great plenty 41. His Majesties treasure was by these meanes so extreamly exhausted and his revenues so anticipated that he was inforced to compell as it were his own Servants Judges and Officers of all sorts to lend him great summes of money aâ—d prisons filled with refusers of these and the other illegall payments yea many High-Sheriffes summoned into the Starre-chamber and to the Councill-Board and some of them imprisoned for not being quick enough in levying Ship-money and such like intolerable taxations 42. In summe the whole kingdome was now brought into a lamentable and languishing condition of being most miserably bought and sold to any that could give and contribute most of might and malice against us and no hope of humane help but dolour desperation and destruction to be the portion of all 43. In which interim our Brethren of Scotland being entred into our kingdome for their own just defence the King had advanced his Royall-Standard at York where the creame of the kingdome Nobles and Gentry being assembled and a treaty twixt the prime of both Armies had at Rippon for a faire and peaceable accommodation the King was at last inforced to take his Nobles Counsell and in the first place a cessation of Armes agreed on and then this fifth present Parliament the Parliament of Parliaments was necessitously resolved on to begin November 3. 1640. 5 Parliament Anno 1640. Novemb. 3. 44. But behold a desperate plot and design was herein also immediately set on fâ—ot to â—poyle or poyson it in the very Embrio and constitution of it in the first choyce of the Members thereof by Letters from the King Queen malignant and popish Earles Lords Knights and Gentry posted into all parts of the kingdome to make a strâ—ng party for them But by admirable divine providence this their plot was â—ounterplotted and wonderfully frustrated and the Parliament most 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 45. Shortly after a very formidable Spanish-Fleet or Armadâ— appeared on our Englishâ—â—â—row Seas in fight of Dover and was comming in as was on very stâ—ong grounds more than probably conjectured as a third party to help to destroy 〈…〉 Spaniâ—rds hoping that by this time we and the Scots were together by the â—arâ— but they were by Gods mercy beaten ofâ— from us by our Neighbours of Holland And so in fighting against them we fought against our friends The Souldiers in their passage to York turn reformers pull dowâ— popish pictures break down rayles turn alters into tables and those popish Commanders that were to command them they forced to eat flesh on Fridayes thrusting it down their throats and some they slew 46 In the time of ours and the Scots Armies residing in the North which was in June 1641. the Popish and malignant Lords and Prelates fearing the effects of this present Parliament complotted together to disaffect that our English Army against the Parliament and indevoured to bring it out of the North Southward and so to London to compell the Parliament to such limits and rules at they thought fit The Souldiers in their passage to York turn unto reformers pull down Popish pictures break down rayles turn altars into Tables the English and Scotts Armies at first ready to fight lovingly embrace each other part kinde freinds July 1641. At the beginning of the Parliament there was a diligent inquisition after oppressions and oppressâ—rs and first upon the petition of Mistris Bastwick and Mistris Burâ—on two widdowed wives and a petition exhibited in the behalf of Mr. Prynn Dr. Laighton Mr. Smarâ— Mr. Walker Mr. Foxley Mr. Lilborn and many others set at liberty some being banished and all close prisoners others fast fettered in irons and their wives debarred from comming to them The Protestation We the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parliament finding to the great griefe of our hearts that the designes of the Priests and Jesuites and other adherents to the See of Rome have of lâ—te been more boldly and frequently put in practise than formerly to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the tâ—ue reformed Protestâ—nt religion in his Mâ—jestiâ—s Dominions established And finding also that there have been and having just cause to suspâ—â—â— that there still 〈◊〉 even during this sitting in parliament indevours to subvert the fundamentall Laws of England and Ireland and to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government by most pernicious and wicked Councels practises ploâ—â— and conspiracies And that the long intermission and unhappy breach of Parliaments hath occasioned many illegall Taxations whereupon the Subject hath been prosecuted and grieved And that divers â—nnovations and Superstitionâ— have been brought into the Church multitudes driven â—ut of his Majesties Dominions jealousies raised and fâ—â—ented betwixt the King and his people a popish Army levyed in Ireland and two â—rmies brought into the bowels of this Kingdome to the hazzard of his Majesties royall person the consumpâ—ion of the Revenues of the Crown and Treasure of this Kingdom And lastly finding great cause of jealousie that indevours have been and aâ—cused to bring the English Army into a misunderstanding of this Parliament thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to passe those wicked Councels Have therefore thought good to joyn our selves in a Declaration of our united affections and resolutions and to make this ensuing Protestation â—A B. doâ— in the presence of Almighty God promise Vow and protest to maintain and defend as far as lawfully I may with my life power and estaâ—e the true reformed protestant Religion â—â—â—ressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all popery and popish Innovations within this Realm contrary to the same â—octrine and 〈…〉 duty of my Allegiance his Majesties royall Peâ—son Hoâ—our 〈…〉 also the power and priviledges of Parliament 〈…〉 the Subject and every person that maketh this Protestation â—n 〈◊〉 he shall doe in the lawfull 〈◊〉 of the saâ—◠〈◊〉 to my power and 〈…〉 as lawfully I 〈◊〉 I will 〈◊〉 and by all good wayâ—◠〈…〉 to bring 〈…〉 punishment all such as shall either by 〈◊〉 practise Councels pioâ—â— conspiracies or otherwise do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present protestation contained And further that I shall 〈◊〉 all just and Honourable wayes indevour to preserve the 〈◊〉 and peace between the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and neither for hope fear nor other respect shall relinquish this promise Vow and protestation The Earl of Straffords Speech on the Scaffold The Ministers and people solemnly take the Protestation in all Churches over the Kingdome Mr. Burton Dr. Bastwick Mr: Prinne triumphantly from perpetuall captivity those 3 famous Wittnesses of Truth return home to London attended with thousands of horse and foot My Lord I professe my self a true and obedient Son to the Church of England to that Church wherein I was born and wherein I was bred prosperity and happinesse be ever to it and whereas it hath been said that I
Thus farre for the miseries of the Common-wealth now also for the Churches danger and distresse The amazing miseries of the Subjects Consciences also by the intolerable burthen of Popish Ceremonies Romish Innovations and such like other outrages of the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury and his Prelaticall Agents and instruments over the whole Kingdome in matters of religion Divine worship and spirituall cases of Conscience 22. The most palpable and abominable Romish Ceremonies used at the Kings Coronation and insolent and impious false and destructive additions in the Oath administred to the King at his said first Inauguration to the Crown by that most arrogant Arch-Bishop 23. And the manifold other impious impositions in matters of religion divine worship and spirituall cases of Conscience for refusing and opposing of which how was the honest-hearted and tender-conscienced subject grievously oppressed by fines imprisonments stigmatizings mutilations whippings pillories gagges consinements and banishments yea and that into perpetuall close imprisonments in the most desolate remote and as they hoped and intended remorslesse parts of the Kingdome 24. The putting down yea utterly ruinating of that most famous and honourable work that ever this Kingdom saw in a private way for the advancement of Gods glory in the propagation of the Gospel I mean the Feoffâ—es for buying in of Impropriations Noy the then Atturney-Generall openly in Court accusing that blessed work to be a worse plot against the Church he meant the Prelaticall Church sure than the Papists Powder plot 25. The advancing for the most part none to Ecclesiasticall Dignities and Livings but Arminians yea Popish-hearted Pontificians Suspending and silencing with deprivations degradations and excommunications almost all the most pious painfull and Orthodox-learned Pastours over the kingdom whom they could catch in their snares and all this under a pretence of peace unity and conformity in which foresaid cases the High-Commission like the Spanish-Inquisition with its most pragmaticall pranks was all along most intolerable and abominable 26. Printing-Presses set open for the printing and publishing of all sorts of Popish and Arminian tenets but shut up and restrained from Printing sound and Orthodox Doctrines 27. Nay not onely thus lamentably molesting us at home in England but attempting the like on our Brethren of Scotland indevouring to impose upon their consciences also a New Liturgye and a book of Canons upon the first introducing whereof into their Church they not induring them threw stones and stooles at the Arch-Bishop of St Andrews head and beat him out of the Church crying out a Pape a Pape and so rid themselves of them 28. Upon which refusall of theirs O what foule calumnies and scoffes were immediately cast upon them and they called and counted rebels and Traytors yea so proclaimed in all Churches in England 29. An Army was also raised to oppresse and suppresse them for thus resisting the Arch-prelates most injurious impositions on them A mighty and tumultuous rising of Apprentices and young men in Southwarke and Lambeth side with clubs and other weapons especially at the Aâ—ch-bishops house which put him into such a fright as made him fly to Croyden to convey himself to some more private and remote place and although Pharoahs magisians were so honest that at the sight of the dust of the earth turned into lice they cryed out it was the finger of God but he grew more and more outragious and caused one to be hanged and quartered and his head set on London-Bridge 30. Our Brethren of Scotland likewise raising an Army in their own just defence and by force of armes inforcing their own peace 31. A first pacification being then made by the King and some of his Nobility and ratified under hand and Seal twixt them and the Scots yet was it shortly after shamefully violated and broken quite off by the Arch-prelate of Canterbury and the Earle of Straford 4. Parliament 32. A fourth Parliament was thereupon shortly after called again by those complotters meanes but to a very ill intent and another Parliament summoned also at the same time by the Earle of Straford in Ireland both of them onely to levy and procure monies to raise another Army and wage a new Warre against the Scots 33. The Ships and goods of our Brethren of Scotland were in all parts and ports of this kingdom and of Ireland also surprised and seized on for the King their Commissioners denyed audience to make their just defence to the King and the whole kingdome of Scotland and England too hereupon much distracted and distempered with leavying of monies and imprisoning all among us that refused the same 34. This Parliament also refusing to comply with the King Cant and Strafâ—rd in this Episcopall warre against the Scots was soon dissolved and broken up by them and thereupon they returned to their former wayes of waste and confusion and the very next day after the dissolution thereof some eminent members of both Houses had their Chambers and studies yea their cabinets and very pockets of their wearing cloathes betimes in the morning before they were out of their beds searched for letters and writings and some of them also imprisoned and a false and most scandalous declaration was published against the House of Commons in the Kings name 35. A forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London to be made a president if it prevailed there for the whole kingdom but some Aldermen refusing were foâ—ely threatned and imprisoned 36. In which interim the Clergies Convocation continuing notwithstanding the dissolution of the Parliament new conscience oppressing Canons were forged and a strange Oath with a monstrous c in it was framed for the establishing of the Bishops Hierarchy with severe punishments on the refusers to take it 37. In this Convocation â—ore taxations were also imposed upon the whole Clergie even no lesse than six Subsidies besides a bountifull contribution to forward that intended warre against our brethren of Scotland The Arch-Prelate of St Andrewes in Scotland reading the new Service-booke in his pontificalibus assaulted by men Women with Crickets stooles Stickes and Stones The rising of Prentises and Sea-men on Southwark side to assault the Arch-bishops of Canterburys House at Lambeth 38. For the advancing of which said summes for this warre the popish pontifician party and their scandalous priests were most free and forward yea and a solemn prayer was composed and imposed by the Bishops on their Ministers every where to be used and read in all Churches against the Scots as rebels and traytors 39. The papists also in a high measure enjoyed even almost a totall toleration and a Popes Nuncio suffered among us to act and govern all Romish affaires yea a kinde of a private popish-parliament kept in the kingdom and popish jurisdictions erected among them 40. Commissions were also secretly issued out for some great and eminent papists for martiall Commands for levying of Souldiers and strengthening their party with Armes and Ammunition of all sorts and in
have inclined to popery if it be an obiection worth answering let me say truly that from the time since I was one and twenty years of age till this houre now going upon 49. I never had thought in my heart to doubt of the truth of my religion in England and never any had the boldnesse to suggest to me the contrary to the best of my remembrance and so being reconciled to the mercies of Christ Jesus my Saviour into whole bosome I hope shortly to be gathered to those eternall happinesses that shall never have end I desire heartily the forgivenesse of every man both for any rash or unadvised word or deed and desire your prayers And so my Lords farewell farewell all the things of this world Lord strengthen my faith give me confidence and assurance in the merits of Christ Jesus I desire you that you would be sâ—lent and ioyne in prayers with me and I trâ—st in God that we shall all meet and live eternally in heaven there to receive the accomplishment of all happinesse where every teare shall be wiped from our eyes and every sad thought from our hearts And so God blesse this kingdome and Jesus have mercy upon my Soule Amen The Earle of Strafford for treasonable practises beheaded on the Tower-hill Sr. Francis Windebank Sr. Iohn Finch the Lord Digbie Iermin etc fly for their lives beyond sea 48. Then they attempted by foule and false scandals on the Parliament to intice the Army of the Scots then still in the North to a newtralâ—ty and to sit still whiles our English army acted the farther designes hatched and hammered still in their heads and hearts but this plot prevailed not neither Anno 1641. Octob. 23. 49. About this time that most horrid and inhumane bloody rebellion and monstrous massacring of almost 200000 innocent English Protestants men women and children bâ—ake out in Ireland namely about October 23. 1641. This also being a main branch of this most mischievous design against this Parliament by Gods wonderfull power and providence so firmly fixed and setled that they knew not how to ruinate it those accursed Rebels having had their principall encouragements and Commissions to authorize them in that horrid and hideous rebellion from the Court of England and of purpose to have made England the chiefe seat of the warre and of all the papists prelates and malignants utmost wrath and rage 50. For the still effecting and underhand working on of this wicked designe the malignant party in private much prevailing still the designe now went on chiefly against the City of London for which purpose the Leivtenant of the Tower Sir William Belfâ—re was for his loyalty displaced by the King from his Leivtenantship and popish Lord Cottâ—â—gâ—on made Constable of the Tower but his dangerous designes being soon discovered he was as soon displaced and Colonâ—ll Lunsford was made Leivtenant of the Tower But he also by the Parliaments petition and importunity to the King was displaced and Sir John Byron a desperate malignant who afterward proved the most bloody Lord â—yrâ—n in 〈◊〉 was made Leivtenant of the Tower in Lunsfords stead but he also on many just jealousies being petitioned against was at length with much adoe removed and put out thence and Sir John Conyers by the power of the Parliament was put in his place To the Kings most excellent Majesty and the Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament The humble Petition and Protestation of all the Bishops and Prelates now 〈◊〉 by His Majesties Writs to attend the Parliameâ—t and present abouâ— London and Westminster for that Service THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by severall and respective Writs and under great penalties to attend the Parliament and have a clear and indubitable right to voâ—e in Bils and other matters whatsoever debatable in parliament by the ancient customes Laws and Statutes of this Realm and ought to be protected by your Maiesty quietly to attend and prosecute that great Service They humbly remonstrate and protâ—st before God your 〈◊〉 and the Noble Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament that as they have an indubitaâ—e right to sit and Vote in the House of Lords so are they if they may be protected from force and violence most ready and willing to performe their duties accordingly And that they doe abhominate all actions or opinions tending to Popery and the maintainance thereof as also all propension and inclination to any malignant party or any other side or party whatsoever to the which their own reasons and conscience shall not move them to adhere But whereas they have been at The High Commission-Court and Starr-Chamber voted down and pluralities non residencies damned by Parliament The Queen-Mother sent away by Sea and the Capuchine Fryers Priests expell'd from Somersett House beyond Sea severall times violently menaced affronted and assaulted by multitudes of people in their comming to perform their services in that honourable House and lately chased away and put in danger of their lives and can finde no redresse or protection upon sundry complaints made to both Houses in these particulars They likewise humbly protest before your Majesty and the Noble House of Peers that saving unto themselves all their rights and interests of sitting and voting in that House at other times they dare not sit or vote in the House of Peers untill your Majesty shall further secure them from all affronts indignities and dangers in the premises Lastly whereas their fears are not built upon phantasies and conceits but upon such grounds and objects as may well terrifie men of good resolutions and much constancy They doe in all duty and humility protest before your Majesty and the Peers of that most honorable House of parliament against all Laws Orders Votes resolutions and determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence since the 27 of this instant moneth of December 1641. have already passed as likewise against all such as shall hereafter passe in that most honourable House during the time of this their forced and violent absence from the said most honourable House not denying but if their absenting of themselves were wilfull and voluntary that most honourable House might proceed in all their premises their absence or this protestation notwithstanding And humbly beseeching your most excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of that House of Peers to enter this their petition and protestation among their Records They will ever pray to God to blesse c. Jo. Eborac Tho. Duresme Rob. Co. Liâ—h Jos. Norw. Jo. Asa. Guli Ba. Wells Geo. Heref. Rob. Owon Ma. Ely Godfr G lonc Jo. Peterburg Morris Landaff 51. None of all these plots yet prevailing against the Parliament neither in generalls nor particulars they yet persist to plot and attempt against it and about this time found occasions craftily and causelesly in secret to foment many jealousies and jarres to dis-joynt both Houses of Parliament within themselves thereby at
firme peace upon any other tearmes Your Majesties friends in the Houses and the Commissioners from Scotland after much wrasling did consent to the sending of those Propositions or to be â—ated the hunderers of peace or otherwayes to send no Propositions at all And now Sir if your Majesty as God forbid shall refuse to assent to the Propositions You will lose all Your friends in the Houses lose the City and all the Countrey And all England will joyne against you as one man they will processe and depose you and set up another Government they will charge us to deliver your Majesty to them and to tender their Garrisons and remove our Armies out of England and upon your Maiesties refusall of the propositions both Kingdomes will be constrained for their mutuall safety to agree and settle Religion and peace without You which to our unspeakable griefe will ruine your Maiesty and your posterity and if your Maiesty refuse our faithfull advice who desire nothing on Earth more than the preservation of your Maiesties Royall Throne And if your Maiesty lose England by your wilfulnesse You will not be permitted to come and reigne in Scotland Sir we have laid our hands upon our hearts we have asked Counsell and direction from God and have had our most serious thoughts upon the remedy but can finde no other to save your Crowne and Kingdomes than your Maiesties assenting to the propositions and dare not say but they are higher in some things if it were in our power and option to remedy than we approved of but when we see no other meanes for curing the distempers of the Kingdomes and closing the breach between your Majesty and your Parliament our most humble and safe advise is your Majesty will be graciously pleased to assent to them as the onely way to establish your Throne because your Majesty shall be thereby received againe in your Parliament with the applause and acclamations of your people by your Royall presence all friends will be strengthened and all Enemies who feare nothing so much as the granting the propositions will be weakned your Maiesty will have a fit opportunity hereafter to offer such propositions as You and your Parliament in wisedome shall thinke fit for your Crowne and Kingdome the Armies will be disbanded and your people finding the sweet fruit of a peaceable Government you will gaine their hearts and affections and that will be your Maiesties strength and glory and will recover all that you have lost in this time of tempest of trouble And if it please God to incline your Royall heart to this advise of your humble and faithfull servants who next to the honour and service of God esteem nothing more pretious than the safety of your person and Crowne our actions shall make it appeare that we esteem no hazard too great for your Maiesties safety and that we are willing to sacrifice our lives and fortunes for establishing your Throne and iust Right Die Sabbathi 5. April 1645. Be it Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That all and every person of what degree or quality soever that hath lived or shall live within the Kings Quarters or been aiding assisting or adhering unto the Forces raised against the Parliament and hath or shall come to inhabite or reside under the power and protection of the Parliament shall swear upon the holy Evangelist in manner following The Negative Oath I A. B. doe swear from my heart that I will not directly nor indirectly adhere unto or willingly assist the King in this Warre or in this Cause against the Parliament nor any Forces raised without the consent of the two Houses of Parliament in this Cause or Warre And I doe likewise swear that my comming and submitting my self under the power and protection of the Parliament is without any manner of designe whatsoever to the prejudice of the proceedings of the two Houses of this present Parliament and without the direction privity and advice of the King or any of his Councell or Officers other then what I have now made known So help me God and the Contents of this Book And it is further Ordained by the authority aforesaid that the Commissioners for keeping of the Great Seale of England for the time being shall have power and are hereby authorized to tender and administer the said Oath unto any Peere or Wife or Widow of any Peere so comming to inhabit as abovesaid And it shall be lawfull to and for the Committee of the House of Commons for Examinations the Committee for the Militia in London and all Committees of Parliament in the severall Counties and Cities of the Kingdom to tender and administer the said Oath unto every other person so comming to inhabit as abovesaid And if any person not being a member of or Assistant unto either of the Houses of Parliament shall refuse or neglect to take the said Oath so duly tendered unto him or her as abovesaid the said Commissioners and Committees respectively shall and may commit the same person to some prison there to remain without Baile or Mainprize untill he shall conforme thereunto Jo. Brown Cler. Parliamentorum Collected by John Vicars FINIS