The last counsel of a martyred King to his son. Wherein is contained, 1. The last precepts of the most Christian King of Charles the First, written by his own hand to his son Charles the Second King of Great Brittain France and Ireland, &c. ... 6. A divine eligie upon the great sufferings and death of his sacred Majesty. Never publisht before. By J.D. Esq; a loyal subject and servant to His Majesty.

Author: Gregory, Francis, 1625?-1707.1660

THE LAST COUNSEL Of a Martyred KING To His SON.

Wherein is contained,

1. The last Precepts of the most Christian King Charles the First, written by his own hand to his Son Charles the Second King of Great Brittain France and Ireland, &c.

2. His Majesties heavenly Advice the day before his Death to the Lady Elizabeth and the Duke of Glocester.

3. His mil [...] and courteous Speech to Hewson the Cobler and those Janisaries who spit on his Majesties Face, as he came from the Black Tribunal, after the sad sentence of death passd upon him by his Bloody judges.

4. The last Discourse that passed beween his Sacred Majesty, and Doctor Juxon Bishop of London.

5. The manner of solemnizing His Funeral by the Duke of Lenox, tht Marquess of Hertford the Marquess of Dorchester, the Earl of Lindsey and four of His Maiesties faithful servants, to whom his body was delivered after it was embalmed.

6. A Divine Eligie upon the great Sufferings and Death of his sacred Majesty.

Never Publisht before.

By J. D. Esq a Loyal Subject and Servant to His Majesty.

LONDON, Printed for J. Jones and are to be sold at the Royall Exchange in Cornhill, 1660.

[Page 1]

A LETTER WRITTEN By CHARLES the First King of Great Brittain, &c. To his Son the Prince.

Dated Novemb. 26. 1648.

SON,

BY what hath been said you may see how long we have laboured in the search of Peace. Do not you be discouraged to tread those wayes in all those worthy means to restore your Self to your Right; but prefer the way of Peace: shew the greatness of your mind rather to conquer your enemies by pardoning then by punishing. If you saw how unmanly and unchristianly this implacable disposition is in our ill-willers, you would avoid that spirit. Censure us not for having parted with too much of our own right: the price was great, the Commodity was security to us, Peace to our People. And we are confident another Parliament would remember how useful a Kings Power is to a Peoples Liberty. Of how much we have divested our Self, that we and they might meet again in a due Parliamentary way, to agree the bounds for Prince and People. And in this give belief to our experience never to affect more greatness or Prerogative than what is really and intrinsically for the good of your Subjects (not satisfaction of Favourites). And if you thus use it, you will never want means to be a Father to all, and a bountiful Prince to any you will be extraordinarily gracious unto. You may perceive all men trust their treasure where it returns them interest: And if Princes, like the Sea, receive and repay all the fresh streams and rivers trust them with they will not grudge, but pride themselves to make it up an Ocean. These considerations may make you a great Prince, as your Father is now a low one; and your state may be so much the more established, as mine hath [Page 3] been shaken. For Subjects have leanrt (we dare say) that Victories over their Princes are but Triumphs over themselves, and so will be more unwilling to hearken to changes hereafter. The English Nation a sober People, however at present under some infatuation. We know not but this may be the last time We may speak to you or the world publickly; We are sensible into what hand We are faln, and yet We bless God, We have those inward refreshments, that the malice of Our Enemies cannot perturb. We have learnt to own Our self, by tetiting Our self, and therefore can the better digest what befals Us, not doubting but God can restrain our Enemies malice, and turn their fierceness into his praise. To conclude, if God give you success, use it humbly and far from revenge: If he restore you to your Right upon hard conditions, what ever you promise, keep. Those men which have forced Lawes which they were bound to observe, will find their triumps full of troubles. Do not think any thing in this World worth obtaining by foul and unjust means. You are the Son of Our love: and as We direct you to what we have recommended to you, so we assure you, We do not more affectionately pray for you (to whom We are a natural Parent) then We do, that the ancient glory and renown of this Nation, be not buried in irreligion and fanatick humour: And that all our Subjects (to whom we are a Politick Parent) may have such sober thoughts as to seek their Peace, in the Orthodox Profession of the Christian Religion, as it was established since the Reformation in this Kingdom, and not in new Revelations: And that the ancient Lawes, with the Interpretation according to the known practises, may once again be an hedge about them, that you may in due time govern, and they be governed, as in the fear of the Lord.

C. R.

The Commissioners are gone, the Corn is now in the Ground, We expect the Harvest, if the Fruit be Peace. I hope the God of Peace will in time reduce all to Truth and Order again. Which that he may do, is the prayer of

C. R.

A true relation of the Kings Speech to the Lady Elizabeth and the Duke of Glocester, the day before His Death.

‘His Children being come to meet him, He first gave his Blessing to the Lady Elizabeth, and bad her remember to tell her Brother James, when ever she should see him, that it was his Fathers last desire that he should no more look upon Charls as his eldest Brother onely, but be obedient unto him as his Soveraign; and that they should love one another, and forgive their Fathers Enemies. Then said the King to [Page 4] her, Sweet-heart, you'l forget this: No (said she) I shall never forget this: and pouring forth abundance of tears, promised to write the particulars.’

The King taking the Duke of Glocester upon his Knee, said, Sweetheart, now they will cut off thy Fathers head (upon which words the child looked very stedfastly on him) Mark child what I say, They will cut off My Head, and perhaps make thee a King: But mark what I say, you must not be a King, so long, as your Brothers, Charles and James, (when they can catch them) and cut off thy Head too at last: and therefore I charge you do not be made a King by them. At which the child sighing, said, I will be torn in pieces first; which falling so unexpectedly from one so young, it made the King rejoyce exceedingly.

Having given an Account of His Majesties Letter and his Advice to the rest of his children, I shall now give you some passages touching the Kings Tryal. viz.

After Sentence, the King being hurried from their Bar, as he passed down the Stairs, The Common Souldiers (laying a side all Reverence to Soveraignity) scoffed at him, casting the smoak of their stinking Tobacco in his Face (no Smell more offensive to him) and flinging their foulpipes at his feet; But one Hewson a Cobler more insolent then the rest, defiled his venerable Face with his spittle, for his Majesty was observed with much patience to wipe it off with his Handkerchief, and as he passed, hearing them cry out Justice, Justice, Poor souls (said he) for a piece of mony, they would do so for their Commanders. That Night being Saturday January 27. the King lodged at White-hall; that Evening a Member of the Army (acquainted the Committee) with the desires of the King, that seeing they had passed Sentence of Death upon him, and the time of his Execution might be nigh, that he might see his Children, and receive the Sacrament, and that Dr. Juxon Bishop of London, might be admitted to pray with him in his private Chamber; both which were granted,

Tuesday Jan. 30. Was the Fatal day wherein this horrid murder was to be acted; at which time his Majesty was brought on the Scaffold, where he made a short speech, but Dr. Juxon upon serious thoughts of the peoples expectation said as follows. viz.

Dr. Juxon.

Will your Majesty (though it may be very well known your affections to Religion, yet it may be expected that you should) say somewhat for the worlds satisfaction.

King.

‘I thank you very heartily my Lord, Sirs, My Conscience in [Page 5] 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 [Pointing to Doctor Juxon.] I think will witness 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 Colonell Hacker, he said, Take care they do not put me to pain, and Sir, this, and it please you; But a Gentleman coming near 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 Doctor Juxon for his Night-cap, and having put it on, he said to the Executioner, Does my hair trouble you? who desired him to put it under his cap, which the King did accordingly by the help of the Executioner and the Bishop: then the King turning to Dr. Juxon said, I have a good Cause, and a gracious God on my side.

Doctor Juxon.

There is but one Stage more, this Stage is turbulent and troublesom, 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 cordial joy and comfort.

King,

I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible Crown; where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the world.

Doctor Juxon,

You are, exchanged from a Temporal to an Eternal Crown, a good exchange▪

The King then said to the executioner, is my hair well? Then the King rook off his Cloak and▪ his George, giving his George, to Doctor Juxon, saying, Remember—Then the King put off his Doubler, and being in his Wast-coat, put his cloak on again, then looking upon the block, said to the Executioner, You must set it fast. Executioner. It is fast, Sir. King. When I put my hands out this way, stretching them out, then—After that, having said two or three words (as he stood) to himself, with hands and eyes lift up; Immediately stooping down, laid his neck upon the Block: and then the Executioner again putting his hair under his Cap the King said (thinking he had been going to strike) stay for the sign. Executioner, Yes, I will and it please) our Majesty. And after a little pause, the King stretching forth his hands. The Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body, which was with the Body put in a Coffin covered with black Velvet, and conveyed to his Lodgings.

[Page 6] After which the body was conveyed to St. Jameses, where it was embalmed, and put in a Coffin of Lead, it lay there a fortnight, and after was delivered to the care of 4 of his Maj. servants, viz. Mr. Herbert, Capt. Anth. Mildma [...], Capt. Preston and John Joyne [...], who with others in mourning accompanied it to Windsor, and placed it in that room formerly called his Majesties Bed-chamber. The body being brought thither the most convenient place they could find for burial was in a Vault where they conjectured K. Hen. 8. lay, where they interrd the Kings body, which was conveyed by the Officers of the Garrison, the 4 Corners of the Velvet Pall being held up by the Duke of Lenox, the Mar. of Hertford, the M. of Dorchester, and the Earl of Lindsey, the Bishop of London and other persons of quality following, the Velvet Pal was cast in upon the Body and these words were upon the Coffin,

KING CHARLES 1648.

An Elegie on the Sufferings and Death of King CHARLES I.

COme come, let's mourn, all eyes that see this day
Melt into showers, weep your selves away:
O that each privat head, could yield a flood
Of tears whilst Britains Head streams out his blood.
Could we pay what his sacred drops might claim,
The World must needs be drowned once again.
Hands cannot write for trembling, let our eye
Supply the Quill, and shed an Elegie.
Tongues cannot speak; this grief knows no such vent,
Nothing but silence, can be eloquent.
Words are not here significant; in this
Our sighs, our groans bear all the Emphaesis.
Dread Sir! what shall we say? Hyperbole
Is not a figure when it speaks of Thee.
Thy Book is our best Language, what to this
Shall e're be added, is Thy Meiosis:
Thy Name's a Text too hard for us: No men
Can write of it, without Thy P [...]ts and Pen.
Thy Prisons, Scorns, Reproach and Poverty,
(Though these were thought too courteous injury)
How could'st Thou bear? Thou Meeker Moses, how?
Was ever Lyon bit with Whelps till now
And did not roar? Thou England's David, how
Did Shime [...]'s Tongue not move Thee? Where's the Man?
[Page 7] Where is the King? Charles is all Christian.
Thou never wanted'st Subjects, no; when they
Rebel'd, thou mad'st thy passions to obey.
Had'st Thou regain'd thy Throne of State by Power,
Thou had'st not more been then a Conquerour.

But Thou, thine own Soul's Monarch, art above
Revenge and Anger, Can'st thou tame thy Love?
How could'st thou bear thy Queen's divorce? Must She
At once thy Wife, and yet thy Widdow be?
Where are thy tender Babes once Princely bred,
Thy choycest Jewells, are they Sequestred?
Where are thy Nobles? Lo, instead of these
Base savage Villains, and thine Enemies:
Aegyptian Plague! was onely Pharaoh's Doom,
To see such Vermine in his lodging-room.
What Guards are set, what Watches do they keep?
They do not think thee safe, though lock't in Sleep.
Would they confine thy Dreams within to dwell,
Nor let thy Fancy pass their Centinel?
Are thy Devotions dangerous? or do
Thy Prayers want a Guard? These faulty too?
Varlets, 'twas only, when they spake for You.

But lo a Charge is drawn, a Day is set,
The silent Lamb is brought, the Wolves are met.
Law is arraign'd of Treason, Peace of War,
And Justice stands a Prisoner at Bar.
This Scene was like the Passion-Tragedie,
His Saviour's Person none could Act, but He.
Behold what Scribes are here, what Pharisees!
What bands of Souldiers! What false Witnesses!
Here was a Priest, and that a Chief one; who
Durst strike at God, and his Vicegerant too.
Here Bradshaw, Pilate there: This makes them twain.
Pilate for fear, Bradshaw condemn'd for Gain.
Wretch! coul'dst not thou be rich, till Charles was dead?
Thou might'st have took the Crown, yet spar'd his Head.
Thou'st justifi'd that Roman Judg; Who stood
And washt in Water, thou hast dipt in Blood.

And where's the Slaughter-house? Whitehall must be,
Lately his Pallace, now his Calvarie.
[Page 8] Great Charles, is this Thy Dying-place? And where
Thou wert our King, art thou our Martyr there?
Thence, thence thy Soul took slight; and there will we
Not cease to Mourn, where thou didst cease to Be.
And thus blest Soul, he's gone: a Star, whose fall
As no Eclipse proves Oecumenical:
That Wretch had skill to sin, whose hand did know
How to behead three Kingdoms at one blow.
England hath lost the influence of  [...]er King,
No wonder that so backward was her Spring.
O dismall Day! but yet how quickly gon?
It must be short, Our Sun went down at Noon.

And now, ye Senators, is this the thing
So oft declar'd; Is this your Glorious King?
Did you by Oaths your God and Countrey mock,
Pretend a Crown, and yet prepare a Block?
Did you, that swore you'd Mount Charles higher yet,
Intend the Scaffold for his Olivet?
Was this, Hail Master? Did you how the knee
That you might murther him with Loyaltie?
Alas! two Deaths! what cruelty was this?
The Ax designd, you might have spar'd the Kiss.

London, did'st thou thy Princes Life betray?
What? could thy Sables vent no other way?
Or else didst thou bemoan his Cross? then ah!
Why wouldst thou be the cursed Golgotha?
Thou once hadst Men, Plate, Arms, a Treasurie
To bind thy King, and hast thou none to free?
Dull beast! thou shouldst before thy Head did fall,
Have had at least th [...] Spirits Animall.

Did You, Ye Nobles, envy Charles his Crown?
Jove being faln, the Puny gods must down,
Your Rayes o [...] Honor are Eclipst in Night.
The Sun is set, from whence you drew your Light.

Religion Va [...]ls her self; and Mourns that She
Is forc'd to own such horrid Villanie.
The Church and State do shake; the building must
Expect to fall, whose Prop is turn'd to Dust.

But cease from Tears, Charles is of light bereav'n;

And snuft on Earth to shine more bright in Heav'n.

FINIS.

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