[283] Letters of the 13th and 14th of January, in the State Paper Office, indicate the excitement of the period, and the uncertainty felt about the King's movements.
[284] State Papers Dom., under date January 13, 1642. Parts of this letter, of which I have not transcribed the whole, are inserted by Mr. Forster in his Arrest of the Five Members. I had intended to introduce other interesting letters of that date, but as they are already printed by him, I refer the reader to his pages.
[285] March 28, 1642.—A conference was held respecting a petition from Kent, which prayed for a restoration of the Bishops, and the Liturgy, &c., &c. Some parts of the petition were voted scandalous, dangerous, and tending to sedition.—Lords' Journal.
April 21.—Both Houses made a curious order against counter-petitions—"As no man ought to petition for the Government established by law because he has already his wish; but they that desire an alteration cannot otherwise have their desires known, and therefore are to be countenanced."
April 28.—The Commons, by Mr. Oliver Cromwell, acquaint the Lords "that a great meeting is to be held next day on Blackheath, to back the rejected Kentish petition." 30—"The Men of Kent come to the House, and again present their petition formerly burnt. Several are committed to the Gate House and Fleet."—Parry's Parliaments and Councils of England, 385, 386.
[286] This appears from a letter by Slingsby.—State Papers, December 2, 1641.
[287] Rushworth, iv. 498.
[288] See also Neal, ii. chap. xii., and May, 247-265.
[289] July 28, 1642—The Lords give judgment against John Marston, Clerk, who had said—"The Parliament set forth flams to cozen and cheat the country and get their money, &c. He is deprived of all ecclesiastical preferments; made incapable hereafter to hold place or dignity in Church or Commonwealth; imprisoned in the Gatehouse; and ordered to give sureties."—Parliaments and Councils of England, 396.
[290] The Royalists sometimes appealed to Scripture.—There is amongst the State Papers, one containing texts of Scripture relating to royal authority:—1. Pray for the King; 2. Speak not evil of the King; 3. Exalt not thyself against the King; 4. The King's confidence in God; 5. The King loveth judgment; 6. The King ought to be feared; 7. God's care of his anointed; 8. Punishment of his adversaries; 9. Exhortation to obedience; 10. His triumph and thanksgiving.