motions We left Cromwel and his Army upon the very edge of Scotland who upon July 22. 1650. drew them forth to a Rendevoz upon an Hill within Berwick bounds from whence they had an exact view of the bordering parts of Scotland where they were to act their parts to whom the General made a short speech exhorting them to be faithful and couragious and then they need not doubt the blessing of Heaven and incouragement from himself Which they received with shouts of approbation After which he marches into Scotland quartering in the Field that Night near the Lord Mordingtonshouse where proclamation was made That none upon pain of death should offer any violence to the persons or goods of any in Scotland not in Arms and no souldier should dare to straggle half a mile from the Army without special license From hence they marched to Dunbar where they received some provisions from the Ships sent on purpose to supply them the people having left their Habitations and nothing behind them Thence they came to Hadington twelve miles from Edenborough without any opposition or sight of an enemy next day hearing the Scots would meet them at Gladsmeer they endeavoured to possess the Moor before them but no considerable party appeared whereupon M. Gen. Lambert and Collonel Whaley with fourteen hundred Horse were sent as a Van-guard to Mustleborough to attempt something upon the Scots and Major Hains commanding the Forlorn faced them in less than a mile of their Trenches Cromwel with the residue of the Army drew up before Edenburgh and some skirmishes happened about possessing King Arthurs Hill within a mile of the City which the English gained and likewise a Church and other Houses but the Scots not enduring the shock that Night the English withdrew and lay close Incamped at Muscleborough being wearied with constant duty and continual rain The Scots were within four miles of them Intrench'd within a line which flanked from Edenburgh to Leich and lay so strong that the English lay still that day in the rain without covert but were incouraged with hope of a sudden Ingagement Next day the ground being very wet and provisions scarce the English resolve to draw to their Quarters at Muscleborough which while they were doing the Scots fell upon their Reer and put them into some disorder but some bodies of English Horse coming up charged and beat them to their very Trenches Lambert in this encounter was run through the arm with a Lance and had his Horse killed under him and was wounded in his body and taken prisoner and rescued The Scots had several kill'd some of Note and a Lieutenant Collonel a Major and some Captains taken prisoners After which the English marched quietly to Muscleborough that Night but so harrassed with dirt and watching that they expected the Scots would fall upon them which accordingly they did for about four next morning fifteen select Troops of Horse and others to the number of fifteen hundred armed with Backs Brests Head-pieces Pistols Swords and Lances commanded by Major General Montgomery and Collonel Stranghan came on with such resolution that they beat in the Guards and disordered a Regiment of Horse but the English being alarm'd instantly fell upon them with such courage that they routed pursued and did execution upon them till within a quarter of a mile of Edenburgh taking and killing about two hundred with several Officers of Quality Cromwel to discover his generosity released the principal prisoners and sent them to Edenburgh in his own Coach which did very much rectifie the opinions of many who by reports were perswaded he was very cruel The Army having again spent their provisions marched for a supply to Dunbar where the parliaments Ships constantly attended them with all Necessaries and then returning toward Edenburgh they understood the Scots were keeping a solemn Thanksgiving for their deliverance supposing they were quite gone and would have come no more but found themselves much disappointed Whereupon the General Assembly sent Cromwel by David Lesley their General a Declaration of the state of the Quarrel wherein they were to fight which he desired might be published That the General Assembly considering their must be just grounds of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing â—o subscribe the Declaration concerning his former carriage and resolutions for the future in reference to the Cause of God the enemies and friends thereof doth therefore declare That the Kirk and Kingdom will not own any malignant party their Quarrel or Interest but that they will fight upon their former principles for the Cause of God and their Kingdom and therefore as they disclaim all the sin of the King and his House so they will not own him nor his Interest any further than he shall disclaim his and his Fathers opposition to the work of God and the enemies thereof and that they would with convenient speed consider of the papers sent to them from Oliver Cromwel To whom the English General returned this answer That the Army continued the same they had profest themselves to the honest people of Scotland wishing to them as to their own Souls it being no part of their business to hinder them in the worship of God according to their own Consciences as by his Word they ought And that they should be ready to perform what obligation lay upon them by the Covenant but that under the pretence of the Covenant mistaken a King should be taken in by them and imposed on the English and thus called The cause of God and of the Kingdom and this done for the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as alledged Together with a disowning of Malignants although the head of them be received who at this very instant hath a party fighting in Ireland and Prince Rupert at Sea upon a malignant account the French and Irish Ships daily making Depredations upon the English Coasts and all by vertue of his Commissions and therefore the Army cannot believe that whilst malignants were fighting and plotting against them on the one side and the Scots declaring for him on the other it should not be the espousing of a malignant Interest or Quarrel but a meer fighting on former grounds and principles If the state of the Quarrel be thus and you resolve to fight the Army you will have opportunity to do that else what means our abode here And our hope is in the Lord. Having thus stated the cause of the War in disputing with the pen they next resolve to try the force of steel and fight it out for the month of August was near done and little action performed save the taking of Collington-house and Red-hall by storm and in it the Laird Hamilton Major Hamilton and sixty Souldiers sixty Barrels of powder one hundred Arms great store of Meal Malt Beer Wine and other rich plunder The body of the English Army removed forthwith from Pencland-hills till they came within a mile of the whole Army of the Scots
all communication between the Loyal Gentlemen of both Counties wherein he had the assistance of Coll. Ireton with whom he here became first acquainted The King in opposition to the Association which the Parliament had settled issued out his Commission of Array which was first designed to be put in Execution by Sir Henry Connisby High Sheriff of Hartford-shire at St. Albans who thereby intended to have raised the County for the aid of the King but 〈…〉 about to proclaim the Parâ—lâ—â—◠〈…〉 he was prevented in his purpose who coming suddenly into the Town with a party of Horse surprized Sir Henry and some other Gentlemen of his Assistants whom he sent to London Prisoners to the great satisfaction of the Parliament who were somewhat disturbed that such an attempt should be made so near the City and thereupon they returned him the thâ—nks of the House and from this time lookt upon him as a person of Meric and Conduct After which he soon angmented his Troop to a Thousand many being willing to adventure their lives with such a fortunate Commander and about this time hearing that some Knights and Gentlemen were met together at Lowers-Tost in Suffolk the chief of whom were Sir John Petus Sir Edward Baker c. designing to have made a Counter Association in that County and Norfolk for the Kings service with indefatigable diligence he marches thither seizing and securing them all which was a fatal blow to the Kings Interest and Lyn Regis which the Royalists maintained being soon after surrendred was so great a discouragement to them that during the whole War they could never after find any opportunity to shew their affection to the Kings Cause The Associated Counties being thus firmly settled for the Parliament Cromwel was made Lieutenant-General to the Earl of Manchester who had a separate command of those Associated Counties and was now ordered to march Northward with those Forces and join with General Lesly and the Scots assisted by Sir Tho. Fairfax for reinforcing the Siege before York then beleaguer'd by Lesly In his march he blocks up the Garrison of Newark and meeting some of their party at Grantham he charged them with such fury that though much superiour to him in number yet himself marching in the Van he soon put them to flight Having thus made a quick dispatch at Newark he proceeded to York in which the Marquess of Newcastle had put the best part of the Kings Forces The King having had an advantage against the Earl of Essex at Lestichell in Cornwall sent away Prince Rupert as General with a very powerful Army to raise the Siege of York which he judged to be of great Importance the three Generals Lesly Manchester and Fairfax drew off their Forces from the City to fight him as knowing if they got the day it must surrender to the Victor without blows The Prince having notice of their raising the Siege sent some of his Troops towards Hassam-More to face General Lesly and his Scots but in the mean time enters into York with two thousand Horse and all Provisions for their relief after which he resolved to fight the Parliamentarians though much disswaded by the Marquess of Newcastle knowing what hazard the Estates of the Kings Friends would run if he should miscarry and that upon the fate of this Battel the gain or loss of the North depended However the Prince pretending to march to Tadcaster Lesly with his Army followed him but returning again suddenly to Marston-Moor he takes what advantages of ground he thinks fit and Lesly soon coming up the Generals Marshall'd their Army in the best order they could for the shortness of time Fairfax and Leslies Horse making the Right Wing and the Scotâ—h Troops and Manchesters the Left under the command of Cromwel which charge was that day committed to him the Foot making up the main Body The Armies being drawn up in this form the first Onset was performed by Prince Ruperts Left Wing with such fury as they broke the Parliaments Right and persuing their advantage with much Vigour the Earth was soon covered with the slain In the mean while Cromwel being in the Left Wing and ignorant of the misfortune of the Right with much Courage ingages the Princes Right Wing which quickly altered the Scene of Affairs and snatch'd the Victory out of the Princes Hand who seemed in probability to have obtained it for the Lord Fairfaxes Forces were totally dissipated and beaten out of the Field when Cromwel with his Troops fell on with such Resolution that he routed the Prince and his reserves and with the same Violence charged the Marquess of Newcastles Foot who yet stood till the Field was almost cleared and then were forced to give way to the number of their Enemies there were many slain especially in the persuit and Cromwel he obtained the Name of Ironsides from the Impenetrable firmness of his Troops which no force could separate or break It is thought to be the bloudiest Fight that happened during the War it being judged near ten thousand men were slain on both sides Upon this defeat Prince Rupert and his Followers charge the miscarriage upon the Marquess of Newcastle and he again upon them who thereupon left the Kingdom The consequence of this Victory was the rendition of York which being now afresh besieged and despairing of succour Sir Thomas Glemham the Valiant Governour was obliged to deliver it up This success raised Cromwels reputation higher still and the Parliament at Westminster were extreamly pleased with his Courage and Prudence that when he saw part of the Army routed yet with an undaunted presence of mind he took occasion from thence to animate his Souldiers to the more vigorous recovery of the Victory even when the Scots had timorously left the Field and of whom for this and other reasons he had no great opinion afterward Several other Exploits he was ingaged in both in the North and West even before he had any considerable command for while he was in the same quality under the Earl of Manchester he was ordered to return to the North to oppose the King then marching triumphantly from the West after the defeat of Essex who having been unfortunate in his Enterprizes Cromwel this successful Commander was joined with him who at the second Battel at Newberry about four months after that at Marston-Moor was favoured though not with a compleat Victory yet with such good fortune that where his Troops were the Royalists gave back with so much precipitation as greatly endangered the Kings person had not the Earl of Cleveland interposed and with much hazard prevented the persuit The War still continuing with much bloodshed and no period in probability like to be put to it the Parliament apprehended want of Conduct in some of their chief Commanders and therefore resolved to new model their Army and that no offence might be given to any of their own Members by being discarded they pass the self-denying Ordinance so
not at all restrained but lived like a Prince in all the splendor of a Court all sorts of people being freely admitted to kiss his hands and wait upon him yea his servants from beyond Sea even those who had been Voted Delinquents as Ashburnham Barkley and the rest were permitted by the Army to have safe recourse to him which was generally wondred at About this time a disturbance arose in the Army by a party called Levellers some of whom were seized at Ware and the principal sticklers shot to death others Imprisoned and all their favourers cashier'd twenty being discarded out of one Troop And now propositions were sent to the King at Hampton-court agreed upon by both Houses and with the concurrence of the Scotch Commissioners but the King refused to comply with them for Loâ—don and Lancrick newly come out of Scotland having privately discours'd with the King sent Letters to the Parliament requiring That the King may come to London and there personally treat with the Parliament about the matters in controversie Though not long before they denied it to be just that before the King had given satisfaction and security to the people he should be admitted to London or to any personal Treaty with the Parliament and refused to receive him into Scotland lest he might raise commotions there but they alledged in their defence That the King had been taken from Holmby against his will and without the consent of Parliament and still remained under the power of an Army not in that freedom proper for treating of matters of so great concernment But while the Parliament were framing propositions they were suddenly surprized with the news that the King was secretly withdrawn from Hampton-court Letters coming from Cromwel about midnight to the Speaker For Nov. 12. whilst the Commissioners of Parliament and Collonel Whaley who commanded the Guard expected when the King would come out of his Chamber to supper and wondred at his long stay at last about Nine a clock some going in missed the King finding his Cloak and a Letter written with his own hand to the Commissioners to be communicated to the Parliament wherein having discoursed about captivity and the sweetness of liberty he protested before God He did not withdraw to disturb the publick peace but for his safety against which he understood there was a Treasonable Conspiracy c. and that if he might be heard with freedom honour and safety he should instantly break through this cloud of retirement and shew himself the Father of his Country The Parliament startled at his departure sent some persons to the Sea-coasts to prevent his going beyond Sea and when it was reported he was concealed in London Ordered That if any man should closely detain the Kings person he should be punish'd with loss of Estate and Life But this cloud soon dissolved Letters coming from Coll. Hammond Governour of the Isle of Wight that the King was come thither and had delivered himself into his proâ—ection and that he would dispose of him as the Parliament should appoint who commending Hammond ordered That he should Guard the King with diligence and wait on with respect and honour and that all necessaries should be sent him The King sent a long Letter from thence to the Parliament wherein he desired to come to a personal Treaty at London which was also vehemently pressed by the Scots Commissioners Whereupon after a long debate Nov. 26. they drew up four propositions in the form of Acts to be signed by the King in the Isle of Wight and then he should be admitted to a personal Treaty which were 1. To pass an Act for settling the Militia of the Kingdom 2. An Act for calling in all Declarations Oaths and Proclamations against the Parliament and their adherents 3. For Incapacitating those Lords who were made after the Great-Seal was carried to Oxford from sitting in the House of Peers thereby A power to be given to the two Houses to adjourn as they shall think fit The Commissioners of Scotland declared against these Bills however Dec. 24. they were presented to the King who understanding the minds of the Scots and the Factions in London absolutely refused to sign them Which deniâ—l was sharply debated in the House and it was affirmed That the King by this denial had denied his protection to the people of England for which only subjection is due to him And therefore Jan. 17. a Declaration and Votes passed both Houses of Parliament That they will make no further Addresses to the King nor any other to make application to him without their Order under penalty of High-Treason That they will receive no more Messages from him to both or either Houses of Parliament or any other person This was seconded by a Declaration of the General and Officers of the Army which was presented to the House and thanks returned them for their Resolutions to adhere to the Parliament in their proceedings concerning the King and against him or any other that shall partake with him The Parliament likewise by their Declaration did endeavour to appease the minds of the people many of whom were extreamly discontented with these proceedings Tumults and Insurrections being daily feared so that the Parliament though victorious and guarded with a conquering Army no Forces visibly appearing against them yet were never in more danger and every man began to foresee Slaughter and War as Mariners observe a rising Tempest ' The threatning Waves in Tracts voluminous ' Boil up The Seas by blasts uncertain blown ' Betoken many Winds conception The Kings party though conquered had great hopes of retrieving their Cause and the same thing seemed to be the wish of many of those called Presbyterians out of their strong aversion to the Independents so that the King though set aside and confined within the Isle of Wight was more formidable this Summer than in any other when he was followed by his strongest Armies The Name of King had now a farther operation and the pity of the vulgar gave a greater Majesty to his person Prince Charles also by his absence and the Name of banishment was more desired of them and by his Commissions privately sent from his Father and Commands under his Name he was able to raise not only Tumults but Wars The Parliament for their security Quartered part of the Army about Westminster the Mewse and other places of the City and some Lords and Commons were chosen out of the House and called A Committee of Safety and sate at Derby-House with power to suppress Tumults and Insurrections and to raise Forces upon occasion which were the Earls of Northumberland Kent Warwick and Manchester the Lords Say Wharton and Roberts and thirteen of the H. of Commons among whom was Lieutenant-General Cromwel And it was not long e're they had occasion to make use of their Authority for upon Sunday April 9 1648. some Apprentices and other loose people playing in Moor-fields set upon a Company of the
two hours fight by another as big the first of which she sunk presently after and yet was also possest by the Dutch The Sampson was boarded by young Rere Admiral Trump on one side and a Fireship on the other and so was soon burnt The loss of these five Ships was the greatest damage the English sustained since the War began and was done in the sight of Captain Boddily and nine English frigates who did not in the least assist them for which they were branded with Cowardice and Treachery At this time the King of Portugal unable to resist the power of the English at Sea sent over an Extraordinary Ambassador to conclude a peace and to give satisfaction for the Merchants losses An Agent was likewise sent from the French King desiring the release of his Ships taken going for the relief of Dunkirk and to have a right understanding between the two Republicks And on the other side four Deputies were sent from the Prince of Conde to crave aid against Cardinal Mazarine and his party who had strictly besieged the City of Bordeaux but all mediation proved ineffectual the breach being too great between the two States to be easily cemented Other Nations likewise endeavoured to be Mediators between England and Holland as the Queen of Sweden the Cantons of Switzerland the Imperial Cities of Lubeck and Hamburgh but all was fruitless This was the posture of the Civil and Military affairs of this Nation when General Cromwel with Major General Lambert Harrison and seven or eight Officers more came to the House of Commons April 23. 1653. with about twelve fouldiers whom he ordered to wait at the door and being entred spake to this purpose You have sufficiently deluded the people and provided for your own and your Relations benefits possessing these seats under a pretence of forming a Common-wealth of reforming the Laws and promâ—â—ing the publick Good whereby you have imposed upon the Kingdom whilst in the mean time you have only Invaded the goods of the Common-wealth have thrust your selves and Relations into the gainfullest and most honourable Offices only to nourish Luxury and Impiety Then stamping on the ground which was a sign to the souldiers at the door For shame says he rise quickly hence and give place to those that are honester and will better perform their Trusts Upon which they all began to move some by force or fear others murmuring but the Speaker not rising readily out of the Chair Major General Harrison lent him his hand and gently listed him out General Cromwel also commanded that bauble as he called the Mace to be taken away When the Members were all departed the doors were lock'd up and Guards set upon them and all the Avenues of the House And thus was this mighty parliament dissolved or dismissed after near twelve years sitting and after having transacted so many great affairs and this without opposition or disturbance their powers transferred into the hands of the Souldiery and their Names reprogched and vilified by the common people But to satisfie the Nation General Cromwel and his Officers published a Declaration which they had prepared the day before of the Reasons of their proceedings as followeth Our intention is not at this time to give an account of the grounds which first moved us to take up Arms and ingage our lives and all that was dear unto us in this Cause nor to mind in this Declaration the various dispensations through which Divine Providence hath led us or the Witness the Lord hath born and the many signal Testimonies he hath given to the sincere endeavours of his unworthy Servants whilst they were contesting with many and great difficulties as well in the Wars as other Transactions in the three Nations being necessitated in the defence of the same Cause they first asserted to have recourse unto extraordinary actions the same being evident by former Declarations published on that behalf And after God was pleased not only to reduce Ireland and give in Scotland but so marvelously to appear for his people at Worcester that these Nations were reduced to a degree of peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the parliament had opportunity to give the people the Harvest of all their labour blood and treasure and to settle a due liberty in reference to Civil and Spiritual things whereunto they were obliged by their duty and ingagements and those great and wonderful things God hath wrought for them yet they made so little progress therein that it was a matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applied themselves to the Army who though unwilling to meddle with the Civil Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in the Common-wealth and in settling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousness Which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires in an humble Petition in August 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progress made therein as might imply their real intentions to accomplish what was Petitioned for but rather an averseness to the things themselves with much bitterness and opposition to the people of God and his spirit acting in them insomuch that the Godly party in Parliament were rendred of no further use than to countenance the ends of a corrupt party for effecting the desire they had of perpetuating themselves in the Supream Government For which purpose the said party long opposed and frequently declared themselves against having a new Representative and when they saw themselves necessitated to take this Bill into consideration they resolved to make use of it to recruit the House with persons of the same spirit and temper thereby to perpetuate their owe sitting which intention divers of the activest among them did manifest labouring to perswade others to a consent therein and the better to effect this divers petitions preparing from several Counties for the continuance of this Parliament were incouraged if not set on foot by many of them For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained several meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applied to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectual it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others and the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his people and the whole Nation expected from them but that this Cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the lives liberties and comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of
Council of State be constituted to take care of and intend the peace safety and present management of the affairs of the Common-wealth which being settled accordingly the same is hereby declared and published to the end all persons may take notice thereof and in their several places and stations demean themselves peaceably giving obedience to the Laws of the Nation as heretofore in the exercise and administration whereof as endeavours shall be used that no oppression or wrong be done to the people so a strict account will be required of all such as shall do any thing to endanger the publick peace and quiet upon any pretence whatsoever O. Cromwel April 30. 1653. The Hollanders hoped to reap advantage from these Revolutions but found themselves mistaken the Naval affairs being still managed with as much application as before as they soon felt to their cost for the Dutch having a great Fleet of Merchants ships Outward bound durst not venture through the channel but with a Fleet of about Ninety Men of War convoyed them by the North of Scotland toward the sound and there met with another Fleet of Merchant men Homeward bound from Russia East-India and France whom they brought home safe and hearing the English Fleet was Northwards came into the Downs taking two or three small Vessels and made some shot into Dover Town boasting the English Fleet was lost and that they would send a Hue and Cry after them when on a sudden the English Navy arrived from the North and came into Yarmouth-Road June 1. Being at Anchor in Sole-Bay they discovered two Dutch Galliot Hoyses to whom chase was given till the whole Dutch Fleet was discovered but the weather proving dark they lost sight of them June 3. Our Fleet being at Anchor off the Gober discovered the Enemy about two Leagues to Leeward being about 100 sail and weighed toward them about Noon both Fleets were Ingaged which for some hours were very sharp so that in the Evening the Dutch bore right away before the wind Next day at Noon they ingaged again and after four hours dispute the Hollanders would have got away but the wind freshing Westerly the English bore in so hard among them that they took eleven Men of War two water Hoys six Captains fifteen hundred prisoners and sunk six men of War more the rest escaped by the darkness of the Night and the Flatts The English lost General Dean one of their Admirals who was killed with a great shot the first day with one Captain and bout one hundred and fifty men more and two hundred and forty wounded but not one ship was lost The English were much incouraged by General Blakes coming in during the fight with sixteen sail of stout men of War The Dutch having in the Night got into the Wielings the Flye and Texel it was resolved to sail as near the Coast as was safe where the English lay for some time taking many prizes to the great damage of the Hollanders whose ships could neither go in or out from any one Port to join together to oppose them General Cromwel and his Council of Officers having considered of the qualifications of the next Parliament and made a List of those persons in England Scotland and Ireland to whom they designed to commit the Legislative power Warrants were issued out for them to appear at the Council Chamber at White-Hall July 4. 1653. to this effect Forasmuch as upon the dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the peace safety and good Government of this Common-wealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons fearing God and of approved fidelity and honesty are by my self with the advice of my Council of Officers Nominated to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to be committed and having good assurance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of his Cause and the good people of this Common-wealth I Oliver Cromwel Captain General and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces raised or to be raised within this Common-wealth do hereby summon and require you being the persons Nominated personally to be and appear at the Council-Chamber commonly called or Known by the Name of the Council-Chamber at White Hall within the City of Westminster upon the fourth day of July next ensuing the date hereof then and there to take upon you the said Trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member for the County of _____ And hereby you are not to fail Given under my Hand and Seal the eighth day of June 1653. O. Cromwel July 4. The persons summoned to the number of an hundred forty four out of the three Kingdoms met accordingly at the Council-Chamber at White-Hall where was General Cromwel and several of his Officers who made a Speech to them recounting The many wonderful mercies of God to this Nation and the continued series of Providences by which he had appeared in carrying on this Cause and bringing affairs into the present condition with their progress since the famous victory at Worcester and the actings of the Army thereupon after divers applications to the Parliament and waiting upon them with the grounds and necessity of their dissolving which he declared to be for the preservation of this Cause and the interest of all honest men who have been ingaged therein He then told them of the clearness of the Call given to the Members then present to take upon them the supream Authority and from the Scriptures exhorted them to their duty desiring that a tenderness might be used toward all conscientious persons of what Judgment soever After which General Cromwel produced an Instrument under his own Hand and Seal whereby he did with the advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the supream Authority and Government of the Common-wealth into the hands of the pâ—â—â—ons there met who or any forty of them were to be held and acknowledged the supream Authority of the Nation unto whom all persons within the same and the Territories thereto belonging were to yield obedience and subjection and that they should sit no longer than Nov. 3.1654 and three months before their dissolution they were to make choice of other persons to succeed them who were not to sit above twelve months anâ—â—chen to provide for a succession of Government Which Instruction being delivered them the General commended them to God himself with his Officers withdrew From thence the Members forthwith adjourned to the Parliament-House at Westminster and first considered what Title to take to themselves and after three days debate they resolved they would be called The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England and chose Mr. Rous for their Speaker About this time John Lilburn being a few months before banished by an Act of the last Parliament for certain crimes he was charged with took occasion upon this change of Government to return into England and cast himself upon
pretector might be desired to assume the stile of King as the most known and most agreeable Government This motion was seconded by several of the protectors Courtiers and April 9. the parliament having desired a meeting with him came to the Banquetting-house at White-Hall where-the speaker Sir Tho. Widdrington commended the Title and Office of a King as being settled in this Nation with Christianity it self approved by our Ancestors and consistent with our Laws and the temper of the people and then presented him the model of their humble petition and advice to that purpose His Highness in answer hereto said Mr. Speaker this is a weighty matter and therefore I desire space to seek God the charge that you would lay upon me being too heavy for me to bear without his assistance for the ENglish are the best people in the World and require all tenderness and consideration whatsoever to be used for preserving their liberties and properties The next day a Committee was appointed to wait upon him and receive his scruples and to offer reasons for his satisfaction The objections the protector made were First That the Title of a King is a Name of Office and any Name that may imply the supream magistrate hath the same signification and therefore there is no necessity of a change To this they reply That the Name of a King is only equal to and comprehensive of the Office of the supream magistrate It is a rule That the King of England cannot alter the Laws by reason of their Name and that there is no obligation upon any other that the very Title was declared necessary in the 9th of Edw. 4. in the controversie betwixt him and Hen. 7. and every action done by the King in possession was valid and that the Name King had beginning with our Laws and that new Laws must be made for settling the Government in a protector The other objection was the danger and difficulty of altering the same Government to a Common-wealth and the refusal of some Judges and acting of others upon that ground That another parliament might change those resolutions The dislike of the good people and Army that providence had laid aside the Title of King after seven years War and many of the chief of those who were Instrumental therein were dissatisfied These scruples the Committee endeavoured to remove by alledging That providence had now brought about affairs so that it seemed necessary for His Highness to comply with it and as for discontented persons they have been always found in the best of Governments But because this was a matter of consequence I shall repeat the speech made by the Lord Whitlock one of the Committee sent to the protector with his answer thereto who after several others had offered their sentiments summed up the most material reasons as followeth Sir I have but very little to trouble your Highness with so much hath been already spoken and so well that it will be hard for me or any other to undertake to add to it only the duty of my Imployment and something due to your Highness occasions me to speak a few words to acknowledge with very humble thanks the Honour and Right which you have done this Committee by the clear and free discourses and conferences which they have had with your Highness and for your frequent expressions and testimonies of affection and respect to the parliament whose-sense in this I may presume to speak That never any persons met their supream magistrate with more love duty and honour than the parliament have met your Highness with in their addresses which argument of love deserves that esteem and force which I doubt not but your Highness will put upon it I am fearful to be too tedious at any time especially at so late an hour and therefore shall speak but short to some things which I remember not to have been mentioned Your Highness was pleased at the last meeting to say That the original Institution of the Title King was by common consent and that the same common consent might institute any other Title and make it as effectual as that of King This must be acknowledged but withal you may be pleased to observe That the Title of King is not only by an original common consent but that consent also approved and confirmed and the Law fitted thereunto and that fitted to the Laws by the experience and industry of many Ages and many hundreds of years together whereas any other Title will be only by present common consent without that experience and approbation For that experience which your Highness mentioned to have been of other Titles and the due administration of Justice under them this experience is far short of the other and for the course of Justice we have cause to thank that care which placed so good Judges and Officers over us Yet give me leave to say That in private causes between party and party and in publick matters in nominal causes it was not easie to find Justice to be done by some Jurors and many questions have risen upon the occasion of those new Titles Concerning that tender point of good mens satisfaction I think it requires a very great regard from us and I doubt not but those good people will be fully satisfied if they consider the covenants promises and precepts which in the scripture are annex'd to the Name of King and although some have alledged that they belong to any chief magistrate as well as to King yet no man did ever read the original word translated otherwise than King Neither do I find the Title of Protector once mentioned in the holy Text. If the present Authority be a lawful Authority which I hope none of us will deny surely those good men who are so well principled in Godliness will not forget that precept of submission to Authority and to be satisfied with that which lawful Authority shall ordain their Rights and Liberties are the same with ours and the parliament cannot advise any thing for the preservation of the peoples Rights but these good men are included which I hope will be no dissatisfaction to them In all the changes which we have seen there hath been a dissatisfaction to some yet still the blessing of God hath gone a long through all these changes with those who carried on his Interest and the cause being the same the same mercies have been continued And I doubt not but if the intended change and restitution be made as I hope it will I doubt not but the same God will continue his blessings to that Good Old Cause wherein we are ingaged and that good men will receive satisfaction by it Your Highness hath been told That the Title of King is upon the foundation of Law and that a new Title must have a constitution to make the Laws relate unto it and that unto the Laws I shall only add this That a Title by Relation is not so certain and sale as a Title