AUGUST 1. 1659. Sir George Booth, (now Lord De la Mere) by compact, at his day appeared in Arms; (be it Recorded to his Eter­nal Honour) and [...]ent forth a brisk Declara­tion manifesting the justice and necessity of them. For at that time the whole Nation groaned under the insupportable Servitude of the Tyrannical Oligarchy, sitting at Westminster [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page 2] under the notion of a Parliament; against whom a very powerful Combination was then made. Many of those who had sormerly fought un­der them, complained that they w [...]e decei­ved; nay, and diverse, even then actually in their service, were so ingenuous as to con­fess, that That could not be their Countries Free­dom, where the worst of Tyrannies, (under the [...] of a Commonwealth, a [...]d the good old [...]use) were like to be perpetuated. And however the great Officers might thrive whilst they were in powe [...]; yet they saw full well, that their Posterity would be forced to pay back to t [...]ose li [...]entious Usurpers whatever their [...] had got, should the Government still rest [...] an Oligarchy, which is the corruption of the worst of Governments, (a Democrasie) and consequently the worst of Tyrannies. Thus we [...]ee tha [...] the State o [...] Three Kingdoms was (then) most deplorable.

The King compassionated their condition; for him [...]elf had the greatest share in the cala­mity; and though his Royal Person was safe from the fury of his Enemies, yet was he so nea [...], that by his authority he was still ready to contribute to the vindicating the just rights of his Subjects, and his own. To this end there were constantly residing at London, some Noble Persons of great Honour, and [...] Loyal [...]y, (in spight of Axes an Gibbets) a [...]ter they had lost the Field) who were com­missioned [Page 3] by his Majesty, both to hold cor­respondence with him, and to issue forth such commands from time to time, as occasion should offer for his Majesties Service.

And the occasion was eminent, now, upon the return of that Thing called a Parliament; who had been respited from their Power by the Monarc [...]ical Interposition of their Gene­ral (Oliver Cromwel) and his Son; and that too by the space of about five years. This Restitution was mostly procured by the Army, who feared that a National Interest, like a Deluge, would have broken in upon them, had they suffered Cromwel's Son, and his Mock­Parlia [...]ent, to sit longer in Authority. And the Armie's pretences being for Commonwealth, they had no nearer a Sanctuary to flye unto, then this Long Parlia [...]ent, (as they called it) whose guilt they knew to be at least equal with Theirs, and distasted and abhorred by all tha [...] were not their own, and even by [...]ome of Them too: wherefore the Presbyterian Party began now at last to awaken into Loyalty; and chose [...]ather to joyn with the Cavaliers, (as they pretended) then to see their Country [...]o enslaved: and indeed the Cavaliers [...] quieted their Jelousies: for his Majesties Commissio­ners consented that the Presbyterians should have the chief command in all places, and that their Declaration should only be for a Free Par­liament, and against publick grievances. [Page 4] And now Sir George Booth, (Lord De la mere) undertook [...]or Cheshire, and the Counties ad­jacent; Sir Thomas Middleton, for North Wales; Major General Massy, for Glocester, and South Wales; The Lord Fairfax for the North; The Lord Roberts (now Earl of Radnor and President of the Council) for the West; Co­lonel Alexander Popham, and Col. Robert Rolles for Wiltshire, Somersetshire and Devon­shire; Col. Norton for Portsmouth, and Hant­shire; and Sir Horatio (now Lord Townsend) for the associated Counties▪ and in like manner diverse others in all places through out Eng­land; solemn Protestations, and Assurances being given, that they would not fail each other.

Not long before this, Sir John Greenvile (the now Earl o [...] Bath) who was one of those Honourable Commi [...]sioners residing at London for his Majesties Service; had recei­ved a particular Commission to treat secretly and privately with General Monk in Scotland: The King, it seems, having these thoughts about him, that if a dexterous Application could be made to him, he might be gained to his Service, as having been in his Fathers, in which he was taken Prisoner, and his Re­leasement neglected: But the Parliament, having experienced hi [...] usefulness and Con­duct in Ireland against the Rebells there, set him at liberty, and sent him back again [Page 5] thither into their Service: and afterwards Cromwel, who knew how to value a good Soul­dier, took him with him into Scotland.

Sir John Greenvile, by an express Messen­ger, with a Letter in Cipher, dire [...]ted to Chancellor Hide at Brussels (with whom only, by his Majesties order, he was to cor­respond) Proposed the sending of Mr Nicho­las Monk to his Brother in Scotland; which was allowed: The King leaving the whole management of the Business to the Secresie and Prudence of Sir John, who could not be said to have declined a Journey t [...] the General in Scotland for the Danger of it, for he dayly conve [...]ed with as great, as being one of his Maje [...]ties Commissioners in Town: besides that He and the Monks were Cousin Germans, and both of them obliged either by himself or his Family. However, sure I am, that he did the King and the General more Service in not coming to us; for his very Person, then, would have been suspected, tho' he had come with­out any Commission, or Message. So he sent for Mr. N. Monk out of Cornwal, to whom he imparted the Kings Commission to treat with his Brother.

Mr. Monk fraught with hopes and instructi­ons; (the design of revolting from the Par­liament, being now universal too; Sir George Booth actually in Arms against their Autho­rity, and Insurrections from all Counties in [Page 6] England dayly exp [...]cted) embark'd for Scot­land; with a prosperous Gale, within few days after arriving at Leith, and so from thence, five Miles, to Dalkeith, where the General resided. He gave out that the intent of this Voyage was only to f [...]tch his Daughter Ma­ry, in order to bestowing her in Marriage to her advantage; hoping that his Brother would add some weight and encouragement to it: this pretence for his Journey was real too, and so signified by Letters.

Col. Jonathan Atkins (afterward Knight­ed, and [...] Governor of Barbados) was now at Dal [...]eith, where he had been about two days before Mr. Monk came to his Bro­ther, aud was preparing for his journey fur­ther, to visit some Relations of his in Fife; ha­ving already received his answer from the Ge­neral. For this Gentleman, either upon con­fidence of the Generals Lo alty, or of his Friendship and Interest in him, (they having been formerly Souldiers under the same com­mand in Ireland, and I think in Holland also) imparted to him the Designs of the Gentlemen of the North of England, who being ready (he said) to appear in the quarrel, and assi­stance of Sir George Booth, sollicited the help of his Arms, or at least, that he would not disturb them in their Levies. To whom the General smartly return'd, that if they did appear, he would send a Force to suppress them [Page 7] and that by the duty of his Place he could do no less.

The Colon [...]l afterwards came to my Cha [...] ­ber, and propounded the Business in wa [...]y Terms, yet so as to be understood. But I (unconcernedly) replyed, that to me it appea­red, as if the Malecontents in England labou­red only how to ruine Themselves and their Cause▪ for so long as London was the Maga­zine of Arms and Men, the Country Plots, without it, could never prove very effectual for what, I [...]upposed, he aimed at: But if that City could be engaged (as it was disconten [...]) upon this Return of the Parliament; and would shut up their Gates and rise as one man▪ and had don [...] so, now, whilst Lambert was ma [...]ching against Booth: the design would carry a much better prospect of success, then it did.

This Intrigue of Colonel Atkins (a [...] b [...]ing first in order of time) I relate before the suc­cess of Mr. Monk's message to hi [...] Brother; that so it may appear what weight the King's A [...]tho­rity had with General Monk, tho but v [...]baly delivered by his Brother▪ he depending upon the Faith and Integrity of Sir John Greenvile, and the truth of his Brother's Relation: For he might well suppose (as wary as he was) that they did not deceive, nor would betray him: And I believe he relyed upon the word o [...] a King as much as if he actually had received a Commis­sion from his Majesty, for he told me afterwards, [Page 8] that he was resolved to Commission the whole Scotch Nation against Parliament and Army and all, before he would be taken tamely by them: But he had no other Authority to do it, than this aiery word of mouth, conveyed to him from Sr. John Greenvile, who had it in Wri­ting from the King.

Mr. Monk found his Brother engaged in Business, and in several Dispatches too, tho' it was in the declining part of the day; and in­deed it was rare to find him otherwise: so the General sent him to my Chamber, under the conduct of an Highland Foot-Boy in the House, who proclaimed his Arrival at my Study-Door. I courteously received him, and asked how Affairs stood in England; for Booth's being in Arms, and Lamberts march towards him, were now the common entertainment of News. I soon perceived that he had a mind to say something to me, which he as soon disclosed: The Tenor whereof was, that he was sent to his Brother by Sir John Greenvile to invite him in this juncture of time, to appear for his Coun­try; telling how the design was laid, and u­niversal in all Counties; and he did not doubt (he said) [...]ut that his Country Men in the West had already made an Insurrection: adding further, that this was not barely a Combination; without Authority, for tho' the King was not named in the Declaration, sent out for a Free Parliament, and against Taxes and Grievances [Page 9] complained of; (some of which Declarations he ventur'd to bring with him) yet all this was done by his Majesties Privacy and countenance: Therefore was he sent by his Cousin Greenvile, to try if he could bring over his Brother into the King's Service, and, at this time, to espouse his Cause; and that Sir John Greenvile hoped that his Brother might be as succesful in it, as was the famous Stanly, who determined the day in Bosworth field to Henry the Seventh, tho he came thither to the succour of Richard the III. These were high hopes, but that which now puzled Mr. Monk was, that he knew not how to break this Message to his Brother; but if he would undertake so glorious a Work as the re­storing of the King, no encouragement (he was sure) would be awanting: he might set down his own Conditions, and the King would (up­on his Royal Word) perform them: For he had seen his Majesties Commission to Sir John Green­vile to treat with his Brother: And indeed in that Commission Sir John was left at large to promise or assent to any conditions of reward: But by his secret Instructions he was bound up to the definitive Gratuity of one hundred thou­tand pounds per annum, for ever, to be disposed of at the General's discretion. So Mr. Monk pro­duced to me a broken piece or two of Money as Tokens, if need were, to be sent with Let­ters of Correspondence to Sir John Greenvile, but under the disguised name of Mr. Legg.

[Page 10]The Goodman spake i [...] great Secrecy and Earne [...]t; and seemed to press upon me, upon my Allegeance, to hearken to His Proposals, and to accept of his broken Tokens: he promi­sing me, that whatsoever Letters should be sent to Sir John Greenvile the Messenger, who brought them, and either of those Tokens, should be more than paid for his Journey.

So I perceived his Embassy was real; but it strangely surprized me: and I went often to the door of my Chamber, as being appre [...]ensive least any body should over-hear him: I paused a while, and then asked him why he imparted a Message of so great concern (and which was to his Brother too) first to me; For I had ne­ver seen him before, and then not half an hour. He return'd, that tho he did not know me, yet he had understood who I was, and what thoughts were conceived of me; as if I could not but have an inward and true Affection for the King and his Service; it being very notorious that Mine had been a great Sufferer for His Maje­sties Father: And so indeed he was, even to the loss of All: for otherwise, I had not then been found in that Employment. And it seems I was so well known in Scotland, as soon as I came there, that some of the Remonstrating Clergy, and of our own Officers too, told the General, that he had entertained a Cavalier for his Chap­lain. And he was so kind as to tell me of this, and give me good Counsel upon it: But I am [Page 11] not, to this day, conscious that eve [...] I discove­red my self, or gave them any distaste by word; tho my Actions were not a little Of­fensive, I believe, in regard that several of the Montrossian Party would apply themselves to me, as an Intercessor for Ordinary Favours from the General.

Mr. Monk pressed for instructions how to open this Message to his Brother: I told him, that his brother must be satisfied of his secre­sie, as well as of his Love and fidelity to him; for that an affair of this importance must sleep in as few breasts as might be; and that he would find, that he would put himself, his brother, and his negotiation for the King, into a very gr [...]t hazard, should he (relying upon cha­racters given of the secret Loyalty of any per­sons among us) attempt to make any more such rude communications of his Embassy: but that he had revealed this great secresie to me, I was content (I said) that he should tell his brother; which I knew he did.

Now, to encourage him, I told him, that I did believe his brother would be willing to close with any fair overture to redeem his Country from the slavery of the Army, under which it groaned; that he had been many ways disobliged since the return of this Old Parlia­ment; and that Officers of the more extrava­gant sort of Principles had bin encouraged by Commands given them, in open contempt of [Page 12] his Recomendatory Letters in favour of o­thers: so that he talked oft of living a Pri­vate Life upon his Estate in Ireland: And further, that there were many jelous eyes upon him, which the Cavaliers, who had been formerly of his acquaintance, had given much the occasion of: for that sometimes he recei­ved Letters from Holland, by a Dutch-Skipper, minding him of his Allegeance; which he was forced openly to protest against, as prudently supposing, that there might be a snare in them.

Nay, Oliver Cromwel himself, not long be­fore his death, writ once to him with his own hand; and in the Letter there was this Drol­ling Expression: 'Tis said there is a cunning fel­low in Scotland called George Monk, who lyes in wait there to serve Charles Stuart; pray use your diligence to take him, and send him up to me, &c. And this, I suppose, gave the rise to a trifling Report that Cromwel could not get him out of Scotland. Withal, I told Mr. Monk, that his brother was but a new-man, brought in by Cromwel, into the English. Army, and so was disrelished by most of the great Officers of it: and that those that were heads of distinct Factions, did rather hate than affect him, and would contribute to give him a Lift out of his Command, could they have an opportunity to d [...] it: and this did afterwards appear to be true, when Coll. Cobbet was sent down to Scotland, [Page 13] upon the very disturbanee of t [...]e Parliament by Lambert, before any [...]otice could be retur­ned that the General was dissatisfied with it; which was no more yet than what himself fore­saw: But the Soldiers, who troubled not their heads with Religion, by abetting Parties, but fought for their Pay, did generally love him; for they looked upon him as a good Soldier and a discreet Commander, under whom they might safely Engage; and of th [...]se he could at any time make a good Party, when it might be judged fit and safe to appear.

Besides, I thought it not amiss to insinuate, that his Wife had to some degrees, prepared him to appear, when the first opportunity should be offered: For her custome was (when the Generals, and her own work, and the day were ended) to come into the Dining-Room to him in her Treason Gown; (as I called it) I telling him, that when she had that Gown on, he should allow her the liberty to say any thing: And indeed, her tongue was her own then, and she would not spare it; insomuch that I, who still chose to give my attendance at those hours, (the General being alone) have oft shut the Dining-Room-Doors, and charged the Servants to stand without, till they were called in. 'Tis easy to conceive what her discourses were, when a Woman that had Wit enough, always Influence, and sometimes (as it was thought) too much, upon [Page 14] her Husband, (the Theme being so copious too) might safely talk extravagancies▪ in confidence that they would go no further.

Sometimes the General would make hard faces, and seem to be uneasie in hearing h [...]r, and oft address himself to me; as if I were to moderate at the act: To whom I have as oft returned, Sir, what shall I say? she speaks such unhappy truths, that you, nor I, cannot gain­say them. I cannot forget his usual answer. True Mr. Price (would he say) but I have learned a Proverb, that he who follows Truth too close upon the Heels; will one time or other, have his Brains kickt out. His Lady usually withdrew before it was called to Prayers, and then I had the opportunity to talk over the same things, in softer language, (as became me) by which I very well understood his mea­uing, when he would express a concern for the unhappiness of the late King, and name some instances in which he miscarried: He would say, that he had Armies indeed of brave Men, but they were too great to be Commanded; and fewer men under better discipline would have done his bu [...]iness: But that he would ne­ver forget nor forgive his not fighting the Scots, when they first invaded England in 1638. That he imputed all the shedding of bloud since, to the foolish (as he called it) sparing of it then; and that the Scots did deservedly suffer what they did. I have purposely noted these things, [Page 15] that it might appear that there were previous dispositions in the General to serve the King and his Country, whenever he should conceive it proper to declare: and indeed his zeal to serve Both was so very forward, that he had like to have lost himself by it, and those who were engaged with him, and blasted that mira­culous Restauration of his Sovereign, which was after [...]ards effected by his renowned Con­duct. An Atchievement which former Ages (all circumstances being put into the ballance) have not equall'd, and I do de [...]pair of the fu­ture!

Thus Mr. Monk and I, after an hours acquain­tance or more, (having discoursed ofserious and dangerous things) grew to be familiar; & we re­freshed our selves with a Glass of Wine, & with Hopes. Mr. Monk had also his Prophecies of com­fort; and told me, that his Grand-Father was a Spend-Thrift, and had wasted much of their Paternal Estate (I think his name was Sir An­thony Monk) but that it was prophesied to him (by some cuning Man, I must suppose) that a Grand Child of his should make the Estate far greater than ever his Ancestors left it him. And another, that the King should come in by a Monk: which he might understand of the Name, as he did of the Profession. I desired him to mingle his Prophecies with his Instructi­ons to his brother. Nor was I without my Prophecies too, viz. that if this Gr [...]at Confe­deracy [Page 16] did prosper, we could not expect much more than a circumscribed and limited King. And yet I am apt to believe too, that the Army could have made His Majestie as Arbitrary even as the GrandSeignior himself, upon the assurance of a revvard proportionable to the merit of the service; nay and they might (probably) have been well enough disposed that way, up­on a right judgement of things; it being e­vident that the great Officers of the Army could never be safe under any Government, but a Monarchical; to which their own thwarting Ambition had [...]o far reconciled them (at least some whom I knew) that they would usually say, that if they must have a single Person to govern, they would rather give their Vote, that Charles Stuart should be the Man than any other; whereas they knew that a Democrasie (however bound less in its own power) would always be jealous of them, and shift them out of their commands. In this Particular Lambert had much the advantage of Monk: This had been his true and proper Interest, and of those under him at Newcastle, could they have tru­sted the King, and one another; and Lambert had caution given him, after he had disturb­ed the Parliament, that if he did not design to bring in the King, his own Projects would evaporate into Smoak. But the greatest ob­struction on the Kings side was, that tho' in [Page 17] Law he was our Only and Rightful K [...]ng, [...]et it was not then known how far he woul [...] Pardon; nor could I, for all Mr. Monk's Errant to his Brother, foresee how fa [...] the Church would be Restored, if the King was. But I saw that the Good man had adventur'd himself upon a dangerous Message; and so did deserve well, could he induce his Bro­ther to clo [...]e with this Overture for the King; which if he should be able to effect, I [...]ld him that I did not then doubt but that I could procure, that he should be Provost of Eaton-Colledge, and I was as good as my word to him; the General after­wards, upon my reque [...], using the In­terest of Sir John Greenvile to do it: And that for [...]y self, I would endeavor to suc­ceed in Mr. Hales's Fellowship There; which the Noble Earl of Northampton (who had been an E [...]ton Schollar) obtained for me. This I [...]ention in gratitude to his Honor, as being done without my Application to him: But I mark it yet more solemnly, to attribute it to a superior disposal of us: and of me more especially; For the General, [...]pon the King's Return, [...]ound me up to wait his leasure for p [...]eferment, with pro­mises of after-provision for me. So much for dividing the Bears skin, now we are to kill the Bear.

It was by this time Evening, when the Ge­ [...]eral [Page 18] used to be alone: But when Mr. Monk and I came into the Dining-Ro [...]m, we found that several Officers from Leith and Edinburgh had not yet received their Dis­patches; one of whom took me aside, and asked me, how it was that the General's Brother came to see him Now? I thought it no rudeness to ask the reason of the Now; but I soon found his meaning. What In­telligence [...]ame from London I cannot tell; but this I can, that designs of this nature were not so carefully concealed as they ought to have been: However I did seem­ingly satisfie the busie Enquirer, with a pre­tence of his Daugh [...]ers Marriage; whose fate it was to be unfortunate in the Over­ture of Matches. So we left the General, as [...]et, to the work of his place. This Jea­lousie did somewhat startle Mr. Monk; and indeed Collonel Atkins and he being both in the House at a time, were too many▪ Mr. Monk would have had me with him at the opening of his Embassy to his Brother; which [...] refus­ed, as fearing the mischief of it, and know­ing the reservedness of the General. But I gave him Instructions (such as I thought fit) how to insinuate this dangerous Errant, and told him, that I would watch the time to do my part in it. The General went late to Bed that Night; where I believe I left him to take little rest▪ But I took no notice of what his [Page 19] Brother either Had or was to say to him. And for what I was to say, having asked his leave to speak, and obtain [...]d it; I told him, that the things I was to speak of were of great moment, and I could not say any thing, unless he would promise to give me no An­swer; telling him, that so, if he judged me either Imprudent, or that I should be Trea­cherous, I could have no advantage upon Him, though he might of Me; and I per­ceived this did not dislike him. The substance of what I said was; that I knew he had the Heart of an English [...]man to pitty his Country, and the Courage to redeem it from Slavery; and I knew that he had Wisdom enough to judg of things, whether he had an opportu­nity to do it or no.

The next day before Noon, Mr. Monk came to my Chamber, with the glad News that his Brother liked the Plot; and much the better, because the Presbyterians were con­cerned in it, naming several of them to me, and not forgetting his Couzen Moric also; but he was most satisfied with the Assurance that the Lord Fairfax was engaged, with whom, afterwards, he kept correspondence. Collonel Atkins was now gone to make a Visit farther in the Country, but returned to us the Week after; Thus I found that the Gene­ral stood Engaged, and from this time I do date, that his Resolutions were fixed [Page 20] for the Kings Restauration: So happy it was for His Majesty to employ Sir John Greenvile, and so lucky for him to send his Clerk, Mr. Nicholas Monk hither; where he omit­ted nothing of his Instructions, and prudent­ly managed them, as may reasonably be inferred from the good effect they had. Thus did the sense of Allegiance, and the Love of his Country prevail with his Brother against all hazzards: And, if I knew him right, the revenge of slights was some part of a grain in the Scales. It is not improbable neither, that he had been in the Night, quickned with a Curtain-Lecture of Damnation; a Text that his Lady oft Preac [...]ed upon to him, and sometimes he would complain of it, where he safely might.

Saturday came, and brought Mr. Gumble to Dalkeith, where now and then he used to give the General a Sermon or Two, and so eased me, for which I gave him thanks. He was then one of the Chaplains of the [...]nto which Cromwel had Erected; and which did act, till the Deposition of Richard his Son; nay, the Officers were still continued upon that Establishment, in expectation of what the Parliament would do in it: Such a Cabal they found necessary for the support of their Usur­pation; and hereof the General from the time of its first Erection was nominated a Member. So M [...]. Gumble's imployment [Page 21] was such as made him well known; be­side that he was an acceptable Preach­er, and his Company much more so to ve­ry many Officers of Edenburgh, where he resided; and this the rather, both to them and the General, because he had not en­gaged into a Congregational Church, as his Brother Chaplaine had done. He was a strenuous asserter of Freedom, and disre­lished the single persons of Oliver and Ri­chard Cromwel, when they sate successive­ly in the Throne of Usu [...]pation; he was somewhat better pleas'd at the return of the old Parliament; but being of quick apprehension he soon discerned that those few Members of it would keep themselves within those Walls of Empire at Westmin­ster, and not suffer the Wheel to turn round; and as a generous person did not dissemble his discontents, but would speak them franckly and boldly enough to the General. And this too, was Sir George Booths quarrel.

So the General (who knew how to make use of men) after some conference with him, made him his Minister of State: And having received instructions how to proceed, he came up to my Study, where he found me then busie and alone. So he bad me lay aside all thought of Preaching, for to Morrow; for he would undertake it for me. [Page 22] Now at that time there happened to be o­ther work upon my hands which required a quick Dispatch; for I was transformed into a Secretary of State; my province be­ing to frame a Letter to the Parliament, according to directions given, which was to be sign'd by the General and such of the Officers as he could bring into this new de­sign: But Mr. Gumble said he was not fully satisfied of the grounds of the Generalls En­gagement, now, after his Brother was come; for he might have done that sooner, and if he had, I am confident that Mr. Gumble would not have been wanting, on his part, to serve the Publique. But I told him that Mr. Nicholas Monks Journey was for his Daughter, and it was necessary to try what his Brother would contribute towards her Marriage, the match being to be with a Kinsman of theirs, which the General had desired, and approved. So the motives of this Engagement being waved (for Mr. Gum­ble did not insist upon them as a hindrance to the good cause in which he was resolved to embarque himself) we proceeded to the fi­nishing of the Letter to the Parliament, which was that day done.

The next was the Lords day, and the work of it was carried on by Mr. Gumble, who, in h [...]s last Prayer, put up a Petition for the good Intentions of the General; which soon [Page 23] after were communicated in my Chamber; whither came the General and his Brother, Adjutant Smith, and Mr. Gumble. But be­fore any discourse was enter'd upon, I swore the General (his hands being laid upon the Bible open) in these words. You [...] swear, that you shall not reveal any [...] shall be discoursed of by us, or read [...], without the consent of all here present. So he kissed the Book. The rest I swore in or­der, one by one, after this manner. You shall truly swear that you shall not reveal a­ny thing that shall be discoursed of or read unto you, without the consent of the General and all here present. And lastly, I [...]wore my self; and I will be my own Casuist for publishing of this; and keep the Bible for a Relique, without fea [...] of Supersti­tion.

Our Declaration in deed, but, in form, our Letter or Supplication to the Parliament, was read; 'tis supposed to have been pre­faced with good words, clawing them for their glorious actions, which we could not avoid doing. But yet we took the liber­ty to mind them that we found the bo­dy of the English Nation disatisfied with their proceedings, as apprehending that their Intention was to appropriate the Go­vernment to their Individual persons; and that though there might possibly be [...]ome­thing [Page 24] of danger in gratifying them, for fear of the old Enemy; yet however, it did not appear to the good People, who had fought for their Liberty, that they had entertain'd any thought of the fill­ing up of their Number; much less done any thing toward the prescribing of Rules for the Future Elections of such Parlia­ments as were supposed to be contained under the name of a Common wealth, which themselves owned to be the Su­pream Government; and that otherwise their Armies could not protect them in their Authority; this not being the good old Cause for which they fought, and they could not answer to their conscien­ces the effusion of so mu [...]h blood to up­hold only a few men in their Sovereign­ty. Wherefore to prevent the shedding of more, we became Petitioners to them (we said) that they would speedily pass such votes, and do such things as might satis­fie all the honest and G [...]dly People in the Nation, that they did not design their own greatness but the good and safety of the Common-wealth.

In the mean time the General de­clared that he would associate what force he could, till he saw that their Votes and actions were satisfactory. Here I confess [Page 25] that I have not related words, but things; for the Paper was the next day burnt, because our design proved abortive. This was the Substance of our intended Letter to the Parliament, which having been read by me, (the General, with his Confede­rates, correcting or adding such expressi­ons as were thought fit) the Presenting of it to the Officers of our Army to signe, as their humble Petition and Advice to the Parliament, was resolved upon. But the [...] were to be Petitioners with Swords in their hands, for the General gave im­mediate order to Adjutant Smith to go that night to Edenbu [...]gh, and Leith, and to secure the Castle of the one, and the Cittidel of the other; (he relying up­on the discretion and fidelity of this Ad­jutant in the management of so impor­tant an Affair) for we did not doubt but that Captain Clifton (the Governor of the Castle) would be ours, and we were as sure that Hughes and Miller in Leith were devoted to the Generals Ser­vice; and he was most confident of his Adjutant, that he would not fail in the Execution of his trust, as having for some years been received into his sp [...]cial Fa­vor and Friendship: And this was the hour of his probation. So the General, hav­ving [Page 26] a while discoursed with us, left his orders to the Adjutant to hasten to Horse, for it was not above an Hour to night; but himself descended my Stairs having other, and more secret designs to fetch, in assi [...]tance to this new Enterprize. But long he had not left us, before he came up again, where he found us still dis­coursing of the affair in hand and our engagement in it. His Adjutant was now ready to lea [...]e us to Execute his Orders, but the General stopped him and be­spake us, Thus. Gentlemen; it will be no great prejudi [...]e to our business, if we wait for the Info [...]mation of the [...]ext Post; for Lambert is Marched towards Booth, and by this time is ready to Face him, and then we shall know whether Booth hath that force with him that 'tis said he hath, and what likel [...]-hood there is of the Acti­on, by any farther Assistance. 'Twas our duty, and it was fit for us, to yield to the Generals Prudence, who [...]nderstood things of this nature better then we did or could. But it was a rashness in me, which to this day I do not forgive my self, to sollicite the General afresh; for he had not long le [...]t us the second time, but I took the opportunity to Steal down after him, whom I found close in discourse with [Page 27] Gradenker an honest Montrosian, and a good Grey Hound Master, the lat­ter of which qualities had before recom­mended him to the Generals Friend­ship. I stood at a distance, perceiv­ing the conference was [...]erious, till he would be at leasure to speak with me; and, seeing [...]e, he soon was: To whom, I (being impatient of all de­lays, and thinking every minute lost in which we were not visible upon the Stage of so Noble an attempt) addressed my self with some sort of forwardness, and told him of the danger (as I foolish­ly thought) of the delay, and that his Brother had come to us already with the latest. The General (I can never forget his posture of answering me) laid his hands on my Shoulders, Frowned, and Paused; and then, in some anger, spake thus (Gradenker being at a good distance) what Mr. Price (said he) will you then bring my Neck to the Block for the King, and ruin our whole design, by ingaging too rashly? To whom I returned with submission, Sir I never named the King to you either now, or at any other time. But he dismissed me Thus; well, I know you have not, but I know you, and have understood your mean­ing. Now the manner of my Addresses [Page 28] to him used to be for our known Laws and Liberties, propounding the attempt as a thing which would render him re­nowned to all Posterity and the Three Na­tions happy: For in those days I durst not name Kingdoms, for the danger of the Relation. So that night he slept (or did not) in expectation of the Post, which came the next Morning Six Hours at least sooner than ordinary, and brought us the glad tydings that Sir George Booth was Beaten, and routed. Good news Fly apace, and by Noon several Offi­cers (and those the most considerable of the Sectarians Sort) came to rejoyce, and Dine with the General; but his Ordinary Table served for a Thanks-giving Dinner for them. Mr. Monk, Mr. Gumble, and Adju­tant Smith, had the good Fortune to Dine abroad; but my Duty was to be at the Generals Table, where I heard the expressions of joy that passed from Offi­cer to Officer, for the total defeating of Sir George Booth; and that the mercy was not ordinary, for the greatest part of the Gentry of England (they said) were engaged in it; and that their old Friends (naming the Presbyterians) were more forward in the action, then their old E­nemies the Cavali [...]rs: And that it was apparant [Page 29] that Booth, and his Confederates, would have brought in Charles Stuart. Upon this the General gave them the Complement of a Thanksgiving day, that he could wish that the Parliament would make a Law that whoever should but mention the Restoring of him, should presently be Hang'd. I had reason to think that he was but in jest; otherwise, I could guess where the Hang­ing lay. But to let Posterity see how far the Parliaments Reformation had prevailed a­gainst the Liturgy, and Bishops; a very in­tricate Case of Conscience was put, before Dinner, whether he could be a Godly Man, that Prayed the same Prayer Twice. Some were for the Negative, but others said they durst not be so peremptory. At Dinner the madness continued, and the Joy increased, insomuch, that in their Jollity they fell to Scoffing at the Name of Priest: Nay, and even the Presbyterian himself would no longer down with them for a Gospel-Mini­ster, but he had also his Leaven of Popery. At last one Captain Poole, of Collonel Fairfax's Regiment, spake (his Mouth be­ing open) that there could never be a qui [...] and lasting settlement in these Nations, so long as there was a Parish Priest, or a Stee­ple- [...]. Upon which extravagancy of Thanksgiving Recreations, the Gene­ral (who could keep his reserves with Men) [Page 30] [...] not, or rather would not do it here; but in [...]n unexpected Indignation rose from his Cha [...] and [...] to the amazement of all▪ [...] and softly (says he) Captain Poole, if you, [...] your Party once come to pluck there, I will [...] with you. Whereupon there was a sud­den damp▪ they [...]ere but Soldiers before their General and we [...]e [...]ilent; and thus con [...]luded the Mir [...] and the Thanksgiving Dinner. But the General, and those who were ingaged [...] him, either kept, or I am s [...]e ought to hav [...] done, a [...] Festival Eveni [...]g; for a so­ber and fincere Thanksgiving became us, such as was ex [...]lusive of the Hypo [...]ite, for we [...] not act the [...]risee. And reflecting upon [...] deliverance (as I oft have done) I once ask [...] [...]he General what he thought should [...] become of [...]s, had the tidings of Lam­ [...]'s beating of Booth surprized us in the very [...] [...]ppearance of our design, when it had [...] f [...]r us (our [...] b [...]ing [...] into Action▪) to have made any safe [...] ▪ He seem'd gently to remin'd me of my [...] with him, but I must not forget [...] [...] Return, which was [...]'doubt not b [...] I could have secured to my self the Castle of [...]denburgh and Cittidel of Leith; some Officers, and many Soldiers would have followed [...]; and then [...] ▪ would have Commiss [...]oned the whole Scottish Nation to Rise. This I believe (they would have done at his Whistle, for after [Page 31] the beating of Sir George Booth, they be­gan to be desperate, and saw that the whole frame of a National Church was like to be lost. Several of their own Country-men would not be kept within the bounds of Dis­cipline; Swinton and Osborne and others, tacked about timely for Quakers, as that which was most likely to be the thriving Sect; the Prin­ciples of it being such, that they put no rules to the conscience, but only breathed the Air, and lived in the Region of Enthusiasm. It was a Trojan Horse of all Heresies, every man might be of this comprehensive Religion with a Salvo to his own, a Jew▪ and a Jesuit might stand with his Hat on his Head, for the Light within him, and all Practical Villanies might have come in under this Shelter.

I told the General, that if things did con­tinue in this State much longer, it would▪ be found that the Quaker would be as great a Goad in the sides of our new Sects, as ever the Old Puritan was to the Church of England▪ For about this time came seve­ral Quakers from England, who were cun­ning Seminaries of this new Faith, and some of them came to our He [...]d Quarters, and taught Doctrines not to be believed by Sol­diers, of the unlawfulness of such a bloody calling. They were all Sheep and Doves to receive and not do injuries. Once i [...] [Page 32] was my ill luck to meet with Two of them in the Generals and his Ladys presence, when they were upon the Theme of parting with their Coat and Cloak also. His Lady very pleasantly forced me to stand the Brunt of their Folly, to whom I had no other An­swer to return, but that they might have another Light within the [...], one day; which was, that he that hath no Sword, let him sell his Garment, and buy one. Afterwards there was a Number of them in Lambert's Army in New-Castle, as it was related to us; where they bargained for, and sold Horses, to be paid when [...]ch, or such a Steeple-House (in our Langua [...] a Church) was pulled down.

It was now high time for the General to look out for a Religion for himself, though it was a Principle that the Marquis of Argi [...] [...]ad taught, that it was the Character of a Wise man, not to let the World know of what Religion he was.

But the Generals Lady found him out one, [...]or now she declares Mr. Monk is a Presbyterian, and my So [...] ▪ Kit is for the Long Parliament and the Good Old [...]. This soon found it's Operation; for t [...] C [...]rgy of S [...]land made their Addresses [...]o the General as their Patron. They were of Two sorts, the Publick Resolutions, and the Remonstrators: The Division occasioned thus.

[Page 33]After the battle of Dunbar was fought▪ and lost by the Scotch Subjects, an. 1650▪ (which consisted only of those who had ta­ken the Solemn League and Covenant) it came to a debate whether they might not, without breach to their Covenant, strengthen their Allegeance to the King by taking in a conve­nient number of their Fellow-Subjects, wh [...] had fought for his Royal Father under the Marquis of Montross against the Covenan­ters: 'Twas voted that (since they were re­duced to unexpected streights) their assi­stance might be accepted, and they enter­tained into the Kings Service, without da­mage to the cause of God and the Kirk: This was the judgement of the Major part of the Clergy, and prevailed: but there were some whose Consciences being more nice, remon­strated against this Resolution as ungodly, which by the Artifice of the Marquiss of Ar­gyle was fomented, and so the party with­drew: This became a feud so irreconcila­ble, even when the whole Kingdom of Scot­and was under the English Obedience, that they would not converse or receive the sacra­ment each with other. It was once told the General; that at Leith there being a boat rea­dy to go off for Fiffe, a Remonstrating Mi­nister stept in; but seeing a Resolutioner of his Coat there, he went out, and would ra­ther loose his passage then sail in the same [Page 34] boat. This division I have the rather menti­oned; because it may be a word in season to the concerned to beware of the heats and pedantry of such Ecclesiastick Enthusiasts, who do so much contribute to the ruine of Kingdoms: and sometimes are destructive to their own Societies. These men, apart (keeping Intelligence each upon another, that they might not meet) did make their frequent visits to the General, being now a declared Presbyterian; laid open the lamen­table condition of the Kirk of Christ, and implored his care, and Patronage of it; who gave them such comfortable words as his sta­tion would permit him then to do.

The end of Mr. Nicholas Monk's Embassy to his Brother, was now frustrated▪ and it be­ing so, it created some disfidence of his pru­dence and secresie. In Negatives I can avouch for no man, but my self; and under the awe of the Searcher of hearts I do write and de­clare, that the secret slept within my breast till after the King was restored, and actual­ly return'd: and next, I do think so well of Mr. Monk's care and prudence, that he did not in Scotland communicate it to any, but his Brother and me; for so, upon his return, he told Sir John Greenvile. But so it was, that there were suggestions of Information, or rather of Temptation to the General, that the good man was like to be sacrificed. But [Page 35] this went no further: either that the sugge­sters would not stand the Test, or that the probation would be injurious to more the [...] one: However I do conjecture there could have been found no other guilt in Mr. Monk, than the curiosity of the Suggester.

This was a time of Hearsays and Discove­ries of Plots; for all Action ceased upon Booth's Defeat: Mr. Gumble makes his fre­quent visits to Dalkeith to hear and report news: keeps his correspondence with Scot, Secretary of State (to whom he was known when he was Vicar of Wickham in Bucking­hamshire) and by him understood how affairs went at London, and what jealousies began to arise between the Parliament and Army, and some of the more eminent Members and Officers of both; makes his advantage of them, and adds fuel to the fire.

I was taken into his Counsel sometimes, and employed to write: so we sent Letters by the Post either with no name at all, or what we thought fit; and this was a divertise­ment, thus to play in the blind with the Grandees, and to tell them those things, which themselves knew could not be revea­led but by their Treacherous Confidents.

The General now saw the usefulness and interest of Mr. Gumble, and the danger of disobliging him; wherefore he was retained as his Confident; insomuch that when the [Page 36] General appeared against the Army for di­sturbing the Parliament, the action was lookt upon as proceeding meerly upon Mr. Gum­ble's advice. This was rather the General's Protection then otherwise; for had it been insinuated, that his Engagement proceeded from any sinister hand, he would have found at home among his own Officers, that suspitions would have more increast upon him. But Gumble was looked upon as the on­ly man, and so represented by Mr. Welch from Leith to Wallingford house, who suggested, that had it not been for him, George Monk had never stirr'd.

Mr. Nicholas Monk was preparing to re­turn with his Daughter by Sea, as he came; but before he went we heard of the Trium­phant Return of Lambert to his Masters at Westminster, who employed him to com­mand in chief in the expedition against Booth, which proved a Conquest easier than it was once thought it would have been. The Spoil was not yet divided: Nor was the S [...]ldiery content with what only appeared to be a Prey; that is, the forfeiture of those Gentlemens Estates; who in defence of their ancient Laws and Liberties were found in the Field. Wherefore a Clamour was rai­sed, and a Supplication framed, to bring those to condign punishment, who had in any measure, or to any degree assisted in Booth's [Page 37] Conspiracy, or could be detected as con­scious of it: And had this Inquisition been made, and a Sequestration passed upon it, This After-harvest would have been worth more pounds, than the former publick Sales of the Kings and Church Land; (as the gleaning of the Grapes of Ephraim were better than the Vintage of Abiezer) and how for this change of the face of things would have conduced to fix a new Interest, I leave to be judged.

Though it became the Army to leave this Inquisition after Delinquency to the Parlia­ment, yet the frame of this Petition seemed just; that they might not be always exerci­sed with the fears of the Common Enemy. But there was a hidden intrigue in it, to pick a Quarrel with their Masters; for e­ven some of them had not utterly lost the Consciences of English men, and were loath to have the Government of the Common­wealth monopolized into so few hands; nay, and those of them which yet savoured of Presbytery, were themselves suspected for a sort of Delinquents.

The general foresaw whither this appli­cation of the Souldiery tended; and very pleasantly told me, I see now that I shall have a better game to play than I had before. His expression was, I know Lambert so well, that I am sure he will not let those People at West­minster, [Page 38] sit till Christmas-day.

October was begun, when Mr. Monk left Dalk [...]ith; and he went from us too with the Character of an Envoy; for he was to as­sure the Parliament of his Brother's fide­lity to them, and that he would stand firm to their Interest and Authority, against all opposition whatsoever. I parted with him upon the Sands of Leith, not without some grief and reflection upon our distracted Country; charging him to sollicite for the Prayers of good Men. I named unto him Dr. Hammond and Dr. Shelden, who were, upon the information given me, actually Bishops, but it seems I was deceived: So we comforted our selves, that God had in reserve his appointed seasons of Mercy. But the General, about this time, found en­couragement from the Host of Heaven: And a Scoth-Noble man came to him, and told him plainly (after much Discourse with him) that the King would be restored, and that within some few Month; that he looked upon him as a principal instrument toward the effecting of it; & that not a drop of Blood should be spilt in the action. This was the Earl of Nitzdale, whom I do not remember to have seen ever before with the General; for his Religion rather requi­red his retirement, than converse; and this the General informed me of; and of the [Page 39] Earls Prophetick apprehensions, that there should not be the blood of a cut Finger in the action; he spoke it merrily, and the [...]efore was assured of his share in it.

But at the Cockpit I have heard him tell it at large: Consonant hereunto I have a Paper (among others) by me of one Mrs. Katherin Johnson's (a Copy of which was by her delivered to Cromwell.) I am very well satisfied of the truth of the delivery, I knew the Gentlewoman, She being of a good Family: and I can witness; that when she was in my House (for she was re­lated to me) she spent much time in Fast­ing, and Prayer. The words of the Pa­per are these; Great General! All the power of the World is in your hands; therefore let humility be your guide, for none shall correct you but God: The Lord gives, and the Lord takes, blessed be his Name. Have peace with all Men; refuse None. In the 16th Year of King Charles his Reign, I delivered him a Manuscript, wherein I told him of his de­struction; but he took none of my Counsel, though I was sent from God. As for the Scotch King (as he is called) his right, here, must be in peace, not by the Sword. I can say more, if I be called to an account; but what I say is by Faith, and I shall justifie it with my life. June the 18th. I conceive the Year was 1653.

[Page 40]I shall not undertake the vindication of the Nobleman, or the Prophetess, but only, in transitu, relate matter of fact, till the English make us work. That which Mrs. Johnson forewarn'd the late King of was, not to sign the Bill for the death of the Earl of Strafford; which the good King after­ward repented of. And tho' she had the fate of Cassandra, not to be believed; yet Mr. Lenthal (the Speaker) who was satisfi­ed of the truth of this, gave such credit to her warning of him to beware of the Oath of Abjuration against the Royal Family, that he absented himself from the House for a­bout Ten days, under the pretence of the Gout: And she assured him he should be for­given for what else he had done against the King.

The Prognostick of Doctor [...]ayborn is very well known, who told the General that he should command in the North, and after­wards in all England, which the Doctor owned to me, and for which the General owed him a respect; for he would ponder on the fancie, and not altogether neglect the belief of them: But possibly the Man had more credit with him than the Pro­phet [...]cy. I know, when he was in Scotland (speaking of the infelicities that did at­tend the King's Family) he was told that the King, after the Twenty Ninth Year of [Page 41] his Age, had very benign Aspects, pointing at his Restauration: And he who told him this, added somewhat more: So much of I know not what to I know not whom; de­siring in the first place, that the Reporter may be believed; and next, that the vi­ctuosos of infidelity would not look upon this as a Paralogism; for when a Man fore­tells me three things, two whereof are alrea­dy come to pass, he may without a tincture of levity be believed for a third: Nay, and I know a fourth and a fifth,

Mr. Monk was now safely Arrived at London, to give an account of his Old Em­bassy, and to impart his N [...]w. The Old ap­pertained to Sir John Greenvile, who sent him into Scotland. To Him he said he could give no other account, than that he could give none at all, for that he was under an Oath of secresie: but his Message he had delivered to his Brother, and that he had imparted it to none besides but to me. Sir John thought this was enough, and immedi­ately acquainted the King with it; his Ma­jesty being then at Brussels. This gave en­couragement to Sir John Greenvile, after­wards to treat personally with the General, which he was resolved to do; waiting the occasion for it; which in the process of a few Months, was happily offered; and his negotiation accepted, and effected.

[Page 42]Mr. Nicholas Monk's new Credentials from his Brother were to be Imparted to Dr. Clar­gis; which were, that the General would resolutely adhere to the Parliament, and declare for their cause, if he found any di­sturbance given them. This was so well ma­naged by the Dr. (who was now become Agent for the Sco [...]ch and Irish Armies) tho' Mr. Monk came but just time enough, that the Men at Westminster in sense of the Generall's Fidelity, and in requital of his offered kindness, (when they saw they must yield to Lambert's Ambition) in an expiring Vote of Revenge, before their Authority suffe­red a Second Rape, constituted him about the seventh part of a Generalissimo. (the Power by which he seemed afterward to act, and give Commissions.)

On the 11th. of October, Lambert brake up his Masters House-Keeping at Westminster; for it was now high time to allow their Ser­vants the Priviledge of Persian Slaves, [...]z. To Feast upon Soveraignty. So he began his Christmas sooner than the General thought he would; but not sooner than he was provi­ded for him; for his Provide [...]t Frugality in Scotland, had laid up some Thousands for the Pay of his Army, if [...]pon any suddain Disturbance in England, he could not be Re­lieved from thence, that so he might keep his Souldiers in Obedience to him. And with­out [Page 43] a Spirit of Prophecy he did easily fore­see this Change.

Three Kingdoms for about 17 years (by our Civil-War) had been deprived of a Just Government; or the Plenary exercise of it: But now they groaned under a fatal Ana [...]chy; which to supply, a Tumultuary Juncto was set up, called a Committy of Safe [...]y.

Here I shall not forget to Contribute to the Memory of Mr. Hales (once a Fellow of Eaton) who told me, after the Battel of Naseby, that he saw now that Fairfax's Ar­my would Master both King and Parliam [...]nt too; and Rule as the Roman Emperours, or Generalls, in Despight of the Senate: Adding, that I might live to see it, but he, as he ho­ped, was going to his Grave.

At this time the Generall's Lady was her self a Committe of Safety; for she had found in her Dream, where to place the Empire of 3 Crowns; which she told me thus.

Sh [...] saw a great Crown of Gold on the top of a Dunghil, with a numerous Com­pany of brave Men Encompassed; but for a great while none would break the Ring. At last, there came a Tall Black Man up to the Dunghil, took up the Crown, and put it upon his Head.

Upon the Relating of this, she askt what manner of Man the King was. I told her, that when I was an Eaton Scholler I saw at [Page 44] Windsor, sometimes, the Prince of Wales at the Head of a Company of Boys; that himself was a very Lovely Black Boy; and that I heard that since, he was grown very Tall.

On the 17th. of October, by the Post, came the certain News to Dalkeith, that the Ar­my had Dislodged the Parliament: Of which sad Tydings the Generall's Lady was to me the first Evangelist; and came up to my Chamber to tell it, seeming much to bewail her Husbands Infelicity, that he had not left his Command; for he had Requested it a little before, by a Letter to the Speaker; (whether in reallity or out of design I do not allow my self to Judge) she adding fur­ther, that she had bought very many Trunks, to carry her Goods over into Ireland (and in­deed, many were but newly bought) and that they could live comfortably There, upon their Estate; and that the Generall would delight to be a Planter in hi [...] old days.

I told her, well Madam; you come to carry your Trunks now into England; and that may be as w [...]ll. I confess I did not promise her to go forth, and be a Dutchess, (no disgrace to her Memory; For at, and before this time, she had deserved it) but I merrily thought of Ben Johnson's Al [...]hymist, here is Gold go [Page 45] forth and be a Knight. She was almost angry with me that I would not look upon it as ill News: and then asked me what the General should do now. I told her, Mad [...]m, he is so wise, that he knows what he has to do: no body need be his Counsellor: And your Ladyship and I, shall find he will not let slip this opportunity to r [...]deem and res [...]e his Country from the slavery and Tyranny it has lain under. But I had good reason to think that she did but dissemble with me, unless it were that she was afraid that her band should engage: tho afterward she did her share to induce him to it.

I perceiv'd she had told the General how mer­ry she found me upon this disaster; for soon a [...]ter taking me aside, (he said) I shall not employ you in any part of my Business, and be not discontented at it, for you know not these People so well as I do, and cannot dissemble with them. I thanked him for this, but seeing he was so plain, and fo kind, I made this request to him, that he would take up one resoluti­on, viz. not to be squemish about the change of Officers, that would not be wholly depen­dant upon him, but reform from a Corporal to a Colonel.

Before it was Noon, the General stood engaged against the Sword of England; his Protestation being, that he would re­duce the Millitary power in obedience to the Civil: and he was as good as his word. Now [Page 46] he is visible upon the Stage: where I leave him to Gods good Providence, and his own great Prudence, to place and di [...]place Officers; to scure Cittadels and Castles; to enter into Treaties and dissolve them; to march a for­lorn of his Forees into England▪ and recall them; to encourage the Arms of the Presby­terians, and not to use them; and to employ the Councellors of his Camp in a Paper War, leaving them to be the Dictators of it, and when they had done, to leave them.

Fo [...] I have not undertaken to give an exact Journal of things publickly known and allow'd, (there being no controversie of them) but of General Monk's designed Loyalty to restore the King and Liberties of the Subject, and the Laws of the Realm to the state they were in be [...]ore our civil Wars commenced▪ An. 1642. And though I perswade my self that what I have already delivered as to that par­ticular will be amply satisfactory to the inge­nuous and unprejudic'd; yet I shall briefly prosecute the method of this miraculous Re­sta [...]ration, and the difficulties that it met with; declining as much as possible remarks upon such par [...]icular persons as would have obstructed this glorious Enterprise, and most [...] atchievement of the late Duke of Albermale, whose memory must be revered by all the Subjects of these 3 Kingdoms▪ who delight not in Blood and Faction. [Page 47] To proceed therefore, that Afternoon the Ge­n [...]ral sent his trusty Adjutant (now Sir Jere­miah [...]) [...]o Edenburgh and Leith, which by his diligenc [...], and the influence and int [...] ­grity of Hoblthorn Hughes, Miller and Chlif­ton, were secured to the Generals Interest. The [...] likewis [...] order'd the March of such Troops of Horse, on who [...]e Captains he could most relye; as Johnson, Symnel and others.

At Night he stopped the Pacquet for Eng­land, and the next day left Dalkeith and his Lady there, to pack up their Truncks; not knowing whether the fate of the day would carry him.

He came about 2 or 3 hours besore Nigh [...] to Edenburgh; where were usually quartered two Regiments of Foot, (excepting some few Companies, which were sent out upon particular service) ready to be remanded and exchanged.

The Regiments were is Own, and Col. Tal­bots: by the assistance of This, He began the Reformation of his Own, out of which he dis­missed several Officers, and would have im­prisoned his Major for ill offiences done, had he not narrowly escaped his hands: and alth [...] the Leiutenant Colonel was absent [...]rom his Command, (as he usually was) yet upon Presumption that he was no Friend to his De­sign; the General gave away his Commission to Captain Morgan, and his Majors to Cap­tain Nichols.

[Page 48]At Night when he came to his Quarter [...] he bethought himself, of securing Berwick, as a Place of great importance to his new affairs. He knew the Governor (Col. Meers) was steedy to him, but doubted whether Meer [...] could answer for his Officers; who should they mutiny at the noise of the Generals De­claration, the Town might run the hazard of being lost. Wherefore a Party of Horse, (commanded by Captain Johnson) was sent thither to strengthen the hands of the Gover­nour: and indeed the Captain came but just time enough to do it; for the Governour had s [...]arce clapt up his dissenting Offic [...]rs; but Col. Cobbet enter'd there with Instructions, and authority from the Army in England, to afsert and promote their Inter [...]st. But Cap­tain Johnson brought him Prisoner to the Ge­neral, and he committed him to the Castle of Edenburgh.

But had not General Monk been quick in remonstrating against Lambert's proceedings; It was thought Cobbet would and could have sent Him thither.

The General was wholly intent upon satis­fying his Army of the justice of his Procee­dings, and of the necessity of using the me­thod of force, to restore the Parliament. To this end now h [...] had his Confidents and Ad­jutators up and down; of whom Mr. Gumbl [...] did him singular service; for he had an excel­lent [Page 49] dexterity at spiriting a Cause. The Ge­neral now resolving to make a thorough Re­formation of his Troops, dismissed all Offi­cers from their trust, who would not be sa­tisfyed with his engagement against the Ar­my in England; and having secured his home­quarters, [...]e forthwith extended his care to the Cittadels and Castles Remote: Captain Witter undertook for the Cittadel of St. Johnstons, and Captain Robinson for that of Air.

Finding now that he had a good Cause, and some ground to stand upon; he dispacht Letters to Lieutenant General Fleetwood, to Major General Lambert, and to Mr. Lenthal, (the late Speaker) In one or more whereof was signified, his Resolution to restore our Laws and Liberties; which expression was afterwards construed in a larger sence, than possibly might at first be intended; and I know how it was expounded to the Lord Fairfax.

The arrival of these 3 Letters at London, gave some seint Hopes to the Rumpers of a second Restauration; and infinitely surprised the Ar­my-Grandees, who neither expected such an opposition, nor would believe they had any reason to fear it: It being so directly against the Interest of any one part of the Army to divide against the rest: Besides that it could not enter into the thoughts of the Men of [Page 50] Wallingford house; that Souldiers should love their Country better than their Pay. Nay, and though they might have rational Jealousies, that Monk would not approve of their acti­ons, yet they were assured by some of his Officers, who were in Town, that he had not Interest enough to make the Army in Scotland against them.

But this being to some degrees already es­fected▪ Monk was too much a Souldier to be dispised; the place he was in, such, as would enable him to stand a War; and the Cause in which he engaged so just and plausa­ble, that Lamberts ambition would have found it difficult to attempt over the Tw [...]d into Blood against him: For the true state of the quarrel was whether a second Protector, or the old Parliament again. And thus much Fleet­wood seemed to understand soon after Lam­ [...] March towards the North; and it ten­ded not a little to Monks advantage, that Fleetwood by express Messengers pretended to court him. True it is indeed, that Lambert put him self into action under Fleetwood's command; but had success answered his am­bition, the Souldiery would without much difficulty have allowed him the Superiority.

This Rupture between Monk and the Ar­my, was the talk and joy of London; whose Lord Maior and Common Council soon after re­ceived a large Letter from him, inviting them [Page 51] to assist in the Cause he had espoused. The Presbyterians (the far greater part among them) liked the Man better than his un­ [...]ertaking, and the latter it may be some­what the worse, because he had but just before sollicited the Independent Churches to the same esfect, and assured them of their Sp [...]ritual Liberties, as well as Civil. He likewise sent Letters to the Fleet (then in the Downs, under the Command of Lawson) and to some Garrisons and particular Per­sons in England; and namely to Collonel Overton (Governor of Hull) and to the Officers and Army in Ireland; desiring them to declare with him, for the Restoring of the Parliament. But no Encouragement did he receive from any of these: They Returning, that to them the Offences of their Brethren of the English Army did not appear so heinous, as to require a Recourse unto Armes; and that amicable and calm Treaties were more likely to secure their Common safety against the Common Ene­my, who, by this breach would watch an advantage against them. Nay, from the then Governing Officers in Ireland, he was answered with a Resolution to declare a­gainst him, in case he advanced further.

Yet did not these discouragements in the least stagger his firm purpose to go through with his Work: No not though Dr. Clergis, [Page 52] and Collonel Talbot were also expresly sent from Fleetwood and Lambert to supersede it; by whom they were entreated and conjured to use their utmost endeavors to allay the sudden heats of Monk, which had been kindled (they said) by ill Artifices or mi­stakes of their proceedings; of which they assured him that he and his Army should receive a satisfactory Account. Clergis was Brother in Law to the General, Collonel Talbot a Gentleman whose Conversation was acceptable to him; both these came Post haste to us November the Second, with Instructions to cajole Monk out of his Armes and Reason; but the man would not yield. Talbot could not make him believe the sin­cerity of Lambert's Friendship, nor the rea­lity of his proffers of advantage; and Clergis did but prevaricate with them that sent him, and informed the General of the instability and Poverty of the Army in England; they having but little Money, and no means left them of raising any, when that was spent▪ but their Swords. Besides, that the Free Quarter-guests could not long be welcome; for as much as the men at Westminster (fore­seeing their Doom) before their turning out, had Voted it High-Treason to Raise Money out of Parliament. Now, though themselves were but the shadow of the name, and had for many Years Usurped a Power [Page 53] not due to them, yet did they cover their Spight and Revenge with a pretended ten­derness for their Countries Freedom.

Lambert waits not for the Return of his Messengers from Monk, but advances North­ward, with what Forces could be spared, at home, and his Troops increase in his March, for they lay conveniently in the Country, after the defeating of Booth, to be at the Summons of his Orders. He Arrived at New-castle in November, with a Force of about 12000 men, wherein were (as it was Reported among us) 7000 of the chiefest Cavalry of the Army.

Fleetwood sent Captain Deane Treasurer of the Army (a Messenger of his own) to Monk with a very kind Letter, and an Offer of what Preferment in the Army, he would himself. He was kindly received, and entertained by the General at Supper; but he had done ill Offices in his passage to us by dispersing Papers to seduce ou [...] Soldiers; and his deportment to the Gene­ral at his very Table was somewhat un­seemly, for he told him plainly that he had taken the direct course to bring Charles Stuart in upon them by dividing the Army, and by his influence so continuing it, charg­ing him point blank as if Charles Stuart was at the botton of his Design, Consonant to his dispersed Tickets. Here I had forgot [Page 54] my self, and told Mr. Treasurer thus. No, it is you that will bring him in, for ye in Eng­land have more than justified the late King; for he did but demand Five Members of the House of Commons, and ye have Dissolved a Parliament.

The words were scarce out of [...]y Mouth before the General withdrew into a private Room, and ordered a Servant to Whisper me to come to him. When I came, he told me (with a sort of Anger and Love together) Mr. Price, you know that I desired that you would not meddle or make with these People; pray let them alone, I can be Undone by none but you and my Wife. But with Veneration to his Blessed Memory, I hum­bly conceive that he had as much reason to be angry with this Messenger, as with me; for he exceeded the Decorum of an Envoy. I was one Morning at the Head of a Com­pany of Foot when he passed by, and told them, my Lord Lambert is coming upon you, and all Monk's Army will not be enough for a Break-Fast for him. But he met with a Scur [...]y Answer; that Lambert had a v [...]ry good Stomach, this Cold Weather, if he could [...]at [...]ikes, and swallow Bullets.

The General (to show that he was in earnest, and with a prospect of gaining Assistance from the Northern parts of Eng­land,) sent Major Knight, with Four Troops [Page 55] of Horse, and Captain Miller with Six Com­panies of Foot, to enter New-Castle. But Collonel Lilborne had prevented them, and put in a force too great for them to Attack: So they retreated to Awick, and stayed there till they were Remanded. Yet did it make for the General's advantage, to be thus disappointed of enlarging our Quarters; for Lambert was hastning his March, and Monk's Army was not yet fixed; and these Troops and Companies, with their Officers, were the choicest of his Men, and most devoted to his Design. So that the loss of them might have proved injurious to it. But this Project of Enlarging his Quarters (as I remember) was none of his own; but suggested to him as a probable expedient to gain him considerable supplyes of Horse, which he wanted.

The effect of the Armies Message from England to us, was, that it produced a Treaty; which had like to have been Our Ruine, though it ended in Theirs; be­cause it was necessary for Monk to accept of it, he having not yet Modelled his Army: For though his procedure to dismiss his dis­senting, or suspected Officers was quick, and Resolute; yet were they gently Treat­ed at first; some few of them having their Arriers Stated, if not paid, by Special War­rant, and they su [...]fer'd to stay among us. [Page 56] But they made but ill use of the General' [...] dealing thus gently with them; The loss of their Commands opened their Mouths a­gainst him, and their Tongues were Exer­cized to Debauch his Soldiers from their Duty; which being represented to the Ge­neral, caused their intire dismission, with­out any hopes of Arriers to the casheir'd.

So in the beginning of November a Treaty was set on Foot by the Generall, and his Officers; Coll. Wilks, Coll. Cloberry, and Major Knight were nominated, and dele­gated with instructions, and sent up to Wal­ling ford-house to treat with Fleetwood and his Officers. Now Lambert being upon his March from London, met with our peace­able Commissioners at York▪ and would have spared them a further journey; for he assu­red them that he had Power from the Com­mittee of Safety and the General Counsel of Officers to treat, and conclude with them. But they insisting upon the return of the Par [...]iament to their former Power, were dismissed, and suffered to pass on to London, being publique Messengers. However Lam­bert was not altogether without hopes, if not from our Commissioners (when they should further op [...]n their. Credentials at Wal­ling ford-house, whither they were sent) yet from Major General Morgan, then at York, who artificially disliked Monks pro­ceedings; [Page 57] and it was well known that he had a great Interest in his Friendship, and in the Soldiers of Scotland, his Command there, being next to the Generals. Coll. Lil­burne (who Commanded at York) taking notice of this, represented it to Lambert; and it was concluded by them that Mor­gan was a fit Instrument to send into Scot­land; Because that either by his Friendship with Monk he might create a better under­standing between them, or by his influence draw off a Party of the Scotch Army for himself: which was indeed not impossible to have been effected, had his distast of Monks declaring against the Army been real, as it was feigned. And here I note, that it was plea­santly observed how Lambert and Fleetwood, a part, would cajole Monk for themselves.

So Morgan was sent to us, his Message neglected; but his Person most kindly recei­ved by the General, who much wanted him, and soon imployed him in the most difficult s [...]rvice that yet remained unattempted, which was, the reforming of our Horse; for very many even of our private Troops were great Malecontents. Of all evils I believe it was none of the greatest that our Number of Horse was so small, and that the last Summer Fleetwood had remanded two Regiments of them out of Scotland; though, it was conjectur'd, not without some [Page 58] distrust of the Commander in Chief there. Morgan, and Adjutant Smith, were Itine­rant reformers from quarter to quarter, to dismount the dissenting Troopers, and to set Foot-Soldiers on Horse-back, that could buy Boots. But many prevented their be­ing unhorsed, and ran from their Colours, [...]thers again carried them over to the E­nemy, not without threats to return upon us. In this, Lambert had much the advan­tage of us; for we knew of no Revolters from Them, till their money and hopes were spent; his nearness to us (being at New­castle) and the noise of the greatness of his Army, encouraged and frighted away all that would not cordially joyn with us: And yet this at the long run proved no in­convenience to the General; now he thought his Men would stand by it, should he have occasion to use them.

The Messengers from the Independant party, as well Ecclesiastical as Civil, pressed the General with set Speeches to desist from his Enterprise. But he took them up round­ly, and with the eloquence and resolution of a Soldier; silencing their [...]ears of the Common Enemy with suggestions of a pre­tended necessity of doing his duty, in order to the Restoring of the Parliament. It took him up a compleat Month, the purging and forming his Army to his mind, and [Page 59] marching the Troops (from their several Quarters) towards the South of Scotland: But before he left Edenburg, he called a Convention of the Nobility and Burghers; laid before them the Ground of his Quar­rel, required their peaceable deportment during his absence, and the payment of what they were in Arrear to him, for his Ar­my; he having, in consideration of the po­verty of the Country, forborn them long. They frankly yielded to his demand; and some of the Members of that Assembly, by appointment, waited upon him afterwards, at Berwick; moving him to furnish them with Armes, that they might be capacita­ted to assist in the opposing of Lambert's In­vasion, which seemed equally to threaten (they said) both us and them. But the General look't upon the request as too ear­ly and too dange [...]ous for him to grant; be­cause his own men were not to be disobli­ged; beside that the two Armies were not as yet become so far exasperated, as to force us, in despair, to take in the Assistance of those who were Enemies to Both. In some things however they were gratified, and much was promised; so that they went not away discontented. Nay some of them better understood the General, I believe, then his own Officers did; many of which took it in great dudgeon that orders were given out [Page 60] to the Foot Captains to fill up their Vacan­cies with Scots. But indeed the General was necessitated to take this Course: And the Jealousie (be it where it would) was by most of our own party deemed groundless, and ridiculous; in regard that the General had not yet given any advantage to that Nation against the then English Interest.

In which Particular he was so very cau­tious, that afterwards when he saw he had no need of them, he Marched back a part of his own Force (under the Command of Ma [...]or General Morgan) to secure the peace of Scotland. Now this Action was particu­larly canvassed, and adjudged an Argument not only of his prudence, but of his fidelity to that which they called a Parliament, at Westminster. So that he stopt the Mouths of his Invidious Adversaries, who were wont to be continually prating as if that Nation would soon be in Arms against them, were it once left to it self.

Though the Armies attended the issue of the Treaty at Wallingford-house; yet Lam­b [...]rt being now come to Newcastle, the Com­manders on both sides continued to make preparations for War: Monk both for the smallness of his Army, and his great want of Horse, (many of his private Troopers being not well resolved neither) was obli­ged to Act the defensive.

[Page 61]Now if Lambert had not lingered so long at Newcastle, but with his Horse only ad­vanced directly into Scotland; beside that he could then have met with little or no re­sistance, he would also have confined us to very narrow Quarters; and all the Villa­ges and Oates and Straw (of which, at that time, there was plenty) would have been his own: And in truth, being destitute both of Money and Authority, Sudden Act­ion was his true Interest.

The General on the other hand, had both these; and only wanted Power; so that His was Delay. But it was the Almighties good time to disappoint the Strong, to infatu­ate their Counsells, and to sow seeds of Strife and Division amongst them; for a great many of those that had followed Lambert into the North were not through paced to serve his Ambition, some of them looked back upon Fleetwood, (he being acknowledged to have the Superiority in Command) and o­thers again began to aba [...]e of their Jealo­sies towards Monk, who had been repre­sented to them as a secret Friend to Charles Stuart. Besides that Lambert could not, in Justice or Honor, break in upon our Quar­ters, before he understood the event of the Treaty; which he soon after did, to his content.

[Page 62]By the Eighteenth of November the Ge­neral had reached as far as Haddington; intending for Berwick, and to visit the Pas­ses upon the Tweede, that so he might be able to Post his Men to the best advantage. Now upon the same night, and to the same place (after grace had been said at Supper, for Peace) came Information that our Com­missioners had concluded with the Officers at London; which news, I knew was very unwelcome to him; whereupon very early next Morning he returns to Edenburgh, con­sults his Counsellors, Convenes his Officers, and requires their sence upon the matter. It was easy for him (without the help of a Familiar) to foretell what it would be; for now his Army was not the same thing that it was Five Weeks ago: And the Offi­cers knew very well that should they tame­ly submit to this peace, the consequence must be that his Honor the Collonel must sink down into a Captain, and the Captain shrink into an Ensigne, and the Ensigne return to his Halbert; one Article of the Agree­ment being this, that all Osficers who had been suspended, or laid down their Commissions [...] the 11th of October last, by reason of any differences between the Armies, should be heard, and their ca [...]ses adjusted and determin­ed by Fourteen Commissioners; the one half of them to be Chosen by the Counsell of Offi­cers, [Page 63] in England, and the other half by the Counsel of Officers in Scotland. Had they submitted to this Umpire, to foretell which way the Scale would have inclined (now) was obvious.

This Convention of Officers, on both sides, was by Compact to meet at Neweastle, the first of December then ensuing. Now since Monk's declaring against the Army, he had displaced about 140 Officers, who had late­ly been shufled upon him by the then Par­liament, in lieu of a very considerable num­ber of his Stoutest and Bravest Men (upon whose Courage and Fidelity he principally rely'd) whom they had removed before the 11th of October then last past: And though the General sent frequent Letters of Inter­cession for them, yet so great an Influence had the Factions of the Anabaptist and In­dependent at that time, that they prevailed against his mediation: Neither (probably) would they have stopt here, had not the Westminsterians been interrupted in their Session. All those who were thus displaced by the Rump and had not yet left Scotland, he had already restored to their Commands; in confidence of his being able to make his Peac [...] with his Masters for so doing, when they should return again to the Exercise of their Au­thority: He having taken up a Resolution to signifie to them, that their best Servants were [Page 64] ill represented to them, by these Factions; who had before them a list of all the Offi­cers in Scotland, to whose Names they set these Marks B. for Bad, I for Indifferent, and G. for Godly. Monks men knew how to fight, and they loved their old General (some of them) better then the old Parliament; they knew too that their Cause was good, and their hopes of Restoring the Rump begat new ones also, of living at home in ease. So that th [...]y stood so far off from any terms of peace with Walling ford-house, that some indignati­ons were expressed against the Commissioners, as if they had betray'd them.

But our Counsellors were more moderate, and came to this resolution, that a new Treaty should be desired, upon pretence that there were some Articles in that Agree­ment, that required a further explication, refusing to ratifie any part of it, till that were done. And this dallying it was that proved the Break-neck of Lambert, who accepted of this excuse at first, but afterwards found our delays.

So soon as it was known in London, that Monk and his Officers had refused to rati­fie the Agreement which their Commission­ers had made for them; several Members began to take heart upon 't, to Caball in corners, and to contrive towards their own [...]: wher [...]as before, they were tame [Page 65] and irresolute as scarce knowing to distin­guish between Friend, and Foe; the Offi­cers of the English Army thirsting for the Government. But then on the other side the popular expectations which were observ­ed in all places to be raised of Monk touch't them to the Quick, and made them appre­hensive least Intentions might be to let in the King and his Party (which they called the Common Enemy) upon them. Neither in­deed were some prying Men, amongst us, less jealous of him: For one of them com­ing very late to my Chamber, we enter­tained each other with mutual Friendship and Discourse; but he wonld still be ever and anon interposing for my thoughts, whe­ther the General was for the King or not. But I told him, that h [...] would do the Ge­neral, and us all a great deal of wrong, if he did not abhor the very suspition. He was not satisfied however with this Answer; and we talked on till it was too late for him to pass by the Centinels to his Quarters. So he was forced to lodge that Night with me, but he was still awaking, and telling me; the General is for the King: and I as often desired him to forget that idle Fancy, and let us both sleep.

The General now, with mighty Protesta­tions, pretends to adhere to the Parliament, as it sat the 11th. of October; (the day [Page 66] Lambert disturb [...]d them) though to call ano­ther Parliament, was the great, and secret In­ [...]truction that he had given his Commission­ers and not to be discovered to the English Officers, without an unavoidable necessity▪ whi [...]h [...] Coll▪ Wilks conceived him­self to ly under; but upon his return he found us of another Opinion.

The Scot [...]h Army being now disingaged from the intanglements of peace, [...] to the North side of the Tweede: The Ge­neral lodged two Nights (Sunday being one) at Dunbar; we there observing the place of that Memorable Battle Fought Septem­ber [...] third 1650. where the Sol [...]mn League and Covenant was m [...]e effectually e [...]cuted then when afterwa [...]ds▪ Burnt by the hands of the Common Ha [...]man in Westmins [...]er-Pal▪ lace-yard. But this latter was done legally.

The next day the General came to Ber­wi [...]k, where we found the Air to be some­what colder. But before we entered it Capt. Ogle (an honest old man, zealous for the good old Cause) met us, and brought into our Service a Troop of [...], not Jades, for in those days our Muster Masters [...]alled all Hors [...]s. Hither also came the Ge­neral's Lady, with her Son; who some few Weeks after received orders to go from hence by Sea, to London.

Here we likewise met our fore-named [Page 67] Commissioners, who returned from England without Peace; and yet their concluding of it at first, was very seasonable service. Hither also came Zanchy, (Envoy from Newcastle) who mad [...] several Overtures for an accommodation; but was answered both in jest and earnest by our Wits and Councellors. In this place we might have staied longer in a good Winter-Quar­ter, had not the boldness of the Newcastle­Dragoons allarm'd us: whereupon Mr. Zan­chy was secured, and the General in a most tempestuous, dark Night marched towards Cold-stream; but took in the Pass at Noram, the Night being so very dark.

At Cold-stream our first entertainment was suitable to the Name; no Sutlers being as yet come to us, and no Shambles to be found. All the time westayed there we drank warm drink, it was brewed in the Morning, we had [...]nough of it at Noon, and if any was left till Night, it was accounted stale, and only fit for Offi­cers, What Mault it had within Doors, I know not; but the Ingredients without were Horse-dung, Ice and Snow; for it was trouble­some to come to the water, yet some we had; for our Brewsters were not careful, or skilful in the compositions of Ana. Here were our setled Quarters; tho' the General with a small retinue made a slip back to Berwick, Decem­ber the 13, to entertain the Scotch Con­vention. At our return, we found Butchers [Page 68] and Sutlers; but the Sutlers (useful men) had got a whole Barn to themselves: another there was, (but not all out so good) that served indifferently for a Cow-stall and a Chap­pel; our Quarter-Master having a Warrant for it, from the Nativity of Christ.

Here we were fixed in expectation of events; what Lambert, what the Men of the Parliament, and what the concealed Lord Fairfax would do. We sent and received Messages, and fought in Paper; laying a side, and reserving Powder and Shot, as dangero [...]s things, and not fit to be employed against Brethren. But if Lambert would have breathed his Horse with 3 or 4 days March almost Belly­deep in Snow, made of that his Provinder too, and lodged them in it, for scarcity of Villages, on the South▪ side of Tweed; he might have at­tacked us on the North; where, after he had as­cended on even Banks, he would have found a Battalia ready to rceeive him, filed into Horse and Foot, (which the Countryman may un­by a Lare of Fat, and a Lare of Lean in his Bacon) for Wings of Horse we had [...] none, as not intending to flye. This was the Po­sture in which Morgan by the Generals Or­der drew up his Men at Kelsey.

And now comfortable News thronged in upon us; as that they then growing Party in Ireland had declared for us, and were rea­dy to [...]end us assistance; that Portsmouth [...]ad [Page 69] opened her Gates to Hazlerig, Morley and Walton: (three of the seaven Commissioners for governing the Army) and this Col. Wetham (the Governour of it) did, in respect to the General, as well as in duty to the Parlia­ment: that the Fleet under Lawson, had owned our Quarrel against the Army; and that Fairfax was ready to march to fall in up­on Lambert's Rear: should he advance forward upon us: assuring us that, what e're came on't, he would not fail of being in Arms by the first of January: and he was better than his word. The Souldiers began now to be revived in these cold Quarters, as hoping for better. Hither came some of our Officers to us that were ab­sent from their Commands, when the General first declared; alledging in excuse of their staying so long away, that they were stop'd by Lambert at N [...]wcastle; but all was to no pur­pose, for they found their places filled.

This Stream of good News notwithstand­ing, the General continu'd his wonted care of his Guards: It being now evident, that Lam­bert within a few days, must either fight or fall. And as for my self, I must confess that I was inwardly displeased at thus many favou­rable expresses; as apprehending that this name of a Parliament would by nominating and shifting Commissioners for it, engage the Army so much to their Devotion, and get such other advantages of fixing their Oli­garchy: [Page 70] that it would be no easie matter to dispossess them. With these foolish whimsies in my head, I was resolved to steal privately to the General; (who had cautioned me before hand, not to be seen to appear in these publick Transactions) and to do this, I knew between Midnight and the Morning to be the only time: so between 2 and 3 of the Clock by the help of a Corporal I came to his Chamber-door, found it only latched, the General in his Cloaths, his head laid on the side of the Bed, and his Body resting upon two Stools or a Form; Fire and Candles being in the Room: He awa­ked at my first entrance; I desired his par­don and he kindly gave liberty of Speech. Upon my representing to him what I judg'd to be his Interest and Duty; that is to say, the re [...]toring of our known Laws; (for I never used to speak in any other terms) I cannot for get his Passion and his Posture: Mr. Price (said he) I know your meaning, vnd I have known it; by the grace of God I will do it, if ever I can find it in my power, and I do not much doubt but that I shall. So closeing my hands in both his, he lifted them up, and de­voutly uttered., by Gods help I will do it.

I then took the further liberty to mind him of the Papers he had signed to stand to this Parliament as it sat the 11 of October, and no other; and of several other Restrictions which he had needlesly (as I conceived, put upon him­self. [Page 71] He Answered me with some regret; you see who [...]re about me, and write these things; I must not shew any dislike of them: I perceive they are jealous enough of me already, bidding me not to look upon it as [...]ny act of his. Having thus discoursed him of diverse things which I thought might be for his service; (he cour­teou [...]ly allowing me the freedom) I left him to his short Rest, for he was to be early at business. And thus I became further satisfy­ed at what Port he aimed, however then and afterwards with the winds he steered his course.

December was very [...]ar spent; but so were not the hopes of accommodating this breach between both Armies by a Treaty. Where­fore Monk is pressed to depute, and send his Officers to treat with Lambert's, as it was promised: yet the doing of this was suspend­ed; we having understood that there would be powerful diversions in the South: But so soon as we were certainly informed that Ports­mouth had declared for the Parliament, and that the Southern Generals (who acted by the same authority with our Nothern) be­gan to give out their orders, and were obeyed, Monk immediately dispatcht away an Express to Lambert; signifying, that He and his Osfi­cers were ready for a Treaty, but that he could not proceed that way, till he had by Letters consulted his Brethren at Portsmouth, and obteined their consent for the same, [Page 72] and the choice of the place where they would have it: wherefore he desired that his Messen­ger (Major Banni [...]ter) might without any interruption pass on his way to them; sub­joyning Complement. Lambert perceiving the drift of this, deteined Bannister, and vented his Resent against Monk and his Officers, as if they had deluded him.

And now the Mighty Men of Newcastle, (who found not their hands or their hearts in condition to fight against their Scottish Bre­thren) sell a raging into dispair; for the next News that they and we hear of, was, that the Regiments in and about London, had revol­ted from Fleetwood, and mutined into obedi­ence to the Parliament. The penitent Soul­diers were content to take shame upon them for their second Apostacy from the good old Cause, (Leiutenant General Fleetwood, ex­pressing it, that God had spit in their faces:) and (seeing there was no other remedy) to trust their Masters, a third time, with the Commonwealth.

So December the 25 (by some called Chri [...]t­masse▪ day) in the afternoon, the Fag- [...]nd of a Parliament sat down again within those Walls, which by their good wills they would never have parted with. Sovereignty it seems was so very sweet, that the bare Priviledges of com­ing thither to give Councel, was in those times canvessed [...]or, as if the contest had been for a [Page 73] Roman Tribune-Ship. But this doth not con­cern Coldstream, whose General was not al­together a Prophet: for tho' he told me, af­ter the defeating of Sir George Booth, that he knew Lambert so well that he would not l [...]t the Men at Westminster set til [...] Christmasse­day; yet he said not, on that day they should return to sit again. The News of this came not to us till the very end of December: But though it had not come at all, the General would have marcht forward, because the Lord Fairfax was by agreement to appear on the first of January with what force he could make, and what Confederates he could gain, by his Interest out of the old Army. But he found it necessary to be in Arms [...]ome sew days sooner, because he suspected that his intents were discovered by Lamberts Party, and he was too politick to be take [...] napping. Thus Intelligence came to us, that the Lord Fairfax was up, in and about York, and that to him had joyned almost all Col. Lil­burns Regiment of Horse, who, neglecting their Col. followed the commands of their Major Smithson, a very worthy Souldier.

Upon the Neck of this came several other ad­vises; as that the whole Irish Brigade, who were l [...]oked upon as the choi [...]est men in Lambert's Army, were resolved to revolt from him, (he having no other authority, than what his own Intere [...]t could make, and not left mo­ny [Page 74] to pay his Souldiers) and that Levies were preparing in England, by such of Fair­fax's old Officers, who bare a sway in their respective Countrys; as Col. Rositer, and others. So that it was now manifest, that Lambert must of necessity break up his quarters at Newcastle, and march either against Monk or Fairfax, both Generals of a fortunate name in War, and acting for that authority from which this Rebel-Army had their Com­missions; their Committee of safety, having never given out any, that ever I could hear of.

Monk concluded that Lambert would ra­ther look back towards Yorkshire, than at­tempt upon Him: He had constant and dili­gent Spies at Newcastle, to inform him from time to time of the condition of the Army there: and as soon as ever Lambert offered to move, the G [...]neral would have had Inte­ligence of it; and then we should have mar­ched [...]rom Cold-stream directly to the relief of Fairfax.

But God was pleased to decide the Quarrel without Blood: for upon the return of the men at Westminster, they immediately voted that all their Armies should betake themselves to their [...]everal Qu [...]rters they were in the Octob. before Lamberts disturbance. The News o [...] this was brought to us by Letters only; but an express order was sent to Newcastle, to [Page 75] break up: which Lambert obey'd, (and absconded) for it was too late to resist.

These good Tydings created much joy in our little Habitations; tho' the Vote for retur­ning into Quarters somewhat perplexed our General. But our Officers would not un­derstand a bare Letter of News to concern Them; being more comforted this cold Winter with the hopes of living near their own homes, (now the Parliament was re­turned) then of the Golden Chains and Med­dals that had been promised them by those who would have promised Mountains rather than not have sitten again. For could the People of England ever have once gotten a­ny tollerable freedom of choise, and reduced the Armys to Terms of Obedience that every Body might see with half an Eye soon these good old Cause-men would have been new-named: and whoever has heard of Richard's Parlia­ment, cannot but estimate this as more than a Probabilitie. 'Twas now the first of Ja­nuary 1660 (it was the Lords day too, and it was his doing) when our General ordered his Infantry from Cold-stream over the Tweed; and the▪ next day marched his Horse likewise; having sent Col. Knight, before, with some Troòps towards Newcastle.

'Twas troublesom to descend the River on Horseback, and a supersticious care was taken that the General should not trip: The Frost [Page 76] was great, and the Snow greater; and I do not remember that ever we trod upon plain Earth from Edenburg to London. The Air was this day so very clear too, that we could di [...]tinguish the colours of the Pebles in the Tweed, tho' several Horse had passed before us. I being behind the General, entertained my self with this waggish thought; that did but the men of Westminster (for thus he com­monly stiled the Parliament to me) know what a Loyal Servant they were likely to have of him; they would never have suffered him to pass thus quietly! And of this I had after­ward occasion to tell him.

The 2d. of January we came to Wooler; where the General received a kind Letter from the Speaker, signifying indeed, that they were returned to the exercise of their autho­rity, but not one word about his marching towards them. This encreased his jealousie.

The 3d. of January we came to a Village, not worth my naming, because here I met with worse Quarters than at Cold-stream. I and some few more, after we had consumed our Landlord's Fuel, bargained for his emp­ty Vessels for our Chimney, drank out his sull ones, and without any disturbance to our Brains, and lodged that Night in the best Room of his House, which was, within the Chimney▪Mantle. The next Morning, our Landlord had no reason to complain; (tho' I [Page 77] had) he being informed that the General him­self had no so good Quarters the other Night, as his Chaplain had at the Parson's House; and therefore had a mind to change with us here. But I fairly left him; for I saw neither Meat, Drink nor Fire, when I came in with him; however, I did my Duty, (or a piece of it at least) to attend him to his Chamber, though he was fain to climb some steps of a Ladder to come to it, and glad that it wa [...] no worse. But my Brother Chaplain [...]tragled out of his Quarters, and found Christmass [...] ­Pie, and [...]trong Beer, at a Gentleman's House, who bad him and his company the welcome of a Night; but in the Morning professed more kindness to Lambert than to Monk: And he was not mistaken in the Interest of his Re­ligion.

The 4th. We reacht to Morpeth; whether came Mr. William Man (Sword-Bearer of London) with Addresses from the City, who had been early Rebels to the Parlia­ment. The General gave him Letters back; and for Reasons of Camp, sent along with him Mr. Gumble to the Parliament. The Magistrates of this Place (whether out of Civility, or to attone for Lamberts long abode with them is no great matter) presented us with Wine and Sugar. Our next Stage was Durham, whither came the High Sheriff to us. From hence the General sent Sir Jo­seph [Page 78] Douglas, (whom he had formerly obliged) with Letters of moment to Sir Charles Coot in Ireland. Douglas had long be [...]ore contra­cted an intima [...]y with the General in Sco [...]land, was frequent in his Visits to him at Dalkeith, where he used (for▪ several days together) [...] be courteou [...]ly entertained and lodged. The trust that the General reposed in him, was (it seems) of a great and dangerous Qu [...]lity: for Douglas was to negotiate with [...]oot in Ireland, that the vario [...]s Interests [...]here might be so managed, as to engage [...] to confederate quickly into a De­ [...] for a Free Parliament, as the most proper and effectual means to re­ [...]ress their Grievances. Douglas was credit­ [...], and the desig [...] took effect, even a little with the earliest; for just upon the Pinch of [...] for a Free Parliament, they were allarm'd with the astonishing News of Monk [...] having broken down the Gates of Lon­don. (the manner and reason o [...] it I shall not here anticipate) whereupon the Conspira­ [...] in Ireland [...]gainst the then Parliaments authority expos [...]ulated with [...]ouglas, as if [...]e had betrayed them: But the next Pacquet [...]rom England assured them, that Monk had [...]ikewise declared for a Free Parliament; and so all was right again. Sir Joseph Douglas is well known at Court, being at this time, (as I take it) a Gentleman of the Privy▪ Chamb [...]r.

[Page 79]In our March afterwards, we made no Halt till we came to York. Here we staid five days, one of them being Sunday, and Mr, Bowles gave us a good Sermon in the Cathedral. This Gentleman was the Lord Fairfax's Chaplain, Counsellor and Agi­tator; and dealt with the General about weighty and dangerous Affairs; One night above the rest keeping him up so very late, that upon my Entering the Chamber to go to Prayers, I found Him and Bowles in very private Discourse; and the General order­ing me to go out for awhile, but not to Bed: Sometime after Midnight Bowles went a­way; so that then our Servants hoped to Sleep: But the General sent for Me into to Him, and commanded them to stay without, as before. He took me close to him, and said what do you think? Mr. Bowles has pres­sed me very hard to stay here, and declare for the King; assuring me that I shall have great assistance. I started at the boldness of the Proposition, and asked him whether he had made Bowles any such promise. He answe­red me, no truly, I have not, or, I have not yet: For I found him a little Perplexed in his thoughts; And I my self was as much: But after a little Pause, I spake to this Ef­fect; That after the Famous Gustavus (King of Sweedland) was Slain in Germany, his Effigies in Wax (with his Queen's and Chil­dren) [Page 80] was carried up and down to be shown for 2 pence; the Spectators being enter­tained with the story of his Life; of which I remembred this Passage, That when this King enter'd Germany, he said, That if his Shirt knew what he intended to do, he would teare it from his back and burn it. My Ap­plication of it to the General was designed to entreat him to Sleep between this and the Walls of London; and when he came within them, (which I doubted not but would be very shortly,) then to open his Eyes and consider what he had to do. This Advice I also back't with such Reasons as I conceived to be most prevalent.

But it was not the General only, that was here Solicited upon the Kings Behalf; some of his Officers being also set upon, and promised great Rewards: One of whom was Represented to have demanded no less then to be Lord Chancellor. This Sr. Edward Hide (who was so, when the King came in) told the General; and he to me.

The Noon before this mighty Intrigue, the Lord Fairfax Dined with the General privately in his Chamber; and I was then deputed to be his Host, at his publick Ta­ble; where he allowed a Half-Crown Ordinary (large Commons!) for Twenty Men. And the General, to return the Lord Fairfax's kindness, went one day and [Page 81] Dined with him at his Country House, where He and his Retinue were Hospitably Enter­tained, and returned the same night.

Hither Now were brought Orders from the Parliament, to March towards them. The Ge­neral expected them sooner; and in requitable of their confidence in him publickly cudgel'd an Officer who had traduced him by saying this Monk will at last bring in Charles Stuart: charging his Officers to do the like to those under their Command that should so offend.

The Parliament were jealous of Fairfax's late rising for them; and therefore proba­bly thought this no fit place for Monk to lodge his Army in: from whence I suppose he would not have removed Southward, with­out orders; and, it might be, have dispu­ted it had he been remanded Northwards. But if he had so fa [...] yielded to the Parlia­ment, as (overruled by the Apprehensions of the Army of England, and by the advanta­ges that might have been taken of him in York-shire, outweighing all those that he could then reasonably propound to himself) to return from whence he came; yet his Army could not but have stomached the disgrace of the jealousie, to be sent back in­to Scotland. And this resentment he might have made good use of; for there the King­doms of Scotland and Ireland would have been entirely at his devotion; and the assi­stanc [...] [Page 82] from thence, together with some far­ther modelling of his Army (the discon­tents in England dayly increasing too) might have produced some formidable disturban­ces to the Government; especially now the Parliament could not well trust their own Army at home. But the coming of orders to March forward, took away the Umbrage of all Distrusts. So Auditor Tompson, from London, found us at York; and, in the re­mainder of the Generall's March, was en­tertained by him as one of his Counsellors.

Here we left behind us Coll. Fairfax's Regiment of Foot; and Major General Mor­gan, was sent back to Scotland with his two Regiments of Horse and Foot, to secure the peace of that Kingdom. From York we made no stay, till we came to Nottingham.

Hither came Dr. Clargis; Mr. Gumble being returned to us, from London, the Stage be­fore, at Mansfield.

Now the General made a hault to bring [...]p the Rear of his Army; and here our Counsel­lors had leisure to fall into debates. Among di­vers other Projects, a Subscription was pro­pounded that we should be obedient to the Parliament in all things, but the bringing in of Charles Stuart; But this was as subtilly opposed, by Arguments to the effect follow­ing. That this was the way to fall into the [...]ame Error with the English Army; to mak [...] [Page 83] our selves Judges, and consequently Master [...] of the Parliaments Actions: For whensoever they did any thing that disliked us, it was but suggesting that they were doing such things as tended to the bringing of him in▪ and so make our selves our own Carvers. So this was waved, and the rather, because the Parliaments Commissioners were to meet us the next Stage, which was Leicester. However the General (to remove all distrust of himself) yielded that a Letter should be sent in his Name, to his Country-men in the West; wherein were State Reasons alledged, asserting the impossibility of the Kings Re­turn, and his protestation against it; for now, it seems, he was informed what hopes these Western Gentlemen had conceived of him.

As we entered the Town of Leicester, we saw the Ir [...]sh Brigade drawn up by Collonel Redman, and Collonel Bret, whom the Ge­neral received with great courtesie, they being his Cordial Friends. His Counterfeits Mr. Scot and Mr. Robinson, the Parliaments Commissioners, were now at Hand. From hence, the next night, we came to Harbo­row, where Divers from London waited the Generals entrance. They complained of grievances, which he durst not promise to redress; for now Scot and Robinson (Coun­cellors of State, and Abjurers of the Kings [Page 84] Family) were his Ears and his Mouth. This was a hard task for him to bear; and yet not so hard as it would have been to most other men; for he never loved to speak much, and cared for none that did. So he answered them in few and wary words, with submis [...]ion to his Superiors; yet what his words did not promise, his Countenance seemed to do. But these Citizens came full of hopes to find a more kind reception: For he had sent their City a Letter out of Scotland, desiring their assistance; however care was taken by others, that they should not despair of him; and so they returned.

From this place till we came to Barnet, Scot and Robinson would still Quarter in the same Inn with the General; that they might be present to answer the Addresses of the Country; of which the most Famous, were at Northampton and St. Albans.

The summe of the Desires both of the City and Country, were either a full and free Parliament, or the Restauration of the Secluded Members of This. And it was observed, that the Gentlemen who made these requests had not been Cavaliers (the name by which the Royal Party was di­stinguished) so that they were the less su­spected by our Officers, who saw what the Sense of the Country was. Those who were present at the making of these Addresses, [Page 85] might have said that Monk was the Jupit [...]r, and that Scot and Robinson made one Mer­cury, for they only were the Speakers, and answered All: Th [...] Gen [...]rals Return consist­ing in a Nod, a Frown, or the Rubbing of his Fore-head, if the Speech were long. But at St. Albans, after Sir Richard Temple, had spoke long and well, Sc [...]t turned into Mars, and told him that he would first take up the Sword, as Old as he was, before the things they Petitioned for should be granted.

January the 28. We came to St. Albans, which was our last Stage: And from hence Collonel L [...]dcot (Scot and Robinson not being consulted) was sent to the Speaker, to desire that the Regiments which attended as Guards to the Parliament, might be distri­buted into Country Quarters; which was with some sort of difficulty obtained: Though the Parliament had no reason to be Diffident of the General, for his whole Army, with which he was to enter the Town, was some­what less then that part which was to move out; and he had left Four Regi­ments of his Marching Army behind him; which were now a great way of. Besides that the Parliament had fresh experience of the restless Spirits of their English Soldiers; and they could not but look upon their Scotch, as men of a different Temper; nei­ther indeed could they do less, for these [Page 86] their Restorers (who had taken this long March, to gratifie them) then to take them for their Guards, the smallness of their Number, not being capable of working any notable change. Now when they were at London, they were not to be under the sole Command of Monk, because the Army was Governed by Commissioners; and Hazelrig stomached, that ou [...] General should be call­ed by any other name than Commissioner Monk.

At St. Albans, besides Addresses made by the Gentry upon the publick account, the General was busied in receiving numerous Visits; both which were distas [...]ed by our Honorable Spies (Scot and Robinson) who sometimes in Civility, or for dispatch of their own business, would withdraw. But their Appartment was only distinguished from the Generals by a Wainescot-Door, in which either they found or made a hole to hear and see. This the General took notice of and complained of to me, with a sort of scornful Indignation.

But here we spent one day extraordinary at the Church; the Famous Hugh▪ Peters, Mr. Lee of Hatfi [...]ld, and another, carrying on the Work of the Day, which was a Fast. Peters supererogated, and prayed a long Prayer in the Generals Quarters too at Night: As for his Sermon, he managed it [Page 87] with some Dexterity at the first, (allowing the Cantings of his Expressions) His Text was Psalm 107. v. 7. He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to the City where they dwelt. With his Fingers on the cushion he measured the right way from the red Sea through the Wilderness to Canaan; told us it was not Forty days March, but God led Israel Forty years through the Wil­derness before they came thither; yet this was still the Lord's right way, who led his People crinkledom cum crankledom. And he particularly descended into the lives of the Patriarchs, how they journy'd up and down, though there were promises of blessing and rest to them. Then he reviewed our civil Wars, our intervals of peace, and fresh di­stractions, and hopes of rest; but though the Lords people (he said) were not yet come to the City of Habitation, he was still leading them on in the right way, how dark soever his dispensations might appear to us. Before he concluded, he seemed to me to preach his own Funeral Sermon, I looking upon my self to be on the left side of the Cloud. Thus my little remarques of him, and this Fast, were at an end.

But it was in those days observed of an Army-Fast▪ that it commonly proved the fore-runner of some solemne mischief, and rendred their Governors, (whose Suprema­cy [Page 88] in Causes Ecclesiastical was not owned by these kind of Subjects) jealous of them. For they would not scruple religiously to meet to seek the Lord, without the Man­dat and Direction of their Masters; And in Truth they knew so well at what Turning to find him, that their Seeking was never in vain.

February was now begun; upon the se­cond of which, the General moved with an easy March, to Barnet; here he parted with his long guests, Scot and Robinson, and took up Quarters only for himself and his domestique retinue; so we were better ac­commodated. Much business was here dispatcht; orders were distributed for our next days March into Town, and that our Soldiers should demean themselves civilly in their Quarters, and pay for them; for our Money held out still. But about mid­night, Scot, (being frighted with a Letter from Westminster, intimating that the Sol­diers who were to leave their old quarters were fallen into a high Mutiny, and that there was danger that they would joyn with the Prentices, who cryed up in the streets for a Free-Parliament) passionately de­sired, or rather by his Authority required the General i [...]mediately to beat his drums and march. The very posture of Scots com­ing into us with his Night Gown, Cap and [Page 89] Slippers, might have made us believe that the danger was eminent: But the General calmly answer'd him, I will undertake for this Nights [...], (says he) and be early enough in the Morning to prevent any mischief. However he yielded that a Messenger should be sent to see and report what the matter was. There had been an Uproar indeed, but it was soon qua [...]ht, and the Soldiers were leaving the Town as the Messenger enter'd it. But the motion for such a hasty March, was looked upon as an Artifice of Scot's, so to mingle the Soldiers of both Armies, that they might be the less at the Generals devotion.

The next day, before we came to High­gate, the General drew up his Forces, which consisted of Four Regiments of Foot, and Three of Horse; their Number being 5800, allowing 1000 to each Regiment of Foot; and 600 to each Regiment of Horse, besides Officers. We entred the Town at Gray's Inn-lane; and (the Bells ringing as we pas­sed along) stopped at the Rolls before the Speaker's door; who was not yet returned from the House: but we met him in the Strand, at the opening of the Street. The General allight­ed, and complemented (after his Soldiers fashion) this our Representive of Sovereignty, for the Mace was in the Coach; and so we came to Whitehall. The General's apartment there was the Prince's lodgings, and his servants were [Page 90] all such. Here our Butler (Sir Ralph Mor [...]) who, at Holyrood-house in Scotland, had pro­mised to give a Bottle of wine at Whitehall on Candlemas day was now mindful of his promise, and his Prophesie, and presented me with one; and this was but the day after it. This was a merry Fellow, who with a Table-knife had been mock Knighted into the name by the late King at Oxford, (being at Supper) upon his relating the dangers he passed, in bringing intelligence from New­arke. We had more of this Stamp in our Fami­ly, who had served in the Wars for Charles the First. Here we rested on Saturday and Sun­day, (which are the Jewish and Christian Sabbaths) for we were come into a new World, and would please All.

But on Sunday the General was disturbed by a secret Information, which was this. A Son of Secretary Scots, who lodged in one Mr. Sturdy's house in Russel street, had (it seems) fo great a confidence in his Landlord (though a Romanist) that, upon discourse, he revealed a great secret to him; viz. that not only Monk's power for Commanding the Army should be taken from him, in a few days, but that he should be sent to the Tower, and questioned for his Life; and that it was not doubted but that such things would be proved against him as would take off his Head from his broad shoulders. Sturdy, very [Page 91] early in the Morning, came to Captain Morrice, (an honest Cavaliere of his ac­quaintance in the City) and reveals to him the Discourse of Scots Son. Whereupon Mor­rice forthwith carries this Sturdy to Mr. Ken­dall and Mr. James Muddiford, (who were re­lated to the General) and they bring him with them to Whitehall. The General gave so much credit to this Relation, that Sturdy (for some time afterward) rode in the Life-guard. Thus much Captain Morrice (well known in the City) can avouch.

On Monday, the General saw the Face of his Masters in the House; received so­lemne thanks from them by their Speaker, and returned his to them: But because he took upon him to mind them of some things which he judged were for the publique good, it was not well relished by some, and particularly not by Scot and Robinson, they reflecting upon him as if he sought to im­pose his own sence of things upon the House; yet this was past over, they being content to impute it to his affection for their ser­vice, rather than to any distaste he had of their Proceedings. Thus (having been first nominated one of their new molded Counsel of State) he was invited to take his place among them. But then every Counsellor of State was by order o [...] Par­liament to [...]enounce the Title and pre­tences [Page 92] of Charles Stuart, and all the Des­cendents of the lineage of King James; nay and of all other single persons who should pretend to the Government of these Na­tions: All this was to be done too by the Solemnity of an Oath.

This had been propounded to him be­fore, by those who had argu'd to this ef­fect, for the necessity of it: That it was high time for them to descriminate their own party, that at last they might come to know whom they could trust; it being now found that there had been a great de­fection, even among themselves. The Gene­ral was not unprovided of an answer, and so craves leave to demurr; adding that he had not seen any good come of their pro­misary Oathes, those who took them making no scruple to break them: He instanced in the Covenant and Engagement; and suggest­ed that seven besides himself, who were nominated to be of the Counsel of State, had not yet abjured; beside that he did not know how it would relish with his Ar­my, who were very tender in that poynt. And indeed I knew some of them who (though no friends to Monarchy yet) had taken up a Notion that it was not Law­ful to Swear against the Providence of God. But that they should see that they had no reason to suspect Him or his Army, he [Page 93] desired that they would make Tryal of his and their Fidelity and obedience to them, and if they found that he either disobey'd or disputed their Orders, he was then in their power; for he brought not an Army with him to make them jealous of him; having sent back a great part of it, after he understood that they were establisht in their power.

Hitherto his Actions had not been such as in the least degree, to make the Par­liament or Counsel of State, distrustful of him; nay they were rather such as ought to have produced a good opinion of his constancy to them, not only by his send­ing a great part of his Army back, after they were restored; but also by contend­ing so eagerly for them: For when a Trea­ty between both Armies was first pro­pounded, and the Articles of it were de­bated in Scotland; it was with great diffi­culty that he yielded to the calling of an other Parliament: and when he did, he recommended this his Condescention to his Commissioners, as the great secret of their Trust, charging them to try all wayes for an accommodation, before that should be discovered; nay and broke the Agree­ment too, as much for this reason as any other; and removed Collonel Wilks, from his Command, because he disclosed this [Page 94] Instruction unnecessarily; he resolutely ad­hering to the Parliament of the Eleventh of October, and no other. And indeed no other could so well have done his business, for this was become odious to his Peo­ple. But fears and jealousies are protesta­tions contra factum; to which, besides po­pular expectations at home, the Kings Court abroad administred fuel: for adversity will lay hold on a Bull-rush.

At this time a Gentleman (whose sufferings were better known to me then I to him) came to me and told me, with great secresie, what hopes there were beyond Sea of Monks March; expressing a desire to gain some from me, but I sent him away discontented. The General's March without orders, might (at first) reasonably create some diffidence; but it was soon authorized, and countenanced by the coming of Orders, and Commissioners, from what we were obliged to call a Parlia­ment.

It was now the General's business to over­come Scot's suspitions of him, as knowing him to be his Enemy, and to have plot­ted his ruine. Scot, in our March, had very often complained of the great malig­nancy of the City of London; (for which, the coming of it's Commissioners gave oc­casion enough) but the General would comfort him by hinting that the Parliament [Page 95] need not to fear any danger thence, so long as they had an Army by them: And it seems he had promised him to take down the Stomack of the City, if need requi­red. The necessity at this time was emi­nent; for now the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common Counsel men of London by a publique vote declared that they would pay no more Taxes and Contributions, till the Parliament was filled up with equal Repre­sentitives of the People. Before this, only a few popular tumults gave the Government a disturbance; but now the Authority of the whole City rebel'd against the Men of Westmin­ster; and I amy safely say that the Citi­zens the rather made choice of this time, because the General (only with his Scotch Army) was in their Suburbs, and at West­minster, of whom they had entertained good hopes, from the time that divers Citizens of good note had given the General visits at St. Albans and Barnet; They knew too that many of the Officers had relations and Friends among them: Nor did any Citizens return from us with the ill news of despair; nay some of them used to carry more hopes back, then they had reason for; their affection for their County supplying the deficiency of promises from us. Thus most of them hoped well, and none would des­pair of Monk and his Army.

[Page 96]On Tuesday night the General was detain­ed at the Council of State till past two in the Morning; which (he being no Member as yet because no Absurer) created some suspitions in his Friends and Servants, as if the Counsel meant not well towards him; and by some it was whisper'd as if it was designed that he should be sent to the Tow­er. Now to speak the Truth, the Coun­sel might (without reproach of jealousie; upon their wisdom) have suspected that the City would not have thus boldly remonstra­ted, had not Monk given them some secret en­couragement.

But his Superlative foresight of things de­feated the City, the Counsel of State, and his Friends and all; for he accepted of or­ders, and the next day Executed them: He went into the City, and after he had plac­ed his main Guards for his own Security, he distributed the remainder of his small Army to their several posts, charged them to pull down the City-gates, break their Port cullies, and pluck up their Posts and Chaines; himself, in the mean time send­ing for, and imprisoning the most daring and disaffected Members of the Common Counsel, persuant to his orders.

It is God's prerogative to change times and seasons, and to set up and pull down Kings and Governments: And this was the [Page 97] fatal cri [...]s that so soon changed the face of things, and made the revolution so swift. For never did Soldiers with so much regret ob [...]y their General; obeyed in [...]eed h [...] was, but wi [...]h scorn to them who commanded their Com­mander. It was a pretty medly of pass [...]on, [...]hen I saw them both merry, and angry at this o­dio [...]s drudgery: and a lively pe [...] that had ob­serv'd and could express their humours, might have made á play of it: This was the car [...]i­age of the ordinary Soldiery; but our Offi­cers of note ran wholly into discontent, and offered up their Commissions to the General: But he was dark, and chewed his Tobacco, and I took notice that he was more angry at the spies that were about him (as Col. Alured and others) then at the work he was doing. Hither came his amazed friends, and durst not say a word to him: But I was not only amazed but inwardly repented of what I had said to him at York: (imagining that my words, then, were not only for his safety, but for his honour) not to have the game taken out of his Mines

But no accident of War, (no not if we had engaged into blood against Lambert) could have more fully assured his Army unto him; for now the Parliament was detestable even to Us their Restorers. That this was his own contrivance (and, if so, a Master-Piece of cun­ning) I have these Inducements to believe▪ [Page 98] Scot solemnly told Col. Wetham, that Monk offered himself to him to do this odious action [...], and that the Council of State would not put him upon it, had it not been for him, who assured them that Monk would undertake it. Thus much Scot al­ledged for himself to Wetham, who char­ged the Change of the Government upon this Miscarriage: Scot had little reason to dissemble (you may be sure) when he saw his day was lost, and his life too; for he sat upon his Sovereign's. That Scot thus excused himself to Wetham, I will name my Voucher; viz. Dr. Barrow (the Judge Advocate of his Majesties Army and Guards) a Gentle­man who well deserved of the General for his prudence and integrity; for he was high­ly [...]erviceable to him from his first declaring against the Army, and so continued. Nay I soon after modestly asked the General how he was engaged to undertake this de­testable piece of service; he merrily an­swered me, This was a Trick you knew not of, and I do assure you that I could not have done my Business so soon with out it, and possibly not at all.

So I confessed that his wisdom out witted m [...] expectations; for I thought he would at first have lodged his Colours within the walls of London: yet true it is that it was easie for [Page 99] for him to foresee that the City, upon his coming to Town, would run into discontents; for they looked upon him as a Lover of his Countrey's Freedom, and therefore judged that he would not endeavour to uphold a power that was not only usurped, but con­temptible and ridiculous; they taking it in a great disdain, that a bare Remnant of a House of Commons legally dissolved, should give Laws to their Fellow-Subjects; support­ing themselves by an Army, the great Officers of which put them in and out, and out and in at their pleasure. I knew too, that he would lay hold o [...] the first advan­tage against the Men of Westminster; and advantages, besides this, could but not be offe­red. For they longed to fall upon the sequestra­tion of all those Gentlemen who had been in Booth's Conspiracy. Now the General could not in honour see them perish, because him­self was con [...]erned in it, neither was he with­out his suspicions that some could prove it a­gainst him; beside that his power was not long lived, and he must have soon found it fo, were it but from his Fellow Commissioners for go­verning the Army, whose Interests were bound [...]p with that of the Parliament.

On Fryday February the 10th. the General returned from the City to Whitehall, and his Scotish Army to their quarters in the Suburbs, and Westminster: This some Members o [...] the [Page 100] Councel of State signified they were displeased at; saying tha [...] his Return was without their or­ders. And in truth it was against them: for he was to stay there till further Order, and they had more work for him there: Thus would the Parliament have rewarded this City, for their assistance against the late King!

At this time the Anabaptists and such like Sectaries in and about the City (who were a­fraid of Peace and a National Interest) took heart at the pulling down of the City Gates, and fell to remonstrating to the Parliament, that none were fit to bear any Office civil or mili­tary, that would not abjure Charles Stuart, and his Title and Family, This was understood to have been the artifice of some Abjurers in the Counsel of State, to win over assistance to their narrow and almost despised Party: And could they have gained the point of encouraging Pe­titioners of this nature; I doubt not to say but that the Counsel of State would have given a List to the Parliament it self, as Traitors to their Trust, because they were such squemish rebels, as not to abjure the heirs of the Crown. By this means to have engrossed the Sove­raignty to themselves, would have been no hard matter; had but Monk been their friend in reality, as in appearance he was their Ser­v [...]nt, and the Executioner of their odious Or­ [...] ▪

[...] [...]ries most grosly flatter'd the Par­liament [Page 101] in their petition, and renowned them for their glorious actions; tho these were the very men, who but a few weeks before had been of another temper, being Lambert's con­fidents, and the Parliaments Enemies. It was further observed by us, in this little time we had been in Town, that the Parliament began to encourage those vvho had appeared in the English Army against them Ludlow sate in the house, though he had been accused of Trea­son by the Irish Officers: and it vvas said that some of the house kept Correspondence vvith Lambert himself. This our Officers looked up­on as done in diffidence of them and their Ge­neral, who had been their restorers, and had approved themselves their faithful Servants n the dav of Trya. l Souldiers are not ordinari­ly that crafty kind of men that can dissemble injuries: and some of them vvere so just to their Country, as not to think it vvorth their pay to uphold only a few men in an arbitrary Tyranny, contrary to the Sense of the whole Nation. Of this sort the boldest came to the General, dutifully and freely to represent to him the State of things, and that some speedy remedy was of necessity to be thought upon and applyed. The General was too wise to loose this advantage: but however seemed to require time to deliberate on it. But they earnestly re­plyed, that if some thing were not forthwith done, to bear their witness against such pro­ceedings, [Page 102] he would soon be lost, and they vvith him; but he in the first place, because he had novv more enemies in the Counsel of State, and Parliament too, then he dreamt of: for tho he had executed his Orders against the City, and thereby rendred himself odious to the free born people: yet the manner of do­ing it was such, as gave him suspected to his Taskma [...]ters.

The General yielded at length to their Fears and Counsels, and the rather; for that he was assured of the Tower of London the Lieute­nant of it (Col. Morley) having before offered it him. This the noble Colonel had done in the City, (pitying the consternation of its Ci­tizens) when he saw what work was doing what influence [...] would have upon the Coun­try. In all secresy therefore it was debated & soon agreed upon, that a Letter should be sent to the Parliament the day following, and late at night Orders were issued that our Officers (the more principal of them) should meet ear­ly at the Generals lodgings the next morning: and they came accordingly: To whom the oc­casion of their convening was expounded by our Secretaries of the night, who had set up, and penned the Letter to the Parliament. Their assent to it was desired, the General being pre­sent: he subscribed it first, and [...]hey in their Order settting their hands to it. The tenor of this Letter was very peremptory, viz. That [Page 103] by the Friday following they should send forth writs to fill up all the vacant places in the house; and when that was done, fix a determinate time to their own sitting; and give place to another Parliament.

This now was a State of War between the Scotish Army, and the Parliament. Hereto­fore when Cromwell and Lambert turned these few Members of the House of Commons out of their place at Westminster, they did but re­spite the exercise of their power, and it was their good chance to return again to it: For their Servants, who so usurped upon them, drove on the same interest still with themselvs, and ruled by the force of an Army, which pro­tected the Lives and Fortunes of these Parli­ament men: Now all of them being equally guilty; they were never questioned for what they had done, but enjoyed the Peace and Li­berty of Subjects, even when by their own Indiscretion, and the restless Ambition of the great Officers of the Army▪ they lost the So­vereignty: Whereas this Letter now forced them to be their own Executioners within their walls of Empire: For to fill up the house with new elected Members out of the Country, at a time when every village was so exasperated against them, in plain English amounted to no less. For they were fure to be outvoted, and consequently lyable to be questio­ned.

[Page 104]The General sent this Letter to the house by two Collonels ( [...]lobery and Lydcot) and not staying for an Answer to it, puts himfelf at the head of his Army, marcheth into Fins­bury-Fields, and from thence sends to the Lord Maior of London, desiring that quarters might presently be set out for his men within the City. Our Quarter▪ Masters had no Or­ders to intimate the breach that was made be­tween our Army and the Parliament: and so they found the Lord Maior of London some­what astonished at this Message: But he soon after understood the end of his coming: for some of the Citizens were earlier informed of it. As soon as the General left Whitehall, I vvent into the City; and not knowing vvhere he vvould quarter that night, I came to the Three Tuns before Guildhall; vvhere the Ge­neral had quartered two nights before. I ente­ [...]ed the Tavern vvith a Servant, and a Port­manteau, and asked for a room; vvhich I had s [...]arce got into, but Wine followed me as a present from some Citizens, defiring leave to drink their Mornings draught with me, I ac­cep [...]ed of the Civility, but in requital of their Wine and Company was asked what news, and what might be the meaning of my so return­ing hither. I freely told them that we were not now the same men that we vvere two days a­go; and that this they should find, ere night, to [...]he full satisfaction of the injuries done [Page 105] them. The Goodmen vvere tranfported into Joy; and most of them left me and their Wine and all, to run and communicate this hope­ful news.

A Citizen of good quality (Mr. William Stanly) stayed longer; and invited me to his house to Diner, and most curteously lodged me there, during the General's stay in the Ci­ty: For it hapned not to be far from his quar­ters. This I mention out of a grateful remem­brance of his hospitality.

The General came late into the City, and his army later; staying for the Lord Maiors return to his Messengers for quatering his men; when they entered, they were welcomed as the Restorers of their Country freedom; Bells, Bonfires, Wine and several Largesses of mo­ney among our Soldiers, being the attestations of the Citizens joy. This was Saturday Febr, 11th. renowned for the night of burning the Rump (for thus the young men, who were ha­ters of this long usurped Power, called the Parliament) Butchers had quick Trading for their Rump, and many Cooks lost their Fees.

The Parliament closely debated upon the▪ Letter sent them; and wisely dissembling the insolency of Mo [...]k and his Officers, in prescri­bing rules to them; gave them thanks for their joynt care with them of the Commonwealth, assuring them over and above, that they were considering of qualifications for the next Par­liament. [Page 106] With this Message came Scot, Ro­binson with some others that evening into the City to the General: adding that his return to Whitehall was required by the Counsel of State, (it being for their safety) and that if he and his Army kept their old quarters, they would be better satisfied with their proceeding; (be­ing near them) but if his Army continued in the City, they were afraid (they said) that it would be debauched from its obedience to the Parliament; they looking upon the Citizens as Enemies to the Government. The General gave them no other reply, but that if the Par­liament will do as they are desired in my Letter, they need not fear but all things will go well.

The noise of Scot and Robinson's coming to the General so allarm'd the Prentices in the streets, that they were searched for as strictly as were the Spies that came to Jerico. The Ge­neral was now at the Buls head Tavern in Cheap­side; the streets were thronged: Mr. Gumble and I were in a Coach, that was becalmed in a crowd, coming from Guildhall, where the General had been to expound the end of his coming: now the Prentices went, it seems, from Coach to Coach in quest of Scot and Robinson; and when they looked into ours, they cryed out here they are. Plenty of dirt was brought against us in shovels from the kennel, we de­fending our selves with the Curtains of the Coach as well as we could, till the mistake [Page 107] was over; which soon was by the means of our Officers. But the young men's fury was much longer liv'd: for, in roasting the Rump, it was scarce cool till Sunday morning.

There was now a report, that the Parlia­ment bad taken away the Generals Commissi­on: And there was something of Truth in it too: for upon the Letter sent them, which so much threatned their very Being, they cal­led for the names of their Commissioners for governing of their Army, retrenched two of them, and constituted only five (of which Monk was one and) of which number three were a Quorum: But it being unhappily mo­ved whether Monk should be of it, it was car­ried in the Negative: So tho his Commission was not formally voted from him (for that they durst not do) yet virtually it was; and Monk and Mor [...]ey were lest to stem the Tyde against Hazelrigg, Alured and Walton.

The General that night removed from Cheap­side, after he had disposed his men into quar­ters, and takes up his own at the Glashouse, where there was one large room se [...] apart for him to receive the grateful visits of the Citi­zens: who had already forgot their yester­days injuries: and having long before this re­pented that their Treasure and their Arms had been success [...]ully employed against their Prince, and their Country; they now pro­mised them to Monk, hoping for a better Is­sue [Page 108] of both; and in this he did not deceive them

The Council of State [...]till dissembled the affronts put upon them by their late Vas­sal, and invit [...]d him afresh to take his place among them; urging that the necessity of the Commonwealth required his presence there, and employed such men as were thought to have insl [...]ence upon him.

This startled his Friends about him, and the [...]ity too, as if he intended to hearken to these Councels, and to desert them. This was only the effect of his Native Cunning, that so the Men of Whitehall m [...]ght not wholly de­spair of him; for he gained time by it, he be­ing to fix his Army for his new Designs, which in one day could not be brought to part with it's Principles and prejudices. Nay, He was so provident a [...]idst the Throng of Business and▪ visi [...]s; [...] took care that the Saturdays­Post should carry no other News of that Day [...]o the several parts of the Army distributed in the Country, than what was dictated by [...]is own order.

So Monk intimated back to the Council of State, they were the cause of his (and of diverse others who were chosen to be of that Number) not sitting among them; for he was resolved not to take the Oath of Obju­ration.

Neither was this all the advantage that h [...] had against them; for they had now distribu­ted [Page 109] several thousands of Arms out of their stores to thof [...] who by their sactious Principles were known to be Enemies to t [...]eir, or any Government. Those Arms he desired might be recall'd, in regard they gave offence to his Army, and to all sober men.

The Parliament and Council of State, upon the first revolt of Monk, and retiring to the City with his Army, easily saw what they were to trust to; however they still court­ed his return: But not trusting to the charms of words to allure him; they distributed those Arms to Anabaptists and Fifth-Mo­narchy, and employed Agitors in their Army (now by Monks succesful artifice dispersed in Country Quarters) to whis­per his Treason against the Parliament, and to give out openly, that Charles Stuart was like to come in.

Sir Arthur Hazelrig was ta [...]ed, by the General, as the Promoter of this Ill Office, but he had not the courage to own it; or (though as good a General as himself) to ren­dezvouse his Country Army against Monk's in the City. But it was Gods time!

For now the Secluded Members of 1648 (who in the House o [...] Commons had refused to serve the Army's design of the total sub­version of Monarchy in the Royal Line) be­gan to appear; and that not without some se­cr [...]t incouragement neither. The General [Page 110] had before moved it, by some of his Confi­ents; and he looked upon it as the easiest and safest change he could make on the sud­den and most consistent with his Declaration [...] Scotland.

These Gentlemen, (the General now be­ing at Drapers-Hall) insist upon their Read­mission, but with modesty, and prudencebe­coming their condition; for they were then much opposed by the Zealots o [...] Oligarchy, who loved their Room better than their Compa­ny. These urge [...] Monk's Declaration, when he first appeared for them against that the Army that he was for the Parliament as it sat the 11 of October: The secluded replyed, that their Readmission was no inf [...]ingement of it; for the same Parliament would sit still; adding further that the Purport of that Declaration was to reduce the Military Power in Obedi­ence to the Civil; and that they had been [...]ecluded from the House only by force of the Sword; they having no more forfeit [...]d their right of sitting there, then, had the other: It was said that, in Law, neither had any.

These were the Occurrences of the more publick remark, for about a week; at the end o [...] which the General thought it not safe to hold his design any longer in suspence, for the Army in several parts in the Country be­gan to g [...]ow mutinous, and some of our▪ Offi­cers to express their [...]ears: vvherefore he con­vened [Page 111] a select Number of both Parties, to debate upon the affair, several of his ovvn Officers being present. The sitting Members had nothing to alledge (beside their Love of Povv­er) but their ovvn sa [...]ety, and the Armies; the consciences of the godly, and the Sale of publick Lands; all which they feared would be disturbed by the Introduction of the seclu­ded Members: But they gave satisfactory an­swers to all these objections, and engaged upon their Paroll (over and above) that they would not look upon what had been done since their Selusion, nor disturb the propri­ety or pretences of any; but would amica­bly sit and act for the good of their Country, till by their dissolution they made way for a­nother Parliament. This now was so fair a Pro­position, that no English-man who had any sense of the di [...]tractions of these Nations, and love to the Commonwealth, could any way except gainst it: Besides that all their returns were managed with such modesty of words and be­haviour, that our Officers soon enterteined a very good Opinion of the secluded. Nay and many even of the sitting Members them­selves, that were there present expre [...]t a dis­position to give way to their Readmission; on­ly they could not give their Votes for it, but in the House. Thus ended the Conference: and in the close of it, one or two of our Offi­cer [...] (more discerning, or more busie than [Page 112] the rest) moved that the Government might be declared to be by a Commonwe [...]lth, and a further security devised for the Sale of the publick Lands. This pinched; but it was artificially shuffled off by suggesting, that the Writs to be issued out for the next Parliament must necessarily run in the Name and Stile of the Keepers of the Liberties of the Commonwealth of England; and that the State of publick Lands was already as secure as the Government could make it.

The Men at Westminster understanding that the secluded Members were like to keep House with them again, began to be very froward upon it, as if they should not have Elbow­Room enough; yet they durst not remon­strate against it, because they could not get the Crafty General (who was now judged ca­pable with a little help, of giving check to the Army) out of his Hole in the City: Beside, that the Popular cry ran for a full and free Parliament; This Rump in the last weeks de­bate, touching Qualifications for Members to serve in the ensuing Parliament, having also exasperated and incensed the People, by voting as if none were fit to serve in that ca­pacity for the future, who had not contra­cted equal guilt with themselves. Now to obvi­ate Monk's design to restore the secluded Mem­bers, some of them fell to offering at a spee­dy resignation of their own power; giving [Page 113] out that within a few days they would dis­patch the qualifications, before them, for the next Parliament; for they thought it not fit to resign up their authority to those who would cut their Throats: But they sound it to be too late for this Pin to be driven for­ward.

For the General having gained, in appea­rance at least, the consent of his Officers for the resisting of the secluded Members upon certain conditions, they all of them that were in and about the Town, were sent for; and the Articles of their Readmission (which were these following read to them▪

• 1 To settle the Command of the Armies in the Three Nations, as might best secure the common Peace and Safety of them.
• 2. To raise a Tax for the payment of the Arrears of the Army and Navy; and what further supplys should be found necessary for the support of the Forces, and Government of the Commonwealth.
• 3. To Issue forth Writs for a Parliament, to sit at Westminster, the 20 of April then next ensuing; and to constitute a Council of State to see this done.
• 4. To confent to their own Dissolution, by a time that sho [...]ld be limited unto them.

To which, with chearfulness, they agreed and subscribed; and before they left the place (in confidence that Monk was a true Patriot) [Page 114] promised to make him Commander in Chief, both by Sea and Land. Thus they went away rejoycing, that they should be accounted worthy to be the Restorers of their Coun­trys freedom.

So on Tuesday February the 21, these Gen­tlemen met the General at Whitehall; (for to that end only, he returned thither) he spoke some few words to them, reminding them chiefly of their promises to him, and assu­ring them that he would not impose any new thing upon them, and he was as good as his word. That Morning they were conducted by Adjutant Miller, to take their former places in the House of Commons; which as soon as they enter'd, some of the sitting Mem­bers arose in a heat, and left the House: Hazlerig and others, openly cry'd out (but too late) that Monk was a Traytor; but Hazle­rig met with no other punishment afterward for his Treason, than his own native rage and fury.

Some of the Noble Peers who had former­ly agreed with the House of Commons to draw the Sword against their King, watched the Readmittance of these seculded Members, and would have entered their own House; but the General having, before, intimation of their intents, commanded Miller to withstand them, in case any such attempt should be made. So the surly Souldier obeyed his Ge­neral's [Page 115] orders, though he was threatned that he did he knew not what. Now because the Ge­neral owned this, one of their Lordships was afterwards, even with him, by labouring to ha [...]e discovered a Gun-Powder-Treason, at the Cock-Pit.

The General had now quitted the City, and came to Whitehall, where in the evening he was informed of that Days Transactions of the Parliam. He was now his Excellency Capt. General of all the forces of the Commonwealth, both by Land and Sea; save only that at Sea, General Montague had equal authority with him: In this there was a [...]ailure of Promise: but he had work enough to do at Land; and Ambition was not his aim.

This day was spent by the General, and his Officers, in signing Copies of Letters to be sent to the Commanders of the Armys in Scot­land and Ireland, and to several Colonels and Commanders of Garrisons in England; in which was signified that they had let in t [...]e secluded Members to the House, and the neces­sity of doing it, to preserve and enlarge the Interest of the Commonwealth; that they were still upon the same Bottom o [...] a fr [...]e State; that they would take care that what they had purchased at the expence of their Blood, should not be lost; that they would effectually me­diate with the next Parliament, (to sit in A­pril next) that the publick Sale of Lands [Page 116] should be confirmed; and that witho [...]t ano­ther Parliament, the Commonwealth could not be established against pretenders; desiring their dear Brethren and Fellow Soldiers, to have a vigilant eye upon all such as [...]hould presume to abet the pretences of Charles Stu­art, or any other single person or authority whatsoever. Then they were sollicit [...]d to send up some Officer to signifie their concurrence with the Lord General Monk and his Officers; adding further (to cry Clink in the Close) that no money could have been had to pay the Ar­rears of the Army and Navy, without the effusion of blood, unless they had let in the s [...]cluded M [...]mbers: So be it. As for our own Soldiers, they soon learned that this was the good old Cause still: this being the same Par­liament that began the War against the late King.

The General went to bed that night, not late, but in a very good humour: And indeed he had good reason for it; for now he had per­fected his own safety, and stood no longer in fear of being questioned for interesting him­self in Booth's Conspiracy. I came into his Chamber, and understood [...]e was in bed: so I was about to retire; but his Lady entertai­ning me with discourse, he perceived that I was in the chamber, and so commanded me to his bedside; vvhere I found him satisfyed with what he had done, and pleasant with me. I told [Page 117] him I came (over and above the Duty of my Attendance) to give him thanks for his Dayes work. He answered me (with great courtesie of words) No, no; This is none of your business; you but dissemble with me: You come now for somewhat else; and I believe I know for what. I humbly asked him what he could think I came for? Sit down then (says he) and I'le tell you: You come for Bishops. He spake it not so softly, but his Lady overheard it; and mistook it as my proposal: at which she was angry. But the Curtains and the Generals Favour skreen'd me; he assuring her, that I had not spoken to him of Bishops. So she went off; but he detained me with thi serious Discourse upon the thing, that he thought This could never be done; for not only their Lands are sold (says he) but the Temper of the Nation is against them. I told him, that as yet he could not see the Temper of the Nation; the Royal Party having judg'd it prudence not to appear openly, or make any Addresses. But since he had mention­ed it, I entreatcd him to grant me one Re­quest; which was, that he would not be drawn to engage against them: and this I thought he might safely grant me, now, who would not be ensnared to abjure the King, and the Royal Family. He paused a while; (as his manner was) and taking [Page 118] me by the hand, Well then (said he) so much I will promise you, that I will not be engaged against Bishops. I thank'd him, and kissed his Hand; adding, that it was best to leave it to God's Providence and the next Parli­ament; when we should be able to discern the temper of the Nation in reference both to Church and State.

The Secluded Members, from all parts of the Kingdom, returned to the House of Commons; which was now open for them: of which number Mr. Morrice of Devon was one. This Gentleman was somewhat allied to the General, but more to his Fa­vour, than his Blood; for he had a great o­pinion of his Prudence and Integrity. He was one that much conversed with Books, and had lately written one against the Practice of Independent Teachers, who would admit none in Parochial Cures, to the Lords Supper, but such only as, being distinguish'd by their Separation, were most peculiarly their own Flock. This had ren­dered him very grateful to the Presbyterians, whose Cause he seemed most to serve; for the Ministers of the Church of England were generally contented with the exercise of their Religion in private houses; tho' even These also, were often disturbed by Souldiers or Constables, who used to hale them from their very Communion-Tables up­on [Page 119] the more solemn Festivals of their de­spised Church; rending their Surplices, where any were used, and tearing their Mass-Books (for that was the Name by which the crafty Statesman, and the more jugling Gospeller taught the indiscerning Multitude to call the English Liturgy) into pieces.

The General, from and before the be­ginning of this Enterprize, had pretended to be a Presbyterian, (and indeed I knew his Godmother, who did her share too) and had not yet renounced his Faith; but now it most behoved him to appear one, and to act his part well in it; for it was his last: Wherefore Mr. Morrice was received into his House. This pleased his new Ma­sters at Westminster, who were most of them of this Religion; some few only ex­cepted, who by beholding the calamities of the Church, and their own Errours, had been converted to a better esteem of Epis­copacy; which the Learning of Mr. Morrice could not but favour: so that I looked upon him to have the good Repute only of a Presbyterian. Him the General retained as his Elbow-Counsellor, and a State-Blind; concealing his own sense of things, and very often speaking contrary to his own thoughts, that so he might bet­ter understand the sence of others, and take [Page 120] his Measures accordingly. This is a sort of Cunning which will fail no Man, who meets with the plain and open-hearted. But whether this was inherent in the Ge­n [...]ral's Tempe [...], (and consequently a Na­tural Wisdom) or acquir'd by living so many years, both in and under Command, among such whose Cause and Principles he hated, I will not be positive in the Deter­mination: But I incline to believe it was the Latter▪ This I the rather mention, be­cause it hath been said that Mr. Morrice found him obstinate against the King's Re­stauration. Something to this purpose was once told the General, in my hearing; (possibly with a Design to do the good man an injury) But I know how he resented it. And if Morrice did entertain any such O­pinion, I can assure him and others, that he was not the only man that did so; for after we came to Town, where the Gene­ [...]al received the Visits of many worthy men, who loved their Countrey, and of whom some were then in Authority; These Gen­tlemen took the freedom of speaking and [...]ropounding to him what they thought ex­pedient for the publick Good. Nor in t [...]uth have they be [...]n wanting to them­selves to represent their Doings to advan­ [...]ge, which 'tis sit to suppose were great and real, because the rewards of them [Page 121] were such; nor ought any to envy them, because their Assistance was seasonable; they concurring with the General for the Redemption of their Countries Freedom. But yet I do not believe that they added any great weight to his Honourable De­signs; for I will ask no leave to assume to my self this honour, that I knew his Loy­alty to his Prince to be most firm, when the time to shew it was most hazardous: and I am well acquainted with the scornful Smiles and Words he used to give of such Bravad [...]-pretenders, as sought to lessen his Merit.

And now the Ministers of the Presbyteri­an Perswasion daily frequented St. James's; they were in a hopef [...]l expectation that all those Sects who had supplanted them, would with little difficulty be put under their feet; that themselves alone should inherit the Blessing; (the Church of Eng­land at that time being below their fear) for Monk was the Defender of their Faith, and had wrested the Sword out of the Ar­mies (their Enemies) hands. And indeed he was their zealous Votary; for one Lords day he and his Lady went and Communica­ted at Mr. Calamy's Church; who afterward so far prevailed with him, that none were to Preach before him, but such only as he recommended. I not knowing that he had so [Page 122] far yielded to Calamy, consented that Dr. Pierson (the now right Reverend and Learn­ed Bishop of Chester) should Preach for me on a Sunday Morning. He came early to my Chamber; but as we were ready to go to Church, we found two Ministers (sent from Mr. Calamy) come to do the work of the Day among us; but their Faces and Habits were strangely disguised with Mud and Dirt; for their Coach had overthrown them by the Park-wall, behind the Pell-mell. I took what care I could to render them fit to appear; and desired that but one of them would Preach that Day, and the o­ther should the next; Mr. Pierson being present, whom they knew. This would not satisfie them; nor could I prevail with the General to have him Preach, tho I got Mr. Morrice to be my Advocate, who kind­ly represented the Learning and peaceable temper of Mr. Pierson. To this I might add a Fast kept at St. Pauls, where Dr. Gau­den preached; his very Text pointing at more than the Return of the Secluded Mem­bers. It was Jer. 6. 14. They have healed al­so the hurt of the Daughter of my People slightly; saying, Peace, Peace, when there is no Peace. This Doctor had, before, be­wailed the lamentable state of the Church of England in a Printed Folio; being an ele­gant Preacher, and dying afterwards Bishop [Page 123] of Exon. So much for the Affairs of the Church.

But the Civil and Military Affairs were upon the Wheel of Motion; for the Parlia­ment constituted a new Council of State, took off the Engagement that was upon the File against the King and House of Lords, and had been imposed on the Subject, Anno 1648. when the Army (after the Murder of Charles the First) had set up the Remain­der of the House of Commons for a Free State: But the Solemn League and Covenant, (which was for Monarchy, in some sence, but, in all, against Prelacy) hung still on the Walls of the House of Commons, with the Names of the Renowned Subscribers; being left to the Censure of the next Par­liament.

The Genéral kept a vigilant eye upon his Enemy the Army; set new Colonels at the Head of most Regiments; and removed their inferiour Officers, as they were repre­sented to be either Troublesome, or Disaffect­ed. But the Parliament eased him of much trouble, by setling the Militia, in which neither Independent, Anabaptist, Fifth-Mo­narchy-man, or Quaker, were allowed any sort of Command; a Cavalier being now become a less odious Name. Thus were things carried all over the Kingdom, and a fair prospect given of the King's Return, [Page 124] all the ambitious Officers of the Marching Army being laid aside.

Col. Overton, the Governour of Hull, whose Ambition was equal with theirs, thought this a fit time to appear, and draw over the Malecontents of the Army (which every day increased in Number) to his Party. His Garrison was such, and so placed, as to render his Design practicable; and his Hatred to the General was known to be most implacable; for about two years be­fore, when Monk Commanded in Chief in Scotland, and Overton as Major General of the Foot, next under him, (Cromwel then being Protector) he had drawn several Officers (Zealots for a Commonwealth) into [...] Conspiracy against him, New-years Day in the Morning was the time agreed upon to surprize Monk at Dalkeith; and the At­tempt was not thought easie only, but cer­tain. So the Question was moved, what they should do with him when they had him? The most desperate (Syndercomb was in the Con­spiracy) were for killing him upon the place But one of the Godly judging that it would be a scandal to them to kill a man in cold blood, when he was in their power; openly protested that hew ould discover the Plot, if they proceeded upon that Resolution: Whereupon the Conspirators broke up the Meeting for that time. Now because this [Page 125] interposition of Conscience saved the Gene­ral's Life, and probably some of his Ser­vants also; I will gratefully mention the man: It was Mr. Oates, then a Chaplain of Note among those Conspirators, and after­wards Beneficed in a small Living in the Diocess of Chichester. May the able, who are grateful to the Memory of the Duke of Albemarle, be disposed to give him a bet­ter.

Overton from Hull (a place fatal to the old King) sent forth his Emissaries to insi­nuate the appearance of Monarchical Go­vernment; (for some men only hate Kings because they are not Kings themselves) and to tell the Souldiery that the abandoned In­terest of Charles Stuart did seem to shine in the face of the publick Transactions, Conjuring the Brethren in the Army, (who remained faithful to the True Cause) to signifie their concurrence with him. Se­veral Copies of his Letters were dispersed in the North: and one of them was sent to the General by Col. Fairfax (Governour of York) where the General had many True Friends (beside him) that were active to suppress all such practices: As Col. Be­thel, Smith, and others.

The General did not only use his own Authority, to command Overton out of Hull, but recommended the matter to the [Page 126] of State also; who sent thither Col. Alured, and Major Smith. The first prevaricated in his Trust, and went privately to the Go­vernor, staying late with him at night. But Smith getting Intelligence of this, with Sums of Money borrowed in the Town, being he was well known there) forthwith bought off the Souldiers, at the Parade, to their obedience to the Parliament. So that Overton was forced to obey the General's Orders, and came up to Town; tho' he soon became so far reconcil'd to Monarchical Interests, (his own expression) that he de­clared for King Jesus. But his Souldiers rather followed Smith's Money: And the Parliament knowing what Money would do with such people, Voted no less a Tax up­on England and Wales, for six Months to­gether, than an hundred thousand pounds per mensem. Now tho' they did not follow the Examples given of extending their Assess­ments upon Scotland and Ireland, yet the Ge­nerals care reached even these also; In Scotland he had not forgot his Trusty Friend Major General Morgan; by a more Au­thoritative Commission constituting him to command there, and sending him more strength.

In Ireland so many persons of eminent quality appeared for him, that he appre­hended no danger thence, either of a pre­sent [Page 127] di [...]turbance, or o [...] playing an after-game di [...]tinct from themselves: Though this in Scot­land, they might have done, had not Mor­gan been true to Monk. But at home, though he had made a very large reformation in the Army; yet he thought not his time ripe e­nough, as yet, for the displacing of some, who now gave him a trouble.

All the Officers of the Army, who kept their Commissions, had under their hands signed their concurrence [...]or introducing the setled Members, and owned the necessity of it; but [...]till they would under [...]tand their obedience to the Parliament, to extend no further, than as they were bottomed upon a Free State. For this was the Phrase of Monk and his Officers Letter to them; which intimated their readiness to take care that these should not b [...] lo [...]t. But now they were not satisfied of the good intentions of the Par­liament touching this Government: nor much better of the Generals, who had refused the offer o [...] the Honour and Mannor of Hamp­ton-Court; (the only Portion of Crown-Lands yet unsold) and possessed by Cromwel, when he assumed the Title of Protector. For the old sitting Members had craftily proposed the giving of this to him: and the Secluded could not fairly with [...]tand the motion of re­warding him. But the General, upon his re­fusing the Donation of these Lands, as a [Page 128] House too great for him, was recompense [...] with a gift of twenty thousand Pounds. Yet this Non-acceptance rendered him still more suspected. Now these Officers when they saw the General had refused these Crown­Lands, and even the dignity of the Crown it self, when offerd by some who best un­derstood their own saftey; combined into dangerous resolutions, aud contrived a Pa­per to be universally [...]ubscribed (presenting itto the General for his subscription in the first place) the Purport of which was,

To declare that the Government of these Three Nations should be a C [...]mmonwealth▪ without Kingship or any other single person by what Name or Title soever dignified or distinguished: And that this present Parlia­ment should be required to pass this into an Act, as a Fundamental Constitution, not to be [...]haken or questioned by future Parliaments; and that the Army ought, upon no other Terms, to maintain their Authority. These Officers did assemble very daringly befor [...] the General, Col. Oky being their Prolocutor: This Gentleman was a better Souldier than an Orator, beside that his Life lay at Stake, having sat as Judge upon the King's. He was also a known Stickler for the Commonwealths Party, and but lately as much a General as Mon [...] himself; neither did he want either a courage [...] or [...]ossibly a Party of the Army to [Page 129] sollow him. Wherefore the General did not esteem it prudent to ruffle in words, though he was resolved not to gratifie their request, by subscribing to the Paper. So that Commissa­ry Clargis (for so now, he was of the Musters) was put upon undertaking the debate; for he had the Generals good opinion, as favouring his design: And indeed it concerned him to deserve it; both their Interests being bound up in the same bottom. I hapned to be present at the d [...]bate; which Clargis managed with much resolution, and dexterity of words; lay­ing before them their own danger, in making such an Address at that time to the Parlia­ment, in regard This was the very Parliament that would not be frighted with their Arms or Impeachments of Treason before; much less now, when all sober men saw the Inconven [...]en­cy of being Governed by an Army: [...]urther Insinuating, that the General and his Officers vvere to prefcribe unto them: that the Parli­ament had an Authority, in which themselves by their subscription did acquiess; that they could vote the General, and whom else they thought fit, out of their Commands; and vvhen that vvas done, pass a vote for their own Dis­solution, vvithout appointing the issuing out of Writs for the succeeding Parliament: for if the General (he said) vvould break his promise of not disturbing them, they might very vvell break theirs for calling another Parliament: [Page 130] And that there vvould be no fear of a Civil Government, because none to assume it, (un­less they vvould trust Richard Cromwell) the General having re [...]used it, as some of them­selves vvell knevv, vvho had made him an of­fer of it, the reasons these General approved of: and added, that he would rather be torn in pieces by wild horses, than be sotreacherous to his Coun. treys freedom.

The Debate was long, and not without some heat of words; but after our Offic [...]rs had spent their Fears and Jealousies of lo­sing the Good Gld Cause, the General with Gravity and Calmness admonished them, that it was contrary to the Discipline of an Army to meddle with Civil Government; That they and he were under the Com­mand of the Parliament, their Superiors; That he did not doubt but the next Parlia­ment would quiet all their Apprehensions; and that this could not hurt them, for that they were upon the point of dissolving themselves: then he severely comanded his Officers to have no more of these Meet­ings, without his privacy; soon after re­moving some of them from their Com­mands. But the next trouble that the General found, was from the Parliament it self; several of whose Members were off [...]ring to break the Articles of their Admission, and not to yield to the calling [Page 131] of another Parliament. Mr. Prin spake it openly, That if the King must come in it was safest for them that he should come in by their Votes who had made the War against his Father. Whereupon Prin was sent for, and admonished to be quiet; and it was the bufine [...]s of Mr. Morrice to keep this expiring Session of Parliament steddy, and clear from intermedling with the change of the Government; in which case he did ex­cellent Service, punctually observing the Directions of the General, who so passio­nately longed for their Dissolution, that at last he took the Liberty to mind them of it; they having done his work. So they authorized the Issuing out of Writs for ano­ther Parliament, which was to Meet the 25th. of April next, at Westminster (their Promise being, that it should be the 20th.) But before they broke up, they Vote (to Justifie themselves) That the General should give no Commission to any Officer to serve in the Army, who should not declare in these Words.

I N. do Acknowledge and Declare, That the War undertaken by both houses of Parliament in their De­fensive part, against the Forces rais­ed in the Name of the late King, was Just and Lawful.

And Ordered, That the Commission-Of­ficers [Page 132] should further Declare, That they believed Magistracy and Ministry to be the Ordinances of God. By this may Posterity understand to what a fine Pass their pros­perous Arms had brought Three King­doms.

And there was a Second like to the First, viz. That all and every Person and Persons, who have advised, aided, abetted or assisted in any War against the Parliament, since the first of January 1641, he, they or their Sons shall be uncapable to be Elected to serve as Members of the next Parliament, unless he or they have since manifested their good Af­fections to this Parliament: The longest Day will have an end; and this Long Par­liament Dissolved themselves March the 17th. But as for their Votes, they were no more regarded than dead men's Shoes; the Countrey hastening to their Elections, as the Writs came down.

The General being at St. James's, was now besieged with Business and Visits; his own he very well knew how to dispatch; and I do affirm that in all my several years of Attendance on him, it was rare that ever he left any thing of the Day to be done on the Morrow: Nay, at Night, when he found his Secretaries offered him nothing, he used to ask if any thing more was to be done? chiding them, that they should be [Page 133] sooner weary of Writing, than he of Di­ctating. But Visits (tho' fit to be paid to his Honour and Authority) were a new Em­ployment; of which the most weighty at that time, was the Address of Sir John Greenvile. He had before made his Applications, as others had done; and that without suspition too; they being pub­lick. And though Greenvile had the Mis­fortune to be a known Cavalier, yet he was Monk's near Kinsman. But as near as he was, he could not gain an opportunity of having any Conference with him▪ for though he would often spin out his Visits to an extraordinary length, in expectation of the Rooms being cleared, by the break­ing up of the Company; yet so soon as ever it was, and a convenience offered of unfolding part of his Errand, the Gene­ral (well knowing the reason of Greenvile's long Attendance,) would immediately rise from his Chair, and say, Good Night Cou­sin; 'tis late: or otherwise excuse himself, by pretending Business. But Sir John ha­ving been so often frustrated, and being impatient till he could give the King his Master some further assurances of the Ge­neral's good Intentions, than what Mr. Monk (who said no more to him than that he was under an Oath of Secresie with his Brother) could afford him: At last be­thought [Page 134] himself of making his Application to Mr. Morrice, by his Mediation to obtain the favour of a little private Discourse with the General, to whom he was to com­municate a Negotiation of great import­ance. Morrice gave particular heed to what he said, and acquainted the General with it; but he refused to have any secret Con­verse with him, in regard that being a known Cavalier, notice would be taken of it, should he be admitted to any such pri­vacy as desired. Yet he Ordered Morrice to wait upon his Cozen, to try if he could learn of what quality his Business was; and to make his report accordingly; giving him leave to assure him in his Name, that he was Authoriz'd to receive his Message (of what secresie soever it might be) and he promised to return the General's Answer to it. This Morrice earnestly pressed Green­vile to do, but he refused the Proposal, and would not give him the least intimation of his business; only telling him that it con­cerned none but the General himself; and yet him so very much, that without all fur­ther delay he must necessarily impart it to him; and in case he still obstinately persist­ed to deny him a private Hearing, he was resolved to speak to him where-ever he should meet him next. Upon Morrices re­porting of this to the General, he was in­wardly [Page 135] pleased at it; so the next night was appointed for disclosing this Se­cret,

Greenvile came to Morrices Chamber at St. James's; whither the General upon Morrice's intimation, soon after came like­wise. Sir John Greenvile and the▪ General being now alone (and Morrice Door-keep­er to the Conference) he addressed himself to the General in this purport of words; (they are his own) That‘he was infinite­ly obliged to his Excellency, for giving him this opportunity of discharging him­self of a Trust of great importance both to himself, and the whole King­dom, that had been long deposited in his hands; and that whatsoever became of him, he thought himself very happy to have this good occasion of performing his Duty in obeying the Commands of the King his Master.’ At the same in­stant, he presented the General with a Letter from his Majesty, and produced another directed to himself, as also the Commission which he had from his Majesty, to Treat with him.

The General stept back; and (hold­ing the Paper in his Hand) with a frown­ing Countenance demanded of him how he durst to speak to him in such a Matter, without considering the danger he was to [Page 136] run into? But Sir John's Answer was, That he had long since duly considered this matter, with all the danger that might at­ [...]end it; which was not sufficient yet, to deter him from the performance of his du­ty in this particular, any more than in all others, which he had chearfully undergone at his Majesties Command; but that he was the more encouraged to undertake this, in regard his Excellency could not but remember the Message he received in Sc [...]tland, by his Brother. Whereupon, the General without any other Reply, approach­ed him with a pleasing Aspect; and embra­cing him in his Arms, said, Dear Cousin, I t [...]ank you with all my heart for the Prudence, Fidelity, Care and Constancy you have shewed [...]n this great Affair; and I am much pleased al­so at your resolute secresie in it; for could I have understood that you had reveal'd it to any body living, since you first trusted my Brother with it, I would never have Treated with you; which now I sha [...]l most willingly; and with you the rather, because you are one of [...]ny nearest Kinsmen, and of a Family to which I owe many obligations. So the General read the King's Letters, and the Commission; for which he said, I hope the King will for­give what is past, both in my Words and Acti­ons, according to the Contents of his Gracious Letter; for my heart was ever faithful to him, [Page 137] but I was never in a condition to do him Ser­vice till this present; and you shall assure his Majesty thas I am now not only r [...]ady to obey his Commands, but to Sacrifice my Life and▪ Fortune in his Service. To witness this, I call this honest man from the Door. So he cal­led Mr. Morrice to him, who by this time could not but understand the Design of Greenviles coming to the General. Morrice likewise chearfully e [...]braced the Proposal, and was assistant in it. Sir John now intreat­ed the General to send some Confident of his own to the King; which the General willingly yielded to; but told him the Confi­dent must be himself; for he would send no Letters as yet, for fear of the worst; and without them, the King had no reason to give credit to a Messenger from him: tho' his Majesty might well believe his own, whom▪ he had employed to him. Where­fore at the next Conference Instructions were prepared, which Greenvile wrote out; and after he had diligently perused them, and fixed them in his Memory, as he was desired, the General threw the Paper into the fire, with charge not to commit his In­structions again to Paper till he came to Brussels (where the King then was) and there to communicate them to none but his Majesty.

This is that Noble Sir John Greenvile, [Page 138] (the now Earl of Bath) to whom the Au­thor hath Dedicated this Memorial, pro­claiming him a Witness of the Designed Loyalty of General Monk; (the late Duke of Albemarle) whose successful Negotiati­on with him, began and compleated the Restauration of our present Sovereign, and with Him, o [...] our Laws and Liberties, which we now See and enjoy. But there was yet more Work to be done.

The Officers of the Army, who from their several Quarters in the Country, came to Town, to hear and make new distur­bance, were remanded to their distinct Charges by the Council of State: But men of greater Quality than these Officers (and by some thought to be of a greater guilt too) were very earnest with the General, that the King, if he must be brought in by the next Parliament, should be admitted to his Throne upon no other than the Con­cessions of the Isle of Wight. These were Articles too streight for Monarchy, and wholly destructive of the Constitution of the Church, as formerly (and now) govern­ed; Charles the First having yielded to them when he was a Prisoner in Carisbrook­Castle, 1648. And because the Parliament then Voted them to be sufficient Grounds for a Treaty with the King, the Army turned out the Voters, who were afterwards [Page 139] called by the Name of the Secli [...]ded Mem­bers. But in truth even These with the Sitting Members too; were not the whole Body of the House of Commons; for a great portion of it, and a greater of the Lords, had deserted them at Westminster▪ and acted as a Parliament, at Oxford; and had his late Majesties Arms been prospe­rous, might have been esteemed as such: And why they were not, let others tell the reason. But to make Mirth with that Trea­ty, of which one of the P [...]eliminary Arti­cles for a Peace (as propounded by the Parliament) was, that neither they nor their Armies were Rebels in making War against the King. To this his late Maje­sty answered that then He and His Army were. To this a late Noble Lord replied, Nay, Sir, if you are thereabout, there is no peace for us with your Majesty, but the peace of God, which is past all understanding; from which God of his Mercy deliver us. But it behoved the charitable to pray that his Lordships Prayer were not heard, for the Blood that was spilt; for in one and the same Commonwealth there cannot be understood to be two Sovereigns, who can equally write Dei Gratia; and no less Power than what is delegated from God, and so bears the Sword, can warrant the shedding of Blood.

[Page 140]The love of Private Intere [...]ts had f [...]r a long time obftructed the Publick, which though something more enlarged, was not as yet fully at Liberty; the secluded Mem­bers, before their Dissolution, having taken what care they could to have preserved their own share in the Government. That which was called the Commonwealth-Party, had at that time little other Intereft than what was bound up in the Army, which had been mo­delled by the General with n [...]w Officers, and such old ones as had served in the Parliament's War till the year 1648. And the Souldiers and inferiour Officers were not able to make any great or dangerous mutinies, as being left destitute of authority to countenance them: Beside that the Country and City Militia, were of a temper quite different from the Army, and became no contemptible [...] against them. The Royal Party who had served the King, as yet bore very little sway; though their hopes were pregnant; depend­ing upon the Issue of the next Parliament: This being the face of things; to solicite the General, that the King's Restauration might be hampered with his Fathers Concessions in the Isle of Wight; was no Idle or unseaso­nable Propo [...]ition, for su [...]h as found themselves concerned to look about them. But the Ge­neral, at first moving, expr [...]ssed a resolution of his professed ob [...]tinacy to adhere to a Com­m [...]nwealth; [Page 141] though at laft (in regard the Proposers, some of them; were Men of Ho­nour, and all of Eminency) he seemed to be conquer'd into a concu [...]rence; but so as to hint this to be the utmost Line that he could or would advance too, in favour of the King. This ftifness endeared him the more to the Proposers, as encreasing their hopes that he would not deceive them.

But soon after; the General's danger was sreely represented unto him, should he by yeilding to such Proposals, anticipate the next Parliament; because in probabilitie it would bring a fresh War upon the Nation: for if upo [...] the opening of the next Parlia­ment, they should vote for the King's Re­turn, and he assent to it no otherwise than upon the I [...]le of Wights Articles, and they under the terror of his Arms not be able otherwise to bring him in; It would take up much time for Messengers to pass and repass the Seas; and for Articles (as in all other Treaties) to be explained; so that whilft these things were transacting, the Army might get Breath, and opportunity to revolt from him.

The Proposers rejoyced that they had so far prevailed with the General; and sent an Ex­press of their own to the King at Br [...]ssels; re­presenting to him the great service they had done his Maje [...]ty in prevailing with Monk, [Page 142] (notwithftrnding his being so obstinate [...] Commowealthsman) not to oppose his Majefties return upon his Fathers concessions in the Isle of Wight and no otherwise: and that though these were hard Terms, and assent­ed unto by his Father in his necessity, yet they besought his Maje [...]ty that he would not now think hard of them, leaft his refusal might exclude him from th [...] Crown.

But so it fell out that their service and message were postpon'd, for Sir John Green­vile was got before him to the King, to whom he had related Monk's acceptance of his service. This ought to be supposed most welcome news to his Majesty; and the more, because the General had required no conditi­ons of Restraint to the Royal Power, as none of [...]eward; Insomuch as the King upon the receipt of the Letter from these Propo­sers (which he shewed to S [...]r John Greenvile) merrily told him, little do they in England think, that General Monk and I are upon so good terms; for I my self could hardly have believed it till your arrival; which hath brought me such happy news, and with so great secresy too, from the General of my Restauration, without conditions, even beyond our expecta­tion here, or the belief of all our friends in England, excepting your self, who was alone employed in it.

Afterwards when the King was recognized [Page 143] by both Houses of Parliament (it was th [...] ve­ry first day that the Regal Authority had been so owned) several persons of honour (some who had abetted the King's and others the Par­liament's cause) dined with the General at St. Jame's. And there arose a hot contest about the Lawfulness of the late War, and whether the King should be admitted to return with or without conditions. I observed the General to be silent, tho some hard words had passed at his Table, so he required me to say Grace [...]ather than he would stay out his Dinner, [...]nd the Controversy.

But to return to the matter, Greenvile's ne­gotiation was managed with such secresie, and his Journey to Brussels was so speedy and for­tunate, that few knew of it before his arrival t [...]ere; and those who did, and went in his Company, did not so much as suspect the er­rand he was sent on. The King, upon intima­tion of his being come, went privately to hi [...] Lodgings, and was alone with him; and Green­vile discovered his Instructions from the Gene­ral to his Majefty; by whom he was believed; tho he brought no Letter. For the King (to debate what was to be done) consulted with his Lord Chancellor Hide, the Marquess of Ormond, and Secretary Nicholas, in the pre­sence of Greenvile. And in this privy Coun­cil Monks Commission Was signed to be Cap. General of all his Majefties Land Forces in the [Page 144] three Kingdoms, and publick dispatches; ac­cording to Instructions given; were framed, and signed here. Likewise then the King re­moved from the Spanish to the United Nether­lands, according to the advice given by the General to Greenvile: and this was done both in hast and Privacy. His Majesty being come to Breda, dated his publick dispatches from thence; and there Sir John Greenvile [...]eceived them from his Majesty, in order to his returning for England: but the King would not send him back empty, and with­out a mark of his favour.

Sir John Greenvile when he came first to Br [...]ssels, and had related Monks resolu [...]ion to espouse the Kings Cause and Interest hum­bly desired his Majesties Pardon, is in his negotiation, he had exceeded his Instructi­ons of reward? To [...]hich the King graciously answered, that whatever he had promised in his name, should be punctually performed upon his Restauration: But Greenvile, then insormed his Majesty, that he had propoun­ded to the General 100000l pr. annum for ever, as his Majesties donative to him and his Osficers, with the Office of Lord High Chancellor▪ and Constable of England, for Himself, and the Nomination of any other the great [...] of the Crown. All which Monk had gener [...]usly refused, saying that he would not [...]ye the King to any t [...]rms of re­ward; [Page 145] and that he took more comfort and con­sent in that now he hoped he was able to do his Majesty and Country service, then in expecta­tions of greatness. Besides that the General had given him this as a special charge that he should not propound any thing to his Majesty as a gratification for service, either for him­self or for any Friend or Officer of his, upon His accompt. The King then pressed Green­vile to know what he should do for Him; but he, after the General's example, nobly refused all Proposals of reward for the service in which he had been so eminently successful, till he should happily see his Majesty at White­hall. However the King had then put up in­to Greenvile's Pocket (though unknown to him) a Warrant under his Hand and Seal for an English Earldom, and the assurance of 3000l pr. annum for ever, to support his Ho­nour, together with a Promise to pay his and his Fathers Debts, which had been contra­cted in the War Time in the service of his Majesty and his Royal Father.

So Greenvile was sent back by his Majesty to the General, and brought with him (be­sides the above mentioned Commission) his Majesties Seals and Signet by which the Ge­neral was empowred to make a Secretary of State; which he conferred upon Mr. Morrice by the advice of Sir John Greenvile: Mor­rice, upon the Kings Return was soon after [Page 146] toward the latter end of May, (Greenvils return to the General being about the begin­ning of April) was Knighted and confirmed in his place of Secretary of State. Now be­sides his publick Letters, which were reser­ved to be communicated; he brought with him a private one to the General from his Majesty; written with his Maiesties own hand; to this the General returned an answer to by Mr. Bernard Greenvile Bro­ [...]her to Sir John, who at this time could not be spared to go over again to his Maje­sty, because the Parliament was aproach­ing, and he to present to both Houses his Ma­jesties Letters and Declarations: Wherefore Bernard Greenvile (that this secret negotia­ion might be continued in the Family) was thought to be the most fit, and the safest ex­press that could be sent. And indeed he could not but be as welcome to his Majesty, for he brought now the assurances under his hand of the Generals resolution, to adhere to the Kings cause against all opposition whatever. I therefore notifie this, because it was the first that the General du [...]st adventure to his Majesty; Nay and even this was with the soo­nest, for Lambert, by the secret connivance the In [...]erior Trustees of the Tower, was esca­ped out of Prison: this was the joy and try­umph of such as designed an after-game by the Sword, for he had the good luck to be beloved [Page 147] by the Souldiery; for which reason Oliver Cromwel, when he was Protector, revered but displaced him; as divining that he would not only tread in his Steps, but upon his Heels

The News of Lamberts escape soon came to us at St. James's, and almost at the same time a private information where he was hid. Thi­ther the General fen [...], and found it true; but he was got away before, to set up the Trade of War in the Countrey. Wherefore as soon as ever it was adver [...]ised where Lam­bert was, the General prepared (or seemed to do itat least) for a March: From which he was easily prevailed upon to defist by those who represented unto him the necessity of keeping the Town, in regard the Common Souldiers of the Army were not yet fixed to him, however he had modelled the Officers of it: and indeed many of these had already subscribed, that they would rest satisfyed in what the Parliament should determine about Government, as did all of them afterwards▪ who continu'd in their commands; and these Subscriptions, not long after, were requi­red even of private Souldiers. Lambert ha­ving gained some accomplices to his Designs, they shisted Quarters into Northampton and Warwickshires, to pick up more; all whom the Council of State declared Traytors: But Col. (afterward Sir R. Ingoldbsy) made them such; [Page 148] for [...]e [...]ook Lambert Prisoner, and sent him up [...], in Easter-week, to the Council of State. Here it was that I first and last saw this Re­nowned Captain, but now a Captive; (to our comfort be it spoken) of who [...]e skill in the art of War the General had no great Opinion, and of which I can make no Judgment. But if Lambert intended to make a Rape upon the Government, as it was thought he did; he had not unqualified himself for it: For I never heard that he had listed himself into any Religious Fa­ction; but being a Latitudinarian to all, he might with less opposition have ruled the Rost: Nay and even a Party then most odious did not dispair of fair quarter from him.

This unhappy Captain fell sooner than the General once thought he would; be­cause now the Kings Interest was become visible upon the Stage, and the Souldiers and under-Officers would soon have resor [...] ­ed to him as the Deliverer of their Country, had he not been thus timely [...]uppressed. This piece of Service none could so luckily have performed as Colonel Ingoldsby; for he was both known an [...] beloved in the Ar­my, and had affection, as well as Courage to do it, as having been (though covertly) in Booth's Conspiracy.

[Page 149]But whilst Lambert was thus in the Field, and threatned a War, the General sent for Sir John Greenvile, and told him that if Col. Ingoldsby was beaten, and the Army so went over to follow Lambert that he could not be suppressed but by a War; Then he was re­solved to put off his disguise, declare the Kings Commission, own it for the authority by which he acted, and Commission the royal Party into Arms in all places through Eng­land, Scotland and Ireland: Wherefore he required Sir John to attend him, and receive orders from him for his Majesties service.

But Providence had appointed the Kings Restauration to be without Blood; nay and some few of our Officers (for it was no pub­lick combination) expressed their willingness to do it; making this overture to the Gene­ral, that if he would undertake by his sole authority (as Generalissimo at Land and half a one by Sea) to restore the King, they pro­mised their own assista [...]ce and undertook to promote this design farther in the Army, if he would give them leave to appear in it; the [...] prudently alledging, that such a Course would be more for his honour, than to give way to a Parliament to do it, and then they might expect better terms, afterwards, for themselves. He knew the Men and their de­signs, and returned this answer; That the Parliament which was to be, was called upon a [Page 150] Commonwealth-Accompt; and it did not▪ now at least, become Souldiers to meddle with the change of Government: for he would be true to his Declaration to keep the Military Power in ob [...]dience to the Civil: reminding them that themselves had promised to rest contented with what the Parliament should do touching Government. To this the Royal Party in and about the Town had al­so subscribed, testified their submission to he present Power, as it then resided in the Council of State, in expectation of the fu­ture Parliament, and promised to bury all rancors and animosities. This Declaration was by them published, with the subscripti­ons of several Noble Men and Gentlemen of eminent quality.

However Affairs now were in a fair pro­cedure towards a National Settlement, yet there wanted not Agitators to disturb it; who went up and down in the City and Coun­trey to Spirit the Army into Discontent. Wherefore the Reward of 10 l. was publish­ed and promised for the Discovery of any one of them. But Agitators enow of this sort (as well Lay as Clergy) came to St. James's; Hugh Peters was of both Coats; for he had a portion of the Lord Craven's Lands, and feared a secular Restitution too. This Noble Lord, (Nobler now, being ad­vanced to the Earldom of Craven,) had ne­ver fought against the Parliam. but from his [Page 151] Youth generously hazzarded his person, and spent his Estate in Foreign wars to the Honour of his Country; whom the Gene­ral always honoured, and who succeeded him after his Death in the Command of the Regiment of the King's Guards, (my most Honourable and Noble Colonel.) And by what contrivance, or for what Delinquency his Estate was forfeited, is not an Enquiry proper for this place. But the General's Lady was so bold as to ask Hugh Peters if he was not for Restitution? The Ministers of Independency likewise were very solicitous to know what they must trust to, & disturb'd the hopes of the Presbyterians, by telling them that Episcopacy and Arminianism were com­in upon them.

'Twas my Portion to hear these things, being sometimes deputed to attend them: But I was an Infidel to all these Fears; for the General still adhered to a Commonwealth, and neither Jest nor Earnest could make any other Discovery of him: For once he was set upon in Jest by a late Long-Parlia­ment-Common-wealths-man, who was good at it: He told the General, that he had always had a great esteem of him (I think he had once at a pinch happily served him) and asked him what he aimed at, a King or a Commonwealth? The General answered, you have known me a long time, and you know that I have been these many years [Page 152] for a Commonwealth, and I am still of that opinion. He returned, I ought to believe your Excellency; but will you give me leave to tell you a Story; 'Twasthis; A City­Taylor was met one Evening in the Country with a Pick-Axe and Spade; a Neighbour of his asked him whi­ther he was going with those Instruments? He answered, to take measure for a new Suit of Cloaths at such a House, and for such a person. His Neighbour demanded, what with a Pick-Ax and Spade? Yes, quoth the Tailor, these are the Measures now in fashion; so he left the Application to his Excellency, whether his new Models in the Army were fit Tools to make a Common­wealth with,

Nor could Monsieur Bourdeaux (then Resident Ambassador for France) gain any certainty of his Designs; though he made an attempt to dive into them: He sent for Commissary Clargys, and propounded the Assistance of Cardinal Mazarine, either to help the General to the Sovereignty, or to restore our King; adding his Advice, that the King might be desired to retire into France, and that speedy notice should be given him to leave Flanders, if the General aimed at his Restitution. But the General would not allow the Ambassador the liberty of this Discourse to him, though he refused him not a Visit, upon the Request of Cler­gis. [Page 153] The Story is at large related in Ba­ker's Chronicle, pag. 717. Printed Anno 1674. whither I refer the Reader, because I knew nothing of it till I found it there.

The Parliament was now ready to sit down, and the King's Return was visible to the wise and discerning; provided that the General had not his Reserves to give a stop to it; for he still kept himself in a Cloud. Wherefore the prying and suspiti­ous (of which sort were Women) found out little Devices to sound what were his Intentions, by giving small gifts to his Son (a Child then between six or seven years of age, the now Duke of Albemarle) who innocently told these busie Enquirers, that his Father and Mother in Bed had talk­ed of the King's coming home. I dare promise that he shall not be so easily out, witted or surprized now; and I doubt not, but that he will be heir of his Fathers Pru­dence, as well as of his Estate: And may he live to out-do him in both! However I wish so; for I love and honour him, whose Educa­tion was sometimes committed tomy Charge.

Though the Parliament were not met, yet all apprehensions of danger were already over: only a few Libels were thrown in the night at our Guards, against the King and his Party. Wherefore now we were entertained with Feasting, to which the Worthy Citizens of London did invite the [Page 154] General and his Officers; and it would be ungrateful not to mention their great and sumptuous Entertainments; Thanks being the proper Reward of good Cheer. These Feasts were performed in the publick Halls of the more Ancient Companies; where, (besides Meat and Musick) we had some­times the Sin-Songs of more than Ballade­Poets, who hope yet for better things, than what they saw. At which some of the Offi­cers would say, that they were Beasts set up a fatting for the Slaughter.

But now came the 25th of April, when both Houses of Parliament (the great Re­storers of their Countrys freedom) set down. It was not disputed who call'd, and gave them this authority, but the most Rebelli­ous submitted to it. Now it appeared that Gods) mercy which must be first revered, and eternized) then the Kings Clemency, the Generals Conduct, and this Parliaments sit­ting, had prevented our Officers fears, and the effufion of Blood, either by the Sword of War or of Justice: for none suffered upon the old score, those only excepted, who were after adjudged to Death for the Mur­der of Charles the First; (and some of these too had their Lives given them) unless I should add the further exemption of some few others; as Mr. Henry Vane (the very Son of his Father) and Hugh Peters, whose [Page 155] whose Guilt was thought greater than some of the greatest of the Criminals, who sate in a Court of Mock-Justice, upon the Life of their Sovereign.

The Parliament adjourned for some few days; & Sir John Greenvile consulted with the General about the delivery of his message from his Maje [...]ty.

That which was superscribed to the Gene­ral, to be by him communicated to the Ar­my and Council of State, was by his appoint­ment delivered to him at the Door of the Coun­cil-Chamber, where Greenvile attended, and into which as Col. Birch (one of the Mem­bers of it) was entring, Greenvile requested him (but unknown) that he might spake with My Lord General, who upon Birch's intimation came to the Door, and there in the sight of of his Guards, attending, recei­ved Greenvile's Letters; but not with much regard, either to his Person or his Business; of which the General seemed to understand somewhat by the Seal, and asked him if he would stay there, till he had his answer, o­therwise his Guards should secure him; com­manding them to look to him. So his Ex­cellency produceth his Letters to the Council of State; Greenvile is sent for in, and Birch protested that he neither knew the Gentleman, nor his Business. The Lord President of the Council examined Greenvile from whence [Page 156] those Letters came, whose they were, and how he come by them; for as yet they were not opened) he told the President, that the King his Master gave him them with his o [...]n hands at Breda. So the opening of them was deferred till the Parliament [...]at. Green­vil [...] was to hav [...] been sent into Custody, but the General was his Bail, who said he knew the Gentleman, (being his near Kinsman) and would take his parol to appear before the Parliament.

But the Monk's Hood was now to be taken off: the Parliament sat, and Greenvile deli­vered his Letters, with inclosed Declarati­ons to both Houses; upon whose owning his Majesties Right, the General, being [...] Mem­ber of the House of Commons, (chosen both for a Knight o [...] the Shire of Devon his Coun­try, and a Burgess for the Uuiversity of Cam­bridg) desired that the Kings Letters to him to be communicated to the Council of State, and the Army, might be read. The Lord Mayor of the City of London, and the Com­mon Council received theirs (with inclosed Declarations from the King) and the Fleet, under the command of Mountague, had theirs delivered them also from Greenvile. All these Letters and Declarations are extant, and well known, so that there is no need of a Rehersal, but one of them, which was the private concern of Sir John Gr [...]nvile, (of which I have be­fore [Page 157] given the substance) I have asked leave here to insert; that it might be better under­stood what sense the King had of his service in his negotiation with our General, and how grateful his Majesties intentions towards his Restorers were. The Letter (or rather War­rant) under the Royal Signet runs thus.

[Page 161] To conclude, on the 8th of May, the King was joyfully proclaimed in the Cities of Lon­don and Westminster, and Greenvile having received the thanks of both Houses of Par­liament, was sent back to his Majesty at the Hague, with 50000 l. Sterling from the Par­liament; to supply his Majesties present oc­casions, till the arrival of the Commissioners of both Houses, who were hastening after to in­vite his Majesties Return to his Native King­dom, and to the exercise of his Royal Au­thority: So that on the 29th his Majesty with great Solemnity entered the City. This Day has since 1660 been solemnized by our Church, for his Birth and Return: and may the Pray­ers of his Loyal Subjects, for him, ascend, and be heard by the God of Heaven; who bowed the Hearts of the most rebellious a­mong us to submit to his Scepter. Of this the General was truly sensible: for when I came to him at the Cock-Pit to give him my share of thanks, for this renowned Restauration, I kneeled to him and kissed his hands; but he took me up and was pleased to speak some kind words to me; but in speaking broke into Tears, saying these words. No Mr. Price, It was not I that did this; you know the Jealousies that were had of me, and the oppositions against me; It was God alo [...]e who did it; to him be the Glory, whose is the King­dom and the Power, over this and all Govern­ments. [Page 162] But to di [...]turb all this, there was an After-contrivance framed, and propounded to the General▪ viz. that he would most vi­gorously declare for the Solemn Leagu [...] and Covenant: to do this, there were invitations of Advantages off [...]red him. But he was Re­solute, and saw that he had deceived all those with whom he had to do, and had grati­fied none of them; and that it was now t [...] late to play an After game, by attempting to impose conditions upon his Prince: He having before, when it was in his power scorn­ed it; & Now he was to sink or swim with the King, for his Interest was no wider. These bold words were said, not for his sake, but o­thers; for this his Loyalty was most truly fixed, and he was glad that he was delive­red from the Impertinencies of the Sollicita­tion of such People. May God of his infi­nite mercy deliver us from all narrow Inte­rests, which, in our Age, have been the ru­ine of a most famous Commonwealth, left us by the wisdom our Ancestors: And may the Men of private conceits unite, and bring their hands and hearts to the support of the publick, for Extra Rempublicam non est salus.