/
HUGH PETER.
From the original portrait in the possession of C. E. Treffry, Esquire,
of Place Fowey, Cornwall, England.
HUGH PETER
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST
FOURTH PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH
IN SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.
" I have lived in a Country where in seven
years I never saw a beggar, nor heard an oath,
nor looked upon a drunkard." God's Doings
and Man's Duty. HUGH PETER.
H flfcosafc
PUT
TOGETHER
BY
ELEANOR BRADLEY PETERS
(MRS. EDWARD MCCLURE PETERS)
NEW YORK
Privately printed
1909
FROM VOLUME xxxvni
OF THE HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF THE ESSEX INSTITUTE
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.
WORDS FROM THE WORKMAN.
THE workman on this mosaic has tried, bit by bit, to
build up a portrait and, in a general way, a life of this
interesting man. The result is necessarily rough and
incomplete, but a nicer finish would only amplify without
adding value to these pages. The end in view was not
elaboration or beauty of style, but exactness, and a near
and correct sight of our subject, through his friends,
acquaintances and himself. Although but six years in
this country, he yet left a lasting stamp of his own work
and life upon New England ; add to this the fact that to
the end he spoke of New England as "home," and we
may freely claim him as one of the founders of our
Commonwealth and common country.
The workman has sought to sink himself in his subject,
and hardly more than two or three pages are in his own
words ; all else is in the language of others ; as far as
possible in the words of those who lived intimately, or at
least contemporaneously, with Hugh Peter. No eulogy
is attempted, facts are given and the reader can weigh for
himself.
A man of Peter's restless and varied activity, was
certain both to say and to do too much ; of this he himself
was fully conscious, and at the last deplored his lack of
judgment and excess of zeal ; but these errors stand alone
against him, He did a vast amount of real and far-
iv HUGH PETER.
reaching good during his life, and that of a kind little
thought of in those days. Indeed, the only cause one can
find for the exceeding and venomous hatred displayed
against him, lies in the catholicity of his thought, feeling
and action, and in his remarkably practical and common-
sense views and suggestions, whereby he belonged, in
spirit, if not in body, not to the seventeenth century, but
fully to our own day.
The compiler is indebted to the papers of the late
Edmund Fanning Peters for certain extracts which have
been used in this article and which it might have been
difficult to find elsewhere. The portrait of Hugh Peter is
due to the courtesy of C. E. Treffry, Esquire, of Place,
Fowey, Cornwall, England. The Rev. Sidney Hubbell
Treat has also, through the loan of certain interesting old
volumes, contributed to these pages.
New York, March 1, 1902.
E. B. P.
HUGH PETER
This edition is limited to one hundred
and fifty copies on hand-made
paper, for the author.
HUGH PBTBR
159S-166O.
"I WAS the son of considerable parents, from Fowey in
Cornwall, my father a merchant, his ancestors driven
thence from Antwerp for religion I mean the reformed ;
my mother of the same town of a very ancient family, the
name Treffrey of Place, or the place in that town of which
I would not boast." Thus writes Hugh Dirkwood,
otherwise Hugh Peter. He was baptized in the parish
of St. Ewe, in Fowey, the entry in the parish record
reading thus : " Anno RR. Elizabeth '41-Hugh the son
of Thomas Dirkwood, baptized 7th June 1598," and the
accompanying note : " Otherwise Hugh Peters, Chaplain
and adviser to Oliver Cromwell ; beheaded by Charles II,
on Tower Hill. J. J. T."*
He was the third child and second son of Thomas
Dirkwood and Martha Treffrey, she being a descendant
of Sir John Treffrey who, in the 14th century, defended
Fowey against the French. Why and when Thoma
Dirkwood changed his name to Peter no one knows ; bu
* Error : he was hanged, drawn and quartered at Charing Cross. The initials
are supposed to be those of the Rev. Justin Treffrey, and the date 1668-1698.
2 HUGH PETER :
the time was evidently between 1599 and 1610; perhaps
about the period that Martha Treffrey's sister, Deborah,
marries Henry Peter,* M. P. for Fowey, who descended
from a sister of the Sir William Peter, famous as having
been " secretary and of the Privy Council to four kings
and queens of this realm, and seven times ambassador
abroad in foreign lands." He was also appointed one of
the trustees for the young king, in the will of Henry VIII.
Whatever the exact status of the Dirkwoods towards
the Peters it is certain that Hugh Peter assumed not only
the name but the coat of arms of that family. Perhaps
Henry Peter, M. P. for Fowey, is the uncle he mentions
in the sketch of his life in the Last Legacy. f
" These J lived in very great abundance ; their Losses
at Sea grew very great ; in the midst of which Losses, my
elder Brother being at Oxford, I was sent to Cambridge,
and that Estate I had by an Uncle, I left with my Mother,
and lived at the University, and a little from thence,
about eight years ; took my degree of Master of Arts,
where I spent some years vainly enough, being but 14
years old when thither I came ; my Tutor died, and I was
expos'd to my shifts."
He was at Trinity College, and took his degree of B.A.,
in 1616. In 1622, he received the degree of A.M., but
to continue in his own words : " Coming from thence
[Cambridge], at London God struck me with the sense
of my sinful estate, by a Sermon I heard under Pauls,
which is about 40 years since [consequently in 1620]
which Text was The burden of Dumah, or Idumea, and
stuck fast. This made me to go into Essex ; And after
being quieted by another Sermon in that Country, and the
Love and Labours of Mr. Thomas Hooker, I there Preacht,
there married with a good Gentlewoman, till I went to
London to ripen my Studies, not intending to preach at
all ; where I attended Dr. George Sibs, and Davenports
Ministry, with others, and I hope with some profit. But
in short time was forced to preach by importunity of
* During the civil war Thomas Peter, son of Henry Peter and Deborah Treffry,
was on the royalist side. He was at one time a prisoner in the Tower, from which
he was rescued through the influence of his first cousin, Hugh Peter.
t " A Dying Father's Last Legacy to an Only Child."
J His family. Thomas.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 3
Friends, having had a Licence from Dr. Mountain Bishop
of London before, and to Sepulchers I was brought by a
very strange providence, for preaching before at another
place and a young man receiving some good would not be
satisfied, but I must preach at Sepulchers once monthly
for the good of his Friends ; in which he got his end (if I
might not shew vanity) and he allowed Thirty pounds per
Annum to that Lecture, but his person unknown to me :
he was a Chandler, and dyed a good man, and Member of
Parliament. At this Lecture the Resort grew so great
that itcontracted envie and anger : Though I believe above
an hundred every week were perswaded from sin to Christ.
I wish I may not be judged for saying so : There was
six or seven thousand Hearers, and the Circumstances fit
for such good work. But I am tender ; there I had some
trouble, who could not conform to all : and went to
Holland, where I was five or six years, not without the
presence of God in my Work ; But many of my
Acquaintance going for New England had engaged me to
come to them when they sent, which accordingly I did :
And truly my reason for myself and others to go, was
merely, not to offend Authority in the difference of
Judgment ; and had not the Book for Encouragement of
Sports on the Sabbath come forth, many had staid. That
good man, my dear firm Friend, Mr. White of Dorchester,
and Bishop Lake, occasioned, yea, founded that Work,
and much in reference to the Indians, of which we did not
fail to attempt, with good success to many of their souls
through God's blessing. See Bishop Lake's Sermon,
1 King, 8.37. who profest to Mr. White of Dorchester,
he would go himself with us, but for his age, for which
he had the late King's gracious Patent, Licence and
Encouragement. There I continued seven years."*
Felt's memoir of Peter states that he prayed for the
Queen at St. Sepulcher's, saying *' that as she came into
the Goshen of safety, so the light of Goshen might shine
into her soul, and that she might not perish in the day of
Christ." This came to Laud's ears who forbade Peter's
* Quotations are made exactly as found, though many are so confusedly
expressed and so bristle with pronouns that they are sadly In need of order and
clearness. The compiler, however, dares not meddle with them.
4 HUGH PETER :
ministry and had him confined in the New Prison for
" some time before any articles were exhibited against him.
Though certain noblemen offered bail for him it was
refused."
In 1627, Aug. 17, before going to Holland, being
suspected of heterodoxy, "he subscribed a submission and
protestation addressed to the Bishop of London, setting
forth his admission to the doctrine and discipline of the
English government and his acceptance of the episcopal
government."*
He was one of the earliest members of the Massachusetts
Bay Company. In May, 1628, he subscribed to the joint
stock of the Plantation, and he was one of the fourteen who
signed the first instructions to Endecott, Sept. 13, 1628.
He also attended the Courts of the Company, held on the
llth and 13th of May, 1629.
List of Subscribers. " In the name of god [sic] Amen.
London, May, 1628.
Sundrie men owe vnto the general stock of the
adventurers for plantacon intended att Massachusetts Bay
in New England, in America the some of tow thousand
one hundreth and fiftie pound. And is for soe much
vnderteken by the pticuler persons menconed hereafter,
by there seuerall and generall stock for the aforesaid
plantacon. Subscripcons to be by them adventured. In
this point, where vnto the Almighty grant prosperous and
happie Success, that the same may redound to his glorie,
the propagation of the Gospell of Christ, and the particular
good of the seuerall Adventurers, that now are or hereafter
shall be Interested therein. The persons nowe to be made
debtors to the generall Stock being as followeth :
Sr. Kich'd Saltonstall, Knt, oweth 100
Mr Isacke Johnson Esqr 100
Mr Samuel Aldersey 50
John Venn 50
Hugh Peter 50"
[and others.]
Letter from Mathew Cradock to Capt. John Endecott,
r< from my house in Swithens Lane neare London stone
* Dictionary of National Biography.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 5
this 16th February, 1628-9. . . . But for Mr Peters,
he is now in Holland from whence his return hither I hold
to be uncertain."
In Holland, Peter was pastor of an Independent church
in Rotterdam. There he made the acquaintance of John
Forbes, a noted Presbyterian divine, with whom he
travelled into Germany to see Gustavus Adolphus, and
of Sir Edward Harwood, an English commander in the
Dutch service, who fell at the siege of Maestricht in 1652.
It seems probable that he was Sir Edward's secretary."*
Sir William Brereton, who visited Rotterdam in 1634,
describes Peter as a "right zealous and worthy man," and
states that he was paid a salary of 5000 guilders by the
Dutch government, f
On leaving Holland, he returned to England and sailed
from Plymouth, in July, 1635, in company with the
younger Winthrop, Vane, and others, in the "Abigail."
Gov. Winthrop, in his Journal, says : " Mo 8, 6 arrived
the Defence & the Abigail, ten weeks from Plymouth with
two hundred and eighty persons and many cattle infected
also with small pox ;" in spite of which no deaths occurred.
Speaking of Peter's arrival, Winthrop says : "Amongst
others came Mr. Peter, pastor of the English church in
Rotterdam who being persecuted by the English
ambassador, who would have brought his and other
churches to the English discipline, and not having had
his health these many years, intended to advise with the
ministers here about his removal."
That he was pursued while in England is evident from
a letter Samuel Reade (step-son of Peter) writes to John
Winthrop, jr., from London Aug. 2, 1635, saying that he
is thankful " alsoe for my father's [Peter's] escape out o
cruell bands. We learn if you had stayed but 2 dayes
longer my father would scarcely have avoided them for
they bad taken an extraordinary cunning course for his
attachment."
"Thisyeere [1635] came over the Famous servant of
Christ Mr Hugh Peters whose courage was not inferior to
any of these transported servants of Christ, but because
* Dictionary of National Biography; Harleian Miscellany.
Travels of Sir William Brereton.
6 HUGH PETER:
his native Soile hath had the greatest share of his labours,
the lesse will be said of him here :
With courage bold Peters a Souldier stout
In Wildernesse for Christ begins to war,
Much worke he finds 'mongst people, yet hold out ;
With fluent tongue he stops phantastick jars.
Swift Torrent stayes of liberties large vent ;
Through crooked wayes of error daily flowing,
Shiloe's soft streames to bath in would all bent ;
Should he while they in Christian freedome growing,
But back thou must, thy Talents Christs will have,
Improved for him, his glory is thy crowne,
And thou base dust while he thee honour gave ;
It matters not though the world on thee do Frowne."*
Within a few weeks of his arrival, "Mr. Hugh Peters
preaching at Boston & Salem moved the country to raise
a stock for fishing as the only probable means to free us
from that oppression which the seamen and others hold us
under."f Two mouths later (January, 1635-6) we find
him going from place to place intent on this same work,
" and so prevailed as he procured a good sum of money to
be raised to set on foot the fishing business to the value of
[ ] and wrote into England to raise as much more.
The interest was to set up a magazine of all provisions &
other necessaries for fishing that men might have things
at hand & for reasonable prices whereas now the
merchants & seamen took advantage to sell at most
excessive rates, in many things two for one &c."J
April 26, 1636, "The Charity of Dartmouth of 120 tons
arrived laden with provisions. Mr. Peters bought all the
provisions at 50 in the 100 (which saved the country
200) & distributed them to all the towns as each town
needed. "|
Mar. 3, 1635-6, Peter was admitted freeman, with
Vane, Shepherd, Rogers, Harlakenden and others.
Winthrop calls him "a man of a very public spirit &
singular activity for all occasions," and adds that he "went
* Wonder-working Providence of Sion's Saviour. Being a Relation of the first
planting In New England in the yeere 1628. Mass. Hist. Coll., 2nd series, Vol. Ill,
p. 164.
fWinthrop's Journal, Nov. 26, 1636.
I Winthrop's Journal.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 7
from place to place laboring both publicly and privately
to raise up men to a better frame of spirit."
That Peter came to New England without any definite
resolution to remain here is evident from the following
letter from Samuel Reade to John Winthrop, jr.
London, March 5, 1635-6. "We wonder we haue noe
certaine information whether my father Peter intendeth
to stay with you, or to returne. It is necessary it should
speedily be determined of, that his church may know
how to dispose of themselues. Mr. Davenport supplyeth
his place yet."*
Writing to his son, 1636, 2mo. 26, Winthrop says
"The Lord in much mercy sent us a ship the 12 of this
present with provisions but she had put in at Pascataqua
& sold much there ; for she brought only 39 hogsheads of
meal, 25 of peas, 8 of oatmeal, 40 of malt & some beef &
prunes & aqua vitae, & 18,000 of [unknown]. My
brother Peter bought it all & divided it amongst the"f
["about 16 lines are gone," says
Savage, "the paper being thin."] Is this the same as the
"Charity" referred to above ?
When provisions are sent in the Rebecca to the
"Governor of the Plantation upon the mouth of the
Connecticut," amongst others is found "a hogshead of
pork which my brother Peter puts in."J
The same year, shortly after their arrival, "Mr. Vane
and Mr. Peter finding some distraction in the Common-
wealth arising from difference in judgment and withal
some alienation of affection among the magistrates and
some other persons of quality and that hereby factions
began to grow among the other people, some adhering more
to the old governour, Mr. Winthrop, and others to the late
governour Mr. Dudley, the former carrying matters with
more lenity and the latter with more severity they
procured a meeting at Boston of the governour, Deputy,
Mr. Cotton, Mr. Hooker, Mr. Wilson, and there was
present Mr. Winthrop, Mr. Dudley and themselves. "J:
The result was a desire among the clergy that Mr.
Winthrop should be more severe, in the future, in his
* Mans. Hist. Coll., 5th series, Vol. I, p. 217. fWinthrop'a Journal, p . 456
t Wlnthrop'8 Journal.
8 HUGH PETER:
dealings with transgressors against the law, and ten
articles were drawn to this effect.
May 25, 1636. "The Gounr, Deputy Gounr, Tho :
Dudley, John Haynes, Rich Bellinghara Esq, Mr Cotton,
Mr Peter and Mr. Shepheard are in treated to make a
draught of lawes agreeable to the word of God, wch may
be the ffundamentalls of the Comonwealth & to present
the same to the nexte Genall Court."*
In 1636, Mo. 3, 15, "Mr. Peters preaching at Boston
made an earnest request to the church for four things 1.
That they would spare their teacher Mr. Cotton for a
time that he might go through the Bible and raise
marginal notes upon all the knotty places of the scripture.
2. That a new book of martyrs might be made to begin
where the other had left. 3. That a form of church
government might be drawn according to the scriptures.
4. That they take order for employment of people
especially women and children in the winter time ; for
he feared that idleness would be the ruin both of church
and commonwealth :f
"10-4 mo. 1636. "Mr. Fenwick . . . intends
about a month hence with my brother Peter to be with
you." Winthrop to his son John Winthrop, Gov. of the
Plantation at the mouth of the Connecticut.!
1636. 4 mo. 23. " Mr. Fenwick, my brother Peter &c.
set forth on horseback on the 27 of this month and will
expect your shallop at the upper town to carry them down
the river and so will join Mr. Peirce's pinnace to Long
Island, Hudson's River, &c.," writes Winthrop to his son.
This journey was doubtless owing to the fact that Sir
Harry Vane and Hugh Peter " were associated with
Winthrop by the patentees of Connecticut, in the agency
for the management of their estate. The three made
proclamation of the rights of their principals and required
a recognition of them on the part of the emigrants to
that region." Peter being so well viewed by the Dutch
took the journey to reconcile the disputes between them
and the English. J
* Records of Mass. Bay Colony. t Wlnthrop's Journal.
J This Journey of Hugh Peter's is undoubtedly the foundation of the statement
made by several writers that Thomas Peter was in Connecticut in 1636. I can
find no evidence of Thomas being in this country prior to 1646.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 9
"In the year 1635, I, Lion Gardener, Engineer and
Master of works of Fortification in the legers of the
Prince of Orange, in the Low Countries, through the
persuasion of Mr. John Davenport, Mr. Hugh Peters with
some other well-affected Englishmen of Rotterdam, I
made an agreement with the forenamed Mr. Peters for
100 per annum, for four years, to serve the company
of patentees, namely, the Lord Say, the Lord Brooks
[Brook], Sir Arthur Hazilrig, Sir Mathew Bonnington
[Bonighton ?] , Sir Richard Saltingstone [Saltonstall],
Esquire Fenwick, and the rest of their company, [I say]
I was to eerve them only in the drawing, ordering and
making of a city, town, or forts of defence Mr
Wintbrop, Mr Fenwick, and Mr Peters persuaded me
that they would do their utmost endeavour to persuade
the Bay-men to desist from war a year or two, till we could
be better provided for it ...
So they returned to Boston. But our great
expectation [of having many laborers sent to him] at
the River's mouth, came only to two men, viz. Mr Fenwick
and his man, who came with Mr Hugh Peters, and Mr
Oldham and Thomas Stanton, bringing with them some
Otter-skin coats, and Beaver and skeins of wampum."*
Pequot Warres, by Lion Gardener.
That they were not long gone is evident from the
following : " 1636, Mo. 5, 6. Many ships lying ready at
Natascott to sail Mr. Peter went down and preached
aboard the Hector and the ships going forth met an east
wind which put them in again ; whereupon he staied and
kept the sabbath with them.f"
Dec. 21, 1636. Having preached acceptably at Salem
he is made pastor there, joining the church, Jan. 8, 1636,
O. S. His name stands first in the records of admission
to full communion, 8/11, 1636, the year ending March,
1637. He was their fourth minister, Higginson and Skelton
having died and Roger Williams having been removed in
November. The church at Saugus (Lynn) had wished to
have him but he preferred Salem. This same year,
1636, he was granted 300 acres at Jeffreys Creek now
* Mass. Hist. Coll., 3rd seris, Vol. m, p. 136.
t Wintbrop'8 Journal.
10 HUGH PETER :
Manchester. He, and Captain Endecott, each had two
acres at the west end in Salem bordering upon Captain
Trask and father Wood bury 's lot.
"June 15th 1636. Laid out to Mr. Peters 150 acres of
land by order from the selectmen bounded southerly by
the land of the farm of Porter and land commonly called
Joshua Rea's land easterly with ye land of William
Kaimonts to a bound tree at the northwest corner of ye
said Raimont's land northerly with the land of Nathan
and Jno. Putnam, westerly with a little river or brooke
until it meets with Joshua Reas land bounds and then
buttes upon his land until it comes to the bound tree yt
belongs to farmer Porter and Josh Rae."*
March 12, 1637. "Capt. Sedgwick, John Johnson, and
Mr. Robt. Keayne are desired to speak with Mr Peters,
and Mr Peirce about the Price of the coates and urines
which the country had last summer. "f
In 1637, Hugh Peter writes to John Winthrop : " Wee
haue heard of a dividence of women and children in the
bay and would bee glad of a share viz : a young woman
or girle and a boy if you thinke good [these were Pequot
captives] . I wrote to you for some boys for Bermudas
which I thinke is considerable. Besides wee are bold to
impart our thoughts about the corne at Pequoit which wee
wish were all cut down, or left to the Naragansicks rather
than for vs to take it, for wee feare it will proue a snare
thus to hunt after their goods whilst wee come forth
pretending only the doing of justice, and wee beleeue it
would strike more terror into the Indians so to doe : It
will quit cost to vs to keepe it."
"The 23d of this 7th mo 1637 Mr Hugh Peter delivred
into the Court a deed of Mr Robert Saltonstall, makeing
over all the estate that hee hath, or shall have, to satisfy
his creditors. "f
Nov. 20, 1637. " For the colledge, the Governour, Mr
Winthrope, the Deputy, Mr Dudley, the Treasurer, Mr
Bellingham,MrHumfrey, Mr Harlakenden, Mr Staughton,
Mr Cotton, Mr Wilson, Mr Damport, Mr Wells, Mr
Sheopard and Mr Peters, these, or the greater part of
them, whereof Mr Wiuthrop, Mr Dudley, or Mr
* Salem Town Records- t Records of Mass. Bay Colony.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 11
Belliugham to bee always one, to take order for a colledge
at Newtowne." This was the founding of Harvard College,
and May 2, 1638, "It is ordered that Newtowne shall
hereafterward be called Cambridge."*
Nov., 1637. " Mr Dunkaen and Increase No well were
appointed to take Mr Peters his account between this and
the next Courte."*
Dec., 1637. Peters reproved Vane, then governor,
because of his expressing dislike to a meeting of Cotton
and the elders about differences of opinion ; Peter adds
"that the Ministers are saddened by his jealousy of their
deliberations and his apparent inclination to restrain their
liberty." The governor apologized. f
Mar. 12, 1638 . . . "this Court hath therefore
ordered that the freemen of every towne (or some part
thereof chosen by the rest) wthin this Jurisdiction shall
assemble together in their severall townes, and collect the
heads of such necessary and fundamental laws as may bee
sutable to the times and places whear God by his Pvidence
hath cast us, & the heads of such lawes to deliver in
writing to the Governor for the time being before the 5th
day of the 4th month called June, next, to the intent that
the same Governor, together with the rest of the standing
councell, & Mr Richard Bellingham Esq, Mr Bulkley, Mr
Phillips, Mr. Peters, and Mr Sheopard . . . [and
others] may vpon the survey of such heads of lawes,
make a compendious abridgment of the same for the
Generall Court."* . . .
March 12, 1638. " Whereas there hath been divers
complaints made concerning oppsion in wages, in prizes
of comodities, in smiths worke, in excessive prizes for
the worke of draughts and teames and the like, to the
great dishonour of God, the scandoll of the gosple & the
greife of divers of God's people . . . the Court
. hath ordered it, that it shall bee onely considered
by Mr Endecott, Mr Bellingham, Mr Harlakenden, Mr
Staughton, Mr Peters, Mr Noise, [and twenty more]
whom the Court hath desired in that perticoler & to
bring into the next Generall Court their thoughts for the
remediing of the same."*
* Records of Mass. Bay Colony.
t Felt's Ecclesiastical History of New England.
12 HUGH PETER:
In 1638, the town of Salem paid Mr. Peter for "weights,
beame and scales."
About 1637 or 1638, Peter's first wife dies, probably in
England, for in March 6, 1636-7, a letter says : "Mrs.
Peters is yet in Holland and James Downinge with her,
but we now daily expect them." Mrs. Peter, the
gentlewoman to whom Peter refers in his "Last Legacy,"
was Mistress Reade, widow of Col. Edmund Reade, of
Essex, England, and is said to have been the daughter of
Thomas Cooke of Pebmarsh. She seems to have been
Reade's second wife and was apparently much older than
Peter. Her name was Elizabeth. Her husband died in
or about 1624, and she soon after married Peter.
Colonel Reade's children were, as nearly as I have been
able to discover:*
1. Edmund, born 1595 ; died young.
2. William; died 1659.
3. Samuel.
4. Edmund, born 1604; died 1613.
5. Thomas, the youngest son, died Dec., 1677; he
was a Colonel in the Parliamentary army and Governor of
Stirling, and was associated with Monk at the Restoration.
6. Margaret, died, 1672, in Ipswich, Mass. ; she
married John Lake, presumably in England.
7. Martha, died, 1662, in Ipswich, Mass. ; married
(1st) Daniel Epps, in England ; (2nd) Samuel Symonds.
8. Elizabeth, baptized November 27, 1614; married
John Winthrop, jr., in England, in 1635, and their first
child Elizabeth, is baptized in July, 1636.
John Winthrop's second wife, Elizabeth Reade, was the
mother of all his children and came to this country with
him. The elder Winthrop, after this marriage, always
refers to his son's father-in-law as " my brother Peter."
This was customary at the time as is evidenced by
Cromwell's addressing Richard Mayor, whose daughter
married Richard Cromwell, as "Dear brother" and
w Loving brother. "I
In April, 1638, we first hear of the person who was to
be Peter's second wife : Upon the 12th day of the month
Peter's church together with the others, " kept a solemn
* They may not be arranged in the order of their birth, the dates being mostly
unknown ; but Elizabeth appears to be the youngest daughter,
t Cromwell's Correspondence.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 13
fast-day for divine deliverance from the threatening evil
of a general governor for the colonies and the consequent
dissolution of their charter privileges and the loss of all
their religious liberty." The next day Peter writes thus
to Winthrop :
" To the noble Gouernour in Boston ;
Hon. Sir, I much thanke you for yours, and together
am sorry for the sickness of our frends. I am still
troublesome to you. I haue sent Mrs D. Sh.* letter which
puts mee to new trouble, for though she takes liberty
upon my Cossen Dowuing's speeches, yet (Good Sir) let
mee not bee a foole in Israel. I had many good answers
to yesterday's worke and amongst the rest her letter :
which (if her owne) doth argue more wisdome than I
thought shee had. You haue often sayd I could not leaue
her; what to do is very considerable. Could I with
comfort and credit desist, this seemes best ; could I goe on,
and content my selfe, that were good ; my request is, that
this bearer my hart's halfe may well observe what is best.
For though I now seeme free agayne yet the depth I know
not. Had shee come ouer with mee I thinke I had bin
quieter. This shee may know, that I haue sought God
earnestly, for the next weeke, I shall bee riper :
1 doubt shee gaynes most by such writings ; and shee
deserues most where shee is further of. My very hart is
with you and I am
Yours euer H : Peter
If you shall amongst you advise mee to write to hir I
shall forthwith, our towne lookes vpon mee as contracted
and so I haue sayd my selfe what wonder the changef
would make I know not."
Extract from letter of Endecott to John Winthrop :
April 13, 1638. "I cannot but acquaint yow with my
thoughts concerning Mr Peter, since hee receaued a letter
from Mrs Sheffield, which was yesterday in the eveninge
after the fast ; shee seeming in her letter to abate of her
affeccions towards him, and dislikinge to come to Salem
vppon such terms as hee had written. I finde that [s]hee
begins now to play her parte, and if I mistake not, you will
* Deliverance Sheffield.
t " Charge " was printed, but evidently a mistake.
14 HUGH PETER :
see him as greatly in loue with her (if shee will but hold
a little) as euer shee was with him ; but hee conceals it
what hee can as yett. The begininge of the next weeke
you will heare further from him "*....
Later, Peter again writes to Winthrop : " Sir ... I
know not well whither Mrs Sh. haue set mee at liberty or
not ; my conclusion is, that if you find I cannot make an
honorable retreat then I shall desire to advance . . .
Once more for Mrs Sh. I had from Mr Hibbens and
others, her fellow passengers, sad discouragement, where
they saw her in her trim" . . .
Poor woman, probably very seasick, and sadly out of
trim, but very likely no worse than her fellow passengers.
Emanuel Downing writes to Winthrop in 1638 : " My
Cosen P. is constant to his dayly charge, soe that all his
friends are resolved to leave him to his owne way, yet
blessed be God his preaching is verie profitable and
comfortable to all."
August or September, 1638, Francis Weston, an
advocate of Williams, complains of Mr Peter of the Salem
church, as not being allowed to ask questions in time of
public worship. He also objects that the wife of Peter
and others who came from Rotterdam after he did, had
been received as members of his church at Salem though
they brought no letters of recommendation. |
This approximately places Peter's marriage to
Deliverance Sheffield, of whom we know only that she
joined the church in Boston, March 10, 1639, and was
dismissed to the church in Salem, Jan. 2, 1640.
Nov. 12, 1638. He had 230 acres of land granted him,
in addition to 50 more at the head of Forest River, granted
him the previous year, part of which bears his name to
this very day. J
Dec. 6, 1638. He was present at the execution in
Boston, of Dorothy Talby, she being of his congregation
in Salem . The unfortunate woman , suffering from religious
mania, had murdered one of her children. This form of
insanity was entirely misunderstood in those days.
* Mass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, Vol. VII, p. 157.
t Felt's Ecclesiastical History of New England.
t Felt's Memoir of Hugh Peters.
REPRODUCTION OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY HUGH PETER.
From Massachusetts Archives, Vol. ccxl, page 33.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 15
He was a witness, though a somewhat reluctant one,
against Mrs Hutchinson, and took little part in that affair.
May 22, 1639. Mr Peter is desired to write to Holland
for 500 worth of salt peter, and 40 worth of match.*
June 6, 1639. He is granted five hundred acres of
land by the Court.
June 19th. Granted to Mr Peters the Marsh lyiugover
against his now dwelling containing about one and one-
half acres or thereabouts on the other side of the water.
Peter writes to the church at Dorchester :|
" Salem-1-5-39. Reuerend and deerly beloued in the
lord, wee thought it oure bounden duty to acquaynt you
with the names of such persons as haue had the great
censure past vpon them in this our church, with the
reasons thereof; Beseeching you in the lord not only to
reade their names in publicke to yours, but also to giue
vs the like notice of any dealt with in like manner by you,
that so wee may walke towards them accordingly ; for
some of vs here haue had communion iguorantly with such
as haue bin cast out of other churches.
2 Thes : 3, 14. wee can do no lesse than haue such
noted as disobey the truth.
Roger Williams and his wife, John Throckmorton and
his wife, Thomas Olney and his wife, Stukeley Westcot
and his wife, Mary Halliman and Widow Reeues. These
wholy refused to heare the church, denying it and all the
churches in the Bay to bee true Churches and (except two)
are all rebaptized.
John Elford for obstinacy, after diuers syns hee stood
guilty of, and proued by witness, William James for pride
and diuers other evills, in which he remained obstinate.
John Talby for much pride, and unnaturalnes to his
wife, who was lately executed for murdering her child.
William Walcot for refusing to bring his children to the
ordinance, neglecting willingly family dutyes, &c.
Thus wishing the Continued enioyment of both the
Staues( Beauty and Bands) and that y our soules may flovrish
as watered gardens, rest y w in the lord Jesus,
Hu : Peter.
* Records of Mass. Bay Colony.
t Tbe original letter is in the Mass. Archives, Vol.
CCXL, p. 33.
16 HUGH PETER:
By the churches order and in her name. For the church
in Dorchester."
June 6, 1639. Mr Endecott, Mr Downing and Mr
Hauthorne are to dispose of the house which Mr Peters
bought, as they can, and return the money for the college*
[Harvard] .
June, 1639. He had an Indian servant, named Hope,
who was whipped for running away and for drunkenness.
Sept. 4, 1639. Writing from Salem he speaks of " my
wife," but we know not the date of his marriage. " My wife
desires my daughter to send to Hanna that was her mayd,
now at Charltowne, to know if shee would dwell with vs
for truly wee are so destitute (hauing now but an Indian)
that wee know not what to doe."f " My wife is very
thankful for her apples and desires much the new fashioned
shoes," he writes to Winthrop in 1639.
His health is seldom good. In 1636, he writes : " but
God's hand hath bin and is upon mee, more and more in
the weakness of my body, which declynes dayly." And
again in 1638 : " My head is not well, nor any part at
present for I cannot get sleepe."
3 mo. 3 day, 1638. Endecott writes from Salem, to
Winthrop : " and would however [have seen you] had
not Mr. Peters' illness onely detayned mee for he hath
bene very ill. But I hope the worst is past though hee
be as sick in his thoughts aa ever."
Hugh Peter's daughter Elizabeth, his only child, to
whom he dedicated his " Last Legacy," was born in Salem,
and was baptized there the first day of the eighth month,
(Oct.) 1640. It must have been about the time of his
daughter's birth that his wife first showed signs of mental
disorder, and perhaps he refers to this in a letter dated
1640, when he says: "Deepe melancholy is getting fast
vpon mee agayne and tethers mee at home." And again in
the same year : " Am also at present fallen into a sore fit of
my old hypochondriacal melancholy through cold and care."
He often refers to Ipswich in his letters, and frequently
goes there, several of his step-children being settled in
that town.
* Records of Mass. Bay Colony.
t Mass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, Vol. VI.
PREACHER, PATEIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 17
The first discourse ever delivered within the limits of
Wenham (first called Enon), was preached by him from
a small hill now leveled, but long known as Peter's Pulpit,
and his text was : " In Enon, near to Salem, because there
was much water there." John, in. 23. In 1835, the
town of Wenham voted to grant Hugh Peter's hill to the
first church in Salem, upon condition of their erecting
there a monument to him. The offer was to hold good for
three years : it was not accepted and the land passed to
an ice company.
Peter owned a farm of three or four hundred acres in
Marblehead, near what is now Devereux.
In 1640, the Court requested the Churches of Salem,
Roxbury and Boston to relinquish their pastors for the
mission to England. The churches strenuously objected.
Impetus was given to ship building in 1640-41, by Hugh
Peter and Richard Hollingsworth causing a ship to be
begun in the February of that year. She was of 300 tons
and was finished and launched in June. She was perhaps
the Mary Ann of Salem, mentioned in 1643. The
inhabitants of Boston forthwith built a ship of 150 tons.
" These are the ministers of the Bay. At Salem, Master
Peter, Pastor, Master Norris, Teacher, and his sonne a
School Master. Long Island is begun to be planted, a
Church was gathered for that Island atLynne, in the Bay.
Master Peter of Salem was at the gathering. At Northern,
alias Piscattaqua, is master Larkham Pastor, One master
H. K.* was also lately Minister there, with Master
Larkham. They two fell out about baptizing of children,
receiving of members, buriall of the dead, and the
contention was so sharp, that Master K. and his party
rose up, and excommunicated Master Larkham, and some
that held with him : And further Master Larkham flying
to the Magistrates, Master K. and a Captainf raised
Armes and expected belpe from the Bay : Master K.
going before the troop with a Bible upon a pole's top, and
he, or some of his party giving forth, that their side were
Scots, and the other English : Whereupon the Gentlemen
of Sir Ferdinaudo Gorges plantation came in, and kept
* Hansard Knollys. t Underbill.
HUT. COLL. VOL. XXX vm 2
18 HUGH PETER:
Court with the Magistrates of Piscattaqua (who have also
a Patent) being weake of themselves. And they fined all
them that were in armes, for a Riot, by Indictment, Jury
and Verdict, formally Nine of then were censured to be
whipt, but that was spared. Master K. and the Captain
their Leaders, were fined 100 1. apiece, which they were
not able to pay. To this broyle came Master Peter of
Salem and there gave his opinion at Northam, that the
said excommunication was a nnlity."*
" A nd particularly, Master Peter went from Salem on
foot to New Dover, alias Piscattnqua, alias Northam, to
appease the difference betweene Master Larkham and
Master K. when they had been up in Armes this last
Winter time. He went by the sending of the Governour,
Counsell and Assistants of the Bay, and of the Church of
Salem, and was in much danger of being lost returning,
by losing his way in the woods, and some with him, but
God be blessed they returned.''!
"Mr. Peters and Mr. Dalton with one of Acamenticus
went [1641] from Pascataquack with Mr. John Ward [of
Haverhill] who was to be entertained there for their
minister ; and though it be but 6 miles yet they lost their
way and wandered 2 days and 1 night without food or fire
in the snow and wet."J
June 2, 1641. "The Court doth entreat leave of the
church of Salem for Mr. Peters, of the church of Roxberry
for Mr. Wells and of the church of Boston for Mr. Hibbens
to go to England upon some weighty occations for the good
of the country, aa is conceived ;" and this time the
congregation sacrificing itself, permitted him to depart.
He left, with Weld of Roxbury and Hibbens of Boston, as
agents for the Colony, to attend to its interests in the
mother country, and principally to plead for a decrease of
the taxes.
"There being no ship which was to return right for
England," they went to Newfoundland intending to take a
passage from thence in the fishing fleet. They left Boston,
* Plain Dealing or Newea from New England, by Tboi. Lechford. Mane. HUt.
Coll., 3rd series, Vol. Ill, p. 98.
t Ibid., p. 106.
i Winthrop's Journal, II, p. 29.
Records of Mass. Bay Colony.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 19
August 3rd, accompanied by John Winthrop the younsrer.
They were 14 days to Newfoundland. Peter and Weld
preached to the people there " who were much nffected
with the word taught, and entreated them with all
courtesy."
He writes on July 27, 1641, " If the Lord continue my
life, then I do hereby authorize them [Gott and Horn] to
do all my affairs as if myself was present, as in looking
into my house, to dispose of my ground, mill, and other
things as in wisdom they shall see meet."
While on his way to England a commission was forwarded
to him from Connecticut, signed by Hnynes and Winthrop.
"Whereas the bearer, Mr. Hugh Peters, minister of Salem,
ia sent at the public request to England to negociate with
the present parliament there about such matters as concern
us, which we confide to his care and fidelity, this is to
authorize him, if occasion permit him to go to the
Netherlands, to treat with the West Indian Company there
concerning a peaceable neighborhood between us and them
of New Netherlands and whatever he shall further think
proper touching the West Indies."
" 1642, Mo. 6. Mr. Welde, Mr. Peter, and Mr. HSbbens
who were sent hst year into England, had procured 500
which they sent over in linen, woollen, and other useful
commodities for this country, which, because the stock
might be preserved and returned this year for a further
supply, were put off together for about eighty pounds
profit, and the principal returned by Mr. Stoughton in the
next ship."* " My first work was with the first, to go for
Ireland, which I did with many hazards ; then I was at
sea, with my old patron, the Earl of Warwick, to whom
I owed my life," he writes.
From June to Sept., 1642, he was chaplain to the forces
for the reduction of Ireland, in the expedition commanded
by Alexander, Lord Forbes, and the same year he wrote
an account of this expedition.
March 10, 1643. One of the ends of his mission was
attained in the relief of New England from all duties
on exports and imports to and from the mother country,
which were for the home consumption of the colonists.
July 5, 1643. He attended Mr Chaloner (who was in
* Wlnthrop'8 Journal, n, p. 78.
20 HUGH PETEB:
Waller's Plot) in prison and at his execution. Chnloner,
advised by Peter, on the scaffold, explained the p:irt he
had taken in the plot, and then desired Mr Peter to pray
with him. The same year he was sent by Parliament
to Holland, to borrow money for the Protestant sufferers
in Ireland and raised 30,000.
Jan. 4, 1644. He attends Sir John Hotham at his
execution ; and on the scaffold received public thanks
from Sir John for his excellent instruction and nssi-stance.
Mar. 12, 1644. In a speech of Archbishop Laud's, at
the beginning of his trial, after speaking of the persons
whom he had been the means of converting from
Romanism, the Archbishop said: "Let any clergyman
of England come forth and give a better account of his
Zeal to the Church." Peter, who stood near him replied
that however he was only an humble individual among
many hundreds of ministers in the kingdom, he had been
instrumental thro' divine aid, in bringing not only twenty-
two from Papistry but one hundred and twenty, who
witnessed a good profession, as true Protestants and
sincere Christians. He added that others as well as
himself, were able to produce hundreds of real converts
to the Church, for each whom the Prelate could.* He
accompanied the Earl of Warwick, upon his expedition
for the relief of Lyme, during May and June of 1644,
and subsequently gave "a large Relation to the Commons
of all the Business of Lyme where he was with the Earl
of Warwick."
June 6, 1645. He is chaplain to the train, "the
regiments in charge of the baggage wagons and artillery ",f
While Laud was in prison he charged Peter with
conspiring to banish him to New England and begged
that he might not be sent over-seas, pleading his age and
infirmities. This had indeed been thought of, but as a
means of saving him from death, and Peter's request
therefore had been a motion made in Commons.
July 20, 1645. "On the Lord's day [at the siege of
Bridgewater,] Mr. Peters in the forenoon preached a
preparation sermon, to encourage the soldiers to go on ;
Mr Bowles likewise did in part in the afternoon. After
t Felt's Memoir of Hugh Peters.
i Gardener's Great Civil War, II, 297.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 21
both sermons the drums beat, the army was drawn out
into the field : the commanders of the forlorne hope, who
were to begin the storm, and the soldiers, being drawn
together in the field, were there also afresh exhorted to do
their duties (with undaunted courage and resolution) by
Mr. Peters, who did it (as one says of him) tarn Marte
Quam Mercurio."*
In 1645, at the storming of Bridgewater, " Mr. Peters
and Mr. Boles, in their sermons, incouraged the Soldiers
to the work. About 7 at night the fort being drawn out,
and these that Commanded the storm and forlorn, Mr.
Peters, in the Field, gave them an Exhortation to do their
duties/'-f "Mr. Peters who brought up the Letter from
Sir Thomas Fairfax was called into the House, and made
a large Relation of the particular passages in the taking
of Bridgewater ; he also produced several Commissions
in Characters, which the House referred to a Committee,
to be decyphered, and gave 100 to Mr. Peters for his
unwearied services, and sent a letter of thanks to Sir
Thomas Fairfax for all his great services and particularly
for this of Bridgewater."t
Aug. 29, 1645. Friday. A fast was kept through the
army to seek God for a blessing upon the designs against
Bristol : Mr Del and Mr Peters kept the day at the head
quarters.*
Aug., 1645. At this time, in compliance with Peter's
former application to Parliament, he obtained the passage
of an ordinance, enlarging that of 1643, which allowed
all exports to New England to be free from duties without
the previous restriction.
Sept. 9, 1645. "Mr. Peter was called into the House and
gave them a particular Account of the Siege of Bristol,
and the cause of sitting down before it to prevent the
plunder and cruelties of Prince Rupert in that Country,
and he pressed the desire of Sir. Thomas Fairfax to have
Recruits sent to him."
Sept., 1645. " Mr. Peters Preached in the Market Place
at Torrington, and convinced many of their Errors in
* Anglia Rediviva; England's Recovery. The History of the Motions, Actions
and Successes of the Army under tlr Thomas Fairfax, by Joshua Sprigg, M. A.
London, 1H47.
t Whitelocke's Memorials, ed. 1732, p. 6r-.
i Whitelocke's Memorials, ed. 1732, p. 157.
Whitelocke's Memorials, ed. 1782, p. 171.
22 HUGH PETEB:
adhering to the King's Party, and that he, with Lieut.
Col. Berry* were sent to Plymouth to treat with the
Governor, "f
Oct. 1, 1645. "The Co r t thinketh it meete y* Mr Peet"
and Mr Weld, being sent ov r as prsons fit to negociate
for y e country, haveing been long absent, desire they may
und r stand the Co r ts mind y* they desire their qpsence
here, and speedy returne."J
It is probably about this time that he wrote the
following letter :
" To my truly honourable and faithful General Sir Thomas
Fairfax :
" Sir, one of the greatest comforts I have had in this
world, next to the grace of God in Christ to my poor
Soul, hath been to be a member of your Army, and a
spectator of his presence with you and it, what others do,
I know not ; but it is my duty to return to my work, and
to meet you again ; which I am bold to do with this simple
present. I know your mind, that must not, will not, be
flattered ; nor am I skillful in that mystery : I have seen
you upon earth, and doubt not to meet you triumphing in
heaven. I only must crave leave to speak your own
words, that your great experience of God's Power and
mercy, have made strong obligation upon you to love
Him and the saints, which I have seen you do impartially ;
you have made it your interest, and now, you find you are
not deceived, the God of all your unparalled mercy dwell
in that thriving soul of yours, strengthen you throughout
to the completing of this great work, yea, Sereus in
Coelum redeas, diuque Laetus intersis populo Britanno.
"For myself (if it be worth your acceptance) I am
resolved to live and die in your and the kingdom's Service,
and as you have obliged three kingdoms to you and many
thousands of saints, so none of them more to honour you
than, Sir
Your ever faithful servant in Christ
Hugh Peters."$
* Perhaps this Is " Capt. Lteut." Berry who killed Gen. Cavendish.
1 Whltelocke, ed. 1732, p. 194. Wbitelocke gives this Information Feb. 28, 1045
(0. 8.), Baying: " Letters from the Army certified that" . . . but it appears to
me that this event took place in the previous September.
t Records of Mass. Bay Colony, Vol. II, p 137.
Memorials of the Civil War, ed. by Bob. Bell (Fairfax Correspondence)
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 23
Oct. 7, 1645. " Letters brought by Mr. Peters from
Lieutenant General Cromwell certified that, after he hud
entered Winchester Town, he summoned the Castle who
denied, then he planted six Guns, and after firing them
round sent a second Summons for a Treaty, which he
refused : That he made a Breach with two hundred Shot,
and then the Governor beat a Parley, which was agreed
to, and Colonel Hammond and Major Harrison, for
Cromwell, agreed upon Articles for Surrender of the
Castle, which was well manned with six hundred eighty
Horse and Foot, near two hundred Gentlemen Officers,
and their Servants, victualled with fifteen thousand Weight
of Cheese, store of Wheat and Beer, twenty Barrels of
Powder, seven Pieces of Cannon. The Works exceeding
strong, eight hundred Pounds of Butter, one hundred
forty Quarters of Wheat and Meal, seven thousand Weight
of Bisket, great store of other Provisions, Arms and
Ammunition.
"The Messenger of the good news had fifty Pound given
him Mr. Peters was called in, and made a
particular Relation of the taking of Winchester Castle.
Oct 7, 1645."*
"Mr. Peters, also being requested to make a relation to
the House of Commons, spake as follows : The reader
will like to hear Mr. Peters for once, a man concerning
whom he has heard so many falsehoods, and to see an old
grim scene through his eyes. Mr. Peters related That
he came into Basing House some time after the storm, on
Tuesday, 14th of October 1645 ; * and took a view first of
the works which were many, the circumvallion being above
a mile in compass. The Old House had stood (as it is
reported) two or three hundred years, a nest of Idolatry ;
the New House surpassing that in beauty and stateliness ;
and either of them fit to make an emperor's court. The
rooms before the storm (it seems), in both Houses, were
all completely furnished ; provisions for some years rather
than months ; 400 quarters of wheat ; bacon divers rooms
full, containing hundreds of flitches ; cheese proportionable ;
with oatmeal, beef, pork ; beer divers cellars-full and that
very good.' Mr. Peters having taken a draught of the
* Whitelocke, ed. 1732, p. 175.
24 HUGH PETER:
same. f A bed in one room, furnished, which cost 1,300
Popish books, many with copes, and such utensils. In
truth, the House stood in its full pride; and the Enemy
was pursuaded that it would be the last piece of ground
taken by the Parliament, because they had so often foiled
our forces which had formerly appeared before it. In the
several rooms and about the House, there were slain
seventy-four, and only one woman, the daughter of Dr.
Griffith, who by her railing,' poor lady, ' provoked our
soldiers (then in heat) into a farther passion. There lay
dead upon the ground Major Cuffle ; a man of great
account amongst them, and a notorious Papist; slain by
the hands of Major Harrison, that godly and gallant
gentleman' all men know him 'and Robinson the Player,
who a little before the storm was known to be mocking
and scorning the Parliament and our Army : eight or
nine gentlewomen of rank, running forth together, were
entertained by the common soldiers somewhat coarsely ;
yet not uncivilly, considering the action in hand.
"'The plunder of the soldiers continued till Tuesday
night, one soldier had a hundred-and-twenty pieces of
gold for his share ; others plate, and others jewels ;
among the rest one got three bags of silver which (he
being not able to keep his own counsel) grew to be
common pillage amongst the rest, and the fellow had but
one half-crown left for himself at last. The soldiers sold
the wheat to country-people ; which they held up at good
rates a while ; but afterwards the market fell, and there
were some abatements for haste. After that, they sold
the household stuff, whereof there was good store, and
the country loaded away many carts ; and they continued
a great while, fetching out all manner of household stuff,
till they had fetched out all the stools, chairs and other
lumber, all of which they sold to the country-people by
piecemeal.
"'In all these great buildings, there was not one bar left
in all the windows (save only what were on fire), before
night. And the last work of all was the lead ; and by
Wednesday morning they had hardly left one gutter about
the House. And what the soldiers left the fire took hold
on ; which made more than ordinary haste ; leaving
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 25
nothing but bare walls and chimneys in less than twenty
hours ; being occasioned by the neglect of the Enemy in
quenching a fire ball of ours at first.' What a scene ! 'We
know not how to give a just account of the number of
persons that were within. For we have not quite three
hundred prisoners, and it may be have found a hundred
slain, whose bodies, some being covered with rubbish,
came not at once to view. Only riding to the House on
Tuesday night we heard divers crying in vaults for
quarters, but our men could neither come to them, nor
they to us. Amongst those that we saw slain, one of
their officers lying on the ground, seeming so exceedingly
tall, was measured ; and from his great toe to his crown
was 9 feet in length' [sic].
"The Marquis* being pressed by Mr. Peters arguing
with him, urging him to yield before it came to storm,
broke out and said : f That if the King had no more
ground in England but Basing House, he would adventure
as he did, and so maintain it to the uttermost ;' meaning
with these Papists ; comforting himself in his disaster,
'that Basing House was called Loyalty.' But he was
soon silenced in the question concerning the King and
Parliament; and could only hope 'That the King might
have a day again.' And thus the Lord was pleased in a
few hours to show us what mortal seed all earthly glory
grows upon, and how just and righteous the ways of God
are, who taketh sinners in their own snares, and lifteth up
the hands of His despised people.
"This is now the twentieth garrison that hath been taken
in this Summer, by this Army ; and I believe most of them
the answers of the prayers and trophies of the faith, of
some of God's servants.
"The Commander of this Brigade, Lieutenant-General
Cromwell, 'had spent much time with God in prayer the
night before the storm, and seldom fijrhts without some
Text of Scripture to support him. This time he rested
upon that blessed word of God, written in the Hundred
and fifteenth Psalm, eighth verse. 'They that make them
are like unto them ; so is every one that trusteth in
* The Marquis of Winchester.
26 HUGH PETER:
them. Which, with some verses going before was now
accomplished.'
"Mr. Peters presented the Marquis's own Colours, which
he brought from Basing; the Motto of which was, Donee
Pax redeal terris; the very same as King Charles gaee
upon his Coronation-money, when he came to the Crown.
So Mr. Peters; and then withdrew, getting by and by
200 1. a year settled on him."*
Jan. 18, 1646. Sunday. At Dartmouth, Mr Del in
the morning and Mr Peters in the evening, exhorted the
soldiers to do their duty.f
"For the right honourable the Lord Fairfax, these :
May it please your Lordship, as soon as we were
masters of the town, I sent a letter to your Lordship in
the express to your house. The two forts are since
surrendered, aud Mr Peters this bearer, can relate all the
particulars, it is one of the greatest businesses the General
hath yet done, to God be the Glory, I take my leave, aud
remain
Your Lordship's most humble servant,
I. RUSHWOBTH.
Dartmouth, January 20, 1645." (1646. N. S.)
Jan. 23, 1646. " Mr Peters came from the Army to the
House, and made them a Narration of the storming and
taking of Dartmouth, and of the valour, unity and affection
of the Army, and presented several Letters, Papers and
Crucifixes and other Popish things taken in the Town. "J
"Peter was chaplain in the campaign of 1645-46;
Whenever a town was to be assaulted, it was his business
to preach a preparatory sermon to the storming parties ;
at Bridgewater, Bristol and Dartmouth his eloquence was
credited with a share in inspiring the soldiers. During
the siege of Bristol he made converts of five thousand
clubmen ; when Fairfax's army entered Cornwall his
dispatches specially mentioned the usefulness of Peter in
persuading his countrymen to submission. ... In
addition to his duties as chaplain Peter exercised the
* Whltelocke ; ed. 1732, p. 218. Carlyle's Oliver Cromwell.
f AngliaRedivlva.
i Whltelocke, ed. 1732, p. 189.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 27
functions of a confidential agent of the general and of a
war correspondent. Fairfax habitually employed him to
represent to the parliament the condition of the army, the
motives which determined his movements and the detail
of his successes."*
Feb. 28, 1646. Saturday. "His excellency had
intelligence that salt ash was quitted by the enemy, and
their works left undemolished ; that the Governour of
Mount Edgecombe was resolved to conclude upon a treaty
negociated by Master Peters :
" The conditions for the surrender of mount Edgecomb,
a place of great strength and consideration, were this day
presented to the General by Master Coriton, Master
Tower, Master Glanville, and Master Trevisa, gentlemen
of the country, who were glad of the opportunity to
present themselves to the General for his favour; the
propositions were ratified by his excellency and letters of
recommendation were agreed unto, to be drawn and sent
on their behalf to the parliament, their reasonable coming
in was a good service and master Peters' industry ; this
negociation was great, and worthy all acceptation and
acknowledgement.''!
March 21, 1645 (1646, N. S.). "Mr Peters newly come
from the Army, was called into the House and made them
a particular relation of the proceedings of Sir Thomas
Fairfax there, as is before mentioned, and that Hoptou's
Horse that were disbanded were near five thousand.
"That the Lord Hopton was not gone for Oxford, but
took shipping for France, and many of the Commanders
with him, and some before, and others went to their own
houses, that Pendennis Castle was closely besieged and
that the General intended to return towards Exeter.
"Order for an hundred pounds per annum to be settled
on Mr. Peters, and his Heirs, out of the Earl of
Worcesters Estate and fifty pounds to the Gentleman that
brought the Letters from Sir. Thomas Fairfax. "J
April 3, 1646. Peter preached a sermon, "God's
Doings and Man's Duty," before the Lord Mayor and
* Dictionary of National Biography.
t Anglla Kcdiviva.
i Whltelocke, ed. 1732, p. 198.
28 HUGH PETER:
Aldermen of the City of London and the Assembly of
Divines ; this sermon was one of Thanksgiving " for the
recovery of the West and disbanding of five thousand of
the King's Horse !" and was printed by R. Ra worth for
G. Culvert at the sign of the Black and Spread Eagle at
the west end of Pauls. 1646.
The following extracts are made from this sermon :
"Since you are still buzzed in the ear with a desperate
increase ot error, give me to leave this expedient by way
of a query. The wound seems to be in the understanding,
and the cure must be there (under favour) What if some
convenient places in the city were set apart two or three
times weekly, where Godly learned men, appointed by
yourselves, and the leaders or heads of these errors, aa
they are termed, might have leave to come, and there in
a brotherly way take and give satisfaction? For as
conclaves have always been dangerous, so these poor
erring men can not have the benefit to appear with
boldness, and reasonable souls may sooner certainly be
taught with reason and scripture than with cudgels and
blows."
"I could wish some of my learned brethren's quarrelling
hours were rather spent upon clearing the originals,
and so conveying pure scripture to posterity, than in
scratching others with their sharpened pens, and making
cockpits of pulpits."
"Men and Brethren, whilst we are disputing here, they
are perishing there and going to hell by droves. If I
know anything, what you have gotten by the sword must
be maintained by the word I say the word, by which
English Christians are made : in other countries disci-
pline makes them so. Drive them into a church together
and then dub them Christians ; you will find too much
of this abroad and hence it comes to pass that most of
their religion lies in polemics, which is the trade we are
likely to drive if God prevent not."
"What Mr. Peters further asked for was not stricter
discipline, but more attractive preaching. Nor were
men's bodies to be neglected. Why was not the
Charterhouse employed in helping the widows and orphans
of those who had been slain in the war ? Why were there
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 29
so many beggars in the city? Why could not the Courts
do justice more quickly? And as a means thereto, why
could not the language of the law be English instead of
French that badge of conquest? There might even be
two or three friend-makers set up in every parish without
whose labour and leave none should implend another.
Why were poor debtors to be kept in prison? Why
should men's names be exposed to detraction ?
"I know no publiek person, but ought to carry a spare
handkerchief to wipe off dirt ; yet certainly blasting men's
names in print, is not the way to clear a cause in dispute.
Let us look to our duty and the Lord will care for our
reproaches."
In a letter from Giles Firmin* to John Winthrop,
written from England in 1646, appears the following:
"Mr. Peter hath done very much service since hjther hee
came. I could wish hee did not too much countenance the
Opinjanists, which Avee did so cast out in New England.
I know he abhores them in hjs heart, but hee hath many
hang vpon him, being a man of such vse. I hope God
will preserve him spottlesse, notwithstanding vjle
aspersions cast vpon hjm, but I percejue jt is by the
Presbylerjans, agaynst whom some tjme hee lets dropp a
sharp word." "Colchester, 1st July."f
1646. "A plantation was this year begun at Pequod
River by Mr. John Winthrop Junr., Mr. Thomas Peter,
a minister, (brother to Mr. Peter of Salem) and this
Court power was given to them two for ordering and
governing the plantation till further order, &c."J
In 1646, Cromwell commanded Peter to raise a regi-
ment of foot for service in Ireland. This attempt was
unsuccessful, but undoubtedly gave rise to the report that
Peter was a colonel.
August, 1646. An ordinance sent up to the Lords for
settling 200 pounds per annum upon Mr. HughPeter.
October, 1646. Ordinance for settling 200 pounds per
annum on Mr. Hugh Peters. ||
* A physician of Ipswich, Mass., and a man of repute and standing.
t Mass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, vol. VII, p. 277.
i Winthrop's Journal, II, 25.
Whitelocke, ed. 1732, p. 218.
Whltelocke, ed. 1732, p. 223. Evidently tht same as the preceding.
80 HUGH PETER:
In this year he published his "Last Report of the English
Wars," in which he answered seven questions.
1. " Why he was silent at the surrender of Oxford."
He replied that the place was so near London and the
occurrence so generally known there was no need of his
giving it greater publicity. He also adds "You had nothing
committed there by ours that had not its rise from integrity
and faithfulness to the State."
2. " What he observed at Worcester, it being the last
town in the Kings hands?" He speaks in hi<rh terms of
the skill and bravery, exhibited there by Col. Whalley and
other officers. He observes " I preached at Worcester at
our coming in, and afterwards, did observe a door open
to the Gospel. I am now satisfied with my many, many
petitions, that I might live to see this day, this blessed
day, and the last town of the enemies taken. I am
thinking whether to go a few days more in this vale to
admire what I have seen upon earth, and then die, that I
may praise him, as he would be praised, who hath founded
mercies for his servants, and brought forth deliverance to
miracle, through Jesus Christ."
3. " What were best to do with the army?"
" The disbanding of an army if trusty ought not to be a
work of haste. Never fewer complaints, nor many men of
such quality, whose design is only to obey their masters,
viz. the Parliament."
4. " If he had any expedient for the present difference ?"
To nullify such want of harmony, the clergy should
become reconciled, and general charity exercised :
Presbyterians and Independents should be friendly and
seek for the greatest public benefit. " Coals blown get
heat and strength ; neglected grow cold. I think we might
do God more service in study and pulpits, than in waiting
at great mens doors and working them up to their selfish
interests."
5. "What his thoughts were in relation to foreign
States?"
" That forthwith one might have some choice agents
sent, as two to Sweden, two to the Cantons, our good
friend, two to the Netherlands, and so to other parts, as
we see cause, and these accompanied with a manifest of
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 31
God's gracious dealings with the State, letting them know
we omitted this work in our misery, lest our friends might
fear us for beggars, but now being upon an even foot with
them, we let them know our condition, and how we are
ready to own them against a common enemy."
6. " How these lute mercies and conquests might be
preserved and improved?"
By the same means the mercy is gained, it may be
preserved even the encouragement of good men "Walk
plainly in your counsels, God needs no man's lies to carry
on his work. Let it be our care that after ages may not
say we conquered ourselves into a new slavery. Justice
will exalt and maintain a nation. I wish they might be
first sharers in it, that first adventure their estates and
lives. A State may stand upon any frame of government,
if fastened together with Justice, charity and industry, the
only upholders of the flourishing neighbor state the
Netherlands." He proposed, that, for the promotion of
morals and religion, as the chief source of a nation's
prosperity, three or four missionaries might be employed
in each County. He added "how ripe I have found
Herefordshire and Worcestershire, for the Gospel and
many other counties."
7. " Why his name appears in so many books not
without blots and he never wipes them off?"
" 1 have been thinking to answer six or seven pamphlets,
that name either enviously, or disgracefully, but yet
remain doubting. The Lord rebuke Satan, This I must
say, if either in Doctrine or practice I have failed, the time
is not yet wherein any brother in any way of God hath
dealt with me."*
"I lived about six years near that famous Scotchman
Mr. John Forbes with whom I travelled into Germany
and enjoyed him in much love and sweetness constantly,
from whom I never had but encouragement though we
differed in the way of our churches. Learned Amesius
breathed his last breath in my bosom. "f
*Thls report was called In derision "Mr. Peter's politics."
t Forbes was a Presbyterian, Ames a Separatist. Extraordinary toleration
for those days! He evidently refers to Ames, and uses the Latin termination
the more to emphasize "learned Amesius breathed bis last," etc. Learned Ames
would not be impressive. See list of Hugh Peter's works, No. 16. He and Ames
were warm friends; he wag very kind to Ames* widow.
33 HUGH FETEB:
"Truly it wounds my soul, when I think Ireland would
perish and England continue her misery through the
disagreement of ten or twelve learned men. Could we
but conquer each other's spirit, we should soon befool the
Devil und his instruments ; to which end I could wish we
that are ministers might pray together, eat and drink
together, because, if I mistake not, estrangement hath
boiled us up to jealousy and hatred."
Speaking of his former church in Rotterdam he remarked
" I thank the Lord it continues to this day." Alluding to
his residence in Salem he said "nor did I loose all my
seven years being in New England, amongst these faithful
learned, godly brethren whose way of worship, if we
profess, it will not be groundless when their writings are
examined. But to those printed scribblers against me, I
may provide shortly a more satisfactory answer, where J
may plainly charge untrue and unworthy passages upon
the authors. Now the good Lord, who hath led captivity
Captive for us, subbue us to himself, and grant that, in
these tossing, troubling, foaming seas, we depart not from
our principles of reason, honor, liberty, much less religion,
which is the prayer of Hugh Peter."
How near Peter came to returning to the land he loved
is shown by the following letters to the Winthrops:
Deale, 23 of June, 1645, " desiring you to assure all
the world that i am coming to you aud haue sent my wife
before for diverse reasons,"
1646. "I am coming over if I must, my wife comes of
necessity to New England hauing run herselfe out of breath
here; you know all, the Lord teach mee what to doe."
Gravesend, 4 of 7ber. Be sure you never let ray wife
come away from thence without my leave & then you love
me,"
16-9-1646. The elder Winthrop writes to his son at
Fisher's Island near Pequod Eiver: "Mrs. Peters went
three days since to Salem ;" fixing her arrival at least
approximately, and about this time he writes again: "My
sister Peter who is now as she used to be," indicating at
least temporary amelioration in her mental condition.*
Peter to Winthrop, May 5, 1647. "Deere Brother
* Letters to the Wiutkrops : Mass. Historical Collections.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 33
my coming was resolved vpon by this ship, but the Lord
hath put in two impediments, the one my want of health
which is much impayred, and 21y my land given by
parliament is but even now turning into money. It is
worth 211 per annum and I am putting it of. By the
next ship I intend to come if God give me measure of
strength. ... I pray (Sir) haue an eye to my wife, if
she will come hither I hynder not, but I thought she might
bee better there. . . Ah, sweet New England I & yet
sweeter if dissensions bee not among you if you will giue
any incouragemeut to those that are godly & shall differ,
etc."
To John Winthrop the elder, May 5 1647. For my
selfe I intend New England shall share in my comforts
and wish men tender in forsaking it, I am sure my spirit
these 2 or 3 yeers hath bin resiles about my stay here,
and nothing vnder heauen but the especiall hand of the
Lord could stay mee : I pray assure all the Country so,
for I must write vnto your selfe now instead of many,
being surprizd as I am hauing a full purpose to come in
this ship really : my bookes you may tell the elders I
shall bring with mee and it may be some thing else, but
truly doe find things goe not well in my absence, and
therefore would bee glad to see what I haue disposed of
by myselfe : thus 1 Quaere
1. Why Mr Payne of Ipswich should haue 120 and od
pounds from my goods when neuer more then 60 were
here demaunded ?
2. Why concluded without a word from mee or any
on this side the water for mee ?
3. Why my goods sold at halfe the value to pay him
which they cost here ?
4. Why my wife should dispose of anything of my
goods without your order, or the deacons, etc. ?
5. Why Rob. Saltonstall should trouble Shirt* of the
noate and others for 100 1 his father owed mee for bread
for his family, and made mee be two years getting of my
due, which his son it seems would haue payd back agayne,
the attempt being monstruous thus to thinke to cheat his
father's frends.
* A Conveyancer.
H18T. COLL. VOL. XXXVUI 3
34 HUGH PETER:
6. Why I should pay so much money for the Country
viz : 200 and neuer considered of & as Mr Pocock sadly
complayns, and why Sherly should not haue his 110
own agreement, vizt, to relinquish the business of
Plymouth ?
These things I leave to your wisdom." ....
Upon the return of Thomas Peter to England, in 1647,
he finds that "his brother was in Chester preaching," and
in April he writes from London to Wiuthrop : " Sir, After
a sad travaile from Mullaga, but a fair one from thence
hither, I haue met with a sad afflicted brother which is
more greevous to me than I wille expresse. He needs
much of your prayers, and if all the sages of Greece were
heere cannot yield him a contenting counsell."* . .
May 17, 1647. Hugh Peter having given his share of
a small barque to the town of Salem, the town received
of Robert Codman 8-15-0 for profits which it had made.
June, 1647. "Mr Peters went to the King at Newmarket,
and had much discourse with hini."f
" Mr Peters likewise was at Newmarket, and had much
discourse with his Majesty : His Majesty told Mr Peters,
that he had often heard talk of him, but did not believe
he had that Solidity in him he found by his Discourse, that
he would have further Conference with him another time.
Mr Peters moved His Majesty to hear him preach but
His Majesty refused.''^
(Sat. ) Sept. 18,1647. "After a sermon in Putney Church
the General, many great Officers, Field-Officers, inferior
Officers and Adjutators, met in the Church ; debated the
Proposals of the Army towards a Settlement of this
bleeding Nation ; altered some things in them ; and were
very full of the Sermon, which had been preached by Mr
Peters."
Nov. 11, 1 647. "& M r Pet's is to pay 50 1 to y e colledge."||
[Harvard College.]
"Wednesday, December 22, 1647, was, according to
Appointment, kept as a Solemn Fast by the General and
* Mass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, vil, p. 428.
iWhltelocke, ed. 1732, p. 254.
Rush worth's Collections, vi, 578.
Rushworth's Collections, vil, 791.
Records of Mass. Bay Colony.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 35
Officers ; the Duties of the Day were performed by divers
of the Officers, amongst whom there was a sweet Harmony.
The Lieutenant General, Commissary General Ireton,
Col. Tichburne, Col. Hewson, Mr Peters and other officers,
pray'd very fervently and pathetically : this continued
from Nine in the Morning till Seven at Night."*
June 26, 1648. Thomas Peter writes " My brother is
now before Pembroke with Cromwell who expects to carry
the castle shortly."
In the beginning of the same month June, 1648, Mr
Peter went across to Milford Haven arid from the Lion,
a parliamentary ship riding there, got " two drakes, two
demi-culverins and two whole culverins, and safely
conveyed them to the Leaguer ; with which new
implements an instantaneous array was made and a
storming thereupon followed but without success. "f
Sept. 7, " Peter with Messrs Marshall and Caryl was
requested to perform religious service before the House
the next day which was Fast."
1648. On the day of Pride's Purge, in the afternoon,
Mr Peters arrived at the House and released Fiennes and
Rudyerd, giving to those who inquired by what authority
they had been detained the short answer : "By the power
of the sword."}
December 20, he was desired to officiate before the
House on the Friday following in St. Margaret's Church.
January, 1648-9. "Upon a conference betwixt the King
and Mr Hugh Peters, and the King desiring that one of
his own chaplains might be permitted to come to him for
his satisfaction in some scruples of conscience, Doctor
Juxon Bishop of London was ordered to go to His
Majesty ."
January 21, 1648-9. Peter preached before the High
Court and on the 28th in St. James' Chapel : this was two
days before the King's death. ||
March 8, 1649. "Yesterday Mr Peters presenting
Hamilton's Petition made many believe he would escape."
* Rushworth's Collections, VII, 815.
t Carlyle's Cromwell, Vol. i, p. 648.
i Gardiner's Great Civil War, in, 639.
Whitelocke, ed. 1732, p. 370.
This was his celebrated sermon on the text " To bind their kings In chains
and their nobles in fetters."
36 HUGH PETER:
The Duke of Hamilton commanded the Scottish forces that
marched into England and were defeated at Preston. A
report was current in New England that Peter had taken
the Duke prisoner with his own hand. Peter's petition
was unsuccessful, and Hamilton was executed the next day.
Before his death he "bade Peter adieu & embraced him."
March 20, 1649. Sir Henry Mildmay,* Sir Jus.
Hamilton and Mr Hillard to be a committee to receive what
Mr Peters, or any whom he may bring with him, have for
the benefit of the commonwealth, and to thank him for
the same.
March 29, 1649. Mr Peter's proposition for building
frigates was referred to the same committee [that is the
Admiralty committee] .
May 9, 1649. Twenty pounds to be payed to Col.
Humphreys to enable him to go to Mr Peters with a
physician.
May 9, 1649. Council of State to Hugh Peters:
" We are sorry of your sickness at Sandwich, and doubting
whether you can have there physicians acquainted with
your condition have desired Col. Humphreys to visit you
and bring a physician to consult with Dr Gourdon and one
shall be left fit to take care of your health; being very
sensible of your faithful service, we would not be wanting
in anything that might tend to 3'our recovery."
In the summer of 1649, Peter is chaplain to the
parliamentary forces sent against the rebels in Ireland.
September, 1649. A proclamation was made by the
Parliament wherein was stated "that Mr Peters the
Minister, was arrived at Dublin, and that at the beginning
of the Troubles in Ireland he led a Brigade against the
Rebels, and came off with honour and victory, and the
like was now expected from him."f
From Dublin, Sept. 15, 1649, he writes to the Speaker
of the House of Commons :
"Sir, The Truth is, Drogheda is taken, 3552 of the
Enemy slain and 64 of ours. Col. Castles, and C. Symonds
of note. Ashton the Governour killed, none spared, we
have all Tyron, and Dundalk, and are marching to
* Member from Waldeu. f Whitelocke, ed. 1782, p. 426.
PREACHES, PATBIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 37
Kilkenny. I come now from giving thanks in the great
Church. We have all our Army well landed.
I am yours
Hugh Peter."
*
The same year Peter writes to John Winthrop, jr : "I
pray you take speciall notice, with Mr Gott, of what I haue
at Salem ; as also 100 Mr Downing's house is bound for,
as also 20 Mr Endecott hovse with all my other matters.
My intention is you and yours should bee the better for
it, as I have signified formelly. Let Mr Gott take the
income of all and bee accountable, my child hauing
another portion." . .
The same year he sends a loadstone to the younger
Winthrop.
October 12, 1649. John Eliot writes to Hugh Peter:
" The Lord hath greatly delighted to improve you, and
eminently your talent is increased to ten talents for our
Lord and Master's honour and use, and doubt not but
your crowne shall be answerable. You are indeed much
envyed, evil spoken of, smitten with the tongue. No
matter. Be not troubled at what men say, when they
speak evillof you, seeing you cannot but see, yea, all men
know it, God dealeth well by you, the Lord doth improve,
accept, succeed you. I cannot wish you in New England
so long as you are of such great use and service in the Old ;
not because I love you not, but because I love you and the
cause of God, which you do totis viribus pursue and
prosper in. I have a request unto you in behalfe of these
poor Indians. We are about to make a Town and bring
them to a cohabitation and civility, for the accomplishment
whereof we want a magazine of all sorts of edge tools
and instruments of husbandry, for clothing, etc, That
successful and reasonable magazine of Provisions, which
you were a lively instrument to procure so seasonably at
Bristol!, for the relief of the army at Pembroke, doth
incourage and imbolden me to request this favour, that you
would be pleased to use that wisdom and interest the Lord
hath given you in the hearts of his people to further this
magazine for the poore Indians. "f
* Whltelocke, ed. 1732, p. 427.
t Felt's Ecclesiastical History of New England, Vol. n, p. 16.
38 HUGH PETEE:
March 25, 1650. "From Milford Haven [came news]
that the country thereabouts did unanimously take the
Engagement ; that Mr Peters opened the matter to them
and did much to encourage them to take it."*
Endecott writing to the younger Winthrop from Salem.
Sept. 28, 1650, says: "Mr. Peters is Colnell of a foote
regiment in Ireland."
Jan. 2, 1650-1. " Mr Peters [is appointed] to be Consul
at and Alusia [Andalusia?] and have credentials to the King
of Spain and instructions about the business of the fleet
going southward and to attend the Council to-morrow."
From December to March, 1650-51, on his return from
Ireland, he is very ill, and was attended for ten weeks by
Dr. Young who testified against him at his trial.
Letter to the Missionary Corporation in England from
Wm. Steele, dated April 17, 1651, refers to charges of
mismanagement of funds by Peter and Welde. "As for Mr
Peters and Mr Welde they haue sufficiently satisfied vs
with what hath been formerly answered."
March 6, 1651. Mr Peter to be paid his quarterly
allowance of 200 a year as it grows due.
November 6, 1651. A sermon to be preached in the
chapel at Whitehall every Friday at 5 p. m. by Mr Peters,
and notice here to be given to him, to begin on the 14th
iust.
December 11, Mr Sterry, Mr Peters and Mr Caryl to
be three ministers to preach before council in Whitehall
Chapel, as they did last year, with the same allowance.
January 20, 1651. "Vote that Mr Hale, Mr Steel, Mr
Cocke, Mr Manby, Mr Sadler, Colonel Blunt, Sir Henry
Blunt, Mr Berners, Major General Desborongh,Mr Moyer,
Colonel Tomlinson, Mr Fountaine, Alderman Fowker,
Mr H. Peters, Major Packer, Sir William Roberts, Mr
Meltwold, Mr Mansell, Mr Rushworth, Mr Sparrow, and
Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, be the Committee to take
into Consideration what Inconveniences there are in the
Law, how the Mischiefs which grow from delays, the
chargeableness, and irregularities in the Proceedings of
the Law may be prevented, and the speediest way to
prevent the same.
* The engagement of adhesion to the Parliament. Whltelocke, ed. 1738, p. 447.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 39
" And to present their Opinions to the Committee of
Parliament appointed for that purpose, and they or any
seven of them have power to send for any Person to confer
with them in this business, and for Records."*
Jan. 31, 1651. Whitelocke says, in this connection:
" Mr Hugh Peters the minister who understood but little
of the law was very opinionative, and would frequently
mention some proceedings of law in Holland wherein he
was altogether mistaken. w f
1651. "Soe wee toucke the tyme to goe to visit Mr
Fetters at his chamber. I was mery with him and called
him the ArchBP : of Canterberye, in regard of his
attendance by ministers and gentelmen, & it passed very
well; soe he calling the Maiour,| sonu Winthrop, I put
him in mynd to remember his eldest sonn in New England,
& that he would be pleassed to giue yew his house at
Salem, he said he cared not if he did. I desired he would
write to yew by me to that purposse, he promised he
would write by me, and I tould him I would call of him,
though his lodging were aboue two myles from myne, &
did so, but was gone to Greneage about a speshall accation,
conserneing Mrs Jaine Puckering, a knight's daughter &
haire, that was stolne & maryed by an vnworthy person,
which manage wos disannulled.
"I sawe your sister, for shee wos then in London, and
Mr Potters tould his sonn that he must bring his wife to
waite of him, for he did see gentelwomen did waite of him,
Mrs Saltonstall, Mr Rich. Saltonstall wife, & other
gentell women being thereto speake with him, which wee
accordingly did observe him ther in another daye, & would
haue gone with vs to dyne at Sir Hen. Vaiue, but he would
not." . . . William Coddington to John Winthrop, Jr.||
"About the same time Mr Peters, who still kept fair
with those at Whitehall, made me a visit : and in our
conversation about the publick affairs I freely told him my
opinion concerning the actions of Cromwell, endeavouring
to make him sensible not only of his injustice, but great
* Whitelocke, ed. 1732, p. 520.
t Whitelocke, ed. 1732, p. 521.
t Major Stephen Winthrop. brother to John Winthrop, Jr.
Probably Thomas or Sanmel Reade.
II Mass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, Vol. vii, p. 881.
40 HUGH PETER:
imprudence, thus to sacrifice the commonwealth to his
ambition, and by every step he had lately taken to
strengthen the hands of the common enemy, whereby he
would undoubtedly open a way for the return of the family
of the late king, who would not fail to do all that revenge
could inspire them with ; whereas if he had made use of
his power to establish the just liberties of the nation, or
could yet be persuaded so to do, he might live more
honoured and esteemed, have the pleasure and satisfaction
arising from so generous an action, when he died, and leave
his own family, together with the whole body of the people,
in a most happy and flourishing condition. He confessed
that what I had said was most true, but added that there
was not a man about him who had courage enough to tell
him so ; that for his part he had observed him immediately
after the victory at "Worcester to be so elevated that he
then began to fear what was since come to pass ; and that
he told a friend with whom he then quartered in his return
to London that he was inclined to believe Cromwell would
endeavour to make himself king."*
In spite of the exciting and interesting condition of
national affairs he longs for the land where he once dwelt :
" Oh that I euer left New-England ; or had neuer had this
wife so sent to me ! Oh deare Sir ! My dayes are gone
and I looke to my end apace," he writes to the younger
Winthrop in 1652.
At this time affairs were most prosperous with him
and the condition of the country appearing to be settled
he advises the younger Winthrop to come to England,
instancing his brother, Major, or now Colonel, Wiuthrop's
advancement and other promising conditions.
March 2, 1652. "Mr Peters to preach for Mr Caryl in
Whitehall Chapel on Lord's day afternoon until his
return."
20 2 mo 1652 " Mr. Peters is well at Whitehall." Roger
Williams to J. Winthrop, jr.f
In 1653, Dutch ambassadors were sent to England
(their fleet having been almost destroyed) to treat for
peace. They apply to Peter and empower him to offer
* Ludlow's Memoirs, ed. 1771, p. 239.
t Mass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, Vol. vi, p. 286.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 41
300,000 for peace, but were unsuccessful. Again they
applied to Cromwell who gave them their wish in 1654.
Peter, always very friendly toward Holland, was much
disturbed by the war with that country and even wrote to
Sir George Ayscough taking him to task for making war
upon his co-religionists. Sir George made no answer,
but handed the letter to the Parliament whereby Mr Peters
was severely reprimanded and was, for some time, in
disgrace.
That Peter's estimate of himself was a true one and that
he was frequently lacking in judgment, is proved by
several instances, but to a rather alarming extent in this
case : A letter of intelligence from Holland, without
signature and bearing the date of Sept. 26, 1653 (N. S.),
is found among Thurloe's State Papers (Vol. i, p. 484)
to this effect: "I cannot omit to certify you, that Mr
Hugh Peters (whoe I believe is an honest man) doth
correspond at Amsterdam with a woman called Mrs.
Grace Crisp, concerninge state affairs which letters are
communicated to Mr John Webster of ... whoe is
knowne a profest malignant . . . great mischief
can be done to the commonwealth." . . .
From the same source(Vol. i,p. 583) and also testifying
to his lack of judgment comes a letter from Jongestall to
His Excellency Frederic Count of Nassau, Stadtholder
and Captain general of Friesland "Mr Peters hath writ
a letter to the queen [of Sweden] by the lord Whitelocke,
wherein he relates the reasons why they put their king
to death, and dissolved this last parliament, and withal
sends to her majesty a great English dog, and a cheese for
a present."
Whitelocke, it seems, was much discomposed at being
the bearer of these peculiar gifts, but the queen " merrily
and with expressions of contentment received them,"
" though from so mean a hand."*
In March, 1653-4, "Thirty-eight chosen men, the
acknowledged flower of English Puritanism, were
nominated by this ordinance [March 20th, same year], to
form a Supreme Commission for the Trial of Public
* Whitelocke : Journal of Embassy to Sweden.
42 HUGH PETER :
Preachers. Any person pretending to hold a church-
living, or lay tithes, or clergy dues in England has first
to be tried and approved by these men. Of the thirty-
eight, nine are laymen, our friend old Sir Francis Rouse
at the head of them and twenty-nine are clergy. His
Highness we find has not much inquired of what sect
they are : has known them to be Independents, to be
Presbyterians, one or two of them to be even Anabaptists ;
has been careful only of one characteristic, That they
are men of wisdom, and had the root of the matter in
them, Owen, Goodwin, Sterry, Marshall, Manton, and
others not yet quite unknown to men, were among these
clerical Triers : the acknowledged Flower of Spiritual
England at that time; and intent as Oliver himself was,
with an awful earnestness, on actually having the Gospel
taught to England."* Peter was one of the thirty-eight
triers.
He appears to have much trouble with his property in
New England and repeatedly complains of its mismanage-
ment. In 1654 he writes : "I wonder they would sell
my house at Salem to Mr Endecot for 20 whereas by my
letter I gaue it you and all I had there, in trust for my
daughter, if shee came ouer, and if not to you and yours,
and that is my meaning, and pray you to looke to it, for
Mr Endecot hath not payd me a penny, owing mee much
more Here is 900 per annum for the
Indians, I wish it were imployed for the English poore
there."
3. 1. 1654. He writes to "my good frend Mr. Gotte
deacon at Salem now at Wenham. My deere Frend I
had yours, and truly do lone you hartily, though I
haue bin some tymes troubled at my busines having no
returnes & you selling my house for 20 and lending
out my bookes & things and sending home nothing to
meo, but only what Spencer sent a note of a colt and
three sheepe etc. though I am no way angry with you, for
I loue you hartily but great payments haue gone forth
you write & truly I know no debts but such as Mr. Payne
made vpon mee. My mynd is that Mr. John Wiiithrop
* Carlyle'B Oliver Cromwell, Vol. II, p. 74.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 43
might bee spoke with about what I haue to whom I assigned
it long synce, vpou some conditions though : I profess no
thing but want of health (I thinke) could detayne me from
New England such is my loue to the place, & lonely it
will bee yet, I pray doe but for mee, as I would doe for
you, Mr. Downing owd me 180, nobody would seise the
horse* he made oner to mee, and now hee is here with
him to make hast after him.f Salute your good wife,
pay your selfe for wat charge I put you to, & loue
Yours Hu : Peter. "{
Roger Williams writes on the 12th of July, 1654, soon
after returning from England, to John Winthrop of
Connecticut : "I had no letter for you, but yours are all
well. I was at the lodgings of Major Winthrop and Mr.
Peters, but I missed them. Your brother flourishes in
good esteem & is eminent for maintaining the freedom of
the conscience as to matters of belief, religion & worship.
Your father Peters preacheth the same dictum though not
so zealously as some years since ; yet cries out against
New England rigidities and persecutions, their civil
injuries and wrongs to himself and their unchristian
dealings with him in excommunicating his distracted wife.
All this he told me in his lodgings at Whitehall, those
lodgings which I was told were Canterbury's ; but he
himself told me that the library wherein we were together,
was Canterbury's, and given him by the Parliament. His
wife lives from him, not wholly, but much distracted. He
tells me he had but 200 a year and he allowed her
fourscore per annum of it. Surely Sir, the most holy
Lord is most wise in all the trials he exerciseth his people
with. He told me that his affliction from his wife stirred
him up to action abroad, & when success tempted him to
pride, the bitterness in his bosom comforts was a cooler
& a bridle to him."||
Even now Peter had more than this one affliction to
embitter his life. Money is owed him in many quarters
* This Is horse In the text, but evidently a mistake as other reference is made
to Mr. Downing's house in this connection.
t The exuberant use of pronouns without subjects, by the old worthies, la a
great trial to the modern compiler.
JMass. Hist. Coll. ,3d series, Vol. I, p. 179.
Son of the governor and brother of John Winthrop, jr.
|| Mass. Hist. Coll., 3d series, Vol. x.
44 HUGH PETER:
which he cannot collect, and his estate in New England
O
is greatly mismanaged. Reappears to have lent money
to many persons and to have been in debt to John
Winthrop, jr., some hundreds of pounds in consequence,
whence came a lessening of their early intimacy and
affection and the Governor of Connecticut, who was
formerly addressed as " My Deere Hart," and "take notice
I loue you as myne owne soule" in 1649, is now only:
Whitehall, 10-4-54.
" My worthy Frend. I heerd from you and your wife
also the last yeere, and if I delighted in writing long you
would have some, but you know I doe not, and the many
vnkindneses I had from New England hath much deadend
me in these things, rather contenting myselfe with what
I can doe here, then further to be troublesome to them :
They owe me much money which I would freely give to
your wife and children if they would pay it ... For
your wife's demand of 100 I shall not be idle therein.
My charge is here so great & my experience* that I can
doe little for my friends, being oppresed with myne own
& my brothers and sisters necessity, yet I have sent you
a small token . . . Mr. Got writes of the sale of my
house ; Mr. Downing is not honest, owes me 100 for
which his house is bound to mee. These are not good
dealings. Mr. Endicott owes me money, pays none. I
payd 20 in gold to Mr. Saltonstall also for him, but
hardly acknowledged and that also I wish you had." . . .
Nov. 9, 1654. A letter from the Council of
Massachusetts is directed to "the Reverend and much
honored Mr. Hugh Peter." They apologize for their silence
& then, "yet such is our confidence of your zeal for God,
your real and cordial affection to the cause of God a nd
the liberties and welfare of his people here, that we are
encouraged ; our necessities at this time also compelling us
to make use of all our friends, amongst whom we cannot
but rank yourself among the chief, and are confident you
will not suffer us to be mistaken therein but that in due
time we shall see Amicus return. "f
* Expense?
t Felt's Ecclesiastical History of New England, Vol. n, p. 112.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 45
Feb. 23, 1654. Joseph Caryl, Hugh Peters, Peter
Sterry, ministers one-fourth years salary, 50 each.
Jan. 31, 1655. Peter received 150 for three-fourths
years salary at Whitehall.
Dec. 21, 1655. He received 100 for a half-years
salary at Whitehall.
On the opening of the New House at the second
Parliament, January 25, 1657-8. "Mr. Peter's moving
exercise " is mentioned.
The latter part of his life was embittered by every
variety of vile accusation, the least of which was his
reputed theft of the crown jewels, and to which he
refers in a letter: "Were I not a Christian, I am a
Gentleman by birth, & from that extract do scorn to
engage in the vile things suggested."
William Hooke, writing to John Winthrop, Jr.,
April 13, 1657, says : "Mr Peters is not yet thoroughly
recovered out of his late eclipse, but I hear better of his
preaching than was formerly spoken of it."*
His ill health gave him much uneasiness and at times
he expressed a fear that " he would outlive his parts," but
the Rev. William Hooke writing to the younger Winthrop
at this time, says : "Mr Peters is in good health. "f
January 25, 1657. Peter preached a sermon before
the House, in which he said "religion was left by our
ancestors (as, for instance, Smithfield and latter times),
hot, fiery hot; but it was now fallen into luke-warm
bands : We do not boil up our religion to the height ;
Other nations are seeking for a general peace, whilst we,
for want of an enemy, are scratching one another -, They
say they will come over and choose their religion when
we have agreed of a religion : and when we use our God
better they will serve him."J
Mr. Peters was intrusted with the care of the library
at St. James' and the following advertisement appeared
in this connection: "Feb. 1, 1658. Tuesday, Workmen
being employed for repairs of the house of St. James's,
and some part of the leads over the library there being
* Mass. Hist. Coll., 3d series, Vol. I. p. 183.
tMass. Hist. Coll., 4th series, Vol. TO, p. 687.
t Burton's Diary, Vol. n, p. 346.
46 HUGH PETER:
to be amended, some idle Persons and youths took an
opportunity to get into the library, where they found
a good store of medals, some of gold, others of silver, the
rest of brass ; which, for their rarity and antiquity, had
formerly been collected and were still preserved there.
This they took to be treasure, and seized it as prize, divers
of them filling their pockets ; some of which were
apprehended before they could get away, and are since
committed to the Gate-house, by which means, many of
the medals are recovered, and more it is hoped will be.
But many are like to be lost, unless such persons as by
accident shall have a view, be pleased to discover them,
These are, therefore, to desire all goldsmiths, and other
persons whatsoever, that in case such things shall be
offered to them, they would take care to apprehend the
parties and give notice thereof to Mr. Hugh Peters at
WhiteHall."*
The following letter from Colonel Lockhart to
Secretary Thurloe, appears in Thurloe's State Papers,
Vol. vii., p. 249.
"From Dunkirk, July 8-18, 1658.
May it please your Lordship,
I could not suffer our worthy Friend, Mr. Peters,
to come away from Dunkirk without a Testimony of the
great Benefits we have all received from him in this
Place, where he hath laid himself forth in great Charity
and Goodness in Sermons, Prayers, and Exhortations, in
visiting and relieving the Sick and wounded ; and in all
these, profitably applying the singular Talent God hath
bestowed upon him to the chief Ends proper for our
Auditory ; For he hath not only showed the Soldiers
their Duty to God, and pressed it Home upon them, I
hope to good advantage, but hath likewise acquainted
them with their Obligations of Obedience to his Highnes's
Government, and Affection to his Person. He hath
laboured amongst us here with much Goodwill, and seems
to enlarge his Heart towards us, and Care of us for many
other Things, the Effects whereof I design to leave upon
that Providence which has brought us hither. It were
* Burton's Diary, Vol. rv, p. 452.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 47
superfluous to tell your Lordship the Story of our present
condition, either as to the Civil Government, Works or
Soldiery. He who hath studied all these more than any
I know here can certainly give the best Account of them.
Wherefore I commit the whole to his Information, and
beg your Lordship's casting a favourable Eye upon such
Propositions as he will offer your Lordship for the Good
of the Garrison. I am, May it please your Lordship,
Your most humble, faithful and obedient Servant,
Will. Lockhart."
The following is written in Lockhart's own hand :
"My Lord
Mr Peters hath taken leave at least three or four
times, but still something falls out, which hinders his
Return to England. He hath been twice at Bergh, and
hath spoke with the Cardinal* three or four times; I kept
myself 1 by, and had a care that he did not importune him
with too long Speeches.
He returns, loaden with an Account of all Things here,
and hath undertaken every Man's Business. I must give
him that Testimony, that he gave us three or four very
honest Sermons : and if it were possible to get him to
mind Preaching, and to forbear the troubling himself with
other Things, he would certainly prove a very fit Minister
for Soldiers. I hope he cometh well satisfied from this
Place. He hath often insinuated to me his Desire to stay
here, if he had a Call. Some of the Officers also have been
with me to that Purpose ; but I have shifted him so
handsomely, as, I hope, he will not be displeased : For I
have told him, that the greatest Service he can do us is
to go to England, and carry on his Propositions, and to
own us in all our other Interest, which he hath undertaken
with much zeal."
The first letter is evidently an open one ; the latter is
as evidently private ; it is sufficiently humorous and gives
one a good deal of insight into Peter's character.
July, 1658. Mr Hugh Peters related in the House the
passages of Mardike and Dunkirk, where he preached to
the Soldiers, f
Muzarln.
f Whitelocke, ed. 1732, p. 874.
48 HUGH PETER:
Oct. 12, 1658. The Assembly of Savoy in London
begin their session. Peter is a member.
At the death of Cromwell he preached a funeral sermon
upon the text : " My servant Moses is dead."
Sept. 7, 1658. He was one of those appointed to have
mourning for the late Protector. . . . and in the funeral
procession, among the chaplains of Whitehall walked "Mr
Peters."*
Jan. 28, 1658-59. In the House " Mr. Peters prayed,
standing," the last reference we have to his officiating in
the House. f
"During the troubled period that followed [after
Cromwell's death], he took little part in public aflairs,
probably owing to ill-health. He deplored the overthrow
of Richard Cromwell, protested that he was a stranger to
it, and declared that he looked upon the whole business
as 'very sinful and ruinous.' When Monck marched into
England, Peters met him at St. Albans, and preached
before him to the great disgust of the general's orthodox
chaplain John Price." (Masere's Select Tracts, n-756.)
On the 24 of April in answer to some inquiries from Monck,
he wrote to him saying, " My weak head and crazy carcass
puts me in mind of my great change, and therefore thank
God that these twelve months, ever since the breach of
Richard's parliament, I have meddled with no public affairs
more than the thoughts of mine own and others presented
to yourself. (Manuscript of Mr Leybourne Popham)."J
January 11, 1659-60, he was deprived of his lodgings
at Whitehall.
January 29. He was appointed by the Parliament to
preach before General Monk, when the latter was on his
march from Scotland to London, a fast day sermon at
St. Albans ; when it was said " he troubled the General
with a long first sermon and at night too he supererogated
and prayed a long prayer in the General's quarters."
In May, the Council of State ordered his apprehension.
Pamphlets, ballads and cartoons appeared against him in
profusion ; never was a man so unpopular.
* Burton's Diary, p. 524.
t Burton's Diary, Vol. nip. 11.
t Dictionary of National Biography.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 49
A letter of Roger Williams to Winthrop of Connecticut,
dated February 6, 1659-60, gives premature rumour of
Peter's death : " Sir, you were not long since the son of
two noble fathers, Mr John Winthrop and Mr Hugh
Peters. It is said they are both extinguished. Surely,
I did ever from my Soul, honour and love them even when
their judgments led them to afflict me."*
A Letter from W W to William Gone in 1660,
has the following :
"May the 19th. The Covt. was Burned in severall
places of England, and caried in a disgraceful maner
(fixed to Horse Tailes) through the streets, with the
effigies of the Protector, Hugh Peters, and others whom
they had a mind to vilifie"f
June 7, 1660. Peter and Cornet Joyce were ordered
to be arrested. Mark the coupling of their names, and
it is clear in what estimation he was then held.
July 18. He was excepted from the Act of Indemnity,
although he was neither one of the seventy Commissioners
who tried the King nor one of the fifty-nine who signed
the death warrant. |
From this time until his arrest he was in hiding.
"Peters, who had hidden himself to escape apprehension,
drew up a policy for his life, which he contrived to get
presented to the House of Lords. It denies that he took
any share in concerting the king's death and gives an
account of his public career substantially agreeing with
the defence made at his trial and the statements contained
in his Last Legacy. "
A letter from Andrew Newport to Sir Richard Leveson
states that "Hugh Peter was taken in Kent Street on
Sunday last," that Sunday being the 31st of August,
1660. He was at once committed to the Tower. A
jingle of the times refers to him thus :
* Life of Roger Williams. John Knowlei.
t Mass. Hist. Coll. 4th series, Vol. vm, p. 166.
j "Col. Hacker, who was one of those to whom the warrant of the high court
of justice, for the execution of the king, had been directed, together with Mr.
Hugh Peters, and the two persons who were in mask upon the scaffold when he
was beheaded, were excepted by the lords both for life and estate." Ludlow's
Memoirs, p. 394.
Historical MSS. Commission, 7th Report, p. 115; Dictionary of National
Biography.
HIST. COLL. VOL. XXXVHI 4
50 HUGH PETER :
"Sing hay ho, my honey, my heart shall never rue;
Twenty-four traytors now for a penny
And into the bargain Hugh."*
The Rev. John Davenport writes to John Winthrop,
jr., from Newhaven, October 17, 1660: "Dr. Goodwin,
Mr. Nie,f and Mr. Peters are in prison and likely to lose
their lives."
After the King's restoration, Mr Peters being
apprehended and committed to prison, his Majesty sent a
warrant to Sir John Robinson, Lieutenant of the Tower,
to obtain information of his royal Father's library ; when
Mr Peters testified under oath that "In the year 1648, he
preserved the library in St James's against the violence
and rapine of the soldiers, that the same continued three
or four months in his custody ; that he did not take
anything away, but left it unviolated as he found it ; and
that he delivered up the key and custody of all to Major
General Ireton."
Ludlow,J who knew Peter personally, speaks of him
as follows in his Memoirs (ed. 1771, page 406) :
"This person had been minister in England for many
years, till he was forced to leave his native country by the
persecution set on foot in the time of Laud, against all
those who refused to comply with the innovations and
superstitions which were then introduced into the publick
worship. He went first into Holland, and from thence to
New England ; where after some stay, being informed that
the parliament had relieved the people in some measure
from the abuses in church and state, and designed to
perfect that work, he returned to England ; and in all
places, and all occasions, encouraged the people to appeal
vigorously for them. Having passed some time in England
he was made chaplain to a brigade that was sent against
the Irish rebels and observing the condition of the
plundered protestants in that country to deserve
compassion, he went into Holland, and improved the interest
he had there with so good success, that he procured about
* Bibliotheca Cornubiensis, n, p. 471.
t Philip Nye, an Independent minister and member of the Westminster Assem-
bly of Divines.
I One of the regicides.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 51
thirty thousand pounds to be sent from thence into Ireland
for their relief. He was a diligent and earnest solicitor
for the distressed protestants of the valleys of Piedmont,
who had been most inhumanely persecuted and reducep
to the uttermost extremities by the tyranny of the Duke
of Savoy; and in gratitude to the Hollanders for the
sanctuary he had found among them in the time of his
distress,he was not a little serviceable to them in composing
their differences with England } n the time of Cromwell."
O
"The 10th of October,* Sir John Robinson, Knight,
Lieutenant of his Majesty's Tower of London, according
to his Warrant receiv'd, delivered to Mr Sheriff the
Prisoners hereafter named who were (in several coaches)
with a strong Guard of Horse and Foot conveyed to
Newgate, and about Nine of the Clock in the Morning
delivered to the Keepers of that Prison, and thence
brought to the Sessions House in the Old Bailey, London,
where the Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer were in
Court assembled and where their Indictment was publickly
read by Edward Shelton Esq. Clerk of the Crown, f . . .
* This account of the trial Is taken from Corbett's Complete Collection of State
Trials. London, 1792.
t " September 10. At night comes Mr Mooer, and tells me how Sir Hardresa
Waller (who only pleads guilty), Scott, Coke, Peters, Harrison, &c., were this day
arraigned at the bar of the Sessions House, there being upon the bench the Lord
Mayor, General Monk, my Lord of Sandwich, &c., sucn a bench of noblemen as
had not been seen in England. They all seem to be dismayed, and will all be
condemned without question. . . . To-morrow they are to plead what they have
to say." . . . Pepys' Diary, p. 66. London, 1825.
52 HUGH PETER :
"Points resolved at the meeting preparatory to the
Trials of the Murderers of the late King :
4 ... it was agreed that the actual Murder of the
King should be precisely laid in the Indictment, with the
special Circumstances as it was done, and should be made
use of as one of the Overt-Acts, to prove the compassing
of his Death.
6 ... it was resolved that there need not be two
Witnesses to prove every Overt Act tending to the
compassing of the King's Death, but one Witness to prove
one Overt-Act tending to the Compassing of the King's
Death, and another Witness to prove another Act tending
to the same end are sufficient."*
The Indictment was found at Hick's Hall, and there the
proceedings began on Tuesday, the 9th of October, 1660.
Hugh Peter was No. 10 on the bill of Indictment among
the thirty-two that were arraigned for high-treason ; only
ten of the thirty-two were executed.
Cleric: Hugh Peters, Hold up thy Hand. How sayest
thou? Art thou Guilty of the Treason whereof thou
standest Indicted, and for which thou art now Arraigned ?
or not Guilty?
Hugh Peters : I would not for Ten Thousand Worlds
say I am Guilty. 1 am not Guilty.
Cleric : How will you be tried ?
Hugh Peters: By the Word of God. (Here the People
laughed.)
Court : You must say, By God and the Country ; Tell
him you that stand by him, what he should say, if he doth
not know.
Clerk: How will you be tried?
Hugh Peters: By God and the Country.
Cleric : God send thee a good Deliverance.
Sessions House, Old Bailey, Oct. 13, 1660.
Clerk of the Crown : Set Hugh Peter to the Bar (which
was done accordingly) .
Clerk: Hugh Peters, Hold up thy Hand ; thou standest
Indicted, &c. If you will challenge any of the Jury you
* Any one might be proved a traitor under such a sweeping decision, which
included not only acts but words as well, and made the latter as weighty as the
former.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 53
must challenge them when they come to the Book, before
they are sworn.
Lord Chief Baron:* Mr. Peters, you may challenge to
the number of thirty-five peremptorily, but beyond that
you cannot, without good Cause shown ; and that you may
have Pen, Ink and Paper.
Peters: My Lord, I shall challenge none.
/Sir Edward Turner,} to the Jury: you have often
heard repeated to you that the Substantial Part of the
Charge is the Compassing and Imagining the Death of the
King, and all the rest will be but Evidence to prove
that Imagination against the Prisoner at the Bar, whom
we will prove to be a Principal Actor in this sad Tragedy,
and next to himj whom God hath taken away and reserved
to his own Judgement ; and we shall endeavor to prove
that he was a Chief Conspirator with Qromwell at several
Times, and in several Places : and that it was designed by
them ; We shall prove that he was the Principal Person
to procure the Soldiery to cry out, Justice, Justice, or
assist or desire those for the taking away the Life of the
King. He did make use of his Profession, wherein he
should have been the Minister of Peace, to Make himself a
Trumpeter of War, of Treason and Sedition, in the
Kingdom : He preached many Sermons to the Soldiery
in direct Terms for taking away the King, Comparing the
King to Barabbas: He was instrumental when the
Proclamation for the High Court of Justice (as they called
it) was proclaimed, directing where it should be proclaimed
and in what place. When the King was brought upon the
Stage, that Mock Work, he was the Person that stirred
up the Soldiery below to cry for Justice ; we should shew
you as he preached at several Times upon several
Occasions, still he was in the Pulpit to promote this
Business ; the next day after he was brought to Trial he
commends it ; you shall hear all out of the Mouth of the
Prisoner ; therefore I say no more ; call the Witnesses.
Peters: May it please your Lordships, I will give you
* Sir Orlando Bridgeman.
t Attorney to His Highness, the Duke of York.
t Cromwell.
54 HUGH PETER :
an Account of the Business : I lived 14 years out of
England, when I came over I found the Wars begun ; I
began no War, my Lord, nor have been the Trumpeter
of any when I came out of the West Indies, I fled from
the War into Ireland, to the Western Part there ; and it
was after the Rebellion, when some of the Irish had been
stirring there, I went and spent my time there. I was
neither at Edgehill nor Naseby ; but my Lord ; after I
came over there was War that the People were engaged
in ; I was not here in the Beginning of it, but was a
Stranger to the Carriage of it.
When I came into the Nation I looked after Three
Things : One was that there might be Sound Religion ;
the Second was that Learning and Laws might be
maintained ; the Third, that the Poor might be cared for ;
and I must Confess I have spent most of my Time in these
Things to this End and Purpose : There was a Noise in
all Parts of some Miscarriages in Matters of Religion,
after it was settled I lived in Ireland, I must profess for
my own part, solemnly, that my Carriage hath been upon
these Heads, For Religion, I have, through God's Mercies,
spake of the Truths of the Protestant Church, upon this
Account I did stay to see what God might do.
I was sent over to his Majesty that we might have
a little Help in point of Excise and Customs, and
Encouragement in Learning. My Lord, this is true, that
I being here in the Nation and being, sent over upon the
Occasions of the Country, and not upon any Design ; but
this I say (I cannot deny it) , that after I came over and
had seen the State of England, in some Measure I did stir,
but by strong Importunities, the Ministers of London
deeper than I : I am very sorry to hear of my Carriage
towards the King ; it is my great Trouble ; I beg pardon
for my own Folly and Weakness ; I thought God had a
great Controversy with the Nation, and the Lord was
displeased on all Hands ; that which some People took to
I did take unto ; I went into the Army ; I saw at the
Beginning of it that Corruptions grew among them. I
suppose none can say I have gone aside from any Orthodox
Truth of the Lord ; And now to take off the Scandal, upon
me, and to the Business, let me beg of your Lordships to
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 55
consider what ever Prejudice or Revenge may take up
Mens Hearts, there is a God that knows all ; God hath a
regard to the People of England ; I look upon this Nation
as the Cabinet of the World, That that doth concern the
Business is, this, my Lord, that after this Time hither I
came, and did bear Witness to all the World, that there
was amongst us something that was for better and
something worse, for the Nation ; I took Advice of some
great Persons concerning the Weightiness of it ; I had
neither Malice nor Mischief in my Heart against the King ;
upon this I did engage so far being Invited ; I went into
the Wars, and there I found very strange and several
Kinds of Providences, as this Day hath been seen ; I do
not deny but that I was Active, but not to stir in a way
that was not Honourable. I challenge a great Part of the
Nation to manifest my Carriage among them : I shall make
it good divers ways ; I had so much Respect to his Majesty,
particularly at Windsor, that I propounded to his Majesty
my Thoughts Three ways to preserve himself from Danger,
which were good, as he was pleased to think, though they
did not succeed, and the Work died ; as -for Malice, I
had none in me. It is true, there was a Difference amongst
us, an Army, and an Army, I never had a Groat or a
Penny from Oliver Cromwell since I knew this Place ; I
profess I have had no Ends for Honour or Gain since I
set Foot upon this Shore ; I challenge any Man that
belonged to that Party whether they had not the same
Respect from me as my own Party ; I have not persecuted
any with Malice : I will only take off Malice.
Lord Chief Baron: Your Business is Matter of Fact.
Peters: I am unskilful in Law, this that I offer is to
shew that I had no Malice in me ; I was so far from Malice,
that I have a Certificate, if worth the reading, from one of
the Emminentest Persons in the Nation, to shew I had no
Malice : It is concerning the Marquis of Worcester, under
his Lady's Hand, beginning with these Words, " I do here
testifie that in all the Sufferings of my Husband, Mr Peters
was my great Friend, &c." I have here a Seal (and then
produced it) that the Earl of Norwich gave me to keep for
his Sake for saving his Life, which I will keep as long as
I live.
56 HUGH PETER:
Lord Chief Baron : I am not willing at all to interrupt
you, or hinder you ; that which you speak of doing good
Services, is not at all to the Point ; we do not question
you for what good you have done but for the Evil you
have done ; I hope there is no Malice in your Heart, nor
upon the Court or Jury, we and they are upon our Oaths,
and you hear the Matter alleged against you ; pray come
to the Matter.
Peters: My Lord, I cannot remember them.
Lord Chief Baron : Then I will remember you : You
are charged by this Indictment for Compassing and
Imagining the Death of the King, and there is set forth
sundry Particulars to prove the Overt Act, that you with
other Persons named in that Indictment, did consult and
meet together, how to bring about the King's Death. Then
you are charged with several Acts of Contriving and
Endeavouring the King's death. Overt Acts that tend
to the Compassing and Imagining the King's death, or any
one of these, to encourage the bringing on the King to his
Death, the consulting or meeting together about it, though
you did not sit or sentence ; yet if you did any Thing
tending to that Encouragement, or otherwise Abet it,
Comfort or anywise Aid those Traitorous Persons that did
it, in the doing of it you are by Law Guilty of the whole
Fact : The proposing and determining, the King shall
die, though you were not he that actually put him to Death,
yet notwithstanding, if you did the other, you are Guilty
of all, if you shall speak any Seditious Speeches, be they
in the Pulpit, or out of the Pulpit, if you shall utter any
Thing that tends to Sedition, these are open Acts, which
prove the Imagination of the Heart ; though Imagination
of the Heart be Treason yet it cannot be proved but by
open Acts, yet the Imagination itself is Treason.
First you did conspire, all the Witnesses go along to
prove this. Dr. Young saith, you came over from Ireland
to his House, and after Five Days that you were recovered
of the Flux you staid there Ten Weeks ; you said yourself
there was enough, if it were true, to condemn you or any
Man : I shall repeat it to you ; you told him a Narrative,
that you came from New England, from thence to Ireland
and then you came to Holland, with an Intent to see how
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 57
you might bring on the Kingdom to be a Commonwealth.
Next he saith, you spake very often against the King by
way of Disgrace, against him and his Family, against the
King and his Offspring, this you said very often : Then
you spake in Vilification of Monarchal Government, that
this Commonwealth, would never be at peace till 150, or
Three L's, Lords, Levites and Lawyers were taken away,
at which he replied, then they must be all Switzers,
Tinkers or Traitors : He swears you were a Colonel, and
had a Commission ; that you would have had him accept
of a Commission ; and that you had two Companies come
from the West : you told him the Parliament had an Intent
to secure Cromwell and yourself, but that you rid hard for
it; and then you confessed you agreed then upon his
Death, to bring him to Trial, and to cut off his Head ; you
did agree together, and he believes it was your Advice to
Cromwell ; your Answer was this, that he was more
violent than yourself ; that he took upon him to be a Spy ;
and that he was no competent Witness, because he was
under a Temptation, because you did not help him to his
Living, and so conceived it to be Malice ; you say he was
used to take up such Courses in his own Country ; the
Matter is not whether you had Malice to the King's Life
or Monarchy. For the next, One Gunter, he swears, that
he was a Servant to Mr. Hildesley, at the Star in Coleman
Street, and this was in 1648, he saith that many of the
Party of Cromwell did use to resort thither, amongst the
rest he saw you, he said he came into them, and their
Discourse was about Charles Stuart, and the Prisoner
and did guess it was about the King ; that you were privy
to it then ; he saith this was Three Days before Oliver
Cromwell went out of Town ; the Effect of that is urged
no further than this, that you were so far of the Cabal,
that you were present with those Persons, Cromwell,
Ireton, Rich, and others ; you said, I was there once with
Mr. Nathaniel Fines. Starkey, he saith, that at his Fathers
House Ireton lay, and was quartered there at Windsor,
before and when the King was Prisoner ; that you had
your Quarters there, and Cromwell, too, in that Town:
The General Meeting of the Council of War was at his
Fathers House ; that Ireton and his wife lying there, you
58 HUGH PETEK :
came and resorted thither very often ; he saith then that
it appeared that after the Council of War had done, many
times Rich and you, and Cromwell, and Ireton, were there
together, sometimes till Two O'Clock in the Morning ; he
saith then, that he did observe there was a Fifth Person
(he did not remember his name) and you sat up usually
till Two or Three in the Morning ; You had Guards about
you ; he saith further, that Ireton being a Domestick, he
often discoursed with him, and you came sometimes to be
there too ; that there being some Discourse concerning
the King, many Times he did assert the Law concerning
him, that he was Solutus legibus, as to his Person ; that
you should say, that it was an unequal, Law, and that you
did then discourse fully against the King's Government ;
you said he was a Tyrant, not fit for that Office ; that the
Office was useless, chargeable and dangerous ; these very
Words he observed, which afterwards were Printed when
they took away Monarchy. He saith further, that was
their full and whole Discourse ; he saith that his Father
at Supper used to say that usual Grace, " God save the
King, Prince, and Realm ;" but afterwards that he heard
the King was made a Prisoner, that his Father altering the
Grace, he said, "God save his most excellent Majesty, and
deliver him out of all his Enemies hands ;" you rose up,
and said "Old Gentleman, your Idol will not stand long ;"
that he did observe you often with them ; he saith further,
when Bacon was coming out, and speaking some Words
concerning your frequent Affronting the King, you took
up a Staff and were ready to beat him, and made an
Uproar : It appears also of your being privy to Cromwell's
Actions. The next Witness is Walkely and he swears this
against you, that he was in the Painted Chamber the next
Day after the Proclamation was made ; and there he saw
John Goodwin and you : and there was an Assembly, and
at the middle of the table John Goodwin was, and made
a long Speech or Prayer ; that Cromwell would have had
the People stay there, but it was ordered that they should
be turned out ; at the End he saw you come out with the
rest ; there it appeared you were in the Consultation ; he
saith he met the Army at St. James's, and then, when they
were half past, he saw the King in his Coach, and there
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 59
he saw Mr. Peters like Bishop Almoner riding immediately
before the King ; and at St. James's Park he saw you
Marshalling the Soldiers, that he was forced thereupon to
go about ; he saith further, that within a Year or Two
aftei the Army was raised he heard you say these Words,
If we can keep up our Army Seven Years longer we need
not care for the King and all his Posterity.
Peters: My Lord I must deny abundance of this ; the
King commanded me to ride before him, that the Bishop
of London might come to him.
Lord Chief Baron : But this was Three Weeks after
. . . The next Witness against you is one Proctor : he
saith, that Day (as the other Witness did) he saw you
riding just before the King's Coach and because he did his
Duty the Soldiers threw him, Horse and all, into a Ditch.
The next Witness is one Hard wick, he saith that when
the Proclamation was read he saw you in Westminster
Hall, and that you said, they had done as good as nothing,
unless it was proclaimed in Cheapside and at the Old
Exchange ; this you said to some of the Officers there.
Peters: My Lord, I cannot acknowledge it.
Lord Chief Baron : The next Witness against you is
Simpson, he swears he saw you in Consultation with
Oliver Cromwell, and take Sir William Brereton by the
Hand, and come to Bradshawe's and this during the time
of the King's Trial ; he further saith, that one Day when
the King was at his Trial you commanded Colonel
Stubbers to bid his Soldiers cry out Justice, Justice,
which they cried, and afterwards some of the Soldiers spit
upon the King.
Peters : I do believe that he, that swore that, cannot
say I was there.
Lord Chief Baron : AnotherWitness is one Richardson,
who saw you the First Day in the Court ; and he said
further, that you commended Bradshaw and another, to
wit Cook, for their Carriage in the Trial of the King ;
that you held up your Hands and said This is a most
Glorious Beginning of the Work.
Peters : Whereabouts in the Court ?
Richardson : In the Body of the Court, called then the
High Court of Justice.
60 HUGH PETER :
Peters ; My Lord, I do not know that ever I was in the
body of the Court.
Lord Chief Baron : The next Witness is Sir Jeremy
Whichcot, he saith, he heard you often Speak scurrilously
of the King; and making a Narrative of Cromwells
Escape, you said there was a Meeting, and there we
resolved to set aside the King ; remember what the other
Witness said, we agreed and here we resolved ; you said, I
cannot but reverence the High Court of Justice, it doth
resemble the Judging of the World at the Last Day by the
Saints : so it was the Saints that sat there ; I would have
preached before the Wretch, but the poor Wretch would
not hear me : you often called him Tyrant : I cannot
possibly remember the Place, Things, or Words, that are
alledged. Then you have another Witness Nunnelly, he
saith he came with a Warrant to Oliver Cromwell for
some Money, and that he should say, go and see the
Beheading of the King at Whitehall, he saith there he met
with you (though you said you were not there that day)
going to the Banquetting House ; that you spoke to Tench,
and whispered in his Ear, and that Tench went and
knocked Staples on the Scaffold ; he meeting Tench said,
What, are you a Hangman ? Saith Tench, this day will be
a happy Day ; he saith after all this Hugh Peters was
upon the Scaffold, and that he went out with the Hangman.
Peters: I do profess to your Lordships before Angels
and Men that I did not stir out of my Chamber that day.
Lord Chief Baron: The Counsel doth not put Reliance
upon that, because of what your Witness saith, though
his Evidence is not satisfactory. The next is Clough,
and he swears this, that he saw you in the Painted
Chamber with the Council of Officers, and there you
desired them to call on God for a Blessing upon their
Business, and there you said, " O Lord what a Mercy it is
to see this great City fall down before us ! And what a
Stir is there to bring this Great Man to Trial, without
whose Blood he will turn us all into Blood, if he reign
again. And this was about a Month before the King was
Murthered, you hear it, Mr. Peters.
Peters: Some Part I did, but it is impossible for me to
bear down many Witnesses ; indeed, my Lord, I say this,
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 61
they are marvellous Uncharitable, and speak many false
Things.
Lord Chief Baron : The next is this, the Testimony
concerning several Sermons of yours, and let me tell
you the Pulpit ought not to be a place where Men with
Impunity may speak any Thing, what they list, of Sedition
and Treason.
Peters : I am of the same Judgment myself, my Lord.
Lord Chief Baron : And there was a Solemn Day to
seek God, then you preached at St. Margarets' Church ;
this was Mr. Bever ; in he came, and heard you talk much
of Barabbas and our Saviour; there you fell upon this
speaking of the King, It is a sad thing that it should now
be a Question, whether we should crucify our Saviour
Jesus Christ, or that great Barabbas, speaking of the King ;
you called him Traitor, Tyrant, Murtherer, of his Subjects,
and the like, you went on in, a Way of a Story, These
Citizens, for a little Trading they will have Christ crucified
and the great Barabbas at Windsor released ! and said
you, to the Clergy, the Assembly, they are all for
crucifying Christ, and releasing Barabbas ; you made that
Expression, "O Jesus, what shall we do?" The King
was a Prisoner then at Windsor, you made your Applica-
tion to the Parliament that was then present, you told them
the people did expect Justice from them ; you must not
prefer the great Tyrant and Traitor, naming the King, to
these poor hearts, (the Red coats standing by).
Peters : I must profess against most of that.
Lord Chief Baron : There is the same by others. It
is further proved by the Order, that you were appointed
to preach.
Peters : I do not deny I preached, but not these Things.
Lord Chief Baron: The next Thing is this, there was
one Mr. Chace, this was during the Trial, he saith you
preached at Whitehall upon this text, Psalm CXLIX.
"To bind their Kings in Chains, and their Nobles in
Fetters of Iron," You had two or Three other Verses
more ; then you made a Discourse of a Mayor and a
Bishop's Man, the Bishop's Man being drunk, the Mayor
committed him to Prison ; the Bishop being angry, asked
by what Authority? The Mayor said, there was an Act
6 2 HUGH PETER :
of Parliament for it ; he did not find that either the Bishop
or his Man was excepted ; you applied that to the King ;
said you, I will shew you an Act of the Bible, Whosoever
sheds Man's Blood, by Men shall his Blood be shed ; this
doth not except the King, Prince, Prince Rupert, Prince
Maurice, or any of that Rabble."
Peters : It is false.
Lord Chief Baron : You said further, this is the Day
that I and many other Saints of God have prayed for these
many Years ;" and Oliver Cromwell laughed at that Time.
The next Witness was Tongue, he heard you preach, and
he swears the same with the former ; that you applauded
the Soldiers, and that you hoped to see such another Day
following as the Day before ; and that Blessed be God the
House is purged, and the Lords will shortly be pulled out ;
and the Twenty Eighth Day of January, which was the
Day after the King was Sentenced, at St. James's his
Chapel, you took for your Text the CXLIX Psalm, 6,7,
8 and 9 Verses, whereof these Words were part," To bind
their Kings in Chains, and their Nobles with Fetters of
Iron ;" there in the middle of that Sermon, having spoken
before of the King, you said you did intend to preach
before the poor Wretch upon the 14th of Isaiah, 18, 19 and
20 Verses, speaking of all the Kings of the Nations, Thou
art cast out of thy Grave like an abominable Branch, &c.,
he saith further, you said, look upon your lesser Bibles
and you will find the Title is, "The Tyrants Fall." There
is another Witness that is one Bowdler, a few Days before
the King's Death, at St. Sepulcher's, there you fell upon
the old Comparison, all along you compared the King to
Barabbas ; and that a great many would have Christ
crucified, and Barabbas released ; all along comparing the
King to Barabbas. One more, and that was Ryder, he
heard this Text, " He shall call his name Emanuel ;" you
fell to speak of News ; what shall become of the King ?
And you said " the King was Barabbas, and a great many
would rather have Christ crucified than Barabbas." And
then Mr. Walker he saith, that after the King was first
brought to his Trial he heard you say this, I have prayed
and preached this Twenty Years and now may I say with
old Simeon, " Lord, now lettest thou thy Servant depart
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 63
in Peace, for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation ;" He
mentions that you made Use of the other Comparison of
the Mayor and the Bishop's Man, and inferred from thence
that the King and Prince, &c., were not excepted out of
the Scripture, where it is said " Whosoever sheds Man's
Blood, &c. You have heard all this witnessed against
you, what have you to say for yourself?
Peters : These are but single Witnesses.
Lord Chief Baron : The Statute is Two Witnesses for
Treason, but not Two to One individual Thing though
there are several Witnesses have proved the same Thing
about Barabbas, and our Saviour, " bind their Kings with
Chains," &c., and of your other Actions there is a whole
jury of Witnesses. Two Witnesses expressly, we agreed
upon the King's Death, and we resolved to set the King
aside.
Peters : I do not know the Witnesses.
Lord Chief Baron: One is Sir Jeremy Whichcot, the
other is Dr. Young ;* you shall do well if you have any
Thing to invalidate these Witnesses to speak it, else the
Jury will be sent together to deliver up their Verdict.
Peters: Mr Lord, if I had Time and Opportunity, I
could take off many of the Witnesses, but because their
Testimony is without Controle I cannot satisfie myself; I
have no skill in the Law, else I might have spoke for
myself; I do not know what to say more, unless I had
more Time and Counsel.
The Solicitor General:^ If the Prisoner can say no
more, here is this in it ; here are Five Places where he did
consult about the King's Death, at Windsor, at Ware in
Coleman Street, in the Painted Chamber, and in Bradshaw's
House ; and Four Witnesses to prove this ; there are Two
Witnesses to his Comparison of the King and Barabbas,
and Two Witnesses to his Text of binding their Kings in
Chains, &c. Proof that he hath been in Action in New
England ; that he came from it with that Intent, and then
went to Holland ; that he had been in Arms ; that he called
the Day of his Majesty's Trial a Glorious Day, resembling
* Dr. Youiig, who testified against him, was one of the jury that condemned
him.
t Sir Heneage Finch.
64 HUGH PETER:
the Judging of the World by the Saints ; he prays for this
in the Painted Chamber, preaches for it at Whitehall, St.
James's chapel St. Sepulchre's ; what Man could more
contrive the Death of the King than this miserable Priest
hath done ? The Honour of the Pulpit is to be vindicated ;
and the Death of this Man will preach better than his Life
did ; it may be a Means to convert many a miserable
Person, whom the Preaching of this Person hath seduced ;
for many come here and say they did it, "in the fear of the
Lord ;" and now you see who taught them ; and I hope
you will make an Example of this Carnal Prophet.
The Jury went together, and after a little Consultation
settled in their Places.
Clerk : Are you agreed in your Verdict ?
Jury: Yes.
Cleric : Who shall say for you ?
Jury: Our Foreman.
Clerk: How say you? Is the Prisoner at the Bar
Guilty of the Treason whereof he stands Indicted? Or
not Guilty?
Foreman : Guilty.
Clerk : And so you say all ?
Jury: Yes.
Clerk : Look to him Keeper.
Council: We desire Mr. Cook may be brought to the
Bar, and that they may both have their Judgement
pronounced. . . .
Clerk: Hugh Peters, Hold up thy Hand; what hast
thou to say for thyself why Judgement should not pass
against thee to Die according to Law?
Peters: I will submit myself to God, and if I have
spoken anything against the Gospel of Christ I am heartily
sorry.
Silence Commanded.
Lord Chief Baron: You are both Persons of that
Ingenuous and Liberal Education as I hope, I shall not
need to tell you what it is to Die, you have had a great
deal of Time to think of it ; you could not but think of that
Issue of your Doings long ago, and therefore I shall spare
my Labour of telling you what it is to Die and of that
Eternity that you are to enter into ; only give me leave in
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 65
a few Words, in relation to both your Professions, to say
something to shew the Nature and Heinousuess of this
Offence, the Murther of the King. If you were not
actually guilty of putting the King to Death, nay, admitting
(in Charity) you had no intent to go as far as you did, you
are by the Laws of Christ and this Nation, guilty of High
Treason, in that you that are a Lawyer know very well(and
I speak it that you may lay it to your Hart in the
Convictions of your Conscience, I must say to you as
Joshua said to Acban, "my Sou, give Glory to God, and
confess ;" and it would become you so to do) you know
very well it is the law of this Nation, that no one House,
nor both Houses of Parliament have any coercive Power
over the King, much less to put him to Death ; you know
(as you cited very well) that the imprisoning of the King
is Treason. You know both of } 7 ou, this is an undoubted
Truth ; the rule of the Law is, that the King, that is the
King can do no Wrong ; in the estimation of Law ; he
may do some particular Acts as a private Person, but he
can do little Prejudice in his own Person ; if he would
hurt any it must be by Ministers, in that case the Law
provides a Remedy ; if he doth it by Ministers they must
answer for it. The King of England is one of those
Princes who hath an Imperial Crown ; what is that ? It
is not to do what he will ; no, but it is that he shall not
be punished in his own Person if he doth that which in
itself is unlawful. Now remember this when you took
the Oaths of allegiance and supremacy ; (I presume you
both did so) What was your Oath of Supremacy? It
was this, that the King was the only Supreme Government
of these Realms ; it goes further, as he was the
Supreme Governor, so he was the only Supreme Governor,
that excludes Co-ordination ; you swear further, that you
will to the utmost of your Power defend the King against
all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever ; truly you that
were a Lawyer when you had thus sworn, your Fee could
be no Excuse against what you had sworn to. We know
that the King, in his Politicks or Natural Capacity, is not
only Salus Populi, but Salus Reipublicse. The Law hath
taken care that the People shall have Justice and Right ;
the King's Person ought not to be touched ; the King
66 HUGH PETER :
himself is pleased to judge by the Law ; you see he doth
by Law question the Death of his Father ; he doth not
judge it himself, but the Law judges it. Mr. Peters
knows very well he subscribed the 39 Articles of Religion ;
look upon them that were confirmed in 1552, and upon
those Articles that were confirmed in 13 Elizabeth ; the
King is there acknowledged to have the Chief Power in
these Nations ; the meddling with the King was a
Jesuitical Doctrine : This I speak, not that the King
should or ought to Govern but by the Fundamental Laws
of the Land ; they that keep within the Bounds of the
Law are happy ; you that are a Lawyer know this in
point of Law, and you that are a Divine know this in point
of Divinity. You both know the Truth of it, and when
you have thought upon it, I hope you will reflect upon
that horrid Crime, the shedding of Royal Blood. You see
he had granted all those Grievances of the People, taken
them away, secured them, for the future ; and at this very
Time, when this horrid Act was done you see he had
granted all at the Desire of the People ; he had made
those Concessions such, as (were it not in respect of
others more than those that treated themselves) they
thought was more than could be expected by the Nation.
You that had a Hand in the King's Death it falls upon
you, the Guilt of it, because you were some of those
Instruments that assisted those Persons that broke the
Treaty ; prepare yourselves for that Death which you are
to die ; it is a Debt which we all owe to Nature ; if in
this case there is something of Shame comes to you it is
that you must take as Part of the Reward of your Sin.
The only Work, I have now to do is to pronounce the
Judgment, and this is the Judgement of the Court, and
the Court doth award, that both of you be led back to the
Place from whence you came, and from thence shall be
drawn upon a Hurdle, &c. and the Lord have Mercy upon
your Souls.
Clerk: Crier, make Proclamation.
Clerk: O Yes,&c. All Manner of Persons, &c.and all
Jurors and Witnesses, are to appear at this Place
toMorrow Morning at Seven of the clock in the morning
upon Pain of One hundred Pounds a piece. So God Bless
king Charles, &c.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 67
None of the accused were allowed counsel although they
repeatedly asked for the same.
Ere his death let us hear his vindication in his own
words.
"The Case of Mr Hugh Peters Impartially
Communicated to the View and Censure of the Whole
World : Written by his own hand. London ; Printed
for Sam. Speed, and are to be sold at his shop, at the
sigue of the Printing-Press in St. Pauls Churchyard.
"They which think to Vindicate themselves to the
World by writing Apologies, rarely reach their ends,
because their Game is an After-Game ; prejudice is strong,
and the Plaister can hardly be made broad enough, nor
Apologies put into all hands who have prejudged and
received the first tincture. And therefore our blessed
Saviour is slow in that work ; onely clears the great
question of that age, by proving himself the Messiah
(Job, 5.) by four witnesses, but not forward to answer
expectations of the World otherwise.
" And yet so much of his example there is ; yea, so
much of St. Pauls, and others, that there seems to be a
necessity of saying something, though hard to wipe off so
much dirt as is thrown on my self. Yet at this distance
and leasure, hearing by printed papers what my lot is in
England, my native Country ; Therefore I do in the Name
and fear of God, and before his holy Majesty, Angels and
Men, profess that I never had head nor hand in contriving
or managing the late Kings death, as is basely and
scandalously suggested by black mouths : was all that day
(he dyed) sick and sad in my Chamber, which I prove
by two substantial witnesses. And for what is in that
Pamphlet June 19, about my confessing in my sickness,
landing at Plymouth from Ireland, it is most untrue and
mistaken, for I never was sick at Plymouth, nor landed
there from Ireland : nor any of that information
colourable : & this I avouch in the truth of my soul ; and
would in presence justifie, if weakness, and lameness, and
this distance did not hinder; yea, many years being upon
me, and an utter inability to do my self right in these
things, if the Lord do not make my way in the hearts of
men.
HIST. COLL. VOL. XXXVm 8
68 HUGH PETER :
"I shall briefly give an account of my coming into
England, my behaviour since I came, and my present
condition in this Juncture.
" A Colony going to settle in New England, by his late
Majesties Patent, I went thither, who by my birth in
Cornwel, was not a meer stranger to that place, and
fishing-trade : and thither, invited often, I say, went, and
was with another sent into England by the Magistrates
there, for ease in Excise and Custom, and some supplies
for Learning, &c, because I had been witness to the
Indians receiving the Gospel there in Faith and Practise ;
they having the Bible translated by us into their Language,
and part thereof printed, and hundreds of them professing
the Gospel, and teaching each other the knowledge of the
true God ; and the rather, from the example of the
English there : when in seven years among thousands
there dwelling, I never saw any drunk, nor heard an Oath,
nor any begging, nor Sabbath broken : all which invited
me over to England : but coming, found the Nation
imbroyled in troubles and War ; the Preaching was, Curse
ye Meroz, from Scotland to England ; the best Ministers
going into the field : in which (not without urging) I was
imbarqued in time ; and by force upon me here, failed
of my promise of returning home : which was and is my
sad affliction. My first work was, with the first to go to
Ireland ; which I did with many hazards, then was at sea
with my old Patron the Earl of Warwick, to whom I ow'd
my life ; then was imploy'd by the City ; then by the
Earl of Essex, my Lord Say, and others ; and my return
stopt by the Power that was ; and so was in the last Army
in several places, but never in the North : In all which
affairs I did labour to perswade the Army to their duty.
My principles in Keligion guided me to those Orthodox
truths exprest in the Confessions of Faith in England ;
and known to joyn with the Protestants who are found in
the Faith, in Germany upper and lower, France, &c, I have
and do hereby witness against all Errours of all kinds.
For the War, I thought the Undertakers knew their
Work; I was inconsiderable, yea, heartily sorry for
mistakes about me. For my Carriage, I challenge all
the Kings party to speak if I were uncivil ; nay, many of
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 69
them had my Purse, Hand, Help every way, and are
ready to witness it ; yea, his present Majesties servants
preserved by me through hazards. I was never privy to
the Armies transactions about the late King at Holmby
or elsewhere, or of any Juncto, Council or Cabal. But
when his Majesty sent for me, I went to him, with whom
I dealt about my New England business, & was three or
four times with him, and had his special acceptance and
served him to my utmost, and used all my little skill for
his and the Nations good more than twice : for which I
have witness ; though it be hard to cut my way through
so many Rocks. But God is Good.
"It is true, I was of a Party, when I acted zealously,
but not with malice or mischief: it hath been accounted
Honourable, Et Cesare in hoste probat, to keep to principles
of honour and honesty. I never quarrelled others for
their judgment in Conscience. It is received , that Religio
docenda est, non coercend. I saw Reformation growing,
Laws made, and some against debauchery and evil (which I
was glad to read in his Majesties late Proclamation) . I saw
a very learned, godly, able Ministry as any in the World,
well provided for : I saw the Universities reformed, and
flourishing ; and such things much encouraged me in my
Endeavours. I studyed the 13 of the Rom. and was
tender ; but found the best of Scotland and England of
the Ministry engaged, and so satisfied me, that I
understand the first undertaking is still maintained good.
By the War, I never enriched myself: I have often
offer'd my personal Estate for 2001, and for Lands, I never
had any but that part of a Noblemans, which I never laid
up peny of; nor never urged the Lord Grey, or others,
to buy, nor knew not of the sale, till done ; nor justifie
any unworthy thing in it. I never plundered nor cheated,
never made peny over the Sea, nor hoarded or hid any
in England.
"I never was guilty of secluding the Members in 48,
nor knew it, till done, and sent by my Lord Fairfax to
fetch off two of them, and to know who they were that
were secluded.
"I never had Jewels, nor anything of Court or State,
more than before, directly nor indirectly. Never had any
70 HUGH PETER:
Ecclesiastical Promotion in my life in the Nation to enrich
me ; but lived on my own when I had any thing : nor
have been a lover of money.
"The many scandals upon me for uncleanness, &c., I
abhor as vile and false, being kept from that and those
aspersions cast ; and such I make my protest against as
before. I know how low my name runs, how Titleless,
how contemned. David knew why Shemei curst him.
"For the Laws of England, I know no place hath better :
onely having lived where things are more expedite and
cheap, I have shewed my folly so to say : and having no
evil intention, a very worthy Lawyer took exception at
something of mine or my friends, which was never intended
in his sense by either, and crave his excuse ; I can charge
my self with evil enough, as any excentrick motion of mine
from my own Calling, want of a solemn spirit in slight
times, with unbelief, if I have gone about to reach
Religious ends by trampling upon civil duties, breaking
of any Covenants, or slighting them ; and do fear Gospel,
and the Spirit also may be undervalued by mine, and
others unworthy dealing with them. Much to these I
might add, who have seen many vanities under the Sun ;
and the World hung with Nets and Snares: Alas, there is
nothing to Christ.
"And lastly, I understand what exception is upon me
for Life and Estate in the House of Commons. I have
taken hold of the Kings Majesties gracious Pardon, as
others did ; and know not truly where this exception lies
grounded. I wish I had been with their Honours to have
clear'd it. I hope a Vagrant report or Airy Noise takes
no Place with them : for I challenge the World for my
innocence for these suggestions ; and appeal to their
Honours, and the Noble Lords for a review of the Charge
or Information ; and crave no favour if any sober man
can charge me ; otherwise I most heartily beg just favour,
unless my evil be only for acting with such a party, I
must have it : For I know before whom my Cause is, and
may not despair.
"I must again profess were I not a Christian, I am a
Gentleman by birth, and from that extract do scorn to
engage in the vile things suggested, and that by one
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 71
creditless witness, that only supposeth, but asserts
nothing.
"I wish from my heart that our present Prince may
be, and the Nation by him more happy then any ; and
that the true ends of Government may be had and
communicated fully; that every honest heart may have
cause to rejoyce in God, the King, and their Laws. And
for my self (through Grace) I resolve to be quiet in a
corner (if I may) to let God alone with ruling the World,
to whose Wisdom and Power we ought to submit ; yea,
to mind mine own work, though never so small ; to be
passive under Authority, rather then impatient; to
procure the quiet and peace of the Nation to my utmost ;
to mind things invisible, and of a better consistence then
these below ; and to pray, when I can do no more.
Hugh Peters."*
EXTRACTS FROM "A DYING FATHER'S LAST LEGACY
TO AN ONELY CHILD."
" There [in New England] I continued seven years till
sent thither by the Plantation to mediate for ease in
Customs and Excise ; the Country being poor, and a
tender Plant, of their own setting and manuring. But
coming hither, found the Nation imbroiled in those Civil
Discontents, Jars and Wars, and here was forced to stay,
though I had nothing to support me but the Parliament's
Promises. And not being able in a short time to compass
my Errand, studied with a constant purpose of Returning,
and went with the first to Ireland, most of your London
Godly Ministers being engaged in Person, Purse and
Preaching in the Trouble ; I thought Ireland the clearest
* No date Is given to these printed pages, but they were evidently written early
in 1660, O.S.; they are bound with two other short articles: "Petars Pattern, or
The perfect Path to Worldly Happiness, As it was delivered in a Funeral Sermon
Preached at the Interrment of Mr. Hugh Peters lately deceased. By I. C.
Translator of Pineda upon Job, and one of the Triers. Gusman, Lib. i.
Chap. 2. Verse 4. Amicus Plato, sed magis arnica veritas. London, printed in
the Year 1659," and "The Tryall and Condemnation of Mr. John Cooke, Sollicitor
to the late High-court of Injustice, and Mr. Hugh Peters, that carnall Prophet.
For their severall High-treasons, &c. At the Sessions house in the Old-baily, on
Saturday, the 13 of October, 1660. Together with Their severall Pleas, and the
Answers thereunto. Proverbs 25. v. 5. Take away the wicked from before
the King, and His Throne shall be established in righteousness. London
Printed lor John Stafford and Edward Thomas, 1660."
72 HUGH PETER .
work ; and had the Pay of a Preacher then and afterward,
as I could get it ; I was not there at Edge-hill, nor the
Bishop of Canterburies troubles or death. Upon my
return was staid again from going home [mark, he calls
it home] by the Earl of Warwick my Patron ; then by
the Earl of Essex, afterward by the Parliament, who at
last gave me an Estate, now taken away. I had access
to the King about my New-England business ; he used
me civilly ; I, in requital, offered my poor thoughts three
times for his safety ; I never had hand in contriving or
acting his Death, as I am scandalized, but the contrary
(to my mean power :) I was never in any Council or Cabal
at any time, I hated it, and had no stowage for Council,
thinking all Government should lie open to all ; nor had
a penny from any General, but lived in debt, as now I
am ; nor had means for my Expenses, what I had others
shared in. I confesse I did what I did strenuously, though
with a weak head, being over-laid with my own and others
troubles ; never was angry with any of the King's Party,
nor any of them for being so ; thought the Parliament-
Authority lawfull and never studied it much : have not
had my hand in any man's blood, but saved many in Life
and Estate. The Parliament in 1644 gave me the Bishop's
Books valued at 140. which I intended for New-England,
being a part of his private Library, which (with all mine
own) I have often offered for 150. the mistake about them
was and is great, for they never were so considerable :
And these were my gettings who never aimed to be rich
nor ever had means to reach it. ...
" The Changes grew (as you see) a Commonwealth I
found but thus altered : I staid so long at White-hall,
contented with any good Government that could keep
things together ; till the breach of that they call Richard's
Parliament, and then I removed, and never returned more,
but fell sick long, and in trouble ever since; never was
summoned but once by the Council which was in April,
about Books ; of which (lying sick) I craved of the
President of the Council to excuse me, who sent unto me
he had, and I gave him an account of the Books : but
hearing that my Estate was gone, and I indebted, was
private, and did purpose so to live, and so to die, having
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 73
a resolution (which I kept) never to meddle with State-
matters, but either here, or in New-England, to spend my
old age, in looking into my Grave and Eternity : and
never had to do with any Insurrection with Souldiers or
others ; nor never would, had I a longer life, my head and
heart be tired, as well as my body craz'd : I thought the
Act of Indemnity would have included me, but the hard
Character upon me, excluded me, which I was so sensible
of, that Nature (in its own preservation) carried me to
privacy ; but free from that report of the manner which
is suggested, of which you may be assured : By my zeal
(it seems) I have exposed myself to all manner of reproach :
but wish you to know that (besides your Mother) have
had no fellowship (that way) with any Woman since first
I knew her, having a godly wife before also, I blesse God.
"But because what is before written, may seem my
white side only, I shall deal in all plainness with you,
That though in Religion I am and have been really sound
and Orthodox to my best apprehension, according to the
blessed Word of God ; and the generality of the Protestant
Confessions ; yea, though I travell'd through Protestant
Churches for Order, to copy the best, and have joyned
with the Churches of Christ, and took in with that I call a
Tender Presbytery, for such was ours in New-England,
and yet so, as I never unchurcht any Parish where a godly
Minister was, and godly People joyned together, though
not all so ; and do know God may have a People under
all forms and would withdraw to the furthest Judges, rather
than give offence to what I cannot close with ; yet so
unworthy have my thoughts been of myself to be a meet
Preacher of the Gospel, that more than twice had I given
it over, had not Friends prevailed ; yea, my profession
of the Gospel hath been with much folly, weakness and
vanity : I crave pardon of any that have taken offence,
though in a Christian way I have not had the reproofs of
Three either for Preaching or Conversation . I am heartily
sorry I was Popular, and known better to others than
myself : It hath much lain to my heart above any thing
almost, That I left the people I was engaged to in New-
England, it cuts deeply, I look upon it as a Root-evil :
and though I was never Parson nor Vicar, never took
74 HUGH PETER :
Ecclesiastical promotion, never preach'd upon any
agreement for money in my life, though not without
offers, and great ones ; yet I had a Flock, I say I had a
Flock to whom I was ordained, who were worthy of my
Life and Labours ; but I could never think my self fit to
be their Pastor, so unaccomplisht for such a work, for
which, who is sufficient (cryes the Apostle) ?
"This is my sore trouble ; and a private life would have
become me best, and my poor gift have had its vent also.
But here I was overpowered to stay. For Errors in
Judgment I have pittied, never closed with any that I
know ; when I was a Tryer of others, I went to hear and
gain Experience rather than to judge : When I was
called about mending Laws, I rather was there to pray
than to mend Laws ; When to judge in Wills, I only went
sometimes to learn, and help the Poor, than to judge, but
in all these I confesse I might well have been spared.
" Nor do I take pleasure in remembering any my least
activity in State-matters, though this I can say, I nowhere
minded who ruled fewer or more, so the good ends of
Government be given out, in which men may live in
Godliness and Honesty. I have often said, That is a good
Government, where men may be as good as they can, not
so bad as they would; where good men and things are
uppermost ; and have thought if good Magistrates cannot
bring all to their Judgments, the Dissenters may have
liberty, being kept out of office, and want some other
publick characters. That which a Friend of mine, and
myself writ by Letters about Magistrates, was very little,
and the Records of the Tower were only named, as giving
way to all other Records, to cut off dissentions, or marks
of Tyranny, which no good Prince will exercise ; I am
sorry if any offended, it was Zeal for Quietnesse. I honour
Laws, and good Lawyers heartily, and know their use ;
only ease, expedition and cheapness, what good man doth
not call for? Sedition is the heating mens minds against
the present Authority, in that I never was, yet sorry,
Authority should have any hard thoughts of me, or know
so inconsiderable a creature as myself. I never could be
fit for a Court, many wayes not fit, and am therefore
grieved that I was either constrained, or content to live,
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 75
where I could do so little good ; for I would dye without
a secret in my bosom, unless Cases of Conscience in the
way of Preaching, which are secret, indeed ; and for
reading them to the world I had appointed a Portion had
it been continued to me.
" Upon all this you may ask what design I drove, being
look'd upon that way ? Truly these three :
" First, That Goodness, that which is really so, and such
Religion might be highly advanced.
" Secondly, That good Learning might have all
Countenance.
w Thirdly, That there might not be a Beggar in Israel,
in England.
"And for all these I have projected or laboured, and I
have no other. And these I pray his present Majesty may
looke to, and that God would blesse him every way.
" If in the prosecutions of these I have used any of my
wonted rudenesse,or unguarded zeal I am heartily as Sorry.
So begging pardon from God and Man, Constitution or
Custom, I conclude in these particulars, though the aim
be good.
w I conclude the former thus : I think, That as bad men
care not who rule, or what is uppermost, so they may have
their lusts ; so good men, if they may enjoy God and his
Truth, with good Conscience. For my whole course you
know and feel where my wound heth been these Twenty
years,* which hath occasioned not only my Head and
Heart breaking, but travelling from mine own Nest into
businesse.
"Blesse God, if ever you meet with suitableness in
Marriage : For my spirit it wanted weight, through many
tossings, my head that composure others have, credulous,
and too careless ; but never mischievous nor malicious :
I thought my work was to serve others, and so mine own
Garden not so well cultivated ; only this I say, I aimed at
a good mark, and trust the Lord in Jesus Christ hath
accepted it. My Faith in the Everlasting Covenant was
and is, though feeble, yet Faith. I could thus continue,
ripping my whole heart to you, who have very often had
great success, even to the last hours of my last Preaching,
* His wife's mental malady.
76 HUGH PETER:
and am preaching the life of Faith to my self, to which
call in all prayers to the Father in Jesus Christ his dearest
Son, to whom let us look, as the Author and Finisher of
our Faith, who for the pay that was set before him,
endured the Crosse, despised the Shame, and now sits at
the right hand of Majestic, making Intercessions for
Transgressors, Heb. 12, 12. To whom be Glory and Praise,
and Thanks for Ever. For he is worthy, who hath washed
us from our sins by his own Blood, and made us Kings,
and Priests unto God the Father ; To him be Glory and
Dominion for ever.
" For that part of my Lord Craven's Estate, which I
have, took no small place in my trouble.* You may know
that I was not in the City when that Act was made, nor
urged my Lord Grey to buy ; nor ever advised the said
Lord (as I had time) but to good and just things and
company, against that Spirit of Levelling then stirring :
and do heartily wish, that taken offence might dye: for
it was not intended by me, who could and can be as
well contented without Land, as with it; never being
ambitious to be great or rich since I knew better things.
"And now I must return to yourself again, and to give you
my thoughts about your own Condition. I do first commend
you to the Lord, and then to the care of a Faithfull Friend,
whom I shall name unto you, if a Friend may be found in
this Juncture, that dare own your Name (though there be
more of your Name) and if such a Friend advise it, that
you serve in some Godly Family, to which you seem to
incline, and must (it seems) ; but truly if not a good
Family, what will your Condition be ? Dwell where God
dwells, and be in such Company, as you must be with in
Heaven, and then you do but change your place, not your
company, though it be unexpected and uncouth, yet
remember the best men have been servants, Moses kept
his father's sheep ; so Jacob and the Patriarchs ; David to
Saul, and many more ; I have before given thee Rules
for it ; and be sure to be steady to Family and Private
* The Parliament had granted Peter lands out of Lord Craven's estate. "1660.
Ye 10th d. of the 6th Mo. Concerning Mr Peters I heare little, onely from brother
Hooker, that the lord Craven waytes hopefully for the restitution of his lands,
wherein, he saith Mr Peters hath a share, he is of kin to Monck, and sometimes
dineth with him." The Bevd. John Davenport to John Winthrop Jr. Newhaven.
Mass. Hist. Coll., 3rd series, Vol. x, p. 38.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 77
Duties, your Life will be dead without them, call your
Condition God's Ordinance, and he can blesse it to you.
But if you would go home to New-England (which you
have much reason to do) go with good Company and trust
God there ; the Church are a Tender Company ; a little
will carry us through the world, yea very little : Oh
Godliness with Content ! Your faithfulness to me and
your Mother will find acceptance in Heaven, I trust. My
dear Child, tell me how cotildst thou be without God's
Rod ? remember he hath a Staffe also. For your Mother
(considering her distemper) I have and shall say more
unto you. To his Grace who is able to do above all we
can ask or think, I commend you both."
"And it I go shortly where time shall be no more, where
Cock nor Clock distinguish hours, sink not ; but lay thy
head in his Bosom who can help thee : for he sits upon
the Waves. Farewell.
"And since we must part, must part ; take my Wishes,
Sighs and Groans to follow thee, and pitty the feebleness
of what I have sent, being writ under much, yea very
much discomposure of spirit."*
This written testimony concerning his life and work is
added to that which he gave at his trial. History itself
tells us of his many kindnesses to distressed royalists ;
and no less a person than the King himself was, while in
prison, indebted to Peter for the services of Dr. Juxon,
Bishop of London, and for the admittance to his person
of Sir John Denham intrusted with a message from the
Queen, f
"Some Notes taken of a Sermon preached by | Mr.
Hugh Peters, the 14th. of October, 1660, | after his
condemnation, in the Prison of Newgate, | where he was
much interrupted by the coming in and | going forth of
strangers that came to see him, and | the other prisoners,
in the Room with him, and so | was constrained to break
off the sooner ; And though | they are but brief Heads,
* "A dying Father's Last Legacy to an Onely Child, or Mr. Hugh Peters Advice
to his Daughter, written by his own Hand during his late Imprisonment in the
Tower of London; and given her a little before his Death."
tWhitelock: Sir John Denham'e Epsi. Dedlc. to Charles II. of his Poems; 2d
ed. 1671.
78 HUGH PETER:
yet it's thought con- | venient here to insert them, for the
better satisfac- | tion of any touching the frame of Mr.
Hugh Peters | at the time. |
"The discourse was from Psal. 42, ver. 11 : Why art
thoucast down, O my soule? and why art thou disquieted
within me ? Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him,
who is the health of my Countenance and my God.
"After Analyzing the psalme, he Observed this Doctrine.
"Doctrine, That the best of God's people are apt to be
disponding, This was the Man's case in the whole 88 psal,
Also David's case, when he complained of the breaking of
his Bones, &c, This was Christs case himselfe, when he
cryed out My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me.
"The Reasons why the best of God's people, are apt to
dispondencies, are,
"First, When something falls out from God more than
ordinary, when God puts weight in Sorrow and Affliction,
that makes it sinking ; Although that Afflictions are heavy
of themselves many times, yet it's the weight that God
puts in sorrow, that makes it sink us.
"21y Over-valuing our comforts, putting too much upon
Wife, Children, Estate, or Life itself, a man is apt to be
cast down when he thinks of parting with them.
"Thirdly, Our unpreparednesse for sufferings, and
afflictions that makes us dispond. Also, I thought not of
it say some, its come unexpectedly upon me.
"Fourthly, We are apt to dispond when our Afflictions
are many when they are multitudes, when all is struck at
together, Name, Estate, Relations and Life itself.
"Fifthly, When Afflictions are of long continuance, a
man can bear that Burthen a while, that he cannot stand
under long.
"Sixthly, when Afflictions fall upon the noblest part of
man which is his soule, then are dispondencies apt to come
in.
"Seventhly, When we have more Sense then Faith,
"Now it should not be so, God's people ought not to
be so, God's people ought not to dispond, 1. Because it
discovers impatiency. 2. Because it discovers want of
Faith, they leane not upon the Rock that will not faile
them. 3. It discovers want of Wisdom, &c. 4. We
PREACHEE, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 79
should not be thus, because it gratifies the Enemy, who
in such a case is ready to upbraid us, and say, where
is now their God ? what is become of their God ?
"Now what cure and remedies are there for disponding.
The Eleventh verse gives two. First, Hope in God,
Hope thou in God. Secondly, Faith is set on work,
I shall yet praise him, &c.
"But more particularly take these directions. 1. Be
carefull of exercising faith, for no condition of man
superceeds his Faith, do all in Faith, pray in Faith, and
bear in Faith, &c. Now what is the exercise of Faith
but rouling* upon Christ, and staying on him, here I'll
stick, if I perish, I perish.
"The miscarriages of Christians, is either because they
have no faith, or else, because, if they have faith, they
give it not food to live upon ; faith must go to Christ, as
the Liver Vaine and fetch blood and life thence. We quarrel
that*we have not Love, and patience and meeknesse,
&c. but the defect lyes in our faith, if we had more faith
we should have more of all other Graces.
"Now what is the food of faith? Ans. Faith will not
feed upon every dish, not on a stalled Ox or fatted Calfe ;
prosperity is not faiths food. But it will Eat a word,
live upon promises, these nourish faith, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee, all things shall work together for
good, and the like promises.
"2. Be marvellously carefull of things below, measure
things below, measure things not by sense, or by a day,
but by faith and Eternity ; we are troubled at the losse
of this and tother Creature, and comfort, but what's the
value of them, the over valluiug things is our mischiefe.
"3. Go and tell the Lord Christ I have defiled
conscience, and if thou doest not wash me, I am undone
for Ever. See the necessity and worth of Christ ; there
must be something better to look at than what we loose
for the present, something above Estate, and Life, and
Relations, and Name. See the worth of Christ's blood,
*This curious word is evidently "roll." See Pepys' Diary, Mar. 7,1661-2.
"Early to White Hall to the Chapel where, by Mr. Blagrave's means I got into
his pew and heard Dr. Creeton, the great Scotchman and chaplain in ordinary to
the King, preach before the King, and Duke and Duchess upon the words of
Micah: 'Roule yourselves in dust.' He made a most learned sermon upon the
words ; but in his application, the most comical man that ever I heard in my life.
Just such a man as Hugh Peter."
80 HUGH PETER:
it's worth all the world , because what the blood of Bulls and
Goats could not doe, his blood doth cleanse from all sinne.
" 4. Keep close to the use of Ordinances much of our
mischief hath come from neglects of this kind ; the safety
of a Christian lyes in the enjoyment of Church Communion,
Psal. xxvii-4, 5, and 6 Verses, One thing I have desired
of the Lord, and that will I seeke after, that I may dwell
in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my Life, &c. for
in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his Pavillion,
in the secret of his Tabernacle, shall he hide me, he shall
set me upon a Rock ; and now shall my head be lifted up
above mine Enemies round about me, &c. The greatest
fears are dispelled then you shall find before troubles
passe over (for you expect some) it will be a hard matter
to break Churches, they are so fast Chayned together, and
yet there hath been marvellous miscarriages amongst
Saints in their Church Relations.
FINIS.
He also during his imprisonment in the Tower, wrote
some sheets of paper to his Daughter, leaving them with
her as his last Legacy, containing in it very much sound
and wholesome advice as to her soules health. It carries
with it such a savour as denotes it proceeds from a spirit
that hath learned experience in Christ's schoole, and hath
been acquainted sometimes with sunshine as well as foul
weather, it's too long here to be inserted, but if it be
made publick by itselfe, doubtlesse the Experienced
Reader will be no looser by perusing this legacy."
In Cobbett's State Trials, London, 1792, appear the
following extracts from " Some Memorable Passages of
Mr. Hugh Peters, in his Imprisonment at Newgate, and
at the time of his Execution at Charing-Crosse, October
16, 1660.
"Mr. Peters, as is well known, was exercised under a
great Conflict in his own Spirit, during the time of his
Imprisonment, fearing (as he would often say) that he
should not go through his Sufferings with Courage and
Comfort, and said to Friends, that he was somewhat
unprepared for Death, and therefore unwilling to dye ;
something he said he had committed, and other things
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 81
omitted, which troubled him; but tho' it was a Cloudy
and dark Day with him for a Season ; yet the Light of
Gods Grace and Favour would break forth at last.
" And surely the Favour of God did at last appear, for
a little before he went forth to Execution (as many can
testify) he was well composed in his Spirit, and cheerfully
said, I thank God now I can dye, I can looke Death in the
Face and not be afraid.
"As for the slanderous Report which was too much
received by good People as well as bad, to wit, that he
was guilty of Uncleannesse : A Friend coming to him in
Prison, put that Question seriously and soberly to his
Soule, to which he reply'd That he blessed the Lord, he
was wholy clear in that Matter, and that he never knew
any woman but his own wife.
" A Night or two before he suffered, two of the Episcopal
Clergy, who as some report were the King's Chaplains,
came to give him a Visit ; they endeavoured to make
Advantage of the Temptations wherewith he was then
assaulted, and to perswade him to a Repentance and
Recantation of his former Activity in the Parliament
Cause, which they endeavoured to enforce upon him by a
Promise of Pardon from the King, in case he would barken
to them. But tho' he was then much afflicted in his Spirit,
yet the Lord did help him to beare up with much Courage
against the Insinuations of that sort of Men, and told them
he had no Cause in the least to repent of his Adhering to
that Interest ; but rather, that he had in the Prosecution
thereof done no more for God and his People, in these
Nations ; and with Civility dismissing those Visitants, he
applyed himself to some other Ministers then present,
whome he judged more able to speake a Word in Season
to him under these great Tryals, wherewith the Lord was
then pleased to exercise him.
" Mr Cooke to Mr Peters In the Dungeon said, 'Brother
Peters, we shall be in Heaven to-morrow in Bliss and
Glory, What a blessed thing is that, my very heart leaps
within me for Joy ; I am now just as I was in the storm,
almost in Sight of Heaven. Read me, Isaiah, 43, 9-10-
11; 61; 10-11 Hosea 13-14.' Then looking upon his
bed, said ' That shall be my last Pillow, I will lay me
82 HUGH PETER :
down and sleep awhile,' and he slept about an hour and a
half, and then awoke saying, 'Now farewell Sleep, no more
Sleep in this World and farewell Darkness and Light I am
going where there shall be no Night there neither need of
Candle, nor of the Sun for the Lord will give us Light ;
yea, the Lord will be our everlasting Light, and our God
will be our Glory.'"
Justice Coke on the day of execution said to Mr.
Peters, " Brother Peters, this is our wedding-day ; we
know that the bridegroom is come, and we are ready to
enter into the marriage, we are now going to the souls
under the altar, and could our Judges but know what
glory we shall be in before 12 o'clock, they would desire
and pray to be with us, their blindness is my sorrow ; for
when we are gone, our blood will cry, and do them more
hurt, than if we had lived."
The third day after their trial, Oct. 16, 1660, Peter and
the Solicitor John Coke, who had been one of the
prosecutors of the late King, were dragged on " two
sleddes "* from Newgate to the place of their execution
at Charing-Cross. Their sentences were the same, but
the head of Major General Harrison had been placed on
a pole on Coke's sled with the face towards him. Instead
of this sight filling Coke with fear it appeared to inspire
him with courage and enthusiasm.
In his last speech he said (referring to Peter's previous
state of mind) , "Here is apoorBrother coming, I am afraid
that he is not fit to die at this Time ; I could wish his
Majesty might shew some Mercy."
"The Sheriffs interrupted in Words to this effect : 'Let
that alone, for the King's Majesty hath Clemency enough
for all but his Father's Murtherers.' "
Coke suffered first : he was hanged by the neck and then
cut down alive. His body, after other mutilation, was
opened and the bowels were taken out and burned. Then
came the merciful blow that severed the head from the
body, and lastly the body was cut into four parts for
permanent exhibition in as many places ; these being,
usually, the four principal cities of the kingdom, while the
head was set upon Temple Bar.
* LudJow.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 83
"Peter, being carried upon the Sledge to execution, and
made to sit within the Railes at Charing-Crosse to behold
the Execution of Mr Coke, One comes to him and upbraided
him with the Death of the King, bidding him (with
opprobrious Language) to repent : He replyed, ' Friend,
you do not well to trample upon a Dying Man, you are
greatly mistaken, I had nothing to do in the Death of the
King/
"When Mr Cooke was cut down and brought to be
quartered, one they called Coll. Turner, calling to the
Sheriff's Men to bring Mr Peters near, that he might see
it, And by and by the Hangman came to him, all besmer'd
in Blood, and rubbing his bloody Hands together, he
(tauntingly) ask'd, 'Come, how do you like this, Mr
Peters, how do you like this Work?' To whom he
reply'ed, ' I am not (I thank God) terrifyed at it, you
may do your worst !'
" When he was going to his execution, he look't about
and espy'd a Man, to whom he gave a Piece of Gold
(having Bowed it first) and desir'd him to goe to the
Place where his Daughter lodged, and to carry that to her
as a Token from him, and to let her know that : *
"'My heart is full of Comfort ; I sun ready to die ; weep
not for me ; let them weep who part and shall never meet
again, you and Ishall meet again in Heaven, and before
this piece of Gold reaches you I shall be with God in Glory,
where is no Night, no need of a Candle, nor of the Sun
for the Lord will give us Light.' The man being dismissed
with the piece of gold Mr Peters said to the Sheriff: 'I
truly forgive you and all men from my heart and if you
will believe the words of a dying man, I tell you, I am
not convinced of any thing I have done amiss in the
business for which I am condemned to suffer, and of
consequence, I do not repent of anything there is done by
me. I own the cause of God and his people and I am
here this day to bear witness to it, I bless the Lord 1 have
nothing lying upon my conscience and I bless the Lord
that he has in goodness and mercy made me willing to
give myself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto
* State Trials, London, 1792.
HIST. COLL. VOL. XXXVin 9
84 HUGH PETER :
God. I thank the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that in
weakness I am strong, and am not unwilling to go to God
through the fire and jaws of death, blessed be the Lord
Jesus, that hath given me the victory over sin and death,
and hath supported me with spiritual Joy on this good
day. Oh, my soul, bless the Lord, that death, my good
friend, is come to guard me out of time into eternity, bless
the Lord, O my soul, in this moment ; for he is come that
I have long looked for, and support me with his
everlasting arm, come, beloved spirit, come and make
haste, and be thou like a young roe upon the mountain
of spices. Lord Jesus, I come to thee upon the wings of
faith, Lord Jesus receive me with grace into the Joy of
my Lord. Amen.' Then with a smiling countenance, he
yielded to the stroke of death."*
" Being upon the ladder he [Peter] spake to the Sherifle
saying, Sir, you have here slain one of the Servants of
God before mine eyes, and have made me to behold it, on
purpose to terrifie and discourage me, but God hath made
it for an Ordinance to me for my Strengthening and
Encouragement.
"When he was going to die, he said, 'What Flesh, art
thou unwilling to go to God through the Fire and Jaws of
Death? Oh, (said he) this is a good day, he is come that
I have long look'd for, and I shall be with him in Glory,'
and so smiled when he went away.f
"Tuesday following, being the sixteenth of October,
Mr John Cook and Mr Hugh Peters were about the same
hour [between nine and ten in the morning] carried on
two Hurdles to the same place, and executed in the same
manner, and their Quarters returned in like manner to the
place whence they came [Newgate] .
" The Head of Mr Cook is since set on a Pole on the
North-East end of Westminster Hall (on the left of Mr
Harrisons) looking towards London, and the Head of Mr
* It is much to be regretted that the above quotation canuot be placer) aa It per-
fectly completes the account given by Ludlow and State Trials; but the latter
bays: " What Mr Peters said further at his execution, either In his speech or
prayer it could not be taken, In regard his voice was low at that time and the
people uncivil." Our informant was evidently better placed, and heard all, as
the following lines from " State Trials" appear to be but imperfectly heard frag-
ments which do not give, altogether, the same Impression as does the full and
complete account.
f State Trials, London, 1792, Vol. ir, p. 418.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 85
Peters 011 London Bridge. Their Quarters are exposed
in like manner upon the tops of some oi' the City Gates."*
It is singular that Peters was so severely treated when
others, much more deeply concerned in the King's death,
were dealt with so differently.
" But the Body of Mr Hacker was by his Majesties just
favour given entire to his friends and buried. "f
"Never," said the official newspaper, "was person
suffered death so unpitied and (which is more) whose
execution was the delight of the people. "J
His family was left in extreme poverty; in Juty, 1677,
John Knowles of London writes to Governor Leverett
requesting among other things that Mr Higginson's
congregation provide in part for Mrs. Peters who has been
supported by Mr Cockquaine and his church.
The following appears to be the entry of the marriage
of his daughter :
" All Hallowes Church, London Wall, April 23, 1665 :
Thomas Barker and Elizabeth Peters."
"Ye 10 Apll, 1703, Sr. ... I am desired by Mrs
Elizabeth Barker daughter to Mr Hugh Peters, to write
you in her favour, in reference to a coucerne to be
transacted there in recoverie of her father's lands and
estates. It hath beene so long delated already, and if not
speedily donne will be shorte of ye time of your country
limitations. Have taken much pains in examining her
papers and letters from thence, wch directed her to send
over letter of atturney ; was wth her before ye Lord
Mayor of these citty, when oathe was made of her being
ye reputed daughter of Mr Peter. Some New England men
were alsoe present to attest and witnesse it wth ye letter
of atturney. . . She is a widow and in low circumstances.
If you can bee servisible to her, it will bee a grate kindnesse
and respect to memory of her father soe well known in
New England. "
Winthrop, in his reply, refers to an indebtedness of
Peter's to his father of some five or six hundred pounds,
and he professes himself unable to be of any assistance.
* An Exact anil moat Impartial Accompt of the Indictment, Arraignment, Trial,
and Judgment (according to Law) of nine and twenty Regicides, London, 1660.
t Col. Hacker was one of the three officers charged with the execution of the
King's sentence.
J Dictionary of National Biography and Mercurius Publicus, Vol. n, p. 670.
} Letter from Samuel Reade to Wait Winthrop . Mass. Higt. Coll.
86 HUGH PETER :
There is also a deposition from Elizabeth Barker in
which she states that having omitted certain things in a
previous petition " some persons there taking advantage
thereof and of the absence and poverty of the said
Elizabeth, have entered into the same property and are
still in possession thereof, these derive noe title thereto,
either from the crowne, or from said father or herself, but
are ready to compound with her if they may be secure
therein. The said Elizabeth being very poor having been
a widow many yeares, and having had a constant charge
upon her of eight children, three of which in the last war
died in his Majesty's service and the rest being incapable
to afford her a maintenance, and she being altogether
helpless, her hard circumstances rendering her a tit and
just object, of her Majesty's clemency, and therefore
pra} r ed her Royal letter to Colonel Dudley, Governor of
Boston Colony, to pass a patent to her for the said lands
formerly her father's."
June 30, 1704. Elizabeth Barker of London, widow,
only daughter and heiress of Hugh Peter, sometimes
heretofore of Salem, N. E. deceased, Clerk, confirms to
Robert Dcvereux of Marblehead, Tanner, the farm of 350
acres now in his occupation.*
In 1703-4, Samuel Sewall in a letter to John Thompson,
of Jan. 18, writes: "The memory of Mr Peters is still
set by in Salem. "f
In his history of Salem, published in the Massachusetts
Historical Collections, 1st series, Vol. vn, Rev. William
Bentley says of Hugh Peter :
"No man ever possessed more sincerely the affections of
his people. Mr Hugh Peters in his person was tall and thin.
He was active and sprightly. In speech he was ready but
his language was peculiar to himself. He had a power of
associating his thoughts in such a manner, as to be sure to
leave them upon the memory. If his images were coarse
they were familiar, and never failed to answer his purpose
Wherever he went, whatever he said, it was sure to be
remembered. . . . Mr Peters was known to get the favour
of the people by his simple manner of living, travelling
on foot and freedom of conversation."
* New Eng. Hist, and Gen. Register, Vol. XL, p. 66.
f Mass. HlBt. Coll., 6th series, Vol. I, p. 288.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 87
Thomas Burton says in his Diary : " Hugh Peters was
of Queen's* College where, is a picture of him in the
gallery of the Master's Lodge which I saw there March
21 (1671), he is in his own hair and in a black gown and
rather a well-looking open countenanced man, the present
Muster Dr Plumptre told me that when he first came to
the presidentship this inscription was on the picture :
f Hugh Peters the seditious misleader,' but that he had
struck it out so that now there is lately printed on it his
name only, Hugh Peters ; by it is a picture of Oliver
Cromwell of the same size with his name 'Oliver Cromwell,'
thereon instead of the usurper Oliver Cromwell which Dr
Plumptre had erased, the Master supposed the two original
inscriptions secured them a place in his gallery at the
restoration."!
The only portrait of Peter now known to exist is owned
by C. E. Treffry, Esquire, and is in his dining room at
Place, in Fowey, Cornwall, his mother's home.
List of the writings of Hugh Peter : J
1 Advice of that Worthy Commander Sir Edward
Harwood upon occasion of the French King's Preparation ;
also a Relation of his Life and Death, 4to, 1642.
2 A True Relation of the passages of God's Providence
in a voyage to Ireland. . . wherein every day's work is set
down faithfully by H. P. an eye witness thereof, 4to, 1642.
3 Preface to Richard Mather's Church Government
and Church Covenant discussed, 4to, 1643.
4 Mr. Peters' Report from the Armies, 26 July, 1645,
with a list of the chiefest officers taken at Bridgewater,
&c, 4to, 1645.
5 Mr. Peters' Report from Bristol, 4to, 1645.
6 The Full and Last Relation of all Things concerning
Basing House, with divers other passages reported to Mr.
Speaker and divers Members in the House. By Mr. Peter
who came from Lieut. Gen. Cromwell, 4to, 1645.
7 Master Peter's message from Sir Thomas Fairfax
with the Narration of the taking of Dartmouth.
* Error; he was of Trinity.
t Burton's Diary (" by Mr Cole in his MSB. XXIV. 138" says Burton) Vol. T,
p. 244. (Carlyle asserts that there was no such person as Thomas Burton and
that the Diary was written by Nathaniel Bacon.')
t Dictionary of National Biography.
88 HUGH PETER :
8 Master Peter's message from Sir Thomas Fairfax
with the whole state of the west and all the particulars
about the disbanding of the Prince and Sir Ralph Hopton's
Army, 4to, 1646.
9 God's Doings and Man's Duty, a sermon preached
April 2, 1646, 4to.
10 Mr. Peters' Last Report of the English Wars,
occasioned by the Importunity of a Friend pressing an
answer to seven Queries, 4to, 1646.
11 Several Propositions presented to the House of
Commons by Mr. Peters concerning the Presbyterian
Ministers of this Kingdom with the discovery of two great
Plots against the Parliament of England, 4to, 1646.
12 A Word for the Army and Two Words for the
Kingdom, to clear the one and cure the other, forced in
much Plainness and Brevity, from their faithful Servant,
Hugh Peters, London, 1647.
13 Good Work for a Good Magistrate, or a Short Cut
to Great Quiet, by plain, honest, homely English hints
given from Scripture, Reason and Experience for the
regulating of most cases in this Commonwealth, by H. P. ,
12mo, 1651.
14 A Preface to "The Little Horn's Doom and
Downfall " by Mary Cary, 12mo, 1651.
15 Latin Verses on Henry Ireton, 1650.
16 Dedication to Operum Gulielmi Amesii volumen
primum. 12mo, Amsterdam, 1658.
17 A Dying Father's Last Legacy to an Onely Child,
or Mr Hugh Peters' Advice to his Daughter, written by
his own Hand during his late Imprisonment in the Tower
of London, And given her a little before his Death ;
London, Printed for G. Calvert, and T. Brewster, and
are sold at the Black-Spread Eagle, and at the Three
Bibles, at the West-End of Pauls, 1660. 12mo.
18 The Case of Mr Hugh Peters impartially
Communicated to the View and Censure of the Whole
World, written by his own Hand, 4to. 1660.
19 A sermon by Hugh Peters preached before his
death as it was taken by a faithful hand, and now published
for public information, London, printed by John Best,
4to. 1660.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 89
Thirty-five of his letters are to be found in the Winthrop
Papers in the Massachusetts Historical Collections,* and
there is an autograph letter of his in the Massachusetts
Archives, f which has been published in the Hutchinson
Papers, page 59.
His fun and wit shine in many of them ; take this one
written to John Winthrop in 1636 :
" A little newes I had out of a late letter come to hand
out of England which you may tell the Governour from
me to make him laugh. J At Bristow in one church
whilst they were preaching a great Bull broke into the
churchyard and a company of boyes followed him with
squibs ; the people within were taken up before with
thoughts that the papists that day would rise, and had
warding all the Country over ; the Bull and the squibs so
wrought vpon their melancholy braynes, that one cryes
out, if I perish, I'll perish here, another swounds away,
another they are come, they are come."
In another letter : " Mr Eaton very ill of the Skurvey.
Aneelepy. . . . Bend all hath bury ed his wife ; another
eele Py." Two tragedies in two lines.
Dedication of God's Doings and Man's Duty " to the
Honourable, the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen, and the
Common Counsell of this famous City of London. . . .
That you are made wealthy for others, not yourselves
alone, That you would not make Opinions your Interest
which are changeable, but Godlinesse and Faithfulnesse,
That you would rather punish known sins, shew mercy on
the poor, a known duty, maintain Civil peace, look to
your City-privileges rather then lose yourselves in doubtful
questions." . . . From the sermon :
" I am bold to say you have heard more of Christ within
these last four years, then you have for forty before. . . .
Truly I know nothing so heavie but love can lift, nothing
so high but it can reach, nothing so deep but it can fathom.
... It will be love to the Lord, if we love him in his
dispensations when they have their viscissitudes ; to love
* Peters' letters quoted In this article are nearly all from the Winthrop Papers,
Mass. Hist. Coll.
t Vol. 240, page 33. t Vane.
The letter of Sir Thomas Fairfax, preylouely quoted, appears also here as a
dedication.
90 HUGH PETER :
him smiling, and love him frowning too ; to love him,
sitting upon his knee, and love him under his lash too. .
. . Tell your little ones this night the story of 45, the
towns taken, the fields fought, tell them of neer 30000
prisoners taken this last year, 500 pieces of ordinance, tell
them of the little losse on our side, be sure to let them
know it was for the liberty of the English subjects you
fought, charge them to preserve the liberties that cost
you so dear, but especially the liberties purchased by the
blood of Christ, and above all let them knowthatthe God
of heaven is the God of England, and hath done all, but
his name, and his Sons name, who can tell us? I wish
we knew God better, that we might love him more. . . .
" Lastly, since feasts are seldome without beggars, give
me leave to be the first : and if we had not been over-bold
in detaining you already, I should have been large, even
from my soule to beg help from this most Honourable
Assembly in foure particulars : 1. I beg for Soules. 2.
For Bodies. 3. Estates. 4. Names.
" And for the first, I present you here the tears and cries
of many thousands, in the countries we have conquered,
who poor souls cry like prisoners at the Grate, Bread,
bread, for the Lords sake bread ; all you that passe by
take Pitty, pitty of us, we have lived upon husks time out
of minde. ... I need not tell this Assembly, that every
where the greater party is the Orthodox, and the lesser
the Hereticks. . . . Secondly, I have something to beg
for the bodies of men : you have had strong cries from
widowes and fatherlesse children, whose husbands and
fathers have spent their heart-blood in this service ; you
have many maimed men, which puts me in mindo of an
expedient for them, if improved: I mean that famous
royall Foundation of the Charter-House, or Suttons
Hospital, they say worth 5 or 6000 1. per annum. . . .
The streets also are swarming with poor, which I refer to
the Senators of this Citie, that is glorious many ways,
why should it be so beggarly in the matter of beggars ?
. . . Yet let not my request die. I have lived in a Country,
\vhere in seven years I never saw a beggar, nor heard an
oath, nor lookt upon a drunkard. . . .
"The third boon I beg is for mens estates . . . can
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 91
there not yet be found a shorter way to further justice ?
must that badge of conquest still lye upon us, the Lawes
I mean in French? Can there not an expedient be found
out in plain English, whereby every one may soon come
to his own ? May there not be two or three friend-makers
set up in every Parish, without whose labour and leave
none should implead another? There is one evill I have
seen under the Sun, a poor man kept in prison for debt,
whereby his spirit is debauch t, and he utterly disabled to
pay: It is not so abroad. Fourthly and lastly; I beg
something for mens names."*
" The only way I know to reach Gods mind in worship
will be to love the truth for its owne sake, yea, to love it
when it shall condemn our practices and persons also."f
" I do conceive that the sword will not be sheathed,
which is now drawn, till church work be better known.
Presbytery and Independency are the ways of worship and
church fellowship now looked at, since we hope Episcopacy
is coffined out and will be buried without expectation of
another resurrection. We need not tell the wise whence
the Tyranny grew in Churches and how Commonwealths
got their pressure in the like kind."f
" Yea, though my share lies so much in them [slanderous
pamphlets] that it would be costly to purchase clean
handkerchiefs to wipe off every spattering on my face,
and I could as shortly and more truly answer all as he did
Bellarmine, with 'Thou lyest.' "
"Quick justice makes quiet commonwealths."
" Good men not good laws must save Kingdoms. "J
His "Good Work for a Good Magistrate," summed up
his scheme of reform, proposing among other things, a
register of land titles and wills, and suggesting that when
that was established the old records of the Tower, being
useless monuments of tyranny, might be burned. He
also proposed setting up a bank in London like that of
Amsterdam, the establishment of public warehouses and
docks, the institution of a better system for guarding
against fires in London, and the adoption of the Dutch
system of providing for the poor throughout the country.
He further says that lawyers would find more real law
* God's Doings and Men's Duty.
t Preface to Church Government and Church Covenant.
t A Word for the Army and two Words for the Kingdom
92 HUGH PETER :
and justice in the ten commandments than in their
"obsolete precedents."
" The waies and means ordained of God, to bring anie
nation to and preserve them in as happie a condition as
the world can afford are by
I True Religion maintained and advanced by the
magistrate and walked in by the people ;
II True inercie towards the poor practiced and
advanced both by Magistrate and People ;
III True Justice and Righteousness amongst both
Magistrate and People towards other Nations."*
His "Last Legacy " is full of sense, religion, beauty,
pathos and poetry and might be quoted from end to end
with advantage.
That he was highly esteemed by the best of his own
time and profession is evident from the constant use
Fairfax and Cromwell made of him, and from letters of
such men as John Eliot, Winthrop, Davenport, etc. The
latter pays him the following tribute in a letter dated
July, 1637.
" Deare and honoured in the Lord to whom (for Christ
and in Him) I owe not onely any service but my self also,"
etc.
It is fitting to end with a characteristic quotation from
the Dictionary of National Biography which, together
with Gardiner's "Great Civil War," presents the only
adequate or definite view of Peter's life or character that
I have found in print :
"His arguments were rather those of social reformer
than a divine. He regarded doctrinal differences as of
slight importance, suggested that if the ministers ot
different views dined oftener together their mutual
animosities would disappear, and that if the state would
punish every one who spoke against either presbytery or
independency, till they could define the terms aright, a
lasting religious peace might be established."
* Good Work for a Good Magistrate.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 93
EXTRACTS FROM "THE LA8T LEGACY."
" And know this, That the necessity of a Christ (which
the understanding discovers) will set the Will on work to
all duty, and (the worth in Christ it makes manifest) will
make the Will delight ; unless these two Faculties be thus
wrought upon by Word and the Spirit, you will be at a
constant loss, and all the miscarriages in Religion have
the Ignorance of this for the Fountain. . . . For as I
profess myself Orthodox in all Points of Religion ... so
I have desired in nothing to be more Clear than in the
Two Doctrines aforesaid ; . . . this hath been my
Experience, That the Preaching of these Truths have been
my greatest Advantage, and of much benefit to Others ;
though in this I have enough to bewail also.
" To this purpose, Hear the best Men, Keep the best
Company, Read the best Books. . . . This one Book (the
Bible) well read, will answer any Question, or Case, and
you will finde Solomons Proverbs the best Politicks, and
Christ crucified the best Divinity. . . . How few pray !
How many say words? Oh, how many say their Prayers
backwards, call him Father, who is not their Father,
would not have his Name hallowed, nor his Kingdom
Come? . . . You cannot be so bad as he (God) is good.
. . . It is hard to Watch, most are very Drowsie ; The
Disciples themselves could not Watch one Hour. . . .
The Lord is forced to keep us waking by Aflliction, as the
Thorn to the singing Bird. . . . Do not grieve Conscience
twice, it must be your best friend, yea when friends, and
world, and all shall leave you to solitariness. If it whimper
a little, do not make it roar out ; and yet do not stille it,
but attend it, and carry it up to Mount Calvary for peace.
Remember, good Conscience and Sin cannot live together ;
Let but this Bird sing sweetly within, and let Heaven
and Earth come together, thou shalt be safe (my poor
child).
" The Kingdom of Heaven must suffer Violence ; Violent
Faith, Love, Prayer, Must storm it. . . you may easier
make bares to the Sea, and order the Influences of Heaven
than call back yesterday. . . .
" This Herb [Content] grows in very few gardens, But
Oh that you might be truly content ! You will find a But
94 HUGH PETER :
upon all your Comforts ; and therefore you cannot be
contented. . . .
" Riches have Eagles wings, and Beauty hut skin deep ;
Honour in another's keeping ; Friends and all, are but
waking dreams. . . .
" I commend unto you meekness of spirit ; be loving to
all ; envy none. You know what a Promise the Meek
have, . . Meekness carries many good things with it, as
Love, Piety, Patience, etc. . . . Meekness will make
smooth all your waye.s, disappoint Enemies of the
advantage they may take against you ; And your love will
not only cover many sins, but help many out of them. . . .
" Oh ! how can we lift wrathful hands to Heaven. They
say Anger is the Boyling of the Blood about the Heart ; I
am sure it cools the Heart in Spirituals ; God took this
to himself when he discovered his Name to Moses ; a
pitiful, pardoning, long suffering God. . . .* The Lord
make you Meek from the true Root (my dear Child), . . .
"Thoughts are not free, nor words wind, they will judge
us one day. . . .
" Read and know, That Whilest you look too much
into others Gardens, you will neglect your own. . . .
"If your Fancy be not well-fed, your Thoughts (like
Millstones) will grinde themselves. Spirits rais'd and not
imploy'd, will torment the Witch that rais'd them. . . .
Be content to be a Shrub, Cedars will shake ; and never
desire to be near Greatness, Honour often dies grinning
and ghastly, our business must be our own, as well as our
crosse. To meddle with other mens work will be thankless,
as to take other mens Physick will be useless, if not
dangerous. . . . The Busie-body is but a Pedlar to carry
up and down, and vend the Devils Wares. How few lose
anything by quietness, and doing their own work? . . .
David got his great wound upon this neglect, and Peter
his, by warming his hands when he should have been
breaking his heart in secret.
" Oh keep home, keep home ; I speak experience to you,
who never found good hour but in mine own work. . . .
Be always ready to say, I am where the Lord would have
me to be. . . Sew up your mouth, but let it be with Honestie ;
* The Italics are the compiler's; remarkable words for those days!
95
not Policie. As you never hurt yourself by speaking
little, so will you never gain anything by telling a Lie.
" Much of Wit must be pared off before it will be useful.
" You shall never have comfort in suffering for Folly.
" There are two very good Turns in Mans Life ; the one
is a lawful Calling ; the other is marriage : and miscarriages
in either are almost irrecoverable. . . . This Conjugateness
(like a yoke) must still be lined with more Love to make
the draught easie. . . .
"They [husband and wife] need to pray out, not quarrel
out their first bubblings ; They need at first to dwell much
in their own duties, before they step into each others. . . .
" Many dying men speak much about the Vanity of the
World. But truly, as I would not die in a pet, so I would
not quarrel with or leave the World, because I could be
no greater in it, but because I not do, nor be better in it
and that God is pleased I should leave it for a better.
"And whilst I am in the World, and advising about it,
there is a great Raritie in the World, if you could reach
it, and that is a Friend, which is a Commoditie so very
scarce, that it will be your wisdom to look upon a Friend
this day, as likely to be an Enemy to-uiorrow. . . . Fair
Dove-coats have most pigeons ; Lost Estates have no
Friends.
"A Friend must have three qualifications ; he must have
the art and skill of a Friend, few know it ; must have the
bowels and mercie of a Friend, which most want ; and
lastly must have Faithfulness, the great ingredient. . . .
" Though it be not safe to dig at Foundations often, lest
we shake the Building ; so our great care is to have sound
Foundations to build upon. . . .
" Be willing to want what God is not willing to give. . . .
" Whoever fears to sin, never sins by fear. . . .
" In the night the waking Child in the cradle is quiet at
the Nurses coming to it, because there is more of comfort
in the Nurse than fear in the Dark. . . . And then be
perswaded to set a right value on all earthly, perishing,
dying things; do not call a Pebble a Pearl. . . .
" For a little needle will draw a long tail of Thread
after it. ...
"My Child, to believe things incredible, to hope things
delayed, and to love God when he seems angry, Are
Luthers wonders and mine, nud thine.
"A well led life is the best Monument."
96 HUGH PETER :
"MY WISHES.
I Wish your Lamp and Vessel full of Oyl,
Like the Wise Virgins (Which all Fools neglect)
And the Rich Pearl, for which the Merchants toyl,
Yea, bow to purchase are so circumspect :
I wish you that White Stone with the New Name,
Which none can reade but who possess the same.
I wish you neither Poverty, nor Riches,
But Godlinesse, so gainful, with Content,
No painted Pomp, nor Glory that bewitches :
A blamelesse life is the best Monument :
And such a Soul that soars above the Skie,
Well pleas'd to live, but better pleas'd to die.
I wish you such a Heart as Mary had,
Minding the main, opeu'd as Lydea's was ;
A Hand like Dorcas, who the Naked clad;
Feet like Joanna's passing to Christ apace.
And above all. to live your self e to see
Marry ed to Him, who must your Saviour be."
" Whoever would live long and Blessedly, let him observe
these Following Rules, by which he shall attain to that
which he desireth"
Thoughts Divine, Awful, Godly
Talk Little, Honest, True
Works Profitable, Holy, Charitable
Manners Grave, Courteous, Cheerful
Dyet Temperate, Convenient,Frugal
" Let thy Apparil Be Sober, Neat, Comely,
Will Comfiant, Obedient, Ready
Sleep Moderate, quiet, Seasonable
Prayers Short, Devout, Often, Fervent
Recreation Lawful, Brief, Seldom
Memory Of Death, Punishment, Glory"
These fragments of a useful and active life can be no
more fittingly ended than by quoting the preface to the
Last Legacy written by another hand.
" To the Impartial Reader. Be not Discouraged from
reading this small Treatise, because of the unhappy End
of a Wearisome pilgrimage, which the Author met with
in this world ; If we get a fall in a journey, or meet with
a great showre of rain so it be in the close of the day
when we are near our Inn, where we meet with
accomodation and refreshment, we are the less troubl'd ;
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 97
Yet such was his case (who for many years was very
Instrumental in the Church of God, and a means of
bringing many Souls to Christ ; and for the Good of
others came into this Kingdom when it was in a flame of
Civil War, which hath signd* him also, that he might
escape everlasting flames) in this Discourse be bewails the
vanity of his own Spirit ; and we will not Excuse him ;
he finds himself too busie in Aliena Republica and we will
not justifie him ; But if that precious Gold should be cast
away because there is some Dross, or the Children of God
cast out of the Family for every fault though heinous,
we should condemn the Generation of the just: You will
tind in the Legacy to his only Child that he had a Root of
Grace, and that the Fountain was clear from which ran so
savoury a stream, And that at the last when he had no
hope to save a frail Body, yet he minded his own and
others Souls, And that he was a Master Workman in that
Mysterie, wherein he had laboured successfully so many
years, And we hope that notwithstanding the prejudicacie
of some against him and the words of others, and his sad
shameface Catastrophy, we may charitably judge that God
hath wiped all Tears from his Eyes, that he is entered
into Rest, his Works following him ; and that he is made
perfect by his great Suffering ; And with the same to you,
except these Bonds. G. F. N. B.
* Singed.
98 HUGH PETER :
LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED.
Anglia Sediviva, England's Recovery. The History of the Motions,
Actions and Successes of the Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax, by
Joshua Sprigge, M.A. London, 1647.
Annals of Salem, by J. B. Felt, 2 vols. Salem, 1845.
A Dying Father's Last Legacy to an Onely Child, or Mr. Hugh Peters
Advice to his Daughter, written by his own Hand, during his late
Imprisonment in the Tower of London : And given her a little
before his Death. London, Printed for G. Calvert and T. Brewster,
and are to be sold at the Black-spread Eagle, and at the Three
Bibles, at the West-End of Pauls, 1660.
Bibliotheca Cornubiensis, a Catalogue of the writings, both Manuscript
and Printed, of Cornislnnen and of works relating to the county
of Cornwall, by George Clement Boase, and William Prideaux
Courtney. London, 1882.
Chronological Observations of America, by John Josselyn, Gent.
(Massachusetts Historical Collections, 3d series, Vol. 3, page 355) .
London, 1674.
Complete Collection of State Trials, from the earliest period. William
Cobbett. London, 1792.
A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq., Secretary, first
to the Council of State, and afterwards to the Two Protectors,
Oliver and Richard Cromwell ; 7 vols. London, 1742.
Chronicles of the First Planters of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, by
Alexander Young. Boston, 1846.
Collections of Scarce and Valuable Tracts of the late Lord Somers.
London, 1812.
The Case of Mr. Hugh Peters, Impartially Communicated to the View
and Censure of the Whole World: Written by his own hand.
London [1660],
Oliver Cromwell's Speeches and Letters; by Thomas Carlyle; 4 vols.
New York, 1897.
Preface to Church Government and Church Covenant, by Hugh
Peters. London, 1643. (The article itself is by Richard Mather.)
Dictionary of National Biography, edited by Sidney Lee. New York,
1896.
TheDiary and Memoirs of John Evelyn, Esq.,F.R.S. /edited by William
Bray, Esq. London and New York. (Preface of 1815 edition.)
Diary of Thomas Burton, Member in the Parliaments of Oliver and
Richard Cromwell from 1656-1659, now first published from the
Original Autograph Manuscript with an Introduction containing
an Account of the Parliament of 1654, from the Journal of Guibon
Goddard, Esq., F. K.S. ; also now first printed. Edited and
Illustrated with Notes Historical and Biographical by John Towill
t; 4 vols. London, 1818.
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 99
The Ecclesiastical History of New England, comprising not only
religious but also moral, and other relations, by Joseph B. Felt;
2 TOls. Boston, 1855.
God's Doings and Man's Duty, Opened in a Sermon preached before
both Houses of Parliament, the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the
City of London, and the Assembly of Divines; at the last
Thanksgiving Day, April 2. For the recovering of the West, and
disbanding 5000 of the King's Horse, &c. By Hugh Peters,
Preacher of the Gospel. London. 1646.
History of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay from the first Settlement
thereof in 1628 until its Incorporation with the Colony of Plimouth
Province of Main, &c., by Mr. Hutchinson. London, 1765.
Historical and Critical Account of Hugh Peter after the manner of Mr.
Bayle (by Dr. William Harris), published anonymously. London,
1751.
The History of Massachusetts, by John Stetson Barry; 3 vols. Boston,
1855.
The History of the Rebellion and Civil War in England, together with
an Historical View of the Affairs of Ireland, by Edward, Earl of
Clarendon; 7 vols. London, 1849.
History of New England from 1630 to 1649, by John Winthrop, Esq.,
first Governor of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, from his
original Manuscripts with notes by James Savage; 2 vols. Boston,
1826. (Also called Winthrop 's Journal.)
History of the Great Civil War, 1642-1649, by Samuel Rawson
Gardiner, M.A., LL.D. ; 3 vols. London, 1886.
Historical Collections of Private Passages of State, Weighty Matters
in Law, Remarkable Proceedings in Five Parliaments, beginning
the Sixteenth Year of King James, Anno 1618. Digested in order
of Time and now published by John Rushworth of Lincolns Inn,
Esq. London, 1659.
The Harleian Miscellany ; 10 vols. London, 1810.
Life of Roger Williams, by John Knowles.
Massachusetts Historical Society, Historical Collections.
Memoir of Hugh Peters, by Joseph B. Felt (New England Historical
and Genealogical Register, Vol. v). Boston, 1851.
Memorials of the Civil War, comprising the Correspondence of the
Fairfax family with the most distinguished personages engaged
in that memorable contest, now first published from the original
Manuscripts; edited by Robert Bell; 2 vols. London, 1849.
Memoirs of Edmund Ludloio, with a Collection of Original Papers, and
the Case of King Charles the First. London, 1771.
Memorials of the English affairs ; or an Historical account of what
passed from the Beginning of the Reign of King Charles the First,
to King Charles the Second, His Happy Restauration, containing
HIST. COLL. VOL. XXXVffl 10
100 HUGH PETER :
the Publick Transactions, Civil and Military together with The
Private Consultations and Secrets of the Cabinet. By Mr
Whitelock. London, 1732.
Memoirs of Samuel Pepys Esq., F.R.S., comprising his Diary from
1659 to 1669 and Selections from his Private Correspondence;
edited by Richard Lord Braybrooke. London, 1825.
Magnalia Christi Americana, or the Ecclesiastical History of New
England from its first planting in the year 1620 into the year of
our Lord 1698 ; in 7 books by Cotton Mather, Pastor of the North
Church in Boston, New England. London, 1702.
The Publications of the Harleian Society, established 1869. London.
Plain Dealing, or Newes from New England, by Thomas Lechford,
Clement's Inne, January 17, 1641 (Massachusetts Historical
Collections, 3d series, Vol. 3, page 54). London, 1642.
Peters' Pattern, or The Perfect Path to Worldly Happiness. As it was
delivered in a Funeral Sermon preached at the interrment of Mr.
Peters lately deceased. London, Printed in the Year 1659 (a
burlesque) .
The Parochial History of Cornwall, by Davies Gilbert, 1838.
Roger Williams, the pioneer of religious liberty, by Oscar S. Straus.
New York, 1894.
Left. Lion Gardener, Relation of the Pequot Warres (Massachusetts
Historical Collections, 3d series, Vol. 3, page 131).
Records of the Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Say in New
England, printed by order of the Legislature edited by Nathaniel
Shurtleff; 5 vols. Boston, 1854.
The Tryall and Condemnation of Mr. John Cooke, Sollicitor to the late
High-court of Injustice, and Mr Hugh Peters, that carnall Prophet.
For their sever all High-treasons, &c. At the Sessions-house in
the Old-baily, on Saturday the 13. of October, 1660. Together
with, Their severall Pleas and the Answers thereunto. London,
Printed for John Stafford and Edward Thomas, 1660.
The Tales and Jests of Mr Hugh Peters, completed into one volume.
Published by one that hath formerly been conversant with the
Author in his Lifetime, and Dedicated to Mr John Goodwin and
Mr Philip Nye. Together with his Sentence and the Manner of
his Execution : To which is prefixed a Short Account of his Life.
London, 1660. Reprinted, London, 1807.
This reprint contains the well-known frontispiece of Peter in
the pulpit with three scrolls issuing from his mouth and bearing
the words: Blasphemy, Rebellion, Heresie; also an hour-glass
in his hand. A side beam of light (or so it seems) is inscribed :
" I know you are all good fellows, stay and take the other glass."
A Word for the Army and two Words for the Kingdom. To clear the
one and cure the other. Forced in much Plainness and Brevity
PREACHER, PATRIOT, PHILANTHROPIST. 101
from their faithful Serrant Hugh Peters. London, 1647 (Harleian
Miscellany; Vol. v, page 607).
Wonder- Working Providence ofZion's Saviour, Being a Relation of the
first Planting on New England, in the year 1628 (Massachusetts
Historical Collections, 2d series, Vol. 3, page 123).
An Exact and most Impartial Accompt oj the Indictment, Arraignment,
Trial, and Judgment (according to Law) of nine and twenty
Regicides, the Murtherers Of His Late Sacred Majesty Of Most
Glorious Memory : Began at Hicks-Hall on Tuesday, the 9th of
October, 1660. And Continued at the Sessions House in the Old-
Bayley until Friday, the nineteenth of the same Moneth. Together
with a Summary of the Dark and Horrid Decrees of those
Caballists Preparatory to that Hellish Fact. Exposed to view
for the Reader's Satisfaction, and Information of Posterity.
Imprimatur ; John Berkenhead : London, Printed for Andrew
Crook at the Green Dragon in St Paul's Church -yard, and Edward
Bonsel at the White-Swan in Little-Britain, 1660.
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