Non-conformists which caused them to be charged with Faction yet some of the Episcopal Party Asserted That the Communion Table ought to stand in the middle of the Quire according to the Primitive Example and a Book supposed to be written by Dr. Williams B. of Lincoln was Published to this purpose His Majesty considering the good Success of his former Fleet fits out another in the year 1636 under the command of the Earl of Northumberland who going Northward scowred the Seas of the Holland Busses and reduced them to desire leave of his Maiesty to Fish there which the King upon divers Considerations granted them Several Gentlemen of Quality had refused to pay the Imposition of Ship-money and among the rest Mr. Hamden of Buckinghamshire upon which his Majesty refers the whole business to his Twelve Judges in Michaelmas Term 1636 Ten of whom that is Brampton Finch Davenport Denham Jones Trever Vernon Berkly Crawly Weston gave their Judgments against Hamden and his Associates and subscribed their Names to be Inrolled in all the Courts ol Westminster Hall but Hutton and Crook refused it This year March the 17. the Kings Kings Third Daughter the Princess Ann was born In the Thirteenth year of his Majesties Reign 1637 Dr. Bastwick Mr. Pryn and Mr. Burton received a severe Censure for writing against Bishops and their Government they being all three Sentenced to pay Five Thousand Pounds Fine to the King to lose their Ears in the Pillory and to be Imprisoned which they accordingly suffered Bishop Williams of Lincoln having the great Seal taken from him in the first year of his Majesties Reign he so deeply resented it that ever after he studied Revenge and a Bill being preferr'd against him in the Star Chamber for some dishonourable Speeches of the King he endeavoured by some indirect means to clear his Innocence and was therefore this year sentenced Ten thousand Pounds Fine to the King Imprisonment in the Tower during Pleasure to be suspended ab Officiis et Beneficiis from his Bishoprick and the Profits thereof and to be referred to the High Commission Court as to what concerned them His Majesty desiring an Uniformity in Religion in England and Scotland a thing before designed by King James in pursuance thereof enjoyned the Scots the use of the English Liturgy the Surplice and other Habiliments and began first at his own Chappel and in this year 1637 Proclamation was made that the same Order should be observed in all Churches wherewith the Bishops were contented but not the Kirk nor the People who were so inraged thereat that when the Dean of Edenbourgh began to Read the Common Prayer in St. Giles Church with his Surplice on July 13. the Council Bishops Lords and Magistrates being present the Women and then the ordinary sort of men made such a disturbance and noise with Cursing Clapping their hands and so great Rudeness that nothing could be heard but their Clamours upon which the Bishop of Edenbourgh who was to preach that day stept up into the Pulpit to reprove them which increasing their Fury they assault him with such a shower of Stones Seats Stools Cudgels and whatever else was near that his life was much indangered thereby and the Arch-bishop of St. Andrews Lord Chancellor interposing was like to have been as rudely handled had not the Provost Bayliffs and others with much trouble turned these Rioters out of the Church the Dean then proceeding to read the Service Book though not without great noise from the Multitude about the Church The like disturbance happened in other places but in the Afternoon the Book was again read without much trouble after which some of the Disturbers were seized and punished but with no great Severity and the Ministers were promised Protection and Maintenance in Reading it so that all at present seemed calm and quiet till after Harvest at which time such a confluence of People came to Edenbourgh as gave just cause to the Council to fear an Insurrection to prevent which they Issued out several Proclamations That no Church matters should be resolved on but that all persons depart home unless they can shew some cause to the Council upon pain of Rebellion Yet this was so little regarded by the People that the B. of Galloway going the next day to the Council was pursued and assaulted by them even to the Council Chamber and being with difficulty got in the House was presently incompassed and his Person peremptorily demanded upon which those within required Aid of the Provost and Council of Edenbourgh but their Condition was as bad being likewise beset in their Town house by the People who would not let them go out till they had subscribed 1. To joyn in Opposition to the Service Book and in Petitioning to that purpose 2. To restore two or three of their silenced Ministers Which being related to the Council the Lord Traqnair and another went in Person to the Town House where they found the Tumult somewhat quieted by those Concessions but in coming back they were furiously assaulted in the Grass-street and the L. Traquair was trodden under foot his Hat Cloak and white Wand was taken away and himself halled to the Council House The Lords whereof weighing their own danger sent secretly to some of those Noblemen and Gentlemen who disliked the Service Book and were then assembled in the common cause against it by whom they were safely guarded through the multitude to their several Houses And now judging themselves secure they make Proclamation for breaking up all Conventions and keeping the Peace which had the contrary effect Two Petitions being presented to them One from the Common sort of Men Women and Children the other in the Name of the Noblemen Gentlemen and Ministry against the Service Book and Canons these Petitions were sent to the King who being offended therewith adjourned the Term to Sterling and by Proclamation forbid upon extreamest Penalty such Tumultuous Meetings Against which Proclamation the Earl of Hume the Lord Lindsey and divers others made Protestation and in pursuance thereof they set up Four Tables or Committees 1. Of the Nobility 2. Of the Gentry 3. Of the Barons 4. of the Ministry to prepare Matters for the General Council consisting of several Commissioners taken out of the other The next year 1638 the Scots entred inta a Solemn League and Covenant to preserve the Religion there protest resolving to maintain it and to that purpose they sent for General Lesly and other Officers from beyond Sea providing themselves likewise with Arms and Ammunition whilst D. Hamilton who was appointed to allay these heats and Distempers seemed secretly to foment them by spending a great deal of time in Declarations Proclamations Messages and Letters and afterwards makes such Propositions to the Confederates about calling a General Assembly as were very distasteful to the Covenanters and increased their Fury Whereupon Hamilton obtained of the King the Sole and Unlimited Power of Managing that Affair and then
are just upon me Many times he does pay Justice by an unjust Sentence that is ordinary I will only say this That unjust Sentence * * Strafford that I suffered for to take effect is punished now by an unjust Sentence upon me So far I have said to shew you that I am an Innocent man Now for to shew you that I am a good Christian I hope there is * * Strafford Pointing to Dr. Juxon a good man that will bear me witness That I have forgiven all the world and even those in particular that have been the chief causers of my death who they are God knows I do not desire to know I pray God forgive them But this is not all my Charity must go further I wish that they may repent for indeed they have committed a great sin in that particular I pray God with St. Stephen that this be not laid to their charge nay not only so but that they may take the right way to the peace of the Kingdom for my Charity commands me not only to forgive particular men but my Charity commands me to endeavour to the last gasp the Peace of the Kingdom So Sir I do wish with all my Soul and I do hope there is some here * * Turning to some Gentlemen that wrote will carry it further that they may endeavour the Peace of the Kingdom Now Sirs I must shew you both how you are out of the way and will put you in the way First you are out of the way for certainly all the way you ever have had yet as I could find by any thing is in the way of Conquest certainly this is an ill way for Conquest Sir in my opinion is never just except there be a good just Cause either for matter of wrong or just Title and then if you goe beyond it the first quarrel that you have to it is it that makes it unjust at the end that was just at first But if it be only matter of Conquest then it is a great Robbery as a Pirate said to Alexander that he was the great Robber he was but a petty Robber and so Sir I doe think the way that you are in is much out of the way Now Sir for to put you in one way believe it you will never do right nor God will never prosper you until you give God his due the King his due that is my Successors and the People their due I am as much for them as any of you You must give God his due by regulating rightly his Church according to his Scriptures which is now out of order For to set you in a way particularly now I cannot but only this A National Synod freely called freely debating among themselves must settle this when that every Opinion is freely and clearly heard For the King indeed I will not Then turning to a Gentleman that touched the Ax said Hurt not the Ax that may hurt * * Meaning if he did blunt the edge me For the King the Laws of the Land will clearly instruct you for that therefore because it concerns my own particular I only give you a touch of it For the people and truly I desire their Liberty and freedom as much as any body whosoever but I must tell you that their Liberty and freedom consists in having of Government those Laws by which their Life and their Goods may be most their own It is not for having share in Government Sir that is nothing pertaining to them A Subject and a Soveraign are clean different things and therefore until they do that I mean That you do put the people in that Liberty as I say certainly they will never enjoy themselves Sir It was for this that now I am come here If I would have given way to an Arbitrarie way for to have all Laws changed according to the power of the Sword I needed not to have come here and therefore I tell you and I pray God it be not laid to your charge that I am the Martyr of the people Introth Sirs I shall not hold you much longer for I will onely say this to you that in truth I could have desired some little time longer because I would have put this that I have said in a little more order and a little better digested than I have done and therefore I hope you will excuse me I have delivered my Conscience I pray God that you doe take those courses that are best for the good of the Kingdom and your own salvations Dr. Juxon Will your Majesty though it may be very well known your Majesties affections to Religion yet it may be expected that you should say somewhat for the worlds satisfaction King I thank you very heartily my Lord for that I had almost forgotten it Introth Sirs My Conscience in Religion I think is very well known to all the world and therefore I declare before you all That I die a Christian according to the profession of the Church of England as I found it left me by my Father and this honest man * Pointing to Dr. Juxon I think will witness it Then turning to the Officers said Sirs excuse me for this same I have a good cause and I have a gracious God I will say no more Then turning to Colonel Hacker he said Take care they doe not put me to pain and Sir this and it please you But then a Gentleman coming near the Ax the King said Take heed of the Ax pray take heed of the Ax. Then the King speaking to the Executioner said I shall say but very short Prayers and when I thrust out my hands Then the King called to Doctor Juxon for his Night-cap and having put it on he said to the Executioner Does my hair trouble you who desired him to put it all under his Cap which the King did accordingly by the help of the Executioner and the Bishop then the King turning to Doctor Juxon said I have a good Cause and a gracious God on my side Doctor Juxon There is but one Stage more this Stage is turbulent and troublesome it is a short one But you may consider it will soon carry you a very great way it will carry you from Earth to Heaven and there you shall find a great deal of cordial joy and comfort King I goe from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown where no disturbance can be no disturbance in the world Doctor Juxon You are exchanged from a Temporal to an Eternal Crown a good exchange The King then said to the Executioner Is my hair well Then the King took off his Cloak and his George giving his George to Doctor Juxon saying Remember * It is thought for to give it to the Prince Then the King put off his Doublet and being in his Wastcoat put his Cloak on again then looking upon the Block said to the Executioner You must set it fast Executioner It is fast Sir King When I
granted to Five Bishops to Execute his Office After which the Bishop Published a Narrative of the Cause and Manner of his Suspension Five of those Gentlemen who were Imprisoned about the Loan had their Habeas Corpus granted and were brought to their Tryal before Sir Nicholas Hyde Lord Chief Justice where after arguing the Case between Council on both sides the L. Chief Justice concluded That since they were Committed by the Kings Authority the Court could not Free them so that they were remanded to Prison till the Order came out for a General Release The Irish Papists in hope of some Remission of the Penal Laws offered to Furnish the King at their own Charge with a standing Army of 5000 Foot and 500 Horse and a large Contribution for securing the Narrow Seas which was opposed in England by Sir John Savil and in Ireland by the Lord Primate of Armagh and divers others as tending to preserve the Papists Interests and sinking the Protestants upon which the L. Deputy moved the Primate to endeavour to prevail with the Protestants to supply the Kings Necessities which he attempted to do in a very learned Speech though not with the expected Success In 1627 being the Third Year of his Majesties Reign the Duke of Buckingham to clear his Reputation as to the Charge of Negligence in his Admiralship with much ado compleated his Naval Forces consisting of Six Thousand Horse and Foot in Ten Ships Royal and Ninety Merchant Men with which he set Sail from Portsmouth June 27 and published a Manifesto of the Kings Affection to the Reformed Churches in France and his displeasure against the last misimploying of his Ships against the Rochellers But by several Accidents this great Design miscarried with the Death of near Two Thousand common Souldiers Thirty Prisoners of Note and Fourty four Colours taken But notwithstanding this Expedition of the Isle of Rhe miscarried yet at Sea there was somewhat better Success a great French Ship was taken upon the Coasts of Holland Laden with great Guns Arms and Ammunition of all sorts to a very considerable value Sir John Pennington likewise took Thirty Four Rich French Merchantmen homeward bound which were all safely brought to England the poor remains of the Army which came from the Isle of Rhe most of them Irish and Scots and consequently rude and boisterous were quartered in the Countrey Villages which was very troublesome to the People At this time the Exchequer was very low and several late Enterprizes having miscarried the Rochellers being also now more distressed than ever the causes of these evils were gravely represented by Sir Robert Cotton to several Lords of the Councill whereupon it was resolved on by the Council that a Parliament should be called and Writs were presently Issued out A Commission likewise passed under the Great Seal for raising Moneys through the Kingdome in Nature of an Excise and the Lord Treasurer was ordered to pay Thirty Thousand Pound to Philip Burmelack a Dutch Merchant to be returned to Sir William Balfour and John Dalbier in the Low Countreys for raising a Thousand Horse which caused strange jealousies and suspicions among the People as if these German Horse were designed to inforce the payment of the Excise There was some discourse about Levying Ship money but it was declined at that time because of the Parliament approaching In the mean time a company of Jesuites were apprehended in an House at Clerkenwell which was designed for a Colledge of that Order where among other Papers a Letter was found discovering their secret Designs they had laid for imbroiling Church and State Upon the 17th of March 1627 the Parliament Assembled the Commons chusing Sin John Finch Speaker the King in a Speech tells the two Houses That the greatness of the danger was such as required a speedy Supply and that therefore they might rest assured it was the principal cause of their Meeting wherein he hoped they would shew themselves such true Patriots of the true Religion the Laws and Liberties of this State and the just defence of their Friends and Allies now in such hazard by Popish Enemies as not to deceive his Expectations which were very great though indeed somewhat nipt by Remembrance of the Distractions of the last Meeting The Lord Keeper likewise Inforc'd the Kings Speech and earnestly pressed them to consider of some speedy way for Supplying his Majesties Necessities Before the Parliament began any debate a Letter came to them Directed To the Members of the House of Commons called A Speech without Doors discovering the Grievances and Inconveniences of the State from one who had been a Member of the former Parliament The first thing taken into Consideration by the Commons was the Grievances of the Kingdom and the first thing Insisted on was the Case of those Gentlemen for refusing the Loan and who notwithstanding their Habeas Corpus were Remanded to Prison and after a long Debate between several Members who asserted the Illegality of the Loan and also their Imprisonment for refusing it the Lord Chief Justice Hyde and several other Judges were desired to declare themselves who justified their own proceedings alledging That if they had granted them Bail upon Habeas Corpus it would have reflected upon the King as if he had unjustly Imprisoned them But in conclusion it was resolved upon the Question in the House of Commons Nemine Contradicente 1. That no man ought to be restrained by the Command of the King or Privy Council without some Cause of the Commitment 2. That the Writ of Habeas Corpus ought to be granted upon Request to every Man that is restrained though by the Command of the King the Privy Council or any other 3. That if a Freeman be imprisoned by the Command of the King the Privy Council or any other and no Cause of such Commitment expressed and the same be returned upon an Habeas Corpus granted for the said Party then he ought to be delivered or Bailed Then the Parliament proceeded to draw up a Petition against Popish Recusants consisting of these particulars 1. That all Laws and Statutes against Jesuites and Popish Priests be put in power and Execution 2. That a strict course be taken for the Apprehending and Discovering of them 3. That all Popish Recusants be prohibited from coming to Court or within Ten Miles of London 4. That no place of Trust or Authority shall be committed to Popish Recusants with several other particulars to the same purpose which Petition was presented from the Lords and Commons to the King by the Lord Keeper who gave a full and satisfactory Answer to every Article after which Five Subsidies were granted to the King which gave so great satisfaction to his Majesty that he sent them Word He would deny them nothing of their Liberties which any of his Predecessors had granted A Petition was then presented against Quartering Souldiers in the Countries to which the King promised an Answer in convenient time
whereupon the Commons fell upon the memorable Petition of Right and after several of the Members had delivered their Opinions at large concerning some Clauses in it the Lords agreed that without any Addition or Preface it should be presented to the King the Substance whereof was 1. They do pray his most Excellent Majesty That no man hereafter be compelled to make or yield any Gift Loan Benevolence Tax or such like Charge without common consent by Act of Parliament and that none be called to make Answer or to take such Oath or to give Attendance or be confined or otherwise be molested or disquieted concerning the same or for Refusal thereof 2. That no Freeman be taken and imprisoned or be disseised of his Freehold of Liberty or his free Customs or be outlawed or exiled but by the lawful Judgment of his Peers or by the Laws of the Land 2. That your Majesty would be pleased to remove the Souldiers and Marriners now Billeted in several Counties and that your People may not be so burdened for the time to come 4. That the late Commissions for proceeding by Martial Law may be revoked and annulled and that hereafter no Commission of like Nature may Issue forth to any Person or Persons whatsoever to be Executed least by colour of them any of your Majesties Subjects be destroyed or put to death contrary to Law and the Franchises of the Law All which we most humbly pray your most Excellent Majesty as their Rights and Liberties according to the Laws and Statutes of this Realm And that your Majesty would also vouchsafe to declare That all Awards Doings or proceedings to the prejudice of your People shall not be drawn hereafter into consequence and Example After this there came a Letter from the King to the House of Lords wherein among other things His Majesty declared it to be his Royal pleasure which God willing he would ever continue and constantly maintain That neither he nor his Privy Council should or would hereafter command to Prison or otherwise restrain the Persons of any for not lending Money nor for any Cause which in his Conscience did not concern the publick good nor would he be drawn to pretend any cause wherein his judgment was not fully satisfied This Sir Thomas Wentworth afterwards Earl of Strafford said Was a Letter of Grace but that the People were not so satisfied but by a Parliamentary way That the debate would spend much time That it was not directed to the House of Commons and that the Petition it self would rectify all mistakes When the Petition of Right was presented to the King the Answer following was quickly returned The King willeth that Right be done according to the Laws and Customs of the Realm and that the Statutes be put in due Execution that his Subjects may have no cause to complain of any wrong or Oppressions contrary to their just Rights and Liberties to the Preservation Whereof he holds himself in Conscience as well obliged as to that of his Prerogative This Answer being Read in the House of Commons was not judged Satisfactory and therefore upon their Humble Petition for a clear and satisfactory Answer to the Petition of Right His Majesty to shew how free and candid his Concessions were to his Subjects sent them this short but full Answer Soit Droit Lait come il est desire Let it be done according to your desire Which Answer was Received with the general joy and Satisfaction of both Houses and the Citizens made Bonefires and Rung Bells and his Majesty for further Satisfaction was pleased to receive into Favour Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury Bishop Williams and several others His Majesty likewise suffered the Commission of Loan and Excise to be cancelled in his presence so that all discontents of every side seemed to be banished In 1628 the Fourth year of his Majesties Reign the Parliament not being satisfied of their former disappointment about the Duke of Buckingham drew up another Remonstrance against him and likewise against Bishop Neal and Bishop Laud which they presented to the King with the Bill of Subsidies His Majesty telling them That he expected not such a Return for his favourable Answer to the petition of Right and as for the Grievances he would take time to consider of them An Information being likewise Exhibited against the Duke in the Star Chamber for divers Offences and Misdemeanors an Order was made in that Court that all proceedings thereupon should be taken off the File by the Kings express Will and Pleasure And because it had been reported by a Member of Parliament that the Duke should say at his Table Pish it matters not what the Parliament doth for without my leave and Authority they shall not be able to touch the Hair of a Dog The Duke made Protestation in the House of Lords That be never had those words so much as in his Thoughts But the King being resolved to hold up the Duke sent so brisk an Answer to their Remonstrances as provoked the Commons who had soon forgot his Majesties late Act of Grace to question his taking Tunnage and Poundage which being of too valuable consideration to be hazarded his Majesty obviated by Adjourning the Parliament to the 20th of October there being several Acts passed by them One About the Lords day Another To restrain the sending any to be Popishly bread beyond the Seas Another for Confirmation of the Subsidies granted by the Clergie and for the grant of Five Entire Subsidies upon the Temporality and divers more Much about this time Dr. Lamb who was in great Favour with the Duke of Buckingham and had been formerly twice Arraigned once for Necromancy and another time for a Rape was killed by the furious Multitude in Lothbury who hated him both for his own sake and the Dukes he being called the Dukes Devil and though he were guarded by four Constables and their Attendants yet the Rabble struk him down beat out one of his eyes and left him half dead on the Ground from whence he was called to the Poultrey Counter where he died according to his own Prediction the year before being pitied by few and loved of none The Earl of Denbigh having a while since sailed with Fifty Ships to the relief of Rochel was repelled with much loss so that despairing of Success he returned back to Plymouth whereupon another Expedition was resolved on with a more considerable Navy and the Duke of Buckingham was designed Admiral who going to Portsmouth in order to hastning of business one John Felton a Leiutenant stabbed him to the heart with a Knife which the Murtherer flying left sticking in his Body till the Duke himself dragg'd it out and immediately after died Felton was soon apprehended by the Servants and laden with Irons and being asked what inclined him to commit so horrid an Action He boldly answered He killed him for the cause of God and his Countrey He likewise fastned a Paper in the Crown of his
his Secretary of Scotland that he expects their particular demands which he receives in three days all tending to require a Parliament to be called in England without which there could be no satisfactory redress for them they had likewise before their March into England published a Declaration called The Intentions of the Army viz. Not to lay down Arms till the Reformed Religion were setled in both Nations upon sure grounds and the Causes and Abbettors of their present Troubles that is Arch-Bishop Laud and the Earl of Strafford were brought to publick Justice in Parliament At the same time Twelve English Peers that is the Earls of Bedford Hartford Essex Warwick Mulgrave Bristol Bullingbrook Say and Seal Mandevil Howard Brook and Paget drew up a Petition which they delivered to the King for the sitting of the Parliament After which divers others were presented to the same purpose from the City of London and several other parts of the Kingdom all centring in this that nothing could relieve the Pressures of the Kingdom but a Parliament To this the King condescends in part giving hope likewise of further satisfaction ere long and 〈◊〉 the present Summons the Lords to appear at Yorâ— Sep. 24. which they did and upon the first day oâ— their meeting it was agreed That a Parliameâ—â— should be called to meet November 3 following anâ— then for the relief of the North sorely suffering under Leslies Army the Bishoprick of Durham beinâ— then taxed 360 l. and Northumberland 300 l. a day it was resolved that a Treaty should be set on Fooâ— and that Sixteen English Lords should meet with as many Scots and York was proposed for the placâ— of Treaty which the Scotch Commissioners refused as not judging it safe by reason of the presence oâ— the Earl of Strafford who hath proclaimed them Traytors in Ireland and was now chief Commander of the Kings Army and a Capital Enemy to their Nation and against whom they had matter of high Complaint therefore it was concluded to be held at Rippon where among other things it was agreed that the Scotch Army should be maintained by the English till the Treaty was ended and peace secured that there should be a safe Convoy for all Letters between the Scots and the Parliament of England The first of these Articles seemed unreasonable and dishonourable to the English Nation and the Earl of Strafford was so offended thereat that he desired leave of the King to give them Battel and was willing as he writ to Arch-Bishop Laud to undertake upon the Peril of his Head with his Army of English Grashoppers to beat those Sons of Anak home again for so much Superlour were the Scots then accounted to the English as to matter of Souldiers but October 16. the English Commanders whether through Fear Favour or out of a Political Maxim not to fight against the Scots condescended to Articles of Agreement which were afterward signed by the King himself This Treaty of Rippon was but previous to another of higher Importance at London for a general concluding and making up all differences between the King and his Subjects of Scotland during which Treaty James Earl of Montross made several Applications to the King and by Letters offered his service to him testifying his disslike of the Scotâ—ish Proceedings but these his Letters were said to have been secretly taken out of the Kings Pockets and conveyed to the Covenanters by the means of Hamilton who understanding Montross his design used all means to render him odious to the People and so unserviceable to the King And now the time approached for the sitting of the Parliament who accordingly met November 3. 1640 which was looked upon by Arch-Bishop Laud as a fatal day for Summoning of Parliaments in reference to Church matters the Parliament in King Henry the Eighths time which pulled down Abbies and Monasteries being likewise Assembled upon November 3. Whereupon he advised the King for lucks sake to put off their meeting for 2 or 3 dayes but the King not minding any such Observations did not regard it To give some Account of the temper of those times it may not be amiss to repeat the words of a Person of Honour who was then a Member of the House of Commons and hath lately published some Passages concerning that Parliament Never Parliament saith he was assembled when the People were in an higher discontent then at this time such a general Diffidence there was as they thought themselves sure of nothing the increase of Ceremonies made them fear the approach of a Religion hateful to them the laâ—â— business of Ship-money together with some Impâ—sitions without the consent of Parliament causeâ— them to apprehend the loss of Property in the Estates and they had little hope of Redress 〈◊〉 Parliaments because his then Majesty had beeâ— so unhappy as to be put upon a sudden Dissolutioâ— of all Parliaments formerly by him called Theâ— wanted not Persons ill disposed and seditious 〈◊〉 trumpet these things in the ears of the generalty whereby they incensed them so far as thereâ—â— they found means to raise a Power against theâ—â— Soveraign Mr. William Lenthal was Chosen Speaker of thâ— House of Commons and the King in a Speech tâ—â—â— them that the Scottish Troubles were the Cause oâ— their present Meeting and therefore requires theâ— to consider of the most expedient means for caâ—â—ing them out and then promises that he will heaâ—tily and clearly concurr with them for the satisfying their just Grievances After which he gaâ—â— them an Account of his want of Money for thâ— Maintaining of his Army and how dishonourablâ— it would be to the English Nation if his Armâ— should be disbanded before the Scots were put ouâ— of the Kingdom and desired them to consider oâ— the Oppression of the Northern Countreys during thâ—… Treaty It was ill resented by many that the King should call the Scots Rebels whereupon he took occasion to tell them that he must needs call them Rebels as long as they have an Army which did invade England The Commons then Voted down all Monopolies and all such Members as had any benefit by them were expelled out of the House Complainâ— was made in the House of Lords against Sir William Beecher one of the Clerks of the Council for violating their Priviledges in searching the Earl of Warwicks and the Lord Brooks Studies Cabinets and Pockets upon the dissolving the last Parliament upon which he was committed Prisoner to the Fleet though he pleaded the Command of the Secretary of State for his so doing The Earl of Strafford is Impeached of High Treason by the Commons in the House of Lords whereupon he is sequestred from the House and likewise his Friend Sir George Ratcliff is sent for out of Ireland by a Serjeant at Arms In the mean time the Bishop of Lincoln who was Prisoner in the Tower is released and likewise Mr. Pryn and Mr. Burton who are brought in great Triumph to London and
were permitted to come to him where passed this following Discourse as it was set down in writing by his Daughter the Lady Elizabeth which Lady Elizabeth some months after being confined to Carisbrough-Castle in the Isle of Wight died there with grief for the sufferings of her Dear Father His Children being come to meet him He first gave his Blessing to the Lady Elizabeth and bad her to remember to tell her Brother James whenever she should see him that it was his Fathers last desire that he should no more look upon Charles as his eldest Brother only but be obedient unto him as his Soveraign and that they should love one another and forgive their Fathers Enemies Then said the King to her Sweet-heart you 'l forget this No said she I shall never forget it whilest I live and pouring forth abundance of tears promised him to write down the particulars Then the King taking the Duke of Glocester upon his knee said Sweet-heart now they will cut off thy Fathers head upon which words the Child looking very stedfastly on him 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 a King so long as your brothers Charles and James do live for they will cut off your Brothers heads when they can catch them and cut off thy head too at last and therefore I charge you do not be made a King by them At which the child sighing said I will be torn in pieces first which falling so unexpectedly from one so young it made the King rejoyce exceedingly Tuesday Jan. 30. The Fatal Day He was about Ten of the Clock brought from his Pallace at Saint James's to White-Hall marched on foot guarded with a Regiment of foot Souldiers through the Park with their Colours flying and Drums beating his private Guard of Partizans about him Dr. Juxon Bishop of London on one side and Collon Tomlinson on the other both bare-headed bidding them go faster saying That he now went before them to strive for an heavenly Crown with less solicitude than he had oftentimes bid his Souldiers to fight for an Earthly Diadem Being come to the end of the Park he ascends the Staris leading to the long Gallery in White-Hall and so into the Cabinet Chamber where he formerly used to Lodge there his Majesty with the Bishop of London continued for some time in Devotion and received the blessed Sacrament from the hand of the said Bishop at which time he read for the second Lesson the 27. Chapter of Saint Matthews Gospel which contained the History of the Death and Passion of our Blessed Saviour the Communion ended his Majesty thanked the Bishop for selecting so seasonable and comfortable a portion of Scripture The Bishop modestly replied No thanks were due to him for it was the Chapter appointed by the Rubrick of the Church for the second morning Lesson for that day being Jan. 30. Here the King continued at his Devotion refusing to dine onely about Twelve of the Clock he eat a bit of bread and drank a Glass of Claret from thence about one a Clock he was accompanied by Dr. Juxon and Coll. Thomlinson and other Officers formerly appointed to attend him and the private Guard of Partizans with Musketeers on each side through the Banquetting-house adjoyning to which the Scaffold was erected between White-hall Gate and the Gate leading into the Gallery from Saint James's The Scaffold was hung round with Black the Floor covered with black Bayes and the Ax and Block laid in the middle of the Scaffold There were divers Companies of Foot of Collonel Prides Regiment and several Troops of Horse placed on the one side of the Scaffold toward Kings-street and on the other side toward Charing-Cross and the multitudes of people that came to be Spectators very great The King being come upon the Scaffold it was expected he would say somewhat to the people the which he did But because we have no other Relation of what his Majesty then spake save what was taken in short hand on the Scaffold by three several Gentlemen who were very exquisite in that Art nor had his Majesty any Copy being surprized and hastened by those who attended him to the Scaffold save only a few heads in a little scrip of Paper which after his death the Souldiers took from the Bishop of London to whom he gave it Therefore the Reader must be content with this Copy which was by them upon joynt comparing of their Copies published some few words being altered to make the sence perfect The King being come upon the Scaffold and looking about him upon the people who were kept off by Troops of Horse so that they could not come near to hear him omitted what he had purposed to have spoken to them as 't is thought and turning himself to the Soldiers and Officers the Instruments of the Regicide spake to them to this effect The King being come upon the Scaffold look'd very carnestly upon the Block and asked Coll. Hacker if there were no higher and then spake thus directing his Speech chiefly to Coll. Thomlinson King I Shall be very little heard of any body here I shall therefore speak a word unto you here indeed I could hold 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 to my Country for to clear my self both as an honest Man a good King and a good Christian I shall begin first with my Innocency In troth I think it not very needful for me to insist long upon this for all the world knows that I never did begin a War with the two houses of Parliament and I call God to witness to whom I must shortly make an account That I never did intend for to encroach upon their Priviledges they began upon me it is the Militia they began upon they confest that the Militia was mine but they thought it fit for 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 Declarations will see clearly that they began these unhappy troubles not I so that as to the guilt of these enormous Crimes that are laid against me I hope in God that God will clear me of I will not I am in charity God forbid that I should lay it upon the two Houses of Parliament there is no necessity of either I hope they are free of this guilt for I do believe that ill instruments between them and me has been the chief cause of all this bloodshed so that by way of speaking as I find my self clear of this I hope and pray God that they may too yet for all this God forbid that I should be so ill a Christian as not to say that Gods judgments