Enemies since he is with us and that we should not be dismayed because he is our God and mightie defence who thus hath strengthned us holpen and upheld us with the right hand of his power and righteousnesse And now therefore behold and beholding O admire it all those that were incensed against us are ashamed and confounded they are even become as nothing and they that stubbornly strove with us are mightily destroyed and perish before us O then what shall we returne to the Lord for all these great and amazing mercies to us O what are we able to repay to our God for all these free and utterly undeserved favours thus copiously confered upon us O let us all faithfully and thank fully take the Cup of Salvation and praise the name of the Lord our God and readily and really pay our vowes to this wonder-working God of our Salvation But now to proceed to the yet farther progresse of the contemplation and admiration of the continued wonder of the Burning-Bush unconsumed nay rather more and more dressed and made to flourish in the midst of the flames of this Moneth also of December 1645. And here we shall first begin with some of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands actions about Newarke whether they being now come in to our assistance with a very considerable Army of Horse and Foot to help to besiege this stubborne rebellious and very pernicious Towne to bring it under the Parliaments obedience About the beginning of this instant December the Scottish Commissioners received Letters from his Excellency Generall Lesley Earle of Leven fully informing the particulars of his taking of Muschamp Bridge by his Forces viz. That about the 6 of November last his Army being advanced within about a mile or two of Newark the Generall caused a Line to be drawne close to Muschamp-Bridge and there placed some Musketteers intending to crosse the River and storme the Fort upon the other side but the Enemy apprehending the designe resolved to cut off the Bridge and upon the 28 in the morning before breake of day they sallyed out upon the Scots and attempted the cutting off the Bridge but were most resolutely and bravely beaten from it by the Muketeers with little losse to our friends which the Enemy perceiving set fire to the Draw-Bridge but the Scots falling stoutly on them againe beat them back and very closely pursued them and made them forsake all their Works and so our valiant Brethren became masters both of the Bridge and strong Fort and now have very closely besieged that part of the Towne Upon the reading of which Letter in Parliament the thanks of the Houses were returned to the Scottish Commissioners and a vote passed That his Excellency Generall Lesley for the better and more orderly managing of the Siege against Newarke should command in chiefe all the Forces as well English as Scottish before Newarke Which Vote was fully and freely assented unto by both Houses of Lords and Commons where now we will leave them till another opportunity with our prayers for their prosperity in this great work and proceed About the fourth of this instant December a Letter Petition and Declaration of the County of Brecknock in Wales was presented to the House of Commons and there read declaring their firme resolutions to comply with and wholly to submit unto the commands of the Parliament which Declaration bearing date Novemb 23. 1645. for the fulnesse and excellency thereof and for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have here inserted verbatim as it was printed and published by authority which was as followeth WE the Gentry and Inhabitants of the County of Brecknock whose names are subscribed do declare and professe That we are fully satisfied in conscience that the two Houses of Parliament now sitting at Westminster are the true and undoubted lawfull Parliament of England and the supreme Court of Judicature of the Kingdome To whose judgement and determination we do and will in conscience of our Loyalty and not by terrour or constraint submit our selves our lives and fortunes We are also perswaded and confesse That the Armes taken up and continued by authority of Parliament in this defensive Warre are raised and continued in their owne just defence and for the just defence of the Protestant Religion the Person and Honour of the Kings Majesty the Priviledges of Parliament and the liberty of the Subject And that the Forces raised or to be raised within the Kingdome of England or Dominion of Wales without their consent are raised and imployed for destruction of Parliaments fomenting and establishing Popery Prelacy and an illegall Arbitrary Government In apprehension whereof we do unanimously resolve and firmly ingage and undertake that we with all persons under our power and command will from henceforward to the extreamest hazard of our lives and fortunes adhere to and assist the Forces raised or to be raised by authority of Parliament against all other Forces raised or to be raised against them or without their consent and we shall willingly and cheerfully joyn with Maior Generall Laughorne and those three associated Counties whereof he is Maior Generall and with the County of Glamorgan with whom we are already associated and contribute our utmost assistance and endeavours proportionably to the said respective Counties in such way as Maior Generall Laughorn shall thinke fit and meetest for the Service of the Parliament And from this resolution and engagement we shall not swerve or recead by adhering to the contrary party or imbraâ—ing a detestable neutrality either by perswasion dread or any other motive whatsoever After the reading and debate of this Declaration and the other Papeâ—s from the County of Brecknock it was referred to the Committee of Gloucester to draw a Letter in answer to the same and informe them how that the Houses of Parliament had granted their requests and do cheerfully accept of them and commend their submission and declarative resolutions as aforesaid c. And about the sixth of this instant there came Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons certainly signifying the surrenner of Latham House in Lancashire a strong and pernicious Garrison which had much infested that County which having been the busie yet cowardly Earle of Darbies House had been held and maintained against the Parliaments Forces for the space of two yeares at least by the Countesse of Darby the said Earles Lady that stout Virago who proved the better Souldier of the two and had so long indeed bravely maintained the same against us and was now enforced to yeeld it up onely for want of bread and drinke for they had above sixe weekes drunke nothing but water but had store enough of other provisions and about 200. Common Souldiers The Governour alone was to depart with his Horse and Armes and ten pounds in money the Officers above the degree of a Lieutenant only with their Swords All the rest onely with staves
call in all such Commissions as any have at Sea from him and accordingly hath done As for his Towns he is willing to surrender and that they be slieghted and accordingly hath sent to Sir Thomas Glemham onely in regard there are some such there as have faithfully served him in the preservation of his person he desires they may have honourable and good tearmes and that had the surrender of Oxford shall be a rule to the rest of the Towns Cities and Castles that all Forces may be disâ—anded to the quiet and ease of both the Nations likewise that the debts of the Kingdome be paid he shall be willing with some other particulars but these are the chiefe The Letter from His Majestie to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland is as followes Verbatim CHARLES R. Right trusty and welbeloved Couzens and Counsellors right trusty and right welbeloved Couzens trusty and welbeloved Councellers And trusty and welbeloved We greet you well AFter so long and sad an interruption of the happy understanding betwixt Us and Our good Subjects of our Kingdome of Scotland which hath exceedingly afflicted Us and lest the sad effects thereof may have alienated the affections of many of that Kingdome from Us and preferring nothing to the love of Our subjects on which Our safety and greatnesse most depends and without which We propose not to our selves any happines We have thought fit to labour to dispossesse them of all prejudices rather by shewing them Our present Resolutions than by remembring them of Our former differences having come hither with a full and absolute intention to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Our Kingdomes And with no thought either to continue this unnaturall War any longer or to make a division betwixt the Kingdoms but to comply with our Parliaments and those entrusted by them in every thing for setling of Truth and Peace Your Commissioners have offered to Us divers Papers in your name expressing Your Loyall intentions towards Us for which we cannot but returne you hearty thanks And shall study to apply Our selves totally to the Councells and advices of Our Parliaments We have already sent a Message to the two Houses of Our Parliament of England and your Commissioners at London which we hope will give satisfaction We have likewise written to all such within Our Kingdom of Scotland as have any Commission from Us to lay downe Armes disband their forces and render their Garrisons And have written to Our Agents and Ministers abroad for recalling all Commissions issued forth by Our Authority to any at Sea against any of Our Subjects of either Kingdom And have sent Letters to the Governour of Our City of Oxford to quit that Garrison upon honorable conditions and disband Our forces there which being granted to him we have resolved presently to give the like order to all Our other Garrisons and forces within this Kingdome And that the truth of these Our Royall intentions may be made known to all Our good Subjects of Scotland We desire a Proclamation may be printed and published together with this Letter at all convenient places hoping none will believe but that this is Our voluntary and cordiall resolution and proceeds from no other grounds than Our deepe sence of the bleeding condition of Our Kingdomes And that Our Reall intentions are with the blessing of God and his favourable assistance to joyne with Our Parliament in setling Religion here in purity after the aduice of the Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster And Our Subjects of both Kingdoms in freedom and safety So expecting your Councells and advices in every thing wherein we shall be concerned We bid you very heartily farwell From Newcastle May 10. 1646. Besides these likewise the King to shew his love to the City of London also sent a Letter to the said most famous City which being but short I shall for my Readers better content and satisfaction here insert which was as followeth CHARLES REX RIght Trusty and welbeloved we greet you well Having expressed Our resolutions to the two Houses of Our Parliament of England and the Committee of Estates of Our Parliament of Scotland to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Kingdomes we have now likewise thought fit to assure the two chiefe Cities of both Our Kingdomes That nothing is more grievous to Vs then the troubles and distractions of Our people And that nothing on earth is more desired by us then that in Religion and Peace with all the comfortable Fruits of both they may henceforth live under Vs in all godlinesse and honesty And this profession we make for no other end but that you may know immediately from Our selves Our integrity and full resolutions to comply with our Parliaments in every thing for setling truth and peace And our desire to have all things speedily concluded which shall be found requisite for that end That Our returne to that Our ancient City may be to the satisfaction of Our Parliament the good liking of you and all our good people and to our owne greater joy and comfort we bid you heartily farewell From Newcastle the 19. of May 1646. And upon the 26. of this instant May the most renowned famous and faithfull Citizens of London in their most Cordiall zeale for Gods glory the honour of Religion hatred of damnable doctrines errours and Schismes wherewith the City was then extremely infected and infested and for the honest honourable vindication of themselves as touching their Solemn League and Covenant in promoting the long desired establishment of a godly Church-Government in City and Country and over the whole Kingdome exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament which I must and that most worthily inroule in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle among the rare and most remarkable mercies of our good God unto us in thus raising up the Spirits of these most renowned Citizens to such a high place and pitch of godly zeale and faithfull courage exhibited I say a most noble and renowned Remonstrance or Petition in the name of the Lord Major and Aldermen and Common-Councell of that most Honorable City of London wherein their piety and Cordiall integrity to God the Church and State was most Copiously and right Christianly Demonstrated to the perpetuated honour and indelible dignity of those renowned Citizens especially of their never sufficiently honoured and renowned religious and pious Lord Major Alderman Adams who told his Brethren who in their prudence and providence for waightie reasons best known among themselves not willing to let their noble Lord Major goe along with them to the exhibiting of the said Remonstrance told them I say with expression of much fervour and zeale therein That Though his Person was not permitted yet his heart he assured them most affectionately went along with them Which said rare and religious Remonstrance both for the Readers better content and satisfaction especially it having beene so basely and abusively
Gentlemen of this Committee with the horse entred and immediately became Masters of the Town and within 4 houres after the Castle was surrendred upon quarter for all but the Irish to march to Ludlow and then the Enemy delivered up a strong Out-work in Frankwell upon bare quarter for their lives By 12 of the clock at noon wee became absolute Masters of the Castle and Town wherein were taken many considerable prisoners good store of Ammunition and great store of Ordnance The Committee of Wem took as great care as possibly could bee that the well-affected in the Town might not in any measure suffer or bee plundered and therefore the Officers kept off the Souldiers from plundering the Town that so the Committee might see right down and none but Malignants only to suffer The Committee gave present notice hereof to Sir William Brereton certifying him what they had done who thereupon took care for forces to lye neer them to releive Colonell Mitton if occasion should bee The whole Country I mean especially the well-affected party were exceeding glad of this and desired that Colonell Mitton might bee Governour thereof being well known unto them all to bee a most honest cordiall and well-affected Gentleman and of singular and true integrity to the Parliaments Cause whereof by many reall experiments they had strong and indubitable ground and knowledge Our horse the day before had a long and weary march they having been sent to surprize Sir William and Sir Thomas Whitmore a Parliament man whereof more immediately Sir we shall not trouble you any further but to subscribe our selves Your most humble Servants A. Lloyd Sam. Moore Tho. Hunt Ro. Clives Rob. Cariton Leigh Owen Salop Feb. 24. 1644. A List of the prisoners taken in Salop as aforesaid Sir Michael Ernley Knight and his Brother Sir Rich. Lee Baronet Sir Thomas Harris Baronet Sir Henry Frederick-Thyn Baronet Sir William Owen Knight Sir John Wilde senior Knight Sir John Wilde junior Knight Sir Thomas Lister Knight Together with 11 Esquires 2 Leivtenant Colonels one Major 2 Doctors 8 Captains 15 Gentlemen 3 Ancients 4 Sargeants 9 or 10 other Officers and about 50 other prisoners wherof some were Irish One Captain and 5 others were slain Wee also took 15 peices of Ordnance many hundreds of Armes divers barrels of powder All Prince Maurice his Magazine The Town the Castle and all the Works divers Carriages bagge and baggage of the Princes Besides many other prisoners and purchases not discovered when this List was gathered Wee lost only 2 men And was not this a most rare and remarkable mercy and famous Victory indeed and never to bee obliterated out of the Tables of eternall memory and gratitude As accordingly and most worthily it was shortly after Ordered by the Parliament that a Solemn day of publike Thanksgiving to God should bee kept And 20 li. was given to the first messenger that brought this most welcome newes and 10 li. to the second And heer I must desire the Reader to take notice of the most wise and righteous disposall of this great mercy unto us by the great and glorious Moderatour of all things in Heaven and Earth Viz. That this so rare and famous defeat given to the impious Enemies of Gods Cause and Truth was upon the very same day that the Mock-Treaty or rather Plot-Treaty at Vxbridge was happily dissolved namely Saturday Feb. 22. 1645. A passage of singular divine providence and not slightly to be pretermitted of us But now to goe on Much also about the foresaid time it was most certainly informed that a party of Sir William Breretons forces as was forementioned under the command of Sir John Price a worthy Member of the House of Commons had taken Apsley House in Shropshire and therein Sir William Whitmore and Sir Thomas his Son Sir Fra. Oately Mr. Owen Mr. Fowler Mr. Griffith and divers other Gentlemen of quality and about 60 Common Souldiers as they were sitting upon a Commission of Array to raise forces for Prince Maurice and they pursued the said Prince also who still avoided Sir William and at last got over Severn toward Chester on the Welsh side And from Ailsbury wee had also about the same time certain intelligence that that brave Commander Colonell Craford had performed a brave peice of service about Roesham 3 or 4 miles from Oxford where hee fell upon a party of the Enemy and took 40 Horse with their Riders and Armes among whom was a Serjeant Major a Cornet and some other Officers And upon the 28 of this instant February Letters came to the Parliament from ever renowned Colonell Massey of a great Victory obtained by some of his forces under his brothers Command Who in the Forrest of Dean fell upon Sir John Winter routed him and made himself swim the River of Wye in which passage 60 of his men were drowned 70 slain on the place besides Colonell Gam and Leivtenant Colonell Winter and 120 taken prisoners and a 140 horse taken 2 Leivtenant Colonells one Major 4 Captains and other Commanders and Officers together with 300 Armes And upon this Relation a Letter of Thanks from the House of Commons was Ordered to bee sent to Colonell Massey for his good service and an Order also passed presently for providing money for so deserving a Commander And now good Reader let mee desire thee heer to stay a little and to take a summary and short survey of the rare and rich mercies of this Moneth also even of the Burning Bush still Vnconsumed nay rather in the midst of furious flames gallantly grown and much improved as hath been this moneth most evidently expressed both In that notable passage of Providence at Sir Erasmus de la Fountains House In the sound beating of Ashby Cavaliers at Cole-Orton and the brave defeat given to Welsh Gerrard at Cardigan Castle In that Mock-Treaty at Vxbridge and that brave peice of service performed by Major Bridges at Stoke-New-House in Gloucestershire Together with Major Jones his valiant taking of Partshall Garrison and Major Generall Brownes activity about Oxford In the brave defeat at Heightley in Yorkeshire And the happy arrivall at London of Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Parliament to receive his Commission to bee Generalissimo of all the Armies of the Kingdome In the most valiant taking of Scarborough Town Church and Haven The brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Dennington by valiant Major Temple Together with that renowned repulse given to Greenvill at Plymouth In the most happy and famous surprizall of the strong Town and Castle of Shrewsbury and all the rich prizes therein And finally In the taking of Apsley House in Shropshire The brave service of Colonell Craford at Roesham neer Oxford and the famous defeat given to the Enemies by renowned Colonell Massie in the Forrest of Dean In due and deep consideration and most gratefull contemplation of all which so rare and rich
Cromwell fell upon them neer Islip where proved to bee a Brigade of above a 1000. under the command of the Earl of Northampton and were part of the Queens Regiment part of the Lord Wilmots and part of the Earles own Regiments and bravely beat them at their own game fighting with them most valiantly though the best horse the King had and at the second charge entred their whole body or squadron of the Enemy and greatly disordered them following this advantage with so much courage and gallantry that in a short time they totally routed them following them in hot pursuit above 3 miles killed and took above 200. enforcing at the least 60 of them to drown themselves by making too much speed to get over a water In which fight wee also took 400 horse 3 Colours whereof one was the Queens richly embroydered with a Crown in the midst and 18 Flower de Luces wrought in gold with a golden crosse on the top wee took also about 20 Officers and divers arms wounded many who fled into Oxford and some into Blechington-House Whereupon renowned Leivtenant Generall Cromwell sent away his prisoners and marched against the said Blechington beset it and summoned Colonell Windebank to surrender that Garrison unto him which after some dispute about it it being a strong Garrison and now as strongly surrounded was surrendred to Leivtenant Generall Cromwell upon condition for the Souldiers to march away with their lives The Leivtenant Generall took there 250 Muskets 70 Horse a 100 Pikes and other Armes 3 barrels of powder with Match and other Ammunition And upon the 26 of this instant Aprill Major Generall Brown having notice that Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Horse were so neer him hee drew a party out of Abbington to march that way to bee in a readinesse if occasion were who marching toward Longworth had notice of a party of the Enemy to bee about Buckland so they marched that way but the Enemy was gone toward Farringdon But Major Generall Brownes forces followed them so close that they overtook them and fell upon them took a Captain 3 other Officers and 10 prisoners with which they intended presently to have returned toward Abbington but having intelligence of another party of the Enemies that were comming from the Devizes intended as was supposed for Oxford Scouts were sent to finde them out and having discovered them Major Generall Brownes forces fell upon them and presently put them to the rout took a Colonell a Sergeant Major 3 Captains 3 Leivtenants and divers other prisoners besides horse and armes and carryed them all safe to Abbington And the very same day toward Evening Colonell Feines with his Regiment having intelligence of a party of the Enemies that were come neer Witney hee drew toward them and with much gallantry fell upon them and in the fight and flight of the Enemy took from them a 120 horse 3 Colours 40 prisoners and 50 Armes About the 28 instant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell had intelligence that a party of the Enemies Foot under the Command of Sir Henry Vaughan formerly a Member of the House of Commons but since one of the Oxford Juncto were also about Witney toward Farringdon wherefore hee drew that way intending to fall upon them the next morning if hee could reach them and sending forth Scouts to discover the motions of Colonell Vaughan and receiving advertisement that hee quartered neer Bampton-Bush hee marched on that way parting his Body into severall Squadrons and with valiant courage marched up close unto them the Enemy having little courage to fight so terrible was the very name of Cromwell to them instantly begged quarter for their lives which was granted them and so Leivtenant Generall Cromwell took their Colonell Sir Henry Vaughan who was their Commander in Cheif 2 Leivtenant Colonells 1 Sergeant Major 5 Captains 8 Leivtenants 8 Ensignes 1 Doctor who was Chaplain to them whose name was Dunse 20 Sergeants and other inferiour Officers 230 prisoners and about 200 Armes some powder match and Ammunition with such provisions as they had with them And the rest of the day was spent in publike worship of God and giving thanks to the Lord through-out those our Armies which were within the hearing and knowledge of these great Victories for the same Finally about the latter end of this Moneth of Aprill wee had certain intelligence of the singular good agreement and sweet harmony of affections in renowned Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army and that the Souldiers expressed very much love affection and cheerfull obedience to their said noble Generall Sir Thomas and to one another in all their severall relations in the Army and that many of those that were thought to bee discontented men and had been Officers under the most noble Earl of Essex had now cheerfully listed themselves under Sir Thomas Fairfax as common Souldiers both Horse and foot And that the last muster of the Horse and Foot of his whole Army at that time was 4000 Horse and 13000 Foot and that some Regiments of horse and foot were then advanced toward distressed yet courageous Tauntons releif wherof more in its proper place And about this time our most prudent and provident State-Promethei of Both Houses of Parliament having so well Ordered their Land-affaires now also took into their serious consideration the businesse of the Admiralty and Sea-affaires how they might bee best ordered and managed for the best good and most considerable advantage and improvement every way of the welfare of our republick The most noble and renowned Earl of Warwick then before Lord Admirall being called from that publick imployment by the late Selfe-denying-Ordinance and they looking upon this businesse as a matter of no lesse weighty concernment than the safety under God of 3 Kingdomes Wherefore at last they came to this resolution that the businesse of the Admiralty should bee managed by Commissioners of Both Houses to continue for 6 moneths and so proceeded to nominate them who were to bee imployed in this great trust Viz. The Earl of Warwick for the House of Peeres and Mr. Bence and Mr. Peregrinâ— Pelham of the House of Commons the prosperous managing of which so weighty trust and employment by which foresaid Parliamentary Worthies wee shall have occasion to make farther mention in its proper place And now good Reader let mee heer again desire thee with godly and gratefull patience to make a little stay and to take a short survey and sweete review of all the rich and rare mercies of this Moneth also And therein to see and admire how graciously and gloriously the Lord hath dwelt in his Parliamentary Burning-Bush and hitherto kept it Vnconsumed both In the most sweet and singular harmony and good agreement between Both Houses of Parliament revived by the House of Peeres for the faster binding of the mutuall affections of Both Houses together And the good services of Major Generall Browns forces about Abbington
to him and they then also took order for monies to pay his well-deserving Souldiers as had been desired And they having formerly bestowed 200 pound per annum upon Owen Occonelly for his good Service in discovering the plot in Ireland who not receiving the same according to the said Order the House of Commons therefore Ordered the due and constant payment of the said 200 pound per annum out of the old customs of the Kingdom Thus Honos alit artes virtus compensata crescit And about the 23 instant wee had Letters out of Staffordshire which certified that when the Kings forces advanced for the releif of Chester then most hopefully besieged by ever to bee honoured Sir William Brereton by Stafford and Shropshire Captain Stone the valiant and active Governour of Stafford for the Parliament gave the Enemy severall successefull visits in their Rear at they past along and did good execution upon them therein And first how hee sent out a party of his Horse who fell upon a party of the Enemies quartered at Wâ—lverhampton killed 16 on the place took 26 Horse and most of their Riders and returned without any losse the Kings own quarters being then not above 2 miles off it That presently after this hee sent out another party even the next day who fell upon the Enemy quartered in the field neer Newport in Shrâ—pshire brought away 60 horse killed a Captain and about 20 others in the place And the next day following this that hee sent out another paity that fell upon their quarters at Pancridge killed 3. took 4 prisoners and 7 horses About the 28 of this instant May being that Moneths day of a publike Fast or humiliation and Reverend Mr. Henderson one of the Scottish Commissioners and reverend Mr. Whitaker Preaching before the House of Peers that day in the Abbey at Westminster and before the House of Commons Reverend Mr. Caryll and Mr. Ford as wee were that day labouring in prayers and other acts of humiliation to draw neer to our God wee found the Lord in mercy drawing neer to us for the Fast day being ended there came Letters from renowned Colonell Massie which gave us the happy intelligence of the taking of the strong Garrison of Evesham the manner wherof was breifly thus Colonell Massie with about 800 horse and 600 foot having lyen before Evesham a day or 2 stormed the Town and took it in an houres storming In which service wee received lesse losse than could have been expected in such a hot peice of service as for the time it proved not above 4 or 5 of our Souldiers slain and 2 Officers besides and about 30 common Souldiers wounded Wee slue of the Enemies 10 or 11. took divers Officers and common Souldiers to the number of about 548. and neer upon an 120 good horses a List of the prime prisoners was as followeth Colonell Robert Legge Governour of the Town Colonell Foster Leivtenant Colonell Bellingham Major Travillian 13 Captaines 16 Leivtenants 3 Reformadoes 20 inferiour Officers together with 20 barrels of Gun-powder 700 fire-armes and 2 Tuns of Match The taking of this brave Garrison was a very considerable peice of service in many respects and this not the least namely that by this means almost all Worcestershire will bee freed and mightily secured from Cavalierian Contributions which before were frequently gathered for the King And about the 30 of this instant wee were credibly informed by Letters out of Hampshire that a party of horse and foot belonging to Colonell Norton marched forth upon a design on Lanâ—ford-House The horse were commanded by Captain Betsworth Captain Smibark and Captain Gerson The foot were under the command of young Murford with part of these forces they placed an ambuscado neer the foresaid House undiscovered to the Enemy and Colonell Griffith seeing some of our forces facing the House sallyed forth to encounter them whereupon ours retreated to their ambuscado the Enemy hotly pursued them but were now as fiercely as unexpectedly assaulted and charged by ours on every side who took them all prisoners finding no way to escape There were surprized Colonell Griffith the Governour of Langford House his Captain Leivtenant a Cornet 8 other Officers 64 prisoners besides of common Souldiers and all their Armes and 10 of them slain upon the place And heer good Reader let mee again desire thee to make another very short stay for a most just and deserved gratefull Comtemplation on all the fair and famous mercies of this Moneth also and therein to see and admire the continued Miraculous wonder of our Parliamentary Burning-Bush still Vnconsumed notwithstanding the many singeing yea scorching assaults and hot attempts constantly and continually flashing against it both In the great danger and admirable deliverance of that ever to bee honoured Commander Colonell Massie from Prince Ruperts plot or design to have suddenly surprized him In the famous defeat given to the Enemy by Major Purefâ—yes forces in Warwickâ—shire In the as singularly seasonable as comfortable releif of the good Town of Taunton and the setting at liberty of so many precious Soules as that long siege had curbed and coopt in from necessary comforts And the excellent Orders set out by the Parliament for the well-regulating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army In the happy harmony of our prime Commanders in the Army And the Parliaments most noble and renowned gratitude to those that have well deserved of the Kingdom by their industrious and loyall services In the brave services of Captain Stone Governour of Stafford against the enemy And the happy taking of Eveshams strong Garrison by renowned Colonell Massie and therein a most notable and evident return of Prayer And lastly In that brave defeat given to our Cavalierian adversaries by valiant and loyall Colonell Norton All which premises of this Moneth of May prudently piously and gratefully considered O say good Reader whether wee have not most just cause continually to praise our ever-living and all-good-giving God and with the holy Prophet to break forth into Soul-exulting and God-exalting raptures of joy and gratitude and to confesse and say O Lord thou art our God and wee will exalt thee and will everlastingly praise thy name for thou haste done wonderfull things for us and thy counsels of old and of later times too are nothing but faithfulnesse and truth unto us But now to proceed ANd heer now wee will begin the farther contemplation and just admiration of the rich and rare mercies I had almost said miracles of this Moneth of June also with the cordiall and comfortable mention of a most excellent Petition exhibited about the beginning of this Moneth on the 4 or 6 day thereof to the House of Commons in Parliament by the right Honourable Lord Major of London together with the Aldermen and Common-Councill of the said most famous and ever to bee renowned City touching their deep apprehension of divers disastrous sad
incroached upon our Enemies and in many places got within Pistoll shot and have had hot incounters with them On Munday morning last about foure a Clock they sallyed out againe and we watched how to catch them and that evening we took Sir Bernard Ashley the best Souldier in Bristoll and kild Col. Daniel for he had seaven bullets in his body but being so neere the works we durst not alight to bring off his body Sir Bernard Ashley we have Prisoner though sore wounded The other day at our first comming we shot Sir Richard Crane another great favourer of Ruports through the thighe of which he lyes dangerously ill the party of Foot under Lieutenant Col. Kempson hath taken the strong Fort of Ports-head point and therein â—ix pieces of Ordnance and one Demy-culvering so our Ships may come in freely into Severne we have also seized on one Ship in Avon with twelve peice of Ordnance The last night we were all up in Armes expecting a Sally out of one thousand Horse upon our Guards being extream wet weather all night long the Enemy drew out under their Workes but their Scouts discerning our readinesse came not on besides they had a most fierce Alarm Ports-head point was taken and the Parliament Ships coming up the River the Towns men were dismayed and threw down Arms Rupert imprisoned some of them and thus is the condition of affaires for the present We had by this raised as good Works against theirs as may be and if Goring come on of the other hand But singly either of them we feare not I am in great hast and can write no more but that I am Sir Your most humble servant From before Bristoll Aug. 28. 1645. at 4. in the afternoone Colonell Morgan is before Barklay Castle and the Generall hath sent a Regiment of Horse to his assistance Our Horse before Bristoll have done five daies and nights duty never coming off the Field And about the 30 of this instant August came certaine information by Letters to London from Redding that a Party of about 120 Horse from Wallingford and Dennington came into those parts to gather Contribution Money even within a mile of Redding Colonell Baxter the Governour of Reading with Captaine Pile and as many Horse and Dragoones of their Troops as could be presently made ready which was not above 30 or 40 in all at most understanding thereof sent to Colonell Moore ond Captain Burroughs who then had about 100 of Abington Horse quartered also at Redding to prepare for his Reserve The Enemy upon their March homeward ware closely followed by the Governours party whose forlorn hope forced the Enemies Rear guard to their body at which their body faced about and caused our forlorn to retreat and they perceiving our number to be but small pursued the Governour through and through yet he had but one man slain and eight of his men were taken Prisoners and the Governours sword was cut off to the hilt for upon the Enemies facing about upon ours the Governour seeing the Enemies advantage to be at least foure to one did forbeare an engagement till he had sent one of his Captaines to know how far behind the Abington horse were and to give them the Word who returned to the Governour and told him they were at hand which proved otherwise to the hazard of the Governour and his whole party then engaging as you have heard See here therefore how much conducing to the welfare of martiall affaires true intelligence is and how the want of it proves destructive In this interim at length and seasonably enough came in Colonell Moore and Captain Burroughs with their horse and they now with the Governours Horse and Dragoones being rallied againe very fiercely charged the Enemy again bravely routed them regained their prisoners tooke about 50 Horse of the Enemies 60 Arms 23 Prisoners one Major one Captaine and sorely wounded another and slew 13 of them on the ground and in their pursuit which ours had upon them for at least five miles The rest escaped by flight to tell their fellowes at Wallingford what a brave prize and purchase they had got We had but that one man slaine upon the place forementioned and two dyed since of their wounds The Governour Colonell Moore Captaine Pile Captaine Burroughs and Quarter-Master Barker behaved themselves with much gallantry in this businesse and generally the Souldiers fought all of them very bravely but most justly to God be all the praise of the victory And about the same time we also understood for certaine by Letters out of Shropshire That the brave and active Garrison of Shrewsbury fell also upon a party of the Enemies at Bishops-Castle in that County as they were hot in plundring the Fayre which was then kept there whom they bravely and suddenly routed rescued all the plunder tooke 200 of the Enemies Horse and many Prisoners This Service was performed by valiant Major Fenick and the Enemies party was from Ludlow and Bridge-North And here now good Reader let me desire thee to make a little pause and parley with thy heart and soul in the serious contemplation and consideration of the rich and rare mercies of this moneth also wherein thou hast most remarkably seen the faithful performance of this our still-continued mighty marvelous wonder of The Burning-Bush unconsumed or rather indeed more and more prospered and preserved in the midst of such and so many fierce furious flashes and flames of mischief and malignity in outragious opposition against it which hath bin most abundantly demonstrated both in Captain Allens brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Stamford in Lincolnshire In the surprisall of the Kings Commissioners at Shaftsbury by Colonell Fleetwood In the routing of the Clubmen by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell In the famous defeat given to the Enemy in Wales by Major Generall Laughorne In the storming and taking of Sherburne Castle by renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax In the Parliaments pious and prudent care for the reformation of matters in Religion In the good condition of our Forces in the North whereby a dangerous designe of the Kings was frustrated and his forces defeated In our most noble and renowned Generals winning of that strong Fort at Bristoll called Ports-head Point In that brave but dangerous defeat given to the Enemy neer Reading And Major Fenicks defeat given to the Enemy at Bishops-Castle in Shropshire All which rare Parliamentary Mercies bestowed on us and sore pinches and pulls thus from time to time put upon and wrested from our vile and vexatious Enemies O how ought the gracious and gratefull recordation and consideration thereof work upon our spirits and affect our souls with unexpressible gratitude to our God the most mercifull wise and wonderfull worker of them and cause us to break forth with holy David that sweet singer of Israel into this holy extasie of exultation and rejoycing sing and say Our souls waite yea wait only
up but most fled And in this action Sir John Browne himselfe deported himselfe with as much gallantry as any man in the world could do the whole body being not discouraged though in number so much overmatched For the particulars of those that were killed and taken I refer you to the list where all the particulars are certified according to Sir John Brownes own letter The Lord Digby had a cleare rout as ever was given to any The Lord Digby himselfe with Sir Marmaduke Langdale and others of his chiefe Officers that escaped fled over to the Isle of man in a Cock-Boat The Isle of man is a malignant Island between Cumberland and Ireland the Earle of Derby is the Governour thereof for the King and of others that escaped there are divers taken straglers and their Horse and Armes but in a body there are none heard of save onely about 200. that are fled towards Bâ—â—m and a party are sent to stop them from getting in thereto if they can but of them that are fled that way of the Enemies many of them are fore wounded A List of what was slain and what was taken by Sir John Brown at the routing of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdale at Carlile Sands On the Enemies part ONe hundred slaine upon the place Many wounded Taken Prisoners DIgby his Quartermaster Generall 1 Colonell of Langdales Brigade 2 Lieutenant Colonels 3 Captains of Horse Divers other Officers Many Prisoners Taken besides TWo Hundred Horse and Armes The Lord Digbyes owne Standard Sir Marmaduke Langdales Standard 3 Colours of Horse On our part SIr John Browne shot thorow his side but not mortally for he is able to fit upon his Horse back Captaine Lesley wounded 30 and odde slaine amongst whom some Officers but none of note that I hear of 50 or there abouts wounded on our side in all Digby and Langdale with 1000 Horse were totally routed by Sir John Browne with a party of about 500. and Digby and Langdale fled to the Isle of Man in a Cock-boat And upon the intelligence hereof an Order passed both Houses of Parliament to this effect It is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That the Ministers in the severall Congregations in the Cities of London and Westminster and Lines of Communication do upon Wednesday next being the 5 of November take notice of the great mercy of Almighty God in preserving and continuing this present Parliament now full five yeares compleat notwithstanding all the designes and machinations of the Enemy against them And likewise to make most thankfull mention of Gods great mercy in the defeating of the Lord Digby and Sir Marmaduke Langdales Forces in Scotland by Sir John Browne of Fardell Knight And that the Lord Mayor be desired to give the severall Ministers timely notice of this Order And now good Reader let me intreat thee as there is very great reason here to make a little stay and even to stand amazed in the serious and most gratefull re-view and re-cogitation of the still continued and multiplied mercies of our most good and gracious wonder-working God in this Moneth also to his blessed Burning-Bush still I say both unconsumed and also made most prosperously to stand and flourish in the midst of all the rough and outragious conflagrations and combustions of Malignants power and policie might and mischievous machinations to have utterly 〈◊〉 destroyed it root branch had not God I say the great and gracious the most wise and vigilant Watchman over his poore maligned English-Israel stood for them as hath been mightily manifested in its glorious preservation and propagation both in the brave defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Moore Governour of Gâ—â—nt-House the taking of Farâ—igh Castle in Somersetshire and of Sandall Castle in Yorkeshire In the happy surrender of the Town and Castle of Winchester into the Parliaments power and the pious resolutions of our Parliament to deale mercifully with Malignants and Delinquents notwithstanding their intended mercilesse cruelty towards us and yet herein also the Parliaments prudence and providence for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome In the most happy taking of Bazing-House that pernicious denne of theeves and thus cleansing that foule and filthie Augean-stall together with the taking of Chepstow Towne and Castle by Colonell Margan In the cleared integrity of the Parliament touching 〈◊〉 of new Members unto them the brave defeat given to the Enemy by our Abington Forces together with that other brave defeat given by valiant Colonell Rossiter to Banbury Forces neare Newarke In the taking of Langford-House neer Salisbury and the soundly beating of Sir William Vaughans Forces by Tamworth Garrison In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Sherburne his York-shire by valiant Colonell Copley and the admirable and almost miraculous taking of Tiverton Town and Castle In the happy overture of things in Wales for the reducing of that Principality to the Parliaments obedience and the taking in of 〈◊〉 and Monmouth Towns and Castles to the Parliaments party And lastly In the discovery of Digbies Letters the brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Denbigh Castle coming to relieve Chester And that other brave defeat given to Sir William Byron on the like intention to relieve Westchester where he was taken Prisoner Together with that last not least famous defeat given againe to the Lord Digby and Langdale in their mischievously intended march into Scotland to Montrose Upon the most weighty and worthy gratefull consideration of all which most memorable and admirable Parliamentary mercies and mighty blessings O what infinite cause have we O in what innumerable and indissoluble bonds of obliged gratitude are we everlastingly bound to blesse the Lord our thus great and gracious wonder-working God And with the pious Prophet to be inlarged in our hearts and tongues with abundant expressions of joyfull confessions and exultations in our God and to sing and say in this our day Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he hath saved us This is the Lord we have trusted in him and now he hath made us to be glad and rejoyce in his mighty salvations for he hath trodden downe Moab our most proud and politick adversaries under his feet even as straw is trodden downe for the dunghill This also cometh all forth from the Lord of Hosts who is wonderfull in counsell and most excellent in working Go on O Lord we pray thee still to make thy great name more and more glorious and let not men prevaile Let still these irreligiâ—us Royalists be judged in thy sight Put them still in feare O Lord that they may know they 〈…〉 men So shall we thy people and the sheep of thy pasture give thanks 〈◊〉 to thee and blesse thy name as we do this day for ever and ever 〈◊〉 now to go on And here now we will begin the yet further most gratefull contemplation and admiration of the most
at Sea driven into a creek neer Plymouth from whence a Boat was sent to demand and know whom they were for the Marriners thinking themselves to be in his Majesties Quarters answered They were for the King Hereupon our boat left them and acquainting the Governour of Plymouth therewith he sent forth severall Boats with Musketeers to take the Barke which they did after some resistance and some few slain on both side and so brought it safely into Plymouth to be made use of for the King and Parliament And about November the 24. we also received certaine information by Letters out of Gloucestershire of a brave defeat given to the Enemie in those parts which also was confirmed by another Letter especially from Malmsbury the substance whereof was as followeth That upon occasion of planting and fortifying a Garrison for the Parliaments partie by renowned and active Colonell Morgan the valiant and faithfull Governour of Gloucester at Sir Henry Fred. Thynnes House at Kempsford in that Countie the Enemy belonging to Rad-Court and Farringdon being enraged at it and much offended that they should have a troublesome neighbour so neere them to straighten and curb their former accustomed excursions into the Countrie for contribution-money and plunder They therefore came forth with a party of about 30. horse to impede and disturbe their workes begun Whereupon Captaine Moore who had the Command of Malmsbury foot left at Letch-lad by Colonell Morgan drew out 60. Musketeers with which he bravely flankt the Enemie slew 2. of them shot their Captaine in the thigh and so made retreat but this their Commander swore in a rage that they would ere long be avenged upon our forces and thereupon they presently fetched in unto them Major Duet that French-Renegado and base apostate from the Parliaments service who since his defection had beene a Scourge and vexation to those parts though most Commonly with losse to himselfe who came that very evening with 100. foot and 120. horse purposing to have surprised ours in their workes and now to be revenged on them for his friends former repulse but valiant and vigilant Captaine Moore timely discovered them sent out another partie of Musketters and the Gloucester-horse thereabout having taken the Alarm drew forth also to the Encounter set fiercely upon the Enemy put them to the rout pursued the chace mortally wounded Major Duet himselfe unhorst him threw him into the dire where within 4 or 5 houres after he was found dead a just hand of God now at last upon such a disloyall and faithlesse apostate from the honest Cause which he first undertooke they also slew another Captain and 20. more Common Souldiers upon the place tooke 30. prisoners whereof one was a Corner and 5. of the Kings Life-guard 40. horse and 60 fire-armes And thuâ— having by Gods great mercy to whom alone be all the praise and glory thereof chaced them close to Rad-cot-Bridge even almost to their very workes they returned victoriously safe to their Garrison without the lose of any one man of theirs slaine only 2. or 3. wounded but not mortally Finally about the latter end of this November it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Statists for the more luculent and cleare manifestation of their hearts integrity to manage all matters for the greater honour of that great and supreame Court of Parliament and the fairer evidence of their own personall sincerity in and about the same to take into their serious debate the great prejudice which many have received by protection of Members of Parliament and their servants or attendants and therefore how the same might be remedied for the future The result whereof came at last to this issue that they appointed a Committee of New elected Members who were to meet certaine dayes weekly with power to heare and examine complaints of such as have suffered in that nature And also to receive such complaints as shall upon just ground be brought against any Member of Parliament for taking of Bribes or for any other act of injustice whatsoever Certainely such acts of justice as these especially being faithfully and effectually carryed on will make this already most famous Parliament much more famous and illustrious to all posterity and cannot but most justly stop the mouths of all malicious-hearted Malignants and others who have or shall endevour injuriously to scandalize their honourable proceedings And here now againe good Reader let me desire thee to stay a while to make a most gratefull review there in to admire the rare and remarkable parliamentarie-Parliamentarie-mercies of this moneth also in the cleare and most demonstrative ratification of this admirable wonder of the Burning-Bush still unconsumed and rarely kept and recovered from the many menaced distractions of it by the incessant assailant furious flames and conflagrations flashing continually round about it as hath beene most apparently seen and set forth both in the Parliaments provident care and Circumspection for the safety and welfare of the Kingdome and City of London in those two excellent Orders against Delinquents In the taking in of Shelford-House And miserably taring in peeces of the Lord Digbies late scattered forces againe rallyed into a body In the surrender of Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the Enemie in Cardiganshire into the Parliaments power And the gratefull recordation of the Parliaments happie preservation from the malicious machinations of the plotting Enemies therof since the beginning of it to this present In the taking in of Worton-Garrison Wiverton and Welbeck-house And the spontaneous falling off of all Glamorganshire from the Kings pernicious party In the surrender of Bolton-Castle in the North to the Parliaments forces And the brave defeat given to the Enemy at Cannon-Froom and surprisall then of a notable Engine for batterie called a Sowe In the notable defeate given to the Lord Ashton and his forces where himselfe was slaine And the brave prize taken at Sea from the Enemie by Plymouth Garrison In the brave defeat given to Major Duet that French renegado and base Apostate where he himselfe was slaine And lastly In the remarkable testimonie of the Parliaments integrity shining forth in that excellent order of theirs against Parliaments protections and taking of bribes All which graciously and gratefully considered can amount to no lesse than a most cordiall and comfortable acknowledgement and confession of the Lords unchangeable free grace and unexhaustible bounty to us his most unworthy people of England even to admiration and astonishment to all our neighbour Nations round about us And that therefore they may and must most justly cause yea compellus with thankfull thoughts hearts and tongues to confesse and say with holy David Through the Lord alone we have done thus valiantly and he it is that â—ath thus graciously and gloriously trod downe our Enemies Yea He it is that hath bidden us not to be afraid of our most potent or politick
to prevent intelligence between them also and the Enemy And immediately after it for the more fully enabling of the said renowned City to terrifie and over-awe their open and secret Enemies the House of Commons passed an Ordinance for the establishing of a Court-Martiall in the said City of London for the triall of Spies and other noxious Delinquents who shall come out of the Kings Quarters to lurke and watch for opportunities of doing mischiefe and named severall Commanders and Gentlemen who were to be Members of that Councell And here now good Reader be pleased againe to make a little pause seriously to ponder and consider in thy most thankfull heart the unexhaustible over-flowings in bounty and blessings and the unwearied out-goings of thy wonder-working God in this Moneths mighty mercies also and most memorable benedictions on this his blessed Burning-Bush still unconsumed still marvellously preserved and maintained in a most fair and flourishing state and condition maugre the many and mighty flames of the firy and restlesse rage of the Royalists continually menacing and molesting the same as hath been most copiously discovered both in our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands faithfull and valiant assistance in the besieging of Newarle and their brave winning of Muschamp Bridge and Fort there And the voluntary submission of the County of Brecknock in Wales to the obedience of the Parliament In the obtaining of that pernicious den of robbers I mean that strong Garrison of Latham House in Lancashire and Fulford House in the West In the most remarkable and happy surprisall of the Towne and Castle of Hereford by a notable stratagem wherein the hand of God was most admirably evident In delivering that strong Fort of Canon-Tean and that strong Garrison of Callyntine-House at Exeter into the Parliaments possession and thereby strengthning ours and weakening the Enemies hands In the happy rendition of Skipton Castle also a strong hold of the Enemies into our hands whereby almost all the Northerne parts of the Kingdome were set at liberty And sixthly and lastly In putting into the hearts of our Worthies in Parliament and the loyall Citizens of London prudently and providently to foresee future probable contingent dangers and carefully to forecast to prevent and avoid them All which rare and remarkable Parliamentary Mercies gratefully and graciously put together give us great cause with holy David to sing and say In God the Lord alone is our salvation and our glory the rock of our strength and our sure refuge is in God O therefore let us trust in him at all times and poure out our hearts before him in all holy and humble acknowledgements that God alone is a refuge unto us But to go on And now I shall againe begin the serious survey of the rich and rare mercies of God to this his Burning-Bush the Parliaments Cause in this ensuing Moneth of January with a memorable passage of fidelity in the Governour of Plymouth Colonell Kerre who having been most vehemently tempted by Sir John Digby Brother to the traiterous George Lord Digby who then commanded in chief those Forces of the Kings which so long had besieged this brave and loyall Towne of Plymouth this young treacherous Royalist I say having by Letters Messages and mighty promises of a reward of 10000 l. in money and high preferment in the Kings Army endeavoured to intice the noble and loyall Governour to betray and give up this brave Towne into the Enemies hands He contrariwise most loyally disdaining such base and treacherous underhand-dealings returned that traiterous Knight this noble Answer which for the honour of this brave Gentlemans so faithfull resolution I have thought exceeding fit here to insert which was as followeth SIR YOur motion to treason I have seen and detest it it is below my spirit for a personall injury supposed onely by an Enemy to take a Nationall Revenge and for a punctilio of honour to take advice from Hell and to betray my trust I am sorry that one so ingenious as your self should 〈◊〉 your naturall parts onely to do mischiefe yet I have no reason to â—â—der much at your perswasion to treachery because I have had experience of the indeavour of your Family to corrupt others also I remember the Gunpowder-plot and withall the Letter which not long since your Brother wrote to my Lord Roberts tending to the same subject and his negotiation with Major Generall Browne at Abington Surely these principles came from Spaine but you should have told me also that Spanish Proverbe To love the Y reason and hate the Traytor Sir if my counsell may take with you then I beseech you to consider of the evill counsell which you and your party have given to his Majesty whereby the Kingdome especially those parts under your power are become almost a desolation And when you have thought upon the sad effects of these wars then let your heart tell you this truth that much of the blood and rapine in this Country must lye upon your account and guilt may inforce you to seeke for termes of Reconciliation first with God then with the Representative Body of the Kingdome whom you have se highly offended Let not this advice from him whom you call Enemy be despised as you hope for mercy and the respects of him who according to the Nationall Covenant resolves to be Assuredly your Servant JAMES KERRE How the young Gallant did blush if at least he had any shame in him at the perusall of this Letter I leave to all the ingenuous Readers to judge It was a brave letter indeed and most worthy to live in Cedar or to be engraven in indelible Marble and out live them both to this brave Gentlemans eternall honour which being speedily after made known to the Parliament was and that most justly most gratefully resented by both Houses and he rewarded with the present gift of 500. l. and most loving assurance of farther preferment on the first and sittest oportunity And presently after this the Lord to shew his detestation of all such disloyall traiterous enterprises as a punishment of this particular impious instigation to this treason crowned the loyall Governour of this Town of Plymouth with a fair occasion of just revenge and put a fit oportunity into his hands of singular good successe against this Treacherous Enemie which had there long besieged them which was intimated by Letters to a worthy Member of the House of Commons in Parliament in their taking of 2. Forts from the Enemie which had been a great annoyance to those our loyall friends and by which victorie they then got more elbow-roome and liberty to enlarge their quarters than before the particulars whereof were as followeth Our men after a small dispute tooke from the Enemie Canterburie-Fort and in it 17. Prisoners And afterward marched to Saint Bendeaux where after a hot skirmish of an houre and a halfe long our men tooke the Church-yeard which was strongly
Signet and Royall Segnature in the twenty yeere of our reigne c. It was therefore ordered by the said Earle in the Kings behalf 1 That all the professors of the Roman Religion in Ireland of whatsoever degree or quality shall enjoy the free and publique use of the Roman Catholike Religion 2 That the professors of the said Roman Religion shall enjoy all the Churches within the Kingdome of Ireland other than such as are now actually enjoyed by his Majesties Protestant Subiects 3 That all the Roman Catholick Subiects of Ireland should be exempted from the iurisdiction of the Protestant Clergy 4 〈◊〉 whereas there was an Act made 〈◊〉 Parliament holden in Dublin in the second yeare of Queen Elizabeth entituled An act restoring to the Crowne the ancient Right and Jurisdiction over the State Ecclesiasticall and for the abolishing of all forraigne and Popish power repugnant to the same And whereas there was another Act for the Vniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church and Administration of the Sacraments and sundry mâ—cts laid upon the professions of the Roman Religion it is accorded and granted that a Parliament shall be called in Ireland and that an Act shall passe for the reliefe of his Maiesties subiects and that neither of the said Statutes nor only branch Article clause or sentence in them neither in any other Statute made either by his Majiesty or any of his Predecessors touching the free and publique use of the Catholique Religion shall extend or be of my force to prejudice the professors of the Roman Church for any matter or cause whatsoever And these things and some other of the like nature being granted by the King according to his promise made in the word of a Christian and a King the Confederate Catholicks did oblige themselves to bring in the number of 10000 men who are to be armed there one half with Muskeâ—s the other with Pikes to be shipped to serve his Majesty in England Wales Scotland at his Majesty shall appoint Thus have I set forth the Kings Letter to the Parliament on the one side and his Letter or Declaration to the most bloody and barbarous Rebels of Ireland on the other side And now how the King is able to reconcile these two vast contrarities and to give the Kingdome and Parliament full satisfaction as in that Letter to them he saies he will concerning the affaires in Ireland let the world judge and God and his owne soul be witnesse Therefore the Parliament as by Gods mercy to us they have done all things hitherto for the most part with much moderation and 〈◊〉 did very 〈◊〉 I think present to his Majesty in theâ—â— Letter or Declaration sent unto him on their knowledge of these things that the war in Ireland being fomented and prolonged by his Majesty to the utter ruine almost of the Kingdome of England and Scotland that untill satisfaction and security be 〈◊〉 given to 〈◊〉 Kingdomes for the same his Majesties coming to London could not be convenient nor assented unto Thus I say the Parliaments providence next under the infinite wisdom and mercy of our good God hath still wonderfully discovered and disappointed all the pestilent plots and dangerous designes of our adversaries and maugre all their malicious machinations and craftiest combinations made all our Parliamentary great grave and godly affaires go on with wonderfull safety and security ever magnified and praised be the Lords most glorious mercies for it But now to proceed About the 14 of this instant January we received certain intelligence by Letters out of the West that the Enemy in those parts continued in a most distracted condition flying still before us and our men loosing no advantage and opportunity to pursue them And that they no sooner had heard of our Forces approach toward Plymouth but as they were in their Garrisons and Holds before Plymouth about Plympton they immediately forsook them to provide for themselves by a shamefull flight and were no sooner fled but our men became masters of their Works There were found in Plympton upon this the Enemies hasty flight seven peeces of Ordnance which in that confused haste they were not able to draw off there were also taken divers barrels of powder and great store of Armes and Ammunition and it much joyed the Garrison of Plymouth to see a full deliverance come so soone and so unexpectedly and that in the depth of snow and dead of Winter whereas according to ordinary reason there could in such a time no reliefe be expected But the Garrison of Plymouth to be sure made good use of the flying condition of their Enemies for immediately they sallyed forth after them and tooke about 60 of them one whereof was said to be a Commander of note and one of the most active against the Parliament in those parts And as the Garrison of Plymouth was active so our renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his most loyall and active Forces would loose no time or opportunity but tooke all occasions of the Enemies feares and flights and following them close made them quit Sir Francis Drakes House which they had made a strong Garrison and our men took possession of it And then Sir Thomas commanded a considerable party to march to Dartmouth who with much willingnesse undertooke the march and the Town being summoned the Enemy not onely refused to submit but sent out a party to fire some out houses supposing that they might be beneficiall to us during the siege but our Forces routed the party took 40 Horse and divers prisoners and slew the Lieutenant Colonell that commanded the said party And in the meane time Sir Thomas Fairfax sent to Captaine Batten Vice Admirall of the Parliaments Ships in the Westerne stode to come up to Dartmouth 〈◊〉 because he would storme it both by Sea and by Land whereof more in its more proper place January the 16 a Petition was 〈◊〉 to the House of Peers in the name of the Lord Mayor Alde â—men and Common-Councell of the City of London for the speedy setling of Church Government in the City and over the whole Kingdome as the day before they had presented one of the same to the House of Commons and upon the presenting of the Petition Alderman Gibbs made a Speech to their Lordships and after some consideration of the Petition the Lords returned them a most acceptable answer which Petition together with the Answer thereunto from the Lords for the Readers better content and satisfaction and the honour of that most famous and renowned City in such a pious Act and Petition I have thought fit here to insert them which were as followeth To the Right Honourable the LORDS now Assembled in the High Court of PARLIAMENT The humble Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell Assembled Sheweth THat in Novemb. last the Petitioners made it their humble request to this honourable
by storming it by our brethren of Scotland The Scots pious prudent carriage before the storming of Newcastle Marley the Major of Newcastle his proud dissembling carriage toward the Scâ—ts What great most just cause England hath for ever to love most entirely their faithfull brethren of Scotland Malignants most slanderous mouths justly stopped A brave exploit performed by renowned Col. Seelâ—y Governour in Lyme The most just reasons of an Ordinance of Parliament against Irish Rebels taken prisoners by Sea or Land who are to have no quarter granted them Certain intelligence brought to London that ours and the Kings forces were within 2 or 3 miles of Newberry and like to be engaged The Copy of a Letter sent to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons relating the whole fight at Newberry 28 Octob. 1644. The King in Newberry The Enemies strength at Newberry was 8000 foot and 5000 horse God heer took more care for his servants than the King did of his best Subjects Our Army was necessitated to quarter al night in the open field Ours took 2 or 3 cart loads of the Kings provision and 100 horse and foot of the enemies The fight begun The fight maintained for at least 3 houres space with admitable courage fiercenes on both sides The Earl of Cleveland others taken prisoners 9 of our brave peices of Ordnance which had been lost in Cornwall heer now recovered our men fought like devils as the Cornish Souldiers cryed our running away The King â—â—ed out of Newberry with only one Troop of horse General Gorings brother shot dead in the fight Prisoners tâ—ken at Newberry fight The King flying out of Newberry reviles the Major Prizes-taken at about Newb. An Order of Parliament for a day of publik Thankâ—giving to God 〈◊〉 brave defâ—at happy Victory A just check to our improvidence in not improving this braveadvantage as we might have done The Castle in the Town of Newcastle taken by our brethren of Scotland The names of the prisoners taken in the Castle A most famous defeat given to the Enemies at Bever Vale by Sir Jo. Gells Sir Tho. Fairfax his forces 800 horse and 400 prisoners taken at Bever-Vale Colonell Sydenâ—ams good service in the West Leverpool in Lancashire surrendred up to Sir Jo. Meldrum The manner how Leverpool was taken Prisoners taken the goods of the Town recovered by Sea Tinmouth-castle surrendred unto Generall Leven with 38 peices of Ordnance in it and great store of oâ—her Armes Ammunition The most wise providentiall degrees of Gods completing his mercies to us This Moneths day of humiliation was also most justly turned as much into a day of exultation Reverend Mr. Cases baptizing of the surrender of Newcastle with the name of Gâ—d a Multitude The Burning-Bush not consumed 1. A brief most grateful â—ecapâ—tulation of all the memorable mercies of this moneth of October 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Burning-Bush not consumed Isa 54. 16 17. Ibid. ver 15. Psal 18. 31. 46 Novemb. 1644. A brave exploit performed by Captain Stones one of valiant Col. Ridgele yes Officers in armes against the Enemy about Eccleshall This 5 of November a day of publik thanksgiving for divers great and famous victories The great triumph in the City of London on this solemn day of thanksgiving The Enemies Garrison at Sir Jo. Strangeways House in Dorsetstire stormed taken by Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper The storming of this Garrison continued 6 hours together Between 30 40 of our men blown up with powder in the taking of this house A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Helmsley castle Free Trading with Newcastle re-established by the Parlia Helmsley castle in Yorkeshire taken by the thrice noble Lord Fairfax A brave defeat given to the Enemy in Lincolnshire by Major Harrison A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Axminster by Lime forces A rich ship driven into Lime Haven by a storm Another brave defeat given to the Enemy by Lime Garrison Laughorn castle in South-wales taken by Colonell Beal A brave exploit performed by Col. Sydenham against the Enemy at Dorchester The admirable courage valour of Colon. Sydenham and his Souldiers A grateful summary review of the various ways of the Burning Bush not consumed Psal 46. 11. Decemb. 1644. A brave defeat given to the Enemies at Salisbury by Sergeant Major Dewet Colonell Cooke Leivtenant-Col Hook with others taken prisoners The self-denying Ordinance for calling home al the Members of both Houses of Parliament The substance of the Ordinance or Vote it self A day of Humiliation ordered to bee set apart for both Houses in private to seek the Lord touching this great Vote Isaiah 65. 1. Crowland taken by Col. Rainesborough A brave defeat given to the Enemy at â—edâ—ury by renowned Col. Massie Good service done by Sir Tho. Middletons forces about Mountgomery-shire A brave defeat given to the Enemy in the West by Col. Holborn Plots conspiracies of the Enemies discovered and prevented Stafford Town and Castle in danger Doverâ—castle Abbington Ailâ—bury Reading Plymouth Lyn-Regis in great danger to have been betrayed An exact relation of the crafty contrivement dâ—scovery of the plot to betray Lyn-Regis The Kings esteem of Lyn-Regis Captain Lemon seems to consent to the plot The Governour of Lyn made acquainted with the businesse The brave carriage of the businesse Leivtenant Sâ—ubbin 5 or 6 more with him sent from Lyn by the Governour came in a disguise to perfect the work Mr. Strange findes himself betrayed Mr. Strange his CommissioÌ„ taken and sent up to the Parliament The Copy of the Commission Iounton-Dean in the West releived Colon Holborns activity brave service in the West Care taken by the Parliament for the choosing of good Officers in the City of London Captain Redmans brave service neer Northampton Knaresborough-castle in Yorkshire taken Cumhire Abbey a strong Garrison of the enemies in Mountgomery shire taken by Sir Tho. Middleton Captain Stones brave defeat given to the Enemy at Tongue-castle Another by Major Dewet And another by Col. Thorney The most noble Queen of Sweden desires Association with the Parliament of England The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 367 8. 32. 7. January 1644. Sir Alexander Carew beheaded for treason Sir John Hotham beheaded for treason Captain Hotham also Son of Sir John Hotham beheaded on Towre-Hill A remarkable passage of Divine providence The Directory for pure worship Voted in Parliament the Common-Prayer Book abolished The Arch Prelate of Canterb. to be now effectually brought to his Condemnation A remarkable note Divers brave exploits performed by the Parliaments forces against the Enemies Cardigan Town Castle taken by Col. Laughorn in Wales and a brave prize at Sea The Arch Prelate of Canterbury executed for treason on Towre-Hill Isaiah 6. 10. Prov. 11. 10. A brave defeat given to the Kings forces at Abbington by renowned Major Generall Brown A Copy of Col. Harsnets Letter to Capt. Jones touching