scorne and derision of the world by selling them to those Plantations a punishment inflicted usually on none but thieves and vagabonds Yet I hope those Noble soules who were thus dealt withall account those miseries and hardships they have endured but little in respect of the cause for which they suffered them But to return to our Princes abroad The Duke of Glocester in his journy from Paris with the Marquess of Ormond touched at the Hague where he found his Sister newly returned from her journey with his Majesty and having staid with her some time there she accompanied him to visit their Brother the King again at Colen with whom she staid till after the fair at Frankford whither his Majesty accompanied with his Royal Sister the Duke of Glocester the Marquess of Ormond the Earle of Norwich the Lord Newburg and several Ladies and persons of Quality went in progress part of the way they went by Land and the other part by water being complemented in all Princes countries through which they passed by their chief Ministers of State and saluted with the great Guns from their Towns Castles but particularly being come into the Territories of the Elector of Mentz they were saluted by his grand Marshall who in the name of his Master the Elector invited his Majesty the Princess Royall the Duke of Glocester to his Court but in regard that the intent of their progress was to see that renowned Fair at Franckford which now drew nigh his Majesty sent the Lord Newburgh back with the grand Marshal returning thanks to the Elector for his civilities but desiring to be excused till their return when his Majesty with his Royal Sister Brother would not Faile to come and give him thanks in person and so his Majesty with his Noble company continued their journy Being arrived at Frankford advice was brought to his Majesty that the Queen of Swethland who had some time before Voluntarily surrendered her Kingdom into the hands of Carolus Gustavus her Kinsman was passing that way in her intended Journey for Italy whereupon his Majesty sent a Noble Lord to acquaint her Royall Highness the Queen Christina that he was ready to wait upon her at what place soever she should be pleased to appoint for an interview her Majesty received the message with a great deal of affection telling the Messenger That she was highly obliged to his Majesty of England for so great an honour and that if he pleased she would not fail to meet him at Conningstein a village not far from Frankford where his Majesty for the time resided And accordingly there these two Potentates both equally deprived of their Kingdomes only with this distinction the one Voluntary the other by force and Tyranny met the Queen of Sweden being there first attended his Majesty he being come was immediately admitted in a room there purposely provided and having had neer halfe an hours private discourse with her the Duke of Glocester was admitted and presently after the Lords that attended his Majesty there passing between their two Majesties many ceremonious complements so after a little longer discourse they took their leaves The Princesse Royal being a little indisposed went not to this interview His Majesty having tarried at Franckford as long as seem'd convenient to that Royall Company in his departure thence according to the promise he had before made by the Lord Newburgh passed through the Elector of Mentz his Country resolving to give him a visit but that Noble Prince had so much of honour in him that he met his Majesty a great part of the way and conducted him with his Royall Company to a Pallace of his where he sumptuously entertained them for three or four dayes and then himself in person accompanied them a good part of their way to Colen from whence shortly after his Majesties arrival there the Princess Royal departed for Holland In the mean time the Protector of England having made a peace with the Hollander fearing that the Nation should grow rebellious to him if they lay free from wars which would fill their purses resolves to keep them low at a diet to which effect he begins a war with Spain at first in his Western Territories but soon after that business not succeeding in his Europaean Quarters which made Mazarine with all hast possible endeavour the concluding the Leageu Offensive and Defensive with the Protector which being by him considered to be as beneficiall for his own interest as for the French was easily and willingly assented to but the chief Articles of this Peace was that his Majesty the Duke of York and Glocester with all their relations and friends should be expelled out of and no more admitted into the Kingdom of France Certainly had the French King had but the least touch or sense of honour he would have counted this the hardest condition in the world or indeed he would never at all have treated with the protector but that he should yeild to such a condition as to banish out of his Kingdome those who came to him for succour and relief in the utmost extreamity that ever Princes were put too and these too his nearest relations being Brothers Sisters children And this to make a league offensive with him who had murdered their Father expelled them out of their Dominions What was this but the owning of that murder and aggravating their oppressions instead of relieving them But neither honour nor relation can stand in competition with self-Interest His Maiesty had before fore-saw what the event of this treaty would be and had therefore wisely wihdrawn himselfe from France to prevent a complemental expulsion But the Duke of York who in regard of the great command which he had in the Army had staid there til the conclusion of the League was now warned to depart with al his retinnue consisting of a gallant number of young English gentlemen bred up under his valour conduct notwithstanding those many great services which he had performed for that Kingdom in requitall of which he had only a complemental Apology made him for the necessity of his departure and a small time respited for his stay during which he was visited by the Duke of Modena then in France and other French Grandees but more espetially by the Marshal of Turine who extreamly loved him and above all others expressed a sorrow for his dismisment but at length the day perfixed being come his grace having solemnly taken his leave of the King of France the Queen his Mother the rest of his Friends at the French Court he takes his journey towards Flanders accompanied by the Earl of Yarmouth severall other English Lords For upon the rupture of the Peace between Oliver Cromwell and the King of Spain Don John de Austria Governour Royall of the Low Countries for his Catholick Majesty commiserating our Kings unfortunate Condition now that his Interest might stand them in some stead had sent the
THE HISTORY OF His SaCRed Majesty CHARLES the II. KING of England Scotland France Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Begun from the Murder of his Royall Father of Happy Memory continued to this present year 1660. By a Person of Quality Bona agere mala pati Regium est CORK Reprinted by William Smith Anno Dom 1660. To the Right Honourable HENRY Lord Marquess of DORCHESTER Earl of Kingston Viscount Newark Lord Pierrepoint and Manvers c. Right Honourable IT was not upon long Considerations but easie resolutions that I pitched upon your Lordship determined to presume upon your patronage of this small review of the actions of his SACRED MJESTY whose hard fortunes may now demand a Subjects protection since I could no where else find a person who bears so great a name of true Honour and Generosity nor one whose assured loyalty will make him lesse ashamed or afraid to owne his Prince And indeed my Lord when I looked upon these Nations once I may say almost peopled with Nobles and now in a great measure deprived both of her Nobility and Gentry 't was easie for me to find out the Prime of those remaining which a small search told me was your Lordship who though you have been no whit behind the foremost in Loyalty yet God hath been pleased to make others drinke deeper in the Cup of affliction then your selfe But all those miseries which either your Lordship or other loyal persons have suffered cannot come in competition with those undergon by his SACRED MAJESTY who hath drunk up the very dregs of the Cup and suffered more then can be well spoken yet all with so incomparable a patience as worthily deserves our wonder My Lord you are amongst the Prime of the Nobility which God hath yet been pleased to spare this miserable Nation as you are so I could not think any person fitter for the patronage of this small piece since both your loyalty may make you willing and your power able to protect it If I have soar'd too high either in the subject or dedication I shall humbly crave your Lordships pardon and answer to the first That I was willing to vindicate my Sovereign as far as in me lay from those many reproaches and calumnies cast upon him by his back-biting enemies by giving the best account that either my own knowledge or the surest intelligence I could get might enable me to of all his actions that he might appear the contrary of what he is represented dirt be cast in the faces of his Accusers To the second I wholly cast my selfe on your Lordship either to pardon or condemn But if my Love to his Majestie may in the judgements of some have strained my pen too much in his favour I desire it may be imputed not to my intent but passion for the unworthy sufferings of so worthy a Prince would irritate any loyall Subject My Lord whilst yotr Lordship shall be gratiously pleased to patronize this small worke that GOD would be pleased to restore his Majesty to be Patron of his Kingdoms and people and blesse your Lordship with all imaginary blessings shall be the daily prayers of Your Lordships most humble Servant I. D. To the Right Honourable Major General Richard Brown Colonel of the Regiment of horse of the City of London Alderman John Robinson Colonel of the Green Regiment of the Cities Trained Bands Ald. Anthony Bateman Col. of the Red. Ald. Will. Wale Col. of the White William Vincent Col. of the Blew Thomas Bludworth Col. of the Orange and Lawrance Bromfield Col. of the Yellow Right Honourable MAlice and error are the Epidemical diseases of our time and land so that whoever as a friend to his Country shall presume to discover any thing of a spirit of Love or truth is likely to exasperate not a few That I trust both the Author and my selfe the Stationer have endeavoured to do and therefore must expect to meet with the hard censures and Calumnies of many yea even of such of whom we have no worse thoughts then that they suffer themselves to be abused with popular mistakes and unnecessary jealousies concerning that most Christian and Illustrious though now clouded Prince the subject of the following Book Whose eares according to the Ephesians Hieroglyphick of Calumny have been opened too wide to the malevolent aspertions of ignorant and illinterested persons and are therefore prejudiced against every relation that may represent him to the World as lovely and desirable We know Themistocles had the unhappy sate to be rendred odious to the people by Aristides gallant persons both but the latter under a mistake These we pity rather then be angry at them and desire to cure them of their beloved distemper by presenting them with this succinct faithfull History But yet that I may not be altogether unprovided of a shelter if the storm of their zealous frenzie should chance to fall upon me besides a recourse to my own integrity which Ianus-like will make me Tanto frontosior quanto innocentior I humbly crave a room under the shadow of your wings where I question not but to lye safe Your honours have taken a charge upon you which obliges you to maintain the publick and common good interest of this Land and City where Res est publica Caesar Et de communi pars quoque nostra bono est Therefore to patronize the recommendation of his virtues for imitation and of his sufferings for commiseration cannot be unworthy your honours which is the humble desire of Your Humble and Obedient Servant JAMES DAVIES To all loyal Englishmen Gentlemen and fellow-Subjects I Here present you an History which though now you may confident I am you very lately could not in reason expect such was the perversnesse and crookedness of these times that no loyal subject might without danger attempt to write nay hardly to speak the truth of his Soveraign for a sort of men there were who having by violence usurped his Dominions though that they had no surer ground to maintain their unjust possession then by scandalizing his most SACRED MAIESTY and deceiving of his Subjects many of whom had not but by such deceites converted their loyalty into Treason Yet GOD I hope will now be pleased to return them to their Allegiance and give encourragement to those who have constantly continued loyal that they may at length once more enjoy hapinesse and every man sit under his own Vine and under his own fig-tree which the GOD of HEAVEN be praised we have now greater hopes of then ever If I have in this History offended any loyal person I am hartily grieved I have impartially endeavoured the truth and if I be found in the contrary reason will easily convince me and I shall be sory that neither my knowledge or intelligence extended to a more narrow search I think I have represented his Majesty no otherwise then any loyal person for this age requires
Souldiers I am loath to judge this mighty Army then beleaguring Dublin was beat from before it by the besieged and utterly routed by the third part of its Number This overthrow the repulse of Sir Robert Stuart and Col. Mervin from London-Derry by Sir Charles Coot and Cromwell's suddain landing in Ireland whose motion now there was no field Army either to attend or oppose made his Majesties affairs grow almost as desperate in Ireland as they were before in England But the Scots Kirk who had sold their King into the hands of the Independant English Army after they heard that they had condemned him to death repent them of their Wickedness wash their hands from any guilt in his bloud Expostulate with the English siting in Parliament about their so severe proceedings and protest against having any hand in his Murther and to make the world believe they had yet some touch of loyalty within them they had just after his death proclaimed Charles Prince of Wales eldest Son to the late murthered King Charles the first and his lawfull and undoubted Heir King of Great Britain France and Ireland and had immediately resolved in the Committee of Estates then sitting to send some fitting persons to treat with his Majesty about sundry Articles before his reception to the Crown but long debates and demurs there were in the businesse before they could resolve what whom to send For some there were in this Grand Committee of Estates who fee'd or seduced by the Sectaries in England impeaded to the utmost of their power and endeavours all proceedings in the businesse so that once in stead of debating what or whom they should send to his Majesty it came to be a debate whether they should send or no but at length a Letter and Propositions was by the prevailing part concluded on and Mr. Windram Laird of Libberton appointed to be the Messenger who on the 25. of September 1649. received his dispatches and some time after arrived before his Majesty at Iersey The chief of their desires was to this effect That his Majesty would gratiously be pleased himselfe to sign the Solemn League Covenant and that he would passe an Act in Parliament that every person in that Kingdome might takeit That he would passe divers Acts of the Parliament of Scotland which was concluded on the two last Sessions 1. For approving of their disclaiming Duke Hamilton 's last return 2. For receiving severall Acts made by English for the Militia 3. That the Kings of Scotland may have no negative voice 3. That his Majesty would recall the late Commissions given to Montrosse 4. That he would put away all Papists from about him 5. That he would appoint some place about Holland to treat with their Commissioners An honourable Company of the most noble Lords in Scotland being to be appointed to attend his Majesty to whom likewise they would send a sufficient provision to maintain him a train sutable to his birth and deserved greatnesse 6. That he would be gratiously pleased to give a speedy answer to their desires These Propositions were very stifly debated Pro and Con some were so firce that they would have his Majesty utterly reject the Scots Propositions as dishonourable disadvantagious to his affaires Others were of opinion that it would more conduce to the Kings interest to accept of such Conditions as he could agree with the Scotch Commissioners which would be a readier way to attain the Crown then by Montrosse his designs who had lately received Commissions from the King to assault the North of Scotland with what force he could raise however the business was still demurred and delayed and no answer for a good while given to the Lord Libberton who earnestly prest it till such time as answer could come from Montross then in Holland and out of France touching their opinions concerning these Propositions concerning which Montross returned answer to his Majesty desiring him to harken to the Scotch Commissioners whilst they would propose agree to any thing which might stand with his Majesties honour for the restoring him to his Rights and Dignities That for himselfe he should rather be content to endure banishment from his highnesse sight and person then in the least prejudice his affaires Thus this faithfull and loyall servant courted banishment as the late famous Earle of Strafford had done death for his Masters good service but too generous was he and had too great a sence of goodnesse gratitude to grant his request but returned him this answer That he had so high a sence of his fidelity and loyalty all along and that he had performed so many signal services both for his Father and himselfe that he could not in honour leave him and therefore desired him to press him no farther The Queen Mother likewise earnestly presses her son to the acceptance of the Scotch Propositions for a Treaty as the onely and readiest way for the establishing him in his Kingdoms These resolves of his Mother and the Marquess of Montross wrought strongly with his Majesty yet notwithstanding they are as stoutly opposed by the Lord. Cleveland Byron Gerard others whose chief opposition proceeded from the alledged Treachery of the Scots to his Father That they were Scots still and might practice the same upon him But the majority of voices carrying it fora Treaty it was resolved on yet in regard it would require some time to frame an answer Sir William Fleming was sent Agent to the Committee of Estates in Scotland 'till such time as the Laird Libberton could be dispatc't Short time after Mr. Windram returned into Scotland with a Letter and instructions by word of mouth whereby he gave the Committee of Estates who having long expected were therefore more desirous to hear what he now brought an account how much he found his Majesty compliant to their Propositions viz That as to what acted to the two last Sessions of Parliament he was content a Generall Act of Oblivion should be passed but could not approve it That neither those of Montrosses nor Duke Hamilton 's party in his last engagement should bear Office in State without consent of Parliament That he had appointed Breda in Holland for the place of a solemn Treaty for the making a full accomodation and agreement between him and his loving Subjects of Scotland The Contents of his Letter were as followeth For the Committee of Estates of Scotland CHARLES R. VVE have received your Letters lately presented to us by Mr. Windram of Libberton and we accept gratiously all the expressions of affection and fidelity therein contained towards us with your tender resentment of our present Condition and the just indignation which you profess to have against the execrable Murther of our Father and we believe that your intentions are full of Candor towards us as we are and always really have been desirous to settle a clear and right intelligence between us and our Subjects of our ancient
Ordinances of this Parliament passed or to be passed enjoyning the same in my other Dominions And that I shall observe these in mine own practice Family shall never make opposition to any of those or endeavour any change thereof The King having thus solemnly sworn the Nationall covenant the solemn League and Covenant with the oath subjoined was by him under written in the presence of them all which done the King ascended the other Stage and sat down in the Throne Then the Lords great Constable and Marshall went to the four corners of the Stage Lyon king at Arms going before them who spake these words to the people Sirs I do present unto you the King CHARLES the Rightfull and undoubted Heir of the Crown Dignitie of this Realm this day is by the Parliament of this Kingdom appointed for his Coronation And are you not willing to have him for your King and become subject to his commandements At this Action the King stood up and shewed himselfe to the people round about who expressed their consent by their joyfull acclamations crying God save King CHARLES the Second Then his Majesty descended from his Throne into the Chair where he sat to hear the Sermon of whom the Minister accompanied with some others of his tribe demand if he were willing to take the Coronation Oath according as it was contained in the eight Act of the first Parliament of King James the VI. his Royall Grandfather The King answered he was most willing Then was the oath read aloud by Lyon king at Armes in these words Because that the increase of Virtue suppressing Idolatry craveth that the Prince and people be of one perfect Religion which of GOD'S mercy is now presently professed within this Realm Therefore it is statuted and ordained by our Soveraigne Lord the Lord Regent and three Estates of this present Parliament that all Kings Princes and Magistrates whatsoever holding their place which hereafter at any time shall happen to reign bear rule over this Realm at the time of their Coronation and receit of their Princely Authority make their faithfull promise in the presence of the eternall God That enduring the whole course of their lives they shall serve the same Eternall God to the utmost of their power according as he hath required in his most holy Word revealed and contained in the new and old Testaments according to the same words shall maintaine the true Religion of Christ Jesus the preaching of his holy Word and the due and right ministration of the Sacraments now received and preached within this Realm and shall abolish gainstand all false Religions contrary to the same and shall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will command of God revealed in his foresaid Word and according to the laudable Laws and Constitutions received in this Realm no wayes repugnant to the said Word of the Eternal GOD and shall procure to the utmost of their power to the Kirk of GOD whole Christian people true and perfect peace in time coming The rights and rents with all just Priviledges of the Crown of Scotland to preserve and keep inviolated neither shall they transfer or alienate the the same They shall forbid and repress all in all estates and Degrees Leases Oppression and all kind of Wrong in all Judgement They shall command and procure that Justice and Equity be kept to all Creatures without exception as the Lord and Father of mercies be merciful unto them And out of their Lands and Empire they shall be careful to root out all Hereticks and enemies to the true worship of God that shall be convict by the true Kirk of GOD of the aforesaid Crimes that he shall faithfully affirm the things above written by the solemn Oath The Oath thus read the Minister tendred it to the King who kneeling holding up his right hand sware thus By the Eternal and Almighty GOD who liveth and reigneth for ever I shall observe and keep all that is contained in this Oath Then was the King disrobed by the Lo. Chamberlain berlain of the Princely Robe with which he entred the Church and vested with his Royal Robes and so supported as before he removed to the Chair placed on the North side of the Kirk whither the sword was first brought from the table by Sir William Cockburn of Langtown Gentleman-usher who delivers it to the great Chamberlain and he making a short speech delivers it to his Majesty by whom it was given into the great Constable's hands and by him girt to the King's side Then his Majesty sitting down in the Chair the spurs are put on him by the Earl Marshall After which Archibald Marquesse of Argyle takes the Crown into his hands and after a short prayer made by the Minister put it upon his Majesties head which done Lyon King at Arms the great Constable standing by him called the Nobility one by one who came all and kneeling and touching the Crown upon the Kings head with their right hand Swore thus By the Eternall and Almighty God who liveth and raigneth for ever I shall support thee to the uttermost The obligatory Oath was likewise read to the people they holding up their hands Lastly after the Earls of Craford Lindsey had deliver'd his Majesty the Scepter he returned again to the Stage where he was installed in the Throne by the Marquess of Argyle and after a short exhortation of Master Robert Douglass returned to the Pallas with the Crown upon his head in the same manner as he came This is a full relation of the ceremonies performed at his Majesties Coronation at Scone on the first of January 1650 which I the rather fully insert because the World may take notice of those hard Covenant Pills which the Kirk-men made him swallow Presently after the coronation the King Nobles return'd in a most solemn manner to S. Iohns town the Kings Majesty having a guard to attend him confisting of most Lords and Gentlemens sons and the Lord Lorne son to the Marquesse of Argyle was made Captaine of it And now his Majesty intends with all possible speed the raising of an Army for the Scots having had all this while no Army on the other side the Fife to oppose the English proceedings they had reduc'd all places there under their force even Edenbrough Castle it selfe to which effect he orders his Standard to be set up at Aberdeen himselfe nobly resolving to be Generalissimo of this army the other general commands were now given as well to the Royallists as Presbyterians For Duke Hamilton was made Lieut. General of the Army and Middleton Lieut. General of the Horse The Levies came in a pace to the general Randezvouze which was appointed on the East part of Fife whither his Majesty in person went to encourage his Souldiers whom he found both increasing in their numbers and much rejoyced at his presence The Parliament of Scotland which had
their Allegiance to his Son their lawfull and native Sovereign or out of an ambition by joining with their Scotish Brethren which I am loath to judge to get the Power again into their hands which was snatch'd from them by the Independant English Army and the Juncto of Sectaries in England they had laid a designe to raise both a contribution of money and levy men for his Majesty's assistance here but their Plot was betrayed by the intercepting of Letters in a ship forced by foul weather into Ayre in Scotland but bound with provisions for the Isle of Man whereupon the chief undertakers in London were apprehended viz. Mr. Cook Mr. Gibbons Mr. Christopher Love Mr. Jenkins D. Drake and others of which two viz. Mr. Gibbons and Mr. Love was condemned by a high Court of Justice and suffered death on the Tower hill for that cause against which they had once so strongly declar'd But to return again to the cheif Scene in Scotland The English Army had long had a desire to bring the Scots to a field battel which his Majesty upon sundry good reasons serious advice declin'd so Cromwell endeavoured to the utmost of his power to force them to it therefore several times fac'd his Majesty's Army which lay encamped at Torwood within three miles of Sterling but could not yet draw them out of their trenches the chief reason being imagin'd to proceed from their stay for Argyle Huntley and Seaforth who were gon into their several Territories to compleat the King's Levies Cromwell perceiving that he could not draw the Scots to a field-battel upon a sudden draws off his Army and transports fixteen hundred Foot and foure Troopes of Horse over unto Fife on such a sudden that it startled his Majesties whole Army And Cromwell with an unparallel'd expedition faces again the Royal Army with a resolution to fall upon their rear if they should attempt a motion thetherwards but they offered not to stir for already order had been given to Sir Iohn Brown Governour of Sterling to march with four thousand Horse and Foot to drive out that party of Cromwell's which were already landed in Fife of which intelligence being brought Lambart and Okye with two Regiments of Horse and two of Foot are with all possible haste wafted over to reinforce the party already there with which additionall supply of men they routed Sir Iohn Brown who expected none but the first landed party taking himself and several other officers of quality prisoners and killing two thousand upon the place and taking near 1200. prisoners and shortly after Cromwell transports most of his Army over the Fife and resolving to stop the passage which the Scots had over by Sterling marches to S. Iohnstons and takes it almost upon summons Hs Majesty seeing the English Army was advanced so far Northward thought it in vain to attempt the forcing them back knowing that the Scots naturally fights better in anothers then in their own Conntry resolves toadvanc with all possible speed into England where he yet hoped not withstāding the discovery of the design to find some Loyal souls to joyn with him for the Recovery of his right and Kingdomes Many were there who opposed this intention of his Majesty and among those Duke Hamilton was one of the chiefest whose dislike may sufficiently appear by his Letter to Mr. Crofts after their Advance to this effect We are now laughing sayes he at the rediculousness of our present State We have quit Scotland being scarce able to maintain it and yet we grasp at all and nothing but all will satisfie us or to lose all I confess I cannot tell whether our hopes or fears are greatest but we have one stout argument Despair for we must now either stoutely fight or dye all the Rogues have left us I shall not say whether out of fear or disloyalty but all now with his Majesty are such as will not dispute his Commands But notwithstanding his dislike his other oppositiōs yet the Kings resove takes place and on July the 31. 1651. his Majesties Army began to advance from Terwood near Sterling steering their course dirirectly for England which they entred six dayes after by way of Carlisle This march of the Royall Army made Cromwell with the greatest part of his forces immediately recrosse the Frith and forth with send Major General Lambert with a select party of Horse and Dragoons to fall upon the Rear of his Majesties Army whilst they hop'd that Major General Harrison then lying neer the borders with about three thousand Horse and Dragoons would attach them in the Front shortly after himselfe followed with the rest of the Army which could be spar'd amounting to about eight compleat Regiments of Foot and two of Horse But then this greater preparation is made against him in England for the Juncto then fitting at Westminster not onely interdicted all aid or assistance either of men or moneys to be given to his Majesty under the penalty of High Treason but also in all or most of the Countrys had caused a numerous force to be raised the Church-Militia of the City of London being likewise sent out against him and for the present impeading of his march two thousand of the Country Militia of Staffordshire and four thousand out of Lancashire and Cheshire under the command of Col. Birch had joyned with Harrison But be sides all this many of the Royal Army had in their march deserted their colours neer a fourth part of the army was wanting but these were most of them such as were not very well affected to the business nor cause they went about and therefore there was but little miss of them for the rest of the Army marched on chearfully and continued to the utmost push stedfast and loyal were so contentedly obedient to all Military Discipline that 't is believ'd that in al their march through all that part of England they hardly took the value of six pence forcibly But notwithstanding this unwonted evility of the Scottsh Army and his Majesties earnest invitations the Country came very slowly in whether besotted dulled and contented with that slavery they then lay under or over-aw'd by an armed power I cannot tell but such was their backwardness that few or none besides the Lord Howard of Estriche's son with a Troop of Horse came to him during his long tedious march through England Nor did his Majesty with his Army take that course which was expected by most he should for the great fear of his Enemies and greatest hopes of his Friends were that he would march directly for London but he contrary to their expectations being come into Lancashire struck off at Warrington either doubting the enterprize for London too hazardous or out of the hopes had of the Forces it was expected Major General Massey might raise in Glostershire which was the then generally voagu'd reason But before his Majesty could pass over Warrington Bridge he had
known that thousands were forced out of several Countreys to serve against their wills them too put into the brunt of the battle as though destined for the slaughter But for all these numerous forces which encompassed the Royal Army they were chearfull resolved to sell their lives at a noble rate his Majesty by the Example of his undaunted courage principally encourageing them so that many vigorous sallies were made upon their Enemies though their supernumeraries forc't them to a retreat yet was it very seldom and never ignobly But now the fatal day draws nigh a day before so eminently auspitious to Cromwell and as unfortunate to the Scots viz. the third day of September The fight was occasioned thus Cromwell Fleetwood others of the Republick party had after the gaining the pass at Upton endeavoured to make themselves a clear passage to the City that their Army might joyn in the Leagure to which end and purpose they ordered the making of two Bridges the one over the Severn the other over Thame over the last of which passes Lievt General Fleetwood went to attach the West side of the Town which so allarm'd the Royall Army who then lay within their Leagure at St. Jones that to prevent their drawing nigher they salyed out with the greatest part of their Horse and Foot and a stiff encounter there was till over powred by numbers more then by valor which they demonstrated to the utmost of mens strength they were forced to retire again into the Leagure leaving more of their Enemies dead bodies in the field then of their own But whilst the encounter was on the West side of the Town Cromwell having pass't his Army over Severn he march't directly to the Town on that side whereupon his Majesty in person and in the head of the Horse sallied out upon him and that with so much valour and courage that Cromwel's own life-guard and the best of his old Souldiers who were thought almost invincible were forc't to retire 'till seconded by those numerous supplies of fresh Souldiers who served only like the Turkish Asapi to blunt the Royal swords so that their wearied arms no longer able to hold out were forced to retreat and at Length notwithstanding the generous example of his Majesty who performed things worth wonder to a disorderly flight and notwithstanding his Majesties earnest endeavours in which he had his horse twice shot under him to bring them again to a rally yet it proved fruitless for the Cromwellian Army pouring forth their numbers upon them permitted them not so much time but following them close at the heels to the Town towards which they fled entred pelmel with them And now notwithstanding their flight and the danger of their own lives yet had they so much care of their soveraign that the whole cry throughout both Town and Army was nothing else but Save the King Save the King for him they knew it was that the Junctoes army chiefly looked after indeed in great danger he was for notwithstanding the earnest desires of many of his friends particularly Duke Hamilton who pressed him to have a care of his safety reserve his person to a more fortunate day yet his Majesty was hardly induced to quit the field nor would he till he saw all absolutely lost for Cromwell's Army having as I said followed the Royalists into the Town and got possession of one side of it and after by two or three strong assaults upon the fort Royal where the Cheshire men never before found so disloyall to their Prince therefore found now their due who out of three thousand men sacrificed the lives of 1600 to the Ghosts of those new Royallists which were all put to the sword in it it was taken by storm and now when it was almost too late his Sacred Majesty thought it high time to provide for his safety and so with some Nobles and Servants not without a great deal of difficulty for how could it be otherwise where there was such hard search made for him he quit the field and by the most unfrequented roades that they could possibly find out rode to the Farme-house of a noble Gentleman on the borders of Staffordshire where they no sooner arrived but his Majesty disroabed himselfe of his Princely Ornament accoutrements and particularly of a Chain of Gold or spannar-string worth three hundred pounds sterling the Present of a Scottish Lord which he bestow'd upon a Servant of his there present which done for his farther disguise he proceeded to the cutting of his hair and the Cote affording neither shears nor scissars to perform it it was by the Lord Wilmot cut off with a Knife And now every one is commanded to shift for himselfe this poor Prince left alone to the sole protection of the Almighty he choosing none but one friend to accompany him with whom he wandred into a Wood within four miles say some of Wolverhampton where finding a hollow Oak he was now content to make it his Pallas for here he for some daies concealed himselfe his Friend still towards night going out to provide him some refreshmēt dureing this his solitary confinement In the mean time the Lord Wilmot who was commanded with the rest to seeke his fortune was by chance pursued by some Souldiers but meeting with a Country fellow for merly a Souldier in the old King's Army he was by him secured though somwhat strangly for he carries him into a Malt-house belonging to Mrs Jane Lane having no other convenient place to hide him in clapt him under the Kilne though there were then some fire in it the Malt smoaking on the top In the mean time the Souldiers then in pursuit of him entred the house and having made about three quarters of an houres search every where else but not at all suspecting the Kilne where they saw the fire they departed the Lord Wilmot was taken out of the Kilne almost ready to faint with the extreamity of the heat The country fellow having thus secured this Lord acquaints Mrs. Lane with what he had done and she extreamly glad of it gets him to her house where in conference she enquires of the Kings safety The Lord Wilmot gives her the former relation of his miseries and distress which forces tears from the tender hearted Gentlewoman she earnestly entreats him to take some course for the finding out of his Majestie and conducting him to her house she being resolved to venture her life had she ten thousand for the saveing of his Royal Majesties The Lord Wilmot glad of so happy an opportunity to serve his Majesty and so great a ptobability of secureing him the next night finds him out conducts him from the Royal Oak to the House of Mrs. Jane Lane where after a large condoling of his hard fortune consultation was had for a conveniency for his Escape beyond sea at length it was concluded that Bristoll would be the most
Duke of York and Glocester staid still in France The first having under the Command of the Marshall of Turine against the Spaniards performed such eminent services as had made him deservedly esteemed a most valerous and prudent Prince in so much that notwithstanding his Youth he was made Lieu. Generall of the French Army and thought so well worthy that Command that when Turine the most esteemed Generall the French have for a long time had lay desperatly sick and it was expected that he should breath his last he was by the King of France sent to to desire him that seeing there were so little hopes of his life he would nominate such a Generall of his Army as he might judge fit to succeed him To which Turine answered that if his Majesty would have his affairs prosper he should make choice of a Noble Valorous and fortunate Generall which if he did he could make choice of no fitter person then the thrice Heroick Duke of York As for his Brother the Duke of Glocester he remained at the Palace Royall in Paris with the Queen his Mother who shortly after the departure of his Royall Majesty endeavoured by all the bonds of filiall obedience and the most prevailing Arguments could be used to perswade him to become Roman Catholick nor did she alone but the Queen Mother of France and the prime Nobility of that Kingdome attempt the same when the Retorique of the Court could not prevail the most eminent for learning set upon him with that depth of reason as long acquired study and their own interest could oblige them to use or furnish them withall nor were Arguments and Reasons only used but the highest temptations this world could present to a Prince in adversity such were a Cardinals Hatt and a Revenue suitable to his Dignity when these could not prevail the indignation of a Royal Mother was poured forth upon him which wrought him the deprivation of his Tutor his Servants and all Comforters in these temptations But that Noble Prince was so far indowed dureing this affliction with the Principles of the Religion of the Church of England besides that naturall piety and constancy flowing from his most religious Father of blessed Memory that by the depth of truth and Reason he defended himselfe against these attempts After this he is committed to the care of one Mr Walter Montague Abbot of Nantueil living at Pontoise who keeps him in very closely and works and persists still in endeavouring to pervert him using the Argument of Duty and Obedience to his Mothers Commands which she did enjoyn him to doe or never more to see her face which from that day to this he hath not seen This noble soul replyed with a sorrowfull heart That as the Queens Majesty was his Mother he ought her duty but as his Brother was his King and Soveraign he ought him duty and Allegiance which he could not dispute Whilst he is at Pontoise the most noble and religious Lord Hatton takes occasion to go wait upon the Duke according to private iustructions received from his Majesty who to his great sorrow had advise of these particulers he is admitted with much trouble to the presence of the Duke who embraces him as his Deliverer and with some difficulty urging the Commands of his Majesty his own arguments he is delivered to his care who conducts him with a spetiall respect and diligence to his house in Paris where he is entertained divers dayes with all honour and confirmed wih all diligence by that Learned Lord in his so well imbued Principles untill the arrivall of the Marquess of Ormond who by the Kings Command receivs and conducts him to his Majesties Court. His Majesty in his journy towards Germany came first to Catillon a Castle belonging to the Prince of Conde whither he was accompanied by his Brother the Duke of York and his Cousins prince Rupert and Edward Palatines here Prince Edward the Duke of York left them the one going to Bourbon the other returning to the Army where he continued a good while after his Majesty Prince Rupert continued for some few daies their journy together 'till the Prince parted from him to go visit his Brother Frederick at Hidelberg his Majesty passing through Cambray and Leige to the Spaw where he tooke up the first place of his Residence in Germany whither his Sister the Royall Princess of Orange came to visit him and they no doubt during the time of their being there were as merry as two such afflicted Princes could But let us a little leave his Majesty at the Spaw and look into his Kingdomes where Cromwell that he might secure himself in his ill-gotten Estate endeavours by all means possible either to take away the lives or wholly impoverish disable his Majesties loyall Subjects who are continually charged with somthing which he by his usurped power takes hold of to destroy them severall persons are apprehended and charged with a design to have seized on the Tower and Proclaimed his Majesty King of those Kingdoms which by right were his for tryall of which persons a High Court of Justice a thing we now in England know very well was erected for the tryal of those persons Col. John Gerard Mr. Peter Vowell and Sommerset Fox were condemned to be hanged drawn quartered for no less then high Treason for-sooth though there were then no Act in being making it Treason to conspire against the power then in being in England but somwhat of the sentence was remitted Col. Gerard was beheaded Mr Vowell only Hanged Mr. Fox reprived I have alwayes observed that in all the tryals made by those high Courts of Justice for plots as they call them there hath still been some one person who though brought to tryal have either not been condemned though look't upon by the people as eminent in the business as any and though condemned yet have been reprived what others guess of it I will not determine I know what I do The truth is that his Majesty had alwaies the ill fortune to have such false servants about him as have for the Lucre of money either betrayed any enterprize of his for the gaining of his right the Protector especially being very prodigal in such expences his intelligence as most affirm standing him in no less then two hun dred thousād pound per annum or else those persons engag'd for him being many of them deboist fellows and who often ran upon designes uncommissioned have in a Tavern both lay'd and betray'd their own undertakings or else some here in England who have undertaken in such businesses have either for fear or gain betrayed both their Prince friends and Countrey Thus much for England let us now take a viwe of his Majesties affaires in Scotland which Kingdome was not yet wholly conquered for the Lords Seaforth Atholl Glencarne Kenmore and Glengary and severall others who had some of them been formerly followers of the noble Marquess of Montrosse
men in the Nation i. e. such as had the greatest sums of money by selling such cheap penniworths of the Kings Queens Bishops Deans and Chapters lands which together with the purchases of the estates of such loyal subjects to his Majesty as those in power were pleased to stile Delinquents had near infatuated a good part of the Nation But to proceed let us now begin with these distinctions 'T is an old Proverb in English When theives fall out then honest men come by their Goods may it now prove as true as old which God be praisd we have some reason to hope Oliver Cromwell the greateâ—â— though most heroick enemy of his King Countrey being dead his son Richard is proclaimed Protector and for some times seemingly complyed with but Lambert's ambition which had long lain hid begins now to appear and something he whispers into the ears of the Army which mixt with the great love they had formerly for him easily creates a dislike of Richards Government which afterward wrought to such a height that by a joynt-Conspiracy the Protectorship is disjoynted and Richard deprived of his Government the taking away of which he as willingly consents to as they are ready to deprive him of it This was the first jarring which this Generation had amongst themselves which withstanding was composed by the Protector 's easie consent without the shedding of one drop of bloud But there yet remained to his deposers the greatest task since they were sufficiently sensible that though they had pull'd down one civil Government they must be inforc't though never so unwillingly to set up another For they very well knew that they had already so much gul'd the Nation that they could not but now be sensible of their many abuses yet they fly to their old pretences of Religion and Liberty and under that pretence since they must at least establish the face of civil government they call a Parliament again Resolving to have one like themselves that Juncto which was formerly desolved by Oliver was those that murdered their King had for some years enslaved their Native Countrey Yet I cannot tell whether it were their inclinations to the General or Lambert's particular perswasions which called these men even out of the grave of infamy to sit again in the House and rule as Lords Paramount over these Nations though I have a great deal of reason to believe it was the latter since Lambert's ambition might rather prompt him to begin with those men con over an old lesson exeperimentally taught him by his old Master Oliver then hazard the venture of a new one But this Juncto being thus recall'd to their seats in the House and the exercise of their former Arbitrary power and authority by their Quondam servants of the Army accept of the invitation and accordingly met in the Parliament House whether likewise there assemble severall of those Members which had formerly been secluded debar'd sitting in 1648. These demand now an equall right with the others either to Consult or Vote but as they had been formerly violently thrust out so they are now forcibly kept out by the Officers of the Army This causes another as great distraction of their affairs For these secluded Members doe not only dispute their right by Law and Reason which could nothing prevail with sword-men but Sir George Booth and some others levy Armes now more truly in defence of Parliamentary priviledges then those raised in 1642. This small Army raised in Cheshire gave Lambert as fair an opertunity to put in execution his ambitious designes as possibly could be for he being sent with the greatest force of the Army against Sir George easily overcomes him takes him prisoner retakes those Holds which he had possest himself of and so returnes victorous This fortunate success revived his ancient credit with the Army and now he begins to practise the ruin of those which he had so lately set up that be might give full scope to his own Ambition They found out his designs but yet not being able to hinder them are forc'd shortly after to submit to a dissolution Thus was this Nation hurried into changes of Government and Anarchicall confusions by persons who endeavoured only to promote their own ends self interest yet by these strange endeavours of their own they only lost themselves for the people now beginning to discover their juggles do as much detest them though they might for the present force the people to a submission by sword-law yet could no Government whatsoever by them establisht be firme or dureable since it must be settled contrary to the Genius of the people For even those who were formerly such strong enemies and opposers of Monarchy and Kingly Government undeceived by those many delusions which they see put upon the Nation by those who pretended so much to Religion and Liberty and the settling of a Free State or Commonwealth whilst they intended only their own ends are now as much affected as they were formerly disaffected with Monarchicall Government finding that those who adventure to change a settled Government before they have determined of another in its stead run into fancies and Chymera's and vainly endeavour to build castles in the air But to proceed This party being thus divided among themselves there were great hopes and certainly greater wishes that that power wherewith they had for some years past arbitrarily governed the Nation by turns might at length come to a period which by the eye of reason was now in greater probability then ever they by their intestine devisions running headlong to their own ruine Fleetwood Lambert and the rest of the Officers of the Army have now the sole Authority and having the longest sword make their wills a law yet somewhat to satisfy the people to make at least the face of a civill government they set up a new kind of a thing which they composed of themselves some other choice persons which they call a Committee of Safety and to these they give full Authority over these Nations without ever asking the peoples consent This Government is far more the scorn and derision of the people then the the other yet notwithstandinding their spirits are by constant use so subjected to slavery that their Asinine backs are forced to endure this as well as other more intolerable burthens they not daring all this while to adventure the regaining of their Liberties nor indeed do other then by their tongues express their hate and anger But all this while those divisions of theirs and the peoples being weary of them and extreamly for his Majesties interest it being a rule in Politicks that the peoples hatred to an usurper doth alwayes produce their love to a lawfull Prince nor had they before 'till deluded by those Tyrannizers any time to consider the Miseries of their lawfull Soveraign which now they begin to compassionate seeing him the only person whom these men endeavour by
all means possible to keep down hatred to their Tyrannies makes the people naturally desire his restauration and him whom before they thought justly expulsed they think it both Justice and Charity to reinstate as much considering it to be their own as his interest experience having taught them the difference between the Government by one gentle Prince and many Rusticks Thus far did these mens devisions invest his sacred Majesty with the love of his people who in the mean time lives retiredly at Bruges expecting either what the good will of his subjects might do for the restoring him to his right or what the success might be of that Treaty which was then the grand action of Europe in agitation between those two potent Monarchs France and Spain from whose joynt-forces he might expect so great a supply as might have reinstated him in his Dominions by force a course most of all opposite to his Majesties nature who even in private things never attempts any thing by violence which he can obtain by intreaty Yet great hopes had the Royalists both in England and aboade that this Treaty would produce some good effects yet it went on very slowly after a great deal of tediousness came to a cessation and from that to an interview between the two grand Officers of State Don Lew is de Hare Count de Olivares chief favourite to his Catholick Majesty and Cardinall Mazarine chief Minister of State to the most Christian King these being met upon the Frontier his sacred Majesty of great Britain was invited thither by Don Lew is de Haro His Majesty received this invitation at Diepe in Normandy whither he had privately withdrawen himself as likewise had his Brother the Duke of York to Calice that they might be in a readiness to have come over into England upon any fit opportunity they having received many invitations from their friends here about that time when Sir George Booth was up in Cheshire and all England in a manner gaping for him But Sir George being as I said before overcome his Majesties and the whole Nations hopes fail'd and the Phanatick power still continued Paramount His Majesty therefore from Diepe begins his journey towards the frontiers of Spain which journey he intended to make privately and being first come to Roan he was there nobly entertained and feasted by Mr. Scot an English Merchant who accompanied his Majesty to the Protestant Church about three miles from the City where with a great deal of Devotion and Attention he heard a Sermon From Roan his Majesty accompanied with the Marquess of Ormond the Lord Digby Mr. Oneen took Post steering their course directly for Bayonne neer which the two great officers of state were to meet not staying in any place but endeavouring by all means possible to travel undiscovered as was before resolv'd Being come near to the end of his Journey advice was sent to Don Lewis de Haro of his Majesties approach who immediately accompanied with a gallant Train came forth to meet him and being come near unto him Don Lewis alighted from his horse and notwithstanding the place where they met was very durty kneeling down he clapt his hands about his Majesties Knees and with a great deal of humility kissed them His Majesty was from hence conducted with becoming Ceremonies to the place appointed for his accomodation Don Lewis riding all the way bareheaded by him where he was entertained with all possible splendor and gallantry Many overtures and propositions there passed between his Majesty and Don Lewis de Haro touching what aid and assistance might be granted him by his Catholick Majesty for the regaining of his rights Kingdoms his Majesty endeavouring by all means possible to promote and further the present Treaty between France Spain and to bring it to a happy conclusion by the Marriage of the King of France to the Spanish Infanta it tending so much to his interest that 'till the conclusion of it nothing could be effected by those Princes which might any way promote his right or possession To all his desires or propositions the noble Count de Olivares returned pleasing answers carried himself with so much respect towards him that he could not have been more submissive to the Catholick Majesty of Spain his Master His Majesty having some time been treated here returned back again through France being accompanyed some part of his way by Don Lewis and repassing the rest privately by Post as he had formerly passed it till he came to Charinton and Paris where his Mother was with whom he staid some few dayes though he was not now Courted and carressed by the French Nobility as formerly and then returned to his residence at Brussels His Majesties private departure from Brussels his privacy during his whole journy made it certainly believed that both he his Brother the Duke of York who lay at Callis were come over into England that they lay hear concealed expecting according to the event of things either to discover or secure themselves nay so certain was the belief even those in power had of it who had not so good intelligence as Oliver Cromwell that many persons were aprehended for them and particularly one Mr. Colt was taken for the Duke of York and kept in prison for him till such time as certain news arrived in England of the Dukes return to Brussels Several other persons likewise suffered imprisonment forbeing suppos'd tobe like either his Majesty or his Brother His Majesty living retired at Brussels the continuances of the differences in England among those who had usurped his power doth still highly promote his interest For though Lambert had routed Sir George Booth and by it declared absolutely against a Free Parliament for which as the undoubted right of the Nation Sir George Booth and his party took up Arms yet the people could not be content but now once put in the way they began violently to hanker after their long lost Liberty Nor could the turning out of the Rump for so had the people out of disgrace termed the Juncto which then sate whom they inveterately hated any whit now sweeten them in their slavery but they continually murmured out agravated their oppressions one to another though they came to no violence yet 't is suspected it was more out of the hope they had that Generall George Monck who was then marching with his Army out of Scotland should assert their Liberties which somewhat allayed the popular fury then out of any fear or Cowardise But in the mean time their expectations seem'd utterly to fail them for the Rump had by their industry so inveigled most of the Army from Lambert that by their help they return and take their seats in the House and dissolve his Committee of Safety cōmanded the Souldiers of his Army to repair to their appointed Quarters Order Generall Monck to bring up his Army to London in all which they are punctually obeyed
Lambert's Soulders deserting him and Generall Monck according to their orders marching up his Army quite through England Yet the Nation had so great hopes of the Noble General that in all his passage through England he is courted with Addresses from the Gentry of every County remonstrating the distractions they long had and were still like to lye under and intreating that he would be as they hoped hee 'd prove the Deliverer and saver of his Countrey that to settle them in some way of Government a Parliament might be called by the Free Votes of the people that they might no longer be Govern'd by such Wolves as only made a Prey of them nor their Governours be subjected to the awe force of an Exorbitant Army To all these desires he returned answers promising such things as might be for the good of the Nation But being come to London where he was received with a great deal of joy he put the people almost quite out of hopes of him nay rather into a fear that in stead of proving their deliverer he would be the means to enslave them for by the cōmandment of the Rump he enters the City with his whole Army imprisons many of their Common Council digs up their Posts and breakes down their Gates whilst the stupifi'd Citizens having now fear added to their slavery durst hardly murmur at it but with sighs nods bid adieu to their Liberty Yet notwithstanding this violence the Noble Generall revives their hopes retiring himself into the City refusing to be subject to the Juncto's command shortly after he admitts those Members of the House of Commons which were in 1648. forceably excluded by the Army for having given their Votes that the Kings Concessions at the Isle of Wight Treaty were sufficient grounds for a Peace and settlement who having taken their places in the House we had now got a step towards our ancient happiness one of the three Estates of the Kingdom viz. the House of Commons being permitted to sit freely a thing not known to us in twelve precedent yeares God of heaven of his mercy to these Nations grant that the other two may in his due time be admitted to the discharge of their power and trust that these Nations once so famous under that Government may no longer continue to be the scorne and derision of foraign Countries And great hopes there is now that these Kingdomes may again return to be happy since disloyalty the first cause of their miseries and distractions begins blessed be God every day to be depressed and loyalty to flourish many of those who formerly with a zealous fury broak their oath of Allegiance to their King wishing now that they had a King to shew allegiance to perceiving that al innovations of Government are not what some would have them seem to be viz. ways to liberty freedom but meer baits of ambitious self-minded men to hook in the people to slavery But to return to his Majesty in Flanders of whose jtenary life we have already given you a particular account it will not be impertinent to say somwhat of his sedentary retired Living that by his Aeconomy we may judge of his Monarchy and of the Government of those few subjects in his Family of that of his three Kingdoms His Majesty hath spent most of his time wherein he hath been out of his Dominions in Flanders under the protection of the Catholick King of Spain nor had he ever any where else so settled a Court and Habitation as here where his chief Attendants are the Lord Chancellour Hide the Marquess of Ormond the Earl of Norwich the Lord Wentworth the Lord Digby and many other Nobles and Gentlemen whose loyalty to his sacred Majesty his Royall Father hath made exiles to their Country a particular number of which he makes use of for his Councill doing nothing without serious mature advice and yet being of so sagatious a judgement that whatever he sayes is seldome contradicted by the most Judicious of his Councellours not out of fear or flattery but out of a reall assent to and concurrence with his judgement And indeed those great opportunities which he hath had by his so long being abroad of diving into the great Councels of Forraign Princes and States must necessarily make him a person of a very perspicuous understanding endow him with all those qualities which may deservedly attain the name of Great and render him as well an able Statist as a King he having during his expulsion travelled through lived in the Countries of three the most potent Princes in Christendome viz. the Emperour 's of Germany and the Kings of Spain and France and so to the Germain resolution added the Spaniards prudence and the Frenchmans expedition To these extraordinary helps which never a Prince in Christendome can boast of we may yet add those more then ordinary gifts wherewith nature hath been pleased to endow him which being so extreamly improved we can hardly now discern but that it may be known what they were take the character of an Honourable Lord upon his death Bed who speaking of him when about fiteen or sixteen Years of Age hath these words Truly I never saw greater hopes of vertue in any young Person then in him Great Judgement great understanding strong apprehension much of honour in his nature a very perfect Englishman in his inclinations So that both nature industry have seemed to use their utmost endeavours to make him a perfect Prince his very affliction turning in this to his benefit and making him in knowledge and sufferings the Refiner of knowledge unparalleld Some forreign Princes as well envying as pitying his expulsion This perfect knowledge of his he hath indeed had but small occasion to practise except a little in Scotland where I think he demonstrated himself a person so prudent and careful in his affairs that is beyond my Pen's expression His Subjects good was his only care nor did he ever act any thing but what might tend more to theirs then his own interest still consulting whether it might benefit them not himself His Letter to Col. Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury sufficiently demonstrates his affection to his very Enemies he would win not Conquer the Hearts of those who though they have broke their Allegiance to him yet he would esteem still his subjects He would not conquer with bloud lest he should be thought a Tyrant He endeavours by fair means to attain the love of his Subjects that what ever his very enemies think of him he may approve himself to be a just Prince And did Fortune give him power yet would he rather attempt Curtesie then Force He knows that whilst he kills a Subject he weakens his Kingdom Rebels themselves may be found usefull and though justice cannot yet his Majesties Clemency will admit their pardon but if they resist to the utmost their bloud is on their own heads what man is not willing to