fire-coales into a flame the French being then upon a War with Spain and the Cardinal a great Statist knew that Englands best policy was ever to side with the weakest to ballance the biggest power neither of them to increase above the measure of moderation To that end Monsieur Montril was sent Emissary and Agent to work out the Design in England and Scotland as may appear by the Scots Letter to the French King as hereafter follows and that they had great incouragement from Richelieu but what assistance under hand I could never finde out fair promises and no doubt never to engage against them But Balmerino his great Enemy the Earl of Kinnol Lord Chancellour of Scotland took his leave of this life and left his Office to Spotswood Son to the first Superintendent formerly Arch-bishop of Glasgow and now Arch-bishop of St. Andrews aged above sixty years a learned moderate wise man as by his History appears the first of his Coat since the Reformation of that Dignity and that for the great advantage of the Church if rightly apprehended without that mistaken Vote never known before for three hundred years a Clergy-man to bear that Dignity I shall remember those that were Andrew Foreman 15 Iac. 4. James Stuart Brother to James the fourth James Beaton 10 Jac. 5. and Queen Maries Reign David Beaton Cardinal succeeded him Jo Hamilton Brother to the Duke of Chattleheralt was the last of the Popish Bishops and many more before those and all of them Arch-bishops of St. Andrews and Chancellours Then there were Willam Lowater anno 1412. Andrew Foreman Iac. 4. Gawin Dunbar Praeceptor to James 5 and after him James Beaton And these following were Arch-bishops of Glasgow and Chancellours Adam and Patrick Bishops of Brocher Chancellours annis 1360 1370. Thomas Spence Bishop of Galloway and Chancellour to Jac. 2. William Elphinston Bishop of Aberdene Chancellour to Jac. 3. Indeed in Scotland heretofore Justice was perâ—ormed by Itinerarie Courts like to the Judicature of Courts in England fifteen Judges in all seven Churchmen and seven Laymen and the President also a Churchman and the best offices of State were formerly in Bishops and Abbots which gave them abilities in purse to perform those great and pious works of charity honour and common benefit Abbies Churches Hospitals Bridges Causewayes and the like all Acts of the Clergy heretofore which now their successours destroy Death indeed was more indifferent with two Great Ones in England two Eminent Men of several factions the One Sr. Richard Weston Earl of Portland Lord High Treasurer of England the Kings great Favourite for his Abilities at this time the more useful in promoting Prerogatives and all advantages of raising money with some regret of the Commons for such services His place was therefore for the present put under power of Commissioners for some time after The other was Sr. Edward Cook a Common Lawyer and so bred up himself to please the people Increasing esteem on that score from his first rise Queen Elizabeths Attorney General chief Iustice of the Kings Bench under King Iames where he lost himself by too much liberty of Eloquence or Impudence and removed from that Court to his Countrey retirement in the County of Buckingham made high Sheriff to humble him towards this King with a clause in his Commission to avoyd his Election of being a Burgesse in Parliament of which he was the more ambitious because thereby the better able to shew his Enmity but he got it in Norfolk his birth-place and he a Law-wrangler was voted legally chosen notwithstanding his Commission of Restraint We may not forget the Affairs of Germany the Swede having a continued confederacy with the protestant Princes and the French assistance against the Emperour and Spain for although they fought and treated for a conjunction Duke Barnard had been so often bafled by former promises of Wallestien before his Murther that now he trusted to fair words no longer And the good Duke Francis Albert of Saxony Leumburgh the Instrument chosen to tye these two different dispositions into a Ligament was not his crafts master but was carried prisoner for many years to Vienna The King of Hungary for the Imperial party having cured the Army with good gold after the disorder of Wallestiens murther and taken new Oath of the souldiers when News came to his camp of a notable victory gotten by Arnem upon the Imperialists in Silesia and of his marching towards Prague whither the King sent so strong a supply Arnem was constrained to retire into Saxony at the same time that the Town of Ratisbone was regained for the Emperour in Iuly the brave and famous General Aldring being slain a little before at Lanshut He was of Luxenburgh obâ—curely born whose virtues and valour had raised thus high and eminent in many battels against Iohn de Wiert with successe And the businesse Military in Germany requiring all assistance for the Emperour against such a confederacy of friends Thither comes the Cardinal Infanto from Milan with the old Spanish Italian and Burgundian Bands through all Switâ—zerland soon reforming the riotous Swedes by their example into a true Military Discipline These forces joyning with the Imperialists marched into the Duchy of Weitemburgh but first must passe the fiery Tryal of a strong Town Norlington The Swedes and their Allies are likewise summoned together from all parts Horn joyns with Duke Barnard and advises to spare the Enemy a Town or two than to hazzard the publicque cause But the Duke would fight for it and designed the day the sixth of September and the rather because some private offer had been for Overtures of a Peace which the Swedes took for a good Augure what ere it presaged It procured to both Armies the most horred bloody fight that had been between Christians To the Protestants party were already arrived the forces of the Duke of Weitemburgh the Lantgrave of Hassia and Count Cratz He who was for Bavaria and should have betrayed Ingolstade to the Enemy and so being discovered was fled hither wanting none but the Rhingrave and his four thousand men The fight began early the most furious first shock was for a Hillock the storming of a mined fort lost many of the Swedes Infantry The Canon hidden behinde some bushes did mighty Execution also and the Swedes constrained to fly and their Cavalry pursued by the Duke of Lorain and Iohn de Wiert were utterly defeated eighty pieces of Canon three hundred colours and twelve thousand men slain and six thousand prisoners amongst whom that brave man Gustave Horn Nobly received by the King The fruit of this Battel began a peace short and sweet onely to let that miserable Countrey taste of the blessing which lasted not long when the revenger of blood opens the veins to let out more evil fumes This Victory might answer for their Eminent successe heretofore at Leipsick and Lutzen and as the Swedes did then so does
of Queen Elizabeth and himself a person not engaged in any publick pressures of the Common-wealth and therefore most likely to prove just and acceptable to the People The Papists likewise permitted privately to enjoy their Religion and a general good agreement between the Natives and the English in all parts In August the Popish party in Parliament grown high and incompatible with the present Government the Parliament was adjourned for three Moneths and then the Committee returned out of England and arrived at the end of August desiring that all the Acts of that Parliament might be proclaimed and sent down to the several Counties and so they retired to their places of abode In this great serenity and security the late Irish Army raised for the assistance of the Kings service against the Scots was disbanded and all their Army brought into Dublin Then there brake out upon the three and twentieth of October 1641. a desperate Rebellion universal defection and general Revolt of the Natives together which almost all the old English that were Popish totally involved A Rebellion so execrable as no Age no Nation can parallell the abominable Murders without number or mercy upon the Brittish Inhabitants of what sexes age or quality soever they were and this to be contrived with that secrecy amongst themselves that not one English man received any notice thereof before the very Evening of their intended Execution But though there were no direct appearance of the first Contrivers of this Rebellion yet I finde the Romish Clergy and the the Popish Lawyers great Instruments of the Fundamentals whereupon their bloudy Superstructions were reared The Lawyers standing up in Parliament as great Patriots for the Liberties of the Subject and Redress of Grievances boldly obtruding their pernicious speculations as undoubted Maxims of Law which though apparent to wise men yet so strangely were many of the very Protestants and others wel-meaning men blinded with an apprehension of case and redress and so stupified with their bold accusations of the Government as discouraged others to stand up to oppose them And then it was that the Parliament having impeached Sir Robert Bolton Lord Chancellour of Ireland of high Treason with other prime Officers of State that were of English birth and done their worst also against the Earl of Strafford in England Some of these great Masters and pretended Patriots took upon them impudently to declare the Law as they pleased to make new Expositions of their own upon that Text to frame Queries against Government Presidents they had enough of former proceedings in England they disdained the moderate qualifications of such as replied to them but those would not serve their turn New Model of Government they would have drawing it wholly into the hands of the Natives which they knew could not be compassed in a Parliamentary way they onely made preparatives there by desperate Maxims which being diffused would fit and dispose the people to a change Some of their Maxims they declared for Law that any one being killed in Rebellion though found by matter of Record would give the King no Forfeiture of Estate That though many thousands stood up in Arms working all manner of destruction yet if they professed not to rise against the King that it was no Rebellion That if a man were cuâ—lawed for Treason and his Land rested in the Crown or given away by the King his Heir might come afterwards and be admitted to reverse the Outlawry and recover his Ancestours Estate And many such were published this Session nay they presumed to attempt a suspension of Poyning ' s Act and at last the very abrogation of the Statute the best Monument of the English intire dominion over the Irish Nation and the annexion of that Kingdom to the Imperial Crown of England assuming a power of Iudicature to the Parliament in criminal and capital offences which no former age could presidence And so carried on their Session begun in May till the breaking out of the Rebellion and yet then they would hardly adjourn These and many other such which wise men fore-saw and since came to pass that Fools may run and read them They made the whole Body of State corrupt and ill-affected that the evil humours and distempers of the Kingdom required Cauteries This was the Disease as appears by all the Symptoms and the joint concurrence in opinion of all the pretended Patriots that held themselves wise enough to propose Remedies to so desperate a Malady But indeed although but pretences yet the King had condescended to their present relief giving much more satisfaction to their Agents lately in England than ever they could in any other time expect to receive or hope to enjoy but presently upon their return to Ireland this Conspiracy brake out Certainly the late successes of the Scots in their Insurrections gave encouragement to these they having happily succeeded in their affairs obtained signal Immunities from the King by their last Eruptions Our domestick garboils also might indulge them liberty to perplex the English the more and not the least advantage by the death of the late Deputy the Earl of Strafford whom the Irish equally pursued with the Zelots of Parliament in England and thereupon the unseasonable disbanding of the Irish Army eight thousand raised for the Scotish Expedition All these together added to them for their Design four thousand whereof were granted to Don Alonso de â—ardenes the Spanish Ambassadour to be transported from the danger of Innovation at home and the Officers and Colonels put out by the Parliaments commands might depart with their Regiments whither they pleased These were their Incitements and their Deceits followed they boast that the Queen was in the Head of their Forces that the King was coming with an Army that the Scots had concluded a League with them and to get credit therein they altogether caress the Scots that they were authorised by the Kings Commission which they counterâ—eited and produced at Farnham Abbey from one Colonel Plunket as appeared afterwards by several Confessions that they asserted the Kings cause against the Puritans of England And to their own Countrey-men they scatter Letters and Advertisements out of England that there was a Statute very lately made to compell all the Irish to be present at the Protestant worship under penalty of loss of their Goods for the first neglect the loss of their Inheritances for the second and their Lives for the third They gave there great hopes of recovering their Liberties and regaining their ancient Customes and to shake off the English yokâ— to elect to themselves a King of their own Nation and to distribute the Goods and Possessions of the English These Inducements made the Irish mad to perpetrate such hideous Attempts as no leading Age hath heard of They published also these Motives in print that our royal King and Queen are by the Puritans curbed and abused and their Prerogatives restrained diminished and almost wholly abolished
King affianced by former contract to the Princess Henrieta-Maria Sister to the French King Lewis the 13. And therefore to him first is principally dispatched Emissaries of his Fathers decease and so to other Princes and States in Amity with all but the House of Austria upon the score of restauration of the Palatine and his Inheritance And with this advice he orders Letters of Procuration or Proxie to the Duke of Chevereux of the House of Guise and so neer of Extraction to King Charles that Chawd of Lorain the first Duke of Guise maried his Daughter Mary to Iames the fifth of Scotland Grandfather to Iames the sixth and She Great Grand-mother to King Charles To this Duke Chevereux he sends for espousing his Mistress to make her his Consort which was celebrated on Sunday the first of May our stile and of theirs the eleventh day in their Church of Nostre-Dame at Paris She being given up his Queen by her two Brothers the King and Monsieur But to fetch her over there arrived a Fortnight after the Duke of Buckingham in Commission with our Ambassadors there the Earls of Carlisle and Holland with a train of the best of Quality to attend him the Earl of Mountgomery was pickt out to be one who had a larger Purse than Head-piece and being much troubled to come behind those in ranck before whom those Earls he was in Peerage professed that his intent of Journey was to see the Monarch of France where now he finds three English Kings besides for in pomp of State and Vestments they were said to equal any The second of Iune the English Queen sets forward from Paris and so to Amiens where she staied 14. dayes A City of some circuit without the walls because a Town of War and a Frontier memorable for entertainment of many persons as now for great Princes and heretofore an Army of English Guests feasted by King Lewis the eleventh not onely King Edward of England and his Military Grandees but even to the common Souldiers to please them for a patcht peace made up with their Prince whose Camp lay very neer It lasted four dayes the common chambers were the canopied streets and in all houses of Retail for Victuall or Wine scot-free The number of the English and all armed were accompted by some Authors nine thousand and might have this way stoln a Victory over a Town though with loss of their honour The Citadel is of great strength built by Henry the fourth of France so soon as he won it from the Spaniard seated neer upon his Territories and therefore now a jealous Town 500 in pay to guard the Citadel and 200 of the City that watch themselves every house finding one 12 mights a year The Duke of Chawny hath the title Vice-dame of Amiens and Governor of the Citadel made so by his Brother Favourite Luines from being before but Mr. Cadineâ— But the Cathedral Nostre-Dame the most glorious magnificent Fabrick in the World and but questionable if of the Quire more Majesty in that of Amiens or more beauty in Ours of Henry the seventh Chapel at Westminster this the more exquisite that the more glorious both Miracula Mundi Tam bene conveniunt et in una sede morantur Majestas Amor. But for the Front the Divinity of Art far beyond our famed Wells or Peterborough Invisuram facilius aliquem quam Imataturam so infinite beyond imitation And all these together is the Seat of a Bishop But here the Queen takes leave of her mother whose indisposition of health had arrested her there in punishment of that malice wherewith she dissembleâ— it too long at the first through the extreme desire she had of coming to the Sea-side But Monsieur accompanied his Sister to Boloign not so neer for passage over as Calais but the infection there turned them thither where she received the Countess of Buckingham the Mother and a train of Ladies from England To her Mounsieur descended to give a visit at her lodging and the Duchess of Chevereux that great Princess of Match and blood did perforce give her precedence with all imaginable honor for her sons sake A pittiful reason for Toby Matthew thereby not to be discouraged from bearing devotion to the blessed Virgin when he saw as he taies that women sick of love towards the son are put by a law of Nasure into pain till they revenge themselves on the Mother This Town is divided into La haute ville and La bass ville high and low Town distant one hundred paces from each other The Upper Town upon the Hill the other declining to the Sea-side this though bigger and better built Trade hath increased it so by the Haven yet but a Town the other the City made so by Henry the second and a Bishops Seat anno 1553. And here was the plague now also but the infection abated for the Queens presence by a Grand Proâ—â—ssion ad placandam Dâ—i tram Processions first instituted by Pope Stephanus anno 752. but the Letany of it was comprized by Pope Leo the first anno 1060. Not in respect of sickness but of Earthquakes which in all France are frequent But their charity to the infected dead corps continues to this day the Covent de la charite being bound to bury them and so they say themselves are free from infection for in truth they are so aged no disease can catch them but death yet by after mingling with the people they infest others which they teach the ignorant not to believe Wondrous jealous they are of the English to walk their Wall since Henry the eighth of England possessed it Their Garrison now 300. their Governor Monsieur d' Amont son to the Marshall It hath a Tower de Ordre built by Iulius Caesar at his second expedition into Britain then the Watch Tower but now worn out and only used for a Pharos by night and a Sea-mark by day called the Old man of Boloign It seems so an aged piece and ere long by the waves of the Sea upon the ruin of the Basis may be supposed not of long lasting The Town was taken by Henry 8. anno 1545. with more expence than profit of 44000. foot and 3000. horse 100. field pieces and for them and provision 25000. draught horse and so kept it against many French Attempts all his life time but was lost by Contract of a Treaty to the French Forces for 800000. Crowns tempore Edw. 6. being ingaged then against the Scots and Kit the Norfolk Rebel besides Here the Queen finds a Convoy of the English Royal Navy 21 Ships the most admired then for State and Service and had need to be so to wast over hither the most eminent persons of both nations Her passage might preâ—age the Intemperate success to Her and Us thereafter so were the Seas then the most tempestuous like the last time that wafted Queen Mary of Scotland who came from Calais Triste et lugubre
France and Charles the Emperour and King of Spain shews them so provident as between themselves to keep the ballance of Europe upright Not one to edge upon the other and herein not to stay for the first blow or to be the last to be eaten up The Crown of Spain hath enlarged her bounds these last sixty years more then the Ottamans Did not England assist the French to keep him from Britany Picardy and Piedmont and enable the Netherlands not to be swallowed up these are our outworks Nay hath he not twice invaded England Once under the Popes Banner next in his own Name and hath more than a months minde to it again These grounds are causes sufficient for a War with Spain But what ere the King had said as to the matter and form of Argument the Parliament forgot not their old Mode with his Father Not too hastily to resolve and his death left much business in the deck which now they take up to engage his son And in truth all Parliaments commence with Petition from the People Reasons of Religion and Complaints of their suffering came to his Father in the close of his last Session and so unanswered which they are resolved now to dispatch and did so To that of Religion the King assured them his pious resolution to effect their desires with all convenient speed and as that business of weight required And for their Greivances they were distinctly separate and satisfactory answers he gave to each apart And so accounting to them the disbursement of his Land and Naval Forces with a clear and even audit of the Charge and Expence to come they were so candid that the Laity gave him without conditions Two Subsidies from Protestants four from Papists and the Clergy three Richard Mountague Doctor of Divinity and Chaplain to the King was summoned this Session for certain Tenents supposed prejudicial to the Protestants faith but were only against the Calvinist and was from the Commons Bar without Tryal committed to the Serjeant of their House untill two thousand pound Bail be procured for him to appear the next Session which the King had reason to resent being his antient Chaplain and ought to have his Masters protection sooner than the Servants of an Ordinary Burgess which at last was granted but not his bail-bond excused Of which he complains to the Duke of Buckingham and that the Parliament had not in right to do with him for that which King Iames commanded and King Charles authorized and challenges any Accusers if he may answer for himself It seems he was summoned and committed without any Tryal Iuly 29. And hereupon three Bishops Rochester Oxford and St. Davids being tender not of his Person but of his cause meerly the Church of Englands upon this Ground That the Church being reformed from the Roman refused the apparent and dangerous errours but was tender of every School point as not expedient in the unity of Christians to subscribe to each particular And so though some of his opinions are the resolved Doctrine of the Church of England which he is bound to maintain So some others are School points and there to be discussed but not to distract the Church nor for any man to be bound to subscribe unto which if inforced would hazard their former subscription in Orthodox Tenents and was indeed one great Fault of the Council of Trent But the Clergy submitted in Henry the eighths time with this caution That for differences Doctrinal the King and the Bishops were to be Judges in a National Synod and that with the Kings leave under his hand and seal else not Nor did ever the Church or can submit but so which is the constant practice of the Church For if the Church be brought down beneath her self Schism will follow And King Iames allowed of each point of Doctrine in Mountagues Book who was able of most men to judge thereof There can be little use of Civil Government or of Preaching and external Ministery in the Church if such fatal opinions as are contrary to Mountagues shall be publickly taught and maintained All or most of the contrary opinions were treated of at Lambeth and then ready to be published but Queen Elizabeth upon knowledge how little they agreed with the practice in Piety and obedience to Government suppressed them and so continued ever since till of late some of them received countenance at the Synod of Dort but that being a Synod of that Nation cannot give authority to any other National Church till publique authority and it is to be hoped that this Church will advise before they submit to a foreigne Synod especially of such a Church that condemneth our Discipline and manner of Government And therefore the King referred the consideration to the course of the Church Then for the person of Mountague they affirmed him to be an able Scholar right honest and fit to do God and the Church and his Majesty great service 2 August 1625. And after the next session he was consecrate Bishop of Chichester The Books in question were these His answer to the Romish Gagger And his Defence thereof afterwards styled Apello Caesarem formerly opposed by Information prepared against him of which he was discharged by King Iames with leave to appeal to his Majesty from his defamators and Doctor White then Dean of Carlisle was ordered to authorize the Imprimatur But two years after Ianuary 1628. it was called in by Proclamation to please the then Parliament not charged with any false doctrine but for being the first cause of those disputes and differences which hath since much troubled the quiet of the Church it seems with such unnecessary questions And to humour that time also Doctor Potter a zealous Calvinian was preferred to be Bishop of Carlisle to please the Parliament and and yet for all these passages the Parliament lookt asquint at the Kings actions as hereafter followes anno 1628. The Lord Mordant afterwards Earl of Peterborough being a Papist and willing to winne his wife from Protestancy offered the combate of his Confessor with a fair dispute against any This Confident was a cunning Iesuite Beaumona but his right name Rookwood his brother executed in the Gun-powder-Treason 1605. and the Lady elected Doctor Usher Primate of Ireland at this time in England the place Drayton in Northampton shire but after three dayes controversie concerning Transubstantiation Invocation to Saints Images visibility of the Church the Iesuite directly confessed he was so deficient in his memory that Gods just judgement had infatuated him to this desertion and put his excuse upon his presumption to dispute with so eminent a Protestant without leave of his Superiour But the good effect was the conversion of the Lord Mordant and confirmation of his Lady Whereupon a Secular-Priest Chaloner in a jeer to Beaumond bids him beware of coming to Drayton for fear that Usher foil him again These Lawes are enacted this Session
my Religion The Earl replying desired the Prince to pardon him if he had offended him saying It was but out of his desire to serve him Whereas it had been the duty of a faithful servant to God and his Master to have disswaded the Prince from it had he found him staggering in his Religion Eighthly That he afterward having Conference with the Prince about the Romish Religion trayterously endeavoured to perswade him to turn Romish Catholique using an Argument to that end That the State of England never did nor could possibly do any great thing but when obedient to the Pope of Rome Ninthly That during the time aforesaid the Prince advising with the Earl about a new Offer by the King of Spain That the Prince Palatine should marry the Emperours Daughter â—e brought up in his Court and so should be restored to the Palatinate The Earl said It was a reasonable Proposition And when the danger of changing his Religion was objected the Earl replyed That without some such great Act the peace of Christendom could never be procured Tenthly That the Prince departing from Spain and leaving the Powers of Disposorios with the said Earl to be delivered upon the return of his Dispensation from Rome the Prince fearing lest after the Dispensation the Infanta might be put into a Monastery wrote a Letter back to the Earl commanding him not to make use of those Powers untill he could give him assurance that a Monastery should not rob him of his Wife which Letter the Earl receiving returned an answer disswading that Direction Shortly after which the Prince sent another Letter discharging him of his former Command But his late Majesty by the same Messenger sent him a more express Direction Not to deliver the Disposorios until a full conclusion had concerning the Palatinate adding this expression That he would never joy to marry his Son and to leave his onely Daughter weeping In which Dispatch though there was some mistake yet in the next following it was corrected and the Earl tied to his former Restrictions which he promised punctually to observe Neverthelesse contrary to his Duty and Allegiance he after set a day for the Disposorios without any assurance or so much as treating of those things to which he was restrained and that so short a day that if extraordinary diligence with good successe in the Journey had not concurred the Princes hands might have been bound up and yet he never sure of a Wife nor the Prince Palatine of Restitution Lastly That in an high an contemptuous manner he hath preferred a scandalous Petition to this Honourable House to the dishonour of the late King and his now Majesty especially one Article of that Petition wherein he gives his now Majesty the Lye by denying and offering to falsifie what his Majesty had affirmed There needs no strain of partiality to implead the difference of these charges assuredly if the Earls charge against the Duke could have served the turn It might have spared the Commons Impeachment the other comming far short of the designe which was to do it to the purpose And therefore This weighty Cause was managed by six Members Mr. Glanvil Mr. Herbert Ma. Selden Mr. Pim Mr. Wans ford Mr. Sherland to them was added Sr. Dudly Diggs as Prolocutor and Sr. Iohn Elliot brought up the Rear And so though the matter of the Prologue may be spared being made up with Elegancy yet rather then it shall be lost you may please to read it at this length My Lords THere are so many things of great importance to be said in very little time this day that I conceive it will not be unacceptable to your Lordships if setting by all Rhetorical affectations I onely in plain Country language humbly pray your Lordships favour to include many excuses necessary to my manifold infirmities in this one word I am commanded by the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons house to present unto your Lordships their most affectionate thanks for your ready condescending to this Conference which out of confidence in your great wisdoms and approved Justice for the service of his Majesty and the welfare of this Realm they desired upâ—â— this occasion The House of Commons by a fatal and universal concurrence of complaints from all the Sea-bordering parts of this Kingdom did find a great and griâ—vous interruption and stop of Trade and Traffique The base Pirats of Sally ignominiously infesting our Coasts taking our ships and goods and leading away the Subjects of this Kingdom into barbarous Captivity while to our shame and hinderance of Commerce our enemies did as it were besiege our Ports and block up our best Rivers mouths 〈◊〉 Friends on flight pretences made embargoes of our Merchants goods and every Nation upon the least occasion was ready to contemn and slight us So great was the apparent diminution of the ancient honour of this Crown and once strong reputation of our Nation Wherewith the Commons were more troubled calling to remembrance how formerly in France in Spain in Holland and every where by Sea and Land the Valours of this Kingdom had been better valued and even in latter times within remembrance when we had no Alliance with France none in Denmark none in Germany no Friend in Italy Scotland to say no more ununited Ireland not setled in peace and much less security at home when Spain was as ambitious as it is now under a King Philip the second they called their wisest the House of Austria as great and potent and both strengthened with a malitious League in France of persons ill-affected when the Low-countreys had no being yet by constant counsels and old English wayes even then that Spanish pride was cool'd that greatness of the house of Austria so formidable to us now was well resisted and to the United Provinces of the Low countreys such a beginning growth and strength was given as gave us honour over all the Christian World The Commons therefore wondring at the Evils which they suffered debating of the causes of them found they were many drawn like one Line to one Circumference of decay of Trade and strength of Honour and of Reputation in this kingdom which as in one Centre met in one great man the Cause of all whom I am here to name the Duke of Buckingham Here Sir Dudly Diggs made a stand as wondring to see the Duke present Yet he took the Roll and read the Preamble to the charge with the Dukes long Titles and then went on My Lords This lofty Title of this mighty Man me thinks doth raise my spirits to speak with a Paulo majora canamus and let it not displease your Lordships if for foundation I compare the beautiful Structure and fair composition of this Monarchy wherein we live to the great work of God the World it self in which the solid body of incorporated Earth and Sea as I conceive in regard of our Husbandry Manufactures and Commerce by Land and Sea may
Ships richly laden in their usual course of Trade the Duke moved the Lords then assembled in Parliament to know whether he should make stay of those Ships for the Service of the State which motion being approved by the Lords the Duke accordingly did stay those ships and after procured a joynt Action to be entred in the Court of Admiralty in the name of the late King and himself as Lord Admirall against 15000 lib. pretended to be Pyratically taken by some Captains of the said Merchants ships and in the hands of the said Captains and accordingly an Attachment was served upon the said Merchants Whereupon the said Merchants being urged to bring in the 15000 lib. or to go to Prison made new suit to the Duke for the release of their ships who pretending that the Parliament must be moved therein the Merchants much perplexed and considering that they should lose much by unlading their ships and the losse of their voyage resolved to tender to the said Duke ten thousand pounds for his unjust demand who by colour of his Office extorted and exacted from them the said ten thousand pounds and upon receipt thereof and not before released the said ships That the motion in Parliament about the stay of the East-India ships was onely upon apprehension that they might be serviceable for the defence of the Realm That the Action entred in the Court of Admiralty against the East-India Company was not after as is suggested but divers moneths before that motion in Parliament yea before the Parliament began That the composition mentioned in this Article was not moved by the Duke but made by the late King and that the Company without any menaces or compulsion agreed to the Composition as willing to give so much rather then to abide the hazzard of the suit That of the said sum all but two hundred pounds was imployed by his late Majesties Officers for the benefit of the Navie And lastly that those ships were not discharged upon payment of the said sum of ten thousand pounds but upon an accommodation allowed that they should prepare other ships for his Majesties service whilest they went on their Voyage which accordingly they did VII Reply 7. That the Duke being great Admirall of England did by colour of the said Office procure one of the principall ships of the Navy-Royal called the Vant-guard and six other Merchants ships of great burthen to be conveyed over with all their Ordnance Ammunition and apparel into the Kingdom of France and did compell the said Masters and Owners of the said ships to deliver the said ships into the possession and command of the French King and his Ministers without either sufficient security for their redelivery or necessary caution in that behalf contrary to the duty of his Office and to the apparent weakening of the Navall strength of this Kingdom That those Ships were lent to the French King without his privity that when he knew thereof he did what appertained to his Office That he did not by menace nor any undue practice by himself or any other deliver those ships into the hands of the French that what errour hath since happened was not in the intention any way injurious to the State nor prejudicial to the interest of any private man VIII Reply 8. That the Duke knowing the said ships were intended to be imployed against the Rochellers and the Protestants else-where did compel them as aforesaid to be delivered unto the said French King and his Ministers to the end that they might be imployed against those of the Reformed Religion as accordingly they were to the prejudice of the said Religion contrary to the intention of our Soveraigne Lord the King and to his former promise at Oxford and to the great scandal of our Nation That understanding a discovery that those ships should be imployed against Rochel he endevoured to divert the course of such imployment and whereas it is alledged that he promised at Oxford that those ships should not be so imployed he under favour saith he was mis-understood for he onely said that the event would shew it being confident in the promises of the French King and that he would have really performed what was agreed upon IX Reply 9. That he hath enforced some who were rich though unwilling to purchase honours as the Lord Roberts Baron of Trure who was by menaces wrought to pay the summe of Ten thousand pounds to the said Duke and to his use for his said Barony He denyeth any such compulsion of the Lord Roberts to buy his honour and that he can prove that as the said Lord did then obtain it by the solicitations of others so was he willing formerly to have given a great sum for it X. Reply 10. That in the 18. year of the late King he did procure of the late King the Office of High Treasurer of England to the Viscount Mandevil now Earl of Manchester for which Office he received of the said Viâ—count to his own use the sum of 20000 l. of money and also did procure in the 20. year of the late King the Office of Master of the Wards and Liveries for Sir Lionel Cranfield afterward Earl of Middlesex and as a reward for the said procurement he had to his own use of the said Sir Lionel Cranfield the sum of 6000 l. contrary to the dignity of his late Majesty That he had not nor did receive any penny of the said sums to his own use that the Lord Mandevil was made Lord Treasurer by his late Majesty without any Contract for it and though his Majesty did after borrow of the said Lord 20000. pounds yet was it upon proviso of repayment for which the Duke at first past his word and after entred him security by Land which stood ingaged untill his late Majesty during the Dukes being in Spain gave the Lord satisfaction by Land in Fee-farm of a considerable value whereupon the Dukes security was returned back And that the 6000 l. disbursed by the Earl of Middlesex was bestowed upon Sir Henry Mildmay by his late Majesty without the Dukes privity who had and enjoyed it all entire XI Reply 11. That he hath procured divers Honours for his kindred and Allies to the prejudice of the antient Nobility and disabling the Crown from rewarding extraordinary virtues in future times That he believeth he were rather worthily to be condemned in the opinion of all generous minds if being in such favour with his Majesty he had minded only his own advancement and had neglected those whom the Law of Nature had obliged him to hold most dear XII Reply 12. That he procured and obtained of the late King divers Mannors parcels of the Revenues of the Crown to an exceeding greâ—â— value and hath received and â—o his own use disbursed great sums of money that did properly belong unto the late King and the better to colour his doings hath obtained severall privie Seals from
aloft and water workes below It was indeed a Royal worke finished not more then 13 moneths before Such a magnificent piece and so well provided as might stand the shock of mighty forces whether within or without And to these all warlike provisions that could be imagined for many moneths Lastly a most excellent Garrison strictly manned and commanded by Toras of an undaunted and gallant spirit And yet Buckingham durst dare this Frame upon the Coast of France and now fortified by a numerous Army on the Main and all with a handfull of English far from home After debate whether by assault because the further side of the Tower was not finished or furnished with fresh supplies or famine for all men can defend by fight and either the weaker parts of the Isle to be laid waste and so to move from place or to besiege by a trench But then some danger of an Enemy to hem them in unless the English ships of war failed to discharge their trust But Buckingham the mist of Humanity meant rather to correct then so cruell to destroy such a people from whose Royall Race a Queen so lately and so Excellent was delivered into the Heart and hands of his Majesty and Master the King of England And so rather resolved upon these perswasions He gives order for the Circumvallation the ships disposed to encompasse the Island without A Trench drawn round and a Rampire just against the Tower bank with Bulwarks in equall distance perfected the inmost Lastly for great Guns in Artillery so disposed with Gabrions and blindes on high either to batter the forts and yet hinder an Enemies landing or any hostile vessel Some Garrisons in several villages to restrain the poor Inhabitants and all irruptions from the Continent Buckingham shews the largenesse of his heart and desired requital with necessary supplies but whom hope allows mischance deceives spent three moneths this way to discover his meaning to be merciful as a friend not foe yet not so unwary but promoved his designe which was daily occasioned by his Canon which played on the fort that kept in the besieged The French King in the Campain is seized of a feavor A Person fit for action is forced away and leaves the command to Cardinal Richelieu whom the Reformed commend for his fair dealing He tells them their danger to hazzard all their happinesse upon false hopes and so their wavering brains were brought about to depend on his promises and to neglect themselves And by this time the Universal face of Europe changed the single pretence which scarcely was upright at home reached to all foreign and strook at their own Grandees And the Cardinal with all his power for the welfare of France sends to Haver de Grace for ships and to the Isles and other places for provisions into the Castle and some auxiliary ships from Spain forces some of our English ships intercepted at Blois now made fit for use And to their aid comes thirty frygots with ready money and Arms and the Command upon Bellimount and for Belly-fare or victuall Marsilane the Abbot had the mannaging Their Sea Council also concluded to fire our ships and Pompeius de Faragoe the famous Ingeneer at Dunkerk is solicited hither And all this in fear for the English Duke was set down to do somewhat as is confessed by Isnardus pag. 83. So that our small forces exercised all France and their Confederates Buckingham mounts his six great Guns to overthrow their Windemills that served the Castle and the Besieged oppose with theirs to defend them which were overthrown and made unserviceable and many of the Garrison destroyed A numerous Navy now gathered by the French the Abbot Marsilane advises some friends of Toras to adventure into their Narrow Seas but they affraid come under the safety of Bellamount The same time that Chasilvalin guarded with small force of foot and horse not far from the Castle is sent to guard some Mills by order of Toras but meeting with ours he instantly rendred up himself and them unto our power The Duke having entertained these some three or four dayes returned them to the Continent The day after by Marsilanes procurement another Conduct is furnished whom some Nimble Gallies are to carry but the swiftest of them falling into our hands the rest retired and increased with them of Bellamount The Trenches now open and our Bulwarks so placed at distance that our shot might certainly reach them on either side The Circumvallation reaching from St. Martins Church in frame of a half Moon ended at the furthest â—â—de of the Castle very near the Port it self the Enemy making no opposition suffering themselves thus to be shut up of a good number and fearing famine if the fugitives speak truth They privily sent out of the Castle Mounsier Sangrene to hasten the Conduct but he coming to Court where their King lay bound of his disease received this answer that he should exchange his Prayers into thanksgivings that all things were in readinesse for the relief of the besieged Onely he besought that Bellamount might be sent privily to give them aid And with like subtilty came to Buckingham an English Monk being slipt aside out of the French Tents about Rochel but pretends from the Court of Great Brittain reporting withall what a numerous Army was in readinesse over all France and at Sea above three hundred and fourty sail And that the subsidiaries of the Confederates might appear the more speciously is Chatase a Baron sent that those ships might be received into the neer Harbours wiâ—h all â—ignalls and Maritine Pomp and that some ships built in Holland were to come hither In the mean time some light skirmishes happened before the Castle of those many ships adventuring into the Island onely one by a little winding crooked course came into the Castle the rest put to flight another hovering further off crept into the Meden Tower in a dark and quiet night the winde that helped them dissevered and hindred us These Provisions refreshed the besieged who sent forth fourty horse to skirmish with the like number of ours that kept the watch but they were put to flight and some men lost on both sides Then on the Main the King in some recovery raises large forts and holds nearer Rochel fearing left if we got the Island we might meet with a stop upon the Main and the Towns-men full of Inconstancy might with more ease be bridled who sent us food and cattel uâ—derhand The fourth onset for Relief was committed to Mounsier Reyme Du Closse and others of their chief Nobility They did not do it by craft as the Jnuier but down-right with their force-ship towards the Castle and paid the price for his boldnesse being the most slain drowned and made prisoners and amongst them the Baron Reyme who had so much favour that he ran away the gentle Noblenesse of Buckinghams nature disdaining the advantage oâ— a Prison
scarce one of theirs from the lodging in our durance but escaped Our Reformado's eager to fight used this Strategem to draw them out The low ditch neer the Tower where the Besieged came often for water was of more strength then they could well maintain and to impoyson that water they came forth with three Companies Sanigur a French Baron leading the way and meeting fought gallantly on both sides and mutually withdrew amonâ—st whom Shugburn an English Captain having his arm broken died four dayes after a more cruell terrible fight had seldom been seen done upon Emulation of either gallantry Then another French fleet well appointed with provisions made stay a while at the mouth of the River Tramba but the English ships being prepared to oppose them they kept aloof anâ— for that time this succour made unserviceable Lingeadi returned out of Spain assures the French that fourty great ships and eighteen severall vessels were ready to set to Sea for their aid which made Buckingham say That since he had Authority to war against Spanish and French and whether by an honourable Sea-sight against both or by land or either he wisht the decision of the Warre and glory And yet the distance of ships were so apart that we could hardly joyn our Sea forces together as Is nard confesses pa. 99. The siege is now become more hot being a Moneth old a fight happened neer the fortresse Antioch with some slaughter but not notable The news of the besieged are sent to their husbands either into the Castle or to the Main a milde and gentle way of Buckingham though Isnard is angry and counts it upon the score of the English as Tyrannous because by chance one of them was killed with their own shot which had been but Tyranny if we had done so by them all A Letter of Toras to Bellimount was intercepted which saies That the Mills could not long stand all their Corn spent inforced the souldier to feed on their store of Bisket not lasting above tenne dayes which is confest to put them in great fear Whereupon Command is sent to the Duke of Angolesme Marrillac Bellimount to help Toras and Belcebate a Captain is commanded forthwith to conduct Ten well appointed ships elected out of their whole number to the relief of the besieged and so to make a cleer passage for those sent before which were an hundred and nine ships All the care of France was not to put us to flight but to assist the Castle which they attempted by an hundred wayes but all against the Art Military and therefore they bid adieu to all hopes since no Age ever knew a lesse Army of English nor a greater of French They consisting of thirty thousand sufficient to beat the other and closely to besiege Rochell as by their very large Trench and strong Forts almost inclosing that City The Garrison secured with these the rest might privily have been sent unto the Isle of Rea exceeding the English by Ten parts The Emulation also of a famous victory not long since gotten and hope of booty might invite forth supplies of English probable enough for there was a rumour in England thereupon to sent Colonies thither to plant Before therefore this should happen It was necessary that from the Continent and Isles of Oleron and some eruption from the Castle at the same time must prevent Nor could our Naval forces be any obstacle for the large compasse of the Island did enforce our ships far assunder and no winde assisting us besides the night and that space denied us sufficient time to perfect that work and advised the Enemy to recollect their Courages their repaired Army could not have been broken by any supplies out of England if the Reformed had time to take Arms and to joyn in league with the English This was gallantly considered and souldier-like levelled but not fit to be told abroad for such a fear possest the French that they attempted nothing till our departure and the hoysing our great Artillery into our ships Those delayes thus joyning together They kept themselves unexampled in any age three Moneth within their skonces let their own Heroes which envy not our glory speak the truth About this time came the Duke of Orleans the Kings onely brother to lead over thirty thousand from the Isles Oleron yet nothing done for help of the Castle But why nothing done Ask the Honour of France Yet the King writes to Toras with wonderfull comfort to incourage the besieged Mean time the Bishop of Nants brother to Toras finding Bellimount too slow to send succours induced Desplane with money in hand to relieve Toras He writ also to Bellicabe a famous Sea-man with promise of a mighty reward to convoy victualls into the Island And the same day the Cardinal sent a bond obligatory and signed with his Sâ—al to pay ten thousand pounds sterling to any that would passe over to release the besieged Nor were these the first for sundry letters had pasâ—ed before with Prayers and Menaces which it seems were not of value till gain should hire them yet nought prevailed Harvest now at hand frequent Rains steeped the earth the souldiers on all sides drowned in dirt which yet the besieged prevented in some sort with coverings of Planks and Pavilions but the English suffered all hazzards Open air mirey dirt bred into sicknesses of severall diseases Catarrhes short breath feavors ending in incurable distempers of bloody-flux Our number diminished not to be recruited from England and Ireland England so abounding with all Necessaries either by nature or by purchace that our fresh water souldiers all these were no other warring in another soyl do ill brook the Inconveniences of a stranger Nation the true cause of our Army mouldring away not by their sallies which were often for we fought them within our Munition Nor did it please their King that those within the Castle more than a well compacted Number should be too much wasted with hunger being feazable to overcharge us on a sudden we not exceeding the half of those besieged besides their advantage of having Meden-Castle at our backs and the very Islands forced to our sides unfaithful entrapping us on all sides which takes off the mighty glory that the French assume to themselves to be the Kill-Cows of all others Otherwise they might be ashamed after but five weeks hard siege to rely upon Treachery to hire a Cuthberte to stab Buckingham which though the French fail to mention yet the truth is justified by the fellows confession under his hand shewing the Duke the very knife which clears the story to be true We lodge it not upon Toras though the villain confest that too He scaped that fate then which followed and fell upon him after by one of our own Three Souldiers perswaded by Toras to swim over that Narrow Sea to the Main with Intelligence from him One of them failing fell into our hands A second prevented in the
for two couple of Dogs from England When it was certain we had of of theirs here that came prisoners to the Duke and of greater quality to be exchanged for him and others and only the Common men returned free Nor does any of all our Adversaries Authors whom I have named that spit their malice most make the least mention hereof Only this our own writer defames us At this time Pens and Tongues were set on work to scandal and descant on this Expedition I have answered these our Adversaries Some of our own too do say It was propter Inscitiam temeritatem Ducis But Buckingham himself and others that lived to suffer under obloquie lodge the loss of the Design upon the Earl of Holland not seconding the expedition with recruit of Men and Victual with those ten Ships committed to his command for strengthing and continuance of the Siege and guarding the Passes to the Island which might have prevented the Relief of the Besieged And which Ships were ready part at Plymouth under oversight of the Lord Wilmot Vice Admiral the other Squadron made up at Chatham were to take in provision there and the Earl of Holland admiral of all T is true he failed of his time to attend the Wind which afterwards he lost so long that the King was returned his Summer progress ere Holland was got out of Portsmouth Roade but was aboard where he received the Kings angry Order That the Vice Admiral the Lord Wilmot hast post command at Plymouth to be gone with his Squadron and Holland might now stay his own leisure which so astonisht him to be left behind that instantly he quits his ship and all but his Secretary and one of his Chamber and with the help of a small fisher Boat skews the Wind to the Cowes in the Isle of Wight in imminent danger of drowning by the way and the next day by Post to Newport from thence he got into the weather and wind and so gained of thâ— way and landed again in the west posting to Plymouth timely enough to put to Sea And by the way he met with the Duke returned from the Isle of Ree for which he hardly escaped resentment and jealousie during life that Holland could have been content with his feigned hopes to succeed him favourite Thus ended this Design with loss of blood and honour Which had it succeeded saies one to our desire would not have rewarded the charge but he is much mistaken in this account for besides the preserving Rochel and the advantage to us of those Isles Rhe and Oleron and so footing in that part of Aquitain Besides the mid-way and conveniency of carrying on our Fleets and Forces towards Spain upon all occasions of quarrel with that Monarch But the Duke returned having an eye of Jealousie upon the Earl of Holland for retarding his necessary Recruit and so relief which indeed for the present had slender apology However the Duke posting to Court and heartily received of the King Professing that this neglect of Relief must lodge on his Friend and Confident Holland To which he acknowledged That indeed he had very affectionately intrusted him in ordinary affairs but never in such an esteem as to second him in Arms. And accordingly it being now in the Dukes power to reward his wilfull negligence Holland had orders to stay by the way and remain at Portsmouth under the notion of ordering the Ships and Souldiers there untill the Dukes further pleasure which was so long in resolve as lodged Holland under suspition to find the effects of utter ruin prevented only by his humble Remonstrance and submission to the Duke But the Landmen many strangers Irish and Scots were billeted by parcels in the County Villages and to the great regret of their Hosts that never felt any such burthen before nor could this give any just cause of murmurre at all And to boot Sir William Balfore a Scot Coâ—mander of Horse in the Netherlands and Dalbier a Dutch Commissary heretofore under Count Mansfield joined in commission with bills of Exchange thirty thousand pounds to buy and transport horses from beyond Seas into England for the Kings service which occasioned the more muttering in fear forsooth as the Turkish Ianizaries and terrour to force obedience of the people which report was fain to be palliated by Protestation That as they might be useful for suddain and foraign service so he willingly endeavoured at his own charge to ease their purses and so the Design took end with these Jealouâ—ies In the time of the Expedition to the Isle of Rhe the French had a gallant great Ship built at Texel in Holland named the Sancta Esprit and furnished with all materials necessary foâ— War Captain Trevere a worthy Englishman in his return from Hamburgh had Command to seize any Ships of the French upon the coast which lay there in the mouth of that Haven and this in the Harbour The night most proper for Trevers enterprize he procured a Dutchman Hollander for a round sum of money to direct him in the dark to aboard this great Ship which Toras the Governour of the Isle of Rhe caused to be built at his own charge upon the approach the French man let fly his great guns suspecting this Ship advancing so neer but Trevers made up with courage under this others upper Tire and shot the Frenchman through and through boarded her bravely and brought her away And fitting her with his own Men summoned the rest of his own consorts and so fell upon the whole French Fleet who in fear by the noise of the Cannon and ignorant of any event weighed anchor and got away to Sea in great confusion Spesse the French Agent complains to the States of Trevers boldness to seize any Ship in their Chambers of Harbour under their Protection To which Trevers tells them the Articles of Amity between his Royal Master and them to pursue Enemy in eithers Harbour which you have done said he by the Dunkirks out of English Ports But whilst they disputed Trevers hoists sail and comes home with his Prize and 20. whole brass Culverins two brass semi-Culverins two other great brass Guns sixteen large Iron Guns and two less In the Hold for Ballast was twelve great Guns arms of 1100. Souldiers eighty barrels of Powder And though a general command kept all the French Ships in Harbour not to stir whilest the English were Masters at Sea Yet Pennington the English Vice-Admiral took thirty four of theirs homeward bound rich Merchant men without loss of any of ours and others were forced out of their Havens under their very Castles and Forts to the terrour of the French At this time Abbot Arch-bishop of Canterbury was sequestred from those services which he could not at that present personally attend otherwise proper for his cognisance and jurisdiction and which as Arch-bishop he might and ought in his own person to perform and execute and a Commission
Proctors deprived and others partakers check't for engaging But the Expulsion of these Preachers Expelled not their Schism which inwardly burnt the more for blazing the lesse many complaining of the two edged sword of justice too penal for some to touch then others to break the Kings Declaration And in this controversie died the Arch Bishop of York Dr. Harsnet a discreet Assertor of these necessary and useful Ceremonies and complained even against the Conformable Puritan who preached it in policy but diffented in judgement His Epitaph sets forth his Bishopricks Indignus Episcopus Cicestrensis Indignior Norvicensis Indignissimus Archiepiscopus Eboracensis enjoying them all three And now they revive the Sabbatarian controversie which was begun five years since 1628. Bradburn on the Sabbath day and directed to the King maintaining First The fourth Commandment simply and intirely Moral and Christians obliged as well as the Iews to observe everlastingly that day That the Lords day is an ordinary working day it being Will-worship to make it a Sabbath by vertue of the fourth Commandment But the High Commission Court soon made this man a Convert which opinions begat controversies of five heads What is the fittest name of that day when to begin and end Upon what authority grounded Whether alterable or no Whether any recreations and what kinds on that day And then these disputants were distinguished into Sabbatarians Moderate men and Anti-Sabbatarians and their preaching and pamphlets so quarrelous as made the poor distracted people to seek what to do And at the Temple It was Explained by Learned Dr. Micklethwait That the richer fort were more obliged to the strictnesse of the day than the poor workman such as have no diversion by labour all the week need no Recreation on One day the Labourer having some title to Liberty But from the Pen they fall to Pikes and Somersetshire the Stage and fieâ—y Scene First keeping their Church-Ales and Wakes of meetings on that day evening which upon complaint to Richardson Chief Justice that Circuit he suppressed them totally by Order of the nineteenth of March. This being an usurpation of a Lay Judg on Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction the Arch-bishop Laud procures from the King a Commission to two Bishops and other Divines to examine the Judges carriage therein which Order at last he was fain to revoke the next Assize and so the quarrel on foot and petition troubling the King to settle this difference it procured reason of State in the King to revive his Fathers Declaration for Sports set out in the fifteenth of King Iames upon the like occasion in Lancashire which refer to the subsequent time 1654. And indeed though the State was induced with much prudence to afford some liberty to labouring people carving to some freedom on that day cut most for others and leave least for themselves The Declaration was not pressed on the Minister to publish more proper for a Lay Officer or Constable but because Judg Richardson had enjoyned his Order to the contrary and the Minister obeyed it Now the Declaration was put upon them also by the Order of the Bishops Some Schismaticks were forward to read it and forthwith the fourth Commandment setting as they meant God and the King at odds that so themselves might escape in the fray Nor was the reading absolutely urged upon any unless under the Bishop of Norwich too severe there Many men out of breath observe this as the concurring cause of our sad events and Civil War 'T is true our fights were often forced upon the King on that day as pointing at the punishing of profaneness but our Battels have been rubrick'd each day in the Week with English bloud and therefore to pick a solemn Providence out of a common Casualty savours more of Curiosity than Conscience though indeed Edg-hill Fight fell on that day which entred us into so much misery And truly had we all of us strictand duly observed the holy keeping that Holy Day we might be happy there still I mean the due measure but we have wrested it awry from the right way reeling into extremes afterwards neglecters now contemners Transcendents above common piety they need not keep any because they observe all days we call them Levellers equalling all Times Places Persons nay to our Lands in common a general confusion they make to be Gospel perfection for having supprest all due observation of festival Saints days and their Eves Wednesdays and Fridays Service and Letanies now our Hypocrites out of errour or worse perfect prâ—faness take away the Lords day also The famous Fabrick of Saint Pauls Church and Steeple made so in process of time from the pâ—ety of primitive Christians their devout zeal to good works and since by several additions of Benefactours raised to a structure of admiration a Pile huge and honourable not the like left to our last Age to be sampled in the whole World What the hands of good men had made wonderfull the hand of wasting had extremely decayed Onely the hand of Heaven by accident of Lightning had burnt down the high Spire in the time of Queen Elizabeth who then had designed not onely to rebuild that but to repair the whole Church and to that end some Materials were then prepared Afterwards in the time of King Iames the religious Patriot Sir Paul Pindar of worthy memory returning into England some years since from his Ambassie Lieger in Constantinople and afterwards one of the great Farmers of the Kings Customes and of ample fortune the most in money became the great Example of Charity to many and the Patern of Piety to all in his magnificent re-edifyfying of this Church First he repaired the Entry front and Porches to all the upper Church Quire and Chancel and enriched them with Marble Structures and Figures of the Apostles with Carvings and Guildings far exceeding their former beauty which cost above two thousand pounds the act of a good man as King Iames said But the main Fabrick fit for the work of a King And therefore King Charls having a pious resolution to begin the Repair of the whole Church and Steeple made his humble entry at the West end of the Isles up to the Body Quire and Chancel where after a Sermon of Exhortation to that Christian intention he made his pious Procession about the inside Circumvelation thereof and viewing the Decays gave up his promise with his Devotions speedâ—ly to settle the beginning of the work And this year issued out his Commissions under his Great Seal to the Lord Maior Sir Robert Drewry the two Arch-bishops the Chancellour Treasurer Privy Seal some Bishops Secretaries and Councellours of State Deans Aldermen and others or any six of them whereof three to be of the Privy Council and always the Bishop of London for the time being to be one who was then William Laud and the first man but not the chief Promoter being promoved and attempted by others before he was of
And have Auxiliary friendshâ—â— of the Great Tartar-Chrim from whose Ancestors Tamberlaâ—â— proceeded who though himself the Turks Scourg yet of late the Tartar takes Affinity from the fiâ—st Scythian Othoman And if the direct Line faile He challengeth the Proximity of succession for which purpose he keeps correspondence with the Grand Signieur Assisting him some time with one hundred thousand Tartars By whose and his own multitudes he hath prevailed against Iews and Christians possessing Ierusalem in Asia Grand-Cair in Africa and Constantinople in Europe And for the second Their admired Mosques Churches of oftentation works of charity and observant Holiness ad pios usus demonstrate not only their opinion of a Deity but their obedience also to their Mahumetan constitutions imploying their time and wealth to merit the more of the joyes of Paradise as they augment their Piety upon Earth So it seems by that wonderful History of Soliman the magnificent and the faire Roxellana contriving her manumission and obtaining to be overprest under a dissimuled Sanctity of erecting a Mosque in honour of that Prophet The principal Mufty Churchmen which the doctors of their Alcoran have greater access to the Emperour then either the Visier or the Bashawes And is more awed by them than by the Revolts or Mutinies of the tumultuary Ianizaries by whom alone the Atlas of his Monarchy is maintained secure from any daring attempts to disjoynt that frame But the occasion of the Polish war was thus whilst Sr. Thomas Glover was Embassador at Constantinople one Iasparo Gratiano a mean Man his Drogoman or Interpreter born in Austria and the Emperours Subject and heretofore servant to the Prince of Moldavia dispossessed of his Inheritance by contrivement Both of them became Imprisoned in the Black-Tower for complayning against the Visier who took part with the Princes Competitour but both of them escaped out of Prison and became suiters to most of the Christian Princes and here in England and had relief of Ten thousand Dollars by credit of our Merchants and so made his great Virtue Umbragious with the Malignity of tyme and covertly got winding up on the wheel of destiny Remember the Othoman glory Let it be thy virtue to be thankful and my fortune to impart this grace and benefit to a worthy Person Instantly sends for the Visier and Bashaws adjuring them to the Ratification of this his will and pleasure though he had children and so dyed a short time after Mustapha is forthwith advanced to the Diadem in which he enjoyed a while undisturbed untill Scander-Bashaw perceiving his own power in some 〈◊〉 under this gallant Prince plotâ— his designes to be Visier to depose Mustapha and so to set up the son of Achmate specially the lovely Osman of Nine years old and asks him if he be not the Eldest son of his father disputes with the Bashaws their two hasty Enthroning of Mustapha confers with the Visier and principal Mufty to dispose the other and set up Osman giving a Largess to the Ianizaries sends for divers Casawcks and Tymorites and all things prepared brings forth Osman and presents him to the people with wonderful applause they invest him in the Robes and proclaim him Emperour Impâ—ison Mustapha with a Guard of Capowches and instantly proposes the war against Polonia and Remembers them all of the charge of Achmate to Revenge their Darings to defend Moldavia and the house of Austria for the Emperours of Germany Rodulphus and Matthias being dead the Princes of Germany banding against the peace of Europe would be an occasion to advance their design and so the war was determined and Osman to go in person But first let us story out the state of Poland About the year 1609. One Stephen living then with the Visier at Constantinople pretended right to the Principality of Moldavia and either by favour or bribes seldome a sunder had asistance of Twenty thousand Turks whereby he prevailed against the sons of the late Prince of Moldavia whom they barbarously murthred and slew their Uncle Simeon And because the sons of Ierzay were reputed Bastards the King of Poland by contract with the Turk had the naming of a successor and Elected Constantine the younger son to the Vadvod which so displeased Mahomet Bashaw designed to rectifie their disorders that he slew Constrantine and set up another of his own faction which indignity to the Pole caused that King to assist the distressed People These wars lasted till Sigisâ—und King of Sweden was elected King of Poland a warlike Prince against the Moscovites and a continual friend to the Moldavians So that about the year 1618. the time of the Blazing Comet in the Heavens Osman mustred up a wonderous Army of Tartars the naturall Enemies of Europe To them were united the Countries of Dacia Servia Belgaria Illyria Thracia Epirus and the Tributary Provinces of Christians themselves forced thereto in fear of more slavery They marcht to the fields of Dacia and Belgaria where the Polacks with some assistance of the Russe Encounter them and with the fortune of Noble Sigismund and his excellent son in all their battels to have the victoryes And in 1620. gave the Tartars and Turks an overthrow as they transported their Army over the River that their numerous Bodies stopped the very stream and twenty thousand slain at three Encounters which so inraged Osman that he resolves in Person with an Invincible Host. The first year he was Intercepted by Plague in his Army The next year a Terrible Earthquake at Constantinople shook the ground overturning tops of houses and many Mosques amazing the Multitude with some other several mischances to the Person of Osman which retarded his speed But resolved it was with threatned Protestations and Vows and Invocation to Mahomet first to send Scander Basha his Fore-runner with an Army of two hundred thousand into Bogdania Sigismund soresees this Storm in earnest acquaints the Princes of Europe by Embassies to the Emperour at Vienna by way of Intercession of a Peace between him and Bethlem Gabor and to other Princes in great discord with the Empire And so other Ambassadours also to other Nations and Ossolinsky into England But after that the right noble Sigismund in four several Encounters had bravely defeated forty thousand Enemies and sundry Triumphs had passed in honour of his glorious Victories the Polonians over presumptuous in their last Battel of Bogdonia disranked themselves over secure giving occasion and courage to the Ianizaries and Caphies to rally the Tartars with fresh Numbers that enforced the Polonians to give ground and the Enemy advantage of their Retreat and totally to rout as far as Poldavia with the fearfull execution of thirty thousand besides cruelty Murders Rapines barbarously inhumane And thus stood the State of Poland in the last time of King Iames and now let us see their Proceedings at this time Uladislaus the fourth King of Poland was after the death of his brother Sigismund by consent of
firm and sure Peace from all our Neighbours And accordingly produced the good effects in some measure But we are told that they did nothing neither of them meaning the other Fleet also which the Earl of Northumberland commanded the next year and onely the Earl of Lindsey and Essex for this year But pardon me my opinion they did more than expectation they secured the Seas you confess from Pyracies formerly molesting so then our Commodities were safely transported and the Merchandize of Christendom came home with ease to our profit And it was accounted the best security for the King of Spain to intrust his Treasure Bullion in our English Bottoms being coined here some hundred thousand pounds a year became good benefit to the Kings Mint and much thereof to the Merchant whose Commodities were exchanged thereby and the rest of the Money paid over by Exchange to the Spanish Army in Flanders It hath ever been the best ballance with England not to endure an over-bias of any our great Neighbours French or Spaniard And as our first interest with the Netherlands kept their Enemy aloof so now themselves forgetting their first Friends had contracted Confederacy with France the one to infest Dunkirk and other parts of Flanders by Land and the Hollanders by Sea thereby to bring him under who indeed was already bare enough not able to bring ten thousand men into the Field And so with other practices of the Dutch with the discontented Natives the French prevailed at Diest and Tillemont untill the monstrous insolencies of that Army French and Dutch together inflamed the very Natives so far to resent their own sufferings by the Souldier both out of the Countrey And to boot the English Fleet removed the Hollanders from before Dunkirk that neither of the Confederates nor thus combined could do other harm than to ravage the Countrey but left no Hold behinde them The Prince Electour wearied with long expectation of the Emperours Result upon former Overtures and Mediation of Neighbour States towards the restauration of his Patrimony the Palatinate was now come hither himself to solicit the Kings assistance and for the present and in order to the effect had reception with all the Caresses of Court-ceremonies and the Prince Charls dislodged from his Quarter at White-hall for this Kinsmans entertaiment And soon after arrived his third Brother Prince Rupert The 28. of December a Moneth after the Queen was delivered of her second Daughter and baptized Elizabeth the first of Ianuary after The effects of our Fleet and resolution concerning the Sea besides made the Hollander tack about to caress the English with the Ceremony of an Ambassy sent outwardly onely to congratulate the Queens happy delivery of a second Princess but to work the more into favour he came not empty-handed and meant to get more by the loss of a Present being a massie piece of Amber-greece two fair and almost transparent China Baâ—ons a rare Clock of excellent art and four very admirable pieces of Painting the Originals of Tintinet and Tisian those admired ancient Artizans It was the wisdom of the King sufficiently to consider to whom this Treasury might best be intrusted This while the Commissioners served the Time but not the Kings private turn It was too publick in many hands the disposing of that which more prudentially would do better in One ordering it single by himself to whom the King might communicate his In-comes and Expence and therefore this Spring in March he commits the Staff of that Office to Doctor William Iuxon Bishop of London who had Religion to be honest and no use of self-interest to be corrupt a single person needs not to be covetous Former Treasurers being bound to keep up their Titles to the dignity of their Place and their necessary expence to the fulness of their Family made them too bold with the Kings Money which he wanted A good Man this Bishop was before and after and so no doubt to the end It was no wonder then if the Kings insight in him should pick him out the most fit for that trust as well as before to make him a Bishop But our Historian was of greater insight but of less opinion of the Bishops Clerkship as none of the greatest Scholars implying a defect which he found out that deserves his censure The foreign affairs of the Sword were somewhat allaid in Germany by the Peace concluded at Prague in May this year and the Protestants reduced to their Profession as it was setled Anno 1627. and their Ecclesiastick Lands confirmed for forty years the Agreement at Pastavia after that time to be composed in an annual way But the zealous or rather the fiery parties of both sides not well pleased with whom Cardinal Richelieu designs undermined to bring all about back again to a quarrel which the Emperour wisely considering to make peace at home for a War abroad that may happen pursues the Agreement that such as were comprised should render up their Forces to the Emperour their Head or to be declared Enemies which caused many to submit by force for the present The Dukes of Mecklenbergh are re-invested onely the Swedes enjoy what Lands they had seized Duke Bernard therefore excluded retires to France and there juggled into an hatred of the Swedes for ever after In general the Swedes were displeased with the Peace which they had purchased so dear with their great Kings bloud and death of so many of their own which to appease the Electour Saxony profers them a hundred thousand Rix-dollers from the Protector for their Reward which they refuse and might having so many good Towns and Provinces that the whole Empire was not able to beat them out of Pomerania and so in fine they resolved to stand to it And the Chancellour Oxenstiern untill business might be quite fletched puts all which the Swedes held about Phelesbergh into the hands of the French for a huge sum of money and retires into Sweden to give councel from thence having sent before his Train and a hundred and fifty brave Horses for Breed into Pomerania all which fell into his Enemies hands and some Spoils sunk in the Sea a Vessel laden with invaluable Sacrilege of the Church Copes Organs Images Chalices the twelve Apostles of Wirtenbergh all shut up in the Belly of the Ship which was delivered without a Midwife within a League of the Coast of Sweden and all lost The Spoils of the Church produce misfortune But the Swedes are reproached for their avarice having been well paid Wages and Booty their Recompenses freed the Princes from ungraâ—efulness and that their Pretences were but Illusions and so were to be answered which made them turn to treat with the French Cardinal Richelieu the Instrument of all bloudy Scenes in Christendom was already watching so neaâ— as Lorain for any Mutations of Fortune and in a fury would needs besiege Collen whom the Hollanders refuse
Councel at Hampton Court the case was concluded for the Arch Bishop as the greatest reason not to rule themselves having suffered such an Inconvenience there without so much as taking notice much lesse reforming It had been more then fifteen moneths that the Writs of Ship-money were issued out to divers Counties many Men and in special Mr. Hambden of Buckingham Shire being Assisted by the Sherifâ— made default of payment this Person well known and supposed a stake for others not without a resolved factious assistance of powerful parties And therefore the King this Michaelmas Term not precipitate into a quarrel advised the opinion of his Judges stating the Case by Letter to them To our trusty and well-beloved Sir John Bramstone Knight Chief Iustice of Our Bench Sir John Finch Knight Chief Iustice of Our Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Knight Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer and to the rest of the Iudges of Our Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and the Barons of our court of Exchequer Charls Rex Trusty and well-beloved we greet you well taking into our Princely consideration that the Honor and safety of this Our Realm of England the preservation whereof is onely entrusted to Our care was and is more dearly concern'd then in late former times as well by divers councels and attempts to take from Us the Dominions of the Seas of which We are sole Lord and rightful Owner or Propriator and the losse whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom and other Our Dominions and many other wayes We for the avoiding of these and the like dangers well weighing with our self that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general did for the preventing so publique a mischief resolve with our self to have a Royal Navy prepared that might be of force and power with Almighty Gods blessing and assistance to protect and defend this Our Realm and Our Subjects therein from all such perils and dangers and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under our Great Seal of England directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of England and Wales Commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every City Town and Village to provide such a number of Ships well furnisht as might serve for this Royal purpose and which might be done with the greatest equality that could be In performance whereof though generally throughout all the Counties of this Our Realm We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulnesse and alacrity which We gratiously interpret as a testimony as well of their dutiful affection to us and our service as of the respect they have to the Publique which well becometh every good Subject Nevertheless finding that some few happily out of ignorance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are or out of a desire to be eased in their particulars how general soever the charge be or ought to be have not yet paid and contributed to the several Rates and Assesments that were set upon them And fore-seeing in Our Princely wisdom that from thence divers Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be commenced and prosecuted in our several Courts at Westminster We desirous to avoid such inconveniencies and out of Our Princely love and affection to all Our People being willing to prevent such Errours as any of Our loving Subjects may happen to run into have thought fit in a case of this nature to advise with you Our Judges who We doubt not are well studied and informed in the Rights of Our Sovereignty And because the Trials in Our several Courts by the Formalities in Pleading will require a long protraction We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all to require your Judgments in the Case as it is set down in the inclosed Paper which will not onely gain time but also be of more authority to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the Point Given under Our Signet at our Court of White-hall the Second Day of February in the Twelfth Year of Our Reign 1636. CHARLS Rex CHARLS Rex VVhen the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concern'd and the whole Kingdom in danger whether may not the King by VVrit under the great Seal of England command all the Subjects in his Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victuals and Munition and for such time aâ— he shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Danger and Peril and by Law compel the doing thereof in case of Reâ—usal or Refractoriness and whether in such case is not the King the sole Iudge both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided The Judges return their Opinions thus May it please your Most Excellent Majesty we have according to your Majesties Command severally and every Man by himself and all of us together taken into serious consideration the Case and Questions signed by your Majesty and inclosed in your Letter And we are of opinion that when the Good and Safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in Danger your Majesty may by Writ under your Great Seal of England command all the Subjects of this your Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victual Munition and for such time as your Majesty shall think fit for the Defence and Safeguard of the Kingdom from such Peril and Danger And that by Law your Majesty may compell the doing thereof in case of Refusal or Refractoriness And we are also of opinion that in such Case your Majesty is the sole Iudg both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided John Bramston John Finch Humphrey Davenport John Denham Richard Hutton William Jones George Crook Thomas Trever George Vernon Robert Barkly Francis Crauly Richard Weston Thus they subscribe which was inrolled in all Courts at Westminster Hall and without doubt Warrant sufficient for the King to proceed against any Defaulters specially singly against Hambden who appeared upon Process and required Oyer of the Ship Writs and so being heard he demurred in Law and demanded the Iudges opinion upon the Legality of those Writs which being argued in the Exchequer all the Iudges and those Barons except Crook and Hutton were of opinion for the Writs and the Barons gave Iudgment accordingly against Hambden who under hand advised held up the Quarrel by Intermissions till further time and conveniency The Queen bare the Princess Ann the seventeenth of March the third Daughter to the King This Midsummer Term were censured in Star-chamber three Delinquents confederate A medley of Mal-contents The one a Divine Mr. Burton who is a mistiled Sometime Tutor to the King which he never was nor any
other but Mr. Thomas Murray a Scotishman Indeed he had been Clerk of the Chappel-closet when he was Prince a very mean place for so proud a Perâ—on as in earnest he was so observed to be by such as could search into insides outwardly concealed from ordinary observation and wanting preferment of his own conceited merit he grew factious first and then insolent in print in two Pamphlets against Episcopacy sharp and full of rancour Bastwick the second Having been heretofore about the 10. of the King censured by the High-Commission for writing and speaking against Government And thereupon three years since he writ his Latine Apology ad presules Anglicanos and a name very reproachful against them all by name the Arch Bishop Lawd the Lord Treasurer Iuxton Bishop of London flagello Pontificis where he he says Paris enim in Parem non esse Imperium Bishops and Presbyters alike he invited father William of Canterbury his holiness and William London Magnificus Rector of the Treasury and the Whore of Babylon to be witnesses to his Childs Baptizing And in his Latine he says ridentem dicere verum Quis vetet But not to mistake him without Book see how he intitles his Answers The Answers of John Bastwick Doctor of Physick to the information of Sir Iohn Bancks Knight Atturney General in which there is a sufficient demonstration That the Prelates are Invaders of the Kings Prerogative royall contemners and despisers of the Holy Scriptures Advancers of Popery Superstition Idolatry and prophaness Also that they abuse the Kings authority to the oppression of his Loyalest Subjects and therein exercise great Cruelty Tyranny and Injustice and in the execution of these impious performances they shew neither wit honesty nor temperance Nor are they either servants of God or of the King as they are not indeed but of the Devil being Enemies of God and the King and of every living thing that is good All which the said Dr. Bastwick is ready to maintain c. And so fills his answers of six large skins of Parchment to the amaze of the Court nor could he be brought to be briefer Imprints this and dedicates it to the King with an Epistle to prove all Mr. Pryn was the third a Barrester of Lincolns-Inn his crime as of the same some Pamphlets scandalous to the King and Church but he suffered the most amongst them now for being censured there before and not to bewarâ— is punished the more He was fined five thousand pounds to the King to lose the remainder of his ears in the Pillory to be stigmatized on both cheeks with an S. for schismatick and perpetual imprisonment in Carnarvan Castle in Wales Bastwick and Burton each five thousand pounds fine to the King to loose their ears in the Pillory aud to be imprisoned the first in Lanceston Gastle in Cornwall and the other in Lancaster Castle But had they been brought to the Kings Bench Bar and so to have made an end with them there they had not risen up in policy and power to joyn their revenge upon the King and all their accusers as they did hereafter see the eight and twentieth of November 1640. But as to those Schismatiques and other such like deformities so also a severe eye had been upon the Romish Catholiques their numerous resort to private conventicles to the Ambassadors strangers their chappels and most notorious to the antient chappel at Denmark house whereto the English in flocks repaired and many others under leave of the Court domestiques the receptacle and countenance to all other Catholiques Of which the Arch Bishop publiquely complained to the King and Councell Table telling his Majesty that the Insolencies of others took advantage from such audacious behaviour as Mr. Walter Mountague Sir Toby Mathews all the Queens Officers and others of the Kings Court a rol of whom he there presented to which the King professed that he had it in his mind to have referred the consideration thereof to the Board from his own observation and commanded them all to see it reformed Iune the 26 the Prince Elector beginning to languish saies one in his hopes of succour from his Uncle departed with his Brother Prince Rupert for Holland they did depart but not in languish and being purposely sent back upon a design of doing somewhat beyond Seas in reference to his Interest of his Patrimony of the Palatinate which took not effect For the next year them two Brothers by assistance of his Uncles purse and credit though in privacie with the Prince of Orang and some of the States had raised a small beginning of an Army with which and the hopes increasing they advance into Westphalia and besiege Lemgea and were as suddainly enforced to â—rise and fight with one of the Emperours Generals Hatisfeild who slew two thousand and took Prince Rupert and the Lod Craven Prisoners the Elector escaping by flight back again to the Haghe where he remained forlorn till the next year after when you shall find him in England again Williams Bishop of Lincoln comes now to be censured in Star-chamber of whom we observed his first declension heretofore the first of this King 1625. when he parted from the great seal to the Lord Coventry but kept his Bishoprick and Deanery of Westminster and so continued not a peer but a Prelate in Parliament and powerfull enough of purse and câ—nning to revenge upon the King fomenting under hand all Malevolent and popular disaffections against his Soveraign and being Narrowly watcht when his wit and will tempted him to talking disloyallâ— of the King and as usually increased by the late telling to be intolerable for which he had been put into a Bill in Star-chamber 4 Car. and then somewhat slackned because the Bill would not bear it out to proof till 4 years after 8 Car. and then revived towards a Triall The Bishop wondrous bare of defence had only Predeon for his sufficient witness who was charged with getting a barn on Bess Hodson and so became perhaps invalid to be trusted with his testimony for truth The Bishop suborns his two country men Agents Powel and Owen Welchmen to procure the suppression of the order of the publique session at Lincoln which charged Prideon the reputed father and afterwards 10 Car. to lodge the bustard upon Boon and the other to be acquit which cost his purse soundly saies one twelve hundred pounds to bring this about the cause and consequence of his Triall in Iuly this year and sentence Ten thousand pounds to the King and to the Tower during pleasure Suspension ab officiis et beneficiis and referred to the High Commission for the rest which concerned that Courts Iurisdiction which punishments fitted his villanies for after reveng King Iames had a design not once but alwaies after his coming into England to reform that deformity of the Kirk of Scotland into a decent discipline as in the Church of
who was Henry The very same reason in the Title of the Earl of Strathern the Children of a first Marriage by Common Law are to be preferred in the succession before the Children of the second Marriage for the marrying of Elizabeth Moor did but legitimate her Children to succeed after the Children of the first Marriage As for the authority of Parliament we may consider whether that Authority may confer and intail a Crown from a lawfull Heir thereof to the next apparant Heirs Or whether an Oath given unto a King by Mans Law should be performed when it tendeth to the suppression of Truth and Right which stand by the Law of God Then if one Parliament hath power to intail a Crown whether may not another Parliament upon the like consideration restore the same to the right Heirs But it may be objected that the Subject resigneth all his Right to his King and then consider whether a Subject may safely capitulate with his Prince that is to give over and quit claim all Right and Title which he hath to his Sovereign Crown his right being sufficient And if by his Capitulation his Heirs be bound And if besides it be honourable for a Prince to accept his conditions The trouble which Edward Baliol raised in Scotland their Histories mention notwithstanding that his Father John Baliol had resigned unto Robert King of Scotland all the Right which he or any other of his had or thereafter might have to the Crown of Scotland He anno 1355. gave to Edward the third King of England a full Resignation of his pretended Right of the Crown of Scotland as before being assisted by the said King and the confederate Gentlemen of Scotland in a Parliament holden at Perth where he had been confirmed King of Scotland by the three Estates If the Pope the King of Spain or France after some Revolution of years seeking to trouble the peace of this Isle should entertain and maintain one of the Heirs of the Earl of Strathern as Queen Elizabeth did Don Antonio the Prior of Crato who claimed the Crown of Portugal to reclaim whose Kingdom she sent a Fleet to settle him or should marry one of them to their nearest Kinswoman and served him armed with power to claim his Title to the Crown of Scotland as King James the fourth of Scotland practised upon Perkin Warbeck named Richard Duke of York to whom he gave in Marriage Katherine Gordoun Daughter to the Earl of Huntley and thereafter all his Forces to establish his said Ally invaded England whether had he not a fair Bridg to come over to this Isle It would be likewise considered if the Earl of Strathern though a mean Subject these two hundred years having been debarred all Title to the Crown and now by the favour of King Charls being restored in bloud and served Heir to his great Progenitours and indirectly as by appendices to the Crown if either out of displeasure and want of means to maintain his Estate he or his should sell or dispose their Right and Title of the Kingdom of Scotland to some mighty Prince such as was perhaps lately the King of Sweden who wanted nothing but a Title to invade a Kingdom not knowing whether to discharge his victorious Forces It would be considered if that Title disposed to such a Prince were sufficient to make him King of Scotland or if establishing his Right upon fair conditions such as is Liberty of conscience absolution and freedom from all Taxes Subsidies the People of Scotland might give him their Oath of Allegiance or if he might redact the King of Scotland to give him satisfaction or composition for his Right to the Crown of Scotland It was to be considered the times turning away the mindes of Subjects from their Prince by changes as hath befallen that inconstant Nation to these present times how dangerous was it besides to his own person And for the Earl the Examples following may inform for first Lewis King of France having under stood that a Nobleman of Artois called Canacare had vaunted to be lineally descended as in truth he was from Clodioule Chevelu and so by that succession was Heir to the Crown caused him extirpate and all his Race Henry 4. King of England after the deposure of King Richard the second kept Edmund Mortimer Earl of March who had a just Title to the Crown under such Guard as he could never attempt any thing till to his Death But Henry the seventh King of England took away Edward Plantaginet Duke of Warwick Heir to George Duke of Clarence in jealousie of his succession to his Uncle Edward the fourth Margaret Plantaginet his sole Daughter married to Richard Pole by Henry the eighth restored to the Earldom of Salisbury was attainted three score and two years after her Father had suffered and was beheaded in the Tower in whose Person died the Sirname of Plantaginet Ann Plantaginet Daughter to Edward the fourth being married unto Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey and Duke of Norfolk was the ground and chief cause that King Henry the eighth cut off the Head of Henry Earl of Surrey though he pretended that the cause of his Arreignment was for bearing certain Arms of the House of York which onely belonged to the King Mary Queen of England put to death the Lady Jane Grey and the Lord Guilford her Husband for their Title to the Crown and by the same reason was the destruction of Mary Queen of Scotland by Queen Elizabeth The like reason also made King James of Great Brittain imprison the Lady Arabella and her Husband she being with childe but by Imprisonment and flight she miscarried and died and then he was released The Duke of Guise deducing his Genealogy from Charls le grand in the Reign of the French King Henry the third was suspected to aspire to that Crown and suffered at last for that presumption And to return to Scotland it is evident in their History that for thâ—se two hundred years last past the Race of Euphane Ross in her children David Earl of Strathern and Walter Earl of Athol have been kept under and for good reason of State ought to be so still unless the policy of a Prince wâ—uld the rather raise them up to a considerable suspâ—â—ion thereby to deserve a greater Destruction This discourse of Strathern is inserted fâ—r particular satisfaction of some English that have doubâ—ed of his Descâ—nt And now the Sâ—ots begin to invest themselves with the supreme Ensigns of Sovâ—reignty and Marks of Majesty by erecting of four Tables of Council for ordering the Affâ—irs of thaâ— Kindgom a new way of Judicature of their own composing in contempt of the King and his Council erected much like those of the detestable pretended holy League in France entring into Covenant against all Opposers the King himself not excepted They erected many Tables in Edinburgh four were principal consisting of the Nobility Gentry Buâ—roâ—ghs and Ministers many subordinate Tables of
Covenant of this Kirk and Kingdome made anno 1580. have been indeed the true and main causes of all our evils and distractions And therfore ordaine according to the constitutions of the generall Assemblies of this Kirk and upon the grounds respective above specified That the aforesaid Service-book Books of canons and ordination and the High-commission be still rejected That the Articles of Perth be no more practized That Episcopall Government and the civil places and the power of Kirkmen be holden still as unlawfull in this Kirk That above named pretended Assemblies at Linlithgow 1606. and 1608. at Glascow 1610. at Aberdine 1616. at St. Andrews 1617. at Perth 1618. be hereafter accounted null and unlawfull and of none effect And that for preservation of Religion and preventing of all such evils in time coming general Assembles rightly constitute as the proper and competent Judge of all matters Ecclesiastical hereafter be keeped yearly and oftner pro re nata as occasion and necessity require The necessity of the occasional Assemblies being first remonstrate to his Majesty by humble supplication As also that Kirk sessions Presbyterians and Synodal Assemblies be constituted and observed according to the order of this Kirk our session the seventeenth of August Hereupon an Act of Councell is formed and all subjects are to subscribe And the Commissioners consents to an Act of Assembly for confirming it To which also the Commissioner doth subsign witht his proviso That the practice of the premisses prohibited within this Kirk and Kingdome out with the Kingdome of Scotland shall neither bind nor infer censure against the practizes outwith the Kingdome but this last Proviso was not approved by the Assembly nor upon Record but only inserted in the Register That in commanding to swear the Covenant 1580. and 1581. King Iames the sixt and his Council did not intend the abjuration of Episcopacie and the reasons were put down in a paper which paper was sent to the Covenanters they were these First that if under those words we abjure the Popes wicked Hierarchy Episcopacie be sworn down then they abjure both their Presbyters and Deacons for the Council of Trent makes the Hierarchy to consist of these three orders Bishops Presbyters and Deacons and abjure one and all but then they answer that they retain Presbyters and Deacons as they are ordained in the Reformed Churches The like may be replyed for Bishops being ordained in a form allowed by Reformed Churches yet they took that forenamed Oath as Iohn Arch Bishop of St. Andrews 1572. and Iames Bishop of Dunkel 1573. as appears by their Council books And certainly their Presbyters must needs derive their orders either from Bishops of that obedience or from Presbyters ordained by such Bishops either from such or none for they will not affirm That non Presbyter can ordinare Presbyterum But thus much by the way let their Inscribed destinctions reply Inter Regnum constituendum and Regnum constitutum and such like evasions But in a word we conclude in the Commissioner Traquair 's own words That the Assembly saith he ought to render thanks to those that had been his Majesties good Informers in working these effects If any think or conceive this to be due to me I protest to act nothing but the part of an Eccho for this Imployment came upon me by my Lord Hamilton's work and if you knew what I know you should acknowledg him to be both a carefull painfull and faithfull Agent in this business and in all that you have intrusted with him This is not entered in their Record it smells too rank of his Treachery but it is most certain he ended so after he had subscribed But to encounter this their Covenant it was ordered in England that all the Scotish Subjects that were to take upon them the trust of the King or Imployment in his Affairs were put to an Oath in England and Ireland I A. B. one of his Majesties Subjects in the Kingdom of Scotland do by the presents sign with my hand upon my great Oath and as I shall be answerable to God upon my Salvation and Condemnation testifie and declare That Charls by the grace of God King of Great Brittain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith is my Sovereign Lord and that next unto Almighty God and his Son Christ Jesus he is over all persons within his Majesties Kingdoms and Dominions and in all Causes as well Ecclesiastical as Civil supreme Governour to whom his Heirs and Successours I am bound in duty and allegeance to all obedience if it were to the loss of my life estate and fortunes and do hereby abjure all Combinations Covenants and Bands that can be pretended upon pretext of Religion or Liberty of the Kingdom and specially the damnable and treasonable Covenant commonly called the popular Covenant so much magnified now in Scotland and do promise never to take Arms against his Majesty his Heirs and Successours offensive or defensive but to abide constant in allegeance duty and obedience which I profess Almighty God hath tied me unto and to do the utmost of my power against all oppositions whatsoever foreign or home-bred So help me God And concerning the five Articles introduced by King Iames at the general Assembly of Perth Anno 1618. it will not be amiss to know what they were First Kneeling in the taking of the Communion and out of the Ministers hands whereas it was before taken sitting â—n their breech and the Bread taken by themselves out of a Bason and the Cup from one another as if they were drinking to others and the Beadle filling up the Cup as it was emptied out of a Flagon which he filled in the Belfery as it was spent Secondly Private Communion to sick persons that were not able to come to Church to be given with three or four Communicants besides Thirdly Private Baptism in case of necessity that the Childe is so sick or weak that he cannot be brought to Church without eminent danger of death and to declare it to the Congregation the next Sunday thereafter Fourthly Confirmation of Children after the Primitive way which was the bringing of them at eight nine or ten years of age to the Bishop of the Diocess to give him account of their Christian Faith and receive his encouragement commendation and benediction to make them continue carefull in it as they were carefully catechised by their Parents and Parish Priests and if any were not well instructed in their Faith the Bishop sends them back without blessing and some rebuke to be better instructed Fifthly Festival days onely five to be kept viz. The days of our Saviour's Birth Passion Resurrection Ascension and Descent of the Holy Spirit Now let any man of reason judg whether any of these could truly fall under the censure of Popery and if any man of any Reason and Learning would not rather follow the practice of the purest Primitive times in these as likewise in those
to have been abjured 3. That if they return to this Kingdom they be used as accursed and delivered over to the Devil and out of Christs body as Ethniks and Publicanes 4. That all evil Councellours be accusable and censurable at the next Parliament conform to the Statute of 4. Jac. and that all persons in this Kingdom entertainer and maintainers of Excommunicated Prelates be proceeded against with Excommunication conform to the acts of this Kirk 5. That seeing this Session or Term is now appointed to sit in prejudice of the people who have been busie for the late defence of their Religion and this Nation and now retired to settle their own affairs and not having fourty dayes warning as legally it ought to be and now but twenty to come Wee Protest that all the Members of the Colledge of Iustice and all other subjects ought not to attend this Session that all their Acts which they shall doe shall be voyd 6. Lastly We Protest to have liberty to inlarge this our Protestation and Reasons and thereupon the Earle of Dalhouse for the Lords Sr. William Rosse for the Barons the Provost of Sterling for the Burroughs and Mr. Andro Ramsey for the Ministers take Instrument hereof Edinburgh 1. July 1639. They that would excuse this Insolent impetuosity of proceeding in the Covenanters so early after the accord and so fair do affirm that by the endeavours which was lately used by the Commissioner Marquesse Hamilton to disunite as they call it and corrupt the chief and most leading Covenanters as namely Argyle Rothes Lindsay Monrosse Lowdon Sr. William Dowglas Mr. Alexander Henderson and others by allurements of great offices And that Argyle offered his Daughter in Marriage with Rothes and Ten thousand pounds portion and to remain forthwith and for ever to Rothes in case Hamilton failed of performance But the Scots meet at their time appointed the sixth of August the General Assembly at Edinburgh continuing till the twenty fourth and there made good to themselves the first Article of the Kings reference to his Commissioners former promise which were in particular Abolishing Episcopacy the five Articles of Perth High Commission Liturgy and Book of Canons And the Marquesse Hamilton designed with new Commission from the King to assent thereto and to Act in other things But he cunningly cast that Imployment upon Traquair whose jugglings together proved false and treacherous to all succeeding affairs of their Soveraigne For after the Assembly the Parliament being prorogued to the twenty sixth of August they then sit And at the beginning debate the Interests to the Election of the Lords of Articles The King heretofore named eight Bishops and they eight Noblemen and these sixteen elected eight Commissioners for the Sherifdoms and eight others for the Burroughs and Corporations And these thirty two and no more had the names of Lords of the Articles and were a Committee to canvasse and correct all Bills before they go to Vote And so the King not to be prejudiced in his Nomination by the avoydance of Bishops the Parliament yeelded to his Commissioner to chuse eight Noblemen for the present bnt voted that hereafter every State should Elect their own Commissioners Thus far they were forward for businesse but then how and in what manner to supply the vacancy of Bishops Votes and how to constitute the Third Estate The Commissioner urged for the King fourteen Laiks of such as were called Abbots and Priors to represent the third Estate which after some alteration was settled and voted into small Barons that represent the Commonalty and then fell upon abrogating former Acts of Indictions of Courts of Exchequer Ward-lands and other things so peremptory to a kinde of Reforming all to a fresh new modeling of a Government of their own without reference to Regality the Commissioner had command from the King to Prorogue the Parliament until the second of Iune next against which they frame a Declaration to be of no effect without consent of Parliament and might sit still but in some shew of duty they for the present would make Remonstrance of their Propositions and proceedings and if by suggestions Informations and Imputations bad effects should follow the world should witnesse their constraint to take such courses as might best conserve the Kirk and Kingdom from eminent confusion And accordingly and as a consequence their Deputies the Earl of Dumfirmlin and the Lord Lowdon present their Remonstrance and the Commissioner Traquair came also to the King to give the account of all not before a select Committee of Councellours but the whole body of the Councel and to hear both parties with very fierce Reproofs Recriminations between them where the deputies their old impudent manner not at all qualifying any mistakes or oversights but absolutely insisting upon direct justification of all and every Act of both Assembly and Parliament in their transactions to the very not onely lessening of the Kings prerogative but over ruling if not destroying of all soveraign authority which nothing but power and force could reduce to moderation or reason and these passages made an end of the moneth September During these Scotish affairs about the middle of Iuly came over hither into England the Prince Elector who the last year had ill successe of his designe into Westphalia where he was beaten and his brother Rupert taken prisoner And now Duke Bernard a gallant Commander lately dead the Prince of Orange advised the Elector to procure assistance of his Uncle the King of England to get command of that Dukes Army And although our home affairs were in great necessity of support here yet the King upon his score encouraged him therein and withall dealt with the French Ambassadour Leiger here to procure his Master into a League of assistance with him Intimating so much to Cardinal Richlien the great manager of the French affairs and Councels and glad sayes one to serve his Majesty and Nephew Quite another way for though a Treaty therein was set on foot yet with no intent or policy in the Cardinal too much to further the effect and indeed but a by shift of our King for the present for how could Richlieu be righty perswaded to it being so lately hardly reconciled for the English account upon the Isle of Rhe and the relief of Rochel and from whence he took rise and resolution of revenge by plots and councels with the Scots in all their Rebellions against the King as you shall see hereafter And in truth even now whilst the Treaty the Palsgrave in November was treacherously advised even by the Cardinals designe to passe disguised through France to the Swedes army but discovered all the way first by our own Fleet at the Downs saluted with a voley of great Guns and so by the ship the like which landed him at Boullen for Paris and after to Lions where he was seized and denying himself arrested and as it was managed by the Elector very perfidious to the
the French and other strangers assistance the Iesuit in particular had combinations with the Covenanters not in love to them but in policy to ruine the right Reformed Religion by setting up the Presbytery and so all Schism to succeed and a Plot was pretended to bring it about The Narrative of this Design was sooner sent abroad than by Master Pryn or the other after him and needs not the credulity of Sir William Boswel 's Relation as to the thing but whether the Indictor devised this Narration and himself onely the Plotter as usual with politick Pretenders is much suspected yet it is confessed to be framed square enough to publick fame to be believed for truth and thus it was for I have met with some different Copies commonly transcribed which yet need not for they were scattered in Manuscript from the very Authours A Noble-man of Boheme Andreas ab Habern-field now become Physician to the Lady Elizabeth the Palsgrave relict made it known by a Friend to Sir William Boswel and by his means sent to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Most Illustrious and Reverend Lord We have willingly and cordially perceived that our Offers have been acceptable both to his Royal Majesty and likewise to your Grace This is the onely Index to us that the Blessing of God goeth along with you whereby we are the more extimulated chearfully and freely to declare and discover those things whereby the hazzard of both your lives the subversion of the Realms both of England and Scotland the tumbling down of his Excellent Majesty from his Throne is projected Now lest the discourse should be enlarged with superfluous cicumstances we will onely premise some things which are meerly necessary to the matter First be it known to them that this good man the Informer of the ensuing discoveries was born and bred in the pontifical Religion and spent many years in Ecclesiastical Functions At length being judged a fit person for carrying on the present designe by the advice and command of the Lord Cardinal Barbarino he was made co-adjutor to Con the then Popes Nuncio to whom he appeared so diligent and sedulous in his office that hope of great preferment was given to him But he guided by a better inspiration was not wun by those sugar baits and conscious to himself of the vanities of that Religion whereof he had sometimes been a strenuous Defender having also observed the malice of rhe Romish party found his Conscience much oppressed for ease whereof he resorted in his belief to the Orthodox Religion And thought it his best way to reveal a plot tending to the destruction of so many Innocent souls conceiving his minde would better repose should he vent what he knew into the bosom of some confiding Friend This done he was seriously admonished by that Friend to give manifest tokens of his Conversion and to deliver from imminent danger so many innocent souls To this counsel he willingly consigned himself and delivered the subsequent matters to Writing whereby the Articles lately presented to your Grace may be clearly explicated and demonstrated 1 That the main of the businesse may be known it is to be considered that all these Factions which this day make Christianity reel have their rise from the Iesuitical off-spring of Cham which branch it self into four Orders The first are Ecclesiasticks these take into care the promotions of Religious affairs The second are Polititians their office is to take care for the raising of civil combustions in and refoming of Kingdoms The Third are Seculars who are properly designed for to intrude into offices of near relation to the persons of Princes to insinuate themselves into Civil affairs of the Court as Bargains and Sales The Fourth are men of a lower Orb Intelligencers and spies then to creep into the services of eminent persons Princes Earls Barons or the like and endevour to pervert or cheat them A Society of so many Orders the Kingdom of England nourisheth For scarce all Spain France and Italy can yield so great a multitude of Iesuites as London alone Where are found more then fifty Scotch Iesuites there the said Society hath elected for it self a seat of iniquity and hath conspired against the King and his greatest confidents especially against the Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and likewise against both Kingdoms For it is most certain that the said Society hath resolved upon an Universal Reformation in the Kingdoms of England and Scotland And the determination of the end necessarily inferreth a determination of the means For promotion therefore of the undertaken villanny this Society is dubbed with the title of The Congregregation for the propagation of the Faith with acknowledgeth the Pope of Rome for their principal and Cardinal Barbarino for his Substitute and Deputy The chief patron of this Society is the popes Legate who hath special care of the business into his bosom this rabble of Traytours weekly deposite their Intelligences The Residence of this Legation was obtained at London in the name of the pope by whose mediation it might be lawful for Cardinal Barbarino to work so much the more easily and safely upon the King and Kingdom For none could so easily circumvent the King as he who should be palliated with the popes Authority Seignior CON was at that time the Popes Legate the Universal Minister of that conjured Society and a vehement promoter of the plot whose secrets as likewise those of all other intelligencers the present Informer of all these things did receive and dispatch as the business required CON tampered with the chief men of the Kingdom and left nothing unattempted by which he might corrupt them all and incline them to the Romish party he enticed with many various baits the very King himself he sought to delude with gifts of pictures Antiquities Idols and such like trumperies brought from Rome which yet prevailed nothing with the King Thus familiarly entertained by the King oft at Hampton-Court and at London he was intreated to undertake the Cause of the prince Palatine that he would interpose his authority and by Intercession perswade the Legate of Colen that the Palatine in the next Diet for the Treating about peace might be inserted into the conditions which hee promised but performed the contrary He intimated indeed that hee had been solicited by the King to such an effect but did not advise such consent lest peradventure the Spaniard should say that the Pope of Rome did patronize an heretical Prince In the interim CON smelling from the Arch Bishop the Kings most Confident that the Kings minde was altogether pendulous and doubtful resolved to move every stone and bend all his strength to gain him to his side being confident hee had prepared the meanes For he had a command to make offer of a Cardinals Cap to the Lord Arch-Bishop in the name of the Pope of Rome and that he should allure him also with higher promises that he might corrupt his sincere minde Yet
are contained in our late printed Declarations which were sent to your Lordship which summarily we here repeat That the late Acts of Parliament may be published in his Majesties Name with the States of Parliament That Edenburgh Castle and other Strengths of Scotland may as to their first foundation be fortified and used for our defence and security That our Countreymen in England and Ireland may not be pressed with Oaths and Subscription warranted by your Law and contrary to their National Oath and Covenant That the common Incendiaries the Authours of Combustions in his Majesties Dominions may receive their Censure That our Ships and Goods with all the Dammage thereof may be restored That the wrongs losses and charges which all the time we have sustained may be repaired That the Declarations made against us as Traitours may be recalled That by the advice and consent of the States of England to be convened in Parliament the Garrisons may be removed from the Borders and any Impediment that may stop free Trade and settle Peace for our Religion and Liberties against all Fears of Molestation and the undoing of us from year to year or as our Adversaries shall take the advantage And that the meeting of the Peers the four and twentieth of this instant will be too long ere the Parliament will be convened the onely means of settling Peace the sooner they come the more shall we be enabled to obey his Majesties Prohibition of our advancing with our Army Nothing but invincible necessity hath brought us out of our Countrey to this place and no other thing shall draw us beyond the Limits appointed by his Majesty wherein we hope your Lordship will labour for our Kings honour and the good of our Countrey Leaguer at New-castle Septemb. 8. 1640. Your Lordships loving and humble Servants and Friends c. Those English Lords that meant not to fight either for necessity or honour fearing that their next Meeting might prevent a Parliament had this while devised their Petition to the King in effect for a Parliament the great aim on all sides answerable to the Scots desire before they set out from home which they published at the head of their Army in a Pamphlet called The Intentions of their Army viz. Not to lay down Arms till the Reformed Religion were settled in both Nations upon sure grounds the Causers and Abetters of their present Troubles be brought to publick justice and that in Parliament And these Abetters were the Papists Prelates and their Adherents in general but more particular the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and the Lieutenant of Ireland And therefore to answer them comes out a correspondent Petition from a Compound of six Earls one Viscount and four Barons being a Descant on the Scots Plain-song And to back these Petitions are poasted from London and other places presently after The Lords Petition was thus Most gracious Sovereign The zeal of that duty and service which we ow to your Sacred Majesty and our earnest affection to the good and welfare of this your Realm of England have moved us in all humility to beseek your Royal Majesty to give us leave to offer to your Princely wisdom the apprehension which we and others your faithfull Subjects have conceived of the great Distempers and Dangers now threatning the Church and State and your Royal Person and of the fittest means by which they may be removed and prevented The Evils and Dangers whereof your Majesty may be pleased to take notice are these 1. That your Majesties Sacred Person is exposed to Hazzard and Danger in the present Expedition against the Scotish Army and by occafion of this War your Majesties Revenue is much wasted your Subjects burthened with Coat and Conduct-money billeting of Souldiers and other Military charges and divers Rapines and Disorders committed in several parts of this your Realm by the Souldiers raised for that Service and your whole Kingdom become full of Fears and Discontents 2. The sundry Innovations in matters of Religion the Oath and Canons lately imposed upon the Clergy and other your Majesties Subjects 3. The great increase of Popery and the imploying of Popish Recusants and others ill-affected to the Religion by Laws established in Places of power and tâ—ust especially in commanding of Men and Arms both in the Field and sundry Counties of this your Realm whereas by Law they are not permitted to have any Arms in their own Houses 4. The great Mischiefs which may fall upon this Kingdom if the intentions which have been credibly reported of bringing in Irish and foreign Forces should take effect 5. The urging of Ship money and prosecution of some Sheriffs in the Star-chamber for not levying of it 6. The heavy charge upon Merchandise to the discouragement of Trade the multitude of Monopolies and other Patents whereby the Commodities and Manufactures of the Kingdom are much burthened to the great and universal grievance of your people 7. The great grief of your Subjects by long intermission of Parliaments and the late and former dissolving of such as have been called without the happy effects which otherwise they might have produced For remedy whereof and prevention of the dangers that may arise to your Royal Person and to the whole State they do in all humility and faithfulness beseek your most Excellent Majesty that you would be pleased to summon a Parliament within some convenient time whereby the causes of these and other great grievances which your people lie under may be taken away and the Authors and Counsellors of them may be there brought to such legal trial and condign punishment as the nature of their several offences shall require And that the present War may be composed by your Majesties wisdom without blood in such manner as may conduce to the Honour and safety of your Majesties Person the comfort of your people and the uniting of both your Realms against the common Enemy of the Reformed Religion And your Majesties petitioners shall ever pray c. Concluded the 28. of August 1640 Francis Bedford Roberâ— Essex Mulgrave Say Seal Edward Howard The Earl of Bristow William Hartford Warwick Bulling brook Mandevil Brook Paget The Kings Answer was BEfore the receipt of your Petition his Majesty well foresaw the danger that threatens himself and Crown and therefore resolved to summon all the Peers to his presence upon the 24 of this September and with them to consult what in this case is fittest to be done for his honour and safety of the Kingdom where they with the rest may offer any thing that may conduce to these ends And so accordingly the Lord Keeper had command and did issue out Writs of summons for their appearance at York the 24. of September And to meet them there comes To the Kings most Excellent Majesty The Humble Petition of your Majesties Loyal Subjects the Citizens of London Most Gracious Soveraign BEing moved by the Duty and Obedience which by Religion and Laws your Petitioners owe unto
peace he gave order to his Officers to fight us and so to be engaged in bloud the better for his wicked Designs against both Kingdoms And although his Majesty with consent of his Peers were inclined to a Peace as before he onely in that honourable Assembly raged against us as Traitours and Enemies to Monarchical Government to be sent home nay he himself would undertake to whip us home in our own bloud That after the Cessation of Arms he during the Treaty drew up his Army near the Tees and gave his Warrants to the several Governours of Barwick and Carlile for their Acts of Hostility and he the Man that continueth several parts of England in terms of difference sundry Scots imprisoned still no free Trade nor other face of affairs there as before the Cessation And therefore desire their Lordships that this great Incendiary not onely against private persons but even against Kingdoms and Nations may come to his Trial and endure condign justice and punishment And for this their good service the Scots had favour from the House of Commons to have an hundred thousand pounds voted for the Expence of their Army who besides plundered the Counties round about their Quarters And not to separate him from his confident Sir George Ratcliff who was brought out of Ireland and this Impeachment charged against him The Impeachment of Sir George Ratcliff First that he had conspired and joined with the Earl of Strafford to bring into Ireland an Arbitrary Government and to subvert Fundamental Laws Secondly to bring in an Army from Ireland to subdue the Subjects of England Thirdly that he joyned with the Earl to use Regal power and to deprive Subjects of their liberties and properties Fourthly to take out fourty thousand pounds out of the Exchequer in Ireland and bought Tobacco therewith and converted the same profit to their own uses Fifthly that he hath traiterously confederated with the Earl to countenance Papists and built Monasteries to alienate the affections of the Irish Subjects from the subjection of England Sixthly to draw the Subjects of Scotland from the King Seventhly that to preserve himself and the said Earl he had laboured to subvert the Liberties and Privilege of Parliaments in Ireland The Parliament taking things in turn having turned out of the House of Lords and safely lodged two Delinquents the most active and powerfull the one from the State the other from the Church the next in course must concern the Law the most eminent Malignant as they conceived was the Lord Keeper Finch who took it for his wiser way to prevent the effects of what was in preparing against him the Commons charge of High Treason In reference to it he caressed them with an Oration such as it is in vindication of himself in such particulars as he knew most in force and because it contained more than bare words we may examine the merit thereof which was all that he had time to say for himself Mr Speaker I give you thanks for granting me admittance to your presence I come not to preserve my self and Fortunes but to preserve your good opinion of me for I profess I had rather beg my Bread from door to door with Date obolum Bellisario with your favour than be never so high and honoured with your displeasure I came not hither to justifie my words actions or opinions but to open my self freely and then to leave my self to the House What disadvantage it is for a man to speak in his own cause you well know I had rather another would doe it but since this house is not taken with words but with truth which I am best able to deliver I presume to do it my self I come not with a set speech but with my heart to open my self freely and then to leave it to the house but do desire if any word fall from me that shall be misconstrued I may have leave to explain my self For my Religion I hope no man doubts it I being religiously educated under Catterton in Emmanuel Colledge thirty years I have been in Grays Inn thirteen years a Bencher and a diligent hearer of Dr. Sibs who if he were living would testifie that I had my chiefest encouragement from him And though I met with many oppositions from many in that house ill affected in Religion yet I was alwaies supported by him Five years I have been of the Kings Council but no Actor Avisor or Inventor of any project Two places I have been preferred unto Chief Iustice and Lord Keeper not by any sute or merit of my own but by his Majesties free gift In the discharge of these places my hands have never touched my eyes have never been blinded with any reward I never biassed for friend-ship nor diverted for hatred for all â—â—at know me know that I was not of a vindicative nature I do not know for what particulars or by what means you are drawn into an ill oppinion of me since I had the honour to sit in that place you sit in Mr. Speaker In which I served you with fidelity and Candor Many witnesses are of the good Offices I did you and resumed expressions of thankfulness from this house for it for the last day I had share in it no man expressed more Symbols of sorrow then I. After three daies Adjournment the King desired me it might be adjourned for some few daies more whether was it then in his Majestie much less in me to dissolve the House But the King sent for me to White hall and gave me a Message to the House and commanded me when I had delivered the Message that I should forthwith come to him and if a question was offered to be put he charged me upon my Allegeance I should put none I do not speak this as a thing I do now merit but it is known to divers men and to some Gentlemen in this House All that I say is but to beseech you all consider what you would have done in this strait betwixt the King my Master and this honourable House The Shipping business lieth heavy upon me I am far from justifying that my opinion if it be contrary to the Iudgment of this House I submit I never knew of it at the first or ever advised any other I was made Chief Justice four daies before the Writ went out for the Port I was sworn sixteen daies after Chief Justice and those writs issued forth without my privity The King Commanded the then Chief Justice the now Chief Baron and my self to look on the Presidents and to certifie him our opinions what we thought of it That if the whole Kingdome were in danger it was reasonable and fit to lay upon the whole Kingdome and not upon the Port only and commanded the thâ—n Chief Justice and my self and the now Chief Baron to return him our opinions Our opinions were and we thought it agreeable to Law and reason that if the whole were in danger the
pleased to assent to their Acts of Parliament including the Articles of their Assembly their Religion Laws and Liberties ratified their grievances relieved for which we use to give the King Money The Scots Remonstrance professing that they would take nothing of the English but for Money or Security But we have defrayed them hitherto and are still provided to do longer That heretofore we established their Reformation and bore our own Charges and concerning mutual restitution of Ships and Goods which now our Commissioners have fairly accommodated already As for inferential and consequential Dammages such a Representment would not administer unacceptable matter of contestation We could truly allege that Northumberland New-castle and the Bishoprick will not recover their former Estate these twenty years that the Coal-mines of New-castle will not be set right for an hundred thousand pounds besides the price of Coals doth cost this City and other parts of this Kingdom above that value in loss And much more of this nature and dammage might be justly urged They say they do not make any former Demands but yet they make their Sum appear above four hundred and fourteen thousand pounds more than ever we gave the King A portentous apparition which shews it self in a very dry time the Kings Revenue totally exhausted the Kingdom generally impoverished and yet all this supply is to be drawn out of us onely without the least help from any his Majesties other Dominions an utter draining of this Nation unless England be Puteus inexhaustus yet I shall afford what is reasonable and honourable to a convenient considerable Sum of Money that they may go off with a handsome friendly Loss if they shall reject it we shall improve our Cause It was never thought any great wisdom overmuch to trust to a succesfull Sword A man that walks upon rising ground the further he goes the more spacious his prospect success enlarges mens desires extends their ambition breeds thoughts never dreamt on before But the Scots being truly touched with Religion according to their professions that onely is able to keep their words for Religion is stronger and wiser than Reason it self But we hope of a good conclusion of the effects of all these hitherto Inconveniences to the advance of Religion King and Kingdoms But for the present to satisfie the clamour of the Scots Master Speaker was ordered to write to the City of London to advance sixty thousand pounds upon security and Assignment out of the next Subsidies to be levied and to pay in the Money to the Chamber of London which was so humbly obeyed This being but one Loan for I finde several Acquittances for the like Sum of sixty thousand pounds mentioning therein For Supply of the Kings Army and providing for the Northern Counties And so belike were issued for Supply of both Armies The Dutch Ambassadour Lieger having made Overtures of a Marriage between William young Prince of Orange and the Kings eldest Daughter the Princess Mary which he very willingly inclined to accept yet though fit as his condition stood with the Parliament to acquaint them therewith And tells the House of Lords My Lords That freedom and confidence which I expressed at the beginning of this Parliament to have of your love and fidelity towards my Person and Estate hath made me at this time come hither to acquaint you with that Alliance and Confederacy which I intend to make with the Prince of Orange and the States which before this time I did not think expedient to do because that part which I do desire your advice and assistance upon was not ready to be treated on I will not trouble you with a long digression by shewing the steps of this Treaty but leave you to be satisfied in that by those who under me do manage that Affair Onely I shall shew you the Reasons which have induced me to it and in which I expect your assistance and counsel The Considerations that have induced me to it are these First the matter of Religion here needs no Dispensation no fear that my Daughters conscience may be any way perverted Secondly I do esteem that a strict Alliance and Confederacy with the States will be as usefull to this Kingdom as that with any of my Neighbours especially considering their Affinity Neighbourhood and way of their strength And lastly which I must never forget in these occasions the use I may make of this Alliance towards the establishing of my Sister and Nephews Now to shew you in what I desire your assistance you must know that the Articles of Marriage are in a manner concluded but not to be totally ratified untill that of Alliance be ended and agreed which before I demanded your assistance I did not think fit to enter upon And that I may not leave you too much at large how to begin that Council I present you here the Propositions which are offered by me to the States Ambassadours for that intent And so my Lords I shall onely desire you to make as much expedition in your Councils as so great a Business shall require and shall leave your Lordships to your own free debate This Proposition of Alliance both with the Prince and with the United Provinces was extremely and unanimously affected by all the People and was universally embraced without Fears or Jealousies upon our Liberties or Religion and soon concluded but what resulted think you from another party Papists Plots perpetually allarming for The very next Day four Members of the Commons House bore up the Message to the Lords of a monstrous Design of the Papists an Army of fifteen thousand in Lancashire and eight thousand in Ireland and I know not how many thousands in many places well armed and in pay raised by the Earl of Strafford the Earl of Worcester and others After-ages will think these Hyperboles for though there was no such Armies possibly by them nor no such Fears by others yet this Message was sent and carried from the Lower to the Higher House and gave the occasion to the multitude of People to frame Petitions sutable to Plots and Fears and Jealousies for the Parliaments purpose The thirteenth of February one of the Ship-money Judges so nick-named Sir Robert Berkley was by a motion of the Commons accused of High-treason and by Maxwell the Black Rod taken the next day from his Seat in the Kings Bench and kept Prisoner The Bill for the Triennial Parliament having passed both Houses was confirmed with the Kings royal assent February 16. and to let them see how sensible himself was of this his great grace he thought fit to put them in minde of their gratitude of fear of their failing My Lords And you the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons you may remember when both Houses were with me at the Banquetting-house at White-hall I did declare unto you two Rocks I wished you to shun this is one of them and of that consequence that
others who came over only to complain of the exorbitances and oppressions of the said Earl Testified by the Earl of Desmond the Lord Roch Marcattee and Parry The Earls Reply That the Deputy Falkland had set out the same Proclamation That the same Restraâ—nt was contained in the Statute of 25 of Henry 6. upon which the Proclamation was founded That he had the Kings express Warrant for the Proclamation That he had also power to do it by the Commission granted him and that the Lords of the Council and three Justices not onely yielded but pressed him unto it That it was done upon just cause for had the Ports been open divers would have taken liberty to go to Spain to Doway Rhemes or Saint Omers which might have prooved of mischievous consequence to the State That the Earl of D' Esmond stood at the time of his Restraint charged with Treason before the Council of Ireland for practising against the Life of one Sir Valentine Coke That the Lord Roch was then a Prisoner for Debt in the Castle of Dublin and therefore incapable of a Licence That Par ry was not sined for coming over without Licence but for several Contempts against the Council-board in Ireland and that in his Sentence he had but onely a casting Voice as the Lord Keeper in the Star chamber The Seventeenth and Eighteenth Articles were not insisted upon 19. That the said Earl having taxed and levyed the said impositions and raised the said Monopolies and committed the said oppressions in his Majesties name and as by his Majesties Royal command he the said Earl in May the fifteenth year of his Majesties reign did of his own authority contrive and frame a new and unusual oath by the purport whereof among many other things the party taking the said oath was to swear that he should not protest against any of his Majesties Royal commands but submit themselves in all obedience thereunto Which oath he so contrived to enforce the same on the subjects of the Sâ—oâ—ish Nation inhabiting in Ireland and out of a hatred to the said Nation and to put them to a discontent with his Majesty and his Government there and compelled divers of his Majesties said subjects there to take the said oath some he grievously fined and imprisoned and others he destroyed and exiled and namely the 10. of October Ann. Dom. 1639. he fined Henry Steward and his wife who refused to take the said oath five thousand pounds a peece and their two daughters and James Gray three thousand pounds a peece and imprisoned them for not paying the said fines The said Henry Stewards wife and daughters and James Gray being the Kings liege people of the Scotish Nation and divers others he used in the like manner and the said Earl upon that occasion did declare that the said oath did not only oblige them in point of allegiance to his Majesty and acknowledgement of his supremacy only but to the Ceremonies and Government of the Church established or to be established by his Majesties royal Authority and said that the refusers to obey he would prosecute to the bloud The Earls Reply That the Oath was not violently enjoyned by him upon the Irish Scots but framed in compliance with their own express Petition which Petition is owned in the Proclamation as the main Impulsive to it That the same Oath not long after was prescribed by the Council of England That he had a Letter under his Majesties own hand ordering it to be prescribed as a Touch-stone of their Fidelity As to the greatness of the Fine imposed upon Steward and others he conceived it was not more than the heinousness of their offence deserved yet had they petitioned and submitted the next day that would wholly have been remitted 20. That the said Earl in the fifteenth and sixteenth Years of his Majesties Reign and divers Years past laboured and endeavoured to beget in his Majestie an ill opinion of his Subjects namely those of the Scotish Nation and divers and sundry times and especially since the Pacification made by his Majestie with his said Subjects of Scotland in Summer in the fifteenth Year of his Majesties Reign he the said Earl did labour and endeavour to perswade incite and provoke his Majesty to an Offensive War against his said Subjects of the Scotish Nation and the said Earl by his counsel actions and endeavours hath been and is a chief Incendiary of the War and Discord between his Majesty and his Subjects of England and the said Subjects of Scotland and hath declared and advised his Majesty that the Demand made by the Scots in this Parliament were a sufficient cause of War against them The said Earl having formerly expressed the height and rancour of his minde towards his Subjects of the Scotish Nation viz. the tenth Day of October in the fifteenth Year of his Majesties Reign he said that the Nation of the Scots were Rebells and Traitours and he being then about to come to England he then further said that if it pleased his Master meaning his Majesty to send him back again he would root out of the said Kingdom meaning the Kingdom of Ireland the Scotish Nation both Root and Branch Some Lords and others who had taken the said Oath in the precedent Article onely excepted And the said Earl hath caused divers of the said Ships and Goods of the Scots to be staied seized and molested to the intent to set on the said War The Earls Reply That he called all the Scotish Nation Traitours and Rebells no one proof is produced and though he is hasty in speech yet was he never so defective of reason as to speak so like a mad man for he knew well his Majesty was a Native of that Kingdom and was confident many of that Nation were of as heroick spirits and as faithfull and loyal Subjects as any the King had As to the other words of rooting out the Scots both Root and Branch he conceives a short Reply may serve they being proved by a single â—estimony onely which can make no sufficient faith in case of Life Again the Witness was very much mistaken if not worse for he deposeth that these words were spoken the tenth day of October in Ireland whereas he was able to evidence he was at that time in England and had been so near a Moneth before The one and twentieth and two and twentieth Artâ—cles were not urged 23. That upon the thirteenth Day of April last the Parliament of England met and the Commons House then being the Representative Body of all the Commons in the Kingdom did according to the trust reposed in them enter into Debate and Consideration of the great Grievances of this Kingdom both in respect of Religion and the publick Libertie of the Kingdom and his Majestie referring chiefly to the said Earl of Strafford and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury the ordering and disposing of all matters concerning the Parliament he the said Earl of
so many forward to engage against me who had made great Professions of singular pietie For this gave to vulgar mindes so bad a reflection upon me and my Cause as if it had been impossible to adhere to me and not withall part from God to think or speak well of me and not to blaspheme him so many were perswaded that these two were utterly inconsistent to be at once Loyal to me and truly Religious toward God Not but that I had I thank God many with me which were both Learned and Religious much above that ordinrie size and that vulgar proportion wherein some men glorie so much who were so well satisfied in the cause of my Sufferings that they chose rather to suffer with me than forsake me Nor is it strange that so Religious Preâ—ensions as were used against me should be to many well-minded men a great tempâ—ation to oppose me especially being urged by such popular Preachers as think it no sin to lie for God and what they please to call Gods cause cursing all that will not curse with them looking so much at and crying up the goodness of the end propounded that they consider not the lawfulness of the means used nor the depth of the mischief chiefly plotted and intended The weakness of these mens judgments must be made up by their clamours and activitie It was a great part of some mens Religion to scandalize me and mine they thought theirs could not be true if they cried not down mine as false I thank God I have had more trial of his grace as to the constancie of my Religion in the Protestant Profession of the Church of England both abroad and at home than ever they are like to have Nor do I know any Exception I am so liable to in their opinion as too great a fixedness in that Religion whose judicious and solid Grounds both from Scripture and Antiquitie will not give my Conscience leave to approve or consent to those many dangerous and divided Innovations which the bold Ignorance of some men would needs obtrude upon me and my People Contrarie to those wel-tried Foundations both of Truth and Order which men of far greater Learning and clearer Zeal have settled in the Confession and Constitution of this Church in England which many former Parliaments in the most calm and unpassionate times have oft confirmed in which I shall ever by Gods help persevere as believing it hath most of Primitive Truth and Order Nor did my using the assistance of some Papists which were my Subjects any way fight against my Religion as some men would needs interpret it especially those who least of all men cared whom they imploied or what they said and did so they might prevail 'T is strange that so wise men as they would be esteemed should not conceive That Differences of perswasion in matters of Religion may easily fall out where there is the sameness of Dutie Allegiance and Subjection The first they own as men and Christians to God The second they ow to me in common as their King Different Professions in point of Religion cannot any more than in civil Trades take away the communitte of Relations either to Parents or to Princes And where is there such an Oglio or Medley of various Religions in the World again as those men entertain in their service who finde most fault with me without any scruple as to the diversitie of their Sects and Opinions It was indeed a foul and indelible shame for such as would be counted Protestants to enforce me a declared Protestant their Lord and King to a necessarie use of Papists or any other who did but their Dutie to help me to defend my self Nor did I more than is lawfull for any King in such Exigents to use the aid of any his Subjects I am sorrie the Papists should have a greater sense of their Allegiance than many Protestant Professours who seem to have learned and to practise the worst Principles of the worst Papists Indeed it had been a verie impertinent and unseasonable scruple in me and verie pleasing no doubt to mine Enemies to have been then disputing the Points of different Beliefs in my Subjects when I was disputed with by Swords points and when I needed the help of my Subjects as men no less than their praiers as Christians The noise of my Evil Counsellours was another usefull Devise for those who were impatient any mens counsel but their own should be followed in Church and State who were so eager in giving me better counsel that they would not give me leave to take it with freedom as a Man or Honour as a King making their counsels more like a Drench that must be poured down than a Draught which might be fairly and leisurely drunk if I liked it I will not justifie beyond humane Errours and Frailties my self or my Counsellours they might be subject to some Miscarriages yet such as were far more reparable by second and better thoughts than those enormous Extravagancies wherewith some men have now wildered and almost quite lost both Church and State The event of things at last will make it evident to my Subjects that had I followed the worst counsels that my worst Counsellours ever had the boldness to offer to me or my self any inclination to use I could not so soon have brought both Church and State in three flourishing Kingdoms to such a Chaos of Confusions and Hell of Miseries as some have done out of which they cannot or will not in the midst of their many great Advantages redeem either me or my Subjects No men were more willing to complain than I was to redress what I saw in Reason was either done or advised amiss and this I thought I had done even beyond the expectation of moderate men who were sorrie to see me prone even to injure my self out of a zeal to relieve my Subjects But other mens insatiable Desire of Revenge upon me my Court and my Clergie hath wholly beguiled both Church and State of the benefit of all my either Retractations or Concessions and withall hath deprived all those now so zealous Persecutours both of the comfort and reward of their former pretended Persecutions wherein they so much gloried among the vulgar and which indeed a truly humble Christian will so highly prize as rather not to be relieved than be revenged so as to be bereaved of that Crown of Christian Patience which attends humble and injured Sufferers Another Artifice used to with-draw my Peoples Affections from me to their Designs was the noise and ostentation of Libertie which men are not more prone to desire than unapt to bear in the popular sense which is to do what every man liketh best If the divinest Libertie be to will what men should and to do what they so will according to Reason Laws and Religion I envie not my Subjects that Libertie which is all I desire to enjoy my self so far am I from the desire of
allowing to the King onely Primus accubitus in coenis And why onely Stephen Was it not voted by Act of the Parliament at Oxford and concluded in several Articles That Edward 2. life was taken away by Bishop Thorlton The story is that this Man Adam de Orlton was Bishop of Hereford took a Text 2 Kings 4. Caput meum aegrotat My head my head aketh whereby he advised the cure of a sick head of the Kingdom to be cut off and therefore must be guilty of his Murder afterwards Indeed there was an enigmatical Verse fathered also upon him Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est which Verse the Bishop utterly denied Then comes he to Edward 3. that Iohn Arch-bishop of Canterbury incited the King and Parliament to a bloudy War with France And why John Was it not voted in Parliament where all the Peers were as hot upon it as he Indeed because the Clergie in those days spake better sense than an ignorant unlearned Lord many Historians father the ill success of former actions upon them Promotors of the Designs as if in re stulta sapientes and in malo publico facundi That in Parliament the Laity offered Richard 2. a Fifteenth if the Clergy would also give a Tenth and a half which William le â—ourtney Arch-bishop opposed as not to be taxed by the Laity and thereupon the Lords besought the King to deprive them of their Temporalities thereby says he to humble them to humble them and damn the Authours of Sacrilege and cruelty yet were they mercifull not to take away all Spiritualities also Then follows H. 4. an Usurper he says and that the Bish. of Carlile opposes him in a Speech and therein so reasonable was the cause just I cannot say that the Lords combined to depose him for there were living of the House of Clarence Title to precede his of Mortimer for whom five other Bishops went Ambassadours abroad to get assistance and those Bishops also scape not the censure of doing evil by justifying this others Right to the Crown and deposed him also but then it was so voted in Parliament and therefore not all the blame to be laid upon those Bishops that acted but their part and it is true that in a Parliament in that Kings Reign a Bill was exhibited against the Temporalities of the Clergie but not passed Parliamentum indoctorum says one and the Commons fitter to enter Common with their Cattle Henry 5. succeeds he says who was incited by Arch-bishop Chidley to revive his Title to France with the effusion of much bloud and ill success And was it not true that the King had good Title to France And the same cause had Edward 3. And as just was it against the domestick Title of Henry 4. and so in sum in either of the Bishops by their Council You say it was not the Office of Bishops to incense Wars either Domestick or Foreign But then Policy is pickt up for a Reason being you say to divert the King from reforming the Clergy That in the time of Henry 6. the Protectour Duke of Glocester accused Beaufort Cardinal of Winchester But then take all the story he was also Chancellour of England great Uncle to this King Son to John of Gaunt and his Brother Cardinal of York and the greatest Crime intended was because of his greatness which the Protectour durst not trust and therefore devised a Charge of which he was not guilty but acquitted by Parliament Edward 4. follows who was taken Prisoner he says by Arch-Bishop Nevil declaring him an Usurper and entailed the Crowns of England and France upon Henry and his Issue male and in default upon Clarence disabling King Edward's eldest Brother He was a party in the Plot if there were any but then take the Junto of the Authours it was the power of that great Warwick and others that did create and unmake Kings at pleasure the confusion of the right submitting to power whether right or wrong Edward 5. his Crown was by the Prelates placed on his murderous Uncle Richard 3. the Cardinal Archbishop taking the Brother Richard out of Sanctuary that so both of them might be taken away That Cardinal was a great Actour therein but the Duke of Bukingham did the business upon whose head the Cardinal would have set the Crown who had no right thereto Henry 7. he says was perswaded by the same Cardinal Morton and prevailed to the Crown He might assist therein what honest English man would not have done so But to say that the Cardinal was the main Instrument we shall want the force of all Arguments but Gods good Providence Henry 8. called the Bishops half Subjects to him Wolsey and Campeius refused to give Judgment for his Divorce Numbring up against them the Petitions Supplications and Complaints of godly Ministers Doctour Barns Latimer Tyndal Bean and others And were not some of these godly men Bishops also That the Statutes of 31 Henry 8. yet in force against them That in Anno 37. Letters Patents were granted to Lay-men to exercise all manner of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction as the Kings Officers not the Bishops Let us never deduce Reason or Iustice from that Kings Actions more like an Atheist than a Christian either Ecclesiastical or Temporal besides the Mutation and Change of Religion then not affording any good President in either kinde But thus much as in excuse was in time of Popery He proceeds to others no less detestable he says nay more heinous since the Reformation but with this Proviso that in the Reigns of all the succeeding Sovereigns to this present he charging those reverend Bishops good men chief Pillars of the Church great Lights of Learning they doing those things as Bishops which he believes they would not have done as private Ministers to hold their Bishopricks to please great Lords Princes Kings and Emperours have not onely yielded but perswaded to introduce Idolatry to dis-inherit right Heirs to Kingdoms and force good Princes to Acts unnatural and unjust But he is not against Episcopacy or a Church-government but so much degenerate it is from the first substance Vox praeterea nihil yet would not have it demolished till a better Model be found out God-a-mercy for that And presently he charges Arch-bishop Cranmer and Bishop Ridley for perswading Edward 6. that the Lady Mary might be permitted Mass in her own Chapel more like Politicians than Divines though not prevailing with that pious Prince She was the right Heir apparent to her Brother and the onely right Issue to the Crown begotten no doubt in lawfull Matrimony bred up in Romish and the might of Charls the Emperour would and did in Reason and Policy afford her liberty of her Profession without any scandal upon those Bishops for their opinion therein her Mother had suffered too much injustice and it was no justice to have denied to her Daughter this desire After Edward 6. those two Bishops Cranmer and Ridley says he
contrary to the rights and power of all Monarchical Authority and also the duty allegeance and consciences of all loyal Subjects which with grief we take to heart as faithfull and loyal Subjects ought to do The Catholick Religion suppressed and put down in England and the Catholicks persecuted with all rigour even to death and the like have the Puâ—itans of this Kingdom threatned to have brought hither That there is a Law against Catholicks in this Countrey whereby the Kingdom hath been often impaired and ruined with persecutions by means whereof the Catholicks are made uâ—capable of any Office or Place of commodity or profit to the great and extraordinary decay of the Catholicks in their Estates Education and Learning That the Goverment of the Kingdom is wholly in the hands of strangers who in their beginning are generally poor of birth and means and very quickly become Noblemen and men of great Estates by oppression and ruinating the poor Natives That there hath been great threatnings of late of sending great Scotish Forces with the Bible in one hand and Sword in the other to force our consciences or end our lives besides our private report of a sudden surprisal and cutting the Catholicks throats intending which way we know not but it hath been both written and spoken by several Protestants and Puritans That the Catholicks are not allowed to have any Arms or Munition as the Protestants and Puritans were but stood like dâ—admen not able to defend themselves in such desperate Dangers All which being by them considered they saw no way but to attempt to seize upon Arms where they could get them to save their lives maintain the King and Queen their Religion and Countrey It is true that for the first Days horrid Rebellion and Butchery the Irish did forbear the Scots Plantation there knowing their good Natures to be such as to sit still and see the English destroyed so they might hope to escape and to have more room for Colonies of their own Nation it being more easie for the Irish to deal with one Nation than with both and they knew that the Scots had then in Scotland some formed Forces standing which in few hours might be transported and so to distract them before their intended progress into Rebellion To that end for a time they were spared with life but not with Gudes and Geer and so â—ad leave to return to Scotland a worse transmigration than into the other World Some pretence they make declaring in the sight of God and the World their Intentions and Resolutions to the last Man with their Lives Estates and Fortunes to endeavour the advancement and preservation of his Majesties service and Interest in that Kingdom and of all those whoever that prosecute his quarrel having no other Design or Intent but onely the free exercise of their Religion On the contrary it was wonderfull to observe what Irritations stirred up the English to revenge the Death of the Massacred and to defend the lives of those that survived A Mass of Money 300000. pounds sterling was soon raised in England but otherways disposed and great Contributions for pay of the Souldiers and Provisions and many thousands of English prepare for that War And yet so eminent was the divine wrath over England that even upon this very account our Incongruities and Feuds at home were inflamed which amongst others how intense soever yet soulder a peace for some interim Hereupon those that aimed at Innovations infused into mens mindes scruples and suspitions and though the King most intent to suppress the raging cruelty of that Rebellion by his personal hazzard to scourge their insolencies the Parliament would not consent that the War be mannaged by his Authority nor to trust the Souldiers with their Allegeance to the King nor any of them that had served him in the Scotish Expedition but such as themselves affected and he disgusted yet rather than the War should linger on those Differences he submitted to the joint authority of mannaging the same and so Patents and Commissions were signed by both King and Parliament leaving himself without power either to make peace or grant them pardon without the Parliaments consent And so by this concurrence of Affairs concerning the Rebells and mischievous Distractions in England ripening into a civil War the Parliament seize upon the collected sums of hundreds of thousand pounds for Ireland and two or three Regiments raised for that service they convert to the suppressing of the Kings War against them nay the very Benevolence begged for the relief of the perishing Evangelius they turn into pay for their Souldiery Though the Kings Souldiers having seized on some provisions sent by the Parliament towards Chester as but designed for Ireland the King upon complaint soon restored it for that service And although there appeared no evidence of truth it was rumored to the Kings dishonour that he had been Authour of that Rebellion which the King endeavours with greater validity of Reasons to retort upon the Faction of some Members of both Houses Notwithstanding these Traverses hindered not our Auxiliaries to defeat the Irish by fire devastations and slaughter of some hundreds of thousands of the Natives and to wilder that Kingdom far and near which happened alike pernicious to our selves when afterwards that the civil War in England was at the heighth victuals provision cloaths and pay failing our Souldiers in Ireland it is beyond the reach of expression how miserably our Countrey-men suffered there and the Parliaments help failing their daily Invocations for relief the Privy Counsellours of that Kingdom Commanders and Souldiers by peâ—itionary Letters to the King earnestly beg leave to depart and to be remanded any where else save against such an Enemy as Hunger The King either for necessity or prudence the Scots coming into the Parliament he being thereby reduced to an inequality of fight here at home makes a Cessation with the Irish for a year onely and so endeavours a peace to ensue leaving sufficient Garisons behinde the Souldiers return for the Kings assistance whose part began to totter But the Scots party in Ulster refuse to be bound by the Cessation and some English in Conaught and Ulster of a like conniving Faction But the Lord Inchequin Commander in chief of the Munster Forces comes over with some thousands to the Kings aid but not well resenting his entertainment withdraws himself into Ireland and gains all the Kings party of Cork and Munster to the Parliament and to a detestation of the Cessation they instantly sending him and the Scots Forces fresh aid of money and provisions Against whom appeared three several parties though conjoyned in enmity to the English the Popes Nuntio Owen Roe and the other under command of Preston and Taff the last more moderate endeavouring the compliance with the King to confirm the Peace yet were over-born by the Popes Bull against the Cessation and Peace and so deterred their Souldiers from their fidelity and Colours
horse of the Lord Ormonds Troop made their way through without loss of a man A great loss to us and a greater gain to the Rebells of Ammunition and monies and now it appeared plain who were the Enemies in the Pale heretofore Neuters The Governour of Drogheda upon our Scouts intelligence issued out with 600. foot and two Troopes of horse but came too late and now it became certain that whilst the Commissioners were in the Treaty at the Town they themselves were of this Plot. Not long after the Enemy took another advantage The Master of a Chester Bark corrupted by some Popish Merchants abroad he run her on ground at the Skerms in faire weather riâ—â—ing the English Passengers of store of money and fraughted with powder and Ammunition designed for Dublin At the which Landing of the English the Lord Netherfield as in favour to them sent them to Dublin assuring them that he would take Tredagh the next morning which was believed at Dublin before the Account and evermore in these surprisals the Enemy would boast of the special hand of Gods providence in their successes and likelyhood to deliver the Kingdom unto Catholiques The Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale being secretly the first contrivers of the Rebellion and had now drawn the Rebells down from the North into the Pale and that presently after the defeat of the English at Gelianston bridge the Lord Germanston a secret conspiratour summons the County at Dulick and after to the Hill of Crofty to the number of 1000. persons to whom came divers of the chief Leaders of the Northern Rebells where they are associated to live and die in their quarrel And a week after the like summons was to all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to meet at the Hill of Taragh where multitudes assembled And now by reason the Northern Rebells had setled their Camp within the River of Boyne besieging Tredagh between that and the City of Dublin and all entercourse of the Pale interrupted the passages stopt so that the State were ignorant of what passed there They therefore called a grand Council of the Lords within distance of Dublin and so Letters were posted to them in effect That the State had present occasion to confer with them concerning the present estate of the Kingdom and the safety thereof And pray and require to his Lordship to be at Dublin the eight day of this Moneth at which time others of the Peers will be here From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third of December 1641. To our very good Lord Georg Earl of Kildare Your very loving friends William Parsons John Buclaâ—r c. And the same day to other several persons who near about that time had made the publick Combination with the Ulster Rebells And there they frame their General answer thus in effect May it please your Lordship We have heretofore presented our selves and freely offered our advice and furtherance which was by you neglected c. Having received advertisement that Sir Charls Coot had uttered at the Council-board some speeches tending to execute upon these of our Religion a general Massacre by which wee are deterred to wait on your Lordships not having security for the safety of our lives but rather to stand upon our Guard till we shall be secured from perills Nevertheless we all protest to continue faithfull advisers and furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present state of this Kingdome and the safety thereof Your Lordships humble servants Fingale Germaston Slame Dunsany Netervile Oliver Lowth Trimbleston Dec. 7. 1641. To this Letter the State gives answer by Proclamation with all satisfaction to the Lords to remove all misunderstandings and clear Sir Charls Coot from any such pretended speeches or any intention thereto and pray the Lords to attend the Board on the seventeenth day after But not prevailing Netervile and others of the Pale gather forces and quarter at Swores within six miles of Dublin and there encamped To whom the State send theiâ— warrant Immediately upon sight hereof to disband and separate and that Netervile and six other principal persons amongst them do appear to morrow morning at ten a Clock before the Council upon their utmost perills  Ormond Ossery c. Dec. 9. 1641. To which they answer That for the safety of their lives they were constrained to meet and resolve so to continue till they might be assured of their lives Hereupon by publique Proclamation the Earl of Ormond Lieutenant General of the Army hath warrant to suppress them and to bring up such shipping and vessels to the new Crane at Dublin and to destroy the rest the fourteenth of December The Rebels now declare Germanston general of their forces in the Pale Hugh Birne Lieutenant General and the Earl of Fingale General of their Horse and several Commissions to raise forces and in a very seemly order and proportion frame an Army with all manner of provisions accordingly The sad condition of Ireland was very often recommended to the King and Parliament of England with a proposition 10000. Scots to be sent over from Scotland with Letters met the King at his return from thence to London And Commissioners out of Scotland arrived at London to treat with the Parliament therein they make offer of 10000. men provided to receive forth an advance of 30000. l. of brotherly assistance to be afforded them by the Kingdom of England to have shipping for their transport and upon Landing in Ireland to have 100 horse joyn with each 1000 foot but to receive order and to obey their Scotish General which was condescended unto and great hopes of the effeâ—ts specially that the Parliament was so very often urged thereto by his Majesties several speeches as that of the fourteenth of December 1641. More he could not say or offer to do in person therein But ah alas all was delaied and nothing performed for the Parliament was more busied to quarrel their priviledges with the King and the house of Commons utterly refused to send any English Forces which the Lords proposed to be 1000. Foot so that Dublin began to be nearly distressed All the provinces of Munster likewise in rebellion The State therefore again send over Letters into England That the Rebells were formidable 20000 in a Body besides several other Brigadoes in divers Counties and complain that of the 20000. l. lately sent to them they received but 16000. But in fine the last of December arrives Sir Simon Harcourt with his Regiment out of England Tredagh was now beset on all sides by Sea and Land all ways of entercourse to Dublin stopped divers designs were devised for conveyance of intelligence thither And now upon this grand confedaracy of Meath and Lowth they style themselves the Catholique Army The Town increased their Fortifications Breast works before each Gate Platforms in convenient places where the walls were defective centinels put to their stands Ordnances mounted abundance
witness that he shall not fail on his part Ian. 20. It is true that the misery of Ireland cried out for Relief and as often the King enforced the consideration offering Propositions very probable which the Parliament always declined But the Scots having a fair Interest there in their British Plantations and a Committee being a foot to that purpose the Scots seeming very forward to do somewhat and to involve their Propositions together with their general Proposals of the Treaty of Peace make these Offers to transport two thousand and five hundred Scots into Ireland meaning thereby to hasten the end of theâ—r Treaty But upon these Articles That Provisions of Victuals be presently sent to Carrickfergus to be sold to the Scots Souldiers answerable to their Pay They to have the command of that Castle and Town to remain there or to enlarge their own Quarters into the Countrey That Match Pouder and Ball be sent from hence but what Arms Ammunition or Artillery shall go from Scotland with their Forces the same shall be supplied into Scotland out of England That a part of the brotherly Assistance thirty thousand pounds be advanced to them presently which though in proportion came but to seven thousand and five hundred pounds yet they crave ten thousand pounds for their encouragement That their Pay which was condiscended to commence from the eight of December last may be advanced to the eighth of February next when they hoped to march To have Ships of Convoy And that all this may be done without prejudice to their Treatie Jan. 24. The two Houses having swallowed these Propositions the Kings consent was desired but excepts very sparingly against the third Article as somewhat prejudicial to the Crown of England and desires conference with the Scots Commissioners there which being long disputed and the strength of the Kings Argument implying too great a trust for Auxiliary Forces in them To which they reply that they hoped that his Majesty being their native would not shew less trust in them than in the Neighbour Nation seeing his two Houses had consented yet although the Reason bore little force as the Kings condition now stood yet to take away all Delays of Dispute he condiscended And the Scots Commissioners following the King out of Scotland interpose Mediation between the King and Parliament in several private Addresses and in some Propositions in writing so effectually to the Parliaments purpose and their Designing that Mr. Pym is sent specially to give them Thanks on Saturday the twenty second of Ianuary My Lords We are commanded to present to you their affectionate Thanks for your wise Counsels and faithfull advice given to his Sacred Majestie for the appeasing and removing of the present Distraction and Distempers of this State My Lords The House of Commons are very sensible and do tenderly and affectionately consider that this your dutifull and faithfull advice is a large testimonie of your fidelitie to the King affection to this State and of wisdom for honour securitie and peace of his Majesâ—ie and both Kingdoms and not onely very acceptable to this House but likewise of great advantage to both Nations They clearly perceive you rightly understand the causes of our Distempers and your carefull endeavours to complie with them in the quieting and removing of the same that the brotherly Communion lately confirmed by both Parliaments of England and Scotland binde them both to maintain the peace and liberties of one another being highly concerned equally therein as the assured means of the safetie and preservation of both and being so united the Disturbance of the one must needs disquiet and distemper the peace of the other as hath been often acknowledged by them both They are likewise sensible that those waies which you advise are the onely means to settle peace and unitie in this Kingdom viz. First to endeavour a right understanding between his Majestie and his People by which he may truly see the real causes of these Disturbances and their Authours who are his faithfull and loyal Subjects his faithfull and dutifull Counsellours and who not by which means the brotherly affection betwixt the two Nations shall be confirmed to the glorie of God and peace of the Church and State of both Kingdoms their unitie advanced and all mistakes and jealousies betwixt his Majestie and this Kingdom removed and the establishment of the affairs settled in perpetual peace and tranquillitie the Liberties and Privileges of his Subjects freely enjoyed under his royal Scepter which is the most assured Foundation of his Majesties honour and greatness of the securitie of his royal Person Crown and Dignitie Secondly the removal and prevention of all such plots and practises entertained by the Papists Prelates and their Adherents whose aim in all these Troubles hath been to prevent all further Reformation and to subvert the puritie and truth of Religion their constant endeavours have been to stir up Division betwixt his Majestie and his People by their questioning the Authoritie of Parliaments and the lawfull Liberties of the Subjects and really weakening his Majesties power and authoritie royal upon pretence of defending the same which mischievous Counsels Conspiracies and Attempts have produced these Distempers in his Majesties Kingdoms of England and Ireland Thirdly that his Majestie would be pleased to have recourse onely to the faithfull advise of his Parliament and to depend thereupon as the happie means to establish the prosperitie and quiet of this Kingdom and in his royal wisdom to consider and prevent these Apprehensions of fear which may possess the hearts of his Majesties Subjects in his other Kingdoms if they shall conceive the Authoritie of Parliaments and the Rights and Liberties of the Subjects to be here called in question My Lords these your faithfull and loyal Propositions is the greatest Demonstration of your affections faithfully united and devâ—tâ—d to the securitie of his Majestie and your heartie Wishes and Desires of the peace and prosperitie as well of his Majesties Kingdom of England as Scotland and Ireland these Propositions have been the onely endeavours and intentions of his Majesties high Court of Parliament to effect and make manifest to all men and in any other means whatsoever that shall by you be conceived necessary to the composing and settling of these present Distractions they declare themselves desirous to have the same communicated unto them and they shall be right joyfull and thankfull therefore and will willingly and chearfully joyn with you in the same The House of Commons having an itching desire of power had moved the Upper House to joyn with them for obtaining the command of the Tower and mannagement of the Militia and being refused therein yet they will not be beaten off but singly of themselves petition the King for them both and other principal Forts of the Kingdom and pray for his gracious and speedy Answer Ian. 26. That his Majestie having preferred to the Lieutenancie of the Tower a person
Parliament here after he had â—itted Supplies thither from Scotland and after his return hither he observed such forms for that service as his Council in Ireland did advise they desiring the Proclamation no sooner nor so many by twenty to be by him signed which he did and printed them for haste and sent them over which divers of the Members of both Houses here well know who are the more to blame to suffer such an envious aspersion upon the King when themselves could satisfie the action And wishes that they could with aâ— good a conscience call God to witness that all their counsels and endeavours have been free from private aims personal respects or passions whatsoever as he hath done and does And was it not time for our Brethren of Scotland to put in their Sickle into our Harvest besides their being invited their late entertainment of Fidlers have in England set their wheel a going The King had written a Letter to his Scotish privy Council there of the State of his affairs here Declaring and clearing such imputations which the Parliament endeavoured to fix upon him and his mis-governing together with the indignities and intrenchments upon his person and honour which he is assured will be tender in their natural affection rather to be kindled than extinguished by his distress to which their Covenant bindes them by Oath and Subscription and clears the calumniation to be popishly affected to be guilty of the bloudshed in Ireland to bring in foreign Forces Wherein he calls God to witness he is falsly aspersed And who ever hereafter shall distrust this his Declaration the fault is in the malignitie of their rebellious humours and no ways deserved by him This so wrought upon the hearts of the Scots for that time that I know not how such a Petition was framed by the Nobility and people of the whole Nation and presented to the Council as more could not be required from the most faithfull and indulgent Subject humbly shewing in effect That to call in question the Kings royal zeal and resolution of preserving the Religion Laws and Liberties of these his Kingdoms is so undoubted as after so many reiterated asseverations emitted in his Declarations and Answers and so many evidences of his justice and wisdom cannot be conserved in any but an unchristian distrust And therefore justly challenges from them all due respect to his sacred Majestie by so many ties and titles so much professed and promised by them in their solemn Oath and national Covenant and Oath at his Coronation to defend and maintain the person greatness and authoritie of our dread Sovereign as by the Act of General Assemblie we have all sworn and signed and therefore are bound to represent to their Lordships their humble desires to be assured and known to his Majestie of their loyaltie and resolution And that some course may be taken to the view of the world that they intend the brotherly and blessed conjunction of both Nations happily united in loyaltie and subjection to our Sovereign tending nor intending as they attest God the Searcher of all hearts for any other end but performance of their humble dutie to their dread Sovereign to which they are bound by all ties of Nature Christianitie and Gratitude and to which they crave their Lordships to contribute their wisdoms and and speedie answer hereto May 20. A man would be amazed to finde other effects hereafter of this most serious Protestation which in a word came to this end they sold this their dread Sovereign Lord and King to the death and execution for a piece of money The Parliament hear of this and turn the Scale for eight days after the Scots Council do declare their earnest desires both to King and Parliament to joyn in a perfect union imbracing his Majesties expressions to them of his religious care of the Liberties and Laws of both Kingdomes And do in like manner with brotherly reciprocal affections acknowledg the care and zeal of the Parliament of England to keep a right undâ—rstanding betwixt the two Nations as both the Parliaments have avowed to each other And although they neither will nor should meddle with publick actions of any other Kingdom but as they are called yet since the Parliament of England have drawn the former practices of the Parliament of Scotland into example of Declaration they humbly desire the King to hearken to his greatest his best and most unparalleld Council And utterly disswade the King from any personal journey into Ireland and that a Mediation may be at home ere the wound be wider or the breach deeper To which end they have sent with this Message the E. Loudon Chancellour of Scotland who will give a more full declaration of their minde and desires which in fine came out to be A large Manifestation of their true and heartie affection to the Parliament of England protesting to do nothing contrary to them in their Privileges May 28. Nay after all this the old accustomed Rabble meet at Edinburgh and hearing of the late Letters from the King with the petitionary Answer and the late Message from the Council to the King by the Lord Loudon and finding the affairs of England likely to bring Grist to their Mill these Multitudes I say being as they style themselves The intire bodie of the Kingdom petition or rather threaten the Kings privy Council there not to meddle with any verbal or real ingagement for the King against the Parliament of England And so from that time forward we finde them covenanting to the destructive conclusion as hereafter follows Upon all these Scotish passages the Parliament of England do Protest That those sufferings expressed in those Papers betwixt his Majestie and the Parliament cannot be imputed to any actions of ours who endeavoured with all fidelitie the happiness of his Majestie labouring to take the blame from the King and to lay it on his evil Councils And as touching the Petition we with much contentment and thankfulness observe the faithfulness and good affection of our dear Brethren of Scotland to prevent all Iealousies so timely expressed to the Lords of the Council and we shall never cease to answer their great care with the like diligent endeavours to promote the honour wealth and happiness of that Nation and to preserve the unitie so strongly fortified by mutual interest and affections on both sides And desire the English Commissioners to assure the Scots Commissioners how heartily and joyfully we imbrace their kindness manifested in that Petition Hoping that this constant and inviolable amitie between us and them will prove very usefull for the advantage and securitie of both which it did for a time and ruine to both hereafter In what a miserable condition is the Kingdom when King and Parliament are so divided What not one wise man amongst them Yes truly the Earl of Bristol had a large sense thereof and in this strait he moves for
favour and grace by many Acts they would devise their Reasons of fear That he meant never to observe them To others that were deterred to consider the effects of abusing so gracious a Sovereign they would perswade them That those about the King could work him to their wills Then they get all the Militia and power of the Kingdom into their hands garison Hull and Hotham their Governour there and the Tower of London brought under subjection of one of their own and so with continual vexations caused the King to withdraw his person and to secure the Queen to pass beyond the Seas and himself to retire towards the North. What hath happened since his coming to York is so notorious as with amazement to all parts of Christendom to see the wisdom courage affection and loyalty of the English Nation so far shrunk and confounded by malice cunning industry of persons contemptible in number inconsiderable in fortune and reputation united onely by guilt and conspiracy against the King Treason licensed in Pulpits persons ignorant in learning seditious in disposition scandalous in life unconformable to Laws are the onely men recommended to authority and poweâ— to impoison the mindes of the multitude The Kings goods money and what not seized from him and to make the scorn compleat he must be perswaded That all is done for his good Opinions and Resolutions imposed upon him by Votes and Declarations That the King intends to levie war and then Arms are taken up to destroy him All Actions of his for his advantage are straightway voted illegal All the great Officers of State coming to the King are pursued with Warrants to all Mayors Justices Sheriffs and others to apprehend them compelling the Countries to take Arms against the King His Ships are taken from him and the Earl of Warwick made Admiral in despite of the King And after all this Mr. Martin should say That the Kings Office is forfeitable and the happiness of the Kingdom does not depend on him or any of the regal Branches of that stock And Sir Henry Ludlow should say That the King was not worthy to be King of England and that he hath no Negative Voice that he is fairly dealt with that he is not deposed that if they did that there would be neither want of modestie or dutie in them They publish scandalous Declarations commit his great Officers for doing their duties Raise an Army and chuse the Earl of Essex General with power to kill and slay whom he list They convert the Money given by Act of Parliament for the Discharge of the Kingdoms Debts and for Relief of Ireland and all to serve their turn to war against the King Commit those Lords that are loyal degrade nine Lords at a clap for coming to the King Take Tunnage and Poundage without the Kings consent But can the Nobility Gentry Clergy and Commonalty of England sacrifice their Honour Interest Religion Liberty to the meer sound of a Parliament and Privilege Can their experience Reason and Understanding be captivated by words And then he sums up many of his graces favours freedoms to them and the people And yet into what a Sea of Bloud is the Rage and Fury of these men lanching out to wâ—est that from him which he is bound to defend How have the Laws of Hospitality civility been violated discourses whispers in conversation been examined and persons committed and so kept during pleasure His and the Queens Letters broken open read publickly and commented upon that Christendom abhors to correspond with us Crimes are pretended against some men and they removed for others to be preferred If Monopolies have been granted to the prejudice of the people the calamity will not be less if it be exercised by a good Lord by a Bill now then it was before by a Patent And yet the Earl of Warwick thinks fit to require the Letter Office to be confirmed to him for three Lives at the same time that it is complained of as a Monopoly and without the alteration of any circumstance for the ease of the Subject and this with so much greediness and authority that whilest it was complained of as a Monopoly he procured an Assignment to be made of it to him from the person complained of after he had by his interest stopped the proceedings of the Committee for five Moneths before the Assignment made to him upon pretence that he was concerned in it and desired to be heard And the King concludes all with this Protestation That his quarrel is not against the Parliament but against particular men who first made the wounds and will not suffer them to be cured whom he names and will be ready to prove them guiltie of high Treason And desires that the Lord Kimbolton Mr. Hollis Mr. Pym Mr. Hambden Sir Arthur Haselrig Mr. Strode Mr. Martin Sir Henry Ludlow Ald. Pennington and Capt. Ven may be delivered up to the hands of justice to be tried according to the Laws of the Land Against the Earl of Warwick the Earl of Essex Earl of Stamford Lord Brook Sir John Hotham Major General Skippon and those who shall henceforth exercise the Militia by virtue of the Ordinance he shall cause Indictments of high Treason upon the Statute of 25 Edw. 3. Let them submit to their Trial appointed by Law and plead their Ordinances if they shall be acquitted he hath done And that all his loving Subjects may know that nothing but the preservation of the true Protestant Religion invaded by Brownism Anabaptism and Libertinism the safetie of our person threatned and conspired against by Rebellion and Treason the Law of the Land and Libertie of the Subject oppressed and almost destroyed by an usurped unlimited arbitrarie power and the freedom privilege and dignitie of Parliament awed and insulted upon by force and Tumults could make us put off our long-loved Robe of peace and take up defensive Arms. He once more offers pardon to all those that will desire the same except the persons before named if not he must look upon these Actions as a Rebellion against him and the Law who endeavour to destroy him and his people August 12. 1642. The Parliament had passed an Act for raising of four hundred thousand pounds by Overtures of Adventurers and Contributions and Loans for Relief of Irelaâ—d and Money and Plate was thereafter very heartily brought in to the Parliament when upon the thirtieth of Iuly the vote That the Treasurers appointed to receive the money already come in upon Subscriptions for Ireland do forthwith furnish by way of Loan unto the Committee for defence of the Kingdom one hundred thousand pounds for the supplie of the publick necessitie and defence of this Kingdom upon the Publick Faith Of which the King remembers them and of the Act of Parliament That no part of that money shall be imployed to any other purpose than the reducing of those Rebells And therefore charges the House of Commons as they will answer the
party not bound to observe the Articles but to assist the Parliament in defence of the common cause Octob. 16. And by this President they afterwards would not endure any new triall Upon this score of the common cause Mr. Iohn Fountain a Lawyer at London was desired whâ—t he would please to lend who answered That it was against the Petition of Right to answer Yea or No. Whereupon the House of Commons for that contempt in not giving his Answer at all committed him to the Gate-house declaring further the imbecillity of his judgment or positive refraction to draw on others to the like Errour And such as refuse their Contribution of money or plate are disarmed and if in the least measure active in words or perswasion against the Parliament have the brand of Malignancie their persons secured and within a little time after made Delinquents and forfeâ—t all And because the Earl of Essex gave a deep yellow for his colours every Citizens Dame to the Draggle-tail of her Kitchin had got up that colour of the cause untill the Earl of Pembroke and Mountgomerie in a fume with a Parliament Captain swore That his Turdcolour'â— Skarf should not excuse him from Commitment But some not affecting that color set up others in disdain to the Generals which increasing to a Faction some urging of a Design to be distinguished by these Ribands the Parl. declare That such persons as shall be seen to wear them for distinction shall be forthwith committed and further proceeded against as Malignants endeavouring to set Divisions among the people In the Generals Commission the fourth Article is printed and published That whosoever shall return from the King to the Parliaments Armie within ten Days after Publication shall have reception and pardon excepting persons impeached of Delinquencie or Treason or have been eminent Actors against the Parliament and except the Earls of Bristol Cumberland New-castle Rivers and Carnarvan Secretarie Nicholas Endimion Porter Mr. Edward Hide the Duke of Richmond Viscount Newark Viscount Falkland now principal Secretarie of State to the King And thus marshalled in this order The King having sent over the Queen out of the danger of these Distractions into Holland and remaining at the Hague she made application to the Prince of Orange to whose Son the Princess Maria was maried by whose interest she had the fairer means to promote the Kings affairs with the States of the United Provinces for Arms and Ammunition which had been procured by the Lord Digby there and some Officers sent over to the Kings Army The Parliament having knowledg hereof send over Mr. Walter Strickland a Member of the House of Commons their Residenciary with Credential Letters to the States thus To the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces High and Mighty Lords We are commanded by the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England to signifie unto your Lordships that they have chosen and appointed the Bearer hereof Walter Strickland Esq to repair to your Lordships and to present to you in their Names and in the Name of the whole Kingdom a Declaration and some Propositions and Desires very much importing the maintenance of the Protestant Religion which is the surest Foundation of the safetie and prosperitie of this Kingdom and your State and the ancient amitie between us to the advantage of both desiring your Lordships to give ear to what shall be delivered or propounded to you by him And to expedite your Answer thereunto in such manner as shall stand with your Wisdoms and the due respect of the common good of the State and of your selves which is the earnest desire of Your affectionate Friends and Servants Mandevil Speaker pro tempore for the Lords House William Lenthal Speaker of the House of Commons A Declaration of the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England to the High and Mighty Lords the States of the United Provinces We the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled taking into serious consideration the meanes of composing the great distempers and combustions begun in this Kingdom which threaten the destruction and ruine of it and of all other Protestant Princes and States have thought good to make this Declaration to the High and Mightie Lords the States of the United Provinces That we under stand by a Letter of the Lord Digby a person fled out of this Kingdom for high Treason That as he often endeavoured by his wicked and malicious counsels to make division between his Majestie and the Parliament and hath been in great part the cause of that miserable and unnatural War which is made against us by his Majestie so he hath laboured by all means in the United Provinces to provide Arms Powder and Ammunition for the fomenting of that War and making it more dangerous to this Kingdom and for this purpose did address himself to the Prince of Orange by whose countenance and help as we are informed by the Lord Digby's own Letters he hath made provision of great quantities of Ordnance Powder Arms and divers other sorts of warlike provision And we are further informed by credible advertisement that the Prince of Orange in favour of the Lord Digby and those other wicked Counsellours and Incendiaries who being joyned together in these mischievous practises against the peace of this Kingdom hath not onely licensed but the better to encourage divers Commanders experienced Officers and Souldiers to resort into this Kingdom in aid of them against the Parliament hath promised to reserve their places for them in their absence and doth cause other provision of the same kinde to be made and prepared to be sent over for their supplie to the great hurt of this Kingdom and the danger of interrupting the most necessarie profitable and long continued amitie between the two States We further desire to let them know that we cannot believe that this is done by any authoritie or direction from their Lordships considering the great help that they have received from this Kingdom when heretofore they lay under the heavie oppression of their Princes and how conducible the friendship of this Nation concurring with the wisdom valour and industrie of their own people hath been to the greatness and power which they now enjoy Neither can we think that they will be forward to help to make us slaves who have been usefull and assistant in making them free-men Or that they will forget that our Troubles and Dangers issue from the same Fountain with their own and that those who are set a work to undermine Religion and Libertie in the Kingdome are the same which by open force did seek to bereave them of both It cannot be unknown to that wise State that it is the Iesuitical Faction here that hath corrupted the counsels of our King the consciences of a greaâ— part of our Clergie which hath plotted so many mischievous Designs to destroy the Parliament and still endeavoureth to divide Ireland from
Earl of Essex to Brainford so near the King and if peace had been intended by the Parliament it would be conceived more proper to have sent to the King rather a Paper of just Propositions than an unjust Accusation of his Councils proceedings and person And his Majesty sent them word that he intends to march to such a distance from London that may take away all pretence of apprehension from his Armie that may hinder them from yet preparing Propositions of peace to present him and thereby to receive them or end these pressures and miseries I am the more curious in the controversion of this Accident to relate the Narrative and leave the Censure to the Readers impartiality And now again the four and twentieth of November the Parliament with their old Mode petition the King to return to his Parliament with his Royal not his Martial Attendance and they shall be ready to give him Assurances of such security as may be for his honour and the safety of his person To which the King answers with so much reason confuting their pretended loyal desires by the effects of their violence against him from the first of their Petitions of this kinde remindes them of their pretensions and of his candid and gracious offers and actions wishes that his Declarations Protestations Messages Answers and Replies to the Parliament were ingenuously published by them to undeceive his people abused into misbelief of him and his best actions and so returns to Reading The effect of all this intended Address for Accommodation rather increased a more desperate Division between the King and Parliament by a far stretched exasperating Relation styling it The barbarous and cruel passages of the Kings Armie at Brainford The Preamble belcheth out such unnatural inhumane and strange cruelties which send forth a voice and that voice so loud that it awakes even secure mankinde and stirs up their bowels to an inflamed and united indignation like the divided pieces of that woman abused to death c. There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came out of Egypt c. It is a Lamentation and to be taken up for a Lamentation no such thing hath been done since England came out of the Egypt of Rome Acts so far out of ken and view of Christianitie that they are void of humanitie yea short of the nature of wilde beasts c. And a great deal more of such stuff that a man might be amazed to finde the Parliaments Order for the speedy imprinting it Nov. 24. Then follows the Relation so poorly penned so short of expectation so pitifully expressed and yet so far differing from the truth being within the ken of last days remembrance that in earnest I need not confirm it with Rhetorick that these times took up a liberty to amaze the people with even Impossibilities which yet were believed Some reputation the Kings successes here took with his Friends beyond Seas that by a Letter written from the Hague to Secretary Nicholas intercepted and read in the House it appears what effect it wrought Which successes of the King hath supported our credits here says the Letter that the Prince of Orange hath advanced all those sums we are to expect from him of which twenty thousand pounds are sent towards you as much to New-castle and as much at least we bring with us besides the great business we expect a final end of this day which will advance sixty thousand pounds more We have sent over ten thousand Foot Arms two thousand Horse Arms twenty Pieces of Canon we bring over Wagons and all Accommodation to march so soon as we arrive with considerable Officers from hence and by the advice we receâ—â—â— from that side there are eight thousand Foot already six Troops of Horse and the rest will not be long a raising after we come there General King is designed for Lieutenant General he hath been with the Queen and will be suddenly there From Denmark are likewise sent Arms for ten thousand Foot and two thousand five hundred Horse with a Train of Artillerie and every thing proportionable to the very Drums and Halberds Two good Men of War come their Convoy and in them an Ambassadour to his Majestie a person of great qualitie from Denmark Cokram comes along with him We have great apprehensions here intimated by my Lord of Holland of a Treatie entered into c. Hague Nov. 22. 1642. And this supposed to be from Colonel Goring or rather so set out by the Parliament for at the publishing of this Letter they shew so much Danger as necessarily to require thirty thousand pounds to be lent by the City on Tuesday next that the Ministers are required to stir up their Parishioners and the Church-wardens to assemble their Parish to morrow after Sermon and on Munday next the Money is to be brought in at Guild-hall which they shall raise of Contribution From Saturday to Tuesday thirty thousand pounds Loan and God knows how much Church-offerings and all upon a ranting Letter made up for that purpose 'T is true that afterwards supplies of Arms and Money did arrive but as yet no certainty but by intelligence from beyond Seas which you see did their work in earnest for borrowing Money Since the first of December to the tenth the state of the military affairs in the North stand thus the Earl of Newcastle for the King came to York and joyned his Forces to the Earl of Cumberlands making in all eight thousand Horse and Foot of which there are above two thousand Horse Dragoons a strength too potent to be resisted by the Lord Fairfax who now had Commission for the command of the North for the Parliament for upon Newcastle's coming over the Tees Sir Edward Loftus with all the Richmondshire Forces and Sir Henry Anderson with those of Cleveland about a thousand returned home to their houses so that the whole strength of the North is but one and twenty Companies of Foot and seven Troops of Horse and one Company of Dragoons That Captain Hotham is made Lieutenant General under Fairfax and the rest with Fairfax at Tadcaster but both of them joyned upon the coming of the Earl of Newcastle to Tadcaster where the several Forces encounter from eleven a clock till four in the evening in a sharp dispute the Earl had won part of the Town beaten Fairfax's men and placed some Companies in several houses which were forced back again to a Retreat and an hundred slain and seventeen Prisoners The Parliament party lost but six men they say and Captain Lister shot into the head and twenty more desperately wounded but not being able to sit it out for a second Encounter the Lord Fairfax quitted the Town and marched to Cawood and Selbie to receive Supplies dividing their Army into those places From Selbie Sir Thomas Fairfax is sent with five Companies and two Troops to Leeds but was forced back again That the
Companies of Horse under command of Sir Charls Cavendish Brother to the Earl of Newcastle the Enemy having left within Nottingham a thousand Foot The Queen marched with three thousand Foot thirty Companies of Horse and Dragoons six Pieces of Cannon and two Morters Mr. Iermin commanding all these Forces as Colonel of her Guard and Sir Alexander Lesley a traiterous cowardly murderous Scot ordered the Foot and Sir Gerard the Horse and Captain Leg the Artillery and her Majesty Generalissima extremely diligent with an hundred and fifty Wagons The King and Queen met at Edg-hill the first time since she landed out of Holland and so to Oxford where she continued till the seventeenth of April the next year and then she took her last leave of the King at Abington for the West and was brought to Bed at Exeter of a Daughter the sixteenth of Iune named Henrieta Maria and afterwards in Cornwall she passed over to France lands at Brest the fifteenth of Iuly and so to Paris where she since continues a sad sorrowfull afflicted Princess with incomparable sufferings which she hath undergone And now comes over an Ambassadour from France Monsieur Harcourt to mediate an Accommodation between the King and Parliament but prevailed not and so returned it being rather a flourish from the policy of Cardinal Mazarine to pry into the Actions of this great Difference and so to set them at a greater distance for it was Richlien's Master-piece to frame the Quarrel first and now for Mazarine not unlike to put them far asunder And presently after is Sir William Armin sent to Edinburgh from the Parliament to hasten the Scots Army hither having first sworn to the Solemn League and Covenant each to other The English Presbyters now scotiâ—ied throughout take Example by the Brethrens Principles in their former Insurrections of Scotland and therefore as they did heretofore so now the Parliament engage that Nation in a strict solemn League by Vow Oath and Covenant taken by the Parliament and afterwards sent down to all the Counties in England and Wales upon which the King observes That the Presbyterian Scots are not to be hired at the ordinary Rate of Auxiliaries nothing will induce them to engage till those that call them in have pawned their Souls to them by a solemn League and Covenant Where many Engines of religious and fair pretensions are brought chiefly to batter or rase Episcopacy This they make the grand evil Spirit which with some other Imps purposely added to make it more odious and terrible to the Vulgar must by so solemn a Charm and Exorcism be cast out of this Church after more than a thousand years possession here from the first plantation of Christianity in this Island and an universal prescription of time and practice in all other Churches since the Apostle's times till this last Century But no Antiquity must plead for it Presbytery like a young Heir thinks the Father hath lived long enough and impatient not to be in the Bishop's Chair and Authority though Lay-men go away with the Revenues all Art is used to sink Episcopacy and lanch Presbytery in England which was lately buoyed up in Scotland by the like artifice of a Covenant Although I am unsatisfied with many passages in that Covenant some referring to my self with very dubious and dangerous limitations yet I chiefly wonder at the Design and drift touching the Discipline and Governmet of the Church and such a manner of carrying them on to new ways by Oaths and Covenants where it is hard for men to be engaged by no less than swearing for or against those things which are of no clear moral necessity but very disputable and controverted among learned and godly men whereto the application of Oaths can hardly be made and enjoyned with that judgment and certainty in one's self or that charity and candour to others of different opinion as I think Religion requires which never refuses fair and equable Deliberations yea and Dissentings too in matters onely probable The enjoining of Oaths upon People must needs in things doubtfull be dangerous as in things unlawfull damnable and no less superfluous where former religious and legal Engagements bound men sufficiently to all necessary duties Nor can I see how they will reconcile such an Innovating Oath and Covenant with that former Protestation which was so lately taken to maintain the Religion established in the Church of England since they account Discipline so great a part of Religion Bâ—t ambitious mindes never think they have laid Snares and Gins enough to catch and hold the Vulgar credulity for by such politick and seemingly pious Stratagems they think to keep the populacie fast to their parties under the terrour of perjurie Whereas certainly all honest and wise men ever thought themselves sufficiently bound by former ties of Religion Allegiance and Laws to God and Man Nor can such after-contracts devised and imposed by a few men in a declared partie without my consent and without any like power or precedent from God's or Man's Laws be ever thought by judicious men sufficient either to absolve or slacken those moral and eternal bonds of dutie which lie upon all my Subjects consciences both to God and me Yet as things now stand good men shall least offend God or me by keeping their Covenant in honest and lawfull ways since I have the charity to think that the chief end of the Covenant in such mens intentions was to preserve Religion in purity and the Kingdoms in peace To other than such ends and means they cannot think themselves engaged nor will those that have any true touches of conscience endeavour to carry on the best Designs much less such as are and will be daily more apparently factious and ambitious by any unlawfull means under that title of the Covenant unless they dare prefer ambiguous dangerous and un-authorized novelties before their known and sworn Duties which are indispensible both to God and my self I am prone to believe and hope That many who took the Covenant are yet firm to this judgment That such later Vows Oaths or Leagues can never blot out those former Gravings and Characters which by just and lawfull Oaths were made upon their Souls That which makes such Confederations by way of solemn Leagues and Covenants more to be suspected is That they are the common Road used in all factious and powerfull perturbations of State or Church where formalities of extraordinary zeal and piety are never more studied and elaborate than when Politicians most agitate desperate Designs against all that is setled or sacred in Religion and Laws which by such Scrâ—â—es are cunningly yet forcibly wrested by secret steps and less sensible degrees from their known Rule and wonted Practice to comply with the humours of those men who aim to subdue all to their own will and power under the Disguises of holy Combinations Which Cords and Wit hs will hold mens Consciences no longer than force
the Breaches of the State without the Ruines of the Church as I would be a Restorer of the one so I would not be an Oppressor of the other under the pretence of Publick Debts The Occasions contracting them were bad enough but such a discharging of them would be much worse I pray God neither I nor mine may be accessory to either And now dies Mr. Iohn Pym a Member of the House of Commons and a notable stickler for the Parliament he was ever observed to be an high Prebyterian in profession whose subtilty managed the most of their publick affair and ended his days when he had wrangled for the Mastery and left all in great doubt which party might overcome not without some regret and repentance they say that these Differences which he hatched should prove so desperate as he now too late fore saw would undo this Nation In the midst of May it was that Colonel Nath Fines Governour of the City of Bristol had discovered a Plot of the Inhabitants to betray the Town which after much Examination lighted upon Robert Yeomans and George Bourchier who had secretly provided themselves of Arms intending to kill the Centinels by night and possess the Main Guard whereby to master the greatest part of the other side within the Town to kill the Mayor and many others affected to the Parliament and by that means to betray the City to the Kings Forces which should lodg near hand for that purpose two miles off but the Plot pretended was discovered and those men condemned by a Council of War to be hanged This was known at Oxford whereupon the Kings Lord Lieut. of all his Forces the Lord Ruthen lately made Earl of Forth writes to the Governour of Bristol I having been informed that lately at a Council of War you have condemned to death Robert Yeomans late Sheriff of Bristol who hath his Majesties Commission for raising a Regiment for his Service William Yeomans his Brother George Bourchier and Edward Dacres all for expressing their loyalty to his Majesty and endeavouring his Service according to their Allegeance do therefore signifie to you that I intend speedily to put Mr. George Mr. Stevens Captain Huntley and others taken in Rebellion at Cirencester into the same condition I do further advise you that if you offer by that unjust Iudgment to execute any of them that those here in custodie must expect no favour or mercie At Oxford May 16. 1643. To the Commander in chief of the Council of War in Bristol Forth The Answer comes from the Governour Colonel Nathaniel Fines and the Council of War at Bristol in effect That if you shall not make distinction between Souldiers of Arms and secret Spies and Conspirators we will not onely proceed against them but others and if by any inhumane and unsouldierlike Sentence you shall execute those persons you named then Sir Walter Pye Sir William Crofts and Colonel Connesby and others whom we have here in custodie must expect no favour or mercie May 18. 1643. Nath. Fines President c. To Patrick Earl of Forth Lord Lieutenant General And so notwithstanding the Kings Letter also to the Mayor and Citizens in their behalf Yeomans and Bourchier were hanged May 30. There was a Plot discovered at London the last of May against the Cities of London and Westminster and by consequence the whole Parliament the chief of the Conspiracy were Mr. Waller a Member of the House of Commons Mr. Tomkins his Brother in Law and lately Clerk of the Queens Council Mr. Chaloner Mr. Hasel Mr. Blinkhorn Mr. White and others As for the Plot we have ravelled into the search of the truth but must take it from the Parliaments Declaration That they should seize into their custodie the Kings Children some Members of the Parliament the Lord Mayor and Committee of Militia all the Cities Out-works and Forts the Tower of London and all the Magazines Then to let in the Kings Forces to surprize the Citie and destroy all Opposers and to resist all payments of Taxes And much heartened they were by a Commission of Array sent from Oxford at that time and brought secretly by the Lady Aubigne Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk Widow of the late Lord Aubigne wounded at Edg-hill and died at Oxford the thirteenth of Ianuary This Commission was directed to Sir Nicholas Crisp and divers others This Plot was discovered the last of May. They were arreigned in publick at Guild-hall and all those four named condemned onely Tomkins and Chaloner executed the first 〈…〉 Door in Holborn the other in Corn-hill but the chief Conspirator Waller was by General Essex reprieved imprisoned a twelve-moneth in the Tower and after for a Fine of ten thousand pounds pardoned and for shame sent to travel into France The reason is much studied for satisfying the World why he the chief Actor the other but brought in by the by should receive such partial Justice because he was ingenious and confessed all and Mr. Pym had engaged his promise for his Life but certainly the most evident Reason is very apparent his great Sum of Money paid down and belike his ample confession of the particulars which the other at their death did not acknowledg Iuly 5. The Parliament having been put to it in want of the great Seal of England now at Oxford for confirmation of their Acts and Ordinances it had been oftentimes disputed and committed the making of another Seal for the use of the Parliament yet deferred the times not â—itted for so great a business the renewing of the Treaty being offered at on both sides But now the Parliament pass four Votes 1. That it is necessary the Great Seal to attend the Houses 2. That there hath been a failer of it at this Parliament 3. Much prejudice to the King Parliament and Kingdom 4. That the Houses ought to provide a Remedie thereof for the time to come Afterwards they made an Order That if the Lord Keeper Littleton upon Summons did not return with the great Seal within fourteen days he should lose his Place and whatever should be sealed therewith by him after that time should be null and vacate in Law A worthy Member desired the Serjeant at Law that ordered the Ordinance not to wade too far in the business before he did consult the Statute of 25 Edward 3. where Counterfeiting the Great Seal is declared high Treason To which the Serjeant replied That he purposed not to counterfeit the old Seal but to make a new Indeed the Parliament being the highest Court and Council had shewn their legislative power by passing Ordinances without the Kings assent to binde the Subject in the exercise of the Militia and that there wanted nothing but the executive part with a Great Seal for the administring justice in all Courts of Law and Equity which would sufficiently declare their power in all necessary Incidents of that supreme Council That since inferiour Courts had their proper Seals the
of answering these they ran quite away leaving the Field with five hundred Muskets fourteen Barrels of Pouder a whole Stand of Pikes with some Arms but their Cannon they got off This Fight lasted form two a clock afternoon till one the next morning These aforesaid we finde slain with eight Officers and some Gentlemen of note Mr. Leak Son to the Lord Daincourt found dead at day-light with his Enemies Colours about his arm Mr. Barker Lieutenant Colonel Wall Serjeant Major Lower Captain Iames Captain Chalwell and Mr. Bostard But then it is said that Waller's Foot were absolutely dispersed or cut off with great loss of Officers Horse and Foot modestly reported onely it is assured the Cavaliers kept the Field Arms and Pillage and such other signs of Victory And this was done the fifth of Iuly Whilest Waller fights their General Essex solicites the Parliament with Letters inclining to petition for a Peace which though it took well with some Lords yet being read to the Commons Mr. Vassal a London Burgess desired that their General should be pressed to speak more plainly and that if after the expence of two Millions of Treasure he had a minde to lay down Arms he should let them know it that as good a Souldier as he should take them up meaning Sir Will. Waller who was generally cried up by the City untill they heard of his Defeat near the Devises Round-way-down whither the King having sent some Troops of Horse towards the West which came within three Miles of the Devises were met with by Waller's Forces being on the Down between the Cavaliers and the Town to hinder their joyning with the rest of the Army Some Regiments of Horse on each side began the fight with equal success till Waller's Horse made â— Retreat to their Strength which lay on a Hill where he was and drew out his Foot and commanded the Onset but his Horse not enduring the hazzard left the Foot to their Enemies Sword or mercifull Quarter hundreds of them slain and more Prisoners taken four fair Brass Guns Ammunition and Baggage eight and twenty Colours and nine Corners I wonder at this Defeat for Sir William Waller had advantage of number in Men and Arms five Regiments of Foot six of Horse five hundred Dragoons eight Brass Guns It is confest that the Cavaliers were but fifteen hundred Horse additional to the other Forces with two small Pieces of Cannon And to adorn the Victory the Queen made her triumphant Entry into Oxford that day her Return from beyond Seas And on the other side to encourage Sir William Waller at this time when their Generalissimo was suspected the Parliament voted to make and confirm Leases of the Office of Botelier of England a Place of good profit and credit both The twelfth of August the Earl of Lindsey Great Chamberlain of England was welcomed to Oxford from his Restraint and Imprisonment since Edg-hill Fight being now received by the Queen Council and Court with all Expressions of Honour to him and more could not be done for the present in respect of the Kings absence at Gloâ—ester Siege The five and 20. of August the Earls of Bedford and Holland went from London towards Oxford and being gotten to Wallingford intrusted themselves with the Kings Forces untill their coming to submit to his Majesty in the mean time they are received by the Governour Colonel Blagge with honourable respect and so at last they were brought to the King professing their Duty and Allegeance and acknowledging their Errours this long time whom the King received with favour and forgiveness They held not out in this their Protestation but fled back again to the Parliament The Committees of Nottingham and Lincoln held intelligence with some Prisoners of theirs in the Marshals â—ustody at Newark whom they designed to blow up or to surprize the Magazine there whilest they had some favour and freedom of the Goaler their Letter conveyed to the Imprisoned discovers as much as will be necessary to know the men more than the matter Gentlemen and Prisoners for the Lord Jesus our long laboured Design is now ripe Your care is expected according to your faith and promise We doubt not but the opportunity of the Liberty afforded you may advance the good Cause The Magazine is near enough to you Give notice to our Brâ—thren under the Provost Marshall Blessed is that Servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall finde so doing Matth. 24. 46. The appointed time holdeth which we hope to our hands Lift up your heads for your Redemption draweth nigh Luke 21. 28. Whereâ—ore comfort one another with these words 2. Thess. 4. 18. The rest will we set in order when we come 1 Cor. 11. 24. Greet all the Brethren 1 Thess. 5. 26. The Lord establish the Work of our hands upon us Work of our hands establish he it Psal. 90. is the Prayer of Yours in the Lord The Committee of Nottingham and Lincoln Scripture is often made use of by the Sectaries to factious and seditious ends and here to the hazzard of Murder the easiest terms I can afford them The Lecturers were the most busie meddling men even so as ever have been the Kiâ—kmen of Scotland and therefore Mr. Saltmarsh a seditious Minister contrived certain Propositions of Counsel which were read in the House amongst many were these 1. That all means should be used to keep the King and his People from sudden union 2. To cherish the War under the Notion of Popery as the surest means to engage the People 3. If the King would not grant their Demands then to root him out and the royal Line and collate the Crown upon some body else This last was too harsh to be swallowed by reasonable good men who excepted against it but Mr. Henry Martin said He saw no reason to condemn Mr. Saltmarsh adding That it were better one Family should be destroyed than many To which Mr. Nevil Pool replied That Mr. Martin might explain what One Family he meant Martin bold and beastly answers The King and his Children For which Speech before the time was ripe to discover that Secret he was voted a Prisoner to the Tower Mr. Pym himself urging upon him his extreme lewdness of life but this punishment was but to cool the heat of the House for that time for Martin was soon released upon the change of the Lieutenant of the Tower forthwith following The Recruits of the Army fell heavy upon the City of London who were caressed with all kindness to finish the Work and to set out Sir William Waller again and to win upon them Sir Edward Coniers was commanded to surrender his Lieutenancy of the Tower unto Pennington the Mayor of London and so Mistris Mayoress was quit with Mistris Ven that she should be Governess of Windsor Prison as she called it and thereby command over Souldiers which was a power she now might equal with hers
confined by the Parliament at VVestminster Earl of Chesterfield and the Lord Mountague of Boughton These Members then disabled by Accidents have appeared since Peter Venebles Sir Io. Pawler Edward Bagshaw Sir Io. Burlacie Fr. Newport Anthony Hungerford Io. Russel Thomas Chichely Earl of Cork Sir Iervase Cliâ—ton Sir Guy Palmes Ro. Sutton Iervase Hollis Sir Patrick Curwin Sir Henry Bellingham Sir George Dalston Sir Thomas Stanford Sir VVilliam Dalston Mich. VVharton Sir Ro. Hutton Iames Sindamore Sir Io. Brich Sir Io. Stepny Imployed in his Majesties Service Sir Io. Finch Hugh Porter VValter Kurle VVilliam Stanhop Sir VVilliam Carnaby Sir Thomas Danby Io. Fennich Ralph Sneade Sir VVilliam Ogle Sir Thomas Iermin Sir Iohn Stowell Sir Robert Strickland Sir Ph. Musgrave Io. Coucher Io. Coventry Sir Henry Slingsby Sir Io. Malory Io. Bellasis Sir Thomas Ingram Lord Mansfelt Thomas Hebelthaite Sir Hugh Cholmly Sir George VVentworth Sir VValter Lloyd Iohn Vaughan Richard Ferrers George Hartnoll Sir VVilliam Udall Robert Hunt Thomas May. Sir Thomas Bourcher Sir Thomas Roe These Members taking into consideration the distressed estate of this Kingdom did the seven and twentieth day of this instant Ianuary send a Letter to the Earl of Essex for a Treaty of peace signed by all the Members with order to be published to this effect My Lord His Majesty having by his Proclamation of the two and twentieth of December last upon occasion of this Invasion by some of his Subjects of Scotland summoned all of the Members of both Houses of Parliament to attend him here at Oxford inviting us in the said Proclamation by these gracious Expressions That his Subjects should see how willing he was to receive advice for preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom and as far as in him lay to restore it its former peace and security his chief and onely end from these whom they had trusted though he could not receive it in the place where he appointed VVhich hath been made good to us and seconded by such unquestionable Demonstrations of his deep and princely sense of the miseries and calamities of his poor Subjects in this unnatural VVar and his passionate affection to redeem them from that deplorable condition by all ways consistent with his Honour or with the future safety of the Kingdom c. We being most intirely satisfied of this truth and sensible of the Desolations of our Countrey and further Dangers threatned from Scotland c. And we being desirous to believe your Lordship however ingaged a person likely to be sensibly touched with these considerations do invite you to that part in this blessed work wich is onely capable to repair all our miseries and buoy up the Kingdom from ruine VVe therefore conjure you by all obligations that have power upon honour conscience or publick piety you will co-operate with us to its preservation by truly representing to and promoving with those by whom you are trusted this our Desire That they joyning with us in a right season some persons be appointed on either part to treat of such a Peace as may redeem it from the brink of desolation This Address we make being assured by his Proclamation of Pardon that his mercy and clemency can transcend all former provocations God Almighty direct your Lordship and those whom you shall present with these our real Desires as may produce a happy peace c. Your affectionate Friends c. Oxford Jan. 27. 1645. To these he returns no Answer to them but sends this Letter to the Parliament at Westminster where it wrought upon the Members according to their several affections The haste which the Scots Covenanters made rushed in their Army into England the sixteenth of Ianuary consisting of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse marching forwards till they came to the warm Sea-coal fires at Newcastle they knew the way hither having fared so well the time before in their first Expedition their then General and they being well rewarded here and at home by the Kings indulgent graces he following them into Scotland confirming unto them in full Parliament all the Privileges of Kirk and Kingdom and conferred many Honours and Offices He having done all this as before in particulars and ere he took leave to return wishing them to continue in allegeance and live in peace and if any difference should happen in England which he hoped God would divert he desired them to continue Neuters though he might expect Aid yet he would not disturb the Peace of his native Countrey To which they all obliged themselves by revival of their own Act to that purpose and at the publishing one of their chief that had been their General in the said Expedition fell on his knees and lifting up his arms and hands to Heaven wished they might rot to his body before he died if ever he would heave them up hereafter or draw his Sword against his gude King yet this Wretch Sir Alexander Lesly whom the King had made Lord Leven comes General of this Army also But their Harbinger came before them a Declaration spread abroad for satisfaction to their Brethren of England intentionally to answer three Questions The justness of their Cause The lawfulness of their calling thereunto And the faithfulness of their carriage therein For the first they appeal to the great Searcher of all hearts who knows that had not the love of Christ requiring to bear one anothers burthen and the Law of Nature challenging our endeavour to prevent our own Danger inveloped with our Neighbours and our Duty and Desire of rescuing the King from his pernicious Council we could with far more content have enjoyed our dry Morsel than entered into your Houses full of Sacrifices with strife c. And we profess before God and the world our hearts are clean and free from any other intentions than those expressed in our Solemn League and Covenant confederate with England viz. Reformation of Religion Honour of the King Peace of the Kingdoms Secondly and because a good necessarily requires a good Calling c. Providence hath so provided that the Parliament of England have a particular obligation upon this our Nation for refusing to countenance a VVar against us in 1640. and now desire our assistance to them and so with the sense of Piety Religion Honour and Duty to their Sovereign we may not resist our Call to this Expedition Thirdly then for our carriage herein we shall order our Army from Insolencies Rapines Plunderings and other calamities incident to War And we do freely give the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland unto the Kingdom of England that neither our entrance into nor continuance in England shall be made use of to other ends than is expressed in that Covenant which we shall keep inviolable And call God to witness their onely intent of VVar is to confirm all in Peace and so to return home again How they have performed these let the world judge I
negotiate the introducing by His Uncle the King of Denmark a foreign power to settle His affairs and under that pretext have given large Commission and particular instructions to the Fleet to visit search and intercept all such Danish ships as they should meet and to fight with sink or destroy all such as should resist them not permitting the same or to take and detain them having any arms or ammunition on board according to which they have searched visited and detained divers to the great prejudice and interruption of the Norway trade driven commonly in this Kingdom in their own Bottoms And that they did prepare force against others whom they permitted not to water nor any other accommodation being bound for the West-Indies and put in by stresse of weather in the West of England That in pursuance of their great design of extirpating the Royal blood and Monarchy of England they have endeavoured likewise to lay a great blemish upon His Royal Family endeavouring to illegitimate all derived from His Sister at once to cut off the interests and pretensions of the whole Race which their most detestable and scandalous design they have pursued examining witnesses and conferring circumstances and times to colour their pretensions in so great a fault and which as his sacred Majesty of England in the true sense of honour of his Mother doth abhor and will punish so he expects his concurrence in vindicating a Sister of so happy memory and by whom so near an union and continued League of amity hath been produced between the Families and Kingdoms That the particulars in which His Majesty doth desire his assistance are in the loan and raising of Men Money Arms and Ships all or such of them as may consist best with the conveniences of his own affairs and of such iu the first place as may be most requisite and are wanting to his Majesty That to set His levies on foot and to put him in a posture to protect his Subjects in all places that adhere to him and receive their contribution a hundred thousand pounds will be necessary for him which his Majesty desires by way of loan And for the restitution of it besides his Kingly word and solemn engagement upon this treaty he is contented of such his Crown Iewels as are in his disposure to leave His Royal pledge if it shall be desired The particulars of arms that he desires are six thousand Musquets fifteen hundred Horse-arms and twenty pieces of Artillery mounted Assistance of men he desires only in Hâ—rsmen and to know in what time thâ—y may be ready and how many That the Holy Island or Newcastle are designed for the landing of the said Horse and Magazin of the said provisions for reception likewise and protection of such his ships as he shall think fit to imploy for the countenance and security of those his Subjects that shall trade upon these Costs and for ascertaining the correspondency and intelligence between the two Kingdoms in which the number is left to be proportioned as may best sort and agree with his own affairs And for which the Holy Island is conceived one of the aptest Harbours in all his Majesties Dominions being capable of any ships whatsoever in a very great proportion an excellent rode at the entrance a ready out-let and a strong Fort under his Majesties command That in lieu of this assistance contributed by the King of Denmark his Majesty will oblige himself and ratifie in expresse Articles to restore into the Magazins of Denmark a like proportion of Arms and amunition to repay and defray the charges of the money leâ—t and levies of Horse and as soon as his affairs shall be setled and himself in a condition to do it upon all occasions to contribute the assistance of his Fleet in maintaining his Right and title to the Customs of the Sound against all persons whatsoever and to ratifie the Treaty thâ—â— was last made by Sir Thomas Roe to enter into a League offensive and defensive against intestine Rebellions In pursuance of which Treaty while the Negotiations and Articles may be severally perfected his Majesty doth expect this first Supply of Moneys and Arms present affairs not admitting a Delay in the same That in case the King of Denmark will lend Money upon Iewels there is in Holland a great Collar of Rubies and another of Rubies and Rearl that may be sent to him or delivered to his Agent here who may have order to pay the Money here or any other Iewels That there have been in Discourses several Propositions of Accommodation made by them to the King to which the King hath at all times made more Advances on his part than in reason could have been expected from him and the Difficulties have still risen on theirs And that whereas his Majesty doth understand that a person is addressed to the King of Denmark from his Parliament to insinâ—ate misunderstandings abroad with his Majestie 's Allies as they have done at home among his People his Majesty expects that he be neither received nor permitted to remain within his Dominions to become an Intelligencer and Spy upon the Treaty and Negotiations between their Majesties but that he be dismist and sent away so soon as ever he shall arrive These Instructions intend to state the affairs between the King and his Parliament which how truly rendered the History before doth express in particular The Parliament observe from hence that the King solicites Denmark making not onely Papists the Parliaments Enemies for Religions sake but all Princes though Protestants for Monarchies sake rather than fail of aid from thence And concerning the Rumour of his Mothers Queen Ann's chastity it is most true they did therein examine Witnesses upon Interrogatories most abusive base even to an Impossibility which yet was rumoured whispering to the great dishonour if possible of the memory of that virtuous noble Lady whom all Historians crown with glory and honourable Fame and which scandal I have not hitherto touched in this History nor would till now I finde his Majesty so sensible thereof that he signifies so much in private to the King of Denmark her Brother But the Parliament publish it in print to the World with their Paraphrase not to palliate the Injury but to increase the Scandal Sir William Waller had lain long at London for compleating his new Levies into a pretty Army and now he marches Commander in chief and as it was gotten without the Gen. Essex his good will so is he left at liberty without dependence on his direction And when he set forth from London his Expedition was accompanied with Fasting and Prayers and five several Sermons in one Church one day evermore recommending him The Servant of the State now going out to fight the Lords Battles against the Enemies of God And lest he should want Pay the Citizens will pinch their Bellies for the Parliament had put them by Ordinance to afford him one Meal a VVeek
as many or if you shall finde that any way inconvenient to come in person that then your Lordship will appoint such or so many to meet with the like number from hence that may consider of all means possible to reconcile these unhappie Differences and misâ—understandings that have so long afflicted this Kingdom And for the securitie of your Lordship and those that shall come with and be imploied by your Lordship we do engage our Faith and Honour and do expect the same from your Lordship desiring withall your speedie Answer which must be a Guide to our Proceedings concluding that if this shall be refused we shall hold our selves justified before God and Men whatsoever shall be the Success so we rest From the Armie Aug. 8. 1644. Your Lordships humble Servants Maurice Thomas Wentworth Lindsey Lord Hopâ—on Nothampton Cleveland Thomas Blagge Joseph Bamfield Anthony Thelwel John Owen Thomas Stradling Robert Howard John Stocker Edward Porter Gilbert Armstrong Richard Nevil Thomas Pigot John Brown Ad. Scroop Amy Polard James Hamilton Richard Thornhill John Toping James Dundasse Giles Strangways R. Smith Ja. Cary Brainford Piercy Jacob Ashley Richard Cave Bernard Stuart Bernard Astley Theophilus Gilby William Leighton William Murrey Thomas Blackwell Thomas Bellingham Richard Page Bar. Jenkins Henry Miller Richard Fielding Thomas Weston Paul Smith G. Mouldsworth Phil. Honywood Thomas Culpeper William Leak Jo. Lunther Jo. Monk Cha. Fawlk Richard Samuel Arthur Slingsby George Goring Joseph Wagstaff Thomas Basset Charls Lloyd George Lisley William St. Leager Henry Lundsford Barth Pell Henry Shelley Thomas Paulet Thomas Kirton Anthony Brocher Devery Leigh David Stringer Ja. Mowbray Charls Compton Edward Not Alexander Standish Jo. Rideck Jo. Stuart Jo. Gambling Jo. Greenvile Arthur Henningham Ja. Haswith W. Maxwel And after his defeating Essex in Cornwall he writes from Tavestock To the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament C. R. It having pleased God in so eminent a manner lately to bless our Armies in these parts with success we do not so much joy in that blessing for any other consideration as for the hopes we have it may be a means to make others lay to heart as we do the miseries brought and continued upon our Kingdoms by this unnatural VVar and that it may open your ears and dispose your minde to imbrace those Offers of Peace and Reconciliation which have been so often and earnestly made unto you by us and from the constant and firm endeavours of which we are resolved never to desist in pursuance whereof we do upon this occasion conjure you to take into consideration our too long neglected Message of the fourth of July from Evesham which we again renew unto you and that you will speedily send such an Answer thereunto as may shew unto our poor Subjects some light of Deliverance from their present calamities by a happie Accommodation toward which we do here engage the word of a King to make good all these things which we have therein promised and really to endeavour a happie conclusion of this Treatie And so God direct you in the waies of Peace Given at our Court at Tavestock Sept. 8. 1644. These Messages were in his Marches the like he continues at his Return and setling at Oxford often times ere he could procure a Treaty as in dâ—e place here after in Ianuarie But as yet no endeavours of his could prevail and it hath been urged the jealousie of mutual confidence in eithers performance certainly the mystery was whether the King should trust to Essex and his Army or Essex to his and the difficulty might be how to advise in either It was said that Essex made some Overtures fair enough but how secure I shall not conclude Essex had it expresse in his Commission To take the King from his evil Counsel he urged therefore to be voluntarily trusted with the Kings person and the Kings Army to disband upon this assurance that then his Army being on foot he would not disband untill all things were performed to the general content and peace of the Kingdom So then the difficulty how to do what each party desired to be done kept on the War to the destruction of all Besides there was a providence or fate as we say therein which the Lord Digbie in a Letter calls His superstitious Observation concerning the hand of God in the cause of the Earl of Strafford 's death And the King from thence inferres in a Letter to the Queen That nothing can be more evident than that Strafford 's innocent bloud hath been one of the greatest causes of Gods just Iudgments upon this Nation by a furious Civil War Both sides hitherto being almost equally punished as being in a manner equally guilty but now this last crying blâ—ud being totally theirs I believe it is no presumption hereafter to hope that his hand of Justice must be heavier upon them and lighter upon us looking now upon our Cause having passed by our Fault The Estates of the Netherlands had sent their Ambassadours to the Parliament but not well instructed how to make their Address it took up some time for them to have new Instructions both for the Title of their Letters and Commissions from their Masters And so after these circumstances were setled they had Audience and being the first Address of note the Parliament referred it to a Committees direction which was upon the twelfth of Iulie the Master of the Ceremonies conducted them to both Houses apart and Chairs of State were set up for their repose one in the withdrawing Room by the House of Lords the other in the inner Chamber of the Court of VVards by the Commons where reposing a while they were brought to each House delivering their Embassie first in French and after in English in effect That the high and mightie States of the United Provinces had sent them to declare their earnest desire they had to interpose and mediate a Reconciliation of the Difference between the King and Parliament of England for which purpose they had already addressed themselves to his Majestie and were now come to declare it to the Parliament They further insisting upon the great effusion of Protestant bloud both in England and Ireland as a presaging inducement of their Desires to have a Peace accorded between the King and Parliament that so they might concur together for the Extirpation of Poperie and setling of the Protestant Religion in all the three Kingdoms and with the assistance of the States to defend it against all foreign powers The Ambassadours had received Letters from the Kings Court at Oxford intimating the Kings Successes in the North which the Parliament desired to correct and to evidence their Victories eight and fourty Colours of Horse and Foot were received from their Northern Commanders the Scots General the Lord Fairfax and his Son Sir Thomas and lay in their view in the House of Commons which was no otherwise resented than that they might as well have made the number
monies thereto for maintenance may be as the Parliament shall think fit The like for Scotland An Act for setling all forces by Sea and Land in Commissioners to be named by Parliament and as both Kingdoms shall confide in and to Suppresse all powers and forces contrary hereto and to act as they shall be directed by Parliament So for the Kingdom of Scotland That the Militia of the City London and of the Parishes without London and the Liberties within the weekly Bills of Mortality be in the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-council That the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City and the Chief Officers those be nominated and removable by the Common-council That the Citizens or forces of London may not be drawn out of the City without their own consent and that the example in these distracted times may be no Precedent for the future The next three dayes began the 7. of February and the same was also taken up again Feb. 18. for other three dayes for Ireland That an Act of Parliament be passed to make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties of the Rebells without Consent of Parliment and to settle the prosecution of the War of Ireland in the Parliament to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms and his Majesty to assist and to do no act to discountenance or molest them therein But the Kings Commissioners were so far from yeilding to this Proposition that they had intimation from the King how he was ingaged for Ireland having two dayes before in great earnest writ to hasten the Peace in Ireland in these words Ormond I cannot but mention the necessity of hastning the Irish Peace But in case against all expectation and reason Peace cannot be had you must not by any means fall into a new rupture with them but continue the Cessation c. for a year for which you shall promise them if you can have it no cheaper to joyn with them against the Scots and Inchequin for I hope by that time my condition may be such as the Irish may be glad to accept lesse or I be able to grant more 16 February 1644. Oxford By those Letters the mystery is opened why the King is so violent for Peace with the Irish but this was tenderly treated by the Kings Commissioners and well they might be willing to shadow these designs if they were acquainted with the bottom which few could fathom In general the Kings Commissioners had upon the matter of the Parliaments Propositions consented unto many particulars and alterations of great Importance and complain that the other have not abated one title of the most severe of their Propositions nor have offered any prospect towards Peace but by submitting totally to those Propositions which would dissolve the Frame of Government Ecclesiastical and Civil In the matter of Religion the Kings Commissioners offered all such alterations as they conceived might give satisfaction to any Objection that hath or can be made against that government with their reasons why they cannot consent to the Propositions but if consented unto could not be in Order to Reformation or publique Peace And though in the Parliaments Covenant enjoyned to be taken by the King and all his Subjects they undertake the Reformation in Government and in Doctrine too thereby laying an imputation of Religion it self yet the Parliaments Commissioners have not given the other the least Argument nor the least prejudice to the Doctrine of the Church of England Nor given any view in particular of what they would propose to be abolished And therefore the Kings Commissioners offered That if the Articles proposed by them did not give satisfaction that then so great an alteration as the total abolishment of a Government established by Law may for the imparlance of it and any reformation in Doctrine for the scandal of it be suspended till after the Disbanding of all Armies the King may be present with the Parliament and calling a National Synod may receive such advice both from the one and the other as may be necessary and as any Reformation thus calmly made must needs prove for the singular benefit so whether the contrary that is an alteration even to things though in themselves good can by the principles of Christian Religion be enforced upon the King or Kingdom In that of the Militia Though the Parliaments Commissioners did not deny that the apprehensions of danger are mutual and that the chief end of depositing the Militia into the hands of certain persons is for securitie against possible dangers Yet they did insist that those persons should be nominated by the Parliaments of England and Scotland and that the time of that great unheard of Trust shall be in such manner that though it seems limited for seven years yet in truth it shall not be otherwise exercised then as the King and Parliament shall agree and he may thereby be totallie divested of the Sword without which he cannot defend himself from Foreign or Domestick or protect his Subjects Add to all that Scotland professing distinct and different Laws shall yet have a great share in the Government of this Kingdom Instead of consenting to these Changes the Kings Commissioners proposed That the persons to be Trusted with the Militia may be Nominated between them or that an equal number the one half by the King the other by the Parliament and all those to take Oath for the due discharge of that Trust so their securitie being mutual neither can be supposed to violate the agreement the whole Kingdom being eye-witnesses of the failing And as it is reasonable that for this security the King parting with so much of his own power as makes him unable to break the Agreements so it is most necessary when the apprehension of all danger of that breach be over that then the Soverain power of the Militia should revert and be as it hath alwaies been in the Kings proper Charge And therefore the Kings Commissioners proposed that the Trust should be for three years a time sufficient to produce a right understanding of both sides and if any thing else material may be necessary to be done that the same may be considered after the Peace setled But in all that this Kingdom may depend of it self and not of Scotland as Scotland shall without advice of this Kingdom Concerning Ireland The Parliaments Commissioners proposed that the King Nul this Cessation made by Royal Authority The Lords Justices and Councels desires and for the preservation of the remain of the poor Protestants there from Famine and Sword And to put the whole War Militia and Government of Ireland into the hands of the Scots General by advice of a Ioint Committee of both Kingdoms wherein each to have a Negative voice To which the Kings Commissioners acquainted them with the just Grounds of the Kings proceedings in that businesse of Ireland which they conceived might satisfie all men of his
Common-man but sets him out even in what he saies with Eminent Vertues Piety to God Fidelity to his Sovereign a publique Soul towards the Church and State Constancie to his Friend and so little biassed by private interests that this age we may assure affords not many equals He was threatned for his life in March 1619. the Prologue to other Libels and Scandals year by year to Anno 1640. though the Scotâ— Remonstrance of their Invasion heretofore resolved then to ruine him And in the beginning of the long Parliament 1640. about December He was named for an Incendiary by the Scots Commissioners and accused of Treason by the House of Commons and ten weeks Prisoner to the Black Rod and after his Charge committed to the Tower March 1. And so from that time he endured there almost four years to his death In the mean time he is denied of his Servants 1641. and close Prisoner presently after Then they divest him and sequester his Rents 1642. Seize his Goods Books and Papers 1643. and as yet the Man unmoved For he besought God as Mr. Pryn confesseth to give him full patience and proportionable comfort and contentment with whatsoever he should send And himself hath said to his Friends that he thanked God that he never found more content in his greatest Liberty then in this time of his restraint It had been put to the Question in the Parliament to ship him over for New England there to expose him to the scorne of great Professors He had been often summoned before the Lords and as often appeared monethly for some years weekly for many moneths and daily remitted to farther Attendance upon the least pretence of ordinary businesse and so was thereby exposed to the common view and scorne of the Rabble sort of people a way they had to work down excellent Spirits if possible by ignominious experiments and trials But he was fixed to the end Indeed he was a perfect School-man a quick and ready Disputant and certainly he was not to learn that Maxim of Drexelius who wonders that any man a Logician should be troubled with afflictions For the Axiome in Logick is That Accident is such a thing that adest abest sine interruptione subjecti and argues it into a Syllogisme Tu homo es subjectum Et quicquid accedere potest est nisi accidens sed afflictiones sunt nisi accidens Ergo whether they doe adesse or abesse they should be sine interruptione subjecti At the Scots second Invasion Anno 1643. his Arraignment was revived 17. Ianuary and Mr. Pryn appointed to prosecute the Charge and therefore He who had been charged heretofore and a long time it was ere they could finde that he deserved either Death of Bonds until Serjeant Wilde found out his offences That he was guilty of so many and notorious Treasons so evidently destructive to the Common-wealth that he marvelled the people did not tear him in pieces as he passed between his Boat and the Parliament Had the rabble done so it would happily have excused the other in their way afterwards alike to him who was by them made guilty in the House of Commons 20. Novem. 1643. and the 17. Decem. 1644. guilty of high Treason as to the matter of Fact upon three Heads of his Charge His endeavouring the subversion of the Lawes subversion of Religion and the overthow of the Priviledges of Parliament And the fourth of Ianuary they passed their Ordinance of Parliament by both Houses to be drawn hanged and quartered on Friday the tenth of Ianuary the first man that ever suffered death by Order of Parliament On Tuesday before he petitions the Lords to have his Chaplain Doctor Sterne that worthy Divine admitted to administer with him to alter the manner of his Execution and to be beheaded To which their Lordships willingly consented and commended it to the Commons but they would not Only in care of his soul they would adjoyn Mr. Marshall as more sufficient then the Doctor and the Arch-Bishop refused him The Lords were angry to be thus denied and had much adoe to get their consent of beheading He had been a Confessor and must think it a release of misery to be made a Martyr and to be executed six dayes after That time he spent in Meditation and Prayers but the night before the Dismal day he refreshed his Spirits with a moderate Supper slept soundly till morning then at Prayer till Pennington and his Officers conducted him to the Scaffold on Tower-hill mounting that Throne whereon he was to receive the Crown of Martyrdom Then he spake to those about him Good People THis is an uncomfortable time to Preach yet I shall begin with a Text of Scripture Heb. 12. 2. Let us runne with Patience that race which is set before us looking unto JESUS the Authour and Finisher of our Faith who for the Joy that was set before him endured the Crosse despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God I have been long in my Race and how I have looked to JESUS the Author and Finisher of my Faith He best knowes I am now come to the end of my Race and here I finde the Crosse a death of shame but the shame must be despised or no coming to the right hand of God JESUS despised the shame for me and God forbid but I should despise the shame for Him I am going apace you see toward the Red-sea and my feet are now upon the very brink of it an Argument I hope that God is bringing me to the Land of Promise for that was the way through which he led his People But before they came to it He instituted a Passeover for them a Lamb it was it must be eaten with sower Herbs I shall obey and labour to digest the sower Herbs as well as the Lamb For I shall remember it is the Lords Passeover I shall not think of the Herbs nor be angry with the hand that gathereth them but look up only to Him which instituted that and governes these for men can have no more power over me then what is given them from above I am not in love with this passage through the Red-sea for I have the weaknesse and infirmities of flesh and blood in me And I have prayed as my Saviour taught me ut transiret Calix iste that this Cup of Red-wine might passe from me But if not Gods will not mine be done and I shall most willingly drink of this Cup as deep as He pleases and enter into this Sea yea and pass through it in the way that he shall lead me But I would have it remembred good people that when Gods Servants were in this boysterous Sea and Aaron among them the Egyptians which persecuted them and in a manner drove them into the Sea were drowned in the same waters while they were in pursuit of them I know my God whom I serve is as able to deliver me from
the Sea of blood as he was to deliver the three Children from the Furnace and I most humbly thank my Saviour for it my Resolution is now as theirs was then They would not worship the Image the King had set up nor I the Imaginations which the people are setting up I will not forsake the Temple and truth of God to follow the bleating of Jeroboams Calf in Dan or in Bethel As for this People they are at this day miserably mis-led God of his mercy open their eyes that they may see the right way for now the Blinde do lead the Blindâ— and if they go on both will certainly fall into the ditch For my self I am and I acknowledg it in all humility a most grievous sinner many wayes by thought word and deed and I cannot doubt but God hath mercy in store for me a poor penitent as well as for other sinners I have now upon this sad occasion ransacked every corner of my Heart and yet I thank God I have not found among the many any one sin which deserves death by any known Law of this Kingdom And yet hereby I charge nothing upon my Iudges for if they proceed upon proof by valuable witnesses I or any other Innocent may be justly condemned but I thank God though the weight of the sentence lyes heavy upon me I am as quiet within as ever I was in my life And though I am not only the first Arch-bishop but the first man that ever died by an Ordinance of Parliament yet some of my Predecessors have gone this way though not by this meanes For Elphegus was burried away and lost his head by the Danes Symon Sudbury was beheaded in the fury of Wat Tyler and his fellows and long before these St. John Baptist had his head danced off by a lewd woman And St. Cyprian Arch-bishop of Carthage submitted his head to the persecuting sword Many examples great and good and they teach me patience for I hope my Cause in heaven will look of an other dye then the colour which is put upon it here And some comfort it is to me not only that I go the way of these great men in their several generations but also that my Charge as foul as it is made looks like that of the Jewes against St. Paul Acts 25. For he was accused for the Law and the Temple that is the Law and Religion And like that of St. Stephen Acts 6. for breaking the Ordinances which Moses gave that is Law and Religion the holy place and the Law verse 13. But you 'l say do I compare my self with the integrity of St Paul and St. Stephen No far be it from me I only raise a Comfort to my self that these great Saints and Servants of God were laid at in their several times as I am now And it is memorable that St. Paul who helped on the Accusation against St. Stephen did after fall under the very same Accusation himself Yea but here 's a great Clamour that I would have brought in Popery I shall answer that more fully by and by In the mean time you know what the Pharisees said against Christ himself If we let him alone all men wâ—ll believe in him Et venient Romani and the Romans will come and take away both our place and Nation Here was a Causelesse Cry against Christ that the Romans would come And see how just the judgment of God was they Crucified Christ for fâ—ar the Romans should come and his death was it which brought in the Romans upon them God punishing them with that they most feared and I pray God that this Clamour of Venient Romani of which I have given no cause help not to bring them in for the Pope never had such a Harvest in England since the Reformation as he hath now upon the Sects and Divisions that are amongst us In the mean time by Honour and dishonour by good report and evil report as a deceiver and yet true am I passing through this world 2 Cor. 6. 8. Some other particulars I think not amisse to speak of And first for His Sacred Majesty the King our gracious Soveraigne He also hath been much traduced for bringing in of Popery but on my Conscience of which I shall give God a very present accompt I know him to be as free from this Charge as any man living and I hold him to be as sound a Protestant according to the Religion by Law established as any man in this Kingdom And that He will venture His Life as far and as freely for it and I think I do or should know both His affection to Religion and His grounds for it as fully as any man in England The second particular is concerning this great and Populous City which God bless Here hath been of late a fashion taken up to gather hands and then go to the great Court the Parliament and clamour for Iustice as if that great and wise Court before whom the Causes come which are unknown to the many could not or would not do Iustice but at their appointment A way which may endanger many an Innocent man and pluck his blood upon their own heades and perhaps upon this City also and this hath been lately practised against my self the Magistrates standing still and suffering them openly to proceed from Parish to Parish without Check God forgive the abetters of this with all my heart I beg it but many well meaning people are caught by it In St. Stephen's case when nothing else could serve they stirred up the people against him and when Herod had killed St. James he would not venture on St. Peter till he found how the other pleased the people But beware you that cry so much for Justice lest when you cry for your selves you have nothing but Justice take heed take heed of having your hands full of blood for there is a time best known to Himself when God above other sins makes inquisition for blood and when that inquisition is on foot he Psalmist tels us That God remembers that 's not all He Remembers and forgets not the complaint of the poor that is him whose blood is shed by oppression verse 9. take heed of this It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God but then especially when he is making inquisition for blood And with my praiers to avert it I do heartily desire this City to remember the prophesie that is expressed Jer. 26. 15. The third Particular is the poor Church of England It hath flourisheâ— and been a shelter to other neighbouring Churches when storms have driven â—pon them But alas now 't is in a storm it self and God only knowes whether or how it shall get out and which is worse then a storm from without it 's become like an Oaâ— cleft to shivers with wedges made out of its own body and at every cleft Prophaness and Irreligion are entering in while as
little darknesse upon nature but thou by thy mercies and passion hast broke through the jawes of death So Lord receive my soul and have mercie upon me and blesse this Kingdom with peace and plenty and with brotherly love and charity that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them for Iesus Christ his sake if it be thy will Then laying his head upon the Block and praying silently to himself he said aloud Lord receive my soul which was the signal to the Executioner who very dexterously did his Office at a blow This one Note I may not forget as a truth from an Honourable person then present upon the Scaffold that though the Chinks were stopped yet there remained a small hole from a knot in the midst of a Board and in which his finger of the right hand happened to fall into and to stop that also that his desire might be fulfilled lest his blood might descend on the peoples head his soul ascending to Heaven and leaving his body on the Scaffold to the care of men imbalming it with their tears His body was accompanied to the earth afterwards with great multitudes of people whom love had drawn together to perform that Office and decently Interred in the Church of Allhallows-Barking a Church of his own Patronage and jurisdiction according to the Rites and â—eremonies of the Church England He deserved that honour at his death being the greatest Champion of the Common Prayer Book whilst he lived Nor need Posterity take care to provide his Monument It being well observed by Sir Edward Deering He who threw the first stone at him that St Pauls Church will be his principal Monument and his own Book against the Iesuite his lasting Epitaph and so I leave him to that comfort which the Psalmist gives him The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance and shall not be affraid of any evil report Psal. 112. 6 7. Take this though for the present Thy brave attempt on Pauls in time to come Shall be a Monument beyond a Tombe Thy Book shall be thy Statua where we finde The Image of thy Nobler part thy Minde Thy Name shall be thy Epitaph and he Who hears or reads of That shall publish Thee The Kings Party had Garisoned a repaired Castle at the Devises and Colonel Devereux had a Garison at Roudon House between the Devises and Malmsburie being set upon and Besieged Colonel Stephens in Wiltshire newly made by the Parliament Governour of Beverston Castle was willing to give aide to the Besieged at Roudon and sets upon the Besiegers with three Troopes of his own and some Malmsburie Foot without staying for Devereux assistance broke through the Cavaliers and Relieves the House with Provision and Powder and alighting would needs eate and refresh himself with his friends giving time to the Cavaliers Party to Rally and cast up a Brestwork before the passage and so he with 1400. Horse and Foot cooped up all together and so the Besieged more straitned then before News gets to Glocester from whence comes sixty Horse well commanded and were to joyn with one hundred Horse and Dragoons from Malmsburie to break through the Cavaliers and these added to the four hundred and thirty within the House were conceived to force a Passage through the first Sconce But then comes Sir Iacob Ashlie with three thousand Massie raises the County about Strodewater doing what he could to face the Garison at Cirencester and to divert the danger of the Besiegers but nothing prevailed and so they were faine to Surrender upon bad quarter The Cavaliers grow strong on all sides and a stream of ill success rushes in upon their enemies upon Colonel Hopton having raised sixty Horse and fourty Foot Garisoned Castle-ditch near Lidburie in Herefordshire a Party from thence of three hundred Horse and Foot in twenty four houres took him Horse and Foot Prisoners to Hereford Sir Iohn Winter hath Guards set round about upon him to straiten his Garison his own House in the Forest of Deane but they break out through all those Guards and joyn with a Party of Foot from Cheystow which Landed at Lancaught intending to make good the Passe over Wye and so to issue out of Wales at pleasure To oppose them all the Guards drew together thither Sir Iohn violently charged the Forlorn of Foot who gave back to let in their Foot and so both Horse and Foot fell upon him some were slain Colonel Gamne and Vangerris Colonel Pore of Berkley Castle drowned but Sir Iohn and his escaped being the industrious enemy to all his Parliament neighbours These things happened the latter end of the year February about the time of surprizing Shrewsburie by the Parliament Prince Rupert falls back out of Shropshire and comes upon Herefordshire with all his Army the greatest in the Kingdom being a confluence of these Forces his own formerly Prince Maurice Colonel Gerard Lord Hastings Lord Ashlie and Sir Marmaduke Langdale and yet impresse more men in aboundance in all the neighbouring Counties with store of Arms necessity casting them in such waies of violence and coercive power prest-men of suspected fidelity and lesse value often deceiving them in Battle yet the King was forced to these waies for conducing to the sudden forming of an Army when the Kings affairs became desperate and so thrust in with the old Volunteers made up the bulk of a great Body when the Parliament had no such necessity to enforce rather a more cunning way to win upon that party the City of London being the undrained Magazine of Men and Money the common Asse that bare the burden and so ends this year A continuance of the brief Narrative of the Kings Affairs Military in Scotland under Conduct of the Marquesse of Montrose Montrose with considerable Forces enters Scotland 13. April 1644. comes to Dunfrize seises that Town expecting Antrims Irish but being there in some danger returns to Carlisle with his men for the Earl of Calander had raised a new Army in Scotland to second General Leslie in England and now besieging York Montrose having beaten a Garison out of Morpith pillaged the Castle and took a Fort at the mouth of Tine He plentifully sent Victuals to Newcastle which come from Almwick And is now sent for by Prince Rupert then in his way to raise the siege of Yorke but could not possible get to him till the retreat from that unfortunate Battle of Marston-moor and so returned back to Carlisle with a few but faithful gallant men He sends the Lord Oglebie and Sir William Rollock into the heart of Scotland in disguise who return with sad news that all Strengths in Scotland were possessed by the Covenanters The Earl of Traquair contrary to his Oaths and promises to the King was an Agent for the Covenanters Yet this man was more in the Kings Favour then any Scotish except the Hamiltons Montrose in these Difficulties sends Oglebey with his earnest
without the House of Lords We the Commons c. remembering that in the beginning of this War divers Protestations Declarations Suggestions c. were spread abroad by the King whereby the sincere Intentions of the Parliament for the publick good were mis-represented and so no need of a present War which is otherwise apparant by discoverie of the Enemies secrets and Gods immediate Blessings and Successes upon the Parliaments affairs and which Mistakes for some time had blemished the justice of this cause that if the Enemie had prevailed how dangerous the consequence would have been is now apparant And now notwithstanding Gods blessing on all our Endeavours Forces and Armies c. there are still the same spirits though under Disguise putting false constructions upon what hath already passed the Parliament as upon the thing under present Debate begetting a belief That we now desire to swerve from our first grounds aims and principles in the undertaking this War to recede from the solemn League and Covenant and Treaties between us and Scotland and that we would prolong these uncomfortable Troubles and bleeding Distractions to alter the fundamental constitution and frame of this Kingdom to leave all Government of the Church loose and unsetled and our selves to exercise the same arbitrary power over the persons and estates of the Subjects which this present Parliament thought fit to abolish by taking away the Star-chamber High Commission and other arbitrary Courts and the exorbitant power of the Council Table All which c. though our former actions are the best Demonstrations of our faithfulness to the publick yet if mis-believed may involve us into new Imbroilments We do declare our Endeavours are to setle Religion according to the Covenant to maintain the fundamental Rights of the Kingdom the Liberties of the Subject to desire a well-grounded peace in the three Kingdoms c. In effect Concerning Church-government we having so fully declared for a Presbyterial Government having spent so much pains taken up so much time for setling of it passed most of the particulars brought to us from the Assemblie of Divines called onely by us to advise of such things as shall be required of them by the Parliament and having published several Ordinances for putting the same in execution because we cannot consent to the granting of an arbitrary and unlimited power and jurisdiction to near ten thousand Iudicatories to be erected within this Kingdom and this demanded in a way inconsistent with the Fundamentals of Government excluding the power of Parliaments in the exercise of that Iurisdiction nor have we yet resolved how a due regard may be had that tender consciences which differ not in any Fundamentals in Religion may be so provided for as may stand with the Word of God and the peace of the Kingdom And let it be observed that we have had the more reason not to part with the power out of our hands since all by-past Ages manifest that the Reformation and purity of Religion and the preservation and protection of the people hath been by Parliament and the exercise of this power our Endeavours being to setle the Reformation in these Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the Example of the best Reformed Churches and according to our Covenant Concerning a peace which is the right end of a just VVar to that purpose both Houses of Parliament have framed several Propositions to be sent to the King such as they hold necessary for the present and future safety of this Kingdom some of which are transmitted to our Brethren of Scotland where they now remain whose consent we doubt not to obtain since the Parliament of England is and ought to be sole and proper Iudg for the good of this Kingdom wherein we are so far from altering the fundamental constitution and Government of this Kingdom by King Lords and Commons that we onely have desired that by the consent of the King such powers may be setled in the two Houses to prevent a second and more destructive VVar not judging it wise or safe for the pretended power of the Militia in the King to have any authoritie in the same for the future introducing an arbitrary Government over this Nation and protecting Delinquents by force from the justice of Parliaments the chiefest grounds of the Parliaments taking up Arms in this Cause We do declare we will not interrupt the ordinary course of Iustice nor intermeddle in cases of private interest And as the Parliament have already for the benefit of the people taken away the Court of Wards and Liveries and all Tenures in capite and by Knights Service so we will take special care for the peoples ease in Levies of Moneys and in reducing Garisons Lastly whereas both Nations have entered into a solemn League and Covenant and Treaties between us concluded which we shall and have duly performed that nothing be done to the prejudice of either of them presuming that the good people of England will not receive prejudicate opinions by any forced constructions of that Covenant which is only to be expounded by them by whose authority it was established in this Kingdom April 18. But in great regret the Parliament order that the Preface to the Pamphlet intituled The Scots Commissioners Papers and the stating of the Question about the Propositions of Peace was this day burnt by the Hangman April 21. At length of time the eleventh of Iuly the tedious Propositions are finished and sent to the King by the Committee Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery and the Earl of Suffolk Mr. Goodwin Sir Iohn Hippesley Mr. Robinson and Sir Walter Earl The Propositions in general are these 1. That his Majesty would pass an Act for the Nulling of all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations against the Parliament of England of Scotland their Ordinances or their Adherents 2. The King to swear and sign the Covenant and an Act for the three Kingdoms to swear unto 3. An Act to take away Bishops and their Dependents 4. To confirm by Act the Assembly of Divines at Westminster 5. To settle Religion as the Parliament shall agree 6. In unity and uniformity with Scotland as shall be agreed upon by both Parliaments 7. An Act to be confirmed against Papists 8. Their Childâ—en to be educated in the Protestant Religion 9. And for Levies against their Estates 10. Against saying of Mass in this Kingdom 11. And in Scotland if they think fit 12. For observation of the Lords Day against Pluralities Non-Residents and for Regulating the Universities 13. That the Militia of England Ireland and Wales by Sea and Land be in the hands of the Parliament for twenty years and the like for Scotland and to raise Moneys for the same and to suppress all Forces raised in that time without their authority against all foreign Invasion Provided that the City of London may enjoy their Privileges to raise and imploy their
for his labour Then the Scots select a Committee of their own Lowthian and others to move the King once more for all to take the Covenant and sign to the Propositions which they did endeavour but could not prevail For the Kings intention to escape was thus proved out of several Letters of the Kings to Hudson whilst he was out of prison by way of direction how to manage the design with great promises of reward to such as should assist therein Hudson sends a Copy of this Letter inclosed in one of his own to Major Gen. Langhorn a Commander in Wales and tels him what a great value the King had of his worth and desires his assistance with other his friends to restore his Majestie to his Rights This letter was sent to Mr. Gibb late of Lincolns Inn who sent it to Mr. Price in Wales who delivered it to Langhorn And had the King escaped it was conceited that he was to be received into a Holland Ship that had lain off at Sea near the Shields this two moneths to carry him God knows whither for none on earth could imagine But now the Scots are ready to deliver up their King and Soveraign to Commissioners appointed by the Parliament to receive him and to convey him to Holmby Viz. the Earls of Pembroke Denbigh and the L. Mountague Sir Iames Harrington Sir Io. Hollyland Siâ— Walter Earl Sir Io. Cook Mr. Crew and Major General Brown And the servants to attend the King in Ordinary were Voted to be Sir Thomas Herbert Mr. Maxwell Mr. Astley Mr. Harrington Mr. Patrick Marel Sir Foulk Grevil Mr. Middleton Serjeant at Arms and Doctor Wilson Physician Mr. Marshall and Mr. Caryll to attend them as Chaplains The Parliament of Edenburgh had some debate concerning the King and Queries put to the General Assembly of Ministers Queries If the King shall come to this Kingdom and that the Kingdom of England shall exclude him from the Government there for his leaving them without granting their Propositions whether or no it will be lawfull for this Kingdom to assist him for the recovery of the Government he not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Convenant and not giving a satisfactory Answer to the rest of the Propositions They answer The Quere presupposeth the Kings coming into this Kingdom which Case we humbly conceive should not be put into the Question and therefore we desire your Lordships to go about all means to prevent it as a matter of most dangerous consequence to Religion this Kirk and Kingdom and to the King himself and his Posterity But if the Question be stated simply in these terms If the King be excluded from Government in England for not granting the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and for not giving a satisfactory Answer to the rest of the Propositions whether in that case it be lawfull for this Kingdom to assist him for the Recovery of the Government or if it be not lawfull Being put to it we cannot but answer In regard of the Ingagement of this Kingdom by Covenant and Treaty Negative Hereupon the Parliament of Scotland resolve 1. Resolved upon the Question That the Kingdom of Scotland shall be governed as it hath been these five last years all means being used that the King may take the Covenant and pass the Propositions 2. Resolved That the taking of the Scots Covenant and passing some of the Propositions doth not give warrant to assist him against England 3. Resolved That upon bare taking the National Covenant we may not receive him 4. Resolved That the clause in the Covenant for defence of the Kings person to be understood in defence and safety of the Kingdoms 5. Resolved That the King shall not excute any power in the Kingdom of Scotland untill such time that he hath granted the Propositions concerning Religion and the Covenant and given a satisfactory Answer to both Kingdoms in the rest of the Propositions presented to him by both Kingdoms at Newcastle 6. Resolved That if the King refuse to pass the Propositions he shall be disposed of according to the Covenant and Treaty 7. Resolved That the Union be firmly kept between the two Kingdoms according â—o the Covenant and Treaties And to shew you the consequence hereof see the joint consent of the Estate of Scotland together with the Army for delivering up of the King If the King have any thoughts of coming to this Kingdome Scotland at this time he not having subscribed the League and Covenant nor satisfied the lawfull desires of his loyal subjects in both Nations we fear the consequence will be very dangerous which we desire may be timely prevented Neither is it possible but that our receiving him in this present posture of affairs will confirm the suspition of the English Nation of our under dealing with him before his coming to our Armies and make them not without cause to think that we purpose to dispose of him without their consent Which is contrary to the profession of those that were in trust at the Kings first coming to the Scots Quarters and overthroweth all the Arguments that have been used by the Commissioners of our Parliament in their Papers concerning the disposing of his Majesties Person by the consent of both Kingdomes given in to the Parliament in England Nor do we see how we can vindicate such a practice from a direct breach of our engagement to them by Covenant and Treaty which were not onely to expose us to the hazard of a bloody war but to involve us in the guilt of perjury And what greater disservice could be done to the King and his posterity than to give way to a course that might prove prejudicial to their Interest in the Crown and Kingdome of England and conclude Our carriage now for many years past in the midst of many temptations hath put us beyond all suspition in the point of our Loyaltie Ianuary 14. If otherwise let the world judge And yet the King put some Queries to the Scots Commissioners at Newcastle Ianuary 14 It is a received opinion by many That Engagements Acts or Promises of a restrained person are neither valid nor obligatory How true or false this is I will not dispute but I am sure if I am not free I am not fit to answer your or any Propositions Wherefore you should first resolve me in what state I stand as in relation to freedome before I can give you any further answer the reason of this my answer the Governour can best resolve you But if you object the loss of time and urgency of it certainly in one respect it presses none so much as my self which makes me also think necessary that I be not to seek what to do when this Garison shall be surrendred up to demand of you in case I go into Scotland if I shall be there with Honour Freedom and Safety or how being ready to give you a farther and more particular answer how
if the French or any other Nation should be called in thither it might be of dangerous consequence for so the Irish Rebells now threatned in case they should be put to extremity The Picts called for the Scots out of Ireland to assist them against the Britains and having done that Work they fell upon the Picts themselves and destroyed them and so took possession of that part of North Britain which from them ever since takes name of Scotland The like did the Saxons or rather a Rout of Pirates and Sea-Rovers they were no better invited to assist the miserable Britains against the barbarous Scots and put a final stop to their Incursions and after by Surprize of the Nobility of Britania and slew them The Remain of the people fled into the Mountains of Wales and Cornwall where they remain ever since and left the best of the Land to the insulting Saxons Nay did not Heraclius the Greek Emperour call for aid of the Rake-Hell Rabble of Scythians to assist him against the Saracens but no sooner got footing in the Empire and in process of time seized Constantinople slew Constantine the last of the Imperial Race of Paleologs and now possess that Seat the chief Residence for the great Turk descended of those Saracens But these were Pagans and Infidels we are all Christians Truly they can practise the old Rule Si violandum est jus regni causa violandum est in caeteris pietatem colas To gain Kingdoms we may bid Conscience good night And so it was happy for the King that his party called not over the French to fight for him nor would the Parliament at any time make Peace with the Irish wise enough they were to keep down the pride of the treacherous Scot that had good footing there in Ireland See before Anno 1643. the Treaty at Siginstone Septemb. 15. But the Parliament of England had considered of the order and manner of governing of Ireland by a Lord Lieutenant General and whom should they pick out but the Lord Lisle Son to the Earl of Leicester to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in and for reducing that Kingdom with a Council about him both at home and abroad the better to enable him for the Government but not as the Motto sets out Caesar this General went thither and so came home again as hereafter is mentioned The English Forces there in some distress the British in the North in great want but the happiness was that the Rebells were at difference amongst themselves And the thirteenth of May the Lord Lisle had order to beat his Drums to raise six thousand Foot and eight hundred and fifty Horse in England and Wales and for maintaining of these Forces it was ordered Six thousand pounds every six moneths end to the Treasurers for Ireland News came the fifteenth of Iune of the great Defeat given to the English and Scotish Forces in the Province of Ulster and the Parliament ordered five thousand Foot more fifteen hundred Horse to be added to the former Forces ordered in May and Arms Amunition and Victuals speedily to be sent over And notwithstanding the Parliamentary proceedings in Ireland by their advice and directions to such of their own party the King likewise had a particular party under the publick Government of the Marquess of Ormond Lieutenant General of his Majesties Forces for the Government of Ireland to whom he writes for the discharging all further Treaties with the Irish Rebells for any Peace as the Parliament advised the King to write the eleventh of Iune The Lord Broghall and the Lord Inchequin were particularly for the Parliament Broghall had intermixed several Successes against the Rebells he took Castle Lions and Inchequin Castle near Yougball then his Horse marched to Dungarven returning with five or six hundred head of Cattle and besieged the Garison of Blarnly Castle and the next Night gained the Out-works and the next Day set threeâ— Battering Guns against one of their new Flanks sixteen foot thick within the Castle their Powder took fire and blew up and spoiled twenty of their Men which with the bold Attempts of the Besiegers the Castle was surrendered the next Day the fifteenth of Iune two hundred persons to march away who left this exceeding strong place being held by faint hearts for a small space and now delivered up to slender Forces Musgrave was General for the Rebells and with the greatest Army of theirs was set down besieging Banratty against whom they sally out daily with very good Success Notwithstanding the Kings Letters at Newcastle whilest he was under durance That Ormond should not treat with the Rebells yet it seems he had finished and articled into a Peace with them August 1. That the Irish be not bound to take the Oath of Supremacy A Parliament to be held before November All Acts against the Roman Catholicks to be repealed Places of Strength to be in the hands of men of merit But the reason might be the wonderfull misery of the English and Scots Forces there impossible to hold out without any reasonable Food for Man or Horse And it was conceived there by Ormond and the Kings party that it was most convenient for the general good of the Protestants for it soon occasioned a Breach amongst the Rebells the Popes Nuncio and that Clergy protesting against it as being done without their privity and the chiefest of their Towns oppose the Peace as Limrick Waterford Wexford Lemster and Galloway And herein Ormond according to the Articles on either side was to assist against the Opposers of the Peace the fourteenth of Septembeâ— who marching with some thousands towards Kilkenny had intelligence by the way that a party of the discontented Rebells against the Peace had a Design against his person which made him suddenly to return to Dublin Concerning the thirty Articles the Popish Clergy disclaimed them and at a Supream Council ordered That all and singular Confederate Catholicks who shall adhere to the said Peace or consent with the Favourers of it or after any other manner shall entertain and imbrace it are absolutely to be accounted perjured specially for this reason because in these Articles there is no mention made of the Catholick Religion and the security thereof nor any regard had of the Consecration of the Priviledge of the Countrey as it was promised by the Oath But that all things are rather referred to the judgement of our most renowned King From whom in this present estate we can have nothing setled and in the mean time the Armies Weapons and Fortifications and the Supream Councel of the Confederate Catholicks it self are subjected to the Authority and Command of the Council of the State and the Protestant Officers of his Majestie from whom that we might be secure we have taken Oath For which and many other causes being moved only by our Consciences and having God before our eyes that it may be known to all and singular as
Commons in their Liberties of Parliament to which the City will contribute all their Power and Service and pray with all submission that he will please to send such a Guard of several Regiments as may conduct them to the Parliament in safety and that the Passes and Ports shall be set open for them and what else to his Excellencies command 3. Aug. But on come the Brigades into Southwark to encompass the City and Rainsborough Hewson Pride Thistlewel Marched without opposition but rather heartily welcome till they came to the Bridge-gate of the City which was shut and the Portcullis let down and a Guard within They make a stand and plant two pieces and set a Guard without then Hewson Marched into St. Georges Fields sends a Summons to the great Fort in the Highway to Lambeth which was suddenly Surrendred by eight a clock that morning The Common Councel now sitting post away Messages to the General who slowly comes on and demands all the Forts of the West side of the City to be Commanded by him before six a clock at night To which the City submit Professing how ready they are to comply with the Army and have given order to their Militia for drawing off all Forces and Ordnance accordingly and speedily to be effected And that now next under Almighty God we doe râ—ly upon your Excellencies honourable word for our safety and protection 4. Aug. The King this while fast and loose on all sides thought it good to be as forward with the Army professing in his Letter that he acquits himself of the scandal cast upon him concerning the Tumults of London accounting it a dishonourable action to be brought to his City in Tumult desiring rather to rely on the General and the Army as more safe and honourable excusing that this Letter came but now which was writ the day before this agreement between the General and the City But he comes on and at Kensington is met by the City Commissioners by the Members of both Houses who had been driven away by tumult And forthwith a Declaration is published of the mutual joyning of the Parliament and Army making Null all Acts passed by the Members at Westminster since the 26. of Iuly last and so all March together towards Westminster And by the way in Hide Park waits the Lord Mayor and his Brethren to congratulate the good composure between the Army and City and then to Westminster thus First Regiment of Foot and Rich his Horse next the Lord General Cromwels Regiment of Horse and then the General of Horseback with his Life Guard the Lords in Coaches with the Speaker of the Commons and their Members Tomlinsons Regiment of Horse brought up the Rear-Guard and you must note that each Souldier had a green branch in his hat and at Charing Cross stood the Common Council humbly ducking to his Excellency and so went on to the Parliament And being sat in both Houses their first duty was to Enact the General to be High Constable of the Tower of London The next was for a Festival day on all sides which the sorrowful City must nevertheless pay for Then was the General sent for to receive thanks of both Houses for his preservation of their Liberties And to caress the Army a months pay is given to them as a largess for this great grace and favour And the next day the General with the whole Army Horse and Foot Marched in Triumph through the City from eleven a clock till eight at night the Generals Quarters went to Croyden and the Army all about in Essex and Kent from this day being Saturday till Munday When the General comes to takes possession of the Tower and the City Guard were turned out and after Dinner the City Committee did congratulate their happiness in his care of the City and could wish that the Records of the Tower might in time to come make known to the World this their safety in him being now made visible in subjection to the Souldier they crave pardon for not waiting upon him to the City in such equâ—page as he merited nor with such a present as the shortness of preparation could possibly admit and therefore they were now come to bid him to Dinner And in the end of all they desired that Mr. West might continue his Deputy Lieutenant But they were answered He had intrusted it to one of his own and a Citizen Colonel Titchburn Then he took view of the Amunition the strength of the White Tower and last of all of the Records where he was told of the great Charter of England Which he had a great desire he said to see And being shewed it with some Ceremonies he took off his Hat This is that said he which we have fought for and by Gods help we must maintain Some smiled to see his simple and single intention the sense of all pretenders which while we fight for we fly from And having done what they would do they begin again to think of the King the great expectation of the Kingdom and so he resides at his Quarters at Kingston August 13. But first the Parliament must undo what the City had lately done in their Apprentices Ordinance so called and voted unwarrantable and in a world to unravel and null all Acts in their absence and to prosecute Examinations and Punishments against the Actours in the late Insurrections And the King is come from Stoke to Oatlands August 14. But the Members were not well at ease unless some Setlement were made for them by Orders and Ordinances against the usurping Members from Iuly 26. to Aug. 6. to be forced and no free Parliament At last after long Debate the Question was put Whether the Question should be put or not And concluded Affirmative by two Voices Then Whether the Proceedings were forced and that Sitting no free Parliament And it was carried in the Negative by three Voices August 17. And the Army remonstrate the practice of the late force upon the Parliament That not any of those Members which did sit in the absence of their Speaker shall presume to continue in the House till satisfaction be given of their intention to raise a new War and imbroil the Kingdom by contriving the King to come to the City and they brought to condign punishment by the judgment of a free Parliament And so they have Letters of Thanks from both Houses for this Remonstrance August 20. But take it in effect Whereas there was a visible horrid insolent and actual force upon the Houses of Parliament Munday the six and twentieth of July last whereby the Speakers and many Members were forced to absent themselves and could not return and fit before the sixth of August and that the Ordinance of the six and twentieth of July for revoking and making void of the Ordinance of the three and twentieth of July for setling the Militia of London and all other their Votes
must be the best and only remedy to remove our troubles That without a Treaty the Propositions may be esteemed Impositions That the King might have some just desires to move for the Crown and for himself and that every thing in the Propositions might not be of such importance as that the not granting it might hinder a peace That a personal Treaty is the best way to beget a mutual confidence between the King and Parliament And amongst other Protestations they aver That if Scotland had apprehended that the least injury or violence would have been committed against his person or Monarchical Government had they not received assurances from the Parliament to the contrary certainly all the threatnings and allurements in the world could never have perswaded them to have parted from the King and that it was their brotherly confidence in the Parliament fellow Subjects and the assurance that they had from both Houses that made them leave the King Then they complain of a vast deformity or multiformity of Heresies and sects endangering the ruin of Religion in this Kingdom But what ere the Scots have said in this Declaration the Parliament afterwards found out such Members at leisure that formed into a Committee for that purpose gave them a sound Answer But the King in the general Interest of all conceived them so unreasonable to be positively assented unto before a Treaty or dispute of some part or either of them as that he refused Giving his Reasons in a Letter or Message sealed up to the Commissioners for the Parliament to open But the Earl of Denbigh the cheif Commissioner desired the King that although they were intrusted only to bring the demands in writing and not to Treat yet they hope his Majesty would distinguish them from ordinary Commissioners and suffer them to see what was written professing that his Majesty should not receive disappointment or prejudice thereby The King Commands Ashburnham to read them aloud in these words C. R. The Necessity of complying with all engaged interests in these great distempers for a perfect settlement of peace his Majesty findes to be none of the least difficulties he hath met with since the time of his afflictions Which is too visible when at the same time that the two Houses of the English Parliament do present to his Majesty several Bills and Propositions for his consent the Commissioners for Scotland do openly protest against them So that were there nothing in the case but the consideration of that difference his Majesty cannot Imagine how to give such an Answer to what is now proposed as thereby to promise himself his great end A perfect Peace And when his Majesty further considers how impossible it is in the condition he now stands to fulfil the desires of the two Houses since the only ancient and known wayes of passing Laws are either by his Majesties personal assent in the House of Peers or by Commission under his great Seal of England He cannot but wonder at such failings in the manner of addresse which is now made unto him Unlesse his two Houses intend that his Majesty shall allow of a great Seal made without his Authority before there be any consideration had thereupon in a Treaty Which as it may hereafter hazard the security it self so for the present it seems very unreasonable to his Majesty And though his Majesty is willing to believe that the intentions of very many in both Houses in sending these Bills before a Treaty was only to obtain a trust from him and not to take any advantage by passing them to force other things from him which are either against his Conscience or Honour Yet his Majesty believes it clear to all understandings that these Bills contain as they are now penned not only the divesting himself of all Soveraignty and that without possibility of recovering it either to him or his Successors except by repeal of those Bills but also the making his Concessions guilty of the greatest pressures that can be made upon the Subject as in other particulars so by giving an arbitrary and unlimited power to the two Houses for ever to raise and levy Forces for Land or Sea service of what persons without distinction or quality and to what numbers they please And likewise for the payment of them to levy what monies in such sort and by such wayes and means and consequently upon the Estates of whatsoever persons they shall think fit and appoint which is utterly inconsistent with the Liberty and Property of the Subject and his Majesties trust in protecting them So that if the Major part of both Houses shall think it necessary to put the rest of the propositions into Bills his Majesty leaves all the World to judge how unsafe it would be for him to consent thereunto And if not what a strange condition after the passing of these four Bills his Majesty and all his Subjects would be cast into And here his Majesty thinks it not unfit to wish his two Houses to consider well the manner of their proceeding That when his Maiesty desires a personal Treaty with them for the setling of a Peace they in Answer propose the very subject matter of the most essential part thereof to be the first granted A thing which will be hardly credible to posterity Wherefore his Majesty declares That neither the desire of being freed from this tedious and Irksome condition of life his Majesty hath so long suffered nor the apprehension of what may befall him in case his two Houses shal not attend him a personal Treaty shall make him change his resolution of not consenting to any Act till the whole Peace be concluded yet then he intends not only to give just and reasonable satisfaction in the particulars presented to him but also to make good all other concessions mentioned in his Message of the twenty sixth of November last Which he thought would have produced better effects than what he findes in the Bills and Propositions now presented unto him And yet his Majesty cannot give over but now again earnestly presse for a personal Treaty so passionately is he affected with the advantages which peace will bring to his Majesty and all his Subjects of which he will not all dispair there being no other visible way to obtain a well grounded peace How ever his Majesty is very much at ease within himself for having fulfilled the Offices both of a Christian and of a King and will patiently wait the good pleasure of Almighty God to encline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and to compassionate their fellow Subjects miseries Carisbroke Castle Decem. 28. 1647. For the Speaker of the Lords House c. Herein the Commissioners found what pinched the Parliament and no sooner had the Parliaments Commissioners taken their leave and were gone towards Newport but Hamond turns out all the Kings Servants out of the Castle The confusion was so great that the King demands of
that they should furnish him with Shipping and all things necessary these things were transacted the 1. of August and to imbarque at a port in Angus but their Ship not ready being so designed to engage his neglect he hired a Norway Man of Birgen thither he sends his friends Sir Io. Hurrey Iohn Dromond Henry Graham Iohn Spotswood Iohn Lily Patrick Melvin Geo. Wiseheart Doctor of Divinity Divid Gutlery Pardus La-sound a Frenchman Rodolph a German men pickt out for their abilities he sends them before and himself clad in a course suit he passed disguised as a servant to Iames Wood his worthy Chaplain from the haven of Montrose which flows to Brechen in Angus And from this time the State of Scotland had Elbow room without any Enemies at home The Scots Army being returned home out of England kept up a Body under colour of Civil diffentions there And their General David Lesley had Command of all and having notice that his Enemy Kilketto was retreated out of Arguile into Cantire and the Earl of Antrim into the Isles he drew off from Perth and came to Dundain and Arguile himself retreated to Inerne Castle quartering between Sterling and Dunkel The general Kirk Assembly of Scotland met Iuly 6. and ordered a publick Fast upon these Reasons That Gods hand is stretched out against them in the judgement of the Pestilence mainly increasing The great danger of Religion in the work of Reformation in both Kingdoms from the number and the Policy of Sectaries in England like to overturn the Foundation there laid with the expence of so much blood and pains And therefore they resolve to cleave to the Solemn League and Covenant against all the purposes and endeavours and underminings of their Enemy and pray for the Parliament of England and the Synod of Divines and the good effects and fruits of Truth and Peace which they now had for Montrose was gone But in this distempers of England the Scots increased their Forces and put England into fears and jealousies so that Allarm was often devised to see in what posture the English should be for seven thousand of the Scots were drawing Southward for fresh Quarters and are come over Spey River with Lesley Middleton in the East and Arguile's in the West and the Highlanders keep the Hills And not long after Lesley is come to Iaddard within fourty miles of Newcastle with fifteen hundred Horse and three thousand Foot for his part But notwithstanding the States of Scotland pretend to Disband unless their Kingdom be in danger of trouble the person of the King in any hazard or their Kingdom thereby dishonour'd and therefore for the present they raise two hundred thousand pounds Scotch for the present Sept. 27. but having knowledge by their Commissioners in England of the affairs here they will not Disband for at the beheading of the Lord Hart-Hill at Edenburgh one who had been for the King in the time of Montrose He scattered some Papers there to the people which mention the particulars of great troubles likely to be in England But to caress them and to see what they do 2. of the Lords and 4. of the Commons House are speedily to Post with Instructions to the Estates of Scotland where we leave them till the next year and proceed to a summary of the affairs of Ireland this year The Parliaments Commissioners are gon to Ireland to take possession of Dublin for the Marquess of Ormond and landed them the seventh of Iune and with them were Colonel Iones Captain Merridith Captain Parsons four hundred and fifty Hoâ—se and one thousand Foot commanded by Colonel Kinaston and four Captains mist at the time that Sir Charls Coot defeated a party of the Rebels The Parliament there now sitting gave good reception to the Commissioners in Iune Colonel Iones is made Governor of Dublin and much troubled by mutinies for advance mony and pay of arrears but were appeased and the old eleven Regiments of Foot reduced to seven viz. the Earl of Kildares Lord Moor Tichburn Benlace Willoughby Baily and Flowers in all about four thousand Many skirmishes are daily in several parts of the Provinces winning and loosing as the fate of war falls out but the complaint comes sad on the Parliament of England that their monies are gon their provisions in the field cannot last six daies and are forced to leave the field and go to garison for want of bread that Owen Roe the Rebel is with great forces in Connaught and Preston is marching against Dublin against whom Colonel Iones marches out with three thousand Horse and Foot and faced each other about twelve miles from Dublin the Enemy being eight thousand who fell on and forced Iones to retreat and then to fly and were pursued four miles taken prisoners and killed many the whole forces being in very sad condition But the eighth of August it was revenged by Colonel Iones upon Preston neer Trim killed five thousand four hundred and seventy Foot Souldiers three hundred of the Gentry seven thousand Arms taken four pieces of ordnance and great pillage with one hundred and fifty Oxen. About twelve a clock the Armies joyned battell continuing two hours Iones his Horse of two wings and some Foot having broken both wings of the Enemies the main body also advanced and did as much against theirs then the Enemy about three thousand drew up into a Bog and in abody whom Iones surrounded the Foot fall in and killed them those that came forth fell into the Horse and were all slain It was the greatest overthrow that we can boast of since the first war of the English against the Irish but not long after he rallies and joynes with Owen Oneal But the Lord Inchequin and his Souldiers understanding the differences of the Parliament and Army in England make their declaration and Remonstrance also yet they resolve to go on against the Rebels but will not admit of any alteration in Martial Government untill their arrears be paid them what is due both in England and Ireland And the Scots are called upon to Recall their â—orces out of Ulster in Ireland there being no further need of their forces the Parliament of England resolving to prosecute that war with the forces of England onely for Colonel Iones was successfull and had taken from the second of October to the nineteenth Castle Ricard Port Castle Athby Grucesfort the Mabber Belliloe Cabbrough Castle War Danmock Carrat Matrose Castle down and Castle Amoin And Inchequin hath his share of success in the Province of Munster the thirteenth of November neer Megallo and Clancard and killed two thousand five hundred upon the plain divers wounded and taken prisoners so that the Enemies loss is reckoned four thousand but at the close of these events the English cry out for recruit of men relief of Provisions and oft times ready to starve but the Kingdom of England are not at better leisure to help them being in much distemper at home
so much of the success of our English Army in Scotland 27. Sept. The Scots Armies are accordingly Disbanded Barwick and Carslile delivered up to the English and the Writs gone out for a new Parliament 20. of Ianuary And a fresh General Assembly of their Kirkmen Somewhat strange in the capitulation that the English Assistants to the Scots in both these Garrisons are submitted to the mercy of the Parliament of England And a Letter of thanks is sent from the Committee of Estates of Scotland to the Lieutenant General Cromwel for his orderly government of his Forces and his many civilities and respects to that Nation and they excuse themselves from any guilt or connivance in the late engagement against England acknowledging that his Army so near is the means and occasion of advantage to that Nation to make peace and to prevent distraction and confusion which otherwise had continued amongst them And for confirmation of all he is invited to Edenburgh to Feasts and Banquets with all expressions of Honour of Arms and so returns homewards Octo. 20. by the way is received with Hosannah's of joy by all the Northern Counties and invited to take in the strong Garrisons of Pomfreit and Scarborough which infested the County all about them But let us return to Sea affairs This while the Prince was put aboard the Revolted Ships which with some others of his own were formed into a Fleet and with him his brother the Duke of York Prince Rupert Lords Hopton Wilmot and Willoughby Earls of Branford and Ruthen formerly General for the King the Lord Culpepper and Sir Henry Palmer and increasing number came into Yarmouth Rode with twenty Sail and two thousand men the Town being much divided in affection some would have him land and march to Colchester then besieged with such as will come to his assistance To prevent him Colonel Scroop is coming not fourty miles off with Horse and Foot to attend his motion if he land some hopes he had of landing and therefore provided a Declaration his forerunner 27. Iuly The establishing of Religion according to his Majesties agreement 26. December last The performance of the said Agreement and pursuance of all Concessions on the Kings part The restoring the King to a personal Treaty The maintenance of the just priviledges of Parliament The liberty of the Subject abolishing of Excise contribution for quarter c. with an Act of Obliâ—ion The Disbanding of all Armies setling Peace The defence of the Narrow Seas securing Trade support of the Navy and Sea-men His Commissions to his Commanders were thus stiled Charls Prince of great Britain Duke of Cornwal and Albany Highest Captain General under his Majesty of all Forces both by Sea and Land within the Kingdom of England Dominion of Wales and Town of Barwick c. Whereas we hold it convenient to Arm and set forth to Sea for the weakning and suppressing the usurped power c. Bearing date heretofore from St. Germin in Laye 6. June 1648. A correspondence likewise we finde fixed with the State of Scotland by Letters intercepted and directed to Sir Alexander Gibson Clerk of the Signet at Edenburgh from London 26. Iuly telling him that we are here in the City very right only Skippon makes disturbance by listing Horse and Foot whom we hope to out of his Office The Lords wait for some further incouragement from the City to which purpose the Common Council are framing petitions Our Design to free Colchester is not yet ready c. But the Prince finding no footing in Norfolk sailed back Southwards to the Downs in Kent seizing what Merchants Ships and goods that he could light upon sending Letters to the City of London together with his Declaration and that if the City will redeem their goods they must send him two hundred thousand pound But Anchoring in the Downs he hath a Design upon the Parl. Besiegers of Deal Castle in which were Royalists and Lands five hundred men who March forwards and at first beat off the Horse which Colonel Rich and Hewson had drawn out to Encounter them untill some more Forces of Foot followed routed the Princes Forces killed many and took others Prisoners and the rest hardly got aboard again Whilst the Prince Anchors with his Fleet in the Downs the States of Scotland invite him May it please your Highness Amongst all the Calamities which this Nation these late years hath wrastled under none doth more wound and afflict us next to his Majesty your royal Fathers sad condition and restraint then your Highness long absence from this Kingdom whereunto your right Title is so just and unquestionable and seeing our Forces are now again in England in pursuance of their duty to Religion and his Majesties rescue we humbly beg That your Highness would be pleased to honour and countenance with your presence and assistance our pious and Loyal endeavours which we look upon as the only means of uniting us in this great work being confident that your Highness will effectually apply your self to procure from his Majesty just satisfaction to the desires of Parliaments And if your Highness will grant these our humble requests and trust your peâ—son amongst us we doe ing age the publick Faith of this Kingdom for your well being in honour freedom and safety either here in Scotland or with our Army in England and to remove from us or the Army when or whither you please And these they send by the Earl of Louderdale with Letters of Credence in what he shall further communicate to the Prince From the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland in whose Name and Warrant are signed Aug. 10. Crawford Lindsey The Parliaments Vice-Admiral Batten having heretofore served them with faithfulness and good success was by the Army Voted out of his place and Rainsborough a Land Captain put into his Command Not long after being Governour of Deal Castle which cost him six hundred pound repair He was turned out and made a Delinquent upon the old quarrel for suffering some of the eleven Members to pass beyond Seas Rainsborough was refused by the Sea men not suffering him to come aboard then they â—aress Bâ—â—ten to take up his Commission again which he disdained the Parliament being in distress for a Commander they Vote in the Earl of Warwick who was served so before And now Batten comes to the Prince in Holland who receives him with favour and honours him with Knight-hood where he publishes the reasons of his declining the Parliaments Service and was faithfull to the Prince for ever after It was the middle of Iune as aforesaid that the Kâ—mish Insurrectors got over to Essex and from thence into the Town of â—â—lchester and with such Forces as they could gather they strengthen the place and prepare for a Siege The Commanders in chief were the Eâ— of Norwich old Goriâ—g the Lord Capel Sir Charles Lucas and others in opposition to 〈…〉 and all
Sanderson Shelden Hamond Oldsworth Turner Haywood Lawyers Sir Tho. Gardner Sir Orlando Bridgman Sir R. Holburn Mr. Ieffery Palmer Mr. Tho. Cook Mr. Io. Vaughan Clerks and Writers Sir Edward Walker Mr. Phil. Warwick Mr. Nich. Oudart Mr. Charles Whittane To make ready the House for Treating Peter Newton The Commissioners nominated to attend the Treaty for the Parliament were the Earls of Salisbury Pembroke Middlesex Northumberland and the Lord Say And of the Commons were the Lord Wainman Mr. Hollis lately re-admitted into the House Mr. Perpoint Sir Harry Vane Jun. Sir Harbotel Grimston Mr. Brown Mr. Crew Mr. â—lin lately re-admitted into the House Sir Io. Pots and Mr. Bulkley And the King desired a safe conduct for Commissioners to come out of Scotland to joyn in the Treaty with him viz. the Lord Carnagy Sir Alexander Gibson the Lord Clerk Register and Sir Iames Carmichel The two first were refused as having been in arms against the Parliament of England And that four Bishops might attend him Armagh Exeter Rochester and Worcester and for Doctor Ferne and Doctor Morley And for his Advocate Sir Thomas Reves and for Doctor Duck Civil Lawyers but none of these aforesaid the Kings friends were intromitted into the Scene or to speech but to stand behind the Hangings and in the Tâ—ring-room so that the Kings single solitary self opposed all the other party And Order is given to Colonel Hamond to free the King of his imprisonment to ride abroad where he pleaseth upon his engagement to return at night to Sir William Hodges House the place appointed to Treat where galloppiâ—g down a steep Hill 14 Septem and reining his Horse too hard the Bridle broke and he without a Curb ran with speed endangering the King whose excellent Horsemanship saved him from the terrible effects which amazed the beholders And it is remarkable that long before this Lilly had foretold in his Astrological Predictions pag 15. lin 31. And were his Majesty at liberty it shews or threatens danger to his person by inordinate Horsmanship or some fall from on high Friday the 15. of September the Commissioners of Parliament are come to the King and Saturday was kept a fast by him and all his Family and Friends assistant with the ancient service of the Book of Common Prayer and preaching with this particular Prayer for a blessing on the Treaty O Most merciful Father Lord God of Peace and truth we a people sorely afflicted by the scourge of an unnatural war do here earnestly beseâ—ch thee to command a blessing from Heaven upon this Treaty brought about by thy providence and the only visible remedy left for the establishment of an happy peace Soften the most obdurate hearts with a true Christian desire of saving those mens blood for whom Christ himself hath shed his O Lord let not the guilt of our sins cause this Treaty to break off but let the Truth of thy Spirit so clearly shine in our mindes that all private ends laid a side we may every one of us heartily and sincerely pursue the publick good and that thy people may be no longer so blindly miserable as not 〈◊〉 see at least in this their day the things that belong unto their peace Grant this gracious God for his sake who is our peace it self even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The King told the Commissioners that he was glad of their coming to treat with him for a Peace and desired God to perfect that good work professing that he was in charity with all men not willing to revenge upon any nor to delay the hopes of a blessed issue and concludes to begin the Treaty on Munday morning 9. a clock 18. Septemb. The Treaty begins and to make it more difficult to Peace Occasion is given to oppose four Demands or Bills to the Kings demands which as a pledge of trust should be granted before whereto if the King assent they promise to commence a Treaty to the rest 1. To order for the future the Militia without the Kings consent to raise what Arms they please and that all others upon the pain of Treason shall not assemble to the number of thirty persons without the Authority of Parliament 2. That the Houses may sit and adjourn and assemble to what place and at what time at their own discretion 3. All Oaths Interdictions and declarations against the Parliament to be declared void 4. Whomsoever the King had dignified with Titles from the time himself departed and conveyed away the great Seal of England be degraded of their honours And these must be first ratified and to command them to be passed into Laws Then they go on with the Preface the matter of the Treaty For as much as both Houses of Parliament have been necessitated to undertake a War for their just defence and for the prosecuting thereof have bound themselves in a Covenant be it enacted by the Kings command The Propositions were in number eleven 1. That all Declarations and Proclamations against the two Houses of Parliament or their Adherents and all Judgments and Indictments c. against them be declared Null 2. That a Satute be Enacted for abolishing of all Arch Bishops and Bishops out of the Churches of England and Ireland for the selling of their Lands and Revenues As also that the calling and sitting in Synod of the Divines be approved 〈◊〉 the Royal assent the Reformation of Religion for England and Ireland according to such Models as the Members of Parliament have or shall decree consultations first had with the said Divines In particular that the King grant his assent that the Act of both Houses formerly made concerning the Directory as concerning the publick Celebration of Gods worship throughout England and Ireland for the abolishing the Ancient Liturgie for the form of Church Government and Articles of Religion with the Catechisms the great and the less for the more Religious observation of the Lords day for supressing of Innovations in Churches and Chappels for the incouraging of the publick Preachers to their duties by a just reward for prohibiting of Pluralities of Benefices and non-residence to Clergy-men henceforth pass into Statutes or Laws That the King would set his hand to the National League and Covenant and suffer himself to be bound by the same that by publick Act it be enjoyned all the Subjects of both the Kingdoms of England and Scotland to be bound thereby under a penalty to be imposed at the pleasure of both Houses That it may belong to the Houses of Parliament to visit and reform the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge the Colledges also of Westminster Winchester and Eaton That it be provided by Statutes that Jesuites Priests and Papists disturb not the Common-wealth nor elude the Laws as also for the discriminating of them an Oath be administred to them wherein they shall abjure the Pope of Romes Supremacie Transubstantiation Purgatory Image-worship and other Superstitious errors of the Church of Rome That
up and Anarchy goes down yet rather then to sink the Presbyter complies and the Houses agree whom the Army resolve so to ballance as by their Authority for the present to doe the great work and to dissolve Monarchy Some Members out of honour and conscience forbearing the rest of them receive the Report of the 38. Committee-men and their general Charge against the King That Charls Stuart hath acted contrary to his trust in departing from the Parliament setting up his standard making war against them and thereby been the occasion of much bloudshed and misery to the people whom he was set over for good That he gave Commissions to Irish Rebels c. and since was occasion of a second War c. besides what done contrary to the Liberties of the Subject and tending to the destruction of the Fundamental Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom 27. December The Queen of England now at Paris in France writes to the King which was conveyed to him by one Wheeler imployed by Major Boswels man where the Queen expresseth her deep sence and sorrow for the Kings sad condition with whom she bears an equal share and wishes to dye for him nor will she live without him for whose interest she hath and will doe her utmost in all possible waies and means to help him Then another Letter was delivered by the French Ambassador to the General from the Queen and directed To her trusty and welbeloved Tho. Lord Fairfax General imploring his help and assistance that she may have leave as the Ambassador unfolded to come over to the King her Husband to see him before he be proceeded against by any Tryal or Charge and to have a Pass for her secure coming and returning which letter the General sent to the House and they laid it aside And to confirm the present intended Tryal the Commons House declare That by the Fundamental Laws of the Realm it is Treason in the King of England for the time to come to levy War against the Parliament and Kingdom The Ordinance for the Kings tryal was refused by the Lords Ian. 2. but they will send answer and presently adjourn for ten daies The Commons examining the Lords Journal Books finde three Votes 1. To send an Answer 2. That their Lordships do not concur to the Declaration 3. That their Lordships reject the Ordinance for tryal of the King Upon which the Commons Vote That all Members and others appointed to act in any Ordinance are impowred and injoyned to Sit Act and Execute notwithstanding the House of Peers joyn not with them The House 4. Ianuary turned into a grant Committee resolve and declare 1. That the People under God are the Original of all just power 2. That the Commons of England assembled in Parliament being chosen by and representing the People have the Supream Authority of this Nation 3. That whatsoever is enacted and declared for Law by the Commons of England assembled in Parliament hath the force of a Law 4. That all the people of this Nation are included thereby although the consent and concurrance of the King and House of Peers be not had thereunto 5. That to raise Arms against the Peoples Representative or Parliament and to make War upon them is high Treason 6. That the King himself took Arms against the Parliament and on that account in guilty of the bloodshed throughout the Civil War and that he ought to expiate the crime with his own bloud Thus they prepare for the design which must be attempted by degrees The Tryal of the King The Ordinance for his Tryal was 6. Ian. ingrossed and read and the manner is referred to the Commissioners who are to try him and meet in the Painted Chamber Munday 8. Ianuary and resolved that Proclamation be made in Westminster Hall that the Commissioners are to sit again to morrow and that those who had any thing to say against the King shall be heard In this manner Mr. Denby the younger a Serjeant at Arms to the Commissioners rid into the Hall with his Mace and some Officers all bare six Trumpetters on Horseback sounded in the midst of the Hall and the Drums of the Guard beat without in the Pallace Yard and in like manner at the Old Exchange and in Cheapside 9. Ian. The Commons Vote the Title in Writs Carolus Dei Gratiâ c. to be altered and referred to a Committee That the great Seal of England be broken and ordered a new Seal with the Arms of England and the Harp for Ireland with this word The great Seal of England And on the reverse the picture of the House of Commons sitting with these words In the first year of freedom by Gods blessing restored 1648. And in perpetuam rei memoriam the Mayor Aldermen and Common Council petitioned the House of Commons for justice against the King to settle the Votes that the Supreme power is in them and the City resolving to stand by them to the utmost And this Petition was ordered to be Recorded in the Books amongst the Acts of the Common Council And in respect of the Kings intended Tryal Hillary Term begining the 23. of Ian. was adjourned for 14. dayes after and proclaimed in London and Westminster and all Market Towns The Scots Parliament began Ianu. 4. and the proceedings of the Parliament of England being reported to them they unanimously did dissent First in the toleration of Religion in reference to the Covenant in the Tryal of the King and in the alteration of the form of Government And in order hereunto some Papers were brought to the House of Commons at Westminster directed To William Lenthal Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons and no more where they use to say to be communicated to the House of Commons by which they acknowledge them an House and so the House thought not fit to read them but Voted to send Commissioners to Scotland to preserve a good correspondence between both Nations The Commissioners for the Kings Trial debated and concluded That the Sword and the Mace although with the Kings Arms thereon should be ordered to be in Court at his Tryal And the King to be brought from St. Iame's whither he was come a prisoner to Sir Robert Cottons House at Westminster The Higher House sat and sent a Message to the Commons grounded upon the dissent of the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal joyned with the Commons That they could not agree to pass the Act of the Commons for adjourning the Term without the Lords concurrence first to be had And that by the instructions given to the said Commissioners the Commons Commissioners could do nothing without assent of one of the Lords The Message therefore was to the Commons to concur with the Lords for adjourning the Term for a fortnight and that the Commissioners of the great Seal may be required to passe the same under seal This Massage crossed the Commons late Votes
which on the contrary command obedience to Princes Nor by mans Laws nor by the Laws of our Land sith the Laws of England injoyn all accusations to be read in the Kings name nor do they indulge any power of judging even the most abject subject to the lower or Commons House Neither lastly does their power flow from any Authority which might be pretended extraordinary delegated from the people seeing ye have not asked so much as every tenth man in this matter The President ever and anon as before interrupting his Speech now very unhandsomly if not insolently rebukes the King bids him be mindful of his doom affirming That the Court was abundantly satisfied of their Authority nor was the Court to hear any Reasons that should detract from their power But what saies the King or where in all the world is that Court in which no place is left for reason Yes answered the President you shall finde Sir that this very Court is such a one But the King presses That they would at least permit him to exhibite his Reasons in writing which if they could satisfactorily Answer he would yield himself to their jurisdiction Here the President not content to deny grew into anger commanding the Prisoner to be taken away The King replyed no more to these things then Remember saies he That 't is your King from whom you turn away the ear In vain certainly will my Subjects expect justice from you who stop your ears to your King ready to plead his cause The 3. daies Tryal Tuesday was in effect the same the same Demands of the Court and the like Answer of the King and so adjourn to the next morning Wednesday ten a clock but they were so busied in the Painted Chamber before in the examining of witnesses as they said that an Officer came out to the people and told them so and that they should finde the Court there upon Summons for as yet they were not resolved when to sit For it was Saturday after 27. Ian. before they Assembled and 68. of the Tryers answered to their names The President in Scarlet Robe and as the King came the Souldiers were directed to cry out for Execution of Justice Execution belike to forwarn the King of what he should now expect The King speaks first and desires to be heard a word or two but short and yet wherein he hopes not to give just occasion to be interrupted and goes on A suddain Iudgment saies the King is not so soon recalled But he is sharply reproved of contumacy The President profusely praises the pâ—â—ience of the Court and commands him now at length to submit otherwise he shall hear the Sentence of death resolved upon by the Court against him The King still refuses to plead his cause before them But that he had some things conducing to the good of the people and peace of the Kingdom which he desires liberty to deliver before the Members of both Houses But the President would not vouchsafe him so much as this favour lest it should tend he said to the delay or retardation of Iustice Whereupon the King replies It were better sustain a little delay of a day or two then to precipitate a sentence which would bring perpetual Tragedies upon the Kingdom and miseries to children unborn If saies he I sought occasions of delay I would have made a more elaborate contestation of the cause which might have served to protract the time and evade at least the while a most ugly Sentence but I will shew my self such a Defender of the Laws and of the Right of my Countrey as to choose rather to dye for them the Martyr of my people then by prostituting them to an Arbitrary power go about to acquire any manner of Liberty for my self but I therefore request this short liberty of speaking before a cruel sentence be given for that I well know 't is harder to be recalled then prevented and therefore I desire that I may withdraw and you consider They all withdraw The King to Cottons House the Tryers into the Court of Wards and in half an hour return And the President with the same harshness as he began proceeds into a premeditated Speech to hasten Sentence which the King offers reason to forbear whilst he may be heard before his Parliament and this he requires as they will answer it at the dreadful day of judgement and to consider it once again But not prevailing the President goes on wherein he aggravates the contumacy of the King and the hatefulness of the crimes he asserts Parliamentary Authority producing examples both Domestick and Foreign especially out of Scotland wherein the people had punished their Kings He affirms that the power of the people of England over their King was not less That the guilt of this King was greater than of all others as being one who according to Caligulas wish had attempted to 〈◊〉 off the neck of the Kingdom by a War waged against the Parliament for all which the Charge calls him Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and a publick Enemy to the Common-wealth and it had been well Sir saies he if that any of all these terms might have been spared if any of them at all This wrung a start from the King who astonished could not Answer but with an Interrogatory how Sir And the other goes on to argue that Rex est dum bene Regit Tyrannus qui populum opprimit and by this definition he lodges on the Kings Arbitrary Government which he saies he sought to put upon the people His Treasons he stiles a breach of trust to the Kingdom as his superiour and is therefore called to an account Minimus majorem in judicium vocat His Murthers are many all those that have been committed in all the War between him and his people are laid to his charge all the innocent bloud which cannot be cleansed but by the blood of him that shed the blood so then for Tyranny Treason Murthers and many more crimes And so as a Iudge indeed uses to Iayl birds he wishes the King to have God before his eyes And that the Court calls God to witness that meerly their conscience of duty brings them to that place and this imployment which they are resolved to effect and calls for Gods assistance in his Execution The King offered to speak to these great Imputations in the charge but he was told his time was past the Sentence was coming on which the President commanded to be read under this form Whereas the Commons of England in Parliament have appointed them an High Court of Justice for the Tryal of Charls Stuart King of England before whom he had been three times convented and at the first time a Charge of High Treason and other crimes and misdemeanours was read in the behalf of the Kingdom of England c. as in the Charge which was read throughout To which Charge he the said Charles Stuart was
differences and offences by impartiality or so order affairs in point of power that you shall not need to fear or flatter any faction For if ever you stand in need of them or must stand to their courtesie you are undone the Serpent will devour the Dove you may never expect less of Loyalty Iustice or Humanity then from those who engage into Religious Rebellion their interest is alwaies made Gods under the colours of piety ambitious policies march nor only with greatest security but applause as to the populacy you may hear from them Jacobs voice but you shall feel they have Esau's hands Nothing seemed less considerable then the Presbyterian Faction in England for many years so compliant they were to publick order nor indeed was their party great either in Church or State as to mens judgments but as soon as discontents drave men into sidings as ill humors fall to the disaffected part which cause's inflamations so did all at first who affected any Novelties adhere to that side as the most remarkable and specious note of difference then in point of Religion All the lesser Factions at first were officious servants to Presbytery their great Master till time and military success discovering to each their peculiar advantages invited them to part stakes and leaving the joint stock of uniform Religion they pretended each to drive for their party the trade of profits and preferments to the breaking and undoing not only of the Church and State but even of Presbytery it self which seemed and hoped at first to have ingrossed all Let nothing seem little or despicable to you in matters which concern Religion and the Churches peace so as to neglect a speedy reforming and effectual suppressing Errors and Schisms what seem at first but as a hand breadth by seditious Spirits as by strong windes are soon made to cover and darken the whole heaven When you have done justice to God your own Soul and his Church in the profession and preservation both of truth and unity in Religion the next main hinge on which your prosperity will depend and move is that of Civil Iustice wherein the setled Laws of these Kingdoms to which you are rightly Heir are the most excellent Rules you can govern by which by an admirable temperament give very much to Subjects industry liberty and happiness and yet reserve enough to the Majesty and Prerogative of any King who owns his people as Subjects not as Slaves whose subjection as it preserves their property peace and safety so it will never diminish your Rights nor their ingenious Liberties which consist in the injoyment of the fruits of their industry and the benefit of those Laws to which themselves have consented Never charge your head with such a Crown as shall by its heaviness oppress the whole body the weakness of whose parts cannot return any thing of strength honour or safety to the head but a necessary debilitation and ruine Your Prerogative is best shewed and exercised in remitting rather then exacting the rigor of the Laws there being nothing worse then Legal Tyranny In these two points the preservation of establisted Religion and Laws I may without vanity turn the reproach of my sufferings as to the worlds censure into the honour of a kinde of Martyrdom as to the testimony of my own conscience the troublers of my Kingdoms having nothing else to object against me but this that I prefer Religion and Laws established before those alterations they propounded And so inded I do and ever shall till I am convinced by better Arguments then what hitherto have been chiefly used towards me Tumults Armies and Prisons I cannot yet learn that Lesson nor I hope ever will you that it is safe for a King to gratifie any Faction with the perturbation of the Laws in which is wrapt up the Publick Interest and the good of the Community How God will deal with me as to the removal of these pressures and indignities which his Iustice by the very unjust hands of some of my Subjects hath been pleased to lay upon me I cannot tell nor am I much solicitous what wrong I suffer from men while I retein in my soul what I believe is right before God I have offered all for Reformation and safety that in Reason Honour and Conscience I can reserving only what I cannot consent unto without an irreparable injury to my own Soul the Church and my people and you also as the next and undoubted Heir of my Kingdoms To which if the divine Providence to whom no difficulties are insuperable shall in his due time after my decease bring you as I hope he will my counsel and charge to you is that you seriously consider the former real or objected miscarriages which might occasion my troubles that you may avoid them Never repose so much upon any man's single Counsel fidelitie and discretion in managing affairs of the first magnitude that is matters of Religion and Iustice as to create in your self or others a difâ—idence of your own judgment which is likely to be alwaies more constant and impartial to the interests of your Crown and Kingdom then any mans Next beware of exasperating any Factions by the crosness and asperity of some mens passions humours or private opinions imployed by you grounded only upon the differences in lesser matters which are but the Skirts and Suburbs of Religion Wherein a charitable connivence and Christian toleration often dissipates their strength whom rougher opposition fortifies and puts the despised and oppressed Party into such combinations as may most enable them to get a full revenge on those they count their persecutors who are commonly assisted by that vulgar commiseration which attends all that are said to suffer under the notion of Religion Provided the differences amount not to an insolent opposition of Laws and Government or Religion established as to the essentials of them Such motions and minings are intolerable Alwaies keep up solid Piety and those fundamental truths which mend both hearts and lives of men with impartial favor and justice Take heed that outward circumstances and formalities of Religion devour not all or the best encouragements of learning industry and piety but with an equal eye and impartial hand distribute favours and rewards to all men as you finde them for their real goodness both in abilities and fidelity worthy and capable of them This will be sure to gain you the hearts of the best and the most too who though they be not good themselves yet are glad to see the severer wayes of vertue at any time sweetned by temporal rewards I have you see conflicted with different and opposite Factions for so I must needs call and count all those that act not in any conformity to the Laws established in Church and State no sooner have they by force subdued what they counted their common enemie that is all those that adhered to the Laws and to me and are secured from that fear but they
by Courtney Hawley and Bingley Part of these two Companies about two hundred a piece stood at the mouth of that Causway which bore not above five a Brest The other part was placed at the side of the Causway not far from Damier Our horse in the mean time by reason of these companies so dispersed one Troop thereof consisted of not above 30. and the other but 38. to receive the enemies first charge amongst those were some of the Reformed as it were to inclose the Companies and all this the enemy knew and what companies could not come to assistance To Schomburgh comes Marilane and requires the word yet he intended not presently to fight us but to afflict and take our last as a noble Gallant confessed for there they appear to approach the Causway not so by a strait but by oblique course The French now advance a pace and are stoutly received by us but overprest by multitude they underwent diverse fortune For one part of our Horse fell amongst whom was that gallant and unrevenged Cunningham Another part yielded amongst whom was the Lord Mountjoy and he civilly used Others by the Enemies numerous power and their own weight in a steep place were forced to fly and whiles thus hurryed through the straits of the Causway into Ditches and Salt pits we were thrown The way thus opened the French pursue and made no small slaughter upon us For with very long pikes they pierced some of us already in the dirt whose face not long before they scarce durst behold And those by our own horse to whom onely they could give place were thrust besides the top of the Causway and so pierced by the enemies spears Those Companies next the horse at Damiere with their colours flying fought a while but as the former overpowred with the number fell or fled Amongst these the Reformed by uneven and turning paths made their way to the furâ—her bridge with much danger For the Enemy spared none that they met with And in truth here was a very great Slaughter Buckingham did much by direction and example Nor did the diversity of their thoughts suite well some endeavouring to fly others forbad it they rendred themselves by turns to the enemies pleasure and endeavouring by heaps to pass the Bridge one stopping another and so forced the contrary way until mutually knitting together they were thrown into the Sea And in truth Rich and Bret and many other Noble souls defending that bloody bridge encombred and prest perished in the waters and as many as fell to the French were surely destroyed Beyond the Bridge was ammunition for which Crosby contended but by a promiscous torrent of fliers and pursuers forced away having no leasure to distinguish Friends from Foes But upon a turn of fortune the French were forced beyond the Bridge Marilane leading them whom Sir Thomas Fryar and Hacksvil with gallant Spirits fall upon and Crosby with the next stand and rallied force assist and so wrested the victory from the enemy And herein not to be partial consult with their own writers they confess it and name their gallants slain This nimble victory makes us consult to pursue the French but the paucity and fewness of our men night also come caused us to forbear and themselves say Their return so disturbed and altered the French affairs that Marilane forsaken by his runnawayes could neither by fair means nor force of Sword detain them It may be suspected so few to put to flight the French but remember heretofore the battails of Cressie Poictiers Agencourt small handfuls of ours vanquished theirs the French Naturally they must confess it spend all their fury at Assault and without fear given create fear to themselves for they chill their internal strength and run headlong into danger the cause in themselves I must confess the victory which we claim was as I may say but lamentable which yet the Law of Arms allows us No man perished of ours but who desired to dy pent up to fight not to fly we fought for French against French theirs not our own quarrel The number of ours lost are now in question We say but 500. they reckon of us 1100. and how By the old Breeches which we cast off and the miserable beseeches bought of the Islanders to make a shew and fill up their Accompt And for their purchase of our number of Colours an oversight of us not to send them away with our Guns I told you before how we were weakned not a dozen left to an ensign and for the French who buried their own accompt but two or three hundred we cannot disprove them The night as I said came on they are fled we not able to pursue We were to make good our design to depart the Isle of Rhe not to be forced to be gone Yet still we stand expecting fresh Assaults from the French which they might easily do but did not and returned We went on and Crosby had the Watch Guard that night and order at the third Watch to burn the bridge which he did without damage The next day Buckingham minding his departure sends Fryar and Bret to demand the dead bodies and Dolbier to treat about Exchange of Prisoners Schomburgh consents to the first but refers the second to his Kings pleasure and so some tiÌ„me after all were returned without ransome to either friends We make aboard but here the question the glory of the field who of our own to stay last upon the shore to avoid dispute it was ordered by lot and on ship too we weighed not anchor till eight daies dared the enemie with their numerous fresh Fleets to fight And so saies Schomburgh to the King He intends himself to declare to his Majesty the English state and stay in the Anserne Island ere they departed Buckingham aboard calls a Council and demands their opinions freely if enough had been done in honour to depart All consented in one and that truly we had done well But Buckingham offered his desire to land and force the Continent and somewhat might be conceived in safety to the Rochellers and their affairs who were concluded under such a condition no douâ—â— as rendred them in appearance as yet Neuters to our Design or at least under pressure of submission and so to secure themselves might betray us The 9. day we hoised sail and met the Earl of Holland neer our Western Coast where at Plymouth the whole Fleet came to ancher and our Duke posted to Court to the King who received him with extraordinary welcome after three Moneths stay in the Isle and some weeks and odd daies from the hour he went from England The ordinary Prisoners on both sides were upon former Treaty to be returned home And therefore it is not well recited to say That Lewis gratiously dismist them as an offertory to his Sister the Q. of England and refused the Lord Mountjoys round sum of his ransom