A Further Narrative of the Passages of these times in the commonwealth OF ENGLAND.  
An Act for renouncing and disannulling the pretended Title of Charles Stuart; and for the taking away of the Court of Wards and Liveries, the judgement of the House of Commons, pronounced by Mr. Speaker against James Naylor the Quaker; WITH The trial of Miles Sundercombe, being indicted of high Treason for conspiring against the life of his Highness the Lord Protector, Feb. 9 1656.  
A DAY  
Of public thanksgiving for the marvellous goodness of God to this Nation in the Island of Teneriffe under general Blake, and giving them great success against the Ships of the King of Spain, 16. fired and not one of ours lost.  
An exact relation of the manner of the solemn Investiture, or happy Inauguration of his Highness the Lord Protector at Westminster, June 26. 1657. With his Oath, and the Oath of the privy council, and every person who now is, or hereafter shall be a Member of either House of Parliament before he sit shall from and after the first of July 1657. take the same.  
With a particular account of the taking in of the Fort of Mardike in Flanders by Dunkirk, with the names of the House of Lord. And some heads of the speech made by his highness to both houses, Jan. 1657.  
Which Parliament was dissolved the 4th of Feb. 1657.  
Printed by M. S. for Thomas Jenner, at the South entrance of the royal Exchange.   

AN ACT FOR Renouncing and disannulling the pretended Title of Charles STUART, &c.  
FOr the better establishment of the peace of this commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Territories and Dominions thereunto belonging, and for the prevention of the designs and attempts of the enemies thereof; The knight's Citizens, and Burgesses in this present Parliament assembled, Do in the name of all the people of this Commonwealth, fully, freely, absolutely, and for ever Disclaim and Renounce all Fealty, Homage or Allegiance, pretended to be due unto Charles Stuart eldest Son of the late King Charles, James Stuart, second Son of the said late King; Henry Stuart, third Son of the said late King; or any other the Issue or posterity of the said late King, or any person or persons pretending, or which shall at any time hereafter pretend Title by, from, or under him, them, any, or either of them, to hold or enjoy the Crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or of either or any of them; or to have the Name, Title, style, or Dignity of King or Queen of Great Britain, King or Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Prince of Scotland, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, any or either of them; or to have and enjoy the Power, Government, or supreme Magistracy of this Commonwealth, or of any part thereof, or of any the Territories or Dominions thereunto belonging, or to have or enjoy as King or Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, or of either or any of them, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, or Prince of Scotland, all or any the honours, Manors, Lands, Tenements, Possessions and Hereditaments heretofore belonging or appertaining to the said Crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland, or to any or either of them; or to the principality of Wales, duchy of Lancaster or Cornwall, or any or either of them.  
And be it declared and Enacted by his Highness the Lord Protector and this present Parliament assembled, and the Authority thereof, That the said Charles Stuart, James Stuart, Henry Stuart, and all other the Issue and Posterity of the said late King, and all and every person and persons pretending, or which shall or may at any time hereafter pretend Title or Claim from, by, or under him or them, be, and are, and shall for ever be absolutely and utterly excluded and debarred from holding or enjoying the Crown of England, Scotland and Ireland, or any or either of them, or any the Dominions or Territories thereunto belonging; and from holding, or having the Name, Title, style, or Dignity of King or Queen of Great Britain, King or Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, or any or either of them, or of any the Dominions thereunto belonging, Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall, Prince of Scotland, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, or Duke of Gloucester; and from all Title, Claim or Right, as King or Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, or of either or any of them, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Albany, Duke of Rothesay, Duke of York, Duke of Gloucester, or Prince of Scotland, unto all or any the honours, Manors, Lands, Tenements, Possessions, or Hereditaments heretofore at any time belonging or appertaining to the said Crowns of England, Scotland, and Ireland, or any or either of them, and also from having, exercising, or enjoying any Power, Authority, Government or Magistracy, in or over this Commonwealth, or any the people thereof: And that all such Right, Title, Claim, or pretence of Right, Title or Claim, which they or any of them, at any time heretofore, at present, or in time to come, have, do, shall, or may make, is hereby declared and adjudged, and shall for ever hereafter be adjudged and taken to be utterly void and of no effect.  
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid, and it is enacted, That if any person or persons shall endeavour, or attempt by force of arms or otherwise, or shall be aiding, assisting, comforting, or abetting unto any person or persons, that shall by any ways or means whatsoever, endeavour or attempt the reviving or setting up of any pretended Right, Title, or Claim of the said Charles Stuart, James Stuart, Henry Stuart, or of any other the Issue or Posterity of the said late King, or of any person or persons claiming under him or them, to any the Offices, style, Title Dignity, or Authority aforesaid, or any of them; or shall declare, publish, or any way promote such pretended Right, Title or Claim; or shall give or contribute any sum or sums of Money, or other aid or assistance to the said Charles Stuart, James and Henry, any or either of them; That then every such offence shall be, and is hereby deemed and adjudged high Treason, and all and every the Offender and Offenders therein, their Counsellors, Aiders and Abettors, being thereof convicted within three years after such Offence committed, shall be deemed and adjudged traitors, and shall suffer and have such pains of Death and forfeitures, as in case of high Treason is used and ordained.  
Hen. Scobell, Clerk of the Parliament.   

AN ACT For the taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries.  
WHereas the four and twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred forty five, the Court of Wards and Liveries, and all Wardships, Liveries, Primer-seizins, and oustrelemains, and all other Charges incident or arising for, or by reason of Wardships, Livery, Primer-seizin, or Oustrelemain; and all Tenures by Homage; and all fines, Licenses, Seizures, and pardons for alienation, and all other charges incident thereunto, was by the Lords and Commons then assembled in Parliament, taken away, And all Tenures by knight's service, either of the King or others, or by knight's service, or Capite, or Soccage in Capite of the King, were turned into free and common Soccage; For the further establishing and confirming the same, Be it declared and enacted by his highness the Lord Protector, and the Parliament, that the Court of Wards and Liveries, and all Wardships, Liveries, Primer-seizins, and oustrelemains, and all other charges incident and arising, for, or by reason of any such Tenures, Wardship, Livery, Primer-seizin, or oustrelemains, be taken away, from the said four and twentieth day of February, One thousand six hundred forty five: And that all Homage, Fines, Licences, seizures, Pardons for Alienation, incident or arising, for or by reason of Wardship, Livery, Primer-seizin, or Oustrelemain, and all other charges incident thereunto, be likewise taken away, and is hereby adjudged and declared to be taken away, from the said four and twentieth day of February, One thousand six hundred forty five: And that all Tenures in Capite, and by knight's service of the late King, or any other person, and all Tenures by Soccage in chief, be taken away; And all Tenures are hereby Enacted and declared to be turned into free and common Soccage, from the said four and twentieth day of February, One thousand six hundred forty five; and shall be so construed, adjudged, and declared to be for ever hereafter turned into free and common Soccage.  
Neverless, It is hereby Enacted, That all Rents certain and Heriots, due to mean Lords or other private Persons, shall be paid, And that where any Relief, or double ancient yearly Rent, upon the death of an Ancestor, was in such cases formerly due and payable, a double ancient yearly Rent only in lieu thereof, shall now be paid upon the death of an Ancestor, as in free and common Soccage; And that the same shall be recovered by the like remedy in Law, as Rents and Duties in free and common Soccage.  
Hen: Scobell, Clerk of the Parliament.   

A brief Relation of the late dangerous Plot, and traitorous Design, for the destruction of his highness' Person.  
THe Common Enemy having failed in all their former Plots and Conspiracies for the ruin of his Highness and the Government, resolved (it seems) at last to bring about their intended Mischief by a vigorous and bloody attempt upon his person. For this end and purpose, they sought out and gained to themselves instruments in all points fitted for the execution of their inhuman Cruelty. The principal man employed, was a notable desperate fellow named Sindercomb, one who heretofore had been a Quartermaster under Sir John Reynolds in the Army, and was about two years ago cashiered by general Monck among others, in Scotland. As Assistant to him in this wickedness, he associated to himself one Cecil; and many others were engaged in the business, whom we hope time will discover; in the mean time only these two persons are in custody.  
For the carrying on their work, they held correspondence with some in Flanders, received directions thence from time to time, and for their encouragement, Don Alonso the late Ambassador of Spain in England, returned them over sums of money, with which they were enabled to proceed. The most likely way (as they conceived) to accomplish the devilish purpose was, to contrive some means how to dispatch his highness as he should be going to Hampton Court, and that they might do it with security to themselves by having an opportunity to escape after the fact committed, they took a House at Hammersmith, which house hath belonging to it a little banqueting room, which stands upon the Road at the said Town, in a narrow dirty place of passage, where Coaches use to go but softly, and that Room they meant to make use of, by planting an Engine in it, which 〈…〉 charged, would have upon occasion torn away Co●●● and person in it that should pass by, and they had such an Engine preparing. And because it was necessary for them to have information of the times when his Highness should go abroad to take the air, and the places whither, Sindercomb cast about in his mind which way to draw in some one person near his Highness to be a partaker in the design; and acquaint them in what part of the Coach his Highness should sit, going to Hampton-Court, that so they might be sure not to miss him; and when the execrable Deed should have been executed, they intended to have made an escape.  
For this purpose, they had bought up divers of the fleetest Horses about London, which they kept in that House at Hammersmith, and for conveniency of escaping, the House they had hired stood down at some distance from that Road, and had an outlet to another Road, The person whom they made sure (as they thought) to be their Informer touching the Out goings of his Highness, was one of the life Guard, who had formerly been an acquaintance of Sindercomb in the Army, and they gave him ten pounds in money at first to engage him, adding thereto a promise of Fifteen hundred pounds, This was one way that they resolved on, by making use of the place at Hammersmith;  
But they were not negligent in seeking other opportunities besides, and therefore (as occasion offered many times) they were wont to thrust themselves in among those that rode abroad with his highness: Once they thought to have done their work as his Highness was taking the air in Hyde-park; and to make way for their escape; they had in one place filed off the Hinges of the Gates, and rode about with the Train attending his Highness, with intent then to have given him a fatal Charge, if he had chanced to have galloped out any distance from the Company.  
After several attendances of this nature, and pryings up and down, (having also recourse many times to Whitehall) and finding no occasion as yet to favour their purpose, thereupon they resolved to 〈…〉 Correspondent a proof of their 〈…〉 White hall. To this end, they cut a hole in 〈◊〉 of the doors of the chapel, and so unbolting it, they on the eighth of this month went in and placed the materials for firing, which were discovered about nine a Clock that night for in one of the Seats was found upon the Floor a Basket filled with a strange composition of combustible stuff, and two lighted matches, aptly placed, which matches had been rubbed over with gunpowder, on purpose to keep them surely burning, and by the length of them, it was conceived they would have given fire to the Basket about one a clock in the morning. The Basket being removed, and trial made of some part of the ingredients, it appeared to be most active flaming stuff.  
The next day, the two persons being apprehended, they were found to have screwed Pistols, which upon trial, appear notable instruments to do execution at a distance more than ordinary; and they had also a strange sort of long Bullets, in the nature of slugs, contrived on purpose to rend and tear.  
These things are made manifest not only by many particulars of discovery, but by the confession also of one of the Parties, viz. Cecil, who hath cast himself upon the good grace and mercy of his Highness.   

The seve●●● Passages and proceedings at the trial of Miles Sindercomb, alias Fish, at the upper Bench Bar in Westminster-Hall, on Monday, February 9 1656. before the Lord Chief Justice Glyn, and Mr. Justice Warburton, being indicted of high Treason for conspiring against the Life of his Highness the Lord Protector, he was found guilty by the Jury, and received Sentence to be hanged, drawn, and quarted at Tyborn, according to Law.  

The Indictment was for High Treason, to this effect; viz.  
THat Miles Sindercomb, alias Fish, and one William boys, with divers other Rebels and traitors against the Lord Protector, and Government of the commonwealth, not having the fear of God in their hearts, but moved and seduced by the instigation of the devil on the 
* It was the first day of the Parliament.  17 of September 1656. and divers other days and times as well before as after at Westminster, and divers other places in the County of Middlesex, falsely, maliciously, and traitorously did conspire, compass and imagine the death of the said Lord Protector, and to subvert and alter the Government of this Commonwealth, and to raise war within the same.  
For effecting whereof.  
1 They took a Room in the house of one Edward Hilton, and divers Rooms in the house of one James Mydhope in Westminster, whether they brought Guns, harquebuses and Pistols, charged with leaden bullets and iron slugs, to shoot, kill and murder him.  
2. January 1. 1656. they provided Horses and Weapons of War; And  
3 Took a house and banqueting house at Hammersmith, of one Henry Busbie for the same purpose.  
4 January 9 6. 6. they conspired to burn Whitehall, where his Highness was in his own Person; and to that end brought a basket filled with Match, Brimstone Gunpowder, and other combustible Stuff and materials, and set the same on fire in the chapel there; to the great danger and disquietment of his Highness, and ill example of others, in contempt of the Law, against their due obedience to his Highness and Government, against the Peace, and form of the Statute, &c.  
Thus far the Indictment  
Whereupon being arraigned, he pleaded Not Guilty, and for his trial put himself upon his Country, and the issue being joined, there was immediately impanelled a Jury of Gentlemen of worth and quality to pass upon his life and death, he challenged several of them; and twelve being sworn (with his own consent) His highness' Attorney general (the Indictment being opened) proceeded to the Evidence, which was very full and clear, and two Witnesses at the least to all the points of the Indictment, with many aggravating Circumstances: The particulars whereof are herein after mentioned.   

The evidence to prove the Indictment.  
1. THat there was one Toope of his highness' life-guard who was drawn into the business; and he proved fully, 1. What person Sindercomb is, how he inveagled him the said Toope, with money in hand, and promises of more, and great preferment, to join with him to murder his highness, saying, Spain could never obtain a peace with us until he were taken out of the way. 2. The circumstances of Time, Place, Means and manner designed for this murder. 3. That he the said Toope, was to give notice when his Highness went forth; and at what end of the Coach he sat. 4. Their buying and keeping of fleet Horses. 5. Their intent to fire Whitehall, the Firework placed in the chapel; and other Circumstances, 6. sindercombs' resolution if the fire did not take, to kill the Protector what ever came of it.  
Also one John Cecil proved the whole design of Sindercomb and boys, how long it was in hand; That Sindercomb engaged him the said Cecil in it; what words were used, how it should be done; what the consequence of he murder would be; the money provided, and that when it should have been done; he the said Cecil was designed to go to Col. Sexby, and to share with Sindercomb in his honour and profit. That the first thing agreed on, was to provide good Horses. What moneys were paid by Sindercomb▪ Sindercomb's resolution to assassinate his Highness when he went abroad; and the manner how. That they were upon the Road 5, or 6 times on purpose: and in Hide Park with Swords and pistols charged, and had notice given them by Toope of his Highness coming. That the hinges of Hide Park Gate were filed off in order to their escape. That they took an house with a Banqueting house at Hammer smith, to shoot him with Guns made on purpose to carry 10, or 12. Bullets at a time. That Toops was to give notice of his Highness passing that way, and at which end of the Coach he sat. That he the said Cecil saw one of the Guns provided, which would carry 12 Carbine bullets and a slug. He spoke fully to the design of firing Whitehall: described the fire work prepared and the nature and intention of it, and other circumstances. Moreover, that boys assured them, That when the Protector should be dispatched, Forces would come from Spain and Flanders, and a great part of the Fleet would fall off, And that he believed Sexby to be the main Agent herein at Brussels, He proved also, the discourse boys had about seizing Portsmouth or some other Port in the West, and of a great sum for that purpose, That 30 or 40 are engaged in this design to kill the Protector, and it was so ordered, that not above two should know each other, until the matter should be ripe for execution. And that boys knew the whole number.  
He spoke fully to that design to kill his Highness the first day of the Parliament; and their taking houses for that 
This Sundercomb had engaged to kill general Monk in Scotland. and would have engaged the said Mr. Cecil therein also.  purpose at Westminster; and bringing arms thither, and other Circumstances.  
That boys goes by several names, and in several habits; sometimes as a poor Priest in raged clothes; sometimes well Clad as a Gentleman.  
It was further proved, by the said John Cecil, and Coll: James Mydhope, That in order to the destroying of his Highness, he the said Cecil, Sundercomb and boys; took the said Mydhopes House near the Abbey at Westminster, and when they took it, Sundercomb called himself John Fish, Clark to one Mr haver's a pretended Gentleman of Norfolk; and Cecil went by the name of Mr haver's Coachman.  
It was proved likewise, That the first day of the Parliament after they had taken Mydhops house, he being there, Sundercomb and Cecil went thither to him from one Edward Hilton a sempster's house in Kingstreet Westminster, where they left a great 
* Hilton deposed fully concerning the Viol case and Trunk of Arms.  Trunk full of Arms brought from Flandors; and carrying with them in a viol case, one harquebus, and some Pistols, charged with leaden bullets, and slugges, about Sermon time, to Mydhopes house, which they found very convenient for their purpose, and resolved to buy it, and to build a Room in the yard next the street: there being several back yards and doors, and resolved also to secure Mydhope, or otherwise to deal with him that he might not discover them, nor hinder their design.  
It was proved moreover, by Cecil and Mydhope, that Sermon being ended, all three of them viz. he the said Cecil, Sindercomb and boys, went into the yard of the House next the Abbey, to shoot his Highness; as he passed from the Abbey to meet the Parliament, in the painted Chamber, and to that end, he the said Cecil stood on the wall with his pistol charged, and Sindercomb walked in the Yard, but other Company coming in thither, they were prevented, and boys went out of the Yard into the throng of people.  
It was further proved by Cecil, that this enterprise not succeeding they resolved to murder his Highness some other way, to wit, to furnish themselves with fleet horses to kill him as he rode forth. That Sindercomb engaged Toope, who constantly gave him notice of the life-guards going abroad, or of the sadling of the Pad Nags.  
That the first time they rode forth to kill him, was the latter end of September last (viz the Suturday after he had left going to Hampton Court.  
That the second time was when he rode to Kensington and thence the back way to London.  
The third time, when he went to Hide Park in his Coach.  
The fourth time, when he went to Turnham Green, and so by Acton home, at which time they rode forth to kill him, and resolved to break through all difficulties to effect it.  
The fifth time, when he rode into Hide Park, where his Highness alighting, asked him the said Cecil, whose horse that was he rode on, Sindercombe being then on the outside of the park; and than Cecil was ready to have done it but doubted his horse, having at that time, got a cold.  
That Sindercomb rode forth once himself to kill his Highness, and told Cecil of it.  
That all proving ineffectual, they resolved to desist till the Spring, and in the mean time to fire Whitehall.  
That the said Cecil put on a thin Holland Shirt, and thin clothes for his better escape, when he rode forth to kill his Highness, and prepared his horse as if he had been to run a race.  
To prove the taking of the house and banqueting-house at Hammersmith, of Henry Busbie, Coachman to the Earl of Salisbury, there was beside Cecil, the testimony of Henry Busbie himself, William Page, and William Neal, Sindercombs servant.  
To prove the Basket of stuff for firing the chapel, there was the testimony of Cecil and Toope, and others who were persons of quality.  
To prove the buying and keeping of the Horses, there was the testimony of Henry Busbie, who sold them one Horse for fourscore pounds, also of William Page, and William Neale, Sindercombs servant.  
To prove the Hinges of Hyde-park gate filed off, and the Pales cut, there was the testimony of John Cecil, and Thomas Shell.  
The prisoner seeing the evidence so clear against him, had nothing material to say for himself by way of defence, yet carried himself very insolently at the Bar, and when the Court asked him touching any of the matters proved against him, he would confidently deny what was laid to his charge; And after all the evidence given and the prisoner heard what he had to say for himself; the Court summed up the whole to the Jury of Life and Death, and declared, That by the Common Law to compass or imagine the death of the chief Magistrate of the Land, by what name soever he was called, whether Lord Protector or otherwise, is high-treason, he being the chief Magistrate, and the spring of Justice, in whose name all Writs run, all Commissions and Grants are made; and that the Statutes of Treason made 25 Ed. 3. as to this, did only declare what the Common Law was before the making of that Statute, and was not introductive of a new Law, and more to that effect; and then proceeded to judgement against the Prisoner, in this manner.   

The Sentence.  
IT is considered by the Court that the said Miles Sindercomb, alias Fish, be sent from hence to the Prison in the Tower of London, from whence he came, and from thence be drawn upon a Hurdle through the streets of London to Tyburn, there to be hanged on the Gallows until he be half dead, and then to be cut down, and his entrails and bowels taken out and burnt in his own sight, and his body divided into four quarters and be disposed of as his Highness the Lord Protector shall think fit.  
Tower of London, February 14.  
Sindercomb having upon his trial by a Jury in the Upper Bench, received sentence to be hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburn, for his treisonous design against the life of his Highness, and having some day's time afterward given him for the preparing of his soul for another world, care was taken by the honourable Sir John Barkstead lieutenant of the Tower, to send unto him, at several times, divers eminent and Pious Ministers of the City to confer with him touching his concernments in the life to come. Two things in his discourse were observable; that when any of the Ministers came to him, he would first condition with them, that they should not treat with him at all touching the crime for which he stood condemned. The other was, that he told them always, as an entrance to his discourse, that he was for the Universal point; and being pressed to explain his meaning, he told than he believed that all men were brought into a savable estate by the death of Christ, and he doubted not but himself should fare as well as others, Which expression shows him to have been infected with that unevangelical conceit of universal Redemption. Little good could be wrought on him by any of the Ministers: And no marvel, if it be considered what discourse passed from him to others, since the time of his condemnation; for he was of the same opinion with many others that have slipped into Liberti●ism; viz. That when man dyeth the soul sleepeth with the body, and (said he) it may be it shall rise again. This is that wretched opinion of that sort of men whom we (in English) call Soul▪ sleepers, persons so far unworthy the name of Christians, that the ancient Heathens will rise up in judgement against them; and in the tendency of it so destructive to the conveniency of Government, that it disposeth these who embrace it, to attempt any wickedness whatsoever, any Treason Sedition or Assassination, and to despise virtue, seeing it at once destroyeth both the hope of reward and the fear of punishment, after this life is ended.  
During the daves allotted him for his preparation, he made several attempts, with promise of a good sum of money (700 pounds first and last) to persuade his Keeper to permit him to escape and that not being yielded to, he tempted him to procure him some poison; and not prevailing with him, he solicited his own sister (who was permitted to attend him) to the same purpose.  
On Friday the 13 instant, betwixt seven and eight a Clock at night, the writ being brought and read unto him for his execution the next day, he trembled and quaked very much at the apprehension of death, as was visible to them that were present, yet said he was not so much troubled at death as at the infamous manner of it.  
What happened afterward is as followeth. Immediately upon this sad news, his sister was heard to say in the house below stairs, that nothing troubled her so much, as that he should be hanged, &c. but she had rather see him die before he went out of that room.  
He having discoursed a little with the men in his Chamber; (which were about four or five to attend him) called for a Bible, and having read a little while, he then desired them to withdraw out of the Room for about half an hour, that he might have liberty to pray alone. The Attendants withdrew, and putting the door to, they stood there at the top of the stairs; but before the half hour was over, he came himself to the door and pulling it open, bade them come in, in a cheerful manner, rubbing his hands together, and then about his mouth and his nose, saying, I have done, and now pray you come in. Not long after he undressed himself, and springing lively into Bed, well (said he) this is the last night that ever I shall lie in Bed. Being in bed, he had some discourse a while with the company, without any sign of sickness. Then drawing his Curtain, and lying a while silent, and afterwards snorting, one of the Company observing so, went and drew the Curtain gently to look on him, and found him in a dying senseless condition. All ways were used to recover him; but nothing could avail, for he was in a manner dead by a eleven a clock that night, or a little after, though he languished till twelve.  
This death of his happening so suddenly and unexpectedly, and there being strong presumptions of poison, his body was opened on Saturday, February 14. In the presence of Sir Richard Rapier Doct. of physic; and Doctor Fern Anatomy Reader at gressum-college by Mr. Charles Stamford, and Mr. Nicholas Brethers, Wardens of the Company of chirurgeons, and Mr. Laurence lo, all able and known persons in their profession; who opening the Skull, found the brain much inflamed, red, and distended with Blood, swollen as full as the Skull could well contain; besides much Extravasal, g●umous, and Clotted Blood, which they judged to be the ●ffect of some very violent and preternatural cause; and their opinions were, that the said Prisoner had caused the same by some extraordinary means, for the hastening of his death.  
February 15. Being the Lord's day, Sundercombs Keeper taking care for the airing and cleansing of the Chamber where he died, and the close-stool being removed, under it was found a Paper written and subscribed with his own hand as followeth.  
GOD knoweth my heart, I do take this course, because I would not have all the open shame of the world executed upon my Body, I desire all good People not to Judge amiss of me, for I do not fear my life, but do trust God with my soul, I did this thing without the privity of any person in the World; I do before God and the World clear my Keeper, my Sister, Mother, or Brother, or any of my Relations, but it was done alone by myself. I say by me.  
Miles Sindercomb. 13 Day, 1656.  
February 16. The Testimonies of the physicians and Chirurgeons as also Sindercombs own Paper, being considered by the Coroner and Jury, they unanimously resolved and agreed, That he by some extraordinary means had caused his own death, and that they verily believed the same to be by poison.  
Miles Sindercom having murdered himself, was drawn upon Tower-Hill at a Horse tail with his Head forward and there under the Scaffold he was turned into a hole stark naked and a stake spiked & plated with Iron was driven through him into the earth for ar to all traitors, for tune to Come: seb.. 17 1657  

February 17. Their Verdict was given in as followeth.  
Middles. ss.  
WE find that upon the thirteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord, 1656. about the hour of Nine in the night, Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish, late of the Parish of Peter in bonds, in the County of Middlesex, not having God before his eyes, but by the instigation of the devil, being moved and seduced at the Tower of London, in the Parish and County aforesaid, Feloniously, wilfully, and of his malice towards himself aforethought, as a Felon against himself, then and there feloniously upon himself, did make an assault. And that the said Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish, then and there, certain poisoned powder, through the nose of him the said Miles, into the head of him the said Miles, Feloniously, wilfully, and of his malice towards himself aforethought, a Felon of himself, feloniously did snuff and draw, By reason of which snuffing and drawing of the poison aforesaid, so as aforesaid, into the Head of him the said Miles Sindercomb, he the said Miles Sindercomb, by the strength and operation o● the poison aforesaid, himself did mortally poison; of which said mortal poisoning, he the said Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish, within three hours after died. And so we find that the aforesaid Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish, the said Thirteenth day of February, in the year aforesaid, at the Tower of London aforesaid, in the Parish and County aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid, Feloniously, wilfully, and of his malice towards himself aforethought, as a Felon against himself, Feloniously himself did kill and murder. We find no Goods or Chattels that the said Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish had, at the time of the felony and murder aforesaid, in manner and form aforesaid, upon himself, done and committed, In witness hereof, we have hereunto set our hands this seventeenth day of February, 1656. &c.   
And thereupon the said Coroner issued forth his Warrant for Burial of Sindercomb, the Copy whereof followeth.  

Middles. ss.  
WHereas the Jury Impaneld and Sworn to inquire of the Death of Miles Sindercomb otherwise Fish, did present upon their Oaths. That the said Miles the Thirteenth day of this instant February, did Feloniously poison himself. These are therefore in the name of his highness, the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, To require you to bury the corpse of the said Miles Sindercomb, according to Law, in the next Common highway; hereof you are not to fail, as you will answer the contrary at your perils. Dated the Seventeenth day of February, 1656.  
Thomas Evans Coroner. To the Constables and Headboroughs within the Liberty of the Tower of London.   
On the same day, February. 17. Miles Sindercomb aforesaid being found to have murdered himself, his Body was according to Law drawn to the open place upon Tower-Hill, at a horse's tail, with his head forward, and there under the Scaffold of Common execution a Hole being digged, he was turned in stark naked, and a Stake, spiked with Iron, was driven through him into the earth; That part of the stake which remains above ground, being all plated with Iron; which may stand as an example of terror to all traitors for the time to come.    

A narrative touching Col. Edward Sexby, who lately died a Prisoner in the Tower.  
Tower of London Jan. 20.  
COl. Edward Sexby was by Warrant dated the 24 of July, 1657. committed to the Tower of London close Prisoner for High Treason, who within Ten days after he came in thither, fell sick of an Ague and a Vomiting, conceived to be the new disease then predominant, which turned into a feverish distemper; in which sickness he continued about nine weeks, the strength thereof being so great, that it brought him into many distracted fits for a great part of that time, in which condition he would Cry out often, That he was damned, and in Hell, and utter such like Expressions; and his usual answer to them that spoke any thing to him, was, That it was a lie; yet notwithstanding lie was under that condition of 〈◊〉 he had some-intervalls, wherein he spoke very rationally 〈◊〉 several times when he thought himself in a Condition like to die, he would send for the lieutenant of the Tower with all speed, and sometimes late in the Night season, causing him to be called out of his Bed, affirming that he had something of secrecy to reveal unto him in reference to the State and Commonwealth before his death; But when the said lieutenant of the Tower was come to him, and that he found his fainting Qualms over, and that he was a little better, he would fall into other discourse, and say, The devil would not let him speak out the Truth, nor let him reveal any thing, although he had before resolved to it, and had much to speak to by way of Discovery; yet one day, viz. the 12. of October, 1657. being well come to himself, and having sent for the lieutenant, he was so ingenious as to confess in part, saying unto him;" Sir John, I sent to you to tell you, that I am guilty of the whole business of Sindercomb, as to the design of killing the Lord Protector, &c. and to that purpose I furnished Sindercomb with about 500 l. in Money, and also with Arms, and tied him to an Engagement that he should not reveal the design. And further he said, The Letters they have of mine, they could not prove them to be mine, but by my own confession, which I now confess, and acknowledge that they are mine, and that I was with Charles Stuart, and acquainted him that I was an Enemy to the Lord Protector; and I also declare, that I received a large sum of money from the Spaniard to carry on my said design, and to make what confusion I could in England, by endeavouring the Klling of the Lord Protector, and by what other ways I had in design; and to the end, the better to effect it, I came into England in a disguised habit, and was the principal in putting on others in the said design.  
Many other like passages were spoken by him in presence of many credible witnesses; and within two days after, in the presence of Mr. Caril, Minister, and others, he did acknowledge the former confession to be truth, but said it was indiscreetly done of him to acknowledge the letters which they had of his at Whitehall, to be his own, seeing they could not otherwise prove it; and before he had again seen and viewed them, And then he again confessed, That he was the only man that put on Sindercomb to kill the Lord Protector; and that the Book called Killing no Murder, he owned; and said, he was 〈◊〉 of that judgement; yet said, it was both foolishly and knavishly done in that book, to charge the lieutenant of the Tower, touching Sindercombs death: With several other passages, which for brevity sake are omitted  
As to his condition in his sicknesses, He falling sick (as is before mentioned) sent for his own physician, which was of his acquaintance, viz. Doctor Brook, who finding him under a Feverish distemper, caused him to be let blood and blistered, by attractive Medicines laid to his Feet and Arms, to draw forth the malignity; and he was thereby reasonable well recovered again: But not observing his doctor's directions— And although his physicians and Nurses, and all people that were held conducible to his accommodations in all his sicknesses, from first to last, were made choice of by him, and his wife, and other relations, Yet as to his Diet, he wilfully humoured and pleased his own appetite, whereby he fell into a relapse, which brought him into the height of madness for a time. But after a while, by following his doctor's prescription, he was recovered out of that distracted condition by application of Medicines, only he continued disconverted in mind, and used many subtle shifts and wiles to have the Guards taken from him, and was something perplexed, because he could not effect it, although he was in a great measure recovered from his bodily weakness for some season, till about the last of December, that he complained of something rising in his throat, and had stoppages that he could scarce breathe, and feared an impostume to be gathered in his throat, and broken, and that he should not have strength to bring it up. His Wife then sent for a Woman to wash and cleanse his throat, but his distemper increasing and coming up to the height of a malignant Fever, Doctor Brook, his former physician, was sent for, who, when he came to him, upon the fourth of January instant, found him in great sweats, and his throat sore and inflamed, and that he was in a high Fever, having red spots, or Pustules, with white watery wheyish matter in them, like the Chicken Fox, upon his breast, Neck, and Arms. All which the said Doctor judged to come from the putrefaction of his humours, heightened by the violence of his former madness.  
The lieutenant of the Tower being made acquainted in what a dangerous condition he was, ordered another Doctor and a chirurgeon to be sent for to view him, and to advise with Doctor Brooke what they judged of him, and what was best to apply to him, who judged that he was in a very weak condition, and that it did arise from the Malignity of his Disease as aforesaid, in a way of natural causes; in which weak condition, he continued a day or two more under violent inflammations and Sweatings, which so weakened him, that by reason thereof upon Wednesday morning the 13 of this instant January, having said, Lord have mercy upon me, I am very sick; about five of the clock he breathed out his last, and died; after which his wife desired his body of the lieutenant to bury it; to which the lieutenant answered, she might have it to bury, within or out of the Tower, after the Coroner and his Jury had inquired of his death according to the custom of the place; whereupon the Coroner summoned a Jury to view the body, and to give in their verdict concerning the manner and cause of his death accordingly, and the Doctors and chirurgeons having viewed the dead body together with the said Jury, found blackness and settling of blood about his shoulders which they judged to come from the violence of the Fever and the inflammation of those parts; which great distemper the said Jury was by them fully satisfied in, as also of his former condition; and also having examined several other persons upon oath besides them, as his Keeper, his Nurse, and his Uncle, (who was often with him in his sickness) his Apothecaries and a soldier that guarded him the night he died, his wife being present before them also, (who was constantly attending upon him in his imprisonment, except when she lay in, and then were none with him but Nurses of her own appointment.) They upon clear and full Information, gave up their verdict on Thursday the 14 day of this instant January, 1657. as followeth in haec verba. We find that upon the last day of December in the year of our Lord, 1657. Edward Sexby late of the Parish of Peter in bonds, in the County of Middlesex Esq at the Tower of London, in the Parish and County aforesaid, fell sick of a certain disease called a Violent fever, and lived languishing from the said last day of December, until the 13th day of January in the year aforesaid, at the Tower of London aforesaid, in the parish and County aforesaid, of the Fever aforesaid, died. And so we find that the said Edward Sexby died by God's visitation in manner and form aforesaid, and by no other ways or means, In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands, this 14. day of January, 1657.  
It also appeared to the said Jury upon oath that the lieutenant had ordered that the said Colonel Edward Sexby, in his several sicknesses, should have what Doctors, chirurgeons, Apothecaries, Nurses, he pleased as aforesaid, and all those that had to do with him concerning food, physic, or necessary attendance, were always of his own choice, and by the Order of him, his wife, and friends; and that he was very well accommodated in his chamber with what necessaries were requisite for him; and when the Jury had given up their verdict as aforesaid, the lieutenant of the Tower sent away a Warder and a lieutenant to Mris Sexby, being then at her Mothers, who lived in whitefriars, to acquaint her and her said Mother, that the Jury had done their office, and to know her further desire as to his burial, and whether she desired his body or no, which then she might have if she pleased; who returned answer, that they had sent their maid with forty shillings to his Keeper for his burial in the Tower, seeing he was Prisoner there; whereupon he was put into a coffin, and a grave made for him in the usual burying place near the Tower chapel, and the Bell having been rang for some space of time; and those that repaired to the Warders where he was to accompany him to his grave, being met together, which were divers of the Warders, Officers, and soldiers of the said Tower, the corpse was in a seemly way carried to the said grave and intered upon the 15 of this instant January, about 12 of the Clock of the same day in the Tower aforesaid.   

A Day of public thanksgiving, on Wednesday the Third of June next; For the Great success God hath been pleased to give the Navy of this Common wealth under the Command of general Blake against the Spaniard. Together with a Narrative of the same success, as it was Communicated in a Letter from the said general.  
A Narrative Of the Action at Sancta Cruz.  
AFter taking in the Supply of Victuals that was brought us the latter end of March, we spent two or three days before the Town of Cadiz, and finding the Enemy there in no great forwardness to come forth with a Fleet as was expected; The general on the 13th of April, One thousand six hundred fifty seven, called the Commanders together, and communicated his thoughts ●o go for Sancta Cruz on the Island of Tene●iffe, laying before them the reasons that induced him to it, which they all approved of, and a favourable Gale-just at the time presented to carry us thither. On the Eighteenth following in the evening we discovered Land, supposed to be Point Negro. but being thick and hazy, could not certainly make it till Noon the next day, whereby the Enemy had longer notice of our being on the Coast, than we designed he should before we came to Action.  
On Monday the twentieth of April one thousand six hundred fifty seven, we were by break of day fair in the Offin of Sancta cruz, and, as soon as 'twas light, perceived by a signal from one of our frigates a Head, that the West India Fleet were in the Bay. Whereupon after a short conference how to order the attempt and earnest seeking to the Lord for his presence, we fell in amongst them, and by eight of the Clock were all at Anchor, some under the Castle and Forts, and others by the ships sides, as we could birth ourselves to keep clear one of another, and best annoy the Enemy.  
They had there five or six Galleons (whereof were Admiral, Vice-Admiral, and rear-admiral, with their standard and Flags aloft) and other considerable ships making up the number of sixteen, some having Goods brought from the Indies still on board them, others had taken in Goods and Provisions to carry back again: Most of them were furnished with brass Ordinance, and (as we have been informed since) had their full companies of Seamen and soldiers kept continually on board them, from their first coming thither, which was about the beginning of February last, their general himself in all the time lying but one night out of his Ship: they were moared close along the Shore, which lies in the manner of a Semicircle, commanded, as far as the Ships rid, by the Castle, and surrounded besides with six or seven Forts, with almost a continued line for musqueteers and great shot, as the Ground between admitted; And we were forced to come so near to do our work, that many of the men we have slain and wounded, were shot by the Musqueteers from the shore; Notwithstanding it pleased God that in four hours' time their men were beaten out, and all the Ships put a shore, except the Admiral, and vice-admiral, who made the most considerable resistance. About two of the Clock the Vice admiral was set on fire, and the admiral, by some happy shot, or other accident, suddenly blown up; having as we perceived just before) many men on board her; by the evening all the rest were fired, only two that sunk down to rights, and had little but their Masts appearing above water.  
It remained to complete this Mercy, that our own shi●s should come off well, wherein the greatest hazard and difficulty lay; for some riding near into the shore and being sorely maimed, did require to be warped off, others when we came to weigh, drove with the wind all the while blowing right into the bay, and one of our best Frigates struck: The enemy in the mean time supplied fresh men into his Forts for those we had killed and beaten out in the heat of the Action▪ and from them and the Castle continued plying upon us, till about seven of the Clock at night, every Ship and vessel belonging to our Fleet, were by the good hand of God got safe out of Command.  
In this service we had not above fifty slain outright, and one hundred and twenty wounded, and the damage to our ships was such as in two days' time we indifferently well repaired for present security. Which we had no sooner done, but the Wind veered to the Southwest (which is rare among those Islands) and lasted just to bring us to our former Station near Cape Mary's, where we arrived the second of May following: For which merciful appearance all along with us, we desire the Lord may have the praise and glory, to whom only it is due, And that all that hear of it may turn and say (as of a truth we have found) that among the gods there is none like unto him, neither are there any works like unto his works.  
The Names of the Commanders of the New Spain Fleet and of the other Ships that were burnt in the Sancta Cruce Road on the 20th of April, 1657.  
Don Diego Diagues, general. Don Josepho Sentenno, vice-admiral. Roque Gallindo, rear-admiral.  
Gasper Goteras, in the Great Campeachan. Martin De Laxando, in the little Campeachan.  
These Commanders with their Ships came from Lavela Cru in New Spain.  
John Quintero. Francisco De Esto●ta. Pedro Fegoroa. Don Francisco Velasques. Pedro Oreguel.  
Commanders of the admiral and vice-admiral of Hundoras'. Francisco Martin's. Francisco De Arana.  
Pedro Sorrilio Commander of the Ship which came from Sancto Domingo.  
These Commanders with their Ships were in Sancta Cruce before their Fleet arrived from the Indies.  
Gregory Gomes. Francisco Marcadel. Fernando Sohes.   

An exact Relation of the manner of the Solemn Investiture, or happy inauguration of his highness the Lord Protector at Westminster.  
Mr Speaker in the name of the Par: presented several things to his Highness Viz: a Robe of Purple velvet Lined with Ermine: a Large Bible Richly Guilt & Bossed: Next a Sword & Lastly a sceptre of Massi● Gold: and then administered the Oath to his highness: June 26: an: 1●●●:  
FRiday the 26 of June, 1657. being agreed upon for the Investiture of his Highness the Lord Protector, and a large place being raised and prepared at the upper end of Westminster Hall, for that purpose, there was in the midst thereof under the great Window, a rich cloth of Estate set up, and under it a chair of state placed upon an ascent of two degrees; covered with carpets, and before it a Table with a chair appointed for the Speaker of the Parliament, and on each side of the Hall upon the said structure, were seats raised one above another, and decently covered for the Members of Parliament, and below them, seats on one side for my Lords the Judges of the Land, and on the otherside for the Aldermen of the city of London.  
About two of the clock in the Afternoon his highness came from Whitehall by water, and Landing at the Parliament stairs went up into the chamber called the Lord's house, where having retired himself a while, Mr. Speaker and the members of parliament being come to the Painted Chamber his Highness attended by his council, the Officers of State, and the Judges met them, and gave his consent to the Additionall and Explanatory Petition and advice of the Parliament, and all such other Bills as were then presented to him.  
From thence the Speaker, with the Members of Parliament departed to the great Hall at Westminster, where they seated themselves, in the places provided for them.  
His highness after a short retirement in a Boom, near the Painted Chamber, returned into the Lord's House, the Lords Commissioners of the great seal, the two Lords chief Justices the Master of the Rolls, and the Judges, in the interim, placing themselves on one side of the said House, and the Lord Major, Recorder, and Aldermen of the City of London, on the other. From the said House, his highness passed towards the Hall in manner following.  
In the first place, went his highness his Gentleman, and other persons of quality? next an Officer of Arms going before the Recorder and Aldermen of London, in their Scarlets; next, another Officer of Arms went before Master Attorney general, and my Lords the Judges in their Robes and Order; next them, Norroy, King of Arms; then four sergeants at arms with their Maces, going before the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, and of the Great seal, (the Lord Commissioner Fiennes bearing the Seal) and the Lord President of his highness' council; Then came Garter, principal King of arms, before the Earl of Warwick, who bare the Sword before his highness: on whose left hand went the Lord Major of London, by his highness' special favour bearing the City sword: After whom came his highness, being attended by his council, the principal Secretary of State, and divers of the Nobility, and other persons of great quality.  
His Highness being entered on the place, and standing under the Cloth of Estate, Master Speaker did in the name of the Parliament, present several things (ready laid upon the Table) to his Highness, viz. A Robe of purple Velvet, lined with Ermine, being the habit anciently used at the solemn investiture of Princes. Next, a large Bible richly guilt and bossed; next a Sword; and lastly, a Sceprer, being of Massy Gold: which being so presented, Mr Speaker came from his Chair, took the Robe, and therewith vested his highness, being assisted therein by the Earl of Warwick, the Lord Whitelock, and others. Which being done, the Eible was delivered unto his highness; after that, Mr Speaker girt about him the Sword; and lastly, delivered his highness the sceptre.  
These things being performed, Mr Speaker returned unto his Chair, and administered the Oath to his highness, prepared by the Parliament, the form whereof is as followeth.  I do in the presenec and by the Name of God Almighty, promise and swear, that to the uttermost of my power, I will uphold and maintain, the True Reformed Protestant Christian Religion, in the purity thereof, as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, to the uttermost of my power and understanding; and encourage the Profession and Professors of the same: And that to the utmost of my power, I will endeavour, as Chief Magistrate of these three Nations, the maintenance and preservation of 〈◊〉 and safety, and just Rights and privileges of the People thereof. And shall in all things, according to our best knowledge and power, govern the People of these three Nations according to Law. 

The speech of the Lord Widdrington, Speaker of the Parliament, at the Investiture of his highness the Lord Protector, 26. June 1657.  
May it please your highness;  
YOu are now upon a great theatre, in a large Chore of People. You have the Parliament of England, Scotland, and Ireland before you; on your right hand, my Lords the Judges; and on your left hand the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Sheriffs of London; the most noble and populous City of England. The Parliament, with the interposition of your suffrage, makes Laws, and the Judges, and governors of London, are the great Dispensers of those Laws to the people.  
The occasion of this great convention and intercourse, is, To give an Investiture to your highness in that eminent place of Lord Protestor: A name you had before, but it is now settled by the full and unanimous consent of the People of these three Nations assembled in Parliament. You have no new name, but a new date added to the Old Name; The sixteenth of December, is now changed to the 26 of June.  
I am commanded by the Parliament, to make oblation to your highness of Four things in order to this Inauguration.  
The First is a Robe of Purple an emblem of Magistracy, and imports righteousness and justice: When you have put on this Vestment, I may say (and I hope without offence) that you are a Gown man. This Robe is of a mixed colour, to show the mixture of Justice and Mercy, which are then most excellent when they are well tempered together. Justice without mercy, is Wormwood and bitterness; and Mercy without Justice is of two soft a temper for Government. For, a Magistrate must have two hands, Plectentem & Amplectentem.  
The Next thing is a Bible, a book that contains the holy Scriptures; in which you have the honour and happiness to be well versed. This is the Book of life, consisting of two Testaments, the Old and New. In the first we have Christum velatum Christ in Types, shadows, and Figures; in the latter, we have Christum revelatum, Christ revealed. This Book carries in it the Grounds of the true Christian Protestant Religion; it's a Book of Books, it contains in it both Precepts and Examples for good Government.  
Alexander so highly valued the Books of his Master Aristotle, and other great Princes other Books, that they have laid them every night under their Pillows. These are all but legends and Romances to this one Book; a Book to be had always in Remembrance; I find it said in a part of this Book, which I shall desire to read, and it is this.  
Deut. 17. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his kingdom, that he shall write a Copy of this Law in a Book, out of that which is before the Priests and the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord God, and to keep all the words of his Law, and those Statutes, to do them.  
That his heart be not lifted up above his Brethren; and that he turn not aside from the Commandment, to the right hand or to the left, to the end he may prolong his days in his Kingdom, he and his Children in the midst of Israel.  
The next thing that I am to offer to your highness, is a sceptre, not unlike a staff; for you are to be a staff to the weak and poor. It's of ancient use in this kind; its said in Scripture, in reference to Judah, the royal Tribe, That the sceptre shall not depart from Judah. It was of like use in other Kingdoms and Governments: Homer the Prince of the Greek Poets, calls Kings and Prince's Scepterbearers.  
The last thing is a sword, not a military, but a civil sword, a sword rather for defence then offence; Not to defend yourself only, but others also. This Sword is an emblem of Justice. The noble Lord Talbot in Henry the VI Time, wrote upon his Sword, Ego sum Talboti propter occidendum inimicos meos; This Gallant Lord was a better soldier than a Critiek. If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword, it should be this, Ego sum Domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum.  
I say, this Sword is an emblem of Justice, and is to be used as King Solomon used his, for the discovery of the truth in points of Justice. I may say of this sword as King David said of Goliah's sword, There is none like this, Justice is the proper virtue of the imperial Throne, and by Justice the Thrones of Kings and Princes are established. Justice is a Royal virtue, which as one saith of it, doth employ the other three Cardinal virtues in her service.  
1. Wisdom, to discern the nocent, the innocent.  
2. Fortitude, to prosecute, and execute.  
3. Temperance, so to carry Justice that passion be no ingredient, and that it be without confusion or precipitation  
You have given ample testimony in all these particulars, so that this Sword in your hand will be a right sword of justice, attended with Wisdom, Fortitude and Temperance.  
When you have all these together, What a comely and glorious sight is it to behold A Lord Protector in a Purple Robe, with a sceptre in his hand, a Sword of Justice girt about him, and his eyes fixed upon the Bible!  
Long may you prosperously enjoy them all, to your own comfort, and the comfort of the people of these three Nations.   
His highness standing thus adorned in princely State, according to his merit and dignity; looking up unto the Throne of the most High, who is Prince of Princes, and in whom is all his confidence, Mr. Manton by prayer recommended his highness, the Parliament, the council, his highness' forces by Sea and Land, the whole Government, and People of these three Nations, to the blessing and protection of God Almighty.  
After this the people giving several great shouts, and the trumpets sounding, his highness sat down in the Chair of State holding the sceptre in his hand.  
At the right Elbow by his highness' Chair, sat his Excellency the Lord ambassador extraordinary of France; at the left his Excellency the Lord ambassador extraordinary of the state's general of the united Provinces: On the right side of the chair, stood the Earl of Warwick bearing the Sword; and on the left side, the Lord Major of London, with the City Sword: Near to his highness stood the most noble Lord, the Lord Richard Cromwell, his excellency the Lord Fleetwood, Lord deputy of Ireland, the Right honourable the Lord Cleypool Master of his highness' Horse, his highness' council and all the officers of State attending. There stood also upon the lower descent, near the Earl of Warwick, the Lord Viscount Lisle, and general Montague; and on the otherside the Lord Whitelock, each of them bearing a drawn Sword.  
While his highness thus sat, a Herald stood up aloft, giving a signal to a Trumpet to sound three times; after which, he did by authority and direction of Parliament, there publish and Proclaim his highness' Lord Protector of the common wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, requiring all persons to yield him due obedience.  
Hereupon the Trumpets sounded, and the people made several great acclamations with loud shouts, God save the Lord Protector Then an officer of arms, standing upon the top of the stairs, made proclamation again after the same manner; which was followed with shouts and loud acclamations as before.  
After little pause, the whole Ceremony being ended, his highness saluting the Ambassadors and public Ministers, proceeded thence in his Princely habit, the train whereof was born up by several noble persons, among whom was the Earl of Warwick's Granchilde; the Lord Sherwood, and the eldest Son of the Lord Roberts of Truro. The Aldermen, Recorder, the Judges, with the officers of State, and the rest, proceeded in the same order as they came from the house of Lords, and passed through the Hall to the great Gate leading into the New palace Yard, where his highness entered into his Coach of state, being in his Robes. The Earl of Warwick sat in the other end of the coach, and the Lord Richard Cromwell and the Lord Whitlock in one side, the Lord Whitelock having one of the drawn swords in his hand On the other side sat the Lord Viscount Lisle, and general Montague bearing the other two drawn swords in their hands, The Lord Cleypool Master of the Horse, led the Horse of Honour in rich Caparisons, the coach was attended by his highness' life-guard, and other guards, with the Officers of arms on Horseback; the Officers of State Judges, Lord Major, and Aldermen, all waiting on his highness in their coaches to Whitehall; the whole being managed with state and magnificence, suitable to so high and happy a solemnity.  
The Speaker with the Members of Parliament, returned to the House, where it was.  
Resolved, that it be recommended to his highness the Lord Protector, as the desire of the Parliament, that his Highness will be pleased to encourage all christian endeavours for uniting the Protestant churches abroad, and several Members were appointed to present this Vote to his highness.  

WHereas the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the parliament of England, Scotland and Ireland, taking into their consideration, the duty incumbent upon them, to provide for the future peace and settlement of the Government of these Nations, according to the Laws and customs of the same, by their Humble petition and advice, have presented their desires into his highness Oliver Lord Protector, that he should by and under the name and style of Lord Protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging, Hold, and Exercise the office of chief Magistrate of these three nations; Whereunto the Lord Protector, upon due and mature consideration of the said Petition and Advice, hath consented: And his highness the Lord Protector and the Parliament, judging it necessary, that publication be made of the premises; have thought meet, and do hereby strictly charge and command all and every person and persons, of what quality and condition soever, in any of the said three Nations, to take notice of the premises, and to conform and submit themselves unto the Government so established, And the Lord Major of the City of London, and all Sheriffs, Majors, Bailiffs, and other public Ministers and officers, whom this may concern, are required to cause this proclamation, together with the said Petition and Advice to be forthwith published in the City of London, and the respective Counties, Cities, Corporations and Market Towns, to the end that none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf. Given at Westminster, June 26. 1657.   

Westminster, June 24. A true Copy of the Oaths to be taken by his highness' privy council and the several members of Parliament.  
It was resolved by the Parliament, That all such persons who now are or hereafter shall be of the Privy Council of his Highness. or Successors, before they or either of them, do act as Counsellors, shall respectively take an oath before persons to be authorised by his highness and Successors, for that purpose; in the form following, viz.  I. A. B. do in the presence and by the Name of God Almighty, promise and swear, that to the ultermost of my power, in my place I will uphold and maintain, the True Reformed Protestant Christian Religion, in the purity thereof, as is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, and encourage the Profession and Professors of the same; and that I will be true and faithful to his highness the Lord Protector of the commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the Dominions thereto belonging as Chief Magistrate thereof, and shall not contrive, design, or attempt any thing against the person or lawful authority of his said Highness; and shall keep secret all matters that shall be treated of in council, and put under secrecy, and not reveal them but by command or consent of his highness, the Parliament, or the council; and shall in all things faithfully perform the trust committed to me as a counsellor; according to the best of my understanding, in order to the good Government, peace, and welfare of these Nations. 
Resolved that the same Oath be taken by the Members of his highness' council of Scotland and Ireland.  
The house resumed the debate upon the report this day made for an Oath to be taken by the Members of Parliament. And it was agreed, That every person who now is, or hereafter shall be a Member of either house of Parliament, before he sit in Parliament, shall from and after the first day of July, 1657. take an Oath before persons to be authorised and appointed by his highness and Successors, for that purpose, in the form following.  I. A. B. do in the presence, and by the Name of God Almighty, promise and swear, That to the uttermost of my power in my place, I will uphold and maintain the true reformed Protestant Christian Religion in the purity thereof, as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Tostament and encourage the profession and Professors of the same: And that I will be true and faithful to the Lord Protector of the Common wealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging, as Chief Magistrate thereof, and shall not contrive, design, or attempt any thing against the person or lawful authority of the Lord Protector, and shall endeavour as much as in me lieth as a Member of Parliament, the preservation of the Rights and liberties of the people.  
His highness upon the day of his Inauguration, meeting the Parliament in the painted Chamber before the Solemnity, passed all such Bills as were presented to him: The Bills concerning private persons I omit. Those that are of a public nature were as followeth.  

1. The Additionall Explanatory Petition and advice.  
2. An Act to adjourn this Parliament, till the 20th of January.   
London, July 1.  
This day his highness the Lord Protector was proclaimed in the City with great solemnity.  
About ten a clock in the morning at Whitehall Gate, the persons met who were to give attendance upon this Ceremony.  
First, the Messengers belonging to the council; next trumpeters; next them the life-guard of his highness; after them other trumpeters; next, his highness his Gentleman; after them more trumpeters; next, divers officers of the Army, gallantly mounted; then trumpeters again; next the sergeants at arms, and the Heralds of arms, and Garter, principal King of arms betwixt two Gentlemen-Ushers, before his highness' council in their Coaches, proceeding in this order to Temple-Bar.  
At this place they were met by the Lord Major mounted on horseback, in his Crimson Velvet Gown, and his Colle● of SS. with the Recorder and Aldermen of London, all in their Scarlet on horseback, attended by his Officers, trumpeters, and the loud music of the City.  
From thence an officer of Arms proceeded before the Aldermen, than next before the Lord Major his Mace-bearer, the Sword-bearer, with his cap of maintenance, and a Herald of arms.  
Then proceeded several sergeants at arms belonging to his highness and council, with Norroy King of arms; next after them, Garter principal King of arms, between two Gentlemen Ushers, going immediately before the Lords of his highness' council, and the principal secretary of State, in their coaches.  
In this manner they proceeded towards the Royal Exchange, making two stands by the way.  
First, at chancery-lane end over against the Inner Temple gate, where Proclamation was made by the common crier of London, according to the tenor of the proclamation already published by act of Parliament, the Lord Major, council, the Aldermen of London, and all Officers standing bare.  
The second stand was made in Cheapside at the end of Woodstreet, where proclamation was made as before.  
Thence they proceeded in order to the Royal Exchange, arriving there at Exchange time, where Proclamation was made (as in all other places) by sound of Trumpet, in the form aforesaid; and the humble petition and advice was published: after which, the Trumpets sounding, three loud acclamations were made by the people, Long live the Lord Protector.   

Whitehall, Novemb. 5.  
The fury of the Jesuited popish party in Poland; having of late, with all violence, been executed in a barbarous manner upon the reformed professors, who are of the Bohemian confession in those parts, insomuch, that the Churches are dispersed, and the poor christians forced to fly into foreign parts for safety of their lives; divers of their exiled Pastors being come into England to seek for relief, the case of the poor exiles stands referred by his highness and the council, to the consideration of those worthy and pious persons (Ministers, and others) who are the Committee for Piedmont.  
The most inhuman persecutions lately acted by the Papists and their party in Poland, against our Brethren of the Reformed Religion are some of them) as followeth.  
The first remarkable is that of Lesna, a populous wealthy city, and the great refuge of the Reformed, who frequently came thither from other parts for shelter. The church there was divided into three congregations, the Bohemian, the Polonian, and the German. This City they first set upon, intending to put all to the Sword, and destroy it with fire; but the Citizens having notice of their coming on, quitted the City leaving all their wealth behind, flying through Woods and bogs into Silesia: so that the enemy entering without resistance, found none but aged and bedrid persons, whom they barbaroufly flew; and after they had plundered the City, they reduced it to ashes.  
In other places, they cruelly murdered divers Minister; of the Word, and people of all ages and Sexes, making them to end their lives by exquisite tortures. The Pastor of the Church of Czvirzin had his eyes first pulled out, because he would not renounce the faith; then they pulled off with Pincers, the joints of his fingers; but he still remaining constant, they poured molten Lead into his mouth; and lastly putting his head between the shuts of a door, they severed it from his body.  
The Pastor of the Church of Dembnick, and two others, after many villainous abuses offered to their persons, had their throats cut. Finding also a young Minister in the field, they cut off his head with a scythe, and afterwards mangled his body. The like cruelty they acted also upon a citizen of Lesna, and worse upon many others, not sparing even the weaker sex, nor children.  
A pious Matron of Lesna, with her three children, not getting quick enough out of Town, was murdered in the open street, her hands and feet cut off, and two of her children with their heads cut off laid upon her breasts, the third by her side.  
A divine burnt in the middle of his books his child pulled from the breast & tossed on a spear.  
Cords drawn thorough the legs & arms.  
men's guts pulled out of there mouths   

A Catalogue of the names of those Honourable Persons, who are by writ summoned to sit in the other house of Parliament.  
THe Lord Richard Cromwell. The Lord Henry Cromwell, Lord Deputy of Ireland. Nathaniel Fiennes, John Lisle Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal. Henry Lawrence Lord President of his Highness privy Council. The Lord Charles Fleetwood. Robert Earl of Warwick. Edmond Earl of Mulgrave. Edward Earl of Manchester. William Lord Viscount Say and Seal. Lord John Cleypole, Mr. of the Horse. Philip Lord Viscount Lisle. Charles Lord Viscount Howard. Philip Lord Wharton. Thomas Lord Fauconbridge. Lord John Disbrow, Lord Edward Montague Generals at Sea. George Lord Eure. The Lord Whitelock. Sir Gilbert Pickering. Col William Sydenham. Sir Charles Wolseley. M. G. Philip Skippon. Lord Strickland. Col. Philip Jones. Sir William Strickland. Francis Rous Esq John Fiennes Esq Sir Francis Russel. Sir Thomas Honywood. Sir Arthur Hesilrigg. Sir John Hobart. Sir Richard Onslow. Sir Gilbert Gerard. Sir William Roberts. John Glyn, Oliver St. John, Lords Chief Justices. William Pierrepoynt Esq John Jones Esq John Crew Esq Alexander Popham Esq Sir Christopher Pack. Sir Robert Tichborn. Edward Whalley Esq Sir John Barkstead Knight, lieutenant of the Tower. Sir Thomas Pride. Sir George Fleetwood. Richard Ingoldsby Esq Sir John Hewson. James Berry Esq William Goffe Esq Thomas Cooper Esq Edmond Thomas Esq George Monck, Commander in chief of his highness' forces in Scotland. David Earl of Castils. Sir William Lockhart. Sir Archibald Johnston of Warriston. William Steel, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. The Lord Broghil. Sir Matthew Tomlinson.  
In number Sixty, The Reader is to excuse this List, if the names be not set down in their due order, because the Copy came to my hand as here you see it.   

Some Heads of the Speech made by His highness; January 1657.  
HIs highness said, He met them there in that Capacity, by the Advice and Petition of this present Parliament after so much expense of Blood and Treasure, to search and try what Blessings God hath in store for these Nations.  
That he could not but with gladness of heart remember and acknowledge the labour and industry that is past, which hath been spent upon a business worthy of the best men, and the best Christians. That it was not unknown unto them all, what difficulties we have past through, and at what we are now arrived, and that he hoped it might be said, we have arrived at what we aimed at, if not at that which is much beyond our expectations. That the state of this cause, and the quarrel at first, was, the maintaining of the Liberty of these Nations, our civil liberties as men, and our Spiritual liberties as Christians. That it was well known, the first Declaration after the Beginning of the late war that spoke to the life, was a sense held forth by the Parliament, that for sometime before, designs had been laid to Innovate upon the Civil Rights of the Nations; to Innovate in matter of Religion; and those persons who a man would have thought should have had the least hand in meddling with civil things, did justify all irregular Transastions in Pulpits, Presses, and otherwise, which they thought would be a means to shelter them while they innovated upon us in matters of Religion also, and proceeded so to Innovate, as to eat out the Core, and power, the heart and life of all Religion, by bringing on us a company of poisonous Popish Ceremonies, and imposing them upon those that were called and accounted the Puritans of the Nation, and professors of Religion among us, driving them to seek their bread in a howling wilderness; they were forced to fly into Holland, New-England, almost any whither, to find liberty for their Consciences. That if this thing hath been the state and sum of our Quarrel, and of the late ten years' Wars, and the good hand of God hath brought this business thus home unto us, as it is stated in the Petition and Advice, then that He and they have all cause to bless God, and the Nations have cause to bless him. And if the enjoyment of our present peace and other men's Mercies may be witnesses for God, we feel and we see them every Day. That the greatest Demonstration of his favour and love appears to us in this, that he hath given us peace, and the blessings of Peace, to wit, the enjoyment of our Liberties civil and spiritual. That when we were plunged in the midst of our Troubles, it could not before-thought that ever the people of God should have had liberty to worship God without fear of Enemies; yet this is the Portion which God hath given us, and he hoped we shall for ever heartily acknowledge it, it being our glory that we have a free possession of the Gospel.  
That notwithstanding this, we are not without the murmurings of many people, who turn all this Grace and goodness into Wormwood, who indeed are disappointed by the Works of God, and those men are of several ranks and conditions, great ones, lesser ones, men of all sorts; men that are of the episcopal Spirit, who gave themselves a fatal blow in this place, when they would needs make a Protestation, That no Laws were good which were made by this House, and the House of Commons, in their absence; and so without injury to themselves, they cut off themselves. That we have now a Godly Ministry, a knowing Ministry; such a one, as (without Vanity be it spoken) the World hath not the like, Men knowing the things of God, and able to search into the things of God, by that only which can fathom those things in some measure, to wit, by the Spirit of God. That the reason why men slip in this age is, because they understand not the Works of God, and consider not the operation of his hands: They consider not, that God resisted, and broke in pieces the powers that were, that men might fear him, might have liberty to do and enjoy all that he had been now speaking of. Thence it is, that men slip, and engage themselves against God; and for that very cause (as it is in the 28 Psalm) He shall break them down, and not build them up. That if we would know upon what foundation we stand, we should own our foundation from God; he hath set us where we are; he hath placed us in the enjoyment of our Civil, and of our spiritual Liberties. That upon this foundation of a cause and Quarrel thus attained, and wherein we are thus estated; he told the Parliament he should be glad to lay his bones with theirs, and would have done it with all heartiness, and cheerfulness, in the meanest capacity that he ever yet was in, to serve the Parliament. His highness concluded, That he had been speaking of but what they had done; and that if God should be pleased to make this Meeting happy upon this account, They would be called the blessed of the Lord; the Generations to come will bless them, &c. That having some infirmities upon him, he had not liberty to speak at large, but had desired an honourable person present, to discourse a little more particularly what might be more proper for this occasion, and this meeting. Which particulars were afterwards delivered in a Grave and Eloquent Speech at large, by the Lord Fiennes, one of the Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal.   

Thurs'. Feb. 4. 1657.  
The House of Commons this Morning resumed the Debate, touching the Appellation of the other House, viz. the House of Lords, betwixt ten and eleven his highness came to the House of Lords, and Commanded the Usher of the black Rod to acquaint the House of Commons, that his highness was come to the Lord's House, and there expected them the Usher of the black Rod being called into the House of Commons, signified the same accordingly, whereupon the Speaker and the whole House coming into the Lord's House, and standing without the Bar, his highness standing under the cloth of Estate, made a Speech to them, wherein he declared several urgent and weighty reasons making it necessary for him in order to the public peace and safety, so passed to an immediate dissolution of this Parliament, and accordingly his highness dissolved the Parliament.   

Articles of Peace, treated on by the Commissioners of the two Northern Kings of Sweden and Denmark, proposed and resolved on, Feb. 27. S. N.  
PIETATE ET CONSTANTIA  
XIII. All the states, Noble and Ignoble, spiritual or Clergy and secular men, are to enjoy fully their privileges in such places, which by way of satisfaction are made over, whether they be in Denmark or Norway, and the Crown of Sweden is rather to enlarge their privileges then to infringe or diminish them. Item they are to enjoy without molestation and hindrance all such Goods which they either purchased lawfully or are fallen to them by inheritance. XIIII. The King of Denmark is to restore also to the King of Sweden all such places he took from him in this War, and the three ships taken from the Swedish in the Sound are to be prized, and the value thereof is to be restored to the Crown of Sweden. XV. The King of Denmark is to resign to the King of Sweden all the claims, which he pretends to any place in the Island Rugen. XVI. The King of Denmark is to be reconciled with the Duke of Hostein, upon such terms as may stand with justice and equity, and make an agreement answerably.  
XVII. The Forts and castles, taken by either party, are to be restored, but not any Artillery and ammunition, and the Subjects of Denmark are to carry the Swedish Artillery to such places, as the King of Sweden shall appoint. XVIII. Count Vlefield is to be restored to his goods, and all his Revenues and charges shall be paid back from that time, as the Commissioners shall determine; His Lady, and Mother in Law, shall have liberty to dwell in Denmark where they please; the Fees which he and his Son had, as Hursholm, Moene, Hellingen, and St John's cloister, he is to enjoy again, according to the privilege which they had there; and his Lady also is to be restored to her due title of honour. XIX. The published Minifestor of the King of Denmark is to be revoked and neither printed nor sold any more. XX. The King of Denmark is to let the King of Sweden have 2000 Horse, and 2000 Foot.  
Whitehall, March 12.  
This afternoon, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and common-council of the City of London, came hither in a Body, to attend his highness; as also the Commanders and Officers of the Army: And being admitted to his presence, his highness was pleased in a Speech at large, to represent unto them the danger, wherein they of the whole City, and the whole Nation, were involved at present, by reason of the new designs of the old Enemy, Charles Stuart and his confederates abroad, and his party here at home, who have been at work secretly to imbroil the nation again in Blood, as soon as he should be able to make his intended invasion. His Highness also told them, that he knew this to be true; That he knew it by Letters of theirs intercepted, by certain intelligence from abroad of their proceedings, and by information from the mouths of such persons as had been engaged to act with them. He acquainted them likewise, that the Lord of Ormond whom some now call the Duke of Ormond, in person had been lately here for three weeks together, being come over on purpose to promote the design, by encouraging and engaging as many as he could in and about this City; and that he went away again on Tuesday last. Also, in order to this invasion, Charles Stuart was waiting in Flanders, having about eight thousand Men quartered in several places near the water side, as at Brugges, Brussells, Ostend, &c. And that two and twenty hired Ships, were in readiness to transport them, waiting only for the opportunity of some dark night to slip by our Fleet; which they may the more easily perform, ours being ships of great burden, drawing much water, and so not able to ride upon the Flats. And therefore seeing a real danger so near at hand, and that the peace and safety of the City; and the whole Nation is Highly concerned in it, he desired the Citizens might be sensible of it, and how much it behooves them to provide for their own and the Nations security. And to that end, his highness recommended to the Lord Major, and the Body of the City, the settling of their Militia: and that it might be settled in the hands of Pious and sober men, well affected to the present Government and such as are free from discontent and faction; persons that may carry on the work with alacrity and discretion; to put the City in a posture of defence, that they may be in a condition to suppress tumults and insurrections, designed by the Enemies of our Peace and Prosperity, Many other particulars his highness insided on, to give them an account of the present state of affairs, and of divers past transactions; but having no notes to help my memory, and being afraid lest I may already have fallen short in relating the Heads of what was more copiously and much better spoken, I have only this to add. That the citizens expressed much cheerfulness in the presence of his highness; and departed with very great satisfaction.  
Whitehall March 27.  
These following persons having been lately presented from the City to his highness and the council, to be added to the Committee of the Militia in London, they are accordingly approved. Sir Thomas Foot Knight, William Thomson, Walter Bigge, John Frederick, Tempest Milner, Thomas chandler, Aldermen. Charles Lloyd, Therphilus Biddulph, William Gower, Esquires. Mr. Maurice Gethin, Mr. Thomas stains, Mr. James Edwards.  
This day a Presentation was made of the following Addresses to his Highness, and it was presented by the hand of the noble Lord the Lord Charles Fleetwood, attended by the Officers of the Army.  
To his highness the Lord Protector of the Common wealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, &c. The Humble address of the Officers of your highness' Army.  
WE being deeply sensible of the continual dangers from the common enemy that have attended your highness' person, and of the immense weight of business for the good of the Nation, that hath lain and still lieth upon you; together with the great opposition from several sorts of enemies that you have met with, ever since you were pleased to undertake the Government, for the procuring the quiet, and promoting the prosperity of this commonwealth, do judge it our duty to contribute as much as in us lieth to strengthen your highness' hands, and obviate the designs of your enemies. And therefore do, as one Man, with plainness and sincerity of heart, declare unto your highness; That (notwithstanding the base Calumnies and Lies, your and our enemies have cast upon us, and dispersed throughout the whole Nation, That your Army is divided, and much of it from yourself) We do remain, through the mercy of God, firmly united one to another, and all of us to your highness, as our general and Chief Magistrate; and hope that God hath so in love and faithfulness cemented us together, as that neither the subtlety of Satan, nor the malice of crafty and ill-affected men, shall be able to severe us. And we make it our earnest and humble request to your highness, That as a mighty man strengthened by the Lord, you will run and not be weary in that race God hath set you in, till it please the Lord you have settled the great ends of all our former engagements, our civil and spiritual liberty: which we hope is already in a good measure well provided for, by The Humble Petition and advice. And in all your actings tending thereunto, We do freely and heartily engage (the Lord strengthening us) to stand by your highness with our lives, and shall not be wanting to improve our interest with the Lord, for his gracious and mighty assistance with you, in the further prosecution of the great work he hath called you to.  
Charles Fleetwood. William Goffe. John Barkestead. Howard, Richard Ingoldsby, Thomas Pride. James Berry. Thomas Cooper. Philip Twisleton. Edward Grosvener. John Disbrow. Henry Ingoldsby. Thomas Talbot. George Sedascue. Thomas Kelsey. Tobias Bridge. John Nelthorpe. William B●teler. Hezekiah Haynes. Edward Whalley. John Clarke. Thomas Sadler. Ralph Cobbet. Edward Salmon. John Mill. William Stane. Henry Whalley. Thomas Margetts.  
By the Committee for the affairs of the poor Protestants in the valleys of Piedmont.  
THe All wise and Holy God, whose ways of Providence are always righteous, though often secret and unsearchable, hath made it the constant lot and portion of his people in this World, to follow the Lord in bearing his Cross, and suffering persecutions, thereby holding forth and verifying that irreconcilable Enmity between the seed of the Woman, and the seed of the Serpent, which was visible betimes in the Blood shed of righteous Abel, whom Cain (though his Brother) slew being of the wicked one, yea and for this cause, for that his own works were evil, and his Brothers good: Thus they that are born after the flesh, persecute them that are born after the Spirit to this day, and so will do while the World lasteth. In which Cause and quarrel the Lord hath very many glorious ends. But scarcely have any sort of the Churches Enemies more clearly followed the pernicious ways of Cain herein, than hath the Antichristian Faction of Rome done, that Mother of Harlots and abominations, whose garments are died red with the blood of Saints, which they have always cruelly shed, and made themselves drunk with, even the blood of those holy Followers of the Lamb, chiefly who would not receive Antichrists mark, nor worship his Image, nor drink of the Golden Cup of his Fornications, but rather come out from them, and witness against them, though they did it in sackcloth, and were slain for it. Among those chosen and faithful Witnesses, the Lord seemed very signally to have raised up those Christians, who (though dispersed in divers countries) have been commonly known by the name of Waldenses, who for some Centuries of years have lived among their enemies as Lambs among Wolves, to bear their Testimony for the truth of Christ, against the apostasies and Blasphemies of Rome, for which they have been killed all the day long, and appointed as sheep for the slaughter. Nevertheless the Lord, the great shepherd of the sheep, hath made their blood thus shed, to become a constant seed of faithful and Valiant witnesses for him; which is indeed, the more marvellous in our eyes, that this Bush hath so long burned, and is not yet consumed. This little flock and remnant which the Lord hath left and reserved, are scattered in the valleys of Piedmont, of whose tragical sufferings we have not long since heard, and have drawn forth our bowels to them, whereof a very faithful account is given to the World, both for satisfaction of Brethren and Friends, and for stopping the mouths of all Calumnies. The other part of this poor, yet precious Remnant, hath been dispersed in the Kingdoms of Bohemia and Poland, whose sufferings, together with the Lord's signal providences about them have been very eminent and remarkable, as hath been made appear unto us by three godly persons, delegated by those persecuted Churches, which are now the sad Monuments of their enemy's rage, and of the Lord's sparing Mercies. These have made their addresses to his Highness the Lord Protector by Petition, declaring the deplorable estate wherein this persecuted Remnant now lieth, and with loud cries importuning the Christian bowels and Bounty of this Nation, which cannot but be moved to mourn over them, and to show mercy to them. And indeed upon a due sense and consideration of this lamentable subject, even common humanity, but much more christian charity should provoke us to a fellow feeling of their present distressed condition. These sometimes flourishing churches, where by degrees worn out by the constant underminings and open out rages of the Antichristian party, being first driven out of Bohemia into Poland, then after their taking root and spreading in Poland unto a numerous company, were forced out of the chief Cities there, and now at last by the Jesuited and enraged Polish Army persecuted in their few hiding places, with fire and sword. Their Ministers were tortured to death by most exquisite and unheard of Barbarism, by cutting out of the tongues of some, pulling out the eyes, and cruelly mangling the Bodies of others; nor did their rage and Brutish Cruelty reach only to Ministers, but to others, yea even to women and young Children, whose heads they cut off, and them at their dead mother's breasts. Nay, their rage broke out, not only upon the living (not one of whom they spared that fell into their hands) but also upon the dead, plucking the bodies of honourable persons and others out of the graves, tearing them to pieces, and exposing them to public scorn.  
But the chief Eye sore and object of their Fury was the City of Lesna, which (after plundering and murdering all whom they found therein) they burned to ashes, and laid in rubbish, only the Lord in his mercy having alarmed the City of their enemies approaching March, the greatest part of the Inhabitants (being three famous Churches) saved themselves by flight, and are now wandering up and down in Silesia, the Marguifate of Brandenburg, Lusatia and Hungary, poor, destitute, afflicted and naked. His Highness and the council having referred unto this Committee the Testimonials and Petitions sent by the said Churches, We finding upon examination thereof, their case to be thus deplorable, which is more at large stated and declared in their own Narrative, have caused the said Narrative to be translated, and here with published, thereby to stir up the Lord's people in these Nations to put on bowels of mercies toward these their exiled and afflicted brethren, refreshing their hearts by your love, and the tokens of it in a cheerful and liberal supply; which will not only preserve this holy seed from perishing, that hath a blessing in it, but also uphold among them the Purity of Religion and power of the Gospel. The rather considerng the present freedom from these bloody outrages, we the people of these Nations do by the blessing of the Lord enjoy, the continuance whereof we may the more comfortably hope for, by how much our compassions are more freely extended to those in misery. And if a cup of cold water given to one disciple, as such shall not lose its reward; how much more when a bountiful relief is given to more than five thousand disciples? Which we should be the more forward to advance, because they acknowledge they have received much confirmation in the Religion for which they suffer, by light received from our Country man John Wicklof, that famous witness of Christ against Antichrist, even in the darkest times of Popery. And I doubt no: but that God who hath lately opened your bowels to so large and eminent a Contribution towards the persecuted Protestants at Piedmont, for which many Thanksgivings have been made to God on your behalf will again draw out your hearts upon this like sad occasion, to the like bountiful liberality, it being our duty to cast our bread upon the waters, and to give a portion to six and also to seven, not being weary of well-doing, because in due time we shall reap if we faint not. Considering also how honourable it is to ●ct grace, and to lay out ourselves upon such occasions, we recommmend i● again as the work of God accompanied with his own voice, calling aloud upon us to enlarge ourselves in this ministration, and withal to pour out our hearts in faith and prayer, that the Lord would yet please to raise up S●on upon the Ruins of Babylon, hastening his work, and blessing means to it.  


John Trevor.  
Christopher Pack.  
Will. Puref●y.  
Edward Cresse●.  
Thomas Viner.  
Joseph Caryl.  
John Owen.  
Will. Jenkyn.  
Philip Ny●.  
Will: Cooper.  
Edmond Ca●●●y.     

A Breviate of the impeachment of high Treason exhibited by Mr. Attorney general against John Hewet, Doctor of Divinity, consisting of these heads.  
1. THat to embroil the Commonwealth in new and intestine troubles, and to stir up Sedition and Rebellion within the Nation; He, together with others, traitorously and Maliciously raised force, and levied war against his highness, and the government, to subvert and alter the same. 2. That he traitorously declared, published, and promoted Charles Stuart. Eldest Son of the late King Charles, to be King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, &c. 3. That he held correspondence with the said Charles Stuart. And declared the same by these open deeds. I. By conferring with one Trelawney, Jo. Stapely, and Henry Mallory, how to effect the same. II. By appointing places of meeting to consult for effecting the same. III. By encouraging Stapely and Mallory thereunto. IV. By delivering Commissions to several persons in the Name of, and as from the said Charles Stuart, concerning the raising of forces, and levying the power aforesaid, against his highness and the Government, and this contrary to the statute in that case made and provided.  

The substance of Sir Henry Slingsby's speech, at Tower-Hill, June 8. 1658.  
THat he stood condemned by the court of justice as contriving and endeavouring to withdraw divers officers of the garrison of Kingston upon Hull from their duty, and persuading them to a surrendering and yielding up of that garrison, and one that held correspondence with some beyond Sea to that end. That it was true, he had conference upon that account with the officers of that garrison; and that he gave Major Waterhouse a commission signed Charles R. but that it was but an old one that had lain by him, though he thought fit to make use of it to the Major. Many passages he said there were which he would not insist on, That some friends of his had made application to his highness for the saving of his life, but it seems it was thought fit not to be granted, &c. and therefore he submitted and was ready to die, &c.  
He spoke but low, and very little, and kept himself in a very even temper, both in words and behaviour. Then addressing himself again to his friends, he called for the executioner, who having received his reward by the hand of a friend, came to him, placed the block in the middle of the Scaffold, which Sir Henry beheld with his arms folded, and a settled countenance; an officer standing by with the Ax. Then the prisoner declaring he had no more to say, stripped himself. Before he put off his band, he desired a friend standing by; to take off a Ring which hung in his Bandstring, 'twas in the form, and about the breadth of an ordinary seal; but instead of a seal engraven, it had the Picture of the late King done in little and very exactly. When the Gentleman had taken it off, he said these words to him, Pray give this to Harry. His doublet being off, he kneeled down before the block, and lifting up his hands as before, he again prayed privately to himself, but was very short. Then rising up, and embracing his friends one after another, took his leave of them all. After this kneeling down, and placing his neck upon the block, the executioner struck off his head at one blow. The Head was immediately taken off the Scaffold, and put in a black scarf, the Body into the Coffin, and the Head with it; which being nailed up, and covered, was conveyed off the Scaffold into a hearse drawn by six horses, which stood ready to receive it.  
The sum of Doctor Hewet's Speech on the Scaffold;  
Viz. That he had never been in such a Pulpit as this was; and that he came thither, within a few minutes to suffer death for the Truth, and to bear testimony thereto, according to that saying of our blessed Lord and Saviour, For this end was I born, and for this end came I into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. And that in two respects; First, as a clergyman; and secondly, as a Member of the community in which he lived. As a clergyman, he blessed God that had called him to the office of the Ministry, though unworthy; and that he had been baptised into the true faith and doctrine of the Gospel, and thereby made a member of the Catholic Church, especially of that part of it, the Church of England, which he looked upon as the purest for sound doctrine and orderly discipline, of any in the christian world; and disowned all others walking contrary thereunto. [Here the Reader is to observe, that the Doctor was not questioned for any point of Faith he held, but for being a Traitor; and so he died not for truth, but for Treason.] In the second place, as one of the community or civil state, he looked upon himself as borne a free Englishman, and in that capacity had a right to the Liberties and privileges of this Land, and to the Laws thereof. Here he took occasion to speak of passages at his trial before the Court of Justice saying that having been advised by persons learned in the Law, and being furnished with some books of Law cases and reports, he was thereby instructed to make several demands in court; as that he might be satisfied about the jurisdiction of the court; then that he might have counsel allowed; afterwards being told in court that they were to try him in matter of fact, to which he ought first to plead; he in the next place said he desired that the matter might be heard by the Judges, and thereupon appealed to them; which would not be admitted; he being told the court had a full Jurisdiction by Act of Parliament; That he had always insisted that he might have a Jury to be tried by, but that was not granted him, but the court being erected according to Act of Parliament; they supplied a Jury. These things he insisted on as the Rights and privileges of an English man, and being denied him, he thereupon refused to plead.  
That the precedent of the Court, did indeed read the Clause in the Act, which declared, That in case he stood mute, he must be taken as guilty upon default of answer; and that he having made three defaults, was at last taken from the bar, than when he intended to have pleaded. [One would wonder such words should proceed from a dying man, whereas all persons present, and at his trial, do know that the Court had patience with him some hours, and in a great deal of tenderness towards him, caused the Clause in the Act which concerns default of answer to be read to him several times, and to the very last advised him to plead, but he still refused, and never uttered so much as one Syllable that he would plead.]  
Sr. Hen: Slingsby; & Dr. Hewet. beheaded at Tower-Hill. June the 8th. 1658: Col: Ashton. & John Betteley. hanged drawn & quartered. Ashton at mark▪ Lane end the other in Cheep side  
[Here I cannot but observe, that this dying man's Charity was greater than his memory; because, what he says here, clashes with what he said before, it appearing by his own very words, That if he were a Martyr for the people, it was much against his will, seeing a little before, he tells us, he would have pleaded to be Court, and so have owned their jurisdiction; and that if the owning of them had been to have given up the rights of the people: It seems by his ow● confession ●ere, he would have done it, in hope to have escaped this kind of martyrdom, ●s he calls it] Then he proceeded to this effect. That having declared what passed upon his trial in Court, he would next proceed to clear himself of some imputations laid upon him: one whereof was, That he was one engaged with those, who were said to have designed the firing of the City: to this he protested, That had he been engaged amongst such persons that should have ●ntended such a horrid business, he would have been the first that should have discovered them. Another was, That it was reported he should entertain the Duke or Marquis of Ormond, and harboured him in his house, when lately here in England: to which he protested, That (to his best remembrance he never saw his person, A third was, that it was reported he should be preaching at St. Gregory's one Sunday, and that the next after, being absent, he should be at Brudges in Flanders, and there have communication with him whom he called the King, and kiss his hand: In answer to this he said, That for these three years past, he had not been threescore miles from this City, and I am sure said he, that Brudges in Flanders is a great deal farther.  
[This pains the Doctor might have spared, seeing none of the particulars he was pleased to dilate upon, were ever charged upon him by any Authority, but it is very observable, that in all his discourse upon the Scaffold, he never made any pr●●●station to declare his innocency, concerning the matters charged in Court against him: It being a time (he thought) wherein he might make more b●ld to strain his Oratory then his conscience, and yet sure, that was no time to stand confuting the Tattles of the Town.]  
In conclusion he said, That having now spoken to the people, he would also pray for them, and bless them in the name of the Lord: and so kneeling in their view, he made a long prayer, (the three Ministers kneeling behind him) which seemed by the contexture of it, to have been penned on purpose for the occasion; because of the very many passages of the Common Prayer Book, that were interwoven in it. His prayer consisted of several parts.  
After which the Executioner asking him if he were ready, he answered Yea, and his head was severed from his body at one blow and a little race of the axe upon a small piece of the skin. His head also was put up into a scarf, and with his body put up into a coffin, which stood ready on the Schaffold.    

A Breviate of the charge of High treason exhibited against Summer, and the rest, for plotting, contriving, and endeavouring, together with John Hewet, late of London, Doctor of Divinity, deceased, Henry, Mallery, late of London, Gentleman, Hartgil Baron, Francis Mansel, and other false traitors and enemies to his highness and this Commonwealth.  
1. TO lieu war and raise force against his highness, and the commonwealth. 2. For declaring, and promoting Charles Stuart to be King of England. For holding intelligence with Charles Stuart. And they declared these Treasons by several overt acts. I. By appointing several places of Meeting. II. By conferring amongst themselves and others their complices, how to effect their said Treasons. III. By designing to fire the City of London, or some part thereof. IV. By providing and furnishing themselves with barrels of Powder, and other habiliments of War. V. By delivering commission in the name of, and as from Charles Stuart. VI. By appointing several Officers of War. And this against the form of the Statute in that case made and provided.  
London, July 17.  
This morning between nine and ten of the Clock, Col. Ashton, who was by the Court of Justice sentenced to suffer death as this day, was accordingly conveyed in a Sled from Newgate, drawn with four horses (Dr. Warmistry sitting in the Sled with him) to Tower-street, over against mark lane end; where a Gibbet was erected, being come to the place of Execution and taken off the Sled, at his going up the Ladder, he desired r. Warmistry to pray with him. And just as he was going up the Ladder, the doctor used these following words to him: [Almighty God who is a strong Tower, be with thee, and make thee know and feel, that there is no other name under heaven, whereby to attain everlasting life, but by the name of Jesus. The blessing of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost be with you hence forth and forever Amen.]  
When he was upon the Ladder, he spoke thus. Ashton. I hope I see my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Dr. Warmistry. I hope so (Says the D●.) pass on from the cross to the Crown. Remember who went before you.  
Ashton. I am brought here to a shameful death. I am an English man born▪ and (as many know) a Gentleman born; I am brought here by occasion of two fellows that corrupted me, namely, Topham and Langhorn, who were the men that brought me acquainted with one Manley. And Manley and the rest told me they would raise a Regiment for me, and then I told them I would command it. I was drawn into the business. And now I am brought here for my former sins; God hath delivered me several times from several judgements; he hath visited me at this time, because I slighted, and did not follow that Repentance that I promised. Therefore I desire all protestants to leave off their sins for Christ his sake, and become new men, for it is that that brings all men to ruin; I beseech God of mercy have mercy upon my soul, Lord God, I come to thee, Lord the Father of heaven have mercy upon me, O God the Son Redeemer of the World have mercy upon me. O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, have mercy upon me. Remember not my offences, but spare me, good Lord God. I beseech thee spare thy servant whom thou hast redeemed, for thy dear Sons sake. I have no more to say, but desire the prayers of all good people. Doctor. One word, remember that saying of the Psalmist, Thou shalt answer for me O Lord.  
Ashton. The Executioner asking him, if he had any more to say, he answered, No. But concluded thus; I commit my spirit into thy hands O God; the Lord have mercy upon my soul Which being said, the Executioner turned him off the Ladder; and afterwards being cut down, he ripped up his bel●y, took out the bowels, and burned them in a fire ready prepared upon the place. Then his head was cut off, and his body divided into four Quarters.  
Execution being done upon Colonel Ashton, and his Quarters conveyed away in a Basket upon a Cart, to Newgate; The sheriff's officers went to the Tower, to fetch John Betteley to his Execution, (who was likewise drawn upon the same sled) into Cheapside; (where formerly the cross stood) where was likewise a Gibbet erected.   

The manner of the execution of John Betteley in Cheapside.  
Being come to the Gibbet on a Sled with a Minister, the Minister read, and the people sung with him a Psalm beginning thus, O Lord consider my distress etc  
Betteley. I trust in him that he will certainly save me. Then he went up the Ladder. His confession followeth.  
LOrd receive my Soul, and be merciful to me: I commit my soul into Almighty God's hands; for he is my Protector and Redeemer. I am not ashamed to live nor afraid to die; for, my conversation hath been such, in Christ Jesus I hope I shall find mercy. As concerning them that are my enemies, I pray God forgive them their sins, I freely forgive them all that have done me wrong. As for the late Plot, I was never but once in company with them concerned therein: I did know of such a thing, but deny that I acted therein. Shall I damn my soul at this instant? I will speak the truth. I do acknowledge I offended God in it, and wronged this Nation in hearing it, and not discovering it. One Brandon that was one of them, drew me into the business, and his man. I carrying work to him, could not refrain his house, he so often enticed me thereto, and would not let me alone, till he had got me into a house where we drank together. I have no more to say as to the plot, but desire mercy from God. Having thus done, the Executioner turned him off, and the rest of the Sentence was executed upon him, as before upon Col. Ashton, and his Head and Quarters were conveyed also to Newgate.  
As for the third man, friar, who was to have been executed this day in Smithfield, he was drawn on a Sled also from the Tower in the afternoon to Smithfield, where after he had performed his Devotions, being upon the ladder, and the Executioner ready to turn him off, a Reprieve came, and he was carried back again to the Tower by the Officers in a Coach.   

Articles of surrender of Dunkirk, June 20. 1658.  
1. That the Town should be yielded up, with all their great guns, their stores of victual, magazines of arms, and ammunition, without any imbesilment  
2. That all Officers and Soldiers should have liberty to march out with their Arms, Drums beating, Colours flying, two pieces of Ordnance, and their baggage. 3. That they should have the liberty to march with a convoy to conduct them to St. Omers. 4. That the inhabitants should remain indemnified in their persons & goods, & enjoying their former custom & privileges for 2 years, & not be molested touching the exercise of their Religion. Hereubon they accordingly marched out on Tuesday the 25 instant, being 1000 horse and foot, and 700 more that were wounded men, and at the same time the besiegers entered into the Town; the King himself also in person, with the Cardinal, and the Lord General Lockhart: And his Majesty, desirous to give due testimonies of real friendship and good correspondence with England, put the Town into the possession of my Lord Lockhart: on the behalf of his highness the Protector, our English being entered in here for that purpose, and more we expect for the preserving it in our hands. This wil● (we suppose) be acceptable news to the Merchants who have formerly suffered so much by this place, the obtaining whereof must be attributed (next under God) to the prudence of his highness, and to that happy success wherewith it pleaseth the most High to follow him in all his erterprises and Actions, whereas on the otherside it is observed, that nothing but mischief and misfortune hath accompanied the Spaniard in this Country, ever since he gave entertainment to, and joined Interest with that Family, which hath a fate entailed upon it, sufficient to sink whole kingdoms, as hitherto it hath done, and ruined likewise all its particular followers and partakers. Which was also most observable even in the late victory, wherein the deadliest storm fell upon the Regiment of Charles and his Brother, so that very few or none of them escaped with their lives. The French Army is since marched to Bergen: but what they have done, or will do there, we yet here not. The Spaniard left behind in this Town about one hundred and forty great guns, all brass, except 7 or 8   

An Oath to be administered to the Inhabitants of Dunkirk was passed by the council, being as followeth, vix.  
I. A. B. Do in the presence and by the name of Almighty God, promise and swear, that from hence forth I shall bear faith and true Allegiance, and shall be true and faithful unto Oliver now Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging, and his Successors, as chief Magistrate thereof, and shall not design, Contrive or Attempt any thing against the person or Authority of the Lord Protector, or against the safety, just defence, or necessary preservation of this Town or place of Dunkirk, in and for its safety, defence and preservation, under the Government of the Lord Protector and his successors, against all Conspiracies and attempts whatsoever; and will do my best endeavour to make known and disclose unto the Protector and his successors, or the Commander in chief in this place, under his said highness for the time being, all Treasons and traitorous Conspiracies which I shall know or hear of to be against his Person or Authority, or against the safety of this Town or place of Dunkirk, or for the betraying of it into the hands of any other persons, or that tends to the withdrawing of any the persons or people in it from their fidelity, to the Lord Protector or to his Government.  
FINIS.   


Oliver Cromwell L. Ptor of engd scotd and Ierld: borne at Huntington of the name of Williams of Glamorgan and by K: H: 8. changed into Cromwell was educated in Cambridge afterward of Lincons Inn at the beginning of the wars Cp: of a Troop of Horse raised at his own charge and by the parlimt made commander in chief reduced Ierld: and South wales overthrew D●: Hambletons' Army the Kerkes Army at Dunbar reduced all Scotland defeted ch: steward's Army at Woster he had two Sons Ld: Richard Protector in his father's room Ld: Henery now Ld: Debty of Ierld: and 4: daughter's Ly. Bridget first married L: Ireton afterward Lt. c. Fleet●●od Ly: Elizabeth married l. Clapole Ly: Mary married ld viscount Fauconbrige Ly: Francis married the Rt. Hoble: Rob. Rich Granchild to the Hoble: E. of Warwick was declared L: Ptr of End. Scd and Ird. 16: of decemb 1653. died 3. Sep: 1658. after. 14. days' sickness of an ague with great assurance and serenity of mind peaceabley in his bed. Natus. 15. Ap: 1599  
Dunkirk in Flanders surrendered to him 20th: of June. 1658.