of another and could not charge above twice but were at push of pike The Enemies foot gave a little back and so did some few of ours and in the beginning of the fight the day was very doubtfull but then the right wing of our Horse wherein the Generall was in person charged in the flanck of the blew Regiment of the Enemies foot who indeed stood to it to the last man abundance of them being slain and all the rest surrounded wounded and taken prisoners These who were the very hope of their Infantry being lost horse and foot gave back But heer also the fight continuing with equall might and courage for the space of lesse than half an houre they had somewhat shattered our left wing and made them give back and were almost masters of our Artillery And heer as wee have it from credible relation a party of the enemies brake through our left wing of Horse came quite behinde our Rear of our Train the Leader of them being a person somewhat in habite like our Generall in a red Montero as our Generall had Hee came as a friend and our Commander of the guard of the Train went with his hat in his hand and asked him how the day went thinking verily hee had been our Generall The Cavalier who wee since heard for certain was Rupert asked him and the rest if they would have quarter whereupon they cryed no gave fire instantly and most bravely beat him off making him flie for his life and his companions But as I toucht before our right wing had done more upon them and besides our left wing bravely recovered their strength and ground and within half an houre or a very little more wee had quite driven them out of the field and so broken all their foot that wee verily beleeve there went not off a hundred in any one party or body After this first hot shock so received they rallyed again and put their horse into a posture to charge us which party wee were assured the King himself led up and charged with but What will hee doe when hee shall goe about to charge against God and his Countries best friends For this body was also as the rest of them possest with such a fear that though the King in that foresaid rallying of this body cryed out unto them Face about once more and give one charge more and recover the day But heer also it most mercifully pleased the Lord that the fresh forces of valiant and active Colonell Rossiter most fortunately came in unto us before the battail was quite ended who being all I say fresh men and unexpectedly falling on did admirably help to complete the Victory and to pursue the Enemy with their fresh horse with great slaughter even within the sight of Leicester So they by Gods great mercy together with our horse and foot came on I say with such impregnable and invincible courage that wee made them all fly again and wee after the breech of them killing as fast as wee could all wee found in armes and heer happy was hee that was best mounted to flye fastest for the renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax and valiant Major Generall Skippon fell sorely upon them and magnanimous Leivtenant General Cromwell pursued their horse with a full carreir about 12 or 13 miles at least even within 2 or 3 miles of Leicester the longest pursuite that ever was since this unhappy Warrebegan Thus by Gods infinite mercy wee had a great and wonderfull victory yea as great as ever since the warre began if not greater Which Victory as it is in the first and prime place to bee most justly attributed to our good God alone as the chief Cause and giver of it unto us So also in the next place to his valiant instruments and whom God only made so valiant and victorious over their Cavalierian Enemies and of these in the first place renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax hath merited exceedingly shewing such courage and resolution as hath rarely been seen in any which truely did so animate the Souldiers by his undaunted example as is hardly to bee exprest for certainly had you seen him and how his spirit was raised it would have made an impression in you never to bee obliterated God knows it is not heer hyperbolized but a reall Truth And as for Major Generall Skippon hee also did as magnanimously and valiantly as man could doe and was a great terrour to the Enemy receiving a wound in his side by a Musket bullet in this fight but blessed bee God not mortall onely an indelible badge of Honour unto him Valiant Leivtenant Generall Cromwell also did admirable bravely in this fight hee and his right wing of horse having expressed incomparable gallantry in this fight even to the amazement of their adversaries Yea and to speak the truth all our Officers and Souldiers did as bravely and courageously as could bee Commissary Generall Ireton did valiantly also behave himself in this fight and was sorely wounded but not mortally and so was Colonell Butler both of undaunted courage and did singularly well in this great service But I would not willingly attribute more to one Commander than to another for indeed as I toucht before they did all as gallantly as ever men on earth could doe and so did the Enemies foot which before the battail wee least valued Rupert and Maurice having at least 2000 horse more than wee had that charged fiercely on us at first but were so well received by ours though at first our left wing gave back a little that their hearts were broken at the very first especially by the thicknesse of our reserves and their orderly and timely comming on And thus wee having taken 8 peices of Ordnance in the field whereof 2 were Demi-Cannons one whole Culverin wee also possest all the rest of their Ordnance and their Carriages bagge and baggage abundance of Coaches and rich plunder whereof more anon more particularly Carts and Boates and great store of Bisket and Cheese a seasonable refreshment for our honest Souldiers that had marched so hard the day and night before and had not had a bit of bread to a Regiment for their refreshment thus the Foot and all the Train marched that night to Harborough about 4 miles from Naseby where then the head-quarter lay It was credibly conceived by the testimony of those that saw it and purposely viewed Immediately after the fight that from the battle to Harborough there were not slain above about 700. together with those slain in the field running away but in the pursuite between Harborough and Leicester at least 3 or 400 more were slain abundance of them sorely wounded and divers persons of note or quality fell among them one with a Starre and a red-Crosse on his Coat conceived to have been the Duke of Lenox but it was not hee 4 Lords came mortally wounded as was credibly reported to
hands and handle not And that word of God was made good in the enemy who upon the Storme had not strength to handle their weapons to defend themselves but were delivered to the mercy of our souldiers A great part of the Pillage was sold to the Country people who likewise had a good part of the prey and carried many Cartloades away The House burnt downe and demolished After the reading the Letters of Bazing the House began to debate of some further timely service of the gallant valiant and religious Souldiers which might be done in those parts for the better cleering the passage into the West and the result of all was that Letters should be written to severall Committees to joyne forces with those that stormed Bazing for the taking of the Castle of Dennington c. The House likewise ordered that the Ministers in the severall Churches and Chappell 's in London and Lines of Communication should on the next Lords day in their severall Churches and Chappels give thankes to God for his great mercy in delivering up Winchester and Bazing House into our hands And about the 12. of this instant October we had certaine intelligence by letters from Gloucester that the valiant Active and faithfull Governour therof Colonell Morgan the most worthy Successour therein of even to be honoured Major Generall Mâ—ssiâ— with about 300. horse and 400. foot part whereof was sent unto him by the then deputie Governour of Bristol Colonell Fleet-wood assisted also by the Monmouthshire men having taken the towne of Chepstow besieged and summoned the Castle but the Governour thereof Colonell Fitz-Morris returned a peremptorie negative answer whereupon valiant Colonell Morgan planted 2 great peeces of Ordnance and a morter-peece for batterie and made a breach into the Castle whereupon the Governour sent presently to desire a parley but Colonell Morgan as presently returned answer That now it was too late whereupon all the Souldiers issuing forth fell downe upon their knees crying Quarter quarter for Gods sake and wholly referred themselves to the Generalls mercy and the Castle was instantly surrendred to him There were in the Castle Colonell Fitz-Morris the Governour Major Bridgeman and an 106. Common Souldiers who were all carryed prisoners to Gloucester They took besides in the castle 30 horse and their furniture 18. peeces of Ordnance great and small 16. barrells of Gunpouder 2 Harque bushes 6. tun of lead great store of fire-workes 30. beefs in powder 30. barrells of salt 4000. waight of bisket a butt of Sack 3. Hogsheads of Methegline 4. Hogsheads of beere and Ale 70. bushels of Oat-meale 10. bushells of Pease and Beanes and 30. bushels of Wheat many firkins of butter 400. waight of cheese with store of other provisions and ammunition And we were about the same time for certaine informed that Sir Trevor Williams and very many Gentlemen of Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire had freely and faithfully declared themselves for the Parliament and as a testimonie thereof had raised 1500. Souldiers out of both those Counties for the Parliaments service and resolved suddenly to besiege Monâ—â—th the effects whereof you shall see fully related in its proper place And thus we see how triumphantly the Lord now rides on in glorie for the blessed advancement of his Great Cause ever magnified and praised be his great and most glorious name therein The Messenger that brought this welcome Newes to the Parliament was rewarded by them with the gift of 10 l. for his paines in the journey And the House also most piously and gratefully ordered that thankes should be given to Almightie God on the Lords-day then next ensuing for the happy surrender of Chepstow Towne and Castle as also of Winchester and 〈◊〉 And they farther ordered that thankes and a reward should be sent to that faithfull and valiant Commander Colonell Morgan A right way indeed to thrive and proceed victoriously and successfully where God is in his mercies exalted and vertue and valour is not left without honour and reward About the 14. of this instant October the Vote in Parliament for sending forth writâ— for the election of new Members of the House of Commons for filling up the vacancie of those that were Deceased or had perfidiously deserted the House was put in execution and a Letter being read in the House of Commons sent from the Major of Sandwitch by a Member of the House of Peeres to procure the election of a Member to sit and serve in Parliament of his nominating according to the writ sent downe thither for that purpose Whereupon the Commons on serious debate on this businesse referred the same to the Committee of Priviledges the result wherof was That it was ordered that for the future a Copie of the Order of the House of Commons made in Anno 1641. should be sent downe with all writs for new elections A Copie of which Order for the Readers better satisfaction and for the clearing of our most renowned Parliaments integrity in this as in all other their faithfull managing of the States-affaires I have here inserted which was as followeth WHereas the House of Commons hath received Information that Letters from Peers are directed to Boroughs that now are to 〈◊〉 Elections of Members to serve in this Parliament They conceived that all Letters of that nature from any Peeres of this 〈◊〉 doe necessarily tend to the violation of the Priviledges of Parliament and the freedome of Elections of the Members that ought to serve in the House of Commons and doe declare That notwithstanding such Letters all Persons to whom Elections of Knights and Burgesses do belong ought to proceed to their Elections with that freedome which by the Lawes of the Realme and of Right they ought to doe and do expect that if any such Letters from any Peeres of the Realme shall hereafter be sent unto them That the parties receiving the same shall certifie the contents thereof or bring the Letters themselves to the Speaker of the House of Commons Octob. 10. There came a Letter from Abington to renowned Major Generall Brown the most worthy Governour thereof being then in London of a gallant peece of Service performed by that brave Garrison against the Enemy at Farringdon the particular whereof take in the said Letter sent from valiant and active Colonell Paine the said Major Generals Deputy Governour which was as followeth SIR The last night viz. Tuesday 14 instant I marched forth with a party of Foot and all our Horse to Farringdon where we came so neere the taking of that Garrison that I my self heard the Enemy earnestly call to draw up the Bridge our Foot being then within a stones cast of them before they could draw it up yet we lost not our labour for we bickering and skirmishing with them there tooke about 100 Horse of theirs foure Captaines one Lieutenant foure Quartermasters one Serjeant 17 Troopers eight Foot Souldiers and one Drum in all about 37 Prisoners and slew two upon
the World And the Generations that are yet to come shall pay tributary-Honours to their Ashes And O that this present Generation would plant a Field of ever-flourishing Laurell and fragrant Bayes unto them and tell their Children These are for Garlands to deck the browes of all these our renowned Worthies who have not been afraid to look Death in the face for the preservation and maintenance of their more than Life precious Gospell and Liberties 6 To God ANd now again in the last place as in the first since the Lord JEHOVAH our Great and Glorious Wonder-working God is and ought to bee the Alpha and Omega of all things in Heaven and in Earth And is indeed the Authour and Finisher both of our Faith and of all our Felicity And hath so freely and so fully wrought and done All our Works in us and for us And so admirably raised up all these Saviours the Means and Instruments to bee thus happily and successefully assistant to us For all these so rich and rare for all these so many and marveilous Blessings Benedictions and Preservations thus graâ—ciously and gushingly flowing out and powred down upon Vs Therefore I say to This only Wise God of Peace and Power this unexhaustible overflowing Fountan of Free Grace and Goodnesse whose Wayes are unsearchable whose Power is unreâ—istible and whose unlimited Love and boundlesse Bounty is unexpressible Who hath thus done abundantly above All that wee were able to ask think or desire much lesse in the least measure to deserve according to the Power of his Spirit wherby hee is able indeed to doe All Things To Him Alone and Altogether bee all Honour and Glory Dominion and Praise with all holy Reverence and Universall Obedience in the Church of God by Jesus Christ throughout all Generations even worldwithout end Amen and Amen THE SONG of MOSES PARAPHRASTICALLY And Metrically applyed to our Present-Purpose AS A Preparative whereunto let mee beseech every Religious Reader of this Parliamentary Chronicle to rouse up his Soule and raise up his Spirit with this fervent and affectionate ejaculation of holy David that Sacred and Sugred Singer of Israel Psal 57. 7 8 9 10. My heart is fixed O God my heart is fixed I will sing and give Praise Awake up my Glory awake Psaltery and Harp Yea I my self will awake right early I will praise thee O Lord among the People I will sing unto thee among the Nations For thy Mercy is great unto the Heavens And thy Truth reacheth unto the Clouds THE Song of Moses paraphrastically applyed in Meeter to our present purpose IF ever Moses had just cause to sing The high-tun'd praises of heavens glorious King When God his Israel out of Egypt brought And with strong Arme and mighty Wonders wrought Them from tyrannicall Tax-masters freed And their Deliverance long before decreed Had now completely brought to passe with Fame And all his People gladly saw the same Themselves secure on Land their Foes all drown'd And they had thus Gods Promise faithfull found Then sure as justly it to us belongs With as enlarged-hearts to sing such Songs Even us I say Gods English-Israel It ev'ry-way befits becomes as well To magnifie and Omnifie Heavens name And with incessant sounds of Trumps of Fame With Voice and Verse with tongues and hands and hearts Triumphantly to put forth our best-Parts And with God-pleasing Moses thus to sing The endlesse praise of heavens eternall King The Song SIng praise sing praise unto Jehovah high For hee hath triumphed most gloriously O're all our foes The horse and Rider Hee Hath tumbled down to deepest misery Yea all the rotten-Routâ— of Romanists Papists and Prelates Atheists Royalists And mad-Malignants voyd of Grace or Sense To whom God now hath made just recompense The Lord is our sure-strength and pleasant-Song And unto him yea him alone belong The precious praise of our Salvation sweet Hee is our God let us as is most meet Prepare for him a holy Habitation Who is our God yea God of all our Nation Let us make holy-haste to edifie His glorious Church in worships purity For sure the Lord 's a Man of War most stout The Lord God is his Name the world throughout The proudest Princes that against him rose The strongest stoutest hosts of furious foes With all their boldest bravest Captains Hee Hath drown'd and drencht in Seas of misery And like a Stone made them sink deep and fall Death and destruction hath them swallowed all The Right hand of the Lord is most Victorious The Right hand of the Lord is strong and glorious And full of Power and Might and Majesty To dash in peices each proud Enemy And in the Greatnesse of thy glorious Might Thou hast o're thrown all that against Thee fight And mad'st their swelling Pride but as a Bubble And by thy Wrath consumedst them like stubble And with thy Nostrills easie Breath and Blast The swelling Waves were like great Banks up cast And made on heaps to stand up like a Wall And so congealed that they could not fall And when thine Enemies which saw this sight Stuft and stirr'd up with rancour rage and spight Said in themselves So so I 'le now pursue I 'le overtake and make them All to rue I will divide the spoile and satisfie My utmost Lust upon them till they dye I 'le draw my Sword and quickly them destroy My hand shall bring them all to dire annoy And thus O thus did ouâ— proud Enemies Resolve o're us to treaâ— and tyrannize All England Scotland Ireland quite to foil And ' mongst themselves soon to divide the Spoil But in the midst of their insulting Pride The Lord Jehovah blew brought back the tyde Turn'd all those Watery Walls to liquid Waves And made the Ocean the eternall-graves Of all his Israels foes who sank like Lead Into the Seas vaste depth till they were dead O therefore who Great God in like to Thee Who ' mongst all gods to Thee compar'd may bee In Holinesse most glorious and in Praise Most fearfull Working Wonders in our dayes When Thou thy powerfull Right hand stretchest out Thou mak'st the Earth devour thy Foes most stout But Thou in thy rich Grace dost lead along Thy Chosen Flock and them redeem'st from wrong And in thy strength dost them most safely guide And in thy holy Habitation hide The Heathens shall this hear and bee afraid With woe shall Palestina bee dismaid The Dukes of Edom shall astonisht bee And when as Moabs mighty Men shall see Gods mighty Wonders they shall tremble All The Canaanites shall moulder melt and fall Even France and Spain and Rome and Denmark bold Shall bee amaz'd when they the things behold Which God hath dâ—ne for England Scotland and Malignants all shall thus astonisht stand And fear and dread shall them soon overtake And Gods strong Arm as still as Stones them make Till all thy People Lord passe over free Till they passe over purchased by Thee Till Thou hast
those most barbarous and bloody Canibals the Rebels of Ireland O the sad tragedies perpetrated and acted there in those parts by the Russels Brunts Canningâ— and other inhumain Cavaliers of that County by the Giffords in Stoffordshire the Tayâ—ors and Barnses in Warâ—â—ickshire the filthy French Walloones and all other sorts of blood-thirsâ—y Villaines in all parts I say where the ravenous and all-ruining Royalists get and keep pernicious power and preheminence witnesse their horrid and hideous crueltiâ—s and more than Turkish barbarities acted in Oxfordprisâ—ms in Marlborough Newbury Redding when t was in their helliâ—h hold Marâ— field Glocâ—sâ—eâ— shire Bathe the Vizes Sommersetshirâ— Devon and Cornwall in none of all which places is permitted any free Trading no powerfull Preaching no comfortable or quiet living but as I said the clean contrary And now sâ—riously and sadly put both these two conditions together as white to black and light to darknesse yea even as representative heaven to hell and then tell mee O thou most obdurate-hearted and Mole-eyed Malignant if thou bee but Comâ—os mentis if I say thou art not stark maâ— whether this one and only consideration were there no more bee not enough in meer common sense and reason to open thy blinde eyes and cause thee to see thy grosse errour most pestiâ—ent prejudice and unreasonable rage and rancour against the wayes of God and work of Reformation the great Cause and businesse of this present most pious Parliament so injuriously and so unjustly maligned and abused by thee God in mercy at length open thine eyes to see thy folly and madnesse and to bee truly humbled for it But to proceed Now much about the 14 of this instant came certain intelligence from that valiant and vigilant Commander Colonell Fox how that a party of his being drawn out by Captain Tudman marâ—hed toward Hartlebury-Castle and there salling upon a party of the enemies took prisoners Sergeant Whitlework and 4 others That another Captain of his namely Captain Johnson marched with a party of Horse to joyn with the Coventry forces for the securing of Asherton Fair heer 's another particular confirmation of the truth of what was forementioned from the Lord Loughboroughs or rather Rob-carryer Hastings and Litchfield Forces Which Fair though with much adoe was secured wherein Colonell Foxes Souldiers commanded by Captain Johnson aforesaid unhorsed Colonell Lane a Litchfield Commander brought away his Horse Pistols Cloak and Bever the Colonell himself being sorely wounded if not slain was with no small strugling at length rescued by a strong party and so carryed off to Litchfield but his chin was cut off in the fight his arm shot and his head sorely wounded and hee therefore deemed unlikely to live Much also about the 16 of this instant that ever to bee honored and approved Patriot of his Country Alderman Pennington then Leivtenant of the Towre of London having been brought into no small perplexity and trouble by the sudden and silent escape out of the said Towre of those two bloody Rebells the Lord Macquire and Machmahoon by the assistance of that most worthy Knight Sir John Clâ—tworthy a Gentleman also of a most publick Spirit and known integrity and a member of the House of Commons in Parliament who having private intelligence of the said Lord Macquire and Macmahoons place of residence where they had been securely hâ—â—boured ever since they got out of the Towre both these worthy Gentlemen and eminent Patriots suddenly and secretly got together the Trained Bands of Ludgate-Ward in London and with them expeditiously beset one Mr. Clouds house a Painter or Picture drawer in Drurie-Lane on all sides Clowde himself being out of Town reported to bee beyond Sea but beleeved to bee with the King hee being a known Papist and one of a great estate Now the house being round beset as aforesaid Alderman Pennington and Sir John Clotworthy with some others went into the said house and instantly found the two bloody Rebels eating Oysters on whose persons they instantly and joyfully seized especially the Leivtenant of the Towre whom their apprehension most neerly concerned and with the foresaid Trained Band guarding them along the streets to the Towre again where again they safely lodged and lockt them up till their farther triall for their lives which shortly after followed There were also found at the same time in the said Clowds house that Popish cloud that had hidden those two grand bloody Rebels in his house so long the pictures of filthy Father Corbet forsooth and devillish Ducket his copesmate two Irish-priests that had been hanged drawn and quartered at Tiburn but the Sessions before this apprehension of the said Irish-Rebels both those Villaines pictures being very fairly set forth in Oyle-colours so madly doe the Romish sots and slaves of the Pope dignifie if not Deifie such abominable base and bloody Trentine-Traitors Romes cursedly Canonized lying-martyrs which Pictures I my self saw in my ever most honoured friends house Sir John Wollastone then the most honourable Lord Major of London About the 18 of this instant September divers of the reverend and truely religious Ministers of the City of London to a very considerable number presented a petition to the House of Commons in Parliament for a full and speedy reformation and uniformity in Doctrine Discipline Worship and Government of the Church of England wherein among many other things they religiously remonstrated that by reason of many most dangerously erronious opinions ruinating Schismes and damnable heresies as Anabaptisme Brownisme Antinonianisme Socinianisme Libertinisme and Independency most unhappily revived and crept in among us and much fomented both in City and Country the Orthodox Ministery and truely pious and painfull Pastours were much neglected and contemned the people seduced congregations torn asunder families distracted rights and duties of Relations both nationall civill and spirituall very scandalously violated the practicall power of godlinesse greatly decayed Parliamentary authority was much undermined fearfull confusion introduced imminent destruction threatned and in part inflicted on us lately in the West as a sign of Heavens high displeasure at us for our most unthankfull and wanton quarrelling among our selves and thereby retarding of so great and glorious a work so much conducing to Gods high honour and the Kingdomes best security And therfore they desired as a soveraign remedy for the removall of these present distempers and growing evills and the prevention of their farther progresse the serious expediting of a Directory for publick-worship and to accelerate the establishment of a pure and Apostolicall Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the best Reformed Churches and to endevour to take away all obstructions that might impede and retard the same Which petition was read in the House and the Petitioners called in and had thanks returned them with assurance how earnest the Parliament hath been to establish Church-Government as was desired which was most notably evident both
upon a party of the Enemies horse but then newly come from Oxford to doe some mischeif in those parts of whom divers were taken prisoners by the said valiant Captain Redman and the rest soundly beaten among those that were taken prisoners were Sir John Feunick Sir Thomas Strickland the Lord St. Paul a Frenchman and 15 more some were slain and many wounded the rest ran like brave Oxonians to save themselves but they left behinde them at least 30 horse and a rich Sumpter together with good quantity of Armes and Ammunition And at the same time wee were certainly informed that Knaresborough castle in Yorkeshire was surrendred to the thrice noble and renowned Lord Fairfax and in it good store of Armes powder and Ammunition with some Ordnance and other good booty viz. especially some hundred pounds in ready money and about 1500 pounds worth of Plate silver and guilt And about the 26 of this instant December wee were certainly informed by Letters from Radcastle that those 2 most loyall and renowned Commanders Sir Thomas Middleton and Colonell Mitton had taken a strong Garrison of the Enemies neer Mountgomery called Abby-cumhire This House had formerly been a Romish-Abby and was strongly built of stone upon their first comming before it they summoned it but upon the Enemies denyall to surrender Sir Thomas Middletons and Colonell Mittons old Souldiers assisted by Colonell Beal and Leivtenant Colonell Carters souldiers who were then lately come to them out of South-Wales and with brave resolution fell upon the Enemy and stormed and took the House in a short time where they took prisoners Colonell Barnard Governour of the Castle Hugh Floyd Esquire a Commissioner of Array in those parts and High-Sheriffe of that County and one of those that were excepted by the Proposition for Peace at Vxbridge to have no pardon 2 Captaines of Foot one Captain of Horse a Captain Leivtenant 3 Leivtenants a Foot Colours one Cornet of Horse 4 Sergeants 8 Corporalls 2 Trumpetters 4 Drums 60 common Souldiers 3 barrels of powder 60 firelocks 40 Horse 40 horse armes besides 200 Muskets and some other armes and ammunition By the taking of which said strong Garrison the Counties thereabouts are freed from much danger of their cruell Enemies who had before used many of the inhabitants with much severity About the 28 of this instant wee received credible information by Letters out of Staffordshire that Captain Stone the valiant Governour of Eccleshall castle having intelligence that some parties of the Enemies were abroad out of Tongue castle hee thereupon marched out of Eccleshall with a party of horse found them and fell upon them and in the fight slew divers of them took prisoners the Governour of Tongue castle divers Officers 200 common Souldiers and 50 horse with some other good booty And by Letters out of the West wee were farther informed about the same time that Major Dewet performed a brave exploit upon the Enemy at West Dean which was thus related Sir our brave-spirited Major but shortly after this a base apostate from us marched with his men from about Malmsbury toward our Garrison by West-Dean and by the way hee fell upon a quarter of the Enemies at Rushall neer Vphaven where there were quartered about 36 of Captain Paddons Troop who entituled themselves The Wiltshire Troope where after some hot and testy dispute he took prisoners Leivtenant Borrow Leivtenant of Horse commanding the Troop George Warner a Reformado Captain a Leivtenant of Foot 2 more Reformado Officers 6 Troopers 20 good horse and armes and other good prize for his Souldiers without the losse of any one man or horse on his side And about the same time wee had farther certain intelligence of another brave exploit performed against the Newarkers by valiant Colonell Thorney and the Nottingham Forces who took a considerable Garrison from the Enemies neer Newark viz. Sir Roger Coopers House and in it Sir Roger himself and his brother and 50 prisoners with their armes and ammunition And about the 30 of this instant December an Agent of the most illustrious Queen of Sweden was admitted with honourable reception into the Parliament the representative Body of the Kingdome of England with his Letters to the Parliament from the said most Royall Princesse which were then opened and after the translating of them out of the Latine-tongue in which they were writen they were read in Parliament The effect and substance of which was That the said thrice noble Queen of Swethland with her Nobles and whole State desired to associate themselves and to keep faire and loving correspondence with the Parliament and State of England and to enter into the Solemn League and Covenant with them for the mutuall defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion A rare mercy indeed thus to see another Protestant Kingdome desire to joyn with us in this blessed work of setting the Lord Christ upon his Throne as our most loyall and loving brethren of Scotland have done to the high honour and glory of God and good of his Church And with this so sweet a mercy I shall heer most fitly close up this moneths most famous blessings on this Burning-Bush the Parliaments honest and upright Cause And heer now therefore good Reader let mee intreat thee to make a little stay and therein to stand amazed at this even senseastonishing Parliamentary-wonder to see and consider in this one Moneths contemplation thereof this Burning-Bush thus still Vnconsumed I mean the Parliaments just Cause and quarrell in the middest of so many devouring flames of bloody bickerings and perfidious plots and trecheries as have been fore-mentioned to stand upright still undestroyed yea contrariwise more and more flourishingly and fairly corroborated and fixed at the root the blessing of him that dwells in the Bush thus admirably still preserving and protecting it from constantly contrived and intended ruine and destruction Upon the serious sight and pious pondering whereof O what great cause have wee with holy David to break forth into a holy and hearty extasie of joy and admiration as wanting words to expresse sufficiently the many and mighty mercies of our God and to sing and say How excellent O Lord is thy loving kindenesse how powerfull is thy protection therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings They are abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thy house and thou dost make them drink of the rivers of thy pleasure And thou O Lord art hee alone that dost encompasse us still with songs of deliverance But now to proceed and set forward to the farther sight and contemplation of the succeeding wonders in and upon this our thus Burning Bush in this ensuing Moneth of January 1644. ANd first I shall begin heer to remember my Reader that as God had lately before begun to cut off in a Judiciary way one most pestilent plotter and dangerous Malignant Incendâ—ary who had not Gods
and sorrowfull accidents lately falne out in the Kingdome to the great greit of the best Members thereof laying down also in their prudent and provident thoughts some most probable grounds and causes of all those sad and sorrowfull losses which had notwithstanding all our undeniable precious mercies fore-mentioned befalne the Parliamentary Cause a true representation therefore still of the Burning-Bush Vnconsumed and humbly therfore tendring the conceived remedies thereof and the likely prevention of more by Gods gracious assistance if seriously and seasonably seen unto Which Petition for the excellency thereof and for the Readers better content and satisfaction together with the Parliaments most fair and favourable answer thereunto I have thought fit heer to insert which was as followeth To the Right honourable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House of Parliament The humble Petition of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons of the City of London in Common Councell Assembled Sheweth THat the Inhabitants of this City and parts adjacent are generally most deeply sensible of these pressing miseries under which they and the whole Kingdom now groan And that imminent ruine which is comming upon both through the releiving of Chester the unexpressible losse of Leicester the barbarous cruelty executed there the danger of the rest of our Garrisons and well-affected thereabouts and the increasing and prevailing of the Enemy by Sea and Land like a mighty Torrent That among other causes which have had a deep influence upon this most sad posture of our condition the said Inhabitants apprehend that the not compleating of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Army according to an Ordinance of Parliament in that behalf the want of such a Committee in that Army as may give our Commanders in cheif power and encouragement to improve all present advantages without attending Commands and Directions from remote Councels The calling back of Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and Major Generall Brown when they were pursuing the Enemy The not advancing of our Brethren of Scotland into these Southern parts The great decay of Trade and discouragements of Merchants for want of a constant convey His Majesties publishing his sense of the proceedings at the late Treaty and the Parliament not publishing their sense thereof And their resolutions against free trade by Sea to such Ports as are or shall bee in the power of the Enemy have been the cheif That great numbers of those Inhabitants have lately expressed their earnest desires by Petition and otherwise to the representative body of the City in Common Councell Assembled That this their deep sense and apprehensions might bee forthwith made known to both Houses of Parliament Their humble suit that the remedies may bee speedily considered of and effectually executed and their resolutions according to all former expressions that they will not think their lives nor any thing they possesse too dear to hazzard for your encouragement and preservation Thereupon the Petitioners for prevention of further miseries inconveniencies and the utter ruine of the Parliament of this City and Kingdome make it their humble request to this Honourable House That care may bee taken for the speedy recruiting of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army and for his encouragement That such a Committee may bee sent with that Army as may give our Commanders in cheif of whose faithfulnesse the Kingdom hath had so large testimony power and encouragement to improve all present advantages aforesaid That the said Army or such part thereof as in your wisdome shall seem meet may bee ordered forthwith to march towards our enemies in the field as well for the regaining of Leicester if it bee possible before it bee made impregnable by fortifications as also for prevention of the Enemies further surprizing of other places of strength and destroying the rest who have appeared in defence of the Parliament and for preservation of the Kingdom That our Brethren of Scotland may bee more earnestly prest to march Southward That Leivtenant Generall Cromwell may presently have power to raise and command the Association untill such other course bee taken as may tend to the safety of those Counties and of this City and Kingdome That the Navy may bee so ordered as may encourage Merchants and advance Trade by having constant convoyes That the proceedings of the late Treaty may bee forthwith published by the Parliament and their resolution against free Trade as aforesaid And the Petitioners as in duty shall pray c. Vera Copia H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. Die Mercurii Junii 4. 1645. Resolved c. THat the Answer to the Petitioners shall bee That the House will take the particulars of the Petition into serious consideration And doe return them Thanks for their good affections And as to their desire of leave to present the like to the House of Peeres this House leaves it to themselves and to their own discretion H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. About the 8 of this instant June wee had credible information by Letters out of Cheshire that a party of the Enemies forces about Chester were sent out by Byron the Governour of Chester some few miles a forraging into the Country thereabout and especially to Broxton hundred with imperious Warrants to fetch in Contribution-money where they plundered all they could finde worth carrying with them and took divers of our men prisoners Wherof Leivtenant Colonell Venables hearing hee made use of this opportunity and marched forth with a party from Tarvin and having got between the Enemies and the Town hee charged them with such courage and resolution that hee totally routed the whole party and took from them 180 prisoners whereof about 20 were Captains Leivtenants and other Officers in Armes and some of a degree above Captains hee also took in this service 50 horse and about 200 Armes besides divers slain in the conflict and having thus releived his captive and plundred friends and suppressed the Enemies hee returned with honour and triumph to his quarters And about the 10 instant wee received certain intelligence of a brave peice of service performed by valiant active and loyall Colonell Rossiter and Colonell Gray against a party of the Newarkâ—rs who marched under the Command of Colonell Willâ— his own Major who marched all night and at 6 of the clock in the morning appeared in a full body and came before Houghaâ—-House which the Enemy having thus now beset wondered to see not any of our men awake in the whole Garrison to make any resistance for a while they did forbeare to assault the place fearing ours might have prepared some stratagâ—m within but some new intelligence administring other counsels and putting by that fear they almost at once forced the bridge and entred the House where they found them all fast asleep not dreading or dreaming of the approach of any Enemy Being now entred they used them not whom they found within as our King Richard of old used a Souldier of his whom hee killed because hee found him
Parliament and their friends This indulgent and most noble favour thus shewed by his Excellency was not altogether fruitlesse unto us immediately after for some of those Officers proved very serviceable to our Army in some of their succeeding designes nor could lesse good effects be expected from many others where his Excellency occasionally made his Martiall progresse and advances whereby he hath most certainly and more and more most worthily been crowned with ancient Caesars more than Golden Diadems of perpetuall same and honour viz. Caesar noster Anglicus dando sublevando ignoscendo Gloriam adeptus est But now to proceed About the latter end of this Moneth of January we had further certaine intelligence by Letters from Dartmouth in the West that a Barke which came from France putting in at Dartmouth not knowing it was in the Parliaments hands and being come within command before they discovered it was there instantly seized on But speciall order and directions having been given to the Master of the Ship that in case he saw himself in danger to be taken by any of the Parliaments Forces he should throw his packets of Letters overboard into the Sea which now he had accordingly done but it being upon examination confessed Colonell Lambert presently commanded out boats to search for them and to see if they could espie any such Packets floating on the waters toward the shore which by Gods good providence at last they found so indeed and tooke them up and brought them to the noble Colonell even Letters of great concernment from the Queen Jermine and Goring which were all speedily posted up to the Parliament And thus besides the prize of the Ship and the fraught therein the Lord was most graciously pleased even by our Enemies themselves and especially by admirable interception of their Letters from time to time even all along to lay open and discover unto us the most hidden I had almost said the most hideous secrets of their hellish hearts against us and thereby giving us fair and seasonable opportunities by his blessed assistance to prevent and avoid their intended malice and mischiefe toward us blessed O ever blessed be the pure and precious grace and meere mercy of our good God unto us And here now againe good Reader I shall desire thee in thy wonted patience and piety together with me to make another short stay and take a summarie and briefe survey and gratefull revise of all the sweet and salubrious mercies of this moneth also so much conducing to the health and happinesse of this long languishing Church and State to the dressing pruning and prospering of this our Burning-Bush still as you see unconsumed the Parliaments just Cause thus still sustained in the midst of all the fiery machinations and flaming molestations burning and blazing round about it as hath been most comfortably and conspicuously seen to us all both in the great mercy of our God in so upholding the heart of the renowned Governour of Plymouth with such impregnable loyalty and fidelity to the Parliament and its most just Cause as not to betray that great trust committed to him by the Parliament in safe-guarding the said famous Town from the pawes and possession of the Enemie and also in the singular good successe which immediately after the Lord gave to those his loyall befieged servants against their besieging Enemies as a just reward of their late base batterie of treachery shot against it In that famous defeat given also to the Enemy at Bâ—vie-Tracy and our winning of Ilminster Ashburton Totnes and Okebampton together with the famous victory obtained against the Rebels of Ireland at Sligo and the excellent effects ensuing thereon In the most happy totall relief of Plymouth from a long and dangerous siege by base and blood-thirsty Enemies and recovery of Sir Francis Drakes House a strong Garrison also out of their hands In Gods great goodnesse unto us in still stirring up the hearts and raising up the spirits of the most renowned Citizens of London to stand close to his truth and to be very zealous for the building up of Gods House as was most eminently evident in their most excellent Petitions to the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the speeding thereof In the most happy surprizall of the Town and Castle of Dartmouth a mighty mercy unto us indeed it being a place of great consequence to the whole Kingdome and a faire and famous Haven and inlet from other forraigne parts And sixthly and lastly In that brave defeat given to the Enemy at Câ—rk neer Stafford the taking in of Pâ—â—ldram Castle by Sir Thomas Fairfâ—â—s forces in the West and his most Excellent and amiable demeanour among the people of those parts even like a second Julius Caesar Together with the most seasonable surprisall of that Ship from France in Dartmouth harbour by which that 〈◊〉 of Letters of so great Concernment was also by Gods gâ—â—d providence apprehended and found floating on the waves of the Sea All which most gratefully put together and seriously and sanctimoniously considered can amount to no lesse than a most large acknowledgement of our most deere and Deepe enâ—â—gement to the Lord our God in all the bonds of most bonden gratitude and therefore to breake out into holy and hearty zeale 〈◊〉 Cordiall thankfulnes and with the good Prophet to conâ—â—â—â— and say Who would not feare and love thee O King of Nations 〈◊〉 to thee alone indeed it doth appertaine for as much as among all 〈◊〉 and strong man of the Nations and all their kingdomes their 〈…〉 like unto the Lord our God Who hath most mercifully and 〈◊〉 been a wall of fire to us this unworthy Jerusalem round 〈◊〉 as and the onely glorie in the midst among us But now to proceed And here now I shall begin the farther prosperous per 〈…〉 in the comfortable contemplation of the continued wonder of the Burning-Bush unconsumed in this Moneth also of Februarie 1646. with the certaine intelligence by letters out of the North 〈◊〉 parts of the Kingdome about the beginning of the 〈◊〉 of February 1646. That the strong and almost impregnaâ—â— Garrison called 〈◊〉 Castle being one of the strongest and 〈◊〉 buildings in the Kingdome and therefore called Belvoir 〈◊〉 word signifying a Fair-Prospect which had 66 steps or 〈◊〉 unto it and therefore might well over-look the Country which for the most part being vallies round about it seemed 〈◊〉 yeild obeyâ—â—â—ce to this Castle which now I say is reduced 〈…〉 obedience of the Parliament Sir lartis Lucas the Governour thereof withall the Commanders Officers and Souldiers therin 〈◊〉 permission to march away to Litch-field upon more honourable termes indeed than they deserved And 〈◊〉 Thursday Februarie they came letters out of Cheshire from that 〈◊〉 faithfull and religious Commander Sir Williâ—◠〈◊〉 of the most happie surrender of the strong and long 〈◊〉 Castle of West-Chester into the noble
saying Thou O Lord alone art most worthy to receive all Glory and Honour and Power For Thou hast created this great Salvation and Deliverance for us Yeâ— and All-Things were created and are for thy pleasure and Praise Even so Amen 2 To the Parliament TO the High and Honourable-Court of Parliament the renowned Lords and Commons as His Sublunary prime and principall Agents and Instruments in these our mighty and even miraculous Deliverances I must and doe most justly and ingenuously acknowledge your Loyalty and Zeal to and for God and your Country your constant out-darings of all Plots and Conspiracies witnesse that grand and unparallelled Affront and Abuse January the 4. 1641. Yea all Violence from abroad and at home The many thousand Mischeivous Machinations against us Your continuall and indefatigable tuggings through so many Counterplots and Oxford fine-Designes the like never heard of nor recorded in any age or history Have yee not most unanimously kept even to this day and long may yee that famous Act of Continuation even miraculously sealed unto you by the Royall Hand Who could have said 7 yeares agoe That a Parliament should have sate at all again in England Much lesse a Parliament to sit incessantly till now at Westminster especially considering that forementioned intended Acheldama or Field of Blood in the House of Commons by those armed ruffianly Royalists Yea and an Army whom yee payed when they were plotting and preparing to come against you and as it were rewarded them for intending your destruction a Bounty hardly heard of in other ages and yet for all these a Parliament They that saw whole Committees of Nobility and Gentry posting to York and doing what they could to carry the very Parliament-House had it been possible along with them And since that a pestilent and pernicious jugling-juncto or Mock-Parliament at Oxford and yet a Parliament at Westminster They that knew the intestine Temptings secret Sidings and perverting Partyings made within your own Walls and yet a Parliament at Westminster A Parliament indeed of Prayer summoned from Heaven and by Prayer continued in spight of Hell And what shall I say of you most Excellent Worthies far transcending ancient Romes so famoused grave and renowned Senators Yee have pulled down our tyrannicall Greivances and set up our hereditary Liberties Which the People will best see when the glistering of Swords is over the eye of popular judgement being now a while dazled with warre every Greivance now seeming to reside in that which so for the present pinches Yee have taken down by your Excellent Ordinances most of Idolatry from among us not suffering that Babylonish Harlot to have her name so much as in a peice of Glasse nor the shadow of a strange God in the Walls of our Church-Buildings Yee have Ordinanced away oppressing Prelacy and Popish-apish Innovations and Mimicall Ceremonies those Dark-Lanthornes of the Bishops by which they insensibly thought to have brought in the triple-Crown and none should have seen it till it had been among us Yee have Ordinanced standing-Remedies for standing-Troubles even a Monethly-Fast or Spirituall-Militia and are not wee a hard-hearted People that must bee compâ—lled to Repentance by a Law Yee have Ordinanced a precious and pious Solemn League or Covenant to tye 3 Kingdomes together to their God and One to another if it might bee A most heavenly Engine indeed considering there are so many Tuggers to pull them asunder both Papists Prelates atheisticall Malignants and unhappily if not unholily dissenting Separatists Yea you have Ordinanced a reverend religious and learned Assembly of Divines a divine auxiliarie indeed to promove and properate the blessed work of building and beautiâ—ying Gods House with powerfull and pure Ordinances and the Kingdome with a thorow Reformation These and many mo such like admirable Advancements of the Lords Glory have yee most happily and honourably establisht and effected for which Posterity shall have just cause everlastingly to praise and blesse the Lord for you Finally I may say of you both renowned Houses of Lords and Commons as Solomon of his praise-worthy Woman Prov. 31. 29. Many Parliaments have done excellently but This present Parliament hath excelled them all 3 To the Assembly of Divines TO the truely venerable Assembly of Divines whom I must most deservedly congratulate for your unwearied pains incessant disputes and learned toylings to build up as much as in you is the House of God to a glorious Evangelicall structure yea and for your holy and grave remindings of the Parliament continually to keep time with God in Victories and Losses by Praises and Humiliations And if any ask mee What yee are now a doing I answer Yee are doing yea doing the Work of the Lord in sending the Word abroad by your divine Agents and faithfull Factors for Reformation Yee are praying and disputing us out of our distempers and distractions And shall not Wee bee patient untill Yee by Gods gracious guidance and assistance have argued-out the Truth from Errour and illustrious Light from Glow-worm-Glistrings and too evident Darknesse God forbid However Reverend Gentlemen heer 's your Comfort your Work maugre all unbrotherly and uncharitable prejudice is with your God who will not leave it unrewarded 4. To the City of London TO thee most famous and faithfull Metropolis of the Kingdom the City of London who deservest not the least Congratulation in this our Panegyrick Pyramides of just Praises Of which I may most justly say with the sweet Singer of Israel Psal 87 3. Many and most glorious things are spoken of thee O City of God! Hast not Thou been under God a grand Bulwark and a constant Garrison to the Cause of God Have not yee most venerable Senators and renowned Commons thereof been a glorious and impregnable Reserve to 3 tottering Kingdomes Doe not Gloucester Newberry Redding Arundell c. look red with the glorious guerdion of your crimson-Conquests Have yee not exchanged your Shops for Tents Your soft and smooth advantages at home for rugged-difficulties and rough-dangers abroad Have you not been an admirable rich Armory and a munificent Magazine to the Lords just and most righteous Cause Hath it not been your Artillery for the most part and Ammunition which have given such and so many successefull Alarâ—â—s to the enemies of God Have not your happy Habitations been a Hyding-place and a safeguarding Sanctuary to Gods afflicted Out-casts and distressed Saints their Wives and Children from all parts almost of the whole Kingdom whom yee have with your Christian Charity and most helpfull Hospitality nourisht and cherisht with the Brest-milk of your Love and Bounty Have yee not been as it were an unexhaustible Exchequer to this great Cause Witnesse the wonderfull free and frequent disbursments of your money out of your Chests and purses and liberall Emptyings of your former rich and costly Cupâ—oards of Plate all to enrich the Gospel and advance the glorious Work of Reformation of Evils in Church and State And hath
not this your zeal for God his Truth most illustriously flamed forth of late also in that most famous and faithfull that pious and prudent Remonstrance or Petition of yours exhibited to Both Houses of Parliament May 26. 1646. for the beating down of Heresies Errours and Schismes and the most religious advancement of the blessed work of pure Reformation and a holy and happy settled Government of the Church of God Such a pattern and monument of your Piety and godly zeal I say as shall remain to your Praise and indelible renown to Posterity throughout all Generations And hath not Heaven sweetly resented In Christ these your precious Expenses and fervent zeal for Religion as so many holy Holâ—causts and hath as it were even already sent down thanks and recompence of your Love and bounty in much measure into your Houses and Habitations Witnesse even to the just and joyfull admiration of your Friends and the envious astonishment of your Foes the constant and copious incomes of Peace and Plenty Health and Liberty but most especially and which indeed Crowns all the rest of the radiant and resplendent Gospel-Beams of pure and powerfull Word and Ordinances No leading into Captivity in your streets no slaughter or schrecvings out of your Wives Virgins and little Children nor Pestilentiall Mortality in your Houses And yee are and that most worthily for all these so rich and rare so many and marveilous Mercies the present Wonder of the whole World and ever O for ever so may yee bee the Praise of all succeding Posterity 5 TO our War-like VVorthies To all the famous and renowned Worthies of Great-Britaine and first To our meritoriously deare and entirely beloved loyall and faithfull Brother-Kingdome of Scotland to which wee are everlastingly bound in all mutuall and reciprocall bonds of Love and Vnity Whose hearts the Lord did so affect and envlame with Sympathizing Love and Zeal to his glorious Cause and to our then most low and calamitous Condition that with most brotherly â—ervour and fellow-feeling affection they entred into a holy League and Solemn Covenant with us of mutuall defence one of another Cheerfully left their own Country and Kingdom their dearest Friends Wives and Children and through many difficulties and distresses in a bitter and sore pinching Winter-march even to deep admiration carrying their lives in their hands came in unto us to help the Lord and us against his mighty and our most malicious Enemies And whom as the Lord made the main and principall instruments of the beginning of our happinesse both in saving our throats from the death-threatning knives of destruction and procuring us a most unhoped and unexpectible Parliament as the case was with us then which under God hath been the fountain of our felicity to this day So now at last also the Lord hath made choyce of them to bee the Consummators and as it were the main finâ—shers of our felicity in putting the Person of the King into their hands as counting them faithfull to improve such a Prize to the best advantage of his Glory and our Good if wee had but honest hearts so to consider it And heerin more especially and peculiarly to his Excellency Magnanimous and Victorious Generall Lesley Earl of Leven most worthily famous among us for ever both for this famous Prize the Kings Person put into his hands And for his most renowned Courage and Valour at Newcastle and Marston-Moore Next To his Excellency the most noble and renowned Lord Generall Robert Earl of Essex most famous faithfull and courageous at Keynton and Newberry To the most valiant and magnanimous present Captain-Generall his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax as famous and faithfull at Naseby Bristol c. of which two most noble and loyall Generalls I may say as Plutarch in his Lives did of those two renowned ancient Romane-Commanders Fabius and Marcellus They have been under God The Sword and Buckler of the Kingdome To the right noble loyall and religious Robert Earl of Warwick the famous and faithfull Lord High-Admirall whose Chivalry at Sea and whose Seasonable Charity to Lime ought never to bee forgotten by us To the renowned Peers and Patriots of their Country the noble Earl of Manchester and famous and faithfull noble Lord Fairfax the Parliaments two most valiant and successefull Generals both in the North and Associated Counties To undaunted and never Enough honoured Sir William Waller who hath been a strong Wall and brave Bulwark indeed to this Kingdome as Portsmouth Aulton Alsford and his many other famous Victories can Witnesse To magn animous Sir William Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum those two most Courageous Commanders who most nobly spent their best blood for the best Cause that ever this Kingdom undertook To as valiant as virtuous Sir William Brereton famous for his valour and activity in Cheshire Namptwich and now lately at West chester To religious and magnanimous Major Generall Skippon that most pious Cornelius and Expert brave Souldier and Commander as was admirably evident in Cornwall and at Naseby of whom it was said Hee liv'd like an Angel pray'd like a Saint and fought like a Lyon To never sufficiently praised and prized Major Generall Massie farre more worth than his weight in Massie-Gold as the famous Siege of the City of Gloucester and all that County and the adjacent parts thereof can most copiously witnesse To Renowned and right valiant and Victorious Leiâ—tenant Generall Cromwel Those valiant victorious and active Patriots Sir John Gell and Sir Thomas Middleton Renowned Major Generall Brown Major Generall Laughorne and Major Generall Poyntz Valiant and victorious Colonell Mitton Colonell Sydenham Colonell Morgan and brave Captain Swanley Together with very many other most active loyall and most Courageous Commanders and brave Brittish-Spirited Souldiers Who all most like unto Davids Worthies honourably Commemorized 2 Sam. 23. have made themselves most meritoriously famous in this Present Age and to Future Posterity for their so faithfully and valiantly serving theiâ— GenRration Together also with the renowned Corporations and invincible Garrisons of Hull Gloucester Manchester Coventry Warwick Northampton Stafford Namptiwich famous and faithfull Plymouth Lyme and all the famous and faithfull Governours Holders and Vpholders of them With the most worthy and well-deserving Counties of Lancashire and Kent And the other most famous and faithfull Parliamentary-Patriots Cities and Counties most loyally and lovingly appearing in this great and good Cause and most freely and forwardly jeoparding Themselves and their All in the High-places of the Kingdome yea and whose gallantry of Spirits indelible Merits undaunted Resolutions Memorable adventures and great Engagements even to Life Estates and all that was most neer and dear unto them have most justly called for yea Commanded a resounding Acknowledgement of their so honourable and heroick Actions as an incessant Eccho of perpetuated Applause to all succeeding Generations Who have not onely made us to bee their deep-debtours but even the Gospel too together with all the Protestant-Churches of
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
also about this time viz. the six and twentieth of this instant August wee received Letters from the Western parts of the kingdome that his Majesties and his Excellencies head-quarters were very neer to one another and that foure hundred of his Majesties Horse had cast themselves into three divisions and advancing neer my Lord Generalls Quarters and with disdainfull words reproaching them and challenging them to fight the brave young Gentleman Major Archibald Stranghan quickly apprehending the same and not able to indure desired that hee might receive so much honour from his Excellency as but to have Commission to charge them with an hundred Horse with which force though farre lesse in number than the Enemies hee doubted not hee said but by Gods assistance to return victorious This gallant motion of the young Gentleman being much applauded and well entertained hee received the first impression of the Enemy without moving from the place at all untill the Enemy being come neerer and almost brest to brest hee fired upon them at once with so much fury and so good successe that about twenty of them were observed to fall together on which the rest began to flye whereupon finding his opportunity and pursuing it hee was charged on by the second division and received them with such undaunted Spirits and magnanimity with his pistols that they also following the example of the former presently began to flie away confusedly not being able to endure the heat of this hot charge and fierce tempest After this also his pistols being discharged hee most unweariedly fell in pell-mell upon the Enemies last Division with the Sword and soon also enforced them to an ignominious flight unto the body of their Army which seeing the disorder of the Horse began to disband and flye themselves His Majesty was then not farre off in the Field and was a sad spectator of the Tragedy of his men And it was verily beleeved that had this valiant Scot been suddenly seconded to pursue home his Victory hee had taken his Majesty in the Field and totally routed his Army so great and generall was the distraction that at that present they were in For this brave service his Excellency rewarded the victorious Major with many thanks and appellations of honour and with a Horse esteemed to bee worth an hundred pound And about the seven and twentieth of this instant August it was for certain informed by Letters from Sir William Brereton to the Parliament that there being a great strength of the Enemy at Malpasse with intention to march into Wales after that bold and bloody Prince Robber Sir William Brereton sent out a party of Horse and Foot consisting of about eight hundred under the command of Leivtenant Colonell Jones The Enemy having notice of the said Party drew out all their Horse and Dragoones in Battalia consisting of about two thousand and placed their Musketteers in hedges and places of advantage Notwithstanding Leivtenant Colonel Jones with his Troop did most gallantly charge through two Divisions of the Enemy did great execution on them and returned without the losse of a man himselfe onely shot into the thigh the rest of the Troopes there being but four Troopes in all came up and some of the Foot after them and plaid their parts most bravely and with Leivtenant Colonell Jones gave another fieâ—ce charge upon the Enemy quite routed them some of them flying into Wales others into Chester ours took about an hundred and forty Horse and many prisoners the chief wherof were these Major Maxie or Murrey Major to Sir Charles Lucas Major Cromwell Major to the Duke of Yorkes Regiment Majoâ— Crathorn a Papist Captain Clavering or other to the late Colonell Clavering And the Commanders slain in this brave conflict were Colonell Baines Colonell Conyers Major Heskith another Major buryed at Chester and another Major buried at Malpasse One Leivtenant Colonell slain but not then known who hee was Captain Harris and Sir Marmaduke Langdale the Commander in chief desperately wounded and carryed to Chester for cure There were also slain upon the place and in the flight about an hundred and those that fled to Chester were with much affront kept out of the gates and not suffered of a long time to get in as some that came out of Chester shortly after enformed us About the eight and twentieth of this instant August wee were credibly informed by Letters out of the West and in specially by the most noble Lord Generall his Excellencies own Letter to the Parliament from Lestithiell that the perfidions Enemy who dare not compasse their base aymes and designes in an open fair and honourable way by battail though double in number had about this time so managed their base and trecherous plot that into two close Waggons wherein was a Magazine of at least 60 barrells of Gunpowder they had privily conveyed two notable Engines of Warre which should have blown up all the powder and at the time when the enemy thought to have effected the design they had drawn up their whole body of their Army toward that part of his Excellencies Army expecting the blow upon which they intended to fall most fiercely on the Lord Generals Forces but it most graciously pleased the Lord that one of the said Engines to the end whereof a lighted match was fastned was burnt to the very neck of the Engine whereat it was to give fire to the wild-fire in the Engine but then the coal went out of it self the other match also in the other Engine was burnt within an inch of the wilde-fire of that Engine just at the time when by a Cooper it was seasonably and happily discovered before the dangerous blow was given whereupon the Engines being taken out by the said Cooper and brought to my Lord Generall which his Excellency together with his Letter presently sent up to the Parliament and was publikely shewed to the Houses of Parliament and as some that were there present said it was just after that fashioned Engine which his Majesty delivered with his own hands being covered with red leather as that was to the party that made his Majesty beleeve that hee would blow up the Magazine at Ailesbury but as that so this most base and treacherous Designe of theirs was by Gods great mercy and good providence happily prevented and their wicked hopes thereby frustrated and all they got thereby was shame and infamy And thus now I hope good Reader thou hast fully and clearly seen in the whole progresse of this Moneths contemplation of Gods wonderfull protection and preservation of his Church and Children the great and amazing wonder of the World in these our Mosean dayes even The Burning-Bush the Church or Cause of God not consumed though inclosed with flames of wrath and rage of the wicked and outragious intestine enemies thereof on every side both by Sea and by Land blowing the coales and adding combustible fuell
to the fire of their fury and endevouring to heat the furnace of their frantick rage and madnesse yet seven times hotter and hotter And yet Gods Three yea 30 times three most faithfull and zealous Shadrachs Meshachs and Abednego's still preserved and kept safe in the midst of the fiercest and most furious conflagrations and all this made most clear and manifest both in all the fore-mentioned famous Victories obtained and perfidious plots and dangerous designes detected and prevented And have wee not then great cause with holy Moses both to put off the shooes of sin and transgression and also to approach unto and fix the feet of our affections on the â—oly ground of most gratefull contemplation of this great wonder and in sacred admiration thereof to break out into holy adoration of our great and good God and with holy Moses to sing and say Who is like unto thee O Lord among the gods Who is like unto thee glorious in holinesse fearfull in praises and doing wonders BUT now to goe on in our next Moneths sacred and serious observation of this foresaid wonder still continuing all this next ensuing September And herein I shall desire in the first place brâ—ifly to shew or rather to remember the Reader how that about the beginning of this moneth of September it pleased the Lord again to set his blessed Bush in the midst of a most dangerous devouring flame to see to and yet the Bush not Consumed Even to suffer our prime Parliamentary-Army of the whole Kingdome then under the Command of that most noble renowned loyall and most courageous Lord Generall the Earle of Essex to bee brought into a strange strait and most unhappy noose in a corner of Cornwall in the West one of the remotest parts of the Kingdome but by what mischeivous meanes or improvidence I know not rendring that at first most formidable Army most obnoxious to much danger and distresse of the numerously augmented forces of the most malicious and outrageous enemies thereof who by the daily additionall and increasing powers of the perfidious and atheisticall Cornish and Devonshire men had strangely and strongly coopt and hedged in that our most famous Army for divers weeks together in a nook or angle of that County of Cornwall and no Reserve or considerable Releif in so long time comming to their aide and assistance insomuch that the extraordinarily increasing wants in the Army and the extraordinary and inevitably necessitated duty of his Excellencies Souldiers being so incessantly continued and as I toucht before the powers of the Enemy so daily increasing and growing bigge with rage and pride against them they could not possibly any longer subsist without releif Whereupon a Councell of Warre being called it was resolved an absolute necessity lying on it that the Horse of the Army should break through the enemy and the Foot alas alas should stand upon their own guard and Defence till more ayd if by any means it could bee procured should bee sent unto them and thereupon 3000 Horse under the command of that renowned Souldier and brave Commander Sir William Belfore the rest of the Horse remaining still with the foot violently brake through the Enemy and most fiercely made good their retreat notwithstanding all the power of the Enemie and brought off with them severall of the Enemies Colours and slew many And Probdolor under correction of better judgement why might not our whole Army together both Horse and Foot as safely and certainly have come off fully had that Councell of Warre played Fair play above board So got to Salâ—ash and Plimouth with very little or no considerable losse in so desperate a Service Now thus our Foot forces being left behinde under the Command in châ—if of that most noble and ever to bee renowned virtuous and valourous Souldier and brave Commander Major Generall Skippon his Excellency the Lord Generall and the Lord Roberts being also gone to Plimouth by Sea and the Enemy choosing rather to bend their greatest power against the Foot than in pursuit of the Horse and having also resolved at a bloody Councell of Warre thinking the day their own and the birds to bee all caughâ— in the net in a most cruell and mercilesse manner to put them all to the Sword and not to give Quarter to any and likewise in pursuance hereof they having taken about 30 of our Foot Souldiers and put them all to the Sword save only two that by Gods good providence â—scaping ran from them and acquainted the rest of the Foot forces with the sâ—quell thereof Hereupon brave Majoâ— Generall Skiâ—pon like a true Souldiers indeed made a gallant and couragious speech to his said Foot forces to this effect That it would bee more â—onour for thâ—â— to die valiantly in the field than to 〈◊〉 themselves bâ—fely or â—owardly to the tyranny of so bloody and 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉 professing himself most cheerfully there ready to live or diâ— with them 〈◊〉 first to sell their lives by Gods help at 〈…〉 a rate 〈◊〉 ever Souldiers did Whereupon they all most unanimously and cheerfully resolving the same fell upon the Enemy with such undaunted courage and resolution being led up in person by so brave and Lyon-like a Commander who to use his Excellencies own expression in his Letter to the Parliament of him fought like a Lyon and disdained that their brave Ordnance and Artillery should bee gained from them at a lesser value than the hearts blood of many hundreds of their Enemies which was so indeed ere they parted for they discharged their great peices divers times upon the Enemy which did great execution and slew very many of them whom they might see fall fast before them and the King himself being in fight thereof in the field and still received the rest so gallantly that the Enemy instead of being absolute Victors was at last enforced though much against their former intentions not only to give them Quarter but farther also to condescend to very honourable conditions and Articles on our Souldiers part though in the issue the Enemy proved most perfidious as their constant practice was in violating of them all and bespoiling and stripping them ere they left them of all they had save only their lives even taking fâ—om them their very cloathes off their backs boots stockings and shooes from their legges and feet and enforcing some of them to march stark naked and bare footed with only a base convoy of their perfidious Enemies Horse whom being quite disarmed they durst not resist And though renowned Major Generall Skippon rode back and boldly and bravely complained to the King himself thereof yet hee could finde no redresse therein But howsoever let the judicious Reader here judge and say whether heer was not a wonder indeed even no lesse than Gods Burning-bush not consumed considering what a furious devouring flame was round about it and whereinto it had been so strangely yea
and treacherously too as many feared entrapped and cooped up but thus as you have heard most admirably delivered and preserved from utter ruine and destruction as was threatned and resolved which therefore is with extraordinary thankfulnesse to God to bee beheld and lookt upon and most justly to bee enrolled in the number of our singular great mercies and deliverances of the Lord wrought for us as whereby notwithstanding the unhappy losse of so brave an Artillery and Armes of our Souldiers yet a wide doore was thus left open unto us in good measure to râ—crute our Army again considering that there is no competition or comparison to bee made between the raising of men and getting of Armes the former being known by experience to bee very difficult the other very easie to performe And which is also herein very considerable the mercy was so much the greater and the losse the lesse in regard that his Excellency had taken farre more Ordnances and Armes from the Enemy but a little before in this his Western Expedition than were now lost in this last disaster Now as touching the matter and cause of this great miscarriage though I doe not I dare not take upon mee to discusse it it having been I hope throughly examined by others to whom it more properly appertained yet give mee leave good Reader to suspect still that it was a plain peice of treachery to the State Parliament honest honorable Major Gen Skippon perceived it at last as it was reported though too late most evidently and therefore as it was credibly enformed smiting himself upon his brest hee said Wee are betraied wee are betraied But who the persons were was not then so clear yet some were known and one of them ran to the King to secure himself and Colonell Butler was sent up to London by his Excellency and committed to the Tower of London till hee was examined about it And it is the more easily to bee beleeved to have been a meer peice of trechery against the noble Lord Generall as being a thing plotted and contrived before hee went into the West and that upon this ground namely That divers of the most knowing and active Royalists then among us at London were heard with much confidence to say before his Excellency went forth in this Expedition that the Lord Generall would receive a blow in the West In particular a Gentleman then a prisoner in Warwick-castle by name Mr. E. Andrewes the Son of Sir Eusebie Andrewes who being among divers Gentlemen at a Tavern in Warwick said before them all with imperious speeches that hee would bee hanged if the Earl of Essex came safe back again out of the West And told them withall that they should see the Kings Army flourish with other words to this effect as I had it by credible information And this was presently after the Lord Generall was gone into the West when hee had a most gallant and stout Army indeed and such an one as the Kings Army durst not look in the face nor was it probable durst come so neer it as to behold their back-parts For his Excellencies Army was then known to be a terrour to the Enemy for some of the cheif of the Kings Army at the end of Newberry-battail when they were carrying the body of the Earl of Caâ—narvan into the Town said Damn mee Essex will never bee beaten and with fearfull oaths were heard to swear All the devils in hell could not beat him But now to proceed About the 4 of this instant September came certain information by Letters from Osâ—estry to London that Sir Thomas Middletons Ammunition was safely arrived from Wem to Oswestry to the great sorrow of the Enemy who some few dayes before as was certified by Letters from Wem issued out of Salop to Whittington with at least 1200 foot and 400 horse to have intercepted it But renowned Sir Thomas Middleton having intelligence thereof sent out a party from Oswestâ—â—y to guard the Ammunition which party discovering the Enemy wheeled into the Rear all the Horse being with the Ammunition in the Van and so fell upon them killed five upon the place took five prisoners wounded many and made the Enemy fly but being to guard the Ammunition they durst not leave their charge to follow them so the Enemy wheeled back again from Franck ford-Hope neer Elsmore and so to Salop and out Ammunition of exceeding great concernment for the succeeding Welch affaires was as I said safely thus conveyed into Oswestry ready there for the following work in Wales where of more in its due place About the 8 of this instant also came certain intelligence by Letters out of Staffordshire of a brave exploit performed by that most valiant and brave Commander Colonell Rudgely in a most notable defeat which hee gave unto the Enemy the substance wherof wee received from Letters thence to this effâ—ct Wee marched out of Stafford to Lynsell and thence took from under the Walls at least an 104 Oxen and Cowes and about 300 Horse Then wee marched to Litchfield whence wee brought away above an 160 Oxen and Cowes and 60 Horse and presently after newes being brought us that the Enemy was plundering at Chartley his Excellencies the Lord Generals own Lands with an intent to drive away his Cattell whereupon our valiant Colonell Colâ— Rudgelâ—y drew forth all those horses hee had and about an 180 foot and marched thither but they having broke open the stable door and taken a choice Colt of my Lord Generals which Colt was shot and killed by one of his Servants out of the house as they led him away they were gone thence before wee could get thither and got into Penâ—h-Park to drive that whereupon wee marched to Vssiter and at Lacksley wee heard that the Enemy was marched toward Bromble so with those few horse which wee had wee marched in haste after them if possible to ingage them till our foot came up unto us and neer unto Bagots-Bromâ—ey after 10 miles hard march wee fell upon their Reare and upon the first charge took about 40 horse and as many men and Armes and pursued them to their main-body which consisted of at least 500 good horse but our horse not being above an 100. wee were forced to retreat a little way but presently rallyed again which whilst wee were doing the Enemy planted an ambuscado which upon our second charge fired upon us but wee bravely beat the ambuscado up and killed and took every man of those so planted and all their armes and Horses and kept the rest in play till our foot came up and then they fell off from us and wee kept the field On our part wee had only one man slain and they took six prisoners but from them wee took a Serjeant Major one Captain one Leivtenant two Quarter masterâ— three Corporals and the rest Common Souldiers in all 18. and killed about 30. took many Armes and
hee dâ—ed in this Cause but that hee dyed so soon to doe no more for it A most noble speech indeed and most worthy a virtuous and Christian Lady But now to proceed About the 26 of this instant September came certain intelligence by Letters to London out of Gloucestershire of a very rare exploit performed by that most renowned and ever to bee honoured successefull Commander Colonell Massie at Monmouth in South-Wales which was this Colonell Kerl who had the Command of the said Town and Castle for the King went out in the night with a party of Horse and was met with by Colonell Massie who having laid an ambuscado surprised the Colonell and took all his men prisoners After which to requite some ill service which hee had formerly done to the Parliament in deserting it or whither that were done by compulsion or otherwise I will not determine but the said Colonell Kerl upon an agreement and resolution betwixt brave Colonell Massie and him marched in the head of Colonell Massies men to the Town of Monmouth and demanded entrance whereupon the draw-bridge being let down Colonell Massie soon became Master thereof and quickly got possession both of the Town and Castle together with the losse not of above 6 men on both sides This Colonell Kerles Father was then at Gloucester and for the Parliament and having an estate in the County of Monmouth the King gave it to his Son on his revolt to his side but by this means the Father happily regained both his Son and his inheritance together This Town being a place of great concernment was on this obtaining of it made a Garrison for the Parliament it being not only the inlet into South-Wales from Bristol but was also a Magazine to furnish that City and those parts with Butter Cheese and all sorts of Victualls And about the latter end of this instant September wee had farther certain information by Letters from Gloucâ—ster that Prince Robber having had a design to secure a passage between Bristol and Wales for which purpose â—ee had sent 200 of his Forces to Betsley in the Forrest of Dean joyning upon the Severn neer unto that grand Papists Sir John Winters in the Parish of Tidenton where they were a fortifying and making a mote and had raised a Sconce to secure that Garrison But valiant Colonell Massie having timely intelligence thereof drew out a considerable Party of his own and some of the Earl of Denbighs Horse and bravely fell upon them slew divers of them took their Governour and 10 Commanders more about an 162 prisoners 200 Armes 2 peices of Ordnance and all their Artillery bagge and baggage and thereby utterly frustrated that design and thus the noble and renowned Colonell victoriously returned to Gloucester with all his prisoners and prize aforesaid And now good Reader let mee heer desire thee to make a little pause and ponder a while with holy admiration and Christian contemplation on this moneths great wonder also even to see this blessed Burning-Bush the Cause of God his innocent Church or Children in the midst of so many combersome and combustuous and furiously flaming Conflagrations and yet this Bush so farre from being consumed as that contrariwise it growes more and more strong vigorous and victorious sprouting and spreading forth with more and more extraordinary boughes and branches and as it were in a fair and most flourishing condition Witnesse all this foresaid moneths particular passages of Gods providence and protection over his forely smitten assaulted and menaced Members of his Church both in their deep danger in Cornwall by an undoubted plot of trechery contrived by false friends as well as open enemies together I say with all the rest of the most memorable providentiall passages of this moneth in all which it was most evidently seen that the blessing and good will of him that dwelt in the Bush was plentifully poured out on his Churches Cause and may therefore most justly cause and encourage us still more and more to magnifie the mercy of our good God and with immoveable constancy and confidence relying on his experienced love and faithfulnesse to confesse with holy David to the incomparable praise of our wonder-working God O Lord God of Hosts who is a strong Lord like unto thee or to thy faithfulnesse round about thee for who in the heavens can bee compared to the Lord and who among the sons of the mighty can bee like unto our God But now to goe on AND now I say to goe on in a farther and more serious search for contemplation and admiration of these continued wonders of our great and glorious wonder-working God which were most obviously and conspicuously presented to our eyes and eares in the whole progresse of this next ensuing Moneth of October 1644. And heer wee will begin with the then present state and condition of the Parliaments main and standing-Army under the speciall Command of his Excellency the Lord Generall Robert Earl of Essex which Army what a most dangerous combustion and deep gulf of destruction it had lately escaped in the West by the unfaithfulnesse as was strongly conceived and groundedly beleeved also as I have already expressed in the last fore-going moneths passages of some of the prime Officers and Commanders of that Army In serious consideration whereof our most renowned and vigilant Parliamentary Statists did the very beginning of this Moneth Vote a Committee to goe down to the Army viz. the Lord Wareston and Mr. Crew whose advice was to bee taken by the Commander and Commanders in Cheif for the prevention of future disloyall attempts and treacherous designes and for the more serious and solid acts and motions of the Army for the good of the Kingdome by Gods blessing thereon the like course being said to bee taken in Holland namely that there are some of the States of those Vnited-Provinces that accompany the Prince of Orange whose concurrent advice hee takes upon the enterprising of any designe and yet the said Prince takes not this as any diminution of his Command And how needfull this course hath been in our main Army the Kingdom hath been or might have been most feelingly sensible especially considering the ill-instruments which about this time and formerly were and have been in the Army in the West which although I have already in some measure touched before yet because more clear demonstrations thereof are since come to light and to my hands I shall desire with the Readers patience and to his farther and fuller satisfaction therin a little heer to insist on Witnesse therefore those instructions dispersed by Colonell Butler as was most credibly informed which the King sent to tempt our said Army then in Cornwall which were the most desperate and dangerous things that ever were yet penned and may in time come to publick view One of which was this You shall also inform that wee have assurance of a Party in
at last arrived safely in his desired Haven hee found most happy and heart-cheering welcome in his own conscience having like an impregnable Rock held fast his pious principles and withstood and out-stood all the assaults and snares of Papists disloyall Royalists Separatists Anabaptists Antinomians and novell Independents who all strugled and strove to have seduced and ensnared him into their unhappy and unholy Lâ—byrinths of heresie errour and schisme to his Soules ruine but whom I say God did most graciously support and preserve from the danger of them all and returned unto us a most loyall and faithfull friend to Gods glorious Cause and a most constant and courageous professour and propugnatour of untainted Truth which two indeed deck and adorn the flourishing garland of his afflictions and make the Crown of his sufferings most illustrious and glorious But to proceed About the 18 of this instant came certain intelligence by â—eters out of North-wales that since the taking of Radcastle by â—nowned Sir Thomas Middleton whereof wee made mention a little before hee hath also performed much gallant service in those parts and in particular that â—ee sent forth a party of horse and foot into Leigh about a mile from Bishops-castle where the Enemy had left a Garrison which fled away thence before his forces came neer them after this a party of about 20 horse was sent from Mountagâ—mâ—ry into Râ—dnorshire where they took prisoner the Lord Leigh Baron of Duâ—smore who was then carryed prisoner to Radcastle Sinâ—e that also the Enemy forsook another Garrison called Leighâ—â—ll the house of Sir Pelham Corbet in Shropshire And Sir John Price a Gentleman alwayes well-affected to the Parliament though over-powred by his Enemies round about him was forced to conceal it was made Governour of Mountgomery-castle The Country came in very cheerfully to Sir Thomas Middleton upon his summons but were very unwilling to fight so little valouâ— is there in thoâ—e who pretend to descend from the ancient Brittaines Upon the 23 of this instant October came the full and certain relation and most joyfull newes to London especially of the taking of Newcastle by ouâ— honest active loving and loyall brethren of Scotland who as they have all along ever â—ince their first appearing in this great Cause in a war-like manâ—er and posture shewed themselves most zealous to God and true Religion and therein also most brotherly to us and free from base self-seekings and ignoble by-ends though our most degenerous and rotten-hearted Malignants in City Court and Country have most ignominiously slandered them and most basely and abusively strugled but in vain blessed bee the Lord for it to blemish their untainted honour and honesty heerin so now also in a most eminent manner they have again made it appear to the whole world if men would not bee wilfully or maliciously blinde that they sought not their own ends or to enrich themselves but mainly and only Gods glory and therein ours with their own best good as iâ— this relation of this glorious and victorious conquest of the Town of Newcastle now by Gods mighty and mercifull assistance and their impregnable valour and fidelity happily subdued to the just obedience of the King and Parliament as now I shall make manifest in this breif and faithfull Narration of the taking of this strong Town by storm which is with all convenient bâ—evity extracted out of our brethren the Scots own Relation thereof sent to the Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners then resident at or about Westminster which was as followeth Our valiant and most unwearied brethren the Scots having in the time of their lying before this Town of Newcastle out of their Christian and tender pious pity toward the inhabitants therof in generall and great and gracious unwillingnesse to shed blood if possibly it might by any fit and fair means bee avoyded sent divers Letters and mercifull messages to the Town in generall and to and from some speciall cordiall persons in particular before their summons which afterwards was also sent unto them but found all their Christian love and pitty partly with stubbornnesse rejected and partly with scoffes and jeeres derided but especially by the Atheisticall and most desperately Malignant Major of Newcastle Sir John Marley all which their interchangeable Letters and Messages containing Marleys and the Newcastelians answers and our Scotch brethrens patient and pious replies having been fully set forth in that particular and exact relation of all those proceedings by our loyall brethren of Scotland I heer therefore purposely for brevities sake pretermit and shall only acquaint the Reader heer with thus much in particular That after many interchangeable messages and motions on both sides and some seeming agrâ—ements seeming only I say on Marleys side and hostages mutually given Articles of accord were demanded to bee sent to the Town by noble Generall Lesley which was accordingly done and which said Articles together with the rest of the succeeding passages or Letters sent to each other for the further clearing of our Brethrens integrity and fairnesse therein after the tendring of the Articles of agreement I have thought fit heer to insert which were as followeth Conditions wherupon the Surrender of the Town of Newcastle and Foâ—â—es thereof with all the Ordnance Ammunition and other Warlike furniture thereto belonging were demanded by his Excellency the Earl of Leven Lord Generall of the Scottish Army to bee kept by him for the use of his Majesty and the Parliament of England 1. THat the Officers and Souldiers who desire to goe out of Town shall have liberty to passe with their Arms Horses bagge and baggage to what place they please the same not being already beleaguered and shall have a safe convoy thither it being within forty miles distance and shall bee accommodate with draughts in their march 2. That all Strangers Residents Sojourners or Inhabitants who desire to goe out of the Town with the aforesaid Officers or Souldiers shall have the like liberty convoy and accommodation 3. That sick and hurt Souldiers shall have all necessary accommodation untill their recovery and shall have a safe conduct as aforesaid 4. That the Citizens Burgesses and Inhabitants shall have their persons houses families and goods kept from violence and shall have the same free liberty of trade and commerce as any other Town reduced to the obedience of King and Parliament 5. That their priviledges liberties and jurisdiction shall bee preserved inviolate conform to their ancient charters in manner above writen 6. If any of the said Citizens Inhabitants or others presently within the Town shall desire to goe and live in their Countrey Houses they shall have protection and safeguard for their persons and estates 7. That no Billet shall bee granted upon any of the Inhabitants without their consent 8. The whole Army shall not enter the Town but onely a competent Garrison Signed LEVEN Provided alwayes that in case these Conditions above writen bee
to the Castle whence they cast over a white flag and beat a Parlee but before notice could bee taken thereof all the service was neer done The principall houses of the Town were preserved from plundering by the Officers the Common Souldiers that night after they had long kept their arms without doing any wrong or violence entred some houses of the meaner sort not safeguarded and did a little pillage and take away the goods out of them but lesse than ever any people or Army did in the like case which was the testimony of the most Malignants and Papists themselves expressing in these very words that no History can parallell where lesse cruelty and insolency and more mercy were shewn in any Town gained by storm which ought to bee no small matter of gloriation when the Enemies are constrained to acknowledge that the wayes and practises of those who have often declared the purity of their intentions are now found out to bee nothing different from their profession and indeed it were to bee wished that the well-affected in the Kingdom had as great feeling of the advantage given to the cause and the good they received since the comming in of that Army to England as the enemies to the peace and happinesse of both Nations are sensible of the hurt done to them and their designes But to return The Town being that same night secured and the Guards carefully appointed at the breaches and by the water-side to watch the escape of those who were within and with so much losse and paines now caught in the snare Next day thereafter being the Lords Day his Excellency did likewise enter the Town and with the Generall Officers and others of the Army did goe to the Church straightway and gave thanks to God that hee was pleased even according to the words and wishes of their Enemies to prosper and blesse his People according to the justnesse of their Cause The Governour who was lately so pertinacious and high minded that hee would neither hearken himself to any thing which might tend to the preservation of the Town but likewise published Proclamations that none should presume to speak of any compliance to a surrender did now become a humble suiter to the Lord Generall whom hee thought not to bee in the world that morning that his Excellence would bee pleased to suffer him and those that were with him in the Castle to depart to the Kings next Garrison as may appear by the following Letter wherein you see him a humble supplicant though in some of his former a scornfull Prophet A Letter sent by Sir John Marlay sometimes Governour of Newcastle to his Excellence from the Castle the day after the Town was taken Octob. 20. My Lord ALthough you have the fortune of War against mee and that I might I confesse have had honourable tearmes from your Excellency Yet I hope your Noblenesse will not think worse of mee for doing my endevours to keep the Town and to discharge the trust reposed in mee having had strong reasons so to doe as is known to many And now whereas I am compelled to betake my self to this Castle I shall desire that I and those with mee may have our Liberty and your Licence to stay or goe out of the Town with your safe Passe to his Majesties next Garrison which is not beleaguered with our Horses Pistolls and Swords And to have 14 dayes time to dispatch our Journey so many as please to goe And truely my Lord I am yet confident to receive so much favour from you as that you will take such care of mee as that I shall receive no wrong from the ignoble spirits of the vulgar sort for I doubt no other I must confesse I cannot keep it long from you yet I am resolved rather than to bee a spectacle of misery and disgrace to any I will bequeath my soule to him that gave it and then referre my body to bee a spectacle to your severity But upon these tearmes abovesaid I will deliver it to you and so intreating your Answer I rest Your friend and servant John Marley From the Castle in Newcastle the 21 of Octob. 1644. For his Excellency the Earl of Leven Generall of the Scottish Army Compare this Letter with that which hee sent out the day before then look what a day may produce And now could there bee any thing more just than to deny favour to a man so eminent in all the wayes of Malignancy so wicked an instrument One who had so exceedingly provoked the Army and had sleighted all gracious offers of Peace Hee is now overtaken in his season and as God in his Justice had decreed and his Servants foretold those enemies to the peace of the Kingdom in these parts are overthrown and were forced to surrender the Castle and come out upon mercy Sir John Marley was committed to his house by a strong guard to defend him from the fury of the incensed people for hee is hated and abhorred of all and hee brought many Families to ruine The rest that were in the Castle have likewise in constrained humility submitted themselves and are rendred Prisoners though not many dayes before these peaceable Divines taught the people that it was more lawfull one of them to eate another than to hearken to the Scottish Traytors or comply with them in any sort The Town is now in as good condition as ever any Town reduced by the extremity of Warre and thereupon exposed to the rapine of Souldiers which oft times is unavoidable All care was had to preserve the houses and goods of the Inhabitants so farre as possibly could bee done and to that effect many Proclamations made That no Officer nor Souldier should presume to trouble nor plunder the house of any under the pain of death And that better obedience might bee given thereto and all occasions of tumults wrongs and oppressions might the better bee avoided It was Ordered that no Officer nor Souldier should stay in the Town without speciall Order but to return to the Leaguer and his former Quarters And likewise for the further weale and ease of the Town the Quarters of the whole Army are enlarged and none ordained to stay in Town but the proper Garrison This is the true Relation of the successe of the Scottish Army against Newcastle whereby it would appear that God delights to co-operate with his Armies The best use that can bee made thereof and of all other Victories is to make them steps of advancement for the Reformation begun and great encouragement to expede the Work in hand and beat down all difficulties A Letter from the Committee at the Scottish Army to the Committee of both Kingdomes Right Honourable VVEE know not any better use you or wee can make of the great successe wherewith it hath pleased God to blesse our attempts against this Town than to make it evident to the world that Truth and Peace are the utmost of our desires and designes
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
powder one Cornet Colours 2 foot Colours and 5 Drums and that Colonell Bret Knight and Baronet was heer also dangerously wounded and as was reported since dyed of the wounds hee then received and that Major Hinkley was for certain dead of his wounds in this skirmish received About the 30 of this instant November wee were certified by Letters from Sir Thomas Middletons quarters that Colonell Beal who went with Foot forces out of London by Sea intended for Anglesey and so for Sir Thomas Middleton in North Wales landed his forces in Milford-Haven in Pembrookeshire in South-Wales where joyning with the Pembrook-men hee marched into Carmarthenshire where the Enemies had a strong Garrison called Laughorn castle which this brave Colonell won from them the exact particulars of which Service being brought to London in a Letter dated at Pembrook I have heer thought fit to extract and set down the substance thereof to the honour of that gallant Colonell and the other Commanders assistant to him therein which was as followeth Wee made our approach to Laughorn castle and having soon gained the Town in the Town gate wee planted our Ordnance and first gave the Enemies a fair summons to surrender the said Garrison for the King and Parliament which they utterly refusing wee presently made our batteries against the Castle gate-house and that not without the happy advantage of a great breach and so with an unanimous consent of our forces fell to hot storm and undermining of the walls both which were performed with such fervour courage and expedition and that only with the losse of not above 5 of our men but at the least 33 of theirs within as was afterward confessed by some of their own Commanders as that the Enemy seeing us in such good earnest and wisely fore-seeing the eminent danger they werein if they now delayed any longer they presently sounded a parley which notwithstanding our advantages being granted them though at first they began with us on high termes yet were forced speedily to surrender only upon quarter for their lives and the Castle thus surrendred into the Generalls possession wherein were 4 peices of Ordnance 160 armes 4 barrels of powder and great store of other provision they having lost in this assault ere it was ended 33 of their men and many wounded whereof 4 were Captains Much also about the foresaid time came certain intelligence by Letters from Pool in the West that Sir Lewis Dives being at Dorchester with 200 horse and Dragoones sent a party to face Pool who made a daring shew and bravado upon sight of whom brave Colonell Sydenham prepared valiantly to oppose them but after only a daring shew and bravado they vanished like a vapourous cloud and marcht away instantly to Dorchester But renowned Colonell Sydenham impatient of the empty flourishes of a vapouring Enemy that night drew out a party of between 50 and 60 horse double pistolled and with them marched like a gallant Gentleman indeed himself in person desirous to shew Sir Lewis Dives some action and in the night hee came to Dorchester and fell upon the Enemy in their quarters first charged the out-guards calling to his men to fall on couragiously which they did most gallantly beat his whole Regiment quite through the Town and then gave them a second charge and beat them back again most stoutly charging upon the Dragoones and crying out to his Souldiers Give the Dragoones no quarter With which his so violent a charge some fell and the rest fled and at a third charge this noble Colonell facing about in the Town found and knew Major Williams in the head of the Enemies Troopes comming to charge him This Williams had formerly basely and cruelly killed Colonell Sydenhams Mother whom so soon as Colonell Sydenham saw hee spake to his men that were next to him to stick close to him for said hee I will now avenge my Mothers innocent blood or die in this place and so hee most valiantly made his way to Major Williams and flew him in the place who fell down dead under his horses feet the rest of the horse and Dragoones fled out of the Town and so escaped Sir Lewis Dives himself and some others of note being sorely wounded and valiant Colonell Sydenham returned back victoriously into Pool with the prisoners hee had taken And thus now having by Gods good guide and assistance finished with a short and succinct Survey the comfortable contemplation of this Moneths wonder of the Burning-Bush thus still Vnconsumed in the midst of all these premised fierce and furious conflagrations as namely Captain Stones his brave exploit at Eccleshall the various happy occasions of a Solemn day of Thanksgiving on the 5 of this November by Order of Parliament Brave Sir Anthony Ashley-Coopers storming and taking of Sir John Strangewayes House a strong Garrison in Dorsetshire The brave defeat given to the Enemy at Helmsley castle and the taking thereof Free Trade re-establisht in Newcastle by authority of Parliament A brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Newark in Lincolnshire Two other also given unto them the one at Axminster in the West together with a rich ship of the Enemies driven into Lime the other within 2 or 3 dayes after the former against a party of the Enemies in those parts The taking of Laughorn-castle in South-Wales And this last brave exploit performed at Dorchester by renowned Colonell Sydenham All these I say performed to the eternall praise and high honour of our Israels ever most gracious and glorious Wonder-working God whereby wee have great cause to sing and say with holy David with exulting joy and thankfulnesse of heart The Lord of Hoasts is with us the God of Jacob is our refuge And thus wee will now breifly passe on without any farther digression or interruption to the farther view and observation of Gods most powerfull and propitious preservation of this still Burning-Bush the Parliamentary Cause FIrst therefore I shall begin the serious Survey of this most rare and admirable Wonder of the Burning-Bush not consumed in this next succeeding Moneth of December 1644. with that brave defeat given to the Enemy about the time when Taunton was much straitned by a siege then about it that valiant and faithfull Colonell Norton with others being then designed for the releif thereof wherein also Sergeant Major Dewet who since hath provâ—d a most perfidious apostate and Major Wansey with the rest of Colonell Ludlows Regiment of horse designed also as a reserve to our Forces then sent to releive Taunton as aforesaid who all I say marched to Salisbury where the Enemy was quartered who upon the suddain approach of these our friends were forced to flye into a place called the Closse a cheif and eminent place of that City where the Bishops and Cathedrall Choristers and Singing-men used to live like so many lazie Abbey-Lubbers commonly called the Prebends-Closse and thither our Forces marched after them even up
adjacent Garrisons opportunely rose and advanced from his quarters to the Town of Cardigan whither the Country formerly invited him and made a party to assist the Generall to complete the designe inagitation and the Town being faced at a distance willingly surrendred and complyed The Castle being a considerable place ably manned having the Ordnance of the convert Frigot there shipwrackt most obstinately stood out till a Demiculverin of brasse belonging to the Leopard was rounted and played 3 dayes upon them forcing a breach which was gallantly entred and made good by our party and the Castle stormed wherein were an 100 Commanders and Souldiers with their armes and good plunder not forgetting the Converts Ordnance thus returned by divine providence and works of mercy in a Commander adding honour to â—cts of Chivalry invited the Generall to give the Steward life who contemned quarter The Town and Castle reduced and the Country in the major part as conceived well affected our Army advanced toward Newcastle the Enemies next Garrison which as conceived will bee slighted or quitted by the Enemy and that County brought to a right understanding of their duty and Parliamentary just honour and proceedings To God bee rendred the due praises of his mercies Vessels of late have been designed to the well-affected Garrisons in Ireland but none in regard of contrary windes returned and shipping to ply up the Channell as high as Miniard have also been Commissionated to give intelligence and assistance to our Forces in those parts Sir Thomas Middletons Maâ—azine of Ammâ—nition since disposed of to Leverpool Nothing that by integrity and action may adde life to the publick good shall by Gods assistance bee wanting and my faithfull indevours shall comply with your Honours great trust whose happinesse shall ever consist my very good Lord to bee Your most humble and faithfull Servant Rich. Swanley Jan. 1. 1644. Postscript My Lord In the night of this date arrived Captain Coachman in the True-Love from Leverpool I have herewith presented Colonell Moores Letter from thence who brought in the Content-prize with the passengers as per list I have included a paper that from Dublin came to band to whom I can yeeld no complyance for want of Ammunition Pray take present order to supply mee with Ammunition and all stores otherwise I shall burthen the State and bee disabled to doe Service A List of Passengers Names taken in the Content-prize bound for Dublin by Captain Coachman in the True-Love The Lord Brabison Sir Henry Titchburn Sir James Ware Mr. Robert Price Mr. Tho. Williams Mr. John Smith Mr. Alex. Nugent Mr. Rich. Holland Mr. Patr. Pue With their Servants All which are to bee sent to the State being of considerable force with the first conveniency in the Honour by Captain Seaman An Extract out of a Letter writen by Captain William Smith to the Lord high Admirall from aboard the Ship called the Swallow in Milford Haven touching the taking of Cardigan Town and Castle AFter many great raines which have fallen in these parts which was no invitation for a Souldier to lye in the fields yet such was the gallantry of Major Generall Laughorne to promote the Cause in hand that the Almighty no sooner crowned his desires with a happy season but in a gratefull acknowledgement hee placed a Garrison in Laughorn castle and from thence marched towards Cardigan with about 500 Horse and 300 Foot and on the 21 of December 1644. hee sate down before Cardigan castle demanding a surrender thereof for the service of the King and Parliament But Major Slaughter who commanded in cheâ—f replyed hee held that Castle for the service of the King and so long as hee had life hee would keep it for his Majesty though therein hee was not a man of his word After three dayes siege the Major Generall perceiving all further attempts-would bee in vain unlesse a breach could bee forced and having no Artillery with him hee forthwith gave order the Demy-Culverin should bee brought from Laughorn which with much difficulty and industry came safe to Cardigan and being placed to the best advantage he fell to battery The Enemy within the Castle-yard cast up a half moon some distance from the place on which the Demi-Culverin played in which they placed their great Gunnes laden with Caâ—e-shot that in case a breach should â—ee made those Gunnes might disanimate our men in entring or perform suddain execution on them Our men plying the Demi-Culverin forced a breach and being full of resolution entred running in the mouth of their Guns recovered the half moon where the Enemy as men bereft of all sense having not the power to give fire to their Guns although the Linstocks were in their hands ready lighted cast down all their armes and cryed for quarter the which was granted â— from thence wee entred the Castle and took Prisoner Major Slaughter and his wife one Captain Vaughan with their Leivtenant and Ensigne one Doctor Taylor a Divine with about an 100 common Souldiers six great Guns a 150 Armes a quantity of powder ball and other provisions and this was done the 29 of December last On the 4 of January Generall Gerrard sat down before the Castle with about 1200 horse and 1300 foot Major Generall Laughorn recruted his forces to about 600 horse and 300 foot and advanced towards Cardigan to redeem his friends who were in the Castle out of the power of the Enemy Leivtenant Colonell Powell in the night sent a Souldier who swum through the river and informed Major Generall â—â—ughorn that unlesse hee could releive the Castle within eight dayes hee should bee enforced to surrender it for want of Victuals and Ammunition which hee beleeved might bee supplyed if some Seamen versed in managing a water sight and climing up rocks were employed So 120 Seamen were sent who after a veiw had of the place undertook it which was performed on this wise A boat laden with provisions was placed in the middle between foure boats on each side two of which were manned with Seamen who in flanks faced both ways plying their Muâ—kets on the Enemy who from the shore played on them with about 300 Musketters yet our Seamen gallantly proceeded put all the provisions into the Castle and returned without the losse of one man onely two slightly wounded After this Colonell Laughorn having drawn his foot into a body being with our Seamen in all about 350. hee encouraged them to give an assault on the Town which after some debate was attempted and on the 22 of January last our foot forced their passage over the Bridge in which wee lost but one man and having beaten the Euemy from their first guard they pressed on to the second which they also took and pursuing the victory beat them out of their main guard which was at the Market place and then out of the Church where our forces took two brasse Demi-Culverins which Gerrard brought from Bristoll with some Powder ball and all their
provisions and following the Enemy beat them all out of the Town and so wee are now Masters both of the Town and Castle Of the enemy were slain in the place 85 besides those that were slain before the Castle 100 prisoners were taken and their whole Forces routed and I beleive in their flight they never looked behinde them untill they came to Castle Emlyne which is six miles from Cardigan In the Town wee also took 250 Armes I have not heard since these unhappy differences began in this Kingdom that the hand of the Almighty hath more visibly appeared in giving so great victories to so small a handfull than hath been manifested in these parts and therfore to his own power wee attribute all the praise and glory But to proceed About the 10 of this instant January the proud and most pestilently pernicious Arch-Prelate of Canterbury William Laud that Arch Traytor to the Church and State to God and all good men yea that Arch Incendiary together with his brother Strafford of 3 Kingdomes after a long and most full and fair tryall as ever to bee honoured Mr. William Prynn hath in his famous History of this Arch Prelates Life and â—â—eath and Tryall most abundantly cleared to all the world being most justly and worthily condemned by the most honourable House of Peeres to bee hanged drawn and quartered as a Traytor indeed yet upon his Petition that kinde of death was altered and hee beheaded as the rest of his Trayterous companions upon the Towre-Hill Of whom all I will say at this time having said so much already of him and the rest of his wretched rabble of Traytors in my Second Part of The Looking-Glasse for Malignants shall bee onely this That his constant pride and impudence considered wherwith hee swelled in his whole life and wherewith hee jetted even to the Scaffold to his deaths Block manifested in his pert yea and malepert gesture spruce and neat apparell unparallelled bold countenance and confidence in his whole carriage even to his very minute of Death his most audacious and hypocriticall Preaching or most properly prating for almost an houre together before his death in most egregiously jugling and justifying his whole life and all his most accursed and abominable works of darknesse and that to the very death O nefanda inaudita audacia execrabilis durities all which I say most seriously and sadly considered O how justly and most properly applyable to this wretohed Arch Prelate is that most terrible and frightfull judgement of the Lord mentioned by the Prophet Make the heart of this man fat and make his eares heavy and shut his eyes lest hee see with his eyes and bear with his eares and understand with his heart and should convert and bee healed This unquestionably was this most miserable mans condition for a most proud and hypocriticall crafty Tyrant and persecutor of Gods Saints hee lived and a most obdurate and marble-hearted Atheist hee also impudently impenitently dyed Giving us all over the whole Kingdom yea all over the 3 whole Kingdoms great just cause heartily to blesse the Lord for his righteousnesse and justice heerin happily fulfilling that of wise King Solomon or rather of the Lord by him When the wicked perish there is shouting and joy among the people And truely so it justly was with us at this wicked mans death For truely as Queen Elizabeth once said when shee was freed from distresse by Queen Maries death and the persecuting Popish Bishops clapt up in prison O said shee it is merry with Lambs when Wolves are shut up so say I it was happy for us poore Lambs when this Wolf was thus taken from us For truely ever since this his just execution what ever the Court-Cabinet Prognosticators falsly affirmed God hath admirably blessed our Armies and the whole work of intended Reformation But now to goe on About the 14 of this instant wee were credibly assured by Letters to the Committee of both Kingdoms as also Major Generall Browns own Letter to his Excellency Robert Earl of Essex then Lord Generall of a most brave victory and famous defeat obtained over and given to our Enemies the Kings forces at Abbington by the said renowned and most active and loyall Major Generall the particulars whereof I have thought fit to give the Reader for his fuller satisfaction and content in a Letter writen by religious Colonell Harsnet to his worthy Friend Captain Jones in London which was as followeth Sir I have had a longing desire to requite your love in giving mee a relation of that famous fight at Alford but never till now could meet with an opportunity But something the Lord hath now I say vouchsafed worthy the relation to our worthy Friends at London I came on Friday night from Henly with our Company that came with us from London Some others of our Garrison whom wee found at Reading after midnight past with us very quietly by Walling ford and so about 3 of the clock came safe to Abbington seeing none in our way to trouble us but having been not above 3 houres there wee had an allarm from the same way wee came which was about half a mile from us in Oxfordshire called Cullumbridge which the Enemy possest themselves of before wee had time to draw forth any party to charge them There were parties from Oxon and from Wallingford Prince Rupert Commanding in cheif with whom was his brother Prince Maurice Sir Henry Gage Governour of Oxford and many other great Commanders Their forces were supposed to bee in all about 3000 Horse and foot with 2 peices of Ordnance Behinde the foresaid Bridge was a great hill with many hedges which they had lined with Musketteers to the great annoyance of our men But our noble Major Generall upon hearing of the allarm Commanded our men to Armes which was cheerfully obeyed and by parties were drawn along the Cawsie that led from the Town to the Bridge Medows overflowed with water being on both sides and comming to charge them at the Bridge the Enemy stoutly opposed us but to their losse whereupon wee had 2 Drakes commanded thither and our men cheerfully wading into the water on both sides did so pelt them while the Drakes plaid upon the Bridge that after 4 houres fight wee drove them from the Bridge and the Hedges and forced them to a retreat and wee having got the Bridge which being of Stone the Enemy had partly broken down yet our men got over Commanded by Major Bradberry Major to Colonell Sparrows Regiment of Essex at the entring over which Bridge hee was slain but in this hot bickering wee lost not above 8 or 10 men at the most and so the Enemy was forced to a shamefull retreat The fight began betimes in the morning at which instant there was a party of 70 or 80 horse from Farrington to set upon our horse quartered at a Village called
Major Generall Skippon to bee Major Generall of the whole Army and then they proceeded to nominate the Colonells of each Regiment for the said Modell which were 21 in all whereof Colonell Holborn and Colonell Rossiter were 2 in the first place And the House then took into consideration the completing of an Ordinance for the raising of Monies to maintain the said Army which shortly after was perfectly completed in all particulars whereof more in their more proper places About January the 24 wee had most certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheshire which were read in Parliament in the House of Commons of a very great overthrow given to the Enemies forces neer Chester by ever to bee renowned Sir William Breretons forces the manner whereof was in breif thus related That the Enemy drew forth all the strength of Horse and Foot that they could get together in and about Chester and marched thence with an intention to releive Beeston castle then strongly besieged by Sir William Brereton whereof Leivtenant Colonell Jones and Sergeant Major Brookes having intelligence they fell upon them in their passage and so undauntedly dealt with them that in a short time they had totally routed the whole body of the Enemies Army both Horse and Foot slew 50 of them in the place and neer 200 wounded They took prisoners 2 Colonells one Leivtenant Colonell 2 Sergeant Majors 6 Captains 10 Leivtenants 4 Ensignes 3 Sergeants and one Corporall They took also 200 horse and 200 men prisoners with 400 Armes and much Ammunition whereby as it may bee easiled judged Chester Garrison was much weakned and disabled to hold out long the then present siege And about the 26 instant wee received also certain knowledge of a notable and brave peice of Service performed by Major Generall Craford then Governour of Ailsbury who going with but about 90 horse to seek quarter for his Souldiers and finding none one way hee wheeled about toward Thame and unexpectedly fell upon a 120 horse of the Enemies among whom was Colonell Bleyer Governour of Walling ford Castle who when they saw each other both these Champions did not take the advantage of each other but in a fair and open field drew into battalia and sent out their forlorn hopes of each side who presently charged one another and so both bodies met and both these Commanders bravely disputed the businesse a while in a fiery and steely language and with much interchangeable courage on both sides But at last our party most undauntedly routed the Enemy Colonell Craford having himself very sorely wounded Colonell Bleyer in this fight but his horse not being maimed his heeles did his Master more service than his own hands could and carryed him fiercely away half dead out of the field all the rest both horse and men being either taken or kild save only about 13 or 14 who escaped with the wounded Governour 20 were so sorely wounded that they could not bee brought prisoners into Ailsbury and not being capable of doing any further hurt they left them behinde to creep if they could to their own Chirurgeons and seek their own cure The 2 Governours as wee were credibly informed meeting together in person in this brave encounter assaulted each other in a single combate and for a while bravely on both sides maintained the duell till Bleyer received a most dangerous wound and as I said before by his horses swiftnesse escaped away Wee lost but 3 men of ours in this furious fight and so ours most victoriously returned to Ailsbury with their prisoners About the 28 of this instant the Committee of the County of Kent that brave unanimous County most happy by the noblenesse of an enobled Gentry presented a petition to the House of Commons wherein they expressed great thankfulnesse unto them for their indefatigable and constant care and paines for the good of the publike Affaires of the Kingdom unto which also they declared their singular good affection and faithfulnesse And humbly also prayed that the House would proceed in fully passing the Self-denying Ordinance for the disabling of the Members of either House to bear any Office in the Common-wealth during the time of these Warres which Ordinance though it had about this time clearly passed in the House of Commons yet received some long stop and contradiction in the House of Peeres which Petition of those Kentish Gentlemen was received with great acceptance and thanks returned to the Petitioners with promise of their best endevours to hasten it Some other particulars were also inserted in their Petition concerning some particular distempers and greivances in that County which were referred to a Committee and in speciall concerning the unnaturall Conspirators for the betraying of Dover Castle and Chattam in Kent who were then kept in durance to bee in due time called to a severe account for that most vile and trecherous design which was afterward effected with the death of divers of the cheif ring-leaders therein Finally about the 30 of this instant January wee received certain intelligence out of Warwickeshire of the singular good successe of Major Purefoy at Compton House against the Enemy as by his own Letter will more fully appear which for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have thought fit heer to insert The Copy of Serjeant Major Purefoyes Letter the brave Governour of Compton House in Warwickshire to his Colonell Colonell Purefoy SIR I Shall heer breifly relate for all passages would bee too tedious to trouble you withall how that first I desire with all my Soul that God may have all the praise and glory which is due to a God that hath now and ever shewed himself unto mee almost by miracles in delivering mee and all under my Command from very many and most eminent dangers This night about 2 of the clock a 1000 or 1200 horse and foot of the Enemies fell upon mee at Compton stormed my Outworks gained the Stables and cut down my great Drawbridge possest themselves of all my Troop of Horses and took about 30 of my foot Souldiers in their beds who lay over the Stables and all this was done almost before a man could think what to doe Wee received this fierce alarm as wee had good cause and presently made good the new Skonce before the Stonebridge and beat them out of the great Court there being about 200 entred and ready to storm the Skonce but by Gods mercy wee gave them so hot a sally that wee forced them to retreat back to the Stables Barnes and Brew-house where from the windowes they played very hot upon us I then commanded Leivtenant Purefoy and my Quarter-master having no other Officers of quality at home the rest being abroad with about 30 of my best Troopers to sally out upon the Enemy with a party of some 40. and to attempt the regaining of the Brew-house and the roomes above which instantly they did with most gallant resolution and courage Sergeant
Gentlemen of this Committee with the horse entred and immediately became Masters of the Town and within 4 houres after the Castle was surrendred upon quarter for all but the Irish to march to Ludlow and then the Enemy delivered up a strong Out-work in Frankwell upon bare quarter for their lives By 12 of the clock at noon wee became absolute Masters of the Castle and Town wherein were taken many considerable prisoners good store of Ammunition and great store of Ordnance The Committee of Wem took as great care as possibly could bee that the well-affected in the Town might not in any measure suffer or bee plundered and therefore the Officers kept off the Souldiers from plundering the Town that so the Committee might see right down and none but Malignants only to suffer The Committee gave present notice hereof to Sir William Brereton certifying him what they had done who thereupon took care for forces to lye neer them to releive Colonell Mitton if occasion should bee The whole Country I mean especially the well-affected party were exceeding glad of this and desired that Colonell Mitton might bee Governour thereof being well known unto them all to bee a most honest cordiall and well-affected Gentleman and of singular and true integrity to the Parliaments Cause whereof by many reall experiments they had strong and indubitable ground and knowledge Our horse the day before had a long and weary march they having been sent to surprize Sir William and Sir Thomas Whitmore a Parliament man whereof more immediately Sir we shall not trouble you any further but to subscribe our selves Your most humble Servants A. Lloyd Sam. Moore Tho. Hunt Ro. Clives Rob. Cariton Leigh Owen Salop Feb. 24. 1644. A List of the prisoners taken in Salop as aforesaid Sir Michael Ernley Knight and his Brother Sir Rich. Lee Baronet Sir Thomas Harris Baronet Sir Henry Frederick-Thyn Baronet Sir William Owen Knight Sir John Wilde senior Knight Sir John Wilde junior Knight Sir Thomas Lister Knight Together with 11 Esquires 2 Leivtenant Colonels one Major 2 Doctors 8 Captains 15 Gentlemen 3 Ancients 4 Sargeants 9 or 10 other Officers and about 50 other prisoners wherof some were Irish One Captain and 5 others were slain Wee also took 15 peices of Ordnance many hundreds of Armes divers barrels of powder All Prince Maurice his Magazine The Town the Castle and all the Works divers Carriages bagge and baggage of the Princes Besides many other prisoners and purchases not discovered when this List was gathered Wee lost only 2 men And was not this a most rare and remarkable mercy and famous Victory indeed and never to bee obliterated out of the Tables of eternall memory and gratitude As accordingly and most worthily it was shortly after Ordered by the Parliament that a Solemn day of publike Thanksgiving to God should bee kept And 20 li. was given to the first messenger that brought this most welcome newes and 10 li. to the second And heer I must desire the Reader to take notice of the most wise and righteous disposall of this great mercy unto us by the great and glorious Moderatour of all things in Heaven and Earth Viz. That this so rare and famous defeat given to the impious Enemies of Gods Cause and Truth was upon the very same day that the Mock-Treaty or rather Plot-Treaty at Vxbridge was happily dissolved namely Saturday Feb. 22. 1645. A passage of singular divine providence and not slightly to be pretermitted of us But now to goe on Much also about the foresaid time it was most certainly informed that a party of Sir William Breretons forces as was forementioned under the command of Sir John Price a worthy Member of the House of Commons had taken Apsley House in Shropshire and therein Sir William Whitmore and Sir Thomas his Son Sir Fra. Oately Mr. Owen Mr. Fowler Mr. Griffith and divers other Gentlemen of quality and about 60 Common Souldiers as they were sitting upon a Commission of Array to raise forces for Prince Maurice and they pursued the said Prince also who still avoided Sir William and at last got over Severn toward Chester on the Welsh side And from Ailsbury wee had also about the same time certain intelligence that that brave Commander Colonell Craford had performed a brave peice of service about Roesham 3 or 4 miles from Oxford where hee fell upon a party of the Enemy and took 40 Horse with their Riders and Armes among whom was a Serjeant Major a Cornet and some other Officers And upon the 28 of this instant February Letters came to the Parliament from ever renowned Colonell Massey of a great Victory obtained by some of his forces under his brothers Command Who in the Forrest of Dean fell upon Sir John Winter routed him and made himself swim the River of Wye in which passage 60 of his men were drowned 70 slain on the place besides Colonell Gam and Leivtenant Colonell Winter and 120 taken prisoners and a 140 horse taken 2 Leivtenant Colonells one Major 4 Captains and other Commanders and Officers together with 300 Armes And upon this Relation a Letter of Thanks from the House of Commons was Ordered to bee sent to Colonell Massey for his good service and an Order also passed presently for providing money for so deserving a Commander And now good Reader let mee desire thee heer to stay a little and to take a summary and short survey of the rare and rich mercies of this Moneth also even of the Burning Bush still Vnconsumed nay rather in the midst of furious flames gallantly grown and much improved as hath been this moneth most evidently expressed both In that notable passage of Providence at Sir Erasmus de la Fountains House In the sound beating of Ashby Cavaliers at Cole-Orton and the brave defeat given to Welsh Gerrard at Cardigan Castle In that Mock-Treaty at Vxbridge and that brave peice of service performed by Major Bridges at Stoke-New-House in Gloucestershire Together with Major Jones his valiant taking of Partshall Garrison and Major Generall Brownes activity about Oxford In the brave defeat at Heightley in Yorkeshire And the happy arrivall at London of Sir Thomas Fairfax to the Parliament to receive his Commission to bee Generalissimo of all the Armies of the Kingdome In the most valiant taking of Scarborough Town Church and Haven The brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Dennington by valiant Major Temple Together with that renowned repulse given to Greenvill at Plymouth In the most happy and famous surprizall of the strong Town and Castle of Shrewsbury and all the rich prizes therein And finally In the taking of Apsley House in Shropshire The brave service of Colonell Craford at Roesham neer Oxford and the famous defeat given to the Enemies by renowned Colonell Massie in the Forrest of Dean In due and deep consideration and most gratefull contemplation of all which so rare and rich
place and took neer as many prisoners 4 great barrells of powder being all they had there took all their field peices their bagge and baggage and dispersed the Enemy and had at this time utterly spoyled and ruinated them had not the darknesse of the night hindered his pursuite of them The Honourable House of Commons taking into consideration this prosperous successe which it pleased the Lord to give our brethren in Scotland which was of much concernment not only for the hoped peace of that Kingdome but of this also they therfore Ordered that publick Thanksgiving should bee made for the same the then next ensuing Lords Day in the severall Parish Churches in London and Westminster and within the Line of Communication and a Committee of the Lords and Commons addressed themselves to the Scottish Commissioners to congratulate them in that happy and seasonable Victory About the 14 instant among divers other usefull Ordinances of Parliament there was one passed by the House of Commons for exempting the University of Cambridge from all Military Taxes and other Contributions to the publike Service That nothing contained in any Ordinance or Ordinances of Parliament for or concerning the imposing levying or paying of any assessements taxes or charges whatsoever as well already made and charged as hereafter to bee made and charged by any former Ordinances shall not bee extended to charge the said University or any the Colledges or Halls therein or any the Rents or Revenues belonging thereunto nor to charge any Master Fellow or Schollar of any the said Colledges or any Reader Officer or Minister of the said University or Colledges for or in regard of any Wages Stipend or Profit due to them or any of them in respect of their places and employments in the said University any thing in the said Ordinances to the contrary notwithstanding Provided that the Tenents who enjoy Leases from the said University and Colledges doe claime no freedome or exemption or advantage by this said Ordinance Heer therefore that old Prelaticall slander of the Malignant Enemies is already clearly confuted who maliciously and falsly give out as if the Parliament were or would bee haters and discountenancers of Learning and parts whereas they ever aâ—med at the advancement thereof by a most necessary Reformation and cleansing of the University from its old stale and stinking lees and corrupted and corrupting dregs of Popery Arminianism superstition profanenesse and even open atheisme as was too evident in so many Prelaticall Popish and Arminian creatures therin such superstitious idle-addle-headed Governours so many formalists and politicians in Divinity meer Atheists in conversation who constantly infected the better wits and ingenous Spirits inducing and drawing them by their most prevalent pernicious examples to their own wayes and wicked practises But now the Fountain being purifyed and cleansed the streams must needs run abroad more clear into Church and Common-wealth by Gods blessing on the means About the 16 of this instant Aprill wee had suddain and certain intelligence out of Kent that about 3 or 400 mad-headed and discontented Malignants part of the rascality of that County were gotten into a body and had put themselves into a second open Rebellion and had taken Sir Percivall Harts house neer Farningham and had got divers horse and Armes which might threaten some danger to that flourishing County but by the speedy provision and care of the Committee and Gentry of that County the Serpent was crusht in the Egge for they had instantly ordered and authorized noble Colonell Blunt who indeed merited much honour in this Service to raise forces in the County for the suppressing of them who used such industry wisdome courage and fidelity therein that hee had soon raised a body of about 2000 horse and foot in one afternoon and part of the next morning and with quick expedition marched after them with 4 field peices toward Lunnington House and having found them out resolutely set upon them and had soon utterly routed and dispersed them took 50 of their principall Ring-leaders who were clapt up in safe custody till they might bee proceeded against by Martiall-Law And thus praised bee the Lord this spark of rebellion not being neglected was as timely quenched as it was soon kindled Much about which said time wee were certainly informed by Letters out of Hampshire that a party of renowned Colonell Nortons horse from Southampton being upon a design to fortifie Rumsey and so to straiten the Enemies Garrison at Winchester which the better to effect a party of his horse I say under the Command of Major Stewart were drawn out to face Winchester and so to keep the Enemy in play whilst Rumsey was thus fortifying which was done accordingly and after some small skirmishing Major Stewart retreated with the losse of 4 or 5 of his men and as many of the Enemies upon his retreat the Enemy advanced but now Major Stewart being seconded by a fresh party from Rumsey set again upon them routed and pursued them killed Leivtenant Coard and 6 or 7 more on the place took Captain Heath Cornet Barnes and 4 or 5 other Officers and about 30 horse and their Riders prisoners and brought them safe to Rumsey and afterward sent them to Southampton In this service Major Stewart received a shot in the thigh but not mortall only a badge of honour unto him praised bee the Lord for it About the 18 instant wee had clear intimation and knowledge of divers of the Lords and Peers of the Kingdom who having formerly deserted the Parliament and shown themselves in open opposition or at best in slie and faithlesse tergiversation from the Cause of God maintained by this present Parliament yet now at the length the Lord as wee hope having opened their eyes of understanding to see their errour and perswaded their hearts as wee trust to cleave to his Truth in sincerity and cordiall loyalty and therefore now I say divers of them were come in unto the Parliament from Oxford and took their Oath and the Solemn Covenant to bee true and faithfull to the service of the Parliament to the uttermost of their abilities both with their lives and fortunes First there came in about the 10 of this instant 3 Earles and 3 Lords Viz. The Earl of Bedford the Earl of Clare and the Earl of Leicester the Lord Pawlet the Lord Conway and the Lord Rich. And since that 5 more came in and took the same Oath and Covenant Viz. the Earl of Westmerland the Earl of Tenet the Earl of Monmouth and the Lord Savill The rest wee pray and trust will also in the Lords due time see their foul errours and seeing bee ashamed and sin no more in that kinde And about the 20 of this instant Aprill wee received certain intelligence by a Letter from a Member of the Committee of Worcester then residing at Warwick concerning a great and brave defeat given to Prince Maurice his forces in
a 1000 Armes left behinde them for haste and divers barrells of powder with other Ammunition and provision and the Enemy taking along with them 12 or 14 Cart loads of their dead men besides many wounded Wee found about 200 wounded men of ours in the Town and not above an 100 slain in all this siege praised bee the Lord for it Since I came heer in 6 weeks time I saw a wonderfull change scarce a man to bee seen in a whole Village so barbarously had the Enemy unpeopled the Country I shall in all humility acquaint you with what I hear My Regiment is designed for the West I humbly intreat if it bee possible I may wait on your honour in your Army which if your Excellency shall please to grant it will much oblige Your most humble Servant Ralph Welden Palmister May 11. 1645. After the reading of this Letter in the House of Commons they began to consider of this great mercy and therefore Ordered in the first place That there should bee a publique Thanksgiving in all the Churches and Chappels in London and Lines of Communication on the next Lords day for the relieving of this distressed Town that so God may have the honour due unto him for it In the next place the House Ordered that a Letter should bee writ to Sir Thomas Fairfax giving him the Thanks of the House for his great care and faithfull service in omitting of no time for the releif of Taunton and that Sir Thomas Fairfax should bee desired to take particular notice of this gallant service of Colonell Welden A Letter was likewise Ordered to bee sent from the House to the Town of Taunton and to the Governour and Souldiers therein to give them the hearty Thanks of the Parliament for this extraordinary gallant service in maintaining the Town against the Enemy so long But the speciall regard that the Parliament had of this Garrison rested not there for An Order was made likewise by the House for the bestowing of 2000 pound upon the Souldiers of that Garrison for their valour and courage in this service And as an earnest of a further reward to the undaunted and ever honoured Governour Colonell Blake It was likewise Ordered that 500 pound should bee paid to him forthwith for his own use The House likewise taking into consideration that by reason of the late tedious and unwearyed marches of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot they had worn out their shooes and were in great need of supply it was further Ordered That it should bee referred to the Committee for the Army to provide and forthwith send down shooes for Sir Thomas Fairfaxes foot The House of Commons further made an Order of reference to the Committee of Both Kingdomes to take care that no advantage bee lost by the releif of Taunton but to use their endevour to improve it to the best advantage of the West and the whole Kingdome and wee have great cause to hope that care will bee taken thereof accordingly About the 15 of this instant May our most provident Parliamentary Statists for the more prudent regulating of the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes New-Modelled Army Ordered certain very excellent Orders to bee observed by all Officers and Souldiers from the Commissioners of the Army to the meanest Souldier both to take care of false Musters of plundering of buying Horses for the State taken by the Souldiers that they should bee marked by the Mark-Master of the Army c. To forbid any Officers to quarter in any house but by Ticket from the Quarter-Master and to pay ready money for mans meat and horse meat according to the rates set down and in case any money should bee wanting to any man hee must receive a Ticket for it c. That Teames or any horses in Plough or Cart are not to bee taken except in case of necessity and then also by Warrant from the Commander in Cheif Divers other good Orders were then also ordained and appointed which are like by Gods mercy to produce good effects and a happy conclusion of this present unhappy Warre especially since wee know it is Gods way when wee manage our affaires without violence and wrong and wee see the Country us the Army passes along is extraordinarily taken with love and affection toward them at the sight of their fair and honest demeanour And heer I cannot omit to make mention of another singular mercy of God unto us in our Armies Viz. The most excellent love and good agreement of Major Generall Cromwell and of Major Generall Brown though both oâ— brave and high Spirits all the time of their being together at and about Oxford and elsewhere in all Orders and Commands even beyond compare yea even striving who should prefer the Service and honour of other more than of himself as if Davids and Jonathans 2 soules were transmigrated and mutually united in one body O if such sweetnesse and onenesse of hearts and affections had been found among our Commanders formerly wee had certainly now been in a farre better condition than as yet wee are like to bee in About the 20 of this instant our most noble pious and gratefull Parliamentary Worthies took into their serious thoughts the payment of the arrears of the most noble late Lord Generall the Earl of Essex whose faithfull and noble services for the State will make his name most honourable to posterity and Ordered the payment thereof partly out of the Kings Revenues and partly out of Haberdashers Hall in London And as a farther pledge of the Kingdoms love and gratitude to the said most noble Earl and as a requitall of his great losses sustained by the Enemy for his constant and loyall adherence to the Parliament and the Kingdomes just Cause an Ordinance of Parliament was passed by the House of Commons for the settling of 10000 pound per annum upon the said noble Earl out of the sale of Papists and Delinquents Estates The House also took into consideration the good service of the party that lately releived Taunton under the Command of Colonell Welden and Colonell Graves and agreed upon a certain pay for them during their service in the West and Ordered that 3000 pound should bee charged Monethly upon the Excise for 4 Moneths for the payment of those Forces The House likewise considered the most gallant service and high deserts of that noble and brave Commander Sir John Meldrum slain not long afterward to our great losse and sorrow at the siege of Scarborough-Castle and in particular his last brave Service in winning the Town Haven and shipping of Scarborough as also the brave assault hee last made upon the said Castle of Scarborough when hee received his most unhappy deaths-wound They Ordered that a Letter of Thanks should bee wrote unto him and that 500 li. should bee added to the 1000 pound formerly given him by both Houses of Parliament to bee bestowed upon him as an earnest of their affections
the Parlour Then all the other Members of the House of Commons in order So for the middle Table and the like for the left hand Table going up towards the Lord Majors Table In the Parlour All the Assembly of Divines in order In the upper Roome over that sate The Recorder of London at the upper end The Aldermen on the left hand The Common-councell and divers Gentlemen of quality on the right After these the Lord Majors Officers that attended and divers others sate down in the same roome where the Aldermen and the rest dined The Trumpets continued sounding all the time of the Feast After Dinner and Thanks given by Mr. Marshall both Houses of Parliament the Assembly of Divines the Aldermen of the City and all the rest being assembled in the Hall they sang the 46 Psalm and after that departed And Friday June the 27 then next ensuing was ordered by the Parliament to bee set apart for a publick day of Thanksgiving for this Victory in all the Churches and Chappels in the severall Counties of the Kingdom under the power of the Parliament The House also ordered that Letters of thanks should bee writen and expedited to the renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax his Field-Officers for their extraordinary valour fidelity and judgement in this famous service against the Enemy And they likewise ordered that 2 worthy Members of the House of Commons should bestow at least 500 pound upon a jewell to bee presented to Sir Thomas Fairfax as an earnest of their love and affection to him And as for the Gentleman that brought this happy news to the Parliament from Sir Thomas in farther testimony of their great affection to their foresaid renowned Generall the Parliament most prudently ordered that an 100 pound should bee bestowed upon the first messenger 40 pound upon the second and for the other messengers that came from Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Secretary they also were all well gratified for their paines The House also about that time fell into a particular debate of the gallant great and faithfull service of that heroick and most valiant Commander Leivtenant Generall Cromwell and of the former desires of the Officers of the Horse under the Command of the Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax to have him Command them as their Leivtenant Generall and considering the great necessity of continuing him in that imployment notwithstanding the Self-denying Ordinance after a long and serious debate of this businesse they ordered that Leivtenant Generall Cromwell should continue Leivtenant Generall of the Horse under the Command of Sir Thomas Fairfax during the pleasure of Both Houses and that hee should receive pay as Leivtenant Generall from the time of the establishment of Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army and they sent to the Lords for their concurrence which was assented unto by them And upon the foresaid 19 of this instant June Both the Houses of Parliament and the prime Body of the City of London keeping the day of Solemn Thanksgiving as hath been forementioned It pleased the Lord as a farther addition to our former great Cause of Thankefulnesse and as an exact completing of our present just joy that day that that very day in the morning before the Sermons began the most welcome newes of the happy regaining of the Town of Leicester by ever to bee renowned Sir Thomas Fairfax was brought to London the particulars whereof I have heer thought fit to insert for the Readers better content and clearer satisfaction as they were related in a Letter from an eminent person there in the Army which was as followeth Honoured Sir Upon the routing of the Kings Army at Naseby as aforesaid Sir John Gell gathered together all the forces of Darbishire Nottinghamshire and the adjacent parts that possibly hee could and on Munday the 16 instant they met with â—ome of the Kings horse and took 200 of them and another party met with some of the Newarkers and fell upon them routed them took 60 horse 42 prisoners and 80 Armes On the said Munday June the 16. Sir Thomas Fairfax lay before Leicester and sent in a Summons to the Town to require the Governour to surrender it to him for the use of the Parliament and putting it to them to consider how the King was routed and shewing them what use they might make of that Clemency with divers other very gallant expressions to the summons to advertise them how much better it was for them to surrender than to force him to take it by storming To this summons the Enemy sent a negative Answer positively this that they would not surrender it whereupon Sir Thomas Fairfax called a Councell of Warre to consult about the storming of it which was soon concluded on that they should prepare all things in readinesse to round it the next day which was done with all expedition not losing any time So they sell presently to raising of Batteries and doing all things that were necessary for the storming thereof according as they had appointed and continued providing every thing that was requisite for the dâ—ing thereof to bee in a readinesse to batter it the next day and sent into the Country thereabouts for such helps as were necessary for the work which went on with great speed both night and day so desirous wee are to have a speedy end of the work that there may bee an end of these Warres if possible On Tuesday the 17 of June wee drew down our Ordnance and played with our peices against the Town wee stormed it playing with our Ordnance very hot on the Newark side which wee conceived was their greatest strength And in short time wee made a breach in their works which struck such a terrour into the hearts of the Enemy that the Governour sent to us to desire a Parley and offered to surrender upon very faire termes as upon capitulation should bee agreed upon To this request Sir Thomas Fairfax being willing to save the spilling of innocent blood as much as may bee hee assented and promised speedily to send in Commissioners for the Treaty and called a Councell of Warre and it was agreed that Colonell Pickering and Colonell Rainsborough should go into Leicester to treat with the Governour about the surrendring the said Garrison to Sir Thomas Fairfax And accordingly a safe conduct was desired for them which being sent they went to Capitulate with the Governour about the surrender thereof In the mean time Sir Thomas Fairfax was not idle nor did hee lose any time but went on providing and furnishing himselfe with Pittars Carts Hay Granadoes Ladders and all other things necessary for storming resolving to fall on at their return in case that they should not agree not knowing how things might fall out during which time there was both great pains and care taken by all in their places for the going on in the said work In the mean time wee had intelligence that the King was on Munday the 16 of June at
in continuing in these parts for the securing these Garrisons Sir Mich. Woodhouse Governour of Ludlow one that came out of Ireland procures all the Kings Garrisons for above 20 miles compasse to draw out for his releif Colon. Lunsford from Monmouth Colonell Sands from Worcester Colonell Skudamore from Hereford Sir Mich. Woodhouse from Ludlow forces from Hartlebury and other Garrisons all which made a body of about 2000 horse and foot which marched up neer Braincroft Castle wee being too weak to encounter with them marched to Wistenstow within a mile of Stook the better to inforce our selves from Shrewsbury and Montgomery whither wee sent for forces but came not in time enough the Enemies contrary to our expectation judging Stook of more consequence made haste thither to besiege it of whose approach the Colonells having intelligence with advice of the field-Officers drew our resolving to fight our horse made what haste they could to come in Captain Fouks troop to which were joyned some Reformadoes fell upon a body of the Enemies horse being 200. and routed them the foot marched on with gallant resolution beat up all their ambuscadoes in the hedges for a mile together untill they came to the main body which after an houres fight wee routed and dispersed In this businesse Leivtenant Colonell Rinking deserves much honour in which he shewed as much valour as a man could do and also the other Colonels did very gallantly we slew neer 100 on the place took above 300 common Souldiers about 60 Officers and Gentleman all their Ordnance bag and baggage 4 barrels of powder a good quantity of match and bullets 100 horse some Gentlemen of quality were slain there being most of the Gallantry of Herefordshire In the action Sir William Crofts the best head-peice and activest man in that County was slain on the place the Governour of Ludlow and Monmouth hardly escaped Sir Mich. Woodhouse his horse being taken The glory of this great action belongs onely to God who was pleased to make weak means instrumentall all to doe so great a work Major Fenwick who behaved himself gallantly is wounded but wee hope not mortally There were taken in this fight Colonell James Boughton Capt. Walter Neale Capt. George Wright Capt. Tho. Stait Capt. Leivten Joseph Singe 2 Cornets 3 Ensignes 2 Leivtenants 3 Sergeants 9 Quartermasters 7 Corporalls 5 Waggoners 3 Montrosses Gerrard Steel Physician Richard Richardson Chirurgeon And many Gentlemen After this fight wee returned to Salop and marched out on the 14 of June early with 13 Colours of foot and 5 Troopes of Horse towards Bridgenorth On the 16 day there was sent hither 26 prisoners most of them Officers taken as I understand comming towards Bridgenorth amongst these prisoners there were foure Parsons Viz. Parson Avacham and Parson Ambler these two have been wicked Incendiaries the other two I knew not this feat being done our forces faced about and before any of us knew of it were set down before Caâ—s-Castle within 7 miles of this town which is a strong Garrison of the Enemies wee are close up to the walls already if wee bee not disturbed by a greater strength I hope wee shall carry it all the Gentlemen of the Committee but one are in this service and very active By Letters from Shropshire of the 23 of June wee were certified that the strong Castle of Cause after 7 dayes siege was taken by the forces of Shropshire the Officers and Souldiers marched out with their single armes without any baggage all the Horse are delivered up to the Committees for the service of the publick It is a place of great concernment and stands upon a Rock not Mineable by this the Country is cleared on that side Severne to Ludlow and quite up to Montgomery the County is in a good condition and will bee very speedily put into a brave posture The Forces as one of credit reports that came thence since the taking of Cause are now before Shrawdon Castle Much also about the foresaid time wee received certain information by Letters out of Cheshire that valiant Colonell Venables Governour of Tarvin having intelligence that a party of Chester forces were going forth to the releif of Caus-Castle in the tiâ—e when it was besieged as aforesaid this vigilant Colonell I say in the night time drew forth a party out of his Garrison went over the River of Dee on the Welsh-side where hee met with that party of the Kings fell bravely upon them who being thus suddenly and unexpectedly assaulted were soon put to the Rout wher hee took Sir John Powell a Commissioner for the Kings Array and who had formerly been High Sheriffe of the County of Chester together with 40 more prisoners whereof some were Officers and about an 100 horse and good store of Armes and thus also prevented that designe of the Enemies And about the latter end of this instant Juâ—e wee had certain intelligence out of the West of the taking of Heyworth in Wiltshire by the forces of our most renowned Generall Sir Thomas Fairfax in his way more Westward which was thus performed When the Enemy heard that our forces drew neer-unto them a party of them fled into the Church but afterward their Commander in cheif drew them out of the Church to guard the Bridge at one end of the Town which for a while they pretty valiantly maintained but were soon-forced to forsake it with the losse of Colonell Sir Thomas Nott and divers others who were slain in the place on the Enemies part where also wee took an 100 Armes and other Ammunition together with 60 prisoners And heer good Reader let mee again desire thee to stay a while and that moâ—â— justly in great and gratefull admiration and contemplation of the most remarkable and precious providence of our good God and his most mighty and mercifull protection and preservation of his maiveilously maligned Church the Parliaments Cause which most like Moses his Burning-Bush hath this Moneth also in a most high measure been preserved with no lesse than Coelestiall assistance in the midst of so many fierce and furious â—lames of regall Malignity not onely from being even quite extinct and consumed but even miracâ—lously made to prosper and flourish in flames maugre all the might and machinations of its proudest and most politick pressing and oppressing Enemies as is most eminently and evidently to bee seen and acknowledged First in that affectionate and feeling Petition of the Citizens of London to the Parliament touching the then present sad and low condition of the whole Kingdom Together with that brave defeat given to the Enemies neer Chester by valiant Leivtenant Colonell Venables And that of renowned Rossiter at Hâ—ughâ—m-House Especially in that most famous glorious and ever to bee recorded Victory most worthy to bee deeply ingraven in never to bee obliterated Characters of most gratefull and gracious hearts far more precious and pleasing to God than richest and
to prevent intelligence between them also and the Enemy And immediately after it for the more fully enabling of the said renowned City to terrifie and over-awe their open and secret Enemies the House of Commons passed an Ordinance for the establishing of a Court-Martiall in the said City of London for the triall of Spies and other noxious Delinquents who shall come out of the Kings Quarters to lurke and watch for opportunities of doing mischiefe and named severall Commanders and Gentlemen who were to be Members of that Councell And here now good Reader be pleased againe to make a little pause seriously to ponder and consider in thy most thankfull heart the unexhaustible over-flowings in bounty and blessings and the unwearied out-goings of thy wonder-working God in this Moneths mighty mercies also and most memorable benedictions on this his blessed Burning-Bush still unconsumed still marvellously preserved and maintained in a most fair and flourishing state and condition maugre the many and mighty flames of the firy and restlesse rage of the Royalists continually menacing and molesting the same as hath been most copiously discovered both in our most loyall and loving Brethren of Scotlands faithfull and valiant assistance in the besieging of Newarle and their brave winning of Muschamp Bridge and Fort there And the voluntary submission of the County of Brecknock in Wales to the obedience of the Parliament In the obtaining of that pernicious den of robbers I mean that strong Garrison of Latham House in Lancashire and Fulford House in the West In the most remarkable and happy surprisall of the Towne and Castle of Hereford by a notable stratagem wherein the hand of God was most admirably evident In delivering that strong Fort of Canon-Tean and that strong Garrison of Callyntine-House at Exeter into the Parliaments possession and thereby strengthning ours and weakening the Enemies hands In the happy rendition of Skipton Castle also a strong hold of the Enemies into our hands whereby almost all the Northerne parts of the Kingdome were set at liberty And sixthly and lastly In putting into the hearts of our Worthies in Parliament and the loyall Citizens of London prudently and providently to foresee future probable contingent dangers and carefully to forecast to prevent and avoid them All which rare and remarkable Parliamentary Mercies gratefully and graciously put together give us great cause with holy David to sing and say In God the Lord alone is our salvation and our glory the rock of our strength and our sure refuge is in God O therefore let us trust in him at all times and poure out our hearts before him in all holy and humble acknowledgements that God alone is a refuge unto us But to go on And now I shall againe begin the serious survey of the rich and rare mercies of God to this his Burning-Bush the Parliaments Cause in this ensuing Moneth of January with a memorable passage of fidelity in the Governour of Plymouth Colonell Kerre who having been most vehemently tempted by Sir John Digby Brother to the traiterous George Lord Digby who then commanded in chief those Forces of the Kings which so long had besieged this brave and loyall Towne of Plymouth this young treacherous Royalist I say having by Letters Messages and mighty promises of a reward of 10000 l. in money and high preferment in the Kings Army endeavoured to intice the noble and loyall Governour to betray and give up this brave Towne into the Enemies hands He contrariwise most loyally disdaining such base and treacherous underhand-dealings returned that traiterous Knight this noble Answer which for the honour of this brave Gentlemans so faithfull resolution I have thought exceeding fit here to insert which was as followeth SIR YOur motion to treason I have seen and detest it it is below my spirit for a personall injury supposed onely by an Enemy to take a Nationall Revenge and for a punctilio of honour to take advice from Hell and to betray my trust I am sorry that one so ingenious as your self should 〈◊〉 your naturall parts onely to do mischiefe yet I have no reason to â—â—der much at your perswasion to treachery because I have had experience of the indeavour of your Family to corrupt others also I remember the Gunpowder-plot and withall the Letter which not long since your Brother wrote to my Lord Roberts tending to the same subject and his negotiation with Major Generall Browne at Abington Surely these principles came from Spaine but you should have told me also that Spanish Proverbe To love the Y reason and hate the Traytor Sir if my counsell may take with you then I beseech you to consider of the evill counsell which you and your party have given to his Majesty whereby the Kingdome especially those parts under your power are become almost a desolation And when you have thought upon the sad effects of these wars then let your heart tell you this truth that much of the blood and rapine in this Country must lye upon your account and guilt may inforce you to seeke for termes of Reconciliation first with God then with the Representative Body of the Kingdome whom you have se highly offended Let not this advice from him whom you call Enemy be despised as you hope for mercy and the respects of him who according to the Nationall Covenant resolves to be Assuredly your Servant JAMES KERRE How the young Gallant did blush if at least he had any shame in him at the perusall of this Letter I leave to all the ingenuous Readers to judge It was a brave letter indeed and most worthy to live in Cedar or to be engraven in indelible Marble and out live them both to this brave Gentlemans eternall honour which being speedily after made known to the Parliament was and that most justly most gratefully resented by both Houses and he rewarded with the present gift of 500. l. and most loving assurance of farther preferment on the first and sittest oportunity And presently after this the Lord to shew his detestation of all such disloyall traiterous enterprises as a punishment of this particular impious instigation to this treason crowned the loyall Governour of this Town of Plymouth with a fair occasion of just revenge and put a fit oportunity into his hands of singular good successe against this Treacherous Enemie which had there long besieged them which was intimated by Letters to a worthy Member of the House of Commons in Parliament in their taking of 2. Forts from the Enemie which had been a great annoyance to those our loyall friends and by which victorie they then got more elbow-roome and liberty to enlarge their quarters than before the particulars whereof were as followeth Our men after a small dispute tooke from the Enemie Canterburie-Fort and in it 17. Prisoners And afterward marched to Saint Bendeaux where after a hot skirmish of an houre and a halfe long our men tooke the Church-yeard which was strongly
fortified and the Church also and in it 140. Prisoners among whom was Major Stukeley a Major of horse Major Salt Capt. â—rice Captaine Edmonds Capt. Lap Capt. Baker 3. Leivtenants 3. Ensignes 8. Serjeants 55. Horse 2. Barrels of Powder and 100. mens Armes besides the Armes taken in Canterbury-Foot with Match and Bullet proportionable there were 10. of the Enemies slaine and 7. of ours whereof Major Heynes was one and about 20. more of our men wounded And thus the Lord was graciously pleased to shew favour unto us that we might justly raise up our hearts with thankfulnesse unto him About the 6. of this instant Januarie we had again Letters from our noble Generalls Armie in the West certifying that his Excellencie Sir Thomas Fairfax and Leivtenant Generall Cromwell made a generall Rendevouz and afterward advanced into the Enemies quarters resolving either to enforce them to fight or at least to remove more remotely toward Corn-wall into the quarters from whence they came And thereupon a party was drawn up farther West which fell upon them in their quarters at Tracie and beat them out of them and out of the field also and in the pursuit of them we took 4. Colonels 3. Leiutenant Colonels 5. Majors 11. Capt. and other Officers 7. Colours whereof one having the Crown and C. R. upon it 400. horse at least 300 Arms 140 Prisoners 150. head of Cattell and store of other provisions designed for the releife of Exeter which thus now blessed be the Lord came short of it After this our renowned Generall pursuing his victory came to Ilminster which he also took with all the ammunition in it where some Commanders of the Enemie had much a doe to save themselves but by throwing good store of money out of windowes into the streets among our Souldiers which whiles they gathered up the said Commanders and Officers in a darke night as it was then escaped by a back way saved their lives whiles our men were tardy to pursue them After this also our forces advanced to Ashburton but the enemy having received a hot alarm by those that escaped as before mentioned they speedily quitted that place also being then their head quarter in great Confusion and amazement sending their foot one way and their horse another but our forlorne hope pursued them so fast through the Towne of Ashburton that we took above 20 horse and 9 or 10 prisoners there and tooke the Towne with all the Armes and Ammunition in it Then the Generall advanced to Totnes where the Enemy had a Foot Quarter as having been the Princes Head Quarter where his Life Guard lay and where indeed we thought the Enemy would have disputed our passe but our Forces following on close upon them soon frighted them thence also tooke that strong Garrison with all the Armes and Ammunition in it yea and immediately after this also our Army marching and advancing on still reduced Okehampton a strong Garrison of the Enemiâ—s to the obedience of the Parliament where we also tooke as was credibly related to me two Colonels five Captaines 20 Horse and many prisoners And it was credibly informed and assured that since that overthrow given to the Enemy at Bovie-Tracy aforementioned we have taken from them at least 1000 of the Enemies Prisoners many of whom were Commanders and Gentlemen of no small repute in the Princes Army And hath not the Lord here admirably appeared for the comfort and hopefull flourishing condition of this his Burning-Bush his just and upright Cause yes certainly even to the amazement of our Enemies and to the stopping of the black and foule mouths of Malignant envy it selfe for ever glorified and omnified be our wonder-working God for it But to proceed About the tenth of this instant two Letters were read in the House of Commons from the Commissioners for the Parliament residing in Ireland the one dated the 19 of Novemb. 1645. from Belfast the other the 22 of Decemb. last from the same place relating the great and singular good successe which it pleased God to give to our handfull of Forces under the conduct and command of Sir William Cole Sir Charles Coot and Sir Francisâ—Hamilton against the Rebels in Ireland in the Province of Cannaught and Vlster and particularly and especially of that most memorable and remarkable deliverance and great victory over them at Sligo And upon reading of the said Letters the House ordered that the next Lords Day the Ministers in their severall Churches within London and Westminster should returne humble and hearty thankes to Almighty God for this great Victory And that the Reader may the better see what cause we have in an extraordinary manner to congratulate and give thanks with our Brethren for the same and for the Readers better content and satisfaction as also because this Victory hath no small influence upon and reference unto the great and present affaires of our own Kingdome as in the sequell you will clearly see I have therefore here thought it very fit and pertinent to our present history to insert the particulars of that brave and famous Victory which was as followeth On Sunday the 17 of October last the Irish Rebels having surrounded Sligo with 1000 Foot and 300 Horse the Garrison seeing little hope of the advance of the Vlster Forces who were then neer them at Bandron though unknowne to them conceived it absolutely necessary to hazard the fighting with the Rebels with their owne strength and Sir William Coles Troops rather than to starve themselves and lose their out Garrisons which were blocked up the Enemy lying between them Captaine Richard Coot and Captaine Richard Cole commanded our Horse being two hundred who charged the Rebels Horse very resolutely and fell in to the sword pell mell and beat them among the divisions of their owne Foot and routed them which Lieutenant Colonell Saunderson seconded with the Foot and Sir Francis Hamilton came also with his Troops in the nick of time and had the execution of the Rebels for five miles their Foot taking flight upon giving ground of their Horse In the pursuit their Commander and President of that Province was slaine the titular Archbishop of Tuain Our men tooke one hundred and fifty of their Horse with Pistols all their Baggage Tents and Ammunition there were two Wagons with rich Spoile and many in them they tooke severall of their Standards and Colours 24 Drums and Officers of note in number 48 who are now prisoners in Sligo about two hundred of their men lay killed in the place and many more had been if plunder had not been preferred before execution by our Foot we had but one killed of Sir William Coles Troop and some Horsemen hurt and some Horse There were of the Irish Rebels taken Prisoners at Sligo as followeth Great Morogh ve Divo O Flabeety Lieutenant Colonell to Richard Bourk Cousen German to the Earle of Clanrickard and his next Haire John
to shew themselves and the enemy bestowed some shot on them but without doing any harme At last the Garrison seeing themselves betrayed and that it was bootlesse for them to stand it out any longer demanded a parley which was granted and agreement made that all their lives should be spared and those that were of the Town should returne quietly to their houses whereupon two by a ladder came over the walls The rest seeing it began againe to shoot and so brake quarter so as in conclusion they all became prisoners at discretion their lives excepted being sevenscore in number or thereabout The Souldiers got store of plunder besides which there were found 17. barrels of powder with match c. good store of victuall besides 30. prisoners or thereabout set at liberty In this Action there was but one man lost on the Parliaments side though the Enemy shot often and threw downe great stones from the wall And thus the Lord every way mightily shewed himselfe for us to the glory of his own great name the good of us his unworthy servants and the great dread and amazement of all our implacable and incorrigible enemies to him therefore alone be all the honour and glorie of all these our most memorable mercies and mighty deliverances And here I shall againe desire the godly Reader to make a short stay and to take a briefe and gratefull review of all the rare and rich mercies of this Moneth also in the Lords admirable preservation and advancement of the prosperity of this his Burning-Bush thus still not Consumed nay contrariwise still freshly flourishing and preserved both in the reducing of Belvoir castle the faire City of Chester Town and Castle to the obedience of the Parliament In the brave defeat given to the Enemie at Ashbie de la Zouch and the prosperous proceedings of our forces in the West In the establishment of the judges to ride their Circuites againe and keeping quarterly Assizes in all Countries 〈◊〉 the power of the Parliament In the famous defeat given to the Enemy at Torrington in the West and totally routing Hoptons Army there In putting down the Court of Wards the famous preservation of Cardiffe Towne and Castle and mighty victory obtained therein And the stratagemicall possession of the strong Garrison of Corff-Castle All which remarkable mercies seriously considered and gratefully preponderated O how great cause have we all with holy David frequently and frevently to enter into that his sweet Soul-Soliloquie and pious expostulation with our owne hearts What shall we re-pay and render to the Lord for all his benefits thus heaped and multiplyed upon us But take the Cup of salvation and pay our Vowes unto the Lord which we have made in the depth of our dâ—lorous daies unto him But now proceed And now we shall againe begin the most amiable and delectable progresse in the comfortable contemplation of the Parliamentary Mercies of this Moneth of March 1646. with the farther most famous successefull proceedings of our victorious Army in the West since the coming thereof into Cornwall and therein particularly their taking of Launceston a strong Garrison of the Enemies in that Countrie which being fully and truly related in a Letter by that worthy Gentlemen Master Rushworth our most noble Generall Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Secretary sent to the Speaker to the honourable House of Commons I have here given the Reader an exact and true Copy thereof which was as followeth SIR UPon Tuesday the 24 of Febr. the Generall began his march with the Army from Bedford and part from Torrington and quartered that night at Holsworth being 12 miles from one place and 15 miles from the other an extraordinary rainy day and wayes extraordinary deep Wednesday the 25 we advanced from Holsworth to Launceston being ten long miles that the Enemy might be the more amazed at the Armies entring of Cornwall Colonell Butler was sent from Holsworth with a party of 1000 Horse and 400 Dragoons on Tuesday night as farre as Stratton in Cornwall to beat up the Enemies Quarters and accordingly that night he passed the River where the Enemy had raised up a Brest-Worke at Tamarton Bridge and broke down the Bridge to hinder our passage over but presently quit the passage whereupon he forced the Horse as well as Foot that kept Guard to retreat to their other Guards and 〈…〉 to the place appointed for their drawing together upon an 〈◊〉 when he charged their Horse severall times at last it pleased God to put the Enemy to the flight He tooke about 300 Horse and 80 prisoners he had more prisoners and some of quality but the Souldiers minding their â—â—ry and booty in Horses many of the prisoners escaped this party of Horse of the Enemies being about 800 that lay to keepe Guard upon the River Tamar was commanded by Major Generall Webbe who with the rest of the Commanders were put to a disorderly Retreat with the rest of their Horses which gave them such an alarm towards the North parts of Cornwall that it forced them to draw their Horse back the rest of the Army marching to Launceston which amazed them likewise on the left hand that if their intentions were for breaking through we could not tell what resolution to take When we came within two miles of Launceston we met with their Scouts having taken severall of them we understood that Colonell Basset with Horse and Foot was resolved to keep Launceston and not to permit our entrance into the same whereupon the forlorn hope of Horse and Foot were sent to force entrance into the Towne the Enemy shut the Gates made some opposition but at last quit the Town and that disorderly we took some prisoners and killed some 〈◊〉 of them night being come on the rest escaped in the darke the Arms and Magazine in the Towne we seized upon we find the Country and particularly the place to expresse much joy at our coming though they were made believe by the Enemy that the Army would give no quarter to any Cornish man or woman which they did for the most part believe and was the cause of a great terrour upon them but our Souldiers notwithstanding the opposition they had at their entring of Launceston did not so much as plunder any one house nor did any other prejudice to the Town that we can heare of but I hope will so demean themselves in pursuance of the Generals Proclamation as we shall conquer the Cornish sooner by our civility than by the Sword Thus far into Cornwall it pleased God to prosper things with us and I hope when we come more into the heart of the County we shall not finde so many Enemies as friends Very speedily you shall receive a fuller account from Your humble Servant J. R. Launceston 26. of Febr. 1645. about nine a clock in the morning And upon the 2 of this instant March the honourable Houses of Parliament took the
Hosts by whose providence you are made such victorious Ministers of our deliverance from such intollerable bondage and next to our great and wise Councell by whose publique care and commission we have the happinesse this day to see you Conquerors for the preservation of our Religion so long violated and restitution of our liberty so long inthralled Neither may we omit a gratefull acknowledgement of the unexampled valour and vigilance which have been so magnanimously exercised for the reducing of this unhappy Kingdome from the wofull condition of a bloody war to so fair hopes of an assured and most happy peace And now since it hath pleased God thus to blesse us we presume not to motion through difference your future care of his Glory and the Common-Wealths good having so many rare examples of your readinesse to defend both However give us leave as a people that to our great grief and misery have so long a time wanted the happie influence and equity of the Law to relieve us to mention our desires of their reparation whereby also to distinguish our selves from those which have with an high hand indeavoured to subvert them and as hitherto you have not wanted our Prayers to God for a blessing upon your Counsels and Actions So now your Honour shall not want the ready though weak assistance so far as the lives and fortunes shall extend of your servants and faithfull votaries The taking into consideration this Petition and the coming in of the persons afore mentioned as also the rising of the Inhabitants at Camelford Ginny-Hill and other parts in the East and North of Cornwall for our assistance it was held fit to summon a Posse of five or six of the hundreds to appear at Bodman-Down to morrow being Friday where some will be fitted with Instructions to impart the Generals minde unto them For to morrow part of the Army advances to Saint Columbe and other parts the Enemy is retreated from Castle Dennis and last night had his Head Quarter about Truro some part of their Forces at S. Allens and kept Guard neer S. Columb as our staying here three daies will prove to our advantage in setling these Eastern parts of the Country So we are confident it will do so for the Western for Gorings Horse will sufficiently incline the people to wish the coming of this Army for their ease and preservation The Enemy gave out they would plunder Truro because the people there already appear for us but it was answered Whether should they go with their plunder when they had it Severall of the Princes servants have sent unto the Generall for Passes to come in and to repair to their homes which I conceive they now solicite for in regard the Prince is gone to Sea but where he is landed we yet hear not Last night a Vessell out of Ireland came into Padstow the Townsmen seized upon her and three other Vessels going out with plundred Goods and sent to our Forces at Ware-Bridge for assistance which was this morning accordingly sent unto thme A Spie is just now come from the Enemies Quarters most of their forces are North of Truro We shall be very neer Truro to morrow night I beleeve the Generall after one daies advance will send a Summons to the Lord Hopton I take my leave and rest Your most faithfull and humble Servant Jo. Rushworth Bodman March 5. 1645. two in the afternoon SInce the writing of my Letter here is Captaine Farre come from Padstow who with Captaine Wogan boarded the Irish Vessel and with the assistance of the Townsmen and Townswomen put them all to the Sword but two about thirty in all wicked naturall Irish God hath most seasonably brought that Vessell thither It enrages the Country against the Kings party for bringing in of forraigners These are but the fore-runners of many thousands speedily to come over as by their Packets of great concernment appears Indeed of so great concernment considering from whom they come that it is not fit to be lightly mentioned they were thrown into the Sea yet recovered an expresse is to come up with them We have cause to blesse God for such a mercy Severall of those Letters subscribed by Glamorgan Ormond and Digby were this day read to Master Corriton Mr. Lower Mr. Glanvile Mr. Trevisa c. And one of the two Irish that had not his throat cut was brought before them which hath so satisfied them of the Kings intentions and ready preparations to bring in bloody Irish Rebels into this Kingdom that they offer to the hazard of Life and Estate in person to oppose them I will say no more till the Letters come Pardon my haste Bodman March 5. 1645. six at night A Summons is gone to Hopton Which Summons coming in here most fitly by that mention therof and of most singular excellencie and worthy to be recorded to posterity I have thought convenient and very necessarie here to insert it the Copy whereof was as followeth Sir through the goodnes of God to his people and his just hand against their enemies your forces being redâ—ced to such condition as to my sense the same good hand of God continuing with us wherin alone we trust they are not like either to have subsistance or shelter long where they are or to escape thence nor if they could have they whither to go for better I have thought good for prevention of more bloodshed or of further hardship or extremity to any but such whose hearts God shall harden to their owne destruction to send you this Summons for your selfe and them to lay downe Armes and withall a tender of such conditions upon a present surrender and ingagement never more to beare Arms against the Parliament as may be better than any thing they can rationally expect by further standing out First therefore to the Souldery in Generall English and Forrainers I shall grant liberty either to go beyond Sea or to their homes in England as they please and to such English as shall chuse to live at home my Protection for the liberty of their persons and for the immunity of their estates from all plunder or violence of Souldiers and all to goe their wayes with what they have saving Horse and Armes But of Officers in Commission and Gentlemen of quality I shall allow them to go with horse for themselves and one servant or more sutable to their quality and with Armes befitting Gentlemen in a condition of Peace And such Officers as would goâ— beyond Sea for other service to take with them their Armes and full number of horses answerable to their Offices To all Troopers and the inferiour sort of Horse Officers bringing in and delivering up their horses and armes twenty shillings a man in lieu of their horses to carry them home To English Gentlemen of considerable Estates my Passe and Recommendation to the Parliament for their moderate composition Lastly for your Selfe besides what is before implyed to you in
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
the other particulars of 〈◊〉 Petition into serious and speedy consideration And have commanded me to give you hearty thanks for the Reall Testimonies of duty and good affections which not onely by your words but by your Actions you have constantly manifested unto them Jo. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum And the very same day and time the said noble Citizens exhibited the like Remonstrance and Petition to the honourable House of Commons of which I say no more but leave it to the Lords most gracious and righteous wisdome and mercy for a happy returne in his own due time But that which is yet farther very memorable and remarkable in this businesse which I only toucht before and as you saw it most evidently true before was That the very day before the Remonstrance was exhibited in Parliament the Kings Majestie himselfe as it were to honour and encourage them in that their famous and faithfull resolution sent a particular Letter to the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Common-Councell 〈…〉 which they being all at that time assembled in their Guild-Hall was publikely read in the audience of them all And which is yet more memorably remarkable and worthy serious and sacred observation That a day or two at the farthest after they had exhibited their Remonstrance as aforesaid the truly religious and sincerely affected Ministers of two Counties Suffolk and Essex as it were to back the Cities brave Remonstrance exhibited a most excellent Petition to the Lords and Commons in Parliament attested by at least 300 Ministers hands subscribed to it which also for the piety and excellency of it I have thought fit for the Readers better delight and satisfaction here to insert which was as followeth To the Right Honourable the House of Lords now Assembled in PARLIAMENT The Humble Petition of the Ministers of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex concerning the Church-Government presented to the Right Honourable Houses of Parliament Sheweth THat your solemne League and Covenant great and glorious Victories the expectation of the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas the longing desires of our Brethren of Scotland the humble Petitions of the Reverend Assembly and the great City of this Kingdome the pressing miseries of the Orthodox and well-affected Ministers and People in the Country cry aloud to your Honours for a settling of Church-Government according to the Word From the want of this it is Right Honourable that the name of the most High God is blasphemed his precious truths corrupted his Word despised his Ministers discouraged his Ordinances vilified Hence it is that Schisme Heresie Ignorance Prophanenesse and Atheisme flow in upon us Seducers multiply grow daring and insolent pernicious Bookes poyson many souls â—â—ety and learning decay apace very many Congregations ly waste without Pastours the Sacrament of Baptisme by many neglected and by many re-iterated the Lords Supper generally dis-used or exceedingly prophaned confusion and ruine threatning us in all our Quarters In all humility therefore acknowledging your unwearied labours for the publique good your successefull endeavours for saving this Kingdome your hopefull beginnings of a blessed Reformation we out of conscience and in tender regard to the glory of God and the salvation of our people beseech your Honours That a forme of Church-Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches may with all possible speede be perfected and confirmed by your civill sanction that Schismaticks Hereticks seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Books be effectually suppressed That further care may be had of Ordination for a supply of able and Orthodox Ministers and all good meanes used to make up the sad breaches in this our Sion So shall the Church of God be setled your hands strengthened the sacred Covenant performed our feares prevented the Judgements of God diverted And your Petitioners shall ever pray c. The Lords Answer to the said Petition THe Lords are glad to finde this zeale and care in the Ministery of the Counties of Suffolk and Essex for the preventing the further increase of Heresie and Profanenesse and for the promoting a growth in the power of godlinesse The Lords desire you to continue still in your endeavours therein and they will not be wanting to give you all encouragement They have commanded me to give you thanks for your expressions of your good affections to the Parliament and this Cause and do assure you that they will improve their power for the suppressing of Errour Heresie seducing Teachers and soul-subverting Booke and likewise for the setling of Church Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches to which they hold themselves obliged by their solemne League and Covenant and that their Lordships have appointed that their Petition with this answer shall be printed and published John Brown Cler. Parliamentorum The Answer of the House of Commons to the Minister Petition Die Mercurii 27. Maii. 1646. THe House being informed that divers Ministers of the Counties of folke and Essex were at the doore they were called in and presented to the House a Petition intituled The humble Petition of the Ministers of Suffolke and Essex the which was read The Ministers were againe called in and Master Speaker by command of the House acquainted them That most of the particular desires of their Petition are now under consideration and they hope will be brought to a settlement speedily That the House is very sensible that through some intervening obstructions the Church-Government hath not beene so fully settled as they desire and that they give them thankes for their good affections and desire them to put all Ordinances in execution concerning Church-Government as lye within their power H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. This speciall act also of Divine providence so oportunely bringing in these Ministers Petition much to the very same effect as the Cities Remonstrance was and full of much piety and zeale for God and his Great Cause the present miserably distracted and distorted Church by abhominable Errours and Scismes I could not but most gratefully and gladly record in these our Parliamentarie-Annals as no small mercie of the Lord unto us and worthy to be taken notice of to the glory of God and honour of those two most worthily to be honoured Counties And about the third of June,1646 We were certainely informed of the taking of Salcomb-Regis which was surrendred to Colonell Welden and also that Bostol-house a most pestilent and pernicious Garrison of the Enemies was also yeeled up unto the power and possession of the Parliament And upon the 4. of June it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most worthy Parliamentarie worthies to set forth an Ordinance of Parliament for the settlement of that great scruple and Question among Gods people as touching the point of worthy or unworthy Communicants at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper and for the more full and certaine establishment of the Presbyterian Church Government a mercie long
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
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
by storming it by our brethren of Scotland The Scots pious prudent carriage before the storming of Newcastle Marley the Major of Newcastle his proud dissembling carriage toward the Scâ—ts What great most just cause England hath for ever to love most entirely their faithfull brethren of Scotland Malignants most slanderous mouths justly stopped A brave exploit performed by renowned Col. Seelâ—y Governour in Lyme The most just reasons of an Ordinance of Parliament against Irish Rebels taken prisoners by Sea or Land who are to have no quarter granted them Certain intelligence brought to London that ours and the Kings forces were within 2 or 3 miles of Newberry and like to be engaged The Copy of a Letter sent to the honourable Speaker of the House of Commons relating the whole fight at Newberry 28 Octob. 1644. The King in Newberry The Enemies strength at Newberry was 8000 foot and 5000 horse God heer took more care for his servants than the King did of his best Subjects Our Army was necessitated to quarter al night in the open field Ours took 2 or 3 cart loads of the Kings provision and 100 horse and foot of the enemies The fight begun The fight maintained for at least 3 houres space with admitable courage fiercenes on both sides The Earl of Cleveland others taken prisoners 9 of our brave peices of Ordnance which had been lost in Cornwall heer now recovered our men fought like devils as the Cornish Souldiers cryed our running away The King â—â—ed out of Newberry with only one Troop of horse General Gorings brother shot dead in the fight Prisoners tâ—ken at Newberry fight The King flying out of Newberry reviles the Major Prizes-taken at about Newb. An Order of Parliament for a day of publik Thankâ—giving to God 〈◊〉 brave defâ—at happy Victory A just check to our improvidence in not improving this braveadvantage as we might have done The Castle in the Town of Newcastle taken by our brethren of Scotland The names of the prisoners taken in the Castle A most famous defeat given to the Enemies at Bever Vale by Sir Jo. Gells Sir Tho. Fairfax his forces 800 horse and 400 prisoners taken at Bever-Vale Colonell Sydenâ—ams good service in the West Leverpool in Lancashire surrendred up to Sir Jo. Meldrum The manner how Leverpool was taken Prisoners taken the goods of the Town recovered by Sea Tinmouth-castle surrendred unto Generall Leven with 38 peices of Ordnance in it and great store of oâ—her Armes Ammunition The most wise providentiall degrees of Gods completing his mercies to us This Moneths day of humiliation was also most justly turned as much into a day of exultation Reverend Mr. Cases baptizing of the surrender of Newcastle with the name of Gâ—d a Multitude The Burning-Bush not consumed 1. A brief most grateful â—ecapâ—tulation of all the memorable mercies of this moneth of October 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The Burning-Bush not consumed Isa 54. 16 17. Ibid. ver 15. Psal 18. 31. 46 Novemb. 1644. A brave exploit performed by Captain Stones one of valiant Col. Ridgele yes Officers in armes against the Enemy about Eccleshall This 5 of November a day of publik thanksgiving for divers great and famous victories The great triumph in the City of London on this solemn day of thanksgiving The Enemies Garrison at Sir Jo. Strangeways House in Dorsetstire stormed taken by Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper The storming of this Garrison continued 6 hours together Between 30 40 of our men blown up with powder in the taking of this house A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Helmsley castle Free Trading with Newcastle re-established by the Parlia Helmsley castle in Yorkeshire taken by the thrice noble Lord Fairfax A brave defeat given to the Enemy in Lincolnshire by Major Harrison A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Axminster by Lime forces A rich ship driven into Lime Haven by a storm Another brave defeat given to the Enemy by Lime Garrison Laughorn castle in South-wales taken by Colonell Beal A brave exploit performed by Col. Sydenham against the Enemy at Dorchester The admirable courage valour of Colon. Sydenham and his Souldiers A grateful summary review of the various ways of the Burning Bush not consumed Psal 46. 11. Decemb. 1644. A brave defeat given to the Enemies at Salisbury by Sergeant Major Dewet Colonell Cooke Leivtenant-Col Hook with others taken prisoners The self-denying Ordinance for calling home al the Members of both Houses of Parliament The substance of the Ordinance or Vote it self A day of Humiliation ordered to bee set apart for both Houses in private to seek the Lord touching this great Vote Isaiah 65. 1. Crowland taken by Col. Rainesborough A brave defeat given to the Enemy at â—edâ—ury by renowned Col. Massie Good service done by Sir Tho. Middletons forces about Mountgomery-shire A brave defeat given to the Enemy in the West by Col. Holborn Plots conspiracies of the Enemies discovered and prevented Stafford Town and Castle in danger Doverâ—castle Abbington Ailâ—bury Reading Plymouth Lyn-Regis in great danger to have been betrayed An exact relation of the crafty contrivement dâ—scovery of the plot to betray Lyn-Regis The Kings esteem of Lyn-Regis Captain Lemon seems to consent to the plot The Governour of Lyn made acquainted with the businesse The brave carriage of the businesse Leivtenant Sâ—ubbin 5 or 6 more with him sent from Lyn by the Governour came in a disguise to perfect the work Mr. Strange findes himself betrayed Mr. Strange his CommissioÌ„ taken and sent up to the Parliament The Copy of the Commission Iounton-Dean in the West releived Colon Holborns activity brave service in the West Care taken by the Parliament for the choosing of good Officers in the City of London Captain Redmans brave service neer Northampton Knaresborough-castle in Yorkshire taken Cumhire Abbey a strong Garrison of the enemies in Mountgomery shire taken by Sir Tho. Middleton Captain Stones brave defeat given to the Enemy at Tongue-castle Another by Major Dewet And another by Col. Thorney The most noble Queen of Sweden desires Association with the Parliament of England The Burning-Bush not consumed Psal 367 8. 32. 7. January 1644. Sir Alexander Carew beheaded for treason Sir John Hotham beheaded for treason Captain Hotham also Son of Sir John Hotham beheaded on Towre-Hill A remarkable passage of Divine providence The Directory for pure worship Voted in Parliament the Common-Prayer Book abolished The Arch Prelate of Canterb. to be now effectually brought to his Condemnation A remarkable note Divers brave exploits performed by the Parliaments forces against the Enemies Cardigan Town Castle taken by Col. Laughorn in Wales and a brave prize at Sea The Arch Prelate of Canterbury executed for treason on Towre-Hill Isaiah 6. 10. Prov. 11. 10. A brave defeat given to the Kings forces at Abbington by renowned Major Generall Brown A Copy of Col. Harsnets Letter to Capt. Jones touching
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