the King was very near discovered by an Hostler From thence as good luck would have it to Broad-VVindsor Where he is disquieted by Soldiers quartering there And the Country People Wilmot is in danger at Chayremouth Vpon a suspition occasioned by his Horses Shoes The Hostler consults the Minister of the place Who having seriously weighed the matter He hunts after the King tho too late Especially in Sir Hugh Windham 's house The King returns to Trent having sent VVilmot to Coventry A ship freighted at Southampton but without Success The King gâ—es to Heal. Having taken leave in the morning he returns â—ack without the knowledge of the Servants and is hid From thence he hastens to Bright-Helmstead Gunter having hired a Vessel Where at Supper he is known by the Master of the Bark Who being afraid of the Parliaments Proclamation With diffiulty undertakes the thing His Wife who smelt it out â—ncouraging him to the busâ—ness Being got on board they coast along the Shore as bound for the Isle of VVight In the Evening they arrive in Normandy The King very skilful in Navigation The Master of the Vessel being kindly dismissed arrives the same night at Pool The King having changed his Cloathes at Rouen Where by chance he found Doctor Earle He goes to Paris Whos 's safely was an illustrious Testimony of Divine Providence Cromwell having sent the Prisoners before comes to London Sterling Castle surrendered to Monck Noblemen taken by Alured Dundee was a prey to the Conquerour All Scotland in the power of the English who strengthen themselves by new Citadels And subdue Orkney and the Isles The Scots rise but in vain The administration of civil Affairs in Scotland by Judges for the most part English And a Council of State Thirty Commissioners from thence allowed to sit and Vote in the Parliament of England The Scots had what they deserved Hains subdues Jersey The Isle of Mann also takâ—n An Act of Oblivion passes But not without the instance of Cromwell The Soldiers displeased with the Rump Which with these Crimes they load As minding onely their own advantages The Objections are boldly enough answered The Soldiers reply Of whom therefore the Rump under another pretence order a great part to be disbanded The Soldiers refusing and demanding a new Representative An equal numbâ—r of both consult in common But without any Fruit. The Rumpers are divided about the manner of the Representative And about the Time Not willing to give the Power rashly out of their own hands Cromwell flying to the House and objecting to them Misdemeanours and other horrid Crimes Commands all to be gone And they delaying by the assistance of the Soldiers he expelled them the House And makes them ridiculous The People rejoycing And much applauding him They consult in the mean time what is fittest to be done The Officers advance the Godly to the Government Chosen from among the Off-scowrings of the People and out of all Sects Who having chosen a Speaker Take the Name of The Parliament of England And presently shew their madness in falling soul of the Ministers Colleges and Nobility They abolish all Courts of Justice Appoint Justices of Peace to celebrate Marriage The sounder part deliver up the Government to Cromwell who with reluctancy accepts it Lambert chiefly and by his persuasion the rest of the Officers consenting But he would be called Protector not King Cromwell swears to his own Conditions and presently chuses Counsellors out of every Sect. What were the thoughts of men in this great Revolution A War with Holland The use of it Different Opinions of the States of the United Provinces about that Matter The middle Opinion prevailing Embassadors for Pacification are sent into England In the heat of the Treaty a sharp Engagement hapned The Dutch excuse the matter But confederate with the Danes And fight again and again At length they sue for Peace Cromwell being now at the Helm A fourth Engagement most fatal to the Dutch Trump being killed And 2000 besides Cromwell claps up a Peace with the Dutch and Danes And lays a snare for the Prince of Orange Sâ—ditious Seamen Three Hansiatick Ships are stopp'd And condemned Cromwell is reconciled to the King of Portugal The Embassadors Brother Don Pantaleon Sa For a Murder committed in London Is beheaded And Gerard at the same time also for standing up for the Kings Interestâ— Vowell hanged for the same Cause The King of England uses all Endeavours to oblige the French King But being basely used He removes to Cologne His Friends in England in the mean time use all endeavours Cromwell counter-endeavours Yet by mutual Exhortations they do somewhat The matter was at length undertaken by Commâ—ssioners Very cauâ—iously The Republicans also conspiring with them And some Governours of Places But Cromwell discovering the Design easily disappoints it Some rising too soon Others cowardly And all disappointed of their Hopes Many Persons of Great Quality committed to Prison Not a few put to death Cromwell's Arts of Discovery Spies mingled amongst the Cavaliers Especially one Manning that lived at Court Who at length was justly put to death Cromwell calls a Parliament of Commoners onely Wherein he brags of his own good Deeds Which he would have the Parliament to confirm But they on the contrary nibble at the Instrument of Government The Officers and Courtiers opposing it But the Republicans urging the same But Cromwell severely checks these Debates And obliges all that would enter the House to own the Government However he left all his Labour The Republican Soldiers conspire his ruine Which he smelling out presently dissolved the Parliament He makes Peace with Sueden And France For Support of his Authority he procures Gratulatory Addresses from the Officers of the Army in Scotland Then from the Officers in England And afterwards from some Corporations He affected to be a Promoter of Justice And a rigid Censurer of Manners And a Favourer of the Clergy Whose Divisions nevertheless he foments whilst he seemed earnest in composing of them Industriously suppressing the Insolence of the Presbyterians He was ill-affected towards the Church of England tho he was accustomed to caress some few He hugged the Independents Nor was he an enemy to Fanaticks And Roman-Catholicks He creates Censurers of the Preachers out of every Sâ—ct Who basely minded their own Profit He studies to ingratiate himself with all men according to their various Humours With the Nobility The Godly Country People And also the Soldiers Always glancing at his own Profit A most cunning Diver into the Manners of Men. And most prodigious Hypocrite King Charles finds for the Duke of Glocester his Brother from France Lest the Stripling might be in danger of hâ— Religion amongst Catholicks 〈…〉 by a certain Astrologer Oneal Cromwell continually dogg'd with anxious biting Cares Thinks himself safe no where Getting into the Coach-box to exercise his Body He was very near being torn to pieces alive by Horses Of new he oppresses the
onely for conveniency but even for Ostentation and Luxury Trade increasing dayly both in compass and profit had already enlarged it self to both the Indies onely unhappy in this that with the Wealth of Strangers foreign Vices were also imported Arts of all sorts never look'd gayer in Colledges Courts and Shops nor were the wealthy Inhabitants ever prouder Justice was administred according to Law nor was any man deprived of Life or Goods but by the lawful Verdict of a Jury of his Country-men to whom these things ought to be of highest value all the parts of Government were so administred that they seemed to conspire together for the publick good save onely in this that they could not repress the insolency and wantonness that sprung from so great prosperity and which is not to be dissembled being long unaccustomed to War we had been unfortunate in some foreign expeditions and the people were incensed at some impositions at home which though very moderate and countenanced by publick necessity and good reason in Law yet gave occasion to the people to pretend that the Right and Property of the Subject was opprest and to outcries of Injustice and also the imprisonment and lopping off the ears of four or five seditious persons sentenced by the Judges of the Star-Chamber seemed to be punishments too severe for those halcyon days of Peace and Tranquillity To this may be added that the Jurisdiction and Censures of Spiritual Courts wrought pity in some and indignation in others Besides the muster of Malecontents was made greater by some scrupulous Puritans who interpreted the enjoyning of Ceremonies and things indifferent in the Worship of God in the Canons of the Church to be the Fore-runners of Popery We may also take along with us the Zeal of the Archbishop in exempting the Clergie from the Suits and Injuries of Laicks and preferring them to civil employments which drew a great deal of envy and ill will not onely upon himself but upon all the Church-men also as also his endeavouring to bring into the Church of Scotland the use of the Service-book of England which though his designe was laudable that these three neighbouring Nations being under the government of one and the same King might also be joyned in an uniform manner of Worship was yet unseasonable and ill timed as we shall a little more fully relate Matters in Scotland were then ripe for a Rebellion for many took it ill that the King denied them the Honours and Titles to which they aspired others were vexed that they were forced to part with some portion of the Tythes though but moderate which they had upon the dissolution of the Monasteries in the minority of King James obtained from the Crown for making a competent Stipend for Ministers who then served the Cures at what easie rates the Patrons were pleased to allow them but most could not digest that the absolute Authority which they had for a long time usurped over their Vassals and Tenants should be taken from them and annexed to the Crown These chusing rather to shake the State than quit their hold those again rather to get Titles of Honour by the seditious Acclamations of the Mobile than to want them took occasion of the Liturgie and Ceremonies to buz the people in the ear that the reformed Religion was to be overturned to make way for Popery so that having taken up Arms and born down all that were of a contrary opinion they new model Church and State according to their own humour The King resolving to reduce those by Arms whom he could not reclaim by the milder causes of admonition being accompanied by the Flower of the Youth and Nobility of England who voluntarily and at their own charge set out upon the expedition marches to the borders but having by clemency and concessions brought them over to obedience which he preferred before Hostility and Arms he condescended to Articles of Peace and disbanded his Army The Scots afterward insisting upon Articles different from those that were agreed upon occasion new Broils and Dissensions which when neither Commissioners Messengers nor mutual Letters could compose both sides prepare afresh for a new War On the Kings side the Earl of Strafford then Deputy of Ireland raised an Army of eight thousand men with the assistance of the Parliament of Ireland being to be paid by them and being come over again into England bestirs himself in raising another Army here A Parliament is called wherein a certain Courtier making bad use of his instructions did purposely as most believed that he might confound affairs and increase Animosities betwixt the King and Parliament somewhat haughtily demand twelve Subsidies when the House of Commons had offered six in lieu of the Ship-money and this raised new discontents and grievances for putting a stop to which in those troublesome times the Parliament was sooner dissolved than many could have wished In the mean time the Scots whose Forces were not so dispersed but that they might be speedily drawn together into a body nicking the opportunity and by Agents entring into a Combination with the factious of England under pretext of petitioning the King came in a hostile manner into England and having beat some Troops that guarded the passage of the River Tine put all into fear and consternation took Newcastle and other Towns unprovided for defence and fortified them And though Strafford with the new-raised Army under his command had undertaken to drive them out of the Kingdom yet the most merciful King chose rather to refer the matter to a Parliament than without publick consent to pollute the Kingdom with bloud and slaughter A Truce was therefore made whereby the Scots were allowed a free Trade and Commerce with liberty to raise Contributions in the Counties where they lay and so a Parliament was called by whose prudence and Loyalty it was hoped all roots and Fibres of Animosities might be extirpated The Parliament being met the Factious who in great numbers had got into the House of Commons trusting now to the Patronage of the Scots and the Disorders of the times set about their business manfully they represent Grievances both publick and private accuse Courtiers and Magistrates and dart obliquely reproaches against the King himself exaggerating all with the highest strains of their Rhetorick Under pretext of reforming these Abuses they labour to overturn both Church and State and in imitation of the Scots to new-model the Government and that by these steps If in the first place they could deprive the King of the Counsels and Assistance of his most faithful Subjects and by loading him with Reproaches and false Crimes render him odious to the People and strip him of all Power and Authority they would next screw themselves into publick Offices and the power of the Militia and then with absolute dominion give Laws both to the King and People The Earl of Strafford and
complains and demands reparation for the affront But the House of Commons approve Sir John Hotham's Fact and vote that the King had violated the Priviledges of Parliament in proclaiming a Member of the House guilty of Treason Before he was heard in their House they give Orders to the Earl of Warwick to send some Souldiers from on board into the Town and to transport the Magazine from thence to London But Sir John Hotham repenting too late when he perceived that these Sparks had put the whole Country into a flame having afterwards obtained pardon and being about to deliver up the Town to the King was taken and payed to the Parliament what he owed to the King both he and his Son being beheaded Amongst these preludes to War there is some mention and hopes of peace for after some months the Parliament send an Answer to the King's Proposals which he made at Windsor upon his departure for the North in nineteen Articles or Demands of which this is the sum 1. That all the King's Privy-Council great Officers and Ministers of State may be put out excepting such as the Parliament shall approve and to assigne them an Oath 2. That all affairs of State be managed by the Parliament except such matters as are transferred by them to the Privy-Council and to be concluded by the major part of the Nobility under their hands the full number not to exceed 25 nor under 15 and if any place fall void in the interval of Parliament then the major part of the Council to chuse one to be confirmed at the next Session of Parliament 3. That all the great Officers of the Kingdom shall be chosen with approbation of Parliament c. as before said 4. The government and education of the King's Children by Parliament c. ut supra 5. Their Marriages to be treated and concluded by Parliament c. 6. The Laws against Papists Priests and others be executed without Toleration or Dispensation except by Parliament 7. No Popish Lord or Peer to have vote in Parliament and their children to be educated in the Protestant Faith 8. To Reform Church-government as the Parliament shall advise 9. To settle the Militia as the Parliament have ordered and for the King to recal all his Declarations published against their Ordinances therein 10. All Privy-Counsellers and Judges to take Oath for maintenance of the Petition of Right and other Statutes which shall be made this Parliament 11. All Officers placed by Parliament to hold their places quam diu bene se gesserint 12. All Members of Parliament put out during this time be restored again 13. The Justice of Parliament to pass upon all Delinquents and they to appear or abide their censure 14. The general Pardon to pass with Exceptions as the Parliament shall advise 15. All Forts and Castles of the Kingdom to be disposed of by Parliament ut supra 16. The King to discharge all his Guards and Forces now in being and not to raise any other but in case of actual Rebellion 17. The King to enter into a strict Alliance with all Reformed States for their assistance to recover the Rights of his Royal Sister and her Princely Issue to those Dignities and Dominions which belong unto them 18. To clear the Lord Kimbolton and the five Members by Act of Parliament 19. No Peer hereafter to be made shall sit in Parliament without their consent And these Articles being confirmed the Parliament engage to make him a happy Prince To these Commands rather than Articles of Peace being such as were more proper to move Indignation than to gain an Assent the King sends an Answer by two noble and discreet Lords the Marquess of Hertford and the Earl of Southampton who were enjoyned to treat on more equal terms in the House of Lords But they not being admitted the Treaty came to nothing And because in this place we have made mention of Peace and Proposals we are to take notice that afterwards in the heat of the War at the instance of the King Propositions of Peace being mutually sent and Commissioners on both sides twice meeting to treat about it nothing could be effected and mostly by the Parliaments fault For seeing they proposed such severe Conditions on their own parts and which tended onely to their own advantages and the King on the other hand such just and equitable Terms more favourable to the Parliament and State than to himself and Family the People began to be enraged and to fall off dayly from the Parliament The King of France also how sincerely I shall not judge and the States of the Vnited Provinces interposed for accommodating the differences but were rejected by the Parliament and the Scots who likewise offered to mediate were refused by the King as partial But farewel Peace Bellona is now at the doors The People being in the disposition we mentioned before Deputies were sent with Commissions into all the Counties and the Parliamentarian Rebels by force and their own authority invade the Militia which they could not obtain from the King by petitioning The King on the contrary commands them to desist upon pain of Treason citing the Act of the 25 Edw. 3. whereby To contrive the death of the King Queen or Prince to violate the Queen or the Wife of the Prince to take up Arms against the King to assist the Kings enemies within or without the Kingdom to counterfeit the great Seal or Kings Coyn are for the future declared to be Treason having also alleadged other Acts whereby it is declared That the power of the Militia and taking up of Arms belongs onely to the King But they make answer That the Letter of the Law is for the King but the mind of it for them That it is not forbidden to take up Arms against the Kings Person but against his Authority which being in all Courts of Judicature was most eminently in the Parliament To this the King replies That that distinction was condemned above three hundred years since when the Spencers under that cover carrying on Sedition were condemned to death by the Parliament That besides the present Parliament was not free but the better part of the Members being excluded the rest were slaves to the Faction These courses taking no effect the King also sends Deputies into all Counties with authority from his Majesty to array and arm the Subjects and to have fit men in readiness if necessity should require for suppressing Rebellions and Seditions And from this we may date our Sorrows and Calamities whilst the King endeavouring to maintain his ancient Rights and they again to invade them War breaks out in the Kingdom But the Match was unequal on what side soever the Right stood The Parliament superiour in strength prevails and in most Counties usurps the Government the Royal Cause being very weak and in a few Counties struggling for life With no greater
the Booty which they thought themselves sure of whisper about that they observed the Enemies Horse feeding without the Walls and that if an old demolished Castle called Baggoâ—s-wreath about a Musquet shot from the Walls were new Fortified which might be done in a Nights time the Enemy might be hindred both from Forage and Provisions which being wanting Dublin must of necessity be surrendred within the space of a Week And therefore they earnestly desire that before they drew off they might have leave to attempt this The Counsel upon viewing the place was thought good and it was not long before the Army was drawn out and a choice made of Pioneers for the Work To whom Orders were given to repair the Castle raise it higher and cast up a Wall about it whilst the Horse and Foot were in readiness behind to defend them About Mid-night the Lord Lieutenant came thinking that the work had been almost finished but finding that it was not as yet begun by their mistaking the way having severely chid the Labourers and placed another Overseer over them he encourages them to the work then returning to the Camp he kept Watch all the rest of the Night and by break of day gave Orders that the Army should stand to their Arms and be in a readiness whilst he refresh'd himself a little in Bed But before he had been there an hour he was wakened out of sleep by the noise and firing of Shot and starting up immediately to see what the matter was Alas he found too late that the Souldiers had been negligent in keeping Watch and that in the mean time Jones had broken in into that half-repaired Castle and that the Captain of the Guard being at first onset killed all his Men were turned to a shameful flight These things succeeding so well with the Enemy their boldness as it usually happens increasing with their good Fortune not only the whole Souldiers to the number of twelve hundred Horse and four thousand Foot but a great many of the Citizens also came rushing out of the Town and fiercely charge the Kings Forces who were in disorder putting all into Confusion there being nothing but Horror Noise Slaughter and flying of Men to be heard or seen In this deplorable state of Affairs the Lord Lieutenant having with Sword in Hand Prayers and Intreaties in vain endeavoured to stop and rally the Fugitives he breaks through the thick of the Enemy crosses the River and encourages Dillo with all speed to come to the assistance of the Army and fall upon the Enemy now wearied and busie at Plunder But he finds them tho they had not as yet seen the Enemies Face seized with a panick Fear throwing away their Arms and betaking themselves to flight In this fatal Engagement the wealthy Camp is plundered and all that during the space of a whole year had been with much Labour and most diligent care gathered together is scattered in the twinkling of an Eye Three thousand Men were killed two thousand and one hundred private Souldiers an hundred and fifty Officers higher and lower taken above eight thousand Arms the Tents Warlike Engines all the Baggage and Ammunition fell all into the hands of the devouring Enemy A great Overthrow indeed and which gave an incurable wound to the Royal Cause in Ireland The Kings Souldiers taking the advice that was given them in their slight betake themselves to Drogheda The Lord Lieutenant hastens to Kilkenny that he might muster his broken Forces having upon his march summoned the strong Castle of Bellison upon pretext that Dublin was taken which surrendred There having represented to the Convention of Estates that were still sitting what loss he had sustained and having moved them for Supplies and Money he sets forward to Drogheda with three hundred Horse And that in a very opportune time for Jones had hastned thither with some Horse that by the sole presence of the Conquerour he might reduce the City now in disorder by the news of the late overthrow and confusion of the Souldiers But the coming of the Lord Lieutenant scaring away Jones the Fear and Danger were both quickly over Next he Fortifies Trim Neury Dundalk and other neighbouring places putting strong Garrisons where it was needful he views all places gives Orders and prepares for a vigorous defence being resolved to meet Cromwell if he came that way whilst his Horse relieving the places that were in danger he might in the beginning of the Spring raise a new Army But in that also his hopes were in vain For Cromwell having received the glad tydings of the Victory set Sail from Milford-Haven and that he might pursue the Point upon the discomfited Enemy and carry the Wound home to the Heart he steers his Course straight to Dublin with a Fleet of about an hundred Ships Men of War and Tenders and wholly slighting Munster arrived there in the Month of August One thousand six hundred and forty nine where having put ashore the Souldiers with the Artillery Ammunition and Baggage he makes a General-Muster of about fifteen thousand Men most of them old Souldiers for he thought it better to excel in Valour than in Number and to take along with him stout Hands and not many Heads He declares Jones Lieutenant-General Ireton Major-General and Reynolds General of the Horse assigning to every one their several Offices He orders Venables to march to Derry to the Elder Coot with a Regiment of Horse and two Regiments of Foot He himself with ten thousand Men marches streight to Drogheda having committed the care of the Fleet to Aiskew the Admiral In this Town the Lord Liuetenant had put the Flower of his Veterane Souldiers most English under the Command of Sir Arthur Aston a Gentleman Renowned in the Wars both at home and abroad but for the most part unfortunate And here Cromwell resolved to make his first Essay of the War Aston on the contrary laid his Design to tire out and break the Enemy insolent through Victory by the badness of the Weather Watching and Hunger then expose them to be harrassed and alarmed by the Lord Lieutenants Horse and the Foot that were shortly to be recruited until the Royalists being reassured and encreased in force might have the courage to provoke the Cromwellians and fight them in a pitched Battel But he flatters himself in vain for Cromwell attacks not the place by opening of Trenches slow Approaches and the other acts of a Siege But having forthwith caused a Battery to be raised on the North side of the Town and planted with Guns he so plied the place with continual Shooting that he quickly made two Breaches in the Wall and immediately Commands an Assault to be made that with Courage and Resolution they might force their entry into the place But this having been twice unsuccessfully attempted he himself with Ireton commanding the Attack with Indignation and Courage
and the suspicion of a sudden Insurrection again amongst the Irish because they parted so easily with their Inheritances is laid at their door as a ruine We purposely pass by matters of less importance least what we are about by the by should swell up to too vast a bulk The Officers of the Army what by craft and what by force turning Richard out of the Supream Power and the Rump-Parliament after five years interment being raised again from the dead the eyes of all are fixed upon Henry It was thought by some that he would defend his own Authority and vindicate that of his Brother Others hoped that he would favour the Royal Cause and so make his interest with the King the Navy especially giving no obscure marks of their inclination and the Army and Kingdom of Ireland being ready enough to promote such an Enterprize Nor dare I swear that he entertain'd no such Projects But the Lord Broghill and Coot deserting him in dubious Affairs and Steel and Tomlinson old Commissioners managing and Waller and Corbet new ones continually solliciting him he at length resigns himself to the Will and Pleasure of the Rump-Parliament and returns into England there to give an account of his administration Hitherto we have dwelt in Ireland that without interruption we might give the Reader an account of the Affairs of that Kingdom Now bringing our discourse back to former years we must return to the Democratical Republicans who after the murder of the King swayed Affairs in England under the Olygarchicks These being upstarts promoted for the most part men of their own Edition to places of honour and profit Which the Londoners took so ill that the Mayor and Aldermen came and petitioned the Rump-Parliament that the cheif Citizens or that some of them at least might be again admitted into the common Council of the City These were about three hundred whom either age or wealth at least recommended But the year before the Rump-Parliament had turned a great many of them out and judged them unworthy of carrying any office in the City for no other reason but because they had signed the Petition making Peace with the King which the greater and sounder part of the Parliament were also for But that desire of the Mayor and Aldermen though they seriously alledged the want of ingenious and honest men of moderate Estates for discharging the offices of the City is rejected with contempt nor would they have any but the Riff Raff and inconsiderable rable to manage Publick Affairs as being such who measured good and evil according to the will and pleasure of their Masters Whil'st these things are carried on at London CHARLES the Second was not asleep nor did he neglect his Affairs though the Regicides carried all before them in England but moves every stone and leaves nothing unessayd that the wit and power of man could devise or execrate for resetling the undone Nations asserting the publick Liberty and the Regicide being revenged recovering his ancient Inheritance He implores the assistance of Foreign Kings and Princes who are all equally concerned according to the Supream Power they have received from God and their common duty to give Sanctuary to the oppressed but especially to Kings whom above all men living they ought to protect not only upon the account of Kindred and Cognation but also for fear of Contagion least the horrid example of Rebellion might have an influence upon their own Subjects that if perchance they should be reduced to the like streights they might likewise obtain the like help and assistance He sends Ambassadours to the Emperour and German Princes to the Grand Signior the great Duke of Moscovie the Kings of Poland Denmark and Sweden to the republick of Venice and the States General of the united Provinces He sends into Spain from whence he had the greatest expectation the Lord Edward Hide who had formerly been Lord cheif Baron of the Exchequer and was afterwards Lord Chancellor and Earl of Clarendon whose Iuvenile and vegete wit might put life into the aged head of Cottington In France besides a particular Ambassadour the Queen Mother and Duke of York were there and the King himself to sollicite his own affairs But alass almost every where unsuccessfully the distance of place hindering the aid of some and either the want of money domestick seditions or dangers from neigbours obstructing the assistances of others None are touched with the sence or pity of the Calamities of another The Ottoman Court dealt barbarously in that for a little money they delivered up the Ambassadour Henry Hide a most accomplished Gentleman into the hands of the Rump-Parliament who being brought over into England for his unshaken Loyalty without any pretext of ancient Law he was beheaded before the Royal Exchange in London France with promises gives hope of large assistance so long as they could procure any help from the Subjects of the King of England especially from James Duke of YORK who commanding the English and Irish that served the French in Flanders had given many Noble and Illustrious proofs of his Heroick Valour and Courage Until that Blake had beaten the French Fleet under the Command of the Duke of Vendosme which came to the relief of Dunkirk at that time besieged by the Spaniards Then they sent Burdex to treat of peace at London whil'st the Regicides expected no less than a declaration of War And having afterwards entred into a strict allyance they inwardly rejoyced that the Kings Majesty was deluded and no small stop put to the fury of the Rebels The Spaniard seemed to be grieved at the Kings Murder but excused himself that it did not belong to him to determine about the controversies of England nor did he take pleasure to meddle in other Peoples Affairs out of his own Terrritories but that in the mean time he should be ready to do the King all the kindness he could within his Countries Nevertheless not long after Ascham being killed which I shall shortly relate he was the first King who Commanded his Hedge Ambassadour Don Alonso de Cardenas to Worship the rising sun of the Common-wealth wish the Parrcides all happiness intreat the continuance of Friendship and good Correspondence betwixt his Kingdomes and the New Common-wealth and promised severely to punish the Wicked Murderers of Ascham Now there are some not obscure Reasons why the great Mind of so Wise a King was by so unexpected a change that rather discovered than altered his Inclinations brought over to the contrary side For besides Ancient and Paternal enmities with Queen Elizabeth Philip himself had particular Quarrels against Charles It wounded him deep that his Sister being courted in Marriage even so far as to have had an interview and conference with her she should afterwards be slighted for a Daughter of France though a Princess of extraordinary Worth Besides the old offence
the greatest dangers to serve them That he had not forgot their kind Letter at Morpeth wherein he affectionately concurred but was forced to retire backwards like a Fencer to make the better ground and the more advantageous assault That he had sent to the House that morning that they should issue Writs for a full Parliament and to this end he was come to stay with them and see his desires fulfilled and that they should put a period to their sitting by the sixth of May. Monk's Speech was with delight and universal applause heard by the Citizens and the name of a New Parliament so pleased the minds of the People that the City which appeared desolate and dejected in the morning seemed transported with joy at night by the ringing of Bells and Bonefires Now was Monk in every bodies mouth and the Multitude not able to contain their secret joys proclaimed him the Honour and Deliverer of their Country praying for and blessing him in all places Then was the Rump loaded with the Reproaches and Imprecations of all with so much freedom that it seemed to be the first step to their Liberty thus to despise their Oppressors Nor was this night revelling of the over-joyed People less boundless than the Rage of the Rumpers was before upon the reading of Monk's Letter They in great indignation complain that the violence of old offered by Cromwel and more lately by Lambert was not more grievous than the present-imperious boldness of Monk in prefixing a day to their dissolution But the old Commissioners Scot and Robinson being sent into the City to the General they offered him the hypocritical Thanks of the Rump for his quelling of the City and concealing their displeasure at his Letter they promise a fuller Parliament and that their dissimulation might be the more specious they invite Monk again to Westminster to assist them with his counsel The General and his Friends gave them a doubtful answer as well knowing that the civility of the proud Rumpers was not for nought However it was the interest of both Parties to continue their dissimulation But the Commissioners upon their return having brought advice of the joyful familiarity that was betwixt the General and the Citizens the Rump smelt out Monk's designe and were distracted in their thoughts Wherefore they forthwith set about the lessening of his power in the Army appointing a Committee of five for ordering the affairs of the Forces which if they could have gone through with the English Army being altogether averse from Monk they had certainly ruined his fortune So soon as Monk heard that he was made one of five Generals being unaccustomed to affronts and equally slighting the baseness and treachery of the Rumpers he took greater care of his affairs And that he might not make use of the counsel of Enemies and Traytors onely he desires a Conference with the old secluded Members upon whose sense and inclinations when he found there was more to be grounded and perceived them to be fit men for qualifying matters and not averse from his own designes in time he sent them to the Parliament attended by a guard of Souldiers The secluded Members in the mean time entring the House again the baser and viler sort of the Abjurors being now in despair left the House The rest being more moderate continued to joyn with their restored fellow-Members in the administration of the affairs of the Publick The Parliament being now increased in number and the Vote of their own exclusion being in the first place repealed they appoint Monk General of all the Forces in Britain and Ireland and order money streight to be levied for the Pay of the Souldiers They appoint Montague Admiral of the Fleet give liberty to Booth's Prisoners and the Captive Citizens in whose place Lambert was afterwards clapt up in the Tower Whilst the Parliament was busied in the affairs of the Commonwealth Monk in the mean time wholly taken up about the care of the Forces having called a Council of his Colonels dispatched Letters to all the Regiments of the Army and their Officers that were quartered up and down Britain and Ireland to certifie them of the reason of the readmission of the Members with large assurances of their constancy to their old Profession and Principles and that without this Expedient there was no way to satisfie the Nation or raise money for the subsistance of the Army or Navy The distant Regiments in the mean time wanting Money and Necessaries and having tried the experience of both fortunes chose rather to comply and have their certain Pay than to stand it out and trust to uncertainties But Monk to make sure of the Forces made them all take a new Oath to be true to the Parliament which the Colonels and Officers of his own Army and many of the English Forces willingly did but those who refused or scrupuled he disarmed and casheered And now Monk had the sole power over both Armies and received all Souldiers as bound by the same Oath under the same General Monk before this had removed his Quarters from Whitehall to St. James's There amongst others William Morrice was a chief Confident of the General 's a man of great solidity and prudence as the times went By his means Greenvile a Knight being introduced to Monk and all company being removed he privately delivered him Letters from King CHARLES Having read them he makes an answer suitable to the times and the doubtful state of affairs resolving neither to say too much nor to conceal all his mind and so tempered his expressions that he might seem to reserve a fuller answer in his actions And this was the first step to the restoring the Government to Charles the Second Greenvile returned to Brussels to the King with the joyful and expected news of Monk's good inclinations towards his Majesty But by how much the Parliament and Monk seriously applied themselves to the setling of affairs by so much the more the bloudy Parricides used all their Arts and Treachery by sowing Sedition in the Camp and raising Tumults amongst the Sectarians in the City to stir up new Commotions nor did Treachery end with the War For the Abjurors having no more opportunity of doing mischief in the Parliament-house kept Cabals and secret Conferences with the lately-disbanded Officers of the English Army and being crushed in the head stung with the tail As to what may be gathered from the present actings of the Parliament and the secret inclinations of Monk say they the restauration of the Government of Charles Steuart is not far off That therefore they thought to consider in time that their affairs were in a slippery condition and that without their ruine and overthrow Charles would not mount the Throne That the Trophies of so many Wars the glorying in the assistance and protection of God and the actions of so many years would
famous Colonel Knight received the Salutations and Respects of the Forces in their Arms and having praised them for their dutifulness and affection proceeded forwards the people strewing Flowers and Leaves of Trees in the way and in all places offering him the choicest marks of their Honour When he was come near the City the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London welcomed him upon their knees The Mayor delivered his Majesty the Sword the Badge of his Dignity which the King graciously gave him back again and being conducted into a large and richly-adorned Pavillion was entertained at a splendid Collation From thence with a magnificent train of Persons of all quality over London-bridge he entered the City amidst such a glorious appearance of brave and great men that scarcely in any Age the triumphal Bridge of Rome ever bore a greater Pomp or victorious Tyber saw or Euphrates of old or the yet more ancient Tygris Along the Streets from London-bridge to White-hall on the one side in a continued order the Trained-bands of the City were drawn up and on the other the Companies in their Livery-gowns the houses on each side being hung with Tapistry The tops of the houses and windows were filled with vast multitudes of Spectators the People from all places flocking to this glorious and joyful Show There were no less than twenty thousand richly attired on horseback The first that led the Cavalcade were some Troops of young Gentlemen in a various most rich dress and shining Arms with Trumpets sounding before them The Sheriffs of London's men with their Spears followed after next after whom marched six hundred of the chief Citizens in Velvet-coats and Gold-chains Then followed the Kings Horse-guards led by the Lord Gerrard their Captain With the chearful musick of Drums Trumpets and Waits next advanced the Sheriffs and Aldermen of London in their Scarlet-gowns and their Horses richly deckt with Trapings their Footmen attending them shining with Gold and Silver Then followed the Kings of Arms and Heralds in their rich Coats and next to them the Lord Mayor carrying in his right hand the naked Sword and after him the Illustrious Duke of Buckingham and the renowned General Monk And now appeared Charles the Wishes of all good men and the Joys of the happy conspicuous in a triumphant Majesty On the right hand rode the Duke of York on the left the Duke of Gloucester he himself on a stately horse in the middle carrying all Triumphs and Diadems in his looks which seemed then more than humane After his Majesty came his chief Courtiers and Servants General Monk's Life-guard commanded by Sir Philip Howard and then five Regiments of Horse of Monk's Army led by Colonel Knight This Triumphal Procession was brought up by a vast body of Noblemen and Gentlemen with red Colours fringed with Gold in rich Attire shining Arms their Swords drawn and Plumes of Feather in their Hats In this order the King marched slowly through the City amidst the shouts acclamations and joyful looks of his Subjects which he triumphantly heard and beheld And now entring his Royal Palace he mounted the Throne of his Forefathers on the twenty ninth of May heretofore the day of his Birth and now of his Restauration after he had been since Worcester-fight ten years banished his Country The Members of both Houses of Parliament came to wait on his Majesty in the Banquetting-house there to express their joyful Congratulations for his Return and unfeigned Loyalty to the Government which was eloquently done by the Earl of Manchester for the House of Lords and Sir Harbotle Grimstone for the Commons The King tired out with the Fatigues of his triumphant Journey made them this short Answer I Am so disordered by my Journey and with the noise still sounding in my ears which I confess was pleasing to me because it expressed the Affections of my People as I am unfit at the present to make such a Reply as I desire yet thus much I shall say unto you That I take no greater satisfaction to my self in this my Change than that I find my heart really set to endeavour by all means for the restoring of this Nation to their Freedom and Happiness and I hope by the advice of my Parliament to assert it Of this also you may be confident That next to the honour of God from whom principally I shall ever own this Restauration to my Crown I shall study the welfare of my People and shall not onely be a true Defender of the Faith but a just Assertor of the Laws and Liberties of my Subjects The night following was consecrated to Joy The Conduits running Wine and the whole City lighted by Bonfires The loyal Citizens willing to lull asleep the memory of twenty years Calamities merrily spent the night in the noise of Trumpets Drums and Volleys of shot The providence of God Almighty never appeared more visible in humane affairs for now the Golden Age returns a Happiness too good for our times the blessed day shone forth wherein King Charles being restored to his Country restored his Country to it self and united Liberty and Monarchy two things thought incompatible under the traiterous Usurpers The honour of the Laws which makes all things firm and durable returned The splendour of the Church of England and the ancient Rites of Worship also returned Piety coming in place of Sectarian Superstition The King having tasted a little of the delights of his Return seriously set about the setling of the State entangl'd with so many Civil Dissentions and rent by Divisions and in the first place appointed a Privy-Council and disposed of the chief places of his Kingdom and Court The King makes the most Illustrious James Duke of York Lord High Admiral a Prince renowned at home and abroad and crowned with many Victories Edward Hide Earl of Clarendon was made Lord Chancellor in Eloquence not inferiour to the most famed Orators nor in Prudence to the greatest Statesmen The uncorrupted Earl of Southampton with Honour and Integrity discharged the Office of Lord High Treasurer The Illustrious charge of Steward of the Kings Houshold was conferred upon the Duke of Ormond a Peer of a steddy Judgment of the Honesty of elder times and renowned both in Peace and War The Earl of Manchester whose Loyalty had been proved was created Lord Chamberlain of the House Nicholas and Morrice two aged Knights and consummated in business were the Principal Secretaries of State Monk the Restorer formerly by the Kings Commission made General of all the British Forces is now advanced to be Master of the Horse and honoured with the Illustrious Title of Duke of Albemarle For his noble Extraction gave him a claim to the Honour of the Albemarlian Family and the bounty of the King in rewarding his good Services an Estate to support it Nor was the most Religious King less careful of the
shut or guarded by Souldiers and imposing upon Delinquents for the first fault a Fine for the second Imprisonment and for the third Banishment that punishment might at length restrain those whom Clemency could not gain Nevertheless a War with Holland breaking forth and the Laws being silent amongst the noise of Arms the domestick Calamity grew so strong that the Authority of the Justices of the Peace not being able to prevail against the obstinacy of the Rabble the evil catched like Wild-fire and all future Remedies seemed posthumous and unseasonable The great injuries done by the Dutch to the English Merchants having for a long time past unrevenged did now occasion great grievances and complaining at London Though there was no Nation upon Earth whom the Dutch desired more for Friends and less for Enemies than the English who in the late War had proved themselves as formidable Enemies to the Hollanders as heretofore they had been to their Enemies yet they unjustly broke that Peace which some years before they had dishonourably begg'd of the Rump and Cromwel as being necessary for their interest by humble Addresses sordid and base compliances of their Embassadours and had since confirmed by a stricter League with King Charles the Second For to that pitch of Arrogance and Perfidy was that State of Fisher-men and croud of crafty Merchants who under the Title of a Commonwealth disliked all Monarchy raised that besides the detaining of the Island of Poloron which they were obliged to deliver up by the Articles of Peace they took a great many English Ships upon the Coast of India and Africa and making Prize of the Ships and Goods made the Sea-men Prisoners and added cruelty and scoffing to their Injustice They block up many Ports of the Indies which the English had long possessed with Men of War and having unjustly intercepted the English Trade they sold to other Nations at home at the dear rates the Commodities which they had for a small matter bought in the Indies Holmes who was Admiral for the King upon the Coast of India and Africa behaving himself modestly in his Commission was by those Dutch Pirats by Sea and Land whom neither the East nor West could satisfie contrary to the Law of Nations often fired upon At which Holmes a man of a daring temper and unacquainted with affronts being provoked resolved to continue no longer on the defensive part but to turn Aggressour and therefore bringing his Guns ashore and planting them on Batteries he took some of the Dutch Garrisons and revenged the injuries he had received But with false Accusations they complain of Holmes who had been so often and basely used by them to the King crying out against him as a Robber and the causer of a War as if by making a clamour first they might ridiculously excuse their own Treachery These and many other Encroachments of the Dutch so incensed the Parliament that they forthwith voted it necessary to revenge so many Injuries done to the Merchants and a considerable supply of money to be given to the King to carry on a War which they judged safer than a doubtful and uncertain Peace Though the King was highly offended to hear of the Injuries done to his Subjects and concerned in honour to right them yet he resolved to try other ways of adjusting matters before he came to force of Arms having therefore dispatched Letters to Sir George Downing his Embassadour at the Hague he demands a speedy reparation of the Injuries done to his Subjects from the States But though the Kings demands were just and lawful yet it was in vain to represent the Rapines of Dutch Merchants to trafficking States since they who were in Authority and should have punished these Abuses reaped the profit of them But amongst these Clashings about Injuries a new cause of quarrel not heard of till then happened through the treachery of the Dutch For the year before the States General having been oppressed by the frequent Piracies of the Algerines by Embassadours made earnest application to the King that joyning his Fleet with theirs he would help to revenge the Injuries of these Infidels Nor was the King wanting to contribute to the safety of his Subjects and of all Christendom but sent Vice-Admiral Lawson an expert Sea-Commander with a well-appointed Fleet to joyn and assist the Fleet commanded by de Ruyter But whilst Lawson was wholly taken up in fighting and pursuing the Pirats Ships of which he had sunk and burnt many upon the Coast of Barbary De Ruyter gave him the slip and by orders from the States directed his course to Guiny where falling upon the English who were secure and neither expected nor deserved any such thing he committed no less Robberies upon us than he pretended to revenge on the Algerines but with far greater treachery The news of so base an action being freshly brought to London so incensed all People that the King highly offended commanded all Dutch Ships in the Ports of England to be stopt and all further Treaties of Pacification being laid aside both sides prepare for a War But during the preludes of the approaching War the Dutch a more contumelious than formidable Enemy inflamed the rage and hatred of the English by scurrilous Libels Medals and many base and satyrical Pictures according to the innate insolency and barbarous vanity of that People Holland more powerful both in Wealth and Cunning led the rest of the Vnited Provinces by the nose and Dewit Holland a man of a crafty and subtle Wit malicious Eloquence and of more reputation for cunning Policy than Honesty The greatness of the Family of the Prince of Orange and the vast power of the King of Great Britain by Sea stood in the way of the Artifices of this arrogant man and of his own Holland To ruine therefore the Prince and Family of Nassau he raised secret jealousies against him and by lessening the authority of Orange with the States he alone managed all affairs and under colour of standing up for the liberty of the Commonwealth ruled absolutely at his pleasure and so confident of himself grew this Butter-box that having trode upon the Dignity of the Prince at home he thought that by turns he might make fools of all the Kings of Europe He hated the King of Great Britain the more because he feared him and since through similitude of Manners he had been a great friend to the Traytor Cromwel he was therefore the more implacable Enemy to King Charles Certainly next to the insatiable Avarice of the Dutch Nation all the hatred of that People to the English is to be attributed to Dewit and his Faction To so great an Arrogance were the Dutch raised that it was given out amongst the People That the affairs of England were not in such a posture that the Civil War of England being just ended they had money enough still to
the Duke of Ormond with unanimous consent of the Heads Fellows and Students of Colledges is chosen Chancellour of the University of Oxford and so being taken off from the care and troubles of the Irish affairs he had the direction of the softer and more peaceful Muses About the beginning of September Mary the Queen Mother of England having for two and twenty years in Banishment and Widowhood lived without the enjoyment of the King her Husband and with the comfort of a flourishing Off-spring having beheld her Son setled in the Throne died at Paris in France full of years and of glory in all the changes of humane condition About the end of this and beginning of next year the Duke of Albemarle also finished his course And being now to speak the last of a man born for the publick good famous in a high and famous in a lower degree I shall take a short review of his Birth Manners and Fortune George Monk the Son of a Knight was born in Devonshire in the West of England in the year One thousand six hundred and eight He had an elder Brother who inherited his Fathers Estate and Honour and a younger who being bred a Scholar after the Restauration of the King was made Bishop of Hereford George the middlemost pushing his Fortune in the Camp followed the Wars wherein he was first initiated in his youth at Cadis against the Spaniards and shortly after in an Expedition against the French at the Isle of Ré both unfortunate in their issue but with better success he served under the Earl of Oxford in Holland The Civil Wars afterwards breaking out occasioned first by the accursed madness of the Scottish Presbyterians he returned into England and listed himself under Charles the First who then marched against the Scots and next year after was made a Colonel in the Army against the Irish Rebels But the Civil War of England raging more furiously afterwards whilst the Parliament called in the Scots their Brethren in Iniquity to their assistance the King on the other hand having made a Truce with the Irish Rebels called over his Forces from Ireland for his own defence at home and Monk being one of the Commanders of that Army with the rest joyned the King at at Oxford but whilst by orders from the King he mustered the Irish Forces in the Camp he was unexpectedly surprized and taken by Fairfax who served the Parliament and being carried to London lay there almost four years Prisoner in the Tower Whilst he was there shut up and in distress the King sent him secretly an hundred Pieces of Gold which considering the streights his Majesty was then put to was no small Argument of his Royal Affection towards him But being at length tired out with an irksome imprisonment and for the sake of liberty changing sides he took in with the Parliament and went again over into Ireland where he did many brave actions against the Irish Rebels not without Presages of becoming sometime a great General as being the onely person who seemed to have carried with him Honesty and Civility to the Civil War Here it was that first of all he gained the good esteem of Cromwel who then commanded the Parliament-Forces in Ireland having performed an action more advantageous to his General than honourable to himself The Irish War being ended the Summer following he marched with Cromwel against the Scots and did not a little contribute to his fortunate Successes in Scotland Having been so often victorious at Land and now an old Commander he tried his fortune at Sea and under the Rump-Parliament was very successful against the Dutch having in two Engagements beaten them and put them to flight At length when Cromwel got into Supreme Power he was made Governour of Scotland which Trust with equal reputation of Equity and Prudence he discharged during the space of almost five years until Quarrels and Animosities happening at London betwixt the Rumpers and Colonels of the Army he laid hold on the occasion for restoring of the King But at what time first he framed the designe of restoring Charles to the Throne I shall hardly presume to determine Cavillers and those that make the worst of things gave it out that his dutiful services to the King were but fortuitous but they who judge impartially affirm that it was a designe laid many years before Certainly the best of Kings more mindful of the effects of his Loyalty than of its beginning received the duty of Albemarle as extraordinary and kind services and honourably and liberally rewarded them The year before his death he fell into a Dropsie and being weary of the ordinary methods and advice of Physicians he made use of a certain Quack-Medicine which in appearance recovered him but his body being opened after his death a great deal of Water was found in his Bowels and much congealed Bloud in both the Ventricles of his Heart and other neighbouring Vessels For the motion both of the Heart and Bloud being weakened by an inveterate Dropsie gave occasion to the stagnating of the chylous juyce about the Heart which stopping the Fountain of the circulating Bloud put at length a stop to his last breathings for life The Marriage of his onely Son was in a manner the last thing he minded in this life who a few days before his death was married to the Daughter of the Earl of Ogle and Grand-daughter to the Duke of Newcastle thereby to settle as well as honour his Family by an Alliance with so Noble a House After he had seen Britain rejoycing in Triumphs beheld Charles confirmed in the Throne by ten years happy Reign and after he had administred the greatest Offices of Trust under the King both in Peace and War being upwards of sixty years of age he yielded to Destiny which he willingly and undauntedly submitted unto that after the Trophies of a past Life he might at length triumph over Death He left but one onely Son the Illustrious Inheritour of his Fathers Fame hopeful to the State and cherished by the King as his own Charles who had often visited and condoled with him in his sickness was with him to the last and expressed the same affection for dying Albemarle that he had testified to him during his life From Somerset-house where he had lain in state he was with a splendid pomp of solemn Funerals at the Kings charges conveyed to Westminster-Abbey and there amidst the Tears and Condolings of all good men interred amongst the August Monuments of Kings being the last Triumph due to his memory They who are curious to have a description of the shapes and countenance of so great a man may know that he was a person more graceful than beautiful of a middle stature strong and well comparted with a comely presence and of a composed rather than severe or stern aspect He may easily be reckoned a
them and at length march Northward against their Brethren Nor durst the English Presbyterians who favoured the Scots say much to the contrary lest they should seem more concerned for the insolence of a foreign Nation than the honour of their Country-men At length after long Debates the Scots pretending that it was contrary to the Laws of Nations and Hospitality to deliver up the King who of his own accord put himself under their protection into the hands of the Parliamentarians our Republican Rebels on the other hand urging in the name of the Parliament That the Scots serving and receiving pay in England ought not to have received the King into their Army and much less keep him there against the will of the Parliament but after some formal previous Treaties that might serve to enhaunce the price it was resolved that the King should be delivered up to the Parliamentarian-Rebels And that they might have a specious colour for so horrid an action They urge the King to take the Covenant pretending that without that they could not lawfully take him with them into Scotland The King promises to take that Oath provided he were satisfied in some scruples of Conscience concerning Church-government which Province was committed to the Minister Heuderson the then Oracle of the Kirk who weakly and unsuccessfully attempted it for in their disputes the King in the judgment of all had the better on 't but money prevailed The Scots having received an hundred thousand pounds English in ready money and the promise of an hundred thousand more to be paid within a year draw out of England leaving the King to the mercy of the Parliament but with this condition That no injury should be offered to his Majesties person and that he might be received in one of his houses in or about London with honour safety and freedom that so he might be prevailed with by Arguments from both Nations to confirm and approve their Propositions The King being received at Newcastle by the Parliament-Commissioners four Lords and eight Commoners was with a guard of Souldiers conducted to Holmeby house in Northamptonshire where he suffered a splendid indeed but close imprisonment all who had either actually been or suspected to be of his Party being removed from him nay and his domestick Chaplains also whose assistance he had often desired of the Parliament The Conquerours now in striving for the Booty and Government did no longer dissemble their opinions but divide themselves into various Sects and Names which hitherto we called by the common name of Factious or Rebels but shall now divide them into their several Classes and Forms as likewise shewing by what cunning and degrees they who got into power advanced to the Supremacy Which that we may the more clearly do it will not be amiss to look into some past Ages It is not to be denied but that the seeds of Faction were sow'd in England from the very beginning of the Reformation Nor are the Roman Catholicks to be proud of this since they have given the examples to others by subjecting the Crowns and Scepters of Kings to the Mitre of the Pope and Keys of St. Peter and are no less dangerous to Kings whom they have pulled from their Thrones and exposed to the Daggers of Assassinates From that time some but in no great number are for shaking off Rome in every thing and not leaving the least monument of the ancient Church-government or Liturgie But the greater number and those the wiser thinking it enough to retrench what was superfluous and superstitious are for retaining Episcopal government and a publick reformed Liturgie the one because it suited well with Monarchical government and civil interest of the State and the other because it seemed pious and adapted to the publick Worship of God Both these as being consonant to primitive Constitutions Kings and Parliaments wisely to prevent the inconveniencies that happen from skipping from one extreme to another thought fit to establish by Laws and to inflict severe Penalties upon Dissenters This at first gave ground to heart-burnings afterwards to reasonings about the matter and the licentious humour of disputing prevailing to more bitter Controversies so that at length as it usually happens amongst Brethren who differ in points of Religion they fell to Contentions and invective Disputations the common enemy egging them on on both sides And thus the Quarrel being managed with mutual hatred and animosity the Anti-Episcopal Party or the Jesuits in their name defame the established Church with Reproaches and scandalous Libels which forced from the Bishops and Ecclesiastical Courts Suspensions Deprivations Imprisonments and Banishments But that severity though executed according to the prescript of Law drew hatred upon the Prelates and made the Anti-Episcoparians to be pitied and the rather that they seemed to suffer for Conscience-sake and the purity of Gospel-worship being otherwise in appearance men of strict lives and conversations zealous Preachers fervent in Prayer ready to do pious Offices and in a word in all things else very good men And this made many Towns Noblemen and Gentlemen take them into protection make very much of them and at length joyns with them in opinion and conspire together against the Hierarchy or Church-government Who despairing to procure the abolition of it from the Kings they hope to compass it by Parliament and therefore they endeavour to lessen the Royal Authority by magnifying a Parliamentary power wherein being assisted by all the other Sects of Fanaticks the seditious and turbulent off-scourings of Christians and Subjects they begin to make a distinction betwixt and divide the Royal Prerogative from the Liberty of the People two things that are very consistent together that laying hold on that pretext they might set up for publick-spirited men and be thought the Patriots of the Nation Having by this means at length raised their Authority amongst the common People so as to be chosen Members of Parliament they set all their Engines at work for accomplishing their intended Project there is nothing in their mouths but the Rights of the People Priviledges of Parliament and the publick Liberty they lay open to the quick the faults of the Magistrates and Courtiers in scandalous Pamphlets they inveigh against Episcopacy and the established government of the Church censure the Manners and Pluralities of Church-men they expose the administration of publick government and make it their care and study in all things to weaken the Kings Power and lessen his Reputation To these their cunning contrivances a commodious occasion happened Whilst in the Reign of King James Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhyne the Kings Son-in-law having been engaged in the German War was with his whole Family by the Imperial Forces driven out of his Territories To defend the Cause of the Protestant Religion which seemed to be in danger and to restore this banished Prince so nearly allied to the King
were made specious pretexts for their following ill designes And by these pretences they endeavour but in vain to engage that wise King in a War until Prince Charles seconding their Addresses and the Emperour refusing to agree to reasonable terms of Peace he was rouzed up to Arms. War being thereupon proclaimed whilst preparations were making and all Europe expected great matters from England the Parliament upon I know not what slight Grievances Jealousies and Suspicions leave the King in the lurch so that unless King Charles upon the death of his Father would make himself ridiculous to the World he was necessitated to raise money by his own authority laying on unusual Taxes and Impositions by virtue not onely of old dormant Laws but also of new interpretations without calling a Parliament which is customary on more urgent occasions This incensed the People and afforded a plentiful crop of Murmurs and Complaints and inclined good and honest Subjects who were far from any thoughts of Innovations but alarmed with the fears of Arbitrary Government and the loss of the Liberty of the Subject as they imagined to plot and combine with the Factious Malecontents for curbing the power of the King All these Sects at first though differing in opinions and designs were called by the name of Puritans During the rage of the Civil War after that the Scots came to the assistance of the Parliament and many had been noosed into the Solemn League and Covenant the Presbyterians were powerful both in wealth and number raise their heads above the rest Nor can they be excused from Rebellion who having abolished the Church-government and Liturgie introduced the Presbytery and Directory in place thereof aiming at the change of Civil Government also from Monarchy to an Aristocracy though they pretended to retain the name and person of a King and making use of the assistance of the other Sects who fought openly under their Banners though they cunningly concealed their designes Next came into play the better sort of Independents and some of the Tribe of Anabaptists who wished for no setled National Church-government and who liked a Democracy best yet still retaining the name and person of a King But the chief was a Faction most properly so called consisting of the rigidest sort of Presbyterians and a medly of many other Fanaticks who having destroyed the Monarchy and the Royal Family root and branch were some of them for an Oligarchy others for Anarchy and most for a Democracy I may also adde a Christocraty that Fifth-monarchy which not a few longed for wherein worldly Powers Magistrates and all profane Authority being brought down and trodden under foot Christ with his Saints might exercise dominion over the wicked and ungodly of the Earth These are they who are in a more particular sence to be called Rebels and Traytors to the Government who though they all looked different ways and served in the Presbyterian Armies for some time yet they were the fire-brands that kindled civil Dissensions among them till getting the power in their hands into which by degrees they had screwed themselves they had the boldness to fall off from the rest set up for themselves in their own names and publickly to magnifie their own Atchievements At first whilst the clouds of Troubles were but a gathering these factious Rebels were hardly distinguished by any name but skulk'd under the cloak of good Patriots and the godly Party But in the mean time they carefully watched all occasions of blowing up the fire of a Civil War and so soon as the War flamed out and the State was all in disorder lest differences might be taken up they used all arts to make the King jealous of his Parliament and the Parliament again of the King every where throwing in Bones of Contention and as it is the custom of all Demagogues distracted the thoughts of the giddy and light-headed Multitude with jealousies and fears By this their indefatigable industry in calumniating the King and exposing of him in all things to the hatred of the people they first alienate the minds of the Multitude from their Prince and then from Peace When they observed any Proposals made by the Parliament to the King or by the King to the Parliament which in probability might heal the wounds of Contention and War and restore a solid Peace they slily perplex and disturb the Negotiation when they prosper they swell in their demands lest what they had already got by force of Arms they might seem to acquire precariously and by concession but if fortune frowned upon them then were they for rouzing despondent minds That in that condition they would not think of making Peace when in their low fortune they must of necessity submit to harder Conditions nor that they would so far abase the honour of Parliament as to seem to do any thing through fear or force Nay and by false Reports counterfeit Letters and suborned Witnesses they pretend to discover strange Plots and monstruous Dangers disguised under the specious mask of Friendship They adjure others by the bowels of love and pity to the Commonwealth by their affection to the publick and the Cause of Christ and in long Speeches and Arguments plead That in carrying on the War they should rather expect to know the will and pleasure of God so they thought fit to speak in a matter of so great consequence than to make Peace with the King upon unsure Conditions prejudicial to the Publick The easie and credulous who are apt to suspect any thing and those also who were conscious of their own guilt being intangled by these Artifices they propose so hard Conditions to the King that he could not with a safe conscience honour and the safety of his Friends consent to them whilst they slighted and rejected his Majesties Letters and most just Proposals almost twenty times sent to them In the mean time these good men whilst they boast of their extraordinary zeal for the publick Liberty and the pure reformed Religion making use of the War for their own private advantages step into the greatest and most profitable places of the State And then having got deeper rooting by degrees they win upon others and draw them into the Conspiracy making great progresses both in the Parliament and Country in this stirring up the Mobile to prefer Petitions or rather putting the peoples names to Petitions framed by two or three of their own Faction and in the other by cunning and knavery accommodating the Authority of Parliament to their own arts and devices By this means it was no difficult matter either at midnight or early in the morning when the other Members that differed them appeared not or were absent about their own private affairs to snatch an opportunity of carrying things by vote and to lay hold on occasion by the forelock so that the less but more
but all their said several preferments places and promotions shall be utterly void as if they were naturally dead nor shall they otherwise use their Function of the Ministry without advice and consent of both Houses of Parliament Provided that no Laps shall incurr by such vacancy until six months past after notice thereof 6 Qualification That all persons who have been actually in Arms against the Parliament or have counselled or voluntarily assisted the Enemies thereof are disabled to be Sheriffs Justices of the Peace Mayors or other head-Officers of any City or Corporation Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer or to sit or serve as Members or Assistants in either of the Houses of Parliament or to have any Military employment in this Kingdom without the consent of both Houses of Parliament 7 Qualification The persons of all others to be free of all personal censure notwithstanding any Act or thing done in or concerning this War they taking the Covenant 8 Qualification The Estates of those persons excepted in the first three precedent Qualifications and the Estates of Edward Lord Littleton and of William Laud late Archbishop of Canterbury to pay publick Debts and Damages 9 Qualification Branch 1. That two full parts in three to be divided of all the Estates of the Members of either House of Parliament who have not onely deserted the Parliament but have also voted both Kingdoms Traytors and have not rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom Branch 2. That two full parts in three to be divided of the Estates of such late Members of either House of Parliament as sate in the unlawful Assembly at Oxford and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom Branch 3. That one full moity of the Estates of such persons late Members of either of the Houses of Parliament who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 10 Qualification That a full third part of the value of the Estates of all Judges and Officers towards the Law Common or Civil and of all Serjeants Counsellors and Attorneys Doctors Advocates and Proctors of the Law Common or Civil And of all Bishops Clergy-men Masters and Fellows of any Colledge or Hall in either of the Universities or elsewhere And of all Masters of Schools or Hospitals and of all Ecclesiastical persons who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and have not rendred themselves to the Parliament before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom That a full sixth part on the full value of the Estates of the persons excepted in the sixth Qualification concerning such as have been actually in Arms against the Parliament or have counselled or voluntarily assisted the Enemies thereof and are disabled according to the said Qualification be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 11 Qualification That the persons and Estates of all Common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of England who in Lands or Goods be not worth two hundred pounds sterling and the persons and Estates of all Common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of Scotland who in Lands or Goods be not worth one hundred pounds sterling be at liberty and discharged Branch 1. This Proposition to stand as to the English and as to the Scots likewise if the Parliament of Scotland or their Commissioners shall so think fit Branch 2. That the 1 of May last is now the day limited for the persons to come in that are comprised within the former Qualifications Provided that all and every the Delinquents which by or according to the several and respective Ordinances or Orders made by both or either of the Houses of Parliament on or before the 24th day of April 1647. are to be admitted to make their Fines and Compositions under the rates and proportions of the Qualifications aforesaid shall according to the said Ordinances and Orders respectively be thereto admitted and further also that no person or persons whatsoever except such Papists as having been in Arms or voluntarily assisted against the Parliament have by concealing their quality procured their admission to Composition which have already compounded or shall hereafter compound and be thereto admitted by both Houses of Parliament at any of the rates and proportions aforesaid or under respectively shall be put to pay any other Fine than that they have or shall respectively so compound for except for such Estates or such of their Estates and for such values thereof respectively as have been or shall be concealed or omitted in the particulars whereupon they compound and that all and every of them shall have thereupon their Pardons in such manner and form as is agreed by both Houses of Parliament That an Act be passed whereby the Debts of the Kingdom and the persons of Delinquents and the value of their Estates may be known and which Act shall appoint in what manner the Confiscations and Proportions before-mentioned may be leavied and applied to the discharge of the said Engagements The like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of Parliament or such as shall have power from them shall think fit XIX That an Act of Parliament be passed to declare and make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Conclusions of Peace or any Articles thereupon with the Rebels without consent of both Houses of Parliament And to settle the prosecution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of the Parliament of England to be managed by them and the King to assist and to do no act to discountenance or molest them therein That Reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be setled in the Kingdom of Ireland by Act of Parliament in such manner as both Houses of the Parliament of England have agreed or shall agree upon after Consultation had with the Assembly of Divines here That the Deputy or chief Governour or other Governours of Ireland and the Presidents of the several Provinces of that Kingdom be nominated by both the Houses of the Parliament of England or in the intervals of Parliament by such Committees of both Houses of Parliament as both Houses of the Parliament of England shall nominate and appoint for that purpose And that the Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Commissioners of the Great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Chancellor of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches and Barons of the Exchequer of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Vice-Treasurer and the
for money and that the Souldiers might be paid by the spoils of the State Lambert's forces are imperiously commanded back to their Garrisons and forthwith to leave the Field upon pain of disobeying the Supreme Power and forfeiting their Duty And at the same time news was brought to Monk's Camp that the Committee of Safety was broken and the Rump again in power What could Lambert now between hawk and buzzard do he was forsaken by Fortune deluded by Fleetwood's confidence over-reached by Monk under a colour of Peace and despised by the Rump Should he return to London it was a long and difficult march and perhaps as late for the succour of his friends as dangerous to himself having such an Enemy in the rear Should he engage Monk in a Country improper for Horse the ground being covered over with Ice and Snow it would be very uncertain if not in vain since in the dead of Winter his Horse could do no feats What to do he could not tell Nor were Lambert's men truer to their Trust than Fleetwood's had been at London for so soon as they heard of the defection of the London-Regiments basely without consulting their General nay and slighting his authority they submit to the Rump Few now were to be seen at Lambert's door and fewer within nothing but silence and seldom any Guards He was no more General nor cause of the War but where he hoped for Laurel and Triumph he was fain to search a hiding place so that without any attendance he speedily and secretly betook himself to London So fallacious and uncertain a thing is Power when it is too great A certain kind of Triumviral Power now exerted it self in Britain under Monk Fleetwood and Lambert not much unlike to that Roman Triumvirat of Caesar Pompey and Crassus With almost the same gallantry Monk behaved himself in Scotland as Caesar heretofore governed in Gallia but out of their Governments Monk out-did Caesar for the Roman being come into the City offered violence to the Senate and unjustly usurped the Dictatorship The other entering London under colour of restoring the Parliament by a rare instance of Loyalty and Modesty restored the King Nor were the emulous and competing Crassus and Pompey more sollicitous in drawing in Caesar than Fleetwood and Lambert were in endeavouring to associate Monk into the Government for though they contributed their mutual assistance in overturning the Rump-Parliament yet it is certain they hardly conspired in any thing but in the fear that both of them had of Monk Fleetwood was jealous of Lambert's ambition and Lambert could not brook Fleetwood's authority the one could not admit of an Equal nor the other of a Superiour Monk therefore was courted by Letters from both as having it in his power to give the Government to what Party he pleased Nor could Fleetwood have expected better Conditions from Lambert had he prevailed against Monk which those who favoured Fleetwood in his Army perceiving avoiding all opportunity of fighting with Monk lest Lambert perchance getting the victory might turn out his Rival Fleetwood Lambert can hardly be compared to Pompey unless it be in boundless ambition and the unhappy issue thereof and Fleetwood not at all to Crassus But without doubt it was the interest of the Publick that both were undone seeing Monk getting the better restored at length Britain to it self Lambert's Forces in all places having either run away or submitted Monk divides his Army and under his own and Morgan's conduct marches streight to London a march that will be famous in all future Ages and memorable to Posterity On New-years-day having sent before the Foot he moved from Caldstream and the day after he himself followed with the Horse and took his Quarters at Wellar the next day when he was come to Morpet he received Letters from the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen of London sent by the City Sword-bearer wherein they earnestly entreat him That according to the great Trust and Power he had having now found an occasion than which Providence had never offered a greater he would relieve the distressed State and call a new and full Parliament as the onely support of their tottering Country freely offering him the assistance and concurrence of the City in the affair And now on the fourth of January Monk having marched his Army over desert Mountains in deep Winter-Snow arrived at Newcastle and the day following sets forward to Durham from thence directing his march to York near Allerton he was honourably received by the Sheriff of the County Being next day come to York he was met by a multitude of Citizens and Persons of Quality and by them splendidly conducted into the City Having performed so great a march in so short a time he rested here five days either that he might let the news of his coming flie before him to London or that having allowed some time he might by his Agents of whom he had a great many in the City be early informed of the Councils of the Rump and inclinations of the Citizens Here Monk met with Fairfax a famous Souldier and his old Companion in the Wars who now following his own humour had risen in Arms against Lambert and was with no contemptible Forces but far greater reputation come over to the right side being now with more honour an Enemy than he had heretofore been General of the same Army During this stay at York Monk received into his service some Regiments of Lambert's Army having changed the Colonels and Officers and no Enemy now appearing anywhere he mustered his Army and sent back part of it under the command of Morgan into Scotland He himself with four thousand Foot and eighteen hundred Horse marches forwards towards London Such was the Army of Monk the least and yet most renowned body of men that ever marched through England which being hardly a third part in number to the enemy buoyed up the fate of tottering Britain and the fortune of Charles the Second The Army marching from hence and being come to Nottingham he was met by Clarges who came post from London a man deservedly of great interest and authority with him He secretly informed him of the designes of the Rump the strength of the City-Forces the suspicions and jealousies of the Sectarians and that the hopes of the Citizens depended wholly on him Upon his march he was met at Leicester and congratulated by Scot and Robinson Commissioners from the Rump upon pretext of doing honour to the General and civilly waiting upon him in his march but in reality as Spies to dive into his secrets and diligently to observe his words and actions Nor was Monk less circumspect but being a great concealer of his thoughts and sparing in words accommodating all his discourse to occasion and shewing the Commissioners all imaginable respect in the Army he confirmed them in the opinion of his sincerity In this long and
at this time when the wants of the Commonwealth call for supplies and people will unwillingly pay Taxes for those Estates of which they have no legal assurance I need not tell you how much you were abused in the nomination of the Officers of your Armies there their malice that deceived you hath been sufficiently manifested I do affirm that those now who have declared for you will continue faithful and thereby convince that as well there as here it is the sober interest must establish Dominion As for Scotland the People of that Nation deserve to be cherished much and I believe your late Declaration will much glad their spirits for nothing was more dreadful to them than a fear to be over-run with Fanatick Notions I humbly recommend them to your affection and esteem and desire the intended Vnion may be prosecuted and their Taxes made proportionably to those in England for which I am engaged in promise to become a Suiter to you And truly Sir I must ask leave to entreat you to make a speedy provision for their Civil Government there of which they have been destitute near a year to the ruine of many Families and except Commissioners for managing of the Government and Judges to sit in Courts of Judicature be speedily appointed that Country will be very miserable I directed Mr. Gumble whom I lately sent to you to give you an account of the affairs of the Scottish Army and to make certain Proposals in their names to present some persons to you both for Commissioners and Judges which he did but by reason of your great affairs they were not dispatched but I humbly now offer them to your consideration If what the General spake was unpremeditated certainly it was well his upon but how the Rump were satisfied with his Speech the sequel will make it appear Besides his declining to take the Oath of Abjuration the day before the freedom of his speech mightily netled the Rump-Abjurors who looked upon him as a Dictator rather than an Orator commanding rather than petitioning and who had seemed as much dissatisfied with the treachery of Fanaticks as the contumacy of the Cavaliers The Abjurors in the mean time those Piles in the Rump who had the sole power in carrying of things began to have jealousies of the sincerity of Monk's intentions and of the extraordinary affection of the people towards him and having found an opportunity they delayed no longer to make a tryal of his thoughts and hidden designes The Government of this Rump-Parliament was grown so contemptible and loathsome to the Londoners that an Order past in Common Council That unless they had a free and full Parliament they would not pay one farthing of Taxes which so startled and incensed the guilty and timerous minds of the Members that Monk hath forthwith severe orders to march into the City commit twelve of the more sawcy Citizens to the Tower of London and by pulling down the City-Posts and Chains Gates and Portcullices in a military manner quell the boldness of the People which if he did then the disgrace and hatred would equally fall upon all and that by that means they would prove Monk's friendship as if he refused they might conclude him an Enemy Though Monk abhorred those cruel Orders of these Rulers yet he marched into the City with armed Forces and contrary to his own inclination puts in execution the hateful Orders of the Rump This unexpected Aggression of Monk astonished the City and the People were in consternation at it appearing first by a profound silence then secret murmurings and amazed looks but there was more sadness than fury in the case and the Town seemed rather surrendred than stormed In the mean time the Souldiers had the chief command slighting the Authority of the Mayor and Dignity of the City Et nullos Comitatu est Purpura fasces And no Scarlet nor Gold-Chain appeared Now did the Londoners bewail their own credulity and the false hopes they had conceived of Monk and desparing of humane assistance they directed their eyes to Heaven presaging no less than a perpetual Bondage to the City This odious obedience performed by Monk to the Rump put the Spectators to a plunge and suffered various interpretations But for what he so far hazarded his own Reputation in obeying the Rumpers after this manner or why by so sudden a change of counsel and conduct he endeavoured to regain their favour again I shall not venture to determine The truth is being either conscious to himself of the injury and affront done to the City or having too much experienced the Arts and Treachery of the Rump and being no less prevailed upon by the Prayers of his Friends and the Complaints of all he was sensible that his too great compliance with the Rumpers reflected upon his own Honour and that the Indignity offered to the City had raised him too much Envy The same night being come back to Whitehall and casting about what was to be done in this ticklish state of affairs he called to Council privately some of the Officers who were his greatest Confidents and privy to his secret designes and having formed a Letter he therein angrily complaining of several things to the Rump as That his services done to the House were slighted whilst the late Traytors who were not much less Enemies to them than to the Commonwealth had with them now much more credit and esteem than he From whence else proceed your new kindness to Lambert and Vane and your new offences against me If the perfidy of the Fanaticks had still displeased you why did you with so much respect receive yesterday that Leering Heretick Barebones and the insolent Rabble of Sectarians which lewdly in his company approached you with a dishonest Petition This kindness of the House shewn to a Rabble of Hereticks is not simple sincere It is the common desire of the whole Commonwealth the general request of the People Citizens Souldiers of every one and all That the number of the Members being fill'd up within a week and then your sitting determined you should give place to a new Parliament These Letters he sent the next morning by Lidcot and Clobery two Colonels to the House In the mean time he himself hastens into the City that he might make amends for his fault and wipe off the infamy of the foregoing day Having sent a Messenger before to acquaint the Lord Mayor with his coming and mustered his Army in Finsbury-fields he is entertained at a splendid Dinner in the Lord Mayor's house After Dinner the Mayor conducted the General to the Common-Council of the City where in a full Assembly of the Citizens in their formalities He declared to them his trouble to see what affronts were offered to them by Orders from the Council of State which he obeyed yet disliked that he was necessitated to comply with those Commands but with a resolution always to run through
not now avail them That it was madness after the slaughter of so many Royalists the killing of so many Nobles and the unparallel'd Crime of the Murder of Charles the First to expect from a young banished man and exasperated by a long Exile a Pardon which God Almighty would hardly give for so many Villanies That there remained then no remedy for them but a daring boldness whilst as yet neither the Authority of the Parliament in the House nor that of Monk in both the Armies was firmly enough setled Let us therefore dare say they and re-attempt Murders Rapines Disturbances of State and all those Villanies that for twenty years past have so well succeeded with us rather than tamely and cowardly deliver up our Liberty purchased by our blouds into the power of an Enemy who will the more cruelly be revenged upon us that he hath been so often baffled and defeated by us Let us either by greater Crimes justifie the past or bury our misfortunes with our lives in the ruine of the Common-wealth Trahere omnia secum Mersa juvat gentesque suae miscere ruinae If we must sink we 'll drown the State And involve Nations in our Fate Having thus concerted a Conspiracy there wanted onely an opportune Leader but then Lambert being the person of greatest reputation amongst the Fanaticks was thought the fittest to undertake that Charge Having therefore corrupted his Keepers he made his escape out of the Tower by night then lurking privily in the City and consulting with the Ring-leaders of the Party they concluded amongst themselves O damnable madness by corrupting the English Regiments and raising Sedition in the Army to renew a Civil War And so Lambert secretly posts to Warwick the place appointed for their meeting Thither came Axtell Okey Cobbet Crede and other bloudy Traytors where being joyned by Turncoats and the disbanded Souldiers of the English Regiments whom they had allured into their Party they suddenly make up an Army and so the unhappy General is once more in command The first that gave Monk intelligence of Lambert's Insurrection was Colonel Streater who was with a Regiment of Foot quartered in Northampton The Council of State hearing of the escape of the Conspirators proclaim Lambert and his Adherents Traytors Monk in the mean time lest leaving the City of London he might bring the publick safety in danger resolved to reserve his main Force for greater occasions and to send in all haste some Horse after Lambert to crush the designe in its Infancy Richard Ingoldsbey acquitted himself like a brave man retrieving by a bold attempt the faults that being a Colonel under both the Cromwels he had formerly committed He having Orders from Monk with a body of Horse hastened to joyn Streater's Foot at Northampton and on the two and twentieth of April being Easter-day within two miles of Daventry came in sight of the Enemy in an open Country fit for a Horse-fight and no less for flight Lambert before his Forces were ripe for Action being thus unexpectedly beset for a last proof of his Valour drew up his men in order to fight leaving the rest that was not in his power to destiny and Ingoldsbey did the like both for some hours mutually expecting the charge Whilst thus they delayed to engage it was reported that Lambert made some overtures of restoring Richard Cromwel whom he knew Ingoldsbey to have been much affected to that so he might save Stakes But he disdaining to see the force of that scenical Prince plaid again they must come to blows Providence appeared in the engagement for hardly had they begun to skirmish but that many of Lambert's Horse turned to Ingoldsbey's side the rest either daunted at the desertion of their Companions or the force of the Enemy took quarters and yielded Which when the Commanders perceived they began to think of running Ingoldsbey charging then home put Lambert hard to it who far below the great fame that he had acquired in Arms his Courage sinking with his Cause and forgetting his former Reputation tamely yielded himself Prisoner With Lambert Cobbet and Crede were taken but Axtell and Okey making their escape delayed but avoided not their deserved punishments And now again Lambert forsaken of his Friends and a Prisoner became sensible of his fortune Yet this fresh madness of Rebels had it not been seasonably quelled by Ingoldsbey and Streater would have again embrewed the Nation in Bloud and Slaughter and turned all things into new Disorders The very day that Monk mustered the Militia of London Ingoldsbey brought his Prisoners to Town who were now led in triumph where they had so often triumphed by their Villanies passing disarmed through armed Souldiers And thus the Civil Wars had an end Not long before March the 17th the Long and Black Parliament dissolved themselves a Parliament infamous for such havock made in the State so many impudent and unwarrantable Undertakings and for the murder of Charles the Martyr being twice garbl'd twice turned out twice restored and at length much more happily ended than begun And now on the five and twentieth of April a new and more auspicuous Parliament assembled being made up according to the ancient English custom of Lords and Commons The Earl of Manchester was Speaker of the House of Lords and Sir Harbotle Grimstone of the Commons And this conjunction of both Houses seemed a natural Prelude to the Kings Restauration For the English accustomed to Kingly government cried that there remained no other way of remedying the publick Distempers but a submission to the rightful government of Charles the Second So was it ordered above that God and man should concur in recalling the King to his Throne And so great was the fame of the Virtues and Accomplishments of this August young Prince that though by reason of a long Exile he was by face almost unknown to all and though he had not had a lawful and hereditary Title to the Crown yet they would have courted him to accept of the Government Nor was he less desirable when compared and put into the balance with those bloudy Vsurpers Nay the compassionate sense of his adverse Fortune and tedious Exile kindled also in his Subjects an affectionate desire of recalling him to his Right And the inconsiderate mistakes of the imperious Traytors at length came to this That the Common-wealth no less desired the King than the King the Government and the languishing condition of the Publick made it as if not more necessary for the English to have a Prince than for him to have a People While these things were a doing Charles wholly intent upon the motions of England leaving Brussels a Town under the Spanish dominion came to Breda which belongs to his Nephew the Prince of Orange from whence he dispatched Sir John Greenvile with Royal Letters to both Houses of Parliament and Letters also to General Monk
several Ambassadours especially of the Spaniard by Hide afterwards Chancelour of England and Earl of Clarendon And the French in person But with little success every where The Turk delivering up the Ambassadour Hide brother to the Chancelour into the hands of the Rump-Parliament who being brought to London is beheaded The French flattering with vain hopes And at length making a league with the Regicides The Spaniard declining to meddle in other peoples business And being the fiâ—st of all that owned and complemented the Common-wealth of England For what Reasons chiefly instigated thereunto The King of Portugal being able to do little And Sueden fickle The Duke of Holstein brought some succours The Dane indigent of money The Pole engaged in domestick troubles Others benevolent but not much to the purpose The King 's chief hope in his own Subjects Of whom a great many extreamly well affected but very weak in strength Ascham who he was An envoy from the Rump-Parliament to the King of Spain He is privately killed with his Interpreter One of the Murderers taken making his escape suffers for it The King of Portugal offends the Regicides because he would not force Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice cut of his Harbours when Blake desired to fight them Blake therefore takes some Porteguese Ships laden with Suger and sends them into England The Princes hardly escaping sail to America Where Maurice was unhappily cast away Rupert returning back to the Coast of France The Portuguese Ships are restored Strickland the Ambassadour being slighted in Holland returns home The Dutch Ambassadour is commanded to depart England To whom another presently succeeds from Amsterdam St. Jones and Strickland are sent into Holland with great Equipage Who nevertheless being fooled by the States And exposed to continual dangers They return without doing of any thing This enraged the Parricides And made them give out Letters of Reprisal Whitlock Sails to Sweden with a splendid Embassy for the Queâ—n Who resigning the Crown the King sends ovâ—r Bond Ambassadour to Cromwell An expedition for reducing the Isles of Silly Of which two after a conflict of three houres continuance are taken The rest at length surrender upon articles As also upon Barbadoes an Island in America A high Court of Justice is again erected and that a standing Court. A lively description of the sad faee of affairs Informers swarm in all places Nothing secure from Spies Who had a thousand tricks to do mischief A New set of Trapans come in play Who amongst others are fatal to Colonel Andrews By the craft of these the Lord Craven is forfeited And others brought into the danger of their lives Whilst the accursed authors are secure As being put upon these tricks by the Regicides The Scots consent to Monarchy and that in the person of Charles the Second those that were of a contrary opinion not daring to resist Yet they disagree about the conditions At length CHARLES the Second is proclaimed King of Scotland England and Ireland And Windram is sent to the King from the Convention of Estates That he might inform him upon what conditions he was to be admitted Which were to this purpose The King having read the Letters writes back to the Scots by Fleeming Afterwards by the same Windram And appoints Breda in Holland for a Treaty Then deliberates with his Friends Of whom some dread all concord with the Scots Others perswade him to listen to the Scots As the Queen-Mother also did ☞ The King acquaints Montross with the Treaty to be held with the Scots at Breda And presently leaves the Isle of Jersey The convention of the Estates of Scotland chuse Commissioners And agree upon Articles to be sent to the King Which proposed at Breda And presently after a few more by other Commissioners especially against Montross The deplorable fate of that Excellent Hero is related Who wâ—th a small handful of men arrives too soon in Scotland He is sadly disappointed of his hopes the Nation being now worn out with troubles and inclinable to peace He takes Dumbeath And hastens to pâ—ssess himself of a Pass But Straughan was at hand with three hundred Horse Who perceiving his opportunity falls upon him easily routs and puts his men to flight Montross betakes himself to flight and being spent with three days fasting confiding in a treacherous man is brought to Leslie And from thence into the Jaws of his Enemies and is basely used at Edinburrough Next day he is in Parliament accused of hainous Crimes Which he shortly answered and refuted Nevertheless he is Condemned by Chancellour Loudon to suffer in a most horrid manner Next day he suffered a barbarous and inhumane death The King was extreamly grieved at this misfortune and expostulates with Murrey Yet he conceals his Anger The Scots labour to soften and appease the King Who at length consents to their Articles And together with the Commissioners that in different Ships he puts out to Sea by whom he is on Board plied with new Proposals about the Solemn League and Covenant Which with reluctancy he subcribes in presence of Witnesses And at length after many dangers arrives in the Spey With the general applause of the People He is splendidly entertained at Aberdeen And at Dundee also And when he came to Edinburrough he was solemnly proclaimed King of Scotland England and Ireland There he is managed at the pleasure of Commissioners and continually vexed by the Ministers By the Laicks also almost divested of his Royal Power The Regicides informed of all that past look to themselves Therefore passing by Fairfax who favoured the Sâ—ots Cromwell is recalled from Ireland who with much solemnity and applause returns to London And is presently declared Captain General of the Forces in place of Fairfax for an immediate Invasion of Scotland The Scots send Dehortatory Letters To which the English Officers answer ☜ Cromwell also wheadles the common people of Scotland with sweet words But in vain seeing all fled leaving no victuals behind them Cromwell having entered Scotland The Scots encamp betwixt Leeth and Edenburrough Cromwell shews himsâ—lf and provokes them to Battel Then thinks of falling in upon their Camp but thinks it safer to march back to Musselbrough to refâ—esh his Souldiers Lambert beats back the enemy in pursuit of the English Straughan offers great matters relying not only on the Prayers but also the Horse of the Clergy He falls upon the English But is beat off and loses his Horse The King reduces the terrified Souldiers into order For which the Souldiers shew him very great Honouâ— The Commanders are angry The Ministers pray him to withdraw To whom with much ado he at length listens The Prisoners are sent home in Cromwells Coach Cromwell returns to Dunbar And from thence suddenly marching back again disturbs the joys of the Scots The Kirk and States renounce the defence of Malignants Cromwell takes two Forts in view of the Scots Who budg not for all that And to wash off the