Guard of Halberdiers and the Warders of the Tower The Solemnity was mannaged with a great deal of State from Somerset-House to Westminster many thousands of people being Spectators in the Windows and upon the Scaffolds all along the way as it passed At the West Gate of the Abbey Church the Hearse with the Effigies thereon was taken off again from the Chariot by those ten Gentlemen who placed it thereon before and in their passing on to carry it into the Church the Canopy of State was by the former six Gentlemen born over it again In which stately manner it was carried up to the East end of the Abbey and there placed in that Magnificent structure which was purposely erected there to receive it where it is to remain for some time exposed to publick view The Corps having been some dayes before Interred in Henry the Seventh's Chappel in a Vault purposely prepared for the same over which a costly Monument is preparing Thus have you a brief Relation of the last Ceremonies of Honor which were performed to the Memory of his late Highness who by his Heroick Acts had so well deserved as that my dull pen not able to express them I shall remit the Reader to censure my endeavours and submit to those that shall hereafter undertake to present the World with a larger Chronicle FINIS THE CHARACTER of his late Serene Highness OLIVER Late Lord Protector With several Reflections on the foregoing History SEeing Philosophers are of opinion that the Resemblance of Children to their Parents as well in their bodily shapes and features as in the Inclinations of their Souls is produced by one and the self-same Cause chiefly grounded upon this reason That the one is the Representative of the other And seeing moreover that we may not attribute unto a material Cause an immaterial Effect such as are all the operations of a Rational Soul they reject the power of a forming vertue the the Imaginary one the Constellation of the Planets and the qualities of the Seed To fix upon a more sublime mystery whereby God would have the Legitimateness of Children and Nephews to be manifested rather by the better part of man which is the Soul then by his Complexion his Behaviour his Speech and the shape of his Body And that such glorious souls as are wrapt up as it were in the body should like unto a transparent sun penetrate through those thick clouds and by that resplendency which they infuse through the whole body should attract the esteem and veneration which they beget in men either in the vulgar sort who are onely taken with the out-side or in the malicious and envious who endeavour to smoother those Talents in others which they do not possess themselves Which truth that we may the better make good it will not be amiss having first represented unto you some of his late Highness the Lord Protectors memorable Acts to demonstrate unto you the greatness of his soul and how well it was placed whereby all its Heroical vertues may as through a Christal glass appear unto the eyes of the whole world In this wise all Hystoriographers have proceeded not onely in their describing of the lives of Illustrious Personages but also in subduing of Cities and Towns Foretresses and places of Consequence which no sooner had received the Conquerours yoke but the Origine and Foundations were narrowly pried into the manner of their being fortified was described the form of their being besieged the assaults which they susteined and the glory which they acquired even by their surrendry upon honorable terms whereas on the contrary inconsiderate ones are quite neglected their appellations and reductions being scarce deemed worthy to be specified in a History In like manner since death after several vain attempts and successess assaults hath at length bereaved us of our Illustrious late Lord Protector we shall give you the Character of his person to let you see how much he resembled his glorious predecessors And howbeit we may thereby somewhat diminish and detract from his glory however so beautiful a soul as his was accompanied by a body participating of all those Organs which were succeptible of such high and admirable operations could not choose but produce the ensuing glorious effects In his person he somewhat exceeded the usual middle stature but was well proportioned accordingly being of a becoming fatness well shaped having a masculine face a sparkling eye both courteous and harsh at once according as there was occasion hardy and fierce in combats and reprehensions tempered in councels and meek promising to the afflicted and suitors He was of a strong constitution and of an active body well disposed an enemy both to ease and excess and although in his youth he was capable of yet he used not those fair and bewitching pleasures which a countrey where idleness and wantonness did reign doth afford to vigorous constitutions with a great deal of mediocrity in the War he was active vigilant and circumspect and although he was doubtless one of the best head-pieces in the world yet he disdained not to conferre and take counsel with others even in Affairs of the least concernment His greatest delight was to read men rather then books and his Eloquence which was both Masculine and Martial was rather a natural gift then an effect of art wherein he alwayes mingled some passages of the holy Writ in which his piety had amply instructed him to which most charming part as well as to his Sword he owed most of his Conquests and Victories being alwayes accustomed to exhort and animate his Souldiers at the undertaking of any great enterprize and before the giving of a battle so likewise after he had gained the victory he himself did express unto God his thankfulness and acknowledgements with so profound an humility as that he attributed unto God alone all his good success and did constantly refuse all those triumphs which were prepared for and profered to his valour He had an especial care to have Piety and Godliness reign in his Armies and punished as a most enormious crime those who took Gods name in vain Moreover he loved his Souldiers as his Children and his greatest care was to see them provided for with all necessaries requisite by which foresight and provividence he was the better able to execute that severe punishment which he usually caused to be inflicted on those who plundred and spoiled the Peasants for which crime he would not have pardoned his ownbrother and on the other side he was alwayes most bountiful and liberal to his Souldiers and those Pensions which are yet payed daily unto the old Souldiers unto their Widows and to the maimed and hurt men may save those charges which some Princes have been at to hire persons to weep and lament at their Funerals and over their Tombs He took great delight to discourse of the Affairs of the World and his own judgement did furnish him with such exact resolutions
to believe that perishing in the Mines of Peru they thereby did raise to themselves Thrones of Glory in Heaven since thereby they furnished Spain wherewithal to adorne and inrich Altars throughout the whole world In these torrid Climates the gallant English went to revenge the death of several Merchants and many brave Sea-men of all Nations which the Spaniards did surprize in those Seas and who they did decoy and attract by specious promises that they would not mischief them Notwithstandstanding the Law of Nations and the Faith which they had plighted they seized their ships and having tyed the men alive to trees placed this Superscription on their Breasts Who sent for you into this Countrey And let them there starve to death whilest the Birds of the Air did feed upon their flesh as they were yet alive And also Flanders the Sea whereof like unto a sharp humour did alwayes nourish the wounds and incurable evils she never was in so fair a way to recover her perfect health by the neighbourly refreshments which England at present doth profer unto her and the fresh Air which France would also have her enjoy Nor was the French letting her blood sufficient to cure her for she needed an English Physician who was accustomed to cure and treat incurable bodies so that in case this unfortunate fair one will in the least conform her self to those Remedies which are profered unto her and the which will be no violenter then she her self pleaseth she may be rendred plump and well liking as the fresh Air and Blossoms of France can make her and as the Sweets and Delicacies of England can procure unto her In like manner it was a high point of Generosity in the English since they caused France to lose Graveling and Dunkirk to help France again to re-take such places in those parts as might repay them with use and elsewhere also such as might stand them in as great stead as Montmedy which was the first considerable reduced place after this happy Alliance and the which crowned the same And truly here we may consider the Generosity of his late Highness in its most perfect dye or luster for without having regard to those Advantages which Spain might render him as to the Commerce the places of Hostage which she profered to put into his hands for secure Retreats as Graveling Dunkirk and others he was swayed by those Resentments which the English Nation ought to have harboured for the several and innumerable injuries and wrongs sustained by that Nation as the Spanish intended Invasion with their great Fleet in 88. Their Tyranny in the Indies and the Cruelties and Barbarismes which they inflict upon all those who will not acquiess unto and follow their Maximes and Opinions His late Highness therefore preferred the Alliance and League with France because it was more Christian-like permitting all men to make use of that Liberty of Conscience and Freedom which Jesus Christ hath acquired unto them by his Blood and gaining them by meekness and courteousness to his Divine example and not by Cruelties and Oppressions His late Highness sided with France the rather because she hath undertaken the Defence of all oppressed people as well Princes as Subjects And to alledge all in one word and so to compleat the height of Generosity it self because France at that time was the weakest as being abandoned by some of her ancient Allies and as it were quite disordered by an intestine War which had most violently shaken her bowels so likewise must France needs confess that without the assistance of England her Navigation was totally ruined the Pyrats of Dunkirk having blocked up all her Sea Ports in so much that Merchandizes were brought in as it were by stealth and France might have been forced to have kept but a lean Lent all their Farms and Farmers being destroyed their Butter Cheese and all kinde of Spices and other Wares of that nature being set at such rates as the Common people were not able to pay for them So that had not the English scoured their Seas and driven away and chased those Pyrats which lay lurking in such neighbouring Ports France had been in a sad condition whereas now by the means of the English all Forreign Nations come freely into the French Ports with their Ships and Goods And for to increase the courtesie of the English yet more to France by saving the French the labour charges and hazzards of going to the Indies they thence bring home unto their doors in Exchange of their Linnen and Wines all the good things and delicacies which not onely the New World but the rest of the World plentifully and abundantly affords I shall enlarge my self no further in these Political Reflections but referre the Reader to the incomparable Work lately Printed intituled History and Policy reviewed FINIS Courteous Reader These Books following with others are printed for Nath. Brook and are to be sold at his Shop at the Angelin Cornhill Excellent Tracts in Divinity Controversies Sermons Devotions THe Catholique History collected and gathered out of Scripture Councils and Ancient Fathers in Answer to Dr. Vane's Lost Sheep returned home by Edward Chesensale Esq Octavo 2. Bishop Morton on the Sacrament in Folio 3. The Grand Sacriledge of the Church of Rome in taking away the sacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table by D. Featley D. D. Quarto 4. The Quakers Cause at second hearing being a full answer to their Tenets 5. Re-assertion of Grace Vindiciae Evangelii or the Vindication of the Gospel a Reply to Mr. Anthony Burghess Vindiciae Legis and to Mr. Ruthford by Robert Town 6. Anabaptists anatomized and silenced or a Dispute with Mr. Tombs by Mr. J. Grag where all may receive clear satisfaction in that Controversie The best extant Octave 7. The zealous Magistrate a Sermon by T. Threscot Quarto 8. Britannia Rediviva A Sermon before the Judges August 1648. by J. Shaw Minister of Hull 9. The Princess Royal in a Sermon before the Judges March 24. by J. Shaw 10. Judgement set and Books opened Religion tried whether it be of God or Man in several Sermons by J. Webster Quarto 11. Israels Redemption or the Prophetical History of our Saviours Kingdome on Earth by R. Matton 12. The Cause and Cure of Ignorance Error and Profaneness or a more hopeful way to Grace and Salvation by R. Young Octavo 13. A Bridle for the Times tending to still the murmuring to settle the wavering to stay the wandring and to strengthen the fainting by J. Brinsley of Yarmouth 14. The sum of Practical Divinity or the grounds of Religion in a Chatechistical way by Mr. Christopher Love late Minister of the Gospel a useful piece 15. Heaven and Earth shaken a Treatise shewing how Kings and Princes their Governments are turned and changed by J. Davis Minister in Dover admirably useful and seriously to be considered in these times 16. The Treasure of the Soul wherein we are taught by dying
the first fallings out when at last having severall times past and repast through and through each other General Blake obtained the Victory having sunk one Holland Man of War took another with thirty Guns made a hundred and fifty Prisoners and both the Captains of the said Ships and sent the rest of their Fleet home by weeping Cross to tell the rest of their Butter-box Brethren the success of their rash Attempt The English lost but ten Men in this Fight and had forty wounded and of the whole Fleet the Generals Ship alone was somewhat endamaged in her Masts Sails Tackling and Apparel After which the States of Holland disowned and disavowed this Action and to that purpose sent over two extraordinary Ambassadors into England who represented these Reasons to the Parliament of England therein declaring Viz. That the unhappy Fight betwixt the Fleets of both Common-wealths hapned without their knowledge and contrary to the will and desire of the Lords the States General of the united Provinces taking God to witness of this Truth who knows the hearts of men and that both by Letters and Messages they had continually been assured of the said Lords and States Sincerity That with astonishment and amazement they had received the fatall tydings of so rash an Attempt and Action and that immediatly they entred into Consultation how they might best find out a remedy to soften and excuse this fresh bleeding Wound To which end they had convocated a general Assembly of the Provinces in the which they doubted not God willing to meet with a present remedy to these Troubles whereby not only the Causes of all the evils which might ensue should be removed but also by an interiour Comfort mens Minds might be rectified and brought to a better hope of the Treaty which was on Foot wherein their Lordships laboured daily and in good earnest for the Welfare of both Nations to avoid the further effusion of Christian blood so much desired by the Enemies unto both Nations wherefore they requested and desired most humbly of this honourable Councel by the Pledges of the Liberty and their mutuall concurrence in Religion Not to suffer any thing to be undertaken with too much precipitation and heat which might at length become irrevocable and not to be remedied by vaine Wishes or too late Vows but that without delay they might receive a favourable Answer which they the more earnestly desire since their Lordships the States Ships and Marriners were detained and impeded in their Voyages some by force and others by the Fights at Sea and the rest in the Ports of this Common-Wealth Whereunto the Parliament thus replyed Viz. THat whereas they remember with what continual Demonstrations of Friendship they alwaies Comported themselves towards their Neighbours of the united Provinces ever since the beginning of their Civil Wars having not omitted any thing which might tend to the preservation of a good understanding betwixt them they think it very strange to find how ill the said States have answered these their Civilities and especially by the Acts of Hostilitie which they have lately exercised against this Common-wealths Fleet and having taken the whole into their Consideration as well as the severall Papers presented to the Councel of State by their Ambassadors They do thereon answer That as they are ready to give a favourable interpretation to the expressions contained in the said Papers tending to represent how that the last Fight which hapned lately was without the knowledge and contrary to the intentions of their Masters so likewise when they consider how incomformable and inconsistent with these Thoughts and Discourses the proceedings of their State and the behaviour of their Sea-men hath been in the very midst of a Treaty and in what a manner the said particulars have been Negotiated here by their Ambassador The extraordinary preparations of a 150 Ships without any apparent necessity and the Instructions which were by the said Lords States given to the Sea-men we have but too great cause to believe That the Lords the States General of the united Provinces have a designe to usurp the known right which the English have to the Seas To destroy their Fleets which after God are their Walls and Bulwarks and thereby to expose the Common-wealth to an Invasion according to their own good liking even as they have attempted to do by their last Action whereupon the Parliament do think themselves to be obliged to endeavour by Gods assistance as they shall find occasion for the same to seek the reparation of those Wrongs which they have already received and an assurance for the future against the like which might be attempted against them However with a desire and an intention that things may be composed and put up in an amicable way if it be possible by such waies and means as God by his Providence shall lay open and by such circumstances as may tend to hasten this Designe and may render it more efficacious then any other of the like nature hath not yet been So that this Conference besides many others having not been caple to produce the Agreement and expected Reconciliation the Holland Ambassadors took their leaves of the Parliament by a publick Audience and went their ways And immediatly both these powerful Common-wealths prepared for an open VVar all the Waters of the Ocean being not able to quench their just Indignations and those Forces which they will both engender upon the Surface of the Sea may well and duly represent unto us the Image of the Chaos and the VVars of the Elements General Blake who seemed to have fastned the Saile of Fortune to his most prodigious mast by the glorious appearance of his gallant and resolute Fleet makes Saile towards the Northen Parts and about the Isles of Orkney and seised upon all the Holland Vessels which he found Fishing on that Coast most part of the Fishing Barques he sent away and discharged as unworthy Objects or Ornaments to so stately a Navall Armado but the twelve Holland Men of War which were to convoy and secure them he brought home with him On the other side Sir George Askue remaining in the Channel with another Squadron of Ships to clear and guard the same discovered thirty Saile of Hollanders betwixt Callis and Dover to which he gave Chace and constrained them all for the most part to run a shoare on the Coast of France onely ten excepted which were taken burnt and sunck and in reference to this fatall Rupture there was not a day past wherin Prizes were not made by the English on the Hollander and French who likewise were not as yet well reconciled to the English Thence Sir George Askue set Saile towards the West as well to seek out for the Hollander as to guard those Coasts and to convoy the Merchant-Men which were ready to set Saile from Plimouth through the Channel and being come within seven or eight Leagues of the said Port he had notice given
with the neighbouring States It is a thing worthy of observation and admiration both together that our Protectors Ancestors did alwayes bear this Motto in their Arms Pax quoeritur Bello which seemeth onely to belong to Soveraign Princes as if by a prophetical chance or else rather by a Divine Providence this Family which as it seems was designed to bear the Scepter and to restore and give peace unto England after so bloody a Civil War and so many other forreign broyls had received this glorious Motto as an earnest of its future Grandeur which said Motto doth in substance contain all the mystery of the Politicks and comprehend the two powers which God doth give to those whom he establisheth his Lievetenants upon Earth In effect we may observe that peace which seemed to have embraced our incomparable Oliver and as it were to have been incorporated with him hath ever since grown up with him until such time as its powerful branches which encreased and grew up to an infinite height had spread it felf so far as that this dutiful Daughter of Heaven whose growth is limitted by God being not able to follow him no longer was constrained onely to fix her self to the body of the tree and to suffer the branches to extend themselves to the other sides of the Sea-Coasts for to deprive that Nation of Peace which doth least deserve it having extended the War and her Tyrannies throughout all the inhabitable parts of the World For as soon as his late Highness our dread Protector had attained to the power by the means and force of Arms in England Scotland and Ireland Peace immediately brake forth and resplendently shown throughout all those parts and stopt those floods of Blood which could never have been stanched but by the greatest branches of our illustrious Oliver and not sooner had his Voice a transcendency in and over the Councels but Peace continually accompanied his Oracles Do but with me track the course of his fortunes and you will finde that bright Astrea doth follow or rather doth conduct and lead by the hand this blessed Deity and chains her up to the triumphal Chariot there to humble her and to make her know that this our Oliver was not the work of her hands but rather of her own since it is the end which doth alwayes Crown glorious and magnanimous Actions Now whereas the last Victory which General Blake obtained at Sea had gained a great stock of credit unto his late Highness both at home and abroad the whole English Nation began to witness a desire that he would undertake the Management of Affairs and put himself at the Helme of the Government and likewise all Strangers and Forreigners endeavoured to be in a good understanding with England The King of Portugal sent an extraordinary Ambassadour over into England with a gallant retinue the stateliness whereof savoured of the profusion of Peace which was also immediately granted them on very advantageous Conditions for England And almost at the same time two deputations were admitted from France which Kingdom was again for the second time unfortunately divided by a Civil War The French King by his Deputy demanded the restitution of those Ships which had been taken by the English as they were going to the relief of Dunkirk and on the other part the Prince of Conde sent a Deputy from Bordeaux besieged by the King to demand relief but all the Civility England could shew either of them at that time was not to assent at all to their demands and by that means remove all occasions of jealousie from each party besides that business being too much exasperated between England and France there could not so suddain an occomodation be expected and as to the Bourdelois all men know those French Quarrels are as short as violent In like manner several other forreign Princes and States sent over Deputations into England to endeavour to moderate a Peace between this Commonwealth and the Hollanders as amongst the rest the Queen of Sweeden The Cantons of Switzes the Imperial Hansiatick Towns of Hamborough and Lubeck But at that time there was such a combustion in the minde of the English who were at variance amongst themselves as that there was no appearance of thinking of any peace with strangers and forreigners Affairs being therefore thus embroyled at home his late Highness as then General seeing that in the Parliament the particular Interests overswayed the publick Good and that it was aparent all their drifts tended but to establish themselves into a perpetual Senate contrary to the ancient Customes and Liberties of England which require that Parliaments should have their successions and should onely be convocated from time to time and that therefore the members of the house wiredrawed Affairs by unnecessary Centestations which onely served to publish the designs and to retard the execution of them This our General I say who was designed by the Divine Providence to establish peace and tranquillity in England upon surer more sollid and more glorious Foundations entred the Parliament House accompanied by the Chief Officers of the Army and briefly represented unto them the Reasons why the Parliament ought to be dissolved which was also accordingly done The Speaker with the rest of the Members immediately departing the House some by force some through fear and others not without a great deal of reluctancy and murmuring No one living soul was aggrieved at this action neither was it so much as endeavoured to be questioned or redressed by any one all the world believing that in case the said change should bring no good with it at least it would not put Affairs in a worse predicament then they were so that the sovereign Senate was dissolved as you have heard and the power thereof was transferred into the hands of those who better deserved it since they acquired it by the points of their Swords and that they have since made appear that they knew how to use it with more prudence and moderation Nay the Parliament-men were even made so cheap unto the people that they became their reproach and obliquie and so were a consolation to the unfortunate who saw themselves revenged on them by those from whom they had least cause to suspect or expect it There was not so much as the least questioning nor censuring of the cause of this revolution but every one found it expedient according unto the several satisfactions which he thereby received or hoped for and as the Army was onely looked upon as Souldiers of fortune whom the necessity of the Affairs or the dangerous conjuncture of the times had enforced to take up Armes so that which was past and gone was not laid to their charge and the world could not choose but applaud them for what happened at present but expect from them for the future that generosity which the Millitary profession doth inspire into great courages as to this very day all men do enjoy
and are sensible of the favourable effects which have since been produced However the universal joy which was so evidently to be seen in all their countenances did not hinder but that it was thought fitting for the better satisfaction of the generality and of all men in particular to publish the causes the grounds and reasons of the dissolving of the Parliament which was accordingly ordered by the General and by his Councel consisting of the chief Officers of the Army and was manifested accordingly in a Declaration whereof the following are the chief Heads That after God was pleased marvellously to appear for his people in reducing Ireland and Scotland to so great 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 engagements and those great and wonderful things God had wrought for them But they made so little progress that it was matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applied themselves to the Army expecting redress by their means 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 by an humble Petition in August 1652. which produced no considerable effect nor was any such progress made therein as might imploy their real intentions to accomplish what was petitioned for but rather in aversness to the things themselves with much bitterness and aversion to the people of God and his Spirit acting in them insomuch that the Godly party in the Army were rendred of no other use then to countenance the ends of a corrupt party for effecting their desires in perpetuating themselves in the supreme Government For the obviating of 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 the 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 need 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 some 〈◊〉 means whereby to establish Righteousness and Peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary That the supreme Government should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons fearing God and of approved integrity for a time as the most hopeful way to countenance all Gods people reforme the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and understand their true interest in the election of successive Parliaments that so the Goverment might be settled upon a Right Basis without hazard to this glorious Cause or necessitating to keep up Armies for the defence of the same And being still resolved to use all means possible to avoid extraordinary courses we prevailed with about twenty Members of Parliament to give us a Conference with whom we plainly debated the necessity and justness of our proposals the which found no acceptance but instead thereof it was offered that the way was to continue still this Parliament as being that from which we probably might expect all good things This being vehemently insisted on did much confirme us in our apprehensions that any love to a Representative but the making use thereof to recrute and so to perpetuate themselves was their aim in the Act they had then under consideration For preventing the consumating whereof and all the sad and evil consequences which upon the grounds aforesaid must have ensued and whereby at one blow the interest of all honest men and of this glorious cause had been endangered to be laid in the dust and these Nations embroiled in new troubles at a time when our Enemies abroad are watching all advantages against and some of them actually engaged in War with us we have been necessitated though with much repugnancy to put an end to this Parliament This Declaration and these proceedings of his late Highness then General and of his Councel of Officers of the Army were backed by the consent of the Generals at Sea and by all the Captains of the Fleet and in like manner by all the other Generals and Officers of the Land forces both in Scotland Ireland and the other Territories But least the Magistrates and other publick Ministers of Justice and Policy suprized at this suddain change should chance to swerve from their duties or that other persons should thereby take occasion to foment disturbances prejudicial to the Common-wealth this ensuing Declaration was published Whereas the Parliament being dissolved persons of approved fidelity and honesty are according to the late Declaration of the two and twentieth of April last past to be called from the several parts of this Common-wealth to the supreme authority and although effectual proceedings are and have been had for perfecting those resolutions yet some convenient time being required for the assembling of those persons It hath been found necessary for preventing the mischiefs and inconveniencies which may arise in the mean while to the publick Affairs that a Council of State be constituted to take care of and intend the peace safety and present management of the Affairs of this Common-wealth which being settled accordingly the same is hereby declared and published to the end that 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 accompt will be required of all such as shall do any thing to endanger the publick peace and quiet upon any presence whatsoever Dated April the thirtieth 1653. subscribed Oliver Cromwel These domestick revolutions did in a manner put a new life into the Dutch again who thought that they would cause some eminent distractions and disturbances as well on the Seas as by Land But they were very much deceived for the Maratine Affairs of these Lands on which either the good or bad fortune of England depended were carryed on with
this so eminent a charge as that envy it self is constrained to confess that his Fathers wisdome could not have made a better choice Much about this time the Officers at Mardike in whose breasts the rigour of the winter did onely excite the heat of those designs which they had conceived in their souls being desirous to imploy part of that unprofitable season to concourse and consult that Oracle of Prudence who by the conduct of their Heroick Projects did inspire into them the vertue and efficacy to compass their designs and to surmount even the greatest difficulties Sir John Reynolds I say Commander in chief Collonel White and some other Officers being impatient to enjoy the happiness of seeing and consulting his Highness embarqued at Mardike for England but the mischance was that being assailed by a tempest they were unfortunately cast away upon the Goodwin Sands and so frustrated all the world of the expectations of those fair hopes which were conceived of their valours and of so fortunate beginnings On the fourth day of the moneth of February then next ensuing his late Highness repaired to the Lords House then in Parliament and having sent notice thereof to the House of Commons by the Keeper of the Black-Rod the Speaker with the Members came to the Lords House where standing without the Bar and his Highness within under a Cloath of State being animated with his wonted vigour and resolution succinctly told them without many preambles That it concerned his Interest as much as the publike Peace and Tranquility to terminate this Parliament so that he was come thither to dissolve the same which was also immediately performed On the twelfth day of the moneth of March ensuing his late Highness being desirous to oblige the City of London in a particular manner and at the same time to witness unto them the care he took for their preservation and tranquillity he sent for the Lord Major the Aldermen and the other Magistrates of the City and having made them sensible of his tenderness and care for their good he also represented unto them that during the Calm Tempests were most of all to be apprehended so that at such times the requisite Orders and necessary preventions to resist Troubles were to be chiefly minded For to this knowing and vigilant Spirit to whom nothing was dark or hid this penetrating Light who could pry even into mens hearts and who from out of his Cabinet could discover the most secret Plots which were hatching throughout all Europe declared unto them That the Enemies both of the State and of their City did not sleep although it seemed they were quite lulled That their City was great and vaste and like unto a corpulent Body nourished several ill humours That he requested them for their own goods to have a special care and to bear a watchful eye That he relied much upon their Vigilancy and Affection and that all he could contribute thereunto on his behalf was to re-establish the City Militia which had been abolished through the disorder of the foregoing Wars and to desire them to appoint for their Officers persons of Honour and Probity well-wishers and friends to the peace and quietness of the State and publique Good Whereupon the Lord Major and Officers having returned thanks to his Highness for so signal a Mark of his confidence and goodness towards them proceeded to settle the Militia and repayed him with all the Obedience and Fidelity which a Magnanimous Prince could expect from Subjects who were well versed in the duties they owed to a Governour who had rid them of a world of miseries and delivered them from the burthen of a Civil War Nor was this precaution or forewarning of his late Highness without some grounds or foundation for on the twenty fourth of the said Moneth the quiet Serpent which hatched its poison under the green grass unawares let slip a Hiss whereupon an exact search was made throughout all London and Westminster for suspected persons divers of which were secured and imprisoned His late Highness knowing full well that States are maintained as well by Justice as by force of Arms and that those chiefly stand in need of both which through the divisions of Mens mindes touching Spiritual concernments seem to be in a continual apprehension of those revolutions which at all times have been caused in the World by the means of these diversities of opinions His Highness I say through the cause of these apprehensions and the discoveries which were already made as aforesaid caused a High Court of Justice to be erected according as it had been decreed by an Act of Parliament and settled under the great Seal of England and truly it was high time for the Swords of Justice to appear to chastise the Conspirators since the sparkles of their fury had spread themselves abroad through its veil rather by their immoderate heat then their sad looks several persons of quality were imprisoned in the Tower of London and within few dayes afterwards just like unto a River which is ready to disgorge it self into the Sea appears great and violent at its entrance so also the Conspiracy being just ready to break forth appeared the more formidable and assured there were whole Regiments enrolled and in the midnight of May-day they should have set fire on several parts of the City and whilest the confusion and horror thereof had seized all men they should have made a general Massacre of all those who would have opposed their fury His Highness like unto the Sun elevated up to the highest Heaven peirced through all those other Sphears which were darkned to all other Lights but his and dissipated those Fogs and Mists which the darkness of the Furies had spread over the City of London for on the morning of that fatal intended day the Guards were doubled both within and without the City and about five of the Clock in the Evening both Horse and Foot were drawn up in Arms the City Militia likewise keeping strong Guards all that night to prevent and hinder so sad and horrid an attempt Mean while all care was taken to discover the Firebrands before they could enter upon their exploit and as Enterprizes wherein so many persons are engaged cannot remain very secret or hidden about seven of the Clock that Evening about forty of the Conspirators were taken and carried to White-Hall and on the day following several others of all kindes and conditions were also apprehended as Gentlemen Merchants Souldiers and the like many of which were condemned to dye as Traytors but his late Highness was so merciful to pardon the most part of them to the end that like unto a second Augustus he might gain by his Clemency those hearts which would not be mollified by the horror of the undertakings nor the rigour and severity of the punishments On the second day of the moneth of June then next ensuing there arrived a strange accident on
to sin to attain to the perfect love of God 17. A Treatise of Contention fit for these sad and troublesome times by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 18. Select thoughts or choice helps for a pious spirit beholding the excellency of her Lord Jesus by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 19. The Holy Order or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion to which is added Songs in the night or chearfulness under afflictions by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 23. The Celestial Lamp enlightening every distressed Soul from the depth of everlasting darkness by T. Fetisplace Admirable and Learned Treatises of Occult Seiences in Philosophy Magick Astrology Geomancy Chymistry Phisiognomy and Chyromancy 24. Magick and Astrology vindicated by H. Warren 25. Lux Veritatis Judicial Astrology vindicated and Demonology confuted by W. Ramsey Gent. 26. Cornelius Agrippa his fourth Book of Occult Philosophy or Geomancy Magical Elements of Peter de Abona the nature of spirits made English by R. Turner 27. Paracelsus Occult Philosophy of the Mysteries of Nature and his secret Alchimy 29. An Astrological Discourse with Mathematical Demonstrations proving the influence of the Planets and fixed Stars upon Elementary Bodies by Sir Christ Heyden Knight 30. All Mr. Lillies Astrological Treatises collected into one Volume 31. Catastrophe Magnatum an Ephemerides for the Year 1652. by N. Culpeper 32. Teratologia or a discovery of Gods Wonders manifested by bloody Rain and Waters by J. S. 34. Chyromancy or the Art of divining by the Lines engraven in the hand of Man by dame Nature in 198. Genitures with a Learned Discourse of the Soul of the World by G. Wharton Esq 35. The Admired Piece of Physiognomy and Chyromancy Metoposcopy the Symmetrical Proportions and Signal Moles of the Body the Interpretation of Dreams to which is added the Art of Memory illustrated with Figures by Rich. Sanders in Folio 36. The no less exquisite then admirable Work Theatrum Chymicum Britanicum containing several Poetical Pieces of our famous English Philosophors who have written the Hermitique Mysteries in their own ancient Language faithfully collected into one Volume with Annotations thereon by the Indefatigable industry of Elias Ashmole Esq illustrated with Figures Excellent Treatises in the Mathematicks Geometry of Arithmetick Surveying and other Arts or Mechanicks 37. The incomparable Treatise of Tactometria seu Tetagmenometria or the Gometry of Regulars practically proposed after a new and most expeditious manner together with the Natural or Vulgar by way of Mensural comparison and in the Solids not onely in respect of Magnitude or Demension but also of Gravity or Ponderosity according to any Metal assigned together with useful experiments of Measures and Weights observations on Gauging useful for those that are practised in the Art Metricald by T. Wybard 38. Tectonicon shewing the exact measuring of all manner of Land Squares Timber Stone Steeples Pillars Globes as also the making and use of the Carpenters Rule c. fit to be known by all Surveyors Land-meters Joyners Carpenters and Masons by L. Diggs 39. The unparallel'd Work for ease and expedition intituled The exact Surveyor or the whole Art of Surveying of Land shewing how to plot all manner of Grounds whether small Inclosures Champian Plain Wood-lands or Mountains by the Plain Table as also how to finde the Area or Content of any Land to Protect Reduce or Divide the same as also to take the Plot or Cart to make a Map of any Mannor whether according to Rathburne or any other Eminent Surveyors Method a Book excellently useful for those that sell purchase or are otherwise employed about Buildings by J. Eyre 40. The golden Treatise of Arithmetick Natural and Artificial or Decimals the Theory and Practice united in a simpathetical Proportion betwixt Lines and Numbers in their Quantities and Qualities as in respect of Form Figure Magnitude and Affection demonstrated by Geometry illustrated by Calculations and confirmed with variety of Examples in every Species made compendious and easie for Merchants Citizens Sea-men Accomptants c. by Th. Wilsford Corrector of the last Edition of Record 41. Semigraphy or the Art of Short-writing as it hath been proved by many hundreds in the City of London and other places by them practised and acknowledged to be the easiest exactest and swiftest method the meanest capacity by the help of this Book with a few hours practice may attain to a perfection in this Art by J. Rich Author and Teacher thereof dwelling in Swithins-Lane in London 42. Milk for Children a plain and easie Method teaching to read and write useful for Schools and Families by J. Thomas D. D. 43. The Painting of the Ancients the History of the beginning progress and consumating of the practice of that noble Art of Painting by F. Junius Excellent and approved Treatises in Physick Chyrurgery and other more familiar Experiments in Cookery Preserving c. 44. Culpepers's Semiatica Vranica his Astrological judgement of Diseases from the decumbiture of the sick much enlarged the way and manner of finding out the cause change and end of the disease also whether the sick be likely to live or die and the time when Recovery or Death is to be expected according to the judgement of Hipocrates and Hermes Trismegistus to which is added Mr. Culpepers censure of Urines 45. Culpeper's last Legacy left to his Wife for the publick good being the choicest and most profitable of those secrets in Physick and Chyrurgery which whilst he lived were lockt up in his breast and resolved never to be published till after his death 46. The York-shire Spaw or the vertue and use of that water in curing of desperate diseases with directions and rules necessary to be considered by all that repair thither 47. The Art of Simpling an introduction to the knowledge of gathering of Plants wherein the difinitions divisions places descriptions differences names vertues times of gathering temperatures of them are compendiously discoursed of also a discovery of the Lesser World by W. Coles 48. Adam in Eden or Natures Paradise the History of Plants Herbs and Flowers with their several original names the Places where they grow their descriptions and kindes their times of flourishing and decreasing as also their several signatures anatomical appropriations and particular physical vertues with necessary Observations on the Seasons of planting and gathering of our English Plants A Work admirable useful for Apothecaries Chyrurgeons and other Ingenuous persons who may in this Herbal finde comprized all the English physical Simples that Gerard or Parkinson in their two voluminous Herbals have discoursed of even so as to be on emergent occasions their own Physicians the ingredients being to be had in their own fields and gardens Published for the generall good by W. Coles M. D. 49. The Queens Closet opened incomparable Secrets in Physick Chyrurgery Preserving Candying and Cookery as they were presented to the Queen by the most experienced persons of our times many whereof were honoured with her own Practice Elegant Treatises in Humanity History Romances
and Poetry 50. Times Treasury or Academy for the accomplishment of the English Gentry in Arguments of Discourse Habit Fashion Behaviour c. all summed up in Characters of Honour by R. Brathwait Esq 51. Oedipus or the Resolver of the secrets of Love and other natural Problems by way of Question and Answer 52. The tears of the Indians the History of the bloody and most cruel proceedings of the Spaniards in the Island of Hispaniola Cuba Jamaica Mexico Peru and other places of the West-Indies in which to the life are discovered the tyrannies of the Spaniards as also the justness of our War so successfully managed against them 52. The Illustrious Shepherdess The Imperious Brother written originally in Spanish by by that in comparable wit Don John Perez de Montalbans translated at the requests of the Marchioness of Dorchester and the Countess of Stafford by E. P. 53. The History of the Golden Ass as also the Loves of Cupid and his Mistress Psiche by L. Apulius translated into English 54. The Unfortunate Mother a Tragedy by T. N. 55. The Rebellion a Tragedy by T. Rawlins 56. The Tragedy of Messalina the insatiate Roman Empress by N. Richards 57. The floating Island a Trage-Comedy acted before the King by the Students of Christs-Church in Oxon by that renowned wit W. Strode the songs were set by Mr. H Lawes 58. Harvey's Divine Poems the History of Balaam of Jonah and of St. John the Evangelist 59. Fons Lachrymarum or a Fountain of tears the Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah in Verse with an Elegy on Sir Charles Lucas by I. Quarles 60. Nocturnal Lucubrations with other witty Epigrams and Epitaphs by R. Chamberlain Poetical with several other accurately ingenuous Treatises lately printed 62. Wits Interpreter the English Parnassus or a sure Guide to those admirable Accomplishments that compleat the English Gentry in the most acceptable Qualifications of Discourse or Writing An Art of Logick accurate Complements Fancies Devices and Experiments Poems Poetical Fictions and Al a mode Letters by J. C. 63 Wit and Drollery with other Jovial Poems by Sir J. M. M. L. M S. W. D. 64. Sportive Wit the Muses Merriment a new Spring of Drollery Jovial Fancies c. 65. The Admirable ingenuous Satyr against Hipocrites 66. The Conveyancer of Light or the Compleat Clerk and Scriveners Guide being an exact draught of all Presidents and Assurances now in use as they were penned and perfected by diverse Learned Judges Eminent Lawyers and great Conveyancers both Ancient and Modern whereunto is added a Concordance from King Richard the 3. to this present 67. Themis Aurea The Laws of the Fraternity of the Rosie Cross in which the occult Secrets of their Philosophical Notions are brought to light written by Count Mayerus and now Englisht by T. H. 68. The Iron Rod put into the Lord Protectors hand a Prophetical Treatise 69 Medicina Magica tamen Physica Magical but Natural Physick containing the general Cures of Infirmities and Diseases belonging to the Bodies of Men as also to other animals and domestick Creatures by way of Transplantion with a Description of the most excellent Cordial out of Gold by Sam. Boulton of Salop. 70. Tradiscan's Rareties publisht by himself 71. The Proceedings of the High Court of Justice against the late King Charles with his Speech upon the Scaffold and other proceedings Jan. 30. 1648. 72. The perfect Cook a right Method in the Art of Cookery whether for Pastry or all other manner of Al a Mode Kick-shaws with the most refined wayes of dressing flesh fowl or making of the most poinant Sawces whether after the French or English manner with fifty five wayes of dressing of Eggs by M. M. 73. The Expert Doctours Dispensatory the whole Art of Physick restored to practice the Apothecaries shop Chyrurgions Closet opened with a Survey as also a correction of most Dispensatories now extant with a Judicious Censure of their defects and a supply of what they are deficient in together with a learned account of the vertues and quantities and uses of Simples and Compounds with the Symptomes of Diseases as also prescriptions for their several cures by that renowned P. Morellus Physician to the King of France 74. Cabinet of Jewels Mans Misery Gods Mercy Christs Treasury c. in eight excellent Sermons with an Appendix of the nature of Tythes under the Gospel with the expediency of Marriage in publique Assemblies by J. Crag Minister of the Gospel 75. Natures Secrets or the admirable and wonderful History of the generation of Meteors describing the Temperatures of the Elements the heights magnitudes and influences of Stars the causes of Comets Earthquakes Deluges Epidemical Diseases and Prodigies of Precedent times with presages of the weather and descriptions of the weather-glass by T. Wilsford 76. The Mysteries of Love and Eloquence or the Arts of Wooing and Complementing as they are managed in the Spring Garden Hide Park the New Exchange and other eminent places A work in which are drawn to the life the Deportments of the most Accomplisht Persons the Mode of their Courtly entertainments Treatment of their Ladies at Balls their accustomed Sports Drolls and Fancies the Witchcrafts of their perswasive Language in their Approaches or other more Secret Dispatches c. by E. P. 77. Helmont disguised or the vulgat errours of impercial and unskilful Practicers of Physick confuted more especially as they concern the Cures of Feavers the Stone the Plague and some other Diseases by way of Dialogue in which the chief rareties of Physick are admirably discoursed of by I. T. Books very lately Printed and in the Press now Printing 1. THe Scales of Commerce and Trade by T. Wilsford 2. Geometry demonstrated by Lines and Numbers from thence Astronomy Cosmography and Navigation proved and delineated by the Doctrine of Plain and Spherical Triangles by T. Wilsford 3. The English Annals from the Invasion made by Julius Cesar to these times by T. Wilsford 4. The Fool transformed A Comedy 5. The History of Lewis the eleventh King of France a Trage-Comedy 6. The Chaste woman against her will a Comedy 7. The Tooth-drawer a Comedy 8. Honour in the end a Comedy 9. Tell-tale a Comedy 10. The History of Donquixiot or the Knight or the ill-favoured face a Comedy 11. The fair Spanish Captive a Trage-Comedy 12. Sir Kenelm Digby and other persons of Honour their rare and incomparable secrets of Physick Chyrurgery Cookery Preserving Conserving Candying distilling of Waters extraction of Oyls compounding of the costliest Perfumes with other admirable Inventions and select Experiments as they offered themselves to their Observations whether here or in forreign Countreys 13. The Saints Tomb-stone or the Remains of the blessed A plain Narrative of some markable Passages in the holy Life and happy Death of Mrs. Dorothy Shaw Wife of Mr. John Shaw Preacher of the Gospel at Kingston upon Hull collected by her dearest Friends especially for her sorrowful husband and six Daughters consolation and invitation 14.