wherein Sir Edw. Deering had a principal hand framed Petitions against the proceedings of Parliament but both were rejected and they fined and imprisoned 52 The King forsakes the Parliament and getting the Prince to him leaves London and posts into the North and there attempts to get Hull into his hands 53 Sir Francis Windebancke Sir John Finch the Lord Digby Jermyn c. flye for their lives beyond Sea 54 The King interdicts the Militia but the Messenger was hanged at the Exchange 55 The Lords and Gentry of Ireland and Scotland petition the King to return to his Parliament yea and the Gentry and Commons of Yorkshire doe the like but are all rejected 56 The King set on foot a Commission of Array 57 Three letters were intercepted discovering a plot against the Parl. by Wilmot Digby Jermyn Croâ—ts and others which came to nothing but we by taking some of their Ships were advantaged 58 Sir Rich. Gurney Lord Mayor and an Array man was clapt up in the Tower 59 Proclamations and Declarations against the Parliament read in all Churches and Chappels within the Kings power 60 Sir John Pennington displaced and the Earl of Warwick put in his place 61 Hull besieged by the Marquess of Newcastle and in that interim Beckwith a Papist plotted to betray it by firing it in 4 several places The Citizens of London proffer their service to attend and guard the Parl. by land to Westminster to secure them from danger By Water also the stout Ship-masters and Marriners made ready a great number of long-boats furnished with Ordnance Muskets and other Sea-warlike instruments their Vessels gallantly adorned with Flags and Streamers together with martial musick Drums and Trumpets when they came to White-hall and understood that the Parliament were safely arriv'd the Train'd Bands by Land and the Sea-men by Water let flye their thundring shot both smal and great their Trumpets sounding and their drums beating in a tryumphing and congratulatory manner was a singular testimony of their cordial affections The same day Buckingham-shire men both Gentlemen Ministers and others of that Countrey on hors-back with their protestations in their hats for Reformation of evils in Church and State and to assure their best services and assistance to the Parliament on all just occasions and out of Essex Hartford Bark-shire Surrey and other Counties of the Kingdome came one after another 62 The Earl of Essex was ordained Lord General over all the Parl. Forces which he faithfully managed as Edge-hill Newbury and other places can abundantly witness 63 At Edge-hill 16 pieces of Canon shot against 80 of the Earl of Essex Life guard and not one man hurt and those 80 brake in upon 1600 of the Kings four of the Parl. Regiments ran away and sixteen Troops of Horse so we were 6000 and they 18000 yet we took their Standard and cleft Sir Edw. Varney Standard-bearer in the head and slew the Lord Lindsey General of the field 63 A plot to have blown up all the Lord Generals Magacine of powder and another at Beverley in Yorkeshire to have slain Sir John Hotham both intended by one David Alexander and hired thereunto but both timely prevented 64 Commissioners granted to Popish Recusants to leavy men and arms against the Parliament 65 The King received the most bloody Irish Rebels Petition and permitted their persons with great favour and allowance about him calling and counting them good Catholick Subjects but utterly rejecting the Petition exhibited by the Lord General desiring peace and reconciliation with him 66 A Treaty of peace was really intended by the Parliament but meerly pretended by the King for a while in which interim that most bloody bickering at Brainford was committed by the Kings party the City of London mightily preserved 67 New High-Sheriffs for the better collecting of the 400000 li Subsidies intended to have been confirmed to the King in a former Parliament crost and an Oâ—dinance set on foot for the successefull association of Counties for mutuall defence one of another 68 A design of the Royalists at Oxford and elsewhere to proceed against the prisoners as Traitors and so put them to death by which Dr Bastwicke Captain Lilburn were to have been tryed for their lives but preserved by an Ordinance for execution of a Lex talionis and so of executing the royal prisoners among us Anno 1643. 69 A notable plot against the City of London immediately upon the Cities preferring a Petition to the King by the hands of two Aldermen and four Commoners of the said City in reply to which Petition the King sending as his messenger one Captain Hern to the City and the whole body of the City assembling at a Common-Hal this Hern desires Faire play above board of them but the busines being found to be a notable design of the Malignant Citizens against the Parl. and the then Lord Maior of London and the Government of their City the major part cry out in the Hearing of Hern they would live and dye with the Parl. and so sent Hern away with a flea in his ear 70 A letter sent to all the Freemen Journeymen and Apprentices of City to assemble at their several Hals and there the Masters and Wardens of all Companies to read the Kings Letter to them and to perswade them to yeeld to all the Kings commands against the City This Letter was voted scandalous 71 A plot to betray Bristol but discovered two principal conspirators were by Martial Law condemned and hanged The 2 of May 1643 ye Crosse in Cheapeside was pulled downe a Troope of Horse 2 Companies of foote wayted to garde it at ye fall of ye tope Crosse dromes beat trupets blew multitudes of Capes wayre throwne in ye Ayre a greate Shoute of People with ioy ye 2 of May the Almanake sayeth was ye invention of the Crosse 6 day at night was the Leaden Popes burnt in the place where it stood with ringinge of Bells a greate Acclamation no hurt done in all these actions 72 Mr Pryn sent to search Canterburies Chamber and Study found the original Scotch Service-book with his own hand-writing the cause of all the Scots wars 73 London to have been betrayed under a pretence of peace by Mr Waller a Member of Parl. Mr Tomkins Mr Challenor and others but Waller fined 10000. l. and perpetuall banishment Tomkins and Challenor hanged the one at the Exchange and the other in Holborn 74 Sir John Hotham attempted the betraying of Hull unto the Queen An Order sent down to the Church-wardens to demolish Altars to remove the Communion Table from the East end and to take away all Tapers Candlesticks and Basons and to demolish all Crucifixes Crosses and all Pictures and Images of the Trinity and Virgin Mary both within and without all Churches and Chappels 75 A plot for betraying of Lincoln by the two Purfries but preserved 76 Gloucester admirably freed by the City Regiments 77 A rebellion by the
Kentish malignants about Tunbridge 78 A Ship bound from Denmark to the King of about 300 Tun richly laden with Arms and Ammunition another Ship bound from Newcastle to Holland laden with Sea-coale but in the midst thereof was found between 3 or 4000l hid in the coals sent to buy arms for the King a third great Ship called the Fellowship of at least 400 Tun carrying 24 peeces of Ordnance taken by the Parliament 79 Scotland with an Army of at least 20000 Horse and Foot invited thereunto by the Parl. in the bitter depth of winter when they marched up to the middle in snow and were forced to bring their Artillery over the Ice of the frozen River of Tyne and the Citizens of London lent the Parl. a 100000. l. for the Scots first pay to encourage their advance to help us against the Kings Forces May 23. 1643. Voted the Queen Pawning the Jewels of the Crown in Holland and therewith buying Arms to assist the War against the Parl. and her own actuall performances with her Popish Army in the North was high Treason and transmitted to the Lords Images Crucifixes Papistical Books in Somerset and Jameses were burnt and five Capuchin Friers sent away May 1643. An Ordinance for the making of Forts Trenches and Bulwarks about the City July 1. 43. The Assembly of Divines met Dr Twiss Prolocutor 120 the total The Bishop of Canterburies first prayer on the Scaffold Jan. 10. 1644. O Eternal God and mercifull Father look down upon me in mercy in the riches and fulnesse of all thy mercies look upon me but not till thou hast nailed my sins to the Crosse of Christ look upon me but not till thou hast bathed me in the blood of Christ not till I have hid my selfe in the wounds of Christ that so the punishment that is due to my sins may passe away and go over me and since thou art pleased to try me to the uttermost I humbly beseech thee give me 〈◊〉 in this great instant full patience proportionable comfort a heart ready to dye for thine honour and the Kings happinesse and this Churches preservation and my zeale to these far from arrogancy be it spoken is all the sin humane frailty excepted and all incidents thereunto which is yet known of me in this particular for which I now come to suffer I say in this particular of Treason but otherwise my sins are many and great Lord pardon them all and those especially whatsoeever they be which have drawne this present judgement upon me and when thou hast given me strength to bear it then do with me as seems best in thine owne eyes and carry me through death that I may look upon it in what visage soever it shall appear to me and that there may be a stop of this issue of blood in this more then miserable Kingdome I shall desire that I may pray for the people too as well as for my self O Lord I beseech thee give grace of repentance to all people that Sr Alexander Carew Sr. Iohn Hotham Captin Hotham the Arch Bishop of Canterbury be headed on Iowerhill for Ireason against ye Parliament 1645. have a thirst for blood but if they will not repent then scatter their devices so and such as are or shall be contrary to the glory of thy great name the truth and sincerity of Religion the establishment of the King and his posterity after him in their just rights and priviledges the honour and conservation of Parl. in their ancient and just power the preservation of this poor Church in her turth peace and patrimony and the settlement of this distracted and distressed people under the ancient laws and in their native liberties and when thou hast done all this in mercy for them O Lord fill their hearts with thank fulness and with religious dutifull obedience to thee and thy Commandements all their dayes So Amen Lord Jesus and I beseech thee receive my soul to mercy Our Father c. The Bishop of Canterburies last Prayer on the Scaffold Lord I am comming as fast as I can I know I must passe through the shadow of death before I can come to see thee but it is but umbra mortis a meer shadow of death a little darknesse upon nature but thou by thy merits and passion hast broke through the jaws of death so Lord receive my soul and have mercy on me and blesse this Kingdome with peace and plenty and with brotherly love and charity that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them for Jesus Christ his sake if it be thy will And when he said Lord receive my soule which was his signe the Executioner did his Office 80 A design to starve the City by breaking into Surrey Sussex Kent but disappointed by S. W. Waller with the help of the City Regiments 81 The King granted a cessation of arms with the bloody Rebels of Ireland but it was observed he never prospered after that 82 A Solemn League and Covenant taken by the Lords and Commons in Parl. and by the City of London and all parts of the Kingdom in the Parl. power 83 Nottingham Town and Castle to have been betrayed but prevented by Col. Hutchinson A Ship from Denmark of 300 Tuns laden for the most part with Round-heads they were halfe Pike-staves with a great knob at the end of it full of iron spikes sent to the King and great treasure but that year the Swedes fell into Denmarke and took away halfe his Countrey from him 1643. 84 A plot against the City of London by Sir Basil Brooke Col. Read Mr Ripley and Vilot 2 Citizens of London and others but prevented 1644. 85 Two desperate plots for the betraying of Ailsbury and one against Southampton but all three prevented 86 Mr Edward Stanford plotted with Cap. Backhouse for the betraying of the City of Gloucester and proferred 5000l for a reward 300l whereof was paid to the said Captain but the plot was frustrated 87 Our Army in Cornwall preserved with the losse of our Artillery 88 A peace pretended at Vxbridge and a treacherous Petition framed by the Malignants of Buckingham-shire wherein one Sir John Lawrence of that Country was a great stickler but frustrated 89 Melcomb Regis to have been betrayed wherein divers of the Malignant Townsmen had a principal hand and Col. Goring and Sir Lewis Dives were agents therein the Town and Forts recovered and two Ships with rich prizes from Rhoan in France were seized on to make amends for their trouble The Service-Book Voted downe 90 Earls and Lords from Oxford submitted themselves to the Parl. The famous Victory of Naisby over the Kings Forces 5000 prisoners taken A Jewel of 500l sent to Gen. Leven by the Parl. All the Kings Commissioners taken at Shaftsbury Basing-house taken and burnt 91 A plot in the West against the Parl. by the Glubmen 92 A sudden pâ—ot upon Scotland which was almost over-run by Montross but as suddenly recovered again
by Generall David Lesley and Montross discomfied and beaten away into the mountaines 93 A Treaty with the Parl. for a well-grounded peace and yet at that time the Earl of Glamorgan had a Commission to the ruine of all the Protestants in Ireland and consequently in England also 94 The Great Seal broken before the Lords and Commons on Tuesday the 11 of August 1646. The Negative Oath I A. B. Do swear from my heart that I will not directly nor indirectly adhere unto or willingly assist the King in this war or in this Cause against the Parl. And I do likewise swear that my comming and submitting my selfe under the power and protection of the Parl is without any manner of designe whatsoever to the prejudice of the proceedings of the two Houses of this Parl. and without the direction privity and advice of the King or any of his Councell or Officers other then what I have now made known So help me God and the Contents of this Book 1646 The King Escapes out of Oxford in a disguised maner Ordered That whosoever conceals the Kings person shall be a Traytor A Letter concerning the Kings coming to the Scots Army May 5. 1646. RIght Honourable the discharging of our selves of the duty we owe to the Kingdom of Engl to you as Commissioners from the same moves us to acquaint you with the Kings coming in to our Army this morning which having overtaken us unexpectedly hath filled us with amazement and made us like men that dream we cannot think that he could have been so unadvised in his resolutions as to have cast himselfe on us without a reall intention to give full satisfaction to both Kingdoms in all their just and reasonable demands in all those things that concern Religion and Righteousnes whatsoever be his dispositions or resolutions you may be assured that we shall never entertain any thought nor correspondency with any purpose or countenance any indeavours that may in any circumstance incroach upon our League and Covenant or weaken the union or confidence betwixt the Nations that union to our Kingdom was the matter of many prayers and as nothing was more joyfull unto us then to have it set on foot so hitherto have we thought nothing too dear to maintain it and we trust to walk with such faithfullnesse and truth in this particular that as we have the testimony of a good conscience within our selves so you and all the world shall see that we mind your interest with as much integrity and care as our owne being confident you will entertaine no other thought of us Signed May 5. 1646. LOTHIAN A Remonstrance exhibited in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-councel of the City of London to the High Court of Parl. 1 That some strict and speedy course may be taken for the suppressing of all private and separate Congregrations 2 That all Anabaptists Brownists Hereticks Schismaticks Blasphemers and all such Sectaries as conforme not to the publick discipline established or to be established by the Parliament may fully be declared against and some effectuall course settled for proceeding against such persons 3 That as we are all Subjects of one Kingdome so all may be equally required to yield obedience to the Government either set or to be set forth 4 That no person disaffected to the Presbyterian Government set or to be set forth by the Parliament may be imployed in any place of publick trust The King gave speedy order to several Officers for the surrender of the Towns Castles and Forts which then were in the hands of the Kings Commanders viz. Oxford Worcester Litch feild and Wallingford A Petition delivered to his Excellency from the Officers and Souldiers in the Army touching their faithfulness in the Parl. service doing Summer service in the Winter season c. Further presented severall desires of theirs 1 That an Ordinance of indempnity with the Royal assent be desired 2 That satisfaction may be given to the Petitioners for their arrears both in their former service and in this Army before it is disbanded 3 That those who have voluntarily served the Parliament may not be prest to serve in another Kingdom c. 4 That those who have lost lives limbs or estates may be provided for and relieved 1647. The Apology in answer to his Excellencies letter relating their sense of a second storm hanging over their heads by the malice of a secret enemy worse then the former now vanquished expressing their sorrow that they cannot desire their owne security without hazard to his Excellency c. Concerning the abuse to divers well-affected to the Army by imprisonment to the ruine of their estates and losse of their lives And for their candid intentions and endeavours declared no less then troublers and enemies to the state and Kingdom resolving rather to dye like men then to be enslaved and hanged like dogs c. A Letter from his Excellency to the Earl of Manchester concerning the Votes of both Houses as also his grief of heart for the distractions between the Parliament and Army desiring that all things may be determined in love c. That the Souldiers of Holdenby with the Kings consent brought him away from thence c. That his Majesty was unwilling to return back again to Holdenby c. And that the removall of his Majesty from Holdenby was no designe knowledge or privity on his part c. A particular charge against the 11 Members impeached by the Army 1 That Mr Denzil Hollis being one of the speciall Commissioners for the Parl. to present Propositions to the King at Oxford made private addresses to the Kings party then in arms against the Parl. and did secretly plot and advise them against the Parl. c. 2 That the said Mr. Denzil Hollis and Sir Phillip Stapleton during the late war when the Earl of Lindsey went from the Tower to Oxford sent severall messages of intelligence to the Earl of Dorset c. 3 That the said Mr Hollis Sir Phillip Stapleton Sir Wil. Lewis Sir John Clotworthy Sir Wil. Waller Sir John Maynard Maj. Gen. Massie Mr Glyn Mr Long Col. Edward Harley and Anthony Nicholas in the months of March April May and June last in prosecution of their evil designs met in divers places with persons disaffected to the State for holding correspondency with the Queen of England now in France and incouraged her party there 4 And indeavoured to bring in Forraign forces and listed divers Commanders and Souldiers there to raise and leavy a new war 5 And affronted divers Petitioners that came in a peaceable manner boysterously assaulting them c. 6 Imprisoned some Members of the Army and to dis-oblige the Army from the Parl. The solemn Engagement of the Citizens Commanders Officers and Souldiers c. This was the Treasonable Ingagement WE do solemnly engage our selves and vow unto Almighty God That we will to the utmost of our power cordially endeavour that his Majesty may
A Brief REVIEW Of the most material Parliamentary Proceedings OF THIS Present Parliament and their Armies in their Civil and Martial Affairs Which Parliament began the third of November 1640. And the remarkable Transactions are continued untill the ACT OF OBLIVION February 24. 1652. Published as a Breviary leading all along successively as they fell out in their severall years So that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage he may turne to the year and so see in some measure in what Moneth thereof it was accomplished And for Information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these times which things are brought to passe that former Ages have not heard of and after Ages will admire A Work worthy to be kept in Record and communicated to Posterity Hosea 14. 9. Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them but the transgressors shall fall therein LONDON Printed by M. S. for Tho Jenner at the South-entrance of the Royal Exchange 1652. 1 IN the first year of King Charles his Reign a Parliament being called at Oxford two subsidies were granted no grievances removed but the said Parliament soon dissolved 2 The sad effects which the dissolution of this Parliament produced were the losse of Rochell by the unhappy help of Englands Ships 3 The diversion of a most facile and hopefull war from the West-Indies to a most expensive and succelesse attempt on Cales 4 The attempt on the Isle of Ree and thereby a precipitate breach of peace with France to our great losse 5 A peace concluded with Spain without consent of Parliament contrary to a promise formerly made to the Kingdom by King James a little before his death whereby the cause of the Palatinate was altogether most shamefully deserted by us 6 The Kingdom suddenly billetted with Souldiers and a concomitant project set on foot for Germane Horses to force men by fear to fall before arbitrary and tyrannicall taxations continually to be laid upon them 2 Parliament 7 The dissolution of a second Parliament at Westminster in the second year after a declarative grant of no lesse then five Subsidies and the sad issues that flowed to the Kingdom thereupon 8 As first the violent exacting from the people that mighty sum of the 5 Subsidies or a sum equal to it by a Commission for a Royal Loan 9 Many worthy Gentlemen imprisoned and vexed that refused to pay it 10 Great sums extorted by Privy Seals and Excises and the most hopefull Petition of Right blasted 3 Parliament 11 A third Parliament called and quickly broken in the fourteenth year of the King the best Members clapt up close prisoners denied all ordinary and extraordinary comforts of life and so that Paliament was dissolved 12 Opprobrious Declarations published to asperse the proceedings of the last Parliament yea Proclamations set out to those effects thereby extreamly to dis-hearten the Subjects yea and plainly forbidding them once to name a Parliament or to desire them any more 13 Whence immediatly gushed out the violent inundations of mighty sums of money got by that strange project of Knight-hood yet under a colour of Law 14 The most burthensome Book of Rates the unheard of Taxation of Ship-money the enlargement of Forrests contrary to Magna Charta the injurious taxation of Coat and Conduct money the forcible taking away of the Trained-Bands Arms Ingrossing Gunpowder into their hands in the Tower of London 15 The destruction of the Forrest of Dean which was sold to Papists whence we had all our Timber for Shipping 16 Monopolies of Sope Salt Wine Leather and Sea-Coal yea almost of all things in the Kingdome of most necessary and common use 17 Restraint in Trades and Habitations for refusall of which foresaid heavy pressures many were vext with long and languishing suits some fined and confined to prisons to the loss of health in many of life in some some having their houses broken open their goods seized on their studies or closets searched for writings books and papers to undo them some interrupted also in their Sea-Voyages and their Ships taken from them 18 The crushing cruelties of the Star-Chamber Court and Councel Table where the Recorder of Salisbury was greatly fined for demolishing the Picture of the first person in the Trinity in their great Cathedrall 19 Thus far for the miseries of the Common-wealth Popish Ceremonies Romish Innovations and such like other outrages of the Arch Prelate of Canterbury and his Prelaticall Agents and Instruments over the whole Kingdom in matters of Religion divine worship and spirituall cases of conscience 20 Additions in the Oath administred to the King at his first Inauguration to the Crown by the Arch-Bishop 21 Fines imprisonments stigmatizings mutilations whippings pillories gagget confinements and banishments yea and that into perpetuall close imprisonments in the most desolate remote and as they hoped and intended remotest parts of the Kingdome Mr Burton Mr Bastwick Mr Prin. 22 The ruinating of the Feoffees for buying in of Impropriations and the advancing to Ecclesiasticall Livings Arminians silencing with deprivations degradations and excommunications almost all the most pious Pastors over the Land whom they could catch in their snares and all this under a pretence of peace unity and conformity 23 Printing Presses set open for the Printing and publishing of all Popish and Arminian Tenets but shut up and restrained from Printing sound Doctrines 24 Nay not only thus lamentably molested in England but attempted the like in Scotland indeavouring to impose upon them New Liturgie and a Book of Canons 25 They refusing of them were called and counted Rebels and Traytours yea so proclaimed in all Churches in England and an Army was also raised to oppresse and suppresse them The Arch-Prelate of St Andrewes in Scotland reading the new Service-booke in his pontificaliby assaulted by men Women with Cricketts stooles Stickes and Stones The rising of Prentises and Sea-men on Southwark-side to assault the Arch-bishops of Canterburys House at Lambeth 27 Scotland raising an Army in their own just defence and by force of Arms inforcing their own peace 28 A first pacification being then made by the King and some of his Nobility and ratified under hand and Seal 'twixt them and the Scots yet was it shortly after quite broken off by the Arch-Prelat of Canterbury and the E. of Strafford and burnt by the Hangman at the Exchange 4 Parliament 29 A fourth Parliament was thereupon shortly after called again by those complotters means but to a very ill intent and another Parliament summoned also at the same time by the Earl of Strafford in Ireland both of them only to levy and procure moneys to raise another Army and wage a new War against the Scots 30 The Ships and Goods of Scotland were in all parts and ports of this Land and of Ireland also surprized and seized on for the
King their Commissioners denyed audience to make their just defence to the King and the whole Kingdom of Scotland and England too hereupon much distracted and distempered with leavying of moneys and imprisoning all amongst us that refused the same 31 This Parliament also refusing to comply with the King Canterbury and Strafford in this Episcopal War against the Scots was soon dissolved and broken up by them and thereupon they returned to their former wayes of wast and confusion and the very next day after the dissolution thereof some eminent members of both Houses had their Chambers and Studies yea their Cabinets and very pockets of their wearing cloaths betimes in the morning before they were out of their beds searched for Letters and Writings and some of them imprisoned and a false and most scandalous Declaration was published against the House of Commons in the Kings Name 32 A forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London to be made a President if it prevailed there for the whole Kingdome but some Aldermen refusing were sorely threatned and imprisoned 33 In which interim the Clergies convocation continuing notwithstanding the dissolution of the Parliament new conscience-opprissing-Canons were forged and a strange Oath with a c. in it was framed for the establishing of the Bishops Hierarchy with severe punishments on the refusers to take it The Oath That I A. B. doe sweare that I doe approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England as containing all things necessary to Salvation And that I will not endeavour by my selfe or any other directly or indirectly to bring in any Popish Doctrine contrary to that which is so established Nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church by Arch-Bishops Bishops Deanes and Arch-Deacons c. as it stands now established and as by right it ought to stand Nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome And all these things I doe plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to the plaine and common sence and understanding of the same words without any equivocation or mentall evasion or secret reservation whatsoever And this I doe heartily willingly and truly upon the faith of a Christian So help me God in Jesus Christ 34 In this Convocation sore Taxations were also imposed upon the whole Clergie even no lesse than six Subsidies besides a bountifull contribution to forward that intended War against Scotland 35 For the advancing of which said sums for this War the Popish were most free and forward yea and a solemn prayer was composed and imposed by the Bishops on their Ministers every where to be used and read in all Churches against the Scots as rebels and traytors 36 The Papists also in a high measure enjoyed even almost a totall toleration and a Popes Nuncio suffered amongst us to act and govern all Romish affairs yea a kind of private Popish Parliament kept in the Kingdom and Popish Jurisdictions erected among them 37 Commissioners were also secretly issued out for some great and eminent Papists for martiall Commands for levying of Souldiers and strengthening their party with Arms and Ammunition of all sorts and in great plenty 38 His Majesties treasure was by these means so extreamly exhausted and his revenues so anticipated that he was forced to compell as it were his own servants Judges and Officers of all sorts to lend him great sums of money and prisons filled with refusers of these and the other illegal payments yea many High-Sheriffs summoned in the Star-Chamber and to the Councel-board and some of them imprisoned for not being quick enough in levying of Ship-money and such like intolerable taxations 39 In sum the whole Land was now brought into a lamentble 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 40 In which interim the Scots being entred our Kingdome for their own defence the King had advanced his Royal-Standard at Yorke where the cream of the Kingdom Nobles and Gentry being assembled and a Treaty betwixt the prime of both Armies had at Rippon for a fair and peaceable accommodation the King was at last inforced to take his Nobles councel and in the first place a cessation of Arms agreed on and then this 5th present Parliament the Parliament of Parliaments was necessitously resolved on to begin November 3. 1640. 5 Parliament Anno 1640. Novemb. 3. 41 But behold a desperate plot and design was herein also immediately set on foot to spoyle 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 Earls Lords Knights and Gentry posts into all parts of the Kingdom to make a strong party for them but by admirable divine providence this their plot was counterplotted and frustrated and the Parliament most hopefully congregated and setled 42 Shortly after a very formidable Spanish-Fleet or Armado appeared on our English narrow Seas in sight of Dover and was coming in as was on very strong grounds more then probably conjectured as a third party to help to destroy us the Spaniards hoping that by this time we and the Scots were together by the ears but they were by Gods mercy beaten off from us by our Neighbours of Holland And we fighting against them fought against our friends 43 The Souldiers in their passage to York turn reformers pul down Popish Pictures break down rails turn altars into tables and those Popish Commanders that were to command them they forced to eat flesh on Fridays thrusting it down their throats and some they slew 44 In the time of ours and the Scots Armies residing in the North which was in June 1641. the Malignant Lords and Prelates fearing the effects of this present Parliament complotted together to dissaffect that our English Army against the Parliament and endeavoured to bring it out of the North Southward and so to London to compell the Parliament to such limits and rules as they thought fit Whereupon the Parliament entred upon this Protestation At the beginning of the Parliament July 1641 there was a diligent inquisition after oppressions and oppressors and first upon the Petition of Mistris Bastwick and Mâ—â—â—â—…s Burton two widowed wives and a Petition exhibited in the behalf of Mr Pryn Dr Laighton Mr Smart Mr Walker Mr Foxley Mr Lilburn and many others set at liberty some being banish'd and all close Prisoners others fast fettered in irons and their wives debarr'd from coming to them 45 The Earl of Strafford then Prisoner in the Tower attempted an escape promising to Sir William Belfore then Lieutenant of the Tower twenty thousand pounds and the marriage of his Daughter to Sir Williams Son if he would but consent but Sir William hated such
Bribes 46 Then they attempted by false scandals on the Parliament to intice the Army of the Scots then still in the North to a Neutrality whiles our English Army acted Die Veneris 30 July 1641. 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 Jesuites and other adherents to the Sea of Rome have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice than formerly to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the true Reformed Protestant Religion in his Majesties Dominions established And finding also that they have been and having just cause to suspect that there are still even during this sitting in Parliament endeavours to subvâ—rt the fundamentall Lawes of England and Ireland and to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government by most pernicious and wicked counsels practises plots 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 Innovations and Superstitions have been brought into the Church multitudes driven out of his Majesties Dominions jealousies raised and fomented betwixt the King and his people a Popish Army lâ—vyed in Ireland and two Armies brought into the bowels of his Kingdome to the hazard of his Majesties Royal person the consumption of the Revenues of the Crown and Treasure of his Kingdome And lastly finding great cause of jealousie that endeavours have been and are used to bring the English Army into a mis understanding of this Parliament thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to pass those wicked Councels Have therefore thought good to joyne our selves in a Declaration of our united affections and resolutions and to make this ensuing Protestation The Protestation I A. B. Do in the presence of Almighty God Promise Vow and Protest to maintaine and defend is far as lawfully I may with my life power and state the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against Popery and Popish Innovations within this Realme contrary to the same Doctrine and according to the duty of my Allegiance his Majesties Royall Person Honour and Estate as also the power and priviledges of Parliament the lawfull rights and liberties of the Subject and every person that maketh this Protestation in whatsoever he shall do in the lawfull pursuance of the same And to my power and as far as lawfully I may I will oppose and by all good wayes and means endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall either by force practice councels plots conspiracies or otherwise do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained And further that I shall in all just and honourable ways endeavour to preserve the union 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 May 12. 1641. MY Lord Primate of Ireland and my Lords and the rest of these Gentlemen it is a very great comfort to me to have your Lordship by me this day in regard I have been known to you a long time I should be glad to obtain so much silence as to be heard a few words but doubt I shall not my Lord I come hither by the good will and pleasure of Almighty God to pay the last debt I owe to sin which is death and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the mercies of Christ Jesus to eternal glory I wish I had beene private that I might have been heard My Lord if I might be so much beholding to you that I might use a few words I should take it for a very great courtesie My Lord I come hither to submit to that judgement which hath past against me I do it with a very quiet and contented mind I do freely forgive all the world a forgiveness that is not spoken from the teeth outward as they say but from my heart I speak it in the presence of Almighty God before whom I stand that these is not so much as a displeasing thought in me arising to any creature I thank God I may say truly and my conscience bears me witness that in all my services since I have had the honour to serve his Majesty in any imployment I never had any thing in my heart but the joynt and individuall prosperity of King and people if it hath been my hap to be misconstrued it is the common portion of us all while we are in this life the righteous judgement is hereafter here we are subject to error and apt to be mis-judged one of another there is one thing I desire to clear my self of and I am very confident I speak it with so much clearnesse that I hope I shall have your Christian charity in the belief of it I did alwayes think that the Parliaments of England were the happiest constitutions that any Kingdome or any Nation lived under and under God the means of making King and people happy so far have I been from being against Parliaments for my death I here acquit all the world and pray God heartily to forgive them and in particular my Lord Primate I am very glad that his Majesty is pleased to conceive me not mericing so severe and heavy a punishment as the utmost execution of this sentence I am very glad and infinitely rejoyce in this mercy of his and beseech God to turn it to him and that he may find mercy when he hath most need of it I wish the Kingdom all the prosperity and happines in the world I did it living and now dying it is my wish I do now profess it from my heart and do most humbly recommend it to every man here and wish every man to lay his hand upon his heart and consider seriously whether the beginning of the happines of a people should be writ in letters of blood I fear you are in a wrong way and I desire Almighty God that not one drop of my blood may rise up in judgement against you My Lord I profess my self a true and obedidient Son to the Church of England to the Church wherein I was born and wherein I was bred prosperity happines be ever to it and whereas it hath been said that I have inclined to Popery if it be an objection worth answering let me say truly that from the time since I was twenty one years of age till this hour now going upon forty nine 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 contrary to the best of my remembrance and so being reconciled to the mercies of Christ Jesus my Saviour into whose bosom I hope shortly to be gathered to that eternall
undertake to do so I may be heard and that I be not hindred from using such lawful and honest means as I shall chuse To conclude let me be heard with freedom honour and safety and I shall instantly break through this cloud of retirement and shall shew my self to be Pater Patriae C. R. A great tumult insurrection and mutiny in London breaking open divers houses and magazines of Arms and Ammunition breaking open divers houses seizing on the Drums Gates Chains and Watches of the City assaulted and shot into the L. Maiors house and killed one of his Guard c. 1648. MAy 16. Surrey Petitioners came to Westminster and made a great shout and cryed Hey for King Charls We will pull the Members out by the Earâ—s disarmed two Sentinels knockt them down one Sentinell refusing to be disarmed the Petitioners got within his Arms one of them drew his sword and run him through and the Petitioners drew their swords on the Troopers and said fall on for King Charls now or never but a party of 500 Foot did take some of the Petitioners were slain four or five of the souldiers two The old L. Goring proclaimed General at the head of the Kentish Army upon the Hill neer Alisford consisted of 8000 besides those in Maidstone there were neer 300 slain and about 2300 prisoners many of them taken in the Woods Hop-yards and fields also Gentlemen of good quality there were about 500 Horse 3000 Arms 9 foot Colours and 8 pieces of Canon with store of Ammunition taken Their word at the engagement was King and Kent Ours Truth They being routed marched over Rochester Bridge towards Black-Heath with about 3000 Horse and Foot most Cavaliers Prentises and Watermen and fled over the water into Essex by Woollidge and Greenwich The Duke of Buckingham L. Francis E. of Holland L. Andrew L. Cambden and others rose in Surrey and made Proclamation that they expected the Parl. would have setled the Kingdom but because they have not they would fetch the King and live and dye with him to settle it July 11. 1648. was the surrender of Pembroke Castle The Scots Army of 21000. Invaded England Duke Hambletons Standard had motto Date Cesari Foot Standard for Covenant Religion King and Kingdomes Riseing in Kent Revosting of the Navie Redusing Colchester And Quelling the insurection in Pembroke shire all in 1648 The Scots entring the Kingdom July 11. 1648. Maj. Gen. Lambert sent this Letter to Duke Hammilton MY Lord Having received Information that some Forces of Horse and Foot are marched out of Scotland into this Kingdome under your Excellencies Command I have sent this Bearer unto you desiring to know the truth and intent thereof and whether they are come in opposition to the Forces in these parts raised by the Authority of the Parl. of England and now in prosecution of their Commands I desire your Lordships speedy answer and rest Your Excellencies humble servant J. Lambert Duke Hammiltons Answer NOble Sir I received yours of the 11 of this instant in answer whereunto I shall only say the informaâ—ion you received is true for according to the Commands of the Committee of Estates of the Parl. of Scotland there are Forces both of Horse and Foot come into this Kingdome under my conduct for prosecution of the ends mentioned in my Letter of the 6. to which I refer you intending to oppose any that are or shall be in Arms for the obstructing those pious loyal and just ends and so remain Hambleton The Town of Colchester delivered up Sir Charls Lucas and Sir Geo Lisle shot to death L. Col. Lilburn revolted at Newcastle declared for the King Sir Arthur Hasâ—erigge storm'd the Castle Lilburns head was set upon a pole June 5. The L. of Warwick went to Portsmouth to bring into obedience the mutinous Sea-men there was with the L. of Warwicke the Phoenix Mary Rose Robert Nonesuch Lilly Lyon Bonadventure Antilope Swift-sure Hector and Fellowship A short Abridgement of the Engagement made by the Common Councell Commanders Souldiers and Commission officers in London WE declaâ—e to ingage as much as in us lâ—es to defend the King and Parl from all violence and to the end we may be inabled to perform the same We humbly offer that the Forces in the line may be one entire Militia and no Forces may be raised but by Authority of the said Militia by consent of the Common Councel We desire no Forces in Arms might come within thirty miles of London during the Treaty and for those within what persons soever shall make any tumu't shall be put to death Ordered that the Common Councel men and Commanders shall within their severall Precincts goe from house to house to receive concurrence to the said Ingagement Decemb. 1648. The House having notice of the Kings carrying to Hurst Castâ—e voted That the seizing his person was without their advice or consent Dec. 5. The House Voted That his Majesties concessions to their Proposals was ground sufficient to settle the Peace of the Kingdome Dec. 6. Col. Rich and Col. Prides Reg. guarded the Parl. and seized some Members Maj. Gen. Brown Sheriff of London was apprehended Decemb. 12. Dec 13. The House Voted That the Lords and Commons declare they will make no further Addresses to the King nor none shall be by any person whatsoever without leave of he Parl. and if any make breach of this Order they shall incur the Penalty of High Treason and that they will receive no more any Message from the King to both or either Houses of Parl. An Ordinance sent to the Lords for the Triall of the King but they rejected the Commission and adjourned 8 dayes after that they never sate more â—er Dâ—nâ—y Serj. at Arms to the Commissioners rode into Westminster Hall with the Mace belonging to the House of Commons on his shoulder and some Officers attending him all bare and six Trumpeters on Horseback a guard of Horse and Foot attending in the Pallace yard and Proclamation was made All that had any thing for matter of Fact against Charls Stuart King of England to bring it in to the Commissioners Jan. 19. 1648. That this present Seale of England should be broken in pieces and a new one forthwith made and ordered that the Arms of England and Ireland should be Ingraâ—en on the one side on the other side a Map of the Parl. with these words in it The first yeare of Freedome by Gods blessing restored 1648. The Charge of the Commons of England against Charls Stuart King of England That the said Ch Stuart being admitted King of England and therein trusted with a limitted power to govern by and according to the Lawes of the Lâ—nd and not otherwise and by his Truth Oath and Office being obliged to use the power committed to him For the good and benefit of the people and for the preservation of their Rights and Liberties yet nevertheless out of a wicked design to erect and uphold in
head from his Body his Body was put in a Coffin covered with black velvet and removed to his lodging Chamber at White hall An Act prohibiting the Proclaiming of any person to be King of England c. WHereas Charls Stuart King of England being for the notorious Treasons Tyrannies and Murthers committed by him in the late unnaturall and cruell Wars condemned to death Whereupon after Execution of the same severall pretences may be made and Title set on scot unto the Kingly Office to the apparent hazzard of the Publique Peace For the prevention thereof Be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament and by the Authority of the same That no person or persons whatsoever doe presume to Proclaime Declare Publish or any way promote Charls Stuart Son of the said Charls commonly called Prince of Wales or any other Person to be King or chief Magistrate of England or of Ireland or of any the Dominions belonging to them or any of them by colour of Inheritance Succession Election or any other claim whatsoever without the free consent of the people in Parliament first had and signified by a particular Act or Ordinance for that purpose any Statute Law usage or custome to the contrary notwithstanding And be it further Enacted and Ordained and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained that whatsoever shall contrary to this Act Proclaim Declare Publish or any way promote the said Charls Stuart the Son or any other person to be King or chiefe Magistrate of England or of Ireland or of any the Dominions belonging to them or to either of them without the said consent in Parliament signified as aforesaid shall be deemed and adjudged a Traytor to the Common-wealth and shall suffer the pains of death and such other punishments as belong to the Crime of High Treason And all Officers as well Civil as Military and all other well affected persons are hereby authorized and required forthwith to apprehend all such offenders and to bring them in safe custody to the next Iustice of the Peace that they be proceeded against accordingly H. Scobel Cler. Parl. D Com. Imprimatur Theodore Iennings The severall speeches of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cambridge Henry Earl of Holland and Arthur Lord Capel Spoken upon the Scaffold immediately before their Execution on Friday the ninth of March 1649. I Think it is truly not very necessary for me to speak much there are many Gentlemen and Souldiers there that see me but my voice truely is so weake so low that they connot heare me neither truly was I ever at any time so much in love with speaking or with any thing I had to expresse that I tooke delight in it yet this being the last time that I am to doe so by a Divine Providence of Almighty God who hath brought me to this end justly for my sins I shall to you Sir Master Sheriffe declare thus much as to the matter that I am now to suffer for which is as being a Traytor to the Kingdome of England Truly Sir It was a Country that I equally loved with my owne I made no difference I never intended either the generality of its prejudice or any particular mans in it what I did was by the command of the Parliament of the Country where I was borne whose command I could not disobey without running into the same hazard there of that condition that I now am in It pleased God so to dispose that Army under my command as it was ruined and I as their Generall cloathed with a commission stand here now ready to dye I shall not trouble you with repeating of my plea what I said in my owne Defence at the Court of JVSTICE my selfe being satisfied with the commands that is laid upon me and they satisfied with the justness of their Procedure according to the Laws of this Land God is just and howsoever I shall not say any thing as to the matter of the sentence but that I doe willingly submit to his Divine Providence and acknowledge that very many wayes I deserve even a worldly punishment as well as hereafter for we are all sinfull Sir and I a great one yet for my comfort I know there is a God in Heaven that is exceeding mercifull I know my Redeemer fits at his right hand and am confident clapping his hand on his breast is mediating for me at this instant I am hopefull through his free grace and all-sufficient merits to be pardoned of my sins and to be received into his mercy upon that I rely trusting to nothing but the free grace of God through Jesus Christ I have not been tainted in my Religion I thank God for it since my Infancy it hath been such as hath been profest in the Land and established and now it is not this Religion or that Religion nor this or that fancie of men that is to be built upon it is but one that 's right one that 's sure and that comes from God Sir and in the free grace of our Saviour Sir there is truly somewhat that he then observing the Writers said had I thought my speech would have been thus taken I would have digested it into some better method then now I can and shall desire these Gentlemen that doe write it that they will not wrong me in it and that it may not in this manner be published to my disadvantage for truly I did not intend to have spoken thus when I came here There are Sirs terrible aspersions that has been laid upon my self truly such as I thank God I am very free from as if my actions and intentions had not been such as they were pretended for but that notwithstanding what I pretended it was for the King there was nothing lesse intended then to serve him in it I was bred with him for many years I was his domestique servant and there was nothing declar'd by the Parliament that was not really intended by me and truly in it I ventured my life one way and now I lose it another way and that was one of the ends as to the King I speake onely of that because the rest has many particulars and to clear my self from so horrid an aspersion as is laid upon me neither was there any other designe known to me by the in coming of that Army then what is really in the Declaration published His person I doe professe I had reason to love as he was my King and as he had been my Master It hath pleased God now to dispose of him so as it cannot be thought flattery to have said this or any end in me for the saying of it but to free my self from that Calumny which lay upon me I cannot gain by it yet Truth is that which we shall gaine by for ever There hath been much spoken Sir of an invitation into this Kingdome it 's mentioned in that Declaration and truly to that I did and doe remit my self and I have been very much laboured for discoveries
there hath been nothing that I have said or done or professed either by Covenant or Declaration which hath not bin very constant and very clear upon the principles that I ever have gone upon which was to serve the King the Parliament Religion I should have said in the first place the Common-wealth and to seek the peace of the Kingdome That made me thinke it no improper time being prest out by accidents and circumstances to seek the Peace of the Kingdome which I thought was proper since there was something then in agitation but nothing agreed on for sending Propositions to the King that was the furthest aime that I had and truly beyond that I had no intention none at all And God be praised although my blood comes to be shed here there was I think scarcely a drop of blood shed in that action that I was ingaged in For the present affairs as they are I cannot tell how to judge of them and truly they are in such a condition as I conceive no body can make a judgement of them and therefore I must make use of my prayers rather then of my opinion which are that God would blesse this Kingdome this Nation this State that he would settle it in a way agreeable to what this Kingdome hath been happily governed under by a King by the Lords by the Commons a Government that I conceive it hath flourished much under and I pray God the change of it bring not rather a prejudice a disorder and a confusion then the contrary I look upon the Posterity of the King and truly my conscience directs me to it to desire that if God be pleased that these people may look upon them with that affection that they owe that they may be called in again and they may be not through blood nor through disorder admitted again into that power and to that glory that God hath in their birth intended to them I shall pray with all my Soul for the happinesse of this State of this Nation that the blood which is here spilt may be even the last which may fall among us and truly I should lay down my life with as much cheerfulnesse as ever person did if I conceived that there would no more blood follow us for a State or affairs that are built upon blood is a foundation for the most part that doth not prosper After the blessing that I give to the Nation to the Kingdom and truly to the Parliament I doe wish with all my heart happinesse and a blessing to all those that have been authors in this businesse and truly that have been authors in this very work that bringeth us hither I doe not only forgive them but I pray heartily and really for them as God will forgive my sins so I desire God may forgive them I have a particular relation as I am Chancellor of Cambridge and truly I must here since it is the last of my prayers pray to God that that University may goe on in that happy way which it is in that God may make it a Nursery to plant those persons that may be distributed to the Kingdome that the souls of the people may receive a great benefit and a great advantage by them and I hope God will reward them for their kindnesse and their affections that I have found from them Looking towards Mr. Bolton I have said what Religion I have been bred in what Religion I have been born in what Religion I have practised I began with it and I must end with it I told you that my actions and my life have not been agreeable to my breeding I have told you likewise that the Family where I was bred hath been an exemplary Family I may say so I hope without vanity of much affection to Religion and of much faithfulnesse to this Kingdom and to this State I have endeavoured to doe those actions that have become an honest man and which became a good Englishman and which became a good Christian I have been willing to oblige those that have been in trouble those that have been in persecution and truly I find a great reward of it for I have found their prayers and their kindnesse now in this distresse and in this condition I am in and I thinke it a great reward and I pray God reward them for it I am a great sinner and I hope God will be pleased to hear my prayers to give me faith to trust in him that as he hath called me to death at this place he will make it but a passage to an eternall life through Jesus Christ which I trust to which I rely upon and which I expect by the mercy of God And so I pray God blesse you all and send that you may see this to be the last execution and the last blood that is likely to be spilt among you And then turning to the side raile he prayed for a god space of time God hath given me speaking to M. Bolton long time in this world he hath carryed me through many great accidents of Fortune hee hath at last brought me down into a condition where I find my self brought to an end for a dis-affection to this State to this Parliament that as I said before I did believe no body in the world more unlikely to have expected to suffer for that Cause I look upon it as a great judgement of God for my sins And truly Sir since that the death is violent I am the lesse troubled with it because of those violent deaths that I have seen before Principally my Saviour that hath shewed us the way how and in what manner he hath done it and for what cause I am the more comforted I am the more rejoyced It is not long since the King my Master passed in the same manner and truely I hope that his purposes and intentions were such as a man may not be ashamed not onely to follow him in the way that was taken with him but likewise not ashamed of his purposes if God had given him life I have often disputed with him concerning many things of this kind and I conceive his sufferings and his better knowledge and better understanding if God had spared him life might have made him a Prince very happy towards himself and very happy towards this Kingdome I have seen and known that those blessed souls in heaven have passed thither by the gate of sorrow and many by the gate of violence And since it is Gods pleasure to dispose me this way I submit my soul to him with all comfort and with all hope that he hath made this my end and this my conclusion that though I be low in death yet neverthelesse this lownesse shall raise me to the highest glory for ever Truly I have not said much in publike to the people concerning the particular actions that I conceive I have done by my Counsels in this Kingdom I conceive they are well known it were something of vanity
seriously repent and receive a remission and pardon from God for it And now Gentlemen we have had an occasion by this intimation to remember his Majesty our King that last was and I cannot speak of him nor think of it but truly I must needs say that in my opinion that have had time to consider all the Images of all the greatest and vertuousest Princes in the world and truly in my opinion there was not a more vertuous and more sufficient Prince known in the world then our gracious King Charls that dyed last God Almighty preserve our King that now is his Son God send him more fortunate and longer days God Almighty so assist him that he may exceed both the vertues and sufficiencies of his Father For certainly I that have been a Councellour to him and have lived long with him and in a time when discovery is easily enough made for he was young he was about thirteen fourteen fifteen or sixteen years of age those years I was with him truly I never saw greater hopes of vertue in any young person then in him great Judgement great Understanding great Apprehension much Honour in his Nature and truly a very perfect Englishman in his inclination and I pray God restore him to this Kingdome and unite the Kingdoms one unto another and send a happinesse both to you and to him that he may long live and Reign among you and that that Family may Reign till thy Kingdome come that is while all Temporall Power is consummated I beseech God of his mercy give much happines to this your King and to you that in it shall be his Subjects by the grace of Jesus Christ Truly I like my beginning so well that I will make my conclusion with it that is That God Almighty would confer of his infinite and inestimable grace and mercy to those that are the causers of my comming hither I pray God give them as much mercy as their own hearts can wish and truly for my part I will not accuse any of them of malice truly I will not nay I will not think there was any malice in them what other ends there is I know not nor I will not examine but let it be what it will from my very soul I forgive them every one And so the Lord of Heaven blesse you all God Almighty be infinite in goodnesse and mercy to you and direct you in those wayes of obedience to his commands to his Majesty that this Kingdome may be a happy and glorious Nation again and that your King may be a happy King in so good and so obedient people God Almighty keep you all God Almighty preserve this Kingdome God Almighty preserve you all Then turning about and looking for the Executioner who was gone off the Scaffold said Which is the Gentleman which is the man Answer was made he is a coming he then said stay I must pull off my Doublet first and my Wastcoat And then the Executioner being come upon the Scaffold the Lord Capel said O friend prethee come hither Then the Executioner kneeling down the Lord Capel said I forgive thee from my soul and not only forgive thee but I shall pray to God to give thee all grace for a better life There is five pounds for thee and truly for my clothes and those things if there be any thing due to you for it you shall be very fully recompenced but I desire my body may not be stripped here and no body to take notice of my body but my own servants Look you friend this I shall desire of you that when I lye down that you would give me a time for a particular short prayer Then Lieut. Col. Beecher Said Make your own signe my Lord Capel Stay a little Which side doe you stand upon speaking to the Executioner Stay I think I should lay my hands forward that way pointing foreright and answer being made Yes he stood still a little while and then said God Almighty blesse all this people God Almighty stench this blood God Almighty stench stench stench this issue of blood this will not do the businesse God Almighty find out another way to do it And then turning to one of his servants said Baldwin I cannot see any thing that belongs to my wife but I must desire thee to beseech her to rest wholly upon Jesus Christ and be contented and fully satisfied and then speaking to his servants he said God keep you and Gentlemen let me now doe a businesse quickly privately and pray let me have your prayers at the moment of death that God would receive my soul Capel Pray at the moment of striking joyn your prayers but make no noise turning to his servants that is inconvenient at this time Servant My Lord put on your Cap. Capel Shoul I What will that doe me good Stay a little is it well as it is now And then turning to the Executioner he said Honest man I have forgiven thee therefore strike boldly from my soul I do it Then a Gentleman speaking to him he said Nay prethee be contented be quiet good M be quiet Then turning to the Executioner he said Well you are ready when I am ready are you not and stretching out his hands he said Then pray stand off Gentlemen then going to the front of the Scaffold he said to the People Gentlemen though I doubt not of it yet I thinke it convenient to ask it of you That you would all joyn in prayers with me That God would mercifully receive my soul and that for his alone mercies in Christ Jesus God Almighty keep you all Executioner My Lord Shall I put up your hair Capel I I prethee do and then as he stood lifting up his hands and eyes he said O God I doe with a perfect and a willing heart submit to thy will O God I doe most willingly humble my self then kneeling down said I will try first how I can lye and laying his head over the block said Am I well now Execu Yes And then as he lay with both his hands stretched out he said to the Executioner Here lye both my hands out when I lift up my hand thus then you may strike And then after he had said a short prayer he lifted up his right hand and the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body which was taken up by his servants and put with his body into a Coffin as the former March 19. 1648. An Act for abolishing of the House of Peers THe Commons of England assembled in Parliament finding by too long experience that the House of Lords is uselesse and dangerous to the People of England to be continued have thought fit to Ordain and Enact and be it Ordained and Enacted by the present Parliament and by the Authority of the same That from henceforth the House of Lords in Parliament shall be and is hereby wholly abolished and taken away and that the Lords shall not from henceforth meet or
sit in the said House of Lords nor shall Sit Vote Advise Adjudge or Determine of any matter or thing whatsoever as a House of Lords in Parliament Neverthelesse it is hereby declared That neither such Lords as have demeaned themselves with Honour Courage and Fidelity to the Common-wealth their Posterities who shal continue so shall not be excluded from the Publike Councels of the Nation but shall be admitted thereunto and have their free Vote in Parliament if they shall be thereunto elected as other persons of Interest elected and qualified thereunto ought to have And be it further Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Peer of this Land not being Elected Qualified and fitting in Parliament as aforesaid shall claim have or make use of any Priviledge of Parliament either in relation to his Person Quality or Estate any Law Usage or Custom to the contrary notwithstanding Hen. Scobel Cler. Parliamenti ON Thursday July 25. the Generall and Army marched from Mordington to Coppersmith Col. Hackers Regiment being drawn up in the way His Excellency made a speech to satisfie them concerning Cap. Ogles Troope being sent back into Northumberland in regard of his interest in that County and that Capt. Greenwoods Troop appointed for Berwick should march with the Regiment in the stead thereof which gave great satisfaction Col. Brights Regiment being drawn up Maj. Gen. Lambert appointed Colonel thereof coming to the head of the Regiment was received with great acclamations A List of the Regiments of Horse and Foot Randezvouzed and marched with the L. Gen. Cromwell into Scotland Eight Regiments of Horse THe L. Generals in number 663 Maj. Gen. in number 663 Col. Fleetwoods in number 663 Col. Whalies in number 663 Col. Twisden in number 663 Col Lilburne in number 663 Col. Hackers in number 663 Col. Okey in number 774 Consisting with Officers in all 5450 Ten Regiments of Foot THe L. Generals in number 1307 Col. Pride 1307 Col. Bright 1307 Col. Maliveryr 1307 Col. Ch. Fairfax 1307 Col. Cocks 1307 Col. Dunell 1307 Col. Sir Ar. Hasterigs 5. Comp. 550 Col. Fenwicks five Companies 550 Consisting with Officers in all 10249 The Train six hundred and ninety The whole thus The Train six hundred and ninety The Horse five thousand four hundred and fifteen The Foot ten thousand two hundred forty nine The Total Sixteen thousand three hundred fifty four A Letter from Lieut. Gen. David Lesly to the L. G. Cromwel My Lord I Am Commanded by the Committee of Estates of this Kingdom and desired by the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly to send unto your Excellency this inclosed Declaration as that which containeth the state of the Quarrel wherein we are resolved by the Lords assistance to fight your Army when the Lord shall please to call us thereunto And as you have professed you will not conceal any of our Papers I do desire that this Declaration may be made known to all the Officers of your Army and so I rest Bruchton 13. Aug. 1650. Your Excellency's most humble Servant DAVID LESLEY For his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwel The Declaration of the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly of Scotland as followeth THe Commission of the Generall-Assembly considering That there may be just ground of stumbling from the Kings Majesties refusing to subscribe and emit the Declaration offered unto him by the Committee of Estates and Commissioners of the Generall Assembly concerning his former carriage and Resolutions for the future in reference to the Cause of God and the enemies and friends thereof Doth therefore Declare That this Kirk and Kingdome do not owne nor espouse any Malignant Party or Quarrell or Interest but that they fight meerly upon their former Grounds and Principles and in defence of the Cause of God and of the Kingdome as they have done these twelve years past And therefore as they doe disclaime all the sin and guilt of the King and of his House so they will not owne him nor his Interest otherwise then with a subordination to God and so far as he ownes and prosecutes the cause of God and disclaims his and his Fathers opposition to the work of God and to the Covenant and likewise all the enemies thereof And that they will with convenient speed take in consideration the Papers lately sent unto them from Oliver Cromwel and vindicate themselves from all the falshoods contained therein especially in these things wherein the quarrell betwixt us and that party is mis-stated as if we owned the late Kings proceedings and were resolved to prosecute and maintaine his present Majesties Interest before and without acknowledgement of the sins of his house and former wayes and satisfaction to Gods people in both Kingdomes West Kirk 13. August 1650. A. Ker. Tho Henderson 13. August 1650. THe Committee of Estates having seen and considered a Declaration of the Commission of the Generall Assembly anent the stating of the Quarrell whereon the Army is to fight Do approve the same and heartily concur therein The Lord Generals Answer to the former as followeth I Received yours of the thirteenth instant with the paper you mentioned therein inclosed which I caused to be read in the presence of so many Officers as could well be gotten together to which your Trumpet can witness we returne you this Answer by which I hope in the Lord it will appear That we continue the same we have profest our selves to the honest people of Scotland wishing to them as to our own souls it being no part of our busines to hinder any of them from worshipping God in that way they are satisfied in their Consciences by the Word of God they ought though different from us but shall therein be ready to perform what obligations lie upon us by the Covenant but that under the pretence of the Covenant mistaken and wrested from the most native intent and equity thereof a King should be taken in by you to be imposed upon us and this called The Cause of God and the Kingdome and this done upon the satisfaction of Gods people in both Nations as is alleged together with a disowning of Malignants although he who is the head of them in whom all their hope of comfort lies be received who at this very instant hath a Popish party fighting for and under him in Ireland hath P. Rupert a man who hath had his hand deep in the blood of many innocent men of England now in the head of our Ships stoln from us upon a Malignant accompt hath the French and Irish ships daily making Depredations upon our Coasts strong combinations by the Malignants in England to raise Arms in our Bowels by vertue of his Commissions who having of late issued out very many to that purpose and how the interest you pretend you have received him upon and the Malignant interest in the ends and consequences entring in this man can be secured we cannot discern and how we should believe that whilst known and notorious Malignants
to promote the Agreement betweene the King and the Scots where by the way I desire humbly to give notice That this was the first and onely meeting of this nature and for this end at my house that I know of At this meeting M. Drake tooke cut some papers out of his pocket written in Characters which he read in my study what he read went under the name of a Commission and Instructions as he termed it to be sent to the Lord Willoughby Alderman Bunce Massey Graves and Titus to appoint them to advise with and use their interests in persons of Honour about the King to provoke him to agree with the Scots and to take the Covenant as also to advise with the Scots Commissioners and perswade them That in their agreement with their King they would have speciall respect to the interest of Religion and terms of the Covenant the Commission ran in this form as if it were in the names of all the Presbyteriall party in England After I heard it read I expressed my selfe against it alledging severall Reasons chiefly That it was an Act of high presumption for private persons to send a Commission with instructions and an act of notorious falshood to say this was in the name of the Presbyteriall party of England when none but a few persons knew thereof that I know of Many in the company did expresse a dislike thereof as well as my selfe M. Drake did also read a Letter in this meeting but to whom it was I know not neither know I the Contents of it I was at least a dozen times called out of the Room whiles the Company were there met so that I am not able to give so full and particular an accompt of the Contents of the Letter and of the Commission and Instructions What M. Drake did about the Commission and Instructions after he was gone from my house I know not what he sent away I know not nor did I know by whom it was sent away untill Maj. Alford declared before the High Court That he received the Papers from M. Drake carried them to Gravesend and delivered them to one Mason whose face I never saw and he carried them to Holland There was present at this meeting Major Huntington who was never at my house before nor since whose face I never saw before nor since but at my Tryall M. Drake D. Drake M. Jackson M. Jenkins M. Cauton Maj. Alford M. Gibbons Maj. Adams Cap. Farr and my selfe with some others whom I cannot remember There is one thing more I make bold to mention That there are other persons besides those I have named who did now and then come to these meetings at my house as M. Robinson M. Nalton M. Haviland M. Blackmore Col. Vaughan Col. Sowton these were also present at one time or another but at what particular meeting I cannot positively say Thus I have clearly laid open the whole matter of Fact so far as I well remember and distinctly know of Passages about these Meetings and Transactions at my house From the Tower of London July 22. 1651. I attest the truth of this Narrative under my hand Christopher Love Mr. Love's Speech made on the Scaffold on Tower-hill August 22. 1651. BEloved Christians I am this day made a Spectacle unto God Angels and Men and among them I am made a grief to the godly a laughing-stock to the wicked and a gazing stock to all yet blessed be my God not a terror to my self although there be but a little between me and death yet this bears up my heart there is but a little between me and Heaven It comforted Dr Taylor the Martyr when he was going to Execution That there were but two stiles between him and his Fathers House there is a lesser way between me and my Fathers house but two steps between me and glory it is but lying downe upon the block and I shall ascend upon a Throne I am this day sailing towards the Ocean of Eternity through a rough passage to my Haven of rest through a red Sea to the promised Land Methinks I hear God say to me as he did to Moses Goe up to Mount Nebo and die there so goe thou up to Tower-hill and dye there Isaac said of himself That he was old and yet he knew not the day of his death but I cannot say thus I am young and yet I know the day of my death and I know the kind of my death also and the place of my death also it is such a kind of death as two famous Preachers of the Gospel were put to before me John the Baptist and Paul the Apostle they were both beheaded yee have mention of the one in Scripture story and of the other in Ecclesiasticall History And I read in the 20 of the Revelations and the 4. The Saints were beheaded for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus But herein is the disadvantage which I am in in the thoughts of many who judge that I suffer not for the word or for Conscience but for medling with State-matters To this I shall briefly say That it is an old guise of the Devil to impute the cause of Gods peoples sufferings to be Contrivements against the State when in truth it is their Religion and Conscience they are persecuted for The Rulers of Israel they would put Jeremiah to death upon a Civill account though indeed it was onely the truth of his Prophesie made the Rulers angry with him yet upon a Civill account they did pretend he must dye because he fell away to the Chaldeans and would have brought in forreign forces to invade them The same thing is laid to my charge of which I am as innocent as Ieremiah was I find other instances in the Scripture wherein the main causes of their sufferings were still imputed to meddling with State-matters Paul though he did but preach Jesus Christ yet he must dye if the people might have their will under the pretence that he was a mover of sedition Upon a civill account my life is pretended to be taken away whereas indeed it is because I pursue my Covenant and will not prostitute my Principles and Conscience to the ambition and lusts of men Beloved I am this day to make a double exchange I am changing a Pulpit for a Scaffold and a Scaffold for a Throne and I might add a third I am changing this numerous multitude the presence of this numerous multitude upon Tower-hill for the innumerable company of Angels in the holy hill of Zion and I am changing a guard of Souldiers for a guard of Angels which will receive me and carry me into Abrahams bosome This Scaffold is the best Pulpit I ever preached in for in the Church Pulpit God through his grace made me an instrument to bring others to Heaven but in this Pulpit he will bring me to Heaven These are the last words that I shall speak in this world and it may be
The Scottish King came hither on Munday the last of October new style and being demanded by his Mother and the Duke of Orleans how he escaped the Fight of Worcester gave them this account That about six a clock in the evening his Army being in all likelihood beaten he quitted Worcester Towne with a party of Horse and marched toward Lancashire but being fearfull of being pursued and likewise of some of the Scotish Officers that might deliver him up he with my Lord Wilmot quitted their Horses sent the party of Horse upon their march and betook themselves the second dayes march from Worcester into a Tree where they remained untill night and then marched on foot that night the third day they took sanctuary in a wood and night approaching marched on towards Lancashire where they were received by a Lady who furnished them with Cloaths for a Disguise and cut off their haire very short Having reposed two or three dayes the Lady resolved to endeavour to ship them out of England to which purpose she riding behind the King and Wilmot as another servant by they went to Bristoll but finding a narrow and hot inquiry there resolved to go for London where they stayed three weeks The King one day went into Westminster-Hall where he saith he saw the States-Arms and Scots Colours my Lord Wilmot procured a Merchant to hire a ship of forty Tuns to transport them which cost them a hundred and twenty pounds but where they took shipping is not yet knowne but as soon as my Lord was entred the Barque and the King as his servant the Master of the Vessel came to my Lord and told him That he knew the King and told him that in case it should be knowne he could expect no mercy which saying troubled them but at length what with money and promises they prevailed and so set faile for Havre de Grace where they landed and from thence to Roven where they cloathed themselves and writ to Paris His arrivall there will put them to new Counsels since now they cannot send their Embassadors which was concluded on before his coming The Duke of Orleans fetched him into Towne and expressed much as to serve him Yesterday he with Thurenne Beaufort the Duke of Guise came to him to the Louvre where the King told them that they should endeavour to reconcile the breach between the Prince and the King of France for said he to my knowledge the English will visit you with an Army in the Spring The Executing of the Earl of Darby at Bolton in Lancashire Octob. 15. 1651. The Isle of Jersey taken Octob. 30. Nov. 16. The Isle of Man taken Resol. That the time for the continuance of this Parliament beyond which they resolve not to sit shall be Nov. 3. 1654. The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England Declare 1 THat no Power Jurisdictions or Authority derived from by or under Charles Stewart who pretended himselfe King of Scotland or any of his Predecessors or any otherwise then from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England be used exercised or enjoyned within Scotland or the Isles or any of their Territories thereof 2 That they doe forbid annull and make void the use and exercise of any Power Jurisdiction and Authority whatsoever within Scotland or the Isles or any of the Territories thereof other then such as shall be derived from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England February 24. 1651. An Act of generall Pardon and Oblivion THe Parliament of England having had good experience of the affections of the people to this present Government by their ready assistance in the defence thereof against Charls Stuart Son of the late Tyrant and the forces lately Invading this Nation under his command and being much afflicted with the miserable and sad effects which the late unnaturall War hath produced and resolved next to the glory of God and the advancement of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ to make no other use of the many victories the Lord hath in mercy vouchsafed unto them then a just settling of the peace and freedome of this Common-wealth and being most desirous that the minds persons and estates of all the people of this Nation might be composed setled and secured and that all rancor and evill will occasioned by the late differences may be buryed in perpetuall Oblivion Be it enacted by this present Parliament and by authority of the same That all and every person or persons of or within the Common-wealth of England the Isles of Jersey and Gernsey and the Towne of Barwick upon Tweed and the heires executors and administrators of them and every of them and all and singular bodies in any manner incorporated Cities Burroughs Shires Ridings Hundreds Lathes Rapes Wapentakes Townes Villages Hamblets and Tithings and every of them are and shall be and are by the Authority of this Parliament acquitted Pardoned released and discharged as against the Parliament the keepers of the liberties of England by Authority of Parliament or any or other of them of all manner of Treasons Fellonies Offences Contempts Trespasses Entries Misdemeanors Forfeitures Sequestrations Penalties and sums of moneys pains of Death pains corporall or pecuniary and generally of all other things causes quarrels fines judgements and executions had made committed suffered or done before the third day of September 1651. not in this present Act hereafter not excepted nor foreprized And the said Keepers of the Liberties of England by the Authority of this present Parliament granteth and freely giveth acquitteth pardoneth releaseth and dischargeth to every of the persons and to every of the said Bodies corporate and others before rehearsed and to every of them all goods debts chattels fines issues profits Amercements forfeitures which to the said keepers of the liberties of England do or shal belong or appertain by reason of any offence contempt trespasse entery misdeameanors matter cause sequestration or quarrell had suffered done or committed by them or any of them before the said third day of September and which be not hereafter in this Act foreprized and excepted And it is further Enacted that this pardon by these generall words clauses and sentences before rehearsed shall be reputed deemed adjudged expounded allowed and taken in manner of Courts of Justice or else-where most beneficiall and available to all and singular the persons bodies corporate and others before rehearsed and to every of them And if any person or persons c. shall be in any wise arrested attached distrained summoned or otherwise vexed c. for or because any thing acquitted pardoned released or discharged by vertue of this Act that every person so offending and being thereof lawfully convicted by sufficient Testimony shall yeeld and pay for recompence to the party so grieved or offended thereby his or their treble dammages and forfeit ten pounds to the keepers of the Liberties of England Excepted and always foreprized out of this general free pardon all and all manner of High-treasons other then for words only and all Levying of war rebellions insurrections and all Conspiracies and Confederacies Traiterously had committed and done against the Parliament or the keepers of the Liberties of England either within or without the limits of this Common-wealth since the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord 1648. And all misprisions and concealements of the said offences or any of them or the abettimg ayding procuring of them or any of them And also excepted all manner of voluntary murthers petty treasons and wilfull poysoning all piracies and robberies upon the Seas and the Abettors thereof All buggeries rapes and ravishments and wilfull taking away and marrying of any maid widow or daughter against her will And also except all persons now attainted or outlawed of or for petty treason Murther or wilfull poysoning conjurations witchcrafts charmes wrongfull detainments of any the customes and all Sequestrations and sums of money due upon compositions excise or new-impost And also excepted all conditions and covenants and all penalties and forfeitures due to the Parliament or the late King since the 30. of January 1648. And also all first fruits and tythes and all offences and misdemeanours whereof any sentence or judgement hath been given in Parliament since the 30 of January 1648. And all offences of Bribery perjuries and subordination of witnesses counterfeiting deeds debenters bils of publick faith escripts or writings whatsoever and all offences touching the carrying sending or conveying over the Seas any gold silver Jewels or any coyne And all other offences in the unlawfull buying selling exchanging or melting downe of any Gold silver or Bullion or the transporting beyond the Seas of auy Guns shot or Gun-mettle And all offences in detaining or imbezling any the goods moneys or chattels of the late King and Queen And except all fines and amercements lost imposed or assessed And all offences committed by any Jesuite or Seminary priest contrary to the Statuts in that case Provided and except any outlawries upon any writ of Capias ad satisfaciendum and all except persons as were the 28â—h of January 1651 in prison or otherwise constrained of liberty by immediate commandement warrant or direction of Parliament or Councell of State And also excepted all informations and proceedings concerning common high wayes and all forfeitures of any goods or merchandize prohibited to be exported or imported All-Fee-farme Rents Rents service Rents charge and Rents seck and all arrerages due since the 24th of June 1647. And all moneys imprested since the third of November 1638. Provided that all acts of Hostility and injuries whether between the late King and the Lords and Commons in Parliament or between any of the people of this Nation which did arise upon any Action Attempt Assistance Councel or Advice having relation to or falling out by reason of the late troubles that the same and whatsoever hath ensued thereon whether trenching upon the Lawes and Liberty of this Nation or upon the Honour and Authority of Parliament or to any particular person shall in no time after the 18th of June 1651 be called in question FINIS