IF we mount up the Hill of Time present , and thence take a view ; on either hand lyes Time past , and Time future , or to come ; the latter is continually hidden in a Cloud , and we are not able to take any Prospect of it , unless by Divine or Prophetick illumination , which tho certain , is rare ; yet a wise man by looking back on Time past , and Comparing the certain Effects resulting from several Causes , may give a shrewd Guess , of what is to come ; and thus from Experience he will pronounce , that Fears and Jealousies betwixt a Prince and his people , being wrought to the height , will produce on the one hand Severity , on the other Rebellion : If the Prince gets the better of the People , after they have run into actual disobedience , it is not to be expected , he should , whilst he Lives , slacken the Reins of his Power , but by keeping them under , extend it to the utmost of the line : If the people thrive in their Rebellion , the certain sequel is Usurpation , Tyrannick and Arbitrary Government , as hath been seen in several Ages , and recounted in several Histories , which we shall not mention ; our Design being to confine our Discourse to our own late Affairs , and Transactions , from the first setting up of the Rump , in the place of Monarchy , to the Restauration of our present Monarch , whom God grant long to Reign .

If we look down from this Hill of Time present , thorow the Optick of History , on Time past , we behold the first Ages as in Landskip only , not in a due Proportion , being much lessened in Relation ; the middle Ages are more clearly viewed , and lye open to discovery , and are more largely Displayed in History : but again , the more near , or next to the Mountain of Time present , are also covered in a certain obscurity , and as it were over-shadowed by the Mount of Time present , that Truth is traced with a faint touch , and usually things are not so clearly seen , as at a longer distance . But since every day renders the Prospect more clear , We hope in this our short Relation , of the late Usurpers , and of their Tyrannick and Arbitrary Government , to shew to the People a most lucid Picture of that dreaded Monster , which they do , and may most justly fear , Arbitrary Government .

Fears and Jealousies fomented and heightned , we may say begot it , and Rebellion brought it forth , for it was the foul Issue of our bloody Civil Wars . It is not my task to write the Transactions , between the late King and his Parliaments , nor to draw forth a Scheme of that most unnatural War , which robb'd England of it's Peace , and devoured so many brave and valiant Subjects ; this hath been sufficiently and fully , by several Pens , already performed . But I shall begin the rise of my Historical Collections , from the time of the Exclusion of the greater part of the Members of the house of Commons , called the long Parliament , and when the Tail or Rump , as they are called , of the said Commons , against all Law and Right usurped , the Regal Authority of the Nation , and placing it upon themselves , Exercised a Tyrannick , and Arbitrary Government , with any shadow of legal Authority ; for altho it is not to be doubted , that the bloody War , commenced by the long Parliament , against their sovereign Lord and King , was illegal and unjust , yet I say , by that Bill , passed by his late Majesty , together with the Bill of attainder against the Earl of Strafford , on the 8th . of May , 1641. for the continuance of that Parliament , and that it should not be Prorogued or Adjourned , but by act of Parliament , and on the 10th . of the same Month had the Royal assent , gave them I say some Colour or shadow of Authority , and extreamly inbroiled the Kings affairs . The advisers to the passing of this Act are not certainly known , some attribute it to the Lord Say , others to the designing Marquess Hamilton , who brag'd of it in Scotland , as his Act ; but whoever they were , it prov'd most pernicious to the King , and seem'd to Authorise the Rebellion by his own Act.

But before we enter upon the Actions of these Usurpers , we shall only make mention of some preliminary Acts , of illegal Arbitrariness , of this Parliament , before their Votes of Non-Addresses , to the King , and their se●luding their fellow Members , and of their growing up to that perfection of Evil , in taking upon them the Administration of the Government , and of that unparallel'd Murther of a great Monarch , their soveraign Lord and King. The first was , under the Notion of maintaining the Protestant Religion , their entring into a solemn Protestation or Association among themselves , and also imposing it on the Consciences of all others , who should bear any Office either in Church or State. Secondly , their raising men , arming them , and forming an Army , and so running on into actual Rebellion , against their Head , and continuing that most Bloody War with so much Heat and Animosity , hearkning to no Treaties , &c. Next , their flinging the Bishops out of the House , and imprisoning twelve of them for asserting their Right only , by a Protestation . And which was absolutely against the Priviledges granted to them by Magna Charta , and a lopping off one of the Estates of the Realm . Then their putting a difference between the Kings person , and his politick Capacity , raising War against him in his own Name , for as yet the Keepers of the Liberties of England were not thought of , but the Style ran in the name of the King and Parliament , making the King to fight against himself , and to War with himself . Next their illegal imprisoning their fellow Subjects , and disseizing many of their free Holds , for their Loyalty to their Prince , and for not lending them Money to carry on their Rebellion , and also putting to Death the Hothams , all contrary to Magna Charta , and the Liberty of the subject , and full of Arbitrariness . Next their endeavouring to perswade the People , that the Soveraignty law wholly and radically in them , and so effectually in the Parliament , or House of Commons , for they now began to be esteemed only the Parliament . Then by their Endeavouring to take the power of the Sword out of their Soveraigns hand , and to put it into their own , thereby to make him a King of Clouts , or in Show , or a meer Duke of Venice . Then their own Declaration , printed and published , shewed how well Arbitrariness thrived , when they owned , That their Votes were not to be questioned , either by King or People : That no Precedents could bound their proceedings : That the Soveraign Power resides in the two Horses : That the King hath no negative Voyce : That a levying War against the personal Commands of the King , the he were present , is not a levying War against the King , but that a levying War against his Laws and Authority , is levying War against the King , which was levying War against them : That Treason could not be committed against the person of the King , otherwise then he wa● intrusted : That they had power to judge of his Actions , and whether he discharged his trust or not , and that they were only judges of the Law. Their Arbi●trary putting to death of Yeomans and Boucher at Bristol and others at London , for endeavouring to shew thei● Loyalty to their King , and Acting against them , and their illegal Authority . Voting and making a new Seal and breaking all the Kings old Seals , Privy Signets , 〈◊〉 the King's-bench , Exchequer , Court of Wards , Adm●●ralty , &c. Beheading of several persons by a Court ma●●tial , against Law and Equity . Putting Arch-Bishop La●● to Death after four years Imprisonment . Their takin● the Scotch solemn League and Covenant , for the Extirpation of Episcopacy , and the alteration of Religio● established by Law , contrary to Law , and accor●●ing to their own illegal and Arbitrary proceedings . With many more Acts of the same nature , which plainly declared to all the World , how far they had deviated from their first more plausible Pretexts . But all this while I say , by the Kings great Concession , in yielding to pass that Act , which wrought him so much Mischief , they seemed to have a shadow of Power , from the King : and acted as an House , tho contrary to the King , the Laws of the Land , the Liberty of the Subject , and against Equity , Conscience , and Religion .

But now , after the King had been delivered up to them from the Scots , and that they had subdued all his Forces and Garrisons , Ragland Castle in Wales , being the last that held out for his Majesty , then they shewed their power more manifestly , and that their Intentions were to usurp the Regal Authority altogether , having thus far tasted the sweetness of it , and thrived in their Rebellion . On the 4th . of June 1647. a Party of Horse , under Cornet Joyce , seized the King at Holdenby , where he was under restraint by the Parliaments order , and Carried him away to the Army , and thence by them brought to Hampton Court , about the middle of August ; where both the Parliament and Army make to him their several unjust Proposals , after the insolent manner of Victors , which the King could in no ways grant , being contrary to his Conscience , his Crown and Dignity . At the same time the Independant Officers of the Army , kept their chief Cabals at Putn●y , where it was proposed among them : That it was not safe for them , nor the Kingdom , to grant any Power to the King : That it was not for them to set up a Power , which God had determined to pull down : That the power of Kings was grown a burthen to the Nation , and that the reason of all their Distractions in their Counsels , was from their Compliance to save that man of Bood , and to uphold the Tyranny , which God by their many Successes , had declared against . Where also Major General Harrison made a speech pressing them to the taking off the King : Who having notice of these wicked Agitators Actions , makes his escape from Hampton Court , leaving a Letter behind him , intending to get over to the Isle of Jersey , but being in the Isle of Wight , he put himself under the Protection of Collonel Hammond a Parliament man , and Governour there ; who sending notice thereof to the Parliament , they Vote , That he should be continued in the Castle of Cowes : That no Malignants shall stay in the Island : That no Delinquent or Forreigner should be permitted to come to him without the Parliaments leave : That five Thousand pounds should be advanced for his Aocommodation , and That they would consider who should attend his Person .

In the mean time the Independent party of the Army cause a Mutiny , which tho quelled by the Industry of Cromwel and his Son-in-Law Ireton ; yet it caused them to alter their Councels , and to joyn with them against the Parliament , and all accommodation whatsoever with the King. The King sends a Letter to the Parliament from the Isle of Wight , dated November , 18. 1647. superscribed to the Speaker of the House of Lords , to be communicated to the House of Commons . In which he granted for Peace-sake , the setling of Presbytery for three years : And the Militia in the hands of the Parliament during his Reign , with a Proviso by Patent , that then it should return again to his Successors ; And also that they should have the Choice of his Privy Councellors , and desired earnestly to have with them a personal treaty in London . After a long debate upon this Letter , the Commissioners of Scotland also pressing them to comply with the Kings just desires , on the 26th . of November they concluded , That four Previous Acts should be drawn up , and sent to the King , to which if he would sign , they Voted , That they then would admit of a personal Treaty with him . These unreasonable Proposals , drawn into form of Acts , were these : First , an Act for raising , settling , and maintaining Forces by Sea and Land , &c. In which they fully and wholly divested the King of the Militia , his Heirs and Successors for ever , and gave an unlimitted Power to the two houses , to raise what Forces they please , or Land or Sea , and of what persons they please , and what Money they please to maintain them . The second was , that ●ll Declarations , Oaths , Proclamations against the Parli●ment , might be recalled , or against all or any that adher●d to them . The third , an Act that those Peers , that were ●nade after the great Seal was carried away from the Parliament , might be made uncapable of sitting in the house of Peers : And lastly , That Power may be given to the two Houses to adjourn themselves as they think fit . By these you may easily perceive , to what height they were come of all unreasonableness . These were presented to the King at Caris brook Castle in the Isle of Wight , on the 24th . of December 1647. by the Earl of Denby , the Lord Mountague , Lisle , Goodwin , Bunkley , and Kemp , Commissioners from both Houses of Parliament . The King it may well be thought , having no desire to dethrone himself , and enslave his Subjects , refused the Bills , and desired to Treat personally , sending them his reasons in Writing : Whereupon Sr. Tho. wroth , moves the House , That the King , who had Acted like a Mad-man , should be secured in some inland Castle , with sure Guards : That Articles of Impeachment should be drawn up against him : That he should be wholly lay'd by , and that they would think of some other Government , no matter what , so it were not by Kings or Devils . Then Ireton gravely , and with his Protesting he spake the Sence of many thousand Godly men , who had ventured their Lives with him in the Army , said : That the King in denying those Bills , had deny'd his safety and protection to the People , and that therefore they might justly , and lawfully deny to yield him any further Obedience , and that it was fit they should settle the Kingdom without him . Then Cromwell at last , after a long debate , with an Hypocritical Face , stood up , telling them , of the Valour , Courage , Resolution , and readiness of the Army , to stand by them , and to Live and Dye with them , and that therefore , now the Parliament should by their own Power , Rule and Govern the Kingdom , and not expect safety any lon●er , or any help from an Obstinate man , whose hea● God had hardened , and therefore no more to be truste● for that his future Reign , would become more insu●portable , and fuller of Revenge than Justice . That el●● those men , who had so long defended them , wou●● think themselves betray'd by them , to the Malice an● Rage of an irreconcileable Enemy , whom they had sub●dued for their sakes , and that dispair might teach them to seek their safety , by some other means , than ad●hering to them , who would not stick to themselves and how destructive that resolution might be to the● all , he even trembled to think of , and left them t● consider . This concluding Menace , from that terribl● Bug-bear , very much overawed the House . Upon th●● they came to Vote , and the Questions being put , they Vo●●ed , No more Addresses or Applications should be mad● to the King , carrying it in the Affirmative , there being on● hundred and forty one Yeas and ninety one Noes . Thi● was also assented to by the Lords and published , Resolved by the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament , That no Application or Address be made to the King by any Person whatsoever without the leave of both Houses . Resolved by the Lords and Commons , &c. That the Person or Persons , that shall make breach of this Order , shall incur the penalty of high Treason . Resolved by the Lords and Commons , &c. That they will receive no more any Message from the King ; and do injoyn , that no Person whatsoever , do presume to receive or bring any Message from the King to both or either of the Houses of Parliament , or any other Person .

Upon this comes forth a Declaration from the Army Among other things they declare , That they are resolved to stand by the Parliament , in these their Votes concerning the King , and in what shall be necessary for the Prosecution thereof , and for the setling and securing of the Parliament and Kingdom , without the King , and against him , or any other that shall pertake with him . The Parliament also after this , put forth a publick Declaration , about the beginning of February , 1648. in which were many strange Invectives against the King , and his Government , raking in all the Errors thereof , and remembring things done before his Reign . They also endeavoured to have fixed on him the Murther of his Royal Father King James , the Rebellion and Massacre of Ireland , and other wicked and horrid Crimes lay'd to his Charge , and almost in every bodies Mouth , so that they were not only Content to take away the Government from their King , and to usurp the Royal dignity , but they went about to desame him , and to Murther his Honour and Innocency , even before they had agreed to take away his Life from his Person , and to make him as odious as they could , in the Eyes of all men , to take off the Odium as much as they could from themselves , for what they now intended to do , viz. The murther of their Prince , which began now to be designed by the prevailing Independent Party , who had got the Army on their sides and overawed the rest .

However , they could not carry things so , but that their Intentions began to be seen , altho they had procured Letters or Addresses of thanks , from several Counties , by their Agents , for their Votes against the King ; yet for the most part the peoples Eyes being now every day more and more opened , began to see what a Brat they had nourished up , under the notion of Liberty , who being grown up to it's height , proved that most dreadful Arbitrary , they so much had feared ; insomuch , that from Grumbling and Murmuring , the City began to stir , and in several other places , as in Kent , and in Wales , under Lauhorn , Poyer , and Powell ; upon this the Commitee of Darby House was Impowred anew , for the suppressing of Tumults and Insurrections . The Insurrections were soon quelled , tho not without Blood , by the industry of Cromwel and Ireton , and by the Permission of divine Providence . The Scots by their Commissioners , desired to know if they were excepted by the Parliaments Votes of Non-Addresses to the King , which Message caused great debates , and being yet fearful of disobliging them , at last it was permitted them , to make Addresses to the King : which was not wel● taken by the Independent Faction in the Army . Bu● the King was now more straitly secured , by Collone● Hammond , and he found not that Favour from him h● had hoped for , being the Brother of one of his belov●●ed Chaplains Doctor Hammond : His Servants were re●moved from him , and he restrained within the Castle● walls , which begot a Pitty and Commiseration of hi● Case , in the breast of several Loyal Subjects within the Island , and especially Captain Burleigh , who had formerly serv'd him in the Army , and who now made an● attempt to rescue the King out of Hammond's hands : but miscarrying , he was taken , and on the 10th . of February put to death at Winchester , being tryed for High Treason by Serjeant Wild. Upon this his Majesty put forth his Declaration , which begot great Compassion in the Hearts of all his Loyal Subjects throughout the Kingdom . But yet they were not able to help him , the Power being out of their Hands . And he suffered a very close Confinement , being sequester'd from the Converse of men , which made him apply himself to a more divine and blessed Converse with God , as may be seen by his Excellent meditations , in his Book called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the Pou●traiture of his Majesty , in his Solitude and Sufferings , then wrot .

And now the Universities were purged ; for having the Sword , they resolved to have none of those Gown-men to plead Gospel for the Kings Authority , and therefore all such should be ejected , that knew not how against Conscience to preach and declaim of their sides ; to which end the Earl of Pembrook Chancellour of the University of Oxford , with others as learned as himself , were sent to purge the University , where they turned forth many learned and honest men , under the Notion of Ignorant and Scandalous , by which means they sent packing all such as were not for their turn .

April the 20th . the Duke of York made his escape from St. James's , in woman apparel , and landed safe at ●ort in Holland ; and about the same time , several Peti●ions came to the Parliament , and especially one from ●he County of Essex , which supplicate , That the Army might be paid off and Disbanded , and the King admit●ed to a personal Treaty . Surry and the City of London followed with the like , and the Affections of the Peo●le began to appear , and were ready to fly to Arms. The Kentish men being up ten Thousand strong were routed by General Fairfax , the Earl of Norwich who ●eaded them , with five hundred men crossed over the Thames into Essex , and Sr. Charles Lucas joyning him with 200 thousand men , they possessed themselves of Cholchester , which became the seat of War and endured a famous Siege . Also at the same time a part of the Navy revolted to the Prince , who having attempted to help his Father , in vain , was forced to retire into Holland , with his Fleet. Then the Earl of Holland , the Earl of Peterborough and others , Head a fresh Insurrection at Kingston upon Thames , where they were routed , the Earl of Holland taken , and the Lord Francis Villers the Duke of Buckingham's Brother slain .

Affairs standing in this Posture , the Scots are much displeased , tho they had many fair Offers made them by the Parliament , Concerning the Payment of money yet due to them ; and on the 24th , day of July they passed an Ordinance , to establish the Presbyterian Government in England and Ireland , under Classical , Provincial , and Parochial Assemblies , to please them ; yet all would not do , for they Voted in Scotland , a War with England , and published a Declaration , wherein they propose : That the King may come to London , or to some of his Houses near , with safety : That those who had Carried him away might make Satisfaction , or be punished for it : That the Army under the Lord Fairfax might be disbanded : That Presbytery be setled and Sectaries punished : That all members of the House might be restored . Upon this Berwick was surprised , Forces came out of Ireland , and many rise in the North for the King : Carlisle is seized , and their Forces increased under Sr. Marmaduke Langdale , Sr. Thomas Glenham ▪ Sr. Philip Musgrave , and others , to the number of three Thousand Horse and foot . Sr. Marmaduke Langdale is made their General : And on the 13th , of July , the Scots enter with an Army into England , under Duke Hamilton with whom Langdale joyns , and beats Lambert at Apple●●by : Several places declared for the King , and all things seemed in an hopeful way , when Cromwell having qui●eted Wales , marches with his Army to Preston in Lancashire , to give a stop to Hamilton , who was about twenty Thousand strong , with the English : Lambert joyn● with Cromwell , and make up a Body of about twelve Thousand ; on the 17th . of August both Armies Face one another , and the battel being begun on the English side , after two hours dispute , the Scots gave ground 〈◊〉 and were most fiercely pursued by the English , and Totally routed , multitudes of them being taken , but Hamilton escaped to Nantwich , with three Thousand horse where the Countrey being up in Armes seized upon most of them , and at last Hamilton himself was taken at Uloxeter , by the Lord Gray of Grooby ; the Scots En●signs , Cornets , and Colours , then taken , were afterward hung up in Westminster Hall. Sr. Marmaduke Langdale wa● also taken , and Cromwell improving his Victory , marches towards Monroe , who was coming with a reserve of six Thousand Scots , but upon Hamilton's overthrow , had order to return into Scotland , which they did , but the Anti-Hamiltonian party in Scotland , under Argile , which were the stricter sort of Presbyters ; invited Cromwell in to Scotland , which the laying hold on , to smooth his way he put forth a Declaration , severely prohibiting any Souldier , under pain of Death , to take either Money , Horses , Goods , Victuals , or any other thing , o● any way to abuse the People . He put such a terror among the Scots , that they all presently submitted , and agreed to disband their Armies , and to render up to him Berwick , and Carlile , which were in their Hands : That a Parliament should be called in Scotland for the setling Religion , and composing their differences , and also that none that had been in the last In●agements against England , should be chosen of this ●ew Parliament , or into their general Assembly . Thus ●aving setled Scotland to his mind , he returns into Eng●and . Upon his Victory against Hamilton , Colchester ●eing driven to the utmost extremity , was surrendred , ●nd the two valiant Gentlemen contrary to Faith given , Sr. Charles Lucas , and Sr. George Lisle , shot to Death , ●nd the Earl of Norwich , Lord Capel . and others sent Prisoners to London . While these things were in doing , there had been some Attempts made towards the private murthering of the King , which was made known to the Parliament , who took some Examinations thereupon , but nothing to any purpose done in it , he being ●ow look'd upon as a Tyrant , and suffered openly to be so called daily , with many other most opprobrious Speeches , both against his person and Government , which the Parliament took no notice of , but had made an Order in April , before : That any three of their Committee-men at Darby House , should have Power to Imprison and sequester , all such as shall actually adhere to any , that shall raise or endeavour to raise , any Tumults or Insurrections , or shall so much as speak or publish any thing reproachful of the Parliament or their proceedings ; so that you see they had tyed up mens Tongues ; from speaking against themselves , without the least restraint of reviling their King , and , for every light Word , a free born Subject of England , was made an offender , and lyable to be ruined , at the Pleasure of three Arbitrary men of their Committee , absolutely against that known Maxim of our Law , Nemo imprisonetur aut disseisietur nisi per legale judicium parium suorum . No man shall be imprisoned , or disseised of his Property , but by the lawful judgment of his Peers ; that is , by a jury of twelve men . But what signified Magna Charta , Petition of Right , the Ancient Laws of the Land , to these Men , who had trampled the Imperial Crown under their feet , and usurp'd more than ever rightful Monarch , or the most Arbitrary of our Kings ever Claim'd ? And had raised upon the People , for the maintainance of th● unnatural War , and towards the enslaving of themselves , about three Millions of pounds sterling Per annu● which was six times more than ever the most rapacio● of our Kings had raised on the People , besides the va● Incomes of the Kings revenue , Sequestrations , and Compositions .

About the third of August , the Prince ( now our Soveraign ) sent Letters to the City , Expressing his goo● affection to Peace , and to the whole City , and his E●deavours to vindicate his fathers Liberty and just Prer●gative , and Rights ; and to restore to the People the●● Laws , Liberties , and Property , to free them from Bo●dage , and to ease them of the Burthen of Excise , an● Taxes , to settle Religion , and to reduce all things in to their proper Channel . This Letter was accompanie● with others , and a Declaration to the same purpose , a●● which were Communicated to the Parliament . Bu● there , in Requital , it was vehemently urged by some ▪ That the Prince might be declared a Traitor and a Rebel , but others stood up and gave several Reasons ( to● long here to rehearse ) to the Contrary ; and so it passed over at this time . On the 7th . of August an ordinance passed , for erecting a new Militia in every County , and particularly for the County of Wilts , Commissioners being named , who had power to raise what men they pleased , to Arm them , and to fine defaulters ten pound a Man , and twenty dayes Imprisonment , and to levy four hundred pound a Week , upon that one County , besides the ordinary Taxes , and free Quarter . O brave Liberty and Freedom !

Whilst the Army were employed in reducing the Scots , and Royal party , Petitions were continually sent from several Counties , to the Parliament , all tending to the same effect , the disbanding the Army , easing the people of their Burthens , and a personal Treaty with the King. The City of London Petitions also for the same , and to have their imprisoned Citizens released , which were , chiefly Aldermen Langham and Bunce , and ●heir Recorder Glin. The Lords had , it seems , not con●●rred readily with the Commons , in some of their ●otes , upon which it was moved in the House , to take ●way the Lords negative Voyce So early Arbitrary ●egan to shew it self in the highest degree , nothing ●ow seeming too great for the Commons : For a certain ●awyer , undertook to make good ; That the House of Commons ( being the Representative of all the People ) ●ad power to Act without the Lords , for the safety of ●he People , in case the Lords deserted their Trust . Here was a ground lay'd for a future subverting the Foundation of all Parliaments , and how well they improved this Doctrine we shall see hereafter . The Lords and Commons , had lay'd by the King , and now the Commons were for laying aside the Lords , and the next thing to be expected will be to see the Army and their Grandees to lay aside the Commons , and to rule alone by themselves , usurping both the Kings Soveraign and Governing power , the Parliaments Legislative power , and the Judges Iudicative power , and so Establish their Oligarchy , or else it may be expected , that one more powerful than the rest , should usurp all the Power into his own hand , and become a most absolute and Arbitrary Tyrant , as it hapned to come to pass .

I cannot pass over another excellent mark of strange Arbitrariness , against all Law and Right , Moral as well as Civil , in their sequestring the Estate of one Wall a Delinquent as they called him , after his Death , and taking it from his Wife and Children gave it to one of their Creatures , who sued for the same , tho it was argued against their unjust Proceedings , That in the case of the highest Treasons , and of Felony , no man was Condemned after his Death , because he was not then in being , to Answer for himself , and there could be no proceeding in Law against Non Ens : Nay if a Fellon tho alive , will stand mute , he shall not forfeit his Lands , because he wants Answer , tho he loses his Life for Contempt of the Law. Yet the Godly party prevailed , and they bestowed the Sequestration of the sai● Wall's Lands , tho dead , on another , with a Proviso , th●● it should not be drawn into Example .

Cromwell gives the Parliament , by a Letter to the Speaker , an account of his Victories , with Admonition to them , not to hate God's people , who were as th● Apple of his Eye , and for whom Kings were to be reproved , That they should fulfil the end of their Magistracy , that all that would live quietly and Peaceably migh● have Countenance from ▪ them , and that they wh● were implacable , might be speedily destroyed out o● the Land . And to prepare the way for their Destruction , they ordered : That an Ordinance be Penned , and brought into the House of Commons , to try all such by Martial Law , in the City of London , as shall be found to Plot Design , or Contrive any thing , to endanger the Parliament or City : Here again ; you may see all the Common Laws of the Land laid aside , and Martial Law made use of , in the Head City of the Land . Which was then no Garrison , and by order of these Parliamentarians , and Assertors of the peoples Liberties , Rights , and Priviled●ges .