his Majesty evidently saw that their Design was to render his Person Reputation and Government Cheap Contemptible and Odious to his Subjects and this put him upon Printing likewise his Answer to the Remonstrance and issuing out a Declaration to all his Loving Subjects for his own Vindication And here began the Paper-War between the King and Faction of the two Houses in which they were plainly the Aggressors of his Honor Dignity and Reputation His Majesty only standing upon the Defensive The Answer to the Petition and the Declaration were in these Terms WE having received from you The King's Answer to the Petition which accompanied the Remonstrance as also the Declaration concerning it Dec. 1641. soon ofter Our Return out of Scotland a long Petition consisting of many Desires of great Moment together with a Declaration of a very unusual Nature annexed thereunto We had taken some time to consider of it as befitted Vs in a matter of that Consequence being confident that your own reason and regard to Vs as well as Our express intimation by Our Comptroller to that purpose would have restrained you from the Publishing of it till such time as you should have received Our Answer to it But much against Our expectation finding the contrary that the said Declaration is already abroad in Print by Directions from your House as appears by the printed Copy We must let you know that We are very sensible of the disrespect Notwithstanding it is Our Intention that no failing on your part shall make Vs fail in Ours of giving all due Satisfaction to the Desires of Our People in a Parliamentary Way And therefore We send you this Answer to your Petition reserving Our self in Point of the Declaration which We think unparliamentary and shall take a Course to do that which We shall think fit in Prudence and Honor. To the Petition We say That although there are divers things in the Preamble of it which We are so far from admitting that We profess We cannot at all understand them as Of a wicked and malignant Party prevalent in the Government Of some of that Party admitted to Our Privy Council and to other Imployments of Trust and nearest to Us and Our Children Of Endeavors to sow amongst the People false Scandals and Imputations to blemish and disgrace the Proceedings of the Parliament All or any of which did We know of We should be as ready to remedy and Punish as you to Complain of That the Prayers of your Petition are grounded upon such Premisses as We must in no Wise admit yet notwithstanding We are pleased to give this Answer to you To the first concerning Religion consisting of several Branches We say that for the preserving the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom from the designs of the Popish Party We have and will still concur with all the just Desires of Our People in a Parliamentary Way That for the depriving of the Bishops of their Votes in Parliament We would have you consider that their Right is grounded upon the Fundamental Law of the Kingdom and constitution of Parliament This We would have have you consider but since you desire Our concurrence herein in a Parliamentary Way We will give no further Answer at this time As for the abridging of the inordinate Power of the Clergy We conceive that the taking away of the High Commission Court hath well moderated that but if there continue any Vsurpations or Excesses in their Jurisdictions We therein neither have nor will protect them Vnto that Clause which concerneth Corruptions as you style them in Religion in Church-Government and in Discipline and the removing of such unnecessary Ceremonies as weak Consciences might check at That for any illegal Innovations which may have crept in We shall willingly concur in the removal of them That if Our Parliament shall advise Vs to call a National Synod which may duly examine such Ceremonies as give just cause of Offence to any We shall take it into Consideration and apply Our Self to give due Satisfaction therein But We are very sorry to hear in such general Terms Corruption in Religion objected since We are perswaded in Our Conscience that no Church can be found upon the Earth that professeth the true Religion with more purity of Doctrine than the Church of England doth nor where the Government and Discipline are joyntly more beautified and free from Superstition then as they are here established by Law which by the grace of God We will with Constancy maintain while We live in their Purity and Glory not only against all Invasions of Popery but also from the irreverence of those many Schismaticks and Separatists wherewith of late this Kingdom and this City abounds to the great dishonor and hazard both of Church and State for the suppressing of whom We require your timely Aid and active Assistance To the second Prayer of the Petition concerning the removal and choice of Counsellors We know not any of Our Councel to whom the Character set forth in the Petition can belong That by those whom We had exposed to Trial We have already given you sufficient Testimony that there is no Man so near unto Vs in Place or Affection whom We will not leave to the Justice of the Law if you shall bring a particular Charge and sufficient Proofs against him and of this We do again assure you but in the mean time We wish you to forbear such general Aspersions as may reflect upon all Our Councel since you name none in particular That for the choice of Our Counsellors and Ministers of State it were to debar Vs that natural Liberty all Freemen have and it is the undoubted Right of the Crown of England to call such Persons to Our secret Councels to publick Imployment and Our particular Service as We shall think fit so We are and ever shall be very careful to make Election of such Persons in those Places of Trust as shall have given good Testimonies of their Abilities and Integrity and against whom there can be no just Cause of exception whereon reasonably to ground a diffidence and to choices of this Nature We assure you that the mediation of the nearest unto Vs hath always concurred To the third Prayer of your Petition concerning Ireland We understand your Desire of not alienating the forfeited Lands thereof to proceed from your much Care and Love And likewise that it may be a Resolution very fit for Vs to take but whether it be seasonable to declare Resolutions of that Nature before the Events of a War be seen that We much doubt of Howsoever We cannot but thank you for this Care and your chearful ingagement for the suppressing of that Rebellion upon the speedy effecting thereof the Glory of God in the Protestant Profession the safety of the British there Our Honor and that of the Nation so much depends all the Interests of this Kingdom being so involved in that Business We cannot but quicken your
a Horse to ride on the next Morning early which he did and the Friday after returned to Petworth and caused the said Merryweather to ride with him to Shoram to get a Boat to carry him over into France telling him that he had dangerously hurt a Man Mr. Percy returning again to Petworth on Monday Morning last sent again for the said Merryweather into a Wood and desired him to lend him a Horse and wished him to go with him to Mr. Lamb to Pagham to get him a Boat to carry him into France and that on Thursday last in the Evening there were Three Gentlemen about Pagham which were suspected to be some of the persons mentioned in the Proclamation divers Men were called to Aid for the attaching of their Bodies two of them were apprehended viz. Merryweather and Lamb but the third set Spurs to his Horse and escaped his Horse being wounded with a Prong This Gentleman that escaped is confest to be Mr. Percy who had hired a Boat of Thomas Waterman of Selsey to pass over into France for which he was to give 40 l. The desire of the Commons was that their Lordships would think of some Course for the Apprehending of Mr. Percy either by stopping of the Ports or by sending forth their Warrants After some consideration herein their Lordships were of Opinion that the shutting of the Ports would prove very inconvenient for Trade The shutting the Ports occasioned the Tumult of the Seamen before and that the Proclamation lately set forth by his Majesty for his Apprehension was of validity enough and needed no other Assistance Alderman Pennigton acquaints the House that Money comes in as fast as it can be told Ordered Order about Harwood and Drinkwater to excuse them from the Pillory That Robert Harwood and Thomas Drinkwater shall be spared at the Request of the Lord Great Chamberlain from standing on the Pillory but shall be brought to this House upon their Knees at the Barr and make their humble Submission for their Misdemeanors Ordered Tumults That this House have a Conference with the House of Commons to morrow morning concerning the Concourse and Tumults of People resorting hither out of London and other places Complaints now came in every day against the Loyal and Orthodox Clegy Monday May 17. insomuch that the Committee for Religion was divided into many Sub-Committees Mr. Whites Committee Mr. Corbets Committee Sir Robert Harlows Committee and Sir Edward Deerings Committee and Mr. Corbet who made the Report against Emanuel Vty Dr. in Divinity Rector of Chigwell in the County of Essex boasted that he had Nine Hundred Petitions against Scandalous Ministers Upon his report of the Complaints made against Dr. Vty it was Resolved c. Votes concerning Dr. Uty Rector of Chigwell That Dr. Emanuel Uty is a man of very scandalous and vitious life corrupt in his Doctrine superstitious in his practice an Incendiary Guilty of words spoken against the Kings Supremacy of words tending to Blasphemy of words very scandalous against the Parliament Resolved c. That Dr. Uty is unworthy to have and enjoy any Ecclesiastical Benefice or Spiritual Promotion or to have the Cure of Souls If the rest of their Accusation were no more true or better proved then the first of Dr. Vty's being a Man of very Scandalous and Vitious life it may very well be supposed that Dr. Vty was very innocent For White the Chairman of one of these Committees who Printed the Centuries of Scandalous Malignant Priests as he called the Loyal Episcopal Clergy makes not the least Mention of any thing Scandalous or Vitious in his Life and no person who reads that infamous Libel can possibly believe that White would spare him in particulars so material to his Design But this unpardonable Offence was as he is there Charged for affirming White 's First Century of Malignant Priests Num. 5. not that all but That Parliament-men are Mechanicks and illiterate and have nothing to do to intermeddle in matters of Religion The House of Commons then Entred into debate about the Propositions concerning Religion delivered in by the Scottish Commissioners And it was Resolved Vote concerning the Scots desire of Uniformity of Religion in both Nations That this House doth approve of the Affection of their Brethren of Scotland in their Desires of a Conformity in Church Government between the Two Nations and doth give them Thanks for it and as they have already taken into Consideration the Reformation of Church Government so they will proceed therein in due time as shall best conduce to the Glory of God and the Peace of the Church There is nothing that does more clearly Evidence the great Consort that was between the English Puritans and Scottish Presbyterians to destroy the present Church Government than this Vote which according to the usual Hypocrisie of those Men and Times was still prefaced with a design of Gods Glory and the Peace of the Church This day a poor Printer was committed to the Gate-House for Printing an Elegy upon the Earl of Strafford Mr. Davenant who was taken at Feversham in Kent Mr. Davenant Committed to the Serjeant was brought to the Barr of the Commons House and committed to the Custody of the Serjeant who was commanded that none should be permitted to speak with him but in the presence of the Serjeant or one of his men This day also the Lord Cottington resigned his Place Lord Say made Master of the Court of Wards and the Lord Say had the Seal given him and was sworn Master of the Court of Wards Thus did his Majesty endeavour by repeated Acts of Grace and Favour not only publique but private to oblige a sort of Men who as He himself complained but too justly afterwards turned them all into Wantonness Manifesting to all future Ages how impossible it is to oblige ingrateful Tempers or to fubdue a Rigid Presbyterian by the soft Methods of Favours and Compliances Ordered Order of the Lords about Tumults That if the People do assemble here in any Tumultuous manner this House will take Care to suppress them or Adjourn the House till it be done A Conference appointed with the Lords concerning the Queen Mother the Lords to be desired to intreat his Majesty That the Queen Mother would be pleased to depart the Kingdom Tuesday May 18. Tumults about the Queen-Mother in regard they fear they shall not be able to protect her from the Violence of the People and for the Tumults this House will joyn with the Lords and send to the Lord Mayor and Magistrates to take Care to suppress them for the future Thus was this Glorious Reformation of the Church begotten born and nursed with Tumults and Disorders from the danger of which it seems not the Law of Nations nor the Sacred Character of Majesty could afford any Security or Protection A Message from the House of Commons desiring to receive an Answer to a former
time the Bill intituled An Act for the speedy Provision of Mony for disbanding the Armies Poll Bill passed the Lords House and setling the Peace of the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland and it was put to the Question and contented to pass as a Law Memorandum That this House will take into Consideration hereafter how the Bishops may be relieved concerning the Payment of their double Tenths if they shall see Cause so to do A Message was sent to the House of Commons to desire a present Conference by a Committee of both Houses touching Honour Conference to be with the Commons about the Kings bestowing Honours The subject of the Conference to be That both Houses may Petition his Majesty that Titles of Honour may not be bought and sold for Mony but that it may be confer'd by his Majesty as anciently it was for Vertue and Merit and also to consult with the House of Commons about a Bill for preventing of this hereafter and the Bill to begin from the first day of this Parliament The Bills for Regulating of the Council-Board and taking away of the Star-Chamber and the Bill concerning the High-Commission Court being read a third time and upon the Question were resolved by the major part to pass as Laws and were sent down to the House of Commons A Message was sent to the Commons to let them know that the Lords had sent some of their House to inform his Majesty that the Bills were ready for his Assent Mr. Crew and Mr. Littleton ordered to repair to the Lord Keeper Saturday July 3. Message from the Commons to the Lord Keeper that the Judges may not Travel on the Lords Day and to desire him from this House to desire the Judges in their several Circuits so to dispose of their Journeys that they may not Travel upon the Lords-Day for the ill example that is given to the Countrey thereby A Message was sent from the Lords to certifie the Commons that his Majesty who intended to be at the House in the morning had put it off till the afternoon at which time he would pass the Poll-Bill and take time to consider of the other till Tuesday But at this the Commons were displeased and Voted that they should all pass together and Mr. Arthur Goodwin was appointed to go up to the Lords to acquaint their Lordships that the passing of the other two Bills will Expedite the Mony Bill and to desire them to move his Majesty to do it with all convenient Expedition and that they will move his Majesty in it which they did who return'd this Answer That he would in his own person give his answer to their desires In the Afternoon his Majesty coming to the House of Lords the Commons were sent for by the Gentleman-Usher of the Black-Rod when the Bills were presented for the Royal Assent Mr. Speaker entertained his Majesty with this following Speech May it please your Most Sacred Majesty THe Government of this Common-Wealth rests in the Rules of Order Mr. Speakers Speech at the passing the Bill for Poll-Money July 3. 1641. and hath so much affinity and consent with the Rules of Nature in the Government of the World That the first Copy and mutation of the one may seem to be taken from the Original and first Model of the other This contemplation Most excellent and gracious Soveraign casts our Eyes upon your Sacred Majesty as that Celestial Orbe which never resting without the Office of perpetual motion to cherish the lower Bodies not enriching it self with any Treasures drawn from below exhales in vapours from the inferior Elements what in due Season it returns in showers The application makes us consider our selves those sublunary Creatures which having their Essence and Being from the influence of those Beams as the Flowers of the Field open to receive the Glory of the Sun In this Relation both contribute to the Common good your Sacred Majesty as a Nursing Father designed to bestow on your People the Blessing of Peace and Unity and we as the Children of Obedience return our duties and affections in Aids and Tributes And this compacted in one Body by the ligaments of Religion and Laws hath been the object of admiration to the whole World Amidst the distraction of Forreign Nations we only have sate under the shadow of our Vines and drank the Wines of our own Vintage But your crafty adversaries perceiving that the fervent profession of our own Religion and the firm observation of our Laws have been the Pillars of our prosperity by subtle insinuation pretending a politick necessity to admit of a Moderation in our Religion to comply with Forreign Princes and suggesting it a Principle in the Rules of Soveraignty to require and take not ask and have that it must postulare by power not petere by Laws and keep these miseries of War and Calamity between Nation and Nation and put us in the posture of gaze to the whole World But when we behold your Sacred Majesty descended from the Royal Loyns of that glorious King which by his Wisdom and Policy first ingrafted the White-Rose and the Red upon the same stock and sheathed the Sword that had pierced the Bowels of so much Nobility glutted with the Blood of People and then laid the first hopes of the happy Union between the Nations When our thoughts refresh themselves with that happy memory of that Religious King your Gracious Father on whose Sacred Temples both Diadems were placed wreathed about with this Motto faciam eos in gentem unam we cannot but believe that God and Nature by a lineal Succession from those Fathers of Peace hath ordained you that Lapis Angularis upon which the whole Frame settles and put into the hands of your Sacred Majesty the possibility and power to firm and stablish this happy Union between your Kingdoms and so raise your memory a Statue of Glory and Wisdom from Generation to Generation In all this length of time the assurance of this Union and Peace hath been the chief object of our desires Our Purses have been as open as our Hearts both contributing to this great Work manifested by so many Subsidies already presented sufficient in our first hopes for the full perfection But finding that fail have again adventured upon your Peoples Property and in an old and absolute way new burnisht by the hand of instant necessity expressed to the World the Hearts of a Loyal People and howsoever gilded with a new name of Tranquility and Peace to your Kingdoms that with more ease the People may disgest the bitterness of this Pill yet still our Hearts had the same aim and object A Gift suitable to the necessity of so vast Expences that time cannot parallel it by any example And by which if your Sacred Majesty vouchsafe your Royal assent which we Humbly pray we shall not doubt you may soon accomplish those happy effects that may present your Wisdom the object of
Ant. Van Dyck pinxit R. White sculpsit THOMAS EARLE OF STRAFFORDE Viscount Wentworth Baron Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse Newmarch Oversley Raby Ld. Lievtenant Generall and Generall Governor of the Kingdome of Ireland and Ld. President of the Councill established in the North parts of England Ld. Lievtenant of the County City of York one of his Maty most honble Privy Councel and Knight of ye. most Noble order of the Garter EN DIEU EST TOUT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Printed for A. Mearne T. Dring B. Took T. Sawbridge and C. Mearne AN Impartial Collection OF THE Great Affairs of State From the Beginning of the SCOTCH REBELLION In the Year MDCXXXIX To the Murther OF King CHARLES I. WHEREIN The first Occasions and the whole Series of the late Troubles IN England Scotland Ireland Are faithfully Represented Taken from Authentick Records and Methodically Digested By JOHN NALSON LL. D. VOL. II. Published by His Majesty's Special Command LONDON Printed for S. Mearne T. Dring B. Toke T. Sawbrige and C. Mearne MDCLXXXIII TO HIS MOST Serene and Excellent MAJESTY King Charles II. GREAT SIR AS Your Majesties Gracious Incouragement gave the first Life and Being to this Work so it naturally in all humble Duty addresses it self for Protection under the Wing of Your Favour and Royal Mercy which Your Majesty so justly challenges as a Virtue more peculiarly Eminent and Conspicuous in your whole Life then in any of Your Illustrious Predecessors It is Necessity and not Presumption which obliges the Author to Prostrate himself and this Book at Your Royal Feet For though the whole World can shew nothing so Harmless and Innocent as Truth yet is she not able to defend her self from her constant Enemies Malice Error and ill Designs nor knows she whither to flie for a secure Refuge but to the Sanctuary of the Great Defender of the Faith to which the nearness of her Relation raises in her a comfortable hope that she shall participate of the same Royal Protection There are some Persons whose Interest it is to lie behind the Curtain even in the present Age and who therefore cannot with patience bear the drawing of it so as to let in the light into that which is past lest by comparing former Occurrences the Temper Inclinations Principles and Movements of those Times there should be discovered so near a Resemblance between the Lineaments and Proportions of the past and present as to be too convincing that there is no greater difference then between the elder and the younger Brother of the same Parents Rebellion and the Good Old Cause Nor is it strange to see some sort of People very angry with the hand which presents them with a Glass wherein they may see the Exact and true Image of Rebellion and Sedition when they can no sooner look into it but they find their own Faces there But it would be not only a Wonder but a Miracle if they should not shew their Resentments against both the Workman and his Work and by indeavouring to hurt his to secure their own Reputation But Your Majesties Grace and Favour is such an Amulet against the Poyson of the most Malignant Faction as is able to secure the happy Persons upon whom it is bestowed from the Infection of the most Malicious Breath and Venemous Tongues and in the Hopes of this the Author does with all humility present Your Majesty with the first opening of the Scene of that Deplorable Tragedy wherein Your Glorious Father had so large a share of Suffering there Your Majesty may see the several Steps and Progressive Advances which those Artists in Rebellion and Usurpation made towards the accomplishment of their Great Design of overthrowing the best Monarchy and Extirpating the most Apostolical Church in the whole World Here may Your Majesty take a view of the most supple Flattery and deep Hypocrisy of a Confederated Faction and how Rebellion to make the People in Love with her was represented to them in the Masquerading Habit and Accoutrements of Religion and Reformation how Slavery and Tyranny those two dreadful Monsters walk'd in the borrowed Equipage of the Liberty of the Subject and the Fundamental Laws and Birthrights of the People and how under the Mantle of Redressing Grievances the Nation came to labour under the greatest Grievance that ever the Necks of the Generous English Submitted to even the Mischief which they pretended to fear absolute Tyranny and the most Arbitrary Government of an Vsurping Faction Here Your Majesty may see the true Picture of the Men of those Principles and Times drawn from the Life by their own hands and in their proper and natural Colours and not only their outward Air Mine and Garb but the Picture of their very Souls their Thoughts Aims Contrivances and most Secret Designs and the black Conclusion at which all these were levell'd over which they so Industriously drew the fair Vails and Curtains of Sanctimony and pretended Loyalty seeming Humility and counterfeit Allegiance Your Majesty may be conducted into those Mines of Sedition unreasonable Fears groundless and unsatisfiable Jealousies of the Dangers of Popery and Arbitrary Government the very Powder which blew up the Foundations both of Church and State Your Majesty may see their Principal Engines of Battery amongst which the Liberty of the Press and I Blush to name it the Licentious abuse of the Pulpit were not the least or did the most Inconsiderable Execution towards the Ruin of the Government I shall not presume to say more but humbly Prostrate my self at Your Majesties Feet to beg the Liberty to add my most fervent Prayers and Wishes to my Sincere indeavours of Serving Your Majesty with my utmost Power May there be an Emulous Strife between the Number and the Glory of Your Majesties Years May the constant Care of Heaven and the Watchful attendance of its Glorious Militia still Guard Your beloved Life against all the Wicked attempts of the Enemies of Your Person and Government May every day that is added to Your Sacred Life contribute fresh Accessions of Happiness and Prosperity Peace and Tranquility to Your Auspicious Reign May You Triumph in the Hearts and Affections of Your People and over the Heads of Your defeated Enemies And could my Prayers Wishes or Indeavours prove as Successful as they are Sincere Your Majesty should not have one Subject in all Your Dominions less Zealous of Your Majesties Service sensible of their Duty and Interest or studious of Expressing their humble Loyalty then the Person who has placed all his Ambition and Glory in Indavouring to approve himself May it please Your Most Sacred Majesty Your Majesties most Humble most Obedient and Intirely Devoted Subject NALSON The Introduction THERE is certainly no manner of Diversion of which Wise and Great Men who indeavour to be really Serviceable to the true Interest of their Prince and Country can make more considerable Advantages or more agreeably spend their Leisure Minutes
nearly interested in the Ruin of this great Person than any other he satiated his private Revenge by the pretence of Publick Justice and when in all likelyhood the Earl must have Escaped the Prosecution of his Adversaries he produced that Fatal Scrip of Paper of which mention will be made hereafter which had lain so long Dormant or rather which was newly framed upon which the Bill of Attainder in the House of Commons was founded to take away that Life which a Legal Tryal would otherwise have acquitted though not of Misdemeanors yet of the Capital Crime of High Treason My Lord Wentworth being now made one of his Majesties Privy Council gave such daily Testimonies of his singular Wisdom as soon recommended him to the Observation of that Great Man William Laud then Bishop of London and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury and that Discernment of each others Merits which generally in great Minds produces Emulation Envy and too commonly Aversion and Animosity begat in them a Friendship which being cemented by the common bond of Loyalty and Fidelity to their great Masters Service and Interest proved so firm and indissolvable as to have no other Period but that of their Untimely Deaths Nor did Fortune who seemed now wholy imployed in bestowing her treacherous Caresses upon this Noble Lord stop here for he was in a little time advanced to be Lord Lieutenant of Ireland one of the Trusts and Honours as near the wearing of a Crown as any thing can be that is not actually possessed of one when he came to that Government he found all things in great Disorder the Revenue so low that Ireland was a Burthen to the Crown of England which by his Wise Management he not only took off but so improved the Trade of the Nation and the Revenue of the Crown that that Kindom was not only able to support it self but to lend supplies to England And as he was an Extraordinary Zealous promoter of the Interest and Glory of the Established Church and the Protestant Episcopal Party for which possibly there was a stricter bond of amitie between him and the Arch-Bishop he did by the assistance of that great Metropolitane procure from his Majesty the Restoring of all the Impropriations which in that Nation were then in the Crown to the Bishops and Clergy thereby rescuing the Church-men from those disadvantages which Contempt and Poverty in these declining Ages of Religion had reduced them to and by proposing Rewards to Merit Virtue Learning and Piety encouraged men of Parts to dedicate themselves to those Nobler Studies That contenting themselves with those competent Provisions they might be enabled to resist the Temptations of applying themselves to the more gainful Arts of Secular Professions In short how he managed the Government of that Kingdom notwithstanding the turbulent Humor of the Native Irish whose Religion being Popish and whose Interest to dispossess the English whom they ever esteemed incroachers and invaders continually prompted them to Rebellions this is the clearest Testimony that during all the time that he was his Majesties Vice-Roy in that Kingdom there was not the least murmur of Sedition but all things buried in a most profound Peace and Quiet But no sooner were the Reigns of his Government taken off and even before the blood was cold which dyed his blushing Scaffold but that Kingdom was all in a blaze and from thence such sparks of Jealousie flew over into England as set this miserable Nation into such an Universal Conflagration as was not Extinguished but with whole Rivers of Blood which one may say not altogether Poetically seemed to be sacrificed by the Revenging Deity to the Manes of this Illustrious Man And now the Sun of his Glory was gotten to the Top of his Meridian and from thence had Exhaled those Vapours and sulphureous ingredients which being condensed into Clouds of Popular Discontents raised so horrible a Storm as forced him to set in a dismal Cloud Laetis hunc Numina Rebus Crescendi posuêre modum Innocence is no Protection against Envy and those Merits which raised Admiration and Satisfaction in Good and Virtuous Men produced Emulation and Hatred in the Minds of the Turbulent and Discontented and as formerly all the Complaints and Grievances of the Nation seemed to Centre in the Duke of Buckingham so now the Noble Earl of Strafford for to that Honour he was advanced inherited with the Favour of his Prince all that was Black and Criminal in a Favourite which was now become a certain mark of the Peoples Hatred The long Discontinuance of Parliaments the Imposition of Ship-mony and the Design of introducing Arbitrary Government were all placed to his Score as the intentions of bringing in Superstitions Innovations and Popery were charged upon the Archbishop of Canterbury But above all he had so Exasperated the Scottish Faction and their Friends in England that his or their Ruin as they concluded was inevitable for he had raised a Considerable Army in Ireland and being in the Sickness of the Earl of Northumberland made Lieutenant General of the Army in the North he was an utter Enemy to the Treaty and of Opinion by force of Arms to drive the Scots out of England and so confident was he in the height of his Courage that it might Easily be Effected that in one of his Letters to the Archbishop he writ That he would venture his head if he did not drive the Scots out of England and though he did not think it proper for him as the Case now stood to give the King that Advice Yet if any of the Lords would propose to the King to try the Fortune of a Battle he made not the least scruple to send the Scots back again in more haste than they came into England And had his Majesty pursued those Counsels in all humane Probability this Noble Earl might have saved not only his own but the Royal Head of his Master and that vast Expence of Blood and Treasure as well as the Honour of the English Nation which suffered infinitely abroad by all the succeeding Accidents and Events which Ensued that dishonourable Treaty but Diis aliter visum est No sooner was the Parliament met at Westminster Friday November 6. and the necessary affairs of choosing a Speaker taking the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and upon Friday Novemb. 6. the Grand Committees for Religion Grievances Courts of Justice Trade and Priviledges settled but Mr. Pym moved for a Committee of the whole House to take into Consideration the Irish Affairs from whence there were great and numerous Complaints This was seconded by Sir John Clotworthy in a Speech wherein though he did not name the Earl of Strafford yet the pointed reflections were so easie to be interpreted that the whole House knew he was the Person at whose head the Thunderbolt was levell'd After some Debate the House was Divided upon the Question and there being Yeas 165 Noes 152 it was carried in the affirmative
Protestation I hope Gentlemen you do think that neither the fear of Loss nor love of Reputation will suffer me to belye God and mine own Conscience at this time I am now in the very door going out and my next step must be from time to Eternity either of Peace or Pain To clear my self before you all I do here solemnly call God to witness I am not Guilty so far as I can understand of the great Crime laid to my Charge nor have ever had the least inclination or Intention to damnifie or prejudice the King the State the Laws or the Religion of this Kingdom but with my best endeavours to serve all and to support all So may God be merciful to my Soul Then rising up he said He desired to speak something to the People but was affraid he should be heard by few in regard of the Noise but having first fitted himself to the Block and rising again he thus addressed himself to the Spectators MY Lord Primate of Ireland and my Lords The Earl of Strafford's Speech upon the Scaffold May 12. and the rest of these Noble Gentlemen It is a great Comfort to me to have your Lordships by me this day because I have been known to you a long time and I now desire to be heard a few words I come here my Lords to pay my last Debt to Sin which is Death And through the Mercies of God to rise again to Eternal Glory My Lords If I may use a few words I shall take it as a great Courtesie from you I come here to submit to the Judgment that is passed against me I do it with a very quiet and contented Mind I do freely forgive all the World a forgiveness not from the Teeth outward as they say but from my heart I speak in the presence of Almighty God before whom I stand that there is not a displeasing thought that ariseth in me against any Man I thank God I say truly my Conscience bears me Witness that in all the Honour I had to serve His Majesty I had not any Intention in my heart but what did aim at the Joynt and Individual prosperity of the King and His People although it be my ill hap to be misconstrued I am not the first Man that hath suffered in this kind It is a Common Portion that befals men in this Life Righteous Judgment shall be hereafter here we are subject to Error and Misjudging one another One thing I desire to be heard in and do hope that for Christian Charities sake I shall be believed I was so far from being against Parliaments that I did always think Parliaments in England to be the happy Constitution of the Kingdom and Nation and the best means under God to make the King and his People happy As for my death I do here acquit all the World and beseech God to forgive them In particular I am very glad His Majesty conceives me not meriting so severe and heavy a punishment as the utmost Execution of this Sentence I do infinitely rejoyce in it and in that Mercy of His and do beseech God to Return Him the same that he may find Mercy when he hath most need of it I wish this Kingdom all prosperity and happiness in the World I did it Living and now Dying it is my Wish I profess heartily my apprehension and do humbly recommend it to you and wish that every Man would lay his hand on his heart and consider seriously Whether the beginning of the Peoples happiness should be written in Letters of Blood I fear they are in a Wrong Way I desire Almighty God that no one drop of my Blood rise up in Judgment against them I have but one word more and that is for my Religion My Lord of Armagh I do profess my self seriously faithfully and truly to be an obedient Son of the Church of England In that Church I was born and bred in that Religion I have lived and now in that I dye Prosperity and Happiness be ever to it It hath been said I was inclined to Popery if it be an Objection worth the answering let me say truly from my heart That since I was Twenty one years of age unto this day going on 49 years I never had thought or doubt of the truth of this Religion nor had ever any the boldness to suggest to me the contrary to my best remembrance And so being reconciled to the Mercies of Jesus Christ my Saviour into whose bosom I hope shortly to be gathered to enjoy Eternal Happiness which shall never have an end I desire heartily to be forgiven of every Man if any rash or unadvised Words or Deeds have passed from me and desire all your Prayers and so my Lord Farewel and farewel all things in this World The Lord strengthen my Faith and give me Confidence and Assurance in the Merits of Christ Jesus I trust in God we shall all meet to live Eternally in Heaven and receive the accomplishment of all Happiness where every Tear shall be wiped from our Eyes and sad thoughts from our Hearts and so God bless this Kingdom and Jesus have Mercy on my Soul Then turning himself about he saluted all the Noblemen and took a solemn leave of all considerable persons on the Scaffold giving them his Hand And after that he said Gentlemen I would say my Prayers and I intreat you all to pray with me and for me Then his Chaplain laid the Book of Common-Prayer upon the Chair before him as he kneeled down on which he prayed almost a quarter of an hour then he prayed as long or longer without a Book and ended with the Lords Prayer then standing up he spyed his Brother Sir George Wentworth and call'd him to him and said Brother We must part remember me to my Sister and to my Wife and carry my Blessing to my Eldest Son and charge him from me That he fear God and continue an Obedient Son of the Church of England and that he approve himself a Faithful Subject to the King and tell him That he should not have any private Grudge or Revenge towards any concerning Me and bid him beware to meddle not with Church Livings for that will prove a Moth and Canker to him in his Estate and wish him to content himself to be a Servant to his Countrey as a Justice of Peace in his County not aiming at higher Preferments Carry my Blessing also to my Daughter Ann and Arrabella charge them to fear and serve God and he will bless them not forgetting my little Infant that knows neither good nor evil and cannot speak for it self God speak for it and bless it Then said he I have nigh done One stroke will make my Wife Husbandless my dear Children Fatherless and my poor Servants Masterless and seperate me from my dear Brother and all my Friends but let God be to you and them all in all After that going to take off his Doublet and to make
Interpreters both Antient and Later expounded to be the Bishops of those Cities 6. Eusebius and other Ecclesiastical Writers affirm none contradicting them that the Apostles themselves chose James Bishop of Jerusalem and that in all the Apostolique Sees there succeeded Bishops which continued in all the Christian World and no other Government heard of in the Church for 1500 Years and more then by the Bishops and the Canons of Councils both General and Provincial which consisted of Bishops 7. That so many Acts of Parliament and Laws of the Kingdom and Statutes of Colledges of both Vniversities have relation to Bishops that the removing of them especially there having been never no other Government settled in this Kingdom will breed and make Confusion and no Reformation but rather a Deformation in the Church yet it were to be wished That in some things our Government might be reduced to the Constitutions and Practice of the Primitive Church especially in these Particulars 1. That Bishops did ordinarily and constantly Preach either in the Metropolitan Church or in the Parochial Church in their Visitations 2. That they might not Ordain any Ministers without the Consent of 3. or 4. at the least Grave and Learned Presbyters 3. That they might not suspend any Minister ab Officio et Beneficio at their Pleasures by their sole Authority but only with a necessary Consent of some Assistants and that for such Causes and Crimes only as the ancient Canons or the Laws of the Kingdom appointed 4. That none may be Excommunicated but by the Bishop himself with the Consent of the Pastor whose Parish the Delinquent dwelleth in and that for heynous and scandalous Crimes joyned with obstinate and wilful Contempts of the Churches Authority and that for non-Appearances or Ordinances upon ordinary occasions some Lesser punishments might be inflicted and that approved by Law 5. That Bishops might not demand Benevolence for the Clergy nor exact Allowance for their Dyet at the Visitations nor suffer their Servants to exact undue Fees at Ordinations and Institutions 6. That Bishops and Chancellors and Officials may be subject to the Censures of Provincial Synods and Convocations A Bill was Read the first and second time for the speedy raising Mony for Disbanding the Armies Tuesday June 22. Disbanding Bill read twice and Committed to a Committee of the whole House A most Excellent Petition from the University of Oxon for the retaining and Establishing of Episcopacy but alas they did but surdis Canere these Serpents were not to be charmed by their Sovereign much less by the Muses though they could have charmed ten thousand times more powerfully and wisely than they did However it will be for their Immortal Glory That in the worst of Times and even when the Storm was in its most blustring Rage they durst oppose the Tempest and Defend the Truth The Petition was as follows To the High and Honourable Court of Parliament The Humble Petition of the University of Oxford Sheweth THAT whereas the Vniversity hath been informed of several Petitions concerning the present Government of this Church The Petition of the University of Oxon for Episcopacy June 22. 1641. and maintenance of the Clergy which have of late been exhibited to this Honourable Assembly We could not but think our Selves bound in Duty to God and this whole Nation in charity to our Selves and Successors who have and are like to have more than ordinary interest in any Resolution that shall be taken concerning Church-Affairs in all humility to desire the continuance of that Form of Government which is now Established here and hath been preserved in some of the Eastern and Western Churches in a continued Succession of Bishops down from the very Apostles to this present time the like whereof cannot be affirmed of any other Form of Government in any Church Upon which Consideration and such other Motives as have been already represented to this Honourable Parliament from other Persons and Places with whom we concur in behalf of Episcopacy We earnestly desire That you would Protect that Ancient and Apostolical Order from Ruine or Diminution And become farther Suiters for the Continuance of those Pious Foundations of Cathedral Churches with their Lands and Revenues As dedicate to the Service and Honour of God soon after the plantation of Christianity in the English Nation As thought fit and Useful to be preserved for that end when the Nurseries of Superstition were demolished and so continued in the last and best Times since the Blessed Reformation under King Edw. 6. Q. Elizabeth and King James Princes Renowned through the World for their Piety and Wisdome As approved and confirmed by the Laws of this Land Ancient and Modern As the principal outward Motive and Encouragement of all Students especially in Divinity and the fittest Reward of some deep and eminent Scholars As producing or nourishing in all Ages many Godly and Learned Men who have most strongly asserted the Truth of that Religion we profess against the many fierce Oppositions of our Adversaries of Rome As affording a competent Portion in an ingenuous way to many Younger Brothers of good Parentage who devote themselves to the Ministery of the Gospel As the only means of Subsistence to a multitude of Officers and other Ministers who with their Families depend upon them and are wholly maintained by them As the main Authors or Upholders of divers Schools Hospitals High-wayes Bridges and other Publique and Pious Works As special Causes of much Profit and Advantage to those Cities where they are situate not only by relieving their Poor and keeping convenient Hospitality but by occasioning a frequent resort of Strangers from other Parts to the great benefit of all Tradesmen and most Inhabitants in those places As the goodly Monuments of our Predecessors Piety and present Honour of this Kingdom in the Eye of Forreign Nations As the chief Support of many Thousand Families of the Laity who enjoy fair Estates from them in a free way As yielding a constant and ample Revenue to the Crown And as by which many of the Learned Professours in our Vniversity are maintained The Subversion or Alienation whereof must as we conceive not only be attended with such consequences as will redound to the scandal of many well affected to our Religion but open the mouths of our Adversaries and of Posterity against us and is likely in time to draw after it harder conditions upon a considerable part of the Laity an universal cheapness and contempt upon the Clergy a lamentable drooping and defection of Industry and Knowledg in the Vniversities which is easie to foresee but will be hard to remedy May it therefore please this Honourable Assembly upon these and such other Considerations as Your great Wisdomes shall suggest to take such Pious Care for the Continuance of these Religious Houses and their Revenues according to the best Intentions of their Founders as may be to the most furtherance of God's Glory and Service the Honour
of the Palatinate by whose only means he had suffered the same to be lost to the Emperor and that therefore he should presently press that King either to give a full and direct Answer under his Hand and Seal for the Restitution thereof or else to joyn his Armes with his Majesty against the Emperor for the Recovery of the same But this matter as it further appears by the Original Journal-Books of the Lords House being either not throughly pressed or notably dissembled so many delays ensued one upon the neck of another as in the Issue it drew his Royal Majesty then Prince of Wales to undertake that dangerous and remote Journey unto that Nation which hath been the long and hereditary Enemy of England This Journey was chiefly undertaken by so great a Prince to add an end one way or other to that unfortunate Treaty and his stay in Spain did causally proceed from his earnest desire to have effected a peaceable Restitution of the Palatinate and therefore I doubt not but he shall now live to verifie that Excellent and Heroick Expression which he made to the Conde de Oilvarez a little before his coming out of that Kingdom Look for neither Marriage nor Friendship without the Restitution of the Palatinate And I assure my self That the Force and Power of Great Britain which was lately by subtil and wicked Instruments divided against it self being now united in One again will be able to Effect such Great and Considerable Actions as shall render his Majesties Name and Reign Glorious to all Posterity The Two Houses of Parliament at that time received the before-mentioned Declaration with so much resentment as having rendred Glory to God that had so seasonably discovered the Spanish Frauds and next their humble acknowledgments to their then Gracious Soveraign for requiring their Counsels in a business of so great Importance they did unanimously advise him to break off the said two Treaties touching the Marriage and the Restitution of the Palatinate ingaging no Less than their Persons and Purses for the Recovery of the then Prince Elector's Ancient and Hereditary Dominions It appears also in the Original Journal-Book of this House De Anno 1. Caroli That this great Business was again taken into Consideration but was finally intombed with other Matters of great Moment by the fatal and abortive Dissolution of that Parliament If therefore this Great Council of the Kingdom did in those two former Parliaments account the Restitution of this Illustrious and Princely Family to be of such great necessity for the preserving of True Religion abroad and securing our selves at home as to ingage themselves for an Assistance therein Certainly we may upon much better grounds undertake the same now when I assure my self we may go as far with a Thousand pounds for the present as we could have done with Ten thousand at that time for let us but take a short View of the Estate of Christendom what it was then and what it is now and we shall easily perceive a great Alteration in the ballance thereof In France where Monsieur de Luynes did then rule all being himself acted by the Pope's Legate that King Contrary to the Examples of Francis the First Henry the Second and of Henry the Great his own Father and Contrary to the Maximes and Interest of that State and his own Safety advanced the Formidable Power and Spreading Greatness of the House of Austria but now the same French King's Eyes have been so opened that shaking off that former unhappy Slumber he was in he hath by his Arms and Power to his immortal Honour and Glory for divers years last past endeavoured to restore again that Liberty to the German Empire in the Ruin of which himself had so fatally before Concurred The Swedes were then involved in several Wars or Jealousies with the Pole and inforced to keep at home to defend their own but now have a strong Army and possess divers Pieces of Important Consequence within the very Bowels of the Empire The Episcopal Electors with the other Pontifician Princes and Prelates the sworn Enemies of the Protestant Religion were then Rich and Potent but since most of their Countries and Territories have tasted of the same Calamities of War which they had formerly brought upon their Neighbours so as now they are most of them scarce able to defend their own much less to offend any other The Pseudo-Lutheran Elector of Saxony that is Causally guilty more than any other single person Living of all those Calamities and Slaughters which have for so many Years wasted Germany and was then so Liberal of his Treasure and so forward with his Arms to ancillate to the Emperor's Designs to the almost utter Subversion of the True Religion in Germany is now after the reiterated temeration of his Faith and Promises the Fatal Survivor of the several Devastations of his own Country and Dominions so as all those vast difficulties and great dangers which might well have retarded the forwardness of those two former Parliaments the first being held in the 22d Year of his Majesty's Royal Father and the Later in his Own first Year being now removed we have greater Encouragements than ever to Concur with our Sacred Soveraign in the Asserting of this his most Just and Princely Manifesto For mine own part I expect no good Issue of the present Treaty at Ratisbonne I know the Duke of Bavaria's Ambition too well ever to imagine that he will part with those Large Revenues and much less with the Septem-Viral Dignity and Suffrage he hath obtained by the Prince Elector's Calamity and Misfortune unless it be Extorted from him by force of Arms. My humble Advice therefore is That we send up to the Lords to desire a speedy Conference with them in which we may acquaint their Lordships how far we have proceeded in our Approbation of his Majesties most Royal Manifesto and to move them to Concur with us therein After a long Debate the House came to this Resolution Resolved c. That this House doth Approve of his Majesties Pious Intention in the behalf of his Royal Sister the Queen of Bohemia Vote about the Manifesto and his Nephew the Prince Elector Palatine and the rest of the Princes of that Family and of the Publishing the Manifesto to that purpose and this House will be ready to give his Majesty such Advice and Assistance therein by Parliament as shall stand with the Honour of His Majesty and the Interest and Affection of this Kingdom if the present Treaty shall not succeed But these were only Words and they were so far from giving his Majesty or the Electoral Family any Assistances that having Encouraged the King of England to put out this Manifesto and then failing him of all Assistances to make it good they rendred Themselves the English Nation and the King himself Cheap in the Esteem of Forreign Nations however Mr. Pym was Ordered to go up to the Lords to desire a
be in that he did not do it sooner before they had blown the Nation into so Universal a Flame of Rebellion by their Rigid Presbyterian Severities which come no whit behind their Brethren in Cruelty the Papists in their Unchristian Evangelium Armatum and propagating Religion by Fire and Sword And because it will give us a great light into the Causes of this dreadful Rebellion for which we are now searching let us hear what that excellent Prince sayes upon this Subject in those Cool and Melancholy Minutes when he had too much Leisure to write his Innocent Thoughts and to Steal some respit from the Pressures of his Sufferings and Insolence of his Insulting Enemies by the retired Divertisements of his Incomparable Pen. THe Commotions in Ireland were so sudden and so violent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cap. 12. Upon the Rebellion and Troubles in Ireland that it was hard at first either to discern the Rise or apply a Remedy to that precipitant Rebellion Indeed that Sea of Blood which hath there been Cruelly and Barbarously shed is enough to drown any man in Eternal both Infamy and Misery whom God shall find the malicious Author or Instigator of its Effusion It fell out as a most unhappy advantage to some Mens Malice against me that when they had impudence enough to lay any thing to my Charge this bloody opportunity should be offered them with which I must be aspersed although there was nothing which could be more abhorring to me being so full of Sin against God Disloyalty to my Self and destructive to my Subjects Some Men took it very ill not to be believed when they affirmed That what the Irish Rebels did was done with my Privity at least if not by my Commission But these knew too well that it is no news for some of my Subjects to sight not only without my Commission but against my Command and Person too yet all the while to pretend they fight by my Authority and for my Safety I would to God the Irish had nothing to alledge for their imitation against those whose blame must needs be the greater by how much Protestant Principles are more against all Rebellion against Princes then those of Papists Nor will the Goodness of Mens Intentions excuse the Scandal and Contagion of their Examples But whoever fail of their Duty toward me I must bear the blame this Honour my Enemies have always done me to think moderate injuries not proportionate to me nor competent Trials either of my Patience under them or my Pardon of them Therefore with Exquisite Malice they have mixed the Gall and Vinegar of Falsity and Contempt with the Cup of my Affliction charging me not only with untruths but such as wherein I have the greatest share of Loss and Dishonour by what is committed whereas in all Policy Reason and Religion having least Cause to give the least Consent and most grounds of utter Detestation I might be represented by them to the World the more Inhumane and Barbarous like some Cyclopick Monster whom nothing will serve to Eat and Drink but the Flesh and Blood of my own Subjects in whose common Wellfare my Interest lies as much as some Mens doth in their Perturbations who think they cannot do Well but in Evil Times nor so cunningly as in laying the Odium of those sad Events on others wherewith themselves are most pleased and whereof they have been not the least occasions And certainly 'T is thought by many Wise Men that the preposterous Rigour and unreasonable severity which some Men carried before them in England was not the least incentive that kindled and blew up into those Horrid Flames the Sparks of Discontent which wanted not predisposed Fewel for Rebellion in Ireland where Dispair being added to their former Discontents and the fears of utter Extirpation to their wonted oppressions it was easie to provoke to an open Rebellion a People prone enough to break out to all Exorbitant Violence both by some Principles of their Religion and the natural desires of Liberty both to Exempt themselves from their present restraints and to prevent those after Rigours wherewith they saw themselves apparently threatned by the Covetous Zeal and Uncharitable Fury of some Men who think it a great argument of the Truth of their Religion to endure no other but their own God knows as I can with Truth wash my hands in Innocency as to any Guilt in that Rebellion so I might wash them in my Tears as to the sad apprehensions I had to see it spread so far and make such wast And this in a time when Distractions and Jealousies here in England made most Men rather intent to their own Safety or Designs they were driving then to the relief of those who were every day Inhumanely Butchered in Ireland whose Tears and Blood might if nothing else have quenched or at least for a time repressed and smothered those Sparks of Civil Dissentions and Jealousies which in England some men most industriously scattered I would to God no man had been less affected with Ireland's sad Estate then my Self I offered to go my Self in Person upon that Expedition But some Men were either afraid I should have any one Kingdom quieted or loath they were to shoot at any mark here less then my Self or that any should have the Glory of my Destruction but themselves Had my many offers been accepted I am confident neither the Ruin had been so great nor the Calamity so long nor the Remedy so desperate So that next to the sin of those who began that Rebellion theirs must needs be who either hindred the speedy suppressing of it by Domestick Dissentions or diverted the Aides or exasperated the Rebels to the most desperate Resolutions and Actions by threatning all Extremities not only to the known Heads and chief Incendiaries but even to the whole Community of that Nation resolving to destroy Root and Branch Men Women and Children without any regard to those usual Pleas for Mercy which Conquerors not wholly Barbarous are wont to hear from their own Breasts in behalf of those whose oppressive Fears rather then their Malice engaged them or whose imbecility for Sex and Age was such as they could neither lift up a hand against them nor distinguish between their right hand and their left which preposterous and I think un-Evangelical Zeal is too like that of the rebuked Disciples who would go no lower in their Revenge then to call for fire from Heaven upon whole Cities for the Repulse or Neglect of a few or like that of Jacob's Sons which the Father both Blamed and Cursed chusing rather to use all Extremities which might drive Men to desperate obstinacy then to apply moderate Remedies such as might punish some with Exemplary Justice yet disarm others with tenders of Mercy upon their Submission and Our protection of them from the fury of those who would soon drown them if they refused to swim down the Popular Stream with them But some
Manner how full of Advantage it would be to himself to see his own Estate setled in a plentiful Condition to support his Honor to see his People united in Wayes of Duty to him and indeavours for the Publick Good to see Happiness Wealth Peace and Safety derived to his own Kingdom and procured to his Allies by the Influence of his own Power and Government That all good Courses may be taken to unite the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland to be mutually Aiding and Assisting one another for the common Good of the Island and the Honor of both to take away all Differences among our Selves for Matters indifferent in their own Nature concerning Religion and to unite our selves against the Common Enemies which are the better enabled by our Divisions to destroy us as they hope and have often indeavoured to labor by all Offices of Friendship to unite the Foreign Churches with us in the same Cause and to seek their Liberty Safety and Prosperity as bound thereunto both by Charity to them and by Wisdom for our own Good For by this means our Strength shall be increased and by a mutual concurrence to the same common end we shall be enabled to procure the good of the whole Body of the Protestant Profession If these things may be observed we doubt not but God will Crown this Parliament with such Success as shall be the Beginning and Foundation of more Honour and Happiness to his Majesty then ever yet was enjoyed by any of his Royal Predecessors A Habeas Corpus was this day also Ordered to be sent down to remove one William Chorley from Lancaster Goal Thursday December 2. to be Examined of Matters of great Consequence His Majesty came this day to the House of Lords to pass the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage and being sate in the Chair of State the King gave Command to the Gentleman-Usher to give the House of Commons notice to come up who being come after three Obeysances made their Speaker made this Speech as followeth Most Dread Sovereign THe Observation taken from the unlike Compositions The Speakers Speech at the Passing the Bill for Tonnage and Poundage Dec. 2. 1641. and various Motions of the World made the Philosophers conclude Tota hujus Mundi Concordia ex Discordibus constat The happy Conjuncture of both these Nations in the Triumph and Joy of your Sacred presence extracted from the different and divided Opinions give us cause to observe and admire these blessed Effects from such contrary Causes We may without Flattery commend your Sacred Majesty as the glorious Instrument of this happy Change whose Piety and Prudence directed by the hand of God hath contracted this Vnion from those various discords * * Most undoubtedly Especially that Rebellion should be esteemed Loyalty and the Ruin of the Church a Reformation The story of these times will seem Paradoxes in following Generations when they shall hear of Peace sprung from the Root of Dissention of Vnion planted upon the stock of Divisions two Armies in the Field both ready to strike the first blow and both united without a stroke Nothing can reduce these Truths into a belief but the knowledge of your Piety and Justice who have accomplished these Acts of Wonder by Goodness and Gentleness without Force or Violence This way of Conquest this Bellum Incruentum hath been the Rule of the most Valiant and Puissant Monarchs advancing Your Glory in the safeguard of one Subject more then in the Death of a Thousand Enemies Thus have you Erected a Monument of Glory to your Sacred Memory for all Generations And as your Care and Piety for the welfare of your Northern Kingdom called you to that Work for the great Comfort of your People which your wisdom hath so happily consummated so now the Distemper of your other Kingdom fomented by the same Spirit whose presence admits no Peace in Israel calls on your Providence to heal the Diseases of that Nation The one from whence you returned hath with Abel though the younger Brother offered an acceptable Sacrifice the other with Cain hath Erected Altars of Blood and Revenge the Innovations of Jesuitical Priesthood which Invokes the necessity of your Justice the one to a Natural hath added a Politic Brotherhood the other of Brothers I am sorry to say it are become Strangers The Fidelity of the one hath written a story of Admiration to the World the Disloyalty of the other hath Parallel'd that horrid Design matchless before amongst all Generations first their Intentions the destruction of a Kingdom even when Vnity and Peace was tying the knot of Religion and Safety In the Discovery a moment of time prevented the Execution In the Actors Jesuits and Priests without whom the malice of the Devil could not have found a Party in the World fitted to act over the like bloody Tragedy But this among our many Joys we receive by your happy return is not the least That that Providence which protected that Gracious King your most Religious Father from their bloody attempts and encreased the blessing of a long and happy Reign hath also defended your Sacred Throne from all their Machinations Thus we see Religion is the greatest Policy the never-failing support of King and Kingdom that which firms you and your Posterity to your Throne and our Duty and Obedience to it Give me leave here most Gracious Sovereign to sum up the sense of 11 Months Observation without intermission scarce of a day nay an hour in that day to the hazard of Life and Fortune and to reduce all into this Conclusion The endeavours of Your Commons Assembled guided by Your Pious and Religious Example is to preserve Religion in its Purity without Mixture or Composition against these subtile Invaders and with our Lives and Fortunes to Establish these Thrones to your Sacred Person and those Beams of Majesty Your Royal Progeny against all Treason and Rebellion The Way that conduces to this End are the Defence of the Land and Sea for the one we have already Voted to raise Mony for the other this Bill in some Measure will accomplish for a little time and to that end I by the Command of the Commons humbly beseech Your Royal Assent This being done the Bill was passed by His Majesty according to the usual and accustomed Form Then the King made this ensuing Speech My Lords and Gentlemen I Think it fit The King's Speech after his Return from Scotland Dec. 2. 1641. after so long absence at this first occasion to speak a few words unto you But it is no ways in Answer to Mr. Speaker's Learned Speech Albeit I have stayed longer than I expected to have done when I went away yet in this I have kept my promise with you that I have made all the haste back again that the setling of My Scotch Affairs could any ways permit In which I have had so good success that I will confidently affirm to you that I have
left that Nation a most peaceable and contented People So that although I have a little misreckoned in Time yet I was not deceived in My End But if I have deceived your expectations a little in the time of My return yet I am assured that My expectation is as much and more deceived in the condition wherein I hoped to have found some businesses at My return For since that before My going I setled the Liberties of My Subjects and gave the Law a free and orderly Course I expected to have found My People reaping the Fruits of these benefits by living in quietness and satisfaction of mind But instead of this I find them disturbed with Jealousies Frights and Alarms of dangerous Designs and Plots in Consequence of which Guards have been set to defend both Houses I say not this as in doubt that My Subjects Affections are any way lessened to Me in this time of My absence for I cannot but remember to My great comfort the joyful reception I had now at my Entry into London but rather as I hope that My presence will easily disperse these Fears For I bring as perfect and true Affections to My People as ever Prince did or as good Subjects can possibly desire And I am so far from repenting Me of any Act I have done this Session for the good of My People that I protest if it were to do again I would do it and will yet grant what else can be justly desired for satisfaction in point of Liberties or in maintenance of the True Religion that is here Established Now I have but one particular to recommend unto you at this time it is Ireland for which though I doubt not your care yet methinks the preparations for it go but slowly on The occasion is the fitter for Me now to mention it because of the Arrival of two Lords from Scotland who come instructed from My Council there who now by Act of Parliament have full Power for that purpose to Answer that Demand which it pleased both Houses to make of Me by way of Petition that met Me at Berwick and which the Duke of Richmond sent back by My Command to my Scotch Council Therefore My desire is That both Houses would appoint a Select Committee to end this business with these Noblemen I must conclude in telling you That I seek My Peoples Happyness For their Flourishing is My greatest Glory and their Affections My greatest Strength The King having Ended his Speech he departed and the Commons returned to their House Bishop of Hereford excused from paying some part of his Pol-mony Upon the Petition of the Bishop of Hereford It was Ordered That he having paid 60 l. for Poll-money shall be freed from any further Payments for the same and shall not pay after the Rate of Tenths because he is freed from paying of Tenths under the Great Seal of England and that upon good and valuable Considerations divers Mannors having been taken from the Bishoprick of Hereford in the beginning of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth Judges Report the Statutes in force against Riots Routs c. The Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench Reported That the Judges have considered the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom for preventing of Riots Routs and unlawful Assemblies and they are of Opinion That the best way is to issue forth Writs according to the Statute of 2 H. 5. cap. 8. Which Statute was presently read and it was Ordered That the Lord Keeper should forthwith issue forth Writs to the Sheriffs and Justices of the Peace of the City of London and the Counties of Middlesex and Surrey and to the Justices of the Peace of the City of Westminster according to the aforesaid Statute concerning Riots Routs c. and the Judges to be advised withall for the Form of the said Writs But the Tumults found too much Countenance among the Faction in the Commons House The Tumults incouraged by the Faction of the Commons where they were indeed promoted and incouraged as is Evident by the adjournment of the consideration of them this day in their House that having been yesterday ordered to be debated and so they were adjourned de die in diem which plainly manifests the tenderness they had for the Bioters and the Use they intended to make of these Tumultuous and Unlawful Assemblies which was to Terrifie the Lords to a compliance with their desires in cutting off a Limb from the Body of their House by Excluding the Bishops as before they had by the same Method prevailed in passing the Bill to cut off the Wise and Noble Head of the Earl of Strafford Sir Ralph Hopton Reported The Report how the King received the Petition and Declaration That last Night in the Evening the Committee appointed to attend His Majesty with the Petition of the House of Commons and the Declaration annexed came to Hampton-Court and Sir Richard Wiâ—n I may name him upon this Occasion gave his Majesty Notice of our being there and within a quarter of an hour the King sent a Gentleman to call us in with Directions that none should come in but the Committee alone who did all of them present themselves upon their Knees and my self in obedience to the Order of the House in the Absence of * Sir Ed. Deering upon whom they had imposed this ingrateful Task he being now fallen into their displeasure another designed for that Service did begin to read the Petition kneeling but his Majesty would not permit us to kneel but commanded us all to rise and so read it the first Observation His Majesty made was at that part of the Petition that charges the Malignant Party with the design to change Religion To which His Majesty said with a great deal of fervency The Devil take him whomsoever he be that had a Design to change Religion I then proceeded and when I came to that part of the Petition for reserving the disposal of the Lands of the Rebels in Ireland c. his Majesty was pleased to say We must not dispose of the Bears Skin till he be dead After the Petition was read his Majesty desired to ask us some Questions we answered We had no Commission to speak any thing concerning this business Then said he you may speak as particular men and said Doth the House intend to publish this Declaration * And yet it was carried before against Printing it but by 124 to 101 Votes upon Munday 22 No. We answered We could give no Answer unto it Well then said He I suppose you do not now Expect an Answer unto so long a Petition And this let me tell you I have left Scotland well and in Peace they are all satisfied with me and I with them and thô I staid longer there than I Expected yet I think if I had not gone you had not been rid so soon of the Armies I shall give you an Answer to this business with as much
conceive it to be a Matter of great Concernment The Answer was That their Lordships will take the same into Consideration in convenient time The Lords that went to move the King concerning the Propositions touching Munster reported That the King returns this Answer for the present that there shall be no delay in the Business but that he will speak with the E. of Newport Master of the Ordnance concerning the Stores and accordingly will give Warrant for Transporting of the Ammunition as is desired Memorandum That this House intends to have a Conference with the House of Commons on Munday next about setting of Armorers on work to make new Arms for supplying the King's Stores and likewise about the prevervation of Salt-Peter Mines and Provisions of Powder In the Commons House the Lords having by Messengers given the Commons an Account of the Commitment of the Bishops Mr. Wheeler Mr. Glyn Mr. White Mr. Bridgman Mr. Hiâ—â— Serjeant Wild Mr. Rigby Mr. Ellis Mr. Peard were appointed a Committee or any three of them to meet at such time as they shall think fit to consider of the Impeachment already made by the House of the 12 Bishops and whether it be needful to add any thing more to it and which way will be best for the House to proceed in to bring them to a suddain Trial. Then Mr. Hollis Sir Henry Mildmay Sir John Holland A Committee to wait upon the King for a Guard Sir Sydney Mountague Sir Christopher Wray Lo. Cranborn and Mr. Herbert Price were appointed to wait upon the King from this House and to represent unto his Majesty the grounds of our Fears and to desire That this House may have a Guard of the Trained Bands of the City of London under the Command of the Earl of Essex and Mr. Hollis is to deliver this Message It seems there were at this time Drums beat up for Volunteers for Ireland of which the Commons being informed who were resolved to Ingross the whole Affair into their own Hands immediately Mr. Rigby Sir Arthur Haslerig Sir Thomas Barrington Sir Walter Earl Mr. Wheeler Mr. Glyn Mr. Bosvile Mr. Darley Sir Robert Pye Mr. Whittaker Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir John Franklin Mr. Purfrey and the Citizens for London or any four of them were appointed to be a Committee to make Inquiry by what Warrant the Drums for Volunteers do beat up and Men are raised and to inform themselves what Numbers are levied and to tender the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and to send for Constables Officers and other Persons whatsoever and for Commissions and Writings and are to meet when and where they please Mr. Hollis Reports That he obeyed the Commands of this House That his Majesty gave this Answer That he did desire to give a speedy Answer to any thing that imports the House of Commons but said he could not remember what was delivered it consisting of so many Particulars and therefore desired to have it in Writing And he further said That we were called here to sit by his Majesties Writ and were under his Safety and that should tender us as his Children Upon this Mr. Price and Sir Henry Mildmay were ordered to carry this Message for a Guard in Writing and to acquaint his Majesty That though the House hath adjourned it self till Munday next yet they have left Power with Mr. Speaker to receive such Answer as his Majesty shall please to send to the said Message And Mr. Hollis Mr. Pym Sir Samuel Luke Mr. Rigby Mr. Wheeler Sir Walter Earl Sir Thomas Barrington Mr. Strode Sir William Litton Mr. Glyn Mr. Long and Lo. Cranborne were appointed to be a Committee to consider of such Answer as his Majesty shall please to send to the Message of the House concerning a Guard and if his Majesty shall not vouchsafe to send any to consider what then shall be fit to be done for the Safety of the King and Kingdom and Mr. Speaker to have power to receive his Majesties Answer and send it to the Committee Then Mr. Hollis presented in Writing the Message which he had formerly delivered which was read and Voted and was in these Words Most Gracious Sovereign WE are sent by the Knights The Message of the Commons to the King concerning a Guard Citizens and Burgesses of the House of Commons your Majestie 's faithful and Loyal Subjects who are ready to lay down their Lives and Fortunes and spend the last drop of their Blood to maintain your Crown and Royal Person in Greatness and Glory and do by us cast themselves down at your Royal Feet to present unto your Majesty their humble Desires upon their great Apprehensions and just Fears of mischievous Designs and Practises to Ruin and Destroy them there have been several Attempts heretofore to bring Destruction upon their whole Body at once and Threats and Menaces against particular Persons There are a malignant Party bitterly invenomed against them daily gathering Strength and Confidence and now come to such height as they have given boldness to some to embrue their Hands in the Blood of your Subjects in the Face and at the Door of the Parliament and at your Majesties own Gates and have given out Insolent and Menacing Speeches against the Parliament it self This causes great Distractions among the People in general and much Fear and Apprehensions in the House of Commons That they conceive they cannot with the Safety of their Persons upon which the Safety and Peace of the whole Kingdom doth now depend sit any longer unarmed and unguarded as they are They have therefore their recourse unto your Majesty most humbly beseeching you that it may stand with your good liking if they provide for their own Safety which the very Law of Nature and Reason doth allow unto them It is their Humble Desire That they may have a Guard out of the City of London commanded by the Earl of Essex Lord Chamberlain of your Majesties Houshold of whose Fidelity to your Majesty and the Common-Wealth they have had long Experience By this your Majesties Grace and Favor you will remove their Fears fill them with Comfort and Assurance and enable them to serve your Majesty in such a Way as shall render your Majesty and your Government happy and glorious And to this they do most humbly desire your Majesties gracious and speedy Answer because their Safety and the Safety of the whole Kingdom depends upon it and will not admit of any delay Pity it is that so curious a Skin should always cover the Serpent and that mortal Poison should dwell in a Golden Vial. Certainly never Men that meant so ill knew better how to speak so well and if ever drawn Swords were artificially concealed in the soft Scabberd of tender and oily Words it was when these People courted the King most zealously in hopes of being denied for they ever crept lowest when they aimed most at the Throat of Royalty They had raised all the Tumults and Uproars as is
Whether he doth know or have heard who did Frame Contrive or advise the same or any of them To this he answered That he would deal clearly freely and Ingeniously and that he should say the same which he had before delivered to the Lords and should need no long time to answer this for that he had done none of these three that is neither Framed Advised these Articles or any of them and would be contented to die if he hid Secondly Being demanded whether he knew the truth of these Articles or any of them of his own knowledge or had it by Information To this he Answered He did know nothing of his own knowledge of the truth of these Artitles or any part of them nor hath heard it by Information All that ever he hath heard concerning this was from his Master Thirdly Being asked whether he will make good these Articles when he shall be thereunto called in due course of Law To this he Answered He cannot do it nor will not do it otherwise then as his Master shall Command him and shall Enable him no more then he that never heard of them can do it Fourthly Being asked from whom he received these Articles and by whose direction and advice he did Exhibit them He answered He did Exhibit them by his Masters Command and from his hands he did receive them Fifthly Being asked whether he had any Testimony or Proof of the Articles before the Exhibiting of them He gave this Answer That he received the Command of his Majesty but whether he had any proof then offered or intimation of Testimony to make good those Articles he desired time to consider of it he was pressed again to make answer to this but desired time to consider of it saying there was a secret trust between a Master and Servant much more in this Case The great Design of this Examination was to have got out who were the Witnesses of this Accusation that so they might have fallen upon them and worried them to death and though nothing was more justifiable then this Plea of Secrecy to which Mr. Attorney was obliged by his Oath from which they could have no power to Absolve him Yet it did so Exasperate the Faction that it was Ordered That some way be thought of for Charging Mr. Attorney by this House as Criminous for Exhibiting those Articles in the Lords House against Members of this House without any Information or proof that appears and that this House and the Gentlemen Charged by him may have Reparation from him and that he may put in good Security to stand to the Judgement of Parliament And it was Resolved Votes against the Attorney General c. That this Act of Mr. Attorney 's in this Impeachment against Members of this House is Illegal and a High Crime Resolved c. That the Lords shall be desired That Mr. Attorney may put in good Security to stand to the Judgement of Parliament And Mr. Whitlock Serjeant Wild Mr. Hill Mr. Glyn Mr. Brown Mr. Rigby and Mr. Buller were appointed a Committee they or any three of them to withdraw presently and prepare a Charge against Mr. Attorney upon the Votes of the House And that Posterity may see how Zealous these People after all their pretensions were for the Relief of Ireland Collonel Hill and Lieutenant Bowles Delinquents for raising Volunteers for Ireland It was Resolved c. and Ordered That Collonel Hill and Robert Bowles his Lieutenant shall be forthwith sent for as Delinquents by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House for beating up Drums and raising of Men contrary to the Ordinance of Parliament And that all Constables and other Officers be assisting to the Serjeant in the Execution of his Warrant And that Mr. Whistler Mr. Pury Mr. Smith and Mr. Hill shall search in such Offices as they shall think fit to see if any Commissions or other Warrants have been granted to any Person or Persons for Levying of Men. A Paper was delivered by Mr. Hambden from the Scotch Commissioners which was read in these words OUr Treaty concerning the Irish Affairs being so oft interrupted by the Emergent Distractions A Paper of the Scotch Commissioners offering their Mediation to the King c. gives us occasion to desire your Lordships and those Noble Gentlemen of the House of Commons for to present to the Honourable Houses of Parliament that we having taken to our Consideration the manifold Obligations of the Kingdom of Scotland to our Native and Gracious Soveraign his Person and Government confirmed and multiplyed by the great and Recent Favours bestowed by his Majesty on that Kingdom at his last being there and settling the troubles thereof and considering the mutual Interest of the Kingdoms in Welfare and Prosperity of others acknowledged and Established in the late Treaty And finding our selves warranted and obliged by all means to labour to keep a right Understanding betwixt the Kings Majesty and his People to confirm that Brotherly affection begun between the two Nations to advance their Unity by all such ways as may tend to the Glory of God and Peace of the Church and State of both Kingdoms to render thanks to the Parliament of England for their assistance given to the Kingdom of Scotland in settling the late Troubles thereof wherein next to the Providence of God and the Kings Majesties Justice and Goodness they do acknowledge themselves most beholding to the Mediation and Brotherly kindness of the Kingdom of England and likewise to proffer our selves for removing all Jealousies and mistakings which may arise betwixt the Kings Majesty and this Kingdom and our best indeavours for the better Establishment of the Affairs and quiet of the same We do therefore in the name of the Parliament and Kingdom of Scotland acknowledge our selves next to the Providence of God and his Majesties Justice and Goodness most beholding to the Mediation and Brotherly kindness of the Kingdom of England in many respects especially in condescending to the Kings Majesties coming to Scotland in the midst of their great Affairs whereof we have tasted the sweet and comfortable Fruits and do heartily wish the like happiness to this Kingdom And as we are heartily sorry to find our Hopes thereof deferred by the present distractions growing daily here to a greater height and out of the sense thereof have taken the Boldness to send our humble and faithful advice to the Kings most Excellent Majesty for remedying of the same to the just satisfaction of his People so out of our duty to his Majesty and to testifie our Brotherly Affection to this Kingdom and acquit our selves of the Trust Imposed upon us We do most Earnestly beseech the most Honourable Houses in the deep of their Wisdoms to think timously upon the Fairest and Fittest Ways of Composing all present differences to the Glory of God the good of the Church and State of both Kingdoms and to his Majesties Honour and Contentment Wherein if our
place of sitting and the chiefest part of the power I say the chiefest part I do not say the greatest part of power The power it was more eminent in him but it was virtually residing and domesticant in the plurality of his Assessors These Assessors were the Presbyters the Elders of the Church of whom Holy Ignatius a Father so primitive that he was Disciple to Saint John the Apostle and by some thought to be that very Child whilst he was a Child whom our blessed Saviour took and set before his Disciples whereof you read in three of the Evangelists Matth. 18.2 Mark 9.26 Luke 9.27 If Simon Zelotes were the last as some affirm This Ignatius I say in his Epistle to the Trallians doth call these Elders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Councellors and Co-Assessors of the Bishop Here was in this Age and yet this Father died a Bishop and a Martyr before the last Apostle went to Heaven here was a Fellowship yet such a Fellowship as destroyed not presidency and in another Epistle that to the Magnesians you have such a presidency as doth admit also of a Fellowship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Bishop being President the very Name and Office there as in the place of God and the Presbyters as a Senate of the Apostles I forbear to dilate upon this Episcopacy But I will be bold Ponere ob oculos to set him before your Eyes I will give him you even by way of demonstration Master Hide your self are now in this great Committee Mr. Speaker is in the House The Bishop of our Congregation You are in your selves but Fellow-Members of the same House with us returned hither as we also are to sit on these Benches with us until by our Election and by common suffrage you are Incathedrated then you have and it is fit and necessary that you should have a Precedency before us and a Presidency over us Notwithstanding this you are not diversified into a several distinct order from us you must not swell with that conceit you are still the same Member of the same House you were though raised to a painful and careful degree among us and above us This Bishop had as your self have here potestatem directivam but not Correctivam Correction in our House doth dwell in the General Vote You know the power you have â—s Limited and circumscribed by them who gave it you are no Dictator to prescribe us our Laws but must gather our Votes and then your pronouncing doth fix our not your single own Orders Neither you here Master Speaker in the House can Degrade any one of us from these Seats nor can you silence us in the due liberty of our Speech Truly Sir as yet advised I do heartily wish we had in every Shire of England a Bishop such and so regulated for Church Government within that Sphear as Master Speaker is bounded in and Limited by the Rules and Cancels of this House That were indeed a well tempered and a blessed Reformation whereby our times might be approximant and conformant to the Apostolical and Pure primitive Church But this I fear is magis optandum quám sperandum yet it being the cause of God who can then dispair This happiness I mean living under Episcopal Presidency not under a domineering Prelacy this is too high above our reach yet strong Prayers and Hearty endeavours may pull the Blessing down upon us In the mean time wo is our Churches portion for our Bishop President is lost and grown a Stranger to us and in his room is crept in and stept up a Lordly Prelate made proud with pomp and ease who neglecting the best part of his Office in Gods Vine-yard instead of supporting the weak and binding up the broken forrageth the Vines and drives away other Labourers The Vines indeed have both Grapes and Leaves and Religious Acts both Substance and Circumstance but the Gardener is much to blame who gives more charge to the Work-men of the Leaves then of the Fruit. This rough enforcement of late to that which is not the better part is an Episcopacy that turns all our Melody into a Threnody This makes many Poor Pious Christian Souls to Sing the Songs of Sion in a strange Land Psal 137. and 4. This Bishop will have no Assessors or if any so formally admitted and so awed as good have none no Senate no Consultation no Presbytery or common Suffrage but Elates himself up into usurped Titles and incompatible Power and sublimes it self by assuming a Soleship both in Orders and Censures Religion and Reason and Primitive Example are all loud against this Episcopacy This too elate subliming of one can not stand without a too mean demission I may say debasing of many other of the same order Nay this Bishop not content with Ecclesiastick Pride alone will swell also with ambition and Offices Secular Truly Sir you have done exceeding well to Vote away this Bishop for of this Bishop and of this alone I must understand the Vote you have passed until I be better instructed For your Vote is against the present Episcopacy and for the present you can hardly find any other Episcopacy but this an Authority how ever by some of them better exercised yet too solely entrusted to them all Away then with this Lordly domineerer who playes the Monarch perhaps the Tyrant in a Diocess of him it is of whom I read Episcopalis dignitas papalem fastum redolet This kind of Episcopacy it smels rank of the Papacy nor shall you ever be able utterly and absolutely to extirpate Popery unless you root out this Soleship of Episcopacy To conclude in short and plain English I am for abolishing of our present Episcopacy Both Diocesses and Diocesan as now they are But I am withal at the same time for Restauration of the pure Primitive Episcopal Presidency Cut off the usurped adjuncts of our present Episcopacy reduce the ancient Episcopacy such as it was in puris spiritualibus Both may be done with the same hand and I think in a shorter Bill then is offered now by way of addition Down then with our Prelatical Hierarchy or Hierarchical Prelacy such as now we have most of it consisting in Temporal adjuncts only the Diana and the Idol of Proud and Lazy Church-men This do but eâ lege on this condition that with the same hand in the same Bill we do gently raise again even from under the ruins of that Babel â—â—ch an Episcopacy such a Presidency as is venerable in its Antiquity and Purity and most behooveful for the Peace of our Christendom This is the way of Reforming and thus by yielding to the present Storm and throwing that over-board which is adventitious borrowed and undue Peace may be brought home unto our Church again the best of that building and the truth of Ancient Episcopacy may be preserved otherwise we hazard all This would be glorious for us and for our Religion and the glory thereof will
be the greater because it redounds unto the God of glory My Motion is that those Sheets last presented to you may be laid by and that we may proceed to reduce again the old Original Episcopacy If this Gentleman had thoroughly consulted the Church History he would have found both that Episcopacy was ever accounted a Distinct Order from and above Presbytery and that the most Primitive Bishops exercised the same Jurisdiction and Power in the Church even over Presbyters themselves as the present English Bishops did and for their Temporal Baronies and Lordships it was never esteemed any ways Essential to the Office but only a Concomitant Adjunct which by the Fundamental Constitution of the Government by the Kings annexing Temporal Baronies to their Spiritual Office rendred them one of the three Estates of the Realm And indeed it was this Temporal Honor and their Secular Estates Lands and Tenements which raised the envy of some and the Covetousness of others against not only the Persons but the Order it self Sir Benjamin Rudyard also spake as follows Mr. Hide WE are now upon a very great Business Sir Benjamin Rudyard's Speech concerning Bishops Deans and Chapters at a Committee of the whole House June 21. 1641. so great indeed as it requires our soundest our saddest consideration our best judgment for the present our utmost foresight for the future But Sir one thing doth exceedingly trouble me it turns me round about it makes my whole Reason vertiginous which is that so many do believe against the wisdom of all Ages that now there can be no Reformation without destruction as if every sick Body must be presently knockt in the Head as past hope of Cure Religion was first and best planted in Cities God did spread his Net where most might be caught Cities had Bishops and Presbyters were the Seminaries out of which were sent Labourers by the Bishops to propagate and cultivate the Gospel The Clergy then lived wholly upon the Freewill-Offering and Bounty of the People Afterwards when Kings and States grew to be Christians the outward settlement of the Church grew up with them They Erected Bishopricks Founded Cathedral Churches Endowed them with large Possessions Landlords built Parish Churches gleab'd them with some portion of Land for which they have still a Right of Presentation I do confess That some of our Bishops have had Ambitious Dangerous Aims and have so still that in their Government there are very great Enormities But I am not of their Opinion who believe that there is an Innate ill Quality in Episcopacy like a Specifical Property which is a Refuge not a Reason I hope there is not Original Sin in Episcopacy and though there were yet may the Calling be as well Reformed as the Person Regenerated Bishops have governed the Church for 1500 years without interruption And no man will say but that God hath saved Souls in all those times under their Government Let them be reduc'd according to the usage of Ancient Churches in the best times so restâ—â—â—â—d as they may not be able hereafter to shame the Calling I love not those that hate to be Reformed and do therefore think them worthy of the more strict the more close Reformation We have often complained That Bishops are too absolute too singular Although Cathedral Churches are now for the most part but Receptacles of Drones and Non-Residents yet some good Men may be found or placed there to be Assessors with the Bishops to assist them in Actions of moment in Causes of Importance there is maintenance already provided for them If either in Bishopricks or Cathedral Churches there be too much some may be pared off to relieve them that have too little If yet more may be spared it may be employed to the setting up of a Preaching Ministry through the whole Kingdom And untill this be done although we are Christians yet are we not a Christian State There are some places in England that are not in Christendom the people are so ignorant they live so without God in the World for which Parliaments are to answer both to God and Man Let us look to it for it lies like one of the Burdens of the Prophet Isaiah heavy and flat upon Parliaments I have often seriously considered with my self what strong concurrent Motives and Causes did meet together in that time when Abbies and Monasteries were overthrown Certainly God's hand was the greatest for he was most offended The profane Superstitions the abominable Idolatries the filthy nefandous wickedness of their Lives did stink in God's Noistrils did call down for Vengeance for Reformation A good Party of Religions Men were Zealous Instruments in that great work as likewise many Covetous Ambitious Persons gaping for fat Morsels did lustily drive it on But Mr. Hide there was a principal Parliamentary motive which did facilitate the rest for it was propounded in Parliament that the Accession of Abby-Lands would so inrich the Crown as the people should never be put to pay Subsidies again This was plausible both to Court and Countrey Besides with the Over-plus there should be maintained a standing Army of Forty Thousand Men for a perpetual defence of the Kingdom This was Safety at home Terrour and Honour abroad The Parliament would make all sure Gods part Religion by his blessing hath been reasonably well preserved but it hath been saved as by fire for the rest is consumed and vanished the people have payed Subsidies ever since and we are now in no very good Case to pay an Army Let us beware Mr. Hide that we do not look with a worldly carnal evil Eye upon Church Lands let us clear our Sight search our Hearts that we may have unmixt and sincere Ends without the least thought of saving of our own Purses Church Lands will still be fittest to maintain Church Men by a proportionable and orderly distribution We are very strict and curious to uphold our own Propriety and there is great reason for it Are the Clergy only a sort of Men who have no Propriety at all in that which is called theirs I am sure they are Englishmen they are Subjects If we pull down Bishopricks and pull down Cathedral Churches in a short time we must be forced 〈◊〉 pull Colledges too for Scholars will live and dye there as in Cells if there be not considerable Preferment to invite them abroad And the example we are making now will be an easie Temptation to the less pressing necessities of future times This is the next way to bring in Barbarism to make the Clergy an unlearned contemptible Vocation not to be desired but by the basest of the People and then where shall we find men able to convince an Adversary A Clergy-men ought to have a far greater proportion to live upon than any other Man of an equal Condition He is not bred to multiply Three-pences it becomes him not to live Mechanically and sordidly he must be given to Hospitality I do know my self a