Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves, Parliamentary chronicle · Floating text 20 – Letter 12
Right Honourable, and well beloved in our Lord:
THis day is a day purpoſely ſet apart for feaſting, and it is like one of the Lords Feaſts, where you have a Feaſt and an holy Convocation; and you are firſt met heer to feaſt your ſoules with the fat things of Gods Houſe, with a Feaſt of fat things, full of marrow, and wine on the lees well refined: and afterwards to feaſt your bodies with the fat things of the Land and Sea, both plentie and daintie. But if you pleaſe you may firſt feaſt your eyes. Doe but behold the face of the Aſſembly, I dare ſay it is one of the excellenteſt Feaſt that ever your eyes were feaſted with. Heer in this Aſſembly you may firſt ſee the two Houſes of Parliament, the Honourable Lords and Commons, who after thus in my yeares wreſtling with extreame difficulties, in their indeavouring to preſerve an undone Kingdome, and to purge and reforme a back-ſliding and a polluted Church, you may behold them ſtill not onelyonly preſerved from ſo many treacherous deſignes, and open violences, but as reſolved as ever to goe on with this great work which God hath put into their hands. Here you may alſo ſee his Excellency my moſt honoured Lord, and neer him that other Noble Lord the Commander of our Forces by Sea, as the other is by Land, and with them abundance of Lords & reſolute Commanders, all of them with their faces like Lyons, who after ſo many terrible Battles, and abundance of difficulties, and charging in the faces of ſo many Deaths, are yet all of them preſerved, and not a haire of their head falne to the ground.Whoſe excellency and unparalleld ſame and fidelity I muſt cō feſſe I want words to ſet forth as it deſerves. Here alſo you may behold the repreſentative Body of the Citie of London, the Lord Major, the Court of Aldermen, the Common-Councell, the Militia, and in them the face and affection of this glorious Cities this Citie which under God hath had the honour of being the greateſt meanes of the ſalvation of the whole Kingdome, and after the expence of Millions of Treaſure, and thouſands of their lives, ſtill as courageous and reſolute to live and die in the Cauſe of God as ever heertofore. Here you may likewiſe ſee a reverend Aſſembly of grave and learned Divines, who daily wait upon the Angel in the Mount, to receive from him the lively Oracles and the pattern of Gods Houſe, to preſent unto you. All theſe of our own Nation, and with them you may ſee the Honourable, Reverend, and Learned Commiſſioners of the Church of Scotland, and in them behold the wiſdome and the affection of their whole Nation, willing to live and die with us: all theſe may you behold in one view. And not onelyonly ſo, but you may behold them all of one minde, after ſo many plots and conſpiracies to divide them one from another. And which is yet more, you may ſee them all met together this day, on purpoſe both to praiſe God for this union, & to hold it out to the whole world, and thereby to teſtifie, that as one man they will live and die together in this Cauſe of God. Oh Beloved, how beautifull is the Face of this Aſſembly! verily, I may ſay of it as it was ſaid of Salomons Throne, that the like was never to be ſeen in any other Nation. I queſtion whether the like Aſſembly was ever to be ſeen this thouſand yeares upon the face of the earth. Me thinkes I may call this Aſſembly The Hoſt of God, I may call this place Mahanaim, and I beleeve there are many in this Aſſembly that would ſay as old Jacob did, when he had ſeen his ſon Joſephs face, Let me now die, ſeeing my ſon Joſeph is yet alive. And for mine own part, I am almoſt like the Queen of Sheba, when ſhee had ſeen the Court of Salomon, it is ſaid, that ſhee had no ſpirit in her; and I could ſend you away, and ſay, that you had no cauſe to weep to day, or to morrow, but to eate the fat, and drink the ſweet, and ſend portions one unto another: and I ſhould ſend you away preſently, but that I have firſt ſome banquetting-ſtuffe for your ſoules, ſuch as the hand of God hath ſet before you for your inward refreſhing: the ground whereof you ſhall finde in the 12 Chapter of the 1 Book of Chronicles, and three laſt Verſes.
Upon which Text the ſaid Mr Marſhall made an excellent Sermon, ſitting his diſcourſe, ſuitable to the perſons and occaſion. After the concluſion of the Sermon, the ſaid Honourable Aſſembly went to Merchant-Taylors-Hall to dinner, all the Regiments of the London Trained Bands ſtanding in a compleat poſture from Chriſt-Church to Merchant-Taylors-Hall, as two wals, between which they paſſed without preſſe or diſturbance. The firſt that went forth were the Common-Councell men and Militia of London in their gownes; after them the Lord Major and Court of Aldermen in their ſcarlet gownes on horſebacke, with their Officers and Attendants; next came the Lord Generall and the Lord Admirall and the Earl of Mancheſter together, with about 16 Earles and Lords of the Peers Houſe of Parliament, & divers Colonels and Military Commanders all on foot; and immediately after them came neer two hundred of the worthy Members of the Houſe of Commons; and the Speaker of that Houſe, with the Mace born before him; and then the Commiſſioners of Scotland; and after all theſe about 80 Divines of the Reverend Aſſembly: All which did much content and delight the ſpectators to ſee theſe ſo noble, faithfull, religious and honourable Pillars of the Truth, and maintainers of their rights and priviledges, and Patrons of the true Religion, appeare with ſo united a concurrence of hearts and ſpirits.
The ſame morning there was ſet up in Cheapſide in the place where the Croſſe formerly ſtood, a ſtanding frame of ſlight Firre-poles, on which were hung up divers Pictures and Trinkets, as Croſſes, Crucifixes, Images and Saints, Agnus Dei's, Beads, Whippes, and other ſuperſtitious Reliques, and frivolous inventions of Papiſts: all which, with a cheſt of Popiſh Books, were ſet on fire at the coming by of the ſaid honourable Perſons, as a teſtification of their deteſtation and hatred of all ſuch Romiſh and Babyloniſh ſuperſtitions: and to declare their intentions to reforme & take away thoſe things which may juſtly incenſe the wrath of God againſt us; one thing is alſo very remarkable, that after they had been honourably entertained at Merchant-Taylors-Hall, and dinner ended, in ſtead of idle Maskings, and other ſuch uncomely actions, heertofore uſed at ſuch publike meetings, to declare their union of ſpirit, as in the preſence of God, all, both Lords & Commons, at the godly motion of the reverend Aſſembly of Divines, publikely and unanimouſly (heavenly harmony indeed) ſung together the 67 Pſalme, to teſtifie their thankfulneſſe to God. A religious preſident, worthy to be imitated by all godly Chriſtians in their both publike and private feaſtings and meetings.
And which addes much to the admirable radiant luſtre of this ſo precious a day of rejoycing in the Lord,The ſame day of this glorious Aſſembly our Brethren of Scotland came into England with their armie. All theſe, cauſes of vexation in the wicked, cauſes of rejoycing in the godly. and to make this our joy yet more complete, on this very ſame day of this ſo rare and fair an Aſſembly, namely, the 18th of this inſtant January, our loyall and loving Brethren of Scotland came with their whole armie into England, to help the Lord and us his greatly abuſed ſervants, againſt our mightie and moſt malicious enemies: All which, I mean, both this moſt memorable and unparalleld Love-feaſt, and the ſeaſonable entrance of our brethrens brave armie, and all in one day; how much they muſt needs vex the impious Oxonians, and all the reſt of our motley-Malignants; and how great and unexpreſſible cauſe they gave of cordiall comfort and enlarged thankes to the Lord to all his Saints and ſervants, I leave to every rationall and honeſt Reader, religiouſly to judge and conſider. And for the yet greater and moſt juſt glory of God, within a day or two after,A publike and more generall day of thankſgiving appointed by order of Parliament. namely about the 20th of this inſtant, both Houſes of Parliament (to ſhew their deeply obliged thankfulneſs to the Lord for that late foreſaid great deliverance) agreed moſt piouſly upon an Order for a publick day of thankeſgiving in all Churches in and about London, for Gods great mercy in preſerving the Parliament and Citie of London from the ſecret practiſes and moſt malicious deſignes of their foreſaid enemies, Sir Baſill Brook, Read, Violet, and Riley, which was immediately printed and publiſhed, and accordingly performed on the appointed day.
Much about this foreſaid time alſo came certain intelligence by letters from about the parts of Staffordſhire and Namptwich, A bloudy defeat given to the Parliament forces, by Sir John Byron, but an introduction to a great & moſt admirable victory obtained by ours.to London; of an unhappie defeat given to the Parliaments forces of Lancaſhire, part whereof were enforced to flie to a Church for their farther hoped ſafety, but were there alſo environed, and at laſt broken in upon, and by that baſe and bloudy (pretended Lord) Sir John Byron, moſt barbarouſly put all to the ſword, at his accurſed Turkiſh command; and which was worſe, to triumph in this his inhumane barbarity, he immediately upon this villanous victory of his, wrote a Letter to his as baſe and treacherous brother the miſchievous Marqueſs of Newcaſtle, which was by Gods providence intercepted by noble Sir William Brereton, and by him ſent to the Honourable Houſe of Commons in Parliament; a true Copie whereof (in aeternam rei infamiam) being afterward printed and publiſhed, I have thought fit heer to inſert, for the Readers fuller content and ſatisfaction.
A Copie of Sir John Byrons (I had almoſt ſaid Sir John Butchers) Letter to the Marqueſs of Newcaſtle, dated, December 26. 1643.
My Lord;
I Have already diſpatched two Meſſengers to your Excellency, to give you an account of my proceedings in theſe parts: I am now at Sambich, and have thought fit to acquaint your Excellency, that Brereton for the relief of Namptwich, had ſo prevailed with the Lancaſhire-men, as to draw thence 1500 foot, which I having notice of, immediately marched toward him, but as ſoon as I came within ſight of him, he inſtantly (according to his cuſtome) ran away (a moſt intolerable & egregious Popiſh lyer, as all men know, that know that noble and renowned Commander) in great confuſion, ſo that, now, thoſe … are ſo diſperſed, that they are not like to meet together again: And I doubt not, but by Gods aſſiſtance, in a ſhort time, to clear this Country (if your Excellencies forces advance toward Stopford) to be able to ſet footing in Lancaſhire. The rebells had poſſeſſed themſelves of a Church, at Bartumley, but wee preſently beat them forth of it, and I put them all to the Sword: Which I finde to be the beſt way to proceed with theſe kinde of people,Pro. 12. 10. for, mercy to them is crueltie (ſo, indeed, ſayes Salomon of ſuch wicked ones as Byron)
I am, my Lord your Excellencies moſt humble ſervant, J. B.
But, now to come to my intended purpoſe, (this forementioned relation being onelyonly an introduction to what followes) that this inhumane monſter, bloudy Byron, and all his accurſed malicious adherents might clearly ſee and take notice of a divine providence (notwithſtanding this his inſulting & blaſphemous Letter) which over-powers the greateſt potency of the proudeſt Bragadochi…es, yea mightieſt Monarches in the world, which oppoſe his all-ſacred & ſoveraign power and authoritie: There came, therefore, moſt certain intelligence by Letters out of Cheſhire to London, of divers brave repulſes given to buteherly Byrons forces at the ſiege of Namptwich, A moſt brave defeat given to Sir Nicholas Byron, Governour of Cheſter, by Colonell Mitton.by the moſt valiant beſieged Souldiers and Inhabitants of the ſaid Town. And ſhortly after, by a Letter under Col. Mittons own hand, which was brought to London about Jan. 20th, 1643. By which it was for certain advertiſed; That Sir Nic. Byron, Governour of Weſtcheſter (uncle to this foreſaid bloudy Byron) having heard of the ſore repulſes and defeats given to their forces at Namptwich (which redounded to the great loſs of his proud inſulting kinſman, bloudy Byron, as aforeſaid, at his ſaid kinſmans intreatie) Sir Nicholas advanced with a partie of horſe and foot from Weſtcheſter) to fetch in armes and ammunition, both to ſupply his kinſmans wants therein, and his own too (their Ship being carried to Lerpool, as was forementioned, which ſhould have ſupplied thoſe their wants) and coming unto a Town called Elſmere, neer Colonell Mittons quarters, this moſt valiant and loyall Commander Colonell Mittan drew forth his regiment & fell upon the enemies forces aforeſaid, who were then in the Town,The ſlain, priſoners and prizes taken. he killed above 60 of them in the place, took the ſaid Sir Nicholas Byron, Commander in chief, Serjeant Major Generall Willis, a very conſiderable Commander (even that perfidious run-away Willis, taken priſoner, formerly, at Wincheſter) belonging to the Cavalerian garriſon at Shrewsbery; and his brother, Major Willis; Capt. Offley, Capt. Hatton, Capt. Rixam, and another Capt. with an 100 inferiour Officers; 250 horſe and armes, 30 of them being the prime horſe of all thoſe parts; eight double barrells of powder; 700 waight of Match; 3 pieces of Ordnance; all which he brought ſafe to Stafford; together with all the proviſion, that Sir Nicholas had brought at this time from Shrewsbery, for ſupply of his own and his Couſens wants; which indeed renders this exploit more famous, and of the greater conſequence, the enemie in thoſe parts being then in ſuch want of warlike proviſion, as they were.
About the 23th alſo of this inſtant came certain intelligence out of Darbiſhire, Sir John Gell…s brave ſurpriſall of Burton upon Trent.by Letters, to London, that that valiant and moſt loyall and active Knight and brave Commander Sir John Gell took Burton upon Trent, and therein divers Commiſſioners of the Array, being Knights, Eſquires, and Gentlemen of great qualitie in that Countie, with about nine-ſcore common-Souldiers, their guard, much armes, ammunition, and treaſure; Colonell Haſtings himſelf hardly eſcaping by flight. This defeat was alſo, ſo much the more advantageous, in that it was very probable to be a meanes to recover three troops of horſe of ours, then lately ſurprized at Melton in Leiceſterſhire, by exchange, and ſome priſoners to boot.
Much about the ſame time came true information to London, Hilsden-Houſe taken by the Parliaments forces.that Sir Alexander Deyntont houſe, in Oxfordſhire, called by the name of Hilſden-Houſe, was taken by ſome of the Parliaments forces, it being about 14 or 15 miles from Oxford, and ſome 7 or 8 miles from Aylesbury. It was taken by a partie that went from Newport-Pannell, and ſome from about Banbury, they being in all not above an 100, yet there were in the Houſe an 140, many whereof were then taken priſoners, and about an 100 armes, but Sir Alexander himſelf eſcaped. And heer alſo (having happily had the opportunitie of a pretty piece, printed and publiſhed by Order from this noble and renowned Earl of Mancheſter) I have thought fit to adde and inſert ſome very memorable notes and obſervations (collected and divulged by the ſaid noble and pious Patriot) upon the many remarkable mercies of the Lord, conferred upon the ſeven aſſociated Counties, Cambridge, Eſſex, Hartford, Huntingdon, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Lincoln, ſince their firſt aſſociation, moſt worthy our moſt ſerious ſight and conſideration, both for the juſt honour and glory of God, and the ſingular, encouragement of thoſe and all other the Counties of this whole diſtreſſed and diſtracted Kingdome.
Firſt then I ſhall deſire the Reader to remember the great merciemercy and good providence of God in quenching that fire which began to be kindled at Layſtolk, 1. Layſtolk quieted.by ſome eminent malignants there, which would undoubtedly have hazarded all the Eaſtern parts of this Kingdome, if God had not, I ſay, by a ſeaſonable providence, timely prevented the ſame, by ſome of the noble Earl of Mancheſters vigilant Commanders of the aſſociation, this diſturbance beginning to break out, in that very conjuncture of time, in which there had been a confederacie of the diſaffected of thoſe parts togather to a head.
Secondly,2. Croyland ſubdued. the reducing of Croyland, which is a place ſtrong by ſcituation, and which had a profeſſed Papiſt for its Governour; which how dangerous it was to ſome parts of this aſſociation, and to the neighbouring parts of Lincolnſhire, Northamptonſhire, and Hantingdonſhire, is well known to thoſe that were ſubject to their daily plunderings and pillagings.
Thirdly,3. Granthams victorie. The defeat given to the enemies at Grantham, where 11 of the Parliaments troops facing 21 or 22 troops of the enemies; five of the aſſociated troops charging the right wing of the enemies body, utterly routed them, and had the execution and chaſe of them almoſt two miles, and got five or ſix of their Colours.
Fourthly,4. Burleigh-houſe taken. The taking of Burleigh-Houſe, where was alſo taken the Lord Cambdens regiment of horſe with their Colours, three or foure Companies of foot and Dragooneers, with all their ammunition, and with about foure hundred priſoners.
Fifthly,5. Gainesborough relieved. The defeat given to the enemies horſe at Gainesborough, to the breaking of neer 30 troops of the enemies horſe, where was ſlain, the Lievtenant Generall Charles Cavendiſh, Colonell Heron, the high Sheriff of Lincolnſhire forced into Trent, with many other Officers and Souldiers, who were there drowned, and whereby Gainesborough was, at that time, relieved with ammunition, which then it exceedingly wanted; and this battle fought and victory gotten, as without any conſiderable loſs to us; ſo within a mile of the Marqueſs of Newcaſtles armie.
Sixthly,6. Twentytroops of horſe of Hull preſerved. The ſaving neer 20 troops of horſe belonging to the Lord Fairfax, and under that renowned Gentleman Sir Thomas Fairfax, his Son: with which horſe, he hath, ſince, performed ſuch notable good ſervice in Cheſhire, and other parts, which ſaid horſe were almoſt ſtarved by the ſtrait ſiege of Hull, and could not in probabilitie have been thence delivered, but by the horſe of this aſſociation; which was done by 14 troops of horſe and 3 of Dragooneers, belonging to this aſſociation, there being nothing in aſſiſtance of them, but ſix troops belonging to the Lord Willoughby, and neer 40 troops of the enemies, under the Command of Sir John Hinderſon, who had opportunitie to have fought with our horſe before wee could come to joyn with Sir Thomas Fairfax his troops, if he had pleaſed, but did not take it.
Seventhly,7. The winning of Lyn-Regis. The taking of Lyn-Regis, a ſtrong Town, and of great importance, by raw & undiſciplin'd new raiſed Souldiers; which was a place as likely to have undone this whole aſſociation, as any, which rebelled at ſuch a time, as the Marqueſs of Newcaſtle was at the ſtrongeſt, and ſo abſolute in Lincolnſhire, that if he would have engaged his armie to have come to the reſcue thereof, the forces of this aſſociation, then raiſed, had not been conſiderable to have made reſiſtance.
Eighthly,8. Winsby fight. The fight at Winsby, where, ours being about 60 colours of horſe and Dragoons, did encounter neer 90 colours of the enemie; both parties being by eſtimate between 8 or 9000 horſe & Dragoons; the enemie being, in all probabilitie, about 5000 of that number, where ours gave them ſuch a defeat, that they took and killed about 1100 of them, and took neer thirty of their Colours.
Ninthly,9. Lincoln taken. The taking of Lincoln, where the force of the defendants were in computation many more than of the aſſailants, which the enemy ſurrendred to us on hard termes to themſelves; where we got about 3000 armes, the enemies colours, with good proportion of ammunition, and five or ſix pieces of Ordnance.
Tenthly,10. Gainesborough taken by ſtorm. The taking of Gainesborough by ſtorm, the greateſt part of the foot being our aſſociation-men, who repulſed the enemie, got over their works, without any loſs, and poſſeſſed the Town, whereby Lincolnſhire (formerly, almoſt totally under the command of the enemies) became wholly cleared of them.
Laſtly,11. Hilſden-Houſe taken. The taking of Hilsden-Houſe, which a week before, the garriſon of Ailesbury attempted, but could not take, after which time, and before wee endeavoured it, the enemie had ſent in two or three loads of ammunition: Where were taken above 200 priſoners, about 12 barrels of powder, and proportionable Match, all their armes, and about 50 horſe. Which ſervice was much to the eaſe and comfort of the poor Inhabitants of the almoſt waſted Countie of Buckingham, which was oppreſſed by them, and by the countenance of which Houſe, great ſummes of money and contributions, were raiſed both for themſelves and Oxford, and a regiment of foot, and the completing Colo. Smiths regiment of horſe was ſpeedily intended. Where alſo were taken men of qualitie, Sir Alexander Deinton, and the ſaid Colonell Smith, beſides two field Officers and divers Captains.
Now, theſe things have been thus particularly heer recited (not for vain oſtentation, nor that any honour ſhould be given to any perſon, or to our forces, but) that by thus commemorating particulars, the hearts of Gods people might be enlarged and quickned, in ſinceritie, to give God onelyonly the glory due to him alone; and to encourage other Counties alſo to the like activitie and performances.
Januarie the 26th, 1643. there was a conference of both Houſes, where ſeverall Letters and Warrants were read by the Earl of Mancheſter, & the Lord Wharton, Another moſt devilliſh plot between the Earl of Briſtol and Serjeant Major Ogle, to make a diviſion between the Parliamēt and Citie of London.diſcovering a deſperate deſigne, agitated between the Earl of Briſtoll and Serjeant Major Ogle, ſometime a priſoner in Wincheſter-Houſe, during which time he ſent Letters and held correſpondence with the Earl of Briſtoll at Oxford, who propoſed unto him, that the onelyonly way to diſturb the Parliament and Citie, would be to make a diviſion, between the Presbyterians and the Independents, (this latter indeed proving an unhappie Remera, in the otherwiſe moſt hopefull progreſs of the buſineſs of ſetling a holy & Apoſtolicall Diſcipline & Church-government) Anabaptiſts, Browniſts & Separatiſts; for which purpoſe, he adviſed him to deal with ſome Divines, to declare unto them, that they ſhould perſwade the people that the Presbyterian Government would be worſe than the Engliſh high Commiſſion, or Spaniſh Inquiſition. Mr Nye and Mr Jo. Goodwin wrought with to help on with the plot.Upon which Serjeant Major Ogle ſent for Mr Nye & Mr John Goodwin, to whom he diſcovered all the matter, and withall ſhewed how they might prevent the coming in of the Scots, by infuſing into the peoples heads and hearts, if poſſible, (eſpecially the trained Bands of the Citie, whom they deſired moſt of all to divide) ſuch inſtigations as theſe; That they came to alter our Religion, to poſſeſs themſelves of our eſtates, and tye the weak conſciences of their Presbyterie, which would be worſe than Epiſcopacy. But Mr Nye and Mr Goodwin declared the deſigne to ſome Members of the Parliament, who adviſed them to hold correſpondency with them, and to ſift out the intentions of the Courtat Oxford, how far forth the King would condeſcend to libertie of Conſcience,Propoſitions for encouragement to the Independent-men to help on the deſign. if they would ſide and comply with him.
Whereupon they proceeded ſo far, that ſeverall Propoſitions were drawn up, & it was agreed the King ſhould grant a toleration of their Independencie, or any thing they would deſire in that way, upon condition they would adhere to him, and reſiſt the Presbyteriall and Scotch government, Ogle (during the agitation of theſe things) was much encouraged by the Earl of Briſtoll; and order was taken by his advice with one Mr Criſpe, a Citizen of London, to pay unto Ogle an 100 li, for his good ſervice. At laſt, a Letter was procured, under his Majeſties hand, to Mr Devoniſh, Keeper of Wincheſter-Houſe, to releaſe the ſaid Ogle out of priſon; Which he (firſt informing the Parliament) and being adviſed that to do,Serjeant Major Ogle being releaſed out of priſon, gets to Oxford. accordingly performed it. Whereupon Ogle being releaſed, got to Oxford; Whence, he and the Earl of Briſtoll ſent divers Letters to the ſaid Miniſters, & others, to encourage them to the work, promiſing that Mr Nye ſhould be his Majeſties Chaplain, and ſeverall other Independents ſhould be highly preferred & rewarded. In fine,This plotcame to nought in the end. Letters were procured under the Kings hand for a ſafe conduct to four men to treat of theſe affaires; but by Gods good providence this plot periſhed and came to nought, even in the very Embryo of it.
About a ſhort time after, there was another deſigne agitated between Briſtoll and Ogle, Another plot to betray Windſor-Caſtle into the Kings hands.to betray Windſor-Caſtle into the Kings hands; which, in brief, was thus; They had dealt with Mr Devoniſh again, the Keeper of Wincheſter-Houſe, as aforeſaid (conceiving, at the enlargement of Ogle, that he was at their diſpoſall) that he ſhould labour to prevail with the Parliament, that a partie of horſe ſhould be raiſed, which ſhould be entertained in Windſor-Caſtle for the ſafeguard of it, and ſo making a partie in it, ſhould ſurrender it to the enemie,The manner of contriving it. who ſhould be ready on notice given to ſecond it, and take ſtrong poſſeſſion of it. And for the better effecting of this, there were Letters read ſigned with the Kings own hand on the top, and ſubſcribed at the bottome Ogle, as if he had been his Majeſties Secretarie, thus to encourage Devoniſh to that attempt.This plot alſo periſhed almoſt in the birth. But he honeſtly and faithfully revealing all this intercourſe alſo, to the Parliament, their deſigne proved fruſtrate, and periſhed, God be praiſed, ere it came to its wickedly intended maturitie.
About the foreſaid 26th alſo of Jan. 1643. came certain intelligence from Aylesbury by a Poſt, to our moſt noble and renowned Lord Generall, ſignifying by letters then ſent, that an armie from Oxford of about four or five thouſand horſe and foot were within ſeven miles of Ayleſbury, Another plot to betray Aylesbury moſt neatly diſappointed.marching toward the Town; but the next day came other Letters, certifying the certainty and ſubſtance of the buſineſs, which was this; There having lately been ſome difference and flight diſcontent between Lievtenant Colonell Moſley, and ſome other Commanders of Aylesbury, and the Lievtenant coming to London upon ſome occaſions of his own, was cloſed withall by ſome of Oxford factors for treachery, then reſident in ſecret at London, and in particular, the foreſaid Serjeant Major Ogle (who was now,Serjeant Major Ogle a plotter again in this treachery alſo. it ſeemes, grown an apt Scholler and deep proficient in the School of treachery) who having intelligence of Colonell Moſelyes foreſaid diſcontent, took the boldneſs to deal with this honeſt and wiſe Lievtenant Colonell, about the delivery up of Aylesbury to the Kings forces; the diſcreet and loyall Lievtenant Colonell, at the very firſt carrying the buſineſs very ſmoothly & cunningly, Ogle and his complices, (at laſt, finding him, as they hop'd, pliant and coming on) ſtrake in with him to purpoſe, and after divers meetings,A 1000li promiſed as a reward for the betraying of Aylesbury, and great preferment; and an 100 pound therof paid in hand, a good horſe, and a ſword. the bargain came to be confirmed, and a 1000 li. muſt be the reward to deliver up Aylesbury, whereof he had an 100 li. in hand paid unto him, and a brave horſe and ſword, together with ſafe conduct under the Kings own hand, for himſelf and all that he ſhould bring with him, who ſhould all be preferred to places of command in the Kings ſeruice. The buſineſs was to be put in execution, on the 21th of January about 12 of the clock at night. The word was Charles; and the enemie was to be let in at the North-gate; but if they could not accompliſh it that night, it was to be deferred till the 24th day following, for it was Lievtenant Colonell Moſelyes turn to watch every fourth night.Ogles mightie motives to encourage Lievtenant Colonell Moſely in the plot. Three hoped ſtrings to their Bowe, yet all brake and faild them. At their foreſaid meetings Major Ogle uſed many arguments to perſwade him to it, alledging how much it would advantage his Majeſties ſervice, in regard the Parliament was to ſit at Oxford the Munday following, which might much animate the Kings partie, and exceedingly encourage that Parliament to proceed. And in caſe this deſigne ſhould not take effect, the King ſent him an engine (which was ſhewn at a Conference in Parliament, touching this diſcovery) whereby he ſhould have fired the Magazine of the Town; but, if none of theſe ſucceeded; then upon their Storming of the Town, he was to ſet fire on the Town. The Kings forces being confident of their project, at leaſt to ſucceed one way or other of the three, drew forth all their garriſon from Taciter, The great preparatiō of forces to goe to take poſſeſſiō of Aylesbury.and the greateſt part of their forces from Banbury, Abington, Oxford, and Wallingford, moſt of the forces the King could make in all thoſe parts, to the number of at leaſt 5000 horſe and foot. All theſe marched two dayes and three nights in the extremity of very bitter cold weather, which was at that time, in ſo much that at laſt they were not able to march or ſet one foot before another, the wayes were ſo deep with ſnow, and the ſnow beating in their faces, and ſo many hard paſſages they met by the way, that their foot were enforced to make way for the horſe,Their extreme miſery in a moſt bitter March. which did ſo weary the poor foot forces, that they fell down fourſcore in a heap, as it were together, not being able to ſtirre, whereupon the Officers came with Canes and beat them like dogges to force them forward, and ſo at laſt with much adoe compelled them to get within two miles of Aylesbury, and were quartered at and about Ethrop-Houſe, At Ethrop-houſe 2 miles from Aylesbury, the enemies heard the deſigne was diſcovered.in expectation of the promiſed prize; but being now, with all that foreſaid toyle and miſerable hardſhip gotten hither, betimes in the morning about five of the clock, they there heard for certain, that their deſign was diſcovered, ſo that they were enforced to return back again to Oxford; the walk and freſh ayre being all they had for their 100 li. the good horſe and ſword, which Lievtenant Colonell Moſley got by the bargain; which their prize of mouthes full of freſh ayre, muſt needs be worth their money, conſidering how ill they were accommodated for freſh ayre at Oxford; Their good reward which they got for all their coſt and coyle.and ſo, I ſay, they returned homeward with as much comfort and content, as a dog newly whipt, with his tail between his legs, biting, tearing, and plundring (thoſe that were able) all that was in their way before them; but it was verily believed (yea and apparent too) that the King loſt,The King loſt, at leaſt 500 of his men at this Service. at leaſt 500 of his men in this ſore and fruitleſs ſervice; for, many of them ran away, many dyed, and many others fell ſick and diſeaſed. And were not heer ſo many ſore bruſhes againſt the Ark of God, and as it were ſo many rough and rigid Remora's, to ſtop, at leaſt, if not over-turn,Sore bruſhes againſt Gods Ark. the Ark of God, his precious Cauſe, and thus to have, at leaſt, impeded and hindred its proſperous progreſs? Yet ſee how our good God, the moſt gracious protector and Pilot thereof, freed it from the deep and deſperate danger of them all. But yet heer's not all, for the enemies inveterate malice was working ſtill; for much about the ſame time of the other foreſaid plots, there was a devilliſh deſign againſt the Town and Caſtle of Nottingham alſo,A deſperate deſign againſt Nottingham-Town and Caſtle. A true Copie of Colo. Hutchinſons letter, ſent to a worthy Gentlemā of Nottinghā ſhire, reſident then in London. to have ſodainly ſurpriſed it, either by force or fraud, for which purpoſe they had provided 1500 horſe and foot, out of the garriſon of Newark, and their other Cavalerian quarters thereabout, and prepared a Letter to be ſent and delivered beforehand to the moſt valiant & faithfull Governour of the Caſtle, Colonell Hutchinſon; for a full and clear relation whereof, I ſhall refer the Reader to the Governours own Letter; a true Copie whereof, written by noble Colonell Hutchinſon himſelf, to a worthy Patriot of his Country, then reſiding in London, coming to my hands, I have heer thought fit to inſert, verbatim, as it was printed and publiſhed by authoritie, which was as followeth.