men amongst them.
Tuesday, Decem, 26. Intelligence was given, that the impudent Charge against
his Majesty was neare finished in this fond Language; That Charles Stuart, hath
broken his Trust by setting up his Standard and making warre against the Parliament
a first and second time &c. Now the Grandees will be nimble in acting, for
feare new insurrections should take them off before they can settle what they aime at,
and so lessen their Reputation in the eies of the People. And therefore Tom Scot the
Brewer's Clerke, and Fore man of the King-killing Committee, came this day into
the new House, or Conventicle of the Commons, and told Mr. Speaker, how that
they were much retarded in drawing up the Charge because Mr. Elsynge not being
well they could not bee supplyed with Copies of Order, and other Papers, as they
desired. But Tom Scot, and the rest may be pleased to take notice, H. Elsynge
thinks himselfe very well ever since hee left them, and obseur [unr] rather
than hee will give attendance upon a tatter'd Remnant, a frighted Junto, that hath
usurped the name of the House of Commons: So that they are glad to uncertaine in
his place one Phelps a pure Saint that hath beane strain'd through the Clarkships of
neare half a dozen Committees, and is well-skilled in their Iniquities.
A Petition for bringing grand Delinquents to punishment, was delivered by such
another frighted Crew from Norwich and Norfolke, as these were which came out
of Kent, upon the same occasion. Out of one County or other, every weeke these
Vermine present their Petitions, Remonstrances, and Representations to both Juntoes
of Warre and State, at White Hall and Westminster; who receive them with as much
gravity and gratitude, as if they came from whole Counties indeed; whereas alas
they are no hing else but the wild Whimzies of a few seatter'd Conventicles, the dregs
of the People; and as these Sainted knaves have the boldnes to usurp the name, so it
is the politick Play of the Granders to entertain them in the quality of the prime men
of every County.
Upon a Message from the Councell of Warre, their Journey-men at Westminster
passed a new Imposition to be laid upon the Subjects, for 6 moneths, for the feeding
of these sweet Birds (the Army) that meane to pick out our eies, and then prey
upon our Bodies. The rest of this day was spent in consideration of the Navy, and
then both Juntoes (Lords and Commons) adj urned till Thursday.
Wednesday Decem. 27. was the Monethly Fast, or Pulpit-Treason day. Notice
was given of what passed yesterday at the morning's Lecture in the Abby at Westminster,
where the Generall was present, and Mr. Whitaker preached; [unr],
welcome him, made many sharp Applications home to the Army, and after all,
Prayed God to Shew them their errors, and give them grace to report of their honrable
contempt of Authority, and those destructive Counsels wherein they now appeared to
the Scandal and ruine of Religion, the griefe of all honest hearts, and the amazement
of the Nations round about us. Hee prayed also for the restoring of the King and his
Posterity, the confusion of all Plots and Cospiracies against them and the convinnance
of the Royall Family in the Throne as long as the Sun and Moon indureth. Also, for
the imprisoned Members, that they may take comfort and courage in the midst of