Dissensions arise in our owne Party: fresh Discussion on the Self-denying Ordinance Bill, which has at length Dec. 11, passed the Commons; but when sent up to the Wednesday. Lords was rejected. The Commons have named Sir Thomas Fairfax as General in chief in place of the Earle, and other Alterations in the Army have beene made, and partly agreed to by the Lords.

1644-5.

A LETTER from my deare Lord: he writes with melancholy Heart, no Effort could save his former Friend, January 6, poore Sir John Hotham has beene put to deathe: Monday. his Son was executed the day before. Sir John

had few Friends, he had a cold harsh manner: the Lords had past a Vote for his Reprieve, which being known, he did fully expect one to the last moment: but the Commons would not give way, the Execution proceeded.

The Chaplaine is return'd: another of these dreadfull Executions: the Archbishop was beheaded on the 10th, January 14, poor old Man, he hath suffered even in this world a Tuesday. large measure of retribution for his past Cruelties: at the end of his Speech, when upon the Scaffold, he said he forgave all the World, all and every of his bitter Enemies; that no man could be more willing to send him out of the World than he was to go out. Some over-zealous Presbyterian did presse him with Questions: he replied the Knowledge of Jesus Christ was alone the meanes of Salvation. To the Headsman he gave some Money, and said, Do thine office in Mercy. As he knelt downe, he turned pale, thereby proving it false what some were whispering about, that he had painted his face, that he might not looke afraid. It is thought that he was brought to Death chiefly by meanes of the Scots Party, in their vehement and unchristian Revenge for the Part he had taken to force upon them the Liturgy, and to remove him out of their way.

The Scots Commissioners have obtained the setting aside of the abhorred Liturgy: but Parliament refuses to give them any legislative or judiciall Authority: so the Chaplaine doth informe

mee.

Sir Harry Vane is appointed one of the Parliament's Commissioners to meete those of the King at a town January 30, called Uxbridge. What Mercy would it be, if a Wednesday. peacefull Settlement could now be entered into, of the Countreye's Grievances and the King's Claims: and this would seeme not unpossible, if the King's Word could be depended upon. It is thought he might be brought to yeeld some Points but for the Influence of the Queene, which is never for good. She it was who added the Postscript to the King's Letter on Strafford's businesse, That if he must die, it were charity to reprieve him till Saturday.

This being my Diana's Birth-day, I did my endeavour to contrive for her some Amusement more than ordinary: tooke her first to my Closet, and after halfe an houre spent there in, I hope, a profitable manner, we joined the other Children. She is now eight yeares of age, mends of her little Faults, and hath gained a greater degree of command over her Temper: she is Truthfull, and showeth a tender Conscience, active and industrious, and withall can enjoy a Game of Play right well. She bids fair to be comely in Countenance and of gracefull Carriage: a Satisfaction to mee, as doubtlesse it will be to herselfe. I professe not to be indifferent on this Point for my Daughters, as some are or pretend to be: neither do I think beauty any peculiar Snare to the possessor of it, but rather contrariwise, unlesse the Mind be neglected, or is by nature vaine and selfish beyond the ordinary degree in which these Defects are shared by most: and even then such Passions are no worse than in the ill-favoured,

though mayhap more conspicuous by the contrast. Girls and some young Companions made very merry.

Feb. 26, Tuesday.

The three

My deare Lord arrived most unexpectedly he saith there is no hope of Peace. After three weekes Negotiation, the Parliament have recalled their Commissioners. He looketh worne, and would faine leave all these Distractions, and doth sometimes talke of going out to Barbadoes. Jealousies and Bickerings increase; and he with some others, sickened with Warre and Intrigue, are readie to make allmost any Terms with the King. Would that our good and excellent Friend Hampden had been spared trusted by all, and wise as brave, we should have had a head to our Party, fit to governe, and one whom all would follow. Sir Harry Vane in close Intimacy with Cromwell: he and Fairfax keep up the Energy and determined Spirit of the Parliamentary Partie. How small a matter it seemeth would set all right.

April 9,

During the time my deare Husband could reWednesday. maine, found not time for writing.

A long time hath elapsed since I held the penne: the illnesse of my three Girls hath occupied mee night and day. Fanny began with the Measles, and had a dangerous time of it, through the Fever which ranne high, and Symptomes of Inflammation of the Lunges and for many nights I did never undresse; Di followed, but thro' Mercy had the Complaint lightly and deare Bess, though sadly troubled by the Irritation, had but little Cough. This Season of Care and bodily Fatigue, and at one time of Alarm, hath not beene without its Use and Comfort: Troubles that arise in the naturall Course of Providence, and are adapted to our Nature and Situation, bring with them somewhat of Peace, and oft of Thankfulnesse. We receive Paine

and Sicknesse as from the Hand of God, and looke to him to helpe us under them: and my Minde having thus beene called off from the Contemplation of the distresse full State of this poore unhappy Countrey, is renewed in Strength. Many sweet little Sayings of the Children at different times of their Sicknesse have given great Encouragement respecting them: can there be ought so precious to a Mother as a sure Hope that the Spirit of her Child hath tasted of the Fountaine of living Waters? May the Lord helpe me to cherish these faire Blossoms of Piety and Goodnesse and grant that they may bring forth, some thirty, some sixty fold. And, oh God, thou who hast made mee, unworthy as I am, to be the Instrument of thy good Providence towards these little ones, make mee daily more sensible of my owne Sinfullnesse, my ownę Weaknesse, and assist mee in the Worke thou hast given mee to do. According unto the Multitude of thy tender Mercies blot out my Transgressions: wash mee thoroughly from mine Iniquity, and cleanse mee from my sinne. Create in mee a cleane Heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within mee. Thou hast crowned me with Loving-kindnesse and tender mercies: blesse the Lord, O my Soul.

Cambden House, near Evesham, Sir Baptist Noel's, has beene burnt downe to prevent the Parliament making it a Garrison. It was built not many yeares ago at a great Cost and was a noble Building.

May.

June 21,

The day so milde the Children went out, and did greatly enjoy the fresh aire, and rambling about the Fields seated on the Bank by the Pond, they Saturday. wove Caps and Baskets of Rushes. Fanny's dainty Hands and slim Fingers looking barely strong enough for the worke: whilst we were all at worke, we saw Dr. Sampson coming acrosse the Field: whereupon I left them, to hear what newes he might bring. At their tender age,