774 The HISTORY of the PURITANS. Chap. XI. K. Charles Lprevented; but were not fo fuccefsful in relation to the great /èal, which 1642. the keeper fent privately to the king by the mefenger that carne for it [May 22.], and next day followed himfelf. This was a fenfible difap- pointment to the parliament, efpecially as it was attended with the lofs of nine other peers, who deferted their ftations in the houle about the fame time, and went over to the king, as did confiderable numbersof the com- mons, his majefly having now given orders to all hisfriends to leave the houfe and repair to him, which inftead of breaking up the parliament, as was intended, ftrengthened the hands of the country party, and gave them an opportunity, after force time, of expelling the dejerters. Proceedings Things being come to this crifis, the parliament voted May 2o. farlia- " That it was now apparent that the king, feduced by wicked counfel, " intended to make war upon the parliament That whenfoever the " king maketh fuch war it is a breach of truft, contrary to his corona- " don oath, and tending to the diffolution of the government - -_That " whofoever fhall ferve or aflift his majefly in fuch war are traitors, and " have been fo adjudged by two as of parliament I I Rich. II. and " a Henry IV. -- May 28. they ordered all fheriffs and juftices of " peace, eec. to make flay of all arms and ammunition carrying to " Tork, and to difperfe all forces coming together by the king's corn- " million." To juftify their refpeEìive proceedings, both parties publifhed their rea.. fons to the world; a fummary of which being contained in the parlia- ment's memorial of May 59. and the king's anfwer, I fhall give the rea- der an abftraét of them. ififiran of The parliament in their memorial avow, in the prefence of the all- the parlia- feeing deity, " That the fincerity of their endeavours havebeen direéted 'ments memo- " only to the king's honour and the public peace, free from all private rial. " aims,' perfonal refpeas and paílions whatfoever. They complain of " his majefly's being drawn into the north, far from hisparliament, which " has given occafion to many falfe rumours and fcandalous reports, to " the interrupting the good underflanding between the king and his " parliament They take notice of thofe evil counfellors which have " prevailed with his majefly to make infractions upon his royal word, " as that, on the word of a king, and as Iam agentleman, Iwill redref " the grievances of my people-- I am rfolved toput myfelf on the love " and afeaion of my englifh fubjeals We do engagefolemnly on the " word. of aking, that thefecurityof all, and every one of youfrom vio- " fence, is and(hall be as much my care, as the prefervation of us and " our children. Since which time the 'Indies and chambers of " force of the members had been broken open, and fix of them at- *' tempted
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