Part 1

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PURITANISM AND LIBERTY

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PURITANISM AND LIBERTY (1603--1660)

Compiled by

KENNETH BELL, M.A.

Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford

Third Edition

London G. Bell and Sons, Ltd. 1915

INTRODUCTION

This series of English History Source Books is intended for use with any ordinary textbook of English History. Experience has conclusively shown that such apparatus is a valuable--nay, an indispensable--adjunct to the history lesson. It is capable of two main uses: either by way of lively illustration at the close of a lesson, or by way of inference-drawing, before the textbook is read, at the beginning of the lesson. The kind of problems and exercises that may be based on the documents are legion, and are admirably illustrated in a _History of England for Schools_, Part I., by Keatinge and Frazer, pp. 377-381. However, we have no wish to prescribe for the teacher the manner in which he shall exercise his craft, but simply to provide him and his pupils with materials hitherto not readily accessible for school purposes. The very moderate price of the books in this series should bring them within the reach of every secondary school. Source books enable the pupil to take a more active part than hitherto in the history lesson. Here is the apparatus, the raw material: its use we leave to teacher and taught.

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S E. WINBOLT. KENNETH BELL.

NOTE TO THIS VOLUME

(1603-1660)

I have to acknowledge, with thanks to Messrs. Longmans, Green and Co., leave to reprint the letter to Buckingham, given on p. 25 of this book, from the edition of the Works of Francis Bacon (edited by Ellis Spedding and Heath); to Professor Firth and the Clarendon Press, Oxford, leave to reprint the passage from Ludlow's "Memoirs," given on p. 80 of this book; and to Professor Firth, leave to reprint the passage from his edition of the "Clarke Papers," given on pp. 81-84. These passages add very greatly to any value which the book may possess, and I am most grateful for permission to use them.

K. N. B.

HAMPSTEAD, _June, 1912_.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION v

1603. COKE AND RALEIGH _State Trials_ 1

1603. JAMES AT HAMPTON COURT _State Trials_ 3

JAMES I. ON MONARCHY _Somers' "Tracts"_ 4

1605. THE VENETIAN AMBASSADOR ON GUNPOWDER PLOT _Venetian State Papers_ 5

1606. ARGUMENTS IN BATES' CASE _State Trials_ 8

1609. THE ULSTER PLANTATION _Irish State Papers_ 10

1615 (_circa_). RELIGION IN RURAL ENGLAND "_Life of Richard Baxter_" 11

1618. THE DECLARATION OF SPORTS _Harleian Miscellany_ 13

THE POSITION OF THE JUDGES _Bacon's "Essays"_ 16

1620. THE VOYAGE OF THE "MAYFLOWER" _Bradford's "History of Plymouth Plantation"_ 17

1621. UNEMPLOYMENT "_Diary of Walter Yonge_" 19

1621. PROTESTATION OF THE COMMONS _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 20

1621. THE LORD TREASURER'S _Goodman, "Court of DIFFICULTIES James I."_ 21

1622. PROCLAMATION FOR RELIEF OF THE POOR _Rymer, "Fœdera"_ 22

1622. PROCLAMATION AGAINST WASTE OF COIN _Rymer, "Fœdera"_ 24

1623. BACON TO BUCKINGHAM _Bacon's "Letters"_ 25

1623. QUEEN OF BOHEMIA'S POPULARITY _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 26

1624. BUCKINGHAM TO THE KING _Ellis's "Original Letters"_ 27

1624. A VINDICATION OF NEW ENGLAND _Bradford's "History of Plymouth Plantation"_ 25

1626. IMPEACHMENT OF BUCKINGHAM _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 31

1628. THE COMMONS IN TEARS _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 32

1628. THE PETITION OF RIGHTS _Somers' "Tracts"_ 34

1629. THE CASE OF RICHARD CHAMBERS _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 38

1629. PROCLAMATION TO THE EASTLAND COMPANY _Rymer, "Fœdera"_ 39

CHILLINGWORTH ON TOLERATION _"The Religion of the Protestants"_ 41

1633. THE CHURCH OF GEORGE HERBERT _Herbert's "Poems"_ 42

1630-1640. HAPPY ENGLAND _Clarendon's "History of the Rebellion"_ 43

1634-1636. WENTWORTH IN IRELAND "_Strafford's Letters and Despatches_" 47

1633. LAUD TO WENTWORTH "_Works of William Laud_" 50

1637. THE SHIP MONEY CASE _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 52

1638. LILBURNE'S PUNISHMENT _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 53

1641. STRAFFORD'S BILL OF ATTAINDER _Harleian Miscellany_ 54

1641. STRAFFORD'S LAST LETTER TO THE KING _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 55

1641. THE KING'S ANSWER TO THE GRAND REMONSTRANCE _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 57

"ROUNDHEADS" "_Memoirs of Colonel Hutchinson_" 61

1642. A NATIONAL FAST "_Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum_" 62

1642. THE GOOD YEOMAN _Fuller's "Holy State"_ 63

1642. EXPERIENCES OF A VOLUNTEER _Domestic State Papers_ 65

1643. CROMWELL TO CRAWFORD "_Cromwell's Letters and Speeches_" 68

1643. WALLER TO HOPTON _Clarendon State Papers_ 69

1644. THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY _R. Baillie's "Letters and Journals"_ 70

1644. MILTON ON LIBERTY _Milton's "Prose Works"_ 72

1645. MONTROSE TO CHARLES I. "_Memorials of Montrose_" 75

1646. CHARLES AND HENRIETTA MARIA _Camden Society's Publications_ 79

1646. CROMWELL AND LUDLOW "_Ludlow's Memoirs_" 80

1647. AN ARMY DEBATE "_The Clarke Papers_" 81

1647. THE AGREEMENT OF THE PEOPLE _British Museum Pamphlets_ 84

1649. THE SENTENCE ON THE KING _Rushworth, "Collections"_ 87

1649. CHARLES I.'S CHARACTER _Clarendon, "History of the Rebellion"_ 88

1649. THE DIGGERS _Whitelocke, "Memorials"_ 91

1649. THE STORMING OF DROGHEDA "_Cromwell's Letters and Speeches_" 93

1651. THE NAVIGATION ACT "_Acts and Ordinances of the Interregnum_" 95

1651. HOBBES ON LIBERTY _Hobbes' "Leviathan"_ 97

1652. A BATTLE WITH THE DUTCH _British Museum Pamphlets_ 99

1653. CROMWELL AND THE RUMP "_Cromwell's Letters and Speeches_" 101

1653. THE INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT "_Old Parliamentary History_" 102

1653. THE CHOICE OF A HUSBAND "_Dorothy Osborne's Letters_" 106

1653. A PRESBYTERIAN VIEW OF THE TRIERS "_Reliquæ Baxterianæ_" 107

1643-1658. CROMWELLIAN SAYINGS "_Cromwell's Letters and Speeches_" 109

1654. GEORGE FOX THE QUAKER "_Journal of George Fox_" 115

1657. KILLING NO MURDER _Harleian Miscellany_ 118

CHARACTER OF CROMWELL "_Warwick's Memoirs_" 119

PURITANISM AND LIBERTY

1603-1660

COKE AND RALEIGH (1603).

=Source.=--_State Trials._ Vol. ii., p. 25.

_Serjeant Philips._ I hope to make this so clear, as that the wit of man shall have no colour to answer it. The matter is Treason in the highest degree, the end to deprive the king of his crown. The particular Treasons are these: first to raise up Rebellion, and to effect that, to procure Money; to raise up Tumults in Scotland, by divulging a treasonable Book against the king's right to the crown; the purpose, to take away the life of his majesty and his issue. My lord Cobham confesseth sir Walter to be guilty of all these Treasons. The question is, whether he be guilty as joining with him, or instigating of him? The course to prove this, was by lord Cobham's Accusation. If that be true, he is guilty; if not, he is clear. So whether Cobham say true, or Raleigh, that is the question. Raleigh hath no answer but the shadow of as much wit, as the wit of man can devise. He useth his bare denial; the denial of a Defendant must not move the Jury. In the Star Chamber, or in the Chancery, for matter of Title, if the Defendant be called in question, his denial on his oath is no Evidence to the Court to clear him; he doth it in _propria causa_; therefore much less in matters of Treason. Cobham's testification against him before them, and since, hath been largely discoursed.

_Raleigh._ If truth be constant and constancy be in truth, why hath he forsworn that that he hath said? You have not proved any one thing against me by direct Proofs, but all by circumstances.

_Coke (Attorney-General)._ Have you done? The king must have the last.

_Raleigh._ Nay, Mr. Attorney, he which speaketh for his life, must speak last. False repetitions and mistakings must not mar my cause. You should speak _secundum allegata et probata_. I appeal to God and the king in this point, whether Cobham's Accusation be sufficient to condemn me.

_Coke._ The king's safety and your clearing cannot agree. I protest before God, I never knew a clearer Treason.

_Raleigh._ I never had intelligence with Cobham since I came to the Tower.

_Coke._ Go to, I will lay thee upon thy back, for the confidentest Traitor that ever came at a bar. Why should you take 8,000 crowns for a peace?

_Lord Cecil._ Be not so impatient, good Mr. Attorney, give him leave to speak.

_Coke._ If I may not be patiently heard, you will encourage Traitors, and discourage us. I am the king's sworn servant, and must speak; If he be guilty, he is a Traitor; if not, deliver him.

[_Note._--Here Mr. Attorney sat down in a chafe, and would speak no more, until the Commissioners urged and intreated him. After much ado, he went on, and made a long repetition of all the Evidence, for the direction of the Jury; and at the repeating of some things, sir Walter Raleigh interrupted him, and said, he did him wrong.]

_Coke._ Thou art the most vile and execrable Traitor that ever lived.

_Raleigh._ You speak indiscreetly, barbarously and uncivilly.

_Coke._ I want words sufficient to express thy viperous Treasons.

_Raleigh._ I think you want words indeed, for you have spoken one thing half a dozen times.

_Coke._ Thou art an odious fellow, thy name is hateful to all the realm of England for thy pride.

_Raleigh._ It will go near to prove a measuring cast between you and me, Mr. Attorney.

_Coke._ Well, I will now make it appear to the world, that there never lived a viler viper upon the face of the earth than thou....

JAMES AT HAMPTON COURT (1603).

=Source.=--_State Trials._ Vol. ii., p. 85.

_Dr. Reynolds._ I desire, that according to certain provincial constitutions, the clergy may have meetings every three weeks.--1. First in Rural Deaneries, therein to have prophesying, as archbishop Grindall, and other bishops, desired of her late majesty.--2. That such things as could not be resolved on there, might be referred to the archdeacons' visitations.--3. And so to the Episcopal Synod, to determine such points before not decided.

_His Majesty._ If you aim at a Scottish Presbytery, it agreeth as well with monarchy, as God and the devil. Then Jack, and Tom, and Will, and Dick, shall meet and censure me and my council. Therefore I reiterate my former speech, _Le Roy s'avisera_; Stay, I pray, for one seven years, before you demand, and then if you find me grow pursy and fat, I may, perchance, hearken unto you, for that government will keep me in breath, and give me work enough. I shall speak of one matter more, somewhat out of order, but it skilleth not; Dr. Reynolds, you have often spoken for my Supremacy, and it is well: but know you any here, or elsewhere, who like of the present government ecclesiastical, and dislike my Supremacy?

_Dr. Reyn._ I know none.

_His Maj._ Why then I will tell you a tale: after that the religion restored by king Edward the sixth, was soon overthrown by queen Mary here in England, we in Scotland felt the effect of it. For thereupon Mr. Knox writes to the queen regent (a virtuous and moderate lady) telling her that she was the supreme head of the Church; and charged her, as she would answer it at God's tribunal, to take care of Christ his Evangil, in suppressing the Popish prelates, who withstood the same; but how long trow you did this continue? Even till by her authority the Popish bishops were repressed, and Knox with his adherents, being brought in, made strong enough. Then began they to make small account of her supremacy, when, according to that more light, wherewith they were illuminated, they made a further reformation of themselves. How they used the poor lady my mother, is not unknown, and how they dealt with me in my minority. I thus apply it. My lords, the bishops, I may [This he said putting his hand to his hat] thank you that these men plead thus for my Supremacy. They think they cannot make their good against you, but by appealing unto it; but if once you were out, and they in, I know what would become of my Supremacy, for _No Bishop, No King_. I have learned of what cut they have been, who, preaching before me, since my coming into England, passed over, with silence, my being Supreme Governor in causes ecclesiastical. Well, doctor, have you anything else to say?

_Dr. Reyn._ No more, if it please your majesty.

_His Maj._ If this be all your party hath to say, I will make them conform themselves, or else I will harrie them out of the land, or else do worse.

Thus ended the second day's Conference.

JAMES I. ON MONARCHY.

=Source.=--Somers, _Tracts_. Vol. iii., p. 260.

The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth; for kings are not only God's lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God's throne, but even by God himself they are called gods. There be three principal similitudes that illustrate the state of monarchy: one taken out of the word of God; and the two other out of the grounds of policy and philosophy. In the scriptures, kings are called gods; and so their power, after a certain relation, compared to the divine power. Kings are also compared to fathers of families: for a king is truly _parens patriæ_, the politique father of his people. And, lastly, kings are compared to the head of this microcosm of the body of man.

Kings are justly called gods; for that they exercise a manner or resemblance of divine power upon earth. For, if you will consider the attributes of God, you shall see how they agree in the person of a king. God hath power to create or destroy, make or unmake, at his pleasure; to give life or send death, to judge all, and not to be judged nor accountable to none; to raise low things, and to make high things low at his pleasure, and to God are both soul and body due. And the like power have kings: they make and unmake their subjects; they have power of raising and casting down; of life and of death; judges over all their subjects, and in all causes, and yet accountable to none but God only. They have power to exalt low things, and abase high things and make of their subjects like men at the chess; a pawn to take a bishop or a knight, and to cry up or down any of their subjects, as they do their money. And to the king is due both the affection of the soul and the service of the body of his subjects.

THE VENETIAN AMBASSADOR ON GUNPOWDER PLOT (1605).

=Source.=--_State Papers: Venetian, 1603-1607._ No. 442.

_Niccolo Molin, Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate._