A Noueltie of so high a nature as this is, (in which all Christendome, or the greatest part of it, standeth interessed) should not Present it selfe to the world, without the Noble at­tendance of Probabilitie and Possibilitie, the one to confirme the Truth, the other to enable the Action: Both which (to cleere vnderstanding eyes) are Wayters vpon this.

For if wee consider the Hate which the Spaniard and his Colleagues beare to our Kingdome; It is a likelihood sufficient to [Page 2]perswades vs, that he is preparing Forces: and if we looke, but vpon his Indian trea­sure, his Commaund ouer seuerall King­domes, his Armies in seuerall places, and the desires which his Subiects haue to set footing in our Countrey, wee may finde strong arguments of his Possibilitie, to begin an Inuasion, or any attempt else.

But because our Nation, are not apt to feare any Spanish danger (how lowd soe­uer it speakes) vnlesse they heare it roa­ring at their doores; It will bee no great losse of time, to listen to this short Storie, which the Spaniard relates (to this pur­pose) in his owne haughty Language.

THus farre our warlike Newes, of Confedera­tions and Vnitings so many Princes in a Holy League (as themselues Christen it) has betrayed it selfe to you in English, which so perfectly and boa­stingly before spake nothing but Spanish.

And to strengthen this Report, here is another Confirmation sent by a friend out of Spaine, to his acquaintance in London, in this manner.

Sir, albeit I make no doubt but that the extra­ordinary preparations of the Spanish Fleet, are by Letters arriued in England, yet by reason of the frequent houering of the Spanish here in Marseil­les, I presume, you cannot meete a more exact knowledge of the Particulars, then these which I send you, holding my selfe bound to acquaint you with the Truth.

The certaine place of their intended Inuasion, is not published; but common muttering whispers in our Eares, that it is for England, Ireland, and the Netherlands, yet some suspect, it is against the Venetians. But leauing that, be pleased to cast your Eye on these Particulars following, which are ac­counted here for truths, and so we receiue them.

Besides double Cannons, field Peeces: dry-fats filled with old Nayles, and broken Iron, store of Carriages: necessaries for Sea and Land, without number, three thousand Speares, Armours of Musket-proofe, Wines, Biskets, Bacon, Cheese, Beefe, Rice, Beanes, Pease, Oyle, Lampes, Pipes for fresh water, Torches, Candles, Lanthornes, Hides, large Hogsheads, Wheele-barrowes, Wheeles, Spades, Mattocks, Shouels, Galthrops, Baskets, Boygh-ropes innumerable, and thirtie thousand Pikes pointed with Iron.

The Commanders of this Fleete are to meete with Spinola, who is to bee Generall of the For­ces.

With Spinola, come Tyrone, and the Earle of Argile, with a great number of Horses, and are to be transported in flat Boats.

The Duke of Sauoy his Sonne is Admirall of the Spanish, Sir Robert Dudley Reare Admirall: Sir Griffin Markham, and Sir William Stanley Colonels of the Regiments, and one Neuill who termes [Page]himselfe Earle of Westmerland, hath likewise a great command.

There are lately arriued at Lisbone twentie ar­med Elephants from Persia, for what imployment tis incertaine.

And this is the most remarkable Newes of this Fleet; of which the Turke is so iealous, that hee stands vpon his guard.

With so much does a Letter sent from Mar­seilles acquaint vs, but from Malaga come these tydings. That there was neuer such warlike prouision and preparation as is now in Spaine: Wine, Oyle, and Vineger to a great quantitie, be­ing made readie with ten thousand barrels of small shot, a thousand Kintals, sixe thousand Breames, or Bottels, sixe thousand Baskets for Pioners, with an incredible number of Spades, Shouels, Scoops, and Mattocks, with powder and wild-fire.

From Dunkirke and other places in the Net her­lands vnder the King of Spaine, are expected eigh­tie ships to be ayders in this great Expedition.

Malaga thus (as Marseilles did before) hauing thundred out her story of vproares and threatned deuastation: Here steps in a third Trumpetter, and proclaymes other newes, sounding as harshly as the former.

Don Fredericke of Toledo is generall of the Ar­my by Sea, and the Marquesse by land, who hath vowed to lay his bones in England.

The Generall of the Cauallery, is Don Carolo of Columbo: Commissions being granted to leuy three thousand Horse, aswell Burgonians, as Lorrainers, and some out of Luremberg.

If the Peace be made in Italy, the greatest part of these Forces, are to goe by Sea, and so to fall into the Spanish Army, which is to set forth on the first of Iuly.

Three hundred men being in euery Company, which in the fiue Regiments, amount to 15000. besides two other Regiments, the names of whose Coronels, I haue forgotten; so that the whole Ar­my consisteth of one and twentie thousand.

The common rumour is, that they intend their course for Ireland; but the most knowing, say for England, the Dunkerkers (as it is reported) hauing sownded all the Sea-coast, and assuring them an entrance free from all danger.

Amongst all the Engines and warlike furniture, which comes alongwith them, they also bring store of Ouens, and Mils made of Iron or Brasse, and will make their issue by the motion of wheeles, on which they are mounted.

Thus this great Archer of the World (whose Bow reacheth from the East to the West Indies, and whose string is twisted together by the Hands and Hearts of Confederated Kings and Princes) shoots his Arrowes at this our Kingdome of Eng­land, making account to come and cleane the glo­ry [Page]of it, and then to march backe into Spaine as a Triumphant Conquerour.

This Nimrod is a mightie Hunter, and by his good will, would strike downe none but whole Nations: Hauocke hee cryes what Parke so euer hee comes into; and the goodlier the Herds are, the more cruelly does hee scatter them. Millions of poore murthered Indians being the Trophies of his bloudy Shambles.

But as the beginning of the first Nimrods King­dome, was Babell, so the end of this second (Gods Almightie Arme tumbling downe the buil­dings of his Ambition) shall bee Confusion.

What though fiue Kings complot, combine, and incorporate their Forces in One, to fight a­gainst Iosua? Let not vs feare, but send vp our Cries to Heauen, as the Men of Gibeon (a great and Royall Citie) sent theirs to Iosua, euen to the Host at Gilgall, and as they to Him, so let vs call to God, and say, Withdraw not thy Hand from thy Seruants; Come vp to vs quickly, and saue vs, and helpe vs; for all the Kings of the Amorites (Spinolized and Spaniolized Tyrants) thine and our Enemies, which dwell in the Mountaines, are gathered together against vs.

Wee must shake off our sinnes when wee doe thus, and not cry with a faint and distrusting voyce that hee will not heare vs, for if we speake to him as wee ought to doe, Hee himselfe will [Page]say thus to our Ioshua; Feare them not, for I haue giuen them into thine hand: None of them shall stand against thee.

And as the Lord kept his Word with Him, so will hee with vs: Hee will smite these Col­leagued Enemies to his Truth and Gospell, euen to Azekah, and Makkedah, (their Gibraltars and Magellanes) and as they are chased to Beth­horon (into Spaine) hee will (for their poyso­ned Bullets prepared to shoote at vs) cast downe great stones from Heauen vpon them, vntill more dye by that haile, then by the sword.

Then shall these Confederated Kings of Ieru­salem, Hebron, Iarmuth, Lachish and Eg­lon, flye to their Caues (their Spanish Dens) vntill the Chiefe Men of this our Israell by our Ioshua's command, fetch them forth to set their feete vpon the neckes of such insolent In­sulters.

Shall I reade to you, another story of com­fort? Hearken then to it.

When Benhadad the King of Aram, had assembled all his Armie, with two and thir­tie Kings to assist him, hauing great num­bers both of Horses and warlike Chariots, hee besieged Samaria; and sending a disdainfull message to Ahab King of Israell, thus hee commanded those that went to terrifie him, Tell Ahab (quoth hee) that thy gold is Mine, also thy women and thy faire Children are Mine; or [Page]else, I will send my seruants vnto thee (as the King of Spaine would now his Ianizaries into England) and they shall search thine House, and the Houses of thy Seruants, and whatsoeuer is pleasing in thine eyes, they shall take it in their hands, and bring it away.

But Ahab taking Counsell of the Elders, did at the second sending, refuse to part from any thing.

Herevpon Benhadad in a rage fel a rauing, and said, The Gods do so to me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria, be enough to all the people that follow me, for euery man a handfull.

Poore Samaria was now in a terrible feare, Benhadad roared, Israell trembled: but God casting an Eye of Compassion vpon their Ca­lamities, and an Eye of Scorne on the others tyrannies, sent a Prophet to Ahab, who told him this good tydings (after one Army ouer­throwne by Ahab the yeere before) I will de­liuer this great multitude into thy hands again, and yee shall know that I am the Lord.

His word was true, the children of Israell stood in the field in the day of Battaile like two little flockes of Kiddes, but the Aramites coue­red the whole Countrey: yet the poore Handfull had the victory: the Sheepe beate the Lions, and slue in that day a hundred thousand Ara­mites (all footmen.)

It is not Number that preuailes, but good­nesse [Page]of the Cause. When Iustice guardes the Standard, Safetie is Generall of the Field.

No matter what proud defiance, a daring Philistine throwes into our faces, there is an Arme Omnipotent can direct a Peeble-stone (beeing but put into a Sling) to sticke in the Giants fore-head, both to strike him dead, and confound the whole Armie that comes a­long with him.

Regard not the Braues of a blaspheming Rabshecay sent from Senacherib King of Ashur, to the Cities of Iuda, For a voyce from the mouth of the God of Hosts, shall come to an Hezekiah, saying thus much. As for Ashur, Hee shall not enter into this Citie, nor shoote an Arrow at it, nor come before it with a Shield, nor cast a Mount against it; but hee shall returne the way he came, and shall not come into this Citie. What followed vpon this comforta­ble promise? The same night, the Angell went out, and smote in the Campe of Ashur, one hundred fourescore and fiue thousand men.

Senacherib escaped from the slaughter, but not from Gods vengeance; for afterwards, as in his Temple be was worshipping Nisrech (his God) Adramelech, and Sharezer his owne Sonnes, slew him with the sword.

Many Examples to this purpose may bee brought into the Field, of infinite Armies, of Idolatrous Nations fighting against Iuda and [Page]Israell, and yet were then still (so long as they held in with God) by weake and wasted troupes confounded.

For, God hath still a Red Sea to stand vp an end on either side of Moses and the Israelites like a double Brazen wall to guard his people, but to fall downe in rough billowes, to ouerwhelme Pharao and his Host.

Yet wee must not presume too much vpon Gods fauour, as if we were his onely Darlings, and all other Nations, Cast-awayes. No there is no such excellence in vs, that hee should dote vpon our beautie, which is nothing else but a lothsome Deformitie.

We haue beene scourged lately, with one of Dauids whips, but the Beating is forgotten, and therefore we were best take heed, lest this second Rod drawes bloud indeed. Our sinnes are in our hearts, when our swords are in our hands, and the mustering of the One, frights vs from striking with the other. Turne away the first, and God will teach vs how to turne the second vpon the bosomes of our Enemies.

It is folly to goe into the field to fight, vnlesse God sends out his Priest, to haue vs serue vnder his Colours: Let vs take his pay and wee must needs prooue Noble Souldiers: Euery English­man make but peace with his owne Conscience, and be carefull that it betrayes him not, and hee needs not feare any Spanish Inuasion.

Spanish Inuasion! These Thunderings and Lightnings, may bee but Terrors talked of, and not seene: or if seene, not certainly ay­ming where to doe mischiefe: they may hurt others sooner then Vs: These Spanish Canons, happily carrie no Bullets in them, but giue one­ly a false fire.

These Rumours and Tumours, Whirle­winds, Vproares and Combustions, filling the Christian World with Amazement, and vs with expectation of some dreadfull Monster to bee presented to all wondring eyes, may per­chance bring forth onely That ridiculous Mouse, of which the Mountaynes were so long in labour.

It is well, if it bee so: The Beati Pacifici is a string which makes heauenly Musicke in a Kingdome.

Yet, if wee lift vp our heads, to obserue what eyes the Spaniard casts at vs, and what good Prayers he shoots after vs; Wisdome may soone perswade, that hee does not loue vs; if not loue vs, wee are not to trust Him, (albeit hee lyes still) no more then to trust a sleeping Lion or a Mastiffe: and therefore (not to dan­dle our selues too much vpon the knees of se­curitie) let vs rowse vp our English Spirits, and bee armed, against this spotted Beast doe come, albeit hee bee not comming, lest with his pawes hee teare vs in pieces, when wee are [Page]not prouided for his dreadfull Encounters.

Spanish Bulles are fierce at the stake, and worse loose, and although in Madrill, Siuill, and others Cities, they baite them for pleasure, in England they would yeeld no such pastime. If Fame therefore, hath taught her thousand Tongues to tell Truth, and that these Casti­lian Ecchoes mocke vs not with Lyes, Is it not high time for euery man to girt his loynes with the sword, and to fight Gods Battaile, for this Quarrell is against Him?

If this holy League be knit together, to teare Anointed Kings, out of their hereditary thrones, and to turne Nations out of their Natiue Coun­tries; It is not a Holy, but a Deuillish League: A Confederacie of vncleane Spirits: An Vnion of Discord, and Hellish Musicke.

Let those then, who haue commands ouer Nar­row Seas (whose Nursing Armes most louingly embrace our Kingdomes body, busie themselues in their Nauall-Military Preparations; whilest they on Land muster together to guard our Kingdomes Heart.

Let our English Nobles giue Heroicall Con­frontations to the Spanish Grandees and Dons: the Gentry hearten on the Commons, and the Commons goe with cheerfull faces, against this Enemie, as their Fore-fathers haue done, when they fetched Honour from other Countries.

Whilest the Diuine prayes at home, for suc­cesse [Page]abroad: whilst the Lawyer spends some of his Golden Fees, to the maintenance of Soul­diers, in so glorious a warre: whilest Citizens open bounteous Purses, (though they goe not in Person) to defend themselues, and Country­men: whilest the strong runne to fight, and the weake looke to their Houses at home: whilst the Rich emptie their bagges, to maintaine the poore Souldiers in good clothes and wholsome diet: Nay, whilest euen the very Blinde and Lame (when they can doe nothing else) send vp their heartie wishes to Heauen (night and day) to crowne our Land with Conquest, to con­found all bloudie and execrable Confederations with ruine and shame, and to send home this second Armipotent Armado (if any such there be) in Tempests, Whirle-winds and Wracks, as that was in Eighty eight. To which all true hearted Englishmen will crie Amen.