Paltz and Christs Gospell preached and the Sacraments duely administred which I saw and was partaker of singing thankes unto God for their deliverance He it was and none other under God who helped them to their liberties He it was and none other releeved Israell Notwithstanding whereof the unthankfulnesse of the people was so great that with my eares divers times I did heare some of them say he might as wel have stayed in his own country till they had sent for him so great was their unthankfulnesse Likewise they said if he had had much at home he had not come unto them over seas such a farre Iourney Was not this to recompence good with evill Was not this right the chiefe Butlers part that did not remember Ioseph but forgot him Was not this Ioas his part to Iehoida his Father O then this was the poisonable bullet of ingratitude of the people for which our King and Master was taken away Oh would to God the people had never bin so unthankfull that our King Captaine and Master had yet lived Moreover as these people were unthankfull so they were Godlesse many of them in the time of their troubles as I did behould oftimes with mine eyes a carelesse security amongst them thinking their victories were so frequent and their owne power so great they needed not the assistance of the Swedens nor of strangers and their pride was so great that disesteeming of strangers in their pride they led a life very insolent and deboist being given to the workes of the flesh adultery fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnesse idolatry c. In a word it was even amongst them as it was in the dayes before the flood as if the Lord had forgotten them or could not see their villany so it behooved God to have punished them by his Majesties death For in their hearts they said there was no God so that their mischiefe came on them unawares and this the peoples carriage caused his Majesties untimely death being shot the second time O would to God they had done otherwise and served God more truely that we might have had the presence and conduct of our Magnanimous King longer till the pride of Austria had bin more humbled and the whore of Babylon brought unto repentance of her Idolatries O would to God I could enough lament his death As also lament my owne sinnes and the wickednesse of the people that was the cause of this untimely death through their sinnes And his Majesties selfe also being a sinner as he himselfe oftimes confessed wishing that God would not lay to his charge the greate respect and reverence the best sort of the people did give unto him being but a sinfull man as they were for which he feared the Lord was angry with him shewing by his cōfession he did glory in nothing but in the Lord ascribing ever all his victories unto God and nothing presuming of himselfe For I dare be bould to say he was a man according to Gods minde if there was one on earth Such was our Master Captaine and King As was Abraham the Father of many so was our Master Captaine and King Was Noah in his time unreproveable So was our Master Captaine and King Was Iob in his sufferings patient So was our Master Captaine and King Was Ionathan true and upright in keeping his word So was our Master Captaine and King Was Iehosaphat in his warres penitent and busie craving the helpe of the Lord So was our Master Captaine and King Was Simeon good and full of the spirit So was our Master Captaine and King Was young Tobias mindfull all his dayes of the Lord in his heart and his will not set to sinne So was our Master Captaine and King like unto a stone most precious even like a Iasper cleere as Christall ever and ever And truely if Apelles with his skill in painting and Cicero with his tongue in speaking were both alive and pressed to adde any thing to the perfection of our Master Captaine and King truely the ones best Colours and the others best Words were not able to adde one shaddow to the brightnesse of his Royall Minde and Spirit So that while the world stands our King Captaine and Master cannot be enough praised Alas then it was our sinnes and the sinnes of the Army and the Land was the cause of our punishment in losing of him with that unhappy last bullet of the three shot through his head who was the head of us all under God our Father in Christ that did undoe us it was we I say that sinned against the Lord and his Anointed It was our misdeedes did thus grow over our heads that made us lose our Head and Leader Woe woe then to us that left the Lord till we made the Lord take him from us that was our guard and comforter under God in all our troubles What then ought we to doe that one day we may raigne with him in glory While it is to day we must cast off the workes of darknesse and embrace the light in newnesse of life repenting of the evill and turning away from our wickednesse by repentance not like unto Cain not like unto Saul not like unto Achitophell not like to Iudas Iscariot who all doubted but like those of Nineve in dust and ashes to fast and pray beleeving in the Lord and with David to say We have sinned against thee and against the Heavens be mercifull unto us o Lord like unto Peter let us ô Lord Weepe bitterly let us then repent and beleeve the Gospell beleeve yea and turne to the Lord with all our hearts with fasting and praying and mourning with Saul that said Thou art more righteous then I in shewing me good for evill much more ought we to lift up our voices and with teares of repentance mourne for the losse of our Master Captaine and King through our sinnes and unthankfulnesse Therefore to day while we have time let us acknowledge our sinnes before the Lord and repent lest a worse come unto us and that then we be cast into prison till that we pay the last farthing for if the Lord spared not his owne Sonne who was blamelesse and without sinne while he tooke on him our sinnes what shall then become of us No otherwise but except we turne from our sinnes we must also die the death Let us not then close our eares as at Meriba and at Massa in the wildernesse but with the forlorne Child cry Father we have sinned against thee and against heaven and are not more worthy to be called thy Sonnes Lord therefore be mercifull unto us and enter not into judgment with us Then let us all weare mourning and lament the death of the valiant King Gustavus Adolphus while we breath Yet what helpe Res est irrevocabilis et quod factum est infectum fieri nequit what is done cannot be recalled and should we mourne like unto those who have no hope Farre be it from us seing it
cannot helpe us in this life or in the life to come Let us then say with Micha let it be with us as it pleaseth God and let us say with David It is good for us o Lord that thou hast chastened us with thy Rod thou canst also helpe us and bring us to an happy end of all our miseries the Lord will not suffer us nor our seede to lacke bread and the Lord our God did ever give unto the people of Israell at all times Rulers Iudges and Kings and Iael though a woman deâ—pised was strong enough to drive a naile in the right cause Shall not then the Lord on our repentance sturre up one yet to take his cause in hand who are also Israels and the Lords people and inheritance being also christened in the Lords name And as a Mother doth not forget her Child so will not the Lord forget us but in place of our Master Captaine and King will yet give unto us a valiant Leader come I hope of the valiant Bruce of the first King of the Stewarts of the Issue of Elizabeth the Queene of Bohemia and Iewell of her sex the most splendid in brightnesse of minde for a woman that the Earth doth affoord From her I wish the Leader to come into the field to fight with goodlucke victory with strength power with wisdome and understanding c. against her enemies and our enemies alwayes well furnished and prepared the Lord will give him an Horne of Iron and feete of Brasse to beate his enemies in peeces the Lord will lift up his hand upon his adversaries and cut off all his enemies and to conclude he will make him treade the Devill under his feete The Lord of his infinite mercy grant unto us such a Leader in place of our valiant Master Captaine and King of never dying memory the Lyon of the North the invincible King of Sweden so shall we not neede in any manner of way to doubt of a wished happy end both to the warre and to our selves being victorious over all our enemies temporall and spirituall Amen The fourty-one Duty discharged at the intaking of Landsberg on the Leake and the reliefe of Rhine PALSGRAVE Christian being left by his Majesty to command the Army in Bavier having left Rhine with foure Companies of Swedens commanded by Colonell Worbran his Major he brake up with the Army towards Aichstade in Bavier and having taken it by Accord he continued his march towards Landsberg on the Leake Where having arrived within halfe a mile of the Towne we quartered for a night till preparation were made of victualls and furniture convenient for the beleaguering which being made the next day we marched towards the Towne in Battaile drawing up within reach of Cannon to the walles in the safest part they thundering with cannon amongst us our foote Army was divided in Briggads and directed to severall Posts our horsmen were also divided Some were commanded out to scoure the fields on that side the enemy was to come others were appointed to remaine beside the Infantry to second us against the out-falling or otherwise to second us against the reliefe that might come to the Towne The rest of our Horsemen were directed to Quarters having left Ordonance Rutters to bring them intelligence The Towne being beleaguered on all Quarters a Bridge was made over the River where a strong Guard of horse and foote were sent to hinder both their supply and escape on that side Likewise the approaches were begun and orders were given in haste for making the Batteries And the Guards being set both to the Cannon and to those that wrought in the Trenches the Colonells were Recognosceing about the walls before their severall Postes Where at the first Colonell Fowle was shot through the thigh with a Musket who immediatly was sent to Ausburg to be cured Before night a second partie of Horse were sent forth for Intelligence lest any mis-fortune might befall the first partie whereby we might not be surprized by the Enemy being strong together at Minchen Spence his Regiment and mine were appointed to attend on the Generall at his Quarter my Lievetenant Colonell commanded the Guards on the Battery and the Trenches on our Quarter And the Generall Major Ruthven his Briggad being on the other Quarter next the water there grew a contestation of vertue betwixt the Officers of both Briggads who should first with their approaches come to the wall but those of Ruthvens Briggad were forced notwithstanding of their diligence to yeeld the precedency unto us being older blades than themselves for in effect we were their Schoolemasters in Discipline as they could not but acknowledge So being they were trained up by us from Souldiers to be inferiour Officers and then for their preferments and advancement they went from us with our favours towards the Generall Major such as Captaine Gunne Lievetenant Brumfield Lievetenant Dumbarre Lievetenant Macboy Lievetenant Southerland Ensigne Denune and divers more which were preferred under Ruthvens Regiment till in the end they did strive in vertue to goe beyond their former Leaders Neverthelesse we kept ever that due correspondence together that where ever we did meet we were but one not without the envie of others This strife amongst us furthered so the victory that before the next morning from our Battery where Sinclaire did command there was a breach shot in the Skonce without the Towne as also from the Generall Major his Quarter there were two Officers of the enemies killed on the wall their Cannon dismounted and a great breach made in the wall So that the enemy perceiving he had two breaches to defend he tuck 't a Drumme desiring to parlé Which being granted the Accord went on and they were suffered to march out with their Armes seeing the Generall had intelligence their Armie was comming to releeve them he was glad to grant them any Conditions before he were forced to rise from the Towne by the Enemy being so neare for reliefe of it The enemy being marched out and convoyed away the Generall directed Generall Major Ruthven into the Towne with a strong partie of foote to beset all the Posts and then to take notice of all provision and goods that were in the Towne such as Corne Wine Artillery Amunition Horses and all other goods or cadducks in generall to be used at their pleasure Which being done the foote Armie were directed to their former Quarters to rest till further Orders The Horsemen were directed also to Quarters and then there were Quarters made in the Towne for the Generall and the Hoofstaffe as also for the Colonells of horse and foote during the Generall his further pleasure Diverse of our foote Souldiers were hurt on the Batteries and Trenches which got Quarters in the Towne being allowed to have Chirurgians to cure them And the Towne was incontinent beset againe with foure Companies of Colonell Hugh Hamilton his Regiment being new levied men out of Switzerland and his
Majestie continually to divert them from us esteeming more of our soules than of deceivable riches whereof the possession is uncertaine as was seene at this time both in Holsten and Yewtland their riches went faster away than they came and though they could have enjoyed them yet at last they were forced to leave them to others Since therefore we can carry nothing with us but our good name let us be ever carefull of that discharging so farre as we may with a good Conscience our dutie to God and man and this Heritage we cannot be robbed of though the world should turne to nothing Here we see this magnanimous King his estate falling for his love to his Niece the distressed Queene of Bohemia and her Children seeing her banished from her Kingdome by the sword of her enemies he hazards the losse of his Crowne and person to get her restored bringing the sword of his enemies within his owne Countrey fortune having crossed him abroad yet for all this this Magnanimous King was not dejected but with a couragious resolution makes use of the time retiring to one corner of his Kingdome to prevent the losse of the whole being naturally fortified with a broad graffe as the Isle of Britaine being strong of shipping having his Majestie of Britaine to friend and the Estates of the united Provinces he was carelesse of the Emperours forces by Sea or Land not being able to harme his Majestie more than they did By this example we may see what advantage our Soveraigne the Kings Majestie of great Britaine hath over all forraigne Kings in Europe through the scituation of his Dominions being mightie in power of men shipping and money is able to make warre abroad where he pleaseth and to make a safe Retreat when he pleaseth being Master at Sea as he can easily be terrifying his enemies with one Armie abroad and a strong Armie at Sea he can offend whom he will and retire when he list forcing all Europe to be in feare of him and his Majestie in feare of none but of the King of Kings The Lord therefore preserve his Majestie his Children and Subjects from the power of forraigne enemies and I wish a great part of my friends and Country-men were so farre addicted to seeke the restitution of her Majestie of Bohemia and her Royall Issue as I am the warres then should never end till they were restored and I avenged of my friends bloud and mine owne shed in the quarrell Here also I did observe his Majesties circumspection in preventing the Emperialists in coming by water unto his Kingdome having beset all Finland with strong Garrisons of Horse and Foote which kept strong guards and good watch by night and by day at such places on the Coast as was most in danger of the enemies over-setting till in the end the enemy was forced to retire his Armie leaving but a few men in Garrison in the Townes which lay on the Coast which Garrisons his Majestie with shipping did often visite to their great hurt with strong parties retiring againe having done his exployt at his pleasure in safetie This Magnanimous King to my knowledge deserved to have been worthily thought of and well spoken of for his noble enterprizing of the warre being Leader and Generall in so good a cause And though the successe was not answerable I dare be bold to affirme it was none of his Majesties fault for his Majestie not onely bestowed much in advancing of it but also did hazard himselfe and his Crowne in maintaining of it Neverthelesse there are alwayes some Cynicks that doe barke at his Majesties proceedings without reason where we may see that no man no nor Kings themselves can escape the lash of censure and none can eschew to be traduced by the ignominious aspersions of the malevolent tongue Therefore it is good to doe well and then we need not care what is said except the sayer put his name to his assertion and then he may be made to foote his Boule in maintaining of it or unworthily to refuse it Here also I did observe that no Armour nor passe could remove the Generalls feare for having once imagined the enemies over-coming he was never fully setled till he was safe a ship-board And therefore I did see at this time that verified that when man distrusteth God it is then just with God to leave man to himselfe for after our Retreat being on the Roade the Generall being thronged in his owne Ship could not command a Ship to transport his servants till I forced a Ship for his Excellencies service which should teach all men in Authoritie while they have command to command with discretion lest the wheele should turne and then they should be beholding to those whom before they commanded Here also I did see mutinous Souldiers well rewarded and it may be sooner than they thought for the day before those that call'd for money when they were commanded to goe on service the next day I being a Ship-board did see them turne slaves unto their enemies being taken prisoners robbed both of Cloaths and money and kept long in bondage being forced to serve against their Conscience such was their folly in calling for money when it was no time to tell it Having at this time left our horses and baggage to our enemies I observed somewhat on the love of men to those beasts and the love of beasts to their Masters as worth the noting to confirme the kindnesse that should be entertained amongst Christians and men of one profession my brother Obstell of worthy memory had a Horse of our owne Country-breed that was so familiarly acquainted with his Souldiers and with the noise and touch of Drumme that the whole day on our march when his Master went a foote he unled followed the Drumme a little aside from the Company halting when they halted and moving when they moved fast or slow Another Horse I left that being in Wismer Leager having rode out one day to a wood halfe a mile from the Leager to cause to cut timber leaving my Horse standing alone and my Cloake on my Saddle a Rutter coming by unknowne to me and my fellowes steales my Horse away who finding himselfe in strangers hands skips loose and runs to our Leager being chas't and hunted at by more than a hundred Horsemen out-runs them all unto the trenches and running through the Leager stands before my Tent my Camerades wondering what became of mee thinking I had been killed by the Horsemen come and make search for me and finding me tell me of my Horse These beasts I have remembred for their love for which I will set downe some particulars concerning the addresse fidelitie and bountie of some Horses whereof I have formerly read Plinie protests their prayses cannot be expressed We reade of the Numidians that were so much redoubted of the Romanes that in their warres they would at spurres runne their Horses in middest of their enemies without a bridle to governe
have seene a Battaile fought in the Fields in such a quarrell being led by such a magnanimous King of Heroick spirit that had much more on hazard that day than I had who had onely to hazard but my life and credit while as he a King was to hazard his life his Crowne his reputation and all for strangers Having thus the night before meditated I found a motion rejoycing my heart in making mee resolute to sight in this Cause being tied in dutie not onely for my person but also tied to give Counsaile and direction as the Lord did enable mee by giving instruction good heartning and good example to others who were bound to follow mee as I was bound to follow my Master the King seeing the Lord by his providence had brought mee thither with a number of my friends to follow and obey him as they were bound by oath to obey mee And then I thought with my selfe after I had awaked from sleepe going on to march that my life was much like a tale and that we should not care how long this life of ours should last but that wee should bee carefull how well our life should bee acted for it is no matter where wee end if wee end well and we should not aske when or where but we ought to bee ever mindfull how wee are prepared going to fight Nature did beget us miserable we live over-burthened with cares and like a flower wee vanish soone away and dye Our hunting then here and our care should bee onely for a perpetuall good name to leave behind us that so being absent wee are present and being dead wee live The sixteenth Duty discharged on our Fight at Leipsigh AS the Larke begunne to peepe the seventh of September 1631. having stood all night in battaile a mile from Tillies Armie in the morning the Trumpets sound to horse the Drummes calling to March being at our Armes and in readinesse having before meditated in the â—ight and resolved with our Consciences we begunne the morning with offering our soules and bodies as living Sacrifices unto God with Confession of our sinnes lifting up our hearts and hands to Heaven we begged for reconciliation in Christ by our publique prayers and secret sighes and groanes recommending our selves the successe and event of the day unto God our Father in Christ which done by us all we marched forwards in Gods name a little and then halted againe till the whole Armie both the Dukes and Ours were put in good Order our Armie marching on the right hand and the Dukes on the left our commanded Musketeres marching in the Van-Guarde being in one bodie before the Armie consisting of three Regiments whereof two of Scotts and one Dutch all Musketieres led by three Scotts Colonels men of valour and courage fit for the Commaund concredited unto them being made choice of as men that could fight Exemplarie to others viz. Sir Iames Ramsey called the Blacke Sir Iohn Hamilton and Robert Monro Baron of Fowles we marched thus both the Armies in Battaile Horse foote and Artillerie till about nine of the Clocke in the morning wee halted halfe a mile distant from the Emperiall Armie that were attending us in Battaile consisting of fortie foure thousand men horse and foote our Armie consisting of thirtie thousand men whereof to my judgement His Majesties Armie were eight thousand foote and seven thousand horse The Duke also would be eleven thousand foote and foure thousand horse having refreshed ourselves with victuals leaving our Coaches behind us The whole Armie did get greene Branches on their heads and the word was given God with us a little short speech made by His Majestie being in order of Battaile we marched towards the enemie who had taken the advantage of the ground having placed his Armie on a place called Gods Acre where their Generall did make choice of the ground most advantagious for his foote Artillerie and horses he also did beset the Dorpes that invironed the ground which was left for us with Dragoniers and Crabbats to incomber our wings by their evill Neighbourhood yet notwithstanding of all the advantages hee had of Ground Wind and Sunne our magnanimous King and Leader under God inferiour to no Generall we ever reade of for wisedome courage dexteritie and good Conduct he was not dejected but with magnanimitie and Christian resolution having recommended himselfe his Armie and successe to God the Director of men and Angells able to give victory with few against many He ordered his Armie and directed every supreame Officer of the Field on their particular charge and stations committed unto them for that day As also he acquainted them severally of the forme he was to fight unto and he appointed Plottons of Musketiers by fifties which were commanded by sufficient Officers to attend on severall Regiments of horse and he instructed the Officers how to behave themselves in discharging their duties on service Likewise he directed the Officers belonging to the Artillery how to carry themselves which orderly done the commanded Musketiers were directed to their stand where to fight his Majestie then led up the foure Briggads of foote which were appointed to be the Battaile of the Armie with a distance betwixt every Briggad that a Regiment of horse might march out in grosse betwixt the Briggads all foure being in one front having their Ordnance planted before every Briggad being foure pieces of great Cannon and eight small whereof foure stood before the Colours that were the Battaile of the Briggad with Amunition and Constables to attend them on the right hand Pikes before the Colours were the other foure pieces of Cannon with Amunition and Constables conforme and on the left wing of Pikes and Colours were placed the other foure pieces of Cannon as we said before Behinde these foure Briggads were drawne up the three Briggads of Reserve with their Artillery before them standing at a proportionable distance behinde the other foure Briggads with the like distance betwixt them as was betwixt the Briggads of the Battaile The Briggads of horse which had Plottons of Musketiers to attend them were placed on the right and left wings of the foote and some were placed betwixt the Battaile of foote and the Reserve to second the foote as neede were other Briggads of horse were drawne up behinde the Reserve of the foote Briggads The Felt-marshall Horne Generall Banier and Lievetenant Generall Bawtish were commanded to over-see the Horsemen his Majestie the Baron Tyvell and Grave Neles were to command the Battaile of foote Sir Iames Ramsey as eldest Colonell had the command of the fore-Troopes or commanded Musketiers and Sir Iohn Hepburne as eldest Colonell commanded the three Briggads of Reserve Our Armie thus ordered the Duke of Saxon and his Feltmarshall Arnhem having ordered their Armie whereof I was not particâ—larly inquisitive of the manner they were ordained to draw up on our left hand and being both in one front thus ordered we marched in Battaile a little and
last they were setled on secondary conditions of a new League offensive and defensive At this time the Fâ—lt-marshalâ— Gustavus Horne tooke in Mergenhem on the Sawler streame Hailburne on the Necker Wmpviniphen and Necker Olin. Likewise Kunickstene in the Vetro was taken in by accord after Mentz as also the Spaniard left Vieitzler and Geylhousen leaving them both unto the Sweden without shot of Musket or Cannon His Majesty at this time caused publish an Edict where all Marchants of whatsoever Religion or Nation they were of should be free to passe and repasse with their goods to the Francforder Masse and that none of his Majesties Army of whatsoever condition they were either of horse or foote should trouble them under paine of death where the concealer of the wrong being got notice of should be punished to death as the Actor Likewise the twelfth of Ianuary Babenhousen was taken in by accord by his Majesties order and direction and in the end of December Manhem was taken in by Duke Barnard of Wymar having surprized their guards where about two hundred and fifty were cut off of the strangers and quarters and service given to the Dutch where a Captaine and his Ensigne were taken prisoners and let loose againe for the paiment of their Ransome and being come to Heidelberg they were executed by the Governours direction there for over-seeing their duties and these of the League lying at Heidelberg were mightily troubled with the neerenesse of the Swedens neighbour-hood having gotten Manhâ—m their passage unto the Rhine was altogether cut off from them Likewise the Spaniard did quit Garmarsham and retiring to Franckendale they had no more in the Paltz but that and Heidelberg His Majesty wonderfully having gotten in Creutznach and the Castle Where the valorous courage of my Lord Craven a Noble and worthily renowned English Lord was to his great commendation taken notice of by both the Kings For he out of affection and desire to advance the cause following his Majesty of Bohemia of worthy memory at the storming of the workes at Creutznach in sight of his Majesty of Sweden leading up his Company of Voluntiers to the good example of others gave outward testimony of his inward courage in so much that his Majesty of Sweden and all the beholders openly extolled his Lordships noble praise-worthy carriage for having endeavoured so farre as lay in him on this exploit to make his memory out-live himselfe As afterward his Lordship did shew his prowesse Heroicke spirit at the intaking of Donavert Where he did merit so much that I having reason to have said more could say no lesse His worth being knowne his affection to the cause his respects to his Majesty of Bohemia whom he followed merits a well deserving reward from his Majesties Royall Issue Before Creutznach Lievetenant Colonell Talbot was killed and the worthy Captaine Dowglas was shot in the arme Colonell Alexander Ramsey was placed Governour of Creutznach by his Majesty of SwedeÌ„ as a beginning of reward for his old service attendance who loved nothing better than nobly and kindly to entertaine his friends and strangers being the common receptacle and refuge of all his Country-men that liked to honour him with their company As also he was most willing to entertaine and respect strangers of the best quality and most of all he was peremptory in maintaining his Countries credit obliging all Cavaliers to his power but most unwilling to be beholden to others carrying still a noble minde At this time his Majesty being in Mentz Bingen Baghâ—rach on the Rhine and Shaule were taken in by Scalade with a surprise by the Scots of Sir Iames Ramseys Regiment where those within were thrice stronger than those pursued them but being once entred the Towne the Inhabitants assisting the Scots they put all to the sword except the Officers that were taken Prisoners by Major Hanan a Gentleman of much worth valour and discretion in Command whose losse was much lamented he having died soone after of a Consumption was much regrated of all his acquaintance and of my selfe in particular being my old Camerade At this time also the Towne of Spier came under his Majesties protection and devotion and leavied three Companies for his Majesties service Landaw also and Crowneweâ—senburg did become good Swedens Landstall was taken in also by storme through the helpe of the Country Boores shortly after was Elwangen Oberwesell Papart and Lovensteene taken in by accord Also the Castle of Erenfells and the Towle-house over against Bingen was taken in by the Landgrave of Hessens folke By this time was Damets in Maclenburg given over by Accord unto Generall Major Lowhowsen as also Wesmer on the Baltick Coast was taken in by Accord the tenth of Ianuary 1632. And the Garrison marched out three thousand strong being commanded by Colonell Grame who having buried some Cannon robbed the shippes and tooke away against Accord a number of Armes Likewise on his march unto Silesia he killed a Swedens Lievetenant but being followed the Swedens at the command of Generall Tott Generall Major Lowhowsen having ovâ—rtaken them five hundred were killed and two thousand taken prisoners that tooke service and Colonell Grame was sent prisoner to Gripswald to remaine there till further tryall By this time also Generall Tott his Army marched over the Elve towards Luneburg being neere foureteene thousand strong of foote and horse under whom were severall Scots Regiments come from Scotland the Harvest before viz. Sir Iames Lumsdells Regiment to whom Robert Stewart was Lievetenant Colonell The Master of Forbesse his Regiment to whom Sir Arthur Forbesse was Lievetenant Colonell Sir Frederick Hamiltons Regiment to whom Alexander Cunningham was Lievetenant Colonell Colonell Astins English Regiment to whem Vavezer was Lievetenant Colonell Colonell Monro of Obstell his Regiment to whom Iohn Monro was Lievetenant Colonell and a Squadron of English commanded by Lievetenant Colonell Mon-Gorge being the Remainder of Sir Thomas Conwayes Regiment and Colonell Robert Lesly his old Regiment of Scots Generall Tott his Army being over the Elve Colonell Ryneaker and Curmago did gather all the Emperialists and those of the League out of all other Garrisons towards Stoade and Bukstihoode to defend themselves where leaving them to some other penne to write of I returne to the Rhine His Majesty being making preparation towards the Danube to visit the Byerforst and Tillie where I minde to follow out my march our idle time being almost spent His Majestie did write unto the States of Holland to draw sooner unto the fields than their custome was to hinder the Spaniards from sending forces unto Dutchland which letters mooved the States to give out Edicts that all Regiments and Companies should be complete under paine of cashiering to draw to the fields against the first of March By this time his Majesty of France having a strong Army together on the borders of Dutchland the Catholique League did what they could to put his Majestie of France by
the eares wâ—â—h the King of Sweden alledging his Majesty of Swedens intention was fully to roote out the Catholique Religion and that he had already banished a number of them from their Cloysters which was an untruth for his Majestie of Sweden banished none but those who through feare did banish themselves But on the contrary his Majestie in all placâ—â— he had taken in suffered them the free libertie and use of their Religion untroubled without troubling of any mans Conscience in matters of Religion But his Majestie of France being better informed refused any assistance to the Catholique League against his Majestie of Sweden but 〈…〉 the Catholique League to remaine neutrall and that he would interpose with his Majestie of Sweden for obtaining the Neutralitie whereupon instantly they begunne to treate of the Neutralitie and Monsieur Seharnasse was sent Ambassadour to his Majestie of Sweden to that effect and his Majestie proposed and set downe the points he desired of them if he should yeeld unto the Neutralitie First they should give his Majestie and his Armie free passage through their Lands especially over the Danube Secondly they should take all their Forces from the Emperialists and be bound hereafter to give them no more helpe Thirdly they should restore the Palatinate unto the former estate and all others they had taken beside Fourthly they should contribute to the maintaining of the Swedens Armie The French Ambassadour having promised within foureteene dayes to get the foresaid Articles confirmed his Majestie granted a fort'nights Still-stand providing the Ambassadour would make Papenham retire his Forces out of Westphalia and Stifft-madeburg As also that those Forces the Duke of Bavaria and the League had in Bohemia should also retire and that such parts as his Majesties Armie had beleaguered or blockered they should goe on notwithstanding of the Still-stand till they came to an Accord or forced to quit them The time of this Treatie the Catholique League found many doubts First that it was hard for them being so much obliged to the house of Austria to forsake them in their greatest neede Secondly the Catholike Religion in that case did lacke a strong Protectour whose like they could not soone finde againe Thirdly the King of France had his owne pretentions in this Treatie to wit to weaken the house of Austria which his Majestie of France could easily doe by separating the League from the house of Austria It was easie then unto him to transferre the Empire unto another Family and the League embracing the Neutralitie the Crown of France had wonne their point against the house of Austria and if the Neutralitie were not granted or accepted by the League the Kings Majestie of France would not quit the Swedens faction but rather favourize all their enterprizes whereby in times comming he should have the lesse cause to feare the house of Austria but in the end the seeking of this Neutralitie was but for meere policie to hinder his Majestie of Swedens progresse till such time as that Generall Tilly could make a strong head againe and to winne time of his Majestie to prepare themselves for warre This Treatie turning to nought without any fruit neither were the Spaniards still this time but having drawne to strong head they came over the Mosell againe unto the Paltz and were beaten backe with great losse and the whole Paltz made free of them In which conflict Master Home in presence of the Rex-chancellor Oxensterne before the face of the whole Army with his owne troope and two other troopes of horse charged a strong body of the Spanish horsmen tooke nine Corneâ—s from them having hunted and chased them to their great shame and to the perpetuall credits of the pursuers especially of the Leader whose actions are worthy to be recorded to Posterity After this victory obtained over the Spaniard his Majesty of Sweden did propose certaine propositions and Articles unto the Duke of Bavier and the Catholique Stends that were confederat with him First to breake the Emperiall Edict that was published over the Empire Secondly both the Evangelists Religion to be let free and untroubled by the Papists Thirdly Bohemia Nerlin and Silezia to be restored in the old manner and the banished freely to returne to their lands and country Fourthly to set his Majesty of Bohemia free againe in the Paltz Fifthly the Dukedome of Bavier to be transferred on him againe Sixthly the Towne of Ausburg to be put in the former estate againe and the exercise of the Evangelists Religion to be free againe unto it as before Seventhly all Iesuits to be put away and banished out of the Empire as the Pest of the Common-weale Eighthly all Evangelists Cloisters to be restored againe as well as the Catholique Cloisters Ninthly all Cloisters in Wartenburgland to be restored againe Tenthly to choose his Majesty of Sweden as King of the Romans About the end of Ianuary Papinham gathered the whole Garrisons together that were in Brunswicke lands and west Falia and relieved Madeburg forcing Banier to retire on Calbe alleadging he had a mandat of his Majestie of Sweden not to fight Papenham who having relieved the Towne and gotten intelligence the Duke of Luneburg with a strong Army was to come on him from Wolfenbetle he having left Madeburg and taken out the Garrison having nailed the cannon and destroyed all he could in casting it into the Elve which he could not take with him on waggons having spoiled their best cannon leaving the bare walles to the Swedens which they immediatly beset againe with three Companies Papenham marched towards Wolfenbetle to meete the Duke of Luneburg Likewise Palsgrave Wolfegan William did also by his brothers intercession Palsgrave Augustus hould on with his Majesty of Sweden for a Neutrality but in vaine The fourteene dayes of still-stand being out they fell to worke againe every one for himselfe Bamberg also taken by Gustavus Horne Felt-marshall and shortly after was Tillie come thither with a strong Army from Nerlin unlooked for set on Gustavus Hornes forces the Towne being almost made fast by the Swedens Tilly with his Army falls on and the Felt-marshall having put his cannon away by water on the Maine retired in haste with losse upon Harsford after a long skirmish had with the Emperialists and having gotten intelligence of foure Regiments of Tillies that had past by Halstad he did breake up with the Cavalerie and in their quarter in Oberbyde being but halfe a mile from Bamberg falls on them two houres before day and defeats two Regiments to wit Planck Hartish and Meradish the youngers Regiment by fire and sword where he got but two Cornets the rest being burnt in the fire with their goods The Crabbats were forced to swimme the Maine the rest betooke themselves for refuge unto the Dragoniers quarters that lâ—y at Stafflebach and retiring to the Church-yard the Felt-marshall having no musketiers with him pressed to fire them out but in vaine so that he retired againe with
his Officers on Hasford and Swineford These newes coming unto his Majesty he prepared for a march unto Franconia bringing the rest of his Majesties forces together that were with the Felt-marshall and he did send unto During to the Duke of Wymar and to Generall Banier to bring their forces together to meete betwixt Nurenberg and Donavert to search out Generall Tilly and about the middest of March 1632. we brake up from Mentz having left the Rex-chancellor Oxensterne and Duke Bernard of Wymar with eight thousand men in the Paltz to attend the Spaniards further intentions on the Rhine The twenty-sixth Observation THE Catholique League seeing the Spaniard terrified in the Paltz and almost beaten away they begun being members of that head to quake and tremble for feare of the Swedens neighbourhood and therefore the Bishops of Mentz Triere Cullen Wurtzburg and of Bambrick presently resolved out of their policy to treat for a neutrality pressing so farre as lay in them to bring the King of France and his Majesty of Sweden to pull at each others beards alleadging the Swedens intentions were only to subvert the Catholique Religion and the professours of Popery as he had already as they alleadged persecuted and banished the Churchmen out of Erford Wurtzburg Francford Hickst and out of all other parts where they were whereupon his Majesty of France notwithstanding of his confederacy with the King of Sweden was commoved at his crossing the Rhine fearing he might bring the Catholique League on his side and then turnâ— his Armes against France which suspitions wrought an Ambassage from his Majesty of France towards his Majesty of Sweden for treaty of neutrality betwixt the King of Sweden and the Catholique League which in th' end turned to nothing Where we see that all Potentates and great Kings doe keepe no Confederacy nor League but only so farre as they are helpfull for their owne aimes and designes preferring their benefit before the keeping of their covenants where we see that Kings hand-writings or seales in pactions making tye them no more then as nothing when they finde them prejudiciall to their owne greatnesse and cannot be made to keepe their covenants but with stronger power Then we see here his Majesty of Sweden was nothing moved with the King of France his threatning except he would retire over the Rhine againe seeing he knew his owne ability at that time that being once over the Rhine he could march unto France The consideration whereof made them agree better on secondary conditions having past from the first covenant so that we see there is no dealing with Kings but on equall termes and then are they most reasonable but the example of Kings in this point of their covenants is not to be imitated by any other inferiours for in respect of them though not in respect of God they are privileged persons who cannot be punished for their faults but by God alone And therefore amongst inferiours nothing is to be kept more strict next unto faith unviolated then mens word and promise especially promises betwixt old friends But alas no friendship is permanent seeing many things come betwixt turning it unto hatred and hostility for where love doth not grow the friendship is not durable Likewise here we see his Majesty of France made haste to interpose his request for the weale of the Catholique League shewing himselfe discontented with their usage to make them the more ready to thinke on him before they should any wayes leane in their necessity to the King of Sweden As also we see the policy of the League though in their necessity they seemed to make use of the King of France his friendship yet they would not cast off the house of Austria and King of Spaine their ould friends for the hope they had in their new friend the King of France lest their new friend might disappoint them of their expectations as he did in th' end missing his owne aimes We see also here the Frenches policy in making haste to intercede for the Leagueistes lest the danger might come on himselfe for the King of France hâ—aring the King of Sweden had crossed the Rhine he did not stay to bring his Army together till the League should call for his helpe lest it should be too late but incontinent brought his Army to the Mosell and then sent his Ambassador to Mentâ— to his Majesty of Sweden to treat having his Army at hand which was the only sure way then to get the better conditions knowing the King of Sweden had already too many Irons in the fire Those we see are the best friends that in necessity keepe their paction as the Catholique League did at all times unto the Emperour who otherwise had bin no Emperour neither yet had he bin Emperour had the Evangelists kept together and hazarded their meanes and bloud in defence of the publique cause as the Catholiques did in their greatest necessity once every yeere setting up ever new Armies as one was beaten unto them their wisdome and constancy were so great that presently the next Spring through their power and diligence they had ever another new Army afoote which in th' end made their enemies the Evangelists weary sparing their meanes they suffered in a manner the cause and the publique to be neere lost being since beaten by their owne Armes and meanes seeing they neglected time while as they might employ their meanes to the finall overthrow of their enemies and yet to my knowledge in Germany if they would conjoyne their strengths together constantly against the Papists they are powerfull enough to free all Germany of Popery banishing them over the Alpes from whence they came And I perswade my selfe none that knowes Germany but in his conscience he must confesse this to be truth But when our fellowes in friendship faile us as the Evangelists one after another for a skurvy losse quit the Crowne of Sweden the great Duke of Saxon having left them first breaking his oath and promise in prejudice of the publique peace excluding the Protestants impiously for his owne aimes he did prejudice the Gospell his country and confederates and by his evill example for plaine necessity while a storme should blow over the townes of the upper Circles of the Empire as Strasburg Vlme Nurenberg Francford did accept of an unsetled peace contrary to their mindes in prejudice of the publique losing themselves and the publique for the losse of one day being without their head which first brought them together Here then we see the great difference of friendship in prosperity and in adversity for his Majesty of Sweden being at Francford as a victorious King he had then in his prosperity the conflux of friendship some seeking his protection others his friendship and confederacy others for feare of the dint of his Armes seeking to be Neutrall who before were enemies other Kings and Potentats Republiques and Cities sending their Ambassadours congratulating his successe yea and which was
become wise first by thinking what is past and in whose time of their Predecessours things were best governed Secondly he must diligently observe the good to come what can be profitable for him and what not that he may eschew the evill to come and embrace the good Thirdly he should observe the good customes and lawes past being provident mindfull understanding reasonable diligent tractable expert and cunning and he must consider foure good things What is his aime The way and manner he aimes at The person aiming And those he governes XII A Souldier without letters is like a ship without a Rudder or like a bird without feathers but having letters he findes wherewith he can be made wiser finding out by letters courage and many other great helpes to governe and direct those aright whom he commands neither is that fortune in the world to be had where out of letters his knowledge may not be bettered if he be but painfull for being lettered he can strictly keepe under the cruell and defend lawes without terrour temperating them to his minde the meeke also he can civilly admonish and the deceitfull he can wisely goe about and the simple he can handle with lenity shewing his prudency in all his actions foreseeing all dangers which may happen Therefore we see that science to a man of warre is a brave Mistresse teaching him to doe all things as they did in old times XIII It is a hard matter when the diligent and industrious Souldier is disappointed of his hire and that he is rewarded with injury who did merit better This of all evills is most insufferable that he who deserveth a reward should be frustrate of his hopes for reward is due unto valiant Captaines and Souldiers that were instruments in chiefe of victory glory and honour as Sir Iames Ramsey and Sir Iohn Hamilton were in forcing the passage to the Castle of Vertzberg who neverthelesse were frustrate of reward and therefore I cannot but allow of the resolution of Sir Iohn Hamilton being no Souldier of Fortune that tooke his Passe of the Sweden for being frustrate of the reward of his vertue seeing those disdained that did merit best Where we see that a gentle heart being crossed contrary to reason doth presently resent his wrongs pointing out to the world that he is not the man that can suffer or swallow a seene injury done to him and his Nation XIIII It is better to feare evill preparing our selves for danger then through too much security and contempt of the enemy to suffer our selves to be overcome for it is dangerous to have to doe with a desperate body seeing necessity maketh those that are fearefull to become stout and those who feare no dangers are easily lost as witnesseth the death of the Invincible King of Sweden and those dangers ought to be eschewed from whence ariseth greatest evill and experience hath taught us that nothing is more dangerous in warres then to fight great battailes on unequall termes as witnesseth the dolefull battaile fought at Nerling in August 1634. After which losse those that should have fought for their country their wives and children did prove feeble cowards viz. the German Princes Saxon Brandeburg Lunenburg with the rest of the Gentrie giving occasion to others that came to helpe them for to leave them It is no wonder then they be plagued themselves wishing helpe another time when justly they cannot have it having rewarded their helpers so ill as they have done and through their covetousnesse and niggardly sparing bin the cause and instruments of their owne overthrowes and of the losse of the cause being I feare the fore-runners of their Successours punishment which I wish may not happen XV. Before the fall of Kingdomes arise dissensions that overthrow the confederates more than their enemies as it happened here in our late warres of Germanie after the death of his Majestie of Sweden the Dutch Princes especially Saxon slighting his Excellencie the Rex-chancellour of Sweden and his Directorium as Supreame calling him disdainfully a Pedant or a Penman So that wee see that dissension or discord amongst the Superiours was the first cause of the suddaine losse of Nerling Next wee see that the Countrie was destroyed not onely for their sinnes but also for not punishing of sinne For after his Majesties death what punishment was to be seene in our Armie none at all when our owne horsemen plundered their friends not being punished they began to intercept Letters and to robbe the common Poste and to hinder the Countries correspondencie and common traffique which being overseene and winked at by our Generalls they begun then to plunder the Chancelours owne waggons abusing his servants and taking his baggage thereafter the strongest amongst themselves set the weakest party to foote taking away their horses till at last the whole Armie refused to obey the Director and his Concilium formatum lying idle for three moneths in Donavert Leaguer suffering the enemie to over-runne the Countrie and all because that the Officers alleadg'd after his Majesties death that the Scriveners who followed the Chancelour were in better esteeme than the Cavaliers that had done notable good service unto his Majestie so that through this jealousie the Armie came in disorder being the first change and the rest piece and piece did follow till at last the whole Armie was lost through the number of wrongs that went before in the end custome and use of wrongs infected the nature it selfe and the lacke or want of punishment and the libertie and freedome which was given to offend at last the ruine of families that were famous did follow for not punishing of sinne We see then when a potent King and Heroique as Gustavus was in the time hee did live all things florished in a good order but he once gone the CoÌ„mon-wealth was punished for their former sinnes committed in time of their plentie and peace when they had their heaven upon earth as other Nations â—ave now who ought to looke unto themselves in time lest that the Lord raise not up an other Heroique to make them to be punished as other Nations have bin to the eversion of great Cities as Magdeburg and divers others for when the publique burthens doe grow then Governements doe change as wâ—s seene here for lawes being cast away and discipline put in fetters then suddenly did follow change and great ruine after the Kings death of worthy memorie XVI Nothing loses more as we see the common cause than the want of authoritie in one person as was formerly said of the Saxons jealousie over the Rex-chancelors Governement Also the same fault was seene in the Armie under Commanders as at Nerling betwixt Supreme Officers as also betwixt their inferiours who for want of one Supreme Commander as Gustavus was they could not agree among themselves Likewise the dissension and jealousie betwixt Duke Barnard and the Rhinegrave helpes nothing to the furtherance of the good cause being both brave Commanders though