THE CHARACTER OF King Charles I. From the Declaration of M R. ALEXANDER HENDERSON, (Principal Minister of the Word of God at Edenburgh, and Chief Commissioner from the Kirk of Scotland, to the Parliament and Synod of England) Upon his DEATH-BED: WITH A Further DEFENCE of the KING's Holy Book.
To which is Annex'd Some Short Remarks upon a Vile Book, call'd, Ludlow no Lyan: With A Defence of the KING from the Irish Rebellion.
By Rich. Hollingworth, D. D.
London Printed, and are to be Sold by R. Tayler by Amen-Corner, 1692.
LICENSED, July, 28th. 1692. Rob. Midgley.
To the Right Honourable, THE MARCHIONESS of Carmarthen.
THE Defence of Good and Innocent Men, and the Vindicating of their Memories, from those base and barbarous Aspersions they are many times loaden withal, (by men under whose tongues is the poyson of Asps) are Employments every way becoming those who are Disciples of the HOLY JESUS, and have solemnly promised to follow His Example, and which I am certain will speak Peace and Comfort to them, when others who give themselves the liberty to detract and defame, to scandalize and ill-report the Best of Men, will sink at last under the Load of their own Guilt, and the Terrours of their angry and discontented Minds.
The sense of which has been a very great support to my self, ever since I have undertaken the Vindication of the Name and Memory of King CHARLES I. and has enabled me in some good sort, to scorn and live above all those Reproaches, that by a certain [Page]Faction, have been without Truth or Modesty so freely fastned upon me, and I am so far from being weary of the Task I have engaged in, that I thank God, every fresh Provocation gives me the Pleasure, as well as Advantage of knowing and understanding the incomparable Merits of that Great Man better, and the Courage to communicate them to others: And amongst many other things that have come to my hand, since I began the Defence of this Great PRINCE, This, for the sake of which I make bold to give Your Ladyship this Trouble at present, is one of the greatest and fullest that I ever saw, and no doubt will be satisfactory to all sorts of Men, because of the Person who was the Author of it; Namely, The chief Person of the Presbyterian Party in Scotland, and the most employed by them for setting up and Vindicating their Kirk-Discipline. I have shewn it, since I had it, to several Persons of great Names, and at great Posts in our Church, who were all, as mightily taken with it, so desirous it should be Reprinted, that the World might see how unjustly this Great Persons Name is dealt withal, by too great a Number of many Bad Men of this Age; which, as soon as I resolved to Reprint, I at the same time resolved, it should, with Your Ladyships Leave, come out under Your Honours Umbrage and Protection, which You have a Right to, not onely upon the score [Page]of Your own Zeal for that Great Prince's Memory and Vertues, but also upon the Account of the Faithfulness and Integrity, the Loyalty and Steadiness of Your Ancestors to the CROWN and Dignity thereof; for it is well known, That Your Noble Grandfather lost his Life, as General of His Majesties Forces at the first Fight against the Rebels at Edgelvill, for his Great Master's Just and Righteous Cause, and that Your as Noble Father, was at the same time imprison'd, for his steady Adherence to the Royal Interest, and that both of them, as they ventured their Lives, so they greatly impaired a vast Estate.
But however that in the mean time, they Acted becoming Good Men, Good Christians, and True Lavers of the Religion and Laws of their Country, which includes their being Good Subjects, and consequently took the better and more Justifiable Part; this ensuing Narrative, I am sure, will make good and clear, to all Men who are not resolved (let what will be said) to continue their base and ill designed Prejudices.
The Declaration is this.
The Character of King CHARLES I.
VVHereas the greatest part of the distempered People of these miserable distracted Kingdoms, have been and are; wofully abused and misled with malicious [Page]misinformations against his sacred Majesty, especially in point of Religion and moral-Wisdom; whereof, I confess with great grief of heart, my self to have been (amongst many moe of my coat) none of the least; who out of Imaginary fears and jealousies, were made real Instruments to advance this un-natural War, wherein so much Innocent Protestant Blood hath been shed, and so much downright Robbery committed, without fear, or shame of sin; to the scandal of the true Reformed Religion, as cannot but draw down heavy Judgements from Heaven upon these infatuated Nations, and more particularly upon Us who should have instructed them in the way of Truth, Peace, and Obedience.
I conceived it the duty of a good Christian, especially one of my profession, and in the condition that I lie, expecting God Almighty's Call, not only to acknowledge to the All-merciful God, with a humble sincere remorse of Conscience, the greatness of this offence; which being done in simplicity of Spirit, I hope with the Apostle Paul to obtain Mercy, because I did it through Ignorance: But also, for the better satisfaction of all others, to publish this Declaration to the view of the World; to the intent, that all those (especially of the Ministery) who have been deluded with me, may by God's Grace, and my example (though a weak and mean Instrument) not only be undeceived themselves, but also stirred up to undeceive others, with more alacritie and facilitie; that the scandal may be removed from our Religion and Profession, and the good King restored to his just Rights, and truly honoured and obeyed as God's Anointed and Vicegerent upon Earth; and the poor distressed Subjects freed from those intollerable Burdens and Oppressions which they lye groaning [Page]under, piercing Heaven with their Tears and Cries; and a solid Peace settled both in Kirk and Commonwealth, throughout all His Majesties Dominions, to the Glory of God, and of our blessed Mediator and Saviour the Lord Christ.
I do therefore Declare before God and the World, That since I had the Honour and Happiness to Converse and Confer with His Majesty, with all sort of freedom; especially in Matters of Religion, whether in relation to the Kirk or State, (which like Hypocrates Twins are lynked together) that I found him the most intelligent Man that ever I spoke with; as far beyond my Epression, as Expectation, grounded upon the Information that was given me (before I knew him) by such as I thought should have known him. I profess that I was oft-times astonish'd with the solidity and quickness of his Reasons and Replies; wondred how he, spending his Time so much in Sports and Recreations, could have attained to so great Knowledge, and must confess ingenuously, that I was convinc'd in Conscience, and knew not how to give him any reasonable Satisfaction; yet, the sweetness of his Disposition is such, that whatsoever I said was well taken; I must say, that I never met with any Disputant (let be a King, and in Matters of so high Concernment) of that mild and calm Temper, which convinced me the more, and made me think that such Wisdom and Moderation, could not be without an extraordinary measure of divine grace: I had heard much of his carriage towards the Priests in Spain, and that King James told the Duke of Buckingham upon his going thither, that he durst venture his Son Charles with all the Jesuits in the World, he knew him to be so well grounded in the Protestant Religion, but could never believe it before.
I observed all his actions, more particularly those of devotion, which I must truly say, are more than ordinary; I informed my self of others who had served him from his Infancy, and they all assured me that there was nothing new or much enlarged in regard of his troubles, either in his private, or publique way of exercise; twice a day constantly, morning and evening for an hours space in private; twice a day before dinner and supper in publick, besides preachings upon Sundays, Tuesdays, and other extraordinary times; and no business though never so weighty and urgent can make him forget, or neglect this his tribute and duty to Almighty God. O that those who sit now at the helm of these weather beaten Kingdoms had but one half of his true piety and wisdom I dare say that the poor oppressed Subject should not be plunged into so deep Gulfs of impiety, and misery without compassion or pity; I dare say, if his advice had been followed, all the blood that is shed, and all the repair that is committed, should have been prevented.
If I should speak of his Justice, Magnanimity, Charity, Sobriety, Chastity, Patience; Humility, and of all his both Christian and Moral Vertues, I should run my self into a Panegy rick, and seem to flatter him to such as do not know him, if the present condition that I lye in did not exeem me from any such suspition of worldly ends, when I expect every hour to be called from all transitory vanities to Eternal Felicity; and the discharging of my conscience before God and men; did not oblige me to declare the truth simply and nakedly, in satisfaction of that which I have done ignorantly, though not altogether innocently.
If I should relate what I have received from good hands, and partly can witness of my own knowledge since these unhappy troubles began, I should inlarge my self into a History: Let these brief Characters suffice. No man can say, that there is conspicuously any predominant vice in him, a rare thing in a Man, but far rarer in a King: Never man saw him passionately angry, or extraordinarily moved, either with prosperity, or adversity, having had as great Tryals as ever any King had: Never man heard him curse, or given to swearing; Never man heard him complain, or bemoan his condiction, in the greatest durance of War and confinement; When he was separated from his dearest Consort, and deprived of the comfort of his Innocent Children, the hopefullest Princes that ever were in these ingrate Kingdoms; when he was denuded of this Counsellors and domestick Servants; No man can complain of the Violation of his Wife or Daughters, though he hath had too many temptations in the prime of his age, by the inforced absence of his Wife, which would be hardly taken by the meanest of his Subjects: and (which is beyond all admiration) being stript of all counsel and help of man, and used so harshly as would have stupified any other man, then did his undaunted courage, and transcendent Wisdom shew it self more clearly, and vindicate him from the obloquy of former times, to the astonishment of his greatest Enemies: I confess this did so take me, that I could not but see the hand of God in it, and which will render His name glorious, and (I greatly fear) ours ignominious to all posterity; he stands fast to his grounds, and doth not rise and fall with success, the brittle square of humane actions, and is ever ready [Page]to forgive all by-past injuries to settle a present solid Peace, and future tranquility, for the good of his Subjects; nay, for their cause he is content to forgoe so many of his own known, undoubted Just Rights; as may stand with their safety as Salus populi est Spurema Lex, so, & si parendum est patri in eo tamen non parendum quo efficitur ut non sit Pater. [Seneca.]
I confess that I could have wished an establishment of our Presbyterial Government, in the Kirke of England, for the better Union between them and us, but I find the constitution of that Kingdom, and disposition of that Nation so generally opposite, that it is not to be expected: They are a people naturally inclined to freedom, and so bred in Riches and Plenty, that they can hardly be induced to embrace any Discipline that may any ways abridge their Liberty and Pleasures. That which we esteem a Godly Kirk policy, instituted by the Lord Christ, and his Apostles, is no better to them than a kind of slavery, and some do not stick to call it worse than the Spanish Inquisition: Nay, even the greatest part of those who invited us to assist them in it, and sent hither their Commissioners to induce us to enter into a solemn national covenant for that effect, having served their turn of us, to throw down the King and the Prelatical Party, and to possess themselves with the supreame Government both of Kirke and State; are now Inventing evasions to be rid of us, and to delude it, some of them publishing openly, in Pulpits and Print: That the sacred Covenant was never intended for the godly, but only as a trap to ensnare the Malignants, which cannot but bring heavy Judgments from Heaven, and I am afraid, make a greater [Page]dis-union between these Nations, than ever was before: Like unto that bellum Gallicum, quod sexcentis foederibus compositum, semper renovabatur [ Canon. lib. 3. Chron in here. 5. an. dom. 1118.] with a deluge of Christian blood, and almost ruine of both Parties; or like unto that bellum Rusticanum in Germania, in quo supra centena millia Rasticorum occubuerunt. [ idem an. dom. 1524.] Or most of all, both in manner and Subject, resembling that of John of Leydon, Munser and Knoperduling, [ idem an. 1534.] which took its rise from the former; so many different Sects spring up daily more and more amongst them, which all like Ephraim and Manasses, Herod and Pilate, conspire against the Lord's-Anoynted, and the true Protestant Religion.
The City of London that was so forward in the beginning of this glorious Reformation, surpasses now Amsterdam in number of Sects, and may be compared to old Rome, quae cum omnibus pene gentibus dommaretur omnium gentium erroribus serviebat, & magnam sibi videbatur assumpsisse Religionem quia nullam respuebat falsitatem. [Leo in Serm. de Petro & Paulo. app.] their transgressions are like to bring them to that confusion of the Israelites when they had no King, [ Judg. 21.] every one did what seemed good in his own eyes, because they feared not the Lord; [ Jhos. 10.] they said, What should a King do to us? The young men presumed to be wiser than the elder, [ Isai. 3.] the viler sort despised the honourable, [Lament, ult.] and the very serving men ruled over them.
I profess, when I saw these things so clearly, I could not blame the King to be so backward in giving his assent to the settling of our Presbyterial discipline in [Page]that Kirke, for the great inconveniences that might follow thereupon, to Him and his Posterity, there being so many strong Corporations in that Kingdom to lead on a Popular government, such a number of people that have either no, or broken estates, who are ready to drive on any alteration, and so weak and powerless a Nobility to hinder it. Multos dulcedo proedarum, plures Res angustoe veb ambiguoe domi alios scelerum Conscientia stimulabat. [C. Tacit.]
And now, Madam, I hope those Men, who have, of late, so boldly ventured to throw the most Sticking Dirt in the Face of this Great Prince, and Patient Martyr, will, by Repentance, give glory to God, and do so no more; in hopes of which, I, after my Prayers, and Earnest Wishes, for the Preservation of your Ladyship, and whole Family, and particularly for the long life, and health, of your Noble Lord; to whose good Counsels, and indefatigable Labours we of the Church of England owe so much, do take leave of your Ladyship, and subscribe my self,
A Further Defence OF THE KINGS Book, &c.
THis Declaration of Mr. Henderson's was communicated to me some Weeks ago by the Reverend Mr. Lamplugh, Son to the late Arch-bishop of York, and it had been Reprinted before now, but that I understood there was an Answer coming out against my Second Defence of King Charles I. and therefore I was resolved to stay a little longer, that so if there was any thing in it worth Answering, I might make but one Trouble of it; and at last out it came, with a Title as false as the greatest part of the Book it self; Namely, Ludlow no Lyar, which I do not doubt, but thou wilt be convinced of, by that time thou hast read a little further. The Truth of it is, the whole Book is so full of Rancour and Malice, of Unmannerliness and Railing, of bald and false Assertions, of Slander and base Reflections, that it is a Shame to, and a Confutation of it self, and every Leaf of it stinks in the Nostrils of all the good and sober, of all the wise and unprejudic'd Readers, that I have either met with or can hear of; and it is a Dishonour to the Cause of the Enemies of King Charles I. to have no better a Champion to [Page 2]throw down the Gauntlet in its behalf, and there are no men about the City cry it up, but the great Enemies of Monarchy and Episcopacy, let their Hypocritical Professions be what they will.
The Book is Dedicated to a Reverend Kinsman of mine, under the Name of Wilson from Yarmouth, and what can we expect but Falsehood, when he begins at this rate? For my Kinsman assures me, there is no man of that Name in Yarmouth but an ordinary Saylor, and I hope the World will believe the Talent of such a Man lyes otherwaies, than to write such Letters: The short is, the whole Book, as appears by the Stile, the Air and Scurrility of it all, is writ by one and the same Pen, and as so I shall Answer him.
The Party now so hotly engaged against Monarchy and Episcopacy, which they strike at thro' the sides of King Charles I. I know are very much enraged at my Defence of King Charles's Holy and Divine Book, and therefore take all Courses to buoy up Dr. Walkers Credit, and to lessen, or else to attempt to prove false the Authorities I have named, and to how good purposes this Answerer has done it, I now come to shew.
I tell the World pag. 7. of my Defence, the Intercourse betwixt Sir John Brattle and my self about that Book, and that he assur'd me that he helped his Father in 47, to Methodize the Papers, that so far as they were then drawn up by the King, that made up the greatest part of that Book, all writ with the Kings own hand; and I also assert, That Sir John has owned the same since, not only to my self, but many others of my Friends. To which he Replies, That Sir John who he agrees with me, is a very worthy Person, [Page 3]never told me nor any other Person, that the Papers he spoke of were writ with the King's own hand; and though the stress of the Evidence does not lye in that, for if they were writ in 47, Dr. Gauden's Claim is out of doors; for Dr. Walker acknowledges they were not sent to the King till the Treaty in 48, and that Treaty too, upon which the Troubles came so fast upon the King, which was about a year after; yet for all that I do venture to tell him, that what he asserts of Sir John Brattle is false, and Sir John sent me word that he was a Damnable Lyar, and is pleas'd with great Resentment and Indignation, to declare he never told any man any such thing, and that what he told me and my Friends as to the Kings hand is all true, and therefore he must be a Knight of the Post, that will venture to give his Oath for such a thing; which indeed I shall not wonder at, considering what sort of Men there are in the world, and what designs are carrying on by that sort of Men at this time.
The next thing I assert is the Account of Mrs. Simmonds, whom he owns to appear a good and discreet Woman, and in earnest, he saies he is assured her Reverend Husband was so too, which I am glad to hear from him, for then I am sure he would not dye with a Lye in his mouth, and if he did not, I know what Dr. Walker did.
I say Mrs. Simmonds told me her Husband declared to the last, the Book to be the Kings, Did she deny this to his Friend that waited upon her? Not a word of it in his Letter, only I concealed the whole Truth, because I did not say he dyed of the Small-Pox, which I never asked her, nor she never told me, and whether he did or no, it was not material to my business in hand, nor casts any Reflection upon what I say, [Page 4]unless a Man cannot confess a Truth when he lies a dying of the Small-Pox, Risum teneatis.
I, but Mrs. Simmonds says, she never heard of her Husbands being in a Shepherds Habit, and therefore Mr. Clifford's Evidence is quite ruin'd certainly; now Reader take Notice, This is but a Circumstance in Mr. Clifford's Account, and no doubt is true, notwithstanding Mrs. Simmonds Ignorance of it, for we all know all Men do not think fit in Undertakings of such danger and difficulties, as this was of Printing and Correcting a Book of this nature, to make their Wives acquainted with every thing they do in order to save themselves; but what is this to Mr. Clifford's Evidence? As to Mr. Odert's Transcribing of it, and they printing it by his Copy and no other, which as Mr. Milbourn the Printer has since assured me, came all at once to them, which wholly spoyls that Assertion of Dr. Walker's, of bringing some of the last sheets to the Press by Dr. Gauden's Order. Further, What is this to Dr. Jerem. Tayler's getting leave by Letter of the King, to change the Title from the Royal Plea, (with which they printed the first sheet) into [...]? For the Reasons Mr. Clifford in this Narrative asserts, which wholly routs Dr. Gauden's Excuse to Dr. Walker, when he thought he could not with a good Conscience write such a Book in the KING's Name; and he Answered, Look upon the Title, who draws his own Picture: These Accounts of Mr. Clifford ought to have been disproved by this Answerer, or else the Evidence is as clear as the Sun at Noon, and so I do not doubt will continue, notwithstanding all this foolish barking at it; but it is common, when Men want Reason, they fall to little and contemptible Cavils, as our Author has here done.
Another thing I name for the weaking Dr. Walker's Assertion, that Dr. Gauden was the Author of that Excellent Book of the King's, is what passed betwixt Dr. Meriton, and Dr. Walker, at the late Lord Mayors Sir Tho. Pilkington's: I say Dr. Meriton told me that he put Dr. Walker to silence, with the Story of Mr. Simmonds lending Dr. Gauden the Book, and Dr. Gauden's transcribing it, and so returning it to Mr. Simmonds again, and that Mr. Marryot stood by, heard the debate, and did justifie Dr. Meriton's Conquest of Dr. Walker. And what says my Adversary to this? Why here he claps his Wings and Crows, and says, I have committed two Mistakes, that the Discourse was not at dinner but after dinner, and that Dr. Meriton began the discourse with Dr. Walker, and not Dr. Walker with Dr. Meriton, and by these two things he vainly fancies he has invalidated the whole Testimony: Now suppose I did mistake as to these two petty Circumstances, which I am pretty well assur'd I did not, for Dr. Meriton told the story as occasioned by meeting together at my Lord Mayors dinner, and did not as far as I can remember descend to such Minute particulars. Pray good Reader, What is this to the story it self; namely, The affirming he did so silence Dr. Walker, that he had not a Word to say for himself? Which is so true, and will be upon just occasion attested by others as well as my self, that I do here in the face of the World, challenge Dr. Meriton, or Mr. Marryot, to deny one syllable of the substance of it, either as to the one his telling his success in the dispute, and the other justifying of it as really true.
The next thing I produce against Dr. Walker, is Mr. Long's Evidence, and his attesting in two Letters [Page 6]to Dr. Goodall, that Dr. Gauden did affirm to him, that he was fully convinced that the Book was entirely the King's own Work, and what says my Answerer to this stabbing Evidence? For for truly it is, and I am sure gives the Faction a great deal of Vexation and foaming Rage; why truly the Reply to this is very diverting, Mr. Long writ the Vox Cleri, and Mr. Long is against Free Prayer and Comprehension, &c. and what then, is Mr. Long not to be believ'd because of his Opinion as to these things? Has Mr. Long by any art of Immorality, Sedition or Rebellion, wholly forfeited his Credit or Reputation, so that his Word is not to be taken? No Reader, upon a just Enquiry, I find him to be a grave, learned, serious, and pious Divine, in that esteem amongst his Brethren, that I will venture again to say, That it is no disparagement to Dr. walker's Memory, to assert, that his Testimony is to be heeded and believed before Dr. Walker's, and I am not willing to be provoked (because the one of them is dead) to give my Reasons for it.
There are two things more I give the World an Account of in my Defence of this Great Mans being the Author of that Book, which were too hot for my Adversaries fingers, and therefore he durst not touch them; The one is Major Huntington's Story, told from his own mouth by a Non-conformist-Minister to my self; Namely, That some of those Papers, that were part of that Book, were taken at Nazeby, kept by General Fairfax, and obtained from him by the Major, and afterwards by him presented to the King, and here I challenge him or any Man, to deny the Truth of this Story, and that because that Non-conformist-Minister is of such esteem and credit in London, that I am sure they will blush to deny what he [Page 7]asserts, if I should name him, which I am ready to do when called by Authority.
The other Story is about Dr. Dillingham's asserting, That he saw and read part of this Book of the King's, and that long before Dr. Gauden pretended to send it to the King. Now know Reader, that this Account was given me by a Reverend and Learned Minister in London, as well as he could remember it, and therefore that we might have a more full and satisfactory Relation of it, I got him to write to Dr. Dillingham's Son a Minister, and to desire him to let us know what Communications his Father had made to him about this Matter, who civilly returned this ensuing Answer, which I am sure will not be unpleasing to all those who are Friends to Truth and Justice.
I Have heard of that Controversie you mention, and have now in my hands Dr. Hollingworth's Book, wherein there is something said concerning my Fathers bearing Witness to the Truth of King Charles being the Author of [...], though there might be something added to that Relation as to the time and place when and where he was a Eye-witness of it: An Account whereof, as near as I can remember, from what I have had from his own mouth, is as follows. While the King was at Holmeby my Father went from Cambridge to wait upon this Earl of Montague's Father, who was then with the King there; while the King was at Dinner, one of the Bed-Chamber shewed my Father the King's Closet, wherein was his Library and Papers, while he was there, he that came with him was accidentally called away, when my Father seeing a Black Box on the Table, that was lock'd but not very close, spyed a corner of a Paper hanging out, and took the boldness to draw it so far out, as that he could read several [Page 8]Sentences; it was newly written in a fair hand, which he judged to be the King's own, and he told me when he real the King's Book in print, he found in one Chapter the very same things word for word (as far as he could remember) with that Manuscript Paper. What Chapter the King was then writing of I cannot tell, neither did I ever ask my Father, but if I may conjecture of it at this distance, I should guess it might be that wherein he Complains of being deprived of his Chaplains; for while my Father was there, the Parliament sent down some Chaplains of their own to attend upon Him. Thus Sir you have what I can recollect concerning this Matter: Be pleas'd, not only in this, but in whatsoever else I can serve you, to Command.
A little before this Letter came to my hands, I had another from a Learned Fellow of Trinity College in Oxford, with an enclosed Paper in it, taken by his own hands from the Original, now in the possession of the Gentlemans own Son, Fellow of Exeter College, which enclosed was this:
IF any one has a desire to know the True Author of a Book Entituled [...], I, one of the Servants of King Charles I. in his Bed-Chamber, do declare, when his said Majesty was Prisoner in the Isle of Wight, That I read over the above-mentioned Book (which was long before the said Book was printed) in his Bed-Chamber writ with his Majesties own hand, with several Interlinings. Moreover his Majesty King Charles I. told me, [Page 9] Sure Levet, you do design to get this Book by heart, having often seen me reading of it. I can Testifie also, That Royston the Printer told me, that he was imprison'd by Oliver Cromwel the Protector, because he would not declare that King Charles I. was not the Author of the said Book.
And again understanding that one Mr. Hearne now Schoolmaster of Amesbury, and formerly Amanuensis to Sr. Phillip Warwick, who waited upon the King at the Isle of Wight, as a Clark and Writer, as did also Mr. Odert and Mr. Whitaker, could give me some Account from Sr. Phillip as to this Book; I went to him when he was last in London, and desired to know what Assistance he could give me, as to the proving the Truth of the Books being the Kings, who presently with his own hand gave me this following Testimony.
I Robert Hearne, formerly Servant to Sir Phillip Warwick, do Attest, That I have often heard my said Master Sir Phil. Warwick, as likewise Mr. Odert and Mr. Whitaker declare, That they had Transcribed Copies of the late King Charles the First's own Copy of his Book Entituled [...] written with His said Majesties own hand.
In the Presence of,
Phil. Mist,
Fr. Shipton.
I have but one thing more to take notice of as to this Matter, and that is a Story of this Authors concerning [Page 10]Mrs. Gaudens declaring to Bish. Nicholson of Gloucester upon receiving the Sacrament, that her Husband wrote the Book, how far this man is to be credited, as to any Story he tells, I leave the Reader, who has looked his Book over impartially, to judge; but however, seeing he is so fond of, and so apt to pick up any thing that he thinks will serve his wicked design, even to the very Mistakes of the Press, as is apparent in the Words Barking and Recalled, with which he makes such ridiculous Work; I will give him a Rowland for his Oliver, and will Answer this Story with another quite contrary to his, from the same Gentlewoman; There is a Reverend and Learned Minister now of London, who does assure me, that a Lady of good Quality told him sixteen Years agoe, That being in discourse with Mrs. Gauden, she told her that she had a great Concern for the Eternal State of her Husband, because he pretended to be the Author of that Book, when to her knowledge he never writ it; the Reverend Person tells me he has forgot the Ladies Name, or else he would freely have had his own mentioned, but the Story it self he very well remembers, and I am sure he is to be credited as much as any man that wears a Gown.
And thus good Reader, thou hast here Sir John Brattle's Testimony for the Book in 47, Mrs. Simmondses, that her Husband dyed, asserting the Book to be the Kings own; Dr. Meriton's declaring his putting Dr. Walker to silence, with his Story of Mr. Simmonds; Mr. Cliffords Account of Mr. Simmonds committing it to the Press by the King's Command, together with Alteration of the Title by Dr. Jerem. Tayler, and his Composing and Correcting it not from Dr. Gauden's, but Mr. Odert's own Copy; Mr. Long's Letters positively [Page 11]declaring Dr. Gauden's confessing it to be the King's own Book, Major Huntington assuring a Non-conformist Minister, that he presented some of the same Papers that made up part of the Book taken at Nazeby Fight, which was three years before Dr. Walker pretends Dr. Gauden sent it to the King; Dr. Dillingham's reading some of the Book presently after the King came from Newcastle; Mr. Levet's seeing and reading the Book in the Isle of Wight a great while before it was printed, and Mr. Hearne's Testimony from Sir Phil. Warwick, Mr. Odert and Mr. Whitaker, who all attended the King in his Imprisonment as Clerks and Writers; and if all these will not weigh down the vain Tattle and confident Say-so of single Dr. Walker from single Dr. Gauden, then the Lord have Mercy upon us; for we must needs be got to an almost Jewish State of Incredulity; From which good Lord deliver us.
Good Reader, there is one thing more to take Notice of, which had almost slipt my Memory, and that is this bold mans triumphing over King Charles I. upon the score of a Prayer taken out of Sir Phillip Sidney's Arcadia, made to an Heathen God; and as he impudently assert, made use of by him in the time of his Captivity. Now I must desire thee to observe, the Spight as well as Falsity of this Reflection; for if Dr. Gauden made this whole Book, as Dr. Walker asserts, and the Copy he sent to the King was never returned, nor made use of in any of the Impressions, then the Prayer was put in by Dr. Gauden, and the King no ways concerned in it, and consequently it is a Scandal founded in the greatest Malice and ill Will to the Reputation and Vertue of this Great Man; but as I deny, and have fully proved that Dr. Gauden was [Page 12]not the Author of this Book, so I must acquaint thee, that this Prayer, which this man makes himself and his Party so prophanely merry withal, was not printed in the first Edition, by that Copy sent by Mr. Simmonds to the Press, but was foisted in afterwards by some crafty and designing Person, on purpose to expose the Book, and to lessen that deserved Credit and Influence that they found it had amongst, and upon all the wise and considering men of the Kingdom, and therefore I expect to hear no more of this base Story for the time to come, or if they will take the boldness to raise it again, I hope Reader, I have furnished thee with a sufficient Answer to it.
Some short Remarks upon a Lewd Book, called, Ludlow no Lyar.
AFter a certain bold Libeller had sent into the World a Second Arraignment of King Charles the First, by way of Letter to my self, I being touch'd with the Sence of the ill Effects that Book might have upon the credulous and unthinking part of the Nation, did think it convenient to let the world know, the false Imputations he had laid at the King's door, and therefore in order to it, did consult and make use of such Authorities, as I thought unquestionable, and I am sure are for the most part so (except one) which I have been but lately Convinced of, and which is one of their own, and which they make no little use of; but let the Authorities be what they will, this Wicked Man is resolved to be in the [Page 13]right, as long as there is any rude Vote or scandalous Libel, Remonstrance, or false Story to be found in print, and to be communicated to this present Age, and neither Friend nor Enemy, if they write any thing in behalf of the great King ought to be believed, if he may have his Will, and let what Acts of Parliament be quoted for the Justification of that Prince, yet he still was a Tyrant, and a Man neither of Honour nor Religion: But to my main design, in which I promise to be very short.
First Reader, I must desire thee to take Notice, That I have Dedicated my Second Defence to the Arch Bishops, Bishops, Nobility, Gentry, Clergy and Commons of the Nation, in which I tell them of the Books that have been Printed since this last Revolution, against the Constitution both of Church and State, which did sufficiently shew the Design on Foot, to which not one Word of Answer is this Libel: I further tell them what Destruction this Spirit once backed with power will make of them and all they have, of which no Notice taken, for which indeed I do not blame him; for he knows in his Conscience all I say is true, and I hope the Body of the Nation for the time to come, will be so wise and provident, as not to let things run so far, as to make a Second Tryal of that Spirit, by which they have suffered, and that so smartly already.
In the beginning of my Defence, I do honestly upbraid him for taking upon him the Name of that Traytor Ludlow, and tell him that he ought to suffer in his stead, being so forward to Represent him, and Vindicate those Actions for which he stands Condemned; and this he is pleased to pass by too, no doubt being convinced if he had his due, he would quickly be put [Page 14]out of Capacity of poysoning the Nation with such Infamous Pamphlets.
The next thing I shall make a few Remarks upon, is the Letter of the Prince of Wales to the Pope; I tell him in my Defence, that as the Letter is in Rushworth, his Accusations of that Great Prince from that Letter, are false and made up of Lyes, upon which he grows great in his own eyes, and triumphs over me as if he had got a compleat Victory, leaving me dead upon the spot; for he produces another Letter, in which is contained all he Charges upon the Prince.
The Truth is, I had heard a little before his Libel came out, from a Reverend Neighbour of mine, that Mr. Rushworth in his First Edition Dedicated to Rich. Cromewel then called Protector, had put in this Letter of his, but afterwards in those Editions after the Restoration, not being able to justifie the Letter, put this in the room of it, both which I have good Reason to believe are alike true; that is, they are both of them spurious, and I Challenge this bold Writer, or any of his Party, to name a man that ever saw or took either of these Letters out of any Archive or Publick Record at Rome, Madrid, or London; that there was a Letter sent to the Pope, I grant, but that it was pleasing to the Pope, I deny, and that for this very Reason, because the Pope did so greatly delay the Dispensation for the Marriage, which I dare say he would not have done if he had had such hopes of making England Catholick, as they call it again, as such a Letter as this from such a Person that was next to the Crown, did give him. The Pope of Rome knew England so well, and the Advantages of it to the Papal Chair, that I am sure he would have granted an hundred Dispensations at first asking, for such an opportunity [Page 15]as this: But good Reader, I must entreat thee to observe, that this Libeller, though he makes such a Noise about a Letter, which could not (all Circumstances considered) be avoided, yet he takes no Notice of what I assert, as to the Princes answering the Spanish Favourite, that he came for a Wife and not for a Religion, nor of Mr. Rushworths Attestation of his steadiness to his Religion, nor of Mr. Johnsons Account, of his fixedness to his Principles, notwithstanding all the Applications of the Priests to him; No, no, these things do not answer the ends of this man and his Party, which, in short, are to destroy Church and State, and therefore not one Word of them, or any other Vertues of this Prince I will warrant you; and therefore the Old Cry of one of his Judges, is still among them, Blacken him, blacken him, as this man has done to purpose with his Lyes and false Accusations.
As for the Story of Prynne, Bastwicke and Burton, with whose Sufferings he endeavours to bespatter the Reign and Spirit of King Charles I. I will onely answer him over and above what I said in my Answer to his lewd Libel, with this true Account, which I promise to make good when ever called to it by my Superiours; Namely, That Mr. Prynne being in discourse with a Friend of mine, after the Happy Restoration, told him to this purpose, That the Crimes of himself and his Fellow Sufferers were so great, that if the Justice of the Nation had cut off their Heads instead of their Ears, they had had nothing but what was due to them; by which Mr. Prynne, who knew his and their Deserts better than this Defender of them, either does or will, shewed himself a true Penitent, and one that would have scorned as well as [Page 16]grieved for such an Advocate, as this wicked man is.
The next thing he falls foul upon me, is for speaking favourably of Arch-bishop Laud, whom he treats with all the scurrility imaginable; now I must confess, though I believe that great and learned Man was mistaken in the temper of the Nation, and did somethings with too great an Heat and Zeal, yet upon reading his Story, I do believe, that as he was a great Scholar, so he was a very pious Man, and a thousand times more abus'd by a Generation of men, than he did deserve, he lived strictly, and dyed with a Courage, Comfort, and Satisfaction of Mind suitable to his holy and severe Life; and for the Proof of this I desire thee, Reader, to read over his Speech he made in defence of himself, upon his Tryal, before the few Lords that took upon them to be his Judges, and that holy Discourse he made upon the Scaffold, just before that fatal Blow that severed his Head from his Body.
And whereas he stands in his Assertion, That Bishop Laud sent the Common-Prayer-Book to the Pope and Cardinals for their Approbation, and quotes one Gage a Fryar for the Truth of it, I must beg thy leave, Reader, to tell thee that I do not believe the Story, and that because such a man as Gage reports it, and especially at that time when Usurpers were in the Chair, and with whom, as other Popish Converts were wont to do, he was resolved to curry favour, and I believe this man the less, because he was so silly and so spiteful, as to vindicate Bishop Lauds Death as just, when he could not but know, if he understood any thing of our Legal Constitution, that Bishop Laud was cut off by a Warrant that no Law of England justifies; for it was done without the Kings Consent or Hand, and consequently in plain terms, that he was murder'd, and he [Page 17]that Vindicates the Breach of the Sixth Commandment, his Testimony shall have no Credit with me, nor will, I am sure, with any good and undesigning man throughout the Kingdom. Another thing I Answer his former vile Paper withal, is what is said by Mr. Whitelock, concerning the Scotch Rebellion, who tells us, (though a Friend to the Party) what Condescentions the King made, how He kept his Word, and the Rebels broke theirs, after a solemn Agreement betwixt them both, who tells us of their Signing a Letter to the French King to come in to their Aid against their lawful Soveraign, And what says my Adversary to these things? Why he quotes several Defences they made, nothing to the purpose as to what Mr. Whitelock asserts, and indeed such things as any Rebels may say for themselves, and he knows there never yet was so bad a Cause, but Wit and Malice could invent and draw up something that dazzled the eyes of the Vulgar, and served to keep ignorant, or designing men in a Body together: But good Reader, I pray take Notice, That whereas I give an Account from Mr. Whitelock, how far Cardinal Richelieu interested himself in this Rebellion of the Scots, and how he sent Chamberlaine his Chaplain, and Hepburn his Page, to blow up the Coals both in England and Scotland amongst the Puritans, yet my Adversary is pleased here to be utterly silent and to pass it by, no doubt because it was so notorious and villainous a Correspondence, as would admit of no manner of Justification.
The next thing I Advocate for this Great King for, are his many and gracious Favours and Condescentions in passing so many Bills for the first Year of the Parliaments sitting down, which he would make the World believe, were no Favours, but what he was [Page 18]bound to do, and consequently, for which, no Thanks were due to him, by which he takes off all Obligations to Their Present Majesties and their Successors from the People, as to any future Acts of Grace they grant, for which I am sure he deserve no Thanks from the Crown, and indeed for which he ought to be look'd upon as a downright Enemy to the future Intercourse and good Understanding betwixt Their Majesties and their People, and I doubt not but this saucy Assertion will be so thought of both by King and People, and the Loyalty of him and his pretending Party will be looked upon accordingly.
I further in my Defence, vindicate the King's Scruple of Conscience, as to the Execution of the Earl of Strafford, and to shew the reasonableness of the Scruple, (which he basely makes sport withal) recite and print the Preamble of the Act of Parliament, by which the Attainder of that Great Man, and White Soul, as Bishop Ʋsher who attended him upon the Scaffold, calls him, was taken off, in which they acquit him of Treason, And what says this Pamphleteer to this? Not a Word, but according to his usual Modesty calls him Traytor; and consequently Arraigns the Wisdom and Justice of the Nation, which indeed to me is no wonder, considering the Venemous Spirit of the man throughout his whole Book.
Further I Vindicate the King, and that from his own Declaration (which I have printed in words at length) from any design of bringing up the Army to plunder the City of London, which Declaration he says little or nothing to, but flies presently to a Committee, and their Examinations of the thing, which truly considering how at that time some men were allured with hopes, others affrighted with Frown and Threats, I [Page 19]can give but little heed to, and I will be so hardy as to tell the World, that I will believe the Assertions of King Charles I. before Twenty Committees of those days, considering the designs then on foot, and the resolutions to carry them on; and I must confess, ever since I read Whites Centuries, the Witnesses received, and the ruine of so many Families upon such Testimonies, I have had but a very slender Value for what was printed from those Committees; let this man answer what the King says upon this Account in his own Defence, and what the Officers of the Army say in their Petition in their behalf, and then he will act like a clear Answerer, and deserve a further Consideration.
Another thing I Charge this modest and mannerly Gentleman withal, is his false Account he gives in his former Libel of the Rabble running down to Westminster in a riotous and tumultuous manner, who he says went only armed with Petitions in their hands in a peaceable way, as to which I tell him, and that truly, that he contradicts all the Historians of that Age, and that they were so far from such a decent Carriage as he asserts, that they with Clubs and Staves in their hands, cryed out they would have no Groom-Porters-Lodge at Whitehall, but would speak with the King himself when they pleased, that they beset the House of Lords door, and cryed Justice, Justice, that they broke the Organ, and tore the Vestments of the Church of Westminster in pieces, threw stones at the Bishops, and endangered the Bishop of Durham's Life: And what says he to these things in his Reply? Why truly not one Word, but still sillily and against all Truth, would make the World believe the King was not at all affronted, and had no Reason to leave Whitehall, which he must be a great Stranger to Matters of Fact, that [Page 20]gives any Credit to such bold Assertions; and I am sure this man, in this particular, if any man believe him, must be beholden to his blind Credulity, and not to his Skill in History.
Another thing I call this man to Account for, is his bold asserting the Kings burning by the Hang-man, his own Pacification with the Scots when he came to London, which I refute by a Passage out of Bishop Burnets Memoirs of the two Hamiltons; it is true, the Figures are mistaken, but the Story is truly, related as it is in that Bishops Book, but to convince the World of the Malice, as well as Falseness of this Reflection, I shall present them with a greater Authority than the Bishops, and that is an Act of State against the Scots concerning a scandalous Paper dispersed by them, which the Reader may find at large in the Council Table-Book.
On Sunday the Fourth of August 1639. His Majesty being in Council, was pleased to acquaint the Lords with a Paper he had seen at Barwicke, Entituled, Some Conditions of His Majesties Treaty with his Subjects of Scotland, which Paper being in most parts full of falshood, dishonour and scandal, to His Majesties Proceedings in the late Pacification; All which Consider'd, the whole Board unanimously became humble Petitioners to His Majesty, that this false and scandalous Paper might be burnt by the Hang-man, to which Petition the Earl of Pembrooke, Salisbury and Holland, afterward known Enemies to the King's Cause, Consented. And now I hope this will stop this mans, and his Friends mouths as to this particular for the time to come, though considering the Malice of the man to the Memory of King Charles, I am apt to question it.
As to what he and I both say concerning the Proclamations [Page 21]about the Irish Rebellion, I shall pass it by at present, and refer thee Reader, to the Vindication I make by two undoubted Papers of the King's Innocency as to that horrid Rebellion, at the latter end of this Paper.
The last thing I assert in the behalf of this Great and Vertuous Prince, is what he says himself upon the Scaffold, as to the first beginning of that unhappy, and indeed needless War on the Parliaments side, where he Clears himself, by calling GOD to Witness, unto whom he was shortly to give an Account, that they began the War with him, for the Truth of which he refers to the Dates of both their Commissions, to which I have not one Word of Answer from this bold Libeller, but in a shuffling way talking of pawning Crown Jewels, which for what ends it was done, or designed to be done, it is not fit for him and I to judge, for the Actions of Princes are above our Reach, and ought not to be so narrowly pryed into, yet I dare say it was not to begin a War, because the Good Man so often protests against any Intention of War, because so small a Sum of Money in comparison, would so little have answered an Undertaking against so great and powerful an Enemy, as the Parliament then was, and though the King afterwards made that use of the Money, after the War was actually commenced against him, yet that is no Argument, That that was the Primary Design.
And now Reader, having given thee these short Remarks upon this filthy and scurrilous Book, I have little more to entertain thee withal, than to tell thee, That this Author, has with a great deal of Boldness and Falshood, declared, notwithstanding the honest Account I have given of my self from the Age of Twenty [Page 22]One, and of my being Ordained by the hands of Bishop Saunderson, as soon as by Law I was capable, namely at the Age of Twenty Three, that I was a Presbyterian; but to Answer this in short, I do here declare in the Presence of God, that I never was a Presbyterian in my Life, and further, by God's Grace, that I never will be one, for I neither like the Principles of that Government, nor the Spirit of too many of that Party, for I abhor all Bitterness and Cruelty.
As for what he repeats out of Manvel, which were made against Dr. Parker, I pray God forgive him, it is a Description that belongs not at all to me, as all those know, who have been acquainted with the course of my Life, nor yet do Dr. Wildes Verses against Dr. Lee reach me at all; for I bless God, ever since I came to a competent Understanding, I have loved the Constitution of the Church of England, and done what in me lay, to promote its true Interest, and which I will never cease to do, as long as I have Tongue to speak, and a Pen to write.
I shall conclude this part of my Discourse with hearty Prayers to God for my Adversary, that God would open his Eyes, and change his Heart before he dies, that so this Iniquity may not be for his Eternal Ruine.
The Irish Rebellion falsly and scandalously imputed to King CHARLES the First,
TO make good which, I onely desire thee Reader, carefully to peruse the Two following Accounts: The one is a Letter by that Kings own Order, by the Hands of Secretary Vane to the Lords Justices of Ireland, Borelase and Parsons, above half a year before the Rebellion, giving them to understand the Intelligence the King had from abroad, of some dangerous [Page 23]Designs by the Popish Party against the Peace of that Kingdom, that so they might be awakened to take all possible care to prevent them: The other is an unfolding the whole Mystery of the pretended Commission with the King's Broad Seal to it, which the Enemies of that King have, and do still charge that gracious Prince withal, and by Vertue of which they do lay all the innocent Blood then so barbarously spilt, at his door, and consequently do endeavour thereby to render his Name odious to all succeeding Generations, the Account is by Dr. Ker Dean of Ardagh, and as I am assured by a considerable Dignitary of that Kingdom, yet alive.
Sir Henry Vane's Letter to the Lords Justices concerning some Informations of Danger in Ireland.
HIS Majesty hath Commanded me to acquaint your Lordships with an Advice given him from abroad, and confirm'd by his Ministers in Spain and elsewhere, which in this Distemper'd Time, and Conjuncture of Affairs, deserves to be seriously consider'd, and an especial care and watchfulness to be had therein: which is, That of late there have passed from Spain (and the like may well have been from other Parts) an unspeakable number of Irish Church-men for England and Ireland, and some good old Souldiers under pretext of asking leave to raise Men for the King of Spain; whereas it is observed, among the Irish Friars there, a whisper runs, as if they expected a Rebellion in Ireland, and particularly in Connaght. Wherefore His Majesty thought fit to give your Lordships this notice, that in your Wisdoms, you might manage the same with that Dexterity and Secresie, as to Discover and Prevent so pernicious a Design, if any such there should be, and to have a watchful Eye on the Proceedings and Actions of those who come thither from abroad, on what pretext soever, and so herewith I rest,
Dr. Ker Dean of Ardagh his Deposition concerning the Calumny thrown upon King Charles the Martyr, for giving a Commission to the Rebels in Ireland.
I John Ker Dean of Ardagh, having occasionally discoursed with the Right Honourable George Lord Viscount Lanesborrough, concerning the late Rebellion of Ireland, and his Lordship at that time having desired to certifie the said Discourse under my Hand and Seal, do declare as followeth.
That I was present in Court when the Rebel Sir Phelim Oneal was brought to his Tryal in Dublin, and that he was Tryed in that Court which is now the High Court of Chancery, and that his Judges were Judge Donelan, afterwards Sir James Donelan, Sir Edward Bolton Knight, sometimes Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer; Dungan, then called Judge Dungan, and another Judge whose name I do not now remember. And that amongst other Witnesses then brought in against him, there was one Joseph Travers Clerk, and one Mr. Michael Harrison, if I mistake not his Christian name; and that I heard several Robberies and Murthers proved against him, the said Sir Phelim, he having nothing material to plead in his own defence: And that the said Judge, whose name I remember not as abovesaid, Examined the said Sir Phelim, about a Commission, that the said Sir Phelim, should have had from Charles Stuart, as the said Judge then called the late King, for levying the said War: That the said Sir Phelim made Answer, That he never had any such Commission; and that it was proved then in Court, by the Testimony of the said Joseph Travers and others; that the said Sir Phelim had such a Commission, and did in the beginning of the said Irish Rebellion s [...] the same unto the said Joseph, and several others then in Courts. Ʋpon which the said Sir Phelim confessed, that when he surprised the Castle of Charle-mount, and the Lord Caulfield, that he Ordered the said Mr. Harrison and another Gentleman, whose name I now do not remember, to cut off the King's broad Seal from a Patent of the said Lord's, they then found in Charle-mount, and to affix it to a Commission, which he the said Sir Phelim had ordered to be drawn up. And that the said Mr. Harrison did in the face of the whole Court confess, that by the said Sir Phelim's order he [Page 25]did stitch the Silk Cord or Label of that Seal, with Silk of the Colours of the said Label, and so fixed the Label and Seal to the said Commission, and that the said Sir Edward Bolton, and Judge Donelan, urging the said Sir Phelim, to declare why he did so deceive the People? He did Answer, That no Man could blame him, to use all means whatsoever to promote that Cause he had so far ingaged in. And that upon the second day of his Tryal some of the said Judges told him, that if he could produce any material proof, that he had such a Commission from the said Charles Stuart, to declare and prove it before Sentence should pass against him, and that he the said Sir Phelim should be restored to his Estate and Liberty: But he answered; That he could prove no such thing; nevertheless they gave him time to consider of it till the next day, which was the third and last day of his Tryal! Ʋpon which day the said Sir Phelim being brought into the Court, and urged again; he declared again, that he never could prove any such thing as a Commission from the King: And added, that there were several Outrages committed by Officers and others his aiders and abettors in the management of that War, contrary to his Intention, and which now pressed his Conscience very much; and that he could not in Conscience had to them the unjust Calmniating the King, though he had been frequently solie [...]ted thereunto by fair Promises and great Rewards while he was in Prison. And proceeding further in this discourse, that immediately he was stopt, before he had ended what he had further to say, the sentence of death was pronounced against him.
And I do further declare, That I was present, and very near to the said Sir Phelim when he was upon the Ladder at his Execution; and that one Marshal Peake, and another Marshal, before the said Sir Phelim was cast, came riding towards the place in great haste, and called aloud, stop a little, and having passed through the throng of the spectators and guards, one of them whispered a prety while with the said Sir Phelim, and that the said Sir Phelim answered in the hearing of several hundreds of People, of whom my self was one, I thank the Lieutenant General for his intended mercy, but I declare, good People, before God and his Holy Angels, and all of you that hear me, that I never had any Commission from the King for what I have done, in Levying or Prosecution of this War, and do heartily beg your [Page 26]Prayers all good Catholicks and Christians, that God may be merciful unto me, and forgive me my sins. More of his Speech I could not hear, which continued not long, the Guards beating off those that stood near the place of Execution.
All that I have written as above, I declare to be true, and am ready if thereunto required, upon my Corporal Oath to attest the truth of every particular of it. And in Testimony thereof do hereunto Subscribe my Hand, and affix my Seal, this 28th day of February, 1681.
And now Reader, having vindicated the Honour, Piety, and all other Vertues of this Great Prince, from the Death-bed Declaration of one that was once his greatest Enemy, having cleared the Truth of his Book, beyond Contradiction, having proved the Counterfeit Ludlow a great Lyar, and also defended the King from the base and false Imputation of the Irish Rebellion, I have no more to say, than only to tell thee, That if the present Faction cannot employ a more modest and mannerly Champion, than this man is, I have done; for I do not love to be put to the trouble so often, of raking in sinks and stinking dunghils, and if he wants employment, and will be Scribling again, I desire him gravely and seriously, without railing and buffooning, to Answer these following Quaeries,
- I. Whether King Charles I. dyed by the hands of Justice, or was actually Murdered?
- II. Whether those that abet his Death now, are not vertually as guilty of it, as his Judges were?
- III. Whether they that vindicate that Death, can be true and steady Subjects to King William and Queen Mary?
- IV. Whether this mans and others asserting the Justice of the War against the King, and crying up his Death, be not to prepare the People to do the same thing against and upon others, when Time and Opportunity shall serve?
- V. Whether he is to be believed in any thing he says, and does not deserve a Pillory, that tells so horrid a Lye, as that the King sent to Sir William Balfour to cut off the [Page 27]Lord Lowdens Head by Nine of the Clock next Morning, without any Process of Law?
- VI. Whether he does not deserve a severe Censure, that belyes my Lord Strafford, with Words spoke at the Cabinet-Council, notwithstanding the Marquess Hamilton, Earl of Northumberland, Lord Treasurer, and Lord Cottingten, upon their Honours declared, being present at the same Council, they heard no such Words?
- VII. Whether they are not great Fools, or designing K—that believe any thing this Libeller writes against King Charles the First?
- VIII. Whether he hath not done me a greater Honour than ever I could expect, or can deserve, to belye, defame, and abuse me, with the same Pen he has abus'd King Charles the First, and that purely for His sake?
- Lastly, Whether that Holy and Renowned Martyr, Arch-Bishop Cranmer, and that stout Reformer Martin Luther, would not appear worse Men, than this Scribler has made King Charles I. if we should believe nothing of them, but what their grand Enemies the Priests and Jesuites have writ against them.
After I had finished the Defence of the King's Book, I received this Letter from a Reverend Minister of Ipswich in Suffolk, which deserves to be taken Notice of.
SOME years after the Kings Tryal, Major Huntington at Ipswich assured me, That so much of the said Book as contained His Majesties Meditations before Naseby Fight, was taken in the Kings Cabinet, and that Sir Thomas Fairfax delivered the said Papers unto him, and ordered him to carry them to the King; and the Major affirmed, that he read them over before he delivered them, and that they were the same for Matter and Form, with those Meditations in the Printed Book, and that he was much affected with them, and from that time became a Proselyte to the Royal Cause: He also told me, That when he delivered them to the King, His Majesty appeared very joyful [Page 28]at the receiving of them, and said he esteemed them more than all the Jewels he had lost in the Cabinet. Also I remember, when I waited upon my Lord Vicount Hereford into Holland, (who was sent by the Parliament with other Lords, to bring home King Charles II.) my Lord sent me to Dr. Earl then at the Hague, to request his Knowledge; whether the King was Author of the said Book, the Dr. told me, as sure as he knew himself to be the Translator of it into Latin; so certain he was King Charles was the Author of the Original in English.
For my part, I am apt to believe no Person was able to frame that Book, but a Suffering King, and no Suffering King, but King Charles the Martyr.