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Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves · John Vicars

Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves, Parliamentary chronicle · Letter 2 – Floating text 9

For my honourable Friend, William Lentall, Eſquire, Speaker of the Commons Houſe of Parliament.

SIR;

I Shall not weary you much with the relation of ſome happie ſucceſſes, God hath bleſſed us withall, ſince my arrivall at Hull, knowing that many pens will be ſet awork▪ A Copie of Sir John Meldrums Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament touching the brave victory he obtained at Hull.whereby neither the truth in the narration, nor the favour and mercy of God, can be fairly and fully revealed. There having been a ſupply ſent into Hull, Octob. 5th, 1643. of about 400 Souldiers, from the Earl of Mancheſter, and about 250, from Sir William Conſtable Upon munday the 9th of the ſaid October, the Reginaliſts or Popiſh forces under the Earl of Newcaſtles command, about break of day, did with a great deal of courage, being commanded by Denton Stricland, and one Little, a Countryman of mine, who commanded in chief, fell upon one of our Outworkes, called the Ragged-jetty, a place of great importance for the ſafe riding of our Shipping, before the Town; but by the reſolution of two Engliſh Commanders, and a Countryman of mine, couſen-germane to Sir William Cunningham, and the courage of the Gunners and Souldiers, they were (upon view of an hundred Muſqueteers which followed mee from the Mount) beaten out of the work, and driven to a moſt ſhamefull retreat, leaving the bodies of their Commanders dead upon the place; many of their Souldiers killed and wounded. Whereupon, on the ſaid 9th of October, my Lord Generall called a Councell of warre, where it was reſolved for us to iſſue forth, and to beat them out of their next workes approaching to ours. The order was, to fall out in two diſtinct bodies of five hundred Muſqueteers apiece, commanded (under my charge) by two Colonells, Lambert and Rainsborow, who with Major Forbeſs and Major Wren, carried themſelves very bravely in the buſineſs; and thus (the Lord Generall having placed three troopes of horſe, to keep off the enemies horſe (which were quickly drawn into a bodie) from annoying our foot) marching along, about nine of the clock that morning, toward the enemies line of approach, on every ſide, the enemy abandoning one work after another, untill wee had made our ſelves maſters of their Ordnance. But, as the Sun (in its greateſt brightneſs) is ſubject to Eclipſes: ſo it fell out with us at this time; for, the forwardneſs and violence of our ſouldiers was abated by about an hundred pikes of the enemie, who charging the Van of our foot, ſcatter'd and drave us back again, even ſo, as that they regained their Ordnance, and enforced us all to a ſhamef…ll retreat; neither my ſelf, nor the other Commanders being able to ſtop any one man, (no, if the Kingdome it ſelf had been at the ſtake.) In this retreat Colonell Rainsborow, was (as I conceive) either taken priſoner, or killed dead, and ſo fallen into ſome ditch, for he could not be found, but his mans dead body was found. Upon my Lord Generalls order to ſhut the gates, and upon the ſenſe of their own miſcarriage, a body of our foot was drawn up again, which falling again, with as much animoſitie and heat of courage, as formerly they had retreated, did drive them again out of their workes, recovered again all the Ordnance loſt, and gained beſide, a half-Cannon and a Demiculverin of braſs, which wee had not poſſeſſed in the firſt charge, even one of their …orreigne great brazen-ſtaves, which now through Gods mercy hath proved a Staff of Reed unto them. Upon this change of the Scene of affaires, the Marqueſs of Newcaſtle and Generall King brought down their whole Armie upon us from their head quarter: Whereupon wee turned the two laſt pieces, now taken by us, upon this bodie of their armie, and thereupon they were all inſtantly forced to a moſt wretched retreat, and to ſtand at a diſtance untill wee had ſleighted their whole line of approach, and then wee brought off nine pieces of Ordnance, the Demy-Cannon, aforementioned, called (by ſome) one of the Queenes gods, and, by others, the Queenes Pocket-piſtoll, which at firſt we made ſhift to draw out of danger of the enemies recovery, till wee had more leaſure toward night, to fetch within the walls, as afterward wee did, and brought them ſafely within our quarters. Now after the enemie perceived they had loſt the two braſs-pieces (which they did imagine wee were not able to draw off) their whole bodie of foot with fortie Colours drew themſelves (as a freſh reſerve, both horſe and foot) within Piſtollſhot to our Ragged-Jettie, reſolving (it ſeemed) to fall upon it that night, which they did with great fury and violence. But it pleaſed the Lord, infinitely to manifeſt great ſtrength in the weakneſs of our weary men, and as it were to put new ſpirits into their tyred bodies; and after a hot ski…miſh of about two houres at leaſt, wee alſo having ordered (as they perceived) two hundred▪ Muſqueteers to keep without the Jetty, which could not poſſibly have been done, if the enemie had had Ordnance, and having put ſo many reſolved men within the ſaid Jetty; thus, I ſay, at length it pleaſed the Lord ſo to order and diſpoſe of things, that they all betook themſelves to their heeles about midnight, and we…e driven quite out of the field, and forced to retyre quite away to their head-quarter. The Marqueſs of Newcaſtle himſelf and Lievtenant King, were beholders of the ſecond part of this act, and (as it was reported) King himſelf was wounded in two ſeverall places. Our Ordnance did them a great deal of miſchief, and if wee had had but a freſh bodie of foot, they had been put to a great ſtrait indeed. In their retyring, their other great-god (helpleſs gods) ſtuck faſt in the myre, untill all the Country-people were called together to draw her off. Among the Captains that deſerved well in this ſervice, Captain Micklethwait, Parſons, Bethel and Hardſtaff; for the horſe, Captain Clayton (the bearer heerof, who hath a generall love of all the Souldiers) did us ſingular good ſervice. Captain …almond, Captain Sibbalds, and Captain Crooker, did all of them carry themſelves very valiantly. I my ſelf had a blow on my ſide by a ſlug of cutted-iron ſhot from the great piece, but thanks be to the Lord, was not the worſe for it; but, I beleeve, had her Majeſtie known where the ſhot ſhould have lighted, ſhee would have checkt the Gunner, for not charging full home. Whileſt wee were in this ſervice (to increaſe our comfort) we heard the noyſe of the great incounter in Lincolnſhire, whereunto alſo God hath pleaſed to give a happie iſſue, whereby wee may perceive, that God is certainly upon the ſtage, and that Dagon muſt down. Since the beginning of this my Letter, wee underſtand that Colonell Rainesborow is ſafe. Sir, I deſire that you will continue your accuſtomed favour toward

Your affectionate friend and ſervant, JOHN ME…DRUM. From Hull, Octob. 14. 1643.

And although, this virtuous and valourous Commander Sir John Meldrum, in his wiſedome and humility forbeares to write ought of his own beſt deſervings in that foreſaid Service;A brief touch of Sir Jo. M… drums worth and valour, atteſted by the renowned Lord Fairfax himſelf. yet I cannot forbear to give the Reader, at leaſt one touch thereof, atteſted by the moſt noble and renowned Lord Generall himſelf, the Lord Fairfax, in his Letter to the Speaker of the Parliament, which, in brief, was this, That itpleaſed God (to give you my Lords own words) by the gallant courage and activitie of Sir John Meldrum, and the ſpirit and valour of the other Commanders and Officers, that all which the Souldiers had got and loſt at the firſt aſſault (forementioned) by their ſodain fear and retreat, was totally recovered again, and that with advantage too, and the whole victory in the Concluſion.

And now, having formerly toucht upon the mention of that famous fight and moſt glorious victory which our good God graciouſly conferred upon that as virtuous as valiant▪ Generall the noble Earl of Mancheſter, againſt the Popiſh and atheiſticall forces of Newcaſtle in Lincolnſhire, under their Papiſticall Commander the Lord Widrington and▪ Generall Henderſon, The moſt famous and renowned victory obtained by the right honourable Earl of Mancheſter, at Horncaſtle in Lincolnſhire.at Horn-Caſtle;. I ſhall now in the next place give the. Reader a moſt exact and full and fair account thereof alſo, in all the materiall and ſubſtantiall paſſages of it, eſpecially for the juſt advancement of the honour of the Lord our God, and the great comfort of all that wiſh the welfare and proſperitie of our Jeruſalem. About the 10th of October, 1643. my Lord of Mancheſter having had notice when he was at▪ Linne of a great force of horſe and Dragooneers come into Lincolnſhire, under the command of Generall Henderſon, and that upon the retreat of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and Colonell Cromwell from about Lowth, they were much heightned with confidence of ſucceſs, when ever they could draw-out forces to an eng…gement. The want of foot and Dragooneers made Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonell Cromwell very unwilling to fight with them; till they had acquainted my Lord, and tryed what ſupplies he could afford them; and withall his Lordſhip was aſſured (if he could draw any forces toward Balenbrook-Caſtle, the enemy was ſo confident of his own ſtrength) that he would bring down all his force to fight with him. Upon theſe grounds my Lord drew all his forces both horſe and foot from Linne, ſave onelyonly one troop of horſe and ſix companies of foot, which he left for the guard of that Town with Colonell Walton, whom he made Lievtenant-Governour.

Thus, upon the Munday, my Lord drew out all his foot out of Boſton, ten Companies he laid in Bolenbrook-Town, under the command of Major Knight, Serjeant Major to Sir Miles Hobart; Colonell Ruſſells Regiment was quartered at Strickford within a mile of them; and my Lords own (being but three Companies, the reſt being ſent to Hull, and left at Linne) at Stickney, and the horſe were all quartered in the Townes round about, at eight and ten miles diſtance.

Upon this Munday at night, Major Knight ſummoned the Caſtle of Bolenbrook in my Lord of M…ncheſters name,Bolenbrook-Caſtle ſummoned. but was anſwered, That his bug-bear words muſt not winne Caſtles, nor ſhould make them quit the place; that night, our men took in a little houſe on the right hand between the Caſtle and the Church, and reſolved the next night to endeavour to break-open the Church-doores, and there to mount a Morter-piece, and thence fire the Caſtle. The enemie had notice on the fryday following,The enemie prepares to meet and fight with the Earl of Mancheſter. that my Lord was coming, or come into thoſe parts, and thereupon drew out all their horſe and Dragooners from their ſeverall Garriſons, at Lincoln, Newark and Gainſborow, with a bold reſolution to finde him out and fight with him. Upon Tueſday thoſe of the Caſtle kill'd one or two of our men; and as Major Knight and Quarter-maſter Generall Vermeyden were viewing of it, made ſome ſhot at them, and one of them hit the ſaid Quarter-maſter Generall a little below the ancle, but pierced not the skin, onelyonly bruis'd his leg.

That afternoon, my Lord of Mancheſter came himſelf to Kirkby, which is within a mile of Bolenbrook, with Colonell Cromwell, where alſo my Lord Willoughby met him,Our forces are drawn all neer each other about Bolenbrook. and Sir Thomas Fairfax was then at Horn-Caſtle, about five miles off, one of his Regiments having the watch at Edlingſton, about three miles farther, but neerer to the enemie. My Lord had not been long there before he received a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax, that an allarm was given to ſome of our Quarters, and that himſelf had ſent out ſome horſe to diſcover what it might be, and would immediately give him a farther account, which he did by another Letter, about an houre after, the partie being returned and could get no information of any enemy neer, but conceived it to be a miſtake. However, Sir Thomas reſolved to ſtay there untill the evening, and then to come to Kirkby to my Lord. My Lord conceived it fit, and ſo did all thoſe that were with him, to give the allarm to all his quarters, and to appoint Horn-Caſtle to be the Allarm-place, and then to goe himſelf, immediately, thither to Sir Thomas Fairfax, and when all their men were thus drawn together to take farther reſolutions; and ſo, immediately, with my Lo. Willoughby, and ſome Officers with him, he took horſe for Horn-Caſtle, Sir Thomas Fairfax, in the mean time, getting no intelligence of the enemies approach, came away toward Kirkby to my Lord.

Before my Lord had reached Horn-Caſtle, The enemie gives ours the allarm, about Horncaſtle.the allarm came to him in good earneſt, that the enemie was fallen into our quarters, and was marching toward Horn-Caſtle. Coming neerer the Town he could hear great ſhouting and noyſe, which he conceived to be the enemies triumph, having beaten our men out of the Town; but it proved otherwiſe; for,Ours bravely bicker with the enemies forlornhopes. ſome of our men falling upon the enemies forlornhopes, though (but part of two troopes) ſeeing themſelves deſperately engaged, reſolved to put the beſt face on it, and fell upon them with crying and ſhouting, which did exceedingly amaze the enemie, and gave our men the eaſier paſſage through the midſt of them. Now, my Lord finding the enemie come into his quarters before he could have any certain information where he was, and the allarm-place poſſeſſed by the enemie, he appointed Kirkby and Bolenbrook-hill, for all his men to repair unto; and accordingly ſent word to all the quarters whither all our men came but that night, except three troopes that were directed to Stickney, and three or four troopes that went by the way of Totterſhall, and came not in till next morning. Many of our troopes came to Horn-Caſtle, according to the firſt orders, but finding the enemie there, came away without any loſs at all or very little. The enemie had fallen into our quarters at Thimbleby and ſome Townes thereabout,Three or four of our troopes in great dang…r, but came off moſt bravely. where three or foure of our troopes were in a manner ſurprized, but, finding themſelves ingaged, gave ſo good teſtimony and proof of their courage and reſolution, that the enemie had little or no cauſe to brag of that nights work, which being of ſo memorable conſequence, I have thought fit briefly heer to relate, which was thus: Captain Johnſon, Captain Samuel Moody, and Captain Player, were three of the commanders of theſe troopes which the enemie had thus almoſt ſurprized in their quarters, and were afterward alſo environed about by the enemie,Cap. Iohnſons, Cap. Moodies, and Captain Players brave courage and reſolution. who had gotten between them and the bodie of their horſe: ſo that they were forced to break through two bodies of the enemies horſe, of at leaſt a thouſand horſe in each body; but with admirable courage and reſolution, they with their troopes charged the enemy, crying all of them (as before they had agreed among themſelves) with a ſhout and loud voyce; Come on, come on, all is our own, all is our own; which ſo amazed the enemie, expecting ſome ambuſcado, that theſe three troopes brake thorow the firſt bodie, and ſo thorow the ſecond, doing great execution, yet loſt but three men. After that, they haſting toward the Town of Horncaſtle (where they thought the Earl of M…ncheſter was) about a mile before they came at the Town, they diſcovered another partie of the enemies horſe.The commanders notable diſcretion and courage. Heer, they diſcreetly agreed to goe ſoberly toward them, every man making anſwer to him that asked any queſtion, nothing but Friends, friends, all friends, as if they had been of the enemies troopes, and were going upon ſome deſign, it being, yet, dark; therefore when the enemies called to them, Who is there, the other all anſwered, Friends, friends, and ſo they paſſed, but as ſoon as they were paſt, and thought themſelves ſecure, they turned faces about, and asked the enemie, Who are you for? They anſwered, for the King. Then, ſaid they, Wee are for the King and Parliament, and charging the enemy, fled toward Horncaſtle, and the enemy purſuing, followed them to the Town-ſide, there being no forces in the Town on either ſide;The great ſtrait they were ſtill put unto. but they in the Town, had with carts and timber, barracadoed the paſſages into the Town, ſo that by this meanes there was ſome loſs in the troopes, being thus unexpectedly put to their ſhifts; but the loſs was but little, a Cornet and ſome few others, and they brought half a douzen of priſoners with them. Which could not but manifeſt a moſt evident hand of God in ſo great a preſervation. But to proceed.

All that night wee were drawing our horſe to the appointed rendevouz; And the next morning being▪ Wedneſday, my Lord gave order that the whole force both horſe and foot, ſhould be drawn up to Bolenbrook-hill, where he would expect the enemie,Bolenbrockhill deſigned to be the place to fight. being the onelyonly convenient ground to fight with him; But Colonell Cromwell was no way ſatisfied that wee ſhould fight, our horſe being extremely wearied with hard duty two or three dayes together.

The enemy alſo drew (that morning) their whole body of horſe and Dragooneers into the field,The enemies ſtrength and ours. being 74 Colours of horſe, and 21 Colours of Dragooneers, in all 95 Colours. Wee had not many more than half ſo many Colours of horſe and Dragooneers, but I believe wee had as many men, beſides our foot, which indeed could not be drawn up untill it was very late;The word on both ſides. The enemies word was Cavendiſh, and ours was, Religion. I beleeve that as wee had no notice of the enemies coming toward us; ſo they had as little of our preparation to fight with them. It was about twelve of the clock ere our horſe and Dragooneers were drawn up; after that wee marched about a mile nearer the enemie,Both armies in ſight of each other. and then wee began to deſcry him by little and little, coming toward us. But untill this time wee did not know wee ſhould fight, but ſo ſoon as our men had knowledge of the enemies coming, they were very full of joy and reſolution, thinking it a great merciemercy that they ſhould now fight with him.The pietie of our armie▪ Our men went on in ſeverall bodies, ſinging Pſalmes. Quarter-maſter Generall Vermeyden with five troopes had the forlorn-hope, and Colonell Cromwell the Van, aſſiſted with other of my Lords troopes, and ſeconded by Sir Thomas Fairfax; Both armies met at a Town called Ixbie.Both armies met about Ixbie (if I miſtake not the Townes name) both they and wee had drawn up our Dragooneers, and gave the firſt charge, and then the horſe fell in. Colonell Cromwell fell with brave reſolution upon the enemie, immediately after their Dragooneers had given him the firſt volley, yet they were ſo nimble, as that within half piſtoll-ſhot, they gave him another, his horſe was killed under him at the firſt charge,Gen. Cromwells great danger. and fell down upon him, and as he roſe up he was knockt down again, by the Gentleman that charged him, who, 'twas conceived, was Sir Ingram Hopton, but afterward he recovered a poor horſe in a Souldiers hand, and bravely mounted himſelf again.The ſight in the very heat of it. Truly this firſt charge was ſo home-given and performed with ſo much admirable courage & reſolution by our troops, that the enemie ſtood not another, but were driven back upon their own body,The enemie …ins to …. which was to have ſeconded them, and at laſt put them into a plain diſorder; and thus in leſs than half an houres fight they were all quite routed and forced to run for their lives,The enemies flie. though they were two for one, and as ſoon as our men perceived them to ſhrinke, they fiercely charged within them all, and then, I ſay, they ran for it, leaving all their Dragooneers, which were now on foot behind them. Thus our men purſued them, and did execution upon them about five or ſix miles, all the way being ſtrewed with broken armes, dead men and horſes.

And heer I may not omit to make mention of the rare courage and valour of that moſt noble Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax, who when they firſt viewed the enemie and ſaw great odds in their number, was ſo much the more inflamed with godly courage and reſolution,Sir Tho. Fairfax, his undaunted courage ſaying, Come, let us fall on, I never proſpered better than when I fought againſt the enemie three or four to one. One hundred of their men to avoid the furie of our men were drowned,The iſſue of the fight. many were wounded, and in one gravell pit above an 100 were hid, ſome there breathing their laſt breath, others leſs wounded; my Lord of Mancheſter moſt mercifully gave order that care ſhould be taken of them all. And heer it muſt not be forgotten, that ſome with mortall wounds upon them cryed out, The Commiſſion of Aray, The Commiſſion of Aray cryed out on by the dying Souldiers.the Commiſſion of Aray brought us hither full ſore againſt our wills; wee were as true ſervants to the Parliament, and our Religion and liberties, as any in England, and woe to thoſe that were the cauſe that Lincoln and Yorkſhire became a prey to the enemie, wee die as true friends to the Parliament as any. Two hundred horſe were found left in the Caſtle, their riders being all fled; many hundreds fled into the waters up to the arme-holes; they that lay ſlain in the high wayes were very many, and divers of qualitie, for there were brave bodies ſtript naked;The ſpoyl and prizes taken. Sir George Bowles was ſlain, and Sir Ingram Hopton, Colonell Shelley was taken priſoner among thoſe taken out of the water, and Colonell Ayres; the number of horſe taken in all were about 2000, of priſoners about 1000, and as many ſlain, of armes 1500, and not 100 of the enemies ('twas verily believed) to be found in a body; of 94 Standards, 35 were taken: Wee loſt very few of our men, none of note; wee hardly found above one officer hurt, and that was Colonell Cromwells Captain-Lievtenant.The armie, with the moſt noble Lord of Mancheſter, poſſeſs themſelves of Horncaſtle. Our foot were not drawn up to the place where the fight was, untill after the fight and chaſe was over. Horſe and foot though very weary marched on toward Horncaſtle, where my Lord lay that night, with all the foot, his horſe being ſent to their old quarters in the Townes adjoyning. And truly, both Officers and Souldiers did their dutie that day ſingularly well and bravely, my Lord himſelf alſo took wonderfull paines in bringing the buſineſs to this foreſaid paſs, in drawing up all the foot to have relieved the horſe, in caſe they had been put to ſtraits, and had needed it. But God himſelf did all, taking away the enemies hearts, and giving reſolution and courage to our men, to him therefore be all the honour and glory of this famous victorie.

Now whiles theſe things were thus in agitation,Letters of the enemies intercepted, confirming the truth of this great victorie. the noble Lord Fairfax had a Letter brought unto him, which was intercepted, written by that ignoble Popiſh Lord Widrington, the then preſent Governour of Lincoln, in which Letter, (writing to his great Lord the Marqueſs of Newcaſtle) he confirmes by his own confeſſion the truth of this great victorie. Another Letter was alſo intercepted written by Generall Hinderſon alſo to the Governour of Newark. The former Letter enforming Newcaſtle, that the loſs of all Lincolnſhire and Yorkſhire too was in a great hazard, eſpecially if he were forced to quit Hulls ſiege too; and in his ſaid Letter alſo certifying the loſs of divers of their prime Commanders for certain ſlain in the foreſaid battail. Hinderſons Letter, alſo, importing a pitifull complaint of his loſs in the ſaid fight, and aſſuring the Governour of Newark that ſince the fight he was not able to rally or get together, hardly 400 men of all his former great and numerous forces.

And that which addes extraordinarie luſtre to the honour of our wonder-working God, and which I may not heer by any meanes omit; It pleaſed the Lord by his admirable providence ſo to order it,This famous victory, and that alſo at Hull, were obtained both in one and the ſame day. that both this great victorie at Horncaſtle and that brave victorie alſo obtained by the moſt renowned Lord Fairfax at Hull, under the command of that moſt worthy and expert Commander Sir John Meldrum, were beſtowed by the Lord our God upon his people and Parliament, upon one and the ſame day, namely, Wedneſday, October 11, 1643. And now to goe on.

About the 16th of October, 1643. came Letters from Glouceſter to London, with moſt credible intelligence, that the truly valiant and magnanimous Commander Colonell Maſſie, that ever to be honoured and renowned Governour,Col. Maſsies good ſervice at Tewksbery. and (by Gods wonderfull aſſiſtance) maintainer of Glouceſter, having true intelligence that about a regiment of the Kings Welch forces were come to Tewksbery, intending to fortifie and quarter themſelves there, and to make that Town winter-Garriſon; This noble and moſt vigilant Colonell being very deſirous to be rid of ſuch unfriendly and unruly neighbours, ſpeedily and privately drew forth a conſiderable partie of horſe and foot from Glouceſter, and marched with them to Tewksbery, where he ſodainly and reſolutely fell upon the enemie, ſlew above 30 of them, took many priſoners, and forced the reſt to flie for their lives, ſome of whom, were in that their haſtie flight, drowned in the river Severn. He alſo took 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, Another brave defeat given to the Kings forces by the Parliaments forces in Warwick-Caſtle.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,An Ordināce of Parliament againſt Spies and intelligencers. 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 ac…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 Gene…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,The Citie of Lincoln taken by the noble Earl of Mancheſter. 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,The prize taken in the Citie of Lincoln. 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 onelyonly with ſticks in their hands; and thus became Maſter of this Citie,Gainesborough alſo taken, by the ſaid noble Earl of Mancheſter. 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 ſo victorious, and pray for the perfecting of this his ſo pious and honourable reſolution.

And heer now good Reader, give me leave to tell thee, or rather to remember thee of what thou knewſt too well before,The great deſign againſt the Citie of London. viz. That the moſt famous and ever to be honoured Citie of London, being the main, if not the onelyonly white and mark of the inveterate malice and envie of the Oxonian Court-Achitophels and atheiſticall and Popiſh Cormorants and Malignants; this place mightily and mainly being the great Remora and mightie Stone in the way of their miſchievouſly intended tyrannicall Monarchie and Popiſh Hierarchie, which muſt be removed, or els all their whole work muſt needs be fruitleſs and frivolous. Now therefore having graſped ſuch a handfull of the Kingdome in the Weſtern parts thereof, and having, as they hoped (but falſly, praiſed be God) gotten good hold on the Northern parts of the Kingdome too; Now, I ſay, they began to knock all their heads and hearts together on the anvill of their utmoſt Jeſuiticall Councells, ſeeing London to be ſo great a goad in their ſides, and ſuch a ſtrong bolt and obſtacle in the way of their high deſignes, and that it was impoſſible to be maſtred by any of their preſent might or immediate aſſaults. This therefore was the main and great deſign,The great plot and deſigne was how to contrive to ſtarve up the Citie of Londo…. how to ſtarve up the Citie this Winter; which muſt be firſt by breaking in with their armies into the aſſociated Counties, fortifying ſome conſiderable Towns therein, and thereby awing the reſt with reſtleſs alarmes and excurſions, diſabling them in money and armes, hindring, thus, all commerce to and from the Citie, and thus alſo ſtopping all kinde of proviſion to be brought to it; and then the Iriſh Rebells (or deluded Iriſh Proteſtants, yea both) to be brought on by multitudes to aſſiſt and help forward this great and main deſigne, and then to ſhare and divide the plunder, the honours and lands both of London, England, and Ireland among them; onelyonly Scotland muſt have the unhappie happineſs, to ſtay to be devoured at leaſure, and in the laſt place of the three Kingdomes.

Now the manner of the beginning and ſetting this deſigne on foot, was,The manner and wayes of the enemies contriving their plot againſt London. to take and fortifie Redding again, Bedford, Newport-Pannell, &c. and ſo to get forward to Cambridge and Huntington-ſhire, that way toward the North-Eaſterly parts of the Kingdome, and thus to encreaſe and ſtrengthen advantages already gotten, (at leaſt, I ſay, as they falſly conceited) and then conſequently to be for the South-Eaſtern and Southern parts thereof. And thus had they in their hopes and touring (or devouring) proud and pernicious opinions already ſwallowed us up in the mawes of theſe their miſchievous and moſt mal…cious deſignes: Thus Man (as our Proverb is) doth deeply purpoſe, but our God onelyonly doth over-poweringly diſpoſe of all things; but to goe on. For the full and effectuall proſecution heerof,The manner of the enemies acting their cōtrivements. that moſt vile and … perous active Agent of theirs Sir Ralph Hopton is deſigned (with all the preparations they could make for him) to advance to Wincheſter, Chicheſter, and ſo forward to Kent; this was the ſubſtance of this great plot and high deſigne on the Citie of London, and conſequently on the whole Kingdome, which being thus laid before the eyes and underſtanding of the judicious Reader, and wiſe obſerver of the paſſages of this kinde, he may moſt clearly and with admirable delight, comfort, and content, behold and ſee how our good God in his infinite mercy,2 Chro. 16. 9. wiſdome, and all-diſpoſing providence, (whoſe eyes run through the whole world, to ſhew himſelf ſtrong for thoſe that are of an upright heart) ſtill moſt graciouſly croſt their wicked counſells, and turned them into folly and madneſs; as, in all the ſubſequent paſſages ſhall be fully related and ſet forth,How God all along croſt and diſappointed all the enemies deep deſignes. and all which, I ſhall deſire the Reader (with mee) to take moſt gratefull notice of, as they fall out, both in Sir William Wallers vigilant and valiant attending and waiting on Hoptons wayes and deportments in the South and South-Weſtern parts; and in his Excellencies the Parliaments Lord Generalls, and Major Generall Skippons moſt wiſe and warle obſervation and attendance on the wayes and courſes of that moſt pernicious Prince of Plunderers, Rupert, about Bedfordſhire, Newport-Pannell, and St Albanes; together with the reſt of our faithfull and famous Commanders more Eaſterly and Northward; all which I ſhall repreſent to the Readers view in fit and following places.

But, before I yet come to thoſe particulars, give mee leave, good Reader, with thy accuſtomed candor and patience, to acquaint thee heer alſo with another great deſigne they had upon us, and our precious Parliament, to croſs and curb the provident proceedings in our moſt juſt defence,Another great plo… of the enemies to hinder our Brethren of Scotlands coming in to our ayd and aſſiſtance. againſt their accurſed and bloudy breaking in upon us, our lives, liberties, and Religion, namely, their deep endeavours to hinder our honeſt Brethren of Scotland from coming forth to help us; Wherein alſo the hand of God will be wonderfully ſeen for good, and the paſſages wherof moſt worthy to be recorded and enrolled in the number of theſe our precious Parliamentarie-mercies, as moſt highly conducing and contributing to the honour of our moſt wiſe and wonder-working God, and the great comfort of all his Saints and ſervants; which (to omit divers other former plots and contrivements to this foreſaid end) was briefly thus:

About the midſt of October, 1643.An Embaſſadour ſent from the Queen-Regent of France into Scotland, to divert thoſe our brethren from coming to ayd us. meanes having been uſed by private Meſſengers into France by the peſtilent Councell and contrivers at Oxford, The Queen-Regent of France ſent an Embaſſadour into Scotland, of purpoſe to divert the Scots reſolution from coming into England to aſſiſt the Parliament: The ſubſtance of whoſe Meſſage being, That as they tendered the continuation and preſervation of that ancient league and amitie which had been between the Crownes of France and Scotland for ſo many hundred yeares, they would be now adviſed to ſtay at home in peace, and not to ſhew themſelves in any hoſtile or armed manner againſt their King &c. But, to be brief, for moſt certain, the ſaid Embaſſadour was ſoon and ſoundly anſwered, and ſo departed thence into France again, without that expected and intended iſſue he came for, and thoſe our Brethren moſt piouſly and conſtantly perſiſted in their obliged and engaged reſolution to joyn in our ayd and aſſiſtance.

Again, much about the ſame time, the King ſent two Letters into Scotland, Two Letters ſent by our King into Scotland to croſs the Scots reſolution to ayd England.commanding that they ſhould both be publikely read in all the Cities and Market-Townes of that Kingdome, and that then they ſhould both be entred upon Record, the Copies whereof were by thoſe our honeſt brethren of Scotland, ſent to our Parliament. The one of them was againſt a Proclamation which the States of Scotland ſet forth in the Kings name, to command the Subjects, there, to be ready with their a…mes, whenſoever they were ſummoned, on ſevere penalties; which the King ſaid he much marveiled they would doe without his conſent,The ſubſtance of both the ſaid Letters. &c. The other Letter was againſt their godly and moſt gracious Covenant, requiring them not to proſecute it any farther, and enjoyning them not to ayd his two Houſes of Parliament, which, he ſaid, were in actuall rebellion againſt him, &c. But, praiſed, for ever,The Royalliſts hopes, heerin alſo, fruſtrated. be our good God, by whoſe gracious providence, their hearts were moſt wiſely and reſolutely eſtabliſhed not to be daſht and daunted therein, but they utterly refuſed to yeeld to either of his demands and commands in both the Letters, and ſent his Majeſtie an anſwer ſuteable to their Chriſtian dutie, and the nature alſo of ſuch a Meſſage and command, and ſo went on moſt religiouſly and reſolvedly in the juſt and warrantable work they had ſo adviſedly undertaken.

But now to goe on, in the manifeſting (as I promiſed) and ſetting forth,The grand plot of ſtarving up the Citie of London, now proſecuted by the Royalliſts, but bleſſedly fruſtrated. in order, the progreſs of the great work at home, by our adverſaries deſignes againſt the Citie of London, and therein the whole Kingdome, in that their forementioned grand plot to ſtarve up the Citie by taking from them all the neighbour Countries ſuccours and ſupplements of all kindes; and thus at laſt, hoping to bring it low, and (according to that old Proverb, If you will tame a wanton Colt, take away his provender) and tame it, and make it ſtoop to their moſt untaimed wilde and wicked tyranny: but yet, how our moſt wiſe and righteous God croſt and confounded this their wicked work and devilliſh deſigne.

And now in the firſt place I muſt tell you, how the moſt noble and victorious Earl of Mancheſter, being in Lincolnſhire proſecuting his ſucceſsfull and victorious enterpriſes in thoſe parts, as hath been formerly and fully related, having intelligence that the Oxonian-Cormorants were entred into Bedfordſhire, with purpoſe to make an inroad into the reſt of the aſſociated Eaſtern-Counties, whereof he was made Commander in chief, under his Excellencie the Lord Generall: His Lordſhip,The Earl of Mancheſter reſolves to ayd his aſſociated Counties out of Lincolnſhire by Colonell Cromwell. therefore, held it not fit to leave them without relief againſt ſuch plundering and all-devouring Cormorants, and greedie unwelcome gueſts, and was therefore neceſſitated to grant ſuch a compoſition to the Lord Widrington, Colonell Henderſon, &c. (then in the Citie of Lincoln) as otherwiſe he would not, that thus he might haſten to the preſervation of thoſe his foreſaid Counties; and ſo having gotten this Citie (as hath been forementioned) he preſently ſent away renowned and victorious Colonell Cromwell, Col: Cromwell ſent out of Lincolnſhire into Huntingto…ſhire with conſiderable forces.with a conſiderable part of his forces toward Huntington, to interrupt the Cormorants pernicious intentions in thoſe parts and about Cambridge; but his Excellencie, the Parliaments renowned Lord Generall▪ being then at St Albanes with his armie, preſently ſent Meſſengers to countermaund the brave Colonells reſolutions, and required him to return again to my Lord of Mancheſter, Col. Cromwell ordered by the Lo. Generall to return again into Lincolnſhire.and to proſecute thoſe intended Services in the North, aſſuring him that by Gods aſſiſtance, he would take ſpeciall care that the aſſociated Counties ſhould receive no prejudice by the Kings Cormorants, which he moſt nobly made good and accordingly performed.The Kings Cormorants flie out of Newport-Pannell. For preſently after it, his Lordſhip ſent a conſiderable ſtrong partie of horſe and foot toward Newport-Pannell, againſt thoſe greedie Cormorants, who hearing of their certain and ſpeedie approach, made all the haſte they were able to flie away from thence, for fear of being intrapped in a nooz, whereby on a ſodain thoſe parts were already fairly and fully cleared from fear of them both at Newport and Bedford too. And heerby alſo Colonell Cromwell being returned to the noble Earl of Mancheſter, his great and noble deſignes in thoſe parts went on again moſt ſucceſsfully;The great plot mightily daſht & damped alreadie. and thus by Gods ſpeciall providence and great merciemercy, the Kings Cormorants were doubly diſappointed of their late high-built hopes and pernicious purpoſes. For, by their intended fortifying of Newport, they hoped to have eſtabliſht one main branch of the foreſaid ſwelling deſigne to have ſtarved up the Citie, by thus encroaching by degrees into the Eaſtern-aſſociated Counties, and alſo by their thus coming and neſtling (by little and little) in them, they ſtrongly hoped to have drawn and diverted the Earl of Mancheſter quite out of Lincolnſhire, and ſo to have taken him off from the purſuite of his victories in thoſe parts: But his Excellencie, as I ſaid before, moſt nobly clipt the wing of that highſoaring hope of theirs, by marching into thoſe parts to expell the enemie out of them, and ſo the ſafelier to ſecure them. Thus, I ſay, the Lord our good God doubly bleſt us againſt this devilliſh deſigne of theirs, blaſting it in the bud, ſtifling it in the birth, and very beginning of it, and making it abortive to them, and giving us great aſſurance thereby of yet more hopefull advantages, as by Gods bleſſing wee ſhall have fit and fair opportunities to mention them in their ſeverall ſucceeding and proper places.

And now,A ſummarie recapitulation of all this Moneths Parliamentarie-mercies, and therein the ſweet preſervation of his Ark, his great Cauſe. good Reader, let mee deſire thee heer to make a little ſtay, to ſtrike ſail and caſt thine anchor of ſerious recogitation and ſummarie contemplation, into the deep Ocean of all this Moneths many and moſt rich mercies and Parliamentarie preſervations of this Ark of Gods Cauſe.

Firſt, In the Lords ſtirring up of the hearts of our Parliamentarie-Worthies, to remember the welfare of the poor children of Chriſts Hoſpitall; and alſo raiſing up the affections of the Citizens of London to ſeal their holy League and Covenant, with a large and liberall contributed loan of a great ſumme of money for our brethren of Scotlands advance unto our help.

In the moſt noble Lord Fairfaxes brave victorie againſt the Earl of Newcaſtle at Hull, and thereby raiſing the ſiege thereof.

In the right noble and victorious Earl of Mancheſters renowned victories over the Popiſh and atheiſticall forces in Lincolnſhire at Bolenbrook and Horncaſtle.

Famous Colonell Maſſies good ſervice at Tewksbery; and that alſo by the Parliaments Garriſon at Warwick-Caſtle againſt the Kings forces at Cambden.

In the Ordinance of Parliament againſt Spies and intelligencers; and farther famous proſecution of the moſt noble Earl of Mancheſters victories in the gaining of the Citie of Lincoln, and ſtrong Town of Gainesborough.

And laſtly, In the moſt happie fruſtrating and defeating of the enemies deep and dangerous deſigne to ſtarve the Citie of London, and ſo to enforce the conqueſt of it; and in Gods croſſing that other great deſigne of our Oxonian Achitophells to have hindred our honeſt Brethren of Scotlands reſolution to advance forward to our aſſiſtance.

All theſe rare mercies, I ſay, layd together and ſeriouſly conſidered, O how can wee chooſe, but be extraordinarily elevated to a high pitch and peg of obliged gratitude, to our great and glorious God,GODS Ark ſtill born-up above the tops of all its advers ſwelling waves of oppoſition. who hath ſo powerfully and prudently propped up and protected his thus poor menaced and aſſaulted Ark, ſecurely bearing it up above all the raging and ſwelling waves and boyſterous billowes of fierce and furious adverſaries, beating and bruſhing againſt it, with their utmoſt envie and moſt malevolent oppoſitions; And therefore, I ſay, with holy David, to break forth into inſulting and triumphant joy in the Lord, and ſay; Our hearts are fixed,Pſal. 57. 7. O God, our hearts are fixed, wee will ſing and give praiſe. Awake up our glorie, awake Pſalterie and Harp; and let us all awake right early thus to bleſſe and magnifie the Lord.Pſal. 60. 12. 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, November. 1643.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,An aſſociation of Hampſhire, Surrey, Suſſex, and Kent. 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 Corm… 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 E…ex was thereby deſired to grant a Commiſſion to that moſt valiant and renowned Commander Sir William Waller, Sir …. Waller, Commander in chief, of this aſſociation.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, The Parli… ments providence for the welfare of forein Engliſh Plantations.not onelyonly 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.