Title of King with most of the Ensigns of Royalty which he had already long ago usurped and many Members apply themselves to him beseeching him that he would vouchsafe to accept of it which he sometimes made a shew as if he would embrace but by and by again appeared doubtful and at length shifted it off I think it will not displease the Reader if I give in this place a short hint at the main Reasons whereby the Members of Parliament endeavoured to incline Cromwell to accept of the Title of King which inwardly he was most ambitious of though outwardly he affected a reluctancy This Affair was by the Parliament committed to the diligent management of six or seven of their number These Men urg'd That the name of King had always been in vogue from the very beginning in this Nation for the space of above thirteen hundred years that the Person of the King had sometime displeased the People but that the Title was never before abrogated that moreover the same was fitted to our Laws and the Humour of the People and approved not onely by the Votes of the preceding but of this present Prarliament also Cromwell answers That these were persuasive but no cogent Arguments that the Title of Protector might be adapted to the Laws that Providence was against them which hath now altered the Name and that he could not without a Crime displease so many Godly and Religious Men. But the Commissioners reply That the Title ought to be fitted to the Laws not the Laws to Titles nay that the Innovation of Titles is suspected as a Cloak for Vnderhand Tyranny and that the disadvantages of such a kind of change are never felt in in the same Age for which very Reason when King James came to the Crown of this Kingdom the Parliament would not give way that in his Title instead of England and Scotland he should insert Great Britain That by refusing the Title of King he does not derogate so much from himself as from the Nation whose Honour it is to be governed by a King That the supreme Magistrate was never designed by the Name of Protector unless for a time during the Nonage of the King for the Administration of the Government and a Title for the most part unfortunate That that Name at present having its Original from the Souldiers sounded Victory and might be lawfully rescinded by another Parliament That the Title of King being once abolished the Government would become mutable and unsafe not durable if the Foundation tottered that in the space of five years it had been three or four times altered and was yet as wavering as heretofore the alteration of Title was ominous to the Roman People who neither could endure the Name of Prince nor of Perpetual Dictator nor of the Prince of the Senate till at length the Pleasure of Caesar went for Law But the strongest Argument of all was The Statutes of the Ninth of Edward the Fourth and of the Third of Henry the Seventh wherein it was enacted That no Man carrying Arms though unjustly for the King in being shall be punished for it and that in the late Wars more trusting to that Law were in Arms for the King than of those who loved his Cause That as to Providence it was no less conspicuous in changing the Government again into Monarchy for avoiding confusion and quelling a tumultuous People than in changing the Name of a Monarch into that of Protector That lastly Good and Godly Men would submit to a Decree of Parliament though perhaps they might seem to differ in private A great deal of time is spent betwixt Cromwell and the Committee in
mutual Answers and Replies but after much affectation of Words they still fell upon the same Heads again There was no less to do with the private Addresses of different Parties most of the Pettyfogging Lawyers the Commissioners for the Great Seal the Judges and some of the Officers of the Army relying upon the former Reasons entreat urge and earnestly importune him That he would consent to take upon him the Name of King On the other hand the Anabaptists Sectarians and Democratical Republicans by Letters Conferences and Monitory Petitions wearied him with their importunities to the contrary Many also of the Soldiers and inferiour Officers laying their Heads together frame a Petition to the same purpose But he during the whole transaction dismisses all with the same uncertainty and doubts however he severely chid the Soldiers biding them mind their own business for what had they to do with the Resolutions of Parliament that they should look to their Arms and keep themselves modestly within their own bounds not medling in Civil Affairs but that if they did forget their Duty and Obedience neither God Almighty nor he himself would be wanting to reduce them into order The Cavaliers are Tooth and Nail for his complying with the first Advice as being a Matter which they thought would not a little contribute to the reviving of their Cause whilst continual jangling and and dissentions would thereby arise betwixt the Republicans and Cromwell and the Office of King being again introduced the onely Quarrel would then be betwixt two Families which of the two had the better Title the one having it by undoubted right and the other by none at all And besides thereby it would be made manifest for what cause the War was in a great part begun to wit the sole Ambition of Cromwell But he having taken time to weigh with himself all their Opinions thought it more modest and suitable to his Interest to retain his more than Regal Authority circumscribed by no Laws under the submissive Title of Protector than by coveting an August Name render himself ridiculous to the World At length having called the Parliament unto him He tells them That at present he durst not take upon him the Administration of the Government with the Title of King though he was resolved in future Parliaments to introduce it by degrees how humbly soever at present he carried himself and utterly rejected the same I cannot tell whether or not it be worth the mentioning what many interpreted as a bad presage Whilst the Members of Parliament were going up to the Banqueting-House in Whitehall to have the last Debate with Cromwell about that Affair his eldest Son Richard being in company with them the old Stairs by which they mounted being overcharged with weight broke with them so that many fell to the ground of whom not a few had bruises in their Legs and Arms and amongst the rest Richard being grievously wounded lay by it a long time But since Cromwell refused the Title of King the Parliament by the superiority of two Voices onely confirmed to him that of Protector which he had taken before and that they might not seem to have done nothing at all they agreed about reforming the Instrument of Government and added a House of Peers or Lords to be chosen by him That these Men might as occasion offered be a check sometimes to the Commons when they proceeded too hastily They give him likewise Power of appointing his Successour or next Heir That no Man however lawfully elected according to the above-mentioned Conditions should under any pretext whatsoever be excluded from sitting in Parliament On a day appointed the Members march to Westminster-hall there solemnly to Inaugurate Cromwell and to receive his consent So soon as he had mounted a Stage erected for that purpose round which the Members of Parliament sat Widdrington the Speaker reaching to him the Ensigns of Majesty to wit a long Purple Robe lined wtth Ermin the Holy Bible a Sword and Scepter thus he speaks to him standing near him under a Canopy of State This Robe of Purple is an Emblem of Magistracy and imports Righteousness and Justice when you have put on this Vestment I may say you are a Gown-man This Robe is of a mixt Colour to shew the mixture of Justice and Mercy Indeed a Magistrate must have two Hands Plectentem Amplectentem to cherish and to punish The Bible is a Book that contains the Holy Scriptures in which you have the happiness to be well versed This Book of Life consists of two Testaments's the Old and New The first shews Christum Velatum the second Christum Revelatum Christ Vailed and Revealed It is a Book of Books and doth contain both Precepts and Examples for good Government Here is a Scepter not unlike a Staff for you are to be a Staff to the weak and poor It is of Ancient use in this kind It 's said in Scripture That the Scepter shall not depart from Judah It was of like use in other Kingdoms Homer the Greeek Poet calls Kings and Princes Scepter-bearers The last thing is a Sword not a Military but Civil Sword it is a Sword rather of Defence than Offence not to defend your self onely but your People also If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword as the Valiant Lord Talbot had upon his it should be this Ego sum Domini Protectoris ad protegendum Populum I am the Protectors to protect his People Then having given him his Oath and read over the Articles of Government with sound of Trumpet he is Proclaimed Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland c. but with faint Acclamations from the People Hence you may understand what and how great things the Power of a Tyrant counterfeit Virtue Lawyers fetches fawning hope anxious fear love of novelty and specious pretexts could against all right and reason bring to pass amongst Men in all things else for most part very Prudent and Wise That in the like case I may use the Words of another These things being thus performed the Parliament shortly after were dismissed for three or four Months and Cromwell has time to make choice of his Peers for the other House But we must not omit to take notice in this place of that unbridled licentiousness of Hereticks which grew greater and greater daily Besides Arrianism against the Divinity of our Saviour Jesus Christ and other abominable Errours which one Biddle profanely and yet safely maintained before the Parliament the Blasphemies also of Copps against the Holy Name of God and Fry who heretofore scattred his Poisons in the Parliament-House besides Erbury who as with impunity he sowed the monstrous Seeds of Heresies amongst the Souldiers and in the City whilst he was in health so dying he breathed out his last in Blasphemy Saltmarsh also and other Sectarians whose Fanatical Errours by the Enthusiasm of Cromwell and the other
Army that he might shew him not onely to the People but to the Soldiers and that he might insinuate with all and as much as he could make himself Friends by Conversation And now the day was come when the whole Parliament was to meet as well the Republicans who in the beginning of the Parliament had been excluded by Cromwell for refusing to subscribe to the Condition required as the Lords or Peers who by Oliver's Writ filled the Upper House But the Reader cannot but wonder how disdainfully the Members of the Lower House looked upon those new Lords asking them with scorn By what Authority they sate to what end and for what purpose were they called hither Nay they could not refrain from ridiculing and scoffing at them nor be induced to have any thing to do or consult in common with these Men. On the contrary the Lords as they were instructed by Cromwell fawned complied wheadled and courted their Friendship leaving no means unessayed whereby they might soften and make them more gentle But they continue to be morose untractable and refractory to every thing Which Cromwell observing and especially because he understood that the Cavaliers were hatching new Designs that the King was in a readiness with I know not how many thousand Men to invade England and that the Marquess of Ormond was really in the Land secretly labouring to raise the Country for these Reasons he forthwith dissolved that fictitious and as I may say Comical Parliament It was not long before the Stirs began more clearly to appear one Corkar a Parson in Sussex who nevertheless had heretofore had a hand in killing Rainsborough at Doncaster Sir Richard Willis and many others who had served and been well rewarded by the King and had opportunity of passing to and again betwixt Cromwell and His Majesty and discovering all secret Intrigues having basely betrayed the Design A General Insurrection was designed almost all over England especially in Hull London Sussex Surrey and many other Places which the King himself with Foreign Forces commanded by Marsin intended to Head But all proved in vain the Matter as we have said having been discovered to Cromwell by treacherous and clandestine Spies The Marquess of Ormond with much ado made his Escape having by the Assistance of Doctor Quarterman procured a Boat in Sussex And now a vast number of Persons apprehended are loaded with the suspicion of guilt and therefore the High Court of Justice a true Object of Derision had it not been polluted with Blood is again appointed Lisle being President Before this Court are brought Mordant Son to the Earl of Peterborough two Stapleys Woodcock Sir Henry Slingsby Hewet Doctor of Divinity Mallory Rivers Dyke and many more Hewet is condemned for Contumacy in not acknowledging the Authority of the Court Slingsby because being formerly a Prisoner in Hull he had treated with Waters about the Delivery of Hull-Fort into the hands of the King Mordant is absolved by the Majority onely of one Voice when within a quarter of an hour after Pride came in who would certainly have voted to the contrary so near he seemed to the very Jaws of Death Woodcock defended himself so ingeniously that he came off The rest were either not found Guilty or obtained Cromwell's Pardon for accusing of others or in short were condemned of High Treason Hewet and Slingsby were both beheaded But four others were drawn hanged and quartered their Privy Members and Bowels burnt their Heads set up upon London-Bridge and their Quarters upon four Gates of the City The Common sort being safe by their Number after a long Imprisonment at length denying the Fact upon Oath are dismissed Thus they who for attempting to slay a Tyrant deserved a Triumphal Arch and highest Honours falling into the bloody Hands of their Enemies suffer a cruel and ignominious Death But that he might provide against such Stirs for the future and more securely settle his ill-got and unsafe Government besides the Soldiers of the Army he levies Troops of Horse in the several Counties which for the most part were made up of Voluntiers whom either ambition of domineering hope of Preferment prospect of Booty or at least the tediousness of an idle and lazy Life allured into the Service Of these he gave the Command to some of his Relations and fast Friends Though at present their Pay was but small Eight pound a year yet by getting into profitable Places and plundring the Cavaliers upon all occasions they were in good hopes of feathering their Nests Their Duty was to watch over the Counties to be present at Publick Fairs and other numerous Meetings to hinder private Assemblies and Concourses of People to exact the Taxes from those who were either slow or unwilling to pay them by Free-Quarters and Fines imposed upon them to seise besides suspected Persons search their Houses take from them the Arms which they might have for defending themselves against Thieves in the Night-time and in a word to suppress instantly all Stirs if any hapned in the bud Blake is again but now the last time to appear upon the Stage He being this year sent to cruise in the Atlantick Ocean had Intelligence that the Spanish Fleet richly laden with Silver and Plate had out of fear put into the Island of Tenariff resolving to keep in the Port of Sancta Cruce until Blake should be forced to return home either by the Winter Weather or the want of Victuals and Provisions Wherefore steering his Course thither he found the Harbour in shape of a Crescent defended by seven Forts lying round it and two Castles placed at the Points with seventeen Ships riding therein their Heads standing towards the Mouth of the Harbour that they might fire with greater certainty upon those that offered to enter nor could the Governour forbear to jear and slout at the English Blake therefore entring the Mouth of the Harbour with his Frigats thunders Broadsides and small Shot against the Castles till the Soldiers flying from thence he Manned his Boats with Seamen and sent them in who destroyed and burnt all the Spanish Ships that were there Which being done he made use of a favourable Wind which as it had brought him thither so carried him off again more satisfied with his Revenge than Booty But farewell to Blake who in that Expedition died of a Scurvey and Dropsie A Man deserving Praise even from an Enemy who having heretofore diligently plied his Studies took his Degree of Master of Arts in Wadham-College in Oxford and lived long a quiet and Country-life in Somersetshire till afterward the Civil War breaking out he was engaged into the Service by some Parliamentarians and defended Lime and Taunton even to a Miracle against the King Then being advanced to a Command at Sea he subdued the Isles of Silly at home after which being honoured with the Title and Place of Admiral he became famous by many Actions abroad For he
Church Those Bishops who had survived the fury of the Hereticks he restored to their Sees and chose others conspicuous for Primitive Piety Learning and a good Life in place of those that were dead who with the same Piety and Humility that they had suffered the Reproaches of Sectarians and born the Calamities of a Civil War now in their old age carried the Miter and governed the Church of God The King made Juxon Archbishop of Canterbury and primate of all England a Prelate of Primitive Piety venerable both in his books and words heretofore Confessor to Charles the Martyr and his Assistent to the last whilst amidst the fury and reproaches of bloudy Traytors he took his leave of this world Et nullo gemitu consensit ad ictum Despexitque nefas When without sighing he received that Blow And bravely scorn'd the Villanies below And now it was no small comfort to many that they to whom the Parricides had formerly been liberal were as poor as those whom they had robbed but it was fit that Clemency should usher in the new Administration of the Government and therefore Charles imitating God Almighty in mercifulness past in Parliament an Act of Indemnity and Oblivion for all his Subjects except those who had embrewed their hands in his Fathers Bloud the rest of the guilty Rebels being wonderfully pardoned but whether with greater Policy or Mercy let Posterity judge The King now secure in his own Majesty and the Loyalty of his Subjects resolved to disband the Army which for so many years had been the Burden and Grievance of the Nation for the paying of which a Tax by way of Poll was imposed on every head in England The Souldiers had also a Donative bestowed upon them and many of the Officers were rewarded according to their merit Amidst the Joys wherewith the first three months of his Majesties government was blessed Henry Duke of Gloucester fell sick and was fatally too soon snatched out of this world by the Small Pox so much the more lamented by the King his Brother and by the Kingdom that at twenty years of age he had given such sublime proofs of his Princely Accomplishments And this alone may seem an Eclipse of the Glory of Charles that almost in his own triumph he beheld the Funeral of his dear Brother Manibus date Lilia plenis Purpureos spargam flores Bring plenty of white Lillies to his Herse Whilst sad there the purple Rose disperse The affairs of England being setled Scotland and Ireland were to be taken care of The King therefore appointed Privy-Councils of the most Loyal Subjects of both Kingdoms to manage the Government till he might advise about calling a Parliament in Scotland and sending over a Lord Lieutenant into Ireland After the dutiful Addresses of his Subjects at home the neighbouring Kings of France Sweden Denmark and many Princes of Germany by honourable Embassies congratulate the Kings happy Restauration all which were outdone by the pompous and splendid train of the Prince Ligny Embassadour from the Catholick King And now it was time to bring the Murderers of Charles the Martyr to their Tryals many of whom were before clapt up in Prison others fled away secretly and wandered in foraign and distant Countries and some trusting to the hopes of a Pardon obeyed the Kings Proclamation and freely surrendred themselves Therefore on the tenth of October Harrison Carew Clements Jones Scot and Scroop who had been of the number of the Judges that condemned the King Cooke Attorney-General the famous infamous Peters Chaplain to the Traytors Axiell and Hacker Commanders of the Guards were brought to the Bar not before an accursed and new-made High Court of Justice but according to the ancient Laws of the Kingdom before the chief Justices and the rest of the Kings Justices to be tryed by a Jury of Twelve men after the usual manner of England They were chiefly charged by the Attorney-General and the Kings Council That they the aforesaid Traytors and others guilty of High-Treason conspiring with an accursed Army of Fanaticks had carried away to Prison King Charles securely treating a Peace with the two Houses of Parliament which was almost concluded in the Isle of Wight So that the House of Lords being abrogated and the founder Members of the Commons six and forty Villains that remained took to themselves the name of a Parliament invaded the Government and decreed to bring the King to a Tryal By whose authority these Parricides an High Court of Justice being impudently constituted had condemned and caused to be put to death the King of England who was above the Laws contrary to the will and to the great grief of the People To their Indictment rightly laid and fully proved having made many false and frivolous Answers concerning the supreme authority of the Parliament which indeed in this case had no authority at all they were by the Verdict of a Jury of Twelve men found guilty of and condemned for High-Treason The same Verdict past also upon nineteen other of the Kings Judges but with a different event as shall be mentioned in the proper place On the third of October a Gibbet was set up at Charing-cross near Whitehall whither in the morning Harrison being brought the first of the surviving Regicides both in guilt and punishment with the same madness and obstinacy as he had behaved himself at his tryal the cruel Traytor affecting an undauntedness at his death was hang'd and quarter'd as he well deserved CAROLE tuis jam Victima mittitur umbris Nec satis hoc fortuna putat procul absit ut ista Vindictae sit summa tui Great CHARLES a Victim to thy Ghost does fall And yet thy Fates are not appeas'd no all That just Revenge is not yet paid that shall Harrison rather of a base than low Birth was the Son of a Butcher bred at first a Pettifogging Country-Attorney but in the heat of the Civil Wars when the onely way to get into Power was Fanaticism and Treason he fled to the Rebellious Army and there turning a furious Anabaptist and advanced to be a Colonel he grew very intimate with Cromwel and his Competitor in Villany But being a proud and haughty fellow and a most desperate Republican he fell out and was highly displeased with Oliver when he was made Protector not that he hated the Tyrant Cromwel but disdained to be outstripped and to submit to one who from a fellow-Souldier was become his Prince Carew came next and suffered the like death but his Relations who had served the King in the Wars obtained as a mark of favour the liberty of burying his body which was the same night obscurely performed The day following Cook and Peters in the same place suffered the same punishment where Peters by a drunken and base death disgraced his infamous life Cook was an obscure ragged beggarly Lawyer and ambitious to get a
most valiant General in War not onely to be compared to the chief Commanders of his own age but to the most renowned Warriours of elder times and of so great reputation he was in Military affairs that the modestest do acknowledge too great a Courage in Albemarle He spent almost his whole life in Arms and at length growing old amidst Victories he became gray-headed under a Helmet In Britain and Ireland by Sea and by Land so happy was Albemarle that Fortune traced out for him Honour Renown and Titles He had indeed a hidden and a silent kind of Sagacity in the management of affairs and improved almost all the Arts of Prudence by Silence He had a Modesty that set off all the other Virtues of his Mind nor was he ever heard to brag of what he had done or deserved The Fame of so great a man doubtless inferiour to no other Mortal will propagate it self to Posterity who without Pride or Ostentation gratified a banished Prince with so signal Services and onely rejoyced in the conscientious performance of his Duty and Obedience Nor after the Restauration of Charles did he behave himself as a Colleague in the Government as Mucianus was of old reported to have done to Vespasian but as a Servant neither did he ever boast that having the Power in his own hands he had bestowed it upon another whereby he burned to his glory the Arrogance of the Rump and the Impudence of Cromwel his Loyalty inclining him more to give up than his Ambition to retain the Government We may moreover reckon Albemarle happy not onely in the greatness of the Action but also in the seasonableness of the Service That he brought back the Government to a Prince of so just and good a temper who put so true an estimate upon his Loyalty and under whom it would never be unsafe nor dangerous to deserve the most For good Offices are acceptable especially to Kings so long as the obliged think they may be able to requite them but when they are too great to be rewarded instead of Thanks they procure Hatred And it is rare and almost unusual for Princes to think themselves obliged or if they think so to love their Benefactors Peace being now established at home and Janus his Temple shut Albemarle departed the more joyfully out of this life that when he left no Troubles in Britain yet he left behind him a Love for himself in the hearts of all good men so much the more wanted that he had taken care that nothing should be wanting having left nothing in the State but his own death to be bewailed the King flourishing in his Government and the Loyalty of the Parliament as yet vieing with the modesty of the Prince Every one enjoyed the happiness they desired at home and Peace with all Nations abroad till the League-breaking Dutch again provoked the English Arms. But the Actions of that War the steddy Fortune of the British Nation and the future Triumphs of CHARLES I have set aside as a subject for my more advanced years FINIS A Table to the Third Part. A. ALbemarle vid. Monk Army disbanded 52 B. Bishops restored 51 Booth Sir George his Insurrection 8 C. Committee of Safety 13 Commissioners from the Parliament wait on the King at Breda 44 Conventicles supprest 73 Covenant burnt by the Hangman 66 Cowley Abraham 99 D. De Wit 76 Dutch War beginning and occasion 74. The first Engagement 81. The second 87. The third 88. the fourth 90. The fifth 92. Their Attempt at Chatham 98. Peace concluded 98. F. Fanaticks rise but are supprest 72 G. Gloucester Duke dies 52 K. King Charles 2. Comes to Breda 42. Lands at Dover 46 Enters London 47. His Coronation 61. Marries the Infanta of Portugal 69. L. Lambert proclaimed a Traytor 40. Committed to the Tower 41. Condemn'd but obtains mercy 71. Libels 73 The Liturgie and Ceremonies of the Church confirm'd and establish'd by Act of Parliament 71 London the great Plague there 84. The great Fire there 94. Rebuilt 99 100. M. Monk Sir George 6 13 inf His famous march into England 25. Enters London 28. Admits the secluded Members 36. Receives Letters from the King 37. Created Duke of Albemarle 51. A short account of his Life and Death 102 inf His Character 105. O. Oblivion Act 52 Great Officers upon the Kings Restoration 51 Orange Princess dies in England 60 Oxford the Court and Term there 85. The new Theatre there built 101. P. Parliament the long one dissolved 41. A new one meet 42. A new one call'd by the King 66. Physicians Colledge visited by the King 78 Q. Queen-Mother dies 101 R. Recapitulation of things past 1 Regicides brought to Tryal 53. Their several Characters 54 55 56 57 58 67 68 70. Rump-Government 5. inf Rump and Army at variance 10. S. Solemn League and Covenant burnt by the Hangman 66 V. Uly-Island and Ships there burnt by the English 93 Y. York Duke made Lord High Admiral 50. His great Victory at Sea 81. The Right of Kings in England In the person of a Monarch for above a thousand years And he hereditary And never dying To him all swear Allegiance and Supremacy The Prerogatives of the K. or chief marks of Majesty and the Regalia belong onely to the King So that all Estates and Possessions are derived from him and to him return at last He hath the care of Pupils and Lunaticks The power of coyning Money He confers all Honours and Offices Which are to be administred in his name alone His power in matters of War Also in Ecclesiastical affairs He moderates the rigour of Laws And judges in undecided cases He chuses his own Counsellors He that mounts the Throne is never to be brought to the Bar since the Law says he cannot die Nor can he err or do wrong But as he offends by his Ministers so is he punished The Heir of the Crown is by the death of his Predecessor ipso facto cleared from all guilt Yet it is not lawful to rule arbitrarily VVhat Rights belong to Parliaments To make and repeal Laws Impose Taxes Legitimate Bastards Enact the VVorship of God Set Rates on VVeights and Measures VVhat the Parliament of England is The Vpper House of it The Lower The time and place appointed by the King They are called by VVrits The manner of meeting The King declares the causes of their meeting in the Vpper House All and every one of the Members of the House of Commons take the Oath of Allegiance to the King And of Supremacy They chuse a Speaker whom they accompany to the King beseeching his Majesty to approve their Election And not to be offended with their freedom in speech ☞ All may petition but by the mediation of Deputies The way of debating and communicating opinions betwixt both Houses By the Kings consent the Bills are made Laws Or otherwise rejected Religious matters aâ—â—ommitâ—ed by the Kiâ—g to
the Clergy Which by the Deans Archdeacons and Deputies of the Clergy are holden in the Convocation Their Acts bind not the People without the consent of the King and Parliament The Rights Priviledges of the Vpper House Of the Lower The providence of the Law thae the Members might debate freely and without fear The modesty of the Parliament What honour Kings were wont to shew the Parliament But when occasion required reduced them into order The happiness of the Kingdom under this Government VVhat were the beginnings of the Troubles raised by some Members of the House of Commons Hence mutual Jealousies betwixt the King and Parliament And then the dissolution of Parliaments This gave occasion of stirring the people up against the King And yet the Kingdom in a most flourishing condition Though unfortunate in War abroad and some Taxes imposed at home Some seditious persons are punished New Ceremonies startle the Puritans The Archbishop endeavouring to impose the Liturgy of England upon the Scots offends them Vpon which pretext but for other causes they grow turbulent They take Arms alter the Government both in Church and State The King marches against them And upon Articles makes Peace with them The Scots innovating the Articles cause a new VVar. A Parliament is called in England And dissolved The Scots making a secret Combination with the Factious invade England Having made a Truce the Judgment of the Parliament is expected The Parliament meets The Factious in it Who under pretext of reforming Grievances endeavour to new-model the Government both in Church and State And by what steps Many are accused the E. of Strafford and Arshb of Canterbury The L. Keeper Judges And twelve Bishops The terrified Judges are freely discharged The Bishops also being deprived of the right of voting in the House of Lords Strafford is brought to his tryal before the House of Lords the King over-hearing The Earl in his defence clears himself of the Accusation The House of Commons make a new Law whereby they make him guilty of Treason Not without opposition many dissenting The Lords deliberating more seriously The Rabble beset the House And hinder the Lords and Bishops from entering it then they break into Westminster-Abbey And afterward run in tumult to White-hall And answer the K. sawcily Whilst the Justices of Peace repress the Tumults they are imprisoned by the factious House The factious Members of Parliament consult with the Apprentices and teach them the time and manner of tumultuating Whereby the Members being frightned forbear coming to the House and are therefore excluded Whence the Authority of Parliament wears out of date The Lords pass the Bill against the Earl of Strafford The Kings consent is very hardly obtained Till the Judges pronounced it lawful the Bishops removed his scruples And Strafford advised him to it The King by Letters desires the execution may be delayed The Lords deny it Courtiers fearful of their condition freely resigne their places The Sheriffs Justices of the Peace comply with the times In that thing alone the King withstood the will of the Parliament In the rest he left himself in a manner at their discretion He suffers the Jurisdiction of the Court of Stannaries of the Court of the President of Wales to be lessened The extent of the Forests also be abridged The Court of the Star-Chamber And of the High Commission to be abrogated As also that of the Lord President and Council of the North. He allows Monopolies to be rescinded He yields up also his right of levying Souldiers Ship-money Tunnage and Poundage Allows also a Triennial Parliament And that the present Parliament should not be dissolved without the consent of both Houses Yet with these the Factious are not pleased But are thereby emboldened to raise Animosities and Divisions The Scots are sent home The English Irish Armies are also disbanded The K. follows the Scots into their Country And upon his return is feasted by the Londoners The Factious congratulate the Kings return by a defamatory Declaration ☞ To which the King shortly answers New Tumults for snatching the power of the Militia out of the K.'s hands The K. obviates the Sedition by accusing the Heads of it of Treason Whom the House of Commons takes into protection Wherefore the K. enters the House of Commons in person That he may demand them Who fled The K. afterward desisted and in a manner acknowledged his fault But the Factious take thence occasion of slandering and of raising jealoâ—sies stirs Buckinghamshire Essex petition The accused Members abscond in London and with a Guard of Citizens are conducted to the Parliament-house The K. withdraws to Windsor-Castle Sends the Q into Holland Sends for the Prince Moves towards York Having first sent pacificatory Letters to the Parliament VVhich notwithstanding the House of Commons misinterpret as contrary to the Priviledges of Parl. and pretend to be in great fear Daring alone to demand the power of the Militia VVhich when they could not obtain they stir up the Corporations to take up Arms of their own accord The House of Commons pass a Vote for ordering the Militia by Deputies and having prevailed with the Lords with joynt address they demand the Militia of the King upon pretence of dangers The K. allows a share in the power of the Militia reserving to himself the supreme Authority he exhorts them to moderation and peace But the Factious slight these things fill the rest with idle fears and by them stir up the People Fearing that the K. might possess himself of the Magazine of Hull They send Sir John Hotham to prevent it Who shuts the Gates against the King And is proclaimed Traitor He is justified by the House of Commons Afterward repenting of what he had done and being about to deliver up the Town to the K. he is taken with his Son beheaded The Parl. sends Proposals of Peace to the King The Parl. Propositions to the King The King answers The matter comes to nothing as all future Treaties Propositions The Parl. proposing most rigid Conditions The mediation of the K. of France the States of the United Provinces and of the Scots is rejected The Parl. seizes the Militia The K. commands the contrary citing Laws that are against it They answer And the K.'s Majesty replies And opposes the Aggressors They skirmish on both sides in Apologies and Manifesto's wherein the K. has the better The Parl. levies an Army Having deceived the People by wheedles And the Ministers They raise Pay Who favour the King By their assistance and his own authority the King raises an Army such as he could The Irish Rebellion intervenes Macquire and Macmahon the Incendiaries of the Irish Rebellion are taken carried to London There to be punished with the utmost rigour Macquire upon the brink of death Constantly asserts the innocence of the K. Vpon whom nevertheless the Rebels charge the Crime Who were the Authors of it And what opportunities they
Royalists whom he spoils of the tenth part of their Goods Withot any distinction He sets Major Generals over Provinces Who had great power given them over suspected persons Especially over Ministers turned out of their Livings who are not permitted so much as to teach little Children At length their Exorbitant Power being suspected to Cromwell himself they are wholly abolished Some Imprisoned for the Royal Cause For a Murder afterward committed are brought to a Tryal and acquitted by a Jury After the same manner Lilburn escaped Death and Stawell thrice The Tyrant objects against the Ancient Custom of a Jury of twelve Men. This wholesom Custom is justied Cromwell assists the Protestants oppressed by the Duke of Savoy An Expedition into the Mediterranean Sea under Blake Who easily agreeing with the Algerines He chastises the Pride of those of Tunis by burning their Ships in the very Harbour Another greater into America The first reason of it The second The third The fourth The fifth Penn Admiral at Sea and Venables General at Land The Spaniard being afraid They arrive first at Barbadoes Afterwards they saile to Hispaniola with a design to proceed to Carthagena after they had taken St. Domingo But they are first overcome by the heat and thirst Then by the Inhabitants And at length by a Plague in Jamaica whither they had betaken themselves The Spaniard declaring War Cromwell assists the French upon these Conditions King CHARLES and the Duke of York being invited go into Flanders Where the Duke serves the Spaniard Manasses Ben Israel a Jew desires liberty for his Nation to live and Trade in England To which Cromwell listens in hopes of gain But having first consulted Divines Of whom some contrary to his expectation are of a contrary Opinion The English Fleet Commanded by Montague and Blake Defeats eight Spanish Ships richly laden whereof two were taken A second Parliament câ—nsisting onely of Coâ—moners wherein Scots and Irish are admitted Suits better with Cromwells Interests Since they would have made him King Alledging these Reasons for it To which he answering They strongly reply The chief Argument Who they were that would have had him take the Title of King And who on the other hand as fiercely opposed it The Cavaliers for several reasons were for the first Advice Cromwell rejecting the Crown which be so earnestly coveted With much ado he obtained from the Parliament the Title of Protector And is solemnly Inaugurated by the Speaker The sink of Hereticks of these times Of whom Naylor had the impudence to give himself out for Jesus Christ Vntil he was Whipt and Imprisoned who deserved a thousand times to be put to Death Sundercome a Republican plots against Cromwell Who being betray'd by another Conspirator is brought to a Tryal and condemned But he prevented the Executioner by a sudden Death The Republicans rising are apprehended Lambert being Disbanded Fleetwood is put in his place Cromwells Lords of the very dregs of the People Some of the Nobility being mingled with them who disdain such companions Falconberge also his Son-in-law and both his own Sons Of whom he sends Richard to lead a Countrey Life Who at length is made Chancellour of the Vniversity of Oxford and one of his Fatherâ—s Privy Council A Parliament of two Houses who agree ill betwixt themselves the Bastard Peers being despised by the Lower-House And therefore that Parliament is dissolved New Designs of the Cavaliers are disappointed by Cromwell they being discovered by secret Spies Many are brought to Trial for their Life Two of the more remarkable are beheaded Four others drawn hanged and quartered Cromwell for greater security levies new Troops of Hâ—rse consisting of Voluntiers Blake with unparallell'd boldness burns the Spanish Fleet in the very Harbour of Sancta Cruce His Death Character and Actions The Dane makes War against the Swede â—ow victorious in Poland The Swede hastning his return invades Denmark revenges himself on the Dane and reduces him to extremity Afterward he demands Assistance from the English and the Dane from the Dutch Cromwell sends thither a Fleet and two Mediators The Dutch likewise assist the Dane having fought the Swedes at Sea The French by the assistance of the English take Montmidy and presently after Mardyke Fort which is given to the English to be defended The Duke of York in vain attempts it Graveling being taken Dunkirk is Besieged For the relief of which Don John of Austria comes The French fight and overcome Shortly after the Governour being shot the Town is takâ—n And given to the Engllsh as a Reward for their Service Cromwel began to be sick first in Mind For the Death of his dearest Daughter And the Republicans that grew daily grew stronger Presently after being taken with a slight Fever Which at length confined him to his Bed Though he was secure of recovering Trusting rashly to his silly Ministers and Flatterers Who feed the Dying-man with vain hopes and mock God himself with their Thanks-givings From Hampton-Court he is brought to London The Disease growing more dangerous He is advised by his Counsellors to name his Successour And so his Son Richard nominated shortly after he died Sept. 3. 1658. The Spleen of all other parts of his Body when opened being most affected Cromwells Character His Birth Childish Enthusiasms And Scurrility His youthful Luxury and Repentance His Penury and Want His Prejudice against the King He advises the Parliamentarians His Military Discipline His Command and Rule His way of Ruling Richard takes into his Hands the Reins of Government Not so much out of his own Ambition as indeed by the Allurements of others Cromwells expensive Funeral And Enterment amongst Royal Ashes The 〈…〉 â—ill 〈◊〉 tâ—rds Richaâ—d â—y endâ—avour 〈◊〉 Fâ—twood and him together by the Ears The Soldiers challenge to themselves extravagant Priviledges A Parliament is called wherein much time is spent in jangling without any fâ—uit Yet they are reconciled The Instrument of Government is sifted They recall Overton from Banishment They accuse Berkstead and Butler of Treason The Commanders of the Army urging their Proposals Richard is wanting to himself And is forsaken of his Friends The Officers publish a Remonstrance And are by the Parliament discharged to keep Consults This made them draw into the Conspiracy the Lâ—eutenancy and Officers of the Militia of Londâ—n Presently they beset Whitehall And Richard being overcone by their Prayers and Threatnings dissolves the Parliament He being sâ—rrounded with these dangers Is perswaded to espouse the Kings Cause â—eetwood diâ—wading him The Officers agan raise the Rump from the Dead And what sort of Men they were And bound to these Articles Send them into the Parliament-house Richard out of fear having resigned up his Authority Stript of all departs out of Whitehall And being made a laughing stock betakes himself again to a Country Life May 3. June 21. August 2. August Sept. 11. June June June April 29. May 1. May 21. June June 26. July 22. August 22. Septemb.
67 infra Strafford Earl 21 23. His Tryal 24. T. Tryal of his Sacred Majesty K. Charles I. 144 Tumults and Riots 25 Tunnage and Poundage 18 V. Vote of Non-Addresses 95. Is rescinded 102. W. War its beginning 42 Wight Isle the Treaty there 102. inf The Kings Concessions there voted satisfactory 136. Writs of Summons to Parliament the form 7 ERRATA'S To the First Part. PAge 1. line 8. for to read of p. 66. l. 3. r. honour p. 67. l. 33. for shewing r. shew p. 74. l. 9. adde from p. 82. l. 2. r. muttering p. 102. l. 10. r. levitie p. 137. l. 23. adde who p. 159. l. 9. r. reported ibid. l. 11. r. harmonious p. 162. l. 2. r. bounds ibid. l. 11. r. Rectitude p. 163. l. 3. r. Charge To the Second Part. PAge 22. line 7. read Rathmeenes p. 27. l. 3. r. Arts p. 30. l. 21. r. Butler p. 48. l. 15. r. envied p. 58. l. 7. adde most p. 66. l. 31. adde for p. 67. l. 12. r. Execute p. 74. l. 26. r. Nor p. 87. l. penult dele are p. 96. l. 14. r. make p. 104. l. 35. r. hand p. 108. l. 28. r. Dirlton p. 121. l. 35. r. Massey p. 124. l. 1. r. Coming presently to blows at the Town of Wigan p. 125. l. 23. r. Keith p. 204. l. 35. r. obey To the Third Part. PAge 15. line 2. read retained p. 41. l. 1. r. farce p. 44 l. 14. r. Leicester Vicount Hereford p. 53. l. 29. r. Sollicitor-General p. 63. l. 23. r. Sir Richard Baker's p. 66. l. 16. r. Mounson p. 82. l. 29. r. Falmouth p. 86. l. 20. dele was p. 90. l. 2. r. fight A short HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE Rise and Progress OF THE Late Troubles in England ENgland as all the Records of our Antiquity tell us never was governed but by the authority of a King and though it hath been divided into several Kingdoms or rather Camps yet it never had rest from intestine Commotions nor foreign Invasions till it came under the Obedience and Protection to one sole Monarch Since that it is now above a thousand years that Kings in a continued succession have reigned with supreme Authority in England And so great all along hath been the Love and Reverence that the People have had towards a Prince that he was always judged the fittest and most worthy of the Government who was next in Bloud to the King so that no factious Election but lawful Birthright could ever warrant a Title to the Crown The Royal Heir of the last King though an Infant is immediately carried to the Throne even in the Cradle And in this kind of immortality in reigning the Laws glory That the King of England never dies Nay and by the ancient common Law all Subjects above twelve years of age are bound by Oath to bear a peculiar Faith by the Laws called Allegiance to the lawful Prince to him alone and for ever even before he be crowned and that their Obedience may be confirmed upon a double account a religious Oath that of Supremacy is likewise to be taken to the King I must here beg the Readers pardon if in the very beginning I speak of the Kings Prerogative the Priviledges of Parliament and Liberties of the People which to our Country-men who have studied the point perhaps may be tedious though to the Work we now undertake it be absolutely necessary seeing thereby it will appear who have been the Violators and who the Observers of the Laws In the first place what great power the King has over the lives and fortunes of his Subjects is hereby made manifest that mediately or immediately they all hold their Estates of the King that is to say that whatever Lands and Possessions they enjoy in fee or feudal rights they owe them more to the bounty of the King than to Fortune And therefore all Estates failing of lawful Heirs or when the Owners forfeit them by Felony or Treason flow back to the Kings Exchequer as to the Ocean from whence they have been derived The King as Father of the Country has the care of the persons of Pupils and Lunaticks and enjoys their Rents and Revenues Nay by the ancient Laws it is not lawful for them to contract Marriage without his consent and if they do they are to be severely censured And that what is to be given to Caesar may be known by the publick Money the matter form manner and value of Coyn is varied according to the will and pleasure of the King All Honours Titles and Priviledges all publick Corporations and Societies flow from and are constituted by the Crown the Admiral Chancellor Treasurer Judges Sheriffs Justices of Peace are onely made by the King in whose name alone their Writs Warrants and Sentences pass nor does any of them enter into Office before he hath taken an Oath of Fidelity to the King and of faithful administration None but the King has power of Peace and War who orders Military Discipline according to his will and pleasure and not by the forms or prescripts of Laws and as he himself thinks fit disposes of the Forces both by Sea and Land it being necessary that he who watches for the safety of the Common-wealth should be invested with sufficient Power to repress intestine Seditions and repel foreign Invasions Upon that account it belongs onely to him to appoint Musters and Levies of Souldiers secure the Castles and Garisons with which maritim Fortifications England even in the profoundest time of Peace is no less secured than by the Seas as often as there is need also to fit out a Fleet and to set Governours and Commanders over both Nor is the Sword neither to be weilded by any other hand but that which sways the Scepter so that if any one without the Kings command take up Arms for the defence of the Kings Person and Rights he is by so doing guilty of High-Treason and liable to the punishment of a Traytor without a special Pardon from the King Nor is his Power more limited in Ecclesiastical than Civil affairs for since the authority of the Pope being shaken off the Church was made part of the Kingdom and the Clergy after long reluctancy began to be contented with the common priviledges of Subjects the King became at length Custos utriusque tabulae and as he ever was in right before so was he then acknowledged and confirmed by Law to be supreme Head and Governour in spiritual as well as temporal affairs and owned to be in a manner the Bishop of the Kingdom wherein in the promotion of Bishops conferring of Dignities appointing Fasts enjoyning Rites and Ceremonies in the Church he hath with the advice of the Fathers and Rulers of the Church always exercised a supreme and sacred Power and Authority He hath also so great power over the Laws themselves though he obliges himself to govern
House of Lords onely save onely in making Laws or imposing Taxes and Subsidies unless when it shall otherwise seem fit to the Kings Majesty to require their particular counsel and assent for dispatching the publick Affairs of the Nation Nay it was of old the custom also that if any Controversie or Doubt arose about the validity of the Election of the Members of the House of Commons the matter was not determined by the other Members of the same House but either by the Lords in the Upper House or by the Judges in Chancery And if any of them also departed from the Parliament without leave from the King and both Houses he was brought before the Kings Privy-Council or Kings-Bench to receive sentence for his faults but he was never punished at the will and pleasure of his own House This also is peculiar to the House of Commons that we may again return to their Priviledges that it belongs to them first to debate and form the Bill for raising Money from the People Such therefore is the wonderful temper of our Monarchy that the King Lords and Commons have their several parts in the publick administration of Affairs yet with that harmonious proportion that All can help but none of them hurt the Publick For the Prerogative of the King that gives him the supreme power of Government and of Peace and War tends to this that he may have strength enough to defend the Laws against the Factions of the Nobility and the Tumults and Insurrections of the people whilst the Nobles by the high Authority they have in giving Judgment and making Laws can on the one hand put a stop to tyrannical attempts if any should be offered by the King and on the other curb the insolence of a tumultuous and seditious common People Nor are the Commons through the priviledge they have of accusing any man and giving or denying Money unprovided of means of restraining the licentiousness of the Lords and Privy-Counsellors and of preventing the arbitrariness of the Prince The Laws are very careful that the liberty of Debating and Voting be not obstructed through fear and the insolence of wicked men for it is enjoyned under severe penalties that no Member of Parliament come to the House with hidden or open Arms nor that any other person armed with a Sword or any other Weapon presume to walk in the Palace-yard or near the House thereby to give cause of terrour and apprehension or to lessen the reverence of the place Yea it hath been the custom that the Members of Parliament and their menial Servants should during the sitting of Parliament be protected from arrests for debt or other slight crimes but the Priviledge of Parliament excuses no man that is guilty of Treason Felony or Breach of the Peace from the ordinary prosecution of Law Yet if by the mistake either of the Magistrate or Officer any Parliament-man or their Servants happen to be arrested they cannot be set at liberty according to Law but by a Writ assigning the cause directed out of the Chancery So much heretofore did both Houses contain themselves within the bounds of modesty that if any one inconsiderately offended against the received customs or spake any way irreverently of the King he was severely punished for the fault and that at the suit and instance of the House of which he was a Member The Kings also did very seldom unless it were for weighty causes act any thing that might give offence to so August an Assembly Yet sometimes upon high provocations some of our mildest Princes have severely rebuked the whole Parliament and caused some Members to be brought to the Bar to answer for their offences and have punished others by Fine Imprisonment or Death according to the nature of their crimes These were the old customs and those the men that made England for many Ages past to flourish being happy at home and renowned abroad until too much happiness as often happens in humane affairs with Luxury and all sorts of Vice brought in amongst us Pride Ambition and the contempt of the Laws both of God and man so that with mutual emulation and envy men began to covet and invade the Rights of one another to despise and set at nought rather than to reverence and obey the King Religion and Laws and to gape after Novelties rather than to acquiesce in what was most excellently established Of late some perverse men and they at first but a few who had screwed themselves into the Lower House being desirous of changes and crafty Promoters of publick Debates began to clamour about the Rights and Liberties of the People and Power of Parliaments to arrogate to themselves unheard-of Priviledges to be very busie where they were no ways concerned take upon them what they were not capable of effecting and at length breaking out into insolent Expressions and Invectives against the the Kings power calling into question the Tunnage and Poundage which the Kings of England in all times enjoyed and forbidding them to be payed to the King nay and to offer violence to their Speaker within the very walls of the House and in a word to shake off their ancient modesty all reverence which they ought to bear to the Majesty of their King and to trample under foot the sacred Customs of the Kingdom and Priviledges of Parliament Hence arose mutual Heart-burnings and Jealousies that the King designed to invade the Liberties of the Parliament and the Parliament to encroach upon the Prerogative of the Crown For this reason the King put an end to several Parliaments much sooner than many desired but not without precedents in former times and checked the rashness of some by imprisonment Being some time afterward sollicited he refused to call new Parliaments that so the Heats and Animosities might be allayed and that they might learn for the future to bring along with them Modesty and greater Gravity to so great a Council But that gave occasion to crafty and restless men of spreading their poyson all over England so that every where they gave it out That Religion was ruined the publick Liberty opprest and the Laws in danger of being subverted hoping that it would be no difficult matter to perswade credulous people of this who were greedy of Novelties and prone to listen to Calumnies and Slanders especially of the great men They reproached the King with bitter Railings calling him uxorious imprudent addicted to the Popish Religion covetous and what else they knew to be infamous and hateful to the People They censured the best of his actions and strained them to the worst sence They wonderfully aggravated his Misfortunes and Failings and were more injurious than ill fortune her self in their horrid constructions Amongst so many Complaints and Outcries if you demand what real calamity happened Britain was never in a more flourishing condition stately Buildings both publick and private every where reared not
onely for conveniency but even for Ostentation and Luxury Trade increasing dayly both in compass and profit had already enlarged it self to both the Indies onely unhappy in this that with the Wealth of Strangers foreign Vices were also imported Arts of all sorts never look'd gayer in Colledges Courts and Shops nor were the wealthy Inhabitants ever prouder Justice was administred according to Law nor was any man deprived of Life or Goods but by the lawful Verdict of a Jury of his Country-men to whom these things ought to be of highest value all the parts of Government were so administred that they seemed to conspire together for the publick good save onely in this that they could not repress the insolency and wantonness that sprung from so great prosperity and which is not to be dissembled being long unaccustomed to War we had been unfortunate in some foreign expeditions and the people were incensed at some impositions at home which though very moderate and countenanced by publick necessity and good reason in Law yet gave occasion to the people to pretend that the Right and Property of the Subject was opprest and to outcries of Injustice and also the imprisonment and lopping off the ears of four or five seditious persons sentenced by the Judges of the Star-Chamber seemed to be punishments too severe for those halcyon days of Peace and Tranquillity To this may be added that the Jurisdiction and Censures of Spiritual Courts wrought pity in some and indignation in others Besides the muster of Malecontents was made greater by some scrupulous Puritans who interpreted the enjoyning of Ceremonies and things indifferent in the Worship of God in the Canons of the Church to be the Fore-runners of Popery We may also take along with us the Zeal of the Archbishop in exempting the Clergie from the Suits and Injuries of Laicks and preferring them to civil employments which drew a great deal of envy and ill will not onely upon himself but upon all the Church-men also as also his endeavouring to bring into the Church of Scotland the use of the Service-book of England which though his designe was laudable that these three neighbouring Nations being under the government of one and the same King might also be joyned in an uniform manner of Worship was yet unseasonable and ill timed as we shall a little more fully relate Matters in Scotland were then ripe for a Rebellion for many took it ill that the King denied them the Honours and Titles to which they aspired others were vexed that they were forced to part with some portion of the Tythes though but moderate which they had upon the dissolution of the Monasteries in the minority of King James obtained from the Crown for making a competent Stipend for Ministers who then served the Cures at what easie rates the Patrons were pleased to allow them but most could not digest that the absolute Authority which they had for a long time usurped over their Vassals and Tenants should be taken from them and annexed to the Crown These chusing rather to shake the State than quit their hold those again rather to get Titles of Honour by the seditious Acclamations of the Mobile than to want them took occasion of the Liturgie and Ceremonies to buz the people in the ear that the reformed Religion was to be overturned to make way for Popery so that having taken up Arms and born down all that were of a contrary opinion they new model Church and State according to their own humour The King resolving to reduce those by Arms whom he could not reclaim by the milder causes of admonition being accompanied by the Flower of the Youth and Nobility of England who voluntarily and at their own charge set out upon the expedition marches to the borders but having by clemency and concessions brought them over to obedience which he preferred before Hostility and Arms he condescended to Articles of Peace and disbanded his Army The Scots afterward insisting upon Articles different from those that were agreed upon occasion new Broils and Dissensions which when neither Commissioners Messengers nor mutual Letters could compose both sides prepare afresh for a new War On the Kings side the Earl of Strafford then Deputy of Ireland raised an Army of eight thousand men with the assistance of the Parliament of Ireland being to be paid by them and being come over again into England bestirs himself in raising another Army here A Parliament is called wherein a certain Courtier making bad use of his instructions did purposely as most believed that he might confound affairs and increase Animosities betwixt the King and Parliament somewhat haughtily demand twelve Subsidies when the House of Commons had offered six in lieu of the Ship-money and this raised new discontents and grievances for putting a stop to which in those troublesome times the Parliament was sooner dissolved than many could have wished In the mean time the Scots whose Forces were not so dispersed but that they might be speedily drawn together into a body nicking the opportunity and by Agents entring into a Combination with the factious of England under pretext of petitioning the King came in a hostile manner into England and having beat some Troops that guarded the passage of the River Tine put all into fear and consternation took Newcastle and other Towns unprovided for defence and fortified them And though Strafford with the new-raised Army under his command had undertaken to drive them out of the Kingdom yet the most merciful King chose rather to refer the matter to a Parliament than without publick consent to pollute the Kingdom with bloud and slaughter A Truce was therefore made whereby the Scots were allowed a free Trade and Commerce with liberty to raise Contributions in the Counties where they lay and so a Parliament was called by whose prudence and Loyalty it was hoped all roots and Fibres of Animosities might be extirpated The Parliament being met the Factious who in great numbers had got into the House of Commons trusting now to the Patronage of the Scots and the Disorders of the times set about their business manfully they represent Grievances both publick and private accuse Courtiers and Magistrates and dart obliquely reproaches against the King himself exaggerating all with the highest strains of their Rhetorick Under pretext of reforming these Abuses they labour to overturn both Church and State and in imitation of the Scots to new-model the Government and that by these steps If in the first place they could deprive the King of the Counsels and Assistance of his most faithful Subjects and by loading him with Reproaches and false Crimes render him odious to the People and strip him of all Power and Authority they would next screw themselves into publick Offices and the power of the Militia and then with absolute dominion give Laws both to the King and People The Earl of Strafford and
Archbishop of Canterbury are accused of High-Treason both the English and Scots impeaching them Against Strafford also out of Ireland where the greatest matter of accusation was to be pickt up both Witnesses and Accusers are brought For whilst he was Deputy of Ireland he had by some severities which though perhaps they could not stand the test of the punctilio's and niceties of Law yet were necessary for the publick raised the indignation of the Inhabitants in that he endeavoured to reclaim the native Irish from their wonted Barbarity to Industry Civility and better Manners and to enure them to the Customs and Practices of the English Whence in a short time he had been so successful in this that having setled Trades Husbandry and Commerce amongst those lazy and stubborn people they began to flourish more than in all Ages before and to bring money into the Exchequer of England which by Rebellions they had so often exhausted before From amongst these though they were Roman Catholicks and sworn enemies to the English Government and even then plotting a Conspiracy against it Accusers in name of the Kingdom of Ireland and Witnesses were sent for who being prone enough of themselves to the work that they might the more securely attempt the Rebellion which then they hatched in their minds the wise Deputy being taken off were by all civilities and kind offices caressed by the Factious that by accumulated crimes they might overwhelm Strafford The Lord Keeper Finch was also accused and all the Judges who being sworn had after long deliberation declared in favour of the King as to the lawfulness of Ship-money Twelve Bishops also who by the riotous Rabble having been barred from coming into the House of Lords protested against all Laws that should be made as invalid until all that were concerned in the Council of the Kingdom might safely be present Others withdrew to avoid the impendent storm The Judges scared with this Parliamentary Thunderclap and taught to obey their Lords and Masters are at last all freely discharged and some of them continued in their places or promoted to higher The Bishops having lost their power of voting in the Lords House by a Law made in their absence being likewise set at liberty Canterbury is reserved for a future Sacrifice All the Storm at present fell upon the head of the Earl of Strafford whose Tragedy since it lay heavy upon the King during his whole life and at his death and that he by the Rebels was reckoned the most guilty I shall more fully relate that by the instance of one judgment may be made of the rest what kind of men they were who were so hated by the Parliament With great pomp he is accused by the Commons of twenty eight Articles of High Treason before the House of Lords all the Commons were present of whom six of the most violent were his Prosecutors or Managers of the Tryal the King also Queen and Prince being there privately behind the Curtain The weight of his Impeachment lay in this That in Ireland he had acted many things arbitrarily contrary to Law That in time of Peace he had raised Money of the Inhabitants against their wills by Military Exactions That he had advised the King to force the Subjects of England to obedience by foreign Arms and to make War against Scotland The Tryal lasted many days during which the Earl with great presence of mind and judgment defending himself so refuted the Arguments of his Prosecutors that amongst so many Articles there was not one even in the judgment of his enemies that could amount to Treason nor could all put together be constructed an acumulative Treason which inraged the House of Commons so far that having no colour of Law to take his life they make a new Law ex post facto whereby he is made guilty of High-Treason with a clause therein That it should not be made a Precedent in other Courts But this past not without great debate and opposition many speaking and arguing to the contrary and fifty nine of the chief Members of the House dissenting whose names were posted up in publick places that being exposed to the view and fury of the Mobile they might learn to vote with the Factious for the future if they had not rather be torn in pieces alive This Bill was in two days time past and engrossed in the House of Commons and carried up to the Lords for their consent but a matter of such moment was more seriously deliberated about there The Factious impatient of this delay stir up the Rabble and Dregs of the People who armed with Staves and Clubs and what Weapons Rage put into their hands came rushing to the Parliament-house roaring out Justice Justice and growing dayly more and more insolent morning and evening persisted in their riotous Clamours These Blades besetting the House of Lords lay hands upon what Lords and Bishops they please and tossing them to and fro hinder them from entering and threaten them worse if they obstinately refused to comply with the Commons Next they break in into Westminster-Abbey pull down the Organs rob the Vestments and sacred Furniture of the Church and then with furious clamours run to White-hall the Kings own house Nay they proceeded to that impudence as to dare to affront the King by sawcy and insolent Answers when his Majesty from a Balcony told them as they passed by White-hall that they should keep at home and mind their business Whilst some of the Justices of Peace according to their Oath and duty imprison those of that Rabble whom they could catch to be kept there for condign punishment they themselves are clapt up by the factious House of Commons pretending that it was free for all to come and petition the Parliament though they had caused the Gates of London to be shut against the men of Kent who came to petition the contrary and frightened others who intended to have done the like And when some discreet and good men had desired the Factious that they would at length lay the Devils whom they had raised they made answer That they ought rather to thank their Friends Nay so far was the Parliamentary Dignity debased that many times Members of the House of Commons came to the Clubs of Apprentices where they consulted about related and examined the affairs that past in Parliament what was designed to be done what parts they themselves were to act and when Hence their Tumults became by this kind of schooling in a manner to be regular being distributed into proper Classes and Fraternities as of Porters Watermen Taylors c. who under pretext of petitioning at the least hint from their Demagogues flocked together into bodies And that once for all we may lay open the nature of this Sore if any difficult knot occurred which by other arts they could not unty they presently betook themselves
Counties to wit of Buckinghamshire and Essex are egg'd on that being armed in several bodies they might come and petition that their Members might have free liberty of voting and that their Priviledges might be kept inviolate Although the Kentish-men who came to supplicate on the other side were denied liberty to enter the Gates of London and others who were about to do the like were restrained by threats and reproaches So that by polling and in a manner mustering the people they give the signal to War The accused Members abscond in London until they might feel the pulses and stir up the Citizens to draw out for their Guard and conduct them to the House in arms and triumph The King being advertised of this though at that time by the care and contrivance of Gurney the then Lord Mayor many valiant and loyal men offered themselves to mix with the Croud and being scattered through the streets like Spectators to oppose the Army if they attempted any thing against the King yet his Majesty hoping that these storms might break and spend themselves by giving way to them he with the Queen removed to Windsor-Castle But afterwards the Quarrel rising higher having sent the Queen beyond Sea under pretext of accompanying her eldest Daughter lately married to the Prince of Orange over into Holland but in reality that she might pass the Winter secure from the future storm and having sent for the Prince whom as he was informed the Factious did intend to seize by authority of Parliament he moves towards York but not before he wrote to the Parliament giving them the reasons of his departure perswading them by all means to Peace and desiring them That whatever it was they so much desired that he would grant and do for them they would set it down in writing that without ambiguiety they would state what the Parliament and People claimed and what on the other hand was to be granted to the King and he religiously protests that he would have the Rights of others no less to be inviolate than his own and that he would most willingly give his consent to all things that might contribute to the restoring of Peace and the just Rights of his Crown and Kingdom They not onely slight but caluminate this goodness of so gracious a King as if it were contrary to the Priviledges of Parliament to be informed what was fit to be done and that their consultations should be interrupted by Letters It can hardly be exprest how much the House of Commons proud of the favour of the Multitude pretended to be scared at these admonitions to Peace as portending new dangers and ruine in disguise Hence laying hold of the opportunity the House of Commons being onely the third and lowest Estate of the Kingdom the Lords being as yet averse from so unjust a desire had the boldness to demand that the power of all Castles and Forts and of the Militia should be put into their hands When they could not obtain this from the King they move all the Towns and Corporations that sided with them that as of their own accord they should make musters train up the Youth in Military Discipline and divide them into Companies which was afterward confirmed and approved in the House of Commons as done according to Law They pass also a Vote in their own House that by Authority of Parliament Deputies should be named in each County To exercise arm draw out and muster the Youth and those that were fit to carry Arms that they might be ready upon the future Orders of Parliament for suppressing Rebellions resisting Invasions c. Having at length by their known Arts prevailed with the Lords to give their consent both Houses joyn in an Address to the King That it was a thing not onely expedient but necessary to be done as well for himself as for the State pretending fears from France Germany and Spain who then were all in Arms and the intelligence they had from Paris Venice and Rome that the restless Papists and ill men were plotting and contriving how they might overset the Parliament of England and the reformed Religion The King willing to grant any thing for Peace sake yields them a share in the power of the Militia for a certain time reserving to himself the supreme Authority whereby he might be able to maintain the Dignity of the Crown and the Rights of Parliament He approves also the Deputies appointed by them some Londoners excepted and does pathetically exhort and adjure them That at length laying aside vain fears and mutual jealousies they would calmly and seriously consider by what means the troubled State divided into several Factions and torn almost into pieces by it self might be united again into one and that since no former Prince had made greater Concessions to his Subjects they would peaceably enjoy them But they slighting this Indulgence of the King and his sound Admonitions impose upon the rest with their bugbears of Fears and Jealousies They ordered strict Watch to be kept in suspected places the Beacons to be watch'd and prepare Pilots as for a War The People are dayly stirred up with false Rumours spread amongst the Multitude On Sundays when they are in Church at their Devotion they are put into panick fears as if the Papists who were to come no man knew whence were ready to burn their houses and to mingle their Bloud with their Prayers and by and by again that their throats were to be cut by enemies lurking in the Woods and Vaults under ground And many though not the wisest of the Londoners were perswaded that the River of Thames was to be blown up by Gunpowder to drown the City in the night-time so ridiculous were the surmises that gave occasion to most fatal changes By these and such-like tricks the Populace is frightened out of their senses and resolved to do any thing to rid themselves of these apprehensions Amongst the other preparatiss to War all the particulars whereof it is not our designe to trace the cunninger sort smelt a Plot as if the King in his progress to the North intended to seize the Town and well-provided Magazine of Hull which might be of great consequence in carrying on the War That they might prevent this the Factious of their own head without any authority from both Houses give the government of the place to Sir John Hotham which he instantly secured with a Garison and the assistance of some Towns-men So soon as the King had notice of this he marched thither attended with his Nobles and Servants but the Gates being shut and Souldiers planted upon the Walls he is denied entrance The King being highly offended commands the Governour to let him enter attended onely with twenty Gentlemen on horseback but he refusing to let him in unless alone is proclaimed a Traytor and the King by Letters to the Parliament
difficulty also the Fleet under the command of the Earl of Warwick is divided but all this still without any fighting There was much skirmishing indeed on both sides by Apologies and Manifesto's but after that the King in the judgment of most men had got the better on 't at the Pen at length they come to try the matter by Armies and the Sword It was easie for the Parliament to raise an Army in London a City abounding with swarms of seditious and restless men where so many Arms so great quantity of Provision and Ammunition so much Money and so many thousand pieces of Ordnance were ready at hand Where by the publick Declarations of so many specious Causes for which it might seem even honourable to die and the plausible Motto's in their Colours they inflamed the minds of the deluded Rabble more than with the sound of the Trumpet or Drum pretending forsooth That they took Arms for the defence of the Kings Person and to remove evil Counsellors from him for maintaining the Priviledges of Parliament and the preservation of the Reformed Religion for asserting the Laws and ancient Government of England nay and for securing their Religion Lives and Estates and therefore inviting all to their assistance By which Artifices the Preachers being bewitched who were desirous of a change in the Church-government and somewhat tickled with the hopes which the Rebels had roundly promised that the Livings of the Loyal Clergy and the fat Benefices of the Bishops Deans and Chapters would fall to their share in the Dividend they sound the Trumpet to Rebellion from the Pulpit from whence they ought to have preached the Gospel of Peace The People upon this spurred on with other hopes of a future Golden Age and of the temporal reign of the Messias comes flocking from all quarters the men bringing a vast quantity of Money and Plate and the women their Wedding-Rings Thimbles and Bodkins and without any regard to their Families by a strange kind of a phrenzy casting them into the publick Stock or Treasury The men strove who should be first to list themselves in this holy War whence in a short time there was an Army of about twenty thousand men got together before the King had levied five hundred for his defence and they also having more Cannon than he had Muskets in his possession For raising Pay for their Army besides the profuse Contributions and Benevolences of the People they seize the Goods of the Nobility and Gentry whom they knew to be of the Kings Party they fall also upon the Revenues of the Bishops Prince Queen and of the King himself by way of sequestration so that the Kings Majesty was forced to complain That they had not left him enough to live on And now they thought there was no more to be done but to march and seize the person of the King who was overcome and in a manner taken in a toyl which they doubted not to promise themselves to be done within the space of a month But the Will of God was otherwise for the Juggles of the Rebels had not so blinded the understanding of the English but that most part of the Lords and Peers of the Vpper House and almost an equal number of the Lower who for Estates and Quality far exceeded the rest went over to the Kings Party Many also of those who tarried at London favoured the Royal Cause in secret and in all Counties of the Kingdom there were many Gentlemen and common people that stood for the interest of the King By the assistance of these and the Royal Authority which like the Sun in an eclipse drew together a crowd of Spectators and by a certain pity and commiseration of some men who were ashamed to behold the Head of the Kingdom depressed into such a condition as to be forced to flie from the Imperial City to York from York to Nottingham from Nottingham into Shropshire and the borders of Wales after he had wandered up and down above four months long and in vain imploring the help and assistance of his Subjects the King at length got together a kind of a small Army which afterwards increased to greater Forces the people the more readily flocking to the King because with him they thought the Government must stand or fall Many of the Nobility and Gentry also brought what Forces they could to the Kings Party amongst whom not to rob any of the Honour due to them the Loyalty and Interest of the two Marquesses of Hertford and Newcastle was eminently conspicuous of whom the first brought with him a considerable Body of Dutch and the other almost at his own charge raised no inconsiderable Army in the North the Queen also sending over Moneys and Arms which by pawning her Jewels she had raised for which dutiful office to her Husband the Rebels accuse her of Treason Whilst these Clouds overcast the Sky at home a dismal Tempest thunders from abroad upon the heads of the English which because it was of no small moment as to our affairs that I may not wholly pass by in silence the Reader must cross the Sea with me into Ireland The Irish who always bore impatiently the Yoke of the English Government out of a natural aversion heightened by the emulation of different Religions watched for an opportunity to shake off the one and to assert the other I mean the Roman Catholick Religion did now attempt the Enterprize which long before they had formed in their minds For the whole Nation of a sudden and which was strange by a clandestine and concealed Conspiracy fell upon the English scattered over Ireland who were secure and expected no such thing turn them out of house and hold and without distinction of Age or Sex without respect to Affinity or Relation barbarously butcher many thousands like so many humane Sacrifices to their Superstition And had not the Conspiracy been detected at Dublin and in other places the more cautious running to Arms had not withstood their fury the English name was in a fair way of being totally extinguished in Ireland The good luck was that the very day before the intended Insurrection the mystery of the Plot was discovered at Dublin by an Irish Footman belonging to Sir John Clotwaithie who having refused to act the part that was put upon him in the Conspiracy opened the whole Intrigue to his Master who presently informed the Privy-Council of it Though many of the Conspirators fled yet two of the chief Incendiaries and Promoters of the Rebellion who had also undertaken to surprize Dublin-Castle I mean the Lord Macquire and Macmahon were apprehended Being committed to Prison they were afterwards conveyed to London where having long suffered the incommodities of a Prison that we may at once make an end of them they made their escape but being by another Irish-man betrayed in the absence of the King who was then inevitably engaged
in a War with his Subjects of England they were taken and at the Kings-bench-bar tried for High-Treason Macquire being found guilty by a Jury had sentence pronounced against him according to the Laws of the Country That he should be dragged to Tyburn in a Hurdle hang'd by the neck till he be half dead his privy Members and Bowels burnt before his face his Head cut off and set upon London-bridge and his Quarters upon four Gates of the City This Sentence was punctually executed in the presence of the Sheriff of London and fifteen thousand Spectators at least Nor is it to be omitted that the Sheriff having adjured Macquire by the dreadful Tribunal of God before which shortly he was to appear and the clearing and easing of his Conscience which was then or never to be done that he would ingenuously confess whom he knew to be guilty of the same Crime though the Rope was about his neck and he half up the Ladder yet by name he acquitted King Charles from being any ways privy to it solemnly professing that he knew no English-man but one and he a Papist that had any hand in the matter Nay and being cast off the Ladder and when after he had tried what hanging was he was a little reprieved and had no small hopes given him of a pardon he still persisted in the same protestation But in the Pulpits Clubs and publick Pamphlets the Crime was charged upon King Charles nor did the Rebels blush to asperse even the sacred and innocent Majesty of the King with so heinous a guilt hoping that whilst they continued so boldly to vent their Calumnies and Slanders against him some of them at least would stick The Irish Nobility and Priests who were the chief Actors in this Tragedy were encouraged to the Villany by the late successes of the Scots who to speak in the language of Sir John Temple a Privy-Counsellor of that Kingdom who wrote the History of those Troubles having happily succeeded in their attempts obtained by their last Commotions considerable Priviledges from the King To this adde that our intestine Troubles seemed to offer fair opportunity of changes it being very rational and easie to conjecture that the English being ready to fall together by the ears at home there was no fear that they would cross over to Ireland to defend and assist their Colonies in that Kingdom Their boldness was increased by the Interregnum occasioned by the murder of Strafford and the change of the Magistrates of whom the severer and best acquainted with the State of that Kingdom were by the interest of the Irish Lords whilst they prosecuted Strafford in England either turned out of place or accused of High-Treason men who were either ignorant of the Affairs and State of Ireland or who were prone to Rebellion being put into their places Being thus in a readiness the unseasonable disbanding of an Army of eight thousand Irish who had been raised for the Scottish expedition did not a little strengthen their resolution for though the King after the pacification of the Scots lest they might occasion Stirs in Ireland had permitted the Spanish Embassadour to transport four thousand of them yet the Irish Lords put on by the Conspirators got the Parliament under pretext that the French King might take it ill earnestly to beseech that it might not be done And afterwards when the King had ordered the same number to be raised for the service of the French without any reasons alleadged they utterly rejected it Very few of the Captains and Officers of that Army dishonoured themselves by joyning in the Rebellion but the private Souldiers whose custom it is to be insolent and at length appear valiant when they are about to be dismissed from the dangers of War easily rushed into that Villany The Lords and Priests being soothed with these so many fair opportunities of fishing in troubled waters that they might weaken our Colonies divide and distract their thoughts and in the mean time incense the Natives to slaughter and rapine they cast about all ways To the English they brag That the Queen is in their Army that the King was coming with an Army to their assistance that the Scots were agreed with him and to make that the more credible amongst the slaughter of the English they spare the Scots They give out that they have the Kings Commission and act by virtue of his authority shewing indeed a counterfeit Commission to which one Plunket with the consent of many Lords and Priests at Farn-Abbey had appended the Kings Seal taken from another old Commission as appeared by the confessions of a great many afterwards That they defend the King's Cause against the Puritans Amongst their own men they divulge counterfeit Letters whereby they pretend to be informed from England That there was an Act lately past whereby all the Irish were to be forced to go to Church and assist at the Devotion of the Protestants upon pain of forfeiture for the first offence of their Chattels for the second of their Lands and Inheritances and for the third of their Lives They propose besides to the Natives the hopes of Liberty and of recovering their ancient Customs That the English Yoke is to be cast off a King to be chosen of their own Nation and the Goods and Estates of the English to be divided amongst the Natives By this hope of booty and of living at their own liberty for the future the Irish are allured to the War and being egg'd on with fury and rage they committed such horrid and heynous Crimes as hardly any Age can parallel The King foresaw the Storm a coming whilst he was in Scotland and therefore that he might prevent it whilst it was a gathering he presently dispatched Sir James Hamilton to the Lords and others of his Majesties Privy-Council of Ireland with instructions and what money he could raise of his own and from his friends on the sudden He earnestly desires the assistance of the Parliament of Scotland and acquaints the Parliament of England with it also But the one under pretext that Ireland was under the dominion of England refuse their assistance and the other takes but little notice of it The Factious tacitly rejoycing that new Troubles were arising to the King and that Kingly government being abolished alike in all the three Kingdoms they would shortly be turned into so many free Commonwealths But the Sparks breaking out into a flame and the report of the Irish barbarity being in every bodies mouth the Parliament was enraged and all were filled with an extraordinary zeal of revenging the bloud of their Country-men treacherously killed and of defending and protecting the surviving For the charges of a War in a short time three hundred thousand pound English was raised partly by benevolent Contributions and partly out of the price of the Lands and Inheritances of the Rebels which by the Parliament were sold to be
the assistance of the King The Lord Inchiqueen with the English under his command joyns him Some Irish commanded by Preston and Taaff not forgetting their former Truce make no scruple to joyn with them others being still in doubt what to do The Scots forbear hostility against the Kings Party and march against the Rebels but give hopes that at length they may unite with the Marquess And now Jones Governour of Dublin and the Parliament-forces there the very same who with so bitter and vehement Reproaches inveighed against the Truce and Peace made by Ormond with the Papists as the utter ruining of their Religion was caught in the same embraces of the Whore of Babylon for without either conscience or shame they at length make a strict League and unite their Forces with Owen Ro the General of the Rebels a man infamous for the bloud and slaughter of the English against the Kings Army and the Protestants But now from foreign miseries though indeed they be not altogether foreign which though happening in very distant times yet for avoiding frequent digressions we thought fit to present to the Reader under one view Let us now return to our own which were carried on with far greater and more pitched Battels though with less slaughter and treachery the fire burning but slowly because to our sorrow the fuel was the longer to last Many Battels with various success and in several places were fought betwixt the Kings Forces and the Parliament-Rebels till at length Fortune breathing favourably upon the Kings Banners the Rebels began to lose courage and many that had been Sticklers in the Faction to desert and fall off from their Party The Parliament being reduced to streights invite the Scots to their assistance and that they might revive the expiring and almost extinct opinion of the people which formerly they had enjoyed and the admiration they were had in for wonderful zeal for the Publick Good and purity of Religion and at the same time time drain the peoples Purses of their money they have recourse to their often-practised tricks They forge new Calumnies against the King and those of his Party and spread abroad every-where amongst the people As if the King affected an absolute tyrannical Power and that he would forfeit the Estates of all those who had been against him that he would make Slaves of their persons and leave no place for pardon nor the least footstep of their ancient Liberty nay and that renouncing the reformed Religion he was about to bring in Popery whereby all would be forced to go to Mass And that the silly ignorant people might not want Pretexts for their obstinacy they perswade the Rabble That the Kings Souldiers being accustomed to eat mens flesh would feed and feast upon them nay and that their Dogs and Horses bred up to the same dishes were already gaping for their carcasses They appoint some remarkable Sacrifices to be offered to Publick Justice for so was that barbarous practice of pleasing the Rabble with bloudy Spectacles and gratifying their own cruel revenge at that time called amongst the ignorant people Amongst these were Sir John Hotham and his Son Carey and especially that the friendship of the Scots might be cemented with Episcopal bloud William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury he being condemned of High-Treason by a partial and factious sentence of the House of Peers who according to the ancient Laws of the Kingdom cannot without the Kings consent adjudge the meanest person to death and they by a Council of War They appoint days of Fasting and publick Prayers and of Thanksgiving also for inconsiderable Victories publickly and with great solemnity burn the Pictures of our Saviour the Virgin and Saints and so renew their Martyrdom and with no ordinary devotion pull down Crosses and Standards bearing the Images of Saints though they were not onely ornamental but useful in the chief streets of London They also vote the abrogation of Episcopacy and Service-book and commit it to the care of the Assembly to frame a new Church-government and manner of Divine Worship instead of them of which the Reader I hope will pardon me if contrary to my custom I discourse a little more largely To this Assembly two Ministers of the most zealous Enemies of the Bishops and Liturgie are called and come by authority of the House of Commons some of the Episcopal Clergy being also invited who having no command from the King refuse to come and give place to some of the more eminent Scottish Ministers to mingle with them These having long hatched at length bring forth a Confession of Faith a Catechism containing the heads of the Christian Religion and a Directory or Scheme of publick Worship wherein no Set-forms were prescribed but a certain Rule whereby according to general heads appointed for all occasions the Levites of the new Law were instructed to pour out their extemporary and conceived Prayers The Presbyterian Government and Worship were likewise established to be administred by Pastors Teachers Lay-Elders and Deacons in four Courts to wit the Parochial Classical Provincial and National The Parochial Court consisted of one or two Lay-Elders at least and one or two Pastors or Ministers according to the nature of the place These had power to rule over the Parishoners and weekly to meet to call before them the Parishoners and to take inspection into their lives and manners admitting those whom they thought worthy to the Communion of the Lords Supper reproving and publickly censuring others nay and for some time debaring them from the Sacrament if they were guilty of any offence that might give scandal to the Congregation and to excommunicate those that would not submit The Classical Court or Presbytery was to meet once a month or oftener and was made up of the Deputies of twelve Parishes at least two out of each the one a Church-man and the other a Laick or sometimes more To these it belonged to take cognizance of the aforementioned matters especially if any difficulty or Appeal intervened to correct the Ministers themselves give orders to the Expectants pronounce sentence of Excommunication and to determine Cases of Conscience and Controversies in Doctrine The Provincial Court or Assembly consisting of Deputies from the several Classes or Presbyteries of the whole Province both of the Church and Laity had an authority superiour to the former Over all was the National Assembly the supreme Judicature in Ecclesiastical affairs which had power to make or rescind the Canons or Laws of the Church inflict severer punishments and to determine all points concerning Manners Church-discipline and Government From the lowest to the highest of these Courts it was lawful to appeal This assembly endeavoured to have no Sect allowed the liberty of Worship but all to be extirpated But when they could not obtain this from the Parliament in which were many Independents Erastians Anabaptists and Atheists the Rabble
interposeth and very often whilst the Presbyterians were at the helm disturb the religious meetings of the other Sectarians by hurling of Stones amongst them The liberty of a great many being contrary to expectation restrained the Parliament settle the Presbyterian government onely for three years that in that time they might have a tryal how it would fadge This Novelty set mens humours wonderfully a working The Politicians and Lawyers were highly offended that there were as many Judicatures established as there were Parishes in England and these almost arbitrary putting the Rule into the hands of unskilful men and for the most part incapable of government and began to foresee at a distance I know not what calamities ready to spring from thence in Families Parishes Counties nay and in the whole Kingdom also Most part of the people grumble to be put again to School and to be taught the Rudiments and Principles of their Religion wherein they thought themselves already very well instructed Those that were zealous for Episcopal government and the Service-book bite the bit But none repined more than the Independants Anabaptists and the other Sects who saw their beloved liberty of Conscience in danger for which they had at first taken up Arms against the King hazarded their lives in so many battels and suffered so much labour cost watchings and danger Nevertheless the Government went bravely on in London but so and so in the other Cities and populous Towns and but very coldly in the Country so that the triennial Essay being over and no new Act made to confirm it it had much ado to keep life And thus far concerning Church-affairs which we thought fit to relate together though they happened not all at the same time Let us now return to the other arts whereby they wheadled the Scots Amongst which it was of greatest moment no less for endearing the Scots to them than for raising their power and authority amongst the Natives to sell the Bishops Lands at very easie rates so that Purchasers flocked in from all quarters who with the materials of demolished Palaces and the Timber they cut down having paid for their Purchases got large and entire Mannors almost for nothing And that once for all I may tell it they lay Excise Customs and such heavy and continual Taxes and Impositions upon the people as none of all the Kings that ever sat upon the Throne of England durst ever before that time impose and such as were not onely sufficient to defray all publick expenses but in some measure also the insatiable avarice and voraciousness of their Factors and Agents besides what they got by plundering sequestration and other ways The Scots being allured by these Morsels are tooth and nail for the interests of the Parliament The Scots the declared enemies of Episcopacy fearing the worst if the King should obtain the victory over the Parliament and being drawn in by the aforementioned baits enter into Articles of a Confederacy among which to give a colour of honesty and integrity to the rest the chief was That no hurt be attempted against his Majesties person nor prejudice done to the Rights or Heirs of the Crown an Oath being likewise taken by the Members of both Houses and all the Inhabitants of both Kingdoms being forced to do the same This they call the Solemn League and Covenant and in it promise That according to their Places and Callings they shall endeavour the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government The reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and shall endeavour to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion c. That they shall also endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Schism Profaneness c. That they shall mutually endeavour to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdoms and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms That the World may bear witness with their Consciences of their Loyalty that they have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness That they shall endeavour to discover all Incendiaries and Malignants branding with those aspersions all that favoured the Kings Party that they may be brought to publick tryal and receive condign punishment That they shall endeavour that the Kingdoms may remain conjoyned in a firm Peace and Vnion to Posterity shall assist and defend all those that enter into that League and Covenant and shall zealously and constantly all the days of their lives continue therein No inconsiderable Authors of entering into this Covenant were the Independents Anabaptists and Republicans and the chief and most severe in forcing it upon others who were unwilling to take the same though many of themselves purposely refrained from swearing it lest upon that account they should oblige themselves to the defence of the Kings person It is also to be observed that the clause of defending the Kings Majesties person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms was by their artifices foisted in contrary to the sence and tenour of the Covenant under colour forsooth that the safety of his Majesties person was sufficiently secured by other Oaths that the repetition of the same promise would but harden the Kings mind against the Parliament and make the People scrupulous in obeying the same But in reality as appeared afterward that all obstacles being as much as might be removed they might make way for the murther of the King These things being contrived and carried on betwixt the factious Scots and English those who took that Covenant with an honest purpose as many good men did being won over by fear delusion or false hope called themselves Presbyterians other Factious of less note as Independents Anabaptists and other Fanaticks not disdaining to list themselves in the same Cause These cruelly persecute all Dissenters who will not engage in that holy Covenant though they had acted nothing before against the Parliamentary Faction though they had not refused to pay any Taxes and Impositions nay though they had freely contributed for the pay of the Parliament-forces The Parsons especially who enjoyed fat Benefices are sequestrated and deprived of their Houses Goods and Livings put into Prisons and Dungeons for many years together nay and put on board of Ships upon the Thames in the heat of Summer in order to transportation without being either accused or heard where they suffered all the incommodities of hunger watching and nastiness By the Religion of this Covenant Children were taught to persecute inform against and
vigilant part by degrees circumvented the greater but less sedulous If any thing were moved in Parliament that they would not have pass or which at a distance they foresaw might be hurtful to their practices they vigorously opposed it or by shams evasions scruples started in the heat of debate and the like arts got it put off till another time If the greater number of Voices were against them they brought in some other Bill over head and shoulders that might invalidate the former and elude the intention thereof If they contrived any thing that might give suspicion to their Adversaries or that they despaired to obtain in a full House they send the Presbyterians of an Errand into the Country either about real and urgent business or feigned necessities In the unavoidable absence or supine neglect of whom they got any thing voted and past with a nemine contradicente Nor did their private Clubs and Cabals a little promote their designes where having laid their heads together they took their best measures before hand how they should behave themselves in publick and what Province every one was to undertake By these and such-like arts that branch of the Rebels being advanced to no small power and separated as we said before from the Presbyterians under the name of Independents who would have no Head make head against them This Title did well quadrate to all the other Sects in general and was used by them because depending on the government of no National Church nor Civil Power they ordered all things relating to Doctrine and Church-Discipline in their private Congregations Not that most part of them had any concern for Religion but that that specious Profession giving a comprehensive latitude to all Sects Anabaptists Quakers Millenaries and all other Fanaticks they might swell the number and power of their Faction whom others in derision called the Holy Brethren a name they themselves affected Nevertheless that they might enlarge their Party and by a hypocritical humanity and readiness to condescend hook in the good will of many they sollicitously strike in with men of all Perswasions and by allurements suitable to their tempers feel their Pulses To the godly they promise Reformation of Divine Worship sweeten the Preachers with the hopes of the Revenues of the Bishops Deans and Chapters and of establishing Presbytery by Law allowing still liberty to tender Consciences do really grant indemnity to Hereticks and Schismaticks draw in the Ambitious by honour and titles feeding the Covetous with money under the notion of Pensions or Rewards for good services they threaten the Obnoxious protect Malefactors and in a word no man resolutely opposed them but was by Emissaries and Spies whom they had in all places Letters intercepted misinterpreted words and actions brought into suspicion and danger Whoever they admitted into their friendship and service though the most infamous and flagitious wretch living yet in all things they protected him and amongst others the Speaker of the House of Commons who being a man for their turn when he was accused of Bribery they brought him off gave him money and gain'd him to their Party as one that would be no less serviceable to them for all that and the more faithful to their Party as he was the more obnoxious and guilty They tamper also with the Earl of Essex who being dejected by his defeat in Cornwall they thought might be grown more tractable and therefore they put it to him if he would for the future be for a down-right Commonwealth Upon which condition they promise To put him at the head of a new Army to be payed monthly and supplied with Ammunition and all necessary Provisions But he refusing it was said that the same Conditions were privately offered to other Noblemen not that they had any respect for the Lords whom shortly they intended to turn out and to level with the Commoners but that they might poyson them with their own venom and rise to greater authority by drawing more over to their side But they being of a contrary mind and more inclinable to the Kings Party no sooner rejected the offers but the Rebels cast their eyes upon another By a new and specious Ordinance whereby they said they would reform the Parliament and restore it to its integrity to which they gave the title of the Self-denying Ordinance they clipt the Presbyterians wings and confirmed their own strength For by this Ordinance it was provided that none of either House after a limited day should bear any Office Military or Civil whereby it was brought about that many of the emulous Faction were obliged to resigne the places they held This gives them a fair opportunity of altering the whole Civil State and new modelling the Army as they called it to the administration of which the Candidates of that Faction are for the most part preferred nor could some Republican Lords long refrain from the ambition of the rest hunting after all opportunities of Preferment and turning the Self-denying Ordinance into an Act of pure Self-love Essex who suited not so well with their temper being laid aside they give the command of the Army to Sir Thomas Fairfax onely Son to Fardinand Lord Fairfax a valiant man indeed and of a good natural disposition but easie and forward to undertake and execute any thing that he was put upon as a sure Tool to work the effect which was designed by the hand that managed it wherefore he was the more readily chosen by both Parties To him they joyn Cromwel with the Title of Lieutenant-General but with intention of being his Governour by whom some Officers at first desired onely to be commanded for a time though afterwards contrary to the intent of the Self-denying Ordinance they were established and commissionated by authority of Parliament This last having wholly run out his Estate which was not very great resolved to trade in Religion for repairing his broken Fortune and for that end became the Ringleader and Stickler for the Schismaticks and by means of these he was chosen a Member of Parliament Would you see him painted to the life in his natural colours and such as his own Party have drawn him in in their publick Writings He was a great Master in Hypocrisie and Dissimulation who lifting up his eyes to Heaven and laying his hand upon his breast would invoke the Name of God weep pray and bewail his sins till he stabb'd him he spoke to under the fifth rib I mention not his Ambition Avarice and Pride which the Republicans who were before his Brethren and Companions afterwards openly charged him with The Colonels Captains and inferiour Officers are for the most part chosen from among the Schismaticks or those that were no great enemies unto them In the mean while Cromwel's Son-in-law and his other Relations and Friends have the chief Commands in the Army bestowed upon them These having got so fair
an opportunity did not trifle away their time but were busie in all places running up and down exhorting and sometimes preaching to the Souldiers that they might gain their affection by whose favourable assistance they make way for themselves to be elected into the vacant places in the House of Commons For when the Freeholders and Inhabitants of Corporations were about by a free election to chuse new Burgesses in place of the dead or excluded Members with Souldiers in Arms they were forced through fear to chuse the Officers of the Army or such at least as they approved of So that in a short time many of these being admitted into the Parliament-house and the Self-denying Ordinance being laid aside all Offices and Affairs both Civil and Military were managed by the self-same persons And that popular applause and fame might not be wanting to celebrate their excellent undertakings hackney Presses and mercenary Scriblers are set a work to publish all their actions with wonderful Encomiums and Elegies which in weekly Mercuries and Peny Diaries are exposed to the perusal of the News-greedy people and every line swollen with the praises of Cromwel So soon as they perceived the Royal interest almost reduced to a pinch and the Parliament-Rebels in a manner secure of victory they bend their designs against the Presbyterians their rival Faction which though predominant in number of Voices yet began to totter and shake They endeavour to lessen their Reputation and by degrees to weaken their Force publish Libels to disgrace and ridicule the Church-Discipline enveighing against the right of Tythes and the avarice pride and severity of the Preachers Nay and that they might heap more hatred upon their heads they charge them who of their own accords too officiously hastened to bring all into confusion and disorder with the more rigid parts of Reformation that were most ungrateful to the people such as to press their Covenant with rigour upon those that refused to take it exact Fines squeeze money from the people and that they might entail infamy upon them to Posterity under colour of visiting Colledges to banish the most learned men out of the Vniversities Upon pretext of friendship they steal into all the Presbyterian Cabals that by raising scruples and delays their Consultations might turn to Smoak and themselves be exposed to publick Derision Having pretty well succeeded in this they resolve to go thorough-stitch with it by turning out of the government of Garrison-towns and Forts all those who declared for Presbytery They likewise cause all the Forces that were almost in every County though but in small numbers to be disbanded except the Army commanded by Fairfax They send the Scots home out of England by bribes or fear they draw over the leading-men amongst the Presbyterians that they would either openly own their Cause or secretly under the name and badge of Presbyterians diving into their secrets usefully and securely serve the ends of the Republicans amongst whom the two chief were Philip Skippon and Stephen Marshal the first Major-General of the Army and the other a Minister and the Oracle of the Presbyterians both cunning Knaves who under pretext of moderating and reconciling differences minded their own advantages fooled the Presbyterians and not a little promoted the affairs of the Independents The Presbyterians having made sure of Victory and which is more of the King and being as yet more numerous in both Houses are now in greater fear from their own Servants the Army in pay than heretofore from the enemy and being sollicitous how to rid themselves from that Yoke after much debate they appoint That for easing the Country of charges twelve thousand of them should be sent over into Ireland the rest to be disbanded except six thousand Horse two thousand Dragoons and six thousand Foot These to be carried over by Skippon into Ireland and those under the command of Fairfax to be divided into the several Counties of the Kingdom with intent as they said They might be in a readiness to stifle all Tumults in the bud and that they themselves being in a body together might not attempt any Innovations Many Officers and all the private Souldiers that were Sectarians smelling a far off that by that trick they would be wormed out of the power which they had got and the Military authority fall wholly into the hands of the Presbyterians put the rest of the Souldiers in fear that they were to be disbanded without their Pay or all transported into Ireland there to be consumed with labour sickness hunger and nakedness Hence the Souldiers began to mutiny object their little Reasons to the contrary and at length to break out into Sedition The Officers in the mean time pretended in shew to be angry at these things to repress and by all means resist the mutinous common Souldiers but secretly they encourage them in the business and industriously foment their fury And the Sedition succeeding according to their wishes they lay aside the Mask withdraw from London to head the Mutineers in the Camp and all together enter into a Confederacy against the Parliament amongst whom Cromwel was the chief who lately calling God to witness had professed That he was certain the Souldiers would at the first word of command throw down their Arms at the Parliaments feet and had solemnly sworn That he rather wished himself and whole Family burnt than that the Army should break out into Sedition And so they turn out of place about an hundred Captains and Officers who chose rather to be true to the Parliament than to enter into that Confederacy The private Souldiers had opportunity to begin this attempt by means of the Adjutators These by connivance of the Officers were chosen two out of every Regiment of Horse and Foot and had power from their fellow-Souldiers to keep Councils judge what was fit to be done for the common good and by Spies dispersed through all quarters and Garrisons inform the rest These Adjutators at length usurp the authority of Colonels not thinking it enough to have meetings amongst themselves but in Councils of War challenge place amongst the principal Officers nor barely concerning themselves in the interest of the private Souldiers they meddle in the ordering and government of the whole Army and not onely so but bestir themselves also in the affairs of the whole People as well of England as Ireland and in reforming the government of both the chief Officers till the Parliament was by their mutual Conspiracy ruined scarcely mustering against it These men have nothing in their mouths but the Liberty and Power of the People and professedly labour to erect a Democracy giving being birth and name to a popular Commonwealth another sort of Republick The Souldiers grown thus insolent and bold stand not in awe to seize and carry away the King out of the Parliaments custody who upon the
the Citizens had long ago laid aside their Arms and their resolution yet the Works and Fortifications of the City should be demolished under pretext that the Kingdom was now in Peace and then the Posts and Chains in the streets removed that the Horse might have freer passage into all the corners of the Town and no hold left to the Citizens and the women from which they might in probability kick Moreover that they might establish their Government both by Sea and Land Rainsborough the Bell-weather of the Republicans is set over the Fleet. Fairfax is appointed General of the Forces not onely in England but in Ireland also that that Country might the more speedily be succoured The Army has the thanks not onely of the Parliament and of the Ministers from the Pulpit but likewise of the honest Citizens who now entertain and feast in their houses the very men whom a little before they intended to drive from their Walls A months Pay besides as a token of kindness is appointed for the Souldiers for their good services to the Parliament It was for a long time hotly disputed to which side the Parliament should adhere whether the Acts of the Army or Parliament ought to be annulled since both of them according to the different number of Voices had by turns been resciended and being uncertain how to get out of that Labyrinth that the Parliament might not seem to be interrupted or force put upon them whereby their authority would be weakened or that they might seem to approve the right of changing sides which they had long ago condemned in the Members that followed the King They are now for both by and by again for either of the two and of a sudden again for neither However they resolve that the separation of the flying Members and their conjunction with the Army is altogether to be approved as being lawfully done for the publick good By which successes the Commanders of the Army and Ring leaders of the Faction were so puft up that they quite forgot their old Friends and fellow-Souldiers There was no more mention now of dissolving the Parliament calling a new one nor of the Promises whereby they had so often imposed upon the King and People All their care is to mind their own advantage and how to settle that Oligarchy which now they seemed to be in possession of But the Adjutators and all the popular Republicans are no less busie and sollicitous to have that Parliament dissolved and a new one under the name of a Representative by the free election of the People called with a limitation of their power and time of sitting that so they might introduce a Democraty Both Parties being out of dread of the Presbyterians equally conspire the ruine of the King and Monarchy It had been long before privately proposed amongst some to assassinate the King whilst he was in the Scottish Army that they might at the same time glut their malice and throw the odium of the fact upon the Scots Afterwards one Rolf a Shoemaker instigated by some armed himself for the Regicide That Fellow being informed that the King intended to make his escape out of a window when he was in the Isle of Wight lay in wait with a Musket several nights that he might shoot him as by accident But now several fiercely urge that he should be forthwith and secretly dispatched or at least that being condemned by a Council of War he should be beheaded But it seemed more generous and safe to the leading Rebels to protract time and manage the matter gradually by wiles and crafty fetches until being countenanced by a colour of Authority they might under a sham of satisfying publick Justice perpetrate the matchless Villany And thus they ordered it Conditions of Peace were to be proposed to the King but such as if he consented to them he himself would renounce the Crown and if he refused he would be deposed by the Votes of others and so be over and above reckoned obstinate by the people which would give them a more specious pretext for accomplishing their designe For this end it is contrived and obtained that the Parliament should again send to the King Propositions but such as were rather imperious and hard Commands than Conditions of Peace to be treated about which being granted he would pluck off his Crown with his own hands To which though the Commanders of the Army and Cromwel in the first place had given their Votes in the Parliament yet in the Camp they advised the King not to condescend to them promising that they would either obtain or command more reasonable Conditions for him and seemed to detest those as proceeding from the hautiness and severity of the Presbyterians His Majesty being deluded by that artifice makes answer to this purpose That the Propositions were such as he could not in honour and conscience consent to them being such as could not reconcile all interests nor settle a lasting Peace in the Kingdom He appeals rather to the Proposals of the Army as much more conducing to the satisfaction of all interests and a fit subject for a personal conference betwixt himself and the two Houses which he earnestly desired for which cause his Majesty would have Commissioners from the Army admitted Cromwel and the rest of the Commanders of the Army were extreamly well satisfied with this Answer as if the King himself gave greater honour to the Army than to the Parliament and therefore on their parts they promise all good Offices to his Majesty In the mean time they take all courses to incense the rest against the King pretending themselves much ashamed that they could not perform all they promised and excuse themselves sometimes because of the reverence that was due to the Parliament and sometimes again because of the peremptoriness of the Adjutators at length they began to juggle and quite fall off to give a contrary sence to their promises and to suggest apprehensions to the King as if the Adjutators and Republicans designed his Majesties death whose insolent attempts they could not moderate nor at present repress mingling with all promises that if they could cut the combs of the Adjutators and restore the lost Discipline of the Army they would without delay perform what they had undertaken With which his Majesty being moved seeing it was worse to distrust than to be deceived he privately made his escape from the Army and as sate would have it fled to the Isle of Wight the government of which as it seems probable was just before put into the hands of Colonel Hammond a dear friend to Cromwel that there he might play his part in this business To this mans protection the King commits himself running of his own accord into the Snare which the Rebels had long ago laid for him But that he might not be wanting to the
publick whilst the Parliament were at a stand wondering whither he might have fled his Majesty wrote to them sending therewith Concessions that were too easie and great to be expected or indeed to be wished for by any adding thereto invincible Arguments why he could not consent to the Proposals lately sent him by the Parliament He proposes his own Concessions and the Demands of the Army as a fit subject for a personal Treaty and for the sake of the People and Kingdom earnestly desires it being willing on his own part to condescend to any thing that by any means he might procure Peace and Tranquillity to his languishing Kingdoms The Republicans of both sorts as well they that were for a few as for a many-headed Commonwealth endeavouring by all means to put a stop to the Peace proposed and offered by the King take hereby occasion to oppose to his Majesties most just desires four unreasonable Demands as preliminary cautions which if his Majesty would consent to they promise to treat about the rest I. That the Parliament should have power to raise settle and maintain the Forces by Sea and Land within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland c. without the Kings consent it being declared High-Treason for any others to the number of thirty to meet together without the authority of Parliament II. That it should be lawful to the two Houses to sit and adjourn themselves when and where they pleased III. That all Oaths Declarations Proclamations and other proceedings against either House of Parliament during the War should be declared void and null IV. That all Titles and Honour of Peerage conferred on any by the King since his Majesty left the Parliament and since the great Seal was carried away should he declared void All these things they demand that the King would consent might be past into Law if not that things must remain as they were In the mean time the Scottish Commissioners who were then at London give in their Reasons in writing against these Demands and when nevertheless they saw that they were sent to the King they protest against them in his Majesties presence as being flatly opposite to Religion the Crown and the Agreements made betwixt the Kingdoms of England and Scotland What can the King do to get out of these streights If he grant the Demands he voluntarily resignes up the Government and if he refuse he must be deposed with the ignominious brand of Obstinacy The King though wanted neither greatness of Soul nor Wisdom and therefore sends presently back an Answer That the necessity of complying with all engaged interests in these great distempers for a perfect settlement of Peace his Majesty finds to be none of the least difficulties he hath met with since the time of his afflictions which is too visible when at the same time that the two Houses of the English Parliament do present to his Majesty several Bills and Propositions for his consent the Commissioners for Scotland do openly protest against them so that were nothing in the case but the consideration of that difference his Majesty cannot imagine how to give such an answer to what is now proposed as thereby to promise himself his great end A Perfect Peace And when his Majesty farther considers how impossible it is in the condition he now stands to fulfil the desires of his two Houses since the onely ancient and known ways of passing Laws are either by his Majesties personal assent in the House of Peers or by Commission under his great Seal of England he cannot but wonder at such failings in the manner of address which is now made unto him unless his two Houses intend that his Majesty shall allow of a great Seal made without his authority before there be any consideration had thereupon in a Treaty which as it may hereafter hazard the security it self so for the present it seems very unreasonable to his Majesty And though his Majesty is willing to believe that the intention of very many of both Houses in sending those Bills before a Treaty was onely to obtain a Trust from him and not to take any advantage by passing them to force other things from him which are either against his conscience or honour yet his Majesty believes it's clear to all understandings that these Bills contain as they are now penned not onely the divesting himself of all Soveraignty and that without possibility of recovering it either to him or his Successors except by repeal of these Bills but also the making his Concessions guilty of the greatest pressures that can be made upon the Subject as in other particulars so by giving an arbitrary and unlimited power to the two Houses for ever to raise and levy for Land and Sea-service of what persons without distinction and quality and to what numbers they please and likewise for the payment of the Arrears to levy what moneys in such sort and by such ways and means and by consequence upon the Estates of whatsoever persons as they shall think fit and appoint which is utterly inconsistent with the Liberty and Property of the Subject and his Majesties trust in protecting them so that if the major part of both Houses shall think it necessary to put the rest of the Propositions into Bills his Majesty leaves the world to judge how unsafe it would be for him to consent thereunto and if not what a strange condition after passing those four Bills his Majesty and all his Subjects would be cast into And here his Majesty thinks it not unfit to wish his two Houses to consider well of the manner of their proceeding that when his Majesty desires a personal Treaty with them for the setling of a Peace they in answer propose the very subject matter of the most essential part thereof to be first granted a thing which will be hardly credible to Posterity Wherefore his Majesty declares that neither the desire of being freed from this tedious and irksome condition of life his Majesty hath so long suffered nor the apprehension of what shall befal him in case his two Houses shall not afford him a personal Treaty shall make him change his resolution of not consenting to any Act till the whole be concluded Yet then he intends not onely to give full and reasonable satisfaction in the particulars presented to him but also to make good all other Concessions mentioned in his Message of the 16th of Novemb. last which he thought would have produced better effects than what he finds in the Bills and Propositions now presented unto him And yet his Majesty cannot give over but now again earnestly presseth for a personal Treaty so passionately is he affected with the advantages which Peace will bring to his Majesty and all his Subjects of which he will not at all despair there being no other visible way to obtain a well-grounded Peace However his Majesty is very much at ease within himself for having fulfilled the offices
both of a Christian and a King and will patiently wait the good pleasure of Almighty God to incline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and compassionate their fellow-Subjects miseries The King having delivered this Answer sealed up to be carried to the Parliament the Earl of D. who hankered too much after the Oligarchick Republicans desired it to be opened again that the Commissioners might be acquainted with what they brought back as he said was fitting they being Commissioners and not Posts or Couriers though no such thing was contained in their publick instructions he having past his promise that no prejudice should therefrom accrew to the King But so soon as the King to satisfie them had read over his Answer himself without any respect had to their faith and promise they confine the best of Princes to closer imprisonment in â—arisborough-Castle where then he was They put from him all his Servants except some new comers and enemies whom they placed about his person rather in derision and as a Guard than for attending and serving him And that he might not have the use of the least bit of Paper secretly conveyed to him by any Messenger they set Sentinels at all the entries at the doors and windows of his Chamber The Oligarchick Rebels Cromwel and the other Commanders of the Army being resolved to pursue their designe the Kings Answer wrought no good effect in the Parliament yet the emulation of the Democratick Republicans and of the Adjutators for some time put a stop to their proceedings That they might suppress this Party of whom they had now enough a general muster of the Forces is appointed amongst whom one whole Regiment having got the Democratical Proposals which they termed the Ordinance of the People put into writing they carried the Paper as a signal in their hats the Oligarchick Republicans by their sollicitations had gained one or two Regiments and the rest of the Army consisted of both Parties promiscuously jumbled together The chief Commanders who were of the first as the inferiour were of the other Party drawing together into a ring they command the private Souldiers to throw away their Paper-signals which when they refused to do according as they had laid the designe they break in amongst them and pulling out some of the more sawcy fellows of the Regiment they cause them presently to be shot to death which made the rest throw away their Badges and submit to the pleasure of the Generals This danger being over they began to publish the villany they had so long concealed to rail openly against the King in the House make Speeches exhort the other Members and to contrive four Interdicts rather than Votes whereby 1. It is resolved That the Lords and Commons do declare that they will make no further Addresses or Applications to the King 2. That no Application or Address be made to the King by any person whatsoever without leave of both Houses 3. That the person or persons that shall make breach of this Order shall incur the penalties of High-Treason 4. That the Lords and Commons do declare that they will receive no more any Message from the King to both or either Houses of Parliament or to any other person But neither were these carried in the House of Commons without tricks and the usual artifices For before any mention was made of these Propositions in the House fourty or fifty leading-men who for the most part would have withstood those attempts are sent into their several Counties upon pretext of raising money to pay off the Souldiers that by their absence fewer opposing and the greater part of the House being packt the matter might be easily carried Nevertheless this execrable motion made to the scandal of mankind of abjuring their King was debated to and again from ten in the morning until seven at night and had not after all found the Votes rather tired out than perswaded unless the chief of the Oligarchick Party had given them hopes that they would attempt nothing worse against the King The three last Votes past in the space of half an hour with much precipitation whilst the Factious got into the places of the dissenting Members who had withdrawn out of the House to take a little refreshment However the Vpper House was more hardly brought over to an assent for there the Debate lasted many days until Commissioners coming from the Army upon pretext of thanking the Lower House for those Votes and protesting the Army would protect the Commons therein threatned the Lords if they persisted to oppose them and shortly after whilst they still delayed forced them out of fear to consent two Regiments of Souldiers being sent into Westminster-hall under colour of a Guard to the Lower House but in reality to awe the dissenting Lords This having terrified the three or four Lords that met who at that time often usurped to themselves the authority of the Upper House many stealing out of the way they agree to the Votes of the House of Commons And then Commissioners were likewise sent from the Army to thank the Lords for that good service done to the Kingdom and solemnly to assure them in name of the whole Army That they would maintain and defend the Rights and Priviledges of the Vpper House The Reader may be pleased to observe what Cloak Cromwel used for this perfidiousness This Blade whilst he was praying that Almighty God would be pleased to prosper his endeavours in raising again the King to the Throne and Majesty of his Ancestors here the words stuck between his teeth so that he could not utter one word more which he interpreting as a signe of Gods displeasure concluded the King to be rejected of God But to others he roundly expressed himself That it was lawful to circumvent a wicked deceiver by craft and deceit After this comes out a Proclamation by authority of the House of Commons wherein the sticklers both for Oligarchy and Democracy who agreed very well together against the King declare the Reasons that enclined them to pass those Votes of none Addresses to his Majesty This they stuff with all the Calumnies that were raised against the King by the Clubs and Conferences of his lewdest enemies or by uncertain Rumours spread abroad by themselves to which they adde other Aspersions which though they had been bawled over and over again in the House yet were found not to have had the least shadow of truth and were onely invented and exaggerated to create greater hatred They cause this infamous Libel to be sent about into all the Parishes of the Kingdom being secure that no body durst or indeed could undergo the danger of answering it since all the Presses were narrowly watched The Ministers are commanded to read it to the people in the Church and to preach as well as they could in praise of it And that they might be the
more willing to serve the end it was at the same time voted in the House of Commons That the Tythes and Dean and Chapters Rents should be paid to the Preachers seeming to be very sollicitous for the Cause of God and Religion when in reality they intended to cheat the Church of them and to convert them to profane use Nay the Justices of Peace are everywhere enjoyned to force the Laicks who refused to pay them They likewise hoped to stir up the people by Emissaries and Souldiers everywhere dispersed by Anabaptists Schismaticks and Hereticks who were most diligent in propagating their affairs to approve what the Parliament had done by congratulatory Addresses and to demand some severer punishment to be inflicted upon the King But it happened contrariwise for three Answers and Apologies at least came out within a short time one of which was written with the Kings own hand wherein his Majesty was most clearly acquitted from those reproachful Imputations and the Accusations retorted upon the Faction it self which was proved to be guilty of all the crimes that it maliciously and falsly fastened upon the King and that with so great evidence and perspicuity that no man durst offer so much as to mutter against it In the mean time the Ministers coldly obey their commands and some few gratulatory Addresses by the industry of Sectarians are with much ado extorted from a few Counties and signed but with the hands of some obscure and notoriously malicious Villains Now the people began to grumble and fret to accuse the Sectarians and especially the Souldiers of juggling and imposture and to curse them all Afterwards came Petitions from a great many Counties and those also which always were for the Parliament earnestly intreating that a personal Treaty might be had with the King that the Army might be paid and disbanded that assistance in the mean time should be sent over into Ireland that England might be eased from Oppressions and from contributing to the charges of an unnecessary Army which it was no longer able to bear At length it came to that that a great many of these humble Petitions signed with the hands of infinite numbers of men had almost confounded the repugnancy of the Parliament the Commanders of the Army in the several Counties and the Parliament Commissioners who for the most part did all now comply with the victorious Party in vain using all their endeavours by threats of sequestrations imprisonments banishment and death and now and then by flattery and golden promises to make them desist and be silent Nor can we pass over without a remark the changing Tides of Divine Vengeance or of Popular Inconstancy whilst the very same Parliament from which the first tumults of petitioning against the King had their rise does now complain that the dignity of the Members are endangered by an undesired confluence of Petitioners The first that led the van in petitioning were the Essex-men in numbers unusual before these times who were so many that they might have compelled those whom they came to supplicate Next came the Surrey-men who being unarmed were upon a slight occasion barbarously treated by the Souldiers near the very door of the Parliament-house being severely beaten forced to flie some killed more wounded all plundered and that by order of the House and command of the Officers nay the Rioters had the thanks of the Lower House and rewards for the fact that so the people might for the future beware of licentious petitioning which heretofore was judged a part of their Right But all they get by their Tyranny in labouring to stifle the Grievances and Complaints of the opprest people was to incense the other Counties to ply them more frequently with Petitions who seeing they could procure no remedy by complaining from Prayers and Petitions they betake themselves to Arms. The liberty of the King and People which heretofore the deluded Rabble thought to be inconsistent are again born in colours by the men of Kent Essex Suffolk Norfolk York-shire and other Northern Counties South and North Wales also and at length of Surrey who were inflamed with a greater desire of vengeance many Nobles the Earl of Holland Wiot and Duke of Buckingham c. who were unluckily discovered to have entered into a Conspiracy at London joyning them too hastily The Sea-men also being carried with the same tyde of Commiseration towards the King fall off and seventeen men of War having put the Republican Admiral Rainsborough on shore come over to Prince Charles The Scots also by order of their Parliament take up Arms for delivering the King out of Prison wherein he was basely detained and make an Irruption into the Northern parts of England with a numerous army under the command of Hamilton being joyned by Sir Marmaduke Langdale with a considerable body of English But whether it was the wonted ill fortune of the King or of Hamilton himself or rather the decree and purpose of Almighty God the English first by intervals and one after another were routed and killed by the enemy for it was a matter of small difficulty for an old Army provided with Ammunition and all other necessaries of War commanded by vigilant and expert Generals and Officers to defeat and put to flight a tumultuary body of raw Country-men rather than Souldiers destitute of Arms and warlike provisions and for most part without Commanders whilst they come to engage by Parties one after another Nevertheless Colchester in Essex and Pembrooke the chief Town of that County in Wales though they were unprovided for a Siege gave the Rebels no little work to do Nor did Pontfract-Castle fall dishonourably into their hands out of which about thirty Horsemen breaking through the Forces that besieged the place pulled Rainsborough lately Admiral and now General of the Northern Army who had brought some thousands of Auxiliary Troops to make an end of the Siege out of his Bed in Duncaster a fortified Tower twelve miles distant from Pontfract and because he refused to be carried away with them as a Prisoner killed him Nay the Garrison being reduced to the utmost extremity all had free liberty to depart to their own houses except two Souldiers to whom it was permitted even by Articles either to die in the Bed of Honour fighting or to arm themselves and strive to break through the enemy Which both of them watching their opportunity got on horseback and performed almost without a wound The Scots through the unskilfulness and cowardise of their Generals or which I am not willing to suspect their treachery leading the Army in two bodies forty miles distant one from another are without any trouble routed by Cromwel who unexpectedly falling upon the main body put it to flight and all the rest into consternation many being killed and taken amongst whom was Hamilton the General The rest he pursued into Scotland where
Argile with the Forces he had raised being no less an Army at home than Cromwel was abroad reduced them in a short time to such streights that the Army which had been raised by order of Parliament was forced to lay down Arms and submit to the discretion of Argile's Faction Then was a new Parliament called all being excluded who had taken up Arms or voted for engaging in a War for the delivery of the King In this the Acts of the last Parliament were recinded the War declared to have been unlawful Cromwel had the publick thanks and Argile privately engaged as Cromwel himself boasted that he would concur with the Oligarchicks of England and root out Monarchy when occasion offered in Scotland as well as in England Besides many Ships the Tyde turning according to the innate levine of Seamen prepare to make defection from the Prince casting themselves into the protection of the Earl of Warwick who had won their hearts by frequent Largesses and who was set over a new Fleet for a time that he might draw over the Seamen again to the obedience of the Parliament but being beset with the Spies Of the Oligarchick Rebels and having done their job he justly received the usual Reward from these Masters that is he was turned out and laid aside Whilst the Army is busied in these Wars the Members of Parliament being a little rid of the yoak of the Army and Cromwel that were now at a distance and seriously considering how ill all the People of the Kingdom would resent the injuries done to the King and how ticklish their own affairs stood they begin to think of Peace and growing wise behind hand against the advice of the Oligarchick Republicans they rescind the Votes of None Addresses by the unanimous consent of both Houses They appoint a Conference with the King for composing Differences but by Commissioners and that in the Isle of Wight For this purpose they commissionate five Lords for the Vpper House and ten Commoners for the Lower The Propositions to be debated in that Conference are prescribed to the Commissioners ¶ That the Translator relates all which verbatim though it be contrary to the designe of this Work and of the Author who hath onely entred the short Articles marked with the numbers I. II.III I hope the Reader will not dislike since the Articles at large contain so excellent a description of the Changes that were then intended to be made in the Government of England that it is thought very fit to publish them according to the perfect Copy printed by order of both Houses the 29th of August 1648. May it please your Majesty WE the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdom of Scotland Do humbly present unto your Majesty the humble desires and Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace agreed upon by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively unto which we do pray your Majesties Assent And that they and all such Bills as shall be tendered to your Majesty in pursuance of them or any of them may be Established and Enacted for Statutes and Acts of Parliament by your Majesties Royal Assent in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively I. WHereas both Houses of the Parliament of England have been necessitated to undertake a War in their just and lawful defence and afterwards both Kingdoms of England and Scotland joyned in Solemn League and Covenant were engaged to prosecute the same That by Act of Parliament in each Kingdom respectively all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations heretofore had or hereafter to be had against both or either of the Houses of the Parliament of England the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland and the late Convention of Estates in Scotland or Committees flowing from the Parliament or Convention in Scotland or their Ordinances and Proceedings or against any for adhering unto them or for doing or executing any Office Place or Charge by any Authority derived from them and all Judgments Indictments Outlawries Attainders and Inquisitions in any the said Causes and all Grants thereupon made or had or to be made or had be declared Null suppressed and forbidden And that this be publickly intimated in all Parish-Churches within his Majesties Dominions and all other places needful II. That his Majesty according to the laudable example of his Royal Father of happy memory may be pleased to swear and signe the late Solemn League and Covenant and that an Act of Parliament be passed in both Kingdoms respectively for enjoyning the taking thereof by all the Subjects of the three Kingdoms and the Ordinances concerning the manner of taking the same in both Kingdoms be confirmed by Acts of Parliament respectively with such Penalties as by mutual advice of both Kingdoms shall be agreed upon III. That a Bill be passed for the utter abolishing and taking away of all Archbishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans and Sub-Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-Deacons Canons and Prebendaries and all Chaunters Chancellors Treasurers Sub-Treasurers Succentors and Sacrists all Vicars Choril and Choresters old Vicars and new Vicars of any Cathedral or Collegiate-Church and all other their under-Officers out of the Church of England and Dominion of Wales and out of the Church of Ireland with such alterations concerning the Estates of Prelates as shall agree with the Articles of the late Treaty of the date at Edenburgh 29 November 1643. and joynt Declaration of both Kingdoms IV. That the Ordinances concerning the calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines be confirmed by Act of Parliament V. That Reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be setled by Act of Parliament in such manner as both Houses have agreed or shall agree upon after consultation had with the Assembly of Divines For as much as both Kingdoms are mutually obliged by the same Covenant to endeavour the nearest Conjunction and Uniformity in matters of Religion That such Unity and Uniformity in Religion according to the Covenant as after consultation had with the Divines of both Kingdoms now assembled is or shall be joyntly agreed upon by both Houses of the Parliament of England and by the Church and Kingdom of Scotland be confirmed by Acts of Parliament of both Kingdoms respectively VI. That for the more effectual disabling Jesuits Priests Papists and Popish Recusants from disturbing the State and deluding the Laws and for the better discovering and speedy conviction of Popish Recusants an Oath be established by Act of Parliament to be administred to them wherein they shall abjure and renounce the Popes Supremacy the Doctrine of Transubstantiation Purgatory worshipping of the Consecrated Hoast Crucifixes and Images and all other Popish Superstitions and Errours and refusing the said Oath being tendred in such manner as shall be appointed by the said Act to
be a sufficient Conviction of Popish Recuâ—ancy An Act or Acts of Parliament for Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion VIII An Act or Acts for the true Levie of the Penalties against them which Penalties to be levied and disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on wherein to be provided that his Majesty shall have no loss IX That an Act or Acts be passed in Parliament whereby the practices of Papists against the State may be prevented and the Laws against them duly executed and a stricter course taken to prevent the Saying or Hearing of Mass in the Court or any other part of this Kingdom or the Kingdom of Ireland The like for the Kingdom of Scotland concerning the four last preceding Propositions in such manner as the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit X. That the King do give his Royal assent to an Act for the due observation of the Lords Day XI And to the Bill for the suppression of Innovasions in Churches and Chappels in and about the Worship of God XII And for the better advancement of the preaching of Gods holy Word in all parts of this Kingdom XIII And to the Bill against the enjoying the pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual Persons and Non-Residency XIV And to an Act to be framed and agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament for the reforming and regulating of both Universities of the Colledges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton XV. And to such Act or Acts for raising of Moneys for the payment and satisfying of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom and other publick uses as shall hereafter be agreed on by both Houses of Parliament and that if the King do not give his Assent thereunto then it being done by both Houses of Parliament the same shall be as valid to all intents and purposes as if the Royal Assent had been given thereunto The like for the Kingdom of Scotland And that his Majesty give assurance of his consenting in the Parliament of Scotland to an Act acknowledging and ratifying the Acts of the Convention of Estates of Scotland called by the Council and Conservers of the Peace and the Commissioners for the common Burthens and assembled the two and twentieth day of June 1643. and several times continued since and of the Parliament of that Kingdom since convened XVI That the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England assembled shall during the space of twenty years from the first of July 1646. arm train and discipline or cause to be armed trained and disciplined all the Forces of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Guernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed already raised both for Sea and Land-service and shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years raise levy arm train and discipline or cause to be raised levied armed trained and disciplined any other Forces for Land and Sea-service in the Kingdoms Dominions and places aforesaid as in their Judgments they shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years think fit and appoint and that neither the the King his Heirs or Successors nor any other but such as shall act by the authority or approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of twenty years exercise any of the Powers aforesaid And the like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit That Moneys be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land-service and of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service in such sort and by such ways and means as the said Lords Commons shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years think fit and appoint and not otherwise That all the said Forces both for Land and Sea-service so raised or levied or to be raised or levied and also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years be employed managed ordered and disposed by the said Lords and Commons in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint and not otherwise And the said Lords and Commons during the said space of twenty years shall have power 1. To suppress all Forces raised or to be raised without authority and consent of the said Lords and Commons to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Guernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them 2. To suppress any foreign Forces who shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Guernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them 3. To conjoyn such Forces of the Kingdom of England with the Forces of the Kingdom of Scotland as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years judge fit and necessary To resist all foreign Invasions and to suppress any Forces raised or to be raised against or within either of the said Kingdoms to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the said Kingdoms or any of them by any authority under the Great Seal or other Warrant whatsoever without consent of the said Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England and the Parliament or the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland respectively And that no Forces of either Kingdom shall go into or continue in the other Kingdom without the advice and desire of the said Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland or such as shall be by them appointed for that purpose And that after the expiration of the said twenty years neither the King his Heirs or Successors or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission Power Deputation or Authority to be derived from the King his Heirs or Successors or any of them shall raise arm train discipline employ order mannage disband or dispose any of the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Guernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed Nor exercise any of the said Powers or Authorities in the precedent Articles mentioned and expressed to be during the said space of twenty years in the said Lords and Commons Nor do any act or thing concerning the execution of the said Powers or Authorities or any of them without the consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained That after the expiration of the said twenty years in all cases wherein the Lords and Commons shall declare the safety of the Kingdom to be concerned and shall thereupon pass any Bill or Bills for the raising arming training disciplining employing mannaging ordering or disposing of the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms
but all their said several preferments places and promotions shall be utterly void as if they were naturally dead nor shall they otherwise use their Function of the Ministry without advice and consent of both Houses of Parliament Provided that no Laps shall incurr by such vacancy until six months past after notice thereof 6 Qualification That all persons who have been actually in Arms against the Parliament or have counselled or voluntarily assisted the Enemies thereof are disabled to be Sheriffs Justices of the Peace Mayors or other head-Officers of any City or Corporation Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer or to sit or serve as Members or Assistants in either of the Houses of Parliament or to have any Military employment in this Kingdom without the consent of both Houses of Parliament 7 Qualification The persons of all others to be free of all personal censure notwithstanding any Act or thing done in or concerning this War they taking the Covenant 8 Qualification The Estates of those persons excepted in the first three precedent Qualifications and the Estates of Edward Lord Littleton and of William Laud late Archbishop of Canterbury to pay publick Debts and Damages 9 Qualification Branch 1. That two full parts in three to be divided of all the Estates of the Members of either House of Parliament who have not onely deserted the Parliament but have also voted both Kingdoms Traytors and have not rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom Branch 2. That two full parts in three to be divided of the Estates of such late Members of either House of Parliament as sate in the unlawful Assembly at Oxford and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom Branch 3. That one full moity of the Estates of such persons late Members of either of the Houses of Parliament who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 10 Qualification That a full third part of the value of the Estates of all Judges and Officers towards the Law Common or Civil and of all Serjeants Counsellors and Attorneys Doctors Advocates and Proctors of the Law Common or Civil And of all Bishops Clergy-men Masters and Fellows of any Colledge or Hall in either of the Universities or elsewhere And of all Masters of Schools or Hospitals and of all Ecclesiastical persons who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and have not rendred themselves to the Parliament before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom That a full sixth part on the full value of the Estates of the persons excepted in the sixth Qualification concerning such as have been actually in Arms against the Parliament or have counselled or voluntarily assisted the Enemies thereof and are disabled according to the said Qualification be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 11 Qualification That the persons and Estates of all Common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of England who in Lands or Goods be not worth two hundred pounds sterling and the persons and Estates of all Common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of Scotland who in Lands or Goods be not worth one hundred pounds sterling be at liberty and discharged Branch 1. This Proposition to stand as to the English and as to the Scots likewise if the Parliament of Scotland or their Commissioners shall so think fit Branch 2. That the 1 of May last is now the day limited for the persons to come in that are comprised within the former Qualifications Provided that all and every the Delinquents which by or according to the several and respective Ordinances or Orders made by both or either of the Houses of Parliament on or before the 24th day of April 1647. are to be admitted to make their Fines and Compositions under the rates and proportions of the Qualifications aforesaid shall according to the said Ordinances and Orders respectively be thereto admitted and further also that no person or persons whatsoever except such Papists as having been in Arms or voluntarily assisted against the Parliament have by concealing their quality procured their admission to Composition which have already compounded or shall hereafter compound and be thereto admitted by both Houses of Parliament at any of the rates and proportions aforesaid or under respectively shall be put to pay any other Fine than that they have or shall respectively so compound for except for such Estates or such of their Estates and for such values thereof respectively as have been or shall be concealed or omitted in the particulars whereupon they compound and that all and every of them shall have thereupon their Pardons in such manner and form as is agreed by both Houses of Parliament That an Act be passed whereby the Debts of the Kingdom and the persons of Delinquents and the value of their Estates may be known and which Act shall appoint in what manner the Confiscations and Proportions before-mentioned may be leavied and applied to the discharge of the said Engagements The like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of Parliament or such as shall have power from them shall think fit XIX That an Act of Parliament be passed to declare and make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Conclusions of Peace or any Articles thereupon with the Rebels without consent of both Houses of Parliament And to settle the prosecution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of the Parliament of England to be managed by them and the King to assist and to do no act to discountenance or molest them therein That Reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be setled in the Kingdom of Ireland by Act of Parliament in such manner as both Houses of the Parliament of England have agreed or shall agree upon after Consultation had with the Assembly of Divines here That the Deputy or chief Governour or other Governours of Ireland and the Presidents of the several Provinces of that Kingdom be nominated by both the Houses of the Parliament of England or in the intervals of Parliament by such Committees of both Houses of Parliament as both Houses of the Parliament of England shall nominate and appoint for that purpose And that the Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Commissioners of the Great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Chancellor of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches and Barons of the Exchequer of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Vice-Treasurer and the
Treasurers at Wars of the Kingdom of Ireland be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England to continue Quam diu se bene gesserint and in the intervals of Parliament by the afore-mentioned Committees to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting The like for the Kingdom of Scotland concerning the nomination of the Lords of the Privy-Council Lords of Session and Exchequer Officers of State and Justice-General in such manner as the Estates of Parliament there shall think fit That the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof may be in the ordering and government of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in Common Council assembled or such as they shall from time to time appoint whereof the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs for the time being to be three to be employed and directed from time to time in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament That no Citizen of the City of London nor any of the Forces of the said City shall be drawn forth or compelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof for Military service without their own free consent That an Act be passed for the granting and confirming of the Charters Customs Liberties and Franchises of the City of London notwithstanding any Nonuser Misuser or Abuser That the Tower of London may be in the government of the City of London and the chief Officer and Governour thereof from time to time be nominated and removeable by the Common Council And for prevention of inconveniencies which may happen by the long intermission of Common Councils it is desired that there may be an Act that all by-Laws and Ordinances already made or hereafter to be made by the Council assembled touching the calling continuing directing and regulating the same Common Councils shall be as effectual in the Law to all intents and purposes as if the same were particularly enacted by the Authority of Parliament And that the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in Common Council may adde to or repeal the said Ordinances from time to time as they shall see cause That such other Propositions as shall be made for the City for their further safety welfare and government and shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament may be granted and confirmed by Act of Parliament That all Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process proceedings and other things passed under the Great Seal of England in the custody of the Lords and other Commissioners appointed by both Houses of Parliament for the custody thereof be and by Act of Parliament with the Royal assent shall be declared and enacted to be of like full force and effect to all intents and purposes as the same or like Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and other things under any Great Seal of England in any time heretofore were or have been And that for time to come the said Great Seal now remaining in custody of the said Commissioners continue and be used for the Great Seal of England And that all Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and other things whatsoever passed under or by any authority of any other Great Seal since the 22th day of May Anno Dom. 1642. or hereafter to be passed be Invalid and of no effect to all intents and purposes Except such Writs Process and Commissions as being passed under any other Great Seal than the said Great Seal in the custody of the Commissioners aforesaid on or after the said 22th day of May and before the 28th day of November Anno Dom. 1643. were afterward proceeded upon returned into or put in ure in any the Kings Courts at Westminster And except the Grant to Mr. Justice Bacon to be one of the Justices of the Kings-Bench And except all Acts and proceedings by virtue of any such Commissions of Goal-delivery Assize and Nisi prius or Oyer and Terminer passed under any other Great Seal than the Seal aforesaid in custody of the said Commissioners before the first of October 1642. And that all Grants of Offices Lands Tenements or Hereditaments made or passed under the Great Seal of Ireland unto any person or persons Bodies politick or corporate since the Cessation made in Ireland the fifteenth day of September 1643. shall be null and void And that all Honours and Titles conferred upon any person or persons in the said Kingdom of Ireland since the said Cessation shall be null and void That the several Ordinances the one intituled An Ordinance of Parliament for abolishing of Archbishops and Bishops within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales and for seâ—ing of their Lands and Possessions upon Trustees for the use of the Common-wealth the other intituled An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for appointing the sale of Bishops Lands for the use of the Commonwealth be confirmed by Acts of Parliament These were the Conditions of Peace proposed by the Parliament as the subject matter of that Conference which all passionately wished and a great many fought for They were the very same that had been heretofore sent to the King when he was at Hampton-Court and not onely rejected by his Majesty but by the Army also as being too unreasonable they onely differed in this that in those last there was no mention made of the Scots In the mean time the Pacificators are invested with no other authority but that of answering the Royal Arguments and of returning Reasons to induce the King to assent they had no power of softening any Proposition or altering the least word nay nor so much as of omitting the Preface Their Instructions likewise bear that they are to acquaint the Parliament with the Kings Concessions and the whole progress of the Negotiation to treat altogether in writing nay and to debate the Propositions as they lay in order not descending to a new Proposition until the former was adjusted Nor was it thought enough that the Conditions and Commissioners were so strictly limited they confine the Conference also to the Town of Newport in the Isle of Wight and the continuance of it to the space of forty days The King also who was to be present at the Conference was so far well treated as to be permitted to come out of his Prison and have that Island allowed him for a larger confinement but upon promise given that he would not depart out the Island within forty days after the conclusion of the Conference and the sly Oligarchick and Democratick Republicans who had a hand in the Councils were the Authors of those scruples and restrictions With great caution the Parliament permitted some of his Majesties necessary Servants by name some Lawyers Divines and a Secretary to be present but not to be admitted into the Conference onely to be without behind the Curtain in the Lobby So that the King alone was singly to sustain the person of a Politician and Divine against the
ablest Parliamentarian Politicians and Divines of the whole Kingdom In managing the Conference the King alone with such incredible Prudence and Eloquence sifted and bafled all their strongest Arguments with so great lenity and readiness of condescension granted their Demands even when he had made it appear they were unreasonable so far as with Honour and a safe Conscience he could that he ravished them all into admiration of him and which was an Argument of a supernatural Wit he brought over the Commissioners who were his most inveterate enemies even against their will to his Opinion though their Employment and the danger of their heads obliged them against their Conscience to continue in opposition to him Without doubt in this as in all things else he gave a glorious proof of his Fatherly goodness in that with his own loss and prejudice onely he would gladly have redeem'd his people from the havock and miseries of War The Conference had for some time been taken up in composing affairs when of a sudden news is brought to the Parliament that the Marquess of Ormond was arrived in Ireland to govern that Kingdom in quality of Lord Deputy by authority from the King and that he was to settle a Peace there upon the best conditions he could as also to levy an Army for delivering the King out of prison Upon this Letters are sent to the Commissioners in the Isle of Wight with instructions to demand of the King that he would recal Ormond's Commission and turn him out of that authority which was somewhat uneasie to the Pacificators In the mean while report is made to the Parliament by piece-meals of what was transacted in the Conference where many with a mind as averse as the Kings was inclinable to peace quible at and censure the least punctilio of every thing unless all were condescended to in every tittle according to their own words and prescribed form for they were afraid which some of them openly professed that the Propositions being fully granted and no more place left for Animosity or Grievance they might if not by force from the people yet out of shame be compelled to conclude a Peace in good earnest which they onely desired in shew For the the King having contrary to the opinion of all condescended to many things had not onely admitted the subject matter but also the scrupulosities and niceties of words To the Preface which aimed not so much at the publick Peace as the branding of himself and his party with a note of Ignominy he would not consent but with this clause That nothing in that Conference should be taken for granted unless all were aagreed upon in general He agreed to the Ist Proposition of recalling the Declarations to the XVIth of the Forces the XIXth of the government of Ireland the XVth of the payment of publick Debts Provided these Debts were stated within the space of two years to the XVIIth of anulling Titles of Honours the XIXth of the chief Magistrates of the Kingdom the XIXth of the Great Seal the XIXth of the Priviledges of London Of the Court of Wards provided he had an hundred thousand pound a year paid him in lieu of it In all these points he made himself an easie prey to the avarice and ambition of others and that he might render the Kingdom more peaceable to others he even suffered it to be snatched out of his own hands He gave his consent to all the Articles of the IIId Proposition except one concerning Bishops and their Revenues yet in that he was not altogether wanting to the desires of the Parliament for whatever did not plainly appear to be of Divine Institution he allowed might be abrogated so that he suffered Archiepiscopacy to be abolished Episcopal Jurisdiction also that is the exercise of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and the state and priviledge of holding Ecclesiastical Courts but he would not suffer the power of conferring Orders and administring Church-censures as being Apostolical to be altered and lessened But at length the little Rabbies of the Assembly and Pacificators interweaving with the other Arguments which he could better refute that of invincible Necessity and promising privately that if he would consent to these at present they would hereafter enlarge his Bonds as also giving him hopes that the Parliament would condescend to him in other matters provided in this he would remit somewhat of his strictness of Conscience he consents that for the space of three years Orders shall not be conferred by the Bishops without the consent of Presbyters nay that the power of Ordaining shall be suspended until twenty Divines of his chusing and an Assembly called by the Parliament do meet determine and settle the Government of the Church to which he promised to acquiesce if the Parliament would do the like In the mean time he is not against it but that Presbytery may be setled for a tryal Abhorring the thought of Sacriledge he would not suffer Bishops and Church-lands to be divided and alienated from the Church but permitted them to be let out by lease for ninety nine years paying a small yearly rent for the maintenance of the Bishops and as a token of their Tenure provided after the expiring of the Lease they should return to the Crown to be employed for the use of the Church which in the mean time he was firmly resolved to redeem with his money and to restore them to the Church-men to whom in right they belonged Nor would he being mindful of his Friends amidst his own dangers consent to the XVIIIth Proposition concerning Delinquents but he allowed I. That they might be moderately fined II. That they may be debarred from the Kings presence and coming to Court that some of them also may be banished but not as Traitors nor yet to lose their Lives and Estates if they act to the contrary III. That for three years they be excluded from sitting in Parliament IV. That they might be brought to tryal if it were thought fit and be condignly punished if they had acted any thing against the known Laws of England which certainly favoured the Kings Party But he thought it unjust that any man should be punished for his Loyalty to him according to the dictates of his Conscience and the municipal Laws by a Law made ex post facto Yet he condescended to other Articles of the same Proposition upon this condition that pious and learned Church-men free from scandal might enjoy a third of their Livings and not be totally deprived of the liberty of preaching He could not as he said recal the Authorities which he had given to the Marquess of Ormond at the very time when himself was confined to prison The Parliament agreed with him in the rest which succeeding then according to the Concessions in the XIXth Proposition the Parliament should have the sole administration of the affairs of Ireland In the mean time however he wrote to the Marquess of Ormond
commanding him to refrain from the execution of his power so long as the Conference and any hopes of Peace continued Whilst the Conference lasted the King that he might not still suffer so hard usage and that he might try how the Members of Parliament were affected towards him gave some very just and useful Proposals to be sent to the Parliament First he desires That he may have leave to repair forthwith to Westminster or any of his houses near London where he may treat with his Parliament at nearer distance with honour safety and freedom Which desire the Parliament having felt the pulse of the City and being encouraged under the hands of the most part and best of the Citizens promised so soon as the Propositions were granted should be allowed him Secondly the King demands That he may be restored to the possession of the Lands and Revenues of the Crown Thirdly That he may have compensation for his lawful Rights which the Parliament have thought fit to abolish To these also the Parliament willingly consent Fourthly That by an Act of Oblivion the memory of all things that had been done in time of the War might be abolished To this Proposal they did not consent but with cautions and limitations that gave liberty to the Parliamentarians to bring Actions against any almost of the Kings Party Matters being near composed beyond all mens expectation though perhaps not so as every one desired the Commissioners for Pacification full of thoughts of Peace promised the same to the King though in that they were false Prophets for they thought as well they might that the Parliament would in some measure abate in their rigid demands when the King to mollifie them had stript himself of the Government both of England and Ireland Nay the glad hopes of Concord begun to cherish the drooping minds of all people which without doubt would have followed had not factious and rebellious men who by clandestine arts had already driven us into a War now openly and with force of Arms disappointed the desired fruit of the Conference and the Peace that was ready to be concluded Now in what manner they accomplished that it will be necessary I should with all possible sincerity relate In the heat of the Conference that part of the Army which had prospered in the War and was returned home victorious commanded by Fairfax whom Ireton as a bad Genius haunted was encamped so near London that in half a days time they might march thither and suppress their unprovided Adversaries if any sudden occasion required In the mean time Fairfax Ireton and the rest of the Colonels behaved themselves very submissively in publick pretend that they will always obey the Ordinances of Parliament and that publick Peace will be to them of all men most acceptable that so being eased from the fatigues and labours of War they may mind their own affairs and after so much toil and danger at length enjoy rest and peace But privately having consulted with the Members of Parliament of their own Faction they suffer Consults to be held amongst the inferiour Officers and private Souldiers of the Army and at the instigation of their Emissaries Petitions to be framed wherein it was desired that the Treaty with the King should be broken up and all the Enemies of the Commonwealth indifferently thereby craftily glancing at the person of the King brought to condign punishment These also they caused to be printed and published that they might feel the pulse of the people Nor was it doubted but that the chief Commanders and Colonels were the Authors of those Petitions and that by their Emissaries and particularly by Hugh Peters a Renegado from and the reproach of the Ministery an impudent saucy fellow they were dispersed into all places whereby they wheadled the Souldiers who in their own nature were sufficiently prone to Booty and Innovations In the mean while the Country-people whom we mentioned before to have made some stirs being dispersed and Garrisons and Governours placed in the several Counties all the Souldiers of the Kingdom are commanded to repair to Fairfax's Camp who in great numbers many following the prevailing Party flocked together victorious and triumphant Ireton upon a rumour spread abroad amongst the people of a difference betwixt him and Fairfax lurking privately in Windsor-Castle and having called some of his Consorts of the Lower House publishes a Remonstrance with great ostentation of words and affected eloquence wherein in name of the Army by captious quirks and subtilties he argues against the Peace made with the King and the Remonstrance of his Majesty nay and desires Justice against the King himself That those Members who the year before had been impeached of High-Treason by the Army might be brought to tryal and that all who staid in Parliament heretofore when the Speakers and rest of the Members of their Faction fled to the Army should be excluded That the Souldiers Arrears should be paid out of the Kings Revenue and the Deans and Chapters Lands to be distributed for this use especially and also for other publick charges That the present Parliament should be dissolved and a better course taken for the future that the people should chuse a Representative which should have the supreme administration of the Government These and several other things of that nature he very imperiously demands The end of the Conference now approaching which the Republicans of both sorts in the Parliament endeavoured by all Arts to stave off and protract that the Army might more conveniently joyn the Commanders of the Army being informed from the Isle of Wight of the progress of affairs and of the opportunities that were proper for their turn call a Field-Council wherein all the Colonels and inferiour Officers meet and there they give themselves to fasting and prayer For we must know that these Sons of the Earth had great intimacy and correspondence with Heaven as they pretended and when they were about to act any thing contrary to the Law of Nature the Light of Reason or the Laws of God and man they used to begin the work with Prayers to Almighty God in a doubtful manner proposing the case and the matter being first discussed between the Majesty of Heaven and themselves they then by turning and winding their Prayers shape an Answer to their designes which like a divine Oracle rendered to the praying inquirers they impose upon the common Souldiers as an Article of Faith though the matter had been long before hatched in their thoughts nor durst any man gainsay it who had not a mind to have his name dasht out of the Roll of the Saints And hence it was that the people dreaded their Fasts and Prayers as ominous Prodigies The Pageantry of their Devotion being over Ireton's Remonstrance was read and applauded too by the Souldiers as if it dropt from Heaven they prefix to it the formidable title
of the Army as an Act and Deed approved by all and order it to be presented to the Parliament in the name of the Army and People of England who if they had been called to give their votes scarcely one of a thousand would have consented to it and all the rest could not but have cursed the perfidious Author of the villany with all his Adherents as the Bane and plague of mankind But the Lower House making a virtue of the necessity of the times take the courage to lay aside for some time that Remonstrance and to apply themselves to the examining and discussing of the Royal Concessions which then lay before them The Commanders of the Army taking it very ill to be thus slighted by them who ought to have thanked them for all the honour and dignity they enjoyed sent some Troops into the Isle of Wight who having seized the King removed him out of the Island and clapt him up prisoner in Hurst-Castle opposite to the Island on the main-land-side a narrow nasty and unwholsome place by reason it is incompassed by the Sea At the same time they march to London and put Garrisons into the Kings Palace and the Noblemens houses adjoyning the Palace-yard and Houses of Parliament having posted the Army in the neighbouring places about The Souldiers hoped that this beginning would put the dissenting Members into such a fear that they would hide in holes and corners which had been very usual with them and that men of their own Faction being sole Masters of the Parliament they might do what they pleased under the cloak of the Authority of Parliament which would justifie their Violence and make what Laws soever might conduce to their profit and advantage But the event answered not their expectations for most part of the Members as if at that time they had been assisted by divine inspiration not at all terrified by the muttering and anger of the Souldiers nor the clashing of Arms thinking themselves sufficiently secure by their character of Parliament-men meet to consult in a greater number than ordinary Both that day and the following the Lower House debated hotly about the Kings Concessions whilst in the mean time the Republicans of both sorts raise scruples jangle make parties and with long Speeches protract the time about Presbytery and the Covenant neither of which they liked amongst whom no man was so fierce as Sir Henry Vane who in the Isle of Wight had perswaded the King to grant no more seeing he had already yielded so many and so great Priviledges to the Parliament as he thought it neither lawful for them to expect nor take which he promised also publickly to assert This man I say inveighed bitterly against the Conditions of Peace as if under the mask of Concessions and the shew of setling Peace Danger lay hid and that his Majesty laid a Snare for subverting the publick Liberty of Parliament and People and all this that he might gain time for the whole Army to post themselves in the City At length a Vote is passed That the Kings Concessions were a sufficient ground for Peace This past by the voices of two hundred hardly threescore opposing it The Lords having next day assented to it in the same terms the Parliament was adjourned for a week till that Commotion might be somewhat appeased Commissioners are forthwith sent from the House of Commons to acquaint Fairfax and the Commanders of the Army with the matter This so incensed the Oligarchick Rebels that the Speaker of the House of Commons who had already greedily swallowed down their poyson or at least temporized and turned to either side as the Faction prevailed threatned forthwith publickly in the House That they would never be suffered any more to meet in Parliament if they obstinately persisted in that opinion And indeed the day appointed for the next Session some Colonels guarded by a Regiment or two of Foot and a Regiment of Horse beset all the avenues to the House of Commons apprehend forty Members of the more resolute and wise who dissented from them debar about one hundred and fifty more from entering the House and suffer none to go in but such as they knew to be devoted to their Faction Some had slipt in undiscovered by a Note they call out under pretext of speaking with some Friend or Client at the door and though they alleadged the authority and priviledge of Parliament yet they seize and hurry them away in the very Court The captive Members being many ways tossed and abused are exposed to derision and the miseries of a long and nasty imprisonment amongst whom were many who having asserted the Parliament-Cause as Generals Governours and Colonels were thus thanked for their good services Nay and William Prynn a fierce Asserter of the Opinions he once entertained that indefatigable Author of voluminous Writings for the Parliament stuck fast in the same mire with the rest the Spectators every where admiring the inscrutable Judgments of God who suffered them to be so unworthily treated by their Slaves and Servants who themselves were the Subjects that first took up Arms against their King and audaciously laid hands on him All this was done under the honest and specious colour of purging and reforming the House Thus the Lower House is reduced to a Junto of a few men to wit the eighth part of the just number and these wholly enslaved to the Army whose Commanders coming as freely into the House as the Rumpers went into the Camp they daily conferred Notes together and it is first resolved in a Council of War what was to be proposed to be enacted in Parliament which then served under the Army and lent them Authority to palliate their Machinations Of so many hundred Members there scarcely remained forty in the House a number unfit to bear the name of the Commons of England and these not onely the least but the most part consisting of a remnant of the dregs of the House and many of them Commanders in the Army So that there remained nothing of a Parliament but the name the rest abominating such horrid wickedness and shunning their company and conversation amongst whom were some who being deluded with the sham of Conscience had espoused the Party of the Republicans Thus a few fellows about twenty of them for the most part continually dissenting blush not to usurp to themselves alone the supreme power of ordering the affairs of England of bringing the King to a tryal making and abrogating the Laws of their Country and overturning the ancient and fundamental Government of the Nation They confirm the Vote for Non Addresses which had been craftily and surreptitiously made and afterwards repealed by both Houses in full number But the other Votes for having a Conference with the King and especially that which declared the Kings Concessions to be a sufficient ground for a Peace they rescind
some time prevail with them to delay the execution of the Villany Nor was Bradshaw the bloudy President secure from violent hands for one Burghill armed with sword and pistol watched him one night behind Gray's Inn-gate when he was to come home late but missing of his designe that night because Bradshaw did not come home next day being betrayed by one Cooke to whom he had discovered the matter he was brought before the Parricides However his Guards being drunk finding an occasion of an escape he saved his own life having onely laid in wait for another mans But all was in vain for the Rebels slighting these things pretend Gods providence and the motions of the Holy Ghost for their warrant and security Peters a brazen-faced Hypocrite who being disgracefully whipt out of Cambridge ever after that clove close to the Schismaticks bids them from the Pulpit Go on and prosper that now was the time When the Saints should bind Princes in chains and their Nobles with fetters of iron so lewdly did that profane Knave interpret holy Scripture telling them That they need not question but this Prophecy was to be fulfilled by them and in the Sermon he addresses himself to the holy Judges the title he thought fit to give them and protests that he was certain there were in the Army five thousand men no less Saints than those that conversed with God himself in Heaven Then kneeling in the Pulpit with flouds of forced tears and lifted up hands he earnestly begs in the name of the People of England That they would do Justice against CHARLES and not suffer Benhadad the enemy to escape Nay he most insolently inveighed against Monarchy it self and straining his virulent wit he relates the History How the Trees chusing a King and the Vine and Olive-tree refusing the office they submitted themselves to the sharper government of the bramble and compared Kingly government to briars By such kind of Arguments he stirs up and confirms those new Judges who of their own nature were already but too much enraged and fiercely bent against the King There was another besides Peters the Preacher an Herald one Serjeant Dendy also employed who being environed with a Guard of Horse for fear of being stoned by sound of Trumpet cited all those to appear who had any crime to object against the King and this he did first in Westminster-hall and then in the most publick places of the City Before these Judges of the new Court the most August Charles already stript of three most flourishing Kingdoms by the Rebels and having now no more but Life to be deprived of is brought without the least signe in his countenance of any discomposure of mind His indictment is read wherein he is accused In the name of the People of England of Treason Tyranny Murders and of all Rapines that were occasioned by the War with the highest aggravations of the Crimes But the whole stress of the Indictment lay in this That he had made War against the Parliament which the Army under the Parliaments pay had long ago trampled under foot scarcely any shadow of it remaining Great was the company of Spectators who with groans sighs and tears lamented the condition of the best of Princes Nor without injustice can I pass over the brave action of the heroick Lady Fairfax Daughter to the Lord Vere who out of a Belcony that lookt into the Court cried out publickly That that was a lye that the tenth part of the People was not guilty of that Villany but that it was a contrivance of the Traytor Cromwel And this she did with great danger of her life The King having heard this Indictment with a majesty in his looks and words that cannot be exprest puts the question to those new Judges By what Authority they brought their King to the Bar contrary to the publick Faith which was very lately made to him when he entered into a Conference with the Members of both Houses By what lawful Authority said he emphatically He knew indeed there were many unlawful and powerful Combinations of men in the world as of Thieves and Robbers by the High-ways He desires they would tell him by what Authority they had taken that Power such as it was upon them and he would be willing to answer but if they could not he bids them think well upon it before they go farther from one sin to a greater That he had a Trust committed to him by God by an ancient and lawful Descent and that he would not betray it by answering to a new and unlawful Authority The President replying That he was brought to answer in the name of the People of England of which he was elected King The King made answer That England was never an Elective Kingdom but an Hereditary Kingdom for near these thousand years That he did stand more for the liberty of the People by rejecting their usurped Power than any of them that came to be his pretended Judges did by supporting it That he did not come there as submitting to the Court That he would stand as much for the Priviledge of the House of Commons as any man there whatsoever but that he saw no House of Lords there that might together with a King constitute a Parliament That if they would shew him a legal authority warranted by the Word of God the Scriptures or warranted by the Constitutions of the Kingdom he would answer for that he did avow that it was as great a sin to withstand lawful Authority as it is to submit to a tyrannical or any ways unlawful Authority The President in the mean time often interrupted him and at length commanding him to be carried back to Prison Yet was the good King a second and a third time brought before the Bar of the Common People where the President puts him in mind of his Indictment and commands him to answer to the Articles brought against him or otherways to listen to his sentence But the King still protested against the Authority of the Court affirming That his life was not so dear to him as his Honour Conscience the Laws and the Liberties of the People which that they might not perish all at once there were great reasons why he could not make his defence before those Judges nor acknowledge a new form of Judicature for what power had ever Subjects or by what Laws was it granted them to erect a Court against their King That it could not be warranted by Gods Laws which on the contrary command obedience to Princes not by the Laws of the Land since by them no Impeachment can lie against the King they all going in his name nor do they allow the House of Commons the power of judging the meanest Subject of England And that lastly that pretended Power could not flow from any Authority or Commission from the People since they had never asked the question of the
tenth man he might have said of the thousandth of the Kingdom The President interrupting him again as before takes him up now more insolently bids him be mindful of his condition tells him that the Court is sufficiently satisfied and do affirm their own Jurisdiction and that no Reasons were to be heard that declined the Authority of the Court But shew me that Court answered the King where Reason is not to be heard We shew it you here replied the President and the next time you come you 'll know more of their pleasure But the King urged That at least he might be permitted to give in his Reasons in writing to which if they could give him satisfaction he would not decline their Jurisdiction Here the President not satisfied to deny his modest suit but falling also into a heat commanded the Prisoner to be carried away who made no other return but this Remember it is your King whom you refuse to hear it will be in vain for my Subjects to expect Justice from you when you will not hear your King make his lawful defence Now the King is the fourth time brought before this unjust Court of Justice where the President in his Scarlet-robe bitterly taxes the King of Contumacy and runs out in commendation of the Patience of the Court He bids him at length submit to the Court or to expect his Sentence But the King constantly refuses to plead before them telling them however That he had something to say that concerned the Peace of the Kingdom and the Liberty of the Subject wherein he desires to be heard before the Lords and Commons Yet they refuse to grant him that favour which is not wont to be denied to men of the meanest condition pretending it would delay and put a stop to Justice To which the King replied That it would be better to admit the delay of a day or two than to hasten a Sentence that might bring on that trouble and perpetual inconvenience to the Kingdom that the Child that is unborn might repent it For if I had had said he respect to my Life more than the Peace of the Kingdom and the Liberties of the Subject certainly I should have made a particular defence for my self for by that at leastwise I might have delayed an ugly Sentence which I believe will pass upon me and that the Zeal to my Country had not overborn the care that I have of my own preservation I should have gone another way to work than I have done Now since a hasty Sentence once past may be sooner repented than recalled I desire that having something to say more for the Peace of the Kingdom and the Liberty of the Subject than for my own particular I may be heard before Sentence be given Upon which Colonel Downs one of the Judges being prickt in Conscience contrary to what had been privately agreed upon amongst the Judges desires that they may withdraw and debate that Proposal privately Though this extreamly vexed the President Cromwel and most of the rest yet that they might not seem publickly to quarrel among themselves they all withdraw into an adjoyning Chamber where Downs being paid off with flouts and jeers intermingled with no small threats they return wonderfully unanimous and agreeing into Court Then the President with the same inhumane barbarity that he began proceeds to Sentence having premised a long Speech wherein he aggravates the Contumacy of the King and the haynousness of the Crime he asserts the Power of Parliaments producing instances both foreign and domestick especially from Scotland how aptly the Scots are to look to it wherein the People have punished their Kings and that the Power of the People of England over their King was not less than that of other Nations that the King's guilt was greater than that of all others seeing that according to the wish of Caligula he had endeavoured to have cut off the head of the whole Nation by undertaking a War against the Parliament Having ended his Harangue he orders the Sentence to be read in these words That whereas the Commons of England in Parliament had appointed them an High Court of Justice for the trying of Charles Steuart King of England before whom he had been three times convented and at first time a Charge of High-Treason and other Crimes and Misdemeanours was read in the behalf of the Kingdom of England c. Which Charge being read unto him as aforesaid he the said Charles Steuart was required to give his Answer but he refused so to do c. For all which Treasons and Crimes the Court doth adjudge That he the said Charles Steuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murderer and a publick Enemy shall be put to death by severing his Head from his Body The Sentence being pronounced sixty seven Judges that were present as lifted up by the conscience of the Villany they had conspired in at the desire of the President the thing having been privately concerted stand up and confirm the same the rest amongst whom was Fairfax for the horrour of the Crime not daring to be present Then was his sacred Majesty hurried away by the Souldiers to be by them most like to his Saviour scoffed at before he suffered who laying aside all reverence to the name of a King as if they led their Captive in triumph with cruel barbarity the aforesaid Peters setting them on whereas in the beginning they cry'd Justice Justice so now they cry Execution Execution like the Jews of old Crucifie him Crucifie him They spit upon his Clothes as he passed by nay one or two had the boldness to spit in his majestick face which one of his Judges a Colonel took notice of to many then present commending the bravery of his Souldiers and more beheld with horrour They blew the smoak of Tobacco a thing which they knew his Majesty hated in his sacred mouth throwing their broken Pipes in his way as he passed along They also enjoyn inhumane rudeness to others beating those who with a hat or bow saluted him as he passed nay whilst one more compassionate than the rest sighing said God have mercy upon him they knockt him down dead Rushing into his Chamber both by day and by night they allowed him no retirement nor any private discourse not so much as with his Chaplain When with much ado they had suffered one Bishop onely I mean of London to have access unto him with loud laughing they interrupt him in paying his Devotions according to the Rite of the Church of England and even then when he was preparing for his last they disturb him with scoffs and frivolous and impertinent Questions But he with great presence of mind whilst they cried out Justice and Execution turning to those that were about him said Alas poor Souls for a piece of money they would do so for their Commanders Wiping off the Spittle when they spit upon him all that
came from him was Christ hath suffered more for my sake He so convincingly confuted the Commanders Souldiers and other impertinent Anabaptists who with their cavils and silly disputes came to tempt him that he put most of them to silence He took so little notice of their ridiculous mirth that by contemning it he disappointed their sawcy petulance Nay though he was straitned with time and disturbed with the noise of barbarous Souldiers yet with a religious and sedate mind spending his time in the confession of his sins forgiving his Enemies taking the Sacrament holy reading and meditation and in all the other duties of Piety he finds the favour of God amidst the hatred of men and vanquishes and drives away the terrours of death even before they approach Whilst these things are done openly in view of the people the execrable and merciless Judges in the mean time in their private Cabals allot every one the part he is to act what words and Gestures they are to use consulting together about the time place kind and all the manner and solemnity of the Murder where I am ashamed to mention what dismal kinds of death were proposed for condemned Caesar even before the Sentence according as the wantonness cruelty or hatred of the several tempers did suggest though I have been informed of it by most credible persons Some vote that his Head and Quarters may be set up in publick places a punishment inflicted upon Traytors as a lasting Infamy after their death some would have him hanged after the manner of Murderers Robbers and Thieves others again are of opinion that he should suffer in his Crown and Robes as a Monument of the Power of the People over their King At length they agree that it will suffice that he lose his head upon a Scaffold to be erected before the Banquetting-House of White-hall that from the same place where he used to mount the Throne and appear in the sacred pomp of Majesty he might pass to the Block and cast off the Ornaments of Royalty where he commonly put them on This was the Triumph these the Trophies of a victorious Revenge And because they had been told that the King would not submit his Neck to the Ax of his Subjects they order iron Rings and Staples to be made upon the Scaffold that if he resisted he might be drawn down to the Block by the head and hands But it is not to be omitted that amongst these Preliminaries to death some Souldiers the day before the execution offered Proposals which if he would at length assent to they promised to grant him life and the name of King But having heard one or two of them read he rejected them saying to this effect I had rather suffer a thousand deaths than so to prostitute my Honour and the Liberty of my People And that I may not pass by unmentioned the least piece of humanity shew'd to him they give him leave to take his Farewel of his Children to wit of the Lady Elizabeth then eleven years old and the Duke of Gloucester nine Here the King charged to tell the Queen that his thoughts had never strayed from her and that his love would be the same to the last that she should command the Prince in his name if it pleased God to advance him to the Throne to pardon his Enemies c. withal he commanded her and her second Brother the Duke of York who sometime before had made his escape from the Parliament to be subject to the Prince and obey their Mother he bid her also read Bishop Andrews Sermons Hooker's Ecclesiastical Polity and Bishop Laud's Book against Fisher which would ground her against Popery Then he said to the Duke of Gloucester Mark Child what I say they will cut off my head and perhaps make thee a King but mark what I say You must not be King so long as your Brother Charles and James do live for they will cut off your Brothers heads when they can catch them and cut thy head off too at last and therefore I charge you do not be made a King by them To which the Child looking wishfully upon the King answered I will be torn in pieces first Now was the fatal day when the King fortified against death by Innocence and Piety came out of St. James's house now the Royal Prison and walked afoot through the Park with a chearful countenance as if he had been going a hunting The Souldiers and guard of Partisans marching slowly he bid them go faster saying That he now went before them to strive for an heavenly Crown with less sollicitude than he had often encouraged his Souldiers to fight for an earthly Diadem Being brought into the Banquetting-house he spent an hour in prayer that having recommended his Soul to God he might have some leisure-time before death to be spent amongst the Souldiers As he went out from thence upon the Scaffold that was covered with dismal black the first Objects that present themselves to his view are Executioners in Vizard-masques a Block and an Ax which yet do not so damp his Royal Courage but that he shew'd his care for the living to be far greater than his apprehensions of dying for looking round upon the People who by numerous Guards of Horse were kept at a great distance and perceiving that he could not be heard by them he waved as it is probable the discourse that he intended to deliver to the Multitude and addressed himself to Colonel Tomlinson and the other Instruments of the Regicide in these following words I Shall be very little heard of any body else I shall therefore speak a word to you here Indeed I could have held my peace very well if I did not think that holding my peace would make some men think that I did submit to the Guilt as well as to the Punishment But I think it is my duty to God first and then to my Country to clear my self both as an honest man a good King and a good Christian I shall begin first with my Innocency and in troath I think it not very needful for me to insist long upon this for all the world knows that I did never begin a War with the two Houses of Parliament and I call God to witness unto whom I must shortly give an account that I did never intend to incroach upon their Priviledges They began upon me it is the Militia they began upon They confessed the Militia was mine but they thought it fit to have it from me And to be short if any body will look to the dates of Commissions of their Commissions and mine and likewise to the Declaration he will see clearly that they began those unhappy Troubles not I. So as for the guilt of those enormous Crimes that are laid against me I hope that God will clear me on 't I will not for I am in charity and God forbid that I
to death Out comes presently an Ordinance under pain of High-Treason That no man should presume to declare CHARLES STEUART commonly called Prince of Wales King And as if this had been but a small matter That no man should pray for CHARLES the Second under the name of Prince of Wales King of Scotland or eldest Son of the King or for the Duke of York or any of the Royal Family under pain of Sequestration Monarchy and the House of Lords being both abolished the first under pretext of change uselesness and danger and the other both of uselesness and danger they make an Ordinance for changing the most ancient Government of England into a Democraty or Popular Commonwealth and because the Mayor of London refused to publish the Ordinance they turn him out of his Office fine him in two thousand pounds and commit him to the Tower notwithstanding his alleadging That such an act was to be performed by the Sheriffs and not the Mayor of London and that being bound by so many Oaths he could not in conscience do it A dull blockhead one of the Kings Judges was forthwith put into his place and that others upon account of conscience might not boggle at any of their commands they abolish the Oath which all men upon their entry into publick place were obliged to take to the Kings Majesty They purge the Common Council of the City which was wont to consist of the richer and graver Citizens and turn out many Aldermen making this their colour for it that the year before though at the desire of the major part of the Parliament They had signed the Petition for a personal Conference with the King and filled their places with the abject Riff-raff of the Rabble many of them very young and most of them broken fellows They also turn out the Recorder Town-Clerk and other Officers of the City who had refused to attend the Mayor at the publishing of the Ordinance for abolishing of Monarchy other factious Villains of their own Gang being preferred to their places who leading the other Citizens by the noses the City of London in a trice became obedient to the Orders of the Mock-Parliament With one single Vote they repeal all the ancient Laws made against Sects and Schisms They deprive the Ministers of the promised Revenues I mean of Deans and Chapters Lands They also make profession of easing tender Consciences from the burthen of Tythes assigning some thousands a year out of the Kings Revenue for Stipends and Salaries for the Preachers that so they might be at the beck of the Republicans and be at length by Office constrained with mutual Assistance and Pay to conspire against Monarchy Nay it was debated whether they should not for some time shut the Church-doors and restrain the licentiousness of Presbyterians but milder Councils prevailing some having been imprisoned others threatned with death all are commanded upon pain of Sequestration to refrain from Invectives and to comply with their Rulers in keeping Fasts and Thanksgiving-days and whatever else concerned the affairs of the Church They break down the Kings Arms and Statues that were set up in publick places and put up their own instead of them They coyn new money with the impression of a Cross and Harp as the Arms of England and Ireland In a word as by Law and in full right they invade and appropriate to themselves all the Regalia which as by way of Sequestration they had before usurped From henceforward without any regard to Justice and Honesty they spare neither Sex nor any Order of men The Kings Children who remained in England to wit the Lady Elizabeth and Henry Duke of Gloucester Princes of singular accomplishments of Nature are many ways basely used by them Amongst the Regicides it was moved oftener than once whether they had not better put her out Apprentice to a Trade that she might get her living than to breed her up in a lazy life at the charge of the Publick From the gentle tuition of the Earl of N. she is turned over to the severer discipline of another with orders that when there was no occasion for it she should not be treated as the Daughter of a King Afterward she was confined to Carisborough-Castle in the Isle of Wight under the custody of one Mildmay an inspired fool but implacable enemy to the Royal Family that she poor Lady thus put in mind of her Fathers Imprisonment and Murder being already consumptive might the sooner be brought to her end And indeed when through the irksomness of Prison Grief and Sickness she visibly and daily decayed and pined away the inhumane Traytors deny her the assistance of a Physician nay the Physician whose presence she earnestly desired they so frighten from his duty that he durst not wait upon her She being dead they send the Duke of Gloucester into banishment having allowed him a small piece of money that I may not omit any act of their humanity to carry him over into Flanders They basely treat the Countess of Carlisle by an usage unworthy of her Sex and Quality as being one who of too much a friend before was now become an Enemy and commit her to the Tower of London Duke Hamilton and the Earl of Holland who now too lately repented their having been the first of the Lords and chief of the Factious who for their own safety had too much served the times against the King and of the Royal Party the heroick Lord Capel a prime Champion both for his King and Country are by the same President Bradshaw who dyed red with Royal bloud knew not what it was to spare the bloud of other men in the same Court of Justice sentenced to lose their heads Whom the Rebels thought fit they banished and seized all Estates and Inheritances how large soever at their own discretion There was a debate amongst them about making a Law that whosoever was by them suspected to be an ill willer to the Commonwealth or an enemy to the Army might be brought to a tryal before a Council of War and sentenced by them as they thought fit Nay they order the stately Fabricks of the Royal Houses and Palaces to be thrown down that Kings for the future might not have a house of their own to cover their heads under God any stately Temples wherein he might be worshipped or the Kingdom any publick Structures to shew its magnificence St. Paul's Church in London that of Salisbury and the Kings house of Hampton-Court Fabricks that may compare for stateliness with the best of Europe with much ado escaped the fury of their desolating hands A Council of forty persons is erected which by a gentle name to the common people they call the Keepers of the Liberties who altogether or at least seven of the number had the full administration of the Commonwealth Amongst these were three or four contemptible Lords Slaves to the Republican Faction admitted of whom
Bradshaw was made Head with the Title of Lord President and a yearly Salary of two thousand pounds as the price of Regicide Moreover a Writing is commanded to be taken by all whereby they were bound to approve whatsoever the Rebels had acted against the King and Kingdom Yet when many had refused to take it they were nevertheless admitted upon this condition That with their lives and fortunes they should maintain and defend for the future the State and mock-Mock-Parliament in the same condition they were Henceforward none of the secluded Members nor of those who had withdrawn were admitted into the House unless they approved underhand the late Villanies Nevertheless they command all to appear against a certain day or otherways to be excluded for ever and others chosen in their places So that some for fear of Sequestration and I know not what hurt and damage they were apprehensive of others out of hopes of profit to be got in publick changes by a base temporizing strike in with the Republican Vsurpers and are admitted into a share of the labour and danger but not of the Government About the same time the secluded Members meet in Lincolns-Inne to consult together and take the advice of S. a Lawyer what was fittest to be done in the present state of affairs But he readily gave his opinion that the late changes were made against the tenor of the Laws the Customs and Interest of the Country and the Dictates of right Reason and that no commerce could be kept with the Usurpers without the guilt and horrid crime of Treason and indeed he frightened many of the Members from coming to the House who could never afterward be brought to joyn in council with the Regicides Nevertheless within a few days he himself became a leading-man in the Rebel-Parliament and the Council of the Keepers of the Liberties and submitted to their Authority nay and did not reject the place of Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas conferred upon him by the same men though the King before the Troubles had honoured him with the title of his Attorney-General These things are carried on under pretext of speedy setling the State but in reality with designe to secure the Government to themselves to whom all the rest almost being cow'd into a submission the Popular Republicans onely resist These demand that the Representative so often desired and so often promised might be established by a free and equal election of the people the Rump of the Mock-Parliament being dismissed In Writings and Conferences they inveigh against the arbitrary dominion of the Vsurpers the High Court of Justice Council of State or of the Keepers of the Liberties as onely the softer names of a harder Tyranny nay they cry out against the Kings murder as unjust and committed against all Law and just Authority that the People had changed but not shaken off the Yoke that they had rather live ten years under the government of the worst of Kings than one year under their dominion that the loins of King Charles were lighter than their little finger So great force has truth as that it draws such Expressions even from the unwilling At length they flie to Arms and the private Souldiers especially the Troopers who formerly consented with them in most things being everywhere stirred up they at length begin to gather together in form of an Army But the Vsurpers who were never wanting to occasion obviate the beginnings and under pretext of composing Differences amongst honest men who minded the same things though they mutually entertained bad opinions one of another having corrupted and gained some of them to their Party they suddenly fall upon the rest and defeat them disarm the Prisoners and having caused the chief Authors of the Stirs to be shot and others to be punished more mildly they terrifie all the rest from disturbing for the future the Rulers either with cutting Truths or sharper Arms. The Vsurpers being fixed in the Saddle publish a Proclamation forbidding all men to accuse them of Tyranny to object any thing against them by word or in writing or to attempt any alteration under pain of High-Treason They appoint a solemn Thanksgiving-day to render publick thanks to God for their prosperous success against the Democraticks that so by mocking of God they might the more easily make the silly people rejoyce in their Calamities And the same day they are sumptuously feasted by the Mayor and Aldermen of London not without the Reproaches and Curses of almost all the Spectators where amidst the tears and miseries of a great many that perished by a famine that then raged they junket it deliciously Fairfax and Cromwel are complemented with splendid Presents of Gold and Silver And that the wretched Citizens might not seem to have lost all their labour in feeding these Ravens they bestow upon them the Kings new Park under colour of making them some recompence for their late Magnificence but in reality that the distracted men being allured by the sweetness of that morcel might be won over to their Party and wish well to the new Government Henceforward there is nothing to them sacred or holy They either distribute amongst themselves or sell at easie rates the Kings Houshold-furniture Lands and Houses the Revenues and Lands of the Church which belonged to the Deans and Chapters and which remained intire till now by the Votes of both Houses of Parliament for the use of the new Clergy or Presbyterian Ministry That by these arts they might both glut their own Avarice and by involving many in the same guilt with themselves make them firmer to their Faction Nor being yet satiated by the Crown and Church-lands and the Estates of the Noblemen and Gentlemen who disagreeing from them made up the far greater part of the Kingdom which they had seized long ago by way of Sequestration nor by the Goods and Chattels of those aforementioned whom they had plundered and the vast sums of money which those that had been for the King dayly paid for redeeming their Estates and purchasing favour they daily raise an incredible quantity of money from the Customs and the Excise a Tax which before would not have been endured in England Not to mention the secret Veins of Wealth I mean Bribes and Gifts which those that stood for Places or had business and Law-suits slipt privately into their pockets Nay they were not ashamed to flea the so-often fleeced people by a most heavy Imposition of ninety thousand pounds a month to pay the idle Souldiers However the spoils and government of one Kingdom was not enough to satisfie them they invade the Irish also that were ready to submit to the King whom whilst they were Rebels most part of them praised few at least did hostilely assault them promising themselves certain victory over them and hoping that Ireland being subdued they might easily reduce Scotland
The Democratical Republicans stirring in Arms are routed Solemn Thanksgivings appointed for the Victory and the Conquerours feasted by the Londoners MDCL The Lady Elizabeth Daughter of Charles the Martyr dies in her Fathers Prison FINIS A short HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE Rise and Progress OF THE Late Troubles IN ENGLAND AND ALSO Of the KING's Miraculous Escape after the Battel at Worcester The Second Part. NOW are the Cruel Regicides Masters of England but of England alone The Scots were in suspence not being as yet fully resolved whether they should settle Charles the Second in his Fathers Throne or usurping the Soveraignty should Govern Scotland as a Common-wealth themselves Ireland almost entirely for the King was ready utterly to shake off the Yoke of the Mock Parliament The Islands belonging to England not only the adjacent as Jersey Man and Silly but the more remote also in America to wit Bermudos the Caribbe Islands Virginia and New-England upon the Continent which had been heretofore planted with English Colonies refuse to obey the Usurpers Ireland was to be the first Seat of War shortly to be subdued whilst the Scots were for some time left to themselves They think it enough at present to discharge all Trading with the Islands and Plantations that no Sugar Indico Tobacco and Cotton should be from thence imported into England nor any Cloaths and other necessary Provisions for Life be transported from England thither hoping by this Fetch that either being glutted with their own Commodities or at least pinched through the want of ours they would be forced to comply Nor was it doubted but some time or other as occasion offered they would bring them under the Yoke Now there was one thing mainly necessary for their future Designs which as they were pleased to flatter themselves was easie to be obtained The Friendship and Alliance of no Nation nor People seemed more commodious and necessary to them than that of the Dutch both in respect of Neighbourhood and Situation of the Country and of the Humour and Inclination of the People nor did they want a pretext of making application to them For Strikland who from the beginning of the Troubles had been Ambassadour or Envoy with the States of the Vnited Provinces being kindly treated by them They thought fit to send over Dorislaus who had had a chief hand in framing the Kings Indictment as their Ambassadour to Complement and Thank them in their Name assure them of mutual good Offices justifie to them by Reasons their Proceedings against the King and to colour the Villany by the specious Authority of what Laws he could scrape together Besides he had it in Instructions if he found it convenient to let fall some mention of a Coalition or Conjunction and to offer and press it seeing if it could be effected by the Consent of both Nations they might laugh at all Designs and Attempts of Foreigners and share betwixt themselves the Trade of the whole World But that Negotiation proved unsuccessful the Prince of Orange being Stat-holder and the People detested the Murder of the King Some Scots also who though at a distance had speedy notice of his Arrival entering his Lodgings before he had had Audience with many Wounds killed Dorislaus and made their escape before they could be apprehended Thus the shedding of Royal Blood is punished by Bloody hands and by the just Judgment of God whatever may be the Injustice of Men the Crime is brought home to the Author The Regicides often demanded of the States Reparation for the Fact but without any success But the Democratical Party in England managing things now somewhat more cautiously laid not aside their discontents Walwin Prince Lilburn Overton and others of that Gang prefer a Petition to the Rump Parliament wherein they propose many good things which might be useful to the Publick mingling with them Reproaches that were not altogether false For which they were committed to Prison there to lye by it till the fierceness of their tempers were allayed Nevertheless the private Souldiers of Ingoldsby's Regiment grow Seditious at Oxford under pretence of Petitioning That the Rump-Parliament might be dissolved a lawful Representative chosen in place of it that the Laws might be rendered into the vulgar Language and those that were superfluous abolished that there might be a Register kept of all Mens Lands and Estates that every one might know what Title they had to what they possessed that the Excise and all unlawful Exactions might be abolished To which they added over and above to increase their Party not that they repented for the Kings Murder that Charles the Second might be chief Magistrate of the Kingdom But the Collonel hastening thither and having caused some few to be shot to death by a timely remedy stifled the Tumult in the Birth Yet from these Embers a new Flame broke out for some Officers in Fairfax his Army present a smarter Petition to the same purpose though in different words To the former they add That the Tithes being abolished or converted to another use the Ministers might have more certain Stipends that the publick Money might be more sparingly distributed amongst the Parliament Men and that the Souldiers should have their pay The Rump-Parliament durst not slight this but gives them good words and being conscious to themselves how often they by Declarations had promised and how many times they had been reproached with unfaithfulness and breach of Promise they set apart a day weekly for deliberating about these Proposals First Concerning the Government and Representative where having examined and considered the Nature of all States and Republicks from that of Rome even to Ragusa they pretend to search out a kind of Government which might be best and most suitable for England But they could find none that was exquisit enough nor that seemed adapted to the Genius of this People And so like Penelope weaving and unweaving their Web they put off the time until the matter might be forgotten or something of greater moment intervene I know not whether it be worth the while here to mention the Prohibition made by the French at that time of any Trade with us in Wollen and Linen Manufacture which drew from the Regicides a reciprocal Prohibition that no Wine nor Silk Stuffs should from thence be Imported into England It was likewise to our advantage Ordered in Flanders that no Ships nor Goods taken by Privateers should be Condemned or Sold in their Harbours But it is worth taking notice of that a severer Inquisition was appointed against the Ministers all England over under pretext of Reforming the Church and introducing the Orthodox Religion and all were cruelly persecuted not only they who stuck close to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England but even they who wished well to it or had any Conversation with Men of
that Perswasion Ignorant men in the mean time I speak of the generality Laicks Shepherds and men void of all Learning being put into the Ministry and some of them preferred to two or three Livings at a time which before they cryed out against as abominable Let North-Wales be one Instance for all of that Reformation where about some hundreds and of these not a few Good Grave and very Learned Divines were turned out of their Livings And Powell Cradock Floid and a few other Ignorant Vagabonds that had no certain Habitation going about in the mean time as Itinerant Evangelists Preaching or rather Canting from the Pulpit devoured vast Revenues for the Commissaries let out for a trifle the remnant of the Tythes for feeding such Ravens who were to be accountable to the Rump-Parliament for them at Neversmass Moreover the Regicides distribute amongst their own Clergy the Augmentations which were the residue of the Tythes and of Bishops and Deans Rents that could find no Purchasers especially amongst those who had not an hundred Pounds a year But that only during pleasure and for a time that they might have them at their beck and buy the Endeavours Voices and Affections of so many men and that they also being more vigilant Spies over suspected Persons might pry into their Faults their Expressions and Councils and inform them of all And now England is wholly taken up in preparations for a War in Ireland whither Cromwell is sent as General of the Army He having Mustered his Men hastens his March to the Coast and filling Bristol Chester and Milford-Haven with Souldiers prepares for his Expedition The Reader therefore must pass over with me into Ireland that he may be able to give a Judgment of the Inhabitants and how to dispose them into their several Ranks that he may discover their various dispositions and the ends they drove at The Inhabitants of Ireland are either Natives or Planters And these last either Ancient or Late Those I call Natives who first of all Inhabited the Island or were descended from them and are either Noblemen and Gentlemen Yeomen and Husbandmen the Roman Catholick Clergy and Bishops with other Free Denizens The Native Nobles either wholly enjoy their Ancient Lands or being subdued by the Kings of England and for their Rebellion forfeiting part of their Lands enjoy what remains and Rent the rest of the Proprietors for a small matter These live in the Mountains and Woods where they imperiously domineer over their Tenants and Vassals and know exactly the Bounds and Limits of their Lands trusting to this that in future Revolutions whatsoever they challenge for their own will again as by a Postliminous Right return to them as to the lawful Proprietors and Masters The Titular Clergy and Bishops for we must know that those of the Roman Communion have their own Clergy Priests and Bishops secretly appointed by the Pope who live only upon Charitable Contributions privately perform the Duties of Religious Worship after the manner of the Church of Rome in the same manner as if they were authorised by Law and were not contrary to our Customs His Majesty conniving at the Errours of an obstinate and stiff-necked Nation But for all this we must know that there is an Orthodox Clergy also all over Ireland consisting not only of English but of Irish men born who every where enjoy the Tythes But after the first breaking out of the Rebellion both as well the English as Natives were forced to flye and withdraw The greatest part are Strangers but Free Denizens who though they are sprung from English Race yet partly by Marriage partly being Naturalized through long Conversation and Custom having forgot their Original Stock are in Cloaths Humour and Carriage transformed into the Manners of the Natives The Chief and Head of all these though a Stranger was John Baptista Renuncio Prince and Bishop of Firma the Popes Nuncio who passing through France on his Journey to Ireland did not wait upon the Queen of England being then there and openly threatned that he would suffer no man to remain in Ireland that wished well to the King or who should be found to favour the English or their Affairs These kindled and in all places blew the Coals of Rebellion and that the Breach might not be made up again used all means by Rapine Murder and all sorts of Villany to put things into confusion to overthrow the Government renounce the King chuse a King of the Ancient Race or of some new Family whether the Pope or King of Spain or to erect a new Common-wealth of the Clergy and Deputies of the Nobles Yet I must except Clanricard Taff and some few more who though they were zealous Roman-Catholicks yet persevered in their Loyalty and Obedience to the King Planters I call all those who being of the Roman Catholick Religion from the time of Henry II. went over from England into Ireland and in a continued Succession continued there until the Reign of Queen Elizabeth These also being privy to the Conspiracy whether that they might maintain the Roman Catholick Religion in security and at the same time increase their civil Jurisdictions and Immunities or carried away with the Tide of Rebellion or in a word that they might secure themselves and their Estates in a common Rapine had already joyned with the other Papists who nevertheless before that time could never be endured to pollute themselves with such barbarous Cruelty and so many unparallell'd Murders or to fall off from the Government of England They who lately went over into Ireland about the latter end of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth either for the Wars or for Planting and Setling there were for most part faithful to the King except those who were deluded by the Authority of Parliament or infected with Presbytery by the Neighbouring Scots A Colony of Scots transported into Vlster by Authority from King James had encreased to the number of forty thousand Families These in the beginning of the Troubles following the Ceremonies of their Country-men sided with the Parliament But King Charles being beheaded and the English Monarchy quite overturned they changed their minds and set themselves valiantly upon revenge under the Command of the Earl of Ards Collonel Monro Audley Mervin and Sir Robert Stewart Coot Governour of Derry Monck of Dundalk rump- and Principally Jones Governour of Dublin stood for the Rump-Parliament But O-brian Earl of Inchiqueen Governour of Munster with that whole Province and all his Forces who had sworn to be true to the King and Parliament jointly after the Murder of the King renouncing the rump-Rump-Parliament declare now for the King alone Hitherto we have taken pains to describe the various Inclinations Designs and Purposes of the Irish now let us see by what Orphean Harp or Charm they were united into one In the first Part we told you how the Marquess of Ormond was forced by
the treachery of the Irish to deliver up to Jones Dublin with the whole Garrison and all that continued in their Duty From that time the Pope's Nuncio Commanded in Chief except in those places which were under Jones Coot and Monck which espoused the Party of the Rump-Parliament He took to himself the whole Power made Laws pronounced Judgments drew up and mustered Armies managed the War and imposed money with an absolute and despotick Authority But by this means he became both hated and despised so that having received one blow after another especially Preston's Forces being defeated by Jones he grew weak both in Men and Authority This opportunity was laid hold upon by Clanricard who Commanded one Army in Vlster and Taff who Commanded another in Munster who having consulted with Inchiqueen resolved upon it as the most expedient course to implore the Royal Assistance again Unite together into one and to send forthwith to the Queen and Prince of Wales to acquaint them with what they had done confessing that the Truce was not faithfully observed and discovering those by whose fault and instigation it was broken They moreover most humbly beg that the Marquess of Ormond may be sent over with Authority and Supplies and engage upon conditions which were not disliked by the King to fight under his Banner till the broken Forces of the rump-Rump-Parliament should be utterly destroyed and his Majesty and they themselves fully restored to their former peace The Popes Nuncio suspecting that matters would fall out so and that the storm which his Government had raised would break over his own head forbids any farther Treaty threatens the Contraveeners with dire Punishments and at length strikes those that persisted in their purpose with the usual Weapon of Excommunication But that blunt Thunderbolt scared no body for they march against him and besiege him in the Town of Galloway Whilst in the mean time the Lord O-brian diverts the Succours that Ouen-Ro-Oneal designed to bring to his Party Then the Pope's Nuncio despairing of relief capitulated for a dishonourable Retreat and departed Whilst these matters were acting the Glorious King Charles the First Murdered by the Hands of Rebel Parricides Crowned his Death with Martyrdome Nevertheless the Marquess of Ormond being rid of that difficulty and having a new Commission and Instructions from King Charles the Second repairs to Corke and shortly after to Kilkenny where a Parliament or Convention of the States of Ireland was then kept and after long Debates on each side they came to a great many Articles of Agreement of which this was the substance After a Recognition whereby they owned his Majesty for Soveraign and lawful King of Ireland and that they would to the utmost defend him with their Lives and Fortunes they agree That the King should give the Irish free liberty of their Religion That if it seemed fit to the Deputies or Commissioners who were appointed to the number of eighteen a Parliament should be called within two Months wherein Papists as well as others should have liberty of free Voting and that the King shall confirm their Acts provided they be not grievous to Protestants All Acts and Decrees past since August 1641 that might be dishonorable to the Irish Nation shall be repealed That all Law Suits Sentences Actions or Processes commenced or determined since that time be wholly abolished and that the Irish be restored to the Lands and Estates whereof they had been dispossessed That all Impediments be removed that were wont to barr the Irish Papists from sitting in Parliament That all Debts be reckoned to be in the same state as they were in in the Year 1641 and that no body be molested nor troubled upon that account That the Lands of the Barons and Nobles in the Counties of Toumond Clare Tipperrary Limmerick Kilkenny and Wicklo be adjudged to the ancient Possessors and their Titles made good by new Acts. That Inns be Erected for the Students in Law wherever the Lord Lieutenant shall think convenient and where Degrees also in the Law may be taken as well as in England That Places and Titles of Honour and beneficial Offices may be free both to Papists and Protestants That the use and Exercise of Arms Commands and Governments may be in the power of the same and that during the War five thousand Irish Foot and two thousand Horse be kept in pay That the Court of Wards be abolished and in lieu of it twelve thousand pounds a year payed into the Kings Exchequer That no Peer have liberty to Vote by Proxy That the Nobles be obliged within five years to purchase Lands a Baron to the value of two hundred pounds a year a Viscount four hundred an Earl six hundred a Marquess eight hundred and a Duke a thousand That they may be free to treat of the independance of the Parliament of Ireland upon that of England That those of the Kings Privy-Council shall meddle with no Affairs but the Publick That Suits about Titles be referred to the Judges of the Kingdom to whom it belongs to try them That the Acts against the Exportation of Irish Wool Tallow and other Goods out of the Kingdom be repealed That they who have been under any pretext Fined or Punished in the County of Ulster since the first of King James shall be relieved according to Equity That the Inhabitants and Citizens of Corke Youghal and Dungarban be restored to their Possessions that they were turned out of in the beginning of the War provided they give Security for their Loyalty and that they shall not be troublesome to the Garrisons That an Act of Oblivion be past of all things before committed those excepted who stand guilty of Barbarous and Inhumane Crimes That it be lawful to none of the Nobles to Farm the Customes That Laws be made against Monopolies That the Jurisdiction of the Court called Castle-Chamber be moderated That the Law be abrogated which ordained That Horses should not draw the Plow by the Tail and that the Straw should not be burnt to separate the Corn from it That Law Suits about Sea Matters shall be decided in the Chancery of Ireland That for the future all Actions about the want of Title shall be suppressed if the owners have from ancient times possessed the Lands by any Right That also all Interest for Moneys since the beginning of the Troubles be discharged and that for the following years it exceed not five per Cent. a Year That the Deputies or Commissioners shall impose sufficient Taxes for carrying on the War both by Sea and Land either by way of Excise or any other way that they shall judge most convenient for the Publick That Justices of the Peace shall have Power to determine Suits under the value of ten Shillings That the Governours of the Popish Perswasion enjoy the Governments and Commands that they are at present in possession of That the Tenths of taken Ships and
Impositions upon Commodities shall remain in the hands of those to whom they have been granted until further order be taken about all these things That the Commission of Oyer and Terminer Grand Assizes and Goal-delivery shall have Power according to the standing Laws of punishing Murders Felony Thefts and Robberies until the twentieth of May following That Courts be established according to the Will and Pleasure of the Deputies or Commissioners in matters belonging to themselves That the Romish Priests who behave themselves modestly shall not at all be molested but shall enjoy the Salaries paid them by the Laicks for their maintenance and the enclosures of the ancient demolished Monasteries and Abbeys As to other matters that the King with consent of his Parliament shall order them For expeding of those Conditions the Papists chose about fifteen Deputies or Commissioners that as so many Mediators betwixt the King and the People they might bring back the Confirmation of them So dear did a frail and transitory Peace with Rebels cost the King But necessity is a prevalent Orator that perswades Men even to unbeseeming and many times to dishonourable Resolutions Nevertheless the Lord Lieutenant whether willingly or unwillingly agrees to these Articles And the Peace is instantly proclaimed by the Heralds But Ouen Ro-Oneal and the Native Irish that were on his side refused to acquiesce to these Conditions of Pacification under pretext that their Religion was not sufficiently secured Jones also and others find fault with the Commissions as too ample and as they gave it out unseasonable and that likewise they were patcht up with the King without the Authority of Parliament But the Lord Ards with the rest of the Scots who abominating the Rump-Parliament first favoured and then struck in with the Kings Party bestir themselves bravely in taking in the Castles and Garrisons which held out for the Rebels in Vlster The Lord Lieutenant being General in the mean time had many and great Affairs to mind Men Arms Money Ammunition and all Military Provisions are wanting which nevertheless were to be raised amongst Men of contrary Interests different Perswasions and who mutually hated one another The English indeed were of themselves ready to undergo any danger but they were but few in number and of bad Correspondence with the Irish by reason of their ancient Feuds and Animosities And suspecting their Courage no less than their Loyalty they decline to serve with them under the same Ensigns The Irish again being in a great part Treacherous Bloody and Perfidious divided amongst themselves into several Factions were more apt to sheathe their Swords in one anothers Bowels than to fight against the Common Enemy Nevertheless by his own Presence Wisdom Diligence and at his own Charges being assisted with seven or eight trusty Commanders he luckily mastered all these difficulties He found the Magazines of Ireland exhausted the Treasury empty and the Citizens and Inhabitants in whose Hands was all the money of the Kingdom very unwilling and sparing to contribute and the Roman Clergy opposing and undermining his Designs Wherefore in the beginning he got together a small Army which being increased in number by the conjunction of Inchiqueens Forces and the rest of the English his fellow Souldiers for the first Months he provided them pay either of his own money or what he could borrow from others Thus being pretty well provided with Men and Ammunition he marches through Queens County streight against Jones and by the way takes in some Castles belonging to Ouen-Ro-Oneal of which the most remarkable were Kildare and Talboth Jones having had certain intelligence of this March advanced to meet the Lord Lieutenant But being informed by his Spies that he was coming with a greater Army than he was able to encounter and distrusting his own Souldiers he forthwith returns to Dublin The Lord Deputy in the mean time passes the River Liff where having called a Council of Inchiqueen Taff Dillo Preston and the rest of the Principal Commanders they consult what was best to be done whether they should besiege Dublin or directing their course another way take the Towns about or else rather block up the City and at the same time have an eye upon the other places Being as yet doubtful what to do they advance to view Dublin and so to take a resolution upon the spot But Jones expected them with an Army without the Walls but under the Cannon of the Town Both Armies were drawn up but without any Skirmishing That night the Lord Deputy Quartred at Finglass three miles distant from Dublin Next day all the Papists both Men and Women that were unfit for War are thrust out of the Town and the Cavalry that were needless in the Siege are sent to Drogheda at the mouth of the River of Boin that they might incommode the Enemy in the Rere and take care to send Provisions into the place So soon as the Lord Lieutenant had notice of this he sends the Lord Inchiqueen Lieutenant-General to pursue Jones's Horse and if opportunity offered to take in the Towns on all hands In the mean time he thought it not convenient to divide his Army but to encamp and entrench himself with his whole Forces near Dublin that he might intercept the Provisions going into the place and entice the Souldiers and Citizens to desert it not doubting but that the Souldiers would be easily inclinable to do so Affairs being doubtful his Neighbourhood affording opportunity and the City being straitned for want of Provisions and the rather knowing that most of the Souldiers who were in Garrison had formerly sworn to be true to him This he found to be a successful resolution for about two thousand by stealth and as every one best could taking occasion to get out came over to his Camp Nay he was not wanting to essay Jones himself by many fair Promises which he made him one after another But he that he might oppose Art to Art having threatned the Deserters with most severe Punishments pretended a willingness to comply with honourable Conditions and shuffled off the Treaty with shifts and delays though sometimes he seemed to be at a stand and uncertain what to do However he sent private intelligence to the Rump-Parliament and the General in what dangerous straits he was earnestly beseeching them to hasten the sending him Relief In the mean time he surrounds the Walls views the Works repairs what is defective casts up new Works plants Palisadoes drives sharp Stakes into the ground and did what lay in his power to fortifie the place Nay and having sallied out upon the Enemies Camp near Finglass he took amongst other Prisoners a Relation of his own whom for a terrour to all others that they might not desert he caused to be hanged Inchiqueen on his part falls in upon a Troop of Jones's Horse and beat them in their Quarters and next morning pursuing the rest that were Commanded by the
Garrison to Kilkenny about six hundred English falling off to the Enemy he marches thither with fifteen hundred A horrid piece of Villany and not to be excused were it not for the bad Correspondence that was betwixt the English and Irish Souldiers and that he would preserve his own Irish entire for a Battel and divide at least Cromwells Forces by the multitude of Garrisons his Army being already much impaired and hardly able to wagg worn out by Fatigue Fluxes lying abroad in the Fields and for want of Winter-Quarters About this time by the Mediation of Daniel Oneal a Peace was made betwixt the Lord Lieutenan and Ouen-Ro-Oneal with the rest of the Irish Papists almost upon the same Conditions as we told you formerly had been offered to the Rump-Parliament and were rejected by them and thereupon both Forces Joyn. But Ouen shortly after died Nor is it here to be pass'd over in silence how the Princes Rupert and Maurice with no more than six Ships the remaining part of that Fleet which two years before fell off from the Rump-Parliament had the boldness to infest the Seas hover upon the Coast of Ireland put in Souldiers and Ammunition and by all ways divert the supplies of the Enemy But Blake and Popham pursuing them with a stronger Fleet they were fain to sly to King sale and from thence the Sea-men being idle and running away to the Enemy that they might consult their own safety prevent the danger that might befall them from the defection of Munster which they might foresee and that they might have the opportunity of Sea-room Wind and Tide favouring them they break through the whole Fleet of the Enemies and with the loss only of two Ships escaping out of that noose they steer their Course towards Portugal But this is out of the Rode I now return to Cromwell whose Victories were such as could not be limited by the banks of the River of Barrow For he cast over it a Bridge of Boats at Ross having first taken Estionege a small but Walled Town standing upon this side of the same River five Miles above Ross Afterward having past a great part of his Horse with his nimblest Foot he reduces Carick a Town upon the River Suir eight miles above Waterford then quickly crossing the River he takes Passage a very strong Fort with five Canon lying two Miles below Waterford where the Conjunction of the two Rivers Suir and Barrow by the impetuosity of the Current render it difficult for Vessels to reach the Town Nay he had the boldness to attaque Waterford it self though in vain But Dungarvan which the English Souldiers might have defended with the Canon and Ammunition is delivered up into his hands And now at length Cromwell begins to think of Winter Quarters for refreshing of his Men who were not above four thousand Sound and in Health The Lord Lieutenant on the other hand had eight thousand which though for the most part they were raw Men yet were very conveniently posted But what he had best to do or whether to go he was uncertain For neither could he march back to Dublin being at such a distance without a necessity of Fighing nor yet Winter in those parts without the greatest Inconvenience the Enemy being posted about him on all Hands who would continually Allarm him and intercept his Provisions Whilst he was casting about in his mind what course to take the most desirable and by Cromwell long expected defection happened for all Munster that had stood for the King revolted to the rump-Rump-Parliament Some combined Souldiers had long ago given hopes of this if ever occasion offered and now Cromwell being upon their Borders and past the River Barrow when they saw Succours at hand they attempt the performance of what they had promised The first sparks of this Flame appeared long ago at Youghal which the Mayor and a great many Citizens conspiring with two Colonels and other Commanders agreed to deliver into the hands of Cromwell The Lord Inchiqueen smelling the Treachery seized the Mayor and Souldiers and committed them to Prison in Cork Youghal and King sale until they might be brought to a fair Tryal But that kind of Custody was unlucky since thereby the sparks spread farther For the Colonels being too negligently kept at Cork draw over the Commanders one after another into the same Conspiracy and in the absence of Inchiqueen whil'st the Souldiers carelesly kept the Guard they of a sudden seize the Town From thence the sparks fly into Youghal Kingsale Bandon-Bridge Mallow and other places and by the coming of the Lord Broghill Colonel Far and a great many of Cromwell's Forces was fomented into a Conflagration Inchiqueens House at Cork was plundered where neither the modesty of the dress could protect his Lady nor innocent Age his Children for all together were clapt up in Prison and there detained till by an exchange that happened shortly after they were set at liberty Here at length Cromwell in the beginning of December put his Men into Winter Quarters and disappointed the Lord Lieutenant who had intercepted his way on his return to Dublin with an Army double in number Nor will it be amiss in this place to take notice of the death of Jones for it happened about the same time who basely stained the Reputation that he gained in subduing the Irish Rebels by the defending even unto the last the Cause of the Murderers of the King The Lord Lieutenant in the mean time that he might provide what lay in his power against ensuing Storms calls a general Council where representing how grateful and profitable the Divisions and Animosities were to the Enemy he intreats the Clergy Nobility and Gentry to mutual Peace and Concord shewing them how that might be done This produced amongst all a pretence of Sorrow for what was past of true Friendship by shaking Hands and promises of mutual Assistance in causing the Commands of the Lord Lieutenant to be obey'd pay raised for the Souldiers Quarters and other necessaries for the War provided and in persuading the Inhabitants especially of Limmerick Waterford and Galloway to Obedience and Submission This put the Lord Lieutenant in heart again who whilst Cromwell refreshed his Men in Winter-Quarters resolves to recover Wexford and Passage For the effecting of which Inchiqueen Armstrong and Trevers are designed for the one and Farell with the Forces of Ouen-Ro-Oneal for the other Farell marching secretly to Passage falls into the Snare that he had laid for others For Cromwell presently having notice of the Design Colonel Zankie pursues him in the Rear Alarms and puts him to flight kills three hundred takes two hundred and had not suffered a Man to escape if in the nick of time Farell had not in great disorder cross'd the River in Boats By this misfortune it plainly appeared how the Waterfordians were affected whilst
head-piece and boots and in ordering of Civil Affairs also to watch till midnight at length as the Devil would have it he was one of the chief in shedding of the Royal Blood his Memory for that unparalelled Villany being execrable to all Posterity In Ireland he always stood by the Anabaptistical Fanaticks relying upon their counsels for these he gave his Vote both in Civil and Military Affaires and with them filled the Towns Councils and Camp At length this most cruel Pest of his Countrey died of the contagious Plague Though he was removed yet the War still goes on For Coot with the unanimous consent of the Commanders from Limmerick marches to the Siege of Galloway which they straitly blockt up both by Sea and Lannd Clanricard having got leave to depart Nor was it long before it was delivered to the Enemy upon Conditions not unlike to those of Limmerick And thus Galloway the most noted staple of all Ireland strong in fortifications considerable for buildings riches numerousness of inhabitants and open trade by Sea submits to the yoke of the Enemies in resisting of whom they had formerly denied the Lord Lieutenant their assistance But as if they had not been sufficiently punished by War the hand of God chastised them with a severe punishment a following Plague having within the space of a year and a half swept away twelve thousand of the Inhabitants Now was Ireland fully subdued and henceforward the pleasure of the Commissioners went for Law they being Jones Corbet Ludlow and Weaver To these it seemed good to begin their Government by the suppression of the Tories a kind of robbers who have always but not in so great numbers infested Ireland Nor is it a new thing amongst barbarous Nations who whenever they find themselves oppressed by the Governours of Provinces or otherwaies have run out their Estates and are broken presently to shake off the Laws refuse to labour the Ground and despise Trades Wherefore they betake themselves to the Mountains Desarts Bogs and Rocks according as the Countrey is naturally fortified declare War against all other Mortals and live by Rapine Such are the Banditi in Italy and Spain the Cossacks to Poland and others in other Countreys and that we may not go far for an example of such wickedness such are the Moss Troopers in Scotland as will hereafter appear For these in the night time lurk in Woods Caves and Dens but in the day time break out suddenly upon Travellers or men about their lawful Business and rob them both of Life and Money And as often as they get together into a body with desperate Barbarity they burn and pillage Villages add presently betake themselves to their lurking holes again They are a kind of land Pirats who wandring amongst Lakes and Bogs according to the light-footedness of the Nation they safely skip over the Quagmires and loose ground wherein strangers unacquainted with the places that follow them commonly stick They therefore give orders to the Soldiers who had now nothing else to do to divide themselves into small parties and so to environ hunt and kill them like wild Beasts which being done they either mutually betrayed one another or found their holds and lurking places to be so unsafe for them that in two years time there was none of those Enemies of mankind any where to be seen In the mean time the Rump-Parliament consult about a Deputy who might succeed to Ireton and sit at the Helm in the administration of the Affairs of Ireland and by unanimous Vote they pitch upon Lambert But whilst he is prepairing for his passage with greater Pomp than the times required whether it happened by the advice of the Commissioners who at that time affecting Equality did not like such preeminence or through the cunning of Cromwell at whose beck the Affairs of Ireland were managed and who had lately privately married his Daughter Iretons Widow to Colonel Fleetwood The Rump-Parliament changing their resolution he has orders to lay aside his Title to Deputy and go over to Ireland as a Commissioner Which Lambert a man most ambitious of Rule and impatient to be baffled in the Honour that had been promised him taking ill and far worse that the Command of the Army should be divided amongst men unacquainted with War he thought it better wholely to renounce the Government of Ireland Fleetwood therefore embracing the same Conditions having celebrated his marriage with the aforementioned Widow passes over into Ireland in Quality of chief of the Commissioners and besides of Major General Now that the Reader may know who this man was and to give some light to what follows after I thought fit to premise these few things He was the son of a Knight the youngest of many Brothers who to get an honest living applied himself to the study of the common Law untill that the flame of Civil War spreading he changed his profession turned Soldier and under the Earl of Essex served as a Gentleman Volunteer Afterwards rising from one degree to another till he became a Colonel he aspired to the marriage of Cromwell's Daughter as we have now related she being a Widow and he a Widower His Religion from the Cradle was of the strickt new Cut and if he was not a stout professour of Anabaptism yet he loved to be thought a great favourer of it not onely that he might serve a turn and engage in a reciprocal aid and benevolence but because he was inwardly and sincerely so As he was no cunning man himself so neither was he reckoned a a great prier into the Counsils of other men And being so qualified he became dear to the common Soldiers and for that no ways suspected by the more Powerful In a word he was no ill man but that by taking up Arms against his own King he had for ever stained his Reputation by the horrid Crime of Treason and Rebellion Now were the rump-Rump-Parliament masters of all Ireland except of a few scattered Forces who here and there lurked in obscure and unaccessible places Of whom the greatest part sculked in Munster under the command of Sullivan O-Beare and some in Vlster under Farel The former at length submit to Broghill but upon this Condition that they might go beyond Sea in Ships provided by the Rump-Parliament for that affect the latter to Colonel Ludlow upon the same Conditions And afterwards all the Military part of the Nation followed their example and six and twenty thousand departed the Kingdome some to Spain some to France and the rest whither they pleased the English accommodating them with Vessels for their Transportation so that within the space of eight months Ireland was left destitute of all its fighting Men as being impatient of the English yoke Then was a High Court of Justice Erected consisting of most of every Sect of the Counties where that assembly met sometimes Cook and
and the suspicion of a sudden Insurrection again amongst the Irish because they parted so easily with their Inheritances is laid at their door as a ruine We purposely pass by matters of less importance least what we are about by the by should swell up to too vast a bulk The Officers of the Army what by craft and what by force turning Richard out of the Supream Power and the Rump-Parliament after five years interment being raised again from the dead the eyes of all are fixed upon Henry It was thought by some that he would defend his own Authority and vindicate that of his Brother Others hoped that he would favour the Royal Cause and so make his interest with the King the Navy especially giving no obscure marks of their inclination and the Army and Kingdom of Ireland being ready enough to promote such an Enterprize Nor dare I swear that he entertain'd no such Projects But the Lord Broghill and Coot deserting him in dubious Affairs and Steel and Tomlinson old Commissioners managing and Waller and Corbet new ones continually solliciting him he at length resigns himself to the Will and Pleasure of the Rump-Parliament and returns into England there to give an account of his administration Hitherto we have dwelt in Ireland that without interruption we might give the Reader an account of the Affairs of that Kingdom Now bringing our discourse back to former years we must return to the Democratical Republicans who after the murder of the King swayed Affairs in England under the Olygarchicks These being upstarts promoted for the most part men of their own Edition to places of honour and profit Which the Londoners took so ill that the Mayor and Aldermen came and petitioned the rump-Rump-Parliament that the cheif Citizens or that some of them at least might be again admitted into the common Council of the City These were about three hundred whom either age or wealth at least recommended But the year before the Rump-Parliament had turned a great many of them out and judged them unworthy of carrying any office in the City for no other reason but because they had signed the Petition making Peace with the King which the greater and sounder part of the Parliament were also for But that desire of the Mayor and Aldermen though they seriously alledged the want of ingenious and honest men of moderate Estates for discharging the offices of the City is rejected with contempt nor would they have any but the Riff Raff and inconsiderable rable to manage Publick Affairs as being such who measured good and evil according to the will and pleasure of their Masters Whil'st these things are carried on at London CHARLES the Second was not asleep nor did he neglect his Affairs though the Regicides carried all before them in England but moves every stone and leaves nothing unessayd that the wit and power of man could devise or execrate for resetling the undone Nations asserting the publick Liberty and the Regicide being revenged recovering his ancient Inheritance He implores the assistance of Foreign Kings and Princes who are all equally concerned according to the Supream Power they have received from God and their common duty to give Sanctuary to the oppressed but especially to Kings whom above all men living they ought to protect not only upon the account of Kindred and Cognation but also for fear of Contagion least the horrid example of Rebellion might have an influence upon their own Subjects that if perchance they should be reduced to the like streights they might likewise obtain the like help and assistance He sends Ambassadours to the Emperour and German Princes to the Grand Signior the great Duke of Moscovie the Kings of Poland Denmark and Sweden to the republick of Venice and the States General of the united Provinces He sends into Spain from whence he had the greatest expectation the Lord Edward Hide who had formerly been Lord cheif Baron of the Exchequer and was afterwards Lord Chancellor and Earl of Clarendon whose Iuvenile and vegete wit might put life into the aged head of Cottington In France besides a particular Ambassadour the Queen Mother and Duke of York were there and the King himself to sollicite his own affairs But alass almost every where unsuccessfully the distance of place hindering the aid of some and either the want of money domestick seditions or dangers from neigbours obstructing the assistances of others None are touched with the sence or pity of the Calamities of another The Ottoman Court dealt barbarously in that for a little money they delivered up the Ambassadour Henry Hide a most accomplished Gentleman into the hands of the Rump-Parliament who being brought over into England for his unshaken Loyalty without any pretext of ancient Law he was beheaded before the Royal Exchange in London France with promises gives hope of large assistance so long as they could procure any help from the Subjects of the King of England especially from James Duke of YORK who commanding the English and Irish that served the French in Flanders had given many Noble and Illustrious proofs of his Heroick Valour and Courage Until that Blake had beaten the French Fleet under the Command of the Duke of Vendosme which came to the relief of Dunkirk at that time besieged by the Spaniards Then they sent Burdex to treat of peace at London whil'st the Regicides expected no less than a declaration of War And having afterwards entred into a strict allyance they inwardly rejoyced that the Kings Majesty was deluded and no small stop put to the fury of the Rebels The Spaniard seemed to be grieved at the Kings Murder but excused himself that it did not belong to him to determine about the controversies of England nor did he take pleasure to meddle in other Peoples Affairs out of his own Terrritories but that in the mean time he should be ready to do the King all the kindness he could within his Countries Nevertheless not long after Ascham being killed which I shall shortly relate he was the first King who Commanded his Hedge Ambassadour Don Alonso de Cardenas to Worship the rising sun of the Common-wealth wish the Parrcides all happiness intreat the continuance of Friendship and good Correspondence betwixt his Kingdomes and the New Common-wealth and promised severely to punish the Wicked Murderers of Ascham Now there are some not obscure Reasons why the great Mind of so Wise a King was by so unexpected a change that rather discovered than altered his Inclinations brought over to the contrary side For besides Ancient and Paternal enmities with Queen Elizabeth Philip himself had particular Quarrels against Charles It wounded him deep that his Sister being courted in Marriage even so far as to have had an interview and conference with her she should afterwards be slighted for a Daughter of France though a Princess of extraordinary Worth Besides the old offence
stuck still in his Mind that our King was the first of all who honourably received a splendid Embassie from the Duke of Braganza and after he had successfully dispatched his business sent him away in triumph To this may be added the mischance of Don Oquenda not many years before under whose Command several Ships carrying Men and Arms for a recruit to the War of Flanders being forced into the English Harbours by the Dutch who pursued them were under our Castles though then in Peace with Spain suffered to be torn sunk and burnt our Fleet rather threateningly rebuking then stoutly driving off the Enemy Which discontents not expiring with the Murthered King are hurtful now to his Son But after all his new Friends as a reward of the amity freely offered them by stealth and without any Declaration of War having sometimes after invaded the West Indies that is the very Bowels of the Spanish Empire And their attempt upon Hispaniola being disappointed he at length laying aside all hatred obliged CHALES the Second by all sorts of good Offices and entertaind him in his Territories for the ruine of the Regicides The King of Portugal shewed a generous Soul of which hereafter had his Strength corresponded with his Inclinations But what would one who hardly as yet sate steddy in his own lately recovered Throne do for another expulsed Prince The truth is though he had then flourished in the quiet enjoyment of his own just Rights he was not Potent enough to undertake such a War as could restore a banished King and much less at that time when he could hardly on the one hand repel the Spaniard who offered at all and on the other keep even with the Dutch who in the East Indies and all over the Ocean strove for the mastery Suedland at first good natured changed as Affairs altered Frederick Duke of Holstein supplied the Earl of Montross who was then ready to Sail into Scotland with Men Money Ships and Arms for the Service of the King Danemark having its Treasury exhausted for the Cause of the King's Father and running into a new War was able to do no more The Rebellious Cossacks and Neighbouring Nations who had rendred the Peace uncertain made the King of Poland sparing in his Assistance Yet the Scottish Subjects who lived in those Countries as they were commanded gave what help they were able to give And so did the Emperour of Moscovie Elector of Brandenbourg Arch-Bishop of Mentz and other Princes of Germany show their Affections to the King But alas what was all that to the fitting out of a Fleet and raising of an Army to the providing of Arms Ammunition and Necessaries of War perhaps a little more than might defray the Charges of Ambassadours and relieve the Poverty of Courtiers All the hope was now in the Loyalty and Benevolence of Subjects who though many of them were wheedled by the Artifices of the Regicides or the fawnings of Prosperity Ambition of rising to higher Employments or the coveteousness of other mens Estates which they hoped might be had for little or nothing and these because Justice delay'd to strike drawn in to the number of above fifty thousand yet a far greater number kept their Loyalty and Allegiance to the King inviolated but being stun'd with the sudden horrour of the Kings Murder and amazed at the continual Victories of the Regicides they knew not what to do or whither to turn themselves They knew not as yet what it was to Associate and they had no opportunity of rising the Regicides having a watchful Eye over all the Countries and their Spies and Emissaries wresting all the Actions and Sayings of Honest men into the worst Sense Nevertheless many Royalists in disguise crossed the Sea and waited upon the King and others who came hither from the King were by his Friends informed what to do All that they could do was gradually to confer Councils encourage one another plot and contrive gather supplies and by blowing the Coals raise such a Flame as might at length destroy the Enemy Yet some of them of whom I shall mention two Sir Charles Berkly and Sir Henry Slingsby were taken by the watchfulness of Informers but both made their escape though the last falling again into the Noose payed for his Loyalty and lost his Head by Sentence of the High Court of Justice About that time Ascham whom I named a little before a Fellow of obscure Birth desiring to show his Gifts and get himself a Name by writing against the King and for the abominable change of Government which the less it beeame him to do for that heretofore under the Earl of Northumberland he had had the institution of the Young Duke of Glocester is therefore in quality of Envoy with Ribera an Italian as his Interpreter sent into Spain to treat of Affairs But he had got himself so much hatred by his Writings that were published and the Employment he now undertook that some conspired a revenge and suddenly breaking into his Chamber at Madrid against all Law and Equity killed both him and Ribera his Interpreter The Ambassadour of Venice gave Sanctuary to one of the Murderers another being taken making his escape publickly suffered for it The rest to the number of three took Sanctuary in a Church till the Ecclesiasticks should have time to take cognisance of the Cause But by delaying of time and lengthening out the debate the English also infesting the West Indies they at length get clearly off It is fit we should also mention the good Offices of the emulous King of Portugal and how for the sake of our Prince he provoked the Rebel Hornets Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice when they fled from Ireland found Protection at Lisbon But Blake Admiral of the Fleet for the rump-Rump-Parliament pursuing them hither desires leave to sight the Prince's Ships The King of Portugal thinking that the Laws of Hospitality were not so to be violated seing it was not safe for him openly to refuse he shifts the matter and forces not the Princes to put out to Sea Blake being highly offended at this Cruises upon the Coast and at length meeting with a Fleet of seaven or eight Sail of Ships laden with Sugers he takes them and sends them into England He himself in the mean time having pursued the Princes who had put to Sea again comes up with them at Carthagena a Spanish Town in the Streights and in the Bay of Vera forces them ashoar but both of them escaped in one of their Ships and Sailing with one or two more Ships to the West Indies they leave Spain to be sufficiently mauled by the Parliament But a terrible Hurricane which is frequent in the Torrid Zone having separated Maurice from his Brother he was cast away with his Ship and Men in the dreadful Storm Here we cannot but sigh at our Calamities in the dismal fate of so Illustrious a
evidence and he infamous too was sufficient to the partial and mercenary Judges for the fellow was afterwards for the same deposition convicted of perjury who having given under his hand contrary to what he had sworn to the Judges eyes bely'd his venal Tongue These are the counterfeiters of Commissions of the King's Signet forgers of writings and hands and the Cony-catchers of Novices They of their own accord give men Authority to raise Soldiers and then turn that Authority to their ruine Deliver Letters which they venture to do though as they say upon the Peril of High Treason and then inform the Soldiers that they might seize the Parties with the Letters bring them before the new Court and point blank condemn them to Death In the mean time there was no accusing of the clandestine authors of the Villany and far less bringing them to Justice So that it clearly appeared that these were not the crimes of private men but publickly deliberated forged in the shop of the Politicians and committed to the Myrmidons who as Jackcalls to the Lyons might make it their business to hunt out for Crimes which the High Court of Justice might run down The Scots being long uncertain what to do and divided into divers Factions at length resolve upon Monarchical Government and proclaming CHARLES the Second King A few who relished a Republick being of the same mind with the Regicides concealed their rancour not daring to discover themselves nor resist But upon what Conditions he should be admitted to the Throne is seriously debated nor never well agreed upon Most of the Highlanders firmly maintain that no other Articles are to be demanded of his Majesty but the ancicient promises which the Laws injoyned at the inauguration of Kings Others to wit the Covenanters would have him first to subscribe the Solemn League and Covenant give signs of sorrow and repentance for his Father and Mother's sins and all banished and turned out of Court who had carried Arms for his Father or had not as yet taken the Covenant I mention not the rest as being but a few whose minds were either corrupted by Bribes and Pensions from the Regicides or were infected with the contagion of their Friends the Democraticks and who urged severer terms that they might raise new scruples and cut off all way for the King's admission At length the middle party prevailing CHARLES the Second is by Heralds in all publick Place proclaimed King of Scotland England and Ireland In the mean while the debate growing long in the Convention of Estates and Committee of the Kirk who were to consider of the matter and to draw it up into Form they themselves at length resolve to send Windram Laird of Libberton to try the Kings mind who having delivered him Letters full of sorrow and regret for the horrid and unparallelled Murder of his Father assures him that the Scots were ready to obey him had proclaimed him King and Successour to the Crown and that upon the following Conditions they would admit him to the Supreme administration of the Government The Proposals were to this effect That the King should subscribe the Solemn League and Covenant and consent by act of Parliament that all his Subjects should take it confirming all that they had done for that purpose That he should confirm the acts of the two last Sessions of the Parliament which condemns Duke Hamilton's late engagement and irruption into England That he should recal his Commission to Montross whereby he had Power to raise Souldiers in Scotland or bring them into Scotland from abroad That he would renounce his right of Negative Vote That he would suffer no Papist about him and lastly that he would appoint a place in Holland where Commissioners might wait upon his Majesty for adjusting of these proposals and of other things that might be previous to his voyage These Proposals were made in the Isle of Jersey where the King with many of his Courtiers then was who having received the Letters made Windram very welcome and not long after sent Sir William Fleeming to the Scottish Nobility and Committee of the Kirk with Letters of reciprocal congratulation At length he writes to them by Windram That he was well pleased with their obedience and indignation against the Regicides exhorts them that they would seriously endeavour the restoring of Peace and Concord that for that end he should not be wanting in any thing and bids them for that purpose send Commissioners to Breda with whom he would treat about the re-establishing of Peace The King being willing to deliberate about these matters more seriously privately demands the Opinions of his Friends writing to those whose Affairs hindered them from waiting Personally upon him But so many Heads so many Minds yet the Opinions were divided chiefly into two Some perswade him not at all to listen to the Scots there being treachery hid under the specious Cloak of obedience They represent to him his Father as an Instance of it who had been long gull'd with fair promises until he was forced to be severe to his most faithful Subjects and then afterward was delivered up to the pleasure of the Faction That they would cloath him with the Name and Title of a King but keep all the Power and real Authority in their own hands And that if he offered for the future to resist and get his neck from under the Yoke they would deliver him up to the English Regicides or kill him with their own hands That he would do better to stick by Montross than by the united Forces of Scotland whom he had found to be faithful and brave in doubtful and difficult times and magnanimous and fortunate at a pinch that with his own and the Forces of his Friends succours from abroad and the aid of the English Irish and Scots he might mount his Throne in spight of all the attempts and endeavours of his Enemies Others again magnified the Authority of Parliament and the Power of the Covenanters giving it out that the English also who loved Presbytery secretly favoured the Scots though at present they discovered not themselves that it would procure him likewise reputation abroad to be owned King of Scotland That the Queen also exhorted him to make Peace with the Scots who though at first they proposed severe and grievous Conditions of Union yet his Majesty would in progress of time obtain more easie terms the Covenanters by long conversation and frequent Offices being won over to calmer and milder Dispositions that they consulted their own Interests under the Veil of Divine Worship and Cloak of Religion and that by complying with the Times he would at length find the Scots more tractable and submissive to his his Will and Pleasure Thus the King betwixt Scylla and Charybdis was for some time at a stand uncertain to what side to adhere but resolving to determine himself for
the future as occasion did present Windram being sent into Scotland the Kings Answer is kindly received and joyful hopes of concord begin to shine out over the whole Nation The Kings Majesty in the mean time writes to Montross to whom he had formerly given a Commission to invade Scotland acquainting him with what the Scots had done what answer he had sent to them and that a Treaty was to be held at Breda for settling a Peace That he nevertheless should go on in levying Souldiers that he might with as many men as possibly he could make be ready in Scotland at the time that the Scots began their Treaty For so he doubted not but that they would insist upon easier terms when they perceived him in a readiness to revenge by Arms the injuries that might be offered to him Now his Majesty thought it fit to leave Jersey both because he had intelligence that the Rump-Parliament were preparing a Fleet for invading the Island and also that all things necessary might be in readiness against the time of the following Treaty In the mean time the convention of the Estates of Scotland consult about Proposals and the chusing of Commissioners to be sent to the King Where the Ministers forgetting all Modesty and Justice propose Conditions extreamly rigid difficult and impossible for qualifying and mitigating which the Lay-men bestir themselves and at length they ioyntly agree upon this That the Commissioners be the Earls of Cassils and Louthian the Lord Burleigh and Laird of Liberton Smith and Jeffreys to represent the Laity and Brodie Lawson and Wood the Clergy That the Proposals should be these That a Proclamation should be issued out prohibiting all Excommunicated Persons to come to Court That the King should bind himself by his Royal Promise under Hand and Seal to take the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant of the three Kingdoms That he should besides ratifie all Acts of Parliament whereby the League and Covenant Presbyterian Government the Directory of Worship Confession of Faith and Catechism are enjoyned and that he should use the same in his own Family and not suffer them to be innovated or abolished by any Moreover that in all Civil Affairs he should govern according to the direction of Parliament and in Ecclesiasticals according to that of the Assembly of the Kirk These Proposals are after a Sermon were delivered by the Earl of Cassils at Breda The King asking if they had any more to say They answer Nothing and after if they were obliged by any engagement to be revenged on the Regicides They answer By none Whil'st his Majesty was consulting about these other Commissioners come to wit Murrey and the Earl of Carnwath with some few additions to the former Proposals as that His Majesty would forbid Montross and his Followers to enter the Kingdom and by his assent confirm the last Acts of Parliament And now it is time to relate the misfortune of Montross He being honoured with the Kings Commission uses all his endeavours amongst the Sweeds Danes Poles Germans and all the Northern Nations that being furnished and assisted with Men Money Arms and Provisions he might pass over into Scotland And without delay having for haste left behind King with a Body of Horse in Sweden who designed to follow him and Ogilbey also in Holland to gather the disbanded Souldiers of the Prince of Oranges Army who misapplied the Money designed for that purpose with fifteen hundred Arms furnished by the Queen of Sweden fuor Ships of which two were cast away upon the Rocks and four hundred raw Souldiers raised in a hurry he arrives at the Isles of Orkney and there having ioyned about a thousand of the Islanders most part Fishermen he set Sail and landed at the Wick of Cathness chearfully reflecting upon what he had done before and full of hopes that he should in a short time get together a considerable Army by the concourse of those who had heretofore been for the King But alas that hope deceived Montross The Nation was now of another mind being tired out and broken with the Wars their dangers over inclinable to Peace and restrained by the severities of the Covenanters The whole Country was in Arms so soon as they heard of his arrival The Parliament happened at that time to be sitting and not without the King's Command and had seven or eight thousand men under the Command of Lesly The Clans chose rather to have a Peace from any Masters than an uncertain one though more favourable and to enjoy with security rather an incommodious rest than with the danger of Fortune to endeavour a change by stirs Nay many who were even ready to lay down their lives for the King having now at length capitulated with the Parliament and promised obedience and submission think they cannot act contrary without a Crime Nevertheless he takes Dumbeath Castle with a resolute mind advances farther and expecting that the Earl of Seaforth would joyn him with two thousand Men whom he had raised for the King He hastens to possess himself of a narrow and difficult pass which being taken would facilitate their Conjunction But Straughan met him upon his march who was sent before by Lesly with three hundred choice Horse that he might watch his motion beat up his Quarters withstand his Progress intercept Men and Provisions that might be sent to his Camp and if a fair occasion offered not only Skirmish with him but put it to the hazzard of a Battel This Man perceiving them to be out of order weary and only Foot in an open and plain Champion falls suddenly in upon them and tries the fortune of War and with that success that the Souldiers of the Isles at once throwing away both their Arms and Courage betake themselves to flight The Germans in the mean time defending themselves until getting leave to depart they sailed over Seas All the Baggage was taken by Straughan and the Standard bearing the Figure of a Head cut off with this Motto Judica vindica causam Domine Judge and avenge the Cause O Lord. Montross fled and having changed his Cloaths with a certain High-lander for three or four days he lurked accompanied only with one Servant till being weakned and spent with Hunger and Fasting he trusted himself with the Laird of Aston who although he had formerly served under him yet having changed his Faith with his Fortune betrayed him to Leslie for a reward of two thousand pounds The Lord Freuderick Colonel Hurrie Francis Haye of Dalgetty another Haye of Naughton Sibbald Grey Spotswood and others were likewise taken by Straughan But Montross is made a subject of triumph when he was come within a Mile of Edinburrough is ordered to be bound by the Hangman in a Chair and planted backwards in a Cart that he might be seen of all the Executioner riding with his Cap on upon
the Beast that drew the Cart and in that posture he is carried to the Tolbooth the publick Prison for Malefactors many of the Spectators bursting out into Tears when they reflected upon the changeableness and inconstancy of Fortune Next day he is arraigned at the Bar of the Parliament It is objected against him That he had stopt the Kings Ears to the Parliament and to the rest of his Subjects who gave him good Counsel That he had brought over the Irish Rebels to make War in the very heart of the Kingdom That he had heretofore slain some of the Parliamentarians That he had committed many Spoils Depopulations and Devastations in the Lands of the Marquess of Argile That he had ill treated some Ministers upon his first coming into Scotland That upon his second landing in Scotland he had brought foreign Souldiers with him and that without Commission for what was known to others That he had been ill affected towards all Covenanters and that he had basely broken the League and Covenant which he had solemnly taken and Sworn These were the Crimes that were laid to his Charge But he foreseeing that a defence would not stand him in any stead answers in short and general terms That it was very well known he had made the Invasion by Commission from the King that he had never acted any thing which was not approved by the Kings Command and his own Conscience that by the League and Covenant he was bound to obey the Kings Majesty as well as the Commons He was only brought twice before the Parliament and a third time to receive Sentence pronounced by Chancellour Loudon with all maginable bitterness and Contempt which he undauntedly and without the least Sign of Consternation heard given against him in these Words That next day the one and twentieth of March one thousand six hundred and fifty he should be hanged on a Gibbet at the Cross in Edinburrough until he died his History and Declaration being tied about his neck and to hang three hours in publick view of all the People after which he should be beheaded and quartered his Head to be fix'd upon the Talbooth of Edinburrough and his Legs and Arms over the Gates of the Cities Sterling Glascow Dundee and Aberdeen And in case he repented whereby the Sentence of Excommunication may be taken off by the Kirk the bulk of his Body should be buried in the Gray Friers if not in the Burrough Moor a place like TYBVRN Nothing did his Blood descended from the Race of the ancient Nobility nor his Heroick Virtues avail him nor could the Clemency that he had us'd towards the Vanquished nor the Kings Commission whereby he had undertaken the War procure him any Favour Neither indeed did he desire any Favour but with a brave and undaunted Mind told them That he thought it no less honourable to have his Head put upon the Tolbooth than to have his Picture hang in the Kings Bed-Chamber wishing that he had Flesh and Parts enough to be set up in all places as a monument of his unshaken Loyalty to the King He piously and couragiously suffered the publick shame he was put to with so much Force in answering the Ministers such sincerity in speaking to the People and so much Zeal and Fervour in his Devotions that he made the Ministers ashamed cleared his Innocence to the People and gave a proof of his Piety towards God None of the Spectatours could refrain from Tears unless it was the Lady Lorn who could not forbear laughing but her Note and Carriage was changed when she might have seen the Head of her Father-in-Law Argile cut off in the same place as it happened not many years after Three or four Gentlemen more who could give any hopes of retrieving the Kings Affairs that were now sinking in Scotland were overwhelmed in the same ruin and publickly put to death The news of this horrid Cruelty no sooner came to the Kings Ears but afflicted with extream Sorrow he sent for Murrey and told him that he was grieved at the Heart that during the very Treaty when he thought the minds of all to be disposed to Peace the Parliament had polluted themselves with the Blood of his best Subjects demanding an account of the whole Tragedy and of the Blood that was spilt Yet he judged it most convenient not to give way to his just Anger but rather to moderate and restrain his Indignation no hopes being now left him him but what depended on the Scots The Scots make answer That they still persist in the same Mind and Loyalty towards his Majesty That they gladly heard that there were hopes of restoring Peace That he should not be moved with Obstacles that at first hearing were grievous That nothing had been acted in the case of Montross that the King himself could repent of or that did not consist with Reason and Justice This Answer past by Plurality of Votes in Parliament though two and thirty Republicans opposed it That he should hasten his Voyage into Scotland That they were ready with all their Might and Force to stand by and defend him against his Enemies tho they had intercepted Letters written to Montross which they chose rather to bury in Oblivion than mention At length the King by the advice of William Prince of Orange and others consents to the Articles of the Scots with some little Qualification and Restriction and bidding farewel to most of his Faithful Domestick Servants and to the Church-men his Chaplains whose company he thought would not be acceptable to the Scots he with the Commissioners but in different Ships set Sail from Scheveling in Holland directing his Course towards the River of Spey But by that time they were a little out at Sea the Commissioners came to the King having as they said received new Instructions and intreat him that he would Subscribe and Confirm the Solemn League and Covenant according to the Commands they had received from the Parliament For he had signed the National Covenant already and promised not to be against this he had allowed it also to be imposed upon all others and told them that if he might give his Reasons personally to the Parliament why he could not subscribe it he would comply This so stuck with the King and vexed him so much that he was about to have changed his Course and failed back again to Holland But being prevailed upon he at length subscribed and that no place of doubting might be left five or six are called to subscribe as witnesses to the Act and Deed. No sooner was this Evil over but he fell into danger by continual storms and English Frigats that lay in wait for him of all things most to be feared For those that looked from Land believed those Frigats to have been up with the Kings Ships though indeed they saw not one another by reason of a Cloud that interposed And so after
had not been for the reverence and awe they stood in of the King would have flown in the faces of those Countrey-men of theirs at least would have been very troublesome unto them And now being informed how basely the King was used by the Covenanters they invite him to them promising to protect and defend him these were the Marquess of Huntley Earls of Athol and Seaforth the Lords Ogilby and Gordon Middleton and several other great men The King had already listned to these and secretly casts about with himself how he might make his escape out of the hands of those Covenanters Therefore mounting on Horse-back without Boots as if he had been going a Hawking with three or four more in Company he slips out of Town and directs his Journey to the house of the Lord Vicount Diddop with a purpose to abscond until the return of the Messengers who had been sent to learn the minds of the Highlanders whether or not they were able and were indeed willing to assist him In the mean time an Englishman having discovered where the King was great debates arise amongst the Nobles whether the Scots should leave him to shift for himself and onely look to themselves or having made submission unto him and promised greater obedience for the future they should use his means and Authority for reconciling all parties and perswasions This was liked of by most and for that end Montgomery is quickly dispatched with a trusty party of Horse that he might represent to his Majesty how dangerous that forsaking of the Covenanters would be to himself and his Affairs intreat him to return and promise better usage for the future In pursuance of his orders he came and beset the Lord Diddop's house in the night time and entring in the morning fell at his Majesties feet and pressed him so urgently that by his and others perswasion he was prevailed upon to return back with him to St. Johnston About that time as an accession to other Calamities the Death of the Prince of Orange happened He had fallen sick of the small Pox which at first seemed to threaten no danger having been let Blood put on clean Linnen and eaten Flesh unseasonably he suddenly dies and indeed too soon for the King and his own Family But he left a posthumous Son the present Prince to inherit his just Rights and Dignities in the Vnited Provinces Now began the minds of the Scots to bend by degrees Heretofore none to be admitted into the War but he who first gave a confession of his Faith and whose Religion was no ways suspected Flatterers who could countefeit Godly looks and grimaces were freely admitted but men of Courage who had signalized themselves in the Wars were put back No Water could serve them to quench the fire but what came from the clear Fountain Head no Sword but the Holy Sword of the Spirit was to be drawn against the Enemy Now all are sharers in the War yet not before they had confessed their Sins and by a kind of Repentance scowred their Consciences The Marquess of Hamilton is oblig'd of new to take the Covenant as also the Earls of Lauderdale Crawford Buchan the Lords Diddop Levingstone and many other Persons of great Quality Nay and the English also as the Duke of Buckingham Lord Wilmot Earl of Cleveland Massey and others whose names I do not remember are associated But Middleton and Huntley not satisfied with the Act of Indemnity having joyned the forces of the Earl of Athol march against them and defeat Browns Regiment and had also engaged Lesly had not the coming of the King put an end to the Controversie all being relaxed from Excommunication taking the Covenant and associated into the War Whilst these things are in agitation on the other side of Forth the effects of Cromwell's Letters and practises began to appear in that Seeds of Sedition being sown amongst the Scots the foundations of the Kirk were miserably shaken the Remonstrators from the Pulpit railing at the King and his Ministers and publishing Libels nay at length appealing to Cromwell against General Assemblies which they sawcily enveigh against because they prohibited their clamorous buffoonery And in all places cry that it was lawful for none that were truly Godly to take up Arms for the cause above mentioned at the Command of the Parliament King or Kirk All the South part of Scotland with greatest part of the Ministers and the Horse that were Commanded by Ker and Straughan are drawn in to subscribe the Remonstrance wherein they spew out the poison of their rancour against all those Who had called in the King too hastily before he had given certain marks of sincere Repentance and Conversion to God and before they had sounded the minds of the Parricides who had not had satisfaction objecting to them much more of the same stuff At last they propose ways for remedying those Evils The Parliament and Assemblie of the Kirk at first essay to mitigate and appease those violent Spirits with Lenities inviting them to send Commissioners to St. Johnston that if they had any remaining Scrupules they might be removed without noise But they returning an answer more insolently propose Sterling as a place of greater security to both meetings That the Parliament might repress that Sedition they order Ker to apprehend Straughan and bring him to Justice But he discovering the Train instantly sled into Cromwell's Camp where soon after dying he concluded the Catastrophe of his Fortune And so Ker alone has the command of the Horse Cromwell now despairing of the intestine dissentions amongst the Scots pursues Ker and having ordered Lambert and Whaley with five Regiments of Foot and an hundred Dragoons to keep along the South side of the River Clide he himself advances on the North side Lambert marching through Peebles quartered at Hamilton which Ker being informed of by his Scouts and knowing that Cromwell was absent with fifteen hundred Horse he suddenly falls upon Lambert in the night time and that very successfully at first till by chance a Tree being laid cross the street in the middle of the Town which a Captain with a Company defended put a stop to their Progress whilst Lambert drew up his Men and surrounding the Enemy charged them on the Rear And having made a considerable slaughter of them and Ker himself who was shot through the hand being taken he pursued the rest to Air which Town being presently taken was secured with a Garrison And so those of the old Army that hitherto remained are quite broken and dispersed whether more to the grief or satisfaction of the King I cannot tell About the same time a great Conspiracy of Presbyterians both Ministers and Lay-men is discovered at London which took vent first in Scotland and was by Cromwell upon some suspitions he had not without ground conceived recommended to the Regicides of England to
place standing in the middle of the Forth leaving behind them sixteen piece of Cannon and Blackness Brantiland also on the other side of the Frith over against Leeth surrenders no less disgracefully delivering up the Guns Ammunition and Ships Cromwell being informed of these successes would not lose time by waiting the motions of the King's Army Wherefore he passed over to Brantiland whence sending Whaley to take in the smaller Garrisons which lay upon the Coast of Fiffe he himself marches towards St. Johnston which the King had entrusted to the defence of the Lord Duffus with twelve hundred men though to no purpose For Cromwell having drained the water out of the Mote and Ditches and battering the Walls with his Cannon forces a surrender of the place Cromwell being now at a great distance from Sterling and wholely taken up about these matters the King having given the best Orders he could about the Affairs of Scotland sets out upon his march into England that in that Kingdom of his he might try his fate which had been very cross to him in the other Therefore on the last of July one thousand six hundred fifty one at Carlisle he enters England with about fourteen thousand men Horse and Foot But the Soldiers march with so much hardship and so severe discipline that hardly any Age hath seen the like so that from Carlisle to Worcester about two hundred Miles distant from one another no man much less any house received the least injury if you 'l except the breaking of one Orchard and the taking of four or five Apples for which notwithstanding the Soldier that committed it was presently shot to Death In all places on their march the Garrisons are summoned in the Kings name to surrender but without any success And in the more eminent places by Heralds CHARLES the Second is proclaimed King of England Scotland France and Ireland the people in the mean while being in great Consternation So soon as the news of this expedition was by Post brought to the rump-Rump-Parliament and the report flying that the King having mounted his Soldiers on Horses which he found upon the Rode hastened his March towards London as it is common to fear to make dangers far greater than they are such Horror and Consternation invaded the minds of the Parricides and Rebels that in despair they began to cast about for lurking holes and places of escape and accused Cromwell of rashness and precipitancy Until they had notice that the King had diverted to Worcester and received fresh comforts from Cromwell's Letters who bad them be of good cheer and use their utmost force to obviat that last danger and wholely destroy the Enemy Harrison on the left hand with three thousand Horse waited the motion of the King's Army being for that end left behind on the Borders of England after followed Lambert with two thousand both as occasion offered harassing and hindering them in their March At Warrington Bridge they made the chiefest attempt to hinder the King's Forces to pass it But before the Bridge could be cut Lambert's men being engaged and forced to retreat the Scots get over And now leaving London Rode they resolve to rest at Worcester a City scituated upon the Savern from whence they hoped to receive succours from Wales and make great levies in Glocester and Oxford shires by the means of Muffey who heretofore had with reputation been Governour of Glocester for the Parliament Thither therefore they march and having met with one repulse from some of the Paliament Souldiers that were there by chance they possess the City but were much weakened and impaired in strength by the tediousness and length of the march From hence the Kings Majesty by Letters invites the Lord Mayor and Common-Council of London to Arm for his Defence and for their own just Liberties promising Pardon to all for what was past except the Murderers of his Father But these Letters are burnt at the Royal Exchange by the Hand of the Common Hangman a Copie of them is also burnt by the Hand of the Speaker Lental at a general Muster of the Trained-bands of London in Moor-fields The King presently after his arrival in Pitchford-field near Worcester by Proclamation Commands all from sixteen to sixty years of Age according to the Ancient Laws of the Kingdom to come to his Assistance In obedience to that Proclamation shortly after Francis Lord Talbot eldest Son of the Earl of Shreusbury with sixty Horse Thomas Hornihold with fourty John Mashburn with fourty John Parkinton Walter Blunt Ralph Clair and many more both Knights and Esquires besides two thousand common People come in this desperate State of Affairs to hazard their Lives in the Kings Service The conjunction of these makes in all fourteen thousand two thousand Scots either for fear or because of the tediousness of the March having dropt off by the way Why more did not come into the Kings Camp any Man may guess at the reason of it to wit That the late suppression of the Insurrection of the Welsh Londoners and Norfolk and Suffolk Men and the cruelty of the rump-Rump-Parliament in punishing the fruitless attempts of rising run in all Peoples Minds Besides the sudden and unexpected coming of the King gave no truce to the well affected of animating one another and of associating for his Service Nor lastly could the injuries done by the Scots not long before in England be got out of the Minds of the English it seeming much the same to them whether they suffered Bondage under the Tyranny of their Countrey-men or the Insolence of the Scots And above all we are to consider the great diligence of the Republicans of both sorts in stirring up the Countries encreasing their Forces and in observing and suppressing those who were Loyal to the King Cromwell who left Monck in Scotland with Eight thousand Men to carry on his Victories there being now come back into England animates with new Vigour the Forces of the Rebel-Parricides and presently joyning his Men with Lambert Harrison Gray and Fleetwood and those who from all parts came flocking in partly voluntarily and partly by compulsion he made up an Army if some be not mistaken in their reckoning of fourscore thousand Men and more whom he posts round the City of Worcester But the brave though unfortunate attempts of the Earl of Derby which happened about that time are not to be past over in silence He with a small handful of two hundred and fifty Men from his own Isle of Man arrived at a little Town in Lancashire and in that Countrey raised almost fifâ—n hundred Men with whom he marches to â—chester there to joyn five hundred more bâ— to his misfortune he met with Lilburn a Colonel of the Rump-Parliament Forces with sixteen hundred Men. For coming presently to blow up the Town of Wigan after a smart conflict the
having sent before him five thousand Prisoners who being sufficiently exposed to the Scoffs and derision of the People are either clapt up in Prisons or sent to the New World there to drudge in the Sugar Mills In the mean time Monck who was deservedly afterwards Created Duke of Albermarle being made General of the English Forces to the number of six thousand which Cromwell had left behind him in Scotland attacques Sterling-Castle and takes it by surrender with all the Guns Ammunition much Provision five thousand Arms the Registers Coffers Jewels and several Monuments and Relicks of Kings together with that lofty Inscription Nobis haec invicta dedere centum sex proavi Colonel Alured surprised and took the Aged Earl of Levin the Earl of Crawford-Lindsey Lord Ogilby and many other Noblemen whilst they were met for raising of Soldiers at Ellet a Town in Pearthshire Sir Philip Musgrave also the Provost of St. Johnstone and others being about the same business are taken at Dumfrise But Dundee because it had the boldness to hold out was stormed and taken by assault and the whole Town left to the mercy of the Soldiers who kill'd and plunder'd all they found Aberdeen and other Towns and Forts being warned by this sad example of their own accord yielded to the Enemy A little after the Marquess of Argile made a shew of maintaining the Interest of the Kingdom as also the Highlanders but having obtained indifferent good Conditions they also yield and submit their necks to the English Yoke Afterward four Citadels are built strong both by Art and Situation to which by Sea men and Provisions might easily be transported from England to wit at Air Innerness St. Johnston and Leith besides Sterling Castle standing on the Brow of a Hill and Edingburrough Castle which we described before Nay in every County they keep a Garison in some Castle or other that if any new Rebellion should arise they might have opportunity to suppress it where-ever it happened in Scotland Nor could the main Land of Scotland put bounds to the Victory of the English who slighting the dangers of those raging and voracious Seas carry their Victories over to the Isles Orkney and Shetland But as when the Serpent is bruised in the Head he often threatens with his Tail so the Marquess of Huntley Earls of Glencairn and Athol Midleton and others stir the Embers and raise new flames of a War But Morgan easily reduced them having before they could joyn routed the chief of them Henceforward they who had been accustomed to be most unruly and disobedient when occasion of Kicking offered are fain to bite upon the Bit and upon capitulation promise to live quietly for the future Now are Judicatures and Courts of Justices opened in Scotland for which end amongst other Itinerary Judges are sent from England George Smith John Marss Edward Moseley to whom were added of the Scots the Lord Craighall Lockhart and Swinton not to be forgotten A Council of State is also made up of English not of the best Quality who were matched by some Scots mingled with them nay in every Shire a Meeting is called wherein renouncing the King they are obliged to subscribe to the English Government and to unite into one Common-wealth with the English And at length they are commanded to send thirty Commissioners to the Parliament of England Nor is it to be denyed but that they were English though from Scotland who were appointed to that Office except the Marquess of Argile and Laird of Swinton which two were the only Scots that hearded themselves into that Parliament The use of Arms is likewise denyed to that Nation nay and of Horses also except only for some necessary ends and uses Besides their Commerce and Negotiations with Foreigners are narrowly observed lest under that pretext they might hatch mischief against the Common-wealth of England So much they got by disturbing the quiet of England and by medling in the stirs and troubles of others nay and by being the Authors of the innumerable Calamities which we suffered So they fell into the Pit that they dug for us and were taken in the Snares which they had laid for the Innocent nor was there any hopes of a Deliverer or an Avenger till God should think fit to look down from his Mountain and having chastised the perverseness of the People have Mercy upon them But so much for Scotland let us therefore leave it and return to matters that properly concern our selves Jersey must now come upon the Stage for the subduing whereof Hains with great preparations of Soldiers and all things necessary is empowred who passing over thither with about seventy sail of Ships great and small for three days space was beat off from several places of the Island by Sir George Cartright Governour of the Island since deservedly Vnder Chamberlain of the King's Houshold though sooner than was expected he afterward obtained the Victory For making a descent in the night time and Bovil who commanded the Cavalier Party doing his utmost to hinder the Enemies Landing being killed in the first Encounter the rest seized with a sudden fear and Consternation are put to flight The Inhabitants after that submitted to the will and pleasure of their new Masters Elizabeth Castle also standing upon a Rock and at high water encompassed by the Sea being battered and torn with great Guns and Mortar-Peeces one of which was so fatal as at one blow to kill or mangle eight and forty Soldiers after two Months siege capitulates upon Condition that the Governour and Garison with Bag and Baggage should have liberty to pass over into France Next follows the Isle of Mann this place though defended by Feminine Valour to wit by the Countess of Derby yet vied so much in honour with men that it was doubtful whether in the Royal Cause Sir George Cartright or she fell the last Victim under the Hands of the Traytors All the Provinces thus subdued an Act of Oblivion passes whereby the memory of what was past being abolished all Crimes whatsoever are pardoned But this was hampered with so many Limitations Restrictions Exceptions and ensnaring Clauses that there was little hopes for true Penitents to expect any good from it But such however as it was Cromwell alone was to be thanked for it by him chiefly it was proposed and by his means and endeavours it past in the Rump-Parliament that by so doing he might by a shew of kindness claw the suffering and vanquished People and at the same time heap hatred and indignation upon the Heads of his fellow Traytors For now forsooth it was time to put an end to Rapine and Violence Did they take so much pleasure in undoing Estates and ruining Families There was enough allowed to anger and revenge That it was altogether fit to shew Clemency and Mercy to the Guilty who having sufficiently payed for their faults
this Honourable Assembly to remedy all these Disorders shewed That the Wars with Portugal France and the Dutch do and did eat up the Assessments That swarms of Jesuits are crept in to make Divisions which were grown so wide that nothing but his Government could remedy them And let Men say what they will he could speak it with comfort before a Greater than any of them Then he shewed what he had done during his Government First his Endeavours of reforming the Laws having joyned all Parties to assist in that great Work Next his filling the Benches with the Ablest Lawyers Then his Regulation of the Court of Chancery and his Darling Ordinance for the Approbation of Ministers which hindred all that list from invading the Ministry by Men of both Persuasions Presbyterians and Independents c. And lastly his being Instrumental to call a Free Parliament which he valued and would keep it so above his Life Then he shewed the Advantage of the Peace with the Dutch Dane and Suede and the Protestant Interest which he would have them improve and intend chiefly That they were now upon the Edge of Canaan That he spoke not as their Lord but their Fellow-servant And then bad them go and chuse their Speaker Cromwell having spoken to this effect the Members without returning him Thanks as is usual went to the House Lenthall being again chosen Speaker they fall first upon the New Instrument of Government all the Clauses and Articles whereof they thorowly sift and examine The Officers of the Army who were Privy-Counsellors and all who depended on Cromwell vigorusly oppose that saying That that Instrument was to be taken for the Basis and Foundation of the Government no ways to be called in question since by the Authority thereof the Parliament met and that it would be contrary to the Dictates of Natural Reason to bring it to a Trial. Nay many and particularly Lambert threaten That if the Parliament did not approve and confirm it they themselves would call another nay a third and a fourth till it should be at length established by Publick Consent But the Republicans stood stiff to the contrary making answer That the Government was usurped by Craft and Force not procured by Right nor confirmed by the Free Votes of the People that it laid Snares for the Liberty of the Commonwealth and made way for a most grievous Tyranny One amongst the rest in the heat of the Debate was so bold as to say That since they were approaching so near to Monarchy it were better to call one of the Royal Family to the Government than that Cromwell should usurp the Scepter and Crown Cromwell being informed of these Debates comes in great rage to the Parliament and tells them to this effect That they were not called together that they might confound and turn all things again into the former Chaos but that they should build upon the Foundation and Ground-work already laid down and not to be altered That his Authority could not be called in question unless at the same time they invalidated their own Power since the present Parliament was called by him and by him had liberty to consult That he alone had the Right of setling Fundamentals upon which they had power to raise and beautifie Superstructures That he was resolved to maintain the Government and Supreme Power in a Single Person to call a Parliament once in Three years not to sit above Five months without his Consent c. That to violate or innovate these things should neither be in the Power of the Protector nor Parliament That in other things they might consult and enact as they pleased for the Publick Good But because Admonition might not be sufficient he thinks fit to apply Force Next day a Guard of Soldiers being set before the Door of the House no Man was suffered to enter unless he signed the following Recognition I shall be faithful to the Lord Protector and shall not endeavour to change the Government of a Single Person Many who could not swallow that Bit are debarred from the Privilege of Sitting Nevertheless so many Republicans took the Recognition as made the Cromwellian Faction and Republican almost equal some who underhand favoured the King joyning themselves to each Side enflaming Animosities and as much as might be setting the Parties who seriously treated these Affairs at greater variance Insomuch that after five Months continual jangling and debate Cromwell was not able to bring his Affairs to any good issue in this Parliament Nor do the Republican Spirits onely prevail in the Parliament but also in the Army For these consult and plot together how they might apprehend Cromwell and bring him before the Parliament to be accused and condemned of Treason thinking with themselves that if they could lay Hands upon him and make him Prisoner there would be a sudden change of Affairs and that his Favourers and Adherents being thereby baulked would sculk and shift for themselves The truth is the Officers of Three thousand Horse and of no inconsiderable number of Foot frequently met in Somerset-house and elsewhere about the contriving and carrying on of that Design But before the Matter came to maturity by the Treachery of Pride it came to Cromwell's Ears who by a hasty Dissolution of the Parliament prevented all those Machinations and disbanded those Officers In the mean time Cromwell having received a splendid Embassie from Sueden with equal Magnificence he concluded a Peace with that Crown and dismissed the Embassadors with hopes of a nearer Alliance He makes Peace also with France and promises to send over Assistance thither if the Affairs of England would permit him But all this while the specious Pretext of Supreme Authority was wanting to these Attempts The Parliament had denied their Collective Votes to make that up therefore it remains that the Distributive Votes of all the People be had and that the Officers break the Ice Wherefore Gratulatory Petitions or Addresses are sent by the Commanders of the several Regiments of the Army in Scotland whereby they thank the Lord Protector for having changed the Form of Publick Government to the better They pray him to go on in the discharge of that Province which by Providence he hath undertaken promising with their Lives and Fortunes to maintain and defend him in all difficulties But amongst the English Officers there was a necessity of a wheadling Pretext to wit That the Malignants and Enemies of the Country now triumphed as if the Army breaking into Discords and Divisions would presently renounce their General Cromwell That therefore a Petition of that nature must needs be framed wherein by applauding the Protector they would convince those that were of a contrary Opinion With much ado he obtained that amongst the Republicans but at length some refusing to sign it as venturing rather Cromwell's Displeasure and Revenge than by a sneaking Compliance to betray the
prejudice to his Person or Interest which they would not make ample and sufficient amends for Richard then thought it enough in imitation of his Father to look big threaten chide and roar However they are not terrified but rather provoked to greater rage by that blunt Thunderbolt nor do they onely scoff and make mouths at him but slight him as an Ass and attempt greater matters against him From hence forward those that formerly wished best to him abandon him in Counsel and every way nor do they think it worth the while to meddle in his Affairs whom God had so infatuated as to make him neglect his own Interest Therefore they bequeath their Labour and Studies to the Cause of the King as being clearly convinced at length that that was the onely Interest that could justly and lawfully be maintained But the Officers seeing their Proposals tending to maturity frame a Remonstrance wherein they turn the fury of their engines aganst the Name of Malignants complaining That the Good Old Cause was forgot that the Asserters of it were every where vil fied the great Patrons and Patriots of it the Kings Judges put into Printed Lists and marked for destruction with the ruin of all the Godly and the Cause together that many Cavaliers came daily from beyond Sea and in presence of the People asserted the Kings Cause and Consulted together with much more of this Nature They pray that these things may speedily be redressed giving no obscure marks of their Inclination of bringing in a Democracy again This they desire Richard to represent to the Parliament scaring him thus with Lightning before the Thunderclap But the Parliament some true Republicans being amongst them out of design as some thought that he might have the Army against him pass a very imperious Vote Prohibiting any number of Officers and Soldiers to meet together for holding of Consults until the Parliament should determine about these Affairs Which Richard delivering both in his own and in Name of the Parliament and commanding their Consults to cease in a full meeting of the Officers Desborough takes him up for it so that the Officers becoming fiercer and more angry they apply themselves to the Lieutenancy of the Militia of London and allure them to a consent and to joyn with them that being involved in the same guilt with them they might not boggle to desire the same things of the Parliament This by means of Ireton the Brother of the late Ireton the Commander then Lord Mayor and of other Leading Men they easily obtained After these Prelimnaries the Officers of the Army drawing together their Forces before Day beset Whitehall where the Protector lived sending in in the mean time Desborough and Fleetwood earnestly to beseech him that he would presently dissolve the Parliament and to acquaint him That if it were not speedily done the Officers would cause Fire to be set to the House and all that resisted to be slain Richard terrified with these threats having in vain implored the Assistance of the City without either Guards or Soldiers to stand by him and his Bed-chamber Men and other Servants being frightned at length Signs a Proclamation to be published for Dissolving the Parliament After this some few days being allowed him to repent for what he had done and to take new Counsels there were a great many who prognosticated all evils to him nay affirmed them to be hanging over his Head seeing now the inveterate Enemies of his Family swoln with Pride and Malice who never kept Faith to any Man were got into Power again That perhaps they would sooth and slatter him at present till under pretence of his Authority they might rob him of the Assistance and Protection of his Friends and then having exposed him to hatred and derision try him for his Life and that under colour of a Law formerly made whereby to aspire to or introduce Monarchy is declared Treason It was moreover represented to him That he had still a safe refuge under the Mercy of the King if he would expiate his Fathers Crime by his own Allegiance that it was the part of a King to keep his Word that the Lord Petcombe the Danish Resident had promised to send over Letters safe to the Soundt that a Messenger might be more securely sent afterward to the Admiral to acquaint him with these Affairs and that he would likewise give security on the Kings part that the Articles should be fulfilled That that was no such difficult thing to be done since the Fleet was as yet free from Contagion the Admiral ready to serve the King and both hating and hated by the Parricides that besides Portsmouth and other strong Holds would joyn with him in a strict Confederacy that most part of the People also for the sake of the King and to revenge the injuries done to himself and the Parliament abruptly dissolved would rise in Arms and lastly that all Ireland was as yet subject to his Government Being sollicited by these and such like Arguments he was in suspence not knowing what to do he was tossed betwixt hope and fear having missed or abused the occasion of doing his business sometimes preferring the Counsels of some and by and by again of others and sometimes ready to run for it till at length being advised by Fleetwood and other Republicans whose Opinions he had privately asked That it would be much safer for him to enjoy certain and sure Priviledges than dangerously make tryal of new Experiments with fear and astonishment he keeps in Whitehall In the mean time a Council being called the Officers that had stood for Richard Ingoldsby Coff Whaley Falâ—onberge and Howard are â—asheered the old Republican Colonels whom his Father had formerly turned out Lambert Harrison Rich Parker Okâ—y and others being again brought into play Then the Officers of the Army with some five or six Members of the Musty Old Rump meeting together in the House of the Old Speaker Lenthall require him that he would reassume his Chair after a long intermission in Parliament and again sit at the Helm of the Government Which at first he refused alledging invincible Arguments to the contrary but afterwards partly through the threats and desires of Vane and chiefly of Lambert partly through his own Pusillanimity and partly through his own ambitious desire of Rule he is prevailed upon and condescends The Officers having acknowledged the injury they had done to the Rump and having publickly declared their sorrow for it and the Members obliging themselves of new by mutual engagements the Speaker with his Mace before him enters the House of Commons being attended by as many as could be got together out of the Streets Ale-houses Taverns even the Army and Prisons which nevertheless being computed hardly made up two and fourty Men by so small a Thread the Affairs of England then hung Yet these Varlets made no scruple to represent three
States make and unmake Laws Prosâ—ribe Forfeit and take to themselves the absolute Power over the Lives and Fortunes of all The Articles or Engagements that they entered in were to this purpose That all should enjoy their Liberties and Properties That there be a fixed and determinate proceeding in Law That all Crimes relating to the change of Government be abolished That all Statutes and Ordinances remain in force until the contrary be Enacted That Publick Debts be punctually paid That no Man believing in the Father Son and Holy Ghost and acknowledging the Holy Bible for the Word of God be debarred from the profession of his Religion except Episcopal-Men and Papists That a Zealous and Powerful Ministry be by all means cherished That Colledges and Schools be reformed That at present Fleetwood have the chief Command of the Forces both by Sea and Land That for the future the Parliament have the Legislative Power and the Council of State the Executive That the Protectors Debts be paid and that he have a Liberal Pension of Ten thousand pounds yearly during Life and ten thousand more in Inheritance And that his Mother also during Life have eight thousand pounds yearly out of the Exchequer The Parricides being bound to these Articles take their Seats again in the Parliament-House but how much they valued them they make it quickly manifest In the mean time many of the old Members to the number of above three hundred who had been secluded heretofore by the Officers of the Army though they believed the Parliament to be dissolved by the Death of Charles the First and the Abrogation of the House of Lords yet that they might avoid other Inconveniencies desiring to be readmitted are carefully kept out Some few Days after they send Commissioners to Richard to ask him the Question How he liked the change of Government and what Debts he owed that wheadling him with the hopes of kind usage they might draw from him a voluntary renunciation of the Authority He makes answer That he thought it reasonable that he should submit to their Authority from whom he must expect protection that his Steward should give them an account of his Debts But nothing but a formal and express resignation would please them to which he seemed chearfully to give his assent And now at length he is commanded to deliver up all the Goods and Houshold Furniture not so much as reserving to himself any Gold or Silver Jewels or Hangings Linnen or any other Goods that might have been pack'd up in a small bulk all are adjudged to the Exchequer Thus stript of all he is commanded to depart out of Whitehall liable to the Actions of all his Creditors and perhaps to have been tried for his Life had they not had other Fish to fry Behold the perfidiousness of Mortal Men and a wonderful instance of Divine Providence which presides over and alters Humane Affairs and Governments as it seemeth Good to the Amighty He who just now swayed the Scepter of three Kingdoms forced by the Calamities of a tedious Civil War to truckle under his Vicegerents three old Commanders to wit his Brother Brother-in-law and a third whom Cromwell had obliged by many and great Favours he I say in the short space of one year is craftily turned out of all and now stript of his borrowed Plumes he becomes the object of the Raillery of Poets and Painters and being sufficiently lasht with the giibes and reproaches both of the Parricides and Rabble as of old the Dictator was called from the Plough so now the Protector is sent back to the Plough A Chronological Table FOR THE SECOND PART MDCXLIX DOrislaus by some Scots killed in Holland The Marquess of Ormond Lieutenant of Ireland makes a Truce with the Irish Having raised an Army he besieges Dublin Jones routs his Forces and raises the Siege Cromwell General of the Rebels in Ireland arrives at Dublin Cromwell takes Drogheda cruelly abusing his Victory MDCL Cromwell takes Kilkenny the Seat of the Irish Council by a Surrender Leaving Ireton his Son-in-Law in Ireland he returns to England Ascham Embassador from the Regicides is killed at Madrid The Marquess of Montross Commissioner of Scotland overcome in Battel is betrayed and taken And basely used by the Scots is put to death at Edinburgh King CHARLES having Articled with the Scots sails into Scotland Fairfax laying down his Comission Cromwell is declared General of all the Forces in England Scotland and Ireland Cromwell leads an Army into Scotland Eusebius Andrews is beheaded at London Cromwell defeats the Scots in a bloody Battel at Dunbar William Prince of Orange dies MDCL LI CHARLES the Second is Crowned in Scotland He enters England with an Army of Scots Easily possesses himself of Worcester James Earl of Derby is by Lilburn routed at Wiggan The Scots being beat by Cromwell at Worcester the King escapes Cromwell in triumph enters London The King after many dangers at length arives in Normandy The Isle of Jersey reduced by Haines James Earl of Derby Lord of Mann is put to death His Lady Carlotta generously but in vain defends the Isle of Mann Henry Ireton Son-in-law to Cromwell dies at Limerick in Ireland MDCLI LII Aiskew takes the Island of Barbadoes by surrender An Act of Oblivion is past in the Rump Parliament St. Johns and Strickland are sent to Holland The first fight at Sea between Blake and Trump Aiskew beats the Dutch at Sea near Plimouth Blake beats the Dutch again MDCLII LIII The English and Dutch fight in the Streights Cromwell dissolves the Rump Parliament after twelve years Tyrannical Vsurpation Yet he calls a new one to which he commits the Government The Dutch send four Embassadours into England to treat of Peace Monck in a great Sea-engagement beats the Dutch Trump being slain Some Portuguese commit a Riot in the New Exchange in the Strand The Mock Parliament resigns up the Government to Cromwell Oliver Cromwell with the Title of Protector takes upon him the Administration of the Government MDCLIV Cromwell makes Peace with the Dutch Don Pantaleon Sa brother to the Portugal Embassadour and John Gerard are beheaded Cromwell calls a Mock Parliament which meets at Westminster Cromwell makes the Members swear Fealty to him King CHARLES leaving France goes to Colen He sends for his Brother Henry Duke of Glocester MDCLIV LV. Cromwell dissolves his mock-Mock-Parliament The Cavaliers stir but in vain in several places of England Wagstaff possesses himself of Salisbury Penruddock and Groves are beheaded at Exeter Henry Cromwells younger Son made Deputy of Ireland The Marquess of Leda the Spanish Embassadour comes to London Pen and Venables Commanders of the Fleet and Army take the Island
of Jamaica Ten Major Generals are set over the Provinces Cromwell makes Peace with the French The Jews sue for liberty to come and live in England MDCLVI Cromwell makes Peace with the Portuguese The Swedish Embassadour is feasted by Comwell at Hampton-Court Blake and Montague beat eight Spanish Ships and take two of them richly laden A Mock-Parliament of the three Nations England Scotland and Ireland is held at Westminster James Naylor a false Christ enters Bristol MDCLVI LVII Sundercome who conspired Cromwells death is condemned He is found dead in his Bed in the Tower of London Harrison Lawson and others are committed to Prison Blake burns the Spanish Fleet in the very Harbour of Santa-cruce Cromwell refuses the Title of King offered him by the Parliament He is solemnly inaugurated Protector And the Parliament is adjourned for six Months Richard Son to Cromwell is made Chancellour of Oxford Jepson is sent to Sweden and Medows into Denmark Mardike-Fort taken by the English and French The Vicecount Falconberge marries Mary Daugh-to Cromwell MDCLVII LVIII A Parliament is again held consisting of two Houses Suddenly dissolved by Cromwell Slingsby and Hewet are beheaded Dunkirk is yielded to the French Cleypole Cromwell's Daughter dies at Hampton-Court Oliver Cromwell Protector dies in Whitehall Richard Cromwell publickly declared Protector Oliver is buried in Westminster MDCLVIII LIX Richard calls a Mock-Parliament which is held at Westminster Overton is recalled from his Banishment The Lower-house vote Richard to be Recognised Protector of England Scotland and Ireland And Vote also a present Conference with those of the Other House about Publick Affairs The Officers of the Army present a Remonstrance to Richard and he to the Parliament The Parliament make an Ordinance That the Officers of the Army meet not to hold Consults The Officers beset Whitehall and Richard by Proclamation dissolves the Parliament Richard being turned out the Rump-Parliament is again revived FINIS A TABLE To the Second Part. A. ADdresses and gratulatory Petitions to Cromwel pag. 190 Ascham the Rebel Embassadour in Spain killed there 72 B. Blake his Death and Character 228 C. Cavaliers conspire to rise for the King but disappointed 182 225 Church of England her Ministers persecuted 5 Cromwel Oliver 6 98. He procures a kind of Amnesty to be past by the Rump 156. Turns out the Rump 161. Is made Protector 165 166. The Instrument 166. His Arts and Cunning 184. Calls a House of Commons under the name of a Parliament 186. But cannot work 'em to his will 189. The manner of his Government in some matters 190 191 192. His fears and mistrust 198. Enters into a League with France 210. Treats with the Jews about a Toleration 210 211. Calls a pickt Assembly of the three Nations 212. The point debated whether he should take the Title of King 214 215. The manner how he was inaugurated Protector and the Speech thereat 218. Falls sick 233. Dies 236. His Character 237. His Funeral 341. Cromwel Richard 217 223. He becomes Protector 240. Callâ— a sham-Sham-Parliament 243. Dissolves it 246. He is advised to be for the King but refuses the advice 247. Turn'd out of his Protectorship by the Rump 250. D. Dorislaus sent by the Regicides into Holland 2. Is killed there 3. Dunbar defeat 106 Dunkirk taken by the English 231 Dutch War 171 G. Gloucester Duke sent for to Cologn by the King 197 H. Hereticks in Gromwel's time 219 Hewet Dr. 225 High Court of Justice another erected 79. And does a world of mischief 80. inf I. Jamaica taken by the English 209 Jersey subdued 155 Ireland Expedition thither under Cromwel 6. inf Subdued 55. Juries endeavoured to be abolished by Cromwel 203 K. King Charles I. the state of Affairs after his death 1 King Charles II. seeks help from foreign Princes 67. Proclaimed in Scotland 83. Crowned there 117. His march into England 120. His Escape from Worcester 128. inf Arrives in France 150. Removes to Cologn 180. His Restoration foretold by an Astrologer 198. L. Lambert John his Character 55 Lane Jane 136 Lords of Cromwel 's making 222 Love 's Conspiracy 115 M. Major-Generals and their Tyranny 200 Man-Island subdued 156 Marriages by Justices of Peace 164 Montross the noble Marquiss his Story 90 N. Nayler James his Pranks 220 P. The Pendrils 128 Petty Sir William 61 Portugal Embassadour's Brother beheaded 178 R. Rump-Parliament and Army disagree 156 Turned out by Cromwel 161 Brought again into play 249 S. Scotland Expedition thither under Cromwel 98 Subdued 152 Slingsby Sir Henry 183 225 Sundercome and the Republicans conspire against Cromwel 220 221 V. Van Trump kill'd 176 Vowel a condemn'd Royalist cites Cromwel and his Judges to appear before the Judgment-seat of God 179 W. War against the Spaniards in America 206 Between the Danes and Swedes 228 Worcester-Fight 125 Part the Third OR THE HISTORY OF THE Composing the Affairs of England By the Restauration of King CHARLES II. And the Punishment of the Regicides And the Settlement of the Church and State as they were before the Rebellion THE Civil War of England begun by a pernicious and fatal Parliament raged for the space of eight years with various successes of Battels till the Royalists being in all parts worsted and not able to keep the Field Charles the First the best of Kings a Prince of most exalted but persecuted Virtue to avoid the victorious Arms of the English Independants moved by ill fate or bad counsel cast himself into the arms of the Presbyterian Scots by whom he was for a round sum of money treacherously delivered up into the hands of English Traytors Nor was it long before he was a sad instance that the Prisons of Kings are but little distant from their Graves For what the flagitiousness of past Ages never attempted and future Will hardly believe the unfortunate Prince to make way for the Usurpation of the Traytor Cromwel was forced by a scenical and mock-form of Law and Justice to lay down his sacred head to be struck off upon a Block The boldest Villany that ever any Nation saw and a Parricide that all the World was astonished at But this Villany succeeding so prosperously and Britain at length and Ireland being subdued by victorious Rebels as the Forces of Charles the Second were entirely routed by the defeats at Dumbar and Worcester Cromwel the Traytor delayed no longer the execution of his long-projected Wickedness He knew full well that the name of the Parliament was grown odious to the people through the uneasiness of their flagitious and usurped Dominion Turning therefore his Arms against his hauty Masters he turned them out of the House as Objects first of his own contempt and then of the peoples scorn The onely grateful action he did to the Kingdom And now
Cromwel being Master and impatient of a slow progress to Usurpation grasps the Scepter with the lofty Title of Protector In the mean time he ruled more arbitrarily than a King though he seemed to refuse the Title which he passionately aspired to Whether he was more remarkable for Falshood or Valour the Reader may judge since Courage he had by turns and intervals but was never without Hypocrisie and native Treachery When for the space of five years he had filled all places with Slaughter and Bloud with Banishments Robberies and all sorts of Cruelty being implacable to his Enemies false to his Friends despised abroad grievous to others uneasie to himself amidst the Pulpit-Juggles of foolish idle men the hidden stings lashes of a most guilty Conscience with a distracted mind and enthusiastical madness he ended his wicked days on the very day which being formerly joyful to him because of the two bloudy Overthrows of Britain becomes now festival to three Nations Richard succeeds to his villanous Usurpation a Son in all things unlike to his Father and unfit for daring Resolutions His judgment and actions were managed by the direction and suggestions of others and was so easily imposed upon by their knavery that by what followed shortly after it appeared that onely the late Cromwel had a mind able to support such a weight For the Colonels of the Democratical Faction heretofore turned out who were more addicted to the government of the Parliament than to that of a Protector when they perceived the turn of Affairs and their old hopes revived revenged by the ruine of the Son the injuries they had received from the Father And abusing the easiness of Richard to insolence and contempt they industriously set about the changing again of the Protectordom into a Commonwealth Whether the Relations and Counsellors of Richard were privy to the Plot or deluded I cannot say but at length they fatally deluded him And being Complices of the Treachery of the Democraticks they were made a Cloak for the Ambition of others Richard therefore being advised by his Friends to dissolve the Parliament which he had lately called the onely support of his own hopes and terrour of the Rebel-Colonels too late he was sensible of the treachery or ignorance of his Friends and too late condemned his own credulity Richard's affairs being then in their declension and his Relations Fleetwood and Desborough seduced either by vanity or knavery The power of Lambert formerly laid aside became now paramount and by joynt Councils in appearance they managed the Affairs of the Government with equal care though different designes but what Fleetwood more openly Lambert more cunningly carried on And now the Officers whom old Cromwel had heretofore turned out of the Army being restored they invaded the Forces as before they did the government of Richard But that the matter might be brought about in the usual forms they appoint Prayers the common prelude of Traytors to be made in St. James's where many Independant Preachers of great note in their long-winded Prayers call upon God as a Witness of their Treachery And the very same who lately prayed for the health of Cromwel on his Death-bed now basely and craftily consult about the exclusion of his Son But whilst they hastned the execution of their late designes they gave a remarkable and foul instance of their inconstancy by restoring to Supreme Power the Rump-Parliament which Cromwel by their own hands six years before had dragg'd out of the House that sink of ill men I mean who were infamous by the Spoils of the publick foully stained with all sort of Knavery Impudence and Avarice and for their Crimes so universally hated of the People that it was a very easie matter to have raised or depressed again these Phantoms of Government by the like wantonness of the giddy Mobile And now these Parliament-Robbers being again admitted to the Government they take their known places and being above all things mindful of Cromwel's Treachery they turn out Richard wavering as yet and tottering in his Throne and lay the quaking Protestoral Youth flat upon the ground As if by turning the infamy upon the Cromwels they might thereby wipe off their own Reproach They demand an account of the Funeral-charges of his dead Father wherein that prodigal Villain had outdone the burials of Kings and of his own Creditors but with no designe in the mean while to pay his Debts onely to expose him to contempt because of his Poverty or to scorn for his Luxury The Members of Parliament that were more innocent than themselves or more adverse to bad Councils by Guards set at the door they exclude out of the House and presently declare the Secret and Mystery of the Government which with no less vanity than impudence they stiled THE GOOD OLD CAVSE From the meeting of this fatal Rump again I shall begin my work The first thing they now do is to consult how they may secure themselves and undo the Publick That they had been formerly thrust out by the Souldiers struck deep in their minds and that they might therefore prevent future Snares from the Colonels they reserve to themselves the Supreme Authority in the Army making their Speaker Lenthal General in the Chair And having turned out the Officers of the Army that were for a Protectoral Dignity they create new ones out of the Sink of Democraticks But before I proceed any farther it will be necessary both for my self and the Reader to give a more accurate account of the state of the English Affairs at that time The fate of the Cromwels was now come for Richard being laid aside at London his Brother Henry whom his Father had made Deputy of Ireland imitating his Brothers weakness at the command of the Rump delivers up the Army and Government to Colonel Ludlow a stern man and trusty to the Faction who succeeded him Monk Governour of Scotland a man often to be mentioned in our Annals promised to be true to the Rump-Parliament as also did the Fleet and Vice-Admiral Lauson Fleetwood also and Lambert slighting the Oath that had been taken to the Cromwels made the English Forces and Trainbands of the City swear to be true to the Rump Fleetwood was old Cromwel's Son-in-law of little or no reputation in the War but a stout Preacher and Prayer He hoped to have been Successour in the Government after the death of his Father-in-law but being disappointed by crafty Oliver if he was not because of that glad he was not at all displeased at the overthrow of his Brother-in-law Richard Lambert followed another conduct under an affected modesty disguising a proud spirit and aspiring to nothing less than supreme Government He had heretofore possessed a great share in the friendship of Cromwel but whether for his own or his Wife's sake I shall not determine Nor was he thought to be displeased with
the old man so long as he hoped for a Successour out of his Family and to be adopted in the Army where his reputation was great He secretly despised Cromwel's Relations as too low and unfit for Principality thinking that he alone remained worthy to be advanced to Supremacy Which afterwards more secretly but not more justly he attempted rather than obtained The awe of Cromwel whilst alive gave some check such as it was to the dissembled madness of the Democratical Republicans But the Family of the Cromwels being ruined the British affairs were in that state that amongst the Regicides no faith love judgment nor truth was to be found The furious unsetled Colonels without sense or honesty laying aside all care of Reputation or Justice softened and fed their private hopes The Power of the Rulers was mutually suspected and the Honour of the Nation wholly slighted And the same Army of Cromwel abandoning the Family of their General perfidiously abolished the Protectordom which by perjuries they had established as a brave and memorable Constitution The Rabble also were so inclined that many desired and all accustomed to the Yoke of Bondage suffered the Rump-Parliament though of old notorious for flagitiousness and now for buoying up the aspiring Colonels In the mean time all things were carried according to the pleasure of the Rump and the dictates of Fanaticks the terrour of the present and presages of future evils But the turns of the Government were no less odious than the vices of the Parricides to those who any ways concerned themselves for the Publick In the mean time they were not free from danger whom Quality the suspicion of Loyalty to the King Wealth or eminent Parts rendred obnoxious to the Jealousies of the Rulers The old Souldiers of the King and such as were devoted to Charles the Second in the mean while who had hearts to do and suffer any thing rejoyced in secret having without the loss of reputation or degenerating from the ancient care they were sprung from endured the calamities of Adversity the long insulting and many Rapines of Robbers and all the shams of Fortune with an honest and patient Poverty Though the settlement of Cromwel in the government and the unshaken fidelity of his Adherents had so often defeated all their endeavours of restoring the King yet they carefully eyed the dissensions and distractions of the Fanaticks and the turns and revolutions of the Government And now the mutual clashings of the Rebels gave courage to the Loyal Nobility secretly to contrive the restauration of their Liberty and under pretence of a free and full Parliament the recovery of the just Rights of King CHARLES For that end they made use of the assistance of some Presbyterians an inflexible sort of men a bad presage of a certain overthrow since they are a kind of people that make use of good fortune rather for the subversion than the establishment of Kings Thus a framed Conspiracy all over England produced both glory and danger to the illustrious Undertakers Sir George Booth now Lord Delamere appeared first in the Insurrection in Cheshire He was assisted with the advice and hands by the Earls of Derby and Kilmurry Sir Thomas Middleton Major-General Egerton and many others of less note who having incited their Country-men to take up Arms and having formed an Army they put a Garrison in Chester an ancient City washed by the River Dee Booth himself in the mean time with 2000 Horse and Foot took the Field expecting the aid of all good men throughout England in so illustrious an Undertaking but with more Loyalty than Fortune At the news of so sudden an Eruption the Rump was terrified and being doubtful of their New Government startled at the present Commotions apprehensive of future and conscious of the greatness of their own Crimes they were in fear of all men And so much the more that they knew that Booth was not the sole Head of the Party but that there were many more besides him who hatched the same designes The Parricides had no other hopes of safety but in daring boldly wherefore arming with expedition the fiercest of the Sectarian Rout doubling their Guards and sending flying parties of the old Forces into all Counties and Towns they no sooner smelt out but they prevented the designes of the Royalists In the mean time Lambert is ordered with a body of Horse and Foot to march in all haste against Booth But the guilty Parricides could not think themselves secure unless they were re-enforced with Souldiers from Scotland and the Garrison of Dunkerk and with two Regiments called from Ireland commanded by Zanchie and Axtell After that Booth had in vain endeavoured to hinder their conjunction both Armies come in view one of another near Norwich but the River that runs by the Town hindred the Enemy from approaching Booth had set a strong Guard to defend the Bridge over the River and had drawn up his men beyond it but still inferiour both in number and fortune For Lambert having gained the Bridge charged Booth's Forces so warmly that the raw and unexperienced Country-Rout were not able to endure the shock of the old and expert Souldiers Lambert having put all of them to flight Chester is surrendered unto him Booth after his overthrow hunting about for a safe retreat was discovered in disguise at Newport and taken from whence being carried to London he was clapt up in the Tower His whole Estate which was pretty considerable being seized his head had likewise gone had not a greater destiny preserved him from the imminent cruelty of the Rump For the shortness of their government seems to be the cause that the punishment of Booth's Party was rather deferred than remitted The short-lived Rump in the mean time were not a little proud of the overthrow of their enemies and emboldened by this auspicious beginning of their New Government And the Cheshire-Insurrection was so convenient for Lambert's interest that he reckoned it amongst the favours of his prosperous fortune For having thereby attained which he so much desired to the pre-eminence of a General he intended to triumph not so much over Booth as over the conquered Rump and indeed the mutual confidence of the Knaves was not durable for the Rump was jealous of the Army and the Army of the Rump Lambert in the mean time who had a vast power in the Army exceeding all bounds of a private condition so wheadled the Officers and Souldiers that upon their return they drew up and signed a Petition at Derby wherein after they had alleadged many ridiculous falshood of their dutifulness towards the Rump their affection to the Publick and Liberty of the People they saucily desire the House that the Command of the Army should be put into the hands of Fleetwood and Lambert as the onely means of uniting the Forces in faithfulness and concord which
for money and that the Souldiers might be paid by the spoils of the State Lambert's forces are imperiously commanded back to their Garrisons and forthwith to leave the Field upon pain of disobeying the Supreme Power and forfeiting their Duty And at the same time news was brought to Monk's Camp that the Committee of Safety was broken and the Rump again in power What could Lambert now between hawk and buzzard do he was forsaken by Fortune deluded by Fleetwood's confidence over-reached by Monk under a colour of Peace and despised by the Rump Should he return to London it was a long and difficult march and perhaps as late for the succour of his friends as dangerous to himself having such an Enemy in the rear Should he engage Monk in a Country improper for Horse the ground being covered over with Ice and Snow it would be very uncertain if not in vain since in the dead of Winter his Horse could do no feats What to do he could not tell Nor were Lambert's men truer to their Trust than Fleetwood's had been at London for so soon as they heard of the defection of the London-Regiments basely without consulting their General nay and slighting his authority they submit to the Rump Few now were to be seen at Lambert's door and fewer within nothing but silence and seldom any Guards He was no more General nor cause of the War but where he hoped for Laurel and Triumph he was fain to search a hiding place so that without any attendance he speedily and secretly betook himself to London So fallacious and uncertain a thing is Power when it is too great A certain kind of Triumviral Power now exerted it self in Britain under Monk Fleetwood and Lambert not much unlike to that Roman Triumvirat of Caesar Pompey and Crassus With almost the same gallantry Monk behaved himself in Scotland as Caesar heretofore governed in Gallia but out of their Governments Monk out-did Caesar for the Roman being come into the City offered violence to the Senate and unjustly usurped the Dictatorship The other entering London under colour of restoring the Parliament by a rare instance of Loyalty and Modesty restored the King Nor were the emulous and competing Crassus and Pompey more sollicitous in drawing in Caesar than Fleetwood and Lambert were in endeavouring to associate Monk into the Government for though they contributed their mutual assistance in overturning the rump-Rump-Parliament yet it is certain they hardly conspired in any thing but in the fear that both of them had of Monk Fleetwood was jealous of Lambert's ambition and Lambert could not brook Fleetwood's authority the one could not admit of an Equal nor the other of a Superiour Monk therefore was courted by Letters from both as having it in his power to give the Government to what Party he pleased Nor could Fleetwood have expected better Conditions from Lambert had he prevailed against Monk which those who favoured Fleetwood in his Army perceiving avoiding all opportunity of fighting with Monk lest Lambert perchance getting the victory might turn out his Rival Fleetwood Lambert can hardly be compared to Pompey unless it be in boundless ambition and the unhappy issue thereof and Fleetwood not at all to Crassus But without doubt it was the interest of the Publick that both were undone seeing Monk getting the better restored at length Britain to it self Lambert's Forces in all places having either run away or submitted Monk divides his Army and under his own and Morgan's conduct marches streight to London a march that will be famous in all future Ages and memorable to Posterity On New-years-day having sent before the Foot he moved from Caldstream and the day after he himself followed with the Horse and took his Quarters at Wellar the next day when he was come to Morpet he received Letters from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of London sent by the City Sword-bearer wherein they earnestly entreat him That according to the great Trust and Power he had having now found an occasion than which Providence had never offered a greater he would relieve the distressed State and call a new and full Parliament as the onely support of their tottering Country freely offering him the assistance and concurrence of the City in the affair And now on the fourth of January Monk having marched his Army over desert Mountains in deep Winter-Snow arrived at Newcastle and the day following sets forward to Durham from thence directing his march to York near Allerton he was honourably received by the Sheriff of the County Being next day come to York he was met by a multitude of Citizens and Persons of Quality and by them splendidly conducted into the City Having performed so great a march in so short a time he rested here five days either that he might let the news of his coming flie before him to London or that having allowed some time he might by his Agents of whom he had a great many in the City be early informed of the Councils of the Rump and inclinations of the Citizens Here Monk met with Fairfax a famous Souldier and his old Companion in the Wars who now following his own humour had risen in Arms against Lambert and was with no contemptible Forces but far greater reputation come over to the right side being now with more honour an Enemy than he had heretofore been General of the same Army During this stay at York Monk received into his service some Regiments of Lambert's Army having changed the Colonels and Officers and no Enemy now appearing anywhere he mustered his Army and sent back part of it under the command of Morgan into Scotland He himself with four thousand Foot and eighteen hundred Horse marches forwards towards London Such was the Army of Monk the least and yet most renowned body of men that ever marched through England which being hardly a third part in number to the enemy buoyed up the fate of tottering Britain and the fortune of Charles the Second The Army marching from hence and being come to Nottingham he was met by Clarges who came post from London a man deservedly of great interest and authority with him He secretly informed him of the designes of the Rump the strength of the City-Forces the suspicions and jealousies of the Sectarians and that the hopes of the Citizens depended wholly on him Upon his march he was met at Leicester and congratulated by Scot and Robinson Commissioners from the Rump upon pretext of doing honour to the General and civilly waiting upon him in his march but in reality as Spies to dive into his secrets and diligently to observe his words and actions Nor was Monk less circumspect but being a great concealer of his thoughts and sparing in words accommodating all his discourse to occasion and shewing the Commissioners all imaginable respect in the Army he confirmed them in the opinion of his sincerity In this long and
the greatest dangers to serve them That he had not forgot their kind Letter at Morpeth wherein he affectionately concurred but was forced to retire backwards like a Fencer to make the better ground and the more advantageous assault That he had sent to the House that morning that they should issue Writs for a full Parliament and to this end he was come to stay with them and see his desires fulfilled and that they should put a period to their sitting by the sixth of May. Monk's Speech was with delight and universal applause heard by the Citizens and the name of a New Parliament so pleased the minds of the People that the City which appeared desolate and dejected in the morning seemed transported with joy at night by the ringing of Bells and Bonefires Now was Monk in every bodies mouth and the Multitude not able to contain their secret joys proclaimed him the Honour and Deliverer of their Country praying for and blessing him in all places Then was the Rump loaded with the Reproaches and Imprecations of all with so much freedom that it seemed to be the first step to their Liberty thus to despise their Oppressors Nor was this night revelling of the over-joyed People less boundless than the Rage of the Rumpers was before upon the reading of Monk's Letter They in great indignation complain that the violence of old offered by Cromwel and more lately by Lambert was not more grievous than the present-imperious boldness of Monk in prefixing a day to their dissolution But the old Commissioners Scot and Robinson being sent into the City to the General they offered him the hypocritical Thanks of the Rump for his quelling of the City and concealing their displeasure at his Letter they promise a fuller Parliament and that their dissimulation might be the more specious they invite Monk again to Westminster to assist them with his counsel The General and his Friends gave them a doubtful answer as well knowing that the civility of the proud Rumpers was not for nought However it was the interest of both Parties to continue their dissimulation But the Commissioners upon their return having brought advice of the joyful familiarity that was betwixt the General and the Citizens the Rump smelt out Monk's designe and were distracted in their thoughts Wherefore they forthwith set about the lessening of his power in the Army appointing a Committee of five for ordering the affairs of the Forces which if they could have gone through with the English Army being altogether averse from Monk they had certainly ruined his fortune So soon as Monk heard that he was made one of five Generals being unaccustomed to affronts and equally slighting the baseness and treachery of the Rumpers he took greater care of his affairs And that he might not make use of the counsel of Enemies and Traytors onely he desires a Conference with the old secluded Members upon whose sense and inclinations when he found there was more to be grounded and perceived them to be fit men for qualifying matters and not averse from his own designes in time he sent them to the Parliament attended by a guard of Souldiers The secluded Members in the mean time entring the House again the baser and viler sort of the Abjurors being now in despair left the House The rest being more moderate continued to joyn with their restored fellow-Members in the administration of the affairs of the Publick The Parliament being now increased in number and the Vote of their own exclusion being in the first place repealed they appoint Monk General of all the Forces in Britain and Ireland and order money streight to be levied for the Pay of the Souldiers They appoint Montague Admiral of the Fleet give liberty to Booth's Prisoners and the Captive Citizens in whose place Lambert was afterwards clapt up in the Tower Whilst the Parliament was busied in the affairs of the Commonwealth Monk in the mean time wholly taken up about the care of the Forces having called a Council of his Colonels dispatched Letters to all the Regiments of the Army and their Officers that were quartered up and down Britain and Ireland to certifie them of the reason of the readmission of the Members with large assurances of their constancy to their old Profession and Principles and that without this Expedient there was no way to satisfie the Nation or raise money for the subsistance of the Army or Navy The distant Regiments in the mean time wanting Money and Necessaries and having tried the experience of both fortunes chose rather to comply and have their certain Pay than to stand it out and trust to uncertainties But Monk to make sure of the Forces made them all take a new Oath to be true to the Parliament which the Colonels and Officers of his own Army and many of the English Forces willingly did but those who refused or scrupuled he disarmed and casheered And now Monk had the sole power over both Armies and received all Souldiers as bound by the same Oath under the same General Monk before this had removed his Quarters from Whitehall to St. James's There amongst others William Morrice was a chief Confident of the General 's a man of great solidity and prudence as the times went By his means Greenvile a Knight being introduced to Monk and all company being removed he privately delivered him Letters from King CHARLES Having read them he makes an answer suitable to the times and the doubtful state of affairs resolving neither to say too much nor to conceal all his mind and so tempered his expressions that he might seem to reserve a fuller answer in his actions And this was the first step to the restoring the Government to Charles the Second Greenvile returned to Brussels to the King with the joyful and expected news of Monk's good inclinations towards his Majesty But by how much the Parliament and Monk seriously applied themselves to the setling of affairs by so much the more the bloudy Parricides used all their Arts and Treachery by sowing Sedition in the Camp and raising Tumults amongst the Sectarians in the City to stir up new Commotions nor did Treachery end with the War For the Abjurors having no more opportunity of doing mischief in the Parliament-house kept Cabals and secret Conferences with the lately-disbanded Officers of the English Army and being crushed in the head stung with the tail As to what may be gathered from the present actings of the Parliament and the secret inclinations of Monk say they the restauration of the Government of Charles Steuart is not far off That therefore they thought to consider in time that their affairs were in a slippery condition and that without their ruine and overthrow Charles would not mount the Throne That the Trophies of so many Wars the glorying in the assistance and protection of God and the actions of so many years would
and the Officers of the Army to the Mayor and Common-Council of London and to Montague Admiral of the Fleet. Which were received with so universal a Joy and Applause that the Parliament forthwith ordained him to be proclaimed KING in the City and all over England with the accustomed Solemnities having made a Proclamation to this purpose Although it can no way be doubted but that his Majesties Right and Title to these Crowns and Kingdoms is and was every way compleat by the death of his most Royal Father of glorious memory without the ceremony or solemnity of a Proclamation yet since Proclamations in such cases have been always used to the end that all good Subjects might upon this occasion testifie their duty and respect and since the armed violence and other the Calamities of many years last past have hitherto deprived us of any opportunity wherein we might express our Loyalty and Allegiance to his Majesty We therefore the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament together with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Council of the City of London and other Freemen of this Kingdom now present do according to our Duty and Allegiance heartily joyfully and unanimously acknowledge and proclaim That immediately upon the decease of our late Soveraign King CHARLES the First the Imperial Crown of the Realm of England and of all the Kingdoms Dominions and Rights belonging to the same did by inherent Birth-right and lawful undoubted Succession descend and come to his most Excellent Majesty King CHARLES the Second as being lineally justly and lawfully next Heir of the Bloud-Royal of this Realm and that by the goodness and providence of Almighty God he is of England Scotland and Ireland the most potent mighty and undoubted King And thereunto we most humbly and faithfully do submit and oblige our selves our Heirs and Posterities The King being proclaimed throughout the City with the joyful shouts and acclamations of all and all things being prepared for his reception both Houses of Parliament appointed an honourable body of Commissioners to be sent to the King with their Letters all men of great Quality and Birth Obery Earl of Oxford Charles Earl of Warwick Lionel Earl of Middlesex and Hereford Viscount of Leicester the Lords Berkley and Brooks for the Lords The House of Commons chose Fairfax Bruce Falkland Castletown Herbert Mandiville all Lords Ashley-Cooper Townsend Booth Holland Chumley and Hollis Knights Who besides Letters carried Instructions with them humbly to beg that his Majesty would be pleased to hasten his long wished-for return into England And because they knew that the Exchequer of their exiled King could not be very full they order them to carry him a Present of fifty thousand Pieces of Gold and also ten thousand to the Duke of York and five to the Duke of Gloucester Clerges a person in great favour with the King carried General Monk's and the Armies Submission and Letters The City of London also sent twenty Commissioners chosen out of the Flower of the Citizens and the wealthy Citizens present the King and his Illustrious Brothers with twelve thousand pounds All things now succeeding beyond expectation Monk was secure in his fortune having so dexterously managed things with such innocent and harmless Arts defeated the Snares and Arms of the Parricides and procured the publick safety without bloud that the same Virtue of the General was both hated and admired whilst the praying Sectaries in vain called upon God who was not certainly the Lord of their Hosts now The Eleventh of May the Commissioners set sail from England and with all dutifulness waited upon the Kings Majesty at the Hague where they were gladly and kindly received by him Clarges had been with him before whom the King having first knighted sent back into England as a Messenger of his coming and having sent Letters to Monk full of expressions of good will and gratitude towards the General and Army he designed Dover for his place of landing In the mean time by the Kings command Admiral Montague since Earl of Sandwich came with the Fleet upon the Coast of Holland and waited for the King before Scheveling And now all things being in a readiness for his departure the best of Kings with the Dukes of York and Gloucester came on board the Admiral Thither they were attended by the Queen of Bohemia their Aunt their Sister the Princess of Orange and the young Prince their Nephew where after they had taken a glad Farewel with a joyful Huzza of the Sea-men they set sail Charles the Second now in possession of his Fleet the first Pledge of his Government which was speedily to waft him over to that of his Kingdoms with a prosperous Gale directs his course to Dover Monk having received Letters by Clarges accompanied with a numerous train of Nobility and Gentry hastened thither to welcome him on the shore and to pay Honour to that Virtue at home which he had reverenced at so great distance abroad So soon as the Fleet with full sail came in sight innumerable crouds of over-spied Spectators flocked to the shore and Sea-coast and to every other place from whence they might have any prospect being desirous to see and congratulate their restored Prince The Troubles of England Composed by his Majesties happy Restauration On the 25th of May amidst the roaring of all the Canon in the Fleet ecchoed and answered from the Castle and shore and which was a more glorious sound amidst the joyful and louder Acclamations of his Subjects AVGVST CHARLES landed at Dover with so much Piety Gravity and Gracefulness in his Countenance that he seemed to be come to pay his Vows to God the Protector of the Government His department shew'd no Vanity nor Pride but a mind rather above the reach of them yet capable of any fortune and so great was his Majesty in all his actions that he seemed more to deserve than to desire a Crown Here Monk falling upon his knees to welcome the King was by his Majesty embraced kissed and raised from the ground the rest of the Nobility having also performed their duty the same night the best of Kings advanced to Canterbury and next morning created Monk Knight of the honourable Order of the Garter the most illustrious Princes the Dukes of York and Gloucester putting the George about his neck Here the King spent Sunday and restored the service of the Church in the Metropolitan Church of England Setting forward from hence he lodged all night at Rochester and next day upon Black heath he viewed the Forces drawn up with much military pomp and splendour Forces heretofore onely brave in shedding of Civil Bloud whose Trophies and Triumphs were then disgraced with horrid Crimes but now upon the return of Charles loyally and deservedly triumphant The Regiments drawn up in a most lovely order made an Army worthy of King Charles The King having by the
Name by any kind of Villany Peters a Fanatical Tub-preacher and the Jack-pudding of the Ordinances Sometimes he was Presbyterian and sometimes Independant as the several Factions prevailed He was the first of the Jugglers that from the Pulpit sounded the Trumpet to Civil War a fellow full of talk and had a knack of sporting the People into Sedition with an insipid kind of Buffoonry and Lying which past with them for Eloquence and became a Crony of Oliver's by a flagitious compliance October the seventh Clements Scot Jones and Scroop suffered the same death upon the same Gibbet without any regard had to a decent end Clements was heretofore a Merchant in London a lustful mercenary Traytor who abused his Parliamentarian Authority to Whoredom and Leachery Jones brought nothing with him out of Wales his native Country but Infamy and an ignoble Extraction he was first a Robber and for his excessive wickedness preferred to be a Colonel he married Cromwel's Sister who then enriched his Relations with the Spoils of the Commonwealth nor was he less related to Oliver by Affinity than Villany and to many men prejudicial by his ill nature Scot sprung out of a Brew-house and amongst other Calamities of the Civil War was admitted into the Parliament-house and of all the Traytors perhaps was the most inveterate Enemy to Charles the Martyr of which Villany he bragg'd to the last and so rejoyced in the Kings Murder that he would have Posterity remember him as an Author of so great a Crime and besides the murder of the King was guilty of many other horrid Villanies Of all the Regicides that surrendred themselves Scroop onely was hanged for whether by indiscretion or obstinacy he drew upon himself this ill fortune or that a mans destiny is not to be avoided I shall not determine for after that he had surrendred himself he seemed so much to justifie the Murder of the King that he chose rather to be looked upon as a Criminal than an humble Supplicant Then Hacker and Axtell at Tyburn had the reward of their Treason Hacker formerly in London and Axtell in Bedford had kept shops The Quarters of the Traytors their Bowels being burnt and their Heads were set up upon the Gates and publick places of London The fugitive Regicides being summoned by Proclamation to appear were afterwards by Act of Parliament declared guilty of High-Treason and their Estates forfeited Nor did the just severity of the Parliament so punish the living as to quite forget the dead for the like Sentence of High-Treason was pronounced against the deceased Ireton Cromwel Bradshaw and Pride who having whilst alive usurped the Government of the murdered King they with no less impudence when dead were pompously buried in Henry the Seventh's Chappel the burying-place of Kings of England The Parliament therefore ordered their Bones and stinking Carcasses to be raised and buried under Tyburn and in this posthumous disgrace being dragg'd through the City they had a Gibbet-interment I think it will not be amiss to give the Reader an account of the Original of the last named Traytors so famed for enormous Villanies which here I shall once for all subjoyn Ireton of a mean Extraction was Cromwel's Son-in-law and the Confident and Counsellor of all his secret Villanies who though to all others he was most hidden and reserved yet to this man he opened his heart as he on the other hand was reported not onely to have kept his Counsels but also to have advised him to act many of his worst Villanies He was esteemed the best Orator of all the Colonels and had a canting kind of preaching Rhetorick more copious than eloquent Pride descended of unknown Parents and was Dray-man to a Brewer but within a short time the affairs of England being in confusion the rough-hewn Clown was dignified and made proud by the Title and Authority of a Colonel nor is it certain whether he was the greater Knave or Fool. Bradshaw was of the fatal High Court of Justice the more fatal President a Lawyer of no account at the Bar till being bribed by money he got himself a name by a most execrable Villany The Scarletrobed Brauler and hardly more innocent than Pilate surpassed the wickedness of all the rest of the Kings Murderers by his boldness in condemning an innocent Prince and adding malicious scoffs to the impudence of the Fact without any Reverence to Captive Majesty Cromwel indeed came of a better Race but which he himself for ever disgraced The ancient dignity of his Family by the name of Williams changed afterward by his Ancestors in the time of Henry the Eighth to that of Cromwel had its original from a Blacksmith His Youth was loose infamous and debauched but having run out his Estate and from a prodigal Rogue turning Puritan and then Fanatick like another Cataline incited by Beggary he ventured upon the overthrow of the State Bearing a mind above a private condition he still appeared as a private person and had the art to set himself off undiscerned He had a wonderful dexterity amongst the Fanatick Rout in whose opprobrious friendship he chiefly delighted of winning upon the minds of the Rebels shaking his bald pate and smiling with a deceitful Countenance he was by Nature and Art excellently disposed for alluring the affections of the Dissenters nor do I know whether amongst mortal men there was even a cunniner Artist in pretended Piety a wickeder or more crafty man and bolder in attempting any Villany But by what deceitful grinning Arts having overturned the Parliament and murdered the King he raised himself to Supreme Power many great Wits and able Pens have already described Much he did in War but more by Perfidiousness Hypocrisie Perjury and Falshood More cruel he was than the ancient Tyrants whose Manners and Examples he imitated with Tiberius he was subtile and suspicacious He had a crafty disposition with a jealous head and delighted in none of his Virtues so much as in Dissimulation more easily concealing Hatred than Fear Nero he acted in the slaughter of his best Country-men nor was he unlike him in driving a Coach His Countenance carried the bloudy complexion of Domitian and a redness that fortified him against Blushing But that he might not onely appear famous through Crimes and Villanies by intervals he made a shew of some great actions not from a principle of Goodness but Ambition nor out of love to Virtue but Vanity and future Glory This alone was wanting to his fortune and our slavery that he had neither a Son nor Successour able to match him Pity it was that that bold Orator or rather Bagpiper was out of the way at the shameful Obsequies of the Traytors that the same hand which reproaching all Kings in Latin vindicated the Party and justified in writing the Crimes of the Parricides now might though a surley lookt School-master have either made a Funeral-Oration
Churches under their government The King answered With a willing and devout heart I promise and grant my Pardon and that I will preserve and maintain to you and the Churches committed to your charge all Canonical Priviledges and due Law and Justice and that I will be your Protector and Defender to my power by the assistance of God as every good King in his Kingdom in right ought to protect and defend the Bishops and Churches under their government Then the King arose and was led by the Bishops of Duresme and Bath and Wells to the Communion-Table where he made a solemn Oath in sight of all the People to observe the Premises and laying his hand upon the Bible said The OATH The things which I have here promised I shall perform and keep So help me God and the Contents of this Book On the eighth of May a new Parliament met which continued many years Since the year before the Regicides had been brought to condign punishment the three Estates of Parliament now condemned to the flames the Solemn League and Covenant the Bond of the English and Scottish Conspiracy and Sacrament of the Presbyterian Villany The same was done by the Parliament of Scotland and Ireland and that which had raised a Civil Combustion and propagated the same all over Britain and Ireland is now burnt by the hand of the Hangman and by its own ashes expiated at length the wickedness of three Nations This year was concluded or the new begun by the further punishment of Regicides For by Order of Parliament Mouson an upstart Lord Sir Henry Mildmay heretofore Keeper of the Jewels to the late King and therefore the more criminal and Robert Wallop on the seven and twentieth of January the day whereon the blessed King had been condemned were in Hurdles with Halters about their necks dragged to Tyburn and back again to Town being sentenced to perpetual imprisonment It was sufficiently made out that they had been Members of that execrable High Court of Justice but because they had not signed the Warrant for the Kings execution they were onely punished by Bonds and Imprisonment Hazelrigg in the mean time one of the bitterest of all the Traytors being sentenced to the same punishment pined away with anger and grief and unable to bare his disgrace prevented the dishonour and his captivity by a timely death in the Tower of London The same punishment was inflicted upon the Traytors who as we said before came in upon the Kings Proclamation For being brought to the Bar because waving all defence they humbly acknowledged their Crime and that they were a Crew most part of them of silly seduced Rascals drawn in either by the arts or threatnings of Cromwel they redeemed their necks from the Gallows which they had so often deserved by a perpetual imprisonment to which being closely confined they lived to see their Villany punished by Infamy But fortune was more favourable to the Traytors that came in at home than to those who fled abroad for about that time Sir George Downing being Embassadour in Holland had intelligence that three of the Fugitive Regicides Barkstead Okey and Corbet being come back out of Germany lurked in Delf He therefore having obtained a Warrant from the States General seized them and sent them over to England where being brought to a tryal they were condemned for High-Treason and April the nineteenth executed at Tyburn They went all to death with a fanatical ostentation of Piety But Barkstead and Corbet approaching to their end after many ugly delays and cups of Strong-waters unwillingly put their trembling necks into the Halter which quickly put an end to the Wretches half dead already for fear But Okey being a man of an undaunted mind and making use of his courage to the last went off with the bravoury of a Souldier and not undecently had he so died for his Country Corbet was heretofore an inspired prating Lawyer more skilful in the Principles of Fanaticks than in the Laws he got to be a Member of that long and black Parliament and no man was more professedly an implacable Enemy to the King The low extraction of Okey is buried in obscurity Being a Tallow-chandler in London and weary of his poor condition he followed the profitable Wars of the Parliament where his daringness advanced him to the place of a Colonel and at length to be one of the chief Judges in trying and sentencing the King Barkstead was heretofore a whifling Goldsmith in London and had raised himself upon the Ruines of his Country But those who knew the cunning of Oliver in chusing his Magistrates wondered that he preferred so silly and idle a fellow even to be a Colonel and Lieutenant of the Tower of London besides other Offices But that kind of stupid fierceness was more useful to Cromwel than the cunninger knavery of others for the Tyrant himself for the most part looked another way and commanded the Villanies which he would not behold so that this fellow no doubt was privy to the furious Councils of Cromwel and a trusty Minister of his Protectoral Cruelty And so long as he was chief Jaylor to Oliver the barbarous Villain was never startled at the sight of the Murders and Imprisonments of so many Nobles and worthy Subjects His head was set upon a Gate of the Tower whereof heretofore he had been Governour that upon the same Stage where he acted his greatest Crimes he might suffer his greatest Punishment The first Prodigy of the Regicides was their matchless impudence in putting to death the King and their next their obstinacy to the last For when they had murdered the best of Kings to the shame of Christianity the infamy of the Reformation and the universal reproach and malediction of Fanatick Zeal these godly Regicides were ashamed when Treason stuck in their breasts to confess their hypocritical pretending Religion even at the last gasp Nay their Godliness made them so impudent as rather to know themselves guilty and deny it to save their reputation amongst their Brethren than humbly and modestly to acknowledge their Crimes The Authority of Parliament was the onely thing that all of them alleadged to justifie their Parricide as if a Gang of fifty Robbers who had so often violated that Authority had been worthy of that name when there was neither the colour nor resemblance of a House of Commons left Nec color Imperii nec frons fuit illa Senatûs But since they could live no longer to do mischief their whole care was at their death to harden the minds of their Party by a fanatical assertation of dying good men when it was rather the highest Judgment of an offended God to let them fill up the Cup of their bold Indignities by a desperate end It was time now for the King who was a Batchelour to think of Marriage that he might leave a Posterity for the future
security of his Kingdom and therefore communicating his intentions to the Parliament he addressed himself to the most Illustrious Catharine Daughter of Portugal descended from the ancient Race of the Family of Braganza with the universal Applause and Congratulation of the Estates And a Fleet was sent to Portugal to bring over the Royal Bride who having had a favourable passage to the English Coast was by his Royal Highness the Duke of York met and saluted with Naval Solemnities at the Isle of Wight The King received his Bride at Portsmouth and was with great Solemnity in presence of many Nobles there married the Office of Matrimony having been performed by Gilbert Sheldon Bishop of London The King from thence conducted his Royal Consort to Whitehall where after the reiterated festivity of the Royal Nuptials the dutiful Complements of the Great men and the Presents of the Lord Mayor and chief Citizens of London slighting the wanton Pleasures of a Court by the innocence of her Manners and an exemplary Piety of Life she consecrated the trancient Delights of a Palace to the severer Sanctity of a Monastery A Queen that wanted nothing to render her self and us happy had she been as fruitful as good On the second of June the last of the Traytors Sir Henry Vane after a two years imprisonment is brought at length to the Bar where after he had defended himself by shifts and strained querks of Law rather than by any colourable Plea he is found guilty of High-Treason The first advance he made in the career of his Villany was in the death of the Earl of Strafford afterwards being a great Incendiary in the Civil Wars and equally ungrateful and perfidious to Charles the Martyr he cherished and strengthened the Party of the Traytors and though more cautiously than innocently he was not present at the Condemnation of the King yet after the Murder of Charles he was very active in changing the Monarchy into a Commonwealth and in abolishing for ever the Government of Kings But at length when Cromwel got into the Supreme Power being ill-affected and envious against all Government by a single Person he was neglected and laid aside But when the Rump came again into play with the pretences of a Brutus or Cassius he stept again to the Helm of Government and was one of the Committee of Safety He was as to Religion a man of an inconstant and unsetled mind who professedly hating the name of a King was treacherous to Charles the First and envious to Charles the Second January the fourteenth being brought to a Scaffold on Tower-hill with a most affected shew of a composed and sedate mind as the rest of the Traytors had already done he insisted upon the Supreme Authority of Parliament and spake much of the Presbyterian Covenant the Engine of all our Evils which heretofore when he was a far more refined Heretick he had so often despised and laughed at And whilst he still persisted in asserting his own innocence not without reproaching his Judges Sir John Robinson Lieutenant of the Tower wanting patience to hear any more interrupted him Being vexed at this like a mad man he tore the written Speech that he had in his hand and though he had never shew'd great resolution amongst his Party yet resolutely or rather ragingly he submitted to the blow of the Executioner and fell a Sacrifice to the Ghost of the Great Strafford and to the Subverted Monarchy But Lambert who stood indicted with Vane had better luck and behaved himself with so much modesty in his looks and words at his tryal that though he suffered the Sentence of Death as deserving the utmost Rigour yet he tasted the Kings Mercy and ransomed his Life by a perpetual Imprisonment About the middle of Summer the Duke of Ormond went over to Ireland as Lord Deputy of that Kingdom there to give as great instances of Civil Prudence as heretofore he had erected Trophies of Military Glory during the Irish War The Parliament now sitting the Convocation of the Clergie sate also and the Licentiousness of Fanatical Sects increasing made the distressed Church look to the King and Parliament for relief It was therefore enacted by the King in Parliament That the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lords Supper and the publick Prayers and Liturgie of the Church should be celebrated after the ancient manner of the Reformed Church of England the Fanaticks on all hands crying out against it and refusing to conform For though they enjoyed Impunity with the rewards of their Crimes yet no gracious condescensions of the King could oblige them The Clemency of the Prince was maliciously interpreted by the Sects and the Power of this indulging Monarch was grievous to these Fanaticks Nor had the King granted so much to Traytors but that they still thought they might take to themselves more and the brazen-faced Sectarists demand of the Son the same liberty of Religion which had undone the Father And without any respect or reverence to Majesty and the Laws frequent Conventicles of seditious men were kept Meetings were to be found everywere in Towns and Villages and the Insolence of the Rabble growing greater by the boldness of their Preachers and the Lenity of the King there was nothing but a mustering of Parties boasting of strength and polling of heads amongst the Factious all which seemed to threaten imminent Dangers The year before the Fifth-monarchy-men under Venner raised the first Stirs amongst the Preaching Rout but their Fury like the thundering Rage of Marius of old was confined within the City and there expired the fiercest of the Traytors being killed upon the spot and others at length brought to the Gallows But this year a darker and therefore more dangerous Conspiracy was hatched the same being the cause of this as of all other Plots to wit a loose and obstinate licentiousness in Religion Many of all Sects were concerned in it several Officers of Cromwel's late disbanded Army Members of the late Rump-Parliament and many who were turned out of the Kings and Churches Lands which they had heretofore sacrilegiously purchased And a secret Committee at London had the direction of all their Councils and Actings The chief designe of their Villany was to kill the King and Duke of York murder the Duke of Albemarle set fire to the City seize the Tower of London rifle the Exchequer and through the Bowels of the Nation drive on a new Fanatical Government In the mean time to make way to the bold Attempts of these Rascals it was resolved that impudent Libels should be scattered about but the Papers being seized at the Press the Printer was hanged and payed dear for his officious medling But the licentiousness and boldness of the Conventiclers growing greater and greater daily the Parl. made an Act to put a stop to the seditiousness of the People commanding the doors of the Meeting-houses to be
shut or guarded by Souldiers and imposing upon Delinquents for the first fault a Fine for the second Imprisonment and for the third Banishment that punishment might at length restrain those whom Clemency could not gain Nevertheless a War with Holland breaking forth and the Laws being silent amongst the noise of Arms the domestick Calamity grew so strong that the Authority of the Justices of the Peace not being able to prevail against the obstinacy of the Rabble the evil catched like Wild-fire and all future Remedies seemed posthumous and unseasonable The great injuries done by the Dutch to the English Merchants having for a long time past unrevenged did now occasion great grievances and complaining at London Though there was no Nation upon Earth whom the Dutch desired more for Friends and less for Enemies than the English who in the late War had proved themselves as formidable Enemies to the Hollanders as heretofore they had been to their Enemies yet they unjustly broke that Peace which some years before they had dishonourably begg'd of the Rump and Cromwel as being necessary for their interest by humble Addresses sordid and base compliances of their Embassadours and had since confirmed by a stricter League with King Charles the Second For to that pitch of Arrogance and Perfidy was that State of Fisher-men and croud of crafty Merchants who under the Title of a Commonwealth disliked all Monarchy raised that besides the detaining of the Island of Poloron which they were obliged to deliver up by the Articles of Peace they took a great many English Ships upon the Coast of India and Africa and making Prize of the Ships and Goods made the Sea-men Prisoners and added cruelty and scoffing to their Injustice They block up many Ports of the Indies which the English had long possessed with Men of War and having unjustly intercepted the English Trade they sold to other Nations at home at the dear rates the Commodities which they had for a small matter bought in the Indies Holmes who was Admiral for the King upon the Coast of India and Africa behaving himself modestly in his Commission was by those Dutch Pirats by Sea and Land whom neither the East nor West could satisfie contrary to the Law of Nations often fired upon At which Holmes a man of a daring temper and unacquainted with affronts being provoked resolved to continue no longer on the defensive part but to turn Aggressour and therefore bringing his Guns ashore and planting them on Batteries he took some of the Dutch Garrisons and revenged the injuries he had received But with false Accusations they complain of Holmes who had been so often and basely used by them to the King crying out against him as a Robber and the causer of a War as if by making a clamour first they might ridiculously excuse their own Treachery These and many other Encroachments of the Dutch so incensed the Parliament that they forthwith voted it necessary to revenge so many Injuries done to the Merchants and a considerable supply of money to be given to the King to carry on a War which they judged safer than a doubtful and uncertain Peace Though the King was highly offended to hear of the Injuries done to his Subjects and concerned in honour to right them yet he resolved to try other ways of adjusting matters before he came to force of Arms having therefore dispatched Letters to Sir George Downing his Embassadour at the Hague he demands a speedy reparation of the Injuries done to his Subjects from the States But though the Kings demands were just and lawful yet it was in vain to represent the Rapines of Dutch Merchants to trafficking States since they who were in Authority and should have punished these Abuses reaped the profit of them But amongst these Clashings about Injuries a new cause of quarrel not heard of till then happened through the treachery of the Dutch For the year before the States General having been oppressed by the frequent Piracies of the Algerines by Embassadours made earnest application to the King that joyning his Fleet with theirs he would help to revenge the Injuries of these Infidels Nor was the King wanting to contribute to the safety of his Subjects and of all Christendom but sent Vice-Admiral Lawson an expert Sea-Commander with a well-appointed Fleet to joyn and assist the Fleet commanded by de Ruyter But whilst Lawson was wholly taken up in fighting and pursuing the Pirats Ships of which he had sunk and burnt many upon the Coast of Barbary De Ruyter gave him the slip and by orders from the States directed his course to Guiny where falling upon the English who were secure and neither expected nor deserved any such thing he committed no less Robberies upon us than he pretended to revenge on the Algerines but with far greater treachery The news of so base an action being freshly brought to London so incensed all People that the King highly offended commanded all Dutch Ships in the Ports of England to be stopt and all further Treaties of Pacification being laid aside both sides prepare for a War But during the preludes of the approaching War the Dutch a more contumelious than formidable Enemy inflamed the rage and hatred of the English by scurrilous Libels Medals and many base and satyrical Pictures according to the innate insolency and barbarous vanity of that People Holland more powerful both in Wealth and Cunning led the rest of the Vnited Provinces by the nose and Dewit Holland a man of a crafty and subtle Wit malicious Eloquence and of more reputation for cunning Policy than Honesty The greatness of the Family of the Prince of Orange and the vast power of the King of Great Britain by Sea stood in the way of the Artifices of this arrogant man and of his own Holland To ruine therefore the Prince and Family of Nassau he raised secret jealousies against him and by lessening the authority of Orange with the States he alone managed all affairs and under colour of standing up for the liberty of the Commonwealth ruled absolutely at his pleasure and so confident of himself grew this Butter-box that having trode upon the Dignity of the Prince at home he thought that by turns he might make fools of all the Kings of Europe He hated the King of Great Britain the more because he feared him and since through similitude of Manners he had been a great friend to the Traytor Cromwel he was therefore the more implacable Enemy to King Charles Certainly next to the insatiable Avarice of the Dutch Nation all the hatred of that People to the English is to be attributed to Dewit and his Faction To so great an Arrogance were the Dutch raised that it was given out amongst the People That the affairs of England were not in such a posture that the Civil War of England being just ended they had money enough still to
the Duke of Ormond with unanimous consent of the Heads Fellows and Students of Colledges is chosen Chancellour of the University of Oxford and so being taken off from the care and troubles of the Irish affairs he had the direction of the softer and more peaceful Muses About the beginning of September Mary the Queen Mother of England having for two and twenty years in Banishment and Widowhood lived without the enjoyment of the King her Husband and with the comfort of a flourishing Off-spring having beheld her Son setled in the Throne died at Paris in France full of years and of glory in all the changes of humane condition About the end of this and beginning of next year the Duke of Albemarle also finished his course And being now to speak the last of a man born for the publick good famous in a high and famous in a lower degree I shall take a short review of his Birth Manners and Fortune George Monk the Son of a Knight was born in Devonshire in the West of England in the year One thousand six hundred and eight He had an elder Brother who inherited his Fathers Estate and Honour and a younger who being bred a Scholar after the Restauration of the King was made Bishop of Hereford George the middlemost pushing his Fortune in the Camp followed the Wars wherein he was first initiated in his youth at Cadis against the Spaniards and shortly after in an Expedition against the French at the Isle of Ré both unfortunate in their issue but with better success he served under the Earl of Oxford in Holland The Civil Wars afterwards breaking out occasioned first by the accursed madness of the Scottish Presbyterians he returned into England and listed himself under Charles the First who then marched against the Scots and next year after was made a Colonel in the Army against the Irish Rebels But the Civil War of England raging more furiously afterwards whilst the Parliament called in the Scots their Brethren in Iniquity to their assistance the King on the other hand having made a Truce with the Irish Rebels called over his Forces from Ireland for his own defence at home and Monk being one of the Commanders of that Army with the rest joyned the King at at Oxford but whilst by orders from the King he mustered the Irish Forces in the Camp he was unexpectedly surprized and taken by Fairfax who served the Parliament and being carried to London lay there almost four years Prisoner in the Tower Whilst he was there shut up and in distress the King sent him secretly an hundred Pieces of Gold which considering the streights his Majesty was then put to was no small Argument of his Royal Affection towards him But being at length tired out with an irksome imprisonment and for the sake of liberty changing sides he took in with the Parliament and went again over into Ireland where he did many brave actions against the Irish Rebels not without Presages of becoming sometime a great General as being the onely person who seemed to have carried with him Honesty and Civility to the Civil War Here it was that first of all he gained the good esteem of Cromwel who then commanded the Parliament-Forces in Ireland having performed an action more advantageous to his General than honourable to himself The Irish War being ended the Summer following he marched with Cromwel against the Scots and did not a little contribute to his fortunate Successes in Scotland Having been so often victorious at Land and now an old Commander he tried his fortune at Sea and under the Rump-Parliament was very successful against the Dutch having in two Engagements beaten them and put them to flight At length when Cromwel got into Supreme Power he was made Governour of Scotland which Trust with equal reputation of Equity and Prudence he discharged during the space of almost five years until Quarrels and Animosities happening at London betwixt the Rumpers and Colonels of the Army he laid hold on the occasion for restoring of the King But at what time first he framed the designe of restoring Charles to the Throne I shall hardly presume to determine Cavillers and those that make the worst of things gave it out that his dutiful services to the King were but fortuitous but they who judge impartially affirm that it was a designe laid many years before Certainly the best of Kings more mindful of the effects of his Loyalty than of its beginning received the duty of Albemarle as extraordinary and kind services and honourably and liberally rewarded them The year before his death he fell into a Dropsie and being weary of the ordinary methods and advice of Physicians he made use of a certain Quack-Medicine which in appearance recovered him but his body being opened after his death a great deal of Water was found in his Bowels and much congealed Bloud in both the Ventricles of his Heart and other neighbouring Vessels For the motion both of the Heart and Bloud being weakened by an inveterate Dropsie gave occasion to the stagnating of the chylous juyce about the Heart which stopping the Fountain of the circulating Bloud put at length a stop to his last breathings for life The Marriage of his onely Son was in a manner the last thing he minded in this life who a few days before his death was married to the Daughter of the Earl of Ogle and Grand-daughter to the Duke of Newcastle thereby to settle as well as honour his Family by an Alliance with so Noble a House After he had seen Britain rejoycing in Triumphs beheld Charles confirmed in the Throne by ten years happy Reign and after he had administred the greatest Offices of Trust under the King both in Peace and War being upwards of sixty years of age he yielded to Destiny which he willingly and undauntedly submitted unto that after the Trophies of a past Life he might at length triumph over Death He left but one onely Son the Illustrious Inheritour of his Fathers Fame hopeful to the State and cherished by the King as his own Charles who had often visited and condoled with him in his sickness was with him to the last and expressed the same affection for dying Albemarle that he had testified to him during his life From Somerset-house where he had lain in state he was with a splendid pomp of solemn Funerals at the Kings charges conveyed to Westminster-Abbey and there amidst the Tears and Condolings of all good men interred amongst the August Monuments of Kings being the last Triumph due to his memory They who are curious to have a description of the shapes and countenance of so great a man may know that he was a person more graceful than beautiful of a middle stature strong and well comparted with a comely presence and of a composed rather than severe or stern aspect He may easily be reckoned a
made use of By what arts they stir up the Colonies to joyn with them in Rebellion The zeal of the English for the revenge defence of their Colonies Is eluded by the intestine Broils betwixt the King and Parliament And mutual Accusations Which at length are quieted upon the K.'s yielding his Right They break out again The English thrice beat the Irish And laid the Country so waste that for want of necessaries they suffered a great deal of misery And desire to be recalled Wherefore the K. commands them to make a Truce with the Irish and the Scots marching into England He calls over the Souldiers for his own defence By whom the Truce is broken The K's Forces are attacked both by the Irish and the Parliamentarians And being overmatched whatever was on the K.'s side in Ireland is delivered up to the Parl. The K. afterward being imprisoned the Marquess of Ormond returns with new inâ—tructions authority whereby he joyns all Parties into one for delivering the King With whom many English Some Irish And Scots joyn But the Parliament Governour resisting Associates with the Irish Rebels The discourse returns to the Troubles of England The King and Parl. fight and the Victory inclining to the King the Rebels lose Courage And invite the Scots to their assistance By what Arts they confirm the people in their errours by calumnies to wit against the K. spread amongst the Rabble Some Sacrifices being offered to publick Justice Prayers Fasts and Thanksgivings appointed superstitious Pictures burnt Crosses and Images pull'd down Episcopacy Service-book being abrogated An Assembly is called Which makes a Confession of Faith And a new Presbyterian Government in the Church * These Expectants were young men who stood candidates for the Ministry and sought to obtain Orders Many Politicians Lawyers being highly displeased And others also Bishops Lands are sold at easie rates The Scots consent Having entered into Covenant Wherein the Independents are Ring-leaders Who take the Covenant with an honest designe are called Presbyterians They cruelly persecute Dissenters The fruit of the Covenant Learned men dispute against it The Scots again come into England The King looks to himself The Parliament at Oxford The K. writes to the Scots Sends the Marquess of Hamilton to draw them back into Scotland Being deluded by him he sends the Marquess of Montross The Scots nevertheless pursue the War against the K. and prevail The K.'s Party goes to wrack His Majesty having in vain essayed the English Casts himself into the hands of the Scots Former grudges are revived betwixt the English Scottish Rebels Provocations given to the Scots The Presbyterians holding their peace Debates betwixt the Scots Parliament of England The Scots having got money deliver the K. up to the Parl. upon pretext that he would not take the Covenant The K. being received by the Parliament-Commissioners is conducted to Holmely house The Rebels disagree amongst themselves An account by way of digression of the beginnings progress sects and opinions of the Factious The seeds of them sown in the very reformation Concerning Church-government the Liturgie and Ceremonies which were established by Kings and Parliaments Hence arose Disputes and Controversies scandalous Libels from the Anti-Episcoparians suspensions depravations c. from the Bishops VVhereby the Bishops got hatred and the Anti-Episcoparians pitie which ended in a Conspiracy against the Hierarchy VVherein all the Sects and Factions agree raising scruples betwixt the K. and Parl. that seeming to stand up for the Parl. they might be esteemed popular men and be chosen to serve in Parl. when occasion offered VVherein they censure the publick administration of the Government They take occasion from a VVar to make division betwixt the K. and Parl. The K. being engaged in a VVar and frustrated of assistance from the Parl. is necessitated without a Parl. to raise money This incensed the people occasioned fears combinations against the K. VVhen the Presbyterians first challenged publickly that name Aristocraticks Democraticks Oligarchicks· Christonaticks or Fifth-monarchy-men Who deserve most the name of Rebels and Traytors The original and artifices Whereby they put all into confusion Raise up VVar. Oppose all Vnion Peace By what Arts In the mean time they make their own advantage of the VVar. Their growth Indefatigable industry in the Parliament And in Cabals Having got into power they take the title of Independents They enlarge their Party by complying with the humours of all men They prosecute their opposers Protect all sorts of men Try to bring over the E. of Essex and other Nobles to their Party But in vain Vnder pretext of the Self-denying Ordinance they over-reach the Presbyterians deprive them of all Places Civil and Military Which they their Adherents invade New Commanders of the Army Fairfax Cromwel Colonels Captains c. Schismaticks Their industry To get men of their Party into the Parl. And celebrating their mighty deeds They more openly attack the Presbyterians By publishing defamatory VVritings against them And setting them upon duties that were ungrateful to the people Mingling themselves in their Cabals Turning them out of governments Disbanding the Forces that befriended them dismissing the Scots and drawing over the Ringleaders to their Party Philip Skippon and Stephen Marshal The series of the History is again continued The Presbyterians still prevailing in the Parl. they resolve to lessen and divide the Army The Souldiers mutiny the Officers secretly applauding them though vexed in shew who the seditious succeeding to their mind joyn with them Cromwel among the first They who were true to the Parl. being disbanded This they attempt by means of the Adjutators They designe a Common-wealth They carry away the King out of the Parliaments custody sooth him with fair promises and kind Offices They frame Propositions whereby they would provide for the interest of the King of themselves and of the Publick and soften them for the Kings sake By Declarations they envy against the Parliament Accuse several Members of Treason Command the Parl. to be dissolved They propose useful things to the people and pretend to mind the K.'s interest But in ambiguous words They march against the Parliament The Parl. prepares for defence But the Speakers of both Houses with many Members flying to the Camp the Citizens are appeased upon the fair promises of the Army And without any previous Articles open their Gates to the Souldiers The fugitive Members are restored the accused Presbyterians flie others temporize all lose courage Some Commoners the Mayor and Leading-men of the City with some Lords are clapt up in Prison A new Lieutenant Garrison are put into the Tower of London The Colonels and Officers of the Army changed The Posts and Chains of the City being pulled down A popular Republican is set over the Fleet. Fairfax made General of the Forces both in England and Ireland Thanks are given to the Army And Pay It 's long in suspence to what side the
interrupts and takes him up The King is a fourth time brought to the bar refuses to plead Desires a Conference with the Lords and Commons One of the Judges prickt in Conscience The President in a set-speech makes way for the Sentence Orders the Sentence to be read All the Judges that were present stand up and confirm the Sentence The souldiers carry away the King scoff at him And barbarously use him His Majesty behaves himself courageously and prudently And prepares himself for his last sufferings The Judges before the publication of Sentence consult about the kind manner and time of the Murder Proposals are tendered unto him upon granting which he is offered his life He is permitted to take his leave of his Children What the King gave them in charge The K. is led to execution He speaks to Col. Tomlinson and the other Instruments of the Regicide His Maj. had not spoken but that otherwise he might have been thought to submit to the guilt He did not begin the War But the two Houses His Majesty lays not the the guilt upon the two Houses Ill Instruments the cause of it One unjust sentence punished with another His Majesty forgives all the world even the Causers of his death Prays that they may take the right way to Peace Conquest an ill way seldom just To give God his due the K. his due and the People their due is the right way Give God his due in setling his Church As to the K. it concerning himself his Majesty waves it Peoples liberty consists in having government not in sharing it His Majesty the Martyr of the People He professes he dies a Christian of the Church of England He is beheaded Barbarous Cruelty against him dead Against his body Against his soul Against his fame and memory to posterity * The Tyrant the last of Kings is gone They carry away all the Royal Writings that they might not be publish'd Nevertheless a golden book of the Kings Meditations saw the light The extraordinary grief of the people The Character of the late King ☜ The Rebels exercise Arbitrary Dominion over the Lives and Estates of others They forbid any man to call Charles the II. King or to pray for him his Brother or any of the Royal Family The Monarch being cut off thâ—y presently murder Monarchy they also abrogate the House of Lords Turns out the Lord Mayor of London They alter the Common Council of the City also And repeal all Laws against Heresies and Schisms They engage the Preachers to themselves by the Kings Rents Punish the Gain-sayers Sparing no body The Government committed to the Council of forty men A subscription is enjoyned S. inveighs bitterly against the Regicides By and by falls off to the same Party They labour to establish an Oligarchy The Democraticks oppose it Inveigh ☞ Resist with Arms. They are defeated by the Vsurpers Thâ—y publish a Proclamation that no man should accuse them of Tyranny Appoint a Thanksgiving Are feasted by the City Which they recompence They sell the Kings Houses Houshold-furniture c. They burden the people with most heavy Taxes Invade Ireland And threatned the whole world March 27. June 14. May 29. October 14. June July 23. April 13. May 5. Aug. November 3. November December May 12. May 10. May 2. August October 23. Novemb. 25. December 1. January 3. January 4. January 10. January 20. February 23. February 28. April 23. June 2. August 22. October 23. Feb. March April July 13. June 30. July 27. September 4. August 10. September Septemb. 20. Jun. Sept. 25. Septemb. 15. January 3. January 16. January 22. May. June 29. July Septemb. 1 2. October 27. Decemb. 23. January 1 2. January 10. February 20. February June 14. April 27. May 5. June 24. September January 30. February 16. March June 4. July 29. August 6. September 7. Novemb. 11. Decemb. 24. January 17. May. June July 5 July August 17. August 28. October 29. Sept. Octob. November Novemb. 16. Novemb. 20. Decemb. 1. Decemb. 5. Decemb. 6 7. January 4. January 6. January 20.22 23 27. January 30. March 9. March 17. May 30. May. June 7. September 8 The state of Affairs after the Regicide in England Scotland Ireland And the Islands belonging to England The Regicides resolving the worst against Ireland Forbid Trading with the Islands and Plantations and for what end They sooth the Dutch Dorislaus being sent Ambassadour And for what purpose But without success For the Ambassadour is killed by some Scots And that with safety A Petition preserved to the Regicides by the Democratical Party They are committed to Pâ—â—son for it Another from the private Souldiers Is supprest in the Birth A third and smarter Petition from the Officers of the Army Which the Regicides elude By doing much to no purpose Some Trade with us Prohibited by the French With the French by us The Ministers of the Church of England are Persecuted Especially the â—elch The rest are cherished An Expedition into Ireland under the Command of Cromwell The Irish are ranked into several classes The Native Irish The Pope's Nuncio head of the Rebels Some Catholick Nobles Loyal to the King Irish Planters Why they fell off Being before most Loyal The Irish Scots Now fight for the King Coot Monck and Jones stand for the rump-Rump-Parliament Inchiqueen for the King How the Royalists joyned together The arrogance of the Pope's Nuncio was his ruine And the cause of Preston's defeat The Vnion of the Irish in favour of the King Who humbly dedesire the Queen and Prince of Wales to send over the Marquess of Ormond with supplies and Authority The Nuncio frets And being besieged Capitulates for a departure Ormond coming to Kilkenny where a general meeting of the Irish was held they come to Articles of agreement Ouen-Ro-Oneal Jones and some othâ—rs find fault with the Aâ—ticles of Pacification The Lord Deputy also General of the Forces sets about a dâ—fficult work And at length raiseth an Army And marches against Jones Governour of Dublin Which place after a Council of War he first views Jones preparing for a defence sends the superfluous Cavalry to Drogheda Who are forthwith pursued by Inchiqueen And being partly slain and taken and partly made to fly to Drogheda in a short time he took the Town it self And beats Farell upon his return from relieving of Derry Takes Dundalk And other Towns And victoriously returns to the Lord Lieutenant London-Derry straitned by Ards Is relieved by Ouen-Ro-Oneal Who made an Agreement with Coot and Monck to be Confirmed by the Rump-Parliament And yet is ignominiously rejected Dublin is besieged Reynolds and Venables bring relief from England The Lord Lieutenant being informed by Deserters that Cromwel was to Sail to Munster He resolves to send thither Inchiqueen with the greatest part of his Forces And with the rest to block up Dublin and intercept Provisions The Commanders allured with the hâ—pes of Booty obtain first leave to straiten the Besieged by
several Ambassadours especially of the Spaniard by Hide afterwards Chancelour of England and Earl of Clarendon And the French in person But with little success every where The Turk delivering up the Ambassadour Hide brother to the Chancelour into the hands of the Rump-Parliament who being brought to London is beheaded The French flattering with vain hopes And at length making a league with the Regicides The Spaniard declining to meddle in other peoples business And being the fiâ—st of all that owned and complemented the Common-wealth of England For what Reasons chiefly instigated thereunto The King of Portugal being able to do little And Sueden fickle The Duke of Holstein brought some succours The Dane indigent of money The Pole engaged in domestick troubles Others benevolent but not much to the purpose The King 's chief hope in his own Subjects Of whom a great many extreamly well affected but very weak in strength Ascham who he was An envoy from the rump-Rump-Parliament to the King of Spain He is privately killed with his Interpreter One of the Murderers taken making his escape suffers for it The King of Portugal offends the Regicides because he would not force Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice cut of his Harbours when Blake desired to fight them Blake therefore takes some Porteguese Ships laden with Suger and sends them into England The Princes hardly escaping sail to America Where Maurice was unhappily cast away Rupert returning back to the Coast of France The Portuguese Ships are restored Strickland the Ambassadour being slighted in Holland returns home The Dutch Ambassadour is commanded to depart England To whom another presently succeeds from Amsterdam St. Jones and Strickland are sent into Holland with great Equipage Who nevertheless being fooled by the States And exposed to continual dangers They return without doing of any thing This enraged the Parricides And made them give out Letters of Reprisal Whitlock Sails to Sweden with a splendid Embassy for the Queâ—n Who resigning the Crown the King sends ovâ—r Bond Ambassadour to Cromwell An expedition for reducing the Isles of Silly Of which two after a conflict of three houres continuance are taken The rest at length surrender upon articles As also upon Barbadoes an Island in America A high Court of Justice is again erected and that a standing Court. A lively description of the sad faee of affairs Informers swarm in all places Nothing secure from Spies Who had a thousand tricks to do mischief A New set of Trapans come in play Who amongst others are fatal to Colonel Andrews By the craft of these the Lord Craven is forfeited And others brought into the danger of their lives Whilst the accursed authors are secure As being put upon these tricks by the Regicides The Scots consent to Monarchy and that in the person of Charles the Second those that were of a contrary opinion not daring to resist Yet they disagree about the conditions At length CHARLES the Second is proclaimed King of Scotland England and Ireland And Windram is sent to the King from the Convention of Estates That he might inform him upon what conditions he was to be admitted Which were to this purpose The King having read the Letters writes back to the Scots by Fleeming Afterwards by the same Windram And appoints Breda in Holland for a Treaty Then deliberates with his Friends Of whom some dread all concord with the Scots Others perswade him to listen to the Scots As the Queen-Mother also did ☞ The King acquaints Montross with the Treaty to be held with the Scots at Breda And presently leaves the Isle of Jersey The convention of the Estates of Scotland chuse Commissioners And agree upon Articles to be sent to the King Which proposed at Breda And presently after a few more by other Commissioners especially against Montross The deplorable fate of that Excellent Hero is related Who wâ—th a small handful of men arrives too soon in Scotland He is sadly disappointed of his hopes the Nation being now worn out with troubles and inclinable to peace He takes Dumbeath And hastens to pâ—ssess himself of a Pass But Straughan was at hand with three hundred Horse Who perceiving his opportunity falls upon him easily routs and puts his men to flight Montross betakes himself to flight and being spent with three days fasting confiding in a treacherous man is brought to Leslie And from thence into the Jaws of his Enemies and is basely used at Edinburrough Next day he is in Parliament accused of hainous Crimes Which he shortly answered and refuted Nevertheless he is Condemned by Chancellour Loudon to suffer in a most horrid manner Next day he suffered a barbarous and inhumane death The King was extreamly grieved at this misfortune and expostulates with Murrey Yet he conceals his Anger The Scots labour to soften and appease the King Who at length consents to their Articles And together with the Commissioners that in different Ships he puts out to Sea by whom he is on Board plied with new Proposals about the Solemn League and Covenant Which with reluctancy he subcribes in presence of Witnesses And at length after many dangers arrives in the Spey With the general applause of the People He is splendidly entertained at Aberdeen And at Dundee also And when he came to Edinburrough he was solemnly proclaimed King of Scotland England and Ireland There he is managed at the pleasure of Commissioners and continually vexed by the Ministers By the Laicks also almost divested of his Royal Power The Regicides informed of all that past look to themselves Therefore passing by Fairfax who favoured the Sâ—ots Cromwell is recalled from Ireland who with much solemnity and applause returns to London And is presently declared Captain General of the Forces in place of Fairfax for an immediate Invasion of Scotland The Scots send Dehortatory Letters To which the English Officers answer ☜ Cromwell also wheadles the common people of Scotland with sweet words But in vain seeing all fled leaving no victuals behind them Cromwell having entered Scotland The Scots encamp betwixt Leeth and Edenburrough Cromwell shews himsâ—lf and provokes them to Battel Then thinks of falling in upon their Camp but thinks it safer to march back to Musselbrough to refâ—esh his Souldiers Lambert beats back the enemy in pursuit of the English Straughan offers great matters relying not only on the Prayers but also the Horse of the Clergy He falls upon the English But is beat off and loses his Horse The King reduces the terrified Souldiers into order For which the Souldiers shew him very great Honouâ— The Commanders are angry The Ministers pray him to withdraw To whom with much ado he at length listens The Prisoners are sent home in Cromwells Coach Cromwell returns to Dunbar And from thence suddenly marching back again disturbs the joys of the Scots The Kirk and States renounce the defence of Malignants Cromwell takes two Forts in view of the Scots Who budg not for all that And to wash off the
3. Octob. 24. January 1. August 7. August 20. August 25. Septemb. 3. Septem 12. October 2. Oct. Dec. Octob. 15. October November Novem. 26. Januar. 12. Feb. 24. March 11. May 19. August 16. Septem 28. March 4. April 20. July 4. June August 2. Novem. 22. Decem. 12. Decem. 16. April 5. July 10. Septemb. 3. Septem 12. Octob. 18. November Januar. 22. March 11. May 16. June May 5. May 7. Octob. 25. November July 10. July 25. Septem 10. Septem 17. Octob. 24. Februar 9. Feb. 13. April 10. April 20. May 8. June 26. July 29. August Octob. 23. Novem. 19. Januar. 20. February 4. June 8. June 15. August 6. Septemb. 3. Septemb. 4. Novem. 24. Januar. 27. February 3. Febr. 14. March 28. April 8. April 18. April 22. May 7. A Recapitulation of things past January 30. 1648. September 3. 1650. and Sept. 3. 1651. April 20. 1653. Cromw takes upon him the Protectorship He dies Sep 3. 1658. Richard succeeds Vnfit for the dignity He is despised by the Democratical Colonels Richard's Relations combine with them Lambert c. returns to the Army The Rump-Parliament is restored by the Colonels To be turned out again iâ— time Which deposes Richard Then exposes him And excludes many of the Members May 8. The Rump prevents the power of the Colonels Henry Cromwel Deputy of Ireland submits to the Rump And Monk Governour of Scotland and the Fleet under Lauson Fleetwood's temper Lambert's ambition The deplorable state of the Commonwealth Through the perfidiousness of the Souldiers And madness of the People 1659. The dangers of the Nobility and of good men From the confusion of things the Royalists take hopes Their Enterprizes Booth's Insurrection in Cheshire By whom assisted The Rump is terrified Prepares to fight Lambert is sent against Booth Booth is defeated And flies He is taken Aug. 20. The confidence of the Rump upon Booth's overthrow And the arrogance of Lambert and his souldiers Jealousies arising betwixt the Parliament-men the Colonels Sept. 16. October 5. Lambert's ambition is taken noting of by Haselrigg The Army divided The Parl. mad Discharges the Country from Taxations October 10. And disbands some stubborn Colonels Octob. 11. No General now but a Council of War The Colonels conspire against the Rump The Rum orders their Friends to guard them Lambert besets the Rump And despises them Octob. 13 The Colonels having turned out the Rump consult about the Government They appoint a Committee of Safety Octob. 23. They invite the Forces of Scotland and Ireland into their Party Monk refuses Octob. 28. At Edinburrough Monk harangues the souldiers Octob. 18. He secures the Garrisons of Scotland Changes the Officers and prepares for War Fleetwood the Colonels desires a Pacification Octob. last They sent Commissioners into Scotland Monk admits of a Pacification Monk sends Commissioners to London The Pacificators meet in Wallingford-house Lambert enters York Sends â—organ to Monk as a Mediator of Peace Monk invites the Nobility of Scotland to a Council Decemb. 13. The Scots offer assistance Monk considers of it The Commissioners signe the Pacification Novemb. 15. Monk is angry Clarges informs Monk of the affairs of London Whereupon he prorogues the Pacification And demands a new place of Treaty Fleetwood Lambert condescend Lambert posses himself of Newcastle Monk goes to Caldstream Octob. 8. The number of Monk's Army Tumults in the mean while in London And Grievances The tumult of the London-Prentices Is suppressed by Hewson Decemb. 3. The Garrison of Portsmouth rises for the Rump The Navy endeavours the same Fleetwood yields to the Rump The Committee of Safety wavers Fleetwood's souldiers make defection to the Rump The Committee of Safety is dissolved Monk breaks off the Conference of Pacification The Rump restored to the Government Decemb. 6. Recals Lambert's Army The treachery of Lambert's men towards him 1659 60. Monk marches into England January 1. 1659 60. At Morpet he receives Letters from the Mayor of London He comes to Newcastle Jan. 4. Jan. 5. He enters York Monk meets with Fairfax at York He sends part of his Army under Morgan back into Scotland Monk meets Clarges at Nottingham Jan. 19. The Commissioners of the Rump meet Monk at Leicester Jan. 22. The people everywhere petition Monk for a new Parliament From St. Albans he sends to the Rump Jan. 28. Desiring Fleetwood's Forces to be sent out of Town The Rump consented Fleetwood's men march angrily out Feb. 2. Monk enters London The Rump by Oath abjures Monarchy The Council of State offers Monk the Oath He delays He goes to the Rump Feb. 6. Monk's Speech suspected by the Members The Londoners refuse to pay Taxes Monk is sent into the City in Arms. Feb. 9. To which he offers violence The action of Monk is variously interpreted And is presently displeased with himself for it He sends an angry Letter to the Rump Feb. 11. Monk returns into the City Feb. 12. Makes a Speech to the Citizens And promises a new Parliament The Citizens rejoyce And honour Monk Reproaching the Rump Which was offended at Monk's Letter The Rump weakens Monk's authority He takes it in indignation And sends the secluded Members to the house Feb. 21. The Abjurators depart The Votes of the fuller Parliament Monk acquaints the distant Forces with the restauration of the Parliam Feb. 21. They consent to him And take an Oath to be true to the Parliament Monk quarters at S James's Here he receives Letters from the King by the hands of Greenvile March 18. A new Conspiracy of the Traytors 1660. Lambert escapes out of Prison April 9. He gathers together an Army Lambert is proclaimed a Traytor Ingoldsby is sent against Lambert Both prepare to fight And do fight Lambert is overcome And taken Is carried a Prisoner to the Tower of London The dissolution of the Long Parliament March 17. A new one met April 25. The People desire a King Thâ— King comes to Breda From whence he sends Letters to the Parliament c. April 14. The Parliaments Proclamation Commissioners from the Lords to the King Commissioners from the Commons The K. Dukes of York and Gloucester have Presents sent them from the Parliament The Londoners send Commissioners and Presents The Traytors with astonishment beheld the Revolution The Commissioners sail from England May 11. and wait upon the K. at the Hague May 16. Sir Thomas Clerges the first Messenger of the Kings coming The K. went on board May 23. Monk hastens to Dover There the King lands May 25. Monk receives the King upon his knees at his landing The King hastens to Canterbury There he made Monk Knight of the Garter May 27. May 28. He came to Rochester The K. views the Army upon the Road and praises them The King is welcomed by the Lord Mayor and Citizens of London He enters London May 29. By Tyber Euphrates and Tygris are meant the Roman Persian and Assyrian Empires and their Triumphs The Pomp of his entry And Attendants