An account of the life and death of Mr. Philip Henry, minister of the…

At the later end of the Year 1648, he had leave given him to make a visit to his Father at White-hall, with whom he stayed some time; there he was Jan. 30. when the King was beheaded, and with a very sad heart saw that Tragical Blow given. Two things he used to speak of, that he took notice of himself that day, which I know not whether any of the Historians mention. One was, that at the instant when the Blow was given, there was such a dismal universal Groan among the Thousands of People that were within sight of it, (as it were with one consent) as he never heard before; and desired he might never hear the like again, nor see such a Cause for it. The other was; That immediately after the stroke was struck, there was according to Order, one Troop marching from Cheering-Cross towards Kings-street, and another from Kings-street towards Cheering-Cross, purposely to disperse and scatter the People, and to divert the dismal thoughts which they could not but be filled with, by driving them to shift every one for his own safety. He did upon occasion testify his dislike of this rash Action, which he always said was a thing that could not be justified, and yet he sometimes said he saw not how it could be called a National Sin, for as the King urged upon his Trial, it was certain that not one Man of Ten in the Kingdom did consent to it; ^*nor could it be called the Sin of ⟨p. 24⟩the Long Parliament, for far the greatest part of them were all that time while the thing was in agitation imprisoned, and kept under a force, and scarce 27 of the 40 that were left to carry the name of a Parliament did give their Vote for it; which the Commissioners for the. Trying of the Kings Judges in the Year 1660. (some of whom had been themselves Members of the long Parliament) urged again and again, in answer to that plea which the Prisoners stood so much upon, that what they did was by Authority of the Parliament: But 'tis manifest it was done by a prevailing Party in the Army, who (as he used to express it) having beaten their Ploughshares into Swords, could not so easily beat their Swords into Ploughshares again, as having fought more for Victory and Dominion, than for Peace and Truth; but how far these Men were acted and influenced by another sort of People behind the Curtain, the World is not altogether ignorant. For some Years after King Charles II.

At the later end of the Year 1648, he had leave given him to make a visit to his Father at White-hall, with whom he staied some time; there he was Ian. 30. when the King was beheaded, and with a very sad heart saw that Tragical Blow given. Two things he used to speak of, that he took notice of himself that day, which I know not whether any of the Historians mention. One was, that at the instant when the Blow was given, there was such a dismal universal Groan among the Thousands of People that were within sight of it, (as it were with one consent) as he never heard before; and desired he might never hear the like again, nor see such a Cause for it. The other was; That immediately after the stroke was struck, there was according to Order, one Troop marching from Chearing-Cross towards Kings-street, and another from Kings-street towards Chearing-Cross, purposely to disperse and scatter the People, and to divert the dismal thoughts which they could not but be fill'd with, by driving them to shift every one for his own safety. He did upon occasion testifie his dislike of this rash Action, which he always said was a thing that could not be justify'd, and yet he sometimes said he saw not how it could be call'd a National Sin, for as the King urg'd upon his Trial, it was certain that not one Man of Ten in the Kingdom did consent to it;