ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament , that Master Prynne be desired to Print and publish all the Proceedings concerning the Archbishop of Canterburies Triall , with the approbation of the Committee that managed the Evidence at the said Tryall . And Master Prynne hath power to View and send for Writings , Papers , Orders , and Records , and to take Coppies thereof as he sees cause .

YOUR HONOURS earnest desires expressed in the premised Order , inevitably engaging me to compile and publish to the World , A compleat History of the famous Tryall , of the late decapitated Archbishop of Canterbury ; I have , without other motives , in Obedience thereunto ( with as much Expedition as my many other distracting Occasions , and the Vastnesse of the Work would permit ) finished the First Part thereof ; ( which I here humbly tender to Your Honourable Patronage and Acceptance ) comprising , The severall Orders , Articles , and Parliamentary Proceedings against him , from his Originall Impeachment till his Triall ; together with , the Commons Various Evidence ; his severall Answers to it ; and their Replies upon them , in maintenance of the First Generall Branch of their Charge of High Treason against him : to wit ; His Trayterous Endeavours to alter , & subvert Gods true Religion by Law established among us ; to introduce Popish Superstition and Idolatry in liew thereof ; and to reconcile the Church of England to the Church of Rome , by sundry Jesuiticall Stratagems : The guilt of which black Execrable Charge ( wherein he most of all protested , and endeavoured to clear his pretended Innocency , both during his Triall at the Bar , and at his Death on the Scaffold , as that which did most nearly concern him in his function as an Arch-Prelate , and in his Religion as a Protestant , ) was so abundantly evidenced , so firmly fixed upon his White Rochet by a various multiplicity of unavoydable proofs , impregnable Demonstrations , ( which all his Sophistry , Oratory , Subtilty , Protestations , could no wayes enervate or evade , ) that it will stick fast upon him for Eternity , maugre all his own verball Apologies , during his life , or the Malignant Panegyricks , the scandalous Relations of any Anti-parliamentall , or Prelaticall Sycophants since his death : Who in open affront of Your most memorable Exemplary Justice , upon this Arch-Traytor , ( the very Sourse and Compendium of all our late miseries ) have proclaimed him to Posterity , in their late lying Legends of his death , A most Glorious Martyr , ( as the Papists did his most Trayterous Predecessor , a a Joannis de Aton . Constit . fol 149. 150. Antiquicates Ecclesiae Brit. and Godwin in his life , M. Fox Act , & Monuments , p 2. 205. Becket ) and already canonized him for A SAINT : perchance , because beheaded on b b Jan. 10. Les plus Grands du Berray rapporterent au Roy , qu'il troubloit le repose du publie , & qu'il S'emparoit contre toute la Justice de son domaine , &c. Il depublia la Bulledecernee par le Pape pour faire la guerre aux Albegiois auec tant de zele & de fruict , que plusieurs a sa parole S'y cro●serent courageusement . La gu●rre eut une issue houreuse , car les Heretiques furent tellement deconfits qu'ils ne purrent depuis seremetter on campagne , &c. Ribadeniera Flures des Vies des Saincts p. 124. Saint Williams day , the Popish Archbishop of Bourges in France ; as great a disturber in his time , of that Kingdomes publike peace , and course of Justice ; yea , as grand an Incendiary of the bloody Wars against the Albigenses & French Protestants , as this Archbishop was of our Kingdoms tranquility , its publike Justice ; and stirrer up of the War against the Scots ; yet for all this enrolled in the Red Calender of Romish Saints .

There have lately come unto my hands two Oxford Pamphlets ; the one intituled : A true Relation of the Death of the most Reverend Father in God , William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury , upon Tower hill , January , 10. 1644. ( First Printed at Oxford , and since at Bristol , Anno 1644. ) Which begins thus :

On Fryday , Jan. 10. THE REBELS MARTYRED the most Reverend Father in God , William Lord Archbishop of Canterbury upon Tower hill , after they had kept him prisoner above four years : And then relating his speech and Prayer on the Scaffold , it concludes in these words : Thus dyed the KINGS , and the CHURCHES Note . MARTYR ; a man of such Integrity , Learning , Devotion , and Courage , as had he lived in the Primitive times , they would have given him another name : whom though the cheated multitude were taught to misconceive , ( for these honoured him ) yet impartiall posterity will know how to value him , when they hear the Rebels sentenced him the very same houre that they voted down the Liturgy of the Church of England ; whose innocency cryes to heaven for Vengeance , upon the heads of these destroyers , who pile MURTHER upon Murther to fortifie their Covenant , that upon this generation may come all the RIGHTEOUS BLOOD , from him whose blood was first shed , to the pulling down this great Pillar of our Church ; which if you consider , is THE MOST GROUNDLES , MALITIOUS , SOLEMNE STUDIED MURTHER THAT EVER WAS COMMITTED IN THIS WRETCHED Note . ISLAND .

The later Pamphlet Imprinted at Oxford , of the same Subject , dated as the former , ( inscribed ; A briefe Relation of the Death , and Sufferings of the most Reverend and Renouned Prelate , the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury , with a more perfect Coppy of his Speech and other passages ●n the Scaffold , than hath been hitherto Imprinted ; ) thus blazons this Arch-traytors Innocency , merits , sufferings . * * Page 14. 15. 25. He that had so long lived a Confesser ( a Popish Confessor if he please to the Duke of Buckingham and others ) could not but think it release of misery to be made a MARTYR . He ascended the Scaffold with so brave a courage , such a cheerfull countenance , as if he had mounted rather to behold a Triumph than to be made a Sacrifice , and came not there to dye , but to be translated ; and to say truth , it was no Scaffold but a Throne ; a Throne whereon he was shortly to receive a Crown , even the most glorious Crown of MARTYRDOME : After which he stiles him , A glorious Martyr ; his blood , Innocent blood ; yea , thou extols his Innocency , and Canonizeth him for a Saint in a Poeticall Elegie , especially in these ensuing lines .

And not onely these Anonymous Pamphleters , but King Charles himself , who not long before had given him an ample Pardon , as a Traytor , under his great Seal of England , forgetting what he had done herein , doth in his own * * See the Kings Cabinet opened . Letter to the Queen , dated Jan. 14. 1644. cry up this headlesse Arch-bishop for a Martyr ; yea , deems his blood so meritorious , so Innocent ; that being totally the Parliaments , he beleeves it no presumption , hereafter to hope that Gods hand of Justice , ( for the Parliaments just effusion of his blood ) must be ( thence-forth ) heavier upon them and lighter upon him and his Anti-parliamentary Partie , looking now upon their cause having passed by their faults . If his blood so lately shed by the axe of Justice be already become so meritorious , as to ballance the scales of Gods Justice in this manner ; we may justly fear it will in few years more grow into as great esteem at Court , as Thomas of Beckets his Trayterly predecessors blood , did in former times among the Prelatical Popish party ; who attributed more efficacy to it then to Christs , and therfore presumed most blasphemously to pray to Christ himselfe to save them , by his own , but this Arch-Traytors blood , in this distick .

But as the manifold glorious Victories , miraculous Successes of the Parliaments Forces since his Execution , have experimentally frustrated this his Majesties groundlesse Hope and Presumption , that Gods hand of Iustice would be heavier upon the Parliaments Party , but lighter upon him and his , by reason of his crying blood , it being never lifted up so extraordinarily , so visibly for the Parliament before , nor falling so heavily upon the King and his Partizans ; as since his beheading , and the Kings overconfident relying on the Merits of the Blood of such a Traytot for successe in his warrs against the Parliament ; So , I presume , the setting forth of this History of his Tryall , will soon Un-Martyr , Un-Saint , Uncrown this Arch-Imposter , by presenting him in his Proper Colours , stript of all Disguises , and render him so desperately criminall , so transcendently Trayterous in all respects , especially in point of undermining the Protestant Religion , wherein himself and his Parasites have endeavoured most of all to vindicate his Innocency , that all Generations will unaminously pronounce him , the Archest Enemy to , the most active universall Underminer of the Protestant Religion established among us , that ever breathed in English ayre ; and readily acknowledge , that no Ecclesiasticall Annalls ever recorded his Paralell , for multiplicity of desperate cunning Jesuiticall Stratagems secretly to subvert that Orthodox Reformed Religion which himselfe pretended to professe ; nay , propagate and patronize .

It is far below the Magnanimity of my Spirit in the least measure maliciously to blast the Fame , or revengefully to triumph over , to trample upon the Ashes of a Vanquished Enemy , whom I never dreaded , or slandered all his life , forgave and pittied both before and at his death ; the Memory of whose Capital crimes should have expired with his breath , and been eternally buried in oblivion with his Corps , by me , had not Your Honors superiour Commânds necessitated me to revive , record them to Posterity since his death ( as well as to give them in evidence at his Tryall , ) for Vindication of Your untainted Justice , and the Common Good , to deter all others in future Ages from the like Trayterous Practises . If any therefore deem my Expressions , concerning him or his actions , over-lavish , malicious , or revengefull , let them impartially compare them with his Criminall Offences here recorded , ( which they hardly equalize , or fall far short of ) and then if they warrant not the harshest Epithites , the blackest Characters here bestowed on him , let me eternally bear the blame and shame : but if they be scarce proportionate to his Treasons , his grand Misdemeanors , ( which must be blazoned and set forth in language suitable to their transcendent Hainousnesse , not minced , not extenuated by over-diminutive expressions ) I hope none will or can be so injurious , as to charge me with Calumny , much lesse Scurrility or Revenge , who never yet particularly demanded , received the least farthing Recompence from him or any of his , for all the barbarous Cruelties , Oppressions , Imprisonments great Losses , Dammages I sustained , eight years space together , onely for discovering , opposing , countermining ( to the utmost of my skill and power ) all Popish Plots , Innovations , Proceedings of this Arch-Prelate and his confederates to undermine our Religion , re-establish Popery among us by degrees , and set up an arbitrary Papall power , the better to effect the same : the onely reall cause of all my former sufferings .

Yet three things there are , I foresee may possibly be objected against me by his complices , which need some Answer to prevent their causelesse Calumnies .

The first is , That in this History of his Tryall , I have at large inserted some particular papers , passages , ( especially in the Catalogue of the Arminian , Object . 1. Popish Errours , vented in , and of the clauses against them purged out of late new Printed Books ) which were not actually , or at least fully read at the Lords Bar ; Therefore I am guilty of partiality and unfaithfulnesse in relating the Evidence given in against him at the Bar , by these additions to it .

To which I answer . First , that all the Evidence , Passages here at large recited ( with many more ) were prepared and ready by me at the Bar ; yea Answ. 1. the effect of every Paper , passage here recorded , was in generall terms opened , pressed at the tryall , though not all fully read and particularly urged for want of time : which I have here more largely inserted for clearing the truth , and satisfying the Reader , the most materiall passages being onely read at large , the rest of like nature but briefly referred to in generall to avoyd prolixity , and husband time .

Secondly , that I have largely recorded none of these Passages here by way of New Additionall Evidence , requiring answer , but onely for illustration or corroboration of the old , fully given in and read .

Thirdly , the Catalogue of new licensed Popish Doctrines , and of the Purgations of Passages against Popery , Arminianisme , arbytrary government , Prophanesse , &c. wherein most of the new Additions , not fully read , are inserted , make but one intire charge , not divers ; and had but one generall Answer , defence given to them by the Arch-bishop ; to wit , that they were not licensed nor purged out by himself , but only by his and the Bishop of Londons Chaplains , who must answer for them , and that they concerned not him : therefore these Additions making no new charge , and receiving all the selfe same Answer & defence , no indifferent persons can justly taxe me with partiality or injustice for inserting them into this History , for the fuller discovery of his Popish intentions in this kinde , ( which want of time prevented us to display so fully at the Bar , as was desired , where we had each particular ready in writing proved upon oath ) it being not onely excusable , but justifiable , yea necessary in a History of this nature , which so much concernes Religion and the publick .

The second thing , which perchance will be alleadged against me , is ; Object . 2. That I have not so fully , so punctually related the Arch-bishops severall Answers and Replyes to all the particulars of his charge as he uttered them viva voce at the Bar in his particular and generall Defences ( who spake as much for himselfe as the wit of man could invent , in so bad a cause ) and that I have made some few Additions to the Commons sodain Replications to his Answers .

To this I answer : First , that I used all possible diligence , both by friendly Answ. 1. intreaty and the power of Authory , to procure the Archbishops own Notes of his Answers and Defences to the Commons charge , or authentick Coppies of them , from Mr. Dell his Secretary and others ; that so I might Print them verbatim to avoyd all calumnies ; but I could obtain neither from them ; M Dell protesting , that neither he , nor any other to his knowledge , had the originalls nor any coppyes of them ; and that he beleeved , his Lord did burn all the Notes of his answers and defence before his death , of purpose to prevent their publication after it . So that if I have casually omitted or mistaken any part of his Answers or Defence , himself or his own creatures must beare the blame , not I ; who have as faithfully , as exactly as I could supplyed this defect of his own Papers , out of the Notes of others and mind own fragill memory , relating all his Answers , Defences , as neer as possible in his own termes , and pressing them fully for his best advantage , without the least wilfull omission or diminution of any one particular of moment .

Secondly , For the Commons subitane Replyes to his Answers , I have rehearsed them as neer as I could in their own termes ; and made no Additions thereunto , but onely of some Authors testimonies concerning the unlawfulness of Images , Crucifixes , Altars , the placing and rayling in Altars and Lords Ta●l●s altarwise against the Eastwall , & the consecration of Churches and Chapples ; wherein the Archbishop much abused his Auditory with empty flashes and confident pretences of antiquity , which Mr Serjeant Wilde at large refuted by the Testimony of Fathers & other orthodox Writers , and Mr Nicholus too , as far as the shortnesse of time permitted ; to the substance of whose replies in these particulars I have added very little , but only for learning sake and the fuller clearing of the truth .

If any shall further object , that J have related his Charge intirely together in one continued Discourse , but his Answers & the Commons Replies Object . 3. thereto in fractions ; not in one continued Discourse , as they were delivered each day severally at the Bar , and summed up at last in the Lords and Commons House .

I answer , it is truth : and I did it for these Reasons . First , to avoyde Prolixity , & tedious Repetitions of the self-samethings : For had I recited Answ. his severall Answers , Defences & the Commons Replies to them as they were made at the Bar each day by themselves ; and then repeated his generall Answers , Defences in the Lords and Commons House , and Mr Brownes Reply thereto distinctly by themselves , I should have repeated the selfe-samethings , with very little variation , three or four times over to no purpose ; whereas now I have contracted the summe of all his Answers , Defences to each particular Charg & Proof with the Comons Replies thereto into one , to eschew Prolixity and Tautologies : 2ly , I did it to prevent confusion ; and for clearer Discovery of the truth , the pertinency of the evidence given in against him in each Particular : For had I contracted all his Answers , Defences into one , and represented them in one intire continued Discourse by themselves ; and then have subjoyned the Commons Replies unto them intirely together , the Reader could never have clearly discovered the frivilousnes , falsenes , or impertinency of his severall Answers to each particular charge , or the strength of the Commons Replies thereto ; nor yet so well have observed , to what particulars he gave answer , to what not ; whereas now by this Perspicuous Method I have followed , in reciting his Particular Answers and Defence distinctly to each Branch of his Charge and the Evidence brought to prove it , and then annexing the Commons Replies thereunto ; the Readers may with ease and delight ( by comparing the Charge , Proofes , Answers , Defence and Replies together ) most clearly discover the truth , weight of each Charge and Proof ; the weaknesse , falsenesse , defects , and insufficiency of all his Answers ; the satisfactorines of the Commons Replies , and his undoubted Guiltinesse of all the particulars charged on him . Thirdly , the Archbishop alledged sundry things in his particular Answers and Defences each day , which he omitted in his generall Defences in both Houses ; and added some things in his Generall Defences , which he omitted in his particular ; by reason whereof I was necessitated to collect all his scattered Answers , Defences to each particular Charge into one , for his better advantage , and the Commons Replies thereto . Which being thus compacted together , without interposition of any heterogenius matter in their proper places , for the premised reasons necessitating me to this method ; no rationall man can justly taxe me for it , as being no wayes injurious to the Archbishops cause , nor tending to his disadvantage .

These Objections from the Arch-bishops Prelaticall partie being removed , there are two things more , wherein Your Honours and the World may justly demand some satisfaction , to exempt me from all causlesse censures .

First , you may justly inquire the Reasons ; why this History of the Arch-bishops Tryall , hath stuck so long in my hands before its publication , seeing it was expected many moneths since ?

Secondly , why it comes forth by parcels onely , not compleat and intire , after so long an expectation of the whole tryall and proceedings ?

To the former demand , I answer : First , that this task was by speciall Order , originally imposed upon those Members of the Commons House , that managed the Evidence , not on me : who totally declining it , some four Moneths after the Triall and above 2 Moneths after the Execution , this work was delegated by the Commons unto me ; at which time most of the Papers , Notes , Books , Evidences , used at his tryall , were laid aside and dispersed into severall mens hands : whereby much time was spent before I could recollect and marshall them into Order , to digest this History out of them . Secondly , since the assignment of this task unto my care , I have been almost every day taken up with publike imployments for the State , at the Committee of Accounts , and elsewhere , besides the dayly avocations of my particular calling ( my onely support since our unhappy Wars ) so as I have had few vacant hours to compile it , but those I have borrowed from my naturall rest , whiles others have bin sleeping . Thirdly , I have since this undertaking , been necessitated to write & publish sundry other Impressions ( uncapable of delay ) in defence of the Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction of Parliaments , Civill Magistrates ; and concerning Ecclesiasticall Censures and Church-Government , against Independents , Anabaptists , others ; yea to Vindicate the Parliaments just Proceedings , with mine own Innocency , against the seditious Anti-parliamentary Libels , of that notorious impudent Libeller and Lyat , L. Col. Lilburn , who still * * See his late Libell intituled , Innocency and Truth Justified . persevers in his trespasses , to the dishonour and scandall of publike justice . All which considered , I suppose Your Honours and others will easily beleeve , I wanted no diligence , but leisure onely for the speedier accomplishment of this work : wherein notwithstanding I have not been negligent , witnesse my publication of the Breviate of the Archbishops life , and of A necessary Introduction of his Tryall , ( amounting to a large Volume ) sufficient to assoyle me from the least imputation of idlenesse or negligence in this very subject . Fourthly , Adde hereunto the voluminousnesse of this First Part of the Archbishops Tryal onely , with the variety of the matter , charges therein conteined ; the trouble I had in digesting , the Labour in compiling , writing , reveiwing , fitting it for and Correcting , Revising it at the Presse , with the coldnesse of this last winters Vacation , when neither pen , nor Presse could worke , for sundry weekes together : and compare this with the former reasons ( and the Printers slacknesse which hath delayed it very much ) and then I doubt not but your Honours and all others will rather wonder , how I could possibly compleat this Voluminous Part so speedily , then question or quarrell with me , why it comes forth so slowly ? it being work enough to have swallowed up all my time since the Order , had I had no other imployments to divert me .

To the second demand , I must returne this Answer : First , that I Answ. 2. published this History thus in parcells , for want of time to compleat and print it all together in due season . Secondly , that the long expectation of this Tryall , and mens calling for it every day , induced me to satisfie their longing appetites , with these First-fruits of it , concerning Religion ; ( the thing most looked , most inquired after , both at home and abroad ) till the full crop be ripened for the harvest , which will require some warmer moneths to concoct it , ere it can attain to maturity . Thirdly , The great Charge of the Stationer in Printing this first Part , ( the voluminousnesse and price whereof hath , I fear , out-swelled most Chapments purses in these Indegent times ) with the serious consideration of the incertainty of my life and future opportunity , in these dayes of War and mortality , to finish the remainder of this Worke ( which God willing I intend to compleat and publish with all convenient speed ) have induced me , rather to gratifie your Honours and the World with these First fruits for the present , then to hazard the depriving you of it , or the whole History , if deferred till all were compleated .

Having answered these demands , I shall now crave liberty and your Noble Patience to raise some profitable Observations from the Subject matter of this History , not unworthy your Honours saddest thoughts .

If you consider the meane obscure Parentage of this Arch-Prelate , his grand Preferments , the great mischiefes he did in Church , State , and his Execution after all ; it may suggest these profitable contemplations to your minds .

First , That God by his power and all-disposing providence can raise up Persons of the lowest place or Parentage , to the highest Pinacles of worldly Honour : according to that in the 1 Sam. 2. 8. and Psal. 118. 7 , 8. He raiseth up the Poor out of the dust , and lifteth up the Beggar from the dunghill , to set them among the Princes , and make them inherite the Throne of glory .

2. That God can make the most vile and despicable persons in the world , grand Pests or Punishments to whole Kingdomes , Nations , when he pleaseth ; Dan. 11. 21 , 22. 1 Kings 11. 26. c. 12. 2. &c. c. 13. & 14. ( even as he made Frogs , Lice , Caterpillers ( the vilest creatures ) a very sore plague to King Pharaoh and the whole Kingdome of Egypt , Exod. c. 7. 8. and 9.

3. That persons sodainly advanced from the lowest degree of men , to the highest pitch of honour , proove commonly the most insolent , violent , domineering , imperious , tyrannicall , and mischievous of all such preferments , being unable to weld or mannage the greatnesse of their fortune . See Mat. 24. 48. to the end , 2 Chro. 10. 8. to 16. Eccles. 10. 1. 6 , 7. Psal. 73. 6. to 13. Iob. 21. 7. to 20.

Fourthly , That grand preferments without great grace to mannage , improve them to Gods glory , and the common good , are greater judgements than blessings , and for the most part , the immediate occasions of mens greatest ruin by their evill Councells , or ill managing of their greatnesse to the publike prejudice , Ps. 73. 3. to 21. Iob 21. 7. &c. Psal. 37. 1. 2. Ester c. 3. to 8.

Fifthly , That mischievous Councellours and wicked Instruments in Church , State ; though never so great in power or Favour with their Princes for a season , seldome escape condigne exemplary punishment at the last : and that no greatnesse whatsoever is able finally to protect mischevous Grandees , from the hand of publike justice : Ester 7. 1 Kings 2. 28. to 35.

Let all great ones then seriously consider this , and remember Canterbury , lest they dye and fall like him .

If we again observe his Preferments , Actions , Proceedings and miserable end as a Clergy man , we may raise these profitable observations from this History of his Tryall , which all Prelates , Clergy men may do well to consider , is oft as they thinke of Canterbury .

First , that when Clergy men cast aside or neglect their callings , and turne meer Statesmen , they commonly prove the very worst and most oppressive Persons of all others . Matth. 5. 13. 2. Thess. 2. 3.

Secondly , That one over potent Prelate backed with a Kings Royall power and favour , is able to unsetleReligion where it is best established , and embroyle , ruine the most flourishing Churches , Kingdomes in few yeares space . 2 Thess. 2. 4. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. Revel. 13. 2. to 18.

Thirdly , That there are no such desperate underminers , persecutors , suppressors of Gods true Religion , Saints , people , as over potent wicked Prelates : And that dissembling Potent Protestant Prelates , Clergy-men are greater Enemies to the Protestant Religion for the most part , then professed Papists : 2 Thess. 2. 4. 9 , 10 , 11 , 12. Revel. 13. Matth. 24. 5. 11. 24. Acts 20. 22. 30. Iohn 6. 70 , 71.

Fourthly , That the foulest Practises , Conspiracies against the Protestant Religion may be and usually are guilded over with the most specious pretences for its Advancement . And therefore it concernes us alwayes to weigh and judge of men by their Actions , not their Protestations : Matth. 7. 15. Rev. 13. 2. to 18.

Fifthly , That the most hopefull designes , the most successefull Plots , Proceedings against the true Religion and Saints of God , do alwayes prove abortive in conclusion ; and that the prevailing contrivances , successes of many yeares travell in this kinde are usually , by a divine over-ruling providence , oft times , like so many Cobwebs , swept down , dashed in pieces , and wholy disappointed in a moment , when they are nearest accomplishment in all humane probability Ps. 73. 18 , 19 , 20. Psal. 21. 11 , 12. Gen. 11. 3. &c. Exod. 14. 19 to 31. Esay . 8. 9. 10.

Sixtly , That God in his infinite wisedome and justice can turne all the Plots , Coutrivances of wicked men to ruine his truth , Church , people , to be the proper immediate instruments of their contrivers ruine . ( He taketh the wise in their own craftinesse , &c. Job . 5. 12 , 13 , 14. ) and to the advancement of his Gospel , Cause , people , as he did in the cases of Ioseph , and Mordecay .

Seventhly , That great Ecclesiasticall or temporall Preferments and Court Favours , seldome make men better but worser then before : Deut. 6. 10 , 11 , 12. c. 8. 10. 19. 2 Chron. 26. 16. c. 31. 25 , 26.

Eightly , That those who are Superstitious or Presumptuous in their life time , are seldome penitent , but for the most part obstinate , senslesse or desperate at their deaths ; and have commonly a greater care to support their crackt credits , by justifying or denying their evill actions , then to save their souls , by confessing or bewailing their guilt .

This was the condition of this Arch-Prelate who lived to survive and behold the downfall of all his Popish Plots , Innovations , Superstitions , Canons , the High Commission and Prelacy it selfe , the grand Idolls he endeavoured to set up and perpetuate among us ; Yet all the Superstitions , Idolatries , Romish Errors , Tyrannous oppressions he had maintained , practised in his life , he most obstinately justified , without the least remorse , or acknowledgment of guilt , of error , both at his Tryall and Death . Yea though he were so conscious to himselfe of all the crimes wherewith he was charged , that he procured a Pardon from Oxford under the Kings own hand and great Seale , soon after the beginning of his Tryall ( which made him so bold , so peremptory at the Barr ; ) yet lest it should imply or argue a guiltinesse in him , he chose rather to conceal this Pardon , and stand upon his plenary justification , till after his condemnation , then produce or plead it ; not sending it to your Honors till he was ordered to be hanged at Tyburne : upon which occasion he acquainted both Houses with it , to deprecate and exchange that punishment for a more Honourable kind of execution on the Scaffold at Tower hill , where his head was chopped off , instead of a Hanging at Tyburne . And although all ingenious men would have imagined , that the blood of the many Soules he had starved , seduced , destroyed all his time by suppressing preaching , suspending , silencing , censuring , banishing godly Ministers , Lecturers without any reall Cause , pressing the Booke of Sports , introducing Popish , Arminian Soul-destroying Errors , Superstitions , Innovations , Prophanations ; with the blood of the bodies of divers thousands shed in England , Scotland , Ireland , by our unhappy Warrs ( originally occasioned and stirred up by him ) might have been prevalent enough to relent his Adamantine heart , and draw forth teares of repentance , of compunction from his eyes and soule , yet such was his desperate Obstinacy & Impenitency on the scaffold , that he never so much as confessed or bewayled at his death these bloody crimes , nor any of those Trayterous Offences for which he was justly condemned ; but with a brow of brasse and heart of stone , impudently justified his Innocency , nay Crimes to the utmost , without demanding Pardon of them from God or Man , though he tooke this ensuing Pardon from the King ( a sufficient evidence of his guilt ) which I have Verbatim transcribed out of the Originall passed under the Great Seale at Oxford .