A DEFENCE OF THE PARLIAMENT of 1640. And the PEOPLE of ENGLAND, AGAINST King Charles I. And his ADHERENTS; CONTAINING A short Account of some of the many Illegal, Arbitrary, Popish and Tyrannical Actions of King CHARLES I. unjustly called the Pious Martyr; together with the following Tracts, etc. 

1. The Pope's Letter to King Charles.  
2. K. Charles' Letter in Ans. thereunto.  
3. The Articles of Marriage made (in Favour of Papists) with France.  
4. King Charles his Commission to the Irish Rebels, And  
5. Philem, O Neal and Rorie Macquire's Declaration to the Irish thereupon.  
6. King Charles II's Letter to the Court of Claims of Ireland, in behalf of that great Rebel, the Marquis of Antrim, to restore him to his Estate; for that the said Marquis, had made it appear, That what he acted in that Rebellion, was done by the Express Orders, and Commands of Charles I. his Father.  
7. King Charles I's Warrant by Secretary Nicholas, to the King's Printer, Commanding him to Print no more than 40 of those Proclamations, that Proclaimed the Irish Rebels.  
8. An Abstract of those strange Articles of Peace, King Charles I. made with the Irish Rebels.  
9 King Charles his two Letters to the Protestants of Rochel, wherein he assured them of Relief against the French K.  
10 The Miserable and Deplorable Remonstrance those poor Protestants made to him, upon his Sacrificing them to the Mercy of the French King.  
11. The Earl of Angl●sey's Memorandum. Dr. Anthony Walker and Mrs. Gauden's Proofs, That Eicon Basilice was not Writ by King Charles, but by Dr. Gauden, Bishop of Exeter.  
12. A Copy of the Kings, and Pamelia's Prayers, taken out of Eicon Basilice, and Sir Philip Sydny's Arcadia (which agree almost in every Word.)  
13. Twenty Articles against that wicked Prelate Laud.  
14. To give a clear Demonstration of this holy Martyr's Religion and Piety, see his Declaration for the Lawfulness of Sports and Pastimes on the Lord's Day, Printed at large in this Book.    
LONDON, Printed, 1698.   

TO THE READER.  
IT is not the least of Man's Unhappiness, that he is the greatest Enemy of his own Interest, having Opportunities for his own Advantage, he lets them slip, and by Brutish Incogitancy, rather than Natural Impotency, (as our Parents at first) he is soon cheated into his own Misery; his present Contentment is his chiefest Achievement, and he will have his Will tho' it be his Woe. He is apt to kill his Friends, (as the Jews did Christ) for their Endeavours to Save him, and to Court his Enemy (as Eglon did Ehud) whose Design was to Slay him. The great Controversy (between the Advocates for King Charles the First, and his wicked Favourites, and the Friends of the Parliament and People, that were necessitated to Resist him, could never have been spun out into above 40 Years length, had the dim Eyes of dull People been cleared up to a true discerning of their Friends from their Oppressive Foes. How apt have the Idolisers of King Charles the First been, with the Army of the Assyrians, to travel to Samaria instead of Dothan, and with the Jews to gratify Caesar, in Crucifying their Saviour? Whereas heretofore they generally reputed for Saints those faithful and courageous Barons, who lost their Lives in the Field, making a glorious War against Tyrants for the Common Liberty. Such as Simon de Mamfort, Earl of Leicester, against Henry the Third; Thomas Platagenet, Earl of Lancaster, against Edward the Second, etc.  
I cannot willingly ascribe the Love of Tyranny and Oppression, to the Natural Disposition of an English Man, but rather to two other Causes; the first is the Clergy of all Ranks, whose Pulpit Stuff from before 1640, till now, hath generally been the Doctrine, and perpetual Infusion of Servility and Wretchedness, to their Hearers, and their Lives most commonly the Types of Worldliness, with a slender Pattern of Virtue, Righteousness and Self-Denial, in their whole Practice. The Second is, I attribute it to the factious Inclination of most Mendivided from the Public Interest of their Country, by several Selfish Ends and Humours of their Own; who may truly be called Sacrificers of the Common Welfare of Mankind, to their own private Advantage, that they might thereby attain to their Ambitious Purposes. Dryden (as I am informed) gives this true Character of these Sort of Men, viz. Mark those which Dote on Arbitrary Power, and you'll find them either Hotbrain'd-Fools, or Needy Bankrupts.  
'Tis a wonderful and amazing thing, to find so great a part of Mankind fond and foolishly Doting, nay, which is more Unchristian, with a sort of Idolatry, Idolising this Prince, when they are not capable of giving to the World a clear Demonstration of one good Act he did designedly for the Benefit of his People: Certainly if his Virtue and Piety towards God, and his Country, had been in the least conspicuous, his mighty Adorers have been defective in their Panegerical Encomiums of him; for I must with the greatest Assurance declare, that neither by reading the Defences of him, or Conversation with the greatest of his Advocates, could I find the least Cause to Esteem him a Saint, or to clear him from the Tyrannical Oppression, nay, from the Blood and Misery of England, so justly laid to his Charge by the Parliament of 1640, and those worthy Patriots that joined with them. Let the Advocates for Tyranny and Arbitrary Power say what they will to the contrary, I am confident the People of England have a great Esteem and Value for a King that Governs according to Law, and, in all his Actions, aims at his People's Good equal with his own; and if at any time they betake themselves to Arms against their Prince, 'tis his, and not their Fault: Neither is it rational to believe, that the Generality of the Nobility, Gentry and Commonality of England, would, without an apparent Cause and Necessity, engage in a Bloody Civil War, and thereby run the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes: And he that shall consider impartially, in a Civil or Religious Sense, the Quality of those that espoused that King against their Native Country, will find the Parliament, and those that joined with them, did infinitely exceed, in all respects, the Party that assisted that King. For it is notoriously known, that the Popish and Superstitious People throughout the Kingdom, were united, as one Man for the King against the Parliament; and if we consider them in a Civil respect, were not all the Pattentees, Monopolizers, Cruel Usurping Oppressors, but Lords, Knights and Gentlemen, the Pillars of the Star-Chamber, Councel-Table, High Commission Court, etc. were not these the great Abettors, and Supporters of that Bloody War, against the Parliament and People of England.  
Were not his Clergy, for the generality of them, a wretched Parcel of Court Sycophants, that gave vent to those Plaguy-Doctrines of Nonresistance, Absolute and Arbitrary Government (after the Mode of France) in Loans, Freequarter, Ship-money, Monopolies, etc. during the Oppressive Ministry of Buckingham, Stafford, and Laud, that countenanced those two Court Parasites and Ear-Wiggs, Montague and Manwaring, who poisoned the Ears of King Charles the First, with such infectious Doctrine that proved to be fatal to the King and Kingdoms. 'Tis true indeed, both Montague and Manwaring were doomed and condemned for the same in open Parliament, Sentenced and Fined, and made incapable of all Ecclesiastical Benefices and Promotions.  
But King Charles was so much in Love with these two wicked Levites, and their Doctrines, that soon after the Parliament was dissolved, he punished them with two Fat Bishoprics.  
That the World may know for what Manwaring was thus Rewarded by the King, I shall produce three of his pernicious Assertions out of his two Sermons before the King, Printed under the Title of Religion and Allegiance.  
1. That the King is not bound to observe the Laws concerning the Subject's Rights, but that his Will in Imposing Loans and Taxes without consent in Parliament doth oblige the Subject's Conscience, Upon Pain of Eternal Damnation.  
2. That they who refused the Loan, did offend against the Law of God, and against the King's Supreme Authority; and thereby became Guilty of Impiety, Disloyalty, Rebellion, etc.  
3. That Authority of Parliament is not necessary for the raising of Aids and Subsidies; and Dr. Sibthorp, Vicar of Brackley, printed a Sermon, which he Preached at the Assizes at Northampton, and Dedicated to the King, wherein he Poisons his Country with these vile Positions.  
1. That it is the Prince's Duty to direct and make Laws, (his Text, by the way, was Rom. 13.7. Render therefore to all their Deuce) he justified this by that Opposite Proof, Eccles. 8.3, 4. He doth whatsoever pleases him.— Who may say unto him, what dost thou?  
2. That all Antiquity is absolutely for absolute Obedience to Princes, in all Civil and Temporal Things.  
3. That if Princes command any thing which Subjects may not perform, because against the Laws of God, of Nature, or Impossible, yet they are bound to undergo the Punishment, without Resistance, and so to vield a Passive Obedience, where they cannot Exhibit an Active One. P— g, Sh—k, and others, have largely since that time, obliged the World with these Enslaving Doctrines.  
As this King took great care to Reward such Ministers as these, so he was resolved to make Examples of those Pious and Worthy Clergymen, that stood up against the Oppressions of those Times; for Brevity's Sake, I shall instance but two of the many that might be Named. The first was, that Good Man Dr. Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, because he could not in Conscience comply with the King, who with Menaces required him to Licence that abominable Sermon of Sibthrops, (before mentioned) and thereby make that Good by Divinity, which had been done against the Laws. And when the Lord Conway, Secretary of State, was sent with a threatening Message from the King to him, this good Old Man persisted in his Refusal, saying, with the Psalmist, I shall not be afraid of any Evil Tidings, for my heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.  
The King instantly Suspended this Archbishop, and also confined him, and committed the Archiepiscopal Jurisdiction to five Bishops, all of the New Church of England, and Sibthorp's Patrons, viz. London, Durham, Rochester and Oxford, and honest Laud of Bath and Wells.  
The second was Dr. Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, who also felt the heavy Oppression of this Protestant King. In the first Year of his Reign, he was Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, but upon his appearing in Parliament against the Kingdoms great Grievance, the Duke of Buckingham, he was Disgraced und Sequestered from the King's Presence, and Council Table. In his second Year, he was accused for speaking publicly against the Loan, and also for refusing to give way to proceed in his Courts against the Puritans. The King Imprisoned him in the Tower, but this good Bishop, out-living his Imprisonment, upon the King's throwing the Gauntlet, he came to a Trial of Skill, for the Old English Liberties, and he resolutely said, Nolumus Leges Angliae Mutari, and took Command in the Parliament's Army, and bravely asserted his Country's Liberties with his Sword.  
If I should proceed to relate how this King dealt by the Nobility and Gentry; both Lawyers and others that stood up for the Laws of the Land, and Liberties of the People, this Tragical Story would swell to too great a Bulk for a Preface; I shall therefore give a short Account of the matters contained in the following Treatise, viz. that He Favoured, Protected, and was Ruled by, the worst of Men, both Clergy and Laity; Secondly, That He highly favoured Papists; Thirdly, That He Governed by an Arbitrary Power, and raised Money upon his Subjects without Act of Parliament, which is directly against the Constitution of the Government of England, and of a most dangerous Consequence to the People of England; for when ever such a Power is Established in these Kingdoms, the People may bid a sad farewell to all their Felicity, for they would soon undergood the same Miserable Fate, the poor People of France have done ever since that King violated their Magna Charta, called, the Edict of Nants, etc. which is to be Taxed according to that Prince's Will and Pleasure; Fourthly, That he was not that Pious Prince the mad World without reason would represent him to be; of all these, you have too many Instances in the following Treatise, which for the satissfaction of Mankind, contains not only 26 Articles, or Charges against this King, but also the following Tracts, all of which were never Printed at large in any one Book before, viz. The Pope's Letter to King Charles I. and King Charles his Letter in Answer thereunto, calling the Pope Most Holy Father, etc. The Articles of Marriage made (in Favour of Papists) with France. King Charle 's Commission to the Irish Rebels, and Philem whiles, and Rorie Macquire is Declaration thereupon. King Charles II's Letter to the Court of Claims of Ireland, in behalf of that great Rebel, the Marquis of Antrim, to restore him to his Estate, for that the said Marquis had made it appear, that what he acted in that Rebellion, was done by the Express Orders and Commands of Charles I. His Father King Charles I's Warrant by Secretary Nicholas, to the King's Printer, Commanding him to Print no more than Forty Proclamations that Proclaimed the Irish Rebels. An Abstract of those Strange Articles of Peace, that King Charles the First made with the Irish Rebels. The two Letters he writ to assure the Rochellers of his relieving them, and the miserable and deplorable Remonstrance those poor People made to him upon his Sacrificing them to the Mercy of the French King. The Earl of Anglesey 's Memorandum. Dr. Anthony Walker, and Mrs. Gauden 's Proofs, that Eicon Basilice was not Writ by King Charles, but by Dr. Gauden Bishop of Exeter. That Copy of the Kings, and Pamelia's Prayers taken out of Eicon Basilice, and Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia, will agree almost in every Word. Twenty Articles against that wicked Prelate Laud, and to give a clear Demonstration of this Holy Martyr's Religion and Piety. His Declaration for the lawfulness of Sports and Pastimes on the Lord's Day is printed in this Book at Large.  
To conclude, If all these and many more sad matters of Fact, already in this, and other Books produced to the World, will not be of force enough to satisfy the generality of Mankind, that they have been most notoriously imposed upon, by the Clergy, and some of the Laity, in their Defence of King Charles I. against the Parliament of 1640. and People of England. I shall conclude, that nothing but the coming down of an Angel from Heaven, will be able to convince them of their Error; I shall, therefore leave them to God, and end all with this hearty Prayer, That he would be pleased so to open their Eyes, that they might see what will make for the Peace and Happiness of these Kingdoms, and no longer promote and keep up those Unhappy Divisions, that are yet amongst us, after above 40 Years Controversy on this Melancholy Subject.   

ERRATA.  
PAge 2. line 5. read Immerited. p. 4. l. 11. r. Gorges. p. 4. l. 15. r. Desert f. Defect. p. 4. last line r. Coat. p. 5. l. 24. r. that. p. 6. l. 12. r. the King. p. 6. l. 25. r Bath. p. 9 l. 13. r. Prins. p. 10. l. 25. Deal and also King Charles II's Declaration after his Restoration. p. 12. l. 23. r. Papists. p. 14. l. 10. r. things f. time. p. 15. l. 10 r. proportion. p. 18. l. 5. deal it. p. 18. l. 9 incert (to) after Relations. p. 21. l. 21. r. Wentworth. p. 21. l. 28. r. Suspiria. p. 23. l. 3. r. dismiss. p. 27. l. 25. r. have done. p. 28. l. 27 r. Zyons. p. 37. l. 18. r. alia p. 39 l. 21. after imaginable r. to enslave his people. p. 44. l. 25. r. Article. p. 46. l. 12. r. therein. p. 48. l. 12. r. irreconcilable. p. 50. l. 29. r. have. p. 51. l. 34. deal not. p. 54. l. 19 r. cordially f. Cardinals,   

ENGLAND'S Black List; OR, A short Account of some of the many Illegal, Arbitrary, Popish and Tyrannical Actions of King Charles I. falsely and unjustly called the Pious Martyr of ever Blessed Memory; I shall not pretend to describe them Gradually, or Annually, but as they Occur.  
1. HE took in the Duke of Buckingham to be one of the chief Conductors of all his Affairs, notwithstanding the said Duke was impeached for a very suspicious Plaster and Portion administered to King James the First. See the Earl of Bristols, and Sir Dudley Digg's Speeches against him in Rushworth. The Duke's Mother, and many near about him, were Papists, and advanced Men popishly Devoted, to places of the chief Command in the Court and Camp. Three Parliaments in the beginning of this Reign, found and declared this Duke the cause of all their Miseries and Disasters, the Grievance of Grievances; yet King Charles would against all Justice protect him.  
2. He made that wicked Bishop Laud (who was afterwards deservedly beheaded) another of his Favourites, by whose precious Councils poor England hath notoriously suffered; to write his Life according to his Actions, would sufficiently darken the Lustre of those immerite and impious Encomiums given by that Notorious Jacobite Mr. Wharton. The Pious Dr. Abbatt, then Arch Bishop of Canterbury, hath in his Writings given a sad account of him. 'Tis said that Archbishop Sancroft had a great hand in putting forth this Book.  
3. His Marrying Heneretta Maria of France, a violent Papist, and agreeing to private Articles in favour of Papists, viz. That those who had been Imprisoned, as well Ecclesiastical as Temporal, should be Released: That Papists should be no more molested for their Religion; by which means the Papists grew impudent, and Scoffed at Parliaments and Law. Read the Articles at large in this Book.  
4. That received a Letter from the Pope, and writ him an Answer, saluting Antichrist with the Title of Sanctissime Pater, Most Holy Father. That Procured the Pope's Dispensation for his Marriage, which was solemnised by Proxy, according to the Ceremonies of the Romish Church. See the Pope's and King's Letter at large in this Book.  
5. That pursuant to his Private Article with France, immediately Granted a special Pardon to twenty Popish Priests for all the Offences they had Committed against the Laws, and Built a Chapel at , with Conveniencies for Friars which were permitted to walk abroad in their Habits. Baker the Jesuit, was one of many that was Pardoned after the Lords and Commons had sent a Petition to him for advancing the True Religion, and suppressing of Popery. He made Weston (who died a Papist) his Lord Treasurer, and preferred so many Papists to places of great Trust, as Lord Lieutenants, Deputy Lieutenants, Justices of the Peace, etc. That the Commons of England, complained by their Petition, of near One Hundred of all Ranks; he restrained the Ecclesiastical and Temporal Courts from intermeddling with Papists, which was little less than a Toleration. He not only Schreened, but Pardoned Montague his Chaplain, whom the Commons had Voted, had endeavoured to Reconcile England to Rome, and instanced, that he maintained these Positions. That the Church of Rome is, and ever was, a True Church; That Images might be used for the instructions of the Ignorant, and for Exortation of Devotion; That Saints have a Memory, and a more peculiar charge of their Friends; and that it may be admitted, that some Saints have a peculiar Patronage, Custody, Protection and Power, as Angels also have over certain Persons and Countries by special Deputation; That impiously and profanely scoffed at Preaching, Lectures, Bibles, and all show of Religion; and though the Commons prayed, that for these and other matters, Montague might be Punished, and his Books Burnt, yet the King would do neither, but Pardoned him as aforesaid; being incensed at the Commons prosecuting a Man after his own Heart.  
6. That to the great Dishonour of England, the Scandal of the Protestant Religion, and the great Weakening of the Protestant Interest abroad, Did lend Eight Ships (Equipped with the subsidies given for the relief of his distressed Protestant Sister, the Electress Palatine, and the poor oppressed Protestants of the Palatinate) to the French King, to fight against the miserable Protestants of Rochel. Captain Pennington in the Vanguard went Admiral; the Commanders and Mariners protested against the Service, though tempted with Chains of Gold, etc. Declaring they would sink rather than fight against their own Religion. The Duke of Rohan, and the French Protestants, solicited the King not to let the Ships go again, and had good Words and Hopes: Nevertheless, Ordered Pennington by Letter, Dated the 28th. of July, 1625. without Delay, to Consign the Vanguard into the Hands of the Marquis de Effiat for the French King's Service, and to require the seven other Ships in his Name, to put themselves into the Service of the French, Commanding Pennington to use all Force, even to sinking in case of Refusal. Hereupon Pennington put his Ship into the Absolute Power of the French King, and Commanded the rest to do so; But the honest Seamen refused to be slaves to the French, and fight against the Protestant Religion, till forced by Shots: But Sir Ferdinando Gerges, to his Eternal Honour, brought away the Neptune with Detestation of the Action. All the English, Men and Boys, except (one Gunner who was slain in Charging a piece of Ordnance, according to his defect) declined the Service and quitted the Ships, refusing to serve against the Rochellers. In September following, these seven Ships were actually employed against the Rochellers, almost to their utter ruin. The French boasted that the Vanguard mowed the Heretics down like Grass; by these wicked means, were these good People wholly lost: They held the Town till the Year 1628. but were reduced to incredible Misery, having lived long upon Horse Flesh, Hides, Leather, Dogs and Cats, etc. There were but Four Thousand jest of Fifteen Thousand Souls, many died with Famine, and they usually carried their Coffins into the Churchyard, and there laid themselves and Dyed. A Sad Story, that ought never to be forgotten in the History of Our Blessed Martyr's Reign, (as wickedly called.)  
7. That in Civil Matters, took his People's Goods from them against their Wills, and their Liberties against the Laws; that plucked up the Root of all Property; that acted almost like the Turks, who send their Janissaries, and place their Halberds at the Door, and then are Masters of all; for in the very beginning of his Reign, he levied twelve thousand Soldiers contrary to Law, and then required the Country to furnish the charge of Coal and conduct Money.  
8. That appointed Commissioners to Try, Condemn and Execute those he unjustly called Delinquents by Martial Law, directly against the Laws of the Land, and some were Executed thereby.  
9 That struck directly at the Property of the Subject's Goods, by issuing out Commissions (contrary to many Laws) for Raising Money by way of Loan, and the Commissioners were ordered to certify to the Council Board, the Names of all Refractery Persons; particularly, he Demanded One Hundred Thousand Pounds of the City of London, and upon their Refusal, he threatened them, saying, He would frame his Councils as appartained to a King.  
10. That against all Law, required, the Londoners to set forth Twenty Ships Manned and Victualled for three Months, against which the Mayor, aldermans and Common Council Petition, but to no purpose: Being answered, That Petitions and Plead were not to be received, and that the Precedents of former's Times were Obedience, not Direction.  
The Deputy Lieutenants and Justices of the Peace of Dorsetshire, being Commanded to set forth Ships, insisted, That the Case was without Precedent, for which, they were severely checked, and told, that State Occasions were not to be guided by Ordinary Precedents.  
Those Persons of Quality, that refused to subscribe to the Loan, were turned out of the Commission of the Peace and Lieutenancy.  
Sir Peter Hayman, upon his refusal of the Loan, was commanded against his Will, to go upon the King's Service, beyond the Seas; others of meaner Rank, were either bound to appear before the Leiutenancy of the Tower, to be Enrolled for Soldiers for Denmark, or were impressed to serve in the King's Ships.  
Sir Randolph Crew, the then Learned Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, for Declaring against the Loan, and not giving Judgement, that the King might Imprison, during Pleasure, was turned out, and Sir Nicholas Hid put in his Room, who presently complied with the King.  
Sir Thomas Darnell, Sir John Corbet, Sir Walter Earl, Sir John Hevingham, Sir Edward Hamden, five of the Gentlemen Imprisoned for Refusing the Loan, brought their Habeas Corpus in Michaelmas Term, in the third year of his Reign. The Warden of the Fleet made his Return, that they were detained in his Custody by the special command of King; and Sir Robert Heath, than Attorney Generral, justified this sort of Imprisonment, though no special Cause was assigned, and the Lord Chief Justice Hid (who was made on purpose for it) did singly give Judgement for remanding the Gentlemen to perpetual Imprisonment.  
11. That Billotted Soldiers (many of which were Papists) upon whom he pleased for Punishments; these Soldiers committed so many Disorders, mastered the People, and disturbed the Peace, that there was a General Outcry against them, many being undone by them: Yet this was not redressed.  
12. That in the year 1627. Issued a Commission under the Great Seal to several Temporal Lords, with Neal and Laud, Bishops of Winchester and Bath and Wells, and others to Raise Money by way of Excise, and to enforce the Payment (and which is very probable) to awe the Parliament, which was to Assemble the 17 th'. of March; He  
13. Upon the 13 th'. day of January, 1627. sent a private Seal to the Lord Treasurer, to this Effect: We command you forthwith to pay to Philip Burlemark, Merchant, Thirty Thousand Pounds, to be paid by him over by Bill of Exchange into the Low Countries and Germany, unto Sir William Balfoure, and John Dolbier, Esq (who was a Papist) for Levying and Providing certain Numbers of Horse, with Arms for Horse and Foot, to be brought over into this Kingdom, for our Service, etc.  
Burlemark being afterwards called into the House of Commons, and examined about this matter, Declared, That he received the Thirty Phousand Pounds; That one Thousand Horse were levied, and these Horses and their Riders were to come over, and Arms were to be provided for them in Holland, but heard a Countermand was gone to stay them.  
14. That caused Mr. Chambers, a Merchant, to be fined two thousand Pounds, to be committed to the Fleet, until he made his Submission, for saying, That the Merchants in no part of the World are screwed and wrung as in England; and that in Turkey they have more Encouragement.  
15. That Oppressed and Imprisoned all Rank or Order of Men, viz. The Earl of Bristol was two Years confined without being charged with any Accusation, or brought to Trial, or permitted to Answer for himself for offering to accuse the Duke of Buckingham. He Committed the Earl of Arrundel to the Tower, in time of Parliament, without expressing any cause of his Commitment, which was a manifest violation of the Privileges of the House of Peers; and though the Lords presented a Remonstrance, yet this Lord was long detained Prisoner.  
16. That sent a threatening Message to the House of Commons, That if he had not a timely Supply, he would betake himself to New Councils. Which could only mean the putting an End to the use of Parliaments. That at another time, said to the Lords and Commons, Remember that Parliaments are altogether in my Power, therefore as I find the fruits of them, Good or Evil, they are to continue or not to be.  
17. His shameful betraying the poor Protestants in the Palatinate, and using the Money (given by the charitable Protestants of England for their relief) in Equipping Ships to be sent to the Assistance of the French King, against the poor Protestants of the Isles of Rhee and Rochel.  
18. That without doubt, had a great hand in the Notorious Irish Rebellion, wherein above 150 thousand poor Protestant Souls were most Barbarously Murdered, and this will more plainly appear by reading the Commission given by this King in the 17th. Year of his Reign, dated from Edinborough, and also the Commission thereupon of Peilem Oneale, and Rorie Macguire to all the Papists, both English and Irish, within the Kingdom of Ireland; both which for the Readers better satisfaction, are Printed at large in this Book; and also a sheet of Paper, called, Murder will Out, containing King Charles II's Letter to the Court of Claims in Ireland, 1663. Requiring the then Commissioners to restore the Earl of Antrim to his Estate, for that he had made it appear, he had acted nothing but by Order and Commission from King Charles I. read the Letter at large. Take notice this Earl of Antrim had been a very great Rebel, yet restored for serving that King, in murdering his Protestant Subjects; neither can any impartial Men think that King Innocent of this Wicked Act, if they consider how Treacherously and Basely he dealt with the Protestants of England, of the Palatinate, of the Isles of Rhee and Rochel. What Articles he made with France in favour of Popery upon his Match; what a mighty Influence his Popish Queen had over him; how he employed in great Places of Trust, not only great Favourers of Popery, but also many professed Papists, and was very much Advised and Governed by their Counsels to the great Sorrow and Misery of his poor Protestant Subjects; as also that in the Summer before that dreadful October 1641. a Committee of the most Active Papists, all afterwards in the head of the Rebellion, were in great favour at White-Hall, and admitted to many private Consultations there with the King in the Queen's Presence; and those Irish Priests departed not thence till within two Months before that Bloody Rebellion and Massacre. It was at that time, I morally believe, that King Charles favoured the Irish Massacre, and the Irish Papists were so well assured of it, that they called themselves the Queen's Army, and said they had good Warrant in Black and White for their Proceed, and cried out against the Parliament of England, as the King's Enemies. He that has a desire of being satisfied how great a favourer King Charles was of Papists, let him read Mr. Pinn's Book, called, The Royal Court Favourite. He was very much advised by the then Parliament, to send early Relief to the poor Protestants of Ireland, but it is notoriously known, how backward he was therein, and that he suffered them to be Sacrificed to the cruel Mercy of the Irish Cutthroats. It is also plain, that the Parliament had long and often requested the King to Declare the Irish, Rebels; yet was this rare Protestant Martyr so Tender of the Poor Catholics Reputation, for Acting according to his Commands, that no less than three Months past, before he would gratify the House of Commons with Proclaiming them Rebels, and when he had against his real inclination thus done, he was resolved; That but a small number should be Printed and Published, and in order thereunto, the following Warrant was sent to the King's Printer from his Secretary of State.  

IT is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you forthwith Print, in very good Paper, and send unto Me, for his Majesty's Service, Forty Copies of the Proclamation enclosed, leaving convenient space for his Majesty to Sign above, and to affix the Privy Signet underneath: And His Majesty's Express Command, is, Chat you Print not above the said Number of Copies, and forbear to make any further Publication of them till his Pleasure be further Signified, for which, this shall be your Warrant.  
White-Hall, Jan. 2. 1641. Edward Nicholas.   
See here what special care was taken, that a few only should come to the knowledge of this Proclamation, when at the same time it was well observed, he dealt far otherwise by the Scots, for they were more sharply Proclaimed, and those Proclamations with great care and diligence, dispersed throughout the whole Kingdom, and ordered to be read in all Churches accompanied with Public Prayers and Execrations. But his Aversion to the Proclaiming and Proceeding against the Irish Rebels, is not to be much wondered at; for they call themselves The Queen's Army, and declared that they Risen to maintain the King's Prerogative, and the Queen's Religion, against the Parliament; much more might be collected from divers Authors, of this Tragical Story, which for Brevity Sake, I shall now omit.  
19 That to his Eternal Infamy against all Laws, both Humane and Divine, caused A Declaration to be Published concerning the Lawfulness of Sports, Pastimes, etc. on the Lord's Day, and gave Archbishop Laud an Order, under his Hand, to see that this Declaration was Printed. Read the Order, and Declaration Printed at large in this Book; and also King Charces II's Declaration after his Restoration. It is a wonderful and amazing thing, that there can be found amongst us, such Clergymen and Gentlemen, that against all Reason and Truth, shall make a Saint, nay, a Martyr, of this (as you see) Pious King; How these Men at the Great Day of Judgement, will be able to Answer for the many abominable Lies, and Blasphemies they have been Guilty of, in Defending this King's Tyrannies and Oppressions, and Deifying him after a most scandalous Rate, is a Mystery to me: The Publication of this Licentious Book, was so apparently destructive to Religion, and so dishonourable to God, and the King, That the Pious and Sober Clergy of that time, absolutely refused either to Read it, or to permit it the said abominable Declaration to be Read; and how barbarously, and unchristianly they were used for their Refusal, is too well known.  
20 That gave Wicked, Arbitrary and Tyrannical Orders, Instructions and Commissions to the Earl of Strafford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; all which, the said Earl, took such care to Execute, that the Parliament which was made up of Grave, Able, and discerning Persons, fell so severely upon him, that they caused him to be Committed to the Tower, Impeached him, and soon after caused him to be according to his deserts, Beheaded. He pleaded the King's Authority for what he had done, but the Commons saw no reason to acquit him. 'Twas observed, that though the King and Queen would not publicly Solicit for his Relief, yet several secret Instances were made by them both, to save him that had obeyed their Commands, etc. But the just Cries of the People, etc. necessitated the King against his Will to sign the Warrant for his Execution. And having now given a short account of the Earl of Strafford, I think it proper for the satisfaction of all those good People, that desire to be rightly informed, for what Laud Archbishop of Canterbury was most justly Beheaded. The House of Commons having proof, that he had a great Hand in all the Arbitrary Proceed and Deal with Rome, December 18 th'. 1640. they Voted him to be a Traitor; and Mr. Hollis was sent to the Lords, to Accuse him of High-Treason, which he did immediately; assuring the Lords, that in convenient time, there should be a charge put in against him, to make Good the Accusation, desiring that he might be sequestered from the House and Committed, which was forthwith done by the Lords. The Articles wherewith he was charged, consist of these Heads, etc. 

1. For that he had Treacherously endeavoured to subvert the Fundamental Laws and Government of the Kingdom of England; and instead thereof to Introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government against Law.  
2. That he had laboured to Overthrow the Authority of Parliaments, and the Force of the Laws of the Kingdom of England.  
3. That he had laboured to corrupt and pervert the Ministers of Justice.  
4. That he himself had corruptly bought and sold Justice in his Seat.  
5. That he had put a New Book of Cannons in Execution against Law. Vide 2 Vol. 2 d. Part of Rushworth's Hist. Collect. Fol. 1365. & sequent.  
6. That he had traitorously assumed to himself a Papal and Tyrannical Power, both in Ecclesiastical and Temporal Matters.  
7. That he had laboured to subvert the Protestant Religion, and instead thereof, to set up Popish Superstition and Idolatry.  
8. That he had preferred notorious Papist to Places of Dignity.  
9 That he had chosen to himself a Chaplain Popishly affected.  
10. That he had kept Confederacy and Intelligence with Popish Priests and Jesuits.  
11. That he had cruelly persecuted Godly Ministers.  
12. That he had laboured to make Divisions and Discord between us and other Churches.  
13. That he had stirred up War and Enmity between his Majesty's two Kingdoms of England and Scotland.  
14. That he had Slandered, and Incensed His Majesty against Parliaments.  
15. That he had laboured to slander Parliaments with the Nick Name of Puritans, and commended the Papists for harmless and peaceable Subjects.  
16. That he had traitorously endeavoured to advance the Power of the Council Table, the Cannons of the Church, and the King's Prerogative, above the Laws and Statutes of the Realm.  
17. That he had Wittingly and Willingly, Harboured, Countenanced and Relieved, divers Popish Priests and Jesuits; and particularly one called, Santa Clara alias Damport a dangerous Person, and Franciscan Friar; and did also provide Maintenance, and Entertainment for one Monsieur St. Gyles, a Popish Priest at Oxford, knowing him to be a Popish Priest.  
18. That he had threateningly said, there must be a Blow given to the Church, such as had not been yet given, before it could be brought to Conformity.  
19 That he punished divers Ministers in Prosecution of the last Cannons, made by himself.  
20. That he had wickedly and maliciously Advised His Majesty to dissolve the last Parliament, and presently after it was Dissolved, told His Majesty, That then he was absolved from all Rules of Government, and left free to use all extraordinary Ways for his Supply.    
These were the chief Heads of the Charge against that Proud, Popish, and Arbitrary Prelate, for which he was sent Prisoner to the Tower. After some close Inquiries and Examinations taken from the Informations of the late Lord Deputy of Ireland; it was sufficiently known, that the Archbishop was the Conduit Pipe, through which the Popish Party, made the pernicious Seed of Division run so smoothly; that he was the Wicked Instrument they made use of to stir up the Division between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, and between the Protestants of the Church of England and the Presbyterians.  
These heavy charges being made good against this Bishop, and he most righteously executed for these his notorious Evil Actions, Why are most of our Clergy, and some of our Laity so wicked, as to vindicate him, and without the least Reason, or shadow of Truth, cry him up for a Blessed Martyr, that had violated all the Laws of the Land, and was so great a Cause of most of the Miseries of England? That to prevent the People's being too Religious, advised and highly promoted the Declaration of Sports on the Lord's Day; a time so odious in the sight of any thing of a Christian, that it ought never to be forgotten.  
21. That after he had completely acted the part of a great Tyrant, and thereby had justly lost the general Love, Esteem, and Affection of the best Protestants of the three Kingdoms. He willingly consented that Bishop Gauden, Bishop Duppa, etc. should compose a Book, and call it, His Portraiture or Picture; and this Book the King was to own as his, that it was composed by him, when God knows he had neither so much Piety, nor Capacity, as that Work re-required, though as a Noble Peer lately said, Let that Book be Written by the King, or by any body else, there is little in it that deserves Esteem. The design of this Book was threefold; the first was, By the Lies thereby, to justify the King's Arbitrary and Illegal Actions; secondly, Heavily to load the People of England with Rebellion, etc. for standing up for the legal Liberties and Properties belonging to them, though absolutely forced thereunto, to prevent the Inundation of Misery and Popish Slavery, that the King and his wicked Court Favourites were then bringing on the three Kingdoms; thirdly, The cunning drift of the Factious and Defeated Party, designed to make the same Advantage of his Book, as they did before of his Regal Name and Authority, and intended it, not only for a Defence of the King's former Actions, but also for promoting their own future Designs. As for the Book, who ever is the real Author, has no occasion to value himself for that Work, two things being with the greatest ease to be proved upon him. First, That he is a most Notorious Liar, both as to his Assertions of the King's Innocency of those sad matters justly laid to his Charge, and also of his many unjust Accusations of the People of England; and secondly, That he was a Thief, and had so much Piety, as to have recourse to the famous Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia (a Romance) in the time of his Troubles, and from thence to steal the Prayer of Pamelia (to an Heathen Deity) being under Imprisonment; not finding a suitable Form in the Liturgy, Psalms of David, or any other places of the sacred Scripture. And that the Reader may be satisfied of the Truth of this Piece of Thievery, I have thought fit to Print both Prayers in Collums one against the other. That of Pamelias' may be found in Pembrook's Arcadia, p. 248. 13 Edit. Printed 1674. That of King Charles I's, is called a Prayer in time of Captivity, Printed in a Great Folio, called, the Works of King Charles, and also in his Eicon Basilike.  

The King's Prayer.  
O Powerful, O Eternal God, to whom nothing is so Great, that it may resist, or so Small, that it is contemned; look upon my Misery with thine Eye of Mercy, and let thine Infinite Power vouchsafe to limit out some proportion of Deliverance unto me, as to thee shall seem most Convenient. Let not Injury, O Lord, Triumph over me, and let my Faults by thy Hand be Corrected, and make not my unjust Enemies the Ministers of thy Justice. But yet, my God, if in thy Wisdom, this be the aptest Chastisement for my unexcusable Transgression; if this ungrateful Bondage be fittest for my over high Desires if the Pride of my (not enough humble) heart be thus to be broken, O Lord, I yield unto thy Will, and cheerfully embrace what sorrow thou wilt have me suffer; only thus much let me crave of thee (let my craving, O Lord, be accepted of, since it even proceeds from thee) that by thy goodness, which is thyself, thou wilt suffer some Beam of thy Majesty, so to shine in my mind, that I, who in my greatest Affliction, acknowledge it my Noblest Title to be thy Creature, may still depend confidently on thee; let Calamity be the Exercise, but not the overthrow of my Virtue; O let not their prevailing Power be to my Destruction; and if it be thy Will that they more and more vex me with Punishment, yet, O Lord, never let their wickedness have such a hand, but that I may still carry a pure mind and steadfast Resolution, ever to serve thee without fear, or Presumption, yet with that humble confidence, which may best please thee; so that at last I may come to thy Eternal Kingdom, through the Merits of thy Son our alone Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.   

Pamelia's Prayer to the Heathen Deity.  
O All seeing Light, and Eternal Life of all things, to whom nothing is either so Great, that it may resist, or so Small, that it is contemned; look upon my Misery, with thine Eye of Mercy, and let thine Infinite Power vouchsafe to limit out some proporrion of Deliverance unto me, as to thee shall seem most Convenient. Let not Injury, O Lord, Triumph over me, and let my Faults by thy hand be Corrected, and make not mine unjust Enemies the Minister of thy Justice. But yet, my God, if in thy Wisdom, this be the aptest Chastisement for my unexcusable Folly; if this low Bondage be fittest for my over high Desire; if the Pride of my (not enough humble) heart be thus to be broken, O Lord, I yield unto thy Will, and joyfully embrace what sorrow thou wilt have me suffer; only thus much let me crave of thee (let my craving, O Lord, be accepted of thee, since even that proceeds from thee;) let me crave even by the Noblest Title, which in my greatest Affliction, I may give myself, that I am thy Creature, and by thy goodness which is thyself; that thou wilt suffer some Beam of thy Majesty to shine into my mind, that it may still depend confidently on thee; let Calamity be the Exercise, but not the overthrow of my virtue; let their Power prevail, but prevail not to Destruction; let my Greatness be their Prey; let my pain be the sweetness of their Revenge; let them (if so it seem good unto thee) vex me with more and more Punishment; but, O Lord, let never their Wickedness have such a hand, but that I may carry a pure mind in a pure Body; and pausing a while, O most gracious Lord, said she, whatever becomes of me, preserve the virtuous Musidorus.   
Having now given an Account of the design of Publishing this special Book, and also what it is composed of, I shall now produce divers Reasons (enough I think to convince any rational Man that will not be wilfully blind. And first, I shall give you the Noble Earl of Anglesey's Memorandum, perfixt before the Book reputed to be King Charles I's, called, Icon Basilice, and found by Edward Millington, who sold the said Earl's Library, all Written with the Earl's own Hand, in these Words:  

King Charles the Second, and Duke of York, did both (in the last Session of Parliament, 1675. when I showed Them in the Lord's House, the Written Copy of this Book, wherein are some Corrections, and Alterations written with the late King Charles I's own Hand, Assure me, That this was none of the said King's Compiling, but made by Dr. Gauden, Bishop of Exeter; which I here incert for the undeceiving others in this Point, by attesting so much under my Hand.  
ANGLESEY.   
This Noble Earl's Advertisement, or Memorandum, must have the greater Weight, for that he concealed it (for aught I can hear) from the Public, which doubtless he would not have done, if he had had any design to carry it on by making it Public. This Memorandum being true, the World has the Words of two Kings, that Bishop Gauden, and not King Charles, Composed this lying Book: For further proof, that Dr. Gauden writ this Book, take a Summary Account of some Papers relating, Eicon Basilice, now, or lately in the Hands of Mr. North, Merchant, living on Tower Hill, London; whereby it appears that Dr. Gauden, late Bishop of Exeter, and afterwards of Worcester, was the Author of that Book, and not King Charles I. as the World hath for above Forty Years been imposed upon to believe.  
Mr. North is a worthy Person, and a Member of the Church of England; he, and Mr. Charles Gauden (the Bishop's Son) married two Sisters, and Mr. Gauden dying about Ten Years since, all his Papers were left with his Widow, and Mr. North having occasion to look them over, for some relating to his Sisters-in-law affairs, found these relating to the Eicon Basilice, carefully tied up together.  
Mr. North, by reason of his Marriage, had many years acquaintance with Bishop Gauden's Family, and knows that the Bishop's Widow, at first gave them to her Darling Son, john Gauden, and upon his Death, they came to Mr. Charles Gauden. And further, that in his many years knowledge of that Family, it hath constantly, and without any manner of doubt, been declared, that the Bishop was the Author of the Book. There are several Letters and Papers, I shall briefly give the Contents of them, for the truth of which, I shall refer to the Original Papers, and to those many reverend and worthy Persons, who have Read, or been at the Reading of them.  
Bishop Gauden, at the time of King Charles the Second Restauration, was incumbent of Bocking in Essex, and from that fat Parsonage was promoted to the Lean Bishopric of Exeter, which he complained was not sufficient to keep up the Port of a Bishop, and thought that by his Merits he might lay claim to a better; and the Death of Dr. Duppa, Bishop of Winchester, being daily expected, he applied himself to the King, with great Importunity, to be translated thither; pleading his Desert, which, as is evident from the Papers I mention, could be no other than that of having written a Book which did such great Service to the Royal Family, that King Charles the 2d. thought himself obliged to promise him that Bishopric, tho' when it became Void gave it to an other.  
1. There is Letter from Sir Edward Nicholas, Secretary of State, to Dr. Gauden, dated January 1660, wrote by the King's Command, intimating the King had received his Letter, and that he should not have Cause to complain of his removal from Bocking.  
2. In the Bishop's Letter to Chancellor Hid, dated 28. December 1661., and his Petition to the King, the Bishop sets forth, That he had an high Rack [The Bishopric of Exeter] but Empty Manger; and declares what hazards he had run of Life and Estate; and what great Advantage had accrued to the Crown by his Service: That what he had done was for Comforting and encouraging of the King's Friends, Exposing his Enemies, and converting, etc. He pleads that what was done like a King, should have a Kinglike Retribution; and Instances in the Cases of Joseph, Mordecai, and Daniel, who were Honoured and Rewarded for the Service they did to the Respective Princes, (tho' as he observes) they were Captives in a strange Land.  
3. The Bishop's Letter to the Duke of York, dated the 17th of January 1661.: Strongly urges the great Services he had done, and Importunately Begs his Royal Highness, to intercede for him with the King.  
4. There is an Original Letter from the Lord Chancellor Hid (all of his own hand writing) to the Bishop of Exeter, dated 13 th'. of March 1661., importing, that the Chancellor had received several Letters from him: That he was uneasy under the Bishop's Importunity, excuses his not being yet able to serve him; Speaks of annexing a Commendum to his Bishopric; and towards the close it hath this remarkable Expression, The Particular you mention, has indeed been imparted to me as a Secret; I am sorry I ever knew it, and When it ceases to be a Secret, it will please none but Mr. Milton. This is Subscribed, Edw. Hid, C.  
5. Mrs. Gauden after the Death of the Bishop, writes to her Son Mr. John Gauden, That she had sent him an Hogshead of Cider, and Orders some Pictures to be sent her by the same Man.  
In this Letter she speaks of the Book commonly called the Kings; she calls it the Jewel; and tells her Son, that her Husband hoped to make a Fortune by it, and wonders it should be doubted whether her Husband wrote it; but says, She has a Letter of a very Great Man's that will clear it up.  
6. There is also a long Narrative of Mrs. Gauden's Handwriting, showing, that her Husband wrote the Book. This she sent to her Son, with the Letter, wherein she said, She had sent it that she might be a Clavis to him.  
The Narrative sets forth, That after her Husband had wrote the Book, He shown it to the Lord Capel, who approved it, and was for the printing of it; but wished the King might have a Sight of it.  
That an Opportunity was taken to Convey it to his Majesty by the Lord Marquis of Hertford, when He went to the Treaty at the Isle of Wight.  
That the Marquis after his Return from thence, told her Husband, that he gave the Book to the King; and his Majesty did not like it, but was for putting it out, not as his own, but another's. But it being Urged, That CROMWELL, and others of the Army, having got a great Reputation with the People, for Parts and Piety, it would do best to be in the King's Name. His Majesty took time to consider of it.  
That the Marquis told her Husband, He knew not what was become of the Papers; and said, God knows what will become of the King.  
That her Husband not hearing the King's pleasure about it, and finding Danger hastening on him, he having kept a Copy by him, sent it by one Mr. symmond's, a persecuted Minister, to the Press, together with a Letter. That Mr. Royston was the Painter, but did not know but the King wrote it: That part of it was seized in the Press, together with her Husband's Letter, and Mr. symmond's was taken.  
Nevertherless the Work was carried on, and finished a few days after his Majesty's death: That when it was published, the Parliament was Enraged; and her Husband conceiving his Life and Estate to be in danger, fled to Sir John Wennworth's, near Yarmouth, intending thence to pass the Seas: But Mr. symmond's falling sick, and dying soon after, not having been Examined, and it not being discovered that her Husband was concerned in it, (the Letter which had been taken having no Name to it) he altered his purpose, and returned home.  
That there was an Epistle at first intended: That the first Title was Suspisia Regalia, but changed to Eicon Basilice; and that there were two Chapters added.  
That the Marquis of Hertford, the Lord Capel, Bishop Duppa, and Bishop Morley, were at first the only Persons privy to it.  
That after the King's Restoration, Dr. Morley told her Husband, That his Merit was such, that he could Ask nothing but he could receive it.  
That Duppa, Bishop of Winchester, being very sick, her Husband went to the King, and acquainted him that He was the Author of the Book; and for the Truth thereof appealed to Bishop Duppa, his Majesty's Tutor, who was yet living; and made an Apology for printing it, without his Majesty's Father's Order, or his; but pleaded the Circumstances of Time, and the King's danger.  
That His Majesty told her Husband, That till then, He never knew that he wrote it, but thought it was his Father's; yet wondered how he could have time: And observed That it was wrote like a Scholar, as well as like a King; and said that if it had been published sooner, it might have saved his Father's Life. That at the same time the King gave him a Promise of the Bishopric of Winchester.  
That when he afterwards acquainted the Duke of York That he was the Author of that Book, yet went under his Father's Name, the Duke answered, He thought his Father Wrote it. That her Husband then told his Highness, that the King had promised him the Bishopric of Winchester; and that his Highness assured him of his Favour.  
That Bishop Duppa dying, her Husband applied to the King upon his Promise; but Dr. Morley, (who had told her Husband that he might have what he would ask) got it; and her Husband was made Bishop of Worcester; but having enjoyed it but about half a Year, fell Sick and Dyed.  
That She Petitioned the King; setting forth, That her Husband left her a Widow, with four Sons and a Daughter: That it cost her Husband 200 l. to remove from Exeter to Worcester; and prayed his Majesty to bestow the half Years Rents upon her, which he denied, and gave them to another.  
Reader, take Notice, This is the Substance, tho' not perhaps the Express Words of Mrs. Gaudens Papers, and it could be wished, that the Papers themselves were made Public, than this short account would be fully justified.  
I cannot dismish this matter without admiring the remarkable Providence of God, in the several steps towards the Discovery thereof, which was the interest of so great a number of Men, to have for ever Concealed and Buried. And  
1. Had not Dr. Gauden been disappointed of the Bishopric of Winchester, we should never have heard of his compiling the Icon Basilice; nor would he ever have bragged, That he had done like a King, if he had had a Kinglike Retribution.  
2. Had Mrs. Gauden but been made Bishop of Worcester for half an Year, she would probably have robbed her Husband of the Glory of this Book, and suffered it to have been for ever a jewel of the Crown.  
That the World may have a further satisfaction in this matter, I shall give a short account of what the Reverend and Pious Dr. Walker, lately Rector of Feyfield in Essex, hath Written and Published a short time before he died, in Answer to the Ignorance and lying Impertinence of Dr. Hollingworth, Dr. Anthony Walker, in this Book called the True Account of the Author, of a Book Entitled, Icon Basilice, etc. gives the Reason of his Writing on this Subject. It was occasioned by Dr. Hollingworth's Reproachful Charge on him, for declaring, That King Charles I. was not the Author of that Book. He secondly, solemnly appeals to the Searcher of Hearts, Avenger of Falsehood, and Revealer of Secrets; that he will write nothing for Truth, that he was not thoroughly persuaded of, and that by as full Evidence as he judged such a matter of Fact wanted, and at such distance of Time, is capable of. Thirdly, that he will with undisguised openness, produce the means of his Knowledge, the reasons of his Belief, and the probable Arguments upon which his opinion is Grounded. His Word are these: Fol. 3. Sect. 11.  
I know and believe the Book, whose Author is enquired after, was Written by Dr. Gauden, (except two Chapters Writ by Bishop Duppa) so far as the subjoined means may produce such Knowledge, and the Reasons may induce such Belief.  
First, Dr. Gauden, sometime before the Whole was finished, was pleased to acquaint me with his Design, and shown me the Heads of divers Chapters, and some of the Discourses written of them, and after some time spent in persual, he vouchsafed to ask my Opinion concerning it, and after some consideration, I told him, I supposed, it would be much for the King's Reputation, Honour and Safety: But I expressly added, I stuck at the lawfulness of it, and modestly asked him, how he satisfied himself, so to impose upon the World? To which he so readily replied, that I concluded he had thought on it before, viz. look on the Title, 'tis the Portraiture, etc. and no Man draws his own Picture, which satisfied himself; and that he perfectly remembers, that in the 2 Chapter of the Earl of Strafford, in the first Edition, p. 8. l. 18, 19, 20. he explained, that he meant Dr. Juxton, than Bishop of London, in the following passage, viz. He only hath been least vexed by them, who counselled me, not to consent against the Vote of my own Conscience.  
Secondly, That some good time after, what had passed as now related, we being both in London, and having dined together, Dr. Gauden in the Afternoon desired me to walk with him to a Friend; when we were gone part of the way, he told me, he was going to the Bishop of Salisbury, Dr. Duppa (whom he had acquainted with his design) to fetch what he had left with his Lordship to be perused, or to show him what he had further Written, desired me after a little Conversation, to withdraw and leave them two alone, which I did, and after they had been some considerable time together, Dr. Gauden returned, and in the street gave me this Account of their Conference. My Lord of Salisbury told me there were two subjects more, he wished I had thought on, and propounded them to me, viz. The Ordinance against the Common Prayer Book, and the denying His Majesty the Attendance of his Chaplains (which are now the 16th. and 24th. Chapters in the Printed Book, and desired me to Write two Chapters upon them, which I promised, I would. But before we parted, he recalled that request, and said, I pray go you on, to finish what remains, and leave these two to me: I will perpare two Chapters upon them, which accordingly he did, as Dr. Gauden owned to me and others whom he had made privy to the whole, and never pretended to have Written these, as he did to have done all the rest.  
Thirdly, Sometime after the King was Beheaded, I asked Dr. Gauden, whether the King had ever seen the Book? he gave me this Answer, I know it certainly, no more than you; but I used my best endeavours he might, for I delivered a Copy of it to the Marquis of Hartford, when he went to the Treaty at the Isle of Wight, and entreated his Lordship, if he could obtain any private opportunity, he would deliver it to His Majesty, and humbly desire to know His Pleasure concerning it. But matters running then high against the King, he had no answer by that Lord.  
Fourthly, After he was Lord Bishop of Worcester Elect, I asked him in private, whether that King Charles II. knew that he wrote it? He gave me this Answer; I cannot positively and certainly say, he doth, because, he was never pleased to take express notice of it to me. But, I take it for granted, he doth; for I am sure the Duke of York doth, for he hath spoken of it to me, and owned it as a seasonable and acceptable service, and he knowing it, I question not but the King also doth.  
Fifthly, Mrs. Gauden his Wife, Mr. Gifford (who, if I am not mistaken, Transcribed that Copy that was sent to the Isle of Wight) and myself, believed it as much as we could any thing, and when we spoke of it in his Presence, or Absence, did it, without the least Doubt of his having Writ it; and we should be imposed upon to the highest degree imaginable, if Dr. Gauden wrote it not.  
Sixthly, Dr. Gauden delivered to me with his own hand, what was last sent up (after part was Printed, or at least in Mr. Royston's hand to be Printed) and after he had showed it me, and sealed it up, gave me strict caution, with what wariness to carry and deliver it, and according to his Direction, I delivered it, Saturday December 23d. 1648. in the Evening to one Peacock (Brother to Dr. Gauden 's Steward or Bailiff) who was instructed by what hands he should transmit it to Mr. Royston, and in the same method, a few days after the Impression was finished, I received six Books by the hand of Mr. Peacock, as an acknowledgement of that little I contributed to that Service; one of which I have still by me, and to justify this matter against the ignorant impudence of Dr. Hollingsworth, be Declares Fol. 15. That he is ready to confirm his Knowledge and Belief herein with a Solemn Oath.  
Mrs. Gauden, Widow, residing at Gloucester, and often Declaring that her Husband had writ that, called, the King's Book, it coming at last to the knowledge of Dr. Nicholson then Bishop of Gloucester, who desiring to be fully satisfied in that point, did put the Question to her; upon her receiving the Sacrament, and she then affirmed, that it was wrote by her Husband. This, Persons of undoubted credit now living in Gloucester, can affirm for a Truth; and it is not questioned, but the present Bishop of Gloucester, will acknowledge that those Persons have related this matter to him, that it is well known to Mrs. Gauden's Brother, and several of her Relations, that Mrs. Gauden constantly in her Conversation, Declared, That her Husband was the Author of this Book. I could, if necessity required, produce a great many Arguments more out of Doctor Walkers, or other Writings, to prove the Truth of this matter, but shall conclude it with this one of the Doctors, in reference to the Providence of this Discovery.  
Though God had many Holy, Righteous and Gracious ends to serve his Providence by, in the Publication of this Book; yet as I find it expressed in this very Book, Chap. the last p. 262. of the first Edition. God's wise Providence (we know) oft permits many Events, which his revealed Word, in no sort approves. And, I confess, I have many cogent reasons to persuade me, that God was not well pleased with Dr. Gauden, others, or myself; for what we contributed to it. And though for the aforesaid ends, he suffered it to succeed, yet I know not but he may have other ends now to serve, by suffering this Discovery to be Wrung, and rested from me, (I had almost said) by some Bodies (viz. Hollingworths') Impertinent Affection, to meddle with what he understands not. Thus spoke that good Man.  
I had not enlarged so much on this 21st. Article, but that I was desirous of giving full satisfaction to the World, of the Real Author of Eicon Basilice.  
That Posterity might not be deceived by the many Impudent, Ignorant, False, and Scandalous Assertions of most of the Clergy, and too many of the Laity, who to their Eternal Shame have taken more care and pains to defend that Book, and its pretended Author King Charles I. than they done to Vindicate the Holy Bible, and the Truth of the Christian Religion.  
22. That caused the Star-Chamber and High-Commission-Courts to be made Use of, to the general Grievance of the People of England, and was unwilling to part with them, till he found these Courts were highly offensive to the Parliament, and that it was not Seasonable to displease the Kingdom at that time, for which Reasons at last he passed the Bills to take them away: And indeed there were many, and great Reasons, why those abominable oppressive Courts should be pulled down, and taken away. For that Old Serpent Archbishop Laud, and divers of his Brethren, had cast off all Humanity, and were metamorphosed into Ravenous Wolves, and these Courts were under their Management. The Star-Chamber had abounded in Extravagant Censures, whereby the Subjects were oppressed by Grievious Fines, Imprisonments, Stigmatizing, Mutilations, Whip, Pillories, Gags, Banishments, etc. And the High Commission Court, was grown to such Excess of Sharpness and Severity, as was not much less than the Spanish Inquisition. To repeat two or three of the many Instances of the Horrid Oppressions, and barbarous Cruelty, exercised in these Tyrannical Courts.  
Upon the 17 th'. of February, 1629. Dr. Leighton coming out of Black Friar's Church, (it seems than he was no Conventicler) was seized by a Warrant from the High Commission Court, and dragged to Bishop Laud's House; from thence without any Examination, he was carried to Newgate, and there clapped into Irons, and thrust into a Nasty Hole, where he continued from Tuesday Night, till Thursday Noon, without Meat or Drink: They kept him in that loathsome Place, where Snow and Rain beat in upon him Fifteen Weeks, not permitting his Wife, or any Friend, to come near him, and denied to give him a Copy of his Commitment; then they brought him into the Star-Chamber Court, where an Information was Exhibited against him, for Publishing a Book, called, Lion's Plea against the Prelates.  
Dr. Leighton confessed, that in 1628. He drew up the Heads of that Book, and having the approbation of five hundred Persons, under their hands, some whereof were Parliament Men. He went into Holland, and got between five and six hundred Printed for the use of the Parliament; but they being Dissolved, he returned home, not bringing any of them into the Land, but made it his special care to suppress them. In the same information, the Doctor was charged with these Words in the said Book; We do not read of greater Persecutions of God's People in any Nation professing the Gospel, then in this our Island, especially since the Death of Queen Elizabeth. He confessed the Words, and Answered, That the thing was too true, as appeared by the Prelates taking away Life and Livelihood from many Minister's and private Men; of whom, many were pined to Death in Prison, and many wandered up and down, their Families being left desolate and helpless: That besides this, the Blood of Souls had been endangered by the Removal of the Faithful Shepherds from the Flock; this was a cutting Truth. And  
Wicked Laud, being enraged, Desired the Court to put the highest Censure that could be put upon him; which they did to his Content, Condemning him to have his Ears cut, his Nose slit, to be Branded in the Face, Whipped at a Post, to stand on a Pillory, to pay Ten Thousand Pound fine (tho' they knew he was not worth so much) and to be perpetually Imprisoned. This Hellish Sentence being past, that vile Wretch Laud was so well pleased with it, that he pulled of his Cap, and holding up his Hands, gave thanks to God who had given him Victory over his Enemies. This Sentence being so miserably severe, the Execution thereof was little expected. But,  
Laud had his design; for upon the 26 th'. of November, 1630. The Censure was Executed in a most cruel manner, His Ears were cut, his Nose slit, his Face Branded with burning Irons, he was tied to a Post, and Whipped with a triple Cord, to that cruel Degree, that he himself Writing the History thereof Ten Years after, affirmed that every lash brought away the Flesh, and that he should feel it to his dying day. He was lastly, put into the Pillory, and kept there near two hours in Frost and Snow; and then, after this most barbarous Usage, not permitted to return to his Quarters in the Fleet Prison, in a Coach provided to carry him, but compelled in that sad Condition, and severe Season, to go by Water.  
After this, was kept Ten Weeks in Dirt and Mire, not being sheltered from Rain and Snow; They shut him up most closely, Twenty Two Months, and he remained a Prisoner Ten or Eleven Tears, not suffered to breath in the open Air, until that Noble Parliament of November, 1640. most happily delivered him. When he came abroad to prosecute his Petition, in that Parliament, he could neither Go, See, nor Hear.  
This Dismal Story, will be an Eternal Blot, not only on Laud, who was the chief Instrument in that sad Oppression, but also upon the pretended Martyr King Charles, for permitting such Barbarous, and inhuman Cruelties to be exercised on his Subjects. I shall show you something mo●e of this Bloody Villains Barbarity, viz.  
That upon the first of February, 1632. Laud procured Mr. Prin, to be sent close Prisoner to the Tower, there he lay till the 21st. of June, 1633. when an Information (without mentioning any particular Passages in his Book) was exhibited against him, in the Star Chamber Court, for Publishing a Book concerning Interludes, entitled. Histriomastix, which was Licenced by a Chaplain of Dr. Abbatts, Archbishop of Canterbury. Upon the 17 th'. of February, 1633. notwithstanding his Book was Licenced, yet he had this heavy Sentence passed upon him, viz. To be Imprisoned for Life, pay Five Thousand Pounds Fine, be Expelled Lincolns-Inn, Disabled to Exercise the Procession of a Barrister, Degraded by the University of Oxford of his Degrees there taken; and that done, to be set in the Pillory at Westminster, and have one of his Ears there cut off, and at another time, to be set in the Pillory in Cheapside, and there to have his other Ear cut off.  
Though many of the Lords never dreamt of the Execution of this Horrid Judgement, nay, though Queen Henrietta Maria, (which deserves an Honourable Mention) and she shall have it, for She was the present King's Royal Grandmother, earnestly interceded with, the Biggotted, Cruel, and Merciless King, (who was an abominable T—) to remit its Execution; yet on the 7th. and 10 th'. of May, it was fully Executed with great Rigour, and Mr. Prin remained Sundry Tears in the Tower upon this censure.  
Mr. Burton, and Dr. Bastwrick, were also without the least just cause violently prosecuted after the same manner; it will be too tedious to relate theirs and others unchristian uses; when Tyranny and Arbitrary Power were Rampant.  
23. That against the Law of Nature, against the Rules of Justice, falsely charged those Innocent Men, the Noble Lord Mandeville, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Strode, and others, with Treason, for which in the Face of the Highest Judicature in the Kingdom, they were most unjustly Imprisoned, the King denying them the Names of their Accusers; and which was an Act of Tyranny beyond Parallel, He accused them, and yet would produce no Witness, he confessed them clear in his own Judgement, yet they must not profess their own Innocency for fear of wounding his Honour.  
24. That was not satisfied with Imprisoning and Oppressing some of the Parliament Men, but tempted and encouraged his English Army, with no less than the Spoil of the City of London, to come up and destroy the Parliament. He in an Hostile and inexcusable manner, made a most high Invasion upon the Privileges of both Houses; Hereupon many Citizens unarmed, resorted to Westminster to present their Petitions, and express their steadfastness to the Parliament, whose Lives and Safety, by more than slight Rumours, they doubted to be in Danger; the King having fortified White-Hall, and entertained Armed Men, not a few, planted them at the Gate of his Palace. ['Tis remarkable, the first Blood that was drawn in this Cause, was in that very place where the King's own Blood was afterwards shed, 1 K. 21. 19] where they Reviled, Menaced, and with drawn Swords, actually Wounded many of the Citizens, as they passed by in a peaceable manner, whereof some died. Nay, they went farther, and were come to that height of Boldness, as to give out Insolent and Menacing Speeches against the Parliament itself, and to imbrue their hands in the Blood of the King's Subjects in Westminster-Hall, and at the Doors of the Parliament, as well as at his own Gate. And when the Parliament and People complained, and demanded Justice for those Assaults, the King justified and abetted his own Crew in what they did.  
Nor can the passing by of a multitude of the King's Subjects, armed with no other Weapons than Petitions, be justly called Tumults; neither could the Parliament have forbid them, without the Breach of the People's Freedom. Unarmed Petitioners surely could not be formidable to any; and it must not be forgotten, that a very short time before His Majesty pretended to dread these Tumultuary Citizens, the City Entertained, Feasted, and Conducted him to White-Hall, with as pompous Solemnity, and costly Expressions of Love and Duty, as ever had been known. Nay, after he had highly exasperated the People by his Irruption with the House of Commons, he went in his Coach unguarded into the City: He received not the lest Affront, much less, Violence in any of the Streets, but rather humble Demeanours and Supplications. He knew the People so full of Awe and Reverence to his Person, as to commit himself single amongst the thickest of them, at a time when had most provoked them: This shows beyond doubt, That all his fear of Tumults, was but a mere pretence, and occasions taken for his resolved Absence from the Parliament, that he might turn his slashing at the Court Gate, to slaughtering in the Field. In order thereunto, the King retires first to Hampton Court, commanding his Servants, who were then Members of Parliament, to leave their service there, and to give their Attendance upon his Person. Soon after, his Popish Queen passes into Holland, carrying with her, all, or the the greatest part of the Crown Jewels, which she immediately Pawned, and with the Money bought Arms and Ammunition for the War which was not yet begun.  
Upon the 1st. of March, 1641. Both Houses called upon His Majesty, by their Petition presented at Theobalds'; That for the Dispatch of the great Affairs of the Kingdom, the safety of his Person, the Protection and Comfort of his Subjects, he would be pleased to continue his abode, near the Parliament, and not to withdraw himself to any of the remoter Parts, which if he should do, must needs be a cause of great danger and distraction; and they prayed him to accept this humble Counsel, as the Effect of that Duty and Allegiance which they owed unto him, and which would not suffer them to admit of any thoughts, intentions, or endeavours, but such as were necessary and advantageous for His Majesty's Greatness and Honour, and the Safety and Prosperity of the Kingdom. These are Expressions surely, that did not in the least savour of that Sedition and Rebellion, with which our wicked Clergymen, charge the Memory of this Great and Noble Parliament.  
The King willingly giving himself up to the Conduct of Evil Counsellors, was deaf to the importunate supplication of the Lords and Commons for his Return; they therefore called again upon him more earnestly, and sent after him a Declaration to Newmarket, by the Earls of Pembroke and Holland, and a Committee of the Commons, wherein they laid before him the Causes of their own Fears and Jealousies, in these particulars:  
1. That the design of altering Religion, had been potently carried on, by those in greatest Authority about him; the Queen's Agent at Rome, the Pope's Nuncio here, are not only Evidences of this Design, but have been great Actors in it.  
2. That the War with Scotland, was procured to make way for this Intent, and chief fomented by the Papists, and others Popishly affected, whereof we have many Evidences.  
3. That the Rebellion in Ireland, was framed and contrived here in England; and that the English Papists should have risen about the same time: We have several Testimonies, etc. The Irish Rebels affirm, That they do nothing but by Authority from the King; they call themselves the Queen's Army; the Booty which they take from the English, they mark with the Queen's mark, and it is proved, that their purpose was to come to England, after they had done in Ireland.  
4. The labouring to infuse into Your Majesty's Subjects an evil Opinion of the Parliament, and other Symptons' of a disposition of raising Arms, and dividing your People by a Civil War, in which Combustion, Ireland must needs be lost, and this Kingdom miserably wasted and consumed, if not wholly ruined and destroyed.  
5. That Your Majesty sent away the Lord Digby by your own Warrant beyond Sea, after a Vote had passed in the House of Commons, Declaring, That he had appeared in a Warlike manner at Kingston upon Thames, to the terror of your Majesty's good Subjects; that he being so got beyond Sea, he vented his traitorous Conceptions, that Your Majesty should declare yourself, and retire to a place of Strength, and intimated some service which he might do in those parts, whereby, in probability, he intended the procuring of some Foreign Force to strengthen Your Majesty, in that Condition into which he would have brought you; which malicious Counsel, we have great cause to doubt, made too deep an Impression in Your Majesty, considering the course you are pleased to take, of absenting yourself from that Parliament, and carrying the Prince with you, which seems to express a purpose in Your Majesty to keep yourself in a readiness for the Acting of it.  
6. The manifold Advertisements which we have had from Rome, Venice, Paris, and other parts, That they still expect that Your Majesty has some great design in hand, for the altering of Religion, the breaking the Neck of your Parliament, and that you will yet find means to compass that design; that the Pope's Nuncio hath solicited the Kings of France and Spain to lend Your Majesty 4000 Men a piece, to help to maintain your Royalty against the Parliament.  
These are some of the grounds of our Fears and Jealousies, which made us so earnestly to implore your Royal Authority and Protection for our Defence, and security, in all the ways of Humility and Submission, which being denied by Your Majesty, We do with sorrow apply ourselves to the use of that Power [viz. the Militia] which by the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom, resides in us; yet still resolving to keep ourselves within the Bounds of Faithfulness, and Allegiance to your Sacred Person and your Crown.  
And as to the Fears and Jealousies which His Majesty seemed to have Entertained of them.  
The Lords and Commons thus Answered.  
We have according to Your Majesty's desires, laid our hands upon our Hearts; we have asked ourselves in the strictest Examination of our Consciences; we have searched our Affections, our Thoughts; considered our Actions, and can find none that can give Your Majesty any just Occasion to absent yourself from White-Hall, and the Parliament; but that you may with more Honour and Safety continue there, than in any other place.  
Your Majesty lays a great Charge upon Us; if you will graciously be pleased to let us know the Particulars, we shall give a clear and satisfactory Answer: But what hope can we have of ever giving Your Majesty satisfaction, when those particulars which you have been made believe were true, yet being produced and made known to us, appeared to be false; and Your Majesty notwithstanding, will neither Punish, nor Produce the Authors: But go on to contract new Jealousies and Fears, upon general and uncertain Grounds, affording Us no means or possibility of particular Answer, to the clearing of ourselves. We beseech Your Majesty to consider in what state you are, how easy and fair a way You have to Happiness, Honour, and Greatness, Plenty and Security, if you will join with the Parliament in the Defence of the Religion, and public good of the Kingdom; this is all we expect from you. And for this we return to you, our Lives, Fortunes, and utmost Endeavours to support Your Majesty, Your just Power and Sovereignty over us; but it is not Words that can secure us in these our humble Desires. We cannot, but too well and sorrowfully remember, what Gracious Messages we had from You this Summer, when with your Privity, the bringing up the Army was in Agitation: We cannot but with the like Affections recall to our Minds, how, not two days before your own coming to the Commons House, You sent a Gracious Message, that You would always have a care of their Privileges, as of your own Prerogative; of the safety of their Persons, as of your own Children: That which we expect, which will give us Assurance, that you have no thought but of Peace and Justice to your People, must be some real effect of your Goodness to them, in granting those things which your present necessity of the Kingdom do enforce us to desire; and that you will be Graciously pleased to put from you those Mischievous Counsellors, which have caused all these Dangers and Distractions, and to continue your own Residence and the Princes, near London and the Parliament, which we hope will be an happy beginning of Contentment and Confidence betwixt Your Majesty and People, and be followed with many succeeding Blessings of Honour and Greatness to Your Majesty, and of Security and Prosperity to them. These are brief Heads of the Declaration, to which the King Answered: Have I violated your Laws? To which both Houses made this pertinent Reply. We are hearty sorry We have such plentiful Matter of an Answer to that Question, Have I violated your Laws?  
I must also take Notice, that in the beginning of the Year, 1642. a time when the King was in appearance transacting matters amicably with the two Houses, and we seemed to be in a deep Peace; a time when he Declared, That he had received no other Carriage from his Parliament, than what he professed himself satisfied with; and that if the Bills he had past, were again to be offered, he should cheerfully and readily Assent unto them. Even then, he dispatched away Letters, and an Agent to the King of Denmark, complaing of the Parliament, and ask Supplies from thence, AD PROPUL SANDOS HOSTS, you know the English of that is, to Subdue his Enemies, and declared himself in these Words; Ad allia Consilia Animum Convertendum Duximus: We resolve to betake ourselves to new Counsels. The very Words he used to that Parliament in the Year, 1628.  
Further, upon the discovery of his Plot to bring up the English Army against the Parliament, he turned to the Scottish Army then at New Castle, and baited his Temptation with a rich Reward, not only to have 300000 l. in hand, and the spoil of London, but four Northern Counties to be made Scotists. Moreover, to encourage them to join with him, he Declared to them, That he was to have Money and Horse from Denmark, and that he would make York the place of his Residence, for the better accommodation of both Nations, or fuller Revenge upon London.  
He also gathered Men in London, under pretence of raising Forces for Portugal, who were to possess themselves of the Tower. The Queen in Holland was buying Arms, and His Majesty had actually raised Forces in divers Counties. The Parliament was all this time Petitioning in Peace; and for the Reasons now assigned amongst many others, They humbly besought him, that he would be pleased to put the Tower of London, and the Militia, into the Hands of such Persons, as should be recommended unto him by both Houses of Parliament. The King seemed to comply herein, and by his Answer promised them, That the Militia should be put into such Hands, as they should approve of, or recommend to him; hereupon both Houses nominated Persons of the greatest Honour, as fit for that Trust. I shall give you the Names of some of them; The Earls of Holland, Rutland, Bedford, Bullingbrook, Salisbury, Warwick, Pembroke, Leicester, Stamford, Essex, Clare, Northumberland, Lincoln, Suffolk, etc. Lords, Paget, North, Strange, Roberts, Grey of Werk, Chandois, Dacres, Mandeville, Wharton, Spencer, Brook, Herbert, Fielding, Littleton, Lord Keeper, etc. Men Eminent in all Qualifications of Honour and Sufficiency were recommended for several Counties, and the King was desired to agree thereunto, as he had promised; upon his delaying to give a satisfactory Answer, they again Petition, setting forth, That nothing could enable them to suppress the Rebellion in Ireland, and secure England, but the granting of their Humble Petition, which they find so absolutely necessary for the preservation of the King and Commonwealth, that the Laws of God and Man enjoin them to see it put in Execution. They followed him to Theobalds', and his several removes to York, but he having Abdicated the Parliament, and being deaf to all their Importunities, they declared, That there had been of late a most desperate Design upon the House of Commons, which they had just cause to believe was an effect of the Bloody Counsels of Papists, and other evil affected Persons, who had already raised a Rebellion in Ireland, and by reason of many Discoveries, They could not but fear they would proceed, not only to stir up the like Rebellion and Insurrection in this Kingdom, but also to back them with Forces from Abroad; and thereupon, both Houses made an Ordinance for the ordering of the Militia of England and Wales, there appearing an urgent and inevitable necessity for putting His Majesty's Subjects in a posture of Defence for the Safeguard of both His Majesty and his People; and they resolved, That in this Case of extreme danger, and of His Majesty's Refusal, the Ordinance agreed to by both Houses for the Militia, doth oblige the People, and aught to be obeyed by the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom. They further about that time Resolved, That the King's Absence so far remote from his Parliament, was not only an Obstruction, but might be a Destruction to the Affairs of Ireland.  
These (and many other) Reasons that may, with the greatest ease be given, 'tis notoriously manifest, That King Charles began, and carried on, that Bloody Civil War against his poor Subjects without the least Colour of Reason and Justice, for which wicked Acts, God justly suffered him to be brought to that shameful and untimely End. This King studying and endeavouring by all ways imaginable, as he lived without the Love, so he died without the Lamentation of most People, but those Villains, that had been large instruments, in bringing him, and his People, into that miserable War and Division.  
25. That after he had taken God to Witness of his readiness to Treat at Uxbridge with the Parliament for avoiding of Bloodshed (as pretended) he took the advantage of a Mist, the fittest Wether for Deceit and Treachery, and followed at the Heels, those Messengers of Peace, with a Train of Covert War, and with a Bloody surprise falls on the Parliaments secure Forces, which lay Quartering at Brentford, in the thoughts and expectation of a Treaty.  
He gives his Reason why he seemed for Peace, in a Letter to his Queen, which was, That She must know as a certain Truth, That all, even his Party, are strongly impatient for a Peace, which obliged him so much the more to show on all occasions his Intentions to Peace; but tells her, no danger of Death shall make him do any thing unworthy of her Love. An excellent Resolution no doubt, for the preserving the Protestant Religion, made to his Popish Queen.  
At the very instant of this Treaty, which was in 1644. the King used all imaginable meams to bring not only Foreign Forces, but the Irish Cut Throats, against the Parliament. To clear up this point, and also to show how insincere he was in his pretended Intentions of Peace, I will briefly present his Underhand Transactions, as well with Foreign Princes, as those Rebels; and in the first place, I shall take notice of some passages between Him and the Queen, in relation to this, and other Treaties.  
In a Letter to Her of January 9 th'. 1644. he Writes thus: The Scots Commissioners have sent to me to send a Commission to their General Assembly, Which I am resolved not to do, but to the end of making some use of this occasion, by sending an honest Man to London, and that I may have the more time for a handsome Negative, I have demanded a Passport for Phil. Warwick, by whom to return my Answer.  
At another time the same Month He tells Her, That as for my calling those a 
* He had agree to Treat with them as a Parliament, the Queen upbraided him for so doing, and he thus vindicates himself.  Parliament, if there had been but Two of my Opinion, I had not done it; the calling did no ways acknowledge them to be a Parliament, upon which condition and construction I did it, and accordingly it is registered in the Council Books.  
Nothing is more evident, than that the King was steered by the Queen's Council, in the management of this Uxbridge Treaty, and that which is called the Church of England [The Bishops] was greatly her care. By Letter in January 1644. before the beginning of that Treaty, She instructs him not to abandon those who have served him, lest they forsake him in his need; that She hopes he will have a care of her, and her Religion; that in Her Majesty's Opinion, Religion should be the last thing upon which he should Treat; for if he do agree upon strickness against the Catholics, it would discourage them to serve him, and if afterwards there should be no Peace, he could never expect succours from Ireland, or any other Catholic Prince.  
In another of her Letters, we find her writing thus: January 17. 1644. It comforts me much to see the Treaty shall be at Uxbridge.— I received Yesterday Letters from the Duke of Lorraine, who sends me word, if his service be agreeable to you, he will bring 10000 Men.— Above all, have a care not to abandon those who have served you, as well the Bishops, as the poor Catholics.  
By the King's Letters to the Queen in February, when the Treaty at Uxbridge was depending, He Styles the Parliament, Unreasonable, Stubborn, Perfidious Rebels, presses her to hasten all possible Assistance to him, particularly that of the Duke of Lorraine. He tells her, That the limited days for treating are now almost expired, without the least Agreement upon any one Article, wherefore I fend for enlargement of days, That the whole Treaty may be laid open to the whole World, and I assure thee, thou needst not doubt the Issue of this Treaty; for my Commissioners are so well chosen, (though I say it) that they will neither be Threatened nor Disputed from the Grounds I have given them, which (upon my Word) Is according to the little Note thou so well remembers.— Be confident, that in making Peace, I shall ever show my Constancy in adhering to Bishops, and all our Friends, (which could be meant of no other than the Catholics; for the Queen in her Letter before mentioned, had given him Charge of both together) and not forget to put a short Period to this perpetual Parliament.  
We find in another Letter, Dated the 5 th'. of March, expressing himself in these Words: I have thought of one means more to furnish Thee with my assistance, than hitherto thou hast had; it is, That I give Thee power to promise in my Name, that I will 
* If this were so good a King, Why so much clamour against King James the II. for designing the same thing.  take away all the Penal Laws against the Roman Catholics in England, as soon as God shall enable me to do it.  
In relation to Ireland, he wrote to the Marquis of Ormond to this Effect, Jan. 7.  
The Rebels here have agreed to Treat, and most assuredly one of the first and chiefest Articles they will insist on, will be, To continue the Irish War, which is a Point not popular for me to break on, of which you are to make a double use; First, To hasten with all possible diligence the Peace there, the timely conclusion of which will take off that Inconvenience, which otherwise I may be subject to, by the Refufal of that Article upon any other Reason; Secondly, By dexterous conveying to the Irish, the danger there may be of their Total Exclusion from those Favours I intent them, in case the Rebels here clap up a Peace.  
Not doubting of a Peace, I must again remember you, to press the Irish for their speedy Assistance to Me here, and their Friends in Scotland.— I desire that the Irish would send as great a Body as they can, to Land about Cumberland, which will put those Northern Counties in a brave Condition.  
Upon the 14 th'. January, he Writes thus to the Queen: As for the Peace of Ireland, to show Thee the Care I have had of it, and Fruits I hope to receive from it, I have sent Thee the last Dispatches, I have sent concerning it.— For God's sake, let none know the particulars of my Dispatches. [Some secret piece of Villainy against his Protestant Subjects no Doubt, that he was so afraid of having it Discovered.]  
Another Letter to Her of the 20 th'. of March, hath this Expression: I find that thou much mistakes me concerning Ireland, I desire nothing more than a Peace there, and ever forbidden thy Commerce there.  
By another Lettter, he commanded Ormond to Dispatch the Irish Peace out of hand, and thereby promises, that the Penal Laws, against the Roman Catholics, Shall not be put in Execution: The Peace being made, and that when the Irish give him that Assistance which they have promised for the suppression of this Rebellion, than he would consent to the Repeal of them by a Law; and Concludes, Recommending to him again, the speedy dispatch of the Peace of Ireland.  
Another Letter to Ormond, upon the 27 th'. of February 1644. was, That he thought himself bound in Conscience, not to lose that assistance which he might hope from his Irish Subjects, for such scruples as in a less pressing condition might reasonably be struck at by him, and therefore Commanded him to conclude a Peace with the Irish whatever it cost; so that his Protestant Subjects there might be secured, and his Regal Authority preserved.— If the present taking away the Penal Laws against Papists will do it (said he) I shall not think it a hard Bargin, so that freely and vigorously they engage themselves in my Assistance against my Rebels of England and Scotland, for which no Conditions can be too hard, not being against Conscience or Honour.  
By another Letter to the Marquis of Ormond, in the same Month, he Writes thus: Now again, I cannot but mention the necessity of hastening the Irish Peace, for which, I hope, you are already furnished by Me, with Materials sufficient. But in case (against all Expectation and Reason) Peace cannot be had upon those Terms, you must not by any means fall to a New Rupture with them, but continue the Cessation.  

⸫ There was at this time high Division in London, between the Presbyterians and Independants; therefore to ruin both, by fomenting misunderstandings between them, the Independants are to be Cajoled; a thing worthy remembrance in all times.  He wrote to the Duke of Richmond, one of his Commissioners for the Uxbridge Treaty, To remember to Cajole well the Independants and the Scots; nay, he instructed Secretary Nicholas to bribe the Commissioners for the Parliament, with the promise of Security, Rewards and Places.  
Now upon the whole matter, let any impartial and  Person tell me, whether he doth not in his Conscience believe, that the Parliament were far more sincere in making an Honourable Peace for poor England, than this apparently, False, Popish, and tricking King, whom the wicked part of Mankind so madly cry up for a Martyr.  
26. That for many Reasons it was concluded, That King Charles had no small share in the abominable Act of Poisoning his own Father, King James I. and that Good Man, Prince Henry, his Son. It being very plain, divers Parliaments were but short lived; if they did but mutter, that an Enquiry should be made of their untimely Ends, and that the Duke of Buckingham was protected for that, and other Villainies.  
And that I may Demonstrate to the World more fully than I have already done in the 6 th'. Articles, That King Charles I. did most Dishonourably and Perfidiously Betray the poor Protestants of the Isle of Rhee and Rochel. I shall produce Copies of two of his Letters to them.  

LETTER I.  
The King of England's Letter, Directed to the Mayor, Sheriffs, Peers, Burghers, and Inhabitants of the City of Rochel, dated 19 th'. of May, Old Style 1628.  
Gentlemen,  
BE not Discomforted, though my Fleet be returned, hold out unto the last, for I am resolved, that all my Fleet shall Perish, rather than you shall not be Relieved, and to this end I have Countermanded it, and have sent Ships to make them change their Design, that they had taken to come back: I shall shortly send you some number of Ships to reinforce it, and with the help of God, the Success will be happy for that Deliverance.  
Your Good Friend, CHARLES R.   
And on the 21st. in the Morning, there came to Rochel from England, a Soldier bringing another Letter from the King, Dated 27 th'. of May Old Style, sealed with the Arms of England, which was as followeth:  

Gentlemen,  
I Have been troubled to here that my Fleet was upon the Point of Returning, without Answering my Commands, which were to force the Entry of your Provisions, whatever came of it, and have given it new Orders to Return into your Road, and not stir until it hath relieved you with Victuals, or that I have sent them an Additional strength, for which I have caused Men to work with all Diligence; Be assured that I will never Abandon you, and that I will employ all the Force of my Kingdom for your Deliverance, until it please God to bless Me with giving you an assured Peace.  
Given at Our Palace at Westm. May 27, 1628. Old Style. GENTLEMEN, Your Good Friend, CHARLES R.   
Whosoever shall carefully Read, and Consider these two Letters, and the Solemn Declarations there, and observe how contrary to his Royal Word, he Sacrificed these Poor Protestants, will have cause to harbour the worst of thoughts of this King, and to blush at the horrid Impudence and Impiety of those Wicked Wretches, that would make a Saint and a Martyr of him. And to demonstrate this Treachery, I shall incert a Copy of the Remonstrance made by one of the Deputies of the City of Rochel, because it will very much illustrate the Subject, and be as an Eternal mark of Infamy to the Memory of that Prince, and deserves to be Engraven on Brass, and Wrote on Marble, that so the Remembrance of it may never be lost; it is as followeth.  

A Copy of the Remonstrance of the Sieur Vincent, to the King of Great Britain, drawn out of his own Journals.  
SIR,  
THE Grief which obliges us to fill the Ears of Your Majesty with our Cries, and to Reiterate them so often, aught to be extreme to the last Degree. Behold us now, Sir, prostrate at your Feet, to Wash them with our Tears, and God Almighty Grant, that we do not in a little time, come to Sigh out our last Breath, with the News of the Desolation of our City. We know not how, Sir, to conceal it from You, the Sense we have of Her being at Her last Gasp, puts us into Despair; seeing the Succours which Your Majesty hath made us hope would be ready, hath been deferred from day to day for many Weeks together.  
SIR, the City of Rochel did by us beg of You, with all the Humility they were capable of Expressing, to receive them into your Protection, and You as Solemnly agreed to it; since they have had at divers times, all the Assurances possible, as well from your own Month, as under the Hand of Your Majesty, that you would never abandon them: Whereupon by a Miracle of Constancy, they have held our hitherto firm a whole Year, contending with the Horrors of a most ghastly Famine, that thereby they might give Your Majesty, full leisure to send them the Succours You were graciously pleased to promise them; and thus constant and unshaken were they, even when all Europe, believed they ought to have despaired, in that after they had Relief, as they thought several days in their sight, it returned without effecting, or attempting any thing. And though our Enemies have from thence taken occasion to make them divers Overtures of Accommodation, which their extreme Necessities seemed to Counsel them to hearken unto; yet they chose rather to run the Hazzard of their utter Destruction, then to be wanting in the least to the Promises we had Sworn for them to Your Majesty, or to show they had the least Diffidence of your Protection.  
After all this, Sir, shall it be Recorded in the History of Your Reign; That they perished in your Hands without having reaped any other Fruit of the Good Will Your Majesty hath professed towards them, and of the Assurance they have therein relied upon; then the rendering them irrecountable to their King, from whom otherwise they might have hoped to have found Grace and Favour!  
Pardon, Sir, this, from a People who see themselves upon the very Threshold of their Sepulchers, if they cannot avoid Sighs which may seem undecent in your Royal Presence. It is common for those that are near their End, to finish their Lives with Groans. In the Name of God, Sir, so long as there remains any Breath in us, and before we do quite Expire, command your Succours to hasten to our Assistance; provided that diligence be yet used, we will remain Caution to Your Majesty with the Peril of our Heads, that they will arrive time enough to save us. As to the Impossibilities that some may be willing to find in it, permit us to tell You freely, Sir, That those are only founded, either in their fear, or their very little Affection for us; and that besides the Report which some Persons unsuspected, have made to Your Majesty, we beseech You, be You judge, whether our City, which is within fight of the Digne and Pallisade, and carriage of her Cannon, would send time after time to implore Your Assistance, if they thought it would be unprofitable to them, and if having every day offers of Capitulation upon advantageous Conditions, if they would hearken to it for themselves alone, they would be so imprudent to neglect the opportunity. But we are ready if it shall please Your Majesty to permit it, to take upon us the first Risks and Hazards of the Execution, to the end that we may be justified to all the World in the sincerity of our Proceeding; and that it may not be imputed to us, that we are prodigal of the Blood of Your Majesty's Subjects to ill purpose, to be sparing of our own: No, Sir, there is no such impossibility as what some would pretend.  
The only Cause of our Fears, comes from the slowness and continual neglects from one Day to another, and one Week to another, which makes our hopes Recoil. After the Return of your Fleet, we comforted ourselves with the Promise that was made us by Your Majesty, That it should departed again within fifteen days; but when after twenty were passed, there were added fourteen more to them: And after that, we found divers other neglectful Disappointments, that have now taken up two Months complete; Good God, Sir, How long has that time seemed to those miserable Wretches that have not Bread! We know very well the good Inclinations Your Majesty hath for our Weal; as also we have had most certain Proofs of the Duke of Buckingham, your high Admiral, his passionate applying himself for us, as also the same of the Lords of your Council; but shall we not be excusable, if seeing the Effects thereof crossed, by all these Delays? We entertain Jealousies, that Your Majesty is not well served, and that there is some secret Hand, which clandestingly obstructs, that which the Zeal of others endeavours to advance. It is ordinary for Men in misery to be suspicious, and possibly here we are not injuriously so; indeed we do not know any Person on whom to determine our Diffidence, nor have we any intention to call to mind any thing that is past; may that, Sir, remain buried in Eternal Oblivion, and for the future at least, let those to whom Your Majesty shall give your Commands, answer so well your kindness to us, with their Affection and Diligence, that without any farther delay, your Fleet may put to Sea, and deliver us yet out of the Cruel Arms 〈◊〉 Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉  
If, Sir, upon this occasion, you will please to Discern those who serve you Faithfully, from other Men (if there be any such) let Your Majesty be pleased to hold it indubitable, that all those who under any pretext whatsoever, shall Counsel the least Delay, do it from an ill Intention, there being none can pretend ignorance of the dreadful Necessities to which our City is reduced, and that one single days delay more, may be the cause of its ruin. Have therefore some consideration of it, we beseech You, by the Tears and pitiful Cries of more than Twelve Thousand poor languishing Souls, whom Hunger devours, and who are all ready to Perish, by the Interest of above a Million of others, who without doubt will see themselves Buried under our Ruins, and who will find the Knife at their Throats, the very next day after we are lost.  
By the Glory of your Sceptre, under the Sanctuary of which we are come to put ourselves, and which it hath pleased you to tender us for our Security; by the Magnificent Title of Defender of the Faith, which obligeth Your Majesty to relieve those that are Oppressed for that very Reason; in short, by the Faith and Word of a King, which it hath pleased You of your Grace to Engage us, permit not, Sir, our Innocent Blood to reflect upon your Crown, to slain it to Ages that shall succeed us, and at present to cry against Your Majesty before God and Man.  
This is that, Sir, which our Consciences, and the Duty we own to our Afflicted Fellow Citizens, oblige us to come and represent a new to Your Majesty, in whose Charity, Magnanimity, Piety, and inviolable Fidelity, we hawe such Confidence, That we assure ourselves, God will take this in good part, and in convenient Consideration: And since that all our Supplications tend to make You be pleased, to cause your Fleet to set Sail with all possible Diligence, and to afford your Presence at Portsmouth, where it is so absolutely necessary, that without it, we can scarce hope for any success.  
We therefore do in all Humility supplicate Your Majesty, immediately to put in Execution the Resolution you have taken of going thither; and here, Sir, we fall upon our Knees before Your Majesty, with most Ardent Prayer to God, that it will please him to make us find more and more Favour in your Sight, that even we, who now Supplicate You, may come again to render to You, our most humble and grateful Acknowledgements, as to our Great Deliverer, from whom, next to God, we shall hold our Estates, Honours and Lives, and the memory of so signal a Deliverance, we may leave to our Children, to the end that they may Celebrate it after us.  
Yet, all these Sufferings, and the lamentable Estate of the Rochellers, nor the sad and pressing Remonstrance of their Deputies (enough to melt the Heart of any One, but a Cruel faithless Tyrant) were Efficatious enough to oblige that Wicked Court, to let this third Fleet set sail before September following, under the Command of the Earl of Lindsey, who arrived before Rochel towards the latter end of the said Month; but instead of succouring the City, breaking the Digue, and opening the Passage, to get in Provisions, which the King had made them to expect, and which they had already almost swallowed in their hopes. That Commander had set on Shore the Lord Montague, (unknown to the Deputies that were on Board, and to the Duke of Soubize) who went strait to the French King's Camp, where after some Conferences with the Cardinal, with whom (as was then reported) he had concerted the Delivery of the City to the King, which was very far from giving it any Succour. He went Post for England, to give an Account of it to his Master. After the English Fleet had been a Month in the Road without doing any thing, and without sending the Besieged Army any manner of Victuals, which were on Board: Then the poor Rochellers, who were not able to hold out no longer, saw plainly how they were Abused and Betrayed; so hereupon they resolved (no more to expect the Illusory Succours of the English, and the vain Hopes of assistance from them, to deliver up the City; and whilst the Lord Montague was going for England, and to return to the French King with the Effects of his Negotiation, they resolve to throw themselves into the Arms of the King, their Sovereign, in hopes after all, by their Repentance for their so long Obstinancy, to obtain his Grace and Favour.  
And about the end of October, their Agreement was made among themselves, and Signed: And the first of November, the King made Entrance into Rochel, where he found the Inhabitants more like Skeletons, than Men and Women. And this King had more compassion than the hardhearted Oppressor of England, for he was so sensibly touched with that sad Sight, that he could not refrain letting fall some Tears.  
On the 5th. of November, the English Fleet, after having been a Month and six days in the Road, and seen from thence the Reductien of Rochel to the Obedience of the King, set sail, carrying a long with them a great party of French, as well as Victuals, they had brought from England.  
27. That was an Exorbitant and Outrageous T— upon the People of Scotland, as appears in many particulars; to recount some of them Briefly,  
1. In overturning their Church Government, Established by many Acts of Parliament, and obtruding upon them Laud's Liturgy, and Popish Ceremonies, after that wicked Bishop had sent his Liturgy to Rome to be approved there.  
2. In denying them (the undoubted Right of all Subjects) to Petition for Redress of their Grievances.  
3. In dissolving their Synod and Parliament, Burning the Pacification made with them, by the Hangman's hands; and Imprisoning the Lord's sent by them, to Petitiom him to perform his Solemn Promises, and Redress their Grievances.  
4. In levying Doctrines against them, and raising a Civil War, to justify himself in the Violation of their Laws. A Civil War it was, said the Great Lord Digby, seeing we are of the same Religion, and under the same King. And  
5. In attempting to make use of the Love and Affection of the English, to Enslave and Ruin the Scotish Nation.  
It is not improper here to observe.  
1. That the Scotish Covenant was not a new Invention or Innovation, but Established by the Law of Scotland, and taken by King James the First, seventy Years before King Charles the Second took it.  
2. That Bishops and Clergymen in Conjunction with Papists, abetted and assisted this T— in the violation of the Laws, when the Bulk of the Nobility, Gentry, and People of England, appeared undauntedly in Defence of the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom.  
3. That Popery hath greatly spread in Scotland ever since Laud's Superstition was introduced here, the Number of Papists not exceeding 600. And therefore Presbetery being now restored by a Law, it may be reasonably hoped, that it will reduce many who have been deluded into that Idolatry.  
4. That Princes are not always to trust to the Insinuations and Suggestions of Scotish Bishops; seeing that when they instigated King Charles I. to Dissolve the Synod and Parliament, he was seduced by them into a belief. That the Scotish Covenanteers were a contemptible Number, and their Party in Scotland was sufficient to deal with them.  
5. That the Scots were not Rebels in taking Arms to Assert their Rights, and Vindicate the Laws and Liberties of their Country.  
That the horrid Imposition of Laud's Popish Liturgy, did occasion the Troubles of Scotland, is very manifest from Dr. Burnet's (now Bishop of Salisbury) his Memoirs of Duke Hamilton, for he saith, Page 30. The Liturgy had some Alterations from the English, which made it more Invidious and less Satisfactory.— The Imposing it, really varied from their former Practices and Constitutions.— Pag. 33. The Lords Petitioned, complaining against the Liturgy, and Book of Canons; offering under the highest Penalties, to prove they contained things both contrary to Religion, and the Laws of the Land, pag. 36. The Earls of Traquaire and Roxbourgh, by Letter to the King, advised him to secure the People of that which they so much apprehended, the fear of Innovation of Religion, saying, that they found few or none well satisfied, pag. 33. The Earl of Traquaire went to Court, and gave Account, that all the Troubles were occasioned by introducing the Liturgy; with which, scarce a Member of Council (except Bishops) was well satisfied: Neither were all these Cardinals for it, for the Archbishop of St. Andrews, from the beginning, had withstood these Designs, and the Archbishop of Glascoe, was worse pleased.  
Their Commissioners in their Charge against Laud, exhibited to the Parliament of England, 1641. say, pag. 11. etc. This Book inverteth the Order of the Communion in the Book of England, of the divers secret Reasons of this Change, we mention one only: In joining the Spiritual Praise and Thanksgiving, which is in the Book of England, pertinently after the Communion, with the Prayer of Consecration before the Communion; and that under the Name of Memorial or Oblation, for no other ends, but that the Memorial and Sacrifice of Praise, mentioned in it, may be understood according to the Popish meaning; Bellarmin de Missa. Lib. 2. Chap. 21. not of the Spiritual Sacrifice, but of the Oblation of the Body of the Lord.  
The Corporal Presence of Christ's Body, is also to be found here; for the Words of the Mass-Book, serving to this purpose, which are not to be found in the Book of England, are taken in here: Almighty God is inca●…'d; That of his Almighty Goodness, he may vouchsafe so to Bless and sanctify with his Word and Spirit, these Gifts of Bread and Wine, that they be unto us the Body and Blood of Christ.— On the one part, the Expressions of the Book of England, at the delivery of the Elements: Of feeding on Christ by Faith, and of Eating and Drinking in Remembrance, that Christ died for thee, are utterly Deleted.  
To prove that Laud did send this Liturgy to Rome to be approved of; Read a Book of Good Credit, Entitled, New Survey of the West Indies, Wrote by a Reverend Divine of the Church of England, Mr. Thomas Gage, Minister of Deal in Kent, 'tis in pag. 280. in the Folio Edition; He there tells you, That being a Friar, he went to Rome with Letters of Recommendation to Cardinal Barbarini, the Pope's Nephew, Entitled, The Protector of England: That coming acquainted with Father Fitzherbert, of the English College of Jesuits, he highly praised Archbishop Laud, and said, That he not long since sent a Common Prayer Book (which he had composed for the Church of Scotland) to be first viewed and approved by the Pope and Cardinals; and, That they liked it very well for Protestants to be Trained up in a Form of Prayer and Service; yet the Cardinals (first giving him thanks for his Respect) sent him word that they thought it was not fitting for Scotland; that Father Fitzherbert told him, he was Witness of all, this being sent for by the Cardinal to give him his Opinion about it, and of the Temper of the Scots. And that Laud hearing the Censure of the Cardinals, concerning his Intention and Form of Prayer, to ingratiate himself the more in their Favour, Corrected some things in it, and made it more harsh and unreasonable for that Nation.  
This Good Man, Mr. Gage, after he had here related the matter as above, expresses himself thus: This most True Relation of Archbishop Laud, I have oft spoke of in private Discourse, and publicly in Preaching; and I could not in Conscience omit it here, both to vindicate the just Censure of Death, whi●h the Parliament gave against him, and to reprove the ungrounded Opinion and Error of some Ignorant Spirits, who have since his Death, highly exalted and cried him up as a Martyr.  
'Tis worthy of Notice, that these Passages (making Laud to appear a great Villain) were by the means of Priest Craft left out of the Impression in Octavo.  
Something like this of Mr. Gage, may be found in Bishop Burnet's Memoirs of Duke Hamilton, fol. 83. he relates, That in the Year 1638. one Abernethy, who from a Jesuit, turned a zealous Presbyterian, spread a story in Scotland which took wonderfully, of the Liturgy of that Kingdom, being sent to Rome to some Cardinals to be Revised by them; and that Signior Con, (the Pope's Nuncio to the Court of England) had showed it to Abernethy at Rome, and though Con denied it afterwards, as is pretended, yet it doth not follow that what Abernethy asserts, was false, for it is well known, that Con being a Jesuit, might Lie for the Holy Church.  
If I had time, and that this Book would not be too large, I could produce very many more instances of King Charles his Tyrannical Oppressing his Subjects of England, Scotland and Ireland. I shall end this Melancholy Story with the Heads of the many Articles of Misgovernment of that Prince, viz.  
His taking Buckingham, Laud, and many more Evil Counsellors into the highest Favour, and being Governed by them.  
His Popish Match, and Private Articles, in favour of Popery.  
His receiving a Letter from the Pope, and sending him an Answer, calling him most Holy Father, etc.  
His Pardoning 20 Popish Priests, etc. pursuant to the Private Articles of Marriage.  
His most unchristian like Betraying the Isle of Rhee and Rochel, a sad Story.  
His plucking up the Root of all Property, by taking the People's Goods against their Wills, and their Liberties against Law.  
His giving Commissions to Try and Execute his Subject by Martial Law.  
His Raising Money by Loans against Law.  
His requiring London, and other places, to set out Ships for him at their own Charge.  
His Billotting Soldiers (many of which were Papists) on his poor Subjects.  
His giving Commissions to several Lords to raise Money by way of Excise.  
His ordering his Treasurer to pay 30000 l. to buy a large number of Germane Horse, with Arms, both for Horse and Foot, to be brought to England against the Parliament.  
His causing Mr. Chambars, a Merchant, to be fined 2000 l. for complaining of the hard Usage the Merchants of England had.  
His oppressing, and Imprisoning all Ranks and Orders of Men Unjustly.  
His threatening the House of Commons, if they would not give Money.  
His shameful betraying the Palatinate, and keeping the Charity of England from them.  
His having, without doubt, a great Hand in the wicked Irish Rebellion.  
His large Demonstration of his Piety, by ordering a Declaration of Sports on the Lord's Day.  
His giving Wicked, Arbitrary, and Tyrannical Orders, Instructions and Commissions to the Earl of Strafford, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and endeavoured to save him from the Parliaments Just and necessary Prosecution.  
His suffering the Bishops, Gauden and Duppa, to compose a lying Book, called, Eicon Basilice, and to put it out in his Name, the better to justify his evil Actions against his People.  
His causing the Star-Chamber and High Commission Courts to be made use of, to the great Grievance of the People of England.  
His falsely charging with Treason, and unjustly imprisoning the Lord Mandevil, Mr. Hollis, Mr. Strode, and many others, and would produce no Witness against them.  
His Tempting and Encouraging his English and Irish Armies to come and Destroy the Parliament.  
His dealing most Basely and Treacherously with the Parliament whilst Treating at Uxbridge.  
His having a hand in the untimely Deaths of King James the First, and Prince Henry.  
His being an Exorbitant and Outrageous Tyrant upon the People of England.    

Murder will Out: OR, THE KING'S LETTER, JUSTIFYING THE MARQUIS of ANTRIM, And declaring, That what he did in the Irish Rebellion, was by Direction from his Royal Father and Mother, and for the Service of the Crown.  
Be astonished, O ye Heavens, at this, and be ye horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord,  Jer. 2. 12. 
For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, nor any thing hid which shall not be known, or come abroad,  Mat. 10. 26. 
London, Printed 1698.   

IRELAND, Aug. 22 d. 1663. Ever Honoured Sir,  
LAST Thursday we came to Trial with my Lord Marquis of Antrim, but according to my Fears (which you always surmised to be in vain) he was by the King's Extraordinary, and Peremptory LETTER of Favour, restored to his Estate, as an Innocent Papist. We proved Eight Qualifications in the Act of Settlement against him, the least of which made him uncapable of being restored as Innocent. We proved, 

1. That he was to have a hand in surprising the Castle of Dublin, in the Year, 1641.  
2. That he was of the Rebel's party before the 15th. of September, 1643. which we made appear by his hourly and frequent intercourse with Renny O Moor, and many others; being himself the most notorious of the said Rebels.  
3. That he entered into the Roman Catholic Confederacy before the Peace in 1643.  
4. That he constantly adheard to the Nunctio's Party, in opposition to His Majesty's Authority.  
5. That he sat from time to time in the Supreme Council of Kilkenny.  
6. That he signed that execrable Oath of Association.  
7. That he was Commissionated, and acted as Lieutenant General, from the said Assembly at Kilkenny.  
8. That he declared by several Letters of his own Penning, himself in Conjunction with Owen Ro Oneale, and a constant Opposer to the several Peace's, made by the Lord Leiutenant with the Irish.    
We were seven Hours by the Clock in proving our Evidence against him, but at last the King's Letter being opened, and read in Court, Rainsford, one of the Commissioners, to us, That the King's Letter on his behalf was Evidence without Exception, and thereupon declared him to be an Innocent Papist.  
This Cause (Sir) hath (though many Reflections have passed upon the Commissioners before) more startled the judgements of all Men, than all the Trials since the beginning of their sitting; and it is very strange and wonderful to all of the Long Robe, that the King should give such a Letter, having divested himself of that Authority, and reposed the Trust in the Commissioners for that Purpose: And likewise it is admired, that the Commissioners having taken solmn Oaths, To execute nothing but according to, and in pursuance of the Act of Settlement, should, barely upon His Majesty's Letter, declare the Marquis Innocent.  
To be short, there never was so great a Rebel, that had so much favour from so good a King: And it is very evident to me, though young, and scarce yet brought upon the Stage, that the consequence of these things will be very bad; and if God of his extraordinary Mercy do not prevent it, War, and (if possible) greater Judgements, cannot be far from us; where Vice is Patronised, and Antrim, a Rebel upon Record, and so lately and clearly proved one, should have no other colour for his Actions but the King's own Letter; which takes all Imputations from Antrim, and lays them totally upon his own Father.  
Sir, I shall by the next, if possible, send you over one of our Briefs against my Lord, by some Friend: It's too large for a Packet, it being no less in bulk than a Book of Martyrs. I have no more at present, but refer you to the King's Letter, hereto annexed.  
CHARLES R. RIght Trusty and wellbeloved Cousins and Counsellors, etc. We greet you well.  
How far We have been from interposing on the behalf of any of Our Irish Subjects, who by their miscarriages in the late Rebellion in that Kingdom of Ireland, had made themselves unworthy of Our Grace and Protection, is notorious to all Men, and We were so jealous in that particular, that shortly after Our return into this Our Kingdom, when the Marquis of Antrim came thither to present his duty to Us, upon the Information We received from those Persons who then attended Us, by a Deputation from Our Kingdom of Ireland, or from those who at that time owned our Authority there, that the Marquis of Antrim had so mis-behaved himself towards Us, and Our late Royal Father of Blessed Memory, that he was in no degree worthy of the least Countenance from Us, and that they had manifest and unquestionable Evidence of such his Gild. Whereupon We refused to admit the said Marquis so much as into Our Presence, but on the contrary committed him Prisoner to our Tower of London; where after he had continued several Months under a strict restraint, upon the continued Information of the said Persons, We sent him into Ireland, without interposing the least on his behalf, but left him to undergo such a Trial and Punishment, as by the Justice of that Our Kingdom should be found due to his Crime, expecting still that some heinous Matter would be objected and proved against him, to make him uncapable, and to deprive him of that Favour and Protection from Us, which we knew his former Actions and Services had merited. After many Month's attendance there, and (We presume) after such Examinations as were requisite, he was at last dismissed, without any Censure, and without any transmission of Charge against him to Us, and with a Licence to transport himself into this Kingdom. We concluded that it was then time to give him some instance of Our Favour, and to remember the many Services he had done, and the Sufferings he had undergone, for his Affections and Fidelity to Our Royal Father, and Ourselves; and that it was time to redeem him from those Calamities, which yet do lie as heavy upon him since, as before Our happy Return: And thereupon We recommend him to you Our Lieutenant, that you should move Our Council there, for preparing a Bill to be transmitted to Us, for the Re-investing him the said Marquis, into the Possession of his Estate in that Our Kingdom, as had been done in some other Cases. To which Letter, you Our said Lieutenant returned Us answer, That you had informed Our Council of that Our Letter, and that you were upon consideration thereof, unanimously of Opinion, that such a Bill ought not to be transmitted to Us, the reason whereof would forthwith be presented to Us from Our Council. After which time We received the enclosed Petition from the said Marquis, which We referred to the considerations and examinations of the Lords of Our Privy Council, whose Names are mentioned in that Our Reference, which is annexed to the said Petition, who thereupon met together, and after having heard the Marquis of Antrim, did not think fit to make any Report to Us, till they might see and understand the Reasons which induced you not to transmit the Bill We had proposed, which Letter was not then come to Our Hands: After which time We have received your Letter of the 18 th'. of March, together with several Petitions which had been presented to you, as well from the Old Soldiers and Adventurers, as from the Lady Marchioness of Antrim, all which We likewise transmitted to the Lords Referees. Upon a second Petition presented to Us by the Lord Marquis, which is here likewise enclosed, commanding Our said Referees to take the same into their serious consideration, and to hear what the Petitioner had to offer in his own Vindication, and to report the whole matter to Us, which upon a third Petition herein likewise enclosed, We required them to be expedite with what speed they could. By which deliberate Proceed of Ours you cannot but observe, that no importunity, how just soever, could prevail with Us to bring Ourselves to a Judgement in this Affair, without very ample Information. Our said Referees, after several Meetings, and perusal of what hath been offered to them by the said Marquis, have reported unto Us, That they have seen several Letters, all of them the hand-writing of Our Royal Father to the said Marquis, and several Instructions concerning his treating and joining with the Irish, in order to the King's Service, by reducing to their Obedience, and by drawing some Forces from them for the Service of Scotland. That besides the Letters and Orders under His Majesty's Hand, they have received sufficient Evidence and Testimony of several private Messages and Directions sent from Our Royal Father, and from Our Royal Mother, with the Privity, and with the Directions of the King, Our Father, by which they are persuaded, that whatever Intelligence, Correspondence or Actings, the said Marquis had with the Confederate Irish Catholics, was directed or allowed by the said Letters, Instructions and Directions; and that it manifestly appears to them, that the King, our Father, was well pleased with what the Marquis did, after he had done it, and approved the same.  
This being the true state of the Marquis his Case, and there being nothing proved upon the first Information against him, nor any thing contained against him in your Letter of March 18. but that you were informed, he had put in his Claim before the Commissioners appointed for executing the Act of Settlement; and that if his Innocency be such as is alleged, there is no need of transmitting such a Bill to Us as is desired; and that if he be Nocent, it consists not with with the Duty which you own to Us, to transmit such a Bill, as if it should pass into a Law, must needs draw a great Prejudice upon so many Adventurers and Soldiers, which are, as is alleged, to be therein concerned. We have considered of the Petition of the Adventurers and Soldiers, which was transmitted to Us by You; the Equity of which consists in nothing, but that they have been peaceably in Possession for the space of 7 or 8 Years, of those Lands which were formerly the State of the Marquis of Antrim, and others, who were all engaged in the late Irish Rebellion; and that they shall suffer very much and be ruined, if those Lands should be taken from them. And We have likewise considered another Petition from several Citizens of London, near 60 in Number, directed to ourselves, wherein they desire, That the Marquis his Estate may be made liable to the payment of his just Debts, that so they may not be ruined in the favour of the present Possessors, who (they say) are but a few Citizens and Soldiers, who have disbursed very small Sums thereon. Upon the whole matter, no Man can think We are less engaged by Our Declaration, and by the Act of Settlement, to protect those who are Innocent, and who have faithfully endeavoured to serve the Crown, how unfortunate soever, than to expose to Justice those who have been really and maliciously guilty. And therefore we cannot in Justice, but upon the Petition of the Marquis of Antrim, and after the serious and strict Inquisition into his Actions, declare unto you, That We do find him Innocent from any Malice or Rebellious Purpose against the Crown; and that what he did by way of Correspondence or Compliance with the Irish Rebels, was in order to the Service of Our Royal Father, and warranted by his Instructions, and the Trust reposed in him, and that the benefit thereof accrued to the Service of the Crown, and not to the particular advantage and benefit of the Marquis. And as We cannot in justice deny him this Testimony, so We require You to transmit Our Letter to Our Commissioners, that they may know Our Judgements in this Case of the Lord of Antrims, and proceed accordingly. And so We bid you hearty farewel.  
Given at Our Court at White-Hall, July 10. in the 15 th'. Year of our Reign, 1663. By His Majesty's Command, HENRY BENNET.  
Entered at the Signet-Office,  
July 13. 1663.  
To Our Right Trusty and Right entirely Wellbeloved Cousin and Counsellor, James Duke of Ormond, Our Lieutenant General and General Governor of Our Kingdom of Ireland; and to the Lords of Our Council of that Our Kingdom.   


King Charles I. his Order to the Archbishop of Canterbury, for Printing his Declaration concerning Sports on Sundays.  
CHARLES R.  
Canterbury, See that Our Declaration concerning Recreations on the Lord's Day after Evening Prayer, be Printed.   

The KING'S Majesty's Declaration to His Subjects, concerning Lawful SPORTS to be Used.  
By the KING.  
OUR Dear Father of Blessed Memory, in his return from Scotland, coming through Lancashire, found that his Subjects were debarred from Lawful Recreations upon Sundays after Evening Prayers ended, and upon Holy Days: And He prudently considered, that if these times were taken from them, the meaner sort, who labour hard all the Week, should have no Recreations at all to refresh their Spirits. And after his return, he farther saw that his Loyal Subjects in all other parts of his Kingdom did suffer in the same kind, though perhaps not in the same Degree: And did therefore, in his Princely Wisdom, Publish a Declaration to all his loving Subjects, concerning Lawful Sports to be used at such times, which was Printed and Published by his Royal Commandment, in the Year 1618. in the Tenor which hereafter Followeth.   

By the KING.  
WHereas upon Our return the last Year out of Scotland, We did publish Our Pleasure, touching the Recreations of Our People in those parts under Our Hand; for some Causes Us thereunto moving, We have thought good to Command these Our Directions then given in Lancashire, with a few Words thereunto added, and most appliable to these parts of Our Realms to be Published to all Our Subjects.  
Whereas We did justly in Our Progress through Lancashire, Rebuke some Puritans and precise People, and took order that the like unlawful Carriage should not be used by any of them hereafter, in the prohibiting and unlawful Punishing of Our Good People, for using their Lawful Recreations, and Honest Exercises upon Sundays and other holidays, after the Afternoon Sermon or Service: We now find, that two sorts of People, wherewith that Country is much infected, (We mean Papists and Puritans) have Maliciously traduced and calumniated those Our just and Honourable Proceed. And therefore, lest Our Reputation might upon the one side (though innocently) have some Aspersion laid upon it, and that upon the other part, Our Good People in that Country be misled by the mistaking and misinterpretation of Our meaning; We have therefore thought good hereby, to clear and make Our Pleasure to be manifested to all Our Good People in those parts.  
It is true, that at Our first entry to this Crown, and Kingdom, We were informed, and that too truly, that Our County of Lancashire abounded more in Popish Recusants, than any County of England, and thus hath still continued since to Our great Regret, with little amendment, save that now of late, in Our last riding through Our said County. We find both by the Report of the Judges, and of the Bishop of that Diocses, that there is some Amendment now daily beginning, which is no ●…all Contentment to Us.  
The report of this growing Amendment amongst them, made Us the more sorry, when with Our own Ears We heard the general Complaint of Our People, that they were barred from all Lawful Recreation, and Exercise upon the Sundays Afternoon, after the ending of all Divine Service, which cannot but produce two Evils: The one, the hindering of the Conversion of many, whom their Priests will take occasion hereby to vex, persuading them that no honest Mirth or Recreation is Lawful or Tolerable in Our Religion, which cannot but breed a great Discontentment in Our People's Hearts, especially of such as are peradventure upon the point of Turning. The other Inconvenience is, that this Prohibition barreth the common and meaner sort of People from using such Exercise, as may make their Bodies more able for War, when We, or Our Successors shall have occasion to use them. And in place thereof, sets up filthy Tiplings and Drunkenness, and breeds a number of idle and discontented Speeches in their Alehouses. For when shall the Common People have leave to Exercise, if not upon the Sundays and Holidays, seeing they must apply their Labour, and win their Living in all Working Days.  
Our express Pleasure therefore is, that the Laws of Our Kingdom and Cannons of Our Church, be as well observed in that County, as in all other Places of this Our Kingdom. And on the other part, that no Lawful Recreation shall be barred to Our Good People, which shall not tend to the breach of Our aforesaid Laws, and Cannons of Our Church: Which to express more particularly, Our Pleasure is, That the Bishop, and all other Inferior Churchmen, and Churchwardens, shall for their parts be careful and diligent, both to instruct the Ignorant, and Convince and Reform them that are misled in Religion, presenting them that will not Conform themselves, but obstinately stand out to Our Judges and Justices: Whom We likewise Command to put the Law in due Execution against them.  
Our Pleasure likewise is, That the Bishop of that Diocese take the like strait Order with all the Puritans and Precisians within the same, either constraining them to Conform themselves, or to leave the County according to the Laws of Our Kingdom, and Cannons of Our Church, and so to strike equally on both Hands, against the Contemners of Our Authority, and Adversaries of Our Church. And as for Our Good People's Lawful Recreation, our Pleasure likewise is, That after the end of Divine Service, Our Good People be not disturbed, letted, or discouraged from any Lawful Recreation, such as Dancing, either Men or Women, Archery for Men, Leaping, Vaulting, or any other such harmless Recreation, nor from having of May-Games, Whitson-Ales, and Morris-Dances, and the setting up of Maypoles, and other Sports therewith used, so as the same be had in due and convenient time, without impediment or neglect of Divine Service: And that Women shall have leave to carry Rushes to the Church for the decoring of it, according to their old Custom. But withal, We do here account still as prohibited all unlawful Games to he used upon Sundays only, as Bear and Bull-baitings, Interludes, and at all times in the meaner sort of People by Law prohibited, Bowling.  
And likewise, We bar from this Benefit and Liberty, all such known Recusants, either Men or Women, as will abstain from coming to Church or Divine Service, being therefore unworthy of any Lawful Recreation after the said Service, that will not first come to the Church, and serve God: Prohibiting in like sort, the said Recreations to any, that though conform in Religion, are not present in the Church at the Ser-Service of God, before their going to the said Recreations. Our Pleasure likewise is, That they to whom it belongeth in Office, shall present and sharply punish all such as in Abuse of this Our Liberty, will use these Exercises before the ends of all Divine Services for that Day. And We likewise straightly Command, that every Person shall resort to his own Parish Church to hear Divine Sirvice, and each Parish by itself to use the s●id Recreation after Divine Service. Prohibiting likewise any Offensive Weapons to be carried or used in the said times of Recreations. And our Pleasure is, That this Our Declaration shall be Published by Order from the Bishop of the Diocese, through all the Parish Churches, and that both Our Judges of Our Circuit, and Our Justices of Our Peace be informed thereof.  
Given at Our Manor of Greenwich, the Four and Twentieth Day of May, in the Sixteenth Year of Our Reign of England, France and Ireland, and of Scotland the One and Fiftieth.   

Here follows King Charles II. Corroborating Declaration, to have the Recreations and Sports to be used on the Lord's Day.  
NOW out of a like Pious Care for the Service of God, and for suppressing of any Humours that oppose Truth, and for the Ease, Comfort, and Recreation of Our well deserving People, Woe do ratify and publish, this our Blessed Father's Declaration: The rather, because, of late in some Counties of Kingdom, We find that under pretence of taking away Abuses, there hath been a general Forbidding, not only of ordinary Meetings, but of the Feasts of the Dedication of the Churches, commonly called Wakes. Now Our express Will and Pleasure is, that these Feasts. with others, shall be observed, and that Our Justices of the Peace in their several Divisions shall look to it, both that all Disorders there, may be prevented or punished, and that all Neighbourhood and Freedom, with Manlike and Lawful Exercises be used. And We farther command Our Justices of Assize in their several Circuits, to see that no Man do Trouble or Molest any of Our Loyal and Dutiful People, in, or for their lawful Recreations, having first done their Duty to God, and continuing in Obedience to Us and Our Laws. And of this, We command all Our Judges, Justices of the Peace, as well within Liberties as without, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constables, and other Officers, to take notice of, and to see observed, as they tender Our Displeasure. And We farther Will, that Publication of this Our Command be made by Order from the Bishops through all the Parish Churches of their several Dioceses respectively.  
Given at Our Palace of Westminster, the 18th. of October, in the Ninth of Our Reign. God save the King.    
A true Copy of the Commission said to be given by the King to his Catholic Subjects of Ireland, with the Warrant and Deposition annexed.  

From our Camp at Newrie this Fourth of Nou. 1641. Philem. O. Neale, Rorie Macguire. To all Catholics of the Romish Party, both English and Irish, within the Kingdom of Ireland, we wish all Happiness, Freedom of Conscience, and Victory over the English Heretics, who have for a long time Tyrannised over our Bodies, and usurped by Extortion our Estates.  
BE it hereby made known unto you all our Friends and Countrymen, That the King's most Excellent Majesty, (for many great and urgent Causes him thereunto moving, reposing Trust and Confidence in our Fidelities) hath signified unto us by his Commission, under the great Seal of Scotland, bearing date at Edinburgh, the first Day of this Instant October, 1641. and also by Letters under his Sign Manuel, bearing date with the said Commission; of divers great and heinous Affronts that the English Protestants, especially the Parliament there, have published against his Royal Prerogative, and also against our Catholic Friends within the Kingdom of England. The Copy of which Commission we have here sent unto you, to be published with all Speed in all parts of this Kingdom, that you may be assured of our sufficient Warrant and Authority herein.   

The Commission.  
CHARLES, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To all Our Catholic Subjects within Our Kingdom of Ireland, Greeting.  
Know ye, That We for the Safeguard and Preservation of Our Person, have been enforced to make Our Abode and Residence in Our Kingdom of Scotland for a long Season, occasioned by reason of the Obstinate and Disobedient Carriage of Our Parliament in England against Us; who have not only presumed to take upon them the Government, and Disposing of those Princely Rights and Prerogatives, that have justly descended upon Us from Our Predecessors, both Kings and Queens of the said Kingdom, for many hundred Years last passed; but also have possessed themselves of the whole Strength of the said Kingdom, in appointing Governors, Commanders and Officers in all parts and places therein, at their own Wills and Pleasure, without Our Consent, whereby We are deprived of Our Sovereignty, and left naked without Defence. And forasmuch as We are (in Ourselves) very sensible, That those Storms blow aloft, and are very likely to be carried by the Vehemency of the 
Puritan in another Copy.  Protestant Party into Our Kingdom of Ireland, and endanger Our Regal and Authority there also. Know ye therefore, That We reposing much Care and Trust in your Duties and Obedience, which We have for many Years past sound, do hereby give unto you full Power and Authority to Assemble and meet together with all the Speed and Diligence that a Business of so great a Consequence doth require, and to Advise and Consult together by sufficient and discreet Numbers, at all Times, Days and Places, which you shall in your Judgements hold most Convenient and Material for the Ordering, Settleling and Effecting of this Great Work (mentioned and directed unto you in Our Letters) and to use all politic Ways and Means possible to possess yourselves (for Our Use and Safety) of all the Forts, Castles and Places of Strength and Defence within the said Kingdom (except the places, Persons and Estates of our Loyal and Loving Subjects the Scots) and also to Arrest and Seize the Goods, Estates and Persons of all the English Protestants within the said Kingdom, to Our use, and in your care and speedy performance of this Our Will and Pleasure, we shall perceive your wont Duty and Allegiance unto Us, which We shall accept and reward in due time.  
Witness Ourselves at Edinburgh, the first day of October, in the Seventeenth Year of Our Reign.  
More of these secret Intrigues of King Charles the First and Second, you will find in a Book, Entitled, Great Britain's Miseries, in a short History of the manifold Difficulties this Kingdom has laboured under these 40 Years last passed.   

A LETTER From Pope Gregory XVth. to Charles Steward, Prince of Wales, and since King of England, during the time of his being in Spain: As likewise the said Prince's Answer.  
Both taken out of the History of England, at the Pages 1162, 1163, 1164. Written by the Sieur Andrew du Chesne; being the Third Edition, printed at Paris, in the Year 1641, by William Loyson at the Palace in the Middle of the Prisoners Gallery; and which are also to be met with in the French Mercury of the Year 1623., when these Letters were Written, both which the said King never Disowned.  
Most Noble Prince,  
AFter wishing you all immaginable Health, and the Illumination of God's Divine Grace, We give you to Understand, That whereas Great Britain has always abounded in Virtues, and in Persons of singular Merit and Esteem, and consequently filled both Worlds with the Glory of its Renown; so she has also very frequently exacted the Consideration and Commendation of the Apostolic See. And indeed the Holy Church was but yet in its Infancy, when the King of Kings pitched upon it, for the Portion of his Inheritance, and which he did with so great Zeal and Affection, that scarce the Roman Eagles got possession of it before the Cross: And we may withal Observe that many of its Kings likewise, being instructed in the surest means of their Salvation, have all along preferred the Holy Cross to the Regal Sceptre, and the Doctrine of Religion, either to Ambition or Covetousness, transmitting thereby Examples of Piety both to foreign Nations and Posterity: So that having sufficiently merited in Heaven, the Privileges and Preeminences of Beatitude, they have also Obtained on Earth the Triumphal Ornaments of neverdying Sanctity. And now altho' the Church of England has for some time, been born and separated from the true Catholic Faith, yet at the same time we perceive the Court of Great Britain adorned and embellished with so many Moral Virtues, that we cannot but be encouraged in our Love towards her, and should Acknowledge her as one of the chiefest Ornaments of the Christian Name, provided she were but Qualified, and Influenced with the Orthodox, and Universal Truth. For which reason, and so much the rather, as we have the deepest Sense of, and the sincerest Respect for, the Glory of your most Serene Father, and your own great Natural Abilities, so we hearty and passionately desire that the Gates of Heaven may be set open to you, and the Tenets of the True Church be received by you. Moreover, whereas Gregory the Great, Our Glorious Predecessor of most pious Memory first taught the People of your Nation to obey the Law of the Gospel, and to submit to the Apostolic Authority, so we (tho' Inferior to him, both in Piety and Virtue) yet of the same Name and Dignity with him, do think it but reasonable that we follow his holy Steps, and endeavour to procure the Salvation of your Country, especially at thsi Juncture, when your happy Intentions, Most Noble Prince, have raised in us hopes of a successful Event. Therefore as you are at present at the Court of the most Catholic King, with Inclinations to make an Alliance with the House of Austria, we cannot but extremely commend Your Design; and the rather, by reason that we are satisfied that your principal end in it is, the promoting the Advantage of our Supreme Prelacy and Dignity: For since you seem so earnestly to desire the Infanta of Spain in Marriage, we may easily infer that in all probabily the ancient seeds of Christian Piety, which have formerly flourished so prosperously in the Hearts of the Kings of Great Britain, may revive and recover their pristine Glory in you, and we cannot think that he who professes so sincere an esteem for such an Alliance, should be an Enemy to the Catholic Religion, or be ever inclined to molest the Holy See. In pursuance whereof we have commanded continual and most humble Orations, to be put up to the Father of Mercies that it would please his Divine Goodness to establish you, as the blooming Flower of Christendom, and the Sole Hopes of Great Britain, in the Throne of your Noble Ancestors, who for the most part, have all made it their chiefest Business, to Assert the Authority of the Sovereign Pontificat, and to combat the Monsters of Heresy. Propose to Yourself the Models of former Ages; inspect the Behaviour of your Forefathers, and they will show you, what Method you are to take to get the Throne of Bliss; and what Policy Temporal Princes have always made use of, to inherit an Eternal Kingdom. Behold your gloriours' Predecessors Enthroned above! Who formerly, waited on by Angels went to Rome, to Honour and do Homage to the Lord of Lords, and to the Successors of his Holy Apostle St. Peter. Their Works and Examples are of so many Voices, whereby God Exhorts you to imitate their Lives, to whose Empire you shall one day arrive. Is it possible that you can suffer the Heretics, to Profane and Condemn those Holy Men, whom the Faith of the Church, enjoins us to believe to Reign above the Clouds with Jesus Christ; and to have command and Authority over all the Principalities and Potentates of the Earth? See these blessed Saints stretch out their Arms, to Conduct you safe to the Court of this most Catholic King; and behold with what Ardour they desire to lead you to the Bosom of the Mother-Church; That Church which is often suppliant with inexpressible Agonies, before the Throne of Almighty Wisdom, for your Reformation and Safety, and which even now tenders its Apostolic Charity, with all imaginable Christian Affection, to receive you to herself; You, that are her Darling Son; You, that are her most desired, tho' hitherto her too misguided, Offspring! Certainly you can never be more Obliging to the Christian State, than to put the Prince of Apostles into the possession of your most noble Island, which has almost all along hitherto approved its self the most potent Arbiter both of Church and State. The most glorious Work will the easier be Effected, if you first show an Example, by Opening to God that knocks at the Door of your Heart, and wherein consist the Absolute Happiness and Salvation of this Kingdom. This is so great Charity, occasions us to desire that You, and your most Serene Father, should be qualified with the glorious Titles of Deliverers, and Restorers of the Ancient and Paternal Religion of Great Britain, which we hope may be speedily Effected, by means of the great Power and Goodness of God, in whose Hands the Hearts of Kings are, and who causes the People of the Earth to receive Relief, and which we shall always be ready to Favour and Encourage to the utmost of our Power: In the mean time, be pleased to understand by the Contents of this Letter, that for Our parts We will omit nothing that may anywise tend to procure your Happiness; and that We shall never repent of having writ it, if it may be but so efficacious, as to raise the least Spark of the Catholic Faith in your Breast, whose Benefit we so much desire, and to whom We wish long Life, and an endless Increase of all Christian Virtues. Given at Rome, in the Palace of St. Peter, the 20th. Day of April, 1623., and in the Third Year of Our Pontificat.  
This Letter was delivered to the said Prince by the Pope's Nuncio, accompanied by all the Italian Lords, who were then at the Court of Spain.   

King CHARLES I's. ANSWER, (Being then PRINCE of WALES) TO THE POPE'S LETTER.  
Most Holy Father,  
I Have received Your holiness's Letter with infinite satisfaction, paying all imaginable respect to the Piety and Good Will, with which your Holiness writ it. But what has occasioned me inexpressible Pleasure was, to read of the generous exploits of the King's, my Predecessors, in whose deserved Commendations Posterity hitherto has not been a little Niggardly. I am willing to believe Your Holiness set their Example before my Eyes, that I might endeavour to imitate them in all my Actions, for in truth, they have often exposed, both themselves and their Dominions, for the Exaltation of the Holy See; insomuch that their Courage, with which they attacked the Enemies of the Holy Cross, has ever approved itself as vigorous, as my endeavours shall always be to introduce Peace, good Intelligence, which have hitherto been so much wanting into Christendom; for as the common Enemy of Peace labours incessantly to insult Hatred and Dissension into the hearts of Christian Princes, so I am of Opinion, that the Glory of God requires indispensably that they should be united, and I do not value myself in being descended from so many great Princes on any account, so much as in my Unfeigned and true Zeal, to pursue the footsteps of their Piety. To support me in which design, it is no small advantage to me, to be backed by the Will and Pleasure of my most Honoured Lord and Father, and the pious Intention of his Most Catholic Majesty, both who are more than ordinarily concerned to think of the great Calamities that must necessarily proceed from a Disunion among Christian Princes. This the unexampled Prudence of Your Holiness has foreseen, while you deemed the Marriage between me and the Infanta of Spain, to be so absolutely necessary for the Public Good, and nothing is more certain, than that I shall be always most passionately desirous of an Alliance with a Prince who has the same Sentiments of the true Religion with myself; wherefore I earnestly beg Your Holiness, to believe that I have always been very far from encouraging any Novalties in Religion, or from favouring any Faction opposite to the Interest of the Apostolic See; but on the contrary, have sought after all occasions, to take away any suspicions or jealousies I might lie under, being resolved to employ the remainder of my Days, in the practice of one Religion, and one Faith, since we ought all to follow alike in Jesus Christ, in pursuance whereof, I shall for the future avoid no hazards, and cheerfully undergo all manner of Inconveniencies, even to the Exposing of my Life and Fortune, upon an occasion that will undoubtedly be so acceptable and wellpleasing to God. Nothing more remains but that I humbly thank Your Holiness for admitting me to this unworthy Address, and I also earnestly beseech Almighty God, to grant Your Holiness Health in this World, and Eternal Happiness in that to come, after so many Labours and Fatigues, which your Holiness has undergone for the Propagation and Preservation of the Holy True Church.  
Signed, CHARLES R.   

The substance of the Articles of Peace made and concluded with the Irish Papists and Rebels, by James Lord Marquis of Ormond, for, and on the behalf of His Majesty King Charles I.  
THE Substance of the Proclamation is, That whereas the Lord Marquis of Ormond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, by virtue of an Authority given him by King Charles I. had agreed to a Peace, on his said Majesty's account, with the General Assembly of Roman Catholics of that Kingdom; all the Inhabitants are obliged to take Notice thereof, and to be Obedient to the same at their Peril. Also that the Motives which induced that King to such a Peace, were the Benefit and Traffic of his Subjects, and to put a stop to the Miseries which they had so long undergone. Signed Ormond, and Dated from the Castle of Kilkenny the 17 th'. June, 1648.  
The Substance of the Articles are, That in consideration of his said Majesties having been acknowledged Rightful and Lawful Sovereign, by his Dutiful and Loyal Subjects the Roman Catholics of Ireland, and for their hearty Proffers of doing him all imaginable service that King was pleased to Grant.  
1. That that they shall have the free Exercise of their Religion, without being subject to any Penalties for the same; That they shall not be forced to receive any other than what is Agreeable to their Conscience; That they shall not be obliged to take the Oath of Supremacy, but only bind themselves to be True and Faithful to the King, as their Temporal Lord. Nevertheless, the Lord Lieutenant does not pretend to alter the Established State of Spiritualities, having no Authority for that purpose; but however, promises that the said Roman Catholics shall not be interrupted in any of their Possessions and Jurisdictions, till His Majesty, upon a full consideration of their desires, shall declare his further Pleasure in the next Free Parliament, wherein also these gracious Confessions are to be Enacted as Laws.  
2. That a Free Parliament shall be called in Ireland within 6 Months, or as soon after as 12 Persons named in this Article, or the major part of them, shall desire; and that in the mean time, these Articles shall be inviolably observed as Laws: Yet in case a Parliament be not held within 2 Years after the Date hereof, then is the Lord Leiutenant, at the Request of the said Twelve, to Convene the General States for the better settling of Affairs in that Kingdom; and that the Contents of these Articles are to be transmitted into England, according to the usual Form to be passed in Parliament there, and that no Alterations to the prejudice of the King's Catholics, or Protestant Subjects, shall be made either here or there, other than what His Majesty shall declare his Pleasure in, for the satisfaction of his Subjects, or than such Matters, as the then Lord Leiutenant shall propose to both, or either Houses for the Advancement of His Majesty's Service, and the Peace of the Kingdom, but which must not in the least entrench on these present Articles. Moreover, this Parliament may either Repeal or Suspend poinding's Law, which imports that no Parliament shall be held in Ireland till the Acts are first Certified into England.  
3. That all Acts made to the prejudice of the Irish Roman Catholics, since the 7th. of August, 1641. shall be null and void, and that they be vacated accordingly in the next Parliament, and in the mean time they have no Force.  
4. That all Processes in prejudice of the said Roman Catholics, made since the said 7th. of August, 1641. shall be made void in such manner, as no Memory shall remain thereof; and this, when ever the said Twelve, or the major part of them shall desire the same, and in the interim they are to be of no Force, and what has already been done upon their Account, is to be restored, or made good.  
5. The Roman Catholics shall be deemed qualified to Set in the succeeding Parliaments.  
6. All Debts are to remain as they were on the 23 d. of October, 1641. notwithstanding any Alliance made on account of these Processes, and this to be Enacted by the next Parliament.  
7. That the Estates, and reputed Estates, of all the Inhabitants of the Counties of Cannought, Clare, Thomond, Limerick and Tipperary, be secured to them according to the 25 th'. Article of the Grant in the 4 th' Year of his Majesty's Reign, to be held by the same Rents and Tenors as they were in the said 4 th'. Year. And as for the Laws in the Counties of Kilkenny and Wickloe, to which His Majesty was Entitled by Offices found for him during the Earl of Stafford's Government, the State of them is to be considered the next intended Parliament, when his Majesty will Assent to what is Just and Honourable; and that the Act for limitation of His Majesty's Titles, for the security of his Subject's Estates in this Kingdom, be passed in the said Parliament, pursuant to what was Enacted in the 21st Year of James I. in England.  
8. All Incapacities imposed on the Irish Catholics, to be taken away in the succeeding Parliament, and they enabled to Erect Inns of Court, or Free Schools, where the Lord Lieutenant in conjunction with the Twelve, or the major number of them, shall think fit, and the Students and Scholars are to take only an Oath of Allegiance; this likewise is to be Enacted by the next Parliament.  
9 Roman Catholics are to be deemed, qualified for any Trust in the Army, and to be preferred according to their respective Merits. As, likewise to be received into the Civil Government, with the like Privileges; also they are to be entrusted with any Garrisons in the same manner. And that, till full settlement in Parliament, 15000 Foot and 2500 Horse of the Irish Roman Catholics, shall be of the standing Army, which number may be either Augmented or diminished by the power of the Lord Lieutenant, and the aforesaid Twelve, or their Majority, as often as they shall see convenient.  
10. The King is to receive 12000 Pound annually, in lieu of whatever profits may accrue to him within the Jurisdiction of the Court of Wards.  
11. No Noble Man for the future is to be allowed to make above 2 Proxies in Parliament, and all Blank Proxies to be totally disallowed. Also, where a Baron has not 200 Pound per Ann. a Viscount 400, an Earl 600, a Marquis 800, and a Duke 1000, they shall be disabled to sit in Parliament, and the Commons also are to be stated, and resident within the Kingdom.  
12. As for the Parliament of Ireland, depending on that of England, they are left to make such Declaration therein as shall be agreeable to their Laws of their Kingdom.  
13. That for the future, the Council Table is to be confined within its own Bounds, and to meddle only with matters of State and Weight, other Business between Party and Party is to be left to the Ordinary course of Law.  
14. Several Acts shall be Repealed, relating to Wool, Flocks, Tallow, etc. and divers Officers appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, and the aforesaid Twelve, or the majority of them, to ascertain the Rates of all Merchandise, either to be Exported or Imported.  
15. All Persons wronged by Offices found in the first of King James I. or since, in the Province of Ulster, and other Provinces of this Kingdom, may Petition His Majesty, and be Redressed upon Examination.  
16. That as to the particular cases of 16 Persons named, they may Petition in the next Parliament, and shall be relieved accordingly.  
17. The former Inhabitants of Cork, Youghall and Downegarven, shall be restored to their respective Estates, where their Number does not endanger the Garrifons, and shall choose and return Burgesses as formerly.  
18. An Act of Indemnity to pass in the next Parliament, to extend to all His Majesties Loving Subjects of this Kingdom, and Pirates on the Sea, except such as have been Convicted or Attainted on Record before the 23 of October 1641. it shall not extend to remit any of the King's Debts, or Subsidies, due before the said time; provided, that such Barbarous Crimes as shall be agreed upon by the Lord Lieutenant, and the Twelve, or the Majority of them, be left to be adjudged by such Commissioners, as the said Lord Lieutenant and the Twelve shall Assign, and that the power of such Commissioners be limited to two Years. The other Prouisoes are omitted for Brevity's sake.  
19 The great Officers of the Kingdom are excluded from being Farmers of the Customs.  
20. An Act of Parliament to pass against Monopolies, pursuant to that Enacted in England, in the 21st. of James I. with a clause to Repeal all Grants of Monopolies. Likewise Commissioners to be appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, and the Twelve, or the majority of them, to rate the Customs and Impositions on Aquivita, Tobacco, etc.  
21. Commissioners agreed upon by the Lord Lieutenant, and the Twelve, or their Majority, were to regulate the Court of Castle Chamber.  
22. The two Acts prohibiting the Ploughing with Horses by the Tail, and the Burning of Oats in the Straw, to be Repealed.  
23. That the Grievances Petitioned for by both Houses of Parliament, and by Agents sent for that purpose in the 4 th'. Year of His Majesty's Reign, shall be Redressed.  
24. All Sea Affairs to be determined in this Kingdom, and in case of Appeal, it may be only to the Chancery of Ireland, or to the Parliament of this Kingdom, and until such a Parliament is, the Admiralty, and all Maritine Causes, are to be ordered and settled by the Lord Lieutenant, together with the Advice and Consent of the Twelve, or their majority.  
25. That His Majesty's Subjects be eased of all Rents and Increase of Rents, raised by the Commission for defective Titles in the Lord of Stafford's Government. This to be by Act of Parliament.  
26. That by Act to be passed in the next Parliament, all Interest Money, not satisfied since the 23 d. of October, 1641. until the perfection of these Articles, shall be released and forgiven, and that for 3 Years ensuing 5 per Cent. shall be taken only for Interest.  
27. The aforemention Twelve, immediately after the perfection of these Articles, are to be impower'd by the Lord Lieutenant, and the Twelve, or their majority to lay Taxes by Excise, or otherwise for Payment of the Army and Garrisons until there shall be a settlement in Parliament. The Commissioners of the Taxes are to consist both of Protestants and Roman Catholics. The Twelve, or their majority, have likewise power to levy all Arrears of Taxes, imposed by the Confederate Roman Catholics, and yet unpaid, and to call all Receivers. etc. to Account, either by themselves, or Commissioners. They shall also have power to Let and Improve the Estates of all such as shall not submit to this Peace, and the Revenues thereof are to be converted by the Lord Lieutenant, towards the use of the Army till settled by Parliament. They are likewise Empowered, or the Majority of them, to lay up Arms and Ammunition in Magazines, and for entertaining as many Frigates as shall be thought Necessary. They may moreover imprison all that resist this their Power, or else distrain their Goods. They are also to cause Books to be made of their paid Imprests, and to deliver Duplicates of them to the Lord Lieutenant. Their Number is to be supplied in case either of Death or Disability of any, by the choice and direction of the rest.  
28. That the Lord Lieutenant, together with the Twelve, or the majority, shall nominate all Justices of the Peace, Oyer and Terminer, etc. to continue during Pleasure, but whose power must not extend to before the 1st. of May last past, nor to determine Civil Causes exceeding 10 l. Their Power likewise is not to extend to Examine any Injuries done, contrary to the Articles of Cessation, by and with the Roman Catholic Party, since May last; but those matters are to be determined by the indifferent Persons that are to be Named by the Lord Lieutenant and the Twelve, or their majority: The Justices, Judges, etc. shall take an Oath to Execute their Offices faithfully.  
29. All Roman Catholic Governors of Cities, etc. to continue till removed by Parliament, and to be subject to such as the Lord Lieutenant and the Twelve, or their majority, shall nominate, or set over them.  
30. All Customs and Tenths of Prizes shall be paid into His Majesty's Receipts, and to the Persons appointed by the Lord Leiutenant, and the Twelve, or their majority; and in case any Person has a Right to any of these Offices, and whereunto he may not be admitted till Settlement in Parliament, then is he to have a Pension till he is restored.  
31. As for His Majesty's Rents due at Easter next, and from thenceforth to grow due, he will not require them till a full settlement in Parliament be first made.  
32. The Judge's power, appointed as aforesaid, shall commence on the 1st. of May last past, and continue to the first day of the next Parliament.  
33. That several Courts of Judicature shall be Estabished in this Kingdom, and their Officers nominated by the Lord Lieutenant, and the Twelve, or their majority.  
34. The Roman Catholic Regular Clergy, not to be disturbed in their Possessions, or Pensions, until a Settlement by Parliament.  
35. That as to all other Demands of the said Roman Catholics, they be referred to His Majesty's Gracious Favour, and further Concessions.  
Signed and Witnessed by the Lord Leiutenant, in His Majesty's Name, and by Sir Richard Blake, Chairman of the General Assembly of the Roman Catholics, by their Order and Unanimous Consent, the 17th. of Jan. 1648. and in the 24th. Year of King Charles I's Reign.  
FINIS.