Brief Review of Parliamentary Proceedings, Discourse
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 MonethMonth 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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, 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 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.
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 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 monethmonth 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. 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.
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 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 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.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 MonethMonth, 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 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 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 onelyonly 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 onelyonly 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 onelyonly 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 onelyonly 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 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.