Basiliká the works of King Charles the martyr : with a collection of declarations, treaties, and other papers concerning the differences betwixt His said Majesty and his two houses of Parliament : with the history of his life : as also of his tryal and martyrdome.

A REMONSTRANCE of the State of the Kingdom.

THE Commons in this present Parliament assembled having with much earnest∣ness, and faithfulness of affection and zeal to the publick good of this Kingdom, and His Majesties Honour and Service, for the space of twelve months wrastled with the great Dangers and Fears, the pressing Miseries and Calamities, the various Di∣stempers and Disorders which had not only assaulted, but even overwhelmed and extin∣guisht the Liberty, Peace and Prosperity of this Kingdom, the comfort and hopes of all His Majesties good Subjects, and exceedingly weakned and undermined the foundation and strength of His own Royal Throne; do yet find an abounding malignity and oppo∣sition in those Parties and Factions who have been the cause of those evils, and do still labour to cast aspersions upon that which hath been done, and to raise many difficulties for the hinderance of that which remains yet undone, and to foment Jealousies betwixt the King and the Parliament, that so they may deprive Him and His People of the fruit of his own gracious intentions, and their humble desires of procuring the publick Peace, Safety, and Happiness of this Realm. For the preventing of those miserable effects which such malicious endeavours may produce, We have thought good to declare,

First, The Root and the growth of these mischievous Designs.

Secondly, The Maturity and ripeness to which they have attained before the beginning of the Parliament.

Thirdly, The effectual Means which have been used for the extirpation of those dangerous evils, and the Progress which hath therein been made by His Majesties Goodness and the wis∣dom of the Parliament.

Fourthly, The ways of Obstruction and Opposition, by which that progress hath been inter∣rupted.

Fifthly, The courses to be taken for the removing those Obstacles, and for the accomplishing of our most dutiful and faithful intentions and endeavours of restoring and establishing the ancient Honour, Greatness, and Security of this Crown and Nation.

The Root of all this mischief we find to be a malignant and pernicious design of subverting the Fundamental Laws and Principles of Government, upon which the Religion and Justice of this Kingdom are firmly establish'd.

The Actors and Promoters hereof have been,

First, The Jesuited Papists, who hate the Laws as the obstacles of that Change and subver∣sion of Religion which they so much long for.

Secondly, The Bishops and the corrupt part of the Clergy, who cherish Formality and Su∣perstition, as the natural effects and more probable supports of their own Ecclesiastical Tyranny and Vsurpation.

Thirdly, Such Counsellors and Courtiers as for private ends have engaged themselves to fur∣ther the interests of some foreign Princes or States, to the prejudice of His Majesty and the State at home.

The Common Principles by which they moulded and governed all their particular Counsels and Actions were these.

First, To maintain continual Differences and Discontents betwixt the King and the People, upon questions of Prerogative and Liberty, that so they might have the advantage of siding with Him, and under the notions of men addicted to His Service, gain to themselves and their parties the places of greatest trust and power in the Kingdom.

A Second, To suppress the purity and power of Religion, and such persons as were best affected to it; as being contrary to their own ends, and the greatest impediment to that Change which they thought to introduce.

A Third, to conjoyn those parties of the Kingdom which were most propitious to their own ends, and to divide those who were most opposite, which consisted in many particular observations; to cherish the Arminian part in those Points wherein they agreè with the Papists, to multiply and enlarge the Differences betwixt the common Protestants and those whom they call Puritans, to introduce and countenance such Opinions and Ceremonies as are fittest for accommodation with Popery, to encrease and maintain ignorance, looseness and prophaneness in the People; that of those three parties, Papists, Arminians and Libertines, they might compose a body fit to act such Counsels and resolutions as were most conducible to their own ends.

A Fourth, To disaffect the King to Parliaments by Slanders and false Imputations, and by putting Him upon other waies of supply, which in shew and appearance were fuller of advantage

then the ordinary course of Subsidies, though in truth they brought more loss than gain both to the King and People, and have caused the great Distractions under which we both suffer.

As in all compounded bodies the Operations are qualified according to the predomi∣nant Element; so in this mixt party the Jesuited Counsels being most active and prevail∣ing, may easily be discovered to have had the greatest sway in all their determinations, and if they be not prevented, are likely to devour the rest, or to turn them into their own nature.

In the beginning of His Majesties Reign the party begun to revive and flourish again, having been somewhat dampt by the breach with Spain in the last year of King James, and by His Majesties Marriage with France; the Interests and Counsels of that State being not so contrary to the good of Religion and the prosperity of this Kingdom as those of Spain, and the Papists of England having been evermore addicted to Spain then France: yet they still retained a purpose and resolution to weaken the Protestant parties in all parts, and even in France, whereby to make way for the Change of Religion which they intended at home.

The first effect and evidence of their recovery and strength was, the dissolution of the Parliament at Oxford, after there had been given two Subsidies to His Majesty, and before they received relief in any one Grievance: many other more miserable effects followed.

The loss of the Rochel Fleet, by the help of our Shipping, set forth and delivered over to the French, in opposition to the advice of Parliament; which left that Town without defence by Sea, and made way not only to the loss of that important place, but likewise to the loss of all the strength and security of the Protestant Religion in France.

The diverting of His Majesties course of Wars from the West-Indies, which was the most facile and hopeful way for this Kingdom to prevail against the Spaniard, to an ex∣penceful and succesless attempt upon Cales; which was so ordered, as if it had rather been intended to make us weary of War, then to prosper in it.

The precipitate breach with France, by taking their Ships to a great value, without making recompence to the English, whose goods were thereupon imbarg'd and confis∣cate in that Kingdom.

The Peace with Spain without consent of Parliament, contrary to the promise of King James to both Houses; whereby the Palatine Cause was deserted, and left to charge∣able and hopeless Treaties, which, for the most part, were managed by those who might justly be suspected to be no friends to that Cause.

The charging of the Kingdom with billetted Souldiers in all parts of it, and that con∣comitant design of Germane horse; that the Land might either submit with fear, or be enforced with rigour to such Arbitrary Contributions as should be required of them.

The dissolving of the Parliament in the second year of His Majesties reign, after a De∣claration of their intent to grant five Subsidies.

The exacting of the like proportion of five Subsidies after the Parliament dissolved, by Commission of Loan; and divers Gentlemen and others imprisoned for not yielding to pay that Loan, whereby many of them contracted such Sicknesses as cost them their lives. Great sums of Money required and raised by privy Seals. An unjust and pernici∣ous attempt to extort great payments from the Subject by way of Excise, and a Com∣mission issued under Seal to that purpose. The Petition of Right, which was granted in full Parliament, blasted with an illegal Declaration, to make it destructive to it self, to the power of Parliament, to the Liberty of the Subject, and to that purpose printed with it; and the Petition made of no use, but to shew the bold and presumptuous inju∣stice of such Ministers as durst break the Laws, and suppress the Liberties of the King∣dom, after they had been so solemnly and evidently declared.

Another Parliament dissolved 4 Car. the Priviledge of Parliament broken by impri∣soning divers Members of the House, detaining them close Prisoners for many months together, without the liberty of using Books, Pen, Ink or Paper, denying them all the comforts of life, all means of preservation of health, not permitting their Wives to come unto them, even in time of their Sickness; and for the compleating of that Cruelty, after years spent in such miserable durance, depriving them of the necessary means of Spiritual consolation, not suffering them to go abroad to enjoy God's Ordinances in God's House, or God's Ministers to come to them, to administer comfort unto them in their private Chambers: and to keep them still in this oppressed condition, not admit∣ting them to be bailed according to Law, yet vexing them with Informations in inferi∣our Courts, sentencing and fining some of them for matters done in Parliament, and extorting the payments of those Fines from them; enforcing others to put in Security of good behaviour, before they could be released.

The imprisonment of the rest which refused to be bound still continued; which might

have been perpetual, if necessity had not the last year brought another Parliament to re∣lieve-them; of whom one died by the cruelty and harshness of his Imprisonment, which would admit of no relaxation, notwithstanding the imminent danger of his life did suf∣ficiently appear by the declaration of his Physician, and his release, or at least his refresh∣ment, was sought by many humble Petitions. And his blood still cries either for ven∣geance or repentance of those Ministers of State, who have at once obstructed the course both of His Majesties Justice and Mercy.

Upon the dissolution of both these Parliaments, untrue and scandalous Declarations were published, to asperse their proceedings and some of their Members, unjustly to make them odious, and colour the violence which was used against them; Proclamations set out to the same purpose, and to the great dejecting of the hearts of the people, forbid∣ding them even to speak of Parliaments.

After the breach of the Parliament, in the fourth year of His Majesty, Injustice, Op∣pression and Violence broke in upon us without any restraint or moderation: and yet the first project was the great sums exacted through the whole Kingdom for default of Knighthood, which seemed to have some colour and shadow of a Law; yet if it be rightly examined by that obsolete Law which was pretended for it, it would be found to be a∣gainst all the rules of Justice, both in respect of the persons charged, the proportion of the Fines demanded, and the absurd and unreasonable manner of their proceedings. Ton∣nage and Poundage hath been received without colour or pretence of Law; many other heavy Impositions continued against Law; and some so unreasonable, that the sum of the charge exceeds the value of the Goods. The Book of Rates lately inhanced to a high proportion; and such Merchants as would not submit to their illegal and unreasonable payments, were vexed and oppressed above measure, and the ordinary course of Justice, the common Birth-right of the Subject of England, wholly obstructed unto them. And al∣though all this was taken upon pretence of guarding the Sea, yet a new and unheard-of Tax of Ship-money was devised upon the same pretence. By both which there was char∣ged upon the Subject near 700000 l. some years; and yet the Merchants have been left so naked to the violence of the Turkish Pirats, that many great Ships of value and thou∣sands of His Majesties Subjects have been taken by them, and do still remain in mise∣rable slavery.

The enlargement of Forests, contrary to Charta de Foresta and the composition there∣upon. The exactions of Coat and Conduct-Money, and divers other Military charges. The taking away the Arms of the Trained Bands of divers Counties. The desperate de∣sign of engrossing all the Gun-powder into one hand, keeping it in the Tower of London, and setting so high a rate upon it that the poorer sort were not able to buy it, nor could any have it without Licence; thereby to leave the several parts of the Kingdom destitute of their necessary defence, and by selling so dear that which was sold, to make an unlaw∣ful advantage of it, to the great charge and detriment of the Subject. The general de∣struction of the Kings Timber, especially that in the Forest of Dean, sold to Papists, which was the best Store-house of this Kingdom for the maintenance of our Shipping. The ta∣king away of mens Right, under colour of the Kings title to Land between high and low water-Marks. The Monopolies of Sope, Salt, Wine, Leather, Sea-coal, and in a manner, of all things of most common and necessary use. The restraint of the Liberties of the Subjects in their Habitation, Trades, and other Interest. Their vexation and oppression by Purveyors, Clarks of the Market, and Salt-Peter-men. The sale of pretended Nu∣sanzes, as Buildings in and about London, conversion of Arable into Pasture, continuance of Pasture under the name of depopulation, have drawn many Millions out of the Sub∣jects Purses, without any considerable profit to His Majesty. Large quantities of Com∣mon and several Grounds have been taken from the Subject by colour of the Statute of Improvement, and by abuse of the Commission of Sewers, without their consent and against it. And not only private Interest, but also publick Faith have been broken, in sei∣zing of the Money and Bullion in the Mint; and the whole Kingdom like to be robb'd at once in that abominable project of Brass Money. Great numbers of His Majesties Sub∣jects, for refusing those unlawful charges, have been vext with long and expensive suits; some fined and censured, others committed to long and hard imprisonments and con∣finements, to the loss of health in many, of life in some; and others have had their Houses broken up, their Goods seized; some have been restrained from their lawful Callings: Ships have been interrupted in their Voyages, surprized at Sea in an hostile manner by Projectors, as by a common Enemy; Merchants prohibited to unlade their goods in such Ports as were for their own advantage, and forced to bring them to those places which were most for the advantages of the Monopolizers and Projectors. The Court

of Star-Chamber hath abounded in extravagant Censures, not only for the maintenance and improvement of Monopolies and other unlawful Taxes, but for divers other Causes, where there hath been no offence, or very small; whereby His Majesties Subjects have been oppressed by grievous Fines, Imprisonments, Stigmatizings, Mutilations, Whippings, Pillories, Gags, Confinements, Banishments, after so rigid a manner, as hath not only de∣prived men of the society of their Friends, exercise of their Professions, comfort of Books, use of Paper or Ink, but even violated that near Union which God hath establisht betwixt Men and their Wives, by forced and constrained separation; whereby they have been be∣reaved of the comfort and conversation one of another for many years together, without hope of relief, if God had not by his over-ruling Providence given some interruption to the prevailing power and counsel of those who were the Authors and Promoters of such peremptory and heady courses.

Judges have been put out of their places for refusing to do against their Oaths and Consciences: Others have been so awed, that they durst not do their duties; and the better to hold a rod over them, the Clause Quamdiu se bene gesserit was left out of their Patents, and a new Clause Durante beneplacito inserted. Lawyers have been checkt for being faithful to their Clients; Solicitors and Attorneys have been threatned, and some punished, for following lawful Suites: And by this means all the approaches to Justice were interrupted and fore-cluded. New Oathes have been forced upon the Subject against Law; new Judicatories erected without Law. The Council-Table have by their Or∣ders offered to bind the Subjects in their Free-holds, Estates, Suites and Actions. The pre∣tended Court of the Earl-Marshal was Arbitrary and Illegal in its being and proceedings. The Chancery, Exchequer-Chamber, Court of Wards, and other English Courts have been grievous in exceeding their Jurisdiction: The estate of many Families weakned, and some ruined, by excessive Fines exacted from them for Compositions of Wardships: All Leases of above a hundred years made to draw on Wardship contrary to Law. Un∣due proceedings used in the finding of Offices, to make the Jury find for the King. The Common-Law Courts, seeing all men more inclined to seek Justice there where it may be fitted to their own desire, are known frequently to forsake the Rules of the Common-Law, and straining beyond their bounds, under pretence of Equity to do Injustice. Titles of Honour, Judicial places, Serjeantships at Law and other Offices, have been sold for great sums of money, whereby the common Justice of the Kingdom hath been much endangered; not only by opening a way of employment in places of great Trust and ad∣vantage to men of weak parts, but also by giving occasion to Bribery, Extortion, Parti∣ality; it seldom hapning that places ill gotten are well used. Commissions have been gran∣ted for examining the excess of Fees: and when great Exactions have been discovered, Compositions have been made with Delinquents, not only for the time past, but likewise for immunity and security in offending for the time to come; which under colour of re∣medy, hath but confirmed and encreased the Grievance to the Subject. The usual course of pricking Sheriffs not observed, but many times Sheriffs made in an extraordinary way: sometimes as a punishment and charge unto them; sometimes such were pricked out as would be Instruments to execute whatsoever they would have to be done.

The Bishops and the rest of the Clergy did triumph in the Suspensions, Excommuni∣cations, Deprivations and Degradations of divers painful, learned and pious Ministers, in the vexation and grievous oppression of great numbers of His Majesties good Subjects. The High-Commission grew to such excess of sharpness and severity, as was not much less then the Romish Inquisition; and yet in many cases by the Arch-bishops power was made much more heavy, being assisted and strengthened by authority of the Council-Table.

The Bishops and their Courts were as eager in the Country; and although their Juris∣diction could not reach so high in rigor and extremity of punishment, yet were they no less grievous in respect of the generality and multiplicity of vexations, which lighting up∣on the meaner sort of Trades-men and Artificers, did impoverish many thousands, and so afflict and trouble others, that great numbers, to avoid their miseries, departed out of the Kingdom, some into New-England and other parts of America, others into Holland, where they have transported their Manufactures of Cloth; which is not only a loss, by diminishing the present stock of the Kingdom, but a great mischief, by impairing and endangering the loss of that peculiar Trade of Cloathing, which hath been a plentiful fountain of Wealth and Honour to this Nation. Those were fittest for Ecclesiastical pre∣ferment, and soonest obtained it, who were most officious in promoting Superstition, most virulent in railing against Godliness and Honesty.

The most publick and solemn Sermons before His Majesty were either to advance Pre∣rogative above Law, and decry the Property of the Subject; or full of such kind of In∣vectives

whereby they might make those odious who sought to maintain the Religion, Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom: and such men were sure to be weeded out of the Commission of the Peace, and out of all other imployments of power in the Govern∣ment of the Countrey. Many noble Personnages were Councellors in name, but the power and authority remained in a few of such as were most addicted to this party; whose resolutions and determinations were brought to the Table for countenance and execution, and not for debate and deliberation; and no man could offer to oppose them without dis∣grace and hazard to himself. Nay all those that did not wholly concur and actively contribute to the furtherance of their designs, though otherwise persons of never so great Honour and Abilities, were so far from being employed in any place of trust and power, that they were neglected, discountenanced, and upon all occasions injured and oppressed. This Faction was grown to that height and entireness of power, that now they began to think of finishing their Work, which consisted of these three parts.

1. The Government must be set free from all restraint of Laws concerning our Persons and States.

2. There must be a Conjunction betwixt Papists and Protestants in Doctrine, Discipline and Ceremonies; only it must not yet be called Popery.

3. The Puritans, (under which name they include all those that desire to preserve the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, and to maintain Religion in the power of it) must be either rooted out of the Kingdom with force, or driven out with fear. For the effecting of this, it was thought necessary to reduce Scotland to such Popish Superstitions and Innovations as might make them apt to joyn with England in that great Change which was intended. Whereupon new Canons and a new Liturgy were prest upon them; and when they refused to admit of them, an Army was raised to force them to it, towards which the Clergy and the Papists were very forward in their Contribution. The Scots likewise raised an Army for their defence: and when both Armies were come together, and ready for a bloody encounter, His Majesties own Gracious Disposition, and the Counsel of the English Nobility, and Dutiful submission of the Scots, did so far prevail against the evil Counsel of others, that a Pacification was made, and His Majesty returned with Peace and much Honour to London.

The unexpected Reconciliation was most acceptable to all the Kingdom, except to the malignant party; whereof the Archbishop and the Earl of Strafford being heads, they and their faction begun to inveigh against the Peace, and to aggravate the proceeding of the States, which so incensed His Majesty, that He forthwith prepared again for War. And such was their confidence, that having corrupted and distempered the whole frame and Government of the Kingdom, they did now hope to corrupt that which was the only means to restore all to a right frame and temper again. To which end they perswaded His Majesty to call a Parliament, not to seek counsel and advice of them, but to draw countenance and Supply from them, and engage the whole Kingdom in their Quarrel: and in the mean time continued all their unjust Levies of Money, resolving either to make the Parliament pliant to their Will, and to establish mischief by a Law, or else to brake it; and with more colour to go on by violence, to take what they could not obtain by consent.

The ground alledged for the justification of this War was this, That the undutiful De∣mands of the Parliaments of Scotland was a sufficient reason for His Majesty to take Arms against them, without hearing the Reason of those Demands. And thereupon a new Army was prepared against them, their Ships were seized in all Ports both of England and Ire∣land, and at Sea, their Petitions rejected, their Commissioners refused Audience, this whole Kingdom most miserably distempered with Levies of Men and Money, and Imprison∣ments of those who denied to submit to those Levies. The Earl of Strafford past into Ireland, caused the Parliament there to declare against the Scots, to give four Subsidies to∣wards that War, and to ingage themselves, their Lives and Fortunes for the prosecution of it; and gave directions for an Army of eight thousand foot and one thousand horse to be levied there, which were for the most part Papists.

The Parliament met upon the thirteenth of April one thousand six hundred and forty. The Earl of Strafford and Archbishop of Canterbury with their Party so prevailed with His Majesty, that the House of Commons was prest to yield to a Supply for maintenance of the War with Scotland, before they had provided any relief for the great and pressing Grievances of the people: which being against the fundamental Privilege and proceeding of Parliament, was yet in humble respect to His Majesty so far admitted, as that they agreed to take the matter of Supply into consideration, and two several days it was debated. Twelve Subsidies were demanded for the release of Ship-money alone. A third day was appointed for conclusion: when the Heads of that Party begun to fear the peo∣ple might close with the King in satisfying his desire of money; but that withal they

were like to blast their malicious designs against Scotland, finding them very much in∣disposed to give any countenance to that War. Thereupon they wickedly advised the King to break off the Parliament, and to return to the ways of Confusion, in which their own evil intentions were most like to prosper and succeed.

After the Parliament ended the fifth of May 1640. this Party grew so bold, as to coun∣sel the King to supply Himself out of his Subjects states by His own Power, at His own will, without their consent. The very next day some Members of both Houses had their studies and cabinets, yea their pockets, searched: another of them not long after was committed close prisoner, for not delivering some Petitions which he received by authority of that House. And if harsher courses were intended (as was reported) it is very probable that the sickness of the Earl of Strafford, and the tumultuous rising in Southwark and about Lambeth, were the causes that such violent intentions were not brought to ex∣ecution. A false and scandalous Declaration against the House of Commons was published in his Majesties Name; which yet wrought little effect with the people, but only to ma∣nifest the impudence of those who were Authors of it.

A forced Loan of money was attempted in the City of London. The Lord Mayor and Aldermen in their several Wards enjoyned to bring in a list of the names of such persons as they judged fit to lend, and of the summ they should lend. And such Aldermen as re∣fused so to do, were committed to prison.

The Archbishop and the other Bishops and Clergy continued the Convocation, and by a new Commission turned it to a Provincial Synod, in which, by an unheard of pre∣sumption, they made Canons that contain in them many matters contrary to the Kings Prerogative, to the fundamental Laws and Statutes of the Realm, to the Right of Par∣liaments, to the Property and Liberty of the Subject, and matters tending to Sedition and of dangerous consequence, thereby establishing their own Usurpations, justifying their Altar-worship, and those other superstitious Innovations which they formerly intro∣duced without warrant of Law.

They imposed a new Oath upon divers of his Majesties Subjects, both Ecclesiastical and Lay, for maintenance of their own Tyranny, and laid a great tax upon the Clergy for supply of his Majesty; and generally they shewed themselves very affectionate to the War with Scotland, which was by some of them styled Bellum Episcopale, and a Prayer composed, and enjoyned to be read in all Churches, calling the Scots Rebels, to put the two Nations into blood, and make them irreconcilable. All those pretended Canons and Constitutions were armed with the several Censures of Suspension, Excommunication, Deprivation, by which they would have thrust out all the good Ministers, and most of the well affected people of the Kingdom, and left an easie passage to their own design of reconciliation with Rome. The Popish party enjoyned such exemptions from the Penal Laws as amounted to a Toleration, besides many other encouragements and Court-favours: They had a Secretary of State, Sir Francis Windebank, a powerful Agent for the speeding of all their desires; a Pope's Nuntio residing here to act and govern them accor∣ding to such influences as he received from Rome, and to intercede for them with the most powerful concurrence of the foreign Princes of that Religion. By his authority the Papists of all sorts, Nobility, Gentry and Clergy were convocated after the manner of a Parli∣ament, new Jurisdictions were erected of Romish Archbishops, Taxes levied, another State moulded within this State independent in Government, contrary in Interest and affection, secretly corrupting the ignorant or negligent Professours of our Religion, and closely uniting and combining themselves against such as were sound, in this posture wai∣ting for an opportunity by force to destroy those whom they could not hope to seduce. For the effecting whereof they were strengthened with Arms and Munition, encouraged by superstitious Prayers enjoyned by the Nuntio to be weekly made for the prosperity of some great Design. And such power had they at Court, that secretly a Commission was issued out, intended to be issued to some Great men of that profession, for the levying of Souldiers, and to command and employ them according to private instructions, which we doubt were framed for the advantage of those who were the contrivers of them. His Ma∣jesties Treasure was consumed, His Revenue anticipated, His Servants and Officers com∣pelled to lend great sums of mony; Multitudes were called to the Council-Table, who were tired with long attendances there, for refusing illegal payments. The Prisons were filled with their Commitments; many of the Sheriffs summoned into the Star-Chamber, and some imprisoned for not being quick enough in levying the Ship-money; the people languished under grief and fear, no visible hope being left but in desperation. The No∣bility began to be weary of their silence and patience, and sensible of the duty and trust which belongs to them: and thereupon some of the most eminent of them did petition

His Majesty, at such a time when evil Counsels were so strong that they had reason to expect more hazard to themselves then redress of those publick evils for which they inter∣ceded. Whilest the Kingdom was in this agitation and distemper, the Scots, restrained in their Trades, impoverished by the loss of many of their Ships, bereaved of all possibility of satisfying His Majesty by any naked Supplication, entred with a powerful Army into the Kingdom, and without any hostile Act or spoil in the Countrey as they passed, more then forcing a passage over the Tyne at Newborne near Newcastle, possessed themselves of Newcastle, and had a fair opportunity to press on further upon the Kings Army: but duty and reverence to His Majesty, and brotherly love to the English Nation, made them stay there, whereby the King had leisure to entertain better Counsels; wherein God so blessed and directed Him, that He summoned the great Council of Peers to meet at York upon the twenty fourth of September, and there declared a Parliament to begin the third of November then following. The Scots the first day of the great Council presented an humble Petition to His Majesty; whereupon the Treaty was appointed at Rippon, a pre∣sent Cessation of arms agreed upon, and the full conclusion of all Differences referred to the wisdom and care of the Parliament.

At our first meeting all Oppositions seemed to vanish; the mischiefs were so evident which those evil Counsellors produced, that no man durst stand up to defend them. Yet the work it self afforded difficulty enough. The multiplied evils and corruption of six∣teen years, strengthned by Custome and Authority, and the concurrent interest of many powerful Delinquents, were now to be brought to judgment and Reformation. The Kings Houshold was to be provided for; they had brought Him to that want, that He could not supply His ordinary and necessary Expences without the assistance of His People. Two Armies were to be payed, which amounted very near to thirty thousand pounds a month; the people were to be tenderly charged, having been formerly exhausted with many burthensome Projects. The Difficulties seemed to be insuperable, which by the Divine Providence we have overcome; the Contrarieties incompatible, which yet in a great measure we have reconciled. Six Subsidies have been granted, and a Bill of Poll∣money, which, if it be duly levied, may equal six Subsidies more, in all six hundred thousand pounds. Besides, we have contracted a debt to the Scots of two hundred and twenty thousand pounds; and yet God hath so blessed the endeavours of this Parliament, that the Kingdom is a great gainer by all these charges. The Ship-money is abolished which cost the Kingdom above 200000 pounds a year. The Coat and Conduct-money and other military charges are taken away, which in many Countries amounted to lit∣tle less then the Ship-money. The Monopolies are all supprest, whereof some few did preju∣dice the Subject above a Million yearly: the Soap an hundred thousand pounds, the Wine three hundred thousand pounds, the Leather must needs exceed both, and Salt could not be less then that; besides the inferiour Monopolies, which, if they could be exactly com∣puted, would make up a great sum. That which is more beneficial then all this is, that the root of these evils is taken away, which was the arbitrary power pretended to be in His Majesty, of taxing the Subject, or charging their estates without consent in Parlia∣ment, which is now declared to be against Law by the judgment of both Houses, and likewise by an Act of Parliament. Another step of great advantage is this, the living Grievances, the evil Counsellors and actors of these mischiefs have been so quelled by the Justice done upon the Earl of Strafford, the flight of the Lord Finch and Secretary Windebank, the accusation and imprisonment of the Archbishop of Canterbury, of Judge Bartlet, and the impeachment of divers other Bishops and Judges, that it is like not only to be an ease to the present times, but a preservation to the future. The discontinuance of Parliaments is prevented by the Bill for a Triennial Parliament, and the abrupt disso∣lution of this Parliament by another Bill; by which it is provided it shall not be dissol∣ved or adjourned without the consent of both Houses. Which two Laws well considered may be thought more advantageous then all the former, because they secure a full ope∣ration of the present remedy, and afford a perpetual Spring of remedies for the future. The Star-chamber, the High-Commission, the Courts of the President and Coun∣cil in the North, were so many forges of Misery, Oppression, and Violence, and are all taken away; whereby men are more secured in their Persons, Liberties and Estates, then they could be by any Law or Example for the regulation of those Courts, or Terror of the Judges. The immoderate power of the Council-Table and the ex∣cessive abuse of that power is so ordered and restrained, that we may well hope that no such things as were frequently done by them, to the prejudice of the publick Liberty, will appear in future times, but only in Stories, to give us and our posterity more occasion to praise God for his Majesties Goodness, and the faithful endeavours of this Parlia∣ment.

The Canons and the power of Canon-making, are blasted by the Vote of both Houses. The exorbitant power of Bishops and their Courts are much abated, by some Provisions in the Bill against the High-Commission Court. The Authors of the many Innovations in Doctrine and Ceremonies, the Ministers that have been scandalous in their lives, have been so terrified in just Complaints and Accusations, that we may well hope they will be more modest for the time to come; either inwardly convicted by the sight of their own folly, or outwardly restrained by the fear of punishment. The Forests are by a good Law reduced to their right bounds; the encroachments and oppressi∣ons of the Stannary Courts, the Extortions of the Clark of the Market, and the Com∣pulsion of the Subject to receive the Order of Knight-hood against his will, paying of Fines for not receiving it, and the vexatious proceedings thereupon for levying of those Fines, are by other beneficial Laws reformed and prevented. Many excellent Laws and provisions are in preparation for removing the inordinate power, vexation and usurpation of Bishops, for reforming the pride and idleness of many of the Clergy, for easing the people of unnecessary Ceremonies in Religion, for censuring and removing unworthy and unprofitable Ministers, and for maintaining godly and diligent Preachers through the King∣dom. Other things of main importance for the good of this Kingdom are in propositi∣on; though little could hitherto be done, in regard of the many other more pressing bu∣sinesses, which yet before the end of this Session we hope may receive some progress and perfection. The establishing and ordering the Kings Revenue, that so the abuse of Offi∣cers and superfluity of expences may be cut off, and the necessary disbursements for His Majesties Honour, the defence and government of the Kingdom, may be more certainly provided for: The regulating of Courts of Justice, and abridging both the delaies and charges of Law-suits: The setling of some good courses for preventing the exportation of Gold and Silver, and the inequality of exchanges betwixt us and other Nations; for the advancing of native Commodities, increase of our Manufactures, and well-balancing of Trade, whereby the stock of the Kingdom may be increased, or at least kept from impairing, as through neglect hereof it hath done for many years last past; for improving the Her∣ring-fishing upon our own Coasts, which will be of mighty use in the imployment of the poor, and a plentiful Nursery of Mariners for inabling the Kingdom in any great action.

The Oppositions, Obstructions, and other Difficulties wherewith we have been encoun∣tred, and which still lye in our way with some strength and much obstinacy, are these: The malignant party, whom we have formerly described to be the Actors and Promoters of all our Misery, they have taken heart again: They have been able to prefer some of their own Factors and Agents to degrees of Honour, to places of Trust and imployment, even during the Parliament: They have indeavoured to work in His Majesty ill impressions and opini∣ons of our proceedings, as if we had altogether done our own work, and not his, and had obtained from Him many things very prejudicial to the Crown, both in respect of Preroga∣tive and Profit.

To wipe out this Slander, We think good ouly to say thus much, That all that we have done is for His Majesty, His Greatness, Honour and Support. When we yielded to give twenty five thousand pounds a month for the relief of the Northern Countries, this was given to the King, for he was bound to protect His Subjects; they were His Ma∣jesties evil Counsellors and their ill instruments that were actors in these Grievances which brought in the Scots: and if His Majesty please to force those who were the Authors of this War to make satisfaction, as He might justly and easily do, it seems very reaso∣nable that the people might well be excused from taking upon them this burthen, being altogether innocent, and free from being any causes of it.

When we undertook the charge of the Army, which cost above 50000 pound a month, was not this given to the King? was it not His Majesties Army? were not all the Com∣manders under contract with His Majesty at higher rates and greater wages then ordi∣nary? And have not we taken upon us to discharge all the brotherly assistance of three hundred thousand pounds which we gave the Scots? was it not toward repair of those damages and losses which they received from the Kings Ships and from His Ministers? These three particulars amount to above eleven hundred thousand pounds; besides His Majesty hath received by Impositions upon Merchandise at least four hundred thou∣sand pounds: so that his Majesty hath had out of the Subjects purse since the Parlia∣ment began one million and an half, and yet these men can be so impudent as to tell His Majesty that we have done nothing for Him.

As to the second branch of this Slander, we acknowledge with much thankfulness that his Majesty hath passed more good Bills to the advantage of the Subjects then have been in many Ages: but withall we cannot forget that these venomous counsels did

manifest themselves in some endeavours to hinder these good Acts. And for both Houses of Parliament we may with truth and modesty say thus much, That we have ever been careful not to desire any thing that should weaken the Crown, either in just Profit or useful Power. The Triennial Parliament, for the matter of it, doth not extend to so much as by Law we ought to have required, there being two Statutes still in force for a Parliament to be once a year; and for the manner of it, it is in the Kings power that it shall never take effect, if he by a timely summons shall prevent any other way of assem∣bling. In the Bill for continuance of this present Parliament, there seems to be some re∣straint of the Royal power in dissolving of Parliaments; not to take it out of the Crown, but to suspend the execution of it for this time and occasion onely; which was so necessa∣ry for the Kings own security and the publick Peace, that without it we could not have undertaken any of these great charges, but must have left both the Armies to disorder and confusion, and the whole Kingdom to blood and rapine. The Star-chamber was much more fruitful in oppression then in profit, the great Fines being for the most part given away, and the rest stalled at long times. The Fines of the High-Commission were in themselves unjust, and seldom or never came into the Kings purse. These four Bills are particularly and more specially instanced, in the rest there will not be found so much as a shadow of prejudice to the Crown.

They have sought to diminish our reputation with the people, and to bring them out of love with Parliaments: the aspersions which they have attempted this way have been such as these: That we have spent much time and done little, especially in those Grie∣vances which concern Religion. That the Parliament is a burthen to the Kingdom by the abundance of Protections, which hinder Justice and Trade; and by many Subsidies gran∣ted, much more heavy then any they formerly endured. To which there is a ready an∣swer: If the time spent in this Parliament be considered in relation backward to the long growth and deep root of those Grievances which we have removed, to the powerful supports of those Delinquents which we have pursued, to the great necessities and other charges of the Commonwealth for which we have provided; or if it be considered in relation forward to many advantages which not only the present but future ages are like to reap by the good Laws and other proceedings in this Parliament; we doubt not but it will be thought by all indifferent judgments, that our time hath been much better imployed then in a far greater proportion of time in many former Parliaments put toge∣ther; and the charges which have been laid upon the Subjects, and the other inconve∣niences which they have born, will seem very light in respect of the benefit they have and may receive. And for the matter of Protections, the Parliament is so sensible of it, that therein they intend to give them whatsoever ease may stand with Honour and Ju∣stice; and are in a way of passing a Bill to give them satisfaction.

They have sought by many subtle practices to cause jealousies and divisions betwixt us and our brethren of Scotland, by slandering their proceedings and intentions towards us, and by secret endeavours to instigate and incense them and us one against another. They have had such a party of Bishops and Popish Lords in the House of Peers as hath caused much opposition and delay in the prosecution of Delinquents, hindered the pro∣ceedings of divers good Bills passed in the Commons House concerning the reformation of sundry great abuses and corruptions both in Church and State. They have laboured to seduce and corrupt some of the Commons House, to draw them into Conspiracies and Combinations against the Liberty of the Parliament: and by their Instruments and agents they have attempted to disaffect and discontent His Majesties Army, and to en∣gage it for the maintenance of their wicked and traiterous designs, the keeping up of Bi∣shops in their Votes and Functions, and by force to compel the Parliament to order, li∣mit and dispose their proceedings in such manner as might best concur with the intenti∣ons of this dangerous and potent faction. And when one mischievous design and attempt of theirs to bring on the Army against the Parliament and the City of London had been discovered and prevented, they presently undertook another of the same damnable na∣ture, with this addition to it, to endeavour to make the Scotish Army neutral, whilst the English Army, which they had laboured to corrupt and invenome against us by their false and slanderous suggestions, should execute their malice to the subversion of our Re∣ligion and the dissolution of our Government.

Thus they have been continually practising to disturb the Peace, and plotting the de∣struction even of all the Kings dominions, and have employed their Emissaries and A∣gents in them all for the promoting of their devilish designs, which the vigilancy of those who were well-affected hath still discovered and defeated before they were ripe for exe∣cution in England and Scotland; only in Ireland, which was farther off, they have had

time and opportunity to mould and prepare their work, and had brought it to that per∣fection, that they had possessed themselves of that whole Kingdom, totally subverted the Government of it, rooted out Religion, and destroyed all the Protestants, whom the conscience of their duty to God, their King and Countrey, would not have permitted to joyn with them, if by God's wonderful providence their main enterprise upon the City and Castle of Dublin had not been detected and prevented upon the very Eve before it should have been executed. Notwithstanding they have in other parts of that King∣dom broken out into open Rebellion, surprized Towns and Castles, committed murders, rapes and other villanies, and shaken off all bonds of Obedience to His Majesty and the Laws of the Realm; and in general have kindled such a fire, as nothing but God's in∣finite blessing upon the wisdom and endeavours of this State will be able to quench it. And certainly, had not God in his great mercy unto this Land discovered and confoun∣ded their former designs, we had been the Prologue to this Tragedy in Ireland, and had by this time been made the lamentable spectacle of misery and confusion.

And now what hope have we but in God, when as the only means of our subsistence and power of Reformation is under Him in the Parliament? But what can we the Com∣mons, without the conjunction of the House of Lords? and what conjunction can we ex∣pect there, when the Bishops and Recusant Lords are so numerous and prevalent, that they are able to cross and interrupt our best endeavours for Reformation, and by that means give advantage to this malignant party to traduce our proceedings?

They infuse into the People, that we mean to abolish all Church-government, and leave every man to his own fancy for the Service and Worship of God, absolving him of that Obedience which he owes under God unto His Majesty, whom we know to be en∣trusted with the Ecclesiastical Law as well as with the Temporal, to regulate all the mem∣bers of the Church of England by such rules of order and discipline as are established by Parliament, which is his great Council in all affairs both of Church and State. We confess our intention is, and our endeavours have been, to reduce within bounds that exorbi∣tant power which the Prelates have assumed unto themselves so contrary both to the Word of God and to the Laws of the Land: to which end we past the Bill for the remo∣ving them from their Temporal power and employments, that so the better they might with meekness apply themselves to the discharge of their functions: Which Bill them∣selves opposed, and were the principal instruments of crossing it. And we do here de∣clare, that it is far from our purpose or desire to let loose the golden reins of Discipline and Government in the Church, to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what form of Divine Service they please: for we hold it requisite that there should be throughout the whole Realm a Conformity to that Order which the Laws enjoyn, accor∣ding to the Word of God; and we desire to unburthen the Consciences of men of need∣less and superstitious Ceremonies, suppress innovations, and take away the monuments of Idolatry. And the better to effect the intended Reformation, we desire there may be a general Synod of the most grave, pious, learned and judicious Divines of this Island, assist∣ed with some from foreign parts, professing the same Religion with us, who may consider of all things necessary for the peace and good Government of the Church, and represent the results of their consultations unto the Parliament, to be there allowed of and confir∣med, and receive the stamp of Authority, thereby to find passage and obedience through∣out the Kingdom.

They have malitiously charged us that we intend to destroy and discourage Learning, whereas it is our chiefest care and desire to advance it, and to provide a competent main∣tenance for conscionable and preaching Ministers throughout the Kingdom, which will be a great encouragement to Scholars, and a certain means whereby the want, meanness and ignorance to which a great part of the Clergy is now subject will be prevented. And we intend likewise to reform and purge the fountains of Learning, the two Universities, that the streams flowing from thence may be clear and pure, and an honour and com∣fort to the whole Land.

They have strained to blast our proceedings in Parliament, by wresting the interpre∣tation of our Orders from their genuine intention. They tell the people, that our med∣ling with the power of Episcopacy hath caused Sectaries and Conventicles, when Idola∣try and Popish Ceremonies introduced in the Church by the command of the Bishops have not only debarred the people from thence, but expelled them from the Kingdom. Thus with El ah we are called by this malignant party the Troublers of the State; and still while we endeavour to reform their abuses, they make us the Authors of those mischiefs we study to prevent.

For the perfecting of the Work begun, and removing all future impediments, we con∣ceive

these courses will be very effectual: seeing the Religion of the Papists hath such Principles as do certainly tend to the destruction and extirpation of all Protestants, when they shall have opportunity to effect it.

It is necessary in the first place to keep them in such a condition as that they may not be able to do us any hurt. And for avoiding of such connivence and favour as hath hereto∣fore been shewed unto them, that His Majesty be pleased to grant a standing Commissi∣on to some choice men named in Parliament, who may take notice of their encrease, their counsels and proceedings, and use all due means by execution of the Laws to pre∣vent all mischievous designs against the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom. That some good course be taken to discover the counterfeit and false conformity of Papists to the Church; by colour whereof persons very much disaffected to the true Religion have been admitted into place of greatest authority and trust in the Kingdom.

For the better preservation of the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, that all illegal Grievances and Exactions be presented and punished at the Sessions and Assizes: and that Judges and Justices be very careful to give this in charge to the Grand-Jury, and both the Sheriff and Justices to be sworn to the due execution of the Petition of Right and o∣ther Laws. That His Majesty be humbly petitioned by both Houses, to employ such Counsellours, Ambassadours and other Ministers in managing His business at home and abroad, as the Parliament may have cause to confide in; without which we cannot give His Majesty such Supplies for support of His own estate, nor such assistance to the Pro∣testant party beyond the Sea as is desired. It may often fall out that the Commons may have just cause to take exceptions at some men for being Counsellors, and yet not charge those men with crimes: for there be grounds of diffidence which lye not in proof; there are others which, though they may be proved, yet are not legally criminal. To be a known favourer of Papists, or to have been very forward in defending or countenancing some great Offendors questioned in Parliament, or to speak contemptuously of either House of Parliament or Parliamentary proceedings, or such as are Factours or Agents for any foreign Prince of another Religion, such are justly suspect to get Counsellours pla∣ces, or any other of trust concerning publick employment, for money. For all these and di∣vers others we may have great reason to be earnest with His Majesty, not to put His great affairs into such hands, though we may be unwilling to proceed against them in any le∣gal way of charge or impeachment. That all Counsellours of State may be sworn to ob∣serve those Laws which concern the Subject in his Liberty. That they may likewise take an Oath, not to receive or give reward or pension from any foreign Prince, but such as they shall within some reasonable time discover to the Lords of His Majesties Council: And although they should wickedly forswear themselves, yet it may herein do good, to make them known to be false and perjured to those who employ them, and thereby bring them into as little credit with them as with us. That His Majesty may have cause to be in love with good counsel and good men, by shewing Him in an humble and dutiful manner how full of advantage it would be to Himself, to see His own estate settled in a plentiful condition to support His Honour; to see His people united in ways of Duty to Him and endeavours of the publick good; to see Happiness, Wealth, Peace and Safe∣ty derived to His own Kingdom, and procured to His Allies, by the Influence of His own Power and Government. That all good courses may be taken to unite the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland, to be mutually aiding and assisting of one another for the common good of the Island, and honour of both. To take away all differences amongst our selves for matters indifferent in their own nature concerning Religion; and to unite our selves against the common enemies, which are the better enabled by our Divisions to destroy us all, as they hope, and have often endeavoured. To labour by all offices of friendship to unite the foreign Churches with us in the same Cause, and to seek their liber∣ty, safety and prosperity, as bound thereunto both by charity to them and by wisdom for our own good. For by this means our own strength shall be encreased, and by a mutual concurrence to the same common End we shall be enabled to procure the good of the whole body of the Protestant profession.

If these things may be observed, we doubt not but God will crown this Parliament with such success as shall be the beginning and foundation of more Honour and Happiness to His Majesty then ever yet was enjoyed by any of His Royal Predecessours.

Die Mercurii, 15. Decemb. 1641. It is this day resolved upon the Question by the House of Commons, that Order shall be now gi∣ven for the Printing of this REMONSTRANCE of the State of the Kingdom.

H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com.