Brittish LIGHTNING OR Suddaine tumults in England Scotland and Ireland to warne the united Provinces to understand the dangers and the causes thereof to defend those amongest us from being partakers of their plagues Cujus aures clausae sunt veritati ut ab amico verum audire nequeat hujus salus desperanda est The safety of that man is hopelesse we may feare That stopps his eares against his friend and will the truth not heare Mors est servitute potior Grim-death's fierce pangs are rather to be sought Than that we should to Babels-yoke be brought VVritten first in lowe-dutch by G. L. V. and translated for the benefit of Brittaine Printed in the yeare 1643. The Translator to all his loving Countriemen EXperience teacheth that a skilfull physitian standing by beholding a patient and asking him of his paines and order of his bodie findeth the nature of the disease sooner than the partye himselfe that groaneth vnder the burden of it The same we finde often times in cases Ecclesiasticall and Politicall we can sooner see an others blemish than our owne imperfections The reason is becaus mankind is generallie negligent in self-examination I must ingenuously confesse I can not say so of the author of this dialogue the verie cause of his publishing it witnesseth the contrarie and proveth him what soever he be by calling a feeling member of his owne bodie and a good freind to his neighbours For though I have sene manie excellent remonstrances resolutions of questions c published by the High court of Parlament in England whom I take to be vnder God the Physitian of the land and their well-willers which have most exactly layd out the sicknesse of their body with the causes and cure which must have the preheminence yet so soone as I first began to read this considering that it is the worke of a stranger and composed in a method and style most pleasing to some capacities I thought it might helpe to the information of my poore Countriemen in the estate of their bodie politicke that knowing their disease they might being humbled for their sin which is the cause flye unto him for cure who changeth the times and seasons shaketh the mountaines and maketh the earth to tremble and the great ones to hide them selves when he is angrie who maketh the warres to cease and sendeth peace into the habitation of the righteous If in the publishing hereof I shall doe my Country anie profitable service I shal be bound to give God thankes for his mercie and the acceptation of it shal be my reward In the meane time whither this profit or no my prayers shal be incessantly to the Lord that England may not be a seate of warre but that therein may flourish the Gospell of peace which bringeth downe the loftie spirits of men making the wolfe to dwell with the lambe the leopard to lye down with the kid and the calse and the young lyon and the fatling together and a little child to lead them c. Isa 11 6. yea causeth them to beat their swordes into plowshares and their speares into pruning hookes Isa 2. 4. c and that he who is the King of Kings Lord of Lords by whom Kings raign Princes Rev. 19 16 Pro. 8 15 Pro. 24 1 decree Justice who hath their hearts in his hand turning them as the rivers of water which way soever it pleaseth him would be pleased to make the King a nursing father and the Queen a nursing mother unto Isa 49 23. his Israel Holland this 20 of the first moneth according to our new computation 1643. The AUTHOR To the READER MY Lords and you the honest Inhabitants of the united Provinces That star with a tail seen in the year 1618. was a warning and type of a rod that should come over all Christendome whereupon followed those bloody effects those horrible warrs lamentable wastings barbarous destructions of countreys and cities the ruine of so many costly buildings of so many gentle men so many inhabitants men and women young and old in Germanie And ô that we could yet see the end the bottome of the cup of indignation but the rodd flourisheth still the destroyer is yet busie the hand of God is stretched out still there is yet too much chaffe to hang away the fanne the silver is yet too unclean to blow out the refyneing fire The inhabitants and those that are fled from Germany must by the weight of their miseries and plagues be brought to a better minde to farther reformation to a greater feeling of and sorrow for their past and present sins before there can be any hope that the rod of Gods wrath wherewith they are now oppressed shall be cast into the fire That earthquake not long since felt in the year 1640. was a token of great commotions and mighty shakings of the Kingdomes of the earth for a little before and shortly thereupon was concluded the revolt of Cathalonia the falling-off of Portugale the stirres in Scotland the rebellion of the Ireish those civill uncivill warres great alterations unexpected tumults in England amongst which none more neare none more fearfull and dangerous to us than the rebellion of Ireland which had its originall and rize in England from the great ones from the Papists from the enemies of our religion and state seconded by our deadly enemie the King of Spaine plotted by the Jesuits executed by the barbarous Ireish who are already growne such profitiens in the schole of those murdering Iesuits that they according to their disposition and counsell strive for the prize who can invent the cruellest manner of torments for the Protestants cutting of their privie-members eares fingers handes boareing out their eyes stripping some wives naked and that in the presence of their husbandes and bruitishly abuseing others ripping infants out of their mothers wombe and presently dashing them against the stones exerciseing many other cruelties which are published and dispersed farre and neere in print to the amasement of all men upon our fellow-members that are of the same covenant and faith with us Doe not then these miseries touch us which are executed on our bodie and that so neere yea the civill warres in England are yet more dangerous for us where the friends members citizens inhabitants subjects of one Kingdome professors of one faith Manasse and Ephraim strive one against an other They there are our confederates bretheren friends antient assistants neerest neighbours There wrestleth the King against his subjects the head against the members the master against his servants There the defender is become a Spoiller the Sheepherd a destroyer Eden an Adamah Cunaan a wildernes There a long-lasting misse-used peace is changed into an unexpected wasting warre There may we now see worne in the place of plush velvet silkes sattines costly apparrell chaines of gold and pearle harnasse swordes bandaleers musquets There may we beare now in stead of Luxurious wantonnesse danceing masking viols fluits harpes
have had not onely ecclesiasticall but Civill offices also have been also privy-counsellers Treasurers Keepers of the great Seal and I know not what therefore they have been a member of the Parliament in the upper house yea they have spent the most part of their time in politick affairs and had so far ingrossed them that scarce any man without their assistance could attaine a civill office N. I hear you but I thought that the preachers much more the Bishops had so much to do in their own offices that it well required the whole man and therefore that they had no time to trouble themselves with states matters But tell me pray how had the Bishops and Politiks contrived it to bring all goverment into their hands to finish their dessigne E. To this purpose they had conceived strange windings and first they put it in to the kings head that he ought to be an absolute Soveraigne not to be under any according to the example of France and that they would bring him thereunto by means of the Ecclesiastical persons which they had now at hand in all places and sate in the ear of the people When they had made the King to relish this to make him confirm all their design then they made him presently believe that all their doing tended thereunto N. Was the King then no absolute King so that he might do all that he would not having any man above him E. In no wise for Kings are limited by laws so that they can make no new laws nor lay any impositions on their subjects nor go to war with any without the consent of the Parliament els the inhabitants are not bound thereunto yea they are lyable to punishment if they pay any impositions or subsidies to the king upon his particuler order or will and those that counsil the King therunto or assist him therin are guilty of high treason N. What is the Parliament under which the King stands also E. It is the highest assemblie of the Kingdome which consisteth of the King Dukes Earles Barrons Bishops the Commons which is two persons out of every shire and chief citie deputed with absolute power that together they might redresse the enormities of the kingdom according to the lawes and to ordeyne new laws and impositions to the advantage of the King or kingdome without any compulsion of votes which assembly is gathered and dissolved by the King N. That is a stately and powerfull assembly if they understand themselves and of great might to redresse the greatest abuses and to assist the King with great sums of mony It were to be wished that we had sometime also such Parliaments as in former times the assemblie of the states generall used to be before that there was a Parliament companie of states generall set up thereby might great abuses amongst us also be reformed under which now 't is to be feared we shall sinck But have the great ones liked this Parliament E. That you may easilie imagine O no the Arch-Bishop and all Courtiers and those that were in favour with the King have alwayes withstood it many yeares delayed it or when it was assembled and that it began to touch the soars and to search out the bad practises of the great ones then knew they how to order the King that he from time to time hath caused the Parliament to break up and now the last time in May 1640. not withstanding that the King and state was in an exceeding great distraction by reason of great stirs that were in all places of the kingdome N. I hear it well there is much-adoe in all places it goes so with us also that they that know how to make themselves masters in the Provinces they hinder as much as they can that the states may not come together or when they are together they set one city against the other casting many things in amongst the members that so they might not understand one another and so depart a sunder without effecting any thing to the highest discommodity burthen trouble dishonour and spoil of the Provinces and unspeakable disavantage of many that it concerneth that can procure no expedition from the table which in the end if the members be not wise to understand one an other to use their own freedome without depending upon these or any will bring all into confusion as you said it was in your three kingdomes But tel me what were the stirs that were in all places of the kingdomes E. Unmeasureable great and dangerous for Scotland was in arms we had a leager in the field on the frontiers of Scotland the King was set on to fall upon the Scots and they practised daily to set the two Kingdoms together by the ears N. But tel me pray whence proceeded this disunion for the two Kingdomes have one King one Religion and have till this time lived in peace what hath brought forth this disquiet E. This disunion hath been a long time in breeding by the Bishops and Papists whose designe was not onely the changing of Religion in England but also in Scotland yea to thrust in all their superstitions into Scotland first as being the weaker nation and ftom thence into England to which end they have by little and little thrust in Bishops there against the minde of the Kingdome which they first pretended should but serve to keep good order in the Church without having such authoritie over the church and Ecclesiasticall persons as in England but growing by little and little in authoritie power so 't was that they indeavoured alwaies to have as great authoritie in Scotland as in England wherein they were heartened by the Bishop of Canterbury and through his advice by the King also and in the end set on work to thrust in the Service-book that is the Lithurgie of England into the church of Scotland augmented with many additions some openly and some covertly opposing the reformed Religion together with all those former papish Caeremonies that were before in England which first of all began to be set on work when the King was in Scotland to be crowned N. How have the Scots behaved themselves therein for they have been alwayes famoused for great Protestants and lovers of the puritie of worship ful of courage to mainteyn rhe liberties of the Kingdome against all opposers E. The Scots so soon as they were aware of these novelties and that they were propounded by the king himself in their Parliament so to thrust in some beginning thereof into Scotland then have all the gentrie and burgesses cried it down in the presence of the King and persisted therein notwithstanding that the King took it very discourteously and manifested the same by his suddain discontented departure out of the Kingdome commanding his Counsell to thrust in such church orders as he had given them in charge by authority N. Durst the Kings counsell attempt such a thing against the minde of the gentrie and Commons for they
might well fear that they were lesse able to bring such a thing to passe and now against the resolution of the Parliament which the King himself could not accomplish E. The councill was exceedingly animated by the King and specially by the Bishops as well of Scotland as of England to go forward courageously herein not to fear with promise of assistance and punishment upon all those that should refuse where upon the Councill with the advise of the Bishops of Scotland and command of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury did augment the Service-book of England and mingled it with a great deal more poison than in England which together with the five ceremonies of England they decreed to thrust into the church by publike Proclamation declaring those preachers to be fallen from their obedience that should oppose it and severely to punish all such inhabitants that would not subject themselves to these institutions N. This was a bould attempt but what was the issue E. Presently thereupon it came to passe that a great number of Comitees out of the church and state addressed themselves to the high Counsil and divers times desired that such a resolution might not go forth but that they would leave the church and church-men to their antient customs without thrusting in of novelties otherwayes the whole kingdome was prepared to come into a great uprore which exceedingly distracted the Counsil but being set on by the Bishops they went forward to the great discontent of the Comittees and their chiefs whereupon the gentrie the particular Magistrates and the Ecclesiasticks began to bethink themselves of some means to resist this evill and to this end resolved to bind themselves by oath to maintein with their estates and lives that old Covenant concerning the maintenance of Religion forme of doctrine and goverment as it hath been alwayes maintained in Scotland Which Covenant was confirmed and subscribed by all the inhabitants of Scotland except those that were papists or held with the Bishops faction N. That was a fast Bond and exceeding fearfull for by that means the strength of those that would stand for Religion against the popish institutions did presently appear But what way could the Counsill together with the Bishops take to mainteyn their resolution E. They were exceedingly distracted hereabout but their fury zeal to the popish institutions was so great that they would hold firmely this point against the whole Kingdome to this end they perswaded the King that his prerogative was ingaged that he mainteyn his purpose use all his strength therein yea though he should compell them thereunto by force of arms advising him to this end to insure all the Castels forts of Scotland which was in like manner put in practice in the mean time they in Scotland went forward to thrust in the Service-book and the five Caeremonies deposing and punishing many that were against it so that there fell out great stirs and heavy oppositions in all places which by little and little increased more and more bred great distrust against the King and so much the more when it was found that he caused arms and amunition to be secretly brought into the Castels where he had his governours N. I hear wel there was a bad fire kindled which could not so quickly be quenched but how went it at last did no man put himself upon the pikes to preveÌ„t this threatning evil to informe the King of the danger he should bring his Kingdomes into and that for a few papish Caeremonies E. O yes divers did seek to diswade the King but in vain for either they could have no hearing or els the â—â—shops knew strait so to bewitch the King that he believed no man but accounted them all for enemies to his prerogative that counsilled him to the contrary whereby the common governours of Scotland were necessitated for the mainteynance of their freedomes and defence of themselves to come into arms under Generall Lesly with such a Generall concourse of all the people that every one alike willingly offered himself therunto boâ—h with his person and also his money which in great abundance was given for to pay the souldiers N. How did the King take this for it seemeth much that a Kingdom should betake themselves to arms without consent of their King E. The King is herby induced to take up men against the Scots to beset their havens to ploclaim their ships prise and to permit the Duynkerkers to take all such as had no commission from him so that Scotland was exceedingly distressed both by Sea and Land which made them resolve to take in certain forts to free their sea coasts to bring their leagers to the frontiers of England and so to begin a formall order of war not against the King but against his bad Counsillers N. So 't is often seen that a great fire cometh of small sparks These were sad beginnings but how did the king behave himself in these dangers E. The king did also place himself in order of warre through the Counsill of the Bishops who promised to pay his leager out of the contributions of the Clergie so that an English leager was pitcht which together with the king came to the borders of Scotland In the mean time proclaiming the Scots for Rebels and suppressors of the kings prerogative so that the two kingdomes stood in direct opposition the one against the other yea so farre that the king made the greatest part of the English leager approach upon the Scots who incompassing the English took some prisoners and got their ordonance and amunition without blood shed all which they discharged and sent to the king to shew that they intended not the dammage of their brethren the English whereby the English gentry have gotten better experience of the Scots then others had informed them in reporting that the Scots began this war to enrich themselves out of the revenues of the English which then appeared to be contrary and was also otherwise conceived by the English N. You report strange things unto me I never read in any historie of such civiltie in those that were together by the eares that they should so freelie dismisse one an other here hence it also appeared that the Scots sought not the blood of their brethren but their own freedome which without doubt made the English to entertaine a good conceipt of the Scots E. Wee have all in generall so conceived it and our gentrie began to perceive that it was but the worke of the Bishops to adorne their chaire who knew how wonderouslie to lead on the King to the destruction of both his Kingdoms which hath excited the great ones to advise the king to make an agreement with Scotland which was also performed upon condition that both the armies should be cashiered the Castels restored into the hands of the king and Synode and a Parliament assembled absolutly to end all differences where upon there was great joy all the former conditions
likewise performed on the Scots side but not in the least on his Majesties behalf N. This was yet a happy issue but wherin did the king hold his word E. He did exceeding slowly cashiere his souldiers insured the Castels contrary to agreement 't is true he consented to the Synode but many waies abridged their freedom by his Committers which caused great jealousies For although the king hath consented to the deposing of the Bishops called in his proclamations against the Preachers and approved their Covenant yet there was much deceipt under it for the king did in the mean time strengthen himself against that partie as well with in as without Scotland shewing all courtisies to the Bishops privily taking in and fortifying certain holds where at every one began to look about him to take up arms a new with a purpose to come into England to the king by him to be mainteyned in their freedomes which exceedingly distracted distracted the faction in England and also the King N. That 's easy to imagine for the King who is the head of the kingdome might easily conclude that a kingdome divided could not stand and therefore it must exceedingly prick him at the hart E. I may be the King did well fore see the danger but he was never himself but alwayes lead by others and therefore they made him believe what they would perswading him that the Bishops and their adherents alone could maintein him against the Scots if the King would but let them alone as he hath done whereupon they held a kind of a bastard ynode where all the institutions of the Bishops were approved to contribute out of the means of the Clergie to the maintainance of the war against the Scots which came all toolate In the mean time the Scots seeing their leagers in the land their havens blocked up their trading to fail their kingdom in danger of ruine did resolve to march into England as also they happily did and overcame New-Castel where they fortifyed themselves yet without blood excepta little in the conquest or indammaging any of the inhabitants of England to the wonder of the whole English nation N. It is also greatly to be wondred at that the Scots durst enter upon so populous a kingdome to come so far out of their own country but it is much more to be wondered at that they knew how to keep such a strict order in their leager that they should do violence to no man which is almost unheard of but how could this be cleered E Our whole nation is by this coming in of the Scots yet more confirmed that they intended not to spoil England as the Bishops had accused them but that they were led by Gods Spirit and intended nothing but their own freedome and the freedome of England and the maintainance of the purity of Religion whereby the eyes of our nation were also opened to take notice of their oppression under that insupportable yoake of the Bishops N. Were not the English exceeding jealous of this invasion and did they not indeavour by all means to drive the Scots out of the Kingdome E. In no wise but on the contrary all were glad that such a reformed leager was in England which gave some freedome to many that sate bowing under the burthen then also a great number of the gentrie went unto the king at York laying open before him the grievances of the Kingdomes and also of England in divers notorious instances desiring that the Scots and they might have satisfaction and that to this end a Parliament might be called which the king also granted whereupon the Bishops presently sent their agents through the whole kingdomes to many hundreds to procure Burgesses to their own minds by them to hinder all their former proceedings and to procure means to fall upon the Scots which they knew how to effect by the Earle of Strafford in Ireland where the Parliament had granted many men and divers subsidies against the Scots that so they might to purpose bring under the Scots and the purity of Religion N. You report strange things The Bishops faction did well perceive that it should now come to the point and therfore they took such pains to get men after their own mindes in the Parliament but did they effect it E In no wise although they made use of the king himself to desire in many places that such such might be chosen but the inhabitants would not suffer themselves to be so over reached but as the election of Parliament men is in the power of the commons so have they chosen none but such as with whom they knew religion and the liberty of the land to be in highest estimation and went with absolute power as their Deputies so that the Parliament being independent in her resolutions and having power out of her own head to make and alter lawes to appoint impositions as great and as many as it will therefore every good man was carefull to send conscionable and couragious men that could not easilie be overcome either by deceipts or promises but goe resolved to suffer all thinges rather than to yeeld to any thing that shall be to the least damage of the Inhabitants as ordinarily divers Parliament men at the dissolving of the Parliament have beene by the King set in the Tower because they durst with such libertie resist him in the Parliament to the advantage of he inhabitants N. That is a great priviledge of the inhabitants of England that all free-borne doe chuse and appoint to the highest assemblie there can be no cup prepared that can corrupt so many thousand men the commons are ordinarily good all the corruption is about the head and the great ones who to get into places and offices carry themselves a loft and they are no sooner come upon the cusheon but presently they are Politicks though they were never so good Patriots before which we have also had experience of in our popular goverment Many so long as they are citizens are lovers of Religion and Libertie But so soone as they come into the counsill house then observe they presently how the winde blowes and suffer themselves to be misse led by some great ones that beare sway in all assemblies and begin to be enemies to Religion and helpe to suppresse the cities and provinces making one or two masters who then direct all things in goverment for themselves and their fat offices yea it goes so grosse in this point that 't is to be feared that the Commons shall one time or other go to pot oh that there might be once amongst us also a general Parliament assembled for the redresse of that great declining amongst us and that the governours themselves though upon their Oath and for all those advantages which they reape by the goverment would take care to maintein our dear bought freedome and watch to the furtherance of the prosperity and welfare of their citizens then should the lords have honour
offence of the Comunalty and that by false reports brought to his Highnesse against them who unwittingly and without his fault is therby ill thought of in all places as if he where a patron of such vile persons which we must notwithstanding judge to be far from his princelike disposition But tell me what is there more fallen out in the Parliament E. Continual Requests of the inhabitants ful of complaints against the Kings Courtiers concerning the great oppression which they have used over the people in Monopolies and unjust impositions whereby they have drawn millions from the comunalty part for the King but most for themselves wherof many that sate in the Parliament are found guilty which were presently put out of their commissions and places as well in the Higher as the Lower house whereby the Parliament was more and more refined which being disanulled and declared to be unlawfull to the great content of the common alty who thereby have gotten more affection to the Parliament and given them the more incouragement to proceed in the Reformation so that they themselves have caused the Earl of Strafford to be apprehended made his proces and proved that he had brought the King to many bad enterprises made him break his covenant with the Scots tyrannized over the Irish as was daily confirmed by a thousand abominable instances out of Ireland held the Dominion for himself compelled the Parliament of Ireland to graunt great summes of money and men to imploy against the Scots and other criminall causes more for which they have with an enforced consent from the king who would willingly have saved him beheaded him and so made him an example whereupon yet more that were also guilty are fled N. This was a great resolution of the Parliament and I wonder exceedingly how they could bring the King to consent unto that seeing I have alwaies understood that he was one of the principallest instruments by whom the King hath brought out his designes having promised to maintein him E. The King hath done much for him taking all his guiltinesses upon himself by practises hath sought to get him out of the Tower but the stream was too great against him as wel of the ParliameÌ„t who manifested unto the King by many learned lawyers that he was worthy of death as also of the people that by force would have him out of the way so that the King must although exceedingly constrained consent thereunto but he did not subscribe the sentence himself but caused it to be done by others N. There cometh to my minde the Marriage of the young Prince tel me once how it went about that for he was in England when the Deputy of Ireland was executed I think I have heard some say that it was thought that the young Prince would have made intercession for him to the Parliament but I understood that he did it not least he should thereby gain the hatred of the people which should be discommodious for him E. Concerning the Marriage of your Prince it was first set on foot by the Queen Mary being in the Hague to make her acceptable but many judged that she meant it not for being in England it was opposed by her faction as also by the Bishops and most of the Courtiers and great ones which are yet by the King but the Parliament did exceedingly presse it forward to hinder her that she should not go to Spain from whence she was solicited by many Ambassadours one after an other but to marry with a Reformed Lord who presently coming into England was gracious and welcome to the inhabitants so that in the end that Marriage was solemnised made sure to the great content of the good inhabitants in England who have judged that it would be a faster bond to maintain rhe true Religion resist the Popish faction and binde the king faster to the Parliament but I hear that many amongst you have bin much troubled about that Match N. I know nothing of that all have accounted it also a good Marriage for our state thereby to make yet a neerer friendship with England which is of one faith with us Onely some are troubled least by this Marriage all the corruption pride vanity and ungodlinesse of the English Court coming over with her should break in upon us seeing that our nation at this time is exceedingly inclined to pompe and novelties to the ruine of many E. No that is not it which I have heard but I have understood that some were jealous of this great Marriage because they thought it might be an alurement to the young Prince to affect the Sovereignty of the Provinces whereunto his Father in law and his Uncle the King of France should help him N. Those are but evill aspersions like those wherwith Prince Maurice was accused by the Arminians for therewith our Prince should win nothing but loose much for he hath now more to say than any Duke of Gelderland or Earle of Holland or Zeeland ever had disposing of all places and offices in the state and Camp by which meanes every one reverenceth him and seeketh to doe him all manner of service without having any burthen of warr to beare or to have his head troubled from whence the money should come to manteyne the warr he lets the States take care for that so that it is not to be thought that there is one hair on the Princes head that thinks therupon Besides his Prince like Excellency hath been brought up in this land and knoweth the nature of our Netherlanders who should not be brought under any Soveraigne every one would rather adventure his life and goods as they have done now these sixty or seventy years than that they should let go their liberty or stand under the absolute goverment of one Sovereigne Should that be ever attempted it would prove the ruine of the land therefore it is not to be thought that the King of France or England would lend any assistance thereunto although the Prince should desire it How dangerous it is to entertain Soveraingty hath bin well to be seen in the King of Bohemia the English nation hath yet too great a feeling thereof than that they should attempt the like again in any of theirs and therefore entertein not such callumnies let us leave this and return again to the English affaires What more hath since that passed there E. After that both the English and Scots leager was cashiered the King went into Scotland where he disburthened the Scots and pronounced them free from rebellion confirmed all the Acts of the Parliament and the resolution of the Synod and declared that they were falsly accused by him whereupon there was made a new covenant betwixt the King and them as also with England to the great joy of both the Nations who therupon have performed solemne thanksgiving in both the Kiâ—gdoms that GOD the LORD hath brought to shame the evill counsillers about the King who alwayes incensed him thereby
to cause war between the two Kingdomes that so by the help of the papists and the force without as they perswaded themselves they might be master of the King and the two Kingdomes to root out the true Religion and bring in popery but GOD be thanked that hath made the King to see how shamefully they have possessed him against Scotland that he himself before the whold world must callin and nullifie all his poclamations against the Scots as having unjustly proceeded against them N. So knoweth GOD how to bring the Counsils of the wicked to shame GOD preserve the King that he may no more hearken to those bad instruments that he come into no greater danger which I exceedingly fear for I have heard that most of his bad Counsillers are yet with him those that are fled for their misdeeds do yet hold correspondence with the King and especially with the Queen who is a papist and hath many Jesuits about her who together will never rest but alwayes stir to bring in the popish Religion and to incense the King thereunto who is kind and hearkeneth much to the Queen what think you thereof E This troubleth many amongst us also exceedingly so much the more because it hath appeared to the Parliament that the Queen by an Act in her name subscribed by the Secretary which is fled to France hath ordained a fasting-day amongst the Papists to pray to the Saints that the great designe which was in hand for the favour of the Catholikes might prosper from whence may be easily gathered that she hath knowledge of all those bad designes N. Yea is it so Then shall you quickly see though so long as the king is among the Scots who open his eyes it now goeth well with him that he shall be soon otherwise led when he shall return into England to the Queen and his bad counsellers for if they knew how to make the king unfaithful and to break his kingly word in that first agreement made between him the Scots wherupon the Scots layed down their Arms and surrendered the Castels and Forts in Scotland to the king they wil know how to do it yet once more as is to be feared But tell me have I not heard that there are now and then many treasons discovered E. You must not have so bad a conceipt of our king but that there are divers treasons discovered is true both before the kings goeing into Scotland in the time of his being there and also since his return thence unto London and especially there is discovered by some intercepted letters written out of Scotland to London a treason against the principallest Lords of Scotland by some great ones in Scotland as also against the eminentest gentlemen of the English Parliament whereupon the papists in all quarters should instantly have stood up mastered the Tower of London and in all parts over run the strong holds and then have massacred those of the Religion according to the example of the murther in Parice N. O horrible designe if it were so but were these not counterfeit letters by that means to make the communalty more inraged and to stick closer to the Parliament E. Oh that it had been so that they were but shadows flourishes yet many things that followed therupon do demonstrate that it was but all too surely intended for there are many great ones before this apprehended in Scotland which had intended to have massachred some of the greatest as was discovered by some who themselves should have had a hand in it for whom the King did intercede before his departure out of the Scots Parliament which did also pardon them where of they shall in time feele the smart In England a french Cooke hath confessed that he had undertaken to poyson all the meate at a certaine feast where all the principallest gentlemen of the English Parliament should have been by that meanes to have murdered them N. O wonder full worke of God that discovereth such hellish designes these come no other wise than out of the bosomes of the Iesuits who after the example of their father the devill are murderers of men Trulie out of these instances it sufficiently appeareth that the traitors were in the knot but should there be any thing of that that the papists if this murder had succeeded should have betaken themselves to Armes E. There is nothing more sure for so soone as the treason in Scotland was discovered then did the Papists of Scotland stir up the English to proceede nevertheles with the designe as also the Ireish did revolt at the same time who as is probable had no certaine intelligence of the ill successe which the designe in England and Scotland had and therfore went they forward with the concluded work as also certain of the chief in this rebellion being taken prisoners have confessed that there was intelligence concerning this point between the papists in Ireland England and Scotlaed that with the knowledge of the Queen whose leager they have openly professed themselves to be so that the effects have shewed that while the King was busie in England and Scotland with deep protestations declarations and remonstrances to manifest his zeal for the reformed Religion against the Papists whom he hath caused to depart from his court and from about London with giving out sharp Proclamations against them to make all the world believe that he meant it In the mean time not withstanding that the Queen and the Minions and counsillers of the king were busie to raise up strengthen and arm the papists against the Religion Parliament and good inhabitants of England which made many to fear that such a thing is not come to passe without the kings knowledge though it be not to be believed that a king should play so with his fidelity certainly God would not suffer such things unpunished N. A crafty country clown would judge if that the king had no hand therin he would not retein such servāts by him as were found guilty of such mischiefs but punish them as traytors to justifie himself but is there nothing come to pass whence we may wel perceive that the king is no longer in the Scottish aire but hath forgotten all his fair conclusion in Scotland E. There are sure enough heavy things come to pass wherinto the king hath suffered himself to be led which give great suspition that the king is yet ruled by the malignants for the king hath suffered himself to be so far carried away by his bad counsill that he went with armed men to the Parliament and that as his servants themselves have confessed to fall upon the Parliament Lords whereby the king did put himself in the greatest danger to cause a common massachre had not GOD himself wonderfully prevented it for which the king hath yet thanked GOD afterward for through but one unadvised word from the King those blood-hounds should have fallen on as they alreadie began to justle and strike
some gentlemen coming to the Parliament N. This must have exceedingly distracted the Parliament Lords and made great alteration amongst the people for had that come to passe the whole Kingdome should have been in an uproar We may well see that these counsillers care not though they bring the King in great danger of his life and spoil his Kingdome so they may but effect their designe But what was the issue therof E. Some of the counsillers to this work are fled the people began to fall upon the souldiers the Parliament ensured themselves with a guard and begun to perceive that is was coyned for them which made the members of both houses unite themselves with the more courage to take in hand the reformation The malignants have so much the more incensed the King against the Parliament and his people making him believe that he was not safe within London whereby they induced him to leave London and go into the country with his Son that by his absence from the Parliament all resolutions might be the easier hindered to make farther distrusts between him and the Parliament of which also we dayly perceive the effect for notwithstanding that the Parliament have bin very instant to get his Majesty again to London by them and to remain by the affairs of the Kingdome yet all was in vain How great security they have also promised the King But he is yet departed farther and farther to the wonderful hinderance of all the affairs of the kingdome N. These were all bad signes of farther mischief for if the malignants be so powerful with the King that they can make him to forsake his great counsill who in all her actions hitherto hath manifested nothing els but to be Advocates for the Religion prerogative of the King Defenders of the priviledges of the inhabitants to be take himself wholy to their counsil so shal they in the end draw him wholy from his Parliament and bring him into a civill war But how goeth it in the mean time with the Irish rebellion E. It goeth there very pittifully the rebels are exceeding strong almost master of all and deal more barbarously with the reformed than the Spaniards have done with the Indians as appeareth by many printed papers which maketh mens hearts to melt with grief when they do but hear of their Tyranny so that those of the Religion be in the extreamest distresse relief cometh but slowly to them so that we may fear that the rebels will go away with that Kingdome which God preserve N. What is the reason that it is not speedily handled to send succour that way for the King is well inclined to the furtherance of that work as is not to be believed but that he hath compassion on the poor people of the Religion who every moment are in fear of death E. What shall I say Oh that it were so that we had no reason to believe it the Irish brag that they are the kings leager and have no other intention but to maintein him against the ParliameÌ„t for whatsoever ordinance the Parliament passeth for the hindering of the rebellion in Ireland the king refuseth to subscribe or delayeth it so long till the occasion to send succour is by past without taking this work to heart or incouraging the inhabitants thereunto yea the King sheweth that he is quite otherwise conceited against them than he was against the Scots these he proclaimed presently rebels beset their havens gave their ships to the prey when he would not but by great adoe suffer the Irish to be declared rebels by publication whereof he would have but forty copies printed that this proclamation of the Kings should be the lesse known when he hath declared the Scots rebels by a thousand Proclamations yea he hath caused thâ—s to be read in every pulpit and so manifested more affection or mildenesse to the papisticall Irish than to the reformed Scots Every one may from hence judge where the King or his counsill is lodged N. I begin wholy to believe that the Queen hath made the King sure to the papish faction and though he be now faire of the Religion and meaneth not to root it out they should yet bring him thereunto to the destruction of himself and his Kingdome GOD open the eyes of the King to take notice of those Achitiphels sons of Belial which are about him to be ware of them O unhappy Kings that meet with papish Wives who thrust forward their husbands unawares till they be drowned in tumults Oh that this bad instrument were seperated from the King E. There is great likely hood thereof for the Queen hath made it known to the Parliament that she with her daughter would come hither to the Hague by the young Prince her son which the Parliament hath assented to and she is come already fetcht in by your Prince and welcomed in the Brill therupon come with the young Prince to the Hague where shew was some daies enterteined in the lands behalf and welcomed by all the counsils N. You tel me now some news which doth not please me very well this must have a bad foundation that a Queen should so come out of her Country while her husband with his inhabitants are in such distraction and that shee her self so inconsideratly and unexpectedly should bring over the young Princesse before the appointed time GOD graunt that she bring not the two divisions of England into our Land or ingage our Prince or State for the King against the Parliament which should cause great stirres here in our Land E. This was also feared in England that she should use all means to get in this State against the Parliament for the King whereby great disadvantages should happen both to the good partie as also to Netherland it self yet it is hoped that the Prince of Orange and the States of the Land should keep themselves out of this and not meddle in this matter but hold themselves neutrals seeing they know well that the Parliament seeketh but to maintain the Religion their Priviledges on the contrary the Kings counsill intendeth nothing but furtherance of the popish Religion and oppression of the inhabitants as hath been before plentifully declared N. It is a needlesse fear our State shall in nothing resist the Parliament els we should condemne our own war their cause is just as ours was in the beginning when the States of the Land mainteined the Religion freedom against the King of Spain wherein the English Nation did help us far be it then from any true hearted Netherlanders that they should resist the Parliament either in counsill or action yea if it should come so far all should rather help the Parliament than the King If the King get the upper-hand the papish Religion shall be exalted yea the King himself and all welwillers should be ruinated if the Parliament prevail so shal the King be yet well preserved and honest men shall dwell
shall be maintained the Inhabitants defended and brought into their former rest the lawes and priviledges established reformation in Church and common wealth shall powerfully proceede to the adorning of the State Our common weal shall be by that means secured and the malignants restrained Let no man then contribute to the suppressing of the Parliament especially let not us Netherlanders for the foundation of their warre and ours is all one they have maintained us therein with their goods and blouds we must not helpe to suppresse them els God shall suppresse us the inhabitants would protest against us before God and the world and God would see and search it Let us not imploy those soldiers which are in our service to help the papists there to suppresse both them and us Let us not transport the armes of the land and leave our selves naked for that is our Capitall Let no Inhabitant to satisfie his covetousnes further or assist them for shall we not then put a knife into their handes to cut our owne throats But be well informed concerning the drift of the King and Parliament and then you shall quickly see whose side you must take that you shall finde in this Brittish Lightning which sheweth the unexpected and suddaine tumults of the Kingdomes with the causes thereof Read with consideration and judge right The Brittish Lightning or suddaine tumults in England Scotland and Ireland for a warning to the United Provinces Englishman Netherlander N. WElcome Sir when came you from England E. I came thence but just now as you see I have my travelling clothes yet on N. I am glad I have met you here I have a long time expected your coming that I might once heare how all things go E. How should it goe bad enough there is no Kingdome more miserable than ours it stands all in confusion N. How can that be for 't is but a little while since that all your Kingdomes were alone at peace when the whole world was at wars I have also heard that you have had the negotiation of all kingdomes states in your havens whereby everie one among you became rich and wealthy E. 'T is so we sate as it were in Abrahams bosome dwelling among our owne people had good things under our fig tree we ate the fat we dranke the sweete knew of no evill yea we feared no mischance not knowing from whence it should come upon us seing that we dwell in Ilands that have the sea the sand the rockes our ships Saylers for our defence whereby we became a carelesse people N. I have also alwayes heard the same therfore I wond'red so much when you told me that your kingdome was the most miserable of all kingdomes when notwithstanding all Kingdomes in Germanie France and elsewhere are in exceeding bloody warres to the ruine of many thousand soules E. You are in the right that Christendome is in a lamentable condition where the blood of men is spilt like water so that many countries cities and towns are wasted burnt and destroyed yet their warre is not to be compared with this of ours N. How have you warres from whence is it come upon you you are alwayes provided in peace with all Kingdomes I have heard of no breach and how can any man come with soldiers into your land seing you are so mighty within both in men and ships This is very strange newes to me E. Well! but how can that be that you have not heard of our warres when the flame thereof is gone up into heaven and the sound thereof to all parts of the earth have you no better intelligence yes we are at wars but not against our enemies without but within it is a civill warre that scourgeth us which is the most miserable for 't is neere us the one Kingdome against the other the father against the son one citizen against the other N. What doe I heare mine heart trembleth Are you come into our place where we were once when here in our land the one city stood up against the other the one province against the other each using soldiers and guards against the other so that our land our church our liberty hung on a silken thred yea we should have consumed one an other had not Gods blessing and the wise and couragious counsell of Prince Maurice prevented it Oh! I bemoane with weeping eyes those that are in such a condition E. Yea our flourishing Kingdom is now in the highest disunion 't is Ephraim against Manasseh Manasseh against Ephraim we heare of nothing but warres and rumours of warres All trading traffique and prosperity stands still Citizens are turned soldiers in all places you may see the houses provided with armes every one standing as it were sentinel not knowing from whence they should expect their enemies for the one brother the one Citizen doth not trust the other N. But how freind Come you with such tydings my heart bleeds to heare it who should ever have thought it how speedily can the Lord GOD raise an adder out of our owne bosomes that shall eate us up Why doe men then gape after present friends strength rivers aliance mighty people for men may have all these and yet notwithstanding fall into the greatest calamities E. You say well for but three yeares agoe there was not the least appearance of any unquietnesse When the servants of God forewarned us of the plagues that hung over our heads every one asked from whence they should come Such preachers as spake of heavie tydings of great punishments that should come upon the Kingdome were accounted for raylers loggerheads melancholly persons puritans whose words the land was not able to beare N. Oh friend it goes just so also amongst us When our teachers warn us and foretel us as they many times doe that our quietnes shall be turned into unquietnes our mirth into sadnes our riches into poverty our blessing into a curse that there are heavy plagues hanging over our heads that we shall not escape the tempest of Gods wrath but as is to be feared we not taking example by the punishments of others shall drinke out the dregs of the cup of Gods indignation then they make a jest of it no man believes it accounts it an impossible thing as long as we have so many valiant soldiers both by sea land stand in such alliance have such a Generall But as you told us concerning England so maie they well lay it to heart for it was a great deale more unlikely to come on you than upon us but tell me I pray how came you into this warre how began it first who and what were the causes thereof E. That can not so Suddainly be related but if you please to accompanie me to my lodging where I may shift and refresh my self a little I shall willingly spend an houre with you for I perceive you have compassion on our estate therfore I will presently lay open all