Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	church_n	doctrine_n	worship_n	3,910	5	7.2192	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A95892	Magnalia Dei Anglicana. Or, Englands Parliamentary chronicle. Containing a full and exact narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary mercies, and mighty (if not miraculous) deliverances, great and glorious victories, and admirable successes, ... from the yeer, 1640. to this present year, 1646. Compiled in four parts; the two first, intituled, God in the mount. The third, Gods ark overtopping the worlds waves; the fourth, The burning-bush not consumed: this last part, comming up to these present times, and to our most renowned generall, Sir Thomas Fairfaxes late famous actions, in the west, and the happy (because unbloody) rendition of Oxford, in this present yeer, 1646. Collected cheifly for the high honour of our wonder working God; and for the unexpressible comfort of all cordiall English Parliamentarians. / By the most unworthy admirer of them, John Vicars.; God in the mount. Part 4	Vicars, John, 1579 or 80-1652.	1646 (1646)	Wing V319; Thomason E348_1; ESTC R201016	408,597	484

thereunto wishing they may be hasted to his Majesty who hath so often called for them And I likewise offer to your Lordships the Copy of his Majesties Letter to my Lord of Ormond discharging him from any further medling in any Treaty with the Rebels in Ireland I hope in order to his Majesties further condescending to the setling of that Proposition concerning Ireland and the rest of the Propositions now to be sent unto him Another Paper there is which concernes the supplying of the Scottish Armies in England and Ireland and the perfecting of the Accompts between the Kingdoms together with a Letter from Generall Monro to the Committee of Estates of the Kingdome of Scotland concerning the state of affaires in Ireland All which when your Lordships have considered I trust you will take such course therein as may satisfie our just desires may put an end to our present troubles and settle these Kingdomes in a happy peace A Paper delivered in from the Commissioners of Scotland concerning the PROPOSITIONS IT is a twelve moneth since we did earnestly presse the sending of Propositions to the King for a safe and well-grounded Peace In answer whereunto the Honourable Houses were pleased to acquaint us That they had resolved Propositions should be sent to his Majesty but did intend to make some alterations in the former Propositions and after eight or nine moneths deliberation we received from the Honourable Houses some of those Propositions and though we did finde therein very materiall additions alterations and omissions which for their great importance and the interest of the Kingdome of Scotland therein might very well have required the delay of an Answer untill the Estates of that Kingdome had been consullted yet so unwilling were we to retard the meanes of Peace that in a fortnights time we returned an Answer upon the whole Propositions and the Houses of Parliament not resting satisfied therewith in lesse than ten daies we prepared a further Answer wherein we did very much comply with the desires of the Honourable Houses especially in the matter of setling the Militia of England and Ireland and in other things did shew our readinesse to heare or propose such expedients as might determine any differencer so that in a whole yeares time the Propositions have not remained in our hands the space of foure weekes which we onely mention to cleare our proceedings from mistakes and aspersions and the Houses having now after two moneths farther deliberation delivered unto us upon the 23. of this instant June all the Propositions they intend to send to the King at this time We doe without any delay returne such an Answer and resolution thereupon as will be unto the present and future Generations one undeniable testimony besides many others of the integrity and faithfulnesse of the Kingdome of Scotland in their solemn League and Covenant of their love to Peace and earnest desire to satisfie their Brethren of England in those things which concerne the good and Government of this Kingdome being further resolved touching the Kingdome of Scotland That as nothing of single or sole concernment to that Nation did engage them in this Warre so nothing of that nature shall continue the same Although these Propositions now to be sent doe much differ from the Propositons formerly agreed upon by the Parliament of both Kingdomes and the most materiall additions omissions and alterations are in such particulars as concerne the joynt interest and mutuall considered and 〈◊〉 of both Kingdomes which were as we conceive much better provided for and strengthned by the former Propositions him by these Although the particular Propositions presented by Vs concerning the Kingdome of Scotland are not yet agreed unto by the Houses of Parliament as was offered in their Papers of the tenth of Aprill Although divers Propositions of joynt concernment be now super●●ded and the sending of them delayed to a more covenient time as is ●●pressed in the Votes of both Houses of the twenty sixth of March and ●●though which is to us more than all the rest those Ordinances of Parliament unto which the fifth and sixth Propositions doe relate and were therefore communicated unto Vs upon our desire to see what the Houses had already agreed upon concerning Religion doe not containe the establishment of such a Reformation of Religion and uniformity as was expected and was the chiefe end of our engagement in this Warre and as all these Ordinances put together come short of what we wished so there are some particulars which we conceive to be inconsistent with the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and therefore cannot in our consciences consent unto them which particulars were expressed to both Houses in the Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland of the date March 26. 1646. Yet neverthelesse we doe so earnestly desire and so highly value the easing of the heavy Pressures under which both Kingdomes groane and the bringing of this bloudy lasting warre to a speedy and happy ●nd considering with-all that not onely the Booke of Common Prayer and the Prelaticall Government are abolished and a Common Directory of Worship established in both Kingdomes but that likewise the Ordinances afore mentioned doe containe divers Parts of a Positive Reformation and uniformity in Church-Government unto which we formerly gave our consent in our answer upon the whole Propositions of Peace of the 20. of April and for so happy beginning and so good a foundation laid for the future we heartily thanke God and doe acknowledge the Zeale Piety and Wisedome of the Honourable Houses therein remembring also that those Ordinances doe not containe the whole moddell of Church-Government and that the Houses had been pleased to expresse that it cannot be expected that a perfect Rule in every particular should be setled all at once but that there will be need of suppliments and additions and happily of alterations in some things as experience shall bring to light the necessity thereof upon these Considerations as we doe cheerfully consent to many materiall Parts of these Propositions so we Resolve to make no let but to give way to the sending of such other particulars therein contained with which we are unsatisfied in the matters for the Reasons formerly Represented to both Houses of which some still stand in force though others of them be taken away by the new expedients it being alwaies understood that our not Dissenting from nor our opposing of the sending of the Propositions as they now stand shall be no prejudice nor impediment to all or any one of the Articles of the Solemne League and Covenant especially to the first Article concerning the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and example of the best Reformed Churches and the bringing of the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith forme of Church-Government Directory for Worship and

not this your zeal for God his Truth most illustriously flamed forth of late also in that most famous and faithfull that pious and prudent Remonstrance or Petition of yours exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament May 26. 1646. for the beating down of Heresies Errours and Schismes and the most religious advancement of the blessed work of pure Reformation and a holy and happy settled Government of the Church of God Such a pattern and monument of your Piety and godly zeal I say as shall remain to your Praise and indelible renown to Posterity throughout all Generations And hath not Heaven sweetly resented In Christ these your precious Expenses and fervent zeal for Religion as so many holy Hol●causts and hath as it were even already sent down thanks and recompence of your Love and bounty in much measure into your Houses and Habitations Witnesse even to the just and joyfull admiration of your Friends and the envious astonishment of your Foes the constant and copious incomes of Peace and Plenty Health and Liberty but most especially and which indeed Crowns all the rest of the radiant and resplendent Gospel-Beams of pure and powerfull Word and Ordinances No leading into Captivity in your streets no slaughter or schrecvings out of your Wives Virgins and little Children nor Pestilentiall Mortality in your Houses And yee are and that most worthily for all these so rich and rare so many and marveilous Mercies the present Wonder of the whole World and ever O for ever so may yee bee the Praise of all succeding Posterity 5 TO our War-like VVorthies To all the famous and renowned Worthies of Great-Britaine and first To our meritoriously deare and entirely beloved loyall and faithfull Brother-Kingdome of Scotland to which wee are everlastingly bound in all mutuall and reciprocall bonds of Love and Vnity Whose hearts the Lord did so affect and envlame with Sympathizing Love and Zeal to his glorious Cause and to our then most low and calamitous Condition that with most brotherly ●ervour and fellow-feeling affection they entred into a holy League and Solemn Covenant with us of mutuall defence one of another Cheerfully left their own Country and Kingdom their dearest Friends Wives and Children and through many difficulties and distresses in a bitter and sore pinching Winter-march even to deep admiration carrying their lives in their hands came in unto us to help the Lord and us against his mighty and our most malicious Enemies And whom as the Lord made the main and principall instruments of the beginning of our happinesse both in saving our throats from the death-threatning knives of destruction and procuring us a most unhoped and unexpectible Parliament as the case was with us then which under God hath been the fountain of our felicity to this day So now at last also the Lord hath made choyce of them to bee the Consummators and as it were the main fin●shers of our felicity in putting the Person of the King into their hands as counting them faithfull to improve such a Prize to the best advantage of his Glory and our Good if wee had but honest hearts so to consider it And heerin more especially and peculiarly to his Excellency Magnanimous and Victorious Generall Lesley Earl of Leven most worthily famous among us for ever both for this famous Prize the Kings Person put into his hands And for his most renowned Courage and Valour at Newcastle and Marston-Moore Next To his Excellency the most noble and renowned Lord Generall Robert Earl of Essex most famous faithfull and courageous at Keynton and Newberry To the most valiant and magnanimous present Captain-Generall his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax as famous and faithfull at Naseby Bristol c. of which two most noble and loyall Generalls I may say as Plutarch in his Lives did of those two renowned ancient Romane-Commanders Fabius and Marcellus They have been under God The Sword and Buckler of the Kingdome To the right noble loyall and religious Robert Earl of Warwick the famous and faithfull Lord High-Admirall whose Chivalry at Sea and whose Seasonable Charity to Lime ought never to bee forgotten by us To the renowned Peers and Patriots of their Country the noble Earl of Manchester and famous and faithfull noble Lord Fairfax the Parliaments two most valiant and successefull Generals both in the North and Associated Counties To undaunted and never Enough honoured Sir William Waller who hath been a strong Wall and brave Bulwark indeed to this Kingdome as Portsmouth Aulton Alsford and his many other famous Victories can Witnesse To magn animous Sir William Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum those two most Courageous Commanders who most nobly spent their best blood for the best Cause that ever this Kingdom undertook To as valiant as virtuous Sir William Brereton famous for his valour and activity in Cheshire Namptwich and now lately at West chester To religious and magnanimous Major Generall Skippon that most pious Cornelius and Expert brave Souldier and Commander as was admirably evident in Cornwall and at Naseby of whom it was said Hee liv'd like an Angel pray'd like a Saint and fought like a Lyon To never sufficiently praised and prized Major Generall Massie farre more worth than his weight in Massie-Gold as the famous Siege of the City of Gloucester and all that County and the adjacent parts thereof can most copiously witnesse To Renowned and right valiant and Victorious Lei●tenant Generall Cromwel Those valiant victorious and active Patriots Sir John Gell and Sir Thomas Middleton Renowned Major Generall Brown Major Generall Laughorne and Major Generall Poyntz Valiant and victorious Colonell Mitton Colonell Sydenham Colonell Morgan and brave Captain Swanley Together with very many other most active loyall and most Courageous Commanders and brave Brittish-Spirited Souldiers Who all most like unto Davids Worthies honourably Commemorized 2 Sam. 23. have made themselves most meritoriously famous in this Present Age and to Future Posterity for their so faithfully and valiantly serving thei● GenRration Together also with the renowned Corporations and invincible Garrisons of Hull Gloucester Manchester Coventry Warwick Northampton Stafford Namptiwich famous and faithfull Plymouth Lyme and all the famous and faithfull Governours Holders and Vpholders of them With the most worthy and well-deserving Counties of Lancashire and Kent And the other most famous and faithfull Parliamentary-Patriots Cities and Counties most loyally and lovingly appearing in this great and good Cause and most freely and forwardly jeoparding Themselves and their All in the High-places of the Kingdome yea and whose gallantry of Spirits indelible Merits undaunted Resolutions Memorable adventures and great Engagements even to Life Estates and all that was most neer and dear unto them have most justly called for yea Commanded a resounding Acknowledgement of their so honourable and heroick Actions as an incessant Eccho of perpetuated Applause to all succeeding Generations Who have not onely made us to bee their deep-debtours but even the Gospel too together with all the Protestant-Churches of

For this purpose wee must uncessantly renew our former desires to you That all other Affaires whatsoever set aside you will so farre take to heart the setling of matters of Religion in the Worship of God and Government of his House in this Kingdom as you may in your own and our Names become earnest sollicitours with the Assembly of Divines to put that businesse to a period and with the Parliament that where the foundation is laid by the Assembly their Authority bee not wanting for the compleating of the Work no greater incouragem●nt than this can come to the hearts of all those that are ingaged in this Cause with you nor can any meanes bee so powerfull to remove these great prejudices raised against our Cause by the abundance and variety of Sectaries Separatists and Schismaticks living amongst us to the great scandall of the Gospel and professors thereof This being done wee may with the greater confidence expect a blessing upon our endevours for Peace for which as no successe can alter our desires so wee are confident you are using all expedition possible for expediting your Propositions thereof that they may bee dispatched to his Majesty whose favourable acceptance is prayed for thereunto by Your affectionate Friends and Servant Sinclare J. P. D. Newcastle 23 Octob. 1644. See heer now then pious and impartiall Reader whether England hath not most just cause everlastingly to blesse the Lord our God in working thus gloriously for us by these our loyall Brethren and eternally and most entirely to love and embrace them in our best affections who have not only thus extraordinarily laid out themselves and carryed their lives in their hands for us and exposed themselves to such and so many marveilous dangers of death and destruction but also so sweetly preciously and piously declared as in this their last Letter is so clear and conspicuous their only ayme in all this and the rest of their toyles and labour of love to bee Gods glory the true Religions and pure Reformations splendour and the just Laws and Liberties of Subjects firm and faithfull establishment and whether our most wicked and wretched Malignants slanderous mouthes are not most abundantly stopped to Gods eternall glory and all good mens just rejoycing let all that hear of these truths righteously judge But now to proceed About the 25 of this instant came certain intelligence by Letters out of the West to London that Sir Richard Cholmley Brother to Apostate Sir Hugh Cholmley with about 2 or 300 Horse about Colliton Axmister Bemester and other places on the confines of Dorsetshire had driven away many Cattle from those Country people whereupon brave Colonell Seeley the most renowned Governour of Lyme having intelligence thereof drew out a party who soon discovering the plunderers fell upon them took 56 of them horse and armes rescued all the plunder they had got and so routed the rest that they all fled and dispersed themselves severall wayes Among the prisoners taken as aforesaid were 2 Captaines and 10 other Commanders and Officers who were all carryed to Lyme and all the plundered Cattell were mercifully restored to their owners Cholmley himself fled but was shot in his shoulder as was confest by the Prisoners taken and many others of the Enemy sore wounded Much about the same time information being given to the Parliament of intolerable cruelties and outrageous insolencies committed by barbarous Irish Rebels Oxfords good subjects and some of the very Natives of heathenish Wales by burning and destroying the Corn on the ground stripping all sorts of both sexes stark naked stigmatizing some half hanging others and then suffering them to live or rather to languish in that condition all which was informed I say by Letters to the Parliament by divers honest inhabitants of those parts and by some of the Committees of the Parliament at Haverford West in South-Wales And further information being given to the Parliament of one Colonell Mac Mayler an Irish-Rebell another of King Charles his good Catholick Subjects taken prisoner in Yorkeshire by the Lord Fairfaxes forces under the Command of that valiant and faithfull Commander Colonell Lambert as also the sad confirmation of such like cruelties of the Irish-Rebels at Boulton and Leverpool in Lancashire all which being as fresh bleeding wounds still in the sad memory of all people and now at this time most seriously considered of and well weighed by our most prudent Parliament Both Houses heerupon passed an Ordinance of Parliament requiring all Commanders in Cheif in any part of the Kingdom to give no Quarter to any Irish-Rebell taken by Sea or by Land in any part of the Kingdom And because all Souldiers in all parts of the kingdom might take notice hereof Letters were Ordered to bee sent down by the Committee of both kingdomes to all principall Commanders with that Ordinance inclosed in them for the more certain and exact execution thereof accordingly And about the 26 of this instant October the Parliament understanding by good intelligence that the King and his forces were about Newberry and Dennington Castle and that some part of the Parliaments Army was upon one side of Newberry neer about the place where the fierce battaile was fought between them the last year and that the rest of our Army was within 2 or 3 miles at farthest from Newberry between the Kings Army and Oxford and that both the Armies being so neer each other there was like to bee a speedy ingagement between them The Parliament therefore desired the Assembly of Divines at Westminster on Munday October 28 to turn their other intended businesses and affaires of that day into prayers for a blessing on our Armies which accordingly they did And the same Munday night Gods providence so ordered it that the Lord Generals Scout-Master Mr. Bedford came to Town and brought certain information to the Committee of both Kingdoms of a brave defeat given by his Excellencies Forces to the Kings Army neer Dennington-Castle which also was confirmed by a Letter directed to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons sent from 3 or 4 Eminent Commanders and Officers in Armes whose names were subscribed thereto A Copy of which Letter being a full and complete relation of the fight I have heer for the Readers better content and fuller satisfaction inserted which was as followeth Honourable Sir THough our other employments in and about the Army may excuse us in point of news yet being eye-witnesses of this late fight and knowing your kinde acceptance of some presents though without the circle and especially to expresse our joy for this successe which the Lord of Hosts upon his own day has vouch●afed us Wee presume to presse in with the crowd and to make it more clear shall give you the preceding circumstances After a weeks tedious but speedy march of my Lord Generals Infantry and one nights refreshment at Redding in two dayes farther progresse wee drew up before Newberry

Generall Cromwell at Hambleton-hill on Munday the 4. of August 1645. TWo thousand five hundred routed Three hundred taken Prisoners Twelve slaine upon the place Many wounded Two thousand Armes of all sorts viz. Musquets Pikes Pistols Halberts Birding-peeces c. All their Colours and Drums and other Baggage On our side we lost only three men and some wounded About the eigth of this instant we had certaine intelligence out of Wales that that most valiant active and faithfull Commander in those parts Major Generall Laughorne was also very sucessefull in those parts of Wales and understanding that the Kings designes and hopes were now quite frustrated of receiving any more strength out of Wales and that therefore the ravenous Royalists yet residing there in Garrisons being out of hope of further help and subsistance then what they had or could get by plunder they began therefore to consume and destroy the Inhabitants hopes of their then present Harvest that thus nothing might be left undone as much as in them lay to make Wales as miserable as the West and truly unhappy indeed Their Commanders in Chiefe were Major Generall Stradling and Major Edg●●ton But this I say the noble Major Generall understanding he came with his Forces and fell upon them at Colby-Moore within three miles of Haverford-West or thereabout as they were firing the Country and Corne and that with such successe and courage that after a sharp encounter he enforced the Enemy to fly with the losse of at least 150 of their men who were slaine upon the place and in rout and pursuit of whom tooke three Colonels twelve Majors forty other Officers 700 Prisoners foure Peeces of Ordnance five Barrels of Powder 1000 Armes and all the Carriages that the Enemy had There were hearty thanks given to Almighty God for the great Victory by Order from the Parliament upon the next ensuing Lords Day in all the Churches in London And indeed this brave Victory was the more remarkable because our Forces in those parts had been a long time before kept very low and the Country had suffered much by the violence and fury of Gerrard But now this most active loyall and valiant Major Generall prosecuting this his Victory and good Successe tooke also the Town and Castle of Haverford-West by a speedy storming of it and in it 120 Common Souldiers 20 Commanders and Officers in Armes whereof one Colonell one Lieutenant Colonell and one Major also one Peece of Ordnance and about 150 Arms. About the 12 of this instant August we also received certaine information by Letters from our most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax That about the tenth instant that strong Castle of Sherburne which the Enemy had vaunted would continue and hold out a half yeares Siege at least was most valiantly stormed and the next day taken the manner whereof was in briefe as followeth Upon the tenth as aforesaid our great Guns began to batter the strong wall of the Castle between the two lesser Towers thereof and had soone beaten down one of them and before six of the Clock that night had made a breach in the Wall so as twelve a breast might enter whereupon the most noble Generall sent a Drum with a third Summons to surrender the Castle signifying with all That if he were put to a Storme they within would be left inexcusable But Sir Lewis Dives then Governour detained the Drum and when the Drum spake some words as Sir Lewis thought sawcily he told him he was in the presence of a better man than his Generall and sent no Answer till two of the clock on Friday morning and then he sent a Drum with this Messuage in writing to the Generall Sir Lewis Dives his Answer to the Generals Summons SIR I must acknowledge the advantage you have of me by being Master of my Wals and that you may thinke me obstinate without reason I have sent this Drum unto you to let you know that if I may have such Conditions from you as are fit for a souldier and a Gentleman with honour to accept I shall surrender this Castle into your hands otherwise I shall esteeme it a farre greater happinesse to bury my bones in it and the same resolution have all those that are with me And give me leave to adde this That your Victory will be crowned with more honour by granting it than you will gaine glory by the winning it with the losse of so much blood as it will cost I am your Servant Lewis Dives Sherburne Castle August 15. 1645. Upon the receipt of this Answer our men presently prepared to storme the Castle which they performed with so much courage and resolution that instantly twenty of the Cabs leaped over the Wall and came to our men crying for Quarter the rest of them within being as much amazed as the former cryed out for a Parley but then it was too late onely Quarter was given them for their lives and so our men entred the Castle where they tooke Prisoners Sir Lewis Dives Colonell and Governour of the Castle together with his Lady Colonell Sir John Strangewaies one of the Lord Pawlets Sons one Sir Cotton Knight and Lieutenant Colonell Russell an Atturney and sometime Sub-Governour of Weymouth for the King two Apostate Members of the House of Commons divers of the Commissioners of Array 9 Captaines 11 Lieutenants 3 Cornets 5 Colours 55 Malignant Gentlemen of Wiltshire and Dorsetshire 10 Malignant Priests 400 Common Souldiers above 800 Armes 16 Peeces of Ordnance a Morter Peece and a Murtherer 60 Barrels of powder great store of Provisions and rich housholdstuffe together with other good plunder which the Enemy had before taken from the Country all which plunder our brave Souldiers merrily divided among them and that most deservedly There were few of the Enemies slaine in the storme and as few left unstript of what was worth anything after the Storme We lost not above 94 men in all this siege and taking of the Castle whereof Captain Dove and two other Captains slaine with him About Aug. 16. our most pious Parliamentary Worthies religiously Ordered That for the further advancement of the worke of Reformation in matters of Religion First That no Bibles should be vented in this Kingdome without the perusall of the Assembly of Divines or such other persons as should be thereunto appointed Also That all the Knights and Burgesses of the severall Counties of the Kingdome within the power of the Parliament should send printed Bookes of the Directory for Gods Worship fairly bound up in Leather unto the Committees of Parliament residing in the respective Counties of England and Wales who should with all convenient speed send the same and cause them to be delivered unto the severall respective Constables or other Officers of all the severall Parishes and respective Chappalries and Donatives within the Kingdome of England and Dominion of Wales and the Port and Town of Barwick that is

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 m●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 Muske●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 the●● 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 ●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

concerning Propositions of Peace to be sent to his MAIESTY My Lords and Gentlemen THough I have had the honour to be named by the Kingdome of Scotland in all the Commissions which had relation to this Kingdome since the beginning of this Warre yet I had never the happinesse to be with your Lordships till now wherein I reverence Gods providence that he hath brought me hither at such an opportunity when I may boldly say it is in the power of the two Kingdomes yea I may say in your Lordships power to make us both happy if you make good use of this occasion by setling Religion and the Peace and Union of these Kingdomes The worke of Reformation in these Kingdomes is so great a worke as no Age nor History can parallel since Christs daies for no one Nation had ever such a Reformation set forth unto them much lesse three Kingdomes so that this Generation may truly thinke themselves happy if they can be instrumentall in it And as the worke is very great so it cannot be expected but it must have great and powerfull Enemies not onely flesh and bloud which hate to be reformed but likewise Principalities and Powers the Rulers of the darknesse of this world and spirituall wickednesses in high places As the dangers are great we must looke the better to our duties and the best way to performe these is to keep us by the Rules which are to be found in our Nationall Covenant principally the Word of God and in its owne place the example of the best Reformed Churches and in our way we must beware of some Rocks which are temptations both upon the right and upon the left hand so that we must hold the middle path Upon the one part we should take heed not to settle lawlesse liberty in Religion whereby in stead of Uniformity we should set up a thousand Heresies and Schismes which is directly contrary and destructive to one Covenant Upon the other part we are to looke that we persecute not piety and peaceable men who cannot through scruple of Conscience come up in all things to the Common Rule but that they may have such a forbearance as may be according to the VVord of God may consist with the Covenant and not be destructive to the Rule it selfe nor to the Peace of the Church and Kingdome wherein I will insist no further either to wrong your Lordships patience or judgements who I doubt not will be very carefull to doe every thing according to our Covenant As to the other point concerning the Peace and Union of the Kingdomes I know it is that which all professe they desire I hope it is that all doe 〈◊〉 at sure I am it is that which all men ought to study and endeavour And I thinke it not amisse to remember your Lordships of some former experiences as an argument to move us to be wife for the future If the Kingdome of England in the 1640. yeare of God then sitting in Parliament had concurred as they were desired against the Kingdome of Scotland no question we had been brought to many difficulties which blessed be God was by the wisdome of the Honourable Houses prevented So likewise when this Kingdome was in difficulties if the Kingdome of Scotland had not willingly yea cheerfully sacrificed their peace to conc●●●e with this Kingdome your Lordships all know what might have been the danger Therefore let us hold fast that Union which is so happily established betwixt us and let nothing make us againe two who are so many wai●s one all of one Language in one ●and all under one King one in Religion yea one in Covenant so that in effect we differ in nothing but in Name as Brethren doe which I wish were also removed that we might be altogether one if the two Kingdomes should 〈◊〉 for I dare say not the greatest Kingdome in the Earth can prejudice both so much as one of them may doe the other I will forbeare at this time to speake of the many jealousies I heare are suggested for as I doe not love them so I delight not to mention them onely one I cannot forbeare to speake of as if the Kingdome of Scotland were too much affected with the Kings interest I will not deny but the Kingdome of Scotland by reason of the Raigne of many Kings his Progenitors over them hath a naturall affection to his Majesty whereby they wish he may be rather reformed then ruined yet experience may tell their personall regard to him has never made them forget that common Rule The safety of the People is the Supreame Law So likewise their love to Monarchy makes them very desirous that it may be rathe● regulated than destroyed which I hope I need not to mention further to your Lordships who I trust are of the same minde I know likewise there are many jealousies and unjust aspersions cast upon our Armies in England and Ireland I can if it were needfull presently produce heads of a Declaration intended by the Army in England for vindicating themselves from such injuries and shewing the clearnesse of their resolutions and integrity both in the Cause and towards this Kingdome wherein their undertakings and comming in at such a season of the yeare their hard sufferings and constant endeavours since may be sufficient testimonies Therefore I am the more bold to desire your Lordships that so long as they stay in England which I wish may be for a short time they may be supplyed with some monies and their Quarters enlarged least their lying in too narrow Quarters make the burthen insupportable to that exhausted corner of the Country where they now remaine and so beget outcries against them when they are not able to discharge their Quarters as other Armies within the Kingdome As for the Army in Ireland I have been an eye witnesse to their sufferings and so may speake of it likewise upon certaine knowledge That never men have suffered greater hardships who might have been provided for they have lived many times upon a few Beanes measured out to them by number and never had any other drinke but Water And when they were in some better condition they had but an Irish peck of rough Oates for a whole weeke And now at their best condition when they are quartered upon the Country which is able to entertaine them only for a very short time they have only an Irish peck of Oatmeale or a shilling in the ten daies both for meat and drink Therefore according to the many desires given in to the Honourable Houses for that end I humbly entreat that your Lordships will take care to provide for them so long as it is thought fit they remaine in that Kingdome For a renewed testimony of our earnest desires to comply with the Honourable Houses for setling the peace of these Kingdoms so much longed for we doe returne unto your Lordships the Propositions of Peace which we received on Tuesday last with our consent

mire of the streets in the battaile and that they shall fight because the Lord is with them and that the Riders on Horses shall be confounded Hath the Lord I say done all this for us to the full and yet shall we still goe on to breake his Commandements and say in our hearts we are delivered to doe all kinde of wickednesse and abhomination Would not the Lord then be very angry with us till he had consumed us so that there should be no remnant no aescaping for us Should we not thus too justly cause that complaint of Moses against the Children of Israel to come fully against us Doe you thus requite the Lord O foolish and unwise O what will all our Victories and successes availe us and what a most miserable Conquest will it be u●to us that all our Kingdomes enemies are conquered unto us if our own Souls if our own Consciences be conquered and led captive at the Devills will by our inbred base lusts and unconquered corruptions O will not these thinke you gangrene our soules and bodies too and bring upon us a farre worse and Epidemicall destruction both to our bodies and soules yea I say to our whole Kingdome and Estates and make our late v●nquished enemies though thus smitten weake and wounded to he raised up againe against us as the Lord threatned by the Prophet if we securely and rebelliously retaine our old sins and transgressions against him O let us then most seriously yea I say frequently and servently thinke upon that known Caution of our most blessed Saviour himselfe to the Lame man whom he had healed of an old infirmity Sinne no more least a worse thing come unto thee least having been clensed from our former old Jesuiticall and Prelaticall tyrannies over our soules and consciences and Monarchicall Arbitrary oppressions and vexation● over our Estates and Liberties lest I say being healed and dispossessed of these Devils incarnate we grow supine and carelesse yea ungratefull and gracelesse and so God suffer those Satans to returne who finding all both in Chu●ch and State swept and garnisht with security and impiety they enter againe into our hearts and houses with seven other Devils worse if possible than themselves and then our last condition prove farre worse than the former Let us therefore for this purpose remember our late solemne Covenant to our God whatsoever any prophane Esaus and Sons of Belial or decei●full hearted Sons of Schi●●● and S●●●tion impiously be●ch or broa●h against it of a Nation●ll and Personall Reformation and let us now deale seriously as then we seemed to promise and be in good earnest with our God in a speedy and effectuall building of his House after the clearest Scripture manner a●d with the purest Reformed Churches of the world O therefore that our renowned Parliament would seriously and sincerely doe something herein especially for the purging of Gods House at this time from dangerous and damnable Errours Schismes and blasphemous Opinions of too audacious and most impudent Sectaries who if not timely and truly removed will like mortiferous gangreenes indeed prodigiously ulcerate and most pestilentially vulnerate even to the very heart the whole Body of Church and State for indeed no disease is so dangerous both to soule and body as that in Religion which infects the soule and offends God most of all Errour I say obstinate Errour being that stiffe-necked Strumpet which most odiously adulterates the Marriage-bed of Faith and causes the most dangerous divorce twixt Christ and his Spouse the Soule O therefore I say that our most worthy Parliamentary Patriots the Kingdomes able Phisitians would seasonably and seriously set upon this great cure by setling a Church-Government among us according to the tenour of our holy League and sacred Covenant O that these our most renowned Parliamentary Scaligers having made that honest righteous and just objection or scrutinie among themselves which Heathen Ahasuerus made to himselfe and his Nobles touching noble and well-deserving Mordecay But what honour and dignitie hath been done for him So they but what extraordinary thing what due dignity and honour have we done for our best-deserving good God that hath so admirably hastned to build the House of our State and Kingdome And would now thereupon seriously hasten effectually to build his House and casting away with true Christian courage and confidence all cursed carnall pleas and gracelesse and groundlesse false feares trust God with the issues and effects as all-sufficient to patronage and protect his owne acceptable worke as this unquestionably is maugre the mal●ce of malignant or fraudulent opposers whomsoever Now what reasons they have hereunto yea what grounds and encouragements beyond expression they have extraordinarily to stimulate and stir up their hearts to this so noble and renowned a worke who certainly sees not Who wilfully and wickedly blindes not his eyes Yet notwithstanding a little more now at last to rub up their memories and cleare up the eyes of my Christian Brethren with a little Scripture-collyrium or Eye-salve of evidences I shall desire the godly Reader with pious patience seriously to consider and peruse these few following Textuall testimonies First have not the eyes of the Lord ever since this Parliament began in a most eminent and evident manner run too and fro throughout England Scotland and Ireland yea and into France and Denmarke too to preserve us and to prevent our enemies intended mischiefes against us and thus shewne himselfe most strong and most wise in the behalfe of them though a small remnant in England Scotland and Ireland whose hearts were perfect toward him Hath not the Lord as he promised by the Prophet turned our daies of fasting and of humiliation into daies of feasting and congratulation even the fast of our first Month and Yeare and the fast of our fourth and fifth month and yeare as I may say to be to us his English Judah joy and gladnesse and cheerfull feasts and times of great and glorious Thanksgivings O therefore O therefore I say That we would cordially and constantly love the Truth and Peace Againe hath not the Lord made good that good word of his unto us and have we not all seene and found and felt to our unexpressible joy and comfort that certainly there could be no enchantment against Gods Jacob nor any Divination against his Israelites and who are they but princely prevailers in Prayer and sacred supplanters of sinfull enormities some gleanings of both which sorts by Christ who hath strengthened them I doubt not but God hath found amongst us for even according to these times it may justly be said of Jacob and Israel of England and Scotland what and how many admirable things hath God wrought for us not suffering any weapon that was formed against us to prosper and graciously condemning every tongue that rose up in rash and wrathfull judgement against

Frigot taken by our ships Hilford Castle taken Livetenant Colonell Ingoldsby slain by Musket shot A day of solemn Thanksgiving for the forementioned great mercies to the King Our noble Generals advance to Exeter Inch-House surrendred Pouldram Fort taken High-Archall surrendred to the Parliament Bridge-North Towne taken by Shrewsbury forces Colonell Billingsley slaine in the Storme Portland castle surrendred Exmouth-Fort neere Exeter taken Aprill 1646. Dennington Castle taken An Order of both Houses of Parliament for restraint of Papists and other Delinquents from coming to the Cities of London and Westminster An Order also concerning the Kings private coming to London A brave defeat given to the Kings Horse neare Farringdon Treaty about the surrender of the City of Exeter to the Parliament Three strong Forts already delivered up to the Generall Justification of the large Articles of conditions agreed unto upon the surrender of Exeter Ruthin-Castle surrendred to the Parliament A brave defeat given to Denbigh forces by Colonell Mitton Captaine Cottingham slaine Prisoners and prizes taken at Denbigh and Ruthin The Raglanders soundly beaten by Sir Trevor Williams Many Gentlemen of Wales came out of Ragland castle to Sir Trevor and submitted to the Parliament Master Fog a Minister rewarded for his Loyalty to the Parliament The strong Garrison of the City of Exeter surrendred to the Parliament The first letter The second Letter The manner of their marching out of the City of Exeter Branstable Towne and C●stle surrendred Sir Michaels-Mount surrendred Titbury-Castle surrendred Aburisthwait Castle in Wales surrendred Dunstar-Castle surrendred Our WesternArmie advanced toward Oxford Woodstock-Garrison surrendred Bridge North Castle surrendred The just praise of the most faithfull and active Committee of Shrewsbury The Duke of Lenox and others come in unto the Parliament The King escaped out of Oxford in a disguised manner 1 Sam. 2. 30. May. 1646. The Parliament informed of the Kings departure out of Oxford toward London Both Houses of Parliaments Order published throughout London and Westminster touching concealing the King The Parliaments providence for the welfare of the City of London A Copy of the ●etter from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to the Commissioners of both Houses concerning His Majesties coming to the Scotch Army The manner of the Kings coming into the Scots Army and discovering himself unto them Newark surrendred to the King and Parliament The summe of the Articles of Agreement Our Brethren of Scotland drew off from Newarke Banbury Castle surre●dred to the Parliament A day of Solemn thanksgiving to the Lord for late great mercies to us Hartlebury Castle taken The prizes taken therein Ludlow surrendred to the Parliament Some hopefull sweet effects of the kings being in the custodie of our loyall Brethren of Scotland The summe of the kings Letto the Parliament of England The famous Citie Remonstrance exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdome pag. 19. The Parliaments Declaration upon his Majesties Declaration after the Battell at Edge-hill pag. 659. * This desire of the City of London is no more nor other in effect than the House of Commons in Parliament it self voted as most justly at the taking of the Protestation May 5. 1641. Salcoomb Regis Surrendred Bostol-House also yeilded up to the Parliament Ordinance of Parliament for the better settlement of Presbyterian Church Government Bostoll Garrison surrendred Carnarvan Towne and Castle surrendred The Propositions for a wel grounded Peace resolved and in speciall 〈…〉 of the Kingdom The Ministers of London and Westminsters pious meeting and religion resolution in Zion Colledge Letters from Sir Thomas Fairefax Articles for the Surrender of Oxford and the Messengers rewarded by the Parliament The Duke of Yorke to come from Oxford to S. James-House Beaumorris Town and Castle surrendred The manner of the surrender of Oxford His Majesties Letter to the Marquesse of Ormond The Propositions for Peace sent to the King Psal 30 11 12 Ehen-Ezer The summary use of all Caution and Exhortation 1 Caution Zechar. 10. 5. Ezra 9. 6. Deut 32. 6. Ier. 37. 10. Iohn 5. 14. Mat. 12. 45. 2 Exhortation Reformation both Nationall and personall Building of Gods house Schisme and Errour petitioned against The danger of it briefly described The building of Gods house petitioned Hest 6. 3. The great fault and ●ayling of these times Scripture Eye-salve 2 Chron. 16. 9 Gods eye of providence over us Zeche 8. 1● Our Fasts turned into Feasts Num. 23. 13. No enchanment or Divination against Gods Israell Isa 54. 17. No weapon formed against us hath pro●pered Jer. 30. 16 17. Our devourers are devoured and our spoyler● are spoyled Ezekiel 20. 38 The rega●● Rebels purged out of the Kingdome Isay 66. 5. The Royalists impious hypocrisie unmasked Great encouragements for Gods Children Iob 5. 27. Marke this O England Isa 19. 11 12 13 14. A true description of the Kings Counsellours Exod. 18. 11. Isa 51. 12 13. A just objurgation and too t●ue taxation on all Psal ●6 7 10 An exhortation to Christian courage and godly resolution Exod. 19. 4 5. Breake off from sinne Remember our Covenant B●●ld Gods House Love our Brethren of Scotland Our Brethren of Scotland were the main meane of procuring this present Parliament Exod. 19. 5. One hundred and forty Cart-loads of dead and wounded at Newbery fight some at Brainford at Dorchester and Causham at Marston-moore A Looking-glasse for Malignants