Bar and likewise the Lord Fairfax 1000 l. per Annum The Scots being encouraged by the Votes of the House pretend that Scotland was much exhausted by the late war and that his Majesties presence in Scotland might endanger the peace of that Nation so that it may truly be said of him as the Scripture expresseth of our Lord and Saviour He came to his own and his own received him not At last it was concluded 100000 l. to be told at York sealed and put in boxes The Scots to give Hostages to deliver up Newcastle Tinmouth and all other Garrisons thereabout the other 100000 l when they shall goe on the other side of Tine The other 200000 l. to be secured to be paid out of Delinquents estates They to deliver up the King and depart home and quit all their Garrisons The Assemblyes Confession of Faith was Voted by the House to be printed And likewise an Ordinance past for continuing the Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax for six moneths and the disbanding Major Generall Masseys Brigade The Common Enemy being quite beaten out of the field there hapned sad divisions in the Parliament and Army at home They were distinguished into two severall parties under the title of Presbyterian and Independent the Independent being the most subtill and close Insinuated into the most part of the Army and carried on their designes with greater Vigor and Resolution then the other as the sequell will manifest The King from Newcastle on the 20 of December 1646. sends a Message to both Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland for a personall Treaty Charles R. His Majesties thoughts have been alwayes sincerely bent to the peace of his Kingdomes was and will be ever desirous to take all wayes that might most clearely make appeare the candor of his Intentions to his people and to this end could find no better way then to propose a personall and free debate with his two Houses of Parliament upon all the present differences yet finding very much contrary to his expectation that this offer was laid aside His Majesty beat all his thoughts to make his Intentions fully knowne by a particular answer to the Propositions deliver'd to him in the name of both Kingdomes the 24 of July last and that his Majesty plainly saw that whatsoever answer he could give was subject to mis-informations and mis-constructions which upon his own explanation he is confident will give good satisfaction for the setling of a lasting peace to which purpose his Majesty desireth to come to London or any of his Houses thereabouts upon the publick faith and security of his two Houses where by his personall presence he may not onely raise a mutuall confidence betwixt him and his people but also have those doubts cleared and those difficulties explained to him assuring them that he will make no other demands but such as he believes confidently to be just and such as will tend much to the tranquility of the people for except King and people have reciprocall care each of other neither can be happy To conclude it is your King that desires to be heard the which if refused to a subject by a King he would be thought a tyrant for it wherefore his Majesty requests you to accept this offer and that it will be the readiest way to make these Kingdomes a Comfort to their Friends and a Terror to their Enemies The Lords and Commons after some time sent a Letter by Sir Peter Killigrew in answer to the Kings Message Both Houses Voted his Majesty to come to his House at Holmbey in Northampton-shire a House not Inferior to any in the Kingdome They likewise Vote that the Earle of Pembrooke the Earle of Denbigh and the Lord Mountague Sir Walter Earle Sir John Holland Sir James Harrington Sir John Cooks Mr. Crue and Major Generall Browne with Mr Marshall and Mr Caryl to attend them be sent as Commissioners to receive the King at Newcastle and to conduct him to Holmbey They likewise orderd diverse servants to attend him The sixt of February 1646. The Scots according to agreement quit Newcastle and the English possest it they likewise deliver'd up his Majesty to the Commissioners sent by the Parliament his Majesty seemed somewhat unwilling at first to goe to Holmbey rather choosing to goe to Newmarket but after a short time he was satisfied but by no meanes he could be drawne to heare Mr. Marshall or Mr. Caryl preach hoping they will allow him his Conscience Munday the 8 of February his Majesty with a sad and sorrowfull Countenance set forward with the Commissioners attended with 900 Horse and that night came to Durham on thursday to Aukland fryday to Richmond saturday to Rippon and there rested the Sabbath day Munday to Leeds tuesday to Wakefeild wednesday to Rotheram so to Mansfeild thence to Leicester where he stays the next Lords day on Munday He sets forward for Holmbey whither being no sooner come but Proclamation is made that none that had deserted the Parliament and assisted the King should presume to come neare his Majesty Sir Thomas Fairfax came to Leicester with a considerable part of the Army where he was met with the Mayor and Aldermen in state His Majesty sent a Letter to the House to request his Chaplains to be sent to him he named twelve viz. Bishop of London Bishop of Salisbury Bishop of Peterborough Dr Shelden Dr March Dr Sanderson Dr Bayly Dr Hamond Dr Beà le Dr Haywood Dr Fuller Dr Taylor but desired any two hearing no answer he sent a second Letter but still they delayed sending an answer The 25 of February his Majesty at the Commissioners request kept the fast ordred by the Commons it hapning on the same day that he had appointed for the Calamities of Ireland February the 28 his Majesty was pleased to bestow a visit on the Earle of Pembrooke who was at that time dangerously sick His Majesty made a Resolution to keep every fryday a day of solemne fasting and humiliation The Commons Vote and Order what Garrisons shall be slighted and which continued The Parliament Vote likewise the remainder of the Army to disband all but those that were appointed for Ireland and the severall Garrisons Upon which diverse Petitions came in from severall Counties to the Generall not to disband till such time as he had fully settled the Kingdome whereupon immediately the Army had a Randevouz and draw up a Petition to be presented to the Parliament That their arreares might be payd An act of Indempnity passe to secure them that the foote might not be compeld to serve out of the Kingdome that the widdowes and children of such as had lost their lives in the service might be provided for which Petition was presented by Colonell Hamond Colonell Rich and Colonell Ireton The Parliament shewed their dislike of the Petition and Vote that those that shall continue in this disturbing condition shall be proceeded against as
and took notice how they had taken the Government all in pieces how that a skilfull Watch-maker to clense his Watch will take it asunder and when it is put together it will goe better provided no pin be omitted Now I have done this on my part you know what to doe on yours reposing Great Trust and confidence in your affection The passing of this Bill was by wise men thought to be none of the least of his failings Judge Barkly was by the Usher of the black Rod arrested as he sat on the Kings Bench for high treason Thomas Earle of Strafford was next brought upon the stage the Articles exhibited against him were from 14 made 28. and on the 22 of March 1640. his Triall began The place appointed was Westminster-Hall where scaffolds were raised on both sides nine degrees in height The two uppermost for the Scotch Commissioners and the Irish Lords In the midst in a lower ascent sat the Peeres of the Realme a Throne also was erected for the King but he never appear'd publiquely but was every day of the Triall in a Close Gallery to heare and observe the whole proceedings and took notes The Earle of Arundell was Lord High Steward and the Earle of Linsey Lord High Constable The Charge was principally managed by Mr. Glin and Mr. Maynard both Members of the Commons House fifteene dayes together was the Earle arraigned and gave in his answer to every particular Charge The Commons Charge him afresh by Mr. Pim concerning some Notes taken by Secretary Vane which were discover'd by his son of his telling the King be had an Army in Ireland which his Majesty might Imploy to reduce this Kingdome to obedience He is againe call'd to the Barre and Mr. Glin and Mr. Pim endeavour to prove him Guilty by Law They extend his Crimes and make him as Odious as possible they can The Earle moves for Councell which the Peeres could not in reason deny The Commons oppose but after three dayes contest the Peeres prevaile Councell is assign'd him viz. M. Lane The Princes Atturney Mr. Gardner Recorder of London Mr. Loe and Mr. Lightfoote and Saturday the 17 of Aprill was appointed for him and his Councell to appeare where his Councell argued his case in Law that day they adjourn not appointing any time for their next meeting The Commons House Vote him Guilty of high Treason upon the evidence of Sir Henry Vanes notes which Bill of Attainder was sent up to the Lords which in their House was much opposed Some few dayes after Mr. St John The Kings Soliciter was sent by the Commons to the Lords to Justifie the Bill by Law which accordingly was by him performed in Westminster-Hall The Earle being present and The King in his accustomed place The Peeres in their House proceed to Condemnation The King having notice of it on the first of May Calls both Houses together where he declares that he had been present at the whole Triall and that in Conscience he could not condemne him of high Treason He likewise in Vindication of the Earle declares 1. That he never had any Intention to bring over the Irish Army nor ever was advised by any body so to doe 2. That there never was any debate before him either in publick Councell or private Committee of the disloyalty of his English subjects And that though he could not in Conscience condemne him of high Treason yet he could not cleare him of misdemeanours He desired them to consider what a tender Conscience was and that to satisfie his people he would doe much but in this of Conscience neither fear nor any other respect should make him goe against it He desired them to find out some middle way and was of opinion that for misdemeanours he thought him not fit to serve him or the Common-wealth in any place of trust no not a Constable This speech gave much discontent to both Houses Sunday May the second The Prince of Orange was married to the Lady Mary at White Hall with Great solemnity and triumph The next day diverse seditious persons had stirred up the multitude to the number of 5000 or 6000. who in a Tumultuous manner came arm'd to Westminster crying out for Justice to be executed on the Earle committed outrages on divers Lords but by faire promises of my Lord Chamberlain they were appeased They likewise posted at Westminster Hall Gate and the Exchange a Catalogue of those that opposed the Bill of Attainder under the title of Strafordians The fift of May a Motion was made in the House for a loan of 650000 l. to be Lent till it was Levied by Subsidy provided the King would pass a Bill not to adjourne prorogue or dissolve this Parliament without the consent of both Houses upon which Motion a Bill was order'd to be drawne up The Lords by advice of the Judges Vote the Earle Guilty of the 15 and 19 Articles And at a Conference of both Houses it was ordred That some Lords be sent to the King with the two Bills one for executing the Earle The other for continuance of this Parliament which accordingly was done on Saturday and The King promised his answer on Monday All the Sabbath day he was much perplext within himselfe The Clamours of the multitude were great he sends for the Judges to advise summons the Privy Councell and with them spends much time in arguing the Case sends for five Bishops viz. London Lincolne Carlile Durham and Bishop Vsher who for Law wholly remit him to the Judges and for Conscience he having heard the whole proceedings if he conceiv'd him Guiltlesse he ought not to condemne him The Judges in part satisfie the King by declaring that he was Guilty of high Treason The Earle himselfe that day writ a Letter with his own hand To set his Majesties Conscience at Liberty humbly requesting him to prevent such mischiefes as might ensue upon his refusall to pass the Bill and That his consent herein should acquit him to God more then all the world beside Munday the 10th of May his Majesty being wearied with complaints granted a Commission to the Earle of Arundell Lord Privy Seale Lord Chamberlain and others to pass the two Bills The next day being much afflicted in his spirit he wrote to the Lords and sent it by the Prince wherein he requests That although he had past the Bill of Attainder against The Earle yet desir'd to shew mercy by letting that unfortunate man to end his life in Close Imprisonment but if no lesse then life can satisfie my people I must say Fiat Justicia The Postscript was If he must die it were Charity to reprieve him till Saturday The House returnd answer that his request could not possibly be admitted without apparent danger to Him his Wife and Children On Wednesday the 12 of May he was brought from the Tower to the scaffold on Tower-hill attended by Bishop Vsher where he made his last Speech to the people Protesting his Innocency in
Left wing Routs them pursues them to Naseby Towne and being too eager of the plunder lost the King the day for in his absence Lieutenant Generall Cromwell Charges furiously on the Kings Left Wing and forc't them to retire from the body Sir Thomas Fairfax with the maine body advances falls on the Kings body who received them with much Valour and courage Great Rallyings there was on both sides and for a long time the battell was fought with Equall Courage but it pleased God to give the Victory to the Parliaments Forces for upon their Rallying they recovered Courage and Charged with greater fury forcing the Kings Forces to fly and had the pursuite of them within two miles of Leicester which is neere fourteen miles They left behind them all their traine of Artillery bag and baggage many were slaine 4000 taken prisoners 200 Wagons 3000 Horse many Officers of note On the Parliaments side about 1000 Officers and Common Souldiers diverse Officers wounded Great were the successes of the Parliament in diverse places In the field was taken the Kings Cabinet of Letters which were sent up to the Parliament and by them published The Marquesse of Winchester held out Basing House for the King a long time after it was besieged The Parliaments Forces despairing of gaining it drew off This was the last pitcht Battell that ever the King fought The King with some forces fled to Leicester and not conceiving himselfe safe by reason of the Parliaments forces advance goes to Ashbe de la Zouch where after he had rested himselfe a small time in the dead of the night went to Litchfield and so into Wales Sir Marmaduke Langdale fled the same night to New-wark Munday the 16 of June the Parliaments Generall and Army comes before Leicester The Generall summons the Governour immediately to deliver the Towne with all the Armes and Ammunition the Lord Hastings being Governour returnes answer that he would not deliver it but hold it out to the last man which occasioned the Generall to Issue out Warrants to summon the Country to bring in Ladders and things necessary for a storme And on the 17 of June they began to storme the Governour perceiving the danger sends a Trumpet to desire a parly for the delivery of the Towne which was concluded in then Articles and the next day the Towne was delivered up In it was 14 piece of Ordinance 30 Colours 2000 Armes 500 Horse with diverse other necessaries for warre The King returnes for Hereford with 2000 foote that Major Generall Gerhard had raised in Wales for him and posts over Severne toward Bristoll Prince Rupert following him with 3000 Horse Sir William Brereton in Shropshire sell on a party of the Kings routed them and took 300 prisoners Not long after Sir Thomas Glenham Governour of Carlile for the King having been a considerable time besieg'd and having no hopes of Reliefe delivers up the Towne on honourable Conditions Sir Thomas Fairfax marches with the best part of the Army to the Reliefe of Taunton then besieged by Goring At that time there was in the West a multitude of Rude people called Clubmen who declaring for the King did great mischiefe to diverse of the Parliaments Garrisons they boldly Capitulate with Sir Thomas Fairfax at Dorchester and desire safe passage for such as they should appoint to goe both to the King and Parliament in order to an Accommodation Sir Thomas civilly sends them an answer which not answering their expectation and fearing to oppose so potent an Army they draw off in discontent not without doing some mischiefe to the Governour of Linne then for the Parliament Upon the news of Sir Thomas Fairfax his arrivall within a dayes march of Taunton Goring draws off his forces the besieged sally out and forced the reare to retreate in disorder upon the Enemies flight the Army advances falls upon the Reare and took diverse prisoners They still pursuing at last engaged Goring at Langport whom they worsted and put to flight having taken diverse Colours some Armes and Ammunition The Generall returnes with the Army and resolves to besiege Bridgewater and having staid some time till supplyes came he closely begirts the Towne summons the Governour who returnes a resolute answer being every way well fortified and provided The Generall resolves to storme it on Munday the 22 of July 1645. Which accordingly was performed with much Resolution but the enemy within being nothing daunted fling Granadoes and other combustible stuffe to the prejudice of the besiegers The Generall the next day sends a Message telling them that their deniall had wrought in him no thoughts of Compassion but onely to women and children who might otherwise suffer by the Governours obstinacy and accordingly diverse Ladyes and Gentlewomen and Children came out of the Towne The Generall assaults them againe and at last compells them to a surrender they all to submit themselves prisoners and the Towne to be preserved from plunder which accordingly was performed Immediately after Pomfret and Scarborough Castles were surrendred no Reliefe being expected Toward the latter end of July the Generall summon'd Bath which was accordingly surrendred In August 1645. Lieutenant Generall Cromwell falls on the Club-men who at that time were very high and insolent kills diverse and took above 300 prisoners The Generall summons Sherburne Castle of which Sir Lewis Dives was Governour who return'd a resolute answer but the next day was taken by storme The Generall immediately resolves to besiege Bristoll which was govern'd by Prince Rupert Orders were sent for Ships to begirt it by Sea he summons the Governour who refusing to surrender immediately he surrounds it they within sally out six or seven times not without losse on both sides at last it was agreed to send a positive summons and upon refusall to storme it The Prince requires leave to know the Kings minde but the Generall would by no meanes permit it Upon the Princes refusall at a Councell of War it was resolv'd to storme it which accordingly was with much Courage performed the Towne was fired in many places which moved the Prince to request a parly which the Generall consented too on condition that care should be taken to quench the fire and accordingly by Articles of agreement the 11 of September 1645. The City with all the Armes Ammunition was deliver'd up The Prince with the rest immediately march to Oxford During the time of Bristolls siege news was brought of the severall successes of Montrosse in Scotland against the Covenanters which moved the Generall Lieutenant Generall and all the Colonels of the Regiments to subscribe a Letter to General Leaven of the Condition of the Kingdome and their willingnesse to spare forces for their assistance All this while the King moves up and downe sometimes in Wales sometimes in one County sometimes in another still hearing the mishaps and disasters hapning on the neck one of another so that all his hopes were almost frustrate Lieutenant General Cromwell
forthwith commanded the Prisoner to be carried away who was convey'd to White Hall The Reasons why he could not consent to the Court are as followeth which he Intended to deliver on Munday Jan. 22. in writing but was not permitted Having already made My protestations not only against the illegality of this pretended Court but also that no Earthly power can justly call Me who am your KING in question as a Delinquent I would not any more open My mouth upon this occasion more than to refer My self to what I have spoken were I alone in this case alone concerned But the duty I owe to God in the preservation of the true liberty of My people will not suffer Me at this time to be silent For how can any free-born Subject of England call Life or any thing he possesseth his own if Power without Right daily make new and abrogate the old fundamentall Law of the Land which I now take to be the present case Wherefore when I came hither I expected that you would have endeavoured to have satisfied Me concerning these grounds which hinder Me to answer to your pretended Impeachment but since I see that nothing I can say will move you to it though Negatives are not so naturally proved as Affirmatives yet I will shew you the Reason why I am confident you cannot judge Me nor indeed the meanest Man in England for I will not like you without shewing a reason seek to impose a belief upon My Subjects * Hereabout I was stopt not suffered to speak any more concerning Reasons There is no proceeding just against any Man but what is warranted either by Gods Laws or the municipall Laws of the Country where he lives Now I am most confident that this dayes proceeding cannot be warranted by Gods Law for on the contrary the authority of obedience unto Kings is cleerly warranted and strictly commanded both in the Old and New Testament which if denied I am ready instantly to prove and for the Question now in hand there it is said That where the word of a King is there is power and who may say unto him what doest thou Eccles 8.4 Then for the Laws of this Land I am no lesse confident that no learned Lawyer will affirm that an impeachment can lye against the King they all going in His Name and one of their Maximes is That the King can do no wrong Besides the Law upon which you ground your proceedings must either be old or new if old shew it if new tell what Authority warranted by the fundamentall Laws of the Land hath made it and when But how the House of Commons can erect a Court of Judicature which was never one it self as is well known to all Lawyers I leave to God and the World to judge And it were full as strange that they should pretend to make Laws without King or Lords-House to any that have heard speak of the Laws of England And admitting but not granting that the people of Englands Commission could grant your pretended power I see nothing you can shew for that for certainly you never asked the question of the tenth man of the Kingdome and in this way you manifestly wrong even the poorest ploughman if you demand not his free consent nor can you pretend any colour for this your pretended Commission without the consent at least of the major part of every man in England of whatsoever quality or condition which I am sure you never went about to seek so far are you from having it Thus you see that I speak not for My own right alone as I am your KING but also for the true liberty of all My Subjects which consists not in sharing the power of Government but in living under such Lawes such a Government as may give themselves the best assurance of their lives and propriety of their goods Nor in this must or do I forget the Priviledges of both Houses of Parliament which this dayes proceeding doth not only violate but likewise occasion the greatest breach of their publick Faith that I believe ever was heard of with which I am far from charging the two Houses for all the pretended crimes laid against Me bear date long before this late Treaty at Newport in which I having concluded as much as in Me lay hopefully expecting the two Houses agreement thereunto I was suddenly surprized and hurried from thence as a Prisoner upon which account I am against My will brought hither where since I am come I cannot but to My power defend the ancient Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome together with My own just right Than for any thing I can see the higher House is totally excluded And for the House of Commons it is too well known that the major part of them are detained or deterred from sitting so as if I had no other this were sufficient for Me to protest against the lawfulnesse of your pretended Court. Besides all this the peace of the Kingdome is not the least in My thoughts and what hopes of settlement is there so long as Power reigns without rule of Law changing the whole frame of that Government under which this Kingdome hath flourished for many hundred yeares nor will I say what will fall out in case this lawlesse unjust proceeding against Me do go on and believe it the Commons of England will not thank you for this change for they will remember how happy they have been of late years under the Reign of Q. Elizabeth the King My Father and My Self untill the beginning of these unhappy Troubles and will have cause to doubt that they shall never be so happy under any new And by this time it will be too sensibly evident that the Arms I took up were only to defend the fundamentall Laws of this Kingdome against those who have supposed My power hath totally changed the ancient Government Thus having shewed you briefly the Reasons why I cannot submit to your pretended Authority without violating the trust which I have from God for the welfare and liberty of My People I expect from you either cleer Reasons to convince My judgement shewing Me that I am in an Error and then truly I will readily answer or that you will withdraw your proceedings Sir Hardresse Waller Harrison Deane and Okey Colonels with Lieutenant Generall Ireton are by the Court appointed to consider of time and place for executing the King who resolve that the Open streete before White Hall is a fit place and that the King be there executed the next day being the 30 of January 1648. and that the scaffold he covered with black January 27. the King lay at White Hall the next day being Sunday the Bishop of London preached before him in his Chamber The same day all the Members of the Court kept a fast in the Chappell at White Hall Munday his Children were permitted to visit him at St James's but staid not long Tuesday the 30 of January the
fatall day he prays and receives the Sacrament and at ten a Clock attended by a Regiment of foote and his Guard of Partisons with Bishop Juxson on one hand and Colonell Tomlinson on the other walks afoote through the Parke as they were going he bids them goe faster telling them he now went before them to strive for a heavenly Crowne with less solicitude then he had oftentimes bid his Souldiers to fight for an earthly Diadem he goes into his Cabinet Chamber at White Hall continuing in his devotions refusing to dine but about twelve a Clock he eat a bit of bread and drank a glasse of claret wine neere one of the Clock he was convey'd through the Banqueting-house and past through the great window upon the scaffold covered with black where he beheld two Executioners disguisd with vizards the Ax and Block ready which nothing affrighted him he addrest himself to Colonell Tomlinson as followeth I Shall be very little heard of any body else I shall therefore speak a word unto you here Indeed I could have held My peace very well if I did not think that holding My peace would make some men think that I did submit to the guilt as well as to the punishment But I think it is My duty to God first and then to My Countrey to clear My Self both as an honest man a good King and a good Christian I shall begin first with My innocency and in troth I think it not very needfull for Me to insist long upon this for all the World knows that I never did begin a War with the two Houses of Parliament and I call God to witnesse to whom I must shortly make an account that I never did intend to incroach upon their Priviledges they began upon Me it is the Militia they began upon they confest that the Militia was Mine but they thought it fit for to have it from Me and to be short if any body will look to the dates of Commissions of their Commissions and Mine and likewise to the Declarations he will see clearly that they began these unhappy troubles not I so that as for the guilt of these Enormous crimes that are laid against Me I hope that God will clear Me of it I will not for I am in charity and God forbid that I should lay it upon the two Houses of Parliament there is no necessity of either I hope they are free of this guilt but I believe that ill Instruments between them Me have been the chief cause of all this bloodshed so that as I finde My self clear of this I hope and pray God that they may too yet for all this God forbid that I should be so ill a Christian as not to say that Gods judgements are just upon me Many times he doth pay Justice by an unjust sentence that is ordinary I will only say this That an unjust * Earl of Strafford sentence that I suffered for to take effect is punished now by an unjust sentence upon Me so far I have said to shew you that I am an Innocent man Now for to shew you that I am a good Christian I hope there is * Poiating to Dr. Juxen B. of London a good man that will bear Me witnesse That I have forgiven all the World and even those in particular that have been the chief causers of My Death who they are God knows I doe not desire to know I pray God forgive them But this is not all My charity must goe further I wish that they may repent for indeed they have committed a great sin in that particular I pray God with St. Stephen That this be not laid to their charge and withall that they may take the right way to the peace of the Kingdom for My charity commands Me not only to forgive particular men but to endeavour to the last gasp the peace of the Kingdom So Sirs I doe wish with all My Soul Turning to some that wrote I see there are some here will carry it further that they may endeavour the peace of the Kingdom Now Sirs I must shew you both how you are out of the way and put you in a way first you are out of the way for certainly all the way you ever have had yet as far as I could finde by any thing is in the way of Conquest certainly this is an ill way for Conquest in My opinion is never just except there be a good and a just cause either for matter of wrong or a just Title and then if you goe beyond the first quarrel that you have that makes it unjust at the end that was just at first For if there be only matter of Conquest then it is a great Robbery as a Pirate said to Alexander that he was the great Robber himself was but a pety Robber and so Sirs I doe think for the way that you are in you are much out of the way Now Sirs for to put you in the way believe it you will never go right nor God will never prosper you untill you give God his due the King his due that is my Successour and the people their due I am as much for them as any of you You must give God his due by regulating rightly his Church according to the Scripture which is now out of order and to set you in a way particularly now I cannot but only this A National Synod freely called freely debating among themselves must settle this when every opinion is freely and clearly heard For the King Indeed I will not the Laws of the Land will clearly instruct you for that therefore because it concerns My own particular I only give you a touch of it For the people Truly I desire their liberty and freedom as much as any body whomsoever but I must tell you That their liberty and their freedom consists in having Government under those Laws by which their Lives and their Goods may be most their own It is not in having a share in the Government that is nothing pertaining to them A Subject and a Soveraign are clean different things and therefore untill you doe that I mean That you doe put the people into that liberty as I say certainly they will never enjoy themselves Sirs It was for this that now I am hither come for if I would have given way to an Arbitrary way for to have all Laws changed according to the power of the Sword I needed not to have come here and therefore I tell you and I pray God it be not laid to your charge That I am the Martyr of the people In troth Sirs I shall not hold you any longer I will only say this to you That I could have desired some little time longer because I would have put this that I have said in a little better order and have had it a little better digested then I have done and therefore I hope you will excuse Me. I have delivered my Conscience I pray