the Commonwealth of England and hath exercised actual Hostility by commissionating Pyrates to spoil the ships and goods belonging thereto to these not the least violence or injury should be offered either in body or goods or if any should happen that upon complaint made redress and satisfaction should immediately be had Wherefore they desire all persons to abide in their habitations assuring them to enjoy what they had without disturbance No sooner was this penned but copies thereof were sent into Scotland and the Country-people that kept Market at Berwick had their pockets stuffed with them to carry home and disperse among their neighbours What good effects this course produced we shall see hereafter when the Army enters their borders The Lord General having used this expedient to undeceive the Scots and to procure their good opinion of him and his Army considered that all would not be convinced thereby the Sword not the Pen must perswade many of them wherefore he leaves York and hastes to Northallerton and thence the next day to Darnton As he pass'd by this place the Train of Artillery which was quartered here saluted him with seven Pieces of Ordnance Coming next to Newcastle the Governour Sir Arthur Haslerig received him with noble entertainment Here the Lord General and the Officers of his Army in a solemn manner implored a blessing from heaven upon their present Expedition After which upon due consideration of the affairs of the Army he setled a way for their supply from time to time with provisions This business being dispatched and the general Rendezvous appointed the Lord General leaves Newcastle and posts for Berwick His Forces being all come up he caused a general Rendezvous of them to be on Haggerston-Moor four miles from Berwiek July 20. 1650 the whole Army was drawn into the Field which was no sooner done but the General himself came among them being received with shouting and other signes of joy Having well view'd them he caused both Horse and Foot to be drawn up in Battalia Which being done there appeared a gallant Body of Horse consisting of 5415 bestrid by as many stout and couragious Riders eight complete Regiments of Foot consisting with their Officers of 10249 with the Train of Artillery which consisted of 690 so that the Army in the whole consisted of 16354. A sight most lovely and very desirable to see such an Army of men gallantly accoutred and provided with all necessaries who for approved valour are not to be equal'd commanded by a General whom no example ancient or modern can parallel for Courage and Conduct in a word he was honored in his Army and they happie in their General Being thus in Battalia the General marcheth them about an hundred paces towards Berwick and so dismisseth them to their quarters on the brink of Tweed where we shall leave them for the present expecting their further advance HIS WARS IN SCOTLAND OCcasion might here be taken to admire at the long continued separation that hath been betwixt England and Scotland that notwithstanding they are cohabitants of the same Island yet they should continue distinct Kingdoms for so many Ages together For whereas divers Kingdoms having inferious Dominions in them soon subjected them to their own Rule as in Spain where many Kingdoms are concorporated into one and in our own Nation where the Saxon Heptarchy was long since reduced into a Monarchy yet England and Scotland could never be united under one Head till the Crown of England devolved upon King James Many attempts have been made by several English Kings to reduce Scotland to their obedience Edward the second a King whose greatest honour was to be the son of an Heroick father and father to an incomparable son unfortunately fought the Battel at Bannocks in Scotland where as Holinshed relates was lost Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester 40 Barons 700 Knights and Gentlemen and about 40000 others This defeat was great even the greatest that ever the English received at one time from that Nation But in hopes to wipe away this blur and to salve up this wound the King raised two great Armies for that purpose but with no better success for the first of his Armies was lost for want of courage to fight the last for want of food was forced to retire and in their retreat lost all their Ammunition But what else could be expected from a pusillanimous King who was observed in the former Battel to be the first that fled for it could not be expected that the Souldiers should stand they being bound to follow their leader To reckon up all the Rencoùnters that have happened betwixt the two Nations would be too tedious and stretch this discourse beyond its intended length Yet I shall wade a little in these plashes before I plunge into the Ocean of Cromwels Conquests Henry the seventh a wise and valiant Prince was much disturbed by those two Impostors Perkin Warbeck and Lambert Simnel Warbeck's quarrel was espoused by the Scots but to little purpose for a Peace was soon concluded betwixt the two Kings on condition that Warbeck should be sent packing and that James the fourth the Scots King should marry the Lady Margret King Henry's daughter Great debate was in the Council about this Match some were against it alleadging that in case the Kings issue should fail England would become subject to Scotland But to this the King wisely returned That the weaker must ever bow to the stronger and England being the stronger Scotland must submit This was but discourse for it could not be then imagined the King having two hopeful sons Arthur and Henry that the Lady Margret should be the Royal Stem from whence should spring those Noble branches which were to over-spread both Nations as it afterwards came to pass in King James But notwithstanding the Alliance made by the said Marriage in the days of King Henry the eighth while he was busied with his Wars in France the Scots invade England and were encountred by the Earl of Surrey at Flodden Field where the success remained doubtful a great while but at last the Victory fell to the English who that day slew the Scots King the Bishop of St. Andrews 12 Earls 14 Barons and 12000 Gentlemen and common Souldiers onely with the loss of 1500. at so easie a rate was this great Victory purchased By this and several other Blows King Henry got many of the Scotish Nobility into his custody And considering how their frequent incursions did impede and frustrate his designes abroad he thought it expedient to use a means to beget amity betwixt the Nations to which end he propounded a Match betwixt his son Edward and Mary the young Princess of Scotland This motion found so good acceptance at first that it was concluded upon and ratified by Act of Parliament with a special Instrument under the hands of the Scotish Nobility who by this means having gotten their liberty from restraint soon after quit themselves of their
His Highness Oliuer Lord Protector of the Common Wealth of England Scotland Ireland etc. The Perfect POLITICIAN Or A FULL VIEW Of the LIFE and ACTION Military and Civil OF O. CROMWEL Whereunto is added His CHARACTER AND A Compleat CATALOGUE of all the Honours conferr'd by him on several PERSONS Qui nescit Dissimulare nescit Regnare LONDON Printed by J. Cottrel for William Roybould at the Unicorn and Henry Fletcher at the three Gilt â—â—lips in St. Paul's Church yard 1660. To the PEOPLE of England My dear Country-men THe ensuing History properly belongeth to you in a double respect First Because it was your Blood and Treasure that raised the subject of this ' Discourse to Supremacie Then Secondly your Backs bore the Burthen of his Greatness therefore it 's fit that once again you look back and view with a full aspect this Gentleman General Politician and Protector To limn him to the Life in all these Colours is too much for one Pencil therefore I onely present you the Epitome of great Cromwels Actions from his home near Huntington tâ— his Tomb in Westminster The work is not unlike Homers Iliads in a nut-shel yet may it serve for a Memento of our ever-to-be-lamented unnatural divisions The main scope of this Discourse is a continued series of Tragical Scoenes with Comical Interludes lately acted in England Ireland and Scotland herein I indeavor to keep pace with Truth so near as possibly it may be traced My aim is Moderation as the surest way to hit Affection therefore have I chosen it before partiality or egregious Encomiums which do not become an Historian for Flattery is meer folly no better I am sure can it seem to the sight of a wise man who knows that Panegyricks must profit the maker or else the same Quill will again drop Gall in a Satyrical strain upon his reputation My Indeavors herein I doubt not will render some profit to the Reader though much pleasure cannot be expected when the Theme is nothing else but boxing about of Governments as men do Balls in a Tennis-Court Countrey-men Read over this small Manual and then consider how finely you have fought your selves into LIBERTY Vale. I. S. Reader Correct these few material erratas following which accidentally have escaped the Press and if any literal happen to cross thy way let thy pen rectifie the mistake Page line 73. 5. for hand read hands 269. 28. for 1654. read 1659. THE LIFE and DEATH OF His late Highness OLIVER Lord Protector of the Common-wealth of England Scotland Ireland His actions in the Wars of England IT is very well known that he was of an honourable Extraction and had suitable Education He was born at Huntingdon and bred up in the famous University of Cambridge where whilst he was a Student there wanted not some Presages of his future Greatness neither was he then so much addicted to Speculation as to Action as was observed by his Tutor After a good Proficiencie in the University he came to London where he betook himself to the study of the Law in Lincolns-Inne that nothing might be wanting to make him a complete Gentleman and a good Commonwealths-man His Country was not unsensible of his great Endowments for when the necessities of those times compelled the late King to call that Parliament in the year 1640 truly surnamed The long he was elected by them to serve as a Member therein And now God being displeased with England for the abuse of a long continued Peace and the blessings thereof and determining to punish the inhabitants thereof for the same he sent an evil spirit of Division betwixt the King and that Parliament They complaining of his evil Counsel and He of their Jealousies and Fears which Division being industriously fomented by Incendiaries soon brake forth into the flame of open Hostility both parties pretending one and the same Cause of Quarrel But to that which is chiefly intended No sooner had the Drum and Trumpet summoned the Nation to Arms but Cromwel was alarmed who tam Marte quam Mercurio neglecting the softness of a Sedentary betook himself to a Martial employment and immediately raised a Troop of Horse for the Parliament among his neighbours at his own charge The University of Cambridge being not far off him and the place of his Education he had a special regard thereto and knowing that Universities of all places might be most addicted to the Kings interest esteeming Parliaments and this especially the greatest depressers of Ecclesiastical Dignity in hope of which they are there nurtured to put the matter out of doubt he secured it for the Parliament and that in the nick of time when a large quantity of the University-Plate was about to be conveyed to the King then at Oxford And so industrious was he in the Cause he had now newly undertaken that hearing Sir Thomas Connesby high-Sheriff of Hertford-shire was at the Town of St. Albans on a Matket-day there to proclaim the Parliament and their General the Earl of Essex Traytors according to the Kings Proclamation to that purpose he unexpectedly rusheth into the Town takes the Sheriff and sends him up to the Parliament Being thus blest with a Troop he augments his Strength making it up a thousand Horse whose Riders being stout and valiant he took a course to preserve by Arming them cap-a-pe after the manner of the German Crabats whence in those days he was commonly stiled Iron-sides Being thus re-inforced he marcheth into the County of Suffolk and having intelligence that above fourty Commanders Knights and Gentlemen were at Lowerstoft contriving an Association of Norfolk and Suffolk for the King he with such secresie and celerity enters the Town that he surpriseth them all Having setled the affairs of the Associated Counties firmly for the Parliament he marcheth towards Newark and blocks up that Garison and finding a party of the Newarkers neer Grantham he sought them in which Encounter though he wanted of equality in number yet he so far out-went his enemy in courage and resolution that he put them to flight himself giving the first Onset About Newark he spent not much time but advanceth with the Earl of Manchester for the re-inforcement of the Siege of York which was then beleaguered by the Scotish General Lesley assisted by Sir Thomas Fairfax and a conjunction of other Forces in the North. Cromwel had not been long there but Prince Rupert approacheth with a great Army to raise the Siege Upon certain intelligence whereof the Generals draw off the Siege to fight him well knowing that if they won the day that City would follow as an Appendix to the Victory The Princes Scouts informing him that the Siege was raised he sent a party of Horse to face Lesly on Hessam-Moor and in the mean time enters York with two thousand Horse carrying with him all things needful for the relief of the Garison which having done he seemingly made toward Tadcaster but soon returned again into
against a most obstinately-desperate bloudy enemy people that had put themselves out of all hopes of favour or mercy by acting the most bloudy Tragedie that ever hath been seen or related in that their universal Massacre of the English yet recent in memory There remained now onely Limerick Waterford and some few inconsiderable Garisons to be reduced which being done they might finde leasure to hunt the wilde Irish who were fled for refuge among their Boggs This was left to the charge of Ireton whom the Lord Governour having constituted Lord Deputy he takes leave of Ireland and committing himself to the Sea arrived safely after a boisterous passage at Bristol where he was received with a thrice-repeated Volley of great Guns and other suitable demonstrations of joy Hence without tarrying he posts for London drawing neer Hounslow-Heath he is there met by the Lord General Fairfax accompanied by many Members of Parliament and Officers of the Army with multitudes that came out of curiosity to see him of whom Fame had made such a loud report Hence after mutual salutations congratulations and other testimonies of high respect he proceeds on and passing neer Hide-park-corner he is saluted with great Guns and several Volleys of small Shot by Colonel Barkstead's Regiment which was drawn up in the High-way for that purpose Continuing thus their march multitudes increasing to behold him the Lord Cromwel is conducted to the house called the Cock-pit neer St. James which had been appointed and prepared for him Here he was visited by the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London and by many other persons of quality all of them expressing their own and the Nations great obligations to him for his great Services in Ireland After some time of respite and refreshment he attended his charge in Parliament where the Speaker in an elegant Speech gave him the thanks of the House Which being ended the Lord Cromwel gave them an account of the present state of Ireland and of the condition of their Forces both in Field and Garison with what designes they were now upon what strength the Enemy had and what Garisons were then in their power The Parliament being thus assured of the hopeful condition of Ireland began now wisely to provide for the security of the peace of England which was now in danger of disturbance partly by open Hostility and partly by the under-hand dealing of some pretended friends Portugal protects Prince Rupert's Fleet notwithstanding the League France domineers at Sea making prize of all the English they could bring under their power About this time the Parliament sends Dr. Dorislaus as an Agent to the States of the United Provinces for the begetting and continuance of a right understanding and fair correspondence betwixt the two Republicks where not long after his arrival he was basely slain by six Assassinates who rushed into his lodgings at the Hague in disguise and escaped unpunished although the States pretended they had used their utmost endeavour to take them In Russia the English Merchants were much affronted by that Duke by reason of his adherence to the House of Stuarts Virginia and the Caribes Islands revolted from their obedience to the Parliament being very hot for Monarchy and the Liturgie Nearer home Scilly Jersey and the Isle of Man stand out and miserably infest the Seas with their Piracie But above all the Scots were the most formidable who seemed to set their wits on the tenters that so they might embroyl England in new troubles and thereby have opportunity to work their ends upon it To this end a Treaty is commenced betwixt them and their King at Breda a famous Town in the Netherlands belonging to the Prince of Orange Here they propose 1. That his Majestie recal and disclaim all Commissions and Declarations granted by him to the prejudice of the Covenant 2. That he acknowledge their present Parliament and the two last Sessions thereof and allow of the Acts made therein 3. They remonstrate the Motives contained in the eleventh Instruction meaning Vxbridge-Treaty 4. That as soon as he comes into Scotland and before his admission to the exercise of Royal power he shall swear subscribe and seal the National Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant Their King having assented and promised in verbo Principis to perform these things the Commissioners had order to let him see the Coronation-Oath he was to take which he approving they were to invite him into Scotland assuring him that he should be entertained there with all due respect To all which things the King at last condescended partly by the perswasion of the Prince of Orange at whose cost and charges the Treaty was both begun and continued and partly upon hopes that by this means he might gain the easier footing in England The Scots being now impatient of the enjoyment of their King presence he in order to their satisfaction herein hastes from Breda towards the Hague and from thence to Scheveling where he took shipping and not long after landed notwithstanding several snares laid for him at the Spey in the North of Scotland The Parliament in England were not ignorant of these things they having faithful Scouts abroad in the world who failed not to give them timely notice of the machinations of their enemies in all quarters And taking the matter into consideration in the House a great debate there was VVhether the war for that there must be a war betwixt us and our dear Brethren was taken for granted should be Offensive or Defensive As to the later the Defensive part they were very sensible of the havock the Scots had formerly made in the North of England when they came in as friends so that should they be suffered to come in as enemies nothing could be expected to follow but ruine and desolation wheresoever they came Hamilton's Invasion likewise stuck in their stomacks and the devastations that accompanied it Besides it was considered that to let them give the first blow had been to make our own Country the seat of war and thereby an opportunity would be given to discontented spirits here which then were not a few to joyn with the enemy Upon these and other weighty considerations the Parliament resolves upon an Offensive war and to alarm them in their own Quarters This Resolution was thought most advantageous in many respects as 1. Scotland the Enemies Country must needs be much impoverished by being burdened with two Armies when it could not well maintain one and England would be quit of much fear and calamity incident to quartering of Armies Besides in all encounters it is good policie to keep an adversary at the arms end 2. By invading Scotland the Souldiery would be much encouraged in respect of the benefit might accrue to them by the spoils of their enemies Hereby also the Territories of this Commonwealth were likely to be enlarged 3. The Scots Levies were not yet finished nor their Army completed so that a sudden march might nip them
in the bud and prevent their further increase 4. It was necessary to have a special regard to and warchful eye upon Scotland because by reason of its contiguity no Enemy could be so obnoxious to England as it and how ready they have been to lay hold on all opportunities to disturb the peace of England frequent examples testifie both of former and later times And unless that back-door were pin'd up as great mischiefs were like to be let in thereby now as ever In order therefore to their former Resolutions the Parliament provide for a war they order the Army to march Northwards to sit upon the skirts of the Scots But Sir Tho. Fairfax their General at that time being it seems not satisfied in the thing as many others likewise were not desired to be excused and laid down his Commission VVhich action of his bred consternation in most and several descants were given thereupon the Plebeian rout whose tribunal nothing of moment can pass judged the reason to be that he durst not venture to abide the gust of those Northern blasts But wise men know how much vulgar bruits are to be heeded and that notwithstanding what was said then or can be said now the trumpet of his fame shall not be put to silence nor shall Time it self be able to wipe his name into oblivion The Parliament being thus disappointed are to seek for a General to command their Army but for that they need not go far since they had then amongst them the most renowned Cromwel of whose prowess and faithfulness they had had manifold experience and who upon their request did accept of the Charge upon which they give him a Commission thereby impowering him to command all the Forces raised and to be raised in the Commonwealth of England annulling all Commissions formerly granted to the Lord Fairfax Cromwel being thus invested with power presently addresses to the vvork and in order thereunto he took his journey towards the Army in the North June 28. 1650. As he passed great demonstrations of respect were given him by the generality of the people July 4. he arrived at York attended by many great Officers of the Army No sooner vvas he entred that City but the Lord Maior Aldermen and Sheriffs gave him an invitation to a stately Dinner expressing how much they joyed in the presence of so renowned an Hero But he remembring that it was Fighting and not Feasting that he came about tarried there no longer then to order supplies for the Army and expedite their Rendezvous By this time the Committee of Estates in Scotland was alarmed insomuch that they were frighted into an Expostulation with the Parliament thinking thereby to protract time till their Levies were perfected to that end they sent a Letter to the Speaker by Col. Grey to this effect That they wondered at the report of the English Armies advance towards their Nation and that many of their Ships were seized and secured by the English contrary to the Act of Pacification in the large Treaty which provided that no acts of Hostility should be used against each other without three months warning beforehand and that those Forces which they were raising were onely for their own defence and therefore they desired to know if the Forces of England now on their march Northward were intended for Offence or Defence to guard their own borders or invade Scotland Papers of like import were also sent to the Governour of Newcastle Major Gen. Lambert and the Lord General Cromwel The Parliament answered them by a Declaration shewing the Grounds and Reasons of their Armies advance vvith the equity and necessity thereof Their Grounds and Reasons vvere these 1. For that the Scots endeavoured to seduce the people of the Commonwealth of England from their affection and duty to the Parliament and to promote the Interest of the late King under pretence of the Covenant 2. In that they took Berwick and Carlisle and put Garisons into them in the year 1648. contrary to the large Treaty in 1640. and this done by the Parliament of Scotland even whilst English Commissioners were at Edinburgh offering to endeavour the composing of all differences betwixt the Nations by a Treaty which they refused But forasmuch as every quarrel that is lawful is not necessary for in some cases injuries are to be passed by or at least to be composed by Treaty therefore they proceed to declare the Necessity also of their present Expedition which they thus grounded All reparations of the damages done by the Scots in their late Invasion have been denied to be given in a fair way by their Parliament vvhereby they have owned the vvrongs done thereby That they have a designe again to invade us which appears thus 1. In that upon the English their demanding a Treaty for satisfaction of the injuries done in their late Invasion they in express terms declared themselves enemies to this Commonwealth 2. In that although they could not claim to themselves any Authority or Dominion over us yet in Scotland they proclaimed Charles Stuart to be King of England and Ireland and since that promised to assist him against this Commonwealth 3. In that vvhen upon preparation in Scotland for Hamiltons Invasion of England the Parliament of England sent Commissioners to treat of an Accommodation to prevent effusion of bloud they declined the Treaty and in stead thereof an Army speedily marcheth into England 4. In that they declared against the English Parliament and Army as Sectaries ranking them vvith Malignants and Papists These provocations being intolerable and no satisfaction being to be had but vvhat the Sword must procure the Parliament resolve upon that course vvhereby seeing no other expedient could effect it to vindicate the Nations honour and to secure it against the like insolencies for the time to come This Declaration was quickly seconded by another from the Lord General and his Army which they directed to the well-affected in Scotland and was to this effect That they being to advance into Scotland for the ends expressed in the Parliaments Declaration of June 26. they considering the practices of some in that Kingdom whose designes are by unjust reproaches and false slanders to make the Army odious and render them to be rather monsters then men Therefore to clear themselves they could do no otherwise then re-minde them of their behaviour when they were before in Scotland what injury or wrong was then done either to the persons houses or goods of any considering this it was hoped that such their former demeanour would not be forgotten nor the present reports affright the people from their habitations To satisfie them further the Lord General and the Army declared from the integrity of their hearts That such of the Gentry and Commonalty as inhabit where the Army may come they being none of those who by their counsels laid the foundation of a second Invasion or closed with him who hath endeavoured to engage forraign Princes against
Hands by this Resignation made use of them to his best advantage First of all he called a Council of Officers and joyning with them certain other persons to advise it was by them not without abundant seeking of God and speaking from several places of Scripture which lay much upon the spirits of many in this Assembly resolved to have a Commonwealth in a Single Person which person should be the Lord General Cromwel under the Title and Dignity of Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions and Territories thereunto belonging To him was assigned a Council consisting of One and twenty to be assistants in the Government But because there can be no Superstructure without a Basis an Instrument was framed to be the Foundation of this present Government which chiefly was made up of these following Heads 1. The Protector should call a Parliament every three years 2. That the first should assemble on the third of September 1654. 3. That he should not dissolve the Parliament till it had sate five moneths 4. That such Bills as they offered to him he not passing them in twenty days should pass without him 5. That he should have a select Council not exceeding one and twenty nor under thirteen 6. That immediately after his death the Council should chuse another Protector before they rose 7. That no Protector after him should be General of the Army 8. That the Protector should have power to make Peace or War 9. That in the Intervals of Parliament he and his Council might make Laws that should be binding to the Subject c. But now to make these things binding to the Conscience of this Grand Magistrate December 16. 1653. he in great state went from White-hall to Westminster where in the Chancery Court before the Judges Maior and Aldermen of London with the chiefest Officers of the Nation he did solemnly swear To accept of the Government and promised in the presence of God not to violate or infringe the matters and things contained in the Instrument but to observe and cause the same to be observed and in all things to the best of his understanding govern the Nations according to the Laws Statutes and Customs seek their peace causing Justice and Law to be equally administred This Oath being publickly known the Ceremony concluded with great Acclamations of certain Souldiers Presently after this following Proclamation by the Council was published through England Scotland and Ireland WHereas the late Parliament dissolved themselves and resigning their Powers and Authorities the Government of the Common-wealth of England Scotland and Ireland by a Lord Protector and successive triennial Parliaments is now established And whereas Oliver Cromwel Captain-General of all the Forces of this Commonwealth is declared Lord Protector of the said Nations and hath accepted thereof We have therefore thought it necessary as we hereby do to make Publication of the Premises and strictly to charge and command all and every Person and Persons of what quality and condition soever in any of the said three Nations to take notice hereof and to conform and submit themselves to the Government so established And all Sheriffs Maiors Bailiffs c. are required to publish this Proclamation to the end none may have cause to pretend ignorance in this behalf Nothing could satisfie Caesars Ambition but a perpetual Dictatorship nor Alexander's but to have more worlds to conquer and why then should our Cromwel having the same aspiration and inspiration above them be satisfied with less then a perpetual Protectorship Ambition is of such a Nature that to be first in a Village pleases better then the second place in a City but to satisfie an ambitious Appetite sufficiently with honour is impossible unless he can clime so high that none dares ask how he came to that height To this Elevation is the Subject of our Discourse come that his thoughts can rise no higher then how to keep in Peace what he hath got by Policy The City of London as there can be no great change without its Concurrence presently invites the Protector to a great Feast at Grocers-Hall where his Entertainment was more suitable to the former Splendor then present Exigence of that once-flourishing City Immediately after some Paper-kites flew out of the Country to Court from particular persons making Demonstration of Congratulation and real Obedience These bore in the Front the Title of Addresses from all the good people in the Nation when it was well known that those whose Blood had purchas'd them Liberty from under one Person would never subscribe themselves Slaves to another The Protector began his Reign with seeming Serenity insomuch that many expected Halcyon days such Sanctity appeared in the Countenance of this Governour his Tongue on all occasions was tipt with Lamentations at the Effusion of Christian Blood and customarily would bemoan the Animosities amongst the people caused by diversity in Religion Yet for all that when any Overtures were made to him tending to a Settlement and Conformity in Religion then his power was no greater in the Nation then a Constable's who is to keep peace and quietness amongst all parties Thus he behaved himself towards the Ecclesiasticks But now we come to his first grand Action of State the Negotiation of the Dutch Peace This War had been gallantly maintained by the long Parliament who in many Fights filled our Harbours with Prizes which weakened much the united Provinces but every bout augmented the Valour and Resolution of the English Sea-men so that in a little while the dread of this Adversary was turned into contempt I will not yet in the least derogate from the worth of this brave Enemy for in all Encounters their endeavours were good might have been better if Sobriety among the Sea-men had been well observed but 't is sad fighting when the Can charged with Brandy must be a Gun to conquer an Enemy these weapons usually conquered themselves and made way to their own destruction But now to shew in part the Dutch Ingratitude it will not be much amiss to remember what England hath done for them Time was when the High and Mighty States of Holland not able to help themselves implored as poor and distressed Queen Elizabeths assistance she readily condescending sent them over a well-furnished Army commanded by the Earl of Leicester These were but the forlorn to greater Bodies which after were transsported under the Conduct of those brave Commanders Norris Vere Sidney and many more whose blood laid the Foundation of that Commonwealth These were the Men that cut the Spanish Yoak from off their Necks and never offered to sheath their Swords until the Dutch were fully possest of their Liberties But O Ingratitude this was no sooner done but the Deed forgotten For in King James his time many Depredations were secretly committed on the English by them It may suffiice if we mention no more but onely the business of Amboyna which sufficiently witnesseth how far their Will
the Members immediately repaired to the Parliament-house and chose William Lenthal Master of the Rolls to be their Speaker then they resolved to tune the Instrument of Government The first debate was Whether the Legislative Power should be in a single Person and a Parliament This Ball was bandied about for some time The Protectoreans with might and main endeavoured to have the Question resolved to be no question but rather to be passed immediately in the Affirmative This was strenuously opposed by the major part of the House amongst the rest a noble Gentleman stood up and made an excellent Speech wherein he shewed the Snares that then were laid to entrap the Peoples Priviledges for his own part he declared that God had made him Instrumental in cutting down Tyranny in one person and now he could not endure to see the Nations Liberties ready to be shakled by another whose right to the Government could be measured out no otherways then by the length of his Sword 't was this imboldned him to command his Commanders To the same effect many more Speeches were made in direct opposition to a single Person Thus the Parliament for eight days together run divisions upon the Protectors Instrument till it jarred so much that it was impossible to play one pleasant Tune for the Court to dance after This highly offended his Highness and made him resolve to put the Parliament into a better mode if possible to which end away he goes by water to the painted Chamber and there sent for all the Members of Parliament then sitting to appear presently before him there he declared That his sorrow was very great to find them falling into heats and divisions he would have them take notice of this that the same Government that made them a Parliament made him a Protector and as they were intrusted with some things so he with other things In the Government there was Fundamentals that could not be altered as 1. That the Government should be in one Person and a Parliament 2. That Parliaments should not be made perpetual nor always sitting 3. The Militia was not to be trusted in any one hand or power but so that the Parliament ought to have a check upon the Protector and the Protector upon the Parliament 4. That in matters of Religion there ought to be Liberty of Conscience and means used to prevent Persecution For the rest of the things in the Government they were examinable and alterable as the State of Affairs did require For his own part he told them his heart was even overwhelmed with grief to see that any of them should go about to overthrow what was settled contrary to their trust received from the people which could not but bring on very great inconveniences In this manner he perswaded them to Conformity in his designes but fearing words might be little regarded he therefore prepared a Laxative Composition wrapt up in a Recognition which was to be taken as followeth I do hereby promise and engage to be true and faithful to the Lord Protector and the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and shall not according to the tenour of the Indenture whereby I am returned to serve in Parliament propose or give my consent to alter the Government as it is setled in one Person and a Parliament This dose purged some Members out of the House and others again swallowed it without any reluctancie so that for all this the Parliament though they looked somewhat thin continued sitting five Moneths after in which time they did much in doing nothing The Protector seeing how opposite they were to his hopes could not brook these their dilatory proceedings and seeing they would not settle him he resolves to unhouse them and accordingly takes the first opportunity his Instrument would give him not slipping one day and dissolved them Upon the very nick of this Catastrophe the Court was Alarm'd with news of a great rising in Shropshire Montgomeryshire Wiltshire Nottinghamshire Northumberland and Yorkshire it is needless to tell the rise and growth of these male-contents their folly and fall may sufficiently manifest there were secret invisible springs that turned the maine wheels of this Design However the Protector continued still Victorious and triumphed over his Enemies Long had the World stood in amazement at the Protectors mighty preparations wondering what the intent should be or event would prove The Design was too deep to be easily fathomed being managed with such secresie that the chief Commanders both by Land and Sea who were to put it in practice knew not at first what they went about onely this they were assured of that it was for the honour of God the good of their Countrey and would be to themselves a profitable glory Time with great industry and vast sums of money having at last produced two mighty Fleets one of them was commanded by General Blake who being fitted onely for the Sea sailed away to the Straights about two Months after the other Fleet put out to Sea commanded by General Pen who took aboard him a Land-Army under Conduct of General Venables These Land-Forces being in all three thousand were divided into five Regiments under their respective Commanders and distributed through the Navie consisting of about thirty Sail of good Ships but provided with necessaries neither sutable nor sufficient for so long a Voyage Decemb. the 19th 1654. this Eleet set sail from Portsmouth for the Barbadoes the appointed place of Randezvous it pleased God to give them a speedy passage insomuch that the 29 of January they were all at Anchor in Carlisle Bay and presently landed their men upon the Island The King of Spain all this while not being assured that these Forces were designed against him yet by many circumstances believing no less he sent a speedy Mandate to the Marquess de Leda Governour of Dunkirk to pass into England in the quality of an extraordinary Ambassador that so he might know the certainty thereof This gallant Commander for so indeed he was presently after arived at London accordingly but after some stay finding little satisfaction in his Audiences he returned back again to give an account to his Master But to return during the abode of the Fleet at the Barbadoes the Generals Colonels and inferiour Officers were not negligent in their several stations General Pen caused the Carpenters of each Ship to set up those Shallops which were brought over in Quarters out of England And ordered the Coopers to trim and fit water-Casks Besides he sent two Frigats to S. Christophers and Mevis for raising of Voluntiers there In the mean time General Venables formed a new Regiment of Sea-men to serve upon occasion at Land these were put under the Conduct of Vice-Admiral Goodson the rest of the Regiments brought out of England were easily compleated to a full number Likewise a Troop of gallant Horse were raised by the Islanders at their own cost and charges the Carcases of which were afterwards buryed in
by six Horses in black Velvet The Streets from Somerset-House to Westminster-Abby were guarded by Souldiers in new Red Coats and black Buttons with their Ensigns wrapt in Cypres which made a Lane to keep off Spectators from crouding the Actors For the Procession In the first place went a Marshal attended by his deputy and thirteen more on horseback to clear the way after him followed the poor men of Westminster by two and two in Mourning Gowns and Hoods next to them the servants of those Persons of quality that attended the Funeral These were followed by the Protectors late domestick servants with his Barge-men and Water-men Then came the servants of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London Following them were Gentlemen Attendants on Forraign Ambassadors and publike Ministers After marched the poor Knights of Windsor in Gowns and Hoods then the Clerks Secretaries and Officers of the Army Admiralty Treasury Navie and Exchequer next the Commissioners of the Excise of the Army and Committee of the Navie Then the Commissioners for approbation of Preachers behinde these followed all the Officers Messengers and Clerks belonging to the Privie-Council and both Houses of Parliament Next in order followed The Protectors Physitians The Head-Officers of the Army The Officers and Aldermen of London The Masters of Chancery and his Highness Council at Law The Judges of Admiralty Judges in Wales and Master of Requests The Barons of the Exchequer Judges of both Benches and Lord Mayor of London The Persons Allied in Blood to the Protector and the Members of the other House The publike Ministers of Forraign Princes The Holland Ambassador alone having his Train held up by four Gentlemen Then the Portugal Ambassador and the French Ambassador in like manner The Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal The Commissioners of the Treasury The Lords of his Highness Privie-Council All the Grandees were in close Mourning the rest but in ordinary The whole Assembly passing along in divisions were distinguished by Drums Trumpets Banners and Horses whereof there were eleven in all four being coverd with black Cloath and seven in Velvet These passing in comely order at length came the Chariot with the Effigies on each side of which were six Banner Rols twelve in all born by several Persons And likewise several Pieces of the Protectors Armor carried by eight Officers of the Army attended by the Heralds Next went Garter Principal King of Armes attended by a Gentleman on each hand bare-headed Now came the chief Mourner And to conclude all came the Horse of Honour in very rich Trappings imbroydered on Crimson-Velvet and adorned with white red and yellow Plumes of Feathers being led by the Master of the Horse The Rear of this brave Shew was brought up by the Protectors Guard of Halberdiers the Warders of the Tower and a Troop of Horse The Essigies in this manner being brought to the West-Gate of the Abby-Church of Westminster it was taken from the Chariot by ten Gentlemen who carried it to the East-end of the Church and there placed the Picture in a most Magnificent Structure built in the same Form as one before had been on the like occasion for King James but much more Stately Thus much for the History of O. Cromwel Now follows His Character WE finde him in the beginning of England's Distractions a most active Instrument to carry on the Cause for King and Parliament this pretence holding water and proving prosperous he then became the main stickler for Liberty of Conscience without any limitation This toleration became his master-piece in Politicks for it procured him a party that stuck close in all Cases of necessity These Libertines in general being divided into several particular Fractions as Independents Anabaptists Socinians Millenaries Antisabbatarians Ranters Quakers Seekers and God knows how many more did all of them serve as steps to mount our Protector to the highest pitch of Preferment After he had made use of all that could augment his Interest then Humility condescended to look thorow his fingers at a Crown but still waving the ayrie Title of King he rather chose to accept the substantial Power of Protector The Primum mobile of his desires herein being somewhat satisfied then Parliaments were rallied and by him as familiarly routed wherein he shewed himself to be in Policie as far above the Peoples Capacities as Saul in Stature was above the Israelites In his governing of England Scotland and Ireland it is obvious to all he studied Men more then Books so that his turn was served in all Offices parts advanced few but he that would never question Commands but act freely his Interests was sufficiently qualified for preferment Yet this he would do when Embassadours were to be made or Forces sent into Forraign parts then sutable spirits fitting the Imployments were always cal'd out to serve as the Lord Lockhart for France and Reynolds for Flanders the first going in quality of Embassadour the other as General In the choyce of his Privie Council much cunning might be seen yet he never relyed so much on their Counsels as to have it said England was governed by a Council and Protector for he made the world know it was by Protector and Council In his rise he never cut down one step before another was built to support him this was seen in his levelling the Long Parliament and present spring of the next Little One then they being dissolved in comes an Instrument for his own Government In all these changes he took time by the foretop not suffering such an Interregnum as might encourage the Peoples minds to work him any mischief His Speeches were for the most part ambiguous especially in publike meetings wherein he rather left others to pick out the meaning then did it himself But when Offenders came under his own examination then would he speak plain English and declare his power unto them in a ranting stile Secrecie in carrying on Designs is the principal part of a Prince at this he was excellent both in Military and Civil Affairs insomuch that few actions ever miscarried under his hands except that grand one of Sancta Domingo They that go about to diminish his Valour do little less then rob him of his right for in the Camp his Armor deprest fear and made him stand in defiance of all Guns under the Demie-Cannon but at Court his courage was somewhat quailed with a new light sprung up called Killing no Murther The Pride and Ambition which some say he was guilty of may be easily excused as an original sin inherent in nature and we all know That which is born in the bone will never out of the flesh To conclude he carryed his Design clear and hit the mark he aim'd at notwithstanding the Parliament Triplo-Heath and Dunbars Ingagements which shews that Policy and Piety may both lie in a bed and yet not touch one another But now we mention Pietie His Religion must not pass my Pen in this he was zealous not
Guns and small shot gave them many vollies for a farewel Thus was he welcomed by the Scots hereafter we shall see how he will welcome himself for this is not the last time which he means to visit them his next errand I fear will be less to their content Cromwel having now finished what he came about prepares to depart October the 16 1648. he leaves Edinburgh being conducted some miles on his way by Arguile and some other of the Scotch Nobility at whose parting great demonstrations of affection past betwixt them Cromwel now bends his course directly to Carlisle from thence marches Southerly to compel Col. John Morrice and those bold fellows to yeeld that held out Pontefract Castle This place though not very great was very considerable as to the strength of it but 't was not the Fortification nor Wall of Stones but the Wall of Bones as it were that made it so famous at this time all the Kingdom over The Garison consisted of about 400 Foot and 130 Horse bold desperate Fellows as may be perceived by some of their Actions One day there issued out of the Castle a party of Horse who fetcht in Sir Arthur Ingram and made him pay 1500 l. for his Ransom before he could get from them Again afterwards Captain Clayton and most of his Troop was seized upon by them and made prisoners 200 head of Cattle with many Horses they fetch'd into the Castle whilst Sir Henry Cholmley lay before it with his Forces to keep them in But the boldest trick of all was this One morning before day there sallied out 40 Horse who post away to Doncaster where Col. Rainsborough then quartered who had a Commission to command in chief before the Castle when they were come near the Town three of the party left their Fellows without and confidently marching in enquired for Col. Rainsborough's quarters which when they had notice of they entered pretending to deliver a Letter to him from Lieutenant-General Cromwel The Col. little dreaming that these were the Messengers of death confidently opens his Chamber door to receive the Letter but instead thereof he received that fatal wound into his heart that sent him to his grave And although his Forces were about him and kept guard in the Town yet these confident Fellows got back into the Castle in the middle of the day To curb these insolencies Cromwel immediately after he had setled the Northern Counties in peace and quietness comes to the Leaguer and having ordered the several Posts for a close Siege so that now they could not range abroad he left a strong party before it commanded by Lambert who was come thither out of Scotland Himself marches up to London and takes his place in the Parliament who were sufficiently sensible of the large testimony he had given in Scotland of his prudence in governing his Army whilst they were in that Kingdom and with what civility both Officers and Souldiers behaved themselves together with their care to avoid all causes of offence both in their Quarters and March They thereupon order the hearty thanks of the House of to be given to this worthy Captain which was accordingly done by the Speaker whilst he sate among them he receiving it with great humility after his manner not taking to himself the least of all those great things that were wrought by him but attributing them wholly to GOD who is the Giver of Victories Now the smooth countenance of Peace having once againe appeared over most part of the Nation the Parliament takes into consideration the punishment of the chief abettors and promoters of the late War and looking upon the King as a chief Instrument they resolve to bring him to a speedy Tryal in order whereunto a Charge was drawn up against him consisting of many Heads chiefly That he was the Promoter of the Rebellion in Ireland The Contriver of the Wars in England and what blood soever had been spilt in the Nation in the time of the Wars was put to his Charge as an Actor in and at many ingagements with many other Enormities and Crimes which they said he was guilty of To cary on this work thus begun a high Court of Justice was erected consisting of some Lords many Members of the House of Commons and Officers of the Army over whom was set Serjeant Bradshaw as President of the Court. All things being thus prepared the King was conducted to St. James's from Windsor by a party of Horse and afterward removed to Sir Robert Cottons House in order to his Tryal which lasted three days in fine he was condemned and presently after executed before his Palace of White-hall on Tuesday January the 30 1648. Thus fell King Charles a man indued with singular Vertues temperate he was above all his Predecessors both as to Wine and Women taking no more of the first then might well suffice and cherish Nature and for the last constant to one insomuch that none of all the preceding Kings that arrived to his years except his Royal Father could be compared to him He was a good Theologician not onely in the Theorick but Practis'd what he knew None ever undertook him in dispute but much admired his Parts even those Ministers which the Parliament sent to him in Isle of Wight besides many others the Earl of Worcester and Mr. Hendersen were both silenced with his Arguments He was endued with much Patience Prosperity and Adversity being both one to him working little else in him but onely to shew that he had an absolute command over his Passions and Affections His Actions in the last scene of his Life made many pity him who before had undervaluing thoughts of his Abilities looking upon him as too weak to bear the burden of three Kingdoms on his Shoulders In a word he wanted nothing but less confidence in those about him and more courage and resolution in himself to be a happy King This Tragedy being over the Parliament immediately changed the Government into a Commonwealth voting a King and House of Lords to be unnecessary and chargeable that the Supream Authority should reside in the House of Commons alone without King or Lords and to that effect imposed an Engagement to be taken by all persons before they should receive any benefit by the Law or enjoy any place of publick trust or profit which they could hinder them of This Pill many swallowed but did not like the taste had it not been wrapt about in gold their profit few would have put it to their Mouths The Stomacks of the Clergy most of all nauseated it being point-blank against the Covenant which they had taken not long before and endeavoured still to maintain Affairs of State standing thus the Parliament finde the Nation full of Souldiers that were lately disbanded some by force in the field as the Kings and others the Parliaments formerly in their service but now disbanded for supernumeraries these for the most part were men of Fortune who
by reason of their long continuance from their Callings could not possibly set themselves to work and therefore must use their Swords to the best advantage either upon some new employment or exercise arms on the High-way Our new State being very sensible of this as they were not onely vigilant to see but careful in preventing all inconveniences that might happen found out a way to divert these ill Humours that lay lurking in the Body of the Nation by sending them to Ireland where they might do GOD and their Country good service in subduing the Rebels that now were grown so powerful that no place but London-derry and Dublin it self were able to withstand them nor they neither without speedy succours from England This Rebellion the most barbarous and bloody of any that ever broke out in any part of the world acted by Devils in humane shape rather then by men murthering no less then 200000 Protestants in two Months time without any regard either to Age or Sex was put in practise on the 23 day of October 1641. which though it had been contrived with such privacie and acted with such violence yet Divine Providence did wonderfully preserve Dublin to be a Refuge for such as escaped thither from other places to avoid the fury of their bloody Persecutors Now Ireland lying in this sad condition weltring in blood and overwhelmed in the greatest Misery that Fire and Sword could inflict many of the poor Protestants get into England hoping there to finde shelter from the persecuting Enemy but this proved little comfort to those distressed Souls for here they finde to the great Augmentation of their Grief that England prepares on all sides to act the same upon one another vvhich had been done against them in Ireland But although the difference between the King and Parliament grew vvider every day then other they endeavouring rather to get advantages then compose differences yet 't was so agreed that some Regiments should be sent over into Ireland to stop the proceedings of the Rebels vvhich in effect vvas but as a Bucket of vvater cast on a flaming House that could do little to the quenching of it After some time the King in England finding his strength every day more and more decrease and the Parliament to get ground of him in most places did not onely send for those Forces out of Ireland again but many of the Rebels themselves came to his assistance so that Ireland by this vvas in a vvorse condition then ever forsaken of all and left to be vvorried by those Blood-thirsty Wolves vvorse by a thousand degrees then the ravenous brood vvhich their Country produceth yet vvhen their condition was at the worst it pleased GOD vvho never fails his People in distress but makes their necessity his opportunity to stir up the Parliament in England vvith Bowels of compassion to look on the distresses of their Brethren Long had they fasted and prayed for them but did not add to it their helping hand one vvithout the other can never do much good but joyned together a small Force is sufficient to accomplish great Designes A desperate disease requires a desperate Cure The State-Physitians of England having now quite purged out Monarchy vvith all its Appendants and verified the words of Bishop Laud No Bishop no King the first with the Ceremonies of the Church being fallen quickly after came the other down also they resolve to send the same sharp medicine to cure the Bleeding VVounds of Ireland which they thought had cured England and to that end they send over an Army under the Command of Valiant Cromwel vvhose Actions there vve now come to HIS WARS IN IRELAND A General ought to have these four Properties to make him Victorious 1. A good Cause 2. Strict Discipline 3. Valour and Resolution 4. Lastly Celerity For the first none but the Papists will deny it for the rest no man in the world could shew more Valour and Resolution nor Prudence to govern it then General Cromwel A strict Discipline he ever observed which is the Life of an Army sparing none that transgrest against the Articles of War which were instituted for their better conduct His Souldiers carriage and behaviour through their Generals care won more then his Sword A Designe being once resolved upon usually himself was the Messenger to bring the Enemy tidings thereof and then he would hardly give them leave to Arm before he assaulted them either by Storm or Battel This made the old Emperour of Germany say to some of his Courtiers upon his hearing of News from England That he thought Cromwel by transmigration was possest with the Spirit of Gustavus his old Enemy so neer did their actings in the Wars agree Ireland to speak of its condition a little before he undertook his expedition thither was in a manner wholly reduced by Ormond formerly made Lord-Deputy by the Queen who having joyned his Forces to the Rebels and Inchequeen himself being now fallen off from that cause which before he stoutly defended no visible Force remained in the Field to oppose the Enemy who had the Kingdom wholly at their devotion except London-derry which was governed by Sir Charles Coot and Dublin the chief City wherein was Col. Michael Jones with no great Force and that which made it less was the suspition he had of his own Souldiers fidelity who many times deserted their Colours The Enemy with a numerous Army lay under the VValls of it with many menacing Summons requiring of them a speedy rendition yet through the vigilancy of the Governour Valiant Jones it held out to the confusion of the Besiegers But his present danger made him reiterate his Calls to the Parliament in England for speedy Aid of Men and Provisions alleadging that else all would be lost and they being sensible of his condition expedite their Assistance appointing Com. Gen. Ireton Col. Scroop Col. Horton Major Gen. Lambert with their four Regiments of Horse Col. Ewers Col. Cook Col. Huson and Col. Dean with theirs of Foot and five Troops of Dragoons all old Souldiers of the English Army whose Valour had often been tried in many sharp Encounters and found not to fear the countenance of the fiercest Enemy Besides these other Regiments were raised by beat of Drum to make up the number sufficient to carry on the VVork effectually The Souldiers being in readiness and nothing wanting but a General the Parliament having had experience of Cromwels great worth and valour knowing no man more fitting for the Employment desired him to accept of it who received it with a great deal of chearfulness expressing how ready he was to serve in this Employment above any in the world not doubting but GOD would make of him an Instrument to execute Vengeance upon the Rebellious Irish This answer was so highly resented by the Parliament that immediately they constitute him General of all their Forces in that Kingdom and Lord Governour both as to Civil and Military Affairs in
with him a strong Garison and to make all sure Ormond Castlehaven and the Lord of Ards in their own Persons caused 1500 men more to be boated over to reinforce it Of this the Army were Spectators but could do nothing to impede their Entrance The Lord Governour no sooner approached it but he sent the Governour a Summons to this effect That since his coming into Ireland he ever avoided the effusion of blood having been before no place where he did not first send them such terms as might be for their preservation and to continue the like course he summons them to deliver up the town to the Parliament of England To this no answer at present was returned until three great Guns planted before it began to play then the Governour fearing to fall into the same Praemuniri that other Garisons had done before was content to treat which they did and came to this issue That the Town be delivered up and they within march away with bag and baggage Whilst these things were in doing Kingsale Cork Youghal Bandon-bridge and other Garisons voluntarily declared came under obedience In the North Sir Charles Coot and Col. Venables were very successful the Lord Braughal and Col. Huson in other places did very good service I should here particularize some of them but that my whole designe is to march along with the main Body of the Army Ross being now in Cromwels Possession he caused a Bridge of Boats to be laid over the River Barrow and the Army to sit down before Duncannon a strong Fort commanded by Col. Woggen who had formerly served the King in England This place was so well provided with all things that upon consideration at a Councel of War it was looked upon to be time lost in tarrying long before it therefore the Army speedily rise and march away into the County of Kilkenny where Ormond having joyned his Forces with Inchequeen gave out that he would fight whatever came of it His Army was strong both in Horse and Foot far out-passing Cromwel's who was weakned by continual duty hard marches the Flux and other sicknesses raging amongst them occasioned by wants and unseasonable weather commonly quartering in the field yet for all this Ormond that Ignis fatuus upon the approach of the Army whose weaknesses at that time required rather an Hospital to cure their distempers then an Enemy to make fresh wounds vanished away without giving one stroke Whereupon Col. Abbot reduced Enisteoge a little walled Town about five miles from Ross and Col. Reynolds with twelve Troops of Horse and three Troops of Dragoons marching up to Carrick having divided his men into two parts whilst they were amused with the one party he entered a gate with the other taking about one hundred Officers and Souldiers without the loss of one man The news of this place no sooner arrives at Ross but the Lord-Governour Cromwel who for some time had lain there sick marched away immediately to reduce the City of Waterford hoping to gain that important place before the Army should draw into Winter-Quarters No sooner was he come before it but a Regiment of Horse and three Troops of Dragoons were dispatched away to reduce Passage-Fort this party soon made them desire quarter and deliver up the Fort and Castle in it were five great Guns and much Arms and Ammunition These Garisons now in the hands of those that could make good use of them were of great importance to the reducement of Munster and consequently of all Ireland The Lord-Governour being now before Waterford and seeing the City resolved to stand upon their own defence it being now December the weather also very wet and his Forces weak he draws them off into VVinter-quarters that they might be refreshed against the Spring to finish the work so prosperously begun Their quarters were at Bandon-Bridge Col. Ewer and his Regiment at Kingsale Col. Stubber at Cork Col. Phaier and Col. Cook at Wexford and Youghal the Head-quarters in other places convenient for a quick conjunction if occasion should serve the Army was placed Now the Souldiery are taking their rest we may look back a little upon some Actions which fell out since their leaving Waterford No sooner was the Army marched away but Passage-Fort was besieged by a party from Waterford and another from Duncannon joyned together but Col. Zanckey setting upon them routed the whole party killing a great many and carrying away 350 prisoners Many other Skirmishes were maintained with the like success yet little comfort could be had in them when the loss of Lieutenant-General Jones vvas reflected upon he died of a violent Fever at Dungarven December 20 1649. He was a man real to that trust which was reposed in him a daring man yet governing his Valour with discretion which makes a good Souldier not rash but advised in all his attempts a great loss he was to the Army yet not all for quickly after followed Col. Wolf and Scout-Master-General Roe the Army had their share of this mortality if the Commanders fall how can it be expected the common Souldiers should escape free But to salve up the business continual supplies were sent by the Parliament from England which made them as it were immortal so that though many men were lost their number was not diminished Whilst the Army lay in their quarters Cromwel was not idle he visited all the Garisons that were in his possession in Munster and ordered all Affairs both Military and Civil Coming to Kingsale the Maior as in other places presented him with the Mace and Keys which he kept not returning them again and conferred the Office upon another This was looked upon the more because it had not been used by the Lord Governour but the Maior being an Irish-man and withal a Papist it was not thought fit to trust such a one with the Government of so considerable a place Now Cromwel knowing that he which intends to do much business must rise betimes and lose no opportunity his Souldiers had not breathed in their Winter-quarters fully two months before he marched out of Youghal with about 3000 to enlarge his quarters when they were in the field he divided them into two parties himself took one the other was led by Ireton who marched away to Carrick there to reinforce himself by the conjunction of Col. Reynolds These were to march into the Enemies quarters two several ways and to meet together at a Rondezvous near Kilkenny in order to this designe Cromwel takes vvith him one party and marches away over the Blackwater towards the Counties of Limerick and Tipperary The first place he took in was a Castle called Kilkenny upon the edge of the County of Limerick afterwards in his march fell in Clogheen-House and Roghil-Castle here he passed the River Sewer with much difficulty and immediately marched away to Featherd a Garison-Town governed by one Butler about ten at night they got into the Suburbs and sent a Trumpet with a
the Army to Carrick from thence to proceed upon farther Action Ormond Castle-haven and the Bishop of Clogher being now very sensible of the desperate condition their Affairs were reduced to had a meeting at Baltamore in Westmeath with the Gentlemen of that County to confer about some better way to support that cause which hitherto they had so poorly defended The chief heads of this Debate were 1. Whether they were able to raise such Forces as might be sufficient to fight the Lord Cromwel now they conceived his Men were much weakned by the Winter and taking in of so many Garisons Or 2. In case they were not able to fight then with all the Forces they could make to fall into the English quarters and there to burn and destroy what they could 3. If these two ways were not feisible then whether it were not most convenient for them all to joyn in some propositions of Pacification for the whole or every one for himself to make his particular Application This last was hearkned to by some but the chiefest of them knowing their own guilt thought it not likely for them to get good conditions now necessity compelled them to be Supplicants and therefore to mischief the English in their quarters was looked upon to be the safest way for them all to spin out time til they could get a fit opportunity to make an escape out of the Land The Lord Cromwel having well refresh'd his Army after the Siege of Kilkenny sits down before Clonmel another strong place Garison'd by 2000 Foot and sixscore Horse No sooner was the Leaguer planted but Col. Reynolds and Sir Theophilus Jones were sent with 2500 Horse Foot and Dragoons to be beforehand with Ormond Castlehaven and those with them that intended an irruption into the English Quarters but they shifting from place to place to avoid fighting Col. Reynolds to keep his men from idleness joyns his Forces with Col. Huson and with two great Guns and a Morter Piece besieged Trim. Another Party of 1400 Horse and Dragoons and 1200 Foot under the Lord Broghil were sent to fight the Bishop of Ross who with 5000 intended to relieve Clonmel The Bishops Mitre being metamorphosed into an Helmet he thought verily to scare the Lord Broghil vvith the strangeness of the sight being such a thing as he had never seen before a Bishop that should be the Shepherd of a Flock now to head an Army of VVolves but the Lord Broghil getting to them in little more time then one could say tvvo or three Creeds vvholly dissipates them killing upon the place betvveen 6 and 700 taking 20 Captains Lieutenants and other Officers and to bring up the Rear the Bishop himself vvas taken vvith the Standard of the Church of Munster The Lord Broghil having him novv in his power he carries him to a Castle defended by the Bishops Forces and there hangs him up before the walls in the sight of the Garison which wrought such terrour in them that they delivered up the Castle upon Articles These successes of Parties abroad did much encourage those that besieged Clonmel who now on all sides prepare to handle that Garison as before they had done other places And indeed the Lord General used more then ordinary industry in reducing this Town in regard he had been informed that its defendants were very unanimous and that they were choice men well armed and every way sufficiently provided to make a stout resistance and besides it was governed by an active Irish-man one Hugh Boy O Neal who had set all hands in the Town on work to cast up new Countre-scarps on the inside of the old walls and to do whatsoever else might serve for the defence of the place and had so travers'd the ground with Re-intrenchments that it seemed altogether impossible to gain it by Assault nothing but Hunger as was thought could reduce it to obedience but the active gallantry of the Lord Cromwel would not admit of that course he us'd not to stand dallying before a place as the Germans French and other Nations trifling out precious time and expending vast sums to little or no purpose and besides upon many weighty considerations this service required a quick dispatch chiefly in regard of his Expedition into England whither he had lately been sent for by the Parliament there to serve them in some other way He therefore without delay orders all things for a Storm intending to try whether that would not either drown the Enemy or cool their courage who were so hotly set upon the defence The Governour being summoned to a Rendition and returning no satisfactory Answer the great Guns were planted which were managed so well that they quickly opened a breach which breach upon a Signal given being couragiously entred by the Assailants they within were not wanting to entertain them with a manful resistance and to forbid their march any other way then over their own bodies but Cromwel's men who us'd not to be thus check'd in the career of their Successes notwithstanding the Enemies valorous obstinacie made good their ground and maintained a Fight for four hours together which proved so hazardous that the victory hovering betwixt both it was hard to say on which side it would light there being a great slaughter on both sides till at last the Lord Cromwel assisted by that good Providence which always attended him decided the controversie by forcing the Enemy to quit the place and betake themselves to flight wherein though they were very much favoured by certain hills near the Town yet could they not avoid the rage and fury of the victorious Souldiers who in pursuit paid them home in their own coyn Concerning this Fight I finde it thus written by an eminent Commander in the Army and an assistant in this encounter We found in Clonmel saith he the stoutest enemy that ever was found by our Army in Ireland and it is in my opinion and very many more that there was never seen so hot a storm of so long a continuance and so gallantly defended neither in England nor Ireland The Reduction of this place though at a hard hand inclined many more to yeeld which they did in a short time after without striking a stroke These Atchievements being obtained and care taken to secure what had been gotten the Lord General addresses himself to his journey for England having been in Ireland about ten months viz. from the middle of August 1649. to the next May following 1650. a time inconsiderable respect had to the work done therein which was more then ever could be done in ten years before by any King or Queen of England Queen Elizabeth indeed after a long and tedious War there at last drave out the Spaniards that came in to the assistance of the rebellious Natives but could never utterly extinguish the sparks of that Rebellion And not onely did the shortness of the time render the work admirable but the nature of the work it self it being
Action was that which chiefly corresponded to his Nature yet the sharpness of the season made him continue in his Winter-quarters for some small time longer in which time parties were sent abroad to enlarge their Quarters and clear the passage between England and Edinburgh Timptallon-Castle was a place which many times had cut off passengers and much molested the Country by frequent excursions for the reducing of which Colonel Monk that gallant Commander was sent with about three Regiments of Horse and Foot When first he came before it finding the Scots very refractory he caused the Mortar-pieces to play for 48 hours which did them little hurt until that six battering Guns being planted they played their parts so well that the Governour was enforst to yeild seeing no other conditions would be granted to Mercy and all those that were with him The Scots King having now got some power into his hands used his utmost endeavours to gain reputation amongst his Subjects by visiting all the Garisons in Fife and putting them in a posture to hinder the English from landing on that side the Frith But having experience of the Lord Generals courage and knowing that Forts would prove weak withstanders of his Forces should they make an attempt therefore he drew from Sterling those Horse and Foot which could be well spared and joyning with them the new-raised souldiers he quartered them all along the VVater-side for better security After this business was ended away rides he to the High-lands to compose differences for that place was not free from dissentions perswade those rough-hewn Fellows to rise unanimously in defence of their craggy habitations This progress vvas no sooner ended but the sitting of the Scotch Parliament at St. Johnstons vvas begun vvhere the chief consideration vvas still to recruit their Army vvith new supplies of men This Meeting produced an Act Ordinance or great Gun to terrifie those that should slip away from their Colours vvithout leave from their Captains and vvas followed by the Clergie to shew how ready they were to promote these designes with an exhortatory Declaration stufft with raising rhetorick against the English which was sent into Fife and the High-lands perswading all to rise at this time of need This produced little for the common people must not stir unless their Lords or Leards beat the Drum But these Grandees were now busily snarling one at another about superiority in the Army every one endeavoring to be in the chiefest place of command and if any one were advanced he that came next behind pulled him by the skirts to hinder his preferment By this means the Scots great undertakings went on but slowly But to return and make an inspection into the English Affairs We find the Army in and about Edinburgh under a cloud of sorrow mourning for the Eclipse of that great Luminary which erst while had shined so bright in their Hemisphere whose influence had many times melted the waxen Whings of his ambitious Enemies but now as all men are subject to be so this great General by sickness was confined to his Chamber and utterly dis-abled for the present to act in person with the Army should any new occasion call them forth of their Winter-Quarters This did not so much depress the spirits of the English Souldiery who were exceeding sensible of their unspeakable loss should Cromwel their fortunate Leader be now snach't away from them in the midst of their hopes as it heightned the Scots who were very much elevated with the fancy of his death believing the slightest report of it to be real truths because it corresponded with their desires imagining to themselves assurance of Victory and sufficient Revenge when death had conquered him who many times before had made them feel the force of his Steel This conceit was so deeply grounded in their imaginations that no report to the contrary could supplant it but it must be so because so they would have it so apt are men to believe any thing that serves for their purpose according to that saying Quod volumus facile credimus But this Chimaera soon vanished into nothing for a Scotch Trumpeter being sent out of Fife to Edinburgh about the restoration of a Ship laden with Goods which the English Frigats had taken sailing from Brunt-Island to Fife after his message was delivered he very confidently aver'd to the Souldiers That their General was dead and that they did well in hiding it but all the world should never make him believe otherwise This report was much wondered at and the more because the Reporter did it with abundance of confidence endeavouring to perswade all to chirp after his note But he could not long persist in his opinion for this Novelty being handed about from one to another at last it came to the Lord Generals ear who much admired such a thing should be and he not know it therefore to dispossess the Trumpeter of that conceit he caused him to be brought into his presence where coming he now saw that although sickness had for some time sorely handled this noble General yet now his recovery was so far advanced and that Nature had now gotten so much mastery over his distemper that in all probability he would walk forth in a small time to take the air and visit his neighbours at Sterling if not in Fife At the return of the Trumpeter to those that sent him he quickly blew away this false report which went so currantly in the Scotch Army and assured the falsity of it The Parliament in England having ever a watchful eye on the Affairs in Scotland with singular providence provided sufficient supplies both of Men Money and Provisions of all sorts for Horse and Man dispatching them away continually to the Army so that it might be said That never was an Army better provided for then this nor ever did Souldiers better deserve encouragement then these About this time arrived at Leith Admiral Dean one of the English Generals at Sea with large supplies from London amongst other conveniences he brought 27 great flat-bottom'd Boats which were for transportation of the Army over into Fife that so thereby a quick dispatch might be made of this work so far advanced already But the time of year would not admit of much action for although it was April here yet the Rays of the Sun were not of force sufficient to penetrate the congealed Clouds and raise any verdure on the ground so that the Cavalry could not march unless they carried their fields behind them or else in Carts But this which hindered the English furthered the Scotch and gave them leasure to scrape together as many men as possibly could be got Out of the High-lands marcht Middleton with a considerable Force of Horse and Foot and the Town of Dundee out of a great respect to their King and to shew their forwardness in prosecuting the cause advanced for the service a brave Regiment of Horse at their own charges and
sent them with a stately Tent and six fair Brass Ordnance for a Present to the King then at Sterling where all being joyned their Army consisted of 20000 men most raw or else but parboil'd having seen no Wars but what their own Country produced and being more acquainted with their fields then fights knew better how to handle a Spade then a Speare But though many of them were thus especially the new-raised Forces yet all were not so for Scotland being always numerous in people supplyed the neighbour-Nations with auxiliarie Forces so that many Regiments of them were always in the service of the Swede French Dutch and other Nations But now upon report of Wars in Scotland they repaired home to serve in their own Nation at this time against the English The Scotch Army being grown numerous was still augmented by Forces newly raised in all parts of the Nation where the King and States had any command yet more were desired to that purpose the Earl of Eglington an eminent person was sent into the VVest with some other Commanders to raise Forces these coming to Dunbarton began to put their Commissions in execution but Colonel Lilburn having notice of it sent them a party of Horse which suddainly snapt the Earl himself his Son Colonel James Mountgomery Lieutenant-Colonel Colborn c. whom they carried away prisoners to Edinburgh The Lord General Cromwel had now got strength to walk abroad notwithstanding the relapse he fell into after his first sickness and had it not been that he was of an extraordinary strong constitution the Ague which last of all seised upon him might have shook him into the grave But the Parliament in England seeing how frequent these distempers were upon their General and doubting the air of Scotland might be the cause of it the Council of State first of all sent him two eminent Doctors Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates to use their utmost skill in his recovery and presently after dispatched an Order into Scotland which gave him liberty to leave the business of the Army and repair into England until his health and strength was recovered Upon receipt of this he made a return of thanks by a Letter to the Lord President of the Council which ran thus My Lord I Having received yours of the 27 of May with an Order of the Parliament for my liberty to return into England for change of ayr that thereby I might the better recover my health all which came unto me whiles Dr. VVright and Dr. Bates whom your Lordship sent down were with me I shall not need to repeat the extremity of my last sickness it was so violent that indeed my nature was not able to bear the weight thereof but the Lord was pleased to deliver me beyond expectations and to give me cause to say once more He hath plucked me out of the Grave My Lord the indulgence of the Parliament expressed by their Order is a very high and undeserved favour which although it be fit I keep a thankful remembrance yet I judge it would be too much presumption in me not to return a particular acknowledgement I beseech you give me the boldness to return my humble thankfulness to the Council for sending two such worthy persons so great a journey to visit me from whom I have received much encouragement and good direction for recovery of health and strength which I finde by the goodness of God growing towards such a state as may yet if it be his good will render me useful according to my poor ability in the station wherein he hath set me I wish more steadiness in your Affairs here then to depend in the least upon so frail a thing as I am indeed they do not nor own any Instrument this Cause is of God and it must prosper Oh that all that have any hand therein being so perswaded would gird up the loyns of their minds and endeavour in all things to walk worthy of the Lord So prays My Lord Your most humble Servant O. CROMWEL Edinburgh June 3. Although sickness had a long time kept under the body of this noble General yet his courage was no way diminished by it for no sooner was he able to stir abroad but with eager desire of action he consults with the chief Officers of the Army to carry on the War The result of these Councils was to contract the Army by drawing in the out-guards or petty Garisons which were of little force and onely served for Perdues to give notice of the Enemies motions To Hamilton marcht Commissary-General Whally with eight Regiments of Horse and brought off a Troop of Dragoons and 60 Foot which were there placed afterward several other places were deserted by the Forces that kept them The Army being thus drawn into one body were supplyed with 33 Waggons and Carriages for the Train from Barwick and near upon the same time arrived by Sea Captain Butler in the Success a stout ship formerly taken from the French this was the Ship that wafted along the Golden Fleece and safely swom into Leith with a rich Cargazon of about 80000 l for to pay the Souldiers This money was presently distributed out to the Horse and Foot which mightily elevated their resolution to the present Expedition All things being now ready for this Champaigne the Lord General Cromwel ordered the Armies advance to Red-hall which was cheerfully done on June 24. 1651. At this place they onely tarried until the Souldiers had wholly quitted their Quarters and then marched off to Pencland hills a place which was well known to the English ever since the first enterance of the Army into Scotland when they took the confidence from thence to look big on the City of Edenburgh but now being in a braver condition then they were before having cut through the greatest difficulties of the VVar and advanced their Blood-red Cross on the top of the most impregnable places that durst withstand their invincible Force having made a breakfast of the South of Scotland they intended the North for a Dinner Therefore to make hast now their stomacks were up the Lord General Cromwel caused the whole Army to pitch their Camp on Pencland hills in such a comely Order and admirable Figure so that Julius Caesar himself could he have kept death off at the swords point and thereby survived to this Age might have turned Scholar and learnt the Rudiments of Modern Discipline by the Example of this excellent Commander How amiable was it to behold the towring Tents of the superiour Officers in various Figures and spreading Colours overlooking the Huts of the inferiour Souldiers like so many Pinacles in a well-built City that aspire over the humble Cottages administring a pleasant object to the delighted Traveller Here Military Discipline resembled the Civil Power all knowing their Duty and performing their Parts whilst General Cromwel the Head observed the Actions of every Member in this great Body with one hand stretched forth to reward the sober
the Scots desired Articles to depart in peace which Lambert though a man of War quickly condescended to and so the place was yeilded upon these Conditions 1. That the Souldiers in Garison who were about five hundred should march away with flying Colours 2. That the Towns People should have what belonged to them 3. That all provisions for War together with all Guns and shipping of War should be delivered up for the use of the Common-Wealth of England This place was of great concernment for besides the strength of it it was a most commodious Harbour and in many respects better then that at Leith and from thence the Army in the progress of their Conquests might have constant supplies of all necessaries The Lord General having dispatched his Affairs at Leith made no stay but immediatly crost the Frith to his Army then at Brunt Island where he finds all things governed by Lambert with much Prudence and Policie the Souldiers couragious and Commissary General Whalley with a strong Party of Horse abroad scouring the Sea-side of Fife having some Men of War by Sea attending his Motion The Activity of this excellent Commander was very eminent who quickly subjugated many small Forts and possest himself of all their Artillery with the Ships and Pinaces that lay near them for security Having now brought his Affairs to a very hopeful condition the Lord General placed Colonel Wests Regiment in Brunt Island and with the rest of the Army and Train of Artillery July 30. 1651. he marched away to reduce St. Johnstons thereby to stop the High-landers from offering to send any Supplies to Sterling either of Men or Provisions The swiftness of this March was such that in two dayes the English Army came within sight of the Town and no sooner had they faced the same but intelligence informed the Lord General what small resistance he was like to meet withal which news was no way unwelcome but most acceptable for now 't was hoped to obtain possession by words not by swords and therefore this Summons was sent in That being informed the Town was void of a Garison save the inhabitants and some few Country men he thought fit to send to them to deliver the same to him immediately and that he did thereby promise to secure their Persons from violence and their goods from plunder This Message was immediately sent away by a Trumpeter who as it was conceived would blow open the Gates and make a free entrance for the whole Army but it fell out contrary to expectation for this Messenger of Peace approaching one of the Gates he was denyed admittance and returned back again by the Towns-men with a short Reply That they were not in a capacity to receive any Letters This slighting of Peace had like to have made them uncapable of Mercy but that a speedy excuse from the Magistrates of the Town was sent forth to mend the matter which declared That the Kings Majesty had sent a very strong Party able to maintain the Town and over-power them with a Governour But alwayes to observe civility with his Lordship they had obtained leave from the Governour to excuse themselves by shewing how unable they were to treat This was strange but not so strange as true For the day before the Lord Dafferes had entered the town with 1300 souldiers and therefore General Cromwel once more resolved to try the strength of his pen in a new Summons to this new Governour before they felt the fury of his sword But this was to little purpose for Dafferes would not return the least line or word in answer This sullen silence caused the General to give a speedy Order for drawing away the Water out of the Moats round about the Town whilst three Regiments of Foot Col. Prides Reads and Maliverers boldly advanced and planted four great Guns which plaid furiously into the Town this continued for one night but the Governour next day finding himself in an Errour was unwilling to persist any longer in it for fear of being brought to the stool of Repentance and therefore sent out to desire a Treaty which being concluded upon it was there agreed to deliver up the Town to the Lord General Thus the English Army run on in a continued Series of Successes making all places that offered to withstand their invincible force bow in obedience and come under their command and all this without the least opposition from the Scots grand Army commanded by the King himself which had lain long in and about Sterling strongly intrenched as if their onely design had been to defend themselves fearing as 't was thought to offend their Enemies and therefore continued their station to no other purpose then to bring up the Rear in Cromwel's Triumphs But it fell out otherwayes for the English Army having advanced as far Northwards as St. Johnstons the King thought good to make use of the present opportunity seeing his Affairs in Scotland were reduced to a desperate condition and fearing the fate that hung over that Nation would inevitably fall upon his own head did not he prevent it by some extraordinary means therefore knowing a desperate Disease requires a desperate Cure and that being in a house ready to fall it would be the safest course by a sudden departure to save himself by seeking a better Habitation he presently took that course To which end first of all casting up his force he found it extended to about 16000 strong with these and hopes of farther help from Friends he resolves to venter for England it self not doubting if his success answered his desires to hook in both Scotland and Ireland into the Bargain This Resolution he resolves to put in execution and therefore hastens his souldiers to drive on the design Thursday July 31. 1651. all things being in readiness the Scotch Army began their march from Sterling and the sixth day after entered England by the way of Carlisle The noyse of this Irruption made a terrible Eccho through all the Nation especially in the ears of the Parliament at Westminster who were much startled with the suddenness of the Action But they like vigilant Statists doubting such a thing would happen had beforehand provided to welcome these new-come Guests and first of all Major General Harrison attended by 3000 Horse and Dragoons joyning himself with Colonel Rich and some other great Commanders marched away to salute them upon their entrance into England Then an Act was issued forth and sent into all the Counties of the Nation to raise up the Militia into a present posture of Defence and besides to make all sure another Act was presently sent abroad which prohibited correspondency with Charles Stuart or any of his Party wherein it was enacted and declared That no person whatsoever should presume to hold any correspondencie with the said Charles Stuart or with his Party or with any of them nor give any intelligence to them nor countenance encourage abet adhere to or assist
any of them nor voluntarily afford or cause to be afforded or delivered to any of them any Victuals Provisions Ammunition Arms Horses Plate Money Men or any other Relief whatsoever under pain of High Treason And that all persons should use their utmost endeavours to hinder and stop their March Yet for all this the Scots went on in prosecution of their present designe bending their course by a swift March for the west of England where we will leave them making more hast then good speed and return back again to the Lord Gen. Cromwel He having notice at St. Johnstons that the Scots Army were gone to take up new Quarters in England did immediately settle the Affairs of Scotland in a posture sufficient to secure what was already won and leaving six thousand Horse and Foot more with Lieutenant General Mork to reduce the rest he causes Major General Lambert with five Regiments of Horse and Dragoons to fly away with all possible speed to get into the Rear of the Scots Army whilst Harison was in their Front so to impede their March until himself could get up unto them This being done with the remainder of the Army consisting of eight Regiments of Foot two of Horse and eight great Guns this victorious General marched away leaving Scotland but not the remembrance of his being there and on August 12. he with his Army crossed Tine With this swift March being quite tired out he caused the Army to pitch their Tents on Ryson Haugh upon the brink of Tine himself in the mean time quartering at Stelly House neer unto his Souldiers The Mayor of New-Castle having notice of the Armies being thus neer the Town immediately went forth with the rest of the Magistrates to congratulate the Generals arrival into England And to make themselves welcome to the Souldiers they carried along with them for supply of the Army Bread Cheese Biscet and Beer these Provisions were a great refreshing and inabled the Souldiers with cheerfulness to undertake the future march In the mean time the Scots with their King marched on towards Warrington Bridge where Maj. Gen. Harison resolved to make opposition against them and if possible to hinder their passage over but before they could break down the Bridge the Scots by a swift March from Charley came up and being necessarily engaged they maintained a notable combate with those that offered to withstand them here they had a small brush but could very well afford it for the loss was their gain and so both sides were satisfied with the ingagement for though some of their men fell in the fight yet they had their desire which was to pass over the bridge And now it was the great Question of all whither they intended to bend their course most believed for London being that was the Metropolis of the English Nation a populous City well furnished with a great Magazine of Men and Money the first being the Wheels of War the last the Oyl which makes them turn nimbly about But it seems the Scots looked upon this as too hazardous or else intended onely to take the dimensions of the Land and when that was done to return home again to their own Kingdom However they marched on towards the West shewing all civility to the people as they past along and with such strict Discipline were they governed that as their Army marched through Shropshire a private Souldier for offering to enter an Orchard was by his Officer immediately disbanded with a Bullet By this severity their rough-hewn natures were so polished that if Necessity drove any private Souldier to a door he durst speak no other Language then A Drink of Water But now at last their Peregrination ends at Worcester for coming thither weak and weary with constant duty and hard labour having expected much out finding little they here resolve to take up their Quarters hoping Massey's former services in Gloucestershire and those parts was not quite buried in the Grave of Oblivion But in this they found it otherwise for although they might love his person well yet seeing his parts ingaged against the Grain of the Times it quite alienated the affections of those that otherwise might wish him well The Scotch King with his Army having thus entered Worcester on Friday August the 23. 1651. resolved being he could go no further to tarry there and abide the brunt And therefore in the first place because he would not be wanting in any thing that might conduce to the preservation of himself and forces he caused works to be raised for better security Then he sent forth his Letters Mandatory to Colonel Mackworth Governout of Shrewsbury and likewise to Sir Thomas Middleton to perswade them to raise Forces for him but this proved fruitless so that being now got as it were in a pound there was no way but to make the best of a bad bargain And now the black and dismal clouds began to gather about Worcester which portended a dreadful storm would quickly follow as presently after it did For victorious Cromwel who by delaies never contributed to approaching dangers having refreshed his men neer New-Castle marched away without the least delay or loss of time until he came to joyn with the rest of the Parliaments Forces commanded by Lieutenant General Fleetwood Major General Desborough the Lord Gray of Groby Major General Lambert Major General Harison and besides all these the Militia Forces out of every County were commanded to march away and surround those wretched men at Worcester that so a quick dispatch might be put to the work Never was it known before in England that such great Forces were gathered together in so small a time for the standing Army with the rest of those Forces newly raised by Act of Parliament upon this occasion could not amount to less then eighty thousand But now the Lord General Cromwel being come up and having observed the posture that the Scoth Army lay in began his work with an attempt upon Vpton Bridge there intending if it was possible to pass over his Army this designe was left to Major General Fleetwoods management who presently sent away a small party of Horse and Dragoons to discover how feasible the attempt might be this Party though small proved daring in a desperate attempt for finding the bridge broken down and nothing remaining but onely a Beam of Timber that reached from one Arch to another which through negligence had been left by the Scots these bold Fellows made no more ado but dismounting their Horses one after another rid over on this Wooden Pegasus and presently after having now recovered the other side run themselves into a Church neer to the bridge for security Major General Massey being all this while in Vpton with about 60 Dragoons and 200 Horse lying secure without the least dread of an Enemy imagining it impossible for any to come at him at that time was upon the sudden report of this Exploit so alarmed that in
great consusion he with his men gave a camisado on the Church but that valiant Commander Lambert highly prizing the worth of his men immediately came in with a new supply of Horse to their rescue Massey now seeing that to fight would be meer folly being much over-matched thought a timely retreat the onely way to secure his men which he performed with so much bravery that sometimes facing then fighting and so falling off himself brought up the Rear and never left his station until his men were got farther off into safety This encounter at last fell heavy on himself for he not fearing his flesh and despising the force of his Enemies rencountered great difficulty in getting away having received a shot in his hand The Bridge being thus won all imaginable industry was imployed to make it up so that in a small time Lieutenant General Fleetwoods Army marched over which still pressing forward they laid a Bridge of Boats over the River Teame on the west side of Severn which gliding along at last emptieth it self thereinto about a mile beneath Worcester General Cromwel in the mean time caused another Bridge to be laid over the Severn on his side that so the Enemy might be the more straitned Upon this the Scots having taken the alarm rise from their Leaguer at St. Jones and with the greatest part of their Horse and Foot marched on to oppose the Lieut. Generals passage The Lord General seeing this resolves to draw off the Enemy and so divert his design or else inforce him to fight on great disadvantage therefore himself in person led over the River on that side of Worcester which he had undertook to attaque two Regiments of Foot Colonel Hookers of Horse and his own Life-Guard In the mean time Fleetwood with the assistance of Colonel Goff's and Major General Dean's Regiments of Foot marched on to a hedg-fight for the Scots looking upon this as the safest way had lined the hedges thick with Musqueteers so that the Bushes must first be beaten before these Birds could be taken This was not long in doing for the English falling on perform'd a brave fight from hedge to hedge the Scots on the other side not losing any thing that could be kept but manfully maintaining their ground until Colonel Blake Gibbons and Marshes Regiments came in to lay more load on their shoulders then they retreated to Pawick Bridge where again they were ingaged with Col. Hayns Col. Cobbets and Col. Matthew's Regiments in another hot dispute but at length seeing they could not prevail they provided for their own security by running into Worcester And now desperation animating their courage knowing that to continue in this pound would make them in a pitiful pickle therefore having already tried their fortune with Lieutenant General Fleetwood they imagining him to have commanded the greater force they hoped to make a more fortunate sally against General Cromwel therefore upon the sudden they sallied out against him with all the Horse and Foot they could but as it proved with sad success for though at first they shewed such activity in their Arms that General Cromwels men were forced alittle to retire yet presently the multitudes of fresh men coming in so turned the scales that the Scots were wholly routed flying away in great confusion to save themselves the Horse flew amain back again towards the North but the Foot not able to keep company ran into Worcester with some of the Victors at their heels Whilst in the mean time General Cromwel to make sure work with a few Regiments of Foot ran up to the Royal Fort and being ready to storm his clemencie was seen in venturing his person through the showers of shot and offering the Scots quarter if they would presently yield But they being infatuated refused the profer which caused their too late repentance for the Lord General falling on quickly possest the Fort and all the Artillery that was therein The City being now won the souldiers suriously fly through all the streets doing such execution that nothing could be seen for some time but blood and slaughter until at last the sack of the Town and plunder of Prisoners having satisfied their appetites they fall to securing of Prisoners which both in fight and flight amounted to about 10000 the Ilain neer 3000. so that neer all was lost onely some few Horse excepted which escaped out of the Battel but these found their flight to stand them in little stead for Major General Harison with a fresh party fiercely pursued in their Rear whilst the Country people fronted and flanked them like little Beagles which when a Mastiff is once beaten will not let him pass without a snarle at his tail and fiercely pursue him whom before they durst not look in the face This Battle put a period to the Good Fortune of the Stuarts Family and on the other side crowned General Cromwels Atchievements with an absolute security of all his former Conquests the influence whereof though acted in England was great in Scotland their chief Nobility Gentry and private souldiers being thus cut off that Nation could no longer be able to hold up its head but quickly after must needs be brought under obedience to the Commonwealth of England as it fell out soon after The Parliament at London having speedy notice of this prosperous success received it with grateful acceptation But that which abated somewhat of their Triumphs was That the King could not be numbred among the Captives nor found among the Slain but was slip'd away into some by-place for he seeing that all the Enemies aim was onely to smite him and that they did not fight so much against small or great as against the King of Scots finding the battel to go hard on his side he left caring for others to provide for himself knowing full well that should he be taken his Quarter would be Quartering and that without the help of an Astrologer it might easily be prognosticated what Death he should die Therefore trusting more to horse then men and fear adding wings to his flight he hastened with all speed towards Lancashire but by the way doubting that much company would do him little good but rather be a means to cause his sooner discovery leaving the Road he wandered for some time about England till at last finding a fit opportunity he returned back again into France Thus this object of worldly Mutability having ventured at all could enjoy no more then the heavy Load of his own Misfortunes having been onely Tantalized with the Golden Apples of sweet Soveraignty but never suffered to satisfie his appetite with their fruition for coming into Scotland his Government was cut out to him by shreds as pleased the Kirk and States of that Kingdom and being a stranger he must be carved to not suffered to serve himself for fear of surfeits like Zancha Panza's Doctors that slipt away the dishes out of respect to his health whilst in the mean time
they went about to starve him Even so these State-Doctors dieted this poor Prince for some time feeding him with hopes and expectations of his desire and then at last give him no more but onely a Nut without the Kernel a Crown without a Kingdom so that his Commands were presently countermanded by a stronger and made invalid by General Cromwels sword who never left hunting him from place to place till at last he was forc'd to flee into Flanders for shelter where he now remains The Lord General Cromwel having given this deadly blow at Worcester September 3. 1651. which laid the Scots hopes low in the dust and thereby raised to himself a full assurance of the security of all his former Conquests tarried no longer in that City then to see the Walls of it levelled to the ground and the Dikes fill'd with Earth that so the disaffection of the inhabitants might be bridled from attempting to secure any future Enemy And now leaving this Golgotha he hastened away to offer his victorious Palms at the Parliaments feet Accordingly September 12. approaching neer to London the Speaker with the Members of Parliament and the Lord President of the Council of State with the Lord Mayor Aldermen and some hundreds more of Quality met him with demonstrations of extream affection to congratulate all his Noble Atchievements and Worthy Exploits here they comment on his Valour making large notes on his Victories the more because he had done much in a small time bringing that about in fifteen Months which was rather judged to be the work of so many years having in this time quite dispelled those Vapours fearful to the Parliament which were exhaled by the Rayes of Regality and once more made the serenity of Peace to shine in our Hemisphere Thus the Lord General was received in Triumph having before sent his Trophies the Scotch Prisoners with great acclamations and conducted to his house neer White-hall And after some small repose there he and his valiant Lieutenant-General went to take up their places in the Parliament where the Speaker in a congratulatory Oration acknowledged the Obligation of the State to them for their indefatigable industry The same day the Lord Mayor of London to compleat the rejoycing and shew his gratitude in behalf of the City feasted the General and his chief Officers This being ended with mutual returns of thanks the Lord General took his leave and returned back again to consider what was farther to be done for the settlement of the nation This is his next Work And what he did in order to the accomplishing thereof we now come to shew The End of His Personal Wars HIS ACTIONS In the PROTECTORSHIP THE English Nation having by a Civil War banished Monarchy with an Exit Tyrannus presently institute an Oligarchy which to give them their due acted in their Infancy like Hercules in the Cradle stifling all those Serpents that offered to hiss against their Authority and with such vigor prosecuted they their designes that both Ireland and Scotland were inforc't to yeild obedience to their commands The Authority of this Power being thus miraculously extended it grew at length dreadful to the neighbouring Nations especially the Dutch a people who of all others were most sensible of the growing greatness of the English Commonwealth they knowing full well that two neighbouring States of equal greatness could never long agree being still jealous of each others actions which jealousie causing misconstruction would at last break forth into open hostility Examples are frequent in this kinde Rome and Carthage so long contended till the one was ended They first fell out about the Island of Sicily and so by degrees this fewd extended it self through all those Nations where either side had any dominion But at last a peace being patched up it continued until the second Punick War wherein Carthage was made a Puny indeed and brought under subjection to Rome Another Example we have in that most noble Republick Venice whose first Founders being hunted by the barbarous Huns out of Italy were fain to shelter themselves by flying unto some little barren Islands which lay in the Adriatick Gulph where necessity putting an edge upon industry caused these people to begin an admirable Structure which since hath been increased to such a magnitude and splendor that it may well be termed The Worlds Wonder for the excellent Architecture multitude of Bridges rare Arsenal or Magazine but above all the Policie of this State far surpasseth all others in Government and may well be a pattern for direction and imitation to any people in the world Venice thus gradually ascending to eminency grew so great as to challenge the superiority over all the watry Element about it as well it might being situate therein and therefore Neptunes Minion This City being on one side of Italy on the other side lay Genoa situate neer the feet of the Apennine Hills a Commonwealth too and therefore aspiring high grew emulous of the Venetians greatness which made those two Republikes grow at enmity The first occasion of their falling out was about a Church allowed them both for exercise of Divine Service in Ptolemais commonly called Acoe in Syria this Church being too little to hold both people of such great spirits there grew a hot Dispute whose it should be which came to this issue That it must be theirs that could get possession which prov'd to be the Genoeses who to maintain their Mass armed the Church with Fortifications not for example to after-Ages and so kept it wholly to their own Use Thus began the Quarrel which continued for many years chiefly by Sea till at last the Genoeses received such dangerous shot betwixt winde and water that they were fain to cry Quarter and ever since vail to Venice acknowledging it their superiour Even so was it between these two mighty Republikes England and the United Provinces The Dutch fearing that current of Traffick would be stopped which they had so long enjoyed by reason of Englands Domestick and Forreign Wars themselves mean while having Peace with all Nations except Portugal whereby they increasing their Trade by an un-interrupted fishing in the British Seas and still greedy in their unsatiable appetite of ingrossing all to themselves without either Right or Reason grew at last highly conceited of their own abilities both as to Policy and Power Their Policy was seen in giving assistance to the Enemies of the English Parliament whilst in the mean time their Embassadors tickled the Council of State and Parliament into a belief of their Masters real affections and hearty wishes for their prosperity But these unworthy actions being privately suspected it was not long before they were publikely detected This put the Dutch to their Trumps and made them arm out a considerable Navy to execute a designe upon the Isle of Scilly which then was in possession of the Scotch Kings Forces But the Council of State in England having timely notice of this project
ships more These on the 3 of June 1653. lying at Anchor three leagues off the southhead of the Gober early in the morning described two Dutch Galliots which presently were chased by some of the English Frigats so far that they came within ken of the whole Dutch Fleet. Upon this discovery the Frigots made the usual signes which were presently apprehended by the whole Fleet who immediately weighing their Anchors the English made up with all the sail they could but the winde being weak 't was 12 at noon before these mighty Armadoes could ingage The first dayes work proved hot on both sides for three hours in which Dispute the English lost General Dean who unfortunately fell by a great shot To balance this the Dutch had three ships sunk and one blown up The next day both Fleets indeavoured to try another bout but there being little winde nor wine stirring but Brandy which was very brisk in the Dutch Fleet it was late that day before the English could get up to give them Gun-powder to it This second dayes fight was managed with abundance of valour both Fleets charging lustily upon one another Van Trump to shew his skill in Sea-fights at first brought up his Navy in very good Order having the advantage of that little winde then stirring for the Sea looked with a smooth face upon these mighty Enemies But the English Generals Blake and Monk who were not behinde-hand in making use of any opportunity finding the winde upon the sudden to veer about westerly drove in amongst the thickest of their Enemies with so much fury that the Dutch fearing to feed those that had so many times been food to them tacked about and with all the sail that possibly could be made steered their course for their own Coasts The English seeing their Enemies thus fly before them thought it not safe to pursue being neer the Flats and having great ships that drew much water Wherefore some small Frigats being sent to discover the Enemies course the rest cast Anchor in good Order to cast up accompts and see what was got or lost by this Adventure which proved in full to be thus Of the Dutch slain no certain ccount Dutch Prisoners in possession 1350 Captains captiv'd 6 Men of War taken 11 Sunk 6 Of the English Slain 120 Captains 1 Wounded 236 Ships lost or dis-abled 0 This inconsiderable loss on the English side being well recompensed with so considerable a Damage to the Dutch caused the two English Generals being no wayes dis-inabled by the fight to keep the Sea and resolve to follow the present advantage to the full therefore having new trimmed their torn sails and shatter'd Rigging they immediately made all the haste that could be to block up the Dutch Harbours letting Trump see that now his Bravadoes were transferred from the Downs to his own Doors and that the Fleet which a little before he thought good to send Hue and Cry after were now come to dare him upon his own Dunghil the English at Sea lying thus before the Texel Wielings and other Ports of Holland taking Prizes at pleasure General Cromwel at Land mean while prepares for a new Parliament in whose hands the Legislative Power of the Nation was to be put to that purpose persons being chosen by himself to the number of one hundred forty four out of the three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland they made their appearance at Westminster on July 4. 1653. the day prefixt in their Summons in the Council-Chamber at White-hall where General Cromwel being present attended by many Officers of the Army he made a short Speech which being ended by a Writing under his own hand and seal he impowered them to be the Supreme Authority and Governours of England Scotland and Ireland with all the Territories thereunto belonging and that any forty of them should be a Quorum sufficient to dispatch business make Laws and order all things as they should see good onely for their limitation the Instrument ordered their sitting not to exceed the third of November 1654. and that three months before their Dissolution they were to make choice of other persons to whom they were to deliver up their Powers Having delivered his Instrument to the Members the Lord General dismist them with a Benediction being very good at it wishing the Blessing of GOD might go along with them and their Counsels Immediately hereupon the Members adjourned to the old Parliament House where having first appointed Mr. Rouse to be Speaker a great debate arose among them what to call themselves whether a Parliament or something else at last it was carried in the affirmative That they were a Parliament in which name all Addresses to them were to be made Being thus settled they began though scarce pen feathered to soar high and at first dash to strike both at Law and Gospel But whilst these things were under debate John Liburn whose turbulent Spirit in the time of the Long Parliament had procured his Banishment presuming at this time to be again admitted into the Nation very confidently addrest himself to the Lord General craving his Protection But he knowing full well of what spirit John was would take no notice of him but left him to the Law by which he underwent a strict Trial and by the favour of his Jury was acquitted This man was ever observed to be of an ambitious minde alwayes affecting Popularity and therefore ever barking against the Higher Powers first against the Bishops then against the King next against the Parliament and indeed against every one that stood in his way Likewise so fickle in his own Principles that trundling from one Opinion to another he at last fell down into the sink of Quakerisme in which he died and was buried like himself being hurried along the streets from the Mouth neer Aldersgate by a confused medley of Levellers and Quakers But to Sea again The English Fleet having out-Trumped the Dutch and made their Neptune fly to Land for shelter they improved their advantage to the utmost by blocking up the Ports of Holland and Zealand so that not a ship durst pass in or out but was immediately made Prize Among those that were taken were two laden with great Guns one carrying one hundred sixty two the other one hundred ninety one These dayly losses filled the people with rage and madness seeing they were deprived of Traffick by which they chiefly subsisted and if that was obstructed nothing but a deep consumption would quickly follow The States General sitting at the Helm and foreseeing the sad consequence of the present War seriously debated which way to free themselves from that imminent danger that now hung over their heads To accomplish this there was but two wayes either by Force to repel Force or by Treaty to procure Peace To put both these in execution four Commissioners were dispatched away imediately for London to treat of a Reconciliation and in the mean time all imaginable preparations
would have extended had they had power sufficient to execute it Afterwards King Charles perceiving their enchroaching set forth a brave Fleet which hurt himself more then any body else for it raised so hideous a storm amongst his Subjects upon the payment of Ship-money that never after could be appeased till his Head was blown off his Shoulders these lying in the Downes under command of Dover-castle to protect a Spanish Armado intending for Flanders the Spaniards were boldly set upon by the Dutch and utterly destroyed Had this presumptuous attempt of the Hollander met with a vindictive King it would not have been so silently connived at These Affronts being thus slightly passed by imboldened them to attempt higher matters for the English Nation on a suddain involved in a Domestick War they made use of this opportunity to fish freely on the English Coast which they continued so long that from custome they would argue a right because they had done it therefore they ought to do it still presuming withall to make Englands Harbors the bounds to their Soveraignty A rich Bank of Treasure and great strength in shipping prompted them to this project and the rather because England was wasted by War and disunited amongst themselves Now they thought it their time to attempt the designe wherein they fancied an assured and absolute Conquest not at all considering what advantages in Navigation England hath over them as first not a ship can well pass the Narrow Seas between Dover and Calice but must run the hazard to be snapt in their passage unless they sailed under protection of a strong Fleet of War Secondly in stormy Weather the Winds would inforce ships at Sea to put into the English Harbours for shelter In both which respects it must needs be very prejudicial to the Dutch if they fell out with England their Traffick this way being stopt up no other means remained to continue a Trade to France Portugal Spain Turkey East and West Indies but by the North of Scotland with a Circumference about Ireland whereby the Merchant must necessarily be exposed to a double danger in respect of Enemies And that which is more unavoydable the tempestuousness of the Sea in this Northerly Latitude would have rendred their passage that way both unfafe and uncomfortable But it seems these Considerations never entred into the thoughts of that State their minds were onely troubled with dividing Spoils and how to give Laws by Sea to the whole world This high conceit of Fortitude many times bars up the doors against prudential Counsels Well blinded as the Dutch were Van Trump that leading Card against the English Commonwealth must begin the Game and that when their Embassadors were in Treaty at London The Parliament of England remembring their late saucy Action in the Downs resolved to make it redound to the honour of England to that end they fell into a close debate of the Nations right in those Seas now Mare Olausum speaks English to let every one see the Dominion of the Narrow Sea is Englands safety and Protector under Divine Providence from the fury of forraign Foes which if it were lost a Confluence of all Nations would quickly subjugate the Land to their will How sensible the Senate and People of England were of this is easily seen by the industrious Counsels of the one and incomparable Valour of the other so that in a few moneths the Dutch sustained more loss by this their wilful undertaking then before they had done in several years War with the Spaniard The English Parliament being thus engaged in a defensive War quickly changed the Scoene to offensive maintaining it with wonderful Policy and Prudence but on a suddain in stept General Cromwel and justled them out of Power taking upon himself to end this War He fought the Hollander twice prosperously which brought over into England four Embassadours extraordinary to sollicite a Peace these using pecuniary Perswasions so far prevailed with the Protector as made him balance the publick Concernments with his private Interest and so granted their desires The Peace being thus concluded and published the people of England were then perswaded to a general Thanksgiving by a Declaration partly made up of nine Verses out of the 107 Psalm To make observation on Englands Profit by this Peace is needless that I will leave for the Merchant to rejoyce in Actions of State are like the Billows of the Sea one designe drives forward another as they are agitated by the Princes breath No sooner was peace proclaimed abroad but Plots commenced at home the chief Designers were two Gerrards Brothers one Jones an Apothecary Teuder Fow and Vowel some of these through mercy were saved but Vowel and Gerrard must suffer for example In the same Juncture of time fell out an arrogant exploit of Don Pantaleon Sa brother to the Portugal Embassadour this man being followed by a fanatique Crew came one evening to the New Exhange armed with Swords Pistols and Hand-granadoes what the original provocative to this designe was is uncertain however one wrapt in Buff a bold Blade no doubt being followed by Knights of Malta Foot-boys and the like ascended the Staiers into the upper Exchange where firing a Pistol a Gentleman there walking was slain There happened to be walking the same time this Gerrard above-mentioned he seeing their Countenances not so swarthy as this deed was sable draws his Rapier and with a magnanimous spirit drove them all before him down staiers The Lord Protector having notice of these Portugals frollique upon examination resolved to proceed thereupon without respect of persons and to make the chiefest Actor an example of Justice which being found to be the Embassadours Brother he was condemned for this ridiculous riot and executed at Tower-hill on the same Scaffold though for different causes with generous Gerrard The eyes of the Spectators never beheld such different tempers in two men Gerrard no way appald in countenance or behaviour like a true English man out-braved Death on the very Block His body being removed out of sight up came Don Pontaleon Sa the Portugal with a body too heavy for its supporters and a countenance which sufficiently demonstrated that the terrour of his heart had in a manner made him insensible of the smart of the Executioners Ax so that many present believed his head served onely to satisfie the Law his life being already fled through fear But now on a suddain there breaks forth an Insurrection in the Highlands of Scotland these mountanous people having little to loose but their lives would ever be trying to shake the English yoak from off their necks The chief bellows to blow these miserable men to destruction was the Earl of Glencarne a man whose industry was ever pregnant in contriving new designes against the English he having now drawn together a considerable strength proclaimed to his fellows what great assistance would be wafted over to them from the Low Countries by which means it
children God took them at their word For not to mention what some affirm that a bloudy issue hath ever since hereditarily descended upon them not long after according to Christs prophecy their City was destroyed their Temple not on stone left upon another and themselves ceasing to be a Nation became with Cain Fugitives and Vagabonds upon the Earth having now according to that prophecie of Hosea been many dayes yea many years without a King and without a Prince and without a sacrifice and without an image and without an Ephod and without a teraphim being dispersed amongst all Nations and hated by all people remaining nevertheless in such a degree of contumacious obduration that here in England whither some of them wandred they crucified children in despight to and derision of the name of Christ For which and other execrable practices they were justly expelled this Nation by King Edward the first in the year of Christs incarnation 1291. And so willing were the people then to be rid of them that for this Act of that King the Commons in Parliament freely granted him a whole Fifteenth Thus they were expulsed and ever since for the space of 364 years they have been excluded without the publike permission of so much as one Synagogue in England But this our Protector having a large I say not conscience but heart and being of tender bowels his charity extended so far as to plead for the re-entertainment of these guests to which purpose he propounded it to several eminent Ministers for their approbation alleadging that since there is a promise of their Conversion means must be used to that end which is the preaching of the Gospel and that cannot be had except they be permitted to reside where the Gospel is preached But by his leave when Gods good time is come there shall not be means wanting to accomplish that work which being of an extraordinary nature is not like to be done by ordinary means Besides such was then and yet is the temper of the people of England so full of diversities in opinions and reduced to such an indifferencie in matters of Religion that it is more then probable the number of their Proselytes would have exceeded that of our Converts But this is not all for it seems our Protectors charity that we mentioned before according to the Proverb began at home he had a promise of 200000 l. from the Jews in case he procured their Toleration here as saith Mr. Prynne in his Narrative p. 56. which sweet morsel he had swallowed by thus gratifying them had not the design been opposed by Arguments as sharp as weapons of STEEL The War with Spain beginning now to wax warm not onely under the Torrid Zone but likewise Northwards of the Tropick the Protector thought it best to annoy this Enemy in as many places as possible which could not well be brought about without a Peace with France which being effected roome might be made for English Feet to tread Flemish ground The French at this time earnestly desired the same for their chief minister of State Cardinal Mazarine saw every Champaign how prejudicious it was to his Masters Affairs in Flanders especially in besieging a Sea-Port Town to be without correspondencie with England This gave the Protector not onely opportunity of making up the long continued feud that had been betwixt the two Nations but to do it on very advantagious terms wherein the French King was content to deny himself in sending out of his Dominions his near relations the Stuarts which kindness the Protector requited with sending him 6000 Foot-Souldiers Thus the alliance was contracted The impediments that hindered Peace with France being past over to the Protectors great content he set himself wholy to a thorow prosecution of his Wars with Spain For this purpose the two Generals Blake and Montague had with a strong Navie long beleaguered the Port of Cadiz by Sea and with many provocations endeavoured to dare out an Enemy but the grave-pac'd Spaniard durst not step one stride to drive the English from his coasts but rather waited the lucky hour when scarcity of provisions or distress by weather would do the work to his hand and save the Limbs and Lives of many good Catholicks which might miscarry in forcing the English farther off But this piece of Policy little prevailed for when the Fleet wanted water and other necessaries the Generals found out a way to supply it by sayling to the Bay of Wyers in Portugal whence they were recruted in the mean time leaving behind Captain Stayner with a Squadron of seven Ships to have an eye on Cadiz Now it hapned that in the absence of the Generals a stiff gale of wind forc't Stainer to ply it off to Sea which brought him upon the discovery of an excellent object it was the King of Spaines Plate-Fleet richly laden with Gold Silver Pearl and other good commodities newly brought from the Indies The Spaniards at the first sight of the English Frigats took them for Fisher-boats which indeed they were in a sense for Captain Stainers work was to fish for gold and now seeing so fair a shole swimming he thought he would be sure to catch some considerable quantity or lose his life in the attempt wherefore with these three the Speaker Bridgwater and Plymouth Frigats the remaining part of the Squadron being driven to Leeward he gallantly fell upon the Spanish great Galleons which were seven in number and plyed them so sore with great shot that in few hours the whole Fleet was quite spoyled one whereof was sunk another burnt two forc'd on ground one run away and two remained in the Conquerours hands which were safely conveyed to England and very joyfully received by the Protector who set apart a particular day to give God thanks for this good success The Protector being much necessitated for money and withal impatient to tarry longer for a Confirmation of his Dignity by the People which although he could not obtain of the preceding Parliament he hoped he might gain of another this perswaded him to attempt once more a new Representative Which being resolved upon he issued out Writs for Election throughout the three Nations But remembring the Speeches and carriage of some in the late Parliament private intimation was given to certain persons in several Counties to obstruct if possible their Election again in this ensuing Session yet for all this the generality of people being swayed by respect made choyce of them they thought sit and such as were most able to carry on the weighty affairs of the Common-wealth Septemb. 17. 1656 being appointed for the general meeting at Westminster the Members accordingly made their appearance at the Parliament House where they found quite contrary to the ancient Priviledge of Parliament that no Members could enter into the House except they were first tyed up in a promise Not to act any thing prejudicial to the present Government Many of the Members would not bite
importance and might much conduce to the taking in of Dunkirk it self as afterwards it proved The French and English having beleaguered this strong place did not lie long before they reduced it to a surrender upon Composition so that it was delivered up wholly into the possession of the English But presently after the French being withdrawn into winter-Quarters came a strong body of Spaniards and made a fierce Camisado upon the Fort hoping to give the English little joy in their new Conquest but it fell out quite otherwise for the assailants were stoutly repulsed and inforc't to flee having lost in the attempt several brave Commanders The Protectors forraign affairs standing in a posture answerable to his desires his domestick designes at the same time did likewise very well correspond thereunto for the Parliament having sate near nine Months had in this time past many Acts which crowned the Protectors hopes so fully that more could not have been desired by him nor well granted by them For first out of a deep sence of his loss should such a design as bold Syndercomb's take effect they made provisions for the security of his Highness Person wherein it was Enacted High Treason for any to attempt compass or imagine the Protectors death This Act having pared the claws of cholerick humours at home in three whoops more the Title of Charls Stuart c. was utterly defunct And besides this to answer the end for which they were called round sums of money were granted to carry on the Spanish War notwithstanding his Highness late Conquests in the Indies that so the Protector might with more facility bang the legs of that long-limb'd Enemy The Acts made for this purpose were these that follow  Per Mens An Act for an Assesment upon England for three Months at the rate of 60000 l. On Scotland for three Months at 05000 l. On Ireland for three Months at 05000 l. On England Scotland and Ireland for three years   England to pay 35000 l. Scotland 06000 l. Ireland 09000 l. An Act for continuing of Tunnage and Poundage   An Act for preventing the multiplicity of buildings in and about the Suburbs of London and within ten miles thereof a whole years Revenue to be presently payd for dwelling or out-Houses that had been reared upon new Foundations since the year 1620.   An Act for Excise of merchandize imported Hobby-Horses Childrens Rattles and old shirts not exempted   These with many more being at once presented to the Protector for his consent were by him passed at which time he made this short Speech to the Parliaments Speaker I perceive that among these many Acts of Parliament there hath been a very great care had by the Parliament to provide for the just and necessary support of the Commonwealth by these Bills for levying of money now brought to me which I have given my consent unto and understanding it hath been the practice of those who have been chief Governours to acknowledge with thanks to the Commons their care and regard of the Publike I do very heartily and thankefully acknowledge their kindness herein The Protectors thanks for this could do no less then animate the Parliament to compleat the great work they were about for settlement of the Nation This business had been dayly debated and was almost brought to perfection when on a sudden a Petition was ushered into the House by a worthy Citizen of London to have his Highness one Tittle higher in his Title Hereupon the great Machine of Englands Government called the Petition and Advice was hastened away to the Protectors view with a desire that his Highness would be pleased to magnifie himself with the Title of KING Alas what thing more averse to his nature could be presented to him then this It was not to sit in high places that made him undertake the Government but rather to be a Servant to his Countrey Monarchie he knew was as odious to the Army as according to the proverb comparisons among the people and therefore he could not look upon this otherways then as a Temptation to try the strength of his resolution against that which before had like to have wrackt the peoples Liberties which said he undoubtedly had fallen out had not he stept into the sea of bloud and with invincible Arms preserved the Ship of State from those Piratical inchroachers that were ready to board her Yet to do nothing unadvisedly nor without mature deliberation his Highness took time to return the Parliament this positive answer to their liquorish desire which he with much meekness gave them in the Painted Chamber in these words That he could not undertake the Government with the Title of King Upon this the Parliament voted that Protector should be the stile of the chief Magistrate All things being now brought to maturity in the Petition and Advice and nothing wanting to make it a Law but onely the Protectors condescention a Committee was sent to desire a Conference with his Highness which he granted and appointed the place of meeting to be in the Painted Chamber May 25. 1657. his Highness attended by his chief Officers came accordingly and there the Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington presented him with the Parliaments Petition and Advice the substance whereof was as followeth 1. That his Highness under the Title of Lord Protector would be pleased to exercise the office of chief Magistrate over England c. and to govern according to all things in this Petition and Advice also that in his life-time he would appoint the Person that should succeed in the Government after his death 2. That he would call Parliaments consisting of two Houses once in three years at farthest 3. That those Persons who are legally chosen by a free election of the people to serve in Parliament may not be excluded from doing their duties but by consent of that House whereof they are Members 4. In the fourth was shewn the qualifications of Parliament-Members 5. In the fifth the Power of the other House 6. That the Lawes and Statutes of the Land be observed and kept and no Laws altered suspended abrogated repealed or new Law made but by Act of Parliament 7. For a constant yearly revenue ten hundred thousand pounds to be settled for maintenance of the Navy and Army and three hundred thousand pounds for support of the Government besides other temporary supplies as the Commons in Parliament shall see the necessities of the Nations to require 8. That the number of the Protectors Council shall not be above one and twenty whereof the Quorum to be seven and not under 9. The chief Officers of State as Chancellors Keepers of the great Seal c. to be approved of by Parliament 10. That his Highness would encourage a Godly Minstery in these Nations and that such as do revile or disturb them in the Worship of God may be punished according to Law and where the Lawes are defective new
ones to be made in that behalf 11. That the Protestant Christian Religion as it is contained in the Old and New Testaments be asserted and held forth for the publike profession of these Nations and no other and that a Confession of Faith be agreed upon and recommended to the people of these Nations and none be permitted by words or writings to revile or reproach the said Confession of Faith c. This is the sum of the most material matters contained in the Parliaments Advice which the Protector liked very well and was resolved to follow yet with much reluctancy in himself considering the great burthen that was to be borne upon his shoulders which he had rather any man should bear then himself but being it was the pleasure of Parliament that none but he must be the buckler to defend Englands Priviledges he past their Petition and declared unto the whole Assembly as followeth That he came thither that day not as to a Triumph but with the most serious thoughts that ever he had in all his Life being to undertake one of the greatest burthens that ever was laid upon the back of any humane creature so that without the support of the Almighty he must sinke under the weight of it to the damage and prejudice of these Nations This being so he must ask help of the Parliament and of those that fear God that by their prayers he might receive assistance from God for nothing else could enable him to the discharge of so great a duty and trust That seeing this is but an Introduction to the carrying on of the Government of these Nations and there being many things which cannot be supplied without the assistance of Parliament it was his duty to ask their help in them not that he doubted for the same Spirit that had led the Parliament to this would easily suggest the same to them For his part nothing would have induced him to take this unsupportable burthen to flesh and blood but that he had seen in the Parliament a great care in doing those things which might really answer the ends that we have engaged for and make clearly for the liberty of the Nations and of the Interest and preservation of all such as fear God under various Forms And if these Nations be not thankful to them for their care therein it will fall as a sin on their heads Yet there are some things wanting that tend to reformation to the discountenancing vice the encouragement of vertue but he spake not this as in the least doubting their progress but as one that doth heartily desire to the end God may Crown their work that in their own time and with what speed they judge fit these things may be provided for This Speech being ended the Members returned again to the House and in few dayes after the Speaker received a Letter from the Protector desiring the Parliament to adjourn their sitting till further time Hereupon the speedy Inauguration of his Highness was concluded upon Accordingly June 26. 1657. all things being prepared in Westminster Hall for this great solemnity the Protector about two of the clock in the after-noon went by water to the Lords House and after some short retirement into a room near the Painted Chamber he came forth attended by the chief Grandees of his Court all these being marshalled into Ranks and Files marched away with his Highness to the place appointed in Westminster-Hall where the Protector having taken his standing under a cloath of Estate the Speaker Sir Thomas Widdrington in the name of the Parliament presented to him a Robe of Purple-Velvet lined with Ermines a Bible a Sword and a Scepter all which were precious tokens of the Parliaments favor at the delivery of these things the Speaker made a short Comment upon them to the Protector which he divided into four parts as folfolloweth 1. The Robe of Purple this is an embleme of Magistracy and imports Righteousness and Justice When you have put on this Vestment I may say you are a Gown-man This Robe is of a mixt colour to shew the mixture of Justice and Mercy Indeed a Magistrate must have two hands Plectentem amplectentem 2. The Bible is a Book that contains the Holy Scriptures in which you have the happiness to be well vers'd This Book of Life consists of two Testaments the Old and New the first is Christum Velatum in the second is Christum Revelatum it is a Book of Books and doth contain both Precepts and Examples for good Government 3. Here is a Scepter not unlike a staff for you are to be a staff to the weak and poor it is of antient use in this kind It 's said in Scripture that the Scepter shall not depart from Judah It was of like use in other Kingdoms Homer the Greeke Poet calls Kings and Princes Scepter-Bearers 4. The last thing is a Sword not a Military but Civil Sword it is a Sword rather of defence then offence not to defend yourself onely but others also If I might presume to fix a Motto upon this Sword it should be this Ego sum domini Protectoris ad protegendum populum meum This Speech being ended the Speaker took the Bible and gave the Protector his Oath afterwards Mr. Manton made a prayer wherein he recommended the Protector Parliament Council the Forces by Land and Sea Government and people of the three Nations to the Protection of God Which being ended the Heralds by sound of Trumpet proclaimed his Highness Protector of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereunto belonging requiring all persons to yeeld him due obedience At the end of all the Protector with his Train returned a joyful man no doubt to White-Hall and the Members to the Parliament-House where they prorogued their sitting to the next January There is no humane joy free from the mixture of some sorrow yea many times it falleth out to be equivalent to if not superabounding the joy it self So it fell out here for though the Protector might rejoyce at this acquisition of a Scepter yet the death of General Blake like a dish of cold water cast into the boyling Pot of his rising fortunes could do no less then mitigate the heat of it and cover the Courts countenance with a Cypress Vail This noble Blake in the beginning of Englands distractions sufficiently testified a high resolution in his almost miraculous defending of Lime and Taunton against the furie of Prince Maurice and the Lord Gorings Armies Afterwards the worth of this inestimable great Commander being taken notice of in Parliament they resolved it should not long lie hid at home but shew it self abroad and therefore he was advanced to be one of their Generals at Sea At his enterance into this Office he pent up Prince Rupert in the chief Port of Portugal and hunted him from Sea to Sea till he had reduced those ships with him which before had revolted from the Parliament This was but