Former Ages never Heard of AND After Ages will Admire Or a Brief Review of the most Materiall PARLIAMENTARY TRANSACTIONS Beginning Nov 3. 1640. WHEREIN The Remarkeable Passages both of their Civil and Martial Affaires are continued unto this present Year Published as a Breviary leading all along successively as they fell out in their severall years So that if any man will be informed of any remarkeable Passage he may turne to the year and so see in some measure in what Moneth thereof it was accomplished For Information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these Times A Work worthy to be kept in Record and communicated to Posterity Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them but the transgressors shall fall therein Hosea 14. 9. LONDON Printed by M. S. for Tho Jenner at the South-Entrance of the Royal EXCHANGE 1654. The Chronology IN the first year of King Charls his Reign a Parliament being called at Oxford two Subsidies were granted no grievances removed but the said Parliament soon dissolved The sad effects which the dissolution of this Parliament produced were the losse of Rochel by the unhappy help of Englands ships The diversion of a most facile and hopeful war from the West Indies to a most expensive and succeslesse attempt on Cales The attempt on the Isle of Ree and thereby a precipitate breach of peace with France to our great losse A peace concluded with Spain without consent of Parliament contrary to a promise formerly made to the Kingdome by King James a little before his death whereby the cause of the Palatinate was altogether most shamefully deserted by us The Kingdome suddenly billetted with Souldiers and a concomitant project set on foot for Germane Horses to force men by fear to fall before arbitrary and tyrannical Taxations continually to be laid upon them 2d Parliament The dissolution of a second Parliament at Westminster in the second year after a declarative grant of no lesse then five Subsidies and the sad issues that flowed to the Kingdom thereupon As first the violent exacting from the people that mighty sum of the five Subsidies or a sum equal to it by a Commission for a Royal Loan Many worthy Gentlemen imprisoned and vexed that refused to pay it Great sums extorted by Privy Seals and Excises and the most hopeful Petition of Right blasted 3d A third Parliament called and quickly broken in the fourteenth year of the King the best Members clapt up close Prisoners denied all ordinary and extraordinary comforts of life and so that Parliament was dissolved Opprobrious Declarations published to asperse the proceedings of the last Parliament yea Proclamations set out to those effects thereby extreamly to dishearten the Subjects yea and plainly forbidding them once to name a Parliament or to desire them any more Whence immediately gushed out the violent inundations of mighty sums of money got by that strange project of Knight hood yet under a colour of Law The most burthensome Book of Rates the unheard of Taxation of Ship-money the enlargement of Forrests contrary to Magna Charta the injurious Taxation of Coat and Conduct money the forcible taking away of the Trained Bands Arms ingrossing Gunpowder into their hands in the Tower of London The destruction of the Forrest of Dean which was sold to Papists whence we had all our timber for Shipping Monopolies of Sope Salt Wine Leather and Sea Coal yea almost of all things in the Kingdome of most necessary and common use Restraint in trades and habitations for reâ—â—sall of which foresaid heavy pressures many were vext with long and languishing suiâ—s some fined and confined to Prisons to the losse of health in many of life in some some having their Houses broken open their Goods leized on their Studies or Closets searched for Writings Books and papers to undo them some interrupted also in their Sea-Voyages and their Ships taken from them The crushing cruelties of the Star-Chamber Court and Councel Table where the Recorder of Salisbury was greatly fined for demolishing the Picture of the first person in the Trinity in their great Cathedrall Thus far for the miseries of the Common-wealth Popish Ceremonies Romish innovations and such like outrages of the Arch Prelate of Canterbury and his Prelaticall Agents and Instruments over the whole Kingdome in matters of Religion Divine worship and spiritual cases of conscience Additions in the Oath administred to the King at his first inauguration to the Crown by the Arch-Bishop Fines Imprisonments stigmatizings mutilations whippings pillories gagges confinements and banishments yea and that into perpetual close imprisonments in the most desolate remote and as they hoped and intended remotest parts of the Kingdome Mr. Burton Mr. Bastwicke Mr. Prin. The ruinating of the â—â—eoffees for buying in of Impropriations and the advancing to Ecclesiasticall livings Arminians silencing with deprivations degradations and excommunications almost all the most pious Pastors over the Land whom they could catch in their snares and all this under a pretence of peace unity and conformity Printing Presses set open for the Printing and publishing of all Popish and Arminian Tenets but shut up and restrained from printing sound Doctrines Nay not only thus lamentably molested in England but attempted the like in Scotland indeavouring to impose upon them a New Liturgy and a Book of Canons They refusing of them were called and counted Rebels and Traytors yea so proclaimed in all Churches in England and an Army was also raised to oppresse and suppresse them A mighty and tumultuous rising of Apprentices and young men in Southwark and Lambeth side with Clubs and other weapons especially at the Arch Bishops house which put him in such a fright as made him flye to Croyden to convey himselfe to some more private and remote place And although Pharoahs Magicians 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 who said at his execution he came there by accident and he must dye 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-bishop of Canterbury's House at Lambeth 4 Parliament A fourth Parliament was thereupon shortly after called again by those complotters means but to a very ill intent and another Parliament summoned also at the same time by the Earl of Strafford in Ireland both of them only to levy and procure moneys to raise another Army and wage a new War against the Scots The Ships and Goods of Scotland were in all parts and Ports of this Land and of Ireland also surprized and seized on
of Jesus Christ I desire you that you would be silent and joyn in prayers with me and I trust in God that we shall all meet and live eternally in Heaven there to receive the accomplishment of all happinesse where every tear 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 Soul Amen August 1641. The King went to Scotland Octob. The Irish Rebellion began whereby above 100000 Protestants were murdered Novemb. Decemb. The King came from Scotland to London and was entertained with most pompous solemnity and after went to Hampton Court the Earl presented a Remonstrance wherein was expressed the Kingdomes grievances they desire a Guard Sir Wil. Belford was displaced and Cottington made Constable of the Tower but he was soon displaced and Col. Lunsford was made Lieutenant of the Tower but he also was displaced and Sir John Byron was made Liev. of the Tower in Lunsfords stead but he also with much ado removed and Sir John Conyers 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 Prelats now called by his Majesties Writs to attend the Parliament and present about London and Westminster for that Service THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by several and respective Writs and under great penalties to attend the Parl. and have a clear and indubitable right to Vote in Bils and other matters whatsoever debatable in Parl. by the ancient Customes Lawes and Statutes of this Realm and ought to be Protected by your Majesty quietly to attend and prosecute that great Service They humbly Remonstrate and Protest before God your Majesty and the noble Lords and Peers now assembled in Parl. that as they have an indubitate 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 abominate all actions or opinions tending to Popery and the maintenance thereof as also all propension and inclination to any Malignant party or any other side or party whatsoever to the which their owne reasons and conscience shall not move them to adhere But whereas they have been at severall times violently menaced affronted and assaulted by multitudes of people in their coming to perform their services in that honourable House and lately chased away and put in danger of their lives and can find no redresse or protection upon sundry complaints made to The High Commission-Court and Starr-Chamber voted down and pluralities non residencies damned by Parliament both Houses in these perticulars 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 premisses Lastly whereas their fears are not built upon fantasies 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 Honourable House of Parl. against all Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and Determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence since the 27th of this instant Month of Decem. 1641. have already passed as likewise against all such as shall hereafter pass 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 willfull and voluntary that most honourable House might proceed in all their premisses in their absence and this Protestation notwithstanding And humbly beseeching your most Excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of the House of Peers to enter this their Petition and Protestation among their Records They will ever pray to God to bless c. Jo Ebor. Th. Dures Rob. Co. Lich. Jo. Norw. Jo. Asa. Gul Ba. Wels. Geo. Heref. Rob. Ox. Ma. Ely Godf. Glouc. Jo Peterb Mor. Land Twelve Bishops were impeached of high Treason and ten imprisoned in the Tower and afterward all disabled from ever sitting in the Parl. they are Voted down root and branch Nulla contradicente The same night there were bonefires and ringing of Bels All Popish Recusants inhabiting in and about the City all dis-affected persons and such as being able men would not lend any money for the defence of the Common-wealth should forthwith confine themselves to their own Houses and not to goe forth without speciall license An Ordinance to apprehend dis-affected persons in the City whereof were four Aldermen put in safe custody in Crosby House and some in Gressam Colledge A letter sent to Mr. Pym Mr. Pym Do not think that a guard of men can protect you if you persist in your trayterous courses and wicked designs I have sent a Paper-messenger to you and if this does not touch your heart a Dagger shal so soon as I am recovered of my plague-sore In the mean time you may be forborn because no better man may be endangered for you Repent Traytor Jan 1641. The Irish proclaimed Rebels the King demands five Members Lunsford assaulteth the Citizens at Westmin an Act to carry on the War in Ireland till it were reduced Febr King signs the Bill for taking away Bishops Votes March the Queen went to Holland one of her ships sprung a leak and much treasure lost and when she return'd there was a great storm Van Trump's Mast broke and after eight dayes turmoil driven back again broke and lost 3 ships The King went to Theobalds where a Petition from the Par. was presented desiring him to let the Militia abide neer Lon and not carry the Prince away he being at Newmarket the House presented a Declaration the King went to York sends a message to the Parl. that he would raise 2000 Foot and 200 Horse at Hull and go for Ireland Sir John Hotbam denies the King entrance in April May som Members leave their seats and go to the King at York Binion a Silk-man the Kentish Malignants and Sir Edw Deering frame petitions against the Parl. but rejected fined and imprisoned The King interdicts the Militia but the Messenger was hang'd at the Exchange The Lords and Gentry of Ireland and Scotland petition the King to return to his Parl. the Gentry of York shire do the like but rejected The K. set on foot a Commission of Array June The Great Seal carried to the K. The Earle of Warwick Adm. Money and Plate brought in for the Cause the King besieges Hull 500 men went from London to it Proclamations and Declarations against the Parliament read in all Churches and Chappels within the
most willingly humble my selfe then kneeling down said I will try first how I can lye and laying his head over the block said Am I well now Execut. Yes And then as he lay with both his hands stretched out he said to the Executioner Here lye both my hands out when I lift up my hand thus then you may strike And then after he had said a short prayer he lifted up his right hand and the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body which was taken up by his Servants and put with his Body into a Coffin as the former March 19. 1648. An Act for Abolishing the House of Peers THe Commons of England Assembled in Parl finding by too long experience that the House of Lords is uselesse and dangerous to the people of England to be continued have thought fit to Ordain and Enact and be it Ordained and Enacted by the present Parliam and by the Authority of the same That from henceforth the House of Lords in Par. shall be and is hereby wholly abolished and taken away and that the Lords shall not from henceforth meet or sit in the said House of Lords nor shall Sit Vote Advise Adjudge or Determine of any matter or thing whatsoever as a House of Lds in Parl. Neverthelesse it is hereby Declared That neither such Lords as have demeaned themselves with Honour Courage and Fidelity to the Common-wealth their Posterities who shall continue so shall not be excluded from the Publick Councels of the Nation but shall be admitted thereunto and have their free Vote in Parl if they shall be thereunto Elected as other persons of interest Elected and Qualified thereunto ought to have And be it further Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Peer of this Land not being Elected Qualified and sitting in Parl. as aforesaid shall claim have or make use of any Priviledge of Parl. either in relation to his Person Quality or Estate any Law Vsage or Custome to the contrary notwithstanding Hen Scobel Cler Parl. On Thursday July 25. 1650. The General and Army Marched from Mordington to Coppersmith Col. Hackers Regiment being drawn up in the way his Excellency made a Speech to satisfie them concerning Capt. Ogles Troop being sent back into Northumberland in regard of his interest in that County that Cap. Greenwoods Troop appointed for Berwick should March with the Regiment in the stead thereof which gave great satisfaction Col. Bright's Regiment being drawn up Maj. Gen. Lambert appointed Collonel thereof coming to the head of the Regiment was received with great Acclamations A List of the Regiments of Horse and Foot Randezvouzed and Marched with the Lord Gen Cromwell into Scotland Eight Regiments of Horse THe Lord Generals in number 663 Maj. Gen. in number 663 Col. Fleetwoods in number 663 Col. Whalies in number 663 Col. Twisden in number 663 Col. Lilburn in number 663 Col. Hackers in number 663 Col. Okey in number 744 Consisting with Officers in all 5450 Ten Regiments of Foot THe Lord Generals in number 1307 Col. Pride 1307 Col. Bright 1307 Col. Maliveryr 1307 Col. Ch Fairfax 1307 Col. Cocks 1307 Col. Dunell 1307 Col. Sir Arthur Hasterigs 5 Companies 550 Col. Fenwicks 5 Companies 555 Consisting with Officers in all 10249 The Traine 690 The whole thus The Traine 690 The Horse 5450 The Foot 10249 The Totall 16354 A Letter from Liev Gen David Lesley to the Lord Gen Cromwell My Lord I Am Commanded by the Committee of Estates of this Kingdome and desired by the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly to send unto your Excellency this inclosed Declaration as that which containeth the State of the Quarrell wherein we are resolved by the Lords assistance to fight your Army when the Lord shall please to call us thereunto And as you have professed you will not conceal any of our Papers I doe desire that this Declaration may be made known to all the Officers of your Army And so I rest Bruchton 13 Aug. 1650. Your Excell most humble Servant DAVID LESLEY For his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell The Declaration of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly of Scotland as followeth THe Commission of the Generall Assembly considering That there may be just ground of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing to subscribe and emit the Declaration offered unto him by the Committee of Estates and Commissioners of the Generall Assembly concerning his former carriage and resolutions for the future in reference to the Cause of God and the Enemies and Friends thereof Doth therefore Declare That this Kirk and Kingdome doe not owne nor espouse any Malignant Party or Quarrell or Interest but that they fight meerly upon their former Grounds and Principles and in defence of the Cause of God and of the Kingdome as they have done these twelve years past And therefore as they doe disclaime the sin and guilt of the King and of his House so they will not owne him nor his interest otherwise then with a subordination to God and so far as he ownes and prosecutes the Cause of God and disclaimes his and his Fathers opposition to the work of God and to the Coven and likewise all the Enemies thereof And that they will with convenient speed take into consideration the Papers lately sent unto then from Oliver Cromwel and vindicate themselves from all the faâ—shoods contained therein especially in these things wherein the Quarrell betwixt us and that party is mis-stated as if we owned the late Kings proceedings and were resolved to prosecute and maintaine his present Majesties interest before and without acknowledgement of the sins of his House and former wayes and satisfaction to Gods people in both Kingdomes West Kirk Aug. 13 1650. A. Ker. August 13. 1650. THe Committee of Estates having seen and considered a Declaration of the Commission of the Generall Assembly anent the stating of the Quarrell whereon the Army is to fight Doe approve the same and heartily concur therein Tho Henderson The Lord Generalls Answer to the former as followeth I Received yours of the thirteenth instant with the Paper you mentioned therein inclosed which I caused to be read in the presence of so many Officers as could well be gotten together to which your Trumpet can witnesse we returne you this Answer by which I hope in the Lord it will appear That we continue the same we have profest our selves to the honest people of Scotland wishing to them as to our own souls it being no part of our business to hinder any of them from worshiping God in that way they are satisfied in their Consciences by the Word of God they ought though different from us but shall therein be ready to perform what obligations lye upon us by the Covenant but that under the pretence of the Covenant mistaken and wrested from the most native intent and equity thereof a King should be taken in by you to be imposed upon us and this called The Cause of God and the Kingdome
great cause of jealousie that endeavours have been and are used to bring the English Army into a misunderstanding of this Parl. thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to passe those wicked Councels Have therefore thought good to joyne our selves in a Declaration of our united affections and resolutions and to make this ensuing Protestation The Protestation I A. B. Do in the presence of Almighty God Promise Vow and Protest to maintaine and defend as far as lawfully I may with my life power and state the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against Popery and Popish Innovations within this Realme contrary to the same Doctrine and according to the duty of my Allegiance his Majesties Royall Person Honour and Estate as also the power and priviledges of Parliament the lawfull rights and liberties of the Subject and every person that maketh this Protestation in whatsoever he shall doe in the lawfull pursuance of the same And to my power and as far as lawfully I may I will oppose and by all good wayes and means endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall either by force practice counsels plots conspiracies or otherwise doe any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained And further that I shall in all just and honourable wayes endeavour to preserve the union and peace between the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland and neither for hope fear nor other respect shall relinquish this Promise Vow and Protestation At the beginning of the Parliament Nov. 3. 1640. there was a diligent inquisition after oppressions and oppressors and first upon the Petition of Mris Bastwicke and Mris Burton two widowed wives and a Petition exhibited in the behalfe of Mr Pryn Dr. Laighten Mr. Smart Mr. Walker Mr. Foxley Mr. Lilburn and many others set at liberty some being banisht and all close Prisoners others fast fettered in irons and their wives debar'd from coming to them Decemb. 1640. The Earl of Strafford and Laud Arch-bishop of Canterbury impeached of High Treason Wren Bishop of Norwich of Treason Windebank and Finch fled The Scots ships that were taken before the Parl. began restored and 4000. l. given to rig them 300000. l. towards their losses and all Books Libels and Proclamations against the Scots called in February A Bill signed for Trienniall Parl. â—ix Subsidies Poll money and a personall assesment of the whole Kingdome May a Bill signed that the Parl. should not be dissolved without their consent Lord Strafford beheaded the High Commission Court and Star Chamber put down the Parl. proceeded against Delinquent Judges about Ship-money The Earl of Strafford's Speech on the Scaffold May 12. 1641. MY Lord Primate of Ireland and my Lords and the rest of these Gentlemen it is a very great comfort to me to have your Lordship by me this day in regard I have been known to you a long time I should be glad to obtain so much silence as to be heard a few words but doubt I shall not my Lord I come hither by the good will and pleasure of Almighty God to pay the last debt I owe to sin which is death and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the mercies of Christ Jesus to eternall glory I wish I had been private that I might have been heard my Lord if I might be so much beholding to you that I might use a few words I should take it for a very great courtesie my Lord I come hither to submit to that judgment which hath past against me I do it with a very quiet and contented mind I do freely forgive all the world a forgivenesse that is not spoken from the teeth outward as they say but from my heart I speak it in the presence of Almighty God before whom I stand that there is not so much as a displeasing thought in me arising to any creature I thank God I may say truly and my conscience bears me witnesse that in all my services since I have had the honour to serve his Majesty in any employment I never had any thing in my heart but the joynt and individuall prosperity of King and people if it hath been my hap to be misconstrued it is the common portion of us all while we are in this life the righteous judgment is hereafter here we are subject to error and apt to be The Earle of Strafford for treasonable practises beheaded on the Tower-hill mis-judged one of another There is one thing I desire to clear my selfe of and I am confident I speak it with so much clearnesse that I hope I shall have your Christian Charity in the belief of it I did alwayes think that the Parl. of England were the happiest constitutions that any Kingdome or any Nation lived under and under God the means of making King and people happy so far have I been from being against Parliaments For my death I here acquit all the world and pray God heartily to forgive them and in particular my Lord Primate I am very glad that his Majesty is pleased to conceive me not meriting so severe and heavy a punishment as the utmost execution of this sentence I am very glad and infinitely rejoyce in this mercy of his and beseech God to turn it to him and that he may find mercy when he hath most need of it I wish the Kingdome all the prosperity and happinesse in the world I did it living and now dying it is my wish I do now professe is from my heart and do most humbly recommend it to every man here and wish every man to lay his hand upon his heart and consider seriously whether the beginning of the happinesse of a people should be writ in Letters of blood I fear you are in a wrong way and I desire Almighty God that not one drop of my blood may rise up in judgment against you My Lord I professe my selfe a true and obedient Son to the Church of England to the 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 have inclined to Popery if it be an objection worth answering let me say truly that from the time since I was twenty one years of age till this hour now going upon forty nine 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 contrary to the best of my remembrance and so being reconciled to the mercies of Christ Jesus my Saviour into whose bosome I hope shortly to be gathered to that eternall happinesse 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 Lord farewell farewell all the things of this word Lord strengthen my faith give me confidence and assurance in the merits
K. power July An Army raised and Essex made General the Lord Major of London imprison'd for causing the K. Commission of Array to be proclaimed many Proclamat from the K. and Declar from the Parl. By water the Ship-masters and Marriners made ready a great number of Long-boats furnished with Ordnance Muskers and other Sea-warlike instruments their Vessels gallantly adorned with Flags and Streamers together with martial musick Drums Trumpets when they came to White-hall and understood that the Parl. were safely arriv'd the Train'd Bands by Land and the Sea-men by water let flye their thundring shot both smal and great their Trumpets sounding and their drums beating in a triumphing and congratulory manner was a singular testimony of their cordial affections The same day Buckinghumshire men both Gentlemen Ministers and others of that Countrey on Horsback with their Protestations in their Hats for Reformation of evils in Church and State and to assure their best services and assistance to the Parl. on all just occasions and out of Essex Hartford Bark-shire Surrey and other Counties of the Kingdome came one after another At Edge hill 16 pieces of Canon shot against 80 of the Earl of Essex Life-guard and not one man hurt and those 80 brake in upon 1600 of the K. four of the Parl. Regiments ran away and sixteen Troops of Horse so we were 6000 and they 18000. yet we took their Standard and cleft Sir Edw. Varney Standard-bearer in the head and slew the Lord Lindsey Generall of the Field Lord Gen Magazine of powder to have been blown up and Sir John Hotham killed by one David Alexander but prevented Commis. granted to popish Recusants to levy men and arms against the Parl. The K. received the Irish Rebels petition and permitted their persons with great favour and allowance about him calling them good Catholick subjects but rejecting the petition for peace Novemb. A Treaty of peace intended by the Parl. but pretended by the K. where was that bloody bickering at Brainford by the K. party New High-Sheriffs for the better collecting of the 400000. l. Subsidies intended to have been confirmed to the K. crost Jan 1643. Newcastle twice routed K. party worsted near Henly Scots come into Engl. March Lichfield Close taken the K. sends the Earl of Glamorgan into Irel. with power to conclude Dr. Bastwick and Cap. Lilburn to be tryed at Oxford but preserv'd A letter to all the Freemen Journeymen and Apprentices of the City to assemble at their several Halls to be perswaded not to yeeld to the Parl. voted scandalous The 2 of May 1643. ye Crosse in Cheapeside was pulled downe a Troope of Horse 2 Companies of foote wayted to garde it at ye fall of ye tope Crosse dromes beat trūpets blew multitudes of Capes wayre throwne in ye Ayre a greate Shoute of People with ioy ye 2 of May the Almanake sayeth was ye invention of the Crosse 6 day at night was the Leaden Popes burnt in the place where it stood with ringinge of Bells a greate Acclamation no hurt done in all these actions Mr. Pryn sent to search Canterburies Chamber and Study found the Original Scotch Service book with his own hand-writing the cause of all the Scots wars London to have been betrayed under a pretence of peace by Mr. Waller a Member of Parl. Mr. Tomkins Mr. Challenor but Waller fined 10000. l. and perpetuall banishment Tomkins and Challenor hanged the one at the Exchange and the other in Holborn Sir Io Hotham attempted the betraying of Hull unto the Queen Decemb. An Order to demolish Altars to remove the Communion Table from the East end and to take away all Tapers Candlesticks and Basons and to demolish all Crucifixes Crosses and all Pictures and Images of the Trinity and Virgin Mary both within and without all Churches and Chappels A plot for betraying of Lincoln by the two Purfries but preserved Gloucester admirably freed by the City Regiments A Rebellion by the Kentish Malignants about Tunbridge A ship bound from Denmark to the K. of about 300 Tun richly laden with arms and ammunition another ship bound from Newcastle to Holland laden with Sea coals but in the midst thereof was found between 3 or 4000 l. hid in the Coals sent to buy Arms for the K. a third ship of 400 tun carrying 24 peece of Ordnance taking by the Parl. Scotland with an Army of at least 2000 Horse and Foot invited by the Parl. when they marched up to the middle in snow and brought their Artillery over the Ice of the frozen River of Tyne and the Citizens of London lent the parl. 100000. l. for the Scots first pay to encourage their advance to help us against the K. forces The Queen pawning the Jewels of the Crown in Holland and therewith buying Arms to assist the war against the parl. and her own actuall performances with her popish Army in the North was High treason and transmitted to the Lords Images Crucifixes papistical Books in Somerset and Iameses were burnt and five Capuchin Fryers sent away May an Ordinance for the making of Forts Trenches about the City Iuly the assembly of Divines met Dr. Twisse prolocutor 120 the total The Bishop of Canterburies first Prayer on the Scaffold Jan. 10. 1044. OEternal God and merciful Father look down upon me in mercy in the riches and fullnesse of all thy mercies look upon me but not till thou hast nailed my sins to the Crosse of Christ look upon me but not till thou hast bathed me in the blood of Christ not till I have hid my self in the wounds of Christ that so the punishment that is due to my sins may passe away and goe over me and since thou art pleased to try me to the uttermost I humbly beseech thee give me now in this great instant full patience proportionable comfort a heart ready to dye for thine honour and the K. happinesse and this Churches preservation and my zeale to these far from arrogancy be it spoken is all the sin humane frailty excepted and all incidents thereunto which is yet known of me in this perticular for which I now come to suffer I say in this perticular of treason but otherwise my sins are many and great Lord pardon them all and those especially whatsoever they be which have drawn this present judgment upon me and when thou hast given me strength to bear it then doe with me as seems best in thine owne eyes and carry me through death that I may look upon it in what vilage soever it shall appear to me and that there may be a stop of this issue of blood in this more then miserable Kingdome I shall desire that I may pray for the people too as well as for my self O Lord I beseech thee give grace of repentance to all people that have a thirst for blood but if they will not repent then scatter their devices so and such as are or shall be contrary to the
which hath been in a good Family that hath been ever faithfull to the true Protestant Religion in the which I have been bred in the which I have lived and in the which by Gods grace and mercy I shall dye I have not lived according to that Education I had in that Family where I was borne and bred I hope God will forgive me my sins since I conceive that it is very much his pleasure to bring me to this place for the sins that I have committed The cause that hath brought me hither I believe by many hath been much mistaken They have conceived that I have had ill designs to the State and to the Kingdome truly I look upon it as a judgement and a just judgement of God not but I have offended so much the State and the Kingdome and the Parliament as that I have had an extream vanity in serving them very extraordinarily For those actions that I have done I think it is knowne they have been ever faithfull to the publick and very particularly to Parliam my affections have been ever exprest truly and cleerly to them The dispositions of affaires now have put things in another posture then they were when I was ingaged with the Parl. I have never gone off from those principles that ever I have profest I have lived in them and by Gods grace will I dye in them There may be alterations and changes that may carry them further then I thought reasonable and there I left them But there hath been nothing that I have said or done or professed either by Covenant or Declaration which hath not been very constant and very clear upon the Principles that I ever have gone upon which was to serve the King the Parl. Religion I should have said in the first place the Common-wealth and to seeke the peace of the Kingdome That made me think it no improper time being prest out by accidents and circumstances to seek the peace of the Kingdom which I thought was proper since there was something then in agitation but nothing agreed on for sending Propositions to the King that was the furthest aime that I had and truly beyond that I had no intention none at all And God be praised although my blood comes to be shed here there was I think scarcely a drop of blood shed in that action that I was ingaged in For the present affaires as they are I cannot tell how to judge of them and truly they are in such a condition as I conceive no body can make a judgment of them and therefore I must make use of my prayers rather then of my opinion which are that God would blesse this Kingdome this Nation this State that he would settle it in a way agreeable to what this Kingdom hath been happily Governed under by a King by the Lords by the Commons a Government that I conceive it hath flourished much under and I pray God the change of it bring not rather a prejudice a disorder and a confusion then the contrary I look upon the Posterity of the King and truly my conscience directs me to it to desire that if God be pleased that these people may look upon them with that affection that they owe that they may be called in again and they may be not through blood nor through disorder admitted againe into that power and to that glory that God hath in their birth intended to them I shall pray with all my Soul for the happinesse of this State of this Nation that the blood which is here spilt may be even the last which may fall amongst us and truly I should lay down my life with as much cheerfulnesse as ever person did if I conceived that there would no more blood follow us for a State or affairs that are built upon blood is a foundation for the most part that doth not prosper After the blessing that I give to the Nation to the Kingdome and truly to the Parliament I doe wish with all my heart happinesse and a blessing to all those that have been authors in this business and truly that have been authors in this very work that bringeth us hither I doe not only forgive them but I pray heartily and really for them as God will forgive my sins so I desire God may forgive them I have a particular relation as I am Chancellor of Cambridge and truly I must here since it is the last of my prayers pray to God that that University may goe on in that happy way which it is in that God may make it a Nursery to plant those persons that may be distributed to the Kingdome that the Soules of the people may receive a great benefit and a great advantage by them and I hope God will reward them for their kindnesse and their affections that I have found from them Looking towards Mr. Bolton I have said what Religion I have been breed in what Religion I have been born in what Religion I have practiced I began with it and I must end with it I told you that my actions and my life have not been agreeable to my breeding I have told you likewise that the Family where I was bred hath been an exemplary Family I may say so I hope without vanity of much affection to Religion and of much faithfullnesse to this Kingdome and to this State I have endeavoured to doe those actions that have become an honest man and which became a good English-man and which became a good Christian I have been willing to oblige those that have been in trouble those that have been in persecution and truly I finde a great reward of it for I have found their prayers and their kindnesse now in this distresse and in this condition I am in and I think it a great reward and I pray God reward them for it I am a great sinner and I hope God will be pleased to hear my prayers to give me Faith to trust in him that as he hath called me to death at this place hee will make it but a passage to an eternall life through Jesus Christ which I trust to which I relye upon and which I expect by the mercy of God And so I pray God blesse you all and send that you may see this to be the last execution and the last blood that is likely to be spilt among you And then turning to the side raile he prayed for a good space of time God hath given me speaking to Mr. Bolton long time in this world he hath carried me through many great accidents of Fortune he hath at last brought me downe into a condition where I find my selfe brought to an end for a dis-affection to this State to this Parl. 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 judgement of God for my sins And truly Sir since that the death is violent I am the
and this done upon the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as is alleged together with a disowning of Malignants although he who is the head of them in whom all their hope of comfort lies be received who at this very instant hath a Popish paâ—ty fighting for and under him in Ireland hath Prince Rupert a man who hath had his hand deep in the blood of many innocent men of England now in the head of our Ships stoln from us upon a Malignant accompt hath the French and Irish ships daily making depradations upon our Coasts strong combinations by the Malignants in England to raise Arms in our bowels by vertue of his Commissions who having of late issued out very many to that purpose and how the interest you pretend you have received him upon and the Malignant interest in the ends and consequences entring in this man can be secured we cannot discern and how we should believe that whilst known and notorious Malignants fighting and plotting against us on the one hand and the declaring for him on the other should not be an espousing of a Malignant party quarrell or interest but be a meer fighting upon former Grounds and Principles and in defence of the Cause of God and of the Kingdome as hath been these twelve yeers last past as ye sâ—y for the security and satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations or the opposing of which should render us enemies to the godly with you we cannot well understand especially considering That all these Malignants take their confidence and encouragement from the late Transactions of your Kirk and State with your King for as we have already said so we tell you again it is but satisfying security to those that employ us and are concerned in that we seek which we conceive will not be by a few formall and feigned submissions from a person who could not tell otherwise how to accomplish his Malignant ends and therefore Councel'd to this complyance by them who assisted his Father and have hitherto acted him in his most evill Designes and are now again by them set on foot against wch how you will be able in the way you are in to secure us or your selves is forasmuch as concerns our selves our duty to looke after If the state of your quarrell be thus upon which as you say you resolve to fight our Army you will have opportunity to doe that els what means our abode here And if our hope be not in the Lord it will be ill with us We commit both you and our selves to him who knowes the heart and tries the Reins with whom are all our wayes who is able to doe for us and you above what we know which we desire may be in much mercy to this poor people and to the glory of his owne great Name And having performed your desire in making your papers so publick as is before exprest I desire you to doe the like by letting the State Kirk and Army have the knowledge hereof To which end I have sent you inclosed two Copies and rest From the Camp at Pencland Hills Aug. 14. 1650 Your humble Servant O CROMWEL The Victory at Gladsmore in Scotland July 30 31. 1650. M G. Montgomery slaine 200 Arms taken 80 Troopers 500 wounded 4 Colours 15 Troops routed 500 Font routed at Muscleburrough The Victory at Dunbar Aug. 30. 1650 4000 killed 10000 Prisoners 2000 Horse 290 Commission Officers 15000 Arms 200 Colours 32 pieces of Ordnance Of ours that ingaged 5000 Horse and Foot their word The Covenant ours The Lord of Hests Novemb. 1650. Insurrections in Norfolke for which 24 were condemned and 20 executed Col. Ker routed and taken and the Town of Ayre Decemb. 25. The strong Castle of Edenburgh delivered up 53 pieces of Ordnance whereof 15 Iron the 〈◊〉 Braste about 8000 Arms with store of Ammunition and Provision Nov. 22. A Squadron of Ships Commanded by Gen. Blague surprised a considerable part of the Portugal Brasit Fleet fraighted with Sugar and sent them to England and after pursued the revolted ships beyond Alligant where they took 7 of Prince Ruperts Fieet and pursued him to Thoulon one of the surthest Havens of France having but two ships left Jan. 30. 1650. A day of publick Thanksgiving in England Wales and Town of Berwick Jan. 1. 1650. The Scots King was Crowned at Schone he is General of the Army D. Hamilton Lieut. Gen. of the Scotch Army David Lesley M. G. Middleton L. G. of the Scotch Horse and Massey M. G. of the English Jan. 4. 1650. The King of Spaine sent his Ambassador for the â—â—knowledging of this State whose Authority and Soveraignty reades in this Parl. of the Commonwealth of England and to stablish a good friendship with it The Portugal sent his Agent also to the like effect March 6. 1650. Sir Henry Hide Beheaded at the Exchange for receiving and acting by vertue of a Commission from Charls Stuart the Second and King of Great Britaine France and Ireland as his Agent to the Great Turk with an intent to destroy the Trade of the Turky Company and the Parl. interest not onely in Constantinople but in Mitylene Anatolia Smyrna in which Conspiracies he was a Commissioner and likewise to seize upon our Merchants Goods for the use of the King of Scotland and procured audience of the Grand Visier and raised great fears and uproars among the Merchants A Speech made by K. Charles ye 2d at his Coronation i. January 1650 I will by gods assistance bestow my life for your defence wishing to live no longer then that I may see this Kingdome flourish in happiness The Oath I doe promise vow in ye presence of ye eternall god yt I will maintaine ye true Kirk of god religion right preaching administration of ye Sacraments now received preached within this Realme in purity And shall abolish gain-stand all false Religions sects contrary to ye same And shall rule ye people comiÌ„ted to my charge according to ye will of god and laudable laws constitutions of ye Realme causing justice equity to be ministred without partiality Browne Bushelt Beheaded under the Scaffold on Tower-hill Mar. 29. 1651. for delivering up Scarborough June 2. 1651. The surrender of Scilly Islands June 24. Insurrection in Cardiganshire 40 slaine 60 prisoners taken July 29. Burnt Island surrendred The Scotch King invaded England with 16000 Hors and Foot and a light Tran of Artillery and caused himselfe to be proclaimed K. of England Scotland and Ireland in Lancashire August 23. Charls the First erected his Standard at Nottingham and Charls the Second erected his Standard at Worcester Aug. 22. 1651. Sept 3. Old Lesley Crawford Linsey Ogleby with divers of quality besides 〈◊〉 taken that were making levies to raise the Siege at Dundee Aug. 2 165â— St Johnston surrendred Aug. 19. The Castle of Steâ—â—â— surrendred 〈◊〉 pieces of Ordnance 27 faire brasse pieces a great iron Gâ—â—â— 11 Leather Guns
Cities Burroughs Shires c. and every of them are and shall be acquitted and pardoned of all Treasons Fellonies Offences c. done before Sept. 3. 1651. not in this present Act hereafter not excepted nor fore-prized And the said Keepers of the Liberties of England granteth and freely giveth to every of them all Goods Debts Chattels Fines which to the said Keepers of the Liberties of England do belong or appertain before Sept. 3. and which be not hereafter in this Act foreprized and excepted And it is further Enacted That this Pardon shall be taken in Courts of Justice available to all and singular the said persons c. shall be arrested c. for any thing acquitted by this Act every person so offending shall pay to him offended his treble damages and 10. l. to the State Excepted all High-Treasons other then for words only and all levying of war rebellions insurrections and conspiracies committed against the Par. since Ian. 30. 1648. And all concealments of the said offences And all voluntary Murthers petty Treasons poysoning piracles buggeries rapes ravishments marrying any one against her will And also all persons now attained for petty treason murther poysoning conjurations witchcrafts charms detainments of Customs and sums of money due upon Composition Excise or New-Imposts all Conditions Covenants and penalties of forfeitures due to the Parl. or the late K. since Ian. 30. 1648. All first fruits and Tithes and all offences and misdemeanours whereof any sentence or judgment hath been given in Parl. since Ian. 30. 1648. And all offences of Bribery perjuries and subordination of Witnesses counterfeiting Deeds Debenters Bills of Publick Faith Escripts or writings whatsoever carrying over Seas any Coyn or Jewels melting downe of Gold or Bullion c. detaining the Goods c. of the late King or Queen all offences committed by any Jesuite any Outlawries upon any writ of Capion ad satisfaciendum and all except such persons as were Ian. 28. 1651. in prison by Order of Parl. and all proceedings concerning common High-wayes all Free-farm-rents and arrerages due since Iune 24. 1645. all moneys imprested since Nov. 3. 1638. Provided all Acts of Hostility between the late King and Parl. or between any of the people of this Nation or falling out by reason of the late troubles shalt in no time after Iune 18. 1651. be called in question The DECLARATION of the Lord Generall and his Councel of Officers shewing the Grounds and Reasons for the Dissolving the Parliament April 20. 1653. AFter it had pleased God not only to reduce Ireland and give in Scotland but so marvellously to appeare for his people at Worcester that these Nations were reduced to a great degree of peace it was matter of grief to many well affected in the Land to see the Cause of God so little forwarded by the Parl. whereupon they applied to the Army expecting redresse by them notwithstanding which the Army being unwilling to meddle with the Civill Authority in matters so properly appertaing to it it was agreed That his Excellency and Officers of the Army should be desired to move the Parl. to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amisse in Government which having done we hoped that the Parl. would seasonably have answered our expectations but finding delayes therein we renewed our desires in a Petition in August last and although they signified their good acceptance thereof and referred the particulars to a Committee of the House yet no considerable effect was produced but there more and more appeared among them an aversion to the things themselves with much bitternesse and opposition to the people of God which grew so prevalent that those persons of honour and integrity who had eminently appeared for God and the publick good were rendred of no further use in Parl. then by meeting with a corrupt party to give them countenance to carry on their ends For which purpose they frequently declared themselves against having a New Representative and when they were necessitated to take that Bill into consideration they resolv'd to make use of it to recruit the House with persons of the same temper thereby to perpetuate their owne sitting which intention divers of the most active did manifest labouring to perswade others to a consent therein and divers Petitions preparing from severall Counties for the continuance of this Parl. were encouraged by them For obviating these evills the Officers of the Army obtained severall Meetings with some of the Parl. to consider what fitting meanes might be applyed to prevent the same but such endeavours proving altogether ineffectuall it became most evident to the Army that this Parl. would never answer those ends which God his people and the whole Nation expected from them But that this Cause must needs languish under their hands and be wholly lost All which being sadly considered by the honest people of this Nation as well as by the Army and wisdome and direction being sought from the Lord it seemed to be a duty incumbent upon us to consider of some more effectuall means to secure the Cause which the good people of this Common wealth have been so long engaged in and to stablish peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary that the Supream Authority should be devolved upon known persons men fearing God and of approved integrity and committed unto them for a time as the most hopefull way to encourage and countenance all Gods people reform the Law and administer justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and have the Government setled upon a true Basis without hazard to this glorious Cause and necessitating to keep up Arms for the defence of the same And being still resolved to use all means possible to prevent extraordinary courses we prevai'ed with about twenty Members of Parl. to give us a Conference with whom we freely and plainly debated the necessity and justnesse of our Proposals and did evidence that these would most probably bring forth something answerable to that work the foundation whereof God himselfe hath laid The which found no acceptance but it was offered that the way was to continue still this Parl. as being that from which we might reasonably expect all good things and this being insisted upon did much confirm us in our apprehensions That not any love to a Representative but the making use thereof to perpetuate themselves was their aim They being plainly dealt with about this and told that neither the Nation the honest interest nor we our selves would be deluded by such dealings did agree to meet again next day in the afternoon and nothing in the mean time should be done that might frustrate the Proposals Notwithstanding the Parl. next morning did make more hast then usuall in carrying on their said Act being helped therein by some of the persons engaged to us the night before none of them endeavouring to oppose the same and being ready to put the main Question for consummating the said Act whereby our Proposals would have been made void For preventing whereof we have been necessitated to put an End to this Parliament And desire that all men as they would not provoke the Lord to their owne destruction should wait for such issue as he shall bring forth and to follow their businesse with peaceable spirits wherein we promise them protection by his assistance FINIS
for the King their Commissioners denied audience to make their just Defence to the King and the whole Kingdome of Scotland and England too hereupon much distracted and distempered with levying of moneys and imprisoning all amongst us that refused the same This Parliament also refusing to comply with the King Canterbury and Strafford in this Episcopal War against the Scots was soon dissolved and broken up by them and thereupon they returned to their former wayes of wast 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 Cloaths betimes in the morning before they were out of their Beds searched for Letters and Writings and some of them imprisoned and a false and most scandalous Declaration was published against the House of Commons in the Kings Name A Forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London to be made a president if it prevailed there for the whole Kingdome but some Aldermen refusing were sorely threatned and imprisoned In which interim the Clergies Convocation continuing notwithstanding the Dissolution of the Parliament New Conscience oppressing Canons were forged and a strange Oath with an c. in it was framed for the establishing of the Bishops Hierarchy with severe punishments on the refusers to take it The OATH That I A. B. doe Sweare that I doe approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to Salvation And that I will not endeavour by my selfe or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that which is so established Nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church by Arch-Bishops Bishops Deans and Arch Deacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand Nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to the plain and common sense and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And this I doe heartily willingly and truly upon the faith of a Christian So help me God in Jesus Christ In this Convocation sore Taxations were also imposed upon the whole Clergy even no lesse then six Subsidies besides a bountifull Contribution to forward that intended War against Scotland For the advancing of which said sums for this War the Popish 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 The Papists also in a high measure enjoyed even almost a total Toleration and a Popes Nuncio suffered amongst us to act and govern all Romish affairs yea a kind of private Popish Parliament kept in the Kingdome and Popish Jurisdictions erected among them Commissioners were also secretly issued out for some great and eminent Papists for Martial Commands for levying of Souldiers strengthning their party with Arms and Ammunition of all sorts and in great plenty His Majesties Treasure was by these means so extreamly exhausted and his Revenues so anticipated that he was forced to compell as it were his owne Servants Judges and Officers of all sorts to lend him great sums of money and Prisons filled with refusers of these and the other illegall payments yea many High-Sheriffs summoned in the Star-Chamber and to the Councel board and some of them imprisoned for not being quick enough in levying of Ship-money and such like intolerable Taxations In sum the whole Land 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 In which interim the Scots being entred our Kingdome for their own defence the King had advanced his Royal-Standard at Yorke where the cream of the Kingdom Nobles and Gentry being assembled and a Treaty betwixt the prime of both Armies had at Rippon for a fair and peaceable accommodation the King was at last inforced to take his Nobles Councel and in the first place a cessation of Arms agreed on and then a fifth Parl. was necessitously resolved on to begin Nov 3. 1640. 5th Parliament Letters from the King Queen Popish Earls Lords Knights and Gentry post into all parts of the Kingdome to make a strong party for them Shortly after a very formidable Spanish Fleet or Armado appeared on our English narrow Seas in sight of Dover and was coming in as was on very strong grounds more then probably conjectured as a third party to help to destroy us the Spaniards hoping that by this time we and the Scots were together by the ears but they were by Gods mercy beaten off from us by our Neighbours of Holland and we fighting against them fought against our friends The Souldiers in their passage to York turn Reformers pull down Popish Pictures break down rails turn Altars into Tables those Popish Commanders that ware to command them they forced to eat flesh on Fridays thrusting it down their throats and some they slew In the time of ours and the Scots Armies residing in the North which was in June 1641. Malignant Lords endeavoured to bring it out of the North Southward and so to London to compell the Parl. to such limits and rules as they thought fit whereupon the Parl. entred upon this following Protestation Die Veneris 30 July 1641. WE the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parl. finding to the great grief of our hearts that the designs of the Priests Jesuites and other adherents to the Sea of Rome have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice then formerly to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the true Reformed Protestant Religion in his Majesties Dominions established And finding also that they have been and having just cause to suspect that there are still even during this sitting in Parliament endeavours to subvert the fundamentall Lawes of England and Ireland and to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government by most pernicious and wicked counsels practices plots and conspiracies And that the long intermission and unhappy breach of Parliam hath occasioned many illegall Taxations whereupon the subject hath been prosecuted and grieved And that divers Innovations and superstitions have been brought into the Church multitudes driven out of his Majesties Dominions jealousies raised and vvn betwixt the King and his people a Popish Army levyed in Ireland and two Armies brought into the bowels of his Kingdom to the hazzard of his Majesties Royal person the consumption of the Revenues of the Crown and Treasure of his Kingdome And lastly finding