might have undone the Kings Army and consequently invaded England if they had pleased and that with small opposition instead of doing wrong to any English they supplied the wants of those who were come against them with Victuals which then did abound in the Scots Army but was very short in the Kings having the flower of the Kings Army in their power I mean the party that went to Dunslaw they suffered it to return back in safety and used it with all civility notwithstanding these chosen ones had come against promise and without cause to destroy them and to invade the Countrey Thereafter the Peace being made the Scots according to the agreement went quietly home and laid down their Arms as was promised Then the Plot the abused King and his good Counsell had at Berwick to draw the Chief men of Scotland to him for to destroy them and the breach of the Parlement the burning in London of the Articles of agreement made at the borders and many other like things did not move the Scots to recede in any measure from their dutifull respects to the King nor from their love to the English Nation neither the imprisonment of their Commissioners against the Law of Nations and the safe-conduct granted unto them upon publike Faith nor the great Forces prepared against them by Sea and by Land nor the many lyes spred against them through all England nor the Prelatical excommunication so canonically spewed out against them in all the Churches and Chappels of England All these things I say did not make them give the least expression of disrespect to the King nor disaffection to the English Upon this the Scots published a Declaration anew unto the World whereby they made known unto all how hardly they were dealt with all for not onely the things stipulated with them were not kept to them but also more and greater wrongs than formerly were done to them Yea a second expedition of War undertaken to destroy them and to fill up all more lyes of no lesse importance than the conquering of England made and spred abroad of them with other thunderbolts of the Prelaticall censure shot against them Also they make known by this Declaration their Christian resolution and just enterprise with their good intentions in taking Arms again for their own defence and the Cause which they maintain And by it assureth their Brethren of England although they were resolved to come into their Countrey to seek out their Enemies who were there gathering against them and not to suffer these wicked ones to come unto them and so make their own Countrey the Seat of the unhappy War Yet they had not the least thought to do any hurt to any body in England except to their professed Enemies So far were they from having the least thought of making a conquest And that when they had brought their Enemies to reason they would go home in Peace All which was thereafter performed by the Scots to the full For first being entred into England and having rencountred one party of their Enemies and routed it when it was in their power to pursue the Victory they stayed at New-castle till things were agreed upon betwixt the King and them This incoming of the Scots gave occasion and liberty to divers of the Nobles of England of whom some since have betray'd the Cause of God of his people what by open Warfare and what by clandestine undermining to desire of the King a Parliament for the good of the Kingdom The King then durst not refuse their demand by reason of the Scots more then the continuance of it which he granted likewise therafter for the same Cause Then the King finding that the Parliament did not onely crosse but quite spoile his designes be plots with his Army which he had raised against the Scots to come and destroy the said Parliament and to take the spoile of London for their reward But the businesse being discovered faileth besides they durst not undertake howsoever they had promised for fear of the Scots who then were so neer The King continuing in his wonted courses after a little pause tryes the Scots if they will do the deed and offers unto them for recompense not onely the spoile of London but also the foure Counties next adjacent unto their Countrey to be adjoyned hereafter to it with Jewels of great value in pawn for performance if onely they would be engaged into the businesse All these great offers could not make the Scots willing to give their consent in any kinde to this wickednesse For they not onely rejected the Kings offers but also giveth notice of the Plot to the Parliament and to the City of London that they might make their best use of it So you may see how that the Scots under God are the cause of the Assembling of the Parliament of the continuance of it being assembled and of the preservation of it from totall destruction and ruine The King seeing that he was stopped by the Scots first in their own Countrey next in England to carry on his great designe takes the Irish Papists by the hand rather then be alwayes disappointed and they willingly undertake to levie Armes for his Service that is for the Romish Cause the Kings designe being subservient to the Romish Cause although he abused thinks otherwayes and beleeves that Rome serveth to his purpose But to begin the Work they must make sure all the Protestants and if they cannot otherwayes by Murthering and Massacring them for they knew them according to the Principles of Religion and State to be forward either for the Covenanters of Scotland or for the troublesome Parliament of England if not for both But the Irish neither would nor durst enter to any open Action so long as the Scots Army in England was afoot therefore by all means it must be sent home and cashiered and to facilitate the businesse the Court-Parasites Instruments of Iniquity with their Emissaries must raise and spread abroad jealousies of the Scots among the people of the Countrey and City namely in and about the Houses of Parliament who having not before their eyes the reall Honesty and Integrity of the Scots known by so many faithfull and loyall expressions and not keeping in their mind the many good offices done to them by the Scots giveth in sillinesse of mind ear and place to the crafty tales and apprehensions invented by the Agents of the Common Enemy to bring them to confusion and trouble So the Plot taketh by the silly ones and is set forward by the hid Malignan's Yea in a word it is managed with such addresse and successe that the Scots must go home and till they had done it there could be no quiet but increase of jealousies The Scots although they were not acquainted with the hight of mischief that was intended against the Church and State in these Dominions by the Common Enemy nor with the wayes of it yet albeit they thought it
King and Parliament and the whole Nation to be beholden for this unto a Neighbour-State or Prince then unto the Kings own Subjects not so good as others in many respects As this Discourse was invented and spewed up and down by Malignants so it was received by the simpler sort not knowing the interest of States lesse wherein the true Honour of Princes States and Nations consisteth Yet they might have considered that it is better to take up things quietly at home then to trouble the Neighbours with our affaires The Scots Commissioners after some Moneths abode at Court seeing they could do no good with the abused King desire him to dismisse them which he did put off from day to day till at last he was written to by the State of Scotland that if he sent not home in safety the Commissioners betwixt such and such a day they would hold it as an open breach of the Peace and that they would provide for businesses accordingly Upon this the Commissioners loden with fair but conditionall promises from the King who yet would not anger them of Love and Care of that his Native Kingdom so that they would be quiet for he could not stop his mouth to say unto them that if they would not stirre he could easily compasse his ends in England take their leave at Court and go home At their arrivall they find a number in the South-West of their Countrey of Papists and other Malignants men of broken for tunes risen to disturbe the Peace of the Kingdom by Order from the King notwithstanding his fair words which commotion was presently quashed through Gods Mercy by the diligence and forwardnesse of the good Gentry and Nobility in those parts who did rise like one man against these Sons of Belial As the Scots Commissioners retired home the Houses of Parliament of England were made acquainted how that their good intentions were frustrated themselves hardly used for a long time but at last with difficulty had gotten home Now the State of Scotland seeing the Common Enemy come to the hight that nothing will satisfie him but totall subversion of Church and State in these Dominions onely they perhaps might be kept for the last although in intention they had been the first jugeth it not enough for their interest in the Common Cause to keep an Army in Ireland but also to be upon their guard at home that they might stop any enterprise the Common Enemy should undertake against them to have any progresse in their Countrey if they did not altogether prevent it and to help their Brethren in England with their Sword since all other means so often tryed were disappointed by the malice of the Enemies And so much the rather were they moved to this that the Enemy was prevailing almost without let for by that time he was Master not onely of the Field but also of all the strong hold in the North except Hull alone with a numbrous and victorious Army of Horse and Foot domineering and spoiling every where likewise the West being almost altogether gone by the losse of Excester the defeat given to the Parliaments Forces at the Vyses and the base surrendring of Bristol Banbury c. the Enemy did think to carry all before him ready to enter into the Associated Counties yea to come to the Gates of London which they had done in all appearance without the let of that Noble and never enough praised exploit of the Earl of Essex of relieving of Glocester almost at the last extremity although valiantly defended by that brave Governour Massey in despite of the proude Enemy and thereafter in beating of him at Newbery While the Parliament was thus low many faint-harted yea Members of the two Houses ran away to the Enemy and others did withdraw studying to their eternall shame to make their Peace more plausibly with the Enemy and not to run over to him at discretion as others had done But when things are thus almost in despaire then it is thought fit time to have recourse to the Scots and to call them for help The Parliament to try if they could do the businesse themselves without troubling the Scots was wisdom for what need you call for aid and trouble your Neighbours when you can do the businesse alone but not to call for help till things be too low it is very dangerous say those who dive more deeply in affaires of this nature But the reason why the Scots were so long a calling in for help was not that the English were not willing to trouble their Brethren the Scots for why should they think of troubling the Scots since their Fathers had been so ready to help Scotland in its distresse then Generous hearts will as freely receive a courtesie as they do one otherwayes they were proud and self-conceited But the true cause say they who know the mysteries of the time first was that the Sectaries prevailing with the Rulers of affaires did so keep them from medling with the Scots whom they knew to be no lesse adversaries to Schismes and Sects then to Popery and Prelacy Next there were some who yet kept still a bit of a Bishop in their Belly although by both Houses declared to be not onely unusefull in Church and State but also enemies to both Howsoever these considerations must be laid aside for a time and in such extremity the Scots must be called to help yea some of those who are said to be the greatest sticklers for Sectaries must at last be employed in their calling in which was long of coming after it was resolved upon by the shifts of the Enemies of Church and State The Scots notwithstanding all that had been signified unto them concerning the favouring of Sectaries by the Parliament and of their retaining somewhat of the old leaven of Prelacy seeing that their help was altogether needfull to save the Church and State of England from ruine heartily received the call being already resolved beforehand upon the Point and undertaketh with a Christian and manly resolution to engage themselves in a seen danger and to undergo the hazard but for Christ and his people no hazard is to be regarded to help their afflicted Brethren Yet with this precaution that the Parliament should sincerly joyn with them in the setling of the Church as they were heartily willing to assist them against the Common Enemy This condition was granted unto the Scots by the Commissioners from the Parliament of England and to this end it was agreed upon at the desire of the Scots that there should be one Covenant and League made betwixt both Kingdoms and sworn to for the setling of the Church according to the Word of God and conform to the best Reformed Churches and by name to the Church of Scotland with the just Liberty of the people and against all opposition whatsoever But because the English Commissioners would not take upon them to draw up and to make the Covenant there in Scotland
wicked courses of the Enemies against the Cause we say we maintain I am sure at least we ought or by open and professed Apostasie we have joyned our hearts and affection with the Common Enemy who so actively by all means opposeth this Cause of God and persecuteth his people for it This is done both in Scotland and England not by a few but by many not by little and small ones but by the Chief and Leaders of the rest not by stopping things of humane infirmity and weaknesse but with study and an high hand Here we shall say a word or two of the carriage of those two Nations in the going on with the Work of the Lord for the setling of the Church and quiet of his People We shall begin at those of Scotland who some few yeers ago were lifted up with praises among men for their faithfull minding and following earnestly this great Work of God all by-ends laid aside for which God blessed them from Heaven and made them be called happy among men for they had their hearts desire in the businesse and their Enemies were subdued by them But now leaving off their former integrity and sincerity to the Cause of God and their Love unto him following the devices and desires of their own corrupt hearts in pride coveteousnesse and factions notwitstanding the earnest and pressing admonitions both in private and publike of the Prophets and Ministers of God they continue in their evil courses preposterously minding themselves and their worldly foolish interest of ambition and avarice more then God and the Cause of his Church and people For this God as it were by an essay to try them if they would laying aside their lewd by wayes mind him and his Service heartily and sincerly sends amongst them an hand-full of contemptible profane and wicked villains whom at first they despise and neglect but going on in their wonted wayes while the holy Name of God is profaned by those Sons of Belial a part of their Land is wasted the poor people spoiled and slain with all other barbarous usage and so these number and power of the Slaves of Iniquity growing they are plotting caballing and devising how to supplant another and increase their severall faction the seed of dissension being sowed amongst them by the Enemy to divide and so more easily compasse his ends upon them which they would not and could not see blinded with their corrupt passion Then God to admonish them anew suffers some of those whom they had employed against the Sons of Rebellion to betray their trust and omit divers good occasions in all appearance to make havock of these villains yea some to run over unto them in the hour of fight and so these Enemies of goodnesse to advance their pernicious designe do what they list Yet all this will not die with those hard-hearted and stubbling men still employing and busying their thoughts how to bear down one another yea some there were amongst them who were not sorry in their hearts of the progresse that those despisable villains made in the Countrey against the Service of the Common Cause conceiving it did help to the setting up of their faction But since the affronts and blows they received at divers times from those contemptible fellows did not move these ingrate Children God sends a Pestilence amongst them which rageth with such fury that hardly the like hath been heard of in that Land to try if at last they would leave their slacknes remissenes in pursuing the Service of the Cause of Gods Church and People their conniving and complying with his Enemies yea their helping those villains with means and advice in opposing the Cause of God and oppressing his People But they remain obdured like Children of disobedience in their perverse wayes So at length God in his wrath delivers them up to the hands of their wicked Enemies making them as far to be scorned and misprised for their not heartly minding him his Service as they had been before esteemed and extolled for their adhering to him and doing his Service faithfully Yea the Chief men of them who had been cried up for Valour and Wisdom are constrained to flie away and have their lives for a prey So God who from the beginning of all those unhappy disturbances till this last time had made Scotland a Mirrour of his Mercy in testimony of its faithfulnesse adhering unto him makes it an example of his Justice for its back sliding from him And thus Judgement begins at the House of God now let England look seriously to it for the same very sins which have been committed in Scotland and for which it now lieth under the heavy rod of a chastising and angry God are now raigning in England namely ambition and avarice with many more which have not been seen in Scotland example heresies errors and Sects of all sorts to the dishonour of God and to the withdrawing of the People from his Truth are connived at and countenanced by those who are in Authority Then there be some of power and credit who are so far from furthering the Reformation of the Church as they and we all are sworn to by the Covenant that they hinder the same not onely by secret undermining and by plots but by a continued open profession against it Next There be great oppressions vexations concussions and injustices done unto the People by divers in Authority the cry of all which is as loud if not louder unto Heaven then the cry of the sins of Scotland It may be that God as he hath not be gun so soon to shew his Mercy unto England as he did unto Scotland will not send his Judgement upon it so speedily yet doubtlesse without a serious Repentance and a true turning unto God Judgement will come and the longer it is a coming the heavier it will be It is not the good Cause of Church and State that will do Englands turn more then the Temple and the Law of old did save Judah from ruine nor the same good Cause hath kept Scotland from punishment the good Cause ill managed by negligence ambition avarice faction self-conceit and other vices of that kinde draweth vengeance upon those who have the managing of it and make the Cause to be in derision Never good Cause hath been worse managed by the ignorance of weak ones and the malice of other wicked At last God will maintain his Cause no thanks to thee without thee for he needs not thy help to do it but since he hath been pleased to make use of thee in the Service of this his Cause he expects faithfulnesse and zeal to it from thee free from worldly and humane interest Otherwayes vengeance is at thy door for God as he will not in his Worship and Cult have linsey-wolsey of mens inventions intermingled with his pure and sacred Ordinance so he will not in managing the Service of his Cause and of his People that men bring in
papers to the Presse which the Printer intitles The Scots Manifest This being published opened the eyes of many men to see the truth of things which formerly had been kept in a cloud The publishing of this Manifest did much vex the Malignants but they then were more grieved to see it so well received and the truth therein contained so greedily laid hold on by the people whom they hitherto had so grosly abused by their malicious lyes Upon this these lye-inventers bethink themselves of another shift to cozen the World in this same businesse and they go this way to work seeing they could not hinder the printing of the Manifest they resolve to know whether or no the thing had been done by Order from the Commissioners who being enquired if they had caused print the Manifest they answered no and so it was for without their knowledge the thing was done because that those who had a care of the printing of it knew very well that the Commissioners going on in their ordinary course upon I know what prudentiall scrupulosity do make known nothing of that they acquaint the Houses with fearing to offend howsoever needfull to be opened for the publike Service and their own credit but if there be any thing to be said against them although without ground they must hear of it on the deaf-side of their ear and it must be in every bodies mouth Then the forgers and publishers of lyes gave out that the Manifest was a false and supposed thing since the Commissioners did not own it when as they onely did say that they had no hand in the printing of it although they ayouch the thing to be in it self most true Thus in this place I have set down a full relation of the publishing of the Manifest whereof I touched somewhat before upon another occasion to make more known unto the World with what cunning and crafty malice the Malignants of all kindes do oppose the truth upon all occasions and how they study to hide it from those whom it doth concern to the end they may feed them with lyes more easily the truth being kept from them After that the Commissioners had sent as we have said to the Army two severall dispatches the House of Commons think it fit likewise to send some of their number to the Scotish Army to see how things went in the said Army and to hasten it South-ward who met the Army about Rippon and come along with it no Nattingham where those Gentle-men leave the Army and come back to the Houses whom they acquainted with the truth of all things as namely of the good condition of the Army consisting in a fair number of brave Commanders and lusty Souldiers of their ability and readinesse to do Service Which relation as it did content and please honest men so it did gal and vexe the Malignants of all kindes But with what difficulties of want of provisions and of carriage the Army had to struggle with in this march and hath had formerly yea hath to this day for any thing I know except things be mended of late as now I hope they are or at least will be shortly is beyond expression partly through the neglect of some partly through the malice of others and that not of the meaner sort who make their study not onely to furnish no encouragement to these who are come for their help but also give them all the distaste they can to make them weary of the Service yea to make them do things by the Law of necessity to keep themselves from starving which otherwayes they would not and so make them odious to those for whose good they are come into this Countrey If this were done by an open Enemy yea by those who declare themselves to be indifferent it were to be in some kinde digested but it is done by those who would make men beleeve that they are not onely most addicted to the good Cause but also that they are advancers of the Service whereas they make onely the Cause serve for a cloke to their ambition and avarice in their heart caring for nothing howsoever they make a shew otherwayes but to compasse their own ends whereunto a shew of affection to the good Cause doth contribute namely where they have any credit But to leave off complaining of those who are neither faithfull nor honest to the Cause in thus useing the Scots I going on in my Discourse will say a word or two in this place to the clearing of three things whereof the first is concerning the moneys received by the Scots for their pay since their first undertaking either in Ireland or in England unto this day The next is how and what provisions they have had for their going on with the Service either here or in Ireland The third is of the disorders committed by the Scots in their Armies either in England or in Ireland First I assure you in the name of the Scots that their earnest desire is that all these things in particular be exactly tryed by the Law of Arms and in equity judged where the failings are and by whom and how to the end that every one may have his due of praise or of shame of thanks or of blame of recompense or of punishment of remembrance or of oblivion according as the cause shall require and the sooner this be done the better it will for the Service of the publike and the encouragement of honesty and the repressing of wickednesse In the mean time I will tell you in generall that what money is received by the Scots is far short of what they ought to have and that they could wish their Armies in England to say nothing of their Forces in Ireland had as much money for six weeks as the other Forces employed in the Service with them have in two weeks and this without jealousie or envie that others are lookâ—d and cared for yet there is no reason why they should be neglected since they are constantly following the publike Service with activity and faithfulnesse There is a great stir of sending money to them and far greater of raising it for them although they receive but a very small proportion in regard either of what is allowed for them and lesse of what is due unto them and least of all what is said to be levied for them Wherefore I say again they are most desirous of fair reckonings among Friends let the payment come when it may the most pressing necessity being supplied Next For provisions besides the smalnesse of them they come so slowly I must say again that when they are upon their march they are constrained to stay three dayes in one place against their will for one dayes provision and draughts can hardly be had for their march as it hath been in their march so it is in their abode witnesse their being ten dayes before Hereford not seeing bread but one day all the rest liying upon Beanes green Corn and
would not side with him in this wicked designe if they were not opposite unto him and for receiving his Irish Rebels to do mischief to both Kingdoms as they pleased if they were not stopped And so since then he hath kept it till within these few dayes and it hath served for a seat and a passage for troubling both Kingdoms The Houses of Parliament on the other side a little latter possesse themselves of Berwick which the King did not regard so much as not so considerable for his purpose and also it was too much in the eyes of men to be seised upon by him at the first beginning When the Scots come into England at this time to help their Brethren who had been so kinde unto them in their troubles and whose Fathers had assisted their Fathers in the Cause of Reformation and Liberty by agreement betwixt the Parliament and them they had Berwick delivered up unto them for facilitating their entrie and advancing the Service they engaged themselves in and if Carlile had been in the power of the Parliament then it had been delivered unto the Scots without any more ado as freely as Berwick was for the very same reason Yea more if it had been required then it had been promised unto the Scots I do not mean of necessity but of meer consideration to the publike Cause Now the Northern Countrey of England through Gods Mercy being pretty well cleared by the help of the Scots of the open professed and declared Common Enemy it is thought fit first to block up and then to besiege Carlile The Scots undertake the businesse and to this purpose sent of their Army thither a party of both Horse and Foot under the command of a Generall Officer and he hath some Forces of the Countrey to assist and help him in the performance of the Service which the Scots did not so hardly presse as to storm the Town for sparing of blood which they are loth to shed if the businesse can be carried on otherwayes witnesse New-castle where they shunned to shed blood and being constrained to it they did shed as little as ever hath been seen upon such an occasion so they resolve to take the Town by want of necessary provisions Those of the Countrey who were joynt with the Scots in the Service were so far from helping them that by the treachery of their Leaders they did what they could not onely to hinder the businesse but also to wrong the Scots in what was in their power for when they were ordered to keep their own quarters strictly and suffer nothing to go unto the Enemy and if he fallied out of the Town to fall upon him they were so far from performing their Order that when it was in their power to hurt the Enemy they shot powder without bullets at him and privately they suffered provision to be carried unto him through their quarters yea by secret combination they agreed with the Enemy that if he would salley out and fall upon the Scots quarters they should yeeld no help unto them although they were joynt with them in the Service Which proceedings of the North Countrey-men by the knavery of their Commanders whereof the chief lately had been in open Rebellion against the Parliament under the Earl of New-castle being made known unto the Scots they had a neerer eye to their actions and oblige them thereafter to play fairer play Those false and deceitfull Leaders seeing themselves disappointed of their former intents by the care of the Scots go another way to work and perceiving by the vigilance of the Scots that the Town receiving no help from without must render it self underhand and not acquainting the Scots enter in a private Treaty with the Enemy and offer him great conditions This being also discovered by the Scots caused them summon the Town and offer to it reasonable conditions which the Enemy did accept although they were not so advantagous for him in all points as those offered by the others The reason why the Enemy did accept the Scots conditions and not the others was first He could not trust to any condition from those who were so wicked that they were not trusty to the party they professed themselves to be of and to their associates Next The Enemy seeing the chief man among those double ones to be but an inferior Officer and one who never had seen greater War then the plundering and spoiling of his own Countrey under the Earl of New castle with whom he had been a Lievtenant-Colonel at the most and now at this time prefered for some ends to be a Colonell Then there was no Committee there who could authorize him to capitulate or make good his capitulation where the Scots were for by agreement betwixt the Scots and the Parliament things of consequence in the War wherein the Scots had a hand were to be ordered by the Committee of both Kingdoms upon the place or with the Scots Army and that not being as there was none then by the Scots Generall his Order and so he ordained according to the first agreement Lievtenant Generall David Lesley to take in the Town upon such conditions as he should think fit for the good of the publike Service and put a Garison in it Those who came out of the Town were conducted unto Worcester who were but six score when they arrived thither the rest being fallen away in their march either upon consideration of the publike or of their own private interest Thus Carlile is put in obedience of the Parliament for the publike Service according to the first agreement And if the Scots had not followed the businesse in all appearance it either had still remained in the hands of open Enemies or at least had fallen in the hands of those Malignants who neither have respect to the credit of the Parliament nor regard to the good of the people for they dishonour the one and waste the other All the while that the Siege was before Carlile there was not onely a neglect but such a malice against the Scots who were at it that they had starved for want if the Scots Army had not sent a good part of the moneys that they had for their marching and taking the Field Thus is the publike served by the Countrey-Committees abusing the Authority they have from the Parliament After all this the Scots are cryed out upon by Malignants yea they write to the Houses against them as Enemies to the publike good to the Parliament and to the people of England notwithstanding that since the very first beginning of those troubles they have carried themselves faithfully honestly and kindly towards England in despite of all Enemies and particularly towards the Parliament who were the cause of assembling it continuing it and preserving it first from the great Plot made against next by actively upholding it when it was very low as it was at their in-coming The reason why the Scots have put a Garison of
their own men in Carlile for a time is from the constitution of the present affaires in both Kingdoms for having found such knavery and wicked dealing by the chief men in the Northern Countreys they did not conceive it fit for the publike Service to put the place in the hands of those who already possessed with power by the unfaithfull Commissioners trusted by the Parliament with the ordering of things in those places do nothing but oppose the designe of the Parliament expressed in the Covenant and oppresse the people as is made known unto the Parliament by the Commissioners from those Countreys men of credit and worth who have done and suffered much for the Cause against the Common Enemy sent hither from many good people to complain against those wicked ones Enemies to God and to his people And when it shall be thought fit for the Common good of both Nations now so united it will with all cheerfulnesse be left by the Scots And to this the State of Scotland will willingly ingage it self by all the assurances can be require in reason The Common Enemy since he could not keep out Carlile in open War against the Parliament doth his next best to have it in the Malignants his Friends hands that at least indirectly he may do his work and since he failed of both those he striveth by his Emissaries and Agents to make it an Apple of discord betwixt the two united Nations but this will faile him also how cunningly soever he goe's about this designe for the Wisdom of both States is such that the mistake will be taken away shortly and that the State of England will see clearly the Scots in possessing themselves of Carlile and excluding those wicked ones above-mentioned have not onely done a good peece of Service to the publike and the Common Cause of both Kingdoms but also in particular to the well-affected people in those parts who are under the heavy pressure of those wicked ones and had been far more if they had more power whereunto the possession of Carlile were such an addition that it would make them double Tyrants and Brigants As the Common Enemy not onely by open War by Land but also by false undermining by his Agents and Instruments who partly are absolutely addicted to his wicked designe partly by interest of preferment and benefit although they care but little for his ends in the Field or in the Counsell in the City or in the Countrey do what they can with all care and forecasting to stop the publike Service by many and many wayes this is known too well to be so little regarded Even so by Sea he steereth the same course for not onely by open War he doeth oppose the publike Work now in hand in taking and destroying all that he can but likewise he useth indirect means by the help of his Instruments for the hinderance of the Service of the Common Cause now in hand Hence it is that the Parliaments Ships not so vigorously opposing the Enemy and not giving timely assistance to their Friends interessed in the Cause so many of the Enemy his Ships without resistance go up and down so freely and that there are so many Ships Barks c. both English and Scots taken by the Enemies Further the Coasts of Scotland are not so carefully garded and kept as they were promised to be by agreement which hath given and giveth still a great advantage to the Enemy and hath done a great hurt to the Friends who are employed in the Cause against the Enemy and in them to the Service of the Cause These things have given occasion of complaints to many men bemoaning their own condition and how that the good of the people and the Service of the Common Cause are no more and better looked to yea some in grief of heart after their great sufferings hardly taken notice of by those of whom they expect some redresse say that not onely there is a great neglect but in appearance there is some secret connivence by those who should follow this Service But to another businesse It is known to every one almost how that for many and many dayes and meetings there hath been a great deal ado in the Synod with some few factious and phantasticall head-strong ones men without love to the Peace of the Church of God for the Government of the Church by Parochiall Presbyteries subaltern to Classicall and Classicall subaltern to Synodicall which all being after so many debates with Patience Goodnesse and Charity towards those men demonstrated evidently to be according to the Word of God wherein it is grounded conform to the practice of the Church planted and governed by the Apostles and their successors for above two hundred yeers after Christ and conform likewise to the best Reformed Churches now adayes But at length the thing is concluded upon by the Synod and approved by the Houses of Parliament maugre all opposition made by the disturbers of the Peace of the Church in the Synod and of the sticklers for them anywhere else Yet those restlesse spirits will not be quiet for they give out that they will perform at last the thing they have been so much urged to and for so long a time to wit they will give unto the Publike the Modell of Government they would be at to which they will stand to But those who have a shrewd ghesse at those men and at their wayes assure us that as they will not tell what they absolutely and positively professe nor what they would be at they will never give a set Modell of Government unto the Publike whereunto they mind to stand For whatsoever they do in opposition of the Government above named they cannot agree among themselves unto any one thing for so many heads so many wayes dissonant one from another according to the nature of untruth and errour which is uncertain and not constant to it self Yea there be some who say That those men will not settle upon any thing at all except it be upon continuing in phrenaticall Fancies and those of the most exacter sort amongst them are named Seekers not of God or his Truth and of Peace but of themselves and of novelties at the best which ever hath and will be troublesome to the Peace of the Church Truely as those factious ones by rejecting all dependancy and subalternation of inferior Presbytereis to superior in Church-government have acquired unto themselves the Name of Independents so if you cast your eyes upon the courses of those mens seeking of preferment and benefit they may justly all be called Seekers For there was never a generation among men so nimble and so active about preferment and benefit as those men are The Jesuites are far short of them howsoever cryed up through the world for this for they run up and down with care and cunning to lay hold on power and moneys wherin they have come to good speed by their crafty insinuations
fitting in reason and conscience for the setling of Church and State as it hath been proposed unto him with a ripe deliberation after a serious debate and laying aside all evil Counsell where with he hath been so long misled come home to the Parliament the great Counsell of the Land This advice of the Scots as it is liked by the wiser and better sort of men who have mainly the publike Service before their eyes so by the hotter kinde of people who breath nothing but violence and extremity it is cryed out upon as prejudiciable unto the Common Cause and will give an advantage to the Enemies since the King is not to be reclaimed by fair means and will never yeeld to reason but upon meer necessity It is but too true I am assured and I must confesse there be but very small hopes of doing any good with the King or gaining any good upon him in that way for besides that nothing hath been gained by all the former Messages sent to him or by Treaties with him the violation of the Peace made twice with the Scots the many Plots both in Scotland and in England to undo all the bloody businesses in Ireland the last intercepted Letters wherein he expresseth his mind and the intelligence we have from all places abroad tells us sufficiently that he will continue still in this persecuting way of Church and State so long as he can hold out The reason of this his perseverance in those courses is clear to any rationall man and it is this There is a great designe now afoot in these Dominions which is to bring all to spirituall and temporall slavery and thraldom more then it was in the blindest times which will be kept up with all might and slight so long as is possible and the abused King who is the chief Agent in this businesse will be kept to it and not suffered to give over the work but go no so long as they who set him about it can furnish him with any encouragement by hopes counsell and intelligence moneys arms or by any other assistances whatsoever to keep life in the businesse Now if you will ask who be those who have set this great designe afoot and have engaged the King in it I will tell you Rome France and Spaine The Pope to have all under him at least as formerly The Spaniard and French first both in respect of the Holy Father as Christian and Catholike Sons then each of the two hath his own private interest besides The Spaniard by the means hopes for a number of good Friends here the work succeeding by reason of the common Catholicity and to have Ireland absolutely at his devotion to side with him upon such occasion as he shall require for it is every where remarked that the Popish of those Dominions have a double dose of Catholicon in their bellies and to be Spanish and as they are addicted to the tyranny of Rome over the inward man also they are affected to the tyranny of Spaine over the outward man so ingrate are they towards God and so unnaturall towards their own Countrey The French hath his particular interest in the work for since he could by no means get the King to side with him in opposing the Austrian and to help his neerest Allies and Confederates against his and their Enemies in spleen and revenge hath put many Irons in the fire to give work at home to undo himself and his people Next The French by the putting the King to work at home and by keeping him to it goe's on with his own work against the Austrian namely in Flanders wherein these Dominions have the most interest to look to by reason of the neernesse and the narrow Seas Then the French hath a further drift who when he hath any leasure from his Wars with the Austrian either by an accommodation or by an absolute Victory he may send hither a party to make the Hola with a vengeance little to the content of either Prince or people yea to seek by a strong hand that which the Norman offered to the then French King and he refused These are the shares and parts that Rome Spaine and France take in our troubles howsoever they give out otherwayes for prove of this to lay aside many things which might be here alleadged First for Rome I pray you put before your eyes the constant and neer commerce the corrupt Court and the wicked Clergie have had with Rome and have to this day with the Letters betwixt the King and the Pope and the sending Agents hence to Rome and from thence hither and a Nuntio into Ireland who is now so far as the neerer coasts of France in his way for Ireland Next for Spaine and its adherents in the Catholike Cause to say nothing of what is past in the kindling of the fire among us by severall underblowings I pray you to consider the Residents now of Castille Portugall of Venice Florence Lorraine c. what their carriage is how enclined to the Court and how adverse to the Parliament As for France The late Factotum of that Court did acknowledge it to be one of his Master-peeces to have kindled the fire in all those Dominions first in Scotland next in Ireland and last a little before his death in England whereabout he had above a dozen of Agents at one time acting their severall parts in this act here with us Those who have succeeded in his place carry on things his way very neer namely in what concerns us as may appear by the sending into Scotland to hinder the Scots joyning with the Parliament and by the continuall supplies which are sent from France to the Enemies in England Scotland and Ireland and the Residents of France their expressions in favour of the Enemies All this is done really albeit not avouched by publike Authority Notwithstanding that both Spanish and French give out they will keep fair with the States of both Kingdoms and indeed the commerce in some kinde is continued but they receive in their Sea-Towns Pyrates with the spoiles they take from both Nations who are now consederate in this Common Cause Then some others who at first although they had not perhaps put their hands to cast us in those troubles yet seeing us enclining thereunto have put them forward and have given help to our miseries Such are some of Holland who against the principles and grounds of their own State have by their late Ambassadour declared themselves to be enslaved to our corrupt Court for their own private interests and for that of him who namely set them awork When I spake of Holland Spaine France yea of Rome it self I do not mean the common people but of those who have chief hand in affaires and in Government for God knows the people of those Countreys are as innocent of any evil office done unto us now as our people were free from doing harm to the Protestants of France and Germany The