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A96730 Montrose redivivus, or The portraicture of James late Marquess of Montrose, Earl of Kincardin, &c. 1. In his actions, in the years 1644. 1645. and 1646. for Charles the First. 2. In his passions, in the years 1649. 1650. for Charles the Second K. of Scots. Wishart, George, 1599-1671.; Pontius, Paulus, 1603-1658, engraver. 1652 (1652) Wing W3124; Thomason E1309_1; ESTC R204080 129,846 209

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to Oxford They that they might make their accesse easier to the king who had hitherto given eare unto their counsells and to continue or recover the good opinion the King had of them gave out all the way as they came especially unto Governours of Shires and Towns and Commanders of the Army that they were banished their Country that they had been plundered of their estates by the Covenanters for their loyaltie to the King and that for safety of their lives with which they had hardly escaped they fled to Oxford But Montrose and those of his mind saw plainly that these were but tales of their own making of purpose to wipe off the suspition of this new guilt and that by this means they in confidence of that esteem they had lately with the King and of a strong faction they drove at Court doubted not but they should stand as fair in his opinion as ever if they were but once admitted into the Kings presence and that the only businesse they had thither was by defeating Montrose again clearly to extinguish that little spark of Loyalty that was not yet quite out in Scotland And Montrose delivered himself freely that for his part he would never stand by to be witnesse of so great ●n oversight and therefore humbly besought the King that he would give him leave to seek his fortune in some forreign Country if these men that had deceived him so o●t should be received agai● into favour not that he desired any severity should be used against them only he wished the King might have a care that they should do him no more harm The King was drawn with much adoe that they should be forbidden the Court yet for all that he suffered the Earl of Lanerick to live in the City But he by whose instigations I cannot tell betakes himself from Oxford to London to the Parliament of England and not long after to the Scotch Army which had now entered England and never since hath failed to do them the best service he could The escape of his brother so much moved the King that he saw it high time to secure the Duke himself There were severall Scots in the Kings court and Army who were suspected and perhaps not without reason to favour the Covenanters too much and to give intelligence unto them of the Kings counsels Montrose that he might put these to the touch took this course He got a Protestation to be drawn up by the Kings authority unto which all Scots who would have the reputation of honest men were to set their hands Wherein they professed themselves heartily to detest the courses of the Covenanters condemned especially the bringing in of an Army into England against the King and the Lawes of the Land as an act of high treason promised and vowed to acquit themselves of that scandall and to the utmost of their power with the hazard of their lives and fortunes to oppose those that were guilty of that crime This Protestation all men of honour and honesty readily took but there were two in whom the King trusted most of all Scotch-men next to the Hamiltons to wit the Earl of Trequaire and Master William Murray of the Bed-chamber who were difficultly brought into it at last with much reluctancy and fear of being discovered traitours yet even they engaged themselves by a solemn Oath at a certain day to be aiding and assisting Montrose in Scotland which Oath of theirs afterward they most unworthily violated This being done and Montrose on his journey from Oxford toward Scotland those that were the Hamiltons creatures and other false-hearted Courtiers began to blast the Honour of Montrose to call him a vain and ambitious man who had attempted an impossible thing● to extoll above measure the power of the Covenanters and that they might deterre every one from engaging himself in so noble an exploit gave out every where most maliciously that no good was ever to be expected from Montrose He being little troubled with the calumnies of unworthy men came forward to York and so to Durham where he sees that the Kings Instructions be sent to the Marquesse of Newcastle and the next day they met and conferred Newcastle discours'd of nothing but the distresses and necessities of his Army how the Rebell Scots breaking in in the midst of Winter had spoiled his Recruits and that now in farre greater numbers than he they quartered within five miles of him that he could not possibly spare any horse without a manifest hazard to the whole Army Montrose urged on the other side that nothing could doe Newcastle more service than to let him have a party of Horse in which he was very strong with him into Scotland that so he might either divert or at least divide the enemy and by kindling a fire in their own houses fetch them home again to defend themselves Newcastle courteously replyed that assoon as he had wound himself out of that present danger hee would not be wanting in any service to Montrose which promise there is no doubt but a person of so much Honour and Loyalty would most surely have performed had he continued any while in the Command of those parts In the mean time all that he could do for the present was to afford him about one hundred Horse but lean ones and ill acco●tred which was not the Generalls fault but some mens private spleen with two brasse Field-pieces Moreover he sent his Orders unto the Kings Officers and Commanders in Cumberland and Westmerland that they should give Montrose all the succour and assistance they could make for his journey into Scotland Montrose going towards Carlisle was accordingly met by the Cumberland and Westmerland men consisting of eight hundred Fo●t and three troops of Horse who according to the Marquesse of Newcastle's Command were to wait upon him into Scotland Montrose himself brought with him two hundred Horse most of them Noblemen and Gentlemen and such as had been Captains either in Germany France or England With which small forces not over-trusty neither he entered Scotland on the 13. of Aprill for he made the more hast lest he should have been absent at the time appointed by the Earl of Antrim Chap. IV. MOntrose having entred Scotland had come to the river of Anan when upon a mutiny among the English occasioned by Richard Grahams Souldiers almost all of them flie their Colours and in all hast run back to England Notwithstanding he with his own men came to Dun●rise and took the Town into protection upon surrender and there he staid awhile that he might be ready to entertain Antrim and his Irish but the day appointed being already pass'd there came not so much as a Messenger from them nor the least report of them into Scotland And the Covenanters gathering themselves together on every side there was no staying there any longer for Montrose without being surprised therefore he returns safe to Carlisle with h●s men And seeing he could
might well imagine that these men who by the same devises laboured to render his Majestie himself odious and so to destroy Him to enjoy his Honours and Revenues so traiterously and perfidiously purloyned would easily find men who should out of the like rayling humour bespatter as much as in them lay this most excellent man and all his honourable atchievements and as it is said of Wasps poyson with their tongues or pens the juice of most sweet and wholsome flowers and leave the lesse knowing or lesse wary to suck it up He was therefore pleased to offer this short and faithfull Narrative as a seasonable antidote against that evill to all that loved truth and plain dealing of which he would needs be so obstinate a maintainer that although he saw well enough how much envie and hatred it would derive upon himself hee resolved he would neither basely slatter any one nor lap up that truth which they would not like to bear in obscure and doubtfull Expressions For hee professes that as he is a Free-man born and bred so he will never part with his Freedome till with his life And although he be ambitious of no other commendable quality of a good Historian neither of wit nor art nor eloquence yet he seems to challenge in his own right the honour of sincere and exact truth for the defence and propagation whereof he hath set at nought all that was dear in this world having been thrice plundered of all that he had thrice imprisoned in a nasty and filthy Jail and now the third time lives in banishment for the Truths sake Yet he is merry and chearfull that being conscious to himself of no wrong as towards men he is counted worthy of the Lord to suffer these things for truths and righteousnesse sake And thou good Reader make much of him at least for his truths sake excuse him for other things and farewell The Affairs of the King in Scotland under the Conduct of the most Honourable James Marquesse of Montrose Earl of Kinkardin c. And Generall Governour for his Majesty in that Kingdome In the Years 1644 1645 1646. 49 50. SOmetime James Marquesse of Montrose sided with the Covenanters in Scotland and very forwardiy bestowed his unhappily happy endeavours in their behoof They pretended to nothing then lesse than the preservation of Religion the Honour and Dignitie of the King the Lawes of the Land and the freedome of that antient Realm so happily so valiantly defended in time of yore from such powerfull enemies as the Romans Saxons Danes Normans by the sweat and blood with the lives and estates of their Ancestors And the tales they made they never wanted fitting instruments to tell and spread among the people It was given out that there was nothing more in the aim of the Court of England than that that free people being reduced to a kind of Province should be eternally enslaved under the power of their old enemies Yet all this while they engaged themselves by their publike attestations and even a solemn Oath that they would never goe to work by force and arms nor sollicite the King any other way than by Petition That he would be pleased graciously to accept the supplications of his humblest Subjects and to take order that his dearest Country should suffer nothing in matter of Religion or the Liberty of the Subject But at last in the year 1639. Montrose found out that these fair tales were coyn'd of purpose to steal the hearts of the silly and superstitious multitude and to alienate them from the King as an enemie to Religion and Libertie For the Covenanters did not dissemble to him but spoke out that Scotland had been too long governed by Kings nor could it ever be well with them as long as one Stuart that 's the sirname of the Kings family in Scotland was alive and in the extirpation of them they were first to strike at the head so that Montrose easily perceived the Kings Majestie and Person was levelled at Therefore vehemently detesting so horrible a crime he resolved to desert the Conspirators side to frustrate their counsells to impoverish their store to weaken their strength and with all his might to preserve his Majesty and His Authority entire and inviolate But because between force and craft the Covenanters had drawn in almost all the Kingdome to their side he saw himself alone too weak to check their power and therefore thought not good to open himself too suddenly or rashly Amongst them he had many friends men very considerable as well in regard of their numerous retinues and clients as of their wealth and authoritie these he had a mind to draw oft from them and bring them with him to the King and by this means conceived he should be able to gather no small power which would conduce much both to the Kings safetie and his own Mean time the Covenanters raise a strong Army against the King and in a solemn Convention at Duns they determine to invade England Montrose was absent then Which resolution of theirs the chief of the Covenanters had taken up in their cabinet counsels more than six weeks before and to that purpose had been busie in divulging through all Great Britain their Apologeticall Pamphlets whereby they laboured to set a good glosse upon the reasons of their Expedition This resolution of theirs Montrose being returned seeing hee could hinder would not seem to disapprove Montrose commanded in this Army two thousand Foot and five hundred horse his friends who were most obliged unto him and had religiously promised their best endeavours in the Kings service had the command of five thousand more And truly if a great part of them had not been worse than their words they had either brought the whole Army along with them to the King or at least had broken the neck of the Covenanters designs When the Army came to the river of Tweed which is the border of the two Kingdomes dice were cast amongst the Noblemen and Commanders and it was Montrose's chance to passe first over the river which he cheerfully performed on his feer his own foot Souldiers following him that he might more easily conceal his own resolution and take off all occasion of suspition For as well his authority in the Army as the integrity of his noble spirit began to be looked on with a jealous eie by the guilty-conscienced Rebells so that they diligently observed all his behaviour words and deeds After this marching over the river of Tine four miles above Newcastle by the treacherie of the English Commanders who had retreated to York with a potent Army of the Kings the Scors possesse themselves of that Town and thereupon Commissioners being appointed on either side to treat of a Peace a Truce was presently made In the time of this Truce Montrose had sent Letters unto the King professing his fidelity and most dutifull and ready obedience to his Majesty nor did the Letters contain
which also they have recorded among their publique Acts neverthelesse they provide thmselves for a march into England Now that they might the better secure their affairs at home they labour tooth and nail to draw Montrose of whom almost only they were afraid again to their side They offer him of their own accord the office of Lieutenant-Generall in the Army and what ever else he could desire and they bestow He seeing a mighty storm hovering over the Kings head that he might give him an account of it whereby it might be timely prevented undertakes a journey into England taking the Lord Ogleby into his counsell and company At Newcastle he receives news that the Queen being newly returned out of Holland was landed at Birdlington in York-shire thither he makes haste and relates unto the Queen all things in order She having had a rough passage and being not well recovered from the distempers at Sea told him she would advise further with him about that businesse after they came to York Thither being come the Queen of her own accord calls for Montrose he opens the whole story over again and makes it appear that there was no lesse danger from the Scotch than from the English Covenanters if they were not timely suppressed And being asked his opinion what was best to be done answered To resist force with force told her the King wanted not Subjects in Scotland faithfull men and stout nor did they want hearts or wealth or power to oppose against the covenanters if they durst enterprise any thing against the King all that they wanted was the Kings Commission without which they durst doe nothing with which any thing and all the danger that was was in delay That the Covenanters when they had once got their Army one foot would be able to grind any one to pieces that should offer to stir therefore the beginnings of so great an evill were to be withstood and the Cockatrice bruised in the egge that physick being too late that comes when the disease hath over-run the whole body Wholsome counsell it was and seasonable which doubtlesse the most prudent Queen had approved of But while things were going on in so good a posture all things were quash'd by the comming of the Duke Hamilton out of Scotland upon pretence of kissing the Queens hand and gratulating her happy return but in very deed that he might overthrow Montrose his counsells for he had posted thither with the knowledge and consent of the Covenanters Nor did hee himself dissemble that there was some danger from the Scotish Covenanters but he laboured to extenuate it and condemned the counsell of Montrose as rash unadvised and unseasonable That stout and warlike Nation was not to be reduced with force and arms but with gentlenesse and courtesies Warre especially Civill War should be the last remedy and used many times to be repented of even by the Conquerours The fortune of Warre was uncertain if the King should get the best it would be but a sorry triumph he could enjoy over his own Subjects but if he had the worst on 't he must expect what his soul good man abhorred to speak All means were to be tryed to preserve peace with that Nation nor were things yet come to that passe that the King should despair of amity and reconciliation with them Hee would bee ready to take the whole businesse upon himselfe if the King pleased to commit it to his pains and trust and to authorise him sufficiently thereunto Montrose replyed nothing would come of that but the delay of time untill the Traitors having raised an Army should prevent the King of any means to deliver himself and his party from their tyranny The sad event proved all this to be too true but in this debate Montrose was fain to suffer himself to be overborn being not so great a Courtier as the other nor were those vertues which the world now admires discovered then unto the Queen Hamilton returning into Scotland seemed to be as Active for the King a● was possible The Covenanters mean-while by their own authority contrary to the known Lawes of the Kingdome summon a Parliament at Edinburgh which all understanding men that wished well unto the King foresaw would be of very dangerous consequence to his affairs and therefore abhorred it so much that they intended not to honour it with their presence But Hamilton interposing the name and authority of the King invited them by his Letters that they would not fail to be all there and that they should not doubt but they would be able to out-vote the Covenanters if at this time they were not wanting to the Kings cause And if it should happen otherwise hee would be ready with his friends to protest against the Covenanters and immediatly to leave them Abundance of the Nobility incited by the name of the King and those hopes were present at that Parliament only Montrose and a few of his adherents staid away And with Montrose too the Duke had dealt by his friends that as he loved and honoured the King he would joyn himself unto them But he who bad reason to suspect all motions that came that way answered that he was ready to grapple with any difficulty especially under his command who had so great as honour as to be the Kings supream Commissioner only on this condition that the Duke should engage his honour that if they could not bring up that Parliament to righteous things he would endeavour to enforce them by the dint of the sword He answered he would protest he would not fight Which passage considered Montrose to preserve his integrity expecting the issue betook himself to his own home In that Parliament the Covenanters out-voted the Loyall party by seventy voyces or thereabouts trampled upon the Royall authority arrogated unto themselves the power of calling of Parliaments pressing Souldiers sending Embassadours and other things hitherto unattempted without the Kings knowledge or consent And to make up the measure of their presumption and treason ordain that a powerfull Army shall be raised against the King and in the aid of their confederates of England To which purpose they tax the people with new Subsidies and Levies much heavier then if all the Impositions which upon never so much necessity for two thousand years space by one hundred and nine Kings have been charged upon them were put together Montrose therefore who saw the King was like to be ruined by his own authority and sa●● too that he was too weak to oppose hmself both against the strength of the Covenanters and the Kings abused Commission in a melancholy mood made as if he took no notice of any thing And the Covenanters supposing that he had received some distaste from the King by reason of the affront he received at York and Hamilton's over-powring him they set upon him yet again privately and by friends to see if by intreaty or interest they could draw him to their side
offering him authority and wealth even the greatest Honour Civill and Military Which offers he did not seem much to slight that by that means he might have an easier way to dive into their counsels The Covenanters that this growing friendship might be the better cemented and sanctified God blesse us send unto him that great Apostle of their Covenant Alexander Henderson who should give him full satisfaction in all his scruples Montrose heartily desired to speak with that fellow out of whom he doubted not to pump all the secrets of the Covenanters and lest a private meeting with such a man should give a scandall to the Kings friends he took the Lords Napier and Ogleby and Sir Sterling Keere to be witnesses of the discourse and on the bank of the river Forth not far from Sterling they met Montrose made as though he accounted himself very happy and much honoured in the visit of so worthy a man upon whose faith honesty and judgement he so much relyed Told him That to give the ill opinion of his enemies leave to breath it self after some late mistakes he was content to stay at home that he knew nothing of what was done in Parliament that he was almost at losse how to behave himself in that ticklish Condition the Common wealth stood and therefore beseeched him for old acquaintance sake to let him freely know what they intended Henderson taking it for granted by these expressions that he was wheeling about towards the Covenanters that he might the more oblige the Marquesse unto him answered him flatly and without more adoe That it was resolved to send as strong an Army as they could raise in aid of their brethren of England against the Kings forces that the Covenanters of both Kingdomes had unanimously agreed upon this either to dye or bring the King to their lure that nothing could fall out more happily than that he should renew his friendship with his Peers of the Nobility and the rest of the Kingdome that so doing he would give great content to all men besides the honour and profit that would redound to himself that by his example others if others there were that idolized the empty shadow of the Kings name would joyn themselves unto the Covenanters and for his own part he would give most bearty thanks unto his Lord God that he had vouchsafed to make use of him as the Minister and ever Mediatour of so great a work and at last entreated him to speak out his mind and commit all such things to his care and industrie as he should desire from the Parliament either in relation to his honour or profit assuring him he should be satisfied to his hearts desire Montrose having gotten out the knowledge of those things which he eagerly sought for now bethought himself how he should keep Henderson and his party in suspence awhile that they should not yet get within him For what answer could he give them If he should professe himself to be against their courses that would do the King no good and might bring a great deal of danger upon himself and on the other side to put them in greater hopes of him by promising those things he never meant to perform he scorned as being a stain unto his honour Therefore he takes this course there was present at that conference with Henderson one Sir James Rollock Chief of a very antient and flourishing Family his former wife had been Montrose his Sister after whose death he married the Sister of the Marquesse of Argyle the ring-leader of the Covenanters in Scotland thus being allied unto them both he seemed to be a very fit mediatour of friendship between them Montrose asks him whether those things which had passed between them proceeded from the direction of the Parliament or out of their own good wills He answered he conceived that Master Henderson had received Commission from the Parliament to that purpose but Henderson said no but he made no question but the Parliament would make good any thing that he promised Montrose told them he could resolve upon nothing except he had the Publique faith to build upon especially the messengers disagreeing between themselves Whereupon as the fashion is on such occasions one of them layes the blame upon the other when both of them ought rather to have condemned their own carelesness and negligence The conference being thus ended Montrose having obtained his ends and they being no wiser than they came thither every one went his own way Chap. III. MOntrose being returned from this Conference related all things as they had passed unto some select friends whom he could safely trust and withall entreated them that for the greater confirmation of the businesse they would all goe along with him to the King that his Majesty receiving a full account of all things might lend h●s ear to sound counsell and yet if it was possible provide a remedy against so threatning evills Most of them were of opinion That the King and his authority were utterly ruined and irrecoverable that it was a thing pussing the power of man to reduce that Kingdome to obedience that for their parts they had acquitted themselves before God and the world and their own consciences that hitherto with the disgrace of their persons the losse of their estates and the hazard of their lives they had continued in their allegiance hereafter they would be only lookers on and petitioners unto Almighty God for better times Montrose who c●uld by no means be removed from so honest a resolution communicating his counsell to the Lord Ogleby whom of all men he especially loyed ●oes straight to Oxford The King was absent thence being gone to the siege of Glocester he imparts unto the Queen what designes the Scotish Covenanters had against his Majesty but he had as good have said nothing for she had determined not to believe a word by reason of the far greater confidence she reposed in Hamilton and his brother Montrose seeing no good was to be done with the Qeen goes to Glocester and declares all things to the King himself How there was a power●ull Army to be raised in Sc●tland and a day appointed on which it should be brought into England how their Counsels were manifestly known unto him and how to fetch him over to their side they had offered him very honourable commands in the Army but that he heartily detesting so horrid an employment had fled to his Majesty that he having notice thereof if he were not able to provide so timely and powerfull a remedy as could be wished at least might cast some blocks and rubs in their way untill such time as he had setled his affairs in England that the enemies of either Kingdome might be easily dealt withall by themselves but if they came once to joyn their forces they would be hardly supprest that there were very many in Scotland who would sacrifice themselves and all that they had for their dearest King whose good will
would ●e of no use unto his Majesty after the Covenanters had raised their Army but destractive unto themselves that the baughty spirits of the enemie were to be sneap't in time and their strength broken before it grew too big lest the beginnings being neglected repentance should prove the only opposition that could be made afterward These things and to this effect did Montrose continually presse unto the K●ng but in vain for ●e had not only the strong and deep●y rooted confidence his Majesty had of the Hamiltons to struggle with but ●he devices of a set of desperate Courtiers beside who daily buzzed in the Kings ears Montrose's youth his rashnesse his ambition the envy and hat●ed he b●re unto the Hamiltons and what not and on the o●her si●● the Hamiltons fidelity their honesty their discretion their power Thus Montrose nothing prev●●ls and the King returns to his Winter quarters at O●ford And although his Majesty saw very well reports co●ming thick and th●eefold of the Scotish Army that all was true that Montrose had told him yet the most religious King determined upon no termes to give any occasion of quarrell to the Scots till fi●st they entred England resolving that he for ●is part would perfectly observe the articles of Pacification he had made with them which if they should violate he doubted not but they should highly answer it both to God and him While these things were discussed at Oxford the Covenanters in Scotland bring their businesse about according to their desires no one opposing them They raise as big an Army as they can which consisted of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and at last when they had marched unto the very borders the Hamiltons were not ashamed to give the King notice by Letters of the approach of that formidable Army making this their excuse that according to their engagement they had prevented an invasion the Summer before but now that Winter was come on they were able to keep them out no longer but they would come in immediatly with a powerfull Army The King when he saw himself thus grosly abused sends for Montrose shews him the Hamiltons Letters and at last when it was even too late asks his advice what was best to be done Montrose tells him that his Majesty might now see that what he had before given him notice of had neither proceeded from ambition nor malice nor any self-end● but from his bounden duty and allegeance that for above a twelve-moneth he had been continually pressi●g both their Majesties to prevent this that he accounted himself very unhappy that all that while so faithfull a servant could not be credited by so good a Master that the case seemed now desperate but if the King had a mind he might trust them again who by pretence of his authority had bound some of his friends hands that they could not assist him and drawn in others who intended nothing lesse under colour of Loyalty to fight against him and given up unto the Rebells now that they had got an Army all that they had without striking a stroke The King complaining that he was most abominably betrayed by them with whom he had entrusted his Crown his honour his Secrets his Life earnestly demanded his advice He repeating again the lamentablenesse of the condition in which things now stood nevertheless offered that if his Majesty so thought good he would either lose his life which if he did he would be sure it should seem rather sold then lost or else which he did not despair of he would reduce his Country-men and bring the Rebells there into subjection The King being no little pleased with the confidence undauntednesse and gallantrie of the man that he might more advisedly contrive his design desired him to take two or three dayes to consider of it and so dismist him Montrose returning at the time appointed shews his Majesty how desperate an adventure he was undertaking that all Scotland was under the Covenanters command that they had Garrisoned all places of strength that they were plentifully provided both of men and mony and arms and ammunition and victuall and all things necessary for a War that the English Rebells were joyned with them in a most strict Covenant to defend one another against all the world But for his own part he had nothing to set up with neither men nor arms or pay yet he would not distrust Gods assistance in a righteous cause and if the King would lay his Commands upon him he would undertake to doe his best The King should be in no worse c●se than he was He himself would take what malice envy or danger should fall upon himself so that his Majesty were graciously pleased to condescend to a few reasonable requests And first that the businesse might go on more successefully it seemed to him very necessary that the King should send some Souldiers out of Ireland into the West of Scotland Next that he should give order to the Marquesse of Newcastle who was the Generall of the Kings forces towards Scotland that he should assist Montrose with a party of Horse to enter the South of Scotland by which means he might convey himself into the heart of the Kingdome Then that he should d●al with the King of Denmark for some troops of Germane horse And lastly that his Majesty should take some course to procure and transport some arms out of some forreign country into Scotland nothing needed more but humane industry the success was Gods part and to 〈…〉 e referred to his providence The King commending his counsel and giving him thanks that he app●ehended some life in the businesse encourageth him to ●i● himsel● cheerfully for so great a work and wished h●m to leave the care of those things he had requested unto him And truly for the matter of aid out of Ireland the King sends for the Earl of Antrim and acqua●nts him with Montrose's design This Antrim is of Scotish extraction descended of the noble and antient Family of the Mac-Donalds a man of great ●st●te and power in Ireland and allyed to the prime Nobility of England by matching with the Dutchesse of Buckingham He being driven out of his own country lived at Oxford and cheerfully undertook the negotiation with the ●●●sh upon himself and engaged himself also voluntarily unto Montrose that he would be in Argyle a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland with ten thousand men by the first of April 1644. th●s passed in December 1643. And as for forreign aids and arms the King sent Sir John Cockeram his Embassadour about it with his Commission and Instructions And directions unto the Marquesse of Newcastle were carried by some of Montrose's own company Who receiving the Kings Letters and Commission to be Governour of Scotland and Generall of the Army there made himself ready for his journey In the interim news comes on a sudden that Duke Hamilton with his brother the Earl of Lannerick were posting up
Instructions from the King hoping by that meanes that being quickened with his Majesties authority the aproach of aid they would make more haste with their forces in the vain expectation whereof he had trifl'd away too much time in Sirath-Erne About this time the Lord Napier of Marchiston departed this life in Athole a man of most innocent life and happy parts a truly Noble Gentleman Chief of an antient family one who equalld his father grandfather Napiers Philosophers and Mathematicians famous through all the world in other things but far exceeded them in his dexterity in civill busines a man as faithfull unto as highly esteem'd by K. James and K. Charls somtime he was L. Treasurer and was deservedly advanced into the rank of higher Nobility and since these times had exprest so much loialty and love to the King that he was a large partaker of the rewards which Rebells bestow upon vertu often imprisonment sequestration and plunder This man Montrose when he was a boy look'd upon as more tender father when he was a youth as a most sage admonitor when he was a man as a most faithfull friend and now that he died was no otherwise affected with his death than as if it had b●n his fathers Whose most elaborate discourses of the right of Kings and of the Orginall of the turmoiles in great Britain ●heartily wish may somtime come to light Chap. XVIII MOntrose when he had waited for Aboine with his Forces out of the North now three weeks either on his march or in Srath-Erne and perceived that the rebells began to grow more outragious towards the prisoners being impatient of further delay crosseth over the Forth and came into Leven and he encamped upon the land of Sir Jhon Buchanan the Ringleader of the Covenanters in those parts expecting by that meanes lying so near Glascow he might fright the Rebells who then kept a Convention of Estates there from the murther of the Prisoners To which end facing the City every day with his Horse he wasted the enemies Country without any resistance although at that time for the guard of the Estates and City they had three thousand Horse in their quarters and he not full three hundred and twelve hundred Foot Notwithstanding before his coming down into Leven the Covenanters assoon as they understood that Huntley and Montrose agreed not and that Aboine and his men had deserted him in upper Marre as a prologue to the ensuing Tragedy had beheaded three stout and gallant Gentlemen The first was Sir William Rollock one of whom we have had often occasion to make honourable mention a valiant and expert man deare unto Montrose from a child and faithfull unto him to his last breath The chief of his crimes was that he would not pollute his hands with a most abhominable murther For being sent from Montrose with an express to the King after the battle of Aberdene he was taken prisoner by the enemy and was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for feare of death he had harkened unto Argyle who most unworthily set a price upon Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon him to commit that treason which he abhorred with all his soul By which shift having his life and liberty given him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more carefull of himself for not he only who heartily detested so high a villany but many more had bin offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogleby of whom we also spake bfore eldest son to Sir John Ogleby of Innercharit descended of an ancient family and much renowned in the Scotish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard-of Treason to wit his bounden duty and loyalty to his King But there was no help for 't but Argyle must needs sacrifice that hopfull youth it had bin for nothing but his names-sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Oglebyes The third was if Sir Philip Nesbit of an ancient family also and Chief of it next his father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new high Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that courageous and vigilant man might take occasion sometime here-after to be even with them for the horrid injuries they had done his father and his family However these men suffer'd a noble death with patience constancy as became honest men good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joyned Collonel O-Chaen and Collonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murthered indeed at Edinburgh but many more were doom'd to the like execution at Glascow had not Montrose's unexpected approach within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governour was very much perplexed with the news of these mens death and it was a question whether he was more vex'd at the cruelty of the Rebells or the negligence if not treachery of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vain expected to come with his son Aboine Mac-donell also himself of whom he entertained an exceeding good opinion being often sent unto and invited also by the neernesse of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past and gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had ingaged himself for the Northern Forces and the Winter than which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the Command of the Lord Digby were defeated all which might easily have been salv'd and the Kingdome reduced again if those great Professors of loyalty had not plaid fast and loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose departing from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and loghes whose names I doe not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne and over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogleby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings Instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would believe nothing that they said and when they
any thing else These being stoln away in the night and copied out by the Kings own Bed-chamber-men men most endeared to the King of all the world were sent back by them to the Covenanters at Newcastle and it was the fashion with those very men to communicate unto the Covenanters from day to day the Kings most secret Counsels of which they themselves only were either authors or partakers And some of the forwarder sort of the Rebels were not ashamed to tax Montrose bitterly enough with those Letters and although they durst not make an open quarrell of it or call him publiquely to account because he was so powerfull and welbeloved in the Army yet they loaded him with backbitings and slanders among the people For they had obliged unto themselves most of the Preachers throughout the Kingdome whose mercenary tongues they made use of to wind and turn the minds of the people which way they would Nor did they promote their Rebellion more effectually any other way nor doe yet than this to have those doughty Oratours in their popular preachments to rail bitterly against the King and all his Loyall Subjects as the enemies of Christ as they love to speak being themselves the while the very shame and scandall of Christianity Montrose returning into Scotland and thinking of nothing but how to preserve his Majestie from that storm of Rebellion hanging over his head at last resolved of this course He joyns many of the prime men for Nobility and Power in a League with himself in which they vowed to defend the Kings Majesty and all his Royall Privileges and antient and lawfull Prerogatives with the hazard of their lives and estates against all his enemies as well home-bred as forraign unto the last breath in their bodies And truly it came to that passe that there had been an open division in the Army which was his aim had not some for fear levity or cowardife which are bad keepers of counsell betrayed the whole businesse to the Covenanters Hence arose no small stirs and brauls but were pacified again in a while for neither yet durst they offer any open violence to Montrose But afterward the confederates having given a new oath made sure the Army at their devotion and joyning themselves to the Parliament of England in a strict Covenant although they saw themselves secure enough from the subtlest designs of any private man yet they seriously consult how they should take Montrose out of the way whose heroick spirit being fixt on high and honourable howsoever difficult at chievements they could not endure To make their way therefore unto so villanous an act by the assistance of some Courtiers whom with gifts and promises they had corrupted they understood that the King had written Letters to Montrose and that they were quilted in the saddle of the bearer one Stuart belonging to the Earl of Traquair The bearer was scarce entered the borders of Scotland but they apprehend him rip his saddle and find the Letters There was nothing at all written in them which did not become the best of Kings to command the best of Subjects to obey Neverthelesse those most exact crafts-masters in the arts of Lying and Slandering set about horrible and tragicall reports by their apt Ministers that at last all the Kings plots with Montrose for the overthrow of Religion and the ruine of the Kingdome were found out and discovered Nor yet neither durst they afford him a publike tryall but on a sudden when he suspected nothing thrust him with Napier Lord of Marchiston and Sir Sterling Keer Knight two both of his neer kindred and intimate familiars into the castle of Edinburgh At length a Pacification being made between the people of both Kingdomes between whom there had been no War only they laid their heads together against their most just and gracious King a Parliament was called at Edinburgh where the King in person was present Montrose desires most earnestly to be tryed before the King and that solemn Assembly but to no purpose for the Covenanters being conscious enough of his innocency and their own guilt applyed their speciall endeavours to detain the Gentlemen in prison unheard untill such time as the King was gone out of Scotland and they had concluded all things with the King in Parliament according to their hearts desire And certainly they were much afraid lest by his wisdome and courage and the esteem he was in as well with his Peers of the Nobility as with the people he should have fetch'd off the greatest number of either sort to his own resolution for the preservation of his Majesties Power and Authority At last the King returning into England Montrose and his friends are set at liberty and because it was ordered in Parliament that he should not come into conference with the King he sat still awhile at h●s own house This was towards the end of the year 1641. Chap. II. IN the year 1642. the Covenanters of both Kingdomes began to unmask themselves and let us see more plainly what they meant to doe The Rebels in England began to vex the King with unjust unreasonable unseasonable Petitions and Complaints bespatter him with malicious slanders prophane his sacred Name in scurrilous songs and Ballads vilifie him in infamous Libells Pasquills or Pamphlets raise Tumults arm great numbers of the scum and rascally sort of the people and engage them upon the Kings Palace in a word threaten all extremity to him and his whom although he might have justly punished himself yet he chose rather to refer them to the Parliament that he might the more oblige it unto himself But it was to no end for so gracious a King to gratifie that and many things more to so ungracious so ingratefull men who were the very authors and abettors of these villanies For he had already granted more and greater Graces to his Subjects for the ease of their grievances which they pretended and the security of their persons and estates than all his Ancestors the Kings of England together from William the Conquerour downward Therefore at last that he might withdraw himself and his family from present danger he is forced sore against his mind to depart London He sends the Queen out of the way into Holland for the safety of her life and betakes himself to York The States of Parliament as they call themselves forthwith and before the King take up arms and divert those very Forces which the King had appointed for Ireland which were then in a readiness and whose Officers had been of the Parliaments choosing hoping by them to overthrow the King himself The Rebells in Scotland who knew well enough the King would have strength sufficient to deal with the English Rebells resolved upon no termes to be wanting to their confederates in so apparent danger as they were And although our most gracious King had given them satisfaction as much as ever they could desir● in that Parliament at Edinburgh aforesaid
voluntarily did his duty and offered his service to Montrose as the Kings Deputy and Vicegerent Montrose first welcomed him with all civility and gave him many thanks afterwards when he came to understand him more inwardly joyned him unto himself in the entirest bonds of friendship and affection Now because the Inhabitants of Murray were extremely addicted to the Covenanters they hid themselves in their lurking places nor were any supplies to be expected from men so maliciously disposed Therefore he drew his Forces to this side the Spey to raise the Countries of Bamph and Aberdene by the presence example and authority of the Lord Gordon So having got together what forces he could in those places with two thousand Foot and two hundred Horse passing the river of Dee he came into Ma●●e and encamped not far from Fettercarne At Brechin some seven miles from thence Sir John Hurrey a stout man and an active and famous also in forein parts for Military exploits being Generall of the Horse for the Covenanters had the Command over the whole Forces there He came out with six hundred Horse to discover the strength of Montrose he conceived Montrose had but very few Foot and no Horse and if he should but but descend into the plain he made account to make short work with him and howsoever it should happen he made no question but to secure himself Montrose to draw him on hid the rest of his men in a bottome and made shew only of his two hundred Horse but lined them as he used with his nimblest Musketiers Which Horse when Hurrey saw and observed they were so few he dr●w up his men and charged But when he perceived too late the Foot that ran close after Montrose's Horse he sounded a retreat and Hurrey himself turning his men before him behaved himself stoutly in the rear When they turned their backs Montrose's souldiers drive on let fly and lay about them untill being got over the river of Eske the enemy scarce safe under the protection of Night betook themselves to shelter nor did they think themselves secure till after a race of four and twenty miles long they came to Dundee Then they that had pursued them so far returned to Fethercarne and thence the next day to Brechin Here Montrose understood that Baily a Commander of great account had been fetched out of England to be Generall of the enemies Forces that Hurrey with his Horse was joyned unto him and that they had in their Army many old souldiers brought back out of England and Ireland so that now the Covenanters going about their businesse in so great sadnesse Montrose must expect not only other kind of souldiers but also most expert Commanders to deal with Therefore lest he should chance to be hem'd in with their Horse in which their chief strength lay he chooseth his most convenient way by the foot of Grainsbaine towards the river of Tay intending also if it were possible to get over the Forth where he believed the King could not want assistance Which design of his was not unknown to the enemy therefore they send these Commanders against him with a powerfull Army who no sooner came in sight than Montrose offered the● battell But they intended nothing lesse then to try it our with him that way nor would adventure so much as ●ut to ●all upon the rear of Montrose as he ma●●ned off So he went to the Castle of Innercarity and the next day to a Village called Eliot And here again leaving the mountains behind him he descends into the plain and by a Trumpet sends a challenge unto Baily to sight Between their two Armies ran the river I le which neither could safely passe over without the others consent Montrose therefore desires Baily to give him leave safely to come over to that side which motion if Baily should not like of he offered him a safe and free passage on condition that he would engage his honour to fight without further delay Baily answered he would look to his own businesse himself and would not have other men teach him when to fight Thus the two armies fac'd one another many dayes neither the enemy endevouring to passe their Forces over the river against Montrose nor he hoping to make good his passe unto them by reason of his scarcity of Horse Marching therefore to Dunkeldon he thought to passe the Tay at which time by a sudden and unexpected mischief he was almost utterly ruined It was thus Lewis Gordon Son to Marquesse Huntly who had born arms against Montrose in the battell of Aberdene by the mediation of his noble brother the Lord Gordon had been received into favour He either by true or counterfeit Letters f●om the old fox in the ho●e his father tempted and carried away with him almost all the Gordons without the knowledge of his b●other and basely deserted Montrose and him when they were ready to be engaged with the enemy And truly it is hard to say to whether of both he bore lesse good will Montrose being fore afflicted with this unexpected revolt although he was of necessity to return into the North to gather new Forces yet made as if neverthelesse he went straight towards the Forth and his scouts came all with full cry that all the enemy were got over the Tay tha● by taking the fords of the Forth they might hinder his passage He lest he should seem all this while to have done nothing thought it well worth his labour if by the way he could take in Dundee a most seditious town for that being the securest haunt and receptacle of the Rebels in those parts and a place that had contributed a much as any other toward● the R●bellion was kept by no other garrison but of the Townsmen He therefore commanded the weakest and worst armed m●n to goe along by the bottome of the hills and to meet him at Brechin and he taking with him what Horse he had which were but one hundred and fifty in all and six hundred nimble Musquetiers departing from Dunkelden about twelve of the clock in the night made so great haste that he came to Dundee by ten of the clock in the morning on the fourth day of Aprill He summons the Townsmen to deliver the Town to the King which was the only way to preserve their own lives and it● safety if they wo●ld not they must expect fire and sword They began to make delayes and first to give no answer at all afterward to c●mmit the Trumpet to prison Which affront provoked Montrose so highly that he stormed the Town in three places at once The Townsmen stood out a while and maintained their Works but they had as good have done nothing for the Irish and Highlanders would take no repulse but with a resolute assault some beat them out of their sconces and p●ssessing themselves of th●ir ordnance turned it against the Town others beat open the gates and possesse themselves of the Church and
the Huntleys but they had done nothing of note without him Therefore they earnestly desired him constantly to adhere unto the Kings Lieutenant which as it would be both acceptable and advantagious to the King so it would be well taken with good men and honourable to himself Nor did some of them fear to professe openly that they would yield their duty and service to Montrose if Huntley should stand out in his humour and they were as good as their words But he refusing the advice of his friends resolved what ever came on 't to run counter to Montrose nor did Montrose ever propose any thing though never so just or honourable or advantageous which he would not cross or reject And if at any time Montrose condiscendod to his opinion which he did often and of purpose he would presently change his mind seeming to comply with him sometimes before his face but alwaies averse unto him behind his back and indeed scarce well agreeing with his own self For all this Aboine being at that time solicited by many expressEs from Montrose and the importnity of his own friends that he might be some way as good as his word met him with a considerable party at Druminore a Castle of the lord Forbeses He brought with him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse all cherefull and ready to under go any hazard under the command of Montrose And truly as soon as ever thy met Aboine freely protested he would carry those men that he had whethersoever the Lord Governour should lead him but there were many more behind which for his scantnes of time he had not got together which his brother Lewis would bring him Montrose extolling highly his fidelity and pains turned back again almost the same way he came that taking up the Lord Areskins and the Marre Forces by the way and climbing over Grainsbane he might fall down into Athole and Angus not doubting within a fortnight to be able to pass over the Forth with a great Army The first daies journy Aboine and his men marched with a good will but tho next night his brother Lewis whom Montrose had placed under the command of the Earle of Crawford conveighed himselfe homewards with a strong party of Horse making as if he meant to encounter some Troops of the enemy and carried along with him as many Souldiers as he could get upon pretence of a guard Crawford returning brought word that Lewis was gon home but would be back again next day for so he had made him believe though he intended nothing les than to come back a youth lyable to censure for more feats than that But when upon the third day they came to Alford it was observed that Aboines men were slow to stand to their Colours that they loytered in their march that their ranks were thin and disorder'd and that they ran away by whole Companies almost every night and at last their Commander Aboine himself was not ashamd to desire to be excused and to have leave to depart When all men wondred and desired to know what might be the reason of that sudden alteration of his resolution he pleaded his fathers Commands which he was obliged in no case to disoby and that his father had not sent him such directions without just occasion for the Enemies Forces lay in lower Marre and would be presently upon their backs if they were deprived of the protection of their own men and that it was unexcusable solly for him to carry his men another way when his own Country was in so much danger Montrose replyed That it was most certain that only a few Troops of Horse kept within Aberdene that they had no Foot at all and those few Horse nor durst nor could do the Country any harm and there was no doubt but upon the first a 〈…〉 of his approach their Commanders would send for those also to secure the Low-Lands Besides that it would be much more to the Marquesse of Huntley's advantage if the seat of war were removed into the enemies Country than be kept up in his own and upon that score there was more need to make hast into the South that they might save the North from the burthen of the Armies He added moreover That he dayly expected aid out of England which could by no means joyn with them except they met them on the South side of the Forth And at last with much resentment he represented unto him the condition of the Prisoners who were many of them Huntleys own Kindred Allies and Friends who would all be inhumanly murthered except they timely prevented it To all this when Aboine had nothing to answer he desired his Father might be accquainted with the whole matter and 't was granted Such were made choice of to treat with Huntley as were conceived to be highest in his favour to wit Donald Lord Rese in whose Country he had so journed and Alexander Irwin the younger of Drumme who had but the other day married Huntley's daughter and both of them were also much obliged to Montrose for their newly recovered liberties Rese being asham'd to receive the repulse had not the confidence to return and Irwin a noble young Gentleman and a stout who stuck to Montrose to the last brought no answer but his Father-in-laws ambiguous letters of which no hold could be taken Being desired to deliver what he conceived his Father-in-laws resolution was he profest ingenuously he knew not what to make of him he could get no certain answer but doubted he was obstinate in his fond conceit About first declaring how sore against his will it was to part with Montrose urged how necessary it was for him to please his dear father who was sickly too therefore more earnestly desired the Lord Governour to dispence with him for a few daies till he could pacific his father and made an absolute promise that within a fortnight he would follow him with much stronger Forces And when he had often and freely engaged his Honour to do as he said he extorted with much adoe a Furlogh from Montrose sore against his stomach to be absent for the time aforesaid Aboine being returned home Montrose marched over the Plains of Marre and Scharchioch and came down into Athole and thence having a little increased his Army into the Sheriffdom of Perth where receiving an Express out of the North he is put into new hopes Aboine having sent him word he would be with him with his men before the day appointed At the same time came unto him by severall waies Captain Tho. Ogleby of Pourie the younger and Cap. Robert Nesbit both of them sent unto him from his Majesty with Commands that if he cou'd possibly he should make all speed towards the Borders to meet the Lord George Digby son to the E. of Bristoll who was sent unto him with a party of Horse The same bearers Montrose dispatcheth away to Huntley and Aboine to communicate unto them those
before me in this race And certainly seeing Martyrdome may be undergone not only for the Confession of our faith but for any vertue by which holy men make their faith manifest there is no doubt but he hath received that Crown Sir Robert Spotswoods Speech intended at his Execution but then not suffered to be spoken now published according to the then dispersed Copies thereof YOu will expect to hear from me somewhat of the cause for which I am brought hither at this time to suffer in this kind which I am bound to doe for cleering the integritie of mine own proceedings vindicating his Majesties just and pious intentions and withall to undeceive you that are muzled in ignorance and made to believe that you are tyed in conscience to set forward this unnaturall Rebellion masked under the cover and pretext of propagating Religion and maintaining of the publick Libertie You have perceived by the fact which hath gone before viz. tearing of my Arms c. that I stand here adjudged to die by this pretended Parliament as a Traytor to the States and enemy to my native Country This is a Treason unheard of before in this Kingdome against the States a thing of a new Creation which I believe there be some would have erected in opposition to the just and lawfull Authoritie of the King under which we and our Predecessors have been so many hundreds of years governed To come to the particulars of my Treasonable demeanour as they esteem it the main one is that I did bring down a Commission of Lieutenancie from his Majestie to the Lord Marquesse of Montrose with a Proclamation for indicting a Parliament by the Kings Authority wherein the Lord Marquesse was the Commissioner Not to excuse my self upon the necessitie layd upon me to obey his Majesties Command in a businesse of that nature in regard of the Charge I had about him I cannot so farre betray mine own conscience as to keep up from you my judgement of the thing it self seeing it may both tend to the justifying of the Kings part and your better information for lack whereof I know many are intangled in this Rebellion unwittingly and who knoweth but God in his mercifull providence hath brought us hither to be the instruments of freeing you from the manifold delusions that are made use of to insnare you I say then it was just and necessary to his Majestie to grant such Commissions and by consequence an act of duty in me to perform what he was pleased to command me It is known well enough what contentment his Majestie gave to the Kingdome at his last being here both in the affaires of Church and Policie Notwithstanding whereof the world seeth what meating he hath got from us When this Rebellion first burst out in England all that he desired of us was only to stand Neutralls and not to meddle between him and his Subjects there Of which moderate desire of his little reckoning was made but on the contrary at the request of those Rebells by the power of their Faction amongst us an Armie was raised and sent into England to assist them against their own native Ring His Majesty being reduced to this extremitie what expedient could he find so fair and easie as to make use of the help of such of his loyall Subjects as he knew had such an unparallel'd disloyaltie in horrour and detestation amongst whom that matchlesse mirrour of all true worth and Nobility the Lord Marquesse of Montrose having offered himself it pleased his Majestie to give him a subaltern Commission first which he having executed with such unheard-of successe that his memorie shall be had in honour for it in all ages His Majestie for the better furthering of his own service and to countenance and encourage him the more in it gave an absolute one and independent thereafter which is that I delivered into his hands by his Majesties Command Herewithall his Majesties pitying the miseries of this poor Kingdome occasioned by the rebellious stubbornnesse of a few factious spirits thought fit to give power to the sayd Lord Marquesse to call a Parliament in his own Name to trie if by that means a remedie might be found against the present evills And in all this I see not what can be justly charged upon his Majestie or upon me his Servant who have done nothing against any authorized Law of the Kingdome but have served him faithfully unto whom by trust and naturall Allegiance I owe so much Whereas I am declared an enemie to my native Country God be so propitious to me as my thoughts towards it have been alwayes publike and tending to the good and honour thereof I professe since I had the honour of that noble Marquesse's acquaintance I have been a favourer of his designes knowing them to be both loyall and honourable Besides that I know his affection to his Country to be eminent in this especially that he did ever shew himself passionate to vindicate the honour of this Kingdome which suffereth every where by the strange combination of this with the Rebells of another Country and Kingdome against their own Prince Wherein I concurred in judgement with him and thought there was no other way to doe it but by setting up a party of true and loyall-hearted Scotch-men for his Majestie whereby it might be seen that it is not a Nationall defection but only stirred up by a Faction there which for their own ends have dishonoured their native Kingdome and disturbed the peace thereof in enterprising and pursuing of which Heroicall designe God hath so favoured that noble Lord that he hath righted our Country in the opinion of all the world and discovered where the rottenness lieth Thus farre I am contented to be counted a Traytor in their opinion that have condemned me being fully assured that God the righteous Judge of all who knoweth the uprightnesse and integritie of my intentions will impute no fault to me in this kind since to my knowledge I have carried my self according to the direction of his word and the practice of all good Chrstians before these miserable times we are fallen into My Exhortation therefore which comming from me at the point I am at will I hope have some waight shall be this unto you that you will break off your sins by Repentance and above all free your selves of that master-sin of Rebellion that reigneth in this Land whereinto most part are either forced or drawn unawares especially at the instigation of those who should have directed them in the way of truth It cannot be but a great judgement upon a Land when Gods singular mercies towards it are so little valued hee hath not given us a King in his wrath but one who for piety bounty and all vertues both Christian and Morall may be a Pattern to all Princes but how little thankfull we are to God for so great a blessing our respecte towards him doe manifest Yet I fear there is a greater