Declaration In Answer to a Scandalous Pamphlet
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo2/A97236.0001.001
Project Note
This is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND. This license allows reusers to copy and distribute the material in any medium or format in unadapted form only, for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
The source of this document is the Early English Books Online (EEBO-TCP) website. Those books were transcribed in a character for character manner and can be very cumbersome to read since there was no standard spelling during that time. Many spelling variations such as "unlesse", "vnlesse", and "vnles" regularly appear.
This project was conceived to clean up those books as much as possible and make them more accessible to the interested reader, leading to the creation of a massive list of variant spellings and their corrections. This was used to clean up the text, but is of course only as complete as the list itself. Because of the nature of the original transcription, some words have missing characters or places where the original language (e.g., Greek) was not transcribed. This effort does not change that. Be aware that the original transcription can also be faulty and in some cases entire sentences may be missing.
Although this is no substitute for a properly compared, proofed, and scholarly edition, I believe that the result is a document which is far more accessible, particularly for searching for terms using standard spelling. The document has been cleaned and presented in what I hope is a pleasing and useful format for the vast majority of Christian brothers and sisters who just want access to read these spiritually nourishing works.
However, a word of warning: The Puritans were a very diverse group of people and their age was characterized with godliness, but also much upheaval, disputation and strife. They disagreed on many doctrines and some of these works contain less orthodox or Scriptural views than others. The reader is strongly advised to read with discernment, particularly if it is unknown whether author is trustworthy.
This project took a huge amount of time and skill to bring to fruition. I would particularly like to thank David Jonescue for the initial list of Puritans he found on EEBO and the concept behind this project as well as the continuous, unceasing efforts toward seeing this complete. Without his labor, this would not be available. Alex Sarrouf was invaluable in providing the initial list of over 7,000 spelling variations he had identified and corrected, as well as continuing to review more than 16,000 additions to that list for any typos.
Logan West
(with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf)
www.puritansearch.org
A DECLARATION OF THE Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral OF ENGLAND: In Answer of a scandalous Pamphlet, falsely reflecting upon his Lordships Honor and Proceedings.
Published by special Command.
Nouemb: 17 th London printed for John Wright, at the Kings Head in the Old Bailey. 1648.
A Declaration of the Earl of Warwick, Lord High Admiral of England, in Answer of a scandalous Pamphlet, falsely reflecting upon his Lordships Honor and Proceedings.
HAving this day seen a Letter from LONDON, dated the third of this instant November, importing, That there is a Pamphlet printed entitled; A Declaration of the Earl of Warwick, showing a Resolution to join with the Prince if the Treaty take not effect. I thought myself bound to take notice of it, having so horrid a reflection upon my Honor, and wickedly aspersing me with a supposed Resolution so repugnant to the Trust, which I hold under the PARLIAMENT. And therefore I do hereby declare, That as both Houses of Parliament have been pleased to intrust me with the Charge of the Fleet, so I have endeavored to improve that Authority committed to me, with a faithful, and inviolable respect unto my duty.
When I first undertook this great Charge, I was really sensible how much the Cause, Truth, and glory of God, the settlement of my Countries Peace, and the preventing of the bloody, & desperate designs of the Enemies thereof, depended upon the management of this Expedition, and how much I was obliged in Conscience and Honor to omit nothing that might have a tendency to those ends. That Obligation I have (according to my best Reason and Judgment) faithfully discharged, and by the blessing of Heaven have received this fruit (notwithstanding the many obstructions and difficulties that intervened) that the Honor of the Parliament by Sea is cleared, the Fleet committed to my charge preserved in a condition of Honor and safety; The affections of the Sea-men settled; the design of those wicked Revolters, that perfidiously betrayed so considerable a part of the Kingdoms Navy broken, and such as associated with them either rendered or reduced (other then those few that for a while have basely sheltered themselves within the Sluce at Helver, and one that was out of this Harbor when I came into it.) And as to the pretended Resolution of my joining with the Prince, in case the Treaty should not take effect, falsely charged upon me, by that Phamphlet, I do profess, in the presence of God, who knows my heart, and ways, that it never entered into my thoughts, and that my soul abhors it, as inconsistent with my Duty, prejudicial to the Parliament, destructive to the Kingdoms Peace, and unworthy of a free borne English man; being confident that the Parliament will omit nothing on their part, to make the issue of the Treaty (by God's blessing) successful, and happy. And therefore, as I have hitherto been faithful to the Kingdom, and to the Parliament, where I have the Honor to sit as a Peer, so I do and shall scorn to sacrifice my conscience, and those public and dear concernments of my Country, wherein I have a portion, to the misled fancy of any person of what rank, quality, or condition soever; And while I have a heart, and a hand, I shall not fail (by God's assistance) to have them, on all occasions, lifted up, for the Service of the Parliament; and common Interests of England, with my uttermost integrity, and to my highest hazard; And my actions shall confute the lies and jealousies as well of that false Author, as of any other who (either from an ignorance of my proceedings, or perhaps from a sense, of their own guilt) dare take the freedom (in these times, wherein the Tongue and Press assume so luxurious a latitude) so unjustly to bespatter my Honor and Intentions; To vindicate the sincerity whereof I shall commit myself to him that judgeth righteously.
Warwick.
A Board the St. George in Helver Sluce, 11. Novemb. 1648.