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A93183 A brief and perfect journal of the late preceedings and successe of the English army in the West-Indies, continued until June the 24th 1655. Together with some quæres inserted and answered. Published for satisfaction of all such who desire truly to be informed in these particulars. / By I.S. an eye-witnesse. I. S. 1655 (1655) Wing S35; Thomason E853_29; ESTC R8777 20,305 31

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A brief and perfect JOURNAL OF The late Proceedings and Successe of the English Army in the WEST-INDIES Continued until June the 24 th 1655. TOGETHER WITH Some Quaeres inserted and Answered Published for satisfaction of all such who desire truly to be informed in these particulars By I. S. an Eye-witnesse Veritas nudata celari non potest London Printed 1655. A brief and perfect Journal of the late Proceedings and Successe of the English Army in the West-Indies continued until June the 24 th 1655. IN all Records ancient or modern of the actions and transactions of Kingdoms and Nations there is not to be seen more suitable successes attentending strange and occult proceedings then lately in the West-Indies and although the managing of so grand affairs and matters of high concernment were committed to some who had the repute of being well principled valiant and politick in War yet there wanted not means to frustrate the design and expectations of most men the particulars whereof I shall deliver in as brief and true manner as possibly I may but before I proceed further it will not be amisse to insert these Queries with their Resolutions 1. Whether or not the setting forth of this Army were really intended for the glory of God and propagation of the Gospel 2. Whether those that were of this Army were fit instruments to be imployed in the exaltation of Gods work and pulling down of Antichrist 3. And lastly whether the hand of Almighty God hath not been plain and manifestly seen in opposition to their actings and proceedings To the first is answered That after divers serious debates and results pro and con it was at length resolved by the Supreme Authority and Councell of State to send an Army into the Western-Indies what preparation was made is not unknown to most of the Nation but for what or against whom was scarse understood by any except some few superiors and for this cause divers conscientious men who preferred the service of God before that of men and treasure in Heaven beyond riches and honour on Earth scrupled the design and deserted the service For what zealous heart would willingly embrace an unknown enterprise which might perhaps tend to his own destruction sooner then his Enemies by endevouring to pull that down which God hath set up and to set up that which he never called him unto Shall a multitude perish through means of some few particular men in fulfilling that proverb by pinning their faith on others sleeves hath not God conferred as much of the gifts of grace and nature on the mean men of the world as on those of the greatest rank and dignity doth honour adde zeal riches valour or have the most eminent in office and command alway the greatest eminency of wisdome and conduct certainly we have found otherwise for oftentimes such involve themselves in eminent and irrecoverable dangers nor is it alwaies pregnancy of wit valour and discretion although these be famous in war that gives the victory but God that worketh all in all and who can say What dost thou To conclude the design to be altogether grounded on a wrong and corrupt principle were to accuse our Grandees with folly irreligion and what not when indeed it is beyond the ability of man to pry into the secret thoughts and intents of the heart 't is only the Almighty can do it and although there may be a probable conjecture given of the intent of the workman by the instrument he taketh in hand yet God hath been sometimes pleased to make the wicked instruments of good but it doth not therefore follow that such should be imployed in good works neither the servants of God in bad all created things move in their proper sphere the natural man acts in his natural function and mindeth onely the things of the world and the spiritual man although he be in the world is not of the world but mindeth the things of the Spirit and the fulfilling of the glory of God whose power and justice is as well seen in the destruction of the wicked as preservation of the righteous Now to return to the good intent of the Cause whereof I treat if we reflect upon the consequence of actions it will soon appear there was nothing lesse aimed at then Gods glory and establishment of the Gospel nor nothing more coveted then gain to themselves and establishment in the rich possessions of others but servants often disobey the command of their Masters and act contrary to his will and pleasure 't is possible it might be so now and that might cause their greater punishment If we look upon this expedition in reference to the lawfulness thereof as it is in it self we may finde by these following considerations that it was both lawful just and warrantable by the Word of God and Law of Nations First in regard those they went out against were Idolaters Hereticks and Members of the false Church Secondly For that they some years since most wickedly and inhumanely murthered and destroyed divers of our Nation that traded peaceably with them in the West-Indies Thirdly There was no breach of League in the prosecution of this War there being no Articles of peace or cessation in force betwixt both Nations to the southward of the Tropick Lastly Conquest is free to all people no Law of Nations can prohibit the power of the Sword 't is only God that sets its bounds and limits and where his pleasure is it should make a final conquest there is it free inheritance to the Conqueror and his successors By that power did the Normans invade and conquer England since which time there hath no lesse then 25. Kings and Queens successively although not successefully reigned by the same power was there lately a period put to that government and a new established by this power had the Kingdome of France been subject to the Crown of England and by the same power again recovered by this power are the Turks and Infidels at this day possessors of the best and fruitfullest parts of the earth and by the same power Julius Caesar became conqueror of the whole world Many and incredible are the difficulties and admirable exploits run through and performed by this power and that sometimes by a weak hand for when the Omnipotent punisheth the wicked and correcteth his own people he often maketh choice of one and the same means to be instrumental for both And thus much for the legality of the cause by which we must not measure the good intent if we do we may deceive our selves for as hath been said the very actions and deportments of this Army was such that no good at all might be expected from them either in their intent or proceeding To condemn all because many were guilty were an act of much injustice some might be better principled otherwise of all Armies were they most miserable but the byass of riches and honours many times carrieth men headlong to destruction