great plenty 41. His Majesties treasure was by these meanes so extreamly exhausted and his revenues so anticipated that he was inforced to compell as it were his own Servants Judges and Officers of all sorts to lend him great summes of money aâ—d prisons filled with refusers of these and the other illegall payments yea many High-Sheriffes summoned into the Starre-chamber and to the Councill-Board and some of them imprisoned for not being quick enough in levying Ship-money and such like intolerable taxations 42. In summe the whole kingdome was now brought into a lamentable and languishing condition of being most miserably bought and sold to any that could give and contribute most of might and malice against us and no hope of humane help but dolour desperation and destruction to be the portion of all 43. In which interim our Brethren of Scotland being entred into our kingdome for their own just defence the King had advanced his Royall-Standard at York where the creame of the kingdome Nobles and Gentry being assembled and a treaty twixt the prime of both Armies had at Rippon for a faire and peaceable accommodation the King was at last inforced to take his Nobles Counsell and in the first place a cessation of Armes agreed on and then this fifth present Parliament the Parliament of Parliaments was necessitously resolved on to begin November 3. 1640. 5 Parliament Anno 1640. Novemb. 3. 44. But behold a desperate plot and design was herein also immediately set on fâ—ot to â—poyle or poyson it in the very Embrio and constitution of it in the first choyce of the Members thereof by Letters from the King Queen malignant and popish Earles Lords Knights and Gentry posted into all parts of the kingdome to make a strâ—ng party for them But by admirable divine providence this their plot was â—ounterplotted and wonderfully frustrated and the Parliament most 〈…〉 and 〈◊〉 45. Shortly after a very formidable Spanish-Fleet or Armadâ— appeared on our Englishâ—â—â—row Seas in fight of Dover and was comming in as was on very stâ—ong grounds more than probably conjectured as a third party to help to destroy 〈…〉 Spaniâ—rds hoping that by this time we and the Scots were together by the â—arâ— but they were by Gods mercy beaten ofâ— from us by our Neighbours of Holland And so in fighting against them we fought against our friends The Souldiers in their passage to York turn reformers pull dowâ— popish pictures break down rayles turn alters into tables and those popish Commanders that were to command them they forced to eat flesh on Fridayes thrusting it down their throats and some they slew 46 In the time of ours and the Scots Armies residing in the North which was in June 1641. the Popish and malignant Lords and Prelates fearing the effects of this present Parliament complotted together to disaffect that our English Army against the Parliament and indevoured to bring it out of the North Southward and so to London to compell the Parliament to such limits and rules at they thought fit The Souldiers in their passage to York turn unto reformers pull down Popish pictures break down rayles turn altars into Tables the English and Scotts Armies at first ready to fight lovingly embrace each other part kinde freinds July 1641. At the beginning of the Parliament there was a diligent inquisition after oppressions and oppressâ—rs and first upon the petition of Mistris Bastwick and Mistris Burâ—on two widdowed wives and a petition exhibited in the behalf of Mr. Prynn Dr. Laighton Mr. Smarâ— Mr. Walker Mr. Foxley Mr. Lilborn and many others set at liberty some being banished and all close prisoners others fast fettered in irons and their wives debarred from comming to them The Protestation We the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parliament finding to the great griefe of our hearts that the designes of the Priests and Jesuites and other adherents to the See of Rome have of lâ—te been more boldly and frequently put in practise than formerly to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the tâ—ue reformed Protestâ—nt religion in his Mâ—jestiâ—s Dominions established And finding also that there have been and having just cause to suspâ—â—â— that there still 〈◊〉 even during this sitting in parliament indevours to subvert the fundamentall Laws of England and Ireland and to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government by most pernicious and wicked Councels practises ploâ—â— and conspiracies And that the long intermission and unhappy breach of Parliaments hath occasioned many illegall Taxations whereupon the Subject hath been prosecuted and grieved And that divers â—nnovations and Superstitionâ— have been brought into the Church multitudes driven â—ut of his Majesties Dominions jealousies raised and fâ—â—ented betwixt the King and his people a popish Army levyed in Ireland and two â—rmies brought into the bowels of this Kingdome to the hazzard of his Majesties royall person the consumpâ—ion of the Revenues of the Crown and Treasure of this Kingdom And lastly finding great cause of jealousie that indevours have been and aâ—cused to bring the English Army into a misunderstanding of this Parliament thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to passe those wicked Councels Have therefore thought good to joyn our selves in a Declaration of our united affections and resolutions and to make this ensuing Protestation â—A B. doâ— in the presence of Almighty God promise Vow and protest to maintain and defend as far as lawfully I may with my life power and estaâ—e the true reformed protestant Religion â—â—â—ressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all popery and popish Innovations within this Realm contrary to the same â—octrine and 〈…〉 duty of my Allegiance his Majesties royall Peâ—son Hoâ—our 〈…〉 also the power and priviledges of Parliament 〈…〉 the Subject and every person that maketh this Protestation â—n 〈◊〉 he shall doe in the lawfull 〈◊〉 of the saâ—◠〈◊〉 to my power and 〈…〉 as lawfully I 〈◊〉 I will 〈◊〉 and by all good wayâ—◠〈…〉 to bring 〈…〉 punishment all such as shall either by 〈◊〉 practise Councels pioâ—â— conspiracies or otherwise do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present protestation contained And further that I shall 〈◊〉 all just and Honourable wayes indevour to preserve the 〈◊〉 and peace between the three Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland and neither for hope fear nor other respect shall relinquish this promise Vow and protestation The Earl of Straffords Speech on the Scaffold The Ministers and people solemnly take the Protestation in all Churches over the Kingdome Mr. Burton Dr. Bastwick Mr: Prinne triumphantly from perpetuall captivity those 3 famous Wittnesses of Truth return home to London attended with thousands of horse and foot My Lord I professe my self a true and obedient Son to the Church of England to that Church wherein I was born and wherein I was bred prosperity and happinesse be ever to it and whereas it hath been said that I
with brotherly love and charity that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them for Jesus Christ his sale if it be thy will And when he said Lord receive my soule which was his sign the Executioner did his office 84. A desperate plot of the Royalists to starve up the City of London by breaking into Surrey Sussex Kent and the other associated Counties but disappointed by the Parliaments Victories at Aultâ—n and Alsâ—â—rd fought by Sir Will Waller with the help of the City of Londons regiments and the Royalists plots to hinder our brethren of Scotâ—â— comming in to our help by letters and Embassadors sent from France and messengers from King Charles to inveagle them to keep from us but all in vain by Gods good providence and mercy to us 85. The King granâ—â—d a cessation of arms with the bloody rebels of Ireland and afterward justified it by a Declaration of his printed and published at Oxford but it was remarkably observed that he never prospered in any of his great designs after that 86. A Solemn League and Covenant taken by the Lords and Commons in Parliament and by the City of London and all parts of the kingdom in the Parliaments power for a pure reformation of Religion and Church-Government and a mutuall defence betwixt us and our brethren of Scotland 87. A notable plot by the Royalists to have Nottingham town Castle betrayed unto them the Officers therein being proffered above 10000 livre. to consent to it but prevented by Gods mercy in the fidelity of Colonell Hutchinson who was then the Governour thereof 88. A Generall plot against the Protestant Religion over all Christendom and the Danes and Hollâ—ndeâ—â— also but God wrought a mighty overture therein by the sudden breaking out of the Danes plot against the Swedes and their over-running almost all Dâ—nmark thereupon 89. A desperate plot against the City of London under a pretence of petitioning for peace acted by Sir 〈◊〉 Brook Colonell Read and one Mr. Riley Vilet 2 Citizens of London 〈…〉 but by Gods providence discovered and prevented 1645. 90. Two 〈…〉 the betraying of Milsbury into the Royalists hands and another against 〈…〉 all then by Gods mercy timely discovered also and prevented 91. One Mr. Edward Sâ—â—nford a Papist plotted with Captain Backhouse a Capt. of Horse under Colonell Massâ—e for the beâ—â—aying of the City of Gloucester into the Enemies hands and prâ—ffered 5000 livre. for a reward thereof 200 li whereof was paid in hand to the said Captain but by Gods providence the plot frustrated and Gloucester safely preserved 92. Englands great wonder to Gods glory there being about May 30. 1644. six brave armies in the kingdome on the Parliaments side and other forces for defence of the City of London besides 93. A plot to have betrayed our whole Army in Cornwall in the VVest but by Gods blessing most of the Souldiers lives were preserved though with the losse of our Artillery 94. Sir Alexander Carew Sir John Hotham Captain Hotham and the Arch-prelate of Canterbury beheaded on Tower-Hill for treason against the Parliament 95. A peace onely pretended by the royalists at Uxbridge and a treacherous petition framed by the malignants of Buckingham shire wherein one Sir John Lawrence of that County was a great stickler but the mischief of both was frustrated 96. A desperate assault on Melcomb-Regis to have betrayed it into the royalists hands wherein divers of the malignant Townsmen had a principall hand and Colonell Goring and Sir Lewis Dives were agents therein but by Gods blessing the plot was frustrated the Town and Forts recovered and two ships with rich prize from Rhoan in France were seized on to make amends for their trouble 1645. 97. Divers Earles and Lords forsook Oxford and came in and submitted themselves to the Parliament 98. A desperate plot in the West against the Parliament by the Clubmen but by Gods providence turned to the Enemies greatest hurt in the issue 99. A devillish sudden plot upon Scotland which was almost over run by traiterous Montrosse but as suddenly recovered again by Gods blessing on Generall David Lesley and Montrosse discomfitted and beaten away into the mountaines 1646. 100. A Discovery of grosse impiety in the Oxonians pretending a desired treaty with the Parliament for a wel-grounded peace and yet at that time the Earl of Glamorgan had a Commission to the ruine of all the protestants in Ireland and so consequently of us in England also 101. The great Seale broken before the Lords and Commons on Tuesday the 11 of August 1646. The Speech of the Lord Loutheâ— Chancellour of Scotland to the King at Newcastle July 1646. YOur Majesty was pleased on Monday last to call the Lords of Your Councell and Committee to acquaint them with the Propositions and told them before you would deliver Your Answer You would make the same known to them The time assigned to the Commissioners stay is so short and the consequence of your Majesties Answer of so great importance either for the perservation or ruine of Your Crowne and Kingdomes as we could not be answerable to God nor to that Trust reposed in us unlesse we represent to your Majesty how necessary it is that your Maiesty assent to the Propositions as the condition of affaires now standin so great extremity and that the danger and losse of your refusall will be remedilesse and bring on a suddaine ruine and destruction I shall begin first with the last which is the danger and shall next speake a word of the remedy The differences betwixt your Majesty and your Parliament which no man knoweth better than your Majesties selfe are growne to such a height that after many bloudy battels the Parliament having your Majesty all the Forts Garrâ—â—oâ—s and strong holds in their hands having your Majesties Revenue Excise Assessements Sequestrations and the Authority to raise all the men and money in the Kingdome and having after many victories and great successes a strong Army on Foot are now in such a posture for strength and power they are in a capacity to doe what they will both in Church and State And some are so afraid and others so unwilling to submit themselves to your Majesties Government that they desire not you nor any of your Race longer to reigne over them But the people are so wearie of the Warre and great burthens they doe groane under are so loath to have Monarchicall Government destroyed that they are not attempt to cast it totally off till once they send Propositions of Peace to your Majesty least the people without whose concurrence they are not able to carry on their design should fall from them but after so great Warre and trouble that they may have a perfect security from opposition and Arbitrary power they have resolved upon the Propositions which are tendred to your Majesty as that without which the Kingdome and your people cannot be in safety and that there cannot be a
have inclined to popery if it be an obiection worth answering let me say truly that from the time since I was one and twenty years of age till this houre now going upon 49. I never had thought in my heart to doubt of the truth of my religion in England and never any had the boldnesse to suggest to me the contrary to the best of my remembrance and so being reconciled to the mercies of Christ Jesus my Saviour into whole bosome I hope shortly to be gathered to those eternall happinesses that shall never have end I desire heartily the forgivenesse of every man both for any rash or unadvised word or deed and desire your prayers And so my Lords farewell farewell all the things of this world Lord strengthen my faith give me confidence and assurance in the merits of Christ Jesus I desire you that you would be sâ—lent and ioyne in prayers with me and I trâ—st in God that we shall all meet and live eternally in heaven there to receive the accomplishment of all happinesse where every teare shall be wiped from our eyes and every sad thought from our hearts And so God blesse this kingdome and Jesus have mercy upon my Soule Amen The Earle of Strafford for treasonable practises beheaded on the Tower-hill Sr. Francis Windebank Sr. Iohn Finch the Lord Digbie Iermin etc fly for their lives beyond sea 48. Then they attempted by foule and false scandals on the Parliament to intice the Army of the Scots then still in the North to a newtralâ—ty and to sit still whiles our English army acted the farther designes hatched and hammered still in their heads and hearts but this plot prevailed not neither Anno 1641. Octob. 23. 49. About this time that most horrid and inhumane bloody rebellion and monstrous massacring of almost 200000 innocent English Protestants men women and children bâ—ake out in Ireland namely about October 23. 1641. This also being a main branch of this most mischievous design against this Parliament by Gods wonderfull power and providence so firmly fixed and setled that they knew not how to ruinate it those accursed Rebels having had their principall encouragements and Commissions to authorize them in that horrid and hideous rebellion from the Court of England and of purpose to have made England the chiefe seat of the warre and of all the papists prelates and malignants utmost wrath and rage 50. For the still effecting and underhand working on of this wicked designe the malignant party in private much prevailing still the designe now went on chiefly against the City of London for which purpose the Leivtenant of the Tower Sir William Belfâ—re was for his loyalty displaced by the King from his Leivtenantship and popish Lord Cottâ—â—gâ—on made Constable of the Tower but his dangerous designes being soon discovered he was as soon displaced and Colonâ—ll Lunsford was made Leivtenant of the Tower But he also by the Parliaments petition and importunity to the King was displaced and Sir John Byron a desperate malignant who afterward proved the most bloody Lord â—yrâ—n in 〈◊〉 was made Leivtenant of the Tower in Lunsfords stead but he also on many just jealousies being petitioned against was at length with much adoe removed and put out thence and Sir John Conyers by the power of the Parliament was put in his place To the Kings most excellent Majesty and the Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament The humble Petition and Protestation of all the Bishops and Prelates now 〈◊〉 by His Majesties Writs to attend the Parliameâ—t and present abouâ— London and Westminster for that Service THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by severall and respective Writs and under great penalties to attend the Parliament and have a clear and indubitable right to voâ—e in Bils and other matters whatsoever debatable in parliament by the ancient customes Laws and Statutes of this Realm and ought to be protected by your Maiesty quietly to attend and prosecute that great Service They humbly remonstrate and protâ—st before God your 〈◊〉 and the Noble Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament that as they have an indubitaâ—e right to sit and Vote in the House of Lords so are they if they may be protected from force and violence most ready and willing to performe their duties accordingly And that they doe abhominate all actions or opinions tending to Popery and the maintainance thereof as also all propension and inclination to any malignant party or any other side or party whatsoever to the which their own reasons and conscience shall not move them to adhere But whereas they have been at The High Commission-Court and Starr-Chamber voted down and pluralities non residencies damned by Parliament The Queen-Mother sent away by Sea and the Capuchine Fryers Priests expell'd from Somersett House beyond Sea severall times violently menaced affronted and assaulted by multitudes of people in their comming to perform their services in that honourable House and lately chased away and put in danger of their lives and can finde no redresse or protection upon sundry complaints made to both Houses in these particulars They likewise humbly protest before your Majesty and the Noble House of Peers that saving unto themselves all their rights and interests of sitting and voting in that House at other times they dare not sit or vote in the House of Peers untill your Majesty shall further secure them from all affronts indignities and dangers in the premises Lastly whereas their fears are not built upon phantasies and conceits but upon such grounds and objects as may well terrifie men of good resolutions and much constancy They doe in all duty and humility protest before your Majesty and the Peers of that most honorable House of parliament against all Laws Orders Votes resolutions and determinations as in themselves null and of none effect which in their absence since the 27 of this instant moneth of December 1641. have already passed as likewise against all such as shall hereafter passe in that most honourable House during the time of this their forced and violent absence from the said most honourable House not denying but if their absenting of themselves were wilfull and voluntary that most honourable House might proceed in all their premises their absence or this protestation notwithstanding And humbly beseeching your most excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of that House of Peers to enter this their petition and protestation among their Records They will ever pray to God to blesse c. Jo. Eborac Tho. Duresme Rob. Co. Liâ—h Jos. Norw. Jo. Asa. Guli Ba. Wells Geo. Heref. Rob. Owon Ma. Ely Godfr G lonc Jo. Peterburg Morris Landaff 51. None of all these plots yet prevailing against the Parliament neither in generalls nor particulars they yet persist to plot and attempt against it and about this time found occasions craftily and causelesly in secret to foment many jealousies and jarres to dis-joynt both Houses of Parliament within themselves thereby at
least to obstruct and retard their then most weighty and great affaires in Church and State 52. The Bishops also themselves had a pestilent plot about this time to subvert and overthrow the Parliament by endevouring to get the King to protest against their proceedings in it But twelve of them were thereupon presently impeached of high treason and â—en of them imprisoned in the Towre of London and afterward they were all disabled from ever â—itting again in the Parliament Bishops Voted down root and branch Nullo contradiscente insomuch that the Citizens of London the same night made bonfires and had ringing of bels And for the better securing the City within as well as without the Parliament published an Ordinance thereby injoyning all Popish Recusants inhabiting in and about the City all disaffected persons and such as being able men would not lend any money for the defence of the Commonwealth should forthwith conâ—ine themselves to their own houses and not to goe 〈◊〉 without speciall licence as they would answer it at their 〈◊〉 to the Parliament Another Ordinance was sent to the Lord mayor by which the Trained Bands were authorised to apprehend many of the prime and richest malignants disâ—affected persons in the City whereof were foure Aldermen put in safe custody in Crosby house and some in Gressan Colledge The Bishops imprisoned in the Towre of London for protesting against the Parliament Popish Recusants disarmed for the greate security of the kingdome 53. About which time a most wicked fellow sent to Mr. John Pyâ—â— a most pious Patriot of his Country and then a most eminent member of the House of Commons a most reviling Letter therein calling him traytor and in the said Letter inclosed a plague-sore plaister thinking thereby to have destroyed him But God mightily preserved him from the infection of it 54. After this the King himself being guarded with about 500 armed ruffiâ—nly desperate Cavaliers or Souldiers violently rushed into the House of Commons accused five of their most eminent and pious members of treason demanded their persons to be delivered up unto him intending to destroy all that resisted him therein but this plot was blessedly crost by the happy absence of the Gentlemen this plot was attempted Jan. 4. 1641. Anno 1642. 55. After this one Binion a Silkman of London and the Kentish Malignants wherin Sir Edward Deering had a principall hand framed dangerous and destructive petitions against the proceedings of the Parliament but were both most justly rejected and themselves fined and imprisoned for them 56. Immediately after this things grew still worse and worse among the malignants the King himself in unjust discontent by the desperate and wicked counsell of that pernicious Cataline the young Lord Digby forsakes the Parliament and getting the Prince to him leaves London and presently posts into the North and there attempts to get Hull into his hands but was happily prevented and bravely opposed by Sir John Hotham then in that time of his outward and seeming fidelity 57. The King beingâ— at York interdicts the Militia then set on foot by the Parliament for their just safety and defence endevouring to remove the Term from the City of London but in both is opposed by the Parliament 58. The Lords and Gentry of Ireland and of Scotland too petition the King to return to his Parliament yea and the Gentry and Commons of Yorkeshire do the like but are all rejected 59. The King set on foot a most illegall Commission of Array to clash against the Parliaments Militia which occasioned much mischief and misery over the whole kingdom but the Parliaments Militia prevailed in most places and parts of the land 60. Three letters were intercepted discovering a most desperate plot against the Parliament by the Roâ—â—lists Commissary Wilmot Digbie Jermine â—rofts and others which by Gods mercy failed them and came to nothing but we in taking some of their ships were advantaged thereby 61. Sir Richard Gurney then Lord Mayâ—r of the City of London proving a desperate malignant and Array man was crost in his desires and clapt up prisoner in the Tower of London by the power of the Parliament 62. 〈…〉 and Declaâ—â—â—â—â—â— against the Parliaments proceedings were Printed and published and commanded to be read in al the Churches and Chappels over the whole kingdom within the Kings power 63. Sir John Penington a brave Sea-man but a desperate malignant was constituted Admirall of the Seas for the Kings service but displaced and dispossessed thereof by the Parliament and the most noble and loyall Earl of Warwick notwithstanding the Kings Letter and command to interdict him therein and to give way to Penington being put in by the power and authority of the Parliament and possessed of the Ships most happily and honourably kept and continued in the place and office for the Parliaments service a Letter sent to Mr Pym Mr. Pym doe not think that a guard of men can protect you if you persist in your traiterous Courses and wiked designes I haue sent a Paper-mâ—ssenger to you and if this does not touch your heart a dagger shall so soon as I am recouered of my plague-sore In the meane time you may be forborn because no better man may be endanâ—gered for you Repent Traitor Colonell Lunfford assaulting the Londonens at Westminster Hall with a great rout of ruffinly Cavaleires The Citizens â—f London voluntarily profâ—ered their service to attend and guard the Parliament by Lan to Westminster to secure them from danger By Water also the stout Shipmasters and mariners likewise made ready a great number of longâ—Boats furnished with Ordnance muskets and other Sea-like warlike instruments their vessels also gallantly adorned with flagges and Sâ—râ—mers together with martiall musick Drums and Trumpets so as it was a rare sight and when they came to White Hall and understood that the Parliament Worâ—hies were safely arrived the Trained Bands by Land and the valiament Seamen by Water let fly their thundering shot both small and great their Trumpets sounding and their Drums beating in a triumphing and congratulating manner a singular testimony of their cordiall affections The very same day a numerous company of Buckinghamshire men both Gentlemen Ministers and others of that Country on horseback with their Protestations in their hats partly in behalf of their Knight of the shire but especially to petition the Parliament for Reformation of evills in Church and State and to assure their best services and assistance to the Parliament on all just occasions and out of Essex Hartford Barkeshire Surrey and other Counties of the Kingdom came one after another 65. The most noble and right honourable Earle of Essex was ordained Lord Generall over all the Parliaments Forces for the preservation of the kingdom which he famously and faithfully managed and marshalled as especially Edge-hill and Newbery and other places can abundantly witnesse 66. A plot to have blown up all the Lord Generalls Magazine of powder and another at Beverley