after the first charge by the shot which though it was not very dangerous being but a rake in the neck yet the Pistoll being discharged so neare that the powder hurt his face and troubled his eyes was a better excuse for withdrawing if he had done so which yet he did not then many a gay man had that day Pag. 37. It is said that the Scots upon the taking of New-Castle carryed themselves with such moderation that the Enemies who had been in Armes against them were constrained to speake well of them Their moderation is acknowledged as to violence but as for the Testimony fetched from the mouth of the Enemies there was too much reason for it in regard that they especially one of the principall of them Sir Nicholas Cole a person excepted from pardon in the Propositions of both Kingdomes sent to the King at Oxford was detained for some time from the Justice of the Parliament of England who sent a Warrant for him by the Generall of the Artillery then commanding in Chiefe in the absence of the noble Generall who kept him company frequently let him live in all freedome and jollity and would not part with him till by an Order from the Parliament of Scotland procured by a Commissioner sent thither he was constrained so to doe and for other Enemies they sought and found protection in some Regiments of the Scottish Army which occasioned their speaking well But I have no mind to aggravate but must adde that the excuse he makes of Military order in the next page satisfies not for as I take it our Military force serves for nothing but the establishment of Civill power and peace I know no Military Order could keep the party above named from being disposed according to the will of the Parliament from the 20. of October till the February after and till the Parliament of Scotland very justly and honourably interposed their Authority Pag. 38. and 39. He makes a digression to set forth the malignancy and poverty of the North thereby to prejudice many of their just complaints and to make the stirring of the Westmoreland-men the more inexcusable I shall give you as true an account as the Manifest of the North both in generall and with respect to the particular mentioned of the rising in Westmoreland First as for the Malignancy of the North it had three disadvantages first its distance from the Parliament and City of London Secondly the want of good Ministers which I wish the Parliament and Assembly would heartily consider of there being not above foure Ministers in the foure Northern Counties capable of persecution by the Enemy when these Warres began The people are destroyed for want of knowledge If some of that strength which hath been spent at London in endlesse Debares about Discipline had been bestowed in Doctrine in the North and such like barren places Heu quantum terrae potuit pelagique parari Hoc quem civiles c. I wish Ministers were more of the temper of that holy Apostle who laboured more abundantly then they all who strived to preach the Gospel not where Christ was named lest he should build on another mans foundation But the warmth and accommodations of the South and Principles of self-love in men too suitable to them are fundi nostri calamitas This hath been the principall means how the Northern parts both of England and Scotland have proved so disadvantagious to this Cause And lastly the Nobility of these parts who were well affected lived out of the Countrey and the Gentry through the want of the powerfull preaching of the Gospel were not so sound which hath made the North in the condition it was But yet give me leave to say that for ought I ever observed or heard the Commonalty of these parts were never so ill affected but if due care had been taken to ingage them they had been as serviceable to this Cause as any other Northumberland as Norfolke But more particularly for Cumberland and Westmoreland they have shewed themselves the least disaffected of any other For first though they were arrayed by Sir Philip Musgrave under the pretence of the defence of their owne Countries yet they never would be perswaded to goe out of them to the prejudice of the Parliament for ought I have heard they were willing to agree with Laneashire and when they were in Armes and might have resisted the Scotch Horse for they had that strength which the Horse thought not fit to force yet upon a Letter from Mr. Barwis they gave way for the Scots to come in among them And the County of Cumberland raised 1800. Foot and 400. Horse at their own charge under the Command of Sir Wilfred Lawson for the reduction of Carlile And these Counties were not so poore but that in the space of six moneths or little more the Scottish Horse and Dragoones had from thence about the value of one hundred thousand pounds in mony and provisions more then ever the Earle of Newcastle had from them which argues they were not so poore and spent as that they were sensible of the least thing could be demanded And to speake more particularly of Westmoreland where the resistance to the Scots was though I know no man justifies the action for they should have addressed to the Parliament yet these things may be considered First they had expended for the entertainment of the Scotch Army 40000. l. or thereabouts as much as they could well indure without intermission so that now indeed they began to be sensible Secondly the Generall had so farre resented their charge that he had under his hand forbidden his Souldiers levies of money Thirdly the Parliament had also made an Ordinance for the entertainment of the Scottish Army dated February 20. laying the charge of it upon all parts of the Kingdome in their power that the North might be eased which for ought the Scottish Officers then knew might be effectuall for their pay Fourthly the Scottish Horse there quartered had so full pay for the Winter that the necessities of the County were beyond the necessitie of the Souldier These things considered will make the Westmorland mens resistance though it may be not justifiable yet not wholly inexcusable seeing their ground was necessity and their end the vindication not onely of the Authority of Parliament forbidding arbitrary Impositions by Armies and ordering other wayes of provision for Souldiers but of the Scottish Generall who had strictly forbidden the continuance of the assessement There is added pag. 39. a bitter and I think unjust reflection upon the Commissioners employed by the Parliament in the North who were Sir William Armyne Mr. Hatcher Mr. Robert Goodwin Mr. Barwis Mr. Darley Mr. Fenwick who put too much power in the hands of wicked Malignants as Recusants Prelaticks men lately in actuall Rebellion who spoyle the Countrey oppresse honest men c. A high Charge but no proofe except the Assertion he sayes indeed that men without
Manifest Truth OR AN INVERSION OF Truths Manifest Containing a NARRATION of the Proceedings of the Scottish Army and a Vindication of the Parliament and Kingdome of England from the false and injurious aspersions cast on them by the Author of the said Manifest PROV. 18. 17. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just but his neighbour commeth and searcheth him Published by Authoritie LONDON Printed by M. S. for Henry Overton in Popes-head-Alley and Giles Calvert at the Spread Eagle at West end of Pauls 1646. THE PREFACE THough all possible care shall be taken that this ensuing Discourse may need no Apology yet the misconstruction it is lyable to in this quarrelsome age may require a Preface in which I shall not as the Author of Truths Manifest goe about to quicken the appetite of my Reader by a self-commendation but if I regarded the praise of men should much rather choose to be commended by another in the end of my worke then by my selfe in the beginning But out of a great and just tendernesse of doing or being thought to doe any thing which might tend to any alienation betwixt these happily united Kingdomes I thought fit to declare as followeth First that a hearty union betwixt the two Kingdomes of England and Scotland as it is most agreeable to Religion and the solemne Covenant so it is eminently requisite to their mutuall preservation both from the illegall intrenchments of their owne King and from the attempts of forreigne Princes or States for by such an inviolate conjunction they shall be kept from being instrumentall to each others ruine which hath lately been designed upon both successively by their owne King that he might become absolute Lord of them both to the prejudice if not ruine of Religion and Liberty As also Strangers especially the French shall be prevented in their wonted designe which hath been to raise and foment differences betwixt these Kingdomes and have been forward to assist Scotland against England not for love to Scotland but hatred or feare of England which they have looked upon as a dangerous Neighbour And let me adde further that the continuation and confirmation of this Union will not prove onely an Ornament to the Protestant Religion but a great advantage to the propagating of it and will also make us more capable of righting our selves Confederates and Allyes against any injuries or usurpations that are or shall be offered And I hope these apprehensions shall over-awe my pen that it walke very circumspectly in the ensuing discourse Secondly give me leave to say that this Union doth not necessarily inferre a confusion or mixture but may as well and it may be better stand with a full reservation to each of their peculiar Lawes Priviledges Governments and possessions It is hard if not impossible to find two persons that shall concurre to an universall compliance in their friendship but are glad to find a correspondence in some things and content to yield a mutuall forbearance in others This is more difficult to be found in States who have besides their diversities of Lawes and Government more differences of generall and particular Interests then private persōs are capable of And though through Gods mercy these two Kingdomes are more happy then other Confederates who like bodies exactly sphericall touch but in a point as they have occasion by their Ambassadours yet the nature of affaires and men permits not they should meet as two bodies exactly plaine in every point For though their Interests be the same sc the conservation of their Liberties against Tyranny and Religion the choycest fruite of their Liberty against any thing destructive to it yet the customes and constitutions of the Kingdoms and the dispositions of the people may be so different besides other incident disadvantages that an universall close is rather to be desired then expected and something must be left to time and more to him who alone challenges the Prerogative of fashioning mens hearts alike And it may be added that such an union is not onely not possible but not necessary for Conjunction being but a meanes to some further end is no further requisite then it conduces to that end of mutuall preservation There is indeed beside the benefit a native beauty in unity but to be violent in pressing of it is to scratch the face that it may be beautifull and when accomplishd as it is thought it will be found rather to be a paint then a naturall complexion I shall onely take Liberty to adde further that the pressing an exact uniformity in Church or a union of mixture in State the nature of persons and things not admitting it may hinder a union of conjunction in those things which are possible and necessary And I pray God it be not the Designe of some under the pretence of union in things presently impossible to promote a difference in that which is necessary Thirdly as this discourse springs not from any principle of disaffection to the Scottish Nation so I hope none will force any such conclusions from it beyond my meaning though without my guilt For my part I freely professe that I think it may in its owne nature as well as its intent tend more to the preservation of union then the occasioning of distraction Upon this ground we have patiently received and read two Manifests to which the Questionist from St. Andrewes hath added something not a little reflecting upon the Parliament and Kingdome of England the first untouch'd produced a second this second may bring forth and in the close of it intimates a third and possibly a worse till under pretence of justification of our brethren the charges against our selves may grow intolerable and occasion greater inconveniences Fourthly I hope the distance of time intervening betwixt the booke and the Answer cannot afford an objection against it First I staid to see if somebody that was more able or more concerned would undertake it Secondly it is a businesse of great tendernesse and importance and occasioned many thoughts of heart which did long delay it but could not prevaile against it For I am able truly to say with the Author of Truths Manifest that not so much the love and honour of my own Nation which yet I hope shall be alwayes deare to me as Covenant and conscience and consideration of the good of both Kingdomes have put me upon this worke and carried me through it for it is found that unequall complyances especially with natures not so good doe but make way for greater disadvantages which cannot alwayes be borne And though it be alwayes better to suffer wrong then doe it and sometimes better to receive wrong then require right yet the most beaten path to peace and justice which I thinke now it becomes me and others to walk in is neither to doe wrong nor to suffer it For though a man may part with his owne Right for publick advantage yet I know no Rule of parting with other mens
field became Masters of the Enemies Carriages and Artillery and left more dead bodies then hath been at any Battell since these warres began and had slaine more but that the shelter of night and a neare Garrison hindred pursuit The lot of the body of Foot especially of Scots and my Lord Fairfaxes was so promiscuous some standing some flying that I can give no perfect accompt of it As for the Passage in Truth its manifest concerning Lieutenant Generall Cromwell and their Lieutenant Generall Lesley I should be loth to meddle in it and wish the Author of the Manifest had not but something must be said in the Animadversions Thus was God pleased to use the Scots Army in doing its part to the breaking of the strong Army of the North and the defeating of the Prince who brought into the field that day an Army very strong and well accomplisht Quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem If any will make a further enquiry and say who did best I could wish I might be put to no other answer then God did all which is the best way to decide Controversies of this kinde for no man loses when He gaines honour After this happy Victory the discouraged Enemy take severall courses Prince Rupert with his Retinue for his Army was gone marched on Northward to Allerton and so by Richmond back againe the way that he came The Earle of Newcastle with his deare Confidents Widrington and Carnaby went to Scarborough and so beyond Sea and with them Lievtenant Generall King The Government of Yorke by this meanes was devolved upon Sir Thomas Glenham who still undertakes desperate cures Our own Forces after the Generalls had time to meete and the confusion of the fight which lasts longer then the time of it was over and our wounded men provided for fall to work againe and the Fight being on Tuesday Iuly 2. on Thursday or Friday following a Party of Horse were sent under the Command of Lesley and Cromwell to follow the Enemy but they were first gotten into the Dales and became almost uncapable of annoyance The body of the Army returned to the Siege of Yorke which about a fortnight after was surrendred to the Parliament upon Treaty betwixt Commissioners on both parts And thus was God pleased to blesse these united Forces with a Victory and City in which the Scots as they had their part of pains and hazard so deserve their proportionable share of thanks and honour After this my Lord Manchester marched away towards Lincolne his Forces taking some Castles in Yorkshire by the way as Sheffield and Tickhill The Lord Fairfax remained in Yorke and disposed his Forces to the blocking up of some Castles in Yorkshire The Scots Army marched Northward againe And that I may not omit any thing concerning that Army while Generall Leven was imployed in these services about Yorke the Northerne parts and that part of the Scots Army left behind passed some danger and hardship in Northumberland Morpeth Castle held by Lieutenant Collonel Somervill was delivered up with the provisions and goods in it to Collonell Clavering And the Fort at South-Shields though not gotten sine sanguine was lost sine sudore upon a bare Summons from Montrosse and Clavering At this time also Sunderland was faced and outfaced by the mentioned Cavaliers who came to Bishops Wermouth and plundred some of their victualls but the Towne was preserved where amongst others the English Sea-men being much concerned for their ships were then in the harbour well acquitted themselves But the Earle of Callander then comming into England with an additionall Force among whom the Lord Sinclare Montgomery and Levingston dispelled these mysts and before the returne of the Scots Army tooke in Hartlepoole and Stockton upon surrender and placed Garrisons in them as seemed best to him and a little before the returne of the noble Earle of Leven from Yorkshire he had entred Gateshead Town of the South-side of Newcastle parted from it onely by the River by which means the Town of Newcastle was wholly blocked up on the South-side After the returne of the Generall a Bridge was made over the Tyne and he disposed his Army on the Northside and approached close to the Towne with his Foote the Horse being sent Westward towards Cumberland and Westmerland During this Siege which continued above two Moneths the Enemy made frequent and sharpe Sallies and the Generall frequent and faire offers to which the upstart Knight Marlay returned very peremptory and sometimes abusive answers which were reckoned for at last if they be not they may be But at length after much diligence and patience the Generall and the Commanders then resident with the Army resolved upon a Storm and to that end prepared Mines and Batteries and upon October 19th fell on at severall parts of the Towne at the breach made by Cannon there was no entrance and the most losse on the Scots part was there but the Mines taking well especially one at White-Friers Tower they entred and both to our and their benefit tooke that strong and rich Towne Sir Iohn Marly the Governour with the Scottish Earl of Crasurd and others retreated to the Castle expecting thence to make their termes but could get none but those of mercy which considering the persons was too good for them though lesse could not be granted After the entrance there was little bloud shed but the common Souldier betooke himselfe to what he could the Officer almost to what he would For herein the Scots are more orderly then the English Among our Armies commonly the Souldier gets the greatest share of the spoile the Officers generally being not so earnest at the prey and the English Souldiers are not so easily commanded as the Scots in such a case For the Scots Souldiers will very orderly stand Sentinell at the dore they are appointed to and for some small matter preserve a house with its appurtenances for their Commanders so that the Towne was not especially the best houses spoiled in specie but onely purged by a composition which was fortuitous according as the nature of the Chapmen was some good bargaines some ill And thus was Newcastle reduced which to speake as much truth as the Manifest was a very remarkable service being the onely thing of moment wherein that Army hath been engaged apart from other Forces in England these two yeares And to make this good successe compleat that the Passage from the Coale-Indies might be cleare Tynmouth Castle Commanded by Sir Thomas Riddell out of a sympathy betwixt the Towne-Clerke and the Major of Newcastle was surrendred upon Articles and Garrisons placed in both Towne and Castle by order of the Scots Commanders and Generall After these places thus taken and in this manner setled and the businesse of Fines Compositions at Newcastle dispatched it was time to dispose the Scots Army which had been most of the precedent Winter in the fields to their Winter
Quarters To that purpose two or three Regiments of Horse and a Regiment of Dragoones were alotted to abide in Cumberland and Westmerland three Regiments of Horse sent into the North-Riding of Yorkshire Northumberland and Bishopricke of Durham were appointed to the Foote and some odde Troops of Horse The Horse in Cumberland had by this time made some entrance upon the Siege of Carlile Sir Wilfrid Lawson and others Cumberland men being joyned with them who had raised both Horse and Foote for that service of which more in the Animadversions After the Army thus was disposed of the Committee also and the Generall disposed themselves into Scotland and left our English Commanders and the Souldiers to dispute matters of Assessement and Provision Impar Congressus During this time of Winter I have not heard any thing of service from that Army onely that some Foote were sent to the assistance of Sir Iohn Meldrum at the Siege of Scarborough-Castle and some also were sent to Pontfract but had not libertie to stay the end of these works in regard of other employment So that wee have free leave to passe on to the Spring at which time the Scottish Committee for the Army after the dispatch of their own affaires in Parliament and Assembly returned The Generall himselfe being come before into England toward the end of Ianuary In the second yeares service the first thing that offers it selfe was Lievtenant Generall Lesleys going with a Party of Horse and Foote to the assistance of Sir William Brereton who was then besieging Beeston-Castle and intending Chester but hearing that Prince Rupert was drawing towards him with a considerable force sent to the Committee of both Kingdomes at Westmorland for ayd who desired that Lievtenant Generall Lesley might goe with a Party of Horse to his assistance which accordingly was done A Party of Yorkshire Horse being also joyned with him but of that conjunction wee had no further newes or fruit but that the Enemy came not far enough to fight us and our Forces stood upon the defensive Whereupon the Lieutenant Generall shortly after returned into the West-Riding of Yorkshire about Hallifax where he remained for a space About this time the Parliament finding ground to new-mould the severall Armies under the Command of the Earles of Essex and Manchester and Sir William Walter a course of equall hazard and necessity which God hath since blessed with successe to admiration into one body under the Command of the valiant and victorious Sir Thomas Fairfax by this means and especially by the forwardnesse and opposition of some who made it their great businesse to crosse this worke so little did they value the publique good in respect of their owne conceits wills and interests it came to passe that we lost some ground in the start at the Spring but through mens diligence and Gods blessing it was quickly recovered About this time I say the Parliament sent to the Scots Army and their Committee that they would hasten the advance of that Army Southward with all possible speed in regard that this change and opposition had brought their affaires into some distraction And to enable and encourage them for their March sent them 30000. li And accordingly about the time that Sir Thomas Fairfax upon order from the Committee of both Kingdomes marched from Windsor westward with a piece of an Army which was the first of May the Scots Army came to Rippon in Yorkshire where there were severall debates betwixt their Committee and our Commanders about matter of Provisions the English Commanders still pressing the necessity of Marching Southward the King having drawne his Army into the field and promising all possible care for accommodation But in the midst of these disputes the King drawing Northward and the Scots having intelligence out of Cheshire of the Kings intendment to send a flying Army over the Hills through Lancashire into Scotland The debate about marching Southwards and making Provisions for it was turned into a dispute which was the best way into Lancashire for the journey was resolved by the Scots The English Commissioners told them if they must goe the neerest way passable enough was the way that Prince Rupert marched from Lancashire to the reliefe of Yorke which was by Skippon but they chose rather to goe about by the way of Stainmore commonly called in those parts The Devills Gallary for the uncouthnesse of it into Westmerland which had a little before resisted some Scottish Officers requiring Contribution as they say beyond their power and beside the Parliaments authority There they stayed some time but the flying Army being not to be found or heard of the Scots march back againe the same way to Rippon about the beginning of Iune First having sent some more commanded men to Carlisle which was shortly after reduced by the joyned Forces Scots and English which I onely mention now left in the Narrative I should be thought fit to omit an action of moment but reserve the story of it to another place at which time the Parliament sent downe two of their owne Members to waite on the Scots Army and hasten their march Southwards who accompanyed the Army to Nottingham and from thence the chiefe Officers of the Scots Army sent a Letter to the Parliament which the Author of Truth 's manifest thinks fitter to print though neither they that writ it nor they that received it judged meet to doe Within two dayes after the date of the Letter it pleased God to honour the Army under the Command of sir Thomas Fairfax and blesse these Kingdomes with an eminent and seasonable victory over the Royall Army at Nazeby which was a happy foundation of the recovery of Leicester within three dayes after and many other successes wherewith God hath followed their valour and diligence to this day By this meanes the heat of the Warre was over for that yeare especially in these parts the King having no field Forces left but those under the Command of Goring in the West After this the Scots Army with all readinesse march Southward through Warwickshire Worstershire and so towards Hereford whither some Commissioners were sent from Parliament to joyne Counsels and endeavours with them a field Enemy not appearing they resolve to besiege Hereford the reducing which place was thought very necessary for the prevention of the Kings recruits commonly fetch't from those parts The siege went on hopefully Mines and Batteries were prepared and the taking of the City which never was accounted very strong continually expected but in the meane time it pleased God to suffer Montrosse with his wicked crue to give our Brethren in Scotland a sad overthrow I am sure all good people had reason to accompt it so at Kylsyth where many good men were lost and the Forces of that Kingdome almost totally dissipated which occasioned the recourse of many eminent persons to Barwick and discovered a more generall malignancy in Scotland then was expected The newes of
mend this slip and addes a resolution that till the Commissioners did the thing he advises he would take a Commission from himselfe to doe it To al which I say no more then indignus tu qui diceres tamen For the charge I may adde neque hoc opprobrio digni sunt Men in trust and Authority should take care that the People may rather have the advantage then the knowledge of their proceedings Things that are to be done by them are necessarily to be made knowne to them and to satisfie them in their obedience the ground of the command or something shewing the Equity and necessity of it is usually premitted as is done in the preamble of Acts Ordinances and Declarations But to make knowne the debates and those humane passions incident thereunto it were sometimes to discover nakednesse where it ought not to minister strifes to make the people Judges of them whom they have made so I have heard that the custome of Scotland is otherwise where there is a diligent eye had to the Presse which is not as here which is one of our faults prostitute to the lust of every Pamphlet and a reverend reservednesse kept upon their Counsels and actions onely so farre as the people are concerned in obeying things are carefully made knowne to them and difficulties removed And certainly those that are reserved at home will not judge it meet to be very open elsewhere for though the Proverb is not strictly to be applyed yet it carries a generall equity and decency In alienâ—m domum cum veneris mutus surdus esto The Gentleman makes some Objections which he answers he that hides can finde but unawares ties some knots which he cannot easily undoe For instance his second Objection in the Answer to which he affirmes that the Commissioners of Scotland doe not sufficiently discharge their duty in making knowne to the Parliament and Assembly to the full the truth of all things by their papers which he proves by an assertion which for want of other strength he doubles that what is de facto concerning all must be made knowne to all The sounder axiome were what concernes all to know must be made knowne to all for otherwise who will deny but the people are concerned in Counsels Deliberations and conclusions of things to be done they being the subject and end of them and yet this Author grants that these things are to be made knowne to the Trustees of State But I have no mind to wrangle Let us see the strength of the Argument which is this The Trustees of the State and Church are not Lords of them but servants therefore the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland are to impart to the people of England their papers and proceedings This conclusion seemes to me larger then the Premisses and like to have the lot of a building wider then the foundation the true inference from the Antecedent is rather this Therefore the Commissioners of Scotland as good servants should give an accompt to them that intrust them so farre as is expected or required But shew me where the people of England conferred that trust upon the Commissioners from Scotland or where they required any accompt Doubtlesse those Honourable Persons doe give accompt and satisfaction to them from whom they received their Commission and trust and need not doe it to any other And though that expression of servants as opposed to a Lordly usurpation is good as to the thing yet the word seemes to give too specious a ground for such a corrupt inference as this If the Rulers be servants the people are Masters whereas the truth is the Magistrate serves the good of the people rather then the people as the Apostle expresseth it Rom. 13. They are the Ministers of God to the people for good Ministers or servants of God that this their appellation to the peoples good that is their use Thus the Angels serve the Saints who are yet lower then the Angels and Pastours the people whom yet they rule over in the Lord Me thinks those that hate Independency in the Church should not affect popularity in the State but any thing for a turne But let me leave this Rule with my friends and Country-men that though it be fit that all exorbitant usurpation and arbitrary dominion of Rulers have a seasonable stop lest publike Liberty suffer yet must it be done without debasing those in authority whose honour and esteeme with the people is necessary to the order and conservation of the whole alwayes provided that this tender regard need not be had to any of what place soever that are in open hostility against the people who make no other use of their power and Reputation then to deceive and destroy the people of which our instance is too neare As for the freedome of Iohn Knox and George Bucanan mentioned pag. 12. I could well consent it were revived so it be rightly bestowed as by them it was sc. against the Popery of the then Queen and the self-interests of great men in publick works and against tyranny in Princes King Charles deserves a severer Schoolemaster then ever King Iames had Secondly after this expostulation with the Commissioners ending pag. 14. the Narration begins in which the Author layes open in the first place the carriage of things betwixt the Scots and the King at their first entrance which I meddle not with onely give this note on the behalfe of England that whatsoever was then done as is alleadged contrary to justice and Faith must not be set in the least degree upon the accompt of this Kingdome whose proper Representative is the Parliament who disclaimed the whole businesse it was the work of the King not the Kingdome of the Faction not the Nation But I rest in the thoughts of the Act of pacification Thirdly the next thing to be insisted on is of more consequence and will require a full clearing which is found at the 18. pag. sc. The Scots under God are the cause of assembling the Parliament of the continuance of it and of the preservation of it from totall destruction and ruine And to this purpose there are divers passages which I think fittest to summe up together and give them some dilucidation rather then opposition Another expression of this kind is pag. 94. The Scots were in a kinde the onely hinderers of the Kings compassing his designe pag. 99. 100. For whom they have hazarded and many lost their lives when they might all this while have sate at home quietly pag. 112. They make our quarrell theirs have undergone the burthen for our sakes to free us from it They are become miserable to pull us out of misery a thing not to be parallel'd Pag. 114. They have crucified themselves for their Brethren Pag. 142. Who have ventured yea lost themselves in a manner with all that is deare unto men for their sakes to doe them a double good to help them out of trouble and
settle a Reformation among them God forbid that I should be one of those ingrate children mentioned and cryed out on by this Author It is farre from my thought or purpose to deny or to diminish the kindnesse of our brethren whose help was desired and was seasonable but let us understand our selves and how the matter stands betwixt these two Kingdomes We are indebted to Scotland I wish an even reckning and long friendship but I am not yet of opinion we owe our selves to them and if the Author of the Manifest be consulted you shall find an intimation of some other Obligations then meere kindnesse unto us As for instance pag. 24. It is said that the Scots when they began to interesse themselves in this businesse they could not in Conscience and honesty sit quiet any longer and neither say nor doe but I take no advantage of this we are beholding to men for doing what in conscience and honesty they are bound though they should hurt themselves more in violating Conscience and honour then in suffering us to be violated To this you shall find a more externall ground added pag. 28. viz. Now the State of Scotland seeing the common Enemy come to that height that nothing will satisfie him but totall subversion of Church and State inthese Dominions onely they perhaps might be kept for the last though in intention they had been the first judge it not enough for their interest in the common cause to keepe an Army in Ireland but to bee upon their Guard at home and to help their Brethren in England with the Sword since all other meanes so often tryed were disappointed by the malice of the Enemies And this resolution is said to have been taken before Commissioners were sent from England to desire their assistance Pag. 30. So that you may observe the Enemy was a common Enemy the Cause a common Cause the danger to these Dominions the Scots like to suffer as deep though not so soone if they had sate still But give me leave paulo altius repetere and to consider the ancient mutuall tyes and later friendships betwixt these Kingdomes which may be a good meanes to continue and confirme their present correspondence So long as these Kingdomes were under divers especially popish Princes their condition was like that of Israel 2. Chron. 15. 3. when it was without a true God without a teaching Priest and without Law At which time there was no peace to him that went out nor to him that came in but great vexations were upon all the Inhabitants of the Countries and Nation was destroyed of Nation and City of City The mutuall spoyles and losses of these neighbour Kingdomes being well considered by that wise Prince Henry the seventh he layes a probable foundation of conjunction in giving his eldest Daughter to the King of Scots whose posterity upon the failing of the issue of his Sonne Henry the eight might inherit both Kingdomes which hath since come to passe In the time of Edward the sixt it was thought fit by that Prince whose wisdome and vertue was beyond his yeares and his Councell to make the conjunction more sure and therefore agreed with the Kingdom of Scotland for a Match betwixt this young King and the Daughter of Iames the fifth afterward Queen of France and Scotland But the Polititians of those times in Scotland chose rather to marry their young Princesse to France then England it may be forecasting upon the faile of issue in Henry the eights children that it would be more for their advantage to have a Scottish-man or a French-man King of England then an English-man of Scotland though if I may speake it without offence I think they might have had more comfort in that young Prince Edward 6. had God continued his life and reigne then England hath had of the two Kings they have had from Scotland of whom Truths Manifest sayes That there hath been more Christian bloud shed in these latter yeares under the end of King Iames his and King Charles his Reignes by their Commissions Approbations Connivences and not forbidding what at home and what abroad all which upon the matter they might have stopped if it had been their pleasure then were in the time of the ten Romane Persecutions But although the English had received some dis-ingagement by the non-performance of that Match which was aggravated on both parts by a Fight at Musselborough field yet when the Scots were sore troubled and their Religion Liberty indangered by the said Queene returned from France into Scotland who called the French in to her assistance against her native Subjects the renowned Queene Elizabeth and her prudent Councell though this Kingdome had continuall warre with Spaine yet feared not to provoke the French by affording seasonable helpe to her distressed Neighbours sending to their reliefe 6000 men which were maintained at the charge of the Kingdome of England Which was then thankfully and justly called to minde by the Kingdome of Scotland when this last treaty was to be made So that if we breake off here the kindnesse rests not on our part But I shall as gladly proceed to repeate the good turnes done to this Kingdome as by it and rejoyce in the mutuall obligation And that I may not breake in too suddenly upon the late affaires of these Kingdomes give me leave as a manuduction thereto to give a briefe touch of the Method of Reformation in this Island and but a word for the body of the Story may be had elswhere It pleased God at the bringing of this Island out of Popery to honour Scotland with a more full departure from Romish Idolatry and Superstition for though England wholly renounced their Doctrine yet some dregges of discipline and superstitious Ceremonies remained The Scots had indeed some advantages that wee had not Their Queene was obnoxious their young King in his nonage they had some Nobles and Ministers zealous and well affected so that through Gods blessing they obtained a Reformation in that point though not with so little difficulty as should give them ground to expect it should be done here on a suddaine But as for England in Queene Elizabeths time shee had so much trouble for Holland with Spaine and in Ireland that her Councell thought not fit to adventure upon the trouble of an alteration in this point which they foresaw and wee finde to be great And besides many of our Reformers being Bishops could not so well understand the convenience of their own abolishment In King Iames his time though wee might have expected to have been better in regard he came from a reformed Kingdome yet it was far worse with us for he came with an innate bitternesse against Puritanes which was fomented by our English Bishops so that he became a great Persecutor of unconformity And according to the Proverb Seldome comes a better since the Reigne of this King especially since the preferment of the late Archbishop of Canterbury
it hath been much worse with us for in stead of reforming we were deforming and in stead of renouncing returning to Rome apace But all this while England wanted not its honour in the eyes of God and good men For God favoured it with men eminent in learning able and earnest assertors of the Doctrine of the Gospel against the Champions of Rome Bellarmine and his Fellowes such were Whitaker Reynolds Iewel Fulke Perkings c. with more practicall Preachers and Writers and a greater measure of the Power of Godlines then other reformed Churches Thus we see Non omnis fert omnia tellus Scotland had its advantages and so had England that neither they without us nor wee without them might be made perfect but that we might contribute to the reformation of each other and both to our neighbours You will pardon this digression I returne After King Iames had outgrown his tutors hankered after Spaine and was come into England He went about to pull downe what was built in Scotland for matter of discipline and interrupted the Liberty of the Assemblies as at Perth more especially though his nature was to accomplish his designes rather by artifice then by violence King Charles succeeds him in his Crowne and intention but drives more furiously then his Father and ventures the overturning all and so am I come to the late troubles of Scotland about the yeare 1638. At which time both Kingdomes had Bishops but Scotland first cast them off to which they had these advantages First their naturall Antipathy against Episcopacy which is generally remarkable in that Nation Secondly the absence of the King who was not there to countenance them with his presence and support them with his interest and authority as here It is no small advantage to have an absent King A King prevents the Factions of an Aristocracy His absence takes away the Enormities of a Court and the advantages to Tyranny And as they had more advantage so had they more reason to begin They had a Service-book put upon them against Law more corrupt then ours which was established by a Law then in force Their worke was but to assert their Rights against innovation ours to inlarge our Reformation and adde something de novo which is a much harder and a more questionable worke But however it was very happie for them and us that they had such an opportunitie hearts to use it as they did in standing in the breach like to be made upon the Religion and Liberties of both Kingdomes To come yet nearer This dispute betwixt the King and his Party on the one side the Lords and Ministers of Scotland on the other growes to blowes and Armies are prepared on each hand How stood the affection of the Commonaltie of England in this Cause How backward were they to raise men to pay money the Souldiers that were raised in many places fell to pulling downe Altars breaking Images as a worke which pleased them better then to goe against Scotland in that Cause And whilst some were preparing to fight against them many were actually stirring and wrastling with God for them in prayers Such was the affection they bore to that Cause and Kingdome And when the Parliament was called to which God made the Scottish broyles an advantage though the affaires of England could not long have stood in that temper they were in how tender were they of contributing any thing to the warre against them and chose rather to adventure their own dissolution then a breach with them And when they were the second time conveened even to this present Parliament how readily did they gratifie their brethren with a competent sum called brotherly assistance to be paid by this Kingdome for the injuries done by a Faction in it And this carriage of the Parliament is acknowledged to be worthy and obliging by the Convention of the Estates of Scotland in their Declaration premitted at their Entrance So that hitherto wee were not behind-hand with them It remaines then that this great obligation must arise from the present conjunction But if we consider the grounds the termes and issue it may appeare not to be extraordinary As for the grounds if this Author in his 28. Pag. already mentioned be not authenticke let me alledge those that are sc. the Convention in the short Declaration premitted at their comming into this Kingdome in Ianuary 1643. Where beside and before the Law of Love requiring us to beare each others burthen you may finde a Law of Nature mentioned injoyning them to preserve themselves by preventing their neighbours ruine It is indeed a kindnesse for a man to helpe to quench a fire in his neighbours house though his own be next but if his house had not been so neare it may be the man had been further off So that it was not a sole respect to us that brought them for that is no Fiction though it be Poetry Tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet So much for the Ground The termes were as betwixt Strangers and Mercenaries though we love and embrace the title of brethren as appeares by the Treaty wherein it is required and agreed that England be at the whole charge of paying this Army the termes upon which they serve France and Holland and expected that this Kingdome be responsable for incident charges and losses What could be further asked And looke to the issue if God grant it when this Kingdome will be found to have afforded all the charge and most of the force for the preservation of England and Ireland directly and Scotland as really though by consequence for prius and posterius makes no great difference which was the case as this Author acknowledgeth Pag. 28. And thus have I given accompt of the true state as neare as I could learne it of the Obligations betwixt these two Kingdomes which afford this Result That wee should love one another As for the particular words which occasioned this discourse which are three times repeated in the Manifest sc. that the Scots were the cause of calling continuing preserving from ruine this present Parliament let me say thus much to them As for the calling it they were the occasion but not the cause As for the continuance of it this is the account Wee feeling the smart of broken Parliaments as also our debts and necessities calling for money it could not be borrowed but upon publique Faith this was not to be given but in Parliament whereupon a noble Gentleman Mr Pierrepont by name who was not then much acquainted with the Scots moved upon those grounds for an act of continuance of this Parliament and it passed As for the preservation of it from ruine this Clause following immediately upon the Authors discourse of the Scots refusing the Kings offers which he made them of the foure Northerne Counties c. if they would lend their hand to the Parliaments ruine induceth me to beleeve he meanes that not destruction for