Bridge were suffered to enter within the Castle before the Garrison could get to their Armes and being thus surprized they got worse quarters then if they had fought The Soldiers and Officers that first entred made good booty and having got gold chaines and mony in aboundance by reason the Emperialists had lyen long there who though they gathered the whole money of the Country yet they had not the wit to transport it away being silly simple Italians and without courage the poorest Officers that ever I looked on and unworthy the name of Souldiers for though they knew of our march they suffered themselves pittifully to be surprized The Fourth Observation NOtwithstanding of the extremitie of cold we see his Majesties diligence neglecting no time making use of Winter as of Summer being an expert Generall who in his judgement was nothing inferiour to the greatest Generall we read of as doe witnesse his valorous actions He seeing at our comming to Brandenburge what advantage the ground yeelded to the enemy to have hindered our comming unto it As also perceiving what hurt the enemy was able to have done us before our down-lying having known their strength that were within both of horse and foot if hee had beene a resolute and a couragious Commander as hee was not hee had tried our fore-troopes before our comming so neere which made his Majesty judge they would not hold out long Here at this time a young Cavaliere desirous of honour and greedy of good instruction could have learned frō this King the way to command well as likewise with order to direct all things fitting how to pursue any place or strength he came before as his Majestie did there being the first part wherein I did observe his Majesties dexteritie in Command discharging the dueties of severall Officers being but one man he never doubted to put in execution what he once commanded and it was well done and no alteration was to be found in his Orders neither did he like well of an Officer that was not as capable to understand his directions as he was ready in giving them Neverthelesse hee would not suffer an Officer to part from him till hee found he was understood by the receiver of the Order Such a Generall would I gladly serve but such a Generall I shall hardly see whose custome was to bee the first and last in danger himselfe gayning his Officers love in being the companion both of their labours and dangers for hee knew well how his souldiers should bee taught to behave themselves according to the circumstances both of time and place before they were led to fight and being carefull of their credits hee would not suffer their weakenesse or defects to be discerned being ready to foresee all things which did belong to the health of his souldiers and his owne credit Hee knew also the devices and Engines of his enemie their Counsell their Armies their art their discipline As also the nature and situation of the places they commanded so that he could not bee neglective in any thing belonging to his charge and he understood well that an Army being brickle like glasse that sometimes a vaine and idle brute was enough to ruine them and to breake them like the bricklest glasse that is His Majesties further diligence after the intaking of Brandenburg we see he giving neither time nor leasure to the neerest Garrisons that were at hand to resolve what they had to doe for one strength was no sooner taken but incontinent the commanded Musketiers and horsemen were presently closing up the passages of the rest before they could either retire or send for supply And so being long sleeping in a carelesse securitie some of them were taken before they could bee prepared for to fight or to take about their ports or bridges so farre were they out of use with hunting and making good cheere that they were surprized inter pocula having regarded their bellies more then their credits Where I did see the saying of the Prophet cleered that saith Men doe annoy themselves in gathering goods and cannot tell who shall enjoy them For I thinke the Italians never minded that the riches which they gathered in Pomeren should be suddenly transported from the Sunne unto the Northerne cragges and cliffes of Sweden being led by the Lyon of the North the Invincible King of Sweden of never dying memory The fifth Dutie discharged of the Intaking of Dameine by Accord GEnerall Major Kniphowsen being come with a supply of horse and foote to our Army at Letts and being joyned with us his Majestie did give him orders to desire from the Colonells of all Regiments of foote and horse according to a Swedens custome used at such times the List of their marching men and of their sicke the Lists being severally given our Army did effectivè consist of fifteene thousand men of foote and horse able to fight The next morning every Regiment of foote according to custome was commanded to have a competent number of Cannon baskets ready made to be transported the next day on Waggons before Dameine which we were to beleaguer Therefore this preparation was made before hand for the Batteries the wood being scarce and farre from thence The fourteenth of Februarie we did breake up horse and foote and marched towards Dameine from Letts our horsemen were directed to lie without us on both sides of the Towne alike so that the Towne could get no supply without they would first beate our horsemen and next our foote His Majestie remaining with the Infantry as his choice we incamped on a hill and about it within Cannon shot of the Towne being our best Quarters in the extremitie of the cold without house or shelter to defend us from the winde At our first drawing up in battell a worthy Gentleman called Robert Rosse one of our Regiment was kill'd with the Cannon being blowing of Tobacco before the Regiment died instantly and was transported to Letts where he was honourably buried in the Church whose last words were worth the noteing saying Lord receive my Soule His Majestie having first disposed of the Horsemen in giving them their directions the foote was standing in battell under the mercy of the Cannon behinde this hill for two houres while his Majestie was in viewing and recognoscing both Towne and Castle which done the Guards were commanded forth to their severall Posts to the Artillerie and to his Majesties baggage then his Majestie directed Generall Major Kniphowsen and his Forces with the thousand commanded Musketiers to take in the passage that went to the Castle on which service was commanded Here Tivell his Lievetenant Colonell called _____ who commanded the partie under whom was with the commanded men of our Regiment Lievetenant George Heatly the service beginning hot on both sides striving for the passe the Lievtenant Colonell was killed At which time Lievetenant Heatly being shot notwithstanding behaved himselfe valourously being the first with his Musketiers that cleered the passe
injury Here we see the use of treaty and still-stand or truce ordained of Policy that every man may presse to winne his owne aymes The Souldiers that in six weekes before were wounding and killing one another are now coming and discoursing together as friends where I did remarke and observe that it is much easier to be reconciled with an enemy then to conquer him Now in time of these still-stands by discourse they presse to finde out one anothers actions and to observe one anothers faults and excursions treasuring up against the day of advantage for the confounding of one another at their first out-falling and like the Crocodile they slime one anothers way to make one another fall coming in occasions againe and therefore it was the answere that Seneca gave unto himselfe when he asked Quid est homini inimicissimum he answered Alter homo Our enemies studies are the plots of our ruine leaving nothing unattempted which may induce our dammage and the danger is ever most when we see it not Yet I thinke he that can be a worthy enemy can reconciled be a worthy friend and he that in a just cause can fight against us can likewise in the like cause being reconciled fight with us and if he be unworthy reconcile him too if it were but to be freed of his scandalous tongue and that also will be worth thy labour and he that upon good termes refuseth reconcilement may be stubborne but not valiant nor wise for he that wilfully continues an enemy teacheth his enemy to do him a mischiefe if he can and that endeavour is well spent that unmaskes an enemy or makes a friend for as the one begets a treasure the other it may be raiseth a siege and that man is wise that is kinde to his friends and sharpe to his enemies but he is wiser that can entertaine his friends in love and make his enemies like them as our Nation did here at Trailesound in keeping their Masters love to the best for their loyalty and in making their enemies thinke well of them and love them for their brave carriage and valour Likewise I did observe here the benefit that ariseth to a Kingdome City or State through a good Government and what a blessing it was to a Towne perplexed as this was to get a good wise vertuous and valiant Governour in time of their greatest trouble which shewes that we are govern'd by a power above us for oftimes that which we desire or feare doth seldome happen This City having feared the Emperours tyranny to come over them desired the King of Denmark as their protector yet God by his providence gave them another to wit the invincible King of Sweden who provided them an able Governour in their greatest neede to wit Sr. Alexander Lesly who immediatly after his entry tooke the command upon him keeping both the Dane their Souldiers and the Burgars under his command and direction as worthy of his authority flowing from the King his Master of most famous and of never dying memory it faring then with Trailesound as with Sara she became fruitfull when she could not believe it and they became flourishing having gotten a Scots Governour to protect them whom they looked not for which was a good Omen unto them to get a Governour of the Nation that was never conquered which made them the onely Towne in Germany free as yet from the Emperiall yoake by the valour of our Nation that defended their City in their greatest danger To conclude then for the love I beare to the Crowne that doth protect them knowing their dispositions by experience to be froward factious and proud having as yet some Wolves amongst them that the folde may be quiet let the factious heads be made higher by a pole than their bodies cutting off the tumultuous whereby their Governour by a majesticke awe may keepe the rest in a strict subjection lest slacknesse and connivence may undermine an unsetled Government for it is no crueltie to denie false men libertie that are so infected though there be some honest men amongst them let them serve their Governour and let him beare the sway as becomes the dignitie of the place that having once wonne the field he may be sure to keepe it for though I hate the evill people for their former unthankfulnesse to our Souldiers and Nation yet the love I beare to their Protector and Governour makes me thus plaine whose happinesse I wish to endure while there remaineth a stone in the Citie and his fame eternally The nineteenth Dutie discharged of the out-fall made by Spynies Regiment and of their Retreate made good by Captaine Mac-Kenyee THE treatie dissolved the new supply being come out of Denmarke Sir Alexander Leslie being made Governour he resolved for the credit of his Country-men to make an out-fall upon the Enemy and desirous to conferre the credit on his owne Nation alone being his first Essay in that Citie And therefore made choice of Spynies Regiment being their first service to make the out-fall ordaining Captaine Mac-Kenyee with the remainder of our Regiment in the Lievetenant Colonell his absence to second them for making good of their retreate My Lord Spynie being present with his Regiment consisting of brave and valourous Officers being all worthy Cavaliers of noble descent and of good families having action valour and breeding answerable to their charges they were desirous to gaine honour and credit against a powerfull enemy with whom they were to be ingaged they went on with boldnesse and confident resolution and falling into the enemies workes they forced the enemy to retire and to give ground even to the body of their Armie And delighting in the shedding of their enemies bloud who had shed so much of their Country bloud before they pursued them hard following them unto their maine reserve or battell where they seazed on their Cannon but the enemy being too strong and his forces still augmenting they were made to retire with the losse of some brave Cavaliers especially the losse of Sir Iohn Hume of Aiton the first Captaine of the Regiment who after many bloudy wounds received was taken prisoner being a brave resolute Cavalier of good carriage and moderation in all his actions who after died of his wounds with the enemy being a prisoner long and was much lamented of all that knew him Here also was killed the valourous Captaine Mac-Donald who in valour succeeded his worthy predecessors for with his owne hands as is credibly reported he killed with his sword five of his enemies before he was kill'd himselfe Divers also of these Officers were hurt as Capt Lundesey of Bainsho who received three dangerous wounds Lievetenant Pringle who was hurt also and divers more they being made to retire their powder being spent to make their retreate good falls up Captaine Mac-Kenyee with the old Scottish blades of our Regiment to suppresse the enemies fury they keeping faces to their enemies while their Camerades were retiring the
he had given no assistâ—nce to the last League neither yet was he of the League As also he affirmed that at the last Westphalia convention he refused assistance to the rest of the League his Majesty replied to the Cullens Ambassadour how hardly and unchristianly they had dealt with the Evangelists Stends worse then if they had bin Iewes or Turkes in taking their Churches from them and in banishing themselves Neverthelesse there were some Articles proposed unto them concerning the Neutrality viz. First of all molesting the Evangelists under whatsoever pretence to be abolished and put away Secondly the free liberty of the Religion to be granted and suffered and that the Students of the Religion should be taken aswell in the Colleges as the Papists Thirdly in all Cities the Evangelists to be as free to traffique as the Papists Fourthly they should give no assistance unto the Kings Majesties enemies nor no contribution nor Bills to answer monies on exchange Fifthly to give free passage through their land aswell to his Majesties Army as to his enemies not to hinder them of it both alike Sixthly that his Majesty of Swedens servants should have the Passes open when they pleased to passe and repasse Seaventhly that his Majesties Agents might lie at Cullen to see the Neutrality were justly observed Eightly that his Majesty of Sweden his friends and confederats should have free traffique in their Townes and Territories The Cullens Ambassadour returned from Francfurt with these sleight points to be granted by their Bishop The Swedens were come so neere Cullen that the Superiours were reprehended for it by the Clergy out of the Pulpits for giving such liberty to Hereticks to come againe so neere unto their jurisdictions By this time the Landgrave of Hessen with his Army being neere ten thousand strong of horse and foote for our assistance did lie on the other side of the Rhine over against us and from thence they fell strong on the Spaniards which were in Rinckoe making them also quit those parts and the inhabitants for feare forsaking their houses his Majesty promised them his gracious protection to stay and remaine in their houâ—es they paying their weekely contribution which they payed before to the Bishop of Mentz Being here also at Mentz the French Ambassadour Idid see get audience The reason of his coming being to shew his Majesty of Sweden that the Kings Majesty of France was offended his Majesty of Sweden had crost the Rhine against his paction and confederacy made with the King of France and therefore desired he should retire againe with his Army His Majesty answered he did but prosecute his enemy and if his Majesty of France was offended he could not helpe it and those that would make him retire over the Rhine againe it behooved them to doe it with the sword in their hand for otherwise he was not minded to leave it but to a stronger if his Majesty of France should anger him much he knew the way to Paris and he had hungry Souldiers would drinke wine and eate with as good a will in France as in Germany Therefore he hoped his Majesty would be better advised in sending the next Ambassage in milder termes This interchange of message went betwixt them till at last they were setled on secondary conditions of a new League offensive and defensive At this time the Felt-marshall Gustavus Horne tooke in Mergenhem on the Sawler streame Hailburne on the Necker Wmpviniphen and Necker Olin. Likewise Kunickstene in the Vetre was taken in by accord after Mentz as also the Spaniard left Vieitzler and Geylhousen leaving them both unto the Sweden without shot of Musket or Cannon His Majesty at this time caused publish an Edict where all Marchants of whatsoever Religion or Nation they were of should be free to passe and repasse with their goods to the Francforder Masse and that none of his Majesties Army of whatsoever condition they were either of horse or foote should trouble them under paine of death where the concealer of the wrong being got notice of should be punished to death as the Actor Likewise the twelfth of Ianuary Babenhousen was taken in by accord by his Majesties order and direction and in the end of December Manhem was taken in by Duke Barnard of Wymar having surprized their guards where about two hundred and fifty were cut off of the strangers and quarters and service given to the Dutch where a Captaine and his Ensigne were taken prisoners and let loose againe for the paiment of their Ransome and being come to Heidelberg they were executed by the Governours direction there for over-seeing their duties and these of the League lying at Heidelberg were mightily troubled with the neerenâ—sse of the Swedens neighbour-hood having gorten Manhem their passage unto the Rhine was altogether cut off from them Likewise the Spaniard did quit Garmarsham and retiring to Franckendale they had no more in the Paltz but that and Heidelberg His Majesty wonderfully having gotten in Creutznach and the Castle Where the valorous courage of my Lord Craven a Noble and worthily renowned English Lord was to his great commendation taken notice of by both the Kings For he out of affection and desire to advance the cause following his Majesty of Bohemia of worthy memory at the storming of the workes at Creutznach in sight of his Majesty of Sweden leading up his Company of Voluntiers to the good example of others gave outward testimony of his inward courage in so much that his Majesty of Sweden and all the beholders openly extolled his Lordships noble praise-worthy carriage for having endeavoured so farre as lay in him on this exploit to make his memory out-live himselfe As afterward his Lordship did shew his prowesse Heroicke spirit at the intaking of Donavert Where he did merit so much that I having reason to have said more could say no lesse His worth being knowne his affection to the cause his respects to his Majesty of Bohemia whom he followed merits a well deserving reward from his Majesties Royall Issue Before Creutznach Lievetenant Colonell Talbot was killed and the worthy Captaine Dowglas was shot in the arme Colonell Alexander Ramsey was placed Governour of Creutznach by his Majesty of SwedeÌ„ as a beginning of reward for his old service attendance who loved nothing better than nobly and kindly to entertaine his friends and strangers being the common receptacle and refuge of all his Country-men that liked to honour him with their company As also he was most willing to entertaine and respect strangers of the best quality and most of all he was peremptory in maintaining his Countries credit obliging all Cavaliers to his power but most unwilling to be beholden to others carrying still a noble minde At this time his Majesty being in Mentz Bingen Bagherach on the Rhine and Shaule were taken in by Scalade with a surprise by the Scots of Sir Iames Ramseys Regiment where those within were thrice stronger
though they lost severall Battailes their power was so great that incontinent they made up Armies againe one after another for the space of twentie yeares together so that with difficultie they made the body of the Empire to stand though the wings were very neere clipped by his Majestie of Sweden who in three yeares time subdued the most part of the Empire and with his owne little Armie in one Winter freed the Paltz of the Spanish Forces except Heidelberg alone on which occasions those of our Nation that followed his Majestie shewed both their valour and their love especially those of my Lord Sponce his Regiment seconded well by those of my Lord Rhees Regiment and Sir Iames Ramseys worthy Regiment were well seconded by Colonell Lodowicke Leslyes Regiment which formerly were Sir Iohn Hamiltons These foure Regiments of foote having followed his Majesties owne person in all occasions were worthy their deeds should be Registred to all posteritie Other six Regiments of Scots under Generall Tott and two of English being yonger in the service than the former foure were also shorter of continuance whose actions I cannot relate but by Information Therefore I will be sparing lest I should deregate from their worth or oversee my selfe At this time also there were a great many worthy Cavaliers of our Nation under his Majestie who for their long experience and valour had attained to the honour not onely to be trusted before others with Governments but also were honoured in commanding of strangers both Dutch and Swedeus whereof some were employed in Dutchland some in Sweden some in Liffeland and some in Spruce all alike serving their Master to his minde where he liked best to make use of them for the weale and advancement of his service Sir Patricke Ruthven Generall Major and Governour of Vlme Colonell over Dutch to foote and to horse Sir Alexander Lesly Generall Major and Governour over the whole Cities alongst the Balticke Coast Sir David Drummond Generall Major and Governour of Statin over a Regiment of Swedens Sir Iohn Hepburne Colonell over the Scots Briggad Generall Major King Colonell to horse and foote of Dutch Colonell Carre Colonell to foote of Scots Sir Iohn Ruthven Generall Major Colonell of Dutch Colonell Robert Monro of Fowles Colonell to foote and to horse over Dutch The Earle of Crawford Colonell to foote over Dutch Colonell Baily Colonell to foote over Dutch Colonell Ramsey Governour of Cretesnough and Commander of Dutch Colonell Alexander Hamilton Colonell of Scots Sir Iames Ramsey Colonell of foote over Scots Sir William Ballentine Colonell over English Colonell Dâ—wglas Colonell of Dutch horsemen Colonell Hume Colonell of Dutch horsemen Colonell Alexander Lesly the younger Colonell to foote over Dutch Colonell Iohn Lesly Colonell to foote over Scots Colonell William Gunne Colonell to foote over Dutch Colonell Kinninmond Colonell of Swedens Colonell Hugh Hamilton Colonell to foote over Dutch Colonell Finnes Forbesse and his brother both Colonells to foote over strangers Colonell Iohn Forbesse Colonell to foote over Dutch Colonell Alexander Forbesse called the bald Colonell to foote over Dutch which all with the former twelve Regiments were employed severally upon the Dutch bottome during his Majesties time and since to the great credit of their Nation as likewise other Cavaliers of them were employed in Sweden such as Colonell Scot Colonell Seaton and Colonell Thomson others also were employed in his Majesties service in Spruce as Sir George Fleetwood Colonell to foote over English Francis Ruthven Colonell to foote over Scots and William Kunningham Colonell to foote over Scots Alexander Gordon Colonell to foote over Dutch which Officers with their Regiments after conclusion of the peace made with the Kings Majestie of Polle were also brought into Dutchland against the Saxon and the Emperour Thus farre on passant I was bold to inferre to satisfie the curious Reader and his Highnesse to whom we all vowed faith and obedience being formerly led by such a Generall as the Lyon of the North the invincible King of Sweden who did instruct us all to doe his Highnesse service in all respects to the sacrificing of our lives untill his Highnesse be avenged of his enemies and most honourably restored to his Country credit honours and former losses For we know Germany so well that without guides we can enter their Cities where we know them weakest having helped to subdue many of them before as shall be evident before our expedition come to an end Where we would wish such a Leader as his Highnesse or one of the race come of the Iewell of Europe his Royall Mother for whom and her royall Issue we are obliged and resolved yet to fight till her Throne be established in despight of her enemies Here also we see God will not suffer those Christians unpunished that violate their promise as was seene on Colonell Graâ—e whose fault is too common amongst their faction that hold for a maxime they are not bound to keepe promise or accord unto us as was seene on Colonell Monre of Fowles his Regiment marching out of Stobing the conditions of their accord being broken unto them the Souldiers were forced to serve and the Officers were made prisoners If my fortune were once againe to command the Guards in Memmungen in Bavier the Dukes chiefe residence though I would not breake my word I would hazard to breake my sword to be avenged on those who keepe no promise or oath being enemies to God and to his truth as they did witnesse by their cruelty used at Bamberg where the Felt-marshall being set on unawares was forced to retire having sent away his cannon before him choosing the least of two inconveniences having thought better to endanger a few men in skirmish than by standing to hazard the losse of all and of his cannon Where we see that it is hard for a brave Commander to make a good retreat without cannon where on the contrary having a little time with some advantage of ground it is casie retiring from the fiercest enemy who may lose himselfe and his Army with pressing too farre forwards against cannon Likewise there is nothing more able for to make a partie of horsmen fortunate than a reasonable supply of musketiers ever to attend them for they are ever best together Moreover we have here a laudable custome of a brave Commander as his Majesty was being as carefull in maintaining his conquest as he was fortunat in conquering for before his Majesty would march from the Rhine towards the Danow he first established the Rexchancell chancellor of Sweden at Mentz leaving unto his care the direction of the Army left in the Palatinat to attend the Spaniard which Army was to be led by Palsgrave Christian Brickafield being at least eight thousand strong The twenty seventh Duty discharged of our Marchfrom Mentz unto Francony and to Shawbach HIS Majesty having got intelligence of the Ruffle Generall Tilly had given at Bamberg to Felt-marshall Horne and hearing the Felt-marshall was retired
in riches and as their service to his Majestie was faithfull and loyall so his Majestie was liberall and bountifull in advancing them to titles of honour As also in bestowing on them Cadoucks and casualties to inrich them more than others whose fortunes were not to be so rewarded though their deservings were no lesse so that being rich in credit they care not for the want of abundance of externall things being inwardly contented through their vertue Here also we see that as his Majestie was circumspect for his retreate even so he was fore seeing for the safetie of his Armie in not hazarding to ingage it too farre with disadvantage against the Dukes Armie and the strong Citie of Engolstat being the best Strength for one within the Empire Neverthelesse having once recognosced the Citie he would not leave it till he had showne his resolution and left his intrenchment as the tokens of his worth in hazarding to beleaguer it having an Armie to second them and while as his Majesties horse was shot under him he said it did put him in minde he was but mortall and subject to mischances as others and therefore he knew no better remedie but to resigne himselfe and all his to the providence of the Almightie and that he was perswaded that though God should call him out of the world yet the Lord would not abandon his owne Cause being so just but he was assured God would stirre up some other worthier than he to put a period to those warres for the libertie of Gods service in Dutchland and withall he tooke God to witnesse he had no other intention in prosecuting those warres but onely to pull downe the tyranny of the house of Austria and to obtaine a solid and a setled peace unto all men that were interessed in the quarrell Where by this his speech we see that as he was a brave and a valourous King so he was wise at this time in preserving himselfe and his Armie from losing them before such a strong Citie As also we see that the Conditions of mortall men have their changes common unto them that oft-times they are crossed by contrary fortunes as formerly they did prosper and the Lord doth hide the causes of both from us to spurre us ever to seeke to his Majestie in doing good and those good of themselves as this just King was who notwithstanding had need of Gods direction in all his wayes and enterprises which should make us all earnest in seeking the Lord to direct us in all our wayes seeing of our selves we are not able to doe any thing that is good neither ought we to ascribe any thing of our prosperous successe or fortune unto our selves being but the Lords servants and instruments he useth as weake meanes of his glory and the well-fare of his Church on earth Our daily delight should be then to learne wisedome out of the actions of others and like the Bee that makes the honey to converse amongst good company that we may savour at least of their goodnesse following the footsteps of this Heroick and godly King fructifying ever during our life times unto all sort of well-doing till such time as we may end with glory living after death Moreover here we see his Majestie though on a march not neglective to discharge that last and honourable dutie to the corps of that noble and worthy Cavalier the Markgrave of Turlagh and Bawden by making the whole Armie to give two Salves of Cannon Musket and Pistoll in comely order as the Custome is at such times where it is to be regrated how oft-times death doth prevent the expected goodnesse of many a brave fellow as this young Cavalier was the worthy sonne of a worthy Father who carried divers times the title of a Generall Here also I would exhort by the way all worthy Souldiers who aime at credit never to give themselves to mouze or plunder aside from the Armie lest they be punished in dying ignominiously by the hands of cruell tyrants as the ignorant Papist-Boores that have no more knowledge of God than to tell over their Beads being taught as their best devotion and knowledge of the mysteries of God tending to salvation to glory in their ignorance which makes many of them to commit any wickednesse what soever to winne damnation to themselves being once commanded by a Priest that can make the poore ignorant beleeve that to doe wickedly is the way to heaven Who cannot then see how detestable this Doctrine is that gives people libertie to commit all villany and then to assure them of pardon for it The use then we should make of this who professe another truth is to abhorre their examples of life as we doe their doctrine seeing wee should know that no crime before God is so abominable as to glory in sinne for where sinne groweth there groweth also the punishment And he that sinnes openly with an out-streched necke as these villaines did in Wisenburg in sight of God and before the Sunne and the world they offended double teaching others by their example to sinne Happie therefore is the man who delights not in sinne but happier is he that glories not in sinne yea happiest of all that continues not in sinne but repenteth of the evill done and ceaseth to doe so any more The thirty one Duty discharged of our Expedition unto Munchen and of our abode there BEing retired from Landshut a pretty little Towne and Castle in Bavaria lying on the Eiser we continued our march after his Majesty and marched towards Frising where we joyned with his Majesty and incamped over night in the fields where his Majesty had intelligence that Wallestine with a strong Army was on his march towards the upper Paltz which made his Majesty make the greater haste to visit Munchen the Duke of Bavaria his chiefe Towne of residence having made the Bishop of Frising pay fifty thousand Dollers and promise contribution beside out of the whole Bishopricke and continuing our march the sixth of May towards Munchen on our way the Commissioners from Munchen did come and salute his Majesty offering all kinde of submission for to spare from plundering of their City and from ruinating of their houses and policy His Majesty lying over night in the fields within halfe a mile of the City his Majesty commanded Colonell Hepburne with our Briggad to march away and to make the Circuit of the Towne to lie over-night at the bridge that went over the Eiser with his Briggad to guard the bridge that none should passe or repasse till his Maiesties coming to the Towne which accordingly we obyed and guarded the bridge till the next morning his Maiesty encamped the whole Army without the Towne marching in with our Briggad alone where Colonell Hepburnes Regiment had the watch on the market place and the guarding of the Ports his Maiesty of Sweden and the King of Bohemia being lodged on the Castle I was commanded with our Regiment and my
an immortall Crowne after death for fighting well the Battells of the Lord As his Majesty went about his enemies with wisdome and courage so Walesline went about his with craft and policy casting a ditch before our forces to fall in which was made the buriall place of his owne Souldiers being fallen in the ditch they had prepared for others I confesse there is nothing more commodious in warre then to deceive an enemy and oftimes through deceit men obtaine victory yet the wisdome of Gustavus seasoned with infinite courage could not be trapped with a Fowlers grinne but brake through it with the assistance of God till he was victorious over his crafty enemies This Magnanimous King for his valour might have bin well called the Magnifique King and holden for such who while as he once saw appearance of the losse of the day seeing some forces beaten backe and some flying he valorously did charge in the middest of his enemies with hand and voice though thrice shot sustained the fight doing alike the duty of a Souldier and of a King till with the losse of his owne life he did restore the victory to his eternall credit he died standing serving the publique Pro Deo et Religionetuenda and receiving three Bullets one in the body one in the Arme and the third in the head he most willingly gave up the Ghost being all his life time a King that feared God and walked uprightly in his calling and as he lived Christianly so he died most happily in the defence of the truth and to witnesse all this was true I could take Heaven and Earth Sun and Moone mineralls c. to witnesse that his Colours ever florished and spred in the name of the Lord and that his confidence was not set on the Arme of man though he was a warriour from his youth up he was the Captaine over Iraell whose fingers the Lord taught to fight and to leade his people He had the heart of a Lyon that by Gods helpe had done such things that those that had seene and heard it as I did must needs have faid that it was the Lord that did it and not he being it was the Lords worke But our adversaries and their damned crew of Iesuits and Monkes will say that it was their power and might and the goodnesse of their cause that made his Royall Maiesty to fall But we may say with Salomon in the twenty-eighth of the Proverbs and twenty-one verse It was for the sinnes of the Land and our sinnes that he was taken from amongst us and from those poor Cavaliers that did follow him for his Maiestics love and the love of the cause He was shot with three Bullets dead with the last for our sinnes and the sinnes of the Land And what he did before his death for the liberty of Dutch-land and freedome of the Gospell none but knowes it he left his owne Kingdome to bring strangers to freedome in theirs he set light by his owne life for Dutch-land that they might keepe theirs he waked and cared day and night for them as a father for his children that at last he might bring peace for them to sleepe sound he brought the keyes and opened their Church doores that were closed up by the Antichristian Idolaters that the Devills doctrine was banished againe out of the Paltz and Christs Gospell preached and the Sacraments duely administred which I saw and was partaker of singing thankes unto God for their deliverance He it was and none other under God who helped them to their liberties He it was and none other releeved Israell Notwithstanding whereof the unthankfulnesse of the people was so great that with my eares divers times I did heare some of them say he might as wel have stayed in his own country till they had sent for him so great was their unthankfulnesse Likewise they said if he had had much at home he had not come unto them over seas such a farre Iourney Was not this to recompence good with evill Was not this right the chiefe Butlers part that did not remember Ioseph but forgot him Was not this Ioas his part to Ichoida his Father O then this was the poisonable bullet of ingratitude of the people for which our King and Master was taken away Oh would to God the people had never bin so unthankfull that our King Captaine and Master had yet lived Moreover as these people were unthankfull so they were Godlesse many of them in the time of their troubles as I did behould oftimes with mine eyes a carelesse security amongst them thinking their victories were so frequent and their owne power so great they needed not the assistance of the Swedens nor of strangers and their pride was so great that disesteeming of strangers in their pride they led a life very insolent and deboist being given to the workes of the flesh adultery fornication uncleannesse lasciviousnesse idolatry c. In a word it was even amongst them as it was in the dayes before the flood as if the Lord had forgotten them or could not see their villany so it behooved God to have punished them by his Majesties death For in their hearts they said there was no God so that their mischiefe came on them unawares and this the peoples carriage caused his Majesties untimely death being shot the second time O would to God they had done otherwise and served God more truely that we might have had the presence and conduct of our Magnanimous King longer till the pride of Austria had bin more humbled and the whore of Babylon brought unto repentance of her Idolatries O would to God I could enough lament his death As also lament my owne sinnes and the wickednesse of the people that was the cause of this untimely death through their sinnes And his Majesties selfe also being a sinner as he himselfe oftimes confessed wishing that God would not lay to his charge the greate respect and reverence the best sort of the people did give unto him being but a sinfull man as they were for which he seared the Lord was angry with him shewing by his cōfession he did glory in nothing but in the Lord ascribing ever all his victories unto God and nothing presuming of himselfe For I dare be bould to say he was a man according to Gods minde if there was one on earth Such was our Master Captaine and King As was Abraham the Father of many so was our Master Captaine and King Was Noah in his time unreproveable So was our Master Captaine and King Was Iob in his sufferings patient So was our Master Captaine and King Was Ionathan true and upright in keeping his word So was our Master Captaine and King Was Iehosaphat in his warres penitent and busie craving the helpe of the Lord So was our Master Captaine and King Was Simeon good and full of the spirit So was our Master Captaine and King Was young Tobias mindfull all his dayes of the Lord in his
ever redeeming the time takeing heede of small sinnes that by time thou maist avoide the greatest and if thou shalt behave thy selfe godly in the day thou mayst be assured to be merry at night VII When thou hearest the Alarum given going to thine Armes thinke then with thy selfe that it is more then time to abandon the universall world and to imbrace God and say as for me it is good to draw neere to God and to put my trust in him that I may declare all his Workes For whom have I in heaven but him and on earth I desire none but him he will guide me by his counsell and afterwards receive me unto glory VIII When thou seeft thy Camerade making ready and fix against his enemies girding his loynes that he may fight the more valiantly then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy duty to put on the spirituall Armour and to gird thy loynes against Satan the world and the flesh that thou mayst fight the spirituall combat bridling thy riotous appetite bringing under the flesh despising the worlds glory be at no time altogether idle but ever doing somewhat for the publique welfare discharging the duties of thy calling beseeching God for Christ thy Captaines sake to pronounce thee happy in the day of thy appearance IX When thou seest thy Camerade appointed to watch over himselfe and others lest he be circumvented by his enemies lost and utterly ruin'd then thinke with thy selfe that thy duty is to watch over thy selfe diligently lest the wrath of thine enemies seaze upon thee by Gods permission for thy punishment crushing thee to peeces and consider with thy selfe that as it is fearefull to fall into the hands of thine enemies so it is more fearefull to fall into the hands of the living Lord. Stand then in awe to offend him that infinitely loves thee let thy chiefest care be then to please God and to forsake unrighteousnesse that leadeth unto death and then surely thou mayst rejoyce though in trembling being merry in the Lord. X. When thou seest thy Camerades invironed with enemies and preparing themselves for Battaile then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie also to arme thy selfe against thy spirituall enemies craving God his assistance that he leave thee not nor suffer thee to be tempted above thy strength and if thou fightest valiantly unto the end thou art happie being promised for thy reward the Ioyes of Heaven For the Spirit saith to him that overcommeth I will give to eate of the tree of life XI When thou seest thy Camerades give eare to the words of Command hearkning unto their Captaines instructions obeying the tucke of Drumme or sound of Trumpet then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie to hearken unto Gods Word receiving comfort from the mouth of his servants for blessed are the eares that heare when the Lord whispereth and blessed are those who prepare themselves for the knowledge of God his heavenly mysteries Speake therefore O Lord for thy servant heareth since without mans helpe thou canst instruct and though man teach the letter thy Spirit openeth the meaning they shew the way and thou givest strength to walke man deales outwardly but it is thou that enlightnest the minde Paul plants Thou givest the increase speake therefore O Lord againe which art the ever-living truth to the comfort of our soules to the amendment of our lives and to the advancement of thine everlasting Glory XII When thou seest thy Camerade trusting and leaning unto his own strength and not depending upon God that gives victory then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie not to thinke with thine owne wings to flie unto heaven but with Gods feathers for it is not in the power of man to dispose his affaires at his owne pleasure But it is God that giveth victorie and comforteth whom he will and when he will and what he willeth must be for of our selves we are full of infirmities except the favour of God shine upon us and then are we strong enough to overcome all our enemies by his power that leads us preserving us from dangers and delivering us from infinit evils for he is our Salvation our Strength and our Shield in the day of Battaile XIII When thou seest againe thy Camerade like a valiant Souldier going forwards in well-doing not fearing any thing to winne credit then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie to strive to goe forwards notwithstanding the wickednesse of thy minde though Sathan should presse to hinder thee in the course of idlenesse and to withdraw thee from all religious dutie and exercise and from thy godly remembrance of Christs paines and wounds and from thy care of salvation and from thy Christian resolution to goe forwards in well-doing making thee abhorre prayer and the reading and hearing of the Word incorruptible beleeve him not and care not for him but turning his snares on his owne pate say unto him avoide Sathan thou uncleane spirit blush thou cursed wretch avoide I say thou wouldest carry me from my God but thou shalt not Iesus will assist me and thou shalt get but a shamefull soyle I had rather die than consent unto thee Therefore be quiet and hold thy peace for I will not heare though thou shouldest trouble me never so much The Lord is my light and my salvation whom should I feare the Lord is the strength of my life of whom should I be afraid the Lord protecting me and delivering me Therefore as a good Souldier strive couragiously but beware of pride and arrogancie which hath led many unto errour and almost unto uncurable blindnesse Therefore pray unto God that their fall may make thee wise XIV When thou seest thy Camerades impatient and given to pleasure and delectation unwilling to beare their crosses then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie as the Souldier of Iesus Christ to walke in his wayes without wearying and to beare thy crosse and miserie patiently For Christ suffered and so entered into his glorie Therefore if thou wilt be a Souldier of his thou must needs walke in this Kingly high way not quitting thy Ranke for feare or for persecution but must resolve to suffer adversitie for the more the flesh is troubled and weakned by calamitie the more the Spirit is confirmed by the comfort of the minde and he that is stedfast in the faith needs not feare the malice of the Devill XV. When thou seest thy Camerade loose in behaviour not fearing God neglecting his dutie to his Commanders carelesse of life and unprepared for death then thinke with thy selfe that thy dutie is to prepare thy selfe by unfained repentance thinking more often of death than of long life call to minde Gods judgements and the paines of Hell let thy behaviour be so as if thou wert presently to die so cleering thy conscience thou canst not greatly feare death being found such as thou wouldest appeare having lamented and truely repented thee of thy sinnes thou shalt winne the
Field and mortalitie being swallowed up of life thou shalt live for ever XVI When thou seest thy Camerade rash headie or obstinate in his owne opinion or yet readie to beleeve every man his words and suddenly rehearsing what hath been told him then thinke with thy selfe that as a Souldier of Christ it is thy dutie to be wise and setled in thy opinion not wavering with every winde of doctrine but constant in the true faith thou professest that though thou frequentest and seest men of divers Religions thou maiest ever prove constant in the truth thou professest for the Souldiers of Christ as they are constant so they must be fervent and godly zealous XVII When thou seest thy Camerade arrogant thinking himselfe better than his fellowes then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie to be humble familiar and sociable rather silent than babling not hastie arrogant as he lest God should condemne thee utterly thou must not suffer thy selfe to be drawne away with vanitie stirring with indignation against any but be meeke and wise watch and pray and spend not thy time in idlenesse but depend on God let thy conversation be honest living soberly and righteously in his sight not judging others blinded with private affection giving partiall sentence XVIII When thou seest thy Camerade loving the world better than God oppressing the poore as a Citizen of Babylon and not as a Souldier of Christ thinke then with thy selfe that he having made the wrong choice thy best is to have the true love and feare of God in doing no body wrong but contented with thy wages strive to be made a Citizen of Ierusalem and a Souldier of Christ indeavour to be holy and unblameable before him in love and charitie the vertues belonging to the Christian Souldier that as thou bearest the name thou be not found voide of the vertues belonging to those that fight Christs Battailes viz. love courage respect and obedience for he that loves any thing better than those vertues is not worthy the name of a Souldier And he that loveth Christ doth not walke in darknesse but hath the light of life caring more for a good life then for a long hunting after righteousnesse that all other things may be cast unto him XIX When thou seest thy Camerade not faithfull unto his Master and with love unfained not advertising him of all he knowes prejudiciall unto him then thinke with thy selfe that thou as a Souldier of Christ oughtst to be faithfull with love unfained towards thy Master fighting to death for him till thou overcomest vice and conquerest thy selfe of all Combats the best that thou maiest be esteemed of as the valiant Souldier of Christ that as thou art vertuous so thou maiest grow famous in glory having abandoned thy selfe and thy owne will to doe the will of God Lord make us doe this then are we sure to be honourable in thy sight XX. When thou seest thy Camerade contraried in many things by his betters and also perhaps scandalized then thinke with thy selfe and resolve if thou wouldest be counted as a Souldier of Christ that would reigne with him thou must also resolve to suffer with him and not to care a rush for the reproaches of men but thou must take all scandalls in good part for Christ thy Captaine was despised in this world and at extremitie his very friends forsooke him Thinke then O Souldier that thou art in respect of him but dust and forsake this world if thou wouldest have rest unto thy soule for the Kingdome of God is righteousnesse and peace and joy in the holy Ghost put then confidence in God and he will handle thy cause right well care thou to have a good Conscience in all thy doings then thou art sure none can hurt thee for the Lord will defend and deliver thee XXI When thou seest thy Camerade vaunting or bragging of his owne deeds without modestie or discretion seeking his owne prayse as many vaine men doe then thinke with thy selfe that thy dutie is to contemne worldly praise as vaine coming from man for true and eternall glory contemneth worldly praise and as man judgeth of the deed God regards the intent and minde presse therefore to doe well but thinke little of thy selfe being the surest token of a modest minde for he that praiseth himselfe is not allowed but he whom the Lord praiseth Wee ought not therefore to wax proud but wee ought to watch continually for Sathan sleepeth not and the flesh is not yet dead XXII When thou seest thy Camerade dissolute vaine proud phantasticke arrogant windie railing back-biting vaunting of all sinne and mischiefe then thinke with thy selfe that these are the notes proper unto the wicked and if thou wouldest prove a Souldier of Christ thou must oppose thy selfe contrary to them all being thy dutie to be lovely strong patient faithfull wise meeke prudent circumspect modest just not daintie not light not given to vanities but sober chaste constant quiet and temperate in all senses even with paine living in vertue for without paine none can love God for if thou wouldest love God thou must be painfull in seeking of him never leaving him till he be found of thee and love thee bringing thee through his love unto perfection in Christ For he that loves him will indure all things for his sake as valiant Souldiers fainting at nothing may happen yea thou must despise the inticements of Sathan and of thy fleshly enemies and that is the valiant exploit wherewith best thou canst please God XXIII When thou seest thy Camerade stand in awe to commit wickednesse both for feare of punishment and his love to his Commanders then thinke with thy selfe that thy dutie to thy heavenly Father obliges thee to love and to feare him with a filiall feare standing in awe to sinne against him for cursed is he that heareth the word of the Lord and despiseth it Blush thou therefore that takest more pleasure in vanitie than in the truth in time call thy sinnes to remembrance and that with sorrow let thy Religion be in thy heart not in thy mouth wish for heavenly things and contemne the world seeke to be made strong in the love of the Lord and constant to continue for nothing in heaven above or in the earth beneath is comparable to this love of God in Christ he that hath this love hath all in all Say then O my God and my love as thou art mine make me wholy thine XXIIII And last Meditation going before thine Enemie When thou seest thy Camerade for the love of honour and worldly credit not fearing to die but readie to open his breast like a valiant Souldier to receive wounds for his Masters sake then thinke with thy selfe that it is thy dutie as the spirituall Souldier of Christ not to feare to die but rather looking unto the glasse of life the rule of righteousnesse the light of the Soule the joy of the Conscience like a valourous Souldier for his