THe Subjects of Eng­land hath more di­stractions and cros­ses befalne them now of late, then any Subjects that are governed by any Prince in the vast world, for never was Subject so tor­mented with feares, as now, and all within our selves, being at peace with all Nations, have wee had so long a time of glorious peace, that we are now growne weary of it: Oh woe be [Page] to those creatures that are Enemies to the peace? Who may wee name these to be, but the malignant party, which ever since this present Parliament as­sembled, have sought the utter ruine and distruction of them and the whole Kingdome. This malignant party, are those which are adherents to the See of Rome, otherwise their proceedings and actions could never be so vehement against the true Protestants of this Kingdome, as may appeare by the acti­ons of Mr. Henry Hastings, and divers others, who contrary to the Parliaments command, sought all waies possible might be, to hinder the proceedings of the Militia, to the great feare and terror of the Subjects in those Coun­tries, the which hath caused many troubles and distractions to arise in this Kingdome.

Therefore the Parliament out of their judicious care, taking the actions of those persons into consideration, [Page] thought it a greae breach of Sr. Hen­ry Hastings, to come with so many ar­med men into Liecester-shire, to the great amazment and terror of the whole County, and that it was a bold attempt of them to presume so farre to proclaime himselfe high Sheriffe, likewise to proclaime the Earle of Stamford Traitor, it being a great abuse to his Honourable person, whose name is made glorious to the whole world.

Therefore they resolved to draw up a Charge against him for his high mis­demeanors, which having done, the said House sent up to the Lords, to have a conference therein, and after some debate, it was read and assented to, wherein they resolved that the said Mr. Hastings should be forthwith sent for to answer to those particulars which they had laid to his charge.

Also the Parliament having taken into consideration the high Crimes, and misdemeanors which the Earle [Page] of Lindsey, and the Lord Savill, have committed since their going to Yorke, resolved and concluded, that if his Majesty denied their comming, as he did Becket the great Papist of Yorke, which report the Messenger that went for the said Becket, related to the house, how that the Cavaleers rescued him from him, and after he had his priso­ner restored againe to him, by the meanes of the Committee at Yorke, was afterward sent for to his Majesty, and Answer returned, that when the Par­liament gave him Iustice against Sir Iohn Hotham, he would deliver Becket to them, then there was a conference with the Commons, at which they mo­ved the Lords to joyne with them in sending for the said two Lords, and if they were refused as was Bec­ket, to fetch them by force, and that both Houses would take into conside­ration, what is fitting to be done, for the security of the whole Kingdome, [Page] and the contempt of the Orders of Parliament, to which the Lords a­greed there being a Committee of 14. Lords and 34. of the House of Commons appointed for the same purpose.