to Wareham in great triumph and joy without the losse of one man And about the 22 of June wee had credible information by Letters out of Cheshire that Colonell Jones a Gentleman of approved valour and fidelity to the Parliaments Cause having command of about 1300 horse and foot the horse were Sir William Breretons who himself was gone up to London by virtue of the Self-denying Ordinance and hee having assured intelligence of a party of the Kings consisting of about 1700. neer Kidderminster in Worcestershire about 12 miles from Worcester hee most courageously fell upon them killed above 40 on the place took 300 horse and a 100 prisoners among whom was a Leivtenant Colonell a Captain and some other Officers the remainder of them escaping fled to Beudly and Worcester which was indeed their head Quarter About the 26 of this instant June our most renowned and ever to bee most highly honoured Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax sent a Letter to the high and honourable Court and House of Commans in Parliament wherein hee certified his sending up to the said House that most precious present and memorable mercy of the Lord unto us I mean The Kings Cabinet full of His and the Queens Letters taken in the late famous fight and most glorious Victory at Naseby which Sir Thomas most prudently and humbly desired in his Letter might bee read in a full House and publick audience of all the Commons in Parliament which accordingly was performed and therein were most happily discovered admirable matters of as great importance as ever were discovered since the beginning of these most unhappy and unnaturall Warres which in breif were to this effect First there was found a Declaration of his Majesties intentions for the setling of Peace and Religion in this Kingdom certified by a Letter to the Queen wherein hee does assure her that no agreement shall bee made but what shall bee approved by her and that all Laws made against Popery shall bee repealed and yet when Letters came from Oxford to the Parliament touching a Treaty and in the Propositions for Peace there were verball expressions that Laws should bee made against Popery Secondly hee acquainted the Queen that hee intended to make a firm peace with his good Subjects the Irish Rebels and that severall Acts called Paynings-Law made in behalf of the Protestants of that Kingdom should bee repealed But in lieu thereof 40000 Irish were expected to help on the Warres in England for hee must wage Warre hee said till this Perpetuall Parliament as hee termed it were dissolved for otherwise he could never Order things to His or Her content Thirdly in another Letter the Queen chid the King in that hee did in the Treaty at Vxbridge acknowledge the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster to bee a Parliament which is answered in other Letters then taken that hee did not positively acknowledge it a Parliament it being otherwise to bee construed though they were so simple not to finde it out And that it was entred upon Record among the Acts of the Kings Councell that it was not done out of any intent to have Posterity to think that hee did truely acknowledge it a Parliament In other Letters hee also writes That His long Parliament would in a short time hee dissolved In others That if forces could bee sent to the King out of forain Kingdomes hee would cause all the Acts of Parliament against Papists to bee repealed Fourthly the King found fault in other Letters that hee could not prevail with his Juncto at Oxford which hee called his Mongrell Parliament to passe a Vote against the Lords and Commons at Westminster which hee called his perpetuall Parliament that they are not a lawfull Parliament saying Some of them were so over-witty some stark fooles and others so phantasticall that hee cannot make them due any things to his content The Queen also in one Letter desired the King to give Jermin thanks for his care of her and for his good service there And the King promised not to goe a jot from the little paper shee sent him Many other such like notable passages were in those Letters but I leave the Reader for fuller satisfaction therein to the Parliaments Declaration and the Letters themselves which shortly after were printed and published by Order of Parliament with excellent annotations upon them after they had first been publickly read in a Common Hall in the Guild-Hall in London by a Committee of both Houses of Parliament met there for that very purpose the Lord Major Aldermen and Common Councell of the City of London together with a mighty confluence of Citizens of all sorts and ranks being assembled thither at the reading of the Letters and Annotations upon then who by their shouts and exhibilations declared their marveilous dislike and disapprobations of the Kings and Queens evill expressions in them and on the contrary their high approbation of the Parliaments proceedings by their unanimous acclamations upon the observations made on the said Letters by the Members of the House of Commons to the amazement of the then present hearers and the future wonder and astonishment of Posterity either Malignants or others But to goe on About the 28 of this instant June wee had certain intelligence by particular Letters out of Shropshire of divers brave services performed by the valiant and active forces of Shrewsbury Garrison commanded by the Committee there namely of the taking in of Stoksey and Caus-Castles places of great strength and importance in those parts The substance of which Letters and true relation of which said Victories I have heer for brevities sake faithfully set down for the Readers full content and satisfaction which were as followeth SIR THere was drawn out of this Garrison by order from the Committee 500 foot and 300 horse viz. part of Colonell Mackworths Regiment and part of Colonell Lloyds Regiment both of them marchâ—d along in the service our forces marched within five miles of Ludlow the design being to reduce that part of this County and to secure it by placing some Garrisons there to block up Ludlow with a party of horse they viewed Howgate and Braincroft Castles both of which the Enemy had much demolished notwithstanding they placed the Lord Calvine in Braincroft Castle and fell to repaire and fortifie it in the interim they sent Leivtenant Colonell Riveling to view Stokesey Castle a Garrison of the Enemies the place was conceived considerable therefore the next morning wee drew up to it and summoned it but the Governour Captain Dauret refused thereupon wee prepared for a storm being ready to fall on gave a second summons which was hearkned unto a parley admitted and the Castle delivered up and is now Garrisoned by us One of these Castles commands all Cordale a rich and fertill part of the County the other secures all Stretonsdale so that Ludlow is blockt up on this side and hath only Hereford to range
by Letters out of Wales that valiant and Victorious Major Generall 〈◊〉 had taken in Abarashwait a strong Garrison of the Enemies in Cardiganshire and therein a Peeces of Ordnance 200. Armes and all their Ammunition Bag and Baggage So that now not only all 〈…〉 but the rest also of Major Generall Laughâ—â—â—s association i◠〈◊〉 of all the Enemies forces and Garrisons November the 5. being the 〈…〉 day of solemn thanksgiving or the annuall 〈◊〉 of Englands former wonderfull deliverance from that unparalleld next to this present Epidemicall 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 and Atheisticall Malignants against this Parliament and indeed I may say all Christendome where the 〈…〉 Religion was professed the Popish-Powder-Plot I say was with great and accustomed Solemnity observed and kept throughout London and Westminster And among other things Commâ—â—rated on this dayes Solemn Celebration the Ministers were desired by Order from the Parliament to returne humble and hearty thanks to God as for the speciall deliverance as upon that day from the Popish intended Powder-Plot a full and exact History whereof I my self have written and is extant in print So likewise for Gods wonderfull preservation over and 〈◊〉 of this present Parliament now 〈◊〉 5. yeares together complete notwithstanding the many most mischeivous Plots Diabolicall Practises and most Malignant Machinations of the Enemies to have 〈◊〉 and dissolved it Also 〈◊〉 like humble and hearty thanks and 〈◊〉 should be tended and aâ—cribed to the Lord for his most gracious and mercifull continuing this great and most populous City of London in so much health and welfare especially from the noysome Infection of the Plague of Pestilence especially also in such a time when very many parts of the Countries round about it were sorely visited and afflicted with it And the like solemn thanksgiving was ordered throughout all the Parliaments quarters a most pious and Commendable act in our most renowned Parliament arie-worthies and unquestionably well-pleasing to the Lord in Christ Jesus About the 6. of this instant we received certaine intelligence by Letters out of the Northern parts of the Kingdome concerning the farther active proceedings of that valiant and experienced Commander Major Generall Poyntz whose forces were now neere unto Wâ—rton a House belonging to the Lord Caworth before which they being approached and all things prepared for a storme they first summoned the Garrison and the Enemie thereupon soone condescended to Articles of Agreement for the surrender thereof viz to march out the next morning by 10. of the clock with Armes and Baggage and the workes to be slighted This House was indeed very strong but Shelford-Quarter frighted them sorely There were taken in this Worton-House 150. Armes 40. Pikes 3. Barrels of Powder a proportionable quantity of Match and Bullet 2. vessells of strong-beer and store of other provisions After this they clapt down before Wiverton-garrison which they finding to be a very strong place also the Generall upon treatâ—â— agreed that the Enemie should march away with bag and baggage to Banbury the Governour thereof Sir Robert Terrill was a knowne Papist And thus also this strong hould was surrendred into the Parliaments possession Lastly our forces came before Welbeck the Marquesse of Newcastles House another strong hold of the Enemies where after some agitation and articles agreed upon one whereof was that Tickbill Castle should be slighted and we in lieu thereof to have this strong-House slighted also it was at last surrendred and quitted by the Enemie who marched thence to Newarke leaving us to slight the House as was agreed on and the the Country thereby was brought into much safety and security from former continuall danger About the 8. of this instant November we had unquestionable information out of Wales of the remarkable Overture and change of things almost over that whole Dominion especially in the County of Glamorganshire how the active Gentry and inhabitants therof did most unanimously unit themselves into a firme confederation for the expulsion of their plundring Enemies the â—renous Royalists out of their Countrie and for putting themselves under the protection and power of the Parliament that so they might enjoy their houses and estates free from plunder and mine And that the Reader may see upon what firme and solid grounds these their undertakings were most discreetly and advisâ—dly layd I shall give you an ample fight and satisfaction in this their owne ensuing Declaration A Declaration of the Knights Gentlemen and Freeholders of the County of Glamorgan 25. Octob. 1645. WHereas it hath pleased Almighty God of his infinite goodnesse to blesse the weake endeavours of the wel-affected Gentry and Commons of this County to free themselves from those over-mastering powers and arbitrary pressures they grâ—â—â—d under whereof they have been desirous of a long time to be freed and now by the providence of God are in some measure restored to the Law and undoubted liberties belonging to the free-borne subjects of this Kingdome We have therefore thought our selves bound to testifie before all the world our most hearty and unfeined thankefulnesse unto Almighty God for so great a mercy extended toward us And also our most humble and hearty thankes unto that supreame wise councell of this Kingdome the Parliament for their unparalleld and unwearied care of the publique and their particular favours to this our Country in sending Captaine Robert Moulton Admirall of the Seas and other Gentlemen since to assist and countenance our endeavours against the violence of the enemie of the peace and quietnesse of the Kingdome And we doe all hereby declare that albeit being formerly over mastered by forces so farre that we were not able to appeare so readily as the duty we owed to his Majesty and the great Councel required of us Yet our affections ever sided and adheared to them our firm resolution is from hence forward to hazzard our lives for their preservation who have so long adventured theirs for the good and welfare of the Kingdom and no longer to be lookers on but joynt labourers by the direction protection of the Parliament in the happy stablishing this kingdome in a happy peace as far as our exhausted abilities will extend for the preservation of the true reformed protestant Religion His Majesties royall person prosperity and dignity the â—ooâ—ing and preserving the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Kingdomes of England Scotland 〈…〉 the rights and priviledges of the Parliament the Laws of the Land which 〈…〉 and property of the Subject All which we will endeavour to maintaine with the 〈◊〉 of our lives And this unfeined Declaration we 〈◊〉 from our hearts and â—â—â—â—fie under our hands About the tenth of this Instant we had certaine intelligence by various Letters out of the North of the surrender of Bolton Castle to the Parliament Forces and that the defendants therein the Colonell Scroop and the rest of his Officers and Commanders had liberty to march away thence to Newark with their Horse and
this Kingdome yea and their posterity after them and that for so many yeares together after her death verifying that faithfull word of the Lord Them that honour me I will honour And that of the holy Prophet David The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance Whereas her immediate Successour King James which makes the wonder indeed remarkable a Prince I confesse learned and wise after the worlds esteeme yea and bred and brought up in the Protestant Religion all his daies and in his raigne in Scotland held a precise Puritane but managing his whole Reigne in the Kingdome of England in such an unresolved way to say no more for God and true piety and in such a doubling condition twixt Protestantisme and Popery as extreamly encouraging Popish Jesuites and tyrannicall Prelates in both their impious and Antichristian waies and wiles even to the then brewing and now and of late times before broaching of all these most bloody and pernicious moderne mischiefes now most justly fallen upon us even now I say in his most unhappy Sons daies and all for our so jugling dealings with our God in then turning true piety into meere policie and machivilianisme and in our now of late more evident base backslidings from our first Love the Lord Jesus See therefore I say good Reader how our most wise and just God hath contrariwise verified that righteous saying of his They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed And that of the wise King Solomon The name of the wicked shall rot For ever since King James his decease his memory hath perished among his people who â—â—ver since the time of his death to this very day hath had one yeares annuall commemoration of his name and memory but is extinct and dead in the hearts of his people as his Corps lies dead and putrifying in the Urn of his Sepulchre Whereas had King James and King Charles his Son been sincere and cordiall indeed to their but meerly pretended Principles of true piety and the Protestant Christian Religion O how happy had England been O how glorious and illustrious had the name and memory of these two Princes been to the present age and its posterity Had I say these two immediate Successours of that pious Princesse lovely Elizabeth been as truly zealous for God in the suppression of Popery and Papists as she was who considering she was but a woman and began the Work of Reformation first of all and had therefore a hard pull of it the light of true Religion then breaking forth with much difficulty and in a glimmering light and weak twinkling condition yet was carried on by her and through Divine assistance brake forth through the clouds of many and mighty oppositions especially I meane in Doctrine to a most faire and hopefull condition O I say had they closely and faithfully followed this worke how had it long ere this time flourished by Gods gracious assistance who loves truth in the inner parts and growne up to tall growth in Discipline also as well as Doctrine and in all probability been brought to a great perfection But alas see in briefe the unhappy difference She was still guided by her most wise grave and faithfull Counsellors who were all for the most part brave Statists and solid Common-Wealths men and by her Parliaments by which meanes and by whose wisdome and providence not onely the Protestant Religion was strongly established but the Trade of the Kingdome abroad and at home mightily increased and her happy Subjects marvellously inriched Whereas both King James and his Sonne King Charles by their strange jugling and dallying with Religion and now at last palpably and down-right fighting against God though still as covertly as they can led therein by loose lewd and upstart Lords and Counsellours Priests and Prelates who strove strenuously to have made their lust our Lawes rejecting to be ruled by their Parliaments but making these onely their Staulking-Horses to get money for the someting of their illegall designes and their dissolving them without any redresse of grievances thus introducing all kindes of oppression upon the Subjects Estates bodies and soules by meer and monstruous Arbitrary Tyranny Thus I say making not onely themselves but also their formerly famous and flourishing Kingdomes as much as in them lay most unhappy every way being most miserably impoverished and almost totally and most ruthfully ruinated and all this I say by jugling with Religion in the prime place and dalâ—ying and dissembling with the Lord who though we our selves may be herein easily deceived cannot be mocked and all this to beat downe the power of godlinesse and to set up Popery or Atheisme and Prophanasse for confirmation of all which witnesse O witnesse the Oceans of Christian blood shed all over desolate Germany and in speciall the ruruine of the Palatinate and King James his Off-spring all which let England judge if England might not have timely saved in King James his time if King James had pleased witnesse the blood of most wofully ruinated Rochell and all the brave English blood spilt in the Isle of Ree in King Charles his daies witnesse O witnesse the late most lamentable Irish Massacree of almost 200000 English innocent soules there farre worse than so many doggs destroyed Yea witnesse all the still fresh gashes and bleedings or rather gushing streams nay floods of blood of Scotland and England to this day To say no more of other secret streames of blood which Heaven the most righteous revenger thereof will certainly reveal and vindicate in his due time and all this for the impious enjoyment of a cursed Spanish Match and the satisfying of the lust of a Popish Lady a proud Prelaticall and Atheisticall inconsiderable party of consciencelesse Cabinet-Counsellors and jugling Junctoe's of whom the Law takes no notice whose onely aimes interests and ingagements herein have been to ruinate Religion in the power and purity of it and to open a wide gushing sluce to Popery and Atheisme and base slavery of bodies and soules upon the poore miserable abused and seduced Subject and all under the specious but most fallacious vales and vizards of Protestantisme unity and universall conformity Pardon good Reader I pray thee this somwhat large digression if so I may call it yet certainly a very necessary one and whereunto I have been thus farre transported by my ardent zeale and fervour for God and my distressed Country especially being thereunto fairly led by occasion of this 17 of Novembers happy commemoration of that precious Paragon of her age and sex eternally to be renowned Queen Elizabeth But now to proceed About the 20 of this instant November we had certaine intelligence by Letters out of the West that a Barke going from Falmouth toward Foy laden with Kerseyes to the valew of 1500 l. was by some neglect of the Marriners and a great mist which happened
in their calling of an Assembly of Divines to that purpose by their endevours since to remove all obstructions and misunderstandings among them that might hinder the work by their farther late proceedings for the setling of a godly and painfull Ministery in London and many other parts of the Kingdome within their power together with divers other wayes as might bee instanced which may bee as so many sufficient testimonies of their fervent and faithfull zeal therein And lastly to testifie their most earnest desire to remove all impediments that might hinder a speedy settlement in Religion the Commons taking into consideration the many stops and hinderances in the Assembly by reason of some differences among themselves they ordered that the Committee of Lords and Commons should treat with the Commissioners of Scotland and the Assembly about settling a union in point of Church-Government among those Divines which were of a contrary opinion and in case it could not bee then to finde out away how tender consciences might bee born withall so far forth as might stand with the peace and safety of the Kingdome and as was warranted by the Word of God that so the Service of the Assembly might not bee retarded And the Assembly of Divines having agreed on the names of such Ministers as they thought fit to bee entrusted with the matter of Ordination pro tempore within the City of London there being 23 of them whereof 13 of the City Ministers and the other 10 of the Assembly who presented the same to the Commons which they passed also with full approbation of them and the said Ordinance was by a message from the Commons sent up to the Lords desiring their concurrence therein to which also the Lords immediately assented and the Ordinance came forth in Print with the full and joynt authority of both Houses of Parliament and the thing it self divers times put into execution in divers Churches in London in such a holy reverend and religious manner as did exceedingly joy the hearts of all Gods people to see in the most pious and apostolicall performance of it About the 20 of this instant wee were most credibly informed by Letters out of Leicestershire of an excellent exploit performed by a party of Leicester Horse against that old and bold Rob-Carryer Hostrings forces which was thus certified viz. That a party of Horse about 80 in number going from Leicester as a convoy to certain Carriers of Nottingham the passage by reason of the Enemies Garrisons there about being full of danger so that no Carriers durst adventure to passe without a convoy Wherof Hastings having had intelligence and that there was a prize to bee preyed on hee presently sent out a party of about an 120 Horse at least against them but they comming too short of the Carriers who were before his comming safely lodged in Nottingham and the Convoy returning to Leicester Hastings Forces placed their ambuscadoes and lined the hedges on both sides of a Lane where Leicester Forces were to passe through neer unto a Town called Castâ—ck within 5 miles on this side Nottingham and accordingly gave the said Convoy an unexpected salute in their said return but they very gallantly forced their passage through the Lane which done they wheeled about again upon the Enemy beat them from the hedges miserably routed and disperst their whole party killed and took above 60 of them prisoners the rest that escaped leaving all their armes behinde them for haste and they took 90 good horses from them besides In which action Leicester forces lost not one man only Leivtenant Steevens who deserved much honour for his gallant undertaking in this Service was shot in the back but not mortally wounded After which exploit thus bravely performed by a party of but 86 against at least an 120. the Convoy returned saâ—e unto Leicester with all their prisoners and prizes and were entertained with much joy and triumph About September 23. wee received certain information by Letters both from the right noble and renowned Patriots and magnanimous Commanders Sir William Brereton Sir Thomas Middleton and as virtuous as valourous Sir John Meldrum to the Parliament bearing date the 18 19 of Septem 1644. of a most famous and renowned victory obtained by Gods great mercy and goodnesse by their forces against the Enemy at the raising of the sâ—ege before Mountgomery-Castle the substance of all which three noble Commanders Letters to the Parliament I have heer for the Readers better content and satisfaction faithfully extracted and Composed together in this relation following Immediately after renowned Sir Thomas Middleton had been possessed of the strong and advantageous Castle of Mountgomery it was suddenly and closely besieged again by a very strong power of the Enemies Forces before ours could bring in any competent provision for that Garrison and both the Lord Herbert of Cherbury Colonell Price and most of Sir Thomas Middletons brave Officers and neer 500 Souldiers were all thereby much distressed and in great danger which brave Sir Thomas Middleton perceiving and laying neer to heart himself also being necessitated to a retreat and hee having in his retreat safely recovered Oswestry hee presently hasted into Cheshire unto renowned Sir William Brereton his ever fast friend who indeed like a faithfull Achates never failed him and instantly also expedited messengers into Lâ—ncashire to valiant Sir John Mâ—ldrum and brave Sir William Fairfax in all whom hee found a great deal of forwardnesse and cheerfull readinesse both to help the said distressed Castle and to preserve what they had but lately before gotten from the Enemy viz. 37 barrels of powder 12 barrels of brimstone store of Match and other Ammunition which the Enemy exceedingly wanted all which ours I say had a little before taken as it was comming from Bristol and was intended for the releif of Shrewsbury Chester and Leverpool Now all these foresaid noble and renowned Commanders speedily assembled and marched together toward Mountgomery-castle with 30â—0 Horse and Foot and came thither on Septem 17. resolving to contribute their best endevours in this expedition in regard of the great importance of the Service They lay that night in a field most advantageous for them which the Enemy had possest themselves of before but deserted at our Forces comming thither placing themselves on the mountain above the Castle a place of great advantage for them our forces resolved not to goe to them but to endevour to victuall the Castle and sent out parties for the bringing in of provisions to the Castle even a third part of our Horse being thus employed abroad for victualls and forrage for the Castle which the Enemy perceiving they took the opportunity and thereupon marched down in a body toward us both Horse and Foot being in number full 5000 Horse and Foot whom that bloody Lord Byron commanded in Cheif and came up to our Forces to give them battail with great courage and resolution
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 Edgâ—â—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
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
will give the Parliament some better means and opportunity for the relief of our bleeding Brethren in Ireland and the suppressing of those horrid Rebels and reducing of that Kingdome wherein besides the publike and common interest we are particularly concerned Lastly we should have much to say for this City if we could imagine that its fidelity and constant services and devotions to the Parliament could either be questioned or forgotten that little we shall expresse on the part of the City is not to repeat how zealous we have been in the Cause of God and this Parliament how we have spilt our blood and spent and laid out our selves and our Estates in maintenance thereof how many publike acknowledgements we have by us of the favourable acceptance of them and promises to leave Testimonies thereof to all future ages but only to beseech your Lordships to consider how much our hearts may justly be dejected now that God hath followed your endeavours and our prayers with so many successes and brought the Warre to a probable period as to the sense of man That the Enemies of our Peace should strive now to sow jealousies between the Parliament and this City as hath been too evident of late and particularly should so far prevaile as to be able to render the chiefe Magistrate of this City the Lord Mayor suspected unto whom we cannot but give this iust Testimony That he in his place hath faithfully behaved himself and carefully dischaged his Office We could adde much more of the daily invectives against us from the Pulpit and other places where the Boutefew's of these Sectaries are admitted the scurrilous and seditious Pamphlets daily broached in and against the City And the great contempt of and discouragement unto the Ministers of the Gospel who adhere to the Presbyteriall Government But we shall conclude with this briefe and humble representation of our Petition and desires to your Lordships in the name of the whole City I. That some strict and speedy course may be taken for the suppressing of all private and separate Congregations II. That all Anabaptists Brownists Hereticks Schismaticks Blasphemers and all such Sectaries as conforme not to the publike Discipline established or to be established by Parliament may be fully declared against and some effectuall course setled for proceeding against such persons III. That as we are all Subjects of one Kingdome so all may be equally required to yeeld obedience unto the Government set forth or to be set forth by the Parliament IV. That no person disaffected to the Presbyteriall Government set forth or to be set forth by the Parliament may be employed in any place of publike Trust V. That your Lordships will please to hasten Propositions to His Majesty for setling of a safe and well grounded Peace amongst us after so long and unnaturall a warre VI. That your Lordships according to the Covenant and Treaties will please to study all means to preserve the Union between the two Nations of England and Scotland and to remove all jealousies which may endanger our mutuall agreement VII That your Lordships will please to consider of some meanes whereby the priviledge which the Members of this Honourable House and their Assistants and the Servants of both and others enjoy by being protected and exempted from being proceeded against for their debts may be so qualified as that the Subject may be able to recover his own in some due time VIII That all publike Revenues and Receipts may be employed to publike uses that so the Taxes of the City may be abated IX That the Estates and Compositions of Delinquents may according to the engagements by Ordinances of Parliament be applyed to discharge the great summes owing to this City and Citizens X. That the Plymouth Duty may be taken off the Trade especially now that the West is reduced XI That the Committee at Haberdashers-Hall may be presently dissolved or at least so limited and regulated as that the City may have no cause of complaint XII That the reducing of the Kingdome of Ireland may be taken into consideration before the good party there be too farre wasted and discouraged XIII That the Lord Mayor of this City may be fully vindicated XIV And lastly and above all That your Lordships will please not to looke upon any expressions of this our Remonstrance and Petition as charging any thing upon your Lordships or as intended to intrench upon any priviledges of this Honourable House but favourably to accept thereof and so to interpret the same as from a single and humble heart it is sincerely and without any by-ends or to comply with any party whatsoever intended and breathed forth from the sad heart of the Petitioners who are overwhelmed with many feares on all sides And who call God the Searcher of all hearts to witnesse that according to their Covenant and duty their zeale devotion and obedience is as servant and prostrate as ever to serve the Parliament with their Lives and Estates against all the Enemies of our Peace and to conjoyn the City more and more to the Parliament and to maintain the Union of both Nations against all Opposers whatsoever All which we humbly submit unto the wisdome of this Honourable House 26. Maii. 1646. The Answer of the Lords in Parliament to the Remonstrance and Petition of the City of London THe Lords are very sensible of the great fidelity and constant services of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London to this present Parliament which they shall never forget They acknowledge their zeale expressed upon all occasions in the Cause of God and this Parliament and how readily they have spilt their blood and spent and laid out themselves and their Estates in the maintenance thereof They are well satisfied with your Expressions and Care to settle the true Reformed Protestant Religion according to the Covenant and with your desires to have all Heresies Schismes and Blasphemies suppressed as also with your respect to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament the Liberties of the Kingdomes and to preserve and defend his Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation of the true Religion and the Liberties of the Kingdomes his Royall Posterity and the Peace of the Kingdomes As also with your desires for the continuance of that union between us and our Brethren of Scotland Of whose services and sufferings we shall not only hold a gratefull memory but upon all occasions give a Retaliation Vnto all which we hold our selves equally with you obliged by our Solemne League and Covenant As to the person of the Lord Mayor the Lords hold a high esteem of him according to his Merit and have commanded me to let you know that nothing hath passed this House at any time in prejudice of him And when the particulars wherein he findes himself agrieved shall be made knowne unto them they shall be ready in a Parliamentary way to do him right The Lords will take
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 Câ—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 â—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 surreâ—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 â—ayling of these times Scripture Eye-salve 2 Chron. 16. 9 Gods eye of providence over us Zeche 8. 1â— Our Fasts turned into Feasts Num. 23. 13. No enchanment or Divination against Gods Israell Isa 54. 17. No weapon formed against us hath proâ—pered Jer. 30. 16 17. Our devourers are devoured and our spoylerâ— are spoyled Ezekiel 20. 38 The regaâ—â— 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 tâ—ue taxation on all Psal â—6 7 10 An exhortation to Christian courage and godly resolution Exod. 19. 4 5. Breake off from sinne Remember our Covenant Bâ—â—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
Magnalia Dei Anglicana OR Englands Parliamentary-Chronicle Containing a full and faithfull Series and Exact Narration of all the most memorable Parliamentary-Mercies and mighty if not miraculous Deliverances great and glorious Victories and admirable Successes of the Counsels and Armies of this present Parliament both by Sea and by Land over the whole Kingdom of England in the most just defence and Vindication of her Religion Laws and Liberties from the yeer 1640. to this present yeer 1646. Compiled in 4 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 Gen. 49. 22 23 24. Joseph is a fruitfull Bough even a fruitfull Bough by a Well whose Branches run over the Wall The Archers shot at him and hated him But his Bow abode in strength and the Armes of his hands were made strong by the Hand of the mighty God of Jacob from thence is the Shepherd the stone of Israel Imprinted at London for J. Rothwell at the Sun Fountain in Pauls Church-yard and Tho. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstreet 1646. THE Burning-Bush not Consumed OR The FOVRTH and Last PART OF THE PARLIAMENTARIE-CHRONICLE Containing a full and Faithfull Continuation and Exact Narration of all the most materiall and most Memorable Proceedings of this renowned Parliament The Armies and Forces which are or have been in the severall parts of the Kingdome The Description of all the brave Battailes Victories and famous Defeates given to the Enemies both by Sea and by Land Especially the winning of Newcastle the glorious Victory at Nazeby and that famous Victory at Langport won through fire and water Together with all the other admirable Successes of our most Renowned and Victorious Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax with his despised New-Modelled Army in the West even to admiration and the happy Rendition of Oxford and the rest of the strong Garrisons about it Beginning from August 1644. and comming up to this present Moneth of July 1646. Collected for Gods high Honour and all pious Parliamentarians COMFORT By the most unworthie Admirer of Them JOHN VICARS Isaiah 63. 7. I will mention the Loving kindnesse of the Lord and the high praises of our God according to all the rich Mercies which the Lord hath bestowed upon us And his great goodnesse toward us his English-Israel which hee hath conferred on us according to his great Mercies and according to the Multitudes of his loving kindnesses The Third and this Fourth Part being Printed at the sole and entire cost and charge of the Authour Himself Imprinted at London by R. C. and M. B. for M. Spark at the Bible in Green Arbor J. Rothwel at the Sun in P. Church yard T. Vnderhill at the Bible in Woodstr 1646 TO The Right Honourable Peeres and Pious Patriots of this Kingdom Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembrook Robert Earl of Essex Robert Earl of Warwick Oliver Earl of Bullingbrook Edward Earl of Manchester Fardinando Lord Fairfax His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax Captain Generall of all the Parliaments Forces over the Kingdome Sir William Waller Sir Harbotle Grimstone Harbotle Grimstone Esquire Walter Young Esquire Sir John Young Francis Rouse Esquire Edmund Prideaux Esquire and Major Generall Massie And to the Rest of the most Noble and Right Worthily Renowned and Honourable Lords and Commons and Famous Souldiers and Senators Assembled in Parliament that are loyally affected and Constantly Addicted to the Great-work of a Glorious and Thorow Reformation of the Kingdomes Evills in Church and State John Vicars most humbly Dedicateth and Consecrateth Himself and These most Gratefull Memorialls of Gods Eternall Glory and Their high Honour And ever prayes as he is most justly bound for a most plentifull Repay of enlarged Gracious Honour heer and Glorious Immortality heerafter For all their pious Paines and indefatigable Labours Loyalty and Love for the Best-Good of Church and State to bee showred downe into the Bosomes of Them and their Posterity after them for ever TO The Right Honourable Thomas Adams Esq Lord Major of the most famous and renowned City of London And to the Right Worshipfull Sir John Wollastone Knight and Alderman of the said most Renowned City TO The Right Worshipfull his most highly Honoured singular good Friend Sir Matthew Brand Knight High Sheriffe of the County of Surrey And the Right Worshipfull Sir Richard Sprignall Knight TO The Right Worshipfull and truely Pious and Virtuous the Lady Francesse Brand The Lady Anne Sprignall The Lady Rebeccah Wâ—llastone And Mistris Mary Grimstone All of them my Pious and most precious Friends And Honourable and Worshipfull Patrons and Patronesses and principall Encouragers and Countenancers of all my poore and unworthy Labours and Endeavours to advance Gods Glory and Unspotted precious TRUTHES John Vicars their meanest and most unworthy Votary most humbly Dedicates and Consecrates Himself and all his poore but most bounden Services And ever prayes for their perpetuall and pious increase of all Honour and Happinesse heer and an immarcescible Crown of Glory heerafter A Colossus of Eternall bounden Gratitude OR A Panegyricall Pyramides of perpetuall Praise First erected by our Britaines ingenious and ingenuous MERCURIE And now Re-erected by the unworthy Authour of this Parliamentary-Chronicle with some plain and homely Inlaid-Work of his own insome convenient places 1 To God TO the Eternall-Ternall-Trin-Vn Glorious and ineffably illustricus Great and Gracious most Holy and most Wise Wonder-working JEHOVAH Great Britains onely Rock of Defence and most prudent Pilot steering and upholding her Weather-beaten Bark through the midst of the Ocean of all her turbulent and overflowing Floods and swelling Waves of bloody Woes and Wretchednesse The most Potent and Provident Shepherd of his English-Israel discovering and defeating all the malignant Machinations and Hell-hatcht deep Designes of Wrath and Ruine most maliciously intended and most desperately attempted by Papisticall Prelaticall and Atheisticall Wolves a degenerous Generation of her Vnnaturall-Nativeâ— Paricides To this Great God this Righteous Lord and King of Heaven and Earth who is thus glorious in Holinesse fearfull in Praises and hath in meer Mercy and free Grace done all these most memorable Wonders for us in Crowning us with so many most glorious Victories and treading our Enemies under our feet Let England and Scotland and with them all the Powers and Potentates of the World with the 24 Elders Revel 4. 10 11. fall before this great God and the Lambe that sits upon the Thrâ—ne and worship Him that liveth for ever and ever and cast their Crowns down at his feet before the Throne
I had appointed a Party both of Horse and Foot to March with mee to have met with the enemy who was within three or foure miles of our Garrison plundring and spoyling the Country Having therefore given order to Major Hammond my Major of Horse to draw out the Horse and Major Gray my Lord Stamfords Major to draw out the Foot both having been with me for orders therein they meeting in my lodging neer the door it so fell out that through some exceptions of Major Gray taken at Major Hammond at a Councell of Warre they entring into the street upon departure from mee upon a blow given by Major Gray to Major Hammâ—id they drew their swords upon each other where and at which time Major Gray received his deaths wound whereupon our Foot Souldiers fell into a high discontent and quarrell which notwithstanding it pleased the Lord so to appease that I presumed to goe forward with my Designe and to march on And the next day in the morning wee met with the enemy at Kidmarlâ—y entred fight with them when by Gods great hand of mercy to us wee slew their Generall Mynne with some other Officers and about an hundred Souldiers and took prisoners of them one Lieutenant Colonell Passey Major John Buller seven Captaines three Lieutenants five Ensignes and twelve Sergeants with other Officers and men of note and of common Souldiers about three hundred the rest of the enemy fled and escaped some to Lidbury whither our Horse pursued them But by reason of another body of strength come from Worcester of about two hundred Horse and five hundred Foot comming and advancing in our sight purposing to have joyned with Colonell Mynne wee thought it more safe to gather up our stragling pursuers and make our march back to Ridmarly with safety and to make good our obtained Victory and there to expect the advancing enemy rather than presumptuously to hazzard our selves and the rest in seeking the enemy with our tyred Horse and wearyed Foot and so they retreated to Lidbury and we to Glocester where we have much cause to magnifie the Almighties goodnesse to us and to sing incessant praises to him for the same Our losse was only that Colonell Harley was shot in his left arme but no danger to his life or health praised bee God and who like a most gallant and valiant Gentleman indeed behaved himself in this fight and the rest also did like very brave men Two or three of our Souldiers were slain but praised bee the Lord not one Officer and not passing foure or fire more wounded Thus much at present I thought it my duty to signifie from my self whose faithfulnesse shall ever bee manifest in the Parliaments Service and Cause being unto Your self Sir a most thankfull acknowledger of your many favours and Your most humble Servant Edward Massie ABout the eighth of this instant August also came credible information by Letters to London from Weâ— that that most valiant loyall and active Commander Colonell Mition Governour of Oswestre and valiant and faithfull Sir Thomas Middleton to lessen our danger of Prince Roberts going Westward against the Lord Generall joyning together with about three hundred Horse and foure hundred Foot marched from thence to Welch pool in Montgomery in Wales two long miles distant at which place that bold and bloody Prince of Plunderers his own Regiment of Horse were quartered and where they suddenly falling on his sleepy and secure Cavaliers early in the morning they killed Ruperts own Cornet who refused quarter which was proffered him took so many Horse that they mounted most of their Foot home again even above three hundred they also took about an hundred Prisoners besides three Captaines three Cornets three Quartermasters and divers other Officers with much Armes and Baggage But Sir Thomas Dallison brother to Popish Dallison the Lawyer who commanded those Horse had the unfortunate happinesse to scape away and for haste was faine to run away only in his shirt and left his breeches behinde him such a strait hee was put unto wherein was found a Letter to Prince Robber which hee intended that morning to have sent to his impious Highnesse Much also about the same time came certain information by Letters out of the West to London that Colonell Sydenham that valiant and loyall Commander in Armes assisted with that much honoured and worthy Gentleman Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper Knight and Baronet having some time lyen before Wareham a strong Garrison Town of the Enemies about foure miles from Pool Now at length gave a fierce assault upon the Town had gained the outworks and that the Enemy sent a Drum for a Parly which being granted a respit for an answer was desired by the Town till next morning but this would not bee yeelded to nor for any longer time than one houre whereupon the Town of Wareham upon Articles of faire agreement was surrendred unto them and the one thousand two hundred Horse and Foot which lay before it was immediately designed to march further Westward to Colonell Middleton Now heer also I must farther inform the Reader that this strong Town was especially so soon surrendred by reason of a Letter sent from the Lord of Inchiquin out of Ireland to his brother Lievtenant Colonell O Brian then Governour of Wareham in his said brothers absence in which Letter the said Lord of Inchiquin had declared That his resolution waâ— to stand firm to the Parliament and to live and die in the defence of their Cause which â—ee now most clearly saw was in the right and that the Kings party bad meerly abused them all and sought the certain subversion of the true Brâ—testant Religion both in England and in Ireland and therefore desired him that hee would seriously consider of the same and speedily surrender the Town of Wareham to the use of the Parliament Which Letter being read to the Souldiers in the Town they were all for the most part willing to have the Town surrendred onely some few Irish Rebells were averse upon whose obstinate deniall they were presently dispatcht out of the way and cut off by the other Souldiers in part of requitall of the Protestant blood which they and their barbarous and bloody brethren had shed in Ireland And the said Lievtenant Colonell and the rest of his Souldiers presently declared themselves for the Parliament and hee also prevailed so far with his Souldiers that five hundred of them took the Covenant and were willing to bee shipt away for Munster in Ireland to assist his brother the foresaid Lord of Inchiquin and the other Parliament Forces in the said Province against the Irish Rebells And about the tenth of this instant Letters out of Staffordshire advertised that Bagot the Governour of Litchfield had caused twelve of his bravest Horses to bee breathed and rid abroad some few miles to take the fresh air forsooth which being so abroad they were all suddenly surprised
both the Houses of Parliament at Westminster that doe only wait the conjunction of these two Armies meaning the Kings Army and the Lord Generalls then in Cornwall and then they will put things to the question being backed with such a strength which now they dare not propound Also you shall inforce the conjunction of these two Armies the sooner with this argument that otherwise the Scots will prevail and conquer the Kingdom and so the English must become subject to that Nation There were 20 or 30 more particulars as was credibly enformed and those very remarkable ones These instructions were sent by Mr. Harding Son to the Marquesse of Hartford to bee communicated to his Excellency if upon the receipt of a Letter sent from the King to our Lord Generall hee would entertain a Treaty Which his Excellency most loyally and prudently had formerly refused highly scorning to bee fastned on though by a Royall temptation to betray his trust yet how ever those private Instructions were afterward dispersed amongst some of the Commanders as wee then found by unhappy experience And yet in all the plot and designe praised and for ever blessed bee the Lord our God the issue proved more to bee a crackling-Squib than a considerable losse as hath been before more particularly and clearly manifested especially considering the danger and yet the Bush un-burnt in the midst of that great flame round about it In which premised Regall instructions wee may primarily take notice how falsly and fallaciously the Royalists fancy to themselves and that with no small malice too both a party in the Parliament for them and would also fain blinde the kingdom with such a belief But that which sticks most to their sides as there you may see and observe is our honest and loyall Brethren of Scotland against whom they would fain possesse the people with an opinion that their intention is to conquer the kingdom whereas never did a Nation so faithfully and in a manner so unanimously appear with more loyalty and cordiall integrity in the Cause of Religion than they have done and the crafty Cavaliers knew they will not depart from their principles nor leave assisting the Parliamentary proceedings till Religion and Liberty bee secured in both kingdomes and therefore I cannot much blame them considering their case and condition that they so scandalize the Nation of Scotland that in the conclusion is like by Gods gracious assistance and appointment to bee a main means of their ruine and destruction from among us And to all these premises adde that most memorable mercy of the Lord in those our straits in Cornwall forementioned namely what admirable courage and undaunted resolution the Lord put at that time into the hearts of those most valiant Commanders and Souldiers that were of the Plymouth Horse who in Cornwall by their impregnable courage and valiant actions deserved as much honour as could bee possibly conferred upon men of merit and valour For all those of the Kings Army that were of the three Regiments of the Kings Horse were utterly routed by Major Straghen a Scottish Commander with only 100 Plimouth Horse whom hee Commanded who all manifested so much unparallelled valour and magnanimity of spirit as occasioned such extreme terrour to the Enemy that the King himself was put into as great a fright at that time as when hee rode hard from Northallâ—rton to York when hee heard the Scots had beaten his Army at Newborn at their first comming in among us So stoutly they resolved and so faithfully performed and acted their resolution to live and die with our Foot forces at that time left in such a strait and to stand or fall with them though most barbarously and basely they were pâ—â—â—ged and plundered contrary to Conditions yea the King himself being in the field and to his shame and eternall infamy it will certainly remain to posterity that hee most unjustly permitted such a most ignoble disloyall and unsouldierly shamefull action to bee committed notwithstanding that noble and ever to bee honoured Major Generall Skippon went to his Majesty and complained of that perâ—idious breach of Articles but could finde no redresse therein And now good Reader put all these together viz. the Enemies abominable trechery to have utterly ruinated our so brave an Army forementioned in some passages of the Moneth before together with the devillish design to have wrought our Army perfidiously to have conjoyned and combined into one body against the Parliament And the admirable courage and magnanimity of spirit which God put into the hearts of our Foot forces and some few Horse especially those of renowned Plimouth to stand to it so invincibly and to come off so totally with their lives out of so deep and dangerous a snare and pitfall into which they were very neer entrapped And then say whether the Lord Jehovah appeared not mightily and most manifestly for their preservation and whither the blessing of him that dwelt in the Bush was not on them to save them from the devouring flames of that prepared and intended combustion and confusion Much also about the 4 of this instant October came Letters out of Scotland which certified for an undoubted truth that the Popish party and faction of the Royalists in Scotland had laid down their armes and were come in and had submitted themselves That the most noble Marquesse of Argile most renowned in Scotland for his known constant piety loyalty to his King and Country and his magnanimity of spirit in the then present distracted condition of Scotland that hee I say was in present pursuit of the Irish Rebels that had got in among them there and kept them closely in among the mountaines where hee often lit upon many of them and straitned them extremely Insomuch that the troubles of that honest neighbour kingdom being thus farre so happily appeased the noble Earl of Callender returned again to the Leaguer at Newcastle It was also then for certain enformed by Letters out of the North that the Array-men and other disaffected persons of quality in the Counties of Cumberland and Westmerland were met together to feast together and therein also to consult about raising more Forces in those parts against the Parliaments proceedings there which the Country-people having knowledge of and being very sensible of the miseries which those men had already been meanes to bring upon those Counties and places adjacent they all rose as one man and apprehended many of them to the number of about 40. whom they brought to Generall Lesley to the Leaguer but Musgrave and Fletcher narrowly escaped to Carlile About the 6 of this instant Letters from Welchpool were brought to London which certified that renowned Sir Thomas Middleton had taken Redâ—astle a place of very great consequence and one of the strongest of the Enemies holds in Northwales The manner of the taking of it was said to bee thus The Enemy in this Castle whereof
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 incouragemâ—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 vouchâ—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
good service And the zeale of the Kentish Gentry for the good of the Kingdom And in the last not least most famous defeat given to the fierce and furious Royalists at Compton House And the good service of the Northampton forces now last related And now then tell mee good Reader whether England hath not just cause in admiration and adoration of our English Israels great and glorious Shepherd who neither slumbers nor sleeps in most happy though most unholy sinfull and ungratefull Englands constant conservation to sing and say with that Princely Prophet King David Thou art O Lord our God more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey The stout hearted are spoyled they have slept their sleep and none of the men of might have found their hands Surely therefore even the wrath of man shall praise thee and the remainder of his fury shalt thou restrain But now to goe on AND now in the entrance into the first observation of this Moneth of Februaries wonder of the Burning Bush not consumed I shall begin with the information of a very pretty peice of service performed by some of the Parliaments Forces neer Melton Mowberry which was thus A party of Horse from Beaver Castle came suddenly and secretly to assault some of our Leicestershire Forces who were making a Garrison at Sir Erasmus de la Fountains House neer Melton aforesaid with a full intent and hope to have surprised them but were happily frustrated of their expectation For the Parliaments forces having notice of the Enemies approach they valiantly repulsed them took and slew about 8 of them and during the time of the skirmish some of our nimble Souldiers running hastily to supply the want of powder unawares set one or 2 barrels of powder on fire which suddenly blew up one part of Sir Erasmus his House and did very little other hurt But see the wise and good providence of God who turned this little losse into a farre greater gain and benefit for by this means at the least 300 pounds worth of Plate and many good Armes were discovered which had before been hid in the ground and thus made good prize to bee employed for the Parliaments service and benefit And about the same time wee were also certainly informed by Letters out of Leicestershire that a party from Ashbey de la Zoneb came to Cole-Orton intending to have surprized our men there and to have plundered the Town but they mist of their aim and in the attempt lost above 70 or 80 of their horse Very good helps to carry on the businesse this Winter season And about the 6 of this instant February wee received credible intelligence out of Wales that Colonell Gerard with all the strength hee could raise at that time came against Cardigan Castle which hee understood was but meanly provided of necessaries and therefore besieged it whereof valiant Colonell Jones was then Governour Gerard by a stratagem having got into the Town brake down the Bridge between it and Pembrokeshire which was neer the Town and Castle of Cardigan that so no releife might come to them and heerupon hee presently by a Trumpeter sent a summons to the Castle But courageous Colonell Jones returned an answer to this effect That hee had in the Castle 300 raw hides and when all other necessaries failed they would eate them and when they were spent hee and his Souldiers would come forth and fight for their lives and neither give nor take quarter and in the interim would keep the Castle In which mean time the brave Colonell sent to renowned Colonell Laughorn to come to his releif which hee promised and did but when this valiant Colonell came to the Bridge hee found it broken down as aforesaid which was some impediment to his desire but yet like an invincible Caesar resolving Aut viam invenire aut facere with Fagots boards and such like helps hee made away to passe over the River and whiles hee was getting over hee caused an Arrow to bee shot into the Castle with a Letter in it to give them notice that hee was come and so presently hee fell upon the Enemy on one side and Colonell Jones issuing out of the Castle on the other side they soon gave Gerard enough to doe and put Gerard and all his forces to a totall rout took and slew 350 of them 200 being found dead on the place they took also 600 Armes 150 prisoners among whom were divers Officers and men of quality and 4 brasse peices of Ordinance Much about this foresaid time was that great bluster of a Parturiunt montes nascitur ridiculus mus as indeed at last it proved I mean the Treaty of Peace at Vxbridge In which interim a Petition was contrived by some mischeivous Malignants of the County of Buckingham wherin one Sir John Laurence of the same County was a great stickler and was afterwards for it sent for to London and committed to safe custody Which Petition was intended to bee presented to the Parliament Commissioners at Vxbridge in the very midst of the time of their Treaty the effect of this Petition was That Religion might bee established in this Kingdom as in the purest times which indeed were very impure especially in point of Discipline which was meer Popish of Queen Elizabeth That thus these malignant Petitioners might the more subtilly and slily incense the other Popish or Atheisticall Oxonian Commissioners and the whole Malignant party the apparent and known Enemies to the truely intended pure Reformation of Religion and so to make this plot to conduce much to the breaking off of this Treaty and that upon the dissolution thereof the King and his party might with the better colour declare and publish to the world though most falsly that the Parliament was the only cause of the annihilating of this Treaty and so consequently Enemies to Peace and thus bring an universall odium upon the Parliament and their party whose unsetled and unstable spirits wholely addicted to faction and novelties would not admit of any thing but their own pretended Reformation but rather chose the continuance and increase of Warre and bloodshed And for the more full and clear assurance forsooth of this their most foule and false accusation and indeed for the firmer corroborating of this their most dangerous and devillish plot and design they at Oxford had already before hand drawn up a Full Declaration and translated it into severall Languages that thus as soon as they had treated as farre as they had plotted and preintended they might speedily disperse those their foresaid Declarations both over all our 3 Kingdomes and also into all other Forrain parts to prepossesse them with those their most grosse and abominable untruths and so delude them and all ours by most falsly laying the cause of the breach of this on their side meer mock-Treaty upon the innocent Parliament Thus hoping I say by these
specious pretences having pre-occupated the hearts and beleif of the people that they could not easily bee undeceived at the second hand But see now the admirable wisdome and justice of our God against them and his great mercy toward us who so ordered the issue and the upshot of that Treaty that by the refusall of 3 Articles mainly and primarily to bee insisted on and by the Kings Commissioners to bee condescended unto to the Parliaments Commissioners namely 1. The Settlement of the true Reformed Religion 2. The Establishment of the Militia for a season in the power of the Parliament 3. The prosecution of the Warre against the Rebels of Ireland and disclaiming that accursed Cessation of Armes with them that by their most unjust refusall I say of these 3 Articles whereof not one would bee fairly granted and especially by those Oxford Commissioners so irreligious and even Atheisticall justifying and that in the Kings name that most horrid and hideous Rebellion in Ireland sealed with the most inhumane massacre and bloody slaughter and murthering of almost 200000 innocent English Protestants the Kings said Commissioners most irreligiously and audaciously daring openly to professe that his Majesty their Master could not in point of Honour Justice and Conscience yeeld to the Parliaments desire therein whereby I say even this unreasonable and irreligious refusall of the Parliaments most just and righteous demands notwithstanding the foresaid Declaration framed and forged on the impious anvill of Don Digbies vicious invention at Oxford whereby they thought to have gained much credit reputation and advantage to their party yet I say by this refusall they became great losers in the affections of the people over the whole Kingdom who also saw that in the space of full 20 dayes sitting they would not as I toucht before agree to any one Proposition of the Parliaments which so grosse miscarriage of things especially in that abominable justification of the Irish Rebellion must needs lye upon them as a most odiously black indelible stain of intolerable ignominy and disgrace to all succeeding pâ—sterity And indeed to speak the truth plainly what good could bee expected from a Treaty which was to bee held with a seduced and misled King a degenerated and ignoble Nobility a proud and superstitious Clergie an ambitious and atheisticall Gentry and an irreligious and most malignant Common people But now to proceed About the 8 of this instant February there came Letters to the Committee of both Kingdomes of an excellent peice of service performed by Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle the particulars whereof for the Readers better satisfaction I will set downe in the words of the Majors own Letter which was as followeth Sir I doubt not but you will bee glad to hear of the good successe which God hath given unto mee in delivering into my hands a Garrison of the Enemies called Stoke House in Glocestershire but borders on Warwickeshire where together with the House I also took a Troop of Horse And it will bee the more remarkable in respect of the goodnesse of God when wee consider the small power I had to doe it and the place it stood in being between 2 of the Enemies Garrisons the one was Cambden but 2 miles distant the other Evisham 7 miles distant But I being affected with the sad complaints of the Country and considering the danger of delayes and having notice that the Enemy wrought hard to perfect the Fortifications resolved to take the present opportunity and that my design might bee carryed on with the more privacy wherein much of my safety consisted the Regiment of our County being absent or not in readinesse I sent 2 of the 3 Companies of mine own Garrison by small parties into the Country as to gather Contribution but commanded the Officers not to return till I gave them orders to these 2 Companies I got an addition of 60 Foot commanded by one of my Captains of the Town-Company with some part of mine own Troop and about 70 Horse belonging to the Committee of Worcestershire and thus I marched all that night and being come to the House I began to storm it and the next day fell upon the House and stables by break of day both at once The House was of stone very strong they within it had made up the windowes and doores with brick and stone and defended the House very stoutly for about an houre and a half but at length wee entred by force and took the House and all therein without the losse of one man blessed bee the Lord notwithstanding that in all that time wee were without shelter and the bullets and stones flew thick about our eares Since this I heard that the Enemy drew out of Evisham and Cambden to releive their Friends but could not come up time enough by which means God so appointing I returned with my prisoners and spoile unmolested a List wherof you have herewith immediately following And to conclude the said House being a Papists and the whole Garrison of that Religion to prevent the building of any more such Rookes nests I fired the House and desire you would with us praise God for this Victory Sir Your Servant John Bridges Warwick Castle Feb. 8. 1644. A List of the Prisoners taken by Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle at Stoke House in Gloucestershire Captain Edward Brent Captain George Brent Captain Richard Canning Captain Smith Captain Thomas Canning together with about 30 more Officers and Gentlemen of quality all Papists and many other common Souldiers About the 10 of this instant wee were also credibly informed by Letters out of Cheshire that Captain Stones a brave active and loyall Commander under Sir William Brereton and now Governour of Eccleshall Castle in the County of Stafford with a small party marched against Partshall House another Popish Garison of the Enemies which was strongly fortified and Moated about Hee taking the opportunity of the Draw-bridge being let down suddenly forced his passage surprized the Centinells and so fell in among the whole Garrison fought bravely with them for a good season killed many of them in the fight and took prisoners Colonell Ashbey the Governour with divers Gentlemen of quality a Jesuite which was their Priest and Son and Heire to a Popish Knight and about 60 Souldiers and thus wee were possessed of the whole House with all the Armes and Ammunition and other good prize which was within it Wee also were credibly assured by Letters from Abbington about the 14 of this instant February that Major Generall Brown that most renowned valiant and active Commander sent forth a party of Horse toward Harrington who having intelligence where the Enemy kept a Court of Guard about half a mile from Harrington our said Forces got between them and the Town by which means they surprized the whole Guard being 19 men and brought them all prisoners into Abbington And that the said Noble Major Generall
hearing of some provisions which were going from some Malignants in those parts to Oxford hee sent out a party to intercept them who took 27 Horse load of Corn Cheese and other provisions of which they had then no little want at Oxford About the 16 instant wee were informed by Letters out of the North that about 150 of the Enemies Horse from Skipton fell upon the Parliaments quarters at Heightley where they suddenly surprizing our Guards they came into the Town and took neer an 100 prisoners and 60 Horse with their booty But as they were about to retreat Colonell Lamberts men being quartered neer hand took the alarum and came to releive Colonell 〈◊〉 men whose quarters had been thus beaten up the Colonell himself being then absent and performed their parts so â—allantly that they rescued all our own prisoners and most of the booty which the Enemy had taken killed 15 of them on the place took about 20 of them prisoners wounded and took the Commander in Cheif of the Enemies party Captain Hugher killed his Leivetenant also and pursued the rest to the very gates of Skiptâ—n On our side was lost in this service Captain Samon one of Colonell Lamberts Commanders and about 8 Souldiers About the 18 of this instant February noble and renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax being nominated and chosen to bee the Cheif Generall of all the Kingdomes forces and Armies came to London out of Yorkeshire in a private manner desiring to avoide all ostentation there were in company with him Colonell Sir William Constable Colonell Rigbey Colonell Sandiâ—s and Colonell Alured with some other Officers and for the more expeditious setting forth of this most noble Generall according to an Ordinance passed by both Houses of Parliament the Commons appointed a Committee to consider how monies cloathes and other necessary recruite for his Army might bee speedily and most conveniently procured and to enable him completely to march into the field with a fit train of Artillery c. to bee repaired and every way made fit for him as soon as money came in upon the Assessement by the Ordinance for the said Army And Sir Thomas being now come to Town within a day or 2 after the House of Commons sent for him by 4 of the Members of that House which was the respect given him and when hee came into the House as a farther addition of honour a Chaire was set for him to sit down upon but most modestly hee refused it Then Mr. Speaker told him what hee had in Command from the House to deliver unto him which was The great trust which the Kingdom reposed in him in the Command of this Army and the good opinion they had of him for his valour and fidelity giving him thanks in the name of the whole House for the many and great services hee had done for the publike in defence of Religion Laws and Liberties and encouraging him to goe on in the same as hee had begun wherin hee should much honour God and endeer his Country and Kingdom unto him which hee assured him would not bee unmindfull of him and his labour love and loyalty to it in due time But of this more hereafter About the 20 of this instant wee had certain information by Letters out of the Northern parts of the most welcome newes of the taking of the Town and Church of Scarborough which was strongly fortified together with the Haven and at least an 120 ships 32 peices of Ordnance and much other rich prize by that most active valiant and successefull Souldier and brave Commander Sir John Meldrum the manner of it being said to bee thus This noble Colonell Sir John Meldrum stormed the Town in 4 severall places with English and Scottish Souldiers who went on with such gallantry that they gained the Town and Church with the losse only of 11 of their men In the Church they took 80 prisoners and with them hee that had been Governour of Hemsley Castle But the most base and cowardly apostate Cholmley when hee perceived the Town like to bee lost sled into the Castle and was bravely pursued and one of the works thereof entred but the white Towre in the Castle commanding that work they beat our men out of it again with stones The Liver-hearted Cholmlâ—y now despairing together with the conscientiousnesse of his former guilt in his most trecherous defection from the Parliament endevoured to escape by Sea in his Pinnace or rather his running Horse as hee called it which then rode at Anchor at a little distance to help him at a strait or dead lift but such was the activity of Sir John Meldrum that with boats hee got between the Pinnace and the Land and so his cowardship was forced to confine himself into the Castle again This apostate Sir Hugh Cholmley had 5 Dunkirk Vessels with him at Scarborough who for a while gave interruption to our men in storming the Town but our Cannoneers sunck 2 of them with their Ordnance and the other 3 fled for it Before the storm Sir Hugh was summoned to yeeld the Town but like himself hee gave a base and scornfull answer and when the Townsmen would have yeelded the Town hee brought Souldiers out of the Castle and compelled them to fight in the defence of it as long as they were able But heerof more in its own proper place Only in the interim take this own Letter of Sir Hugh Cholmleyes which hee wrote to some Commander in the Kings Army but was intercepted by the way and which was as followeth SIR VVEE are now blockt up close in the Castle and divers of our Souldiers run away to the Enemy and it is to bee feared that the ill accommodation will daily decrease our number You know the consequâ—nce and beleeve mee it requires speedy supply for reasons which I may not expresse I pray you signifie where or from whence I may expect and hope for releif and whether any expectance from the Queen or Ireland or probability of a good issue from the Treaty of which particulars I desire to bee satisfied that I may not bee totally ignorant Not that the failing of any or of all these shall make mee quit this trust otherwise than becomes a Gentleman and good subject Your Colonell Wharton salutes you And I am Your humble Servant Hugh Cholmley Scar. Castle Feb. 24. Heer are 10 Colours of Scots as I imagine though not above 800 men of them but Meldrum who commands in Cheif and is the most active man here hath 6 or 700 more of the Lord Fairfaxes Foot About February the 22. wee had certain intelligence of a brave peice of service done by a party of Colonell John Heynes his Regiment which was certified to bee thus That the said Colonell receiving intelligence of a French Regiment of Horse and some other Troopes of Gorings Brigade quartered neer Newberry hee sent out a party of his Regiment from Okingham under
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
Garye Lieutenant Colonell to Sir Tibbot Bourk eldest Sonne to the Lord of Maye Richard Bourk Major to Richard Bourk the Earle of Clanrickards Heire and Sonne to Sir William Bourk Brother to the late Earle of Clanrickard Captaine William O Shaghuise brother to Sir Roger O Shaghuise Captaine Garret Dillon Sonne to Sir Lucas Dillon who saith that his Father was shot in the thigh Captaine Ro. Castallogh Killed Edward Brown Captaine of 100 Musketeers out of Galloway brother to Jeffery Brown the Lawyer Three Lieutenants of Foot Two Cornets Three Engines Killed also the Titular Archbishop of Tuain the Rebels president of Cannaught a principall incendiary in that Kingdome in whose pockets were found Letters and other papers of great importance and for his own particular an Order from the Councell of Kilkenny for leavying the arreares of his Bishoprick together with severall other prisoners of inferiour quality both of Horse and Foot and 22 or 23 were drowned And here now I shall desire the Reader by way of introduction to what I have further to say touching this Irish Victory and especially some of the Papers taken from this foresaid Archbishop of Tuain to take speciall notice of the admirable wisdome and providentiall mercy of the Lord unto us therein viz. That in regard of the wonderfull great and good successe which the Lord hath lately given to our Forces in the West of our owne Kingdome and the King finding what bad successe he hath of late had as well as all along indeed for the most part in all the parts of the Kingdome both West and North now therefore sent Letter after Letter to the Parliament for the procuring of a pretended well grounded Peace and the way nay forsooth the only way in the opinion of the subtill Oxonians that must lead thereto he propounded to be by a Treaty nay when that could not serve by a Personall Treaty in himself proffering himself to come in person to our Parliament But our prudent Parliament who by much experience knew very well of what danger and disadvantage such Treaties have been and this also of the Kings personall coming in this juncture of time would be both to foment pernicious delayes and abusive designes for raising desperate parties to spoile us all resolved therefore most peremptorily to go a neerer way to worke to wit by drawing up Bils and to present them to the King to have them immediately signed and made Acts. But now that the Reader I say may see how fairely the King meant both in sending Letters thus for a Treaty of Peace yea and proffering himself in person to treat of Peace I have here thought fit to set downe the substance of one of his Letters sent to the Parliament for this purpose verbatim and most faithfully as it was printed and published and therewith also a Declaration of his compacting with the Rebels in Ireland against God our Religion and his English Protestant Subjects yea the whole Kingdome and Parliament And then I say the impartiall Reader may see how crossely and craftily yet most accursedly things were carried underhand even with extream Atheisme and impiety and now I say for the full clearing hereof take here first a true Copy of the Kings Letter to our Parliament expressing his even greedy seeming desire of Peace with his Parliament and his Protestant People and then you shall have the other Letter or Declaration sent into Ireland and then be amazed and confounded in thy thoughts at such hideous and horrid yea even hellish dissimulation Upon Friday Jan. 16. another Trumpet for you must know by the way as I touched before divers former Trumpets and Messages had been sent came from the King with a Letter directed to the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore the substance of which Letter was C. R. HIs Majesty doth expresse his great wonder that whereas he had sent a gracious Message on the 26 of December last the subject whereof was for a Treaty for peace that the Parliament should returne no Answer to that Message ever since He much admired what should become of his Trumpeter whom he sent unto them in December last having heard 〈◊〉 newes of him since his departure from Oxford unto London He seemes to be very carefull of the Government of the Church and desireth that it may continue as in the dayes of Queen Elizabeth and King James of blessed and perpetuall memory yet he expresseth that because the Act it abolished for the use of the Booke of Common Prayer he is not altogether averse that the Directory shall passe as it is now used in some Churches of London and this He is content to condescend unto for the ease of tender consciences He maketh no question but that He shall give both his Houses of Parliament a full content for the choyce of the Lord Admirall and other Officers of State if He finds his Houses of Parliament inclinable to a Treaty for peace in which he intendeth to assist in Person He expresseth a speciall care to satisfie the Scots in their arreares and to discharge the expences of the City and for the businesse of Ireland He doubteth not but He shall give His Subjects of England perfect satisfaction Subscribed Given at our Court at Oxford Jan. 15. 1645. This is the substance of his Majesties Letter which though communicated by former pens was read in the House this day and it is the rather here inserted because you may see how crosse it is to His Majesties Letter sent to Ireland and sealed with his highnesse Signature and Royall Signet which Letter together with other papers of great concernment were found in the pocket of the Archbishop of Tuain slaine at Sligo in Ireland the tenour of which Letter was as followeth C. R. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith To our trusty and right well beloved cousin Edward Earle of Glamorgan greeting VVE reposing great and speciall trust and confidence in your approved wisdome and fidelity do by these as firmly as under our great Seale to all intents and purposes authorize and give you power to treat and conclude with the Roman Catholicks in our Kingdome of Ireland if upon necessity any thing be condescended to wherein our Lieutenant cannot so well be seen as not fit for us at the present publikely to owne We therefore charge you to proceed according to this our Warrant with all possible secrecy and for whatsoever you shall engage your self upon such valuable considerations as you in your judgement shall thinke fit we promise in the word of a King and a Christian to ratifie and performe the same that shall be granted by you and under your Hand and Seale the said Confederate Catholicks having by their supplies testified their zeale to our service and this shall be in each particular a sufficient Warrant to you Given at our Court at Oxford under our
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
April being the solemne Fast-day of this Moneth after both the Sermons before the Lords in the Abby at Westminster and the Commons Sermons in Margrets-Church were ended The House of Commons sitting a while in Parliament received certaine intelligence of the Kings escaping out of Oxford in a disguised manner betweene Sunday-night and Munday-morning with 2. others in his Companie whereof Master Aâ—bhurnhâ—un was one who was pretended to be the Kings Master and the King and the other partie must be Ashburnhams Servants and the King himselfe as it was credibly and Constantly related must goe along under the name of Harry Master Ashburnhams man and thus I say these 3. went forth of Oxford together the King also carrying a cloak-bag or portmantle behind him on his horse like a Servingman indeede but whether or which way he went was not then knowne for as it was reported the better to conceale the way of his departure there went out 3. at every part of the City at the same instant time that so none should be able to discover in which of the Companies the King was It seemed as since we heard his Lords in Oxford were desirous of his departure hoping thereby to have the beter conditions for themselves looking more it seem'd at their owne safetie than at the Kings preservation who hereby may plainly see whose interests they have all this while driven on Ah good Reader see here and seriously consider in thy soul with feare and trembling and amazement how truely how justly God most wise most righteous hath made good that word of his Those that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed O that we would faithfully and fruitfully lay these remarkable examples thereof to our hearts and walke answerably for the time to come Now upon the 4 of May 1646. so soone as ever our most noble Generall had received certaine intelligence of his Majesties departure ouâ— of Oxford as abovesaid he immediately by his Letters and Messengers informed the Parliament thereof giving them farther to understand the great confidence though mightily mistaken as aâ—on you shall plainly understand of those that came out of Oxford to his Excellency and their constant affirmations as those that saw but the shallow superficies of the businesse only that the King was certainly come into or neer unto London upon which information the Commons in Parliament had much debate and the House of Peers also the like and considering the danger that might ensue by concealing and hiding the Kings person they appointed a Committee forthwith to prepare and draw up something to be published touching all such as should harbour or conceale the harbouring of the King and accordingly an Order was drawn up by this Committee reported to the House and assented unto by the House of Peers and likewise passed by them and â—y Order of both Houses to be published throughout London and Westminster by beat of Drum or sound of Trumpet which was accordingly performed the said Order being to this effect ORdered that it be declared and it is hereby declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That what person soever shall harbour or conceale or know of the harbouring or concealing of the Kings person and shall not reveale it immediately to the Speakers of both Houses shall be proceeded against as a Traytor to the Common Wealth forfeit his whole Estate and die without mercy The Parliament also about this foresaid time seriously considering that a former Ordinance for putting out of the Lines of Communication all Papists Officers and Souldiers of fortune that have come out of the Kings Quarters was now expired and the danger that might happen by permitting such to abide within the City of London no whit slacking but rather increasing An Ordinance was therefore read the first and second time and committed to a Committee for the continuance of the said former Ordinance for a Moneth longer and that all such Papists and Souldiers should remove themselves â—wenty miles distant from the City An Ordinance was likewise read and assented to giving power to the Militia of London to search within twenty miles of London for all Papists Malignants and other suspected persons and to secure and disarm them and likewise to search for Arms and this power to continue for twenty daies longer And now upon the sixth of this instant May the much expected newes of the Kings discovery and place of aboad was by a most excellent Letter sent to the Commissioners of both Kingdomes and so to the Parliament brought to London which Letter for the eminency and excellency thereof and for the just honour of our ever most worthily deserving loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland I have here thought fit in the first place to set forth and shew to the honest and godly Reader for his just joy comfort and content which was as followeth The Letter from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to the Commissioners of both Houses concerning his Majesties coming to the Scottish Army Dated at Southwell May the 5. Right Honourable THe discharging of our selves of the duty we owe to the Kingdome of England to you as Commissioners from the same moves us to acquaint you with the Kings coming into our Army this morning which having overtaken us unexpectedly hath filled us with amazement and made us like men that dream We cannot thinke that He could have been so unadvised in his Resolutions is to have cast himself upon us without a reall intention to give full satisfaction to both Kingdomes in all their just and reasonable Demands in all those things that concern Religion and Righteousnesse whatsoever be His disposition or resolution you may be assured That we shall never entertaine any thought nor correspond with any purpose nor countenance mee any endeavours that may in any circumstance incroach upon our League and Covenant or weaken the union or confidence between the Nations That Vnion unto our Kingdom was the matter of many prayers and as nothing was more joyfull to us than to have it set on foot so hitherto have we thought nothing too dear to maintain it and we trust to walk with such faithfulnesse and truth in this particular that as we have the testimony of a good conscience within our selves so you and all the world shall see that we minde your interest with as much integrity and care as our owne being confident you will entertaine no other thoughts of us Signed by the Warrant and Command of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland LOTHIAN Southwel May 5. 1646. For the Right Honourable the Commissioners of the Parliament of England In the next place I shall give the Reader a summary narrative of the manner of the discovery of His Majesty to most noble and renowned Generall Lesley Earl of Leven as it was related to the Commissioners of Scotland by the Secretary of the Scots Army and
Peeces Divers Drakes and small Peeces 4000 Armes gathered divers Armes not taken in 40 Barrels of Gunpowder Many thousand weight of Bullets and Lead Match and other Ammunition proportionable and plentifull Little fresh meat onely Poultry and that very scarce Salt meat some plenty but much of it tainted and not fit to be eaten Butter and Cheese some store Beere and Wine many Barrels Corne good store Fewell for fire very little A List of the Lords Knights Colonels and chief of the Gentry that marched out of Newark to their own homes to submit to the Ordinances of Parliament Lords LOrd Bellasis Governour Lord Davencourt Lord Laxington Knights Sir John Burrell Sir Guy Palmes Sir Charles Dalison Sir Robert Dalison Sir Robert Tredway Sir George Hennings Sir Jarvis Skroop Sir Philip Constable Sir Thomas Ingram Sir Bryan Balmes Sir Jarvis Nevill Sir Simon Fanshaw And others Great Clergy-men DOctor Farmer Chancellor of Lincoln Doctor March Dean of Yroke Doctor Hurst and others Chiefe Officers MAjor Generall Eyre Colonell Gilby Colonell Trollop Colonell Herne Colonell Darsey Colonell Atkins And others The most malignant Aldermen of the Towne were The Major of Newark Alderman Atkinson Alderman Standish And others And upon the same ninth of May aforesaid being Saturday we received the certaine intelligence of the surrendering of the Castle of Banbury such another most pestilent pernicious and vexatious den of Theeves and Royall Robbers as was Bazing House in Hampshire and especially most vexatious and pernicious to the Inhabitants of Northamptonshire its next neighbour but now at last I say by Gods great mercy and the valour and vertue of our brave Commanders and Souldiers brought upon its knees of submission being given up to that brave and couragious Commander Colonell Whaley by Sir William Compton then Governovr thereof upon faire and honourable Articles of agreement which was done on Friday May the 8. the substance of those articles also being to this effect That all the Officers were to march away with Horses and Swords but the Common Souldiers without Armes their wearing apparell and half their moneys by just accompt and both Officers and Souldiers to have Passes to any place in England or Wales not beleaguered the City of London excepted and those that desire it Passes to go beyond Sea and that upon these Conditions the Castle of Banbury to be delivered up as aforesaid to Colonell Whaley with all the Ordnance Armes Ammunition and Colours without imbezlement for the use of the Parliament which was accordingly performed on the said Friday in the forenoone And now the Houses taking into their just and serious consideration the great and many mercies of God to us in our Forces and by them also to the whole Kingdome both in thus surrendring Newark and Banbury now in our power and possession and that Tuesday May the 12 having been formerly appointed a day of solemn thankesgiving to Almighty God throughout London and Westminster and 20. miles adjacent round about it for the happie surrender of Exeter and other great mercies not long before conferr'd upon us together with this none of the least of now at last the Lords giving our King into the hands and harbour and custodie of our most Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland It was therefore Ordered that on this said day of Solemn thanksgiving the severall Churches and Chappell 's in the City of London and Westminster and 20. miles about it should likewise give most heartie thankes to the Lord our God for all these subsequent and additionall rich and rare mercies and that Tewsday seven night following being May 19. should be kept as a Solemn day of Thankesgiving by all the Ministers in the Country over the whole Kingdome and Dominion of Wales within the power of Parliament About the 16. of this instant May came Letters from valiant and active Colonell Morgan giving us certaine intelligence of the taking of Hartlebury-castle lying between Dudley and Worcester and was the Bishop of Worcesters seat a hopefull omen for the taking of Worcester it selfe also indue time Which Castle being now surrendred to brave Colonell Morgan the Officers marched forth with Horse and Armes Troopers and Common Souldiers with out Armes and all the rest of the Articles being according to agreement fairely performed on both sides the brave Colonell tooke possession of the Castle wherein also were taken 6. peices of Ordnance 200. Armes 15. barrells of powder match and bullet proportionable and a full proportion of all manner of prosions for 200. men for 6. moneths at least And about the 20. instant we received certaine information by Letters from valiant and active Colonell Birch also of the agreement for the surrender of that strong Castle and Garrison of Ludlow which was delivered on the like conditions to those of Hartleburie And here I must acquaint the Reader that the Lord having by his most wise and admirable providence in some hopefull measure given a blessed returne to all the prayers of Gods faithfull ones over the whole kingdome in bringing in the Person of the King unto us and committing him unto the care and custodie of our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland some sweets of this remarkable overture of these things began now to break forth to the comfort of our hearts for the present and hopefull perswasion if not assurance of more good to follow in the Lords good time as was now manifested both by a Letter sent by his Majestie to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster Assembled which his Majestie desired might be Communicated with Both Houses which accordingly was done at a conference where and when the said Letter was reade and another letter to the Commissionres of the Parliament of Scotland And those being passages of speciall Eminencie and wherein the whole Kingdome may no doubt desire to be in some measure at least satisfied I shall therefore for the Readers content herein be somewhat more larger than Ordinarie though there by I increase both mine owne paines and charges at the presse in giving the Reader the substance of some of them which was as followeth That his Majestie is not come into the Scots Army out of any intent to divide the Kingdomes in affection or prolong the War but that he might secure his person and labour the composing the difference between him and his Kingdoms and settle all well and in regard Religion is the chiefe point he desires that may be first insisted upon and settled according to the advise of the Assembly of Divines of both Kingdoms assembled at Westminster And for the Militia he is willing to concur with that propounded at Vxbridge that it be in such hands as shall be agreed for 7. yeeres And for Ireland he will doe what he can to satisfie desires of that kind And for the disbanding of his Armies and sleighting Garrisons and so avoyding the effusion of more bloud he is willing likewise to
scandalized by a rable of rotten hearted impious and impudent Sectaries of the City and for the super-eminent Excellencie of the Thing it selfe speaking indeede much merited honour for it selfe I have here thought fit to insert it which was as followeth And here first good Reader thou shalt see the honour which the most Honorable House of Lords in Parliament put upon it in giving speciall Order for the speedie printing and publishing of it to all the world and then after it thou shalt have their most noble and ever to be renowned resent and singular approbation and Commendation of it immediately after it Die Martis 26 Maii. 1646. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled That the Remonstrance and Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell of the City of London this day exhibited to the House of Peeres and their Lordships Answer thereunto shall be forthwith printed and published And the care for the true printing thereof is hereby specially recommended unto Colonell John Bellamie who is by this Order authorized and required to print and publish the same accordingly And none else are to presume to print and publish the same as they will answer the contrary at their perils Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum To the Right Honourable the LORDS Assembled in High Court of Parliament The humble Remonstrance and Petition of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common-Councell assembled OUR duty in the first place doth lead us to begin all our Addresses as we most heartily and humbly do these with all due and humble acknowledgement of the great Labours and endeavours which Your Lordships have these many yeers employed in Reformation both of the Church and Common-Wealth and in preservation of both with the humble tender of our constant devotion to serve the Parliament according to our Covenant made before Almighty God In the next place we most humbly crave pardon although we do presume to returne againe unto your Lordships and humbly yet plainly lay open the sorrowes and feares of our hearts even in this season when as God hath blessed your Armies with the greatest successes and that man might perswade himselfe that the War is almost at an end For first when we remember that it hath been long since declared to be farre from any purpose or desire to let loose the golden Reins of Discipline and Government in the Church or to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what form of Divine Service they please when we looke upon what both Houses have resolved against Brownisme and Anabaptisme properly so called when we meditate on our Protestation and Covenant And lastly when we peruse the Directory and other Ordinances for Presbyteriall Government and yet finde private and separate Congregations daily erected in divers parts of the City and elsewhere and commonly frequented and Anabaptisme Brownisme and almost all manner of Heresies Schismes and Blasphemies boldly vented and maintained by such as to the point of Church-Government professe themselves Independent we cannot but be astonished at the swarmes of Sectaries which discover themselves every where who if by their indeavours they should get into places of profit and trust in Martiall and Civill affaires it may tend much to the disturbance of the Publike Peace both of the Church and Common-wealth We also cannot but call to minde what Vowes we have made to God in the same Covenant as well as our former Protestations to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliament and the Liberties of the Kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes that the world may beare witnesse with our Consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just Power and Greatnesse and do humbly rest in the assurance we have received in the many former Declarations of both Houses concerning their intentions towards his Majesty his Royall Posterity and the Peace of this Kingdome which we doubt not but your Lordships will pursue with all speedy dispatch of Propositions to his Majesty now whilst God doth so mercifully and miracuously go along with your Armies in all the parts of the Kingdome We may not in the next place forget our Brethren of Scotland how first they were invited to engage with this Kingdome in Gods Cause when yet they were at peace at home in what Covenant this Nation is mutually linked with them at what time in relation both to the weak condition of our Forces then and the season of the yeare they adventured upon an Enemy warmly lodged and well armed and prepared what they have since suffered for this Cause in their own Kingdome how successefull ever since God hath made our Forces in suppressing the Common Enemies of both Nations and what present hopes we have of a well-setled Peace while we continue in this mutuall amity And then cannot but lament the many jealousies which the Enemies of our Peace Union and good Government do now strive to beget between both Nations and tremble at the sad effects thereof if not timely prevented by the wisdome of the Parliaments of both Kingdomes We cannot also omit humbly to represent unto your Lordships consideration how many Citizens have already suffered and how many more will be undone if your Lordships shall still make use of that ancient Priviledge to protect your selves the Assistants of this Honourable House and the Servants of both and others from being proceeded against in any course of Law for Debt which now because this Parliament hath already sate so long and is likely by reason of the unsettlednesse of affaires to sit much longer would especially require some expedient for relief of so many as otherwise must daily suffer under this Priviledge And now that the Kingdom is almost reduced by which means the Revenues of the Kingdome will be unburthened and the Customes and Excise increase and the publike charge of the Kingdome decrease now that Delinquents do daily come in and compound and now that the Enemy hath but few Holds left we hope that the great and extraordinary Taxes and burthens on this City and their Trade shall be in the future abated that the Debts owing to the City and Citizens of London either by particular Assurances of the Parliament or upon the Publike Faith of the Kingdome be taken care for and discharged as well as those assigned upon the Excise and may not be diverted from the uses appointed by former Acts and Ordinances And we humbly crave have to present to the consideration of this Honourable House the Committee of Haberdashâ—rs-hall as being one of the greatest grievances of this City and which so long as it is continued doth hinder the concoursie of people thereunto and tendeth much to the destruction of the Trade and Inhabitants thereof And now also we doubt not but God
Treaty And how soon soever Religion and Peace shall be setled accordingly our Army and Garrisons shall forthwith remove out of this Kingdome And these things we shall wish may be speedily done and that the Propositions for a safe and well grounded Peace which did for a very short time remaine in our â—ands may now after so long expectation be sent to the King that upon his Royall consent to the desires of his People for setling and securing of Religion and Peace his Majesty may returne to his Parliament here all Armies may be disbanded the heavie pressures of the Subjects ended and the Kingdoms may remaine in a firme Peace and Vnion to all Posterity according to the Solemne League and Covenant 3 June 1646. These most honest and as I conceive most abundantly satisfactory expressions and demonstrations of our honest and loyall Brethren besides all their former faithfull performances of all things promised and protested by them and exacted from them ever since the beginning of comming among us may me thinks give full content and assurance too to us all of their integrity and faithfull intentions to deal most honestly and uprightly with us in all things in the maine I meane especially notwithstanding the most shamelesse and gracelesse calumniating tongues and selfe-seeking ungodly intentions and Satanicall desire of seditious Spirits to make a most sad and scelerous fraction and Division betweene two such Brother-Nations as we are or ought to be But let them take heed who evâ—r they be least the severe and bitter curse of God fall not heavily on their heads and hearts too who thus dare play fast and loose with sacreed Covenants and endevour to separate and that to a most bloody Division those whom God hath so graciously conjoyned for for my part I never reade or heard but that the Lord the righteous judge to whom vengeance belongs did first or last soone or late revenge most sadly and severely perfidious Covenant-breakers But to proceed About the 8. of this instant June a Letter was read in the House of Commons from his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairefax and therein Articles inclosed for the surrender of Bostol Garrison thereof I made briefe mâ—ntion onely before but now is most fully confirmed The Articles were to this effect That the Governour Sir William Campion and all Officers in Commission should march away with their horse and armes and those that desired to goe beyond Sea should have passes and they that desired to make their compositions should be effectually recommended by the Generall to the Parliament that their fines should not exceede two yeares revenue the Common Souldiers to march away without armes to their owne homes Hostages were given for performance of these conditions and the Garrison to be surrendred immediatly to our forces for the use of the King and Parliament And upon the 11. of June a Letter was brought to the House of Commons with Articles of the surrender of Carnarvan Towne and Castle by Byron the Governour thereof to renowned Colonell Mitton and the House after the reading thereof considered of a Governour for the said Garrison and having experience of the integrity valour and fidelity of Colonell Thomas Glyn they nominated and appointed him Governour of the said Towne and Castle Upon intelligence whereof the House of Commons ordered that thankes should be given in all Churches throughout London the next Lords day and likewise for Ludlow Dudley-Castle and Carnarvan About the 14. of this instant June we received certaine knowledge from New Castle of the Kings resolution to give speedie order for the surrendring of all the rest of his Garrisons which yet held out against the Parliament a Copie whereof I have here thought fit to insert which was as followeth CHARLES REX HAving resolved to comply with the designes of the Parliament in every thing that may be for the good of the Subjects and leave no meanes unassayed for removing of differences betwixt us Therefore we have thought fit the more to evidence the reality of our intentions of settling a happie and firme peace to require you upon honourable conditions to quit those Townes Castles and Forts intrusted by you to us and to disband all the forces under your severall commands New-Castle the 10. June 1646. TO our trusty and welbeloved Sir Thomas Glemham Sir Thomas Tidsley Colonell Henry Washington Colonell Thomas Blague Governours of our Townes and Castles of Oxford Worcester Litchfield and Wallingford and all other Commanders of any other Townes Castles or Forts within the Kingdome of England or Dominion of Wales About the 19. of this instant June the Parliament having had much and long debate about the Propositions to be sent to be signed by the King and especially about the settlement of the Militia of the Kingdome at last there was a happy Compliance of Both Houses about it And it was resolved upon the question That the Militia shall be in the power of Both Houses of Parliament for 20. yeares and in case after 20. yeares there be occasion to use Armes by any insurrection at home or forraigne invasion and the Lordâ— and Commons agree thereunto if the King will not concurre yet it shall be Lawfull for the Lords and Commons to proceede in that warre and exercise of that Militia for the safety and peace of the Kingdome And immediately after this the Proposions were by Both Houses of Parliament sent to the Commissioners of Scotland for their assent and concurrence in them And much about the same time there was aspeciall mâ—eâ—ing of the Divines of London and Wâ—stminster and within the Lines of Communication at Zion-Colledge where three of them for all the rest spent 5 howers or there about in prayer to beg direction from God about the acting and putting in execution the Presbyterian Church-Government according to the late Ordinance of Parliament enabling and authorizing them thereunto And some that were present there and Members of that Assembly assured me that they never saw or heard of a more zealous and earnest seeking of the Lord and their prayers were uttered with such fervencie and burning zeale that very many there present were so extraordinarily ravisht in spirit as caused very many teares to be shed and deep and heartily sighs and groanes to be sent up to Heaven And this holy worke being ended they began to debate of the worke to be acted by them and though at first they excepted against some things in the Ordinance of Parliament yet at length by Gods speciall providence it was resolved with an unanimous consent yea Nemine Contradicente to put on the worke and rest upon God and the Parliament for the Composing of what was found wanting by practicall experience onely for the better satisfaction of their owne consciences therein and to shew forth to the whole Church of God as well abroad as at home their advised care therin they immediatly upon it resolved on certaine Considerable Causions on which
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 concâ—â—â—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 waiâ—s one all of one Language in one â—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 ratheâ— 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
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 Catechising which thing both Kingdomes are by Covenant obliged sincerely and really to endeavour and that not for a time but constantly so that neither of the Kingdomes can be loosed or acquitted from the most strait and solemne obligation of their continued and constant endeavouring these good ends so farre as any of them is not yet attained it being also understood that our concurrence to the sending of the Propositions shall be without prejudice to any Agreement or Treaty between the Kingdomes and shall not infringe any engagement made to the Kingdom of Scotland nor be any hinderance to our insisting upon the other Propositions already made knowne to the Houses and it being understood that it is not our Judgement that every particular and circumstance of thâ—se Propositions is of so great importance to these Kingdomes as Peace and Warre should depend thereupon Vpon these grounds which we make knowne only for clearing our consciences and for discharging Our selves in the trust put upon us without the least thought of retarding the so much longed for Peace We condiscend and agree that the Propositions as they are now resolved upon be in the name of both Kingdomes presented to the King whose heart we beseech the Lord wholly to incline to the Councels of Truth and Peace June 25. 1646. Die Veneris 26. Iunii 1646. ORdered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled that the Marquesse of Argyles Speech with the Paper concerning the Propositions be forthwith printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum And at the same time with the foresaid Paper there was another Paper delivered in unto the Parliament being a Letter from his Majesty to the Marquesse of Ormond in Ireland discharging all further Treaty with the Irish Rebels for thus now blessed be God His Majesty was pleased to terme them not Catholike Subjects as formerly and this being a businesse of so high and eminent concernment I have here also thought fit to give the Reader a Copy thereof which was as followes CHARLES REX RIght trusty c. Having long with much griefe looked upon the sad condition which our Kingdom of Ireland hath bin in these divers years through the wicked and desperate Rebellion there and the bloody effects which have ensued thereupon for the settling whereof we would have wholly applyed our selves if the difference betwixt us and our subjects here had not diverted and withdrawne us and not having bin able by force for that respect to reduce them we were necessitated for the present safety of our Protestant subjects there to give you power and authority to treat with them upon such pious honourable and safe grounds as the good of that our Kingdome did then require But for many reasons too long for a Letter We thinke fit to require you to proceede no farther in Treaty with the Rebells nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after sight hereof And having formerly â—ound such Reall proofes of your ready obedience to our commands We doubt not of your care in this wherein our service and the good of the Protestant subjects in Ireland is so much conâ—erned From New-Castle the 11. of June 1646. And upon the 29. of this instant June the Lords and Commons in Parliament held a serious debate and Consultation about the the time and persons by whom to send away the Propositions for a happy Peace among us which now they had quite finished and as was forementioned our Deare Brethren of Scotland had fully and fairely assented unto for his Majesty to sign and confirm unto us And now all these late and last admirable passâ—ges of Divine provicence thus sweetly and amiably concurring to make us a most happy o-that they may make us a most holy people by our gracious and gratefull improvement of them to the best advantage of Gods glory and our best good both for Soule and body I will now most joyfully and thankfully close up all with that of the blessed Prophet David that sacred and sugred Singer of Israel Thou O Lord hast for us turned our mourning into Dancing thou hast put off our Sackcloth and girded as with gladnesse To the end that our Glory may Sing praise to thee and not be silent O Lord our God we will therefore give thankes to thee for ever and ever And thus I a poore weake and most unworthie instrument the meanest I say and most unable of many thousands having now by the good hand and helpe of Divine providence even by the only ayde and assistance of the Lord my good God led you on my Deare Christian brethren thus farre in the full and faire view and perusall of this so famous and renowned historie though I confesse in a very plaine and unpolisht style and in the most blessed and beautifull sight of this admirable and amiable wonder of the Burning-Bush hitherto Vnconsâ—med yea hitherto I say even most miraculously prospered preserved even to a strongly hoped period of our bloody wars and happy enjoyment of sweet and precious Peace I say if now at last Pride wanton ingratitude to God and men I mean mainly our Loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland cut us not short therof in the haven of our hoped happinesse not withstanding all the most violent flames of malice and virulent furie of unreasonable and outragious men yea of such Ephesian Beasts as the holy Apostle Paul was forced to fight with for the vindication of his great Masters immaculate Cause unsported Truth what shall I say more unto you all my deare Brethren the honest and happy Readers of this honourable History the blessed eye-witnesses and possessors of all these rich and rare forementioned mercies I will now most thankfully shut up all with a word or two and but a briefe word or two as having in all my former parts of this Parliamentary Chroniâ—le said so much already in this kinde of Christian Caution and Exhortation to you all in generall as to mine owne soule in particular First then hath our good God out of his meere mercie and free favour and grace in Christ Jesus onely been so bountifull unto us a sinfull Nation as thus to load us with his love even then when we have been loading him with our sins and provocations Hath he thus remembred us in our low estate as not onely to let us be as at this day a Nation a People but a beloved Nation yea even as it were a people desired Hath the Lord not onely given us our lives as a prey unto us but also given our cruell-hearted and bloudy-minded enemies as bread for us to eate and devour And herein fulfilled and made good his Word and Promise to his people That they shall be as mighty men which tread downe their Enemies in the
at that Fight where and when the Earle of Northampton was slaine p. 2. p. 288 82 Sir John Smith brother to the Lord Carington p. ibib 83 Dr. Weston a Phisitian p. 2. p. 263 84 An Earl or such like eminent Personage found slaine in the field at Nasebie fight with a Star and a red Crosse upon his Coat but his name or title not known p. 4. p. 163 164 85 Major Threave p. 4. p 86 Captaine Fry p. 4. p 87 Col. Billingsly p. 4 p. 403 88 Capt. Cottingham p. 4 p. 409 89 Major Caft p. 291 90 Six Priests slain in Bazing House p. 291 91 Lieut. Col. Gardiner p. 4 p. 123 Besides many yea very many more found slaâ—ne on the places and ground where they fought but not named or knowne who they were very many buried by the enemies themselves in the places where they were slaine and very many thrown into rivers and secretly conveyed away out of the Feilds where they fought before their flight and totall routs at least 140. Cart-loads as was credibly related of slaine and sorely wounded carried to Oxford from Newburies first fight many Cart-loads carried away and many buried in Ditches at Brainford fight many also at Dorchester and Causham fights neare Oxford many at Marstonmoores famous fight and very many in many other places too tedious here to recite yea impossible almost to be recited besides such as being left behind in the sields where they fought who being stript appeared plainly to be Gentlemen and men of extraordinary worth and quality both by their pure white skins fine shirts and very rich cloaths but could not otherwise be knowne unto us And let the intelligent and judicious Reader take this observation from this short Catalogue of the thus slaine on the Kings party even of those partly ignorant and partly malignant enemies and opposers of God and his most righteous Cause defended by the Parliament viz. To see and take notice of especially the just revenging hand of God upon our Kingdoms Nobility and Gentry who having been the maine malignant and even Atheisticall enemies of Religion of the power of godlinesse and of a pure and thorough Reformation all along even ever since the first Infant Reformation in Queene Elizabeths dayes of ever blessed memory I say over the whole Kingdome even to these present deplorable times God hath therefore now at length mightily met with them thus by the Sword of Warre whom 'tis more than probable the Sword of Justice in a Legall way would hardly have reached or but sprincklingly and partially for feare or affection or such like 〈◊〉 respects as 't is much to be feared and brought to severe yet most just death and condigne punishment Of which most righteous and remarkable hand of God more yea most immediately and almost miraculously cutting off many of these most impious and audacious malignant and Atheisticall enemies of the Parliamentary Cause even in the very act of their desperate and devillish malignity against the same whosoever would see more they may be most abudantly satisfied even to admiration and astonishment in my First and Second part of A Looking-glasse for Malignants so entituled printed by Mr. John Rothwell Stationer at the Signe of the Sun in Pauls Church-yard in London Anno 1643. and 1645. The like examples whereunto both for manner number and time no Age or History I am confident is able to produce in any part of the world from Adam to this day And here also I conceive it cannot be improper to our present History or impertinent to the yet further manifestation of Gods due glory in his worke of Justice upon the enemies of his Truth and the Kingdomes welfare to give the Reader a briefe Catalogue of all or the most of those Court-Grandees and rotten-hearted Royalists who like so many Rats and Mice fearing the old house of their Traiterous Designes was now ready to fall upon their owne heads to their owne ruine even that the hand of Justice would now lay hold on them and pay them home for all their formerly purposed and practised mischeifes for the ruinating of the true Protestant Religion and their Mother-Kingdomes precious proprieties being now I say by Gods Justice on them made Magor-Missabib Ier. 20. 3. a terrour to themselves and their accursed Copesmares and being stung with selfe-guilt of Conscience and principally to avoid the avengeing stroke of Justice and partly also to practice and perpetrate more mischiefe if possible it might be against the Kingdome abroad as they had done at home Now therefore I say like so many viperous Vermine or naughty Nauseous obstructions upon the stomack of their Native Nation as most trayterous Fugitives they fled away being as it were disgorged and spewed out of the Kingdome as banefull and burthensome thereunto and forced to fly into forraigne parts to prolong a base and most shamefull life and without Repentance to dye a most ignoble and desperate death the names of whom as neare as I could I have here I say collected together and were as followeth Jeremy 46. 15. Why are thy valiant men swept away they stood not because the Lord did drive them away A Catalogue of the names of our Court Fugitives and most pernicious Catalines who fled and were forceably frighted out of the Kingdome for feare of the stroke of Justice 1 QVene Mary her selfe the fautresse and fomenter of all the miseries of the three Kingdomes next to our sinnes 2 The Lord Goring Senior 3 Sir Iohn Finch then Lord chiefe Justice of the Common Pleas. 4 Sir Francis Windebanke principall Secretary to the State 5 The Lord George Digby who afterward ventred to come backe againe but since that flew into Ireland 6 The Earle of Yarmouth Henry Iermine 7 The Lord Percie 8 The Marquesse of New-castle 9 The Lord Widdrington 10 Sir Hugh Cholmley 11 The Lord Goring junior Generall of the Kings Forces in the West 12 Generall Hinderson then lately before Governour of Newarke 13 Master Wat. Mountagâ—e afterward venturing home disguisedly apprehended and imprisoned in the Tower 14 Prince Charles 15 Sir Iohn alias Lord Culpepper 16 The Earl of Huntington 17 The Lord of Loughborough 18 The Earl of Northampton 19 Sir Richard alias Skellum Greenvile 20 Sir Nicholas Crispe 21 Sir Ralph alias Lord Hopton 22 The Lord Wentworth 23 The Lord Capell 24 Sir Endymion Porter 25 Major Generall Taplane or Laplane and very many Officers and Gentry of quality that went away with him 26 Sir William Neave of the Heralds of Arms Officers 27 Master Ashburnham And now also that the Reader yea even Malignant Momus himselfe may see my faithfull impartiality in this works and most renowned History I have here thought fit by way of Antithests or Opposition to set downe and shew forth to open view a most cleare demonstration of Gods most gracious and favourable dealing with the pious Propugnators of his most just Cause even the precious Patriots of their Religion and
Caus-Castle taken by the Committee of Shrewsburies forces and a brave Victory obtained by them besides Sir William Crofts slain A brave defeat given to the Enemies by valiant Colonell Venables in Cheshire Heywoâ—th in Wilts taken by the forces of Sir Tho. Fairfax Sir Thomas Nott slain A sweet and summary recital of all the excellent Parliamentary mercies of this Moneth The Burning-Bush not consumed The Burning-Bush flourishing in flames 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A succinct return of gratitude to God for all the great Parliamentary mercies of this Moneth Isai 42. 13. Chap. 29. 20. Psal 124. 1 2 3 4 5 c. July 1645. A day of humiliation appointed by Order of Parliament kept by the Assembly of Divines in several Churches in London to seek a blessing on our forces in the West At least 29 or 30 Carts load of Popish goods apprehended in a house in Long-Acre neer Covent Garden Our Brethren of Scotlands excellent Remonstrance presented to the King The Heads of it 1. 2. The Garrison of Dudley castle shrewdly put to it and â—orely defeated by our forces and our brethren of Scotland Dudley castle faced outfaced by the Governor of Stafford Carlile surrendred to our brethren the Scots Shrawarden-Castle in Shropâ—shire surrendred to Colon. Macworth Our most renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax and noble Major Generall Massie met neer Taunton Taunton most happily releived a third time Great plenty of provision and a full Market already at Taunton The breif but deserved honour of our renowned Generall A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Barkley castle A pious Petition exhibited to the Parliament by the Inhabitants of Westminster The prosperous successe of our forces at Abbington under the Command of valiant Major Generall Brown Commissioners sent to the Parliament in Scotland a Committee sent to the Scotsh army The famous defeat given to Gorings army at Lang-port in the West The first victorious blow given by renowned Major Generall Massie The prisoners prizes taken at the first onset Major Generall Massies policy in pursuite of his Enemies Our renowned Gen. Sir Thomas Fairfax prepares for a fight The Enemy also drew forth into the field The straits of our forces in the Rivers The effects of the foresaid defeat The Enemy put into an amazed rout flight Major Bethels brave courage and resolution Col. Desborough bravely charges the Enemy helps Major Bethel The Enemy put to â—light The Enemies in their flight most desperately did set the Town of Lang-port on fire Isa 43. 2 3. God the great and only giver of this famous Victory His Instruments therein Major Bethel Major Harrison that brought the news of this victory rewarded Observations speciall serious notes upon this â—amous victory 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. The Western Clubmen The Clubmen come in to the Parliaments party The manner of the celebration of the Solemn Thanksgiving-day in London for the famous Victory over our Enemies at Langport Bridgewater taken by storm A most exact precious return of our Prayers One Mr. Peters presented 3 Commissions to the Parliament taken by Sir Tho. Fairfax in Bridgewater The plot and design of the Clubmen discovered Pontefract Castle surrendred to the Parliament Scarborough Castle surrendred to the Parliament Cannon Froom taken by our Brethren of Scotland A jewel of 500 li. sent by the Parliament to Generall Leven as a badge of honour to him Chadwick house in the West taken Rabby Castle surrendred to the Parliament Bathe also surrendred into the Parliaments possession with the manner thereof A most remarkable return or rather gracious prevention of Prayer Isa 65. Ibid. â— A most singularly pious motion as zealously as piously put into execution The Monethly morning prayers in London religiously begun by reverend Mr. Case The blessed effects and precious returnes of prayer ever since the foresaid free will-offering of daily â—orning prayers began June and July last justly intituled Menses Mirabiles The Burning-Bush not consumed Isa 54 17. Psal 115. Psal 32. 7. August 1645. A brave defeat given to the Enemy by Captaine Allen neer Stamford in Lincolnshire The taking of all the Kings Commissioners as they sate in Counsell at Shaftsbury and were brought Prisoners to Sherburne by Colonel Fleetwood His Excellencies most excellent demeanour with the Kings Commissioners in their Examinations The routing and dispersing of 2500 Club-men by Lieutenant Generall Cromwell upon Hambleton Hill neere Blanford in the West A famous defeat given to the Enemy in Wales by valiant and faithfull Major Generall Laughhorne The Prisoners and Prizes taken at Colby-Moore Haverford-West stormed taken both Towne and Castle Sherburne Castle stormed and taken by renowned Sir Tho. Fairfax The Prisoners and prizes taken The slaine on our side The Parliaments most pious and prudent care for the Reformation of matters in Religion The good condition of our Forces in the North and the Kings Plot there frustrated and his Forces defeated Sir Lewis Dives and Sir George Strangwaies brought prisoners to the Parliament Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Leaguer before Bristoll and the taking of the strong Fort called Ports-head point A brave defeat given to the Enemy neer Redding Ours worsted at the first by false intelligence The Enemy quite routed and a brave victory obtained Valiant Major Fenicks good Service at Bishops Castle in Shropshire The Burning-Bush unconsumed Psal 6â— 6 7. 8 September 1645. A most foul and false projected slander of the Royaiists to abuse the Parliament and people of Wales A day of Humiliation in the Generals Army before the storming of Bristoll Bristoll summoned Bristoll stormed and the manner thereof The disposall of all the Brigades and Regiments about Bristoll The Word Col. Rainsboroughs brave service on his part And Colonell Mountagues on his part Almost all the Town taken Rupert being fled into the Castle desires a Parley The Towne and Castle of Bristoll surrendred on Articles of Agreement Intelligence of the taking of Bristoll brought to the Parliament the Messengers rewarded Thanks returned to God for the thus regaining of the City of Bristoll The strength and Wealth of the City of Bristoll when it was taken The Enemies losse and our gaine at Bristoll Renowned religious Major Generall Skippon made Governour of Bristoll Shrewsburies defeat given to the Enemy at Bridge-North Gods speciall preservation of Lieutenant Col. Phips of Coventry from the danger of the Enemy The sudden most strange condition of Scotland by Montrosse The as sudden and most admirable alteration of things againe in Scotland to Gods glory and that Kingdomes comfort A briefe Relation of the brave and famous Victory obtained by our Brethren of Scotland against Montrosse in Scotland The fight begun Montrosse discomfited 100 Irish shot to death The Earle of Crawford slain The slaine in this Fight on the Enemies side The slaine on our side All Montrosses Bagge Baggage taken Observations on this Fight The relation of inserting this relation of Scotland into this our English
capitulation for joyning of Forces or for combining against the Houses of Parliament or any other private or publike agreement whatsoever between the King upon the one part and the Kingdom of Scotland their Army or any in their name and having power from them upon the other part is a most damnable untruth We shall not need to expresse how improbable it is if there had been any such agreement that the King about the same time should have sent a Message to both Houses offering to come to London and to follow their advice in all things without offering any satisfaction to the Kingdome of Scotland and that before he received the answer of the Houses he should write such a Letter to Ireland and give order to make it knowne not onely to his Privie Councell but to his other Subjects of that Kingdome Nor will we insist how improbable it is that the King should make this knowne to the Marquesse of Ormond and neglect to acquaint the late Earle of Montrosse who had been much more concerned and who would no doubt if he had knowne any such thing have communicated the same to Generall Major Middleton and prevented the defeating of himself his associates and forces about the middle of May after the King was with the Scottish Armie Nor how unlikely it is that he who is for the time Commander in chiefe for the Scottish forces in Ireland should be for the space of seven or eight weeks totally ignorant of any such agreement or if he had known any such thing that he would have communicated it to the Commissioners of the Parliament and immediately marched himself to the fields against the Enemy Nor shall we need to call to minde the expressions in the Lord Digbies intercepted Letters which gave our Nation the character of such as could not be gained to that side no not after all applications used There are other more sure and more publike Testimonies since the date of that lying Paper which make the falsehood of it more than palpable as if divine providence had purposely ordered all the late actions of the Kingdome of Scotland and of their Forces both before and since the third of April to be so many reall confutations of that groundlesse invention Wee meane severall late fights with the Rebels under the late Earle of Montrosse and Allaster Mac Donald the delivery of Newark the restraining and debarring of Delinquents and Malignants from the Kings Person and from our Army the late publike Declarations of the Church and State of Scotland in the beginning of April as likewise of the Generall and Committee with the Army agreed upon about the end of Aprill and published the 15 of May in Scotland against a Band of the Earle of Seaforth and his Associates As for other reasons so especially for this that the said Band did tend to the weakning of the confidence and Union between the two Kingdomes firmly joyned and mutually engaged for assistance to each other in this Cause as may appear more fully by the Declarations herewith presented Nor can we passe the Paper delivered to the King by the Committee of Estates upon the 15 of May last that if His Majestie should delay to go about the readiest waies and meanes to satisfie both his Kingdomes they would be necessitated for their own exoneration to acquaint the Committee of both Kingdoms at London that a course might be taken by joynt advice of both Kingdoms for attaining the just ends expressed in the Solemne League and Covenant We shall say no more of this particular God hath his owne time to make manifest who have dealt sincerely and who falsely and as our Nation did refuse to joyne with the Enemies Forces when they were strongest and did joyn with our Brethren of England in their weakest and most necessitous condition so we shall never look for a blessing from God upon either Nation longer than they continue faithfull to God and to each other according to the Covenant and Treaty And we do confidently expect from the wisdome and Justice of the Honourable Houses that this and such like Papers shall finde no more credit here than Papers and Declarations against themselves did formerly finde in Scotland and that Declarations and publique Papers from the Kingdome of Scotland or their Committees or Commissioners shall have such acceptation with both Houses as they desire Declarations from themselves or Papers from any in their Name may have with their Brethren of Scotland Nor do we doubt but God will dissipate all these clouds of calumnies and mis-understandings endeavoured thereby and will give such a frame of spirit to both Nations as may continue them in a brotherly accord and mutuall confidence for the good both of this and of the succeeding Generations which hath been is and shall be most earnestly wished and faithfully endeavoured by Your very affectionate friends and humble servants Lauderdaill Johnston Charles Erskine Henry Kennedie Robert Barnlay Worcester House the 8. of June 1646. Die Lunae 8 Junii 1646. Ordered by the Lords assembled in Parliament That the Letter of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Dated the 8 of this instant June 1646. shall be forthwith printed and published Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And because there were many suspicions and jealousies loved and fomented in the hearts and uttered too frequently by the tongues of many ill affected ones to our faire loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland That they would not easily be got out of the Kingddome of England no not when our warres were quite ended and we had no more need of them among us as some yea many of them maliciously took upon them to conceive and spatter abroad with their base and busie tongues I have therefore also here thought fit to insert another Letter or Declaration inclosed in the foresaid Letter or Declaration to the Lords in Parliament by the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland as was forementioned which I conceive may and will give faire and full satisfaction touching that suspition also to those that are not too much byassed with prejudice and partiallity which was as followeth IT is not light but grievous to us to heare of any disorders at all committed by any person in that Army how great soever the necessities be unto which they are redacted or that our Army should be any longer burthensome to this Kingdome And we do in the Name of that Kingdome and Army declare and assure That as they came into this Kingdome upon an earnest invitation from both Houses of Parliament and for the ends expressed in the Covenant and Treaty and Declaration of both Kingdoms the close whereof doth expresse the resolution of both to have Truth and Peace setled upon a firme Foundation before their laying down of Arms so their continuance neither is nor shall be made use of to the least encroachment upon the Government of this Kingdome nor to any other ends besides those expressed in the Covenant and
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 superâ—â—ded and the sending of them delayed to a more covenient time as is â—â—pressed in the Votes of both Houses of the twenty sixth of March and â—â—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 â—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
Countries Liberties in collecting as truly and faithfully as I was able a Catalogue of the most eminent Persons and Commonders on the Parliaments Party also as I have done on the Kings who in this the Kingdomes Common calamity have been taken away out of this world of wretchednesse and valley of teares by the Sword of the enemy and so have as it were passed over by that sharp bridge to their long looked for and heartily hoped for heavenly Canaâ—n The most eminent Persons slaine on the Parliaments Party since the beginning of these unhappy Civill Warres 1 THe Lord St. Iohn Part 2 Page 198 2 The Lord Brooke p. 2 p. 272 3 Sir William Fairfax brother to the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax p. 4. p. 33 4 Sir Iohn Meldrum p. 4. p 5 Major Generall Charles Fairfax Sonne to the aforesaid noble Lord Fairfax and brother to our present most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax slaine at Marston-moore fight 6 Colonell Essex p. 2. p. 198 7 Col. Hampden p. 2. p 8 Col. Tucker p. 2. p. 418 9 Lieut. Col. Ramsey p. 2 10 Serjeant Major Quarles p. 2. p. 216 11 Major Stawham a brave Scottish Gent. p. 2. p. 380 12 Major Fitz-Simons p. 4. p 13 Major Bradbury p. 4 p 14 Major Iackson p. 4. p. 123 15 Captain Lacis p. 2. p. 216 16 Cap. Lister p. 2. p. 230 17 Cap. Nuttie p. 2. p. 309 18 Cap. Massie p. 2. p. 410 19 Cap. Hunt p. 2. p. ibid 20 Cap. Oglesby p. 2. p. 221 21 Cap. Williams p. 2. p. 267 22 Cap. Pue p. 3. p. 278 23 Master Hugh Popham p. 3 p. 303 24 Major Haynes p. 4. p. 341 25 Cap. Dove p. 4. p. 257 26 Lieut Col. Ingoldsby p. 4 p. 401 27 Cap. Allen. p. 295 28 Major Francis Sydenham p. 119 29 Col. Iohn Gunter Some few more 't is probable there might be but I professe ingeniously and most sincerely not one more as yet come to my knowledge or spontaneously pretermitted by me in my most sedulous search over the whole Foure Parts of this our Parliamentary Chronologie which I have diligently done as well for satisfaction to the honest-hearted Readers touching the slaine I say on our side as those on the enemies side in which two so vastly discrepant and largely unequall Catalogues both for number and quality though ours I confesse especially considering some of them as most pious Saints and precious Patriots farre transcended the very best of the enemies for spirituall waight and worth the udicious and impartiall religious Reader may see by comparing them both together how the Lord our most righteous and gracious God hath put a difference between the precious and the vile and yet manifesting in some measure for just Causes best knowne to his owne unsearchable wisedome and I am sure for the best good of his beloved-ones every way that as touching the outward stroke of death I say in a Common calamity it hapneth to the good as to the bad and how dyeth the wise man but even as the foole as wise King Solomon witnesseth Ecclesiastes 2. 15 16. Note also yet once againe good Reader for the yet more remarkable manifestation of Gods righteousnesse and mercy in putting another most notable difference between the Army of his enemies and the Army of his Saints and Servants fighting his battailes that as was toucht before and shewne in the Catalogue of the slaine on the Kings fide in the very first set battaile and field fight that was fought by the enemy against the Parliament which was at Keinton or Edge-hill the Kings first great Lord Generall of all his Forces the Earle of Lindsey who should have been the great Atlas and Hercule in-upholder of the Kings so oft pretended and protested just Cause was one of the first that was slaine in that first famous Fight whereas both in that renowned Victory and in all the progresse of these bloody Broyles and most uncivill Civill Warres over the whole Kingdome even I say from that first Fight to this day both our most renowned Generalls I meane his Excellency the Right Honourable Lord Generall Robert Earle of Essex and the renowned Generall his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax that now is have both of them come off hitherto with abundance of honour and renowne not onely free from death but also ever blessed be the Lords wonderfull mercy in it not so much as toucht with the least wound or hurt on their bodies for ought that ever I yet heard to this present day The like also we may most happily and faithfully say of his Excellency renowned Generall Lesley Earle of Leven Lord Generall of the Forces of our loving and loyall Brethren of Scâ—tland the vertuous and Victorious Generall of the forces of the Associated Counties North-easterly I meane the most noble Earle of Manchester and the thrice noble and renowned Generall of our Northerne forces in Yorkeshire the valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax in which remarkable mercy and me thinks most excellent and eminent observation and for all which so rich so rare and singularly sweet free mercies and most admirable dispensations of Gods wonder-working wisedome mercy and justice power and protection over us and thus manifested to and for us a wicked and worthlesse Nation a sinfull and provoking people Blessing Honour Glory and Power be unto Him that sitteth upon the Throne and unto the Lambe for ever and ever Revel 5. 13. Amen and Amen A Table of all the most materiall Passages mentioned in this Fourth Part of The Parliamentary Chronicle And here I desire the Reader to take notice that all the Forts Townes Castles and Garrisons taken since Nasebie Fight are to be found in the particular Catalogue of them before A. ADvance of the Earle of Manâ—hester from York p. 6 Our formidable Army coopâ— up in the West p. 18 â—ur Army plotted against in Cornwall p. 21 Ammunition safely conveyed to Oâ—westree p. 22 A Commitiee for the Army appointed p. 36 An ignoble Act of the Kings in Cornwall p. 38 Array-men in the North surprized p. 39 Augmentation of Ministers meanes p. 41 Sir ' Antheny Ashley-Cooper stormes Sir John Strange-waies house p. 67 Captaine Allen beates the enemy p. 251 Suddaine alteration of things in Scotland p. 270 Alderman Adams chosen Lord Mayor of London p. 282 Abbington Forces beat the enemy p. 93 Assembly of Divines at Westminster p. 319 The Lord Ashton beaten and slaine p. 320 The Army new Modell'd p. 97 Ashbie Cavaliers soundly beaten at Cole-orton p. 104 Apsley-house taken p. 115 Activity of Abbington p. 126 352 132. Our Armies prosperous proceedings in the West p. Assizes of Oyer and Terminer revived p. 364 Admiralty of the Sea taken into consideration p. 143 A brave defeat given to the enemy at Axminster p. 70 Our Armies good successe in Cornwall p. 378 The answer of Sir Thomas Fairfax to Hoptons demands p. 393 Our Armies march Eastâ—â—rd out of Cornwall p. 400 Prosperous Affaires in Scotland