Survey of the Annals of King Charles, Part 6
Anno 1641. Octob. 23.
49. About this time, that moſt horrid and inhumane bloody rebellion and monſtrous maſſacring of almoſt 200000 innocent Engliſh Proteſtants, men, women, and children, brake out in Ireland, namely, about October 23. 1641. (This alſo being a main branch of this moſt miſchievous deſign againſt this Parliament, by Gods wonderfull power) and providence, ſo firmly fixed and ſetled, that they knew not how to ruinate it) thoſe accurſed Rebels having had their principall encouragements and Commiſſions to authorize them in that horrid and hideous rebellion from the Court of England, and of purpoſe to have made England the chiefe ſeat of the warre, and of all the papiſts, prelates, and malignants utmoſt wrath and rage.
50. For the ſtill effecting, and underhand working on, of this wicked deſigne, the malignant party in private, much prevailing ſtill; the deſigne now went on, chiefly againſt the City of London, for which purpoſe, the noble and loyall Leivtenant of the Tower, Sir William Belfore, was (for his loyalty) diſplaced by the King, from his Leivtenantſhip, and popiſh Lord Cotting…on, made Conſtable of the Tower; but his dangerous deſignes being ſoon diſcovered, he was as ſoon diſplaced; and Colonell Lunsford, (not long before, a Newgate-bird, and fitter for Newgate) was made Leivtenant of the Tower; But, he alſo by the Parliaments petition and importunity to the King, was diſplaced; and Sir John Byron, a deſperate malignant (who afterward proved the moſt bloody Lord Byron in Cheſ…ire) was made Leivtenant of the Tower, in Lunsfords ſtead; but he alſo, on many juſt jealouſies being petitioned againſt, was at length, with much adoe removed and put out thence, and Sir John Co…yers, by the power of the Parliament, was put in his place.
51. About which time, a moſt wicked fellow▪ ſent to Mr. John Pymm (a moſt pious Patriot of his Country, and then a moſt eminent member of the Houſe of Commons) a moſt reviling Letter, therein calling him traytor, and in the ſaid Letter incloſed a plague-ſore plaiſter, thinking thereby to have deſtroyed him, But, God mightily preſerved him from the infection of it.
52. None of all theſe plots, yet, prevailing againſt the Parliament, neither in generalls nor particulars, they yet, perſiſt to plot and attempt againſt it; and about this time found occaſions, craftily and cauſeleſly (in ſecret) to foment many jealouſies and jarre…, to diſ-joynt both Houſes of Parliament, within themſelves; thereby at leaſt, to obſtruct and retard their (then) moſt weighty, and great affaires in Church and State.
53. The Biſhops alſo themſelves had a peſtilent plot about this time, to ſubvert and overthrow the Parliament, by endevouring to get the King to proteſt againſt their proceedings in it; But twelve of them were thereupon preſently imp…ached of high treaſon, and ten of them impriſoned in the Towre of London, and, afterward, they were all diſabled from ever ſitting again in the Parliament.
54. After this, the King himſelf (being guarded with about 500 armed, ruſſianly deſperate Cavaliers or Souldiers) violently ruſhed into the Houſe of Commons, accuſed five of their moſt eminent and pious Members of treāſon, demanded their perſons to be delivered up unto him, intending to deſtroy all that reſiſted him therein; but this plot was bleſſedly croſt, by the happy abſen…e of the Gentlemen; this plot was attempted, Jan. 4. 1641.