Marston-Moor and there draws up his Army in Battalia to the best advantage the ground would permit Lesley was in the mean time marching with his Army toward Tadcaster after the Prince but hearing what he had done he wheels about to give him Battel The Prince having possest himself of all the advantages that might be keeps his ground The Generals Lesley Manchester and Fairfax having drawn up their Army in as good form as the time would permit placing most of Lesleys and Fairfax his Horse in the Right Wing Manchester's with other of the Scotch Horse made the Left commanded by Cromwel who had that Charge committed to him for the day the Foot made up the Main Body Both Armies standing in this posture Prince Rupert's Left Wing making the first Charge dissipates the Parliaments Right prosecuting their Charge with such fury and vigour that in a trice destruction was everywhere seen Cromwel in the Left wing not knowing what had befaln the Right couragiously charges Rupert's Right wing which soon turned the scale before inclining toward the Prince the advantage he got here by his wise improvement thereof soon redounded to the whole Army for although many for fear disbanded themselves and fled yet the rest as many as could be got together being led on by the Noble Earl of Manchester and Sir Thomas Fairfax the last of whom received in his face that day a Mark of Honour joyning with victorious Cromwel made the day clearly theirs This Fight was the most bloudy of any in all the Civil wars wherein was great slaughter on both sides judged by spectators to be little less then ten thousand men Prince Rupert and his helpers being thus discomfited they fall out and lay the blame of the miscarriage one upon the other the Earl of Newcastle and others of quality leaving the Kingdom thereupon This impediment being removed the Siege of York was renewed which City though governed by valiant Glemham being hopeless of new succours was soon yeelded Many other examples of Cromwels great Atchievements both North and west might be given even whilst he was in a lower capacitie but studying brevity we shall pass over many things and come to speak of him as under the New Establishment in which he received a greater Command The Parliament seeing the war to be tedious and finding that notwithstanding the daily great effusion of bloud and vast expence of treasure small progress was made in the Kingdoms resettlement they resolve on a new course by new-modeling the old Army and to prevent the just offence of any of their Members who might be displaced thereby they pass an Ordinance commonly called The self-denying Ordinance that no Member of Parliament should serve in the Army but wholly attend the service of the House unless they had the Houses license for so doing Then they recruit the Army which had been much wasted by Sickness and a late defeat in the West to One and twenty thousand viz. Fourteen thousand Foot Six thousand Horse and One thousand Dragoons commissioning Sir Thomas Fairfax their General Cromwel being then in the West and receiving intelligence of the new Establishment and of the self-denying Ordinance though he were a great and victorious Commander yet he had not forgotten to obey but immediately disposing of those under his Command he posts towards London to attend his service in Parliament according to their late Ordinance aforesaid and understanding that the General was then at Windsor he took that in his way and went to kiss his Excellencies hand and take leave of him But the Parliament being sufficiently sensible of his worth and how excellent an instrument he might be in carrying on the War they would not suffer him to desert his Military employment and the next morning before he came forth of his chamber a Commission was sent him by the Committee of both Kingdoms whereby he was made Lieutenant-General of Horse to the whole Army Upon this new Establishment the Kings party were very much heightned thinking it an easie matter now to subdue the Parliaments Army being thus chopt and changed and many eminent Commanders laid aside and discontented But they found the contrary for as a fractur'd bone well set becomes the stronger so this broken Army being skilfully handled became so well knit that it was thereby rendred far more vigorous and effective But to proceed Cromwel having accepted of this new Command he immediately applies himself to action For the Kings main Mid-land Forces under the Command of Prince Rupert lying then about Worcester and the borders of Wales intending to take the Field they sent a Convoy of two thousand Horse to Oxford to fetch off the King with the Train of Artillery and to procure Recruits for the Army Fairfax having intelligence hereof sent Cromwel with a party of Horse and Dragoons to impede their passage No sooner was order given but he was at the work for with incredible swiftness marching to seek his enemy he found them at Islip-Bridge and there encountred them and that with so much gallantry that he took 500 Horse and 200 Prisoners among whom were many persons of quality here he took also besides many other Trophies of Honour the Queens Standard And knowing it to little purpose to gain a Victory and not to prosecute it he therefore pursued the remnant that escaped to Blechington-House where Colonel Windebank kept a Garison for the King he summons the place requiring a speedy rendition giving its Governour to understand that otherwise they must expect the effects of the fury of an enraged Souldiery The Governour being terrified by the late defeat it seems despairing of relief from Oxford and doubting his own strength delivers up the House with all the Arms and Ammunition therein marching to Oxford where he was shot to death for his pains So that here were two Victories the well improvement of the first procuring the second But letting pass many of his more inconsiderable actions if any of his in this kinde may be so termed we proceed to give an account of his carriage in that remarkable and fatal Battel of Naseby onely mentioning that feat at Bampton-Bush where he took Sir William Vaughan Lieutenant-Colonel Littleton with divers other Officers and 200 common souldiers This Battel of Naseby brings to minde the saying of that learned man Hugo Grotius viz. When people fight for their liberties the Princes Crown lies at stake which was verified upon the King in the effects thereof for the scale of his affairs was thereby so turned that in short time after he both lost his Crown and became subject to the will of his enemy being never after favour'd with one successful attempt This Battel was fought on the 14 day of June 1645. neer Naseby The Kings Army lying in and about Harborough where Prince Rupert's Head-quarters were they had resolved the night before to fight Fairfax knowing themselves to be much stronger then he especially in Horse They were not more forward
against a most obstinately-desperate bloudy enemy people that had put themselves out of all hopes of favour or mercy by acting the most bloudy Tragedie that ever hath been seen or related in that their universal Massacre of the English yet recent in memory There remained now onely Limerick Waterford and some few inconsiderable Garisons to be reduced which being done they might finde leasure to hunt the wilde Irish who were fled for refuge among their Boggs This was left to the charge of Ireton whom the Lord Governour having constituted Lord Deputy he takes leave of Ireland and committing himself to the Sea arrived safely after a boisterous passage at Bristol where he was received with a thrice-repeated Volley of great Guns and other suitable demonstrations of joy Hence without tarrying he posts for London drawing neer Hounslow-Heath he is there met by the Lord General Fairfax accompanied by many Members of Parliament and Officers of the Army with multitudes that came out of curiosity to see him of whom Fame had made such a loud report Hence after mutual salutations congratulations and other testimonies of high respect he proceeds on and passing neer Hide-park-corner he is saluted with great Guns and several Volleys of small Shot by Colonel Barkstead's Regiment which was drawn up in the High-way for that purpose Continuing thus their march multitudes increasing to behold him the Lord Cromwel is conducted to the house called the Cock-pit neer St. James which had been appointed and prepared for him Here he was visited by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London and by many other persons of quality all of them expressing their own and the Nations great obligations to him for his great Services in Ireland After some time of respite and refreshment he attended his charge in Parliament where the Speaker in an elegant Speech gave him the thanks of the House Which being ended the Lord Cromwel gave them an account of the present state of Ireland and of the condition of their Forces both in Field and Garison with what designes they were now upon what strength the Enemy had and what Garisons were then in their power The Parliament being thus assured of the hopeful condition of Ireland began now wisely to provide for the security of the peace of England which was now in danger of disturbance partly by open Hostility and partly by the under-hand dealing of some pretended friends Portugal protects Prince Rupert's Fleet notwithstanding the League France domineers at Sea making prize of all the English they could bring under their power About this time the Parliament sends Dr. Dorislaus as an Agent to the States of the United Provinces for the begetting and continuance of a right understanding and fair correspondence betwixt the two Republicks where not long after his arrival he was basely slain by six Assassinates who rushed into his lodgings at the Hague in disguise and escaped unpunished although the States pretended they had used their utmost endeavour to take them In Russia the English Merchants were much affronted by that Duke by reason of his adherence to the House of Stuarts Virginia and the Caribes Islands revolted from their obedience to the Parliament being very hot for Monarchy and the Liturgie Nearer home Scilly Jersey and the Isle of Man stand out and miserably infest the Seas with their Piracie But above all the Scots were the most formidable who seemed to set their wits on the tenters that so they might embroyl England in new troubles and thereby have opportunity to work their ends upon it To this end a Treaty is commenced betwixt them and their King at Breda a famous Town in the Netherlands belonging to the Prince of Orange Here they propose 1. That his Majestie recal and disclaim all Commissions and Declarations granted by him to the prejudice of the Covenant 2. That he acknowledge their present Parliament and the two last Sessions thereof and allow of the Acts made therein 3. They remonstrate the Motives contained in the eleventh Instruction meaning Vxbridge-Treaty 4. That as soon as he comes into Scotland and before his admission to the exercise of Royal power he shall swear subscribe and seal the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant Their King having assented and promised in verbo Principis to perform these things the Commissioners had order to let him see the Coronation-Oath he was to take which he approving they were to invite him into Scotland assuring him that he should be entertained there with all due respect To all which things the King at last condescended partly by the perswasion of the Prince of Orange at whose cost and charges the Treaty was both begun and continued and partly upon hopes that by this means he might gain the easier footing in England The Scots being now impatient of the enjoyment of their King presence he in order to their satisfaction herein hastes from Breda towards the Hague and from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and not long after landed notwithstanding several snares laid for him at the Spey in the North of Scotland The Parliament in England were not ignorant of these things they having faithful Scouts abroad in the world who failed not to give them timely notice of the machinations of their enemies in all quarters And taking the matter into consideration in the House a great debate there was VVhether the war for that there must be a war betwixt us and our dear Brethren was taken for granted should be Offensive or Defensive As to the later the Defensive part they were very sensible of the havock the Scots had formerly made in the North of England when they came in as friends so that should they be suffered to come in as enemies nothing could be expected to follow but ruine and desolation wheresoever they came Hamilton's Invasion likewise stuck in their stomacks and the devastations that accompanied it Besides it was considered that to let them give the first blow had been to make our own Country the seat of war and thereby an opportunity would be given to discontented spirits here which then were not a few to joyn with the enemy Upon these and other weighty considerations the Parliament resolves upon an Offensive war and to alarm them in their own Quarters This Resolution was thought most advantageous in many respects as 1. Scotland the Enemies Country must needs be much impoverished by being burdened with two Armies when it could not well maintain one and England would be quit of much fear and calamity incident to quartering of Armies Besides in all encounters it is good policie to keep an adversary at the arms end 2. By invading Scotland the Souldiery would be much encouraged in respect of the benefit might accrue to them by the spoils of their enemies Hereby also the Territories of this Commonwealth were likely to be enlarged 3. The Scots Levies were not yet finished nor their Army completed so that a sudden march might nip them
to save themselves and Ship which was at last performed so that the medley growing great and the fury of the Sailers and Souldiers having banish'd all fear they boldly board one another The Rainbow an English Ship having a long time striven to make prise of others was at last like to be surprised her self had not the Oak seeing the danger of her fellow bore in to the Rescue but this charitable deed reduced the Oak to Ashes she being destroyed by a Fire-ship Yet for all this the English no whit daunted maintained the Fight with such an obstinate Gallantry that the Dutch though high in resolution were low in hopes of the Victory And well they might for what can be expected when men fight for fear of punishment as here many did not so much regarding the honour of Conquest as the Eyes of the two Lords sent on purpose in a nimble Frigat to observe every Captains Actions This bloudy Battle now continued with eagerness but more uncertainty from five in the morning till ten about which time Van Trump fighting in the midst of the English Fleet had a Pass-port sent him for another world being shot with a Musquet-Bullet into the left Breast near the Heart What can live when the Heart is dead Trump was the Life of the Action by whose example all was guided and directed no sooner was his Life spent but the Hearts of his men were broken a general Consternation suddenly possest the whole Fleet so that the Sea-men had more minde to carry home the news of their renowned Generals death then to take vengeance on the English for killing him This unfortunate shot made the Dutch now the Head was lost for preservation of the remaining part of the body at first to disengage themselves still fighting in a defensive posture and then about three a Clock in the evening to clap on all the Canvas possible and haste to their own Ports It had been happy if all could have made the like speed but that was forbidden by the English who had sunk and fired 27 of their Men of War and killed them upwards of 2000 men besides six Captains and 1000 Prisoners taken but the loss of losses was the General Van Trump to conquer whom alone had been a Victory sufficient to deserve a Triumph hereby the States of Holland were deprived of as able a Sea-man as ever sailed the Ocean he was a man serious in deliberation but when resolved truly valiant in Action which was sufficiently manifest in that eminent service he performed for the safety and honour of his Country against Don Antonio d'Oquendo in the year 1639 when with a small Fleet he fought the Spaniards in the Downs and without any great trouble brought that great Armada to nothing wherein was imbarqued 23000 Souldiers besides Mariners This he did with so much generosity that when the Spanish General durst not set to Sea from under the protection of Dover-castle for want of Powder Trump offered to supply him therewith and afterwards to fight him He was ever observed to be a zealous Assertor of the Orange Interest both at home and abroad this made him so eager to foment and drive on the War between England and Holland because the posterity of King Charles Father-in-law to the Prince of Orange were excluded from Government Some Obligations he had received from the said King as Knighthood at Dover anno 1641. and gifts at the same time which sufficiently manifested the Bounty of the Donor This is certain that the fall of this great man did very much conduce to the future Peace between the two Republicks which quickly after followed Trump's death was not without loss on the English side for no less then six Captains with 400 Souldiers and Sea-men took leave of this to bear him company into the other World besides these there was wounded six Captains and 700 of the inferiour sort but for shipping the loss was so small that it may cause wonder for no more miscarried then the Oak a Ship of about 30 Guns and a small Fire-ship besides but yet the rest of the Navy were so much wounded that they made home to repair Breaches and recruit for another Expedition Thus the English Mastiff baited the Belgick Lyon till she made him run roaring home for shelter Whilst these Successes were given abroad discontent rages at home among the most sober sort of people caused by the strange Actings of the Parliament who had now sate six moneths and hatched little more then the Act for Marriages which was made more to vex the Clergie then please the Laity This was but a branch of the Ministers maintenance the body being Tythes was with might and main endeavoured to be hewen down to the ground but the event answered not the intent for a Committee being purposely appointed to consider of this weighty business and make report to the House the Legality of it both by the Laws of God and man was so largely and clearly proved before them that after a full hearing and serious consideration of the whole matter the Committee returned an Affirmative report for Tythes but yet for all this many of the Members being desirous to lay open a gap for confusion did very stifly argue against the Ministerial Function making it little better then Antichristian and Burdensome to the people Of this humour there were no fewer then 60 of the Members and for the Ministry 84. these last were the Major part which very wisely fearing the Minor would undermine them by watching all opportunities to accomplish their designes did resolve to break-up house-keeping which motion being made by a Member Munday December 12. it was readily assented unto so that the Speaker adjourned to White-hall and delivered up the Powers they had received to General Cromwel again As the Magnitude of Hercules body was once drawn by the dimension of his foot so the policy of Cromwel may be seen in the Actions of this pack'd Parliament as may be perceived by a rational Answer to these following Queries 1. Whether the Parliament did not make way for Cromwel ' s future greatness in taking away the Engagement under pretence of liberty for tender consciences that scrupled the taking of it 2. When Cromwel earnestly desired the several Members of this Parliament to remember Tythes and the Universities whether he meant the extirpation or confirmation of them 3. Whether some of this Parliament-Members violent endeavours to level the Law in its practice and the Gospel in the preaching thereof was not a designe of Cromwels to render the Members odious to the vulgar that so his own Government might be the more acceptable to the people 4. Whether it was an Act of Grace or Gratitude in the Parliament to make Cromwel a Member of that which he had made a Body 5. Whether the picking of this Parliament was intended more for publick good or private designes The Lord General having now got the Civil and Military Powers into his
a tumultuous vvay they vvould needs compel them to alter their Militia and bring home the King The contrary Party in the House seeing violence offered them they vvith the Speaker betake themselves to the protection of the Army vvho being thus countenanced by Authority and thereby encouraged resolve upon a March for London to restore the Members of Parliament to their places and Authorities Upon the Armies approach the Citizens vvho before had made some semblance of resistance raising Forces to that purpose under Massey desire a Truce which vvas granted upon these Conditions 1. That they should desert the Parliament then sitting and the eleven impeached Members 2. That they should recal their Declaration 3. That they should relinquish the present Militia 4. That they should deliver up the Forts together vvith the Tower 5. That they should disband their Forces VVhich things being performed the Army made a triumphant passage thorow the City of London To return again to the King vve finde him not to continue long at Holmby ere Cornet Joyce vvith a Party of Horse seiseth on his Person and carries him away to the Head-quarters The Army having him now in their custody remove him from one place to another as to Royston Hatfield Causam an House of the Lord Cravens one that hath had a deep share in the sufferings of the Nobility here the Kings Children came to him vvhere they dined together But here he continued not long neither before his remove to Hampton Court vvhere being terrified vvith an Apparition of Agitators he left that place and unfortunately renders himself to Col. Hamond in the Isle of Wight vvhere he vvas secured in Carisbrook-Castle Propositions are sent to him from the Parliament but vvith little effect Provoked herewith the Houses past their Votes of Non-addresses to his Majesty and take the Government upon themselves vvhich vvas followed vvith a Declaration from the Army to stand in defence of those Votes These Actions so far discontented the people that in every place nothing could be heard but bad vvishes and vvorse threats from vvhence many did prognosticate the ensuing Summer vvould be a hot one in respect of VVars And now the Subjects of both Kingdoms vvhich before had joyned in Arms against the King begin to look upon his Estate and condition vvith commiseration blaming themselves for being instruments in bringing him into the condition he then vvas and now they petition the Parliament after the same manner that some years before they had the King in a tumultuous manner and impatient to have the grant of their desires delaid they press the Houses for a speedy redress of their present Grievances but could have no other answer but vvhat vvas delivered by the Souldiers guarding the Parliament and a Troop of Horse from the Mews these disswaded the Surry-men vvith feelling arguments from coming there any more These things made those that before seemed passive to be active the sable cloud of VVar blown by the fury of the people had now over-spread our Hemisphere vvhich Alarms the Army in all their Quarters First a considerable part of the Navy vvith Captain Batten sometimes Vice-Admiral to the Earl of Warwick desert the Parliament and put themselves under the power of Prince Charles Next the Kentish-men rise in Arms under pretence of Petitioning Laughorn Poyer and Powel seised on some strong Towns and Castles in south-South-Wales and declared against them Yet this vvas not all there blew a Northern blast that made many men shake Duke Hamilton a man vvho had received much of the King but deserved little rusheth in vvith an Army of Scots and joynes himself to Langdale Glemham and others of the Kings Party in the North. Upon these Risings the Parliament considers how to conjure these evil spirits down againe the Valour of their Souldiers had been tried in many Fights and Sieges before their former good successes made them confident that Victory was settled in their Scabbards and that they should no sooner draw their Swords but their enemies would fly To manage these Wars Fairfax was sent into Kent Lambert into the North there to stop as much as could be the over-flowing Torrent of Hamiltons Army who wasted the Country at pleasure wheresoever they came for Wales victorious Cromwel was designed before him as forlorn marches Col. Horton with 3000 who engaged Laughorns 8000 raw Welchmen and routed them Cromwel himself soon follows after with two Regiments of Horse and three of Foot Now we see him in the Field again to accomplish great undertakings which he did with so much facility that it rather seemed a Recreation then labour Caesar's Veni Vidi Vici may well be attributed to him who no sooner came neer an Enemy and beheld him but he overcame him and indeed his quick Marches furious Onsets and victorious Conquests came very neer Casars Atchievements The first place we finde him at in his march was Chepstow-Castle which he resolved to besiege but himself hastning to Pembrook he leaves Col. Eyre to dispatch this piece of service who accomplished it in fifteen days Cromwel on the twentieth of May comes to Pembrook Poyer being Governour of it who relying much upon the strength of the place refuseth all Conditions that are proffered to him Cromwel not being accustomed to despair of any thing that is possible applies himself to the Siege at Land Sir George Ayscough in the mean time with a Squadren of Ships cast Anchor in the Roade to forbid any succours to be carried in by Sea and as occasion served to furnish the Leaguer with great Guns and other provisions necessary Cromwel having taken a full view of the Castle and considering the strength of it makes his way by approaches and with his great Guns summons them to yeeld This course he thought the safest upon these considerations First for that by certain intelligence he was informed of the small Magazine of Provision that they had in the Town and Castle so that of necessity they must yeeld their bodies being weakned for want of sustenance would bring down their stout Stomacks Then Divisions among themselves which grew to that height at last that the Souldiers began to mutiny against their Commanders And lastly though he had Men enough to enforce them yet considering this was not the last service his Forces must go upon he would not be too prodigal of pretious blood knowing that Victory to be the cheapest which is won without blows Having thus considered of the matter he causes strict guard to be kept in his Trenches that so they might be kept in from running away This order was not long observed before Hunger had so battered down their Bellies and therewith so quell'd their courage that they desired a Parly and willingly yeelded up the Town and Castle upon quarter as to the common Souldiery but Laughorn Poyer and Powel with some other of the prime Commanders render themselves prisoners at mercy which some of them found but others were afterwards made
would have extended had they had power sufficient to execute it Afterwards King Charles perceiving their enchroaching set forth a brave Fleet which hurt himself more then any body else for it raised so hideous a storm amongst his Subjects upon the payment of Ship-money that never after could be appeased till his Head was blown off his Shoulders these lying in the Downes under command of Dover-castle to protect a Spanish Armado intending for Flanders the Spaniards were boldly set upon by the Dutch and utterly destroyed Had this presumptuous attempt of the Hollander met with a vindictive King it would not have been so silently connived at These Affronts being thus slightly passed by imboldened them to attempt higher matters for the English Nation on a suddain involved in a Domestick War they made use of this opportunity to fish freely on the English Coast which they continued so long that from custome they would argue a right because they had done it therefore they ought to do it still presuming withall to make Englands Harbors the bounds to their Soveraignty A rich Bank of Treasure and great strength in shipping prompted them to this project and the rather because England was wasted by War and disunited amongst themselves Now they thought it their time to attempt the designe wherein they fancied an assured and absolute Conquest not at all considering what advantages in Navigation England hath over them as first not a ship can well pass the Narrow Seas between Dover and Calice but must run the hazard to be snapt in their passage unless they sailed under protection of a strong Fleet of War Secondly in stormy Weather the Winds would inforce ships at Sea to put into the English Harbours for shelter In both which respects it must needs be very prejudicial to the Dutch if they fell out with England their Traffick this way being stopt up no other means remained to continue a Trade to France Portugal Spain Turkey East and West Indies but by the North of Scotland with a Circumference about Ireland whereby the Merchant must necessarily be exposed to a double danger in respect of Enemies And that which is more unavoydable the tempestuousness of the Sea in this Northerly Latitude would have rendred their passage that way both unfafe and uncomfortable But it seems these Considerations never entred into the thoughts of that State their minds were onely troubled with dividing Spoils and how to give Laws by Sea to the whole world This high conceit of Fortitude many times bars up the doors against prudential Counsels Well blinded as the Dutch were Van Trump that leading Card against the English Commonwealth must begin the Game and that when their Embassadors were in Treaty at London The Parliament of England remembring their late saucy Action in the Downs resolved to make it redound to the honour of England to that end they fell into a close debate of the Nations right in those Seas now Mare Olausum speaks English to let every one see the Dominion of the Narrow Sea is Englands safety and Protector under Divine Providence from the fury of forraign Foes which if it were lost a Confluence of all Nations would quickly subjugate the Land to their will How sensible the Senate and People of England were of this is easily seen by the industrious Counsels of the one and incomparable Valour of the other so that in a few moneths the Dutch sustained more loss by this their wilful undertaking then before they had done in several years War with the Spaniard The English Parliament being thus engaged in a defensive War quickly changed the Scoene to offensive maintaining it with wonderful Policy and Prudence but on a suddain in stept General Cromwel and justled them out of Power taking upon himself to end this War He fought the Hollander twice prosperously which brought over into England four Embassadours extraordinary to sollicite a Peace these using pecuniary Perswasions so far prevailed with the Protector as made him balance the publick Concernments with his private Interest and so granted their desires The Peace being thus concluded and published the people of England were then perswaded to a general Thanksgiving by a Declaration partly made up of nine Verses out of the 107 Psalm To make observation on Englands Profit by this Peace is needless that I will leave for the Merchant to rejoyce in Actions of State are like the Billows of the Sea one designe drives forward another as they are agitated by the Princes breath No sooner was peace proclaimed abroad but Plots commenced at home the chief Designers were two Gerrards Brothers one Jones an Apothecary Teuder Fow and Vowel some of these through mercy were saved but Vowel and Gerrard must suffer for example In the same Juncture of time fell out an arrogant exploit of Don Pantaleon Sa brother to the Portugal Embassadour this man being followed by a fanatique Crew came one evening to the New Exhange armed with Swords Pistols and Hand-granadoes what the original provocative to this designe was is uncertain however one wrapt in Buff a bold Blade no doubt being followed by Knights of Malta Foot-boys and the like ascended the Staiers into the upper Exchange where firing a Pistol a Gentleman there walking was slain There happened to be walking the same time this Gerrard above-mentioned he seeing their Countenances not so swarthy as this deed was sable draws his Rapier and with a magnanimous spirit drove them all before him down staiers The Lord Protector having notice of these Portugals frollique upon examination resolved to proceed thereupon without respect of persons and to make the chiefest Actor an example of Justice which being found to be the Embassadours Brother he was condemned for this ridiculous riot and executed at Tower-hill on the same Scaffold though for different causes with generous Gerrard The eyes of the Spectators never beheld such different tempers in two men Gerrard no way appald in countenance or behaviour like a true English man out-braved Death on the very Block His body being removed out of sight up came Don Pontaleon Sa the Portugal with a body too heavy for its supporters and a countenance which sufficiently demonstrated that the terrour of his heart had in a manner made him insensible of the smart of the Executioners Ax so that many present believed his head served onely to satisfie the Law his life being already fled through fear But now on a suddain there breaks forth an Insurrection in the Highlands of Scotland these mountanous people having little to loose but their lives would ever be trying to shake the English yoak from off their necks The chief bellows to blow these miserable men to destruction was the Earl of Glencarne a man whose industry was ever pregnant in contriving new designes against the English he having now drawn together a considerable strength proclaimed to his fellows what great assistance would be wafted over to them from the Low Countries by which means it
ones to be made in that behalf 11. That the Protestant Christian Religion as it is contained in the Old and New Testaments be asserted and held forth for the publike profession of these Nations and no other and that a Confession of Faith be agreed upon and recommended to the people of these Nations and none be permitted by words or writings to revile or reproach the said Confession of Faith c. This is the sum of the most material matters contained in the Parliaments Advice which the Protector liked very well and was resolved to follow yet with much reluctancy in himself considering the great burthen that was to be borne upon his shoulders which he had rather any man should bear then himself but being it was the pleasure of Parliament that none but he must be the buckler to defend Englands Priviledges he past their Petition and declared unto the whole Assembly as followeth That he came thither that day not as to a Triumph but with the most serious thoughts that ever he had in all his Life being to undertake one of the greatest burthens that ever was laid upon the back of any humane creature so that without the support of the Almighty he must sinke under the weight of it to the damage and prejudice of these Nations This being so he must ask help of the Parliament and of those that fear God that by their prayers he might receive assistance from God for nothing else could enable him to the discharge of so great a duty and trust That seeing this is but an Introduction to the carrying on of the Government of these Nations and there being many things which cannot be supplied without the assistance of Parliament it was his duty to ask their help in them not that he doubted for the same Spirit that had led the Parliament to this would easily suggest the same to them For his part nothing would have induced him to take this unsupportable burthen to flesh and blood but that he had seen in the Parliament a great care in doing those things which might really answer the ends that we have engaged for and make clearly for the liberty of the Nations and of the Interest and preservation of all such as fear God under various Forms And if these Nations be not thankful to them for their care therein it will fall as a sin on their heads Yet there are some things wanting that tend to reformation to the discountenancing vice the encouragement of vertue but he spake not this as in the least doubting their progress but as one that doth heartily desire to the end God may Crown their work that in their own time and with what speed they judge fit these things may be provided for This Speech being ended the Members returned again to the House and in few dayes after the Speaker received a Letter from the Protector desiring the Parliament to adjourn their sitting till further time Hereupon the speedy Inauguration of his Highness was concluded upon Accordingly June 26. 1657. all things being prepared in Westminster Hall for this great solemnity the Protector about two of the clock in the after-noon went by water to the Lords House and after some short retirement into a room near the Painted Chamber he came forth attended by the chief Grandees of his Court all these being marshalled into Ranks and Files marched away with his Highness to the place appointed in Westminster-Hall where the Protector having taken his standing under a cloath of Estate the Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington in the name of the Parliament presented to him a Robe of Purple-Velvet lined with Ermines a Bible a Sword and a Scepter all which were precious tokens of the Parliaments favor at the delivery of these things the Speaker made a short Comment upon them to the Protector which he divided into four parts as folfolloweth 1. The Robe of Purple this is an embleme of Magistracy and imports Righteousness and Justice When you have put on this Vestment I may say you are a Gown-man This Robe is of a mixt colour to shew the mixture of Justice and Mercy Indeed a Magistrate must have two hands Plectentem amplectentem 2. The Bible is a Book that contains the Holy Scriptures in which you have the happiness to be well vers'd This Book of Life consists of two Testaments the Old and New the first is Christum Velatum in the second is Christum Revelatum it is a Book of Books and doth contain both Precepts and Examples for good Government 3. Here is a Scepter not unlike a staff for you are to be a staff to the weak and poor it is of antient use in this kind It 's said in Scripture that the Scepter shall not depart from Judah It was of like use in other Kingdoms Homer the Greeke Poet calls Kings and Princes Scepter-Bearers 4. The last thing is a Sword not a Military but Civil Sword it is a Sword rather of defence then offence not to defend yourself onely but others also If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword it should be this Ego sum domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum This Speech being ended the Speaker took the Bible and gave the Protector his Oath afterwards Mr. Manton made a prayer wherein he recommended the Protector Parliament Council the Forces by Land and Sea Government and people of the three Nations to the Protection of God Which being ended the Heralds by sound of Trumpet proclaimed his Highness Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging requiring all persons to yeeld him due obedience At the end of all the Protector with his Train returned a joyful man no doubt to White-Hall and the Members to the Parliament-House where they prorogued their sitting to the next January There is no humane joy free from the mixture of some sorrow yea many times it falleth out to be equivalent to if not superabounding the joy it self So it fell out here for though the Protector might rejoyce at this acquisition of a Scepter yet the death of General Blake like a dish of cold water cast into the boyling Pot of his rising fortunes could do no less then mitigate the heat of it and cover the Courts countenance with a Cypress Vail This noble Blake in the beginning of Englands distractions sufficiently testified a high resolution in his almost miraculous defending of Lime and Taunton against the furie of Prince Maurice and the Lord Gorings Armies Afterwards the worth of this inestimable great Commander being taken notice of in Parliament they resolved it should not long lie hid at home but shew it self abroad and therefore he was advanced to be one of their Generals at Sea At his enterance into this Office he pent up Prince Rupert in the chief Port of Portugal and hunted him from Sea to Sea till he had reduced those ships with him which before had revolted from the Parliament This was but