Relgion there was a generall nonconformity Heresies being daily broached in every corner of the Land which continually sprung up like Hydra's heads one upon the neck of another by which means the mindes of the people became unsetled and shaken in the Principles of Faith and Doctrine each particular faction tracing a different track to finde the truth whenas indeed there is but one way and one truth the numbers names whereof of if I should undertake to give you I might reckon ad infinitum viz. Independents Anabaptists and those of severall kindes some for Imposition of hands anointing with Oyl and washing of feet and some against them Brownists Millenaries Arminians Socinians Adamites Diggers Seekers Shakers Ranters Enthusiasts Arians Pelagians cum multis aliis of all which I shall say only thus much Let them grow together till the harvest least in plucking up the tares you pull up the wheat also This Parliament having sate about as many weeks as the other had done years though in that time to give them their due they had made severall laudable Acts and of great utility and advantage to the people viz. An Act for taking off the Engagement for taking off Fines from Original Writs and Declarations for clearing of Publike Debts and discovery of frauds and concealements due to the Commonwealth as also an Act for Relief of Creditors and poor Prisoners which of all others was of greater concernment to the Nation then any thing they could do Other Acts of lesse moment they made also which I shall forbear to mention Yet in other things of no small consequence there appeared such confusion in their councels such contrariety in their opinions such a dissonancy in their actings and disparity in their aimes that they seem'd to be a meer monster with many heads insomuch that it was not expected their power as then it stood would continue unto the time prefixt For on the 10th of Decemb. 1653. the Parliament having heard the Report of the Committee That they thought it fitting that Commissioners be sent into all the Counties and inabled to eject scandalous and unable Ministers and also be impowred to settle able Ministers in all void places That such as are or shall be approved for publike Preachers of the Gospel shall have and enjoy such maintenance as is already setled by Law That upon hearing and considering what hath been offered to the Committee touching propriety in Tythes of Incumbents Rectors Possessors of Donatives or appropriate Tythes It is the opinion of this Committee That the said persons have a Legall propriety in Tythes The Parliament I say having spent severall daies in debate of this Report Decemb. 10. put the first of these Reports to the Question viz. Whether the House doth agree with the first Clause of this Report which was carried in the Negative Munday Decemb. 12th somewhat early the House being sate a Gentleman stood up and moved That the sitting of this Parliament as then constituted would not be for the good of the Commonwealth and that therefore it was requisite to deliver up unto the Lord Generall Cromwell the Powers which they received from him This motion being seconded by severall other Members the House rose and the Speaker with many Members of the House departed and went to Whitehall where they being the greater number of the Members sitting in Parliament did by a Writing under their hands The Parliament dissolved Dec. 12th 1653. resigne unto his Excellency their said Powers and Mr Speaker attended with the Members did present the same to his Excellency accordingly This was no sooner done but after serious consultation and debate about the emergent occasions of the Land the Lord Generall Cromwell was in the presence of all the Judges and Justices of the severall Courts at Westminster the Barons of the Exchequer the Keepers of the Liberties of England the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London with most of the chief Officers of the Army sworne Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and of all the Islands and Territories thereunto belonging Severall Articles by which he is to govern the People being then read to him to the performance whereof he took a solmn Oath in the presence of them all the summe whereof was That he should call a Parliament every three years That the first should be Sept. 3d 1654. That he should not dissolve it untill they had sate five moneths That whatsoever Bill they should passe if he should not signe it in 20 dayes that then it should passe without him That he should have a Councell of select Persons to assist him nor under 13 nor above 21. That immediately after his Death the Councell shall choose another Protector before they rise That no Protector for the future shall be Generall of the Army That the Protector shall have power to to make Peace or Warre That with the consent of his Councell he may make Lawes which shall be binding till the next Session of Parliament These with many more particulars you may reade at large in the Form of Government Soon after this he was proclaim'd Lord Protector in the Palace yard at Westminster and by the Lord Major and Aldermen in their Scarlet gowns at the Royall-Exchange Not long after his Highnesse the Lord Protector was by the City invited to a Feast at Grocers-Hall the manner of whose reception was as followes He came from Westminster in a Chariot drawn with 6 Horses in gallant equipage before him rode his Life-Guard with most of his chief Officers and some of his Councell after them rode 2 Pages bareheaded in sumptuous apparrell after them about 12 Lackeys with velvet Caps in gray Liveries with silk and silver fringe then came his Highnesse as aforesaid in a Chariot clad in a dark coloured suit and cloak attended by many of the Nobility in their Coaches with 6 Horses At Templebarre his Highnesse was met by the Lord Major and Aldermen where the Recorder of London saluted him with a pithy an excellent Speech His Highnesse then came out of his Chariot put on a riding coat imbroidered with gold-lace and mounted on horseback two or three of his horses of State being there led by which done the Lord Major took the City-Sword and carried it bareheaded from thence to Grocers-Hall all the way whereof the severall Companies in their Liveries sate on both sides the way in railes set up on purpose with Streamers sticking up to distinguish each Company After his Highnesse had dined and banquet was ended he conferr'd upon the Lord Major the Honour of Knighthood And now Reader have I brought my Story from the end of one Monarchy to the beginning of another under which if it please the wise disposer of all things as well as persons to grant us Peace both at home and abroad both thou and I may live to see happy dayes and if it shall please God to spin out the thred of my life to some considerable length I shall afford the world some other things of the like nature but if not I am content to acquiesce in the good will of Him that dwelt in the Bush and so farewell FINIS
Britania Triumphalis A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WARRES AND OTHER STATE-AFFAIRS OF Great Britain From the Death of the late KING to the Dissolution of the last Parliament Vide quam repentè tempus res mutat humanas Tempora mutantur nos mutamur in illis LONDON Printed for Samuel Howes and are to be sold at at his Shop in Popes-head-Alley 1654. TO THE READER Courteous READER I Here present unto thy view a rude and imperfect draught of those notable Occurrences strange Revolutions various Contingencies and wonderfull Transmigrations that have happened in this little corner of the Earth for these five years last past which although peradventure they may be imbased by the course and mean allay of this impolisht dresse yet in this as in all other Histories you may finde some things which may aut prodesse aut delectare either profit or delight thee One wisely and truly calls History the faithfull preserver of things past and the certain prophet of things to come First here is related the Fall of one of the Mightiest Monarchs in Europe and in Him of Monarchy it self with the severall designes and transactions that were set on foot for the instating of his Sonne in the Throne and the fruitlesse events thereof The Conquest of Scotland The Reducing of Ireland The Revolt of the Carybe Islands and the Reducing thereof and of the Islands of Scilly Jersey and Man The Breach between England and the United Provinces and all the memorable Sea-fights that ensued thereupon The Dissolution of the commonly called everlasting Parliament The Calling another Assembly or Parliament with the manner and cause of the dissolution thereof The Lord Generall made Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England c. the Solemnities used therein his Reception and Entertainment in the City of London Other things of lesse moment are interwoven and promiscuously mingled up and down the Book as the nature thereof requireth all which as to matter and form I leave to thy impartiall judgement there to be arraign'd and condemn'd according to the nature of the offence and withall I request thee that with patience thou wilt passe by such faults as have escaped the Presse whether verball syllabicall or literall and so farewell A Compendious NARRATIVE of the most Important Affairs of Great Britain from the Death of the late KING to the Dissolution of the last PARLIAMENT AS to the externall Causes of the many evils and miseries wherewith this Nation has been afflicted for these few years past much might be said but the chief I have reduc'd to the following Heads The first and generall Cause was the Sinnes of the People who taking a surfet of ease plenty and pleasure and growing wanton thereby gaz'd after novelty that magneticall attraction of the Plebeian rout and as discontented with their present condition sought felicity in things they wanted and were still unsatisfied even in the accomplishment thereof Malv Rom. whence is occasioned the hatred of tranquillity the desire of motion the loathing of present things and seeking after future Another principall Cause was the lamentable corruptions of the Court not inferior in vice to the most infamous Court in Europe not excelling in any thing that might be called virtuous but inur'd themselves to a soft and luxurious life abounding in all manner of voluptuous and effeminate pleasures rejecting the more noble dictates of nature and grace not atchieving any one enterprise that might render them either feared abroad or loved at home but still wanting fuell for the fire of their prodigality daily invented some new and indirect courses and wayes to torment the people whose jealousies and fears encreasing with their grievances brought forth a most bloudy intestine warre which ended not but in the subversion of Church and State as then established viz. Episcopacy and Monarchy the Head of both being cut off and the Bodies discomfited And though the King was judged to be the Patron of those many innovations and miscarriages that befell the Church and Commonwealth yet I am fully perswaded they proceeded not from the depravednesse of his will but the flexibility of his nature overwhelm'd by his pernicious Councell by which he seem'd of a lesser magnitude then otherwise he would have done yet was he not the worst although the most unfortunate of Princes and in him ended Monarchy but not the miseries of these Nations for after some years civil and yet unnaturall warre betwixt King and Parliament they at length terminated in the vanquishing of his Armies the surprisall captivity and death of his Person upon a scaffold before his Palace of White-Hall Jan. â—0th 1648. The third and last Cause which I shall mention though not the least was the Pride Avarice Ambition and slothfulnesse of the Clergy who not only starv'd their flocks by withholding the spirituall food of their souls but also tormented their bodies by exhausting and sucking their bodily substance insomuch that the Nation groaned under the burden of their abominable corruptions who should have been the examples and leading-cards of piety and sanctity yet did the popular fury contribute more to the confusion of their Hierarchy then all their Crimes put together nor were they cry'd down with more heat then afterwards cry'd up verifying that of the Poet Quid populi tibi voce places Mori Epigr saepe optima caecus Dat vitio temerè deteriora probat Having now hinted out unto you the Causes of our Warres and the distractions that follow'd the beginning progresse and conclusion thereof to the beheading of the King being accurately and briefly described by another hand I shall proceed to that which remains May's Brev. No sooner was this mighty Prince bereaved of his life and dignity in such sort as is before related but Monarchy the darling of the multitude was voted chargeable unnecessary and uselesse and the Government was resolv'd into that of a Commonwealth Yet this mutation happened not for want of such as by a lineall descent and according to the usage of this Nation might pretend a Title to the Crown for there was a plentifull Issue of the late King both Male and Female then surviving but from some other politicall reasons best known to the then swaying Powers the which added and miâ—istred hopes equall to the discontents of the people Now Charles though eldest Sonne of the late King inherited little save the misfortunes of his Father and what else he could chaulk out with his Sword yet his gâ—â—atest hopes and expectations were from Ireland where the severall factions 〈◊〉 proclaim'd him King and bent their whole strength against the Interest of the Commonwealth of England and in short space become so formidable and prevail'd so much that they possest all the strong holds of that Country Dublin and Londonderry excepted both which were straitly besieg'd the former by an Army of 22000. men under the Marq. of Ormond the latter by a party of the Irish Rebels he had likewise adjoyning
learnt that lesson Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare he took little notice thereof Next Montrose was executed Sir John Urrey Coll. Spotswood and others that were the chief actors in that undertaking by which meanes they were rid of a dangerous enemy On all this the English like cautelous statists had a watchful eye and on every of those actings whether open or secret that might have any reflection upon them or their affairs and to the end they might the better sound the contrivaâ—ces of their adversaries they endeavour to strengthen themselves by forreign Alliance and accordingly they sent Dr Dorislaus a wise and knowing man as publike Agent Dr Dorislaus murther at the Hague into the United Provinces whereby to keep a right understanding and fair correspondency between the two Republikes where he had not long been ere he was slain by six assassinates that broke into his lodgings at the Hague in a disguised habit by which meanes they escaped unpunished notwithstanding the many endeavours at least pretendedly used for their apprehension The authors of this Tragedy were afterwards known to be English Cavaliers discontented at their declining state and losse of their old Master one whereof was Col. Spotswood aforementioned who at his death confest he was an actor therein Thus stood the English affairs in reference to their enemies abroad while they were in somewhat worse plight at home for amidst the severall factions that sprung up during these late warres none was more desperate then that commonly known by the name of Levellers The Levellers mutiny who at once so wrought with the Souldiery that a considerable party of Horse withdrew themselves from the Army and gathered together such others of their party as they could conveniently thinking thereby to force their Lords and Masters to such things as their immature and unbridled apprehensions had dictated to them are supprest But by the care and industry of Gen. Fairfax they were defeated at a place called Burford in Oxfordshire and of those that were taken some were made exemplary others were cashiered the Army and the rest upon their submission were taken into favour Not long after was brought to tryall at the Guildhall London Lilburne tri'd at Guild-hall the grand Champion the chiefest and only Patriot of the faction aforesaid viz. John Lilburne a man of a restlesse and yet invincible spirit that could never be deter'd with threats or won with favours by a speciall Commission of Oyer and Terminer where was present most of the Judges and Justices of the severall Courts at Westminster the Lord Mayor Sheriffs and severall Aldermen of London with others of eminent quality The Indictment with many crimes of a treasonable nature as being the Author of such and such Books mentioned therein which Books were fraught with the most shamefull revilings scurrilous invectives and malicious outcries against the Governours and Government of the Nation that the heart of man could invent calling them Tyrants Traytors Conquering Usurpers and what not Now though nothing was more generally beleeved then that the Books aforesaid were of his own penning and publishing yet at his tryall he made such an excellent is clear'd and released subtle and singular defence that the Jury brought him in Not guilty whereupon he had his release By this time the severall transactions that were between the Scots and their King had brought forth a Treaty at Breda in the Netherlands The treaty between the Scots and their King concluded a Town of speciall note belonging to the Prince of Orange at whose cost and charges it was both continued and concluded Now that part of the Agreement that had the most especiall influence on us was that they should endeavour to the utmost of their power to reinstate him in his Fathers Throne invest him in his Power and Greatnesse and establish him in his just Rights and Dignities where we shall at present leave him to see how the Affairs of his Adversaries the English succeeded The differences that lately broke out between the King of Portugall and this Nation were now widened by acts of open hostility for when the English perceiv'd that neither intreaties nor threats would make him force Prince Rupert out of his Harbour and that the often applications and negotiations of the English Agent M. Charles Vane in order thereunto could availe nothing but on the contrary prepar'd what Ships of warre he had to joyn with Rupert and so to chase the English from his Coasts they seiz'd many of his Ships richly laden both inward and outward bound but the King doubting his strength desisted from falling upon the English Fleet and fell to seize the estates and secure the persons of the Merchants and Factors residing in Lisbon and other places under his Jurisdiction About this time likewise the English sent an Agent to the King of Spain viz. M. Anth. Ashcam M. Ashcam the English Agent murther'd at Madrid a most learned and excellently well accomplisht Gentleman who on the 5th of June 1650. landed at Santa Maria where hearing of many threats against his person he procur'd a Guard that conducted him to Madrid where is kept the Court of the King of Spain The first night it was his hard fortune to lie at an Inne the next day while with his Interpreter Signior Riba he sate at dinner six divels in the shapes of men knockt at the door had easie accesse and being entred M. Ashcam rose to salute them whereupon the foremost stab'd him in the head and his Interpreter endeavouring to escape was stab'd in the belly both falling down dead in the place Whence the murtherers fled to the Venetian Ambassadors house but were denied entrance whence they fled to the Sanctuary were pursued and carried to prison from thence by the Kings speciall command one of them only escaping Hereupon arose a great difference between the King and the Church about the violation of the holy Sanctuary and thereby infringing the Sacred Rights and Priviledges of the Church and demanded that the Assasinates should be delivered again into the Sanctuary On the other hand the Parliament of England by sundry Messages earnestly prest that Justice might be severely inflicted upon those execrable offenders that had perpetrated so horrid and vile an act upon their publike Minister And indeed it was a crime of so transcendent a nature that me thinks it should not enter into the heart of any considerate man to imagin of any expiation for them here however it may please God to deal with them hereafter The Church notwithstanding prevail'd so farre as to interrupt the course of Justice for as much as their punishment has been hitherto suspended though for any thing we hear they are yet in durance Neer this time arrived in England the Lord Gerard Scarph as Commissioner from the States Provinciall of Holland and West Friesland and upon the 11th of June 1650. he delivered his Message in Parliament which though it
produc'd no more then a mutuall desire of an amicable compliance yet was it very well resented by the Parliament that they shew'd themselves the leading cards to the rest of the Provinces at such a time as that Now whenas the Treaty at Breda was fully ended and that all their Jealousies and animosities notwithstanding the vast disproportion and notable antipathy that was erewhile between the Royallists and Presbyterians was by this means fully allay'd at least in shew The Scots seem'd to want nothing save the presence of their King wherby to crown their desires and confront the English in order whereunto He hasts from Breda to the Hague from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and at last in despight of foul weather and the English Kingfishers that lay there to intercept him he landed at the Spey in the North of Scotland where he found the greatest difficulty in ascending the Throne and least enjoy'd it of any Prince that was ever heard or read of For upon all occasions he was compeld to trace the steps and follow the dictates of that haughty Clergy in all their fanatick humours and imperious decrees who bereav'd him first of all his old friends Counsellors and confederates whether of the Clergy or Layety who to say the truth had alwayes accompanied his Father and Him in all their disasters and dangers and had shipwrackt their own fortunes to carine and repair his though it may be by this desertion he intended their restauration But now the Scots had a King yet as though they had none they did what seem'd right in their own eyes The first and most pernicious potion they made him to take and of hardest digestion was the Solemne League and Covenant that ignis fatuus and only seminary of bloud and mischief in these three Nations The next was a Declaration of the Kirks own framing and fashioning wherein he is taught to renounce the sinnes of his Fathers house and of his own the Idolatry of his Mother by a constant adhering to the Cause of God according to the Covenant in the firm establisment of Church-government as it is laid down in the Directory for publike Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisme This with divers others of the like nature although with much reluctancy he also signed which its like burthen'd his spirit yet better'd not his condition which was like that of a Child under Tutors and Governors for there was not an Officer in that Church or Commonwealth how vile and abject soever in place or person but enjoy'd more freedom in body and minde then he Guarded indeed he was but little regarded so that move he must not but in the sphaere of the Kirk they were the primum mobile whereby its apparent that the Government of that Nation was not truly Monarchicall though they had a King but Hierarchicall the confusion whereof I shall now set before you The Parliament of England weighing right well the condition into which their affairs were now reduc'd by reason of the Agreement that was peec'd up between the Scots and their King after a serious and solemne debate voted that Thomas Lord Fairfax with the Army under his command should march Northwards who after some conference had with the Parliament and being prompted by an indisposition of body or minde laid down his Commission which was forthwith confer'd upon Oliver Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland Gen. Fairfax laies down his Commission which was presently confer'd upon General Cromwell Lord Deputy of Ireland who in order to this Northern expedition arriv'd a while after from his victorious atchievements in that country leaving his Son in Law Henry as Lord Deputy in his room Accordingly Orders were issued forth for the speedy advance of the Army into Scotland who had no sooner begun their March but the Scots took the Alarme and sent two or three Papers to Sr Arthur Haslerig then Governour of Newcastle wherein they expostulated the Case about the sudden approach of the English Army endeavouring thereby to impede their march till such time as their designes were ripe alledging as scar-Crowes to fright fooles the Covenant the large Treaty and Union between the two Nations with other circumstances of the like nature as frivolous as they were fruitlesse The Parliament of England then published likewise a Declaration shewing the grounds and reasons of their Armies advance towards Scotland accompanied with another from the Generall and Officers of the Army shewing that that which moov'd them to that great undertaking was not any reliance upon the arm of flesh The Declaration of the English Army in their march to Scotland or being lifted up with the remembrance of former successes or the desire of accomplishing any designes of their own that they had forelaid but the full assurance they had that their Cause was just in the sight of God looking at the precedent changes and the successes that produc'd them not as the work of the policy or strength of man but as the eminent actings of the Providence and Power of God to bring forth his good will and pleasure concerning the things which he hath determined in the world adding That nothing was predominant with them next to their duty to their duty to God not to betray a cause to which he had so much witnessed as the love they had to those that feared God there who might possibly suffer through their own mistakes or their disability to distinguish in a common calamity of which Christian love they hoped that they gave some proof when they were before in Scotland with that Army and were by God made instrumentall to break the power of those that oppressed the godly Party there for which say they their late Engagement to their new King against England was no good requital nor their heaping on them the reproach of a Sectarian Army a Christian dealing all which by the grace of God they could forget and forgive and did as they say desire of God that the precious might be separated from the vile beginning and concluding with a most solemn and dreadfull imprecation and appeal That to the truth of these things the God of Heaven in his great mercy pardoning their weaknesses would judge of them when they came to meet the Enemy in the Field This Declaration was sent by the Generall of the English Forces from their Head-Quarters at Barwick to Edenburgh by a Trumpeter whom they blinded coming and going what effect this wrought the sequel of the Story will relate From Barwick the Army marched to the Lord Mordingtons House July 22. 1650. where they lay three daies on the 25. they marched to Copperspeth the 26. to Dunbar where they received some provisions from the Ships sent on purpose to attend the motions of the Army forasmuch as the people of the Countrey had forsook their habitations and had left nothing behinde that might accommodate them The Army thus refresht at Dunbar marcht thence to Haddington Next day hearing
Dutch on one side and by a fire-ship on the other so that she was quickly fired This was the greatest loss the English have sustain'd from the Dutch since the breach and was done in the sight of 9 English men of Warre under Capt. Badiley who I cannot say would not but I am sure did not vouchsafe those stout hearts that there perished the least assistance for which he hath been since branded with the infamous terms of Cowardize Covetousness and Treachery from which imputations it is wished he could clear himself in the sight of God and men The relation wherein this Commonwealth stood with the Neighbouring Nations was in this sort The King of Portugall not able to resist so powerfull a state as this having more then enough to do The King of Portugall and the State of England conclude a peace to grapple with the wealthy Spaniard sent over an Ambassadour extraordinary with a sumptuous train of followers to conclude a peace with the English who after many conferences frequent addresses and large offers made obtain'd the same yet to this day he hath not fully finished his Negotiations so as to satisfie the Merchants for their great losses From France the English were courted by two Parties A French Agent arives at London by an Agent from the King of France desiring a release of his ships taken as aforesaid going to the relief of Dunkirke as also that there might be a right understanding between the 2 Nations 4 Deputies from Bourdeaux arive at London also And by 4 Deputies from the Prince of Conde craving aid against the Cardinall and his creatures who had straitly besieged the City of Bourdeaux all which Negotiations were ineffectuall for alas the breach was too high between the a Nations to be easily cemented Other Nations by Letters and otherwise endeavoured to be mediators and composers of those mortall jarres that were between England and Holland as the Queen of Sweden the Cantous of Switzerland the Imperiall Cities of Lubeck and Hamburgh c. This was the posture of the Civil and Military affairs of this Nation when his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwell a man as it were by Divine appointment set apart for great enterprises perceiving the notorious corruptions dilatory proceedings pernicious and arbitrary actings of the Parliament to perpetuate their session and to inthrall the people by defrauding and disfranchising them of their ancient and undoubted Liberties of equall and successive Representatives entred the Parliament house attended with some of his principal Officers and there delivered certain reasons why a period ought to be put to that Parliament which was presently done The Parliament is dissolved the Speaker with the rest of the Members some by force some through fear and some murmuring departed the House For which disaster no man moved either tongue or hand in their behalf it being generally beleev'd that though the Nation possibly might not be better'd by this changed yet a worse could not befall it And thus was this mighty Councell dissolv'd their Powers transferr'd into the hands of the Souldiery and their Names reproacht and vilified with the scorns and dirigies of the common people who being well pleased with the doing thereof enquired not into the reasons or causes why it was done But to satisfie the wiser sort and those that were more curious enquirers into the true and genuine causes of things General Cromwell and his Councell of Officers published a Declaration the substance whereof was as follows THat after God was pleased marvellously to appear for his people The Declaration of Gen. Cromwel and his Councel of Officers in reducing Ireland and Scotland to so great a degree of peace and England to perfect quiet whereby the Parliament had opportunity to give the people the harvest of all their labour bloud and treasure and to settle a due Liberty in reference to Civil and Spirituall things whereunto they were obliged by their duty engagements and those great and wonderfull things God hath wrought for them But they made so little progress therein that it was matter of much grief to the good people of the Land who thereupon applied themselves to the Army expecting redresse by their means who though unwilling to meddle with the Civil Authority agreed that such Officers as were Members of Parliament should move them to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in the Common-wealth and in setling it upon a foundation of Justice and Righteousness which being done it was hoped the Parliament would have answered their expectations But finding the contrary they renewed their desires by an humble Petition in Aug. 1652. which produc'd no considerable effect nor was any such progress made therein as might imply their reall intentions to accomplish what was petition'd for but rather an aversness to the things themselves with much bitterness and opposition to the people of God and his Spirit acting in them in so much that the godly Party in Parliament were rendred of no further use then to countenance the ends of a corrupt Party for effecting their desires of perpetuating themselves in the supream Government For obviating these evils the Officers of the Army obtained severall meetings with some of the Parliament to consider what remedy might be applied to prevent the same but such endeavours proving ineffectuall it became evident that this Parliament through the corruption of some the jealousie of others the non-attendance of many would never answer those ends which God his People and the whole Nation expected from them But that this cause which God had so greatly blessed must needs languish under their hands and by degrees be lost and the Lives Liberties and Comforts of his people be delivered into their enemies hands All which being sadly and seriously considered by the honest people of the Nation as well as by the Army it seemed a duty incumbent upon us who had seen so much of the power and presence of God to consider of some effectuall means whereby to establish righteousness and peace in these Nations And after much debate it was judged necessary that the supream Government should be by the Parliament devolved upon known persons fearing God and of approved integrity for a time as the most hopefull way to countenance all Gods people reform the Law and administer Justice impartially hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy and understand their true interest in the election of successive Parliaments that so the Government might be setled upon a right Basis without hazard to this glorious cause or necessitating to keep up Armies for the defence of the same And being still resolved to use all means possible to avoid extraordinary courses we prevalied with about 20 Members of Parliament to give us a conference with whom we plainly debated the necessity and justness of our Proposals The which found no acceptance but in stead thereof it was offered that the way was to continue still this Parliament as being that
followes FOrasmuch as upon the dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the peace safety and good government of this Commonwealth should be provided for and in order thereunto divers persons fearing God and of approved fidelity and honesty are by my self with the advice of my Councel of Officers nominated to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to be committed And having good assuance of your love to and courage for God and the Interest of his Cause and the good people of this Commonwealth I Oliver Cromwell Capt. Generall and Commander in chief of all the Armies and Forces rais'd and to be rais'd within this Commonwealth do hereby summon and require you being of the Persons nominated personally to be and appear at the Councel-Chamber commonly known or called by the name of the Councel-Chamber at Whitehall within the City of Westminster upon the 4th day of July next ensuing the date hereof and then and there to take upon you the said trust unto which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a Member for the County of _____ And hereof you are not to fail Given under my hand and Seal the _____ day of June 1653. O. CROMWELL July 4th the severall Members met accordingly in the Councel-Chamber where was the Lord Gen. Cromwell and many of his Officers about him who standing up made an excellent usefull and seasonable Speech unto them recounting the many wonderfull mercies of God towards this Nation and the continued series of providences by which he had appeared in carrying on this Cause and bringing affairs into the present condition He set forth likewise the progresse of affairs since the famous victory at Worcester as also the actings of the Army thereupon after divers applications to the Parliament and much waiting upon them with the grounds and necessity of their dissolving the late Parliament which he declared to be for the preservation of this Cause and the interest of all honest men who have been engaged therein He in like manner held forth the cleernesse of the Call given to the Members then present to take upon them the supream Authority and from the Scriptures exhorted them to their duties and encouraged them therein He further desired them that a tendernesse might be used towards all conscientious persons of what judgement soever Which having ended his Excellency produced an Instrument under his own hand and Seal whereby he did with the advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the Supream Authority and Government of this Commonwealth into the hands of the Persons there met Who or any fourty of them are to be held and acknowledged the Supream Authority of the Nation unto whom all persons within the same and the territories thereunto belonging are to yeeld obedience and subjection And that they sit no longer then the 3d of Novemb. 1654. And three moneths before their dissolution they were to make choice of other Persons to succeed them who were not to sit above a twelvemoneth and then to take care for a succession in Government Which Instrument being delivered to the Members his Lordship commended them to God and with his Officers withdrew From thence the Members adjourned forthwith to the old Parliament house and there sate de die in diem About this time John Lilburne of whom I have already made mention being a few moneths before banished the Land by an Act of the foregoing Parliament for certain crimes laid to his charge took occasion upon this change of Government to come into England and cast himself upon his Excellency the Lord Gen. Cromwell craving his protection in severall publike addresses who unwilling to interpose or meddle with affairs of that nature left him to the Law insomuch that he was committed to Newgate John Lilburn tried at the Sessions in the Old-Baily and the next Sessions or Goal-delivery he was brought to tryall in the Old-Baily July 13. but nothing was done that day save that Councel was assigned him according to his demand July 14. he was again brought to the Barre but refused to put in his Plea unlesse he might have a copy of his Indictment which was at length granted him July 15. he appeared at the Barre again but little was done that day July 16. he appeared and delivered in divers Exceptions to the Bill of Indictment which were signed by his Councel and received by the Court which day the Sessions ended so that the businesse was put off to the next Sessions Aug. 13. he appeared before the Bench again and put in an Exception demanding an Oyer of the Judgement given against him in Parliament as well as of the Act grounded thereupon Aug. 16. he appeared again the Point argued on both sides but nothing more was done that day Aug. 20. he was again brought before the Court where he joyned issue and pleaded Not guilty whereupon a Jury was impannel'd and Witnesses examined to make good the Charge as also Witnesses on the behalf of the Prisoner who in making his defence held the Court severall hours and in answer thereunto the Councel for the Commonwealth were also heard The Jury having the Charge after hearing the whole businesse withdrew and about 12 of the clock that night delivered up their verdict That they found him Not guilty Is quitte â—â— by the Jury whereupon he was sent back to Newgate and soon after was from thence sent to the Tower where he yet remains Thus you see what endeavours were used to rid the Nation of this inconsiderable fellow by Tyals Banishment and what not but hitherto in vain whenas many a gallant Heart farre transcending him in birth and parts have fallen by the sword of Justice in the twinkling of an eye But it may be God hath reserved him to be a greater plague to this Nation whose heart I fear is the seed-plot of sedition and division True it is he is a man of a penetrating judgement quick wit and voluble tongue bold and confident in all his undertakings he is likewise peevish and passionate out of measure affects popularity and is of an implacable spirit not to be appeased but with the bloud of his adversaries Nor can I deny but some of those things he aimed at were honest and usefull for the people but he steer'd not the right course to attain those ends The condition of the English affairs in Scotland was now much after this sort although the English had got into their possession most or all of the strong Towns Forts and Castles in the Lowlands yet many incursions were made thereinto by the Highlanders and such like loose and barbarous people committing many outrages spoils and cruell murthers upon the people and souldiers in stragling parties The state of Scotland and forthwith would betake themselves to such inaccessible fastnesses that they could not be pursued The like they do yet daily in great numbers and are headed by Glencarne Atholl Seafort and others the last of