luring recover my learned Cousin who smelt powder like a Wildegoose and flies quite away but his Lordship in as much as he was better dieted was longer breath'd Next day he at me againe telling me this is the last time of asking and I must now speak or for ever hereafter hold my peace You will finde he burnes dim and is in the sâ—cket by this sudden flashing The Lord Digbies Letter Sir I have received yourâ— of yesterday but truly lesse satisfaction with it then I expected which together with the accident lately hapned hath put it out of my power to preserve in another that reliance upon your reality which I am apt to hâ—ve For as I ever dâ—â—lâ— with much sincerity my selfe so I am not subject to suspect others of the contrary The accident lately hapned is the taking and hanging of a Spie of yours which hath raised suspitions of you beyond the power of my allaying your actions only can do it now In a word if in return of this I may hear from you what and when you will do in plaine termes all and more then hath been promised shall be performed If not I am clear from any misfortune that may befall you for which I shall be very sorry as having great dispositions prepar'd in me to be Your affectionate friend and servant George Digby Oxford Wednesday 18 Decemb. 1644. Had it been possible I would have reprieved him yet a little till I could have had directions but our works were now ready and our men in some plight and 't was pitty he should dye a timely death We concluded therefore to go to sentence and to bring him to execution which I did in this fatall answer and the rather because they had hang'd a poore woman whose blood lies upon them a woman whom â—e never knew nor heard of My Lord YOur just diffidence hath broke the shell and hatcht now at length my just defiance and your designe which with much adoe I have perswaded to the uppermost round is now fit to be turn'd off Is it possible that your Lordship my Lord Digby should think his oyle so artificially mixt with his inke as not to betray its flattery or that it could catch like Birdlime Alas my Lord perswading your selfe thus you declare to the world that 't was honour and courtship that was the prevailing argument to fetch your Lordship out of that honorable House where once you sate but it shall never lure a meaner man out of Abington My Lord let this Letter be the Cipher to all my former reade them over againe and see whether they do not all breath both in word and sense loyalty to his Majesty and yet full resolution to go through with what I have undertaken and for the designe which I mention so much I thank yours which first gave life to it it is perfected my Lord it is perfected and you may come when you will The designe was to play with you at your own game till our works which once were not so strong as you have now made them though at the weakest should have been lined with our lives were strengthned and accommodated with men and provisions which I thank God now they are and therefore I do acquit your Lordship of all misfortune that may befall me Oh my Lord be more tender of the Kings honours and favours then thus to hang them out as Colours to invite treachery and disloyalty to come after them I blesse God I have in this whole action been carefull to avoide tampering with his Majesty in things of this nature and for that often practised plot of yours and that Iesuited kinsman of mine to sow jealousies between those who imploy me and my actions which shall dare to look the world in the face leave it my Lord leave it 't is thread-bare and rotten and in confidence that I have now written what your Lordship looks for in which if you have not full satisfaction but shall scruple at any thing if your Lordship shall please to send once more I doe assure your Honour your Messenger shall come and returne safe for who knows but that your Lordship in whom there is so much ingenuity may not onely now reade me right in my intentions but also hereafter give me thanks for my reality I am my Lord Your honours most humble servantRichard Browne Abington 19 Decemb. 1644. Postscript My Lord you have hang'd as you say a Spie of mine whom I know not but that you may be ballanc'd in this also this very morning I will cause to be hang'd one of yours condemned by our Councell of war six weeks since according to an Ordinance of Parliament resolving never to be out done by you either in civility or Iustice I expected that after this doome read to him the offender should have made his confession wrung his hands praid good people to forgive him begg'd the benefit of his book warn'd others to take heed by his example c. But behold he raves and talkes idely and fomes at mouth such frothy forgeries and poore lies as argue he had no memory left in him I appeale to all his friends who shall reade these two last yet one is more like a Gentlemans hen the other what they think of his Lordship whether he be a Christian or no They be these Sir I Shall make use of the liberty which you allow me to send to you once more I professe I am very sorry to finde my wishes and my hopes of your returning to your duty and loialty in such a usefull manner to the publike as you might have done deceived but my confidence I assure you you have not abused for I seldome ground it but upon great probability of the persons integrity with whom I deale a foundation which I could not well look for from a person that had already forfeited his allegiance and you must excuse me from believing that what you have done now proceeds from any firmenesse to your owne principles in that which you your selfe think honest how erroneously soever but rather from some new and greater corruption of interest on that side then what was proposed unto you on this whereof I make no doubt but the world will be a right Iudge when by the publishing what hath passed between us it shall appear how industriously and how mercenarily you long courted your own corruption before I ever provoked you to it and offer'd to you those rewards which I did as to a prostituted not solicited person who hence forwards must necessarily be infamous of all sides on this both sâ—r treason and treachery on th' other for having with solemne renuntiations of what you now seem to think honest so long acted a part whereunto no man can be tempted without infamy so far as you went uninvited unlesse upon a sincere alteration of judgement which no provocation can make me so uncharitable as not to wish still most heartily to you and all your party and
â—â—st it was hâ—rd passing and repassing from London and I had yet no rules whaâ— to doe therefor still I hâ—lâ— up their Châ—nnes in a moâ—e plausible answer for feare â—hey should sinke themselves and I not have the drowning of them and once more closed with them in these expressiâ—ns taking no notice of my Lord desire of blanks at all My Lord YOurs of the last came to my hands this afternoone which intimate some grounds of Jealousies through some late intelligence of my removall from this Garrison a thing which may not sinke into my thought for I cannot Imagine much lesse do know of any grounds to suspect my calling off and the confidence I have of my selfe here assures me that it will not be easie for me to be snatcht hence And as concerning your Lordships Querie I must confesse these new forces are not a little troublesome and do wholly take from mee the possibility of pointing either at time or manner at present But I do notwithstanding perceive that in a short time I may gain ground upon all difficulties and bring this affaire to a happy period And of this your Lordship may be most assured that I shall consecrate what power or Capacity I have whereby to promote the service of my Soveraigne and the good of his oppressed people And to that end shall most gladly sacrifice both my selfe and fortunes and remaine my Lord Your Honors most humble ServantRichard Browne Abingdon Dec. 6. 1644. A Letter to Bernard at the same time Sir YOur knowledge of me shall still be for the better as shall ere long God willing appeare only my reprehensions as you call them came not till now That you should use a Messenger whose hand and tongue and heart should not bee wholly yours especially in things of this nature troubles me not a little and may make all miscarry Therefore above all be carefull to silence him a while and I le promise you this accident which may boade dangers shall hasten my resolutions into a speedy and I hope happy issue And in the quickning me on through all oppositions I shall make use of that good expression of yours That my confidence is ' that gracious Majesty which invited me to my duty will beare me out and be able as well to repaire my losses as to honour my well deservings Sir my desired ends are followed with such a resolved heart that you shall not need to write any more incitements or make use of a Messenger unlesse in things which my Lord shall thinke of moment in which I shall expect to be acquainted that so I may know the better how to act Sir believe the integrity of Your loving friend Rich. Browne Abingdon Decem. 6. 1644. Exit Bernard and he thinks with great applause lâ—aving his Master aâ—d mâ— hand to hand who though hâ— teâ—ls me every time of hiâ— confidence yet had muâ—h adoe to hold up his hopes for from the sixth to the fifteâ—nth hâ—e walkes and breathes and I would have wager'd my Gamester wouâ—d have struck no more yet at last he ventures another spirt and sâ—nds the old Messenger againe with this SIR HAving seene your desires in your last to your Kinseman that hee would use no more incitements as being unnecessary to a person so well resolved in his Majesties service And being for mine own part fuâ—ly perswaded of the realitie oâ— your intententions I have been unwilling to presse the pâ—rformance of your ingagements so as to give you the least cause to susâ—ectâ— want of confidence in mee And therefore I have forborne this long to send to you although I assure you I am in danger of suffering much by the delay But now I suppose after so long a forbearance you cannot but thinke it reasonable I being also commanded to doe it that I desire of you a poâ—â—tive resolution as to the time and manner of your performing that which as it imports so much good to the publike so will give you assurance to a higher degree than hath yet been mentioned both of his Majesties intentions to obliege you and of my most reall desires to manifest my selfe Your affectionate Servant George Digby Oxford Decem. 15. 1644. I was glad to see my despairing Customâ—r who was gone out of sight come backe againe which he doth and biâ—s me the other crowne The King will doe more for me then was yet promised c. Bernard like a Chickin not of the right kinde is cow'd out of the Pit This Câ—cke of the Game still stâ—aâ—s peâ—king and billing and by his last I found might with a little streaking hold out about or two longer And beâ—ause I wâ—uuld bring Bernard on againe and necke them both together I crumbled hâ—m a few Barley cornes more and sent these My Lord YOur Honour cannot conceive how much I am quickned by your Letter to the performance of that which I am resolved to goe through with if time and instruments were but once fit I wish â—y letter to my Kinsman unwritten rather then that it should speake any thing which might hinder your Lordships necessary influence untâ—â— it be accommodated to my minde My Lord I did begin by the silence of this last weeke to coniecture that His Maiestie as I heare having sent Propositions up tending to a Peace might make you lesse to hasten this about Abbingdon however I am the same which I exprest my selfe in my last to your Lordship only your Honours owne words that that which I am to performe imparts so much good to the Publike may being of so much moment both excuse and beg a little more time And for the mannner the yet concealement of it for some few dayes will produce me more advantage not onely in this of Abingdon but other places than you can yet imagine And then I shall suddenly bring that to passe which I am confident shall convince your Lordship that these delayes were necessarie In the mean while if I may receive any thing of your Lordships pleasure which may command me I am Your Honors humble Servant RICHARD BROVVNE Abingdon Decem. 16. 1644. Another Letter to Mr. Bernard at the same time Sir MY loving respects to you c. I have received another Letter from my Lord and have returned this inclosed which I hope may give satisfaction one from your self should have been welcome for I would not be mistaken that I desired your forbearance altogether but only to let you know that both for my judgement and affections I had satisfaction enough to carry me on without any more of your Rhetorick which yet I may not forget to thank you for Sir I desire my humble service may by your tongue as my hand be presented to his Lordship for which and other favours of yours untill I see you you must be contented to take thanks from the Pen of Sir Your assured friend to serve you Richard Browne Abingdon Decemb. 16 1644. 12 at night I could not with all this
VVHereas Sergeant Major Generall Brown hath desired me that the passages of the late Treaty between him and the Lord Digby may be published It is therefore my pleasure that the said passages shall be Printed accordingly Dated 1. Febr. 1644. ESSEX To all whom it may concern The Lord Digbies DESIGNE To Betray ABINGDON Carryed on for divers VVeeks by an intercourse of Letters Which are here published for the satisfaction of all Men BY Sergeant Major GenerallBrown Together with the CIPHER which the Lord DIGBY sent him for that purpose LONDON Printed for Laurence Blaiklock and are to be sold at the Signe of the Sugar-loaf at Temple-Bar 1644. To His Excellency Robert Earl of Essex Lord Generall c. May it please your Excellency THat intercourse between the Lo Digby and my self fed on their side with hope of prevailing and on mine with hope of fortifying by the Defign we had upon each other is happily I blesse God on our side and with rage and fury on theirs brought to a period It hath been in the womb ever since the 14. of September as soon as it was quick I gave Your Excellency and the Committee of both Kingdoms notice of it and ever since have for fear of Abortion born it with some difficulty the full time and not miscarryed till it grâ—w so strong and big that it delivered it self VVhen the Lord Digby savv it was born with an honest face and nothing like the Brat which he hoped for he presently would have made it away by the poison of his last forged Letter which is so full of malice that I wonder he burst not with it before he could have time to vent it I do believe Spain and Italy where he hath grown afford not a more dangerous Drug then this of his last Letter wherein Atheistically and wickedly by his Forgery he as it were defies the God of Heaven and hates Truth perfectly My Lord were it not that I dare not conceal this mans impiety and cruelty express'd in his last I should be content for my own part to conceal all his Flattery and Folly express'd in his former Letters But I am not my own but the Kingdoms Servant and therefore though I be but a bad VVriter I hold it my duty to give those whom he calls my Masters and I thank him for it account of my VVords aswell as Actions and I wish they could read thoughts too it may be when their blinded Party shall by this unworthy cariage of his see him in his colours they will at last pity at least if not rescue a Prince that makes use of such a wicked head and subscribes to such a lying hand And if Propositions from the Parliament thrive not may know who is that Haman which blasts Mordecais petition That Countenance which I have had from Your Excellency at all times invites me that leading example of faithfulnesse to Gods Cause and the Kingdomes safety which shines in you obliges me that dirt which is cast in some of these Letters by an impudent Clergyâ—man upon your Nameâ— these added to that imediate coÌ„mand your Excellency hath over me force me to make these passages publique and above others to crave Your Excellencies leave and approbation to prefix this thankfull acknowledgement That as Your Excellency hath every where honored and served the Kingdom so particularly your influence on Abingdons necessities hath kept warmth in us all and for ever obliged me particularly to approve my self My Lord Your Excellencies most humble Servant Richard Brown The Lord Digbies Design to betray Abingdon IT seems by the Story that when the Enemy had done what he could in the West and was ready to return It was fancied That Abingdon as weak as it was might be made theirs again by Policy rather then Power and my self won out of it by good words sooner then warr'd out of it And therefore in September last they made use of a spirituall Engine one Mr. Bernard sometimes a Preacher in London now as it appears a great Clerk at Oxford This man being my former acquaintance by reason of some remote alliance took opportunity by a Trumpet who came from thence about Exchange of Prisoners to send me this Letter NOble Sir If my Name should be too light yet for our Alliance sake I am hold to represent to you a Request which from you will for its own justice sake be granted namely to release if prisoners and to give safe Conduct by way of Passe to two Women and a Childe of Mr. Doctor Dukesons who are now in Abingdon the one of the women is a Nurse the other a Maid-servant I am glad for your own sake and my respect also who am grieved heartily that we are not both of one side that yoâ— carry on the Party you deal in with so much honoured candor and ingenuity I hope God will one day reconcile all the Differences now on foot that we may meet our friends as friends I have had no heat but pure conscience in this contention neither have I any ambition then by the granting of this Request as an addition of more to many former favours to be acknowledged in the quality of Your most indeared and affectionate Kinsman and Brother to serve you Nath Bernard Oxford Sept. 14. 1644. Postscript Sir If you would grant safe Conduct to me I would be glad to kâ—sse your hands at Abingdon that I may enquire of the welfare of ouâ— Brothers and Sisters c. and to give you account how I was forced hither from home and some other Passages This I looked upon but slightly giving him neither Passe nor Answer finding it to be but the Language of a private and as I thought obscure person complementing with me as far as a few Lines would go for old acquaintance sake and like a Divine bemoaning the Times about a Moneth he was quiet and then came this second seconded with a little more Flattery in these words SIr When I wrote last unto you I suppose I received no Answer for the places sake whence it came but to remove all doubt from you when I came thither I was a prisoner now I am removed out of it May you be pleased to grant me a Passe to come to you I have a Request to propose to you which is for my safety and your Honour And I will likewise preassure you 't is no more then what hath been granted by my Lord of Essex and Sir William Waller both neither of whom you come behinde in valour and I hope will not come short of them in Honourable Courtesie I will not now name it that I may not be prevented of kissing your hand who am for your never to bee forgotten courtesie when I last saw you at London Your most obliged Servant Nath Bernard Water-Eaton Octob. 18. 1644. In this you see he perswades me to believe he had been a prisoner at Oxford now set at liberty and in another Town from whence he dates and
again urgeth leave to come and see me and ask a favour which was only for his safety and my Honour to grant Vpon this I acquainted some friends about me with the Request Conditions and Qualities of the man and then sent a Passe which brought him on our Lecture day when he came I received him courteously he desired to Preach but was denyed he dined with me and some of my Officers and at last upon his going away desired a word or two with me privatly and then he falls upon the Errand which it seems he was sent on and wisheth me on their side laying about him and lavishing out his breath in paintings and flatteries at random Now I found my good Cozen to be but the Ecclesiasticall Duck-câ—y let flye from a higher Gamester and forthwith I baited my hook as well as he his Truly Mr. Bernard I pray for nothing more then a good Conscience and if I thought my self in an Errour I would not be long in leaving it At this the Gudgeon gaped and I gave him line he desires liberty to write to me I gave it him with a Protection of his Lady Lovelaces house at Water-Eaton from plunder and violence and he jogg'd home jocundly to tell his Lord George how his Pill had wrought and a few dayes after sent this to me NOble Sir I am emboldned by your last great favour and necessitated by some losse since that time you sent my Lady your Protection not without some affright given by some of Major Temples men to our whole house together with the approach as we hear of the Armies towards us to desire your advice whether the Protection you gave me will in case the Armies come hither keep my person free or whither notwithstanding that I am in danger of being mistaken for and used like an Enemy The Answer whereto will yet further oblige Your most humble Servant Nath Bernard Water-Eaton Nov. 1. 1644. This Letter being occasioned as he pretends by some affrightments given from the great number of Parliament Souldiers who marched that way is but a private one and had an Answer answerable thus SIR The protection I sent by you to my Lady Lovelace I presume will keep her and her family from all irregular Plunder by any under my Command but whether 't will prove a security to her Ladyship or your self from other Forces now here or to come this way I know not nor can I therein advise I shall be willing to serve you in what I may and be Your Friend and Servant Rich. Browne Abingdon Nov. 1. 1644. All this while Mr. Bernard hath been scowring screwing and oyling his Engine now he is resolved to charge and give fire But his first charge for fear of breaking or recoyling shall be only Powder and paper Witnesse this which he let flye at me SIR Having received so many signall and obliging favours from you and those since the fate of the Kingdom hath together with our own made us to run contrary fortunes I who abhorre nothing more then ingratitude pitty nothing more then seduc'd vertue and misplac'd Gallantry have here as the onely way left me to testifie my thankfulnesse so vindicated your reputation that I beleeve your credit with us will be more pretious then with them for whom you have hazarded all that is dear to man For proof whereof as I am able to produce evidence sufficient of neglect and secret scorn from some men who owe the safety of their evills to your valour So I am Commanded to let you know 〈◊〉 you have with us friends that as you are will Honour you but if you were otherwise would be proud really to serve you And that through our endeavours you are so fairly reported to the highest That you are desired But I 'le say no more till you answer one request and that is that you will promise not to betray those that Honour you to scorn my life to danger by discovering what my undertaking hath resolved to go on with to preserve to you a good Conscience a good name to future ages and a securing with your Country and King what God hath blest you with in this world with our friends And I do again preassure that by this I will engage you to nothing but what Gods Word and a good Conscience and the Peace of this Kingdom do require of you Besides what other Inducements I am to acquaint you with when you have assured me that if through violent sway of contrary affection we should not satisfie each other yet we shall neither through passion betray one another to scorn or danger which is all at present I do desire besides the continuance of the favour of safe accesse and recesse of my Messenger I pray God blesse Your Honour with all that is good and guide all our feet into the way of Peace Sir I shall ever be Your most humble Servant Nath. Bernard Water-Eaton Nov. 4. 1644. Was not this pretty well for the first shoot to ayme at the very joint and make a division between friends Some of those for whom you hazarded all c. Neglect you scorn you c. T is rarely begun Machiâ—vell as soon as we had received this for I had the advice of some about me as many as might be a full Testimony of my integrity and yet not more then might warrant secrecy Now we saw plainly a Plot of a Councell and not the attempt of a single Priest only and perceived other faces peeping behinde the Arras waighting for the Cue to bring them out A little before this when their Forces were beaten at Newbery we marched out and vexed them in their retreat but now having relieved Dunnington they quartered round about me so that we all concluded upon this opportunity by dallying and deluding to retard their assault tiâ—â— we could get up our workes and make out for assistance And now wâ— fall to our worke He begins upon me with King Conscience Kingdom Honour c. All good Theames I eccho back to him such of his own â—ayings 〈◊〉 would 〈…〉 then his own as in this which I returned him SIR I give you 〈◊〉 for the respect I beleeve you beâ—r him who shall ever labour â—â— an Honourable Reputation and the way to it I do assure you of safe accesse and recesse being resolved to serve your desires in any thing agreeable to the Word of God and a good Conscience Sir be assured there is nothing I prize more then peace nor any thing I beg more then to serve my King and Country whose I am and Sir Your Loving Friend and Servant Rich. Brown Abingdon Nov. 5. 1644. By this my Friend thinkes verily that I have a mind to chaffer and therefore down he pitches his pack and brings out his small parcells of silken Rhetorick fine and course complements Scriptures woven at Oxford Posies for Prerogative Ribands with Vive le Roy and Lawn for Sleeves which â—â— hopes to wear himself for
what freinds and servants that all the Bells in London can never decry your Honour much lesse equall it I shall greive at nothing more then at the prevention of all which cannot be without your great dishonor of whom we all thinke good and in whom we thinke is the Seat of most honorable discreet thoughts Sir I am Your Honors most humble Servant N. BERNARD What râ—ckoning is here without my 〈◊〉 By Lord is possest and 〈◊〉 aâ— that must â—â—eds follow though in manners it should goe before the King â—â— possest too that I am for his service Truâ—ly I am possest 〈◊〉 but not in his Loâ—dship sense I am and ever was for his Majesties service onely now they dâ—sire expedition and to effect it His Lorâ—ship 〈◊〉 the Commissioners who mâ—nt thâ—â—her for peace and thâ—rfore not 〈◊〉 to him for scattering words as Iealous of mee and my actions which is as true as the Letter which hee sends mee at last I hope thâ—sâ— mâ—n of 〈◊〉 will consider him accordingâ—y But to shew his Confidence behold a cipâ—â— enclosed in his Letterâ— which I must learne to conjure by But not without the Parliaâ—ents 〈◊〉 and therfore sent that up after the rest and top't his mouth the whilst 〈◊〉 this empty Spoone And Bernardwi tâ— his My Lord YOur last◠〈◊〉 the first of December came not to my hands till this afternoone which something 〈◊〉 mee And my answer though it bring with it some Ruâ—â— yet I hope will not alter your Lordships favourable opinion The truth is that last Saturday night there came to us 1500 Foote by order of the Comittee of both Kingdomes with provisions of victâ—â—lls c. which I admire at since it could not be imagined but that aydâ— which I had before of whom by their Order I gave account in a mâ—ster Role but the last weeke were sufficiently able to defend this place These additionall Forces being a commanded partie out of my Lord Generalls my Lord of 〈◊〉 and the City with whom I am not yet well acquainted mâ—st of necessity reâ—â—â—d the businesse And herein your Lordships advice by the Ciphes you sent me will be requisite The maine concerning my owne affaires at London I doe hasten nor shall any private interests take me off from my resolutions I am my Lord Your Honours most humble Servant Rich. Browne Abingdon Decem. 4. 1644. The Major Generalls Letter in answer to the last from Bernard THose jealousies you speak of which arise amongst you since these new forces came to me are but jealoâ—sies and must out oâ— that fidelitie you put in me be blown over by your policie till an opportunitie which I wait for sette all right The truth is there came last Saturday by order from above 1500 more foot and provisions to me of which I have given account in the enclosed and shall expect advice in I should not be my selfe if I should owne those applauses you talke of as charmes that can move me And I wonder that you knowing me so well should thinke them weightie No it is not popular acclamation on the one side or feare of any acts of hostilitie on the other but onely the discharge of an honest and loyall conscience which hath invited me into this course which I now run And these for the present I assure you of faithfully I am Your loving friend and Servant Rich. Brown Abindon Decem. 4. 1644. THese Forces which I tâ—ll them of were now come to me and therefore I send tâ—em Woâ—d their number and pretend they came unexpectâ—â— and I had no need of them and now my affaires at London which expression dâ—d mâ— Knights service Were pretty weâ—l setled yet having 〈◊〉 Directions when to break off I dandled them one on one knee and the other on the other But in their nex they begin to â—uspect yet not by my Letters but 〈◊〉 scruples bubble up they know not why and â—ere resolved â—â— to châ—me 〈◊〉 Whaâ— mâ—â— all I am mâ—de on For this purpose my Lâ— hath hiâ— and Bernard his device my Lord desires time and mâ—nner to bâ— told him and desires 〈◊〉 now to send him some blanke passes Bernard be scarâ—s me with the knavery of the Messenger how he opâ—â—â—d my Letâ—erâ— and what danger might insue giving an hint by this that now all would out or might miscarry if I did not dispatch Thus they write The Lord Digbies Letter Sir I Have receaved Yours of the Fourth unto which all the answer I can returne is that I am glad of your Confidence that our Iealousies concerning your remove from thaâ— Government raised in us upon severall intelligences from London are vaine however I pray carry in memory those cautions which I gave you in my last and I shall be very glad to receive a more particular answere unto those Queries in it concerning the time and manner of Your performing your ingagements In which however delayes are apt to suggest suspitions I protest I cannot intertaine the least of your reality being founded according to your professions upon reason and loyalty and a convinc'd and confirm'd sense of the Pious Intentions of Your Soveraigne towards the good of his people Towards the happinesse of which in the settlement of the miserable distrâ—ctions of the Kingdome I know not any man hath more power to contribute then your selfe by this Action And I reckon it as a singular good fortune to bee made an Instrument in it and â—ir Your very affectionate ServantGeorge Digbye Oxford this 6 of Dec. 1644. Postcript I may be destitute sometimes of meanes to convey unto you what may be fitt for you to know And therefore you shall doe very well to favour me with a blanke passe or two which upon my Credit shall not be made use of but to your selfe Bernardâ— Letter at the same time Sir I Am to thanke you as well for your reprehensions as favouurs And I must tell you I know you too well to thinke you unworthy but the messenger that brought this dayes message was so bold as to break open my Letter for the Passe enclosed And but that I have certain assurance that no body but the Messenger and my selfe whom I have taken order to make sure for blabbing this good while he might have done mischiefe to our undoing I beseech you make use of the persons I send upon the present occasions and know that I make no change but upon reason and good grounds Sir put a period to our expectations I beseech yoâ— and put us not to the paine to be doubted not your selfe to the danger He who lovingly invites you to your duty will be able as well to repaire your losses as to honour your well deservings besides the heavenly blessing and protection which will certaâ—nly out-doe your care to your content An. Example wherof you may have I thanke God Almighties providence Sir Your most obliged Servant N. Bernard December 5. 1644. You see the 〈◊〉 â—â—d their