A Brief Memento 3

An Ordinance for declaring all Votes, Orders, and Ordinances, passed in one or both Houses, since the force on both Houses, July 26. until the sixth of this present August, 1647. to be null and void.

WHereas there was a Visible, Horrid, Insolent, and Actual source upon the Houses of Parliament, on Munda •… the 26. of July last, whereupon the Speakers, and many Members of both Houses of Parliament were forced to absent themselves from the Service of the Parliament; and whereas those Members of the House could not return to sit in safety before Friday the sixth of August: It is therefore declared by the Lord's & Commons in Parliament Assembled, That the Ordinance of Monday the said 26. of July, for the repealing and making void of the Ordinance of the 23. of the said July, for the settling of the 〈◊〉 of the City of London, being gained by force and violence, And all Votes, Orders, Ordinances, passed in either or both Houses of Parliament, since the said Ordinance of the 26. of July, to the said sixth of August, are null and void and were so at the making thereof, and are hereby declared so to be the Parliament being under a force, and not free. Provided always, and be it Ordained, That no person or persons shall be Impeached or punished for his or their actions by, or upon, or according to the aforesaid Votes, Orders, or Ordinances, unless he or they shall be found guilty of contriving, acting, or abetting the aforefaid visible and actual force, or being present at, or knowing of the said force, did afterwards act upon the Votes so forced or were guilty of entering into, or promoting the late Ingagement for bringing the King to the City, upon the •… arms and conditions expressed in his Majesty's Letter of the 12. of May last.

A brief Memento to the present Vnparliamentary Iunto, touching their present intentions and proceedings to Depose and Execute CHARLES STEWARD, their law •… ull King of ENGLAND, &c.

I T is the observation of King Solomon, Pro. 25. 11. That a word spoken in due season, is like Apples of Gold and Pictures of Silver. And seeing I (and above two hundred Members more) being forcibly secluded from you by the Officers of the Armies unparale •… d violence upon our Persons and the House, cannot speak my mind •… reely to you in, or as the House of Commons, I held it my duty freely to write my thoughts unto you, only as private P •… rsons under a force, consulting in the House, without your Fellow-Members advice or concurrence, about the speedy deposing and execu •… ing of KING CHARLES, your lawful Sovereign, to please the General, Officers, and Grand Council of the Army •… (who have unjustly usurped to them the supreme authority both of King and Parliament ) or rather the •… suits and Popish Priests among or near them, by whose Councils they and you are now wholly swayed, and whose traiterous designs you really execute, in most of your late Votes and Actings.

I have only a few words of consideration to impart unto you: Dictum sapienti s •… t est.

First, I shall mind you, that by the * Common Law of the Realm, the Statute of 25. E. 3. and all other Act •… concerning Treason, it is no less then High Treason, fór any Man by over-Act, to compass or imagine the depositio •… , or death of the King, or of his eldest Son and Heir, though it be never executed; much more if actuasly accomplished. That many have been arraigned, conde •… ned, executed for such intended Treasons in former ages; as the Earl of Arundell and others; by Judgment in Parliament, 21. R. 2. Plac. Coronae: N. 46. 7. and the Gunpowder Traitors, 3. Iacobi to omit others, whose Examples should be others admo •… ions, the Heads and Quarters of some of them yet hanging on the Houses, where now you meet and si •… .

2ly. That in the Oath of Allegiance which you have all taken, immediately before your admission into the House as Members; You do truly and sincerely acknowledge, profess, testify, and declare in your consciences, before God and the World; That our Sovereign Lord King Charl •… s, Is lawful an •… rightful 〈◊〉 of this 〈◊〉 ., and of all other His Majesty's Dominions and Countries: And hat the Pope, neither of himself, nor by any authority of the Church or See of Rome, or by any Other means. Nor any other hath any power or •… thority to depose the King, or to dispose of any of his Majesty's Kingdoms or Dominions, or to discharge any of His Subjects of H •… s Allegiance and obedience to His 〈◊〉 , or to give leave to any of them, to offer any violence to His 〈◊〉 Person, State or Gover •… ent. And that notwithstandiug any sentence or Declaration of Depri •… ation made by the Pope, &c. or any absolution of the said Subjects from their obedience, you will bear true Allegiance to His Majesty, his Heirs and Successors, and him and them w •… ll defend to the utmost of your power. Against all attempts and 〈◊〉 whatsoever, which shall be made against his or their P •… rsons, their Crown and Dignity, by reason or color of any such Sentence or Declaration, or otherwise. And do thereby further swear, that you do from your hearts abhor, detest, and abjure as impious and Herericall, that damnable doctrine and position that Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by tht Pope. may be deposed or murdered by their Subjects, or any other whatsoever. And that you do •… lieve, and in conscience are resolved, that neither the Pope, nor any person whats •… ever, hath power to 〈◊〉 you of this D •… th or any part thereof; and that all these things you did plainly and sincerely acknowledge and swear according to these express words and their plain and common sense, without any equivocation, or mental evasion or secret reservation whatsoever. And that you did make this Recognition and acknowledgement heartily, willingly, & truly, upón the true faith of a Christian Now whether your present actings, & intentions against the King •… e not diametrically repugnant to this so •… emn Oath (which most of you have taken 〈◊〉 •… hese wars, & some of you since the Treaty, when 〈◊〉 Serjea •… ts at 〈◊〉 , &c. ) let God and the World before whom 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 own Consciences in which you then swore, determine you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Popes & 〈◊〉 desigues.

3dly. That you •… s •… lves a •… ng 〈◊〉 Members, have in above one hundred Remonstrances, D •… clarations, Peti •… ions; Ordinances and Printed Papers, pub •… ished in the name, and by 〈◊〉 authority of one or both Houses of Parliament, professed, both to the King •… himself, Kingdom, World, and foreign States, that you never intended the least hurt, injury, or violence to the Kings Person, Crown, Dignity, or Posterity: but intend to him and his Royal Posterity, more honor, Happiness, Glory and Greatness, then ever was yet enjoyed by any of his Royal Predecessors: That you will ever make good to the uttermost with your lives and fortunes, the Faith and Allegiance which in truth and sincerity you have always borne to His Majesty. That you have proposed no other ends to yourselves, but the performance of all Duty and Loyalty to His Majesty's Person. That all contributions and Loanes upon the Public Fa •… th should be employed only to maintain the Protestant Religion, the Ki •… gs Authority His Person, His Royal Dignity, the Laws of the Land, Peace of the Kingdom, and privileges of Parliament, •… d not to be employed against His Ma •… esties Person or Authority. That the Armies and Forses raised by the Honses, were raised for the 〈◊〉 and defense of the Kings Person, & of 〈◊〉 Houses of Parliament, &c. 〈◊〉 His Majesty's personal 〈◊〉 , honeur, and greatness are much dearer to you then your own lives and fortunes which you do •… most heartily dedicate. & shall most willingly employ for the maintenance and support thereof. Tha •… the Parliament will ev •… r have a care •… o prevent a •… y 〈◊〉 w •… ich 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 m •… y justly apprehend to His person. That both Houses are resolved to 〈◊〉 their lives and 〈◊〉 , •… or the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the true Religion. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Person, 〈◊〉 , and State the power and privileges of Parli •… meant. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 His 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 againg 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an •… Army, as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to witness their constant and 〈◊〉 Loyalty to His 〈◊〉 both Houses so solemnly declare; That upon his disbanding his forces, and return & hearkening to the advice of his Great Council, They will really endeavor to make both him & his as much beloved at •… loam, & feared abroad as any Pr. that ever swayed this Scepter: whic •… is their 〈◊〉 and constant Resolution: from which they will not be diverted for any private or self-respects whatsoever: That they will faithfully endeavor to secure his 〈◊〉 Person & Crown srom all dangers; inculcating the apparent danger to his 〈◊〉 Pers •… n among his Popish and Malignants Armies & ill Counselors, & upon that reason, persuading and inviting him to desert them, and close with his Parliament: protesting, that the Parliament hath been, is, and ever will be more ready then they, to secure and uphold the Authority, Prerogative, and Honor of the King, and preserve the safety of his 〈◊〉 Person, which they have oft times 〈◊〉 by many humble Petitions and Declarations to Him, the World, and Kingdom; with many ot •… er such like expressions. Which whether your present Actings and Councils do not directly oppose, contradict, and give the lie unto, to your eternal infamy and breach of public faith, as much as in you lies, let both Houses, the world and all men judge, as they will do in due season.

Fourthly, Consider, that when the King and his party did tax the Houses for insinuating, That if they should make the highest presidents of other Parliaments their pattern, there would be no cause to complain of want of modesty or duty in them: That is, th •… y m •… y 〈◊〉 the King 〈◊〉 they will, and are not to be blamed for so doing: and that the Army raised by the Parliament, was to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the King. Both Houses by two solemn Declarations, did most professedly declare and protest against it, as the falsest and most malicio •… accusation that could be imagined: that the thoughts of it never 〈◊〉 , nor should enter into their loyal hearts,

That they hoped Their often, earnest, and most humble addresses to his Majesty, to leave that desperate and 〈◊〉 Army wherewith he is now encompassed, raised and upheld, to the hazard of his own, and the Kingdoms 〈◊〉 , & to come in Person to his Par •… meant, where he should be sure to remain in honor and safety; and their humble petition directed to be presented to him by the hands of the Earl of Essex, before any blow given, to remove his Royal Person from the Army: a request inconsistent with any purpose to 〈◊〉 th •… least violence to his Person: which hath, and ever shall be dear u •… to them. Now put it to your Souls and Consciences, whether yours & the Armies present Councils and Actions, do not really justify the King and his parties former suggestions, and give the Lye to these Declarations of both Heuses? who certainly, when ever restored to a condition of freedom and liberty of meeting together again, will crave public reparations and justice against you, if you violate both their honor, faith, and engagements to the King, Kingdom, and foreign States, against these their Declarations & Protestations too.

Fifthly, Remember, that the Lord and Commons Assembled in Parliament, Octo. 22. 1642. did, in the presence of Almighty God (which, the strongest obligation that any Christian, and the most solemn public faith that any state, as a Parliament can give) for the satisfaction of their own Consciences and discharge of that great trust that lies upon them, make this Protestation and Declaration to all this Kingdom and Nation, and to the whole world, That no private passion or respect: No evil intention to his Majesty's Person. no design to prejudice his just Honor and Authority, engaged them to raise forces or take up Arms.

And that they had no intention or desire to hurt or injure his Majesty, either in his Person or in h Power. Which they seconded by many subsequent Declarations. Since which, both Houses and the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland have entered into A solemn League and Covenant, For the Honor and happiness of the Kings Majesty, and his Posterity, [among other ends therein specified;] That they shall sincerely, really, and constantly endeavor, with their estates and lives, to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty & Person and Authority, in the preservation and defense of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms, that the World may bear witness with their Consciences, of their Loyalty, and that they have no thoughts, nor intention to 〈◊〉 his Majesty's just power and greatness, That they will with all faithfulness endeavor to discover all evil Instruments and Incendiaries, dividing the King from his people, that they may be brought to public Trial, and receive condign punishment: And shall never suffer themselves diriectly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persawasion or •… error, to be withdrawn from this blessed Union, &c. which so much con •… erneth the glory of God, the good of the Kingdoms, and the Hon •… t of the •… ing, but shall all the days of their lives zealously and co •… stantly continue therein against all opposition. And conclude; This Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to observe the same, as we shall answer at the great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall b •… diselosed. This Covenant you have all •… aken yourselves (some of you often) and i •… posed it on all the three Kingdoms: And will it not stare in your 〈◊〉 , your consciences, and engage God himself, and all three Kingdoms, as one man against •… ou, if you should pr •… eed to depose the King destroy his Person, or dis-inherit his Posterity? yea, brin •… certain ruin upon you and yours as the greatest 〈◊〉 , and most perjured Creatures under Heaven •… O think, and 〈◊〉 most seriously upon it, before you proceed to further 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 24. E. 3. William Thrope, Chief Justice of the Kings Bench, for for •… aking 80 l. bribes of several persons, was by special Commission, 〈◊〉 , Convicted, and Condemned to be hanged, and to forfeit all his Lands, 〈◊〉 , Goods, and Chattels to the King •… because thereby, Sacr •… mentum Domini Regis quod erg •… populum habuit custod •… ndum fregit, 〈◊〉 , falso & rebelliter, qua •… tum in ipso suit: which Judgment was affirmed to be just a •… d reasonable in full Parliament where it was openly read by the Kings command, as is evident by 25. E. 3. Rot. Parl. nu 10. If then this chief Justice: for breaking hi •… Oath to the King and his people, as a Judge, only in taking two or three small bribes, deserved to be hanged, and to forfeit all his Lands, Goods, and Life, by the judgment of a full Parliament, then what will such Members deserve to suffer, who shall violate, not only what Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to the King and his heirs, but likewise the several Pro •… stations, solemn League and Covenant, and the multiplied public faith, engagements, Declarations, Remonstrances, and promises of both houses of Parliament, made to God, the King, the whole Kingdom and people of England, Scotland, and Ireland, the States of the united Provinces, and all the world, and that maliciously, falsely and Rebelliously, as much as in them lies, and their own private Faith, Oaths, Vowes, and Covenants involved in them, in deposing 〈◊〉 executing the King, 〈◊〉 the Prince, violating the •… riviledges, usurping the power of the Parliament to themselves, when most of the other members are vrolently secluded by the Army, to the subvertion of the freedom and liberties of all Parliaments •… thi •… being one Article against King Rich. the 2d. in 1 H. 4. Rot. Parl. n. 25. 66. 70. when he was deposed, as you have presumed to null, repeal, and unvote divers Votes, Orders, and Ordinances of both Houses made in pursuance of the foresaid o •… thes, protestations, the solmne League and Covenant, Remoustrances, Declarations of both houses, & the treaty, when the houses were full, and not under the Armies force or violence: And if their proceedings and the whole Parliament of 21 R. 2. were declared null and void, and the King worthy to be deposed, for such proceedings then; let Serjeant Throp, and other Lawyers not acting with you, consider and i •… form you, what punishment you deserve for such breach of faith, privileges of Parliament, & usurpation of a monopoly of Pa •… liamentary power to yourselves now, whiles under the Armies force, & most Members sorced thence: in which case you ought not to Sit, Vote, or conclude anything, but only to * adjourn till the force removed & all members may freely meet in full parl. as is •… lear by that memorable Record of 6. E. 3. Parl. apud Ebor. n. 1. 2. Dors. Claus. 6. E. 3. m. 4. 6. E. 3. apud West. parl. 2. n. 1. 13. E. 3. parl. 2. n. 4. 15 E. 3. n. 5. 17. E. 3. n. 2. 6. 18. E 3. n. 1. 2. 5. 20. E. 3. n. 5. 11. E. n. 4. 22. E. 3. n. 1. 25. E. 3. n. 1. 29. E. 3. n. 4. 36. E. 3. n. 1. 37. E. 3. n. 1. 42. E. 3. n. 1. 50. E. 3. n. 1. 51. E. 3. n. 3. 1 R. 2. n. 1. 2. R. 2. n. 1. 3. R. 2. n. 1. 4. R. 2. n. 1 5. R. 2. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . n. 1. 〈◊〉 . 2. n. 1. 6. R. 2, parl. 1. n. 1. parl. 2. n. 1. 8. H. 4. n. 28 50. 149. H. 4. n. 1. 13. H. 4. n. 1. and many more rolls: where the Parliament when any considerable number of the Members of either House were absent, was constantly adjourned and refused to sit or to do anything (though not under any force,) till the houses were full, much more then when under the Armies sword: it being against Magna Charta, as the Barons declared in Parl. Anno Dom. 1257. in the reign of K. H. the 3 d. for a few Members to sit, when the rest are absent.

6thly. Confider: that though many of the Kings of Judah and Israel were extraordinary sinful and Idolaters, bloody and tyrannical great oppressors of their people, yea shedders of Priests, of Prophets, and other good men's innocent blood, not only in the wars but in pe •… ce: yet there is not one president in the Old Testament of any one King ever juditially impeached, arraigned, deposed, or put to death by the Congregation, Sanhedrin, or Parliaments of Judah or Israel. That those who slew any of them in a tumultuous or treacherous manner, were for the most part slain themselves, either in a tumult, or else put to death by their Children who sueceded to the Crow •… e, or people of the Land: and that the Israelites after their revolt from Rehoboam, had never any one good King, or good day almost among them, but were over-run with Idolatry, profaneness tyranny, iuvaded by enemies, involved in perpetual wars, Civil or Forraigne, and at last all destroyed and carried away Captives into Babylon: at the Books of Kings and Chronicles will inform you. That the rule in the Old Testament is, not to take any wicked Kings from their Thrones and behead them: but, Take away the wicked from before the King, and his Throne shall be established in righteousness. And the Rule in the New Testament: To be subject to Kings and the Higher Powers, and to submit unto •… them, even for conscience and the Lord's sake: and to make Prayers, Supplications, and Intercessions for them, that under them we may lead a peaceable and quiet life, in all godliness and honesty: for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior: not to depose or shed their blood, for which there is no precept. And is not this plain way of God the safest for you and the Army to follow, yea the only short cut to Peace and settlement? Ruminate upon it, and then be wise, both for your souls good, and the Kingdoms too.

7thly, Consider, that you now meet, and sit under the armed force and violence of a mutinous Army, who have leavied War against the Houses to dissolve them, imprisoned many of your Members, forbly secluded more, and driven away almost all from the Houses; That till the removal of this horrid force, and re-assembling of all your scattered Members with freedom and safety in the Houses, all you Vote, Act, Order, or Ordaine, by the Armies own Doctrine in their Remonstrance of Aug. 18. and the Declaration and Ordinance of both Houses (made at the Armies instance) Aug. 20. 1647. is null and void, even at and from the time it was voted, acted, ordered, ordained, a •… d so declared by yourselves even by this unrepealed Ordinance, and by former Parliaments to, as 21. R. 2. c. 12. 1. H. 4. c. 3. 31, H. 6. c. 1. 39. H. •… . c. 1. And however you may take upon you the name and power of the Houses of Parliament, and unvote, vote, order, and ordain what you please; yet take it for an infallible truth, that none of the secluded and absent Members, none of the Counties, Cities, and Borroughs, for which they serve, nor those for whom you serve and represent; nor yet the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland (who have as great or greater a share and interest in the person of the King, as their lawful Sovereign, and are engaged by Oaths, Covenant, and all the forecited premises to protect his person and Crown with their lives and estates, against all violence and danger) with his Queen, Child •… en and Allies in foreign pa •… ts, of what Religion soever, will never own you [in your present condition, and constitution] to be a Parliament, but rather a Conventicle or Junto ', nor anything you vote, order, or ordain to be valid. And therefore whatever you vote, order, or: ordain concerning the Treaty, the deposing or executing the King, the dis-heriting or banishing the Prince, dissolving the present Parliament, setting up a new confused Representative, or new form of State Government, only to please the Office •… and Army, or rather those Jesuits and popish Priests, who have over-reached, and instigated them forcibly to prosecute these their treasonable designs, and accomplish this their long expected desire and work; you must do only as private men, not as a Parliament: And if so, what lesser offense then High: Treason against the King, Parliament, and Kingdom, your present actings and proceedings will prove in the conclusion, if you persevere and persist in them, I leave to a free Parliament, the learned Judges, and all Lawyers now sitting and voting among you, to consider and resolve. Which the Officers and Council of the Army considering, would cast the Odium and danger of all upon you, the better to exempt and acquit themselves if after reckonings should come, as probably they may, and certainly will in God's due time, if you and they repent not. Give over, and crave pardon ere it be over late.

8Iy Remember, That no Protestant Kingdom or State ever yet defiled their hands, or stained the purity and Honor of their Reformed Religion, with the deposition, or blood of any of their Kings or Princes, much less of a Protestant King or Prince, of a temperate and sober life as the King is; who never immediately imbrued his own hands in any one man's blood, in any tyrannical or bloody way before or since the wars, (for ought I can hear) but only in a Military. And for a reforming Protest. Parl pretending the most of any to piety & Religion, to stain their profession or honor by the deposition, or defile their hands with the blood of a Protest. King, or for an army of Saints to do it, or they to please a Saint •… seeming Army, and that against so many forementioned Oaths, Protestations, Declarations, Remonstrances, Solemn Leagues & Covenants one after another to the contrary, would be such an unparalleled scandal to the Protest. Religion and all professors of it (who have upbraided the Jesuits and Papists with this perfidious and treasonable practice, of which they have been deeply guilty, and themselves innocent) both in our own 3. Kingdoms & the whole Christian world, as would give the greatest occasion, advantage, and encouragement to the Jesuits, Papists, and all licentious persons to join their hands, heads, purses, to suppress and extirpate it, and all the professions of it, both at home and abroad, that ever yet they had, and make Parliaments forever hereafter execrable and detestable, both to Kings and People.

9ly. Consider, that Scotland and Ireland are joyntenants, at least wise Tenants in Common with us in the King, as their Lawfull Sovereign & King, as well as ours; & that the Scots delivered and left his per •… on to our Commissioners at New •… Wstle, upon this express condition: That no violence should be offered to his Person, &c. according to the Covenant. How then you can un-King or depose him as to them, or take away his life upon pretext of Justice, without their concurrent assents, is worthy your saddest thoughts. If you do it without asking or receiving their consents, you engage both Kingdoms to make a just War against you, to proclaim and to Crown the Prince of Wales their King (though you should lay him aside) as being next Heir apparent. And no Ordinance you can now make, will be any legal bar against him, to the Crown of Engl. where he will find sen thousand persons for oue, who 〈◊〉 join with Scotland and Ireland to set him upon his Fathers Throne, as King of England, and avenge his blood upon all who shall be aiding or assisting to its spilling, or his death owning. And what then will become of you and your army, when thus deserted by most, opposed by all 3. Kingdoms, and all the Kings, Qu •… ens, and Princes Allies, united forces? Where will you, where will your St. Cromwell, St. Ireton, St. Pride, St. Peters, (that fast and loose carnal prophet and Arch Jesuited Incendiary in these present tumults (with other Grand Saints of the Army) who now force you, the General, Army and whole Kingdom, upon such dangerous Councils as these, by the Jesuits principles and practices) then appear, to save either themselves, or you, or your posterities from exemplary justice without mercy, or hopes of pardon? Consider this then seriously, if not as Christians, yet as 〈◊〉 and self-ended men, and then repent and be wise in time.

Tenthly, Remember, that you have neither Law nor direct president 〈◊〉 what you are going about: Edward the 2d. and Richard the 2d. were forced by Mortimer, and Henry the 4th. to resign their Crowns in a formal manner, the one to his Son, the other to his conquering Suceessor, neither of them to the Parliament, & then deposed by a subsequent sent •… ce in Parliament, as unfit to Reign, without any formal Iegall trial, or answer: and that not in an empty Parliament under a force, as now, when most Members were forced away and secluded, but in a full Parliament, wherein the Articles drawn up against them were never so much as rtad; and their depositions made [upon their own voluntary concessions only] to confirm, their precedent Resignation, Besides, neither of these Kings though very bad, and Paptists, were ever condemned to loose their heads or lives, but were to be well and Honorable treated: And those Proceedings were only by Popish Parliaments in time, of ignorance, who had no such Oaths, Vowes, Covenants, protestations, and other forementioned considerations to tie their hands, as you and we all have now. Yea this ve •… y 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 solemnly and parcularly protested, that they did never suffer these Presidents to enter into their thoughts, and they should never he their practice what ever they suffered from the King or his, and that for the honor of our Rel gion, and the most 〈◊〉 in it. B •… t that which is very observable, Roger Mortimer, the principle actor in deposing King Edward the 2d. and Crowning his Son Edward the 3d, King in his stead, (as you must now Crown the Prince Wales, in his Fathers sleed, if you depose the King, else you pursue not this president as you should do) in the Parliament of 1 Ed. 3. (in which I find no record concerning this deposall:) was in * a full Parliament, within four years after, with some other of his Confederates, impeached, condemned, and executed, as a Traitor and Enemy to the King and Kingdom, by the Judgment of the Lord's, and that by King Edward the third his own assent, without any legal hearing or Trial, (just as he h •… d there deposed this King without it) for murthering King Edward in Berkley Castle after his deposall: and Sir Thomas de Berkley, in whose Castle he was slain, being indicted of Treason likewise for the same •… urther, before the Lord's in Parliament, pleaded not guilty thereunto and was tried at the Lord's Bar in a legal manner, by a Jury of twelve Knights, there sworn and impanneled, and by them acquitted upon full evidence and trial? when as Sir Simon de Bereford, was impeached, condemned and executed by a judgment given against him by the Lord's alone, without any trial, for murthering this deposed King, and Thomas de Gurney and William Ocle, adjudged Traytort by them for the same offense without any evidence appearing to record. These presidents then, will be of very hard digestion, and not paralleled to our times, or the Kings case: Who, having upon the late Treaty granted u •… , for the speedy settlement & security of our bleeding Kingdoms Churches and Religion, what ever we could in honor, justice, or reason desire, and far greater advantages and security then any of our ancestors, or any Kingdom under heaven from the Creation to this present demanded, or enjoyed from any of their Princes (as I dare make goo •… to you and all the woeld;) and that which the Commons house, aster two whole days & one whole nights debate, thought and voted, a sufficient ground for them to proceed with the King, to the speedy settling of the kingdoms peace, how you, or the A •… my; after such large Concessions, contrary to the votes of both houses when full and free, can in h •… nour, justice, reason, discr •… tion, or conscience proceed to depose or decapitate the King, as a violater of his faith, a Traitor &c. without making yourselves more perjured, treacherous & greater Traitors in all kinds, then he, and incu •… ring the same judgment & execution as you shall pass & inflict upon him, I leave to your safest consultations to advise off I have thus freely, faithfully, & plainly, discharged my mind & conscience to you, without fear or flattery, for the Kings, Kingdoms, Parliaments, protestant Religions, I am certain Ireland is (almost inrecoverably lost) your own, and the Armies weal and safety too, if God in mercy please to give you heads or hearts to make timely use of 〈◊〉 , and not suffer yourselves to be Jesuit-ridden any longer. Cons •… er, you have most of you Estates, all of you Heads, or lives, and souls to save, or loose, both here and hereafter? If this, and all the precedent considerations will not prevail with you, to take you off from you •… present desperate Councils and proceedings, for your own, the Kingdoms, Churches, Religions, Ireland's, Parliaments, your own posterities, and the Armies safety too, ride on triumphantly still in Ignatius Loyola his fiery Chariot, like so many young Pha •… tons, till you fall and perish. It is sufficient for me, however you digest this present friendly Memento to you, that I can truly say, liberavi animam meam, whatever becomes of you or me. Who do here solemnly protest to all the world against these your proceedings, as altogether null, void, Vnparliamentary, illegal, unchristian: if not perfidious and Treasonable in these respects.

I shall close up all with the Golden sentence of God himself? and the wiseft of men, King Solomon, which is twice rrpeated verbatim that it might be the better semembred and considered by you, & all others in such Exigences of public affairs, as we are now fallen into, Prov. 22. 3. and 27, 12. A prudent man soroseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. And with that which is parallel to it. Prov. 14. 14, 15, 16. The s •… mple believeth every word, but the prudent m •… n looketh well to his goings, A wise Man feareth and departeth from evil, but the fool rageth and is confident, and shall be filled with his own ways: which is thus interpreted. Ptov. 1. 18. 38, 32, 33. They lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk privily for their own lives, whose feet run to evil, and who make hast to shed others blood. Fot, the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall 〈◊〉 them. But who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall he quiet from fear of Evil.

Prov. 28. 23.

He that rebuketh a man; afterward, shall find more favor, then he th •… t flatterreth him with his lips.

A POSTSCRIPT.

I Am confident, that if the Members now me •… ing at Westminster will but persuade the General and his Pratestant Officers immediately. o tender the Oaths of S •… premacy and Alegience, the solemn League and 〈◊〉 , and the New Oath of 〈◊〉 , •… or the bette •… discovery and speedier cōnviaction of 〈◊〉 , Popish Priests and Papists consented to by the King in the 〈◊〉 Treaty; to all the Officers 〈◊〉 , and Soldiers in the Army, they will presently discover an whole Conclave of 〈◊〉 , Papists, Priests, and Jesuited Papists amongst them, who have instigated them, to disobey and 〈◊〉 both Houses, imprison their Members, to impeach, try, depose, execute the King, desolve the pre •… ent Parliament, subvert the present Government, and constitution of Parliament, betray Ireland to the Rebels, and bring 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to present Confusion, the practices, designs and stu •… es of none but Jesuits and •… apists, which all true Protestants cannot but abhor.