The history of the Parliament of England, which began November the third, MDCXL with a short and necessary view of some precedent yeares / written by Thomas May, Esquire ...

CHAP. I.

Wherein is a short mention of Queene ELIZA∣BETH, King JAMES, and the beginning of King CHARLES his Reigne; his two first Parliaments. Of the Warre with Spaine and France. The death of the Duke of BUCK∣INGHAM. And the third Parliament of King CHARLES.

QUeene ELIZABETH, of glorious Me∣mory, together with that great Stock of Wealth and Honour, which her prudent and just Government had brought to the English Nation, had enriched them besides with a greater Treasure (which we may justly account the

cause of all the rest) Religion reformed from Popish Superstition.

That Reformation engaged the Queene in a new Interest of State, to side with the Protestants against those Potent Monarchs of the other Religion, which seemed at the beginning as much danger and disadvan∣tage to her, as it proved in conclusion security and Ho∣nour; so impossible it is for any disadvantage to pre∣vaile over them that helpe the Lord against the Mighty.

That Storme from France, which so much threat∣ned the weake beginnings of her Reigne, was sudden∣ly blowne over by the death of HENRY the second, and some few Moneths after of his Sonne FRANCIS, who had married the Queene of Scotland; the danger which remained greatest was from Spaine, where PHILIP the second then reigned, a Prince not greater in Dominion, Treasure, and Armies, then deeply en∣gaged against the Protestant Religion, by the instiga∣tion and assistance of the Jesuites, an Order, which in the Age before had beene highly counrenanced by Pope PAUL the third, in opposition to the Gospell-Doctrine, that then began to spread apace in Germany, and other parts.

The whole Order of Iesuites (as endeavouring to set up one Temporall Kingdome of Christendome, sui∣table to the Papall Hierarchy) applyed their service al∣together to the Monarchy of Spaine, as being then far the greatest in Europe (and fittest for their purpose) by the late uniting of so many Kingdomes and Dut∣chies under the person of CHARLES the Emperour, who by a fortunate birthright inherited, together with Casule, and Arragon, and all the great Acquisitions of his Grandfather FERDINAND in Italy, and the West Indies, the rich and usefull patrimony of his Father PHILIP, Burgundy, and the Netherlands; all these he had left intirely to his Sonne PHILIP, who to so large a Territory, had made that strong addition of

the Kingdome of Portugall, and might seeme an Enemy too mighty for England and all the Protestants of Europe to oppose.

But Queene ELIZABETH had woven the interest of her own State so inseparably into the cause of Re∣ligion it selfe, that it was hard to overthrow one without the ruine of the other. And God, who had given her so much grace and courage as to rely wholly upon him, did with that Almighty hand, not onely hold her up from sinking, but lift her above the heads of all her enemies.

By what degrees and means she atchieved the great Actions of her reigne, and brought so much prospe∣rity to her Nation, it is not the scope of this discourse to relate at large (for her History is not the worke in hand) but only in briefe to declare that before her death she was the happy instrument of God to pro∣mote the Protestant Religion in all parts. She cur∣bed the Spanish greatnesse by supporting France from ruine, to give some balance to the other, as she pre∣served Scotland from being swallowed up by the French before. She protected the Hollanders against him, vanquished his Armies both by Land and Sea, with many other such things as might seeme too much to be the atchievements of one Reigne. And last of all, she reduced Ireland wholly to obedience, notwithstanding all the subtill machinations of Spain, and open assistance given in Armes to her Irish Re∣bels. All which she accomplished by the justice and prudence of her government, by making the right use of her Subjects hearts, hands and Purses in a Par∣liamentary way; as also securing her own Kingdome by strengthning the hands of Protestants abroad; in∣somuch as she stood at last above the reach of any enemy by open warre; and protected by God, though often attempted by domestick Treasons and Assasi∣nations, till in the end she died in a good old age, lea∣ving to her Successor King JAMES the Kingdom of

England in an happier condition then ever it was; the Kingdome of Ireland wholly subdued and reduced, to reap for himselfe the harvest of all her labour and expence; and nothing to do for it, but to propagate the true Faith in that Kingdome, which she prevented by death could not performe; and was, in probabi∣lity, an easie taske for King JAMES at that time; much conducing, besides the honour of God, to his owne Temporall strength and greatnesse, if he had onely gone fairely on in that way which Queene ELIZABETH had made plaine for him.

The Prosperity of England seemed then at the height or 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and it pleases God that States many times shall decline from their happinesse without any apparent signes to us, or reasons that we can give, as a Heathen complaines:

Oh faciles dare summa Deos, eademque tueri Difficiles? Lucan. How easie are the Gods to raise States high, But not to keepe them so?

These things have made some high-reaching Wri∣ters impute the raising and declination of Kingdomes and Common-wealths to certaine aspects of heavenly Constellations, to Conjunctions, and Oppositions of Planets, and various Ecclipses of Celestiall Lumina∣ries; others, to an hidden strength, and secret efficacy of Numbers themselves; and most men to the perpe∣tuall Rotation of fortune: but the judgements of God in those things are past our finding out, and they are too wise, who are not content sometimes to wonder.

For King JAMES, the Successour to Queene ELI∣ZABETH, was a wise and learned Prince, of disposi∣tion mercifull and gracious, excellently grounded in that Religion which he professed, as the world may finde by his extant writings; a Prince of whom Eng∣land conceived wonderfull hope, and received with great joy and Triumph; but he did not beginne where his Predecessor left, proceeding rather in a contrary

way; what the reasons of it were, I will not at all pre∣sume to deliver my opinion, though some have beene bold to write and publish of late yeeres, that it was feare for his own Person, that made him to temporize with Rome, considering the boldnesse of Jesuiticall Assasines: others more candidly conceived it might be his great desire of peace and union with other Prin∣ces, though he might erre in the meanes of attaining that end; for he was by nature a great seeker of Peace, and abhorrer of bloodshed, according to that Motto which he ever used, Beati Pacifici. I cannot search in∣to mens thoughts, but onely relate the Actions which appeared.

King JAMES, at the beginning of his Reigne, made a Peace with Spaine, which was brought very low by Queene ELIZABETH, and had beene neerer to ru∣ine in all probability, had she lived a few yeares lon∣ger; the Estates of the united Provinces of the Ne∣therlands, those usefull Confederates to England, be∣gan to be despised by the English Court, under a vaine shadow in stead of a reason, that they were an ill example for a Monarch to cherish. Then began se∣cret Treaties to passe betwixt Rome and the Court of England; care to be taken about reconciliation of Re∣ligions; the rigour of Penall Lawes against the Papists (notwithstanding that odious plot of the Gunpowder Treason) was abated; the pompe of Prelacy, and mul∣titude of Ceremonies, encreased daily in the Church of England, and according to that were all Civill Af∣faires managed both at home and abroad.

Neither was it easie for the King to turne himselfe out of that way, when he was once entred into it; so that at last the Papists began by degrees to be admitted neerer to him in service and conversation. Exceeding desirous he then was to match the Prince his Sonne to the Infanta of Spaine, about which many and long Treaties passed, wherein not onely the Spaniard, but the Pope, made many present advantages of the Kings

earnest desires, and many waies deluded him, as it appeared plainely by his owne Letters to his Ambas∣sadours there, since found and published.

Thus was the King by degrees brought, not onely to forsake, but to oppose his owne interest both in ci∣vill and religious affaires, which was most unhappily seene in that cause (as the Duke of ROHAN obser∣ved,) wherein, besides the interest of all Protestants, and the honour of his Nation, the estate and liveli∣hood of his owne children were at the height concer∣ned, the Palatinate businesse.

From hence slowed a farther mischiefe; for the King being loath perchance that the whole people should take notice of those waies in which he trod, grew extremely dis-affected to Parliaments, calling them for nothing but to supply his expences, dissol∣ving them when they began to meddle with State Af∣faires, and divers times imprisoning the Members for Speeches made in Parliament, against the fundamen∣tall priviledges of that high Court.

Parliaments being thus despised and abused, pro∣jects against the Lawes were found out to supply the Kings expences, which were not small; and the King (whether to avoid the envy of those things, or the trouble of them) did in a manner put off all businesse of Government from himselfe into the hands of a young Favourite, the Duke of BUCKINGHAM, whom he had raised from a Knights fourth Sonne, to that great height, and entrusted with the chiefe Offi∣ces of the Kingdome; besides the great power which he had by that extraordinary favour of confering all places and preferments both in Church and State.

This Duke, not long before the death of King JAMES, was growne into extraordinary favour and intirenesse with the Prince, whom he afterward sway∣ed no lesse then he had before his father; like an un∣happy vapour exhaled from the earth to so great an height, as to cloud not only the rising, but the set∣ting Sunne.

King CHARLES, with great hopes and expectati∣on of the people, and no lesse high expressions of love and duty from all in generall, began his Reigne on the 27 of March, 1624. and indeed that love which the people bare to his Person, had been before testified, whilest he was yet Prince, at his returne from Spaine, though the journey it selfe had not beene pleasing to the Kingdome; for when the people saw him arrived in safety, there needed no publike Edict for thanksgiving or joy; every society and private family (as if the hearts of all had beene in one) did voluntarily assemble themselves together, praising God, with singing of Psalmes, with joyfull feasting, and charity to the poore; insomuch that I suppose the like consent, without any interposing authority, hath not been often knowne.

The same affections followed him to his Throne; the same hopes and faire presages of his future Go∣vernment, whilest they considered the temperance of his youth, how cleare he had lived from personall vice, being growne to the age of 23. how untainted of those licentious extravagances, which unto that age and fo••tune are not only incident, but almost thought excusable.

But some men suspended their hopes, as doubting what to finde of a Prince so much and so long reser∣ved; for he had never declared himselfe of any Fa∣ction, or scarse interposed in any State affaires, though some things had been managed in his fathers Reigne, with much detriment to his owne present and future fortunes. Yet that by the people in generall was well censured, as an effect of his piety and obedience to the King his father, and happy presages gathered from it, That so good an obeyer would prove a just Ruler.

They wondered also to see him suddenly linked in such an intire friendship with the Duke of BUCK∣INGHAM; for extraordinary Favourites do usually eclipse and much depresse the Heire apparent of a

Crowne, or else they are conceived so to do; and up∣on that reason hated, and ruined by the succeeding Prince; in which kinde all ancient and moderne Sto∣ries are full of examples.

In the beginning of King CHARLES his Reigne, a Parliament was called, and adjourned to Oxford, the plague raging extremely at London, where the Duke of BUCKINGHAM was highly questioned, but by the King (not without the griefe and sad presage of many people, that private affections would too much prevaile in him against the publike) he was protected against the Parliament, which for that onely purpose was dissolved, after two Subsidies had been given, and before the Kingdome received reliefe in any one grievance; as is expressed in the first and generall Re∣monstrance of this present Parliament, where many other unhappy passages of those times are briefly tou∣ched; as that the King, immediately after the dissolu∣tion of that Parliament, contrived a Warre against Spaine, in which the designe was unhappily laid, and contrary to the advice which at that time had been gi∣ven by wise men, who perswaded him to invade the West Indies; a way, no doubt, farre more easie and hopefull for England to prevaile against Spaine then any other: instead of that, the King with great ex∣pence of Treasure, raised an Army and Fleet to as∣sault Cales, the Duke of BUCKINGHAM bearing the Title both of Admirall and Generall, though he went not himselfe in person; but the matter was so order∣ed, that the expedition proved altogether successe∣lesse, and as dishonourable as expensive.

They complained likewise of another designe (which indeed was much lamented by the people of England in generall) about that time put in practice, a thing destructive to the highest interest of the Nati∣on, the maintenance of Protestant Religion; a Fleet of English Ships were set forth, and delivered over to the French, by whose strength all the Sea forces of Rochell

were scattered and destroyed, a losse to them irreco∣verable, and the first step to their ruine.

Neither was this loane of Ships from England (for such was the peoples complaint and suspition against those, who at that time stood at the Helme) suppo∣sed to proceed so much from friendship to the State of France, as from designe against Religion; for im∣mediately upon it, the King, by what advice the peo∣ple understood not, made a breach with France, by taking their Ships, to a great value, without making any recompence to the English, whose Goods were thereupon imbarr'd, and confiscate in that King∣dome.

In revenge of this, a brave Army was raised in England, and commanded by the Duke of BUCK∣INGHAM in person, who landing at the Isle of Rhea, was at the first encounter victorious against the French; but after few Moneths stay there, the matter was so unhappily carried, the Generall being unexperienced in Warlike affaires, that the French prevailed, and gave a great defeat, where many gallant Gentlemen lost their lives, and the Nation much of their ancient Honour.

From thence proceeded another step to the ruine of Rochell; the sick and wounded English were sent into that City, and relieved by the besieged Rochellers, out of that little provision which they then had, up∣on faithfull promise of supplies from England in the same kinde: The provisions of Rochell were little enough for their owne reliefe at that time, if we con∣sider what ability the French King had to continue that siege; when to the proper wealth and greatnesse of his Crowne, was added that reputation and strength, which his late successe against all the other Protestant Garrisons in France had brought.

The besieged Rochellers, not doubting at all of the due and necessary supply of Victuall from Eng∣land, sent their Ships thither for that purpose; but

those Ships, whose returne with bread was so earnest∣ly expected, were stayed in England by an Imbargo; and so long stayed, till that unhappy Towne was enforced to yeeld by famine, the sharpest of all Enemies.

But in the meane time, whilest these Ships with Victuall were detained, a great Army was raised in England for reliefe of Rochell, but too great was the delay of those preparations, till time was past, and that Army in the end disbanded by the sad death of the Duke of BUCKINGHAM their Generall, who was stabbed at Portsmouth by a private Gentleman, JOHN FELTON.

This FELTON was a Souldier of a low stature, and no promising aspect; of disposition serious, and melan∣cholly, but religious in the whole course of his life and conversation; which last I do not mention out of purpose to countenance his unlawfull act, as suppo∣sing him to have had (as some did then talke) any in∣spiration or calling of God to it: His confessions to his friends, both publike and private, were, That he had often secret motions to that purpose, which he had resisted and prayed against, and had almost over∣come, untill he was at last confirmed in it, by reading the late dissolved Parliaments Remonstrance against the Duke: That then his conscience told him it was just and laudable, to be the executioner of that man, whom the highest Court of Judicature, the represen∣tative body of the Kingdome, had condemned as a Traytor. But let Posterity censure it as they please; certain it is, that FELTON did much repent him of the unlawfulnesse of the fact, out of no feare of death, or punishment here, for he wished his hand cut off be∣fore the execution, which his Jugdes could not doome by the Lawes of England.

The King had not long before broken off another Parliament, called in the second yeare of his Reigne, in which the Petition of Right was granted, to the

great rejoycing of the people. But it proved imme∣diately to be no reliefe at all to them; for the Parlia∣ment presently dissolved, the King acted over the same things, which formerly he had done; and that grant, instead of fortifying the Kingdomes Liberty, made it appeare to be more defencelesse then before, that Lawes themselves were no barre against the Kings will. The Parliament in hope of gracious Acts, had declared an intent to give his Majesty five Subsidies, the full proportion of which five Subsidies was, af∣ter the dissolution of that Parliament, exacted by Com∣mission of Loane from the people, and those impri∣soned which refused the payment of that Loane: Great summes of money were required and raised by privy Scales: A Commission for squeezing the Sub∣ject by way of Excize: Souldiers were billited up∣on them: And a designe laid to inslave the Nation by a force of German Horse: with many other things of that nature.

Those affaires of State which concerned Con••ede∣rates abroad, had been managed with as much dis∣advantage, and infelicity to them, as dishonour to the English Nation, and prejudice to the Cause of Re∣ligion it selfe.

Peace was made with Spaine without consent of Parliament; by which all hope was utterly lost, of re-establishing the Kings neerest kinred in their just Dominion; and the Protestant Religion much wea∣kened in Germany. What Counsells had then influ∣ence upon the Court of England, might be the amaze∣ment of a wise man to consider; and the plaine truth must needs seeme a paradox to posterity; as that the Protestant Religion, both at home and abroad, should suffer much by the Government of two Kings; of whom the former in his own person wrote more lear∣nedly in defence of it; and the latter in his owne person lived more conformably to the Rules of it, then any of their Contemporary Princes in Europe.

But the Civill Affaires of State were too ill managed, to protect, or at least to propagate true Religion; or else the neglect of Religion was the cause that Civill Affaires were blessed with no more honour and prosperity. The right waies of Queen ELIZABETH, who advanced both, had been long ago forsaken, and the deviation grew daily farther, and more fatall to the Kingdom. Which appeared in a direct contrariety to all particulars of her Reigne. Titles of Honour were made more honourable by her, in being con∣ferred sparingly, and therefore probably upon great desert, which afterwards were become of lesse esteem, by being not onely too frequently conferred, but put to open sale, and made too often the pur∣chase of Mechannicks, or the reward of vitious persons.

At the death of that Duke, the people were pos∣sessed with an unusuall joy, which they openly testi∣fied by such expressions, as indeed were not thought fit nor decent by wise men, upon so tragicall and sad an accident, which in a christian consideration might move compassion, whatsoever the offences of the man were.

To such people that distick of Seneca might give answer:

Res est sacra miser; noli mea tangere fata: Sacrilegae Bustis abstinuere manus. Sacred is woe; touch not my death with scorne: Even sacrilegious hands have Tombs forborne.

And it may be that God was offended at the ex∣cesse of their joy, in that he quickly let them see, the benefit was not so great to them as they expe∣cted by it; but his judgements are too high for men to search. True it is, that the people in generall lo∣ving the Kings Person, and very unwilling to har∣bour the least opinion of ill in him, looked upon the Duke, as the onely hinderance of the Kingdomes happinesse; supposing, that though other Statesmen

might afterwards arise, of as bad or worse intentions, then the Duke; yet none would have so great a po∣wer for execution of them; nor any other Genius be ever found, to have so great a mastery over the Kings Genius. But it is certaine, that men did much there∣fore rejoyce at the death of this Duke, because they did before much feare what mischiefe might befall a Kingdome, where that man, who knew himselfe ex∣treamly hated by the people, had all the keyes of the Kingdome in his hand, as being Lord Admirall and Warden of the Cinque-Ports; having the command of all the Souldiers, and the onely power to reward and raise them.

These joyes and hopes of men lasted not long, for in the same yeer (being the fourth of King CHARLES) and after the death of the Duke of BUCKINGHAM, another Parliament was dissolved; and then the Pri∣viledges of that high Court more broken then ever before. Six Members of the House of Commons, who had been forward in vindicating the Priviledges of Parliament, were committed close Prisoners for many moneths together, without the liberty of using books, pen, inke and paper, while they were detai∣ned in this condition; and not admitted Bayle accor∣ding to Law: They were also vexed with informati∣ons in inferiour Courts; where they were sentenced, and fined for matters done in Parliament; and the pay∣ment of such Fines extorted from them. Some were enforced to put in security of good behaviour, before they could be released: The rest who refused to be bound, were detained divers yeares after in custody, of whom one Sir JOHN ELLIOT, a Gentleman of able parts, that had been forwardest in expressi∣on of himselfe, for the freedome of his Country, and taxing the unjust actions of the Duke of BUCK∣INGHAM, while that Duke lived (though the truth be, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his were no other then what carried 〈◊〉〈◊〉 consent in them) dyed by

the harshnesse of his imprisonment, which would ad∣mit of no relaxation, though for healths sake; he petitioned for it often, and his Physitian gave in te∣stimony to the same purpose. The freedome that Sir JOHN E••••OT used in Parliament, was by the peo∣ple in generall applauded, though much taxed by the Courtiers, and censur'd by some of a more poli∣tike reserve (considering the times) in that kind that TACITUS censures THRASEAS POETUS, as think∣ing such freedom a needlesse, and therefore a foolish thing, where no cure could be hoped by it. Sibi pe∣riculum, nec aliis libertatem.

After the breaking off this Parliament (as the Hi∣storian speaketh of Roman liberty, after the battell of PHILIPPI, nunquam post hoc praelium, &c.) the people of England for many years never looked back to their ancient liberty. A Declaration was published by the king, wherein aspertions were laid upon some Members; but indeed the Court of Parliament it selfe was declared against. All which the dejected people were forced to read with patience, and allow against the dictate of their own reason.

The people of England from that time were de∣prived of the hope of Parliaments; and all things so managed by publike Officers, as if never such a day of account were to come.

I shall for methods sake first of all make a short enumeration of some of the chiefe grievances of the Subjects, which shall be truly and plainly related; as likewise some vices of the Nation in generall, that the Reader may the better judge of the causes of succeeding troubles, during the space of seven or eight yeares after the dissolution of that Parliament, and then give some account concerning the seve∣rall dispositions of the people of ENGLAND, and their different censures of the Kings government du∣ring those years; touching by th•• ••••••••mewhat of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 manners and customs of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ENGLAND,

and then briefly of the condition of Ecclesiasticall affaires, and the censures of men concerning that.