Former Ages never Heard of, AND After Ages will Admire. Or a Brief Review of the most material PARLIAMENTARY TRANSACTIONS. Beginning, Nov: 3. 1640. WHEREIN The remarkable Passages both of their Civil and Martial affairs, are continued unto this present Year. Published as a Breviary, leading all along successively, as they fell out in their several years: So that if any man will be informed of any remarkable Passage, he may turn to the year, and so see in some measure, in what month thereof it was accomplished. For Information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progress of these Times. A Work worthy to be kept in Record, and communicated to Posterity. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein. Hosea 14. 9 LONDON: Printed by M. S. for Tho: Jenner, at the South-Entrance of the Royal EXCHANGE, 1654. The Chronology. IN the first year of King Charles his Reign, a Parliament being called at Oxford, two Subsidies were granted, no grievances removed, but the said Parliament soon dissolved. The sad effects which the dissolution of this Parliament produced, were the loss of Rochel, by the unhappy help of England's ships. The diversion of a most facile and hopeful war from the West Indies, to a most expensive and successless attempt on Cales. The attempt on the Isle of Ree, and thereby a precipitate breach of peace with France, to our great loss. A peace concluded with Spain, without consent of Parliament, contrary to a promise formerly made to the kingdom by King James, a little before his death; whereby the cause of the Palatinate was altogether most shamefully deserted by us. The kingdom suddenly billeted with soldiers, and a concomitant project set on foot for German Horses, to force men by fear to fall before arbitrary and tyrannical Taxations, continually to be laid upon them. 2d Parliament. The dissolution of a second Parliament at Westminster, in the second year, after a declarative grant of no less than five Subsidies, and the sad issues that flowed to the Kingdom thereupon. As first, the violent exacting from the people that mighty sum of the five Subsidies, or a sum equal to it by a Commission for a Royal Loan. Many worthy Gentlemen imprisoned and vexed, that refused to pay it. Great sums extorted by Privy Seals and Excises, and the most hopeful Petition of Right blasted. 3d A third Parliament called, and quickly broken in the fourteenth year of the King, the best Members clapped up close Prisoners, denied all ordinary and extraordinary comforts of life; and so that Parliament was dissolved. Opprobrious Declarations published to asperse the proceedings of the last Parliament, yea Proclamations set out to those effects, thereby extremely to dishearten the Subjects, yea, and plainly forbidding them once to name a Parliament, or to desire them any more. Whence immediately gushed out the violent inundations of mighty sums of money, got by that strange project of Knight hood, yet under a colour of Law. The most burdensome Book of Rates, the unheard of Taxation of Ship-money, the enlargement of forests, contrary to Magna Charta, the injurious Taxation of Coat and Conduct money, the forcible taking away of the Trained Bands Arms, engrossing Gunpowder into their hands in the Tower of London. The destruction of the forest of Dean, which was sold to Papists, whence we had all our timber for Shipping. Monopolies of soap, Salt, Wine, Leather, and Sea Coal; yea, almost of all things in the kingdom of most necessary and common use. Restraint in trades and habitations, for re●●sall of which foresaid heavy pressures, many were vexed with long and languishing suits, some fined and confined to Prisons, to the loss of health in many, of life in some; some having their Houses broken open, their Goods leized on, their Studies or Closets searched for Writings, Books, and papers to undo them: some interrupted also in their Sea-Voyages, and their Ships taken from them. The crushing cruelties of the Star-Chamber Court, and council Table, where the Recorder of Salisbury was greatly fined for demolishing the Picture of the first person in the Trinity, in their great cathedral. Thus far for the miseries of the commonwealth; Popish Ceremonies, Romish innovations, and such like outrages of the Arch Prelate of Canterbury, and his prelatical Agents and Instruments, over the whole kingdom, in matters of Religion, Divine worship, and spiritual cases of conscience. Additions in the Oath administered to the King, at his first inauguration to the Crown, by the Archbishop. Fines, Imprisonments, stigmatizings, mutilations, whippings, pillories, gags, confinements, and banishments; yea, and that into perpetual close imprisonments, in the most desolate, remote, and (as they hoped and intended) remotest parts of the kingdom, Mr. Burton, Mr. Bastwick, Mr. Prin. The ruinating of the ●●eoffees for buying in of Impropriations, and the advancing to ecclesiastical livings Arminians, silencing with deprivations, degradations, and excommunications, almost all the most pious Pastors over the Land, whom they could catch in their snares, and all this under a pretence of peace, unity, and conformity Printing Presses set open for the Printing and publishing of all Popish and Arminian Tenets, but shut up and restrained from printing sound Doctrines. Nay, not only thus lamentably molested in England, but attempted the like in Scotland, endeavouring to impose upon them a New Liturgy, and a Book of Canons. They refusing of them, were called and counted Rebels and traitors; yea, so proclaimed in all Churches in England, and an Army was also raised to oppress and suppress them. A mighty and tumultuous rising of Apprentices and young men in Southwark and Lambeth side, with Clubs and other weapons, especially at the Arch Bishop's house, which put him in such a fright, as made him fly to Croyden, to convey himself to some more private and remote place: And although Pharaoh's Magicians were so honest, that at the sight of the dust of the earth turned into lice, they cried out, It was the finger of God; but he grew more and more outrageous, and caused one to be hanged and quartered, and his head set on London-Bridge, who said at his execution, he came there by accident, and he must die. The Arch-Prelate of St Andrew's in Scotland reading the new service-book in his pontificalibus assaulted by men & Women, with Crickets stools sticks and Stones. The rising of prentices and seamen on Southwark side to assault the Archbishop of Canterbury's House at Lambeth. 4 Parliament. A fourth Parliament was thereupon shortly after called again, by those complotters means, but to a very ill intent, and another Parliament summoned also at the same time by the Earl of Strafford in Ireland, both of them only to levy and procure moneys to raise another Army, and wage a new War against the Scots. The Ships and Goods of Scotland, were in all parts and Ports of this Land, and of Ireland also, surprised and seized on for the King, their Commissioners denied audience to make their just Defence to the King, and the whole kingdom of Scotland, and England too, hereupon much distracted and distempered with levying of moneys, and imprisoning all amongst us that refused the same. This Parliament also refusing to comply with the King, Canterbury, and Strafford, in this Episcopal War against the Scots, was soon dissolved and broken up by them, and thereupon they returned to their former ways of wast and confusion, and the very next day after the Dissolution thereof, some eminent Members of both Houses had their Chambers and Studies, yea their Cabinets, and very pockets of their wearing clothes (betimes in the morning, before they were out of their Beds) searched for Letters and Writings, and some of them imprisoned, and a false and most scandalous Declaration was published against the House of Commons in the King's Name. A Forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London, to be made a precedent (if it prevailed there) for the whole kingdom, but some Aldermen refusing, were sorely threatened and imprisoned. In which interim, the Clergies Convocation continuing, (notwithstanding the Dissolution of the Parliament) New Conscience oppressing Canons were forged, and a strange Oath with an &c. in it was framed for the establishing of the Bishop's Hierarchy with severe punishments on the refusers to take it. The OATH. That I A. B. do swear that I do approve the Doctrine and Discipline or Government established in the Church of England, as containing all things necessary to Salvation. And that I will not endeavour by myself or any other, directly or indirectly, to bring in any Popish Doctrine, contrary to that which is so established: Nor will I ever give my consent to alter the Government of this Church, by archbishops, Bishops, Deans, and Arch Deacons, &c. as it stands now established, and as by right it ought to stand. Nor yet ever to subject it to the usurpations and superstitions of the Sea of Rome. And all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear, according to the plain and common sense, and understanding of the same words, without any equivocation, or mental evasion; or secret reservation whatsoever. And this I do heartily, willingly, and truly upon the faith of a Christian. So help me God in Jesus Christ. In this Convocation sore Taxations were also imposed upon the whole Clergy; even no less than six Subsidies, besides a bountiful Contribution to forward that intended War against Scotland. For the advancing of which said sums for this War, the Popish were most free and forward; yea, and a solemn Prayer was composed and imposed by the Bishops on their Ministers everywhere, to be used and read in all Churches, against the Scots, as Rebels and traitors. The Papists also in a high measure enjoyed even almost a total Toleration, and a Pope's Nuncio suffered amongst us to act and govern all Romish affairs, yea a kind of private Popish Parliament kept in the kingdom, and Popish Jurisdictions erected among them. Commissioners were also (secretly) issued out for some great and eminent Papists, for Martial Commands, for levying of soldiers, & strengthening their party with Arms and Ammunition of all sorts, and in great plenty. His majesty's Treasure was by these means so extremely exhausted, and his Revenues so anticipated, that he was forced to compel (as it were) his own Servants, Judges, and Officers of all sorts, to lend him great sums of money, and Prisons filled with refusers of these and the other illegal payments; yea many High-Sheriffs summoned in the Star-Chamber, and to the council board, and some of them imprisoned for not being quick enough in levying of Ship-money, and such like intolerable Taxations. In sum, the whole Land was now brought into a lamentable and languishing condition, of being most miserably bought and sold to any that could give and contribute most of might and malice against us, and no hope of human help, but dolour, desperation, and destruction to be the portion of all. In which interim, the Scots being entered our kingdom for their own defence, the King had advanced his Royal-Standard at York, where the cream of the Kingdom, Nobles and Gentry being assembled, and a Treaty betwixt the prime of both Armies had at Rippon, for a fair and peaceable accommodation, the King was, at last, enforced to take his Nobles council, and in the first place a cessation of Arms agreed on, and then a fifth Parl. was necessitously resolved on to begin, Nov: 3. 1640. 5th Parliament. Letters from the King, Queen, Popish Earls, Lords, Knights, and Gentry, post into all parts of the kingdom, to make a strong party for them. Shortly after, a very formidable Spanish Fleet, or Armado, appeared on our English narrow Seas, in sight of Dover, and was coming in (as was on very strong grounds more than probably conjectured) as a third party, to help to destroy us; the Spaniards hoping that by this time, we and the Scots were together by the ears, but they were by God's mercy, beaten off from us by our Neighbours of Holland, and we fighting against them, fought against our friends. The soldiers in their passage to York turn Reformers, pull down Popish Pictures, break down rails, turn Altars into Tables, & those Popish Commanders, that ware to command them, they forced to eat flesh on Fridays, thrusting it down their throats, and some they slew. In the time of ours and the Scots Armies residing in the North, which was in June, 1641. Malignant Lords endeavoured to bring it out of the North, Southward, and so to London, to compel the Parl. to such limits and rules as they thought fit, whereupon the Parl. entered upon this following Protestation. Die Veneris, 30 July, 1641. WE the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parl. finding to the great grief of our hearts, that the designs of the Priests, Jesuits, and other adherents to the Sea of Rome, have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice then formerly, to the undermining and danger of the ruin of the true Reformed Protestant Religion, in his majesty's Dominions established: And finding also that they have been and having just cause to suspect that there are still even during this sitting in Parliament, endeavours to subvert the fundamental laws of England and Ireland, and to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and tyrannical Government, by most pernicious and wicked counsels, practices, plots, and conspiracies: And that the long intermission, and unhappy breach of Parliam. hath occasioned many illegal Taxations, whereupon the subject hath been prosecuted and grieved: And that divers Innovations and superstitions have been brought into the Church, multitudes driven out of his majesty's Dominions, jealousies raised and fomented betwixt the King and his people, a Popish Army levied in Ireland, and two Armies brought into the bowels of his Kingdom, to the hazard of his majesty's Royal person, the consumption of the Revenues of the Crown and Treasure of his kingdom: And lastly, finding great cause of jealousy that endeavours have been, and are used to bring the English Army into a misunderstanding of this Parl. thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to pass those wicked counsels, Have therefore thought good to join ourselves in a Declaration of our united affections and resolutions, and to make this ensuing Protestation. The Protestation. I A. B. Do in the presence of Almighty God, Promise, Vow, and Protest to maintain and defend, as far as lawfully I may, with my life, power, and state, the true Reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against Popery and Popish Innovations, within this realm, contrary to the same Doctrine, and according to the duty of my Allegiance, his majesty's royal Person, Honour, and Estate, as also the power and privileges of Parliament, the lawful rights and liberties of the Subject, and every person that maketh this Protestation; in whatsoever he shall do, in the lawful pursuance of the same. And to my power, and as far as lawfully I may, I will oppose, and by all good ways and means endeavour, to bring to condign punishment, all such as shall either by force, practice, counsels, plots, conspiracies, or otherwise, do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained. And further, that I shall in all just and honourable ways endeavour to preserve the union and peace between the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and neither for hope, fear, nor other respect, shall relinquish this Promise, Vow, and Protestation. At the beginning of the Parliament (Nov. 3. 1640.) there was a diligent inquisition after oppressions and oppressors, and first upon the Petition of Mris Bastwick, and Mris Burton, two widowed wives, and a Petition exhibited in the behalf of Mr Pryn, Dr. Laighten, Mr. Smart, Mr. Walker, Mr. Foxley, Mr. Lilburn, and many others, set at liberty, some being banished, and all close Prisoners, others fast fettered in irons, and their wives debared from coming to them. Decemb. 1640. The Earl of Strafford, and Laud Archbishop of Canterbury, impeached of High Treason; Wren Bishop of Norwich, of Treason, Windebank and Finch fled. The Scots ships that were taken before the Parl. began, restored, and 4000 l. given to rig them, 300000. l. towards their losses, and all Books, Libels, and Proclamations against the Scots called in. February, A Bill signed for triennial Parl. ●ix Subsidies, Poll money, and a personal assessment of the whole kingdom. May, a Bill signed that the Parl. should not be dissolved without their consent; Lord Strafford beheaded, the High Commission Court, and Star Chamber put down, the Parl. proceeded against Delinquent Judges about Ship-money. The Earl of Strafford's Speech on the Scaffold, May 12. 1641. MY Lord Primate of Ireland, (and my Lords and the rest of these Gentlemen) it is a very great comfort to me, to have your Lordship by me this day, in regard I have been known to you a long time, I should be glad to obtain so much silence as to be heard a few words, but doubt I shall not; my Lord, I come hither by the good will and pleasure of Almighty God, to pay the last debt I owe to sin, which is death, and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the mercies of Christ Jesus to eternal glory; I wish I had been private, that I might have been heard; my Lord, if I might be so much beholding to you, that I might use a few words, I should take it for a very great courtesy; my Lord, I come hither to submit to that judgement which hath past against me, I do it with a very quiet and contented mind, I do freely forgive all the world, a forgiveness that is not spoken from the teeth outward (as they say) but from my heart, I speak it in the presence of Almighty God, before whom I stand, that there is not so much as a displeasing thought in me, arising to any creature; I thank God I may say truly, and my conscience bears me witness, that in all my services since I have had the honour to serve his Majesty in any employment, I never had any thing in my heart, but the joint and individual prosperity of King and people, if it hath been my hap to be misconstrued, it is the common portion of us all while we are in this life, the righteous judgement is hereafter, here we are subject to error, and apt to be The Earl of Strafford for treasonable practices beheaded on the Tower-hill. misjudged one of another. There is one thing I desire to clear myself of, and I am confident I speak it with so much clearness, that I hope I shall have your Christian Charity in the belief of it, I did always think that the Parl. of England were the happiest constitutions that any kingdom or any Nation lived under, and under God the means of making King and people happy, so far have I been from being against Parliaments: For my death, I here acquit all the world, and pray God heartily to forgive them; and in particular, my Lord Primate, I am very glad that his Majesty is pleased to conceive me not meriting so severe and heavy a punishment as the utmost execution of this sentence; I am very glad, and infinitely rejoice in this mercy of his, and beseech God to turn it to him, and that he may find mercy when he hath most need of it; I wish the kingdom all the prosperity and happiness in the world, I did it living, and now dying it is my wish. I do now profess is from my heart, and do most humbly recommend it to every man here, and wish every man to lay his hand upon his heart, and consider seriously whether the beginning of the happiness of a people should be writ in Letters of blood, I fear you are in a wrong way, and I desire Almighty God, that not one drop of my blood may rise up in judgement against you. My Lord, I profess myself a true and obedient Son to the Church of England▪ to the Church wherein I was born, and wherein I was bred, prosperity and happiness be ever to it: and whereas it hath been said, that I have inclined to Popery, if it be an objection worth answering, let me say truly, that from the time since I was twenty one years of age, till this hour, now going upon forty nine, I never had thought in my heart, to doubt of the truth of my Religion in England, and never any had the boldness to suggest to me contrary to the best of my remembrance; and so being reconciled to the mercies of Christ Jesus my Saviour, into whose bosom I hope shortly to be gathered; to that eternal happiness that shall never have end, I desire heartily the forgiveness of every man, both for any rash or unadvised word, or deed, and desire your prayers: And so my Lord farewell, farewell all the things of this word: Lord strengthen my faith: give me confidence and assurance in the merits of Jesus Christ. I desire you that you would be silent, and join in prayers with me, and I trust in God that we shall all meet, and live eternally in Heaven, there to receive the accomplishment of all happiness, where every tear shall be wiped from our eyes, and every sad thought from our hearts: And so God bless this kingdom, and Jesus have mercy upon my Soul, Amen. August, 1641. The King went to Scotland. Octob. The Irish Rebellion began, whereby above 100000 Protestants were murdered. Novemb. & Decemb. The King came from Scotland to London, and was entertained with most pompous solemnity, and after went to Hampton Court, the Earl presented a Remonstrance, wherein was expressed the kingdom's grievances, they desire a Guard. Sir Wil. Belford was displaced, and Cottington made Constable of the Tower, but he was soon displaced, and Col. Lunsford was made Lieutenant of the Tower, but he also was displaced, and Sir John Byron was made Liev. of the Tower in Lunsford's stead, but he also with much ado removed, and Sir John Conyers was put in his place. To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and the Lords and Peers now Assembled in Parliament. The Humble Petition and Protestation of all the Bishops and prelates now called by his majesty's Writs to attend the Parliament, and present about London and Westminster for that Service. THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by several and respective Writs and under great penalties to attend the Parl. and have a clear and indubitable right to Vote in bills, and other matters whatsoever debatable in Parl. by the ancient customs, laws, and Statutes of this Realm, and aught to be Protected by your Majesty, quietly to attend and prosecute that great Service. They humbly Remonstrate and Protest before God, your Majesty, and the noble Lords and Peers now assembled in Parl. that as they have an indubitate right to Sit and Vote in the House of Lords, so are they (if they may be protected from force and violence) most ready and willing to perform their duties accordingly. And that they do abominate all actions or opinions tending to Popery, and the maintenance thereof; as also all propension and inclination to any Malignant party, or any other side or party whatsoever, to the which their own reasons and conscience shall not move them to adhere. But, whereas they have been at several times violently menaced, affronted and assaulted by multitudes of people, in their coming to perform their services in that honourable House, and lately chased away, and put in danger of their lives, and can find no redress or protection, upon sundry complaints made to The High Commission-Court and starchamber voted down, and pluralities & non residencies damned by Parliament. both Houses in these particulars. They likewise humbly protest before your Majesty, and the Noble House of Peers, that saving unto themselves all their Rights and Interests of Sitting and Voting in that House at other times, they dare not Sit or Vote in the House of Peers, until your Majesty shall further secure them from all affronts, indignities, and dangers in the premises. Lastly, whereas their fears are not built upon fantasies and conceits, but upon such grounds and objects as may well terrify men of good resolutions, and much constancy. They do in all duty and humility protest before your Majesty, and the Peers of that most Honourable House of Parl. against all Laws, Orders, Votes, Resolutions, and Determinations, as in themselves null, and of none effect, which in their absence since the 27th of this instant Month of Decem. 1641. have already passed, as likewise against all such as shall hereafter pass in that most Honourable House, during the time of this their forced and violent absence from the said most Honourable House; not denying but if their absenting of themselves were wilful and voluntary, that most honourable House might proceed in all their premises in their absence, and this Protestation notwithstanding. And humbly beseeching your most Excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of the House of Peers to enter this their Petition and Protestation among their Records. They will ever pray to God to bless, &c. Jo Ebor. Th. Dures. Rob. Co. Lich. Jo. Norw. Jo. Asa. Gul Ba. & Wels. Geo. Heref. Rob. Ox. Ma. Ely. Godf. Glouc. Jo Peterb. Mor. Land. Twelve Bishops were impeached of high Treason, and ten imprisoned in the Tower, and afterward all disabled from ever sitting in the Parl. they are Voted down root and branch, Nulla contradicente: The same night there were bonfires and ringing of bells. All Popish Recusants inhabiting in and about the City, all disaffected persons, and such as being able men, would not lend any money for the defence of the commonwealth, should forthwith confine themselves to their own Houses, and not to go forth without special licence. An Ordinance to apprehend disaffected persons in the City, whereof were four Aldermen put in safe custody in Crosby House, and some in Gressam college. A letter sent to Mr. Pym. Mr. Pym. Do not think that a guard of men can protect you if you persist in your traitorous courses and wicked designs: I have sent a Paper-messenger to you, and if this does not touch your heart, a Dagger shall, so soon as I am recovered of my plague-sore. In the mean time you may be forborn, because no better man may be endangered for you. Repent traitor. Jan: 1641. The Irish proclaimed Rebels, the King demands five Members, Lunsford assaulteth the Citizens at Westmin: an Act to carry on the War in Ireland till it were reduced. Febr: King signs the Bill for taking away Bishops Votes. March, the Queen went to Holland, one of her ships sprung a leak, and much treasure lost, and when she returned, there was a great storm, Van Trump's Mast broke, and after eight days' turmoil driven back again, broke and lost 3 ships. The King went to Theobald's, where a Petition from the Par. was presented, desiring him to let the Militia abide near Lon: and not carry the Prince away, he being at Newmarket the House presented a Declaration, the King went to York, sends a message to the Parl. that he would raise 2000 Foot and 200 Horse at Hull, and go for Ireland, Sir John Hotbam denies the King entrance, in April & May some Members leave their seats, and go to the King at York Binion a silkman, the Kentish Malignants, and Sir Edw: Deering frame petitions against the Parl. but rejected, fined, and imprisoned. The King interdicts the Militia, but the Messenger was hanged at the Exchange. The Lords and Gentry of Ireland and Scotland, petition the King to return to his Parl. the Gentry of York shire do the like, but rejected. The K. set on foot a Commission of Array. June, The Great Seal carried to the K. The Earl of Warwick Adm. Money and Plate brought in for the Cause; the King besieges Hull, 500 men went from London to it: Proclamations and Declarations against the Parliament read in all Churches and chapels within the K. power. July, An Army raised, and Essex made General, the Lord Major of London imprisoned for causing the K. Commission of Array to be proclaimed; many Proclamat: from the K. and declare: from the Parl. By water the shipmasters and mariners made ready a great number of Long-boats furnished with Ordnance, Muskers, and other Sea-warlike instruments, their Vessels gallantly adorned with Flags and Streamers, together with martial music, Drums & Trumpets; when they came to Whitehall, and understood that the Parl. were safely arrived, the trained Bands by Land, and the seamen by water, let fly their thundering shot both small and great, their Trumpets sounding, and their drums beating in a triumphing and congratulory manner, was a singular testimony of their cordial affections. The same day Buckinghumshire men, both Gentlemen, Ministers, and others of that country on horseback, with their Protestations in their Hats, for Reformation of evils in Church and State, and to assure their best services and assistance to the Parl. on all just occasions; and out of Essex, Hartford, Bark-shire, Surrey, and other Counties of the kingdom, came one after another. At Edge hill 16 pieces of Canon shot against 80 of the Earl of Essex lifeguard, and not one man hurt, and those 80 brake in upon 1600 of the K. four of the Parl. Regiments ran away, and sixteen Troops of Horse, so we were 6000 and they 18000. yet we took their Standard, and cleft Sir Edw. Varney Standard-bearer in the head, and slew the Lord Lindsey general of the Field. Lord Gen: Magazine of powder to have been blown up, and Sir John Hotham killed, by one David Alexander, but prevented. Commis. granted to popish Recusants to levy men and arms against the Parl. The K. received the Irish Rebels petition, and permitted their persons with great favour and allowance about him, calling them good Catholic subjects, but rejecting the petition for peace. Novemb. A Treaty of peace intended by the Parl. but pretended by the K. where was that bloody bickering at Brainford by the K. party. New High-Sheriffs, for the better collecting of the 400000. l. Subsidies, intended to have been confirmed to the K. crossed. Jan 1643. Newcastle twice routed, K. party worsted near Henly, Scots come into Engl. March, Lichfield Close taken, the K. sends the Earl of Glamorgan into Irel. with power to conclude. Dr. Bastwick and Cap. Lilburn to be tried at Oxford, but preserved. A letter to all the Freemen Journeymen, and Apprentices of the City, to assemble at their several Halls, to be persuaded not to yield to the Parl. voted scandalous. The 2 of May 1643. the cross in Cheapside was pulled down, a troop of Horse & 2 Companies of foot waited to guard it & at the fall of the tope cross drums beat trumpets blue & multitudes of Capes wayre thrown in the air, & a great shout of People with joy, the 2 of May the almanac sayeth, was the invention of the cross, & 6 day at night was the Leaden Popes burnt, in the place where it stood with ringing of Bells, & a great Acclamation & no hurt done in all these actions. Mr. Pryn sent to search Canterbury's Chamber and Study, found the Original Scotch Service book with his own hand-writing, the cause of all the Scots wars. London to have been betrayed under a pretence of peace, by Mr. Waller, a Member of Parl. Mr. Tomkins, Mr. Challenor, but Waller fined 10000 l. and perpetual banishment, Tomkins and Challenor hanged, the one at the Exchange, and the other in Holborn. Sir Io: Hotham attempted the betraying of Hull unto the Queen. Decemb. An Order to demolish Altars, to remove the Communion Table from the East end, and to take away all Tapers, Candlesticks, and basins, and to demolish all Crucifixes, Crosses, and all Pictures and Images of the Trinity and Virgin Mary, both within and without all Churches and chapels. A plot for betraying of Lincoln by the two Purfries, but preserved. Gloucester admirably freed by the City Regiments. A Rebellion by the Kentish Malignants about Tunbridge. A ship bound from Denmark to the K. of about 300 Tun richly laden with arms and ammunition; another ship bound from Newcastle to Holland, laden with Sea coals, but in the midst thereof was found between 3 or 4000 l. hid in the Coals, sent to buy Arms for the K. a third ship of 400 tun, carrying 24 piece of Ordnance, taking by the Parl. Scotland with an Army of at least 2000 Horse and Foot, invited by the Parl. when they marched up to the middle in snow, and brought their Artillery over the Ice of the frozen River of Tyne, and the Citizens of London lent the parl. 100000. l. for the Scots first pay, to encourage their advance to help us against the K. forces. The Queen pawning the Jewels of the Crown in Holland, and therewith buying Arms to assist the war against the parl. and her own actual performances with her popish Army in the North, was High treason, and transmitted to the Lords. Images, Crucifixes, papistical Books in Somerset, and James's were burnt, and five Capuchin friars sent away. May, an Ordinance for the making of Forts, Trenches, about the City. July, the assembly of Divines met, Dr. Twisse prolocutor, 120 the total, The Bishop of Canterbury's first Prayer on the Scaffold, Jan. 10. 1044. Eternal God, and merciful Father, look down upon me in mercy, in the riches and fullness of all thy mercies look upon me, but not till thou hast nailed my sins to the cross of Christ: look upon me, but not till thou hast bathed me in the blood of Christ, not till I have hid myself in the wounds of Christ, that so the punishment that is due to my sins may pass away, and go over me; and since thou art pleased to try me to the uttermost, I humbly beseech thee, give me now in this great instant, full patience, proportionable comfort, a heart ready to die for thine honour, and the K. happiness, and this church's preservation; and my zeal to these, far from arrogancy be it spoken, is all the sin, human frailty excepted, and all incidents thereunto, which is yet known of me in this particular, for which I now come to suffer. I say in this particular of treason, but otherwise my sins are many and great, Lord pardon them all, and those especially whatsoever they be, which have drawn this present judgement upon me, and when thou hast given me strength to bear it, then do with me as seems best in thine own eyes, and carry me through death, that I may look upon it in what village soever it shall appear to me; and that there may be a stop of this issue of blood in this more than miserable kingdom; I shall desire that I may pray for the people too, as well as for myself: O Lord, I beseech thee give grace of repentance to all people that have a thirst for blood, but if they will not repent, then scatter their devices so, and such as are or shall be contrary to the glory of thy great name, the truth and sincerity of Religion, the establishment of the K. and his posterity after him, in their just rights and privileges, the honour and conservation of parl. in their ancient and just power, the preservation of this poor Church in her truth, peace, and patrimony, and Sr Alexander Charon, Sr. John Hotham, Captin Hotham & the Arch Bishop of Canterbury, beheaded on Tower-hill for Treason against the Parliament 1645. the settlement of this distracted and distressed people, under the ancient laws, and in their native liberties; and when thou hast done all this in mercy for them, O Lord fill their hearts with thankfulness, and with religious dutiful obedience to thee and thy commandments all their days: So Amen, Lord Jesus, and I beseech thee to receive my soul to mercy. Our Father, &c. His last Prayer on the Scaffold. LOrd I am coming as fast as I can, I know I must pass through the shadow of death before I can come to see thee, but it is but umbra mortis, a mere shadow of death, a little darkness upon nature, but thou by thy merits and passion hast broke through the jaws of death, so, Lord receive my soul and have mercy on me, and bless this kingdom with peace and plenty, and with brotherly love and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood among them, for Jesus Christ his sake, if it be thy will. And when he said, Lord receive my soul, which was his sign, the Executioner did his Office. A design to starve the City, by breaking into Surrey, Sussex, Kent, but disappointed by Sir Wil: Waller, and the City Regiments. Feb: the King granted a cessition of arms with the bloody Rebels of Ireland. March, a Solemn League and Covenant taken by the Lords & Commons, city of London, and all parts within the Parl. power. Nottingham Town and Castle to have been betrayed, but prevented by Col. Hutchinson. A ship from Denmark of 300 Tuns laden for the most part with roundheads, being half pike-slaves, with a knob at the end, full of iron spikes, sent to the King, but that year the Swedes fell into Denmark, and took half his country from him A plot against the City of London by Sir Basil Brooke, Col. Red, Mr. Ripley, and Mr. Vil●●, two Citizens of London, and others, but prevented. Our Army in Cornwall preserved with the loss of our Artillery. A peace pretended at Uxbridge, and a petition from Buckinghamshire, wherein Sir John Lawrence was a great stickler, but frustrated. Melcomb Regis to have been betrayed, Col. Goring and Sir Lewis Dives were agents therein, the Town and Forts recovered, and two ships with rich prizes from Rhoan in France were seized on to make amends for their trouble. The Service-Book Voted down. Earls and Lords from Oxford, submitted themselves to the Parl. June, 1645. The famous Victory of Naisby over the King's Forces, 5000 prisoners taken, a Jewel of 500 l. sent to Gen. Leven by the Parl. all the K. Commissioners taken at Shaftsbury. Basing house taken and burnt. August, A plot in the west against the Parl. by the Clubmen. A sudden plot upon Scotland by Montrosse, but as suddenly recovered again by Gen: David Lesley. A Treaty with the Parl. for a well grounded peace, and yet at that time the Earl of Glamorgan had a Commission to the ruin of all the protestants in Ireland, and consequently in England also. The Great Seal broken before the Lords and Commons, on Tuesday, the 11 of August, 1646. The King Escapes out of Oxford in a disguised manner Ordered, That whosoever conceals the King's person, shall be a traitor. A Letter concerning the Kings coming to the Scots Army, May 5. 1646. RIght Honourable, the discharging ourselves of the duty we owe to the Kingdom of Engl: to you as Commissioners from the same, moves us to acquaint you with the Kings coming in to our Army this morning, which having overtaken us unexpectedly, hath filled us with amazement, and made us like men that dream; we cannot think that he could have been so unadvised in his resolutions, as to have cast himself upon us, without a real intention to give satisfaction to both Kingdoms, in all their just and reasonable demands, in all those things that concern Religion and righteousness; whatsoever be his dispositions or resolutions, you may be assured, that we shall never entertain any thought, or correspondency with any purpose, or countenance any endeavours that may in any circumstance encroach upon our League and Covenant, or weaken the union or confidence betwixt the Nations, that union to our Kingdom was the matter of many prayers, and as nothing was more joyful unto us then to have it set on foot, so hitherto have we thought nothing too dear to maintain it, and we trust to walk with such faithfulness and truth in this particular, that as we have the testimony of a good conscience within ourselves, so you, and all the world shall see, that we mind your interest with as much integrity and care as our own, being confident you will entertain no other thought of us. Signed, May 5. 1646. LOTHIAN. A Remonstrance exhibited in the name of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and common-council of the City of London, to the High Court of Parl. 1 That some strict and speedy course may be taken for the suppressing of all private and separate Congregations. 2 That all Anabaptiss, Brownists, heretics, schismatics, Blasphemers, and all such Sectaries as conform not to the public discipline established, or to be established by the Parl. may fully be declared against, and some effectual course settled for proceeding against such persons. 3 That as we are all Subjects of one kingdom, so all may be equally required to yield obedience to the Government either set or to be set forth. 4 That no person disaffected to the Presbyterian Government set or to be set forth by the Parl. may be employed in any place of public trust. The King gave speedy Order to several Officers for the surrender of the Towns, Castles, and Forts, which then were in the hands of the King's Commanders, viz Oxford, Worcester, Litchfield, and Wallingford. A Petition delivered to his Excellency from the Officers and soldiers in the Army, touching their faithfulness in the Parl. service, doing Summer Service in the Winter season, &c. Further presented several desires of theirs. 1 That an Ordinance of indemnity with the Royal assent be desired. 2 That satisfaction may be given to the petitioners for their arrears, both in their former service, and in this Army before it is disbanded. 3 That those who have voluntarily served the Parl. may not be pressed to serve in another kingdom, &c. 4 That those who have lost their lives, limbs, or estates, may be provided for, and relieved. The Apology in answer to his excellency's Letter, relating their sense of a second storm hanging over their heads, by the malice of a secret enemy, worse than the former now vanquished, expressing their sorrow that they cannot desire their own security without hazard to his Excellency, &c. Concerning the abuse to divers well affected to the Army, by imprisonment, to the ruin of their estates, and loss of their lives. And for their candid intentions and endeavours, declared no less than troublers and enemies to the state and kingdom, resolving rather to die like men, then to be enflaved and hanged like dogs, &c. A Letter from his Excellency to the Earl of Manchester, concerning the Votes of both Houses, as also his grief of heart for the distractions between the Parliam: and the Army, defiring that all things may be determined in love, &c. June, 1647. The King taken from Holmby and carried along with the Army, the House ordered that the King should reside at Richmond, but the next day from the General and council of Officers, was brought an Impeachment against eleven Members. A particular Charge against the 11 Members impeached by the Army. 1 THat Mr. Denzil Hollis being one of the special Commission: for the Parl. to present Propositions to the King at Oxford, made private addresses to the King's party then in Arms against the Parl. and did secretly plot and advise them against the Parl. &c. 2 That the said Mr. Denzil Hollis, and Sir Philip Stapleton during the late war, when the Earl of Lindsey went from the Tower to Oxford, sent several Messages to the Earl of Dorset, &c. 3 That the said Mr. Hollis, Sir Philip Stapleton, Sir Will. Lewis, Sir John Clotworthy, Sir Wil: Waller, Sir John Maynard, Maj. Gen. massy, Mr. Glyn, Mr. Long, Col. Edward Harley, and Anthony Nicholas, in the months of March, April, May, and June last, in prosecution of their evil designs, met in divers places with persons disaffected to the State, for holding correspondency with the Queen of England now in France, and encouraged her party there. 4 And endeavoured to bring in foreign Forces, and Listed divers Commanders and soldiers there, to raise and levy a new War. 5 and affronted divers Petitioners that came in a peaceable manner, boisterously assaulting them, &c. 6 Imprisoned some Members of the Army, to disoblige them from the Parl. The solemn Engagement of the Citizens, Commanders, Officers, and soldiers, &c. This was the Treasonable engagement. WE do solemnly Engage ourselves, and Vow unto Almighty God, That we will to the utmost of our power, cordially endeavour that his Majesty may speedily come to his Houses of Parliament, with honour, safety, and freedom, and that without the nearer approach of the Army, there to confirm, such things as he hath granted the twelfth of May last, in answer to the Propositions of both kingdoms, and that with a personal Treaty with his two Houses of Parl. and the Commissioners of Scotland, such things as are yet in difference may be speedily settled, and a firm and lasting peace established. The Army marching towards the City, Orders were given to the trained Bands to go to the works The Auxilaries are raised to defend the City. A Proclamation by beat of drum for all that are able to bear arms, and are not listed to come to receive them. The House of Commons, and the Lords likewise, met according to the order of adjournment, July 30. but nether of the Speakers At length they proceeded to a new election, and Voted Master Pelham a counsellor, and Member of the Commons House, Speaker pro tempore. The Lords made choice of the Lord Grey to be Speaker of their House pro tempore. The sergeant at Arms being absent with the Mace when the Commons chose their Speaker, had the City Mace, and chose Master Norfolk Sergeant at Arms. After which, proceeding to debate the great affairs touching the City and Kingdom, they voted as follows. 1 That the King come to London. 2 That the Militia of the City shall have full power to raise what Forces they shall think fit to the same. 3 That they may make choice of a Commander in chief to be approved of by the House, and such Commander to present other Officers to be approved of by the Militia. The Common council made choice of Major Gen. Massey to Command in chief all the City Forces. Ordered by the Militia that all Reformadoes and other Officers should the next day at two of the clock be listed in St. James's fields, where was a great appearance. Order given for slaying of Horses in the City, and many listed. Most of the eleven Members sat in the House, and in the afternoon Maj. Gen. Massey, Sir William Waller, and Col. Gen. Poyntz, were at listing the Reformadoes. Declaration of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common council. A brief of which that his Majesty was surprised at Holmby, and no place for his majesty's residence allowed by the Army nearer than their Quarters, therefore to settle peace, and establish true Religion, ease the kingdom's burdens, establish his majesty's just rights, maintain the Parl. privileges, and relieving Ireland, they profess the main of their enterprise, &c. At which time Col. Gen. Poyntzs and other Officers of the new List, attending for their Orders upon the Militia, came into Guild-hall-yard, and most cruelly hacked and hewed many of the aforesaid Petitioners, divers whereof were mortally wounded, whereof some since died. Lord Say, Lord Magresy, and others, with many of the House of Commons, came to the Head quarters, desiring the general's protection. Six Aldermen and twelve common-council men sent with a letter to the Gen: declaring their unwillingness to a new War. A letter from Southwark relating their withstanding the design of raising a new War, desiring protection. Massey sends Scouts, but near Brainford thirty chased by ten, and took four of Massies. Col. Rainsborough, Col. Hewson, Col. Pride, and Col Thistlwet; marched into Southwark, the Fort yielded without opposition. The Memberr forced away return, the Houses being sat with their old Speakers, Thomas Lord Fairfax made High Constable of the Tower. He marches through the City from 11 until 8 at night. A Letter from Liev: Gen: Cromwell, that his Majesty had withdrawn himself at 9 the last night. His majesty's last Letter, Hampton-Court; Nov. 11. 1645. LIberty being that which in all times hath been; but especially now is the condition, the aim and desire of all men, common reason shows that Kings less than any should endure captivity, yet I call God to witness with what patience I have endured a tedious restraint, which so long as I had any hopes that this sort of my suffering might conduce to the peace of these three kingdoms, or the hindering of more effusion of blood, I did willingly undergo, but now finding by too certain proofs, that this my continued patience would not only turn to my personal ruin, but likewise be of much more prejudice to the furtherance of the public good, I thought I was bound as well by natural as political Obligations, to seek my safety, by retiring myself for some time from public view both of my friends and enemies; and I appeal to all indifferent men to judge, if I have not cause to free myself from the hands of those who change their principles with their condition, and who are not ashamed openly to intend the destruction of the Nobility, by taking away their Negative voice, and with whom the Levellers doctrine is rather countenanced then punished; and as for their intentions to my person, their changing and putting more strict Guards upon me, with the discharging most of all the servants of mine, who formerly they admitted to wait upon me, do sufficiently declare: nor would I have this my retirement misinterpreted, for I shall earnestly and uncessantly endeavour the settling of a safe & well grounded peace, wherever I am or shall be, and that (as much as may be) without the effusion of more Christian blood, for which how many times have I pressed to be heard, and yet no ear given to me; and can any reasonable man think (according to the ordinary course of affairs) there can be a settled peace without it, or that God will bless those that refuse to hear their own King? surely no, I must further add that (besides what concerns myself) unless all other chief interests have not only a hearing, but likewise just satisfaction given to them (to wit, the Presbyterians, Independents, Army, those who have adhered to me, and even the Scots) I say there cannot (I speak not of miracles, it being in my opinion a sinful presumption in such cases to expect or trust to them) be a safe and lasting peace: now as I cannot deny but that my personal security is the urgent cause of this my retirement, so I take God to witness, the public peace is no less before mine eyes, and I can find no better way to express this my profession (I know not what a wiser man may do) then by desiring and urging that all chief interests may be heard, to the end each may have just satisfaction; as for example, the Army (for the rest, though necessary, yet I suppose are not difficult to consent) ought (in my judgement) to enjoy the liberty of their conscience, and have an Act of Oblivion or indemnity (which should extend to the rest of all my subjects) and that all their arrears should be speedily and duly paid, which I will undertake to do, so I may be heard, and that I be not hindered from using such lawful and honest means as I shall choose: To conclude, let me be heard with freedom, hono●r, and safety, and I shall instantly break through this cloud of Retirement, and shall show myself to be Pater Patriae, C. R. A great tumult, insurrection, and mutiny in London, breaking open divers Houses, and Magazines of Arms and Ammunition, seizing on the D●●ms, Gates, Chains, and Watches of the C●●y, assaulted & shot into the Lord mayor's House, and killed one of his Guard, &c. May 16. 1648. Surrey Petitioners came to Westminster, and made a great shout, and cried, hay for King Charles, we will pull the Members out by the Ears, disarmed two Sentinels, knocked them down, one sentinel refusing to be disarmed, the Petitioners got within his Arms, one of them drew his sword and run him through, and the Petitioners drew their swords, and said, Fall on for King Charles now or never; but a party of 500 Foot did take some: Of the Petitioners were slain four or five, of the soldiers two. The old Lord Goring proclaimed general at the head of the Kentish Army, upon the Hill near Aluford, consisting of 8000 besides those in Maidstone, there were near 300 slain, and about 2300 prisoners, many of them taken in the Woods, Hop-yards, and fields, also Gentlemen of good quality. There were about 500 Horse, 3000 Arms, 9 Foot colours, and 8 pieces of Canon, with store of Ammunition taken; their Word at the Engagement was King and Kent, ours Truth. They being routed marched over Rochester Bridge, towards Black-Heath, with about 3000 Horse and Foot, most cavaliers, prentices and Watermen, and fled over the water into Essex, by Woollidge and Greenwich. The Duke of Buckingham, Lord Francis, Earl of Holland, Lord Andrew, Lord Cambden, and others, rose in Surrey, and made Proclamation that they expected the Parl. would settle the kingdom, but because they have not, they would fetch the King, and live and die with him to settle it. July 11. 1648. Pembroke Castle surrendered. 〈◊〉 Scots Army of 21000. Invaded England Duke ●ambletons Standard had Motto Date Cefari, Foot Standard 〈◊〉 Covenant, Religion, King and kingdoms; rising in Kent, Revolting of the navy, Redusing Colchester; And Quelling the insurection in Pembroke Shire all in 1648: The Scots entering the kingdom, July 11. 1648. Maj. Gen. Lambert sent this Letter to Duke Hamilton. MY LORD, HAving received Information that some Forces of Horse and Foot are marched out of Scotland into this kingdom under your excellency's Command, I have sent this Bearer unto you, desiring to know the truth and intent thereof, and whether they are come in opposition to the Forces in these parts raised by the Authority of the Parl. of England, and now in prosecution of their Commands. I desire your lordship's speedy answer, and rest Your Excellencies humble Servant. J. LAMBERT. Duke Hamilton's Answer. Noble Sir, I Received yours of the 11 of this instant, in answer whereunto I shall only say, the information you received is true, for according to the Commands of the Committee of Estates of the Parl. of Scotland, there are Forces both of Horse and Foot come into this kingdom under my conduct, for prosecution of the ends mentioned in my Letter of the 6th, to which I refer you, intending to oppose any that are or shall be in Arms for the obstructing of those pious, loyal, and just ends, and so remain, HAMBLETON. The town of Colchester delivered up, Sir Charles Lucas, and Sir George Lisle shot to death. Liev: Col: Lilburn revolted at Newcastle, declared for the King, Sir Arthur Hasterigge stormed the Castle, Lilburns head was set upon a pole. June 5. 1648. The Lord of Warwick went to Portsmouth, to bring into obedience the mutinous seamen; there was with the Lord of Warwick, the Phoenix, Mary, Rese, Robert, Nonesuch, lily, lion, Bonadventure, Antilope, Swift sure, Hector, and Fellowship. A short abridgement of the Engagement made by the Common council, Commanders, soldiers, and Commission Officers in London. WE declare to engage as much as in us lies, to defend the King and Parl: from all violence, and to the end we may be enabled to perform the same, We humbly offer, that the Forces in the line may be one Militia, and no Forces may be raised, but by Authority of the said Militia, by consent of the Common council. We desire no Forces in Arms might come within thirty miles of London, during the Treaty, and for those within, what persons soever shall make any tumult, shall be put to death. Ordered, That the Common council men and Commanders shall within their several Precincts go from house to house, to receive concurrence to the said engagement. Decemb. 1648, The House having notice of the Kings carrying to Hurst Castle, Voted, That the seizing his person was without their advice or consent. Dec. 5. The House Voted, That his majesty's concessions to their Proposals, was ground sufficient to settle the peace of the kingdom. Dec. 6. Col. Rich, and Col. pride's Regiment guarded the Parl. and seized some Members. Dec. 12. Maj. Gen. Brown Sheriff of London, was apprehended. Dec. 13. The House Voted, That the Lords and Commons declare they will make no further Addresses to the King, nor none, shall be by any person whatsoever, without leave of the Parl. and if any make breach of this Order, they shall incur the penalty of high Treason, and that they will receive no more any Message from the King, to both or either Houses of Parl. An Ordinance sent to the Lords for the trial of the King, but they rejected the Commission, and adjourned eight days, after that they never sat more. Sergeant Dendy, sergeant at Arms to the Commissioners, rode into Westminster-Hall, with the Mace belonging to the House of Commons on his shoulder, and some Officers attending him all bare, and six Trumpeters on horseback, a guard of Horse and Foot attending in the palace yard and Proclamation was made, All that had any thing for matter of Fact against Charles Stuart, King of England, to bring it in to the Commissioners. Jan: 19 1648. That this present seal of England should be broken in pieces, and a new one forthwith made, and ordered that the Arms of England and Ireland should be engraven on the one side, and on the other side a Map of the Parl. with these words in it, The first year of freedom by God's blessing restored, 1648. The Charge of the Commons of England, against Charles Stuart King of England. THat the said Charles Stuart being admitted King of England, and therein trusted with a limited power, to Govern by and according to the laws of the Land, and not otherwise; and by his truth, Oath, and Office, being obliged to use the power committed to him, for the good and benefit of the people, and for the preservation of their Rights and Liberties, yet nevertheless out of a wicked design to erect and uphold in himself an unlimited and tyrannical power, to rule according to his will, and to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the people; yea, to take away and make void the foundations thereof, and of all redress and remedy of misgovernment, which by the fundamental Constitutions of this kingdom, were reserved on the people's behalf, in the right and power of frequent and successive Parl. or national meetings in counsels; He, the said Charles Stuart, for the accomplishment of such his designs, and for the protecting of himself and his adherents, in his and their wicked practices to the same ends, hath traitorously and maliciously levied War against the present Parl. and the people therein represented. Particularly, upon or about the 30 of June, in the year 1642. at Beverley in the County of York, and about the 30 of July in the year aforesaid, in the County of the City of York; and upon the 22 of August, at Nottingham, where he set up his Standard of War; and also about the 23 of October, in the same year at Edge-hill, and Keintonfield, in the County of Warwick; and near the 30 of Nov. in the same year, at Brainford in the County of Middlesex; and near the 30 of Aug. 1643 at Cavesham Bridge near Redding, in the County of Berks; and near the 30 of Octob. in the same year, near the City of Gloucester; and about the 30 of Nov. the same year, at Newbury in the County of Ber. and about July 31. 1644. at Cropredy Bridge in the County of Oxen. and Sept. 30. the same year, at Bodmin, and other places in the County of Cornwall; and Nov. 30. the same year, at Newberry; and about June 8. 1645. at Leicester; and the 14. at Naseby field. At which several times and places, or most of them, and at many other places in this land, at several other times within the years aforementioned. And in the year 1646. he the said Charles Stuart hath caused and procured many thousands of the free people of the Nation to be slain, and by diversions, parties, and insurrections within this land, by invasions from foreign parts, endeavoured and procured by him, and by many other evil ways and means, he the said Charles Stuart hath not only maintained and carried on the said War, both by Land and Sea, during the years before mentioned, but also hath renewed, or caused to be renewed the said War against the Parl. and good people of this Nation, in this present year, 1648. in the Counties of Kent, Essex, Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and many other Counties and places in England and Wales, and also by Sea; and particularly, he the said Charles Stuart hath for that purpose given Commission to his Son the Prince, and others, whereby, besides multitudes of other persons, many such as were by the Parl. entrusted and employed for the Nation, being by him or his Agents corrupted to the betraying of their trust, and revolting from the Parl. have had entertainment and Commission for the continuing and renewing of War and Hostility against the said Parl. and people as aforesaid. By which cruel and unnatural Wars by him the said Charles Stuart, continued and renewed as aforesaid, much innocent blood of the free people of this Nation, hath been spilled, many Families have been undone, the public Treasury wasted and exhausted, Trade obstructed and miserably decayed, vast expense and damage to the Nation incurred, and many parts of the Land spoiled, some of them even to desolation. And for farther prosecution of his said evil designs, he, the said Charles Stuart doth still continue his Commission to the said Prince, and other Rebels and Revolters, both English and foreigners, and to the Earl of Ormond, and to the Irish Rebels and Revolters associated with him, from whom further invasions are threatened, upon the procurement, and on the behalf of the said Charles Stuart. All which wicked Designs, Wars, and evil practices of him the said Charles Stuart, have been and are carried on, for the advancing and upholding of the personal interest of will and power, and pretended prerogative to himself and his Family, against the public interest, common right, liberty, justice, and peace of the people of this Nation, by and for whom he was entrusted as aforesaid. By all which it appeareth that he the said Charles Stuart, hath been and is the Occasioner, Author, and Contriver of the said unnatural, cruel, and bloody wars, and therein guilty of all the Treasons, murders, Rapines, Burnings, Desolations, Damage, and mischief to this Nation, acted or committed in the said Wars, or occasioned thereby. And the said John Cook, by Protestation (save on the behalf of the people of England, the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter, any other Charge against the said Charles Stuart, and also of replying to the answers which the said Charles Stuart shall make to the premises, or any Charge that shall be so exhibited) doth, for the said Treasons and Crimes on the behalf of the said people of Engl: impeach the said Charles Stuart, as a Tyrant, traitor, murderer, and a public and implacable enemy to the commonwealth of England, and pray, That the said Charles Stuart King of England, may be put to answer all and every the premises, that such Proceedings, Examinations, trials, Sentence, and Judgement, may be thereupon had, as shall be agreeable to Justice. The King's Speech made upon the Scaffold at White-Hall, Jan. 30. 1648. I Shall be very little heard of anybody here, I shall therefore speak a word unto you here; indeed I could hold my peace very well, if I did not think that holding my peace would make some men think that I did submit to the guilt as well as to the punishment; but I think it is my duty to God first, and to my country, for to clear myself both as an honest man, and a good Christian. I shall begin first with my innocency, in troth, I think it not very needful for me to insist long upon this, for all the world knows I never did begin a War with the two Houses of Parliament, and I call God to witness, to whom I must shortly make an account, that I never did intend for to encroach upon their privileges, they began upon me, it was the Militia they began upon, they confessed that the Militia was mine, but they thought it fit for to have it from me; and to be short, if anybody will look to the dates of Commissions, both theirs and mine and likewise to the Declarations, will see clearly that they began these unhappy troubles, not I, so that as for the guilt of these enormous Crimes that are laid against me, I hope in God that God will clear me of it, I will not, I am in charity; God forbid that I should lay it upon the two Houses of Parl. there is no necessity of either, I hope they are free of this guilt; for I do believe that ill instruments between them and me, has been the cause of all this bloodshed; so that by way of speaking, as I find myself clear of this, I hope (and pray God) that they may too: yet for all this, God forbid that I should be so ill a Christian, as not to say that God's judgements are just, upon me, many times he does pay justice by an unjust sentence, that is ordinary; I will only say this. That an unjust Sentence that I suffered to take effect, is punished now by an unjust Sentence upon me; that is, so far I have said, to show you that I am an innocent man. Now for to show you that I am a good Christian, I hope there is a good man (pointing to Dr Juckson) that will bear me witness that I have forgiven all the world, and those in particular that have been the chief causers of my death, who they are God knows, I do not desire to know, I pray God forgive them. But this is not all, my charity must go further, I wish that they may repent, for indeed they have committed a great sin in that particular, I pray God with Saint Stephen, that this be not laid to their charge; nay, not only so, but that they may take the right way to the peace of the kingdom: So (Sirs) I do wish with all my soul, and I do hope (there is some here will carry it further) that they may endeavour the peace of the kingdom. Now (Sirs) I must show you how you are out of the way, and will put you in a way; first, you are out of the way, for certainly all the way you ever have had yet as I could find by any thing, is in the way of Conquest, certainly this is in an ill way, for Conquest (Sir) in my opinion is never just, except there be a good just Cause, either for matter of wrong, or just Title, and then if you go beyond it, that makes it unjust at the end that was just at first: But if it be only matter of Conquest, than it is a great Robbery, as a Pirate said to Alexander, That He was the great Robber, he was but a petty Robber; and so, Sirs, I do think the way you are in, is much out of the way. Now Sir, for to put you in the way, believe it, you will never do right, nor God will never prosper you, until you give God his due, the King his due, (that is, my Successors) and the people their due, I am as much for them as any of you: You must give God his due, by regulating rightly his Church (according to his Scriptures) which is now out of order, for to set you in a way particularly now I cannot, but only this, a national Synod freely called, freely debating among themselves, must settle this; when that every Opinion is freely and clearly heard. For the King indeed I will not, the laws of the Land will clearly instruct you for that; therefore, because it concerns my own particular, I only give you a touch of it. For the people, and truly I desire their liberty and freedom as much as anybody whomsoever; but I must tell you, that their Liberty and their freedom consists in having of Government; those laws, by which their life and their goods may be most their own. It is not for having share in Government (Sir) that is nothing pertaining to them, a Subject and a sovereign are clean different things, and therefore until they do that, I mean, that you do put the people in that Liberty as I say, certainly they will never enjoy themselves. Sirs, it was for this that now I am come here: If I would have given way to an Arbitrary way, for to have all laws changed according to the power of the Sword, I needed not to have come here; and therefore I tell you (and I pray God it be not laid to your charge) That I am the Martyr of the people. In troth Sirs, I shall not trouble you much longer; for I will only say this to you, that in truth, I could have desired some little time longer, because that I would have put this that I have said in a little more order, and a little better digested than I have done, and therefore I hope you will excuse Me. I have delivered my conscience, I pray God, that you do take those courses that are best for the good of the kingdom, and your own Salvation. The Biship of London minding him to say something concerning his Religion. King. I thank you very heartily (my Lord) for that, I had almost forgotten it. In troth Sirs, my Conscience in Religion, I think, is very well known to all the world, and therefore I declare before you all, That I die a Christian, according to the profession of the Church of England, as I found it left me by my Father, and this honest man I think will witness it. Then turning to the Officers, said, Sirr, excuse me for this same, I have a good cause, and I have a gracious God, I will say no more. Then turning to Col. Hacker, he said, Take care that they do not put me to pain, and Sir, this and it please you. But then a Gentleman coming near the axe, the King said, take heed of the axe, pray take heed of the Ax. Then the King speaking to the Executioner, said, I shall say but very short prayers, and when I thrust out my hands— Then the King called to Dr Juxon for his night cap, and having put it on, he said to the Executioner, does my hair trouble you, who desired him to put it all under his Cap, which the King did accordingly, by the help of the Executioner and the Bishop, than the King turning to Dr Juxon, said, I have a good Cause, and a gracious God on my side. Dr Jaxon, There is but one stage more, this stage is turbulent and troublesome, it is a short one, but you may consider it will soon carry you a very great way, from Earth to Heaven, and there you shall find a great deal of cordial joy and comfort. King. I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no disturbanc can be Doct. You are exchanged from a temporal to an eternal Crown, a good exchange. Then the King took off his Cloak and his George, giving his George to Dr. Juckson, saying Remember, 'tis thought for the Prince, and some other small Ceremonies past, after which, the King stooping down, laid his neck upon the block, after a very little pause, stretched forth his hands, the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his Body, his Body was put in a Coffin covered with black Velvet, and removed to his Lodging Chamber at White-Hall. An Act prohibiting the Proclaiming of any person to be King of England, &c. Whereas Charles Stuart King of England, being for the notorious Treasons, Tyrannies, and murders, committed by him in the late unnatural and civil Wars condemned to death, whereupon, after execution of the same, several pretences may be made, and Title set on foot unto the Kingly Office, to the apparent hazard of the public Peace. For the prevention thereof, Be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and by the Authority of the same, That no person or persons whatsoever do presume to proclaim, Declare, Publish, or any way promote Charles Stuart, Son of the said Charles, commonly called Prince of Wales, or any other person to be King or chief Magistrate of England or of Ireland, or of any the Dominions belonging to them, or any of them, by colour of Inheritance, Succession, Election, or any other claim whatsoever, without the free consent of the people in Parliam: first had, and signified by a particular Act or Ordinance for that purpose, any Law, Statute, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. And be it further Enacted and Ordained, and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained, that whosoever shall contrary to this Act, Proclaim, Declare, Publish, or any way promote the said Charls-Stuart the Son, or any other person to be King, or chief Magistrate of England, or of Ireland, or of any the Dominions belonging to them, or to either of them, without the said consent in Parliament, signified as aforesaid, shall be deemed and adjudged a traitor to the commonwealth, and shall suffer the pains of death, and such other punishments as belong to the Crime of High Treason. And all Officers, as well civil as Military, and all other well-affected persons, are hereby authorized and required forthwith to apprehend all such Offenders, and to bring them in safe custody to the next Justice of the Peace, that they be proceeded against accordingly. H. Scobel, Cler. Parl. D. Com. Dk. Hambleton, E: of Cambridg, E: of Holland, and Lord Capell be headed Mar: 9 1649 And their speeches on the scaffold The Speech of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cambridge, on the Scaffold in the palace yard, the ninth of March, 1649. I Think it is truly not very necessary for me to speak much, there are many Gentlemen and soldiers there that see me, but my voice truly is so weak, so low, that they cannot hear me, neither truly was I ever at any time so much in love with speaking, or with any thing I had to express, that I took delight in it; yet this being the last time that I am to do so, by a Divine providence of Almighty God, who hath brought me to this end justly for my sins; I shall to you, Sir, Master Sheriff, declare thus much, as to the matter that I am now to suffer for, which is as being a traitor to the kingdom of England: Truly Sir, it was a country that I equally loved with my own, I made no difference, I never intended either the generality of its prejudice, or any particular man's in it; what I did was by the Command of the Parliament of the country where I was borne, whose Command I could not disobey, without running into the same hazard there, of that condition that I now am in. It pleased God so to dispose that Army under my Command, as it was ruined; and I, as their general, clothed with a Commission, stand here, now ready to die; I shall not trouble you, with repeating of my Plea, what I said in my own Defence at the Court of Justice, myself being satisfied with the Command that is laid upon me, and they satisfied with the justness of their procedure according to the laws of this Land. God is just, and howsoever I shall not say any thing as to the matter of the Sentence, but that I do willingly submit to his Divine providence, and acknowledge that very many ways I deserve even a worldly punishment, as well as hereafter, for we are all sinful, Sir, and I a great one; yet for my comfort, I know there is a God in Heaven that is exceeding merciful, I know my Redeemer fits at his right hand, and am confident (clapping his hand on his breast) is mediating for me at this instant, I am hopeful thro' his free grace, and all-sufficient merits, to be pardoned of my sins, and to be received into his mercy, upon that I rely, trusting to nothing but the free grace of God through Jesus Christ: I have not been tainted in my Religion I thank God for it, since my infancy, it hath been such as hath been professed in the Land, and established, and now it is not this Religion or that Religion, nor this or that fancy of men that is to be built upon, it is but one that's right, one that's sure, and that comes from God, Sir, and in the free grace of our Saviour. Sir, there is truly somewhat that (he then observing the Writers) had I thought my Speech would have been thus taken, I would have digested it into some better method than now I can, and shall desire these Gentlemen that do write it, that they will not wrong me in it, and that it may not in this manner be published to my disadvantage, for truly I did not intend to have spoken thus when I came here. There are, Sirs, terrible aspersions that have been laid upon myself, truly such, as I thank God, I am very free from; as if my actions & intentions had not been such as they were pretended for, but that notwithstanding what I pretended it was for the King, there was nothing less intended then to serve him in it. I was bred with him for many years; I was his domestic servant, and there was nothing declared by the Parl. that was not really intended by me; and truly, in it I ventured my life one way, and now I lose it another way: and that was one of the ends, as to the King; I speak only of that, because the rest has many particulars; and to clear myself from so horrid an aspersion as is laid upon me: neither was there any other design known to me by the incoming of that Army, than what is really in the Declaration published. His person, I do profess, I had reason to love as he was my King, and as he had been my Master: It hath pleased God now to dispose of him, so as it cannot be thought fl●ttery to have said this, or any end in me for the saying of it, but to free myself from that Calumny which lay upon me: I cannot gain by it, yet Truth is that which we shall gain by for ever. There hath been much spoken, Sir, of an invitation into this kingdom, it's mentioned in that Declaration, and truly to that I did and do remit myself: and I have been very much laboured for discoveries of these inviters; 'tis no time to dissemble, how willing I was to have served this Nation in any thing that was in my power, is known to very many honest, pious, and religious men, and how ready I would have been to have done what I could to have served them, if it had pleased them to have preserved my life, in whose whose hands there was a power: They have not thought it fit, and so I am become unuseful in that which willingly I would have done. As I said at first (Sir) so I say now concerning that point, I wish the kingdom happiness, I wish it peace, and truly Sir, I wish that this blood of mine may be the last that is drawn: and howsoever I may perhaps have some reluctancy with myself, as to the matter of my suffering, for my Fact, yet I freely forgive all, Sir, I carry no rancour along with me to my Grave, his will be done that has created both Heaven and Earth, and me a poor miserable sinful Creature now speaking before him. For me to speak, Sir, to you of State business, and the Government of the Kingdom, or my opinion in that, or for any thing in that nature, truly it is to no end, it contributes nothing: My own inclination hath been to peace, from the beginning, and it is known to many, that I never was an ill instrument betwixt the King and his people; I never acted to the prejudice of the Parl. I bore no Arms, I meddled not with it, I was not wanting by my prayers to God Almighty for the happiness of the King; and truly I shall pray still, that God may so direct him, as that may be done which shall tend to his glory, and the peace and happiness of the kingdom For my Religion, that which I said was the established Religion, and that which I have practised in my own kingdom where I was born and bred; my Tenets they need not to be expressed, they are known to all and I am not of a rigid opinion; many godly men there are that may have scruples which do not concern me at all at no time; they may differ in opinions, and more now then at any time; differing in opinion does not move me (not any man's) my own is clear: Sir, the Lord forgive me my sins, and I forgive freely all those that even I might as a worldly man, have the greatest animosity against; We are bidden to forgive, Sir 'tis a Command laid upon us (and there mentioned) Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Then the Earl turning to the Executioner, said, Shall I put on another Cap? Must this hair be turned up from my Neck? There are three of my Servants to give satisfaction; he also asked him which way he would have him lie. The Executioner pointing to the front of the Scaffold, the Earl replied, what, my head this way? After a little discourse in private with some of his Servants, he kneeled down by the side of the Scaffold and prayed a while to himself. Then with a cheerful and smiling countenance (embracing Dr. Sibbalds) he said, truly Sir I do take you in mine arms, and truly, I bless God for it, I do not fear, I have an assurance that is grounded here (laying his hand upon his heart) now that gives me more true joy then ever I had. I pass out of a miserable world, to go into an eternal and glorious kingdom; and Sir, though I have been a most sinful creature, yet God's mercy I know is infinite, and I bless my God for it, I go with so clear a conscience that I know not the man I have personally injured. Then embracing those his Servants which were there present, said to each of them, You have been very faithful to me, and the Lord bless you. And so turning himself to the Executioner, he said, I shall say a very short prayer unto my God, while I lie down there, and when I stretch out my hand (my right hand) than Sir, do your duty, and I do freely forgive you, and so I do all the world. Then the Earl of Cambridge said to the Executioner, Must I lie all along, he answered, yes, and 't please your Lordship. Then he said, when I stretch out my hands— but I will fit my head, first tell me if I be right, and how you would have me lie, and being told he must lie a little lower, he said, Well, stay then till I give you the sign. And so having lain a short space devoutly praying to himself, he stretched out his right hand, whereupon the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body, which was received by two of his Servants then kneeling by him, into a Crimson taffeta scarf, and that with the body immediately put into a Coffin brought upon the Scaffold for that purpose, and from thence conveyed to the House that was Sir John Hamilton's at the Mews. The Speech of the Earl of Holland upon the Scaffold. IT is to no purpose (I think) to speak any thing here, which way must I speak? and then being directed to the front of the Scaffold, he (leaning over the rail) said, I think it is fit to say something, since God hath called me to this place. The first thing which I must profess, is, what concerns my Religion and my breeding, which hath been in a good Family, that hath been ever faithful to the true Protestant Religion, in the which I have been bred, in the which I have lived, and in the which by God's grace and mercy I shall die. I have not lived according to that Education I had in that Family where I was borne and bred: I hope God will forgive me my sins, since I conceive that it is very much his pleasure to bring me to this place for the sins that I have committed. The cause that hath brought me hither, I believe by many hath been much mistaken, They have conceived that I have had ill designs to the State, and to the kingdom, truly I look upon it as a judgement, and a just judgement of God; not but I have offended so much the State and the kingdom, and the Parliament, as that I have had an extreme vanity in serving them very extraordinarily. For those actions that I have done, I think it is known they have been ever faithful to the public, and very particularly to Parliam: my affections have been ever expressed truly and clearly to them. The dispositions of affairs now have put things in another posture than they were when I was engaged with the Parl. I have never gone off from those principles that ever I have professed, I have lived in them, and by God's grace will I die in them. There may be alterations and changes that may carry them further than I thought reasonable, and there I left them: But there hath been nothing that I have said or done, or professed either by Covenant or Declaration, which hath not been very constant, and very clear upon the Principles that I ever have gone upon, which was to serve the King, the Parl. Religion (I should have said in the first place) the commonwealth, and to seek the peace of the kingdom. That made me think it no improper time, being pressed out by accidents and circumstances, to seek the peace of the Kingdom, which I thought was proper, since there was something then in agitation, but nothing agreed on for sending Propositions to the King, that was the furthest aim that I had, and truly beyond that I had no intention, none at all. And God be praised, although my blood comes to be shed here, there was I think scarcely a drop of blood shed in that action that I was engaged in. For the present affairs, as they are I cannot tell how to judge of them, and truly they are in such a condition, as (I conceive) nobody can make a judgement of them: and therefore I must make use of my prayers, rather than of my opinion, which are, that God would bless this kingdom, this Nation, this State, that he would settle it in a way agreeable to what this Kingdom hath been happily Governed under; by a King, by the Lords, by the Commons, a Government that (I conceive) it hath flourished much under, and I pray God the change of it bring not rather a prejudice, a disorder, and a confusion, than the contrary. I look upon the Posterity of the King, and truly my conscience directs me to it, to desire, that if God be pleased that these people may look upon them with that affection that they owe, that they may be called in again, and they may be, not through blood, nor through disorder, admitted again into that power, and to that glory that God hath in their birth intended to them. I shall pray with all my Soul for the happiness of this State, of this Nation, that the blood which is here spilled, may be even the last which may fall amongst us, and truly I should lay down my life with as much cheerfulness as ever person did, if I conceived that there would no more blood follow us; for a State, or affairs that are built upon blood, is a foundation for the most part that doth not prosper. After the blessing that I give to the Nation, to the kingdom, and truly to the Parliament, I do wish with all my heart, happiness, and a blessing to all those that have been authors in this business, and truly that have been authors in this very work that bringeth us hither: I do not only forgive them, but I pray heartily and really for them; as God will forgive my sins, so I desire God may forgive them. I have a particular relation, as I am Chancellor of Cambridge and truly I must here, since it is the last of my prayers, pray to God that that University may go on in that happy way which it is in, that God may make it a Nursery to plant those persons that may be distributed to the kingdom, that the souls of the people may receive a great benefit and a great advantage by them; and (I hope) God will reward them for their kindness, and their affections that I have found from them. (Looking towards Mr. Bolton.) I have said what Religion I have been breed in, what Religion I have been born in, what Religion I have practised, I began with it and I must end with it. I told you that my actions and my life have not been agreeable to my breeding, I have told you likewise that the Family where I was bred, hath been an exemplary Family (I may say so I hope without vanity) of much affection to Religion, and of much faithfulness to this kingdom, and to this State. I have endeavoured to do those actions that have become an honest man, and which became a good Englishman, and which became a good Christian. I have been willing to oblige those that have been in trouble, those that have been in persecution, and truly I find a great reward of it, for I have found their prayers and their kindness now in this distress, and in this condition I am in, and I think it a great reward, and I pray God reward them for it. I am a great sinner, and I hope God will be pleased to hear my prayers, to give me Faith to trust in him, that as he hath called me to death at this place, he will make it but a passage to an eternal life through Jesus Christ, which I trust to, which I rely upon, and which I expect by the mercy of God. And so I pray God bless you all, and send that you may see this to be the last execution, and the last blood that is likely to be spilled among you. And then turning to the side rail, he prayed for a good space of time. God hath given me (speaking to Mr. Bolton) long time in this world, he hath carried me through many great accidents of Fortune, he hath at last brought me down into a condition, where I find myself brought to an end, for a disaffection to this State, to this Parl. that (as I said before) I did believe nobody in the world more unlikely to have expected to suffer for that Cause. I look upon it as a great judgement of God for my sins. And truly Sir, since that the death is violent; I am the less troubled with it, because of those violent deaths that I have seen before: Principally my Saviour that hath showed us the way, how and in what manner he hath done it, and for what cause, I am the more comforted, I am the more rejoiced. It is not long since the King my Master passed in the same manner, and truly I hope that his purposes and intentions were such, as a man may not be ashamed not only to follow him in the way that was taken with him, but likewise not ashamed of his purposes, if God had given him life. I have often dispu●ed with him concerning many things of this kind, and I conceive his sufferings, and his better knowledge and better understanding (if God had spared him life) might have made him a Prince very happy towards himself, and very happy towards this kingdom. I have seen and known, that those blessed souls in Heaven, have passed thither by the gate of sorrow, and many by the gate of violence: And since it is God's pleasure to dispose me this way, I submit my soul to him, with all comfort, and with all hope, that he hath made this my end, and this my conclusision, that though I be low in death, yet nevertheless this, lowness shall raise me to the highest glory for ever. Truly, I have not said much in public to the people concerning the particular actions that I conceive I have done by my Counsels in this kingdom, I conceive they are well known, it were something of vanity (Methinks) to take notice of them here, I'll rather die with them, with the comfort of them in mine own bosom; and that I never intended in this action, or any action that ever I did in my life, either malice, or bloodshed, or prejudice to any Creature that lives. For that which concerns my Religion, I made my profession before of it, how I was bred, and in what manner I was bred, in a Family that was looked upon to be no little notorious in opposition to some liberties, that they conceived, then to be taken; and truly there was some mark upon me, as if I had some taint of it, even throout the whole ways that I have taken: everybody knows what my affections have been to many that have suffered, to many that have been in troubles in this kingdom, I endeavoured to oblige them, I thought I was tied so by my Conscience, I thought it by my charity, and truly very much my breeding; God hath now brought me to the last instant of my time, all that I can say, and all that I can adhere unto is this, That as I am a great sinner, so I have a great Saviour, that as he hath given me here a fortune to come publicly in a show of shame in the way of this suffering, (truly I understand it not to be so) I understand it to be a glory, a glory, when I consider who hath gone before me, and a glory when I consider I had no end in it but what I conceive to be the service of God, the King, and the Kingdom, and therefore my heart is not charged much with any thing in that particular, since I conceive God will accept of the intention, whatsoever the action seem to be. I am going to die, and the Lord receive my soul, I have no reliance but upon Christ for myself, I do acknowledge that I am the unworthiest of sinners, my life hath been a vanity, and a continued sin, and God may justly bring me to this end, for the sins I have committed against him, and were there nothing else but the iniquities that I have committed in the way of my life, I look upon this as a great justice of God to bring me to this suffering, and those hands that have been most active in it, I pray God forgive them, and that there may not be many such Trophies of their Victory. I might say something of our trial, which I think hath been extraordinary, but because I would not seem as if I made some complaint, I will not so much as mention it, because nobody shall believe I repine at their actions, or my own fortune; it is the will of God, it is the hand of God under whom I fall, I take it entirely from him, I submit myself to him, I shall desire to roll myself into the arms of my blessed Saviour. And when I come to this place (pointing to the Block) when I bow down myself there, I hope God will raise me up, and when I bid farewell, as I must now to hope and to Faith, that Love will abide, I know nothing to accompany the soul out of this World but Love, and I hope that Love will bring me to the fountain of glory in Heaven, through the Arms, Mediation, and the Mercy of my Saviour Jesus Christ, in whom I believe, O Lord help my unbelief. I shall make as much hast as I can to come to that glory, and the Lord of Heaven and Earth take my soul: I look upon myself entirely in him, and hope to find mercy through him, I expect it, and through that fountain that is opened for sin, and for uncleanness, my soul must receive it, for did I rest in any thing else, I have nothing but sin and corruption in me; I have nothing but that, which instead of being carried up into the Arms of God and Glory, I have nothing but may throw me down into Hell. And here is the place where I lie down before him, from whence I hope he will raise me to an eternal Glory through my Saviour, upon whom I rely, from whom only I can expect mercy: into his arms I commend my spirit, into his bleeding arms, that when I leave this bleeding body that must lie upon this place, he will receive that soul that ariseth out of it, and receive it into his eternal mercy, through the Merits, through the worthiness, through the Mediation of Christ that hath purchased it with his own most precious Blood. Christ Jesus receive my soul, my soul hungers and thirsts after him, clouds are gathering, and ●●●ust in God through all my heaviness: and I hope through all impediments, he will settle my interest in him, and throw off all the claim that Satan can make unto it, and that he will carry the soul in despite of all the calumnies, and all that the devil and Satan can invent, will carry it into eternal mercy, there to receive the blessedness of his presence to all eternity. That Lamb of God, into his hands I commit my soul; and that Lamb of God that sits upon the Throne to judge those 24 that fall down before him, I hope he will be pleased to look downward, and judge me with mercy that fall down before him, and that worship him, and that adore him, that only trusts upon his mercy for his compassion, and that as he hath purchased me, he would lay his claim unto me now, and receive me. Indeed if Christ justify, nobody can condemn, and I trust in God, in his justification, though there is confusion here without us, and though there are wonders and staring that now disquiet us, yet I trust that I shall be carried into that mercy, that God will receive my soul. Then the Earl of Holland looking over among the people, pointing to a soldier, said, This honest man took me Prisoner, you little thought I should have been brought to this, when I delivered myself to you upon conditions; and espying Capt. Watson on Horse back putting off his Hat said to him, God be with you Sir, God reward you Sir. Here must now be my Anchor, a great storm makes me find my Anchor, and but in storms nobody trust to their Anchor, and therefore I must trust upon my Anchor (Upon that God, said Mr Bolton, upon whom your Anchor trusts) yea, God, I hope, will Anchor my soul fast upon Christ Jesus: and if I die not with that clearness and heartiness that you speak of, truly, I will trust in God though he kill me, I will rely upon him, and the mercy of my Saviour. Then the Earl of Holland embraced Liev: Col: Beecher, and took his leave of him: After which, he came to Mr Bolton, and having embraced him, and returned him many thanks for his great pains and affections to his soul, desiring God to reward him, and return his love into his bosom, Mr Bolton said to him, The Lord God support you, and be seen in this great extremity, the Lord reveal and discover himself to you, and make your death the passage unto eternal life. Then the Earl turning to the Executioner, said, Here my friend, let my clothes and my Body alone, there is ten pounds for thee, that is better than try clothes, I am sure of it. Execut. Will your Lordship please to give me a sign when I shall strike? And his Lordship said, you have room enough here, have you not? Execut. Yes. Then the Earl of Holland turning to the Executioner, said, Friend, do you hear me, if you take up my Head, do not take off my Cap. Then turning to his Servants, be said to one, Fare you well, thou art an honest fellow, and to another, God be with thee, thou art an honest man, and then said, Stay, I will kneel down and ask God forgiveness, and then prayed for a pretty space with seeming earnestness. Then speaking to the Executioner, he said, Which is the way of lying? (which they showed him) and then going to the Front of the Scaffold, he said to the people, God bless you all, and God deliver you from any such act as may bring you to any such death as is violent, either by war or by these accidents, but that there may be peace among you, and you may find that these accidents that have happened to us, may be the last that may happen in this kingdom; it is that I desire, it is that I beg of God, next the saving of my soul; I pray God give all happiness to this Kingdom, to this people, and this Nation: And then turning to the Executioner, said, How must I lie? I know not. Execut. lie down flat upon your Belly: and then having laid himself down, he said, Must I lie closer? Execut. Yes. and backwarder. I will tell you when you shall strike, and then as he lay seemed to pray with much affection for a short space, and then lifting up his head, said, where is the man? and seeing the Executioner by him, he said, Stay while I give the sign, and presently after stretching out his hand, and the Executioner being not fully ready, he said, Now, now, and just as the words were coming out of his mouth, the Executioner at one blow severed his Head from his Body. The Speech of the Lord Capel upon the Scaffold. THe Conclusion that I made with those that sent me hither, and are the cause of this violent death of mine, shall be the beginning of what I shall say to you: When I made an Address to them, (which was the last) I told them with much sincerity, That I would pray to the God of all mercies, that they might be partakes of his inestimable and boundless mercy in Jesus Christ, and truly I shall pray that prayer, and I beseech the God of Heaven forgive any injury they have done to me, from my soul I wish it. And truly, this I tell you as a Christian, to let you see I am a Christian: But it is necessary I should tell you somewhat more, That I am a Protestant, and truly I am a Protestant, and very much in love with the profession of it, after the manner as it wa● established in England by the thirty nine Article●, a blessed way of profession, and such a one, as truly, I never knew none so good: I am so far from being a Papist, which some body have (truly) very unwo●thily at some time charged me withal, that truly I profess to you, that though I love Good Works, and commend Good Works, yet I hold, they have nothing at all to do in the matter of Salvation; my Anchor-hold is this, That Christ loved me, and gave himself for me, that is it that I rest upon. And truly something I shall say to you as a Citizen of the whole world, and in that consideration I am here condemned to die: truly, contrary to the Law that Governs all the world, that is, The Law of the Sword, I had the protection of that for my life, and honour of it; but truly I will not trouble you much with that, because in another place I have spoken very largely and liberal about it, I believe you will hear by other means what arguments I used in that case: But truly, that that is stranger, you that are English men, behold here an English man now before you, and acknowledged a Peer, not condemned to die by any Law of Engl. not by any Law of England; nay shall I tell you (which is strangest of all) contrary to all the laws of Engl: that I know of. And truly I will tell you, in the matter of the civil part of my death, and the Cause I have maintained, I die (I take it) for maintaining the fifth commandment, enjoined by God himself, which enjoins reverence and obedience to Parents: All Divines on all hands, though they contradict one another in many several opinions, yet all Divines on all hands, do acknowledge that here is intended Magistracy and Order, and certainly I have obeyed that Magistracy and the Order under which I have lived, which I was bound to obey; and truly, I do say very confidently that I do die here for keeping, for obeying that fifth commandment given by God himself, and written with his own finger. And now Gentlemen, I will take this opportunity to tell you, that I can not imitate a better nor a greater ingenuity than his, that said of himself, For suffering an unjust judgement upon another, himself was brought to suffer by an unjust judgement. Truly Gentlemen, that God may be glorified, that all men that are concerned in it, may take the occasion of it, of humble repentance to God Almighty for it, I do here profess to you, that truly I did give my Vote to that Bill of the E. of Strafford, I doubt not but God Almighty hath washed that away with a more precious blood, and that is, with the blood of his own Son, and my dear Saviour Jesus Christ, and I hope he will wash it away from all those that are g●ilty of it: Truly this I may say, I had not the least part nor the least degree of malice in the doing of it: but I must confess again to God's glory, and the accusation of mine own frailty, and the trailty of my nature, that truly it was an unworthy cowardice, not to resist so great a torrent as carried that business at that time. And truly, this I think I am most guilty of, of not courage enough in it, but malice I had none; but whatsoever it was, God I am sure hath pardoned it, hath given me the assurance of it, that Christ Jesus his blood hath washed it away; and truly, I do from my soul wish, that all men that have any stain by it, may seriously repent, and receive a remission and pardon from God for it. And now Gentlemen, we have had an occasion by this intimation to remember his Majesty, our King that last was, and I cannot speak of him, nor think of it, but truly I must needs say, that in my opinion that have had time to consider all the Images of all the greatest and vertuousest Princes in the world, and truly in my opinion there was not a more virtuous, and more sufficient Prince known in the world, than our gracious King Charles that died last; God Almighty preserve our King that now is, his Son, God send him more fortunate, and longer days; God almighty so assist him, that he may exceed both the virtues and sufficiencies of his Father: For certainly, I that have been a counsellor to him, and have lived long with him, and in a time when discovery is easily enough made, for he was young (he was about thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen years of age) those years I was with him, truly I never saw greater hopes of virtue in any young person, then in him; great judgement, great Understanding, great Apprehension, much Honour in his Nature, and truly a very perfect Englishman in his Inclination; and I pray God restore him to this kingdom, and unite the kingdoms one unto another, and send a happiness both to you and to him, that he may long live and Reign among you, and that that Family may Reign till thy kingdom come, that is, while all temporal Power is consuminated: I beseech God of his mercy, give much happiness to this your KING, and to you that in it shall be his Subjects, by the grace of Jesus Christ. Truly, I like my beginning so well, that I will make my conclusion with it, that is, That God Almighty would confer of his infinite and inestimable grace and mercy, to those that are the causers of my coming hither, I pray God give them as much mercy as their own hearts can wish; and truly for my part I will not accuse any of them of malice, truly I will not, nay, I will not think there was any malice in them; what other ends there are, I know not, nor I will not examine, but let it be what it will, from my very soul I forgive them every one: And so, the Lord of Heaven bless you all, God Almighty be infinite in goodness and mercy to you, and direct you in those ways of obedience to his Commands to his Majesty, that this kingdom may be a happy and glorious Nation again, & that your King may be a happy King in so good and so obedient people. God Almighty keep you all, God Almighty preserve this kingdom. God Almighty preserve you all. Then turning about, and looking for the Executioner (who was gone off the Scaffold) said, Which is the Gentleman? Which is the man? Answer was made, he is coming, he then said, stay, I must pull off my Doublet first and my waistcoat: And then the Executioner being come upon the Scaffold, the Lord Capel said, O friend, prithee come hither: Then the Executioner kneeling down, the Lord Capel said, I forgive thee from my soul, and not only forgive thee, but I shall pray to God to give thee all grace for a better life: There is five pounds for thee, and truly for my clothes and those things, if there be any thing due to you for it, you shall be very fully recompensed, but I desire my body may not be stripped here, and nobody to take no●●ce of my body but my own Servants: Look you Friend, this I shall desire of you, that when I lie down, you would give me a time for a particular short prayer. Liev. Col. Beecher, Make your own sign my Lord. Capel. Stay a little, which side do you stand upon (speaking to the Executioner) stay I think I should lay my hands forward that way (pointing fore right) and answer being made yet, he stood still a little while, and then said, God Almighty bless all this people; God Almighty stench this blood, God Almighty stench, stench, this issue of blood, this will not do the business, God Almighty find out another way to do it. And then turning to one of his Servants, said, Baldwin, I cannot see any thing that belongs to my wife, but I must desire thee to beseech her to rest wholly upon Jesus Christ, and be contented and fully satisfied: And then speaking to his Servants he said, God keep you, and Gentlemen, let me now do a business quickly, privately, and pray let me have your Prayers at the moment of death, that God would receive my soul. Capel. Pray at the moment of striking, join your prayers, but make no noise (turning to his Servants) that is inconvenient at this time. Servant. My Lord, put on your Cap. Capel. Should I, what will that do me good? stay a little, is it well as it is now? And then turning to the Executioner, he said, Honest man, I have forgiven thee, therefore strike boldly, from my soul I do it. Then a Gentleman speaking to him, he said, Nay, prithee be contented, be quiet good Mr— be quiet. Then turning to the Executioner, he said, Well, you are ready when I am ready, are you not? And stretching out his hand●, he said, then pray stand off Gentlemen, then going to the front of the Scaffold, he said to the people, Gentlemen, though I doubt not of it, yet I think it convenient to ask it of you, that you would all join in prayers with me, that God would mercifully receive my soul, and that for his alone mercies in Christ Jesus. Execut. My Lord, shall I put up your hair? Capel. ay, I, prithee do; and then as he stood, lifting up his hands and eyes, he said, O God, I do with a perfect and a willing heart submit to thy will, O God, I do most willingly humble myself: then kneeling down, said, I will try first how I can lie, and laying his head over the block, said, Am I well now? Execut. Yes. And then as he lay with both his hands stretched out, he said to the Executioner, Here lie both my hands out, when I lift up my hand thus, than you may strike. And then after he had said a short prayer, he lifted up his right hand, and the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body, which was taken up by his Servants, and put (with his Body) into a Coffin, as the former. March 19 1648. An Act for Abolishing the House of Peers. THe Commons of England Assembled in Parl finding by too long experience that the House of Lords is useless and dangerous to the people of England to be continued, have thought fit to Ordain and Enact, and be it Ordained and Enacted by the present Parliam: and by the Authority of the same, That from henceforth the House of Lords in Par. shall be, and is hereby wholly abolished and taken away; and that the Lords shall not from henceforth meet or sit in the said House of Lords, nor shall Sit, Vote, Advise, Adjudge or Determine of any matter or thing whatsoever, as a House of Lds in Parl. Nevertheless it is hereby Declared, That neither such Lords as have demeaned themselves with Honour, Courage, and Fidelity to the commonwealth, their Posterities who shall continue so, shall not be excluded from the public counsels of the Nation, but shall be admitted thereunto, and have their free Vote in Parl: if they shall be thereunto Elected, as other persons of interest Elected and Qualified thereunto ought to have: And be it further Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That no Peer of this Land, not being Elected, Qualified, and sitting in Parl. as aforesaid, shall claim, have, or make use of any privilege of Parl. either in relation to his Person, Quality, or Estate, any Law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding. Hen: Scobel, Cler: Parl. On Thursday, July 25. 1650. The General and Army Marched from Mordington to Coppersmith, Col. Hackers Regiment being drawn up in the way, his Excellency made a Speech to satisfy them concerning Capt. Ogles Troop being sent back into Northumberland, in regard of his interest in that County, & that Cap. Greenwood's Troop appointed for Berwick should March with the Regiment in the stead thereof, which gave great satisfaction. Col. Bright's Regiment being drawn up; Maj. Gen. Lambert appointed colonel thereof, coming to the head of the Regiment, was received with great Acclamations. A List of the Regiments of Horse and Foot Randezvouzed and Marched with the Lord Gen: Cromwell, into Scotland. Eight Regiments of Horse. THe Lord Generals, in number 663 Maj. Gen. in number 663 Col. Fleetwood's in number 663 Col. Whalies in number 663 Col. Twisden in number 663 Col. Lilburn in number 663 Col. Hacker's in number 663 Col. Okey in number 744 Consisting with Officers, in all 5450 Ten Regiments of Foot. THe Lord Generals, in number 1307 Col. Pride 1307 Col. Bright 1307 Col. Maliveryr 1307 Col. Ch: Fairfax 1307 Col. Cocks 1307 Col. Dunell 1307 Col. Sir Arthur Hasterigs 5 Companies 550 Col. Fenwick's 5 Companies 555 Consisting with Officers, in all 10249 The train 690 The whole thus: The train 690 The Horse 5450 The Foot 10249 The Totall 16354 A Letter from Liev: Gen: David Lesley, to the Lord Gen: Cromwell. My Lord; I Am Commanded by the Committee of Estates of this kingdom, and desired by the Commissioners of the general Assembly, to send unto your Excellency this enclosed Declaration, as that which containeth the State of the quarrel: wherein we are resolved, by the Lord's assistance, to fight your Army, when the Lord shall please to call us thereunto. And as you have professed you will not conceal any of our Papers, I do desire that this Declaration may be made known to all the Officers of your Army; And so I rest, Bruchton, 13 Aug. 1650. Your excel: most humble Servant, DAVID LESLEY. For his Excellency the Lord general Cromwell. The Declaration of the Commissioners of the general Assembly of Scotland, as followeth. THe Commission: of the general Assembly considering, That there may be just ground of stumbling, from the King's Majesties refusing to subscribe and emit the Declaration offered unto him by the Committee of Estates, and Commissioners of the general Assembly, concerning his former carriage, and resolutions for the future, in reference to the Cause of God, and the Enemies and Friends thereof: Doth therefore Declare, That this Kirk and kingdom do not own nor espouse any Malignant Party, or quarrel, or Interest, but that they fight merely upon their former Grounds and Principles, and in defence of the Cause of God, and of the kingdom, as they have done these twelve years past. And therefore as they do disclaim the sin and guilt of the King and of his House; so they will not own him, nor his interest, otherwise then with a subordination to God, and so far as he owns and prosecutes the Cause of God, and disclaims his, and his father's opposition to the work of God, and to the Coven, and likewise all the Enemies thereof. And that they will with convenient speed take into consideration the Papers lately sent unto then from Oliver Cromwell, and vindicate themselves from all the fa●shoods contained therein, especially in these things, wherein the quarrel betwixt us and that party is misstated, as if we owned the late King's proceedings, and were resolved to prosecute and maintain his present majesty's interest, before and without acknowledgement of the sins of his House and former ways, and satisfaction to God's people in both kingdoms. West Kirk, Aug. 13 1650. A. Ker. August 13. 1650. THe Committee of Estates having seen and considered a Declaration of the Commission: of the general Assembly, anent the stating of the quarrel, whereon the Army is to fight, do approve the same, and heartily concur therein. Tho: Henderson. The Lord general's Answer to the former, as followeth. I Received yours of the thirteenth instant, with the Paper you mentioned therein enclosed, which I caused to be read in the presence of so many Officers as could well be gotten together, to which your Trumpet can witness, we return you this Answer, by which I hope in the Lord it will appear, That we continue the same we have professed ourselves to the honest people of Scotland, wishing to them as to our own souls, it being no part of our business to hinder any of them from worshipping God in that way they are satisfied in their Consciences by the Word of God they ought (though different from us) but shall therein be ready to perform what obligations lie upon us by the Covenant; but that under the pretence of the Covenant, mistaken and wrested from the most native intent and equity thereof, a King should be taken in by you, to be imposed upon us, and this called The Cause of God and the kingdom, and this done upon the satisfaction of God's people in both Nations, as is alleged, together with a disowning of Malignants, although he who is the head of them in whom all their hope of comfort lies, be received; who at this very instant hath a Popish pa●ty fighting for and under him in Ireland, hath Prince Rupert (a man who hath had his hand deep in the blood of many innocent men of England) now in the head of our Ships stolen from us upon a Malignant account; hath the French and Irish ships daily making depradations upon our Coasts: strong combinations by the Malignants in England, to raise Arms in our bowels, by virtue of his Commissions, who having of late issued out very many to that purpose, and how the interest you pretend you have received him upon, and the Malignant interest in the ends and consequences entering in this man, can be secured, we cannot discern; and how we should believe, that whilst known and notorious Malignants, fighting and plotting against us on the one hand, and the declaring for him on the other, should not be an espousing of a Malignant party, quarrel, or interest, but be a mere fighting upon former Grounds and Principles, and in defence of the Cause of God, and of the kingdom, as hath been these twelve years' last past (as ye s●y) for the security and satisfaction of God's people in both Nations, or the opposing of which should render us enemies to the godly with you, we cannot well understand, especially considering, That all these Malignants take their confidence and encouragement from the late Transactions of your Kirk and State with your King; for as we have already said, so we tell you again, it is but satisfying security to those that employ us, and are concerned in that we seek, which we conceive will not be by a few formal and feigned submissions from a person who could not tell otherwise how to accomplish his Malignant ends, and therefore counceled to this compliance, by them who assisted his Father, and have hitherto acted him in his most evil designs, and are now again by them set on foot; against which, how you will be able, in the way you are in, to secure us or yourselves, is (forasmuch as concerns ourselves) our duty to look after. If the state of your quarrel be thus, upon which, as you say, you resolve to fight our Army, you will have opportunity to do that, else what means our abode here? And if our hope be not in the Lord, it will be ill with us. We commit both you and ourselves to him, who knows the heart and tries the Reins, with whom are all our ways, who is able to do for us and you, above what we know, which we desire may be in much mercy to this poor people, and to the glory of his own great Name. And having performed your desire in making your papers so public as is before expressed, I desire you to do the like, by letting the State, Kirk and Army have the knowledge hereof. To which end I have sent you enclosed two Copies, and rest From the Camp at Pencland Hills, Aug. 14. 1650, Your humble Servant, O: Cromwell. The Victory at Gladsmore in Scotland, July 30, 31. 1650. M G. Montgomery slain, 200 Arms taken, 80 Troopers, 500 wounded, 4 Colours, 15 Troops routed, 500 Font routed at Muscleburrough. The Victory at Dunbar, Aug. 30. 1650, 4000 killed, 10000 Prisoners, 2000 Horse, 290 Commission Officers, 15000 Arms, 200 Colours, 32 pieces of Ordnance. Of ours that engaged 5000 Horse and Foot; their word, The Covenant, ours, The Lord of Hests. Novemb. 1650. Insurrections in Norfolk, for which 24 were condemned, and 20 executed. Col. Ker routed and taken, and the Town of air. Decemb. 25. The strong Castle of Edinburgh delivered up, 53 pieces of Ordnance, whereof 15 Iron, the 〈◊〉 Brest, about 8000 Arms, with store of Ammunition and Provision. Nov. 22. A Squadron of Ships Commanded by Gen. Blague, surprised a considerable part of the Portugal Brasit Fleet freighted with Sugar, and sent them to England, and after pursued the revolted ships beyond Alicante, where they took 7 of Prince Rupert's Fieet, and pursued him to Thoulon one of the furthest Havens of France, having but two ships left. Jan. 30. 1650. A day of public Thanksgiving in England, Wales, and Town of Berwick Jan. 1. 1650. The Scots King was Crowned at Schone, he is General of the Army, D. Hamilton Lieut. Gen. of the Scotch Army, David Lesley M. G. Middleton L. G. of the Scotch Horse, and Massey M. G. of the English. Jan. 4. 1650. The King of Spain sent his Ambassador for the ●●knowledging of this State, whose Authority and sovereignty reads in this Parl. of the Commonwealth of England, and to stablish a good friendship with it. The Portugal sent his Agent also to the like effect. March 6. 1650. Sir Henry Hide Beheaded at the Exchange for receiving and acting by virtue of a Commission from Charles Stuart the Second, and King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, as his Agent to the Great Turk, with an intent to destroy the Trade of the Turkey Company, and the Parl. interest, not only in Constantinople, but in Mitylene, Anatolia, & Smyrna, in which Conspiracies he was a Commissioner, and likewise to seize upon our merchant's Goods for the use of the King of Scotland, and procured audience of the Grand vizier, and raised great fears and uproars among the Merchants. A Speech made by K. Charles the. 2d. at his Coronation: i. January. 1650 I will by god's assistance bestow my life for your defence wishing to live no longer then that I may see this kingdom flourish in happiness. The Oath, I do promise & vow in the presence of the eternal god that I will maintain the true Kirk of god religion right preaching & administration of the Sacraments now received & preached within this realm in purity; And shall abolish & gain-stand all false Religions & sects contrary to the same. And shall rule the people cominted to my charge, according to the will of god, and laudable laws & constitutions of the realm; causing justice & equity to be ministered without partiality. Browne Bushelt, Beheaded under the Scaffold on Tower-hill, Mar. 29. 1651. for delivering up Scarborough. June 2. 1651. The surrender of Scilly Islands. June 24. Insurrection in Cardiganshire, 40 slain, 60 prisoners taken. July 29. Burnt Island surrendered. The Scotch King invaded England with 16000 horse and Foot, and a light Tran of Artillery, and, caused himself to be proclaimed K. of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in Lancashire. August 23. Charles the First erected his Standard at Nottingham, and Charles the Second erected his Standard at Worcester, Aug. 22. 1651. Sept 3. Old Lesley, Crawford, Linsey, Ogleby, with divers of quality, besides 〈◊〉 taken that were making levies to raise the Siege at Dundee Aug. 2, 165●. St Johnston surrendered. Aug. 19 The Castle of Ste●●● surrendered 〈◊〉 pieces of Ordnance, 27 fair brass pieces, a great iron G●●●, 11 Leather Guns provision of Meal to serve 500 men about twelve months, 40 or 50 Barrels of Beef, 500 arms, new Muskets and Pikes, 26 Barrels of powder, 20 or 30 Vessels of Claret Wine, and Strong waters, great store of Match and other Ammonition, Lantes Guns, a thousand Flats and other instruments of War of that nature, all the Records of Scotland, the chair and cloth of State, the Sword, and other rich furniture of the Kings. Aug. 25. The total rout and overthrow of the Earl of Darby in Lancashire, by Col. Robert Lilburne. A full Narrative of the late Dangerous design against the State; written with Master Love's own hand, and by him sent to the Parliam: declaring the several Meetings, and secret Actings, with Major Alford, Major Adam's, Colonel Barton, Master Blackmore, M Case, M Cauton, Dr. Drake, M Drake, Capt. Far, M. Gibbons, M. Haviland, Maj Huntington, M. Jenkins, M. Jaquel, M. Jackson, Liev. Jackson Cap. Massey, M. Nilton, Cap. Potter, M. Robinson, M. Sterks, Col. Sowton, Col. Vaughan, and others. COnsidering how a clear and full Narrative may satisfy the State (although it may prejudice myself) I am willing with an ingenuous freedom, and openness of heart to make known the whole matter, so far as I distinctly know and well remember, humbly hoping that this large acknowledgement of mine (which is more than any in the world can prove against me) shall not be taken as an aggravation of my fault, but as a demonstration of my ingenuity. Before I mention the matters of Fact, I humbly crave leave to signify the time when, and manner how I came to be entangled in this unhappy business. I now come humbly and truly to relate the matter of Fact, which is as followeth: It appeared to me by the testimony of the Witnesses, that there were frequent meetings by Mr. Drake, Alford, Titus, Adam's, and others, soon after the death of the late King, and applications made to the King of Scots, the Queen his Mother, to Jermyn, and Piercy, both before and during the Treaty at Jersey, of which I know nothing, nor was I present: But the first meeting I was at, was at my House (and as I remember) at the reading of a Letter which came from Captain Titus, after the Treaty was ended at Jersey; the Contents of that Letter were (if I mistake not) to this effect: That the Treaty at Jersey was broken off through the violent and evil Counsels of desperate Malignants; and that he had something of concernment to communicate, which he durst not do in person, being not safe for him to come over into England, nor could he well do it by writing, he judging it not fit or safe to send by the Common Post scaring a miscarriage; wherefore he desired some body to be sent over to him to Calais, to whom he might give an account of all proceedings. Upon the reading of this Letter, Mr. Drake moved that some person should be desired to go to Calais; for said he, we shall hear the whole relation of the business at Jersey; whereupon Major Adam's or Capt. Farr were moved by Mr. Drake to go. There was mention of Major Alford to go, though he was not then present that I know of, nor was he ever within my house, as I remember, until after he returned from Calais: so that there was none that I know of was gone, Mr. Drake told me, Major Alford was the fittest man to go over to Calais, having business of his own to go into France, to look after his prodigal Son, so that it was (said he) a plausible pretence to concea●e his going over to meet with Titus. There were present at this first meeting, M. Drake, M. jenkin's, Maj. Adam's, D. Drake, Cap. Far, Capt. Potter, and myself, with some others, but who more I cannot remember. About 2 or 3 days after Maj. Alfords return from Calais, M. Drake told me he was come to London, and told me he would go to several Ministers and Citizens, to desire them to meet at my House, that so we might hear what news Maj. Alford brought with him from Calais; accordingly the next day in the evening they met at my house, Mr. Drake brought Maj. Alford with him, who gave an account of his conference with Titus, and his receiving a Copy of the King's Letter from him, as also a Narrative of the Treaty at Jersey, and said, that he brought not over the Letters himself, but delivered them to a Passenger that came in the Ship, lest himself should be searched; but after he came into England he received the Letter & Narrative from him (but who he was I know not) and so brought them to London, whether the Copy of the King's Letter was read at my house, in my hearing, I remember not; yet I deny not but it was read there; I am sure I heard the Contents of it were to this effect, That he took in good part the affections and loyalty of those who formerly had petitioned to him (of which Petition I know nothing) and if ever God restored him, or put him in a condition, he should remember them. The Narrative read in my House, was to this effect, He made a large description of the Scots, commending his prudent carriage, & good inclinations to an agreement with the Scots, but that his bad council about him hindered it; also he made a rehearsal of his lusterings from the Cavaliers at Jersey, how he was imprisoned in a close Room. There were present at this meeting, Maj. Alford, M. Drake, Mr. Case, Maj. Adam's, Mr. Jaquel, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Jenkins, Dr. Drake, Capt. Potter, Mr. Sterks, Capt. Farr, and myself, with others, but who. I do not remember. A little before the Treaty at Bieda, there was a meeting at my House, Mr Drake proposed, that we should think of some way to promote the agreement between the King and the Scots; where by the way I desire humbly to give notice, that this was the first and only meeting of this nature, at my house. Mr Drake took out some papers out of his pocket written in Characters, which he read in my Study, which went under the name of a Commission and Instructions to be sent to the Lord Willoughby, Alderm: Bunce, Massey, Graves, and Titus, to appoint them to advise with, and use their interests in persons of honour, to provoke the King to agree with the Scots, & take the Covenant; as also to advise with the Scots Commissioners, and persuade them, That in their agreement with their King, they would have special respect to the interest of Religion, and terms of the Covenant; the Commission ran in this form, as if it were in the names of all the presbyterial party in England: after I heard it read, I was against it alleging several reasons, chiefly, that it was an act of high presumption for private persons to send a Commission with Instructions; and an act of notorious falsehood, to say this was in the name of all the presbyterial party of England, when but a few persons knew thereof; many in the company also expressed a dislike thereof: Mr. Drake also read a Letter in this meeting, but to whom it was I know not, neither know I the Contents of it, I was at least a dozen times called out of the Room, whiles the Company were there, so that I am not able to give so full and particular an account of the Contents of the Letter, and of the Commission and Instruction: What Mr. Drake did about the Commission and Instructions after he was gone from my house, I know not, what and by whom he sent I know not, until Maj. Alford declared before the High Court, That he received the Papers from Mr. Drake, carried them to Gravesend, and delivered to one Mason, and he carried them to Holland. There was at this meeting, Maj. Huntington, M. Drake, D. Drake, M. Jackson, M Jenkins, M. Cauton, Maj. Alford, M Gibbons, Maj. Adam's, Cap. Farr, and myself, with others, whom I cannot remember. There is one thing more I make bold to mention, That there are other persons besides those I have named, who did now and then come to my house, as M. Robinson, M. Nalton, M. Haviland, M. Blackmore, Col. Vaughan, Col. Sowton, were present at one time or another, but at what particular meeting, I cannot positively say. Thus I have clearly laid open the whole matter of Fact, so far as I well remember, and distinctly know of passages about these meetings and Transactions at my House. Tower of London, July 22. 1651. I attest the truth of this Narrative under my hand. Christopher Love. Mr. Love's Speech made on the Scaffold on Tower-Hill. August 22. 1651. BEloved Christians, I am this day made a Spectacle unto God, Angels, and men; and among them I am made a grief to the godly, a laughing stock to the wicked, and a gazing stock to all; yet blessed be my God, not a terror to myself; although there be but a little between me and death, yet this bears up my heart, there is but a little between me and Heaven: It comforted Dr. Taylor, the martyr, when he was going to Execution, That there were but two styles between him and his father's house; there is a lesser way between me and my father's house, but two steps between me and glory, it is but lying down upon the block, and I shall ascend upon a Throne: I am this day sa●ling towards the Ocean of Eternity, through a rough passage, to my Haven of rest, through a red Sea, to the promised Land: methinks I hear God say to me as he did to Moses, go up to Mount Nebo and die there, so go thou up to Tower-hill, and die there Isaac said of himself, That he was old and yet he know not the day of his death, but I cannot say thus, I am young, and yet I know the day, the kind, and the place of my death also; it is such a kind of death as two famous Preachers of the Gospel were put to before me, John the Baptist, and Paul the Apostle, we have mention of the one in Scripture story, of the other in Ecclesiastical History: and Rev. 20.4. The Saints were beheaded for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus. But herein is the disadvantage which I am in in the thoughts of many, who judge that I suffer not for the Word or Conscience, but for meddling with State matters. To this I shall briefly say, That it is an old guise of the Devil, to impute the cause of God's people's sufferings to be contrivements against the State. The Rulers of Israel would put Jeremiah, to death upon a Civil account, though it was the truth of his prophecy made them angry, because he fell away to the Chaldeans, so Paul must die as a mover of sedition. The same thing is laid to my charge, whereas indeed it is because I pursue my Covenant, and will not prostitute my p●inciples to the lusts of men. Beloved, I am this day to make a double exchange, I am changing a Pulpit for a Scaffold, and a Scaffold for a Throne; and I might add a third, I am changing this numerous multitude upon Tower-hill, for the innumerable company of angels in the holy hill of Zion; and I am changing a guard of soldiers for a guard of angels, which will receive me and carry me into Abraham's bosom. This Scaffold is the best Pulpit I ever Preached in, for in the Church Pulpit God through his grace made me an instrument to bring others to heaven, but' in this he will bring me to heaven; and it may be this Speech upon a Scaffold may bring God more glory than many Sermons in a Pulpit. Before I lay down my neck upon the block, I shall lay open my Case, and that without animosity or revenge; God is my record, whom I serve in the spirit, I speak the truth, and lie not, I do not bring a revengeful heart unto the Scaffold this day; before I came here, upon my bended knees I have begged mercy for them that denied mercy to me, & I have prayed God to forgive them who would not forgive me: I have forgiven from my heart, the worst enemy I have in all the world, and this is the worst that I wish to my Accusers and prosecutors, who have pursued my blood, that I might meet their souls in Heaven. I have no more to say, but to desire the help of all your prayers, that God would give me the continuance and supply of Divine grace to carry me through this great work I am now to do; that I, who am to do a work I never did, I may have a strength that I never had; that I may put off this body with as much quietness and comfort of mind, as ever I put off my clothes to go to bed. And now I am to commend my soul to God, and to receive my fatal blow, I am comforted in this, though men kill me, they cannot damn me, and tho they thrust me out of the world, yet they cannot shut me out of heaven. I am now going to my long home, to heaven my father's house, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to the innumerable Company of Angels, to Jesus Christ the Mediator of the new Covenant, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to God the Judge of all, in whose presence there is fullness of joy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Then he kneeled down and made a short Prayer privately. Then after rising up, he said, Blessed be God I am full of joy and peace in believing, I lie down with a world of comfort. And then saying The Lord bless you, he lay down with his head over the block, and when he stretched out his hands, the Executioner did his office. The humble Petition of William Jenkins, Prisoner. Most humbly showeth; THat your Petitioner is unfeignedly sorrowful for all his late miscarriages, whether testified against him, or acknowledged by him, and for the great and sinful unsuitableness of them to his Calling and Condition. That upon earnest seeking of God, and diligent enquiry into his will, your Petitioner is convinced, that the alterations of civil Governments are ordered by, and founded upon the wise and righteous providences of God, who removeth Kings and setteth up Kings, ruleth in the kingdoms of men, and giveth them to whomsoever he will. That the providences of this God, have in the judgement of your Petitioner, as evidently appeared in the removing of others from, and the investing your Honours with the Government of this Nation, as ever they appeared in the taking away, or bestowing of any Government in any History of any age of the World. That he apprehends, that a refusal to be subject to this present au●hority, under the p●etence of upholding the Title of any one upon earth, is a refusal to acquiesce in the wise and righteous pleasure of God, such an opposing of the Government set up by the sovereign Lord of Heaven and Earth, as none can have peace, either in acting in, or suffering for, and that your Petitioner looks upon it as his duty, to yield to this authority, all active and cheerful obedience in the Lord, even for Conscience sake, to promise (he being required) truth and fidelity to it, and to hold forth the grounds of his so doing to any as God shall call him thereunto. That though an imprisonment, accompanied with the loss of Estate, and to be followed (without your gracious prevention) with a speedy Arraignment before a high and eminent Judicatory, are far from being pleasant to flesh and blood, and though the enjoyment of your grace and favour, be a blessing most deserving to be reckoned among the best of temporals, yet that neither the feeling, and fearing of the former, nor the expectation of the latter, could have induced your Petitioner against the light of his own judgement, and the prepondering part of his own conscience to have made, or presenting this acknowledgement, he sadly forecasting, that a whole skin is but a contemptible recompense for a wounded conscience. WIL: JENKIN. Sept. 3. 1651. A Victory obtained over the Scotch Army at Worcester. This day twelve months was glorious at Dunbar, but this day hath been very glorious before Worcester; the Word was, The Lord of Hosts, and so it was now; the same signal we had now as then, which was to have no white about us, yet the Lord hath clothed us with white Garments though to the Enemy they have been bloody, only here lieth the difference, that at Dunbar our Work was at break of day, but now it began towards the close of the evening, 10000 taken and 3000 slain of the Enemy, about 200 of ours. The General hazarding himself, rode up to the enemy's Forts, offering them Quarter, whereto they returned no answer but shot. Sept. 1. Dundee taken by storm, 60 ships in the Harbour, 40 Guns. The Scots King beaten at Worcester, gets into a hollow Tree, remains there a night, next day in a Wood, cuts his hair short, shipped for Haure de Grace, and so to Paris. Sir, The Scottish King came hither on Monday the last of October, N. S. and being demanded by his Mother and the Duke of Orleans, how he escaped the Fight of Worcester, gave them this account. That about six a Clock in the evening, his Army being in all likelihood lost, he quitted Wor. town, with a party of Horse, and marched toward Lancashire, but being fearful of being pursued, and o the Scottish Officers that might deliver him up, he with the L: Wilmot quitted their Horses, and betook themselves next day to a Tree, where they stayed till night, and then marched, the third day they lay in a wood, and at night marched toward Lancashire, a Lady receiving them, furnished them with clothes for a disguise, and cut off their hair. Having reposed 2 or 3 days, she endeavoured to ship them out of England, and she riding behind the King, and Wilmot as another Servant by, they went to Bristol, but finding a narrow inquiry there, resolved to go for London, where they stayed 3 week. The King one day went into Westminster Hall, where he saw the state's Arms, and Scots Colours; my Lord Wilmot procured a Merchant to hire a ship of forty Tuns to transport them, which cost them a hundred and twenty pounds, but where they took shipping is not known: but as soon as my Lord was entered the bark, and the King as his Servant, the Master came to him, and told him that he knew the King, and in case it should be known, he could expect no mercy: which saying troubled them, but at length, what with money and promises, they prevailed, and so set sail for Haure de Grace, where they landed, and from thence to Roven, where they clothed themselves, and writ to Paris. His arrival there will put them to new Counsels, since, now they cannot send their Ambassadors, which was concluded on before his coming. The Duke of Orleans fetched him into town, and expressed much as to serve him. Yesterday, he, with Thurenne, Beaufort, and the D. of Guise came to him to the Lovure, where the King told them, that they should endeavour to reconcile the breach between the Prince and the King of France, for, said he, to my knowledge the English will visit you with an Army in the Spring. Octob. 15. 1651. Earl of Darby Beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire. Octob. 30. The Isle of Jersey taken. Nov. 16. The Isle of Man taken. resolve: That the time for the continuance of this Parl. beyond which they resolve not to fit, shall be Nov. 3. 1654. The Parl. of the commonwealth of England Declare; 1 THat no Power, Jurisdiction, or Authority, otherwise then from the Parl. of Engl: be used, exercised, or enjoined within Scotland: or the Isles, or any of the Territories thereof. 2 That they do forbid, annul, and make void the use and exercise of any Power, Jurisdiction, and Authority whatsoever, within Scotland: or the Isles, or any of the Territories thereof, other than such as shall be so derived. An Act of general Pardon and Oblivion, Feb. 24. 1651. THe Parl. of England having had good experience of the affections of the people to this present Government, by their ready assistance against Charles Stuart son of the late Tyrant, and the Forces lately invading this Nation under his Command; and being much afflicted with the miserable and sad effects which the late unnatural War hath produced, and resolved to settle the peace and freedom of this Common wealth; and being desirous that the minds, persons, and Estates of all the people of this Nation might be composed, settled, and secured, and that all rancour and evil will occasioned by the late differences, may be buried in perpetual Oblivion, Be it Enacted by this present Parl. and by Authority of the same, That all and every person or persons of or within the commonwealth of England, the Isles of Jersey and Garnsey, the town of Berwick upon Tweed, and the Heirs, Execut: and Admin: of them and every of them, and all and singular bodies in any manner incorporated, Cities, boroughs, Shires, &c. and every of them are, and shall be acquitted and pardoned, of all Treasons, felonies, Offences, &c. done before Sept. 3. 1651. not in this present Act hereafter not excepted nor foreprized. And the said Keepers of the Liberties of England, granteth and freely giveth to every of them, all Goods, Debts, Chattels, Fines, which to the said Keepers of the Liberties of England, do belong or appertain, before Sept. 3. and which be not hereafter in this Act foreprized and excepted. And it is further Enacted, That this Pardon shall be taken in Courts of Justice, available to all and singular the said persons. &c. shall be arrested, &c. for any thing acquitted by this Act, every person so offending, shall pay to him offended, his treble damages, and 10. l. to the State. Excepted all High-Treasons (other then for words only) and all levying of war, rebellions, insurrections, and conspiracies committed against the Par. since Ian. 30. 1648. And all concealments of the said offences. And all voluntary murders, petty Treasons, poisoning, piracles, buggeries, rapes, ravishments, marrying any one against her will. And also all persons now attained for petty treason, murder, poisoning, conjurations, witchcrafts, charms, detainments of Customs, and sums of money due upon Composition, Excise, or New-Imposts; all Conditions, Covenants, and penalties of forfeitures due to the Parl. or the late K. since Ian. 30. 1648. All first fruits, and Tithes, and all offences and misdemeanours, whereof any sentence or judgement hath been given in Parl. since Ian. 30. 1648. And all offences of Bribery, perjuries, and subordination of Witnesses, counterfeiting Deeds, debentures, Bills of public Faith, Escripts, or writings whatsoever, carrying over Seas any coin or Jewels, melting down of Gold or Bullion, &c. detaining the Goods, &c. of the late King or Queen, all offences committed by any Jesuit, any Outlawries upon any writ of Capion ad satisfaciendum, and all, except such persons as were Ian. 28. 1651. in prison by Order of Parl. and all proceedings concerning common highways, all Free-farm-rents, and arrearages due since June 24. 1645. all moneys imprested since Nov. 3. 1638. Provided all Acts of Hostility between the late King and Parl. or between any of the people of this Nation, or falling out by reason of the late troubles, shalt in no time after June 18. 1651. be called in question. The DECLARATION of the Lord general and his council of Officers showing the Grounds and Reasons for the Dissolving the Parliament, April 20. 1653. AFter it had pleased God not only to reduce Ireland, and give in Scotland but so marvellously to appear for his people at Worcester, that these Nations were reduced to a great degree of peace, it was matter of grief to many well affected, in the Land, to see the Cause of God so little forwarded by the Parl. whereupon they applied to the Army, expecting redress by them, notwithstanding which, the Army being unwilling to meddle with the civil Authority, in matters so properly appertaing to it, it was agreed, That his Excellency and Officers of the Army should be desired to move the Parl. to proceed vigorously in reforming what was amiss in Government; which having done, we hoped that the Parl. would seasonably have answered our expectations, but finding delays therein, we renewed our desires in a Petition in August last, and although they signified their good acceptance thereof, and referred the particulars to a Committee of the House, yet no considerable effect was produced, but there more and more appeared among them an aversion to the things themselves, with much bitterness and opposition to the people of God; which grew so prevalent, that those persons of honour and integrity who had eminently appeared for God and the public good, were rendered of no further use in Parl. then by meeting with a corrupt party to give them countenance to carry on their ends For which purpose, they frequently declared themselves against having a New Representative, and when they were necessitated to take that Bill into consideration, they resolved to make use of it to recruit the House with persons of the same temper, thereby to perpetuate their own sitting, which intention divers of the most active did manifest, labouring to persuade others to a consent therein; and divers Petitions preparing from several Counties for the continuance of this Parl. were encouraged by them. For obviating these evils, the Officers of the Army obtained several Meetings with some of the Parl. to consider what fitting means might be applied to prevent the same; but such endeavours proving altogether ineffectual, it became most evident to the Army, that this Parl. would never answer those ends, which God, his people, and the whole Nation expected from them. But that this Cause must needs languish under their hands, and be wholly lost. All which being sadly considered by the honest people of this Nation, as well as by the Army, and wisdom and direction being sought from the Lord, it seemed to be a duty incumbent upon us to consider of some more effectual means to secure the Cause which the good people of this Common wealth have been so long engaged in, and to stablish peace in these Nations. And after much debate it was judged necessary, that the supreme Authority should be devolved upon known persons, men fearing God, and of approved integrity, and committed unto them for a time, as the most hopeful way to encourage and countenance all God's people, reform the Law, and administer justice impartially, hoping thereby the people might forget Monarchy, and have the Government settled upon a true Basis, without hazard to this glorious Cause, and necessitating to keep up Arms for the defence of the same. And being still resolved to use all means possible to prevent extraordinary courses, we prevai'ed with about twenty Members of Parl. to give us a Conference, with whom we freely and plainly debated the necessity and justness of our Proposals, and did evidence that these would most probably bring forth something answerable to that work, the foundation whereof God himself hath laid. The which found no acceptance, but it was offered, that the way was to continue still this Parl. as being that from which we might reasonably expect all good things; and this being insisted upon, did much confirm us in our apprehensions, That not any love to a Representative, but the making use thereof to perpetuate themselves, was their aim. They being plainly dealt with about this, and told, that neither the Nation, the honest interest, nor we ourselves would be deluded by such dealings, did agree to meet again next day in the afternoon, and nothing in the mean time should be done, that might frustrate the Proposals. Notwithstanding the Parl. next morning did make more haste then usual in carrying on their said Act, being helped therein by some of the persons engaged to us the night before, none of them endeavouring to oppose the same, and being ready to put the main Question for consummating the said Act, whereby our Proposals would have been made void. For preventing whereof, we have been necessitated to put an End to this Parliament. And desire that all men, as they would not provoke the Lord to their own destruction, should wait for such issue as he shall bring forth, and to follow their business with peaceable spirits, wherein we promise them protection by his assistance. FINIS.