A SHORT AND True Narrative of the departure from England, Sickness, and Death, of that late worthy Knight, Sir PHILIP STAPLETON, Attested under the hands of four of those Gentlemen that went with him. With a brief Character of his Person, etc.  
HAving met abroad with so much noise and to many malicious & false reports touching the Conversation quality, life and death of that truly honourable Gentleman, Sir Philip Stapleton, the glory and honour of his Country and Family: I thought sir bring near him in most of his undertake Military and Civil, wherein both in public and pri●●●e his undaunted courage, and accomplished endowments were sufficiently tried, to publish this short narrative to the world, to silence those Calumnies and Aspersions daily spread abroad against him, which though its much short of his true worth yet 'tis a witnessing to the truth, and can be denied by none, that have either known of, or been conversant with his person, parts, honour, Religion, or Family: and first  
For his Family, he is descended from royal stems of honour and majesty.  
For his Religion, he was a true and zealous Protestant, though not any way new fangled, yet abundantly careful, and curious enough to discover the saving truths in fundamentals of Faith and knowledge, and living thereafter, ever using all duties suitable to a sincerely hearted Christian in his Family, and otherwise towards God and man, both in public and private to his dying day, which he prosecuted with a modest zeal, and faithful constancy, Nor was he easily engaged into any thing of Change, no not into that way he so much sustred for (the Covenant and Church-government by Presbytery) though afterwards he looked upon it both in divine and prudent considerations, as the way of God suiting most, and best with the union of the Nations, and in that the welfare of both, And the next way under God (moderately advanced) to make the three Kingdoms happy; and upon those very grounds, with most Christian and indefatigable endeavours was a Cordial promoter of it. He was a religious lover of both his Wives, and all his Children without partiality; breeding them up in the fear of God, Giving life unto his admonitions and counsels, by his holy, 〈◊〉, and affectionate carriage and conversation towards them walking with, and before them as a Husband and a Father, looking at, and depending upon his and their Father in Heaven; And yet so as taking care of, and providing for them competencies our of that little God had made him steward of. All which he both faithfully and providently expressed in his life, and affectionately and prudently disposed of at his death.  
For his Honour, he had more than can well be allowed to any, but the best of Englishmen, and of them, the most indeed, ●e was as much an Englishman, and as truly noble in his heart, as England hath ever bred, he abounded in courtesy to all, even his enemies, that which was their shame to contrive or act against him, he made it his honour to pass by. A most faithful friend, their extremities were his opportunities in which he never thought he had done enough; his compassions overflowed to the distressed, endeavouring upon all occasions with all his interest, to give freedom & relief to the oppressed, indeed he made this his business. For injuries received (though he was quick enough in the first resentment of them) he heaped Coals upon their heads in his returns of favour, he was indeed a friend to all that needed him, and an enemy to none though sometimes he was unhappy in not being rightly understood by them, which bred some mistakes, and those ill reports of him, but he well knew that is part of the Good man's Portion in this world, ho therefore walked above them. He was a most faithful lover of his Country, the settlement of the Peace, of which as he desired it above his temporal felicities, so he was willing to spend himself, and to be spent for it. He was so fare from making these troubles a stirrup to his advantage, that (though others, too many, and most of them pretend to piety and self-denial, have reaped very many thousands more than otherwise they ever were, or would have been masters of) here refused Great things offered and voted to him, 'tis well known to divers of his nearest friends, he hated the thoughts of Glory or Ri●e this way, often solemnly professing the peace of the Kingdom once settled he would retire and spend his remaining days in blessing God for his mercies to this poor Kingdom, and endeavour after a holy life, suitable to such an engagement; But God would not have it so, but would rather honour him with a kind of martyrdom for this Kingdom, who not sensible of his worth, knew not how to put a true value upon such a Jewel, nor indeed was worthy of him: And therefore God thought fit to call him to himself there to glorify him.  
For his parts they were very eminent, he was quick of apprehension, sound of judgement of clear and good clocution, and in things wherein the just Rights of the King, the Privilege of the Parliament, and the safety of the Kingdom (against what power soever) was concerned, or the re●ig'● of any distressed required it, he ever spoke freely, and with great abilities by which he not only gained much interest in the house and abroad but also contracted upon himself much envy from others as the great obstructer of their designs, he very well foreknowing and constantly in public and private asserting that the Change of this Government (so much aimed at by some though otherwise pretended is contrary to the well being at least of this Nation and to the union with our brethren of Scotland and will be when ever attempted destructive to the safety of both; And he would often say, that though he and others▪ possibly through the power some had might be persecuted to banishment or death, and that it might be 〈◊〉 on against 〈◊〉 under 〈◊〉 of justice and righteousness in those that did it, suggesting dangerous designs to be underhand contrived by himself and others, contrary to the interest of this Kingdom, and the trust put upon him and them in Parliament, which he abhorred and of which he ever solemnly took God to witness he was innocent of, & those other of those things of which they were falsely accused. And though he did of late foresee it would be done, though by never so unjust and unwarrantable wales, the principle those people ground their actions upon, being (guided by light and conscience, as they falsely pretend) to destroy all men of parts or interest that oppose their way, it may be blindly supposing they do God good service in it. Yet when God had suffered them to go so fare he was confident it would return upon them in the latter end, to their own shame and ruin. And for him and the rest, though they perished under it yet their overthrow would become their crown, and therefore he submitted it to God acquiessing in his will.  
For his person, he was of a thin body, and weak constitution but full of spirit, which was too soon spent (if God had seen it good) with the manifold endeavours and excessive pains he day and night underwent for the service of this poor Kingdom: And though he found his body not able to endure much hardship, yet when the Kingdom had need of it, and God called him to it, he exposed himself to the greatest hazards in the war, daring as much, and going as fare in that service, as any mortal ever did, witness those eminent engagements of his in the two great Battles of Keinton and Newberry, in which he was in a very high degree instrumental to the gaining of the day in both. And being afterwards with that most famous, and ever to be honoured the Lord General, the Earl of Essex and others, by the selfe-denying vote (which how, and to what ends made use of by some, the world well knows, and God will judge) called off, he, and they all laid down his Arms without any dispute, which will one day rise up in judgement against the men (of this world) of our days pretend what they will, who as he frequently said persecuted him for his judgement and conscience declared where it was his duty to speak both (though they pretend it a Liberty of Conscience to speak and act what and where they ought not) he valued himself so little in comparison to his service to this Kingdom, that he would willingly have suffered to Assasination, rather than have declined his ●●●●ng in Parliament: but finding upon serious debate, that at present to give way to the furious multitude, madded with a pretence of zeal to Justice and Righteousness it probably might be of better service to the Kingdom to withdraw, did it. And though afterwards at the Call of the House, sat again (which he and the rest might have done at their pleasure) his reasons at are well known to some, were so public, that for this alone he deserves the highest honour: thus to hazard himself again upon this ground that if it were possible by improvement of Counsels and means, the utter violation of the Parliaments and the plunder, and destruction of the City, who had been so much assistant to the preservation of this Parliament and Kingdom so much threatened might be prevented. But when another way was taken which possibly he thought not honourable then again upon the aforesaid Grounds, by the leave and pass of the House formerly ordered totally withdrew and travailed (as it unhappily proved to England) having at that time a Flux upon him with his journey and voyage by Land and Sea increased etc.   

SIR.  
OBeying that necessity that enforced us out of England▪ Four of us vi●. Sir William Waller, Sir William Lewis▪ Sir Philip Stapleton (though then Feverish with a Flux that had followed him some days before) with Col. Long began our Journey on Saturday the 14th of his instant towards whole Haven in essex, where we were by eight the next morning to meet Sir John Clo●worthy, who was to come thither by water; In which journey out first inconvenience was. A report we met at Aveley, 16. miles from London, that a party of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Horse, with some of those Dragoones, that lately had taken Til●ury Fort: were quartered in our way, to the Haven , which made us leave the road, not willing to trust to the security our Passes should have given us, against the insolences that the Troupers might have been over-apt unto. And that from our experience of their way, in avowing their Actions without orders from their Officers, which cast us on such ill Lodgings that night, that few of our Company put off their clothes, whereby Sir Philip Stapletons' distempers were much increased, but yet his willingness to go on his journey was such, that we all went on board a Pink that was to carry us on Sunday about one in the afternoon, where the first nerves that saluted us, was that some Watermen on shore, had threatened the Master of the Vessel, that he would run himself into a great danger by carrying of us over, which made him leave his Vessel, and our Voyage to the care of his servant, though half his wages were paid before our coming out of London, and a Gentleman that accompanied Sir Philip Stapleton to the water side, hearing the Watermen therein some unnecessary discourse concerning our Journey knocks one of them over the pace, which wrought so with them, that they became so diligent in pressing the Master of the Backs danger upon him, that the fellow (having had neither the wit, nor the honesty to ask us for the sight of our Passes, became so frighted therewith that he hastened along the Coast, to stop us; And we being under sail, came by God's blessing, though the wind was high and we once in great danger of being cast away, (some three Vessels having by that storm perished near Calais,) as fare as Margetts, and Anchored against that place for that night, which was a very blustering one, without any accommodation for any of us wherewith we were the more afflicted from Sir Philip Stapletons' sufferings, by reason of his want of health; And he sing Sail the next morning (though at our coming out we resolved for Plushing) yet we determined for Calais the cu●● being shorter, and the wind blowing fairer thither, having had enough of the Sea in our small Bark, to give us cause to wish ourselves ashore; And in our passage we came by some of the Parliament Ships, under the Command of the Vice-admiral, riding at the Downs; and sailing within call of the Nicodemus Frigott we were questioned whence we came and whither we were bound; to which having answered from London, and for Calais, we passed on, having in view of the Fleet taken up a Pilot of Sandwich to assist the manning of our Bark, finding ourselves much inconvenienced for want of the Masters help therein: and so holding on with a fair wind, had recovered near Calais; the  fright had so wrought on the Master of the Bark, that recovering Margetts he dispersed a report there, that we had stolen away without Passes, conveyed with us 16000 pounds in Treasure, and taken away his Bark without his consent: Whereupon the Drums were beaten up there, and a Boat manned out after us, with some forty in Arms, who not able to reach us, came with that false alarm to the Captain of the Nicodemus Frigott ; and he thereupon slipped his Anchors, and being a swift sailor overtook us about noon within some two leagues of Calais, where shooting a warning-piece at us, some of his men came aboard us, and some of us went aboard to him, and he requiring us to return to the Vice-admiral, we tacked about, and the wind being contrary, it was near ten at night  we could recover into his Ship, who seeing our Passes, was troubled that we were stopped in our journey, but upon the report so generally divulged of the great Treasure we had with us, would not dismiss us the next morning without a Council of War, who advised the search of our Portmantles, & our servants to their very pockets, for his justification and ours, and that in the presence of some of them, that had published those false rumours, after which finding with us but some few changes of Linen and ; on Tuesday morning about ten of the clock, having been civilly treated we farweled him, and went on our journey for Calais, (Sir Philip Stapleton having gotten some rest, in one of his Cabins, and some ease from those things which had been administered him by his Chirurgeon) where we arrived about five in the evening, and hoped that a few day's rest there, would have recovered Sir Philip Stapleton so, as that he would have been enabled to have gone on our intended journey thorough Flanders for Holland; but his Flux continuing with him on Tuesday night together with his Fever, and his stomach failing him, though neither he nor we had any mind to the French Physicians, yet on Wednesday he inclined to consult with the only one that was there, who coming to him, and discoursing his then condition, without mentioning his being in any danger, resolved that he should about eight that night, have a clyster, the which he took accordingly, and that he should have a vein opened the next morning his Glister not working well with him and his Fever continuing and he having had no rest that night, sent to desire to speak with some of us, assoon as we could be ready, coming to him, he acquainted us therewith, and that he had a swelling risen upon his thigh, somewhat below his groin, the painfulness whereof was such, that it did not only hinder his sleep, but his lying at any ease; At the hearing whereof, having been informed, that the sickness was in the Town, and that the Inhabitants were not only fearful thereof, but very inhuman to any that were visited therewith, removing of them out of the Town, what ever their condition was, to a place without the Walls where there were Cabins provided for them; some of us by his desire, took the freedom to lay hands upon the place, he complained of, both for our own satisfaction, and to be enabled to give the Physician a clear account thereof, he informing us, that he conceived it arose from the weight of his Watch lying thereon, and that he had formerly been once or twice troubled in the like sort; We apprehending the great danger it might have been to him, to have a vein opened, in case God had visited him with the sickness, did thereupon with his approbation, resolve to acquaint the Physician with that swelling, who there with his Apothecary, and Chirurgeon view it, and resolved from the form thereof, and the place it was in, that it could be no Plague; and so proceeded to the opening of his vein, and took from him some eight ounces of blood, which was so extremely corrupted, that it turned to a yellowish kind of water before it could be brought from the bed where he lay to his Chamber window after his vein was bound up again, he told us, that he found his head well, and his heart whole, and that the Chirurgeon having laid a Plaster upon his swelling he found the pain thereof also to abate, but yet his reaver continued without allowing him to take any rest, and he began to draw his breath stiorter, whereat we were so troubled, that we again sent for the Doctor to him, who came to us about two in the afternoon, but upon some discourse that had passed between him and the Chirurgeon he was so fully resolved that his sickness was the Plague, that we could not persuade his going up to him; You cannot but easily guess how we were therewith astonished, knowing that after his blood-letting, if it were the Plague, that there was no hope of his life, and whilst we were in discourse with him and the Chirurgeon of what had been done, and what was now to be done for him; It pleased God to call for him to a better place, and the end of his misery, gave a beginning not only to our furrows for him, but to an unheard of cruelty exercised upon us in the house (being the three silver Lions) where we were, where the people of the house falling into a present outcry, clap to their gates, and resolved to keep us Prisoners in the house, till we should give them satisfaction for the damage they suggested, they should receive by his death there, and with impudence demanded from us two hundred and fifty pounds, alleging that it was fit his Estate should yield them a further recompense, it was there neither time, nor place, to offer or expect reason, and we were thereupon necessitated, to ply ourselves by the mediation of an English Gentleman living in the Town, to the Magistracy there, aswell Civil as Marshal, and through his intercourse with them, concluded to give the Master of the house towards his satisfaction for the damage he might receive, fourscore pounds sterling, ten pounds to the Doctor, twelve pounds to the Chirurgeon, and two pounds ten shillings to the Apothecary, being in total one hundred four pounds ten shillings, Towards the which we received from his servant Thomas Gage, of his Money, the sum of seventy three pounds ten shillings, leaving the rest of his Money with him for his transport, and his Master's goods for England, and for his Master's Interment, the which he being a Protestant and dying as they supposed of the Sickness, was to be in their ordinary and rough way.  
This thus concluded, discharging all their other demands, we had the gates of the house opened unto us, and were permitted to go aboard a Bark we hired there, at an extraordinary rate for Flushing; being from their cruelty, enforced to be the Porters of our own baggage to the water side, and lying there at Anchor that night, under the extremities incident to so poor a conveyance, when we were weighing Anchor about eleven of the clock, with the morning Tide, the Town Searchers boarded us, and searched our Persons, our Servants, our Males, and every thing therein▪ in the expectation to have found great Treasure, report having come to Calais before our arrival, that we had brought away with us, one hundred thousand pounds in Gold, which had raised their hopes to have had a great Booty of us, and made them the willinger to believe, that report of the Plague; The Searchers being no way curious in handling either of us, or any thing that did belong to us, in pursuit of their prey, but ●●●ding that we had been stripped at our Inn, to a scantling only, fit for our journey, they f●rw●ld us, and we them and that their so cruel a place; And being not able to reach Flushing that night passing in our way the next morning over against Bla●ckborough under the care as we thought of a l●●owing Flemish Pilot we struck on the sands near twenty times, when in all likelihood we must have perished, had not God continued his mercy to us in the mildness of the weather so as to give us leave to tack about, and to recover more ware●, after which we got to Flushing upon Saturday, where we continued the Sabbath day, and went thence on Monday to Trov●●●●, and thence on Tuesday morning, so as we got hither on Wednesday at noon, being the first place that allowed us opportunity of sending unto you this sad story, as it relates to our deceased Friend; We cannot be insensible of the loss, his Lady, his Children, his Friend, the Kingdom itself, hath had in so gallant a Gentleman, we need make you no profession (we are confident,) that we were not wanting to him in the duties of friendship, not shall not be (if ever we may express i● (to any that have relation to him, we know your respect such towards him and his; That you will take some friend with you, to Communicate this sad piece to his Lady, who hath our prayers that God may assist her to undergo this great affliction, and that he may be a Father to his Fatherless Children, we desire to hear from you of the receipt hereof; Wishing your happiness, and that we might hear that the Distempers in England were all well composed by a happy Peace, we remain,  
Rotterdam, 27 August, 1647.   

A farther relation concerning some other passages of his sickness, Death and Burial.  
HE landed at Calais on Tuesday Aug 17 about 6 aclock at night, and presently took his bed, being very sick, and continued till Thursday about two aclock in the afternoon; the Gentlemen came to him at times till 11. that morning; In this time his man Thomas Gage did oft raise him up in his bed, when he was in much pain, and held him up with Pillows behind. On Wednesday he sat up three hours together in the afternoon, about two hours before his departure, he willed his man to let him lie along in his Bed, then being so laid, he lift up his hand and eyes to heaven; His man perceiving that, he asked him if he were in pain; he answered, in no pain at all; He asked him again, whether he thought he should die, and he answered, yes, and willed his man to commend him to his Wife, and not to forget his Children; After this he betook himself to prayer for an hour and a half, praying for his enemies, and desiring God to receive his soul, and then quietly departed without groan or gasp. About ten aclock at night there came one and wraped him in a sheet, and put him in a Coffin, and with another sheet over the Coffin; He was carried to the place where the Protestants of that City use to bury their dead, and there was buried. The Inhabitants of the place say, that there was once a Church there, but burned down by the Spaniards; It being a waste place, the Protestants purchased it for their burying place. It is compassed about with a broad Ditch or Moat, only at the entrance there are two sides of Brick, and a large Gate betwixt them, which is kept shut, at burial times.  
FINIS.