safed to them; and in his passage through the city, the rude people flocking together, and crying out, "Privilege of parliament, privilege of parliament;" some of them pressing very near his own coach, and amongst the rest one calling out with a very loud voice, "To your tents, O Israel." However the king, though much mortified, continued his resolution, taking little notice of the distempers; and, having dined at the sheriff's, returned in the afternoon to Whitehall; and published, the next day, a proclamation for the apprehension of all those, whom he accused of high treason, forbidding any person to harbour them; the articles of their charge being likewise printed and dispersed. 66 66 When the house of commons next met, none of the accused members appearing, they had friends enough, who were well enough instructed to aggravate the late proceedings, and to put the house into a thousand jealousies and apprehensions, and every slight circumstance carried weight enough in it to disturb their minds. They took very little notice of the accusing the members; but the king's coming to the house, which had been never known before, and declaring, "that he would take "them wherever he found them, was an evidence, "that he meant himself to have brought a force "into the house, to apprehend them, if they had "been there;" was looked upon as the highest breach of privilege that could possibly be imagined. They who spake most passionately, and probably meant as maliciously, behaved themselves with modesty, and seemed only concerned in what concerned them all; and concluded, after many lamentations, "that they did not think "themselves safe in that house, till the minds of men were better composed; that the city was "full of apprehensions, and was very zealous for "their security; and therefore wished that they might adjourn the parliament to meet in some place in the city." But that was found not practicable; since it was not in their own power to do it, without the consent of the peers, and the concurrence of the king; who were both like rather to choose a place more distant from the city. And, with more reason, in the end they concluded, "that the house should adjourn itself "for two or three days, and name a committee, "which should sit both morning and afternoon in "the city;" and all who came, to have voices: and Merchant-Tailors' hall was appointed for the place of their meeting; they who served for London undertaking, "that it should be ready against "the next morning" no man opposing or contradicting any thing that was said; they, who formerly used to appear for all the rights and authority which belonged to the king, not knowing what to say, and between grief and anger that the violent party had, by these late unskilful actions of the court, gotten great advantage, and recovered new spirits: and the three persons before named, without whose privity the king had promised that he would enter upon no new counsel, were so much displeased and dejected, that they were inclined never more to take upon them the care of any thing to be transacted in the house: finding already, that they could not avoid being looked upon as the authors of those counsels, to which they were so absolute strangers, and which they so perfectly detested. And in truth, they had then withdrawn them selves from appearing often in the house, but upon the abstracted consideration of their duty and conscience, and of the present ill condition the king was in; who likewise felt within himself the trouble and agony which usually attends generous and magnanimous minds, upon their having committed errors, which expose them to censure and to damage. In fine, the house of commons adjourned for some days, to consult with their friends in the city; and the house of lords held so good correspondence with them, that they likewise adjourned to the same days they knew, by some intelligence, they intended to meet again. But the lords made no committee to sit in the city. When the committee met the next morning at Merchant-Tailors' hall, where all who came were to have voices, and whither all did come at first, out of curiosity to observe what method they meant to proceed in, rather than expectation that they should be able to do any good there; they found a guard ready to attend them, of substantial citizens in arms, and a committee from the common council, to bid them welcome into the city; and to assure them, "that the city would take care, that they and all their members should be "secured from violence; and to that purpose had appointed that guard to attend them, which "should be always relieved twice a day, if they "resolved to sit morning and afternoon;" and acquainted them further, "that the common coun"cil, in contemplation that they might stand in "want of any thing, had likewise appointed a "committee of so many aldermen, and such a "number of the common council, which should "always meet at a place named, at those hours, "which that committee should appoint to meet at; to the end that, if any thing were to be required of the city, they might still know their pleasure, and take care that it should be obeyed." And thus they had provided for such a mutual communication and confederacy, that they might be sure always to be of one mind, and the one to help the other in the prosecution of those designs and expedients, which they should find necessary to their common end: the committee of the city consisting of the most eminent persons, aldermen and others, for their disaffection to the government of church and state. At their first sitting, the committee began with the stating the manner of the king's coming to the house, and all he did there; the several members mentioning all that they would take upon them to remember of his majesty's doing or speaking, both as he came to the house, and after he was there; some of them being walking in Westminster-hall when the king walked through, and so came to the house with him, or near him; others reporting what they had heard some of the gentlemen, who attended his majesty, say, as they passed by; every idle word having its commentary; and the persons, whoever were named, being appointed to attend; they having power given them to send for all persons, and to examine them touching that affair. Nor had any man the courage to refuse to obey their summons; so that all those of the king's servants, who were sent for, appeared punctually at the hour that was assigned them; and were examined upon all questions, which any one of the committee would propose to them, whereof many were very impertinent, and of little respect to the king. U It was very well known where the accused persons were, all together in one house in Colemanstreet, near the place where the committee sat; and whither persons trusted passed to and fro to communicate and receive directions; but it was not seasonable time for them yet to appear in public, and to come and sit with the committee, or to own the believing that they thought themselves safe from the violence and the assaults of the court; the power whereof they exceedingly contemned, whilst they seemed to apprehend it: nor was it yet time to model in what manner their friends in the city and the country should appear concerned for them; in preparing whereof no time was lost. Against the time the house was to meet, the first adjournment not being for above two or three days, the committee had prepared matter enough for a report; a relation of all they had discovered upon their examinations, and such votes as they thought fit to offer upon the breach of their privilege; that they might thereby discover the affections of the house, of which they could not yet take any measure, since there had been no debate since those accidents, which could discover the general temper; which they well enough knew was not before to their advantage. In the mean time, they used all the ways they could to asperse those, who used to oppose them, as the contrivers of the late proceedings; and were willing they should know it; which they imagined would restrain them from taking the same liberty they had used to do. 66 him, than usually attended him when he went but to walk in the park; and had only their little swords; they were very punctual in mentioning any light or loose words, which had fallen from any man, that it might be believed that there was more in the matter. As they carefully inserted in their relation, that one of the waiters, as he walked very near his majesty through the hall, said, "he "had a good pistol in his pocket;" and that another, as they were walking up the stairs towards the house of commons, called out, Fall on; from which they would have it believed, that there had been very bloody intentions. 66 Then they offered some votes to be offered to the house, in which they voted "the relation, "which was made, to be true; and thereupon, "that the king's coming to the house in that manner was the highest breach of the privilege "of parliament that could be made; and that the arresting, or endeavouring to arrest, any mem"ber of parliament, was a high breach of their "privilege; and that the person, who was so ar"rested, might lawfully rescue and redeem him"self; and that all who were present, and saw "the privilege of parliament so violated, might "and ought to assist the injured person in his "defence, and to procure his liberty with force." And these votes the house confirmed, when they were reported: though, in the debate, it was told them, "that they must take heed, that they did not, out of tenderness of their privilege, which was and must be very precious to every man, "extend it further than the law would suffer it to "be extended: that the house had always been " very severe upon the breach of any of their privileges, and in the vindicating those members, "who were injured; but that the disposing men "to make themselves judges, and to rescue them"selves or others, might be of evil consequence, " and produce ill effects; at least if it should fall "out to be, that the persons were arrested for treason, or felony, or breach of the peace; in either of which cases, there could be no privilege "of parliament." This, though a known truth to any, who knew any thing of the law, was received with noise and clamour, and with wonderful evidence of dislike, and some faint contradictions, "that no such thing ought to be done whilst 66 And so at their meeting in the house, upon the report of the committee, they declared, "That the king's coming to the house, and demanding the persons of divers members thereof to be deli"vered unto him, was a high breach of the rights "and privileges of parliament, and inconsistent "with the liberty and freedom thereof: and there"fore that they could not with the safety of their own persons, or the indemnity of the rights and privileges of parliament, sit there any longer, "without a full vindication of so high a breach," "and a sufficient guard, wherein they might confide; and for that reason did order, that their "house should be again adjourned for four days; " and that the committee should meet in the same place, to consider and resolve of all things, that might concern the good and safety of the city, "and the kingdom; and particularly how their privileges might be vindicated, and their persons "secured; and should have power to consult and "advise with any person or persons, touching the premises." And this order and declaration being made, they adjourned; the last clause being intended to bring their members to them. 66 66 66 At the meeting of the house, the committee had informed them, first of the great civilities they had received from the city in all the particulars, that they might have order to return the thanks of the whole house, which they easily obtained; and, at their return, they took more examinations than they had formerly; by which they made a fuller relation of the king's coming to the house, and his carriage and words there. And because it was visible to all men, that the king was so far from bringing any force with him, which they desired should be believed, that he had only his guard of halberdiers, and fewer of them than used to go with him upon any ordinary motion; and that fewer of his gentlemen servants were then with 66 a parliament was sitting:" and then, falling upon the late action of the king, and the merit of those persons, and without much contradiction, which was found to be ungrateful, the house confirmed all that the committee had voted; and then adjourned again for some days, and ordered the committee to meet again in the city; which they did morning and afternoon, and prepared other votes of a brighter allay, and more in the face of the king and the law, every day adding to the fury and fierceness of the precedent; and the house met and sat, only to confirm the votes which were passed by the committee, and to prosecute such matters as were by concert brought to them, by petition from the city; which was ready to advance any thing they were directed: and so, whilst the members yet kept themselves concealed, many particulars of great importance were transacted in those short sittings of the house. The king about this time, having found the inconvenience and mischief to himself of having no servant of interest and reputation, and who took his business to heart, in the house of commons, had made the lord Falkland and sir John Colepepper, both members of that house, and of unblemished reputations and confessed abilities, of his privy-council; and the one, the lord Falkland, his principal secretary of state, and sir John Colepepper, chancellor of the exchequer; as is said before. And so, having now gotten two counsellors about him, who durst trust one another, and who were both fit to be trusted by him, which he had been without above a year past, to his and the kingdom's irreparable disadvantage; he thought fit to publish a declaration to all his subjects, in answer to the remonstrance he had lately received from the house of commons, and was dispersed throughout the kingdom. In which, without the least sharpness or return of that language he had received, he took notice "of the fears and "jealousies," (for those were the new words, which served to justify all indispositions, and to excuse all disorders,) which made impression in the "minds of his people, with reference to their religion, their liberty, or their civil interests." 66 66 66 "without some tax upon himself and his ministers "for the not execution of the laws, look upon the "bold license of some men in printing of pamphlets, in preaching and printing of sermons so "full of bitterness and malice against the present government, against the laws established; so "full of sedition against his own person, and the peace of the kingdom; that he was many times "amazed to consider by what eyes those things were seen, and by what ears they were heard. 66 66 Concerning the civil liberties and interests of "the subjects, he said, he should need say the "less, having erected so many lasting monuments "of his princely and fatherly care of his people, "in those excellent laws passed by him this par"liament; which, with very much content to him"self, he said, he conceived to be so large and ample, that very many sober men had very little "left to wish for of that kind. He told them, he very well understood the rights and particular advantages, he had departed from in many of "the acts he had passed; and therefore he had reason to hope, as he had taken all occasions to "render their condition most comfortable and happy; so they would, in grateful and dutiful "relation, be always ready with equal tenderness and alacrity to advance his rights, and preserve "his honour, upon which their own security and "subsistence so much depended; and no par"ticular should be presented unto him for the completing and establishing that security, to the "which he would not with the same readiness " contribute his best assistance. He said, if those "resolutions were the effects of his present coun"sels, and he took God to witness that they were "such, and that his subjects might confidently expect the benefit of them from him, certainly no "ill design upon the public could accompany such "resolutions; neither could there be great cause "of suspicion of any persons preferred by him to "degrees of honour, and places of trust and em For religion, he observed the fears to be of "two sorts; either as ours here established might "be invaded by the Romish party; or as it was accompanied with some ceremonies, at which some tender consciences really were, or pretended" "to be, scandalized. For the first, as there might "be any suspicion of favour or inclination to the papists, he said, he was willing to declare to all "the world, that, as he had been brought up from "his childhood in, and practised that religion, "which was established in the church of England; so he believed he could, having given a good part of his time and pains to the examination of "the grounds of it, as it differed from that of "Rome, maintain the same by unanswerable reasons; and hoped he should be ready to seal it by the effusion of his blood, if it should please "God to call him to that sacrifice: and that nothing could be so acceptable to him, as any proposition, which might contribute to the advance"ment of it here, as [well as] the propagation of "it abroad; being the greatest means to draw "down a blessing from God upon himself, and "this nation; and if this profession of his was "wanting to his people, he thought himself extremely unfortunate, for that his constant prac"tice in his own person had always been, without ostentation, as much to the evidence of his care "and duty therein, as he could possibly tell how to express. 66 For matters of ceremony, he said, he would, "in tenderness to any number of his loving sub-" "jects, be willing to comply with the advice of his "parliament, that some law should be made for "the exemption of tender consciences from pun"ishment or prosecution for such ceremonies; "and in such cases, which by the judgment of "most men are held to be matters indifferent, and "of some to be absolutely unlawful. Provided "that that case should be attempted, and pursued "with that modesty, temper, and submission, that "in the mean time the peace and quiet of the "kingdom should not be disturbed, the decency " and comeliness of God's service [not] discoun"tenanced, nor the pious, sober, and devout actions of those reverend persons, who were the "first labourers in the blessed reformation, or of "that time, be scandalized and defamed. For, he I said, he could not, without grief of heart, and or other certain information, than he would "leave them to public justice, under the marks of "his displeasure. If, notwithstanding this, any malignant party should take heart, and be willing to sacrifice the peace and happiness of their country to their own sinister ends and ambi"tions, under what pretence of religion and con"science soever; if they should endeavour to "lessen his reputation and interest, and to weaken his lawful power and authority with his good subjects; if they should go about, by discountenancing the present laws, to loosen the bonds. 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 66 " 66 66 66 "of government, that all disorder and confusion" the city then was in, by reason of the prevailing might break in; he doubted not, but God progress of the bloody rebels of Ireland; the "in his good time would discover them; and the putting out of persons of honour and trust from "wisdom and courage of his high court of parliament "being constable and lieutenant of the Tower, "join with him in their suppression and punishment. especially in those times, and the preparations Having said all he could, to express the "there lately made; the fortifying Whitehall "clearness and uprightness of his intentions, "with men and munition in an unusual manner; " and done all he could to manifest those inten- "some of which men abused and wounded divers tions, he said, he could not but confidently "citizens passing by; the calling in divers can"believe, all his good subjects would acknow- "noniers, and other assistance into the Tower; ledge his part to be fully performed, both in "the discovery of divers fireworks in the hands of "deeds past, and present resolutions to do what "a papist, and the misunderstanding between "with justice might be required of him; and "his majesty and the parliament. That their "that their quiet and prosperity now depended "fears were exceedingly increased by his majesty's wholly on themselves, and was in their own "late going into the house of commons, attended power, by yielding all obedience and due rever- by a great multitude of armed men, for the ence to the law; which is the inheritance of apprehending of divers members of that house, every subject, and the only security he can have" to the endangering his own person, and the "for his life, liberty, and estate; and the which persons and privileges of that honourable assembeing neglected or disesteemed, under what bly. That the effects of those fears tended not specious shows soever, a great measure of infe"only to the overthrow of the whole trade of that licity, if not an irreparable confusion, must with- Icity and kingdom, which they felt already in a "out doubt fall upon them. And he doubted deep measure, but threatened the utter ruin of "not, it would be the most acceptable declaration" the protestant religion, and the lives and liberties a king could make to his subjects, that he was "of all his subjects; and therefore they prayed "not only resolved to observe the laws himself," his majesty, that, by the advice of his great "but to maintain them against what opposition "council in parliament, the protestants in Ireland soever, though with the hazard of his being. might be speedily relieved; the Tower put into He hoped the loyalty and good affections of all "the hands of persons of trust; that, by removal "his subjects would concur with him in the con- "of doubtful and unknown persons from about "stant preserving a good understanding between "Whitehall and Westminster, a known and ap"him and his people; and that their own interest," proved guard might be appointed for the safety "and compassion of the lamentable condition of" of his majesty and the parliament; and that the "the poor protestants in Ireland, would invite "lord Kimbolton, and the five members of the "them to a fair intelligence and unity amongst "house of commons lately accused, might not be re"themselves; that so they might, with one heart, "strained of liberty, or otherwise proceeded against, "intend the relieving and recovering that unhappy" than according to the privileges of parliament." kingdom; where those barbarous rebels prac- The king very well understood from what spirit "tised such inhuman and unheard of outrages this petition proceeded, and the inconvenience of upon the miserable people, that no Christian ear giving so much countenance to it, as the very re"could hear without horror, or story parallel. ceiving it was, if he could have avoided it. But "He concluded with conjuring all his good sub- the torrent was too strong to be resisted by any jects, of what degree or quality soever, by all the direct strength he could raise against it; and "bonds of love, duty, and obedience, that are therefore he resolved to endeavour to divide and precious to good men, to join with him for the reduce them, by the most gracious descending to 66 recovery of the peace of that kingdom, and the their pretended fears and apprehensions; and the preservation of the peace of this; to remove all same day gave them this answer; "That, for the "the doubts and fears which might interrupt their "sad business of Ireland, he could not possibly "affection to him, and all their jealousies and express a greater sense than he had done, there apprehensions, which might lessen their charity being nothing left on his part unoffered, or un"to each other; and then, he said, if the sins "done. For the Tower, he wondered that, hav"of the nation had not prepared an inevitable" ing removed a servant of trust from that charge, judgment for all, God would make him a great and " only to satisfy the fears of the city, and put a glorious king over a free and a happy people."" in another of unquestionable reputation and Though this declaration had afterwards a very good influence upon the people to his majesty's advantage, yet for the present it gave no allay to their distempers. Their seditious ministers were despatched to inflame the neighbour counties, and all possible art was used to inflame the city of London; which prevalied so far, that, notwith- "For the fortifying Whitehall with men and standing all the opposition the lord mayor of "munition in an unusual way, he doubted not, London, the recorder, and the gravest and most they had observed the strange provocation he substantial aldermen could make, the major part" had received to entertain that guard; that, by of the common council prevailed to send a peti- "the disorderly and tumultuous conflux of people tion to the king, in the name of the mayor, al- "at Westminster and Whitehall, his great counci dermen, and common council of the city of Lon-" was not only disquieted, but his own royal per don; which was the next Sunday morning de- son in danger most seditious language being livered to him, with great solemnity, at Whitehall," uttered even under his own windows. And by a number chosen of that body; represent- "any citizens had been wounded, or ill treated ing "the great dangers, fears, and distractions, "he was confidently assured, that it had hap pended by their own evil and corrupt demean"ours. For the fireworks in the hands of a papist, "he knew nothing, nor understood whom, or "what they meant. 66 66 66 66 66 66 "For his going to the house of commons, "when his attendants were no otherwise. armed "than as gentlemen with swords, he was per"suaded, that if they knew the clear grounds, upon which those persons stood accused of high treason, and what would be proved against "them, with which they should be in due time acquainted, and considered the gentle way he "took for their apprehension, (which he preferred "before any course of violence, though that way "had been very justifiable; since it was notoriously known, that no privilege of parliament can extend to treason, felony, or breach of the peace,) they would believe his going thither was an act of grace and favour to that house, and "the most peaceable way of having that necessary "service performed; there being such orders "made for the resistance of what authority soever "for their apprehension: and for the proceedings "against those persons, he ever intended the same "should be with all justice and favour, according "to the laws and statutes of the realm; to the "which all innocent men would cheerfully submit. "And that extraordinary way of satisfying a pe"tition of so unusual a nature, he said, he was "confident would be thought the greatest instance "could be given of his clear intentions to his subjects; and of the singular esteem he had of "the good affections of that city, which he hoped "in gratitude would never be wanting to his just "commands and service." 66 swer. It was no wonder that they, who at such a time could be corrupted to frame and deliver such a petition, would not be reformed by such an anNeither will it be here unseasonable, to spend a little time in considering how the affections and tempers of so rich and opulent a city, which could naturally expect to prosper only by peace and agreement, were wrought upon and transported to that degree, as to be the only instruments of its own and the kingdom's destruction. The city of London, as the metropolis of England, by the situation the most capable of trade, and by the most usual residence of the court, and the fixed station of the courts of justice for the public administration of justice throughout the kingdom, the chief seat of trade, was, by the successive countenance and favour of princes, strengthened with great charters and immunities, and was a corporation governed within itself; the mayor, recorder, aldermen, sheriffs, chosen by themselves; several companies incorporated within the great corporation; which, besides notable privileges, enjoyed lands and perquisites to a very great revenue. By the incredible increase of trade, which the distractions of other countries, and the peace of this, brought, and by the great license of resort thither, it was, since the access of the crown to the king, in riches, in people, in buildings, marvellously increased, insomuch as the suburbs were almost equal to the city; a reformation of which had been often in contemplation, never pursued, wise men foreseeing that such a fulness could not be there, without an emptiness in other places; and whilst so many persons of honour and estates were so delighted with the city, the government of the country must be neglected, besides the excess, and ill husbandry, that would be introduced thereby. But such foresight was interpreted a morosity, and too great an oppression upon the common liberty; and so, little was applied to prevent so growing a disease. As it had these and many other advantages and helps to be rich, so it was looked upon too much of late time as a common stock not easy to be exhausted, and as a body not to be grieved by ordinary acts of injustice; and therefore, it was not only a resort, in all cases of necessity, for the sudden borrowing great sums of money, in which they were commonly too good merchants for the crown, but it was thought reasonable, upon any specious pretences, to void the security, that was at any time given for money so borrowed. So after many questionings of their charter, which were ever removed by considerable sums of money, a grant made by the king in the beginning of his reign, (in consideration of great sums of money,) of good quantities of land in Ireland, and the city of Londonderry there, was avoided by a suit in the star-chamber; all the lands, after a vast expense in building and planting, resumed into the king's hands, and a fine of fifty thousand pounds imposed upon the city. Which sentence being pronounced after a long and public hearing, during which time they were often invited to a composition, both in respect of the substance, and the circumstances of proceeding, made a general impression in the minds of the citizens of all conditions, much to the disadvantage of the court; and though the king afterwards remitted to them the benefit of that sentence, they imputed that to the power of the parliament, and rather remembered how it had been taken from them, than by whom it was restored: so that, at the beginning of the parliament, the city was as ill affected to the court as the country was; and therefore chose such burgesses to sit there, as had either eminently opposed it, or accidentally been oppressed by it. The chief government and superintendency of the city is in the mayor and aldermen; which, in that little kingdom, resembles the house of peers; and as subordinate the common council is the representative body thereof, like the house of commons, to order and agree to all taxes, rates, and such particulars belonging to the civil policy. The common council are chosen every year, so many for every parish, of the wisest and most substantial citizens, by the vestry and common convention of the people of that parish; and as the wealthiest and best reputed men were always chosen, so, though the election was once a year, it was scarce ever known, that any man once chosen was afterwards rejected or left out, except upon discovery of an enormous crime, or decaying in fortune to a bankrupt; otherwise, till he was called to be alderman, or died, he continued, and was every year returned of the common council. After the beginning of this parliament, when they found by their experience in the case of the earl of Strafford, of what consequence the city might be to them, and afterwards found, by the courage of the present lord mayor, sir Richard Gourney, who cannot be too often nor too honourably mentioned, that it might be kept from being disposed by them; and that the men of wealth and ability, who at first had concurred with them, began now to discern that they meant to lead them |