Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves, Parliamentary chronicle · Floating text 4 – Floating text 8
An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons aſſembled in PARLIAMENT.
With an Oath or Covenant, to be taken by all Perſons within the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, or line of Communication, for the better ſecuring of the Parliament, the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, with the Suburbs thereof and parts adjacent.
FOr the better ſecuring of the Parliament, the Cities of London and Weſtminſter and the Suburbs thereof and parts adjacent, in theſe times of eminent danger; The Lords and Commons in Parliament aſſembled doe ordain; That the Committee of the Milit a for the Citie of London, or any perſon or perſons authorized by them, ſhall have power, and are heerby authorized and required to tender and adminiſter unto all and every ſuch perſon or perſons within the ſaid Cities, or within the Line of Communication, or any of the Pariſhes mentioned in the weekly bill of mortalitie, which are appointed or heerafter ſhall be appointed to bear armes under the command of the Committee for the Militia of the Citie of London, the Oath or Vow heerafter mentioned: That is to ſay;
I, A, B. in the preſence of almightie God, doe vow and proteſt that I will according to my power and vocation, maintain the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, with the Burrough of Southwark, & Suburbs of the ſaid Cities, and the Forts, Outworks, and lines of Communication, lately made about the ſaid Cities and Burrough, againſt all forces raiſed or to be raiſed by the King or any other without the conſent of both Houſes of Parliament, or authoritie derived from them. And that I will not directly nor indirectly endeavour the giving up, ſeizing, or taking of any the Forts, Outworks, Magazines or places of ſtrength within the precincts aforeſaid, without the conſent of both Houſes of Parliament, or of ſuch as ſhall have authoritie derived from them, and of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-Councell of the ſaid Citie of London: And that I will not prejudice the ſaid Cities, Suburbs or places, raiſe or aſſiſt any forces, tumults, or unlawfull aſſemblies of people; nor will directly or indirectly give any intelligence or willingly ſuffer any intelligence to be given to the forces raiſed without the conſent of both Houſes of Parliament, or otherwiſe, to the prejudice of the ſaid Cities, Suburbs or places; And that I will with all convenient ſpeed diſcover to the Lord Major and Governours of the Forts within the Citie of London, or to ſome of them, all ſuch plots and deſignes, as I ſhall know or be credibly enformed of, to be againſt the ſaid Cities, Suburbs or places, or any of them. And this Vow and Proteſtation I make without any equivocation or mentall reſervation, beleeving that I cannot be abſolved from this my Vow and Proteſtation, and wiſhing no bleſſing from God, if I doe not perform the ſame. So help me God.
And it is further ordained by the ſaid Lords and Commons, that if any ſuch perſon or perſons aforeſaid, ſhall refuſe to take this Oath or Vow ſo tendered, the Committee of the Militia for the Citie of London, or any two or more of them ſhall have power and are heerby authorized & required by themſelves, their agents and miniſters, forthwith to diſarm every ſuch perſon ſo refuſing, and to ſeize their horſes; and in caſe any ſuch perſon after ſuch diſarming ſhall have any armes found with him or with any other to his uſe, which he ſhall not immediately reveal to the ſaid Committee of the Militia, or ſome of them, that then his goods and eſtate ſhall be ſeized on to the uſe of the Common-wealth, and for the defence of the ſaid Cities; as likewiſe the goods and eſtate of every ſuch perſon as aforeſaid, as ſhall willingly harbour or conceal the armes of any ſuch perſon ſo refuſing. And ſhall alſo have power and are heerby authorized and required to ſeiz the perſon or perſons of all ſuch perſons as aforeſaid, as ſhall refuſe the ſaid Oath, or any other perſon or perſons which are or ſhall be known to appear to be malignant or ill-affected to the Parliament, and to put them into ſafe cuſtodie, or to remove and expell them from or out of the ſaid Cities and lines of Communication, or otherwiſe to diſpoſe of them as they ſhall think to be moſt conducing to the ſafety of the ſaid Cities and places. And it is further ordained by the Lords and Commons, that the ſaid Committee of the Militia, or any nine of them, or the Commander in chief of the forces raiſed within the ſaid Cities and lines of Communication, or any the foreſaid Pariſhes mentioned in the weekly bill of mortalitie, ſhall have power and are heerby required to ſuppreſs all inſurrections, tumults and unlawfull aſſemblies within the ſaid Cities and precincts aforeſaid, and to apprehend all offenders therein, their ayders and abettors; And alſo all ſuch as ſhall wear any markes, ſignes, or colo…s, to diſtinguiſh themſelves as a partie joyning againſt the authoritie of Parliament, and to puniſh or execute them, or ſo many of them as they ſhall think fit, according to the rule of Martiall-Law. And it is further ordained by the Lords and Commons, that the Committee of the Militia of London, or any nine of them, and the Commander in chief, and the reſpective Officers in their ſeverall places, ſhall govern and puniſh their inferiour Officers and Souldiers under the command of the ſaid Committee of the Militia, according to the Articles and Lawes of warre, ſet forth by his Excellencie the E…l of Eſſex, and authorized by both Houſes of Parliament. And the ſaid Committee of the Militia are heerby further authorized to take order (as occaſion ſhall require) for the ſhutting up of all ſhops within the ſaid Cities and lines of Communication, untill farther order ſhall be taken by both Houſes of Parliament, or by the ſaid Committee; to the end that all perſons may according to their power and vocation be and continue in a readineſs and fitting poſture for the defence of the ſaid Cities and parts adjacent. Provided, that no power heerin granted, ſhall extend to any Peer or Member of either of the Houſes of Parliament, or any of the aſſiſtants or attendants upon the Houſe of Peers or Houſe of Commons.
Die Jovis, Auguſt 17th, 1643. Ordered by the Lords in Parliament, that this Ordinance for the ſafetie of the Cities of London and Weſtminſter, and the Liberties thereof, be forthwith printed and publiſhed. John Brown, Cler. Parl.
About which ſaid time, and upon this well-grounded encouragement by the aforeſaid Ordinance of Parliament, the moſt renowned Citizens of London began to take a more ſtrict and exact care▪ of the welfare of their Citie,Citie-Malignants impriſoned in Saint Faiths Church under Pauls, & in Ships on the Thames. and by an Order from the Citie-Militia, very many perſons of diſ-affected malignant Citizens were ſeized on, and for want of ſafe priſons to retain them in cuſtodie, they were committed into the encloſures of the walls of St Faiths Church under the ſuperſtitious and ſuperfluous fabrick of Pauls great and mountainous Cathedrall, and very many others alſo for want of ſtrong priſons were impriſoned in Ships upon the river Thames, and kept ſafe under hatches with ſufficient and conſtant guards, to keep them ſafe from plotting and practiſing miſchief at home. Much alſo about the ſame time,The Earl of Hollands T…unks ſeized on by water. the Earl of Holland having moſt…ignobly & diſloyally by ſtealth left the Parliament and fled to Oxford; about 14 or 16 of his Trunks, which had alſo been ſurreptitiouſly conveyed by water up the river Thames in a Barge and bound for Oxford, and all of them full fraught and ſtuft up both with money and other moſt rich and coſtly robes and commodities, were ſtayed and ſeized on and carried back to Windſor-Caſtle, and from thence were conveyed ſpeedily after to London. About the 20th of Auguſt alſo, 1643. came credible information by Letters from the coaſts of Wales, The Fellowſhip, a brave Ship of Briſtoll, taken by Capt. Smith in the Swallow, a Parliament-Ship.that the Fellowſhip of Briſtoll, a ſhip of about 400 tun, carrying 24 pieces of Ordnance, and the Hart-frigot, in companie with it, ſet ſail from Briſtoll, for Mi…ford-Haven, whither being come, they ſummoned the Countie of Pembrook, and enformed them (for, now, Briſtoll Cavaliers had already learnt from Oxford the exact art of lying, as well by Sea, as by Land) that all the Parliaments forces were quite overthrown and diſcomf…ed, and that now all the Kingdome repaired apace to his Majeſtie, and that Cha… tam, Rocheſter, and all Kent were revolted from the Parliament, with a great many more of ſuch like falſe and fictitious inventions, which the flaſhie and ill-affected Gentry of that Countie ſeemed too eaſily to give ear unto, yet ſomewhat diſliked theſe Maritime Cavaliers or Cormorants, that they ſhould thus ſodainly come on ſhore among them and caſt up workes to ſecure the landing of the Iriſh Souldiers and rebells (as their purpoſe was) among them. But whiles this was in doing, and the Inhabitants ſeeing the drift and intention heerin, as aforeſaid, and ſomewhat unwilling to have it ſo, yet could hardly tell how to help themſelves and hinder it: The Swallow, a brave Ship in the Parliaments ſervice, under the command of the right noble and ever to be honoured Earl of Warwick, came ſodainly into the ſaid harbour, and came to anchor neer unto the Fellowſhip of Briſtoll, and preſently ſummons the Captain to come on board his Ship, who a while inſiſted on quarter, and would capitulate to be ſet on ſhore, but Captain Smith (for ſo was his name that was Captain of the Swallow) utterly refuſed any termes of quarter, and without delay gave him a broad ſide, wherewith he killed 3 or 4 of the Fellowſhips men, whereupon they preſently yeelded their Ship and themſelves priſoners; among whom (as was credibly enformed) were foure Sea-Captains, viz. Captain William Hale, Captain Brooks, Captain Burley, and Captain Barnaby. This excellent piece of ſervice was performed by Captain Smith, aforeſaid, a very gallant and religious Gentleman, who too well knows the King is unhappie in nothing more than in being too indulgent to the Popiſh partie about him, who ſeek his ruine under a falſe and perfidious pretence of his happineſs.
And about the latter end of Auguſt, aforeſaid, that right noble and renowned Commander, Sir William Waller (notwithſtanding the malicicus hearts, foul mouths, and falſe tongues of inveterate malignants, belching and bruiting abroad many diſgracefull reports to the contrary, thereby to encreaſe and encourage, as much as in them was, diſcontent and diſtractions among the people) obtained from his Excellency, Sir Wi…allers Commiſſiō to advance with his intended deſignes, is granted by his Excellencie.the Lord Generall, his long deſired and much expected Commiſſion, for his advance of the important affaires of the Kingdome, which was delivered unto him on Saturday, Auguſt 26th, in the honourable Houſe of Commons, by Mr Speaker, and that with much and univerſall joy and content, and with the generall prayers of the whole Houſe for his proſperous and happie ſucceſs; the fruits and effects whereof, wee ſhall by Gods mercy taſte of and declare in Gods due time. And whereas alſo many perſons had either ignorantly or maliciouſly, or both, given out (to diſparage this deſigne) that the power of his Commiſſion extended onelyonly to about ſix or ten miles diſtance from London; the ſaid Commiſſion is, for certain, of ſo ample and ſo large extent, that he may conduct his forces into any Countie of the Kingdome, as the exigencie of affaires ſhall neceſſitate and require.
And now good Reader, let mee deſire thee heer again to recollect thy thoughts a little by a gratefull reviſe and contemplation on all thoſe laſt paſt memorable paſſages and Parliame…tarie-Mercies and Merchandizes of this moneths voyage alſo, as
Firſt, the moſt happie taking of that rich prize, the Daniſh Ship, ſo fraught with armes and ammunition.A brief recapitulation of all theſe laſt recited Parliamentarie-Mercies, by way of obliged thankfulneſs.
Secondly, the dangerous plot for a pretended Peace, diſcovered and prevented, and the moſt happie and contrary iſſue it produced in occaſioning an Oath and Covenant in the Citie of London, to unite and knit them the more firmly and faſter together, and thereby ſecuring the moſt dangerous Citie-Malignants in ſafer cuſtodie.
Thirdly,1. the apprehending of the Earl of Hollands rich Trunks.
Fourthly,2. the taking of the Fellowſhip, a brave Briſtoll-Ship; and the confirming of Sir William Wallers Commiſſion by his Excellencie the3. Lord Generall, for the advancement of that brave Commanders intended great deſignes.4.
And now then tell me,GODS Ark fairly carried on with fair blaſts of good ſucceſs againſt its boyſterous billowes and ſwelling waves. good Reader, on the brief review of all theſe memorable mercies, were not heer many moſt fair and proſperous blaſts of good ſucceſs to help to carry on Gods-Ark, his holy-cauſe, through the midſt of the troubleſome and tumultuous Ocean of theſe the Kingdomes inteſtine and deſtructive ſwelling waves and waters of unnaturally homebred and inbred broyles and bloudy d…ſſentions, like ſo many devouring whirpools, gaping to ingurgitate all into their inſatiate ma…es of all-devouring miſchief and deſtruction? And on this ſo ſweet and comfortable conſideration, ſtill to return (with enlarged alacrity of ſpirit) all the honour and praiſe of all theſe ſweet and ſingular mercies and free favours to God alone, Pſal. 136. 4.who onelyonly does wondrous things, for his merciemercy endures for ever. But to goe on, in happie progreſs of the next moneths voyage and adventures.
About the beginning of September, September. 1643.1643. came certain information by letters from Plimouth to London, that one of the members of the Houſe of Commons in Parliament, namely, Sir Alexander Carew, governour of a conſiderable Iſland neer Plimouth, which commands the Sound there,Sir Alexander Carews plot againſt Plimouth timely diſcovered, and the danger prevented. had proved an apoſtate and endeavoured ſecre…ly to betray that Iſland, and thereby, the brave Town of Plimouth, into the hands of the Corniſh Corm…rants: But, by Gods great merciemercy and good providence, was timely prevented therein, by the fidelity of the Officers in armes and honeſt Souldiers, who upon the firſt diſcovery of his perfidious purpoſe, ſodainly ſeized on his perſon and kept him in ſafe cuſtodie, till he might be ſent away to the Parliament, to receive juſt puniſhment for ſuch a baſe and perfidious demerit.
Alſo about the beginning of September, aforeſaid, came certain intelligence to London by letters from Hull, that the ſaid brave & ſtrong Maritime Town having been beſieged by the Earl of Newcaſtles Popiſh and atheiſticall armie, conſiſting of about 15000 horſe and foot, who lying about Cottingham and Newland, and thoſe other neer adjacent parts,Hull beſieged by the Earl of Newcaſtle. about a mile or two diſtant from Hull, had caſt up ſeverall workes againſt it, and planted divers pieces of Ordnance and batteries on them; And though they frequently ſhot againſt the Town very many 36 pound bullets and other Canon-ſhot, yet by Gods great merciemercy and good providence, did very little or no hurt at all by them; yea that on the Lords-dayes when the Inhabitants were at Church ſerving the Lord their God,Gods mightie preſervation of the Town. the bullets came whiſling over the Church and flew into their market-place, but did no harm, ſave onelyonly to a Malignants-houſe and chimney in the Town; and (ever praiſed be our good God) by the moſt noble and renowned Lord Fairfax his wiſdome and valour and martiall circumſpection, they were ſtill kept at ſuch a diſtance from the Town that the enemie could not ſhoot their granadoes into the Town as they deſired and vehemently endeavoured,Beverly pitifully plundred by the enemies. but they pitifully ſpoyled the Country about Hull, and eſpecially the Town of Beverly, which as ſoon as they came into, they miſerably plundred; yea and they thought to have done the Town of Hull a terrible miſchief by cutting them ſhort of freſh-water, but (bleſſed be the Lord) the Town felt no great want thereby, being very competently furniſhed with all ſorts of proviſion and ſuſtenance for men.
Now, Newcaſtle grew exceeding mad, and was extremely vexed that he was ſo hopeleſs of getting the Town,The Earl of Newcaſtle deſpairs of getting Hull. having been formerly ſo hopefull (at leaſt in his high and proud conceits) to get it for his Winter-quarters, and to be a Sanctuarie for him from the Scots; and it was generally reported (and that probably enough) that he car'd not for the loſs of 10000 of his men, ſo he might bu… get poſſeſſion of it: But by Gods bleſſing on the moſt noble Lord Fairfax his valour and vigilancie, there is no fear of that ſtrong Town in all probabilitie. Yet ſee how it pleaſed the Lord it ſhould fall out within the ſaid Town, in the time of this Siege, (which is the thing I mainly intended to mention at this time and in this place) namely, That about Septemb. the 16th, 1643, being Saturday, an accident happened at the North-Block-houſe of the Town,A ſodain and moſt remarkable preſervation of Hull. the danger whereof (had not the Lord marvellouſly prevented, and had it fallen out on the ſide of the Town where the enemies lay, as it did on the moſt remote …ide from them) had undoubtedly ruined the whole Town. For, there were at leaſt …ortie Carthages of Gun-powder ſodainly blown up and ſome granadoes which lay there in the ſame place,Hulls very great danger, at this time, by Powder, ſodainly blown up. and all fired, which quickly brake down a great part of that ſtrong Block-houſe, both within and without, which breach and loſs ('twas verily believed) could not be repaired with, at leaſt, 2000li. charge; but I ſay, the eſpeciall providence of God, heerin, appeared, in that it was blown up on that ſide of the Town which lay next to the Sea-ſide, otherwiſe it would have been a very advantageous opportunitie to the enemies for their more ſecure aſſaulting and ſtorming of the Town.The admirable hand of God in Hulls mightie danger. Beſides, this was alſo very remarkable above the reſt, and in it, the hand of God moſt eminently was ſeen, that it blew open a door, in which very room there were fourteen barrells of Gun-powder, ſome with the heads open, yet took not fire, which had it done, it would moſt certainly have blown up, at leaſt, the whole houſe, & have ſpoyled ſome conſiderable part of the Town: But, I ſay, by Gods great merciemercy and admirable providence, they were all untoucht, and it did no other harm, than as aforeſaid. It was conceived and feared, at firſt, that it came by ſome treacherie,The occaſion of Hu…ls ſo great danger. but upon diligent ſearch and inquiſition 'twas clearly found to be done by the careleſneſs of a Gunner; There were foure men killed by it, and as many hurt, and with this loſs the danger ended, bleſſed and praiſed be the Lord our God for it. And now wee ſhall for a while leave Hull in this beſieged poſture and condition, and ſpeak of ſome other Parliamentarie-paſſages, worthie our notice and obſervation.
About the midſt of September, 1643, our moſt prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Senators, The Parliaments care for the encouragement of London Apprentices in their Service of the Kingdome.in their pious and prudent care for the encouragement of Apprentices and young men to be chearfull and forward to aſſiſt the Kingdomes great affaires againſt the common-Adverſaries thereof, ſet out an Ordinance of Parliament for the ſecuring of their indempnitie in going forth in ſervice, and liſting themſelves under the command of Sir William Waller in his Expedition. As alſo another Ordinance came forth at the ſame time, for the ſearching of Trunkes and any other carriages that paſt out of London. And a third alſo for a Collection to be made for ſick and maimed Souldiers. All which three ſaid Ordinances of Parliament, for the Readers better ſatisfaction, content, and delight, I have thought fit heer to inſert.
The Copie of an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons aſſembled in Parliament, for the ſecuring thoſe Apprentices from indempnitie that liſt themſelves under the Command of Sir William Waller.
Die Veneris, Septemb. 15. 1643.
WHereas in times of common danger and neceſſitie, the intereſt of private perſons ought to give way to the publick; It is ordained and declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That ſuch Apprentices unto Watermen, plying and rowing upon the river of Thames, as have been or ſhall be liſted to ſerve as Souldiers for the defence of the Proteſtant Religion, and libertie of the Kingdome, his Majeſties royall perſon, the Parliament, and the Citie of London, under the Command of Sir William Waller: Their ſureties and ſuch as ſtand ingaged for them, ſhall be ſecured againſt their Maſters, their Executors and Adminiſtrators, from all loſs and inconveniencies, by forfeiture of bonds, Covenants, infranchiſements, or otherwiſe. And that after this publick ſervice ended, the Maſters of ſuch Apprentices ſhall be commanded and required to receive them again into their ſervice, without impoſing upon them any puniſhment, loſs, or prejudice, for their abſence, in the defence of the Common-wealth. And the Lords and Commons doe further declare, That if it ſhall appear that the Maſters of ſuch Apprentices have received any conſiderable loſs by the abſence of their Apprentices, they will take care that reaſonable ſatisfaction ſhall be made unto them out of the publick ſtock of the Kingdome, according to juſtice and indifferency.
H. Elſynge, Cler. P. D. Com.
An Order of Parliament, That all Trunks and Carriages that come out of the Citie, be ſearched at the Courts of Guards, &c.
Die Sabbathi, Septemb. 23. 1643.
IT is this day ordered by the Commons aſſembled in Parliament, That all Trunks and other Carriages that come out of the Citie to paſs the Courts of Guards, ſhall not paſs till they be ſearched by ſuch men as the Committee for the Militia ſhall depute, or by the Courts of Guards. And that my Lord Major be deſired to give order, that no Fl…x, Brimſtone, or Saltpeter, or other things that tend to the making of proviſions for warre, be permitted to paſs theſe ten dayes, either by water or by land, unleſs it be by warrant under the hand of Mr Speaker, and that ſuch goods ſhall be good prizes, as ſhall be ſo ſeized. And it is left to the Committee for the Militia, to reward thoſe that ſhall ſo ſeiz the ſame out of the ſaid goods, and the perſons that ſhall ſo ſend any of the ſaid goods, as aforeſaid, ſhall be ſecured and tryed by a Councell of warre. And this Order is to be printed and publiſhed, and to be ſent to the ſeverall Courts of Guards by the Committee for the Militia.
Hen. Elſynge, Cler. P. D. Com.
An Order of Parliament, That a Collection be made in all Pariſh-Churches and Chappels throughout London & Weſtminſter, for ſick and maimed Souldiers, &c.
Die Sabbathi, Septemb. 23. 1643.
IT is this day Ordered by the Commons aſſembled in Parliament, That on Wedneſday next (being the day appointed for publick humiliation) there ſhall be a Collection made in all the Pariſh-Churches in and about the Citie of London and Weſtminſter, that are mentioned in the bill of Mortalitie; as alſo in the ſeverall Chappels within the ſaid limits, by the Church-Wardens and other Officers of the ſaid Pariſhes and Chappels, for and toward the relief of ſick and maimed Souldiers. And the moneys by them ſo collected they are not to detain upon any pretence whatſoever, but to make payment thereof at Tallow-Chandlers-Hall, neer Dowgate, on Fryday next, being the 29th of this inſtant Septemb. 1643. unto Mr William Greenhill, Mr John Pocock, Mr John Randall, and Mr Richard Hutchinſon, (or any two of them) Citizens of London appointed to be Treaſurers for the receiving and paying of moneys to ſick and maimed Souldiers. And it is heerby likewiſe ordered, That the Miniſters of the ſaid ſeverall Pariſhes and Chappels ſhall earneſtly perſwade the people freely to give and contribute to this ſo pious, charitable, and honourable a work, in this time of great extremity, there being many maimed men heer already, and more expected from the Armie, for the recovery and cure of whom there is great reaſon to provide, they having ſo freely and cheerfully hazzarded their lives for the preſervation of all our lives and liberties, and the true Proteſtant Religion.
Hen. Elſynge, Cler. P. D. Com.
Ordered by the Commons in Parliament, That this Ordinance and Order be forthwith printed and publiſhed.
Hen. Elſynge, Cler. P. D. Com.
And heer alſo I may not omit juſtly to enumerate and commemorate the great bleſſing of the 29th day of this September, 1643. as a ſingular Parliamentarie-merciemercy, and ſpeciall bleſſing of the Lord our good God, both to the moſt famous and renowned Citie of London in ſpeciall, and, indeed, to the whole Kingdome of England in generall, namely, the happie continuance of the ſucceſsfull godly and gracious government of the ſaid moſt famous Citie,Sir Jo. Wollaſton moſt happily choſen Lord Major of the Citie of London. by the comfortable and deſired choice of that moſt worthy virtuous, and pious patriot and Senator of the ſaid Citie, Sir John Wollaſton, to ſucceed for the enſuing year in the honourable Majoraltie thereof, who was choſen thereunto; with a moſt full, fair and unanimous conſent and ſuffrage of the heartie votes and voices of all the numerous company of grave and well-affected Citizens then aſſembled (thereunto) in the Guild-Hall of London. A rare mercy indeed, conſidering the times, for I make no queſtion,The Authors juſt and experimentall atteſtation and commendation of Sir John Wollaſton Lord Major of London. nay I am moſt confidently aſſured (out of that intimate and ancient experience which I my-ſelf have moſt happily had of his ſingular piety and ingenuity of ſpirit, and ſweetneſs of naturall endowments, and approved cordiall affection and conſtant adherence to the cauſe of God in the Parliaments proceedings) that he will with no leſs deſerved honour and reputation (by Gods gracious aſſiſtance) manage the …elme of government, and ſteer the Stern of the Ship of the Cities great Ocean and motion of ſerious and important affaires, than his former famous Predeceſſour did. And that alſo which ſweetens this merciemercy,The mercies of this Lord Majors choice alſo was a ſweet return of prayer. and makes it ſo much the more remarkably eminent is, that his honourable choice alſo, as his pious Predeceſſours, was a happie and holy fruit and return of prayer, it being on the very next day after our monethly day of publick humilitation, when the Lord had been in particular ſought unto for this bleſſing. And for the confirmation, in part, of what I have thus fairly and faithfully atteſted of him; It pleaſed the Lord, very ſhortly after his inauguration into his honourable Majoraltie, & ere he was (as the Proverb is) hardly warm in the ſeat of authoritie, as aforeſaid, now to put him even already upon an honourable tryall of his love & loyalty to the great cauſe in preſent queſtion and agitation;A notable triall by Gods moſt wiſe diſpoſall, put upon the Lord Major of London, and moſt loyally managed by him. and as he was now an eminent Cedar of our Lebanon, and but new-now planted on the top of the Cities mountain, and, ſo, obnoxious to many and mightie bluſtering blaſts of tryall and probation: So, I ſay, it pleaſed the Lord to adminiſter an occaſion to ſhew and ſet forth his loyaltie and fidelitie, and that God had enabled him (and would ſo ſtill) like a ſtrong well-grown & well-grounded Oake, to ſtand faſt and moſt immovable, to oppoſe, withſtand, and break the force of the either violent blaſts of malignitie, or ſlie and inſinuating breathings of treachery, wherewith he now I ſay, was already aſſaulted from Oxford, thus:
About the firſt of November then ſucceeding,Foure Proclamations ſent at one time to the Lo Major of London, to be publiſhed, in the Kings name, in the Citie. a Meſſenger was ſent from Oxford, with no leſs than four Proclamations to be delivered to the Lord Major of London, (all of moſt pernicious and dangerous conſequence) and by him and his authoritie to be publiſhed and proclamed in the Kings name throughout the Citie of London.
The firſt, to alter the generall Monethly Wedneſday-faſt, contrary to an act eſtabliſhed by King and Parliament, and ſtrange and uncouth reaſons given for the cauſe of the alteration thereof, one reaſon being, in regard of the horrid and damnable Ceſſation of armes in Ireland; O monſirum infandum, informe, ingens, &c. The ſecond Proclamation was to make all money coined in Ireland, currant in England. The third, to command all Counties in the Kingdome to accept ſuch new high Sheriffs as were prickt at Oxford, and to remove the office of Green wax from London to Oxford. The fourth, to inhibite the adminiſtring and taking of the Nationall League and Covenant between England and Scotland, (of which Proclamation more heerafter in its more proper place.) But, I ſay, this our moſt worthie, wiſe, pious, and loyall Lord Major (to the glory of God, his own juſt honour, the joy of all Gods people, and the vexation of all the baſe malignant ſpirits in London, whoſe falſe, faithleſs and graceleſs hopes in him, were now at the firſt, I ſay, moſt worthily fruſtrated and blaſted by him, even in the very bud) who no ſooner received the ſaid four Proclamations, but the preſently ſent the Meſſenger and them, with a ſtrong guard, to the Parliament, who took it as a ſingular and acceptable ſervice from the Lord Major, kept the Proclamations, and committed the Meſſenger to Newgate-priſon, as a Spie, for coming from Oxford to London, without either their warrant, or his Excellencies the Lord Generalls, contrary to their late Ordinance of Parliament.
About the latter end alſo of the ſaid September, Proviſion of firing ordered by the Parliament for preventiō of dangerous mu… n…es by the poorer ſort.1643. the Parliament taking into ſerious conſideration, the great inconveniences which the Kingdome in generall and the Citie of London in ſpeciall were like to feel and finde in the inſuing Winter-ſeaſon, by reaſon of the want of Sea-coal, fuell, and firing, which would fall moſt heavily upon the poorer ſort of people, and might cauſe a mutinie and moleſtation of the peace of the Citie, if not timely prevented, and they not (therein) competently provided for, according to that old adagie, That hunger and cold will break through ſtone-walls. Therefore, upon a Meſſage from the Houſe of Lords in Parliament, a Committee alſo of the Houſe of Commons was appointed to joyn with a Committee of Lords to conſult about the prevention of this (otherwiſe) inevitable danger, and to take order for the felling and cutting of wood for the better ſupply of the Citie and parts adjacent with firing for the winter ſeaſon (according to an Ordinance of Parliament which both Houſes Woods to be cut down to furniſh the Citie and parts adjacent with fuell.had paſſed immediately after, viz October 2d, 1643.) and by virtue whereof the ſaid Committee had power to appoint the felling and cutting of ſuch quantitie of wood as they ſhould think fit within ſixtie miles of London, in all Foreſts, Chaſes, and Parkes, belonging to the Kings or Queenes Majeſties,What woods were to be cut down. or out of any other woods, groves, ſprings, or other land where fellable wood was, belonging to any Arch-biſhops, Biſhops, Deanes, Chapters, &c. Papiſts, Delinquents, or other Malignants againſt the Parliament, and the ſame to be diſpoſed of for the better ſupply of the Citie, as aforeſaid, and to be ſold at ſuch rates as the ſaid Committee ſhould think fit.
And now again, good Reader, be pleaſed a little heer to re-peruſe and review the ſweet Parliamentarie-Mercies of this MonethMonth alſo.
Firſt,A ſummary gratefull review of this Moneths Parliamentarie-Mercies. In the timely preſervation of Plimouth from a treacherous plot.
Secondly, In the Siege and preſervation of Hull from that dangerous caſualtie by Gunpowder.
Thirdly, In the three-fold Declaration of the Parliaments pietie and providence.
Fourthly, In the happie election of Sir John Wollaſton to be Lord Major of the Citie of London, in ſuch a time of ſo great need of godly and loyall Magiſtrates.
Fifthly, The daſhing that dangerous deſigne in pieces of the four pernicious Proclamations ſent to the ſaid moſt worthily honoured Lord Major; and in the Parliaments ſo prudent and provident proviſion of fuell in this Winter-ſeaſon.
And then tell mee (good Reader) whether God did not heerin alſo moſt ſmoothly carry-on his Ark with proſperous gales,GODS Ark carried on with fair and proſperous gales. maugre all the ſwelling ſurges of the wicked intentions of its envious adverſaries; and on the ſweet ſight and ſerious conſideration thereof, to give the Lord onelyonly all the praiſe and glorie, and with holy David to break forth into a holy extaſie of rejoycing gratitude and ſay,Pſal. 68. 19. Bleſſed be the Lord our God, who, thus, daily loads us with benefits and bleſſings, even the Lord, the God of our ſalvation. And now to goe on.
And heer now I ſhall begin this monethmonth of Octobers ſucceſsfull voyage, October. 1643.with a ſingular act and evidence of our moſt renowned Parliaments piety and charitie to that moſt famous Nurſery of many ſucceeding thouſands of poor helpleſs Orphans,The Parliaments charitable act and order for the good of the poor children of Chriſts Hoſpitall in London. I mean Chriſts Hoſpitall in London; The beſt and moſt beautifull Flower of my Garden. Where (and I moſt heartily bleſs my good God that I have this happie and fit and fair opportunitie, to acknowledge, and to let the whole Kingdome know, as I am infinitely bound, to Gods due glorie and mine own comfort) I the unworthy Author of this Parliamentarie-Chronicle, have from my tender infancie, had my beſt beeing, breeding and education:The Authors own gratefull acknowledgement of Gods goodneſs to him in the ſaid Hoſpitall. And, to which Houſe of Charitie, (and ſo conſequently to the renowned Citizens of London, the pious and provident Patrons thereof, next under God) I owe my ſelf, and my poor All, what ever it be, both for all my former happie education, and preſent ſuſtentation, there, in my place and Calling. But to leave this brief and gratefull digreſſion, (which, I hope was not altogether impertinent to this place; I am ſure, not to my perſon and condition) and to come to the preſent buſineſs: It pleaſed God, I ſay, to put into the hearts of our plous Parliamentarie-Statiſts, to ſet forth a ſingular act and order of Parliament for the good of the poor Children of Chriſts Hoſpitall, in theſe hard and pinching times, that they might have comfortable ſuſtenance and maintenance, notwithſtanding the great ſtraits and neceſſities of the Kingdome. Which order of Parliament happily coming to my hands, I have thought good heer to inſert, for the Readers bet…er content and ſatisfaction, which was as followeth,
Die Lunae, Octobris, 1643.
IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That all the Rents and Revenues, belonging to Chriſts Hoſpitall, which are to be payd for the immediate uſe and advantage of the Children of the ſaid Hoſpitall, ſhall be free from the Ordinance of the Twentieth and Fifth part, and from all other Taxes or Charges whatſoever; And they doe require all Aſſeſſors, heerby to take notice heerof; Provided, that the Tenants who injoy good and conſiderable bargaines, in their Leaſes from the ſaid Hoſpitall, doe claime, and enjoy no freedome, exemption, or adva…tage by this▪ Order.
Joh. Brown, Cler. Parliament.
October the 6th, 1643. The Houſe of Commons in Parliament adjourned themſelves into ſeverall Committees, and one choice Committee of them aſſembled the ſame day at a Common Hall in London, which was called on purpoſe to conſult with the Citizens for the ſpeedie raiſing of an 100000li.An 100000li to be raiſed in the Citie of London, for the advance of an army of 21000 Scots to come into England. for the advance of the Scottiſh Armie unto us, for repayment of which ſumme, our Brethren of Scotland undertook (as hath been formerly mentioned) to bring 21000 men into this Kingdome; which ſaid 100000li. was alſo deſired to be borrowed of the Citie upon loan, and to be certainly repaid out of moneys procured from forein parts, upon the publick Faith of both Kingdomes of▪ England and Scotland, and there were ſundry excellent ſpeeches made there and then to the Citizens, to ſet forth the great importance of their ſpeedy aſſiſtance in this particular, and how acceptable a work it would be to the Lord, not onelyonly to enter into a holy League or Covenant, for reformation of the evills in Church and State, but alſo to ſeal it with ſome benevolent and chearfull act of Contribution, (though but by way of loan) to ſet forward the work; that thus both hand and heart might goe together in the work, and wee, with holy David, 2 Sam. 24.might manifeſt that wee would not offer a ſacrifice to our God of that which coſt us nought. To which motion, then, moſt efficaciouſly made, there, All then preſent, with very much chearfulneſs and alacrity, declared their forwardneſs and willing aſſent to the utmoſt of their ability, as was deſired; and at the ſame time, and afterward, alſo, at the taking of the ſaid Covenant in all the PariſhChurches in and about London, great numbers ſubſcribed for very conſiderable ſummes to be raiſed, accordingly, with all convenient and poſſible expedition.
And now, good Reader, thou mayſt be pleaſed to remember, that wee lately left the atheiſticall Earl of Newcaſtle and his Popiſh Armie, beſieging the ſtrong and important Town of Hull, moſt bravely defended (as I mentioned before) by the moſt renowned and victorious Lord Fairfax, A famous victorie obtained by the Lord Fairfax againſt Newcaſtles Popiſh forces, whereby the Siege of Hull was raiſed.the moſt noble and faithfull Governour thereof: Now therefore to return to it again, I ſhall heer acquaint thee, that about the 14th of this inſtant October, 1643. came certain intelligence to London▪ from thence, both by ſeverall relations, and alſo by Letters of a moſt memorable and brave bickering between the beſiegers and the beſieged, wherein the Lord was pleaſed to crown the moſt noble Lord Fairfax with a very glorious and famous victory over thoſe his Popiſh adverſaries, and thereby to raiſe that inſolent Siege of this proud Atheiſt againſt Hull, put the ſaid new Marqueſs (forſooth, for, honours at Oxford are, tis too well known, ſo cheap, that they are moſt eaſily bought and ſold for any baſe and treacherous▪ deſigne againſt the Parliament and Kingdome) of Newcaſtle to new troubles, and driving him quite out of his little patience and probitie, and making thereby his wit as well as his honeſtie run a wool-gathering,The Marqueſs of Newcaſtle put to great ſtraits by this Defeat. and, indeed, plunging him into inextricable perplexities, as was moſt remarkably evident in this moſt memorable and brave Defeat given to him and his Popiſh forces before Hull, where he lay in Siege, as you have already heard. For now Winter being come on, and he deſirous to make Hull his moſt ſtrong and advantageous Winter-quarter, and ſafe retyring and retreating place on all diſaſterous occaſions, he now reſolved to ſet ſtif…y and ſtoutly upon the work, and with his utmoſt powers to endeavour to procure it, but was now forced to make a new reckoning, for thus reckoning without his hoſte; The deſcription of which noble and renowned skirmiſh and brave bickering, for the more full and clearer ſetting forth of the truth thereof, I have heer thought fit to give the Reader a ſight of the Copie of that renowned Commander Sir John▪ Meldrums own letter, even verbatim, as he himſelf (being a principall actor in the whole buſineſs) writ and ſent it to the Speaker of the▪ Parliament, onelyonly I ſhall heer or there interlace ſome few materiall circumſtances, extracted out of the moſt noble Lord Fairfaxes Letter, ſent alſo about the ſame time to the ſaid Mr. Speaker of the Parliament; which was as followeth.