Hidden Works of Darkness Brought to Public Light, Letter 43
CHARLES REX.
IT is now knowne to all men, that Our deare Uncle the King of Denmarke, is brought into great distresse, that without present succour the Sound will be lost, Our Garrison in Stoad broken by the Emperours Foroes, which now streightly besiege it, Our Eastland Trade (which maintaines Our Shipping) and the Staple of Hamborough (which vents Our Cloath) both gotten from VsUs: Besides, it is knowne likewise,NOTE. that two great Kings of Spaine and France, and the Pope with them are joyned to root out Our Religion; that their Admirals the Duke of Guise and Don Frederick de Toledo, are at this present before Rochell and endeavouring to block it up: that they have store of Land-men ready upon the coast of Britaine, with them and other forces ready to invade us.
Of these imminent dangers to true Religion, to Our Allies, Our Countries, and the Trade of Our people, We assure Our selves every well-affected Subject will be very sensible, as We are; and certainly there is a necessity come upon VsUs, not so much of debating as acting Our defence; and unlesse there be a present meanes found to set a Fleet to Sea to disband them that lye before Rochell, that Towne and Our Religion in those parts are sure to be ruined.
We have (beyond the custome of Our royall Progenitors) spared neither Our Jewels nor Plate, nor Our Lands, to supply publike occasions; We now expect speedy and proportionable supply for this service from the love and duty of Our People, whence that charge for their owne preservation should ever come.
We find further in the debate of this businesse with Our privy Counsell, that it is not possible this I lect of Ours now to be set forth, can stay safely till a Parliament be assembled; and We think it neither wise nor safe for Our Selve or you to be taken sitting, in a Parliament, and so proclaime to the world that We consult too late; therefore though We are issuing out Our Writs for a present Parliament, yet because We find the businesse cannot stay so long (since that must have the ordinary course of Summons) VVe expect your present performance of this service, not doubting but that the Parliament when it comes will consider the urgency of the thing, and the hast of the time …and give Us thanks for this timely provision.NOTE.
Now this VVe must let you know, that if you make this present supply, We will then goe on with Our Parliament, if not, then We must thinke of a more speedy way: and yet it is not VVe that put this condition upon you but the moere necessity of the time and the service; which if you neglect, then it is not Our fault but your owne that ye have not a Parliament; for VVe must put you in mind, that it is not possible the affaires of Christendome should receive a turne to Our advantage, but onelyonly by Gods blessing and Our speed; and we assure you that your making us and your selves by this present ayd to sit safe in Parliament, nothing shall then divert us from meeting you at our day prefixed.
And since all men see that it is not safe to set downe now without this Fleet to back us, it will be lesse sit then when the yeere is further advanced, and though this may seem to you a great charge, yet we have been so carefull in ordering and proportioning the businesse, that we have laid a greater summe upon Our Selfe then upon You.
And we further recommend upto you, that Our former distractions (the onelyonly causes of Our disadvantage abroad) may be laid downe, that so God's blessing may come in to Our successe: that as Our last devisions did us more harme then the common enemy, so our present union testified in this foregoing signe of preparing this Fleet (which is of greater consequence and will adde more credit then the money it selfe) may be the happy forerunner of a future happinesse.
And last of all, since this great businesse of setting out Ships used to be chaged upon the port Townes and neighbouring Ships, is too heavy for them to beare alone in this great proportion; therefore we have thought sit, with the advice of Our privy Counsell, and agreeable to the presidents of former times, to cause the whole charge of this Fleet to be cast up and distributed among all the Counties at a proportionable rate, according to which proportion the summe to be raised in.
And because we are confident of your forwardnesse and zeale to the service so deeply concerning the interest and safety of you all; we give you the power, but commit the trust for the manner of levying thereof to your care; yet in such sort, that you will not make the uneven rate of Subsidy your onelyonly rule of proportion, but proceed according to the true worth of mens-lands and estates within the County, that so the poorer may be eased, and yet the businesse be done.
The time assigned for Our said Fleet to beat sea, is the first of March next; and … fore you are presently upon receit of these Our Letters to assemble your selves, and to apportion the severall summes to each devision or hundred, and within three dayes after to repaire to the said several places, and to take order for the setling of Collectors, which you are with all speed to … to Our Counsell, and to take order or the returne of the montes before the said first of March.
What further instructions shall be thought necessary, you shall receive from Our Counsell; but thus much We are pleased to signifie under Our owne hand that you and all men may know, that the necessary preservation of the Church and Commonwealth presieh VsUs to this hast, and that We for Our part will not be wanting to Our duty of protection; and We are confident our Subjects will not desert either VsUs or themselves, the Church or Common wealth; neither doubt We but that Gods blessing will be upon our mutuall accord and endeavours, which We hope the present ensuing Parliament will (to our great comfort) manifest to the World.
How illegall this Loane was, and what an unlawfull Oath and instructions followed this Letter, you may read in the Petition of Right, 3. Caro….
The Papists were very forwards to advance this …oane, since it made much to promote their designes, and would have been a meanes to keep off a Parliament, the only obstacle to their proceedings growth and intentions; insomuch that Doctor … in his Sermon, page, 30, 31, 32, urg…th their example, to periwade submission to this loane; and Doctor S…bthorte in his Sermon intituleda… P. 20, 21. Apostoticall Obedience, hath this passage to induce Protestants to contribute cheerfully and largely to this Loane. The Papists lye at wait, it they could find a rent between our Soveraigne and his Subjects to reduce Superstition unto England: I speake no more then … from themselves; whiles I have observed their forwardnesse TO OFFER DOVBLE, according to the current of a later law; yea to professe, that THEY WOVLD DEPART WITH THE HALFE OF THEIR GOODS: And how or why can this FORWARDNESSE be in them, but in hop to cast the … of Frowardnesse upon us, and to seeme that (which the Jesuits will not suffer … to be) loving and loyall Subjects, &o. You may guesse at the end of this projcst by the Papists forwardnesse to advance it.
But notwithstanding this forwardnesse of the Papists and others to promote this Benevolence the best affected Gentlemen to Religion, Parliament …and the common Liberty in all Counties, considering the danger thereof strenuously … it; for which di… of them were enforced to daunce attendance on the Counsell & others imprisoned; by whose examples, this project was in a great in cause frustrated and a new Parliament resolved to be summoned by the Major Vote of the Counsell Table. Ian. …9. 1627. though the now Arch-bishop with some others opposed it, and accordingly a Parliament was summoned and assembled in March following.
A little before the beginning of this Parliament, a Colledge of Jesuits who kept to other in Commons, and had their officers and books of account duly kept, was discovered in …-well, neere the Church; their Books. Vestments, Reliques, were seized on, and some of their persons (hid in private owners of their Colledge) … ended by Iustice Long, and sent to Newgate: But when they were to be … they were by their powerfull friends at Court (I know not by what War… and special commands) …cased upon baile, and conveyed out of harmes way, … great offence and discontent both of the people and Parliament, which examined this …rand abuse, but could not apprehend the Jesuits to doe exemplary justice on them to potent were their Patrons. Among their papers there was found the copy of … newly directed by them to their Father Rector at Braxels; the extract whereof; I met with in the now Arch-bishops Study, thus indorsed with his owne hand.