touched my eyes have never been blinded with any Reward I never byassed for friendship nor diverted for hatred for all that know me know I was not of a vindicative nature I do not know for what particulars or by what means you are drawn into an ill opinion of me since I had the honour to sit in that place you sit in Master Speaker in which I served you with all fidelity and candor Many witnesses there are of the good Offices I did you and resumed expressions of Thankfulness from this House for it for the last day I had share in it no man expressed more symbols of sorrow than I did After three days Adjournment the King desired me it might be Adjourned for a few days more whether was it then in his Majesty much less in me to Dissolve the House But the King sent for me to Whitehall and gave me a Message to the House and commanded me when I had delivered the Message forthwith to come to him and if a question was offered to be put he charged me upon my Allegiance I should put none I do not speak this as a thing I do now merit by but it is known to divers men and to some Gentlemen of this House All that I say is but to beseech you to consider what you would have done in this strait betwixt the King my Master and this Honourable House The Shipping business lieth heavy upon me I am far from justifying that my opinion if it be contrary to the Judgment of this House I submit I never knew of it at the first or ever advised any other I was made Chief Justice four days before the Writ went out for the Port I was sworn sixteen days after and the Writs Issued forth without my privity The King Commanded the then Chief Justice the now Chief Baron and my self to look on the Presidents and to certifie him our Opinions what we thought of it That if the whole Kingdom were in danger it was reasonable and fit to lay the Charge for the Defence of it upon the whole Kingdom and not upon the Port only And Commanded the then Chief Justice my self and the now Chief Baron to return him our Opinions Our Opinions were and we thought it agreeable to Law and Reason That if the whole were in danger the whole should contribute This was about Iune In Michaelmas following the King but by no Advice of mine Commanded me to go to all the Judges for their Opinions upon the Case and to Charge them upon their Allegiance to deliver their Opinions but this not as a binding opinion to themselves but that upon better consideration or reason they might alter but only for his Majesties satisfaction and that he must keep it to his own private use as I conceive the Judges are bound by their Oaths to do I protest I never used any promise or threats to any but did only leave it to the Law and so did his Majesty desire That no speech that way might move us to deliver any thing contrary to our Consciences There was no Judge that Subscribed needed sollicitations to it there were that Refused Hutton and Crook Crook made no doubt of this thing but of the introduction I am of opinion that when the whole Kingdom is in danger whereof the King is Iudge the danger is to born by the whole Kingdom When the King would have sent to Hutton for his Opinion the then Lord Keeper desired to let him alone and to leave him to himself That was all the ill office he did in that business February 26. upon command from his Majesty by the then Secretary of State the Judges did assemble in Sergeants-Inn where then that opinion was delivered and afterwards was inrolled in the Star-chamber and other Courts at which time I used the best arguments as I could where at that time Crook and Hutton differed in Opinion not of the thing but whether the King was sole Judge Fifteen months from the first they all Subscribed and it was Registred in the Star-chamber and other Courts The reason why Crook and Hutton Subscribed was because they were over-ruled by the greater number This was all I did till I came to my Argument in the Exchequer where I argued the Case I need not tell you what my Arguments were they are publick about the Town I delivered my self then as free as any that the King ought to Govern by the positive Laws of the kingdom and not alter but by consent of the Parliament and that if he made use of it as a Revenue or otherwise that this judgement could not hold him but never declared that money should be raised I heard you had some hard opinion of me about this secret business it was far from my business and occasions but in Mr. 〈…〉 absence I went to the Justice-seat when I came there I did both King and Commonwealth good service which I did with extream danger to my self and fortunes left it a thing as advantageous to the Commonwealth as any thing else I never went about to overthrow the Charter of the Forrest but held it a sacred thing and ought to be maintained both for the King and People Two Judges then were that held the King by the Common-law might make a Forrest where he would when I came to be Judge I declared my Opinion to the contrary that the King was restrained and had no power to make a Forrest but in his own Demesn lands I know that there is something laid upon me touching the Declaration that came out the last Parliament it is the King's affair and I am bound without his Licence not to disclose it but I hope I shall obtain leave of his Majesty and then I shall make it appear that in this thing I have not deserved your disfavours and will give good satisfaction in any thing I know that you are wise and that you will not strain things to the uttermost sence to hurt me God did not call David a man after his own heart because he had no failings but because his heart was right with God I conclude all this That if I must not live to serve you I desire I may dye in your good opinion and favour A Speech so franck and clear that it might have removed all suspition so pathetick that it might have melted cruelty into compassion so humbly and submissively managed that they could not but pity him who were resolved to destroy him weeping at the pronouncing of it and when it was over Hyena and Crocodile-like shedding tears and bloud in an instant that day Voting the Author a Traitor and without any regard to the honour of his place and trust the reverence of his years the strictness of his profession and life the many services he did that party of whom he was reckoned one and the many favours he received from them the extent of his charity and the exemplariness of his devotion employ their common Messengers to take
John Hutchinson Col. Robert Tichborne Col. Owen Roe Col. Robert Mainwaring Col. Robert Lilburn Col. Adrian Scroop Col. Algernoon Sidney Col. John Moor Col. Francis Lassells Col. Alexander Rigby Col. Edmund Harvey Col. John Venn Col. Anthony Staply Col. Thomas Horton Col. Thomas Hammond Col. George Fenwyck Col. George Fleetwood Col. John Temple Col. Thomas Wait Sir Henry Mildmay Sir Thomas Honywood Thomas Lord Grey Phillip Lord Lisle William Lord Mounson Sir John Danvers Sir Thomas Maleverer Sir John Bourchier Sir James Harrington Sir William Brereton Robert Wallop William Heveningham Esquires Isaac Pennington Thomas Atkins Aldermen Sir Peter Wentworth Thomas Trenchard Jo. Blackstone Gilbert Millington Esquires Sir William Constable Sir Arthur Hasilrigg Michael Livesey Richard Salway Humphrey Salway Cor. Holland Jo. Carey Esquires Sir William Armin John Jones Miles Corbet Francis Allen Thomas Lister Ben. Weston Peter Pelham Jo. Gurdon Esquires Francis Thorp Esq. Serjeant at Law Jo. Nutt Tho. Challoner Jo. Anlaby Richard Darley William Say John Aldred Jo. Nelthrop Esquires Sir William Roberts Henry Smith Edmund Wild John Challoner Josias Berneâ—s Dennis Bond Humphrey Edwards Greg. Clement Jo. Fry Tho. Wogan Esquires Sir Greg. Norton Jo. Bradshaw Esquire Serjeant at Law Jo. Dove Esquire John Fowke Thomas Scot Aldermen Will. Cawley Abraham Burrel Roger Gratwicke John Downes Esquires Robert Nichols Esquire Serjeant at Law Vincent Potter Esquire Sir Gilbert Pickering Jo. Weavers Jo. Lenthal Robert Reynolds Jo. Lisle Nich. Love Esquires Sir Edward Baynton Jo. Corbett Tho. Blunt Tho. Boone Aug. Garland Aug. Skenner Jo. Dixwel Simon Meyne Jo. Browne Jo. Lowry Esq. c. Neither were they only bold enough to Vote among themselves this horrid murther but likewise to try the pulse of the people they Proclaim it first at White-hall Gate and when they saw the people indured that afterwards upon Peters motion who said they did nothing if they did it not in the City at Temple-barr and the Exchange Indeed all was hushed and silent but with a dreadful silence made up of amazement and horror the very Traytors themselves not daring to own their new Treason perswaded the Nation that they would not do even what they were most busie about most people being of opinion that they might fright none thinking they durst against all the reason and religion in the world and the great and dreadful obligations of their own Oaths and Protestations murder Him Yet these aforesaid Assassinates meet in the Painted-chamber become now the Jesuits Chamber of Meditation to consult about the slaughter and being heated by one or two of their Demagogues that perswaded them that the Saints saying that there were 5000. as good Saints in the Army as any were in Heaven should Bind the Kings in Chains and the Nobles with Fetters of Iron beseeching them with bended knees and lift up eyes and hands in the peoples name who yet were ready to have stoned them not to let Benhadad go They dare but guarded strongly by a set of Executioners like themselves to Convene before them Ian. 19. 1648. Charles King of England c. hurried against the Publick Faith given him for his Honor and Safety first to Hurstcastlt to see whether he might be poisoned by the unwholesomness of that place and thence with several affronts not to be indured by any man much less a Prince to a place more unwholesom than Westminster and now to be deprived of his life as he had been before of his kingdoms Here the conspiracy might be seen in a body having lost most of its parts save a few villains that would needs take away the Kings life because they would not beg their own life being one of those courtesies we are unwillingly beholding for so hard it is for a man to trust another for his life who he knoweth is conscious that he deserveth not to injoy it contemptible and little A poor Pettifogger Bradshaw that had taken the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy but three Weeks before leading the Herd as President and the whole Plot in his draught Which after a traiterous Speech of Bradshaws opening their pretended authority and resolution to make inquisition for bloud and the Kings laying his Staffe thrice on brazen-faced Cooks back to hold the Libel was read by a Clerk The Traytors Charge of Treason against their Soveraign consisting of sixteen Traiterous Positions THat the said Charles Stuart being admitted King of England and therein trusted with a limited power to govern by and according to the Laws of the Land and not otherwise And by his Trust Oath and Office being obliged to use the power committed to him for the good and benefit of the people and for the preservation of their Rights and Liberties Yet nevertheless out of a wicked design to erect and uphold in himself and Unlimited and Tyrannical Power to Rule according to his Will and to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the People yea to take away and make void the Foundations thereof and of all redress and remedy of Mis-government which by the Fundamental Constitutions of this Kingdom were reserved on the Peoples behalf in the Right and Power of frequent and successive Parliaments or National meetings in Counsel He the said Charles Stuart for accomplishment of such his designs and for the protecting of himself and his adherents in his and their wicked practises to the same end hath traiterously and maliciously levied war against the Parliament and People therein represented Particularly upon or about the thirtieth day of Iune in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred forty and two at Beverley in the County of York and upon or about the thirtieth day of Iuly in the year aforesaid in the County of the City of York and upon or about the twenty fourth day of August in the same year at the County of the Town of Nottingham when and where he set up his Standard of war and upon or about the twenty third day of October in the same year at Edge-hill and Keinton field in the County of Warwick and upon or about the thirtieth day of November in the same year at Brainford in the County of Middlesex and upon or about the thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred forty and three at Cavesham-bridge near Reading in the County of Berks and upon or about the thirtieth day of October in the year last mentioned at or near the City of Gloucester and upon or about the thirtieth day of November in the year last mentioned at Newbury in the County of Berks and upon or about the one and thirtieth day of Iuly in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred forty and four at Cropredy-bridge in the County of Oxon and upon or about the thirtieth day of September in the year last mentioned at Bodmin and other places adjacent in the County of Cornwall and upon or about the thirtieth day of November in the year
gloriam fortitudinem quae pati tantum potuit THE Life and Death Of the Right Honorable SPENCER Earl of NORTHAMPTON SPencer Compton Earl of Northampton Son to William the first Earl of the Family Created 1618. 16. Iac. by Sir Francis Beaumont the Duke of Buckinghams Uncles Daughter had as many remarkables as he said in his life as there were years to his death He was born at Compton in Warwickshire the very same day and hour that the Powder Traytors were defeated at Dun-church in that County an Omen that that life like Caesars who was born at the defeat of a Tumult should be hazarded for the suppressing of Rebellion that was begun with the suppression of Treason The first step he went by himself was to reach the Kings Picture and the first word he ever spoke was the King an argument he used upon his retirement 1641. to those of the party that had so much as to understand worth and making advantage of his solitude for a tempâ—ation pressed him to a neâ—trality why besides the impossibility of being a Neuter he was resolved to stand by the Soveraignty and Government of his Native Country while he could either speak or stand his parts were so great and his appetite to knowledge so large that it was as much as four several Tutors at Home at Cambridge and in France and Italy each taking his respective hour for the Art and Science he professed to keep pace with his great proficiency the vigor of his soul advantaged by the strong constitution of his body as that was by the temperance of his dyer I am informed that in all his life time he took but one Antidote and never purged but once and then the Physick found no obnoxious humor to work upon so healthful was his temper The symbolizing of their sober and grave temperr rendred him as great a Favorite to Prince Charles as his Cousin the Duke of Buckingham was of King Iames being his Companion at home and an Attendant on him abroad particularly in Spain where I am told he waited upon him in the quality of Master of his Robes and Wardrobe and had the honor to deliver all the Presents made by the Prince there amounting to 64000 l. As he held the Kings Train at the Coronation 1525. as Master of the Robes to his Majesty with the Earl of Denbigh who was Master of the Wardrobe Two things he would have nothing to do with 1. church-Church-lands because his direct Ancestor being not only Chief Gentleman of King Henry the Eighths Bed-chamber but the third man in his favor had not a Shooe-latchet of Abbey-land as there was none in all his ancient paternal estate though saith my Author nothing debarred him save his own abstineâ—ce 2. Inclosures since Captain Powch a poor fellow with a powch wherein he said there was that which would secure his followers though there was nothing in it but a piece of mouldy Cheese with so many thousand people did so much mischief because of Inclosures in Warwick-shire Northampton-shire and Leicester-shire He could not endure jesting with Religion there being no people of what Religion soever but had serious and great thoughts of their Numen nor an oath on any except Judicial and Solemn occasions often repeating that of Prince Henry That he knew no game or Value to be won or lost that was worth an Oath Having been so many years a witness of the Kings Majesties gracious disposition for solong a time had experience of the benefit of his Majesties Government the comfort of the Religion established upon the Faction breaking out of their shell upon the warmth of the present peace and plenty and peeping out of their privacy wherein like the Hedge-hogg they rounded themselves in their prikcles without motion took aim at the government seeing the contracts of the Nobility and tumults of the commonalty walking formerly so ugly they are in themselves with the borrowed face of Religion but now in the heat of their success casting off that cloak break out daily into outrages as much against Policy as Piety as simple as scandalous the licentious having given reins to their loosness are not able to stop themselves he not only dissented from their proceedings in all publick counsels but prepared to second that dissent with Arms wherewith he was the best furnished when there was occasion to make use of them of any Nobleman in England having settled his estate and advanced several thousands towards the publick service making the noblest appearance 1639. against the Scots and the most effectual provision 1642. against the English waiting upon his Majesty to York to advise in the Ardua Regni attest the clearness of his Majesties procedures and vow his assistance as appears by his hand to several publick Declarations from that place from whence summoning as many good Souldiers and honest Gentlemen as were of his acquaintance the one to raise the Country and the other to lead and command by the untained reputation of his name the moderation and sobriety of his principles the exemplary regularity of his person and family the justice and generosity of his dealing with his neighbors and dependants the hospitality and almes of his house the sweetness of his spirit amazed such a Body in Warwick-shire as having seized on the Ordnance at Banbury and marching resolutely against the Lord Brooks checked his Career awed the Country to Allegiance consining that Lord to two or three Garrisons he had suddainly made for his retreat and this notwithstanding a Letter from the Parliament May 30. 1642. to him and such other Lords as they thought most serviceable to his Majesty naming him in the first place and after his generous answer Iune 8. a Charge and Impeachment against him of very great Crimes and Misdemeanors proceeding so vigorously that he in twelve Skirmishes put a great stop to Essex his grand Rendezâ—â—vous at Northampton insomuch as that Essex should say The going away of these sober Lords from us is a great blow not only in regard of thâ—ir interest and reputation but of their vigilance and activity Upon which score hoping to gain them by their worst way of cruelty their kindness they forbear to proclaim my Lord Traytor to render him desperate though in vain as he observed since they had charged him with Misdemeanors that made him irreconcileable Therefore he proceeds securing most of the Armes Ammunition and Garrisons in Warwick-shire Stafford shire and Northampton-shire and settling the Association so as to be able to surnish his Majesty with two thousand of the best disciplined men in all the Kings Army to Keinton-fight and to Besiege Lichâ—ield having made the Country from Garrison to Garrison one Line of Communication when receiving intelligence of â—râ—râ—ton and Gells coming to the Relief of the Place with near four thousand horse and foot he drew out a eleven hundred horse and dragoonsâ— so dextrously that he surprized and routed their house at Hopton heath
Loyal Martyrs because though dying Anno 1640. yet was afterwards fetched out of the Bed of Honour in which the Church had laid him and his Grave made among Hereticks and Pestilent Fellows It was one Branch of Arch-bishop Laud's Charge that he preferred this Professed Arminian to be President of a Colledge in the University Dean of a Cathedral in the Church And he could not have escaped that accepted these preferments He was reckoned a good man of old that new hated And you shall see from a sober person to whom we owe this relation what a good man this is whom the Conspiracy reviled Reviled indeed but basely for when the Arch-bishop answered That he thought Doctor Jackson Learned Honest and Orthodox It was replyed That though Learned and Honest he was an Arminian Bonus vir Cajus sejus in hoc tantum malus quod Christianus A man you will see of whom that Age was not worthy He was descended from a very worthy Family in the Bishoprick of Durham his life seemed to be Consecrated to Vertue and Liberal Arts from his very Child-hood He had a natural propensity â—o Learning from which no other recreation or imployment could divert him he was first designed by his Parents to be a Merchant in New-castle where many of his near Friends and Aliance lived in great wealth and prosperity but neither could that temptation lay hold upon him Therefore at the instance of a Noble Lord the Load Eure he was sent to the Vniversity of Oxford for which highly esteemed favours he returns his solemn thanks in the very first words and entrance of one of his books He was first planted in Queens Colledge under the Care and Tuition of the propound Doctor Grakanthornâ— and from thence removed to Corpus Christi Colledge who although he had no notice of the Vacancy of the Place till the day before the Election yet he answered with so much readiness and applause that he gained the Admiration as well as the Suffrages of the Electors and was Chosen with full consent although they had received Letters of Favour from great Men to another Scholar A sure and honourable argument of the incorruptedness of that place when the peremptory Mandamus of the pious Founder nec prece nec pretio presented with the merits of a young man and stranger shall prevail more then all other solicitations and partialities whatsoever This resolution hath been often assured unto me from one of the Electors yet living Master Iohn Hore of West-hendred a man of reverend years and goodness There was now a welcome necessity laid upon him to preserve the high opinion which was conceived of him which he did in a studious and exemplary life not subject to the usual intemperance of that age Certainly the Devil could not find him idle nor at leisure to have the suggestions of Vice whispered into his Ear. And although many in their youthful times have their deviations and exorbitances which afterwards prove reformed and excellent men yet it pleased God to keep him in a constant path of vertue and piety He had not been long admitted into this place but that he was made more precious and better estimated by all that knew him by the very danger that they were in suddenly to part with him For walking out with others of the younger company to wash himself he was in eminent peril of being drowned The depth closed him round about the weeds were wrapt about his Head He went down to the bottom of the mountains the Earth with her Bars was about him for ever yet God brought his soul from corruption Jonah 2. 5 â— That like Moses from the Flags for the future good of the Churchâ— and government of the Colledge where he lived there might be preserved the meekest man alive or like Ionas There might be a Prophet revived as afterwards he proved to forewarn the people of ensuing destruction if peradventure they might repent and God might revoke the judgments pronounced against them and spare this great and sinful Nation It was a long and almost incredible space of time wherein he lay under water and before a Boat could be procured which was sent for rather to take out his Body before it floated for a decent Funeral then out of hopes of recovery of Life The Boat-man discerning where he was by the Bubling of the Water the last signs of a man expiring thrust down his hook at that very moment which by happy providence at the first essay lighted under his arm and brought him up into the Boat All the parts of his body were swollen to a vast proportion and though by holding his head downward they let forth much water yet no hopes of life appeared Therefore they brought him to the land and lapped him up in the Gowns of his Fellow-Students the best Shrowd that Love or Necessity could provide After some warmth and former means renewed they perceiv'd that life was yet within him conveyed him to the Colledge and commended him to the skill of Doctor Channel an eminent Physician of the same House where with much care time and difficulty he recovered to the equal joy and wonder of the whole Society All men concluded him to be reserved for high and admirable purposes His grateful Acknowledgments towards the Fisher-man and his Servants that took him up knew no limits being a constant Revenue to them while he lived For his thankfulness to Almighty God no heart could conceive nor tongue express it but his own often commemorating the miracle of Divine Mercy in his deliverances and resolving hereafter not to live to himself but to God that raiseth the dead Neither did he serve God with that which cost him nothing I must rank his abundant Charity and riches of his Liberalities amongst the Vertues of his first years as if he would strive with his Friends Patron and Benefactors Vtruum illi largiendo an ipse dispergendo vinceret whether they shall be more bountiful in giving or he in dispersing or that he was resolved to pay the ransome of his life into God's Exchecquer which is the bodies of the poor His heart was so free and enlarged in this kind that very often his Alms-deed made him more rich that received than it left him that gave it His progress in the study of Divinity was something early because as he well considered the journey that he intended was very far yet not without large and good provisions for the way No man made better use of Humane Knowledge in subserviency to the Eternal Truths of God produced more testimonies of Heathens to convert themselves and make them submit the rich Presents of their Wise-men to the Cradle and Cross of Christ. He was furnished with all the learned Languages Arts and Sciences as the praevious dispositions or beautiful Gate which led him to the Temple but especially Metaphysicks as the next in attendance and most necessary handmaid to Divinity which was the Mistress where all
well his care as the first Of a strange counsel that a Lord was reported to give him he said That none durst be so Impudent as to give it him For if they had said he I should have set such a mark upon them as that all Posterity should have known my Intentions by it which was ever to govern by Law and not otherwise He was as faithful of his word to others the reason why he would not grant the Faction all they desired as he was advised because he would make good to them what he granted as it was his Interest others should not be false to him His great word being Leave me to my Conscience and Honour and let what will befall me Trouble not your selves said he when advised to escape from Carisbrooke I have the Parliaments honour pawned for my security I will not dishonour my self by my escape Tell me not were his heroique words to a faithful Counsellour advising him to Expedients to save his Life what I may do to save my Life but what I may do with a safe Conscience God forbid that the safety or being of the Church should depend upon my Life or any mortal mans And I thank God I have a Son that I have reason to believe will love the Church as well as I do And being told his death was resolved on he answered like himself I have done what I can to save my life without losing of my soul I can do I will do no more Gods will be done A King so blessed while left to his own Justice and Government not only in his Family with a Son born May 29. 1630. when a new Star at Noon congratulated his birth the earnest of a more numerous Issue those Props of Empire surer than Armies or Navies but in his Realm with such peace plenty and power ar enabled him to check the greatness of Austria and the insolent Proposals of the King of Sweden To reduce Ireland to such a condition of peace and security as that it paid the charges of its own Government formerly deducted out of the English Exchequer To meditate the repair of St Pauls towards which he got together 146000l. To restore such Scottish Lands and Tythes as had been stollen from the Crown and Church during K. Iames his minority to the Crown with augmentation to the Clergy and ease to the People held in vassalage by their new Landlords reserving those Landlords those Lands to be held of the Crown at a moderate tent and in spight of these and other disaffected persons to ratifie such Laws for Church and State as King Iames had established To furnish out such a Navy as brought the Hollanders notwithstanding Grotius his Mare Librum against which Selden writ Mare Clausum to Caress the King and Queen with presents of Ambergreece and to crave a precarious use of our Seas c. and the Spaniard to coin all his Bullion in our Mint His own people could not wish for more happinesse than they enjoyed unless it were the addition of grace to understand their happinesse grown to such a height as by the necessity of nature which put all things in motion must decline Security increasing the trade arts glory and plenty of the Nation and Justice preserving them the meaner sort might Reverence but need not fear the greatest and the greatest might despise but durst not injure the meanest All Pickaroons and Pirats were forced to their nests and sneaking harbours More Privileges were granted the People than they had since the Conquests as that they should part neither with their money nor lives nor services nor houses without their own consent in Parliament that they should enjoy all the Rights and Liberties they ever had since they were a People that they should have a Parliament every three years that they should fear neither High Commission Star Chamber nor the disposal of their Children and Estates in the Court of Wards and more seeming gratitude a while returned to him than to any Prince before him all his future sufferings being only to set off his orient virtues and to let the wanton people know what a sad thing it is to lose the best of Kings and be given over to the pride and violence of the basest of men to punish our sins with his patience who had an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a constant course of prosperity in himself after a War and overthrow to be judged by all men to deserve that prosperity he wanted yea and to have from God a constant assurance that his prosperity should be the more prosperous for his misfortunes he asking Bishop Iuxon Whether the Blessed above knew any thing of what was done here upon Earth and upon his reply with the Ancients that it was probable they might answering That then his sufferings would be sufficiently recompenced with the knowledge he should have of his Sons prosperity One Night a Wax Mortar such as the King had alwayes by him in his Bed-chamber was as he thought quite extinguished in the Night yet in the Morning burned very clearly to his Majesty and the Right Honourable the Earl of Southampton's wonder that lay in the same Chamber as Gentleman of the Bed-chamber that Night knowing it was really out and that none could come in to light it a presage he afterward applyed thus That though God might suffer his light to be extinguished for a time yet he would at last lighten it again Hear him himself thus discoursing on the various events in his affairs and his prospect of what was to come Upon the various Events of the VVar Victories and Defeats THe various successes of this unhappy War have at least afforded the variety of good meditations Sometimes God was pleased to try me with Victory by worsting my Enemies that I might know how with moderation and thanks to own him and his power who is the only true Lord of hosts able when he pleases to repress the confidence of those who fought against me with so great advantages for power and number From small beginnings on my part he let me see that I was not wholly forsaken by my Peoples love or his protection Other times God was pleased to exercise my Patience and teach me not to trust in the arme of flesh but the living God My sins sometimes prevailed against the Iustice of my cause and those that were with me wanted not matter and occasion for his just chastisement both of them and me Nor were my Enemies less punished by that prosperity which hardned them to continue that injustice by open hostility which was begun by riotous and un-Parliamentary Tumults There is no doubt but personal and private sins may oft-times over-ballance the justice of publick engagements Nor doth God account every gallant Man in the Worlds esteem a fit instrument to assert in the way of War a righteous cause The more men are prone to arrogate to their own skill valour and strength the lesse
Crimes you see answered when named made up into a Charge that was its own Reply and therefore barely set down by me without any reflection save their own nature and self-confutation What is ridiculous need only be shewed But hear the good man himself that had so often interceded for others to God pleading for himself before men I. To his Charge in General My Lords MY being in this place in this condition recalls to my memory that which I long since read in Seneca Tormentum est etiamsi absolutus quis fuerit causam dixisse 6. de Benef. c. 28. 'T is not a grief only no 't is no less than a torment for an ingenuous man to plead Capitally or Criminally though it should so fall out that he be absolved The great truth of this I finde at present in my self and so much the more because I am a Christian and not that only but in Holy-orders and not so only but by Gods grace and goodness preferred to the greatest place this Church affords and yet brought Causam dicere to plead for my self at this Bar. And whatsoever the world think of me and they have been taught to think much more ill of me then I humbly thank Christ for it I was ever acquainted with yet My Lords this I finde Tormentum est 't is no less than a torment to me to appear in this place Nay my Lords give me leave to speak plain truth No sentence that can justly pass upon me and other I will never fear from your Lordships can go so near me as Causam dicere to plead for my self upon this occasion and in this place For as for the Sentence be it what it shall I thank God for it I am for it at Saint Pauls ward Acts 25. 11. If I have committed any thing worthy of death I refuse not do dye For I thank God I have so lived as that I am neither afraid to dye nor ashamed to live But seeing the Malignity which hath been raised against me by some men I have carried my very life in my hands these divers years past But yet my Lords if there be none of these things whereof they accuse me though I may not in this Case and from this Bar appeal unto Caesar yet to your Lordships Iustice and Integrity I both may and do not doubting but that God of his goodness will preserve my innocency And as Iob in the midst of his affliction said to his mistaken Friends so shall I to my Accusâ—râ— God forbid I should justifie you till I dye I will not remove my Integrity from me I will hold it fast and not let it go my heart shall not reproach me as long as I live Job 22. 5. My Lords the Charge against me is brought up in ten Articles but the main heads are two An endeavor to subveâ—t the Laws of the Land and the Religion established Six Articles the fift first and the last concern the Laws and the other four Religion For the Laws first I think I may safely say I have been to my understanding as strict an observer of them all the days of my life so far as they concern me as any man hath and since I came into place I have followed them and been as much gâ—ided by them as any man that sat where I had the honor to sit And of this I am sorry I have lost the testimony of the Lord Keeper Coventry and other persons of Honor since dead And the Council which attended at the Council-board can witness some of them here present that in all references to the Board or debates arising at the Board I was for that part of the cause where I found Law to be and if the Council desired to have the cause left to the Law well I might move in some cases Charity or Conscience to them but I left them to the Law if thither they would go And how such a carriage as this through the whole course of my life in private and publick can stand with an intention to overthrow the Laws I cannot yet see Nay more I have ever been of opinion That Laws binde the Conscience and have accordingly made Conscience of observing them and this doctrine I have constantly preached as occasion hath been offered me and how is it possible I should seek to overthrow those Laws which I held my self bound in Conscience to keep and observe As for Religion I was born and bred up in and under the Church of England as it stands established by Law I have by Gods blessingâ— grown up in it to the years which are now upon me and to the place of Preferment which I now bear I have ever since I have understood ought in my profession kept one constant tenor in this my profession without variation or shifting from one opinion to another for any worldly ends And if my conscience would have suffered me to do so I could easily have slid through all the difficulties which I have prest upon me in this kinde But of all diseases I have held a Palsey in Religion most dangerous well knowing and remembring that disease often ends in a dead Palsie Ever since I came in place I have laboured nothing more than that the external publick worship of God so much slighted in divers parts of this Kingdom might be preserved and that with as much decency and uniformity as might be for I evidently saw that the publick neglect of Gods service in the outward face of it and the nasty lying of many places dedicated to that Service had almost cast a damp upon the true and inward worship of God which while we live in the body needs exterial helps and all little enough to keep it in any vigor And thus I did to the uttermost of my knowledge according both to Law and Canon and with the consent and liking of the people nor did any Command issue out from me against the one or without the other Further my Lords give me leave I beseech you to acquaint you with this also that I have as little acquaintance with Recusants as I believe any man of my place of England hath or ever had sithence the Reformation and for my kindred no one of them was ever a Recusant but Sir William Web Grandchild to my Unkle Sir William Web sometimes Lord Mayor of London and since which some of his Children I reduced back again to the Church of England On this one thing more I humbly desire may be thought on That I am fallen into a great deal of obloquie in matter of Râ—ligion and that so far as appears by the Articles against me that I have indeavoured to advance and bring in Popery Perhaps my Lords I am not ignorant what party of men have raised these scandals upon me nor for what end nor perhaps by whom set on but howsoever I would fain have a good reason given me if my conscience stood that way and that with my
attended all those even the meanest that went to it for their Conscience When 1660. that year of his faith and prayers came no doubt he had his choice whether he would accept that Bishoprick he had in Ireland or an equal dignity in England that which would have been the argument of anothers refusal was the very reason of his choice even the difficulty of the service and the sad state of that Church and so he underwent that rudeness there to the danger of his life from those under him that he had here from those above him notwithstanding which he went on with continual Sermons to feed the peoples souls and not their humors a wholesom Discipline that struck at their pertinacy not their persons and even course of Holiness and Devotion made up of Fasting and Prayer whereby he did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 teach by the pattern of his Life as well as the rules of his Doctrine a generous and magnificent hospitality entertaining all his Diocess civilly that so unworthily not knowing him till they had lost him entertained him a diffusive charity demonstrating that he sought them not theirs to poor Widows young Catechists hopeful Scholars needy Gentlemen and others his Pensioners at Derry Dublin and Faughen in Ireland Glascow in Scotland London Oxford and Cambridge in England by which and other parts of his Pastoral cares his body and spirits were so wasted with pains and study in five years that repairing as a Peer to a Parliament in Dublin 1665. he brought death in his face thither and preparing himself very late on Christmas Eve that year for a Sermon on Hag. 2. 7. and Sacrament the following day at St Brides in the same City he felt it by a Paroxism seizing his heart whereof he died the Friday after having received the holy Eucharist so chearfully as one assured of Life having lived as one assured of Death saying Thy will be done in earth in terra mea with a Pathetick emphasis in my Body being a pure Virgin espoused only to Christ and besides that he laid out 5000 l. per annum since he was Bishop in charitable uses and 200 l. per annum in Buildings he bequeathed his whole Estate save some of his best Folio Books given to St. Iohns Coll. Oxon. to furnish their Library and an 100l towards the building of their Founders Tomb. To the poor to whom he never gave any out of his purse in a Contribution of Charity but such his huge ingenuity as well as his goodness he gave something of himself also in a compassionate pity yea and something of his Office too in a Benediction and Prayer Dr. Warmestry a Scholar of Westminster Student of Christ-church and at last Dean of Worcester for which Diocess he was Clerk in the two Convocations 1640. In the first warily avoiding what might be offensive to the people at that time as the sitting of the Convocation after the Parliament and the making of new Canons when the people could not be brought to observe the old ones And in the second offering expedients to remove what had been so according to the Levitical Law covering the pit which they had opened yet he that was so fearful to offend the multitude while there was any hope of them in things that her judged circumstantial and prudential was not affraid to be undone by them when they grew desperate for those things that he understood were essential He was the Almoner-general of the noble Loyalists the Confessor-general of Loyal Martyrs and the Penitentiarygeneral for visiting the sick very zealous in converting Infidels very industrious in reclaiming the loose very careful in comforting the sad satisfying the doubtful and establishing the wavering very careful in preparing his flock for the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and for death and very cautious against giving any offence He died at Worcester 1665. out-doing the Faction at their own Bow Preaching Mr. Humphrey Sydenham born a good Gentleman at Dalverton in Somersetshire bred Fâ—llow of Wadham Colledge in Oxford so eloquent a Preacher as it seems by his The Athenian Babler and other admirable Sermons since published that he was commonly called The Silver-tongued Sydenham but withal so honest a man that he was in danger of being turned out in these times as not fit its the phrase of the times to Preach the Gospel As if wit could be better imployed any way than to please men to heaven and it were not as lawful to rescue that Divine thing as well as Temples Altars Sacrifices from Satans service who hath usurped it so many ages to serve lusts to gods who gave it to save souls He died about 1651. happy in having the Tongue of Men and Angels and Charity too so that now he speaks Mysteries and Revelations Dr. Michael Hudson a Gentleman of great parts and greater courage hazarding himself to discover the strength of most of the Parliament Garrisons attempting many of them and taking some being best acquainted with the ways and passes of England of any person in his Majesties Army The reason why he conducted him so safely having made many journeys before between Newcastle and Oxford about the terms of his security there through his enemies quarters to the Scots at Newcastle and his Letters so securely to the Queen in France till he was betrayed by a Cavaleer Captain into his Enemies hands who imprisoned him three quarters of a year in London House and after an escape thence a year in the Tower whence being permitted to take Physick in London he got out after a shrewd design to have taken the Tower with a Basket of Apples on his Head in a disguise to the King at Hampton-Court and from thence to Lincolnshires where he raised a party for his Majesty having engaged the Gentry of Norfolk and Suffolk in the like design 1648. In the head of which after quarter given he was killed barbarously Iune 6. at Wood-craft-house near Peterborough in Northamptonshire being thrown down when his Head was cloven asunder into a Mote and when he caught hold of a Spout to save himself as he was falling a Halbertier cuts off his Fingers as others now he was fallen into the Water Swimming with one half of his Head over his Eyes and begging to dye at Land knocked him on the Head cutting off his Tongue and Teeth and carrying them about the Country the Trophies of their shame but his immortal honor who besides his life lost 2000 l. in a personal estate and 900 l. a year leaving his Wife and Children to the charity of noble persons himself being not vouchsafed a grave till an Enemy of more wit and charity than his fellows said Since he is dead let him be buried THE Life and Death OF Sir RICHARD GURNEY Sometime Lord Mayor of London SIR Richard Gurney Knight and Baronet born April 17. 1577. at Croydon in Surrey was by his Majesty King Charles I. honored with this Title that he might be a pattern