their maintenance by Ecclesiasticall censure To this purpose they attempt the buying a Commisâ—aries place there where they intended to make any speciall plantation who being after their own hearts might winke at their irregularities and though the Church-wardens should by chance be so honest to regard their oathes and present them yet by the purchased or bribed Commissary they may secure them from the danger of the Court Lastly for feare least any of their Creatures should fall from them and desert the Cause as some had done when they had got what they looked for wisely they provide that their maintenance shall be dependent on the pleasure of their good Masters the Feoffees alterable by addition or substraction according to their merits or demerits and their persons subject to be Casheered if they Preach not to the advancement of their holy cause and according to the directions sent unto them from the Conclave of their Elders at London That so as much as humane Policy could invent they might to use Mr Foxlies own words speaking in this argument Establish the Gospel by a perpetuall decree When all things were now ready their Emissaries having prepared the hearts of the people to Rebellion first alienating them by frequent slandering the footsteps of Gods annoynted decrying the Government both of Church and State fomenting the causelesse discontents and aggravating the necessities of State with the odious names of Tyranny Arbitrary power Violation of the Subjects Liberty and Property and likewise possessed the credulous multitude that the conformeable Clergy had made a Revolt from the Protestant Religion and had an earnest intention to introduce Popery at last was fulfilled that Prophecy of Iudicious M. Hooker toward the end of the Preface to that incomparable work of Ecclesiasticall Policy that after the Puritans have first resolved that attempts for Discipline are lawfull it will follow in the next place to be disputed what may be attempted against Superiors who will not have the Scepter of that discipline to rule over them Which Prophecy we see exactly fulfilled in our dayes for the Puritans having first rebelled by a Proxey they then thought it seasonable to take an essay what an entertainment the doctrine for taking up Armes against the King would find amongst their Disciples To this purpose Doctor Downing a man fitted for any base imployment and one that what ever he counterfeited ever looked awry on the Church in which being setled and in peace he could never hope to advance farther then Vicar of Hackâ—ney was to feele the Pulse of the Citty while therefore discontents runne high in the North the Scots having in a hostile manner entered the Kingdome the People every where especially in London stirr'd up by some agents to Petition the King for this Parliament D. Downing Preaching to the Brotherhood of the Artilery Garden positively affirmed that for defence of Religion and Reformation of the Church it was lawfull to take up armes against the King He having thus Kindled the fire in the City for feare of being questioned for as yet it was not lawfull to Preach Treason retired privately to the Earle of Warwicks house in Essex the common Randevouz of all Schysmaticall Preachers this Sermon in every place administring matter of discourse People censured it as they stood affected which gave occasion to the Ringleaders of this faction to enter upon a serious examination and study of this case of Conscience and it seems consulting the Iesuites on the one side and the Rigid Puritans on the other or indeed because without admitting this doctrine all their former endeavours would vanish into smoak they stood doubtfull no longer but closed with these two contrary Factions yet shaking hands in this poynt of Rebellion and subscribed to D. Downings doctrine as an Evangelicall truth And that in this I may not be thought to speak as if I were a Parliament intelligencer still for the truth of this I appeale to M. Stephen Marshall himselfe who being pressed by M. Simons that herâ—ofâ—re he was of another opinion ingenuously confessed it but withall affirmed that on D. Downings Sermon having a hint given them the Brethren did enter upon an examination of the Doctrine and upon examination found it truâ— Tâ—ough the truth is they whispered this doctrine long before in their Conventicles but never durst proclaime it in their Pulpits before they saw an army in the bowells of the Kingdom to make it good by the sword and a Faction in a Parliament comeing on that would Authorize Rebellion under this pretence by their Votes and Ordinances After it was once owned as a Truth and a Truth first scann'd and then avowed by Marshall Calamy Downing and Colonell Cornelius Burges and the rest of their Elders That for the cause of Religion it was lawfull for the Subject to take up Armes against his Lawfull Soveraigne good God! how violently did the People of London rush into Rebellion how plyable did the Faction in Parliament find them to raise Tumults make outcries for justice call for innocent blood subscribe and preferre Petitions against the holy Lyturgy and the Hierarchy Root and branch if Doctor Burges did but hold up his finger to his Mermidons or Captain Ven send his summons by his Wife to assemble the Zelots of the City But because all other attempts had been to little purpose while the power of the sword remained in His hands into which God had put it the Heads of this Rebellion consider that it was more seazable by secret practises to render the King unable to withstand them then for them openly to oppose the King therefore their main indeavour is to wrest the power of the Militia out of the Kings hands by degrees and to put it there where they might place the greatest confidence But this was a work not easily effected great Changes could not be ushered in but by great preparations to make it way for them hereupon the Faction in Parliament make it their first work to make this City wholly theirs that one soule as it were might animate both representive bodies That of the Kingdome and this of the City knowing that it was in vaine for the Faction in Parliament to contrive unlesse the Faction in the Common-Councellin London would execute for though there were some flourishes made from Buckingham-shire in the behalfe of M. Hampden and from Leicester-shire in the behalfe of Sir Arther Hasterigge and the like yet the standing Guard and power of the Faction in Parliament on which they relied to affront the King and save themselves from the justice of the Laws was that fixed here in London And because where feare doth possesse the multitude it makes them work not like agents but like instruments and moulds them to a Temper fit to receive impressions from those in whose wisdoms or Loves they repose themselves making them pliaâ—le to all directions and Counsells which shall be given by them whom they esteeme Patriots of the Common-wealth and Assertors of
of the City Thirdly never to beare any Office in the Kingdome Fourthly to be committed prisoner to Colchester Gaole for two yeares and lastly at the expitation of that tearm to give security for the good behaviour such as the Parliament if they then sare should then thinke fitting and in case the Pariament were dissolved such as the Lord Keeper for the time being should approve of how will this Sentence for ever justifie the severest that were ever given either in the Star-Chamber or High Commission That did doome a man to ruine for no other fault then what themselves had authorized and judged it against the Liberty of the Subject to oppose it even by their owne Order The Committee for the posture of Defence being by these dishonest practices made Lords of the Militia and being armed with as much power as will to serve the most desperate Treasonable designes which either Say or Pym should suggest they now goe on without checke or controuâ—e and beate downe all before them that stand in their way On Triviall pretences or for necessary obedience to the Kings Iust Commands they remove honest Sir Richard Gurney whose name in after Chronicles will outshine famous Walworths and upbraid this Rebellious City to all posterity from the Governement of the City and 〈◊〉 his place substitute Little Isaac rejecting the Olive and advancing that Bramble out of which I feare will come that Fire which will consume this seditious City Now the People are authorized by Ordâ—nance of both Houses and encouraged and pressed even in point of Conscience by their Boutefeau Lecturers to List horses in Moorefields send in money and plate to Guild-Hall for the service of the King and Parliament and because they would be sure to have an Orator in every Pulpit to quicken the people to poure out their wealth Liberally to further the Rebellion intended they cause the very dregs and sâ—um of every Parish to petition against the Orthodox Clergy who being imprisoned or fle they sequester their Livings for the use of their owne Levites so that at this day there is not a true Orthodox Minister left freely speaking his Conscience and exercising his Ministery in the whole City so that whatsoever they pretend that they take up Armes for the defence of the Protestant Religion if they meane the Protestant Religion as it is by Act of Parliament established in the Church of England I assure you Brother were you here you could no more see a face of the Church of England then you can at Amsterdam They have not onely banished all Decency and Order together with the established Liturgy out of our Churches but in stead of the Gospel our new Preachâ—rs entertaine their Auditories with newes which upon examination prove but fictions and Lyes to blind the people or else with bitter invectives against the King and his Government and as for Faith Charity and Repentance they are laid aside as impertinent arguments all their exhortations now are to Treason and Rebellion So that as in the Holy League of France as my Author speakes our pulpits are made the Chaires of Iuglers Nay the very Sacraments escape not their Blasphemy and Prophanation â—o these vile purposes I doubt not but you have heard of M. Case his Invitation of the Congregation to the Lords Table who in stead of you that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sinnes and be in Love and Charity with your Neighbours and intend to lead a new Life c. bespake them thus You that have freely and liberally Contributed to the Parliament for the defence of Gods cause and the Gospels draw neere To the rest he threatned Damnation as comâ—â—ing unworthily to the holy Sacrament it were endlesse to 〈◊〉 unto you it deserves somâ— mans labour in particular to acquaint you and the Kingdome with the Blasphemies Prophanations and Absurdities which he and his Brethren in Evill vent every day in their Extemporary Prayers and Sermons Yet were aâ—l this Treason set out mix'd with wit or did they preach Rebellion aduantag'd by the alluring helpes of art and Elâ—quence it might perswade some amongst us not to turne Recusaâ—ts from their Assemblies but they are the dâ—yest and the dullest beasts that ever peepd over a pulpit while these remaine in the City Rotheram the Lecturer never needs feare to be heard in his deprecation that we might never see such a famine here in London as was once in Samaria where an Asses head was sold for fourescore pieces of Silver Thankes to him and the rest wee have great plenty here and while we have so many there is no feare that they will ever rise to so high a price But when people are disposed uâ—to a Reâ—ellion small helpes will serve their Turne a Rams-Horne is as good as Shebahs Trumpet yet they have one art and I may not forgâ—t it because it takes much with the People and it is this you shall have one and the same argument possesse most of our Pulpit on the same day the same matter is the Subject â—iâ—her of their rayling invectives or Rebellious Exhortations The undiscerning multitude not piercing into this Imposture fâ—ndly are perswaded that this is no lesse then the inspiration of the Holy Ghost when God knowes this is no more then an Iâ—timation given from the Heads of the Faction to Calamy and the Iunto that meet at his house from whom their Emissaries receive directâ—ons what concernes the present opportunity and is necessâ—ry to be preâ—ched unto the people By these and the like Arts 't is a wâ—nder to see what â—orces have been raised what summes have beene advanced and pourâ—d out to further this Rebellion It is the Opinion of very wise men amongst us here that have observed the severall hâ—lpes which the City of London haâ—h contributed to this present unnaturall Warre that they have supplyed the Treasury of the Rebells with no lesse then Three Millions of money and their Aâ—my with threescore Thousand men first 〈◊〉 then recreâ—â—ing their mangled bâ—aten Regiments at so great Expence both of Treasure and Blood hath this proud unthankfull City been to disthrone the King and râ—ine the Kingdom And that they might not want supplies of men to keepe this Rebellion on Foot they have cancelled or dispensed with all the Obligations and Tyes of Religion Nature and Lawes They have given the Sonne power not only without but contrary to the parents commands to List himselfe and take entertainment in their Army the same liberty they have given to Apprentises and Servants to take Armes not only without but contrary to the command of their Masters and Mistresses How many poore Pâ—rents how many poore Trades-men nay how many poor Widdowes and their distressed Orphans be here in this City that had no other Subsistence but what was hardly earned by their Children or Apprentises industry and labour are now all like to starve or are necessitated to fly to the Almes of the Parish though the
the Lord Newburge was sent from the King to give the City notice of the late Tumults at Westminster and White-Hall and to recommend unto them the Care of preventing the like disorders for the time to come To this Common-Councell comes Fowks and with him all the Tribe of this new choice and mingle with the old which being an Intrusion without president was earnestly opposed by them that loved the ancient order and honour of the City and foresaw the Inundation breaking in upon them yet out of Respect to the Kings Message and that Lord that brought it the controversie for the present was hushed up and generally they applied themselves to give dispatch to the Answer which they were to returne to the King which was accordingly done and the Answer presently after published in Print So on the 5. of Ianuary being the day after the King went to the House of Commons to demand the Five Members a Common Councell being called by the Kings direction to the Lord Major to which himselfe in Person came to impart unto them the reasons that induced him to goe to the House the day before and to admonish them not to harbour or protect these men in the City Thither came Fowke and his new Elected but not admitted Brethren Fowke having prepared a Saucy Insolent Speech to make unto the King concerning Feares Iealousies touching the Members accused The Priviledges of Parliament and that they might not be tried but in a Parliamentary way The King heard him with admired patience and whereas so disloyall expressions justly deserved his Royal Indignation to have seâ—t him to Newgate or Bride-well especially interposing in that Representative body of which as yet he was no member The King onely returned this short gracious Answer bidding him and the rest to assure themselves That they should have a lust Tryall according to the Lawes of the Land adding that they were dangerous men and that neither he nor they could be in safety as long as these men were permitted to go on in their way It was observed by some very wise men there present that the King at His comming to the Common-Councell was received with Joy and acclamations not much Inferiour to those at His entrance into the City on His returne from Scotland But after the reason of His comming was knowne and the Puritan Party had inâ—tilld into the peoples heads that the great Patriots of the Kingdome were in danger to be called to a Legall Triall for Treason at His returne there was a new face on the Multitude and instead of God save the King there was nothing ecchoed in His eares but Priviledges of Parliament Priviledges of Parliament Great is Diana of the Ephesians was never roared louder The King dined that day at Sheriffe Garrets and the Faction of the Sectaries Brownists and Anabaptists having time to assemble after dinner the house was beset and the streets leading unto it thronged with people Thousands of them flocking from all parts of the City and the clamour still was Priviledges of Parliament which cry first taken up that day and that with so good successe never failed to be Objected to the King and inculcated to the People even unto this day in all their appeales unto them This Tumult sweld to that height that the King in His returne was in great danger the people in a most undutifull manner pressing upon looking into and laying hold on His Coach nay in defiance of His sacred Person and Authority that seditious Pamphlet of Walkers To your Tents O lsrael was throwne either into or very near His Coach Insomuch that those few friends which the King had in the City were heartily glad when they heard that the King was safely arrived at White-Hall for I assure you His fast friends here in the City as the never enough honoured Sir Richard Gurney and Sir Thomas Gardner the Recorder were in great danger being pursued with outcryes as Remember the Protestation others calling them halfe Protesters nay the Lord Major had his Chaine torne from his neck by a Zelous sister This very day the two Houses the leaders in both thinking themselves unsafe at Westminster affrighted with their own guilt resolve to take Sanctuary in London knowing that what ever they had done or ever should doe though never so derogatory to the King never so contrary to Law yet the Puritan Faction in the City would afford them not only protection but power and assistance Both Houses therefore adjourn untill the Tuesday following and cast themselves into a Committee to meet at Guild-Hall or Grocers-Hall To the Committee at Grocers hall come the Five Members in great Triumph guarded and attended by the Train-bands and a strong guard set to secure the place of their sitting Now if ever was the fatall conspiration of Time and Place for Coyning new unheard of Priviledges of Parliament not only to the securing the persons of Traitors but Iustifying Treason it selfe For here was before this day the unheard of Priviledge of Parliament declared That no Member of Parliament ought to be arrested by any warrant whatsoever without consent of that House whereof he is a Member and by the same Ordinance it was declared That they that shall arrest these Members are enimies to the State with free liberty granted for all persons to harbor or converse with them In all which it is evident that the power and strength of London were made the first obstruction of the free course of Iustice and the City made the Asylum and Sanctuary of those whom the King had justly declared Traytors And now having undoubted experience of the affection of the City all eyes being turned from White Hall to Grocers Hall where the Darlings of the People were pompously feasted and fawningly courted on Saturday the eight of Ian. 1641. the Committee consult how the accused Members might come to Westminster the Tuesday following and without any long debate it was resolved upon the question That the Sheriffes of London should and might raise a guard of the Traine-bands for the defence of the King and Parliament and that they might warrantablely march out of their Liberties and that you may see that the Scene was right layd there were some ready at that instant to make a tender of the assistance of the Seamen and Mariners whose power should guard them by Water as the Train-bands by Land Next day being Sunday every Pulpit that was at their devotion sounded nothing but the praise of Kimbolton and the Five Members inciting the People to stand up in the defence of these wâ—rthies else if they permitted the King to take away these to day he might goe on to seize on as many more to Morrow untill he had left the Parliament naked of all good Patriots and Zealous assertors of Religion the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom On Munday the tenth of Ian. 1641. the King hearing of these great Preparations an Army by Land and a Navy by Sea