"

On Friday after his Death he was decently interred in the new Chapel by Tothill Fields, near the Place where his Wife hes buried, in Hopes of a more joyful Refurrection than his Body foon after met with; for a Rumour that came abroad, that fome Perfons had feen Mr. Blood alive, and that the Report of hist Sickness, Death, and Ceremony of his Burial, was but a Farcel and Piece of Pa-T geantry to carry on fome Defign, his Body was on Thursday after difintérred, and the Coroner with his Jury appointed to fit upon, and take Cognizance of the fame. The Coroner accordingly, with his Jury, who were all, or moft of them fuppofed to have known the Colonel, met and viewed the Body; but found his Face fo altered and fwollen in those fix Days it had lodged in the Earth, and 1 fo few Lineaments and Features of their old Acquaintance, that they could not agree on their Verdict. And though a Captain that was prefent, and an intimate Acquaintance of the deceased Colonel, fhewed them his Thumb, which by > fome Accident he had received in his Life-time, had grown to a prodigious Big-n nefs, and was taken Notice of by all that kept him Company; yet the Jury, not! thinking it fo eafy to difcover Colonel Blood by his Thumb, as it was of old tol know Hercules by his Foot, demurred upon it, and for what I can hear have not as yet given in their Verdict. It is not very ftrange that lifeless Flesh and Blood, haftening to return to the tong! to warned sin Duft from whence it was taken, and ready to diffolve into Putrefaction, should in fix or feven Days be disfigured beyond kenning; but it is fomewhat extra-d ordinary, that fuch a Perfon as Mr. Blood, who in all the Changes of a restlefs { Life never wanted a competent Subfiftence for himself and Family, fhould ato Jaft, after he had weathered the greatest Storms of Adverfity, made many Friends, recovered the Favour of his Prince, fettled himself and Family in a neat and fplendid Habitation, and had Money abroad in the World, that fuch: a one, I fay, fhould die, and have fo inconfiderable a Cafh by him, that it would be thought too fmall a viaticum for a forty Miles Journey; and yet this i through Difappointments was his Cafe, which, without doubt added: no fmaili Weight to the other Preffures of Mind that firft funk, and at last broke that great Heart, which had often defpifed the Danger of many aftonishing and bold Attempts, in the Course of a very fingular and remarkable Life, of Fifty-three Years Duration.

Characters of Men, Sir, are best drawn from their Actions; and I should be bold to give a Judgment of this Perfon, after that you have a candid Relation of the greatest Atchievements of his Life: Yet I think it may not be altogether prefumptuous, if I offer to affift your Remarks upon the preceding Narrative, by a rough, yet plain Reprefentation of the Senfe that judicious Men, who were acquainted with the Colonel better than myfelf, have had, and ftill have of his Value.

He was a Man, in their Opinion, fitter to imbroil than compofe a difconcerted Society; to be a Mare to fome hunting Nimrod, rather than an Affiftant to a peaceful Magistrate; not that he wanted a Reach of Understanding, and with a prompt Comprehenfion of Things a clear and diftinguishing Judgment; but his ambitious and reftlefs Spirit, fuitably lodged in a ftrong and vigorous Body, always directed his Thoughts to fuch stirring and active Counfels, as not only were inconfiftent with Temper and Mildness, but required a neceffary Concurrence of

undaunted

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interred in the new Chapel by Hes buried, in Hopes of a more with; for a Rumour that came live, and that the Report of his vas but a Farcel and Piece of Pa s on Thursday after difinterred, upon, and take Cognizance of Jury, who were all, or moft of and viewed the Body; but found it had lodged in the Earth, and quaintance, that they could not in that was prefent, and an inti wed them his Thumb, which by had grown to a prodigious Big m Company; yet the fury, not his Thumb, as it was of old to and for what I can hear have

1

TRACTS on all SUBJECTS.

undaunted Refolution, with plodding Sagacity, before they co
to Effect: And indeed his Heart and Head clubbed fo equally,
a Pace together in all his Undertakings, that if the great Thing
failed of the projected Saccefs, yet they were ftill brought fo he
Providence feemed concerned, by defeating them at the laft nick
that Oracle of Scripture, That God brings to nought the Coun
And his Defigns were generally laid with fo much Artifice, and
that Confidence of Undertaking, that in all Probability huma
Circumfpection was not fufficient to way-lay him in many of his
tick Contrivancesci bughal bada ayad x2 slots ni nollow) box)
They cannot deny but that there was a great Obliquity in his
most noted Actions can allow of no other Appellation, than
Crimes; but whether the Injuries which he always pretended t
disjointed the original Rectitude of his Nature and Education, b
to Revenge, or that powerful Ambition, which feems to be the
that wayed him; fer him upon unusual Metheds of Conduct,
that he purfued none of thofe mean and fneaking Actions, that
ble Character of Ignominy upon those who would be thought G
they trade in the Steps of Villains. He was indeed for forbidde
ver on the King's Highway, always in Royal Parks and F
Scepters and Government were his Booty; and the furprising of
Roys his Recreation. For compaffing thofe great Ends, he had
of infinuating into the Affections of the Leaders of all difcontent
maugre the Differences of Remonftrances of the various Perfuaf
of thofe he rallied with, he ftill won fo much upon the Minds of
(unless it be of late) he was never fufpected by his Party; thoug
his laft, that he either fell back, or had in his Heart conftantl
Religion wherein he was educated. In fum, Sir, when they
him on every fide, in the Heat of Buftling, and in the Cool of his
feemed only to be his quarter of Refreshment, wherein he plotte
Trains for Action, they think that Part of the burlefque Epitap
on Mr. Prynn, may very fitly quadrate to this famed Man:

%

! That be went through thick and thin, 15 13 2nd Libras & 5 Was never out, nor never indi to insuigbol, a sv od 200 7877 1 2 ad: : 19% til aid to euomavalike 3. And fo I fhall leave him to his Judge, and recommend myl Wishes; being, unda si në sta to a natieroɔ& aukų 19y, igua Lubin a 99d noto en die ton SIR,

The NATION's ADDRESS to the Committee of Grievances in PARLIAMENT, for the taking off the CORPORATION OATH, in Behalf of all Cities, TownsCorporate, Aldermen, Bailiffs, Burgeffes; as alfo of Sheriffs, Lord Lieutenants, and Deputy-Lieutenants of Counties, Minifters, and all others concerned for the Repealing thofe Acts, which impofe the Oath following.

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A. B. da Swear, that it is not lawful, upon any Pretence whatsoever, to take Arms against the King. And that I do abbor that traiterous Pofition, of taking Arms by his Authority, against bis Perfon, or against those that are commiffionated by him, in pursuance of fuch Commiffions. And that I will naty at any Time, endeavour any Alteration of Government, either in Church or State.

IN

N this Oath, we have the Matter, and the Form of Words, that is the Subftance and Compofure: And there are three Parts of it. The first Part ist not confiftent with judgment: The fecond with Truth: The third with Righ teoufnefs.

I will take up the last Part first. And I will not endeavour any Alteration of Government. There is no Government on Earth fo perfect, that it has peed of Laws, like the Medes and Perfians. Government may be confidered in the Adminiftration, (according to Politicks) or the Conftitution. The Word Government is fet down here indefinitely without Diftinction. Alteration of Laws, and fo Government in the Adminiftration, is as neceffary many times upon emergent Occafions, to the Body Politick, as the fresh Air is to the Natural. This Oath was once brought in to the Parliament, to have been made common. It were a Thing not Righteous, a destructive Thing, to have fuch an Engagement laid on, Perfons in fuch a Capacity: It were injurious, to have it laid on any Freeholders, or Free-Subjects, as we are. The Conftitution of our Nation, as Parliamentary, is fuch, that no Law can be establifhed or repealed, but it must pafs the Houfe of Commons; and fo the whole Body concur in their Reprefentatives to every Alteration of (or in) the Government which is made, if it be legal: No House. of Commons, but is chofen by the People. Every Englishman is intended to be: bere prefent, either in Perfon, or by Procuration; and the Confent of the Parliament is taken to be every Man's Confent, fays Sir Thomas Smith, De Rep. Ang. 1. 2. c. 2. "Nay, while the King," Confilio & Confenfu Baronum Leges olim impofuit Univerfo Regno," by the Counfel and Affent of his Barons, did give Laws to his whole Realm," Confentire inferior quifque vifus eft in perfona Domini fui Capitalis prout bodie per Procuratores Comitatus, "every Inferior feemed to coufent in the Perfon of his chief Lord; as now they do by their

"their Burgeffes, and Knights of the Shires," fays Sir Henry Spelman. This is fo true, that in this Senfe it is, that the Laws are faid to be Quas vulgus elegerit, Which the People fhall choofe. Now, then, if any free Subject hath a fundamental Liberty to choose Knights, and Burgeffes; and accordingly to inform them of their Grievances, and Petition them for Redrefs; and in them, as their Reprefentatives, do confent to the Alteration of Government and Laws, (if there be any pafs) as profitable to the Nation: How can fuch an Oath be impofed on him, That be will not endeavour any Alteration, as this? Is not clufing Burgeffes; informing them, petitioning them, acting and legally confenting in them, to this end, an Endeavour; and that as much as can be in their Place and Calling? And no more than an Endeavour in their Place and Calling, was fworn in the Covenant. It is true, that new Laws was made, and old repealed, without Alteration of the Conftitution, but not without Alteration of the Government, becaufe Government takes in both the Adminiftration and Conftitution. Let us fuppofe the Word Government confined only the Conftitution. This is the Constitution of the Government in the State, which is a legal Monarchy; and this indeed we are fo far bound from endeavouring to alter (now we are conftituted a Commonwealth) that I think it not alterable by the King himself, and Parliament (though it might be fo little a while Gince, when they were a Convention) because the fupreme Power, for the Adminiftration, must be fuppofed, in all Communities, to be derived from, and held by the Conftitution. But as for Government in the Church; we are to know, and to ac knowledge the Constitution itself hereof, is but a Law of the Adminiftration, in, Reference to the State. And confequently, when all Laws for the Adminiftration are liable to the Regulations of Parliaments; the great Queftion will remain, how thefe Men, who are Prefbyterian, or Independant, in their Judge, ment, and think Epifcopacy against the Scripture, can be denied the Endeavour only before mentioned (which confifts but in choofing Reprefentatives, and doing no more than the Conftitution' allows) in order to the Profecution of what; they think themfelves obliged to in Confcience, both by Oath and the Word of God? Is not the Foundation Liberty of the whole People, and oùrfelves with, them here in Danger? Judge ye, that are Wife; and what an anointed Plot have, we had here in the Nation, that an Allegiance in effect, fhould be fworn to the Bishops, as well as to the King, by fuch Impofitions?:

For the Words then (or Form) I wonder at this Rigour in the Compiler, that a Man must swear, Not to endeavour any Alteration. Had it not been enough to be engaged, not to endeavour any. Alteration of the Subftance of our Govern. ment, Epifcopacy in the Church, and Monarchy in the State; but it must be Not any alteration? It were well, that, we were fo abfolutely perfect. And again, muft we not at any time endeavour any Alteration? What, if Times. fhould turn, and we be in a Confufion, as in Cromwell's Time, and immediately after? What if any fuch like Chance, or Changes come Muft thefe Men be bound up, that they cannot endeavour to render back this Government that wei have? No, not the King, and the Bishops, if the Iniquity of the Times fhoulds put them out; for they have fworn, they will not at any Time endeavour any Al teration of Government, in Church or State. Sirs! The Matter of this Obliga tion, being against the Fundamental Freedom of the Subject and Parliament,

L

and

and the Words you fee, fo enfaring, and that against the Duty all owe to the publick Good; I offer it to you to confider, in the firft Place, whether this laft Part be according to Righteoufnefs?

(1

For the middle Part of the Oath. Here is a Pofition of taking Arms by the King's Authority, against any commiffionated by him, which must be fworn to, as abhorred and traiterous. There is a Cafe, that hath been always in the Mouths. of the Understanding, Refufers of this Oath and Subfcription. Suppose, fome Writ fued out, and comes to the Sheriff's Hands, and fuppofe Perfons come to oppofe the Execution, by the King's perfonal Command or Commiflion, and cl he thereupon, raifes the Poffe Comitatus upon them; I will afk here, Whether the Sheriff at not herein by the King's Authority? I think it cannot be denied.) By the King's Authority is all one, as by the Laws; and if he can act fo jufti ficially against any, for all their Commiffion, and the Law will bear him, out; How is this Pofition in this Cafe traiterous, and to be abhorred? It were hardly now to be imagined, that it could be the Intent of any Parliament in England, to advance the perfonal Will, or Commiffion of the King above Law, which is to make his Power Defpotical, and Royal. Non eft Rex (fays Bratton) ubi dominatur voluntas non Lex: He is no King that overns by his Will, and not by Law. And how it should come to pafs therefore, that he should enjoin this Position indefinitely (without Exception of this Cafe at leaft), to be fworn to, as altogether Traiterous, I can never methinks wonder enough.

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What if any Soldiers fhould come with a Commiffion under the Seal, to raife Money without an Act of Parliament; and by Virtue of fuch Commiffions, feize our Goods, rifle our Houfes, and ravifh our Wives? May not the People or our inferior Magiftrates, or the Sheriff for the County, withstand fuch Vio lence? May not the Conftable alone, from the Juftice to keep the Peace, raife the Neighbourhood, and do it? If he may, or the Sheriff may, it must be in the Name of the King, or by Authority of the Law, and then there is fome Cafe or Cafes, where Arms or Force may be raised by the Authority of the King, against fuch as are commiffionated by him, though not against his facred Perfon. Nay, what if a Prince fhould go to ravifh a Virgin, and the catches. up the next Weapon, or Inftrument that is at hand, to defend her Chastity; would fuch a Sacredness as that, make this Act of hers to be finful, that is fo virtuous in itself? Suppofe again, that Papifts or Fanaticks fhould either by Power or Surprize at any Time; ger, a King in their Hand (as the Duke of Guife once dealt with the French King) and prevail with him, for fear of his Life, to grant Commiffions under his Hand and Seal, deftructive to the Church and State, muft the Nation be Remedilefs in this Cafe, and the King and Kingdom ruined by these Commiffions? Nay, what Security hath the Nation, that a Lord Keeper may not prove Traitor to his King and Country, and under the Broad Seal grant Commiffions to difband his Majefty's Life-Guard, deliver up the Navy, or Sea Port Towns, feize on the Tower, and all Places of Strength? In what a Condition were the King and Kingdom brought, if the Subjects Hands be bound up by an Oath not to refift, or take Arms against the Executors of fuch Commiffions, fuppofe but fo long as they ill understand his Defign, feeing by that Time the Nation be paft Recovery? And who is there now, that will not be s offended at the Senfe, and turned at the Horror of thefe fad Confequences, intow -ab magal amou ni kɔhaq M2 Trough di maw to

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which