REader, Think it not strange if I present you with the memorable Life and Actions of a Person, so well known in this great Kingdom: And peradventure Fame has not been silent in other Countreys, especially since he has been advanced to be a Chief Minister of State, and sate as it were steering at the Helm of Government. Various indeed are the Changes of world­ly Affairs, and the Actions of Humane Life, which have been more particularly exemplified in the Rise and Fall of the Person, the subject of this Discourse; who from almost a mean obscu­rity, soar'd to the lofty Pyramid of Honour; where, for a while, like an unfixed Starr, he appeared to the Eyes of the wonder­ing Nation, giving an imperfect lustre; 'till by the sudden turn and change of unsteady Fortune, he dropt headlong from his Sphere, and lost at once his Grandeur and his Power. To let Mankind see how little trust there is to be given to the smiles of flattering Greatness, especially when attained by violent and pres­sing [Page 10] motions: I now proceed to trace this unfortunate Favourite in the sundry Capacities and Stations that have hitherto made up the series of his Life.

He was Born at Acton, near Wrexam, in Denbigh-shire, in Wales, about the Year 1648. His Fathers Name was— Jefferies, be­ing reputed a Gentleman in that Countrey, though of no large Fortune or Estate; however he lived very comfortably on what he had, improving his yearly Income by his Industry; and gain'd by his plain and honest Endeavours a good repute amongst the Gentry of those Parts; insomuch that it was not long before he, upon the recommendation of some Person of Interest and Abili­ty, gain'd a Wife of a good House; and they lived very comfor­tably together in their rural Habitation, being far from Ambiti­on, or striving for Court-favour; but contented with what God had blessed them with, and the fruits of their own Industry, they found a solid Happiness in that Contentment. Nor had they lived together any considerable time, but amongst other Chil­dren, the fruits of Wedlock, God was pleased to bestow on them the Person who is intended the subject of this Discourse, who was in due time Baptized by the Christian Name of George; whe­ther he had God-fathers, &c. it does not occurr; however he un­der the care and diligence of his industrious Parents grew up, and appear'd to all that studyed him, of a very prompt and rea­dy Wit, active, and striving for Preeminency, even among his Compeers in his tender Age, which lively demonstrated that an Air of Ambition was inherent to his Person.

As soon as he was capable to receive Learning, he was put to a Countrey School, where he was furnished with such Education as that afforded, which was not extraorninary; yet his natural Parts set it off to the best Advantage; and growing to Years of somewhat a ripe understanding, and not very tractable, his Father by the Advice of some of his Confidents, caused him to be brought to London; and finding him not inclinable to any Trade, but rather addicted to Study, he entered him, or by his Procurement he was entred into the Free-School of Westminster, where he profited much; so that he was by the care of the worthy Master thereof soon en­abled to understand the Languages, or at least so many of them as were convenient for the study of the Law, which above other [Page 11] things he aimed at; thô his Father seemed not very plyable to his desires; for perceiving in his Soul a more than ordinary spark of Ambition, fearing it might kindle into a flame, and prove one day his ruine, he laboured to hinder the ways he conceiv'd most likely to bring it upon him; and is reported to say (when he found he could not disswade him from what he purposed, gent­ly clapping him on the back,) Ah George, George, I fear thou wilt dye with thy Shooes and Stockings on: What he meant by that Expression, I determine not, but leave the Reader to Interpret.

Upon the Coming in of King Charles the 2d, and the restoring the Face of Affairs in the Kingdom, the Law reviv'd again, and began to flourish; the Practitioners liv'd in much Credit and Re­putation, and many of them purchased large Estates, which ser­ved to wing the desire of this Person with Impatience; and some say he was the rather incited to it by a Dream he had whilst a Schollar at Westminster School, viz. That he should be the chief Schol­lar in that School, and afterward should enrich himself by Study and In­dustry, and that he should come to be the second Man in the Kingdom; but in conclusion, should fall into great disgrace and misery: This is confidently reported; and some say himself told it to sundry Persons, since when he found the second part of it was fulfilled, by acquiring the Chancellourship, and standing high in the Favour of his Prince.

However, we find the latter part did not deterr him from his purpose; for having enter'd himself in the Inner-Temple House, one of the chief Inns of Court, after his performing such things as are conformable to the Customs of the House, we find him call'd to the Barr, by the Interest he made with the Benchers and Heads of that learned Society, earlier than had been usual, leap­ing over the Heads of elder Graduates.

This happening about the twentieth Year of the Reign of King Charles the 2d. and the City of London beginning to raise her self out of her ashes, more stately and magnificent than before she sunk in flames, a Sacrifice to the Revenge and Malice of the Pa­pists, as by the late Inscription on the Monument, and upon Re­cord it appears: This great City I say, regaining her Trade, her Priviledges and Customs were kept up with great exactness, so that in the Courts at Guild-Hall there was much business; which [Page 12] being consider'd by this Person as more beneficial than that at Westminster, by rea­son of its frequency, and being carryed on briefer, and with less difficulty; which induced him to give his Attendance, as also at Hixes-Hall, and other inferiour Courts and Places; insomuch that he being of a bold Presence, and having natural­ly a fluent Tongue, an audible Voice, and good Utterance, he had not Pleaded often before he was very much taken Notice of; and gain'd so much Credit with the People, that they preferr'd him before any of the younger sort of Barristers; by which means he found his lucky Starrs begin to smile upon him; so that he was in a manner Courted to take Fees, and had Breviates thrust into his Hand frequently in the middle of a Cause by Persons, when they perceived it went ill on their sides, and was like to go against them.

Thus flush'd with Success, he now thought of nothing more than how he might climb; nor did he want an Opportunity, for the next Station we find him in, is that of Common Serjeant, to the great and honourable City of London; and so much Fortune favour'd him at this time, that Alderman Jefferys the great Smoaker, ha­ving often observ'd his Discourse and Actions, took such a liking to him, that being of the same Name, though not in the least any Relation, he back'd him with his Purse and Interest, which was not inconsiderable; and thereby not only enabled him to carry on his Grandeur, but to purchase as he found a convenien­cy or advantage, in order to his keeping it up in the World.

These, I say, being the Degrees by which he was climbing the slippery stair of Honour, to contract a firmer alliance, he Addressed himself to a brisk young Widow, Daughter to Sir Tho. Bloodworth, then one of the Aldermen of the City; and who in the time of the dreadful Conflagration had the Chair, as being then Lord Mayor; and so far prevail'd upon the Lady and her Father, that he gain'd both their Consents, and the Contract was made, the Nuptials solemnized; And soon after he had the pleasure to behold the fruits of his Labour. Sir John Howel the Recorder of London giving place, the Recordership became vacant, which made this Person lay▪ hold of that Opportunity, to use his own and the Interest of his Friends, to acquire that Place of Trust and Honour; nor did his Measures fail him, for by the powerful influence he had by this time gain'd over sundry Persons, who were best able to promote him to what he so earnestly labour'd to arrive at, he was Chosen and Confirm'd Recorder of the Honourable City; taking upon him the Charge and Care of the Writings, Papers, &c. that belong to so great a Charge and Trust, as that of a Recorder of the City of London.

By this means being become (as himself declar'd) The Mouth of the City, and as we may term him, Capital Judge in the Guild-Hall, in Controversies at the Sessions held there, &c. and the Power of breathing forth Sentences of Punish­ment being put into his hands, he found his Ambition enlarg'd, aiming at nothing more than to become a Court-Favourite: Nor was it long before an Opportunity offer'd it self, to make him to be taken notice of; for so it happened that some Persons had imprinted a Psalter, and Entituled it (the better to shadow the In­jury they had done to the Company of Stationers, by invading their Property) The King's Psalter, which occasioning a Dispute, it was referred to a Hearing be­fore the Council at White-Hall, the King being present, and the Company the better to make out their Title and Claim, carryed with them this Person as their Councel; who in the opening of the Case, and making the Complaint of the ap­parent Injury done to the Company, in Printing what was really their Proprie­ty, [Page 13] he had this Expression, viz. They have teem'd with a spurious Brat, which be­ing clandestinely midwiv'd into the World, the better to cover the Imposture, they [...]ay it at your Majesties door, &c. This, though the King might have taken it (for sundry Reasons) as a Reflection upon his Royal Person, yet he was so far from resenting it that way, that he only turned to one of the Lords that sat next him, and said, This is a bold Fellow I▪le warrant him; and indeed the Stationers had the Matt [...]r declared by the Honourable Board in their Favour.

About this time the Popish Plot being discover'd by Dr. Oats and others, the Na­tion was for a while in a Ferment, and matters run extreamly high in Disputes and Controversies, and he sail'd with the Current, declaring with much heat and vio­lence against the Priests, Jesuits, and others of the Conspirators and Romish Fa­ction; as appeared not only by his vehement Expressions in pleading against them, but the alacrity and little Concern that was visible in his Countenance, when at any time as Recorder of London he passed Sentence of Death upon any of them; which he frequently did with more or less of Reproach, and became in a man­ner the Terror of that Party. But no sooner he perceived the Wind tacking at Court, and that there was some mis-understanding between K. Charles II. and his Parliament, but he began to fall off and grow cold in Prosecuting the Ends of the Government, being frequently at Court, and labouring as much as in him lay to draw the Magistracy of the City after him, as appears more especially by one Passage, viz. The King being recovered of an Indisposition, that had for some time put the Kingdoms in a fear and doubt of his Life, the Lord Mayor and Al­dermen went to Congratulate him upon his going abroad; after which, and a fa­vourable Reception, it was proposed by this Person that they should in the like manner wait upon his Royal Highness, then Duke of York, who was not long before returned from Flanders; but perceiving no forwardness to be seconded, he only with his Father-in-law stayed behind to gain that Access: These and other Proceedings created in the City a Jealousie, that he had espoused an Interest to their Prejudice, which wrought so strongly in their Conceits, that it was con­cluded in the Council-Chamber at Guild-Hall, that he should resign his Recorder­ship; and accordingly they sent to him to deliver back the Papers and Writings they had intrusted him with, which accordingly was done, and Sir George Treby constituted Recorder in his stead.

This so nettled him, that he now openly declar'd▪ himself to be what before was only suspected, indulging his thoughts in nothing more than how he might revenge it upon the Dissenters, to whose influence on the Court of Aldermen he attributed his dismission from the Recordership, and used his Endeavours to blacken them as much as he could: Yet all his Honour was not sunk, for he had prevailed for the Removal of Sir Job Charleton from the Chief Justiceship of the County Palatine of Chester, and by the Importunity and Interest of his Party at Court, gained it for himself; and took the first Possession of that Charge in much splendour, paying at that time his Father a Visit with a numerous Train, which put the old Gentleman into such a fret, for the drinking up his Cyder, and de­vouring his Provisions, that he charged him with the undertaking to ruine him, by bringing a whole Countrey at his heels, commanding him never to attempt the like Prodigality again with hopes of success.

Many Petitions being put up upon the Dissolving the Parliament in 1682. by most of the Counties, and Burroughs, and Corporations of England, for the speedy Calling another, to redress the Grievances of the Nation; and the King shewing [Page 14] some dislike of that manner of Proceeding, this Person further to endear himself to the Interest of the Court, declared in his Station as vehemently against them, by saying, He abhorred that Petitioning, &c. from which, and the discountenancing the Petitioners as much as in him lay, he gained the Name and Epithite of an Abhorrer; and upon the Burning the Pope in Effigies at Temple-Barr, upon the Birth-day of Queen Elizabeth, amongst other Figures, the Arch-waggs had set one on Horse-back with his Face to the Tail, and a Paper on his back, viz. I am an Abhorrer.

During these Transactions, the Parliament being called, met at Westminster, and amongst others this Person was called before them, for attempting to infringe upon the Rights and Priviledges of the People, &c. and obliged at the Barr of the Commons House (after having been heard what he could say in defence of his Proceedings by his Council) to make his Acknowledgment upon his Knees, and receive the Reprimand of the Speaker; whereupon, with some sharp Rebukes, as the Censure of the House, he was discharged.

To comfort him in this Affliction, that was not by a Man of his Haughty Spirit a little stomacked, this Parliament being Dissolved, and a Call of Serjeants had at the Kings-Bench-Bar Westminster, he was the First in the Roll, and consequently the Kings Serjeant; and as it is usual to present the King with a Ring on that oc­casion, the Motto he agreed to was, A Deo Rex, a Rege Lex, viz. The King from God, and the Law from the King. And now the Popish party playing their Cards with more security, Edward Fitz-Harris who had been Impeached by the Commons, and stood charged by them of High-Treason; being nevertheless, upon the Dis­solution Tryed at the Kings Bench-Bar; this Person was the principal stickler a­gainst him, and by his Rhetorical and florid expressions, wrought so powerfully with the Jury, who were somewhat in doubt what they should do in this Case, that they found him Guilty, and the Impeachment in Parliament set aside, he was Executed as a Traytor at Tyburn: and soon after this, the Dissenters losing of their Esteem in the eyes of the Court-party, and some Justices of Peace of Midlesex being sharp upon them, this person was chosen Chair-man at the Sessions of Hicks's-Hall, where he had an opportunity to make them as he found his time, see the resentments of his anger, but this place being held too low for a Spirit winged with so large an Ambition, he aimed at higher things, resolving like Icarus to be near the Sun, tho' at the hazard of melting his waxen Wings, dropping head­long into the Sea of inevitable Ruin: whereupon perceiving some hot contests in the City of London, about the Election of Magistrates and Officers, he turned the Edge of his Fury that way, insomuch that a Quo-warranto came down against the Charter of the Honourable City of London, and in fine, after much Pleading and Argument, pro & contra, the Charter was surrendered, at least in consent, by those that were in Power, and the King suspending the Execution of the Judgment obtained, caused such orders to be observed as he thought most convenient, which being so well known to the Citizens of London, it would appear a presumption in me to enter upon particulars; yet the chiefest cavil against the City was, taking the Toll of Markets, collecting Money to build Cheapside Conduit, &c. Nor was it long after this, and the Tryal of several Persons for Rioters, who attended the Election of Sheriffs and Mayor, and the Fines passing upon many worthy Citizens as Rioters on that occasion; in promoting which, this Person as a Counsellor by his florid Rhetorick was mainly instrumental, by giving the Court an account of their respective Abilities, the better to settle the Fines: but the Lord Chief Justice [Page 15] Sannders dying, he succeeded him as Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench; in which station he was scarcely settled, but he admitted the Popish Lords to Bail, that lay under an impeachment in Parliament, and whose Bailing had been re­fused by the Judges his Predecessors; and now it was that he began more par­ticularly to remember former affronts, an Example of which take in the Case of Elias Best a Hop-merchant in Thames-street, viz.

It so happened when this Person was Recorder of London, that a Jury, of which Best was one, having contrary to his mind, Acquitted a party Indicted at the Sessions of Peace in Guild-hall, for Printing and Publishing a Pamphlet, he in much heat declared that they had gone contrary to their Consciences, and stuck not to upbraid them with Perjury; for which, as a high affront put upon the Juries of London, they prayed the Court at the Old-Baily, that they might preferr an Indictment against him; and herein Mr. Best was the most active, but the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs then upon the Bench, after it had been a long time Argued and debated, told them that the Sessions being almost at an end, it could not be Tryed, and therefore he would desire them to defer it to the next Sessions, for the Recorder being a person of Quality, he could not suffer him to lie under the imputation of an Indictment so long; but in the Interim, he resigning his Recordership, the business fell and came to nothing; but soon after, it seems, Mr. Best had drank a Health to the pious Memory of Stephen Colledge departed, meaning the Joyner that was Executed at Oxford, for which he was Indicted upon an Information, and found Guilty; yet he being at large, thought fit to withdraw himself to avoid the Rigor of the Fine, &c. when so it fell out, that this person going the Circuit as Lord Chief Justice, accompanied with a great many on Horseback, Mr. Best came by, and asked one of the Company what Judge that was, who replyed, the Lord Chief Justice Jefferys, and he unadvisedly told that party his name was Best, and desired him to remember his Service to his Lordship; upon notice of which, he immediately caused him to be fetched back, and com­mitted him to York Gaol, from whence he was brought by Habeus Corpas to the Kings-Bench, and Imprisoned for a Fine of 500 l. &c. And other instances of the Greatness of his Stomach, tho' in another nature, is that which so remarkably hap­pened at Kingston upon Thames, at the Midsummer Assizes held there for the County of Surry, 1679.

At this Assize being Council in a Case upon Nisi prius, before Sir Richard Weston, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, and desiring to ingrosse all the questions, without suffering those on the other side to ask the Witness what was convenient in carrying on, and managing the Cause; he was desired by the Judge to hold his Tongue, &c. upon which some words passing, this Person told him he did not use him like a Conncellor, curbing him in the managing his Breviate, &c. to which the Judge fiercely replyed: Ha! since the King has thrown his favours upon you, in making you Chief Justice of Chester, you think to run down every body, if you find your self aggrieved make your complaint, here's no body cares for it: And this Person replying, That he had not been used to make complaints, but rather stopped those that were made; when being again Commanded to hold his Tongue, he sat down and wept for anger, &c. And here by the way it will not be amiss to let the Reader have a taste of some passages that happened on the publick Stage of business, in the Jocular part of this great Mans Life, and the Repartees he met with, of which I shall instance a few:

[Page 16]Once it happened upon a Tryal, that a plain Country fellow giving Evidence in the Court, and pressing it home, moved this person who was Councel on the other side, to pick a quarrel with the poor mans Leather Doublet, and amongst other Interrogations bawl'd out, You fellow in the Leather Doublet, pray what have you for Swearing; the Man upon this, looking steadily on him, replyed, Truly Sir, if you have no more for Lying than I have for Swearing, you might wear a Leather Doublet as well as I: This bluntly retorted, moved at that time much laugh­ter, and filled the Town with the discourse of it.

Another time it so fell out, that some Musitioners brought an Action against a person, at whose Wedding they had play'd, for the Money they were promised or expected, when in the midst of the Evidence, this Person called to one of them, viz. You Fidler, &c. at which the Man seeming to be disgusted, he again, upon the parties alledging himself to be a Musitioner demanded what difference there was between a Musitioner and a Fidler; As much, Sir, said he, as there is between a pair Bagpipes and a Recorder; and he then being Recorder of London, it was taken as a suitable Repartee.

Being at a Country Assize as Judge, an old Man with a great Beard, came to give evidence before him, and not doing it to his mind, he began to cavil with his Beard, and amongst other expressions told him, that if his Conscience was as large as his Beard, he might well swear any thing; This so nettled the old blade, that without any respect to his greatness, he briskly replyed, My Lord, If you go about to measure Consciences by Beards, your Lordship has none: Many more of this kind might be mentioned, but not being greatly to the purpose, they are willingly omitted.

But to return to the thread of this Discourse; passing by his vehement and pressing Discourse to the Jury against William Lord Russel, on his Tryal at the Old-Baily, which some say greatly influenced them to find him Guilty; and add, that he did it out of a Pique, in remembrance he was one of the Members of the Parliament before whom he was brought on his Knees. We find him by this time Trying of Dr. Titus Oats upon two Informations, upon the account of his Swearing to the White-Horse Consult, and Ireland's being in Town; and after a long Debate, wherein many sharp Repartees passed, the Jury made a shift to find him Guilty; as to the Circucumstances, I referr you to the Tryal; but the Sentence was severe, and of its Effects few are ignorant, wherefore I shall pass it over, as also that of Mr. Tho. Dangerfield, another of the Evidences in discovering the Con­trivances and carrying on of the Popish Plot, which the Papists by these manner of Proceedings accounted to be damn'd to the lowest Erebus. And now before any thing remarkably happened, the Kingdom was allarum'd by the landing of the late Duke of Monmouth at Lyme in Dorset-shire, and the Earl of Argyle in Scot­land; but however these two unfortunate Gentlemen miscarrying, and losing their Lives, left a great many of their miserable Followers to feel the severity of Punishment; and as for the gleanings of the bloody Field in England, they came to the sifting of this Person, who with others, going down with a Commission to Try them, all the Indignities the Dissenters had put upon him came fresh into his remembrance, so that he made them find the Laws more cruel than the Sword, and wish they had fallen in the Field, rather than have come to his handling; for he breathed Death like a destroying Angel, and sanguined his very Ermins in Blood, a large Account of which you shall have in its proper place.

[Page 17]But by the way, for the sake of the West-Country Reader, I shall here add a true and impartial Narrative of the late Duke of Mon­mouth's whole Expedition whilst in the West; seeing that was the Prologue to that bloody Scene that you'l hear by and by, was acted by George Lord Jefferies (the Subject of our present Dis­course.)

To begin then, May 24. Old Stile, We left Amsterdam about two of the Clock, being Sunday Morning, and in a Lighter Sail'd for the Texel, our Vessels being sent before us thither; but meet­ing with extream cross Winds all the way, we Arrived not till Saturday Night, and then went all on Bord. Here our Man of War with about 32 Guns (where the Dukes Person was) was un­der an Arrest by order of the States of Amsterdam, on the Complaint of our Envoy, they presuming we had been clear, but we broke through our Arrest, and Sunday Morning at break of Day, set Sayl for England. We had in all three Ships, that of 32 Guns carried most of our Men, the other two were for our Ammunition. We met with exceeding cross Winds, most part of the time we spent on the Seas, and Arrived not at Lime till▪ Thurs­day, June 11. so that from Amsterdam to Lime, we wanted but two days of three Weeks.

We Landed without any the least Opposition, and were re­ceived with all Expressions of Joy imaginable; the Duke, as soon as he Jumpt out of his Boat on Land, call'd for silence, and then desired we would joyn with him in returning God Thanks for that wonderful Preservation we had met with at Sea, and accordingly fell on his Knees on the Sand, and was the Mouth of us all in a short Ejaculation, and then immediately well Armed, as many as we were, entred the Town.

Friday, the whole day was spent in Listing of Men, which flock'd to us so fast, that we could scarce tend them with Arms.

The like, Saturday also; and then about ten of the Clock at Night, 300 of our Men were sent to Bridport, about six English Miles off, to Storm that Town betimes in the Morning, which we did accordingly, taking many Prisoners out of their Lodgings, and had not our Soldiers been a little too eager of Plunder, we had made a good days work on't; but there lying about a Wood some of the Kings Forces, we were forced to Retreat, losing [Page 18] three or four Men, and killing several of theirs, and taking Eight Prisoners; this was the first Action which he had.

Sunday also was spent in Listing, and Monday Morning; but in the Afternoon we Marched out of Lime for Axminster, a little Town four Mile off, our Party was near 2000 Foot, and 300 Horse, though we Landed not full a hundred Men, and all these in the space of four days: About two Miles from Lime we espied the Duke of Albermarle, with about 4000 Men, designing that Night to Quarter in the same Town, which we had News of on the Way; yet we March'd on in good Order, and came into the Town, lined all Hedges, Planted our Field-Pieces, and expect­ed nothing more than that we should give them Battle, they be­ing not an English Mile from the Town; they made towards us as soon as they heard that we were there; but the Duke of Albemarle finding his Men to be all MILITIA-Men of the County of Devonshire, and that they had no Stomach to fight against MON­MOƲTH, Retreated, when he came within a quarter of an En­glish Mile of the Town. He came from Exon with these Forces, intending to lay a Siege against Lime, presuming we could not be ready in so short a time; but finding us so well prepared to receive him, he wisely Retired his Men, being in great Disorder and Confusion, supposing we had pursued them, which was Deba­ted; but the Duke said, It was not his business to fight yet, till his Men had been a little Disciplin'd, but rather to make up into the Country as fast as possible, to meet his Friends, not questioning, but there would have been in several Parts of the Kingdom some Action, on the News of his Success; but this in the end prov'd fatal to us, for had we but followed them, we had had all their Arms, seve­ral more Men, and might have March'd in two days with little or no Opposition, to the very Gates of Exon, the County-Troops resolving not to fight us; and several came to us that Night with their Arms. But missing this Opportunity, we March'd on for Taunton, Lodging at several small Towns by the way, which still received us as kindly as possible, and all the way met with the loud Acclamations of the Country, Praying God to succeed our Arms:

Thursday we came to Taunton, about Twenty Mile from Lime. To give a particular Account of our Reception here, [Page 19] would be too tedious; the Streets throng'd with People we could scarce enter, all endeavouring to manifest their Joy at his coming, and their Houses, Doors, and Streets garnished with Green Boughs, Herbs and Flowers, all the Emblems of Pro­sperity.

The next day, Twenty-six young Gentlewomen, Virgins with Colours ready made at the charge of the Towns-men, presented them to his Grace; the Captain of them went before with a Na­ked-Sword in one Hand, and a small curious Bible in the other, which she presented also, making a short Speech, at which the Duke was extreamly satisfied, and he assured her, He came now in the Field, with a Design to Defend the Truths contained therein, and to Seal it with his Blood, if there should be any Occasion for it. Nothing now could content the Countrey, but he must be Pro­claimed KING, which he seemed exceeding averse to; and really I am of Opinion, from his very Heart.

They said, The Reason why the Gentry of England moved not, was because he came on a Common-Wealth-Principle; This being the Cry of all the Army, he was forced to yield to it, and accord­ingly, Saturday Morning he was Proclaimed; In the Afternoon came out Three PROCLAMATIONS, one setting a Sum of Money on the Kings Head, as he had done before by the other. The Second, Declaring the Parliament of England, A Seditious Assembly; and if they did not separate before the End of June, to give Power and Authority to any that would attempt to lay hold of them as Rebels and Traytors. The Third, To De­clare the Duke of Albemarle a Traytor, (who now lay within six Miles of us, having had time to Rally his Men) if he laid not down his Arms; forthwith a Message also was sent to command him, but he sent Word, That he was a Subject to JAMES the Second, the late King's Brother, and that he knew no other Lord.

We tarried here till Sunday Morning, and then March'd for Bridge-Water, seven Miles from thence: We were now between four and five thousand Men, and had we not wanted Arms, could have made above ten thousand. We were receiv'd here as in other Places, but did little more than Read our Declaration, which we did also in all other Towns, the Magistrates standing [Page 20] by in their Gowns; and likewise our Proclamations, and so March'd forward for Glassenbury, from Glassenbury design'd for Bristel, three days March from that place, designing to Attacque it: Accordingly we Arrived at Canshum▪ Bridge, a little Town three Miles English from Bristol, intending to enter next Morning, the Duke of Beaufort being there with a Garrison of about Four Thousand Men, being here lodg'd in the Town, we were on a sudden Alarm'd with the Noise of the Approach of the Enemy, being in no small Confusion on this unsuspected News: The Duke sent one up the Tower to see whether he could disco­ver them Marching, as soon as he came up, he saw them at the very Entrance into the Town fighting with our Men. Here we had a small Skirmish, our Men being in the Fields Adjoyning to the Town refreshing themselves; but it lasted not long, for be­fore he could bring Word, they were fled, being not above six­ty Horse-Men; they did us Mischief, Killed and Wounded a­bove Twenty Men, whereas we killed none of theirs, only took four Prisoners and their Horses, and Wounded my Lord New­burg, that it was thought Mortal; they came thither, thinking it had been their own Forces, and had not our Undisciplin'd Fel­lows been a little too eager, and suffer'd them to come a little farther on, they would have entred the Town, and we must have had every Man of them; their Infantry was following, but on their Return came not forward. These Forces being so near, and Bristol being so well Mann'd also, the Duke was loth to pass the Bridge for Bristol, though some Gentlemen that came over with us, and were Prescribed upon the Account of the former Plot, being Bristol-Men, and knew the Hearts of the Towns-Men, begg'd him heartily to proceed towards it, offer­ing themselves to go in the Head of them into the Town, by some private Ways which they knew, assuring him, They would make no Resistance, but could not perswade him; which had we been Possessors of, we could not have wanted Money nor Arms, the only things needful for us in that Juncture; for had we but had Arms, I am perswaded we had by this time, had in the least Twenty Thousand Men; and it would not then have been diffi­cult for us to have March'd to London, with the Recruit of Bristol, the King not being able to make 7000 Men for the gaining of so [Page 21] many Kingdoms. But God saw it not fit for us, and over-ruled our Consultations to our own Ruine, for this was in the top of our Prosperity; and yet all the while, not a Gentleman more than went over with us came to our Assistance.

So we Marcht on to Bath, we lay before▪ it in the Afternoon, and sent in our Trumpeter to demand the Town, but they refused to give us enterance having a strong Garrison, it being a stout People and a strong place. Having no mind to spend time in laying Sieges, we marcht on that day to a little Town called Phil­lips-Norton, and there lay that night, being now Sunday the 26th of June, Old-Style, Saturday Morning preparing for

Frome, we were drawing out our baggage for our march, and on a suddain were alarmed with the appearance of the Enemy, who had entered the Town and had lined all the Hedges and be­gan to Fire on us; here began the briskest Rencounter we yet had, and for an hour or more we had a brisk Skirmish, but at last we beat them back, killing about thirty which lay in the place, and we lost about ten in all, and a few Wounded; they retreat­ing with their whole Army, Pitched within a mile of the Town; and we went out also and pitched near them, but out of Musket Shot, playing Cannon on one another for some hours; they kill­ed us but one Man all the while, but with ours we did great Exe­cution, having the advantage of the ground, so at last they Re­treated, and I have been told lost some hundreds of Men in the Battle, both killed and wounded: So we march'd on for Frome, a Town where we was as well beloved as at Taunton, where we wanted for nothing but Arms, which were by a stratagem taken from them a few days before our Entrance. Here came the un­expected News of Argyle's being Defeated, and likewise of the advance of the King's Force from London with considerable Ba­gage, and thirty Field-Pieces. This News, together with our want of Money and Arms, not seeing which way to avoid these Forces, we were at a stand, and not a little non-plus'd. 'Twas at last agreed on, that we that came with the Duke should get good Horses that Night, and so for Pool, a little Sea-Port Town not far off, where we were to seize a Ship, and set forth for Holland again, leaving our Infantry to the Mercy of the Country.

This was much like that Resolution of the Hollanders in the [Page 22] time of the Civil War with Spain, being as we then were, in dis­pair of making better Terms, and not daring to enter Salisbury Plain, because their Horse being so much better then ours, their Men being all Disciplin'd, ours not, we could not Face them in so plain and open a Country, so that we retreated backward, in the mean time resolving to see what London would do, having a good an opportunity offered them: The Soldiers being called forth, and not two thousand Men to be had for their defence if they had but attempted any thing; this disheartned our Men, and several of them coming home to their own Country, having felt by experience the hardships of War, withdrew from us.

We came well back again to Bridgwater, and were received with wonted Love; we arrived here on Friday the 3d. of July, and resolved here to Fortifie so as to hold our ground till we heard from London. Saturday in the Afternoon News was brought of the Approach of the Kings Forces within a Mile and a half of the Town where they had Encamped, the Duke went up into the Tower and there took a view of them, and seeing them so care­less, and their Horse at some distance from the Army, in a little Town, the Infantry being in Sedge Moore. He called a Councel on it, and it was concluded on, that we should fall on them in the dead of the Night, accordingly having a Guide to conduct us on in a private way, we Marcht out about Eleven of the Clock in the Night, and about one fell on them in their Tents. There was a Ditch between us, and the Guide promised to conduct them over an easie formable Place, but our Men seeing the Enemy just before them, ran furiously on and lost the Guide, so that while they en­deavored to recover over that place the Enemy got on their Legs, and put themselves in Order, and now began as fierce a Battle as perhaps ever was fought in England in so short a time, our Foot fought as well as ever Foot fought, but not a Horse came up; had our Horse but assisted, we must have beaten them out of the Field. But our Horses would not stand at the noise of Drums and Guns, so that we soon lost two of our Pieces of Ordinance, and we had but four in all, and then but one more in the Field, our Foot flung most of their shot over, so that the Men for the most part was kill­ed in the Rear, and that run, but the Front stood still, and had we done but as much Execution in the Front as we did in the [Page 23] Rear, the day had been our own, but God would not have it, their time was not then come: By this time their Horses came up, and having six or eight hundred good disciplined Men, well Mounted and well Arm'd, ours neither; our Foot having shot away all their Ammunition, and our Baggage being not then in the Field, they were forced to Retreat, being all in Confusion.

Having no Mony left, and our Party thus unexpectedly repul­sed, the Duke seeing he could not hold it any longer, Fled with my Lord Gray.

The Dukes Party was said to be about three thousand Foot, and a thousand Horse; we had more, at least five thousand Men and Horse, but not well Arm'd, yet in the Field. 'Tis said we lost not above three hundred, and they Foot; but after when we were routed in our retreat lost a vast many more; tho they pur­sued not in some hours after.

The most remarkable Persons that were taken in this total Rout, were Collonel Holmes, Major Perrot, the Constable of Crook­horn, and Mr. Williams, Servant to the late Duke of Monmouth.

After the Field was clear of the Dukes Men, the Earl of Fever­sham Marched with five hundred Foot and a Party of Horse and Dragoons to Bridgwater, where he found the Dukes Forces that were left there, fled and dispersed into several Places: When his Lordship having left these Men in the Town, under the Com­mand of Collonel Kirk, and hearing the late Duke of Monmouth was fled with about fifty Horse, the greatest number of the Dukes Men that were left together, he sent out divers Parties in pursuit of him and others that fled the Field. When on the 7th of July, about five in the Morning, some of the Lord Lumly's Men seized the Lord Gray and another Person near Holt-Lodge in Dorsetshire, four miles from the West of Ringwood; and the said Lord Lumly making further inquiry among the Cotts, was informed by one Anna Ferrant that two Men went over a Hedge, proving to be the out bounds of many Inclosures, some of which were over grown with Fern, others with Pease and Oats; but Guards being set u­pon the Avenues, after divers attempts to escape, the Branden­burgh, one of the Parties observed to enter the Ground, was ta­ken on the 8th day of July, about five in the Morning, who con­fessing he departed from the late Duke of Monmouth about one of [Page 24] the Clock that morning in the out-bounds, diligent search was made; when about Eleven of the Clock the same morning he was found, by one Henry Parking, hid in a Ditch, covered with Fern, who calling others to assist him, the said late Duke was in the end Taken, and together with the Lord Gray, and the Bran­denburgh, with a strong Guard brought by easie Journeys to White-Hall, where they arrived on the 13th of July, and after some Ex­amination were committed to the Tower, when on Wednesday the 15th of July, the late Duke of Monmouth, pursuant to a War­rant Signed for his Execution, upon his Attaindure of High-Treason, was delivered to the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex, about Ten in the morning, and conducted to a Scaffold erected on Tower-Hill, where after about half an hours continuance, he laying down his Head, had it striken off by the Executioner, the which, together with his Body, being put into a Coffin co­vered with Velvet, were carried away in a Velvet-covered Hearse, in order to his Interment.

After the Duke was Beheaded, many Prisoners taken, and those that fled by Parcels, taken up and down, were secured in divers Goals, in order to their Prosecution, as was said accord­ing to Law; which was the Occasion of this great Man's shewing his parts at that Degree as he did, no one else fit to be made a Tool for such a Bloody Tragedy as he acted.

The Tryals were deferred (for some time after the fatal Blow given to the Duke of Monmouth on Tower-Hill, which was the 15th of July following) because of my Lords being at Tunbridge; but the latter end of August, he with a special Commission of Oyer and Terminer, assisted with four other Judges, set forward with a Party of Horse, and made by special Commission their General. The first place he came at was Winchester, where were divers Pri­soners on Suspition; but here began the Tragedy, for the Lady Lisle was there Arraigned for High-Treason, in Harboring Mr. Hicks and Mr. Nelphrope, that had been concerned with the Duke; the Lady being on Tryal, the Jury were dissatisfied once and again; but my Lords Threats and other Managery, so dis­posed the Jury, that at last they brought the Lady in Guilty; on which he pronounced the Sentence of Death on her, as usual in such Cases; but she had the favour of being Beheaded; their o­ther [Page 25] Prisoners were carried to Salisbury; and this was the most remarkable thing at that Assizes.

From thence they set forward for Salisbury, where were many Prisoners that had been pick'd up and down the Countrey, then in the Goal, the which, with those that were brought from Win­ton, were ordered to be carried to Dorchester, there not being Evidence enough to accomplish what was then designed by my Lord; so that little of moment passed there, but to pursue the Matter proceeds from thence to Dorchster, where he with his Assi­stants, Gown-Men and Sword-Men, Arrived on the 3d. of Sep­tember, on which day being Thursday, the Commission was Read. Friday Morning was an Excellent Sermon Preached before their Lordships, by a worthy Divine, Chaplain to a worthy Person of that County, much tending to Mercy: It was observed, that while my Lord Chief-Justice was at Church in Prayers, as well as at Sermon, he was seen to laugh, which was so unbecoming a Person in his Character, that ought in so weighty an Affair as he was then entring upon, to have been more serious, and have cra­ved the Help and Assistance of God Almighty.

The Sermon being over, their Lordships repaired to the Court, which by Order of the Lord Chief-Justice was hung with Red Cloath, a Colour suitable to such a succeeding bloody Tragedy, being accompanied by a Numerous Company of the Gentry of that County, as well as the Flower of the Neighbouring Counties of Somerset and Devonshire, and then proceeded to give his Charge; in which Charge, by reason of the Severity of his Sentiments, and Positions laid down to make Discoveries of all such as were Abet­tors, Aidors or Assisters to the late Duke of Monmouth, on Pain of High-Treason, which was a great Surprize to all the Auditors, and so vehemently Urged, and so passionately Expressed, as seem­ed rather the Language of a Romish Inquifitor, than a Protestant Judge; and then Adjourned until eight of the Clock next Morn­ing, when was a Bill found against Thirty Persons, charged for High-Treason, for Aiding and Assisting the late Duke of Mon­mouth; who put themselves on their Tryals, notwithstanding my Lord's threatning, That in Case any did put themselves on Tryal, and the Country found them Guilty, they should have but a little Time to live; and at the same time Insinuated, That [Page 26] it were better to Plead Guilty, if they expected any Fa­vour.

These Thirty being on Tryal, the Evidences being Sworn and Examined before the JƲRY: Upon the whole, by the violent Deportment of the Lord Chief-Justice, and sharpness of the JƲRY, they found Twenty-nine GUILTY, though some of them were very hardly dealt with, and not so Criminal as my Lord and their Countrey imagined. Particularly amongst the Twenty-nine, were Mr. Matthew Brag of Thorncomb, and Joseph Speed of Culliton, in the County of Devonshire, and Mr. Smith, Constable of Chardstock, in the said County; and George Seward, of Culliton aforesaid: The Circumstances of each of these, and the severity of their being found Guilty, &c. shall be shewed in its proper place, before we take leave of this Town, and pro­ceed on in this Western Expedition.

The said Twenty-nine being found (as before) Guilty, my Lord immediately pronounced Sentence of Death on them all, an usual in Cases of High-Treason, and did the same Night give a Warrant to the Sheriff, for the Execution of thirteen of the twenty-nine on Monday following; which accordingly was done, notwithstanding great Application was made to the Lord Chif-Justice by Gentlemen of the best Quality, in this and the Neigh­bouring Countries, for a Reprieve of Mr. Bragg, to all which he was Deaf, and not to be prevailed upon; though he was assured of his Honesty, and true Conformity to the Church of England, yet it availed nothing. At last, it was only requested for ten days Respite, yet that had no better Effect; but on Monday, he with twelve more of that number, were accordingly Executed at Dorchester. The Christian like Deportment, and other things, relating to the said Mr. Bragg and others, shall be made out before we leave this Discourse.

In the mean time, this Proceeding was designed to shorten Bu­siness, and to wheedle the rest that were to follow, to a Confes­sion, which without it, the tenth part of them could not be pro­ved Guilty; a Method was also taken without President, to en­trap many poor Ignorant People, by a couple of Officers that were sent into the Goal, to call over, and take the Names of the Prisoners; on Promise, if they confest, they might expect Mer­cy, [Page 27] otherwise not; which many did. And this was Written so, that had they pleaded not Guilty, these two were designed to have been Evidences against them from their own Confessions, which so disposed the remaining great Numbers, that all, except a very few, Pleaded Guilty, which put an end to any further Tryal.

The only thing remaining▪ was the pronouncing of Sentence on them, which were in Number 292. who received Sentence of Death all at once. One Mr. Laurence put himself in Tryal, but by the Jury found Guilty, whose Case was so hard, his Circum­stances being so small to be condemned to die; and had actually suffered, had not Application been made to my Lords Favourites, and with the payment and securing of 400 l. preserved him from Execution; his Case being so remarkable, his Defence so honest, that we cannot pass it by in Silence: the particulars of which, you shall have in its proper Place, with others that are most re­markable.

This Matter being Adjusted, and Execution Awarded to about Eighty, which were Executed, and their Quarters sent up and down the Countrey to the dread of their Spectators, as well as the Anoyance of the Travellers; his extraordinary Whippings, though unmerciful, are not to be taken notice of; so we leave this place, and proceed towards the City of Exon: In their way thither, lying at an Honourable Gentlemans House, divers of the Neighbouring Parishes made their Petitous to the Lord-Chief Justice in behalf of some Relations concerned; it hapned that through some Disorder amongst his Servants, some Pistols were fired in the Night, which gave him a Suspicion, or at least he took it, of some design upon him; on which at parting, said, Not a Man of all those Parishes that were of that Vicinitude, if found Guilty, should escape. And so we proceed and arrive at Exon, where to the number of 243 Prisoners being in Custody for assi­sting the said Duke of Monmouth, one amongst the rest, Mr. Fower Acers Pleading not Guilty, he being found by the Jury, the said Lord Chief Justice immediately pronounced the Sentence upon him, and immediate Execution, which was done to terrifie the rest, who all Pleaded Guilty; so that these unfortunate People had not time to have the fairness of Tryals allowed them, which [Page 28] is a right due by the Laws of God and Man. The remaining num­ber he all condemned, and here was a little sparing; not so ma­ny order'd Execution as was in the other County, but those that were Executed, were hung up and down in most Towns of the County, and then▪ Quarters and Heads scattered up and down their High-ways and publick places. An extraordinary Sentence of severe Whipping was pronounced against Mr. Samuel Staple of Thorncomb in the said County, which in its proper place, you shall have an account of the Crime; but these are Trifles, and we shall endeavour to pursue our Design and make as quick Dispatch as we can, that time may not be lost, the King served, and this Mis­creants thirst quenched with Protestant Blood, which is always well pleasing to Inquisitors, and so proceed to the Town of Taun­ton. At which place being Arrived, it was thought fit by the Lord Chief-Justice to be as expeditious as might be; so that late in the Afternoon the Court sat, where the Commission being Read, he proceeded to give the Charge, which was so very keen and full of sharp Invectives, as if the Countrey it-self had not been able to make Expiation to his Lordship, to quench his Thirst in the Blood of those that ventur'd their all in Defence of the Protestant Religi­on; and here we enter upon the bloodiest part of the Tragedy▪ In this Town, and at Wells in the said County, were more than 500 Prisoners.

To begin at Taunton; the next Morning after the Charge giv­en, the Assizes began, where some few put themselves on Trial, who were found Guilty, and immediately ordered to be Execu­ted; of which number, one Mr. Simon Hamlin was one, who was a zealous worthy good Man, and his Case no way dangerous; but on the contrary, had he had to do with a Judge of another Stamp; his particular Case you shall have before we conclude. To proceed to the rest, this first Cruelty caused the rest to Plead Guilty in hopes of Favour, which was only a few days to live, which those that Pleaded had not. Amongst these at Taunton were divers eminent Persons that had been taken in the West, and carried to London, and brought down there to compleat the Bloody Tragedy in those parts: Mr. Parrot, Mr. Hewling the Elder, Mr. Lisle, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Hucker, and divers others were very Emi­nent. To take notice of every particular in this Matter, will [Page 29] alter our Design, and swell the Book to too great a Bulk, being only designed for a Pocket Companion, and useful it may be, to see the Cruelty of men when in their Power, and how the Devil stirreth up his Instruments, to pursue those that adventure for the Cause of God and Religion. Here were in this County Ex­ecuted 239. the rest that were Condemned, were Transported, except such as were able to furnish Coin, and that not a little, for an account was taken of mens Abilities, according to which, the purchase for Life must be managed by two of his Favourites, who had a small share, the rest went into his Lordships Pocket; ac­cording to the Actions of Rome, where Sins of any kind may be pardoned for money. This indeed was a glorious design in the Eye of Mother Church, to Root out Heresie by Executions and Transportations, to make room for a pack; here Expedition must be made to conclude at Wells▪ for that a great man being fallen, our great Judge designing his Chair, which in short, he had as the Reward of so Eminent and extraordinary a piece of Service as he did for Advancement of the Roman Catholicks▪ In­trest, which is cruel always where it prevails.

Thus we leave the Town of Taunton, after awarding Execu­tion to many there, and their Quarters to be scattered up and down the County; and so we proceed to Wells, where divers Prisoners that had been carried from Goal to Goal, in Expe­ctation of Evidence against them, were in Carts removed to Wells; in which place, to finish this Expedition, the same Method as was at the former Assizes, was also taken here by a severe Charge, affronting the Gentlemen of this County, as he had done in all the Counties before, terrifying the Juries (when any Pleaded to make them to bring in the Persons Guilty; some of which be­ing over-awed, and it is doubted, contrary to their Judgments, which if so, the Lord forgive them.

Here were many Eminent and Worthy Persons that received the Sentence of Death, but the Executions of the County being put together, as you have before seen, we make no particular Division of the Number here, and the number at Taunton, the whole being Recited before: We shall therefore endeavour to be as brief as we can, to give you what we think Material, and truly matter of Fact; my Lord now being come to conclude [Page 30] this extraordinary Commission▪ & in haste to be Elevated, maketh all manner of Dispatch to repair to the King then at Windsor, to give an Account of his Transactions, and to receive the Reward of his merritorious Service in this Butchering of Protestants, which is so acceptable to his Holiness, and his Bigotted Disciples, as nothing can be more; and indeed if you will believe them, a Work that merits Heaven at last, besides what temporal Prefer­ments are thought fit in this World. If this cruel Judge were a true Protestant, his Case is much the more worse, being made use of as a Tool to destroy, and carry on Popish Designs? Thus the Affairs being ended, the Country filled with Heads and Quarters of those that were Executed, the rest that had not where­with to purchase their Lives, left in Custody in order to Trans­portation; my Lord being come to the King to give an account of his Affairs in the West, the great Seal being to be disposed of by the Death of the late Keeper, he kiss'd the King's Hand for it, and was made Lord Chancellor, which was only an earnest of his Desert for so eminent and extraordinary a piece of Service, so now that which remains, is to give an Account of divers that had fled, and hid themselves up and down in Holes and Privacies, whose Friends make all Application to some great Men or other to procure their Pardons; some to this, and others to such as they thought Favourites of the King; but the Rewards must be Assertained before any Application could be made: Divers Lists being sent up, and the Rewards Assertained, which amongst ma­ny of them put together, did amount to considerable, so that it was now, who could find a Friend to Relieve his Distressed Re­lations, which were forced to wander up and down in Caves and Desarts, for fear of being taken; but this Misfortune at­tended the Agents, that unless my Lord Chancellour were used, by his Creatures, that were allowed by him so to do; other Applica­tions commonly met with Disappointments, which caused an Emu­lation amongst the great men; one supposing to have deserved the Kings Ear as well as the other, which caused other measures to be taken, though some were whedled out of their Money: At last came out a general Pardon, with Exceptions, very few, if any of those that were solicited for, not being Excepted, were of course Pardoned; but however, divers Sums of Money having [Page 31] been paid, no Restitution to be had, for from Hell is no Redemp­tion: A Worthy Western Gentleman, his purchase came to 15 or 16000 Guineas, which my Lord Chancellour had. Amongst the Exceptions, were a parcel of Taunton Girls, some of which were Children of eight or ten years old, however something was to be made of them, if these Ladies were Judged Guilty of Trea­son for presenting the Duke of Monmouth with Colours, &c. and for to preserve these from Trials, they were given to the Maids of Honour to make up their Christmas Box; so that an Agent of theirs was sent down into the Country, to compound with their Parents, to preserve them from what might after follow, if ta­ken, so, that some according to Ability, gave 100l. others 50l. all which, however did not answer the Ladies first Expectations; yet it did satisfie, and they were accordingly Pardoned: Thus we have given you an Account of what hath happened on this occasion, being in every point Truth: We might have farther Enlarged, but that would have spoiled the Design, and swoln our Pocket Companion to a Volumn too big.

We shall only according to our promise, give the particular Cases of some of those that were Condemned and Executed; as also of some others that were most eminent, of their Dying Words, and of their Christian-like behaviour at the place of Execution; which may serve as an encouragement to all true Protestants to go on in their Christian Profession, and not to waver, God Almighty being able to sweeten the Bitterest Sufferings, and will make good his Promise, Never to leave nor forsake those that are his.