Declaration as Prisoner in the Tower of London
The source for this document is https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo2/A96746.0001.001
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 MAJOR George Wither, Prisoner in the Tower of LONDON With his Desires to Sir John Robinson, His Majesty's Lieutenant: Writ on three fair Trenchers, with a Piece of Char-Coal. Worthy of the Readers serious Perusal.
London, Printed for S. Jones. 1662.
A DECLARATION Of Major George Withers, Prisoner in the Tower of LONDON;
Concerning the Kings most Excellent Majesty, the Presbyterian Party, and all public and private Congregations whatsoever, &c.
WHereas the Rebels of King David constrained him to flight, and God was pleased to bring him home again, it is apparent, that those who at first had been very forward to drive Him out, at last, made haste to join with those who had been Instrumental to bring Him in: And He, with God in Mercy so complyd that Indemnity was granted, and not a man for that Rebellion suffered Death, it being Absalom that had contrived the Treason, deceiving the well-meaning People.
And although that Rebellion cost a Traittous Childs Life; yet it cannot be denied, but by our unnatural War, a Royal Fathers Life was lost: And through Providence and Justice, after many Years, the Heavens cried aloud for this Royal Martyr, and some blood-shed that produced Traitors having their just Rewards. Yet by all true Subjects and Human Reason His Gracious Majesty may be justly excused; Whom Natural Affection moved to shed, the Blood of such Barbarous Wretches, by whom His Royal Father received Martyrdom.
And since it pleased the Most High, to indue His Princely Heart from above with Mercies most infinite so I wish that everyone in his respective place and station may not only have a high esteem, but forever prize so great and signal a Mercy, as the happy Restoration of His Sacred Majesty: for indeed, no Iem so beautifies a Royal Diadem, as Mercy, when it is enamelled with Justice, and reveted with Prudence.
And as to this His Majesty's happy Restoration, same questionless, out of true Loyaltie, and just Allegiance, contributed to His Majesty's Accommodation; and some again no doubt, only to work their own Salvation out.
But this is a most assured Truth, that many who formerly contained against Majesty itself, are now so truly convinced of their former Errors and the excellency of His Majesty's abundant Worth and Princely Endowments, that His Royal Person in them is safe: for in such who have received His Majesty's Gractous Pardon, and unparalleled Clemency, there will Love and Loyaltie much increase and abound.
And as for my own particular, I must ingenuously Declare, That I who compulsively obeyed the late preceding Powers, doth now most willingly submit to His Majesty's; promising all due Allegiance to His Sacred Majesty
Further Declaring, That when I saw God on His Side appear, I was reclaimed not by Fear, but Conscience. Yea not only fore-seeing, but also fore-telling the Downfal and Ruin of the Usurpers then in Power.
And that His Majesty's Happiness and Prosperity may survive and flourish from my Soul I humbly unplore and desire, That His Majesty may such means assay, not giving Ear to those who would withstand the Good and Prosperity of His Majesty, the Peace of the Church the Welfare of these his Majesty's Realms and Dominions, and the Work which God hath now in hand.
And whatever doth befall I shall discharge my Conscience, hoping that will not wholly be despised, which here in all Loyaltie and Faithfulness. I humbly supplicate. That Justice may be His Majesty's Scepter, and Mercy His Crown: And that it may long flourish on His Princely Head, and the rest of the Royal Progeny, so long as the Sun and Moon shall endure.
And the only Peace 〈◊〉 my Soul 〈◊〉 . That Hi • Majesty may take all Opportunities to render Him a Blessed Instrument, not only to reign gloriously here, but also to Eternity hereafter: And that His Earthly Throne may appear more glorious, then the Throne of any Prince whatsoever since the Conquest.
And that His Name may be a Terror to all His Enemies, and shame and confusion to befall those who shall dare to disturb the true Peace and Tranquility of these Nations.
And for my own particular, I shall patiently submit to the Divine Will and Pleasure of the King of all Kings, and what His Vicegerent on Earth shall be pleased to do, not asking (whatsoever I seem to want,) ought more then His Majesty shall graciously be pleased to grant: Not doubting, but what is wanting here on Earth, will be supplied to me in Heaven.
Many such like Papers did he write, during his Confinement in the Press-yard at Newgate, some whereof being of very dangerous Consequence, and not fitting to be published. And since his being removed from thence to the Tower, Sir John Robinson His Majesty's Lieutenant had Orders to detain him Close Prisoner, and to keep him from Pen Ink and Paper; Which accordingly was done, but with as much Civility, as possible could be expected for any one in his Condition.
Yet notwithstanding this somewhat began to exasperate his troubled Spirits, and after some contemplation, was moved to write to the Lieutenant with a piece of Charcoal, on three fair Trenchers, Desiring what favor possibly could might be allowed him; and that as he was ancient, some Liberty might be extended towards him, &c.