KING CHARLES vindicated, OR, The Grand Cheats OF THE NATION diſcovered.
IT is not unknown (but too notoriouſly known) to the whole world the abuſe of this our once happy Kingdome of England, by a mercinary Souldiery, and ſome few mercinary mens wills, whoſe wills are their Lawes, and what they will (and nothing elſe) ſhall be adjudged Law or reaſon, when indeed all they doe is beyond Law and Reaſon, the fundamentals of all Government, the breach of Liberty, and reſtraint of Conſcience, forcing men to ſwear, to forſwear themſelves, or elſe unjuſtly to forfeit an Eſtate. And if the queſtion be asked, in whom the legiſlative power of the4 Nation at this time reſides, no other can properly be ſo called but the Souldiery, who aſſume to themſelves the Government of all things, doing that they know not what it well meanes, or they pretend to mean that they intend not to do; they ſeem to act, and not onely ſeemingly, but actually do act that which the moſt High is ſaid to do, (that is) to ſet up Kings or Rulers, and pull them down at pleaſure. Firſt a King, then a thing called The Keepers of the Liberty of England (and indeed in one ſenſe they are juſtly ſo called for they keep our Liberties from us.) After that a Protector, and after him another with loud acclamations of joy and congratulations of the people to Crown his inaugeration; yet the Souldiery at this is not well pleaſed, they quickly forget the gifts of mourning, their red coats given them at their Mr. Olivers Funeral, and like the Weather Cock turn with the next wind and depoſe him (who I verily believe ſince our unworthineſs called the other, I mean the late King Charles of famous memory away to receive a reward beyond an earthly Crown, that would have ſetled (with that ſo free choſen Parliament) the Nation in Peace and Happineſſe. But this pleaſed not their humors neither, he muſt out or they muſt down, and he no ſooner out but an aſſumption of Government is taken to themſelves, but not fineding an expedient convenient to their purpoſe, knowing better how to weild a Sword than a Scepter; after a little playing with the Government, they reſigne it into the hands of thoſe blood-hounds (the Rump) who have been the undoing of the Nation, who muſt not rule neither long, for they are called in May and diſſolved again by the Souldiery in October following; after them comes a pittiful Committee of Safety, amongſt whom, and of whom it may be ſaid rake Hell and skim the Divel you could not find ſuch a pack of R — two of the chiefeſt I will not forget to name, Ireton and Tichbourn, alias Tyburn, the laſt5 deſerving for a haſty ſentence by him and others (not many years paſt) pronounced to be hanged at Tyburn, (and the firſt named to receive the ſame puniſhment at the ſame place) His name and the name of that fruitful Tree, differen•ing onely in two letters, ſo that I humbly conceive it his deſtiny, which is not ſo much improbable but a little time may effect: two fellows perfidious, never true to any truſt, two that any man may lead to perpetrate any villanies, two of the chiefeſt Actors in undoing the City, two conſtant revealors of the City Counſels, two who for a little gain are ready to ſell their own ſouls to the Divel, (but I believe they are not now to ſell, but rather ſold long agoe) two whoſe actions never agreed with their pretentions; and laſt of all, two, who accounted themſelves Saints from whom (and all ſuch other pretended Saints) good Lord deliver me and every honeſt man.
Next after this Committee of Safety (who ſate not long) in came the Rump once more, fellows whoſe actions are without parrallel in any Nation. Now under and by what ſpetious pretence this Rump Acted as a Parliament, take in generall Termes, which is, That the late King Charles together with the Houſe of Peers, and themſelves, did Enact that they ſhould not be adjourned, Prorogued, or otherwiſe Diſſolved, unleſs it were by an Act of their own making, well, grant this, they were called by the Kings Writt, and certainly if all Writts in his name ceaſe at his Deceaſe, they muſt likewiſe needs ceaſe to be a Parliament, or if they claime a Power to ſit, by vertue of that Act, why the Houſe of Peers ſecluded? or any of the Members of the Houſe, of Commons, the Act extended as well to one, nay all, as to this Rump: beſides, there is not one tittle mentioned in that Act, to the purpoſe they Act by; that is, that6 the King gave them power by vertue of that Act to take upon them the Government of the Kingdoms after his Deceaſe, to take away his own life, ſeclude the Houſe of Peers, or any of their fellow Members, for the King being Caput principium ad ſinem, no man cannot but conclude, that upon his departing this life the Parliament determined.
But they are pleaſed ſtill to ſit as a Parliament contrary to all Law, for let any man ſhew me where ever a Parliament being Diſſolved as this legally was by the death of the King, that ever had the impudence to ſit and do what they liſted, I muſt confeſs adjourned of themſelves, or by the King that called them prorogued untill a further time, at which time of meeting the King as he pleaſes diſſolves them. But if they will not acknowledge this a Diſſolution you may find one in 1653, for when they underſtood that Oliver the late Protector was reſolved to turn them out of Doors (the which he did with a Title befitting them, Rogues and Whore maſters) they put it to the Vote whether they ſhould ſuffer themſelves to be turned out, or Diſſolve themſelves, it paſt in the affirmative to Diſſolve themſelves, upon which a Diſſolution was recorded not (interruption as they call it) the which if Mr. Scobell their then Clerk durſt, he can (if he pleaſe) juſtifie, or the Records themſelves if ſearch't would make it evident if theſe fellows (I mean the Rump) have not alter'd: the rolle, the which no doubt they would not ſtick to do or make a ſcruple of, more then their often for-ſwearing themſelves.
Next to bring Oliver and their Power into Competition, they ſtick and call it (as I ſaid before) an interruption, to which I put this Query, whether Oliver that diſſolved them, or they that Acted as a Parliament (when7 none) had the moſt & beſt power, to which I anſwer, their power was equall alike, though the Rump may urge Oliver receiving his Commiſſion from them ought to have been obedient to their Commands, to which then I anſwer they being called by the Kings Writt (and choſen by the people for their Repreſentatives in Parliament) was the Kings Servants, & by the Oath of Allegiance bound to be faithfull to the King, more then Oliver to them, for they (according to the Law were Traytors, and thereby incurr'd the penalty of the Law againſt ſuch offenders in taking away their lawfull Soveraigne which Oliver knew very well, and that it was more lawfull for him to diſſolve them, then they to cut off the King's Head, knowing alſo they were Rebells and Traytors in Acting what they did againſt the King, therefore no Legall Power but what ever he Acted againſt them could be no Treaſon, upon which a Queſtion here ariſes, which is, who was Supreame after the death of the King? to which I anſwer, not the Rump, nor Oliver, according to our Laws, the Crown being ſetled Hereditary many Centaries of years before ▪ which without doubt ought ſo ſtill to continue.
But to go further this Rump (as they ſay) being but interrupted and not Diſſolved why did not they as well in Olivers time as the Kings time keep up their power; the King demanded but five of their Members, Oliver and the Army under his Command, firſt gave them a large purge of above two hundred & odd, & afterwards diſſolved all, yet the Kings Legall demand of five Members muſt be voted and adjudged a high breach of the priviledge of Parliament, nay greater then Olivers diſſolving all; And if Olivers interruption (as they call it) of them were no diſſolution, but only an interruption, why then did they allow of, or contribute too, the payment of any duties whatſoever, and declare to the world that they were8 under a force, and that the power which diſſolved or interrupted them were Illegall, and that if any man paid any duties whatſoever, it was in their own wrong; but they were affraid to loſe that which I hope will not be long ere they do loſe their Heads, as but juſt; And if they urge it, was under a force, then likewiſe from thence do I conclude, That the death of the King, the Diſſolution of themſelves, the Power we have been and ſtill are governed by, is a force, a meere force, no leſs, juſt ſo, and therefore an Illegall Power. And to add this one thing more, there were Parliaments in Olivers time, and a Parliament in the late Protector Richards time, and if this Rump that now ſits as a Parliament were then as they ſtill would be a Parliament, 'tis the weakeſt reaſon in the world for any man to ſay (that becauſe they ſate as a Parliament) they only were the ſupream power, which if it were true that this Rump or pretended Parliament were only (according to Law) ever ſince the death of the late King the ſupream power, then they cannot but conclude but that all the actions of Oliver were Treaſon, all the Army Traytors, all proceedings in every or any Court ever ſince Illegall, and moſt part of the Nation involved in Treaſon, amongſt which number of Traytors (according to their own made Supremacy and power) a great many of their own gang may be reckoned in the late Committee of Safety, which being true, why ought not thoſe perſons to receive the reward of their Treaſon openly? as their private crimes made them privately guilty of receiving condign punniſhment.
Now to begin with the grand Quarrell the Parliament had against the King which was of Shipmoney, a thing but juſt, and which they themſelves knows it to be juſt, and that a King being in neceſsity may Legally exact money from his Subjects for his and their juſt defence, a thing the Parliament could themſelves make uſe off, although they denyed it to the King, as the following Summs unjuſtly exacted by the Rump will appear.
- IN Anno 1643 they borrowed a great ſum of money upon the publick faith (which is now a Bankrupt) as you may find in the eighteenth Chapter of their book of Acts.
- In Anno 1645 they borrowed another great ſum of money, chap. 56.
- In Anno 1646, two hundred thouſand pounds more was borrowed upon the Exciſe, chap. 65.
- In Anno 1647 two hundred thouſand pounds more was advanced for the ſervice of England and Ireland, chap. 75 and 79.
- In the ſame year 1647, forty-two thouſand pound more was borrowed and ſecured upon Biſhops Lands, chap. 79.
- In the ſame year 1647, Fifty thouſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured upon Delinquents Eſtates, chap. 102.
- In the year 1648, Two hundred thouſand pounds more was ſecured upon Delinquents Eſtates, chap. 115.
- In the year 1650, Security for another great ſumm of money was advanced for the uſe of the Army and Navy, chap. 11.
- In the ſame year 1650, One hundred and twenty thou10 ſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured by ſale of Mannors, of Rectories and Gleabe Lands, Chapters 29, & 30.
- In the ſame year 1650, Two hundred and fifty thouſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured upon Fee Farme Rents, chap. 47.
- In the year 1651, Two hundred and fifty thouſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured upon other Delinquents Eſtates, chap. 10.
- In the year 1652, Twenty five thouſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured upon the remainder of Fee Farme Rents, chap. 6.
- In the ſame year 1652, Two hundred thouſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured upon other Delinquents Eſtates, Chap. 11.
- In the ſame year 1652, Six hundred thouſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured upon other Delinquents Eſtates, Chap. 23.
- In the ſame year 1652, One hundred thouſand pounds more was borrowed and ſecured upon other Delinquents Eſtates, not contracted for before the firſt of November, 1652, chap. 29.
Theſe particulars I can only name, 'this not being the fifth part of their unjuſt exactions, but if they had had no more, this ſame might very well have been ſufficient, it amounting to two Millions one hundred and ſeaven thouſand pounds, beſides Taxes at one hundred and twenty thouſand pounds per menſem, which annually amounts to one Million four hundred and forty thouſand pounds out right, beſides the Sale of Crown Lands, which in ſeaven years amounts to ten Millions and fourſcore thouſand pounds, the Plate, Jewels of the King Queen and Prince Delinquents Eſtates, Delinquents Compoſitions, Church Revenues, Lead, and Timber Forreſts, Fee Farme Rents, Dea•e and Chapters Lands, the Citizens with their Wives11 Children and Servants free guifts of their Rings, Plate, and Jewels, Thimbles and Botkins, beſides Exciſe and Cuſtome, Tunnage and poundage, which cannot amount to leſs annually then two Millons of money more, beſides all the monies firſt lent, and then doubled upon the publick Faith and their other private exactions, which in all amounts to ſo much or more as would puzle the beſt Arethmetitian in Europe to bring into one groſs ſumm, and a thing that if they themſelves were called to give an account of they could not do it, or if they could, I do verily beleive they would not, and now that I have ſhewed you a thing to be adviſed how all this money was ſo unjuſtly exacted and paid, I ſhall here preſent to your view how ſome part of it was diſpoſed, and if truth were known, the moſt of it went the ſame way; all the deeds theſe fellows ever aimed at, tending to the inriching themſelves, and impoveriſhing the Nation, as by the following Catalogue may appear, of whom William Lenthall ſhall lead the Van.
William Lenthall Speaker to this Parliament, had two thouſand pounds given him at one time, ſix thouſand pounds at another time, beſides places of truſt he held and enjoyed, worth to him above twenty thouſand pounds per annum; And he likewiſe had of every Gentleman that made his Compoſition at Gold-Smiths-Hall five pounds (at which ſome perſons make a but) but if he had no more it was very fair, for the books will ſhew you that there was above four ſcore thouſand perſons, who compounded, which at five pound a man Lenthall received, it came to above four hundred thouſand pounds clear into his Pocket.
- Edmond Prideaux had places given him worth12 ſeaven thouſand and two hundred pounds per annum.
- The Earle of Warwick a place worth five thouſand pounds per annum.
- Sr. Gilbert Gerrard had gratuities and places worth threeſcore thouſand pounds.
- Bulstrode Whitlock had given him the place of one of the Commiſſioners of the Great Seal, worth 1500 pound per annum.
- Alderman Pennington had given him ſeaven thouſand pound, and ſtore of Biſhops Lands.
- One Thomas Pury three thouſand pounds.
- Iohn Selden five thouſand pounds, of which he received two thouſand five hundred.
- Sir Benjamin Rudyard five thouſand pounds.
- Sir Iohn Hipſley two thouſand pounds.
- Benjamin Valentine five thouſand pounds.
- Sir Henry Heyman five thouſand pounds.
- Denzill Hollis five thouſand pounds.
- Nathaniel Bacon three thouſand pounds.
- Iohn Stevens one thouſand pound.
- Robert Reynolds two thouſand pound, &c:
But becauſe I would not make my Narration too tedious, I thought good to abreviate in naming every Particular mans name, to whom their liberality of other mens moneys and Eſtates was given, & tell you the ſumm of their guifts is as uneaſie to be numbred, as all the particular perſons on whom their guifs were beſtowed, but I leave you to judge how handſomly your monies was beſtowed13 and that if Lenthall the Speaker got four hundred thouſand pounds at five pound every man that Compounded, the Gentlemens monies the Parliament receiv'd could not but amount to Millions.
But if his late Majeſty had uſed that ſeverity he did lenity, he had done well to have lop't the heads of the Monſters off, and adventured to have ſeen them prove a Hydra's, I ſhall conclude upon this, that if Lenthall the Speaker were ask't this Queſtion, whether they that ſat as a Parliament (without their fellow Members) by Law were a Parliament, I queſtion whether he would make any anſwer, or I challeng him to vindicate it if he can, and free him and themſelves from the Calumny, and oblique that was caſt upon them. But where there is guilt in the Conſcience, there ſilence confeſſes the fact; and they knowing their own guilt made them ſo ſilent; Let them hugg to themſelves what fancies they pleaſe,14 they may be miſtaken, God is juſt, and knew all their ſecret Actings and Councells, and no doubt but the Innocent blood that they have ſhed, and cauſed to be ſhed, will light upon them and their poſterities heads, as it did upon the blind Jews for Crucifying our Innocent Saviour, to tell of all their Villanies would ſwell into a larger Volume, then would in a good ſpace of time be well read, as alſo of their ſeverall breaches of Faith and Oaths both to God & man, their diſſembling Hypocriſie, blinding the people with the ſpetious pretences of Liberty and Religion, when indeed the whole they aimed at, was other mens Eſtates to maintaine their Pride, Luxury, and Ambition. This have I writ for a pre-caution to all true-hearted Engliſh men to have a care of their next Election of Members, and that theſe fellows be ſet apart as the Wolves from the15 ſheep, that thereby once more we may have cauſe to call our ſelves the happy Kingdome of England,
For which the Author ſhall daily Pray.