very dangerous after so many attempts of evil doing by the Enemy to retire them from England not as yet well setled and to cashiere their Army remitting the event of things to God resolve to return home and dismisse their Army and so make known unto all the World their Candour and Integrity and to take away all jealousies both from the King and from England which they do according to promise not failing in the least circumstance yea not of the day Well the King having gained this point to send home the Scots and to make them lay down their Arms resolveth to follow them into Scotland and to trie once more to draw them to his designe no perswasion being able to stay or to stop his voyage he goeth in haste from London and overtaketh the Scots as their were upon their removall from New-castle for Scotland He vieweth their Army by the way and talketh with the Prime Officers thereof He giveth Order to some of the good Physicians about him to feel the pulse of the Scots softly but they found the Scots pulse did not beat as they could have wished He goeth on in his journey into Scotland whither he is no sooner arrived but he puts another designe afoot premeditated with many more before for it is the custome of the wise Court to have at one and the same time divers undertakings in designe of which it is a very hard matter it one or other do not take effect Yea they have found but too true to our wofull experience that many have taken effect and that not of the lesser ones wherefore the Court will never cease to devise and invent enterprises The Plot then set afoot by the K. in Scotland was to make a considerable Party there for his ends and to make the businesse more facile he resolveth to make sure the Chief men of Scotland who were likely either to stop the designe or not further it But this Plot is also discovered and so it failed The next recourse was to the Irish Papists his good Friends unto whom from Scotland a Commission is dispatched under the Great Seal which Seal was at that instant time in the Kings own custody of that Kingdom to hasten according to former agreement the raising of the Irish in Arms who no sooner receive this new Order but they break out and at the first beginning of their Rebellion declared that they had no ill will against any Scots in Ireland for they were afraid of the Scots going over to the help of their Countrey-men and so they would be stopped to go on with their Work but their spleen was against these English Protestants who were Friends to that wicked Parliament in England so untoward to the good King and so adverse to their Catholike Cause This Declaration of the Irish did not although in favour of their Country-men hinder the Scots to offer their present Service for the repressing of the Rebellion before things grew worse The King fairly refuseth the offer and answering with verball thanks said that he neither could nor would do any thing in the businesse without the advice and assistance of the Parliament now a foot in England whereunto he was to repaire in all haste So he leaveth Scotland saying that every day he stayed there was the losse of a County to him He cometh to London a little before Christmas the Rebellion having begun in Ireland in October But he goe's very seldom to the Parliament and when he goeth thither he sayeth nothing concerning the Irish Rebellion till by importunity he was constrained to it and then what he said was little cold and ambiguous And when the Scots by their Commissioners who had followed him from Scotland hither did offer again a considerable help of ten thousand men things were so carried both in the Counsell and in the Parliament by the corrupt and ignorant Party then that the Scots were delayed from day to day by one shift or other for a long space before that conditions could be agreed upon with them for the sending of their help unto Ireland And it was a longer time after the agreement before things could be furnished unto them for their Voyage By those means the Rebels had ado with lesse opposition and consequently with lesse difficulty carried on their barbarous Work of spoiling burning and massacring innocent people of all rank and condition without regard to sex or age The Scots are no sooner gone to Ireland but they assist their Friends with such affection and successe that after some skirmishes and renconters with the Rebels the North Countrey of Ireland whereunto their help was particularly assigned became pretty well cleared of the Rebels although much wasted and and spoiled by them In this course hath the Scots continued to this day constantly opposing these bloody wretches notwithstanding the change that hath fallen in the South part of that Kingdom by the treachery of those whom the Parliament employed and trusted to Then when the King made a Cessation with these barbarous Cannibals the Scots resolutely declared against it and have manfully opposed it to this day Without which opposition of the Scots it had been received every where in Ireland and the Rebels then having nothing to do at home had come hither in Bands and Troups into this Island Thus did and still doth the Scots pursue their Point notwithstanding all the hardship they have suffered and yet suffer in the Service partly by reason of the great troubles here of the Parliament not being able to supply their Friends as they would and as they need partly by the negligence and unfaithfulnesse of those who have been employed by the Parliament and intrusted to have a care of supplying this need which hath been so great that the Scots Army in Ireland had absolutely starved for cold and hunger if they had not been helped from Scotland in a high measure To return unto England The misled King having left the Parliament accompanied or at least followed by numbers of men of divers degrees Traytors to God and to their Countrey namely by those double Traytors who were Members of the Houses of Parliament for they not onely have been dishonest and unfaithfull to the Church and State whereof they are born Members and Children but they have betray'd the trust wherewith they were trusted in both By the assistance of which he sets his designe on foot to make open War against the Parliament although under a hid notion to destroy it all other Devices and Plots contrived by him and his having failed as we have seen Upon this the Scots in their respect to the King love unto their Brethren in England and above all in their affection to the Cause of the Church of God send Commissioners unto the King and from him to the Parliament as the occasion should serve They found the King at York where he was pulling his Sword out of its sheath with all his might and shaping it in all haste
King and Parliament and the whole Nation to be beholden for this unto a Neighbour-State or Prince then unto the Kings own Subjects not so good as others in many respects As this Discourse was invented and spewed up and down by Malignants so it was received by the simpler sort not knowing the interest of States lesse wherein the true Honour of Princes States and Nations consisteth Yet they might have considered that it is better to take up things quietly at home then to trouble the Neighbours with our affaires The Scots Commissioners after some Moneths abode at Court seeing they could do no good with the abused King desire him to dismisse them which he did put off from day to day till at last he was written to by the State of Scotland that if he sent not home in safety the Commissioners betwixt such and such a day they would hold it as an open breach of the Peace and that they would provide for businesses accordingly Upon this the Commissioners loden with fair but conditionall promises from the King who yet would not anger them of Love and Care of that his Native Kingdom so that they would be quiet for he could not stop his mouth to say unto them that if they would not stirre he could easily compasse his ends in England take their leave at Court and go home At their arrivall they find a number in the South-West of their Countrey of Papists and other Malignants men of broken for tunes risen to disturbe the Peace of the Kingdom by Order from the King notwithstanding his fair words which commotion was presently quashed through Gods Mercy by the diligence and forwardnesse of the good Gentry and Nobility in those parts who did rise like one man against these Sons of Belial As the Scots Commissioners retired home the Houses of Parliament of England were made acquainted how that their good intentions were frustrated themselves hardly used for a long time but at last with difficulty had gotten home Now the State of Scotland seeing the Common Enemy come to the hight that nothing will satisfie him but totall subversion of Church and State in these Dominions onely they perhaps might be kept for the last although in intention they had been the first jugeth it not enough for their interest in the Common Cause to keep an Army in Ireland but also to be upon their guard at home that they might stop any enterprise the Common Enemy should undertake against them to have any progresse in their Countrey if they did not altogether prevent it and to help their Brethren in England with their Sword since all other means so often tryed were disappointed by the malice of the Enemies And so much the rather were they moved to this that the Enemy was prevailing almost without let for by that time he was Master not onely of the Field but also of all the strong hold in the North except Hull alone with a numbrous and victorious Army of Horse and Foot domineering and spoiling every where likewise the West being almost altogether gone by the losse of Excester the defeat given to the Parliaments Forces at the Vyses and the base surrendring of Bristol Banbury c. the Enemy did think to carry all before him ready to enter into the Associated Counties yea to come to the Gates of London which they had done in all appearance without the let of that Noble and never enough praised exploit of the Earl of Essex of relieving of Glocester almost at the last extremity although valiantly defended by that brave Governour Massey in despite of the proude Enemy and thereafter in beating of him at Newbery While the Parliament was thus low many faint-harted yea Members of the two Houses ran away to the Enemy and others did withdraw studying to their eternall shame to make their Peace more plausibly with the Enemy and not to run over to him at discretion as others had done But when things are thus almost in despaire then it is thought fit time to have recourse to the Scots and to call them for help The Parliament to try if they could do the businesse themselves without troubling the Scots was wisdom for what need you call for aid and trouble your Neighbours when you can do the businesse alone but not to call for help till things be too low it is very dangerous say those who dive more deeply in affaires of this nature But the reason why the Scots were so long a calling in for help was not that the English were not willing to trouble their Brethren the Scots for why should they think of troubling the Scots since their Fathers had been so ready to help Scotland in its distresse then Generous hearts will as freely receive a courtesie as they do one otherwayes they were proud and self-conceited But the true cause say they who know the mysteries of the time first was that the Sectaries prevailing with the Rulers of affaires did so keep them from medling with the Scots whom they knew to be no lesse adversaries to Schismes and Sects then to Popery and Prelacy Next there were some who yet kept still a bit of a Bishop in their Belly although by both Houses declared to be not onely unusefull in Church and State but also enemies to both Howsoever these considerations must be laid aside for a time and in such extremity the Scots must be called to help yea some of those who are said to be the greatest sticklers for Sectaries must at last be employed in their calling in which was long of coming after it was resolved upon by the shifts of the Enemies of Church and State The Scots notwithstanding all that had been signified unto them concerning the favouring of Sectaries by the Parliament and of their retaining somewhat of the old leaven of Prelacy seeing that their help was altogether needfull to save the Church and State of England from ruine heartily received the call being already resolved beforehand upon the Point and undertaketh with a Christian and manly resolution to engage themselves in a seen danger and to undergo the hazard but for Christ and his people no hazard is to be regarded to help their afflicted Brethren Yet with this precaution that the Parliament should sincerly joyn with them in the setling of the Church as they were heartily willing to assist them against the Common Enemy This condition was granted unto the Scots by the Commissioners from the Parliament of England and to this end it was agreed upon at the desire of the Scots that there should be one Covenant and League made betwixt both Kingdoms and sworn to for the setling of the Church according to the Word of God and conform to the best Reformed Churches and by name to the Church of Scotland with the just Liberty of the people and against all opposition whatsoever But because the English Commissioners would not take upon them to draw up and to make the Covenant there in Scotland
they desired that there might be Commissioners sent from Scotland unto the Parliament of England for the drawing up of the said Covenant and so was done for the Scots Commissioners assisting the Covenant after divers debates was made and thereafter subsigned sworn first by the Houses Synode and the Scots Commissioners and then by the people and sent unto Scotland where it was received subsigned and sworn by the convention of States and then by the people with all in testimony of their true meaning the Houses of Parliament desireth the Commissioners of Scotland to assist in the Synode in their deliberations and conclusions concerning the Church The Covenant is no sooner taken but the King leaveth off to accuse the Parliament of continuing Schismes and Sects and thereafter tells us that he will have care of tender consciences and this to make faction and division as we have seen since While things were thus managing at London about the Covenant the English Commissioners in Scotland are agreed with the Scots concerning the Army they were to send into England the Articles of agreement being drawn up and consented to by both parties Commissions were given for twenty thousand men who with all the haste possible were gathered together and then immediatly set forth so in January they march when it was both great frost and snow and entering into England with small opposition come as far in as Tyne the Countrey much burdened before was either all wasted and utterly spoiled by the Enemy hearing the Scots coming with a great number of men great power so they could likely find nothing in that Countrey but what by strength of Arm they could pull out of the hands of the Enemy Thus did the Scots fight for a while with their Enemies to wit with a multitude of men well armed with evil weather in the most intemperate time of the year and with want of Victuals which was the worst of all and truely it had gone hard with them if it had not been for the provisions sent to them from home which came but by difficile and uncertain carriage by Sea by reason of the storms which fell out then Yet these resolute men were still gaining ground upon the Enemy in number of men as great as they at least and far exceeding them in Horse till at last they passed the River Tyne haveing so wearied and harrassed the Enemy with continuall skirmishs and onsets obliging him to lie without and keep so strait and constant guard and watch that in the end he was constrained to retire and give way to the constant for wardnesse of the Scots divers of his men leaving him for wearinesse and want others falling sick and numbers being killed at divers rencounters at one namely there was eight hundred of them slain at Bauden For all this while the Scots were thus fighting with these three Enemies above-named for the Common Cause expressed in the Covenant some men at London and that not of the meaner sort did not stick to whisper in the ear one to another that the Scots did not carry themselves neither as military men nor as men of courage this was the lesse regarded that it was made by those who against their will did give way to their calling in The Scots did so take up the Enemy in the North about New-castle and Duresme that Sir Thomas Fairfax assisted by Sir John Meldrum took the Field again having for a long time been confined to Hull and tries Fortune he begins at Selby which he manfully assaults and happily takes Then those who had not been well pleased at the coming in of the Scots did begin to say Now since Selby was taken in the Scots might retire they could do the work without them but this discourse did not take by many The Enemy hearing the news of this brave exploit fearing for York least Sir Thomas should carry it run as fast as they could towards that City The Scots as soon as they hear of the Enemies removall go after him on his heels taking some of his men and bagage and follow him unto the Gates of York Upon this My Lord Fairfax and Sir Thomas joyn with the Scots who send to the Earl of Manchester for his help to besiege York the Town being of such circuit that the Scots alone having left of their men in Sunderland and other places taken by them from the Enemy neer New-castle were not able to compasse it with such circumlineation as was needfull and keep the Fields so full of adversaries yea not with the help that My Lord Fairfax brought unto them Manchester joyns with the Scots There were some here that were against Manchesters going North-ward to the Scots not caring how much work the Scots had and how little successe A little hereafter to be short while the Forces of Manchester and Fairfax joined with the Scots are about the siege of York unanimously there is one who goe's from hence to sow some dissention betwixt the Generals Lesley Fairfax and Manchester which designe is disappointed by Gods Mercy then there is another set a foot by others to wit by the Sectaries which although it did not rise to a breach yet it did come to a distaste and dislike for the Sectaries under Manchester his command seeing that the way of the Scots was set absolutely against their intentions concerning the Church-businesses as mainly did appear by the pressing of Church-government by the Scots in the Synod and their oppositions of Sects think themselves that since they were come to some strength they must not rely so much upon the Scots now being able to stand upon their legs with their own Force and do somewhat to eclipse the Scots whom they had so far extolled formerly which while they were weak and in dislike with the people for the miscarriage of things say those who pretend to know the main passages of businesses now at the siege of York they begin to shew themselves who had been under a cloud and by some notable action think to make the world take notice of them so a party of them without order of their General enter in the Town of York thinking to carry all before them but not acquainting their friends of their designe they could not be seconded and so were repulsed with great lose and became wiser thereafter then to undertake any thing more in this kinde wherein they did shew that when they did think it time for them to do they would depend upon no order and so neglecting Military Discipline bring all to confusion This fault was excused for once by ignorance After some moneths siege the united Forces before York hearing of Prince Rupert his coming towards them send a party of both Nations into the Town of Manchester to secure the place and to busie the Enemy in his way towards them till they had advanced their work at York The Enemy taking no notice of that place and passing through with his daily increasing Army
Recusants Sectaries of divers sorts or at the best Prelatiques sticking to the old Service-Book yea some of those who have been in actuall Rebellion against the State under the Earl of New-castle who are of the Committees of these Countreys now having the power in their hands spoile the Countrey and oppresse good men laying the blame of all upon the Scots as hath been of late represented unto the House of Commons by men without exception deputed hither from these Countreys in the name of many good men to acquaint the Houses with the state of businesses there The Malignants of the North Countreys carrie their businesses so that they find Favourers and Agents to excuse them and to further their evil courses Let this what I say here be throughly sifted out it will be found too true to the prejudice of the good Cause God help us and amend us for what can we expect when lyers and other wicked men find this favour and patronage The Winter declining the Scots dispose themselves for the Field-Service so soon as the provisions demanded in a very moderate proportion could be had from hence which went but late to them by reason there was a time spent for obtaining the Ordinance from the Parliament next a time for making ready thirdly a time of sending of things In the interim the Scots although busied in keeping the ill-affected of the Countrey in obedience to the State sends parties now and then upon occasion as the publike Service required for example to Sir William Brerâ—ton and to Scarbor ough c. at last the Rendivous is assigned to the Army the 15 of Aprill to this effect they require the Committee of that Countrey to provide draughts against the day aforesaid but they could not have any in readinesse till the first day of May at what time they marched to Rippon with intention to come straight South-ward according to the direction of the Committee of both Kingdoms if they could have some few dayes provision upon all hazards and draughts But notwithstanding all their care and pains they could obtain nothing but delays and incertainties with promises onely of provision from night to night If the Scots had had their reasonable demands for provisions and draughts they had been neer the Enemy before he had done the evil he did at Leicester and elsewhere While the Scots were at Rippon it was resolved that David Lesley should go into Lancaster-shire with a party and he was to have a thousand York-shire Horses to assist but what performance there was of this God knows for he had not the third of armed men although a thousand was promised By this time the Scots are advertised that the Enemy was with a flying Army to passe through Lancaster-shire to Carlile and from thence into Scotland upon which advice resolution is taken by the consent of the Committee that the Scots should go into Lancaster-shire and stop the Enemies passage Northward After a serious enquiry made the onely way for them to go is by all means through Westmer land From Rippon notwithstanding the roughnesse and difficulties of the Countrey in foure dayes they are upon the borders of Lancaster-shire with their whole Army whither being arrived they have intelligence of the Enemies turning back again South-ward immediately they desire some small provisions for their Souldiers and draughts at the Committee of Westmerland and Cumberland but they found them very slow and unwilling Likewise the Scots being so neer they desired that their Forces before Carlile should be supplyed so far with Victuals as to keep them from starving wherein they were the more earnest that they saw how slackly those who were with their Forces followed the businesse Doubtlesse if they had left then Carlile the Enemy had been supplyed and had kept it to this day which in all appearance was the desire of these Committees After the Scots had ordained things the best they could concerning Carlile they march South-ward in all haste beyond ordinary for some dayes they marched above twenty miles but after they were constrained to stay in some places one two and three dayes for draughts While the Scots were strugling with these difficulties news are sent to the Parliament that the Scots were gone no body knew where and that they spoiled all the Countrey and this was not done by open and declared Enemies but by those whom the Parliament trust in these Countries with the managing of affaires yea by some who formerly did professe hearty Friendship unto the Scots but the wheel of their own interest turning about not onely have they delinquished the Scots but also have declared themselves opposite unto them and this without any cause so far prevaileth private interest with men who seems to be best Then great murmures rise that the Scots would abandon their Brethren at such a necessary time leaveing all the burden of the War unto the Forces of the Parliament in the South Thus were the Scots innocently traduced by Malignants Upon this the Scots Commissioners here take occasion to sent a Gentle-man to the Army to know the truth and veritie of things and within a day or two thereafter seeing the sinistrous reports increaseing sent two of their own number to be satisfied of all things more fully and hasten their coming South In the mean time the Houses of Parliament presse to know what was become of the Scots and why they had gone this unexpected way and why after so many and earnest calls they did not march South-ward the good of the publike Service so requiring Whereupon the Scots Commissioners gave in two papers to the Houses containing a plain and full relation of the naked truth and reason of things desired the ignorance of which had by the shifts of Malignants officiating for the Common Enemy occasioned a great murmure against the Scots up and down These papers gave such satisfaction to all those who heard them read and gave attention to them that nothing was to be replied to the least circumstance mentioned in them yea not by those who had been most enclining to give credit to sinistrous repors Yet these papers were so little divulged that divers of the House of Commons who either had been absent when they were given in or not attentive when they were read did not know of any such thing Next although the papers had given full content to the Houses yet the slanders of Malignants not onely continued but increased daily more and more against the Scots After some few dayes there falleth a Copy of these papers into the hands of one which being shewed by him to some well-affected men and lovers of the Common Cause were thought sit by all means for the publike good to be published As this was adoing some Malignants get notice of it and strive to stop it by dealing with him who had the chief care of the businesse but in vain for he was resolved to go on with his designe so he giveth the
Fruits In these they are so crossed that it seems to be done expresly for the disenabling them so far as may be to do the publike Service answerable to their own desire and readinesse and to the expectation of the Kingdom As for the disorders said to be done in the Army as it is acknowledged that they are not Angels of Light without feeding being but poor infirme men they cannot but fall and do amisse in many and many a thing so they are not Cameleons to live upon the air but are of such constitutions that they must have more solid food of necessity for their subsistance which now and then they cannot come by so orderly as should be Yet I dare be bold to say that the Scots Army is as well regulated as most Armies are without vanity be it said and that exorbitancy or scandall is no sooner known but it is censured punished according to its degree by Ecclesiasticall and Military Law and that no complaint is made but it is heard and answered according to equity and reason Yea Proclamations are made to incite every one that hath any complaint to repaire unto the Prime-Officers or Counsell of War Yet let the Leaders do what they can some slips will fall out among the Souldiers that are not allowable and indeed the Commanders cannot be altogether so exact as otherways they would be with the Souldiers since the pay is so slow and so little of it at a time and provisions so scarce and so hardly had for when the bellie is thus extreamly pinched it were hard measure to beat the back When the Scots Army came to Nottingham the Generall sent a Letter subscribed by himself and two more unto the Committee of both Kingdoms whereby in few words he tels how that the Scots employed in this Service of the Common Cause have had and have to this day very harsh usage and hard measure in divers fashions even from these who not onely by the Common Interest of both Nations are bound to be then Friends and Brethren but also from these who formerly made a particular shew of Friendship unto them Yet notwithstanding all this he declareth how that with hearty earnestnesse they are in readinesse to go on faithfully and resolutely with the Work But judging that a view of the Letter it self would give satisfaction to many I have thought fit to set down here a true Copy of it furnished unto me by a Friend A Letter of the Scots Generall at Nottingham to the Committees of both Kingdoms My Lords and Gentlemen THe continuance of a firme Union and good correspondance betwixt the Kingdoms is so much in our thoughts and wishes as that without it we can expect no better then the weakning yea the undoing of this Common Cause and the strengthening of the Common Enemies and although there be neither few nor small occasions and discouragements from the misrepresentation of our Actions and misapprehension of our intentions from the cooling if not changing of that affection formerly expressed both towards our selves and towards divers of our Countrey-men who have deserved well for their abilities and faithfulnesse in the publike and from the usage and entertainment of this Army which is neither to that which other Armies in this Kingdom do receive nor according to the Treaty between the Kingdoms nor at all certain such as can avoid the hatred and discontent of the people whose affections and good will we desire to carry along with us yet notwithstanding all these and the like discouragements our Actions have been are and shall be reall testimonies of our constant resolution to pursue actively the ends expressed in the Covenant and to adventure our selves and whatsoever is dearest to us in this Cause and that as we had great reason to march into Westmerland in regard of the Intelligence both then and since confirmed to us so we have been as ready and willing to come South-ward as we were desired by the honourable Houses of Parliament and by your Lordships and we have marched with more speed and lesse interruption then is usuall in such cases yea our march had been more speedy if we had not been stayed in some places for want of draughts and provisions and now we are with the assistance of God Almighty to undertake any Action which may be fittest for the Cause and safety of both Kingdoms But if which God forbid for want of the conjunction and assistance promised or for want of necessary provisions the publike work be retarded or disappointed we shall be blamelesse And therefore we do recommand to your Lordships most serious deliberation that some more effectuall and speedy course may be taken for necessary provisions to this Army that both Officers and Souldiers may have in all orderly and constant way not onely a part of their pay in Victuals but a part in money for their other necessary uses and in case of our conjunction with any other Forces of this Kingdom that then the provisions of this Army be no worse then of those other Forces which things as they are just in themselves so they are the rather desired that this Army be not burthensome nor hatefull to the Counties where we come and that we may not be redacted to the unhappy necessity of not punishments wrongs and disorders strictly which as we have not onely forbidden by the strictest Edicts but have exemplarly and severely punished so shall we ever be ready upon complaint and proof of the fact either to punish the same by death or other condigne punishment according to the quality of the offence We further intreat and expect that this War might be managed according to the Treaty by the Committees of both Kingdoms upon the place and for that end that a Quorum of the Commissioners from the honourable Houses of Parliament may be constantly with this Army and that your Lordships may entertain charitable thoughts of our proceedings confident that according to the knowledge which God hath given us in the matters of our profession we shall improve all opportunities to the best advantage We shall not need to put your Lordships in remembrance how necessary it is that before the Armies of either or of both Kingdoms undertake the besieging of any Town they first endeavour a totall dissipation of all the Forces which the Enemy hath in the Fields and so much the rather because by the blessing of God the dissipation shall be more easie if the Armies of both Kingdoms be continually aiding and assisting each one to other and that each act their part and attend the Enemies motions What we have written to your Lordships we desire it may be made known to both Houses of Parliament and City of London And above all that your Lordships would with all earnestnesse presse the expediting of the Reformation of Religion and uniformity in Church-government together with the speedy prosecuting and ending of this War that we may return home with the comfort
wish those men had not changed for ends which when they had obtained one after another did withdraw from the Scots and in a short time point-blank oppose them by whose help they chiefly had raised their hight of reputation and opinion among men The first and main occasion of mistake betwixt those men and the Scots was the Church-government When the Scots did engage themselves in this Common businesses they did stipulate with the English Commissioners then in Scotland that they should go heartily freely along with them in setling the Government and Discipline of the Church as it was thereafter sworn to by both Kingdoms in the National Covenant And when the Scots Commissioners came hither and entred into the Synod they found it had sat long and advanced but small businesses as for the Government they had not touched it at all which in all appearance was kept off by a slight of Prelatists and Sectaries to stop the setling of the Church according to the best way expressed thereafter in the Covenant The Scots seeing the losse of time and the evils which were likely to follow if there were no set Government in the Church presently moveth the Synod to fall to the Discipline and Government which they do and therein a great deal of pains is taken in setting out the Truth and refuting the errors of ignorants and oppositions of head-strong wilfull men who prefer the setting up of their own Chymerick fancies and Utopian dreams to the Peace of the Church wherefore I may justly say whatsoever gifts or endowments they have whether of preaching or of praying of languages or sciences since they want charity they have nothing for if they had the least grain of charity they would not thus disturb the Church I adde He that sacrificeth the Peace of the Church to the Idol of his own Imagination is as he who causeth his children passe through the fire to Moloch After much strugling things being brought neer a conclusion some of those upon whose Friendship the Scots had till then so much relyed did declare themselves to be altogether adverse to the Government the Scots were so desirous of whereat the Scots were much astonished First because the assurances given by those men unto them in the beginning of their engagement for furthering the Church-government intended next by reason of the Covenant whereby the Scots conceive us all to be bound unto the government of the Church according the Word of God and the best Reformed Church abroad and namely to the government of the Church of Scotland Ever since that day to this day those men having withdrawn their temporary affection from the Scots have opposed their counsells and crossed their proceedings in every thing wherein they are concerned as far as in them lieth And this they do not onely themselves but draw others for humane respects to side with them in so doing Yea some there be of this phantasticall opinion in this Kingdom who stick not to say that they will rather choose to joyn with Popery Prelacy and with whatsoever blasphemy or heresie then to submit to the government of the Church by Presbyterie such is the phrenesie of those mad men As those men we spoke of a little above were in what they could against the in-bringing of the Scots and thereafter did oppose the setting afoot and the continuance of the Committee of both Kingdoms so those second men of late have grumbled yea to some of them words have escaped that it was a trouble for the Committee to have the Scots adjoints Yea it seems there was a designe to do busines without the Scots and that of great moment wherein the both Nations are concerned as may appear namely by naming and assembling of a sub-Committee without knowledge of the Scots Wherewith the Scots acquainted the Houses by their papers given in by them about the midle of May last Further the secret intelligence for the surprising and taking of Oxford at aneasie place then unfurnished with provisions given by one Patric Naper to a Sub-Committee of three whereof there was one of them a Scot is neglected notwithstanding the Scots did presse it much that the thing should be tryed they could not prevaile The excuse was that till the Army then a moulding was in a perfect frame they would undertake nothing More the Enemy is acquainted with the secret advice of the enterprise and that particularly who before had not taken notice of the weaknesse of the place named by the advice which the Enemy finding to be true repaires and strengthens All this then is known to be true by intercepted Letters which have not been communicated to the Scots Commissioners notwithstanding the Common Interest I am much mistaken if it was the Scot who discovered the advice to the Enemy Be it who will let him lay his hand to his heart and giving glory to God confesse his own wickednesse for at last it will be discovered to his shame I am perswaded When the Army was moulded according to the mind of some few men then Oxford must be besieged and the Enemy suffered to run up and down increase his Forces and spoile the Countrey yea to bring all to a great hazard Yet the new Army must lie before Oxford wherein there was not the men by third part requisite to such a Siege far lesse to take in the Town Yea those men who were there were not furnished with materials for the the Siege But many think there was no intention to take the Town by open Siege by those who were contrivers of the designe since they neglect to trye if it could be done by surprise secret enterprise All this while the chief Commander was most ready to act his part faithfully and gallantly as he hath done happily since From this Siege the Scots not onely do openly dissent but also did protest against it Yet when the thing was cried out upon not only at home but abroad by Forrainers who said That the Enemy was devouring the Flesh while the Parliaments Forces were gnawing the Bone they did not stick to say that fair dealing was not every where More the party of Horses which were ordained to follow the Enemy was recalled back against the advice of the Scots who having acquainted the Houses of Parliament with those passages should have made known to the whole World that after their own constant integrity simple sincerity more and more made known to all in these things and the faults of others sifted out and they not bearing the blame of other mens errors the Service of the publike might go the better on Further it was given out that the Scots notcoming South-ward was the occasion of all these disorders committed by the Enemy But let reason judge whether or not it was easier for an Army provided with all things for the Field and marching within very few miles of the Enemy to follow him disturbe him and stop him from increasing his Forces and
doing Evil then to an Army above two hundred miles distant who notwithstanding their willingnesse and readinesse to march according to their calling Southward could get neither draughts nor absolutely necessary provisions for a march in such a proportion as was thought very reasonable The truth of this may appear what troubles Generall Lesley found at Rippon to get provisions and draughts and how he went to York to that effect but to very small purpose Let things be tryed and no longer thus carried in hugger-mugger to the prejudice of the publike Service We have heard how that and upon what occasion some of those who had been so intimate with the Scots Commissioners leave them neglect them and oppose them in their proceedings so far as they can in a smooth-way above board to say nothing of what is done under-hand So in this place you shall take notice how that on the other side there be divers of those who formerly had cared so little for the Scots that they neither favoured their in-coming nor thereafter had assisted them so willingly in their honest faithful endeavour for the advancement of the publike Service now at last bethinking themselves of their own error and how that without reason they had been jealous of the Scots they begin to go along with them more freely and earnestly in the publike Work then they had done heretofore which the Scots minding mainly the furthering of the Service of the Common Cause take kindly at their hands and welcome the expressions of their good affection to the Service with respective civilitie wishing from their heart that those who are now withdrawn from them would return unto their wonted correspondence in sincere and brotherly unanimity for carrying on the heavy and tedious Work now lying upon them all Upon this there is great murmuring against the Scots that they had quite left off honest and well-affected men and taken semi-Malignants by the hand who not onely had been slack and backward in the pursuance of the publike Service but adverse unto themselves in particular To all this the Scots do declare truely that as when they came hither at first they took no interest in any man more then they judged him in all appearance to interest himself heartily without by-ends in the Common Cause and as yet they do the same resolved to continue so unto the end constant to their first principles and if any men have withdrawn themselves from them not willing to go constantly along with them in this necessary course they are sorry for those of whose constancy they were in a kind assured and they declare to the World that they neither gave nor intend to give any just distaste in their particular to any But if men will snuff because they are not humeured in all things who can help it The Scots did think at their coming in to have nothing a do with children and women who must be humeured but with set and staid rationall men without any by-respects or private Fancies wholly constants to the Cause both of Church and State as we are all sworn by the Solemn Oath of the Nationall Covenant As for those who having cast off their former mistakes now go along with them more earnestly then formerly in the businesses they cannot but welcome them as all those who put to their helping-hand heartily in the least kinde to the great Work of God and of his people howsoever their carriage have been towards their persons for the publike they having no spleen nor grudge at any forget whatsoever hath been amisse towards them praying God to forgive that his Work may be carried on more cheerfully and unanimously and they are likewise disposed and enclined towards those who have left them off to go along with them so freely and so brotherly as at the first they will imbrace them cheerfully in carrying on the businesses of Church State with them This they declare not to captive men by cunning insinuation as factious ones do but to invite all men fairly to go on with the Work of Church and State according to the Covenant as they hope a blessing from Heaven if they be zealous and faithfull without equivocation and may expect judgement if they either faint or be not sincere Of this enough for this time Yet there is one thing I cannot passe and it is this There be hardly any divisions among these of this side of which the blame is not laid upon the Scots as if they had not had their jealousies one of another and grudges one against another by reason of particular interest and private opinion before the Scots did join with them when it is well known that the Scots assistance faithfull in the Counsell and active in the Field is not onely usefull and necessary for the opposing and repressing of the Common Enemy but also for keeping together those who otherwayes in a likelyhood would fall asunder and so the publike Service suffer at which the Enemy aimes Then I adde that the Enemy howsoever low he seems to be at this instant desires to have no better Game then that the Scots would retire and withdraw their helping hand from the Service for he that of nothing made a party so great as to carry all before it till he was repressed by the Scots would raise up his party again But in despite of the devil and all opposition whether clandestin or open the Scots will stand firm and faithfull for the carrying on of the Work of God and of his people After a certain time the States of both Kingdoms resolved to try yet again if they could reclaime and recall upon any reasonable terms the abused and misled Prince from his evil courses of undoing thē people and himself cause draw up certain Propositions by Common Counsell of both Nations which they send by Commissioners of both States to the King in whom they find nothing but shifts and delays So they return without effectuating any thing A while thereafter the infortunate Prince intending to make the simpler sort beleeve that he was defirous at last of a reall agreement sends hither Commissioners of whose honest meaning the people did least doubt but in the end they were found to be cajeolors to draw things towards a Treaty unto which the Scots declared themselves to be inclined the main businesses of Church and State being secured as willing to try all means possible upon all occasion to take up the differences in a fair way to save further effusion of Christian and Brothers blood and further ruine of those Countreys For this the Scots are cried out upon as evil men by inconsiderate persons set on by Malignants notwithstanding the Treaty goe's on but to small purpose the Kings Commissioners feeling the pulse of the Parliaments Commissioners did promise unto themselves upon what ground they know best or at least should know that they could carry all things to their mind if it were not for the rude and
their Armies compleat to their mind of their own men So the Scots were employed in chief and prime places of command on both sides hence divers men indifferent not as yet engaged by affection to either party conceiving that neither party could have known how to manage or go on with the War without the Scots Commanders wished them many miles beyond Sâ—n To the King went and took Service of him not onely divers who had been Malignants from the first beginning but also some superficiall Covenanters who not diving in businesses did make small scrupule to serve the King in this War it not being against the Letter of their Covenant as they conceived for the King protesting from day to day that he would stand firm to the true Religion and maintain it his intention in taking up Arms being onely to represse some factinus persons who had affronted him and the Parliament not then making it so clear to every one by their expressions that the main quarell the adversary had was the subversion of Religion made some not to discern things so clearly as otherwayes they had done if things had been more plainly set down To the Service of Parliament come divers in good affection being perswaded that the quarrell of England was one and the same with that in Scotland howsoever by the cunning of the adversary disguised and although not then so cleared by the Parliament as was need The Enemy seeing that sundry Scots Officers and Commanders were undertaking Service under the Parliament by his Emissaries up and down doeth what he can to draw them on his side or at least to make them keep off from serving the Parliament In this he did prevaile with some who will have their just reward in due time Then after the War began and some Fieldactions being done the Enemy perceiving how that divers Scots Officers had carried themselves gallantly in the Service of the Parliament returns again to his former courses and deales by his Instruments and Agents here to corrupt and debauche those men of Command upon whom the eyes of many were the Agents of the Enemy go craftily to work to compasse their ends upon those men for first by cunning insinuations they enter in privacy with them Next they make them fair promises with specious words of the Kings good intentions towards the publike good of both Church and State and of the esteem he had of their worth and deserts Then those good Agents for the Enemy under-hand cause give distaste to the Scots Officers by neglecting of them and otherwayes yea by some Boutefeux there were of them quarelled in Westminster-Hall with reproch that they took the Meat out of the English months who could manage and pursue the War as well atleast as they If this quarell had not been timely taken up by the Wisdom of the Parliament it had grown to a great hight according to the designe and desire of the Enemy This crafty dealing of the adversary by his Agents did prevaile so far that some of the Scots Officers not so touched with the interest of the good Cause as they ought to have been nor as they outwardly professed left off the Service of the Parliament for a time upon I know not what foolish excuse and thereafter upon a change fell to the Work again Next there were others so far perswaded as to lay down their Commissions and go to the Enemy and serve him for a while and thereafter leaving him returned hither again The Scots Officers with the Enemy were in high esteem and in good respect among those they did serve till the State of Scotland joyned with the Parliament of England in action for the Common Cause from thence by little and little the Scots with the Enemy became so to be neglected and ill thought of that there were many of them constrained to go away and others have been taken and killed by this side so that for the present there be very few at least of any note with the Enemy On this side likewise the Scots Officers notwithstanding the State of Scotland was now interessed and joyned with the Parliament by degrees came to be littler regarded neglected and divers of them laid aside after that sundry of them had lost their lives fighting valiantly for the Cause others had loosed their blood and others suffered imprisonment at last the Moulders of the new Modell cashier at one dash above two hundred of them brave fellows who constantly had carried themselves with honesty and gallantry without giving them any satisfaction or at least very little for what is justly due unto them and had cost some of them very dear The reason given out against them was That it was to be feared they would not be so earnest and so forward as was required in this new frame Then those cashiered Scots Commanders having danced attendance a long time to small purpose in pursuance of their just demands constant to their grounds although they were thus harshly used they would not abandon the Service of the Common Cause so they resolve to go to the Forces of their Countrey-men and serve with them in the same Cause and sends some of them accompanied with a number of good fellows before towards the Scots Army till the rest were ready Those Scots who went away first towards their Countrey-men being upon their journey they chanced to be at and neer Leicester when the Enemy made his approches to that place The Scots in meer kindnesse and love to those who were engaged with them in the Common Cause without any Commission from the Parliament or from the Scots Generall stay and help their Friends and how manfully their carriage was in the assistance of their Brethren is so known that it will never be forgotten when there is any mention of Leicester-businesse In generall I will say this of them That if they had been seconded the Town of Leicester had not been taken by the Enemy but having expected assistance from those whom they came to help after divers had prodagalized their blood and that some were killed with the losse of their Liberty and of all they had they were constrained to yeeld to force not without being admired by the vainquors for their valour Thereafter those that were taken prisoners finding their opportunity lays hold on it at the first and they carry the businesse so that they not onely gaine their own freedom but make themselves Masters of those in whose hands they were If those things had been done by some other men all the Pamphlets about the City of London should have been full of them In this businesse albeit the Scots did expresse their kindnesse really to their Friends and made known their valour to all Yet here I must tell you they did not shew their prudence for if the Enemy had known them to have no Commission as they had none by Law of Arms he had given them no quarter On the one side the ignorance of the
had run to the Enemy others astonished fled away and others sell their lives at the dearest rate they were able to do so with a few he had the better of a great number The Enemy had another rencount a while thereafter by the same way and with the like successe After which his courage and number increased so that the people began to apprehend and fear him Upon this the States send more men to help and think fit to employ an old Officer to command in Chief against those Rebels who seeing this preparation made against them retire to the hills and seeing the Army of the Countrey could not stay altogether in one place but must be divided into divers squadrons the Enemy from the hills upon intelligence given him by Malignants of the Countrey in the Army falls now and then upon Gentlemens houses Villages and Towns which he spoiles and makes a prey of and sometimes falls upon one quarter or other of the States Forces where although he found even honest men that fought most valiantly against him and killed many of his men yet by the treason of some Commanders or others for the most part he hath come off with advantage and now within these few dayes he hath had the greatest with a handfull of men He never to this day could make up at one time three thousand men when the Countreys forces were together neer twice thrice yea four times his number Although God be the Lord of Hosts and it is he that giveth wisdom and resolution for Victories yet since men have a hand in this businesse we cannot but enquire if the men employed in the work have done their part according to their trust and abilities wherewith God hath inabled them I know that it is ordinary with people who rise little higher then to men when there is any good successe obtained by any to adore him and when things go amisse to lay the fault upon man yea perhaps upon the same man whom they had a little before adored Yet here although I cannot say positively there hath been a continued treachery in the carriage of things by divers of the Officers namely by him that did command in Chief there be shrewd presumptions to guesse that there is a great deal of knavery as First The great complaints of the honest and true Commanders who being neerest could see best and judge best of fair play or foul Next The posture of the Countrey when this party entred into the Land Then The correspondence the Enemy hath with some of high note and employment in the Countrey with the favour and connivence of others Further By the open treason of those who have run unto him although employed against the Enemy yea there be who have run unto him in the Field when they should have fought against him More The assurance that the Malignants had of Victory long before it came at home in the Countrey here in England and beyond Sea To this exigence with the now unsuffering barbarous Enemy and of false brethren have honest men brought themselves to and the poor Countrey who had carried on their own businesse with such resolution and wisdom had kept under them the sons of Belial and children of falsehood and lyes that they durst not grumble but submit quietly for their kindnesse to their Neighbours among whom they have dispersed themselves for their Service and for overplus they are payed with ingratitude neglects yea calumnies and affronts for their pains by many of these people for whom they have drawn all this upon them and for whom daily they hazard and lose their lives when they might all this while have sat at home quietly but they hope that the same God who set them first about his Work for all this will inable them in mercy to be stedfast to his Cause for which they now so much suffer will at last free them from trouble and end the businesse to his own glory and the good of his people in despite of all malignancy and opposition whatsoever for when God hath chastised his own for a time he will throw the scourge in the fire and shew them his great power in redeeming them from the hand of the wicked upon whom the tempest of the Lord goe's forth and the whole wind that hangeth over shall light upon their heads yea the fierce wrath of the Lord shall not return untill he have done and performed the intent of his heart upon his Enemies and the Lord will say unto Israel Thou People who hast escaped the Sword hast found Grace in the Wildernesse and I will go before thee to cause thee to rest for I have loved thee with an everlasting Love wherefore with Mercy have I drawn thee and I will make a new Covenant with thee thou hast broken the old which I made with thee when I brought thee out of Egypt and this shall be the new Covenant I will make with thee I will put my Law in thine inward parts and write it in thine heart and thou shalt be my People and I will be thy God Let us therefore wait upon the Lord with patience who will not faile in his promise if we return unto him with true repentance for our sins and with a serious resolution to stick constantly close unto him with our whole heart There hath been of late a great blustering of some secret under-hand dealings with the Common Enemy by some few men without the knowledge of the publike of which I have thought fit to say these few words and to understand the thing more at length we shall call to mind bow that the King this last Winter sends hither his cajeoling Commissioners who according to their Order did cajeole the Scots and the Independents but how far they prevailed then with the Independents by their cajeolerie I cannot tell but I am sure they did not gain of the Scots the least point of any thing yea not of any expression or thought of businesse which could be in any kinde interpreted to have an ill meaning in it against the Churches and States advantage in the three Kingdoms as the Scots have made appear in their constant fair carriage in all businesse of Church State maugre envie namely in the last Treaty where they did shew really what honesty and faithfulnesse they had in their heart as I have said before The Treaty being ended without any agreement the Court after a time sends one hither for although he gives out that he stole away yet he came with the knowledge of the Court and things being tryed really it may happily be found that he came hither by Order expresse with instructions who is a great cajeolor to use the Courts own words that is in plain language a meer cheater who hath vowed to cozen by his lyes This cajeolure as the former two endeavours first to cajeole the Scots but finding he had a cold coale to blow he leaveth off the designe with them
might have undone the Kings Army and consequently invaded England if they had pleased and that with small opposition instead of doing wrong to any English they supplied the wants of those who were come against them with Victuals which then did abound in the Scots Army but was very short in the Kings having the flower of the Kings Army in their power I mean the party that went to Dunslaw they suffered it to return back in safety and used it with all civility notwithstanding these chosen ones had come against promise and without cause to destroy them and to invade the Countrey Thereafter the Peace being made the Scots according to the agreement went quietly home and laid down their Arms as was promised Then the Plot the abused King and his good Counsell had at Berwick to draw the Chief men of Scotland to him for to destroy them and the breach of the Parlement the burning in London of the Articles of agreement made at the borders and many other like things did not move the Scots to recede in any measure from their dutifull respects to the King nor from their love to the English Nation neither the imprisonment of their Commissioners against the Law of Nations and the safe-conduct granted unto them upon publike Faith nor the great Forces prepared against them by Sea and by Land nor the many lyes spred against them through all England nor the Prelatical excommunication so canonically spewed out against them in all the Churches and Chappels of England All these things I say did not make them give the least expression of disrespect to the King nor disaffection to the English Upon this the Scots published a Declaration anew unto the World whereby they made known unto all how hardly they were dealt with all for not onely the things stipulated with them were not kept to them but also more and greater wrongs than formerly were done to them Yea a second expedition of War undertaken to destroy them and to fill up all more lyes of no lesse importance than the conquering of England made and spred abroad of them with other thunderbolts of the Prelaticall censure shot against them Also they make known by this Declaration their Christian resolution and just enterprise with their good intentions in taking Arms again for their own defence and the Cause which they maintain And by it assureth their Brethren of England although they were resolved to come into their Countrey to seek out their Enemies who were there gathering against them and not to suffer these wicked ones to come unto them and so make their own Countrey the Seat of the unhappy War Yet they had not the least thought to do any hurt to any body in England except to their professed Enemies So far were they from having the least thought of making a conquest And that when they had brought their Enemies to reason they would go home in Peace All which was thereafter performed by the Scots to the full For first being entred into England and having rencountred one party of their Enemies and routed it when it was in their power to pursue the Victory they stayed at New-castle till things were agreed upon betwixt the King and them This incoming of the Scots gave occasion and liberty to divers of the Nobles of England of whom some since have betray'd the Cause of God of his people what by open Warfare and what by clandestine undermining to desire of the King a Parliament for the good of the Kingdom The King then durst not refuse their demand by reason of the Scots more then the continuance of it which he granted likewise therafter for the same Cause Then the King finding that the Parliament did not onely crosse but quite spoile his designes be plots with his Army which he had raised against the Scots to come and destroy the said Parliament and to take the spoile of London for their reward But the businesse being discovered faileth besides they durst not undertake howsoever they had promised for fear of the Scots who then were so neer The King continuing in his wonted courses after a little pause tryes the Scots if they will do the deed and offers unto them for recompense not onely the spoile of London but also the foure Counties next adjacent unto their Countrey to be adjoyned hereafter to it with Jewels of great value in pawn for performance if onely they would be engaged into the businesse All these great offers could not make the Scots willing to give their consent in any kinde to this wickednesse For they not onely rejected the Kings offers but also giveth notice of the Plot to the Parliament and to the City of London that they might make their best use of it So you may see how that the Scots under God are the cause of the Assembling of the Parliament of the continuance of it being assembled and of the preservation of it from totall destruction and ruine The King seeing that he was stopped by the Scots first in their own Countrey next in England to carry on his great designe takes the Irish Papists by the hand rather then be alwayes disappointed and they willingly undertake to levie Armes for his Service that is for the Romish Cause the Kings designe being subservient to the Romish Cause although he abused thinks otherwayes and beleeves that Rome serveth to his purpose But to begin the Work they must make sure all the Protestants and if they cannot otherwayes by Murthering and Massacring them for they knew them according to the Principles of Religion and State to be forward either for the Covenanters of Scotland or for the troublesome Parliament of England if not for both But the Irish neither would nor durst enter to any open Action so long as the Scots Army in England was afoot therefore by all means it must be sent home and cashiered and to facilitate the businesse the Court-Parasites Instruments of Iniquity with their Emissaries must raise and spread abroad jealousies of the Scots among the people of the Countrey and City namely in and about the Houses of Parliament who having not before their eyes the reall Honesty and Integrity of the Scots known by so many faithfull and loyall expressions and not keeping in their mind the many good offices done to them by the Scots giveth in sillinesse of mind ear and place to the crafty tales and apprehensions invented by the Agents of the Common Enemy to bring them to confusion and trouble So the Plot taketh by the silly ones and is set forward by the hid Malignan's Yea in a word it is managed with such addresse and successe that the Scots must go home and till they had done it there could be no quiet but increase of jealousies The Scots although they were not acquainted with the hight of mischief that was intended against the Church and State in these Dominions by the Common Enemy nor with the wayes of it yet albeit they thought it