Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves, Parliamentary chronicle · Floating text 10 – Floating text 11
An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons▪ aſſembled in PARLIAMENT.
Die Jovis, Novemb. 2. 1643.
VVHereas many thouſands of the natives and good Subjects of this Kingdome of England, through the oppreſſion of the Prelates, and other ill affected Miniſters and Officers of State, have of late yeeres to their great griefe and miſerable hardſhip been inforced to tranſplant themſelves and their families into ſeverall Iſlands, and other remote and deſolate parts of the Weſt-Indies: and having there through exceeding great labour and induſtry (with the bleſſing of God) obtained for themſelves and their families ſome competent and convenient meanes of maintenance and ſubſiſtance, ſo that they are now in a reaſonable well ſetled and peaceable condition. But fearing leſt the outragious malice of Papiſts and other ill-affected perſons ſhould reach unto them in their poor and low, (but as yet peaceable condition) and having been informed, that there hath been lately procured from His Majeſty ſeverall grants under the great Seale for erecting ſome new Governours and Commanders amongst the ſaid Planters in their aforementioned Plantations; Whereupon the ſaid Planters, Adventurers, & Owners of Land in the ſaid forein Plantations, have preferred their Petition unto this preſent Parliament, that for the better ſecuring of them and their preſent Eſtates, there obtained through ſo much extreame labour and difficulty, they might have ſome ſuch Governours and government as ſhould be approved of and confirmed by the authoritie of both Houſes of Parliament. Which Petition of theirs the Lords and Commons having taken into conſideration, and finding it of great importance both to the ſafety and preſervation of the aforeſaid Natives and Subjects of this Kingdome, as well from all forain invaſions and oppreſſions▪ as from their own inteſtine diſtractions and diſturbances, as alſo much tending to the honour and advantage of His Majeſties Dominions, have though fit, and doe heerby conſtitute and ordaine Robert Earle of Warwick Governour in chiefe, and Lord high Admirall of all thoſe Iſlands, and other Plantations, inhabited, planted, or belonging to any His Majeſties the King of Englands Subjects, or which hereafter may be inhabited, planted, or belonging to them, within the bounds, and upon the coaſts of America. And for the more effectuall, ſpeedier, and eaſier tranſaction of this ſo weighty and important a buſineſſe, which concernes the well-being and preſervation of ſo many of the diſtreſſed Natives of this and other His Majeſties Dominions, The Lords and Commons have thought fit that Philip Earle of Pembrook, Edward Earl of Mancheſter, William Viſcount Say and Seale, Philip Lord Wharton, John Lord Roberts, Members of the Houſe of Peeres, Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet, Sir Arthur Haſelrigg Baronet, Sir Henry Vane, junior, Knight, Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight, John Pym, Oliver Cromwell, Dennis Bond, Myles Corbet, Cornelius Holland, Samuel Vaſſall, John Rolls, and William Spurſtow, Eſquires, Members of the Houſe of Commons, ſhall be Commiſſioners to joyn in ayd and aſſiſtance with the ſaid Earl of Warwick, chief Governour and Admirall of the ſaid Plantations, which chief Governour, together with the ſaid Commiſſioners, or any four of them, ſhall heerby …av… power and authority to provide for, order, and diſpoſe all things which they ſhall from time to time finde moſt fit and advantageous to the well-governing, ſecuring, ſtrengthning and preſerving of the ſaid Plantations, and chiefly to the preſervation and advancement of the true Proteſtant Religion amongst the ſaid planters, inhabitants, and the further enlargement and ſpreading of the Goſpel of Chriſt amongst thoſe that yet remain there in great and miſerable blindneſſe and ignorance. And for the better advancement of this ſo great a work, It is heerby further ordained by the ſaid Lords and Commons, That the aforeſaid Governour and Commiſſioners ſhall heerby have power and authority upon all weighty & important occaſions which may concern the good and ſafety of the aforeſaid Planters, to call unto their advice and aſſiſtance therein any other of the aforeſaid Planters, Owners of Land, or Inhabitants of the ſaid Iſlands and Plantations, which ſhall then be within twenty miles of the place where the ſaid Commiſſioners ſhall then be; and ſhall have power and authority to ſend for, view, and make uſe of all ſuch Records, Books, and Papers, which doe or may concern any of the ſaid Plantations: And becauſe the well-ſetling and eſtabliſhing of ſuch Officers and Governours as ſhall be laborious and faithfull in the right governing of all ſuch perſons as be reſident in or upon the ſaid Plantations, and due ordering and diſpoſing all ſuch Affaires as concerne the ſafety and welfare of the ſame, is of very great advantage to the publique good of all ſuch remote and new Plantations;
It is hereby further ordained and decreed, That the ſaid Robert Earl of Warwick, Governour in chief, and Admirall of the ſaid Plantations, together with the aforeſaid Commiſſioners, Philip Earl of Pembrook, Edward Earl of Mancheſter, William Viſcount Say and Seale, Philip Lord Wharton, John Lord Roberts, Sir Gilbert Gerard Knight and Baronet, Sir Arthur Haſelrig Baronet, Sir Henry Vane, junior, Knight, Sir Benjamin Rudyer Knight, John Pym, Oliver Cromwell, Dennis Bond, Miles Corbet, Cornelius Holland, Samuel Vaſſall, John Rolls, and William Spurſtowe, Eſquires, or the greater number of them ſhall have power and authoritie from time to time, to nominate, appoint, and conſtitute all ſuch ſubordinate Governours, Counſellors, Commanders, Officers and Agents as they ſhall judge to be beſt affected, and moſt fit and ſerviceable for the ſaid Iſlands and Plantations; And ſhall heerby have power and authoritie upon the death or other avoydance of the aforeſaid chief Governour and Admirall, or any the other Commiſſioners before named, from time to time to nominate and appoint ſuch other chiefe Governour and Admirall, or Commiſſioners, in the place and roome of ſuch as ſhall ſo become voyd. And ſhall alſo heerby have power and authority to remove any of the ſaid ſubordinate Governours, Counſellors, Commanders, Officers, or Agents, which are, or ſhall be appointed to Governe, Counſell, or Negotiate the publike Affaires of the ſaid Plantation, and in their place and roome to appoint ſuch other Officers as they ſhall judge fit. And it is heerby ordained, That no ſubordinate Governours, Counſellors, Commanders, Officers, Agents, Planters, or Inhabitants whatſoever, that are now reſident in or upon the ſaid Iſlands or Plantations, ſhall admit or receive any other new Governours, Counſellors, Commanders, Officers, or Agents whatſoever, but ſuch as ſhall be allowed and approved of under the hands and Seales of the aforeſaid chief Governour and high Admirall of the ſaid Plantation, together with the hands and Seales of the aforementioned Commiſſioners, or any ſix of them, or under the hands and Seales of ſuch as they ſhall authorize thereunto.
And whereas for the better government and ſecurity of the ſaid Plantations and Iſlands, and the Owners and Inhabitants thereof, there may be juſt and fit occaſion to aſſigne over ſome part of the power and authoritie (granted in this Ordination to the chief Governour & Commiſſioners afore-named) unto the ſaid Owners, Inhabitants, or others; It is heerby ordained, That the ſaid chiefe Governour and Commiſſioners before-mentioned, or the greater number of them, ſhall heerby be authorized to aſſigne, ratifie, and confirme ſo much of their afore-mentioned authoritie and power, and in ſuch manner, and to ſuch perſons as they ſhall judge to be fit for the better governing and preſerving of the ſaid Plantations and Iſlands from open violence and private diſturbance and diſtractions.
And laſtly, That whoſoever ſhall doe, execute, or yeeld obedience to any thing contained in this Ordinance, ſhall by vertue heerof be ſaved harmleſſe and indempnified.
Ordered by the Lords and Commons aſſembled in Parliament, that this Ordinance ſhall be forthwith printed and publiſhed. John Brown, Cler. Par.
About the 8th of November, 1643. came certain intelligence to London, by Letters out of the Weſtern parts of the Kingdome, and alſo by the teſtimony of divers credible perſons, that a certain conſiderable number of Engliſh-Iriſh Proteſtant Souldiers being tranſported out of Ireland to Briſtoll, under the command of Sir Charles Vavaſor, on pretence to fight in England for the King and Parliament, A conſiderable number of Engliſh-Iriſh Proteſtant Souldiers landed at Briſtoll out of Ireland, revolted from the King to the Parliament.where being arrived, and thinking that Briſtoll had been ſtill in the Parliaments poſſeſſion, but finding it otherwiſe on their arrivall, and that their commanders would have enforced them to have taken an oath or Covenant to fight againſt the Parliament, they utterly refuſed it, declaring that they did not come from fighting againſt the bloudy Papiſts in Ireland, with an intent to take part with the ſame and the other Papiſts in England; and thereupon, there being a great mutinie between the Souldiers and their Commanders, the Souldiers ſlue ſome of their Commanders in the place, enforced the reſt of their Commanders to flie to Oxford for ſhelter:The Engliſh-Iriſh Souldiers fall foul on their Commanders and Officers. After which they unanimouſly departed out of Briſtoll toward Bathe, and from thence alſo putting themſelves under the Command of one Apleton, a brave ſpirited man and valiant Souldier, they marched to Glouceſter to the moſt renowned Colonell Maſſey to be diſpoſed of by him in the Parliaments ſervice; and before their departure from Bathe, They march away to Glouceſter, to ſerve under Colonell Maſsi….divers of the gen…rie and well-affected inhabitants of that Countie (as was alſo credibly informed) being weary of the Kings Cormorants tyranny, laid hold on the opportunitie and joyned themſelves with thoſe Souldiers, and put themſelves into the ſame ſervice with them.
And was not heer a moſt remarkable hand of Gods providence,A remarkable hand of Gods providence in this buſineſs. thus at the very firſt of theſe the enemies bloudy and baſe attempts in that moſt atrocious and ſcelerous Ceſſation of armes in Ireland, manifeſting thus, I ſay, in the very front of their devilliſh deſigne, the Lords high indignation againſt them, and undoubted purpoſe to blaſt and bring to nought the reſt of this their moſt nefarious villanie, in his own due time, to their greater ſhame, ſorrow, ſmart, and infamie? But to proceed.
About the 10th of the foreſaid November, came certain information by Letters and other very credible teſtimonies out of Shropſhire, of a very notable and brave Defeat given to that irreligious (if not atheiſticall) and pragmaticall, but yet (bleſſed be the Lord) that unfortunate and unſucceſsfull upſtart Lord Capell, A moſt brave defeat given to the Lord Capell, by Cheſhire & Shropſhire forces.and his vulturous and ravenous Harpies, by the moſt valiant forces of Cheſhire and Shropſhire, under the happie conduct of that moſt virtuous and victorious Commander Sir William Brereton, and his unanimous and magnanimous aſſociates, therein, Sir Thomas Midleton, and moſt courageous Colonell Mitton, which was as followeth.
Sir Thomas Midleton having authoritie to raiſe forces for the defence of the King, Parliament, and Kingdome in N…rth Wales, as Colonell Mitton had in Shropſhire, deſired and deſerved indeed (by the good ſervice they had done in Staffordſhire, The manner of the performance of the defeat.as they went) the aſſiſtance of Sir William Brereton, who commanded in chiefe in Cheſhire, and is a Colonell in, and hath a tender care of, and intereſt in the affections of Staffordſhire Souldiers. This noble Colonell willing to accommodate thoſe Worthies, drew part of his forces from Namptwich to ſafeguard them into, and make proviſion for their ſafety in Shropſhire; and thus marching together to Wem, a little Town, about ſix miles from Shrewsbery, the place of their torment, as Capell had made it, unto honeſt men.
At Wem, I ſay, they began to fortifie, and this luſty Lord Capell perceiving by the help of his Councell of War,The Lord Capell marches toward Namptwich. how prejudiciall this was like to prove to his deſignes; he heerupon led on his miſled animals to Namptwich, hoping to get, abroad, what he prudently foreſaw, he was like to looſe neer home; but being come to Namptwich, he found that that Garriſon gave him his hands and his belly full, ere Sir William Brereton, Sir Wil. Brereton followes Capell and makes him retreat to Wem.who (moſt providently watching his motions) was on his march toward them, could come to their relief. Which alſo this nimble gallant perceiving, he quickly retreats toward Wem, and with his whole armie (conſiſting of about 4000 horſe and foot) fell deſperately upon that ſmall ſtrength which Colonell Midleton and Colonell Mitton had there; who contrary to his good Lordſhips expectation did moſt bravely maintain the fight, untill renowned, active and indefatigable Sir William Brereton, The Lord Capell ſoundly beaten at Wem.was come againe from Namptwich, to their reſcue & aſſiſtance, who being now all together, did ſuch execution upon the enemie, that it, with the particular circumſtances of Gods admirable providence therein,All this Relation was written and atteſted by a very pious Souldier of this action. deſerve to be perpetuated to all poſteritie in thoſe parts: The particulars whereof being ſo memorable, I have heer thought fit for the Readers better ſatisfaction and more full content, to ſet down as they came from ſingular good hands, which were as follow.
1. That whiles wee quartered at Drayton, as wee were on our March to aſſiſt Sir Thomas Midleton, Divers rare paſſages of Gods providence & preſervation of our forces in this defeat.and the reſt; when there came with all poſſible ſpeed upon us, no leſs (as was credibly reported) than a 1000 horſe from Shrewſhery, to have ſurprized us in our quarte…s; they were all repelled and beaten back again, by onelyonly a partie of thirtie or fortie horſe and Dragooneers, commanded by Captain Munck, there being divers of them ſlain, and the reſt purſued by our horſe many miles toward Shrewsbery; Thirty or forty of our horſe and Dragoons chaſe and beat a thouſand of their horſe.at which time ſome of Major Bromhalls men were taken priſone…s, ſome ſlain and ſome wounded; and one Ge…rge Cook a very valiant man of Sir William Breretons own troop was ſlain, and one Peter Anlet, another of them taken priſoner, but afterward redeemed.
2. That wee were not interrupted in our march to Wem all the next day, nor diſquieted or diſturbed there during ſix or ſeven dayes, untill wee had made ſome works of defence, which though they were then but ſleight and weak, yet were of ſome encouragement and advantage to our men.
3. That when they had made mightie preparation to hinder us in our fortification at Wem, and that notwithſtanding all the forces they could make, united into a bodie (which were ſaid to conſiſt of three or foure thouſand, which quartered within three or foure miles of Wem) yet that they ſhould and did receive interruption by two or three Companies of our Dragooneers, who were quartered at Lappington, a little village about two miles from Wem, who hearing of the enemies approach, betook themſelves to the protection of the Church and Churchyard, which they did moſt valiantly maintain a long time, untill by the multitudes of the enemies encompaſſing them, they were enforced to betake themſelves onelyonly to the Church, where they behaved themſelves ſo valiantly, as that their enemies could not take the Church, untill they fired the porch & roof of the Church, which were covered with ſhingles, by which meanes ſome of our men were almoſt ſuffocated and ſtifled, ſo as they were conſtrained to deliver up themſelves priſoners, though wee ſpeedily reſcued many of them. Our Souldiers, then, wounded, were, Major Spotſwood, and Captain Daughtie (ſince reported to be dead) and one other Captain wounded; and their Cannonier wounded or ſlain, and their whole armie was repulſed by leſs than 200 foot and 300 horſe of ours, who haſted from Wem to the relief of our men in the Church, ſo ſoon as they heard the enemies Cannon play, and our horſe purſued and routed them, ſo as they left one of their Cannons within our power, but by reaſon of the darkneſſe of the night wee knew not thereof, nor could we ſee to purſue them, the lanes being narrow and hedges thick. They took Major Bromhall priſoner, and we took Maſter Needham the Lord Vicount Kilmurreys ſonne priſoner. If they had then come on to Wem they had found the Town very weak and naked, and much leſs able (in reſpect of the workes) to make reſiſtance and defence, than when they did make their violent aſſault upon tueſday and wedneſday 17. and 18. October.
4. That betwixt the firſt and ſecond aſſault, (at which time, they were much more encouraged by the increaſe of their ſtrength from Litchfield, Dudley, Worceſter, and ſome from the Kings armie) and when their forces were all united, and in readineſſe: The Lord in his wiſdome and goodneſs was pleaſed ſo to order as that there were many interruptions, and diverſions, which occaſioned their delay, as want of cariages, and ſteering their courſe toward us and aſſaulting Namptwich on purpoſe to withdraw the Cheſhire forces out of Wem, during which intermiſſion wee made good uſe of our time in Wem to perfect the workes.
5. That when they all came againſt Namptwich upon Munday October 16. they were ſo confident of ſurprizing the ſame (as that the Lord Capell) (as it is reported) returned backe all the Cheſter horſe which were tendered unto him and coming to his aſſiſtance, returning this anſwer, That he had ſtrength ſufficient to take Namptwich, to which end he did ſpeedily (and that before notice was given of his approach) ſeize upon and poſſeſſe himſelfe of Acton Church, and Dartford houſe, and attempted to force their paſſage by the way of Beame-bridge, but by the valour of thoſe few men who were left in the Town they were repulſed from paſſing the water, not without the loſſe of divers of their men: Foure whereof were found dead in the ditch, thoſe that attempted to undermine the walls in the darkneſſe of the night were taken priſoners, and this night, and the next morning there were neer forty priſoners taken, beſides many horſes and armes, and many of their men run away: And upon the newes of our approach to their reliefe, they ſent away their carriages, and marched after them with ſpeed towards Wem. This was the fift time they did come before and attempt this poore Town of Namptwich, which the Lord hath miraculouſly preſerved and defended, and returned them alwayes backe with ſhame and diſhonour.
6. That whilſt the Cheſhire Souldiers continued in Wem, (which were about 500 Musketteers, beſides horſe) the enemy did forbeare to make any attempt againſt the Town, but were repulſed and beaten off with great loſs, by a far leſſe number than the third part of thoſe who were commanded out of the Town, and gone to relieve Namptwich, as though the Lord judged all too many, and preferred rather to deliver them by Gideons three hundred, to whom the whole glory of this deliverance, is to be attributed and aſcribed.
7. The unparalleld magnanimity, reſolution, and dexterity of thoſe young Souldiers, who were not in any ſervice (except ſome of them in that skirmiſh at Lappington) before they were ingaged in this ſiege at Wem, whoſe courageous ſpirits were ſo ſupported, and tranſported beyond themſelves, as did much admire and daunt the enemie, there being no ſuch thing expreſſed as any deſire or willingneſſe to entertain or embrace the motion of a parley or treaty with the enemy, ſeeming all to be as of one mind, reſolved to fight and ſtand it out to the laſt man.
8. The great ſlaughter and execution which was performed upon the enemy when they ſet upon Wem, there being ſix cart loads of dead men carried away at one time, (beſides the wounded) and, as it is ſaid, there were fifteen found buried in one grave, neer the Town-workes, and divers were ſeen dead, and ſtripped, lying upon the ground the next day. And that little execution which was done upon our men, whereof we loſt not above three in the Town, Major Marrow, and one Souldier, and one boy, and we had very few others hurt.
9. The qualitie of the perſons ſlain or wounded, even ſuch as were moſt eminent or conſiderable. Col. Win certainly ſlain, his Major Vaughan wounded in the ribs; one of Winters Captain… ſhot in the back; Captain Daviſon taken priſoner, ſince dead; Captain Francis Manley ſhot in the leg; Captain Ellis of Oſweſtray wounded, ſome ſay ſlain. Captain Jones ſlain, as ſome ſay; Colonell Scriven ſlightly wounded; Sir Richard Willis, Major Trercon, and Major Braughton wounded, as ſome report, the certainty I cannot affirme; their Cannoneer ſhot in the leg; Captain Chapman taken priſoner, who was Captain Lievtenant to Colonell Woodhouſe, exchanged for Captain Zanchie; Captain Lievtenant Smith, a Papiſt, who was Captain Lievtenant to Sir Rich: Willis; Colonell Scrivens Captain Lievtenant taken priſoner; a Gentleman of good quality ſhot in the back at Leighi-bridge.
10. The various circumſtances of admiration which happened during the fight, wherein the Lords hand is much to be acknowledged.
Firſt, One of their great Cannons or Morter-pieces (or both as it is reported) brake with the firſt ſhot, ſure I am that part of the carriages of one or both of them was broken and left in the lane.
Secondly, The mighty execution which our Cannon did upon the enemies, whereas their Cannon and Morterpiece, though diſcharged, did no execution at all, having (as it ſhould ſeem) no commiſſion from heaven, to touch any of thoſe that fought the Lords battail.
Thirdly, A Cannon diſcharged in the night by Col. Mittons order, intended to give Sir William Brereton and his Souldiers, who were marching, warning, that the Town was not taken, and onelyonly levelled at one of the enemies fires, (as ſome report) diſmounted one of the enemies Cannons, wounded their Cannoneer in the knee or leg.
Fourthly, A barrell of powder was blown up, which burned or wounded 15 of their men, whereof 12 dyed.
Fifthly, The confeſſions and acknowledgements which the Lord extorted out of the mouthes of ſome dying men, as it is reported of Colonell Winter, that he ſhould reply to ſome (who were lamenting their misfortune to be repulſed by a few) that there were more with them in the Town than againſt them, for God was with them, and divers other expreſſions to the like purpoſe.
Sixthly, Others confidently report, that one of their Cannons taking fire twice or thrice, yet could they not procure the ſame to be diſcharged, wherewith they were much amazed, and did draw off their pieces and retreated.
All this, I thought fit, heer, thus particularly to relate, as a juſt and rare monument of Gods power and providence in thus taking the proud and ſelf-conceited wickedly wiſe ones of this world, in their own accurſed craftineſs, and ſtill (as hath been clearly ſeen and ſhewen all along in this narration) making good and ratifying to the full,Pſal. 62. 9, 10. that of the holy Prophet David, an excellent place, appliable moſt fitly to the vain and prophane enemies of Gods truth in theſe our dayes; Surely, men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie; to be laid in the ballance they are altogether lighter than vanity. Truſt not therefore in oppreſſion, and become not vain in robberie. But to goe on.
About the 14th of this inſtant November, The renowned Earl of Mancheſter ſpoiles Newark of proviſion.came credible information by letters to London, from the moſt noble Earl of Mancheſters forces in and about Linc…lnſhire, that about 4000 of the ſaid renowned Earles horſe being then quartered about Newark, had d…iven away moſt of the cattle, b…aſts, ſheep and horſes, from about all thoſe parts unto Boſt…n and Lincoln; thus to ſhorten and neceſſitate the garriſon in Newark of proviſion.Bullingbrook-Caſtle taken by the Lord Willoughbie of Parrha… And that the Lord Willoughbie of Parrha… had taken Bullingbrook-caſtle from the Newcaſtellian Cormorants. As alſo that brave and moſt valiant Commander Sir Thomas Fairfax with about 12 troopes of horſe, was now gone into the Weſt-Riding of York-ſhire, where a partie of the never-ſufficiently praiſed Mancheſterians and other loyall Lanca-ſhire forces appointed to meet him, for the farther advancement of ſome great deſigne in thoſe parts, and for the further terrour of the Popiſh and atheiſticall Newcaſtellian forces, whoſe formerly reputed formidable and flouriſhing armie, was at that time (as was moſt credibly and frequently enformed) in a very tottering, torn, and declining condition;The declining condition of the Earl of Newcaſtles armie. for that upon the muſtering thereof hee could hardly bring together 7 or 8000 horſe and foot into a complete body: And therefore no wonder that he had ſent ſo many Letters to Oxford (one whereof was for certain intercepted by the Parliaments forces) whereby he ſignified that unleſs his Majeſtie did move with his Armie very ſpeedily that way, to his aſſiſtance, all the Northern parts would be totally loſt, eſpecially alſo becauſe he found the gentrie of Yorkſhire much diſcontented and moſt unwilling to march out of their own County;The defection alſo of the Gentrie of Yorkſhire from him. which indeed was a rare merciemercy alſo and a great overture of things there, by the good providence of our God thus ordering it. And for the farther confirmation heerof, about the 16th of November, 1643. came certain intelligence to London by Letters out of the remoter Northern parts, that above an hundred Gentlemen and ſubſtantiall Freeholders, well mounted, were gone out of Northumberland into Scotland, and had liſted themſelves under one Colonell Welden, a Northumberland Gentleman, to come in with the Scots, and that the generalitie of the people of thoſe parts were even impatient till our brethren of Scotland were come in among them, their burthens having been ſo intolerable by reaſon of the Popiſh armie, and their ſo inſolent carriages over them, that they now longed exceedingly to be eaſed thereof.A yet farther defection of other Northern Counties from the Kings partie. Yea and that divers other Gentlemen in other Northern Counties, had declared themſelves (ſome privately and ſome publikely) that they would now no longer aſſiſt the King, eſpecially in regard of that horrible and accurſed Ceſſation which he had made with the moſt abomin…bly bloudy rogues and rebells of Ireland. The Gentlemen that then did lay down their armes in a publike manner, were (as was credibly enformed) Sir Edward Huſſey, Mr Sutton, Sir Philip Therold, with divers others of like quality, as then (in diſcretion) forborn to be particularly named. And certainly that moſt intolerable and moſt wicked Ceſſation of armes in Ireland hath and will loſe the King more,The Ceſſation of armes in Ireland a main cauſe of this foreſaid defection. every way, than any other of his many moſt improvident and unadviſed raſh and even irrationall actions (to ſay no more of them) that ever he did, not onelyonly the moderate and meer Neutrality affected, but even ſome of the obſtinate malignant partie, being now ſilenced, when the objection of this moſt ſcelerous Ceſſation is urged unto them. And indeed how can it otherwiſe be, eſpecially conſidering, that his Majeſtie himſelf, (who is in all their reputes and eſteem called and accounted a Proteſtant Prince) ſhould by a late Declaration printed by his authoritie at Oxford; The Kings Declaration from Oxford, juſtifying that abominable Iriſh Ceſſation.ſo palpably and plainly (under poor and ignoble Fig-leaf pretences and colourable cauſes, though mainly intended (as wee all too well ſee and know) to tranſport rebells of Ireland to fight againſt his moſt honourable and innocent Parliament and people) ſhould, I ſay, maintain and juſtifie ſuch a moſt groſsly impious Ceſſation with ſuch unparalleld Popiſh brutiſh rogues and rebells, as no Engliſh-hearted Proteſtant could have been induced to beleeve, had it not been ſo openly declared, printed and publiſhed abroad; a Ceſſation, I ſay, for a whole year (that is, for ever) and that, without firſt, requiring them (at leaſt) to declare in writing under hands and ſeales, that they had extremely ſcandalized his Majeſtie (if, at leaſt, he were clear and free from the fact) by their proclaming (as they did) in the Market-places in ſeverall parts of Ireland, Mark this well ô Engliſh-Malignāts, touching this Iriſh Ceſſation.that they had his Majeſties Commiſſion, under the great Seal of England, yea and produced the ſaid Commiſſion, for the juſtification of that Epidemicall murther, and Diabolicall Maſſacre, to be done by the Kings authoritie, as divers upon Oath have teſtified, as is expreſt at large in the Iriſh-Remonſtrance, and Dr Jones his booke, both publiſhed by authoritie of Parliament; or without requiring them to deliver up, ſo much onelyonly, as two or three of their prime (nay not of any one inferiour) bloudy Rebells to ſuffer moſt deſerved death,Mark this alſo, and admire it. in a way of juſtice; but, oh, horreſco referens, to be ſatisfied with a moſt beggerly ſumme of about 30000li in money (and this ſumme alſo, to be a fomenting help to farther the moſt accurſed deſigne of cutting more Engliſh throates alſo) as a ſufficient expiation and ſatisfaction, for the moſt horrid ſlaughter and butchering of,Almoſt tw… hundred thouſand Engl…ſh Proteſtants butchered in that moſt barbarous Iriſh-Maſſacre. at leaſt, one hundred thouſand (nay tis credibly aſſured, neer upon 200000) Engliſh Proteſtants in crimſon-gorie Ireland, and all this in deliberate cold-bloud too; Nay more, not doing the poor ſurviving miſerable Engliſh Proteſtants ſo much, or rather, ſo little pettie-juſtice, as to demand of thoſe roguiſh-Rebells, the onelyonly bare reſtitution of one acre of ground or a houſe or hovell to hide the head of any one ſo diſtreſſed and utterly ſpoyled ſurviving Proteſtant. Mark this alſo.Yea, and to ſtrike and ſtab Engliſh Proteſtants, both in England and Ireland, yet more deeply to the heart, ſtyling and calling thoſe unparalleld bloudy rogues and moſt accurſed Caniballs (pardon my zeal, good Reader, for I have with teares of hearty grief,And this too, and tremble at it. read over Irelands teares of bloud) calling them, I ſay, in the foreſaid Declaration, His Majeſties Romane Catholike Subjects; and contrariwiſe, Ʋs of England, moſt frequently and familiarly, nothing but, Traitors and Rebells. Read and conſider this, all Chriſtian hearts, and then tell mee, whether that of the Prophet be not moſt properly appliable to the authors of all this,Iſaiah 5. 20▪ whoever they be. Woe unto them that call evill good, and good evill; that put darkneſs for light, and light for darkneſs; that put bitter for ſweet, and ſweet for bitter. But to goe on.
And, heer, for the Readers better ſatisfaction (and, in aeternam rei ipſius infamiam) I have thought fit to give thee a full ſight of the ſaid odious Declaration, verbatim, as it was printed and publiſhed, with ſome clear demonſtrative circumſtances after it, to manifeſt the undeniable truth of the thing. Which Commiſſion followes in theſe words.
CHARLES by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. To all Cath…lique Subjects within our Kingdom of Ireland, Greeting; Know yee that Wee for the ſafeguard and preſervation of our perſon, have been enforced to make our aboad and reſidence in our Kingdom of Scotland for a long ſeaſon, occaſioned by reaſon of the obſtinate and diſobedient carriage of Our Parliament of England againſt Ʋs; who have not onelyonly preſumed to take upon them the government and diſpoſing of thoſe▪ Princely Rights and Prerogatives that have juſtly deſcended unto Ʋs, from our Predeceſſours both Kings and Queenes of the ſaid Kingdom, for many hundreds of yeares paſt, but alſo have poſſeſſed themſelves of the whole ſtrength of the ſaid Kingdom, in appointing Governours, Commanders and Officers in all parts and places therein, at their own wills and pleaſures without Our conſent, whereby wee are deprived of Our Soveraignty, and left naked without defence: And for as much as wee are (in our ſelves) very ſenſible, that theſe ſtormes blow aloft, and are very likely to be carried by the vehemencie of the Proteſtant Partie, into Our Kingdom of Ireland, and endanger Our Regall power and authoritie there alſo: Know yee therefore that Wee repoſing much care and truſt in your duties and obedience, which wee have for many yeares paſt found: Doe heerby give unto you full power and authoritie to aſſemble and meet together with all ſpeed and diligence, that a buſineſs of ſo great a conſequence doth require, and to adviſe and conſult together by ſufficient and diſcreet numbers at all times, dayes and places which you ſhall in your judgement hold moſt convenient and materiall, for the ordering, ſetling and effecting of this great worke (mentioned and directed unto you in Our Letters.) And to uſe all politicke wayes and meanes poſſible to poſſeſſe your ſelves (for Our uſe and ſafety) of all the Forts, Caſtles, and places of ſtrength and defence within the ſaid Kingdome (except the places, perſons, and Eſtates of Our loyall and loving Subjects the Scots.) And alſo to arreſt, and ſeize the goods, eſtates, and perſons of the Engliſh Proteſtants within the ſaid Kingdome to Our uſe; and in your care and ſpeedy performance of this Our will and pleaſure, Wee ſhall perceive your wonted duty and Allegiance, which Wee ſhall acknowledge and reward in due time.
Witneſſe Our ſelf at Edenbrough the firſt day of October in the ſeventeenth year of our Raigne.
There is one thing which may ſtick as a doubt with ſome that reade this Commiſſion, which is not cleared by that Gentleman, that hath obſerved well upon The Myſierie of Iniquitie: viz. That the Parliament have poſſeſſed themſelves of the whole ſtrength of the ſaid Kingdome in appointing Governours, Commanders and Officers in all parts and places therein: It may be objected, There was no ſuch thing done when the Commiſſion bore date. It is anſwered: The Parliament even at that time, and two moneths before, were a nominating fit perſons to be preſented to his Majeſtie, to be entruſted with the places of ſtrength within the Kingdome.
But for further obſervations upon this Commiſſion, and the probability of the truth thereof (for works in tenebris muſt come to light by circumſtances) be pleaſed to read the Booke, entituled, The Myſtery of Iniquitie, where this Commiſſion is at large ſet down, and you will finde Endymion Porter had the great Seal of Scotland in his cuſtody when the Commiſſion to begin the Rebellion in Ireland was ſealed, as he had the great Seal of England in cuſtody, when the Commiſſion to make a Ceſſation with thoſe bloudy Rebells (called by his Majeſtie Subjects) was ſealed.
But ſee now (as was touched before) how the moſt wiſe God graciouſly ordered the effects of all theſe moſt wicked plots to fall out exceeding contrary to the wicked hopes and aymes of the Jeſuiticall incendiaries and Atheiſticall projectors of them,The contrary effects of the Iriſh Ceſſation. turning their counſell into folly and blaſting, theſe their high or rather helliſh hopes, even at the firſt ſpringing and ſprouting of them into execution, witneſs, I ſay, that forementioned example thereof in the Iriſh Souldiers tranſported out of Ireland to Briſtoll; yea and that of one Arundell Maſter of Pendennis-Caſtle in the Weſt, who (as it was credibly informed by Letters to London) diſcharged two pieces of Ordnance againſt two ſhips fraughted with Iriſh-Rebells, notwithſtanding that they produced the Kings Warrant for their landing there, and that he alſo ſent a Poſte to Oxford to know his Majeſties pleaſure, ſignifying, withall, that if they landed, the Gentrie of all thoſe parts would forſake the King: Witneſs alſo that remarkable piece of State-policie and providence, whereunto our moſt prudent Parliamentary Worthies were now at laſt inevitably neceſſitated to have recourſe by this moſt odious Ceſſation, and divers other ſuch like deſtructive deſignes of the Oxonian adverſaries of the Kingdome,A New-Broad S…l of England. I mean the eſtabliſhment and ſetting on foot a New-broad Seal of England to be reſident in the Parliament; a piece of great and high concernment for the better advancing and forwarding of the future great and waightie affaires of the Kingdome. A Copie of which Declaration and Ordinance of Parliament, I have heer thought fit, for the Readers better content and ſatisfaction, to inſert, verbatim, as it was printed and publiſhed by order of Parliament, Novemb. 11. 1643.