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cause_n	duke_n	great_a	king_n	3,144	5	4.0015	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A69768	Excellent contemplations, divine and moral written by the magnanimous and truly loyal Arthur Lord Capel, Baron of Hadham ; together with some account of his life, and his letters to several persons whilst he was prisoner in the tower ... likewise his affectionate letters to his lady, the day before his death ... March 9, 1648, with his pious advice to his son the late Earl of Essex.	Capel of Hadham, Arthur Capel, Baron, 1610?-1649.; Holland, Henry Rich, Earl of, 1590-1649. His speech on the Scaffold, March 9, 1649.	1683 (1683)	Wing C469; ESTC R4075	81,286	218

EXCELLENT Contemplations Divine and Moral Written by the Magnanimous and truly Loyal Arthur Lord Capel Baron of Hadham Together with some Account of his Life and his Letters to several Persons whilst he was Prisoner in the Tower vigorously asserting the Royal Cause against all the Enemies thereof Likewise his Affectionate Letters to his Lady the Day before his Death and his Couragious Behaviour and last Speech at his Suffering March 9. 1648. With his Pious Advice to his Son the late Earl of ESSEX LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside 1683. Some Account of the Life of the Pious and Virtuous Arthur Lord Capel Baron of Hadham THis Honourable Person ought to be eternized for his Endeavours Constancy and Perseverance in the Royal Cause first to the parting with his vast Estate being sequestred for his Loyalty and afterward with his life so that he may be rightly termed The Flower of English Fidelity and his name ought to be ever honourably mentioned according to that of the Psalmist Psalm 112. 6. The Righteous shall be had in Everlasting Remembrance He was Son and Heir to Sir Arthur Capel of Hadham Hall in Hertfordshire a Gentleman of a great Estate one who followed the Old Mode of our Nation kept a bountiful house and shewed forth his Faith by his works extending his charity in such abundant manner to the poor that he was bread to the hungry drink to the thirsty eyes to the blind and legs to the lame and might be justly stiled Great Almoner to the King of Kings Concerning the humility of this worthy Knight though it be too sudden a diversion I shall presume to insert a story which I have heard delivered by some well acquainted with his Worship that he being one time at his Gate all alone in a plain but decent habit a Serving-man who had plumed himself with his Masters cast Feathers came riding to him asked him if Sir Arthur Capel were within Sir replied the knight he was there not long ago and if you please to walk in you may hear further of his Servants Old Father said the Serving-man here take my horse and walk him and therewithal gave him a small peice of Silver it being the first money he ever received in that kind Sir Arthur agreed to the motion and with a smile received from him a single penny took his horse and walkt him whilst the finical spruce Serving-man strutted with convenient boldness into the house But being informed by the Servants that their Master was at the Gate he replying that he was not there one of them to justify himself went with him to the Gate to see where they found Sir Arthur very industrious in his Imployment the Serving-man very much ashamed of his mistake craved pardon and with humble obeisance with his hat in his hand with many cringes would have received the horse from the knight Nay stay says Sir Arthur you paid me my hire get up as soon as you will for I am resolved to see you on Horse-back Then the old Knight putting his hand into his purse gave him half a piece which he said was for taking so much care of his Masters Horse being purposely thus liberal to incourage his own Servants to imitate his careful example But to return to his son he was very well educated attaining to some perfection in learning his Father dying as he inherited his Estate so he did his virtues The Privacy of this noble Lord before the war was passed with as much popularity in the Country as his more publick appearance in it was with valour and Fidelity in the Field In our too happy time of peace none was more Pious Charitable and Munificent In our unhappy differences none more resolved Loyal and active The People loved him so well that they chose him one of their Representatives and the King esteemed him so much that he made him one of his Peers in Parliament the King and People agreeing in this one thing to have a just kindness for the Lord Capel He was one of those excellent Gentlemen whose gravity and discretion the King said He hoped would allay and fix the faction to a due Temperament guiding some mens well meaning zeal by such rules of Moderation as are best both to preserve and restore the health of all States and kingdoms keeping to the dictates of his Conscience rather than yielding to the importunities of the People to what was just rather than what was safe save only in the Earl of Straffords case wherein he yielded to the publick necessity with his Royal Master but repented with him too sealing his Contrition for that miscarriage with his blood when he was more troubled for his forced consent to that brave Persons death than for losing his own life he ventured through the first war and by his Ingagement in the second for after the surender of Oxford he retired to his own house but could not rest there until the King was brought home to his which all England endeavouring as one man my Lord adventured himself at Colchester to Extremity yeilding himself upon Condition of Quarter which he urged by the Law of Arms that Law that governeth the World Yet as he said against the Law of God man for keeping the first Commandment he was sacrificed on a Scaffold at Westminster with a courage that became a clear Conscience and a resolution befitting a good Christian expressing that same Judicious Piety at his death which he did in this Incomparable Book of his Meditations in his life A Piety that as it appeared by his dismission of his Chaplains and the formalities of that times Devotions before he came to the Scaffold was rather his inward frame and habit than outward Ostentation or Pomp from the Noble sentiment whereof the Poet not unhappily alluding to his Arms A Lyon Rampant in Field Gules between two Crosses thus expresseth it Our Lyon-like Capel undaunted stood Beset with Crosses in a Field of Blood As one that affrighted death rather than affrighted by it It being very observable That a learned Dr. of Physick present at the opening and Embalming of this Lord and the Duke Hamilton delivered at a publick Lecture That the Lord Capels was the least heart and the Dukes the greatest that ever he saw Agreeable to that Observation in Philosophy That the Spirits contracted within the least compass are the cause of the greatest courage Two things are considerable in this Incomparable Person 1. His uninterrupted Loyalty keeping pace with his life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 last breath was spent in proclaiming K. Charles the second in the very face of his Enemies as known to him to be Virtuous Noble Gentle Just and a great Prince 2 His Great merit and modesty whereof King Charles the first writes thus to her Majesty the Queen There is one that doth not yet pretend who deserves as well as any I mean Capel Therefore I desire thy assistance to find out

man not to do any holy action without preparation For the meditations of the heart should precede the words of the mouth Therefore no way commendable is the course of those who in prayer and preaching follow as they call it the present dictate of the Spirit but rather indeed of their own fancy and is to be accounted vain presumption and not spirituall excellency as they would have it CCXLVII. There are many who are much disturbed at other mens buffoneries a great defect of judgment to envy that which we should rather scorn or pitty CCLXVIII Vnhappy they are who never know their friends but when they are gone First in losing the comfort of them when they may have it next in desiring and wanting them when they are past hope of having them CCLXIX It is as absurd and weak to endeavour ones self to a sweet converse with those that are froward and to be sharp with those that are gentle as to give to an importune begger and deny bounty to a modest man that wants CCLXX. The sluggard if he could truly apprehend the sweet content that endeavour brings would loath his nest who to avoid labour lingers out a tedious life CCLXXI. It is not the garment that is graceful but the inward proportion that sets it forth nor it is abundance that is our blessing but a mind fitly disposed to our condition CCLXXII If I go the right way my self it were absurd to deviate upon any occasion And sure he that composeth his life to a regular honest course needs not care for the exception of any For those that are likewise honest I shall meet and those that are not I desire not to find CCLXXII Religious love is like Solomons sword it trieth whether our love be like the naturall mothers that would not have a division made or the false mothers that would have the child divided The pious heart wholly devotes it self to God but the carnal and hypocritical parts it with God and its own pleasures and advantages This scrutiny Religion makes CCLXXIV That which in inconvenient times may be convenient in convenient times is often inconvenient CCLXXV If it be with obedience to the chief Magistrate a man ought to carry an honest and faithful heart to the common right and his private inheritance And it is to be granted where there is no offence committed against the law there is no guilt or desert of punishment CCLXXVI The wisdom of those young men is excellent who by providence and discourse of reason do so order their affairs that they stay not till necessity or experience force them to use that order which wise foresight would much sooner have taken CCLXXVII They are much deceived who conceive that by their own abilities they are able to act in every affair But the truth is that he is the wise man that knows to make able men his Instruments These two Meditations following with the Verses were written by him not long before his Suffering GOds secret Will is unknown Whatsoever it be his name be magnified My duty it to walk by the revealed and acknowledged rules of his Truth and the received precepts of vertue Which though through my frailty I have not practised so well as I should and as I wish I had yet never shall the fear of death by his divine and gracious assistance no not in the ugliest shapes attired daunt me from asserting them I know my cause is good and that my sufferings answer not the value and worthiness of it I know that my Redeemer liveth that died for me Most willingly I die for his Truth and for acting my duty to his servant the King whom he had placed here upon his terrestriall throne amongst us I know and believe that to dye is gain the gaining of an immortal and incorruptible life with eternal felicity in the sight of God my Saviour and his blessed Angels My Saviour ●he Cross sanctified My King the Block hath dignified Crosses nor Blocks I do not fear Sanctifi'd Dignifi'd they are Gloria Deo in excelsis CERTAIN LETTERS Written to severall PERSONS BY Arthur Lord Capel Baron of Hadham LONDON Printed for Nath. Crouch at the Bell in the Poultry near Cheapside 1683. SIR THe sad and desperate condition His Majesties Sacred person is in hath filled me with much greater anxiety disquietness than hath been usual to me since these unhappy times And it is not often that I think of any thing else but what may or ought to be done in order to the preservation of it as a Christian as a Subject For I believe both duties are inseparably conjoyned in this occasion The inquisition after this led me into the consideration of Gods dispensation of times seasons that as those are not to be neglected wherein there is freedom for our active duty so neither these wherein there is appearance of little else remaining save only for others to be encouraged and revived by the passive And truly I doubt not but the divine goodness will act for our good ends by our Christian readiness for sufferings And as it is thus with times so also it is with persons some are rather or more decently qualified for this than that at least to give example and authority to it These cogitations drew from me the considerations herein inclosed which I have addressed to because I assure my self much of your gentelness I have already communicated them to a very learned reverend and pious but I will not adventure much further in it until I have also your sense of the expediency of the thing For neither to the reputation of the matter untill it be maturely considered of nor to any person would I because of inconvenience And indeed if it be so well encouraged by your self and such others of like reputation as it is by Him it will become me afterward to be silent as I conceive for I have a better Heart than a Head for this business I profess I have a jealous eye upon the Scots and Presbyterians who I doubt not would make malicious advantages upon any colourable defect of our Clergy I shall add this that those of my profession are not idle but are confident and vigilant And truly it were a vile shame for us of all qualifications if this excellent Prince should be lost and we not able to excuse our selves that no means was left unattempted for his preservation Whom I beseech God to comfort and defend To whose protection I also leave you c. Feb. 11. 1647. POST-SCRIPT I Think it gives weight and encouragement to this proceeding both His Majesties late excellent Declaration to his Subjects as also the Resolution of the Houses to exhibit theirs to the people I heartily wish this were timely fitted for this conjuncture The Considerations inclosed THe streight durance his Majesties sacred person is held under the late Declaration of the Army with which the Commons have concurred to act without and against the King puts

night of trouble a night of darkness though I come trembling and staggering in this night yet I shall be sure to find comfort and fixedness in him And the Lord of Heaven be the strength stay and support of Your soul and the Lord furnish you with all those Graces which may carry You into the bosom of the Lord Jesus that when You expire this Life You may be able to expire it into him in whom You may begin to live to all Eternity and that is my humble prayer Holland M. Bolton God hath given me long time in this World he hath carryed me through many great Accidents of Fortune he hath at last brought me down into a condition where I find my self brought to an end for a disaffection to this State to this Parliament that as I said before I did believe no body in the world more unlikely to have expected to suffer for that cause I look upon it as a great judgment of God for my sins And truly Sir since that the Death is violent I am the less troubled with it because of those violent deaths that I have seen before principally my Saviour that hath shewed us the way how and in what manner he hath done it and for what cause I am the more comforted I am the more rejoyced It is not long since the King my Master passed in the same manner and truly I hope that his purposes and intentions were such as a man may not be ashamed not only to follow him in the way that was taken with him but likewise not ashamed of his purposes if God had given him Life I have often disputed with him concerning many things of this kind and I conceive his sufferings and his better knowledge and better understanding if God had spared him Life might have made him a Prince very happy towards himself and very happy towards this Kingdom I have seen and known that those blessed Souls in Heaven have passed thither by the gate of sorrow and many by the gate of violence and since it is Gods pleasure to dispose me this way I submit my Soul to him with all comfort and with all hope that he hath made this my end and this my conclusion that though I be low in death yet nevertheless this lowness shall raise me to the highest glory for ever Truly I have not said much in publick to the people concerning the particular Actions that I conceive I have done by my Counsels in this Kingdom I conceive they are well known it were something of vanity methinks to take notice of them here I 'le rather die with them with the comfort of them in my own bosom and that I never intended in this action or any action that ever I did in my Life either Malice or Bloodshed or prejudice to any Creature that lives For that which concerns my Religion I made my profession before of it how I was bred and in what manner I was bred in a Family that was looked upon to be no little notorious in opposition to some Liberties they have conceived then to be taken and truly there was some mark upon me as if I had some taint of it even throughout my whole way that I have taken every body knows what my Affections have been to many that have suffered to many that have been in troubles in this Kingdom I endeavoured to relieve them I endeavoured to oblige them I thought I was tyed so by my Conscience I thought it by my Charity and truly very much by my Breeding God hath now brought me to the last instant of my time all that I can say and all that I can adhere unto is this That as I am a great sinner so I have a great Saviour that as he hath given me here a Fortune to come publickly in a shew of shame in the way of this Suffering truly I understand it not to be so I understand it to be a Glory a Glory when I consider who hath gone before me and a Glory when I consider I had no end in it but what I conceive to be the service of God the King and the Kingdom and therefore my Heart is not charged much with any thing in that particular since I conceive God will accept of the intention whatsoever the action seems to be I am going to dye and the Lord receive my Soul I have no relyance but upon Christ for my self I do acknowledge that I am the unworthiest of sinners my Life hath been a vanity and a continued sin and God may justly bring me to this end for the sins I have committed against him and were there nothing else but the iniquities that I have committed in the way of my Life I look upon this as a great Justice of God to bring me to this Suffering and to bring me to this Punishment And those Hands that have been most active in it if any such there hath been I pray God forgive them I pray God that there may not be many such Trophies of their Victories but that this may be as I said before the last Shew that this People shall see of the Blood of Persons of Condition of Persons of Honour I might say something of the Way of our Tryal which certainly hath been as extraordinary as any thing I think hath ever been seen in this Kingdom but because that I would not seem as if I made some complaint I will not so much as mention it because no body shall believe I repine at their Actions that I repine at my Fortune it is the Will of God it is the hand of God under whom I fall I take it entirely from him I submit my self to him I shall desire to roul my self into the Arms of my Blessed Saviour and when I come to this place when I bow down my self there I hope God will raise me up and when I bid farewel as I must now to Hope and to Faith that Love will abide I know nothing to accompany the Soul out of this World but Love and I hope that Love will bring me to the Fountain of Glory in Heaven through the Arms Mediation and the Mercy of my Saviour Jesus Christ in whom I believe O Lord help my Unbelief Hodges The Lord make over unto You the Righteousness of his own Son it is that Treasury that he hath bestowed upon You and the Lord shew You the Light of his Countenance and fill You full with his joy and kindness O my dear Lord the Lord of Heaven and Earth be with You and the Lord of Heaven and Earth bring You to that Safety Holland I shall make as much hast as I can to come that Glory and the Lord of Heaven and Earth take my soul I look upon my self entirely in Him and hope to find Mercy through Him I expect it and through that Fountain that is opened for Sin and for Uncleanness my Soul must receive it for did I rest in any thing else I