of all. When the Earle enter'd, the Axe was not carried before him, the King having so commanded. The Reading of the Impeachment with the Lord Strafford's Reply occupied the first Day. There was much Eating and Drinking during the Day, unseemely Conduct in the King's presence, and ill becoming the Solemnity of the Occasion: the Sittings did oft last till 2 or 3 of the clock at night. Mr. Pym made a long speech on the 2nd day. What seemeth strange, in the Galleries were all the chief Ladies of the Court, with Pen and Ink and Papers, taking note of what pass'd. It is sayd, though he was proved guilty of great Wickednesse and Tyrannie, yet no one Deed taken singly did come within the verge of Treason. The Earle did himselfe say aloud, there was nothing that could be Treason, and if one thousand Misdemeanours make not a Felony, how should 28 make it a Treason? So soone as the Triall is concluded, we shall surely hear thereof. No Letter or Messenger yet arrived. It is well for me that awful thing for Man to take the Life of Man, and difficult to reconcile to the Precepts of Mercy and Forgiveness, given by our Saviour, more especially doth it grieve me to see the Spirit of Persecution so strong in the Minister of Religion. The Chaplain and I agree not in these Matters, and he hath ever readie in his Mouth Texts from Holy Scriptures to justify Bloodshed: the Law of old Time was an Eye for an Eye, but not such is the Law of Christ. I do oft wish for my Husband's Presence in his owne Family: the discontented and fanatic Tone of Exhortation adopted of late worketh no Good: for my poore Part I see no doing of God's service in neglecting their Duty, which some both Men and Women in the Household scruple not. This wresting of the old Bible expressions to suit different Opinions, methinks, is like to be dangerous, and maketh a Snare to the Weake. The Bill hath pass'd the Commons' House, by a very great majority, and is sent up to the Lords. Mobs April 24, of violent Men were gathered round the ParliaSaturday. ment, crying for Strafford's Blood. The Lords made Complaint they were threatened: and Dr. Burgess, a popular Preacher, was put forth to address the crowde, who thereupon dispersed themselves. The King is accused of endeavouring to influence the House of Lords, and trusts much in the Earle of Bedford, who it is sayd hath secretly undertooke that the Earle of Strafford's Life should not be forfeited. May 7, A Report hath arisen that the King hath projected the Earle's Escape from the Tower. So great is the excitement that the Noise of a Board breaking in the House did so greatly terrifie the Members that some ran out: others thought it was another Gun-powder Plot. No further News from London. Thoughts so distracted that to set downe some Particulars of public Events as May 8, they reach us is all that I am well able. Children Saturday. at this time well in Health, a great Mercy: let me not be unmind full of this and other manifold Blessings: but, as the Apostle sayth, by Prayer and Supplication, with Thanksgiving, be my Requests made known unto God. The Bill has pass'd: the Majority 21 to 19: my Husband sayth many left the House. The Earle of Bedford, May 13, having sicken'd of the Smallpox last weeke, died Thursday. on the 9th: he is a great Losse to all Parties, being a just and good Man: he hath alwayes opposed the persecuting Laws against the Non-conformist Ministers, and beene the Enemy of all arbitrary Power, and had occupied himselfe till his Death in the endeavour to reconcile his Party to something lesse than capital Punishment in the Earle's case: and 'tis thought the King had confidently trusted in his Influence obtaining this End. The Royal Assent has beene given by Commission. When the Earle of Strafford was inform'd thereof, he layd his Hand on his Breast, and sayd, Put not your Trust in Princes: poore Man, he hath good Reason to say so. The Prince of Wales came to the House with a Letter from the King, a poore Effort to save the Earle, and to satisfie his Conscience. The Execution tooke place on Wednesday the 12th: the crowds of People present were orderly, and gave May 15, way to no expression of Triumph; but at night it is Saturday. reported they testified their Satisfaction by light ing Bonfires, &c. My deare Life doth hope to get away in a few Days: how great will be the Joy to see him enter his own Doore againe. He sayth the Queene Mother hath petition'd the House of Commons for a Guard: she being fearfull of Crowds and Tumults: 'twas referred to Committee. The House moved that the Lords should join in a Petition to His Majesty that she depart this Kingdome. Have retired to my Closet at an early Houre, that I may passe some time in the Exercise of Self-examination, especially suited to the Day, the same being that in which I was born. First, let me return Thanks to Almighty God that I was blessed with a Pious and Tender Mother: 2ndly, That I have been favoured with goode Health: and thirdly, that in Wedded Life my Partner is one worthy of my dearest Affection and high Esteeme, and who hath ever treated with Gentlenesse and Con. descention my Faults and many Deficiencies. Like unto the loving them who love us is the Thankfulnesse of the Heart for those Mercies and Orderings of Providence pleasant to our natural Feelings: how have I borne the Trialls and Disappointments which have beene given mee to beare? When the Lord tooke from me my precious First-born, it was as it were the Dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit, and of the Joints and Marrow and I would not be comforted. Yet I doubt not that through this Tribulation I have in some measure beene brought to a more humbling Sense of my thoughtlesse and sinful State, and to the Conviction that only through Divine Grace could my disobedient and rebellious Spirit be brought into entire Submission and the patient taking up the Crosse felt to be a daily Duty. Great and oft have beene my Backslidings; yet blessed be God, I hope that Faith faileth not, but doth strengthen and become more and more an abiding Principle of Action. Much of Indolence and Selfishnesse I have daily to struggle with: yet sometimes the comforting Hope is granted, that in these respects there is Improvement. Though no longer have I a deare Mother, yet is her Memory so connected with my Children that in my own capacity as a Mother I seeme with her in many Scenes of her past Life. Perhaps she doth now behold mee stepping along through this Vale of Teares, oft stumbling, bu, an unseene Arm supporting mee from utterly falling, and peace. full Resting-places and refreshing waters vouchsafed: and when I draw nigh unto the End of my Pilgrimage, where lieth the Shadow of Death, may I still feare no Evill, but know that the Lord is with mee. Have read the 51st and 103d Psalmes, and the 5th, 6th, and 7th Chapters of St. Mathew, and with renewed Thanksgiving after looking on the sleeping Little Ones, I will now retire to my solitary Chamber. There hath of late been public Events of such strong Interest, that small domestic Affaires have seemed of June 2, too little import, compared therewith, to set ought Wednesday. downe, and my Pen too is idly disposed. My time is mostly thus ordered: after that I have looked into ordinary household businesse, I teach Diana her Reading and Spelling; she is an apt Scholar, and is becoming a notable little Sempstresse: her Temper is quick, and her behaviour sometimes overbearing to her Sister; but she hath warme Affections, and soon repents of Unkindness or Anger: Fanny is more gentle and docile, but with this too readily in Teares; they are both vastly fond of Baby, and Fanny gives it ofttimes such a hug with her chubby Arm as makes it cry, and then she cries too. Fan learns some little. In the Afternoone walke out, calling on some of my poore Neighbours, and administering to the ailing such Remedies as I can bestow. It is like to be a good Hay-harvest: the Women all called forth to give Helpe therein. I tooke Charge of the Nurserie: Di and Fan in the Field most part of Thursday. the Day. Old Bridget died last night; and Smythe now keepes to his Bed. June 24, The Report hath reached us that the Queene Mother hath embarked a good Riddance to the Country. It July 17, is sayd the Queene wished to accompany her; and Saturday. under plea of Ill-health made Request to this effect to the House of Commons, which was refused: at the same time the House expressed a Willingnesse to further her Satisfaction in all things so farre as may stand with the Public Good. Methinks the King must be discomposed by this Opposition to the Queenes Wishes, which bodeth further Trouble and Vexation to him. |