Per maximam amicitiam, maxima fallendi copia, Salust. Jug.
IT was one of his policies, out of whose actions sprang many of the Florentine Axiomes; to give most assurance of his faith & friendship to those men, whom he first meant to deceive, and dispoile of their Estates: those therefore, that upon such trust, disarm themselves, and put their swords into the others hands, and guilty (through their foolish credulity) of their own proper ruine, & all that then can be done, is to lament, & say (when it is too late) this was perfidiousness in them, & madnesse in us: and therfore wise men know, pacem & conditones abn [...]ebant diserimen ac dedecus ostentan [...]os, & fidem in libidine victor [...], Tacit, hist. 3. When Ʋalentinois had no other probable way to surprize the Dukedome of Vrbine, he comes to the Confines of Pe [...]ugia and treaets with Guidobald [...], the present Duke, pretending to joyne with him against the common Enemy: A truce was made between them, Ʋalen [...]inois enters, secures his Artillery, and disaim [...] the Duke, and forces the souldiers to assist him against Oagly, a town of the Dutch [...], takes that, and in short space after all the rest of the State: except only the forces of St. Leo. and Majuolo, the poore Duke with his nephew the Provost of Rome, being forced to flee the Country, in Peasants attire.
Againe, after Valentinous had effected this exployt, he sets upon Camerin [...]: makes Iulio, Davarano, Lord there of believe, that he [...]ill yeeld to some good composition with him, [...] comes to him to treat of the accord, during the treaty, he with his two Sonnes, and the whole Towne is supprised; this done he presently strangleth the Father, and the Children, and tyrannies over the Souldiers and Inhabitants,
The Parliament desire peace as earnestly, and really, as their soules can lay out for it, but (in actions of warr especially) Cit [...] venit pereulam cum contemnitur. And therefore the Parliament must looke before them, lest [...]uey stumble, and behind them, least they be overtaken, and on either side, which way soever it cometh we never was in greater Perill, then when by treaties we have been flattered to [...]eare it least, wherefore upon a parley, or overture we must not be secure, but stand upon our guards (if we expect safety) as in times of greatest defyance; least we suffer like Fabritiô Colonua, who treating with Count Gaiazz [...], the [...] in Capua, upon expectation of a present accord; [...] and slack guard upon the walls, which they without [...] opportunity of being greedy of the spoyle; gaue a [...]odaine [...] rious assault, carried the place, socked it, and tooke th [...]se [...] ners which scaped massacre.
Many plots have been invented against this City and Kingdo [...], & they never tooke more then in times of treaty, and to [...] them now, the Parliament can do no lesse then keepe the Enemy out of our quarters, especially those who playd so foule before, least we suffer like Pazzi, the Flowrentive Commissary, who though he had a faire Itum, that divers principall men in the City had secretly conspired with Vitellozza, to betray Arazzo, wh [...] he then was; yet would not believe that the hearts of so many, as should be able to affect it, could be poysoned with so pestilent a venum of treason, he perswades himselfe that the Authority of the name publike, would supply his neede in what he wanted and so by suffering those Malignan [...]s to remaine, and not wis [...]ly providing to keepe them downe; they comply with Vitell [...]zza: and i [...] tumult [...] rise in Armes rescue the Captives out of prison, secure Pazzi and his Officers, and set open the gates to Vitellozza; who thereby becomes compleate Conquerors of Arezz [...], to whom the [Page 5]souldiers become prisoners, the Inhabitants slaves, and their estates plundered. These examples, and many more which might be alleged may give us to understand the danger of treating with an Enemy, or suffering them to remaine in our quarters.
And whereas his Majestie offers to treate himselfe in person with the Parliament, names a militia; and nominates other perticulars, and makes many plausible expressions: they looke into his actions to see if they be congruent, as in things we have, so in those we do, each hath his proper tryall, to prove the excellency thereof in his kinde, [...]timà institutiò experentià, gould by the [...]ast, the Diamant by his hardnesse, Pearle by his water: so the best discoverours of mens minds are their actions, the best director of actions is Councell, and the experience, the Parliament: therefore observe by what Councell his Majesty is led, and by lamentable experience finde.
1. That thereby much innocent blood hath been shed by those who have command, and Commission from his Majesty, by which authority ye tooke up Armes, and remaine in an hostile way against the Parliament, many Irish Rebells have been brought into this Kingdome? as Grady, divers of the Butlers, Collonel O [...]eale, that brake out of the Towne; and many hundreds more received into his Maj. Army; and forces, and Garisons kept against the Parliament in severall places of the Kingdome.
2. The like also hath been and still is done in Scotland, many Irish Rebells and other frraaigne forces, and notorious Papists are in Armes against the Parliament of Scotland, Montr [...]e Mag [...] [...]ell and others, Margues H [...]n [...]ley a notorious P [...]pist, severall times Irish have been transported thither.
3. Had the Parliament had the command of Dublin; and other parts kept against them by the Marques of O [...]d, and others by authority from the King, and the English sent thither not called back; nor reliefe sent to those that stayd been kept from them; Ireland might have been reduced before this, but now the Lord Harbert of Ragland that Popish insendiary is gone over thither from the King, to receive a great command, and a nuntio from the Pope, about trading for Ireland arrived, as you may see by this following paper, subscribed by the Lord Inthiquins one hand; a Gentleman of Heroy [...]ke worth, one that deserves much honour; for his well managing of the affaires of that Kingdome within his limits
A Copy of the Lord Inchiquin [...] Paper, con [...] ning the proceedings of the Popes [...] with the Rebels in Ireland.
THere is lately an old Serp [...] (a Limb of the [...] under his Holiness [...], cals himself the [...] of the Apostolique Sea to the confederate Catholique (and is by [...] [...] led Arch-Bishop and Pry [...] of Jerman [...]) arrived in [...] [...] ed to keep life and vigor in the [...] Rebellion [...] to ingage the people of the [...] the Pope His repute for safety (which must ever [...] the [...] his [...]) [...], that the miserable [...] people fall down and worship [...] wayes, and settle themselv [...] [...] their adoration [...] he comes within [...] of [...] and thought, [...] are naturally blind, very [...] beg his benediction, [...] [...]ever [...] so [...] sight of him: He hath brought with him (as is said) [...] D [...] kets in Gold, and Arme [...] for 10000, Horse and Foot, [...] for the relief of the Irish, and [...] of the W [...]re, [...] and they agree upon the Bill of Bargain and Sale of this Kingdom. It is [...], that his arrivall may advantage more their prejudice our [...]oceedings; for that the Irish [...]re thereby so [...] with prid [...] and arrogancie, as that they stand in higher [...] then ever with the Marquesses [...]ouching a Peace, which [...] confidently hope will never be [...]ffected.
I have not any thing at present that may [...] your [...] trouble And therefore I take leave, and remain
Now for these, and other reasons, it is not thought convenient to treat at all, not that it cannot possibly conduce [...] [...]ce, and that for these Reasons:
I. If his Majesty should come thus to London, he should put himself into the capacity of an Enemy, which might much amaze the minds of the people, to see his Majesty in such a condition amongst us.
II. When the people should hear, that after those few dayes of his Majesties being here, He would return again and leave Us they would be so impatient, as that they would be hardly quelled, but with great insurrections, and much discontents.
III. Except there be some assurance that his Majesty will conc [...]re with Them, it is of great disadvantage to the Parliament, to admit of a Personall Treaty, with his Majesty.
IV. To grant his Majesty (once co [...]ng hither) leave to returne again in an Hostile way against the Parliament, after a few dayes Treaty was to make things far worse, and the Kingdome further from a capacity of Peace, then now it is with us.
Since the Kings last Letter, there came to our hands a Paper from a person of quality, which is thought fit to be here inserted.
IT is thought the King had rather he at Guild Hall, then at Westminster Hall, had rather be a [...] th [...]n an Englishman, a [...] he will [...] what you will, and where [...] him [...] to passe his designes; the [...] and will not sacrifice the publike to have their debts assured, our Brethren know him too well to trust to wh [...] she [...] and [...] of will in them to us, they helped us at a need and will never dishonour their Nation by a misdeed, the Presbiterians [...] so [...] to have their way Iure Divi [...] [...] of their Iudgement, upon any complyance of the Kings, I must professe my selfe to be a Presbiterian, but not ridged, yet I thinke that Independents may fight for us, [...] principles, to lay downe their [...] Authority whatsoever they should be there unto required, the Kingdome hath found them trusty, faithfull and valiant, in the performance of that trust, they will discharge a good conscience, and therefore can the more cheerfully bear any aspersion.
Dat. Ian. 3. 1645.
The Parliament have debated about the sending of Proposition to the King, and have agreed upon such Propositions, as they conceive to bee the onely meanes for the preparing a sale and wellgrounded Peace, and that for these Reasons;
I. The Kings Signing of those Bills, give satisfaction and security to both the Kingdomes; That His Majesties coming hither is for Peace, and the good of His People, in giving His Royall assent to what the Parliament of England and Scotland, for that purpose, present unto His Majesty.
II. His Majesty will hereby make the strongest Union between the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland that can be, which is already made by a Covenant with the God of Heaven, by the Parliament and the People, and wants nothing but His Majesties assent.
III. Religion will hereby be setled, all Popery and Superst [...] on utterly cast out, the Church Reformed, and pure Religion [...] blished.
IV. His Majesty may come then to His Parliament with joy, and be received of His People with love and meeknesse, and have the glory, to be accompted by His People (as is acknowledged by His Parliament) to be a principall Instrument in so good a Work.
V. His Majesty may have a reall and sincere Parliament to advise with for the safety of His Person, State, and Kingdomes, and such as will be firme to His Majesty, for the good of Himselfe and Posterity, Church, and People, and settle the Kingdome in [...] Posture, as will keepe Us under safe and well grounded Peace.
Wee hope His Majesty will hearken to His Parliament.
Here followeth the Copies of the King severall Messages, and Letters, and the Parliaments Answers thereunto.
The Kings Majesties first, [...]essage, or Letter to the Parliament, sent from Sir Thomas Glemham by a Trumpet, about a Treaty by Commissioners.
HIs Majesty being [...]ill deeply sensible of the continuation of this bloody and unnaturall warre, cannot thinke himself discharged of the [...] to God, and the affection and regard he hath to the prese [...]ation of his People, without the constant application of his ca [...]hest endeavours to [...]nd some expedient for the speedy ending of these un [...]appy [...], if it may be, Doth therefo [...] desire, that a [...] of Richm [...]nd, [...] the Earle [...] [...], Iohn [...], and [...] Erse [...]ires, and their Atte [...]dants, with Coaches, Hors [...]s, and other accommodations for their journey to Westminst [...] [...]uring the [...] stay there, and [...]eturne [...] whom His Majesty intends to [...] th [...] [...] assembled in the Parl [...]ament of [...]ing [...]and at Westminster, and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, furnished with such Propos [...]ions as His Majesty is conside [...] will be [...]he foundation of a happy and well grounded [...]
Decemb. 5 164 [...] Given at the Court at Oxford. For the Speaker of the House of [...] pro tempore.
The Parliaments Answer to the Kings first Letter, sent by a Tru [...]p [...]er to Sir Thomas Glemham Governour of Oxford.
WE have rec [...]ved [...] Letter of the [...]. of this instant December, with His Majesties hand [...]closed, and have sent back your [...] by command of both Houses, who will with all [Page 8]convenient speed return an Answer to his Majesty: and rest For Sir [...]
The Kings Maiesties second Message to the Parliament, in [...] secution of the [...].
HIs Majesty cannot but extremely wo [...]dee, that after so many expressions on your part, of a deep and [...] sense of the miseries of this afflicted Kingdome, and of the dangers incident to his [...] the [...] of this unnatuall war, your many great and so [...] stations, that the raising of those Armies hath been only for the necessary defence of Gods true Religion, His Majesties honour, safety and property, the peace, [...] and security of his People, you should [...] a safe Conduct [...] the persons mentioned in his Majesties Message of the [...] this instant December, which are to be sent unto you with Propositions for a well-grounded peace, a thing so far from [...] been denied at any time by his Majesty, [...] desired the same, that he believes hath been seldome (if ever) practised among the most [...] and professed enemies, much lesse from Subjects to their King: But his Majesty is resolved, that no discouragment [...] ever shall make him falle of his part, in doing his [...] put an end to these calamities, which if not in time prevented, must prove the ruine of this unhappy Nation: and therefore [...] once againe desire, that [...] for those persons [...] in his former Message, and doth [Page 9]therefore consure you, as you will answer to almighty God in that day when he shall make inquisition for all the bloud that hath and may be spilt in this un [...]aturall Warre, as you tender the preservation and establishment of the true Religion, by all the bonds of duty and allegiance to your King, or compassion to your bleeding and unhappy Countrey, and of charity to your selves, that you dispose your selves to a true sense, and imploy your hearts, and all your faculties, in a most serious endeavour, together with his Majesty, to set a speedy end to these wasting divisions, and then he shall not doubt but that God will yet againe give a blessing of peace to this now distracted Nation.
Given at Oxford the 15. of December. 1645.
For the Speaker of the House of Peeres pro [...].
The Parliaments compleat Answer to both his Majesties former Letters, which was sent by Sir Peter Killegrew.
THe Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England as W [...]stminster, have received your Letters of the fifth and fifteenth of this [...] December; and having, together with the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, taken the same into their serious consideration, d [...] humbly returns this Answer.
They have in all their actions manifested to your Majestie and the world, their sincere and earnest desires, that a safe & well-gro [...]inded peace might be setled in your three Kingdomes, and for the obtaining so great a blessing, shall ever pray to God, and use their utmost endeavours, and beseech your Majestie to beleeve, that their not sending a more speedy answer, hath not proceeded from any intention to retard the [...]ane [...] of putting an end to these present calamities by a happi [...] peace, but hath [...] o [...] casioned by the considerations and debates necessari [...] in a [...] of so great importance, wherein both Kingdomes are so much concerned.
As to your Majesties desire of a safe [...] for the [...]ing hither of the Duke of Richmond, the Earle of Southampton, John Ashburnham, [Page 10] and [...], with [...] happie and [...] They [...] been made [...] under the pre [...]ence of peace, and [...] [...] ved [...] cannot give way to a safe conduct, [...] ding to your [...] desire: But both Houses of the Parliament of England, having now under their consideration Pro [...]tions, and [...] for the setling of a safe and well [...], which are [...] [...] to the [...] of the King [...] of Scotl [...]nd, doresolve after [...] King [...]mes, to pr [...]sens [...] all [...].
The Kings Majesties third Lester being the first Messiage [...] [...] Treatie with the Parli [...]ment.
NOtwithstanding the strange and unexpected delayes which can be presidented by no former times to his Majesties two former Messages, his Majestie will lay aside all expostulations, [...] serving to loose [...], then to contribute [...] remedie to the evills which [...] the present do afflick this distrected Kingdom; therefore without [...] ther preamble, his Majestie thinks it most necessarie to send these [...] positions thi [...] way, which he intended to do by the persons mentioned in his former Message, though he well knowes the great disadvantage which overtures of this kind have by the want of being accompanied by well i [...]structed Messengers.
His Majestie conceiving that the former Treaties have bither to proved, ineffectuall, chiefly for want of power in those persons that [...] ted, as likewise because those from whom their power [...] derived (not possibly having the particular informations of ever [...]e severall debate) could not give so cleare a judgement as was requisite in so important a businesse; it therefore His Majestie may have the ingagement of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, the Commissione [...]s of the Parliament of Sentland, the Mayor, Aldermen, Common-Councell, and Militia of London, of the chiefe [...] of [...] Thomas Fairfax his Army, and also of those in the Scots Army for [Page 11]his Majesties safe and free coming and abo [...]d in London, or Westminster, with such of his servants now attending him, and their followers, not exceeding in all the number of 300 for the space of 40. daies, and after the said time for his free and safe repaire to any of his Garrisons of Oxford, Worcester, or Newark, which his Majestie shall nominate at any time before his going from London or Westminster; His Majestie propounds, to have a personall Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, and the Commissioners of the Parli [...]ment of Scotland upon all matters which may conduce to the restoring of peace, and happinesse, to these miserable distracted Kingdoms, and to begin with the three heads which were treated on at Vxbridge, and for the better clearing of his Majesties earnest and sincer [...] intentions of putting an end to these unn [...]turall distractions, knowing that point of security may prove the greatest obstacle to this most blessed worke. His Majestie therefore declates, that he is willing to commit the great trust of the Militia of this Kingdome for such [...], and with such powers [...] are exprest in the paper, delivered by his Majesties Commissioners at Vxbridge, the 6. of Februarie last, to these persons following, viz. the Lord Privy Se [...]e, Duke of Richmond, Ma [...]quisse of Hartford, Marquisse of Dorchester, Earl of Dorset Lord Chamber [...]in, the Ear [...] of Nor [...]humberland, the Earle of Essex, Earle of Southampton, Earle of Pembroke, Earle of Salisbury, Earle of Manchester, Earle of Warwick, Earle of Denbigh, Earle of Chichester, the Lord Say. Lord Seymour. Lord Lucas, Lord [...]ppington, Mr. Denzill Holl [...], Mr. Pierpoy [...], M. Henry Bell [...]ssis, M. Richard Spencer, Sir Thomas Fairfa [...], M. John Ashburnham, Sir G [...]rvase Cliston, Sir H. Vane jun. M. Robert Wallo [...], Mr. Thomas Chickley, Mr. Oliver Cromwell, and Mr. Philip Skippon; supposing that these are persons against whom there can be to just exceptions: But it this do not satisfie, then his Majestie off [...]s to name the on halfe, and leaves the other to the election of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, with the powers of limitation before mentioned. Thus his Majestie cals God and the world to witnesse of his sincere intentions and reall endeavours, for the composing and fetting of these miserable distractions, which he doubts not (but by the blessing of God) will soone be put to an happie conclusion, i [...] this his Majesti [...] offer be accepted; otherwayes he leaves all the world to judge, who are the contrivers of this unnaturall war. And therefore he once more conjures you, by all the bonds of dutie which you owe [Page 12]God and your King, to have so gret a compassion on the [...] mis [...]rable estate of your Countrey, that you joyn your most [...] heartie endeavours with his Majesty, to put a happie and [...] to these present miseries.
Given at the Court of Oxford Decemb. 26. 1645.
For the Speaker of the House of Peeres, pro [...]empore, to be comm [...] cated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland.
The Kings Majesties fourth message in prosecution of the [...] personall Treatie with the Parliament, [...] by Sir P. Killegrew.
ALthough the message sent by Sir Peter Killegraw may justly [...] [...] answer, yet his Majestie layes that aside, [...] proper for [...] present ende [...]vours, leaving all the world [...] his propasitions for a persinall Treatie, or the flat [...] of a safe [...] for persons to begin a Treatie, be greater signes of a reall [...] peace, and shall now only [...]sist upon his former message of the [...] of [...] December: That upon his repair to Westoninfter, be [...] not but [...] joyn his [...]d [...]avours with his Houses of Parliament, as to give just [...] ction, not only concerning the bufinesse of Ireland, [...] also [...] of away for the payment of the publike de [...]s, as well to the [...] the Citie of London, as others; and as already [...] [...] for setling of the Militia, so he shall carefully [...] particulars, that none shall have cause [...] for [...] whereby just jealousies may arise to hinder the [...] [...]; and certainly, this prop [...]sition of a persionall [...] have entred into his Majesties thoughts, if [...] had not [...], to [...] to all the world, that the publike good and [...] of [...] [...] is far deaner to him, them the respect of any particular [...] wherefore none can [...]ppose this motion, without a [...] that he particularly en [...]ies his Majestie should be [...] Author [...] blessed a work, be [...]ides the declaring himselfa a direct Opposer of [...] pie peace of th [...]se Nations. To [...] will not [...] [...] and specious [...] brought [...] publike test, and those [...] reall sense, and [...] the miseries [...] their bleading Countrey, let them spe [...]dily and [...] his Majesties proposition for his personal [...] at West [...] ster, [Page 13]which (by the blessing of God) will undoubtedly to these now distracted Kingdomes, restore the happinesse of a long [...]ish [...] for and lasting [...].
Given at the Court at Oxford, the nine and twentieth day of December, 1645.
For the Speaker of the House of Pe [...]es pr [...]tempore, to be communicated to the two Houses of Parli [...]ment at Westminster, and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland.
The Parliaments complete Answer to His Majesties two laft Letters.
VVE your humble and loyall Subjects of both Kingdomes have received your Letters of the 26. and 29. of December last, unto which we humbly returne this Answer [...] That there hath been no deby on our parts, but what was necessarie in [...] businesse of so great [...] consequence, as is exprest in our formet Letter to your [...] Conceming the personall Treatie desired by your Majestie, there [...] [...]ing been so much innocen [...]bloud of your good Subjects shed in this [...], by your Majesties Commands and Commissions, [...] brought over into both Kingdomes, and inde [...]vours to bring over more, both of them, as also Forces from forraigne parts, your Majestie being in Armes in these parts, and the Prince in the head of an Army in the West, divers townes made Garrisons, and kept in hostility by your Majestie, against the Parliament of England; there being also forces in Scotland, against that Parliament and Kingdome, by your Majesties Commission, the w [...]rre in Ireland [...]o mented and prolonged by your Majestie, whe [...]eby the three Kingdomes are brought neare to [...]ter ruine, and destruction. We conceive, that untill satisfaction and secutitie be first given to both your Kingdomes, your Majesties coming hither cannot be convenient, not by us assented unto, neither can we apprehend it a means conducing to peace, that your Majesty should come to your Parliament for a few daies, with anie thoughts of leaving it, especially with intentions of returning to hostility against it; and we do obferve, that your Majestie desires the ing [...]gement, not [Page 14]onely of your Parliaments, but of the Lord Mayor, [...] mon Counsell, and Militia, of the City of London, the [...] ders of Sir Tho. Fair faxe's Army, and those of the Scots Army, which is against the Priviledges and Honours of the Parliaments, [...] being joyned with them, who are subject and subordinate to [...] authority.
That which your Majestie (against the freedome of the Parliaments) inforces in both your Letters, with many carnest expressions, [...] if in no other way, then that propounded by your Majestie, the peace of your Kingdoms could be established, your Majestie may please to remember, that in our last Letter we did declare, that Propositions from both Kingdomes were speedily to be sent to [...] Majestie, which we conceive to be the onely way for the attaining a happie and well-grounded peace, and your Majesties assent unto those Propositions will be an effectuall meanes for giving satisfaction and [...] your Kingdome, will assure a firm [...] between the two Kingdome [...] [...] much desired by each for other, as for themselves) and, settle Re [...]gion, and secure the peace of the Kingdom of Scotland, whereof [...] so much as mentioned in your [...] Letter.
And [...]n proceeding according to those just and, [...] for the putting an end to the bleeding calamities of these Nations, [...] Majestie may have the glorie to be a principall instrument in so [...] [...] and we (however mis-interpreted) shall approve [...] God and the World to be reall and sincere in seeking a safe and [...] peace.