the Spirit hath no other relief but that of Grace and Reason This his preservation was also an effect of his Prayers which he had chosen with a great deal of prudence out of the holy Writs He caused one of his Gentlemen often to read the tenth Chapter of Matthew's Gospel and twice a day himself rehearsed the 71. Psalm of David which hath so near a relation to his Fortune and to his Affairs as that one would believe it had been a Prophesie purposely dictated by the holy Ghost for him or else that this great Personage was a Mortal Figure of that great Favourite of God who hath done so many marvellous things with such slender beginnings passing through so many obstacles difficulties and dangers so likewise was it very just that he should enter into the eternal Rest on the like day wherein he had undergone such great and glorious Labours and Dangers and that he should triumph over Death even in his weakness at the like time wherein he had overcome her at her fullest strength and greatest advantages This conformity happened unto him as well as to several other great Personages of the Earth but by such observable and reiterated notable actions as that it is void of all doubt but the Heavens had foretold by the Stars which are the Looking-glasses and Rule of all famous Mens Lives the Events of our glorious Protectors successes To instance in some Alexander the Great was born on the sixth day of April on the like day the famous Temple of Diana at Ephesus was burnt presaging that fire which this Conqueror should kindle in Asia On a sixth day of April he overcame Darius King of Persia in a Battle and on the like day he departed this life whereunto there may be added that his Birth was preceded by a famous Victory which the Greeks his Subjects obtained on a sixth day of April against the Persians hard by Plutea and by a Naval Combat which also happened the same day So likewise Pompey was born and triumphed on a like day to wit the thirtieth of the Moneth of September Charles the Fifth the Emperour had also such like observable Encounters he was born on a twenty fourth of February and being twenty four years old on the like day he obtained a great Victory in which a great King was taken prisoner And on a twenty fourth day of February he was crowned Emperour by the Pope But not to look any further then our own Countrey and into our own Histories It is observed that his late Highness our present Lord Protector Richard was Installed in his Protectorship on the like day being a third day of September when as Richard the First that Famous King of England so much spoken of in the Histories by reason of his great Wit Understanding and Resolution began his Reign an accident which cannot choose but promise a most favourable Omen and good Token In like manner his late Highness had more favourable and famous dayes encountring together then any of those foregoing Worthies which we have specified For on a third of September he was confirmed in his Protectorship by the Parliament On a third of September he gained in Scotland that famous Battel of Dunbar On a third of September he gained that great Battel at Worcester And Finally on a third of September his glorious life was Crowned with a peaceable and resolved death in the midst of all his Triumphs in his Palace at White-hall with all the comforts which good hopes could give in his posterity both to his Children and to the Companions of his Fortune The Corps of his late Highness having been Embalmed and wrapped up in a sheet of Lead was on the six and twentieth of September about ten of the Clock at night privately removed from White-hall to Sommerset-house being onely attended by his own Domestick Officers and Servants as the Lord Chamberlain and Comptroller of the Houshold the Gentlemen of the Life-guard the Guard of Halberdiers and divers other Officers and Servants two Heralds of Arms went next before the Corps which was placed in a morning Hearse drawn by six Horses in which manner it was carried to Sommerset-House where it remained for some dayes in private untill things were in a readiness to expose it in State to a publick view which was performed with the following order and Solemnity The first Room at Sommerset-House where the Spectators entred was formerly the Presence Chamber compleatly hung with Black at the upper end whereof was placed a Cloth of State with a Chair of State under the same The second large Room was formerly the Privy Chamber hung with Black with a Cloth and Chair of State under the same The third Room was formerly the Withdrawing Room hung with BlackCloth had a Cloth and Chair of State in it as the former all which three large Rooms were compleatly furnished with Scutcheons of his Highness Arms crowned with the Imperial Crown and at the head of each Cloth of State was fixed a large majestique Scutcheon fairly painted and gilt upon Taffity The fourth Room where both the Corps and the Effigies did lye was compleatly hung with Black Velvet and the Roof was cieled with Velvet and a large Canopy or Cloth of State of black Velvet fringed was plated over the Effigies made to the life in Wax The Effigies it self being apparel'd in a rich suit of uncut Velvet robed in a little Robe of Purple Velvet laced with a rich Gold Lace and furr'd with Ermins upon the Kirtle was the Royal large Robe of the like purple Velvet laced and furred with Ermins with rich strings and tassels of Gold the Kirtle being girt with a rich embroidered Belt wherein was a fair Sword richly gilt and hatch'd with Gold hanging by the side of the Effigies In the right hand was the Golden Scepter representing Government in the left hand the Globe denoting Principality upon the Head a purple Velvet Cap furr'd with Ermins signifying Regality Behinde the Head there was placed a rich Chair of State of tissued Gold and upon the Cushion which lay thereon was placed an Imperial Crown set with precious Stones The Body of the Effigies lay upon a Bed of State covered with a large Pall of black Velvet under which there was spread a fine Holland Sheet upon six stools of tissued Cloth of Gold on the sides of the Bed of State was placed a rich suit of compleat Armour representing his late Highness Command as General at the Feet of the Effigies stood his Crest according to the custom of ancient Monuments The Bed of State whereupon the Effigies did thus lie was ascended unto by two steps covered with the aforesaid Pall of Velvet the whole work being compassed about with Rails and Ballasters covered with Velvet at each corner whereof there was placed an upright Pillar covered with Velvet upon the tops whereof were the four Supporters of the Imperial Arms bearing Banners or Streamers Crowned The Pillars
the Town the English were engaged to encamp themselves on the East-side of the Town in an open Field very fit to give Battel in without that either Party would give or take advantage of the Ground where the English having attended the Enemies a sufficient space of time and perceiving that they would not fight but upon an advantage they took their March towards Dunbar whither the Scots followed them immediatly and at a certain passage endeavoured to charge their Rearguard But the English immediatly facing about the Scots changed their resolution and gained the Hills where they thought they might with advantage cut off the English their passage to Coperspeth at which time the English Army was but in a very ill Condition the Winter wch begins betimes in those parts had so nipt them with Colds and great Rains and the ill Victuals which they had besides caused a great deal of sickness in the Army Fluxes Loosness and other Diseases whereby many died and were rendred uncapable of Service being sent and carried away to Barwick and the adjoyning parts The Scots who very well knew the sad estate of the English Army which they had really blocked up at the passage of Copperspeth which is betwixt Dunbar and Barwick thereby impeding the English's Communication with that place and by hindring them from those Conveniencies which they thence received intending either to overcome them there or to cause them to perish there for want of Necessaries so that they promised themselves an unquestionable Victory without much loss on their sides wherby they presumed to brag that they had gotten the English in the Earl of Essex's Pensold alluding to that extremity whereunto the Royallists had reduced that Earle in the County of Cornwall where his Army surrendred at discretion the Horse only excepted who made their way through the Enemy in the Night-time Nor were the Scots their hopes ill grounded considering the ill plight wherein the English Army was at that time and the inequality of their Forces the Scots being at the least 20000 Men and the English not above 12000 divers of which were likewise sick But the extremity whereunto the English were reduced made them pitch upon so firm a resolution either to overcome or to die in the Battel as that the Scots were totally routed and defeated by those very reasons and that very confidence which had made them as it were sure of the Victory Wherefore the General and the chief Officers of the English Army deeming that the longer they should delay to put it to a noble adventure whereby to get out of this great straight wherein they were the lesse they should be able to compass it resolved either to make their passage through their Enemies by the points of their Swords or to perish in the undertaking So that they imployed the whole Night in seeking of the Lord and imploring his Assistance from Heaven as also in giving out and distributing the Orders requisite for the Fight and just at break of the day the Army was ready drawn up into Battel-aray and to give the on-set the English word was The Lord of Hoastes and the Scots word was The Covenant which did very well represent the state of their Affairs and the subject of their Quarrell and in an instant both the English Horse and Foot with a gallant resolution fiercely charged the right Wing of the Scots where the Enemy had placed all their Cavalry on purpose to hinder the English in their passage that way The Scots received their Charge with a great deal of constancy and resolution and it may justly be said That Alexander did not meet with more resistance nor glory at the passage of Granicia then our late Protector met with at this Encounter especially if so be we consider how that the said Conquerour of Asia had to do with an effeminate kind of People bred in a delicious Country accustomed to their ease and pleasures but here on the contrary That the English brought up in a fertile abundant Soil and under a middle Climate should come to confront a War-like Nation in a harsh barren and cold Climat The General 's own Regiment of Foot had the Vanguard that day and performed the parts of men answering most gloriously to that honour which belonged to them Their Colonel and General together animating aâ—d encouraging them by his own example witnessed by his Actions that there was not a straws breadth that day betwixt them and death or the Victory Major General Whaley charged the Enemies whole Army through and through with his Regiment bearing down all those who durst withstand him and without the loss of many men having wheeled about again and cleared all before him regained his former station himself having only received a slight Wound in the Arm and had a Horse killed under him And not to detain the Reader in any further suspence all the Regiments of the Army performing their parts like resolute gallant men For should a man go about to praise one Squadron or Battallion of them in particular he must of necessity derogate from the rest you might have observed as many Soldiers as Officers as many Officers as Soldiers who being all of them animated or rather inspired by a supernaturall instinct of Valour a man would have thought they had been invulnerable or shot-free and that a Hand from on high did defend them from the showers of Lead and Launces which were ready to overwhelme them so that the violence and force wherewith they fought did only permit the Scots to put by their Blows as also it is worthy to be noted that in all this Fight the English lost but forty men whereas of the Scots there were foure thousand killed upon the place and that Army which was stronger then the English by two thirds thinking to have overwhelmed them did only by closing in upon them force them to fight with the greater vigour and you would have imagined that the little Army of the English consisted only of one Body which had but one only motion and charged the Enemy on all sides with so much Impetuosity and Animosity as that you would have said it had been and insensible Mass or Lump which only pressed forwards where the weight of Arms or the force of Powder did transport it Finally after one whole hours dispute very hot Fight and violent furious Contests the Scots gave way and their Horse being put to flight endeavoured to save themselves by the goodness of their heels the English Cavalry pursuing them to Haddington all the Scotch Foot remained on the place and that which rendred the slaughter of them the greater was that the English Soldiers remembred an Action which hapned the day before in which thirty Soldiers of Colonel Prides Regiment being commanded to possess a House scituate betwixt both Camps and not being seconded were over-powred by a greater number of the Scots and so forced to deliver up the place again notwithstanding which
Concernments the Parliament being desirous together with the Kings person to extirpate his Memory and to remove those Objects which might beget tenderness in the people who do alwaies bemoan the misfortunes of those whom before they hated Commanded that his Statues should be flung down whereupon that which stood on the VVest-end of St. Pauls Church in London was cast down and the other which was placed in the old Exchange placing this following Inscription in the Comportment above the same Exit tyrannus Regum ultimus Anno Libertatis Angliae restitutae primo Anno Domini 1648. Januarii 30. In like manner the Aâ—mes of the Crown of England which were placed in the Churches in the Courts of Judiciture and other publick places were taken down And the Common-weath being now as it seemed solidly established some neighbouring States who desired to be in Amity with Her sent their extraordinary Ambassadors over as namely the Hollanders Spain and Portugal and by the following Negociations the issues of the said Embassies will easily appear As to the Spanish Ambassador satisfaction was continually demanded of him for the Murther which was committed on the persons of this Common-wealths Agents at Madrid nor was this State at all satisfied with the Answer thereon returned That the Contestations between the King of Spain and his Clergy on that particular were not as yet reconciled or brought to naissue And as to the Portugal Ambassador great and vast summes being demanded of him for the reimbursement of those Charges which the King his Master had caused the Common-wealth to be at and for the reparation of those damages which the English Merchants had sustained He replyed he had no Orders to make Answer thereunto whereupon he had his Audience of departure and went his way Immediatly after this Common-wealth sent two extraordinary Ambassadors to the States of the united Provinces the Lords Oliver St. Johns and Walter Strickland Personages of a high repute and endowed with exquisite Parts their Train was great ad splendid and their Equipage favoured not a little of the Splendor of their continued Victories They Embarqued in the Downs on the eleventh of March 1651. and the next day toward even they came to an anchor neer Helvoot Slugs but not without some danger on the 13 they made towards Rotterdam in the long-boats and by the way they were met by some of the States Jachts or Barges and being arrived they were by the English Merchants conducted to their publick House where they were most splendidly entertained whither the Spanish Ambassador sent to complement them by one of his Gentlemen to testifie unto them his joy for their happy arrival beseeching them to enter into and joyn with him in a right understanding Two or three dayes after they set forward towards the Hague and by the way were met by the Master of Ceremonies accompanyed with about thirty Coaches and after some reciprocal complements passed and exchanged they were conducted to a stately House which was prepared for them in the Town where having been three dayes treated at the States charges they had audience In which the Lord St. Johns made a most Elegant and learned Speech in English and gave the Copy thereof unto the Lords States both in English and in Dutch the most essential points whereof were as followeth I. That they were sent unto the Lords the High and mighty States of the United Provinces on the behalf of the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England to ciment a firm League and Confederation betwixt the two Common-wealths in case their Lordships thought it fitting notwithstanding the injuries which the English had received from the Holland Nation II. That they desired to renew and confirm the Treaties and Agreements formerly made concerning the Traffique and Commerce betwixt both Nations III. After which they exhibited the advantages which the Hollanders would reap by this said union in regard of the commodious situation of England for the Traffique with the multitude and security of her Havens and of all things which may advance the Commerce and Trade IV. Finally he told them That he wus commanded by the Parliament of England and by the Common-wealth to make known to their Lordships how sencibly they were touched with the Murder which was committed on the person of their Agent Mr. Dorislaus and that they doubted not but their Lordships would use all possible endeavours to discover the Authors of that horrid and unworthy action After which the Lords States being informed that the said Lords Ambassadors followers were daily molested and affronted by the English Royallists and other persons who resided in Holland they caused a Proclamation to be drawn up which they sent unto the Lords Ambassadors to know of them whether it was penned in the due terms according to their good liking whereby on pain of death they prohibited that no man should either by words or deeds offend or molest any of the said Ambassadors followers or retainers Three months time was already elapsed in their Negotiation at a vast expense and with a farre greater patience without that the least satisfaction in the world could be obtained at the hands of Justice for those daily affronts injuries which were put upon the Lords Ambassadors Retinue Servants and the scorns and disgraces offered to their own persons even to such a pitch as that the Common people and Rascality would assemble themselves at the Gates of their house and belch out injurious language and set upon and injure their Servants Now the Parliament being sensible of these wrongs and injuries and seeing the Lords States did not at all answer those kinde proffers and endeavours which were made unto them to beget and fettle a solid and firm alliance and peace betwixt the two Common-wealths save with delayes and shifts purposely to gain time upon the English till they should be able to judge how the face of things would evidence it self in Scotland and which way the Chain would turn there they recalled their Ambassadors Which suddain and unexpected newes extreamly surprised the Hollanders who testified their astonishments thereon to the Lords Ambassadors by more frequent and oftner visitations then formerly and by which they endeavoured to perswade them to beleeve the sincerity of their intentions and how earnestly and ardently they desired the alliance which their Lordships had propounded But all these fair words were not able to stay the Ambassadors who immediately returned into England again to cut out another guesse kinde of work for the Hollanders And that which gave the greater cause of jealousie unto the English and made them believe that the Hollander dealt deceitfully with them was that their Admirall Van Trump lay lurking about the Isle of of Scillie with his Fleet as if he had some design to make himself Master of them But when as the States were demanded the reason of his lying there they replyed that their Admirals being in those parts was only to demand restitution of
so much dexterity diligence and vigour as that they had reason to confess that the change of the Pilot and the entire obedience which is rendered to an absolute Captain who hath the sole power in his hands are but ill signs that the Vessel should be therefore the worse guided and conducted And to give you a proof of the truth the Hollanders having at that time a vast number of Merchant-men in their Harbours ready to set Sail durst not hazard them through the Channel although they had a Fleet of ninety Men of War to conduct them But conducted them by North of Scotland to reach the Sound where they met with another great Fleet of their Merchant-men some coming from Russia some from the East-Indies and others from France all which they carryed home into Holland after which hearing that the English Fleet was steered Northward instead of seeking them out and to take the advantage of the English divisions as they had pretended and bragged they amuzed themselves in making several bravadoes in such places where there was neither honour glory nor benefit to be acquired at length they steered towards the Downs where they carried away two or three despicable Barks and sent some volleys of Cannon into Dover their Hearts and their Sails being equally puffed up with these imaginary successes which savouring something of their old Masters Jack Spaniards Rodomontado's they thought they could not better express them then at that time saying That the English Fleet was to be cryed out by the sound of Trumpets and Horns as if she had been lost But the Winde being as unconstant as the Sea it self and as dangerous quickly tacked about to their confusion and the Old Proverb That all the evil comes from the North was made good to their cost and charges For the English Fleet returning on a suddain from the Northward on the twenty eighth of May came into Yarmouth-Road and on the first of June next ensuing being at an Anchor they discovered two Dutch Galliots to which they gave chase till they came up to the body of the Dutch Fleet. But the weather proving over-covered and dusky they could not joyn with them On the third the English being at Anchor near unto the South-point of the Gober descryed the Enemy about two Leagues to Leeward of them being about one hundred Sail of Ships wherefore without loss of time the English weighed and made up to them The engagement began between eleven and twelve at noon and for some hours the fight was sharp untill about six in the evening the enemy bare right way before the winde and so ended that dayes fight On the next morning both Fleets came in sight of each other but there was so little winde stirring that they could not engage each other till twelve at noon when as they fell to it again for good and all and after four hours fight which proved very disadvantagious to the Hollanders they thought it not fitting to contest any longer but to get away as well as they could However a fresh westerly gale arising very opportunely the English being encouraged by their flight bare in so hard amongst them that they took eleven Men of War and two water Hoyes in which fight one thousand five hundred prisoners were taken and six Captains besides which six Holland Men of War were sunk and all the rest of the Dutch Fleet had according to all probability been cut off had not the night happily closed in for them But the darkness growing on and the English finding themselves near the Flats and necessitated to stay and mend their Sails and Rigging which were much shattered and torne about ten at night they came to an Anchor The greatest loss the English sustained was of General Dean one of their Admirals who was taken off by a great shot in the first dayes ingagement and whose death did sufficiently recompence all the Enemies loss he having been a person of reputed Valour and great experience besides which there was one Captain slain and about one hundred and fifty men and two hundred and forty hurt but not one of the English Ships were lost That which greatly encouraged the English and disheartned the Dutch was the arival of General Blake to their aid and succour with sixteen good Men of War very opportunely Now the Dutch by the favour of the night being gotten off and having retired themselves into the Weilings the 〈…〉 and the Texel the English called a Councel of all the Officers to advise on what would be most expedient to be undertaken to improve this Victorie to the best advantage and it was resolved to advance with the whole Fleet as fast as they could to the Weilings as far as they could possibly approach with safety by reason of the Flats and Shelves and in this wise forrage the whole Dutch Coasts till they came to Texel which being accordingly performed and being arrived at the said height they there remained a pretty while taking every day some prizes more or less to the great prejudice of the Dutch whose Ships could neither get in or out of any of their Ports as long as the English continued there Nor could their Men of War unite and come to a head to make a body to come forth Wherefore leaving them to take breath and to recollect their spirits again and so to think of the best means for their Deliverance we will return for England again with our Fleet and see how squares stands there General Cromwel who alwayes made use of more moderation then power in the Rise of his Fortune being unwilling to deprive England of her ancient Liberties and Priviledges resolved together with the chief Officers of his Army to assemble a Parliament To invest them with the power of administring and exercising the Laws and to appoint them as it were Judges of his Councel and Government And the Warrants requisite thereunto were issued out unto such persons as through England Scotland and Ireland were chosen by himself and his Councel to assist in the said Parliament for them to meet in the Councel-Room at White-Hall on the fourth day of the moneth of July in the year of our Lord. 1653. A forme of which said Warrant you have as followeth viz. For asmuch as upon the dissolution of the late Parliament it became necessary that the Peace Safety and good Government of this Commonwealth should be provided for and in Order thereunto diverse persons fearing God and of approved sidelity and honesty are by my self with the advice of my Councel of Officers nominated to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty Affairs is to be Committed And having good assurance of the love to and courage for God and the interest of his Cause and the good people of this Commonwealth I Oliver Cromwel Captain General and Commander in chief of all the Army and Forces raised and to be raised within this Commonwealth do hereby Summon and
Require you being of the persons nominated personally to be and appear at the Councel-Chamber commonly called or known by the name of the Councel-Chamber at White-Hall within the City of Westminster upon the fourth day of July next ensuing the date hereof then and there to take upon you the said trust to which you are hereby called and appointed to serve as a member for the County of 〈◊〉 and hereof you are not to fail Given under my hand and seal the day of 〈◊〉 July 1653. subscribed Oliver Cromwel And in conformity to this Convocation the nominated for every County did accordingly meet on the fourth of July in the Councel Chamber where the Lord General Cromwel being accompanied with the greatest part of the Officers of the Army delivered himself to the laid members in an excellent Speech in which his Prudence Valour and Piety were at once manifested but chiefly his passionate tenderness for the good of the Commonwealth in General and for the peace and tranquillity of each member in particular so that we may justly attribute unto him the qualities both of a Caesar and of a Moses by reason of his elegant Speech which he prosecuted in this manner By recounting the many wonderful Mercies of God towards this Nation and the continued Series of Providence by which he had appeared in carrying on his Cause and bringing Affairs to that present glorious condition wherein they were He likewise manifested the progress of Affairs since the famous Victory at Worcester as also the actings of the Army thereupon After divers applications to the Parliament and much waiting upon them with the Grounds and necessities of their dissolving the last Parliament which he declared to be for the preservation of this Cause and the Interest of all honest men who had been engaged therein In like manner he set forth the clearness of the Call given to the Members then present to take upon them the Supreme Authority and from the Scriptures exhorted them to their duties and encouraged them therein He further desired them that a tenderness might be used towards all conscientious persons of what Judgement soever Which said Speech was pronounced with such a grate tone and in such excellent manner as it sufficiently manifested that as he himself was throughly perswaded thereof the Spirit of God acted in and by him he had adorned it with no other eloquent phrase save that of Holy Writ The rest was a masculine and convincing stile the comeliness whereof consisted in its plainness without any Rhethorical or Artificial words but single and pure such as proceeded from our Saviours Ministers the which begat the peace tranquillity and glory of all men The Lord Generals Speech being ended he produced an Instrument under his own Hand and Seal whereby he did with the Advice of his Officers devolve and intrust the Supreme Authority and Government of this Common-wealth into the Hands of the persons there met in the manner aforesaid who or any Forty of them were to be held and acknowledged the Supreme Authority of this Nation unto whom all persons within the same and the Territories thereunto belonging were to yield obedience and subjection That they were to sit no longer then the third of November 1654. And that three moneths before their dissolution they were to make choice of other persons to succeed them and whose Powers and Sitting should not exceed twelve Moneths time at the end of which they were likewise to take care for a succession in the Government Which said Instrument having been thus delivered unto them by the Lord General he did again exhort them to take the Business to heart and to set nothing before their eyes save the Glory of God and the Good of Publick Weal promising them that on his part he would neither spare his Goods Life nor his Rest to answer that great Mercy of God which he had shown them in making choice of them to follow those tracks which the Divine Providence had set before them for their good and for the glory and tranquility of these Nations Finally he recommended them to the Almighties protection and so together with his Officers withdrew leaving them to take their places in the former Parliament House and to act accordingly who forthwith named their Speaker and took their places meeting in the House and sitting in due form Upon this change of Government John Lilburne the chief of the Levellers of whom mention was formerly made and who had been banished the Land upon an Act of the foregoing Parliament thought to be protected by this and cast himself upon the Lord General who being unwilling to interpose matters of that nature left him to the Law whence he alwayes freed himself by a most strong fatality of Fortune And whilest this new Parliament is settling it self in England let us look a while back into Scotland and Ireland and see how things have prospered there since we left them Now although the English were possessed of the best strong places and Forteresses of all Scotland and of all the Castles and Forts of value in the Low-lands yet however the High-landers who perceived their inaccessible Fortresses did make continual excursions on the Low-lands being a people hardy and laborious faring hardly used to the cold and rigorousness of those Climates as swift and nimble as Stags and however they have more Valour then Conduct and more Temerity then Discipline yet some of them chose to be commanded by Glencarne Athol the Lord Seafort and others who framing several small Bodies of them would unexpectedly fall in upon and surprize the Inhabitants and English Souldiery without either giving or taking quarter spoiling and murthering all that came in their way and when the English would make shew to charge them and to pursue them in case they found themselves to be the weaker they then betook themselves to their heels with such swiftness and sheltering themselves in such unaccessible Rocks and Holds that it was impossible to pursue or light upon them by which advantages they were emboldned to commit several outrages murthers and had like to have surprized an English Ship which came to an anchor at Leevis Island some of which ships company going on shore to get in fresh water and provisions were detained by the Lord Seafort who also sent a ridiculous Summons to the said ship for its surrender freighted with threats and detestations of the English Government although the said ship the Fortune bearing more sails then their threats could fill laughed at their temerity and got off at will Moreover the state of Affairs in Ireland were much about the same predicament for the English having reduced all the strong Holds of that Countrey and having shipt away all those who had born Arms in the last Wars to be transported into Spain France Flanders and other parts whither themselves would go those onely excepted who during the first Rebellion had a hand in the murthering
great Statesmen untill the very effects of them are ready to appear All which reasons being naturally pondered by the wisest and most zealous persons interessed in the glory of the English Nation the good and wellfare of the Commonwealth and particularly by his excellency the Lord General it was resolved that the Parliament should be dissolved in reference hereunto on the twelfth of December 1653. as soon as the Parliament was met A Member of the said House stood up and moved That the sitting of this Parliament as it was then constituted being not thought proper nor fitting for the good of the Commonwealth It was therefore requisite to deliver up unto the Lord General Cromwel the powers which they had received from him Which motion being seconded by the greatest part of the other Members the House arose and the Speaker accompanied by the major part of the House departed and went to White-Hall where they did by a Writing under their hands being the greater number of the Members sitting in Parliament resign unto his Excellency the Power which they had received from him and the which was by the Speaker presented to his said Excellency accordingly in the Name of the whole House No sooner was the Parliament dissolved and that Affairs of moment and weight came crowding in apace but that there was a necessity during the intervalls of Parliament to form as it is called in forreign parts an upper Councel and to create a superiour dignity to avoid both tediousness and confusion in the dispatch of Affairs which said dignity holding the mid-way between a Monarchial and Democratical might avoid the inconveniencies which these two extremities are subject unto and the thing it self having been well pondered and maturely deliberated the choice of the person on whom this dignity was to be conferred was soon made God having pointed him out unto them by a mark those admirable and uninterrupted Victories which he caused him to gain and by those excellent productions of a minde which had something of supernatural in it and partaked of the Divinity Wherefore the Lord General Cromwel was Elected Declared and Sworn at Westminster in the presence of all the Judges and Justices the Barons of the Exchequer the keepers of the Liberties of England the Lord Major and Aldermen of the City of London with most of the chief Officers of the Army Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland and Ireland and the Islands and Territories thereunto belonging and at the same time several Articles were presented to the Lord Protector by which he was to govern the people which being red unto him he took a solemn Oath to performe and see them kept in the presence of the whole assembly protesting moreover that he would minde nothing so much as the good of the Commonwealth the Glory of God and the Honour of the English Nation The chief heads of the Articles of Government were as followeth 1. That the Protector should call a Parliament every three years 2. That the first Parliament 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 he should not signe within twenty dayes should pass without him 5. That he should have a select Councel to assist him not exceeding one and twenty nor less then thirteen 6. That immediately after his Death the Councel should choose 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 with the consent of his Councel he may make Laws which shall be binding to the Subjects during the intervals of Parliament c. Immediately after which the Lord General Cromwel without the devesting of himself of the Command of the Army which he preferred before all other charges took upon him the title of Highness and the dignity and name of Lord Protector A very fit appellation in regard of the Infantine and as yet growing State of England which the several Factions and Divisions as also the different Opinions in Religion would have exposed to a numberless kinde of unavoidable miseries had not a powerful Genius armed with Force and Judgement protected it from ripping up its Entrails and Bowels by its own hands And immediately after he was proclaimed Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. First in the Pallace yard at Westminster by the Officers of State and afterwards at the Royal Exchange by the Lord Major and Aldermen in their Scarlet Gowns Some few dayes after the body of the City invited his Highness the Lord Protector to a most splendid feast and gallant entertainment at Grocers-Hall not so much to treat him with their good chear as with the resplendent testimonies of their joy and with the submissive tenders of their devoires His Highness would by no means refuse to give that satisfaction to their evidences of respect and joy and the better to testifie unto them on his behalf the high value he put upon their care and love he set forth towards them in as great a pomp and magnificence as befitted a person invested with so eminent qualities and as one who having reaped so many Laurels had newly restored peace and tranquillity unto three distracted Kingdomes The manner of his Highness going to the City and reception there was on this wise His Highness's Life-guard of Horse marched in the first place after which followed the chief Officers of the Army on Horse-back and some of his Councel of State after them rode two Pages bare headed in sumptuous Apparel after them came twelve Lackeys in velvet Caps and gray Liveries with silk and silver Fringe then followed his Highness seated in a Charet of State drawn by six beautiful Horses richly trapped which by their lofty gate seemed to glory in their drawing so victorious a Hercules triumphing over so many Monsters and his Highness who alwayes preferred the little ornaments of the Soul before those of the Body was onely clad in a dark coloured Suit and Cloak the greatest part of the other Nobility attending in their Coaches and six horses At Temple-Bar his Highness was met and received by the Lord Major and Aldermen and the Recorder of the City saluted him with an excellent Speech containing several expressions of Joy Fidelity and Obeisance and of good Hopes of his prosperous and happy Government His Highness having thanked him alighted from his Chariot and quitting his Cloak put on a rich Riding Coat imbroidered with Gold and got up on Horse-back on a Palfrey richly trapped and was followed by three other led Horses of State By which change of Garments his Highness testified unto them that when as occasions of the States-service should call upon him he would descend from his Triumphal Chariot where the glory of his Conquests had set him in rest and mounting his Horse for Battel would expose
his Life as freely as he formerly had done for the peace and tranquility of their City and for the Liberty of England The Lord Major rode all the way bare-headed as also carried the City Sword drawn before his late Highness the Lord Protector By the one representing the Respect and Obedience of the City and by the other its Fidelity and Resolution to spill their Blood in the defence of the Peace of the State and for the preservation of the Life and new Dignity of his Highness The Streets were railed up and the several Companies of the City in their Liveries sate on both sides of the way with Streamers sticking up to distinguish each Company Moreover it is a thing worthy to be observed how that the Character which God doth imprint on the Forehead of those whom he hath designed to be his Vicegerents on Earth doth beget an astonishment and fear in the hearts of those where it cannot raise a respect but in the others both admiration and love so that on all sides the Divine Providence compasseth its Glory either by the means of its Justice or Mercy And thus you see his Highness the Lord Protector passing through this great City which was drawn up in Arms having his Head onely covered with Laurels and his guarded with a simple though resplendent morsel of Glory The one surrounding him to cover and protect him with her wings and the disarmed Justice which accompanied this great Heroes footsteps seemed to Lead a naked and fettered Mars by a silken thread And thus after his Highness had been most splendedly entertained by the City before he departed he conferred the Honour of Knighthood upon the Lord Major and left all the City filled with an admiration of his Heroick Vertues and with a general satisfaction of his candor and generousness their hopes being freighted with acclamations and good wishes No sooner was his late Highness settled in the Supreme degree of his Protectorship but just like the Sun elevated in a high sublime Sphere he begat an infinite number of malignant Exhalations which however were soon dissipated by his luster and resplendency and at the same time by his vertue he gave a life and being to all those glorious actions which knowing men did expect from his sage Government On the Eighteenth of February 1653. a most dangerous Conspiracy which was hatched by the Royalists was discovered several of the Conspirators were taken and sent to the Tower of London But his Highness willing to begin his Government by an Act of Clemency and to let the world see that the Grandor of his new Dignity did onely render him powerful to do good he pardoned the said Delinquents and caused them to be set at liberty Much about which time arrived Deputies from the several Counties and Shires as well of England Stotland and Ireland to congratulate his Highness happy Inauguration and to assure him of their fidelity and submission to his Commands all which his Highness received with a great deal of Candor and repaied them with Use to wit the establishing of good and salutary Orders for the Peace and Tranquility of the Commonwealth and each Member thereof in particular Nor did he forget to regulate the Spiritual Affairs and out of an infinite number of Opinions he begat a pleasant harmony the seeming dissonance and harshness whereof was onely unsavory to the ignorant and to such as had stopped their ears Mean while the Scots animated by several discontented persons here in England did levy an Army by Command from their King and began to take heart of grace again reassuming their former courage and hopes The Earls of Glencarne and Kenmore were at the Head of four thousand Horse and Foot joyning several other small parties which from all sides flocked down unto them But Collonel Morgan was so vigilant and active that before they could have time to Form a greater Body he marched with fifteen hundred Horse and Foot and on the seventh of February he arrived at Lough which was the Enemies appointed Rendezvouz where having charged them after a short but smart Fight he killed one hundred and fifty of them and defeated all the rest the Earl of Glencarne with much ado making his escape onely with forty Horse But all these small Bickerings and as it were shadows of War did onely serve as a foil to that most important and considerable Peace which both England and Holland was to reap at our Olivers hands When as most part of the Winter was well nigh passed over in this Negociation at London where the Hollanders had four Ambassadours who daily laboured to compass the same Two of them to wit the Lords Newport and Youngstall re-passed into Holland about the Moneth of February to communicate unto the High and Mighty Lords the States their Masters the Conclusion of the Treaty and to get them to ratifie the same On the third of March 1653 4. of the same Year they returned back again where they were received with all the pomp and state that could possibly be imagined and might demonstrate the Joy which the Merchants conceived of the happy effects of so happy a Reconciliation The next day they had Audience from his Highness where declaring the full powers they had from the Lords States to ratifie the said Peace which they had made they desired a speedy Cessation of Arms should be published on both sides and in conformity thereto on the fifth Day of April next ensuing the Articles of Peace were signed sealed and delivered on the behalf of both parties and were accordingly published and proclaimed to the general satisfaction of all men And his Highness the better to testifie the particular pleasure he took therein did most sumptuously treat the Holland Ambassadours witnessing unto them by his noble Noble treatment all the marks of Joy which might manifest and make good by his Conduct and Entertainment the old Motto of his Family That War hath no other end save to beget a Peace And as to the Affairs of Ireland his Highness by his good Orders and establishing the Natives in the Province of Cannaught which is in the heart of Ireland had settled all things so well in those parts as that the English needed not to fear any either abroad or at home and the Irish beginning to be sensible that the Yoke of a vigilant and absolute Protector was far more tollerable and to be preferred before the Servitude of a feeble and tottering multitude who onely heeding their own preservations and particular interests do abandon the People and their wellfares either to their own capriciousness or to the imbroils of ambitious and hot spirits who abusing of the Commonalties simplicity and sincerity run them headlong into Ruine But some enemies of the State perceiving that it was impossible to hinder the Earth from bringing forth of good fruits as long as it was animated by so sensible and feeling a warmth resolved to
And now into her lap the richest Prize Fell with the Noblest of our Enemies The Marquis glad to see the fire destroy Wealth that prevailing Foes were to enjoy Out from his flaming Ship his Children sent To perish in a milder Element Then laid him by his burning Ladies side And since he could not save her with her dy'd Spices and Gums about them melting fry And Phenix-like in that rich nest they dye Death bitter is for what we leave behinde But taking with us all we love is kinde VVhat could he more then hold for term of life His Indian Treasure and his more priz'd VVife Alive in flames of equal Love they burn'd And now together are to ashes turn'd Ashes more worth then all their Funerals cost Then the huge Treasure which was with them lost These dying Lovers and their floating Sons Suspend the Fight and silence all our Guns Beauty and Youth about to perish findes Such noble pitty in brave English mindes That the rich Spoil neglecting and the Prize All labour now to save their Enemies How frail our Passion 's how soon changed are Our wrath and fury to a friendly care They that but now to gain the Spanish Plate Made the Sea blush with Blood forget their Hate And their young Foes while sinking they retrive VVith greater danger then they fought they dive VVith these returns Victorious Mountague VVith Laurel in his hands and half Perue Let the brave General divide that bough Our great Protector hath such Wreaths enough His conquering Head hath no more room for Bayes Then let it be as the whole Nation prayes Let the rich Oare forthwith be melted down And the State fixt by making him a Crown VVith Ermins clad and Purple let him hold A Royal Scepter made of Spanish Gold Take the particulars of the Fight briefly thus The Spaniards were seven in number richly laden about nine Leagues from Cadiz coming from the West Indies one whereof was burnt another sunk two run aground two were taken one got away with a Portugal Prize In the ship that was burnt was the Marquis of Badex his Wife and one Daughter In one of the ships taken was the young Marquis his Brother and another Sister who was set on shore in Spain The two Brothers were brought to England with a great deal of wealth And amongst these Victories which were gained at Sea against the Spaniards since the breach of the Peace that which was obtained by General Blake at Sancta Cruza in the Island of Teneriff on the twentieth day of April 1657. was none of the least in which Port there was sixteen great Vessels burnt and sunk by the English and the Spaniards Forts and Castles of the Isle amidst which there were five or six great Gallions the Admiral Vice-Admiral and Rere-Admiral the greatest part whereof were mounted with Brass Ordnance and laden some with rich merchandizes from the Indies and the others with provisions and other manufactures to be transported thither equipied in ample manner both with Soldiers and Mariners All which having their Flags Ensignes and Streamers flying were set upon by the English who in less then four hours time destroyed them all without the loss of above sixty men the greatest part of which were killed by the Musquet shot which played from the shoar But in lieu of them the English with their Cannon killed a great number of the Spaniards in their Breast-works and Forts Wherefore his late Highness who never recompensed vertuous and magnanimous actions which bare praise sent a civil Letter of thanks to General Blake with a Diamond Ring valued at five hundred pounds and gave the Captain that brought the news one hundred pound for a present Moreover according to his accustomed Piety be ordained a day of publick Prayer and Thanksgiving to be set apart to return all Thanks Acknowledgements Praise and Glory to the Almighty for this so happy and signal a success and to supplicate his Divine Bounty to bestow frequent and like Blessings upon the English Armadoes and Land Forces But the Sea being a Theater or Stage too unstable for so settled a valour and constant aFortune the traces and marks which she receives of Combates and Victories are too soon worn out and scare leave unto History and to the memory of men wherewith to raise Monuments erect Triumphs and to transmit unto posterity the truth of things and although that vertue be the more glorious by how much the greater dangers it assails and surmounts yet however as a flight is more easily made by Sea then by Land where seldome men fight at hand-blows we have reason to give the first praise and honour to that Element which first brought us forth and whence we reap the most beneficial necessaries towards our subsistence In like manner his late Highness's solid policy was imployed on such solid foundations where it might lay deep rooting and spread its large branches far and near without the apprehension of being sapped or dug up The French therefore being desirous to be revenged for their ill success at Valenchenes resolved the next summer to assault Montmedy a strong Frontier seated upon a Rock but being not strong enough to keep the Spaniards in play in Flanders they separated part of their Army to prosecute the said siege and the English began to make their first landing in Flanders Sir John Reynolds was chosen by his late Highness to command the Body of the English Forces consisting in six thousand Foot who happily landed in Picardy about the latter end of May. And that it may not seem to be a digression from my subject I shall omit the particularizing of the siege and the taking of Montmedy and shall onely tell you that the Marshal De la Ferte who carried on that siege was not at all incommodated by the Enemy from without during the whole siege nor durst the Spaniard ever set upon the French Army thereby to attempt the relief of that place And although it would be a piece of injustice to dispoil that war-like nation of their glory yet all men know that their Army wanted Foot extreamly that Summer but the English foot which we must confess is the best in all Europe being joyned to their Cavalrie which also excel all others there had not a more resolute and gallant Army been seen in France for many years together And here by the way take notice of the Installment of his late Highness in the Protectorship which was on this manner viz. On the twentieth day of the moneth of June in the year of our Lord God 1657. being appointed for the Installment of his late Highness the Lord Protector a large and spacious place was raised at the upper end of Westminster-Hall under the great window in the midst whereof a Rich Cloath of State was set up and under it a Chair of State was placed upon an ascent of two degrees covered with Carpets before which stood a Table with a
this so eminent a charge as that envy it self is constrained to confess that his Fathers wisdome could not have made a better choice Much about this time the Officers at Mardike in whose breasts the rigour of the winter did onely excite the heat of those designs which they had conceived in their souls being desirous to imploy part of that unprofitable season to concourse and consult that Oracle of Prudence who by the conduct of their Heroick Projects did inspire into them the vertue and efficacy to compass their designs and to surmount even the greatest difficulties Sir John Reynolds I say Commander in chief Collonel White and some other Officers being impatient to enjoy the happiness of seeing and consulting his Highness embarqued at Mardike for England but the mischance was that being assailed by a tempest they were unfortunately cast away upon the Goodwin Sands and so frustrated all the world of the expectations of those fair hopes which were conceived of their valours and of so fortunate beginnings On the fourth day of the moneth of February then next ensuing his late Highness repaired to the Lords House then in Parliament and having sent notice thereof to the House of Commons by the Keeper of the Black-Rod the Speaker with the Members came to the Lords House where standing without the Bar and his Highness within under a Cloath of State being animated with his wonted vigour and resolution succinctly told them without many preambles That it concerned his Interest as much as the publike Peace and Tranquility to terminate this Parliament so that he was come thither to dissolve the same which was also immediately performed On the twelfth day of the moneth of March ensuing his late Highness being desirous to oblige the City of London in a particular manner and at the same time to witness unto them the care he took for their preservation and tranquillity he sent for the Lord Major the Aldermen and the other Magistrates of the City and having made them sensible of his tenderness and care for their good he also represented unto them that during the Calm Tempests were most of all to be apprehended so that at such times the requisite Orders and necessary preventions to resist Troubles were to be chiefly minded For to this knowing and vigilant Spirit to whom nothing was dark or hid this penetrating Light who could pry even into mens hearts and who from out of his Cabinet could discover the most secret Plots which were hatching throughout all Europe declared unto them That the Enemies both of the State and of their City did not sleep although it seemed they were quite lulled That their City was great and vaste and like unto a corpulent Body nourished several ill humours That he requested them for their own goods to have a special care and to bear a watchful eye That he relied much upon their Vigilancy and Affection and that all he could contribute thereunto on his behalf was to re-establish the City Militia which had been abolished through the disorder of the foregoing Wars and to desire them to appoint for their Officers persons of Honour and Probity well-wishers and friends to the peace and quietness of the State and publique Good Whereupon the Lord Major and Officers having returned thanks to his Highness for so signal a Mark of his confidence and goodness towards them proceeded to settle the Militia and repayed him with all the Obedience and Fidelity which a Magnanimous Prince could expect from Subjects who were well versed in the duties they owed to a Governour who had rid them of a world of miseries and delivered them from the burthen of a Civil War Nor was this precaution or forewarning of his late Highness without some grounds or foundation for on the twenty fourth of the said Moneth the quiet Serpent which hatched its poison under the green grass unawares let slip a Hiss whereupon an exact search was made throughout all London and Westminster for suspected persons divers of which were secured and imprisoned His late Highness knowing full well that States are maintained as well by Justice as by force of Arms and that those chiefly stand in need of both which through the divisions of Mens mindes touching Spiritual concernments seem to be in a continual apprehension of those revolutions which at all times have been caused in the World by the means of these diversities of opinions His Highness I say through the cause of these apprehensions and the discoveries which were already made as aforesaid caused a High Court of Justice to be erected according as it had been decreed by an Act of Parliament and settled under the great Seal of England and truly it was high time for the Swords of Justice to appear to chastise the Conspirators since the sparkles of their fury had spread themselves abroad through its veil rather by their immoderate heat then their sad looks several persons of quality were imprisoned in the Tower of London and within few dayes afterwards just like unto a River which is ready to disgorge it self into the Sea appears great and violent at its entrance so also the Conspiracy being just ready to break forth appeared the more formidable and assured there were whole Regiments enrolled and in the midnight of May-day they should have set fire on several parts of the City and whilest the confusion and horror thereof had seized all men they should have made a general Massacre of all those who would have opposed their fury His Highness like unto the Sun elevated up to the highest Heaven peirced through all those other Sphears which were darkned to all other Lights but his and dissipated those Fogs and Mists which the darkness of the Furies had spread over the City of London for on the morning of that fatal intended day the Guards were doubled both within and without the City and about five of the Clock in the Evening both Horse and Foot were drawn up in Arms the City Militia likewise keeping strong Guards all that night to prevent and hinder so sad and horrid an attempt Mean while all care was taken to discover the Firebrands before they could enter upon their exploit and as Enterprizes wherein so many persons are engaged cannot remain very secret or hidden about seven of the Clock that Evening about forty of the Conspirators were taken and carried to White-Hall and on the day following several others of all kindes and conditions were also apprehended as Gentlemen Merchants Souldiers and the like many of which were condemned to dye as Traytors but his late Highness was so merciful to pardon the most part of them to the end that like unto a second Augustus he might gain by his Clemency those hearts which would not be mollified by the horror of the undertakings nor the rigour and severity of the punishments On the second day of the moneth of June then next ensuing there arrived a strange accident on
the Thames near London to wit a Whale of a prodigious bigness at least sixty foot and of a proportionable breadth was cast up This great Fish which may be stiled the King of the Sea for his bulk came to do homage to his late Highness and by his Captivity and Death to to let him see he was absolute Master of that terrible Element which had given her a being But let us again return to the Wars in Flanders and let us see how whole Armies and Cities do there submit unto his Highness power as well as the Sea Monsters here Now although taking and keeping of Mardike had been a sufficient warning to the Spaniards to provide the Town of Dunkirk with all necessaries to withstand a Siege however that changed not the English their resolution to attempt it wherefore the United Forces both of France and England under the Command of those two glorious Chieftains his Highness the Martial of Tureine Prince of Quesnoy and his Excellency the Lord Ambassador and General Lockhart besieged the place opened the approaches and with an incredible diligence perfected the Circum volution The Spaniards intending to attempt the relief of the place being the Key of all Flanders and the chief Sea Port assembled all their Forces and made up a considerable Army of sixteen thousand men with a design to have forced the Lines and to have raised the Siege To which intent on the third of June they came in a Body through Fuernes and encamped within an English mile and a half of the Martial Tureines Quarters who being aware of their intent the following night brake up his Camp and having left part of his Forces to make good the Approaches and to guard the Trenches marched all night with fifteen thousand men and ten peeces of cannon to encounter the Enemy to decide in a pitched Battle and an open Field with an equal advantage which party should be victorious The English Foot drawn up into four great Battalions and led on by his Excellency the Lord Ambassador and General Lockhart gave the first on-set upon five great Battalions of the Spanish Foot placed very advantagiously on three high and great Downs feconded by Don John of Austria himself and the best of the Spanish and Condean Forces which they had purposely opposed unto the English conceiving them to have been as yet Novices in the manner of waging War beyond Seas and that for want of Discipline and Conduct they would soon have been routed and disordered But they were suddenly deceived in their expectations and found that they had to deal with persons of courage and resolution who as well in the Military Discipline as in the Art of Courtship became perfect and absolue Masters even during their first years of Apprenticeship wherefore it was not without reason the Ancients did alwayes joyn Mars and Venus together since towards the doing of gallant Actions it is sufficient to be passionate and resolute at the very entering into the Lists of either of these Divinities The English therefore assailing the Spaniards in their advantageous stand as aforesaid in the high Downs did themselves alone severall times charge them and sustained both the burnt of their Horse and Foot without ever being seconded or relieved by the French who were so confident of their Resolution and Valour as that they would not seem to intrench upon their Honour besides that they were loath to change their Stands least thereby they might bring themselves into a disorder and finally forcing the Spaniards to quit their stations they put them to a total rout and confusion In which Charge up the Downs Lieutenant Collonel Fenwick who shewed a great deal of Gallantry in leading on his Excellency the Lord Ambassador and General Lockharts Regiment of Blue received his mortal wound by a Musquet bullet through the Body whereof he dyed some few dayes after Divers other persons of quality and note signallized themselves not a little that day at the Head of their respective Regiments as the Honorable Collonel Lillingston Lieutenant Collonel Fleetwood Captain Devaux who led up a Forelorn of three hundred Musquetiers and gave the first Charge upon the Spaniards And of the Voluntiers Collonel Henry Jones who at first charged with Lieutenant Collonel Fenwick on foot afterwards on Horseback when as engaging too far he was taken prisoner but was afterwards exchanged and by his late Highness at his return into England made Knight and Baronet Divers others did gallantly who doubtless will not be forgotten in the English Annals and would be too large to be expressed in this Epitome relating onely to his Highness The Spaniards had at first resolved to have given no English man quarter but the fortune of the day made them glad to seek to the English for quarter themselves and it was well they could have it given them although the English were generous enough to have spared their Lives had not the zeal of overcoming and their resolutions to perfect the Victory taken up all their care and passions Finally the Spanish Foot being totally routed and coming to surrender themselves to the English in whole troops the English mistrusting they had some other intentions and stratagem thereby neither understanding their Language nor designe continued charging them and enforced them to seek quarter elsewhere preferring the gaining of the Victory to their own particular interests and so reaped an intire glory in their despising and rejecting several prisoners of quality who profered themselves to them and for the which they might have had considerable ransoms And in the gaining of those high Downs on which the Spaniards were placed the English behaved themselves with so much gallantry and resolution as that envy and malice raised a report amidst the jealous and their Corivals that it savoured more of a piece of rashness then of a true valour as if Soldiers could possibly with too much zeal and readiness performe those Commands which are given them To be brief the victory wholly declared it self for the English and for the French and the whole Spanish Army was quite discomfited and pursued to the very Gates of Fuernes with the loss of three thousand five hundred men two thousand whereof were killed on the place of Suydcote a Village seated in the Downs between Dunkirk and Fuernes and the rest were taken prisoners and the whole Army dissipated and disordered which defeat having quite disheartned the besieged and depriving them of all hopes of relief besides their Govornour the Marquis De Leda being mortally wounded by two hand Granadoes as he defended the false bray and of which wounds he dyed constrained them to beat a Parley fourteen dayes afterwards and to surrender the place on the fifteenth of July 1658. after the one and twentieth day of the opening of the Approaches And in this manner this famous Sea-port was reduced under the obedience of his late Highness the Lord Protector and was by the French put
entrance and credit at Court and highly ingratiated himself with King Henry the Eighth having advanced himself to almost as high a pitch of Honour in as short a time in a manner as his late Highness did The Lord Thomas Cromwell therefore riding one day with a great train of Noble Men towards the Kings Palace chanced to espy on foot in the streets Signior Frescobald the Italian Merchant in an ill plight however he immediately alighting from his Horse embraced him before all the world to the great astonishment of the beholders and chid him that at his very arrival he came not to visit him Frescobald being astonished at so unexpected an encounter and receiving so signal a favor from a personage he could not call to minde he had ever known was quite surprized and my Lord Cromwells pressing affairs at Court not permitting him the while to acquaint him further who he was onely engaged him to come and dine with him that day Frescobald full of amazement enquired of the attendants who that great personage might be And hearing his name he began to call the Feature of his Face and the Idea of his Person to mind and so by degrees conceiving with himself it might happily be the same Mr. Thomas Cromwell whom he had harboured at Florence he enquired out his Lordships habitation and attended his coming at Noon-tide walking in his Court-yard No sooner was the Lord Thomas Cromwel entred the same attended by several persons of quality and officers of the Crown but speedily alighting from his Horse he embraced his friend Frescobald in the same manner he had done in the morning and perceiving that the Lords which accompanied him were amazed at such a disproportioned familiarity he told them that he was more obliged to Frescobald then to all the men in the world owing unto him the making of his Fortune and so proceeded to relate unto them the whole story which had befallen him at Florence So great a delight do generous mindes take to recount their foregoing Misfortunes when their Grandor hath elevated them to such a pitch as that they triumph over Shame and are incapable of Ingratitude Frescobald was treated at Dinner with all the tenderness he could expect from so great a personage and so good a friend after which being carried up by the Lord T. Cromwel into his Closet he was there presented with four bags of Gold each containing four hundred Duccats in return of his former civilities which Frescobald being of a gallant spirit at first refused but after several contestations was constrained to accept as an acknowledgement from the Lord Cromwell who moreover enquiring of him concerning his coming over and affairs in England and understanding his Losses and that there were Moneys due to him caused him to write down his Debters names and by his Secretary summoned the several Merchants which were indebted to Frescobald upon pain of his displeasure to clear their Accounts with him and to pay him within the space of fifteen days which was accordingly performed onely Frescobald freely forgave them the Use Over and above all which the Lord Thomas Cromwell endeavoured to perswade his friend Frescobald to have remained in England the rest of his Dayes profering to lend him a stock of 60000. Duccats to trade withall But Frescobald being over-charged with all those grand obligations which the Lord Cromwell had conferred on him having by his Lordships Generosity acquired enough to keep him from being necessitated all his life time and deeming that the trading in good Works was incomparably more sure and gainful then in the richest Wares and Merchandizes being resolved to quit Trading and to end the rest of his dayes peaceably and quietly he obtained leave of the Lord Thomas Cromwell to depart towards his own Countrey freighted with so great obligations as caused in him a generous shame But the Almighty doth not alwayes recompense the fruits of good Works here on Earth often repaying the greatest with the least rewards and Heaven delights in the exercising of its great Vertues by the Vices which are thereunto opposite and as the most noblest Creatures are the slowest in the attaining to their perfections so the Almighty doth not immediately cause those Fruits to ripen which are sowed here below by Christian Charity Wherefore to return to the Lord Thomas Cromwell who had made the Match between Anne of Cleve and King Henry the Eighth you shall see how he was rewarded for his Generosity and good Services for this Princess Anne of Cleve conceiving a certain womanish Jealousie she knew not why nor wherefore against the Lord Thomas Cromwell save onely that she apprehended he had too great a power and sway with the King never left off solliciting and importuning of him till he caused the Lord Thomas Cromwell to be beheaded by which sad compliance the King lost the best Supporter of his Crown and the faithfullest of his Servants and Subjects The Lord Thomas Cromwell dyed without Heir Males leavingone onely Daughter espoused to one Mr. Williams a Gentleman of Glamorganshire of a good Family who as we have before said inherited little of his Father save his Vertues besides what his own Deserts had procured him and what he might promise himself by the Match with this Heiress the Lord Thomas Cromwels Daughter from whence our Lord Protectors are lineally descended and who was the lively representative of her Father and the very pourtraiture of his great soul as the Lady Cleypool was of his late Highness the Lord Protector Now that you may know on what occasion the Name of Williams came to be changed into that of Cromwell it happened when as King Henry the Eighth was in the midst of his Splendor Pomp and Magnificence wallowing in the pleasures of a sumptuous Entertainment at Court Mr. Williams who had been a retainer to the late Lord Thomas Cromwell made his appearance before the King in deep Mourning like a dark Cloud eclipsing the Sun at Noon-tide The King casting his eye upon so unexpected and dismal an Object which seemed to reproach his rash fault was surprized and offended at the interrupting of his Pleasures by Williams so unseasonable apparition wherefore the King asked him how he durst appear at Court in that garb whereunto Williams replied with a sad but assured countenance That not onely himself but the King and all the Court had reason to mourn for the loss of the greatest and faithfullest of his Subjects and Servants whose Death himself might one day chance to regret when he should stand in need of his Councels and Fidelity But the King whose thoughts were at that time taken up with his Pastimes wished Williams to be gone and to get himself cured of his Frenetick Mallady Some while after troubles arising and the King finding himself in a strait for want of so faithful a Minister of State as the late Lord Thomas Cromwel was whose life he had so inconsiderately taken away began to
to sin to attain to the perfect love of God 17. A Treatise of Contention fit for these sad and troublesome times by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 18. Select thoughts or choice helps for a pious spirit beholding the excellency of her Lord Jesus by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 19. The Holy Order or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion to which is added Songs in the night or chearfulness under afflictions by J. Hall Bishop of Norwich 23. The Celestial Lamp enlightening every distressed Soul from the depth of everlasting darkness by T. Fetisplace Admirable and Learned Treatises of Occult Seiences in Philosophy Magick Astrology Geomancy Chymistry Phisiognomy and Chyromancy 24. Magick and Astrology vindicated by H. Warren 25. Lux Veritatis Judicial Astrology vindicated and Demonology confuted by W. Ramsey Gent. 26. Cornelius Agrippa his fourth Book of Occult Philosophy or Geomancy Magical Elements of Peter de Abona the nature of spirits made English by R. Turner 27. Paracelsus Occult Philosophy of the Mysteries of Nature and his secret Alchimy 29. An Astrological Discourse with Mathematical Demonstrations proving the influence of the Planets and fixed Stars upon Elementary Bodies by Sir Christ Heyden Knight 30. All Mr. Lillies Astrological Treatises collected into one Volume 31. Catastrophe Magnatum an Ephemerides for the Year 1652. by N. Culpeper 32. Teratologia or a discovery of Gods Wonders manifested by bloody Rain and Waters by J. S. 34. Chyromancy or the Art of divining by the Lines engraven in the hand of Man by dame Nature in 198. Genitures with a Learned Discourse of the Soul of the World by G. Wharton Esq 35. The Admired Piece of Physiognomy and Chyromancy Metoposcopy the Symmetrical Proportions and Signal Moles of the Body the Interpretation of Dreams to which is added the Art of Memory illustrated with Figures by Rich. Sanders in Folio 36. The no less exquisite then admirable Work Theatrum Chymicum Britanicum containing several Poetical Pieces of our famous English Philosophors who have written the Hermitique Mysteries in their own ancient Language faithfully collected into one Volume with Annotations thereon by the Indefatigable industry of Elias Ashmole Esq illustrated with Figures Excellent Treatises in the Mathematicks Geometry of Arithmetick Surveying and other Arts or Mechanicks 37. The incomparable Treatise of Tactometria seu Tetagmenometria or the Gometry of Regulars practically proposed after a new and most expeditious manner together with the Natural or Vulgar by way of Mensural comparison and in the Solids not onely in respect of Magnitude or Demension but also of Gravity or Ponderosity according to any Metal assigned together with useful experiments of Measures and Weights observations on Gauging useful for those that are practised in the Art Metricald by T. Wybard 38. Tectonicon shewing the exact measuring of all manner of Land Squares Timber Stone Steeples Pillars Globes as also the making and use of the Carpenters Rule c. fit to be known by all Surveyors Land-meters Joyners Carpenters and Masons by L. Diggs 39. The unparallel'd Work for ease and expedition intituled The exact Surveyor or the whole Art of Surveying of Land shewing how to plot all manner of Grounds whether small Inclosures Champian Plain Wood-lands or Mountains by the Plain Table as also how to finde the Area or Content of any Land to Protect Reduce or Divide the same as also to take the Plot or Cart to make a Map of any Mannor whether according to Rathburne or any other Eminent Surveyors Method a Book excellently useful for those that sell purchase or are otherwise employed about Buildings by J. Eyre 40. The golden Treatise of Arithmetick Natural and Artificial or Decimals the Theory and Practice united in a simpathetical Proportion betwixt Lines and Numbers in their Quantities and Qualities as in respect of Form Figure Magnitude and Affection demonstrated by Geometry illustrated by Calculations and confirmed with variety of Examples in every Species made compendious and easie for Merchants Citizens Sea-men Accomptants c. by Th. Wilsford Corrector of the last Edition of Record 41. Semigraphy or the Art of Short-writing as it hath been proved by many hundreds in the City of London and other places by them practised and acknowledged to be the easiest exactest and swiftest method the meanest capacity by the help of this Book with a few hours practice may attain to a perfection in this Art by J. Rich Author and Teacher thereof dwelling in Swithins-Lane in London 42. Milk for Children a plain and easie Method teaching to read and write useful for Schools and Families by J. Thomas D. D. 43. The Painting of the Ancients the History of the beginning progress and consumating of the practice of that noble Art of Painting by F. Junius Excellent and approved Treatises in Physick Chyrurgery and other more familiar Experiments in Cookery Preserving c. 44. Culpepers's Semiatica Vranica his Astrological judgement of Diseases from the decumbiture of the sick much enlarged the way and manner of finding out the cause change and end of the disease also whether the sick be likely to live or die and the time when Recovery or Death is to be expected according to the judgement of Hipocrates and Hermes Trismegistus to which is added Mr. Culpepers censure of Urines 45. Culpeper's last Legacy left to his Wife for the publick good being the choicest and most profitable of those secrets in Physick and Chyrurgery which whilst he lived were lockt up in his breast and resolved never to be published till after his death 46. The York-shire Spaw or the vertue and use of that water in curing of desperate diseases with directions and rules necessary to be considered by all that repair thither 47. The Art of Simpling an introduction to the knowledge of gathering of Plants wherein the difinitions divisions places descriptions differences names vertues times of gathering temperatures of them are compendiously discoursed of also a discovery of the Lesser World by W. Coles 48. Adam in Eden or Natures Paradise the History of Plants Herbs and Flowers with their several original names the Places where they grow their descriptions and kindes their times of flourishing and decreasing as also their several signatures anatomical appropriations and particular physical vertues with necessary Observations on the Seasons of planting and gathering of our English Plants A Work admirable useful for Apothecaries Chyrurgeons and other Ingenuous persons who may in this Herbal finde comprized all the English physical Simples that Gerard or Parkinson in their two voluminous Herbals have discoursed of even so as to be on emergent occasions their own Physicians the ingredients being to be had in their own fields and gardens Published for the generall good by W. Coles M. D. 49. The Queens Closet opened incomparable Secrets in Physick Chyrurgery Preserving Candying and Cookery as they were presented to the Queen by the most experienced persons of our times many whereof were honoured with her own Practice Elegant Treatises in Humanity History Romances