these Counties; and that they (I meane the Members, Good
Soules!) are importuned and urged to such and such things (as even
now they would be thought, for murdering the King) when
(Heaven Knowes) they are Onely their Owne plots and devise, and
most horribly displeasing to the Generallity of the whole Nation;
who (till they sinde them mentioned in their Weekely Legends)
scant ever heard or thought of any such treasonable Petitions, in
effect so pernitiously wicked and damnable.
Some further instructions were likewife given the Committee for
the Navy, to Treat with the Merchant Adventurers for the
Loane of the Moneys I told you of last weeke towards payment of
the Marriners; but they are loath to adventure more moneys
with such an idle Admir all as can lye still, and suffer their shipping
and goods to be taken from them by the Irish; especially now that
he does Apostatizs, ans Sing Placebe to the Army.
Wednesday December 27.
The Houses fate not: for this was their Monthly Play day, On
which one Brooke, and M. Watson preached before the Commons.
The first whereof Playd the pure Hypocrite, and sooth's them up
at every other word, with the titles of wife, unwearied, indefatigable
Grave, and godly Senators, inciting them (by all meanes) to
go on vigorously in the execution of justice upon the King, and other
Grand Delinquents, inveighing bitterly against the imprisoned,
and secluded Members.--- The latter acted sir John Presbyter,
and prayed both for the King, and the Members in affliction,(ôhorrible!)
and perswaded his Levelling Auditory, to observe, not
exceed the duty of their places to manifest their goodnesse in mercy, not
in cruelty, and inviolably to keepe the Protestation and Covenant
Which they had (or should have all) taken, before they were admitted
to that great trust in the Common wealth, laying open the danger
of breaking their Oaths, and reselling the dangerous Errors of his
Independent Brother Brooke; which so netled the Members, they
could not rest on their Seats, but one while whispering, anon frowning,
then throwing their cloaks about their shoulders, with great
Indignation: at other times offering to be gone: Neverthelesse the
Hardy Levite buffered them with such close-sifted Doctrine, (for at
least three howres together) that they had much adoe to wayt his
Conclusion; yet they stayd it (though impatiently) and then wandered
homewards chewing their Cuddes Very Seriously;------
But Mr. Watson had no Thankes for the great paines he tooke (only
he hopes to be excused for my future) nor must he dare to Print
his Sermon.