Chap. VII. The HIS T 0 R Y of the PuRITANS. 24-5 K. Charles I 1646. • " majefty's going to Holmby-Hou(e, to remain there till he gave fatisfac– " tion about the propofitions for peace, and that in the mean time, " there be no harm, prejudice, injury or violence done to his royal perfon; " that there be no change if govenzment ; and that his pojterity be no way " prejudiced in their lawful juccefjion to the crown and government if theft ~) " kingdoms." While the parliament and kirk of Scotland were debating the king's E~!l;_lifu compropofals, ,his majefty writ to the parliament of England in the moll: pref- miffioners refi c r I L J T' k' ('r h . cetvethekmg wg terms, 10r a per1ona treaty at onaon, " ' IS your mg 1ays e m and convey " his letter of D ec. 10.) that defires to be heard, the which, if refufed !JtmtoHoJm– " to a fubjeCl: by a king, he would be thought a tyrant, wherefore I con- by-houfe. "jure you, as you would fhew yourfelves really what you profefs, good " chrifl:ians and good fubjeCl:s, that you accept this offer." But the houfes were afraid to trufl: his majefl:y in London, and therefore appointed commiilioners to receive him from the ftots, and convoy him to HolmbyHouft in Northamptonjbire, where he arrived Feb. 6. 1646-7. The fum of two hundred thouf;;nd pounds, being half the arrears due to the Jcots army, having been paid them by agreement before they marched out of Newcajile, it has been commonly faid, they fold their king. An unjufl: Vide and malicious afperfion! It ought to be confidered, that the money was Rapin, !'> their due before the king delivered himfelf into their hands; for that in P· 347• f( ttling the accounts between the two nations his maje!ly's name was not mentioned; that it was impoilible to detain him without a war with E ngland, and that the officers of the army durft not carry the king toEdinburgh, becaufe both parliament and kirk had declared againfl: receiving him. . But how amazing was his majell:y's conduCl:! What crofs and incon- R emarks; fill:ent propofals did he make at this time! While he was treating with the flots, and offering to concur in the fevereft meafures againfi the inde– pendmts, he was lifl:ning to the offers of thofe very independents to fet him upon the throne, without taking the covenant, or renouncing the liturgy of the church, provided they might fecure a toleration for themfelves. This agreeing with the king's inclinations had too great a hearing from him, (fays bifi1op Burnet) till Lauderdale writ from London, '' that he was in- H " fallibly f~re, they. defigne? the deftruCl:.ion of monarchy, and the ruin p.a;,s·s.~em, " of the ktng and hts pof'centy ; but that 1f he would confent to the pro- ,, pofitions; all would be well, in fpight of the devil and the independents " too." If his majefty had in good earnefl: fallen in with the overtures of the army at tais time, I am of opinion they would have fet him upon the throne, without the fhackles of the}cots covenant. . While the king was at Holmby-Houfe he was attended with great ref- ~~~~a:_ peCl:, and fuffered to divert himfelf at bowls with gentlemen in the neigh- Houfe.Y -- ·- ~ouring
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