Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves, Parliamentary chronicle · Floating text 29

Gods Ark Overtopping the Worlds Waves · Parliamentary chronicle · Floating text 29

p. 243An exact and true relation of the relieving of the moſt reſolute Garriſon of Lime in Dorſetſhire.

Sir,

I Have written one Letter to you ſince I came into this Bay, where alſo I have received yours. I bleſſe God for preſent health; onelyonly, much ſadneſſe of ſpirit is contracted from the ſad ſpectacles which beſieged Lime, continually offers to our view;The moſt noble Lord Admirall arived at Lime. a Towne which deſerves aboundance of pitty and love, they being ſo conſtantly under the violence of a cruell Enemy: But God hath brought our moſt noble Lord Admirall to this Towne, to a ſingular purpoſe, it tending directly to the preſerving of that diſtreſſed Towne, p. 244it not having in it, at his Lordſhips comming above a dayes bread, and a ſmall quantity of ammunition. There were then in the Town, 4000 Soules, whereof a 1000 in garriſon, who though they wanted ſhoes,Lymes diſtreſſed condition at his Lordſhips comming. ſtockings, cloathes and pay, and had not departed from Lyme ſince the beginning of the ſiege; yet were all of them reſolved to ſtand out to the laſt man; and when they could doe no more, to breake through the Enemy with their ſwords.

At my Lords firſt comming he ſent on ſhoar neere 40 barrels of powder,The moſt virtuous Lord Admiralls piety & charity to Lyme. and ſome match which came along with his Lordſhip, purpoſely for their reliefe; The ſhips under his Lordſhips Command did before his comming ſpare what proviſions they could, none comming from any other parts; and the paſſages by ſea being neer blockt up, his Lordſhip contracted for 350. l. worth of corn and other proviſions being then bound for Plymouth, to be ſold there, and tooke order to ſend it into the Towne; himſefe undertaking the price.

The condition and courage of the beſieged did ſo prevail with our ſeamen,Yea & of my Lords honeſt Seamen too. that out of their poore overplus, they ſent them above 30 pair of boots, a 100 pair of ſhoes, a 160 pair of ſtockings, ſome linnen and old cloathes, and ſome quantity of fiſh and bread, which they had formerly ſaved out of their ſea-allowance. They did alſo unanimouſly give one 4th. part of their bread for the next 4 Moneths amounting to 9000 waight, which their hard labour and conſtant duty might adviſe them to have reſerved rather for their owne be… lies. My Lord and the ſhips with him, determined to ſpare them 2000 weight of bread more, and ſome quantities of beefe, porke, ſhot, fiſh, and other neceſſaries. Some of our Seamen alſo being deſired by the Town to looke to the line, while 600 of the garriſon ſallyed out on the Enemy, hereupon 300 men were reſolved to be ſent.An aſſault upon the Towne to the enemies great loſſe. But the ſame day the Towne received a terrible ſtorme from the Enemy, yet with litle advantage to the beſiegers, they looſing about 60; and the Town but 8 men, only ſome of their Commanders were then hurt; viz. Colonell Ware was ſhot in the belly, but not dangerouſly; and Lieutenant Col. Blake was ſlightly hurt in the foot. The Townſmen (of the 3 Captaines that led up the forlorne hope) killed one Captain Southern who had on the L. Pawlets own armour, and tooke priſoner another, viz. Captain Aston, who was the next day brought aboard our ſhip. This Captain Aston is brother to a ſervant of Mr. Ketchmar in Fiſh-ſtreet p. 245in London, The Enemies pride & high hopes.the Enemy refuſed to take off their dead, reſolving in the pride of their heart to bury them and take the Town altogether: But God afterward corrected their daring and preſumptuous cruelty. The garriſon being much encouraged by this good ſucceſſe, reſolved to proſecute their former purpoſe of ſallying out, and in purſuance thereof, the 300 men were ſent ſafely on ſhore, though to make good their landing 3 or 4 of the Townſmen were ſlain.The moſt noble Lord Admiralls Stratagem. The ſame day his Lordſhip determined to ſend 2 of his ſhips, and all the ſhip-boats fitted with men, toward Charmouth, Bird-port, and other places about 6 miles from Lyme, that the Enemies opinion of our landing men in thoſe parts might draw off the horſe, whereby the ſally might be more ſecure and advantageous. And ſo accordingly, immediately after, the ſhips and boates were ſent out, at a time ſignified from the Towne by ſhooting off a gun from Daves-Fort; and giving an alarum on the Eaſt-ſhoar, they obtained what was in deſigne. For, all the day long 4 or 5 troopes of horſe and ſome hundreds of Foot attended the moving of the ſhips and boates, from whence divers great ſhot and ſmall ſhot played on them, which forced the Enemy to caſt up a breſt-worke by the Seaſide for their defence.The Enemy was miſtaken & fruſtrated of his hopes. Now, the Enemy miſtooke our intention, ſuppoſing that theſe boats had in the night taken men out of the Towne with purpoſe to ſet them on ſhore, to get proviſions into the Town; or to fall on the reare and thereby thinking the Town to be weakned; and therefore on the ſame day appointed by the Town for they ſally aforeſaid, they aſſaulted the Town with great fury, from about 6 at night, to about 8 of the clocke, in all which time, there was ſuch a continuall peal of ſmall and great ſhot, that the Town ſeemed to be all on a flame; Twice the Enemy made an orderly retreat,A very furious Aſſault upon the Towne, bravely received. appearing each time in a body of about a 1000 men. The third aſſault was moſt violent the Enemy advancing with brave reſolution and being as gallantly received by the Townſmen. A litle after 8 of the clocke there was a remitting of the former fury, and about 9 almoſt a generall ſilence. There were ſlain of the Enemies in this aſſault (as ſome of the Town clearly computed) at leaſt 400;The number of the ſlain in this Aſſault. and of the garriſon, not above 6 or 7 at the moſt killed and wounded, whereof Major Townſend was one, who was ſhot in the head, but was alive at the firſt relation hereof. Among the ſlain of the Enemies, there was found one Gentleman that came that morning from Exeter with letters for Oxford, whither he would fain p. 246have carryed the newes of the taking of Lyme; The enemies be fooled in reckoning without their hoaſt.but God prevented him, both in his journey and newes, and the letters were found in his pocket and ſent to London, the principall thing imparted in them being, That they found the wayes to Oxford began to be obſtructed; that the Queene was better (I hardly believe it) than formerly, and much comforted in Doctor Miroons comming unto her. But to proceed.

At laſt there was a parley ſent to the Towne,The enemies ſtomacke, now come downe. the Enemy now deſiring leave to bury their dead, which before they had ſcorned. And about this time came ſome more reliefe to the Towne by Sea; in the afternoone of which day, the Enemy had fired the Towne, yet but;The enemies rage in firing the Towne. houſes burnt; and afterward againe another part of the Towne was fired, which flame and combuſtion increaſed ſo as to burn down twenty new houſes there.

And now, you may eaſily judge the ſtate of poor Lyme, but if you had ſeene it, as it was continually before us, your eyes certainly would have beene much affected, conſidering that ſuch brave and gallant ſpirits, very worth a whole nation, indeed, ſhould bee the ſubjects on which the rage and madneſſe of a baſe and cruell Enemy was from day to day exerciſed and implacably imprinted.

Who ever had then,Gods power & providence was Lymes wals & bulwarks. but rightly known their merit and condition, I am confident, they would not onelyonly compaſſionate them, but relieve them: But what was wanting in men, was mightily ſupplyed by the power and providence of Heaven; Whoſe ſalvation had been all along, as their Wals and Bulwarks.

And to manifeſt this the more cleerly, I may not here omit, that at the late ſtorming of this Town, one woman ſhot off 16 muskets upon the Enemy; and the women of the Town generally did fill the Souldiers bandileers while they fought.The admirable courage of the women of Lyme. And it was credibly enformed by honeſt inhabitants of Lyme; that a maid that had had one of her hands cut off in the fight, being asked what courſe ſhee would take to live,The moſt pious reply of a maide in Lyme whole hand was ſhot off. now ſhee had loſt of her hands. Truly (ſaid Chriſt, for whoſe Cauſe I am as willing and ready to looſe not onelyonly my other hand, but my life alſo. A ſweet and moſt Saint-like ſpeach indeed. Such admirable courage it pleaſed the Lord to infuſe into the hearts of all the inhabitants, in all the time of this long and ſharpe Siege; the continuance of their dangers having (it ſeemed) p. 247much blunted the ſenſe and feare of their dayly dangers,The continuance of Limes troubles took away the ſenſe of fear & terrour of them. retaining in their ſpiris a conſtant cheerefulneſſe, as being ſtrongly perſwaded; yea, and certainely knowing they ſhould have deliverance, either from the affliction, or by it: as was then immediatly after that laſt and fore aſſault before mentioned, moſt happily viſible to their eyes and ſight: For, Maurice and his miſchievous Mates (being tyred with the ſiege, and their intollerable loſſes, and terrified with the fear of the Lord Generalls hourly expected approach to fall upon them,Prince Maurice leaves Lime, & raiſes his Siege. and eaſe the Towne of them) left the Siege totally, and made haſt away for feare of being taken as in a trap, betweene the Town, and the Generals Army, as anone you ſhall hear moſt exactly and fully related.

About the beginning alſo of this inſtant Iune, came certaine Information, by Letters from that moſt pious Patriot, Sir Wil. Armine, Dated at Sunderland, May 22th,The Earle of Calender poſſeſſed of Morpeth-Caſtle in Northubmerland. That the noble and religiouſly affected Earle of Callender, (having about a MonethMonth ſince entred the Kingdome out of Scotland, as a ſecond, or reſerve to the greater Armie of our Brethren of Scotland) was about this time entred into Northumberland, and had got poſſeſſion of Morpeth-caſtle in the ſaid County; his Army then conſiſting of about 8 or 10000 men. That by treachery between the Governour of the Southſhields and the Mayor of Newcaſtle, the Southſhields was ſurrendred to the enemy, without ſtricking one blow. And that there was a Plot for the betraying of Sunderland, Sunderland delivered from a treacherous Plot.alſo to the Enemy; which being, by Gods mercy, timely diſcovered by the Seamen that lay upon the River, with much difficulty they planted two Pieces of Ordnance commodiouſly, and betaking themſelves to their Armes, they made good the paſſage, repulſed the Enemy with ſtrong hand, and ſo ſecured the place againſt them.A reward of 200 l. beſtowed on the honeſt Seamen for their loyalty & good ſervice. For which excellent piece of ſervice, the Parliament Ordered, that 200 l. ſhould be given among them as a gratuity; and the Captaine that had the command of the Shields, was laid in hould, till he alſo might have a juſt reward, by a Councill of War, for his ſaid treachery.

Much alſo about the ſame time, Letters were read in the Houſe of Commons in Parliament, Valiant Capt. Swanley made commander in chief in Wales.from the Gentrie of Wales, therein ſupplycating the Houſe, that Captaine Swanley, that brave Sea-Commander, an eminent perſon, and famous for his good ſervice in thoſe parts, (as hath been already fully related) might ſpeedily returne unto them, and continue Commander in Chiefe among them.

p. 248Whereupon it was ſpeedily Ordered, that the Leopard, the Swallow, and the Providence, which he brought to the Downes with him, ſhould be forthwith re-victualed, and that he ſhould bee inſtantly recommended unto Wales, A Chaine of Gold worth 200 l. beſtowed on Captain Swanley, by the Parliament.as was deſired; and being in perſon called to the Barr, in the Commons Houſe of Parliament, he had thanks returned for his good Service done, and as a token of their good affection toward him, and for his better encouragement it was Ordered, That a Chaine of Gold of 200 l. value ſhould be given to him; and another of an 100 l. to Captaine Smith, his valiant Vice Admirall. A brave way to ſpur the Spirits of valiant Souldiers, thus to engrave Characters of honour on their former famous and well-deſerving Services.

The King (as we all too well know) made an agreement with his abominable Iriſh Canibals, at Oxford, The Kings moſt ungodly agreement with the Iriſh Rebels,to grant them a Parliament in Ireland of their own packing of Popiſh Natives, and other ſuch like moſt impious immunities, and they having received their diſpatch at Oxford, went away for Ireland, with great devilliſh joy, and impious content to their helliſh hearts. But yet his Majeſty, and his accurſed Councill, would not permit the honeſt, and well-affected Agents for the miſerable and oppreſſed Proteſtants in Ireland to have favourable admittance to the King, nor ſo much as to know what he had condeſcended unto, it being ſo much againſt them.

But it pleaſed the Lord very ſhortly after,Expelled him from his former ſecure abode at Oxford. to manifeſt to the world that he thrived and proſpered accordingly; For, his Excellencie, the Parliaments Lord Generall, came thither with ſuch a potent Army againſt Oxford, and gave them there ſuch a ſudden alarme, that Oxford proved too hot an habitation for his Majeſtie to reſide in, ſo that he was glad to fly after his beloved Iriſh-Rebels, and to leave Oxford in a very diſtracted condition.

For,Valiant & active Sir Will. Waller follows the King. upon Munday, Iune the 3^d, 1644. about 12 of the Clocke at night, he was glad to horſe and away, ſome 30 Coaches, with Luggages, and Court-baggages, accompanying him, and ſome of thoſe Shee-Creatures crying out, that they left their Iewels behinde them for haſte; and thus the next day they got to Burford, where the King refreſhed himſelfe; his Ladies, and Souldiers, but for a matter of two houres ſpace; for, noble Sir William Waller comming at the ſame time to Whitney, five miles diſtant, gave them a ſodaine and ſound alarm, whereat they all moſt frightfully cryed out, p. 249to horſe, to horſe, away, away; and his Majeſtie with his naked Sword in his hand rode all about the Town to haſten his men away, many of whom, as 'twas well known, being more willing to ſtay behind and run to the Parliaments L. Generall the noble Earle of Eſſex, Gods juſtice proſecutes the wicked with terrour & diſgrace.than to ſerve his Majeſtie any longer. Ah ſad effects! but moſt juſt reward of following ſuch wicked Counſell and wretched Counſellours; and oh the admirable juſtice of our moſt righteous God! in thus proſecuting the wilfull workers of iniquity with terrours and diſgrace.

And here obſerve beſides to this purpoſe, what admirable operation this forlorne condition of the Enemies of Truth, had upon the Councells of the Parliament and City of London: Major Gen. Brown made Commander in chiefe of 3 Counties, by the Parliament.For an Ordinance of Parliament was preſently hereupon paſſed for the enabling of valiant and renowned Colonell Brown (that noble Citizen, who had done much moſt excellent ſervice both in ſuppreſſing the Kentiſh Rebellion, and at the battell neer Alſford, where Hopton received ſuch a fatall defeat as he could never recover, nor recruit himſelf to this day) to Command in chiefe, as Major Generall of all the forces raiſed and to be raiſed for the reducing of Oxford, Wallingford, Greenland houſe and Banbury; and of all other forces raiſed for the ſetling in peace of the Counties of Oxford, Berks and Buckingham, with power to uſe and exerciſe Martiall-Law, according to the rules put forth by his Excellency, the Earl of Eſſex, the Parliaments Lord Generall.

About the 4th. of this inſtant we had certain intelligence that noble Sir William Waller being in purſuite of thoſe whom his Excellency, the Lord Generalls horſe had moved and pricked faſter forward in their flight than they were willing;Tewktsbery taken by Col. Maſſey. and it comming ſpeedily alſo to the knowledge of that moſt valiant and active Commander Col. Maſſey, he preſently alſo fell into martiall action, and with a conſiderable party marched valiantly to Tewkeſbury, and after a ſlender diſpute about it, became maſter of it; and with very little loſſe on his ſide, ſlew Colonell Godfrey, and a Quarter-maſter Gen. to that Runagado Wilmot, a rancke Papiſt; tooke Lieutenant Colonell Mynne priſoner, and other Officers and Souldiers, together with 300 new Pikes, ſeverall other Armes, 18 Barrels of powder, and other good purchaſe left in the Town; and placed a garriſon therein to prevent the Kings Army from reliefe there, in caſe they ſhould move that way.

p. 250About the 6th. of this inſtant, we were credibly informed, that at a place called Parriſhaw a Town about 7 miles from Worceſter, in the mid way between Eveſham and Worceſter, the Kings forces paſſing or rather flying that way,About 60 of the kings ſouldiers drowned at Parriſhaw at a bridge. they pulled up the bridge and laid the looſe boards upon ſtones for a party of their own forces then behind, to paſſe over, and then they intended to take them away, to hinder the paſſage of any of the Parliaments Forces then in purſuite of them: But the Rear of the Kings Army marched ſo haſtily away that the looſe boards ſlipt away from the ſtones, when many were upon it, there being a great and deep water running ſwiftly under the bridge, ſo that about 60. of them fell into the river and were drowned, among whom were ſome Commanders of quallity. Thus we ſee ſtill how evill haunts the wicked man at the heeles to deſtroy him.Sir William VValler alſo purſues & catches ſome of them in the chaſe. And Sir William Waller ſtill purſuing them (as we were credibly enformed) fell upon a party of them, and took the Queenes Serjeant Major, 3 Cornets, and about an 100 horſe: But the noble and prudent Lord Generall well knowing what a conſiderable and ſufficient party Sir William Waller had to purſue them, marched Weſtward, and Colonell Maſſeys forces joyned with Sir William Wallers in the proſecution of this running flight of their Enemies.

And about the 8th. of this inſtant June, we had credible enformation touching the ſiege and taking of Shudley-caſtle by that noble and renowned Generall Sir Wil. Waller, Shudley-castle taken by renowned Sir VVill. VValler.a very ſtrong piece and of much conſequence; which Sir William plyed ſo cloſe with his batterring pieces, that in a ſhort ſpace he became maſter of it; for they within came ſoon to a parley with him, the iſſue whereof was, That they delivered up themſelves priſoners, and onelyonly had quarter for all their lives: Wherein were taken priſoners, Col. Sir William Mourton, The priſoners & prizes.Lieut. Colonell Sayer, Serjeant Major Aldham, Serjeant Major Floyd; 4 Captaines; 7 Lieutenants; 1 Cornet; 4 Enſignes; 7 Gentlemen of quality; 289 common ſouldiers; one Drum; a Malignant Prieſt, and his 2 Sons; 80 horſe; 2 Drakes; many were ſlain in the fight againſt the caſtle, but not a man ſlaine on Sir William Wallers ſide: A rare mercy and ſingular preſervation.

The very ſame day alſo on which the former good ſervice was performed, as aforeſaid, Colonell Purefoy being returned from Glocester, and not willing to be idle by the way, but having taken up ſome more ſtrength from Coventry to adde to his owne Warwicke p. 251forces ſet upon the Earl of Northamptons-Houſe, commonly called Compton-Houſe, being between Banbury and Warwick, a place or Houſe of very conſiderable-ſtrength.Compton Houſe in VVarwickſhire taken by Col. Purfrey. In which Houſe they found (as was credibly enformed) 5500 l. in ready money; beſides 5 or 6 earthen-pots of money, afterward found in a fiſh-pond; they tooke alſo an 120 priſoners, and all their Armes, 60 Horſe, 400 ſheepe, neer an 100 head of Cattell, 18 loads of excellent plunder, and other good prizes; and there alſo they tooke priſoners, Colonel Knotsford and Captain Clarke.

And now, about the 10th. of this inſtant came out the Ordinance of Parliament (mentioned a litle before) printed and publiſhed, for the aſſociation of Buckinghamſhire, Berks and Oxfordſhire, and a Committee was nominated therein,Great & deſerved honour put upon Serjeant Major Gen. Brown by an Ordinance of Parliament. for the raiſing of money upon Papiſts, Malignants and Delinquents, eſtates in thoſe Counties and likewiſe to ſettle the Exciſe there, and to levy money upon the Ordinance of Parliament for the 25th. parts, for the maintenance of the forces that are or ſhall be raiſed for the reducing of the Enemies garriſons in thoſe Counties. And that the ſaid Committee have power to cut downe the wood and timber of Papiſts or Malignants to raiſe fortifications, or for other ſervices as there ſhall be occaſion: And likewiſe that they ſhall call before them the Malignant Clergy and Schollars in thoſe Counties, and place and diſplace ſuch as they ſhall find occaſion thereunto. And all this power was put principally into the hands of this brave and loyall Citizen, Serjeant Major Generall Brown, who was thereby alſo of purpoſe made Serjeant Major Generall of all the forces raiſed or to be raiſed in all thoſe Counties aforeſaid; and he had power (by this authority of Parliament) to aſſemble a Councill of war as oft as he ſaw occaſion for the executing of juſtice on all ſorts of offenders.

About the 12. of this inſtant came certain information by letters and otherwiſe from that moſt valiant and worthy Commander Sir William Brereton, of an excellent exploit performed by that moſt valiant and noble Patriot of his Country the Earle of Denbigh, The noble Earl of Denbighes brave exploit againſt the kings forces at Dudley-caſtleagainſt a party of the kings horſe which came to raiſe his ſiege at Dudley-caſtle, the manner whereof was thus related. The King being upon his departure from Bewdley toward Shrewſbury, ſent a party of about 3000 horſe againſt the Earle of Denbigh at Dudley-caſtle; which horſe comming ſuddenly on them, the noble Earle ſent a party of forlorn-hope commanded in chiefe by ever honoured Col. p. 252Mitton, Governour of Wem, who moſt bravely charged the Enemy, but their force; as I ſaid, being all horſe and comming violently on, our forlorne-hope ſeemed to be in a forlorn condition being on a ſudden deſperately engaged and in ſuch a danger that it was adviſed by the Councill of War,The great danger of Col. Mitton, and his forlorn hope. That the Earl could not without great hazard to his whole Army attempt to releive the forlorn-hope, but muſt rather leave them to ſhift as they could and keep their trenches, with their main body to receive the Enemy, if they came on. But the noble Earle (to his perpetuall honour) hating to ſee his dear friends ſacrifice their lives in a Cauſe ſo juſt, as Religion and Liberties, and himſelf ſtand by a looker on;The Earl of Denbighes brave reſolution. reſolved to relieve them (maugre all diſadvantages) or dye in the attempt, and with this martiall and moſt noble reſolution, he drew up his forces; and himſelfe in perſon, leading them on againſt the Enemy with admirable courage, cryed out thus to his Souldiers, Come on Sirs, follow mee, for by the grace of God I will reſcue Colonell Mitton, or lay my bones in the place.

And thereupon charged them to ſo good purpoſe that he ſoon freed his forlorne-hope, and in ſhort time put the Enemies to a diſorderly flight (if not quite routed them) and was in the purſuite of them,The enemy put to flight and purſued, by the Lord Denbigh. divers miles together. In which flight (as was certainly enformed) the Enemy loſt above an 100 men which were ſlain in the place, and among them one perſon of ſpeciall note was then killed for whom they made much lamentation; there were alſo 17 perſons of quality taken priſoners, beſides the common-ſouldiers, and 30 more afterward at Maſter Dudleys Houſe,The ſlain and priſoners taken. whom that valiant and moſt worthy Commander Colonell Rudgeley (who with his Staffordſhire forces did ſingular good ſervice in this fight) tooke priſoners before they could retreat, beſides Horſe and Armes; and on the Earles ſide was onelyonly 7 ſlain and ſome wounded.

I a little before made mention of the good hand of God upon the moſt valiant and courageous garriſon of Lyme, in their long and ſtraight Siege by a furious and cruell Enemy: And now about the 15th,The famous Seige of Lime in Dorſetſhire wholely raiſed. of this inſtant came certain intelligence of the full and cleare raiſing of that famous Siege, to the perpetuall ſhame and diſgrace of Maurice, Pawlet, Stoell, Aſhburnham, Strangewayes and others; which was confirmed by a Letter ſent by the moſt renouned Earl of Warwick, Lord Admirall, to the Speaker of the Honourable Houſe of Peers in Parliament, and by Maſter Ieſops Letter alſo and p. 253others; the ſubſtance of all which, in effect, was this.

That ſince the moſt Noble and ever to be honoured Earl of Warwicke, performed that brave Service in ſo timely relieving Lyme in the deepeſt of its diſtreſſe;The unſucceſfull aſſaults of the enemies againſt Lime. and continued there, obſerving the occurrences and carriage of affaires as well without as within the Town; and that the Enemyes had, in the ſpace of 4 or 5 dayes ſhot many Volleys of great and ſmall ſhot into the Town, but moſt unſucceſſefully, the beſieged anſwering them, ſtill as courageouſly as ever at the firſt; Hopton alſo comming to the Leaguer and hoping to have made ſome recruite of his broken fragments, but was refuſed, and at Dartmouth alſo,Sir Ralph Hoptons low ebbe. whither he came with but 7 Horſe, giving out there, that he was to raiſe an Army of 15000 men (if hee could have got them) and Maurice alſo now tyred with ſo …oyleſome a worke, and terrified alſo, with fear of the Parliaments Lord Generalls approach into thoſe parts, and eſpecially to this Town, to free it of its fear of his forces and unneighbourly neighbourhood;The enemies notable loſſes at Lime Siege. that thus, I ſay, after the Enemies loſſe of at leaſt an 105 Officers, beſides ſome more ſuperiour Officers and commanders; 25 Gunners; and above 2000 common ſouldiers, more than they loſt at Briſtol and Exeter, as ſome of themſelves confeſt: Prince Maurice on ſad and ſerious conſideration of all theſe diſaſters, and many more,The Seige quite raiſed. about June the 14th by two of the clock in the morning, quite raiſed this his ſiege and went clear away to Exeter.

After whoſe departure, the noble Lord Admirall, Maſter Ieſop, and many others, going into Lime, to view the Townes line, and the Enemies workes, and truely comparing the very great ſlenderneſſe of the Towns line, with the extraordinary ſtrength and ſolidity of all the Enemies Works, they could not but greatly admire what had been done by them, and were forced moſt freely to confeſſe and grant that the defence of Heaven,Heaven was Lymes munition of Rocks. was meerly and cleerly their munition of rocks; and that it was little leſſe than a miracle that they ſhould hold out ſo long and violent a Siege; eſpecially, the Towne ſtanding at the bottome of two hills,The Enemies ſtrength, the Towns weakneſſe. and their Workes ſo low and thinne, that in many places one might have runne over them, and a ſtrong hand might have thruſt them downe, they being in effect, as it were paper or paſteboord walles; and in the latter end of the ſiege the Enemies outragiouſly ſhooting into the Towne,The outragious fury and malice of the Enemie againſt Lyme. barres of Iron, pieces of Anchors, and great Shot blowne up to as great a meaſure of heat as was poſſible (they having a Forge on purpoſe) which p. 254falling on Houſes fired many, yet were ſodainely quenched, with onelyonly hurt (not death) of but three men;The almoſt incredible courage of the Souldiers in Lime. inſomuch that all that ſaw and conſidered theſe things, could not chooſe, but (with admiration) ingenuouſly confeſſe, that certainely, there was never more valour and undantedneſſe of ſpirit ſhewn in the world, againſt a potent and peſtilent Enemy, than was in thus defending this place;The noble E. of Warwicks teſtimony of Lime. and that every man deſerved (as the moſt noble Earle of Warwicke himſelfe there publikely profeſſed) ſome eminent badge of honour to remaine to their poſterity, in memoriall of this moſt famous Siege.

About the time of the end of the Siege, ſome 26 of the Enemies ſide came in unto the Lord Admirall, Divers of the enemies party come to the L Admirall, profering their ſervice to the Parliament.freely and faithfully proffering their ſervice to the Parliament, among whom was Lievtenant Fair, an Officer of the Lord Brogall, brother to the Lord Inchiquin, and 10 alſo of Inchiquins Regiment came in unto them. One Iriſh woman left behinde, was ſlaine, and almoſt pull'd in pieces by the women of Lime.

In the Siege many houſes were burnt, and yet a Granado falling into a roome in one houſe,3. Children in one bed miraculouſly preſerved. and breaking upon a bed wherein lay 3 children, not one of them had any harme; there was ſcarce a houſe in the whole Towne, that was not battered, and ſcarce a roome into which, ſhot had not beene made. At one laſt great fire in the Towne, two maides carying betweene them a veſſell of water, had three of their hands ſhot off;2. Maides loſt three of their hands at once. One of theſe (tis probable) was that honeſt maid that ſpake ſo chriſtianly (as was forementioned in the reliefe of Lime) touching the loſſe of one of her hands.

In all this, the moſt noble and renowned Lord Admiralls pious and ſingular charitable affection to the Towne, gained a moſt juſt acknowledgement from them; That they all did owe their lives, (under God) to his moſt honourable Lordſhip.

But above all, all honour and praiſe is moſt due to the great God of Lime, in this his mighty, and even miraculous deliverance of it,All the praiſe of this mighty preſervation is due to the great God of Lime. it being alſo a buſineſſe of ſo great conſequence, as by Gods mercy to bring in the whole Weſt Countrey, who reſolved long before to obey no command on the other ſide, till Lime was taken. O had Prince Maurice but obtained one Commander of the Parliaments, that is God, and their good Cauſe, what a Victor might he have proved, with but halfe the ſtrength, which by relation, hee brought of the Country people thereabout.

p. 255The Enemies curſed the unlucky houre (as they called it) of their comming thither, having loſt, as I ſaid before, from the firſt to the laſt, at leaſt, 2 or 3000 Souldiers, and the Town but ſix ſcore men, with the moſt. Ever praiſed be the great God of battailes for it.

And thus the Lord, at laſt, to the glory of his great name, and joy of his ſervants, ſet Lime at liberty from all their former feares and dangers.Limes deliverance a certaine returne of Prayer. To all which mercies, let me adde this, as a prime reſult of them all; that I make no doubt, but that the prayers put up at that inſtant, on their behalfe, both aboard our Ships, and in other parts of the Kingdome, were a ſpeciall and ſpeedy meanes to ſhorten their dangers, ſhelter their perſons, and haſten this their happy deliverance.

The thus happy relieving of this brave Garriſon of Lime, by the ever renowned,Thankes ſent by the Parlia. to the moſt noble L. Admirall for relieving Lime. and moſt highly to be honoured Earle of Warwick, was (and that moſt deſervedly) taken by the Parliament, as a moſt ſingular and acceptable ſervice done to the Kingdome, who thereupon Ordered, That a Letter of thankes ſhould be ſent unto him, from both the Houſes of Parliament for his great care, love, and loyalty therein.

And,1 Sam. that, not onelyonly this brave Garriſon (of which we may ſay, as the Dameſels ſang before the Arke, That Saul had ſlain his thouſand, but David his ten thouſand: So, other Garriſons have ſlaine their thouſand, done very bravely; but this of Lime, its ten thouſands, far out-ſtript them all) to encourage, I ſay, not onelyonly this Garriſon, but that the whole Kingdome might as well in this as in other things, ſee and be aſſured that good and faithfull Service ſhall not be unrewarded:Lime alſo rewarded with 10000 l. a yeare of the L. Paulets Eſtate. It was, therefore Ordered by the Parliament, that 10000. l. a year, out of the Lord Paulets Eſtate ſhould be conferred upon the Towne of Lime, for their loyalty and courage in this famous Siege, which hath been, indeed, to admiration; for that, beſides the ſtraights they have been driven too; their impregnable courage, in ſo ſtoutly defending themſelfe from the malice of their blood-thirſty Enemies, hath ſometimes cauſed their very water to be noyſome with the blood of thoſe that ſought their ruine and deſtruction. O the admirable power, wiſdome, and juſtice of the righteous Lord of Heaven, and Judge of the whole World! But to goe on.

At the ſame time, and from the ſame hand, and ſhips of the moſt noble Lord Admirall at Lime, it was informed that their ſhips had p. 256taken upon the Seas,Prizes taken at Sea, by the Lo. Admiralls Ships. ſince their ſetting forth from the Downes, two Prizes, one at Dartmouth, a Veſſell laden with Oyle and Salt for Holland; and the other that was brought in unto them, was a Dutch Galliot, laden with good Commodities for the Enemy at Aptham and Exeter, to the value of at leaſt 8000 l. And the Maſter himſelfe of the Galliot confeſſed that they had for her more ſafe Convoy, the Company of two Stateſmen of War, who had aboard their Ships, 5 Barrels of money, amounting to a 1000 Dollars, confined to ſome Malignants in Exeter. The Factor under whoſe charge the money was committed, being aboard the Men of War, was loath to be diſcovered, but at length was apprehended and brought before his Lordſhip, and for ſome peremptory and unmannerly ſpeeches to his Lordſhip, was put into ſafe cuſtody; And all the goods proved good prize.

From aboard the James at anchor before Lyme; June, 1. 1644.

This bleſſed buſineſſe of Lyme and the moſt noble Lord Admirals ſingular and ſeaſonable ſupply afforded to it, did alſo produce immediately after theſe ſeverall Orders from the Parliament.

Firſt,Orders of Parliament touching Lime that a letter was drawn up (as was toucht before) and ſent to the moſt noble Lord Admirall, ſignifying how ſenſible the Houſe was of his ſo great and good ſervice, and returning him the thankes 1of the whole Houſe for the ſame. And truely theſe Parliamentary acknowledgements, and gratulations are very good for the publique, either by land or by water; and that Excellent Lord deſerves thanks of no leſſe demenſion than a Parliament.

2Secondly, that a Letter was drawn up (as from the whole Houſe) alſo to the Town of Lyme to enforme them that the Houſe took ſpeciall notice of their faithfull and valiant ſervice. And indeed, it is a gratefull and moſt worthy act of the Houſe, to let no deſert eſcape their notice: For, it is not fit that ſuch places as have borne the heate of the day, ſhould take cold under the ſhadow of State-neglect.

3Thirdly, that the Lord Mayor of the City of London was thereby deſired to ſend notice to all Churches and Chappels, in, and about the ſaid City and County of Midelſex, to deſire the Miniſters in their prayers, the next Lords-day, to give thanks to Almighty God, for the great deliverance of the ſaid Towne of Lime, from the rage and intended malice and miſchiefe of their outragious enemies.

Much about the foreſaid time, the Parliaments ever to be honoured p. 257Lord Generall, Sir Wil. Belfore ſent to free Lime, of its Siege, & finding it raiſed, taks Weymonth & Tanton-Deanthe moſt noble Earle of Eſſex had ſent out (as he was deſired by the Parliament) a Party of Horſe to the reliefe of Lime, under the Command of that moſt loyall, valiant, and moſt virtuous Gentleman, Sir William Belfore, but (as yee have already heard) the Morris was done, and danced away before; Whereupon their Horſe wheeled about toward Weymouth, and after they had faced the Towne, and given them Summons, they within preſently yeelded, and 400 Souldiers were content to leave their heavier weapons, and to march away with ſticks onelyonly in their hands.

The noyſe of Lime and Weymouth, and the Lord Generals terrour, flew to Taunton-Deane, and they alſo ſoone quitted the Garriſon, and daunced after Maurices pipe. Truely, I cannot tell what to ſay to theſe things, but muſt moſt juſtly admire Gods infinite mercy, whoſe hand was moſt manifeſtly ſeene now in the West, (as well as in the North) working all our workes, there, for us.

But of the winning of theſe Townes, and the reſt, we ſhall ſpeak ſhortly after more fully in their more proper place.

Much alſo about the foreſaid time, we had certaine Intelligence by Letters out of Leiceſterſhire, that the loyall, and right noble Lord Grey of Grooby, The noble L. Grey of Groobies brave carriage at Leiceſter.who hath ſo bravely and faithfully defended the Town of Leiceſter, as having divers times engaged his perſon, and done ſingular good ſervice for the Kingdome, with that very ſmall ſtrength which hee had there, notwithſtanding the great ſtrength, and oft incurſions of the enemy in thoſe parts; yet, that he marched out of Leiceſter, and tooke divers of the Kings Cormorants, or Cavaliers, which were ſtragling up and downe to plunder, and ſent them priſoners to Leiceſter; and that he fell upon their Quarters neere Vlſtrup, tooke ſome Priſoners there, and made the reſt retreat, and in deſpight of the Enemy, and all their power, ſafely conducted Sir Iohn Gells Ordnance and Artillery, deſigned for Darby or Leiceſter.

About the 18 th. of this inſtant Iune, we had certaine Information out of the Weſt, Preparation by Sea to help forward the reduction of the Weſt to the obedience of the Parliamentthat the moſt noble Lord Admirall, ſent word to his Excellencie, the Parliaments Lord Generall, that as his Lordſhip moved by Land; ſo he would ſaile by Sea, and ſo be aſſiſtant to him in the clearing of thoſe Westerne coaſts: And that for this purpoſe the noble Lord Admirall deſigned the Iames, the Admirall of his Navy, for that buſineſſe, a Ship of 875 tun, Captaine Richard Blithe being Commander thereof, and fitted with 50 Pieces of p. 258Ordnance, and 260. men in her; Alſo the Conſtant Reformation, Captaine William Battin being Commander thereof, a Ship of 740 tun, fitted with 40 Pieces of Ordnance and 250. men in her; The Expedition, Captain Ioſeph Iordan being the Commander thereof, fitted with an 100 men and 18. pieces of Ordnance; together with ſome other leſſer ſhips, which being deſigned to attend the Lord Generalls marches and removes, and to move by Sea, ſtill as his Army did by Land, and was thus moſt hopefull, by Gods helpe, in due time to reduce all the Weſt to the obedience of the King and Parliament; whereof more in its due and proper place.

Much alſo about the ſame time came farther intelligence out of the Weſtern parts of the Kingdome,The hopefull progreſſe of things in the Wect. that his Excellency had ſent ſeverall parties to ſummon Wareham, Bridge-water, Portland-caſtle, and other Malignant Townes in thoſe parts; that at leaſt 800 men were gathered together in Somerſetſhire to joyn with his Excellency; and that unhappy Hopton having lately then, preſt about 2000 Souldiers there, giving out they were to reſiſt the French from landing; but they ſoone finding it otherwiſe, moſt of them deſerted him, and came in unto his Excellency: Whereupon poore ſir Ralph calling a Councill of Warre, it was reſolved they ſhould preſſe no more, it cauſing them the ſooner to deſert him. And thus we ſee how graciouſly the Lord begins to carry on the work in thoſe parts.

About the 20th. of this inſtant, wee were moſt credibly informed by letters from Mancheſter, from very credible hands; that notwithſtanding the preſent great preſſures on that County of Lancaſhire, in this MonethMonth, by reaſon of that bloody rover Prince Robbers entring the ſame, and ſpoyling and deſtroying all the good of the land before him,Gods great mercy to Mancheſter in the midſt of Lancaſhires miſeries. eſpecially at poor blood-dyed Boulton; Yet, I ſay, this famous Town of Mancheſter, was by the good hand of God preſerved from the rage and wra…h of that furious and filching Enemy, and did even at that time, enjoy great plenty of Food and other neceſſaries, yea notwithſtanding that they then had 3 or 4000 Souldiers in the Town,Victualls very cheap at Manchester. victualls of all ſorts being very cheap among them; Wheat ſold for 3. s. 8. d. a meaſure; good butter 2. d. far. a pound the beſt Cheeſe at 2. d. bating farthing, & fleſh-meat very cheap. And that ye may know that money alſo was not very ſcanty there;A very l…beral & bountifull Collection alſo there, for Boulton. On the 16. inſtant being the Lords-day, there was a collection made among them at Manchester for poor diſtreſſed and p…undred Boulton, at the Church and Chappell at Salford, where was gathered 7 ſcore p. 259pounds, beſides much money that came in after that publike Collection. And was not this a rare mercy, eſpecially at ſuch a time, and in ſuch a County, to be able to be givers and not receivers, and to live in ſuch a height of plenty, notwithſtanding ſo great miſery round about them. O our great and Wonder-working God, who thus doſt manifeſt that thou not onelyonly art Good, but doſt Good.

Much alſo about the ſame time came farther intelligence by a letter from the noble Lord General which was read in the Lords Houſe of Parliament, wherein his Excellency informed them of the taking of the Town of Weymouth (a very ſtrong and conſiderable Sea-Town) upon ſurrender,Weymouth taken by the L. Generall. The Commanders and Officers going away on horſe-backe with their ſwords and piſtols, and the Common Souldiers (as I toucht before) only with ſtaves in their hands; Hee tooke in the Town, 27 pieces of Ordnance, and 50 other pieces in the harbour, and all the ſhips neer it; above an 100 barrells of Powder,Brave prizes alſo taken both by Sea & by Land. beſides much Armes and Ammunition: Hee farther writ that the Country did dayly come in unto him in great numbers ſo that his Army was very much augmented in thoſe parts, and by a Scout of the Weſt it was farther informed, about the ſame time, that beſides this brave prize at Weymouth there were taken about 2000 Armes more, at the leaſt, and betwixt 30 and 40 ſhips, by the moſt noble Lord Admirall.

About the 21. of this inſtant there came forth a moſt Excellent Ordinance of Parliament, viz. For the conſtant payment of 200 l. a Weeke out of the Exciſe-money, both for the ſupport and ſuſtenance of ſicke and maimed Souldiers, An Excellent Ordinance of Parliament for conſtant reliefe to the wives & children of Souldiers ſlain in the Parliaments ſervice.and alſo for the reliefe of the Wives and Children of ſuch as have been ſlain in the Service of the Parliament. This is indeed, a good piece of State-Charity, to heal the miſeries (as well as may be) which the Kingdome hath been neceſſitated to make, and it is the moſt poſſible ſupply and recompence, that when we cannot give them the lives of their friends and husbands again; yet to give them their livelyhoods: And this makes the States of the Netherlands ſo to flouriſh, and their famous charity in this kind, engages even divine providence to bleſſe them with a dayly proſperity.

About the 22. of this inſtant came information by letters from the Leaguer at York, that the noble E. of Mancheſter had received a loſſe of about 200 men, by the too timely ſpringing of a Myne. Whence, this was obſervable among our London Malignants, who having p. 260quick intelligence of any thing which they thinke may prejudice our comfort and content,Our London Malignants Flea-bitings, whereof I wiſh them many. gave out (according to their accuſtomed uſe and manner of lying) and carryed it current from priſon to priſon, and from place to place, that the Earl of Mancheſter had received a ſore blow, enlarging it alſo to the purpoſe, that he himſelfe was hurt, his Forces routed, the ſiege at York raiſed, and Prince Plunderer come to York and this they averred with Oathes and Execrations: And their fool-hardy confidence of this newes was ſuch, that when they were anſwered; The Siege at Lyme was raiſed, Weymouth and other Townes and rich prizes by Sea and Land taken, and with them was taken the Kings principall Magazine for the Weſt Country. They impudently replyed all theſe were but a Flea-biting to that at York; which was on…ly the loſſe of thoſe 200 men at the Myne, all the reſt of their reports, moſt groſſely f…lſe.

Now, I ſay, this their Flea-biting was no more but their loſſe of 80 pieces of Ordnance mounted in the Town and ſhips;The Malignants Flea bitings. an 180 (ſome writ, 200) Barrells of Powder; 2000 good muskets, 200 pair of piſtols; 60 ſail of ſhips; beſides the Town of Weymouth it ſelfe, its Forts alſo, and the Caſtle at Sandfoot; many ſuch Flea-bitings, I ſay, may the Enemies have, I beſeech the Lord.

About the 24th. of this inſtant we were certainly enformed by letters from the valiant, and victorious Commander, Colonel Mitton, that the noble and right valiant Earl of Denbigh, in purſuance of ſome Directions from the Parliament, advanced into Shropſhire, with Directions to have intercepted 40 Barrells of Powder going to Prince Robber; Oſweſtree won by the moſt noble Earle of Denbigh.but the noble Earl failing thereof (it being conveyed another way into Wales) he thought it not amiſſe (being ſo neere ſome of his Enemies quarters) to make ſome attempt upon them, yet ſo as that he was reſolved not to looſe above 24 houres; and accordingly, with the advice of Colonell Mitton, marched toward Drayton, where he left a good reſerve; and ſo advanced to Oſwel-ſtree; and with the Forlorn-hope conſiſting of 200 Foot and two Troopes of Horſe he faced the Town about Iune the twenty ſecond, at two of the clocke in the afternoone, and had a hot diſpute of the buſineſſe for the ſpace of two houres,The Towne is aſſaulted & entred. the Earle by that time, had made his approaches ſo neer, and played ſo fiercely upon the Enemy with both ſmall and great ſhot, that a breach was made in the wall of the Town, which he bravely entred, and with the loſſe of onelyonly one man and three wounded, he bravely brake his way into the p. 261Towne,The Enemies fly to the Caſtle. the Enemy flying into the Church, and then to the Caſtle, who were ſo cloſly purſued, and my Lords Pioners ſo nimble in their Undermining (wherein Colonell Mitton ſhewed himſelfe with much valour and dexterity) that they within preſently condeſcended to ſurrender the Caſtle,The Caſtle alſo ſurrendered on quarter for their lives. only to have quarter for their lives, which accordingly was granted them, and thereupon, theſe Priſoners …nd Armes following were taken, viz.

Lieutenant Col. Bladwin, Capt. Iohn Farrell, and 3. Captaines more;Priſoners & prizes taken. 3 Lieutenants; 2 Cornets; 2 Enſignes; Commiſſary Richard Edwards; 9 Serjeants; 9 Corporalls; and one Drum-Major; beſides 305 Common Souldiers; 8 Towneſmen in Armes; 200 Muskets; a 100 Pikes and other warlike weapons, and 40 Barrels of Powder. And of what great advantage this Town was, to thoſe parts, eſpecially for the reducing of North Wales, thoſe that know that Country do very well know. But this Noble Earl reſted not here; this ſucceſſe made him not forget the directions of the Committee of both Kingdomes, nor to looſe any time, but that he haſtned to expedite what was directed, and by him before reſolved: And ſo the very next day he Ordered his March accordingly, leaving that ever to be honoured Gentleman and brave commander, Col. Mitton, Governour of that brave Town and Caſtle; a man moſt fit for ſuch a truſt, as Wem can witneſſe.

And about the 28. of this inſtant we were credibly advertiſed by Letters from Dorcheſter, The ſingular good affection of the Weſt-Country to the Parliament.that the Country at leaſt 20 miles about from the ſaid Town, being ſummoned to appeare there, came in moſt freely, and it being offered unto them, That any one that deſired a Paſſe to go to Exeter, Briſtoll, or any other parts of the Kings quarters, ſhould go together on the left hand, and ſhould have their free Paſſes: and all thoſe that were convinced in their conſciences of the juſtneſſe of the cauſe on the Parliaments ſide, ſhould go to the right, or hold up their hands; and accordingly every one there aſſembled did ſo (not one deſiring a paſſe to go to the Enemie) holding up all their hands moſt cheerfully, this being upon the ending of a Sermon,Mr. Peters his good ſervice to the kingdome. preached then by Maſter Peters, who hath done great Service for the State both by Sea and by Land, both in England, Ireland and Holland.

And much about the laſt of this inſtant Iune 1644. for the concluſion of this MonethMonth; An Ordinance of Parliament was happily paſt, That no Lords nor Commons who have deſerted the Parliament p. 262and complyed with Oxford, ſhall be re-admitted into the Lords Houſe; An Ordinance of Parliament againſt rotten-hearted Revolters or de…erters of the Parliament.nor Members of the Houſe of Commons, be any more admitted into the Houſe of Commons, without the conſent of both Houſes. A good bar, and like to be a ſtrong prop to the firmer ſtabliſhing of the State of the Kingdome: Who if they had come when their pretended Houſe at Oxford ſtood on its flaſhy gloſſe and falſe glory, we might have thought they had come out of conſcience and affection to the Parliament at Weſtminſter; but, now to leave their own ſhip when it is upon ſincking, and to crawl up the main top,Rats crawl out of ſhips to the main tops, when the ſhip is ready to ſink. then, is but like Vermine Rats, to leave the ſhip for fear of drowning: And truely in this caſe, One conſtant Royaliſt (though bad's the beſt) is more worth than 2 of theſe rotten-hearted Turn-coats. But now let theſe ignoble ſpirited Deſerters & revolters, ſit as they deſerve, (as Britannicus ſaid well) 'tis pitty either Houſe ſhould again be ſtained with the Apoſtacy of ſuch tergiverſatious Bats; Revolters fitly compared to Rats and Bats.For to be ſure, thoſe that have once known that way to Oxford, would every-Spring and Fall, every ebbing and flowing of the tide of affaires, have been troubled with a fit of ſhifting ſides and parties, and be willing to take the ayre 44 miles from London.

And now having thus by Gods good providence and aſſiſtance, finiſhed this Moneths Voyage alſo,A ſummary gratefull review and brief recitall of all the rare Parliamentary Mercies of this monethmonth. I ſhall here deſire, as is moſt fit, to caſt anchor again and to put to ſhoar a little to refreſh our Veſſell, and to bring forth all the Merchandize and rich Commodities of this Moneths Adventure to a ſummary ſight and reviſe, thereby to ſet an edge upon our affections to ſtir up our moſt gratefull hearts the more to praiſe the Lord our great and good God the Father and fountain of them.

1As, firſt, The happy and moſt ſeaſonable reliefe of the long and ſtraitly beſieged Town of Lime in Dorſetſhire, by the moſt noble and renouned Lord Admirall, the Right honourable Earl of Warwick; together with the ſerious conſideration of the Admirable and almoſt incredible courage of the Inhabitants and Souldiers thereof, in ſo undauntedly defending it, by Gods moſt impregnable power and aſſiſtance.

2The moſt Loyall and Valiant ayde and help afforded to us by the Noble Earl of Callender in the Northern parts of the Kingdome; and the Parliaments moſt wiſe and gratefull reſpect to Captain Swanlyes good ſervice in Wales.

3The kings moſt unworthy ſigning and aſſenting to the moſt wicked p. 263demands and Articles of the Iriſh Rebels; after which he was forced to flye up and down with as much juſt fright of a wounded conſcience, as needleſſe fear of his moſt friendly purſuers.

The Parliaments moſt prudent and provident making that brave and moſt gallant Citizen Colonell Brown, Serjeant Major Generall 4of 3 Counties, viz. Oxford, Berks, and Buckinghamſhire; Renouned Colonell Maſſeys taking of Tewksbury; And Gods juſt judgement on ſome of the Kings Forces at Parriſh…, in their flight from Sir William Waller, their victorious and moſt valiant purſuer, and his brave taking of Shudley Caſtle as he paſt along in purſuite of the King.

Valiant and active Captain Purefreys taking of Compton Houſe in Warwickſhire neer Banbury; and a moſt brave defeat given to the 5Enemy by the moſt noble and renowned Earl of Denbigh at Dudleycastle, to his indelible high renowne and the Enemies extreame great loſſe and diſhonour.

The totall and moſt remarkable raiſing of the long and tedious Siege of Lyme to Gods great glory, our unexpreſſible comfort, and 6Prince Maurices eternall ſhame and infamy: Together with the Parliaments moſt wiſe and worthy brave carryage in and about that buſineſſe, both in their ordering of thankes to God, the Lord Admirall and Lyme it ſelfe; as alſo in beſtowing a brave and bountifull reward on the Town of Lyme for their valour and loyalty to the Cauſe of God.

Sir William Belfores taking of Weymouth and Taunton-Deane; 7the noble Lord Grey of Groobies brave carryage at Leicester; and the Lord Generalls, and Lord Admiralls preparations, both by Sea and by Land, to reduce the West to obedience to the King and Parliament, and their hopefull progreſſe therein.

Gods admirable goodneſſe to Mancheſter in Lancasterſhire, together 8with that excellent Ordinance of Parliament for conſtant reliefe to Wives and Children of Wounded and Slain Souldiers in the Parliaments ſervice.

The moſt noble and right valiant Lord Denbighs winning of that ſtrong and important Towne of Oſwelſtree with the priſoners and prizes taken therein.

And laſtly, The ſingular good affection which wrought in the 10hearts of the Weſt-Country people toward the Parliament and their upright Cauſe; together with an excellent Ordinance of Parliament, p. 264againſt rotten-hearted Revolters, and Deſerters of the Parliament.

All theſe ſo rich, and rare Merchandizes, and comfortable Commodities, brought in unto, and by our precious Parliament, for the happy advance of Gods Cauſe, thus agitated in the Kingdome, ſeriouſly conſidered, and rightly aeſtimated; who can deny, but that our God hath moſt admirably, this MonethMonth alſo carryed on his bleſſed Arke, Gods Arke above the Worlds wavesthe Parliaments Cauſe, above all the boiſterous Billowes and ſwelling Surges which have toſt and tumbled it too and fro, purpoſing thereby to have over-topt, or over-turned it; but our God, I ſay, who is Soveraigne Lord of Sea and Land, hath borne up the beautifull Sail…s of his bleſſed Arke, and carryed it on moſt comfortably, and brought it home ſafely to its home, and harbour; And therefore who can be ſo ſtupid, and ſtony-hearted, as not to acknowledge, but that this is the Lords owne Worke, and it is marvellous in our eyes; and therefore in ſpirituall exultation, to ſing out with holy David, Pſal. 77. 16.Ps 77:16and ſay. The waters ſaw thee, O God, the proud waves and waters of the world, (even wicked and bloody men) and were afraid before thee, and the great depths were troubled at thee. So that, (as Moſes alſo ſang) The Children of Iſrael went into the the middeſt of them upon dry ground; and the mighty waters were ſo farre from drowning, Exod. 14. 22.Exod 14:22or deſtroying them, that they were a wall of ſafe-guard on their right, and on their left hand to defend them. And therefore, as the foreſaid ſweet Singer of Iſrael. Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but to thy great name be all the praiſe and glory of all theſe rare and rich mercies; of all theſe many and mighty Deliverances. But now to proceed.

ANd now we ſhall,Iuly. 1644. by Gods ſafe aſſiſtance, put forth to Sea again, with our bleſſed Barke, the Arke of our God, even our moſt righteous Cauſe, and make this our next Moneths Voyage, and begin firſt wi…h a preſent touch upon the Parliaments moſt renowned Lord Generalls ſucceſſefull proceedings in the Weſterne parts of the Kingdome;The Parlia. L. Gen. ſucceſſefull in the Weſt Country. From whence wee were certified by Letters from Chard, that about the latter end of the laſt monethmonth, and beginning of this, there came in unto his Excellency, within the circuit of twelve miles, at l…ſt 4000 men, who were all drawn into Rankes and Files in a Meadow, whither his Excellency came to welcome them, together with the noble Lord Roberts, (Lord Marſhall of the Field) p. 265who made an excellent ſpeech unto them, which they moſt cheerefully accepted, with great and frequent acclamations, they all offering themſelves to live and dye in the Parliaments Cauſe; and this in part, confirmes what I mentioned before, touching theſe Weſt Countreymen, at Dorcheſter.

Plymouths brave Gariſon alſo offered to take the Field with the moſt noble Lord Roberts, who was Ordered aud reſolved to goe into Cornwall, and a part of that Garriſon went out at that time, about ſeven miles from Plymouth, beat up a quarter of the Enemies, tooke 44 Horſe with their Riders Priſoners,Skellum Greenvill is beaten by Plymouth Forces. were purſued by that Skellum Greenvill, but he alſo was beaten backe in great diſorder, with the loſſe of divers of his men; Colonell Arundell, a Member of the Oxford Junto, and Major Wiſeheart, were ſlaine; Colonell Digby, brother to the traiterous Lord Digby, wounded in the face, and Greenvile himſelfe cloſely put to it for his life, but eſcaped the Gallowes as yet.

Much about the ſame time,Darbyes brave activity. we were alſo informed by Letters out of Darbyſh. that, that moſt worthy, and active Patriot, S. Ioh. Gel, having ſent 3 troops of horſe, & 2 troops of dragoons to the E. of Denbigh, then in Lancaſhire, had alſo a ſmall party of Horſe abroad towards Nottingham, ſeeking adventures, who were met by ſome of the Kings Forces from Winkefield, and divers of ours by them taken Priſoners, but the alarme comming to Darby, a freſh Party was ſent out, who in Winkefield ſet upon the Enemy (as they were carouſing, and rejoycing at dinner, for their good ſucceſſe) where they recovered all their owne men, tooke 80 of the Enemies Horſe and Riders, and brought them all ſafe to Darbie, without the loſſe of one man of their owne.

About the 4th. of this inſtant Iuly, we had alſo certaine newes out of the Weſt, Barnſtable ſhakes off the Cavilerian yoke, and returnes to the Parliament.that the greateſt part of the Garriſon at Barnſtable, being called off by Prince Maurice, (who, it was then ſaid, was to goe to Pendennis Caſtle, to be a Life-guard to the Queene) yet the Garriſon would needs leave a ſtinking ſavour behind them of their old trade of Plundering; Whereupon the Inhabitants (knowing the Lord Generall was at hand) tooke courage, and ſtoutly reſiſted them, and in the iſſue, bravely overcame their late tyrannicall Maſters; Which the moſt noble Lord Generall underſtanding of, preſently ſent them a ſtrong Party of Horſe, under the Command of the noble Lord Roberts, and Sir Phillip Stapleton, to helpe them p. 266to beat them quite away, and keep them out from returning againe. And thus they moſt happyly ſhooke off that ſervile Y…ak… of thoſe cruell Cavees, and twice repulſed young Digby, and others whom Prince … …ent to have reduced them again under that banefull bondage, and killed divers of them, and tooke many others priſoners. And now (we hope) they begin to taſte how ſweet religion and Liberty is: And ô how v…liant they grow being now ſenſible, I ſay, of what it was that made their brave Brethren of Lyme with ſo much unheard of …, to fight and ſtand it out againſt ſuch ſpoylers of their peace and conſcience comforts.

Much alſo about the foreſaid time, we had certain intelligence at London, by a letter ſent by that brave Commander Sir Thomas Midleton, to the Speaker of the Honourable Houſe of Commons, concerning the brave and victorious raiſing of the ſiege of Oſweſtree lately taken by the noble Earle of Denbigh (as was forementioned) who left that brave Commander Colonell Mitton, The Enemy bravely beaten at Oſweſtree by the Earle of Den…es forces.Governour of the ſaid Town and Caſtle, and which preſently after my Lords departure for Lancaſhire, was beſieged by the Kings forces of thoſe parts, under the Command of Colonell Marrow; which Letter containing a full relation of the carryag… of the whole worke, I have thought fit here to inſert, as it was printed, and publiſhed by authority of Parliament, which was as followeth.