great art and subtility against him, first to strengthen themselves with unlawful power, before they make their illegal demands. He taxes them, that first they had removed the Law itself, as a rub in their way, and pressed their own Orders and Ordinances upon the people (tending to a pure arbitrary power) as Laws, and required obedience to them, without the consent or concurrence of himself. That they had wrested from him the command of the Militia, (a thing inherent in his Crown) countenanced the Treason of HOTHAM against him, and directed to the people invectives against his Government, to weaken his just authority and due esteem among his Subjects; casting upon him aspersions of a strange nature, as,. that he should favour a Rebellion in the bowels of his Kingdom. He complains likewise that they had broached (for so he calls it) a new Doctrine, namely, that the King is bound to passe all Laws that shall be offered to him by both Houses of Parliament a point of policie fit for their present businesse, as destructive to all his Rights. That they have overawed his Subjects, in stifling all Petitions that did not please them; and filled the peoples ears with needlesse fears, and jealou sies, and such like things, before they thought his Majestie sufficiently prepared to take those bitter Pills. For (saith he) if they had unseasonably vented such Propositions, as the wisdom and modestie of their Predecessours never thought fit to offer to any of Our Progenitours, nor We, in honour or regard to Our Regal Authority, (which God hath intrusted Us with for the good of Our People) could receive without just indignation (for such many of the Propositions are) their hopes would soon have been blasted, and those persons to whom Offices, Honours, Power, and Commands were designed, by such ill-timing of their businesse, would have failed of their expectation, not without a brand upon the Attempt. Therefore he saith, that they had made before-hand those fore-named preparations. The King seems to doubt likewise, (because the Parliament have not told him that this is all they desire of him,) that these Propositions are probably intended to make way for a Superfetation of a (yet) higher nature. And, in the Propositions in general, he observes, that the Contrivers of them (the better to advance their true ends) disguised, as much as they could, their intents, with a mixture of some things really to be approved by every honest man, others specious and popular, and some already granted by him: All which (saith he) are cunningly twisted, and mixed with other things of their main designe of ambition and private interest.

But the King desires not to be understood so, as if he intended to fix this designe upon both, or either House of Parliament: for he utterly professeth against it, being most confident of the loyalty, good affections, and integrity of the intentions of that great Body, and knowing well that very many of both Houses were absent, and many dissented from all those particulars of which he complains: but that he believes, and accordingly professes to all the world, that the malignity of this designe hath proceeded from the subtil informations, mischievous practices, and evil counsels of some ambitious, turbulent, spirits, disaffected to God's true Religion (using their own language) the Unity of the professours thereof, his

Honour

Honour and Safety, and the publike peace and prosperity of the people. (And ́ such other like general expressions).

In particular, the King expressed himself with great indignation against ten of their Propositions, which were the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 16, 19; averring, that, if they did intend the establishment of his honour, together with the security of his people (as their profession is) they would not offer him such Propositions: for that Profession, joyned to these Propositions, appeared to his judgement as a mockery and scorn.

He averreth further, that their Demands are such, as that he should be unworthy of his Royal descent from so many famous Ancestours, and unworthy of the Trust reposed in him by the Laws, if he should divest himself of such a power so inherent in his Crown, and assume others into a participation of it; protesting, that, if he were both vanquished and a prisoner, in worse condition than any, the most unfortunate, of his predecessours had ever been reduced unto, he would never stoop so lowe as to grant those demands, and to make himself, of a King of England, a Duke of Venice.

The several Answers that the King made, and Arguments that he used to each several branch of those Propositions, are too large to be here inserted, and may be read by those that would be further informed, in the printed Book of Parlia ment-Declarations and Ordinances *.

* The Book here referred-to was printed in this very same Year 1642, at London, for Edward Husbands, J. Warren, and R. Best, and sold at the Middle Temple, and at Gray's-Inn-gate, and at the White Horse in Paul's Church-yard: and it's Title was as follows; AN EXACT COLLEC TION of all Remonstrances, Declarations, Votes, Orders, Ordinances, Proclamations, Petitions, Messages, Answers, and other remarkable passages between the King's most Excellent Majesty and his High Court of Parliament; Beginning at his Majestie's return from Scotland, being in December, 1641, and continued until March the 21st, 1643.

WHICH were formerly published either by the KING'S Majestie's Command, or by Order from one, or both Houses of Parliament.

With a Table, wherein are most exactly digested all the fore-mentioned things according to their several Dates and Dependancies.

CHAP.

130

CHAP. V.

An Order for the bringing-in of Plate and Money into Guildhall. The King's Declaration to the Lords about him: Their Profession and Protestation to him. The King layeth Siege to Hull; but raiseth it again. The Earl of Warwick taketh possession of the Navie, as Lord-Admiral. The Earl of Essex is voted in Parliament to be Lord-General of all their Forces.

dinances

Parliament pass Or Troops and Money without the King's

The two Houses of ON the tenth day of June following, an Order was made by both Houses of Parliament, for bringing-in of Money and Plate, to maintain Horse, Horse-men, and Arms, for Preservation of the Publike Peace, and defence of the King's Person, (for that the Parliament, in their expressions, alwaies joyned together with their own safety) and both Houses of Parliament. Wherein it was expressed, that whosoever should bring-in any Money or Plate, or furnish any Horse-men and Arms for that purpose, should have their Money repayed with Interest, according to eight in the hundred; for which both Houses of Parliament did engage the Publike Faith.

concurrence, June 10, 1642.

Four Treasurers were ordained, whose Acquittances for the receipt of any Sum, should be a sufficient ground to the Lenders to demand their Money and Plate again, with the Interest belonging thereunto. The Treasurers were, Sir JOHN WOLLASTON, Knight, and Alderman of London, Alderman TowEs, Alderman WARNER, and Alderman ANDREWES. Commissaries, also, were appointed to value the Horse and Arms which should be furnished for that service.

It was desired in that Order, that all men resident in, or about, London, or within 80 miles, would bring-in their Money, Plate, or Horse, within a fortnight after notice; and they that dwell farther-off, within three weeks: and that those who intended to contribute within the time limited, but were not, for the present, provided of Money or Horse, should subscribe, that it might be soon known what provision

provision would be for effecting of that great and important Service. And, in
conclusion, it was declared, that whatsoever was brought-in, should be employed
to no other purposes but those before-mentioned; the maintenance of the Pro-
testant Religion, the King's Person, dignity, and authority, the Laws of the Land,
the Peace of the Kingdom, and the Priviledges of Parliament.

Whilest this Order was drawing-up, advertisement by Letters was given to the
Parliament, that the Crown-Jewels were pawned at Amsteldam, and other places
of the Netherlands; upon which money was taken-up, and Warlike Ammunition
provided in those Parts, as Battering-pieces, Culverins, Field-pieces, Morter-pieces,
Granadoes, with great store of powder, pistols, carabines, great saddles, and such
like. Whereby the Parliament thought they could not otherwise judge than
that the King did plainly intend a War against them, and had designed it long
before.

ray to raise the Mili

They received intelligence, at the same time, that the King had sent a Commis- The King issues a sion of Array into Leicestershire, directed to the Earl of Huntington, the Earl of Commission of ArDevonshire, and Mr. HENRY HASTINGS, second son to the Earl of Huntington; tia of Leicestershire, (for the Lord HASTINGS, eldest son to that Earl, did then adhere to the Parliament) in June, 1642. which three were chief in the Commission; but many other Knights and Gentlemen of that County were named in it. Together with this Commission of Array, the King sent a Letter also, containing the reasons of it, wherein he complaineth that the Parliament, by their Ordinance for the Militia, would divest him of that power, which is properly inherent in his Crown. And for the occasion and reason of that Commission, he urgeth a Declaration of their own, using their very expressions and words in his Letter; that, whereas it hath been declared by Votes of both Houses of Parliament, the fifteenth of March last, that the Kingdom hath of late been, and still is, in evident and imminent danger, both from enemies abroad, and a Popish discontented party at home; he concludes, that for the safeguard both of his own Person and People, there is an urgent and inevitable necessity of putting his people into a posture of defence, &c. Thus did the Parliament's Prologue to their Ordinance of Militia, serve the King's turn for his Commission of of Array, totidem verbis. The copie of which Commission and Letter coming into the hands of the Parliament, it was resolved upon the Question by the Lords. and Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Commission of Array for Leicester is against Law, and against the Liberty and Property of the Subject and resolved again upon the Question, within two days after, That all those that are actours in putting the Commission of Array in execution, shall be esteemed as disturbers of the Kingdom's Peace, and betrayers of the Liberty of the Subject. It was also ordered by both Houses, that this Commission of Array, and the forementioned Votes, should be forthwith printed, and published throughout the Kingdom.

The King was not wanting to his own designe in the mean time, and whatsoever might give countenance to the businesse he had in hand: but made a short De

$ 2

claration

claration to the Lords who then attended him at York, and others his PrivyCouncil there, in these words:

The King's Declara

We do declare, that We will require no obedience from you, but what is tion to the Lords at warranted by the known Laws, as We expect that you shall not yeeld to

York.

any Commands not legally grounded, or imposed by any other. We will defend all you, and all such as shall refuse any such Commands, whether they proceed from Votes and Orders of both Houses, or any other way, from all danger whatsoever. We will defend the true Protestant Religion established by the Laws, the lawful Liberties of the Subjects of England, and just Priviledges of all the three Estates of Parliament; and shall require no further obedience from you, than as We accordingly shall perform the same. We will not (as is falsely pretended) engage you in any War against the Parliament, except it be for Our necessary defence against such as do insolently invade, or attempt against, Us and Our Adherents.

Upon this Declaration of the King, those Lords and others of his Council made a Promise to him, and subscribed it with their hands, as followeth.

We do engage our selves not to obey any Orders or Commands whatso

Their Profession

and Protestation to ever, not warranted by the known Laws of the Land. We engage our

bin.

selves to defend Your Majestie's Person, Crown and Dignity, with Your just and legal Prerogative, against all Persons and Power whatsoever. We will defend the true Protestant Religion established by the Law of the land, the lawful Liberties of the Subjects of England, and the just Priviledges of Your Majestie, and both Houses of Parliament. Lastly, we engage our selves not to obey any Rule, Order, or Ordinance, whatsoever, concerning any Militia, that bath not the Royal Assent.

Subscribed by,

L. Keeper, D. of Richmond, Ma. Hertford, E. of Lindsey, E. of Cumberland, E. of Huntington, E. of Bath, E. of Southampton, E. of Dorset, E. of Salisbury, E. of Northampton, E. of Devonshire, E. of Bristol, E. of Vestmerland, E. of Barkeshire, E. of Monmouth, E. of Rivers, E. of Newcastle, E. of Dover, E. of Carnarvan, E. of Newport, L. MOWBRAY and MATREVERS, L. WILLOUGHBY of Eresby, L. RICH, L. CHARLES HOWARD of Charleton, L. NEWARK, L. PAGET, L. CHANDOYS, L. FALCONBRIDGE, L. PAULET, L LOVELACE, L. COVENTRY, L. SAVILE, L. MOHUN, L. DUNSMORE, L. SEYMOUR, L GREY of Ruthen, L. FAWLKLAND, the Con. troller, Secretary NICHOLAS, Sir JOHN CULPEPER, Lord Chief Justice BANKS.

The