an immortall Crowne after death for fighting well the Battells of the Lord As his Majesty went about his enemies with wisdome and courage so Walesline went about his with craft and policy casting a ditch before our forces to fall in which was made the buriall place of his owne Souldiers being fallen in the ditch they had prepared for others I confesse there is nothing more commodious in warre then to deceive an enemy and oftimes through deceit men obtaine victory yet the wisdome of Gustavus seasoned with infinite courage could not be trapped with a Fowlers grinne but brake through it with the assistance of God till he was victorious over his crafty enemies This Magnanimous King for his valour might have bin well called the Magnifique King and holden for such who while as he once saw appearance of the losse of the day seeing some forces beaten backe and some flying he valorously did charge in the middest of his enemies with hand and voice though thrice shot sustained the fight doing alike the duty of a Souldier and of a King till with the losse of his owne life he did restore the victory to his eternall credit he died standing serving the publique Pro Deo et Religionetuenda and receiving three Bullets one in the body one in the Arme and the third in the head he most willingly gave up the Ghost being all his life time a King that feared God and walked uprightly in his calling and as he lived Christianly so he died most happily in the defence of the truth and to witnesse all this was true I could take Heaven and Earth Sun and Moone mineralls c. to witnesse that his Colours ever florished and spred in the name of the Lord and that his confidence was not set on the Arme of man though he was a warriour from his youth up he was the Captaine over Iraell whose fingers the Lord taught to fight and to leade his people He had the heart of a Lyon that by Gods helpe had done such things that those that had seene and heard it as I did must needs have faid that it was the Lord that did it and not he being it was the Lords worke But our adversaries and their damned crew of Iesuits and Monkes will say that it was their power and might and the goodnesse of their cause that made his Royall Maiesty to fall But we may say with Salomon in the twenty-eighth of the Proverbs and twenty-one verse It was for the sinnes of the Land and our sinnes that he was taken from amongst us and from those poor Cavaliers that did follow him for his Maiestics love and the love of the cause He was shot with three Bullets dead with the last for our sinnes and the sinnes of the Land And what he did before his death for the liberty of Dutch-land and freedome of the Gospell none but knowes it he left his owne Kingdome to bring strangers to freedome in theirs he set light by his owne life for Dutch-land that they might keepe theirs he waked and cared day and night for them as a father for his children that at last he might bring peace for them to sleepe sound he brought the keyes and opened their Church doores that were closed up by the Antichristian Idolaters that the Devills doctrine was banished againe out of the 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 Ichoida 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 seared 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 life 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 insectum 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 despised 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 list 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
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 baninished 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 them In the Battaile of Cannes Hanniball returning the next day on the place of Battaile to looke more narrowly to the place a Romane Knight halfe dead hearing the noise of people lifted up his head of purpose to have spokē but his voice failing died with the last gaspe by Hanniball there roade a Numidian on that dead Knights Horse who knowing his Master begun to move his eares to bray and to leape and rebound with such fury till he casts the Numidian to ground runnes through the dead bodies and stands before his dead Master and leaning
going in their best Apparell and Armes to be painted where nothing was defective the eye could behold This shew seene by his Majestie and his Officers his Majestie returning the Duke with his followers did convey his Majestie to the sight of our Armie which being called to their Armes having lyen over-night on a parcell of plowd ground they were so dusty they looked out like Kitchin-servants with their uncleanely Rags within which were hidden couragious hearts being old experimented blades which for the most part had overcome by custome the toyle of warres yet these Saxons gentry in their bravery did judge of us and ours according to our out-sides thinking but little of us neverthelesse we thought not the worse of our selves The ceremony past we were all remitted to take rest for that night in our former quarters the next morning by breake of day we were called up to march where both our Armies were ordained to march on severall streets one Randezvouz being appointed for us at night within a mile and a halfe of the enemies Armie where being come to our Randezvouz by foure a clocke in the after-noone and drawne up in battaile our guards drawne out to watch were directed to their Postes and then we resting by our Armes as we were in battaile we slept lying where we stood that in case of a Alarum we were not to be found in disorder being ready to fight where we stood Immediately after the Armie was setled in Quarters newes was come to his Majestie in poste that the Castle of Leipsigh was given over by accord to the enemy As also that Generall Tilly with a mightie and strong Armie was come a mile from Leipsigh and was preparing for a Fight which newes did no wayes alter his Majesties countenance being resolved before for the like to have sought him to Fight So that being both willing and so neare it was easie bringing them together our baggage was appointed to goe backe to Diben our horse and foote watches were strengthened and we were in readinesse and refreshing first our bodies with victualls we slept till the next morning The fifteenth Observation NOthing earthly is more pleasant to be seene than to see brethren in Christ conjoyned against Gods enemies for advancing of the glory of God in promoting of his Gospell and for setting at libertie those poore soules our brethren in Christ that were kept long under the yoke and tyranny of the house of Austria and the Catholique League their mortall enemies Who would not then for their liberties that were banished that they might one day retire to their possessions who would not I say be willing yea more who would not rejoyce having such a Leader as Gustavus was to hazard their lives for the weale of the publique yea more for the promoting of Christs Gospell Surely for mine owne part I was most willing and wished long to have seene a day wherein I might hazard my life in this quarrell in being one of the number of Fighters before I did come at it for many reasons but especially for the libertie of the daughter of our dread Soveraigne the distressed Queene of Bohemia and her Princely Issue next for the libertie of our distressed brethren in Christ and thirdly for my better instruction in the profession of Armes which is my calling for having before seene many occurrences that did belong to our Calling I longed to 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 fight 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 night 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 our selves with victuals leaving our Coaches behind us The whole Armie did get greene Branches on their heads
he had given no assistâ—nce to the last League neither yet was he of the League As also he affirmed that at the last Westphalia convention he refused assistance to the rest of the League his Majesty replied to the Cullens Ambassadour how hardly and unchristianly they had dealt with the Evangelists Stends worse then if they had bin Iewes or Turkes in taking their Churches from them and in banishing themselves Neverthelesse there were some Articles proposed unto them concerning the Neutrality viz. First of all molesting the Evangelists under whatsoever pretence to be abolished and put away Secondly the free liberty of the Religion to be granted and suffered and that the Students of the Religion should be taken aswell in the Colleges as the Papists Thirdly in all Cities the Evangelists to be as free to traffique as the Papists Fourthly they should give no assistance unto the Kings Majesties enemies nor no contribution nor Bills to answer monies on exchange Fifthly to give free passage through their land aswell to his Majesties Army as to his enemies not to hinder them of it both alike Sixthly that his Majesty of Swedens servants should have the Passes open when they pleased to passe and repasse Seaventhly that his Majesties Agents might lie at Cullen to see the Neutrality were justly observed Eightly that his Majesty of Sweden his friends and confederats should have free traffique in their Townes and Territories The Cullens Ambassadour returned from Francfurt with these sleight points to be granted by their Bishop The Swedens were come so neere Cullen that the Superiours were reprehended for it by the Clergy out of the Pulpits for giving such liberty to Hereticks to come againe so neere unto their jurisdictions By this time the Landgrave of Hessen with his Army being neere ten thousand strong of horse and foote for our assistance did lie on the other side of the Rhine over against us and from thence they fell strong on the Spaniards which were in Rinckoe making them also quit those parts and the inhabitants for feare forsaking their houses his Majesty promised them his gracious protection to stay and remaine in their houâ—es they paying their weekely contribution which they payed before to the Bishop of Mentz Being here also at Mentz the French Ambassadour Idid see get audience The reason of his coming being to shew his Majesty of Sweden that the Kings Majesty of France was offended his Majesty of Sweden had crost the Rhine against his paction and confederacy made with the King of France and therefore desired he should retire againe with his Army His Majesty answered he did but prosecute his enemy and if his Majesty of France was offended he could not helpe it and those that would make him retire over the Rhine againe it behooved them to doe it with the sword in their hand for otherwise he was not minded to leave it but to a stronger if his Majesty of France should anger him much he knew the way to Paris and he had hungry Souldiers would drinke wine and eate with as good a will in France as in Germany Therefore he hoped his Majesty would be better advised in sending the next Ambassage in milder termes This interchange of message went betwixt them till at last they were setled on secondary conditions of a new League offensive and defensive At this time the Felt-marshall Gustavus Horne tooke in Mergenhem on the Sawler streame Hailburne on the Necker Wmpviniphen and Necker Olin. Likewise Kunickstene in the Vetre 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 neerenâ—sse of the Swedens neighbour-hood having gorten Manhem 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 Bagherach 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 Genâ—leman of much worth valour and discretion in Command whosâ— 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 Crowneweisenburg â—id become good Sweâ—ens 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 his time was Damets in Maclenburg given over by Accord unto Generall Major Lowhowsen as also Wâ—smer on he Balâ—ick Coast wâ—s taken in by Accord the tenth of Ianuary 1632. And the Garâ—â—â—â—on 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 â—ott Generall Major Lowhowsen having overt ken 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 Coâ—onell 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 Dannbe 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 sâ—nding forces unto Dutchlaud 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 with 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 places 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 wished rather 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 Neutralitte and Monsieur Scharnasse 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 a strong head they came over the Mosell againe unto the Paltz and were beaten backe with great losse and the whole Paliz 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 Cornets from them having hunted and chased them to their great shame and
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 hearing 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 Mentz 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 impionsly 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 unsetied peace contrary to their mindes in prejudice of the publique lofing 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 profperity 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 more and rare to be seene his Majesty of Bohemia in person came unto him to offer him assistance Royall in leavying of an Army for himselfe and was refused as unwilling other Armies should be in Dutchland to be participant of his glory but his owne Where we see Fortunes Favourit laught on by the world but how soone againe Fortune begun to frowne on his successour who having got but one Buffer all men would kill him his friends nomine tenâ—â— aswell as his enemies Where we see cleerely that there is no friend in adversity except it be a friend in Christ who will never forsake or leave us This then is the friendship we should make to league and confederate with our brethren in Christ with whom we have unity in Faith if that we would have our friendship durable and constant others will change as the winde blowes plenty or penury upon us being but temporary friends as many of the Dutch are but our brethren in Christ will never totally leave us no not in our greatest wants and extremity of Fortune Which should make us choose such and to live and dye with such fighting for them and their liberties who will never leave us though death sever us but after death they will prove constant friends to our successours as the Germans did not to the Chancellor of Sweden if they succeede unto us in the true and undoubted Faith And to verifie this I can beare witnesse that though the enemy did keepe our brethren in Christ that were in the Paltz under ten yeares bondage Neverthelesse that bondage nor the tyranny used unto them by their enemies made them never forget their fidelity and love to their King and Prince neither yet could their tyranny make them forsake or renounce their faith in Christ but as they continued true to God so were they faithfull in their love to their King and Master not only to his Majesty but also shewed their love and kindnesse unto us being his Majesties friends whom they knew to be one in faith with themselves And therefore they were ever ready and willing to undergoe alike danger with us against our common enemies as doth witnesse their assistance given to the Scots of Sir Iames Ramseys Regiment having Conjunctis viribus beaten their enemies on divers occasions The Kings Majesty of Sweden though before this time none of the greatest Kings yet in this warre having begun with a little Army of ten thousand strong in three yeares time he grew so great that he was carelesse of the threatning of the great King of France having entertained then in readinesse foure Armies at once his owne which he led himselfe under which I was still The Felt-marshall Gustavus Hornes Armie Generall Totts Army on the Wazer and the Marquesse of Hamiltons Army with whom Banier was joyned on the Elve These foure Armies his Majesty commanded alike and at one time having the Emperour the King of Spaine the Catholique League and the Duke of Bavier his enemies And though the Duke of Saxon had an Army apart yet his Majestie would not suffer the King of Bohemia the Duke of Lunenburg the Landgrave of Hessen nor the Dukes of Wymar to lead Armies in Dutchland but as Subalternes to his Command And I thinke he had reason for if his Majestie of Bohemia had had an Armie in the fields it behooved the Swedens to have beene subalterne to the Dutch and Scots who were then strong in the fields in commanding strangers as they did their owne Country-men Notwithstanding of all these forces led and commanded by his Majestie of Sweden we see that the Empire is like a depth without a bottome that cannot be sounded For
òf 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 Cōmon-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 have 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 was 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 seldome seene command in one place and it is to be pitied how the Rhinegrave after the losse of Nerling not being bastant against the enemie was forced to swimme the Rhine on horse-backe and dyed soone thereafter who was a renowned valourous Cavalier as ever I was acquainted with of the Dutch Nation serving in those warres all these mischiefes were caused through the want of one Supreme Leader to conduct them as the enemie had Which should teach all men to submit themselves to authoritie lest by doing otherwise they procure their owne ruine XVII To repent a thing when it is done is most foolish which might have beene prevented with counsell for none that doe repent counsell can be esteemed wise Therefore a Counsellour should bee very faithfull never counfelling his friend for his owneayme lest he that is counselled perceive not his drift and then be deceived But counsell is taken from necessitie and follow'd And a good Commander deserves prayse as well for his wisedome as for his valour But evill counsell is a plague or judgement from the Lord yet those counsells are ever safest that come from him that will be partaker both of the danger and of the counsell Therefore it is not good rashly to use the counsell of a Traitor nor of an enemie but wee should rather examine and shift counsells and not trust easily and bee deceived Counsell then we see is the chiefeground to governe matters well being secret true and free without flatterie or respect of persons just and holy casting aside all private gaines and utilitie foreseing the publique weale and if thou wouldest be truly counselled thou must take heed to those Caveats first that the speech be wholesome and unreproveable his counsell profitable his life honest his sentence pleasant not wavering like a childe or unconstant neither ought you aske many what you would doe but shew it to a few and trustie friends which are rare to be found and when thy neere friends cannot resolve thee flee to those for their counsells whose daily experience is approved for their wisedome in their owne affaires and then you shall doe well XVIII Militarie discipline is lost when the crueltie and avarice of Officers is extended in detaining of Souldiers meanes and Supreme Officers neglecting to content Cavaliers make the whole Armie turne rebellious as at Donavert The Concilium formatum and their Treasurer having not given the Armie one monthes meanes complet of the whole contribution they had collected the yeere after his Majesties death but payed themselves and their Secretaries dulie which raised great envie against them the Armie having mutined for want of pay which made them afterward want both the contribution and the Country through misgovernement of their Consilium XIX It is in vaine for a Cavalier to feare any thing but God and the offence of his Supreme Officer for being honest modesty hindering his flight makes him victorious in middest of danger and of his enemies as chanced me and my Collegues at Rugenwoulde in Pomeren having escaped danger by Sea were come to Land in danger of our enemies but the Lord and the dutie we ought our Maister made us abide the danger of our enemies which the Lord turned to our best giving us victorie and freedome Shall I then distrust this God having had this time and divers times before great experience of his mercies God forbid No I will still trust in him doe to mee what he will for I know his mercies goe beyond all his workes and they endure for ever XX. A man unjustly hurt as many were that served the Sweden once escaped their Commanders are now their