. corporations, by threatening fire and sword if they should refuse it. That this wicked counsel doth not only hinder his majesty from exercising the justice and protection of a king towards his people, but even that honour which is observed betwixt enemies; for, by a confident instrument of his majesty, sir John Henderson, a Papist, as we are credibly informed, one David Alexander was urged to kill sir John Hotham, telling him it would be a good service both to God and the king; which he refused to do, saying, It was the work of a butcher, and not of a soldier.' This Alexander being a Scotsman of a very poor fortune, and of a mind fit for desperate attempts, the king sent for him twice while he was at Beverley; and when he came to his presence he spake to him publickly in the field, and appointed a sum of money to be given him, which he received. After which another proposition was made to him by the said sir John Henderson, that he would put fire to the Magazine of the army raised by the parliament; and to gain the better opportunity to effect it, that he should labour to get some employment in the train of artillery, which he undertook, and endeavoured to obtain; but before he could effect his mischievous intention, he was discovered, apprehended, and examined, and thereupon confessed the practice and undertaking; the particulars thereof are referred to the examinations thereupon taken. That the king doth send out letters to borrow great sums, professing, That those who will not lend him money do give him just cause to suspect their duty to his person and the peace of the kingdom: and this will be a sufficient reason to make them liable to be plundered and spoiled of all they have; but, such is the violence of the king's army, that their friends are in little better case than they who oppose them; and those who escape best must yet feed and billetness to be brought to such rendezvous, and to the soldiers for nothing.-In those places where the Trained Bands are willing to go forth to serve in his majesty's army, yet, for the most part, their arms are taken from them and put upon those who are more mercenary and less interested in the common-wcaith, and so likely to be fitter instruments of rapine and spoil. By these great violences and oppressions they have so exhausted those parts, that his majesty cannot stay long about Shrewsbury; and it is the carnest desire of the Cavaliers, that he would march forward towards Loudon, those rich and fruitful counties in the way being like to yield them a supply of their necessities, and the wealth of London, a full satisfaction of their hopes,; where they likewise think to find a party, which, upon his majesty's approach, may make some disturbance, and facilitate their designs upon the city. That if the king's army prevail, the good subjects can expect nothing but that their lives and fortunes will be exposed to the malice and rapine of those ravenous soldiers, who often talk of cutting the throats of honest and religious men, and have long expected their goods and estates, as the rewards of their service; the kingdom will again fall under the government of those mischievous counsels, who, before this parliament, had even brought both religion and liberty to rain; and we shall have no hope left of any more parliaments, but such as shall be concurrent and subservient to these ends.— The Means of curing and preventing these Evils and Dangers we conceive to be these: That good provision be made, by Loan and Contribution, for the army raised by the parliament under the lord general the earl of Essex, which is no whit inferior in horse and foot to the king's army, better armed, full paid, restrained from disorder and rapine as much as may be; well provided of all outward necessaries, but above all, well encouraged and instructed in the goodness of the cause, by the labour of many godly and painful divines.— That this Army be ready always to attend the removes of the king's army, either in one body or divided, as there shall be occasion, according to the wise conduct and direction of the lord-general; that so no opportunity of fighting upon advantage be lost, nor the greedy soldiers of the king's army suffered to range and spoil the country at their pleasure. That the counties through which the king's army is to pass, do associate themselves, and draw all their forces together, for the mutual defence of their persons and goods from oppression and spoil. That those counties be required to send in all their horses fit for carriages and dragoons, as well for the assistance of the lord-general; (for which, in convenient time, they shall receive satisfaction) as likewise that by such means those horses may be kept from being employed by the king's army. That command and direction be given to all lieutenants of counties and deputy-lieutenants, that all the Trained Bands and all Volunteers be put into readi be obedient to such commanders in chief, as shall be appointed by the committee for the safety of the kingdom, or by the lord-general; that so the king's army may find opposition in every place as they pass, and the inhabitants may have at hand a suflicient protection and defence; and the lord-general may strengthen his own army with these forces, as he shall see cause. That powder, munition, and ordnance, with all other necessaries, be prepared for these forces; that so, without any trouble or confusion, they may be brought together, and fitted for service upon all sudden occurrences. That all those who, in the city of London or any other place, shall wear any colours or other marks of division, whereby they may be dis-. tinguished from others, and known to be of the Malignant Party, shall be examined, searched, and disarmed: as likewise all others who, being able, shall not lend or contribute towards the public safety of the kingdom in this time of so great and imminent danger. That it be commended to the serious consideration of those in the king's army, and of all others that intend to assist and succour his majesty in this blessing of good laws and a righteous government.” Oct. 17. Alderman Pennington being chosen lord mayor of London, upon the removal of sir R. Gurney, he was ordered, on account of the lord keeper's absence, to appear before the lords in parliament for their approbation, before he was sworn at the bar of the Exchequer, The lords passed great compliments on the new lord mayor, for his experienced duty and loyalty to the king and kingdom, and were well pleased the city had made such a choice. Oct. 19. The lord Coventry, who had revolted from the king to the parliament, sent a submissive Letter to the lords by the earl of Northumberland, and offered 20001. in money for carrying on the cause in hand: alledging, that though he had subscribed, at York, to furnish the king with horses, &c. he did it only for one month, and would not contribute or meddle, in any thing of that nature, hereafter: desiring to be protected, in person and estate, and have his goods in Worcestershire restored to himn. All which the lords readily accepted of and promised him. Letters from the E. of Essex, &c. concerning the last Petition to the King.] Oct. 20. A conference was held, in which were exhibited some Letters from the earl of Essex, dated from Worcester, sent to the Committee of Safety; and, first, one from himself: impious and unnatural war, (amongst whom it may be hoped there are some honest men and protestants) what it is that moves them in this quarrel. Is it for fear of some innovations and alterations of religion, or Church-government? Let such as are possest with this vain and causeless apprehension know, that nothing is intended or desired, but to take away the government by bishops, which hath been so constantly and evidently mischievous to the church and state; with such other things as shall be found to be justly offensive; and nothing to be settled and introduced but by authority of parliament, after consultation first had with an assembly of learned and reverend Divines.Is it to uphold the authority, prerogative, and honour of the king, and to preserve the safety of his royal person? Surely the parliament is, and ever hath been, ready to do any thing that belongs to them to secure all these; which they have often testified by many humble Petitions to his majesty. If there be no cause, for any of these respects, to seek the destruction of the parliament, and the blood and ruin of their kindred, friends, and acquaintance; what remains then to be the matter of the quarrel, the motives of such great combustions, and the effects and consequences of their victory if they should prevail? That priests, Jesuits, and the pope's nuncios, may domineer and govern in the king's counsel, as heretofore; that the archbishops of Canterbury and York, and their suffragans, may suppress diligent and powerful preaching, banish and oppress all the most pious and best affected subjects of the kingdom, and introduce the Popish religion, under Protestant profession; till they have strength and boldness to cast off the disguise, and openly appear that which indeed they are, and would not seem to be. That the earl of Bristol, and his son the lord Digby, Mr. Jermyn, and other such traitors, may possess the great places and government of this kingdom; and be the arbiters of the affairs of state, and distributers of preferments and disgraces to such who shall further or oppose their designs. That the delinquents, oppressors, and destroyers of the kingdom, may not only escape the justice of the parliament, but triumph in the spoils of all honest men and good patriots; that through our troubles and divisions, the rebels in Ireland may prevail; that we may cease to be a free nation; and become the object of cruelty and oppression at home, and "My lord; I have received your Letter of the of scorn and infamy abroad. And if there can 15th and in it, the Votes of both houses of be no other fruit of their hazard and endea- parliament of the 3rd; and have direction vours on that side, let them then consider whe-from his majesty to return you this Answer: ther, by adhering to the parliament, they may not expect effects, more suitable to the desires of honest men; the glory of God, in the preservation of his truth; the peace of the church, by securing it against the pride, avarice, and ambition of the clergy: the honour, greatness, and security of the king, by freeing him from false and traiterous counsels, and establishing him in the hearts and affections of his people; the prosperity of the whole kingdom, by the "My lords and gentlemen; In obedience to your commands, I sent Mr. Lionel Copley, with a Letter and three Votes of both houses, with a desire of a safe conduct to such as should be sent with the Petition to his majesty; my lord Dorset's Answer I have sent your lordships, who can better tell how to consider of it than I your servant. My lords, this Answer did not take me unprovided; for, since the first Answer I sent up to the parliament, I expected no better. And for my head, which is so much sought after, if God please, I intend to sell it at such a rate that the buyers shall be no great purchasers. I shall not, in this letter, presume further upon your patience, acknowledging the great affairs you have; only this, assuring you, That I shall neither spare any hazard or pains to declare myself to be, Your, &c. ESSEX. Worcester, Oct. 18, 1642." Next the Letter from the earl of Dorset, in answer to that from the Lord-General, was read: That, if justice had been done, the gentleman that brought it could not expect his liberty. And for the address of the Petition of both houses, as his majesty, by my former Letter, declared his resolution, That he would not receive any by the hands of such as he had, by name, proclaimed traitors; so now his majesty, having declared you the principal in that number, will not receive any by your address: but, as his maj, then declared by me, his ear shall still be open to hear any fitting address from either or both houses in such manner as his maj. bath declared. This being all I have in charge from his majesty to signify unto you, I remain, &c. DORSET. Woolverhampton, Oct. 16, 1642." Then followed a Letter from the Committee of both houses in their army, to the Committee of Safety at Westminster, in these words: "My lords and gentlemen; In obedience to the commands of the houses, the lord-general dispatched Mr. Copley, commissary-general of the musters, to desire a safe convoy of all such as his excellency should send with the Petition of both houses to his majesty; and, yesterday morning, Mr. Copley returned with the foregoing Answer, by which your lordships may perceive that his majesty absolutely refuses to receive any Petition by any address of the lord-general, as one who is there expressed to be the principal of the number of those whom the king hath proclaimed Traitors. This we humbly conceive to be an high indignity and scorn cast upon the authority of parliament, in the person of his excellency unto whom they have committed the care and government of their army, in which their religion and safety is so much concerned; and a final and utter rejection of the submiss, dutiful, and earnest desires of peace, so often laid at his feet, with the cries and groans of his loyal and loving subjects. My lords, we could not chuse but express this our sense of it; the further consideration whereof we leave unto your wisdoms; and rest Your, &c. Bedford, Mandeville,* Brooke, Willoughby, D. Hollis, P. Stapylton, Ar. Goodwyn.-Worcester Oct. 18, 1642." them, fit to be listed, taken; declaring and promising, upon the public faith, to satisfy and pay for such as shall miscarry in the use of them; and the rest to be returned to the owners of them, when this action shall be passed and the danger over. This Order to be sent to the committee of the Militia in London and Westminster, and the lord-lieutenants and deputy-lieutenants of Middlesex and the neighbouring counties. Next follows the earl of Warwick's Commission, who had been recalled from the Fleet, constituting him Captain-General of all the Forces raised, or to be raised, in or about London, without any derogation to the commission already given by parliament to the earl of Essex. The Parliament's Protestation to the whole World, in Vindication of their Proceedings.] Then a Declaration of both houses, which had been drawn up by the committee of safety, was read, agreed to, and ordered to be printed; as follows: A PROTESTATION and DECLARATION of the LORDS and COMMONS in Parliament, to this Kingdom, and to the whole World, Oct. 22, 1642. "We the lords and commons in this present parliament assembled, do, in the presence of Almighty God, for the satisfaction of our consciences, and the discharge of that great trust which lies upon us, make this Protestation and Declaration to this kingdom and nation, and to the whole world, That no private passion or respect, no evil intention to his majesty's person, no design to the prejudice of his just honour and authority, engaged us to raise forces, and take up arms against the authors of this war, wherewith the kingdom is now enflamed.' After the reading of these Letters, the lords thought it fit that this denial of the king to receive the Petition from the lord-general, as likewise the danger this kingdom and the city-And we have always desired from our hearts of London is in by the advancing of the king's army, with other particulars in the last conference, should be communicated to the citizens, that they might be provided, and more readily come into an association for their defence, which both houses had ordered to be drawn up for that purpose. The lord mayor was accordingly ordered to call a common-hall, and a committee of lords and commons appointed to deliver this to them. Oct. 22. An Ordinance was read and agreed to, importing, That the houses being credibly informed of the king's approach to this city with his army; and, by former Declarations, giving great cause to expect their intentions are to destroy both parliament and city: they believe it therefore necessary, for their present safety and defence, that all the stables of the city of London, and suburbs, should be forthwith searched, and the number of horses in So stiled as heir apparent to the earl of Manchester. In the foregoing part of this work he is called lord Kimbolton, being summoned to the house of lords by his father's barony of that name. and souls, manifested in our actions and proceedings, and in several humble Petitions and Remonstrances to his majesty, professed our loyalty and obedience to his crown, readi ness and resolution to defend his person, and support his estate, with our lives and fortunes to the uttermost of our power.-That we have been willing to pass by not only those injuries, ignominies, slanders, and false accusations, wherewith we have been privately oppressed and grieved; but likewise many public incroachments, and high usurpations, to the prejudice of religion and liberty; divers bloody, traiterous and cruel practises and designs, for the utter ruin of the church and state; so as we might, for the time to come, have been secured from that wicked and Malignant Party, those pernicious and traiterous counsels, who have been the authors and fomenters of the former mischiefs and present calamities, which have and still do distemper this church and state. That for the same purpose, and for the avoiding of blood, we directed the earl of Essex lord-general, by himself or others, in some safe and honourable way, to cause to be deli vered an humble Petition, wherein we did de 1487] PARL. HISTORY, 18 CHARLES I. 1642.-The Parliament's Protestation. [1488 been granted to many of them for places of sire nothing from his majesty, but that he would return in peace to his parliament; and, by their faithful counsel and advice, compose the distempers and confusions abounding in his kingdoms, as he is bound to do; we therein professed, in the sight of Almighty God, which is the strongest obligation that any Christian, and the most solemn public faith which any such state as a parliament can give, That we would receive him with all honour, yield him all true obedience and subjection, and faith-Gerrard, bart. sir Cecil Trafford, and Mr. Anderson of Lostocke, in the county of Lanfully endeavour to defend his person and estate caster; divers forces are raised, and paid by the from all danger; and, to the uttermost of our power, to establish him and his people in all earl of Worcester; his son, the lord Herbert, the blessings of a glorious and happy reign, a notorious Papist, is made general of all as it is more largely expressed in that Peti- South-Wales: and we are further informed out tion. For the delivery of which Petition, his of Yorkshire, by divers persons of great worth excellency hath twice sent unto the king, hum- and quality, That those that raise forces in bly desiring a safe conduct for those who should those parts for his majesty, do arm and employ be employed therein but his majesty refused Papists, and use their advice in their consultato give any such safe conduct, or to receive tions; all which is contrary to the solemn this humble and dutiful Petition by any address Oaths, Protestations, and Execrations, wherefrom the earl of Essex; saying, "That if justice by his maj. bound himself to maintain the Prohad been done, the gentleman which brought testant religion, and the laws of the land; by the 2nd Message could not expect his liberty.'- which he endeavoured to get a confidence in By all which, and many other evidences and the people of his good intentions; which, how inducements, we are fully convinced in our well it is answered, we leave to the world to judgments and belief, That the king's counsels judge. That sir John Henderson and col. and resolutionss are so engaged to the Popish Cochran, men of ill report both for religion party, for the suppression and extirpation of the and honesty, are sent to Hamburgh and Dentrue religion, that all hopes of peace and pro-mark, we are credibly informed, to raise forces tection are excluded; and that it is fully intended to give satisfaction to the Papists, by alteration of religion; and to the Cavaliers and other soldiers, by exposing the wealth of the good subjects,especially of this city of London, to be sacked, plundered, and spoiled by them. That for the better effecting hereof, great numbers of Papists have, in shew, conformed themselves to the Protestant religion, by coming to the church, receiving the Sacrament, and taking the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy; which some of their own priests have encouraged them to do, by maintaining, That they might do all those things, and yet continue good catholicks' under which cover his maj. did, at first, begin to strengthen himself (those of that religion being weak, and unable to endure the envy and discontent which the arming of Papists would procure in the kingdom); and therefore endeavoured to keep off all jealousies and suspicions, by many fearful Oaths and Imprecations, concerning his purpose of maintaining the Protestant religion and the laws of the kingdom; causing some professed papists to be discharged out of his army; and none to be received that would not endure the test of coming to church, receiving the sacra-informed, that divers Jesuits and Priests, ment, and taking the Oaths of Allegiance. That his majesty being now grown stronger, and able, as he conceives, to make good his own ends by arms, his confidence in the priests doth more clearly appear: persons imprisoned for Priests and Jesuits have been released out of the jail of Lancaster; professed Papists have been invited to rise and take up arms; commissions, under his majesty's authority, have there, and to bring them to Newcastle; to join foreign parts, make great collections of money, for relief of the Papists in Ireland, and the fur thering of his majesty's designs here against the parliament; and that by them, and some others fled out of this kingdom for treason, great means are made to make up the differ ences betwixt some princes of the Romish re ligion that so they might unite their strength for the extirpation of the Protestant i ligion; wherein principally this kingdom and the kingdom of Scotland are concerned, as making the greatest body of the reformed religion in Christendom, and best able to defend themselves and succour other churches. For all which Reasons we are resolved to enter into a solemn Oath and Covenant with God to give up ourselves, our lives and fortunes, into his hands; and that we will, to the uttermost of our power and judgment, maintain his truth, and conform ourselves to his will. That we will defend this cause with the hazard of our lives, against the king's army, and against all that join with them in the prosecution of this wicked design; acccording to the form to be agreed upon by both houses of parliament, to be subscribed by our hands; and that we will, for the same ends, associate ourselves, and unite with all the well-affected in the city of London and other parts of his majesty's dominions. That we expect our brethren of Scotland (according to the act of Pacification, whereby the two kingdoms are mutually bound to suppress all debates and differences, to the disturbance of the public peace) will help and assist us in defence of the cause; which, if the Popish party prevail, must needs either involve them in that alteration of religion which will be inade here, or engage them in a war against this kingdom, to defend their own religion and liberty: and we doubt not but the God of Truth, and the great Protector of his people, will assist and enable us, in this our just defence, to restrain the malice and fury of those that seek our ruin; and to secure the persons, estates, and liberties of all that join with us; and to procure and establish the safety of religion, and fruition of our laws and liberties, in this and all other his majesty's dominions; which we do, here again, profess, before the ever-living God, to be the chief end of all our counsels and resolutions without any intention or desire to hurt or injure his maj, either in his person or just power.” they would make the world believe this army is raised) into as much danger as the skill and malice of desperate rebels could do; otherwise this Protestation, now made, will ap pear of the same nature with those by which they promised to make us a glorious king; when, by their Nineteen Propositions, they endea voured to strip us of all those rights which made us a king and them subjects.—What those actions and proceedings have been, which have manifested their loyalty and obe dience unto us, will be as hard to find, as in their humble Petitions and Remonstrances; when, in truth, their actions have been the greatest scorns of our authority, and their Pe titions the greatest.reproaches and challenges of us, which any age have produced: and we have not only the clear evidence of our own conscience, but the testimony of all good men, that we left no action unperformed on our part, which might have prevented the misery and confusion which the ambition, fury, and malice of these seditious persons have brought upon this poor kingdom; neither is there any thing wanting to the happiness of church and state, but that peace and order which the faction of these men have robbed them of.→→ But they say,They directed their general, the earl of Essex, to deliver an humble Peti tion to us, wherein they desire nothing from us, but that we would return in peace to our parliament; and by their faithful counsel and advice, compose the distempers and confusions abounding in our kingdoms, as we are bound to do,' We were never so backward in receiving, or so slow in answering, the Petitions of either or both our houses of parliament that there was any need of an army to quicken us; which ei ther or both houses of parliament have, in no case, any more shadow of right or power to raise by any law, custom, or privilege, than they have, by their Votes, to take away the The King's Answer.] There is no mention lives and Fortunes of all the subjects of Eng of any Auswer from the king to this Protesta-land; yet the framers of this Declaration tion of parliament in the Journals: we shall however give it here for the sake of connection, though it was printed after the Battle of Edge-hill. This circumstance of time is necessary to be kept in view, on account of some expressions which carry a reference to that action. "If, in truth, the framers of this Declaration are not engaged by any private passion or respect, by any evil intention to our person, or design to the prejudice of our just honour and authority, to raise these forces and army against us (as they call Almighty God to witness they are not) they will think it their duty to disclaim the protection of the conductors of that army; who, the next day after this so solemn Protestation, used their utmost power, by the strength of that army, to have destroyed us, and put our person (for whose defence Printed at Oxford by Leonard Litchfield, printer to the University, 1642. VOL. II. take it unkindly, that upon their profession in the sight of Almighty God (which is, they say, the strongest assurance that any Christian can give) we did not put ourself into their hands,' (those hands which were lifted up against us, and filled at that time with arms to destroy us,) and leave a strength God had supplied us with, of good and faithful subjects; who, notwithstanding all their threats and menaces, had brought themselves to our assistance. If that Petition had been so humble as they pretended, they would not have lost the advantage of pub lishing it in this their Declaration; that the world might as well have been witness of our refusal of peace, as it hath been of their disdain of any way to it, when they rejected our several earnest offers of a Treaty.-But why did they not send this humble Petition? Why, His excellency twice sent unto us for a safeconduct for those who s ould be employed therein, and we refused to give any, or to receive the humble aud dutiful petition.' Sure, SC |