AN EXPLANATION OF SOME TRUTHS Of the carriage of things about this great WORK Frustra laboramus nisi laboris nostri Reipublicae cui omnia post Deum debemus ratio constet Pro captu Lectoris habent sua fata Libelli Published by Authority LONDON Printed in the Yeer 1645. TO THE READER Impartiall and judicious Reader HEre I give thee a short and true View or Description of the present state and condition of the Scots in relation to this great Cause of Church and State now in hand for which these last yeers there hath been and yet at this present is such fighting and fensing with strength and skill amongst us in these Dominions On the one side By the good party bestirring themselves by good and just actions in the Field and by right and wholsome advice in the Counsell to put forward and establish the Truth of Religion setled in a thorow Reformation in Doctrine and Discipline according to the Word of God and conform to the example of the best Reformed Neighbour-Churches as we are all sworn to by our solemn Covenant to lay aside all other tyes in this place for the glory of God with the eternall salvation of our immortall souls and to obtain a solid and firm Peace in the enjoying whereof we may lead a sober and quiet life serving God as we ought to do and be in comfort one to another On the other side By the adverse party not onely manifest and declared but also secret and counterfeited who first did begin this strife and still continues it acting by open Warfare and secret undermining what he can to hinder and put back this good Work of a thorow Reformation and in lieu of it to raise up and put on for faction and interest with the inventions of men cunningly devised and craftily disguised with the mask of Piety towards God and of good towards the People But of this thou shalt see more in the ensuing Discourse A SHORT VIEW OF The present condition of SCOTLAND THe Common Enemy by great slight and profound skill having brought us all in a manner insensibly and smoothly we hardly perceiving it to such a passe that we were all catched almost when we did think our selves freest For how many were there amongst us who thinking themselves sincere professors of the truely reformed Religion were altogether infected with errour and heresie by an unparallell'd cunning of the Enemies of the Truth in one way or other He then did judge it fit time as in all probability it was to dallie no more nor deal with us by undermining any further but in an open way to overthrow whatsoever should lie in his way in case of any opposition to his main designe which is to withdraw men from the Service of God and from true love one to another Now when he had cast his eyes up and down among us to see where it was fittest for him to begin this his great and open undertaking in the end he resolves to begin at Scotland where if he found compliance he had what he desired for they who were so far distant from him having once complied would not only invite others by their example to submit but also help him to go on with the work And in case the Scots should refuse being not able to resist long as he thought by reason of their weaknesse for counsell and action with means to support both they should be made an example of punishment to all others not to dare to refuse and against their will to serve unto the advancement of the designe So the Scots are gone too and compliance is required of them which almost had been obtained the most part of the spirits of the people being kept under by heavy pressures and the great ones inslaved by Court-interest but God in his Mercy to that Nation did stir up the spirits of divers of all ranks and degrees despiseable indeed in the eyes of the Enemy to stand in the gap with wisdom and resolution First In a fair way to decline and put off what was unjustly required of them by the Court acting for the Enemy of God and his people Next When no better could be they take Arms and stop the Enemies coming unto them upon which a Peace is made with them and their just demands are granted for the most part in words at least The Articles of Peace are no sooner agreed upon but resolution is taken by the Court to break them thus First There is a Plot set afoot to catch at Berwick the chief sticklers for the Truth Which Plot by Gods Providence is discovered and disappointed Then shortly thereafter at London the Articles are burned publikely the Scots Commissioners put in prison and a second expedition undertaken against them So the Scots Reformers were put to work again by a new undergoing of War which they perform as formerly with wisdom and resolution and with successe under Gods blessing For having in a very short time setled their own Countrey by subduing those who had then risen and stood out against them they come into England to seek out the Enemy who was bound for their Countrey unto whom they give a repulse and thereafter they come forward to New-castle from whence they send their Commissioners to treat with the King where all the time they stayed they behaved themselves with such temper and moderation that their sworn Enemies had nothing to say against their carriage The Scots incoming and abode at New-castle did embolden some of the English Nobility chief Gentry and Magistracy to petition the King openly and freely for a Parliament to redresse all the disturbances in the Common-wealth both of Church and State The King although he had never intended to have any Parliament as was clear not onely by divers expressions of himself and of the Court but also by the managing of publike affairs is necessitated by reason of the Scots to grant a Parliament which he doth and since he could not refuse it his second thought is how to make it work for his purpose which he endeavoureth by causing to be chosen divers Members of the Commons so far as he was able to do what by his own private Orders what by the Court-dependers Nobles and others of credit but all will not do for some of those who were chosen by his procurement are rejected others do not answer according to his expectation Then he plots with the Army he had gathered against the Scots and by Papists to undo the Parliament but the Plot through fear of miscarriage the Scots being so neer is discovered and faileth After this the King hath his recourse to the Scots themselves if they would come forward and destroy the Parliament they should have the plunder of the City of London for their pains with the four next adjacent Counties for their inheritances besides store of money The Scots are so far from consenting to this base act that they reject it with disdain and
so underhand and secretly he sets a Plot afoot to give them work so at home that they should not think of going abroad The Commissioners are hardly arrived but there breaks out an undertaking by Malignants in the South part of Scotland under the favour of the Garrison of Carlile then in the Enemies hands and the Papists in the North part of England but by Gods blessing the businesse is quashed and order is taken for the securing of the Countrey from all intestine insurrections and forrain invasions withall to be in readinesse to help their Friends in England at a call So the Sommer goeth on in which the Kings party prevaileth so far that they master all England some few places reserved except the associated Counties about London and these in a very tottering condition with a great dejection of spirit Upon this exigence the major part of the Houses of Parliament thinks it fit time to desire the aid of the Scots they in all appearence being the onely men they could call to for help First By reason of their common interest in the Cause of Religion and Liberty with the people of England Next In respect of their neernesse and Neighbourhood Thirdly In respect of their bound duty to requite according to power the favours their Fathers formerly and they themselves lately had received from the good people of England in their own troubles Divers in both Houses were against the sending to the Scots chosing rather to undergo the extremity then to be beholding to their Friends After divers debates and delays at last it is resolved upon to send Commissioners into Scotland None of the Peers could be perswaded to go The Commons send their Commissioners Members of their House with power from the Peers to transact and agree for both Houses with the Scots by whom they are welcomed with heartinesse as they had been for a long time expected with devotion They come to treat and in a word The Scots tell the English Commissioners That since they desire their aid and help in opposing the Common Enemy in this Common Cause of Religion the subversion and change whereof is mainly intended by the Enemy all other things being but subservient to this designe as the Houses of Parliament did well and wisely declare in that Declaration they set forth when they were to take Arms for the Cause it were very fit that there should be a solemn Oath and Covenant drawn up and taken by both Nations to be stedfast to the Cause of Religion and settle it against all heresies and errours tyranny and confusion And so much the rather did the Scots move this that they had been told by the King ofter then once and by divers of high rank yea all the papers written by the Court against the Parliament did tell over and over again that the Parliament did not intend a setled Reformation in the Church notwithstanding that they had called a Synod The English Commissioners did reply unto the Scots That they could not but acknowledge that the thing was fit to be done yet they had not the power to do it by their Commission Upon this the English Commissioners send hither to the Parliam for that purpose As some of the said Commissioners did say this in simplenesse and sincerity of heart Others did what they could to delay and wave the Covenant if it were possible for they had no liking to it as we have seen since yet it was no time to reject the Scots so just desire So the Scots send Commissioners to the Parliament who together with some deputed from the Parliament draw up the Covenant and it is solemnly taken One of those who went unto Scotland from the Synod followed thither the Scots Commissioners and did what he could to obstruct the drawing up of the Covenant and to wave the taking of it yet he was constrained to take it with others of that mind for it was then not season to appear otherwayes The Covenant is no sooner taken but the Court changeth its language of the Parliaments intending nothing but Schisms and Sects and tels us That hereafter the King will have a care of tender consciences which was since he could not hinder the making and taking of the Covenant by both Kingdoms at least he will do his best to hinder divers particular men from taking it and from studying to keep it as that which is the most contrary to his designe The Scots Commissioners send the Covenant into Scotland where it is generally taken and thereafter according to agreement the Scots come into England for the help of their Brethren but it was the deep of the Winter to wit January before they could be ready So in frost and snow they come as far as Tyne finding but small opposition by men to that place their main enemies were evil weather and want being come to Tyne they find an Enemy with a Body of Horse and Foot exceeding them in number namely in Horse Master of all behind him to Trente except Hull and of all the Countrey about and strong holds After divers encounters and skirmishes the Scots passe the River in spite of the Enemy whom they make retire before them and also keep together and weary him so with hot Service and constant alarms that divers of his men fell sick with toiling and lying without in so hard a season At one encounter neer Durham they made 7 or 8 hundred fall to the ground of the Enemy his men Then they take Hartlepoole and other places upon the Sea from whence they had all their provisions from Scotland for a good while till at last some are sent to them from the South namely from the Citie As they were thus pressing the Enemy Sir Thomas Fairfax issueth out from Hull whereinto he had retired himself for a while being constrained to leave the Field assisted by Sir John Meldrum and fals upon Selby which he takes with valour and successe Upon the news hereof the Enemy runs to York the Scots follow upon the heels and take some of his men and baggage Presently the Lord Fairfax his Forces haveing come after his Son upon this successe and the Scots Forces joyn together neer York The Enemy fearing to be inclosed sends a party of his Horse Southward which is followed by a joint party of the Scots Fairfax his men as far as Trente then the followers return and resolution is taken to besiege York but the Scots having left some of their men in divers places that they had reduced had not men enough to besiege the Citie and keep the Fields in the Enemies Countrey notwithstanding the addition of Fairfax his Forces Wherefore they wrote to the Earl of Manchester to come and help with his Forces which he did willingly with all speed he could Then some there were who were against the joyning of Manchester and his Forces with the Scots and Fairfax as there had been lately some who would have them to go home
designe to end the Work they were there for and seeing the Enemy his marching unto them upon David Lesley his going into Scotland send unto their Friends at London for a help of some Horse to be neer by them as in Glocester-shire in case of need they not having Horse enough to encounter the Enemy and to serve the Army to bring in the provision which they were constrained to do with strong hold in the Enemies Countrey having ever since their march Southward struggled with great difficulties for necessary provisions yea for divers dayes they have been without bread But they could obtain no Horse howsoever some were very willing to grant their just desire Things being thus it is put to a Counsell of War whither they should storm the Town or no some that were most forward gave their voice for the storm others voiced It was fit to save the Army whole considering how the posture of affaires was then at home and since some of their Friends for whom they had undergone so much were backward to assist them in their great extremity they thought it the safest course to raise the Siege and return Northward to help their Countrey and so the plurality of voices carried it and Northward they went As the Scots were upon their march in York-shire news comes to them that David Lesley had given a great overthrow to the Enemy in Scotland yet they went after this they are desired by the Parliament to come back and besiege Newark and not to stay there in the North Countrey for fear of burdening that Countrey so much already wasted as was given out The Parliaments desire is not answered so hastily as was expected which hath given occasion to some to irritate and do what lieth in them to make ill blood and not to stay for an answer nor receive any reasonable one without reall performance of what was required whereunto the Scots are most willing but by reason they have so few Horse with them they conceive it is not safe to venture their Foot when the Enemies Forces are onely in Horse and chiefly because they knew that the Enemy was to send a considerable party into Scotland hoping to make a great faction there by the help of his Friends by the way and so joyn with the Enemy there and the Malignants in the North of England were to rise with the open Enemy And so it proved indeed for the Enemy sends from Newark a great party of Horse commanded by Langdale and Digby They were meet withall by the York-shire Forces commanded by Poyntz and Rossiter who dealt so roughly with them that they were routed divers killed and many taken with a great part of their baggage yet they rally again and go on in their journey to invade Scotland Before they were at the borders they were a thousand strong Generall Lesley having notice of their designe sends a party under the command of Vandruske with expresse order to fight with the Enemy wheresoever he found him Vandruske followeth so actively the Enemy that he thinks to get into Scotland before him and send him back again but he misseth him and the Enemy going another way enters into Scotland where there were divers parties ordered to wait for him and fight with him one from David Leslâ—â— was sent another of the Earl of Balclough the third and the least of all not exceeding three hundred Horse under the command of Sir John Brown who seeing the Enemy in Scotland could not have patience till his Friends joyned with him but by an hardy attempt with his three hundred men fals upon the Enemy who was a thousand strong as we have said before routs him killeth him a hundred of his men upon the place takes two hundred of them with bag and baggage divers were drowned All this did Sir John Brown with the losse of about thirty or fourty men then he pursued the Enemy seeking him up and down and at last upon the third day after the fight he assisted with his Friends meets with the remainder of the routed Enemy then about five hundred strong where he took all with little shedding of blood onely some few who were extraordinarily well horsed did escape among whom were Digby and Langdale with these good Patriotes and good Christians the Earls of Nidsdale Maxwell and Carnewath-Dazâ—l When by treachery at divers encounters the Enemy did prevaile against the Forces of the good party in Scotland some of the superficiall Brethren about Westminster-Hall jearing and gibing could say That the Scots could not and durst not fight in their own Countrey which at this time they find untrue for the Scots have shewn since that they both can and dare fight not onely one to one but one against two contrary to the Proverb Ne Hercules contra duos yea one against three Let the glory be to God who is pleased to own his own Cause and honour despiseable men to be instruments in this his Work to the confusion and shame of the Haughtie The Enemy had so laid down this Plot of invading Scotland that he promised unto himself without fear an issue according to his mind for he thought having once entred in Scotland by the Papists Atheists and Libertins for Sectaries there are none to make up in the lower Countrey a great party and so joyning with the Enemy now afoot in the hills who is gathering what he can and hath already betwixt three and four thousand men although divided amongst themselves as we are informed he did think no lesse then in a very short time to subdue all Scotland and presently thereafter to come into England Those who have read the intercepted Letters can tell much stuffe to this purpose but he that compteth without his host compteth twice The rumour of this designe was so great in Scotland that the good party thought fit to draw a good part of their Horse Southward and to make sure the chief and most commodious passages to hinder the conjunctions of the intestine Enemy and the invaders so David Lesley lay with one party at Glasgo upon Clyde and Middleton with another at Alloway neer Sterlin upon Forth Yea to see this enterprise repressed is the chief reason why the Scots Army in the North of England did not come so soon Southward to Newark as was desired wch just and lawfull delay of the Scots for a time by factious and malicious men although they knew very well the reasons and the cause thereof is published as a deniall and so it hath been beleeved by the simpler sort and laid hold on as argent contant present count it is not enough for the malicious and factious ones not considering that the good party in Scotland hath made the Parliaments quarrell its own in joyning with it in Covenant for the pursuance of the Cause it took Arms from the very first beginning that is for the Truth of Religion all things whatsoever yea Liberty and Priviledge being subservient unto it as
slakely this duty hath been performed the great losses and wofull sufferings of that poor Countrey can now tell of which inconveniencies and evils they had been free at least to this present if they had not joyned with their Friends in England I know it will be said When the Enemy had done with England his designe was with all his power to go into Scotland But human reason tells you That it is wisdom to put off an evil if we can for a time for he that hath time hath life as it is commonly said and the mean while God will provide some means or other to return the evil from his people And so human Policy would have taught the Scots to look to themselves and be quiet but their zeal to the Cause of God could not suffer them and for it they have undergone all this hardship who can and will deliver them in his appointed time And if those for whom they undergo this Service do not requite faithfully their kindnesse God will by some means or others not forget but recompense them according to the sincerity of their intentions But if any of the Scots as I doubt not but there be some who had or have some by-ends in this Work God will punish them for it and shew their vanity for mixing their own interest with his Service who requires the whole of man which is so known to the Enemy of God and of his people that he cares not what good a man do providing he can nourish in him any little evil being sure to catch him at last if he do continue in it Then the Brethren of England are bound not onely by reason to make the Scots no worse then they have found them that is then they were before their late conjunction for it stands against the Laws of all human Society and partnership that one party being preserved from totall ruine and reaping a seen benefit by the Society through the hazard and great losses of the other party not to make the party at least in the same condition he was before the Society far more is it against Justice to see the party undone and perish for us above all if we can afford him help or comfort least of all to rejoyce and make our own advantages of his losses who hath lost himself for us If the thing be so among particular Societies of men Why not so betwixt State and State who are nothing else but a Congregation of lesser Societies And if Justice is to be done by the lesser Why is not the greater far more tyed to it For the most part particular men are either punished or cried out upon as cheaters if they cozen or deceive their fellows And shall States escape free not onely from censure but be thought wise and prudent men for their deceits And shall circumvening in publike affaires be not onely not thought evil but esteemed as a vertue Hence cunning deceitfull man is called Politick and deceit is called Policy To such hight of wickednesse are we now come that vice must go under the name of vertue for Policy is the honest just and prudent carriage of publike affaires and not deceit and guile in them If it were onely to give sin a term lessening the shame of the crime it were to be born withall as for example to call stealing robbing and spoiling plundering as now adayes we do But to call vice vertue is intolerable Next We may see if this stands with the Treaty by this sole instance which is here inserted as it is in the first article And in case that notwithstanding the monethly sum of Thirty thousand pounds payed as aforesaid the States of Scotland shall have just cause to demand further satisfaction of their Brethren of England when the Peace of both Kingdoms is setled for their pains hazards and charges they have undergone they shall have due recompense made unto them by the Kingdom of England Now if the Scots for their pains hazards and charges be not payed of their monethly allowance How is the Treaty observed But the necessity of the times may excuse if there be not a full payment when there is willingnesse to perform if there were capacity But to give reproaches and injuries with threatning and to send men home with shame and without satisfaction who have done and undergone so much for thy good and to save thee from perdition is doubtlesse far from gratitude I pray thee What is it and how far is it from recompense Not to allow men to run home and quench the fire in their own house left having devoured the one it should destroy the other which it would do if it were not quenched in time Yea so long as the fire was but burning in one end of the house in respect of the ingagement it was in a manner little regarded but when it came to shake the very foundations of the building and deface it quite then it was full time to look to it And yet it cannot be approved by some because forsooth There was not a formall warning given as in decency was fit yet it was done with such order as could be expected upon such a nick of time But here it may be said What needs all this to speak of the Treaty Hath ever been any Treaty made betwixt two Nations or States but each have made their best advantage of it and ordinarily the Southern Nation hath been too cunning for the Northern as may be seen in all the Treaties betwixt Spaine and France Spaine hath outcunning'd France and so in the Treaties betwixt France and England France hath over-reached England and so of such others for the most part But as the Southern Nation hath over-reached the Northern by slight and cunning so the Northern oftentimes hath surpast by Field-action the other The reason of this is from the constitution of the body in the Northern people vile domineerers whereby they are inclined to do things rather by a strong hand then otherwise In the Southern people melancholy reigneth whereby they are inclined unto devises to compasse things with lesse force and hazard for where there is most wisdom there is least hazard The more North or South that a people be the more or lesse they have the one of the other But since the Treaty betwixt the Parliament of England and the State of Scotland runs upon other principles to wit of Religion this human over-reaching cunning or surprising is not and ought not to have any place but all is to be guided by conscience according to equity before God and as weare sworn to in our Covenant Wherefore now let us see how this agrees with the Covenant whereby we are all solemnly sworn to promote and advance the setling of a through Reformation in the Church according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Neighbour Churches and if these reproaches injuries and hard usage of the Scots who have contribute so much to bring
this Kingdom to such a posture do not proroge the compassing the same end let God and the World judge And then Are not these things flatly against the third article of the Covenant whereby we are all sworn to defend one another in this Common Cause which how do we perform when we deny assistance to our Brethren in distresse and will not allow them to help their own selves yea we rejoyce at our Brethrens sufferings Are we not bound also by the fourth article not onely to stop and remove any thing which may or might give any wayes occasion of mistake and consequently of division betwixt the two Nations Yea we are sworn to discover those who endeavour any such action and so according to Oath I here declare That it is those incendiaries and factious ones who contrary the ends expressed in the Covenant phancy to set up their evil opinions and invent all means they can to hinder the setling of Government in the Church and consequently as appears by all symptoms to bring Anarchie in the State promising to set down a Seraphin-Modell of a Church which they after so long forbearance will not nor cannot agree among themselves to set down onely they are resolved to stop the setling of the Church-government according as aforesaid to the end that all heresie errour licence libertinisme and corruption may creep in the House of God this is their main drift after their own interest Then Is not the dealing of these factious men with the Scots against the fifth article of the Covenant wherein we are all sworn not onely to keep a good correspondency betwixt the two Nations but also to keep a fair Union for ever Here these factious men will say That the Scots deserve to be thus dealt withall for not doing more Service then they have done this Sommer and not following the desire of the Parliament To which is answered First Let it be seen what the Scots have done and if that which they have done be not as much important to the Common Cause as any thing done elsewhere by any Then If they have not done more let it be seen where the fault lieth whether in them that would not do or in others who have stopped them from doing by hindering them to be furnished and provided for further action More Let it be seen whether or no it were not out of good reason and not by chance that they have not instantly followed the course they were desired to do and whether or no it had been better for the Service of the Common Cause to have so far complied with the designes pressed by those who either would not or did not see and foresee what is most advantagious for the Common Cause or whether or no there was a set Plot to undo the Scots Army Then The Scots are accused To lie heavily upon the Countreys where they come and that they have done many things against the Liberty and Right of the Subject of England I answer As for their burdening or wronging the Subject in the least kinde it is not their intention being come in into England for the relief and righting of the Subject from the oppression and injury of the Common Enemy and if any Souldiers or Officers of theirs have exceeded in any kinde upon just tryall of their faults they are to suffer and to be punished for it besides all things taken by wrong are to be restored and reparation is to be made to the full by the judgement of honest and understanding men upon the place to the end that all mistakes may be taken away and the Union kept betwixt the two Nations in spite of faction and malice against upright men Further Let it be known how the Scots are payed and how they offer to repay ten for one for any thing taken by extortion if they could have the half pay that others have employed in the same Service For this the Scots have frequently sollicited If the Committees of York-shire set a work by some secret Enemy had not gone so high and published at every Parish-Church their orders against the Scots as the Prelats did in former times with their bloody thunder-bolts of excommunication and if they had remembred in whose hands the Liberties and Rights were when the Scots came in to help or where their Committees were then sitting and how far their orders had been obeyed then they might have thought whether or no they had ever had a Parliament given to authorize them if it had not been for the Scots and the Parliament being assembled whether or no sitting this day Till these factious men did rise who besturre themselves so much now of late it was said ordinarily for any Reformation obtained either in Church or State and for stopping any evil to the Publike or to any private men Gara mercy good Scot As this is now forgotten by divers private men to their shame and discredit so these factious men would have it to be out of memory by the Publike but they strive in vain for neither Parliament nor People Synod nor Church will ever nor can forget what they owe to the Scots for the good they enjoy at this present and hope to enjoy hereafter in Gods Mercy Then It is reproached to the Scots to their great grief That they pursue too rigidly the setling of the Church which may be done at leasure when other things are ended and must be performed with ripe consideration for fear of mistake And That they presse too much for Peace when it is apparent none can be made but by the overthrow of the malignant party As also That they stand so much for Royaltie when God knows the King deserveth but little at their hands they being the men he hath the greatest splen against and whom he haâ—es most as he declares himself by all his expressions To all this they answer First That they are obliged in the first place to see the House of the Lord setled and then to look to temporall things for this they have not onely Law and reason to begin at God but also example First out of the sacred History where we see that all true Reformers of the State of Israel and Judah did begin at the Reformation of the House of God Then we see the same in the Ecclesiasticall History practised by the Ancients And of late Hath not the same been done in our Neighbour-Countreys yea in our own by our Fathers And is it not full time after so long and so tedious a debate since it is agreed upon how what it should be by the full consent of Divines assembled for that purpose except of some few of a private spirit for self-conceit and by-interest who having nothing to answer unto the demonstration of the Truth and the reasons for it made known unto them yet with obstinacy do oppose the setling of the Church and so way is given if not countenance to all kinde of heresie errour and blasphemy
at the taking in of Selby and as some had been against their incoming and thereafter some were employed before York to sow the seed of dissension betwixt the joyned Generals with their Forces and as some likewise were railing at the Scots while they were daily encountring and skirmishing with the Enemy After this another sort of men began to shew themselves unto the world seeing that by the help of the Scots they were made able to appear again who for their miscarriage of things durst not shew themselves and finding in themselves that they began to stand upon their own legs they feel the pulse of the Scots to try if they were plyable to their phantasies and opinions perceiving the Scots constant to their principles and firm unto their Covenant begin to care lesse for those who had raised them from the dust yea they begin to oppose the Scots and to make the relation short the Battel of York is fought and the Town taken In all such actions those new factious men to indear themselves unto the simple people by their Emissaries spred abroad that they did all but God knows they had little share in things After the businesse of York Manchester returns into the associated Counties Fairfax stayes in York-shire and the Scots return towards New-castle where they find a new supply of six thousand men under the command of the Earl of Calendar to represse the Enemy who had been for a while domineering thereabouts in that Countrey while the Scots Army was ingaged at York who having drawn neer make their approaches and lay a formall Siege about the Town which after some moneths pain they take by storm having tryed all means possible to keep things from extremity but it could not be yet their moderation was such after they had taken the said Town that it was admired by their Enemies While the Scots were thus busied about the Siege of New-castle they were ill spoken of by those new factious men who expressed tokens of sadnesse when they heard it was taken Then the Scots clear all the four Northern Counties except Carlile which of late they reduced by composition and so the Winter coming on they kept in their Winter-quarters As the Scots making the quarrell their own did send their Army to fight in the Field to help their Friends and Brethren by action so they send Commissioners both from Church and State to help with their counsell the carrying on of things in Church and State When the Commissioners come hither they promise unto themselves to find nothing ado but to go on with the Work unanimously for the good of Church and State against the Common Enemy But since they have found themselves hugely mistaken for where they thought to have most opposition they have found least and where they did look for none there have they found most First Some factious men in the Synod have stopped the conclusion of things there it is without example that so few men being convinced with Scripture reason antiquity and the example of the best reformed Churches so that they have nothing to reply yet in stuâ—â—urnesse they will not give over to disturb It is found true in those men which is remarked That the more mildly the adversaries of Peace and Truth be dealt withall the worse they are Then in the Counsell of State the Scots have a long time been crossed in a high measure by those who were against their incoming and thereafter still have been opposed by these men and their participants who are advers to the setling of the Church The former did oppose the Scots namely because they were not to approve their wayes in the managing the affaires of State and thereafter perhaps in the Church-government The second Because the Scots cannot give way to their phancies and faction in Church-businesse and consequently in the State but stand constantly to their principles and firm to the Covenant not regarding to either the one or the other with temper and moderation to give offence to no body if it were possible unto them The Spring drawing on the Scots presse to have necessaries for the Field After much delays things go to them in New-castle but in a very small proportion Howsoever they are no sooner ready but they dispose themselves for marching till then they were not idle but they were busied up and down to the setling the Northern Counties and they did send parties to and fro unto their Friends namely unto Sir William Brereton they sent a party of Horse by David Lesley who then made the Kings Forces turn back which at that time did intent to go through Lancashire for Scotland Thereafter as the Scots Army was moving and about to march Southward they have advice given them that the King being then towards Westchester was bound once more for Scotland to stop which the Army went with great difficulties and did so put themselves in his way who made him change his resolution and 〈◊〉 returned Southward again And at that time the Scots supplied their Friends which lay then before Carlile who were there altogether unprovided Thereafter they return Southward and although by agreement they were not to passe Trente yet in compliance to importunities they past and went Westward towards Worcester and cleared the Fields there so of the Enemy that he durst not appear before them Next Against their own Maxime which is to clear the Field and wait upon the Enemies motion that they may alwayes be in readinesse to hinder his courses pursue him to stop the clamours of some raised against them they lay down before Hereford which if they had been supplied with necessaries at first they had doubtlesse taken and when they had the things required for the Service in some measure the great rains hindered them to perform what they earnestly intended and whereunto they were prepared As they were thus ingaged about Hereford the King with all his Horse having made a great circuit goes Northward where by divers promises made unto him he did hope to do great things for his designe The Scots send their whole body of Horse some few excepted by David Lesley who by his diligence and activity gets North before the King and sends him back Southward once more and so breaks that designe At this nick of time cometh the news to David Lesley being then neer Trente upon his return South in pursuance of the Kings party and he is desired to go into Scotland without delay and help his own Countrey in distresse by an overthrow that the Enemy had given there to the Forces of the Countrey He thinks to go onely with a party into Scotland himself and send back the rest to the Army before Hereford but the whole Company hearing of the straigth of their native Countrey would needs go with him Of this he giveth notice to the Committee of both Kingdoms and to the Army before Hereford and so goes into Scotland The Army before Hereford having
it is expressed first in generall terms in the Declaration at the giving the Commission to the Earl of Essex then more particularly in the Covenant This sheweth the forgetfulnesse of him who in a solemn Assembly was so unmindfull of the Truth as to aver that Religion was not the ground of the quarrell betwixt us and the Common Enemy at the first abusing the simpler ones and making use of the connivence of others yea he was put at work by some to say so at least he was applauded by them as the story runs This quarrell here in England hath cost the Scots a great deal of pains First In the Counsell both of Church and State Then In the Fields with the losse of many a gallant brave man which they think all well spent bestowed since God hath been pleased to make use of their endeavours to put forward in some measure his good Work in both Church and State and to represse the domineering of the Common Enemy who ever since the conjunction of the Scots with the State of England hath been declining if the thing be well considered with judgement although now and then he hath had some lucida intervalla as we have all seen As the Scots think their pains labours expences charges c. well bestowed so they complain not of the manifold reproaches and lyes that have been said and spred against them what by the open Enemy what by the false Friends nor of the hardship their Army hath endured to this day in the Field no more then of the small content of their Commissioners in the Counsell which all they passe and lay aside not as insensible and leprous men who have no feeling for in any other thing they are touchy enough but as being resolved to do all what they can and suffer what they are able for the Cause of God and of his people with grief of mind to see those whom at first they conceived certainly to be right and round in this businesse to have corners and by-wayes wherein they must acknowledge the shortnesse of their own judgement and confesse the infirmity of man But their great grief is at least should be that their Army hath not been timely nor duly furnish'd with conveniencies and necessaries to make it go on with action in the Field yea to see them kept back from doing as if it were plotted of purpose Then that their counsells in Church and State have not onely not prevailed but have been hid yea opposed and so hindered to yeeld their due fruit unto the Cause in hand as they intended Besides all these things in joyning with the Parliament in action and Counsell and coming in when it was below a stand they have not onely exposed themselves and their poor native Countrey to all kinde of perills and inconveniency but have drawn evil upon it More They have gone in the highest degree of contradiction to the King for they have not onely in down-right terms declared themselves opposite to his designe but have quite spoiled it which as he told them he would easily compasse in this Kingdom if they would be quiet and indeed he had brought his businesse to a pretty passe before the Scots came in Then their coming in into England and their going before into Ireland did empty their native Countrey much of men of Counsell and action So for England they left their own Countrey as if it were to be a prey unto the Malignants there who since not being kept under by the good party by reason of its weaknesse shew themselves to be in great number Next The indifferent and neutrals whereof there be but too many everywhere most men looking more to their convenience here upon Earth then to the Glory of God or to his Kingdom who had sided formerly with the good party bearing the sway but since seeing them absent for the most part helping their Friends and weakest at home begin to have other thoughts and fall in with the Malignants All this being perceived by the King who hath his thoughts full of revenge against the Covenanted Scots with England bethinks himself of all means possible to oppresse and destroy that poor Countrey of Scotland and in the first place the Danes are invited to invade it unto whom are promised the Isles of Orkades for their pains their old pretension But as the Danes were preparing to come hither God sends them another work to do at home which was to defend themselves from their invaders to wit the Swedish with whom after a great strugling by Sea and by Land they have been constrained to make their peace almost upon any terms Yet we hear they are now making again themselves ready for War and against us as we are informed to try perhaps if they can make up their losses in some measure in one way or other upon us Again The King seeing the Scots siding with the Parliam of England sets afoot Plot upon Plot in the South part of Scotland but by Gods blessing they all fail being no sooner discovered but repressed and thrown in the dust More By Pyrates and men of War having Commission from the King the Scots Ships with goods and men are taken yea divers men are thrown overboord Their onely quarrell is the conjunction of the Scots with the Parliament of England in the Service of this Common Cause The losses the Scots have suffered by Sea since their sideing with the Parliament do exceed far the monethly allowance agreed upon for their Army although it were well and fully payed which they are far short of for since these eight moneths they have had but one moneths pay to wit about Thirty thousand pounds and these from the City of London Last of all The King bethinks himself since he is pleased to own all the undertakings of the Juncto although he be not alwayes one of the number it taking its authority from the Pope and the Roman-Catholike Princes abroad more then from him although he hath the name of all to send over out of Ireland some of those desperate Villains who at their first rising in Rebellion in Ireland did offer all kindnesse unto the Scots saying that they would not stir against them who take a fit opportunity of the good party of the Scots being absent out of their Countrey for the most part and they enter into Scotland by the Isles and the Hills finding a party of Malignants some whereof and the chief Traitors had been sent from the Court to manage the businesse who not only privatly do favour openly do side with them but make a number of disguised Villains betray the trust they had from the Countrey in places of power and command yea some in the time of action in the Field either slakly acting against the Enemy or flying from before him or running over to him at divers places and times So the Enemy increaseth his party in Scotland spoileth and destroyeth divers places of the Countrey
against God so generally and so long a time now these five yeers since the Reformation is in hand As for the pressing of Peace by the Scots Is it not full time after so much blood shed devastation of the Countreys and such a deal of all kinde of wickednesse committed in the War to seek after a firm Peace lay hold upon any occasion to help us to it First Because it is the end we make War for not having intention to make a Trade of it Then If we beg for Peace at God Why should we not seek earnestly after it from man by all honest means Otherwise God will not grant our demands and will tell us that we are but hypocrites having a thing in our lips when our hearts are far from it As for standing for the King It is true we stand for him and respect him as we do on the other part stand for the Parliament the great Counsell of the Land as those whom God hath been pleased to set over us not fondly and feignedly idolizing worshipping them as gods on Earth impeccable one day as Parasites and Sycophants do and another day vilifying and rejecting them when our turn is not served by them but sincerly with reason for as we avouch him to be our Soveraign Magistrate so we acknowledge him all those of the Counsel to be but infirm and weak men him misled miscarried for the most part by those who are about him deceiving him to his own and the peoples ruine and them also subject to mistake and errour So as we pray God for him to save and protect him from doing evil from receiving evil we freely admonish him both from Church and State of his errours and faults both before God and man This we do both in private and publike as the cause requires or occasion will permit and when necessity drives us to it we take Arms to oppose the evil courses he is insnared in and represse them alwayes with respect to his Office and Person which we acknowledge to be lawfull and him lawfull possessor thereof and no further we go then to stop him from doing evil if we cannot gain him to do good Then for faults although they be great we must not change till we see that we can do better We have abolished the Prelacy not so much for the abuses thereof as for the unlawfulnesse of it although of long continuance it being against the intention of God expressed in his Word howsoever wrested by the Prelats but for Royalty it is approved and ordained by God hath so continued with us that we can hardly leave it besides we find already such inconveniencies by not keeping it up in its due right and authority that we smart hugely for it and if it were altogether cast off we should be far worse witnesse the infinite disorders now adayes Now let the English ingenuously confesse That â—â—ey never have told the tenth part of the truth of things unto the King which he hath heard of from the Scots Hath the Parliament and Church of England spoke so home and acquainted him so freely with his errours as the Scots have done or would they have so withstood the evil courses he is cast in had the Scots not shewn them the way Then we must not cast off a good accustomed and lawfull office for the faults of a man who bears it yea in the exercise of it and that about main businesses for lawfull things are not to be rejected for the abuses but the abuses to be taken away and a reformation to be made otherwayes the most things and most necessary should be cast off for we offend almost in all things and abuse many things But it is said The King hath spoiled the three Kingdoms and endeavoured to overthrow the Liberties and Religion It is true but if he had not found Peers and Commons in the three Kingdoms to second the evil counsels suggested unto him he would never have attempted it for they caused him to set the work afoot and they laid down the wayes to go on with it and have served him in it Although that other kindes of government may be fit for other people sure I am Monarchie is best for us being regulated according to the Law of God and right reason with the Prerogative and the Priviledge subservient to the good of the people Then It is reproached unto the Scots That they are a poor weak people and not considerable Truely They do not hold themselves either potent or considerable in regard of greater Nations but such as they are God hath made them very helpfull to other Nations which think themselves very considerable For example Did they not turn the ballance in the affairs of France under Charles the seventh when things were very low with the French for at their going to help that King they found him so distressed and so under the power of his Enemy that he was constrained to keep himself at Bourges in Berry Hence he was called in derision King of Bourges But in a very short time they helped him so that he repossessed himself of his whole Dominions and repulsed the Enemy Now Have they not done more unto their Brethren of England Have they not made their quarrell their own exposing their lives and all that is dear unto men for them And by their help are not their Brethren come to have the face of affaires changed unto the better so far that not onely they are come to equall terms with the Enemy but they have brought him so low that in likelyhood he will not rise again so hastily Howsoever the Scots be inconsiderable in the eyes of some men yet God in his goodnesse hath considered them so far as to make them usefull instruments in this his great Work of opposing the Enemies of his Truth both open and declared and secret and undermining And ye see both parties of open and secret Enemies to the Truth of God have considered the Scots so far that each of them hath by all cunning pressed to have the Scots for and with them but the Enemies seeing they could not prevaile they have made their earnest study by devises and Plots underhand and by open violence and force to wit by an absolute and declared War as far as they can to destroy the good party in Scotland as the onely obstacle of hindering the one and the other Enemy to compasse their designes and to set up their by-ends Hence the good party in England considereth the Scots as their onely helpers for without their assistance they had all been undone before now and howsoever they are strong in appearence for the present if the Scots should retire and leave them it is conceived upon just grounds that they were to begin the play again As for despicability Howsoever the Scots be despised by some now adayes I am sure had it not been for these despised men many here who are at
this time come to a great hight had been in little consideration and they whose valour and wisdom are so much questioned at this time surely in their own businesse they did shew themselves to have both to the admiration of their Neighbours and their valour and wisdom were never questioned till they were joyned with England and although they have shewn do shew daily both as much as men can do for the carrying on the Work wherein they are ingaged unto the content of all impartiall men although not to the mind of self-conceited phantasticall and by-ended ones who gave out That the Scots will destroy them and themselves Surely I am perswaded had the Scots framed their courses according to the desires altogether of some men they had long ere now both been destroyed and had they not so far complied with the humours of some men the Publike Service had been in a better estate in all probability In this I blame the wisdom of the Scots for otherwise they had not suffered their own Countrey thus to be spoiled in compliance to some when they might have helped it in time As for their means Although in the eyes of the superabondants they be not so considerable yet they were such that they lived well upon them and they could wish with all their hearts to have no more then they had when they joyned with England for the Service of this Common Cause And if they reproach the barrennesse of the soile in Scotland It is the fault of the Climate which lieth so Northerly and not of the people and the soile if it be not so fertile of fruits as hotter grounds yet it abounds in men of valour and wisdom as much as any Countrey whatsoever of its compasse And these despicable ones of old and of late have obtained Victories against great and considerable Enemies by valour Perhaps if the Scots were more enclined to husbandry or improving their ground and other things which nature affords them by the goodnesse of God they would be in a kinde more plentifull of conveniencies for the life of man then they are As to the Garison-Towns which the Scots have rescued from the Enemy for the good of this Church and State with hazard hardship and losse of divers brave men and which are still in the Scots hands for the publike Service it hath ministred one convenient occasion unto those factious ones to make a great deal ado yea to strive to bring things to a breach betwixt the two Kingdoms if it were possible and they have proceeded so far as to cause the Towns and Places to be demanded from the Scots betwixt such and such a day without any consideration unto equity Whether or no it is just that the Scots have some places of retreat so long as they are in the Service of the Common Cause wherein they are obliged by Common Interest and bound by Treaty to continue till the full setling of things in Church and State Next Without consideration if it be or not for the benefit of the Service now in hand that these Garison-Places should be left by the Scots since we have seen by divers passages and occurrences of affaires that it hath proved very usefull for the said Service that those places were in their hands for a time namely in the enterprise of Digby with his associates towards Scotland Then When we cast our eyes upon those who have an aim particularly at the having of those places we shall finde it to be fit for the Service of the Cause which we fight for that those Garison-Towns should remain with those who now have them for a time who are both constant and trusty to their true principles of the Covenant and the others altogether against the good of the said Service Yea It is most prejudiciable to the Cause we have now in hand to put those places in the hands of those who either side with the Common Enemy still in their affections as they have been serving him openly by their actions formerly or of those who underhand with cunning stop the setling of things amongst us as we are sworn to by the Covenant and so frustrate so far as in them lies the intention of it Further Those men who are so little faithfull to the Covenant cannot from their heart mind the good of the State or people more then they do the welfar of the Church As the Scots took Arms for the publike Service they neither pretended nor did intend to hold the places they have taken any longer then the said Service shall require for the setling of the ends of the Common Cause expressed in the Covenant no more then they did formerly witnesse their returning so quietly home and their refusall of those Seigneuries Towns and Counties adjacent from the King to joyn with him against the Parliament and that more then once Me thinks that after all this all rationall and unprejudiciall men should speak clearly for the Scots fair and honest intentions since they are entred into so solemn a League and Covenant for which they have undergone and do to this day undergo so much hardship hazards and losses Men may talk and babble yea devise tricks and fancies for a time but it is honesty and truth that holds out to the end and it stands with Gods Justice to make lyes and double dealings fall to the ground Before I conclude I will adde this short ensuing discourse First There hath been a great busling raised by those factious men who trouble both State and Church about the publishing of some papers given in to the Houses of Parliament by the Scots Commissioners Those men had prevailed so far with some of their Friends in authority as to make an exact scrutinie by whom these papers were first printed and by whose order as for the second impression they had nothing to say which the Commissioners caused to be made upon a nicety for some faults of the Printer committed in the first impression thinking themselves wronged namely because it was not corrected according to their mind and the thing to have been done without their expresse order but since it was done it could not be ret called Next Those factious men moved their Friends in authority to draw up a Declaration against the Scots for those papers with very tart expressions as we are informed but after riper deliberation the fume of anger being setled the thing was left off a time for they did clearly perceive that no Declaration satisfactory to the people could be made against the Scots or their papers since it could not be demonstrated that full satisfaction in reason had been given to the Scots upon their severall papers from time to time given in Now Let the Scots Commissioners confesse that they have failed by their silence in not making known unto the world from time to time the papers of greatest concernment which they have given in to the Houses and what satisfaction they have received upon