produced this reall effect for the present in answer to their foresaid Petition namely that about the 16th or 17th of August then next ensuing the Lords and Commons in Parliament having had serious consultation about the said Petition published an Ordinance of Parliament wherein was an Oath or Covenant framed by them to be taken by all of any condition or rank whatsoever throughout the Citie of London together with divers prudent and provident Decrees for the better setling and securing of the welfare of the said Citie which for the excellencie thereof and for the Readers more full content and satisfaction therein I have heer also thought fit to insert An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT With an Oath or Covenant to be taken by all Persons within the Cities of London and Westminster or line of Communication for the better securing of the Parliament the Cities of London and Westminster with the Suburbs thereof and parts adjacent FOr the better securing of the Parliament the Cities of London and Westminster and the Suburbs thereof and parts adjacent in these times of eminent danger The Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled doe ordain That the Committee of the Milit a for the Citie of London or any person or persons authorized by them shall have power and are heerby authorized and required to tender and administer unto all and every such person or persons within the said Cities or within the Line of Communication or any of the Parishes mentioned in the weekly bill of mortalitie which are appointed or heerafter shall be appointed to bear armes under the command of the Committee for the Militia of the Citie of London the Oath or Vow heerafter mentioned That is to say I A B. in the presence of almightie God doe vow and protest that I will according to my power and vocation maintain the Cities of London and Westminster with the Burrough of Southwark Suburbs of the said Cities and the Forts Outworks and lines of Communication lately made about the said Cities and Burrough against all forces raised or to be raised by the King or any other without the consent of both Houses of Parliament or authoritie derived from them And that I will not directly nor indirectly endeavour the giving up seizing or taking of any the Forts Outworks Magazines or places of strength within the precincts aforesaid without the consent of both Houses of Parliament or of such as shall have authoritie derived from them and of the Lord Major Aldermen and Common-Councell of the said Citie of London And that I will not prejudice the said Cities Suburbs or places raise or assist any forces tumults or unlawfull assemblies of people nor will directly or indirectly give any intelligence or willingly suffer any intelligence to be given to the forces raised without the consent of both Houses of Parliament or otherwise to the prejudice of the said Cities Suburbs or places And that I will with all convenient speed discover to the Lord Major and Governours of the Forts within the Citie of London or to some of them all such plots and designes as I shall know or be credibly enformed of to be against the said Cities Suburbs or places or any of them And this Vow and Protestation I make without any equivocation or mentall reservation beleeving that I cannot be absolved from this my Vow and Protestation and wishing no blessing from God if I doe not perform the same So help me God And it is further ordained by the said Lords and Commons that if any such person or persons aforesaid shall refuse to take this Oath or Vow so tendered the Committee of the Militia for the Citie of London or any two or more of them shall have power and are heerby authorized required by themselves their agents and ministers forthwith to disarm every such person so refusing and to seize their horses and in case any such person after such disarming shall have any armes found with him or with any other to his use which he shall not immediately reveal to the said Committee of the Militia or some of them that then his goods and estate shall be seized on to the use of the Common-wealth and for the defence of the said Cities as likewise the goods and estate of every such person as aforesaid as shall willingly harbour or conceal the armes of any such person so refusing And shall also have power and are heerby authorized and required to seiz the person or persons of all such persons as aforesaid as shall refuse the said Oath or any other person or persons which are or shall be known to appear to be malignant or ill-affected to the Parliament and to put them into safe custodie or to remove and expell them from or out of the said Cities and lines of Communication or otherwise to dispose of them as they shall think to be most conducing to the safety of the said Cities and places And it is further ordained by the Lords and Commons that the said Committee of the Militia or any nine of them or the Commander in chief of the forces raised within the said Cities and lines of Communication or any the foresaid Parishes mentioned in the weekly bill of mortalitie shall have power and are heerby required to suppress all insurrections tumults and unlawfull assemblies within the said Cities and precincts aforesaid and to apprehend all offenders therein their ayders and abettors And also all such as shall wear any markes signes or coloâ—â—s to distinguish themselves as a partie joyning against the authoritie of Parliament and to punish or execute them or so many of them as they shall think fit according to the rule of Martiall-Law And it is further ordained by the Lords and Commons that the Committee of the Militia of London or any nine of them and the Commander in chief and the respective Officers in their severall places shall govern and punish their inferiour Officers and Souldiers under the command of the said Committee of the Militia according to the Articles and Lawes of warre set forth by his Excellencie the Eâ—â—l of Essex and authorized by both Houses of Parliament And the said Committee of the Militia are heerby further authorized to take order as occasion shall require for the shutting up of all shops within the said Cities and lines of Communication untill farther order shall be taken by both Houses of Parliament or by the said Committee to the end that all persons may according to their power and vocation be and continue in a readiness and fitting posture for the defence of the said Cities and parts adjacent Provided that no power heerin granted shall extend to any Peer or Member of either of the Houses of Parliament or any of the assistants or attendants upon the House of Peers or House of Commons Die Jovis August 17th 1643. Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that this Ordinance for the safetie of the Cities of London and
many of their horses and armes most of their pickaxes spades and other instruments wherewith they were raising trenches and strength'ning their kennells to have lyen lurking the more securely like so many prey-devouring Wolves or Sheep-biting mischievous Mastives and having thus most successfully demolished their works he returned again victoriously to Gloucester Much also about the same time came certain intelligence by Letters out of Warwickshire to London of another brave defeat given to the Kings Cormorants at Cambden in another part of the said Countie of Gloucester which was informed to be thus About 300 of the Kings horse came from Oxford into that Town of Cambden whereof the Parliaments forces in Warwick-Castle having speedie intelligence there came a considerable partie of them in the midst of the night into the said Town surprized most of them in their beds and carried them away prisoners with them to Warwick-Castle together with all their horses There were between thirtie and fortie of thtm that for some space stood stoutly to oppose our forces but they were all soon quelled and some of them slain in fight but the rest were all taken prisoners and carried to Warwick-Castle as aforesaid About the 20th of October also 1643. Our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Statists for the better securing of the great affaires and waightie negotiations of both the Houses of Parliament and their just proceedings therein for the welfare of Church and State they set forth an Ordinance or Declaration for the prevention and surprisall of all spies and intelligencers from Oxford to London and from London to Oxford for the sequestring of their estates and allowance of a fair reward to all such persons as should be assistant in giving notice of and apprehending any such according to the tenor of the said Ordinance which for the Readers better satisfaction therein I have thought fit to insert as it was printed and published by authoritie of Parliament A Declaration and Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the Sequestring of c. Die Martis Octob. 31. 1643. WHereas by the frequent intercourse of persons and intelligence contrary to the use and custome of War between the Cities of London and Westminster and other parts of the Kingdome and the persons of the King and Queen and forces raised by the King against the Parliament and Kingdome opportunitie hath been given for the plotting and contriving a late treacherous and horrid design and in case the said intercourse and intelligence should continue the same way will still be open for any other of the like nature in time to come As also for the frequent conveying of moneys and other provisions for the supporting of this unnaturall War For the preventing whereof be it declared and ordained by the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament that no person or persons whatsoever shall from henceforth repair or goe from the said Cities of London and Westminster or from any other parts of the Kingdome unto the person of the King or Queen or Lords of Councell abiding with him or her or to any person or persons within any of the Kings Quarters Leaguers or Garrisons or that are within any of the armies raised by the King nor shall give or hold any intelligence by Letters Messages or otherwise with the persons of the King and Queen or other persons aforesaid without consent of both Houses of Parliament or warrant from the Lord Generall of the forces raised by the two Houses or from the respective Officers that shall command in chief any of the forces And the said Lords and Commons doe further declare That the person or persons who shall doe to the contrary heerof shall be proceeded against as those within the Ordinance for sequestrations And shall be farther accounted as persons that doe adhere unto those that have levied war against the Parliament and Kingdome and be liable to the same punishment And be it further declared and ordained for the better and more effectuall execution of the premises That the person or persons that shall discover any of the persons offending as aforesaid shall have one fifth part of all such benefits and profits that shall acâ—rue or grow by reason of the seizing and sequestring of their estates according to the true intent and meaning of this Ordinance and of the said Ordinance of Sequestration And in case any person or persons after the last of June having knowledge of the said offenders and offences shall not within convenient time reveal the same unto the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament or to the Lord Geneâ—all or other Officers commanding in chief the said person or persons shall incur the like penalties and forfeitures as are heerin provided against the said principall offenders Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that this Declaration and Ordinance be forthwith printed and published Hen. Elsynge Cler. P. D. Com. About the 24th also of October aforesaid the most noble and victorious Earl of Manchester whom the Lord most graciously raised up to shew himself most valiantly for the cause of God and his Countrie and whom the good hand of Gods almightie power and providence hath made victorious over those abominable Antichristian and atheisticall forces in the North in pursuance now of his late so prosperous and successfull atchievments in those parts and of that brave and memorable victory he obtained at Horn-Castle as aforesaid went on also most couragiously to the Citie of Lincoln whither being come with his forces and upon the summoning thereof it was soon surrendred to him Wherein he found and forced to be left in the Citie Close and Minster of Lincoln armes for at least 2500 men 28 or 30 Colours three pieces of Ordnance and great store of other ammunition the Cormorants or Cavalerian Officers having libertie granted to depart on horseback with their swords but the common Souldiers onely with sticks in their hands and thus became Master of this Citie without bloudshed or much molestation After which he most victoriously marched also to Gainesborough another of the enemies Garrison Townes in the said Countie But the Garrison therein hearing of the surrender of Lincoln and that the noble Earl of Manchester was making hastie preparation unto them they more hastily sleighted their workes as by credible information was related and speedily quitted the place and fled away thence to Newark And very shortly after this most noble and renowned Lord having received farther assistance and supply by the coming over of such horse as the most heroick Lord Fairfax could spare him from Hull he now resolved to prosecute his design to the full of quite clearing Lincolnshire maugre all the opposition of Newcastles viperous papisticall forces from those devouring Cormorants and hideous Harpyes which had so infected and infested that whole Countie where now for a while wee will leave him full of cause of praise and thanksgiving to his God who made him
before were a nominating fit persons to be presented to his Majestie to be entrusted with the places of strength within the Kingdome But for further observations upon this Commission and the probability of the truth thereof for works in tenebris must come to light by circumstances be pleased to read the Booke entituled The Mystery of Iniquitie where this Commission is at large set down and you will finde Endymion Porter had the great Seal of Scotland in his custody when the Commission to begin the Rebellion in Ireland was sealed as he had the great Seal of England in custody when the Commission to make a Cessation with those bloudy Rebells called by his Majestie Subjects was sealed But see now as was touched before how the most wise God graciously ordered the effects of all these most wicked plots to fall out exceeding contrary to the wicked hopes and aymes of the Jesuiticall incendiaries and Atheisticall projectors of them turning their counsell into folly and blasting these their high or rather hellish hopes even at the first springing and sprouting of them into execution witness I say that forementioned example thereof in the Irish Souldiers transported out of Ireland to Bristoll yea and that of one Arundell Master of Pendennis-Castle in the West who as it was credibly informed by Letters to London discharged two pieces of Ordnance against two ships fraughted with Irish-Rebells notwithstanding that they produced the Kings Warrant for their landing there and that he also sent a Poste to Oxford to know his Majesties pleasure signifying withall that if they landed the Gentrie of all those parts would forsake the King Witness also that remarkable piece of State-policie and providence whereunto our most prudent Parliamentary Worthies were now at last inevitably necessitated to have recourse by this most odious Cessation and divers other such like destructive designes of the Oxonian adversaries of the Kingdome I mean the establishment and setting on foot a New-broad Seal of England to be resident in the Parliament a piece of great and high concernment for the better advancing and forwarding of the future great and waightie affaires of the Kingdome A Copie of which Declaration and Ordinance of Parliament I have heer thought fit for the Readers better content and satisfaction to insert verbatim as it was printed and published by order of Parliament Novemb. 11. 1643. A Declaration and Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT Touching the Great Seal of England WHereas the Great Seal of England which by the Laws of this Realm ought to attend the Parliament being the Supreme Court of Justice and Judicature within this Realm for the dispatch of the great and weighty affaires of the Common-wealth which is especially interessed and concerned therein was above a yeer last past that is to say the two and twentieth day of May An. 1642. by the then Lord-Keeper thereof Edward Lord Littleton then a Member and Speaker of the House of Peers in Parliament contrary to the great trust in him reposed and duty of his place secretly and perfidiously conveyed away from the Parliament into the Kings Army raised against the Parliament the said Lord-Keeper departing therewith into the said Army without the leave or privity of the said House By means whereof great mischiefs and inconveniences have ensued to this Kingdom and the Kingdom of Ireland And whereas the said Great Seal ought constantly to remain in the hands and custody of one or more Officer or Officers sworn for that service and to be used and imployed for the weal and safety of His Majesties People which notwithstanding hath been divers times sithence the conveying away thereof as aforesaid put into the hands of other persons not sworn and Popishly and dangerously affected who have had the disposing and managing thereof at their own wills and pleasures and hath been trayterously and perniciously abused to the ruine and destruction of the Parliament and Kingdom by granting and issuing out divers illegall Commissions of Array and â—other unlawfull Commissions for raising of Forces against the Parliament by issuing out of most foul and scandalous Papers under the Name and Title of Proclamations against both Houses of Parliament and divers Members thereof and others adhering to them and proclaming them Traytors and Rebells Commissions of Oyer and Terminer to proceed against divers of them as Traytors and other Commissions to seize and confiscate their Estates for no other cause but for doing their duties and services to the Common-wealth as likewise by granting that horrid Commission for executing of that most bloudy and detestable designe of Waller Tomkins and others for the destruction of the Parliament and Citie of London and of the Army raised for their just defence and as if Massacres and Assasinations had been but light and veniall crimes another Commission hath been granted under the same Seale for a Cessation of Armes with the barbarous and bloudy Rebels in Ireland after the effusion of so much innocent bloud and slaughter of above one hundred thousand Protestants Men Women and Children by their mercilesse and bloudy hands whereupon a Cessation of Armes is accordingly concluded and those brutish Rebels thereby imboldned to prepare themselves not onely for a totall Extirpation of the Protestants remaining there but for a Conquest also of this Kingdome And further by granting of severall Commissions and Offices of Trust and Command to notorious Papists who by the Laws and Statutes of this Râ—alm are made uncapable thereof and by conferring of Honours and Dignities and granting of Lands and Estates to divers exorbitant Delinquents who stand legally impeached of high Treason and other high Crimes and misdemeanours in Parliament All which and many other unlawfull and enormous Acts have passed under the said Great Seale since the removall thereof from the Parliament as aforesaid Which the Lords and Commons taking into their consideration and finding all wayes and means obstructed for the procuring of any redresse from his Majestie in the Premisses notwithstanding their long hopes and uncessant Labours for the obtaining thereof are bound in duty and of necessitie to provide some speedy Remedy for these insupportable mischiefes BE it therefore Declared and Ordained by the said Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that as well all and every the said acts formerly mentioned which have passed under the said Great Seal as also all Letters Patents and Grants of any Lands Goods or Estates of any person or persons whatsoever for adhering to the Parliament all Compositions or Grants of any Wardships or Leases of any Wards Lands Liveries Primer seizins Ouster le maines since the said 22. of May 1642. which have not according to the due course of Law passed through the Court of Wards and Liveries established by Law All grants since the said 22. of May 1642. of any Honours Dignities Mannors Lands Hereditaments or other thing whatsoever to any person or persons which have voluntarily contributed or shall voluntarily contribute
and to inventorie the goods thereof and to let the Danish Commander know that the Parliament would be answerable touching the disposall of them according to their discretion and direction And thereupon the Ship was brought safely to London and there unladen A Copie of the true Inventorie of the fraight and goods wherein I have heer thought fit to insert for the Readers better satisfaction and content as I my self received it from the hands of one of the most eminent and most worthy Members of the Militia in the Citie of London which was as followeth Barrells of Gunpowder 476 Bundles of Match 890 Drums 050 Belly-pieces of armour 150 Swords 3040 Muskets 2977 Pistolls 493 Head-pieces 3000 Round-heads or Clubs 1000 Pikes very good ones 1500 Musket-rests 3000 Forks to fight against horses 0500 Collers of Bandiliers 3000 Belts 1 Hogshead Hangers 1 Hogshead Girdles 2 Hogsheads Hangers 4 Barrells Pistoll-keyes 1 Firkin Flasks 3 Barrells Hangers 1 Barrell Moulds for Muskets 2 Kilderkins Stones for Pistolls 1 Firkin Souch-powder 1 Firkin Cannon-Bullets 197 And pigs of Lead 14. And neer upon the same time a Ship laden with Sea-coales whereof I had unquestionable information from Newcastle and bound for Holland was then also apprehended by the vigilancy of the most noble Earl of Warwicks Ships wherein they found about 3 or 4000li. in money hid deep in the coales which was to have bought armes c. in Holland for the Kings use but thus happily diverted another and a better way And truly Reader there must needs be seen a speciall hand of Gods providence toward us in this Danish prize formentioned for this Ship could not have been seized on in a more seasonable time than as thus it pleased the Lord to dispose it considering the great use the Parliament had at that time of the said armes and ammunition to help to set forth a new armie then making ready to march forth again under the command of that noble and renowned Generall Sir William Waller and especially also the circumstances of that time considered namely the then ill success of our armies in the North under the command of the noble Lord Fairfax and the most unhappie surrender of Bristoll and Exeter also shortly after it to the Kings forces Sir William Wallers unhappie defeat in the West Countrie and the Lord Generalls armie being mouldred and crumbled away and almost quite torn in pieces by sickness and such like casualties as that he was not able to advance and take the field to affront the Kings and Kingdomes enemies untill they could be conveniently recruited and fill'd up and furnisht with men and armes Of all which having most fully made mention in the Conclusion of the Second part of our Parliamentarie Chronicle I shall cease to speak any more thereof And now about this time namely the 6th of August 1643. the Parliament being credibly and comfortably enformed out of Yorkshire that the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax had in much competent measure recruited his Armie at Hull and got together some troops of horse and companies of foot that so he might the better both increase and strengthen his forces the Parliament sent him many Muskets Carbines Pistolls hookes and piked Clubs viz. Round-heads as they were termed that so his honest Round-heads might with them soundly beat and bang Newcastles Rattle-heads or rather Rotten-headed and hearted Papists and Atheists as not long after by Gods mercy they did by the brave conduct of renowned Sir John Meldrum together with 200 barrells of gunpowder part I say of this Danish prize so happily seized on as aforesaid Much also about the foresaid time there was a generall report and that upon good grounds and reasons all about the Citie of London that there was a purpose if not a plain though private plot at Oxford to work some of the Peeres in Parliament to treat again upon some articles or propositions for a pretended peace and indeed a motion was made as was credibly reported in the House of Lords to set it on foot which was generally much disrelisht and disliked in the Citie of London and began to cause great jealousies and feares among the wisest and best-affected Citizens as they and the whole Kingdome had just cause wee having ever received greatest dammage and detriment by such fained and treacherous treaties Whereupon the most renowned famous and faithfull Citizens of London with an unanimous consent resolved to joyn together as one man in a Petition to the Parliament in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen Commons of London which Petition coming to my hands I have heer thought fit to insert for the Readers better content and satisfaction therein To the Right Honourable the Knights Citizens and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parliament The humble Petition of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons of the Citie of London in Common Councell Assembled Sheweth THat your Petitioners having heard that such propositions and offers have been lately sent from the House of Peers to this honourable House which as wee greatly fear if yeelded unto may be destructive to our Religion Lawes and Liberties And finding already by experience that the spirits of all the well-affected partie in the Citie and Counties adjacent that are willing to assist the Parliament both in person and purse are much dejected thereat and the brotherly assistance from Scotland as well as the raising and maintaining of forces our selves thereby likely to be retarded all which the Petitioners refer to your serious consideration and considering our present sad condition lies upon us in a speciall manner through the incensed patience of the Almightie by delay and want of execution of justice upon traitors and Delinquents and having an opportunitie yet afforded us to speak our humble desires are That you would be pleased so to persist in your former resolutions wherupon the people have so depended and wherein yee have so deeply engaged your selves though you should perish in the work that justice may be done upon offenders and delinquents And since wee are as willing as ever to expose what wee are and have for the crowning of so good a cause you would be pleased by passing the Ordinance hereunto annext or one to this effect to put us into a probable way for ours and your defence wherein your Petitioners will by the blessing of God be never wanting But will ever pray c. This Petition being presented Aug. 7. 1643. by the Petitioners aforesaid to the House of Commons was well accepted and thankes returned by Mr Speaker for their care of the Kingdomes welfare with promise that the particulars desired should speedily be taken into consideration and to consider of an Ordinance to the purpose in the Petition mentioned which was referred to a Committee Now this Petition thus exhibited to the Parliament by Alderman Atkins in the name of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons as aforesaid shortly after
undertaken and cleare my unfeigned reputation Thus much I thought good to say unto you that you may give a satisfactory testimony of that designe in my behalfe if you heare it falsely reported And I shall be ready to requite you in vindicating of truth and acknowledge my selfe Southampton Feb. 5. 1643. Your reall friend PET. MURFORD About the 6. of this instant came to the publike knowledge of the City of London and so to others in the Kingdome a notable designe from Oxford namely That in the latter end of Ianuary last the pretended Parliament or rather mischievous meeting of Popish Atheisticall and Malignant fugitive Lords and rotten Members of the most blessed Parliament at Westminster being brought into a desperate condition by the happy and good successe of our said Parliamentâ— Forces against them assembled themselves into a most illegall jugling Iunto or accursed Conventicle at Oxford and would needs there forsooth make a poor shew of Propositions for Peace And by their Lord Generall Ruthen the Popish Earl of Forth they contrived a Letter which was signed by the Prince the Duke of York 44 of the foresaid condition'd Lords and about an 100 rotten Commons and was sent as from Ruthen to his Excellencie the Parliaments most noble and renowned Lord Generall the magnanimous and heroick Eul of Essex and in that Letter manifested their scornfull esteem of our most renowned Parliament at Westminster not allowing it so much as the name of a Parliament which must needs argue a proper piece of intention really to advance a true Peace betwixt the King and his Parliament Now hereupon the said Letter being by his Excellencie communicated with the Parliament they thought it not fit to take notice of the said Message only it was consulted and resolved on by both Houses that my Lord Generall should be intreated to send a Complement to the Earle of Forth and to inclose the Covenant and Declaration agreed upon by both Kingdomes in this Letter which accordingly his Excellencie performed as followeth His Excellencies Letter to the Earl of Forth in answer to a Letter from Oxford subscribed by the Prince Duke of Yorke and divers Lords and Gentlemen at Oxford My Lord I Received this day a Letter of the 29. of this instant from your Lordship and therein a Parchment subscribed by the Prince Duke of York and divers Lords and Gentlemen but it neither having addresse to the two houses of Parliament nor therein there being any acknowledgment of them I could not communicate it unto them My Lord the maintenance of the Parliament of England and of the priviledges thereof is that for which we are all resolved to spend our blood as being the foundation whereon all our Lawes and Liberties are built I send your Lordship herewith a Nationall Covenant solemnly entred into by both Kingdomes of England and Scotland and a Declaration passed by them both together with another Declaration of the Kingdome of Scotland I rest Your Lordships humble Servant ESSEX Essex-house Ian. 30. 1643. About the 9. of this instant February our most noble and renowned Patriots in Parliament resolved on the sequestring of the Estates of many grand Malignants and Incendiaries and to order and dispose of their Estates for the publike use And they appointed a Committee accordingly to take order for the sequestrating of the Lands and Estates of the Earle of Berk-shire prisoner in the Tower and that the same should be disposed of for the use of the publike good And the like for the estate of the Earle of Carbery a great stickler for the adverse party in Wales The Lord Aborthorum Mr. Walter Mountague prisoner in the Tower The Lord Cottington that Spanish Don and grand Incendiary of the Kingdome And that all the goods and Chattels already sequestred and to be sequestred belonging to the aforesaid Lords and Gentlemen should be forthwith sold and the monies made use of for the publike service and more especially for supplies for the Noble Lord Fairfax in Yorkshire The like also for all the goods and chattels belonging to Sir John Banks Lord Chiefe Justice at Oxford The like for the Bishop of Winchester and the like for all the goods of all other Malignants sequestred and being in Cambden-house in London or elsewhere As also the goods and whole estate in and about London belonging to that unhappy and unholy Neuter or Ambo-dexter Dr. Vsher Arch-Prelate of Armagh resident at Oxford a man once I confesse of good yea of great esteem like his apostate brother Dr. White Bishop of Ely in City and Country both in England and Ireland but at length whose last dayes hitherto have proved his worst dayes Of whom one thing I may not here omit to his eternall shame and ignominie That upon debating of the businesse in Parliament concerning him there was evidence given in to the Parliament against him That upon the first framing of that pernicious Oath at Oxford to enjoyn all men to take up Armes against the Parliament this slye Archbishop was a chiefe Agent by his Episcopall rhetorick to perswade all men to take the said Oath yea and that he wished they might all dye in prison that refused to take it that divers who by his perswasions had taken it were afterward much troubled in conscience and some of them dyed in that condition much perplexed and unsatisfied A most sad and bad burthen to lie on the Conscience of such an unholy and unhappy Instigator thereunto whose perishing blood will I feare be one day severely required at his hands without repentance Also about the 10. of this instant certain intelligence came out of York-shire by Letters to London from the most Noble Lord Fairfax of the taking of Burlington in the said County the place where the Queene formerly landed when she unhappily returned out of Holland by a party of Horse and Foot commanded by that valiant and vertuous Colonel Sir William Constable who entred the Town in a full Carriere took 250 Common-souldiers besides Major New nam the Governour of the Town and divers other Officers with 2 Drakes and 500 Arms besides other Ammunition In this exploit Major Briery and Captain Bethel the one in the Van the other in the Reare did singular good service and put the Enemy into a great disorder This place being within 6 miles of Scarborough will make Sir Hugh Cholmley that perfidious Apostate to look about him And very shortly after came farther intelligence of another notable Exploit performed by the said brave and valiant Commander Sir William Constable who surprised a party of the Enemy at a place called Driffle between Malton and Scarborough where he took 300 of Newcastles Horse Colonel Washington one Serjeant-Major three Captaines divers Officers and about an hundred and sixty common Foot-souldiers and routed another Regiment besides Much about the same time came certain information by Letters from the Scotch Commissioners out of the North That since
Plate and money yet what plate goods or Jewels did properly belong to her and her attendants was permitted the next day to be friendly conveyed to Oxford with her she being used with all respect and civility by Sir William VValler and Sir VVilliam Belfore so was not the Honourable Lady Fairfax used at Bradford in Yorkeshire though afterwards she was onely and barely sent home Fiftly the taking of the said Lady Hopton so neer Redding put the garrison at Redding into such an affright and terrour that on the 3. of March the said enemy quitted that great garrison Town and the like in other garrisons also about Oxford and those parts Sixtly that Sir VVilliam VValler pursued the enemy to Salisbury entred that Towne and tooke there neere upon 500 Armes and made all the Cathedrall men run for feare of after-claps Seventhly and lastly that Sir William Waller rested not there neither but sent out a Partee of about 1000. Horse and Dragoones into Dorsetshire and at a Towne called White-Church tooke sir Iohn Mills and 100. Gentlemen more who were met there together to raise men for Hopton Which partie went presently after to VVeymouth for farther designes And now false and foul mouth'd malignants judge even ye your selves whether Hopton was not soundly beaten to suffer all this without least resistance all this while and so long away One thing more of moment I may not here pretermit for the honour of the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight neer Portsmouth viz. That since this routing of Hoptons forces as aforesaid they not only supplyed Sir William Wallers army in a very large manner with victualls which was then very welcome refusing to take one penny of pay for the same but farther of their owne voluntary accord as hath beene since credibly enformed raised 300 stout able men and sent them to Sir William together with large expressions of their chearfulnesse and forwardnesse farther to assist him with their lives and fortunes as their should be an occasion offered Now the Honourable House of Commons in Parliament taking into their serious consideration this so happy successe of their Forces under the Command of Sir Wil. Waller and Sir William Belfore as aforesaid against the Forces of the King under the Command of Sir Ralph Hopton In acknowledgement of Gods singular great mercy herein Ordered that on Aprill the 14th being the Lords day Publike Thanksgiving should be in all Churches and Chappels on the Southside of Trent within the power of the Parliament and that the like thanksgiving should be on the Northside of Trent 14 dayes after which was to be the 28th of April then next ensuing which Order of Parliament for the Readers better content and satisfaction I have thought fit here to insert as it was Printed and published by their Authority Die Lunae 1 April 1644. An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament Assembled appointing a Solemne day of Thanksgiving c. THe Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled having certaine information of the great mercy of our good God in the happy successe of the Forces of the Parlioment under the Command of Sir William Waller and Sir William Belfore on Friday March 29. 1644. Doe in their acknowledgement of Gods mercie herein Order That upon the Lords Day which will be on the 14 of this instan April Publike Thanksgiving be given in all Churches and Chappels on the Southside of Trent within the power of the Parliament unto the Lord of Hosts that giveth all Victory for the seasonable and extraordinary blessing whereby the Army under the Command of Sir Ralph Hopton was totally routed with the losse of very few of the Parliaments Forces And all Ministers in their respective Churches and Chappels are hereby directed and Commanded to give notice thereof and to Exhort and excite their people to acknowledge and improve this great blessing in a Spirituall way that as this mercie was bestowed in returne of our Prayers and Humiliation upon the late and solemne Fast the Wednesday before this Victory So God may have the sole honour and glory of it in our praises and thanksgivings and that the like thanksgiving shall be made on the Northside of Trent 14 dayes after which will be on the 28 of this instant April Ordered that this Ordinance of publike Thankesgiving be forthwith Printed and Published And that the Printer of the House doe bring in a convenient number to the Members of the House to be sent into the severall Counties Hen. Elsynge Cl. Parl. D. Com. And heer now good Reader let me desire thy godly and Christian patience and permission a little to make a pause and cast Anchour againe at the end of this Moneths happy voyage briefely to revise and survey the precious Merchandizes and happy Incoms of Gods goodnesse to our English Nation in protection of his Holy-Arke the Parliaments Cause So constantly and cruelly molested tost and turmoyled by the swelling waves and insolent surges of wicked and ungodly Adversaries which will be most conspicuously evident to all In the taking of Biddle-House in Staffordshire by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonell Ridgeley Hilsey-house in Buckinghamshire and the surprising of the Princes Troop by Northampton Forces In Colonell Lamberts brave victory at Bradford in Yorkeshire The notable defeat given to Hastings at Hinchley in Leicestershire where and when the Solemne Covenant was setling and taking in those parts together with another most brave defeat given by the foresaid valiant Colonell Lambert to Newcastles Forces as also Sir William Constables good successe and Colonell Waights also at Burleigh-house In the notable Sea-storme wherein about 1500 Irish Rebels were cast away and the Land Storm also which God raised against those bloody Irish-Rascals at Pool and VVareham in Dorsetshire together with the singular good successe of Colonell Norton against the enemies at Southampton Sir VVilliam Belfores good successe against the enemy neere Basing-house in Hampshire The Prince Palatines taking of our Covenant in Holland and the whole Kingdome of Sweathlands voluntary Message and desire to enter into Amity and Confederacy with our Parliament against the Adversaries of the true Protestant Religion Sir VVilliam Constables victorious taking of Tadcaster in Yorkshire The singular good successe of the Parliaments Declaration for calling in Delinquents from Oxford and how God turned that wicked Apostacy of Greenvile into a mercy unto us Together with the pious care of the Parliament for the godly institution of the Kings Children at S. Iameses and the singular good successe of the Parliaments Forces at Bredport and Burley-house neere Lyme The most victorious proceedings and magnanimous atchivements of the Parliaments Forces in South-VVales by renowned Captaine Swanley who most happily prevented much-intended evill there and reduted the whole County of Pembrooke to the obedience of the Parliament The yet farther good successe of the Parliaments side by Sea in valiant Captaine Jordanes chasing the Earle of Marlebrough the Kings Admirall from his intended
they say the comming in of the Scottish Nation will occasion though they know very well that their former comming in was by Gods mercy a great means to prevent it and so also may this but they are too willing to forget or at least to silence what horrid cruelties are dayly committed by their bringing over of such multitudes of Irish Rebels or that this damdable Plot of theirs can be any Invasion of our Kingdome since these are forsooth the Kings honest Catholik Subjects O grosse and egregious daubing and dissimulation Now the Lords of the Councill of Scotland having received this Letter spent no long time about it but the very next day O the mercy of our God thus to cleare up their pious and prudent judgement herein dispatched an answer to that Letter much to this effect That they conceived their Lordships at Oxford were not so great strangers to their proceedings as not to know that their expedition into England was not intended till all other meanes were first assayed and disappointed That they will not deny the invitation of the Parliament to ayde them and that not onely out of pittie to see England bleed but out of sense of the danger of their owne Religion and Lawes they had thus as a maine cause taken up Armes at this present that they hold not the invitation of the Parliament any wayes invalid or null'd because they at Oxford are wanting thence or others are gone beyond the Seas having either wilfully deserted the Parliament or been expelled thence for their Delinquency but how this Parliament hath sought earnestly for Reformation of Religion for redresse of grievances and the happy settlement of the great affaires of that Kingdome and which was indicted by his Majestie for these ends is ratified by a speciall Act of Parliament not to be raised without advise and consent of both Houses as null and void and that those who stay in Parliament are not a sufficient number without them at Oxford is more than they can apprehend And as they are more deepely affected with unfeined griefe for these unhappy differences betweene his Majestie and his Subjects and more sensibly touched with the sufferings of their Brethren than desirous to judge of the Lawes and practises of another Kingdome So they doe hold themselves in duty obliged to their Countrey to clear that Kingdome of that unjust aspersion of invasion These things with sundry other excellent expressions were contained in this Letter or answer to the former as by the Letters themselves Printed and published at large appeared And heere now good Reader I shall again desire to cast Anchor to put in and make a short stay in the happy Harbour of this Moneths Voyages conclusion also a little to refresh and recollect thine and mine own serious thoughts in the most gratefull Contemplation and Recapitulation of all the eminent and excellent Parliamentary Mercies as so many specious and precious Merchandizes safely brought home in the Successefull adventure of the Arke of God in this Moneths Voyage which may conspicuously appeare to the eyes and understanding of any of all intelligent and impartiall Readers First In that most fragrant Aprill Primrose or odoriferous virtuous Violet I meane that most excellent Ordinance of Parliament for the better sanctifying of the Lords day In those brave Defeates given to our Adversaries The one at Munck-bridge by Sir Iohn Gell the other given to Colonell Bellusyes by victorious Colonell Lambere in Yorkeshire In the remarkable meanes of Conveyance of the Ammunition from Warwick to Gloucester And how thereby they were enabled to fright and secret their neighbouring Enemies Together with the taking in of Waltham-house by Colonell Whitehead with the good assistance of the London Brigade which God made victorious both going and comming In the happy Conjunction of the Lord Fairfaxes Forces with his most valiant and virtuous Son Sir Thomas Fairfax whereby their eminent designes were by Gods mercie greatly advanced which was immediately begun in the taking of Cawood Castle and the Isle of Axholme In the farther good successe and singular good service of Captaine Swanley in South-Walles And the regaining of Crowland a place of great concernment by the noble Earle of Manchesters Forces In the Hollanders Honourable attestation of precious Master Prynnes learned Labours in his Invincible Vindication of the Parliaments Power and Priviledges Together with the most comfortable correspondency betweene our Kingdome and Parliament and the Kingdome of Swethland and also States of the Vnited Provinces In that most Famous and admirable Victory obtained by the right Honourable and most renowned Lord Fairfax at Selby in Yorkeshire In the prosperous pursuit of Newcastles Atheistiall Army from Durham to Yorke by our valiant and vigilant brethren of Scotland the most noble Earle of Manchester and most worthily thrice Honourable Lord Fairfax who all uniting and joyning themselves together into a body about Yorke necessitated Newcastle to be enclosed and coop'd up within the walles of the said City In the brave Defeat given by renowned Sir William Waller to the Kings Cormorants at Basing-house Together with that other given by Northampton Forces to their Adversaries at Banbury And lastly in the Lords most gracious frustrating and foolifying that most pâ—rnicious Oxonian Plot to have diverted or rather perverted the Christian Amity and Fidelity of our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland in their pious purposes aud resolutions to come into our Kingdome for our timely and needfull assistance All which precious premises rightly regarded and most seriously considered especially that most remarkable Conquest at Selby and this the Lords most gracious turning of Oxonian Achitophels crafty and cruell Counsell into folly O who can but most justly and ingenuously acknowledge that in all in any of these rare and rich Parliamentary-mercies the Lord hath most comfortably caused his blessed Arke triumphantly still to over-toppe the high swelling waves and rough rising billows of Papists Atheists and mischievous malignants So that we may in strong and long experienced confidence in God conclude with holy David Yet truly the Lord is good to his Israel and to all such as are of an upright heart Great câ—use have wee therefore with magnanimous Martyn Luther in our greatest straits and seeming distresses to say and sing God is our refuge and strength a very present help in time of trouble Therefore we wil not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be hurryed or caryed into the midst of the sea and though the waters thereof roar and be troubled But now to goe on and to lanch forth again into the next Mouths adventure And first to begin with the certain intelligence which about the beginning of this Moneth of May came to London by Letters from Plymouth that that traiterous Skellum and base Apostate Sir Richard Greenvile came within two miles of Plimouth to a place called S. Butolphs with some Forces of Horse and Foot whereof
Peace may goe forward can argue nothing but a true and clear desiring of Peace and the happy setlement of the Kingdome in quiet the great thing so much at least pretended to be desired by the adverse party And this cannot but content I hope the great Vapours of Peace in our Malignants who desire any Peace be it ever so bad so it be Peace And now to proceed About the 20th of this instant we had certain information by the foresaid reverend and religious Gentleman Mr Ash his letters that the most noble Earl of Manchester advanced from YORKE more Southward to refresh his Souldiers and that night being Saturday night and all the next Lords-day his Foot quartered in â—adcaster and the other Townes thereabout and his Horse neere Pontefract a strong Garrison of the Enemies and from thence on the Munday following his Lordship remooved to Doncaster and quartered therein both his Horse and Foot in other Townes thereabout from whence he sent 200 Dragoones commanded by Lieutenant Col. Lilburne to quarter in Tickhill about five miles from Doncaster where the Enemy had a long time quartered where was a strong Castle called Tickhill-castle which was pallisadoed and invironed with a broad Mote and a Counter-scarfe in which was 80 Muskettiers and a Troop of Horse armed which did great oppression and injury to the Coâ—ntry thereabout both by laying heavy burthens and taxes upon them and which did much interrupt the trade and transportation of cloth from Leedes Hallifax and other parts of Bawtree their Horse also bringing in frequently 20 30 40 horses at a time loaden with cloath which oftentimes upon the payment of twenty shil a horse-load they again released Now upon the Dragoones comming into the Town they tooke prisoners a Captain a Cornet a Quartermaster and some other Souldiers and about thirty horses belonging to the said Castle The Governour of the Castle understanding hereby that my Lords Army was so neer and being now summoned the next day to surrender the same to the King and Parliament did admit parley with the said Lieutenant Col. Lilburne which conference produced this conclusion That three of the chiefe Gentlemen therein should come to my Lords quarters to Doncaster upon a safe convoy 〈◊〉 for their returne which being done and the Gentlemen comming accordingly on Thursday Iuly the 25th it was agreed that the said Castle should be yielded up the next day upon four or five fair and honourable Articles befitting Gentlemen and Souldiers which Articles were sealed by both parties accordingly and then his Lordship with Lieutenant Gen. Cromwell Major Gen. Crawford and many other chiefe Officers guarded by a brave Troop of Horse rode to Tickhill the Fryday following in the afternoon to take possession of it and to see the Articles on our side exactly performed whither being come the Draw-bridge let downe and a lane made by our Dragoones to whom his Lordship had given strict charge not to offer offence in the least measure by word or deed to the Souldiers of the Garrison who were to passe by them they all came out with passes in their hands to the severall places of their desired aboad who also were safely convoyed by our Troop of Horse and so his Lordship and his Officers with twenty Musketteers onely entred and possession being taken and some hurries appeased my Lord with his attendants gave solemn thankes to God there for giving in that place of so much concernment upon most easie termes and without the losse of one drop of blood There were in the Castle Major Mâ—nekton the Governour Colonell Redhead Major Redhead and divers Captaines with some of their Wives There was left in the Castle one Iron-piece mounted about in hundred Muskets sixty Horse and Armes some Powder and Match above an 100 quarters of grain many barrels of salt butter store of cheese powdred Beeâ—e and some beasts and sheepe with other necessary provisions About the 23. of this instant came certain information by letters out of Gloucestershire that the valiant Colonell Lâ—ughorâ—â— Governour of 〈…〉 and Captain Moulton with his valiant and courageous Sayleâ—s understanding of Gerrards 〈◊〉 approach to Peâ—brook with the Earl of Carbery and his Welsh and Irish-Papists our forces there joyned in a body to oppose them and the inhabitants of the County to shew theâ—â— willingnesse to assist them in this great 〈◊〉 the defence of their religion lawes and liberties First 〈…〉 books and Pâ—pish pictures apt to seduce to be brought forth and burnt and then afterward joyned themselves in a compleat boâ—y with their other friends already in armes against the common Enemy who marching into Pembrookeshire our Forces met them and notwithstanding all their power fell courageously upon them and in a short space did notable execution upon them made the Welsh fly apace to their own homes and holes in the Mountaines with great losse unto them even Gerrard himselfe hardly escaping by flight In this fight Colonell Laughorne and Captain Moulton flew and tooke prisoners at least 500 of the Enemies they also took divers Armes and many carryages with most of their baggage yea the Enemy was so routed as 't was verily believed they could never be able to get into a considerable body again against them Colonell Laughorne also resolving to follow the pursuite not leaving till he hath totally subdued them to the obedience of the King and Parliament In this fight also Captain Moulton and the brave Saylers deserved much praise and due respect for their undanted activity in this as in former performances And it was credibly assured that since this brave Sea-commander Captain Moulton cast the last Irish-rebells overboard into the Sea there have not any more been seen to passe out of Ireland About the 26th of this instant we had certain intelligence by letters out of Worcestershire that there went a party of Horse from Worâ—ester unto Evesham with an intent to have surprized some of the Earl of Denbighs Forces who were there a fortifying Evesham But the vigilant and valiant Earl of Denbighs and Warwickshire forces having private notice thereof in their march that way dispatched 600 Horse thither presently 300 whereof were to come in upon one side of the Town and the other to wheele about and to come in by the other way upon the Enemies Rear upon the comming in of the first party of the Enemies ours began to retreat and the Enemies thinking they fled began to follow them But instantly they were set upon by our other party which wheeled about upon the Enemies Rear and skirmished with them a while till at last 50 of them were slain in the place and 120 Horse and about 40 or 50 prisoners taken with the losse of onely two or three men of ours at the most the rest of the Enemy got back into Worcester About the 28th of this instant we were credibly informed by letters out of the Western
of them labouring and tugging like so many Galley-slaves of Satan in vain which is their greatest miserie ever glorified and praised be the free grace of God therein as now wee shall most lively delineat and set forth by Gods gracious assistance in this our third Voyage through this vaste and various Ocean And having now I say by the good hand of Gods gracious providence made two former voyages through this our English-Ocean and twice safely and I hope successfully arrived at the desired Haven and brought my vessell thither fully and fairly fraught with such mercifull Merchandizes as I hope may help my Christian brethren to trade withall for the enriching of their hearts and soules with copious expressions of bounden gratitude and infinitely obliged thankfulness to our almighty Jehovah-jireh our most glorious and gracious Elohim God All-sufficient for the highest improvement of his all-deserving praise and glorie which indeed is and ought to be the pious Alpha and Omega the originall and ultimate ayme and end of his free and gracious Giving and of our so undeserved receiving of such and so rich rare and manifold mercies and deliverances from the hands and hatred of our so raging and roaring enemies Now I â—ay I am resolved by Gods guide and my Readers accustomed candor and experienced patience to set sayl again into this our English Main-Ocean and to enter upon a third voyage therein Onely beseeching thee good Reader to assist me with thy holy prayers that our good God will graciously breath upon our sayles and give us a prosperous gale which may carry us on comfortably to the end of this Voyage and reduce us safely to our desired Haven And now therefore plainly and pertinently to begin and goe on in this our intended Parliamentarie-History But heer before I proceed to the narration of the ensuing Parliamentarie-mercies which immediately succeeded the most happie and holy entring into the League or Covenant with God and our Brethren of Scotland and Ireland for the prosecution of a pure and perfect Reformation in all the three Kingdomes with which Covenant wee closed and shut up our former Continuation or Second Part of this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle Give me leave now good Reader in the first place to premise and set down a few very memorable mercies pretermitted by too much haste to finish the former Part at the importunitie of the Stationer in our said Second Continuation wherein I was I say by the Stationers over-much haste to publish that second part enforced to omit many memorable passages or if not to omit yet to misplace many between the Moneths of June July August and September then next following my orderly Conclusion of that second part being about the midst of June renowned Sir William Waller being then victorious in the Western parts of the kingdome with his faithfull and courageous Achates Sir Arthur Haslerig as you may see clearly about page 380 381 82 c. Give me leave now I say in the first place to make a fuller supply of the deficiencies of those foresaid Moneths with divers memorable passages there omitted but yet which fell out in order and came to my knowledge before some of those last mentioned Parliamentarie Mercies wherewith I say I concluded that Second Part and which now I thought fit heer to make mention of rather than to suffer them to be raked up in the ashes of oblivion which briefly are these that follow The happy and blessed Assembly of Divines being Convened at Westminster for the rectifying and setling of things amiss in the Church both touching Doctrine and Discipline as hath been mentioned in the former Narrations of this our Parliamentarie Chronicle pag. 352. It pleased the Lord immediately after the setling of their said Convocation or Assembly namely July the 19th 1643 to put into the hearts of our said venerable Assembly among many other sacred and serious matters to exhibite a Petition to both Houses of Parliament which Petition coming to my hands I thought fit to give the godly Reader a sight and sense of the sweet and fragrant sent thereof together with both the Houses comfortable answer thereunto the happie and holesome effects whereof have since that time dropped and distilled like so many honey-dewes upon our Church already and is like to be more and more by Gods gracious assistance and blessing on their pious endeavours manifested among us in Gods due time as in their proper places we shall have occasion to make mention of as in good measure we have had former opportunities hereunto Which Petition I say for the excellencie and singular sweetness thereof and for the high honour of God and the heart-reviving comfort of his children yea and for the just and eternall credit of the pious Petitioners themselves I have heer I say thought fit to insert which was as followeth To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in PARâ—IAMENT The humble Petition of divers Ministers of Christ in the Name of themselves and of divers others Humbly sheweth THat your Petitioners upon serious consideration and deep sense of Gods heavy wrath lying on us and hanging over our heads and the whole Nation and manifested particularly by the two laâ—e sad and unexpected defeates of our forces in the North and in the West doe apprehend it to be our dutie as Watchmen for the good of the Church and Kingdome to present to your religious and prudent Consideration these ensuing requests in the name of Jesus Christ your Lord and ours First That you would be pleased to command a publike and extraordinary day of humiliation this weeke throughout the Cities of London Westminster the Suburbs of both and places adjacent within the weekly bills of mortalitie that every one may bitterly bewaile his own sinnes and â—ny mightily to God for Christs sake to remove his wrath and to heal the Land with professed and renewed resolutions of more full performance of the late Covenant for the amendment of our wayes Secondly That you would vouchsafe instantly to tale into your more than ordinary serious Consideration how you may most speedily set up Christ more gloriously in all his Ordinances within this Kingdome and reform all things amiss throughout the Land wherein God is more immediately dishonoured Among which wee humbly lay before you these particulars First That the brutish ignorance and palpable darkness possessing the greatest part of the people in all places of the Kingdome wherby they are utterly unfit to wait upon God in any holy datie to the great disgrace of the Gospel and the everlasting endangering of their poore soules may be remedied by a speedy strict charge to all Ministers constantly to Catechize all the youth and ignorant people they being cammanded to be subject to it and all sorts to be present at it and information to be given of all persons who shall withstand or neglect it That the grievous and hainous pollution of the
Lords Supper by those that are grossly ignorant and notoriously profane may be henceforth with all Christian care and due circumspection prevented That the bold venting of corrupt Doctrines directly contrary to the sacred Law of God and religious humiliation for sin which open a wide door to all Libertinisme and disobedience to God and man may be speedily suppressed every where and that in such manner as may give hope that the Church may be no more infected with them That the prophâ—â—ation of any part of the Lords day and the dayes of solemn fasting by buying and selling working sporting travelling or neglecting of Gods Ordinances may be remedied by appointing Officers in every place for the due execution of all good Lawes and Ordinances against the same That there may be a through and speedy proceeding against blinde guides and scandalous Ministers by whose wickedness people either lack or loath the Ordinances of the Lord and thousands of souls perish wherby the removall of the Ark from among us is to the trembling of our hearts evidently threatned And that your Wisdomes would finde-out some way to admit into the Ministrie such godly and hopefull men as have prepared themselves and are willing thereunto without which there will sodainly be such a scarcity of able and faithfull Ministers that it will be to little purpose to cast out such as are unable idle or scandalous That the Lawes may be quickned against swearing and drunkenness with which the Land is filled and defiled and under which it mourneth That some severe couâ—sâ— be taken against fornication adultery and incest which doe greatly abound especially of late by reason of impunitie That all Monuments of Idolatry and Supersâ—ition but more especially the whole body and practise of Popery be totally abolished That justice may be executed on all Delinquents according to your solemn Vow and Protestation to that purpose That all possible meanes may be used for the speedy relief and release of our miserable and extremely distressed Brethren who are prisoners in Oxford York and elsewhere whose heavie sufferings cry aloud in the eares of our God and it would lie very heavie upon the Kingdome should they miscarry suffering as they doe for the cause of God That so God who is now by the sword avenging the quarrell of his Covenant beholding your integrity and zeal may turn from the fierceness of his wrath hear our prayers goe forth with our Armies perfect the work of reformation forgive our sins and settle Truth and Peace throughout the Kingdome And the Petitioners shall ever pray c. This Petition being read in Both Houses an answer was returned to the Divines that presented it to this effect That the Petition was very well approved of That both the Houses had agreed to have a publike fast in all those places mentioned in the Petition on the Fryday then next following being July the 21 which accordingly was solemnly performed by both Houses of Parliament and the Assembly altogether as well as by the Cities in their severall Parish-Churches And that they would take the other particulars into speedie Consideration Say now then good Reader was not heer a very fair and prosperous blast breathing-forth by Gods providence to carry on his Ark the more safely and securely through the swelling waves of malignant oppositions but to goe on About the midst of July 1643. came certain information by letters out of Lincolnshire that it had pleased God to give extraordinary good success to our forces in that Countie in the taking of that strong Town of Gainesborough by the noble Lord Willoughbie of Parrham which Town he entred by a desperate assault in the night time forceing upon their Courts of guard which they found but negligently manned and so possessed the Town without any bloudshed wherein he took prisoner the Earl of Kingstone and also 30 Knights and at least 20 other Gentlemen of qualitie of that Countie besides 250 common Souldiers and released about 200 of the Parliaments prisoners who had been taken at sundry times in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and they took also in the Town great store of armes and ammunition And the same intelligence assured us that within few dayes after to complete our cause of just thankfulnesse to God the Siege which was sodainly made against the said Town immediately after this taking of it by the Earl of Newcastles Popish forces who thus hoped sodainly to have surprized it was by the vigilancy and magnanimitie of renowned Colonell Cromwell most courageously raised he having most undauntedly faln upon the Newcastelians and taken 300 of them prisoners slain 50 of them on the ground and routed and dispersed the great concourse of their forces which came from Newark Bradford Leeds and other parts of Yorkshire then lately before over-run by Newcastle on the former unhappie Defeat given to the most noble Lord Fairfax Yea the same certain intelligence informed us also that the foresaid Earl of Kingstone who as you heard was taken prisoner at Gainesborough being by the Lord Willoughbies command conducted by some of his forces in a pinnace and so intended to be carried prisoner by water to Hull but the Earl of Newcastles forces thinking to have rescued him from them summoned the said pinnace in which the Earl was to bow sail and to come ashore but the Lord Willoughbies forces refusing so to doe they shot fiercely at the ship in so much that they shot the Earl to death in the pinnace and so made him a prisoner to death not hurting any one of the Parliaments forces but him onely Yea and to make those Northern victories yet more glorious and illustrious there came credible information by letters from Lincolnshire to London upon Thursday July 27th that victorious and courageous Colonell Cromwell had then taken in the Town of Stamford in that Countie had there slain about 200 and taken 300 Cavaliers prisoners among whom were many Commanders and Gentlemen of qualitie of that Countie And that which made these brave victories the more rare and remarkable was that the knowledge and information of them came to us on the foresaid Thursday July the 27th which was the very next day after our publike Monethly-fast as a most blessed and gracious return of our prayers into our bosomes to make us the more thankfull and faithfull for the time to come Much also about the same time came certain intelligence to London by letters out of Lincolnshire that about a 1000 of the Cavaliers from Newark and Bever-Castle hovered and roved about Stamford and Wothrop-house a great and strong seat in those parts but were bravely molested and chased thence by that brave and most worthily renowned Commander Colonell Cromwell and at last forced to take Sanctuary in a very strong and stately Stone-built house not far from Stamford also called Burleigh-House scituated in a large Park and surrounded with a
of July 1643 came certain intelligence by Letters to London out of Cheshire that the most successfull forces of that renowned and pious patriot Sir William Brereton had happily taken from the Kings accursed Cormorants a very strong hold in those parts called Houghton-Castle which had long time been a sore goad in the sides of Sir Williams great affaires in that Countie but now was by Gods mercie and his vigilancie delivered up unto him and in his full possession and safe custodie Much also about this time the King having by the wicked Counsell of his most impious Achitophels at Oxford sent out a Proclamation in his own name to command all his loving Subjects to forbeare all commerce and trading with the Citie of London and to withhold all provision of victualls from them and all this under a great penaltie hoping by this meanes to starve the Citie and so in time to enforce it to their wicked intended tyrannicall subjection to Popery and slavery but blessed be the Lord this base plot had like issue with the rest for the Citie of London was not so easily to be begirt and starved by a Proclamation from Oxford though the Broad-Seal countenanced and commanded it for the Lords and Commons in Parliament presently upon this unpatternd Proclamation to starve a Citie for its honesty and fidelity and thereby to destroy the whole Kingdome passed an Ordinance to give the most renowned Lord Major of London and the Militia thereof power over all persons within the line of Communication sodainly to discover and disarm all malignants and to purge it of all such dangerous persons and about 5000 more Citie-Souldiers to be charged to doe dutie at all the Out-workes of the Citie Nay and our most renowned Parliamentarie-Statists rested not heer so tender were they of the welfare and preservation of the Citie in reference to that pernicious Proclamation but past an Ordinance in both Houses for the appointment of the then most pious and prudent Lord Major and two Sheriffs of London to take the charge of the Lievtenantship of the Tower of London Sir John Conyers having at his own voluntary desire obtained the consent of the Parliament to goe beyond Sea into Holland and after the expiration of the said ever to be honoured heroick and most active-spirited Alderman Penningtons most happie Majoraltie which by Gods gracious guide and speciall assistance he finished with more honour and renown the times thereof seriously considered than any of his predecessors in that place of honour and trust had done before him it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our most noble Parliamentarie Worthies to confer the said Lievtenantship of the Tower of London solely and wholly upon him as one in whom they had so good experience they might most indubitably confide in the faithfull managing of a place of so much trust and concernment for the welfare safety and security of the Citie and Kingdome and partly also as an honourable guerdon and repay of his former wise and loyall discharge of that his foresaid troublesome and chargeable Majoraltie And heer now good Reader I shall desire to cast anchor and make a little stay to pause and ponder on the most sweet Parliamentarie-Mercies of this first Moneth of our voyage and adventure into and through thus much of this boysterous and billowing Ocean of the Kingdomes distractions and disturbances and with a gratefull heart succinctly to see what God hath done for us as in a short Map and ocular prospect of them As first in that excellent Petition of the Assembly of Divines to both the Houses of Parliament for the good of Church and State in a pious reformation of things amiss in both Secondly in the Parliaments prosperous success at Gainesborough by the Lord Willoughby against the Earl of Newcastles forces there And the taking of the Town of Stamford by brave Colonell Cromwell Together also with the taking of Burleigh-House by the said brave Colonell Thirdly in another brave victorie obtained by the Parliaments forces at a second Siege of Gainesborough Fourthly in Gods admirable and timely appeasing of that desperate and dangerous Rebellion of the Kentish Malignants Fiftly in the taking of Houghton-Castle in Cheshire and that provident prevention of aâ—wicked plot to starve the Citie of London in keeping provision of victuall from it Sixthly and lastly in the most happie and prudent putting of the Tower of London into the safe custodie and government of the most worthy Lord Major and Sheriffs of London for the better safety and security of the said Citie and whole Kingdome Upon the which said serious review of all these rich and rare Parliamentarie-Mercies tell me good Reader hast thou not already seen Gods Ark most bravely born up above all the swelling and blustering waves of the worlds mischievous malignancy against it and It carried on with most pleasant and prosperous gales of Gods guard and guide and gracious protection of it Yes certainly witness this six-fold coard of clearly convincing testimony Great cause have wee therefore to check those proud waves of the world for their insolency against our God and his most righteous cause even in the Lords own words by his holy Prophet Feare yee not mee saith the Lord will yee not tremble at my presence which have placed the sand for a bound to the Sea by a perpetuall decree that it cannot pass it And though the waves thereof rise and toss themselves yet can they not prevail though they roar yet can they not pass over it Cease then and abate your pride O yee proud and pernicious Royalists since our God doth so curb and keep you in As for us wee shall therefore as wee have just cause triumph and sing God is our refuge and strength and a very present help in time of trouble Therefore will wee not fear though the earth be removed and though the mountaines be carried and hurried into the midst of the Sea But to goe on and to launch forth again in the deep for the further prosecuting of our next Moneths voyage About the beginning of August 1643 a brave Ship of about 300 tun bound from Denmark for Newcastle having been lately before taken at Sea by the most noble renowned and loyall Earl of Warwicks Ships within a league of Tinmouth laden with armes and ammunition to furnish and arme our Kings forces against the Parliament The Commander of which Ship was a Papist or Romish-Catholike and that which he pretended to be a countenancing supersedeas against all assaults of his Ship by any advers partie was a Letter from the King of Denmark which imported that the goods wherewith this Ship was fraught were his and therefore not to be toucht or medled with But the Ship notwithstanding all their pretexts being seized on and notice thereof immediately dispatcht away to the Parliament an Order was instantly returned to keep the Ship
had proved an apostate and endeavoured secreâ—ly to betray that Island and thereby the brave Town of Plimouth into the hands of the Cornish Cormâ—rants But by Gods great mercie and good providence was timely prevented therein by the fidelity of the Officers in armes and honest Souldiers who upon the first discovery of his perfidious purpose sodainly seized on his person and kept him in safe custodie till he might be sent away to the Parliament to receive just punishment for such a base and perfidious demerit Also about the beginning of September aforesaid came certain intelligence to London by letters from Hull that the said brave strong Maritime Town having been besieged by the Earl of Newcastles Popish and atheisticall armie consisting of about 15000 horse and foot who lying about Cottingham and Newland and those other neer adjacent parts about a mile or two distant from Hull had cast up severall workes against it and planted divers pieces of Ordnance and batteries on them And though they frequently shot against the Town very many 36 pound bullets and other Canon-shot yet by Gods great mercie and good providence did very little or no hurt at all by them yea that on the Lords-dayes when the Inhabitants were at Church serving the Lord their God the bullets came whisling over the Church and flew into their market-place but did no harm save onely to a Malignants-house and chimney in the Town and ever praised be our good God by the most noble and renowned Lord Fairfax his wisdome and valour and martiall circumspection they were still kept at such a distance from the Town that the enemie could not shoot their granadoes into the Town as they desired and vehemently endeavoured but they pitifully spoyled the Country about Hull and especially the Town of Beverly which as soon as they came into they miserably plundred yea and they thought to have done the Town of Hull a terrible mischief by cutting them short of fresh-water but blessed be the Lord the Town felt no great want thereby being very competently furnished with all sorts of provision and sustenance for men Now Newcastle grew exceeding mad and was extremely vexed that he was so hopeless of getting the Town having been formerly so hopefull at least in his high and proud conceits to get it for his Winter-quarters and to be a Sanctuarie for him from the Scots and it was generally reported and that probably enough that he car'd not for the loss of 10000 of his men so he might buâ— get possession of it But by Gods blessing on the most noble Lord Fairfax his valour and vigilancie there is no fear of that strong Town in all probabilitie Yet see how it pleased the Lord it should fall out within the said Town in the time of this Siege which is the thing I mainly intended to mention at this time and in this place namely That about Septemb. the 16th 1643 being Saturday an accident happened at the North-Block-house of the Town the danger whereof had not the Lord marvellously prevented and had it fallen out on the side of the Town where the enemies lay as it did on the most remote â—ide from them had undoubtedly ruined the whole Town For there were at least â—ortie Carthages of Gun-powder sodainly blown up and some granadoes which lay there in the same place and all fired which quickly brake down a great part of that strong Block-house both within and without which breach and loss 't was verily believed could not be repaired with at least 2000li. charge but I say the especiall providence of God heerin appeared in that it was blown up on that side of the Town which lay next to the Sea-side otherwise it would have been a very advantageous opportunitie to the enemies for their more secure assaulting and storming of the Town Besides this was also very remarkable above the rest and in it the hand of God most eminently was seen that it blew open a door in which very room there were fourteen barrells of Gun-powder some with the heads open yet took not fire which had it done it would most certainly have blown up at least the whole house have spoyled some considerable part of the Town But I say by Gods great mercie and admirable providence they were all untoucht and it did no other harm than as aforesaid It was conceived and feared at first that it came by some treacherie but upon diligent search and inquisition 't was clearly found to be done by the carelesness of a Gunner There were foure men killed by it and as many hurt and with this loss the danger ended blessed and praised be the Lord our God for it And now wee shall for a while leave Hull in this besieged posture and condition and speak of some other Parliamentarie-passages worthie our notice and observation About the midst of September 1643 our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie-Senators in their pious and prudent care for the encouragement of Apprentices and young men to be chearfull and forward to assist the Kingdomes great affaires against the common-Adversaries thereof set out an Ordinance of Parliament for the securing of their indempnitie in going forth in service and listing themselves under the command of Sir William Waller in his Expedition As also another Ordinance came forth at the same time for the searching of Trunkes and any other carriages that past out of London And a third also for a Collection to be made for sick and maimed Souldiers All which three said Ordinances of Parliament for the Readers better satisfaction content and delight I have thought fit heer to insert The Copie of an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the securing those Apprentices from indempnitie that list themselves under the Command of Sir William Waller Die Veneris Septemb. 15. 1643. WHereas in times of common danger and necessitie the interest of private persons ought to give way to the publick It is ordained and declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That such Apprentices unto Watermen plying and rowing upon the river of Thames as have been or shall be listed to serve as Souldiers for the defence of the Protestant Religion and libertie of the Kingdome his Majesties royall person the Parliament and the Citie of London under the Command of Sir William Waller Their sureties and such as stand ingaged for them shall be secured against their Masters their Executors and Administrators from all loss and inconveniencies by forfeiture of bonds Covenants infranchisements or otherwise And that after this publick service ended the Masters of such Apprentices shall be commanded and required to receive them again into their service without imposing upon them any punishment loss or prejudice for their absence in the defence of the Common-wealth And the Lords and Commons doe further declare That if it shall appear that the Masters of such Apprentices have received any considerable
were prickt at Oxford and to remove the office of Green wax from London to Oxford The fourth to inhibite the administring and taking of the Nationall League and Covenant between England and Scotland of which Proclamation more heerafter in its more proper place But I say this our most worthie wise pious and loyall Lord Major to the glory of God his own just honour the joy of all Gods people and the vexation of all the base malignant spirits in London whose false faithless and graceless hopes in him were now at the first I say most worthily frustrated and blasted by him even in the very bud who no sooner received the said four Proclamations but the presently sent the Messenger and them with a strong guard to the Parliament who took it as a singular and acceptable service from the Lord Major kept the Proclamations and committed the Messenger to Newgate-prison as a Spie for coming from Oxford to London without either their warrant or his Excellencies the Lord Generalls contrary to their late Ordinance of Parliament About the latter end also of the said September 1643. the Parliament taking into serious consideration the great inconveniences which the Kingdome in generall and the Citie of London in speciall were like to feel and finde in the insuing Winter-season by reason of the want of Sea-coal fuell and firing which would fall most heavily upon the poorer sort of people and might cause a mutinie and molestation of the peace of the Citie if not timely prevented and they not therein competently provided for according to that old adagie That hunger and cold will break through stone-walls Therefore upon a Message from the House of Lords in Parliament a Committee also of the House of Commons was appointed to joyn with a Committee of Lords to consult about the prevention of this otherwise inevitable danger and to take order for the felling and cutting of wood for the better supply of the Citie and parts adjacent with firing for the winter season according to an Ordinance of Parliament which both Houses had passed immediately after viz October 2d 1643. and by virtue whereof the said Committee had power to appoint the felling and cutting of such quantitie of wood as they should think fit within sixtie miles of London in all Forests Chases and Parkes belonging to the Kings or Queenes Majesties or out of any other woods groves springs or other land where fellable wood was belonging to any Arch-bishops Bishops Deanes Chapters c. Papists Delinquents or other Malignants against the Parliament and the same to be disposed of for the better supply of the Citie as aforesaid and to be sold at such rates as the said Committee should think fit And now again good Reader be pleased a little heer to re-peruse and review the sweet Parliamentarie-Mercies of this Moneth also First In the timely preservation of Plimouth from a treacherous plot Secondly In the Siege and preservation of Hull from that dangerous casualtie by Gunpowder Thirdly In the three-fold Declaration of the Parliaments pietie and providence Fourthly In the happie election of Sir John Wollaston to be Lord Major of the Citie of London in such a time of so great need of godly and loyall Magistrates Fifthly The dashing that dangerous designe in pieces of the four pernicious Proclamations sent to the said most worthily honoured Lord Major and in the Parliaments so prudent and provident provision of fuell in this Winter-season And then tell mee good Reader whether God did not heerin also most smoothly carry-on his Ark with prosperous gales maugre all the swelling surges of the wicked intentions of its envious adversaries and on the sweet sight and serious consideration thereof to give the Lord onely all the praise and glorie and with holy David to break forth into a holy extasie of rejoycing gratitude and say Blessed be the Lord our God who thus daily loads us with benefits and blessings even the Lord the God of our salvation And now to goe on And heer now I shall begin this moneth of Octobers successfull voyage with a singular act and evidence of our most renowned Parliaments piety and charitie to that most famous Nursery of many succeeding thousands of poor helpless Orphans I mean Christs Hospitall in London The best and most beautifull Flower of my Garden Where and I most heartily bless my good God that I have this happie and fit and fair opportunitie to acknowledge and to let the whole Kingdome know as I am infinitely bound to Gods due glorie and mine own comfort I the unworthy Author of this Parliamentarie-Chronicle have from my tender infancie had my best beeing breeding and education And to which House of Charitie and so consequently to the renowned Citizens of London the pious and provident Patrons thereof next under God I owe my self and my poor All what ever it be both for all my former happie education and present sustentation there in my place and Calling But to leave this brief and gratefull digression which I hope was not altogether impertinent to this place I am sure not to my person and condition and to come to the present business It pleased God I say to put into the hearts of our plous Parliamentarie-Statists to set forth a singular act and order of Parliament for the good of the poor Children of Christs Hospitall in these hard and pinching times that they might have comfortable sustenance and maintenance notwithstanding the great straits and necessities of the Kingdome Which order of Parliament happily coming to my hands I have thought good heer to insert for the Readers betâ—er content and satisfaction which was as followeth Die Lunae Octobris 1643. IT is this day Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament That all the Rents and Revenues belonging to Christs Hospitall which are to be payd for the immediate use and advantage of the Children of the said Hospitall shall be free from the Ordinance of the Twentieth and Fifth part and from all other Taxes or Charges whatsoever And they doe require all Assessors heerby to take notice heerof Provided that the Tenants who injoy good and considerable bargaines in their Leases from the said Hospitall doe claime and enjoy no freedome exemption or advaâ—tage by this Order Joh. Brown Cler. Parliament October the 6th 1643. The House of Commons in Parliament adjourned themselves into severall Committees and one choice Committee of them assembled the same day at a Common Hall in London which was called on purpose to consult with the Citizens for the speedie raising of an 100000li. for the advance of the Scottish Armie unto us for repayment of which summe our Brethren of Scotland undertook as hath been formerly mentioned to bring 21000 men into this Kingdome which said 100000li. was also desired to be borrowed of the Citie upon loan and to be certainly repaid out of moneys procured from forein parts upon the publick Faith of
Awake up our glorie awake Psalterie and Harp and let us all awake right early thus to blesse and magnifie the Lord. For through our God wee shall doe valiantly and it is he that shall tread down our enemies under our feet But now to goe on About the beginning of this November our most prudent Parliamentarie Statists wisely considering and most circumspectly advising on the inveterate malice and mischievous designes of the Oxonian Atheists against the Parliament and Cities of London and Westminster as hath been foreshewn they therefore past an Ordinance of Parliament wherein they declared that they held it most fit and necessary for the better setling and securing of the state of this distracted and much dilacerated Kingdome that all such Committees as were then nominated in the said Ordinance all Colonells Captaines and other Officers and well-affected persons inhabitants of the Counties of Hampshire the Town and Countie of Southampton Surrey Sussex and Kent shall and may associate themselves and mutually ayd succour support and assist one another in the mutuall defence and preservation of themselves from the inroades and outrages of the Kings Cormâ—rants and have power thereby given them to raise forces of horse and foot to suppress and expell all such forces as are or shall be raised in the said severall Counties to levie war against the Parliament or that shall make any insurrections or shall plunder or destroy any of his Majesties good subjects in those Counties And the Lord Generall the Earl of Eâ—â—ex was thereby desired to grant a Commission to that most valiant and renowned Commander Sir William Waller to command in chief as Serjeant Major Generall of all such forces raised in the said Counties the happie and successfull issues of which said association you shall now shortly have in their succeeding proper places And that the world might see and all Malignants mouthes be stopt if it were possible to doe it the godly and Christian care of this most renowned and pious Parliament not onely at home but abroad also providing for the welfare of forein English Plantations our most prudent and provident Parliamentarie Senators set forth an Ordinance of Parliament whereby that most noble renowned loyall and pious patriot Robert Earl of Warwick was made Governour in chief and Lord high Admirall of all those Islands and Plantations inhabited planted or belonging to any of his Majesties the King of Englands Subjects within the bounds and upon the coasts of America which said Ordinance for the Readers better satisfaction and full content therein I have thought fit heer to insert and interlace An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled in PARLIAMENT Die Jovis Novemb. 2. 1643. VVHereas many thousands of the natives and good Subjects of this Kingdome of England through the oppression of the Prelates and other ill affected Ministers and Officers of State have of late yeeres to their great griefe and miserable hardship been inforced to transplant themselves and their families into severall Islands and other remote and desolate parts of the West-Indies and having there through exceeding great labour and industry with the blessing of God obtained for themselves and their families some competent and convenient meanes of maintenance and subsistance so that they are now in a reasonable well setled and peaceable condition But fearing lest the outragious malice of Papists and other ill-affected persons should reach unto them in their poor and low but as yet peaceable condition and having been informed that there hath been lately procured from His Majesty severall grants under the great Seale for erecting some new Governours and Commanders amongst the said Planters in their aforementioned Plantations Whereupon the said Planters Adventurers Owners of Land in the said forein Plantations have preferred their Petition unto this present Parliament that for the better securing of them and their present Estates there obtained through so much extreame labour and difficulty they might have some such Governours and government as should be approved of and confirmed by the authoritie of both Houses of Parliament Which Petition of theirs the Lords and Commons having taken into consideration and finding it of great importance both to the safety and preservation of the aforesaid Natives and Subjects of this Kingdome as well from all forain invasions and oppressions as from their own intestine distractions and disturbances as also much tending to the honour and advantage of His Majesties Dominions have though fit and doe heerby constitute and ordaine Robert Earle of Warwick Governour in chiefe and Lord high Admirall of all those Islands and other Plantations inhabited planted or belonging to any His Majesties the King of Englands Subjects or which hereafter may be inhabited planted or belonging to them within the bounds and upon the coasts of America And for the more effectuall speedier and easier transaction of this so weighty and important a businesse which concernes the well-being and preservation of so many of the distressed Natives of this and other His Majesties Dominions The Lords and Commons have thought fit that Philip Earle of Pembrook Edward Earl of Manchester William Viscount Say and Seale Philip Lord Wharton John Lord Roberts Members of the House of Peeres Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet Sir Arthur Haselrigg Baronet Sir Henry Vane junior Knight Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight John Pym Oliver Cromwell Dennis Bond Myles Corbet Cornelius Holland Samuel Vassall John Rolls and William Spurstow Esquires Members of the House of Commons shall be Commissioners to joyn in ayd and assistance with the said Earl of Warwick chief Governour and Admirall of the said Plantations which chief Governour together with the said Commissioners or any four of them shall heerby â—avâ— power and authority to provide for order and dispose all things which they shall from time to time finde most fit and advantageous to the well-governing securing strengthning and preserving of the said Plantations and chiefly to the preservation and advancement of the true Protestant Religion amongst the said planters inhabitants and the further enlargement and spreading of the Gospel of Christ amongst those that yet remain there in great and miserable blindnesse and ignorance And for the better advancement of this so great a work It is heerby further ordained by the said Lords and Commons That the aforesaid Governour and Commissioners shall heerby have power and authority upon all weighty important occasions which may concern the good and safety of the aforesaid Planters to call unto their advice and assistance therein any other of the aforesaid Planters Owners of Land or Inhabitants of the said Islands and Plantations which shall then be within twenty miles of the place where the said Commissioners shall then be and shall have power and authority to send for view and make use of all such Records Books and Papers which doe or may concern any of the said Plantations And because the well-setling and establishing of such Officers and Governours as
shall be laborious and faithfull in the right governing of all such persons as be resident in or upon the said Plantations and due ordering and disposing all such Affaires as concerne the safety and welfare of the same is of very great advantage to the publique good of all such remote and new Plantations It is hereby further ordained and decreed That the said Robert Earl of Warwick Governour in chief and Admirall of the said Plantations together with the aforesaid Commissioners Philip Earl of Pembrook Edward Earl of Manchester William Viscount Say and Seale Philip Lord Wharton John Lord Roberts Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet Sir Arthur Haselrig Baronet Sir Henry Vane junior Knight Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight John Pym Oliver Cromwell Dennis Bond Miles Corbet Cornelius Holland Samuel Vassall John Rolls and William Spurstowe Esquires or the greater number of them shall have power and authoritie from time to time to nominate appoint and constitute all such subordinate Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers and Agents as they shall judge to be best affected and most fit and serviceable for the said Islands and Plantations And shall heerby have power and authoritie upon the death or other avoydance of the aforesaid chief Governour and Admirall or any the other Commissioners before named from time to time to nominate and appoint such other chiefe Governour and Admirall or Commissioners in the place and roome of such as shall so become voyd And shall also heerby have power and authority to remove any of the said subordinate Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers or Agents which are or shall be appointed to Governe Counsell or Negotiate the publike Affaires of the said Plantation and in their place and roome to appoint such other Officers as they shall judge fit And it is heerby ordained That no subordinate Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers Agents Planters or Inhabitants whatsoever that are now resident in or upon the said Islands or Plantations shall admit or receive any other new Governours Counsellors Commanders Officers or Agents whatsoever but such as shall be allowed and approved of under the hands and Seales of the aforesaid chief Governour and high Admirall of the said Plantation together with the hands and Seales of the aforementioned Commissioners or any six of them or under the hands and Seales of such as they shall authorize thereunto And whereas for the better government and security of the said Plantations and Islands and the Owners and Inhabitants thereof there may be just and fit occasion to assigne over some part of the power and authoritie granted in this Ordination to the chief Governour Commissioners afore-named unto the said Owners Inhabitants or others It is heerby ordained That the said chiefe Governour and Commissioners before-mentioned or the greater number of them shall heerby be authorized to assigne ratifie and confirme so much of their afore-mentioned authoritie and power and in such manner and to such persons as they shall judge to be fit for the better governing and preserving of the said Plantations and Islands from open violence and private disturbance and distractions And lastly That whosoever shall doe execute or yeeld obedience to any thing contained in this Ordinance shall by vertue heerof be saved harmlesse and indempnified Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that this Ordinance shall be forthwith printed and published John Brown Cler. Par. About the 8th of November 1643. came certain intelligence to London by Letters out of the Western parts of the Kingdome and also by the testimony of divers credible persons that a certain considerable number of English-Irish Protestant Souldiers being transported out of Ireland to Bristoll under the command of Sir Charles Vavasor on pretence to fight in England for the King and Parliament where being arrived and thinking that Bristoll had been still in the Parliaments possession but finding it otherwise on their arrivall and that their commanders would have enforced them to have taken an oath or Covenant to fight against the Parliament they utterly refused it declaring that they did not come from fighting against the bloudy Papists in Ireland with an intent to take part with the same and the other Papists in England and thereupon there being a great mutinie between the Souldiers and their Commanders the Souldiers slue some of their Commanders in the place enforced the rest of their Commanders to flie to Oxford for shelter After which they unanimously departed out of Bristoll toward Bathe and from thence also putting themselves under the Command of one Apleton a brave spirited man and valiant Souldier they marched to Gloucester to the most renowned Colonell Massey to be disposed of by him in the Parliaments service and before their departure from Bathe divers of the genâ—rie and well-affected inhabitants of that Countie as was also credibly informed being weary of the Kings Cormorants tyranny laid hold on the opportunitie and joyned themselves with those Souldiers and put themselves into the same service with them And was not heer a most remarkable hand of Gods providence thus at the very first of these the enemies bloudy and base attempts in that most atrocious and scelerous Cessation of armes in Ireland manifesting thus I say in the very front of their devillish designe the Lords high indignation against them and undoubted purpose to blast and bring to nought the rest of this their most nefarious villanie in his own due time to their greater shame sorrow smart and infamie But to proceed About the 10th of the foresaid November came certain information by Letters and other very credible testimonies out of Shropshire of a very notable and brave Defeat given to that irreligious if not atheisticall and pragmaticall but yet blessed be the Lord that unfortunate and unsuccessfull upstart Lord Capell and his vulturous and ravenous Harpies by the most valiant forces of Cheshire and Shropshire under the happie conduct of that most virtuous and victorious Commander Sir William Brereton and his unanimous and magnanimous associates therein Sir Thomas Midleton and most courageous Colonell Mitton which was as followeth Sir Thomas Midleton having authoritie to raise forces for the defence of the King Parliament and Kingdome in Nâ—rth Wales as Colonell Mitton had in Shropshire desired and deserved indeed by the good service they had done in Staffordshire as they went the assistance of Sir William Brereton who commanded in chiefe in Cheshire and is a Colonell in and hath a tender care of and interest in the affections of Staffordshire Souldiers This noble Colonell willing to accommodate those Worthies drew part of his forces from Namptwich to safeguard them into and make provision for their safety in Shropshire and thus marching together to Wem a little Town about six miles from Shrewsbery the place of their torment as Capell had made it unto honest men At Wem I say they began to fortifie and this lusty Lord Capell perceiving by the help of his Councell
that Postern-gate but about 200 of them were taken prisoners and much ammunition and armes besides many fat beeves sheep and other provision which was then provided for the next dayes Market with good store of other pillage and the Souldiers who before had resolved to be in no Drapers debt for new-cloathes borrowed as much cloath as would serve their turn of other kinde neighbour Cormorants who at the first word gave them no deniall therein and thus by the time that they had made a diligent search through the whole Town for their enemies which were left behinde they got much other fraight for their vessells and sent home also a good quantitie of hay and provender with their other prizes to welcome home brave Captain Sydenham with his horse who was then likewise gone Eastward from Pool to Winborn to demand that Town also but his main purpose was to keep the Warham alarm from them at Winborn and so to farther Captain Layes design which as aforesaid he bravely effected and returned safely to Pool About the 28th of this November also it pleased our good God so to order and dispose of things by the wisdome and providence of our ever to be honoured Worthies in Parliament that the most noble and renowned pious and valiant Earl of Warwick was by an unanimous consent of both Houses voted to be Lord high Admirall of England an honourable title fit to be invested on so honourable trustie and noble a personage and indeed I cannot exactly say whether the title more honours him or he the title but this I am sure of the title is most like to be more honoured and the Kingdome the better secured by him whose actions are and ever have been most like himself honourable pious and faithfull Much also about the aforesaid time came credible information by severall Letters to London out of Warwickshire that Serjeant Major Bridges Governour of Warwick Castle had sent our severall parties of horse from the Castle at severall times which brought in from within two miles of Banburie out of the Lord Sayes grounds at lest a 1000 sheep which the Banbury garrison had stoln from the poore inhabitants of the Countries and places adjacent And also that they had surprized an hundred horse of the enemies taken a Serjeant Major and some other Officers and to the great comfort and content of the Inhabitants of Gloucestershire had lighted upon an high Sheriff commonly called the Task-Master Generall who had layd many heavie impositions and taxes upon the Country-people of those parts making their lives grievous unto them Also that understanding that a company of ragged Welch-vermine were come into Worcestershire and intended to nestle and fortifie themselves in Caughton-House belonging to Sir Robert Throgmorton a great Papist the said brave Governour sent thither about 80 Musketteers who speedily possessed themselves of the House fortified it very strongly and since that sent fifty horse thither beside to make the said House a more strong and complete garrison for part of his Souldiers the better to free and secure those parts from the plunderings and rapines of the enemies forces And certainly had all the Parliament Commanders been as faithfull courageous and active as this most valiant Commander was and as the ever to be renowned Colonell Massie governour of Gloucester Colonell Wardlow governour of Plimouth and the governour of Pool valiantly to watch and lay hold on advantages as these have done from time to time the enemie had been in a lower estate and condition than now they are and wee might have put a more speedie period to this warre But wee must most wisely ascribe the event of all things to the all-disposing hand of our most wise God who thus orders it giving over some to cowardize and others to treachery that so he may the more weaâ— us from relying too much on the arme of flesh and cause us to trust more unto and to see far more in the Creator than in any creature-props and 〈…〉 About the 30th also of this foresaid November came certain information to London by Letters out of Cheshire that Sir William Brereton that most famous and successfull pious Patriot and Sir Thomas Midleton that most loyall and valiant Commander went on very successfully in those parts and that after they had taken Holâ—-Castle the draw-bridge over the river Dee Harden-Castle and the Town of Rexham by which meanes they made stop of all provisions out of Wales going to the relief of Chester Sir Thomas Midleton went out with a partie into Flintshire and that the Town and Castle of Flint presently were surrendred unto him and after that that the Town and Fort of Mostin and foure pieces of Ordnance in it were also surrendred to him whereby they garrison'd their men in all the Townes about Chester the Country coming in unto them as also many Gentlemen of note and qualitie and that with very much freeness About the foresaid time also our most renowned Parliamentary Statists passed an Ordinance of Parliament for the better encouraging of all Merchants Masters of Ships Mariners and others to be approved of and appointed thereunto by the most noble Earl of Warwick Lord high Admirall of England that should set forth any ships or pinnaces to Sea waâ—likely appointed equipped and manned at their own proper cost and charges that in recompence of the same and their adventures therein they should have and enjoy to their own proper uses all such ships ammunition goods moneys and Merchandiazes which they took or surprized by sea or by land intended or designed against the Parliament and their adherents in this Kingdome or for the relief of the rebells in the Kingdome of Ireland or that had carried or whom they should take carrying any supplies to the intents aforesaid And also that so much money should be paid to them or their assignes by the Treasurer of the Navie for the time being as should enable them respectively to victuall their ships and pinnaces for so many moneths as they shall employ them at Sea in this service accounting twenty â—â—lings to each man for moneths victualls and not exceeding forty 〈◊〉 to every hundred tuâ—â—s burthen of their respective 〈…〉 every voyage Thus wee 〈…〉 and mercy of our good God to counsell 〈…〉 our most honoured Worthies to 〈…〉 fare of the Kingdome both by sea and by land ever magnified and praised be his holy and great Name for it And thus having by Gods providence and gracious assistance carried on the historicall Narration of Gods Ark even the holy Cause of our pious Parliament in all this Moneths victorious Voyage and having now thus happily arrived to the end thereof I shall heer now desire the godly Reader to give me leave a little while to cast anchor and to make a short stay of recapitulation of and profitable rumination on the rare and rich mercies of this Moneths voyage thereby to see what holy merchantlike
Brown for the House of Commons The solemn and exact manner of delivering whereof to the honourable personages aforesaid I have also thought fit heer to insert for the Readers better conteâ—â— and delight heerin as I have received it from good hands which was thus The great Seal was carryed up by the Speaker of the House of Commons accompanied with that whole House to the House of Peers who delivered it to the Speaker of that House and made a short speech at the delivery of it desiring the said Seal might be delivered to the Commissioners and the Oath for the due execution of their places thereabout be tendered to them in a full Parliament before both Houses which was done accordingly The Speaker of the House of Peeres viz. The Lord Gray of Wark swearing the two Lords and the Clerk of that House John Brown Esquire swearing the other foure Commissioners which done the Seal was delivered to them and they presently carried it to Master Brownes office and put it into an iron-chest with three different locks as was formerly appointed and the said Commissioners shortly after appointed a Sealing-day to put the said Seal in execution according to the Ordinance of Parliament without any farther let or obstacle the happie and blessed effects whereof wee shall in their due time by Gods good providence and gracious assistance see and give the Reader occasion to understand of in their convenient and proper places Upon the 30th of November last our most honourable Commons in Parliament passed an Order which was printed published the second of this instant December That the Ministers of the severall parishes within the bills of Mortalitie should on that next ensuing Lords-day in the afternoon tender the Solemn-League and Covenant in the severall Churches and Chappell 's within the bills of Mortalitie to such as had not then taken it with other very materiall Clauses therein contained which for the Readers better satisfaction and content therein I have thought fit heer to insert as it was printed and published which was as followeth Die Iovis Novem. 30 th 1643. An Order of the Commons assembled in Parliament concerning the returning in writing to the House of Commons the names of such Ministers and other persons within the bills of Mortalitie as shall not take the Solemn-League and Covenant before Wednesday next IT is this day ordered by the Commons in Parliament assembled that the Ministers within the severall parishes within the bills of Mortalitie doe on the next Lords day in the afternoon tender the Solemn League and Covenant in the severall Churches and Chappell 's within the bills of Mortalitie to such as have not yet taken it And that the Minister and Church-wardens of every parish be required on wednesday next to return to the House of Commons the names of all such in their severall parishes as have not taken or shall then refuse to take the Covenant And the Ministers Lecturers Curates in the said severall parishes that have not yet taken the Covenant are required then to take it And if any of them refuse or further delay the taking of the same then the Church-wardens of those parishes are required to return to this House in writing the names of such Ministers Lecturers and Curates that so refuse And the severall Ministers in the said severall parishes are to give notice of this Order publikely on the next Lords-day in the afternoone And this Order is to be printed and published and sent to the Ministers of the severall parishes aforesaid H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. And now that wee are again fallen most fitly on this sacred subject of the holy-League and Covenant although I have spoken somewhat of it in the close of my Second Part of our Parliamentarie Chronicle touching the taking thereof first by the Commons in Parliament and are now in order of the progress thereof fallen again I say upon it as it was enjoyned to all sorts in the Citie of London yet give mee leave now good Reader heer also to acquaint thee briefly how it past and was taken in the House of Peeres in Parliament which comes now to be handled in the next place for the present On October the 15th being the Lords day the House of Peeres according to a former appointment in a very full appearance contrary to the calumnious and slanderous report of that Oxonian-Minter of untruths Aulicus the Kings lyer in chief as acute Britanicusâ—â—tly â—â—tly styles him took the Solemn-League and Covenant in Westminster-Abbey after the morning Sermon which was preached by Dr Temple a reverend and able Divine and a member of the Assembly his text being out of Nehemiah 10. 29. The Sermon being ended the Lords assembled themselves together and each of them with much alacritie and chearfulness subscribed unto the said Covenant in order as they are heer mentioned viz. The Earles 1. Pembrook 2. Essex 3. Warwick 4. Suffolk 5. Salisbury 6. Denbigh 7. Bullingbrook 8. Stamford The Lords 9. Say and Seal 10. Howard 11. Gray of Wark 12. Wharton 13. Rochford Besides severall other Lords who were not then present but had formerly declared themselves for the Covenant viz. The Earles of Northumberland Lincoln Nottingham Rutland Mulgrave and the Lord Dacres Also the Earle of Manchester the Lord Fairfax Lord Willoughby of Parrham Lord Roberts and Lord Gray of Groobey who were forth in the Parliaments service Certainly the entring of so many honourable Peeres of this Realme into so solemn a League and Covenant for reformation extirpation of Poperie and her sister Prelacie out of this Kingdome must needs much amaze and amuse not onely our London Malignants but also all the Court Parasites and Papisticall and Prelaticall Machivilians at Oxford who no question gnasht their teeth and did even gnaw their tongues with malice and envie when they heard of such a generall and unanimous taking of this Covenant both by the Nobility and by the Communaltie of the Kingdome In the same Moneth also of October 1643. on severall dayes appointed thereunto there were great confiâ—ences of Martiall Commanders Knights and Gentlemen of qualitie who most cheerfully and freely took this Covenant as others had done reverend and learned Mr Caryll of Lincolnes-Inne preaching one day at St Margaâ—ets-Church in Westminster unto them and likewise other grave and godly Divines to others of them on other dayes appointed thereunto And when the whole Citie of London all within the bills of Mortalitie took this holy Covenant according to the Ordinance of Parliament in October last as hath been forementioned in that moneth they were so forward and cheerfull therein that upon a motion thereunto made they sealed the Covenant with the loan of an 100000â—â— to the Parliament for the helping forward of our faithfull loyall and loving brethren of Scotlands advance to help the Lord and us against the mightie and mischievous enemies of this Kingdome and our most precious Religion Lawes and
horse they all marched willingly and cheerfully together till neer one of the clock that night in the way toward Basing but on a sodain were appointed to face toward the South and so toward Alton passing exactly between the hills till they obtained within half a mile of the said Town most privately undiscovered at all by the enemie our Scouts being so diligent that not a person stirring in all those passages was left at liberty to have any opportunity to enforme the enemie of our proceedings and being now in sight of the Town about nine of the clock in the morning wee understood by the Scouts we took that the Lord Craford was in the Town who had there about 500 horse the taking of which Scouts and some of them escaping gave opportunity for the said Lord to shift for himself who conceived himself and all the rest of his forces lost yet unhappily found a private hole by which he made an escape with a partie of his horse about 300 and rode Eastward toward Winchester roade where unexpectedly he met with some of our horse and so was enforced for feare to retreat back again into the Town and fled Southward which our horse perceiving pursued them hard whiles our valiant foote made the woods ring again with the eccho of their loud shoutings for joy There were three or foure of them slain in their flight but being in narrow lanes after half a miles pursuite our men retreated to us having taken about 30 horse and some prisoners In which interim out foot were not idle nor Sir William himself whose rare and politick exploits in this service deserve to be registred with the rest and best of his former brave atchievements and honourable actions The horse were immediately appointed to make good all passages so that the enemie could have no benefit of their accustomed trick of running away but were still taken by our horse when they attempted it Our foot also in the mean time behaving themselves bravely like men with great expedition and resolution beat the enemie out of their workes on the North-west East parts of the Town and possest themselves thereof where they cheerfully displayed their Colours in the face of their enemies and then our men advanced valiantly into the Market-place and the enemie being all Musketteers drew themselves into the works neer the Church where they had double trenches a half Moon and made the Church and a Barn thereby their chiefest refuge and heer grew a very hot fight which was continued neer two houres together by reason of a malignant in the Town who wilfully fired his own barn and other houses thereby to offend our men with the smoak by reason of which smoak indeed wee lost about three men but at last the said fire and smoak abating our men fell closs to their work again and enforced the enemie to retreat into the foresaid Church and barn where they were all taken prisoners The enemies to give them their due made good the Town with much courage and resolution and would not yeeld when they had lost many men so long as their Lievtenant Colonell Boles lived stood to it very stoutly but he being slain in the fight aforesaid and a chief commander besides of theirs much wounded they then began to shrink and then ours came in upon them and became Masters of the Town on all sides and the Town being now thus taken the enemie desired and obtained quarter yet being infected with Irish-rebells and their wonted treacherie one of them after quarter given fired off a pistoll in the said Church against Major Shambrook but by Gods providence he was not killed therewith but hurt in the thigh and hopefull to recover upon which act there was much adoe to keep our men from cutting them in pieces which it was believed they would have done could they have known the Irish from the other In this fight were taken prisoners 700 in the Church neer an 100 in the Barn above an 100 in the field with diverse Irish men and 〈◊〉 men also neer 200 horse a 1000 armes one Colonell one Major one Lievtenant Colonell 13 Captains 3 Coronets one of which with the Princes armes another the Earl of Straffords with divers other Colours hid in the Church There were slain of the enemies neer fortie among whom was Colonell Richard Bolles as aforesaid The enemies word was Charles ours was Truth and Peace The mighty providence of God was marveilously seen in this as in many other mercies toward us for in this fight for a certain truth there were not above five of our men slain and about six wounded and about six scorched with gunpowder by their own negligence And now all this being done as aforesaid our most worthy and renowned Major Generall caused the people of the Town to slight all the workes took the prisoners and tyed them two by two with match and sent most of them to Farnham Castle where they were kept in safe custody till they were otherwise disposed of After this we were credibly enformed that above 500 of these prisoners which Sir William took at Alton took the Covenant and served under Sir William Waller and about 500 more refused it and those prisoners being most of them Irish were afterward sent up to London with the Citie forces who safely and triumphantly conducted them thither One passage heerin I may not omit viz. That a little before this designe and fight the Lord Craford had begged the favour of our most worthy Major Generall to let him have a Hogshead of Sack which noble Sir William with a loving complement sent accordingly unto him which the Lord Craford caused to be carefully kept for his own drinking but by reason of this sodain and unexpected company coming thus to visit him he was struck with such a panick fear that he left the wine behinde him without any complement to be again at Sir Williams disposall but after the fight and his flight to Winchester their head quarter he sent a Letter to Sir William Waller to this effect SIR I Hope your gaining of Alton cost you dear It was your lot to drink off your own Sach which I never intended to have left for you I pray you favour me so much as send mee mine own Chiruâ—geon and upon my honour I will send you a person suitable to his exchange Sir your servant Craford Winton Decemb. 16. 1643. And soon after the said fight Sir Ralph Hopton also writ a Letter to Sir William Waller from his Quarters at Winchester which was to this purpose SIR THis is the first evident ill success I have had I must acknowledge that I have lost many brave and gallant men I desire you if Colonell Boles be living to propound a fit exchange if dead that you will send mee his corps I pray you send me a list of such prisoners
and the holy Ghost being there found were zealously confounded and turned as they deserved into base rubbish And as the work went on the wife of one Dr Blessenden a Prebend of that Church came in very devoutly and cryed out Oh hold your hands I pray what hurt do these images spoyl not such a fair and beautifull Church and when shee saw a man strike at the image of Christ lying in a manger shee screekt out as was credibly enformed to her Popish husband who thereupon came into the Cathedrall and according to accursed custome no doubt began to plead for Baal those Popish images telling them that were there of the lawfulness of them from the Cherubims in the Temple But whiles he was must seriously and sottishly disputing thus with some godly Ministers then present to assist the Commissioners he grew very sick of this dispute and was fain to give way to the work which went on most fervently After his departure they fell upon 7 large images of the Virgin Mary pictured in the window over the steps going into the Quire all which were in severall as glorious shapes as paint and Art could make them with Angells lifting her up to heaven with these inscriptions Gaude Maria Sponsa Dei c. And under her feet were placed the Sun Moon Starres and in the bottome of that window this inscription In laudem honorem beatissimae Virginis c. And heer now there came in a Petty-Canon and shot off his pety-canon or his fools bolt told them they exceeded their Commission but they soon sent him away with a flea in his ear and a mote in his eye much vext and perplext to see his Demi-gods Semi-Saints so coursly handled After this they came to a most gorgeous and idolatrous image of Thomas Becket forsooth that arch-traytor to the King which they also instantly defaced and demolisht and so went on most zealously and religiously in ruinating and turning into rubbish all those monuments of idolatrie in that Cathedrall blessed be the Lord for it December also the 20th 1643. came certain intelligence by letters from Hull to London that those two right valiant and magnanimous Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir John Meldrum about noone time of the day assisted by some men by water sent unto them by the most noble Lord Fairfax from Hull sodainly and successfully stormed the Town of Gainesborough in Lincolnshire took therein 500 armes store of other ammunition together with 260 prisoners common-Souldiers besides the Lord Caworth Col. Saint-George the then Governour of the said Town also Lievtenant Colonell Royalston Major Hern and Major Chappell 16 Captains 2 Lievtenants 2 Ensignes and other inferiour Officers Another brave gale of winde indeed besides that of Alton lately mentioned to fill the sailes of our floating-Ark and make it sail on the more chearfully through the boysterous billowes of the Kingdoms intestine broyles praised for ever be the Lord of hosts for it And heer good Reader give mee leave to tell thee and to desire thee to take serious note and observation of it That ever since that accursed Cessation in Ireland with those most barbarous and inhumanely bloudy Rogues and Rebells and the Kings so tender respect unto them as to terme them his Catholick Subjects and contrariwise the Parliament but a pretended Parliament and them and all their loyall adherents traytors and rebells the righteous God of Heaven hath never prospered any design of moment which his Majestie or his accursed Cormorants have taken in hand but still they have been most unsuccessful and put to the worst every way and every where For besides the many marveilous forementioned victories which God hath most graciously given to the Parliaments partie ever since that so odious unreasonable cessation which have been in their proper places before related Now also about the 20th or 22th of this instant came certain information by Letters and other indubitable intelligence from Northampton to London that pious and valiant Serjeant Major Skippon with a partie of the most renowned Citizens of London who for their admirable valour fidelity and constancy to the Common-wealth and for the maintenance of the true Religion preservation of the known Lawes indeed and liberties of this Kingdome especially now in these modern times when the Kingdome has most need of them are no whit inferiour to the most famous ancient conquering Romanâ—s being and returning successfull and victorious where soever they be together with a partie of the valiant victorious Northampton forces also had most courageously stormed Grafton-House a place of great strength and consequence being also the Queenes own jâ—yuter and after much hard service and many most furious assaults made upon it they having also sent a partie at the same time to face Tociter that so they might prevent all relief from coming to Grafton at last most victoriously obtained the same and took prisoners therein Col. Sir John Digbie a rank noted and most active Papist and brother to that arch-traytor and incendiarie George Lord Digbie Col. Sir Edward Longervile and 5 Colonells more above 300 common-souldiers 600 armes 6 piece of Ordnance 80 brave horse besides many brave sadle-horse together with many other rich things of great worth and estimation which were all left for plunder to the valiant Souldiers and which they had and divided among themselves most merrily This brave victory together with that at Alton could not choose but be a singular encouragement to our other London trained-bands and auxiliaries who now about the 23th of this instant December were designed by an Ordinance of Parliament enabling the Militia of London thereunto to send forth such regiments of horse and foot as they should think fit for the farther relief and supply of Sir William Waller and about this time they did accordingly send forth the White and Yellow Regiments of the â—ained hands auxiliaries in the roome of those who had lately returned home as you heard before By which Ordinance of Parliament the City Militia had also power given them to recall the same forces at their pleasure and to proceed against such as refused to goe out according to their votes and the Ordinance of the Militia either by fine or imprisonment as seemed fit to them And that the brave and undaunted spirited Citizen and successfull Commander Colonell Richard Brown was by the said Ordinance appointed to be Serjeant Major Generall of the said Citie-forces And much about this time there fell out another remarkable passage much to his Majesties dishonour since his still persisting in his unnaturall disaffection to his loyall Subjects and iâ—religious affection to the Irish-Rogues and Rebells viz. That the Marquess of Newcastle plotted and contrived by one Colonell Dacre to have corrupted and undermined the valiant and most loyall governour of Nottingham-Castle Colonell Hutchinson to betray the said Castle and Town into the
Propositions of Peace Provided the Parliament was first made acquainted with it Some occasions interposed that deferred the delivery of this Letter whereupon his Majestie was sent unto to signe another Letter of the same which accordingly he did on New-yeares-day and on wednesday after Violet with the advise of Sir Basil Brook was to deliver it to the Lord Major But private Intelligence being given of the designe Mr Riley was apprehended and examined before the Committee at Goldsmiths Hall who denied that he knew of any such Letters or Propositions or that he held any Correspondence with Colonell Read and could contribute nothing to the discovery of the matter At last a Paper dropped out of his pocket with this Direction upon it To the Man in the Moon which Master Sollicitor after some time of respite took up retired and read to himself which Letter discovered the whole business Master Riley being examined the second time confessed the Letter and that by himselfe was meant The Man in the Moon and that the Letter was of Colonell Reads own hand writing Sir Basill Brook was sent for and examined and confessed the whole businesse Violet was not to be found that night but next day he was apprehended and the Kings Letter found about him and upon his examination confessed the whole businesse and what private discourse he had with his Majestie and what private Message was sent from the King by him to Alderman Gibs to promote this businesse His Majestie in his Letter to the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen Courts them by the name of Subjects and takes his rise upon an assurance he had of the inclination of the Committee of the Militia to Peace which he was induced to beleeve by a speech that was made from them and professes the maintaining the Protestant Religion and the confirming the Rights and Priviledges of the Citie though by a Proclamation of the same date his Majestie calls them his rebellious Citie of London and as a token of his favour to them adjourns the next Hillary Terme to Oxford Sir Basill Brook Mr Riley and Mr Violet are committed close prisoners to the Tower and Violet is voted by the Parliament to be first tryed by a Councell of Warre for coming and going as a Spie between Oxford and London The Parliament have voted this to be a Jesuiticall and seditious designe to divide the Parliament and City c. And on Monday Jan. 8. the whole state of the businesse the Letters and Proclamations and Examinations and the Lord Digbies Letter to Sir Basil Brook concerning this designe were all communicated to the Citie at a Common Hall there being eight Lords and sixteen Commons sent as a Committee to make knowne the whole proceedings that all the world may see that the Irish Rebels and Papists are the onely Counsellors his Majesty hearkens unto to drive on and uphold the designe to destroy the Parliament and by consequence the Protestants Religion And that all the world may know it is the Root and Branch of the Protestant Religion they strike at one of Sir John Gells Commanders fell upon two Troopes of the Cavaliers in Darbishire commanded by two Papists took them their men and horses and two Colours In the one of them was an Effigies of a Tree signifying the Protestant Religion and a Cavalier standing at the Root cutting it down with an Axe with this Motto Root and Branch This was shewn and held in the hands of severall of the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons and may therefore be assured for an indubitable truth Thus God our mighty preserver makes good unto us still his most precious and unperishing word of Truth to be with his Church to the end of the world and wherein he will never fail us nor forsake us if we by faith and obedience can wait upon him and walke with him But now to proceed About the 4th of this instant came credible information by Letters from Garnsâ—y to London That whereas formerly it had been certified from thence that Mounsieur lâ— Grange Mounsieur Carey and Mounsieur Haverly three faithfull fast friends to the Parliament in that Island had been treacherously betrayed aboard a ship which came into that harbour by pretence of great friendship to them and the rest of the Islanders but they having gotten these three worthy Gentlemen into the Ship they carried them prisoners into Castle-Cornet there in the custodie command of that perfidious viper of his Native-Country Sir Peter Osborn Since which time they having been kept prisoners there about a moneth space with a purpose as it was credibly reported to have conveyed them shortly after to Oxford they had at last a fair opportunity offered them for an escape which they accordingly took advantage of in this manner The tyde being low about the Castle they made them cords of Match whereof they found great store in a roome whither providence unwittingly to themselves brought them and then coâ—ing to the battlements of the Castle-wall where stood great pieces of Ordnance they fastned one end of their Match to a piece of Ordnance and so ventured down into the river But before they could wade quite-over they were missed and discovered afar off in the river by one Medcalf the Porter of the Castle gate who at the fight of them instantly acquainting Sir Peter Osborn that atheisticall Royalist therewith he presently commanded 3 or 4 pieces of Ordnance to be discharged and shot off at them but neither of them touched either of the Gentlemen but they all three came thus most safely into the Town to their friends on a Lords-day when the people were all at Church and like Peter released admirably out of prison by the Angel and let in to the other Disciples when they were at prayers together for him were most joyfully received and entertained by them They being three of the most prudent and pious protectors of the welfare of that Island which mercifull providence and preservation of almightie God in this their deliverance both from imprisonment and such farther intended imminent danger I conceived most worthy a most thankfull commemoration in this our Parliamentarie-Chronicle And much about the same time came certain intelligence out of Sussex from Arundell to London that the most valiant and renowned Commander Sir William Waller since his fiege of that Castle having received six great pieces of battery from Portsmouth began to play against the said Castle being resolved to make a short work of it and that they within the Castle perceiving he intended to make a battery consulted with their Lord Bishop and Dr Chillingworth that most egregious Popish and Socinian apostate and after the said consultation they desired a parley and that after some disputes between them touching the articles and they now seeing most plainly there was no possible expectation to be relieved by Sir Ralph Hopton the Castle was at
Admirall for the Maria-Pinace to ride before this Town We are yet in safety blessed be God but daily braved by the Enemy yet hitherto they have not dared to fasten upon this Town And I have observed that they have never come before this place or neer it but we have still worsted them we have alwayes taken prisoners horses armes wounded or slain some of them On Thursday last we took sixe men and Horse wherof one was a Cornet On Saturday wee tooke two men Horses and Armes shot a Captaine who lyes languishing at Rumsey and wounded three men more The Lord bee still our defence and refuge and give us thankfull hearts for his preservation over us This poor County of Hampshire having had its share of blood and misery in this sad Tragedie of our Nation that there is hardly left any thing for man or beast therein I perceive you have received knowledge of a treacherous practice for the delivery of this Town but lest you should bee misinformed therein I will give you a briefe account thereof Some few daies before Christ-tide last the Lord Hopton marched with his Army from Winchester towards Southampton with a purpose to face it as we were informed but he came not within two Miles thereof to outface it but marched to Redbridge the way into the New Forrest brake it downe to hinder us of Provision from thence after so horrible an Act he faced about and marched to his old quarters again without attempting any further atchievement The next day here arrived a Letter from one Mr. Iasper Cornelius sometimes an Atturney of this Town but run away before my comming hither for Malignancy directed to Mr. R. Mason a Merchant of this Towne intimating that this Cornelius was the day before with the Lord Hopton before this Towne and was the meanes of diverting the Lord Hoptons intent of attempting this place and tells Mr. Mason he had made choice of him to deliver an inclosed Letter to me with all secresie which I received yet the said Cornelius was an unknowne man to me by his Letter he insinuates that then was a fit time for me to doe his Majesty good service and that I was not the man I was formerly meaning as I conceived that the government of this Towne was imposed upon my honoured friend Colonel Norton which I long sued to be eased thereof and by it he thought I was a disconted person and so fit to be wrought upon but he was deceived I being never better pleased then to be eased of so great a burthen which I had borne long enough though it pleased his Excellency to require my service with a more sutable command to my disposition made me Serjeant Major to Colonell Norton which pleased me farre better after the receit of this Letter I instantly acquainted my Colonell and Master Mayor therewith we all agreed I should shew a seeming complying the better to bottome their designe and to find out what malignant party they had made in this Town I forthwith gave him a copie of a Character to explaine his minde more fully To which he replied That by the command of his Superiours he did in the name of His Majesty and his Countrey and two Lords which he named offer me a thousand pounds in money a present imployment of more value and honour than at present I had His Majesties pardon under the great Seale and his favour if I would be a meanes to reduce the Towne of Hampton to His Majestie I returned a seeming complying Answere and demanded the one thousand pounds in hand or the moity thereof and assurance given me for the residue the imployment named the Pardon sent me this performed he should soon see what I would say to it In the interim my Colonell acquainted my Lord Generall and Sir William Waller with the offer made by Cornelius wherein I continued the Treaty to regaine time untill Sir William Waller had finished his businesse at Arundel and drawne his Army this way and then to have drawne the Enemy hither in hope of gaining this place whilest Sir William might have fallen behind them in this place of advantage and so to have deceivd such treacherous corrupters I continued the Treaty untill I had his Majesties Signe Manuall for a Pardon sent me and afterwards the Pardon it selfe but I could get no money but strong engagements of honour to performe with me when the worke desired was effected I whiled out a moneths time with them to the exchange of eight Letters Master Robert Mason being still the man they employed to bring theirs and receive my Letters whom they had bound to secrecie by an Oath before I knew thereof who brought me the copy thereof hoping to have gained me to the like saying he had no engagement all this time on me neither by protestation nor promise to performe with them and which I still delayed which put the Projectors to a jealousie that I was not reall all to them yet to draw them still on I framed some offers in the nature of Articles for my selfe and this Towne to which the Lord Hopton subscribed that upon his honour he would performe them but I still pressed for the money but could not obtaine it they fearing I would Craford them as Poole did yet Master Mason offered me to become bound for it which I accepted of but before he could performe on Friday last was sevennight he earnestly pressed me to declare my reality in the designe I saw the man in a distracted extasie by his over-zealousnesse and rashnesse for them having no assurance of me my bowels pittied him his wife and many children told him plainly I never intended to be a villaine and traytor to betray a trust committed to me and the lives and goods of so many innocent people to be made a prey to cruelty and told him I have revealed it from the beginning to my Colonell Then he begged I would conceale his name I told him I could not but in compassion of his condition gave him leave to goe to his house being but three Houses from mine in which time I went foorthwith to acquaint my Colonell with what had hapned betweene Master Mason and my selfe wee concluded instantly to seize his person and caused all the gates to be secured but yet hee escaped from us and could not be found although we searched carefully for him since we heare he is at Winchester and shall be preferred and imployed in matter of trust In all the time of our Treaty I could not discover that he had any confederates of any Townsmen with him but had undertaken it to carry it alone But I was grieved that I was conceived by the adverse part to be a fit Instrument for them But now they have tryed me I am confident they will never doe the like but to revenge themselves on me But I will to all the world declare and maintaine my faithfulnesse to my Countrey and Cause I have
our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland's advance into this Kingdome from Barwick toward Newcastle and their taking of Alnwick and Morpeth the two only Towns of defence and strength twixt Barwick and Newcastle That they also took the strong Island of Cocquet with about 200 men and their Arms 7 peeces of Ordnance and other necessary martiall provisions Also that Colonel Gray brother to the Lord Gray of Wark with a Regiment of Horse came in unto the Army of our said brethren of Scotland and most cheerfully took the Covenant That they had rescued a head of cattle which were driven away by the enemy toward Newcastle and that they most honestly restored them to the persons from whom they were taken A notable act of justice and that the Counties of Northumberland and Westmerland most cordially came in and adhered to them About the tenth of this instant certaine letters being intercepted were read in Parliament which came from the Lord Goring to the Lord Digby dated at Paris Feb. 7. 1643. The summe whereof in briefe was this That he hoped this Letter would have better successe to come to the hands of his most blessed sacred Mistresse than his former Letters had That he was in nothing more happy than to be accounted a Trator at London considering his sacred Mistresse had the same badge of honour stamped upon her before him in whose service he professed hee would be ever faithfull to the quicke and was not here think'st thou good Reader a pure and sure slave to Sathan That the same morning he wrote this Letter he was called to sweare to be true to the two Crownes of England and France and afterward was to dine with the King And further specifying what forreine forces armes and ammunition were in preparation to be sent into this Kingdome And said he in this very expression let my Mr. hang me if I do not furnish him with armes ammunition c. And concludes thus that what he writes they may believe to bee as true as Gospell This flashey letter of this old doting shamelesse Traytor full as yee see of blasphemy and Treason and so adjudged by the Parliament they have ordered to be recorded with an other former intercepted Letter of his which will be sufficient evidences to make good their impeachment of high Treason against him See heere then good Reader the good hand of Gods wise and just providence thus to discover the secret and slavish enemies of his Church and people But to goe on Besides those former brave exploits of that pious and prudent Commander Colonell Sir William Constable aforesaid There came certaine intelligence to London much about the middst of this instant February of divers other most valiant performances and victorious atchivements of the Parliaments Forces in severall other places worthy our most thankefull remembrance both to Gods glory and the Instruments deserved praise The first was performed by the brave and active well-deserving Garrison of Pool in Dorsetshire who sallied out and by an Ambuscado their enemies owne late Stratagem against Pool with some little losse not long before they entrapped Colonell Windham and about 7. or 8. score of his Horse and slew his Lieutenant Colonel Barker but the Colonell himselfe with the rest of his men taken as aforesaid they carried Prisoners into Pool A Partie also of Warwick Garrison issuing out toward Stow on the Wold in Gloucestershire tooke a Cavalier Colonell Prisoner and about 30 good Horse with him And heere also I may most justly commemorate diverse brave atchievements of Sir Thomas Fairfax that as famous as pious Commander in Cheshire since his last great Victory at Namptwich who most prosperously pursued his late Victory in those parts took a strong hould called Keel-House Another called Adlinton-House Duddington also belonging to sir Thomas Delves And Crew-House where he tooke an 150. Royalists Prisoners and great store of Armes and Ammunition together with Dorison-House another strong Garrison of the Enemies where he tooke 200. Prisoners with good store of armes and ammunition Darby Forces also having been two dayes before Kings-Mylus a very strong House of the Earle of Huntingtons neere Wildon-Ferrey upon the River of Trent whereinto Colonell Hastings alias Rob-Carryer had put a Garrison of Souldiers who much annoyed that part of the Countrey but the House being very strong their Ordnance did no great execution upon it Whereupon that brave and most couragious and faithfull Patriott Sir Iohn Gell chose 5. men out of each of his Troopes to storme it who made such a desperate assault upon it that they tooke this House with the losse onely of three of his men whence they brought 46. Prisoners with their armes to Darbey but Captaine Daniel and his Lieutenant they sent Prisoners to Nottingham-Castle Lastly that most noble and renouned successefull Patriott of the Northern parts the good Lord Fairfax with his valiant Commander sir William Constable marched toward Whitby a Haven-Town in the farthest part of Yorkeshire with a very considerable Army intending if the Enemy would not deliver up the Town to Storm it For this Whitby was a very strong Garison of the Earle of New-Castles But the Enemie considering in what a condition they were surrendered up the Town to the Lord Fairfax wherein were above 500. Captaines Lieutenants Commanders Officers and Common-souldiers besides at least 20. of the Commission of Array and almost a 1000 Saylers and Inhabitants of the Town all which delivered up the Towne and with it themselves to the said most noble Lords Service together with 40. Vessels greater and lesser in the Haven So this most Honourable Lord with valiant sir William Constable seized on all their Workes Ships Ammunition 500. Armes many Barrels of Powder Match and other traine of Artillery and it was verily beleeved about an hundred pieces of Ordnance in the ships and on the Workes for the use of the Parliament About the 16th of this instant February 1643. an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament and instructions agreed upon by them for the taking of the Solemne League and Covenant throughout the whole Kingdome which we have formerly mentioned to have been solemnly taken by both Houses of Parliament and in and about the whole Cities of London and Westminster and the Dominion of Wales was new Printed and published together with a most emphaticall and patheticall â—xhortation made by the Assembly of Divines at the motion and desire of our most pious and prudent Parliamentary Worthies for the more willing and cheerfull taking thereof and for the better and more full satisfaction of all such scruples as might arise thereupon which was ordered to be taken after this manner The minister was first to read the whole Covenant distinctly and audibly in the Pulpit and during the reading thereof the whole congregation to be uncovered and at the end of his reading thereof all to take it standing
became Master of the whole East-riding of Yorkeshire The Kings Oxonian Councellors or rather Conventiclers and devouring Cormorants having had a deepe designe by that late conquered and quelled bloody Byron forementioned namely with his so great a strength which was also to be augmented in Cheshire by very many Irish-rebells to be then shortly landed at Milford Haven and thus I say with a very strong army of those Irish-Rebells Welsh Papists and viperons Malignants to have put a stop to the Scots army in the North but I say Byron was conquered by that most brave defeat as you have already heard given him at the raising of the siege at Namptwich by those two famous Commanders Sir Thomas Fairfax and Sir William Brereton Prince Robber also with all the forces he could collect and make up was to meete them at their randevouz in the said County-Palatine of Chester About twelve ships fraught with Irish Rebells were to have beene landed at Milford Haven but most valiant and couragious Capt. Swanley having by Gods good providence put into the said haven was first possest thereof before they came thither and when they came most bravely beat them all off againe from landing there only a part of 2. regiments landed afterward at Bewmorice for whose safe conduct a regiment of horse was sent from Prince Plunderer who went in person toward Chester with what forces could be spared to helpe to maintaine the foresaid designe and there he sent out a most base and bloody warrant up and down that County to summon all that were able to come in unto them to joyne with him in that wicked design and for those that refused this was to be their punishment viz. To looke for no mercy but speedily to expect fire and sword Whereby he compelled many for feare to march with him into Shropshire but that brave magnanimous and active Commander Colonel Mitton timely understanding thereof fell upon some of their quarters and after a short skrimish without any considerable losse to himselfe routed a whole regiment of them tooke about 60. horse two of Sr. Rich. Fleetwoods sons Commanders in that regiment and other officers 50. foot-souldiers prisoners an 100. armes And thus partly and especially by those two noble Commanders Sir Tho. Fairfax and Sir William Brereton partly by Capt. Swanley and partly also by this defeat of brave Colonell Mitton this their great and wicked designe was by Gods great mercy quite broken in pieces and came to nought And thus also was this poore County-Palatine of Chester upon which the kings eye was more fastned to fixe and augment strong forces there for the greater advancement of this and his other great designes than on any one County in the kingdome Witnesse his first sending thither that Cow-stealer the unsuccessefull atheisticall Lord Capell who was soone beaten thence Then Serjeant Major Willis surprized by Colonell Mitton Then the bloody Lord Byron beaten as aforesaid And after all these pilfering Prince Robber himselfe 〈◊〉 as you have heard by the said most valiant Colonell Mitton Thus was this County at last brought into a more quiet and stable condition ever praised and blessed be the Lord our good God for it About the 16. of this instant Feb. 1643. there was a conference between both the Houses of Parliament which was managed by the noble and truely pious Earl of Manchester the effect whereof was this That whereas there were divers inconveniences and great disturbances begun to be brewing and already raised and likely to grow much greater if not timely prevented in the City of London by reason of many unhappy differences of opinions in matters of Religion by Anabaptists Antinomians and such like the honourable Peeres did therefore desire that both Houses would joyn together in sending to the Assembly of Divines to expedite their care in setling of Church-Government with as much speed as conveniently might be and in the mean time an Order was drawn up to be sent to the Lord Major of London which was also read in the Churches Wherein it was desired that speciall care might be taken that none did Preach in any Church but such as the Minister or the Pastor thereof â—hall answer for their Doctrines delivered if justly questioned of which therefore all Ministers especially were to be very carefull A course marvelous fit to be put in execution least if such Tares take root it might cost more care and toyle to pluck them up and root them out and thereby also endanger the pulling up of the good corn which by a timely prevention might be easily remedied and better Ordered About the 18. of this instant came certain Intelligence by Letters from Northampton to London that a partee of Horse was lately before sent out from thence upon a design within three miles of Banbury where they had Intelligence that Captain Farmer son to Sir Hutton Farmer a great Royalist was quartered with his Troopes who comming suddenly into the same Town they took the said Captaine and above 40. horse divers Commanders Officers and common souldiers with some Armes and brought them all safely into Northampton Thus our hopes of prosperous successe through Gods assistance doe still encrease there having scarcely one day past about this time of the yeare for above a moneth together wherein we have not had comfortable tydings and certaine relation of good service done by the Parliaments forces at Northampton Warwicke-Castle and other parts Let God have all the glory even the Lord of hosts who onely is the giver of all victories About the 20th of this instant came certaine intelligence by letters from Hull That the noble and ever to be honoured and loved Lord Fairfax with a sufficient party issued out of Hull upon the enemies quarters routed 3. Regiments of their horse tooke 300. of them in the fight above an 170 prisoners slew 50 on the ground and took divers Captaines and Commanders And that the most notorious Prince of Robbers or as now the King hath made him the Duke of Cumberland or Plunderland call him what you please having got together among all his great and rich pillage and plunder and sent about 3000. l. in gold and silver toward Waymouth intending as was conceived to passe it away by Sea into his own Country but the brave Garrison of Poole I call it a Garrison but may indeed call and count it an Army for its Valour and Vigilancy it having equalled if not transcended some of our great bodies this last winter in Martiall exploits having had private Intelligence thereof watched them narrowly and at a fit oportunity fell upon the convoy thereof neer unto Dorchester surprised them and all their Horse Armes and Ammunition and bravely took from them the said 3000. l. in gold and silver and carryed all away with them to Pool a brave and suddain unexpected accommodation to Valiant Captain Bingham to be imployed for the
made immediately for a speedy supplying of the said noble Earle with Carriages and all other military necessaries About the 25. of this instant came letters to the Parliament from Sir Will. Wallers army intimating that this ever to be renowned generous Generall having intelligence that a considerable convoy of the enemies was going with much Cattell and other necessary provisions for the further supply of their garrison at Basing-house he sent out a convenient party of his horse who suddenly encountred them seized on their cattell and carriage tooke of the enemy neere the said garrison one master Gunner 3 Serjeants 3 Corporalls 40 common souldiers a 1000 sheep and other fat cattell together with a considerable summe of money which they had gathered in the adjacent Counties to have helped to pay their garrison And about the 26. of this instant came letters out of the North assuring the Parliament that the most noble Lord Fairfax and his famous faithfull and thrice noble son Sir Thomas Fairfax were conjoyned with our loyall brethren of Scotland and that having a very brave army they had drawne their forces on each side the river of Ouze neer unto Yorke and had closely begirt the said City whereby they not onely stopt the passage of any persons from comming to the Earle of Newcastle by water but by land also having made good all the bridges and were in great hope in Gods good time and by the Lords gracious assistance to be victorious masters of the said City About the 28. also of this instant came letters from Northamptonshire informing us that a party of some 30 foot men with firelocks were sent out from Serjeant Major Whetham Governour of Northampton to collect money in that County neer Banbury they had onely a Clerke of a company with them who commanded that party which about Easter-day 1644. lay at Sir Iohn Draytons house at Cannons-Ashby 6 miles from Banbury But a party of the enemies about 200 and 20 horse with them from Banbury-castle having intelligence of their being abroad there marched into the Town which our Forces having notice of got quickly into the Church for their better-safety and defence whether the enemy pursued them and soone got in by fastning a pettard to the Church door which instantly forced it open whereupon our men got into the Steeple which they bravely maintained 2 houres together but at last the Enemy beginning to fire it they yeilded themselves upon composition and were all carried prisoners to Banbury save onely one whom being sorely wounded they left behinde who since got back again to Northampton and there declared these things as aforesaid Our men in this action killed one of theirs with a stone from the Steeple and wounded 2 or 3 others but the Enemy got all their Muskets and about 7 pounds in money and imprisoned all the Souldiers in a Barn in Banbury The next day the Committee and Governour of Northampton hearing hereof sent for an exchange of these prisoners which being refused Major Lidcot who commanded the horse in Northampton it was that same Lidcot that gave the Earl of Northampton a touch on the forehead that knockt him off from his horse at the fight neer Stafford where and when the said Earl was slain This brave Major I say being much displeased at their refusall of the said exchange presently after led forth about 5 or 6 Troops of Horse with 50 fire-locks to Banbury who being undauntedly led into the Town on foot most fiercely entred the same bravely set al our foresaid prisoners at Liberty out of the Barn and then most furiously marched into the very body of the Town where a partee of the Enemy opposed them but ours most bravely beat them into the Castle took 33 of them prisoners whereof 2 were Ensigns and 2 Corporalls released 10 men more whom the Enemy had pressed and intended to send to Oxford for his Majesties service slew 5 or 6 of the Enemies in the fight and took besides 40 horse as many Muskets and so returned back unto Northampton with the losse onely of one man who adventured too far and was taken prisoner Thus were they well revenged on their Enemies for their former losse having sodainly and souldier-like put themselves thus upon such a desperate and most dangerous adventure And much about the conclusion of this Moneth of April 1644. we were certified by Letters out of Scotland that our faithfull and loving brethren of that Nation were not a little encouraged at the prudent and pious progresse of our Assembly of Divines in England at Westminster they having sent Letters to some Members of the said Assembly and to their own Divines to the same effâ—ct intimating therein That England could give them no greater content and incouragement to gain their best assistance and love than this their willingnesse in joyning themselves with them in the Solemn Covenant thereby to set up a thorough Reformation in all their Churches according to the Word of God And together with those Letters they sent likewise a letter sent by the Juncto at Oxford to the Noble Earl of Argyle and other Lords of the Councill of Scotland which were much to this effect in briefe First therein manifesting their impious explanation of the Act of Association of both kingdomes which as they said with Iesuiticall Spirits was consented to by the Lords Subscribers thereunto and others that were prisoners with them at Oxford as though the Act of Association had not been made with the joynt consent of his Majesty and the Parliament of both Kingdomes but between a private Juncto and some aspiring Papists stupid Atheists Parasiticall Iesuite Priests and damnable Irish Rebels then at Oxford Withall they further averred That the Lords in Parliament at Westminster were not then above 25 and that the major part of the Commons were then with them at Oxford that there were nothing but tumults in London and unruly Voting which was the cause that they themselves had deserted that pretended Parliament as then they audaciously and maliciously called and counted it and what said they in this Letter Will ye my Lords get but a knock with a pollax or a Sequestration-lash But all this was but the Preface to this their learned Epistle Their subject matter follows in such modest straines as these We do conjure you my Lords by your common allegiance and subjection to the King by the amity and affection betwixt the two Nations by the Treaty of Pacification and by all Obligations both Divine and Humane to use your utmost endeavours to prevent the effusion of so much blood as must needs follow the invasion of this Kingdome this you must consider was before our Scottish brethrens comming in unto us by your intended Armies preparing for the pretended Parliament at Westminster Thus you see good Readers that our impious Oxonians seem to be very sensible and tender of the effusion of blood which
poore Array-men and forced thither to fight We slew above 50 of them at this onset about 20 of whom were slaine in the Castle-yard where they made the most resistance In all we killed and tooke Prisoners of the Common Souldiers about 800 Officers and Gentlemen of quallity and worth about 200 in all neere about a 1000 men Wee tooke all their Horse and Armes 8 Pieces of Ordnance good stores of all sorts of provisions in the Magazine sufficient for a long siege Considering the greatnesse of this successe our losse was not considerable for albeit the Colonels and other superiour Officers were in the face of all the dangers performing equall service with the meanest Souldier who undoubtedly received much life and courage from the undaunted resolution and fearlesse forwardnesse or their Commanders yet I say we lost not any Field Officer onely two Majors wounded one Captaine viz. Captaine Oglesby and Lieutenant Saunders slaine and about 10 Common Souldiers at the most slain most of which were slaine with stones throwne downe upon them from the Castle-walles For this great victory and mighty preservation though wee would not rob men of their due praise Yet we desire as most fit to make our boast of God all the day long who hath beene our helpe and our strong God and hath greatly appeared herein And blessed bee the Lord that put into the heart of our most noble Generall as to seeke God earnestly for his helpe before wee undertooke the Worke so far denying himselfe as to give himselfe no rest or refreshing till calling together most of the chiefe Commanders he had returned solemne praise and glory unto God for the great helpe which he vouchsafed us Now for the greater declaration and manifestation of the praise and glory of our Wonder-working God I have thought fit to give the Reader a Summary List of the Commanders and Officers taken Prisoners in this famous Victory Viz. Sir Francis Fanâ— Governour of Lincâ—lne Colonell Sir Charles Dalison Colonell Midlemore Colonell Bandis 2 Lieutenant Colonels 2 Serjeant Majors 21 Captaines 18 Lieutenants 14 Ensignes 18 Serjeants 6 Gentlemen 4 Drums one Trumpet one Over-seer of the Workes one Master Gunner two Gunners Mates All these wee saw taken at the present and are with the least there being more found afterward in corners whose names and number were not inserted into this List of Prisoners And take this note also by the way for a Conclusion that all the Common Souldiers after they were taken did cheerefully desire to serve the Parliament making many Protestations and serious Vowes of their readinesse and fidelity to venture their lives for our Cause And now to proceede About the 9th of this instant May it pleased the Lord to put into the hearts of our ever to bee most highly honoured praised and prised Parliamentary Worthies for the honour of God and better advancing of the worke of Reformation in the Lords most pure and unblended Worship of God to cause an Ordinance of Parliament to be Printed and published for the speedy demolishing and taking down of all Organs Images and all manner of Superstitious Monuments in all Cathedrall and Parish Churches and Chappels throughout the Kingdome and Dominion of Wales which for the excellency thereof I have thought fit here to insert verbatim as t was published for the godly Readers better content and pious delight which was as followeth Die Iovis 9 Maij. 1644. An Ordinance for the further demolishing of Monuments of Idolatry and Superstition THe Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament the better to accomplish the blessed Reformation so happily begun and to remove all offences and things illegall in the Worship of God doe Ordaine That all representations of any of the persons of the Trinitie or of any Angel or Saint in or about any Cathedrall Collegiate or Parish Church or Chappell or in any open place within this Kingdome shall be taken away defaced and utterly demolished And that no such shall hereafter be set up And that the Chancell ground of every such Church or Chappel raised for any Altar or Communion Table to stand upon shall be laid down and levelled And that no Copes Surplisses superstitious Vestments Hoods Roodlofts or Holy-water Fonts shall be or be any more used in any Church or Chappell within this Realme And that no Crosse Crucifixe Picture or Representation of any of the persons of the Trinity or of any Angel or Saint shall be or continue upon any place or other thing used or to be used in or about the worship of God And that all Organs and the frames or cases wherein they stand in all Churches and Chappels aforesaid shall be taken away and utterly defaced and none other hereafter set up in their places And that all Copes Surplisses Superstious Vestments Roods and Fonts aforesaid be likewise utterly defaced whereunto all persons within this Kingdome whom it may concerne are hereby required at their perill to yeeld due obedience Provided that this Ordinance or any thing therein contained shall not extend to any Image Picture or Coat of Armes in Glasse Stone or otherwise in any Church Chappell Church-yard or place of publike Prayer as aforesaid set up or graven onely for a Monument of any King Prince or Nobleman or other dead person which hath not been commonly reputed or taken for a Saint but that all such Images Pictures and Coats of Armes may stand and continue in like manner and forme as if this Ordinance had never been made And the severall Church Wardens or Overseers of the Poore of the said severall Churches and Chappels respectively and the next adjoyning Iustice of the Peace or deputy Lieutenant are hereby required to see the due performance hereof And that the repayring of the Walles Windowes Grounds and other places which shall be broken or impaired by any the meanes aforesaid shall be done and performed by such person and persons as are for the same end and purpose nominated and appointed by a former Ordinance of Parliament of the eight and twentieth of August 1643. For the utter demolishing of Monuments of Superstition or Idolatry Ordered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled that this Ordinance shall be forthwith Printed and Published Iohn Brown Cler. Parliamentorum Much about which foresaid time came certaine intelligence out of Wales to London that God had still exceedingly blessed and prospeâ—ed that most industrious and valiant Gentleman Captaine Swanley in all the parts of South-Wales and that he had lately taken the Towne and Castle of Carnarvan together with great store of Prisoners many Armes and Ammunition as also that he had taken divers more Irish which were landed in those parts whom because they were good Swimmers he caused to use their naturall Art and try whether they could tread the Seas as lightly as their Irish-boggs and quagmires and binding them backe to back cast them overboard to swimme or drown and to wash them to death from
in this as in other things see and be assured that good and faithfull Service shall not be unrewarded It was therefore Ordered by the Parliament that 10000. l. a year out of the Lord Paulets Estate should be conferred upon the Towne of Lime for their loyalty and courage in this famous Siege which hath been indeed to admiration for that besides the straights they have been driven too their impregnable courage in so stoutly defending themselfe from the malice of their blood-thirsty Enemies hath sometimes caused their very water to be noysome with the blood of those that sought their ruine and destruction O the admirable power wisdome and justice of the righteous Lord of Heaven and Judge of the whole World But to goe on At the same time and from the same hand and ships of the most noble Lord Admirall at Lime it was informed that their ships had taken upon the Seas since their setting forth from the Downes two Prizes one at Dartmouth a Vessell laden with Oyle and Salt for Holland and the other that was brought in unto them was a Dutch Galliot laden with good Commodities for the Enemy at Aptham and Exeter to the value of at least 8000 l. And the Master himselfe of the Galliot confessed that they had for her more safe Convoy the Company of two Statesmen of War who had aboard their Ships 5 Barrels of money amounting to a 1000 Dollars confined to some Malignants in Exeter The Factor under whose charge the money was committed being aboard the Men of War was loath to be discovered but at length was apprehended and brought before his Lordship and for some peremptory and unmannerly speeches to his Lordship was put into safe custody And all the goods proved good prize From aboard the James at anchor before Lyme June 1. 1644. This blessed businesse of Lyme and the most noble Lord Admirals singular and seasonable supply afforded to it did also produce immediately after these severall Orders from the Parliament First that a letter was drawn up as was toucht before and sent to the most noble Lord Admirall signifying how sensible the House was of his so great and good service and returning him the thankes of the whole House for the same And truely these Parliamentary acknowledgements and gratulations are very good for the publique either by land or by water and that Excellent Lord deserves thanks of no lesse demension than a Parliament Secondly that a Letter was drawn up as from the whole House also to the Town of Lyme to enforme them that the House took speciall notice of their faithfull and valiant service And indeed it is a gratefull and most worthy act of the House to let no desert escape their notice For it is not fit that such places as have borne the heate of the day should take cold under the shadow of State-neglect Thirdly that the Lord Mayor of the City of London was thereby desired to send notice to all Churches and Chappels in and about the said City and County of Midelsex to desire the Ministers in their prayers the next Lords-day to give thanks to Almighty God for the great deliverance of the said Towne of Lime from the rage and intended malice and mischiefe of their outragious enemies Much about the foresaid time the Parliaments ever to be honoured Lord Generall the most noble Earle of Essex had sent out as he was desired by the Parliament a Party of Horse to the reliefe of Lime under the Command of that most loyall valiant and most virtuous Gentleman Sir William Belfore but as yee have already heard the Morris was done and danced away before Whereupon their Horse wheeled about toward Weymouth and after they had faced the Towne and given them Summons they within presently yeelded and 400 Souldiers were content to leave their heavier weapons and to march away with sticks onely in their hands The noyse of Lime and Weymouth and the Lord Generals terrour flew to Taunton-Deane and they also soone quitted the Garrison and daunced after Maurices pipe Truely I cannot tell what to say to these things but must most justly admire Gods infinite mercy whose hand was most manifestly seene now in the West as well as in the North working all our workes there for us But of the winning of these Townes and the rest we shall speak shortly after more fully in their more proper place Much also about the foresaid time we had certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Leicestershire that the loyall and right noble Lord Grey of Grooby who hath so bravely and faithfully defended the Town of Leicester as having divers times engaged his person and done singular good service for the Kingdome with that very small strength which hee had there notwithstanding the great strength and oft incursions of the enemy in those parts yet that he marched out of Leicester and tooke divers of the Kings Cormorants or Cavaliers which were stragling up and downe to plunder and sent them prisoners to Leicester and that he fell upon their Quarters neere Vlstrup tooke some Prisoners there and made the rest retreat and in despight of the Enemy and all their power safely conducted Sir Iohn Gells Ordnance and Artillery designed for Darby or Leicester About the 18 th of this instant Iune we had certaine Information out of the West that the most noble Lord Admirall sent word to his Excellencie the Parliaments Lord Generall that as his Lordship moved by Land so he would saile by Sea and so be assistant to him in the clearing of those Westerne coasts And that for this purpose the noble Lord Admirall designed the Iames the Admirall of his Navy for that businesse a Ship of 875 tun Captaine Richard Blithe being Commander thereof and fitted with 50 Pieces of Ordnance and 260. men in her Also the Constant Reformation Captaine William Battin being Commander thereof a Ship of 740 tun fitted with 40 Pieces of Ordnance and 250. men in her The Expedition Captain Ioseph Iordan being the Commander thereof fitted with an 100 men and 18. pieces of Ordnance together with some other lesser ships which being designed to attend the Lord Generalls marches and removes and to move by Sea still as his Army did by Land and was thus most hopefull by Gods helpe in due time to reduce all the West to the obedience of the King and Parliament whereof more in its due and proper place Much also about the same time came farther intelligence out of the Western parts of the Kingdome that his Excellency had sent severall parties to summon Wareham Bridge-water Portland-castle and other Malignant Townes in those parts that at least 800 men were gathered together in Somersetshire to joyn with his Excellency and that unhappy Hopton having lately then prest about 2000 Souldiers there giving out they were to resist the French from landing but they soone finding it otherwise most of them deserted him and came in unto his Excellency
Gods glory and our great comfort as witty and worthy Britanicus well noted his Majestie made Bonefires in the morning and our three foresaid noble Generalls quenched them and put them all out again before night And though now I have done with this brave Battell and famous Victory yet give me leave Good Reader to add this one note for a conclusion which I had from very credible and good information viz. That our Malignants choice Champion and stout Souldier Prince Robber as valiant and courageous as they would have the world hould him to be yet I say this great Kill-â—owe besides the losse of his dainty Dog found dead among the rest of the slain lost also his brave Beaver in the field or flight for found it was and himselfe as divers affirmed lay hid in a Bean-field as was toucht before after a litle service done in the field untill it was dark and then got away into Yorke And in the same place where the Marq. of Newcastles Commission was found there was also found a Letter signed with Charls Rex to it saluting the Marquesse of Newcastle by the name of Right Trusty and most entirely beloved Couzen and Councellor by which we may observe that he was most entirely beloved that put Armies into Papists hands to cut the troats of Protestâ—nts signifying by that Letter That his Lordship should take care that the Lord Viscount Rochford should have all his Rents paid unto him for that he was reconciled to his Majesty If then his Majesty spake truth the Lord of Rochford deserved much blame who was thereupon accused by the House of Commons for adhering to the Enemies and upon Thursday Iuly the 11. the said Lord comming to the House of Peers was saluted with an impeachment of high Treason and committed prisoner to the Black Rod. About the 12 of this instant it was for certain informed that although they at Oxford boasted much of the relieving of Greenland-House yet now by Gods mercy it was yeilded upon fair termes and moderate Articles unto Major Generall Brown and that for the present his Souldiers maintained a Garrison in it But that it was resolved on not to continue it so but to have it demolished to the ground The taking of this House was of great concernment to the City of London for by that means great quantities of provisions may be securely convayed by water to London out of Oxfordshire and Barkshire and aboundance of Wood out of the Oxford Malignants estates in those parts to serve London for fuell all the succeeding winter Much also about the same time came certain intelligence by Letters out of the Western parts of the Kingdome that the Forces of his Excellency the Parliaments most Noble Lord Generall under the Command of Sir Robert Pye and Colonell Blake had taken Taunton Castle a peice of great strength and concernment also in those parts and that in it they had taken 4 Iron peeces of Ordnance 6 Murtherers 4 Hogsheads of Beef a load of Iron great store of powder one Demi culverin 2 tun of Match one powder-Mill a great quantity of bullets 2 Loads of Cheese 2 Hogsheads of Oatmeal with great store of Salt Wheat Meal and other sorts of provision with store of Housholdstuffe and rich moveables and Colonell Reve who commanded the Castle for the King and the rest of his souldiers had quarter to March away to Bridgewater the Kings next Garrison Town About the 14th of this instant came also certain information by letters from the truely noble Lord Denbigh that whereas he had made a shew as if he would have drawn his Forces toward Shrewsbery as intending to besiege it yet indeed his private resolution 〈…〉 upon the House of the Lord Cholmley and tooke it which was a singular good 〈◊〉 of service to the State in 〈◊〉 that this House had been a very great and long mischiefe to the Country in those neer adjacent 〈◊〉 into it Much also about this foresaid time we were certified by letters out of Lincolnshire of the brave activity and valour of Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln who weekly used to fall upon the Enemy neer Newark and that at one time he took a Major a Captaine and 30 Troopers and their horses Shortly after also that issuing out again he took another Major 3 Captains and 50 horse more with their Riders within three miles of Newark The Commanders especially were good prize these not being so easily 〈◊〉 as Horses those Newarke plunderers making a shift frequently to take an 100 horse in a hight out of the Villages about them Thus that poor County of Lincoln was continually wronged and turned by that pestilent den of plunderers About the 16th of this instant came certain intelligence of some late performances and good Service done by Captain Sydenbam and Captaine Carr neer Dorchester which was informed to be thus The Lord Inchiquin drew out of Warchaâ—â— about 240 horse and Dragoons and came against Dorchester intending to plunder burn and destroy all before them but making some pause before they fell upon the Town it gave Valiant Captain Sydenham and Captain Carr the opportunity of comming to their reliefe before they had attempted the intended mischiefe and so they fell upon the said Enemies about a mie from the Town beat them soundly back again took 160 prisoners with 60 horse and good store of their late gotten plunder elsewhere loaden in a Waggon and that some of the Enemies so taken being Irish Rogues euen 8. of them thus taken had such quarter given them as they gave the Protestants 〈◊〉 Ireland viz. That they hanged them up presently they having pursued their Enemies about 12 miles killing many of them by the way About this foresaid 〈◊〉 the honourable House of Commons in Parliament took into confideration having also before it passed the bill and great businesse of Ordination of Ministers the pious and religious 〈◊〉 of a godly and learned ministery of which there was and iâ— great complaint of the 〈◊〉 of and not without cause thankes to our former wicked Bishops almost all over the whol Kingdome And thereupon they agreed that all such as shall have Ordination shall be sound men well skil'd in Philosophy Logick and in the Tongues If all these and piety especially must precede it is to be feared that an age will not furnish all the Parishes in England and Wales in such a manner How ever we have just cause to blesse the Lord most heartily for so blessed and long desired a godly resolution in them and to wait on God for the good issue thereof Much also about the 18th of this instant July came certain intimation by Letters to London from out of Leistershire that Generall Hastings that wicked Râ—b-Carrier of all those parts was at Colchetâ—â— with about 2000 horse and Foot they being all he could possibly draw out of all the Garrisons under his Command with
some intention to walk in his accustomed way of plundring robbing and spoyling the Country about him Whereupon the truely noble and valiant Lord Gray of 〈◊〉 hearing of this partee of the Enemy drew out of Leicester with all expedition thirsting to give his old Antagonist battell supposing this gallant partee which Hastings had gathered together would have put some valour into him But as soon as the Lord Grâ—y drew neer unto him he presently retreated to Asâ—â—by de la Zouch his old den and kennell of refuge to be there an onely spectator of the Lord Grey and Sir John Gells meeting who no sooner were joyned together but they fell upon Wilne-Ferry and Fort which had been Hastings chief trap to take the Carriers in their passage between Dâ—rby and Leicester with such resolution and courage that after 3 dayes siege giving the Enemy continuall Alarms with notable thunder-claps of Cannon both their Forces drew up close to the Ferry and Fort and immediately with admirable brave gallantry they stormed it kill'd 8 or 9 men took the Governour prisoner with 2 Captains 3 Lieutenants 3 Ensignes with their 〈◊〉 and Colours 2 Drakes 80 Souldiers neer an 100 Gentlemen and others which came in to their assistance with all their Armes and brought them all into Leicester In all which businesse the Lord Grey lost but one man and some few hurt but thanks be to God not mortally As soon as this businesse was thus successefully finished my Lord presently slighted the Works pull'd down the Fort and burn'd the House in its own rubbish 〈…〉 to Lâ—icester the Enemy never so much as attempting to 〈…〉 Charge Now during this time the prudent Lord Grey ever desirous to preserve his assoâ—iation hearing that a party of Newarke and Belvoir Horse was come up as farre as Melton Mowbray to plunder the Country in his absence he immediately sent Colonell Waâ—t with a party of Horse to drive the Enemy out of the Country or fight with them which was accordingly done and the Country thereby in the interim safely protected And here now I cannot I may not passe over without a great 〈…〉 of impious ingratitude the happy remembrance of that most sweet and Solemn-day of Thankesgiving to the Lord our all-good-giving and forgiving God which was rarely and religiously celebrated on Thursday the 18th of this instant July 1644. for that late and most admirable yea even miraculous Victory which the Lord our God gave unto our forces under the command of those three most renowned Generalls in the North neer the City of York And yet which happy day our impious and heaven-out-daring Adversaries the wretched Royalists had laboured as was before mentioned at the end of the description of that famous victory to cloud and to take off the Edge of our thankfulnes by spreading abroad false rumours and presuming I say most audaciously to mock God by outward appearances of their pretended and false joy whereas they had no salvation wrought for them in the thing wherein they seemed to rejoyce and one main argument which our Malignant-Enemies used to discourage and discountenance us and if it could have been to have infused into us to believe that there was some truth in their outward flourishes that so I say they might have cast ashes upon our heads in the day of our triumph was because the City of Yorke was not yeilded to us which said they would not nay could not hold out if Prince Ro. had beene routed But our most wise and mercifull God would not suffer them hereby to rob him of his honour and therefore it is most worthy our observation that the newes of Yorkes being certainly surrendred unto the Parliaments forces arived at London the very Thankesgiving-day before the time set a part for the duties of our Solemn-Thankesgiving Which now I say comes here next to be spoken of namely That on Thursday July the 18th 1644. The Lords and Commons of Parliament joyned together at Westminster in the cheerful solemnization of this day and every parish in and about London Assembling together both forenoone and afternoone to hear Sermons preached in their Churches and prayers and praises proclaimed to our so great and good God the Wonder-working God of this our Israel and in a speciall manner this was performed by the Right Honourable prudent and pious Lord Mayor of the City of London Sir John Wolaston together with the most worthy Aldermen and Sheriffs his Brethren as also all the Companies of the City of London in their Gownes and Liveries at Pauls-Church where after the morning Sermon was ended a volley of small shot was triumphantly discharged and two Ensignes or Colours were flourished and displayed on the toppe of Pauls-steeple which gave notice to the severall Forts in the fields and thereupon the Ordnance went off round about the City and after the afternoones Sermon great outward joy and thankesgiving was expressed both first in liberall summes of money collected in the Churches to refresh the loynes of the poore and afterward in ringing of Bells and making Bonefires in the streets that night yea and the neighbours and parishoners of divers parishes in London both Husbands and Wives supped altogether in extraordinary solemn-manner especially in the parish of Christs-Church in London where I my selfe was an unworthy part and present eye-witnesse of the same All or the greatest part of the said whole parish both men and women especially of the best sort and quality Knights Ladies Gentlemen and Gentlewomen yea all well-affected persons of fashion and ability assembled together in the great Hall of Christs-Hospitall to the number of about 200 men and their wives who being all very gravely and cheerfully met together and supper made ready their reverend pious and painfull Pastor Mr. Jenkins who indeed was the first mover of this so solemn meeting an act worthy a godly Divine indeed he I say began A Psalme of David as sweet heavenly musicke which all the Company sang together whiles the dishes of meat were brought in and set on the tables Then a blessing on the creatures craved and supper ended the said reverend Pastor as hee piously began so hee religiously concluded with thankesgiving and another Psalme sung by them all at their tables ere they rose all done in a most grave and reverend manner And here also I desire the godly Reader to take notice of one remarkable passage of Gods providence about this worke which happily preâ—eded this solemn-meeting in the foresaid place viz That upon the Wednesday the very immediate day before this meeting it pleased the Lord so to order and dispose it That that most worthy and most deservedly ever to be honoured religious and zealous Nehemiah of our dayes Sir Robert Harlow Knight of the Bathe came himselfe to the said Hospitall and caused by the power and authority of Parliament most happily invested on him a mighty great and most
that most famous defeat and glorious Victory given by the good hand of God to the Parliaments three most renowned and victorious Generalls the most religious and renowned Earl of Manchester his Excellency Generall Lesley and the ever to be honoured valiant and victorious Lord Fairfax against that barbarous and bloody hair-braind ignoble Rupert the disgrace of his progenitors and indelible stain of his Posterity In the notable and unexpected discovery of the Lord of Râ—chfords disloyalty to the Parliament in speciall and Kingdome in generall The taking of Greenland-house by Major Generall Browne And Taunton-castle by the most Noble Lord Generalls Forces In the taking of Cholmley-house by the most noble Earl of Denbigh Colonell Rossiter Governour of Lincoln his valour and activity against the Common-Enemy Captain Sydenhamâ— and Captaine Carrs most brave exploit against the Lord Inchiquin and the religious resolution of the Parliament to establish a learned and godly Ministry In the taking of Wilne-Ferry and Fort by the noble Lord Grey and valiant and faithfull Sir John Gell the said Lord Greys valour and vigilancy for the good of his Country and the most solemn and memorable Celebration of the Day of Thankesgiving at London for the most famous victory which God gave us at the great and bloody fight nere the City of Yorke In the most happy surrendering up of the City of York it self unto the three most noble Lord Generalls forementioned and the pious and prudent Message and motion which the said noble Generalls made and sent to the Parliament in point of farther thankfullnesse to God and satisfaction even to the worst of men In the most noble renowned and truely religious Earl of Manchesters successefull and victorious advance and progresse with his brave Army in taking Tickhill-castle and farther prosperous proceedings since the last great victory at Yorke And lastly In the brave defeates given to the Roysterly-regall Enemies both by Col. Laughorn and Capt. Moulton in Pembrookeshire by the noble Earl of Denbighs and Warwick Forces at Evesham the famous and ever to be renowned Garrison of Lyme at Colliton and Chard and finally in the most noble and renowned Lord Generalls brave and victorious and famous progresse into Devonshire and Cornwall and all those Western parts wherein hitherto by Gods power and providence he might worthily say as conquering Caesar said Veni vidi vici even all for the most part either voluntarily comming in unto him or violently enforced thereunto by his valiant and victorious forces All which most seriously and religiously considered have we not good Reader great cause justly and ingenuously to confesse and acknowledge to see and say with holy Samuel EBEN-EZER and to make this the glorious and gracious Motto of our Parliamentary Barke the Ark of our God most deeply ingraving it with indelible characters of golden-gratefull Remembrance HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED VS And therefore zelously and constantly to conclude and hold maugre all malicious contradiction whatsoever that our title is most truely and infallibly ratified from heaven by all those manifold and even miraculous premises and patternes thereof that GODS Arke hath most triumphantly over-topped and been born above all the Worlds boysterous Billows swelling surges And hitherto the Lords most faithfull and glorious Cause blessedly embarked in our most pious Parliament hath in all its just undertakings most impregnably prevailed and been preserved against all the Malignant Atheisticall and Papisticall Machinations Plots and Practizes that men or devills were ever able to invent and foment against Gods Truth and a glorious and pure Gospel-Reformation In so much that now upon all these serious considerations of the Enemies combinations and injurious conjurations on the one side and our Gods most omnipotent and omniprudent frustrations of them all thus from time to time wee may most worthily say as the holy Prophet once said especially on the gracious and most gratefull recordation of that most memorable and admirable victory at Marston-Heath neere Yorke and also all those late forementioned Westerne victories even of this last Moneth of July wee may say and that most worthily as the LORD God himselfe said by the holy Prophet Now also many nations are gathered together against thee O English ISRAEL that say let her be defiled and let our eyes looke on Zions defilement But they know not the thoughts of the Lord neither understand they his Counsell For hee hath gathered them together as sheaves into the barn-floor And hath said to all our renowned Generalls and to their Armies Arise and thresh O daughter of Zion for I have made thy horne as iron and thy horses hoofes as brasse and thou shalt beat and bruise in pieces as with a strong flale many people and I will consecrate their gain to my selfe saith the Lord and their substance to the Lord of the whole Earth And hast not thou ô England as then Zion was promised seen all this come to passe for thy sake upon thine Enemies Even many nations brought together English Irish Dutch French Walloons who not that could be was not gathered against thee to defile and spoil thee yea to glut their accursed eyes and hearts with wicked joy at thy ruine and defilements But ah wicked fooles how ignorant and unacquainted were they with the Lords Counsels and how farre his thoughts were above and against their thoughts who brought them but together at York and else where like so many Sheaves on the barn-floar of Marston-Heath and there and then most graciously and gloriously said to our renouned Generalls Commanders and Souldiers Arise arise and thresh those Sheaves of shame and dishonour for I have made your Swords and instruments of war as Iron flales and your horses hoofs as brasse to trample on them and tear them in peices And then did the Lord also most triumphantly consecrate unto himselfe and we as we were able most worthily gave their gain and substance even all the honour and glory of these great and most famous victories to the Lord our God alone whose strong arme alone got us and gave us these glorious victories over all those our fierce and furious Enemies Yea he alone I say According to their deeds accordingly hath repayed fury to his Churches and Childrens adversaries recompense to his Enemies and to the Irish I stand he hath repayed and will yet still repay recompence And thus indeed it must needs be for Their strength and defence was departed from them and our God had made them as bread for us to eat and devour Yea our God hath for us wounded and broken in pieces the heads of these Leviathans and given them as meat to us his poore despised people And hath wounded the hairy scalps of all these that thâ—s went on in their insatiable wickednesse That thus therefore the great name of the Lord might be feared from the North to the West and his glorious splendour from the rising of the Sun
I therefore earnestly beseech thee good Reader in the pages fore-cited to correct and amend with thy pen also this so materiall mistake therein The Authors promise of part of Requitall for the foresaid favour ANd in part of requitall of thy fore-desired friendly favour I shall good Reader both promise as I hope I have now in this third Part performed more care for the future And also hasten out for thy full content the fourth Part of this Parliamentary-Chronicle which I intend if the Lord permit to compleat and bring up to the very present time of its immediate publication with all the most famous admirable and almost incredible Victories and Successes of this last Sommer and Autumn-Season I having even now almost quite finished and fitted the said promised fourth Part for the Printers Presse if at least I find as I hope I shall this my present third Part so courteously accepted as to make the speedier way for the comming forth thereof and so consequently for the compleating of this so fair and famous a History Thyne J. V. FINIS An Exact Table of all the most materiall Passages of this third Part of the Parliamentary-Chronicle A THe Arke and Parliament compared together Page 1. The Assembly of Divines petition the Parliament 2. The Assemblies petition for Reformation 4 Apprentices provided for 31 The Authors gratefull remembrance of Gods goodnesse to him 37 The Associated Counties cared for 55 The Isle of Axholm taken 147 The Bishop of Armagh his memoriall 153 The famous Victory at Alsford 185 Axholm Island taken 202 The famous defeat at Aulton 95 The Earl of Argyle in Scotland 230 The Isle and Fort of Ayremouth taken 234 Abington taken by the Lord Roberts ibid. Arundell Castle besieged and taken 122 Association of Hampshire Surry and Sussex 57 Army of the Earl of Newcastle declining 67 Ammunition conveyed to Gloucester and how 200 Aâ—lesbury to be betrayed 135 Advance of the Scots into England 136 B. Burleigh-house taken 7 Colonell Brown beats the Kentish Rebels 13 Sir William Brereton wins Houghton Castle 18 Beverly pittifully plundred 30 Bullenbrook Castle taken 67 A new Broad Seal 71 The Scots march from Barwick into England 137 Burlington taken 154 Biddle-house taken 167 Bradfords Victory obtained by Colonell Lambert 168 Burleigh house garrison active 171 Sir William Belfore in Hampshire 172 Bredport taken 175 Burleigh-house in Dorsetshire 176 Colonell Beares brave defeat given to the Enemy 182 Colonell Bellasis beaten 200 Basing-house defeated 209 Banbury Forces beaten 211 Sir William Breretons brave performances 84 The enemy â—â—ated at Budely 217 Col. Boles slain 97 Belvoir forces beaten 110 Major Gen. Brown made Commander in chiefe of 3 Counties 249 Major Gen. Brown much honoured 251 Sir William Belfore at Lime 257 Bewley-house taken 17 Sir Bazill Brooks plot discovered 118 A Bristoll ship taken 124 Banstable shakes off the Cavalerian yoake 265 Beverton Castle taken 236 A brave Bonefire of Popish trinkets 128 Bloody Sir John Byron 129 Burton upon Trent taken 131 Bodmin in Cornwall taken 297 Beggars must be no carvers 303 C. Colonell Cromwell beates the Earle of Newcastle 6 Col. Cromwell takes Stamford in Line 7 Clubmen in Lincoln beaten 8 Col. Cromwels Letter shewing his Victory at Gainsbrough 8 Generall Cavendish slain at Gainsbrough 9 Canterbury Malignants rise 15 City Malignants Imprisoned 27 A Covenant or Oath to be taken in London 24 A Commission to Sir Wil. Waller 28 Sir Alexander Carews plot at Plymouth 29 Care taken for Apprentices 31 Christs-Hospitall relieved by the Parliament 37 Cambden Cormorants beaten 49 The Kings Cormorants beaten at Newport Pannell 55 The Lord Capell beaten at Wem 62 Cessation in Ireland justified by the King 68 Contrary effects to the Irish Cessâ—tion 71 A Councill of State for the 3 Kingdomes 147 Sir William Constables good service in the North. 154 The Covenant taken the manner how 157 Sir William Constables good service at Yorke 160 Cheshire much aimed at by the King 161 Church-government 162 Covenant taken in Leicester 169 Chester-bridge in Yorkshire taken by Sir William Constable 171 The Earl of Carberies pride and cruelty 177 The E. of Carbery quite vanquisht 181 Cathedral at Westminst reformed 184 Cawood-castle taken 202 Crowland regained 203 Correspondence with the Swedes 204 Commissioners for the New Broad scale 88 Carnarvan Town and Castle taken 224 Covenant taken by the House of Peers 90 Commanders in Arms take the Covenant 90 Covenant sealed with loan of 100000 l at London 90 The Earl of Callender stirs in Scotland 230 The L. Crawford saluted by Sir Wil. Waller 98 Canterbury Minister reformed 101 Cawood Castle in Yorksh taken 233 Chippingham Garrison taken 237 A Chain of gold bestowed by the Parliament on Capt. Swanley 248 The Kings Commanders catcht at Cards and Dice 112 Compton-house taken 251 3 Children in one bed miraculously preserved 254 Coventry Forces take Holt-house 117 Coventry forces take Bewley-house ibid. Citizens of London invite the Parliament to a Feast 124 Covenant to be taken over the whole Kingdome 157 A Collection for sick and wounded souldiers by an Ordnance 33 Leiut Gen. Cromwells due praise 273 Major Gen. Crafords valour 273 Croyland subdued 132 Cholmmy-house taken 285 A brave defeat given to the Enemy at Chard 296 D. A rich Danish ship taken 20. Delinquents woods to be cut down 36 A brave defeat given to the Enemies of Cambden 49 A great design against London 52 The Kings Declaration justifying the Irish cessation 68 Defection of the Northern Counties from the King 68 A Declaration touching the great Seal 72 A Declaration touching the cessation in Ireland 70 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Rudgeley 78 A Declaration consented to by England and Scotland 142 The Parliaments Declaration sent to Oxford 152 Divers Delinquent Lords c. names 153 Daâ—by Forces take Kings Milus 156 The Parliaments Declaration tooke good effect at Oxford 175 Delinquents reclaimed 174 Durham fled unto by Newcastle 228 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy by Col. Fox 216 The Kings Declaration against the Covenant 91 Deserters of Oxford 92 Lord Digby beaten at Plymouth 94 The Enemy beaten at Dunscot 95 The Famous Defeat at Aulton 95 The Devizes molested by Col. Massye 237 The Lord Denbigh takes Russell-Hall 239 A brave Defeat given to the Enemy at Nottingham 240 The Lord Denbigh against Dudley Forces 251 The great Danger and Deliverance of Col. Mitton ibid. The Lord Denbigh wins Oswestree 260 The Danes our underhand Enemies 116 The Danes vexed by the Sweeds 117 The great Design of the Royalists 121 Darbies brave activity 265 A desperate Designe against Nottingham 133 E. England likned to the Sea 1 Embassadors sent from France into Scotland 54 English-plantations taken care of 58 English-Irish Souldiers revolt from the King 61 England and Scotland consent in a Declaration 142 Exploits of the Parliaments Forces 155 Explaits of Pool ibid. Exploits of Warwick Castle 156 Exploits of Sir Thomas Fairfax ibid. Exploits of Pool
the Danish-Ship Aug. 4. 1643. Another brave prize taken at the same time The seasonableness of that Danish prize wherein Gods providence is the more to be observed The low ebbe of our armies briefly touched Divers of the Danish armes sent to Hull to the noble Lord Fairfax Clubs called Round-heads sent to Hull A plot for a pretended Peace in the house of Peers in Parliament The Citizens of London Petition the ParliameÌ„t against the pretended Peace The Parliaments present answer to the Petition The effects of the said Petition An Oath or Covenant to be taken by all Citizens of London Citie-Malignants imprisoned in Saint Faiths Church under Pauls in Ships on the Thames The Earl of Hollands Tâ—unks seized on by water The Fellowship a brave Ship of Bristoll taken by Capt. Smith in the Swallow a Parliament-Ship Sir Wiâ—â—allers CommissioÌ„ to advance with his intended designes is granted by his Excellencie A brief recapitulation of all these last recited Parliamentarie-Mercies by way of obliged thankfulness 1. 2. 3. 4. GODS Ark fairly carried on with fair blasts of good success against its boysterous billowes and swelling waves Psal 136. 4. September 1643. Sir Alexander Carews plot against Plimouth timely discovered and the danger prevented Hull besieged by the Earl of Newcastle Gods mightie preservation of the Town Beverly pitifully plundred by the enemies The Earl of Newcastle despairs of getting Hull A sodain and most remarkable preservation of Hull Hulls very great danger at this time by Powder sodainly blown up The admirable hand of God in Hulls mightie danger The occasion of Huâ—ls so great danger The Parliaments care for the encouragement of London Apprentices in their Service of the Kingdome Sir Jo. Wollaston most happily chosen Lord Major of the Citie of London The Authors just and experimentall attestation and commendation of Sir John Wollaston Lord Major of London The mercies of this Lord Majors choice also was a sweet return of prayer A notable triall by Gods most wise disposall put upon the Lord Major of London and most loyally managed by him Foure Proclamations sent at one time to the Lo Major of London to be published in the Kings name in the Citie Provision of firing ordered by the Parliament for preventioÌ„ of dangerous muâ—â—nâ—es by the poorer sort Woods to be cut down to furnish the Citie and parts adjacent with fuell What woods were to be cut down A summary gratefull review of this Moneths Parliamentarie-Mercies GODS Ark carried on with fair and prosperous gales Psal 68. 19. October 1643. The Parliaments charitable act and order for the good of the poor children of Christs Hospitall in London The Authors own gratefull acknowledgement of Gods goodness to him in the said Hospitall An 100000 li to be raised in the Citie of London for the advance of an army of 21000 Scots to come into England 2 Sam. 24. A famous victorie obtained by the Lord Fairfax against Newcastles Popish forces whereby the Siege of Hull was raised The Marquess of Newcastle put to great straits by this Defeat A Copie of Sir John Meldrums Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament touching the brave victory he obtained at Hull A brief touch of Sir Jo. Mâ—â—drums worth and valour attested by the renowned Lord Fairfax himself The most famous and renowned victory obtained by the right honourable Earl of Manchester at Horncastle in Lincolnshire Bolenbrook-Castle summoned The enemie prepares to meet and fight with the Earl of Manchester Our forces are drawn all neer each other about Bolenbrook The enemie gives ours the allarm about Horncastle Ours bravely bicker with the enemies forlorn-hopes Three or four of our troopes in great dangâ—r but came off most bravely Cap. Iohnsons Cap. Moodies and Captain Players brave courage and resolution The commanders notable discretion and courage The great strait they were still put unto Bolenbrockhill designed to be the place to fight The enemies strength and ours The word on both sides Both armies in sight of each other The pietie of our armie Both armies met at a Town called Ixbie Gen. Cromwells great danger The sight in the very heat of it The enemie â—â—ins to 〈◊〉 The enemies flie Sir Tho. Fairfax his undaunted courage The issue of the fight The Commission of Aray cryed out on by the dying Souldiers The spoyl and prizes taken The armie with the most noble Lord of Manchester possess themselves of Horncastle Letters of the enemies intercepted confirming the truth of this great victorie This famous victory and that also at Hull were obtained both in one and the same day Col. Massies good service at Tewksbery Another brave defeat given to the Kings forces by the Parliaments forces in Warwick-Castle An OrdinaÌ„ce of Parliament against Spies and intelligencers The Citie of Lincoln taken by the noble Earl of Manchester The prize taken in the Citie of Lincoln Gainesborough also taken by the said noble Earl of Manchester The great design against the Citie of London The great plot and designe was how to contrive to starve up the Citie of Londoâ— The manner and wayes of the enemies contriving their plot against London The manner of the enemies acting their coÌ„trivements 2 Chro. 16. 9. How God all along crost and disappointed all the enemies deep designes Another great ploâ— of the enemies to hinder our Brethren of Scotlands coming in to our ayd and assistance An Embassadour sent from the Queen-Regent of France into Scotland to divert those our brethren from coming to ayd us Two Letters sent by our King into Scotland to cross the Scots resolution to ayd England The substance of both the said Letters The Royallists hopes heerin also frustrated The grand plot of starving up the Citie of London now prosecuted by the Royallists but blessedly frustrated The Earl of Manchester resolves to ayd his associated Counties out of Lincolnshire by Colonell Cromwell Col Cromwell sent out of Lincolnshire into Huntingtoâ—shire with considerable forces Col. Cromwell ordered by the Lo. Generall to return again into Lincolnshire The Kings Cormorants flie out of Newport-Pannell The great plot mightily dasht damped alreadie A summarie recapitulation of all this Moneths Parliamentarie-mercies and therein the sweet preservation of his Ark his great Cause GODS Ark still born-up above the tops of all its advers swelling waves of opposition Psal 57. 7. Psal 60. 12. November 1643. An association of Hampshire Surrey Sussex and Kent Sir 〈◊〉 Waller Commander in chief of this association The Parliâ—ments providence for the welfare of forein English Plantations A considerable number of English-Irish Protestant Souldiers landed at Bristoll out of Ireland revolted from the King to the Parliament The English-Irish Souldiers fall foul on their Commanders and Officers They march away to Gloucester to serve under Colonell Massiâ— A remarkable hand of Gods providence in this business A most brave defeat given to the Lord Capell by Cheshire Shropshire forces The manner of the performance of the defeat The Lord Capell marches toward