A brief review of the most material Parliamentary proceedings of this present Parliament, and their armies, in their civil and martial affairs. Which Parliament began the third of November, 1640. And the remarkable transactions are continued untill the Act of Oblivion, February 24. 1652. Published as a breviary, leading all along successiviely, as they fell out in their severall years: so that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage, he may turne to the year, and so see in some measure, in what moneth thereof it was accomplished. And for information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these times, which things are brought to passe, that former ages have not heard of, and after ages will admire. A work worthy to be kept in record, and communicated to posterity.

A brief review of the most material Parliamentary proceedings of this present Parliament, and their armies, in their civil and martial affairs. Which Parliament began the third of November, 1640. And the remarkable transactions are continued untill the Act of Oblivion, February 24. 1652. Published as a breviary, leading all along successiviely, as they fell out in their severall years: so that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage, he may turne to the year, and so see in some measure, in what moneth thereof it was accomplished. And for information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these times, which things are brought to passe, that former ages have not heard of, and after ages will admire. A work worthy to be kept in record, and communicated to posterity.

A brief review of the most material Parliamentary proceedings of this present Parliament, and their armies, in their civil and martial affairs. Which Parliament began the third of November, 1640. And the remarkable transactions are continued untill the Act of Oblivion, February 24. 1652. Published as a breviary, leading all along successiviely, as they fell out in their severall years: so that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage, he may turne to the year, and so see in some measure, in what moneth thereof it was accomplished. And for information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these times, which things are brought to passe, that former ages have not heard of, and after ages will admire. A work worthy to be kept in record, and communicated to posterity.

Table of contents

Title page

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2 Parliament.

3 Parliament.

4 Parliament.

5 Parliament, Anno 1640. Novemb. 3.

Anno 1642.

Anno 1643.

1644.

The Negative Oath.

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1647.

1648.

A ſhort Abridgement of the Engagement made by the Common Councell, Commanders, Souldiers, and Commiſſion officers in London.

The Charge of the Commons of England, againſt Charls Stuart King of England.

The Kings laſt Speech made upon the Scaffold.

An Act prohibiting the Proclaiming of any perſon to be King of England, &c.

The ſeverall ſpeeches of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cambridge, Henry Earl of Holland, and Arthur Lord Capel.

Spoken upon the Scaffold immediately before their Execution, on Friday the ninth of March, 1649.

The ſpeech of the Earl of Holland upon the Scaffold.

The Speech of the Lord Capel.

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A Liſt of the Regiments of Horſe and Foot Randezvouzed and marched with the L. Gen. Cromwell into Scotland.

A Letter from Lieut. Gen. David Leſly, to the L. G. Cromwel.

For his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwel. The Declaration of the Commiſſioners of the Generall Aſſembly of Scotland, as followeth.

The Lord Generals Anſwer to the former, as followeth.

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A Full Narrative of the late dangerous deſigne againſt the State, written with Maſter Love's owne hand, and by him ſent to the Parliament; whereby he ſetteth down the ſeverall meetings, and ſecret actings, with Major Alford, Major Adams, Colonel Barton, Maſter Blackmore, M. Caſe, M. Cauton, Dr. Drake, M. Drake, Captain Far, M. Gibbons, M. Haviland, Maj. Huntington, M. Jenkins, M. Jaquel, M. Jackson, Liev. Jackson, Captain Maſſey, M. Nalton, Captain Potter, M. Robinſon, M. Sterks, Col. Sowton, Col Vaughan, and others.

Mr. Love's Speech made on the Scaffold on Towerhill, August 22. 1651.

The humble Petition of William Jenkins, Priſoner.

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The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England Declare.

February 24. 1651. An Act of generall Pardon and Oblivion.

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[Page]

A Brief REVIEW Of the most material Parliamentary Proceedings OF THIS Preſent Parliament, and their Armies, in their Civil and Martial Affairs. Which Parliament began the third of November, 1640. And the remarkable Tranſactions are continued untill the ACT OF OBLIVION, February 24. 1652.

Publiſhed as a Breviary, leading all along ſucceſſively, as they fell out in their ſeverall years: So that if any man will be informed of any remarkable paſſage, he may turne to the year, and ſo ſee in ſome meaſure, in what Moneth thereof it was accompliſhed.

And for Information of ſuch as are altogether ignorant of the riſe and progreſſe of theſe times, which things are brought to paſſe, that former Ages have not heard of, and after Ages will admire.

A Work worthy to be kept in Record, and communicated to Poſterity.

Hoſea 14. 9.

Who is wiſe, and he ſhall underſtand theſe things? prudent, and he ſhall know them? for the wayes of the Lord are right, and the juſt ſhall walk in them: but the tranſgreſſors ſhall fall therein.

LONDON: Printed by M. S. for Tho: Jenner, at the South-entrance of the Royal Exchange. 1652.

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[Page]

[Page]

1 IN the firſt year of King Charles his Reign, a Parliament being called at Oxford, two ſubſidies were granted, no grievances removed, but the ſaid Parliament ſoon diſſolved.

2 The ſad effects which the diſſolution of this Parliament produced, were the loſſe of Rochell, by the unhappy help of Englands Ships.

3 The diverſion of a moſt facile and hopefull war from the Weſt-Indies, to a moſt expenſive and ſucceleſſe attempt on Cales.

4 The attempt on the Iſle of Ree, and thereby a precipitate breach of peace with France, to our great loſſe.

5 A peace concluded with Spain, without conſent of Parliament, contrary to a promiſe formerly made to the Kingdom by King James, a little before his death; whereby the cauſe of the Palatinate was altogether moſt ſhamefully deſerted by us.

6 The Kingdom ſuddenly billetted with Souldiers, and a concomitant project ſet on foot, for Germane Horſes, to force men by fear, to fall before arbitrary and tyrannicall taxations continually to be laid upon them.

2 Parliament.

7 The diſſolution of a ſecond Parliament at Weſtminſter, in the ſecond year after a declarative grant of no leſſe then five Subſidies, and the ſad iſſues that flowed to the Kingdom thereupon.

8 As firſt, the violent exacting from the people that mighty ſum of the 5 Subſidies, or a ſum equal to it by a Commiſſion for a Royal Loan.

9 Many worthy Gentlemen impriſoned and vexed, that refuſed to pay it.

10 Great ſums extorted by Privy Seals and Exciſes, and the moſt hopefull Petition of Right blaſted.

3 Parliament.

11 A third Parliament called, and quickly broken in the fourteenth year of the King, the beſt Members clapt up cloſe priſoners, denied all ordinary and extraordinary comforts of life; and ſo that Paliament was diſſolved.

12 Opprobrious Declarations publiſhed to aſperſe the proceedings of the laſt Parliament, yea Proclamations ſet out to thoſe effects, thereby extreamly to diſ-hearten the Subjects, yea, and plainly forbidding them once to name a Parliament, or to deſire them any more.

13 Whence immediatly guſhed out the violent inundations of mighty ſums of money, got by that ſtrange project of Knight-hood, yet under a colour of Law.

14 The moſt burthenſome Book of Rates, the unheard of Taxation of Ship-money; the enlargement of Forreſts contrary to Magna [Page]Charta; the injurious taxation of Coat and Conduct money; the forcible taking away of the Trained-Bands Arms; Ingroſſing Gunpowder into their hands in the Tower of London.

15 The deſtruction of the Forreſt of Dean, which was ſold to Papiſts, whence we had all our Timber for Shipping.

16 Monopolies of Sope, Salt, Wine, Leather, and Sea-Coal; yea, almoſt of all things in the Kingdome of moſt neceſſary and common uſe.

17 Reſtraint in Trades and Habitations; for refuſall of which foreſaid heavy preſſures, many were vext with long and languiſhing ſuits; ſome fined and confined to priſons, to the loſs of health in many, of life in ſome; ſome having their houſes broken open, their goods ſeized on, their ſtudies or cloſets ſearched for writings, books, and papers, to undo them; ſome interrupted alſo in their Sea-Voyages, and their Ships taken from them.

18 The cruſhing cruelties of the Star-Chamber Court, and Councel Table, where the Recorder of Salisbury was greatly fined for demoliſhing the Picture of the firſt perſon in the Trinity, in their great Cathedrall.

19 Thus far for the miſeries of the Common-wealth; Popiſh Ceremonies, Romiſh Innovations, and ſuch like other outrages of the Arch Prelate of Canterbury, and his Prelaticall Agents and Inſtruments, over the whole Kingdom, in matters of Religion, divine worſhip, and ſpirituall caſes of conſcience.

20 Additions in the Oath adminiſtred to the King, at his firſt Inauguration to the Crown, by the Arch-Biſhop.

21 Fines, impriſonments, ſtigmatizings, mutilations, whippings, pillories, gagget, confinements, and baniſhments; yea, and that into perpetuall cloſe impriſonments, in the moſt deſolate, remote, and (as they hoped and intended) remoteſt parts of the Kingdome. Mr ▪ Burton, Mr Baſtwick, Mr Prin.

22 The ruinating of the Feoffees for buying in of Impropriations, and the advancing to Eccleſiaſticall Livings Arminians, ſilencing with deprivations, degradations, and excommunications, almoſt all the moſt pious Paſtors over the Land, whom they could catch in their ſnares, and all this under a pretence of peace, unity, and conformity.

23 Printing Preſſes ſet open for the Printing and publiſhing of all Popiſh and Arminian Tenets, but ſhut up and reſtrained from Printing ſound Doctrines.

24 Nay, not only thus lamentably moleſted in England, but attempted [Page] the like in Scotland, indeavouring to impoſe upon them New Liturgie, and a Book of Canons.

25 They refuſing of them, were called and counted Rebels and Traytours; yea, ſo proclaimed in all Churches in England, and an Army was alſo raiſed to oppreſſe and ſuppreſſe them.

26 A mighty and tumultuous riſing of Apprentices and young men,

The Arch-Prelate of St Andrewes in Scotland reading the new Service-booke in his pontificaliby aſsaulted by men & Women, with Cricketts ſtooles Stickes and Stones.

The riſing of Prentiſes and Sea-men on Southwark-ſide to aſsault the Arch-biſhops of Canterburys Houſe at Lambeth.

in Southwarke and Lambeth ſide, with clubs and other weapons, eſpecially at the Arch-Biſhops houſe; which put him in ſuch a fright, as made him flye to Croyden, to convey himſelfe to ſome more private [Page] and remote place: and although Pharoah's Magicians were ſo honeſt, that at the ſight of the duſt of the earth turned into lice, they cryed out, it was the finger of God; but he grew more and more outragious, and cauſed one to be hanged and quartered, and his head ſet on London-Bridge; who ſaid at his Execution, he came there by accident, and he muſt dye.

27 Scotland raiſing an Army in their own juſt defence, and by force of Arms, inforcing their own peace.

28 A firſt pacification being then made by the King, and ſome of his Nobility, and ratified under hand and Seal, 'twixt them and the Scots, yet was it ſhortly after quite broken off by the Arch-Prelat of Canterbury, and the E. of Strafford, and burnt by the Hangman at the Exchange.

4 Parliament.

29 A fourth Parliament was thereupon ſhortly after called again, by thoſe complotters means, but to a very ill intent, and another Parliament ſummoned alſo at the ſame time by the Earl of Strafford in Ireland, both of them only to levy and procure moneys to raiſe another Army, and wage a new War againſt the Scots.

30 The Ships and Goods of Scotland, were in all parts and ports of this Land, and of Ireland alſo, ſurprized and ſeized on for the King; their Commiſſioners denyed audience to make their juſt defence to the King, and the whole Kingdom of Scotland and England too, hereupon much diſtracted and diſtempered with leavying of moneys, and impriſoning all amongſt us that refuſed the ſame.

31 This Parliament alſo refuſing to comply with the King, Canterbury and Strafford, in this Epiſcopal War againſt the Scots, was ſoon diſſolved and broken up by them, and thereupon they returned to their former wayes of waſt and confuſion, and the very next day after the diſſolution thereof, ſome eminent members of both Houſes had their Chambers, and Studies, yea, their Cabinets, and very pockets of their wearing cloaths (betimes in the morning, before they were out of their beds) ſearched for Letters and Writings, and ſome of them impriſoned, and a falſe and moſt ſcandalous Declaration was publiſhed againſt the Houſe of Commons in the Kings Name.

32 A forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London, to be made a Preſident (if it prevailed there) for the whole Kingdome, but ſome Aldermen refuſing, were ſorely threatned and impriſoned.

33 In which interim, the Clergies convocation continuing (notwithſtanding the diſſolution of the Parliament) new conſcience-oppriſſing-Canons were forged, and a ſtrange Oath with a &c. in it was [Page] framed for the eſtabliſhing of the Biſhops Hierarchy, with ſevere puniſhments on the refuſers to take it. The Oath,

That I A. B. doe ſweare that I doe approve the Doctrine and Diſcipline or Government eſtabliſhed in the Church of England, as containing all things neceſſary to Salvation. And that I will not endeavour by my ſelfe or any other, directly or indirectly, to bring in any Popiſh Doctrine, contrary to that which is ſo eſtabliſhed: Nor will I ever give my conſent to alter the Government of this Church, by Arch-Biſhops, Biſhops, Deanes, and Arch-Deacons, &c. as it ſtands now eſtabliſhed, and as by right it ought to ſtand. Nor yet ever to ſubject it to the uſurpations and ſuperſtitions of the Sea of Rome. And all theſe things I doe plainly and ſincerely acknowledge and ſwear, according to the plaine and common ſence, and underſtanding of the ſame words, without any equivocation, or mentall evaſion, or ſecret reſervation whatſoever. And this I doe heartily, willingly, and truly upon the faith of a Chriſtian. So help me God in Jeſus Chriſt.

34 In this Convocation ſore Taxations were alſo impoſed upon the whole Clergie, even no leſſe than ſix Subſidies, beſides a bountifull contribution to forward that intended War againſt Scotland.

35 For the advancing of which ſaid ſums for this War, the Popiſh were moſt free and forward; yea, and a ſolemn prayer was compoſed and impoſed by the Biſhops on their Miniſters every where, to be uſed and read in all Churches againſt the Scots, as rebels and traytors.

36 The Papiſts alſo in a high meaſure enjoyed even almoſt a totall toleration, and a Popes Nuncio ſuffered amongſt us to act and govern all Romiſh affairs, yea a kind of private Popiſh Parliament kept in the Kingdom, and Popiſh Juriſdictions erected among them.

37 Commiſſioners were alſo (ſecretly) iſſued out for ſome great and eminent Papiſts, for martiall Commands, for levying of Souldiers, and ſtrengthening their party with Arms and Ammunition of all ſorts, and in great plenty.

38 His Majeſties treaſure was by theſe means ſo extreamly exhauſted, and his revenues ſo anticipated, that he was forced to compell (as it were) his own ſervants, Judges, and Officers of all ſorts, to lend him great ſums of money, and priſons filled with refuſers of theſe and the other illegal payments; yea, many High-Sheriffs ſummoned in the Star-Chamber, and to the Councel-board, and ſome of them impriſoned for not being quick enough in levying of Ship-money, and ſuch like intolerable taxations.

39 In ſum, the whole Land was now brought into a lamentble and languiſhing condition of being moſt miſerably bought and ſold [Page] to any that could give and contribute moſt of might and malice againſt us, and no hope of humane help, but dolour, deſperation, and deſtruction, to be the portion of all.

40 In which interim, the Scots being entred our Kingdome for their own defence, the King had advanced his Royal-Standard at Yorke, where the cream of the Kingdom, Nobles, and Gentry being aſſembled, and a Treaty betwixt the prime of both Armies had at Rippon, for a fair and peaceable accommodation, the King was, at laſt, inforced to take his Nobles councel, and in the firſt place, a ceſſation of Arms agreed on, and then this 5th preſent Parliament (the Parliament of Parliaments) was neceſſitouſly reſolved on to begin, November 3. 1640.

5 Parliament, Anno 1640. Novemb. 3.

41 But behold a deſperate plot and deſign was herein alſo immediately ſet on foot to ſpoyle or poyſon it in the very Embrio and conſtitution of it, in the firſt choyce of the members thereof, by Letters from the King, Queen, Malignant and Popiſh Earls, Lords, Knights, and Gentry, poſts into all parts of the Kingdom, to make a ſtrong party for them, but by admirable divine providence, this their plot was counterplotted and fruſtrated, and the Parliament moſt hopefully congregated and ſetled.

42 Shortly after, a very formidable Spaniſh-Fleet, or Armado, appeared on our Engliſh narrow Seas, in ſight of Dover, and was coming in (as was on very ſtrong grounds more then probably conjectured) as a third party, to help to deſtroy us; the Spaniards hoping, that by this time, we and the Scots were together by the ears, but they were by Gods mercy, beaten off from us by our Neighbours of Holland. And we fighting againſt them, fought againſt our friends.

43 The Souldiers in their paſſage to York turn reformers, pul down Popiſh Pictures, break down rails, turn altars into tables, and thoſe Popiſh Commanders, that were to command them, they forced to eat fleſh on Fridays, thruſting it down their throats, and ſome they ſlew.

44 In the time of ours, and the Scots Armies reſiding in the North, which was in June, 1641. the Malignant Lords and Prelates, fearing the effects of this preſent Parliament, complotted together to diſſaffect that our Engliſh Army againſt the Parliament, and endeavoured to bring it out of the North, Southward, and ſo to London, to compell the Parliament to ſuch limits and rules as they thought fit. Whereupon the Parliament entred upon this Proteſtation.

[Page] At the beginning of the Parliament (July 1641) there was a diligent inquiſition after oppreſſions and oppreſſors, and firſt upon the Petition of Miſtris Baſtwick and M [...]s Burton, two widowed wives, and a Petition exhibited in the behalf of Mr Pryn, Dr Laighton, Mr Smart, Mr Walker, Mr Foxley, Mr Lilburn, and many others, ſet at liberty, ſome being baniſh'd, and all cloſe Priſoners, others faſt fettered in irons, and their wives debarr'd from coming to them.

45 The Earl of Strafford then Priſoner in the Tower, attempted an eſcape, promiſing to Sir William Belfore then Lieutenant of the Tower, twenty thouſand pounds, and the marriage of his Daughter to Sir Williams Son, if he would but conſent, but Sir William hated ſuch Bribes.

46 Then they attempted by falſe ſcandals on the Parliament, to intice the Army of the Scots (then ſtill in the North) to a Neutrality, whiles our Engliſh Army acted.

§

Die Veneris 30 July, 1641.

WE the Knights, Citizens, and Burgeſſes of the Commons Houſe in Parliament, finding to the great griefe of our hearts, that the deſignes of the Prieſts, Jeſuites, and other adherents to the Sea of Rome, have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice than formerly, to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the true Reformed Proteſtant Religion, in his Majeſties Dominions eſtabliſhed: And finding alſo that they have been and having juſt cauſe to ſuſpect that there are ſtill even during this ſitting in Parliament, endeavours to ſubv [...]rt the fundamentall Lawes of England and Ireland, and to introduce the exerciſe of an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government, by moſt pernicious and wicked counſels, practiſes, plots, and conſpiracies: And that the long intermiſſion and unhappy breach of Parliaments, hath occaſioned many illegall Taxations, whereupon the ſubject hath been proſecuted and grieved: And that divers Innovations and Superſtitions have been brought into the Church, multitudes driven out of his Majeſties Dominions, jealouſies raiſed and fomented betwixt the King and his people, a Popiſh Army l [...]vyed in Ireland, and two Armies brought into the bowels of his Kingdome, to the hazard of his Majeſties Royal perſon, the conſumption of the Revenues of the Crown and Treaſure of his Kingdome: And laſtly, finding great cauſe of jealouſie that endeavours have been, and are uſed to bring the Engliſh Army into a miſ underſtanding of this Parliament, thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to paſs thoſe wicked Councels, Have therefore thought good to joyne our ſelves in a Declaration of our united affections and reſolutions, and to make this enſuing Proteſtation.

The Proteſtation.

I A. B. Do in the preſence of Almighty God, Promiſe, Vow, and Proteſt to maintaine and defend, is far as lawfully I may, with my life, [Page] power, and ſtate, the true Reformed Proteſtant Religion, expreſſed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, againſt Popery and Popiſh Innovations, within this Realme, contrary to the ſame Doctrine, and according to the duty of my Allegiance, his Majeſties Royall Perſon, Honour, and Eſtate, as alſo the power and priviledges of Parliament, the lawfull rights and liberties of the Subject, and every perſon that maketh this Proteſtation, in whatſoever he ſhall do, in the lawfull purſuance of the ſame. And to my power, and as far as lawfully I may, I will oppoſe, and by all good wayes and means endeavour, to bring to condigne puniſhment, all ſuch as ſhall either by force, practice, councels, plots, conſpiracies, or otherwiſe, do any thing to the contrary of any thing in this preſent Proteſtation contained. And further, that I ſhall in all juſt and honourable ways endeavour to preſerve the union and peace between the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and neither for hope, fear, nor other reſpect, ſhall relinquiſh this Promiſe, Vow, and Proteſtation.

The Earl of Straffords Speech on the Scaffold, May 12. 1641.

MY Lord Primate of Ireland (and my Lords, and the reſt of theſe Gentlemen) it is a very great comfort to me, to have your Lordſhip by me this day, in regard I have been known to you a long time, I ſhould be glad to obtain ſo much ſilence, as to be heard a few words, but doubt I ſhall not; my Lord, I come hither by the good will and pleaſure of Almighty God, to pay the laſt debt I owe to ſin, which is death, and by the bleſſing of that God to riſe again through the mercies of Chriſt Jeſus to eternal glory; I wiſh I had beene private, that I might have been heard; My Lord, if I might be ſo much beholding to you, that I might uſe a few words, I ſhould take it for a very great courteſie; My Lord, I come hither to ſubmit to that judgement which hath paſt againſt me, I do it with a very quiet and contented mind, I do freely forgive all the world, a forgiveneſs that is not ſpoken from the teeth outward (as they ſay) but from my heart; I ſpeak it in the preſence of Almighty God, before whom I ſtand, that theſe is not ſo much as a diſpleaſing thought in me, ariſing to any creature; I thank God I may ſay truly, and my conſcience bears me witneſs, that in all my ſervices ſince I have had the honour to ſerve his Majeſty, in any imployment, I never had any thing in my heart, but the joynt and individuall proſperity of King and people; if it hath been my hap to be miſconſtrued, it is the common portion of us all while we are in this life, the righteous judgement is hereafter, here we are ſubject to error, and apt to be miſ-judged one of another, there is one thing I deſire to clear my ſelf of, and I am very confident, I ſpeak it [Page] with ſo much clearneſſe, that I hope I ſhall have your Chriſtian charity in the belief of it; I did alwayes think that the Parliaments of England, were the happieſt conſtitutions that any Kingdome or any Nation lived under, and under God the means of making King and people happy, ſo far have I been from being againſt Parliaments; for my death, I here acquit all the world, and pray God heartily to forgive them; and in particular, my Lord Primate, I am very glad that his Majeſty is pleaſed to conceive me not mericing ſo ſevere and heavy a puniſhment as the utmoſt execution of this ſentence; I am very glad, and infinitely rejoyce in this mercy of his, and beſeech God to turn it to him, and that he may find mercy when he hath moſt need of it; I wiſh the Kingdom all the proſperity and happines in the world; I did it living, and now dying it is my wiſh. I do now profeſs it from my heart, and do moſt humbly recommend it to every man here, and wiſh every man to lay his hand upon his heart, and conſider ſeriouſly whether the beginning of the happines of a people ſhould be writ in letters of blood; I fear you are in a wrong way, and I deſire Almighty God, that not one drop of my blood may riſe up in judgement againſt you. (My Lord) I profeſs my ſelf a true and obedidient Son to the Church of England, to the Church wherein I was born, and wherein I was bred; proſperity & happines be ever to it: and whereas it hath been ſaid, that I have inclined to Popery, if it be an objection worth anſwering, let me ſay truly, that from the time ſince I was twenty one years of age, till this hour, now going upon forty nine, I never had thought in my heart, to doubt of the truth of my Religion in England; and never any had the boldneſſe to ſuggeſt to me contrary to the beſt of my remembrance; and ſo being reconciled to the mercies of Chriſt Jeſus my Saviour, into whoſe boſom I hope ſhortly to be gathered to that eternall happineſs that ſhall never have end, I deſire heartily the forgiveneſſe of every man, both for any raſh or unadviſed word, or deed, and deſire your prayes: And ſo my Lord farewel, farewel all the things of this world: Lord ſtrengthen my faith, give me confidence and aſſurance in the merits of Jeſus Chriſt. I deſire you, that you would be ſilent and joyn in prayers with me, and I truſt in God that we ſhall all meet, and live eternally in heaven, there to receive the accompliſhment of all happines, where every tear ſhall be wiped from our eyes, and every ſad thought from our hearts: And ſo God bleſs this Kingdome, and Jeſus have mercy upon my Soule. Amen.

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The Earle of Strafford for treaſonable practiſes beheaded on the Tower-hill

Anno 1641. Octob. 23.

47 About this time that inhumane bloudy Rebellion, and monſtrous maſſacring of almoſt 200000 innocent Engliſh Proteſtants, men, women, and children, brake out in Ireland, namely, about October 23. 1641. having had their principall encouragements from the Court of England, and of purpoſe to have made England the chief ſeat of the war.

48 The Deſign now went on chiefly againſt the City of London, for which purpoſe, the Lieutenant of the Tower, Sir William Belford was diſplaced, and Cottington made Conſtable of the Tower; but he was ſoon diſplaced, and C. Lunsford was made Lieutenant of the Tower; but he alſo was diſplaced, and Sir John Byron was made Lieutenant of the Tower in Lunsfords ſtead; but he alſo with much ado removed, and Sir John Conyers was put in his place.

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and the Lords and Peers now Aſſembled in Parliament. The Humble Petition and Proteſtation of all the Biſhops and Prelats now called by his M [...]j [...]ſt [...] Writs to attend the Parliament, and preſent about London and Weſtminſter for that Service.

THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by ſeverall and reſpective Writs and under great penalties to attend the Parliament, and have a clear and indubitable right to vote in Bils, and other matters whatſoever debatable in Parliament, by the ancient Cuſtomes▪ Lawes, and Statutes of this Realm, and ought to be protected by your Majeſty quietly to attem [...] and proſecute that great Service. They humbly Remonſtrate and Proteſt before God, your Majeſty, and the Noble Lords and Peers now aſſembled in Parliament, that as they have an indu [...]ate right [...]o Sit and Vote in the Houſe of Lords; ſo are they (if they may be protected from force and violence) moſt ready and wil [...]i [...]g to performe their duties accordingly And that they doe abominate all actions or opinions tending to Popery, and the maintenance thereof; as alſo all propenſion and inclination to any Malignant [Page] party, or any other ſide or party whatſoever, to the which their owne reaſons and conſcience ſhall not move them to adhere. But, whereas they have been at ſeverall times violently menaced, affronted and aſſaulted by multitudes of people, in their coming to perform their ſervices in that Honourable Houſe, and lately chaſed away, and put in danger of their lives, and can find no redreſſe or protection, upon ſundry complaints made to both Houſes in theſe particulars. They likewiſe humbly Proteſt before your Majeſty, and the Noble Houſe of Peers, that ſaving unto themſelves all their Rights and Intereſts of Sitting and Voting in that Houſe at other times, they dare not Sit or Vote in the Houſe of Peers, untill your Majeſty ſhall further ſecure them from all affronts, indignities, and dangers in the premiſſes. Laſtly, whereas their fears are not built upon fantaſies and conceits, but upon ſuch grounds and objects as may well terrific men of good reſolutions, and much conſtancy. They doe in all duty and humility proteſt before your Majeſty, and the Peers of that moſt honourable Houſe of Parliament, againſt all Lawes, Orders, Votes, Reſolutions, and Determinations, as in themſelves null, and of none effect, which in their abſence ſince the 27th of this inſtant moneth of December, 1641. have already paſſed; as likewiſe againſt all ſuch as ſhall hereafter paſſe in that moſt Honourable Houſe, during the time of this their forced and violent abſence from the ſaid moſt Honourable Houſe; not denying but if their abſenting of themſelves were wilfull and voluntary, that moſt Honourable Houſe might proceed in all their premiſſes▪ their abſence, or this Proteſtation notwithſtanding. And humbly beſeeching your moſt Excellent Majeſty, to command the Clerk of the Houſe of Peers to enter this their Petition and Proteſtation among their Records.

They will ever pray to God to bleſs, &c.

Jo. Ebor. Th Dureſ. Rob. Co. Lich Jo Norw Jo. Aſa. Gul Ba. & Wells. Geo. Heref. Rob. Ox. Ma. Ely. Godf. Glouc. Io. Peterb. Morr. Landaff.

The High Commiſsion-Court and Starr-Chamber voted down, and pluralities & non reſidencies damned by Parliament.

The Biſhops had a plot about this time, to ſubvert the Parliament, by indeavouring to get the King to proteſt againſt their proceedings in it; but 12 of them were impeached of high treaſon, and 10 impriſon'd in the Tower, and afterward all diſabled from ever ſitting in the Parliament.

Biſhops Voted down root and branch, Nullo contradicente: The Citizens of London the ſame night made bonefires, and had ringing of Bels. [Page] The Parliament publiſhed an Ordinance, injoyning all Popiſh Recuſants inhabiting in and about the City, all diſ-affected perſons, and ſuch as being able men, would not lend any money for the defence of the Common-wealth, ſhould forthwith confine themſelves to their own houſes, and not to go f [...]rth without ſpeciall licenſe.

An Ordinance to apprehend diſ-affected perſons in the City, whereof were four Aldermen put in ſafe cuſtody, in Crosby houſe, and ſome in Greſſam Colledge.

A Letter ſent to Mr Pym.

Mr Pym, Do not think that a guard of men can protect you, if you perſiſt in your trayterous courſes and wicked deſigns: I have ſent a paper-meſſenger to you, and if this does not touch your heart, a Dagger ſhall, ſo ſoon as I am recovered of my Plague-ſore. In the mean time you may be forborn, becauſe no better man may be endangered for you:

Repent Traytor.

50 After this the King himſelfe violently ruſhed into the Houſe of Commons accuſed five of their moſt eminent members of Treaſon, demanded their perſons to be delivered up unto him, intending to deſtroy all that reſiſted him therein, but croſt by the happy abſence of the Gentlemen. This plot was attempted Jan. 4. 1641.

Col. Lunsford aſſaulted the Londoners at Weſtminſter-Hall, with a great rout of ruffanly Cavaliers.

The Queen when ſhe went over beyond Seas, one of her Ships wherein ſhe had great Treaſure, ſprung a leak, and much was loſt and ſpoyled; and when ſhe returned for England, ſhe had a mighty ſtorm at Sea, which brake the Maſt of Van Trom's ſhip, and after eight dayes boiſterous turmoyl, ſhe was driven back again. There was broke and loſt 3 Ships of Ammunition, and they that were driven back were almoſt ſtarved.

Anno 1642.

51 Binion a Silk-man of London, and the Kentiſh Malignants, wherein Sir Edw. Deering had a principal hand, framed Petitions againſt the proceedings of Parliament; but both were rejected, and they fined and impriſoned.

52 The King forſakes the Parliament, and getting the Prince to him, leaves London, and poſts into the North, and there attempts to get Hull into his hands.

53 Sir Francis Windebancke, Sir John Finch, the Lord Digby, Jermyn, &c. flye for their lives beyond Sea.

[Page] 54 The King interdicts the Militia, but the Meſſenger was hanged at the Exchange.

55 The Lords and Gentry of Ireland and Scotland, petition the King to return to his Parliament; yea and the Gentry and Commons of Yorkſhire doe the like, but are all rejected.

56 The King ſet on foot a Commiſſion of Array.

57 Three letters were intercepted, diſcovering a plot againſt the Parl. by Wilmot, Digby, Jermyn, Cro [...]ts, and others, which came to nothing; but we by taking ſome of their Ships were advantaged.

58 Sir Rich. Gurney Lord Mayor and an Array man, was clapt up in the Tower.

59 Proclamations and Declarations againſt the Parliament, read in all Churches and Chappels within the Kings power.

60 Sir John Pennington diſplaced, and the Earl of Warwick put in his place.

61 Hull beſieged by the Marqueſs of Newcaſtle, and in that interim, Beckwith a Papiſt, plotted to betray it by firing it in 4 ſeveral places.

The Citizens of London proffer their ſervice to attend and guard the Parl. by land to Weſtminſter, to ſecure them from danger.

By Water alſo the ſtout Ship-maſters and Marriners made ready a great number of long-boats furniſhed with Ordnance, Muskets, and other Sea-warlike inſtruments, their Veſſels gallantly adorned with Flags and Streamers, together with martial muſick, Drums and Trumpets; when they came to White-hall and underſtood that the Parliament were ſafely arriv'd, the Train'd Bands by Land, and the Sea-men by Water, let flye their thundring ſhot both ſmal and great, their Trumpets ſounding, and their drums beating in a tryumphing and congratulatory manner, was a ſingular teſtimony of their cordial affections.

The ſame day Buckingham-ſhire men, both Gentlemen, Miniſters, and others of that Countrey on horſ-back, with their proteſtations in their hats, for Reformation of evils in Church and State, and to aſſure their beſt ſervices and aſſiſtance to the Parliament, on all juſt occaſions; and out of Eſſex, Hartford, Bark-ſhire, Surrey, and other Counties of the Kingdome, came one after another.

62 The Earl of Eſſex was ordained Lord General over all the Parl. Forces, which he faithfully managed, as Edge-hill, Newbury, and other places can abundantly witneſs.

63 At Edge-hill 16 pieces of Canon ſhot againſt 80 of the Earl of Eſſex Life guard, and not one man hurt: and thoſe 80 brake in upon [Page] 1600 of the Kings; four of the Parl. Regiments ran away, and ſixteen Troops of Horſe, ſo we were 6000 and they 18000, yet we took their Standard, and cleft Sir Edw. Varney Standard-bearer in the head, and ſlew the Lord Lindſey General of the field.

63 A plot to have blown up all the Lord Generals Magacine of powder, and another at Beverley in Yorkeſhire, to have ſlain Sir John Hotham, both intended by one David Alexander, and hired thereunto, but both timely prevented.

64 Commiſſioners granted to Popiſh Recuſants to leavy men and arms againſt the Parliament.

65 The King received the moſt bloody Iriſh Rebels Petition, and permitted their perſons with great favour and allowance about him, calling and counting them good Catholick Subjects; but utterly rejecting the Petition (exhibited by the Lord General) deſiring peace and reconciliation with him.

66 A Treaty of peace was really intended by the Parliament, but meerly pretended by the King for a while, in which interim, that moſt bloody bickering at Brainford, was committed by the Kings party, the City of London mightily preſerved.

67 New High-Sheriffs, for the better collecting of the 400000 li. Subſidies, intended to have been confirmed to the King in a former Parliament, croſt; and an O [...]dinance ſet on foot for the ſucceſſefull aſſociation of Counties for mutuall defence one of another.

68 A deſign of the Royaliſts at Oxford, and elſewhere, to proceed againſt the priſoners as Traitors, and ſo put them to death, by which Dr Baſtwicke, Captain Lilburn, were to have been tryed for their lives, but preſerved by an Ordinance for execution of a Lex talionis, and ſo of executing the royal priſoners among us.

Anno 1643.

69 A notable plot againſt the City of London, immediately upon the Cities preferring a Petition to the King, by the hands of two Aldermen, and four Commoners of the ſaid City, in reply to which Petition, the King ſending as his meſſenger, one Captain Hern to the City, and the whole body of the City aſſembling at a Common-Hal, this Hern deſires Faire play above board of them, but the buſines being found to be a notable deſign of the Malignant Citizens againſt the Parl. and the (then) Lord Maior of London, and the Government of their City, the major part cry out in the Hearing of Hern, they would live and dye with the Parl. and ſo ſent Hern away with a flea in his ear.

70 A letter ſent to all the Freemen, Journeymen, and Apprentices of [Page] City, to aſſemble at their ſeveral Hals; and there the Maſters and Wardens of all Companies to read the Kings Letter to them, and to perſwade them to yeeld to all the Kings commands againſt the City. This Letter was voted ſcandalous.

71 A plot to betray Briſtol, but diſcovered, two principal conſpirators were by Martial Law condemned and hanged.

The 2 of May, 1643.ye Croſſe in Cheapeſide was pulled downe▪ a Troope of Horſe & 2 Companies of foote wayted to garde it & at ye fall of ye tope Croſſe dromes beat trupets blew & multitudes of Capes wayre throwne in ye Ayre & a greate Shoute of People with ioy, ye 2 of May the Almanake ſayeth was ye invention of the Croſſe, & 6 day at night was the Leaden Popes burnt▪ in the place where it ſtood with ringinge of Bells, & a greate Acclamation & no hurt done in all these actions.

72 Mr Pryn ſent to ſearch Canterburies Chamber and Study: found the original Scotch Service-book with his own hand-writing, the cauſe of all the Scots wars.

73 London to have been betrayed under a pretence of peace, by Mr Waller, a Member of Parl. Mr Tomkins, Mr Challenor, and others; but Waller fined 10000. l. and perpetuall baniſhment; Tomkins and Challenor hanged, the one at the Exchange, and the other in Holborn.

74 Sir John Hotham attempted the betraying of Hull unto the Queen.

An Order ſent down to the Church-wardens, to demoliſh Altars, to remove the Communion Table from the Eaſt end, and to take away all Tapers, Candleſticks, and Baſons; and to demoliſh all Crucifixes, Croſſes, and all Pictures and Images of the Trinity and Virgin Mary, both within and without all Churches and Chappels.

75 A plot for betraying of Lincoln by the two Purfries, but preſerved.

76 Glouceſter admirably freed by the City Regiments.

77 A rebellion by the Kentiſh malignants about Tunbridge.

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[Page] 78 A Ship bound from Denmark to the King, of about 300 Tun, richly laden with Arms and Ammunition; another Ship bound from Newcaſtle to Holland, laden with Sea-coale, but in the midſt thereof was found between 3 or 4000l. hid in the coals, ſent to buy arms for the King; a third great Ship called the Fellowſhip, of at leaſt 400 Tun, carrying 24 peeces of Ordnance, taken by the Parliament.

79 Scotland with an Army of at leaſt 20000 Horſe and Foot, invited thereunto by the Parl. in the bitter depth of winter, when they marched up to the middle in ſnow, and were forced to bring their Artillery over the Ice of the frozen River of Tyne; and the Citizens of London lent the Parl. a 100000. l. for the Scots firſt pay, to encourage their advance to help us againſt the Kings Forces.

May 23. 1643. Voted the Queen Pawning the Jewels of the Crown in Holland, and therewith buying Arms to aſſiſt the War againſt the Parl. and her own actuall performances with her Popiſh Army in the North, was high Treaſon, and tranſmitted to the Lords. Images, Crucifixes, Papiſtical Books in Somerſet and Jameſes were burnt, and five Capuchin Friers ſent away.

May 1643. An Ordinance for the making of Forts, Trenches, and Bulwarks about the City. July 1. 43. The Aſſembly of Divines met, Dr Twiſs Prolocutor, 120 the total.

The Biſhop of Canterburies firſt prayer on the Scaffold, Jan. 10. 1644.

O Eternal God, and mercifull Father, look down upon me in mercy, in the riches and fulneſſe of all thy mercies, look upon me, but not till thou haſt nailed my ſins to the Croſſe of Chriſt: look upon me, but not till thou haſt bathed me in the blood of Chriſt, not till I have hid my ſelfe in the wounds of Chriſt, that ſo the puniſhment that is due to my ſins may paſſe away, and go over me, and ſince thou art pleaſed to try me to the uttermoſt, I humbly beſeech thee, give me [...] in this great inſtant, full patience, proportionable comfort, a heart ready to dye for thine honour, and the Kings happineſſe, and this Churches preſervation; and my zeale to theſe, far from arrogancy be it ſpoken, is all the ſin, humane frailty excepted, and all incidents thereunto, which is yet known of me in this particular, for which I now come to ſuffer. I ſay in this particular of Treaſon, but otherwiſe my ſins are many and great, Lord pardon them all, and thoſe eſpecially whatſoeever they be, which have drawne this preſent judgement upon me, and when thou haſt given me ſtrength to bear it, then do with me as ſeems beſt in thine owne eyes, and carry me through death, that I may look upon it in what viſage ſoever it ſhall appear to me; and that there may be a ſtop of this iſſue of blood in this more then miſerable Kingdome; I ſhall deſire that I may pray for the people too, as well as for my ſelf: O Lord, I beſeech thee give grace of repentance to all people that [Page]

Sr Alexander Carew, Sr. Iohn Hotham, Captin Hotham & the Arch Biſhop of Canterbury, be headed on Iowerhill for Ireaſon againſt ye Parliament 1645.

have a thirſt for blood, but if they will not repent, then ſcatter their devices ſo, and ſuch as are or ſhall be contrary to the glory of thy great name, the truth and ſincerity of Religion, the eſtabliſhment of the King, and his poſterity after him, in their juſt rights and priviledges, the honour and conſervation of Parl. in their ancient and juſt power, the preſervation of this poor Church in her turth, peace, and patrimony, and the ſettlement of this diſtracted and diſtreſſed people, under the ancient laws, and in their native liberties; and when thou haſt done all this in mercy for them, O Lord fill their hearts with thank fulneſs, and with religious dutifull obedience to thee and thy Commandements all their dayes: So Amen, Lord Jeſus, and I beſeech thee receive my ſoul to mercy. Our Father, &c.

The Biſhop of Canterburies laſt Prayer on the Scaffold.

Lord I am comming as fast as I can, I know I must paſſe through the ſhadow of death before I can come to ſee thee, but it is but umbra mortis, a meer ſhadow of death, a little darkneſſe upon nature, but thou by thy merits and paſſion haſt broke through the jaws of death; ſo, Lord receive my ſoul and have mercy on me, and bleſſe this Kingdome with peace and plenty, and with brotherly love and charity, that there may not be this effuſion of Chriſtian blood amongſt them, for Jeſus Christ his ſake, if it be thy will. And when he ſaid Lord receive my ſoule, which was his ſigne, the Executioner did his Office.

[Page] 80 A deſign to ſtarve the City, by breaking into Surrey, Suſſex, Kent, but diſappointed by S. W. Waller, with the help of the City Regiments.

81 The King granted a ceſſation of arms with the bloody Rebels of Ireland, but it was obſerved he never proſpered after that.

82 A Solemn League and Covenant taken by the Lords and Commons in Parl. and by the City of London, and all parts of the Kingdom, in the Parl. power.

83 Nottingham Town and Caſtle to have been betrayed, but prevented by Col. Hutchinſon.

A Ship from Denmark of 300 Tuns laden for the moſt part with Roundheads, they were halfe Pike-ſtaves, with a great knob at the end of it, full of iron ſpikes, ſent to the King, and great treaſure; but that year the Swedes fell into Denmarke, and took away halfe his Countrey from him, 1643.

84 A plot againſt the City of London, by Sir Baſil Brooke, Col. Read, Mr Ripley, and Vilot, 2 Citizens of London, and others, but prevented.

1644.

85 Two deſperate plots for the betraying of Ailsbury, and one againſt Southampton, but all three prevented.

86 Mr Edward Stanford, plotted with Cap. Backhouſe for the betraying of the City of Glouceſter, and proferred 5000l. for a reward, 300l. whereof was paid to the ſaid Captain, but the plot was fruſtrated.

87 Our Army in Cornwall preſerved, with the loſſe of our Artillery.

88 A peace pretended at Ʋxbridge, and a treacherous Petition framed by the Malignants of Buckingham-ſhire, wherein one Sir John Lawrence of that Country was a great ſtickler, but fruſtrated.

89 Melcomb Regis, to have been betrayed, wherein divers of the Malignant Townſmen had a principal hand, and Col. Goring, and Sir Lewis Dives, were agents therein, the Town and Forts recovered, and two Ships with rich prizes from Rhoan in France were ſeized on to make amends for their trouble.

The Service-Book Voted downe.

90 Earls and Lords from Oxford, ſubmitted themſelves to the Parl. The famous Victory of Naisby over the Kings Forces, 5000 priſoners taken. A Jewel of 500l. ſent to Gen. Leven by the Parl. All the Kings Commiſſioners taken at Shaftsbury. Baſing-houſe taken and burnt.

91 A plot in the Weſt againſt the Parl. by the Glubmen.

92 A ſudden p [...]ot upon Scotland, which was almoſt over-run by Montroſs, but as ſuddenly recovered again, by Generall David Leſley, and Montroſs diſcomfied and beaten away into the mountaines.

[Page] 93 A Treaty with the Parl. for a well-grounded peace, and yet at that time the Earl of Glamorgan, had a Commiſſion to the ruine of all the Proteſtants in Ireland, and conſequently in England alſo.

94 The Great Seal broken before the Lords and Commons, on Tueſday the 11 of Auguſt, 1646.

The Negative Oath.

I A. B. Do ſwear from my heart, that I will not directly, nor indirectly adhere unto, or willingly aſſist the King in this war, or in this Cauſe againſt the Parl. And I do likewiſe ſwear that my comming and ſubmitting my ſelfe under the power and protection of the Parl▪ is without any manner of deſigne whatſoever, to the prejudice of the proceedings of the two Houſes of this Parl. and without the direction, privity, and advice of the King, or any of his Councell, or Officers, other then what I have now made known. So help me God, and the Contents of this Book.

1646

The King Eſcapes out of Oxford in a disguiſed maner

Ordered, That whoſoever conceals the Kings perſon, ſhall be a Traytor.

A Letter concerning the Kings coming to the Scots Army, May 5. 1646.

RIght Honourable, the diſcharging of our ſelves of the duty we owe to the Kingdom of Engl: to you as Commiſſioners from the ſame, moves us to acquaint you with the Kings coming in to our Army this morning, which having overtaken us unexpectedly, hath filled us with amazement, and made us like men that dream; we cannot think that he could have been ſo unadviſed in his reſolutions, as to have caſt himſelfe [Page] on us, without a reall intention to give full ſatisfaction to both Kingdoms, in all their juſt and reaſonable demands, in all thoſe things that concern Religion and Righteouſnes; whatſoever be his diſpoſitions or reſolutions, you may be aſſured, that we ſhall never entertain any thought, nor correſpondency with any purpoſe, or countenance any indeavours that may in any circumſtance incroach upon our League and Covenant, or weaken the union or confidence betwixt the Nations, that union to our Kingdom was the matter of many prayers, and as nothing was more joyfull unto us then to have it ſet on foot, ſo hitherto have we thought nothing too dear to maintain it, and we truſt to walk with ſuch faithfullneſſe and truth in this particular, that as we have the teſtimony of a good conſcience within our ſelves, ſo you, and all the world ſhall ſee, that we mind your intereſt with as much integrity and care as our owne, being confident you will entertaine no other thought of us.

Signed May 5. 1646. LOTHIAN.

§

A Remonſtrance exhibited in the name of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-councel of the City of London, to the High Court of Parl. 1 That ſome ſtrict and ſpeedy courſe may be taken for the ſuppreſſing of all private and ſeparate Congregrations. 2 That all Anabaptiſts, Browniſts, Hereticks, Schiſmaticks, Blaſphemers, and all ſuch Sectaries as conforme not to the publick diſcipline eſtabliſhed, or to be eſtabliſhed by the Parliament, may fully be declared againſt, and ſome effectuall courſe ſettled for proceeding againſt ſuch perſons. 3 That as we are all Subjects of one Kingdome, ſo all may be equally required to yield obedience to the Government either ſet, or to be ſet forth. 4 That no perſon diſaffected to the Presbyterian Government, ſet, or to be ſet forth by the Parliament, may be imployed in any place of publick truſt.

The King gave ſpeedy order to ſeveral Officers for the ſurrender of the Towns, Caſtles, and Forts, which then were in the hands of the Kings Commanders, viz. Oxford, Worceſter, Litch feild, and Wallingford. A Petition delivered to his Excellency from the Officers and Souldiers in the Army, touching their faithfulneſs in the Parl. ſervice, doing Summer ſervice in the Winter ſeaſon, &c. Further preſented ſeverall deſires of theirs.

1 That an Ordinance of indempnity with the Royal aſſent be deſired.

2 That ſatisfaction may be given to the Petitioners for their arrears, both in their former ſervice, and in this Army before it is disbanded. 3 That thoſe who have voluntarily ſerved the Parliament, may not be preſt to ſerve in another Kingdom, &c. 4 That thoſe who have loſt lives, limbs, or eſtates, may be provided for, and relieved.

1647.

[Page]

The Apology in anſwer to his Excellencies letter, relating their ſenſe of a ſecond ſtorm hanging over their heads, by the malice of a ſecret enemy, worſe then the former now vanquiſhed, expreſſing their ſorrow that they cannot deſire their owne ſecurity without hazard to his Excellency, &c.

Concerning the abuſe to divers well-affected to the Army by impriſonment, to the ruine of their eſtates, and loſſe of their lives.

And for their candid intentions and endeavours declared no leſs then troublers, and enemies to the ſtate and Kingdom, reſolving rather to dye like men, then to be enſlaved and hanged like dogs, &c.

A Letter from his Excellency to the Earl of Mancheſter, concerning the Votes of both Houſes, as alſo his grief of heart for the diſtractions between the Parliament and Army, deſiring that all things may be determined in love, &c.

That the Souldiers of Holdenby, with the Kings conſent, brought him away from thence, &c. That his Majeſty was unwilling to return back again to Holdenby, &c. And that the removall of his Majeſty from Holdenby, was no deſigne, knowledge, or privity on his part, &c.

A particular charge againſt the 11 Members impeached by the Army. 1 That Mr Denzil Hollis being one of the ſpeciall Commiſſioners for the Parl. to preſent Propoſitions to the King at Oxford, made private addreſſes to the Kings party then in arms againſt the Parl. and did ſecretly plot and adviſe them againſt the Parl. &c. 2 That the ſaid Mr. Denzil Hollis, and Sir Phillip Stapleton, during the late war, when the Earl of Lindſey went from the Tower to Oxford, ſent ſeverall meſſages of intelligence to the Earl of Dorſet, &c. 3 That the ſaid Mr Hollis, Sir Phillip Stapleton, Sir Wil. Lewis, Sir John Clotworthy, Sir Wil. Waller, Sir John Maynard, Maj. Gen. Maſſie, Mr Glyn, Mr Long, Col. Edward Harley, and Anthony Nicholas, in the months of March, April, May, and June laſt, in proſecution of their evil deſigns, met in divers places with perſons diſaffected to the State, for holding correſpondency with the Queen of England now in France, and incouraged her party there. 4 And indeavoured to bring in Forraign forces, and liſted divers Commanders and Souldiers there, to raiſe and leavy a new war. 5 And affronted divers Petitioners that came in a peaceable manner, boyſterouſly aſſaulting them, &c. 6 Impriſoned ſome Members of the Army, and to diſ-oblige the Army from the Parl.

The ſolemn Engagement of the Citizens, Commanders, Officers, and Souldiers, &c.

This was the Treaſonable Ingagement.

[Page]

WE do ſolemnly engage our ſelves, and vow unto Almighty God, That we will to the utmoſt of our power, cordially endeavour that his Majeſty may ſpeedily come to his Houſes of Parliament, with honour, ſafety, and freedome, and that without the nearer approach of the Army, there to confirme ſuch things as he hath granted the Twelfth of May laſt, in anſwer to the Propoſitions of both Kingdomes, and that with a Perſonall Treaty with his two Houſes of Parliament, and the Commiſſioners of Scotland, ſuch things as are yet in difference may be ſpeedily ſetled, and a firme and laſting peace eſtabliſhed.

The Army Marching towards the City, orders were given to the Trained bands to go to the works. The Auxilaries are raiſed to defend the City. A Proclamation by beat of drum for all that are able to bear Arms, and are not liſted to come to receive them. The Houſe of Commons, and the Lords likewiſe, met according to the Order of adjournment, July 30. but neither of the Speakers.

At length they proceeded to a new election, and Voted Mr Pelham a Counſellour, and Member of the Commons Houſe, Speaker pro tempore.

The Lords made choice of the Lord Grey to be Speaker of their Houſe pro tempore. The Sergeant at Arms being abſent with the Mace when the Commons choſe their Speaker, had the City Mace, and choſe Mr Norfolk Sergeant at Arms. After which, proceeding to debate the great affairs to ching the City and Kingdom, they voted as followes:

1 Tha the King come to London. 2 That the Militia of the City ſhall have full power to raiſe what Forces they ſhall think fit to the ſame. 3 That they may make choyce of a Commander in chief to be approved of by the Houſe, and ſuch Commander to preſent other Officers to be approved of by the Militia. The Common-councell made choice of Major Generall Maſſey to command in chief all the City Forces.

Ordered by the Militia that all Reformadoes and other officers ſhould the next day at two of the Clock be liſted in St. Jamſes fields, where was a great appearance. Order given for ſtaying of Horſes in the City, and many liſted. Moſt of the eleven Members ſat in the Houſe, and in the afternoon M. Gen. Maſſey, Sir William Waller, and Col. Gen. Poyntz, were at liſt [...]ng the Reformadoes. Declaration of the Lord Maior, Aldermen, and Common councel.

A brief of which that his Majeſty was ſurpriſed at Holmby, and no place for his Majeſties reſidence allowed by the Army nearer then their Quarters; therefore to ſattle peace, and eſtabliſh true Religion, eaſe the Kingdomes burden, eſtabliſh his Majeſties juſt rights, maintaine the [Page] Parl▪ priviledges, and relieve bleeding Ireland, they profeſs the main [...] their enterpriſe, &c. A Petition in the names of many thouſands welaffected Citizens for ſome way of compoſure, &c.

At which time Col. Gen. Poyniz and other officers of the new liſt, attending for their Orders upon the Militia, came into Guild-hall-yard, and moſt cruelly h [...]ckt and hew'd many of the aforeſaid Petitioners, divers whereof were mortally wound [...]d, whereof ſome ſince dyed.

Lord Say, Lord Magreſie, other Lords, with many of the Houſe of Commons, came to the Head quarters, deſiring the Generals protection.

Six Aldermen and twelve Common-councel men ſent with a letter to the General, declaring their unwillingneſſe to a new War. A letter from Southwarke, relating their withſtanding the deſign of raiſing a new War, deſiring protection, Maſſey ſends Scouts, but neer Brainford thirty chaſed by ten, and took four of Maſſies.

Col. Rainsborough, Col. Hewſon, Col. Pride, and Col. Thiſtlwet, marched into Southwarke; the Fort yielded without oppoſition.

The Members forced away returne. The Houſes being ſat with their old Speakers, Thomas Lord Fairfax, made high Conſtable of the Tower.

His Excellency marches through the City from 11 until 8 at night.

A Letter from Lieu. Gen. Cromwel, that his Majeſty had withdrawne himſelf at 9 the laſt night, having left his cloak and ſome letters.

His Majeſties laſt Letter, Hampton-Court, Nov. 11. 1645.

LIberty being that which in all times hath been, but eſpecially now is the condition, the aim and deſire of all men, common reaſon ſhews that Kings leſſe then any ſhould endure captivity; yet I call God to witnes with what patience I have endured a tedious reſtraint, which ſo long as I had any hopes that this ſort of my ſuffering might conduce to the peace of theſe 3 Kingdoms, or the hindring of more effuſion of blood, I did willingly undergo, but now finding by too certaine proofs, that this my continued patience would not only turne to my perſonal ruine, but likewiſe be of much more prejudice to the furtherance of the publique good, I thought I was bound as well by natural as political obligations, to ſeek my ſafety, by retiring my ſelf for ſome time from publique view both of my friends and enemies, and I appeal to all indifferent men to judge, if I have not cauſe to free my ſelfe from the hands of thoſe who change their principles with their condition, and who are not aſhamed, openly to intend the deſtruction of the Nobility, by taking away their negative voyce, and with whom the Levellers doctrine is rather countenanced then puniſhed; and as for their intentions to my perſon, their changing and putting more ſtrict guards upon me, with the diſcharging [Page] moſt of all the ſervants of mine, who formerly they admitted to wait upon me, do ſufficiently declare: nor would I have this my retirement miſ-interpreted, for I ſhall earneſtly and unceſſantly endeavour the ſetling of a ſafe and well-grounded peace, where ever I am or ſhall be, and that (as much as may be) without the effuſion of more Chriſtian blood, for which how many times have I preſt to be heard, and yet no ear given to me; and can any reaſonable man think (according to the ordinary courſe of affairs, there can be a ſetled peace without it, or that God will bleſs thoſe that refuſe to hear their own King? ſurely no; I muſt further add that (beſides what concerns my ſelf) unleſs all other chief intereſts have not only a hearing, but likewiſe juſt ſatisfaction given to them (to wit, the Presbyterians, Independents, Army, thoſe who have adhered to me, and even the Scots) I ſay there cannot (I ſpeak not of miracles, it being in my opinion a ſinful preſumption in ſuch caſes to expect or truſt to them) be a ſafe and laſting peace: now as I cannot deny but that my perſonal ſecurity is the urgent cauſe of this my retirement, ſo I take God to witneſs, the publique peace is no leſſe before mine eyes, and I can find no better way to expreſſe this my profeſſion (I know not what a wiſer man may do) then by deſiring and urging that all chief Intereſts may be heard, to the end each may have juſt ſatisfaction; as for example, the Army (for the reſt, though neceſſary, yet I ſuppoſe are not difficult to conſent) ought (in my judgement) to enjoy the liberty of their conſcience, and have an Act of Oblivion or Indempnity (which ſhould extend to the reſt of all my ſubjects) and that all their Arrears ſhould be ſpeedily and duly paid, which I will undertake to do, ſo I may be heard, and that I be not hindred from uſing ſuch lawful and honeſt means as I ſhall chuſe. To conclude, let me be heard with freedom, honour, and ſafety, and I ſhall inſtantly break through this cloud of retirement, and ſhall ſhew my ſelf to be Pater Patriae,

C. R.

A great tumult, inſurrection, and mutiny in London, breaking open divers houſes, and magazines of Arms and Ammunition, breaking open divers houſes, ſeizing on the Drums, Gates, Chains, and Watches of the City, aſſaulted and ſhot into the L. Maiors houſe, and killed one of his Guard, &c.

1648.

MAy 16. Surrey Petitioners came to Weſtminſter, and made a great ſhout, and cryed, Hey for King Charls; We will pull the Members out by the Ear [...]s. diſarmed two Sentinels, knockt them down, one Sentinell refuſing to be diſarmed, the Petitioners got within his Arms, one of them [Page] drew his ſword and run him through, and the Petitioners drew their ſwords on the Troopers, and ſaid, fall on for King Charls, now or never; but a party of 500 Foot did take ſome: of the Petitioners were ſlain four or five, of the ſouldiers two.

The old L. Goring proclaimed General at the head of the Kentiſh Army upon the Hill neer Alisford, conſiſted of 8000 beſides thoſe in Maidſtone, there were neer 300 ſlain, and about 2300 priſoners, many of them taken in the Woods, Hop-yards, and fields; alſo Gentlemen of good quality, there were about 500 Horſe, 3000 Arms, 9 foot Colours, and 8 pieces of Canon, with ſtore of Ammunition taken: Their word at the engagement was King and Kent, Ours Truth: They being routed marched over Rocheſter Bridge towards Black-Heath, with about 3000 Horſe and Foot, moſt Cavaliers Prentiſes and Watermen, and fled over the water into Eſſex, by Woollidge and Greenwich.

The Duke of Buckingham, L. Francis, E. of Holland, L. Andrew, L. Cambden, and others, roſe in Surrey, and made Proclamation that they expected the Parl. would have ſetled the Kingdom, but becauſe they have not, they would fetch the King, and live and dye with him to ſettle it.

July 11. 1648. was the ſurrender of Pembroke Caſtle.

The Scots Army of 21000. Invaded England Duke— Hambletons Standard had motto Date Ceſari, Foot Standard for Covenant, Religion, King and Kingdomes;

Riſeing in Kent, Revoſting of the Navie, Reduſing Colcheſter, And Quelling the inſurection in Pembroke ſhire— all in 1648:

The Scots entring the Kingdom, July 11. 1648. Maj. Gen. Lambert ſent this Letter to Duke Hammilton.

MY Lord, Having received Information that ſome Forces of Horſe and Foot are marched out of Scotland into this Kingdome, under your Excellencies Command, I have ſent this Bearer unto you, deſiring [Page] to know the truth and intent thereof, and whether they are come in oppoſition to the Forces in theſe parts, raiſed by the Authority of the Parl. of England, and now in proſecution of their Commands, I deſire your Lordſhips ſpeedy anſwer, and reſt

Your Excellencies humble ſervant, J. Lambert.

Duke Hammiltons Anſwer.

NOble Sir, I received yours of the 11 of this inſtant, in anſwer whereunto I ſhall only ſay, the informa [...]ion you received is true, for according to the Commands of the Committee of Eſtates of the Parl. of Scotland, there are Forces both of Horſe and Foot come into this Kingdome, under my conduct for proſecution of the ends mentioned in my Letter of the 6. to which I refer you, intending to oppoſe any that are or ſhall be in Arms for the obſtructing thoſe pious, loyal, and juſt ends, and ſo remain

Hambleton.

The Town of Colcheſter delivered up, Sir Charls Lucas, and Sir Geo: Liſle ſhot to death. L. Col. Lilburn revolted at Newcaſtle, declared for the King, Sir Arthur Haſ [...]erigge ſtorm'd the Caſtle, Lilburns head was ſet upon a pole.

June 5. The L. of Warwick went to Portſmouth, to bring into obedience the mutinous Sea-men; there was with the L. of Warwicke, the Phoenix, Mary, Roſe, Robert, Noneſuch, Lilly, Lyon, Bonadventure, Antilope, Swift-ſure, Hector, and Fellowſhip.

A ſhort Abridgement of the Engagement made by the Common Councell, Commanders, Souldiers, and Commiſſion officers in London.

WE decla [...]e to ingage as much as in us l [...]es, to defend the King and Parl▪ from all violence, and to the end we may be inabled to perform the ſame, We humbly offer, that the Forces in the line may be one entire Militia, and no Forces may be raiſed, but by Authority of the ſaid Militia, by conſent of the Common Councel, We deſire no Forces in Arms might come within thirty miles of London, during the Treaty, and for thoſe within, what perſons ſoever ſhall make any tumu't, ſhall be put to death. O dered, that the Common Councel men and Commanders ſhall within their ſeverall Precincts goe from houſe to houſe, to receive concurrence to the ſaid Ingagement.

Decemb. 1648. The Houſe having notice of the Kings carrying to Hurſt Caſt [...]e, voted, That the ſeizing his perſon was without their advice or conſent.

Dec. 5. The Houſe Voted, That his Majeſties conceſſions to their Propoſals, was ground ſufficient to ſettle the Peace of the Kingdome.

Dec. 6. Col. Rich, and Col. Prides Reg. guarded the Parl. and ſeized ſome Members.

Maj. Gen. Brown Sheriff of London, was apprehended, Decemb. 12.

Dec 13. The Houſe Voted, That the Lords and Commons, declare they will make no further Addreſſes to the King, nor none ſhall be by any perſon whatſoever without leave of he Parl. and if any make breach of this Order, they ſhall incur the Penalty of High Treaſon, and that they will receive no more any Meſſage from the King, to both or either Houſes of Parl.

An Ordinance ſent to the Lords for the Triall of the King, but they rejected the Commiſſion, and adjourned 8 dayes, after that they never ſate more.

[...]er. D [...]n [...]y Serj. at Arms to the Commiſſioners, rode into Weſtminſter- Hall, with the Mace belonging to the Houſe of Commons on his ſhoulder, and ſome Officers attending him all bare, and ſix Trumpeters on Horſeback, a guard of Horſe and Foot attending [Page] in the Pallace yard, and Proclamation was made, All that had any thing for matter of Fact againſt Charls Stuart, King of England, to bring it in to the Commiſſioners.

Jan. 19. 1648. That this preſent Seale of England ſhould be broken in pieces, and a new one forthwith made, and ordered that the Arms of England and Ireland, ſhould be Ingra [...]en on the one ſide, on the other ſide a Map of the Parl. with theſe words in it, The firſt yeare of Freedome by Gods bleſſing reſtored, 1648.

The Charge of the Commons of England, againſt Charls Stuart King of England.

That the ſaid Ch Stuart being admitted King of England, and therein truſted with a limitted power, to govern by, and according to the Lawes of the L [...]nd, and not otherwiſe; and by his Truth, Oath, and Office, being obliged to uſe the power committed to him, For the good and benefit of the people, and for the preſervation of their Rights and Liberties; yet nevertheleſs out of a wicked deſign, to erect and uphold in himſelfe an unlimited and Tyrannical power, to rule, according to his will; and to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the People; yea, to take away, and make void the foundations thereof, and of all redreſſe, and remedy of miſ-government, which by the fundamentall Conſtitutions of this Kingdome, were reſerved on the Peoples behalfe, in the Right and Power of frequent and ſucceſſive Parl. or Nationall meetings in Councels; He, the ſad Ch. Stuart, for the accompliſhment of ſuch his Deſignes, and for the protecting of himſelfe and his adherents, in His and Their wicked practiſes to the ſame Ends, hath traiterouſly and maliciouſly levyed War againſt the preſent Parl. and the people therein Repreſented. Particularly, upon or about the 30 day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1642. At Beverley in the County of York, and upon or about the 30 day of July, in the yeare aforeſaid, in the County of the City of York; and upon, or about the 24 day of Auguſt, in the ſame year at the County of the Town of Nottingham (when and where he ſat up His Standard of War;) and alſo on, or about the 23 day of October, in the ſame year, at Edge Hill, and Keintonfield, in the County of Warwick; and upon, or about the 30 day of Nov. in the ſame year, at Brainford in the County of Middleſex; and upon or about the 30 day of Auguſt, in the year of our Lord, 1643. at Caveſham Bridge neer Redding in the County of Berks; And upon, or about the 30 day of Octob. in the yeare laſt mentioned, at or near the City of Glouceſter; and upon or about the 30 day of Nov. in the year laſt mentioned, at Newberry in the County of Berks; and upon, or about the 31 day of July, in the year of our Lord 1644. at Cropredy Bridge in the County of Oxon; and upon, or about the 30 day of Sep. in the year laſt mentioned, at Bodmin, and other places neer adjacent, in the County of Cornwall; and upon about the 30 day of Nov. in the year laſt mentioned, at Newbery aforeſaid; and upon or about the 8 day of June, in the year of our Lord, 1645. at the Town of Leiceſter; a [...]d alſo upon the 14 day of the ſame Moneth, in the ſame year, at Naſeby field, in the County of Northampton. At which ſeverall times and places, or moſt of them, and at many other places in this Land, at ſeverall other times, within the years afore mentioned. And in the year of our Lord, 1646. He the ſaid Ch. Stuart, hath cauſed and procured many thouſands of the free people of the Nation to be ſlain; and by diviſions, parties, and inſurrections within this Land, by Invaſion: from forreign parts, endeavoured and procured by him, and by many other evill wayes andmeans, He the ſaid C. Stuart, hath not only maintained and carried on the ſaid War, both by Land and Sea, during the years before mentioned; but alſo hath renewed, or cauſed to be renewed the ſaid War againſt the Parliament, and good people of this Nation, in this preſent year 1648, in the Counties of Kent, Eſſex, Surrey, Suſſex, Middleſex, and many other Countries and places in England and Wales, and alſo by Sea; and particularly, He the ſaid Ch. Stuart hath for that purpoſe given Commiſſions to his Son the Prince and others; whereby, Beſides multitudes of other perſons, many ſuch, as were by the Parl. intruſted and imployed for the Nation, being by him or his Agents, corrupted [Page] to the betraying of their truſt, and revolting from the Parl. have had entertainment and Commiſſion for the continuing and renewing of War and Hoſtility againſt the ſaid Parl. and people, as aforeſaid. By which cruel and unnatural Wars by him the ſaid Charls Stuart, continued and renewed as aforeſaid, much innocent blood of the Free-people of this Nation hath been ſpilt; many Families have been undone, the Publike Treaſury waſted and exhauſted, trade obſtructed, and miſerably decayed; vaſt expence and damage to the Nation incurred, and many parts of the Land ſpoiled, ſome of them even to deſolation.

And for farther proſecution of his ſaid evill Deſignes, He, the ſaid Ch: Stuart, doth ſtill continue his Commiſſion to the ſaid Prince, and other Rebels and Revolters, both Engliſh and Forreigners, and to the E. of Ormond, and to the Iriſh Rebels and Revolters aſſociated with him, from whom further Invaſions are threatned, upon the procurement, and on the behalfe of the ſaid Charls Stuart.

All which wicked Deſignes, Wars, and evil practiſes of him the ſaid Charls Stuart, have been and are carried on, for the advancing and upholding of the perſonall intereſt of will and Power, and pretended Prerogative to himſelf and his Family againſt the Publique Intereſt, Common Right, Liberty, Juſtice, and Peace Of the people of this Nation, by, and for whom he was entruſted as aforeſaid.

By all which it appeareth, That He, the ſaid Ch: Stuart hath been, and is the Occaſioner, Author, and Contriver of the ſaid Unnaturall, cruell, and bloody Wars; and therein guilty of all the Treaſons, Murthers, Rapines, Burnings, Deſolations, Damage, and miſchief to this Nation, acted or committed in the ſaid Wars, or occaſioned thereby.

And the ſaid Iohn Cook, by Proteſtation (ſave on the behalf of the people of England, the liberty of exhibiting at any time hereafter, any other charge againſt the ſaid Ch: Stuart, and alſo of replying to the anſwers which the ſaid Ch. Stuart ſhall make to the premiſes, or any charge that ſhall be ſo exhibited) doth, for the ſaid Treaſons and Crimes, on the behalf of the ſaid People of England, Impeach the ſaid Ch: Stuart as a Tyrant, Traytor, Murtherer, and a publick and implacable enemy to the Common-wealth of England; and pray, That the ſaid Ch Stuart King of England, may be put to anſwer all and every the Premiſſes; that ſuch Proceedings, Examinations, Tryals, Sentence, and Judgement, may be thereupon had, as ſhall be agreeable to Juſtice.

The Kings laſt Speech made upon the Scaffold.

King. I Shall be very little heard of any body here, I ſhall therefore ſpeak a word unto you here; indeed I could hold my peace very well if I did not think that holding my peace would make ſome men think that I did ſubmit to the guilt, as well as to the puniſhment; but I think it is my duty to God firſt, and to my Country, for to clear my ſelf both as an honeſt man and a good Chriſtian; I ſhall begin firſt with my Innocency, in troth I think it not very needfull for me to inſiſt long upon this, for all the wo [...]ld knowes I never did begin a War with the two Houſes of Parliament, and I call God to wi [...]neſſe, to whom I muſt ſhortly make an Account, that I never did interd for to incroach upon their Priviledges, they began upon me, it is the Militia they began upon, they confeſt that the Militia was mine, but they thought it fit for to have it from me; and to be ſhort, if any body will look to the dates of Commiſſions, of their Commiſſions and mine, and likewiſe to the Declarations, will ſee clearly that they began theſe unhappy troubles, not I; ſo that as for the guilt of theſe enormous crimes that are laid againſt me, I hope in God that God will clear me of it, I will not, I am in charity; God forbid that I ſhould lay it upon the two Houſes of Parliament, there is no neceſſity of either, I hope they are free of this guilt; for I doe believe that ill inſtruments between them and me, ha's been the cauſe of all this blood ſhed; ſo that by way of ſpeaking, as I find my ſelf, clear of this, I hope (and pray God) that they may too: yet [Page] for all this, God forbid that I ſhould be ſo ill a Chriſtian, as not to ſay that Gods judgements are juſt upon me: many times he does pay juſtice by an unjuſt ſentence, that is ordinary; I will onely ſay this, That an unjuſt Sentence that I ſuffered to take effect, is puniſhed now by an unjuſt Sentence upon me; that is, ſo far I have ſaid, to ſhew you that I am an innocent man.

Now for to ſhew you that I am a good Chriſtian, I hope there is a good man (pointing to Dr Iuckson) that will bear me witneſſe, that I have forgiven all the world; and thoſe in particular that have been the chief cauſers of my death; who they are God knows, I do not deſire to know, I pray God forgive them. But this is not all, my charity muſt go farther, I wiſh that they may repent, for indeed they have committed a great ſin in that particular, I pray God with St Stephen, that this be not laid to their charge; nay, not onely ſo, but that they may take the right way to the peace of the Kingdome: So (Sirs) I do wiſh with all my ſoule, and I do hope (there is ſome here will carry it further) that they may endeavour the peace of the Kingdom. Now (Sirs) I muſt ſhew you how you are out of the way, and will put you in a way; firſt, you are out of the way, for certainly all the way you ever have had yet as I could find by any thing, is in the way of Conqueſt; certainly this is in an ill way, for Conqueſt (Sir) in my opinion is never juſt, except there be a good juſt Cauſe, either for matter of wrong, or juſt Title, and then if you go beyond it, that makes it unjuſt at the end that was juſt at firſt: But if it be only matter of Conqueſt, then it is a great Robbery; as a Pirate ſaid to Alexander, that He was the Great Robber, he was but a petty Robber; and ſo, Sirs, I do think the way that you are in, is much out of the way. Now Sir, for to put you in the way, beleive it you will never doe right, nor God will never proſper you, untill you give God his due, the King his due, (that is, my Succeſſors) and the people their due; I am as much for them as any of you: You muſt give God his due, by regulating rightly his Church (according to his Scriptures) which is now out of order: For to ſet you in a way particularly now I cannot, but onely this, A Nationall Synod freely called, freely debating among themſelves, muſt ſettle this; when that every Opinion is freely and clearly heard.

For the King indeed I will not, the Lawes of the Land will clearly inſtruct you for that; therefore, becauſe it concerns my own particular, I only give you a touch of it.

For the people, and truly I deſire their Liberty and Freedome, as much as any body whomſoever; but I muſt tell you, that their Liberty and their Freedome, conſiſts in having of Government; thoſe Lawes, by which their life and their goods may be moſt their owne. It is not for having ſhare in Government (Sir) that is nothing pertaining to them. A Subject and a Soveraign, are clean different things; and therefore untill they do that, I mean, that you do put the people in that Liberty as I ſay, certainly they will never enjoy themſelves.

Sirs, it was for this that now I am come here: If I would have given way to an Arbitrary way, for to have all Lawes changed according to the power of the Sword, I needed not to have come here; and therefore I tell you (and I pray God it be not laid to your charge) that I am the Martyr of the people.

Introth Sirs, I ſhall not trouble you much longer; for I will onely ſay this to you, that intruth, I could have deſired ſome little time longer, becauſe that I would have put this that I have ſaid in a little more order, and a little better digeſted then I have done, and therefore I hope you will excuſe Me.

I have delivered my Conſcience, I pray God, that you do take thoſe courſes that are beſt for the good of the Kingdom, and your own Salvation.

The Biſhop of London minding him to ſay ſomething concerning his Religion.

King. I thank you very heartily (my Lord) for that, I had almoſt forgotten it Introth [Page] Sirs, my Conſcience in Religion, I think, is very well known to all the World; and therefore I declare before you all, That I die a Chriſtian, according to the profeſſion of the Church of England, as I found it left me by my Father; and this honeſt man I think will witneſſe it▪ Then turning to the Officers ſaid, Sirs, excuſe me for this ſame, I have a good cauſe, and I have a gracious God; I will ſay no more. Then turning to Col Hacker he ſaid, Take care that they do not put me to pain, and Sir, this and it pleaſe you. But then a Gentleman coming neer the Ax, the King ſaid, take heed of the Ax▪ pray take heed of the Ax Then the King ſpeaking to the Executioner, ſaid, I ſhall ſay but very ſhort Prayers, and when I thruſt out my hands—Then the King called to D Iuxon for his night cap, and having put it on, he ſaid to the Executioner, does my heire trouble you, who deſired him to put it all under his Cap, which the King did accordingly, by the help of the Executioner and the Biſhop, then the King turning to Dr Iuxon, ſaid, I have a good cauſe, and a gracious God on my ſide.

Dr Iuxon. There is but one ſtage more, this ſtage is turbulent and troubleſome, it is a ſhort one, but you may conſider it will ſoon carry you a very great way, it will carry you from Earth to Heaven, and there you ſhall find a great deal of cordiall joy and comſort.

King I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown, where no diſturbance can be.

Doct. You are exchanged from a temporall to an eternall Crown, a good exchange.

Then the King took off his Cloak and his George, giving his George to Dr Iuxon, ſaying, Remember; 'tis thought for the Prince, and ſome other ſmall Ceremonies paſt, after which, the King ſtooping down, laid his neck upon the block, after a very little pauſe, ſt [...]etched forth his hands, the Executioner at one blow ſevered his head from his Body, his Body was put in a Coffin, covered with black velvet, and removed to his lodging Chamber at White hall.

An Act prohibiting the Proclaiming of any perſon to be King of England, &c.

WHereas Charls Stuart King of England, being for the notorious Treaſons, Tyrannies, and Murthers, committed by him in the late unnaturall and cruell Wars condemned to death; Whereupon, after Execution of the ſame, ſeverall pretences may be made, and Title ſet on ſcot unto the Kingly Office, to the apparent hazzard of the Publique Peace. For the prevention thereof, Be it Enacted and Ordained by this preſent Parliament, and by the Authority of the ſame, That no perſon or perſons whatſoever doe preſume to Proclaime, Declare, Publiſh, or any way promote Charls Stuart, Son of the ſaid Charls, commonly called Prince of Wales, or any other Perſon to be King or chief Magiſtrate of England, or of Ireland, or of any the Dominions belonging to them, or any of them▪ by colour of Inheritance, Succeſſion, Election, or any other claim whatſoever, without the free conſent of the people in Parliament firſt had, and ſignified by a particular Act or Ordinance for that purpoſe, any Statute, Law, uſage or cuſtome to the contrary notwithſtanding. And be it further Enacted and Ordained and it is hereby Enacted and Ordained, that whatſoever ſhall contrary to this Act, Proclaim, Declare, Publiſh, or any way promote the ſaid Charls Stuart the Son, or any other perſon to be King▪ or chiefe Magiſtrate of England, or of Ireland, or of any the Dominions belonging to them, or to either of them, without the ſaid conſent in Parliament ſignified as aforeſaid ſhall be deemed and adjudged a Traytor to the Common-wealth, and ſhall ſuffer the pains of death, and ſuch other puniſhments as belong to the Crime of High Treaſon And all Officers, as well Civil as Military, and all other well affected perſons, are hereby authorized and required forthwith to apprehend all ſuch offenders, and to bring them in ſafe cuſtody to the next Iuſtice of the Peace, that they be proceeded againſt accordingly.

H. Scobel Cler. Parl. D Com.

Imprimatur

Theodore Iennings.

The ſeverall ſpeeches of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cambridge, Henry Earl of Holland, and Arthur Lord Capel.

[Page]

Spoken upon the Scaffold immediately before their Execution, on Friday the ninth of March, 1649.

I Think it is truly not very neceſſary for me to ſpeak much, there are many Gentlemen and Souldiers there that ſee me, but my voice truely is ſo weake, ſo low, that they connot heare me, neither truly was I ever at any time ſo much in love with ſpeaking, or with any thing I had to expreſſe, that I tooke delight in it; yet this being the laſt time that I am to doe ſo, by a Divine Providence of Almighty God, who hath brought me to this end juſtly for my ſins; I ſhall to you Sir, Maſter Sheriffe, declare thus much, as to the matter that I am now to ſuffer for, which is as being a Traytor to the Kingdome of England: Truly Sir, It was a Country that I equally loved with my owne, I made no difference, I never intended either the generality of its prejudice, or any particular mans in it; what I did was by the command of the Parliament of the Country where I was borne, whoſe command I could not diſobey, without running into the ſame hazard there, of that condition that I now am in.

It pleaſed God ſo to diſpoſe that Army under my command, as it was ruined; and I, as their Generall, cloathed with a commiſſion, ſtand here, now ready to dye; I ſhall not trouble you with repeating of my plea, what I ſaid in my owne Defence at the Court of JƲSTICE, my ſelfe being ſatisfied with the commands that is laid upon me, and they ſatisfied with the juſtneſs of their Procedure, according to the Laws of this Land. God is juſt, and howſoever I ſhall not ſay any thing as to the matter of the ſentence, but that I doe willingly ſubmit to his Divine Providence, and acknowledge that very many wayes I deſerve even a worldly puniſhment, as well as hereafter, for [Page] we are all ſinfull, Sir, and I a great one; yet for my comfort, I know there is a God in Heaven that is exceeding mercifull; I know my Redeemer fits at his right hand, and am confident (clapping his hand on his breaſt) is mediating for me at this inſtant, I am hopefull through his free grace and all-ſufficient merits, to be pardoned of my ſins, and to be received into his mercy, upon that I rely, truſting to nothing but the free grace of God through Jeſus Chriſt, I have not been tainted in my Religion I thank God for it▪ ſince my Infancy it hath been ſuch as hath been profeſt in the Land, and eſtabliſhed, and now it is not this Religion, or that Religion, nor this or that fancie of men that is to be built upon, it is but one that's right, one that's ſure, and that comes from God, Sir, and in the free grace of our Saviour. Sir, there is truly ſomewhat that (he then obſerving the Writers ſaid,) had I thought my ſpeech would have been thus taken, I would have digeſted it into ſome better method then now I can, and ſhall deſire theſe Gentlemen that doe write it, that they will not wrong me in it, and that it may not in this manner be publiſhed to my diſadvantage, for truly I did not intend to have ſpoken thus when I came here.

There are, Sirs, terrible aſperſions that has been laid upon my ſelf; truly ſuch as, I thank God, I am very free from; as if my actions and intentions had not been ſuch as they were pretended for; but that notwithſtanding what I pretended it was for the King, there was nothing leſſe intended then to ſerve him in it. I was bred with him for many years, I was his domeſtique ſervant, and there was nothing declar'd by the Parliament that was not really intended by me; and truly, in it I ventured my life one way, and now I loſe it another way: and that was one of the ends, as to the King; I ſpeake onely of that, becauſe the reſt has many particulars; and to clear my ſelf from ſo horrid an aſperſion as is laid upon me: neither was there any other deſigne known to me by the in coming of that Army, then what is really in the Declaration publiſhed. His perſon, I doe profeſſe, I had reaſon to love, as he was my King, and as he had been my Maſter: It hath pleaſed God now to diſpoſe of him, ſo as it cannot be thought flattery to have ſaid this, or any end in me for the ſaying of it, but to free my ſelf from that Calumny which lay upon me: I cannot gain by it, yet Truth is that which we ſhall gaine by for ever.

There hath been much ſpoken, Sir, of an invitation into this Kingdome: it's mentioned in that Declaration, and truly to that I did and doe remit my ſelf: and I have been very much laboured for diſcoveries of theſe inviters, 'Tis no time to diſſemble, How willing I was to have ſerved this Nation in any thing that was in my power, is known to very many honeſt, pious and religious men; and how ready I would have been to have done what I could to have ſerved them, if it had pleaſed them to have preſerved my life, in whoſe hands there was a power: They have not thought it fit, and ſo I am become unuſefull in that which willingly I would have done. As I ſaid at firſt (Sir) ſo I ſay now concerning that point; I wiſh the Kingdome happineſs, I wiſh it peace; and truly Sir, I wiſh that this bloud of mine may be the laſt that is drawn: and howſoever I may perhaps have ſome reluctancie with my [Page] ſelf as to the matter of my ſuffering, for my fact, yet I freely forgive all; Sir, I carry no ranc [...] along with me to my grave: His will be done that has created both [...]and earth, and me a poor miſerable ſinfull creature now ſpeaking before [...] ▪ For me to ſpeak, Sir, to you of State-buſineſſe, and the Government of [...] Kingdome, or my opinion in that, or for any thing in that nature, Truly it is [...] no end, it contributes nothing: My owne inclination hath been to peace, from the beginning; and it is known to many, that I never was an ill inſtrument betwixt the King and his people; I never acted to the prejudice of the Parliament; I bore no Arms, I medled not with it; I was not wanting by my Prayers to God Almighty for the happineſſe of the King; and truly I ſhall pray ſtill, that God may ſo direct him as that may be done which ſhall tend to his glory, and the peace and happineſſe of the Kingdome.

For my Religion, that which I ſaid was the eſtabliſhed Religion, and that which I have practiſed in my owne Kingdome where I was borne and bred; my Tenets they need not to be expreſt, they are known to all, and I am not of a rigid opinion; many godly men there are that may have ſcruples which do not concerne me at all at no time; they may differ in opinion, and more now then at any time; differing in opinion does not move me (nor any mans) my owne is clear: Sir, the Lord forgive me my ſinnes, and I forgive freely all thoſe that even I might as a worldly man, have the greateſt animoſity againſt; Wee are bidden to forgive; Sir, tis a command laid upon us (and there mentioned) Forgive us our treſpaſſes, as we forgive them that treſpaſſe againſt us.

Then the Earl turning to the Executioner, ſaid, ſhall I put on another cap, muſt this hair be turn'd up from my neck, there are three of my ſervants to give ſatisfaction; he alſo asked him which way he would have him lye.

The Executioner pointing to the front of the Scaffold, the Earl replyed, What, my head this way?

After a little diſcourſe in private with ſome of his ſervants, he kneeled downe by the ſide of the Scaffold and prayed a while to himſelf.

Then with a cheerfull and ſmiling countenance, (embracing Dr. Sibbalds,) he ſaid, Truly Sir, I doe take you in mine arms, and truly I bleſſe God for it, I do not fear, I have an aſſurance that is grounded here (laying his hand upon his heart) now that gives me more true joy then ever I had, I paſſe out of a miſerable world to go into an eternall and glorious Kingdom; and Sir, though I have bin a moſt ſinfull creature, yet Gods mercy I know is infinite, and I bleſſe my God for it, I go with ſo clear a conſcience, that I know not the man that I have perſonally injured.

Then imbracing thoſe his ſervants which were there preſent, ſaid to each of them, You have been very faithfull to me and the Lord bleſſe you.

And ſo turning himſelfe to the Executioner, he ſaid, I ſhall ſay a very ſhort prayer unto my God, while I lye downe there; and when I ſtretch out my hand, (my right hand) then ſir, do your duty; and I doe freely forgive you, and ſo I doe all the world.

Then the E. of Cambridge ſaid to the Executioner, Muſt I lye all along? he anſwered, Yes, and't pleaſe your Lordſhip. Then he ſaid, When I ſtretch [Page] out my hands—but I will fit my head, firſt tell me if I be right, and how you would have me lye. And being told he muſt lye a little lower; he ſaid:

Well, ſtay then till I give you the ſigne. And ſo having laine a ſhort ſpace devoutly praying to himſelfe, he ſtretch'd out his right hand, whereupon the Executioner at one blow ſevered his head from his body, which was received by two of his ſervants then kneeling by him, into a Crimſon Taffery Scarfe, and that with the body immediately put into a Coffin brought upon the Scaffold for that purpoſe: and from thence conveyed to the houſe that was Sir John Hamiltons at the Mews, where it now remains.

Dk. Hambleton, E: of Cambridg, E: of Holland, and Lord Capell be headed mar: 9. 1649 And their ſpeeches on the ſcaffold

The ſpeech of the Earl of Holland upon the Scaffold.

IT is to no purpoſe (I thinke) to ſpeake any thing here, Which way muſt I ſpeak? And then being directed to the front of the Scaffold, he (leaning over the raile.) ſaid, I thinke it is fit to ſay ſomething, ſince God hath called me to this place. The firſt thing which I muſt profeſſe, is, what concerns my Religion, and my breeding, which hath been in a good Family, that hath been ever faithfull to the true Proteſtant Religion, in the which I have been bred, in the which I have lived, and in the which by Gods grace and mercy I ſhall dye. I have not lived according to that education I had in that Family [Page] where I was borne and bred: I hope God will forgive me my ſins, ſince I conceive that it is very much his pleaſure to bring me to this place for the ſins that I have committed. The cauſe that hath brought me hither, I beleive by many hath been much miſtaken, They have conceived that I have had ill deſigns to the State, and to the Kingdom: Truly I look upon it as a Judgement, and a juſt judgement of God; not but I have offended ſo much the State and the Kingdome, and the Parliament, as that I have had an extream vanity in ſerving them very extraordinarily. For thoſe actions that I have done, I think it is knowne they have been ever very faithfull to the publique, and very particularly to Parliaments, My affections have been ever expreſt truly and clearly to them. The diſpoſitions of affairs now have put things in another poſture then they were when I was ingaged with the Parliament: I have never gone off from thoſe Principles that ever I have profeſſed: I have lived in them, and by Gods grace wi [...]l dye in them▪ There may be alterations and changes that may carry them further then I thought reaſonable, and there I left them: But there hath been nothing that I have ſaid, or done, or profeſſed either by Covenant, or Declaration, which hath not bin very conſtant, and very clear upon the principles that I ever have gone upon, which was to ſerve the King the Parliament, Religion (I ſhould have ſaid in the firſt place) the Common-wealth, and to ſeek the peace of the Kingdome: That made me thinke it no improper time, being preſt out by accidents and circumſtances, to ſeek the Peace of the Kingdome, which I thought was proper, ſince there was ſomething then in agitation, but nothing agreed on for ſending Propoſitions to the King; that was the furtheſt aime that I had, and truly beyond that I had no intention, none at all▪ And God be praiſed, although my blood comes to be ſhed here, there was I think ſcarcely a drop of blood ſhed in that action that I was ingaged in. For the preſent affairs, as they are, I cannot tell how to judge of them: and truly they are in ſuch a condition, as (I conceive) no body can make a judgement of them: and therefore I muſt make uſe of my prayers, rather then of my opinion, which are, that God would bleſſe this Kingdome, this Nation, this State; that he would ſettle it in a way agreeable to what this Kingdome hath been happily governed under; by a King, by the Lords, by the Commons, a Government that (I conceive) it hath flouriſhed much under, and I pray God the change of it bring not rather a prejudice, a diſorder, and a confuſion then the contrary. I look upon the Poſterity of the King▪ and truly my conſcience directs me to it, to deſire, that if God be pleaſed that theſe people may look upon them with that affection that they owe, that they may be called in again, and they may be, not through blood, nor through diſorder, admitted again into that power, and to that glory that God hath in their birth intended to them I ſhall pray with all my Soul for the happineſſe of this State, of this Nation, that the blood which is here ſpilt, may be even the laſt which may fall among us, and truly I ſhould lay down my life with as much cheerfulneſſe as ever perſon did, if I conceived that there would no more blood follow us; for a State, or affairs that are built upon blood, is a foundation for the moſt part that doth not proſper.

After the bleſſing that I give to the Nation, to the Kingdom, and truly to [Page] the Parliament, I doe wiſh with all my heart, happineſſe, and a bleſſing to all thoſe that have been authors in this buſineſſe; and truly that have been authors in this very work that bringeth us hither: I doe not only forgive them, but I pray heartily and really for them; as God will forgive my ſins, ſo I deſire God may forgive them.

I have a particular relation, as I am Chancellor of Cambridge, and truly I muſt here, ſince it is the laſt of my prayers, pray to God that that Univerſity may goe on in that happy way which it is in, that God may make it a Nurſery to plant thoſe perſons that may be diſtributed to the Kingdome, that the ſouls of the people may receive a great benefit, and a great advantage by them, and (I hope) God will reward them for their kindneſſe, and their affections that I have found from them. (Looking towards Mr. Bolton) I have ſaid what Religion I have been bred in, what Religion I have been born in, what Religion I have practiſed; I began with it, and I muſt end with it. I told you that my actions and my life have not been agreeable to my breeding, I have told you likewiſe that the Family where I was bred hath been an exemplary Family (I may ſay ſo I hope without vanity) of much affection to Religion, and of much faithfulneſſe to this Kingdom, and to this State. I have endeavoured to doe thoſe actions that have become an honeſt man, and which became a good Engliſhman, and which became a good Chriſtian. I have been willing to oblige thoſe that have been in trouble, thoſe that have been in perſecution, and truly I find a great reward of it, for I have found their prayers and their kindneſſe now in this diſtreſſe, and in this condition I am in, and I thinke it a great reward, and I pray God reward them for it.

I am a great ſinner, and I hope God will be pleaſed to hear my prayers, to give me faith to truſt in him, that as he hath called me to death at this place, he will make it but a paſſage to an eternall life through Jeſus Chriſt, which I truſt to; which I rely upon, and which I expect by the mercy of God. And ſo I pray God bleſſe you all, and ſend that you may ſee this to be the laſt execution, and the laſt blood that is likely to be ſpilt among you. And then turning to the ſide raile, he prayed for a god ſpace of time.

God hath given me (ſpeaking to M. Bolton) long time in this world; he hath carryed me through many great accidents of Fortune; hee hath at laſt brought me down into a condition, where I find my ſelf brought to an end, for a diſ-affection to this State, to this Parliament, (that as I ſaid before) I did believe no body in the world more unlikely to have expected to ſuffer for that Cauſe. I look upon it as a great judgement of God for my ſins. And truly Sir, ſince that the death is violent, I am the leſſe troubled with it, becauſe of thoſe violent deaths that I have ſeen before; Principally my Saviour that hath ſhewed us the way, how and in what manner he hath done it, and for what cauſe, I am the more comforted, I am the more rejoyced. It is not long ſince the King my Maſter paſſed in the ſame manner; and truely I hope that his purpoſes and intentions were ſuch, as a man may not be aſhamed not onely to follow him in the way that was taken with him, but likewiſe not aſhamed of his purpoſes, if God had given him life. I have often diſputed with [Page] him concerning many things of this kind, and I conceive his ſufferings, and his better knowledge and better underſtanding, (if God had ſpared him life) might have made him a Prince very happy towards himſelf, and very happy towards this Kingdome. I have ſeen and known that thoſe bleſſed ſouls in heaven have paſſed thither by the gate of ſorrow, and many by the gate of violence: And ſince it is Gods pleaſure to diſpoſe me this way, I ſubmit my ſoul to him, with all comfort, and with all hope, that he hath made this my end, and this my concluſion, that though I be low in death, yet nevertheleſſe this lowneſſe ſhall raiſe me to the higheſt glory for ever.

Truly, I have not ſaid much in publike to the people concerning the particular actions that I conceive I have done by my Counſels in this Kingdom; I conceive they are well known, it were ſomething of vanity (me thinks) to take notice of them here; Ile rather dye with them, with the comfort of them in mine own boſom; and that I never intended in this action, or any action that ever I did in my life, either malice, or bloodſhed, or prejudice to any creature that lives. For that which concerns my Religion, I made my profeſſion before of it, how I was bred, and in what manner I was bred, in a Family that was looked upon to be no little notorious in oppoſition to ſome liberties, that they conceived, then to be taken; and truly there was ſome marke upon me, as if I had ſome taint of it, even throughout the whole ways that I have taken: every body knows what my affections have been to many that have ſuffered, to many that have been in troubles in this Kingdom, I endeavoured to oblige them, I thought I was tyed ſo by my conſcience, I thought it by my charity, and truly very much by my breeding; God hath now brought me to the laſt inſtant of my time, all that I can ſay, and all that I can adhere unto is this; That as I am a great ſinner ſo I have a great Saviour, that as he hath given me here a fortune to come publikely in a ſhew of ſhame in the way of this ſuffering, (truly I underſtand it not to be ſo) I underſtand it to be glory, a glory, when I conſider who hath gone before me, and a glory when I conſider I had no end in it, but what I conceive to be the ſervice of God, the King and the Kingdom, and therefore my heart is not charged much with any thing in that particular, ſince I conceive God will accept of the intention, whatſoever the action ſeem to be. I am going to dye, and the Lord receive my ſoul; I have no reliance but upon Chriſt, for my ſelf, I doe acknowledge that I am the unworthieſt of ſinners, my life hath been a vanity, and a continued ſin, and God may juſtly bring me to this end, for the ſins I have committed againſt him, and were there nothing elſe but the iniquities that I have committed in the way of my life, I look upon this as a great juſtice of God to bring me to this ſuffering, and to bring me to this puniſhment, and thoſe hands that have been moſt active in it, if any ſuch there have been, I pray God forgive them, I pray God that there may not be many ſuch Trophies of their Victory, but that this may be as I ſaid before, the laſt ſhew that this people ſhall ſee, of the blood of perſons of Condition, of perſons of honour. I might ſay ſomthing of the way of our Tryal, which I think hath been as extraordinary, as any thing I think hath ever been ſeen in this Kingdom, but becauſe I would not ſeem as if I made ſome complaint, I will not ſo much as mention it, becauſe no body ſhall believe I [Page] rep [...]ne at their actions or my owne fortune; it is the will of God, it is the hand of God under whom I fall, I take it intirely from him, I ſubmit my ſelf to him, I ſhall deſire to roul my ſelfe into the Armes of my bleſſed Saviour, and when I come to this place, (Pointing to the block.) when I bow downe my ſelfe there, I hope God will raiſe me up, and when I bid farewell, as I muſt now to Hope and to Faith, that Love will abide, I know nothing to accompany the Soul out of this World but Love, and I hope that Love will bring me to the fountain of glory in Heaven, through the Arms, Mediation, and the Mercy of my Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, in whom I beleeve, O Lord helpe my unbelief.

I ſhall make as much haſt as I can to come to that glory, and the Lord of Heaven and Earth take my ſoul: I look upon my ſelfe intirely in him, and hope to find mercy through him, I expect it, and through that fountaine that is opened for ſin, and for uncleanneſſe my ſoul muſt receive it, for did I reſt in any thing elſe, I have nothing but ſin and corruption in me; I have nothing but that, which inſtead of being carryed up into the arms of God and Glory, I have nothing but may throw me downe into Hell.

And here is the place where I lye downe before him, from whence I hope he will raiſe me to an eternall Glory through my Saviour, upon whom I rely, from whom onely I can expect mercy: into his arms I commend my ſpirit, into his bleeding armes, that when I leave this bleeding body that muſt lye upon this place, he will receive that ſoul that ariſeth out of it, and receive it into his eternall mercy, through the merits, through the worthineſſe, through the mediation of Chriſt that hath purchaſed it with his owne moſt precious blood.

Chriſt Jeſus receive my ſoul, my ſoul hungers and thirſts after him; clouds are gathering, and I truſt in God through all my heavineſſ: and I hope through all impediments, he will ſettle my intereſt in him, and throw off all the claim that Sathan can make unto it, and that he will carry my ſoule in deſpight of all the calumnies, and all that the Devill, and Sathan can invent, will carry it into eternall mercy, there to receive the bleſſedneſſe of his preſence to all Eternity.

That Lamb of God, into his hands I commit my ſoule: and that Lamb of God that ſits upon the Throne to Judge thoſe 24 that fall down before him, I hope he will be pleaſed to look downeward, and Judge me with mercy that fall down before him, and that worſhip him, and that adore him, that onely truſts upon his mercy for his compaſſion, and that as he hath purchaſed me, he would lay his claime unto me now, and receive me.

Indeed if Chriſt juſtifie, no body can condemne, and I truſt in God, in his juſtification, though there is confuſion here without us, and though there are wonders and ſtaring that now diſquiet, yet I truſt that I ſhall be carried into that mercy, that God will receive my ſoule.

Then the Earl of Holland looking over among the people, pointing to a Souldier, ſaid, This honeſt man took me priſoner, you little thought I ſhould have been brought to this, when I delivered my ſelf to you upon conditions, and eſpying Capt. Watſon on horſe-back putting off his hat ſaid to him, God be with you Sir, God reward you Sir.

[Page] Here muſt now be my Anchor, a great Storm make the findes my anchor and but in ſtorms no body truſt to their anchor, and therefore I muſt truſt upon my anchor (Ʋpon that God, ſaid Mr. Bolton, upon whom your Anchor truſts) yea, God, I hope, will anchor my Soul faſt upon Chriſt Jeſus: and if I dye not with that clearneſſe and heartineſſe that you ſpeak of, truly, I will truſt in God, though he kill me, I will relye upon him, and the mercy of my Saviour.

Then the Earl of Holland imbraced Lieut. Col. Beecher, and took his leave of him: After which, he came to Mr. Bolton, and having embraced him, and returned him many thanks for his great pains and affections to his ſoul, deſiring God to reward him, and returne his love into his boſome. Mr. Bolton ſaid to him, The Lord God ſupport you, and be ſeen in this great extremity, The Lord reveal and diſcover himſelfe to you, and make your death the paſſage unto eternall life. Then the Earl turning to the Executioner, ſaid, Here my friend, let my clothes and my body alone, there is ten pounds for thee, that is better then my clothes, I am ſure of it. Executioner, Will your Lordſhip pleaſe to give me a ſign when I ſhall ſtrike? And his Lordſhip ſaid, you have room enough here, have you not? and the Executioner ſaid, Yes.

Then the Earl of Holland turning to the Exeuctioner, ſaid, Friend, doe you hear me, if you take up my head, do not take off my Cap. Then turning to his ſervants he ſaid to one, Fare you well, thou art an honeſt fellow, and to another, God be with thee, thou art an honeſt man, and then ſaid, Stay, I will kneel down and ask God forgiveneſſe, and then prayed for a pretty ſpace, with ſeeming earneſtneſſes. Then ſpeaking to the Executioner, he ſaid,

Which is the way of lying? (which they ſhewed him) And then going to the Front of the Scaffold, he ſaid to the People, God bleſſe you all, and God deliver you from any ſuch accident as may bring you to any ſuch death as is violent, either by war or by theſe accidents, but that there may be peace among you, and you may finde that theſe accidents, that have hapned to us, may be the laſt that may happen in this Kingdome; It is that I deſire, it is that I beg of God, next the ſaving of my Soul: I pray God give all happineſſe to this Kingdom, to this people, and this Nation: and then turning to the Executioner, ſaid, How muſt I lye? I know not.

Executioner, Lie down flat upon your belly: and then having laid himſelfe down, he ſaid, Muſt I lie cloſer? Executioner, yes, and backwarder.

I will tell you when you ſhall ſtrike; and then as he lay, ſeemed to pray with much affection for a ſhort ſpace, and then lifting up his head, ſaid, Where is the man? and ſeeing the Executioner by him, he ſaid, Stay while I give the Sign; and preſently after ſtretching out his hand, and the Executioner being not fully ready, he ſaid; Now, now, and juſt as the words were comming out of his mouth, the Executioner at one blow ſevered his head from his body.

The Speech of the Lord Capel.

THe concluſion that I made with thoſe that ſent me hither, and are the cauſe of this violent death of mine, ſhalll be the beginning of what I ſhall [Page] ſay to you: When I made an Addreſs to them (which was the laſt) I told them with much ſincerity, That I would pray to the God of all mercies, that they might be partakers of his ineſtimable & boundles mercy in Jeſus Chriſt, and truly, I ſtill pray that prayer; and I beſeech the God of Heaven, forgive any injury they have done to me, from my ſoul I wiſh it. And truly, this I tell you, as a Chriſtian, to let you ſee I am a Chriſtian; but it is neceſſary I ſhould tell you ſomwhat more, That I am a Proteſtant, and truly I am a Proteſtant, and very much in love with the proſſifeon of it, after the manner as it was eſtabliſhed in England by the thirty nine Articles; a bleſſed way of profeſſion, and ſuch a one, as truly, I never knew none ſo good: I am ſo far from being a Papiſt, which ſome body have (truly) very unworthily at ſome time charged me withall, that truly I profes to you, that though I love good Works, and commend good Works, yet I hold, They have nothing at all to doe in the matter of Salvation; my Anchor hold is this, That Chriſt loved me, and gave himſelfe for me, that is that, that I reſt upon And truly, ſomething I ſhall ſay, to you, as a Citizen of the whole World, and in that conſideration I am here condemned to dye: truly, contrary to the Law that governs all the World, that is, The Law of the Sword, I had the protection of that for my life, and the honour of it; but truly, I will not trouble you much with that, becauſe in another place I have ſpoken very largely and liberally about it, I believe you wil hear by other means what Arguments I uſed in that caſe: But truly, that that is ſtranger, you that are Engliſh men, behold here an Engliſh man now before you, and acknowledged a Peer, not condemned to dye by any Law of England, not by any Law of England; Nay ſhall I tell you more (which is ſtrangeſt of all) contrary to all the Laws of England that I know of. And truly I will tel you, in the matter of the civil part of my death, and the Cauſe I have maintained, I dy (I take it) for maintaining the fifth Commandment, enjoyned by God himſelf, which enjoyns reverence and obedience to Parents: All Divines on all hands, though they contradict one another in many ſeverall Opinions, yet all Divines on all hands, do acknowledge that here is intended Magiſtracy and Order, & certainly I have obeyed that Magiſtracy & the Order under which I have lived, which I was bound to obey; and truly, I do ſay very confidently, that I do dye here for keeping, for obeying that fift Commandment given by God himſelf, and written with his own finger. And now Gentlemen, I will take this opportunity to tell you, That I cannot imitate a better nor a greater ingenuity then his, that ſaid of himſelf, For ſuffering an unjuſt judgement upon another, himſelf was brought to ſuffer by an unjuſt judgement. Truly Gentlemen, that God may be glorified, that all men that are concerned in it may take the occaſion of it, of humble repentance to God Almighty for it, I doe here profes to you, that truly I did give my Vote to that Bill of the E. of Strafford, I doubt not but God Almighty hath waſhed that away with a more precious blood, and that is, with the blood of his own Son, and my dear Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, and I hope he will waſh it away from all thoſe that are guilty of it: truly this I may ſay, I had not the leaſt part nor the leaſt degree of malice in the doing of it: but I muſt confes again to Gods glory, and the accuſation of mine own frailty, and the frailty of my Nature, that truly it was an unworthy [Page] Cowardize, not to reſiſt ſo great a torrent as carried that buſines at that time. And truly, this I think I am moſt guilty of, of not courage enough in it, but malice I had none; but whatſoever it was, God I am ſure hath pardoned it, hath given me the aſſurance of it, that Chriſt Jeſus his blood hath waſhed it away; and truly, I do from my ſoul wiſh, that all men that have any ſtain by it, may ſeriouſly repent and receive a remiſſion and pardon from God for it. And now Gentlemen, we have had an occaſion by this intimation to remember his Majeſty, our King that laſt was, and I cannot ſpeak of him, nor think of it, but truly I muſt needs ſay, that in my opinion that have had time to conſider all the Images of all the greateſt and vertuouſeſt Princes in the world; and truly, in my opinion there was not a more vertuous, and more ſufficient Prince known in the world, then our gracious King Charls that dyed laſt: God Almighty preſerve our King that now is, his Son, God ſend him more fortunate, and longer days; God Almighty ſo aſſiſt him, that he may exceed both the vertues and ſufficiencies of his Father: For certainly, I that have been a Councellour to him, and have lived long with him, and in a time when diſcovery is eaſily enough made, for he was young (he was about thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, or ſixteen years of age) thoſe years I was with him, truly I never ſaw greater hopes of vertue in any young perſon, then in him; great Judgement, great Underſtanding, great Apprehenſion, much Honour in his Nature, and truly, a very perfect Engliſhman in his inclination; and I pray God reſtore him to this Kingdome, and unite the Kingdoms one unto another, and ſend a happineſſe both to you and to him, that he may long live and Reign among you, and that that Family may Reign till thy Kingdome come, that is, while all Temporall Power is conſummated: I beſeech God of his mercy, give much happines to this your King, and to you that in it ſhall be his Subjects by the grace of Jeſus Chriſt.

Truly, I like my beginning ſo well, that I will make my concluſion with it, that is, That God Almighty would confer of his infinite and ineſtimable grace and mercy, to thoſe that are the cauſers of my comming hither, I pray God give them as much mercy as their own hearts can wiſh; and truly for my part, I will not accuſe any of them of malice, truly I will not, nay, I will not think there was any malice in them; what other ends there is, I know not, nor I will not examine, but let it be what it will, from my very ſoul I forgive them every one: And ſo, the Lord of Heaven bleſſe you all, God Almighty be infinite in goodneſſe and mercy to you, and direct you in thoſe wayes of obedience to his commands to his Majeſty, that this Kingdome may be a happy and glorious Nation again, and that your King may be a happy King in ſo good and ſo obedient people. God Almighty keep you all, God Almighty preſerve this Kingdome, God Almighty preſerve you all.

Then turning about, and looking for the Executioner (who was gone off the Scaffold) ſaid, Which is the Gentleman? which is the man? Anſwer was made, he is a coming, he then ſaid, ſtay, I muſt pull off my Doublet firſt, and my Waſtcoat: And then the Executioner being come upon the Scaffold, the Lord Capel ſaid, O friend, prethee come hither: Then the Executioner kneeling down, the Lord Capel ſaid, I forgive thee from my ſoul, and not only forgive thee, but I ſhall pray to God to give thee all grace for a better life: [Page] There is five pounds for thee; and truly for my clothes and thoſe things, if there be any thing due to you for it, you ſhall be very fully recompenced; but I deſire my body may not be ſtripped here, and no body to take notice of my body but my own ſervants: Look you friend, this I ſhall deſire of you, that when I lye down, that you would give me a time for a particular ſhort prayer.

Then Lieut. Col. Beecher. Said, Make your own ſigne, my Lord.

Capel. Stay a little, Which ſide doe you ſtand upon? (ſpeaking to the Executioner) Stay, I think I ſhould lay my hands forward that way (pointing foreright) and anſwer being made, Yes, he ſtood ſtill a little while, and then ſaid, God Almighty bleſſe all this people. God Almighty ſtench this blood, God Almighty, ſtench, ſtench, ſtench, this iſſue of blood; this will not do the buſineſſe, God Almighty find out another way to do it. And then turning to one of his ſervants, ſaid, Baldwin, I cannot ſee any thing that belongs to my wife: but I muſt deſire thee to beſeech her to reſt wholly upon Jeſus Chriſt, and be contented and fully ſatisfied: and then ſpeaking to his ſervants, he ſaid, God keep you; and Gentlemen, let me now doe a buſineſſe quickly, privately, and pray let me have your prayers at the moment of death, that God would receive my ſoul.

Capel. Pray at the moment of ſtriking, joyn your prayers, but make no noiſe (turning to his ſervants) that is inconvenient at this time.

Servant, My Lord, put on your Cap.

Capel. Shoul I, What will that doe me good? Stay a little, is it well as it is now? And then turning to the Executioner, he ſaid, Honeſt man, I have forgiven thee, therefore ſtrike boldly; from my ſoul I do it.

Then a Gentleman ſpeaking to him, he ſaid, Nay, prethee be contented, be quiet good M—be quiet.

Then turning to the Executioner, he ſaid, Well, you are ready when I am ready, are you not? and ſtretching out his hands, he ſaid, Then pray ſtand off Gentlemen, then going to the front of the Scaffold, he ſaid to the People, Gentlemen, though I doubt not of it, yet I thinke it convenient to ask it of you, That you would all joyn in prayers with me, That God would mercifully receive my ſoul, and that for his alone mercies in Chriſt Jeſus, God Almighty keep you all.

Executioner, My Lord, Shall I put up your hair?

Capel. I, I, prethee do; and then as he ſtood, lifting up his hands and eyes, he ſaid, O God, I doe with a perfect and a willing heart ſubmit to thy will: O God, I doe moſt willingly humble my ſelf: then kneeling down, ſaid, I will try firſt how I can lye; and laying his head over the block, ſaid, Am I well now?

Execu. Yes.

And then as he lay with both his hands ſtretched out, he ſaid to the Executioner, Here lye both my hands out, when I lift up my hand thus, then you may ſtrike.

And then after he had ſaid a ſhort prayer, he lifted up his right hand, and the Executioner at one blow ſevered his head from his body, which was taken up by his ſervants and put (with his body) into a Coffin, as the former.

§

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March 19. 1648.
An Act for aboliſhing of the Houſe of Peers.

THe Commons of England aſſembled in Parliament, finding by too long experience that the Houſe of Lords is uſeleſſe and dangerous to the People of England to be continued, have thought fit to Ordain and Enact, and be it Ordained and Enacted by the preſent Parliament, and by the Authority of the ſame, That from henceforth the Houſe of Lords in Parliament, ſhall be, and is hereby wholly aboliſhed and taken away; and that the Lords ſhall not from henceforth meet or ſit in the ſaid Houſe of Lords; nor ſhall Sit, Vote, Adviſe, Adjudge or Determine of any matter or thing whatſoever, as a Houſe of Lords in Parliament: Nevertheleſſe it is hereby declared, That neither ſuch Lords as have demeaned themſelves with Honour, Courage and Fidelity to the Common-wealth, their Poſterities who ſhal continue ſo, ſhall not be excluded from the Publike Councels of the Nation, but ſhall be admitted thereunto, and have their free Vote in Parliament, if they ſhall be thereunto elected, as other perſons of Intereſt elected and qualified thereunto ought to have: And be it further Ordained and Enacted by the Authority aforeſaid, That no Peer of this Land, not being Elected, Qualified, and fitting in Parliament as aforeſaid, ſhall claim, have, or make uſe of any Priviledge of Parliament, either in relation to his Perſon, Quality, or Eſtate, any Law, Uſage, or Cuſtom to the contrary notwithſtanding.

Hen. Scobel Cler. Parliamenti.

ON Thurſday July 25. the Generall and Army marched from Mordington to Copperſmith, Col. Hackers Regiment being drawn up in the way; His Excellency made a ſpeech to ſatisfie them concerning Cap. Ogles Troope, being ſent back into Northumberland, in regard of his intereſt in that County: and that Capt. Greenwoods Troop appointed for Berwick ſhould march with the Regiment in the ſtead thereof, which gave great ſatisfaction. Col. Brights Regiment being drawn up, Maj. Gen. Lambert appointed Colonel thereof, coming to the head of the Regiment, was received with great acclamations.

A Liſt of the Regiments of Horſe and Foot Randezvouzed and marched with the L. Gen. Cromwell into Scotland.

Eight Regiments of Horſe.

THe L. Generals in number 663

Maj. Gen. in number 663

Col. Fleetwoods in number 663

Col. Whalies in number 663

Col. Twiſden in number 663

Col, Lilburne in number 663

Col. Hackers in number 663

Col. Okey in number 774

Conſiſting with Officers, in all 5450

Ten Regiments of Foot.

THe L. Generals in number 1307

Col. Pride 1307

Col. Bright 1307

Col. Maliveryr 1307

Col. Ch. Fairfax 1307

Col. Cocks 1307

Col. Dunell 1307

Col. Sir Ar. Haſterigs 5. Comp. 550

Col. Fenwicks five Companies 550

Conſiſting with Officers in all 10249

[Page] The Train, ſix hundred and ninety.

The whole thus, The Train ſix hundred and ninety.

The Horſe five thouſand four hundred and fifteen.

The Foot ten thouſand two hundred forty nine.

The Total, Sixteen thouſand three hundred fifty four.

A Letter from Lieut. Gen. David Leſly, to the L. G. Cromwel.

My Lord.

I Am Commanded by the Committee of Eſtates of this Kingdom, and deſired by the Commiſſioners of the Generall Aſſembly, to ſend unto your Excellency this incloſed Declaration, as that which containeth the ſtate of the Quarrel; wherein we are reſolved, by the Lords aſſiſtance, to fight your Army, when the Lord ſhall pleaſe to call us thereunto. And as you have profeſſed you will not conceal any of our Papers, I do deſire that this Declaration may be made known to all the Officers of your Army; and ſo I reſt,

Bruchton, 13. Aug. 1650.

Your Excellency's moſt humble Servant,

DAVID LESLEY.

For his Excellency the Lord Generall Cromwel.
The Declaration of the Commiſſioners of the Generall Aſſembly of Scotland, as followeth.

THe Commiſſion of the Generall-Aſſembly conſidering, That there may be juſt ground of ſtumbling, from the Kings Majeſties refuſing to ſubſcribe and emit the Declaration offered unto him by the Committee of Eſtates, and Commiſſioners of the Generall Aſſembly, concerning his former carriage, and Reſolutions for the future, in reference to the Cauſe of God, and the enemies and friends thereof; Doth therefore Declare, That this Kirk and Kingdome do not owne nor eſpouſe any Malignant Party, or Quarrell, or Intereſt, but that they fight meerly upon their former Grounds and Principles, and in defence of the Cauſe of God, and of the Kingdome, as they have done theſe twelve years paſt And therefore as they doe diſclaime all the ſin and guilt of the King and of his Houſe; ſo they will not owne him, nor his Intereſt, otherwiſe then with a ſubordination to God, and ſo far as he ownes and proſecutes the cauſe of God, and diſclaims his, and his Fathers oppoſition to the work of God, and to the Covenant, and likewiſe all the enemies thereof. And that they will with convenient ſpeed take in conſideration the Papers lately ſent unto them from Oliver Cromwel, and vindicate themſelves from all the falſhoods contained therein, eſpecially in theſe things, wherein the quarrell betwixt us and that party is miſ-ſtated, as if we owned the late Kings proceedings, and were reſolved to proſecute and maintaine his preſent Majeſties Intereſt, before and without acknowledgement of the ſins of his houſe and former wayes, and ſatisfaction to Gods people in both Kingdomes.

Weſt Kirk, 13. Auguſt, 1650.

A. Ker.

Tho: Henderſon.

13. Auguſt, 1650.

THe Committee of Eſtates having ſeen and conſidered a Declaration of the Commiſſion of the Generall Aſſembly, anent the ſtating of the Quarrell, whereon the Army is to fight, Do approve the ſame, and heartily concur therein.

The Lord Generals Anſwer to the former, as followeth.

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I Received yours of the thirteenth inſtant, with the paper you mentioned therein incloſed, which I cauſed to be read in the preſence of ſo many Officers as could well be gotten together, to which your Trumpet can witneſs, we returne you this Anſwer, by which I hope in the Lord it will appear, That we continue the ſame we have profeſt our ſelves to the honeſt people of Scotland, wiſhing to them as to our own ſouls, it being no part of our buſines to hinder any of them from worſhipping God in that way they are ſatisfied in their Conſciences by the Word of God they ought (though different from us) but ſhall therein be ready to perform what obligations lie upon us by the Covenant; but that under the pretence of the Covenant miſtaken, and wreſted from the moſt native intent and equity thereof, a King ſhould be taken in by you, to be impoſed upon us, and this called The Cauſe of God and the Kingdome, and this done upon the ſatisfaction of Gods people in both Nations, as is alleged, together with a diſowning of Malignants, although he who is the head of them, in whom all their hope of comfort lies, be received; who at this very inſtant hath a Popiſh party fighting for and under him in Ireland, hath P. Rupert (a man who hath had his hand deep in the blood of many innocent men of England) now in the head of our Ships ſtoln from us upon a Malignant accompt; hath the French and Iriſh ſhips daily making Depredations upon our Coaſts: ſtrong combinations by the Malignants in England, to raiſe Arms in our Bowels, by vertue of his Commiſſions, who having of late iſſued out very many to that purpoſe, and how the intereſt you pretend you have received him upon, and the Malignant intereſt in the ends and conſequences entring in this man, can be ſecured, we cannot diſcern; and how we ſhould believe, that whilſt known and notorious Malignants, fighting and plotting againſt us on the one hand, and the declaring for him on the other, ſhould not be an eſpouſing of a Malignant party, quarrell, or intereſt, but be a meer fighting upon former Grounds and Principles, and in defence of the Cauſe of God, and of the Kingdome, as hath been theſe 12. years laſt paſt (as ye ſay) for the ſecurity and ſatisfaction of Gods people in both Nations, or the oppoſing of which ſhould render us enemies to the godly with you, we cannot well underſtand, eſpecially conſidering, That all theſe Malignants take their confidence and encouragement from the late Tranſactions of your Kirk and State with your King; for as we have already ſaid, ſo we tell you again, it is but ſatisfying ſecurity to thoſe that employ us, and are concerned in that we ſeek, which we conceive will not be by a few formall and feigned ſubmiſſions from a perſon who could not tell otherwiſe how to accompliſh his Malignant ends, and therefore councel'd to this complyance, by them who aſſiſted his Father, and have hitherto acted him in his moſt evill and deſperate Deſignes, and are now again by them ſet on foot; againſt which, how you will be able in the way you are in, to ſecure us or your ſelves, is (foraſmuch as concerns our ſelves) our duty to look after.

If the ſtate of your quarrell be thus, upon which, as you ſay, you reſolve to fight our Army, you will have opportunity to do that, elſe what means our abode here? And if our hope be not in the Lord, it will be ill with us. We commit both you and our ſelves to him, who knows the heart and tries the Reins, [Page] with whom are all our ways, who is able to doe for us and you, above what we know, which we deſire may be in much mercy to his poor people, and to the glory of his own great Name: and having performed your deſire in making your papers ſo publique, as is before expreſt, I deſire you to doe the like, by letting the State, Kirk and Army have the knowledge hereof. To which end I have ſent you incloſed two Copies, and reſt

From the Camp at Pencland Hills, 14. Auguſt. 1654.

Your humble ſervant,

O. CROMWEL.

§

THe Victory at Gladſmore in Scotland, 30, and 31. of July 1650. M. G. Montgomery ſlaine, 200 armes taken of the Scots, 80. Troopers, 400. or 500. wounded, 4 Colours, 15. Troops totally routed, 500. Foot routed at Muſcleburrough.

The Victory at Danbar, 30 Auguſt 1650. 400. killed upon the place, 10000 priſoners, 2000 Horſe, 290 Commiſſion Officers, 15000 Arms, 200 Colours, 32. peices of Ordnance.

Of ours that ingaged in the Battail, 5000 Horſe and Foot, Their Word, The Covenant; Our Word, The Lord of Hoſts, who manifeſted him ſelfe to be with us.

Novemb. 1650. Inſurrections in Norfolk, for which 24 were condemned, and 20 executed, the other left to mercy.

Col. Ker routed and taken, and the Towne of Ayre.

Decemb. 25. The ſtrong Caſtle of Edenburgh delivered up, with 53 pieces of Ordnance, whereof 15 Iron, the reſt Braſſe; about 8000 Arms, ſtore of Ammunition and Proviſion; It was the hand of the Lord alone that wrought out and extended ſuch great ſalvations to us.

Novemb. 21. A ſquadron of Ships commanded by Gen. Blague, ſurpriſed a conſiderable part of the Portugal Braſil fleet fraughted with Sugar, and ſent them to England, and after purſued the revolted ſhips, and followed them beyond Alligant, where they have taken 7 of P. Ruperts fleet, and purſued him to Thoulon one of the furtheſt Havens of France, having but two ſhips left him; which hath ſounded forth in the ears of Forreigne Princes and States, who began to acknowledge that God hath been with the Parliament and Common-wealth of England, and both Spain and Portugall have ſent their Embaſſadors to treat with us. For all which ſignall ſalvations, the 30. of Jan. 1650. was ſet apart and obſerved as a day of publike Thankſ-giving and holy rejoycing, in England, Wales and Town of Berwick.

Jan. 1. 1650. The Scots King was crowned at Schone, He is Generall of the Army, Duke Hamilton Lieut. Gen. of the Scotch Army, David Leſley M. Gen. Middleton L. G. of the Scotch Horſe, and Maſſey M. G. of the Engliſh.

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A Speech made by K. Charles ye-2d-at his Coronation▪ 1. January. 1650 I will by gods aſsiſtance beſtow my life for your defence wiſhing to live no longer then that I may ſee this Kingdome flouriſh in happineſs.

The Oath, I doe promiſe & vow in ye preſence of ye eternall god yt I will maintaine ye true Kirk of god religion right preaching & adminiſtration of ye Sacraments now received & preached within this Realme in purity; And ſhall aboliſh & gain-ſtand all falce Religions & ſects contrary to ye ſame. And ſhall rule ye people com̄ited to my charge, according to ye will of god, and laudable laws & conſti [...]tions of ye Realme; cauſing juſtice & equity to be miniſtred without partiality.

January 4. 1650. The King of Spaine ſent his Embaſſadour for the acknowledging of this State, whoſe Authority and ſoveraignty reſides in this Parliament of the Common-wealth of England, and to ſtabliſh and cloſe up a good friendſhip with this Common-wealth.

The Portugall ſent his Agent alſo to the like effect.

March 6. 1650. Sir Henry Hide beheaded at the Exchange [Page] for receiving and acting by vertue of a Commiſſion from Charls Stuart the Second, and King of Great Britaine, France, and Ireland, as his Agent to the Great Turk, with an intent to deſtroy the Trade of the Turkie Company, and the Parliaments intereſt, not onely in Conſtantinople, but in Mitylene, Anatolia, and Smyrna, in which conſpiracies he had a Commiſſion to be a Commiſſioner, and he was likewiſe to ſeize upon our Merchants goods, for the uſe of the King of Scotland; and procured Audience of the grand Viſier, and raiſed great fears and uproars among the Merchants.

Browne Buſhell, Beheaded under the Scaffold on Tower-Hill, March 29. 1651. for delivering up Scarborough.

June 2. 1651. The ſurrender of Silly Iſlands.

Inſurrection in Cardiganſhire, 24 June 1651. 40 ſlain, 60 priſoners taken.

Burnt Iſland ſurrendred, 29 July, 1651.

The Scotch King invaded England with 16000 Horſe and Foot, and a light train of Artillery, and cauſed himſelfe to be proclaimed King of England, Scotland, and Ireland, in Lancaſhire.

Auguſt 22. Charles the Firſt erected his Standard at Notingham, and Charles the ſecond erected his Standard the 22 of Aug. at Worceſter, 1651.

September 3. 1651. Old Leſly, Crawford, Linſey, Ogleby, with divers of quality, beſides 300 taken that were making Levies to raiſe the Siege at Dundee.

Auguſt 2. 1651. St. Johnſton ſurrendred.

Auguſt 19. 1651. The Caſtle of Sterling ſurrendred, 40 pieces of Ordnance, 27. faire braſſe pieces, 2 great iron guns, 11 leather guns, proviſion of meal to ſerve 500 men about twelve months, 40 or 50 Barrels of Beef, about five hundred Armes, new Muskets and Pikes, twenty ſix Barrels of Powder, 20 or 30 veſſels of Claret wine & ſtrong-waters, great ſtore of match and other ammunition, Lances, Guns, a thouſand Flattes and other inſtruments of war of that nature, all the Records of Scotland, the Chaire and Cloth of State, the Sword, and other [...] furniture of the Kings.

Auguſt 25. 1651. The totall rout and overthrow of the Earl of Darby in Lancaſhire, by Colonel Robert Lilburne.

A Full Narrative of the late dangerous deſigne againſt the State, written with Maſter Love's owne hand, and by him ſent to the Parliament; whereby he ſetteth down the ſeverall meetings, and ſecret actings, with Major Alford, Major Adams, Colonel Barton, Maſter Blackmore, M. Caſe, M. Cauton, Dr. Drake, M. Drake, Captain Far, M. Gibbons, M. Haviland, Maj. Huntington, M. Jenkins, M. Jaquel, M. Jackson, Liev. Jackson, Captain Maſſey, M. Nalton, Captain Potter, M. Robinſon, M. Sterks, Col. Sowton, Col Vaughan, and others.

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[figure]

COnſidering how a clear and full Narrative may ſatisfie the State (although it may prejudice my ſelfe) I am willing with an ingenuous freedome, and openneſſe of heart to make knowne the whole matter, ſo far as I diſtinctly know, and well remember, humbly hoping that this large acknowledgement of mine (which is more then any in the world can prove againſt me) ſhall not be taken as an Aggravation of my fault, but as a Demonſtration of my ingenuity. Before I mention the matters of Fact, I humbly crave leave to ſignifie the time when, and manner how I came to be intangled in this unhappy buſineſſe.

As for the time, it was after the breaking off the Treaty between the King and the Scots at Jerſey; for before that time (to the beſt of my remembrance) I was not privie too, or acquainted with any meetings about the ſending of Captain Titus (whoſe face I never ſaw) to Jerſey, or ſending Letters to him, or receiving Letters from him, while he was there; or about ſending any Letters too, or receiving any Letters from the King, Queen, Jermyn, Piercy, or any other perſon in [Page] forreign parts during the Treaty at Jerſey, but after that Treaty was ended, M. W. Drake came to me, told me he had Newes to impart, and to that end, he deſired to know (if he could get friends together) whether I was willing that they ſhould meet at my houſe (it being conveniently ſcituate in the midſt of the City) that ſo he might communicate what he heard of Affairs abroad. To ſatisfie my curioſity to hear New [...]s, I was content to let him, with thoſe he ſhould bring to meet at my houſe. Thus for the time when, and manner how I came to be preſent at any meetings about Intelligence.

I now come humbly and truly to relate the matter of Fact, which is as followeth: It appeared to me by the teſtimony of the Witneſſes, that there were frequent meetings by Mr. Drake, Alford, Titus, Adams, and others, ſoon after the death of the late King, and applications made to the King of Scots, the Queen his Mother, to Jermyn, and Piercy, both before and during the Treaty at Ierſey, of which I know nothing, nor was I preſent: But the firſt meeting I was at, was at my houſe, and was (as I remember) at the reading of a Letter which came from Captain Titus, after the Treaty was ended at Jerſey; the Contents of that Letter were (if I miſtake not) to this effect: That the Treaty at Jerſey was broken off through the violent and evill Counſels of deſperate Malignants; and that he had ſomething of concernment to communicate, which he durſt not doe in perſon, being not ſafe for him to come over into England, nor could he well do it by writing, he judging it not fit nor ſafe to ſend by the Common Poſt, fearing a miſcarriage; wherefore he deſired ſome body to be ſent over to him to Calice, to whom he might give an account of all proceedings. Ʋpon the reading of this Letter, Mr. Drake moved that ſome perſon ſhould be deſired to goe to Calice; for ſaid he, We ſhall hear the whole relation of the buſineſſe at Jerſey: Whereupon Major Adams or Captain Farr were moved by Mr. Drake to goe. There was mention of Major Alford to goe, though he was not then preſent that I know of, nor was he ever within my houſe, as I remember, untill after he returned from Calice: ſo that there was none that I know of was gone, Mr. Drake told me, Major Alford was the fitteſt man to goe over to Calice, having buſineſſe of his owne to goe into France, to look after his Prodigall Son, ſo that it was (ſaid he) a plauſible pretence to conceale his going over to meet with Titus. There were preſent at this firſt meeting, M. Drake, M. Ienkins, Maj. Adams, D. Drake, Cap. Farr, Cap. Potter, and my ſelfe, with ſome others, but who more, I cannot remember.

[Page] About two or three dayes after Major Alfords returne from Calice, Mr. Drake told me he was come to London, and told me he would goe to ſeverall Miniſters and Citizens, to deſire them to meet at my houſe, that ſo we might hear what Newes Major Alford brought with him from Calice; accordingly the next day in the evening they met at my houſe, Mr. Drake brought Major Alford with him; Major Alford at that meeting gave an account of his conference with Titus, and of his receiving a copy of the Kings Letter from him, as alſo a Narrative of the proceedings at the Treaty at Jerſey: But he ſaid (if I miſtake not) that he brought not over the Letters himſelf, but delivered them to a Paſſenger that came over in the Ship, to carry them, leſt that himſelfe ſhould be ſearched; but after he came into England, he received the Letter and Narrative from the Paſſenger (but who he was I know not) and ſo brought them to London; whether the Copy of the Kings Letter was read at my houſe, in my hearing, I remember not; yet I deny not but it was read there, I am ſure I heard that the Contents of it were to this effect, That he tooke in good part the affections and loyalty of thoſe who formerly had made applications by way of Petition to him (of which Petition I know nothing) and if ever God reſtored him, or put him in a condition, he ſhould remember them: The Narrative which Alford brought from Titus, was read in my houſe, in my hearing, which was to this effect, He made a large deſcription of the Scots, commending his prudent carriage and good inclinations to an Agreement with the Scots, but that his bad Councell about him hindred it; Alſo he made a rehearſall of his ſufferings from the Cavaliers at Ierſey, how he was impriſoned in a cloſe Room: Many things elſe was in the Narrative, which I have forgotten. There were preſent at this meeting, Major Alford, M. Drake, M. Caſe, Major Adams, M. Iaquel, M. Iackſon, M. Ienkins, D. Drake, Cap. Potter, M. Sterks, Cap. Farr, and my ſelf, with ſome others, but who more, I doe not remember.

A little before or about the Treaty, between the King and the Scots at Breda. there was a meeting at my houſe, M. Drake propoſed, that we ſhould think of ſome way to promote the Agreement betweene the King and the Scots; where by the way, I deſire humbly to give notice, That this was the firſt and onely meeting of this nature, and for this end, at my houſe, that I know of. At this meeting, M. Drake tooke cut ſome papers out of his pocket, written in Characters, which he read in my ſtudy; what he read, went under the name of a Commiſſion [Page] and Inſtructions (as he termed it) to be ſent to the Lord Willoughby, Alderman Bunce, Maſſey, Graves, and Titus, to appoint them to adviſe with, and uſe their intereſts in perſons of Honour, about the King, to provoke him to agree with the Scots, and to take the Covenant; as alſo to adviſe with the Scots Commiſſioners, and perſwade them, That in their agreement with their King, they would have ſpeciall reſpect to the intereſt of Religion, and terms of the Covenant; the Commiſſion ran in this form, as if it were in the names of all the Presbyteriall party in England: After I heard it read, I expreſſed my ſelfe againſt it, alledging ſeverall Reaſons, chiefly, That it was an Act of high preſumption for private perſons to ſend a Commiſſion with inſtructions, and an act of notorious falſhood, to ſay, this was in the name of the Presbyteriall party of England, when none but a few perſons knew thereof, that I know of: Many in the company did expreſſe a diſlike thereof, as well as my ſelfe. M. Drake did alſo read a Letter in this meeting, but to whom it was, I know not, neither know I the Contents of it, I was at leaſt a dozen times called out of the Room, whiles the Company were there met, ſo that I am not able to give ſo full and particular an accompt of the Contents of the Letter, and of the Commiſſion and Inſtructions: What M. Drake did about the Commiſſion and Inſtructions after he was gone from my houſe, I know not; what he ſent away, I know not, nor did I know by whom it was ſent away, untill Maj. Alford declared before the High Court, That he received the Papers from M. Drake, carried them to Graveſend, and delivered them to one Maſon (whoſe face I never ſaw) and he carried them to Holland. There was preſent at this meeting, Major Huntington (who was never at my houſe before nor ſince, whoſe face I never ſaw before nor ſince, but at my Tryall) M. Drake, D. Drake, M. Jackſon, M. Jenkins, M. Cauton, Maj. Alford, M. Gibbons, Maj. Adams, Cap. Farr, and my ſelfe, with ſome others, whom I cannot remember.

There is one thing more I make bold to mention, That there are other perſons, beſides thoſe I have named, who did now and then come to theſe meetings at my houſe, as M. Robinſon, M. Nalton, M. Haviland, M. Blackmore, Col. Vaughan, Col. Sowton, theſe were alſo preſent at one time or another, but at what particular meeting, I cannot poſitively ſay.

Thus I have clearly laid open the whole matter of Fact, ſo far as I well remember, and diſtinctly know of Paſſages about [Page] theſe Meetings and Tranſactions at my houſe.

From the Tower of London, July 22. 1651.

I atteſt the truth of this Narrative under my hand,

Chriſtopher Love.

Mr. Love's Speech made on the Scaffold on Towerhill, August 22. 1651.

BEloved Chriſtians, I am this day made a Spectacle unto God, Angels, and Men; and among them I am made a grief to the godly, a laughing-ſtock to the wicked, and a gazing ſtock to all; yet bleſſed be my God, not a terror to my ſelf; although there be but a little between me and death, yet this bears up my heart, there is but a little between me and Heaven: It comforted Dr Taylor, the Martyr, when he was going to Execution, That there were but two ſtiles between him and his Fathers Houſe; there is a leſſer way between me and my Fathers houſe, but two ſteps between me and glory; it is but lying downe upon the block, and I ſhall aſcend upon a Throne: I am this day ſailing towards the Ocean of Eternity, through a rough paſſage, to my Haven of reſt; through a red Sea, to the promiſed Land. Methinks I hear God ſay to me as he did to Moſes, Goe up to Mount Nebo, and die there, ſo goe thou up to Tower-hill, and dye there. Iſaac ſaid of himſelf, That he was old, and yet he knew not the day of his death; but I cannot ſay thus, I am young, and yet I know the day of my death, and I know the kind of my death alſo, and the place of my death alſo; it is ſuch a kind of death as two famous Preachers of the Goſpel were put to before me, John the Baptiſt, and Paul the Apoſtle, they were both beheaded: yee have mention of the one in Scripture ſtory, and of the other in Eccleſiaſticall Hiſtory: And I read in the 20 of the Revelations, and the 4. The Saints were beheaded for the word of God, and for the teſtimony of Jeſus. But herein is the diſadvantage, which I am in in the thoughts of many, who judge that I ſuffer not for the word, or for Conſcience, but for medling with State-matters. To this I ſhall briefly ſay, That it is an old guiſe of the Devil, to impute the cauſe of Gods peoples ſufferings, to be Contrivements againſt the State, when in truth it is their Religion and Conſcience they are perſecuted for. [Page] The Rulers of Iſrael they would put Jeremiah to death, upon a Civill account, though indeed it was onely the truth of his Propheſie made the Rulers angry with him: yet upon a Civill account they did pretend he muſt dye, becauſe he fell away to the Chaldeans, and would have brought in forreign forces to invade them: The ſame thing is laid to my charge, of which I am as innocent, as Ieremiah was. I find other inſtances in the Scripture, wherein the main cauſes of their ſufferings were ſtill imputed to meddling with State-matters: Paul, though he did but preach Jeſus Chriſt, yet he muſt dye, if the people might have their will, under the pretence that he was a mover of ſedition. Upon a civill account my life is pretended to be taken away, whereas indeed it is, becauſe I purſue my Covenant, and will not proſtitute my Principles and Conſcience to the ambition and luſts of men. Beloved, I am this day to make a double exchange, I am changing a Pulpit for a Scaffold, and a Scaffold for a Throne; and I might add a third, I am changing this numerous multitude, the preſence of this numerous multitude upon Tower-hill, for the innumerable company of Angels in the holy hill of Zion; and I am changing a guard of Souldiers, for a guard of Angels, which will receive me, and carry me into Abrahams boſome. This Scaffold is the beſt Pulpit I ever preached in, for in the Church Pulpit God through his grace made me an inſtrument to bring others to Heaven, but in this Pulpit he will bring me to Heaven. Theſe are the laſt words that I ſhall ſpeak in this world, and it may be this laſt ſpeech upon a Scaffold my bring God more glory, then many Sermons in a Pulpit.

Before I lay downe my neck upon the block, I ſhall lay open my caſe unto the people that hear me this day: and in doing it, I ſhall avoid all rancour, all bitternes of ſpirit, animoſity, and revenge; God is my record, whom I ſerve in the ſpirit, I ſpeak the truth, and lye not, I doe not bring a revengefull heart unto the Scaffold this day; before I came here, upon my bended knees, I have beg'd mercy for them that denied mercy to me, and I have prayed God to forgive them who would not forgive me: I have forgiven from my heart, the worſt enemy I have in all the world, and this is the worſt that I wiſh to my Accuſers and Proſecutors, who have purſued my blood, that I might meet their ſouls in Heaven.

[Page] I have now done, I have no more to ſay, but to deſire the help of all your Prayers, that God would give me the continuance and ſupply of divine grace to carry me through this great work I am now to doe; That I, who am to doe a work I never did, I may have a ſtrength that I never had; that I may put off this body with as much quietneſſe and comfort of mind, as ever I put off my cloaths to goe to bed. And now I am to commend my ſoul to God, and to receive my fatall blow, I am comforted in this, though men kill me they cannot damne me, and though they thruſt me out of the world, yet they canſhut me out of Heaven. I am now going to my long home, and you are going to your ſhort homes, but I tell you I ſhall be at home before you, I ſhall be at Heaven, my Fathers Houſe, before you will be at your owne Houſes. Now I am going to the Heavenly Jeruſalem, to the innumerable company of Angels, to Jeſus Chriſt the Mediator of the New Covenant, to the ſpirits of juſt men made perfect, to God the Judge of all, in whoſe preſence there is fulneſſe of joy, and at whoſe right hand there are pleaſures for evermore. I ſhall conclude.

Then he kneeled downe and made a ſhort Prayer privately.

Then after riſing up, he ſaid, Bleſſed be God I am full of joy and peace in believing, I lye downe with a world of comfort, as if I were to lye downe in my bed. My bed is but a ſhort ſleep, and this death is a long ſleep, where I ſhall reſt in Abrahams boſome, and in the embraces of the Lord Jeſus.

And then ſaying, The Lord bleſſe you, he laid himſelfe downe upon the Scaffold, with his head over the block, and when he ſtretched forth his hands, the Executioner cut off his head at one blow.

The humble Petition of William Jenkins, Priſoner.

Moſt humbly ſheweth:

THat your Petitioner is unfeignedly ſorrowfull for all his late miſcarriages, whether teſtified againſt him, or acknowledged by him, and for the great and ſinfull unſutableneſſe of them to his calling and condition.

That upon earneſt ſeeking of God, and diligent enquiry into his will, your Petitioner is convinced, that the alterations of Civill Governments [Page] are ordered by, and founded upon the wiſe and righteous providences of God, who removeth Kings, and ſetteth up Kings, ruleth in the Kingdomes of men, and giveth them to whomſoever he will.

That the providences of this God, have in the judgement of your Petitioner, as evidently appeared in the removing of others from, and the inveſting your Honours with the Government of this Nation, as ever they appeared in the taking away, or beſtowing of any Government, in any Hiſtory of any age of the World.

That he apprehends, that a refuſall to be ſubject to this preſent Authority, under the pretence of upholding the Title of any one upon earth, is a refuſall to acquieſce in the wiſe and righteous pleaſure of God, ſuch an oppoſing of the Government ſet up by the ſoveraigne Lord of Heaven and Earth, as none can have peace, either in acting in, or ſuffering for, and that your Petitioner looks upon it as his duty, to yeeld to this Authority, all active and cheerfull obedience in the Lord, even for couſcience ſake, to promiſe (he being required) truth and fidelity to it, and to hold forth the grounds of his ſo doing, to any, as God ſhall call him thereunto.

That though an impriſonment, accompanied with the loſſe of eſtate, and to be followed (without your gracious prevention) with a ſpeedy Arraignment before a high and eminent Iudicatory, are far from being pleaſant to fleſh and blood, and though the injoyment of your grace and favour, be a bleſſing moſt deſerving to be reckoned among the beſt of temporals, yet that neither the feeling, and fearing of the former, nor the expectation of the latter, could have induced your Petitioner againſt the light of his owne judgement, and the prepondering part of his owne conſcience to have made, or preſenting this acknowledgement, he ſadly forecaſting, that a whole skin is but a contemptible recompence for a wounded conſcience.

WIL. JENKIN.

§

Aug. 22. 1651. A glorious Victory obtained through Gods mercy, by the Forces of the Common-wealth, over the Scotch Army at Worceſter, 3 Sep. 1651. This day twelve months was glorious at Dunbar, but this day hath been very glorious before Worceſter, the Word was, The Lord of Hoſts, and ſo it was now; The Lord of Hoſts having been wonderfully with us: the ſame ſignall we had now as then, which was to have no white about us, yet the Lord hath cloathed us with white Garments, tho [Page] to the Enemy they have been bloody, onely here lyeth the difference, that at Dunbar our work was at break of day, and done ere the morning was over, but now it began towards the cloſe of the evening, and ended not till the night came, that in the end it became an abſolute Victory, determined by an immediate poſſeſſion of the Town, with a totall Routing and Defeat of the Scotch Army, the number of perſons taken is neer 10000. neer 3000 were ſlain of the Enemy, but of all our ſide not above 200. which adds much to the mercy. My Lord Generall did exceedingly hazard himſelfe, riding up and down in the midſt of their ſhot, and riding himſelf in perſon to the Enemies Forts, offering them Quarter, whereto they returned no anſwer, but ſhot. Let us conclude therefore in the words of our renowned Generall, The dimentions of this mercy are above all our thoughts, it is for ought I know, a crowning mercy, ſure if it be not ſuch a one we ſhall have, if this provoke not thoſe that are concerned in it to thankfulneſſe, and the Parliament to doe the will of him, who hath done his will for it, and for the Nation.

Sept. 1. 1651. Dundee taken by ſtorme, ſixty Ships in the Harbour, forty Guns.

The Scots King beaten at Worceſter, gets into a hollow tree, remaines there a night, the next day in a Wood, cuts his hair ſhort, ſhipt for Havre de Grace, and ſo to Paris.

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Sir, The Scottiſh King came hither on Munday the laſt of October, new ſtyle, and being demanded by his Mother and the Duke of Orleans how he eſcaped the Fight of Worceſter, gave them this account.

That about ſix a clock in the evening, his Army being in all likelihood beaten, he quitted Worceſter Towne, with a party of Horſe, and marched toward Lancaſhire, but being fearfull of [Page] being purſued, and likewiſe of ſome of the Scotiſh Officers that might deliver him up, he with my Lord Wilmot quitted their Horſes, ſent the party of Horſe upon their march, and betook themſelves the ſecond dayes march from Worceſter, into a Tree, where they remained untill night, and then marched on foot that night; the third day they took ſanctuary in a wood, and night approaching marched on towards Lancaſhire, where they were received by a Lady who furniſhed them with Cloaths for a Diſguiſe, and cut off their haire very ſhort. Having repoſed two or three dayes, the Lady reſolved to endeavour to ſhip them out of England, to which purpoſe, ſhe riding behind the King, and Wilmot as another ſervant by, they went to Briſtoll, but finding a narrow and hot inquiry there, reſolved to go for London, where they ſtayed three weeks. The King one day went into Weſtminſter-Hall, where he ſaith he ſaw the States-Arms, and Scots Colours; my Lord Wilmot procured a Merchant to hire a ſhip of forty Tuns to tranſport them, which coſt them a hundred and twenty pounds, but where they took ſhipping is not yet knowne: but as ſoon as my Lord was entred the Barque, and the King as his ſervant, the Maſter of the Veſſel came to my Lord, and told him, That he knew the King, and told him, that in caſe it ſhould be knowne, he could expect no mercy: which ſaying troubled them, but at length, what with money and promiſes, they prevailed, and ſo ſet faile for Havre de Grace, where they landed, and from thence to Roven, where they cloathed themſelves, and writ to Paris. His arrivall there will put them to new Counſels, ſince now they cannot ſend their Embaſſadors, which was concluded on before his coming. The Duke of Orleans fetched him into Towne, and expreſſed much as to ſerve him. Yeſterday he, with Thurenne, Beaufort, the Duke of Guiſe, came to him to the Louvre, where the King told them, that they ſhould endeavour to reconcile the breach between the Prince and the King of France, for, ſaid he, to my knowledge the Engliſh will viſit you with an Army in the Spring.

The Executing of the Earl of Darby at Bolton in Lancaſhire, Octob. 15. 1651. The Iſle of Jerſey taken, Octob. 30.

Nov. 16. The Iſle of Man taken.

Reſol. That the time for the continuance of this Parliament, beyond which they reſolve not to ſit, ſhall be Nov. 3. 1654.

The Parliament of the Common-wealth of England Declare.

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1 THat no Power, Jurisdictions or Authority derived from, by or under Charles Stewart, who pretended himſelfe King of Scotland, or any of his Predeceſſors, or any otherwiſe then from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England be uſed, exerciſed or enjoyned within Scotland or the Iſles or any of their Territories thereof.

2 That they doe forbid, annull and make void the uſe and exerciſe of any Power, Juriſdiction and Authority whatſoever within Scotland or the Iſles, or any of the Territories thereof, other then ſuch as ſhall be derived from the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England.

February 24. 1651.
An Act of generall Pardon and Oblivion.

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THe Parliament of England having had good experience of the affections of the people to this preſent Government, by their ready aſſiſtance in the defence thereof, againſt Charls Stuart Son of the late Tyrant, and the forces lately Invading this Nation under his command, and being much afflicted with the miſerable and ſad effects which the late unnaturall War hath produced, and reſolved [Page] (next to the glory of God, and the advancement of the Kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt) to make no other uſe of the many victories the Lord hath in mercy vouch ſafed unto them, then a juſt ſettling of the peace and freedome of this Common-wealth; and being moſt deſirous that the minds, perſons and eſtates of all the people of this Nation might be compoſed, ſetled and ſecured, and that all rancor and evill will occaſioned by the late differences, may be buryed in perpetuall Oblivion. Be it enacted by this preſent Parliament, and by authority of the ſame, That all and every perſon or perſons of or within the Common-wealth of England, the Iſles of Jerſey and Gernſey, and the Towne of Barwick upon Tweed, and the heires, executors, and adminiſtrators of them and every of them, and all and ſingular bodies in any manner incorporated, Cities, Burroughs, Shires, Ridings, Hundreds, Lathes, Rapes, Wapentakes, Townes, Villages, Hamblets and Tithings, and every of them, are and ſhall be, and are by the Authority of this Parliament, acquitted, Pardoned, releaſed and diſcharged (as againſt the Parliament the keepers of the liberties of England by Authority of Parliament, or any or other of them) of all manner of Treaſons, Fellonies, Offences, Contempts, Treſpaſſes, Entries, Miſdemeanors, Forfeitures, Sequeſtrations, Penalties, and ſums of moneys, pains of Death, pains corporall, or pecuniary, and generally of all other things, cauſes, quarrels, fines, judgements, and executions had, made, committed, ſuffered or done before the third day of September 1651. not in this preſent Act hereafter not excepted nor foreprized. And the ſaid Keepers of the Liberties of England by the Authority of this preſent Parliament, granteth and freely giveth, acquitteth, pardoneth, releaſeth and diſchargeth to every of the perſons, and to every of the ſaid Bodies corporate, and others before rehearſed, and to every of them, all goods, debts, chattels, fines, iſſues, profits, Amercements, forfeitures, which to the ſaid keepers of the liberties of England do, or ſhal belong or appertain, by reaſon of any offence contempt, treſpaſſe, entery, miſdeameanors, matter, cauſe, ſequeſtration or quarrell had, ſuffered, done, or committed by them, or any of them, before the ſaid third day of September, and which be not hereafter in this Act foreprized and excepted. And it is further Enacted, that this pardon by theſe generall words, clauſes and ſentences before rehearſed, ſhall be reputed, deemed, adjudged, expounded, allowed, and taken in manner of Courts of Juſtice, or elſe-where moſt beneficiall and available to all and ſingular the perſons, bodies corporate, [Page] and others before rehearſed, and to every of them. And if any perſon or perſons, &c. ſhall be in any wiſe arreſted, attached, diſtrained, ſummoned, or otherwiſe vexed, &c. for, or becauſe any thing acquitted, pardoned, releaſed, or diſcharged by vertue of this Act, that every perſon ſo offending, and being thereof lawfully convicted by ſufficient Teſtimony, ſhall yeeld and pay for recompence to the party ſo grieved or offended thereby, his or their reble dammages, and forfeit ten pounds to the keepers of the Liberties of England.

Excepted, and always foreprized out of this general free pardon, all and all manner of High-treaſons, (other then for words only) and all Levying of war, rebellions, inſurrections, and all Conſpiracies and Confederacies, Traiterouſly had, committed, and done againſt the Parliament, or the keepers of the Liberties of England, either within or without the limits of this Common-wealth, ſince the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord, 1648. And all miſpriſions and concealements of the ſaid offences or any of them, or the abettimg, ayding, procuring of them, or any of them. And alſo excepted all manner of voluntary murthers, petty treaſons, and wilfull poyſoning; all piracies, and robberies upon the Seas, and the Abettors thereof; All buggeries, rapes, and raviſhments, and wilfull taking away and marrying of any maid, widow, or daughter againſt her will. And alſo except all perſons now attainted or outlawed, of or for petty treaſon, Murther, or wilfull poyſoning, conjurations, witchcrafts, charmes, wrongfull detainments of any the cuſtomes, and all Sequeſtrations and ſums of money due upon compoſitions exciſe or new-impoſt. And alſo excepted all conditions and covenants, and all penalties and forfeitures due to the Parliament or the late King, ſince the 30. of January 1648. And alſo all firſt fruits, and tythes, and all offences and miſdemeanours whereof any ſentence or judgement hath been given in Parliament▪ ſince the 30 of January 1648. And all offences of Bribery, perjuries and ſubordination of witneſſes, counterfeiting deeds, debenters, bils of publick faith, eſcripts, or writings whatſoever: aud all offences touching the carrying, ſending or conveying over the Seas any gold, ſilver, Jewels, or any coyne. And all other offences in the unlawfull buying, ſelling, exchanging or melting downe of any Gold, ſilver or Bullion, or the tranſporting beyond the Seas of auy Guns, ſhot, or Gun-mettle: And all offences in detaining or imbezling any the goods, moneys, or chattels of the late King and Queen: And except all fines and amercements loſt, impoſed, or aſſeſſed: [Page] And all offences committed by any Jeſuite or Seminary prieſt, contrary to the Statuts in that caſe: Provided and except any outlawries upon any writ of Capias ad ſatisfaciendum, and all except perſons as were the 28 [...]h of January 1651 in priſon, or otherwiſe conſtrained of liberty by immediate commandement, warrant, or direction of Parliament or Councell of State: And alſo excepted all informations and proceedings concerning common high wayes, and all forfeitures of any goods or merchandize prohibited to be exported or imported: All-Fee-farme Rents, Rents ſervice, Rents charge, and Rents ſeck: and all arrerages due ſince the 24th of June 1647. And all moneys impreſted ſince the third of November 1638. Provided that all acts of Hoſtility and injuries, whether between the late King and the Lords and Commons in Parliament, or between any of the people of this Nation which did ariſe upon any Action, Attempt, Aſſiſtance, Councel, or Advice having relation to, or falling out by reaſon of the late troubles, that the ſame, and whatſoever hath enſued thereon, whether trenching upon the Lawes and Liberty of this Nation, or upon the Honour and Authority of Parliament, or to any particular perſon, ſhall in no time after the 18th of June 1651 be called in queſtion.

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FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

A brief review of the most material Parliamentary proceedings of this present Parliament, and their armies, in their civil and martial affairs. Which Parliament began the third of November, 1640. And the remarkable transactions are continued untill the Act of Oblivion, February 24. 1652. Published as a breviary, leading all along successiviely, as they fell out in their severall years: so that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage, he may turne to the year, and so see in some measure, in what moneth thereof it was accomplished. And for information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these times, which things are brought to passe, that former ages have not heard of, and after ages will admire. A work worthy to be kept in record, and communicated to posterity.

Vicars, John, 1579 or 80-1652.

Edition statement

1652

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A74878

ID [STC]

Wing V294A

ID [STC]

Thomason E693_2

ID [STC]

ESTC R206997

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99866074

ID [PROQUEST]

99866074

ID [VID]

118334

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A74878)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 118334)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 107:E693[2])

Source

— A brief review of the most material Parliamentary proceedings of this present Parliament, and their armies, in their civil and martial affairs. Which Parliament began the third of November, 1640. And the remarkable transactions are continued untill the Act of Oblivion, February 24. 1652. Published as a breviary, leading all along successiviely, as they fell out in their severall years: so that if any man will be informed of any remarkable passage, he may turne to the year, and so see in some measure, in what moneth thereof it was accomplished. And for information of such as are altogether ignorant of the rise and progresse of these times, which things are brought to passe, that former ages have not heard of, and after ages will admire. A work worthy to be kept in record, and communicated to posterity., Vicars, John, 1579 or 80-1652., Hamilton, James Hamilton, Duke of, 1606-1649. Several speeches of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cambridg, Henry Earl of Holland, and Arthur Lord Capel, upon the scaffold immediately before their execution, on Friday the 9. of March..

Extent

[2], 30, 28, 33-36 p. : ill.

Printed by M.S. for Tho: Jenner, at the South-entrance of the Royal Exchange.,. London :: 1653.. (Attributed to John Vicars.) (Includes "The severall speeches of Duke Hamilton Earl of Cambridge, Henry Earl of Holland, and Arthur Lord Capel. Spoken upon the scaffold immediately before their execution, on Friday the ninth of March, 1649" with caption title; pagination and register are separate.) (Annotation on Thomason copy: "Aprill 25"; the imprint date has been altered to 1653.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

Creation

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