371 nesse came into question, every one of them spoke to it, according to their present sence. But Mr. Lenthall, sonne to the late speaker of that parliament, when the presbiterians first call'd that busimisse into question, though not at all concern'd in it himselfe, stood up and made so handsome and honorable a speech in defence of them all, as deserves eternal honor. But the presbiterians call'd him to the barre for it, where, though he mittigated some expressions, which might be ill taken of the house, yet he spoke so generously, as it is never to be forgotten of him. Herein he behav'd himselfe with so much courage and honor as was not matcht at that time in England, ,for which he was look'd on with an evil eie, and, upon a pretence of treason, put in prison; from whence his father's mony, and the lieutenant of the tower's iealousie deliver'd him. When it came to Inglesbies turne, he, with many teares, profest his repentance for that murther, and told a false tale, how Cromwell held his pand, and forc'd him to subscribe the sentence, and made a most whining recantation,- after which he retir'd, and another had almost ended, when Coil. Hutchinson, who was not there at the beginning, came in, and was told what they were aboi1t, and that it would be expected he should say something. He was surpriz'd with a thing he expected not, yet neither then, nor in any the like occasion, did he ever faile himselfe, but told them, "That for his actings in .those " dayes, if he had err'd, it was the inexperience of his age, and the " defect of his iudgment, and not the mallice of his heart, which " had ever prompted him to persue the general! advantage of his " country more then his owne; and if the sacrifice of him might " conduce to the publick peace and settlement, he should freely " submit his life and fortunes to their dispose: that the vain ex- " pence of his age, and the greate debts his publick employments " had runne him into, as they were testimonies that neither avarice " nor any other interest had carried him on, so they yielded him " iust cause to repent that he ever forsooke his owne blessed quiett,
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=