Capell condemned by it and murthered Several Acts of State The Scots proclaim Charles II. Some Actions of the Levellers The King leaves Holland and goes by Brussels into France The Duke of Gloucester banished Continuance of the History of Ireland The King at Jersey Prince Rupert Sails from Kinsale to Portugal Loseth his Brother Prince Maurice by a Hurrycane The King at Breda Treats and Concludes with the Scots Montrosse's unfortunate End Fairfax routed and Cromwell General His Actions in Scotland The Scots barbarous Vsage of the King They are defeated at Dunbar The King crowned at Schone He enters England The Battle of Worcester The King 's miraculous Escape 109 110. BOOK II. Cromwell enters London Triumphantly Continuation of the Irish Affairs Ormond leaves Ireland and Clanrickard his Deputy there Ireton dyes of the Plague Monk takes Sterling Dundee and Subjugates Scotland The Isles of Scilly Barbadoes Garnsey Jersey and that of Man surrendered to the Regicides Their Greatness They are courted by the Neighbouring Kings and States They send a solemn Embassy into Holland Cromwell Cabals Turns out the Mock-Parliament Chooses another Is chosen Protector The Wars with the United Provinces The various Sea-Fights betwixt the Two States Cromwell makes a Peace with them and a League with France The Expedition of San Domingo and Jamaica Blake's success at Tunis and Santa Cruz. Dunkirk taken The Death of Oliver Cromwell His Character 249. BOOK III. Richard succeeds his Father in the Protectorate He is deposed by the Army The Rump restored Lambert defeats Sir George Booth Montague returns with the Fleet out of Denmark Lambert turns out the Rump Monk dissents and declares for the Rump Lambert marches against him Being deluded by Treaties he is deserted by his Army The Committee of Safety routed and the Rump yet again restored Monk marches to London Readmits the Secluded Members The Parliament dissolv'd by its own Act. An Abstract of the King's Actions and Motions abroad He is proclaimed by the Parliament Returns into England His glorious Reception The End of our Troubles 278. PART III. BOOK I. The REBELLION breaks into new Flames Some Millenaries secur'd Venner's Insurrection and End The Presbyterians stickle for new Elections Several Seditious Tumults detected and punished The Plague consumes the People The Conflagration of the City Tumults in Scotland Oate's Plot. The Parliament insist upon removing the Duke from the King's Presence and Councils It is dissolved Another Parliament call'd The Duke retires from Court A new Council chosen The Parliament refuse the King Money and insist upon the Bill of Exclusion It is also dissolved another being Summon'd A new Rebellion in Scotland The Arch-bishop of St. Andrew's inhumanly butchered The Rebels are defeated at Bothwel-Bridge The King sick He recovers The Duke returns to Court Monmouth Cabals and is outed of his Employments The Lord Stafford beheaded The Parliament dissolv'd and succeeded by another at Oxford which is likewise dismiss'd College is hang'd and Shaftsbury try'd The strange Encrease of the Fanaticks Their Insolence and Power in the City They form a Conspiracy The Council of Six The Plot to Murther the King and Duke The Providential Fire at New-Market Keeling discovers the Conspiracy Russel and Sidney are executed Monmouth absconds but upon his Submission is pardoned He again transgresses and is banished The King dyes of an Apoplexy The Duke succeeds 312. BOOK II. The Rebellion breaks out in Scotland under Argile in England under Monmouth Both are vanquished taken and executed The Final Ruin and End of the Rebellion 336. COMMENTARIES ON THE REBELLION OF England Scotland and Ireland PART I. BOOK I. The Vnion of the Kingdoms of Great Britain The State of Affairs in England The Scots Tumults and their Causes They Rebel and Arm. The King Marches against them but concludes a Peace They break it and enter England with an Army The Little Parliament call'd and dissolved The Treaty at Rippon referred to the Parliament which met in November 1640. The Preludes to their ensuing Rebellion Strafford Impeach'd and Beheaded The Fatal Act of Continuance The Scots dismissed The King follows them into Scotland The Irish Rebellion breaks out The King upon his Return is pompously received by the Londoners The King enters the House of Commons The Bishops accused of High Treason The King forced by Tumults retreats Northward Contests about the Militia His Majesty is repulsed at Hull THE Kingdoms of Great Britain being United under the Dominion of one Prince and the Animosities and Emulations which usually disorder Neighbour-Nations thereby removed gave a sudden Rise to a very great and formidable Power which could not be destroyed but by it self The Moderator of this vast Empire was JAMES VI. King of Scotland and First Monarch of Great Britain undoubted Heir to both as well by Right of Succession from Margaret the only Daughter of Edgar Atheling the last of the Saxon Princes as by that of Force derived to him from the Norman Conqueror This Wise and Learned Prince Charles I. succeeds to the Crown being gathered to his Fathers the loss which his Dominions suffered by it however great was abundantly repaired by the Succession of his Son CHARLES who being truly Heir to his Father's Greatness and Vertues as well as Scepters did excel all his Predecessors in the more severe Disquisition of what was Fit and Just so that our Tragedies will scarce find Credit with Posterity whilst the Ages to come mistrusting the Reports of such enormous Villainies will look upon our unheard-of Vicissitudes but as the Fancies of Poetry and the Decoration of Theatres For how is it possible to believe that the Best of Princes should meet with the Worst of Subjects on whom he had conferred more Graces than the whole Series of his Ancestors and that he who valued his Kingdoms and Life at a lower Rate than the Happiness of his People should by a Judicial Parricide be sacrificed to the ambitious Violence of a prevailing Faction in their Representative and that under the pretence of Usurpation and Tyranny But these things happened an everlasting Reproach to the Nation and not to be atoned for by any Resentment or Hecatombs of Victims King James left a flourishing Kingdom behind him but an empty Treasury and his Successor engaged in a War with Spain and what was worse the Parliament that oblig'd the Father to Arm abandoned the Son when they had exposed him Nor were the succeeding Parliaments more Obsequious or forward in supplying his Necessities how great soever either in recovering the Palatinate or rescuing the French Protestants though undertaken in Defence of the Reformed Religion 'T is true his Third Parliament voted him Five Subsidies but we must own also The Petition of Right that the Petition of Right being a Condescension even to Supererogation deserv'd their best Acknowledgements for raised with that Grant they that very Session questioned the Tribute of Tonnage and Poundage though perpetually enjoyed by his Predecessors Kings of England affirming
Fight at Langport He takes Bridgwater Sherburne and Bristol The King's Travels and Labours The Scots besiege Hereford They quit it The Fight at Rowton-Heath Digby and Langdale defeated in the North. Barclay-Castle the Devizes and Tiverton taken Cromwell takes Winchester and Basing-House by Assault The Fight at Torrington The Prince passes into France The Lord Hopton disbands his Army Distractions at Newark The King returns to Oxford The Lord Ashley defeated Continuation of the Rebellion in Ireland IT is now time to return to the Irish History we have hitherto discontinued with design not to interrupt the English And shall now take the same Liberty to represent this to the Rendition of Dublin to the English in one continued Relation The King had committed the Government of Ireland to the Earl of Leicester a Favourite of the Faction upon a Supposition that that Kingdom would be the better provided for But he observing the backwardness of the Parliament however pressed by frequent Addresses from the Council there and by reiterated Messages from his Majesty nearer had no mind tho' invited to it and entrusted with it to stir or engage himself in so hazardous an Enterprise He therefore lest he might seem wholly to neglect his Province commissioned the Earl of Ormond a Person made up of Honour and Loyalty to be his Lieutenant General in that Kingdom which was likewise approved of by his Sacred Majesty the best Judge of Men and Abilities and who afterwards Honoured his Merit with the Chief Government of the whole Which he performed with so much Courage Constancy and Prudence as will raise him a Trophy of Honour in the Annals of Time Upon his Arrival at Dublin with a Troop of a Hundred Horse well armed having been summoned thither by the Lords-Justices he revived by his Presence the desponding Courage of the City He also immediately proposed in Council the raising of a small Army which might in the Infancy of the Rebellion have suppress'd or else stopt its Progress but they being either not able or not willing and the Reader may believe both as will too visibly appear hereafter the Business was laid aside The Conspirators especially in Vlster where they were most predominant having with the Extremity of Rage and Cruelty drowned slain spoiled stripp'd and ejected infinite Numbers of the poor Protestants made Sir Phelim O Neal their General He was of the House of Tyrone but bred up in Lincoln's-Inn and a Protestant till of late though indeed of no famed Conduct or Courage However he took Dundalk which was surrendred to him and besieged Tredah by Sea and Land Tichburne the Governour doubtful of the Event had demanded and obtained the Grant of Succours from Dublin Six Hundred Foot were sent to him under the Command of Major Roper with a Convoy of Fifty Horse for their Security But they were surprized in a Mist by the Irish and defeated scarce one Hundred of the Foot escaping to Tredah with the Major though the Horse with Weems their Commander brake through and returned back to Dublin It is not conceivable what Courage this Success then great infused into the wavering Irish Those who were content to look on before became hereupon Actors in this Tragedy Nay The Lords of the Pale join with the Rebels the Lords of the Pale who had hitherto stood upon their Guard now upon the uncontrouled Progress of the Rebels and the no Appearance of any considerable Forces from England the Breach there betwixt the King and Parliament daily wid'ning to oppose them they also contrary to the sacred Vows of Duty and Allegiance forfeited both by joining with their Countrymen Nay all the Provinces in the Kingdom broke out into a detestable Rebellion being instigated thereunto by their Priests and Confessors with the Appearance nay Assurance of Liberty and Heaven Besides they had understood that their Country was to be enslaved and their Estates to be divided amongst the English Adventurers to each proportionable to the Money raised by them for the Use of the War Nay further that they not only designed to suppress the Rebellion but the very Religion of the Rebels They therefore now declare That they fight for their Altars for their Subsistance and for their Lives seeing their Countrymen were denied Quarter in England So that their taking up Arms was no Rebellion their extream Peril unavoidably obliging them to it These and the like Arguments obliged all to run to their Natural Defence so that there was no Corner exempt from this dismal Infection And yet it was not so universal but that some of the principal of the Nobility continued to their great Honour unshaken in their Fidelity to the King nor so bloody but that some Marks of Humanity appeared in the very Actors in this Tragedy who sheltered cloathed fed and delivered very many from the Barbarities of their Associates Which ought not to be silenced without Injustice and Ingratitude The Rebels settle a Form of Government And now the Rebels finding their Strength and Numbers considerable institute a Form of a Common-wealth and choosing amongst themselves a Council of the most eminent Persons of the Party gave it the Title of The Supreme Council of the Confederate Catholicks of Ireland and framing an Oath of Association by which all were bound to obey them assumed the Form of a Regular Government This Senate consisted of Five and Twenty Six out of each Province the Twenty Fifth being Castle-Haven newly escaped from Dublin where he had continued a Prisoner a great while They also made them a Great Seal coined and raised Money erected several Courts of Judicature appointed several Officers of State and amongst other Points of Regality constituted Four Generals of the Four Provinces Preston for Lemster Barry Munster Owen Roe O Neal Vlster Burk Their Four Generals Conaught They had cleared most of the Inland Countries of the English and did really bear all before them until those few English sent over joining with the Protestants at Dublin put a stop to their Carier In the mean Time they put out their Remonstrance where amongst other things they declare That they had taken up Arms for Defence of the Roman-Catholick-Religion their own Rights and Privileges and the King's Prerogative c. exactly copied afterwards by the Rebel-Parliament in England The Irish had hitherto lived in Amity with the Scots apprehending the Neighbourhood of Scotland and lest they should buckle with Two Enemies at once but finding their Power grow they also fell upon their Quarters using them with no less infamous Barbarities than they had done the English But the Siege of Tredah went but slowly on for tho' they practise all the Arts of Force and Intelligence in the assaulting of it They raise the Siege of Tredah yet upon the Arrival of Sir Simon Harcourt with a strong Regiment out of England despairing of carrying it they quitted it notwithout considerable Loss For the Governour falling in his Rear
so many Graces upon them upon his being in Scotland having refused them nothing they had demanded of him that their Parliament taken with so great Indulgence had decreed That if any whosoever should levy Men or take up Arms upon any Pretence whatsoever except by the King 's Express Order he should be guilty of damnable Treason Nay they profess farther upon Oath That in Case the King's Person should at any Time be endangered they would defend his Majesty's Cause and Honour as they were in Duty bound with their Lives and Fortunes When the King was at Edinbrough he had advanced Two very Ingrateful Persons to great Honour Lesley he made an Earl and Hamilton a Duke The First exstasied with the Greatness of the Favour protested solemnly perjured Wretch That he would never bear Arms more against his Majesty And the other if we may believe publick Fame betrayed all his Master's Counsels to his Enemies but perfidiously concealed Theirs though a Privy Counsellor from his King It may not be unworthy Notice to declare what farther happened at the same Time There was a great Noise rumour'd A pretended Conspiracy against Hamilton and Argyle of a Conspiracy against the Lives of Hamilton and Argyle with some others contrived by the Earl of Crawford and his Party This Report however fictitious and imaginary gained such Credit that the King himself was not obscurely reflected upon Which his righteous Soul took in such Scorn that he could not forbear to tell Hamilton when as the Custom is he delivered him his Patent in Parliament whereby he was created Duke That he did not deserve to be suspected by him who could not choose but remember That at that very Time when he was accused to him of High-Treason he suffered him that very Night to lie in his Bed-Chamber After this the Wars growing Hot in England the King advertised his Privy-Council in That Kingdom of the State of his Affairs in This demanding their Advice and Aid who returned an Answer full of Duty and Loyalty but with a Resolution to perform nothing they had promised For the Business being known at London they of Westminster caressed their lately acknowledged Brethren so effectually that they did not scruple to declare That they would act nothing against the Parliament no not in Favour of the King himself which they also perfidiously faithful did perform Nay more these Ungrateful Wretches forgetful of their Honour and Allegiance invade England with a Great Army causing that Fatal Change in the Kings Affairs till then very Prosperous that cost him his Life and them their Liberty to those whose Encrease they had so obstinately pursued The King perceiving how furiously the prevailing Faction did drive on and that it daily received Strength from London resolved to remove the Parliament to Oxford which he did by publick Proclamation where most of the Lords and amongst them the Earls of Holland Bedford and Clare who were lately come in to the King tho' they left him again with the same Levity and near Two Hundred of the Commons met at a Day The rest in Scorn of their Duty continued at Westminster until they were outed thence by their own Servants The first Business that the Parliament at Oxford undertook was to admonish the Scots by Letters That they should not hostilely Invade England it being no less than High-Treason to attempt it But this as also the King's Dissuasory Message was to no purpose Nay they were so rudely impudent that they caused a Letter writ to them and Signed by all the Lords to be Burnt by the Hands of the Common-Hangman The Scots enter England March 1. They therefore Invade England the Year being far spent with Eighteen thousand Foot Two thousand Horse and One thousand Dragoons and passing the River Tine send their Declaration before them pretending That they designed nothing but the Reformation of Religion the King's Honour and the Peace of the Kingdom The King extreamly surprized with this Invasion having been still kept up with a Belief that the Scots would not enter England finding himself deluded committed Duke Hamilton and his Brother Lanerick who were newly posted out of Scotland as afrighted with the News they brought to Prison The former being accused of several other Treasons also Hamilton sent to Pendennis-Castle was afterwards sent to Pendennis-Castle His Brother escaped to London and so to Scotland which he lately abandoned as unsafe whereof he was Secretary though the Court-Signet had been taken from him But to march with the Scots into England where the Parliament had long since seized upon the King's Castles Forts Arms Ships Revenues Treasure Ornaments c. they now to Complement their new Allies urge their impious Covenant so far that the Subject must either forfeit his Faith or Estate But Religion was always pretended and all their Undertakings veiled with the Masque of Godliness They divest her of her Ornaments under pretence of dressing her and with Impious Hands prophane her Monuments transferred to us from our pious Ancestors who sealed the Faith we own with their Bloods Their zealous Fury extends to our Churches destroying whatever was in them either Reverend for Antiquity or to be Esteemed for its Artifice They turn Temples into Stables and the House of Prayer into a Den of sacrilegious Impurity Amongst other Acts and Triumphs of their Reformation they demolished Charing and Cheapside-Crosses eminent for their Beauty and the Artificiousness of their Structure converting the Superstitious Metals they were composed of to their own Use It may not be from the Purpose to relate a Story of ludicrous as well as impudent Boldness Harry Martin H. Martin Inspects the Regalia who had said in the House That the Felicity of the Nation did not consist in the Family of the Stuarts for which he then to palliate the Impudence had been confined was ordered to Survey the Regalia which he did for breaking the Iron Chest wherein they were kept he took out of it the Crown Sceptre and Vestments belonging to Edward the Confessor wherewith the Kings of England had since been always inaugurated saying though falsly with a scornful Laughter There will be no more Vse of these Trifles With the same unmannerly Impudence he caused George Withers a pitiful Poet then present to be dressed in those Royal Vestments who being also Crowned walked at first stately up and down but afterward putting himself into a Thousand Mimick Postures endeavoured to expose those Sacred Ornaments to the Contempt and Derision of the By-standers These afterwards as also the Robes and Plate belonging to the Church were sold Nor could they be perswaded to leave one Silver Cup to be used at the Communion affirming with barbarous Sacrilege That a wooden Dish would serve the Turn Nor is it any wonder That these Sacred Vtensils were thus abused when the Sacred Function of Ministers was so Inhumanely treated of whom a Hundred and Fifteen in the City and Suburbs were for their
but fell unlamented by Reason of their Inconstancy Of the Hothams I have made some mention already And of Carew I will add this not unworthy to be noted which happened at the Tryal of the Earl of Strafford Sir Bevil Greenville a Person never to be mentioned but with Honour at the passing the Bill of Attainder said to Sir Alexander sitting then next him and both serving for Cornwall Sir pray let it not be said That any Member of our County should have a Hand in this Ominous Affair and therefore pray vote against this Bill But the other instantly replied If I were sure to be the next Man that should suffer upon the same Scaffold and with the same Axe I would give my Consent to the passing of it And wee have seen how truly and how circumstantially exact he foretold his own Fate Archbishop Laud murthered January 10. William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury followed next more truly lamented of all good Men. They had abolished the Book of Common-Prayer and the Liturgy as Preludes to his Fate and Function But not daring to hazard his Tryal by a Common-Jury for no Law could condemn him nor by the Peers as equally dubious he then was voted Guilty in the Commons House the Lords by an inauspicious Compliance sitting with them The Scots had formerly declared him an Incendiary and a publick Enemy upon which Accompt he had been thus long kept in Prison And now they demand his Life as a grateful Retribution for their Assistance which was also sacrificed to their Ambition and Fears Thus the Covenant betwixt both Nations was to be cemented with Episcopal Blood This Great Pillar of our Church as he had been eminent in his Life for Vertue was no less remarkable at his Death for his Piety He preached his own Funeral Sermon upon the Scaffold and that with a Countenance no less serene than his Mind which he was going to offer up to his Creator and far from that seeming Weakness as he then Prophesied which appeared in him when the Illustrious Strafford going that same way called to him for his Benediction Generous Spirits being no less affected for their Friends Sufferings and sometimes more than their own And thus fell this Good Man and Good Bishop by the nefarious Ambition of Pretended-Reformed Christians We must acknowledge that the Bishops fell by the Envy of the Presbyterians who stirr'd up the People against them as too seemingly imperious Not that they would have their Power abrogated for That they pretended to themselves being resolved to assert that of Archbishops in their National and that of Bishops in their Provincial Synods whilst every Individual Presbyter should exercise more than Prelatick Jurisdiction in his own Classis The publick Severity requiring more Blood the Lord Macquire and Macmahon Two Irish Noblemen Chief Contrivers in the Bloody Conspiracy in Ireland deservedly suffered the Gallows though not proportionable to their abominable Contrivance And yet these especially Macquire had been tampered with to accuse the King as an Abettor in this nefarious Rebellion which he yet generously enough disowned upon his Death Fortune as yet or rather Providence had not decided the Quarrel The War was unhappily prolonged and there appeared some Hopes of composing our Troubles by Treaty and particularly in that of Vxbridge The Treaty of Uxbridge The King as is already mentioned after his routing of Waller at Copredy-bridge and defeating of Essex at Lestithiel had sent Messages to the Parliament with offers of Peace which he now again renews from Oxford no less graciously than affectionately inviting them to comply with him in restoring these harassed Kingdoms to their former Tranquillity But it proved fruitless and all the King's Concessions how indulgent soever could effect nothing For the Demands of the Faction were so high and their Propositions so unreasonable that the King could not assent to them without ruining his Conscience as a Christian and his Majesty as a Prince For these modest Men did require The Extirpation of Hierarchy by the Abolition of Episcopacy and the Liturgy and the Introduction of Presbyters and the Directory in their stead They would divest the King of all his Power both Military and Civil And did press That the Nobles and such as had been true to their Duty should be delivered over to their Justice that is to Death to Imprisonment and Exile Which appeared so Inhumane and Tyrannical that it is abhorring to Sense and Reason whilst these nefarious Conspirators do not think that the King hath done enough in pardoning his Enemies unless he also betray his Friends By this it appeared how inclinable they were to Peace As also by their sudden breaking of the Treaty contrary to the King and his Commissioners Desires they did demonstrate that they were resolved to permit the Decision of the Cause to the Sword and to perpetuate themselves thereby in their Usurped Tyranny Shrewsbury surprized About this Time Major General Mitton surprized Shrewsbury betrayed to him being of very great Detriment to the King Scarborough and Weymouth were also taken which happening presently after the Treaty the Houses ordered a Day of publick Thanksgiving for these great Victories as being Evidences from Heaven of their Sincerity Sir Thomas Middleton had formerly beaten Colonel Marrow from the Siege of Oswestry Nor was he less fortunate at Montgomery He had surprized the Castle by Intelligence which by reason of the Consequence of its Situation being an Entry into North-Wales was again Besieged by the Lord Byron General of those Countries But Middleton with the Assistance of Brereton Meldrum and Sir William Fairfax with their conjoined Forces relieved the Place and after a sharp Fight The Fight at Montgomery routed the Cavaliers Fortune seemed at first to favour the juster Side by forcing away the Enemies Horse but changing the Rebels carried the Day The slain of the Royallists were at least Three Hundred and no fewer wounded though the Enemy scarce lost a Hundred except Fairfax and Symons And now Essex a no less Victory to the Independents as also the Earls of Denbigh Manchester and Warwick and the rest of the Chief Officers lay down their Arms resting Inglorious and only not neglected especially Essex who denied to give Peace to the Kingdom Essex discarded though invited to it by the King himself when it was in his Power And now retiring from Business he languished away the Residue of his Days in Discontent and an irksome Retreat BOOK III. The Continuation of the Irish Rebellion The Lords of the. Pale side with the Rebels Their Model of Government The Cruelty of the English in Ireland Ormond makes first a Cessation then a Peace with the Irish Delivers Dublin to the English The King vindicated from any Correspondence with the Irish Rebels Fairfax marches Westward recalled besieges Oxford The King relieves Chester Takes Leicester The Fatal Battel of Naesby described The King's Cabinet taken and published Fairfax relieves Taunton The
hardship to renounce his Honour or depart from his Judgment Not that he would peremptorily deny what was fit to be granted but lest he might yield to that which both Reason and Religion commanded to deny As soon as he was come to Newcastle Leven commanded by Proclamation That no Papists or Delinquents that is any who was Loyal or Faithful to the King should be permitted to approach him And it was moreover cautioned That no Soldiers or Officers should contract any commerce of Friendship or Civility with Malignants that is such as were addicted to his Majesty But the Independant Grandees did fret and fume that the King was detained by the Seots their Mercenaries and Hirelings as they termed them as being nourish'd by their Pay Affirming further Contests betwixt the Independents and Scots That the Kingdom of Scotland had no right or joint Interest in disposing of the Person of the King in the Kingdom of England Hence they come to Threats and Vote That they have no more Occasion for their Assistance the Kingdom being no longer able to bear them Yea they took care to publish to the World by Declaration their Rapines Extortions Cruelties and Errors The Scots on the other side pretending the Laws of Nature of Nations and Hospitality affirm That it is in no Kind permitted them to deliver up the King and especially their own King to any whosoever against his Will His Majesty having refuged himself under their Power of his own Accord But lest they might altogether displease their Dear Brethren they force the King to send Orders to his Governours to deliver such Places as they had yet in their Power to the Parliament to the Marquess of Ormond not to conclude any Treaty with the Irish and to Montross to disband all his Forces in Scotland These things being extorted from the King they also would wrest his Assent to the Parliament's Imperious Propositions which they sent to Newcastle to him viz. That he should ratifie the Solemn League and Covenant abolish Episcopacy deliver the Power of the Sword into the Hands of his Enemies and exclude the Peers made by him with several others of his chief Friends from Pardon c. They had themselves not as yet corrupted with English Gold condemned many of these Propositions which they advance now with Menaces lest both Kingdoms should agree he refusing to settle Peace and Religion without him to his and his Posterity's irrecoverable Loss Nor did they thus terrifie this magnanimous Prince who chose rather to expose his Crowns and Scepters than his Honour and his Religion and to see himself and Posterity divested of the Imperial Dignity of Kings Montross disbands by the King's Command by the violence of others than his own Act by a tame Subscription to the unjust demands of his Enemies The Scots had deputed Duke Hamilton the Earl of Crawford and others to the King altho ' their Parliament had Voted That he should not come into Scotland declaring it to be contrary to their agreement with the English and the Treaty to perswade exhort warn and urge his Assent to the Covenant And that he would be pleased also to approve and enact the English Propositions These were followed by Delegates from their Synod denouncing in case he were refractary The Scots barbarous usage of the King the Wrath of God against him and the hate of his Subjects Some of these were appointed to remove his Scruples and clear his doubts whereof one being admitted to Preach before him after several bitter Invectives in the Pulpit his Sermon being finished he commanded the fifty second Psalm to be sung Why dost thou Tyrant boast c. But the King perceiving his malicious Reflection unexpectedly stood up and ordered the fifty sixth Psalm Have Mercy Lord on me I pray to be sung Which the People neglecting the Parson unanimously did Nor were the Fortunes of David and Charles much unlike the one being detained by the Philistines at Gath and the other by the Scots at Newcastle when this Psalm was composed by the Royal Prophet and sung by the Royal Sufferer But now the main Controversie amongst the Rebels was about the disposal of the King's Person Until the Scots moved by Contumelies and the Sarcasms of the Cromwellists and perceiving the Parliament although they had conquered England did not disband were more inclined to agree with them and perhaps softned by the Parliament's offers after some previous formal disceptations to heighten the Price of their Treachery they at length resolved to deliver him up And he was delivered to the English Rebels by his native unnatural Subjects of Scotland to whom he had fled for Security with all the circumstances of Irreligion of Impiety of Perjury of Treason and of detestable Avarice being sold for Two hundred Thousand Pounds They sell him Which they having received and evacuated their Garrisons in England they returned with this Reward of their Iniquity into their own Country But with a Curse also for it is observable That after that time they did never thrive nor nothing they undertook prosper There had indeed been some attempts made for the King's escape But they were all prevented by the vigilancy of his cruel Keepers Leven assuring the Parliament That he would according to their desire take care that his Majesty depart not away And he was as good as his word for his Majesty having changed his Keepers being as he had truly said Bought and Sold and now in the hands of his bloodiest Enemies He is imprisoned in Holmby and cruelly used was carried to Holmby-House not far from Naesby where he had so unfortunately fought that he might be perpetually tormented with the sight of that odious Companion Nor was he less perplex'd within doors not being permitted to enjoy a freedom in his Solitude His Friends and his Chaplains which a common Civility would not refuse to the most Criminal being inhumanly kept from him whilst some of their own unknowing Factious Levites are obtruded upon him These mistaken Creatures had neither Modesty to cohabit nor Learning to dispute with this Royal Divine who being equally capable of the Mitre as well as Scepter of the Sacerdotal as well as Kingly Office was truly inimitable in both How good a Divine he was appears by his Controversies with the Marquess of Worcester a Person no less Eminent for Learning than Nobility of the Roman Catholick Religion and with the Parliament Ministers especially by his Writings to Henderson a Scots Presbyterian and Champion of the Party who being vanquished by the strength of his Arguments testified his Conviction by his Repentance and died for Grief as is credibly reported that he had offended so good and so pious a Prince not as the Enemy affirm because he could not perswade his Majesty to sign the Propositions a reconciled Son to the Church of England Whilst the King is afflicted in his noisom Prison at Holmby it will not be from the purpose to
The Enemy discovering their number and seeing them so few divided their Forces and followed after them very eagerly not only coming up with them in their Rear and Flank but endeavouring to obstruct their passage to the Mountains The Rebels forlorn of Horse pressed hard upon Montross's Rear but his Foot facing about fired upon them and having slain the three foremost rendred the rest more cautious and the pursuit less hot The darkness of the Night put an end to these Skirmishes By this they were come near Aberbroth where Montross considering that the Enemy might have intercepted the direct way to the Hills with his numerous Horse commanded his Men to turn to the South-westward and march with all imaginable speed by which artifice and incredible toil he deluded his Pursuers slipping by them in the night and wheeling suddenly Northwards he passed the Esk not far from the Castle of Careston And having after some light Skirmishes and a continued March of threescore Miles without Sleep without Meat or any other refreshment gained the foot of the Mountains the Enemy at length left them retiring from their fruitless pursuit Being thus beyond their hopes come into a place of security Montross sent the Lord Gourdon as well to recal those Troops his Brother had debauched as also to augment them by new Levies which he also performed with great industry joining the General in Marr with a Thousand Foot and Two Hundred Horse Being thus inforced the Royallists defeated Hurrey with Three Thousand Foot and Five Hundred Horse at Alderna The Fight at Alderna and Alford where the Lord Gourdon was slain he himself hardly escaping with the Horse Nor was Bayly the most knowing of the Enemies Captains more fortunate at Alford where having left his Foot he also fled with his Horse which the most untimely fall of the noble Lord Gourdon contributed to a loss irreparable to the King and his Party and which cast such a damp upon the Victory that the Soldiers overcome with Sorrow wore the countenance of a baffled not conquering Army But Montross after this strengthened with a numerous recruit of High-landers and by the accession of the Earl of Aboyne who succeeded his Brother Gourdon and Arley who were come up to him with Three Hundred Horse resolved to penetrate into the inmost parts of the Kingdom as well to disturb the Enemies Levies in Fife as to dissipate the Convention of the States at Perth Being come into Fife the richest and most popular Province of the Kingdom he resolved to pass the Forth Which he also did four Miles above Sterling and marching forward encamped at Kilsythe The Rebels fierce with their multitudes thought that Montross's late Marches and his hasty passing of the Forth were the effects of his Fear not Counsel So that they resolve to attack him in that place he had chosen their chief care being to cut off all Retreats especially to the Mountains Montross's Army consisted of Four Thousand Five Hundred Foot and Five Hundred Horse the Rebels of Six Thousand Foot and Eight Hundred Horse But their fortune the same for the Royallists animated by the rare Valour of the old Earl of Arley who being sixty years of age did with his single Troop defeat Three of the Enemy's and dis-engaged a Battalion of Montross's Foot The Battel of Kilsythe too rashly advanced which gave such universal Courage to the whole Army that raising a great Shout they all ran upon the Enemy beat down such as resisted and ruined all scarce One Hundred of the Foot escaping The Arms Baggage and Spoils of the Field were the present reward of the Victors who lost only six Men whereas near Six Thousand of the Enemy fell that day Upon this the Confederate Lords fled out of the Kingdom and such who favour'd the King did no more scruple to discover themselves This Victory having produced a new face of things over the whole Kingdom reconciled the Cities and Provinces thereof to their duty to the King Which he had also maintained if the Horse which His Majesty had sent with the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale had as he hoped come up to him But these being dispersed as is said in England he found other Forces than those he expected thence For the Confederates upon the fame of his Atchievements had sent David Lesley with Six Thousand Horse who by their intelligence with the Earls of Trequair and Rosburg whom the King had unhappily trusted surprized and defeated him at Selkirk The Royallists surprized at Selkirk Montross leaves Scotland Yet did not so far oppress him but that he afterwards became formidable again But the King being in the Scots Army he was by his Majesty's Command forced to dismiss his Soldiers leaving his Country to the disposal of the Confederates It is now high time to return to Holmbey and take a view of His Majesty's Diversions in that wretched Solitude Amongst other things seeing he heard nothing from the Parliament he composed an Answer to the Propositions formerly sent to him Wherein besides many unexpected Concessions he promised To comply with the rest provided he were suffered to come to London But having no Secretary or Clerk to transcribe what he had writ he desired one from the Commissioners attending him otherwise he would himself scrible it over as well as he could This was rejected as soon as sent although he had assented to most and desired a Personal Treaty for the rest they being deaf to his demands and whilst he was thus earnest for Peace Vote him averse to it affirming moreover how falsely The King 's miserable restraint at Holmbey That he had never offer'd them any thing worthy their Acceptation or accepted of any thing they had presented to him In this extremity he turns to God and withdrawing himself writ those Divine Soliloquies which compose his Book spending that leisure time with Heaven which was not permitted him to employ with any he delighted in here below This Book as it surpasseth all other except the Bible in Piety Prudence and Eloquence of Style so it containeth a true and genuine discovery of the state of affairs and consequently fit to be read of all good Men and such who would be satisfied in the reality of our Transactions In the mean time the Pretended Parliament force away the miserable from the unfortunate For seeing the King's unhappiness and restraint had not so far divested Men of that Veneration they owed him but that many sick of that Disease called the Kings-Evil came to him to be healed the Novellists more out of envy than grounded in reason endeavoured tho' to no purpose by Declarations to divert the People from this pretended Superstition as they called it Although all the Kings of England have ever since the time of Edward the Confessor who received this Prerogative from Heaven made use of it with success The Rebels being now Masters of the King and Kingdom having supplanted the true Heir
the Method and Formalities of their Proceedings rejected the Opinions of such who would have the King first deposed and then put to Death as dangerous by its delay and savouring of Popery But those who gaped after the Government the Democratick would have the King tryed as King that by the Effusion of his Blood as such they might extinguish Majesty and destroy Monarchy it self For several of them confessed That Charles his only Crime was his being King and that the Eminency of his Vertues together with his Right of Succession rendered him uncapable of being a Private Man They therefore having first by their Serjeant at Arms with sound of Trumpets cited such profligate Witnesses as they could get the stress of whose Depositions was That they had seen the King in Arms at several Battles and Encounters Having also the same Day voted the making of a New Great Seal because of the incongruity of using the King 's against himself those Sanguinary Judges met in Weminster-Hall at the End whereof they caused a Theater to be erected on which they acted the ensuing Tragedy of Horror and Blood John Bradshaw the Shame of the Long Robe and only known by this horrid Fact the impudent President of this execrable Court commanded the King to be brought before them where he was accused of all the Blood-shed in the late Wars The King is arraigned with the injurious Terms of Tyrant Traytor and Murtherer and required to give his Answer to the Charge The King with an inimitable presence of Mind and a Fortitude truly Royal slighting what he had heard instead of an Answer demands of these Novel Judges By what Authority he was brought thither Adding he knew very well that there were many unlawful Authorities as those of Thieves and Robbers He bid them remember he was their King and would know by what lawful Authority he was seated there and he would answer In the mean time he would not betray his Trust derived to him from God by old and lawful Descent The President replied That he was brought thither by Authority of the People of England by whom he was elected King His Majesty denied this affirming the Kingdom of England never to have been Elective but Hereditary for near a Thousand Years He stood more for the Liberties of his People than any there and therefore desired to know by what lawful Authority he was brought thither and he would answer otherwise not But the President often interrupting the King and chattering the same Tune of the Peoples Authority His Majesty said That no body did more esteem a House of Commons rightly constituted than himself He saw no House of Lords that might with the King constitute a Parliament Was this the bringing of the King to his Parliament Is this the bringing an End to the Treaty in the Publick Faith of the World Let him see a Legal Anthority warranted by the Word of God the Scriptures or Constitutions of the Kingdom and he would instantly answer But the President urging that unless he would answer the Court would consider how to proceed His Majesty replied That unless they would satisfie God and the Country concerning the Premises he would not betray his Trust and the Peoples Liberty For he did avow That it was as great a Sin to withstand lawful Authority as it was to submit to a Tyrannical or any other ways unlawful Authority He was not afraid of their Bill And this was the Sum of the first Days Convention Two Days after the King the Best of Princes was again brought before these Worst of Rebels his Judges Where the President upon the Solicitor's Motion requires his Positive Answer again or else the Charge may be taken pro Confesso He added That this Court was fully satisfied with their Authority which he also ought to acquiesce in and therefore they yet again required his particular Answer by confessing or denying it If the later Witnesses were at hand in behalf of the Nation to make good the Charge against him To this the King said If it were his own particular Case he would have satisfied himself with the Protestation he had made against the Legality of the Court and by demonstrating that the King of England cannot be tryed by any Superiour Jurisdiction upon Earth But it not being his Case alone but the Freedom and Property of the People he must stand for their Liberties For if an illegitimate Power might make and break the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom at Pleasure no Man could be secure of his Life or Goods He did expect Reasons to know by what Law what Authority they did proceed against him but hearing none he would produce his with as much brevity as he could But he was interrupted here the President telling him They must suffer no arguing concerning the Authority of the Court nor hear any Reasoning against it The Votes of the Commons in Parliament were the Reason of the Kingdom not to be questioned by any to which also he and his Predecessors were always obnoxions and responsible This being denyed by the King he further denyed That the Commons of England were ever a Court of Judicature Which vext the President to that Degree that he told him That he was not to be permitted to go on in that Speech and those Discourses and if he would not Answer he should be recorded as contumacious Hereupon the King desired That his Reasons at least might be heard but was answered That his Reasons were not to be heard against the highest Jurisdiction Whereunto the King returned That they should shew that Jurisdiction that would not hear Reason To which the President replied That they shewed it him there and that the next time he should know more of their Pleasure perhaps their final Determination Commanding withal That they should take the Prisoner away Who bid them remember That the King was not suffered to give his Reasons for the Liberty and Freedom of the People The next Day the King being brought now the Third time before this nefarious Tribunal continued with the same Constancy as at first to deny the Authority of the same And being insulted upon by the President was required at length to submit and that with Threats That although he would not understand it he should find that he was before a Court of Justice which knew no respect of Persons But the King replied As for the Charge he did not value it a Rush it was the Liberty of the People he stood for and therefore he neither would nor could being a King acknowledge a new and unheard of Court against their Priviledges and the Fundamental Laws of the Land The Prefident hereupon subjoyned That the King had now denied the Authority of the Court Three times contemning the Dignity thereof Adding That his Actions Writ in bloody Characters throughout the Kingdom did sufficiently demonstrate how far he had preserved the Priviledges of the People The King had designed to deliver his Reasons
the General who by his Courage and Conduct had contributed so mainly to it They then Vote Declare and Decree That the Government of England is Monarchical consisting in a King and Two Houses of Parliament After this King Charles I. his Statues thrown down by the Sectaries were set up again and the New Arms of the Common wealth with extream Contumelies tâ—rn and defaced those of the King being put in their Places A â—â—w Days after the King himself the Members of Bâ—th Houses assisting and an Iâ—fâ—nity of People was with the usual Ceremonies but unusual Transports of Joy proclaimed at Westminster in London and afterwards in the whole Kingdom King of Great Britain and Ireland In these following Terms Although it can no ways be doubted but that his Majesty's Right and Title to these Crowns and Kingdoms is and was every way compleat by the Death of his most Royal Father of glorious Memory without the Ceremony or Solemnity of a Proclamation Yet since Proclamations in such Cases have been always used to the End that all good Subjects might upon this occasion testifie their Duty and Respect And since the armed Violence and other Calamities of many Years last past have hitherto deprived us of any Opportunity wherein we might express our Loyalty and Allegiance to his Majesty We therefore the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament together with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London and other Freemen of this Kingdom now present do according to our Duty and Allegiance heartily joyfully and unanimously acknowledge and Proclaim That immediately upon the Decease of our late Sovereign King Charles I. the Imperial Crown of the Realm of England and all the Kingdoms Dominions and Rights belonging to the same did by inherent Birth-right and lawful undoubted Succession descend and come to his most Excellent Majesty King Charles II. as being Lineally Justly and Lawfully next Heir of the Blood Royal of this Realm And that by the Goodness and Providence of Almighty God He is of England Scotland and Ireland the most Potent Mighty and Vndoubted King and thereunto we most humbly and faithfully do submit and oblige our selves our Heirs and Posterities for ever At the Ceremony of this Proclamation the Publick Joy expressed by Shoutings Acclamations of God bless the King Bells and Bonfires were no less extraordinary than infinite the People being at length redeemed out of so long and so wretched a Captivity by the miraculous Restauration of their Beloved Prince Our most August Monarch had hitherto as is already mentioned wandered in Foreign Courts and as usual in the Disgraces of Fortune too much neglected especially where Reason of State seemed more prevalent than all the Tyes of Blood or Hospitality He was at Brussels the Metropolis of the Spanish Netherlands when he first heard of this Change in England from whence he removed to Breda a more secure place under the Circumstances of the present Times And now he hastens Greenvill away again with Letters to the Two Houses of Parliament to the City to Monk and to Montague joynt General at Sea In these Writings He Pardons all Men and all Crimes committed against his Royal Father or himself except such as the Parliament should except against promising further The Souldiers their Arrears tho' they bore Arms against him and That he would from that time receive them into his own Trust and Service upon the same Terms they did now enjoy c. This Declaration being received and read in Parliament with inexpressible Satisfaction and Joy was voted infinitely Satisfactory and a splendid Embassy ordered to the forthwith sent to the King with their humble Thanks for his Gracious Declaration and Letters and to invite and press His Majesty's return to his Parliament and People Six Lords and Twelve Commoners with Twenty Principal Citizens with a noble Train of Attendants were sent upon this happy Occasion Who the Wind favouring them after a quick Passage found His Majesty at the Hague in Holland where he had been treated and defrayed by the States of that Province with all imaginable Demonstrations of Honour and Friendship The Embassadours being admitted to the King's Presence and graciously heard had their Desires crowned with a wisht-for Answer So that nothing now impeded His Majesty's Return to his Dominions but the Wind which in favour to the kind Dutch kept him some little time longer there In the interim the Duke of York visited the Fleet lying at Anchor before Scheveling under the Command of General Montague formerly as is mentioned reconciled to His Majesty After a magnificent Reception his Royal Highness taking the Oaths of Allegiance from the Sea-men and having changed the Names of several of the Prime Ships restored this first Pledge of Empire to our Monarch The King having taken his Leave of the States General and of the States of Holland in their Assemblies the Honour of which visit they acknowledged in a most Elegant Speech with all the Expressions of Gratitude and Satisfaction he imbarked in a Boat prepared for him by the States whose Flag had this memorable Inscription Quo Fas et Fata vocârunt The Ways the Downs the Sand Hills and Shores were crowded with an innumerable Multitude of all Sorts of People ecchoing his Departure with Vows for his good Success By the way upon the Approach of a Brigandine from the Fleet he entered into it And going aboard the Royal Charles formerly the Naesby with his Two Royal Brothers the Dukes of York and Gloucester he was receieved there by Montague with all submissive Veneration who again treated him with a Gracious Testimonial of his Affection The Season was very clear and the Sea so calm that his Majesty mounting upon the Poop did daiâ—n to turn his Eyes to the Shore which he had so lately left and seeing the infinite Crowds of Spectators there he was pleased to say That he thought his own Subjects could scarce have more Tenderness for him than those People on whose Affections he saw he reigned no less than he was going to reign on the Wills of the English After this having kiss'd his Nephew * Prince of Orange and the Queen his Aunt * Queen of Bohemia and bid them farewel he had much aâ—o to be separated from his Sister * Princess Royal. This matchless Princess who had born and slighted so many Vicissitudes of Evil and who had frequently solaced the Calamities of her Brothers by her charming Discourses can scarce now without shaking her Constancy endure the Absence of a few Days being what she had desired with so much Impatience and what was so glorious to both of them The Anchors being at length weighed he left this friendly Shore with the thundering of the Cannon on both sides and sailed towards England now truely his own On the 25th of May he came into Dover Road where upon his landing he was received by Monk with Joy and Observance This best of
from both sides both Armies were at length engaged The Passage into the Town was barricado'd up The Fight at Torrington where the Fight was very sharp at push of Pike and Butt-Ends of Musquets but that being gained the Encounters in the Street were no less brave The Royallists had Twice repelled the Enemy and being as often beat back themselves were forced at length to quit their Ground to the more numerous Assailants Hopton in Person very conspicuous and well mounted brought up the Rear of his Horse but was not able to save his Foot whereof scarce Six Hundred escaped The Horse by Benefit of the Night and Knowledge of the Ways did well-nigh all save themselves by Flight Four Hundred as well Commons as Gentlemen were taken of which near Two Hundred were blown up with the Church Hopton had left Fourscore Barrels of Powder in it which being fired by Accident or by one Watts as it was said hired thereto for Thirty Pieces of Gold I will not determine But however it happened very many of the Rebels perished with it the Town was miserably shaken and Terror and Destruction were scattered every where by the Dreadfulness of the Noise and the Vibration of the Ruines of the Temple The Enemy following the Chace forced the Cavaliers over the River Tamar and advancing forwards beat Colonel Basset out of Launceston which they also possessed The Prince sails to the Isles of Scylly The Prince of Wales admonished by the frequent Misfortunes of his Party and seeing after this last Defeat no possibility of renewing the War took shipping at Truro And that he might with-draw himself from these barbarous and bloody Enemies to his Life and Fame and being attended on by the Lord Capel Lord Culpeper and Sir Edward Hyde since Lord Chancellor of England sailed to the Isles of Scylly and thence into France reserving himself by the Care of Providence for the signal Restitution of his enslaved Kingdoms to their former Glory Fairfax did not omit to improve this Opportunity of the Prince's Retreat by inviting Hopton by honourable Conditions to disband his Forces as being abandoned and left to himself The Greatness of the thing kept him in suspense for some Time It grieved him to the Soul to see his King and dearest Lord deprived of so many brave Men and such a gallant Body of Horse and that by his own Act. But to conserve them seemed morally impossible for there was no Help to be expected from Abroad and he himself shut up within the compass of Six Miles in the Streights of Cornwall surrounded by the Sea and a victorious hostile Army Nor did he know whither to go in case he had broke through the Ways being obstructed with Trees cut down and laid cross them on purpose the Passages every where kept with strong Guards and what was more dismal the King's Affairs were under such sad Circumstances and so desperate that we were deprived of the very Solace of Hope In this Extremity it was determined to lay by our now useless Arms and submit to the Necessity of our Fate A Treaty was therefore entered upon by Commissioners from both sides The Lord Hopton disbands bis Army who met at Tressilian-Bridge and after a great Contestation concluded a Dissolution of the Royal-Army The Officers each according to his Quality were permitted the Enjoyment of their Arms Horses and Equipage But the common Troopers were obliged to deliver theirs receiving every one Twenty Shillings in Lieu of them All had their Bag Baggage and Liberties secured to them and Permission to return to their Homes or to pass into Foreign Countries at pleasure The Army being disbanded and the Garrisons thereby excluded from all Hopes of Relief did likewise fall Exeter the Chief City of the West surrender'd upon honourable Terms Barnstable followed as also the remaining Garrisons upon Demand And now Fairfax having subdued the West marched with his victorious Army towards Oxford Whilst he is on his way it may not be from the Purpose to relate what happened in other Parts of the Kingdom Which I hitherto designingly omitted not willing to interupt the Progress of this Western Expedition Being content to deliver the greater Actions in their Order rather than to distract them with a regard to the Things themselves more than the Times they were acted in though that also will appear in the Margent After the Defeat of Digby and Langdale which we have mentioned the King had continued for some time at Newark until wearied with the Dissentions of his Party he was necessitated to depart The Lord Gerrard Sir Richard Willis Distractions amongst the Royallists at Newark and others had deserted his Majesty and the Princes Rupert and Maurice having capitulated with Poynts for Passes to go beyond Sea which was assented to by the pretended Parliament were upon the point of abandoning him The Dispute was about Digby who being accused by these Dissenters with more Fervor than Duty considering the Times found an Advocate of his Innocency in the King and Bellasis the Governour Hereupon his Majesty with Six Hundred Horse came to Oxford where being entertained with heavy Countenances and a lugubrious Accompt of Affairs he replied with undaunted Constancy That Three Years ago he had been in yet a lower Condition than at present The same God who from such despicable Beginnings had render'd him great and formidable did live and reign still to whose Goodness he also recommended the Care of his present abject Estate But however confident he seemed to be he was as is usual in great Calamities too much neglected by many And though he daily performed whatever could be expected from a brave and prudent Prince yet nothing succeeded by reason of the perpetual Distraction of his Nobles his Officers and Counsellours agitated by the Infelicities of the present Condition of Affairs or rather actuated by the secret Dispensations of Providence Nor was he long permitted to reside there Ashley beat at Stow. the Lord Ashley having been defeated and taken at Stow. He had drawn a Body of near Two Thousand out of several Garrisons evacuated for that Purpose which were the last Field-Forces that appeared for the King So that the Remains being forced to save themselves in their Fortifications were since there was no Success to be expected from Abroad easily divested of them also BOOK IV. The King leaves Oxford and goes to the Scots Army Hereford is surprized and Chester surrender'd Oxford besieged and taken The other Royal Garrisons follow Massey's Forces disbanded Contests with the Scots Their barbarous Vsage of the King They sell him He is imprisoned in Holmbey-House The History of the Scots Rebellion and valorous Actions of Montross Independency triumphant The Army mutinies and seize upon the King at Holmbey They court him but deal treacherously with him He flies to the Isle of Wight FAirfax had sent Ireton with a Body of Horse to hinder the Excursions of the Oxonians and to invest
General and Lieutenant General they had their Quarters surprized and beaten up about Mid-night by Reynolds where Four Hundred of them were made Prisoners and Nine Hundred of their Horses taken The Democraticks or Levellers being thus defeated our brave Hero's march to Oxford where both of them Fairfax and Cromwell were made Doctors of Law who had themselves trampled upon all Laws both Divine and Human. After this having visited Portsmouth they return to London in Triumph where after a Thanks-giving for their late Successes they were together with their Servile Senate invited treated and regal'd by the more Servile City who again not to seem ungrateful or rather to intangle them in their Interest bestowed New-Park with all the Deer in it upon the Citizens The Regicides being now secure at home at least in Appearance began to look after Foreign Correspondence and Amities Amongst which the Friendship of the Vnited Netherlands seemed preferable by reason of their Neighbourhood of their Resemblance in Government and the Genius of the Nation Dorislawes and Ascham in their Embassies Doctor Dorislawes a Civilian as also a German by Birth was sent thither with Instructions not only to propose a strict Friendship but also a Coalition of both People But he was prevented in it being assassinated in his Lodging by one Whitford a Scot who with Ten or Twelve more having perpetrated the Fact withdrew without any Pursuit though they were afterwards colourably summon'd in by the States The reason of this Remissness was his presuming to appear as it were in the King's presence having contributed so eminently to the Ruine of his Father And thus God permitted one Injustice to be retaliated with another Nor had Ascham another of their Envoy's at Madrid better Fate being kill'd in his Inn upon his Arrival by one Sparks an English-man who though he took Sanctuary was pulled thence by the Spaniard apprehending the rising Greatness of the new Common-wealth for the Regicides had declared though they much esteemed the Amity of so great a King yet they ought and did require the punishment of so Nefarious a Parricide as they called it adding that unless Justice were immediately satisfied they did not see how the Friendship betwixt both Nations could be sincere and durable The King acknowledged at the Hague The King had continued hitherto at the Hague acknowledged and reverenced by all and though the States that they might not altogether seem to displease their Sister Common-wealth of whom they began to be jealous had dispensed with the Ceremony of Public Congratulation yet the Swede and Danish Embassadors had saluted His Majesty with the usual Testimonies of Condolence and Congratulation He was also King in Possession Scotland having proclaimed him and Ireland being upon the point of being reduced so that his Affairs calling him away he left the Hague and being attended by the Princess Royal his Sister and the Prince of Orange his Brother-in-law to whose generous Friendship he owed all Things through Rotterdam Dort and Breda Treated magnificently by the Arch-Duke being received at these Places with the noise of their Cannon and Bells and all other marks of Honour he came to Antwerpe the principal City of the Spanish Netherlands where he was magnificently entertained and presented with a rich Chariot and Eight brave Horses sent him by Arch-Duke Leopold Governour of the Low-Countries His Majesty was also Royally treated by him at Brussels from whence after some Stay being conveyed on his way to France by the Duke of Lorrain Goes into France and feasted and honoured every where with the same Grandeur as if the King of Spain had been there he came to Compeigne where the French King accompanied with a great Train of his Nobility received him with all the Testimonies of Affection and Honour and brought him thence in State to his Mother the Queen of Great Brittain then at St. Germians Whilst the King was in France the Duke of Gloucester his Brother and the Lady Elizabeth his Sister both Princes of divine Endowments and Hopes were removed from the Earl of Northumberland's Guardianship to Carisbrook Castle infamous for having been the Prison of their Martyred Father to the custody of that impure Villain Anthony Mildmay The Lady Elizabeth dyeth and the D. of Gloucester is banished where the Princess afflicted with the daily Sight of that odious Mansion and consumed with Grief and the Maladies it occasioned breathed her last being denied by those barbarous Parricides the Assistance of such Physicians as she had desired Her Brother the Duke was presently after banished out of England by the Regicides the only agreeable Thing they did in rescuing him out of their Bloody Hands by their own Act. The Kingdom being thus subdued and the Army reduced to Obedience the Mock-Parliament or Rump for Continuation of the History of Ireland it grew famous by that Title of Infamy thought Ireland now worthy their consideration They therefore Vote Eleven Regiments to be sent thither under the conduct of Cromwell with the Title of Lord Governour whereof he was very fond which he could not forbear testifying for all his Dissimulation The Fame of these Preparations immediately flew over which obliged the Irish Rebels however dissenting amongst themselves to think of uniting for their Public Safety and although the Nuntio opposed this Confederation with all his Power excommunicating the Authors of it whilst they declared him and his Party Traytors resolving to force him by Arms which they did The Popes Nuntio expelled driving him into Galloway for his security where they prest him so hard that notwithstanding the Thunder of his Excommunication he was necessitated for his personal safety to abandon his Principality and the Kingdom The Irish-Grandees thus at Liberty invite and obtain the Marquess of Ormond as is mentioned in our former Commentaries with an Assurance of an entire Obedience to his Majesty's Lieutenant He being arrived the Confederates grew formidable by the Accession of the Lord Inchequin President of Munster and the Scots in the Province of Vlster Both these had served the Parliament with much Vigor until the King and Monarchy had been destroyed in England but abhorring the sordid Tyranny of the Regicides they deserted that Party they had so unjustly followed and return to their Duty and Allegiance to their Sovereign Owen-Roe-Oneal refused to be included in the Confederacy upon pretence that sufficient Provisions had not been made for the Security of their Religion but in reality because the Confederate Delegates had foolishly denied the no extravagant Conditions which his Quality seemed to require and he had demanded The Difference was about the Command of Four Thousand Men which they were willing to grant and Six Thousand which he insisted upon which they afterwards tho too late after his conjunction with Monk and Coot and his relieving of London-derry were glad to assent to During these Traverses the Marquess of Ormond entered upon the Government The
the Enemies Progress But Cromwell being abundantly furnished with Recruits and Provisions out of England the Winter drawing to an End takes the Field and having possessed himself of some Neighbouring Garrisons forced Goram betrayed by the Sedition of the Souldiers causing Hammond the Governour with some of his chief Officers to be shot to Death in Cold Blood This done he marched with his victorious Troops to Kilkenny Kilkenny besieged and surrendered This City the Nursery of the late Rebellion and the Residence of the Supream Council was by the Diligence of Castle-haven well provided with Defendants and Provisions Nor were they wanting in a generous Defence having repelled the Enemies Assaults with Slaughter of them But all Hopes of relief vanishing Collonel-Butler the Governour at length surrendered it upon reasonable Conditions Clonmell ran the same Fortune though Hugh Oneal who commanded there having beaten off the reiterated Assaults of the Enemy and slain above Two Thousand of their Men was necessitated through want of Powder to quit the place which he did with so much Secresie that the Enemy ignorant of it gave very good Conditions to the Towns men next Morning The Bishop of Rosse with Four Thousand Foot and Three Hundred Horse attempted to The Bishop of Rosse taken and hanged relieve it but unhappily being routed and taken by the Lord Broghill who without any Respect or Reverence to his Character caused him to be hanged up The Bishop of Cloger runs the same fate Emir Mac Mahon Bishop of Cloger who succeeded Oneal in the Command of the Vlster Army ran the same Fate for being overcome by Coot and Venables who had joyned him with Two Regiments of Foot and one of Horse of Cromwell's Army he was also hanged Coot with the same Facility over-ran Vlster routing both Scots and Irish that opposed them and rendering himself Master of their Garrisons on all sides Cromwell returns into England It is now Time to sail back into England where Cromwell is likewise hastening leaving his Son-in Law Ireton in Ireland to finish what he had so prosperously carried on and put an End to the Reliques of that War whilst he himself is destined to new Empires and new Triumphs Nor was there indeed any thing of moment done by the Mock-Parlâ—ament without his Consent or in his Absence save that the Regalia and the Revenues of the Church were exposed to Sail and a nefaricus Tribunal of Mock-Justice erected as well to terrifie as enslave the People During these Traverses the Scots apprehending the Changes of the Presbyterians in England were glad to look back towards their own King whom they had so cruelly offended They knew it would be no difficult Business to raise an Army by the Influence of his Name and Title Nor were they mistaken tho taking Advantage of his Necessities they would impose upon him The Scots send Windram to the King and therefore demand amongst other Things That he should take the Covenant ratify the Decrees of the late Parliament revoke his Commission to Montrosse drive Papists from his Court and Presence renounce his Negative Voice in Parliament and name a place in the Vnited Provinces where they might further treat of all Things These Propositions were sent by Windram of Liberton to his Majesty who was then at Jersey whither he was retired out of France upon the little Prospect of Relief from that Court as also to be nearer England where the Levellers were stirring and near Ireland now wholly except Dublin and London-derry at his Devotion The Confederates had earnestly desired his Presence amongst them and 't is not doubted if he had gone thither but that he would have been absolute Master of the Kingdom Others were of another Opinion urging that if he miscarried in Ireland he would also loose the Hopes he had conceived of the Protestants in England and Scotland As if a Sovereign Prince were not permitted to make use of his own Subjects of what Religion soever they were for his Service and Defence especially they being willing to assist him and he satisfied in their Loyalty But when the News of the Overthrow at Dublin came the Scots demands were taken into Consideration Some of the Council seemed to reject all kind of Commerce with that People affirming That as they had sold and betrayed the Father so when their Fear and Covetousness prompted them they would serve the Son and therefore there was no Faith to be given to such Perfidious Men. But others more moderate in their Councils advised the King by no means to omit the Opportunity which so fairly offered it self but immediately to close with the Scots for that Kingdom being recovered his Attempts upon the other would be less difficult The Queen-Mother was also of this Opinion He is returned with a satisfactory Answer and so was Montrosse who offered now to go into Banishment as Strafford formerly to Death voluntarily rather than interrupt so Hopeful a Peace The King at length perswaded tho not without Repugnancy dispatcht Windram back into Scotland with no unpleasing Answer and Assurance that he would do every thing for the Good of his People appointing moreover Breda a Town in Brabant for the Place of Treaty commanding and desiring the Committee of Estates to send Commissioners thither to meet him on the 5th of March following year 1649 Windram being sent into Scotland the King left the Island as well upon Accompt of the Regicides Preparations to invade it as of his being at Breda by the Time appointed for the Treaty Whilst the King is in his way it may be proper to say somewhat of the Royal Fleet under the Command of Prince Rupert The Rebels being too strong for him he was necessitated to shelter himself in the Haven of Kinsale where he had long been shut up by them And now Cromwell approaching the City with his victorious Army to besiege it by Land he was forced to adventure to Sea and did break through the Enemies Fleet with the Loss of Three of his Ships and directing his Course for Lisbone he entred the River Tagus with full Sail where he found not only a friendly Reception but Protection also from that Prince The Rigicides irritated with this Civility declare War against the Author of it and sending Blake with a Fleet blockt up the Mouth of the River extreamly interrupting the Traffick of Portugal by seizing their Ships in their Return home He lay long there but not being able to oblige that King by Intreaties or Force to abandon the Prince he at length his Provisions being spent was constrained to go seek for more The Prince taking the Opportunity of his Removal put to Sea and sailing towards Malaga took and burnt several English Vessels but Blake pursuing him mastered and seized the Roe-buck a good Man of War and forced Five more upon the Rocks and Shore The Prince escaped this Misfortune tho reserved for a greater for being forced into the Western Islands
we have already mentioned he began with the Siege of Waterford Which Preston who commanded there seemed resolved to defend until finding himself shut up with Approaches and Trenches and attacked with the adverse Cannon but above all seeing no hopes of Relief he surrendered this strong City upon Articles of Indemnity for the Inhabitants and Liberty for the Garrison to march away with their Colours and Arms. Carlaw and Duncannon ran the same Fate at the same Time Young Preston marching away with the Souldiers of those Fortresses All this while the Confederates continue in their unhappy Dissensions the Catholicks and Reformed teazing each other with their wild and unseasonable Controversies No due respect or obedience were paid to the Lord Lieutenant And now the Clergy endeavoured to distract the Protestants amongst themselves animated particularly against Ormond whom they labour with Calumnies to separate from Inchequin and him again by the same Arts from his Excellency The furious Heat of some of the Bishops grew to that height that impatient of the Government of the Protestants they pronounced it abrogated excommunicating all such who dared to disobey their Dictates Ormond having tried all ways to allay these fatal Differences and perswade them to unite for their Common Defence to no purpose perceiving their Obstinacy he resolved to quit them lest he might be involved in their Ruine To these Indignities they of Limerick besieged on one side by Ireton refused him Entrance on the other though he came with Forces to their Assistance under pretence That they themselves sufficed for their own Defence And yet lest the King's Affairs might suffer by their Folly and his Absence he gave the Earl of Castel-haven the Command of the Forces and by the Suffrages of all constituted the Earl of Clanrickard Deputy of the Kingdom Clanrickard having undertaken the Government more to delay the Rebels Conquest than out of any Appearance of Success in hopes it might advantage the King upon his march out of Scotland makes new Levies recruits the Veteranes provides Warlike Instruments and being powerfully assisted by the Ecclesiasticks endeavours to repair the lapsed condition of their Party Not that he thereby fancied the Recovery of the Kingdom but to give the King Time to try the Fortune of a Day with Cromwell as His Majesty had himself inculcated to him by his Letters Nor were the Forces he raised contemptible amounting to Five Thousand but by the continual Aversness of Fortune they effected nothing of moment They indeed took some small Garrisons of Ireton's he being gone to his Winter-Quarters but being assaulted by Collonel Axtel in the Isle of Milech and their Trenches forced they were broken Five Hundred at least of them being slain and drown'd The Residue attempting no further secured themselves in Connaught interposing the River S ..... and the Curluvian Mountains betwixt them and this Fortunate Enemy guarding the Passages and Avenues of that Province the only thing they were now capable of Nor could they long secure themselves there for the Spring advancing Ireton took the Field and having sent for Coot out of Vlster to meet him he Coot under Pretence of besieging Slego thereby diverted the Enemies Forces passing the Colluvian Mountains whilst the other got over the Shannon at Killalo by the Treachery or Cowardise of Collonel Fenel appointed to guard it Having joyned Forces they took Athole and separating again Ireton besieges Limerick and Coot Galloway Limerick however strong weakened with their own Dissensions did not resist so long as it might have done being well garrisoned and well victuall'd but delivered it self the Garrison marching away without their Arms leaving Four and Twenty of the Principal in it to Mercy Of these the Bishop of Firne and several others active in the first Part of the Rebellion were hanged Nor was this Victory less fatal to the Conquerour who did not long survive it being extinguished by the Plague This Monster having been bred up in the Law whereof he had some smatterings had been largely imbibed from his Youth in the Frantick Ravings of the Ecclesiasticks Which Cromwell observing as also his Ingenuity took him into his Fellowship and Family and matching him to his Daughter made him his Son-in-law He was active vigilant and stedfast nor improper for Council or Execution in War and consequently a chief Champion and Contriver in the exerable Regicide Ireton being dead the chief Command of the Army was at present devolved upon Ludlowe a Man bold and daring to whom Three more Collegues were afterwards associated In the mean time Galloway was surrendered Clanrickard having articled for Permission to depart Neither was any more warring there save against some Mountainers and Tories the Garrisons every where opening their Gates and the Souldiery yet in Arms having conditioned their Transportation passed most of them into the Spanish Service in Flanders a Militia not much more Fortunate than their own Ireland being subdued all vailed to the Conquerors General Monk after Cromwell's Departure besieges Sterling which however filled with Arms Cannon Provisions in Abundance and the Records and Monuments of their Kings was tamely surrendered to him Dundee by the Valour of Lunisdane the Governour held out but being over-powered it was taken by Assault and the whole Garrison put to the Sword The slaughter was cruel and the Town no less unmercifully pillaged by the covetous Souldiers which struck such a Terror in others that Aberdene and the rest of the Scotch Garrisons that they might not be involved in so ruinous a Fate prevented it by a timely Rendition Sir Phillip Musgrave had attempted to raise new Forces in Galloway so did also a Convention of some of the Nobility at Ellit but being surprised the Earls of Leven and Crawford Ogelby Musgrave and others were taken Prisoners The Scots made yet one Attempt more under Midleton Huntley Glencarne and other Highlanders but they also were supprest by the Valour and Vigilancy of Col. Morgan There was no Enemy more that appeared and to take all hopes of embodying from them for the future Four strong Cittadels were built in Four principal Parts of the Country viz. Leith Ayre Innerness and St. Johnstons And now Scotland being sufficiently subjugated was subjected to the Laws of England and incorporated into one Common-wealth with that Kingdom During these Traverses Sir John Greenvil had detained some Merchant Ships belonging to the Dutch at Scylly which so irritated the States that they sent Tromp with Twelve Men of War to reclaim them or require satisfaction for the Dammage He had also Instructions to treat with the Governour for the Surrendry of that Place into their Hands but the Secret was not carried so close but that these Transactions were known to the English who thereupon sent Blake with a Fleet to hinder the Alienation of so Important a Place by reason of its exceeding Commodiousness for Navigation Greenvil being thus assaulted on both sides chose rather to deliver the Isles to his Country-men than
courtly though reserved And yet the King behaved himself with so much charming Prudence to both these Ministers and gained so much upon them that he not only defeated the Designs of Lockhart the Regicides Embassadour then there but having obtained an Assurance of being assisted by the Forces of the Two Crowns for his Restitution he was dismissed with the same Honours he had been received At Paris in his Return he was splendidly treated by the Duke of Orleance as King of England and acknowledged such by all Men none now doubting of his sudden Restauration From thence he came to Brussels entering into that City publickly and with a Pomp worthy his Grandeur where he also was magnificently caressed and where he designed to continue until the Dissolution of the Parliament Whilst these things were in Agitation the Distractions and Risings in England were various the Impatience of the Royal Party to restore their Prince precipitating them as usually into great Inconveniencies And yet they got to a Head in Cheshire under Sir George Booth as is already mentioned and the King himself was in private about St. Malos attending some favourable Occasion to transport him into England These Risings especially Booth's were lookt upon as formidable it being supposed that Monk was intermingled with them But they being supprest every where the King returned again to Brussels in expectation of the event of the Pacification concluded betwixt the Two Crowns He had not continued long there when being informed of the Differences betwixt the Army and Rump his Hopes being raised thereby he took also a Resolution not to be wanting in himself He had tryed the ways of War and had also attempted the perfidious Fidelity of his Enemies but with no Success He will therefore put himself upon other Counsels And seeing Monk commanded the Rebels in Scotland in Chief he will enquire into the Secret of his Intentions and Mind The King had found him a sharp Enemy but Noble free from Calumnies and Revilings nor any way distained with the inexpiable Guilt of the Regicide In the former Wars he had served King Charles I. but being taken and perhaps neglected he preferred Liberty before Confinement and the Management of Arms to the clinking of Shackles It was therefore thought expedient to attempt him under these Circumstances and endeavour to reclaim him with the Charms and Honour of being the Deliverer of his Country and King the Church and State Sir John Greenvill eminent for his Loyalty and of kin to Monk was employed to manage this important Secret Who in order to it having gained Mr. Nicolas Monk a Minister the General 's Brother on whom as Patron he had bestowed a very considerable Benefice he sent him into Scotland with Commission in the King's Name to offer him any Conditions he should please to Demand But Monk wisely suspicious under pretence of the incertain Vicissitudes of Affairs answered ambiguously neither openly declaring his sentiments nor wholly concealing them He also having exacted an Oath of secresie from his Brother sent him back with his Daughter which was the Pretext for his coming into Scotland as also a Message to the Members outed by Lambert to assure them of his Fidelity to the Parliament These Gentlemen raised with these Hopes presumed all things upon that Accompt and was a plausible Vail for him in the modelling and forming his Army according to his Designs But Greenvill being not well satisfied with the Parson's Declaration acquainted the King with it Who notwithstanding the Abstruseness of it drew no ill Augury thence commanding Greenvil to attend the General when he came to London and make all imaginable Enquiry of what Intentions he was towards His Majesty's Restitution And this he happily performed being admitted by the Assistance of Mr. Morrice a great Confident of Monk's and afterwards Secretary of State to the King The Enterview was in Morrice his Chamber where no Body but themselves being present Greenvill delivered Monk the King's Letters To which after Twice reading of them he answered That he would not only comply with the King's Desires but also restore him without Conditions or any the least Diminution of his Royal Authority Neither would he think of any Terms for himself humbly submitting that to the King's Pleasure when he returned Greenvill ecstasi'd with the Joy of his Success desired Letters to the King to testifie so great a Secret but he replied That he would commit nothing to Writing nor send any Body to the King besides himself whom he had found so faithful and secret He hoped His Majesty would Pardon what was past professing That he always had a Veneration for the King and now upon this first Occasion would testifie his Obedience to him with the Hazard of his Life and Fortune Greenvill overjoyed with this happy Conclusion hastened to acquaint the King with it at Brussels who was infinitely pleased with Monk's generous Actings especially having received Letters out of England from some Friends there desiring him to accept of the Isle of Wights Conditions they being the best they could at present procure him But Greenvill was by Advice of Sir Edward Hyde then made Chancellour and the Marquess of Ormond presently returned into England with a Commission for Monk as General of all the Forces in the Three Kingdoms and a Letter all writ with the King 's own Hand full of gracious Expressions and Acknowledgments for so great a Benefit Greenvill had also other Letters which we shall mention in their Place And lest he might himself return empty after he had been so signally meritorious the King honoured him with a Warrant for an Earldom and 3000 l. a Year Whilst these things were in Agitation the English observing that the Treaty betwixt France and Spain upon the Borders would end in a Peace shewed themselves likewise not averse to it especially considering the vast Commerce they always had with the Spanish Countries Hence followed a spontaneous Cessation from Arms. But the King would not expect the Event of it for fear of being imposed upon here as he had been in France and therefore removed his Court to Breda belonging to his Sister the Princess of Orange The sudden Change in England occasioned Changes of Councils And now it was supposed that the King should take shipping from Calais or some Part in Flanders having been earnestly invited thereto from both France and Spain But to content both he accepted of neither but continued at Breda cluding thereby the Arts of both Princes the French Designs as well as those of the Spanish longing for the return of Jamaica and Dunkirk to their Obedience The King then being secure at Breda was saluted there by Deputies from the States-General where he was also magnificently treated by the Publick The Parliament being now met consisting of Two Houses free and full in their Numbers their first Care was to give Publick Thanks to God for rescuing their Country from Usurpation and Tyranny and the next to thank
certain of Impunity But the King resolved at length to stem this growing Evil. Which he did by restoring the Free Election of the Sheriffs according to the antient Custom and taking the Forfeiture of the City-Charter adjudged so by Law into his own Hands These means however proper for the Common-wealth had like to have destroyed both For when so many Criminals and Wicked-doers saw the Magistrates especially the Sheriffs changed and honest Men put into their Places and considering that there was no Evasion from the Law under pretence of it they resolve upon a high Attempt and worthy their Hellish Conspiracy which was to subvert the King and Kingdom and involve them in the same Ruin Shaftsbury being conscious of his Guilt and not ignorant of the Injustice of the Sentence by which he escaped terrified with the unexpected Change and seeing himself obnoxious to that Justice which he had frustrated and eluded moved with the greater Precipitation he terrifies his Associates with the Greatness of the Danger encourages some to rise others to Parricide resolving to hazard all rather than tamely betray himself into the Hands of his Enemies He therefore exhorts his Companions To vindicate their Liberty Property Religion the old Cant still against Popery Tyranny Superstition Idolatry Oppression Murther and the other growing Evils of Servitude With these kind of Orations they incense the furious So that what they could not effect by Fraud and pretended Sanctity they resolve to compass by the way of Arms. To this End they advise about raising of Forces But Shaftsbury thinking they moved not swiftly enough in it impatient of every Delay and fearing for every Noise alarm'd him of being intercepted as he had already withdrawn himself from his own Dwelling exagitated with his own Guilt he fled the Kingdom and retreated into Holland Where this most torbulent of Men being neglected found that Repose in Death which the impetuous Desire of Ruling had deprived him of here The Conspirators however troubled at the loss of so eminent a Patron and not ignorant that they were advanced beyond a Retreat constitute a Supream Council of Six to manage their Affairs Besides this they had another more Inferiour Court who consulted how to remove the King and the Duke by Assassination or otherwise and to solicite the Revolt of the Commonalty in Order to a War which they resolve to carry on against the King and the Common-wealth The Scots under the Conduct of Arguile were invited to joyn and act in this nefarious Rebellion Who had also their Commissioners at London who together with the English Conspirators should move by consent And it was concerted amongst them that they should break out into open Hostility in both Kingdoms at the same Time They resolve to secure London the Head of their Design by the same Methods it had been circumvented in the former Rebellion They further divide the City into Twenty Parts which they distributed under the Conduct of so many Commanders Some were to seize the Tower and the principal Posts in the City others White-hall and particularly the Guards which were to be surprized and cut off They had a Hundred of Cromwell's Officers at hand ready to head the People upon their Insurrection being abundantly provided with Money and Arms by voluntary Contributions from the Chiefs of their Party The Country was no less addicted to them especially those Parts which Monmouth who was returned from his Banishment without Permission had visited in his Progresses Whilst they thus prepare for War the Design to Murther the King and Duke kept pace with them Hone another Godly Joyner proposed to have them shot from Bow steeple as they passed with Cross-Bows Rumbald the Maltster would have the Play-House blown up with Gun-powder when they were present declaring further That he he had laid a Design Ten Years ago to have slain them as they returned from New-Market if they had not by accident taken another way whereby they escaped the Danger Some designed to attempt them as they walked in St. James's Park which they frequently did with no great Train Some fancied it easie to sink them in the River when they took the Air by Water in their Barge by shocking them with a greater Vessel There were again others who would have them pistol'd in the Play-House whilst intent upon the Comedy or kill'd as they came thence along Bedford-wall Other places betwixt Windsor and Hampton-Court about Winchester and Red-Lyon Fields if they should come there were judged proper enough for this black Parricide But these all as subject to too much Hazard and Danger were laid aside upon mature Deliberation of the more convenient Situation of the Rye a House belonging to the aforesaid Rumbald seated in the Way to New-Market Eighteen Miles from London in the County of Hartford This Place being Moated about and the Passage near it narrow and strongly fenced and wall'd was judged the most proper of any for the Purpose Rumbald himself the Designer of this Wickedness offering in Person to undertake it with Forty more Associates and at once to destroy both the Royal Brothers Which he had probably effected if God the Protector of Kings had not wrought a Miracle in their Favour The Conspirators full of Hopes and Assurance seemed in nowise to question the Success of their so well laid Enterprize when the Divine Providence disappointed in a moment all their Contrivances and Plots by a Fire undoubtedly sent from Heaven which burnt a great part of New-Market The Conflagration was so terrible that the Flames of it approaching the King's Pallace forced him thence to another part of the Town further off Where by reason of the Commodiousness of his Lodgings he proposed to pass some days more in Hunting and the other usual Diversions of the Place But he had no sooner resolved it but the Wind conducted by some Invisible Agent suddenly changing fills his new Lodgings in a moment with Smoke and Cynders Which obliged the King seeing no other convenience for his Reception to declare That he would immediately return to White hall which he also did before he was expected or that the Conspirators Preparations were in a Readiness The Noise of so unexpected an Accident was diversly received by the Parricides Some believed That so unusual Burnings could not happen without the Direction of Providence Walcot profess'd that he thence conjectured That God did not approve of their Design Whilst Ferguson without any the least Horror of so hellish an Undertaking did dare to affirm That he plainly saw that God had reserved the King for his own Judgment And yet one of these Conspirators Keeling by Name a Schismatic greatly addicted to the Faction and number'd amongst the Forty Murtherers perceiving the Averseness of Heaven and agitated with the Terrors and Storms of a Guilty Conscience after many Combats in his Soul resolved at length to disburthen himself by discovering this Tartareous Secret to the King At first the Monstrousness of so
Finally he hoped to live to shew how Zealous he should ever be for his Majesty's Service And could he say but one word in this Letter he would be convinced of it but it was of that Consequence that he durst not do it and therefore he beg'd once more that he might speak with him For then he would be convinced he should ever be his Majesty's most humble and dutiful Monmouth Being brought to the Tower he did not long survive his Misfortunes July 14. 1685. For being Attainted of High-Treason by An Act of Parliament he was beheaded on a Scaffold for that purpose erected on Tower-Hill He had delivered this following Paper before he mounted the last Stage of his Life referring himself to it in all the Discourses he held upon the Scaffold Which I thought fit to subjoyn I Declare that the Title of King was forced upon me and that it was very much contrary to my Opinion when I was Proclaimed For the Satisfaction of the World I do declare that the late King told me he was never Married to my Mother Having said this I hope that the King who is now will not let my Children suffer on this Accompt And to this I put my Hand this 15th day of July 1685. Monmouth His Actions sufficiently declare his Character And his Body being inhumed by Order in the Chappel of the Tower put an End to his Chimerical Principality and this REBELLION FINIS Books Printed for Thomas Newborough at the Golden-Ball in St. Paul's Church-Yard SEveral Chyrurgical Treatises by R. Wiseman Serjeant Surgeon to his Majesty Fol. New Travels of Monsieur Thevenot into the Levant viz. Into Turkey Persia and the East-Indies Fol. A New and Easy Method to the Art of Dialling Containing all Horizontals all upright Reflecting Dyals and Dyals without Centres Nocturnal and upright Declining Dyals without knowing the Declination of the Plane 2. The most natural and easie way of describing the Currelines of the Sun's Declination on any Plane By Thomas Strode Esq Quarto A New History of China containing a Description of the Politick Government Towns Manners and Customs of the People c. Octavo Geographia Vniversalis the Present State of the World giving an account of the several Religions Customs and Riches of each People the Strength and Government of each Policy and State The curious and most remarkable things in every Region c. By the Sieur Duval Geographer to his Majesty Octavo The Muses Farewel to Slavery Or a Collection of Poems Satyrs and Songs By the Eminent Wits of the Nation the Second Edition Octavo Books Printed for and Sold by Luke Meredith at the Angel in Amen-Corner Books written by the Reverend Dr. Patrick THE Christian's Sacrifice A Treatise shewing the Necessity End and Manner of receiving the Holy Communion together with suitable Prayers and Meditations for every Month in the Year and the principal Festivals in memory of our blessed Saviour In Four Parts The Third Edition corrected The devout Christian instructed how to pray and give thanks to God Or a Book of Devotions for Families and particular Persons in most of the concerns of human life The Second Edition in Twelves An Advice to a Friend The Fourth Edition in Twelves A Friendly Debate between a Conformist and a Nonconformist in Octavo Two parts Jesus and the Resurrection justified by Witnesses in Heaven and in Earth in Two Parts in Octavo new The Glorious Epiphany with the devout Christian's Love to it in Octavo new The Book of Job Paraphras'd in Octavo new The whole Book of Psalms Paraphrased in Octavo Two Volumes The Proverbs of Solomon Paraphrased with Arguments to each Chapter which supply the place of Commenting A Paraphrase upon the Books of Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon with Arguments to each Chapter and Annotations thereupon in 8. The Truth of Christian Religion in Six Books written in Latin by Hugo Grotius and now Translated into English with the Addition of a Seventh Book against the present Roman Church in Octavo Search the Scriptures A Treatise shewing that all Christians ought to read the Holy Books with directions to them therein In Three Parts A Treatise of Repentance and of Fasting especially of the Lent Fast In Three Parts A Discourse concerning Prayer especially of frequenting the Daily publick Prayers In Two Parts A Book for Beginners or a Help to Young Communicants that they may be fitted for the Holy Communion and receive it with profit Books written by Jer. Taylor D. D. and late Lord Bishop of Down and Connor DVctor Dubitantium or the Rule of Conscience in Five Books in Folio The Great Exemplar or the Life and Death of the Holy Jesus in Folio with Figures suitable to every Story engrav'd in Copper whereunto is added the Lives and Martyrdoms of the Apostles by W. Cave D. D. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a Collection of Polemical Discourses addressed against the Enemies of the Church of England both Papists and Fanaticks in large Fol. the Third Edition The Rules and Exercises of holy Living and holy Dying the Eleventh Edition newly Printed in Octavo A Collection of Sermons Fol. The Golden Grove a Choice Manual containing what is to believed practised and desired or prayed for the Prayers being fitted to the several days of the Week also Festival Hymns according to the manner of the Ancient Church Books written by the Reverend J. Goodman D.D. THE Penitent pardoned or a Discourse of the Nature of Sin and the Efficacy of Repentance under the Parable of the Prodigal Son A Winter Evening Conference between Neighbours in Three Parts The Old Religion demonstrated in its Principles and described in the Life and Practice thereof A Serious and Compassionate Enquiry into the Causes of the present Neglect and Contempt of the Protestant Religion and Church of England with several seasonable Considerations offered to all English Protestants tending to perswade them to a Compliance with and Conformity to the Religion and Government of this Church as it is Established by the Laws of the Kingdom A Centry of Select Psalms and Portions of the Psalms of David especially those of Praise turn'd into Meter and fitted to the usual Tunes in Parish Churches for the use of the Charter-House London by J. Patrick Preacher there in Octavo new The Sinner impleaded in his own Court wherein are represented the great Discouragements from Sinning which the Sinner receiveth from Sin it self To which is added the signal Diagnostick whereby we are to judge of our own Affections and as well of our present as future State By Tho. Pierce D. D. Dean of Sarum and Domestick Chaplain to King Charles the Second the Fourth Edition in Quarto Go in peace containing some brief Directions for young Ministers in their Visitations of the Sick Useful for the People in their state both of Health and Sickness In Twelves new The Practical Christian in Four Parts Or a Book of Devotions and Meditations Also with Meditations and Psalms upon the Four last things 1. Death 2. Judgment 3. Hell 4. Heaven By R. Sherlock D. D. Rector of Winwick Octavo The Life and Death of King Charles the First By R. Perenchief D. D. Octavo Bishop Cozen 's Devotions in Twelves Les Provinciales The Mystery of Jesuitism discovered in certain Letters written upon occasion of the present Differences at Sorbonne between the Jansenists and Molinists displaying the pernicious Maxims of the late Casuists with Additionals in Octavo Bishop Taylor 's Opuscula The measures of Friendship with five Letters to Persons changed and tempted to a change in their Religion To which is now added his moral Demonstration proving that the Religion of Jesus Christ is from God Price bound 1 s. Twelves The Countess of Morton's daily Exercise or a Book of Prayers and Rules how to spend the time in the Service and Pleasure of Almighty God the Thirteenth Edition 24. THE END