conjunction can we expect there where the Bishops and Recusant Lords are so numerous and prevalent that they are able to Cross and Interrupt our best endeavours for Reformation and by that means give advantage to this malignant party to traduce our Proceedings They infuse into the People that we mean to abolish all Church-Government and leave every Man to his own Fancy for the Service and Worship of God absolving him of that obedience which he ows under God unto his Majesty whom we know to be intrusted with the Ecclesiastical Law as well as with the Temporal to regulate all the Members of the Church of England by such Rules of Order and Discipline as are established by Parliament which is his great Council in all Affairs both in Church and State We confess our Intention is and our Endeavors have been to reduce within Bounds that exorbitant Power which the Prelates have assumed unto themselves so contrary both to the Word of God and to the Laws of the Land to which end we past the Bill for the removing them from their Temporal Power and Imployments that so the better they might with Meekness apply themselves to the discharge of their Functions which Bill themselves opposed and were the principal Instruments of crossing it And we do here declare that it is far from our purpose or desire to let loose the golden Reins of Discipline and Government in the Church to leave private Persons or particular Congregations to take up what form of divine Service they please for we hold it requisite that there should be throughout the whole Realm a Conformity to that Order which the Laws enjoyn according to the Word of God and we desire to unburthen the Consciences of Men of needless and superstitious Ceremonies suppress Innovations and take away the Monuments of Idolatry And the better to effect the intended Reformation we desire there may be a general Synod of the most Grave Pious Learned and Judicious Divines of this Island assisted with some from foreign Parts Professing the same Religion with us who may consider of all things necessary for the Peace and good Government of the Church and represent the results of their Consultations unto the Parliament to be there allowed of and confirmed and receive the Stamp of Authority thereby to find Passage and Obedience throughout the Kingdom They have maliciously charged us that we intend to destroy and discourage Learning whereas it is our chiefest Care and Desire to advance it and to provide a competent Maintenance for conscionable and preaching Ministers throughout the Kingdom which will be a great Encouragement to Scholars and a certain means whereby the want meanness and ignorance to which a great part of the Clergy is now subject will be prevented And we intend likewise to reform and purge the Fountains of Learning the two Universities that the Streams flowing from thence may be clear and pure and an Honor and Comfort to the whole Land They have strained to blast our proceedings in Parliament by wresting the Interpretations of our Orders from their genuine Intention They tell the People that our medling with the power of Episcopacy hath caused Sectaries and Conventicles when Idolatry and Popish Ceremonies introduced into the Church by the command of the Bishops have not only debarred the people from thence but expelled them from the Kingdom Thus with Eliah we are called by this Malignant party the Troublers of the State and still while we endeavor to reform their Abuses they make us the Authors of those Mischiefs we study to prevent for the perfecting of the work begun and removing all future Impediments we conceive these Courses will be very effectual seeing the Religion of the Papists hath such Principles as do certainly tend to the Destruction and Extirpation of all Protestants when they shall have opportunity to effect it It is necessary in the first Place to keep them in such Condition as that they may not be able to do us any hurt and for avoiding of such connivence and favor as hath heretofore bin shewed unto them That his Majesty be pleased to grant a standing Commission to some choice Men named in Parliament who may take notice of their increase their Counsels and Proceedings and use all due means by execution of the Laws to prevent any mischievous designs against the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom That some good Course be taken to discover the counterfeit and false Conformity of Papists to the Church by color whereof Persons very much disaffected to the true Religion have been admitted into Place of greatest Authority and Trust in the Kingdom For the better preservation of the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom that all illegal Grievances and Exactions be presented and punished at the Sessions and Assizes and that Judges and Justices be careful to give this in charge to the Grand-Jury and both the Sheriff and Justices to be sworn to the due execution of the Petition of Right and other Laws That his Majesty be humbly petitioned by both Houses to imploy such Counsellors Ambassadors and other Ministers in managing his Business at Home and Abroad as the Parliament may have Cause to confide in without which we cannot give his Majesty such Supplyes for support of his own Estate nor such Assistance to the Protestant party beyond the Sea as is desired It may often fall out that the Commons may have just Cause to take Exceptions at some Men for being Counsellors and yet not charge those Men with Crimes for there be grounds of Diffidence which lye not in Proof there are others which though they may be proved yet are not legally Criminal to be a known favorer of Papists or to have been very forward in defending or countenancing some great Offenders questioned in Parliament or to speak contemptuously of either Houses of Parliament or Parliamentary Proceedings or such as are Factors or Agents for any Foreign Prince of another Religion such as are justly suspected to get Counsellors Places or any other of Trust concerning publick Imployment for Money For all these and diverse others we may have great reason to be earnest with his Majesty not to put his great Affairs into such Hands though we may be unwilling to proceed against them in any Legal way of Charge or Impeachment that all Counsellors of State may be sworn to observe the Laws which concern the Subject in his Liberty that they may likewise take an Oath not to receive or give Reward or Pension from any Foreign Prince but such as they within some reasonable Time discover to the Lords of his Majesties Council And although they should wickedly forswear themselves yet it may herein do good to make them known to be False and Perjured to those who imploy them and thereby bring them into as little Credit with them as with us that his Majesty may have cause to be in love with good Council and good Men by shewing him in an humble and dutiful
then a Peer of the said Realm to Imprison him unless he would surcease his suit and said That he would have neither Law nor Lawyers dispute or question any of his orders And the 20. day of March in the said 11. year the said Earl of Strafford speaking of an order of the said Councel Table of that Realm in the time of King James which concerned a Lease which the said Earl of Cork claimed in certain Rectories or Tithes which the said Earl of Cork alledged to be of no force said That he would make the said Earl and all Ireland know so long as he had the Government there any Act of State there made or to be made should be as binding to the Subjects of that Kingdome as an Act of Parliament And did question the said Earl of Corke in the Castle Chamber upon pretence of the breach of the said order of Councel Table and did sundry other times and upon sundry other occasions by his words and speeches arrogate to himself a power above the fundamental Laws and Established Government of that Kingdom and scorned the said Laws and established Government 5 That according to such his Declarations and Speeches the said Earl of Strafford did use and exercise a power above and against and to the Subversion of the said fundamental Laws and established Government of the said Realm of Ireland extending such his power to the Goods Free-holds Inheritances Liberties and Lives of his Majesties Subjects in the said Realm viz. The said Earl of Strafford the twtefth day of December Anno Domini 1635. in the time of full peace did in the said Realm of Ireland give and procure to be given against the Lord Mount Norris then and yet a Peer of Ireland and then Vice-Treasurer and receiver general of the Realm of Ireland and one of the principal Secretaries of State and Keeper of the Privy Signet of the said Kingdom a Sentence of death by a Councel of War called together by the said Earl of Strafford without any Warrant or Authority of Law or offence deserving any such punishment And he the said Earl did also at Dublin within the said Realm of Ireland in the Month of March in the fourteenth year of his Majesties Reign without any legal or due proceedings or Tryal give or cause to be given a Sentence of death against one other of his Majesties Subjects whose name is yet unknown and caused him to be put to death in execution of the said Sentence 6 That the said Earl of Strafford without any legal proceedings and upon a paper Petition of Richard Rolstone did cause the said Lord Mount-Norris to be disseized and put out of possession of his free-hold and inheritance of his Mannor and Tymore in the Countrey of Armagh in the Kingdom of Ireland the said Lord Mount-Norris having been two years before in quiet possession thereof 7. That the said Earl of Strafford in the Term of holy Trinity in the thirteenth year of his now Majesties Reign did cause a case commonly called the case of Tenures upon defective Titles to be made and drawn up without any Jury or Trial or other legal process and without the consent of parties and did then procure the Judges of the said Realm of Ireland to deliver their opinions and resolutions to that case and by colour of such opinion did without any legal proceeding cause Thomas Lord Dillon a Peer of the said Realm of Ireland to be put out of possession of divers Lands and Tenements being his Free-hold in the Countrey of Mago and Rosecomen in the said Kingdome and divers other of his Majesties Subjects to be also put out of Possession and Disseised of their Freehold by colour of the same resolution without legal proceedings whereby many hundreds of his Majesties Subjects were undone and their Families utterly ruinated 8. That the said Earl of Strafford upon a Petition of Sir John Gifford Knight the first day of February in the said Thirteenth Year of his Majesties Reign without any legal Process made a Decree or Order against Adam Viscount Loftus of Ely a Peer of the said Realm of Ireland and Lord Chancellor of Ireland and did cause the said Viscount to be Imprisoned and kept close Prisoner on pretence of Disobedience to the said Decree or Order And the said Earl without any Authority and contrary to his Commission required and commanded the said Lord Viscount to yield unto him the Great Seal of the Realm of Ireland which was then in his custody by his Majesties Command and Imprisoned the said Chancellour for not obeying such his Command And without any Legal Proceedings did in the same Thirteenth Year Imprison George Earl of Kildare a Peer of Ireland against Law thereby to enforce him to submit his Title to the Mannor and Lordship of Castle Leigh in the Queens County being of great yearly value to the said Earl of Strafford's Will and Pleasure and kept him a year prisoner for the said cause two moneths whereof he kept him close Prisoner and refused to enlarge him notwithstanding his Majesties Letters for his enlargement to the said Earl of Strafford directed And upon a Petition exhibited in October 1635. by Thomas Hibbots against Dame Mary Hibbots Widow to him the said Earl of Strafford the said Earl of Strafford recommended the said Petition to the Councel Table of Ireland where the most part of the Councel gave their Vote and Opinion for the said Lady but the said Earl finding fault herewith caused an Order to be entred against the said Lady and threatned her that if she refused to submit thereunto he would Imprison her and Fine her five hundred pounds that if she continued obstinate he would continue her Imprisonment and double her Fine every Moneth by means whereof she was enforced to relinquish her Estate in the Lands questioned in the said Petition which shortly was conveyed to Sir Robert Meredith to the use of the said Earl of Strafford And the said Earl in like manner did Imprison divers others of his Majesties Subjects upon pretence of Disobedience to his Orders and Decrees and other illegal Commands by him made for pretended Debts Titles of Lands and other Causes in an Arbitrary and Extrajudicial course upon Paper Petitions to him preferred and no other cause legally depending 9. That the said Earl of Strafford the Sixteenth day of February in the Twelfth Year of his now Majesties Reign assuming to himself a power above and against Law took upon him by a general Warrant under his hand to give power to the Lord Bishop of Down and Connor his Chancellor or Chancellors to their several Officers thereto to be appointed to attach and arrest the Bodies of all such of the meaner and poorer sort who after Citation should either refuse to appear before them or appearing should omit or deny to perform or undergoe all lawful Decrees Sentences and orders issued imposed or given out against them and them to commit and keep in the next
Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament The Humble Petition of sundry Ministers intrusted to Sollicite the Petition and Remonstrance formerly Exhibited to this Honourable House and many of their Brethren Most Humbly Sheweth THat the Petitioners do most thankfully value The Petition of the Remonstrating Ministers Dec. 20. 1641. and heartily acknowledge the indefatigable Pains and Piety of this Honorable Assembly manifested in very many things of high Concernment for the Glory of God the Honor of the King the Purging of the Church and the Safety and Prosperity of this and the rest of His Majesties Kingdoms but more especially in procuring that publick Fast at your first Sitting which hath prevented many Mischiefs and drawn down many Blessings upon the Kingdom ever since in your Zeal and Courage for the True Religion professed among us against all Popish Idolatry and Superstitious Innovations expressed by your Religious Protestation and Vow * * And discountenancing the publick Liturgy and the most indispensible Duty of Praying to make room for this Seditious Preaching In countenancing the Sacred Ordinance of Preaching after long and deep contempt cast upon it by too many who had almost Exiled it from divers Parts of this Kingdom In incouraging painful and godly Ministers formerly set aside and now again profitably imployed in many Congregations greatly needing them In discountenancing bold and unmeet Men that without sufficient calling have presumptuously intruded into that Holy Office as also of all Vnworthy and Scandalous Ministers that have been Convented before you In accepting a former Petition and Remonstrance from the Petitioners taking the same into your grave Consideration and vigorously prosecuting some part thereof In freeing divers godly Ministers out of Prison and Exile and many others from heavy Censures unjustly inflicted In preventing the utter Ruin of the Petitioners and of many more by breaking that wicked Yoak of the late pernicious Oath and Canons justly branded by both Houses of Parliament and by taking away the late dreadful Tyranny of the High-Commission Court and other illegal heavy pressures of the rest of the Courts Ecclesiastical In your worthy Orders for removing of all Illegal Rites and Ceremonies superstitious and scandalous Images and Pictures and other Innovations out of all Churches and Chappels In your prudent happy and timely re-uniting without spilling of Christian Blood the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland in a firm and Religious Peace unhappily disturbed to the apparent endangering of both in your honourable endeavours to relieve and rescue our distressed Brethren in Ireland from the barbarous Outrages and Butcheries of the Popish Rebels there In your constant Vigilancy to discover and defeat the many desperate and devilish Conspiracies against the King Parliament and the Kingdom plotted by Papists and their Malignant adherents implacable Enemies to our Religion and Peace together with all your excellent Labours for Reforming and settling the Affairs of the Common-wealth whereof the Petitioners do also with others Enjoy the comfort and the large and blessed Hopes given to the Petitioners of your further indeavours for perfecting the Reformation of Religion and the Church according to the necessity thereof in a Way best becoming the Honour of such a Grave and Religious Body All of which do much Encourage them to pour out their Souls in all possible thankfulness to God for you and to put up more fervent Prayers publiquely and privately upon all occasions in your behalf at the Throne of Grace But so it is That whereas your Petitioners did in their former Petitions represent unto you divers unsufferable Grievances arising from sundry Invasions made upon the publick Doctrine of this Church from some mixtures and blemishes in the publick Worship of God by Law Established as well as from sundry gross Innovations and Superstitions iâ— Rites and Ceremonies without Law introduced from many Exorbitancies and unsupportable Vsurpations in Ecclesiastical Government and from the scandalous defect of Ministers maintenance in too many places All of which do yet remain in greatest part unremoved by reason of your many necessitated diversions from this great work for the preservation of the very Being of this Kingdom and by means hereof many distractions and disorders about matters of Religion and the Church have to the great scandal and grief of the Petitioners happen'd and are still continued which puts them upon a necessity of renewing their former Suit for redress of the aforesaid Evils and for removing whatever shall appear to your Wisdom to be the Root and Cause of them And whereas further the Petitioners and very many others in whose name and behalf they now humbly supplicate desirous in all things to submit to the Laws so far as possibly they may yet meerly out of tenderness and scruple of Conscience dare not continue as formerly they did the Vse and Exercise of some things as now they-stand injoyned not only because they have more seriously weighed the Nature and Scandal of them and that sundry Bishops and other grave Divines called to their assistance by Order of the House of Peers have as they are informed discovered divers particulars needing alteration in the Liturgy and the Vse thereof and that there is not as they humbly conceive at this day commonly extant any Book of Common Prayer without so many Variations Alterations and Additions as render it in many Parts another thing from that which was by Law Established but chiefly because you also have vouchsafed to be so far sensible of the Defects thereof and of the just Scruples of the Petitioners thereabout as to take the Reformation thereof under Consideration which they hoped would be some shelter against the strict pressing the Vse of it till your pleasure upon the full Debate thereof had been declared in a Parliamentary Way for that it seems most equal that the Consciences of Men should not be forced upon that which a Parliament it self holds needful to consider the Reformation of and give Order in till the same be accordingly done And the Petitioners having been comfortably assured of some ease therein do now to their great sorrow apprehend that the same things are anew reinforced which contrary to the blessed Inclination and Intention of His Gracious Majesty may occasion much trouble and vexation to sundry worthy and peaceable Ministers which the Petitioners have more cause to fear because sundry of their Brethren have since the beginning of this Parliament been Indicted upon the Statute of 1 Eliz. 2. And others threatned for bare omissions of some things complained of to this High Court and still depending before you whiles in divers places your Religious Orders necessarily made and published for removing of things illegal are not observed and in other places where superstitious Rites and Practices had by virtue thereof been laid aside the same are again called back and re-practised without any Check or Animadversion And because the Premisses are of extraordinary Consequence and cannot receive a perfect Cure
Ant. Van Dyck pinxit R. White sculpsit THOMAS EARLE OF STRAFFORDE Viscount Wentworth Baron Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse Newmarch Oversley Raby Ld. Lievtenant Generall and Generall Governor of the Kingdome of Ireland and Ld. President of the Councill established in the North parts of England Ld. Lievtenant of the County City of York one of his Maty most honble Privy Councel and Knight of ye. most Noble order of the Garter EN DIEU EST TOUT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Printed for A. Mearne T. Dring B. Took T. Sawbridge and C. Mearne AN Impartial Collection OF THE Great Affairs of State From the Beginning of the SCOTCH REBELLION In the Year MDCXXXIX To the Murther OF King CHARLES I. WHEREIN The first Occasions and the whole Series of the late Troubles IN England Scotland Ireland Are faithfully Represented Taken from Authentick Records and Methodically Digested By JOHN NALSON LL. D. VOL. II. Published by His Majesty's Special Command LONDON Printed for S. Mearne T. Dring B. Toke T. Sawbrige and C. Mearne MDCLXXXIII TO HIS MOST Serene and Excellent MAJESTY King Charles II. GREAT SIR AS Your Majesties Gracious Incouragement gave the first Life and Being to this Work so it naturally in all humble Duty addresses it self for Protection under the Wing of Your Favour and Royal Mercy which Your Majesty so justly challenges as a Virtue more peculiarly Eminent and Conspicuous in your whole Life then in any of Your Illustrious Predecessors It is Necessity and not Presumption which obliges the Author to Prostrate himself and this Book at Your Royal Feet For though the whole World can shew nothing so Harmless and Innocent as Truth yet is she not able to defend her self from her constant Enemies Malice Error and ill Designs nor knows she whither to flie for a secure Refuge but to the Sanctuary of the Great Defender of the Faith to which the nearness of her Relation raises in her a comfortable hope that she shall participate of the same Royal Protection There are some Persons whose Interest it is to lie behind the Curtain even in the present Age and who therefore cannot with patience bear the drawing of it so as to let in the light into that which is past lest by comparing former Occurrences the Temper Inclinations Principles and Movements of those Times there should be discovered so near a Resemblance between the Lineaments and Proportions of the past and present as to be too convincing that there is no greater difference then between the elder and the younger Brother of the same Parents Rebellion and the Good Old Cause Nor is it strange to see some sort of People very angry with the hand which presents them with a Glass wherein they may see the Exact and true Image of Rebellion and Sedition when they can no sooner look into it but they find their own Faces there But it would be not only a Wonder but a Miracle if they should not shew their Resentments against both the Workman and his Work and by indeavouring to hurt his to secure their own Reputation But Your Majesties Grace and Favour is such an Amulet against the Poyson of the most Malignant Faction as is able to secure the happy Persons upon whom it is bestowed from the Infection of the most Malicious Breath and Venemous Tongues and in the Hopes of this the Author does with all humility present Your Majesty with the first opening of the Scene of that Deplorable Tragedy wherein Your Glorious Father had so large a share of Suffering there Your Majesty may see the several Steps and Progressive Advances which those Artists in Rebellion and Usurpation made towards the accomplishment of their Great Design of overthrowing the best Monarchy and Extirpating the most Apostolical Church in the whole World Here may Your Majesty take a view of the most supple Flattery and deep Hypocrisy of a Confederated Faction and how Rebellion to make the People in Love with her was represented to them in the Masquerading Habit and Accoutrements of Religion and Reformation how Slavery and Tyranny those two dreadful Monsters walk'd in the borrowed Equipage of the Liberty of the Subject and the Fundamental Laws and Birthrights of the People and how under the Mantle of Redressing Grievances the Nation came to labour under the greatest Grievance that ever the Necks of the Generous English Submitted to even the Mischief which they pretended to fear absolute Tyranny and the most Arbitrary Government of an Vsurping Faction Here Your Majesty may see the true Picture of the Men of those Principles and Times drawn from the Life by their own hands and in their proper and natural Colours and not only their outward Air Mine and Garb but the Picture of their very Souls their Thoughts Aims Contrivances and most Secret Designs and the black Conclusion at which all these were levell'd over which they so Industriously drew the fair Vails and Curtains of Sanctimony and pretended Loyalty seeming Humility and counterfeit Allegiance Your Majesty may be conducted into those Mines of Sedition unreasonable Fears groundless and unsatisfiable Jealousies of the Dangers of Popery and Arbitrary Government the very Powder which blew up the Foundations both of Church and State Your Majesty may see their Principal Engines of Battery amongst which the Liberty of the Press and I Blush to name it the Licentious abuse of the Pulpit were not the least or did the most Inconsiderable Execution towards the Ruin of the Government I shall not presume to say more but humbly Prostrate my self at Your Majesties Feet to beg the Liberty to add my most fervent Prayers and Wishes to my Sincere indeavours of Serving Your Majesty with my utmost Power May there be an Emulous Strife between the Number and the Glory of Your Majesties Years May the constant Care of Heaven and the Watchful attendance of its Glorious Militia still Guard Your beloved Life against all the Wicked attempts of the Enemies of Your Person and Government May every day that is added to Your Sacred Life contribute fresh Accessions of Happiness and Prosperity Peace and Tranquility to Your Auspicious Reign May You Triumph in the Hearts and Affections of Your People and over the Heads of Your defeated Enemies And could my Prayers Wishes or Indeavours prove as Successful as they are Sincere Your Majesty should not have one Subject in all Your Dominions less Zealous of Your Majesties Service sensible of their Duty and Interest or studious of Expressing their humble Loyalty then the Person who has placed all his Ambition and Glory in Indavouring to approve himself May it please Your Most Sacred Majesty Your Majesties most Humble most Obedient and Intirely Devoted Subject NALSON The Introduction THERE is certainly no manner of Diversion of which Wise and Great Men who indeavour to be really Serviceable to the true Interest of their Prince and Country can make more considerable Advantages or more agreeably spend their Leisure Minutes
the now Lord Chancellor and the Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas upon the Proofs in the Chancery decreed for the Plaintiff to which he refers himself and it may be the Lord Mountnorris was thereupon put out of his Possession To the Seventh he saith His Majesty being Intituled to divers Lands Lord Dillon his Patent questioned upon an Inquisition found Proclamation was made That such as Claimed by Patent should come in by a day and have their Patents allowed as if they had been found in the Inquisition and accordingly divers were allowed The Lord Dillon produced His Patent which being questionable he consented and desired that a Case might be drawn which was drawn by Counsel and argued and the Judges delivered their Opinions but the Lord Dillon nor any other were bound thereby or put out of Possession but might have traversed the Office or otherwise legally have proceeded that Case or Opinion notwithstanding To the Eighth he saith That upon Sir John Gifford's Petition to the King The Lord Loftus close Prisoner not delivering the Great Seal His Majesty referred it to the Deputy and Council of Ireland where the matter proceeding legally to a Decree against the Lord Loftus and upon his Appeal that Decree by his Majesty and his Council of England was confirmed to which Decree and Order he refers himself believing the Lord Loftus was committed for disobeying that Decree and for continuance in contempt committed close Prisoner He saith That the Lord Loftus having committed divers Contempts the Council by Warrant required him to appear at the Board and to bring the Great Seal with him which Order he disobeyed and was shortly after Committed and the Great Seal was delivered up by his Majesties express Command and not otherwise And an Information was exhibited in the Star-Chamber for grievous Oppressions done by the Lord Loftus as Chancellor whereof he was so far from justifying as that he submitted desiring to be an Object of his Majesties Mercy and not of his Justice The Earl of Kildare for not performing of an Award made by King James The Earl of Kildare Committed and of an Award made in pursuance thereof by the said Earl of Strafford upon a Reference from His Majesty was by the Deputy and Council Committed and a Letter being unduly obtained he did not thereupon enlarge him but upon another Letter and submission to the Orders as by the King was directed he was enlarged The Lady Hibbots and one Hoy her Son having upon a Petition Answer Examination of Witnesses and other Proceedings at Council-Board been found to have committed foul abuses by Fraud and Circumvention to have made a Bargain with the Petitioner Hibbots for Lands of a great value for a small sum of Money was Ordered to deliver up the Writing no Assurances being perfected or Money paid and it 's like he threatned her with Commitment if she obeyed not that Order but denieth that the Lands were after sold to Sir Robert Meredith to his use or that by any Order by himself made any one hath been Imprisoned concerning Freeholds but for debts and personal things as some have been used by all his Predecessors in like Causes To the Ninth he saith Warrants to such Effects have been usually granted to the Bishops in Ireland in the times of all former Deputies but the Earl not satisfied with the conveniency thereof refused to give any such Warrants in general to the Bishops as had been formerly done but being informed that divers in the Diocess of Down gave not fitting Obedience he granted a Warrant to that Bishop whereto he referreth which was the only Warrant he granted of that Nature and hearing of some Complaints of the Execution thereof he recalled it To the Tenth he saith The Lord Treasurer Portland offered the Farm of the Customs for 13000 l. per annum in some particular Species but the Earl of Strafford advanced the same Customs to 15500 l. per annum and 8000 l. Fine and by His Majesties Command became a Farmer at those Rates proposed without addition to those Rates as by the printed Books 7 Car. Regis may appear he disswaded the advance of Rates lately proposed by Sir Abraham Dawes so as it was declined the Rates of Hydes and Wooll are moderate consideration being had of their true value and of the Places whereto they are to be transported and of the Statute made in the time of Queen Elizabeth and there in force prohibiting the Exportation of Wooll unless they pay to the Crown 5 s. the Stone the Trade and Shipping of that Kingdom are exceedingly increased To the Eleventh he saith Pipe-staves were prohibited in King James's Time and not Exported but by Licence from the Lord Treasurer of England or Lord-Deputy of Ireland who had 6 s. 8 d. a 1000 and his Secretary 3 s. 4 d. for the Licence but to restrain that destruction of Timber by Command of His Majesty and Advice of His Council for His Revenue in Ireland first 30 s. then 3 l. the money was paid to His Majesty who hath thereby about 1500 l. per annum and his Lordship lost about 4 or 500 l. per annum which his Predecessors had for such Licences This is paid by the Transporter not by the Natives whose Commodity nevertheless appears by the Article to be very much increased To the Twelfth he saith The Subsidies there are an Inheritance in the Crown by Act of Parliament 6 d. was paid for Subsidy and 1 s. 6. d. for Impost upon every pound of Tobacco and Farmed 10 or 20 l. per annum the Commons in Parliament 10 Car. Regis finding the Revenue to be short of the Expence of that Kingdom 24000 l. per annum Petitioned those Grants might be applied to increase His Majesties Revenue without calling upon the Subject but upon urgent Occasions Hereupon upon the Advice of the Committee of the Revenue and in consideration of a Proclamation made in England several Proclamations were made and this settled in a way till it could be confirmed by Parliament for which purpose a Bill is transmitted according to the desire of the Commons and the Impost of Tobacco is Let to Contractors for eleven years at 5000 l. per annum for the first five years and 10000 l. per annum for the other six years and the Earl hath lent money to forward the business and by His Majesties Allowance is a Partner but hath not as yet in two years last past had any Accompts thereof or made benefit thereby He knoweth of no whipping or other punishment the Farmes of the Customs are better than formerly 2000 l. per annum five 8 parts whereof is yearly paid unto His Majesty the prices of Tobacco exceed not 2 s. or 2 s. 4 d. the pound the settling of that Revenue according to the Petition of the Commons he hath not raised or countenanced any Monopolies but opposed the same To the Thirteenth he saith He endeavoured to advance the Manufacture of
advance their Trade and Manufactures could not be very valuable since they made any alteration of their ancient Customs how foolish and unreasonable soever a great Grievance and Occasion of Complaint and there is Extant in the Paper-Office a Petition to reverse an Order of the Council-Board forbidding them to plough with their Horses tyed only to one anothers Tails and to use the English way of Traces for their more commodious performing the service of their Tillage But his last expressions put the Managers into a great heat and Mr. Glyn cryed out My Lords these words are not to be suffered charging the House of Commons with Faction Correspondency and Conspiracy we desire your Lordships Justice in this so watchful were they to catch at any seeming advantage even of an incautelous Expression But the Noble Prisoner with his wonted Temper replyed God forbid I should think there was or could be any thing in that House or any Member of it but that which agrees with Truth Justice and Equity and turning to the Lords protested he had no intention to reflect either upon the Lords House in Ireland or the Commons here but upon certain Persons that were not Members of the Commons House here that held Correspondency with some in Ireland that are no Members of the House there Then the Remonstrance of the Commons House in Ireland was read being in Effect the same with that from the Lords The next thing which was insisted on was the point of the Revenue Sir Edward Warder Sir Robert Pye Lord Mountnorris Witnesses which they endeavoured to prove he had not advanced by the Testimony of Sir Edward Warder Sir Robert Pye and the Lord Mountnorris to which my Lord made appear that he found the Crown indebted 100000 l. at his Entrance but had since improved the Revenue so that Ireland was able to subsist without being as it had been in the time of his Predecessors a burthen to England and that at his coming over he left 100000 l. in the King's Exchequer and in Fine the Managers did as good as give him the point for they confessed that it was not to be denied but the Revenue was encreased by such means as my Lord Strafford hath increased it but that it was not the Natural Revenue but the Bounty of the Country that supported the Charge before my Lord came to the Government so that to say Ireland did not support it self before in the general sence is untrue but to say in a special sence that the King 's proper Revenue did not support it his Lordship says true From whence the Earl inferred that therefore it was not material to insist upon it They then Charged him with receiving 24000 l. of the King's Revenue and making use of it which in Effect he did not deny it being a particular Favour of the King to permit him so to do and that he gave good security for the money and had also repaid it The Managers here took exceptions at the Earl's interlocutory discourses to which he answered applying himself to the Lords That he should willingly submit to the Order of their Lordships only there were some things put upon him which were not in the Charge to which he craved Liberty to recollect himself to make his Defence making protestation as in the Presence of Almighty God and by the hopes he had to be delivered out of his Afflictions that he never had other Intentions then to be true and faithful to his Majesty and the Common-wealth and that he hoped to regain the same good opinion of the House of Commons which he once had when he was once a Member of it being he was still the same person both in Opinion and Intention This the Managers opposed and urged to have him answer immediately desiring if he did not answer then he might be precluded from any future Answer Upon which he renewed his Request but withal desired their Lordships if it could not be granted to bear with many infirmities both of his Body and Mind which were very great and which did plead for a little Favour and Compassion He said the House of Commons proceeded with Justice according to their Information but that he knew it was in the Hearts of all that heard him that he should have time to clear a truth that no person could he thought deny it and therefore humbly prayed he might not be surprized Hereupon the Lords adjourned to their House for half an hour and at their return Ordered him to make his Answer presently which to the Admiration of the hearers he did as followeth My Lords I Shall never do other than readily obey whatsoever your Lordships should please to command me The Earl of Strafford's Speech April 23. my heart paying you Obedience and so in truth shall every thing that proceeds from me The question I observe is matter of Truth or not Truth in the Preamble as they call it of this my Answer and to that with all the Humility and Modesty in the World I will apply my self as not conceiving it any way becoming me to speak any thing of Sharpness in any kind but with all Humility and Reverence to bear all these Afflictions with acknowledgment unto Almighty God and to lay them so to my heart that they may provide for me in another World where we are to expect the Consummation of all Blessedness and Happiness And therefore to lay aside all these Aggravations by words wherewith I have been set forth to your Lordships only with this that I trust I shall make my self appear a person otherwise in my Dispositions and Actions than I have been rendred and shortly and briefly I shall fall upon the very points as near as I can that were mentioned by that Noble Gentleman and if I should forget any I desire to be remembred of them that I may give the best Answer I can on a suddain with this Protestation That if I had had time I should have given a far clearer Answer than on the sudden I shall be able to do I will take them as they lye in Order And the first thing in this Answer is That in Ireland by my means many good Laws were made for increase of the King's Revenue and for the good of the Church and Commonwealth and this I humbly conceive was not denied directly only it was inferr'd That Laws were of no use where Will was put above Law That these Laws were made the Acts of Parliament that are extant and visible things do make appear For though I might express it darkly by reason I understood not matters of Law the Truth of it is before such time as I came there the Statutes of Wills and Uses and Fraudulent Conveyances were not of force in Ireland by which there was a very great mischief that fell many ways both on the King and specially on the English Planters For by want of these Statutes no man knew when he had a good Title
deposed positively the Words in the Charge The Lord Gorminstone also deposed that he heard the Earl speak those words at another time in open parliament Lord Gorminstone and that the Commissioners who drew the Instructions for the Government of Ireland were a Company of narrow hearted Commissioners The Lord Kilmallock deposed the same Sir Pierce Crosby deposed the same Lord Kilmallock Sir Pierce Crosby My Lord of Strafford after a quarter of an hours respite made his Defence That he had observed the Natives of Ireland have not been Prepitious to their Governours he instanced in Sir John Perrot on their Testimonies attainted of Treason in a legal Ordinary way who lost his Estate though not his Life and yet after it was confest there was little truth in the Accusation My Lord Faulkland had the same treatment being informed against by the same Witnesses Sir Pierce Crosby and Lord Mount-Norris and yet it appeared he had dealt as Honourably Justly and Nobly to his Vnderstanding as any man could do That it was impossible but in the way of Justice a Governour must give Offence to many which he intreated their Lordships to consider He said That though the words were spoken yet were they not Treason and had they been Treason yet by Proviso of Stat. of Ed. 6. the Information ought to be within 30 dayes He instanced in the Lord Cook in Calvin's Case 20 H. 6.8 Dyer 360. to prove that the Laws and Customs of Ireland are diverse from the Lawes of England That he should do Extreamly ill to the Honour of the English Nation and to the memory of divers of their Lordships Ancestors if he should not say and think that Ireland is a Conquered Nation He instanced in the Stat. 11 Eliz. where at the Attainder of Shan Oneal the samous Rebel it is said that all the Clergy were assembled in Armagh at the time of the Conquest That King Henry the Second is in the Statute called the first Conqueror of Ireland That all Histories acknowledg it That he spoke the Words to magnifie the King's Grace and Goodness and that there was then no offence taken at them For the other words That the King might do with them what he pleased let them relate to the Conquest and there is no Offence in them As to the words spoken to the Recorder of Dublin he did with the greatest assevetarion utterly deny the speaking of them Mr. Slingsby his Secretary averred the same and that the first words were so well taken that he was thereupon invited to the Mayor's House at a publique Entertainment To their Charters being void he said it was Evident they were so in point of Law as he was informed by the King's Council for their Non-performance of the Trust reposed in them appealing to my Lord of Cork that the reason of it was that most of the Aldermen were Recusants and would Plead their Charters against the Orders of the Board by which means many great disorders were continued The Managers Urged That this justified a part of the Charge that Charters were judged by the Board whereas the Council-Table hath no such Power The Earl replyed It was not to judg their validity but whether ill Vsage and Extortion were not practised under colour of them and that they were complained of as grievances in Parliament Lord Dillon which the Lord Dillon averred to be true To which the Earl added That he did it in favour of the Protestants who were by these Charters depressed by the Roman-Catholicks and that he looked upon this which was objected as a Crime as a service to the Protestant Religion He said it would perhaps be well known hereafter when he was in his Grave that his great fault was his great zeal to bring them to conform to the Church of England That notwithstanding this they still enjoy their Charters and for his saying Ireland was a conquered Nation it was upon the Occasion of pressing them to supply the Crown for that if the Kingdom of England should still be put to the Charge and the whole Expence rest on the Conqueror you might very well think you are so dealt with as never any other Conquered Nation had been adding There were Copies of his Speech that would justifie what he said and that the Speech was in Ireland That my Lord Ormond told him it was ill resented To which he answered Truly my Lord you are a conquer'd Nation but you see how I speak it and no otherwise The Lord Dillon averred Lord Ranulagh Sir George Wentworth that he stood under the Cloth of State but did not hear the words That they should expect Laws as from a Conqueror The Lord Ranulagh remembred the first words but not their last Sir George Wentworth said That he brought the Speech to the King and in that there was no such word The Managers then Urged That though this was not in that Speech yet some thing was then spoken though in a milder sence but it was spoken after upon Occasion of a Petition delivered by the Commons after they had given the King the Subsidies concerning their Laws To this Mr. Fitzgarret deposed That there was such a Petition Fitzgarret and that there was an answer given either at the Board or in full Parliament from the House of Lords but he does not remember any part of it but afterwards the Earl affirming it was at the Board and not in Parliament he said he conceived there were two Petitions one to the Council another to the Parliament about redress of Grievances but remembers not the Answer But the Lord Gorminstone spoke positively then Lord Gorminston That it was in Parliament upon the Occasion of that Petition wherein as my Lord Strafford observed he contradicted himself having before fixed it on the Speech in the beginning of the Parliament upon Petition of the Commons desiring the benefit of some Graces his Majesty had been pleased to confer on them The Lord Killmallock deposed it was in Parliament Lord Killmallock 3 or 4 dayes after the delivery of that Petition Then the Statute of 28 H. 6. King James's Instructions 1622 and a Proclamation upon them were read dated November 1. 1625. whereby it was Ordered That no private Causes should come before the Board but be referred to their proper Courts Then the 4th Article was read being concerning the Lord of Cork's being disseized of an Impropriation and saying Lord Ranulagh That an Act of State should be as binding as an Act of Parliament The Lord Ranulagh deposed That the Cases of the Church and Plantations were in the times of former Deputies Resolved at the Board and that he never knew any other Titles determined there But the further Disquisition was put off till the next day Upon Friday the Earl of Cork was Examined and deposed Friday Mar. 26. Earl of Cork That the Lord Deputy presented one Arthur Gwyn formerly Groom to the said Earl of Cork to a
because he had not sued out his Pardon and there continued till March 1637. The Lord Dillon deposed much to the same effect Lord Dillon Lord Ranulagh Earl of Cork only he said my Lord gave no Vote in the Sentence The Lord Ranulagh also deposed to the same effect and that during the Debate the Lord-Deputy spake not a word or gave them interruption The Earl of Cork deposed That when the Sentence was read in the Star-Chamber my Lord-Deputy said he would not lose his share in the honour of it Lord Dillon testified the same and that my Lord said it was a Noble and Just Sentence Then the Managers proceeded to the proving his Execution of Martial-Law upon another person and William Castigatt deposed Will. Castigat That one Thomas Denewit was hanged upon the bough of a Tree as was said for a quarter of Beef but knows not whether by a Jury and he takes it my Lord Strafford was present Lord Dillon testified the same and that it was for stealing Beef and running from his Colours The Earl Ranulagh deposed the same and that the Lord Conway offered Reasons why he should not die for the Fact his running away being occasioned by his Lieutenant's bidding him desiring to be discharged go and be hanged which he did leaving his Musket with the Corporal The Lord Conway said he remembred some such thing but imperfectly The Earl answered The Earl of Strafford's Defence That the Lord Deputies have ever Exercised Martial Law upon the March of the Armies as well in time of Peace as War That the Lord Mountnorris was condemned for Breach of two of those Articles Lord Wilmot wherein he was not Judge he produced the Lord Willmot who affirmed That he himself being General the Lords Faulkland Grandison and Chichester used it That in 3 or 4 Parliaments it was never complained of That to govern an Army without it is impossible occasions rise on a saddain in an Army and for Example sake must be suddainly redressed That there were Provost Martials in every Province From whence the Earl inferred Lord Dillon he had done nothing de Novo The Lord Dillon affirmed That Martial Law had been practised and men hanged by it in times of Peace as to Mountnorris his Sentence he offered a Letter to Secretary Cook Sir Robert Farrer to show that he was a Suitor to the King for him but it was not permitted to be read Sir Robert Farrer testified that my Lord Strafford said he would give no Judgment concerning the Lord Mountnorris and that he sate bare in token that he was no Judge That he desired the Court not to look upon him but go to the Cause Sir George Wentworth averred the same and that my Lord would not permit him to give his Vote in regard he was his Kinsman That what was done was by the Council of War and that before they met he did not acquaint them with the business That his design was only to discipline the Lord Mountnorris and teach him to govern his Speech with more modesty To Denwitt he confessed and justified it from necessity the Army being then upon march to Carlisle and if not punished it would have been of dangerous Example that the Facts were proved That he had before been burnt in the hand that the Law justifies him in it producing several Statutes of Ireland 20 H. 6. c 19. 7 H. 7. c 1.10 H. 7. which make running from the Colours Felony and are in force in Ireland The Managers Urged That the Statutes were against him for that Felony is to be Tryed at Common-Law and so intended by those Statutes Then the Earl of Ely was sworn who deposed That Martial Law was in use in the Kingdom of Ireland and was two-fold Summary and Plenary the first for Rebels and Kerns that kept the Wood the other in the time of War in the Field which ended when the Army was dissolved that the use of it was rare in regard of the damage to the King the party condemned losing only life not Goods and Estate To my Lord 's saying the Nobility lost their blood in the Conquest of Ireland They said This way their own blood may be spent in the Peace of Ireland and of England too Upon Monday they proceed to the 6th Article of putting the Lord Mountnorris out of Possession of 200 l. per annum Monday March 29. 7th Day Article 6. Lord Mount-Norris Mr. Anslow upon a paper Petition of one Rolstone The Decree was read and Lord Mountnorris deposed That he was put out by my Lord's Warrant August 29. 1637. Mr. Anslow deposed the same To this the Earl Answered That his greatest grief was that the Arrow came out of the Quiver of the House of Commons that in his grey hairs he should be misunderstood by the Companions of his Youth The Earls Defence if the Decree were just he hoped it would go far in the Case Justice knowing no priviledge of Peers above common persons that it was warranted by the Statute of H. 6. which saves the King's Prerogative as also by his Commission which authorized him to proceed secundùm consuetudinem terrae which was read That it was agreeable to the practise of former Deputies who Exercised it in the nature of a Court of Requests This he proved by Robert Dillon in the Lords Cork Ely Faulkland Robert Dillon Grandison and Chichester's times of Government Lord Dillon by Orders he had seen under their hands The Lord Dillon confirming it and that he had seen several Petitions under the Lord-Deputies hands alone That he never knew my Lord Strafford meddle with matters of Law with Equity he hath which the Earl confessed He further shewed the necessity of the procedure by Petitions the Irish being Poor the person that came against the Lord Mountnorris was in forma pauperis he produced several Warrants and Orders of former Deputies to that purpose one from the Lord of Cork and particularly in the Lord Mountnorris his Case as appeared by the Decree read it was for the relief of a poor man whom my Lord Mountnorris had oppressed and violently possest himself of Lands to the value of 200 l. per annum that the Lord Mountnorris was kept in prison for contempt at the King's Suit in Star-Chamber and not for refusing to sue out his Pardon which he proved by Mr. Slingsby and Sir Adam Loftus and had he not had so short warning said he could produce the Orders of the Castle Chamber to make it Evident which the Lord Dillon also testified concluding That having authority from the King follewing the Rules and Practice of former Governors relieving the Poor who cannot follow a legal Process not intrenching upon the other Courts he hoped could never rise up in Judgment against him as Treason either in it self or by application To this Mr. Glyn Replied Manager replies That he would not acknowledg a cumulative Treason but must have
took Exception at their Petitioning for a Parliament and said Leaving out that Clause he would joyn with them in that Petition Sir Henry Cholmley deposed Sir Hen. Cholmley That informing my Lord that notwithstanding the Warrants Mony came not in and that unless he had money shortly the Regiment of which he was Colonel would disband his Lordship told him he would send a Levy on the Goods of those that refused but knows not whether such Levies were sent Sir John Hotham deposed much to the same Effect Sir John Hotham Sir Philip Stapleton deposed Sir Philip Stapleton That the Gentry upon the King's Summons being met drew the Petition to which there were 100 hands and that the Earl refused to deliver it unless the concluding clause were left out but most of them resolved to stand to that Petition and many went out of Town not doubting the delivery of it My Lord put it to the Vote where there were many Papists and on the Vote delivered an Answer what he knows not for he stayed behind to draw another Petition and humble Protestation to his Majesty that this Petition was the Answer of the Countrey Lord Wharton deposed Lord Wharton That attending my Lord Strafford with this Petition he refused to deliver it upon the Exception before mentioned that divers of the Gentlemen that were there would not go back from that with which so much humility and reason they thought was desired thereupon my Lord went to the King but they who thought not fit to alter the Petition went not with him and what he said he knows not Then this following Warrant of Sir William Pennyman's was produced and he owning it and it being not in Accusation of himself but grounded on my Lord Strafford's Command for Levying money it was read To the Constable of Sergeant-Major Yaworthe's Company WHereas the Lord Lieutenant-General of his Majesties Army Sir William Pennyman's Warrant by His Majesties Command sent forth Warrants to the Constable of this Weapontake of Longborough for Collecting and Paying the Soldiers of my Regiment Six weeks pay to be delivered from my hands which is not yet received from c. These are therefore once more in his Majesties Name to Will and Require you forthwith to pay or cause to be paid to the said Sergeant-Major the several Rates and Proportions both of the First and Second Contribution Assessed on your Town c. And if any Person or Persons shall refuse so to do you are instantly on receit hereof to bring him or them c. to serve in their own Persons for the defence of this County as the necessity of this Cause requires And hereof c. fail not 19 Octob. 1640. William Pennyman To this Sir William deposed That he cannot say whether the first Warrant was issued by the Vice-President or whether any was issued by my Lord Strafford 's direction And being again and again urged to speak positively and Categorically he said he did verily believe the ground of the Warrant of the Deputy-Lieutenants to Levy money on the Countrey was That my Lord told them That he had acquainted the Lords of the great Council and his Majesty and that he did it by their consent but he was out of the room when it was drawn only Mr. Rockly a Deputy-Lieutenant told him so Sir Henry Griffin deposed That he heard my Lord say Sir H. Griffin That he had direction from the great Council to Levy money for Sir William Pennyman and Sir Thomas Danby's Regiments and that by a clause in the Order the Refusers were to be compelled to serve in person Sir Robert Strickland sworn deposed the same Sir John Burroughs sworn deposed That upon the 20th of October Sir Robert Strickland Sir John Burroughs Mr. Robert Strickland and Mr. Mallard coming as he thinks to tender their services to the Lords among other discourse mentioned some Order concerning the relieving the two Regiments for the Guard of Richmonshire and that thereupon themselves my Lord Strafford and the rest of the Deputy-Lieutenants had granted Warrants for the assessing Money at this the Lords were startled and commanded him to inform them if there were any such Order he told them being Clerk That he remembred none nor drew up any The Lords desired those 2 Gentlemen to give them Copies of those Warrants they had sent out and that Sir John should take their Testimony which he did My Lord of Strafford did take notice that some such thing had been done at Rippon and said then to the Lords That he did conceive he had the King's Order and their Lordships approbation for the issuing out of this Warrant but since he conceives their Lordships disliked it and had taken Copies of it he was very willing to withdraw these Warrants And this was on the last day of the great Council but that my Lord-Deputy appealed to the King and the King said he did acquaint him with it before the Lords but that the Lords absolutely declined the making any such Warrants and were generally against it Mr. Henry Cholmley sworn Mr. H. Cholmley deposed That my Lord said That the Custom was that private men should serve in Person in the Trainbands or maintain the Charge of them and the Common-mens Charge is born by the Constables of the Town whence they come and told the King Sir if you please Mr. Vice-President may or shall send out Warrants to this purpose William Dowsen deposed Will. Dowsen That Mr. Yaworth Sir William Pennyman's Major came with 4 Musketeers to Egton sent for the Assessors who being unwilling to assess he told them they should answer it before my Lord General and shewed a Warrant from Sir William Pennyman but he did not see it but 2 Musketeers went with each Constable to Levy the money William Pierson deposed the same Will. Pierson And that he saw Sir William Pennyman 's name to the Warrant and that in the Town 4 Musketeers went with the Constable Sir William Ingram deposed Sir William Ingram That inquiring of my Lord Strafford how the Soldiers must be maintained my Lord told him the private men must maintain their Soldiers at 8 d. per diem or else he would commit them and the Soldiers should be maintained at that Rate out of their Estates and if any refused to pay their Assessment they should be committed to Prison and lye there and he would have all men to know that refused to pay such Contribution that they were in little better Condition then guilty of High Treason Sir Henry Griffin deposed Sir Henry Griffin That his Regiment advancing he received 300 l. on the Assessment by virtue of this Warrant but more they could not nor would not pay upon which complaining to my Lord he told him he would take a Course and my Lord did grant forth his Warrant and sent a Messenger from Constable to Constable and all was paid and for ought he knows
surely my Lord of Strafford would not have omitted it if it had been for his advantage especially in this presence where he omits nothing to clear himself or to insinuate with his Majesty Now I come to the Thirteenth Article the Article concerning Flax which I know is fresh in your Lordships memories and I believe will be so in the memories of the Subjects of Ireland for many years how he ingrossed it into his hands and interrupted the Trade of the poor people whereby such miseries and calamities befell many of that Nation that as you have heard it proved thousands dye in ditches for want of Bread to put in their mouths And whereas he pretends that this was proved but by one Witness and that man to be imprisoned and of no Credit though he was his own instrument your Lordships remember Sir John Clotworthy his testimony and anothers and his own Warrant produced and acknowledged here to justifie the execution of it and such a thing was thereby taken into his own hands that I profess I never heard the like that the poor people should be constrained to use their own as he pleased and that pleasing of himself laid an impossibility on the people to execute his pleasure which was a bondage exceeding that of the Israelites under the Egyptians for there was not laid so much upon the Children of Israel but there was a possibility to perform they might with much labour perchance get stubble to burn their Brick but the Natives here must have a charge laid upon them without possibility to perform and the disobedience must cost them no less than the loss of their Goods which drew with it even the loss of their lives for want of bread This was not proved by only one Witness but by many And your Lordships remember the remonstrance of that Parliament of Ireland which declares it to a greater height than I have opened it The Fifteenth Article is that of Levying War upon the King's Subjects expresly within the Statute of 25 Edw. 3. and 18 H. 6. Your Lordships have heard the Warrant proved by the party himself to whom it was directed whereby Power was given to lay Soldiers upon any party that did not obey my Lord of Strafford's Orders at the Council-Table but not to circumscribe him to a certain number but the Sergeant at Arms and his Ministers might lay as many as they would It is true this Warrant was not it self produced but a copy was offered which was not read and therefore I will not offer it to be proved but the party that executed the Warrant it self proves it to be under the Hand and Seal of my Lord of Strafford he proves the express authority of it which was to the effect I opened three or four more who saw and read it proved the same and that it was under the Hand and Seal of my Lord of Strafford that accordingly it was executed upon divers of the King's Subjects it was proved by three Witnesses expresly in the point how by colour of this Warrant the Sergeant at Arms and his Officers sent Soldiers to lye in the Houses and Lands of the King's Subjects how the Owners were thereby forced out from their own Habitation how their Goods were wasted and devoured their Corn and Victuals eaten up and the Soldiers never left them as long as any part of their Estates remained to maintain them My Lord of Strafford's defence is That it hath been used before his time in Ireland wherein he hath again misrecited for he did not offer a proof nor a particle of a proof that ever any man did know Soldiers laid upon any party for refusing to appear to a Warrant or for other contempt at Council-Table before himself did it but he offered to prove That formerly Soldiers were sent against Rebels and that after they were declared to be Rebels and that justly too and he proved an use and custom to force men to pay Contribution-money due to the King but that was by consent of the people who granted a Contribution of 20000 l. a year for increase of the King's Revenue and that it might not be upon Record in the Exchequer and so claimed as due in time to come they consented that Soldiers should be laid upon them that refused it and the word Consent is within the Statute of 18 H. 6. Again did he prove all manner of Rents were levyed by Soldiers no such thing but such Rents as were designed for the payment of the Army he proved by Sir Arthur Terringham the laying of Soldiers once for the payment of a summ of Money but Sir Arthur being demanded whether it were the King's Rents or comprehended within the same general Rule he could make no answer thereunto Your Lordships remember he says He did not know it and therefore probably it was the King's Rents and doubtless it was so But if he had produced Precedents it could not be an authority for Treason that if people did not appear to his Orders he must levy War against the King's Subjects and for his extenuation of the War that the same was of no great danger there being not above five or six Soldiers laid at a time I would to God the people oppressed by it had cause to undervalue it I am sure four or six Musqueteers are as strong to oppress a man as four thousand so the matter of Fact is strongly and expresly proved Besides though there came not above four or five to a house yet the authority given to the Sergeant was general he might have brought more if he had listed and in truth he brought as many as the Estate of the party would maintain And as to the not producing of the Warrant I have already answered it If it were in the Case of a Deed wherein men call for Witnesses it were something but God forbid that the Treason should be gone and the Traytor not questionable if his Warrant can be once put out of the way The next Article which is laid to his Charge is For issuing out a Proclamation and Warrant of restraint to inhibit the King's Subjects to come to the Fountain their Soveraign to deliver their complaints of their wrongs and oppressions Your Lordships have heard how he hath exercised his jurisdiction and now he raises a battery to secure and make it safe If he do wrong perhaps the complaint may come to the Gracious Ears of a King who is ready to give relief and therefore he must stop these cries and prevent these means that he may go on without interruption and to that end he makes Propositions here That the King's Subjects in Ireland should not come over to make complaint against Ministers of State before an Address first made to himself It is true he makes a fair pretence and shew for it and had just cause of approbation if he intended what he pretended But as soon as he came into Ireland what use made he of it he ingrosses
Afternoon and the House was divided upon it the Lord Digby and Mr. Lloyd tellers for the Years Sir Gilbert Gerrard and Sir Thomas Barrington tellers for the Noes with the Noes were 59 with the Yeas 204. so the Bill passed the House of Commons being thrice read in one Day and Mr. Pym by Order of the House carried it up to the Lords with a special Recommendation to their Lordships to give it all Expedition in regard of the great Importance acquainting them That the Commons would be ready to Justifie the Legality of the Bill But notwithstanding the Tide run with that impetuous Violence against this Noble Lord that to oppose it must hazard drowning and that doubtless Fear carried as many down the stream as Judgment yet so great was the Power of his Innocence and the Force of Truth that even the Lord Digby one who while he thought him Criminal was his severest Accuser yet discerning the unjust practices against the Earl he became his Advocate though all the advantage he got was by generously endeavouring to save the Lord Strafford he lost his own Esteem both in the House of Commons and among the Faction and from that moment became their declared Enemy by being a Bold Friend of Truth and Justice So it happens while men out of too much Popularity court or follow a Faction they kindâ—â— a fire which when they would quench they perish in those Flames which they help'd to blow up However this Speech of the Lord Digby's gives a clear light into the Dark Contrivance which brought this Great Life to an untimely Period and was as followeth Mr. Speaker WE are now upon the point of giving as much as in us lies the Final Sentence unto Death or Life on a great Minister of State and Peer of this Kingdom The Lord Digby's Speech at the passing the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford Apr. 21. Thomas Earl of Strafford a Name of hatred in the present Age by his practices and fit to be made a Terrour to future Ages by his Punishment I have had the Honour to be Imployed by the House in this great business from the first hour that it was taken into Consideration It was matter of great Trust and I will say with confidence that I have served the House in it both with Industry according to my ability and with most exact Faithfulness and Secrecy And as I have hitherto discharged my Duty to this House and to my Country in the Progress of this Great Cause so I trust I shall do now in the last period of it to God and to a good Conscience I do wish the peace of that unto my self and the blessings of Almighty God to me and my Posterity according as my judgment on the life of this man shall be consonant with my heart and the best of my understanding in all Integrity I know well Mr. Speaker that by some things I have said of late whilst this Bill was in agitation I have raised some prejudices upon me in the Cause Yea some I thank them for their plain dealing have been so free as to tell me that I suffered much by the backwardness I have shewn in this Bill of Attainder of the Earl of Strafford against whom I had been formerly so keen and so active Mr. Speaker I beg of you and the rest but a suspension of Judgment concerning me till I have opened my heart unto you freely and clearly in this business Truly Sir I am still the same in my Opinions and Affections as unto the Earl of Strafford I confidently believe him the most dangerous Minister the most insupportable to free Subjects that can be charactered I believe his Practices in themselves have been as High as Tyrannical as any Subject ever ventured on and the malignity of them are hugely aggravated by those rare abilities of his whereof God hath given him the use but the Devil the application in a word I believe him still that grand Apostate to the Common-wealth who must not expect to be pardoned in this World till he be dispatched to the other And yet let me tell you Mr. Speaker my hand must not be to that dispatch I protest as my Conscience stands informed I had rather it were off Let me unfold unto you the mystery Mr. Speaker I will not dwell much upon justifying unto you my seeming variance at this time from what I was formerly but by putting you in mind of the difference between Prosecutors and Judges How misbecoming that fervour would be in a Judge which perhaps was commendable in a Prosecutor Judges we are now and must put on another Personage It is honest and noble to be earnest in order to the discovery of Truth but when that hath been brought as far as it can to light our judgment thereupon ought to be calm and cautious In prosecution upon probable Grounds we are accountable only for our industry or remisness but in judgment We are deeply responsible to God Almighty for it's Rectitude or Obliquity in cases of Life the Judge is God's Steward of the Partie's blood and must give a strict account for every drop But as I told you Mr. Speaker I will not insist long upon the Ground of Difference in me now from what I was formerly The truth on 't is Sir the same Ground whereupon I with the rest of the Five to whom you first committed the Consideration of my Lord Strafford brought down our Opinion That it was fit he should be Accused of Treason upon the same Ground I was engaged with earnestness in his Prosecution and had the same Ground remained in that force of belief with me which till very lately it did I should not have been tender in his Condemnation But truly Sir to deal plainly with you that Ground of our Accusation That Spur to our Prosecution and that which should be the basis of my judgment of the Earl of Strafford as unto Treason is to my understanding quite vanisht away This it was Mr. Speaker His advising the King to employ the Army of Ireland to reduce England This I was assured would be proved before I gave my consent to his Accusation I was confirmed in the same belief during the Prosecution and fortified in it most of all since Sir Henry Vane 's preparatory Examination by the assurances which that worthy Member Mr. Pym gave me that his Testimony would be made convincing by some Notes of what passed at that Junto concurrent with it which I ever understanding to be of some other Councellor you see now prove but a Copy of the same Secretaries Notes discovered and produc'd in the manner you have heard and those such disjoynted Fragments of the Venomous part of Discourses no Results no Conclusions of Counsels which are the only things that Secretaries should Register there being no use at all of the other but to Accuse and to bring men into danger But Sir this is not that which overthrows
Corruptives of Judgment Mr. Speaker I do before God discharge my self to the uttermost of my Power And do with a clear Conscience wash my hands of this mans blood by this solemn Protestation That my Vote goes not to the taking of the Earl of Strafford 's Life Exceptions were taken at this Speech upon Friday following and the Lord Digby Explained himself but for the present there was nothing done in it though afterwards the sleeping Revenge roused it self to some purpose for upon the 15th of July to do him all the infamy they could this Speech was by Order of the House burnt by the hand of the Common Hangman in Smithfield Palace Yard and in the Royal Exchange The Lords made no great hast in dispatching the Bill of Attainder Saturday April 24. and therefore the Faction fell upon other Methods of quickening them one of which was a Petition from many Thousands of the City which was upon Saturday presented by them to both Houses thereby to make it appear the Desire of the City and to speak truth they had strangely Exasperated the City against him as will appear by the Petition which follows To the most Honourable Assembly of the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament The humble Petition of divers Citizens of London SHEWETH THat notwithstanding His Majesties Gracious Answer The first Petition of the Citizens against the Earl of Strafford April 24. to the humble Petition of his Loyal Subjects in Summoning this Parliament with the great Care and Endeavoured pains taken by both Houses for the removing the heavy Grievances in Church and Common-wealth whereof the Petitioners have already received some Fruit for which they desire to return their most humble and utmost Thanks yet nevertheless they are enforced with all Humility to represent to this most Honourable Assembly some of those Obstructions which do still hinder that freedom and fulness of Trade in this City they have formerly had and which considering the numerous multitude thereupon depending they conceive it not able comfortably to subsist As the unsetled Condition of the Kingdom even since the Troubles in Scotland hath caused both Strangers and also some of our own who did furnish great summs of money to use to call it in and remit much of it by Exchange into Forraign Parts and stand now in expectation of what the Issue of things may be The stopping Money in the Mint which till then was accounted the safest place and surest Staple in these parts of the World still doth hinder the Importation of Bullion the Scots now disabled to pay such Debts as they owe to the Petitioners and others in the City and by reason of the Oppressions exercised in Ireland their Debts also are detained there The English Trade by reason of our general Distractions and Fears is so much decayed that Country Trades-men cannot pay their Debts in London as formerly The great Sums of Money unduly taken by His Majesties Officers and Farmers for Impositions upon Merchandize Exported and imported and the want of Relief in Courts of Justice against them The drawing out from the City great Sums of Money which is the Life and Spirit of Trade for His Majesties Service in the North and being there employed is not yet returned Besides all which from what strong and secret Opposition the Petitioners know not they have not received what so much time and pains might give and cause to hope but still Incendiaries of the Kingdoms and other Notorious Offenders remain unpunished The Affairs of the Church notwithstanding many Petitions concerning it and long Debate about it remains unsetled the Papists still Armed the Laws against them not Executed some of the most Active of them still at Court Priests and Jesuits not yet Banished the Irish Popish-Army not yet Disbanded Courts of Justice not yet reformed and the Earl of Strafford who as now appears hath Counselled the Plundring of this City and putting it to Fine and Ransom and said It would never be well till some of the Aldermen were hang'd up because they would not yield to Illegal Levies of Monies had so drawn out and spent this time in his business to the very great Charge of the whole Kingdom and his endeavour to obtain yet more all which makes us fear there may be practices now in hand to hinder the Birth of your great endeavours and that we lie under some more dangerous Plot than we can discover All which Premisses with their Fears and Distractions growing there-from and from things of the like nature the Petitioners humbly offer to the most grave Consideration of this most Honourable Assembly as being the true Causes of decay of Trade discouragement of Trades-men and of the great scarcity of Monies with the Consequences they labour under And do humbly pray That their sad Grievances may be Redressed the Causes of their Fears removed Justice executed upon the said Earl and other Incendiaries and Offenders the rather in regard till then the Petitioners humbly conceive neither Religion nor their Lives Liberties or Estates can be secured And as in Duty bound they shall ever pray c. But all they could do notwithstanding the frequent Conferences and Debates the Lords resolved to hear what the Councel would first say upon the Legality of the Bill upon which this Message was sent to the Commons by Judge Foster and Judge Heath That their Lordships will be ready to meet at a Conference by a Committee of both Houses at Nine of the Clock upon Thursday Morning in Westminster-Hall there to hear this House according to their own Offers when they brought up the Bill of Attainder of the Earl of Strafford Mr. Hide was this Day sent up to the Lords Widnesday April 28. to acquaint them with the Fears they have that the Earl of Strafford may design to Escape That he hath Ships at Sea at Command and the Guards weak and to desire he may be made a close Prisoner and the Guards strengthened To which the Lords answered They would take it into Examination and give Directions accordingly Upon Thursday the Houses being met at the Hall Thursday April 29. the King Prince and Queen being present Mr. St. Johns to whom that Province was consigned by the Commons made his Argument of the Legallity of the Bill of Attainder as followeth My Lords THE Knights Mr. St. John's Argument at Law for passing the Bill of Attainder April 29. Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament have passed a Bill for the Attainting of Thomas Earl of Strafford of High-Treason The Bill hath been transmitted from them to your Lordships it concerns not him alone but your Lordships and the Commons too though in different respects It concerns his Lordship the highest that can be in the Penal Part so it doth on the other side as highly concern your Lordships and the Commons in that which ought to be the tend'rest the Judicatory within that that Judge not them who Judge
But Obedience due to Kings is only for certain Respects of Order and Policy 11. 11. Ibidem That those very Church-men that are Born and Inhabit in Soveraign Princes Countries are notwithstanding not their Subjects and cannot be Judged by them although they may Judge them 12. 12. Ibidem And that the Obedience that Church-men give to Princes even in the meanest and meer Temporal Things is not by way of any necessary Subjection but only out of Discretion and for Observation of good Order and Custom Here we find what base Estimation Prelates had of Princes may we not then justly except against their delivery as it is by them urged No Bishop No King Whoever will have the Patience to read over this long and tedious Speech and compare it with the Histories of those Authors which he has gleaned it from may possibly find the matters of Fact either mistaken or falsly represented nor indeed can we give intire credit to all that was written by the Monks of those Times who being great Enemies to the Bishops may be supposed very partial in relating some Passages of their Lives however it is not my Province to vindicate the Ill Actions of any sort of men whatever and is confessedly known that several of those Bishops as particularly Becket the famous Romish Saint were notorious Traytors and ill men But that which I think ought not to be passed by without animadversion is the Weakness of this Gentleman's Argumentation for it is evident that the main stress of his Argument is from the Actions of former ill Bishops to prove the necessity not only of taking from them all Temporal Power and Estate but also to Abolish and Extirpate the very Office for when ever he or any of his Party talk of Reformation as he does when he tells you They were degenerated from the Primitive Institution and that he only wishes there were Reformation not Demolishing but Amendment and Restitution the Reader is to Understand that by those soft Words of Reformation Amendment Restitution and Primitive Institution is meant the Utter Extirpation of Episcopacy as then it stood and the Reducing it to the Geneva standard which with them was a Restitution of it to its Primitive Institution Now how weak and inconsequential the Argument is from the Abuse of any Office Power Dignity Trust or Order to argue the Abolition or Taking it away there needs little more to be said then that Admitting the truth of this for a Practicable and Necessary Maxim all Laws Government and Order must cease in the World for it will as necessarily follow That because there have been ill Kings and Parliaments Magistrates and Laws Therefore they ought wholly to be taken away as because there have been ill Bishops that therefore the whole Order ought to be Abolished And indeed a few Years succeeding brought the same Consequences and Effects upon the King and House of Lords as it had done upon the Bishops who for Mal-administration and pretended Miscarriages by the Usurpation of these soft Reformers and Reducers of Men to their Primitive Institution were both Exauctorated and discharged of any share in the Government and many of them with the King himself of his Royal Crown and Innocent Lives verifying literally to a tittle what he takes such pains to confute in the Close of his Speech as a false and foolish Maxim No Bishop No King And certainly this Gentleman ought to have considered that Ecclesiastical Persons have in all Ages in all Places of the World under all Governments among all Religions Pagan Jew Christian Mahometan universally had a share in the Administration of Civil Affairs and particularly in Legislation so far as the preparing of Laws for the Royal Impress amounts to and with very good reason by a Rule which upon some Occasions these Gentlemen have a Great Veneration for Quod tangit Omnes ab Omnibus debet tractari and Ecclesiasticks as well as others being to be bound by Laws ought to have their part in preparing and consenting to them And further he ought to have considered that Under the Jewish Oeconomy instituted by the Only Wise God himself the chief Administration of all Civil as well as Religious Affairs was Vested in the Ecclesiasticks And for our English Constitution the Laws had incorporated the Episcopal Order into the Very Fundamentals of the Government making them one of the Three Estates of the Land as they are by several Acts declared and to their Sitting not only in Parliament but in all Great Councels during the Saxon Government all Records so long as we have any unanimously inform us so that they had an immemorial Prescription for their Right and it was an ill presage what the future Reformation would prove when it was begun with the over-turning of one of the three Fundamental Pillars upon which the Weighty Frame of the Government was built After all the long Harangue of the ill Actions of former Bishops in the times of Popery when he comes in the period of his Speech as one would reasonably have Expected to speak something to purpose of the Protestant Bishops instead of that as if he had designed to Gratifie the Papists he falls to calumniate the first Reformers Cranmer Ridley c. as factious turbulent Traytors and Incendiaries and when he comes to those of his own time the Pope of Lambeth and his Cardinals Wren and others as he is pleased to stile the Archbishop and Bishops he makes a most hideous Out-cry of Popery Arminianism Idolatry and what not of irreligion to the Deity mischief and danger to the King and prejudice to the People and Kingdome without offering so much as one single testimony or proof by any Action Word or Writing of theirs to support so gross and black a Charge But this was a Method these Worthy Patriots had learnt from the Jesuits Fortiter calumniare aliquid haerebit to throw all the dirt imaginable upon the Albs and Lawn Sleeves of the Bishops not doubting but some of it would stick to them in the opinion of the People and they were such great Masters in the Art of Blackening that I think even the Great Master of the Black Art who has his name from calumniating and falsly accusing the Innocent might have been their Schollar as doubtless he was their Tutor in this hellish Trade But to leave Mr. Thomas with his long Speech let us return to the other Affairs the Faction was now under great Fears of both the Northern Armies who were not only Discontented for want of Pay both Scots and English but several of the latter seeing Evidently whither this procedure of the Anti-Episcopal Faction tended had some warm thoughts about them to endeavour to prevent it while they had the power in their hands knowing that as soon as possible the King would be stript of this Power and those Forces be Disbanded but the matter it seems was either not so well contrived or so secretly managed but that
Governour under Sir Thomas Jermyn of the Isle of Jersey having given an Account of the state of the Isle was Ordered to repair to his Charge there and if Mr. Percy Mr. Jermyn c. were there to apprehend them and cause them to be safely conducted to the House of Lords A Conference was this day appointed to be had with the Lords Fri day May 7. Heads of a Conference about the present dangers of Portsmouth and the French to acquaint them that divers persons who were suspected to have a hand in the Conspiracy and that in order to the discovery of it should have been Examined were gone that new Informations were brought to the Commons of several French Forces lay in Piccardy to be Transported into England probably into Portsmouth and to desire their Lordships to joyn with this House for the Discovery of these Practices and that some Forces may be drawn out of Wiltshire and Barkshire for securing of Portsmouth Sir Walter Erle was also ordered to go down into Dorsetshire to take care of the preservation and safety of that County Sir Hugh Cholmley to go to the Lords to desire them to move his Majesty that the Earl of Essex in this time of danger may be made Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire A Proclamation was drawn to bring in Mr. Percy c. WHereas Henry Percy Esq Henry Jermyn Esq Proclamation to bring in Mr. Percy Sir John Suckling Knight William Davenant and Captain Billingsly being by order of the Lords in Parliament to be Examined concerning designs of great danger to the State and mischievous ways to prevent the happy Success and Conclusion of this Parliament have so absented and withdrawn themselves as they cannot be Examined His Majesty by the advice of the said Lords in Parliament doth strictly charge the said Henry Percy Esq Henry Jermyn Esq Sir John Suckling William Davenant and Captain Billingsly to appear before the said Parliament at Westminster within Ten days after the Date hereof upon pain to undergo such forfeitures and punishments as the said Lords shall order and inflict upon them The Earl of Bristol Reported to the Lords House Earl of Bristols Report about disbanding the Irish Army May 7. That his Majesty had taken a resolution for the disbanding of the new Irish Army to that purpose an estimate hath been given in to the King of the Charges that 10000 l. will now do it Whereupon there is order taken for the speedy Raising and Returning of Moneys to that intent And Sir Adam Loftus Vice-Treasurer of Ireland hath engaged himself to repay in September next those Monies shall be disbursed by the Earl of Cork and others in the interim for that purpose That likewise there is care taken how to dispose and imploy the said Soldiers that they may not be troublesome to that Country to that purpose there are Eight Colonels and Captains Nominated who will take off these Men and Transport them to Forreign Parts which his Majesty will give way unto if it be to a Prince that he is in Amity with provided that these Commanders do give the King and Parliament an Account both of their Persons and their Imployers before they have the Command of the Soldiers Mr. White Chair-man of the Committee for Scandalous Ministers Saturday May 8. Reports the matter of Complaint exhibited against Edward Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London Upon which these Votes passed Resolved c. Votes about Mr. Finch Vicar of Christ-Church London That the said Edward Finch is guilty of practising Innovations in the Church Non-Residency foul Extortion neglect of the Duty of his Function and prophaning the Sacrament a Man of prophane Life scandalous in his Doctrine and Conversation and a hinderer of preaching Resolved c. That the said Edward Finch is a man unfit to hold any Benefice or Promotion in the Church Mr. White is Ordered to transmit this Case to the Lords that the Parish may be eased of him Thus early did they begin to strike at Root and Branch of Episcopacy for all those who were obedient to their Governours in the Church or thought God Almighty ought to have bodily Worship and Adoration in those places where he has put his Name and made them Houses of Prayer all those who thought kneeling at the Receiving the Holy Sacrament necessary or any other decent Postures Gestures or Vestments that might outwardly signifie inward Veneration and Homage Lawful and Expedient were upon the slightest Accusations voted Guilty of Innovation Prophaneness and unworthy of any Promotion in the Church And as Mr. Symmons Vindicat of King Charles p. 73. Symmons in his Vindication of King Charles who was an Eye-witness of this terrible Persecution informs us All Accusations against any though the best Ministers by the most malicious and lewdest persons were invited by Ordinance incouraged and admitted of without any proof at all And it can be no wonder that the Orthodox Clergy suffered so deeply both in their Reputation and Estates when not only their Accusers which mostly were the several Sectaries in their Parishes or such others as went about to defraud them of their just Dues were their most inveterate Enemies but their Judges too were frequently both Parties in promoting and managing those Accusations and by their open favouring their Accusers shewed the partiality of Enemies The Faction saw the absolute necessity of getting the power of the Sword into their hands both to justifie what they had already done and to support them in what they intended by their pretended Reformation which was totally to abolish Episcopacy in the Church and to clip the Wings of Prerogative if not wholly to take away the Government of Monarchy it self Now to the accomplishment of this design upon the Militia Navy Forts Magazines and Strength of the Nation all Arts imaginable were used to gain the People the great pretences were Liberty Property and Religion for as Mr. Hambden one of the principal Grandees of the Faction told a private friend without that they could not draw the People to assist them The great Rubb in their way to the gaining of the People they knew would be the Loyal and Orthodox Bishops and Clergy these therefore were to be removed that so Creatures of their own might be introduced into Corporations and especially into the City of London who might from the Pulpit preach the Oracles of Sedition and Rebellion delude the People animate and incourage them to assist the Parliament in this Glorious Reformation by putting the power of the Sword into their hands That they might effect this they did not only obtrude Lecturers by order of the House upon most Churches of Note in London and elsewhere but by their means and the restless malice of the Sectaries were perpetually Petitioning and Articling against the Episcopal Clergy And to encourage this Trade of Parson-hunting as the factious Sectaries called it and which did extreamly tie them to the Parliament a pretended Order of the
could upon occasion and when they had an intention to flatter the King in order to some further Favours do it themselves Thus did this Great Prince indeavour in every thing to oblige this stubborn Faction but alas he met with nothing but ingratitude from their Presbyterian Temper who looked upon what ever he gave as his Duty and construed his most Gracious Concessions to be the Effects of his Fear not his Bounty and from thence they took courage to raise their demands higher as hereafter we shall see This day the Bill for pressing Marriners and others was passed and Ordered to be ingrossed The Earl of Bristol signified to the House of Lords That the Scots Commissioners had desired the Lords Commissioners to present to the Parliament an Extract which they have made of a Letter sent them from the Committee at New-Castle dated the 30th of April which was read Viz. WE find by Sad Experience Extract of a Letter from Newcastle read in the House of Lords that if a way had been invented to ruin us there could not be one more ready then this undermining of us by granting new Cessations and keeping back of the Monies promised for our daily Maintenance which makes us Earnestly to recommend to your Lordships Care the pressing of Money for us with speed and to consider well of our Estate in case any new Cessation be desired We perceive likewise the same Effects to follow upon the Prorogation of the Parliament for the Countrey by delay of Justice stop of Trade keeping up Armes within and sending their Victuals to us is so exhausted that e're it be long this Remedy will be worse then the Disease These Considerations make us to intreat your Lordships with all earnestness to press for an Answer of our Demands and a Conclusion of the Treaty in such a way as your Lordships shall think fitting having respect first to the Cause in hand and next to the Condition of our Army and the Estate of the Country at home Then his Lordship told them that the Scots have received an Answer from the King of those Articles which his Majesty had undertaken to consider of and declared the earnest desire that the Scots Commissioners had exprest to the Lords Commissioners to have an end of the Treaty and the Peace setled that so they may return into their own Countrey Hereupon a Message was sent to the Commons to desire a Conference by a Committee of both Houses presently touching the Treaty of both Kingdoms Divers Recusant Lords declared to their House Some Recusant Lords take the Protestation that they were ready to take the Protestation so much as concerns the Civil part of it so they might be dispensed with for the matters of Religion which binds their Consciences which the House giving way to the Lord Marquiss of Winchester the Earl of Rivers and the Lord Audley made the Protestation accordingly It was this day Ordered That Mr. Tuesday May 11. The Bill for Pressing Seamen passed the Lords House The Lords to intercede with the King for the Wife and Children of the Earl of Strafford Tumults A Conference about the Queen Mother Pym's Speeches at the beginning and end of the Lord Strafford's Trial as also Mr. St. John's Argument in Law should be Printed The Bill for the better Levying of Marriners was read a Third time and being put to the Question It was Resolved That it was fit to pass for a Law Nemine Contradicente It was also Resolved That the House of Lords should become Suitors to his Majesty about the Wife Children and Creditors of the Earl of Strafford that he will be pleased to take them into his Mercy and Consideration There was also a Conference appointed to be had with the Lords that some care may be taken of the Queen-Mother who was threatned by the Rabble A great Character being given of her that she was a person of great moderation and had expressed her desire to the King that he should Govern by Parliaments how dishonourable it would be to this Nation to suffer her to be treated with rudeness and insolence in a place whither she was come expecting Protection They had now raised a Devil to affright the King which they began to be affraid of themselves for the Tumults grew so high that 1000 Seamen being got together about the Tower pull'd down Two Houses opposed the Trained-Bands who were sent to disperse them and in the Fray kill'd two of them and wounded others Upon Report from the Committee for Religion concerning Mr. Wednesday May 12. Votes about Mr. Will. Ashton Vicar of Painswick Ashton Vicar of Painswick It was Resolved c. That the Vicar of Painswick Mr. William Ashton is a common haunter of Ale-houses a common Drunkard a frequent attempter upon the Chastity of Women and unfit to hold any Benefice or Promotion in the Church and the Case to be transmitted to the Lords I do not find this Gentleman Recorded by Mr. White the Chairman of this Scandalous Committee which makes me apt to believe that his Crimes were too slenderly proved to indure the Light and well we may judge him innocent notwithstanding this heavy Charge when even some of those who were recorded in that shameless Book of Centuries who were Accused of Adultery and Drunkenness had those horrid Accusations supported by no other proof than only kissing a Woman in the presence of Company and the drinking only one half pint of Wine but the manner was to lay all manner of Crimes in the Petition and Articles and if any of the least or which they called so such as bowing at the Name of Jesus Preaching against Sacriledge or for Conformity c. were proved the Charge was supposed sufficiently made good and they were Treated accordingly as if they had been the most notorious Criminals and those Crimes most notoriously proved The Bill for the further relief of his Majesties Army and the Northern parts of this Kingdom Bill for the Army c. and for shortning Michaelmas Term passed the Lords House Order to Pillory Harwood and Drinkwawater for Contempt of the House as also the Bill for abbreviating of Michaelmas Term being Thrice read in the House of Lords upon the Question they were severally agreed to be passed as fit for Laws It was also Ordered That Robert Harwood and Thomas Drinkwater for their Contempt of the Orders of the Lords House should be set upon the Pillory in the new Palace-Yard at Westminster there to remain two hours in the Morning with Papers on their Heads with this Inscription For disobeying and using scornful speeches against an Order of the Vpper House of Parliament In the Commons House the Petition of the University of Cambridge for the maintenance of Episcopacy and Cathedrals were read which as I find it in the Collection of Speeches commanded to be Printed by his Majesty to let the Nation see that it was only the Faction that desired their overthrow
and Concourse of People to those places Thirdly To the Poor who found there a constant relief from their Hospitality Fourthly To the King's Revenues for that besides their First-fruits Tenths c. no sort of Men did more readily grant Subsidies to his Majesty or were more willing at this time to contribute to the publick Charges of the Kingdom He trusted much he said in the Honour and Justice of this Honourable House in regard that though they were Accused of great and flagitious Crimes yet he could not hear of the least proof offered against them and therefore he hoped that they who professed so much sincerity in Religion would never have St. Paul's censure deservedly laid upon them Thou that abhorrest Idols dost thou commit Sacriledge Which he did not see how it could be avoided if they destroyed these Religious Foundations which were dedicated and set apart for the solemn Service and Honour of God Concluding That upon the Ruine of the Rewards of Industry and Learning no Structure could be raised but Ignorance and upon the Chaos of Ignorance nothing but Confusion Prophaneness Irreligion and Atheism But Alas All this was but Surdis Canere Upon this there arose a warm debate and the Episcopal Party in the House who were by far over-numbered urged That they took the late Protestation to be the meaning and intention of the House to defend the Protestant Religion and not to destroy it according to the first Clause of the said Protestation But they soon found themselves in Solomon's Snare who informs them that is a Snare to devour holy things and after vows to make Enquiry for whatever their intention was in taking it the imposers had one very far different and meant it as an Engine to pull down the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy as a Relique of Popery and therefore they now explained their meaning to be That Explanation of the Protestation by the True Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England against all Popery and Popish Innovations within the Realm contrary to the same Doctrine is meant only the Publick Doctrine professed in the said Church so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish Innovations and that the said Words are not to extend to the maintaining of any Form of Worship Discipline or Government nor of any Rites or Ceremonies of the said Church of England So that upon the Matter hereby the Government of the Church by Arch-bishops Bishops c. together with the Liturgy were plainly designed for Extirpation which is the Presbyterian way of Reforming Thus by an unhappy Artifice were many worthy and sound men not only for the Doctrine but Government of the Church as it were drawn into a Confederacy to destroy her And if their too inconsiderate compliance drew them into this danger how deeply were they Guilty who designedly drew them into the making a solemn Protestation Vow and Promise in the presence of Almighty God to perform something which by their own Confession was so mysterious and doubtful as to need an Explication a Vow made without the knowledge or consent of their Supreme Lord and Sovereign and as they Explained it not only directly contrary to their Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy but such a one as their Sovereign could not permit them to keep but he must violate his Coronation Oath by which he had obliged himself to defend the Church in all her Priviledges and Immunities as then by Law possessed and enjoyed A most impious affront to the Supreme Majesty of Heaven making him a Party to a Vow so rashly made that the very framers of it to their Eternal Infamy acknowledged by this Explanation carried so much Ambiguity as to render it not sufficiently understood to be taken with a safe Conscience nor by many of those who took it be kept without perjury and making shipwrack of their Consciences However this advantage Posterity will be able to make of it not to be again imposed upon by such wily stratagems of pretenders to Reformation but for the future will more easily be able to discover the design and meaning of such Protestations and Associations and in what sense they who diffent from the Church of England understand the True Protestant Religion of which they boast themselves such great Champions and Assertors and that though for a time to serve their Interest they may dissemble yet they esteem the Discipline Rites and Ceremonies of the present Established Church of England no better than Popery and Popish Innovations And that notwithstanding the Testimony of Antiquity long before either Popery or Presbytery came into the World recommends them to us as the Primitive Government and Usages of the Universal Church notwithstanding that the first Reformers set to their Testimony by Martyrdom which they suffered from the Papists an evident demonstration that they are not Popish Notwithstanding that they are agreeable to the Rule of Scripture enjoyned by those Laws and Legislators who detested abhorred and banished the Pope and Popery out of England yet if ever they can get the Power proportionable to their Wills they will endeavour to Extirpate Root and Branch the most truly Primitive and Apostolical Church in the whole Christian World A Message from the House of Commons by Mr. Arthur Goodwin Message from the Commons about the Bill to restrain Ecclesiastical persons from medling in Secular Affairs who delivered the Bill for the abbreviation of Michaelmas Term which the Commons had passed with the amendments And to desire their Lordships from the Commons to take into Consideration as soon as they can the Bill touching the Restraining of Bishops and Persons in Holy Orders from intermedling in Secular Affairs This day two Letters were read in the House of Commons one from Mr. Peter Heywood Thursday May 13. Fears of the French another from Thomas Smith of Dover to one James Buckhurst of the great fears of the French and their being about to Ship many thousands of men to be landed in England the Consideration of which were referred to the Committee of Seven Thus did they by continual Alarms of Fears and Dangers even upon the slightest and most trivial Grounds as it were to keep the People perpetually awake and force them into those dreadful State-Phrensies which were the deplorable Consequences of these Reports and Rumors His Majesty came this day into the House of Lords and having Seated himself in his Chair of State the Lords being in their Robes fitting uncovered the House of Commons were sent for the Royal Assent being to be given to three Bills viz. One for the Abbreviation of Michaelmas Term Another for Pressing and Levying of Marriners and others for the Service of the Kingdom and the third For the Remainder of the Six Subsidies Upon the presenting of which Mr. Speaker made this Speech as I find it in the Book of Speeches Pag. 204. May it please Your Most Excellent Majesty Mr. Speaker's Speech at the passing
a Horse to ride on the next Morning early which he did and the Friday after returned to Petworth and caused the said Merryweather to ride with him to Shoram to get a Boat to carry him over into France telling him that he had dangerously hurt a Man Mr. Percy returning again to Petworth on Monday Morning last sent again for the said Merryweather into a Wood and desired him to lend him a Horse and wished him to go with him to Mr. Lamb to Pagham to get him a Boat to carry him into France and that on Thursday last in the Evening there were Three Gentlemen about Pagham which were suspected to be some of the persons mentioned in the Proclamation divers Men were called to Aid for the attaching of their Bodies two of them were apprehended viz. Merryweather and Lamb but the third set Spurs to his Horse and escaped his Horse being wounded with a Prong This Gentleman that escaped is confest to be Mr. Percy who had hired a Boat of Thomas Waterman of Selsey to pass over into France for which he was to give 40 l. The desire of the Commons was that their Lordships would think of some Course for the Apprehending of Mr. Percy either by stopping of the Ports or by sending forth their Warrants After some consideration herein their Lordships were of Opinion that the shutting of the Ports would prove very inconvenient for Trade The shutting the Ports occasioned the Tumult of the Seamen before and that the Proclamation lately set forth by his Majesty for his Apprehension was of validity enough and needed no other Assistance Alderman Pennigton acquaints the House that Money comes in as fast as it can be told Ordered Order about Harwood and Drinkwater to excuse them from the Pillory That Robert Harwood and Thomas Drinkwater shall be spared at the Request of the Lord Great Chamberlain from standing on the Pillory but shall be brought to this House upon their Knees at the Barr and make their humble Submission for their Misdemeanors Ordered Tumults That this House have a Conference with the House of Commons to morrow morning concerning the Concourse and Tumults of People resorting hither out of London and other places Complaints now came in every day against the Loyal and Orthodox Clegy Monday May 17. insomuch that the Committee for Religion was divided into many Sub-Committees Mr. Whites Committee Mr. Corbets Committee Sir Robert Harlows Committee and Sir Edward Deerings Committee and Mr. Corbet who made the Report against Emanuel Vty Dr. in Divinity Rector of Chigwell in the County of Essex boasted that he had Nine Hundred Petitions against Scandalous Ministers Upon his report of the Complaints made against Dr. Vty it was Resolved c. Votes concerning Dr. Uty Rector of Chigwell That Dr. Emanuel Uty is a man of very scandalous and vitious life corrupt in his Doctrine superstitious in his practice an Incendiary Guilty of words spoken against the Kings Supremacy of words tending to Blasphemy of words very scandalous against the Parliament Resolved c. That Dr. Uty is unworthy to have and enjoy any Ecclesiastical Benefice or Spiritual Promotion or to have the Cure of Souls If the rest of their Accusation were no more true or better proved then the first of Dr. Vty's being a Man of very Scandalous and Vitious life it may very well be supposed that Dr. Vty was very innocent For White the Chairman of one of these Committees who Printed the Centuries of Scandalous Malignant Priests as he called the Loyal Episcopal Clergy makes not the least Mention of any thing Scandalous or Vitious in his Life and no person who reads that infamous Libel can possibly believe that White would spare him in particulars so material to his Design But this unpardonable Offence was as he is there Charged for affirming White 's First Century of Malignant Priests Num. 5. not that all but That Parliament-men are Mechanicks and illiterate and have nothing to do to intermeddle in matters of Religion The House of Commons then Entred into debate about the Propositions concerning Religion delivered in by the Scottish Commissioners And it was Resolved Vote concerning the Scots desire of Uniformity of Religion in both Nations That this House doth approve of the Affection of their Brethren of Scotland in their Desires of a Conformity in Church Government between the Two Nations and doth give them Thanks for it and as they have already taken into Consideration the Reformation of Church Government so they will proceed therein in due time as shall best conduce to the Glory of God and the Peace of the Church There is nothing that does more clearly Evidence the great Consort that was between the English Puritans and Scottish Presbyterians to destroy the present Church Government than this Vote which according to the usual Hypocrisie of those Men and Times was still prefaced with a design of Gods Glory and the Peace of the Church This day a poor Printer was committed to the Gate-House for Printing an Elegy upon the Earl of Strafford Mr. Davenant who was taken at Feversham in Kent Mr. Davenant Committed to the Serjeant was brought to the Barr of the Commons House and committed to the Custody of the Serjeant who was commanded that none should be permitted to speak with him but in the presence of the Serjeant or one of his men This day also the Lord Cottington resigned his Place Lord Say made Master of the Court of Wards and the Lord Say had the Seal given him and was sworn Master of the Court of Wards Thus did his Majesty endeavour by repeated Acts of Grace and Favour not only publique but private to oblige a sort of Men who as He himself complained but too justly afterwards turned them all into Wantonness Manifesting to all future Ages how impossible it is to oblige ingrateful Tempers or to fubdue a Rigid Presbyterian by the soft Methods of Favours and Compliances Ordered Order of the Lords about Tumults That if the People do assemble here in any Tumultuous manner this House will take Care to suppress them or Adjourn the House till it be done A Conference appointed with the Lords concerning the Queen Mother the Lords to be desired to intreat his Majesty That the Queen Mother would be pleased to depart the Kingdom Tuesday May 18. Tumults about the Queen-Mother in regard they fear they shall not be able to protect her from the Violence of the People and for the Tumults this House will joyn with the Lords and send to the Lord Mayor and Magistrates to take Care to suppress them for the future Thus was this Glorious Reformation of the Church begotten born and nursed with Tumults and Disorders from the danger of which it seems not the Law of Nations nor the Sacred Character of Majesty could afford any Security or Protection A Message from the House of Commons desiring to receive an Answer to a former
existit at quod in Recordo illo in nullo est errat ' Ide◠Consideratum est quod judicium predictum in omnibus affirmetur in omnibus suo robore effectu stet remanet dicta Causa pro Errore superius assignat ' aut allegat ' in aliquo non obstante super quo Record processum predict ' necnon process ' predict ' Curia Parliamenti ibidem in premissis habit ' è predict ' Curia Parliamenti coram Domino Rege ubicunque c. per predict ' Cur ' Parliamenti Remittentur ac predictus Carolus in Curia Domini Regis coram ipso Rege habeat Executionem judicii predicti versus prefatum Thomam juxta formam effectum judicii illius predict ' Breve de Errore super ' inde non obstante Subscribed by the Clerk of the Parliament and delivered to the Defendant in the Writ of Error 29 May 1641. to be remitted into the King's-Bench that Execution may be had upon the Judgment Mr. Monday May 31. Bills for taking away the Court of Sear-Chamber and regulating the Council Board ingrosted Tuesday June 1. Votes about the Petty Farmers of the Customs Prideaux reports the Bill for taking away the Jurisdiction of the Court of Star-Chamber as being contrary to Law and tending to the bringing in of Arbitrary Government as also a Bill for regulating the proceedings of the Council-Board upon which they were ordered to be ingrossed The House fell this day upon the business of the petty Farmers of the Customs Sir Nicholas Crisp Sir John Nulls Sir John Harrison c. and upon the Debate it was Resolved c. That the Petty Farmers of the Customs taking above three pence in the pound of Merchants Strangers and others of the King's Subjects more then by Law allowed is Illegal Resolved month June 1641. c. That the said Petty Farmers for taking above the said three pence in the pound are Delinquents Resolved c. That the said Petty Farmers are for the said offence liable and ought to make restitution Notwithstanding which in favour of Sir John Harrison Resolved That Sir John Harrison a Member of the House in regard of his great service in advancing fourty thousand pounds shall not be prejudiced as to his sitting in the House Sir John Strangeways moved in the behalf of himself and the 59 that Voted against the Bill of Attainder of Thomas Earl of Strafford that there might be some order taken for their security for that they went in fear of their Lives daily affronts and great abuses being put upon them by licentious people who resorted about the Parliament House But these mighty asserters of the Priviledges of Parliament one of the greatest whereof is freedom of Speech and liberty to Vote according to a Man's Conscience thought not fit in this Case to assert their Priviledge but to leave these worthy Gentlemen at the mercy of the Rabble who were by no means to be disobliged there being further occasion to make use of their Tumultuary Insolence in order to their thorough Reformation This day Mr. Tayler presented his Petition Wednesday June 2. desiring to be restored upon his submission but it was rejected A Debate arising about ways for raising of Mony a Motion was made Motion to bring in Plate to be Coined That in regard Mony could not be procured so suddenly as the present necessity of Affairs required there might be some Expedient thought on to bring in the Plate of the Kingdom to the Mint and it was referred to a Committee to consider of it and what way it might be done The Bill for Regulating the Clerks of the Market being Reported Bill for the Clerk of the Market ingrossed Thursday June 3. Report of the Conference with the Lords about the Bishops Bill was Ordered to be Ingrossed Mr. Pierrepoint Reports the Conference with the Lords concerning the Bill for disabling Bishops to Vote in the House of Peers That their Lordships conceive that the Commons understand not unlawfulness to have any Votes there to mean to be contrary to any Law but of convenience or inconvenience because if they had thought it absolutely unlawful they would not have made Exception of the Vniversities and of such of the Nobility as should happen to be in Holy Orders And for the Bishops Right to Sit and Vote in Parliament their Lordships conceive that both by the Common Law Statutes and constant practice there is no question of it As for inconveniencies their Lordships did not yet Vnderstand any such that might induce them to deprive the Bishops and their Successors of the Right of voting in Parliament but if there be such which they yet know not they will be willing to hear them and take it into Consideration For their Votes in the Star-Chamber Council Table or any Office in Secular Affairs they have fully consented to the desires of the Commons Their Lordships have Excepted the Dean of Westminster as being a Corporation confirmed by Act of Parliament Sexto Eliz. As also that of Durham Ely and Hexam and the several Jurisdictions of those Bishops to keep Courts-Baron there by their Stewards c. And all other Courts Executed by Temporal Officers which their Lordships conceive not to be contrary to this Bill After which the Bill for disarming Recusants being reported Bill for Disarming Recusants ingrossed Bill against New Canons Read first time was ordered to be ingrossed Then a Bill for the making void of certain Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical lately made and for the punishment of such Prelates and others as were the framers and makers of them was read the first time The House then Entred upon the consideration of the Scottish Articles some of which were assented to Sir Thomas Widdrington reports the Case of Sir John Corbet Friday June 4th Report of Sir John Corbet's Case upon which these Votes passed Resolved c. That the Imposition of 30 l. per annum laid upon the Subjects of the County of Salop for the Muster Masters Fee by the Earl of Bridgwater Lord Lieutenant of that County is an Illegal Charge and against the Petition of Right and that it is high presumption for a Subject to impose any Tax upon the Subject and that the taking it is at Extortion against the Right of the Subject Resolved c. That the Attachment from the Council Board by which Sir John Corbet was committed was an Illegal Warrant Resolved c. That Sir John Corbet ought to have Reparation for his unjust vexation and imprisonment Resolved c. That the Earl of Bridgwater ought to make Sir John Corbet reparation Resolved c. That the House thinks sit that the Attorney General take the Information in the Star-Chamber against Sir John Corbet off the File and that he take some Course that the Bond which he entred into to attend the Suit at the Hearing be delivered unto him Resolved c. That the Lords
Readiness though at the same time the Parliament had sent Orders to him by Commissioners authorized under the Great Seal according to the King's Directions to apprehend him but he pretended the Orders came not time enough And at the same time he took an Oath which was administred by the King's Authority under the Great Seal to be True and Faithful to the King and Parliament and keep the Town of Portsmouth for their Use and not to deliver it but by both their Consents The Plot being made known to the House of Commons they resented it as a thing of very dangerous Consequence and found it necessary therefore that Mr. Goring should own the Discovery of the Design and immediately he was sent for by the House of Commons whereof he was a Member and being present there he was commanded to declare his Knowledg of the Design Upon this Command he Expressed himself in these Terms Having been told that there was an Intention to Unite the Forces of our Army and to put them into a Posture of being aâ—â—e if not purpose of being willing to interpose in the Proceedings of â—â—â—nament I hearkened to the Propositions of soliciting a Redress for the Miseries of the Souldiery being the first step to this in respect of the present Necessities of it not any future consequence of trouble to those that were to procure our Relief But lest the manner of asking this or the Effect of it being obtained might be less just than the thing it self which was desired and I might be involved in their Crime that had further Ends perhaps than merely the Redress of our Armies Grievances I thought it not amiss to take some Witness of my Integrity along with me and spake to a Noble Lord the very same Day when I assured him there were some Officers of the Army that were least thought on that had not the greatest Zeal to the Proceedings of this House and I thought there would be an occasion to let him know more of it within few Days After this Mr. Jermin and I being admitted into a Consultation where we were tied to Secrecy by an Oath in the Company of those Gentlemen I have named in my Depositions where their purpose was declared to us in some Propositions which were to this Effect First putting the Army into a Posture to serve the King Secondly Tendring a Declaration to the Parliament containing That no Act of Parliament should be made contrary to any former Act which was Expressed That Episcopacy should be kept up as it is now Thirdly That the King's Revenue should be Established This I thought unlawful for our undertakings since they intended to interpose in the Determinations of this House and it belongs to an Army to maintain not to contrive the Acts of State I objected therefore against their Propositions and more the Follies and Difficulties than the irregularities of them not only because I thought Reason a greater Argument with them than Conscience but because I was so unhappy of the two to be thought a worse Common-wealths-man than a Souldier and in that quality could procure most Credit for my words I endeavoured to shew them that as the Design would be impious if the most desperate Counsels had been followed so it would have been the weakest that ever was undertaken if they were omitted And whereas I am said to have a part in this Violent Councel till the day before this Meeting I never heard word of it and knew not when I came to the Room whether theirs were not the same with the other This they may witness for me and that I declared I would have to do with neither and that I expressed contempt of our meeting in that manner But I rely upon the Testimony of some Noble Lords of his Majesties Council and others how I protested against all those violent Councels even in the Birth of them and with what Piety I looked towards the Person of his Majesty and the whole Kingdom in this Business I appeal also to them and some Members of this House what my Carriage was towards these Gentlemen that were imbarqued in these Undertakings intending rather to prevent a mischief by abandoning their Councels than to ruin them by disclosing them But mistake me not for had I known of any former Plot proceeded in that could indanger or disturb the Quiet of his Majesty or the Peace of the Kingdom I should not have been contented with declaring mine own Innocency nor have stayed till the Commands of this House or an Oath Extorted from me a discovery but by a hasty open Declaration have broke the Laws of Amity and Friendship and all former Tyes to the present Duty of a Subject and as freely Exposed the Knowledg of all to the View of the World as I have been tender in publishing these Purposes even to my nearest Friends which had weight enough to crush nothing but the Undertakers of it And certainly if they had stayed where I left them there was no Conclusion at all It appears there were two several Intentions digested by others before they were communicated to me and I know not whether my hearkening to them was a fault but I am sure it was no misfortune By what hath been related Thursday June 10. The L. Digby Expelled the House of Commons but made a Baron the Reader will Easily perceive for what Reason my Lord Digby thought himself Obliged to speak so sharply against Colonel Goring as by his own Confession guilty of a Wilful Perjury as Entring into the Oath of Secrecy purposely with an Intention to discover the Confederacy But all this would not Satisfie the Faction who had entertained a mortal displeasure against him for his Apostacy as they called it in declaring so frankly his Opinion against the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford for though their Resentments slept some time it was only to gain a fit opportunity to discover their Revenge to purpose and therefore laying hold of these Expressions against Colonel Goring he was this Day by Vote Expelled the House as unworthy to continue any longer a Member of it and Mr. Speaker was Ordered to give Directions to the Clerk of the Crown to issue out a Writ for a new Election in his Place But this was only to shew their Revenge for this very day he was introducted with the Usual Ceremony into the House of Lords and placed next below the Lord Brook his Writ being dated the 9th of June 17 Caroli Regis And immediately upon this it was Ordered That the Lord Digby be added to all the standing Committees The Names of the Persons complained of Yesterday for Disorders in the Church were this day given in to the House of Lords The Names of those that committed the Disorder at the Communion and the Lords Order about it Those that pulled down the Rails about the Communion Table in St. Saviour's Church in Southwark were William Smister William Shepheard Toby Grotwick Hugh
be the greater because it redounds unto the God of glory My Motion is that those Sheets last presented to you may be laid by and that we may proceed to reduce again the old Original Episcopacy If this Gentleman had thoroughly consulted the Church History he would have found both that Episcopacy was ever accounted a Distinct Order from and above Presbytery and that the most Primitive Bishops exercised the same Jurisdiction and Power in the Church even over Presbyters themselves as the present English Bishops did and for their Temporal Baronies and Lordships it was never esteemed any ways Essential to the Office but only a Concomitant Adjunct which by the Fundamental Constitution of the Government by the Kings annexing Temporal Baronies to their Spiritual Office rendred them one of the three Estates of the Realm And indeed it was this Temporal Honor and their Secular Estates Lands and Tenements which raised the envy of some and the Covetousness of others against not only the Persons but the Order it self Sir Benjamin Rudyard also spake as follows Mr. Hide WE are now upon a very great Business Sir Benjamin Rudyard's Speech concerning Bishops Deans and Chapters at a Committee of the whole House June 21. 1641. so great indeed as it requires our soundest our saddest consideration our best judgment for the present our utmost foresight for the future But Sir one thing doth exceedingly trouble me it turns me round about it makes my whole Reason vertiginous which is that so many do believe against the wisdom of all Ages that now there can be no Reformation without destruction as if every sick Body must be presently knockt in the Head as past hope of Cure Religion was first and best planted in Cities God did spread his Net where most might be caught Cities had Bishops and Presbyters were the Seminaries out of which were sent Labourers by the Bishops to propagate and cultivate the Gospel The Clergy then lived wholly upon the Freewill-Offering and Bounty of the People Afterwards when Kings and States grew to be Christians the outward settlement of the Church grew up with them They Erected Bishopricks Founded Cathedral Churches Endowed them with large Possessions Landlords built Parish Churches gleab'd them with some portion of Land for which they have still a Right of Presentation I do confess That some of our Bishops have had Ambitious Dangerous Aims and have so still that in their Government there are very great Enormities But I am not of their Opinion who believe that there is an Innate ill Quality in Episcopacy like a Specifical Property which is a Refuge not a Reason I hope there is not Original Sin in Episcopacy and though there were yet may the Calling be as well Reformed as the Person Regenerated Bishops have governed the Church for 1500 years without interruption And no man will say but that God hath saved Souls in all those times under their Government Let them be reduc'd according to the usage of Ancient Churches in the best times so restâ—â—â—â—d as they may not be able hereafter to shame the Calling I love not those that hate to be Reformed and do therefore think them worthy of the more strict the more close Reformation We have often complained That Bishops are too absolute too singular Although Cathedral Churches are now for the most part but Receptacles of Drones and Non-Residents yet some good Men may be found or placed there to be Assessors with the Bishops to assist them in Actions of moment in Causes of Importance there is maintenance already provided for them If either in Bishopricks or Cathedral Churches there be too much some may be pared off to relieve them that have too little If yet more may be spared it may be employed to the setting up of a Preaching Ministry through the whole Kingdom And untill this be done although we are Christians yet are we not a Christian State There are some places in England that are not in Christendom the people are so ignorant they live so without God in the World for which Parliaments are to answer both to God and Man Let us look to it for it lies like one of the Burdens of the Prophet Isaiah heavy and flat upon Parliaments I have often seriously considered with my self what strong concurrent Motives and Causes did meet together in that time when Abbies and Monasteries were overthrown Certainly God's hand was the greatest for he was most offended The profane Superstitions the abominable Idolatries the filthy nefandous wickedness of their Lives did stink in God's Noistrils did call down for Vengeance for Reformation A good Party of Religions Men were Zealous Instruments in that great work as likewise many Covetous Ambitious Persons gaping for fat Morsels did lustily drive it on But Mr. Hide there was a principal Parliamentary motive which did facilitate the rest for it was propounded in Parliament that the Accession of Abby-Lands would so inrich the Crown as the people should never be put to pay Subsidies again This was plausible both to Court and Countrey Besides with the Over-plus there should be maintained a standing Army of Forty Thousand Men for a perpetual defence of the Kingdom This was Safety at home Terrour and Honour abroad The Parliament would make all sure Gods part Religion by his blessing hath been reasonably well preserved but it hath been saved as by fire for the rest is consumed and vanished the people have payed Subsidies ever since and we are now in no very good Case to pay an Army Let us beware Mr. Hide that we do not look with a worldly carnal evil Eye upon Church Lands let us clear our Sight search our Hearts that we may have unmixt and sincere Ends without the least thought of saving of our own Purses Church Lands will still be fittest to maintain Church Men by a proportionable and orderly distribution We are very strict and curious to uphold our own Propriety and there is great reason for it Are the Clergy only a sort of Men who have no Propriety at all in that which is called theirs I am sure they are Englishmen they are Subjects If we pull down Bishopricks and pull down Cathedral Churches in a short time we must be forced 〈◊〉 pull Colledges too for Scholars will live and dye there as in Cells if there be not considerable Preferment to invite them abroad And the example we are making now will be an easie Temptation to the less pressing necessities of future times This is the next way to bring in Barbarism to make the Clergy an unlearned contemptible Vocation not to be desired but by the basest of the People and then where shall we find men able to convince an Adversary A Clergy-men ought to have a far greater proportion to live upon than any other Man of an equal Condition He is not bred to multiply Three-pences it becomes him not to live Mechanically and sordidly he must be given to Hospitality I do know my self a
flock over the Sea but went not himself Like Nimrod he hath invaded the Laws and Liberties of the Subject he hath been as great a Rober as ever was presented to your Lordships He hath Robbed the King of his Subjects the greatest glory of Kings the Kingdom of Trade of Tradesmen the Supporters of it He that deprives the King of one Subject you know his punishment and what shall be the punishment of him who hath Robbed the King of so many Subjects In the time of King Henry the Third 16 H. 3. F. wast 128. we find a Tenant in Dower punished in Action of Waste because she had destroyed two rich Villains and made them Beggers I appeal to your Lordships what is his offence who hath commmitted so much wilful Waste and Spoil Beggered Hundreds not Villains but Free-born Subjects He Robbed the Souls of that sweet Mannah which is pabulum animarum the Word of God My Lords I have not yet recounted all his Robberies he hath Robbed God of part of his Day makes part of that a Day of sports he hath Robbed his Subjects of their indubitable Birth-right the Laws of the Kingdom The Citizens of Norwich must pay Tithes for their Rents of Houses there 's no Law in England nor Custom in Norwich for it Nay that they may be sure to be Robbed of Justice too the suit for these Tithes must be in his own Consistory from whence there must be no Appeal no Prohibition The true Patrons of Churches they are Robbed of their Presentations others who had none or small pretence of right are admitted upon this unhallowed Maxim That if he should Institute those who had right the pretender was without remedy by this he inverted a Fundimental Law of this Nation to invest remediless Rights with unjust Possessions My Lords I cannot tell you all but you can measure a Lyon by the Paw I am commanded to lay this great Malefactor at your Doors one who hath been a great oppugner of the Life and Liberty of Religion and who set a Brand of Infamy to use his own words upon Ipswich Education In Summ one who is a compleat mirror of Innovation Superstition and Oppression he is now in the Snare of those Articles which were the works of his own Hands The Rod of Moses at a distance was a Serpent it was a Rod again when it was taken into his Hands this Bishop was a Serpent a devouring Serpent in the Diocess of Norwich your Lordships peradventure will by handling of him make him a Rod again or if not I doubt not but your Lordships will chastise him with such Rods as his Crimes shall deserve My Lords I am commanded by the House of Commons to desire your Lordships that this Bishop may be required to make answer to these Articles and that there may be such proceedings against him as the course and justice of Parliament doth admit Articles of Impeachment against Mathew Wren Doctor in Divinity late Bishop of Norwich and now Bishop of Ely THat the said Matthew Wren being Popishly and Superstitiously affected The Articles against the Bishop of Ely did at his first coming to be Bishop of Norwich which was in the year 1635. endeavour by sundry ways and means to suppress the powerful and painful Preaching of the Word of God did introduce divers Orders and Injunctions tending to Superstition and Idolatry did disturb and disquiet the orderly and setled Estate of the Ministers and People and Churches of that Diocess to the great prejudice of His Majesty the great grief and disquiet and hazard of the Estates Consciences and Lives of many of His Majesties Loyal Subjects there to the Manifest bringing in and encreasing of Prophaneness Ignorance and disobedience in the common People as by the particulars ensuing may appear I. Whereas many Chancells of Churches during all the time of Queen Elizabeth King James and of His Majesty that now is had laid and been continued even and flat without any steps ascending towards the East end of the same and are by the Rubrick in the Book of Common-Prayer ordered to continue as they were and so ought to have continued He of His own mind and will without any Lawful Warrant or Authority in the year 1636 being then Bishop of Norwich ordered and enjoyned that the same should be raised towards the East-end some two some three some four steps that so the Communion-Table there placed Altar-wise might be the better seen of the People II. He in the same year 1636. Ordered that the Communion-Table which is appointed by the same Rubrick at the time of the Celebration of the Holy Communion to be placed in the Body of the Church or Chancel where Divine Prayers are usually read and where the People might best hear should be set up close under the Wall at the East-end of the Chancel Altar-wise and not to be removed from thence whereby the Minister who is by the Law to Officiate at the North-side of the Table must either stand and Officiate at the North-end of the Table so standing Altar-wise or else after the Popish and Idolatrous manner stand and Officiate at the West-side of the Table with his Back towards the People III. He in the same year 1636. enjoyned that there should be a Rail set on the top of the new raised steps before the Communion-Table so set Altar-wise as aforesaid which Rail should reach from the South-side of the Chancel to the North within which the Minister only should enter as a place too Holy for the People and some of the People were punished for stepping into it as namely Daniel Whayman and others IV. The more to advance blind Superstition he in the same year 1636. Ordered that all the Pews in the Churches should be so altered that the People might kneel with their Faces Eastward towards the Communion-Table so set Altar-wise as aforesaid And that there should be no Seats in the Chancel above or on either side even up with the said Table V. He in the same year 1636. enjoyned that every Minister after he had finished the reading of some part of Morning Prayer at the Desk should go out from the same to the Holy Table set Altar-wise as to a more Holy place and there when no Communion was to be Administred Read at the said Table a part of the Communion Service now commonly called the second Service whereby the consciences both of the Minister and People have been not only very much offended and grieved but also the Service it self was made very unprofitable to the People who could not hear what was said or prayed in that place VI. That both he in his own Person his Chaplains and others of the Clergy as namely Mr. John Novell Mr. William Guest Mr. John Dunckon and others following his example did ever after the Table was so set Altar-wise use and perform such so many and so frequent bowings and adorations before and towards the said Table as have been
or in the Consistory of the Bishop of Norwich And that in such case no prohibition against the said Bishop of Norwich their Chancellors or Commissaries in the said Courts of Consistory be granted And if any such Writ be any time obtained the Judges granting the same upon sight of his Highness's said Order shall forthwith grant a Consultation to the Minister desiring the same with his reasonable cost and charges of the same Which said Order and Decree under the great Seal of England tended to the violation of the Oaths of the Judges and was devised contrived and made by the said Bishop And afterwards by his evil Counsels and false Surmises he did obtain His Majesties Royal consent thereunto and by colour of the Order aforesaid and other the doings of the said Bishop the Citizens and Inhabitants of Norwich aforesaid viz. John Collar Judith Perkeford and others have been forced to pay the two Shillings in the Pound in lieu of Tithes or else by Suits and other undue means been much molested and put to great charges and expences contrary to the Law and Justice XXV That he assumed to himself an Arbitrary Power to compel the respective Parishioners in the said Diocess to pay great and excessive Wages to Parish-Clerks viz. the Parishioners of Yarmouth Congham Tostock and others commanding his Officers that if any Parishioner did refuse to pay such Wages they should certifie him their Names and he would set them into High-Commission Court for example of the rest and that one or two out of Ipswich might be taken for that purpose And the said Commons by Protestation saving to themselves the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter any other Accusation or Impeachment against the said Matthew Wren late Bishop of Norwich and now Bishop of Ely and also of replying to the answer that he the said Matthew Wren shall make unto the said Articles or any of them or offering proof of the Premisses or any other Impeachments or Accusations that shall be exhibited by them as the case shall according to the course of Parliaments require do pray that he the said Matthew Wren may be called to answer the said several Crimes and misdemeanors and receive such condign punishment as the same shall deserve and that such further proceedings may be upon every of them had and used against him as is agreeable to Law and Justice Thus did these great Zealots for the pretended Purity and Reformation of Religion and to reduce the Bishops to their Primitive State even litterally render them so by Persecution imitating the Primitive Persecutors of the Primitive Bishops clothing them in Skins of Bears Wolves and Tigres to invite the cruel Mastisss to fall upon them and tear them in Pieces And certainly not with standing this black Accusation there cannot be a greater Demonstration of the Innocence of this worthy Prelate then the very Articles and that this Accusation wanted proof to carry it further than a bare Accusation and a Commitment to the Tower where with the Courage and Patience of a Primitive Christian he continued a Prisoner till the happy Year 1660. wherein he saw himself the Church and this Kingdom together set at Liberty by the blessed Restauration of His Most Serene Majesty Charles the Second to his undoubted Birth-Right the Imperial Crown of these Realms from the Bondage and Slavery under which they had for so many Years laid Languishing and almost ready to expire The Earl of Bristol acquainted the House King Assents to the 5 Propositions That His Majesty had been moved concerning the Five Propositions presented from their House from the House of Commons Yesterday and his Majesty consents to all the said Propositions WHEREAS a Petition hath been Exhibited unto this Honorable House by sundry Officers The Case of the Clerks c. of the Court of Common-Pleas against Patentees and the Lords Order upon it Clerks and late Clerks of the Court of Common Pleas Thereby shewing that they have been Bred and Trained up as Clerks in the said Court and that the Disposition of the Offices of Prothonotories Fillizers Exigenters and divers other Officers of the said Court had Time out of Mind appertained to the Chief Justice of that Court for the Time being as an inseperable Incident to his Office and that the same were granted to such skilful and experienced Clerks trained up in the said Court as were most fit and able for the Execution of the same Places and that notwithstanding several Grants and Letters Patents of the said Offices had been obtained from His Majesty to the great discouragement of able Clerks and therefore prayed that the said Grants or Letters Patents might be recalled And whereas several Petitions have likewise been Exhibited by the Patentees touching the said Offices and several Days of hearing have been appointed but in regard of greater Business in the House the Cause could not be heard whereupon it pleased the Lords upon the 26th Day of June last to Order that the Judges of the Kings-Bench and Barons of the Exchequer should consider whether the said Grants or Letters Patents made by his Majesty of the said Offices or any of them were good in Law and should make Report thereof unto the House to the end their Lordships might proceed to do what should be Right and Just therein And whereas the said Judges and Barons upon perusal of divers of the said Patents and a due Consideration had of the Grants of those Offices in former Times made by the Chief Justice of the said Court of Common-Pleas for the Time being and upon hearing of Councel on both Sides after mature deliberation had of the Premisses did certifie that the Offices of the first and third Prothonotary of the said Court of Common Pleas of the Clerk of the Warrants of the Clerk of the King's Silver of the Clerk of the Essoignes of all the Exigenters and of all the Fillizers except of the County of Monmouth have by prescription belonged to the Chief Justice for the time being and that he hath always granted the same for the Lives of the Grantees who have held them by his admittance only and that the Office of Clerk of the Treasury of that Court is all ways Granted by the Chief Justice for the time being to such Persons as he shall nominate to continue only during the Time that he continues Lord Chief Justice And further they did certifie their Opinions to be that none of the Grants made by his Majesty of any of the Offices or Clerks Places before in the same Certificate mentioned were good in Law And whereas this Day was appointed by Order of this House for the hearing of the said Cause Now upon full debate of the Matter by Councel learned on both Sides their Lordships taking the Business into their mature Consideration and well approving the Learning Justice and Integrity of the present Chief Justice and thinking it most just and meet that the Rights and Priviledges
Act declaring Vnlawful and Void the late Proceedings touching Ship-Money and for Vacating of all Records and Process concerning the same 4. An Act for the Certainty of Forrests and of the Meers Meets Limits and Bounds of the Forrests The Private Acts were these 1. Private Bills passed An Act for the Settling of Certain Mannors Lands Tenements c. on Katharine Countess Dowager of Bedford William now Earl of Bedford John Russell and Edward Russell Esquires Sons of Francis Earl of Bedford deceased 2. An Act to Enable Sir Alexander Denton to sell Lands to pay Debts and provide for his Younger Children 3. An Act to Settle the Mannor of Belgrave c. upon William Byarley Esquire c. to pay the Debts of William Davenport Esquire deceased 4. An Act for John Eggar 's Free School in Alton in Com. Southampton 5. An Act for the Alteration of the Tenure of certain Lands in Fulham Middlesex held of the Lord Bishop of London as of the Mannor of Fulham 6. An Act for making the Chappel of Hool in Com. Lancaster a Parish Church 7. An Act for Confirmation of his Majesties Letters Patents to the Town of Plymouth and for dividing the Parish and Building of a New Church To which the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent in these words Soit fait comme il est desire After which his Majesty made a short Speech touching the Necessity of his going to Scotland adding That he had given Order to the Lord Keeper for the further declaring of his Mind therein Upon which the Lord Keeper spake Expressing his Majesties great forwardness hitherto in so readily and graciously complying with his Parliament in gratifying them in all their Requests more than any of the Kings his Royal Predecessors had ever done before him instancing in the several Bills for taking away the Star-Chamber Regulating the Council Board taking away the High Commission Court Ship-Money and the passing the Bill for the Judges to continue quam diu se bene gesserint and several other things After which his Majesty spoke some few words acquainting them That he had received an Account by a Nobleman lately come from Scotland of the absolute Necessity of his Journey and that it was impossible for him without great Inconvenience to his Affairs in that Kingdom to defer his Journey and so he took his Leave of their Lordships and bade the Parliament Farewell and so departed But the House of Commons returning to their House fell immediately upon the Debate of it and sent a Message by Mr. Hollis to the Lords Earnestly desiring the Lords to joyn with them to Petition his Majesty either to Substitute a Locum Tenens during his Absence or to stay 14 dayes Longer in regard it so nearly concerned the Quiet and Peace of the Kingdom The Lords sent them in Answer That they would move his Majesty to defer his Journey for two dayes longer but this gave the Commons little Satisfaction In this Debate both Houses sate till Ten of the Clock at Night but could not come to any Resolution but in the Commons House it was moved That in respect the Necessity was so great and his Majesty so firm in his Resolution to set forwards on Monday that both Houses might meet and Sit upon Sunday and a Message being sent up to the Lords to desire their Concurrence it was accordingly agreed There being many of the Members of the Commons House absent Order for the absent Members to repair to the House It was this day also Ordered by the Commons That all the Members of the House in regard of the Great and Weighty Affairs that import the Safety of the Kingdom do repair hither to attend the Service of the Common-wealth with all possible speed upon pain of incurring the Displeasure of this House for their neglect And it is further Ordered That the Knights of the several Counties and the Burgesses and Barons of the several Burroughs and Cinque-Ports that are now in Town shall send Copies of this Order to the Sheriffs of the several Counties to the End it may be published with all Care and Speed By Six of the Clock in the Morning there was a Sermon at St. Sunday August 8. Margarets Westminster before the Commons after which both the Houses Sate and the time was wholly spent in the morning in Debates Messages and Conferences between the Two Houses about Petitioning the King to stay yet 14 dayes longer the Lords inclining not to press his Majesty further in it and the Commons insisting upon their former Votes to that purpose The Earl of Bath reported the Conference with the House of Commons as follows Aug. 8. 1641. The Report of the Conserence about staying the Kings Journey 14 dayes THat the House of Commons gave their Lordships thanks for joining with them humbly to Petition His Majesty for deferring his Journey into Scotland for 14 days And to the end that it may be no prejudice to the Parliament of Scotland the House of Commons desires that some of the Lords Commissioners may acquaint the Scots Commissioners with these particulars following and desire their Answers 1. Propositions to the Scots Commissioners about the Kings stay 14 dayes That the Houses of Parliament have commanded them to express to the Scots Commissioners the great care that they have to keep a good Correspondency betwixt the Two Nations of England and Scotland and to take away the Objections which may be made in respect of the Publick engagements to submit to His Majesties pleasure in his present intended Journey 2. That they take notice of the often Meetings and Adjournments of the Parliament of Scotland and lest it might be a great inconvenience the States being now met there if they should stay long there together without doing any thing both the Houses of Parliament have Resolved that for the better satisfaction of the Parliament of Scotland they will humbly Petition His Majesty to send a Commissioner to Edinburgh that if there be pressing Occasions to dispatch any of their Publick Affairs there may be Authority for the same and if they think good to stay His Majesty's coming to them in Person the Houses of Parliament do hope that it will be within 14 days of that time wherein His Majesty was expected there and they shall take their consent thereunto as a great Argument of their Affection to this Kingdom 3. That the Houses likewise do intend to send Commissioners from hence to the Scottish Parliament to declare to them the great Reasons which moves them to Petition His Majesty's stay for 14 days which are such as do very much import the Peace and Safety of both Kingdoms as also their care to move His Most Excellent Majesty to send His Commissioner that the Parliament of Scotland may not be disappointed in respect of the dispatch of their own great Affairs in that Kingdom in the mean time 4. And lastly That the Houses do desire the
Act for prevention of vexatious Proceedings touching the Order of Knighthood 5 An Act for the better Ordering and Regulating of the Office of the Clerk of the Market allowed and confirmed by this Statute and for the Reformation of false Weights and Measures The Private Bill was An Act for the assuring a Messuage called Duresme House aliàs Durham House and certain Stables part of the Possessions of the Bishop of Duresme situate in the Parish of St. Martins in the Fields in the County of Middlesex unto the Right Honorable Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery and his Heirs and of a yearly Rent of 200 l. per Annum to the said Bishop of Duresme and his Successors in lieu thereof Then his Majesty took his leave of the Parliament telling them He hoped to give good Expedition in disbanding both Armies and that he would make what haste he could if possible to return before Michaelmas Declared and Voted by this House Nemine contradicente Declaration of the Lords abount the choice of their Speaker That the certain and undoubted Right of this House to chuse their Speaker and that the Speaker is not to depart when this House sits without the leave of this House and that this Order be added to the standing Orders of this House The Lords Commissioners reported Propositions of the Scottish Commissioners about Difficulties of their Army marching away Aug. 10. 1641. That the Scottish Commissioners desire them to represent to the King's Majesty and the Parliament That in respect of the great Rain which hath fallen in the North whereby the Cannon cannot be carried through Kynsidmire nor can the Scottish Army cross the River Tweed his Majesty may be graciously pleased with consent of the Parliament to permit the Scottish Army to March through Berwick since there is no other Passage But for all they were our dear Brethren of Scotland neither the Lords nor Commons were without Jealousy of them as appears by these following Particulars The House of Lords taking this desire into Consideration did appoint the Lords Commissioners to speak with the Scots Commissioners and propose unto them the making of a Passage for their Army over the Tweed with a Bridge which the Lord General shall have Order to make The Old Proverb is Make a Retreating Enemy a Bridge of Gold they had made the Scots a Bridge of Silver which Cost England above a Million of Money and now they were very willing to see them gone To which purpose at a Conference this Day the Commons acquainted the Lords That whereas formerly it was intimated at a Conference Report of the Conference about the Scottish Army That the Scottish Commissioners declared that their Army would draw themselves into a Camp and begin to March away out of this Kingdom within 48 Hours after they had received the Monies of Arrears at New-Castle and the 80000 l. in part of the Brotherly Assistance and had Security for the Payment of the rest the House of Commons having now paid them all their Arrears at New-Castle and 80000 l. in London and have performed all that was agreed to be performed by them they desire that the Lords Commissioners may move the Scots Commissioners in the Name of both Houses of Parliament that their Army may march away according to their Promise And further that the House of Commons desires this House would joyn with them to write Letters to the Lord General of the Kings Army to disband the Horse and Foot presently that so Peace may be setled and all Jealousies removed Whereupon it was Ordered by the Lords Order of the Lords for Exemplifying the Acts for Pacification and Brotherly Assistance that this House will joyn with the Commons in the Desires of this whole Conference It was also this day Ordered That the two Acts of Parliament the one for the Brotherly Assistance the other for the Confirmation of the Treaty between the Two Kingdoms shall be transmitted into the Chancery by Writs of Certiorari directed to the Clerk of the Parliament and shall be Exemplified by the Clerks of the Petty Bagg in a Secretary Hand and this to be the Warrant in that behalf The House after their return from the Lords House Commissioners to be sent into Scotland fell into Debate about sending some Commissioners from either House into Scotland and accordingly it was Resolved c. That some Commissioners shall be sent into Scotland for these Purposes authorized by both Houses to see and take Care that the Acts that concern this Kingdom be perfected in the Parliament of Scotland and from time to time to give his Majesty a true understanding of the Proceedings of the Parliament here the Lords to be moved to joyn in Petition to move the King for it The Bill for Tonnage and Poundage passed and Mr. Solicitor was sent up with it to the Lords to desire That this Bill may pass by special Commission and that it may be so contrived that the Bill may pass before the King is gone out of the Kingdom And it was immediately read three times successively in the Lords House and passed as a Law Nemine contradicente This Day the King set forward in the Afternoon upon his Journey to Scotland accompanied with the Prince Elector the Duke of Lenox The King sets forward his Journey to Scotland Wednesday August 11. now created Duke of Richmond and the Marquiss Hamilton A Letter was this day read in the House of Commons to be sent to the Earl of Holland to give Order for the speedy disbanding of the rest of the Army both Horse and Foot Message to the Lords about the Bishops that were impeached A Message was sent to the Lords to desire That the Bishops may be put to a present Answer in the Presence of the Commons as was formerly desired the House of Commons being ready to make good their Accusation and Sir Arthur Haslerig to go up with this Message and to desire a Conference about it Mr. Glyn reports the Conference with the Lords about the Bishops That the Lord Privy Seal told them The Lords Answer about the Impeachment of the Bishops That some Daies since they had received an Impeachment against the Bishops delivered at the Bar by Word of Mouth accusing them of many great Crimes and Misdemeanors and that this House did desire that the Bishops may be put to a present Answer at the time when the Impeachment was delivered They were Matters of great Consequence and coming from the House of Commons they were very curious not to proceed but in a Parliamentary Way upon good Consideration whereas the Charges were in general only He said further There were two Ways of proceeding there by transmission from this House or by a Charge by Word of Mouth in this latter the Course is to appoint some of the Kings Council to draw up particular Charges out of the General that they would proceed no wayes till they had
That the Scots desire that an Order of the House of Commons may be made for the repaying of the 28000 l to the Bishoprick of Durham and the Town of Newcastle that the Scots may deliver the said Order for their Discharge These 8. Heads being proposed to the Commons at a Conference the next day being August 13. they gave these Answers 1. To the First concerning the 7th of September to be the Day for Thanksgiving for both Kingdoms they have agreed to it 2. To the Second For the Scots Army passing over the Tweed the 25th of August agreed to 4. To the Fourth That the restoring of the Ordnance at Newcastle and that the Arms and Munitions may be all restored or paid for to be recommended to the Scots Commissioners Agreed to 6. To the Sixth Concerning seeing the Treaty to be finished in Scotland They desire that Commissioners may be sent from both Houses of Parliament to see the Treaty performed and to settle the Peace of both Kingdoms 7. To the Seventh Touching the Scots Army Marching through Barwick agreed to be in such sort as shall be appointed and settled there with the General and Governor of Barwick 8. To the Eighth touching the Order for paying the 280000 l. to the Bishoprick of Durham and the Town of Newcastle the House of Commons hath made an Order to that purpose and they will deliver it to the Earl of Warwick to be delivered to the Scots Commissioners The Commons fell this day into debate about Mr. Percy Sir John Suckling and Mr. Jermyn and it was urged That it would be made good by several Acts of Parliament and other Presidents That to conspire or indeavor to compel the Parliament to any thing is Treason And after long canvasing of the Matter it was Resolved c. Votes that Sir John Suckling Mr. Jermyn and Mr. Percy shall be charged with High-Treason That Sir John Suckling upon the whole matter shall be charged by this House with High-Treason Resolved c. That Mr. Henry Percy shall be charged with High-Treason Resolved c. That Mr. Henry Jermyn shall be charged with High-Treason The House of Commons being it seems now better Instructed since the last Conference with the Lord Privy Seal Friday August 13. fell upon the further Impeachment of the Bishops which was thus Reported by Serjeant Wild. WHereas the Knights Further Impeachment of the Bishops Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament have lately impeached the several Bishops hereafter named that is to say Walter Bishop of Winchester c. before your Lordships in this Parliament of several Crimes and Misdemeanors in Contriving Making Promulging and Executing several Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical and by granting a Benevolence or Contribution to His Majesty contrary to Law Now the said Commons do further declare to your Lordships that the said Canons Constitutions and Grant of a Benevolence contained in two several Books the one Intituled the Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical treated upon by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York Presidents of the Convocations for the respective Provinces of Canterbury and York and the rest of the Bishops and Clergy of those Provinces and agreed upon with the Kings Majesties License in the several Synods begun at London and York Anno Dom. 1640 and in the Year of the Reign of Our Soveraign Lord King Charles by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland the 16. the other Intituled a Grant of the Benevolence or Contribution to his Most Excellent Majesty by the Clergy of the Province of Canterbury in the Convocation or Sacred Synod holden at London An. Dom. 1640. Which Things I am commanded by the House of Commons to deliver to your Lordships and further to declare to your Lordships That all and every the said Canons and Constitutions and Grant of Benevolence and the Contriving Making Publishing and Executing of the same and every of them were and are contrary to the King's Prerogative the Fundamental Laws and Statutes of the Realm the Rights of Parliament the Propriety and Liberty of the Subject and tending to Sedition and of dangerous Consequence and were so Contrived Made Promulged and Executed to the great Oppression of the Clergy of the Realm and others his Majesties Subjects and in Contempt of his Majesty and of the Laws and do pray as they did before that the said Bishops may be forthwith put to their Answer in the Presence of the Commons and that such further Proceedings may be had therein as to Law and Justice appertains The Scots Commissioners having desired a Commission to Commissioners of both Nations for Examination of Witnesses about Incendiaries and having given the Names of such of their Nation as they desired might be in the Commission It was Ordered by the House of Lords Order for a Commission to examine Witnesses about Incendiaries That the Clerk of the Crown shall Issue out a Commission under the Great Seal of England and the Lord Keeper is to Seal it accordingly by Virtue of this Order which Commission is to be directed to the Lord Keeper the Lord Privy Seal the Earl of Warwick the Lord Viscount Say and Seal Lord Wharton and the Lord Kimbolton To the Lord Lowdon Sir Patrick Hepbourn and John Hepbourn and John Smith Esquires to joyn with several Members of the House of Commons or any five of them to examine Witnesses touching Incendiaries concerning both Kingdoms of England and Scotland The Business of paying the Billet Money in the several Quarters where the Scots Army had lain came into debate and it was Resolved House of Commons undertakes to pay the Scots Billet c. That the House of Commons undertakes to discharge our Brethren the Scots of these Summs and to pay the said Counties viz. Â l. s. d. To the County Palatine of am 26663 13 10 To the Town of New-Castle 2000 00 00 To the County of Northumberland 10224 06 10 Total 38888 00 08 Mr. Pym Reports Money paid for the Q. Mothers Journey That he had paid Seven Thousand Pounds to the Earl Marshal for dispatch of the Queen-Mother out of England Captain Chudleigh being Examined concerning the matter of the Army Capt. Chudleigh's deposition against Mr. Jermyn Mr. Perce c. saith That Sir John Suckling told him That he should not depend upon what Commissary Wilmot Col. Ashburnham or Captain Pollard said for they had quitted their Affection to the Army and fallen into a Parliamentary wayâ— This in the Month of March before Col. Goring went to Portsmouth He saith further That he could not conjecture by any Discourse that Ever he had with Mr. D'avenant that he knew any thing of any Design of bringing up the Army only by the Discourse he had with him he could discover an affection to the Army and that he charged him alwayes to keep all our Discourses between us secret because the Times were dangerous All this discourse he had with
Mr. D'avenant was before Col. Goring went to Portsmouth Whensoever Sir John Suckling spake with him concerning any particular Intimations to the Army though Mr. D'avenant was then present he whispered yet he spake some Generals openly That the French would assist That the Clergy would maintain 1000 Horse That part of the Commons House was much distasted with the Letter that came from the Army The only Proposition was to know their Inclinations for their accepting Col. Goring for their Lieutenant General Mr. Wilmot Mr. Ashburnham and Mr. Pollard told him That the House of Commons had real Intentions towards the Army and that they should have Martial Law if it would stand with the Conveniency of the Common-wealth and this they spake with much Earnestness Sergeant Major Willis told him upon the Way That the Clergy would furnish a Thousand Horse Saturday August 14. A Letter was Ordered to be sent to the Lord General about the Affairs of the Army which was as followeth May it Please your Excellency Letter to L. General from the Lords about the Scots marching by Barwick THe Treaty of Pacification between the Two Kingdoms of England and Scotland being come to a Happy and Peaceable Conclusion and a Day prefixed for the Scottish Army to March over the Tweed for the more Expedition thereof the Scottish Commissioners have made their Request to the Parliament that they might be permitted to pass with their Army Munition and Artillery over Barwick Bridge To which desire both Houses of Parliament have consented to be in such sort as shall be agreed and settled there by the General and Governor of Barwick Wherefore the Lords have commanded me to recommend the Manner and Way thereof to your Excellency's Care and Judgment not doubting but your Excellency will give such Directions to the Governor of Barwick both for the number of Soldiers that shall March in a Company together as also how to preserve his Majesties Ordinance and Munitions there and secure the safety of the said Town And so I humbly remain Your Excellency's Servant to Command John Banks Speaker of the Lords House A Complaint having Yesterday been made by the House of Commons that the Capuchin Friers in Denmark House Capuchin Friers at Denmark House to keep in were very active in Preverting the Kings Subjects from the True Religion the Earl of Dorset was Ordered to attend the Queen and move her Majesty from this House in it and humbly to desire her Majesty That the said Friers may be kept in and not suffered to go abroad to pervert the People and draw them to be reconciled to the Church of Rome And further That the Earl of Dorset do send for the Chief of the Capauhins and give him warning that he obey this Command Upon reading the Petitions of the Lord Major of London Order about L. Major and Citizens for a Reference and the six Persons chosen by the Commonalty of the said City It is Ordered That both sides shall give Copies to each other of their Petitions and attend the Lords Committees appointed to compose the Differences between them on Munday next in the Afternoon at Two of the Clock in the Painted Chamber A Message was brought from the House of Commons by Mr. Message that a convenient number of Lords may stay in Town Hotham to desire That a convenient number of Lords may be kept together in this House until the Armies be disbanded and the necessary Defence of the Kingdom settled The Answer hereunto was That their Lordships will take Care as is desired WHereas this House hath been Informed That Thomas Bushell Esq Undertaker of His Majesties Mines Royal in the County of Cardigan by his great Charge and Industry in cutting Additts hath gained His Majesties old drowned and forsaken Works of Talabant The Order of the House of Lords about Mines Royal in Wales Aug. 14. 1641. and other Works and made new Discoveries of Royal Mines there which are already very Considerable And whereas divers Persons of Quality encouraged by His Majesties Letters to them directed do intend to adventure great Summs of Money in the said Work which in time if well incouraged may prove of great consequence both for Honor and Profit to His Majesty and this Kingdom And whereas also it appeareth unto this House by divers Affidavits and Certificates of Credit that some Persons ill affected to these Honourable and Publick Services who in time may receive deserved Punishment have disturbed the possession of the said Thomas Bushell in some of His Majesties Mines Royal and Edifices appertaining to the Royal Work and have plucked up divers Pumps cast in the Rubbish and drowned and so much as in them did lie destroyed the said Works so as it hath been a labour of 4 Years Night and Day to recover the same and that the said Thomas Bushell hath been disturbed in the getting of Turf and Peate for the Service of His Majesties Works being an invention of his own very commendable and commodious for the preserving of Wood which hath been heretofore by the former Undertakers much wasted in those Parts Now for the Remedy of such mischiefs and that the said Thomas Bushell and his Assigns and such Persons as are or shall be Undertakers and Adventurers with him in the said Service may receive a due encouragement and assistance in these chargeable Undertakings It is Ordered by the Lords in the upper House of Parliament now Assembled That the Speaker of this House in the Name and by the Authority of the same shall direct his Letters unto the Judges of Assizes and Justices of the Peace of the said County of Cardigan requiring them that they do in all Lawful things endeavour to advance and encourage the said Service in His Majesties Royal Mines and assist the said Thomas Bushell and other Undertakers in all things so far as Lawfully they may for the continuance of his Lawful Possession and the quiet and peaceable Working of the said Mines until he shall be ejected by due Course of Law as also for getting and working of Turf or Peate according to his Legal Right upon His Majesties Wasts and other places Lawful and all other Lawful accommodations of necessary passages and other Legal things which may any ways advance His Majesties Service in the said Royal Mines Commissioners to attend the King in Scotland It was this day Ordered by the Commons That two Members only of this House shall go Commissioners into Scotland with the Earl of Bedford and Mr. Hambden and Sir Philip Stapleton to be the Persons A Committee was also appointed to draw Instructions for them Petition against the Minister of St. Ann's Aldersgate A Petition was read against the Minister of St. Anns Church near Aldersgate for speaking Words against the Parliament for so they called the House of Commons saying It would not last alwayes but they would hereafter be questioned for some things they have done
as well by the Lord General as by all other Commanders Officers and Soldiers of the Army whereof they expect a strict and speedy Account After which Mr. Pym and Sir John Culpeper were Ordered to draw a Letter to be sent to the Lord General and Mr. Rushworth Clerk Assistant of the House of Commons to ride Post with it and the House will take it into Consideration to requite him for his Pains and Charges This Day Sir William Bringhurst Mr. Wilson Mr. Broadgate Mr. Friday August 20. Diverse Persons Bailed The first Ordinance of the Lords and and Commons about Commissioners to go to Scotland Slany Mr. Gardner and Mr. Inego Jones were Ordered to be Bailed and 10000 l. for the Principals and 5000 l. for each of the Sureties The Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for the Commissioners for Scotland was read in the Commons House in these Words THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled do hereby Order and Appoint William Earl of Bedford Edward Lord Howard two of the Peers of the Lords House Nathanel Fiennes Esquire Sir William Armyn Baronet Sir Philip Stapleton Knight and John Hambden Esquire Members of the House of Commons to be Committees for both Houses of Parliament to attend the Kings Majesty during his Absence in the Kingdom of Scotland and do hereby Authorize them or any three or more of them from time to time to present to his Most Excellent Majesty the humble desires Counsel and Advice of his Majesties most Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament according to such Instructions and Directions as are hereunto annexed or shall at any time hereafter be sent unto them by the Order and Consent of both Houses The Commissioners Instructions I. Instructions for the Commissioners for Scotland YOV shall humbly desire his Majesty That the Treaty agreed upon between the Commissioners of England and Scotland confirmed and ratified in this present Parliament may likewise be confirmed and ratified in the Parliament in Scotland II. You shall present to his Majesty the just Demands of any of his Loyal Subjests of England concerning a due Satisfaction to be made of all Debts due to them for Mony Arms or Provisions taken up by the Scottish Army III. If you shall understand that the Army of Scotland is not returned back or the Army of England not disbanded according to the Articles of the Treaty and Order of Parliament you shall be very instant and earnest in Petitioning his Majesty that all Obstacles and Impediments taken away the Kingdom may be freed from that great Charge this might have been done with half the Charges if the E. Strafford's Advice had been taken and those Mischiefs under which it groans by reason of those Armies IV. You shall by all fit ways of Petition and Intercession to his Majesty further and preserve the Peace and good Correspondency betwixt the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland V. You shall from time to time Certifie both Houses of Parliament of such Accidents and Occurrences as may concern the good of the Kingdom Which Ordinance and Instructions were agreed to by the Lords at a Conference this Day The great Obstacle to the disbanding the Army Mony Ordered disbanding the Army though it filled the Heads of the Party with Fears and Jealousies which from them was diffused through the whole Nation was perfectly the want of Money and not such Designs of dangerous Consequence as were pretended to amuse the People this they well knew and therefore Ordered thirty thousand Pound to be sent down to Pay and Disband the Army A Message was brought from her Majesty to the House The Qs. Answer to the Commons about the Commissioners carrying any Message to the King Order about the L. Major and Commonalty of London about the choice of one Sheriff That her Majesty returns her Thanks for the Respects of this House but She hath lately sent to His Majesty and hath nothing at this time to write This Morning the Lord Privy Seal Reported That the Lords Committees meet Yesterday to see if they could Mediate and Compose the Differences between the Lord Mayor of London and the Commonalty touching the Election of one Sheriff but they could have no success in it and so left it to the Consideration of this House Hereupon the Lord Viscount Say and Seal and the Lord Bishop of Lincoln were appointed to withdraw and consider of an Order for setling the Election of the Sheriff pro hac vicê with a Salvo on both Parts which Order is to be entred in the Books of the Chamber of London the Order was in these Words IN the Cause depending between the Commons and Citizens and the Lord Major of the City of London about the Nominating and Electing of one of the Sheriffs of the said City for this Year ensueing their Lordships taking it into their Consideration that the Election should have been dispatched upon Mid-Summer day last past and finding that upon Omission of performing the Election as upon that Day Devolutions have ensued pro tali vicé to the Commonalty of London do Order that for this time the said Commonalty shall forthwith proceed to the Nomination and Election of both their Sheriffs for the Year following hoping that for the first of the two Sheriffs they will make choice of that Party that was Nominated by the Lord Major and their Lordships do further declare That this Order shall be no way prejudicial to any Right and Prerogative claimed by the Lords the Majors of the City of London for the time being nor yet to any Right or Claim made by the Commons or Citizens in this matter now in Question amongst them It was also Ordered That those Lords that are to go into Scotland with some of the Members of the House of Commons shall go to the Lord General in their Passage The Commissioners for Scotland to quicken the Disbanding Order to stop proceedings upon the Conviction of the Lady Wotton a Recusant to desire that the Order of both Houses may be put into speedy Execution for the disbanding of the Horse and they are to give an Account of the Lord Generals Answer Upon signification this day made unto the Lords House that an Indictment and Conviction in London against the Lady Margaret Wotton for Recusancy is returned into the Treasurers and Remembrancers Office of the Court of Exchequer and the Pipe contrary to former Orders of this House in that behalf and against the Priviledges of the same It is Ordered That no further Proceedings shall from henceforth be had in the said Treasurers Remembrancers or Pipe Offices against the said Lady upon the said Conviction nor any Process shall be thence made or issue thereupon until this House shall give further Order in this Matter Upon a former Information to the Commons by one Sewer Saturday August 21. Disarming of Recusants that he had seen a great quantity of Arms in the Marquiss
be taken of the proceedings of the several Sheriffs as also the Treasurer of His Majesties Army and of the Treasurer appointed by the Act and of their obedience and conformity to this Order and if any shall fail therein it shall be Interpreted as a great neglect of the safety of the Kingdom and contempt of both Houses of Parliament for which they shall be called to answer and make satisfaction as well for their offence as for such damage as the Common-wealth hath undergone by their default There came Letters also this day That the Scotch Army Wednesday August 25. were marched away and that his Majesty had prevailed with the Parliament of Scotland that their Ordnance and Ammunition should be left at Newcastle to be conveyed to London or some other Magazine There was this day a Debate in the Commons House about Disbanding the Officers of the Army who are about the Town and after that concerning the Pay due to Commissary Wilmot Coll. Ashburnham Mr. Percy c. Upon which it was Resolved That their Pay should for the present be stopped Whereupon Mr. Selden stood up and spoke in mitigation of their faults Conceiving them as he said not only acquitted but pardoned by the Act of Pacification which was an Act of Pardon But to this it was answered That that Act concerned only the Differences between the Two Kingdoms and not the Offences of particular persons for that if it did the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Delinquents could not be proceeded against This day the Lord Mayor of London having Petitioned the House of Lords and attending there he was called in Lord Major of London Petitions the Lords and the Recorder desired to be heard in the behalf of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen touching the Order made lately by this House concerning the Election of one of the Sheriffs of London which he said concerned very much the Government of that City and likewise to acquaint their Lordships with some of the things which will ensue as inconveniencies to the City thereupon Upon this the Major and Recorder and others were commanded to withdraw and this House taking the same into Consideration Resolved to hear them in any thing which concerns the good Government of the City or any grievances which are likely to grow upon the City by other Occasions but not to hear them to speak any thing to arraign the Orders of this House The Petition of the Mayor c. was read among other Complaints sets forth That they doubt the Commons of the said City will throw off the Government of the Common-Council which tends much to the Peace and Wellfare of the City Then the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Recorder were called in again and the Lord Keeper told them That their Petition hath been read and that their Lordships conceive their Order to be very just and no ways prejudicial to either side it being with a saving of both Rights therefore will hear nothing to arraign it As for the Government of the City the Lords are very careful of it and Command the Lord Mayor c. to be so likewise And for the Common-Council their Lordships do let them know That they are resolved to maintain it as tending much to the well and quiet Government of the City and when the particular matters of Difference between them and the Commons shall appear this House will do what they can to settle the differences between them Thus did every thing run swiftly down the Torrent against not only the Monarchy but even the Image of it the Popular humor and inclination to Popular Government being grown Predominant and the Epidemical Disease both in the Church and State THe Lord Bishop of Lincoln Reported the Conference about the state of the Navy The Conference about the State of the Navy Aug. 26. 1641. That the House of Commons have taken into their Consideration the Present State of the King's Navy and they find that many Ships are laid by and twelve no Vse is to be made of them also they find that the Arrears of the Officers of the Navy are very great and the Provisions of the Magazines decayed That for the Guarding of the Narrow Seas this Year the House of Commons set forth Ten of the King's Navy and Ten Merchants Ships the Charge whereof will amount to 59000 l towards the Payment whereof there is only advanced 12000 l. out of the Money granted to the King for Tonnage and Poundage And considering that the Sea-men when they come home will Expect their pay and are to remain in their Pay until they receive their Wages which will grow to an Excessive Charge unless some Course be taken for providing of the said 57000 l. For defraying of which Sum and for discharging of other Charges of the Navy the House of Commons are of Opinion and desire this House to joyn with them in it That the Commissioners of the Treasury do issue out Warrants to the Farmers of the Custom-House to pay 15000 l. a Month to the Treasurers of his Majesties Navy out of the Money received for Tonnage and Poundage towards the raising the aforesaid Sums the time to begin from the First day of August 1641 to the First day of December next and that some Member of this House be joyned with Two of the House of Commons to see this done in the time of the Recess And further the House of Commons desires that the Lord General may receive Directions to give Order to the Governor of Barwick to ship the Ordnance and Ammunition there in such Ships as shall be appointed to bring them to the Tower of London and the like Warrant to be given to the Governor of Carlisle to bring the Ordnance and Ammunition from Carlisle to Newcastle to be Shipped for the Tower which Ships are to be Wafted by one of his Majesties Ships Hereupon it was Ordered That this House doth joyn with the House of Commons herein A Letter was also this day Read which was drawn up by the Select Committees of both Houses to be sent to the Lord General in these Terms May it please your Excellency I Presented your Letters of the 23d of August to the House of Peers The Letter to the Lord General about the 9 Counties paying Poll-Money at York to finish the Disbanding by which they understand what progress your Excellency hath made in Disbanding the Army wherein your diligence hath prevented the time propounded in your former Letter and I am commanded to declare that in their apprehension your Excellency hath hereby fully and clearly expresed your care of the Publick Good and Safety of the Kingdom and your respect to the House which works in them much contentments and yields a great return of Honor to your self as nothing can be dearer to the Parliament than the Publick Good so your Excellency can in no way more advance your self in their Estmmiation then by joyning with them in that affection The Reason
who invaded England faithful and Loyal Subjects in all Churches and Chappels upon the Thanksgiving Day between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland it was desired by the Commissioners of Scotland that the Loyalty and Faithfulness of his Majesties Subjects might be made known at the time of the Publick Thanksgiving in all Places and particularly in all Parish Churches of his Majesties Dominions which Request was graciously condescended unto by his Majesty and confirmed by the aforesaid Act. It is now Ordered and Commanded by both Houses of Parliament that the same be effectually done in all Parish Churches throughout this Kingdom upon Tuesday the 7th day of September next coming at the time of Publick Thanksgiving by the several and respective Ministers of each Parish Church or by their Curates who are hereby required to read this present Order in the Church Thus did they resolve not only to conquer but to triumph and this was also to be a little kind of Shibboleth for the Clergy for who ever did either speak any thing against the Scots or declined this Declaration of their Loyalty and Fidelity to the King which it was very difficult for Men of sense to believe and therefore more hard for Men of Conscience to declare were certain to be esteemed Malignants and upon the least Complaint were sure to be sent for in the Custody as Delinquents It was also Ordered That Mr. Marshal and Dr. Marshal and Burgess to preach before the Commons upon the Thanksgiving Day A Petition of some Merchants to seize some Parts of America Burgess be desired to Preach before the House of Commons upon the Thanks-Giving Day at St. Margarets Church in Westminster A Petition was presented to the House by several Merchants about the Town consisting principally of three Heads 1 That there might be a certain number of Ships well appointed and stored with Ammunition and Provision for such a Service to be sent to America and some Part to Affrica whereby we might possess our Selves with the Riches of those Countries 2 That the Spanish Party is now grown weak which may induce us with greater alacrity to attempt it 3 That we may thereby become possessed of the Command of both the North and South Seas which will both increase Commerce Shipping Sea-Men and Trade at Home and render us Formidable and Powerful Abroad The Lord Keeper signified to the House that he had received a Letter from the King at Edenburgh by Mr. Anthony Nichols who was the Express sent from both Houses to His Majesty in Scotland The Letter was read in haec verba RIght Trusty and well Beloved We greet you well Whereas We have understood by the Petition of both Houses of Our Parliament in England The King's Letter to the L. Keeper about the Commission to the Committees of both Houses which Anthony Nichols Esquire hath been imployed to Vs from them that they are resolved to send down certain of their Members for to see the Ratification of the Treaty of Pacification by the Parliament here and to that end have desired a Commission under Our Great Seal We do not hold necessary to sign any such Commission but are hereby graciously pleased to give leave to the said Members to come and attend Vs here in Scotland to see the Ratification of the said Treaty and what else belongs thereunto and this We require you to signifie unto both Houses from Vs Given under Our Signet at Our Court of Edenburgh and the 25th Day of August in the 17 Year of Our Reign Such was the Ungovernable Insolence of the Rabble of those who called themselves the Well-Affected Party by their having been indulged because not severely Punished in the Case of the Earl of Strafford that upon every Occasion like a Fire ill quenched they broke out into Disorder and Outrages which was the Occasion of this following Order of the Lords UPon Information this Day to this House An Order of the Lords about the Tumults concerning the French Ambassador Aug. 30. 1641. that the French Ambassador and his Servants hath been lately Assaulted in his own House by a Company of Rude and Insolent People unto the great Dishonor of Our Nation and to his Lordships insufferable Wrong Injury and Dishonor whereof this House is very sensible and do intend that all possible Diligence be used for the finding out of the Malefactors for the Punishment of them to the Example and Terror of others that none may presume hereafter to commit the like Outrages to any Ambassadors of whom this House will always take regard It is therefore thought fit and Ordered by this House That Mr. Hooker Mr. Long Mr. Whittacre and Mr. Shepheard his Majesties Justices of the Peace or any two or more of them shall speedily take this Business into their Examination and by all Dilligence that may be used find out the said Malefactors and to Imprison them until they find out Sureties for their good Behavior and to appear in this House on Monday the 6th of September 1641. to undergo such Punishment as their Lordships shall think fit to inflict upon them for their said Offences and Misdemeanors so committed as aforesaid And that the said Justices of the Peace having throughly examined the Business shall make Certificate unto this House on the said sixth day of September next of all the whole Matter and how they find it that thereby their Lordships may proceed therein according to that which shall be Just And lastly That the aforesaid Justices shall give Order That there shall be Watch set according to Law for the better securing the Safety of the Ambassador and his House and for preventing Disorderly and Tumultuous Assemblies Ordered That the Lord Great Chamberlain Lord Chamberlain Earl Warwick Lord Kymbolton do acquaint the French Ambassador from this House that their Lordships have taken this Business into Consideration The House of Commons also took the Case of Sir John Corbet into debate whe for saying at a Quarter Sessions in the County of Salop That the Muster Masters Wages throughout England were illegal and against the Petition of Right c. had been Imprisoned and Fined by the High Commission Court and it was Ordered That the late Lord Keeper Coventry the Archbishop of Canterbury and others who were the Occasions of it shall make him Reparations for his Sufferings and Damages and a Conference was desired with the Lords upon it where the Managers of the Commons delivered to their Lordships a Transmission of an Impeachment concerning the Cause of Sir John Corbet a Member of the House of Commons against the Earl of Bridgwater the Lord Privy Seal the Archbishop of Canterbury the Lord Cottington the Lord Newburgh and the two Secretaries of State in which the House of Commons desire that the several Persons whom it concerns may be called to answer and that their Lordships would proceed therein according to Justice and that Sir John Corbet may have Reparation for his Imprisonment
Altarwise and place them in some convenient place of the Church or Chancel and to take away the Rails and level the Chancels as heretofore they were before the late Innovations These high Pretences against Innovations Popery and Superstition were the Witchcrafts with which they insensibly drew on the undiscerning People into the most desperate and horrid Sin of Rebellion and amongst the rest of these frightful Crimes with which they blackned the Archbishop and the Clergy this horrible Sin of Innovation was one of the most terrible when the truth is this was so false and far from being an Innovation that whoever has travelled into the Early Regions of Antiquity will both find the Name and Thing of Alter very frequent among the Ecclesiastical Writers and the Holy Fathers of those Ages and that ever since Christianity came from under the Rod of Persecution and that Temples were erected for the Publick Worship of Almighty God they were built after the same Manner and Form with our Churches and the Holy Table was placed at the East end of them and the indeavor of the Archbishop and Regular Clergy to bring in this Piece of Uniformity into the Church of England was so far from being a Novelty or Innovation that the Design of it was to reduce them to this Primitive Custom and Usage of the Primitive Christians so Ancient and Primitive that Nicephorus and Socrates in the Ecclesiastical History make mention of two Altars placed in the West end of two Churches which was then accounted a strange Innovation Wednesday Septem 1 and directly contrary to the constant Custom of the Church The House being now shortly to be Adjourned for some time by Reason the Plague begun to encrease several Persons Petitioned the Commons to be admitted to Bail upon which It was Ordered That Alderman Abel Mr. Kilvert Thomas Powlet Diverse Persons Bailed Charles Cotton Edward Watkins Lewis Kirk shall be Bailed the Principals at 1000 l. and the Sureties each 500 l. Bail Ferris also who was in Custody for Breach of Priviledg for Arresting a Servant of one of the Members and the Post-Master of Ware who was committed to the Serjeant at the complaint of Mr. Rushworth Debate about Religion about Post-Horses were Ordered to be Bailed upon reasonable Bail The House also fell upon the Church-work again which was to be Swept with their beesom of Reformation by abolishing Order Decency and Government as Superstition and Innovation to this purpose it was moved that they might consider of what alterations and additions were to be made in the Book of Common-Prayer whereupon Sir John Culpeper stood up and moved that the Book of Common-Prayer might be continued and remain without alteration or addition and that it might be observed and used with all due Reverence throughout the Kingdom Upon which the Question being put whether they should proceed to the farther consideration of this matter the House was divided upon it with the Yeas were 55 with the Noes 60 so it was for the present laid by This was always one great Artifice of the Party That when there was a thin House and any thing was moved which they perceived they should not be able to Carry to get it put off till either the contrary Party being tired with long Sitting were gone out of the House or that they found their own Party strong enough to carry the Vote And this the Reader shall find verified in a few days and that they not only proceeded to Vote but Authoritatively to Enact this their pretended Abolition of Innovations without the consent of either the King or House of Lords The House being very thin many of the Members being gone into the Country by reason of the spreading of the Contagion It was Ordered That lest the House should fall for want of Forty of the Members to be present at the Adjournment that there should at least Sixty meet the next Week to agree about the Recess upon which the House was Adjourned till Monday next Upon hearing the matter concerning the affront put upon the French Ambassador It was this day Ordered by the Lords as follows WHereas it appears by the Certificate of the Justices of Peace and by Proof of Witnesses Viva voce this Day at the Barr The Order about those who assaulted the French Ambassadors House upon full Examination of the business That Christopher Cook John Symons Richard Clarke John Bird Gyles Philips and Roger Gardner were principal Actors in committing of the great Outrage and Assault upon the French Ambassadors House in Lincolns Inn Fields as flinging of Stones and Assaulting the said House to the great molestation and dishonor of the said Ambassador which this House is very tender of It is Ordered that the Delinquents aforesaid shall forthwith stand committed to New Bride-well there to remain until their Masters or some others shall be Sureties for their Good Behaviour and that they appear at the next Sessions for Middlesex furthermore that the aforesaid Offenders shall stand on Pillories on Wednesday next in the morning for an hours space before the said Ambassadors House without being Vailed and shall publickly ask forgiveness upon their Knees of the Ambassador after which they shall be whipped before the said Ambassadors Door and along the Fields and Streets thereabout And Lastly it is Ordered that Mr. Long Mr. Sheppard Mr. Whittaker and Mr. Hooker Justices of the Peace together with the Sheriff of Middlesex who is to put this Order in Execution shall take special Care that there be a sufficient Guard about the Ambassadors House to prevent such Tumults that so the Peace may be kept during the time of the Execution of this Order The Ambassador being acquainted with this Order did by the Lord Chamberlain return his humble Thanks to the House for the same but desired That the Execution of it might be spared Whereupon it was Ordered That the Whipping be spared and that it be signified to the Offenders that it is remitted at the request of the said Ambassador And afterwards upon his request the Sentence was wholly remitted they asking him Pardon upon their Knees and they were released from their Imprisonment The Bishop of Lincoln who had formerly been so great a Favourite of the Commons Monday Septem 6. yet was a Bishop still and therefore upon any little false step contrary to their Sense more liable than another person to fall under their displeasure which happened to be upon this Occasion The Commons it seems had a great mind to try the Extempore Talent of Marshal and Burgess being men of Renown in that way of treating God Almighty and their Auditors with Prayers that were not tied to any Set Form whereby the Spirit was stinted and the Candle of mens Parts put under a bushel as the phrase of the Times went Now my Lord of Lincoln had it seems compiled a set Office as had been Usual upon the like Occasions for the Service of the Day of
with any Forreign Prince or State their Ambassadors Agents or other Ministers of any Forreign Prince or State concerning raising or transporting any Forces either Horse or Foot to be imployed in the Service of any such Prince or State And it is further Ordered That it shall not be lawful for any Owner or Master of any Ships in either of the said Kingdoms to Contract or Agree for the transporting of any Forces Horse or Foot out of these Kingdoms for the Service of any Forreign Prince or State and that no such Forces shall be Raised Transported or Imployed by any Person whatsoever in the Service of any Forreign Prince or State without the Special License of His Majesty with the Consent and Advice of the Lords and Commons in Parliament It is further Ordered That none of the Ships of any of his Majesties Subjects of England or Ireland which have or shall be imployed in the Service of any Forreign Prince shall be used or imployed against any Forces which shall be any where commanded by his Majesties Commission by Sea or Land but such of his Majesties Subjects as are in any such Service shall forthwith withdraw themselves from the same and refuse to bear Arms in such Case It is likewise further Ordered That whosoever shall Contemn or disobey this Ordinance shall be taken to be a high Contemner of the Authority of the Houses of Parliament and shall be liable to such further Censure as shall stand with their Honor and Justice in that behalf This Order to continue and be in Force unto the first Day of November next and to be forthwith Printed and Published After which Mr. Pym Reports the Declaration of the Commons in Parliament made September 9. which was as followeth A Declaration of the Commons in Parliament made September the Ninth 1641. THe Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House A Declaration of the Commons without the consent of the Lords for Reformation of several Matters in the Church Sep. 9. 1641. having received many great Complaints from the several Parts of this Kingdom of heavy Grievances upon divers of his Majesties Subjects by the excessive pressing of some Matters concerning Religion which are in their own Nature indifferent by Pretext or Colour of the Laws now in force and by the unlawful enforcing other things without any Colour of Law and considering that a full Reformation cannot be made in this streight of time did for the Comfort and Ease of the People frame an Order in manner following Die Mercurii 8. Septemb. 1641. WHereas divers Innovations in or about the Worship of God have been lately practised in this Kingdom by enjoyning some things and prohibiting others without Warrant of Law to the great Grievance and Discontent of his Majesties Subjects For the suppression of such Innovations and for the preservation of the Publick Peace It is this day Ordered by the Commons in Parliament Assembled That the Church-Wardens of every Parish-Church and Chappel respectively do forthwith remove the Communion Table from the East end of the Church Chappel or Chancel into some other convenient Place and that they take away the Rails and level the Chancels as heretofore they were before the late Innovations That all Crucifixes scandalous Pictures of any one or more Persons of the Trinity and all Images of the Virgin Mary shall be taken away and abolisht and that all Tapers Candlesticks and Basins be removed from the Communion Table That all Corporal bowing at the Name JESUS or towards the East End of the Church Chappel or Chancel or towards the Communion Table be henceforth forborn That the Orders aforesaid be observed in all the several Cathedral Churches of this Kingdom and all Collegiate Churches or Chappels in the two Universities or any other part of the Kingdom and in the Temple Church and the Chappels of the other Innes of Court by the Deans of the said Cathedral Churches by the Vice-Chancellor of the said Universities and by the Heads and Governors of the several Colledges and Halls aforesaid and by the Benchers and Readers in the said Innes of Court respectively That the Lords Day shall be duly observed and Sanctified All Dancing or other Sports either before or after Divine Service be forborn and restrained and that the Preaching of God's Word be permitted in the Afternoon in the several Churches and Chappels of this Kingdom and that the Ministers and Preachers be encouraged thereunto That the Vice-Chancellors of the Universities Heads or Governors of Colledges all Parsons Vicars Church-Wardens do make Certificates of the performance of these Orders and if the same shall not be observed in any of the Places aforementioned upon complaint thereof made to the two next Justices of Peace Mayor or Head Officers of Cities or Towns corporate It is Ordered that the said Justices Mayor or other Head-Officer respectively shall examine the truth of all such Complaints and certifie by whose Default the same are committed All which Certificates are to be delivered in Parliament before the thirtieth of October next ANd did upon the eighth of September in a Conference with the Lords desire their Lordships to Consent unto it and to joyn with them in the Publishing thereof whereunto they never received Answer but contrary to their Expectation upon this present ninth of September being the Day intended for the Recess of both Houses they received in a Conference from their Lordships an Order dated January the sixteenth 1640. In these Words Die Sabbati 16. Januarii 1640. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in the High Court of Parliament Assembled That the Divine Service be performed as it is appointed by the Acts of Parliament of this Realm And that all such as shall disturb that wholsome Order shall be severely Punished according to the Law And the Parsons Vicars and Curates in the several Parishes shall forbear to introduce any Rites or Ceremonies that may give Offence otherwise then those that are established by the Laws of the Land And one other of this present ninth of September In these Words Resolved upon the Question this ninth of September 1641. That the obovesaid Order shall be Printed and Published DEsiring that the Commons would joyn with them in publishing thereof which being presented to the House of Commons it was thought unseasonable at this time to urge the severe Execution of the said Laws Whereupon it was voted that they do not consent to those Orders or either of them And they have thought fit to make this Declaration that it may be understood that the last Order of the Lords was made with the Consent only of Eleven Lords and that nine other Lords then present did dissent from it so that it may be still hoped when both Houses shall meet again that the good Propositions and Preparations in the House of Commons for preventing the like Grievances and reforming the Disorders and Abuses in Matters of Religion may be brought to perfection Wherefore
the performance hereof their Pleasure is That you should continue there to wait upon his Majesty till you receive further direction or that his Majesty be pleased to come away for England Instructions of the Lords and Commons in Parliament to the Committees of both Houses now Attending his Royal Majesty in Scotland I. YOU shall acquaint his Majesty Additional Instructions to the Committee in Scotland That by your Advertisement both Houses have taken Notice of the Examinations and Confessions taken in the Parliament of Scotland concerning a malicious design affirmed to be undertaken by the Earl of Craford and others against the Persons of the Marquiss of Hamilton the Earls of Argyle and Lannerick having taken the same into Consideration they have good Cause to doubt That such ill-affected persons as would disturb the Peace of that Kingdom are not without some malicious Correspondence here which if those wicked Purposes had taken Effect in Scotland would have been ready to attempt some such mischievous Practices as might produce Distempers and Confusions in this Kingdom to the Hazard of the Publique Peace for prevention whereof they have given Order for strong Guards in the Cities of London and Westminster * The Debate about the Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom in order to their possessing themselves of the Militia was many Weeks before in the House only this was a fair occasion for the attempt and have resolved to take into their Care the Security of the rest of the Kingdom II. You shall further declare to his most Excellent Majesty That the States of his Parliament here do hold it a matter of great Importance to this Kingdom That the Religion Liberty and Peace of Scotland be preserved according to the Treaty and Articles agreed by his Majesty and confirmed by Act of Parliament of which they are bound to be careful not only by Publique Faith in that Treaty but by their Duty which they ow to his Majesty and this Kingdom because they hold it will be a great means of preserving Religion Liberty and Peace in England Ireland and his Majesty 's other Dominions and the Union of all his Loyal Subjects in maintaining the Common good of all will be a sure Foundation of Honor Greatness and Security to his Royal Person Crown and Dignity wherefore they have resolved to Employ their Humble and Faithful Advice to his Majesty the Power and Authority of Parliament and of this Kingdom for Suppressing of all such as by any Conspiracy Practice or other Attempts shall endeavour to disturb the Peace of Scotland and to infringe the Articles and the Treaty made betwixt the Two Kingdoms III. You shall likewise inform the King That whereas Orders have been given by his Majesty with the Consent of Parliament for the Disbanding the Garrisons of Carlisle and Berwick the first whereof is already wholly disbanded and all the House and Eight Companies of Foot sent out of Berwick and only Five Companies remaining which likewise should have been disbanded at or before the 15th of this Month if they had not been stayed by his Majesties Command signified to Sir Michael Ernley Lieutenant Governor according to direction in that behalf and whereas by Order of Parliament Ships have been sent for the Transporting his Majesties Munition Ordnance and other Provisions in that Town and the Holy Island all which have been of very great Charge to the Commonwealth the Commons now Assembled in Parliament have declared That they intend to be at no further Charge for the longer stay and Entertainment of those Men or for the Demurrage of the Ships if by occasion of this direction they be kept out longer than was agreed upon Ordered That Mr. Speaker do write a Letter to Mr. Secretary Vane that in case the Committee of both Houses be come out of Scotland before the Letter and Instructions now to be sent can be delivered there unto them that then he shall he desired by this House to present the same unto his Majesty Saturday Octob. 23. Order for the Bishops impeached to have Councel This day upon the humble Request of the Bishop of Rochester on his own behalf and the rest of the Bishops which are impeached by the House of Commons before their Lordships concerning the late Canons c. It is Ordered That Mr. Serjeant Jerman Mr. Herne Mr. Chute and Mr. Hales being publiquely named in this House by the said Bishop and approved of by the House shall be assigned to be of Counsel with the Bishops that are impeached With this Proviso nevertheless That if any of the said Counsel shall upon just Cause desire to be Excused here and the House approve of the said Excuse That then he or they shall not be compelled to be of the said Bishops Councel as aforesaid The Commons being met there was a Report made of certain Troopers who had made a disturbance about a Tavern-Reckoning and the Guard in the Pallace-Yard being called to quiet them they fell upon them and cut the Drum but being taken and committed to Custody and one of them saying in Bravado That there were a thousand of them about the Town who if they were there would help them and make the Pallace too hot for the Guards they were Ordered to be sent to the Lords Bar to receive their Censure for this Misdemeanor But it struck such a fear into some of the Members of the Commons House that they immediately Voted what they had so often denied the King though his Word and Honor were engaged to the Spanish Ambassador to let him have some of the disbanded Troops for it was Votes to let the disbanded Soldiers past beyond Sea Resolved c. That the House is of Opinion and holds fit that Orders should be sent to the Officers of the several Ports requiring them to permit all such Soldiers of the late disbanded Army as shall desire it to pass beyond the Seas provided that they take such Oaths and perform such other Duties as are usually required according to the Laws Resolved c. That this House is further of Opinion and holds it fit That such other Soldiers of the late disbanded Army as are Strangers and not Subjects or Natives of this Kingdom shall have liberty to pass out of this Kingdom and to receive Entertainment of any Forreign Prince Sir Gilbert Gerrard carries up the Bill for dissabling all Persons in Holy Orders to exercise any temporal Jurisdiction or Authority and acquainted the Lords That the House of Commons desired there might be all speed in the passing of it for it much concerns the good of the Common-Wealth The Lord General Thanks given to the L. General by the House of Lords the Earl of Holland being now returned and having at a Conference given an Account of the disbanding of the Army It was Ordered by the Lords That this House gives Thanks to the Earl of Holland late Lord General of his Majesties Army in the North for
his Lordships great Care and Diligence in disbanding the said Army so happily for the preservation of the Safety and Quiet of the Kingdom which accordingly was done immediately by the Lord Keeper in the Name of the House Upon the reading of the Bill against Pluralities and Non-Residence after the debate of the House Proviso for Kings Chaplains Noblemen c. in the Bill against Pluralities these Lords Committees following were appointed to take into Consideration the King's Chaplains the Priviledges of Noblemen and the Heads of Colledges in the two Universities and also to consider of a Proviso That every Parson or Vicar that lives from his Living shall provide an able Curate to supply the Living allowing him a Moiety thereof clear of all Charges and the Parson to Nominate the Curate with the Consent of the Patron Committed to the Lord Privy Seal Marquiss of Hartford Lord Admiral Lord Chamberlain E. Southampton c. Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas Mr. Justice Heath Mr. Justice Mallet Assistants their Lord ships or any Seven of them to meetat Nine a Clock to Morrow Morning in the Painted Chamber Upon a Motion made by Mr. Pym Monday October 25. Order to provide Match Bullets for the Guard A Plot against Mr. Pym. it was Ordered That the Burgesses of Westminster and the Knights for Middlesex shall take Care for the providing of Bullets and Match for the Soldiers and a convenient Place for them to stand dry in Mr. Pym declares That he received a Letter from a Porter at the Door of the House and upon the opening of it a Plaister which came from a Wound full of Corrupt Matter dropt out of it and that the Letter contained many Menaces and much railing against him The Porter being examined said a Gentleman on Horse-back in a Gray Coat gave him twelve Pence for the speedy delivery of it What ever the Matter was it made a mighty Noise both in the House and out of the House in the City and Country for Mr. Pym was then one of the greatest Idols of the Faction All the Art imaginable was used to find out the Author of this dangerous Attempt to infect Mr. Pym with the Plague but to no purpose for many Persons believed it to be only a Plot of his own inventing against himself However one Mordant was taken upon Suspition and Examined but there being no Proof against him he was acquitted Captain Ven brought in the Complaints of the Godly and Well-Affected Party Tuesday October 26. against Mr. Hutton Curate of St. Giles Cripple-Gate For that on the Day of Thanksgiving he would not suffer any one to Preach but himself 2ly That instead of Preaching in the Afternoon he only read the Bishop of Lincoln's Prayer 3. That he refused Mr. Sedgewick to preach there as Lecturer Whereupon it was Ordered That Mr. Hutton Curate of Cripple-Gate be taken into Custody for Contemptuous Speeches against the Orders of the House The House then fell upon the debate of the Impeachment of the Thirteen Bishops and great bandying of the Matter there was for the difficulty was The Commons in great perplexity what name to give the Crime of the Bishops for making the new Canons by what Name this Heinous Offence of the Bishops should be called and many of the Lawyers being in Westminster Hall it was Ordered That the Serjeant should immediately give Notice to all the Lawyers and others in Westminster Hall to attend the House Mr. Hollis thought fit that the Bishops should be charged with High Treason but some of the most Eminent of the long Robe affirmed they might as well Call it Adultery as Treason and after all that could be said upon the Subject it was Resolved upon the Question That the Debate concerning the naming of the Crime of the Bishops in making the last New Canons shall be at this time laid aside Resolved c. That no certain time shall be now appointed for the further Debate of the Business concerning the Naming of the Crime in the Bishops for the making of the last new Canons Mr. Pym Reports the Conference with the Lords Conference about a Letter from the King The Lord Keeper declared that he had received a Letter from his Majesty wherein he signified That though extraordinary Occasions had kept him there longer then he expected so that he was forced not to be so good as his Promise and Intention yet he did assure them he would make all the hast back to them that he could The King's Letter was in these Words My Lord Keeper SInce that by the Necessity of My Affairs I am detained here so long The King's Letter to the L. Keeper that I cannot be at the Down-Sitting of the Parliament I have thought it fit by these Lines to direct you to tell both Houses in My Name that as this My long Absence is beyond My Expectation so it is against My Desire and that I will make all the Dillgence that the Weightiness of these Affairs will possibly permit to return and so I rest Edenborough the 20th of October 1641. Your Assured Friend Charles R. This day Sir Robert Berkley Knight Judge Berkley at the Bar of the Lords one of the Judges of the King's Bench was brought as a Delinquent to the Bar of the Lords House and the Lord Keeper told him that he was now to hear the Impeachment of High-Treason brought up against him from the House of Commons read which being done He gave their Lordships Humble Thanks for their Justice in calling him to make his Answer and acknowledged the Justice of the House of Commons that they have desired he might make his Answer to his Charge and be Proceeded in according to Justice And withal he made it his earnest Request to their Lordships that they would permit him a little time now to speak somewhat to the Particulars of his Charge and having obtained Leave of the House so to do he made a long Relation upon the particular Articles of his Impeachment and concluded with this his Plea and Answer That he is not Guilty in Manner nor Form as is laid against him in his Impeachment After which he humbly presented to the House a Petition desiring their Lordships to take their Particulars into Consideration Hereupon he withdrew and his Petition was read in haec verba To the Right Honorable the Lords Assembled in Parliament The Humble Petition of Sir Robert Berkley one of the Judges of his Majesties Court of Kings-Bench YOur Lordships having The Petition of Judge Berkley to the Lords October 26. 1641. as your Petitioner conceiveth appointed Tuesday the next Week being the second of November next for your Petitioners Tryal he most humbly prayeth That your Lordships will be pleased to grant unto him your Lordships present Warrant for such Witnesses as he shall have Cause to use at his Tryal That your Lordships will be pleased to admit and if need be to assign him
notice that His Majesty had Authorized Commissioners to hear what they should say or propound these very words follow Viz. Which Your Majesties Gracious and Princely favour we find accompanied with these words viz. Albeit we do extremely detest the Odious Rebellion which the Recusants of Ireland have without Ground or Colour raised against Us Our Crown and Dignity Words adds he which deserve to be written with A Beam of the Sun as an Eternal Monument of His Majesties Justice and their Guilt Nor were they spoken in a Corner but spoken under the Great Seal of England and even in that Commission which those false Accusers were to see and hear Read and by those Expressions they were sufficiently provoked to have pleaded that Authority which they so falsly pretended had they had the least shadow for so black a Calumny So far the said Earl But in regard I find his Lordship Accused in this very Passage P. W's Answer to the L. Orrery p. 58 59. Sec. 81. by P. W. in his Answer to that Book as guilty of omitting the Clause immediately following Viz. Which Words we do in all humility conceive to have proceeded from the misrepresentation of our Adversaries and therefore do protest we have been most maliciously traduced to Your Majesty Although the said P. W. doth very honestly acquit his Majesty of that horrid Scandal ingenuously acknowledging it was Sir Phelim Oneal's invention p. 57. Sec. 79. Yet to supersede all further doubting upon this occasion I will present the Reader with a Paper which his Grace the Duke of Ormond is pleased to oblige him with which will abundantly manifest not only the Innocency of the late illustrious Martyr but shew the true temper of those his inhumane Murderers who would have given Sir Phelim O Neal by the allowed confession of all Men one of the most Bloody of all the Irish Rebels not only Life and Liberty but a plentiful Reward if he would have confirmed this notorious Calumny but the Papist had it seems for that time a far better Conscience of Honesty and Honour then those impenitent Rebels and Regicides who called themselves the True Protestants for all these Temptations could not prevail with him Dr. Ker the Dean of Ardagh his Deposition concerning the Calumny thrown upon K. Charles the Martyr for giving a Commission to the Rebels in Ireland to buy his Life at the Rate of a Sin which even to him appeared greater then all his other bloody Inhumanities and Cruelties The Paper follows I John Ker Dean of Ardagh having occasionally discoursed with the Right Honourable George Lord Viscount Lanesborrough concerning the late Rebellion of Ireland and his Lordship at that time having desired to certifie the said Discourse under my Hand and Seal do declare as followeth That I was present in Court when the Rebel Sir Phelim Oneal was brought to his Tryal in Dublin and that he was Tryed in that Court which is now the High Court of Chancery and that his Judges were Judge Donelan afterwards Sir James Donelan Sir Edward Bolton Knight sometimes Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer _____ Dungan then called Judge Dungan and another Judge whose name I do not now remember And that amongst other Witnesses then brought in against him there was one Joseph Travers Clerk and one Mr. Michael Harrison if I mistake not his Christian name and that I heard several Robberies and Murthers proved against him the said Sir Phelim he having nothing material to plead in his own defence And that the said Judge whose name I remember not as abovesaid Examined the said Sir Phelim about a Commission that the said Sir Phelim should have had from Charles Stuart as the said Judge then called the late King for levying the said War That the said Sir Phelim made Answer That he never had any such Commission and that it was proved then in Court by the Testimony of the said Joseph Travers and others that the said Sir Phelim had such a Commission and did then in the beginning of the said Irish Rebellion shew the same unto the said Joseph and several others then in Court. Vpon which the said Sir Phelim confessed that when he surprised the Castle of Charle-mount and the Lord Caulfield that he Ordered the said Mr. Harrison and another Gentleman whose name I now do not remember to cut off the King 's broad Seal from a Patent of the said Lord's they then found in Charlemount and to affix it to a Commission which he the said Sir Phelim had ordered to be drawn up And that the said Mr. Harrison did in the face of the whole Court confess that by the said Sir Phelim 's order he did stitch the Silk Cord or Label of that Seal with Silk of the Colours of the said Label and so fixed the Label and Seal to the said Commission and that the said Sir Edward Bolton and Judge Donelan urging the said Sir Pheilm to declare why he did so deceive the People He did Answer That no Man could blame him to use all means whatsoever to promote that Cause he had so far ingaged in And that upon the second day of his Tryal some of the said Judges told him that if he could produce any material proof that he had such a Commission from the said Charles Stuart to declare and prove it before Sentence should pass against him and that he the said Sir Phelim should be restored to his Estate and Liberty But he answered That he could prove no such thing nevertheless they gave him time to consider of it till the next day which was the third and last day of his Tryal Vpon which day the said Sir Phelim being brought into the Court and urged again he declared again that he never could prove any such thing as a Commission from the King And added that there were several Outrages committed by Officers and others his aiders and abettors in the management of that War contrary to his Intention and which now pressed his Conscience very much and that he could not in Conscience add to them the unjust Calumniating the King though he had been frequently solicited thereunto by fair Promises and great Rewards while he was in Prison And proceeding further in this discourse that immediately he was stopt before he had ended what he had further to say the Sentence of Death was pronounced against him And I do further declare That I was present and very near to the said Sir Phelim when he was upon the Ladder at his Execution and that one Marshal _____ Peake and another Marshal before the said Sir Phelim was cast came riding towards the place in great haste and called aloud stop a little and having passed through the throng of the Spectators and Guards one of them whispered a prety while with the said Sir Phelim and that the said Sir Phelim answered in the hearing of several hundreds of People of whom my self was one I thank the Lieutenant General for his intended
found guilty of them be punished Yet we may not omit although no motive whatsoever could justifie their Vndertakings to represent That before they fell from their Obedience to the Government Sir William Parsons one of the Lords Justices that supplied the Deputy's place at a publique Entertainment before many Witnesses did positively declare That within a Twelvemonth no Catholick should be seen in Ireland Many hands were sought and Thousands were found to subscribe a Petition tending to the introducing a severe Persecution against Catholiques who were the far greater number of the Inhabitants of Ireland and the menace of an Invasion of a Scottish Army of which men did at that time frequently discourse bred frightful apprehensions So as these and other Grounds of suspition being improved by such among them whose particular Interests could be most favoured and better advanced in Vnquiet Times laid the Foundation of that Rebellion But even those Men and at that time when the Lords Justices did not appear to be prepared for Resistance by their Remonstrance humbly begg'd their Grievances might be redressed by the Advice of the Two Houses of Parliament then met at Dublin But the Lords Justices who by their Words and Actions not only Expressed their unwillingness to stop the farther growth of these Distempers but meant to increase them and were often heard to wish That the Number were greater of such as became Criminal by Proroguing the Parliament made them Desperate However the Nation by their Representatives in the two days which were only allowed them to Sit husbanded their time so as to leave to Posterity a Monument of their aversion to such attempts by declaring That those men had Trayterously and Rebelliously taken Arms and offering to employ their Lives and Fortunes in reducing them to their Obedience if they might be permitted then to Sit. But this was denyed them and by a strange change from the Ancient Form of Government a Parliament then Sitting was Prorogued whereas our Ancestors upon a far less occasion then quieting of so high distempers were usually called upon to Assist the King with their Advice To this may be added That the Earl of Ormond proposed at the Council-Board the raising of 5000 Men in the space of Three Weeks if he might be authorised so to do with which Strength he undertook to dissipate those then weak beginnings of the Ensuing Mischiefs and to prevent their farther growth but was refused it so as thus far we may observe who they were that widened the Wound instead of stanching the Blood This Foundation being thus laid that which at first was but a spark and might be easily quenched began to Flame And freedom of Rapine having suddenly drawn Numbers together the unrepress't Conspirators became a Formidable Army and besieged Tredah passing the River of Boyne which was the Rubicon of the Pale and had in all former Rebellions been maintained with their blood by those antient English Colonies planted there Now it was that the Times began to favour the Design of the Lords Justices and their Party in the Council which was as forward as they to foment the Distractions for the Ulster Army lying in the Bowels of the Country the Forces being not yet come out of England and the Natives themselves both unarm'd and distrusted by the State they were forced at first by their Regular Contribution to prevent the desolation which would have followed their refusal to supply them Hereupon such Contributors began to be looked upon and Character'd as Men fallen from the Government And a Party that was sent from Dublin having killed at Santry but three Miles distant from thence some innocent Husband-men among whom there was two Protestants and carried their heads as in Triumph to the City the neighbour Inhabitants alarm'd thereat had recourse to such Weapons as first came to hand and gathered in a Body whereupon the Lords Justices set forth a Proclamation in Nature of a safe Conduct by which these so in Arms and Mr. King of Clantarffe by special name had five days respite to come in and present their Grievances But before three Nights of the time prefixed were Expired Mr. King 's House was Pillaged and Burnt by direction of the Lords Justices Not long after supplies being arrived out of England and the Siege of Tredagh Raised and consequently the force removed which necessitated the Inhabitants to comply with the Ulster Army the Nobility and Gentry of the Pale prevailed with Sir John Read His Majesties Sworn Servant a stranger to the Country un-engaged and an Eye-witness of their proceedings then upon his Journey to England to take the pains to present their Remonstrance to His Majesty and to beg Pardon for what they were thus compelled to Act. But he poor Gentleman coming to Dublin was apprehended and not concealing the Message intrusted with him was put to the Rack the most part of the Questions which were then asked him in Torment being no other then such as might lead him to accuse the King and Queen to be Authors and Fomenters of that Rebellion Moreover the Two Houses of Parliament in England for the better inducing the Rebels to repent of their wicked attempts commended to the Lords Justices according to the Power granted them in that behalf to bestow His Majesties Gracious Pardon to all such as within a Convenient time c. should return to their Obedience The Lords Justices notwithstanding such Order and His Majesties Gracious Pleasure signified to that effect by their Proclamation dated in November 1641 limited such His Majesty's and the Parliament's of England their favourable and general intentions to the Inhabitants of a few Counties provided always they were not Free-holders and afforded them no longer time then Ten days after the Proclamation to receive benefit thereby But notwithstanding these Restrictions the Lord of Dunsany Sir John Netervill Patrick Barnewal of Kilbrue and many others who had notice of His Majesties Gracious Inclination towards the Nation and the Parliament of England 's Order in favour of them submitted to the Lord Marquess of Ormond then Lieutenant General of His Majesties Army who recommended them to the Lords Justices intimating that the good Vsage to be Extended to them would have an Influence on many others and be a great Motive to quiet the Distempers which then began to spread But the Lords Justices whose Design was not to be carried on by Mercy and Indulgence to prevent Submissions Imprisoned and Indicted by a Jury which did not consist of Freeholders those so Submitting and put the said Mr. Barnewal of the Age of 66 years to the Torture of the Rack This notwithstanding the Noblemen and Gentry inhabiting the Country next to Dublin applied themselves humbly by their Letter to the Lords Justices which when the Earl of Castlehaven a Nobleman of English Birth who freely before that time had access to Dublin came to present he was made a Prisoner Wherefore when the Nation observed That their advice in
nor any Security given therefore they desired their Lordships to take the same into Consideration for they relied more upon their Lordships Honor than their Security He said There was now such a slighting of the Government of the City that there is an Equality between the Mayor and the Commons the Power of the Mayor no more then that of the Commoners of the City they desired but Countenance from their Lordships and their Lordships shall have Service from them The Recorder delivered this as their Answer That they had hearty and good Affection to the Cause it being for Religion's sake the saving the Lives and Estates of Protestants the saving of a Kingdom and preserving it to the dependency of this Crown they would do their utmost Endeavours but would not promise any thing before every man had consulted with himself what he was able to do which they promised to do speedily and he hoped to give a further account thereof this Night Mr. Pierrepoint also in the Commons House made the Report about the same Proposition The Commons Report about the same which because it varies from the other in some particulars I will insert here as follows He said That according to the Commands of the House several of the Committee went to the Lord Major and Common Councel and delivered the Commands of this House how well this House took the former Lending of Money The Answer given us by Mr. Recorder was 1 That there were several Grievances they suffered under as first under the Protections which are granted which did not only hinder their lending of Money but did stop Trade To that Sir Henry Vane did give them satisfaction both of the Order lately made against Mr. Benson for granting of Protections and that this House had committed to the Care of a Committee to draw a Bill to prevent the Inconveniences that happen thereby Next Mr. Recorder propounded That 50000 l. heretofore lent to the Peerage of this Realm for the Publique Affairs is not yet paid Next the Common Council did find themselves aggrieved by a disrespect shewn to the Lord Mayor and the Magistrates of London by divers people who refuse to give any Obedience to any Warrant to appear before the Lord Mayor declaring they would not come and particularly in the Case of providing of Money and for their Loans of Money they will take into consideration and give an Answer this Day but the Security for the same is Expected to be by Act of Parliament The Commons then entred upon the consideration of the Irish affairs and several Votes were passed in order to the Relief of that Kingdom which were presented to the Lords for their Concurrence and which to avoid unnecessary repetitions the Reader will find when they come before the Lords An Information was brought to the House by one Richard Butch a Warder That there was great resort to Father Phillips in the Tower An Information against Phillips the Priest in the Tower Whereupon it was Ordered That Sir Gilbert Gerrard Sir John Franklyn Sir Thomas Barrington and Mr. Laurence Whittacre do forthwith repair to the Tower to Examine all such Strangers as they shall find there of their Dwelling and Business there and to tender them the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the Warders are hereby required to suffer none to come out of the Tower till these Gentlemen are come forth again Mr. Maynard Reported the Case of Gatton in Surrey Mr. Owfield his Election to serve for that Place is settled Case of Gatton in Surrey upon Election of Members the difference resteth between Mr. Sandys and Mr. Sanders who are returned by two Indentures Mr. Sanders hath for him 14 Voices Mr. Sandys hath 8 Voices but of the 14 Voices for Mr. Sanders 8 of them are dwellers out of the Town and one of them a Minister yet all of them have Freehold in the Town and of Mr. Sandys 8 Voices one of them was a Recusant Convict another the Clerk of the Parish who receiveth Yearly Wages from the Parish and then if these two should be declared to have no Voices their Voices are Equal so the Question in Debate was Whether the Election belonged to the Burgesses by Common Right or that the Free-holders dwelling out of the Town who had Freeholds in the Town ought to have Voices by virtue of a Particular Prescription The Committee were of Opinion That there was a Prescription in this Case which was good against a Common Right It appears by a Record 33 H. 8. that a Return was made by one Inhabitant And 10 E. 6. 6 E. 6. Returns made by the Inhabitants and Burgesses But 18 Jac. a President was shewn on the behalf of the Freeholders And for the Parson of the Parish Whether he shall have a Voice that cannot Sit here if he were chosen and next whether by Law a Recusant Convict ought to have a Voice and thirdly to receive the Judgment of the House whether one that receives Alms of the Parish shall have a Voice and then whether the Clark of the Parish who receives 50 s. per annum of the Parish is one that lives of the Alms of the Parish These were doubts offered to the Committee in the debate of this Election Vpon the matter it was Resolved c. That there is no sufficient proof of a Prescription against the Common Right within the Burrough of Gatton in Com. Surrey Resolved c. That the Parish Clark of the Burrough of Gatton does not appear upon the Evidence given to this House to be an Alms-man Resolved c. That Mr. Sanders Election for the Burrough of Gatton is not good Resolved c. That Mr. Sandys Election for the Burrough of Gatton is good Resolved c. That Mr. Sandys is well Elected and ought to Sit as a Member of this House upon the Election for the Burrough of Gatton The Lord Keeper signified this Day Thursday Novem. 4. That he had received a Letter from Mr. Secretary Vane dated the 28th of October last from Holy-Rood House touching the Intelligence which his Majesty had received in Scotland concerning the Rebellion in Ireland which is by his Majesties Command to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament here to whom he hath recommended the Care of those Affairs and Expects their Advice what Course is fittest to be taken for the reducing of that Kingdom The King Informed in Scotland of the Irish Rebellion recommends it to the Care of the Parliament Marquess of Winton has leave to sell his Arms. Likewise his Lordship said he had received Copies of other Letters which were sent to his Majesty out of the North Parts of Ireland desiring his Majesty to send them speedy Supplies for the Saving of that Kingdom All which were referred to the Committee for Irish Affairs It was Ordered That the Lord Marquess of Winchester shall have liberty by vertue of this Order to sell off his Arms to such Tradesmen as
which by reason of his Majesties absence out of the Kingdom cannot be done by His Majesties immediate Warrant so speedily as the imminent danger and necessity of that Kingdom doth require and for that His Majesty hath especially recommended the Care of the Preservation of that Kingdom unto both the Houses of Parliament It is Ordained by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That Mountjoy Earl of Newport Master of His Majesties Ordnance shall deliver to the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland or to such other person or persons as he shall appoint to receive the same the full number of 1000 Arms for Horse-men and 8000 Arms for Foot and the quantity of 10 Last of Powder and such other Munition Tents and Provisions of all sorts as shall be needful for this Service according to a List to be agreed upon and allowed by the said Lords and Commons hereunto annexed out of His Majesties Stores and Magazines in the Tower of London the City of Carlisle the Town of Hull or elsewhere and for so doing this shall be a sufficient Warrant as well for his Lordship as for any of his Deputies or Vnder-Officers in that behalf An Ordinance also for providing Shipping for Transportation of Men and Munition was read and passed in haec verba WHereas by Order of Parliament Men Arms The Ordinance of the Lords and Commons to impower the L. High Admiral to provide Shipping c. Munition and other Provisions are suddenly to be transported from several Ports in this Realm viz. Bristol Chester and others for which Service it will be requisite that Ships be provided with all expedition It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament that the Lord High Admiral of England be desired to take care that Ships be accordingly provided in the several Ports respectively within this Kingdom from whence the aforesaid Men Arms Ammunition and other Provisions are Ordered to be Transported into Ireland which is to be done with all expedition the Parliament having resolved to see Moneys supplied for the performance of this Service After this the Lord Keeper reported the Conference with the House of Commons to this effect That the House of Commons have presented to their Lordships some Propositions which have been Voted in their House The Report of the Conference about Capuchins c. and desires their Lordships to take them into Consideration and join with them therein 1. Concerning the Dissolving the House of the Capuchins and the speedy sending them away according the former desires of their House 2. That the Ambassadors may be sent to from both Houses to deliver up such Priests of the King's Subjects as are in their Houses 3. That a List may be brought in of the Queens Priests and other her Servants and that a List may be likewise brought in of the Prince's and other of the King's Childrens Servants 4. That a Proclamation may issue for the Commanding that all Strangers that are not of the Protestant Religion except such as are Men of Rank and Quality and live here in such a publick way whereby notice is taken of them and of the Cause of their aboad in this Kingdom do deliver in Tickets of their Names and an account of their stay here within two days after the issuing forth of the Proclamation or else depart the Kingdom forthwith And likewise requiring that all Inn-keepers or others that entertain Lodgers to give Tickets of the Names of such as lodge in their Houses within two days likewise after the issuing forth of the said Proclamation and that these Tickets be given by those in the City of London to the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the Wards respectively where they reside and by those of Middlesex and Surrey and other Places within 10 Miles of London to the Justices of the Peace next adjoining to the place of their Residence and this Order to extend to the City of London and Ten Miles about 5. That the House of Commons had presented their Lordships with some Scottish Papers being Examinations concerning the late Design against the Lord Marquess Hamilton Earl of Arguile and the Earl of Lannerick Likewise they produced written from their Committees at Edinburgh Letters dated the 27th of October with an enclosed Paper containing as follows viz. The Paper of the 5th of October Exhibited by the English Committee October the 7th 1641. THE Committees of the Parliament of England have now sent down sufficient Moneys for the Total Disbanding of the Garrisons of Barwick and Carlisle Some Transactions between the English Committee at Edinburgh and the Scottish Parliament and have Ordered That it shall be Effected by the 10th of this present Month And have likewise taken a Course for removing the Ammunition and Ordnance and for slighting of the Works according to the Treaty We desire therefore That that part of the Army which is yet on foot may be forthwith Disbanded and that what new Fortifications have been made in Scotland by occasion of the late Troubles may be presently demolished according to the same Treaty The Answer to the Paper delivered in by the English Committees to the Committee of the Army Exhibited 7. Octobris 1641. THat the Regiments which are yet on foot may be speedily Disbanded they are drawn according to the Order already given near towards Edenburgh to the Effect they may with greater Conveniency be Mustered and thereafter money may be given for their Pay and forthwith disbanded And any new Fortifications which have been made in Scotland by Occasion of the late Troubles shall presently be demolished that every Condition on our part may to your full Satisfaction be performed according to the Treaty And we do no wise doubt to find mutual performances and that the Garrisons at Barwick and Carlisle according to the Orders of the Parliament be totally Disbanded which being shewn to the Parliament of England we hope will give them Satisfaction 22 October 1641. Produced by the Lord Chancellor and read in Audience of his Majesty and the Parliament who nominates the Lord Burgley in place of the Earl of Argyle to be upon the Committee for providing Money to pay the Regiments And also Ordains An Order to be given to the Lord General for causing the demolishing the Fortifications at Mordington which was accordingly done Alex. Gibsone 6. Concerning the putting the Custody of the Isle of Wight into another hand as formerly was desired 7. Concerning the securing of the persons of Papists upon the former Propositions 8. That the Earl of Essex may have Power from both Houses to Command the Trained Bands on this side Trent upon all Occasions for the Defence of the Kingdom and that this power may continue until the Parliament shall take further Order This Report being Ended the House caused those particulars to be distinctly read again and gave these Resolutions upon them Resolved upon the Question Nemine Contradicente That the House or Covent of Capuchins here
and Boats they have to Transport Men in and what Number of Men they are able to send over if need he and they find that they are able to Land a considerable number of Men in the North of Ireland and that with more speed and less charge then it can be done from any other part of the Kings Dominions and their Highlanders are conceived proper to fight with the Irish in their own Kind and Country amongst Hills and Boggs An Information was given in by one Col. Hunkes That two disbanded Troopers Moor and Mac-Miller had listed about 40 Men who were lodged near the Iron Gate of the Tower in St. Katharines and that one Bourk an Irish-man of Lincolns-Inn paid them 14 d. per diem that according to the Order of the House he had taken care to disarm them Whereupon Bourk being sent for and Examined confessed that he was an Irish-man and a Roman Catholique That he did this to advance his Fortunes being to Command them in the Service of the King of Spain against Portugal That he received Money from the Spanish Ambassador to pay them and that he did it upon the Order of the House of Commons dated the 26th of October last which gave Licence to Transport the disbanded Soldiers It appearing to the Lords that the Order did Expresly prohibit the Transporting of any of the Kings Subjects Natives of England or Ireland Bourk was committed to the Custody of the Gentleman Usher during the Pleasure of the House Moor and Mac-Miller were for a former misdemeanor in abusing the Lord General Sir John Conyers and assaulting and sending a Challenge to one Captain Trist committed before to Newgate Hereupon Order was sent to the Constable of the Tower to keep diligent Watch for the Safeguard of it The Justices of the Peace for Middlesex and the City of Westminster were also Ordered to make speedy and diligent search in and about the Suburbs of London and Westminster What Irish are residing in their several Jurisdictions and to cause their Names to be taken and return them into this House and to cause strong and good Guards to be set upon such as they find to be dangerous and suspected Persons untill the pleasure of this House be further known Directed To William Roberts John Hooker and Thomas Shepherd Justices of the Peace for Middlesex Upon the reading the Petition of the Bishops that are Impeached Council assigned to the Impeached Bishops shewing That the Councel that was assigned them by this House refuse to be of Council for them because they being Commoners are involved in all the Acts and Votes of the House of Commons Hereupon it was Ordered That Serjeant Jermin Mr. Hern Mr. Chute and Mr. Hales be sent for to give their Answers herein Order of the Lords to expel all Romish Recusants out of the Inns of Court and Chancery It was also this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament That the Treasurers Recorders Readers and Benchers of the Societies of the four Inns of Court shall make or cause to be made diligent Search and Examination whether there be any Recusants of any Nation whatsoever admitted into their several Houses or into the Inns of Chancery belonging thereunto or live within the same Houses And if upon search any shall be found that they be forthwith dismissed and expelled out of the said Houses And it is further Ordered That no Romish Recusant shall hereafter be admitted into any the said Inns of Court or Inns of Chancery upon any pretences whatsoever Directed To the Treasurers Readers and Benchers of the Society of the Inner-Temple To the Treasurers c. of Grayes-Inn To the Treasurers c. of the Middle Temple To the Treasurers c. of Lincolns-Inn In the Commons House it was likewise Ordered Order of the Commons to tender the Oaths of Alleglance and Supremacy to Irish Recusants and others in the Inns of Court Order of the Commons to Examine all Irish endeavouring to pass over into Preland That the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy shall be tendred to the Irish Gentlemen and such others as are suspected for Recusants as are within the Inns of Court that are Students there and that the Lord Keeper shall be desired to award a Commission to that purpose to the Benchers of the several Inns of Court respectively It was also Ordered That all suspected Persons Irish and others that do endeavour to pass over into Ireland shall be Examined by the Mayor or other Officers of the several Ports where they endeavour to take Shipping upon such Instructions as they shall receive from this House and that the said Officers do tender unto all such persons the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and to Convict such according to Law An Information was this day given in to the Commons against one Mr. Carter a School-Master at High-gate for words spoken by him Viz. Chamberlain an Informer That Mr. Carter said That they were mad that would read the Order of the House of Commons of the 8th of September concerning Innovations And for the Protestation there were none but fools had taken it Whereupon Mr. Green who was also present said he had taken it Carter replied It was for want of information and he would maintain that it was against Reason Justice and Law and whereas said he it is to maintain the Priviledge of Parliament no Justice of Peace nor Constable but had as much priviledge as they had And said further That it was against the King and State I answered him Are you wiser than two Kingdoms for the Scots have taken it likewise What do you talk said he of a Company of Rebels and Rascals the Parliament hath dishonoured the King and Kingdom by making a Peace with them Upon which complaint it was Ordered That Carter should immediately be taken into Custody by the Sergeant at Arms. By which passage the Reader may plainly see the Genius of those times and of those Men who verified the saying of the Poet Nec Hospes ab Hospite tutus No person could in common discourse have the freedom of conversation but was in danger of these Zealous Informers who made it their business to run with informations to the House of Commons against such as durst oppose their Votes and Arbitrary Orders Tuesday Novemb. 9. Serjeant Jermin Mr. Chute and Mr. Hales appeared this day before the Lords and declared themselves willing to be of Council with the Lords the Bishops in the Impeachment brought up from the House of Commons The Bishops to answer their Impeachment upon Friday November 12. as they were formerly assigned by the House Whereupon it was Ordered That the Bishops that are impeached shall put in their Answers to the said Impeachment on Friday Morning next and that the Bill concerning the Bishops Votes shall be deferred until then Upon report of the Lords Committees for the Irish Affairs Earl of Leicester scruples raising men without the Kings Commission that
the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland making some scruple of raising Men to be imployed in the busness of Ireland without the King's Commission and his Lordship desiring to have the Authority of the Parliament for the same in the mean time It is thought fit and so Ordered by the Lords in Parliament according to the Power given unto them by His Majesty mentioned in an Order dated the sixth of November 1641. That the said Lord Lieutenant shall have full power by virtue of this Order to Levy Men according to the Order given him from the Parliament in the interim until His Majesty shall grant him a Commission under the Great Seal of England for his Warrant for so doing The House of Commons did also take notice of the Doubt of the Earl but notwithstanding did resolve and think fit that he should proceed to raise men for the Service by Virtue of the Ordinance of Parliament It was also Ordered by the Lords and Commons A Council of War for the Affairs of Ireland That the Lord Viscount Wilmot Sir John Conyers Sir Jacob Ashly Sir Simon Harcourt Sir John Heyden Sir Foulk Hunks Sir Thomas Glemham Sir Robert King Colonel Culpeper Colonel Vavasor Lieutenant Colonel Ballard and Captain Skippon shall be Assistants as a Council of War to the Committees of both Houses of Parliament appointed for the Affairs of Ireland and have full Power by virtue of this Order to meet and consider of the present state and condition of the said Kingdom and also of an Establishment for the Army Lords agree with the Commons to put the Laws against the Papists in Execution speedily The Lords then entred upon the Consideration of the Proposition sent from the Commons concerning securing the Persons of Popish Recusants and after a long Debate the Result was this That whereas the House of Commons desired that the persons of the Romish Recusants for the safety of the Kingdom might be secured this House doth consent with them therein and Orders That the Laws of this Kingdom shall be put into Execution against them presently Upon the desire of the Commons by Mr. Pym Letters from France and Antworp stopped it was Ordered by the Lords That the Foreign Letters from France and Antwerp be stopped and perused by the Lords Committees for opening Letters there being as Mr. Pym said ground and intelligence that those Letters will discover some Root of the Rebellion in Ireland The Declaration of the State of the Kingdom was also this day read and it was moved that a Consideration of these particulars might be added and which is very uncommon I find in the Margin of the Journal the Names of the Persons which made the several Motions which in regard it is to be supposed they did it in futuram rei Memoriam that Posterity might not hereafter be to seek for their Names I will take care to transmit them down to future Ages but whether they will have Statutes Erected for the Achievement I cannot promise unless it be of Infamy Moved That the last Expedition into Germany J. C. but whether Corbet or Clotworthy I cannot tell The Loans upon Privy Seals The Commission of Excise might be added The Additional Explanation to the Petition of Right Palmer I suppose The Declaration set forth upon the Breach of both Parliaments Strode The Proclamation set forth Wingate forbidding People so much as to talk of a Parliament Gun-Powder Monopoly J. C. as it was a Project for the disarming of the Kingdom The destruction of Timber Wildt especially in the Forrest of Dean by Recusants The Entituling the King to the Lands between High-Water J. C. and Low-Water mark The abuses of Purveyors and Salt-Petre men Whitlock The Commission of Sewers to be further Explained Cromwel The Court of Wards Smyth The Jurisdiction of the Council of the Marches The Council Table as they take Cognizance of Me Te. The Buying and Selling of Honours and Dignities The further Debate ordered to be resumed to Morrow The Lord Keeper Reported the Conference with the Commons Yesterday That Mr. Pym delivered by Command divers Heads agreed upon by the Commons Wednesday Novem. 10. which are Instructions to be sent to the Commissioners of both Houses now attending his Majesty in Scotland which they desire their Lordships to joyn with them in The Instructions were read in haec verba 1. YOu shall humbly inform his Majesty Instructions to the Commissioners in Scotland Nov. 10th 1641. That the Propositions made to the Parliament of Scotland concerning their Assistance for suppressing the Rebellion in Ireland hath been fully considered and debated by both Houses of Parliament here and their Wise and Brotherly Expressions and Proceedings are apprehended and Entertained here by us not only with Approbation but with Thankfulness Wherefore we desire that his Majesty will be pleased That You in the Name of the Lords and Commons of England give publick Thanks to the States of the Parliament of Scotland for their Care and Readiness to imploy the Forces of that Kingdom for the reducing the Rebellious Subjects of Ireland to their due Obedience to his Majesty and the Crown of England 2. You shall further make known to his Majesty That in the great and almost Vniversal Revolt of the Natives of Ireland cherished and fomented as we have Cause to doubt by the Secret Practices and Encouragements of some Forreign States ill-affected to the Crown and that the Northern Parts of that Kingdom may with much more Ease and Speed be supplied from Scotland than from England We humbly desire and beseech his Majesty to make Vse of the Assistance of his Parliament and Subjects of Scotland for the present Relief of those Parts of Ireland which lie nearest to them according to the Treaty agreed upon and confirmed in both Parliaments and this Affectionate und Friendly Disposition now lately Expressed as is more particularly specified in the 5th Article 3. You shall present to His Majesty the Copy Enclosed of the Declaration which We have sent into Ireland for the Encouragement of his good Subjects there and for the more speedy and Effectual opposing of the Rebels and in Execution and performance of our Expressions therein made of Zeal and Faithfulness to his Majesties Service We have already taken Care for 50000 l. to be presently Borrowed and Secured by Parliament We have likewise resolved to hasten the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland very speedily to repair thither and forthwith to raise a Convenient number of Horse and Foot for securing Dublin and the English Pale with such other Parts as remain in his Majesties subjection intending to second them with a far greater Supply 4. We have further Ordered and Directed That his Majesties Arms and Munition lying in the City of Carlisle shall be Transported into the North Parts of Ireland for the supply of Carrick-fergus and other his Majesties Forts and
hearty and kind Affections to my People in general and to this City in particular as can be desired by loving Subjects The first I shall express by governing you all according to the Laws of this Kingdom and in maintaining and protecting the true Protestant Religion according as it hath been Established in my two famous Predecessors times Queen Elizabeth and My Father * * Too Prophetically spoken and this I will do if need be to the hazzard of My life and all that is dear unto Me. As for the City in Particular I shall study by all means their prosperity And I assure you I will singly grant those few reasonable demands you have now made unto me in the Name of the City and likewise I shall study to re-establish that flourishing Trade which now is in some disorder amongst you which I doubt not to effect with the good assistance of the Parliament One thing I have thought of as a particular Affection to you which is to give back unto you freely that part of London-Derry which heretofore was Evicted from you This I confess as that Kingdom is now is no great Gift but I hope first to recover it and then to give it to you whole and intirely And for the Legal part of this I command you Mr. Recorder to wait upon me to see it punctually performed I will end as I began to desire you Mr. Recorder to give all the City thanks in better Expressions than I can make Though I must tell you it will be far short of that real contentment I find in my heart for this real and seasonable Demonstration of their Affections to me Sir Richard Gurney the L. Mayor and the Recorder Knighted His Majesty having ended this gracious Speech was pleased to confer the honour of Knighthood upon the Lord Mayor and Mr. Recorder with the City Sword and both their Majesties gave them as also the Aldermen City Council and Officers the honour of kissing their Royal hands This Ceremony being over His Majesty and the Prince alighted out of the Coach and took their Horses the Queen Duke of York Princess Mary Prince Elector and the Dutchess of Richmond still remaining in their Coaches In the mean time by the care and pains of the two Captains of the Companies and of the three Marshals that were appointed for this days Service the 500 Horse-men of the Liveries and their Attendants were brought in Order and the Command being given faced about in order to the conducting of their Majesties into London which brave appearance gave great satisfaction to His Majesty and the rest of that Illustrious Company The whole Cavalcade was Marshalled in this Order The City Marshall The Sheriffs Trumpeters The Sheriffs Men. Messengers of the Chamber Citizens in their Velvet Coats and Chains The City Councel and Officers The Aldermen The Princes Trumpeters The King's Trumpeters Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber Knight Marshal Pursivants at Arms. The Lord Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas being a Knight of the Privy Council Barons Lord Goring Lord Coventry Lord Fielding Lord Digby Lord Moubray Viscount Conway Heralds Earls Earl Rivers Earl of Bath Earl of Cumberland Earl of Essex L. Chamberlain of the King's House Duke of Richmond Clarencieux and Norroy Lord Keeper Lord Privy Seal Sergeants at Arms among whom one for the City Quirries and Foot-men The Prince's Highness Quirries and Foot-men Garter The Lord Mayor carrying the Cities Sword by His Majesties special appointment as a grace and favour at this time A Gentleman-Usher daily waiting Lord Great Chamberlain Marquess of Hertford bearing the Sword of State Earl Marshal The King's Majesty The Queens Majesty in her Coach richly Embroydered and with her the Duke of York the Princess Mary and the Prince Elector Marquess Hamilton Master of the Horse leading the Horse of State The Earl of Salisbury Captain of the Pensioners The Gentlemen Pensioners with their Pollaxes all mounted with Pistols at their Saddles The Earl of Holland Lord General beyond Trent and after him Viscount Grandison with many other principal Commanders in the late Northern Expedition After them divers Ladies and other Persons of Great Quality The Yeomen of the Guard In this Order they marched towards London and entred the City at Moor-gate where their Majesties were welcomed with a noise of Trumpets appointed to attend there to that purpose from which place to Bishops-gate and so through Corn-hill to St. Laurence Lane's End in Cheap-side the Companies in their Liveries stood on the left hand as their Majesties passed by the Rails of the Standings being covered with Blew Cloth and the Standings themselves being richly adorned with Banners Ensigns and Pendants of the Arms of each Company respectively Nine Companies of the Twelve standing in the Morning the Lord Mayor's Company beginning against St. Laurence Lane's End and the other Eight in their Order towards Bishops-gate the rest of the way to Moorgate being supplied by some of the inferiour Companies the outsides of the Houses all the Way their Majesties passed being adorned with rich Tapestries On the North side of the Street four Foot distant from the Houses were Rails placed to regulate and keep the People in good Order from Bishops-gate to Corn-hill and so to Temple-Bar at the beginning of which Rails viz. at Bishopsgate by the direction of the 2 Captains and 3 Marshals the first Horse-men of the Liveries began to make a Stand the first Rank of them placing themselves single faced to the Liveries that were in the Standings and the rest passing along placed themselves in the same Order The Trumpets and Pendants of each Company standing in the Front and then the Companies themselves the youngest being next to the Pendant and so upwards by Seniority to the Master of the Company who took his place last Then began the Pendant and Youngest of the next Company to make their Stand and so in Order till they came to St. Laurence Lane's End there being five Foot distance from one Horse to another in which space stood each Horse-man's Foot-man with a Truncheon in his hand so making a Guard for their Majesties and the rest of the Train to pass through And it fell out that most of the Companies of Horse were placed right against their own Companies in the Standings The People that were Spectators in the Streets were bestowed part behind the Horse and part behind the Liveries and by this good Order their Majesties and the whole Train passed quietly and without the least interruption Their Majesties coming along Corn-hill seven Trumpets that were in the Clock-house of the Royal Exchange gave their second welcom into the City and as they passed along the Conduit in Corn-hill and the great Conduit in Cheapside ran with Claret Wine to express the Liberality of the City for that Joyful Day And all the Way as their Majesties passed along the Streets resounded again with the Loud and Joyful Acclamations of the People crying God bless and long
live KING CHARLES and QVEEN MARY and their Majesties reciprocally and heartily Blessing and Thanking the People with all the Expressions of Satisfaction imaginable Being come to the End of St. Laurence Lane the Passage being narrow neither Horse nor Foot could be planted there so that only the Sheriffs Officers the City Counsel and Officers the Sheriffs Aldermen and the Lord Mayor conducted their Majesties and their Noble Retinue to Guild-Hall At their entrance there divers Honorable Lords and Ladies that had not given their attendance abroad presented themselves to his Majestie and attended Him and the Queen up to the New and Old Councel-Chambers which were appointed for their Repose till Dinner could be served up the Four Comptrollers for the Day and about 80 comely and grave Citizens in Foynes and Liveries standing and making a Lane on both sides their passage to whom their Majesties shewed gracious Respects the City Musick playing all the while to Entertain them during the time of their Repose As soon as their Majesties had a little reposed themselves Command was given to serve up Dinner the Place appointed for it was the Hustings at the East End of the Hall which was raised almost two Yards from the Ground the Floor being covered with Turky Carpets and all the Hall as all the other Rooms were hanged and adorned with rich Tapestry In the middle of the place where their Majesties Dined was hung up a Cloth of Estate and two Chairs of Estate were placed under it before which was a Table of 6 Yards long at the South End whereof at two Yards distance was a Table of Garnish 3 Yards square and at the North End was a Room Erected for Musick of all sorts for the Entertainment of their Majesties while they were at Dinner About 4 or 5 steps under the place prepared for their Majesties was a frame of Timber Erected and Floored with Deals a Yard from the Ground which Extended almost to the Hall Door upon each side whereof was a Table set from the upper to the lower end of it at these two Tables the Lords and Ladies that attended their Majesties were to Dine between which was a spacious Way left covered with Green Bayes whereon their Majesties were to pass where they should dine In the West part of the Hall below the Gate on the South side was a long Table placed for the Gentlemen Pensioners and in all other Rooms that were not for their Majesties Retirement Tables were likewise prepared for several sorts of their Majesties attendants Dinner was served up in this manner From their Majesties Table to the Dresser which was at the West End of the Hall stood the 80 Livery Men before mentioned in two Ranks about 2 yards distance from each other Face to Face one Rank of them receiving from the Dresser the King's Meat and the other the Prince's at one and the same time they never stirred from their places but delivered the several Dishes from one to another till it came to the Sewers who placed them upon the Table Their Majesties Table was furnished with four Courses the first consisting in 50 Dishes of Cold Meats as Brawn Fish and Cold baked Meats planted upon the Garnish or side Table the other three were of all sorts of Fish Fowl and Flesh to the Number of 120 Dishes of the Choicest Kinds that could be procured After which was served up a most Excellent and well ordered Banquet of all sorts of Sweet-meats and Confections wet and dry At the High Table Dined His Majesty his Royal Consort the Queen the Prince the Duke of York the Princess Mary and the Prince Elector Palatine in this Order The King sate under the Cloth of Estate and Her Majesty close to him on his left hand On his right hand about a yard distance sate the Prince and about the same distance from his Highness sate the Prince Elector At Her Majesties left hand about a yard distance was placed the Princess Mary and not far from her the Duke of York The Service for the Tables of the Lords and Ladies was thus ordered The Liveries before mentioned after the Meat was placed on the high Table served up Dinner to those Tables but in a different posture for whereas before they stood in two Ranks Face to Face they now turned Back to Back because the Dishes being served to both Tables together the one Rank of them might face to one Table and the other to the other To these two Tables were appointed 10 Messes consisting of 500 Dishes These two Tables being furnished care was taken for the rest of the Train that were thought fit to be entertained within the Hall who were all served so plentifully that not one person was heard to go discontented away A large Provision was made abroad for the Guard Footmen Coachmen and the like Their Majesties were extreamly pleased as well with the Excellent Management Sir John Pettus Knighted as the Plenty and Splendor of the Entertainment and Dinner being Ended the King sent for Mr. John Pettus a Gentleman of an Ancient Family in the County of Suffolk and bestowed the Honor of Knighthood upon him as a mark of his Favour to the Lord Mayor whose Daughter he had married Their Majesties having reposed themselves some little time after Dinner the Dayes being short command was given for their Departure and about Four of the Clock they drew up and in the same Order with which they were Conducted into the City they were also attended to White-Hall with this only difference that whereas in the Morning the Footmen carried Truncheons in their Hands they now went with lighted Torches or Flambeaux which gave so great a Light as that the Night seemed to be turned into Day As they passed along the Trumpets and City Musick were placed in several Parts Sounding and Playing which together with the continued joyful Acclamations of the People made the Streets ring again the Conduits in Cheapside and Fleet-street all the while running with Wine In their Passage by the South door of St. Paul's Cathedral the Quire with Sackbuts and Cornets sung an Anthem of praise to God with Prayers for their Majesties long Lives that his Majesty was extreamly pleased with it and gave them very particular Thanks as all the way of his Passage He used such Expressions of his high Contentment and Sense of the Affections of his People that there seemed to be a kind of Emulation between him and the City which should most express their kindness to each other The Citizens blessing and praying for their Majesties and their Royal Issue and their Majesties returning the same Blessings upon the Heads of the Citizens The King was in this manner amidst a thousand Prayers and Acclamations Conducted to his Palace at White-Hall where the Lord Major coming humbly to take his leave of his Majesty the King out of the abundance of his excellent good Disposition was graciously pleased to imbrace the Lord Major heartily thanking him
Government and Ordering of the Troops as well upon Service as at other times 4. For the better Encouragement of Worthy Men to undertake the Service in hope of Advancement and that at this very Instant Men of Merit that have had better Commands would be unwilling to serve in a more Inferior Condition than they have already 5. Though it be said That in Ireland Regiments will seldom come to fight in a Body yet it may fall out otherwise and then the inconvenience might prove of greater Consequence then the Charge 6. In Holland whilest their Troops were all single yet for the time they were to render Service in the Field they formed Regiments of them which had their Colonels and Majors appointed for that time which though they had no certain Pay by those Places Yet they had other Advantages by Governments Commanderies Companies of Foot Quarters and such like things to better their Condition and at last the Prince of Orange found it more convenient to settle the said Commands to Colonels and Majors although it were to the greater Charge of the State 7. Finally The General Practice of all Nations as the Germans Swedes French c. which have tryed all manner of wayes have for greater conveniency certainly formed their Cavalry into Regiments and most of them also allow a Lieutenant Colonel to every Regiment The Earl of Warwick and the Lord Digby Reported to the House the King's Answer touching the Petition of both Houses for continuing the Guards Viz. I Did Command the Guards to be dismissed The King's Answer concerning the Guards because I knew no Cause the Parliament had of Fears but I perceived the Molestation that the keeping of them would bring upon those Subjects of mine which were to perform that Service besides the General Apprehensions and Jealousies which thereby might disquiet all My People and I do Expect that when the Parliament shall desire of Me any thing like this Extraordinary and that which appears of ill consequence that they will give me such particular Reasons as may satisfie My Judgment if they expect I should grant their Desire Yet I am so tender of the Parliaments Safety to secure them not only from real but even imaginary Dangers That I will Command my Lord of Dorset to appoint some of the Train-Bands only for a few dayes to wait on both Houses in which time if I shall be satisfied that there is Just Reason I will continue them and likewise take such a Curse for the Safety of My Own Person as shall be fit of which I doubt not but that they have as Tender a Care as of their own It was then Ordered That this Answer shall be communicated to the House of Commons at a Conference An Order was this day made to put off all private business till the first day of Hillary Term Private Business set aside by Order of the House of Lords and to be Printed and Published to prevent the Charge and Trouble which otherwise Petitioners who have Causes depending might be put to in attending the House of Lords This day William Shelden Esquire Monday Novemb. 29. The two Sheldens acquitted of Beal's Plot. and Edward Shelden his Brother who had been taken up by virtue of an Order of the 27th of Novemb. upon suspition about Beal's Information of the 108 men who were to Kill the Parliament-Men appearing before the Lords and nothing of Complaint being against them It was thought fit and so Ordered That they should be forthwith discharged of any further attendance and be freed from any further Restraint Then a Letter was read written to the Lord Chamberlain from the Earl of St. Albans dated the 14th of November 1641. from Ireland the Principal Contents whereof were these THat the Town of Gallaway in Ireland is well Fortified Letter from the E. of St. Albans in Ireland and in Command of Mr. Willoughby That the Province wherein his Lordship lives doth utterly mislike the proceedings of the Rebels That the County of Mayo is quiet That 2000 Rebels are out in Levain but 4 Towns stand out That it is a thing of Consequence that Brian O Rourk here in England should be secured as conceiving him to be a dangerous person in this time of Rebellion in Ireland if he should Escape That the whole Province of Munster is yet quiet And lastly his Lordship ended with a Protestation of his Faith and Loyalty to the Crown of England while he lives and will dye in the same and will imploy all his Strength and Endeavours to assist the King for the Suppression of the Rebels Whereupon the Lord Chamberlain was Ordered to return him the Thanks of the House and the Letter to be communicated to the House of Commons The Bill for securing Recusants with amendments as also the Order for securing to the City the two fifty thousand pounds were carried up to the Lords In the House of Commons they were very busie upon a new Bill for Tonnage and Poundage for the Reader is to take notice that the Bills before mentioned were but from two Months to two Months It was also Voted That the Lords should be desired to move the King that the Earl of Salisbury may be Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Pembroke Lord High Steward of His Majesties Houshold The Amendments and Alterations in the Bill concerning the securing of Popish Recusants Tuesday Novemb. 30. were this day read and it was in the Debate taken into consideration whether the first Clause should stand which was That the Persons of Recusants should be restrained as the Lords in Parliament should think fit or whether it should be altered according as the House of Commons desired which was That the Lords should have power to dispose of the Persons of Lords and the Commons of Commoners And in conclusion it was agreed upon That for the alterations of the Names of the Persons in the Bill and the places of Dwellings and the Alterations of time this House agrees and consents to but for the rest the House adheres to the former Clause in the Bill The Bill for Tonnage and Poundage brought up from the Commons by Mr. Solliciter was read three times Successively Bill for Tonnage and Poundage passed the Lords and upon the Question it was Resolved to pass as a Law Nemine Contradicente The Order for securing the Mony borrowed of the City was likewise read and assented to which was as follows THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled The Order for securing the Money borrowed of the City for the Northern expedition and Ireland having a due regard to the good Affections of the City of London expressed upon sundry Occasions by the advancing and lending of great Sums of Money for the service of this Common-wealth and particularly the Sum of 50000 l. for supplying the present Affairs in Ireland all which the said Lords and Commons do take in very good part and being resolved to make
but by Authority of Parliament and that a free Synod of this Nation * * That is from the Law which appoints it and gives the Members equal Privilege and Protection with the Members of the H. of Commons differing in the whole Constitution from the present Convocations of the Clergy now in Vse among us might be as the Petitioners apprehend of great Vse for that purpose and that not only this but all other your great Consultations might be much furthered by a more earnest and assiduous seeking of God by the joint and publick Fasting and Prayers of the whole Kingdom in these sad times so full of distractions and Hellish Conspiracies at home and bloody Cruelties of those Popish Rebels against our own Flesh and our Bones in Ireland The Petitioners humbly pray That you would vouchsafe to lay hold upon the first opportunity that your important Affairs will permit of reassuming into your further consideration their former Petition and to proceed thereupon as you shall find cause either by committing the same to the Debate and Disquisition of a free Synod or otherwise and in the mean time to become Mediators to His Gracious Majesty who could not take notice of their former Petition to this Honourable House for some relaxation in matters of Ceremonies and of reading of the whole Liturgy which as the Petitioners verily believe and hope to prove have been of late times urged further then ever the Law intended And a free Synod of Grave Learned and Judicious Divines of this Kingdom the Dominion of Wales and the Islands adjacent may be by the Authority of Parliament Indicted for the more through and fruitful Debate of the Premisses to expedite a full Reformation by the High Court of Parliament for the setling of a Godly and Religious Order and Government in this Church as your Wisdom shall find convenient And that a publick Fast may be Commanded and Religiously observed throughout the Kingdom once in every Month during your sitting in Parliament for the more effectual procuring of Gods protection of your Persons and of his blessing upon your proceedings and till the miseries of our Brethren in Ireland be happily put to an end And the Petitioners shall be ready further to attend the pleasure of this House with their Reasons of their present Suit for a free Synod of this Nation and of a new Constitution thereof differing from those now in Being when they shall be required and to pray without ceasing c. Were I to give Instructions to draw the Exact Pourtraicture of a Non-Conforming-Conforming Church Hypocrite with Peace in one hand and Fire and Sword in the other with a Conscience like a Cockle-shell that can shut so close when he is under the fear of the Law or losing his Living that you cannot Croud the smallest Scruple into it but when a tide of liberty wets him can lay himself open and display all his resentments against that Government in the Church to whose Laws he had sworn obedience and by that horrid sin of Perjury must confess himself a Villain of no manner of Conscience to Swear without due Consideration and to break his Oath without a lawful Determination that it was unlawful I would recommend this Petition as a rare Original to Copy after I cannot tell how it will relish with the Readers Palate but I must profess my self so tyred with this miserable Crambe that I am under the irresistable temptation of refreshing my self with laying aside for one moment the Gravity of an Historian and Burlesquing the intolerable Flatteries of this Petition and these Hypocritical Petitioners by making them speak Truth for in their Courtship to the Faction for whose Goust this delicate Petition was Cook't and Spiced when they recount their wonderful Atchievments in the Work of Reformation there is still I find a Supplement of some material Truth in matter of plain Fact wanting which I will make bold to add They acknowledge the Pains and Piety of the Faction manfested in many things of high concernment for the Glory of God by affronting his Solemn-publick Established Worship the Honor of the King by indeavouring to degrade him and divert him of the Beams of Majesty his Royal Prerogative the purging of the Church by purging it quite out of the Kingdom they commend their Zeal and Courage for the true Religion against all Popish Idolatry and Superstitious Innovations manifested by letting in a whole Flood of Errors Heresies Sects and Schisms at the Breach of the Banks of the Church-Government by tender Conscience in encouraging Preaching of Sedition and Disobedience to Laws Government and Governors and justling out all Praying out of the Church except the Wild Extravagant Dangerous Libelling Extempory Enthusiasms of bold and presumptuous Men who called their own acquired Art of Impudent Non-sence a gift of the Spirit as doubtless it was of that Spirit which rules in the Children of Disobedience in encouraging painful godly Ministers formerly set aside and justly for Preaching Sedition Schism and Faction for good Divinity in discountenancing bold and unmeet Men that darst Preach the Doctrine of rendring to Caesar the things of Caesar and to God the things of God that without sufficient calling presumptuously intruded into that Holy Office by only gently reproving them for the present and afterwards permitting Tagg and Ragg Godly Coblers and Gifted Tinkers Zealous Taylors and the most sordid illiterate Mechanicks to invade the Pulpit to vilifie the Petitioners with the Title of Hirelings dumb Dogs Baal 's Priests c. by Adonibezeck 's Law without Controul or Animadversion from the Honorable Faction for taking away the Tyranny of the High-Commission and Ecclesiastical Courts and setting Mens Tongues at liberty to Rail without Reason to Quarrel with their Superiors without Cause to affront them with impunity and in conclusion to Murther them Religiously and in the Fear of the Lord for their worthy Orders for removing illegal Rites and Ceremonies Superstitious and Scandalous Pictures and other Innovations and setting up in their stead the Bell and Dragon of these Mens Inventions and for bringing in the greatest Innovations a Church without a Bishop a Religion without Divine Service a Minister without Lawful Ordination a Christian without Baptism a Sacrament without Consecration and at last a Heaven without Repentance of any or all these horrid Sins and Incapacities For their Care to suppress the Irish Rebellion and Butcheries of the bloody Papists by imploying the Men and Money raised for that Service to butcher the Loyal Protestants in England who held the Popish and Malignant Doctrine that they ought to Fear God and Honor the King and die at the Feet of their Sacred Sovereign in defence of his Person Crown and Dignity against these Religious Rebels But Manum de Tabulâ I will not Tire my self and the Reader with Epitomizing their Villanies which are able to fill Volumes and with which he will find these stow'd Tuesday Decemb. 21. Message from the
The Commons staying in the Painted Chamber all this while for an Answer to the Message the Lords went to acquaint the House of Commons with what was Voted In the Commons House Mr. Justice Long discharged from the Tower Dr. Gray sent for as a Delinquent Long who had been sent to the Tower for signing the Warrant for the Halberdeers to Guard the Parliament was upon his Petition this Day released A Complaint having been Exhibited against him It was Resolved That Dr. Gray Parson of Ponteland in the County of Northumberland shall be forthwith sent for as a Delinquent by the Serjeant at Arms attending on this House Several Letters were then read from Ireland one from Sir William Brereton Volunteers for Ireland giving Information That Sir Simon Harcout 's Regiment is compleat and that there are 4 or 500 more cheerful Volunteers which are ready to go if they had Commission This plainly confirms what before was said That the Necessity of the Bill for pressing Men was only to oppress the Royal Prerogative Mr. Pym informed the House That this was moved at the Committee last Night and that the Earl of Leicester Lord Lieutenant of Ireland had assured them he would take Care for the speedy Transporting of these Volunteers The House then fell upon the Consideration of the Bill for raising 400000 l. for the Affairs of Ireland c. The Officers of the late Army having also Petitioned for their Arrears there was an Order to pay them 13000 l. being the Moiety of what was due to them Amidst all this Heat of Publick Affairs and the great Zeal for Ireland still the Faction found leisure to persecute the Loyal and Orthodox Clergy upon the Informations of their implacable and restless Enemies the Non-Conformists and Schismaticks for this Day the Committee for scandalous Ministers was revived and appointed to meet upon Thursday Morning at Eight of the Clock so that Wednesday being the Fast was to be the Prologue to their Smiting with the Fist of Wickedness It was also Ordered That Alderman Pennington do take Care to bring in the Witnesses of the Parish of Grace Church to testify that Information he gave the House this Day against the Minister of that Parish Alderman Pennington an Informer against the Minister of Grace-Church Dr. Beal referred to the Committee for Scandalous Ministers Thursday Decemb. 23. Also it was Ordered That the Committe for the Bill for Scandalous Ministers do take into Consideration the Matter informed of against Dr. Beal on Thursday next The Lord Keeper this day reported a Conference had with the Commons That the House of Commons have brought up to their Lordships a Proposition of the Scots dated 20th Dec. 1641. concerning the 2500 Men as also the Resolution of the Commons thereupon which they desired their Lordships to joyn with them in Then the said Proposition was read as also the Resolution of the Commons That they do undertake to pay the 2500 Men already entertained in Scotland from the 8th of December to the end of the Treaty according to the Pay setled them in Scotland which being read the House of Lords assented to it After which a Message was brought from the House of Commons by Mr. Waller That the House of Commons conceive some Cause to Examine Daniel O Neal further as a Delinquent but not upon Oath and seeing he is their Lordships Prisoner committed to the Gate-House upon an Accusation of High Treason That their Lordships would please to give way that some Members of the House of Commons may Examine him and also to desire their Lordships to sit a while for that the House of Commons will come up to their Lordships with some Business concerning the Safety of the City To which the Answer was That their Lordships do give way that some Members of the House of Commons may ask Mr. O Neal any Questions as they shall think fit and that this House will sit a convenient time as is desired This Matter of the Safety of the City Conference concerning displacing Belfour and making Lunsford Lieutenant of the Tower was delivered at a Conference That the House of Commons represented to their Lordships that they had received Information That Sir William Belfour Knight Lieutenant of the Tower of London approved for his Fidelity is put out of his Place and one Colonel Lunsford put into his Place concerning whom the House of Commons had received a Petition which they desired their Lordships to consider of The Faction were resolved to dislike what ever the King should do and to give countenance to their Proceedings they had Petitions and Petitioners still in a Readiness to make it appear that they moved upon that Foot when in reality they themselves and their Agents were the Ingineers of those very Petitions The Petition was read in the House of Lords and was in haec Verba To the Honorable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament The Humble Petition of divers Common-Council Men and others of the City of London The Factious Londoners Petition concerning the placing Lunsford in the Tower Sheweth THat whereas the Tower of London was originally ordained for Defence of this City and to be the Chief Magazine of the Kingdom and that the whole State is deeply interessed in the safe Custody thereof but more especially the said City which lately hath been put into Fears of some dangerous Design from that Cittadel whereupon it pleased this High Court to mediate with his Majesty for removing of those Fears And whereas the Petitioners are informed that Sir William Belfour a Person of Honor and Trust is displaced from the Office of Lieutenant and the same Place beslowed upon a Man Out-lawed and most Notorious for Outrages Colonel Lunsford and therefore fit for any dangerous Attempt the Petitioners and many more who have Intelligence thereof are thereby put into such a hight of Fear and Jealousy as makes them restless till they have discharged their Duty in representing the same to this Honorable House May it therefore please this Honorable Assembly to take the Premisses into such Consideration as may secure both the City and Kingdom against the Mischiefs which may happen as to your great Wisdom shall be found most fitting And your Petitioners shall pray c. Randal Manwaring Maximilian Beard Edw. Gitting Jo. Pocock Sam. Warner Geo. Thomson Stephen Estwick Ric. Price Ric. Turner The House of Commons do further say That the said Colonel Lunsford is an unfit Person to be Lieutenant of the Tower For 1. They say he is a Man of a decayed and desperate Fortune The Commons Reasons against Lunsford's being Lieutenant of the Tower and so may be tempted to undertake any ill Design and they conceive it will be very prejudicial to the King and Kingdom for him to be in that place in this time of Fears and Jealousies especially to the Mint in this time of great occasions to use Monies for it
removed and that Sir John Conyers may be recommended to his Majesty for that Place But before the House of Lords would give any Resolution herein it was Ordered That the Common-Council of the City of London the Merchants that have Estates in Bullion the Minters and all others concerned shall be inquired of whether there be a stay of the Mint or any forbearance of bringing in of Bullion into the Tower of London and if there be whether it proceeds in respect of Sir John Byron 's being Lieutenant of the Tower and hereof speedy Certificate to be made to the Lords in Parliament A Message was then brought from the House of Commons by Denzil Hollis Esquire 1. He brought up the Bill for the Relief of his Majesties distressed Subjects of Ireland 2. To desire the Lords to join with them in an Ordinance to secure 50000 l. borrowed of the Merchant Adventurers for the Affairs of Ireland 3. To move the King to concur with both Houses in the Order made giving Power to Sir John Hotham for securing the Town of Hull and the Magazine there for his Majesties Service To which the Answer was That their Lordships will take the particulars into Consideration this Afternoon The Ordinance for securing the said Merchant Adventurers was read in these words THe Lords and Commons in this present Parliament Assembled Ordinance of the Lords and Commons for securing the Merchant Adventurers 50000 l. having a due Regard to the good Affections of the Governors Assistants and Fellowship of Merchant Adventurers of England expressed in the present advancing and lending of 30000 l. of Lawful Money and forwardness to advance and lend the foresaid Sum of 20000 l. more of like Money if their Affairs will admit the same for the security of this Common-wealth in the supply of the present Affairs in Ireland which the said Lords and Commons do take in very good part and being resolved to make a full and just satisfaction for the same do hereby declare that the said Sum of 30000 l. and such Sum and Sums as they shall further advance and lend as aforesaid shall be fully satisfied and paid unto the said Company of Merchant Adventurers into the hands of their Treasurer for the time being with Interest after the Rate of 8 l. per cent for a Year out of such Moneys as shall be next raised by Authority of Parliament To which Ordinance the Lords agreed Then the Lord Keeper informed the House The Act for the Captives at Argiers and for pressing Marriners passed by Commission That the Commission was come signed by his Majesty for giving the Royal Assent to two Bills one for pressing of Marriners the other against Pyrates Then the Lord Keeper the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Earl of Cumberland three of the Commissioners being sate upon a Form for a-cross the House between the Chair of State and the Lord Keeper's Wool-sack the Gentleman-Usher of the Black-Rod was commanded to go for the House of Commons who being come with their Speaker the Lord Keeper acquainted the Lords and Commons That his Majesty having such occasions as he could not come to this House to give his Royal Assent to the Two Bills in Person hath given a Commission under the Great Seal of England the Contents whereof was read openly which being done the Clerk of the Crown was commanded to read the Titles of the Bills severally in haec verba viz. An Act for the freeing of the Captives of Argier and to prevent the taking of others An Act for pressing of Marriners and Soldiers for the present Guarding of the Seas and the defence of his Majesties Dominions Which being done the Clerk of the Parliament pronounced the Royal Assent to them particularly and severally in these Words Le Roy le Veult And then the Commons returned to their House After this the Lord Keeper Reported the Conference yesterday to this Effect The L. Keeper's Report of the Conference concerning Bagshaw's Information That the House of Commons received Information concerning divers Forces of Horses and Armed Men in a Warlike manner which have been seen at Kingston and afterwards at Windsor and now gone towards Farnham and that Yesterday about 100 Men were met going from London towards Windsor Armed with Pistols and Waggons were going towards Windsor laden with Ammunition The House of Commons say this causeth much wonder at this time all at Peace and a Parliament sitting that such Forces should be Levied therefore they desire that it may be declared by both Houses That whosoever shall raise Forces at this time without Consent in Parliament may be esteemed Enemies and Disturbers of the Peace of the Kingdom and that both Houses will take care to suppress them and likewise the House of Commons desire That a Message be sent to the King to this purpose and to acquaint his Majesty that both Houses of Parliament will be very careful of the Publick Peace and that they hold it against the Law any Forces should be so levied And further the House of Commons acquaints their Lordships That the Lord Digby hath been with the Soldiers at Kingston and given them thanks in the King's Name and told them That his Majesty came out of London to keep them from being trampled in the dirt therefore they desire that the Lord Digby may be summoned to attend this House forthwith Hereupon it was Ordered Order to Summon the Lord Digby to attend the House of Lords That the Lord George Digby shall be Summoned forthwith to attend this House as a Peer of this Realm and hereof he is not to fail Directed to the Gentleman-Usher attending the House of Peers It will be worth the Readers while to cast his Eye a little back upon the Information of Bagshaw of Windsor upon which Foundation all this Conference was built and as there is little doubt but Bagshaw saw double so the Commons looked through their usual Multiplying Glass and saw his single Waggon of Ammunition turned into Waggons and those few Soldiers which he only by Report heard to be at Windsor were Multiplied into an Army But they had a Design now behind the Curtain of seizing the Militia into their Hands either with or against the King's Consent to which this noise of raising Forces by the Lord Digby was to contribute by heightning and swelling the Peoples Fears and Jealousies throughout the Nation in order to smooth their Way to this great Design upon which these Criminals of the Faction built their own Security though they pretended the Safety of the Nation But that I may give all the light I can possibly into this Affair which filled the City and Nation with Terror and Amazement I will present the Reader with the Lord Digby's Apology which besides the clear account it gives of this Kingston Army will also let in some light into other dark and obscure passages both before and after this time and will set the Arts and Intrigues of the
to give Sir Henry Tichbourn notice of the approach of this intended Relief and the Design of the Rebels and to order him to take all possible Care of securing their Passage Which Sir Henry by the same Messenger gave his Lordship assurance he would not fail to do and accordingly that very Day he marched out with a considerable Party to meet them but these loose and ill disciplined Men not used to Military Affairs took up their Quarters at Batruby eight Miles short of Tredagh by which means he missed of joyning them that Night The next Day they continued their March but in a disorderly way The English going to relieve Tredagh defeated till they came to Julian's Town where the Rebels having notice from the Lord Gormanston as Sir John Temple from Mr. Creightston's Examination affirms were drawn up to intercept them and by reason of a Mist which then fell and through the negligence of the Scouts who were sent out to give Intelligence they were got within Musket Shot of the Enemy before they discovered them The Major however drew them up presently into what Order he could and they were in a Place of great advantage but a Lieutenant unfortunately giving out the Word Counter-march and thereupon the Men facing about in some Disorder the Rebels gave a hideous Shout and immediately charged them Which with their own fear unaccustomed to the dreadful Face of War put them into such Confusion that they could not be persuaded to make one Charge but throwing down their Arms they every Man fled and gave the Rebels an Easy though considering the Number a bloody Victory for of the whole Party only Sir Patrick Weames with the Horse the Major and 2 Captains with about 100 Men escaped to Tredagh the other three Captains with all the rest of the Soldiers except such as were Irish being there cut off and all the Arms Ammunition and Carriages being also taken by the Rebels This unfortunate Blow as it gave great incouragement to the Rebels so it did extremely deject the Spirits of the English and Protestants but to inliven them a little Sir Charles Coot who with a commanded Party was sent out into the County of Wicklow to repress the Insolencies of the Brins and Tooles who ravaged that Country committing many Depredations and Murthers upon the Protestants meeting with Luke Toole with a thousand Irish under his Command he set upon him and quickly routed them obliging him and his Men to take the Sanctuary of an Irish Bogg for his Security At Wicklow he caused some of those who were accused of the Spoiles and Robberies there to be Executed which the Rebels took for a Pretence to Revenge by the Murder of many Protestants which fell into their Hands About this time there arrived 20000 l. in pieces of Eight 20000 l. arrives out of England which went currant for 4d more in a piece then in England which was a very seasonable Supply and gave some Life and Spirit to the drooping Affairs of the Protestants and enabled the Government to carry on the Levies The King sends Mony and Arms to Ireland from Scotland with which they were now in Hand his Majesty also assisted by the Duke of Richmond had caused such Proportions of Arms and Ammunition with all the Money he could spare to be conveyed out of Scotland with Commissions to Sir Robert Steward and other Persons of Quality in the North of Ireland to give the Rebels a diversion on that side But the Rebels had set their Rest upon the taking of Tredagh and therefore quitting the North with the greatest of their Forces they drew down towards that Place But in their March thither Sir Phelim O Neil and Sir Con Mac-gennis made an Attempt upon Lisnegaruy where Sir Arthur Terringham who commanded a small Party of 400 Foot and was assisted by the Lord Conwayes and part of Captain St. John's Troop to the number of 380 Horse The Rebels repulsed at Lisnegaruy by Sir Arthur Tirringham gave them such warm Entertainment that they were repulsed with considerable loss both of Men and Reputation leaving six of their Colours and many of their Rebellious Adherents slain upon the Place without any considerable loss on the Protestants Side more then of Captain Boid and Captain St. John who fell in the Field of Honor with some private Soldiers and some few others who were wounded in the Incounter And before they sate down before Tredagh a Party of 1300 Foot besieged Mellifont the Lord Moore 's House where were only 24 Musketeers and 15 Horse who bravely defended the Place till their Ammunition was spent and then the Horse setting open the Gate made their way through the Enemy in despight of their Opposition and came safe to Tredagh and the Foot yielded upon Promise of fair Quarter which was but ill kept by the Rebels who killed some of them in cold Blood stripped the rest and Plundered the House carrying away whatsoever was of any Use or Value And now the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale seeing the Success of the Northern Rebels and the little Force that was raised in Ireland or brought over from England to oppose them began to falter in their Loyalty also and under the pretence of Fears and Jealousies the Common Ingredients of Rebellious Designs to stand upon their Guard and to give too just Suspitions to the Government that they would rather joyn with the Rebels then assist to the Suppressing them The Lords Justices and Council therefore resolving to try them sent this Letter to them AFter our very hearty Commendations to your Lordship A Letter from the Lords Justices and Council to the Irish Lords of the Pale for as much as we have present occasion to confer with you concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof in these times of danger We Pray and require your Lordship to be with us here on the 8th day of this Month at which time others of the Peers are also to be here And this being to no other end we bid your Lordship very heartily farewell From his Majesties Castle of Dublin the third day of December 1641. Your very Loving Friends Will. Parsons Jon. Borlase Ormond Ossery Ant. Midensis R. Dillon Ad. Loftus Ge. Shirley J. Temple Rob. Meredith To our very good Lord George Earl of Kildare The like Letters were the same day dispatched to the Earl of Antrim Earl of Fingale Viscount Gormanston Viscount Netervile Viscount Fitz-William Lord Trimblestone Lord Dunsany Lord Slane Lord of Hoath Lord Lowth Lord Lambert But the Lords of the Pale who had been already Treating with the Northern Rebels and therefore looked upon this as an artifice to ensnare them durst not adventure themselves to Dublin but Summoning an Assembly at the Hill of Tarah the Lord Gormanston brought thither an Answer ready drawn which being read and approved of was Signed by the Lords present and sent away the Copy whereof was as followeth
May it please your Lordships WE have received your Letters of the third of this Instant The Answer of the Lords of the Pale to the Lords Justices Dec. 7. 1641. intimating that you had present occasions to confer with us concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof in these times of danger and requiring us to be with you there on the eighth day of this Instant we give your Lordships to understand that we have heretofore presented our selves before your Lordships and freely offered our advice and furtherance towards the particulars aforesaid which was by you neglected which gave us cause to conceive that our Loyalty was suspected by you We give your Lordships further to understand that we have received certain Advertisement that Sir Charles Coot Knight at the Council Board hath uttered some Speeches tending to a purpose and resolution to Execute upon those of our Religion a general Massacre by which we are all deterred to wait on your Lordships not having any security for our safety from these threatned Evils or the safety of our Lives but do rather think it fit to stand upon our best guard until we hear from your Lordships how we shall be secured from these Perils Nevertheless we all protest that we are and will continue both Faithful Advisers and resolute furtherers of his Majesties service concerning the present State of the Kingdom and the safety thereof to our best Abilities and so with the said tender of our humble service we remain Your Lordships humble Servants Fingale Slaine Netterville Lowth Gormanston Dunsany Oliver Trimbleston Decemb. 7. Received 11. 1641. To the Right Honourable our very good Lords the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland For much about this time the Lords of the Pale had entered into a Combination with the Vlster Rebels as appears by the Deposition of Edward Dowdall Esq a Gentleman of the Pale who was present at the whole Management of this Affair and deeply concerned in all their Councels and Actions who Deposed before Sir Rob. Meredith Chancellour of the Exchequer as followeth HE Deposeth The Deposition of Mr. Dowdall concerning the Treaty between the Lords and Gentlemen of the Pale and the Ulster Rebels That some four or five days after the defeat of the English Souldiers at the Bridge of Gellianstown there Issued a Warrant from the Lord of Gormanston to the Sheriff of the County for a general Meeting of all the County of Dulick But the Place of Meeting was afterwards changed to the Hill of Crofty where all the Lords and Gentry of the Country met viz. The Earl of Fingale the Lord Viscount Gormanston the Lord of Slaine the Lord of Lowth the Lord of Dunsany the Lord of Trimblestone the Lord Nettervile And of the Gentry Sir Patrick Barnwall Sir Christopher Bellow Patrick Barnwall of Kilbrew Nicholas Darcy of Plattin James Bath of Acharn Garret Ailmer the Lawyer Cusake of Gormanston William Mallone of Lesmullin Sedgrave of Kileglan Linch of the Knos Lynam of Adamstown Laurence Doudal of Athlumney Nicholas Doudal of Brownstown this Examinates Brother and him this Examinate with a Multitude of others to the number of 1000. Persons at the least whose names he this Examinate cannot for the present call to mind And after about two or three hours spent upon the said Hill of Crofty by the Lords and Gentry aforesaid There came towards them Collonel Mahowne Philip O Rely Hugh Boy Rely Roger Moore Hugh Birne and Captain Fox attended on with a Guard of Musqueteers And this Examinate saith That as soon as the Parties drew near unto the said Hill the Lords and Gentry of the Pale rode towards them and the Lord of Gormanstone being one of the first spake unto them and demanded of them Why and for what reason they came Armed into the Pale Vnto which Roger Moore made present Answer That the Ground of their coming thither and taking up Arms was for the Freedom and Liberty of their Consciences the maintenance of his Majesties Prerogative in which they understood he was Abridged and the making the Subjects in this Kingdom as free as those in England were Whereupon the said Lord of Gormonston desired to understand from them truly and faithfully whether those were not pretences and not the true ground indeed of their so doing and likewise whether they had not some other private ends of their own which being by all denyed upon profession of their sincerity his Lordship the Lord Gormanston then told them Seeing these be your true ends we will likewise joyn with you therein unto which course all agreed And thereupon it was publickly and generally declared that whosoever should deny to joyn with them or refuse to assist them therein they would account him as an Enemy and to the utmost of their Power labour his Destruction And this Examinate saith That after the agreement so made as aforesaid There issued another Warrant to the Sheriff of the County of Meath to Summon all the Lords and Gentry of the County of Meath to be at the Hill of Taragh about a week after and accordingly there met at the same place the Earl of Fingale the Lord of Gormanston and the rest of the Lords and Gentlemen aforenamed together with Sir Thomas Nugent and Nicholas Plunket the Lawyer Birford the Lawyer and a multitude of others and the work of that day was first to make Answer to a Summons made by the State for the calling of the Lords unto Dublin which Answer was brought ready drawn by the Lord of Gormanston and presented by his Lordship and being perused by the said Council at Law was Signed by the Lords The Board having Information that Luke Netterville Esquire George Blackney of Richenhore Esquire George King of Clantarf and others were Assembled at Swoords they sent to charge them upon their Allegiance forthwith to depart and not to unite any more in such a manner as by the following Order from the Board appears By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WHereas we have received Information An Order of the Lords Justices and Council to dissolve an unlawful Assembly at Swoords Dec. 9. 1641. that Luke Nettervile Esq George Blackney of Rickenhore Esq and George King of Clantarfe Gentleman and other Gentlemen of the County of Dublin with great numbers of Men are Assembled together in a Body at Swoords and thereabouts within six Miles of this City for what intent we know not but apparently to the Terror of his Majesties good Subjects and though considering the unseasonableness of this time chosen for such an act without our privity whatsoever their pretence is a construction might be made thereof to their disadvantage yet we being willing to make an Indulgent Interpretation of their Actions in regard of the good opinion we have of the Loyalty of those Gentlemen who it seems are principals amongst them in that Assembly and conceiving there may be some mistaking in that enterprise we have
chosen the rather hereby to charge the said Luke Nettervile Blackney King and all the Persons there Assembled with them upon their duties of Allegiance to his Majesty immediately upon sight hereof to separate and not to unite any more in that manner without direction from us and that the said Netervile Blackney King and six others of the Principal Persons of those who are so Assembled at Swoords or thereabouts as aforesaid do appear before us to morrow morning at ten of the Clock to shew the cause of their Assembling in that manner whereof they may not fail at their extream Perils Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 9. Decemb. 1641. Ormond Ossery Rob. Dillon Cha. Lambart J. Temple Charles Coot But instead of Obedience to the Commands of their Lawful Superiors they returned this Answer That they were constrained to meet there together for the safety of their Lives That they were put into so great a Terror by the rising out of some Horse Troops and Foot Companies at Dublin who Killed four Catholicks for no other reason than that they bore the name of that Religion as they durst not stay in their Houses and therefore they resolved to continue together till they were assured by their Lordships of the safety of their Lives before they ran the hazard thereof by manifesting their due obedience to their Lordships And there they began to form a kind of an Army Constituting Richard Golding Thomas Russell Francis Russâ—ll Robert Travers Christopher Hollywood and others to be Captains over such Men as they had and intended to Raise Hereupon the Lords Justices and Council Published a Proclamation the 13th of December Declaring their Innocency and that those four they alledged were Killed as Papists one of which was a Protestant were such as were found actually Guilty of Rebellious Courses commanding them upon their Allegiance to his Majesty to separate upon sight of their Warrant and that the said Luke Netterville and his Accomplices should appear before the Board on the 18th of the said Month to the end they may be fully heard by the Lords Justices and Council to which end their Lordships thereby gave them and every of them the Word of the State that they might then securely and safely repair thither without danger of any trouble or stay whatsoever But they took little notice of these Commands or Promises but continued still at Swoords and their Numbers increasing they threatned to come and Incamp at Clantarfe a little Village Situate upon the very Harbor of Dublin where some of their Party had already at low Water Seized and Plundred a Barque lying there carrying a great part of the Goods they took from Aboard her to the dwelling House of Mr. King who was owner of that Village This insolent and daring Villany put the Board upon a very quick and severe Resolution fearing that if they should in good earnest Seize upon that Village and make any Fortifications there by the Assistance of the Rebels Ships at Wexford they might stop up the Haven of Dublin and prevent all Relief from coming to them from England which was the only Remainder of hopes which they had left And therefore the said King continuing in his Contumacy with the other Gentlemen at Swoords an Order of Councel was Issued to Prosecute the Rebels at Clantarf and their Relievers as follows By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase FOrasmuch as divers of the Inhabitants of Clantarfe Order of the Lords Justices and Council for prosecuting the Rebels at Clantarf c. 14th Dec. 1641. Raheny and Kilbarrock have declared themselves Rebels and having Robbed and Spoiled some of his Majesties good Subjects are now assembled thereabouts in Arms in great Numbers Mustering and Training of their Rebellious Multitudes to the Terror and Danger of his Majesties good Subjects as well at Land as at Sea which their boldness is acted in such a manner as to put scorns and Affronts upon this State and Government they acting such Depredations even before our Faces and in our own View as it were in despight of us It is therefore Ordered that our very good Lord the Earl of Ormond and Ossery Lieutenant General of the Army do forthwith send out a Party of Souldiers of Horse and Foot to fall upon those Rebels at Clantarfe and thereabout who in such disdainful manner stand to out-face and dare us and to endeavour to cut them off as well for Punishment of them as Terror to others and to Burn and Spoyl the Rebels Houses and Goods and to prevent their further annoying of the Shipping going out and coming in and lying in Harbour those Souldiers are to bring up or cause to be brought up to the new Crane at Dublin such of the Boats and Vessels now lying there as they can upon the sudden and to Burn Spoyl Sink and make unserviceable the rest Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin 14th December 1641. Ormond Ossery Rob. Dillon Cha. Lambart Ad. Loftus J. Temple Cha. Coote Fr. Willoughby Also the same day an Order was Issued from the Board for Prosecuting the Rebels at Swoords as followeth By the Lords Justices and Council William Parsons John Borlase WHereas divers Rebels lately Assembled at Swoords and other Places An Order of the Lords Justices Council for prosecuting the Rebels and their Relievers at Swoords Dec. 14th 1641. where they continued in Warlike manner braving this State and Robing and Spoyling his Majesties Good Subjects thereabouts in Scorn and Contempt of this Government and Terror of his Majesties well affected Subjects thereabouts And whereas those Rebels have been harboured and relieved by the Inhabitants of Swoords and other Places who have shewed so much readiness to comply with them and good affection towards them as they did not in all the time they continued there send us any Advertisement thereof or of the Number or Strength of the Rebels whereby we might take a course to Vindicate his Majesties Honour in this State and Government from the Scorn and Affront of the Rebels and render deliverance and safety to his Majesties good Subjects It is therefore Ordered That our very good Lord the Earl of Ormond and Ossery Lieutenant General of his Majesties Army do forthwith send out a Party of his Majesties Forces Horse and Foot to fall upon those Rebels and their said Relievers and Harbourers and to cut them off and as well for Punishment of those their Relievers as for Terror to others to Burn Spoyl and Destroy the Houses Corn and all other Goods of the said Relievers at Swoords or other Places where the Rebels have been or are Relieved Given at his Majesties Castle of Dublin the 20th day of December 1641. Ormond Ossery Cha. Lambart Ad. Loftus Jo. Temple Cha. Coote Fr. Willoughby Ja. Ware Rob. Meredith And accordingly the next day Sir Charles Coot with a Commanded Party went to Clantarfe and set the Village on Fire Burning their Boats and Houses so that they
had been done before my coming into the Kingdom For the words that they deserved Fine and Ransome I confess them in my Answer just in the same manner as my Lord of Berkshire was pleased to testify them the other day that is That if they should not do the thing desired they might in my opinion be liable to Fine and Ransome And my Lords admit I were mistaken in my opinion shall it be a Treason to be mistaken I say in my opinion they might be lyable to Fine and Ransome but what is this to Treason Under favour nothing at all as I conceive For the other part That it would never be well till some of the Aldermen be hanged it proves to be testified by Mr. Alderman Garroway and he owns it only for himself for it was not that some of the Aldermen should be hanged but he said at the Bar till he himself were hanged My Lords This is a single Testimony and these words as he sayes were by me spoken to the King at the Council-Board That it would never be well till some of them were hanged meaning himself Truly my Lords I thank God I never spake such unmannerly Language all the dayes of my life I have had more regard to my words than to say such things to my Master and your Lordships must needs be many of you by and I am very confident there is not one among you that can remember any such words were spoke for in good faith I did not speak them And my Lords before this misfortune did befall me I should with modesty have thought my self a person on equal terms to have been believed as well as Mr. Garraway and I speak it with as great confidence as he that I never spake the words My Lords The next is the 26th Article and that is that I should say the City of London dealt undutifully with the King and they were more ready to help the Rebels than to help His Majesty and if any hurt came to them they might thank themselves My Lords I am in the first part of this Article charged to have counselled and approved two dangerous and wicked Projects the one concerning the stay of the Bullion in the Tower the other concerning Copper-Coyn and no proof hath been offered that I either counselled or approved either of those two Projects And my Lords it is proved to your Lordships that when the Merchants came I told them I knew nothing of the business as to the Bullion neither indeed did I ever know there was any Bullion nor any thing of that nature in the Tower But for the words I conceive it had been no Treason for me to think at that time that the Londoners had dealt unthankfully with His Majesty I thought I might have said it freely without danger of such a thought as might conduce to the convicting me of Treason But whatsoever I then thought or on what grounds soever it may be remembred that then I alledged and now I speak it when News was brought to York that the City had lent the King Two hundred thousand pounds I took notice that notwithstanding all I had thought formerly they had now made such recompence and so cleared their Faith and Duty to the King that I should be their Servant and lay my hand under their feet as those that heard me are able to speak for though at first I said they had dealt unthankfully with the King yet afterwards I was ready and willing upon all occasions to testify the contrary of them and to profess that I was ready to serve them upon all occasions just and honest and honourable As for my saying that they were readier to help the Rebels than the King In truth I am a man that cannot justify a thing I do not approve I must needs say it was an unadvised Speech and I wish I had not spoke it it seems I did speak it for I have reason to believe honest men when they Swear though in truth I remember it not but I have no reason or cause to think they would take an Oath otherwise than truth I have no exception to the Men and therefore upon their words I must Credit them before my own memory but it was an unadvised Speech and he is a wise man and much wiser then my self that some time offends not with his Tongue And in truth my Lords though there be no Treason in it they are the most unwarranted words that appear in the whole Proof made against me In the 26th there are some words that I should speak to my Lord Cottington concerning a Foolish Pamphlet or Gazette which I then had in my hand and it is such a Toy in it self and all the Circumstances of it that I hold it not worth the mentioning but only that I would not forget any thing in the Proofs as near as I could and the Proof is uncertain for onely one Man sayes it and the very words he cannot express Now he that shall Swear when he cannot express the Words his Testimony is but of small value and he is but a Single Proof at best to disprove what is deposed by Sir William Parkhurst who sayes he was by yet heard not the Words And Cogam sayes he remembers not the words and so upon the matter there are two against one and the whole being so uncertain I conceive it is of very little moment in your Lordships Judgments My Lords These are as near as I can gather all that are charged as unto Words spoken either in England or Ireland Councils other then these I am not charged withall and so there remains nothing but my Actions and if I can free them as well as I have freed the Words I conceive then under favour I have fully Answered all that hath been objected against me My Lords The first of these is the Fifth Article in the Case of Sentence of the Council of War against my Lord Mountnorris and the Sentence of the Council of War against Denwit For that of my Lord Mountnorris I have shewed plainly and clearly to your Lordships that I was no Judge in the Cause but a Party and therefore not Responsible for any Judgment given against his Lordship I gave no Vote and so consequently am not to Answer for any Guilt if there were any which under favour I conceive since all Martial Law is Adjudged to be against the Law I may be of another Opinion but formerly conceiving that that might have stood with the Law I might say something more for the Justification of it then now I do but however I was no Party They say he was a Peer and it is very true but as he was a Peer so he was a Captain of the Army and in this Case we consider Men as Members of the Army not as Peers And if a Peer will not submit himself to an Officer of the Army he must submit himself to the Order of the Army Besides I say it
was intended only as a Discipline to him the better to remember him to govern his Tongue afterwards towards other Men and that there was no more Prejudice fell upon him by it but two or three dayes Imprisonment so there was no great Animosity in the business besides it appeared to your Lordships that two or three days after we writ to the King and obtained his Pardon so that I conceive the Inconvenience was not very great to him nor the Proceedings such as should make it unpardonable or Criminal in them that gave Sentence upon him whereof I was none For that other concerning Denwitt your Lordships may remember he was found Guilty of Stealing a Quarter of Beef and from Running from his Colours and was formerly burnt in the Hand for that he should be Proceeded against another way But falling out at that time when Five Hundred Men were going over to Carlisle and they being unwilling to be put to Sea we were inforced to those proceedings for the preventing of further Mischief And there is another thing that the Martial-Law hath been alway in Force and Executed in all times in Ireland and never so sparingly as in my time for this is the only Man that suffered all the time I had the Honour of the Government And I dare Appeal to them that know the Countrey Whether in former times many Men have not been committed and Executed by Martial-Law by the Deputie's Warrant that were not Thieves and Rebels but such as went up and down the Countrey if they could not give Account of themselves the Provost-Martial by direction of the Deputies using in such Case to Hang them up I dare say there are Hundreds of Examples in this kind so that as to that I do not Justifie it But I say it is a Pardonable Fault and that others are of Course Pardoned for it And I trust that what falls of Course shall not be laid upon me as High-Treason or conducing to it The next is the Sixth Article and that is in the Case of Richard Rollston and therein I am said to have Subverted the Fundamental Laws by executing a Power and a Jurisdiction which was not Warranted by Law upon a Paper Petition putting out of Possession of his Freehold Inheritance my Lord Mountnorris My Lords That Sentence will appear to your Lordships to be no more then the relieving a Poor Man in case of Equity and it is proved to you to be a Power that hath been formerly practised by the Deputies and I humbly conceive the Decree is just So that my Lords I must confess it is something strange to me That having the King's Letter to Warrant me in the Course of Proceedings and having the Power of former Deputies in like Case and doing no more therein then the Lord Chancellor by the very self-same Law should do in other places And that which should be done by the Chancellor should be Innocent and Just yet become High-Treason when done by me is a thing I understand not The next is the Case of Tonnres and that is waved by them and well may it be for it was in a Case of Plantation there was no Possession altered and it is fully within the Book of the King's Instructions The next is in the Case of Sir John Gifford against the Lord Viscount Loftus which they have Waved and well they may for it was grounded on a Letter from the King Commanding it to be heard by the Deputy and Council which is clearly within the Instructions and hath been since heard by the King and Council-Board and by them Confirmed for a Just Decree The next is the Case of my Lord of Kildare and that they may well Wave too the Proceedings being grounded upon a Letter from His Majesty and nothing done but in persuance of an Award between the Lord Digbye's House and that House of Kildare made by King James The next is the Lady Hibbot's Case and that was Relief given to Poor Men circumvented by Practise to the Prejudice of himself My Lords I had Power to hear that Cause and all Causes of that Nature by the King's Letter and according to the Practise of former Deputies And I conceive it will appear when it comes to be heard to be a just and fair Decree I do not any way question that though I remember little of the business But at the worst this is but an over-exercising of a Jurisdiction and that it should be High-Treason in a Judg to exceed his Jurisdiction I must confess I never heard it I told your Lordships the other day Boni Judicis est ampliare Jurisdictionem But that it should be High-Treason to enlarge Jurisdiction is a perilous Point and if it be so it befits your Lordships and all Judges to be well certained what you may do lest by going too far you fall into great Inconveniences But my Lords I say under favour that all these if they had been done without any manner of Authority had not been a Subversion but rather a diversion of the Law it could not be properly said to be the Subverting of the Fundamental Laws though it might be a diverting and so long as I keep the Rule of the Law and do the same things that another man does in a more legal way I mean in a more warrantable place I say my doing of the same thing in an unproper place is not a Subversion but a diversion of the Law If you will bring in the Thames about Lambeth to come in again below the Bridge the River is the same though the Course be diverted to another place So the Fundamental Law is the same though the Course be diverted to another place I say the Fundamental Law is the same only it is carry'd in another Pipe And Shall this be said to be a Subverting Under favour as the River is the same so the Law is the same it is not a Subversion but a diversion Nor doth it skill where Justice be done I mean so far as it concerns the Subjects Interest for so long as he hath Justice speedily and with least Charge his end is complyed with and it concerns not himself whether he hath it in the King's Bench or Common-Pleas so he hath it speedily and with the least Charge And therefore as long as the Laws are the same though Executed by several Persons and in several places I cannot conceive it to be a subversion And I shall humbly beseech your Lordships to take care that while these straynes are put upon me to make this Personal Charge against me ye do not through my Sides Wound the Crown of England by taking that Power from the Deputy which must of necessity be lodged in him if you will have that Kingdom depend upon the Crown of England which I hold in all Wisdom and Judgment ought to be cared for Therefore I beseech you prejudice not the Deputy to the Disabling him from serving the Crown hereafter by beating down me