Chap. X. The HISTORY of the PURITANS. 753 out upon the mob with (word in hand. and obliged them to retire. The A. Charlesl. news of this being reported in the city, the whole populace was in arms, too. and refolved to go next morning to Wminfer with (words and llaves. The lord mayor and Sheriffs railed the train-bands, and having ordered the And in rbe city gatesto be kept (hut, they rode about all night to keep the peace; but city it was impoffrble to hinder the people's going .out in theday. On the other hand, the king commanded the militia of Wefimin/ler andMad/0x to be railed by turns, as a guard to his royal perfon and family ; upon which fe- veral gentlemen of the inns of court offered their fervice, in cafe his ma- ,jeftyapprehended any danger. The houle of commons being no lefs afraid Rufhw. of themfelves, petitioned for a guard out of the city of London, under P 47r,456 the command of the earl of E/ex, which his majefty refufed, but told them, he would take as much care of them as of his own children ; and if this would not (office, he would command fuch a guard to wait upon them, as he would be anfwerable to God for ; but the houle not being willing to truft to the king's guard, declinedhis majefly's offer, and not prevailing for one of their own choofing, they ordered halberds to be brought into the houfe, and refolved in cafe of an affault, to defend themfelves. The lords exerted themfelves to difperfe the tumults, by fending their gentleman ufher of the black rod to command the people todepart to their homes ; and by appointing a committee to enquire into the caufes of them. His majefty alfo publifhed a proclamation [Dec. 28.1 forbidding all tu- Attempts to multuous affemblies of the people. But the commons being unwilling to*Peel affront the citizens, were not fo vigorous in fupprefling them, as 'ris thought the circumftances of things required ; for as the king relied up- on his guard of officers, the commons had their dependance upon the good-will of the citizens. Not that the houfe can be charged with en- couraging tumults, for the very next day after the king's proclamation they fent a meffage to the lords, declaring their readinefs to concur in all law- ful methods to appeafe them ; but being fenfible their chief ftrength was among the inhabitants of London, without whole countenanceandfupport every thing mutt have been given back into the hands of the court, they were tender of entering upon vigorous meafures. While thefe tumults continued, the bifhops were advifed to forbear theirThe Wept attendance upon the houfe, at leali till after the recels at chriftmas; but intuited go- this looking too much like cowardice, their lordfhips determined to do'ngtothepar- ltamentbaule. their duty ; andbecaufe the flreets were crouded with unruly people, they agreed to go by water in their barges; but as loon as they came near the fhore, the mob fainted them with a volley of dories, fo that being afraid to land, they rowed back and returned to their own houles. Upon this repulfe, twelve of themmet privately at the archbifhop of York's lodgings VoL. I. S D in
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