but now whether out of a real sence of their errour which I have the charity to believe it was they had a desire to return to their Allegiance to his son their lawful and native Soveraign or out of an ambition by joining with their Scottish brethren which I am loath to judge to get the power again into their hands which was snatched from them by the Independent English Army and the Iuncto of Sectaries in England they had laid a design to raise both a contribution of money and levy men for his Majestie's assistance here but their plot was betrayed by the intercepting of letters in a ship forced by foul weather into Ayre in Scotland but bound with provisions for the Isle of Man whereupon the chief undertakers in London were apprehended viz. Mr. Cook Mr. Gibbons Mr. Christopher Love Mr. Jenkins Dr. Drake and others of which two viz. Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Love were condemned by a High Court of Justice and suffered Death on the Tower Hill for that cause against which they had once so strongly declared But to return again to the chiefe Scene in Scotland The English Army had long had a desire to bring the Scots to a field-battel which his Majesty upon sundry good reasons and serious advice declined So Cromwel endeavoured to the utmost of his power to force them to it therefore several times fac'd his Majesty's Army which lay encamped at Torwood within three miles of Sterling but could not yet draw them out of their trenches the chief reason being imagin'd to proceed from their stay for Argile Huntly and Seaforth who were gone into their several Territories to compleat the King's Levies Cromwel perceiving that he could not draw the Scots to a Field-battle upon a sudden draws off his Army and transports sixteen hundred Foot and four Troopes of Horse over unto Fife on such a suddain that it startled his majesties whole Army and Cromwell with an unparallel'd expedition faced again the royal Army with a resolution to fall upon their Rear if they should attempt a motion thitherwards but they offered not to stir for already order had been given to Sir John Brown Governour of Sterling to march with four thousand Horse foot to drive out that party of Cromwell's which were already landed in Fife of which intelligence being brought Lambert and Okey with two Regiments of Horse and two of foot are with all possible hast wafted over to reinforce the party already there with which additional supply of men they routed Sir John Brown who expected none but the first landed party taking himself several other Officers of quality prisoners killing two thousand upon the place and taking near 1200. prisoners and shortly after Cromwell transports most of his Army over the Fife and resolving to stop the passage which the Scots had over by Sterling marches to S. Iohnstone's and takes it almost upon summons His Majesty seeing the English Army was advanced so far Northward thought it in vain to attempt the forcing them back and knowing that the Scots naturally fight better in anothers then in their own Countrey resolves to advance with all possible speed into England where he yet hoped notwithstanding the discovery of the late design to find some loyal souls to joyn with him for the Recovery of his Right and Kingdomes Many were there who opposed this intention of his Majesty and among those Dvke Hamilton was one of the chiefest whose dislike may sufficiently appear by his Letter to Mr. Crofts after their Advance to this effect We are now laughing sayes he at the ridiculousnesse of our present state we have quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it and yet we graspe at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to loose all I confess I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout Argument Despair for we must now either stoutly fight or die all the Rogues have left us I shall not say whether out of fear or disloyalty but all now with his Majesty are such as will not dispute his Commands But notwithstanding his dislike and his and others oppositions yet the Kings resolve takes place and on Iuly the 31. 1651. his Majesties Army began to advance from Torwood near Sterling steering their course directly for England which they entred six dayes after by way of Carlisle This march of the Royal Army made Cromvvell with the greatest part of his forces immediately recrosse the Frith and forthwith send Major General Lambert with a select party of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Rear of his Majesties Army whilest they hoped that Major General Harrison who then lay near the borders with about three thousand Horse and Dragoons would attach them in the Front shortly after Himself followed with the rest of the Army which could be spared amounting to about eight compleat Regiaments of Foot and two of Horse But then this greater preparation is made against him in England for the Iuncto then sitting at Westminster not only interdicted all aid or assistance either of men or monyes to be given to his Majesty under the penalty of High Treason but also in all or most of the Countries had caused a numerous force to be raised the Church-Militia of the City of London being likewise sent out against him and for the present impeading of his march two thousand of the Countrey-Militia of Staffordshire and four thousand out of Lancashire and Cheshire under the command of Collonel Birch had joyned with Harrison But besides all this many of the Royal Army had in their march deserted their Colours and near a fourth part of the Army was wanting but these were most of them such as were not very well affected to the businesse nor cause they went about and therefore there was but little misse of them for the rest of the Army marched on chearefully and continued to the utmost push stedfast and loyal and were so contentedly obedient to all Military Discipline that 't is believed that in all their march through all that in part of England they hardly took the value of sixpence forcibly But notwithstanding this unwonted civility of the Scotish Army and his Majestie's earnest invitations the Countrey came very slowly in whether besotted dulled and contented with that slavery they then lay under or over-awed by an armed power I cannot well tell but such was their backwardness that few or none besides the Lord Howard of Estrich his son with a Troop of Horse came in to him during his long tedious march through England Nor did his Majesty with his Army take that course which was expected by most he should for the great fear of his Enemies and greatest hopes of his friends were that he would march directly for London but he contrary to their expectations being coming into Lancashire struck off at Warrington either doubting the enterprize for London too hazardous or out of the hopes had of the forces
under the Command of Huntley Atholl Seaforth c. who declared purely for the Kingly Authority disclaiming and disowning all power or order of the Kirk Parliament or Committee of Estates These having gotten together a considerable party it was supposed by the Committee of Estates that his Majesty was gon to them whereupon to quiet and allay them if possible an Act of Indemnity was passed by Parliament for what they had done but they sleighted it fell upon Sir Iohn Brown's Regiment slew and took prisoners many of his men Whereupon Lieu. General David Lesley was sent against but the whole businesse after the King's return to S. Iohnstonâ—s ended in a Treatie The third and greatest party were the Parliament and Committee of Estates Kirk who were equally for King and Kirk these were highly perplexed and discontented at the King's going away from S. Iohnston's and the more because they feared he was gon to the Atholmen many controversies and consultations were had about it some were so rigid as to propose that since he had diserted them they should look no more after him but let him take his own wayes Others were more mild and would yet have him understand their resentment for his leaving them nor wanted there some sticklers for his Majesty at length it was concluded that Major General Montgomery should speedily march after him and earnestly intreat him to return to S. Iohnston's Montgomery according to his order went and having had secret information that his Majesty was at the Lord Dedup's house in the North confines of Fife he first surrounds the house and then sends in a Messenger to acquaint the King with the earnest desires of the Committee of Estates that he would graciously be pleased to return with him to Saint Iohnston's but his Majesty at first absolutely refused as scorning to endure that slavery which they had subjected him to he was in the mean time earnestly solicited by Huntley and the Gordons to adhere solely to them which he so much seemed to incline to that he had almost made the breach implacable between that party and the Kirk but at length upon several propositions granted him he returned with Montgomery to S. Iohnston's The King being thus returned and Huntley's party come in by admitting those with him to bear publick Offices a general Meeting was resolved on to be held at Saint Iohnston's which should consist of King Lords Barons Burgesses and the Assembly of Ministers whereupon the Committee of the Kirk are summoned to meet but stand off alledging that Sterling was the more convenient place to meet in To which the States answered that they esteemed S. Iohnston's the fitter that if they would not meet they should consult for their own securities but at length they consent The grand Assembly meets and all parties seem now agreed Several Lords formerly in disfavour with the Kirk are received into Command in the Army or have liberty to sit in Parliament such as Hamilton Lauderdale Leith Bucheim Dedup and Crawford Major General Massey of the Englâ—sh was admitted to a Command in the Army Thus did their divisions begin to be Cemented which else must necessarily have hastened their Ruine About this time the King received the sad newes of the Death of the thrice Illustrious Prince of Orange Brother-in-law to his Majesty and who had demonstrated himself a true and faithfull friend to him in his necessities his Lady the Royal Princesse Mary was by him left great with Child and soon after his death delivered of a Posthume son And now on the first of Ianuary the day appointed by the grand Convention at S. Iohnston's the solemnity having been removed to Scone the usual place for the Coronation of the Kings of Scotland First his Majesty in a Princes Robe was conducted from his Bed-chamber by the Constable and Marshal to the Chamber of presence where he was by the Lord Angus Chamberlain placed in a chair under a cloth of Estate Then the Nobles and Commissioners of Barons and Burroughs entred the Room and having shown themselves to his Majesty the Chancellor spake to this effect Sir your good Subjects desire you may be crowned as righteous and lawfull heir of the Crown of this Kingdome that you would maintain the present professed Religion the National Covenant and Solemn League and Covenant That you would graciously be pleased to receive them under your protection to govern them according to law to defend them in their rights and priviledges by your Royal power they offering themselves in humble manner to your Majesty with their vowes to bestow land life and what else is in their power for the maintenance of Religion for the safety of your Majesties sacred person and maintenance of your Crown which they entreat your Majesty to accept and pray Almighty God that for many years you may enioy the same The King to this made Answer I do esteem the affections of my good people more then the Crowns of many kingdoms and shall be ready by Gods assistance to bestow my life in their defence wishing to live no longer then I may see Religion and the kingdom flourish in all happiness This ceremony performed the Nobles and Commissioners of Barons and Burroughs accompanied his Maiesty to the church of Scoone the spurres being carried before him by the Earl of Eglinton the sword by the Earl Rothes the sceptet by the Earls of Craford and Lindsay the Crown by the Marquess of Argyle â—mmediately before the Kings Maâ—esty who followed supported by the Constable and Marshal his train â—orn up by the Lords Montgomory Ereskine Newbottle and Machelene under a Canopy of crimson velvet supported by the Lords Drummond Garnegie Ramsey Iohnston Brechin and Yâ—ter which six were supported by six Noblemen's sons Thus they went to the Church which being fitted for the purpose the Honors were laid upon a Table provided for them and his Majesty ascâ—nded on a stage 24. foot square and seated himself in a chair to hear the sermon upon this stage there was another smaller stage erected wheron the Throne stood His Majesty being seated on the Chair a sermon was preached by Robert Douglas Moderator of the Commission of the General Assembly Sermon being ended the National Covenant of Scotland the solemn League and Covenant were distinctly read which done the Oath was ministred in these words I Charles King of great Britain France and Ireland do assure and declare by my solemn Oath in the presence of Almight God the searcher of all hearts my allowance and approbation of the National Covenant of the solemn League and Covenant and faithfully oblige my self to prosecute the ends thereof in my station and calling and that I for my self and successors shall consent and agree to all Acts of Parliament enjoyning the National Covenant and the solemne League and Covenant and fully establish Presbyterian Government the Directory of Worship Confession of Faith and Catechisms in the Kingdome of Scotland as they
severall other English Lords For upon the rupture of the peace between Oliver Cromwell and the King of Spain Don Iohn de Austria Governour Royall of the Low Countries for his Catholick Majesty commiserating our Kings unfortunate Condition now that his Interest might stand them in some stead had sent the Count De Fuensaldagne his Ambassadour to his Majesty of Great Brittain then resident as I said before at Colon inviting him into the Low Countries and assuring him in the name of his Catholick Majesty all possible service and assistance which invitation his Majesty graciously accepted and soon after took his journey from Colen towards Flanders and being come to Bruges the place appointed for his reception he was received with all honour imaginable and conducted to a Pallace purposely provided for him where he hath for the most part ever since remained Hither the Duke of York came accompanied as aforesaid having first in his way touched at Brussels where he was magnificently entertained and complemented by Don Iohn to whom he freely proffered his service in the Wars which was accepted with a great deal of thanks though he had not at first a command given him correspondent to that which he left in the French Army yet was his prudence courage valour and conduct in no lesse respect as afterwards by the Spaniards esteem of him appeared From thence he went to wait on his Majesty at Bruges where he was received with an affection correspondent to the near alliance with his sacred Majesty Before his Majestie's departure from Colen there happened a discocery of one of those persons who under pretence of waiting upon him Captain Manning by name discovered unto the Protector all his Designes and Counsels who being found out was by his Majesties Command sent to a strong Castle adjacent to Colen there to be kept close prisoner But all the Court being highly incensed against him for his perfidiousnesse one of his Majesties Servants though contrary to order pistol'd him as he was lighting out of the Coach at the Castle gate giving him lesse then the due regard of his so abominable treachery The Duke of York being arrived as I said at Bruges was highly carressed by all the persons of quality there resident and his Majesty who not withstanding Cromwell's earnest endeavours either to dispatch disable or make slaves of his loyal subjects had nevertheless some true friends io England who were still ready to venture lives estates for his so just cause had got together a considerable number of such English and Scotch whose Loyalty had banished them from their habitations and who were ready at all occasions to assist both his Majesty and themselves for the recovery of his and their just rights and estates but the continual advice which Cromwell alwaies had from those treacherous persons which he maintained about his Majesty made all enterprizes tending to the regaining of his Kingdoms and redeeming of his subjects liberty ineffectual This Army which his Majesty had quartered near the sea side to be ready on all occasions for transport was afterwards since there was no apparent hopes that his Majesty might make any succesfull use of them imployed in the service of the King of Spain For his Majesty of Spain had then great need of men in Flanders the English Protector having according to articles agreed upon between him the French King sent over six thousand foot for his assistance in his wars against Flanders in consideration of which help the English were to have Dunkirk which was agreed on to be beleaguer'd by the joynt-forces of France and England Whilst in the mean time the Protector Cromwell is by a parcel of a Parliament of which Sir Thomas Withrington was Speaker invested with his power and installed in Westminster-Hall and now he conferres those dignities which were formerly the Kingly rewards of loyalty upon his co-partners and followers and whether in mockery of that Government which he had so violently endeavoured to abolish or out of a perjured intention to settle it in himself which he swore not to endure in another he established a Pageant House of Lords who though then made to rule domineer over the Nation yet were formerly most of them persons not fit to be servants to some mean Mechanicks this was that Government which he had so solemly sworn against but when men have once forgot their Loyalty to their Soveraign what vices will they not run into But to return again to Flanders The English and French Armies had according to the articles concluded on betwixt them beleaguer d Dunkirk which Don Iohn knowing to be a place of great importance and an inlet into Flanders by sea for English Forces used his utmost endeavours to raise the sieges to which effect he levied what Forces he could either by his own or his Majesties influence having made up a considerable Army himself in person accompanied by the English Dukes of York Glocester together with those forces formerly addicted to his Majesties service advanced towards the joyntforce of the French English then beleaguering the Town who understanding by their scouts of his approach left such Forces in the leagure as might secure them within from a sally and drew up towards Don Iohn who had encamped near Fuernes the French and English were notwithstanding those forces they had left in the trenches much more numerous then the Spaniards both in horse and foot which made them the more resolved in the Encounter for though the others came to raise the siege yet the besieger were the first assaulters The first brush began with a forlorn hope of English infantry consisting of above three hundred who desperately charged upon a party of the Spanish foot which had advantageously dâ—â—â—n themselves upon a rising ground and seconded by Lockart's Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonell Fenmick and some other additional supplies of English Infantry routed not only them but the other bodies of Spanish foot drawn up on the same manner In this charge Lieutenout Colonel Fenwick received his morrall wound and some other English Commanders were slain outright The Spanish Cavalry seeing their foot so easily put to a rout began likewise to flie nor could by any endeavoors be perswaded to stand whereupon the French Horse who had all that while stood still and seen the English do execution on the Enemies foot with a full career pursue their flying Enemies of whom they found little opposition but only what was made by the thrice valiant Duke of York's Râ—giment who for a time made the whole French Army to stand saved the lives of many of their flying friends which else had been sacrificed to the Enemies fury whilst in the mean time they dedicated their own lives or persons to their safeties For after they had made a very noble and gallant resistance over-powred by numbers and having no supplies to refresh their wearied bodies they were forced to yeild to their Enemies numbers
represented his Majesty no otherwise then any loyal person for this age requires that distinction that hath either heard of or known him will confesse him to be but if they will not let them be convinced by that saying of a worthy Gentleman long time an attendant upon his Majesty who having given me a large account of his virtues at length concluded That Tully himself if now alive could not sufficiently expresse his praise Gentlemen it is to you in General that I present this History that you may see and be sensible to whom you have been loyal and then I believe that you will judge that your loyalty hath found it's just reward in being loyal to so just a Prince and if any of you have suffered for him read but his sufferings you cannot value your own Yet I intend not this at all to his pretended Tavern friends which I believe whilest they are so are so onely there and indeed I cannot look upon these as faithfull Subjects for how can that man be loyal to his Prince who hath not the power to be true unto himself Drunken subjects though never so loyal will prove the ruine both of themselves and their Soveraign Gentlemen let those that are truly loyal joyn their prayers with mine for the happinesse of his most SACRED MAIESTY since in his we must necessarily include our own and more then ours our COVNTRIES To the Readers in general Courteous Readers IF in this History I have displeased any person they cannot be so much displeased as I am sorry I have endeavoured to please all nor have I more then Iustice enforced me to favoured any I have laboured as I professed to write impartially where I have not done so I am confident there will not want Carpers If in some particulars affection hath swayed me though I confesse it a fault yet it brings it's excuse What loyal Subject can relate his Soveraigns sufferings without a passion what Free born English man's heart begins not to rise within him when he does but think of those Tyrannies and Oppressions his Native Countrey hath of late groaned under where I have been bitter it has been with reason where sweet with a great deal of Iustice Yet one thing I shall desire the Reader to take notice of that when I speak of the Presbyterians I mean not those moderate people who are as truly loyal as they are godly but some amongst them like wolves in sheeps clothing such as Straughan and Kerry in Scotland who only pretend themselves to be Presbyterians but are in their proof found Sectaries these are the Flea-bitten Clergy the Sowers of strife and sedition and a scandal to those to whom they pretend to be Brethren To conclude that all the Subjects of this Land may with one heart and voice agree together for the Restauration of our afflicted Sovereign but of our more afflicted selves to just Rights and Priviledges is the earnest prayer of A Hearty well-wisher to his Countrey THE HISTORY OF CHARLES the II. Third MONARCH of Great Britain c. THe Histories of Englands late oppreessours have already cloy'd and overladed the exuberant Presse whole Volumes daily coming forth either of the Actions of the late long Parliament or the Life of their aspiring Generall Cromwell which though adorn'd with all those flatteries that could possibly proceed from the most beneficed pens yet cannot in the least justifie their actions to the more sober sort of people for though their memories may here smell sweet to some who have rather tasted of their favour then suffered under their oppression yet do they but render them to the sufferers more infamous and to the Neuter ridiculous like the extolling of Don Quixot's Chivalry And though there have been some who have adventured to set them out to the life and paint them in their own colours yet have many of these as far exceeded the bounds of Truth as the others came short of it rather exasperated by their own or to please their fellow-sufferers into so great extremes have either side been lead out of fear or flattery anger or passion Moderation and Impartiality are the chiefest virtues of an Historian and therefore he who writes an History should chuse such a subject to write on where neither fear nor gain can induce him to flatter anger or passion to too much bitternesse Most of our modern Historians have proposed to themselves either profit advantage or employment by their Works which hath made them run into their so many grosse errours and flatteries whilst had they only endeavoured to represent things persons and actions impartially they had gained to themselves farre greater honour of true Writing I have chosen a subject to write of which I conceive may lead me to a mediocrity the Persons afflictions may induce me to pity him but they will in most mens judgements restrain me from flattery Nor need I out of fear I being now though unwillingly out of his reach mince the truth of his if any bad actions I confesse the Task I undertake is highly adventurous my pen may slip times may change however my heart shall guide me to an impartiality Charles the II. Heir apparent to the Crown of Great Britain and Ireland and crowned King of Scots whose History I intend to treat of was born on the 29. of May 1630. to the great joy of the King Queen and indeed the whole Nation for never yet had England a Prince born of so noble an extract and grand Alliance his father by lineal right and descent King of Great Britain and Ireland his mother daughter to that thrice Illustrious Prince Henry the Fourth King of France and worthily sirnamed the Great and Maria de Medicis By his Grand-mothers side was he near allied to the Kings of Denmark by the marriage of his Aunt the noble Princesse Elizabeth to the Elector Palatine of Rhene and King of Bohemia and afterwards by the marriage of his Royall Sister the Princesse Mary to the Prince of Orange Thus was he allied to most of the most Potent Princes in Christendome And happy might this Nation have been under his Government if we may believe the vogue of that wisest of men Solomon who pronounces that Kingdome blessed whose Prince is the son of Nobles He was some years after his birth according to the ancient Customes of England for the Kings Eldest son invested Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and was in his minority brought up under the care of the Earle of Neweastle till in the year 1646. the Lord Hopton's Army in which he was being near inclosed by Sir Thomas Fairfax Generall of all the Parliaments Forces in the Devizes of Cornwall and the King his Fathers affairs being in a desperate condition all over England he was by the serious advice of his best friends perswaded to taâ—e shipping and depart for the Scillies from whence he was by the Parliament invited to return to London but he thought
glad at these his straits yet many noble and candid loyal souls there were whom nothing but a tyranical impulsion could have forced to have born Arms against their lawfull Sovereign It being well known that thousands were forced out of several Countreys to serve against their wills and them too put into the brunt of the battel as though destined for the slaughter But for all these numerous forces which encompassed the Royal Army they were chearful and resolved to sell their lives at a noble rate his Majesty by the example of his undaunted courage principally encouraging them so that many vigorous sallies were made upon their Enemies and though their supernumeraries forc't them to a retreat yet was it very seldome or never ignobly But now the fatall day draws nigh a day before so eminently auspicious to Cromwell and as unfortunate to the Scots viz. the third day of September The sight was occasioned thus Cromvvell Fleetwood and others of the Republick party had after the gaining the pass at Vpton endeavoured to make themselves a clear passage to the City that their Army might joyn in the Leaguer to which end and purpose they ordered the making of two Bridges the one over the Severn the other over Thame over the last or which passes Lieut. Gen. Fleetwood went to attach the West side of the Town which so allarum'd the Royall Army who then lay within their Leaguer at St. Iones that to prevent their drawing nigher they sayled out with the greatest part of their horse and foot and a stiffe encounter there was 'till over powred by numbers more then by valour which they demonstrated to the utmost of mens strength they were forced to retire again into their Leaguer leaving more of their Enemies dead bodies in the field then of their own But whilst this encounter was on the West side of the Town Cromwell having pass't his Army over Severn he march't directly to the Town on that side whereupon his Majesty in person and in the head of the Horse sallied out upon him and that with so much valour and courage that Cromwel's own life-guard and the best of his old Souldiers who were thought almost invincible vvere forc't to retire 'till seconded by those numerous supply's of fresh souldiers vvho served only like the Turkish Asapi to blunt the Royall swords so that their wearied arms no longer able to hold out were forced to retreat and at length notwithstanding the generous example of his Majesty who performed things worth wonder to a disorderly flight and notwithstanding his Majestie's earnest endeavours in which he had his horse twice shot under him to bring them again to a rally yet it proved fruitlesse for the Cromwellian Army pouring forth their numbers upon them permitted them not so much time but following them close at the heels to the Town towards which they fled entred pel-mel with them And now notwithstanding their flight and the danger of their own lives yet had they so much care of their Sovereign that the whole cry through out both Town and Army was nothing else but Save the King Save the King for him they knew it was that the Iuncto's Army chiefly looked after and indeed in great danger he was for notwithstanding the earnest desires of many of his friends and particularly Duke Hamilton who pressed him to have a care of his safty and reserve his person to a more fortunate day yet his Majesty was hardly induced to quit the field nor would he till he saw all absolutely lost for Cromvvel's Army having as I said followed the Royallists into the Town and got possession of one side of it and after by two or three strong assaults upon the fort Royall where the Cheshire men never before found so disloyall to their Prince and therefore found now their due who out of three thousand men sacrificed the lives of 1600 to the Ghosts of those new Royallists which were all put to the sword in it it vvas taken by storm and now when it was almost to late his sacred Majesty thought it high time to provide for his safety and so vvith some Nobles and Servants not vvithout a great deal of difficulty for hovv could it be othervvise vvhere there vvas such hard search made for him he quit the field and by the most unfrequented roades that they could possibly find out rode to the Farmehouse of a Noble Gentleman on the borders of Staffordshire vvhere they no sooner arrived but his Majesty disrobed himself of his princely Ornaments and accoutrements and particularly of a Chain of Gold or spannar-string worth three hundred pounds sterling the present of a Scottish Lord vvhich he bestovved upon a servant of his there present vvhich done for his farther disguise he proceeded to the cutting of his hair and the Cote affording neither shears not scissars to perform it it was by the Lord Wilmot cut off with a Knife And now every one is commanded to shift for himself and this poor Prince left alone to the sole protection of the Almighty he choosing none but one friend to accompany him with whom he wandred into a Wood within four miles say some of Wolverhampton where finding a hollow Oke he was now content to make it his Pallace for here he for some daies concealed himself his Friend still towards night going out to provide him some refreshment during this his solitary confinement In the mean time the Lord Wilmot who was commanded with the rest to seek his fortune was by chance pursued by some souldiers but meeting with a Countrey fellow formerly a Souldier in the Old King's Army he was by him secured though somewhat strangely for he carries him into a Malt-house belonging to Mrs. Iane Lane and having no other convenient place to hide him in clapt him under the kilne though there were then some fire in it and the malt smoaking on the top In the mean time the souldiers then in pursuit of him entred the house and having made about three quarters of an hours search every where else but not at all suspecting the kilne where they saw the fire they departed and the Lord Wilmot was taken out of the kilne almost ready to faint with the extremity of the heat The countrey-fellow having thus secured this Lord acquaints Mrs. Lane with what he had done and she extremly glad of it gets him to her house where in conference she enquires of the King's safety The Lord Wilmot gives her the former relation of his miseries and distresse which forces tears from the tender hearted Gentlewoman she earnestly entreats him to take some course for the finding out of his Majesty and conducting him to her house she being resolued to venture her life had she ten thousand for the saving of his Royal Majesties The Lord Wilmot glad of so happy an oppertunity to serve his Majesty and so great a probability of securing him the next night finds him out and conducts him from the Royal Oak to the
blandishents then force He knows that whilst he kills a Subject he weakens his kingdom Rebels themselves may be found usefull and though justice can not yet his Majesties clemency will admit their pardon but if they resist to the utmost their blood is on their own heads What man is not willing to destroy him who he knows would be his murderer Thus is his justice and his clemency mixt together he would not kill where he might with safety save â—â—r does his unspotted innocency raise fancies or fears in him As he is guilty of nothing so ther 's nothing hee fears Whilst he endeavours to be true to his subjects those endeavours force a belief in him that his subjects will be true to him His very nature enclines him to a compassion He pitties those that will not pitty themselves and whilst they are conspiring his destruction his prayers procure their safety Nor can the utmost of their injuries provoke him to a retalliation He hath learned not only of God but of the King his father to forgive his enemies Nor is it his desire to obtain his Kingdomes that makes him willing to forgive his enemies but his desire to forgive his enemies that makes him willing to obtain his Kingdoms he counts the possession of his Royalties but as a transitory dignity the pardon of his enemies a Divine and lasting one Neither is his piety lesse then his justice they are both in the Superlative degree he hates wickednesse not because the world should see him glory that would make him an Hypocrite but because God abhors it t is Love not Fear makes him Religious he Fears God only because he Loves him He hates not the Vicious but abhominates their Vices his hatred extends not to persons but to things He dislikes not the Swearer t is his Oaths he abhors he hates not the Drunkard but his Drunkennesse Yet does his mercy extend beyond their sins as he is a King so he is a God he is gracious to pardon as well as just to punish nor can a submission or reformation but overtake his remission His constant service of God excites others to live by his example he sleeps not without invoking the blessing of the Almighty nor do his eyes open without a returned thanks He knows 't is God alone which can restore and protect him nor can the wickednesse of man prevail against Him Nor does his publick devotion shew him less zealous then his private the one demonstrates him full of Zeal the other void of Hypocrisie he would have others holy as well as himself he knows that saying concerns him being a King above all private Men Non nobis solis nati sumus Private persons are not alone born for theÌ„selves muchless Kings the publique concern is their duty 't is not enough for the Master of the house that he be godly whilst his Family is wicked There must be Precept as well as Example and if need be correction as well as instruction This makes his Majestie deservedly famous he counts it as great a fault to suffer a sin in another whilst he hath power to correct it as to commit it himself he knows that what crimes soever a Magistrate suffers willingly to be committed he brings upon his own head He is therefore above all things carefull not to father vice lest he should be accounted vicious he detests that in another which did he commit he knows he might justly detest himself for and endeavours by Example to reforme that in others which he knows were it in him would seem odious to them He abhors vice as well because it is so as because God abhors it His nature inclines him to vertue and as he cannot admit ' its contrary in himselfe so he cannot endure it in another His constancy in Religion is no less conspicuous then his piety His discerning judgement knows what is truth and that truth is followed by his setled will Yet he hates not the Popish Religion but their Idolatry he abhors not them but their false worship He loves all that know Christ at all but wishes that they might know him more His stedfastnesse in Religion proceeds not from self-interest he sticks not so much to the true Protestants because he knows the English to be addicted to that Religion because hee thinks it for his benefit because he imagines that it would prove very difficill to obtaine his Crown and leave it But because he knows it to be true He knows the Prince is born for the people as well as the people for the Prince He knows their interests to be inter woven He knows that without them he cannot stand yet will he sooner loose them then relinquish verity He is the perfect pattern of Piety but more of Patience his afflictions have not made him repine he knows God to be just he believes that as God restored Iob twofold so will he likewise restore unto him his Kingdomes Yet he thinks it just in God to suffer them to be detained from him He laments more his Subject slavery then his own Exile he grives that they have been so long blind yet rejoyces for their sakes that they have now a Glimmering he constantly prays for the restoring of their fight not so much because they should restore his as their own Rights and Priviledges He is inwardly troubled and perplexed at the many Schisms Sects and Heresies that are raised in the Church of England he is sorry that their rise is from some mens envy towards him he pities and his pitty produces his prayers for them He is willing that though they will not obey him yet that they may serve God He was never heard to curse his Enemies many times to pray for them and desire God to forgive even his Fathers Murtherers his good will surpasses their cruelty And whilst they are conspiring his Destruction he is praying for their Salvation He is a perfect Enemy to all Debauchedness he is sorry those who pretend themselves his friends in England are so great a scandal to him He wishes that they would so carry themselves that he might adventure to own them as his Friends for he understands not the good will of those who drink his Health for the liquors sake nor wishes for their help who over their Sack only swear they will Fight for Him He is no greater a hater of vice then a Cherisher of vertuous Actions he loves them in his very Enemies and often grives when he finds occasion to think that many of them will rise up in Judgment against his most pretended Friends He is most exactly just in all his Commands and faithful in performance of all his Promises Take the Character given him by the dying Marquesse of Montrose For his Majesty now Living saith he Never People I believe may be more happy in a King his commands to me were most Iust in nothing that he promiseth will be fail He deals justly with all Men c. So punctual is he