should make any disturbance but brought him a more private way to his own house at Newmarket There he rested some while and the Gentry and people of all sorts from severtl parts had access to him and many came and were cured of the Kings Evil by him The Souldiers were highly magnified by the people for their civilitie and specious pretences to the King From Newmarket the Army removed to Saint Albones and the King with them his Majestie being lodged at Hatfield house there they pretended great matters for him and Cromwel especially in private gave him great hope of his Restitution From thence June 23. the publish a Remonstrance of their good intentions towards the Kingdom and to the King especiallie Amongst other passages in that Declaration this is one They professe they do not see how there can be any peace to the Kingdom firm and lasting without a due consideration of and provision for the rights quiet and immunity of his Majesties Royal Family and his late partakers And herein say they me think that tender and equitable dealing as supposing their cases had been ours and a spirit of common love and justice diffusing it self to the good and preservation of all will make up the most glorious conquest over their hearts if God in mercy see it good to make them and the whole people of the Land lasting friends These are the verie words in that Declaration and I have noted them the rather to see how quite contrary to these specious professions their after-Actings within a short while were The Armie removes to several quarters and the King along with them They treat him honourably in respect of what the Parliament had done they allow him the attendance of his Chaplains and the use of the Common-Prayer denyed him by the Parliament some Noblemen and Gentlemen of his party are permitted to come to him The General obtains of the Parliament that he may see his children tâ—en under the custody of the Earl of Northumberland upon promise of the General that they shall return again Proposals are made to him by the Army far more moderate than the Propositions lately tendred to him at Newcastle All things are carried by the Army as if they really ment his Restitution upon very reasonable terms And most certain it is that Cromwell gave his Majesty very faithful promises of restoring him upon more moderate terms than either the Parliament or Army proposed But ye must know while these things vvere in agitation about the later end of July there fell a great difference between the Parliament and Army insomuch as the Army were jealous that the Parliament and City would have brought the King to London upon his own terms The occasion was thus The Militia of the City of London had been setled by an Ordinance of May 4. 1647. in the hands of such of the City as the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council had nominated and approved The Army about the 20 of July require of the Parliament that Ordinance may be repealed and the Militia of the City settled in other hands such as the Army might confide in and accordingly in a thin house the Militia was changed without any Objections against the persons formerly intrusted or acquainting the Mayor or Common Council with it to hear what they could alledge in their own behalf The City startled at this sudden and unexpect change of their Militia calling a Common Council they resolve to petition the Parliament for restoring their Militia as formerly settled in a full house and accordingly July 26. the Sheriffs and some Common Council men present their Petition which Petition the same day within a few hours after was seconded by another other of the Apprentices to the same effect and wherein they claimed that the ordering of the Cities Militia was the Birth-right of the City belonging to them by several Charters confirmed by Parliament and about one thousand Apprentices yet without any armes came down with this Petition The House of Lords upon presenting these Petitions were pleased to grant their desires revoking the Ordinance of the 23 of July and reviving that of the fourth of May. The debate stuck longer in the House of Commons but about three of the clock in the Afternoon they passed it The Apprentices staying in and about Westminster-hall and the Parliament door till the Vote was passed and then all or the most part withdrew and went to their homes The Apprentices being departed some disorderly persons instigated thereunto as was probably thought by divers Sectaries and Adherents to the Army to make the business more odious and to give the Army occasion to quarrel with the City flock'd again to the Parliament door and the Speaker having adjourned the House they compelled him again to return to the chaire and there kept both him and the Members in the House till they had passed a Vote that the King should come to London to treat The Mayor and Common Council still assembled hearing of this disorder sent down the Sheriffs immediately with such strength as they could for the present get and pacified the tumult sending the Speaker safe to his house and published Edicts to prevent the like This tumult happened July 26. being Monday The House met again next day being Tuesday sate again and Acted quietly and because the Fast was the next day after they adjourned the House till the Friday following the Lords having formerly adjourned to that day On the Thursday following the day before they were to meet upon the adjournment the Speaker with about fourty of the Members secretly withdrew to the Army then at Windsor complaining of an horrid force put upon the House The rest of the Members at least 140 meeting on the Friday morning according to adjournment finding neither Speaker nor Mace and understanding upon inquiry whither he was gone they chose a New Speaker and get another Mace and set againe and the like did the Lords whose Speaker also was fled upon the same account both as it was conceived either inveigled or threatened by the Army that they might have the better pretence of quarrel against the City and Parliament I have related this passage the more particularly that it may be compared with the force afterward put upon the Parliament by the Army themselves upon the King Tryal These things thus passed as London between the Parliament and City highly incensed the Army who now take upon them to be Supream Umpires over the Nation they entertain and countenance the fugitive Speakers and Members and they and the Council of the Army set together in consultation engaging to support one another in this quarrel against the members as they termed them at Westminister and the City Mean time the Parliament call in the eleven impeached Members secluded hitherto upon the Armies accusation they revive the Committee of Safety they give power to the City by several Orders and Ordinances to list and raise Forces to appoint Officers and
to watch and observe him The City of London had also sent their Sword-bearer as far as Newcastle to congratulate his coming and to tender the respects and affections of the City to him He receives him courteously returns hearty thanks to the City but nothing satisfactory of what they expected so that hitherto and long after he marched hooded in allusion to his name no man could tell what to make of him nor what his design or the end of his coming was but men guessed and hoped according as their opinions and desires were but the Rump both now and long after were as confidently assured of him as of any man within their own walls Passing through Yorkshire he is honorably received by the Lord Fairfax and the Northern Gentlemen who had not many dayes before contributed much to the reducing of a party of Lamberts Officers and Souldiers that had possessed themselves of York While Monck was there divers of the Yorkshire Gentlemen were very desirous to understand his intentions and to that purpose requested Sir Henry Cholmely one of their number to go to him and talk privately with him which he did had conveniencie of discourse with him At his return they were big with expectation and demanded of him what he thought of the General He told them he thought he was like the Peace of God they asking why He answers because he passeth all understanding This I was credibly in formed of by a Yorkshire Minister living in those parts Coming along all the way to Saint Albones he receives several Addresses from all or most of the Counties of England all importing their humble desires that either the Secluded Members might be called in or that the House may be filled up by new elections that so one way or other they might have again a full and free Parliament the want of which they apprehend to be the cause of all their late sufferings and frequent changes of Government to the oppression of the people and high dishonor of the English Nation He receives them all courteously treats them civilly but for answer tells them That he was but a servant to the Parliament and that only in a Military capacity that it became not him to interpose in Civil affairs that the Parliament he doubted not would do them right and satisfie their just desires That for the calling in of the Secluded Members the Parliament had already given judgement in that point and they ought to acquiesce therein But for the filing up the House he told them it was now under debate and doubted not but they should receive full satisfaction therein and therefore he exhorts them to attend with patience the determinations of the House and not by any unseasonable importunity to disturbe their Counsels which might be a meanes to delay their satisfaction and the settlement of the Nation which said he was now intended and ready to be effected From Devonshire also though far remote out of his way he receives the like Address one of the first that were tendred to him wherein after complaint made of their greivances they earnestly desire the calling in of the secluded Members But to them being his Countrymen and some of them near allied to him he returns by way of answer a courteous Letter wherein amongh other things he tels them that the calling in of the secluded Members could not safely be yielded to most of them being known to be Assertors of Monarchy He gives them several Reasons shewing that as the case of affairs now stood Monarchy was utterly inconsistent with this Nation That a Republick or Free State was the only Government wherein the several interests of the Nation both Ecclesiastical and Civil might be best preserved And therefore in the conclusion he desires them that by their impatiencies they would not obstruct the Parliaments consultations otherwise saies he our peace will be so much the longer a stranger to us and we thereby made a prey to our selves and forreign enemies This was from Leicester Jan. 23. and soon after this Letter was printed and published by the Parliament Intelligencer Thus giving fair and plausible answers to all such as addressed themselves unto him he marches along and comes to Saint Albones about the latter end of January where still Addresses are made to him out of Suffolk Norfolk and other places which receive the like answers that others did But these Addresses ye must know were also tendred to the Parliament though some that tendred them were clapt by the heels for their pains as the Berk-shire Gentlemen and others threatned whereas Water-men of London for a congratulatory Address made to them at the same time received the solemn thanks of the House While he was at Saint Albones some Aldermen and Common-Council-men are sent to him from the City of London to congratulate his coming and court him but are returned as formerly with thanks for their respects From Saint Albones he removes to Barnet where he makes a stay refusing to come to London until Lamberts Souldiers were out of the City Mean-time Saint James's House is appointed for his Lodging and the Custody of the Park is voted to him to hold during the pleasure of the Parliament with some other like honours a magnificent Reward for such an undertaking The Souldiers that were late Lamberts being voided the City Monk and his Army marches to London on Friday February 3. and is lodged at White-Hall at whose coming there is great joy and triumphing all over the City On Wednesday following Febr. 8. The City continuing still in their refractoriness and opposition to the Parliament they meet in Common-Council and there pass a Vote or Order Not to pay or levy any Taxes until such time as they may have a full and free Parliament For hitherto you must know the Rump had not agreed upon qualifications for filling up the House and many thought they never intended it but only to establish themselves in perpetual authority Upon this Vote or Resolve of the Common-Council the Rump are highly offended and send a strict order to Monk to march the next day with his Army into the City To pull up their chains and posts to break down the gates and portcullis of the City to imprison forwith in the Tower divers Aldermen and Commoners that were conceived to be chiefly active in passing those Votes This command of theirs Monk executes next day Febr. 9. to the great terror and amazement not only of the City but of the whole Nation and Kingdom when they heard the report of it All hearts are saddened and now most men conclude that Monk is not the man designed of God for the delivery of this oppressed Nation The Gentlemen in the several Counties that had subscribed and tendred their Addresses and Declarations begin now to fear their own Stakes there being in some of their Declarations expressions against paying taxes without a free Parliament It had I must tell also you before this been moved
being thus restored who had for eleven years and more been kept out from discharging their trust there is great rejoycing and triumphing again both in London and all parts of the Kingdom with Ringing and Bonefires making c. but some of the Rump upon their restoring it is said withdrew and would sit no more Presently after their restoring they vote Monk to be General of all the forces of England Scotland and Ireland Sir William Waller one of the secluded Members to be Leiutenant-General and Rossiter a Lincolnshire Gentleman and one that had formerly served the Parliament to be General of the Horse They constitute Montagu to be Admiral at Sea instead of Lawson and they appoint a new Council of State Soon after they make an Act for setling the Militia of the Kingdom together with some Acts concerning Ministers And taking order for calling of a new Parliament to convene at Westminster April 25. they dissolve themselves on Friday the 16th of March. And thus by Gods great blessing we have lived to see an end of that unhappy long Parliament that hath been the cause of misery and calamity to these three late flourishing Kingdoms for these nineteen years and more last past And all this brought to pass without one drop of bloodshed by the prudent and politick conduct of General Monk who with a small Army an handful of men in comparison not past four thousand foot and eighteen hundred horse and those not very well accommodated marched from Berwick through the heart of England to the City of London without the least opposition and at length gained the power and command of that opulent and potent City Lamberts Army being at least twelve or thirteen thousand men well hors'd and well appointed breaking in pieces and mouldring away in a moment the Troops and Companies marching from place to place where they might find quarter till afterwards most of them their Officers cashierd were received and listed under the command of General Monk Afterwards by degrees he purges his Army putting out all Anabaptists Quakers and other Fanaticks both Officers and common Souldiers as they are or can be discoverd both in the Army and Garisons and placeth others in their steads Overton a fifth Monarchy-man who pretended to hold Hull for the Lord Jesus Christ was yet notwithstanding commanded to surrender it to Mr. Charls Fairfax a Yorkshire Gentleman which accordingly he did and the like was done in all other Garisons the Army-men displaced and Gentlemen of the Country of other confiding persons put in their steads Soon after the putting in of the secluded Members Lambert is committed to the Tower Haselrig Scot and others are under examination but dismissed upon their promise or engagement to demean themselves peaceably Lambert not long after finds means to escape out of the Tower and about the middle of April or soon after appears in Arms about Northampton in the head of a party many of the cashierd Officers and Souldiers of the Fanatick and discontented party being got together And it is generally conceived that all the Anabaptists Quakers and other factious people in all parts of the Kingdom had a design to have risen and joyned with him had he not been timely suppressed But Colonel Ingoldsby being sent against him with a party he surrounds them all being not above five or six hundred whereupon most of the common Souldiers come in and yield themselves and Lambert with some Commanders are taken upon the place without a stroke striking only a scour of Lamberts they say was slain Colonel Okey and some others escaped by flight lambert being thus taken is brought to London together with Colonel Cobbet Major Creed and young Haselrig Sir Arthurs Son These were all brought up in a Coach through Hide Park on Tuesday April 29. what time there was the greatest general Muster of Citizens that ever was seen in or near London Of trained men and Auxiliaries there were at least twenty thousand some say thirty thousand men in Armes Some of the Nobility and many Gentlemen of quality trayling pikes voluntarily amongst them The Prisoners brought through the Army and sufficiently hooted at they afterwards drove the Coach under Tyburn and there made a stand This was done I suppose to minde them of their destiny or at least of their desert and to disgrace them who had so long time insulted and domineered over the Nobility Gentry and Commonalty of the Kingdom A just reward to use them uncivilly who had so barbarously abused both King and People The Parliament according to Appointment began at Westminster April the twenty fifth the House of Commons being elected and called by Writs issuing out in the name of the Keepers of the Liberties of England by authority of Parliament a Title invented presently upon the change of the Government from as Monarchy to a Common-wealth in the year one thousand six hundred forty eight the Lords and Peers of the upper House taking their places by vertue of their birth-rights and ancient dignities Soon after the sitting of the Parliament there arrived at London the Lord Mordant and Sir John Greenvile with a Declaration from his Majesty as also several Letters One to the House of of Pâ—eâ—s another to the House of Commons a third to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London and a fourth to General Monk to be by him communicated to the Council of State and to the Officers of the several Armies under his Command which Declaration and several Letters from his Majesty were presented according to their several directions May the first In his Declaration he offers 1. A general Pardon to all of all sorts excepting only such as the Parliament should think fit to except provided that they sue out their Pardons under the great Seal of England within fourty dayes after the publication thereof 2. He offers a Liberty to tender Consciences for matters of Religion so far forth as the Parliament should think fit and to consent to such an Act as the Parliament for that purpose shall tender to his Majesty 3. For the sales and purchases of Lands made since these late troubles he is willing to leave it to the determination of Parliament whom he presumes best able to provide for the satisfaction of all such as are concerned therein And Lastly he promiseth full satisfaction of Arrears to all Officers and Souldiers of General Monck's Army and to receive them into his service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy This was the sum of his Declaration published at Breda April 14. 1660. in the twelfth year of his Majesties Reign This Declaration together with his several Letters afore-mentioned were highly accepted The Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council after the reading of them cried out unanimously God save King Charls and presently took down the Common-wealths Arms that hung in the Guild-hall and as they say brake them in pieces ordering the King Arms to be hung up
Nottingham commanding all men who were bound to assist him by vertue of their Tenures to repair unto him But at Nottingham there being no great appearance though Essex his Army was at that time listed and formed ready to march his Majesty marches with those few Forces he had to Leicester Worcester Shrewsbury and so upon the borders of Wales gathering an Army Essex all this time marching after him and pursuing him After some little conflict at Worcester wherein the Kings Forces under the conduct of Prince Rupert Maurice had the better the two Armies meet at Edge-hill near Keynton in Warwickshire where the first Signal Battel was fought between them with great losse and slaughter on either side The Kings standard being taken yet recovered again his General the Earl of Lindsey slain but the King had the better keeping the field all night and Essex Retreating with his broken Forces to Warwick-Castle and from thence soon after with a few horses to London This Battel was fought on Sunday Octob. 23. and the Guns were heard all that afternoon to Thetford in Norfolk The King presently after enters Oxford and fortifies it and matches to Reading and Windsor and so towards London The Citizens arming and sending forth all the power they could make against him At Branford he encountred them about Novem. 12. and beat the party that opposed but fearing least he should be surrounded with their numerous Army of Citizens he Retreated back to Windsor and Fortifying Reading he marches back to Oxford but about the latter end of the year Reading is besieged by the Parliaments Forces and the Governour Sir Arthur Ashton being unhappily wounded with a brick falling from a Chimney beaten down by a Canon-shot the Garison is yeilded upon composition by Colonel Fielding Anno 1643. year 1643 The Kings Forces prevail in the West under the Command of Sir Ralph Hopton Sir Richard Grenvile and others beating out the Earl of Stamford who commanded there for the Parliament The Earl of Newcastle for the King growes very strong in the North beats the Lord Fairfax in several Encounters and takes in all places of strength except Hull into which the Lord Fairfax had fled The Queen lands at Bridlington with arms and ammunition out of Holland she marches by Nottingham and so to Oxford The King the mean time takes Bristol thence he removes summons Gloucester which refusing to yield he sets down before it The terror of Newcastles Army affrights Norfolk and the Associated Counties in so much as many of the Parliament side are preparing to flie beyond sea for their security But the King setting down before Gloucester and Newcastle before Hull wasted their Armies and trifled away their time whereas had they joyned and marched directly up to London all had lain prostrate at their feet The King lay so long before Gloucester that Essex had raised a great Army for the relief thereof which Army appoaching the King arose and marched off Essex relieves the City and pursues him they encounter at Newbury where the King was worsted and lost many gallant men Newcastle in the mean time lay before Hull till the Earl of Manchester besieges and takes Lyn in Norfolk untill Lincoln and many other places were reduced to the Parliament with much loss to the Kings party The same year the Parliament treats with the Scots for their assistance against the King and the better to engage them they impose the Covenant frâ—med in Scotland upon the whole Nation for putting down of Bishops changing the whole Frame of Church Government in England and Ireland with Doctrine Discipline and worship to that of Scotland the Scots accordingly come in with an Army of 20000. or thereabout in winter they besiege Newcastle upon Tyne and at length take it Mean time the Forces of the Association besiege Newark upon Trent a Garison of the Kings and much straiten it Sir John Meldrum Sir Miles Hobart and Sir John Palgrave commanding the forces against it But in their march towards the latter end of the year when they every day expected the surrendring of the Town Prince Rupert comes suddenly upon them with a party of Horse his body of foot being three or four miles behind assaults and surprises the Besiegers disarms them all and so relieves the Town Many of the Souldiers and some Commanders were plundered and stript contrary to Articles for which the Kings party were afterward served in the like kind Anno 1644. year 1644 The Earl of Essex and Sir William Waller were sent forth with two Armies to pursue and take the King The King fortifies Oxford and lodging the rest of his Artillery in Dennington Castle with a light Army he takes the field Essex goes towards the West then mostly â—n the Kings possession Waller understanding which way the King was marched pursued him At Cropdie Bridge in Oxford-shire a place of advantage he sets upon the Kings Forces but is himself beaten and routed this was about the latter end of June Waller being thus defeated the King follows Essex into the West drives him by degrees as far as Lestithrell in Cornwell and there coops him up Essex takes the Sea in a Boate and leaves this Army to capitulate for themselves The Horse under the Command of Sir VVilliam Balfore break through the Kings Quarters and get away the Foot commanded by Skippon capitulate for their lives leaving their Arms Ordnance and Ammunition upon the place Septemb. 4. and tâ—king an Oath not to serve any more against the King which nevertheless many of them presently after broke The King after this hard service marches back with his Army leasurely and at Newbury is assaulted by the broken Troops of Essex his Army assisted by Manchester and Cromwell commanding the Forces of the Association A sore fight there was in the night with much loss to both parties The King gains the Town and the next day or the day after takes his Ordnance and Ammunition from Dennington Castle in the sight of the Enemy without opposition and so marches with them to Oxford This Sommers service lost the credit of Essex Manchester and VValler they were never imployed after But in the mean time while Essex and VValler were thus imployed against the King the Scots with the assistance of the Associated Counties and other of the Parliaments Forces had so far prevailed against the Earl of Newcastle and his Army as they had besieged him in York for many months Prince Rupert with a great Army out of Lancashire and the parts adjacent to his relief Upon the Prince his approach the Besiegers rise in disorder and are ready to break and run The Prince thought it not enough to relieve the City but would also beat the besiegers and setting upon them July 14. they Rally and beat him a great slaughter there was not lesse than seven thousand slain of both parts but most they say of the Princes party The Earle of Newcastle in discontent at the Prince
Commanders to issue out Armes and Ammunition for the defence of the Parliament and City against all that should invade them Massey Pointze Birch and other reformadoes that had formerly done great service for the Parliament when Essex was General are now imployed as chief Commanders for the City The Army on the contrary drawing together all their Forces and endeavouring to raise the Trained bands in the adjacent Counties prepare and intend to invade and subdue that Rebellious City The City thus prepared for defence were nevertheless for preventing the effusion of blood willing to have accorded with the Army upon any reasonable terms and to that purpose sent several messages to the Army but all would not do no terms of reconciliation or peace would be granted unless they would submit themselves and the Parliament wholly to the power of the Army which upon the point they did for in conclusion they agree and yield To desert both Houses of Parliament and the impeached Members To recall their Declaration lately published Relinquish their Militia deliver up all their Forts and line of Communication to the Army as also the Tower of London with all Armes and Ammunition therein to disband all their Forces and turn all their new-made Commanders and Reformadoes out of the line to demolish all their works and to suffer the Army to march without opposition through the City These imperious conditions of the Army were calmly submitted to by the tame-spirited Citizens And thereupon the Army brings in the fugitive Speakers and Members and seat them again in their authority Fairfax receives the solemn thanks of the House the common souldiers two months pay for their good service and valour and a day of Thanksgiving is appointed to be solemnly kept for this great deliverance and Fairfax made General of all Forces both in England and Wales and Constable of the Tower of London All this was done Aug. 6. 1647. Soon after the General Lieutenant General and the whole Army with their train of Artillery march in triumph through the City of London And from that day forward both City Parliament and whole Kingdom are subject to the Army Not long after the restitution of these fugitive Members all Votes Orders and Ordinances of Parliament made in their absence are declared null and void The eleven impeached Members of the House of Commons have leave granted them to go beyond Sea and they must think they are favourably dealt with Seven Lords that sate in the upper House in the absence of the fugitive Members viz. The Earls of Suffolk Lincoln and Midlesex the Lords Berkly Willoughby Hunsdon and Maynard are impeached of high Treason and committed to the black Rod for levying of War against the King Parliament and Kingdom The Lord Mayor Aldermen and divers Citizens are likewise impeached of the same crime and committed to the Tower divers members also of the Commons House are under accusation and examination as countenancers and abettors of the late tumult But all these impeachments and accusations in time vanished and came to nothing only the Army Faction was by this means strengthened and encouraged and the other party as much quell'd and discouraged so that thenceforward all Votes propounded were passed or not according to the temper and disposition of the Army The Parliament became wholly subservient to the Armies designs as will plainly appeare in the ensuing Story Meantime the King continues still under the power of the Army removes and passes from place to place as they remove their Quarters But now having made the Parliament wholly for their turn he is removed nearer London to Hampton Court there he had much freedom and abundance of people continually resorted to him At Hampton Court he receives Propositions from the Parliament Septem 7. the same in effect that were tendred to him at Newcastle in July the year before The King in answer desires that the Parliament would take into consideration the Proposals of the Army of August 1. 1647. as more moderate and more conducing to satisfie all interests in the Nation Things thus standing and the King remaining still at Hampton Court a Faction of Seditious people called Levellers sprung up in the City and Army some of the chiefest whereof were Lilburn Overton VVyldman and others people of a turbulent and heady temper These frame a writing called the Agreement of the people tending to the alteration of the whole frame of Government of the Nation They stile the House of Commons in their Petitions the supreme power of the Nation they bitterly declaim and raile against the House of Lords in several Pamphlets These at first receive some check from the House of Commons and one of them a souldier is by the Council of War condemned and shot to death at VVare but yet they increase more and more and grow more insolent every day being as is was probably thought countenanced underhand by some in the Parliament and by some great Officers in the Army to promote their own ambitious designs At length about Novemb 9. or 10. Cromwell sends word to the King by Colonel VVhaley who had the Guard of him that those kind of people were grown very numerous in the Army that he feared they had some malicious design against his Majesties person and he doubted it would not be in the power of the Officers of the Army to protect him and therefore advised him by timely withdrawing himself in private to provide for his own security A Letter of Advertisement also from an unknown person in London to the same purpose was sent and delivered to his Majesty intimating his danger and wishing his Majesty were at his or any Loyal Subjects House in London Whereupon the next day in the Evening Novemb. 11. his Majesty with a Servant or two only conveyed himself secretly from Hampton Court into the Isle of Wight In that Island commanded one Colonel Hamond as Governour there for the Parliament a kinsman he was of Dr. Hamonds that famous Divine and I think the Kings Chaplain insomuch as the King might expect some more then ordinary civility from him Hamond presently gives notice to the Parliament of his Majesties coming thither and upon order from the Parliament takes him into custody at Curesbrook Castle The King also upon his departure from Hampton Court had left upon the Table a Letter or Message to the two Houses of Parliament signifying the cause of his withdrawing himself and also his readiness to concurre with them in all things just and reasonable for the settling of a safe and well-grounded Peace And had further soon after his arrival in the Isle of Wight sent another Message or Declaration to them wherein he offers First Concerning Religion to establish the Presbyterian Government for three years and then afterwards to establish Church-Government in such a manner as shall be concluded upon by the Assembly of Divines with the addition of twenty Divines to be nominated by his Majesty Secondly For the Militia he
offers it them wholly by Land and Sea during his whole Raign so as after that it may return intirely to the Crown Thirdly For the arrears of the Army he will undertake if he may have the benefit of Sequestrations from March last and compositions to be made before the conclusion of the Peace and the Assistance of the Clergy and the arreares of the Rents of his own revenew that were yet behinde to pay 400 thousand pound within eighteen months and if that will not do then to make sale of forrest Lands for raising the rest Fourthly He gives them power to dispose of the great Offices of State as also to nominate and appoint his Privy Counsellours during his raign Fifthly For the Court of Wards if it cannot be regulated without being a grievance to his Subjects he is willing to abolish it for a valuable compensation Sixthly He offers to recall and null all Proclamations and Declarations against the Parliament and all Indictments against any person for adhering to them or acting by their authority and to pass an Act of general pardon and Oblivion to all his Subjects whatsoever Those and some other things he offers by that Massage of Novemb. 17. and for all other things he desires they may be debated and composed in a personal Treaty between himself and the two Houses of Parliament at London Which personal Treaty the Scots Commissioners soon after desired to be assented to and held forth his Majesties offers to be very just and reasonable But to this Massage of his Majesty the two Houses return answer by sending him four Bills to sign and confirm under the great Seal of England 1. To settle the Militia by sea and land both in England and Ireland in the two Houses of Parliament for ever with power to raise what Forces they please as also what moneys they thought good upon the Subjects for support thereof thereby divesting the Court wholly of the power of the Militia 2. To justifie the proceedings of the Parliament in the late War and to make void all Oaths Declarations Proclamations and other proceedings against the Parliament 3. Against all Peeres lately made or to be made without consent of both Houses of Parliament 4. For the adjournment of the Parliament from place to place as the two houses should think fit These Bills being assented to and confirmed by his Majesty they will yield to treat with him concerning the rest of the propositions in the Isle of Wight Which propositions I must further tell you were such as the Scotch Commissioners declared their dissent upon them before they were sent The King apprehending these four Bills especially in the way they were penn'd not only destructive to Monarchy but to the peoples libertie refuses to confirm them yet in a message or writing to the Houses gave his reasons against them Whereupon the House of Commons presently Vote to make no more addresses to him but to settle the Kingdom without him and further by the same Vote they make it high Treason for any person whatfoever to send any Message or Letter to him or to receive any from him without consent of both Houses of Parliament This was about the beginning of January The House of Lords would not be drawn suddenly to pass these Votes divers argued strongly against them and the House was equally divided about the question but within three or four dayes after the Army sending solemn thanks to the House of Commons for their passing these Votes and drawing down some of their Forces to garison Whitehall and the Mewes it turned the Scale in the House of Lords and they also passed those Votes Soon after the passing of these votes of Non-address discontents grew high in all parts of the Kingdom And the common people especially in the parts about London were wonderfully oppressed and even eaten up with Free-quarter The Commissioners of Scotland withdrew and went home and with the assistance of Duke Hamilton formerly imprisoned by the King and lately set free by the Parliament called a Parliament in Scotland wherein they resolve Maugre the Kirk to raise an Army for the delivery of the King The beginning of this year 1648 was full of discontents year 1648 The Welchmen were the first that appear in Arms under the Command of Poyer Ponel and Laugherne formerly for the Parliament holding out Pembrook Castle aâ— gainst the Parliament and defeating a party of 2500 that were sent against them The Lord Inchequen that was President of Munster in Ireland declares against the Parliament and joyns with the Marquess of Ormond for the Kings interest for which the Parliament imprison his son a child of eight or nine years of age that was Borded and went to School at Thistleworth near London Petitions came from many Counties of England and from the City of London requiring a Revocation of those Votes for Non-address and desiring a Personal Treaty with the King and his future settlement These Petitions being slighted and many Surrey Gentlemen wounded by the Souldiers at the Parliament door and in Westminster-hall and some slain outright for presenting their Petition the Kingdom grew into a general flame Tumults arose in many places as at Norwich April 24. where the Committee-House was by accident blown up that part of the City exceedingly shattered and above 100. people slain At Bury in Suffolk â—here the Town was held out some dayes by the meaner sort of people against the Troopers In Huntingtonshire Bedfordshire and other places so that the Troopers were posted from place to place to subdue tumults and as fast as they subdued them in one place they brake out in another The Kentishmen rise up in armes to the number of ten thousand and possess themselves of some strong Castles They in Essex also under the command of Sir Charles Lucas and others second them and seize upon the Committee for the County at Chelmesford Pomfret Castle is taken by stratagem and a great party of the Kings possess it and command the whole Country round about Many if not most part of the Navy revolt and setting Raynsborough their late made Admiral on shore in a Cock-boat they go to the Prince with whom also joyned the Lord Willoughby of Parham and others so as the Prince had a matter of thirty or forty ships one and other under his command at Sea The Scots under D. Hamilton invade the North by the way of Carlisle with an Army of fifteen thousand besides a party of English about 3000 under the command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale All this time the Parliament are consulting about Propositions to be sent to the King as also of the place and manner of a personal treaty with him which was desired by the Londoners and most of the Kingdom to be had at London Thus the time was spun on and the Summer well-nigh spent before they could agree upon termes for a personal treaty and at length it was resolved to be in the Isle of Wight
of it Monck was all that time with his Army at Barwick and thereabouts never advancing farther into England than Alnwick Lambert and his Army having much impoverished Yorkshire and those parts what with Texas and Free-quarter were now about Newcastle quarterred in a barren cold Countrey and not able to march by reason of the hardnesse of the waether In the meane time I must tell you from Lambers first advancing against Monck the Londoners had been solicited by Fleetwood and the rest to joyn with the Army but they utterly refuse it though they liked well enough the turning out of the Parliament About the beginning of December the Apprentices and some others Petition the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen the souldiers interpose whereupon there is a great hurliburly in the City and some blood is shed a Captain they say being slaine but by the means fo the Major the tumult is appeased Fleetwood upon this occasion to curb the City and prevent any risings hereafter sends in a considerable part of his Army they take and fortifie four houses in several parts of the City whereof Gresham Colledge was one these they strengthen with souldiers and Granadoes and threaten to fire the City in case the Citizens should stir VVhile these things were thus carried at London Haselrig and some Army Officers that from the first had adhered to the Parliament got into Portsmouth about December the third and there joyning with some chief Officers of the Navy declare openly for the Parliament against the Army And because the City of London would not joyne with them for they liked the Parliament as thus constituted as ill as they did the Army they will a considerable part of the Navy under the command of Lawson then Admiral who had a little before deserted the Army block up the Thames this was about a week before Christimas The City thus blockt up by Sea and Garison'd with Fleetwoods souldiers by Land were in a sad condition but for all this they would neither declare for the Army nor Parliament but still desired to have a free Parliament of the election of the People to which the souldiers forced by necessity and want of money at last consented but with such qualifications as had they been observed would have rendered the Parliament wholly subservient to the Armies interest And the Committee of Safety had by a Proclamation summoned the same to begin at Westminster Ianuary 24. But the Parliament now commonly called the Rump and so I shall hereafter terme them taking the opportunity of this difference between the Citie and Army made a shift to meet together a competeur number of them about 40. and to crowde again into the House December 26. late in the Evening by Torch-light But lest the Londoners should joyne with the Army and oppose they promise upon their first fitting either to call in the Secluded Members by the 6th of Jannuary or else to issue out Writs for filling up the House by new Elections To pacifie the Army they passe a Vote of Indempnity to Fleetwood Lambert and all rest of the Army both Officers and Souldiers for what was past in case hereafter they demeane themselves quietly which Vote they are glad to accept of not being able farther to oppose But I must tell you that before this they had endeavoured what they might in all the Counties to raise money for the supply of the Army but could not get any confiderable sums The Gentlemen in the Countrey that had been laid horses by vertue of the late Act for the Militia which was first set on foot by the Parliament of July last but laid aside soone after for fear of offending the Army these they now rate at 10 l. for every horse yet rather than faile they would have taken fifty shillings Some that were faint-hearted compounded at so low a rate and paid but many refused And of them that compounded the most part would never pay a penny This was about the beginning of December and some money by this tricâ— they got but not much About the same time also they sent forth warrants for one moneths Tax assessed for Drums and Colours c. by vertue of the said Act but this in many places was never paid and in most places though rated yet not paid So that the want of money was the maine thing that broke their designe the souldiers about London mutining and growing insolent against their Commanders for want of pay some of them falling to that party that adhered to the Parliament and others offering their service and assistance to the City whom they thought best able to entertaine them so that it came to that passe before the Rump got in that Fleetwood had little or no command of his souldiers in and about the City And this gave another advantage to the Rump to croud in Being got in as before is noted The Citizens of London are yet jealous that they would not according to their promise call in the secluded Members nor fill up their House by new Elections And therefore they fortifie the City in several streets and places of accesse with chains and posts to prevent the sudden incursion of horses For now they feared the Rump Parliament as much or more than formerly they did the Army this was about the beginning of Ianuary And indeed within a few dayes after they discovered their intentions the Rump was so far from calling in the secluded Members as they passed a Vote that never any of them should sit again and in stead of filling up their House by a new election they are about contriving an Oath of abjuration whereby to force men under a penalty to abjure the King and all the Royal Line or Family but this Oath stuck long in debate and at last would not passe amongst themselves But notwithstanding the Rump was thus got into possession and likely enough to hold it Lamberts Army being at the news of it quite broken and dispersed himself secretly departing from them at Rippon and posting to London to accept his Vote of Indempnity Monck advanceth with his Army marching on slowly and was come to Newcastle about the sixth of Ianuary without the least opposition The Rump likes well of it hoping by his assistance to quell the City who as yet stood at distance with them and had in a sort fortified themselves against them The Londoners on the contrary entertaine hopes that by Moncks coming the Parliament might be enforced notwithstanding their former Vote either to call in the Secluded Members or else to sill up the House with new elections either of which would have satisfied them and one of which they resolved to insist upon All expectations on either side are upon Monck but no man knew certainly what his intentions were The Rump had from the first intelligence of Moncks advancing after Lamberts Army was disbanded and broken sent two of their Members Robinson and Scot to wait upon him or rather indeed as Spies
in their place and gave solemn thanks by their Recorder to his Majesties Messengers The Lords received their Letter by the Lord Mordant with the like joy and loyal affection The House of Commons having read their Letter and the Declaration voted it satisfactory and presently voted the Government of the Nation to be in his Majesty as the rightful and undoubted heir of the three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland They ordered also a Committee to meet for drawing up a Letter of thanks to his Majesty for his most gracions Declaration And to Sir John Greenvile who delivered the Letter they gave five hundred pound as a gratuity to buy him a Jewel Both they and the Lords further ordered that six of the upper House and fifteen of the House of Commons should be forthwith sent to his Majesty to invite and attend him into to England Montague the Admiral at Sea is commanded to wait upon him with a Squadron of Ships and fifry thousand pound is ordered for his Majestjes expences as also ten thousand pound to the Duke of York and five thousand pound to the Duke of Glocester The Letter also and Declaration to the Army gave no lesser satisfaction both to the General Officers and Souldiers they all unanimously owning his Majesty in an high degree On Tuesday the eighth of May the King was solemnly proclaimed in London with the greatest expressions and acclamations of Joy that possibly could be and the like was soon after done in all Counties Cities Corporations and inlet Towns all over England No King ever coming to his Throne with so great satisfaction and rejoycing of the People thereby giving an evident Demonstration to the world that it was not the People of England nor the Parliament or Representatives of the People but only a factious and seditious party encouraged and supported by a perfidious and traiterous Army that murdered the late King disinherited his children and overthrew the ancient Fundamental and well constituted government of the Nation turning it from a Monarchy to a Common-wealth and thereby occasioned these horrid confusions and frequent changes and reelings of Government that afterwards ensued to the high reproach and dishonour of the English Nation For no sooner were the People and Parliament of England by the mercy of God delivered from the vassallage of an imperious and domineering Army and put in a condition of freedom but they presently return to their Allegiance and call in the undoubted Heir of the Crown submitting to his Government with the greatest cheerfulness and rejoycing that could be imagined And thus God who only doth wonders hath wrought wonderfully for this sinful Nation turning our Captivity as the Rivers in the South smoothly gently calmly without any tumult or torrent after so many horrid confusions as we have lain under for so many years together even to the wonder and astonishment not only of our selves but of all the Neighbour Nations round about us who must needs acknowledge in our behalf as was sometimes done in the case of Israel that the Lord hath done great things for them and we must needs with the Israelites answer by way of eccho Yea the Lord hath done great thing for us already whereof we rejoyce Psalm 126. The People of England were never conceived or reported to be so much against their King as now they manifestly appear to be for him even all of all sorts but such only whose guilt makes them desperate like Cain thinking their wickedness greater then can be forgiven And here for a conclusion we may fitly and truly in a sence take take up that saying of the Psalmist and apply it to the present occasion The same stone which the builders refused is become the head-stone of the Corner This is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes To the same God be Glory for his great and Glorious Work May 21. 1660. FINIS Books printed for Robert Gibbs at the Ball in Chancery Lane STemma Sacrum The Royal Progeny by Giles Fleming Minister of Waddingworth in the County of Lincoln Epinicia Carolina or an Essay upon the Return of his sacred Majesty Charls the second by S. Woodford Gent. quarto The blessed Estate of them that die in the Lord by Tho. Manton Minister of Covent-Garden preached at the Funeral of Mrs. Jane Blackwell Wife of Elidad Blackwell An hundred choice Meditations Divine and Moral by Henry Tubb M. A. of Saint Johns Colledge in Cambridge Sensuality dissected or the Epicure's Motto opened censured improved preached at the Kentish Feast The Saints Gods precious Treasure being a Sermon preached at the Funeral of Darcy Wyvil Esq Eldest Son to the truly honourable Sir Christopher VVyvil The Excellent Woman a Sermon at the Funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Scot. The vanity of glorying in the flesh in a Sermon preached at the Funeral of Kingswel Lucy Esq These four Sermons all preached by Tho. Case Minister of Saint Giles in the Fields and may be bound in one volume in 120.