SUNDAY. Auguſt▪ 6.

YOu heard laſt weeke of the affrights and terrours which the prevailing faction in the pretended Houſes were fallen into, by reaſon of the ſad condition of their affaires in moſt parts abroad; and ſhall now heare of the confuſions and diſtractions they are in at home: the Ʋpper Houſe bandying againſt the Lower, the Lower at a rupture amongſt themſelves, and the Army in as great diſtemper as both the Houſes. For it was certified this day (and had beene rumoured two or three dayes before) that the Lords had ordered that the Earle of Portland and the Lord Conway ſhould be bayled (whom formerly they had committed upon a generall impeachment from the Houſe of Commons▪ ) And though it was much preſſed by Maſter Strode▪ that There would be no ſitting for them, if thoſe Lords were releaſed and reſtored to the freedome of their Votes againe▪ yet the Order ſtood, and the two Lords were bayled accordingly: foure of the Peeres which heretofore had dearely cheriſhed the proceedings of that Houſe, being bound for them; which added much unto the heat and fury of their diſcontent. As alſo that two Bills being ſent up to the Lords, the one for levying the eſtates of all whom they ſtile Malignants, according to the newly enlarged Ordinance for Sequeſtrations; the other for the continuance of the weekely Aſſeſſements, were both rejected by that Houſe. Which moved Maſter Martyn to propoſe, as he had done before on the like occaſions, that they would paſſe them of themſelves without the Lords, whoſe ſuffrage and conſent he conceived as unneceſſary as the Kings in things pertaining to the Commons: but wiſer heads thought fitter to paſſe by the motion, they being now in no condition for ſo great a breach.

As for the Lower Houſe it was alſo ſignified, that on the riſing of the Houſe on Saturday July 29. Maſter Pym moved that they would heare ſome Propoſitions from the Earle of Eſſex: but the Houſe having all that day attended the leiſure of the Cloſe Committee without doing any thing, would not be perſwaded, but roſe immediately; to the great diſguſt of that Committee, who formerly had beene looked upon with more obſervance. But this was but the beginning of a greater ſtorme. For at the next meeting it was moved that the Cloſe Committee ſhould be diſſolved, many conſiderable men inveighing bitterly againſt it, as the cauſe of all thoſe miſeries which afflict this Kingdome. And when that could not be effected; it was propoſed and carried at the laſt by the major part, that a Committee ſhould be nominated to take an accompt of the Cloſe Committee, and of all others which were truſted with receipts or diſburſements of money; and that none of the Cloſe Committee, nor any which had fingered any of the publick moneys was to have a voyce in it: it being affirmed in the Houſe, that great ſummes of money had beene drawne from the Citie and Country (to the ſumme of three millions at the leaſt, as was before alleadged) whereof although the Earle of Eſſex had not received 300000l, Waller and Fairefax both not above 30000l, yet the Armies were continually in want of pay. And though Strode and others of the Cloſe Committee did oppoſe it openly, ſaying, it called that power in queſtion which had beene given them by the Houſe; and uſed all cunning Artifices, and underhand devices not to have it paſſe; yet it was carried in the end▪ the Lords concurring alſo in it, and nominating a Committee of their Houſe to the ſame intent. Which hath begot ſuch true fears & jealouſies▪ & raiſed ſuch a diſtruſt of one another, that it is thought the Houſes will be too hot for ſome potent Members, who heretofore did governe the affaires of both, and were as uncontroulable amongſt them there, as ever were the Tribunes in the State of Rome.

Laſt of all for the Armies, it was thus advertiſed that the Earle of Eſſex finding himſelfe abuſed in Pictures, cenſured in Pulpits, diſhonoured in the table-talke of the common people, and a deſigne on foot of raiſing a new Army, under the conduct of Sir William Waller, which would ſoone put an end unto his authority, made complaint of it to the Lords, by them to be communicated to the other Houſe: requiring that his Army be forthwith paid, and furniſhed with cloathes and all other neceſſaries, his broken and diſeaſed Forces preſently recruited, reparation to be given him in point of honour, for all the calumnies and ſcandals which falſely (as he ſaith) have been laid upon him, that Waller be called to an accompt for the loſſe of his Forces in the Weſt; and finally, that no Commiſſion may be iſſued out to any one to have the charge and conduct of any Forces, but by his authority. Which bold demands, though very unwelcome to the Citie-faction in the Lower Houſe, who had reſolved otherwiſe amongſt themſelves; yet the Lords ordered for their parts (referring the payment and clothing of the Souldiers to the care of the Commons) that his Army ſhould be firſt recruited before any other Forces raiſed, that he and his Army ſhould have reparation by a Declaration of both Houſes, for all the ſcandals vented againſt them, that the miſcarriage of the buſineſſe in the Weſt ſhould be examined, and the blame laid on thoſe whom it did belong to; and finally, that whoſoever was appointed to any charge or command, ſhould take his Commiſſion from his Excellencie onely, and depend on him; and that he ſhould have power to call backe ſuch Commiſſions, as hee ſaw occaſion. And it is further certified, that though theſe Votes may give content unto the Generall, which was the matter moſt intended, yet doe they yet much diſpleaſe the faction in the Houſe of Commons, and infinitely diſtaſt the Citizens, who are reſolved to raiſe neither men nor money, if Waller may not have ordering and diſpoſing of them, and this they ſticking not to ſay openly as they walke the Streetes. And on the other ſide, Waller, and thoſe who have before ſerved under him are ſo inraged by theſe Votes, that an implacable and deadly feud is very like to grow amongſt them, ſo as there is ſome hope when theſe plundering theeves once fall out, true men will come the ſooner to their goods.

MONDAY. Aug. 7.

We have beene long in the intelligence of the former day, but ſhall be breifer in the next; the moſt of which comes from London alſo. For it was certified from thence, that they were more diſanimated at the loſſe of Briſtol (when firſt the newes was ſuffered to be knowne amongſt them) then at all their former loſſes in the North and Weſt; and that aſſoone as the newes came unto the Houſes, the prevalent faction there gave Exeter for as good as loſt, eſpecially ſince the Earle of Warwicke was come thence with his fleete, and had done nothing towards the releife of it, but added much unto their deſperate condition by being ſo ſhamefully repulſed. And it was alſo certified that they had other feares which did more afflict them, upon the ſight of certaine letters from the Major of Plimmouth to the Earle of Warwicke, in which was ſignified that Sir Alexander Carew, and Maſter Thomas Arundell their Governours of the Fort & Iſland of Plimmouth, were ſuſpected to incline unto the King: which did ſo ſtartle them, that preſently they cauſed letters to be ſent unto them, commanding them as Members of the Houſe of Commons to returne to Weſtminſter, to doe their ſervice to the Houſe. But it was thought the Gentlemen had heard too much of Hotham, to put themſelves into their hands, who ſhew ſo little favour unto thoſe that deſerved beſt of them in their preſent Rebellion.

It was alſo certified from Briſtol that for a ſpeedier ending of the ſiege of Exeter, and the totall reducing of the Weſt under His Majeſties command, (that ſo his Armies might unite for ſome other ſervice) Prince Maurice with the Corniſh forces and ſome troopes of horſe, with many gallant Gentlemen who would needes attend him in the Action, was gone towards Devonſhire; whoſe going thither, as it was generally conceived, would quickely put an end to that buſineſſe. As alſo that for the ſetling of the affaires of Briſtol, His Majeſty had made that noble and deſerving Gentleman Sir Ralph Hopton Governour of the towne and Caſtle; and under him, that valiant Colon. VVaſhington Lieutenant Governour of the Caſtle, to the generall content of all men.

It was alſo ſignified from London, that this laſt weeke hath beene a terrible weeke of newes to that falling faction. For beſides the deadly newes from Briſtol (the loſſe whereof doth more aſtoniſh them then all the reſt of their misfortunes in the North and Weſt) and that they have given Exeter for as good as loſt: they have beene miſerably vexed with Letters from Glouceſter, Coventry, and Warwicke, complaining of their ſeverall wants, but ſpecially of the backwardneſſe of the people to make good thoſe places, or contribute to the worke, as formerly, ſince this change of things; and plainly ſignifying, that unleſſe ſpeedy ſupplies be ſent of Men, Armes, and Money, (neither of which the pretended Houſes can afford them at the preſent time) they are not able to hold out againſt His Majeſties Forces, but of neceſſity muſt give up thoſe Townes on the firſt aſſault.

TUESDAY. Auguſt 8.

It was advertiſed this day that the prevailing party in the Houſe of Commons had refuſed to concurre to many of the Votes, which had beene paſſed by the Lords in favour of the Earle of Eſſex; which breedes ill bloud, not onely betwixt them and the Lords, but betwixt the Soldierie and them: and that conſidering that no Commiſſion muſt be granted but by and from the Earle of Eſſex, the Independent Army which was ſo much talked of, is come to nothing; inſomuch that Sir William Waller hath not yet liſted above 600 of the 20000 which the City promiſed him. And it is further certified that the towne is very much divided about the buſineſſe of Briſtol, ſome imputing the loſſe of it to Fines, and ſome to Waller, according as they ſtand affected to either party: and that the diſputation grew to ſo great an height betweene Sir William and my Lord Say, (who you muſt thinke would not allow his ſonne to be a Coward, though he can cheriſh him in a murther) that the lye paſſed betweene them. As alſo, that Sir William Waller begins to be diſcontented with his friends the Citizens, who ſo much admired him being abſent, and promiſed him ſuch mighty matters, if he would honour them with his preſence. For whereas on the firſt of this preſent Auguſt, he went into the new Artillery yard to liſt thoſe multitudes of men which had long expected him; the appearance was ſo thinne and ſmall, that he was very much aſhamed of the diſappointment. And when the new Committee nominated in the Citie Petition, told him that was no place to doe the feat in, but they would goe preſently to Haberdaſhers Hall, and appoint Commanders to receive them; and then hee ſhould ſee with what alacrity the people would come in unto him: that on the other ſide did as much offend him, to ſee he ſhould not have the nominating of his owne Commanders. So that, for ought we can perceive by the preparations, the Conquerour is like to adde little to his Weſterne victories by the Citie Army.

It was advertiſed alſo that ſome of the more peaceable Lords (to ſay no worſe) taking advantage of the ſlow ſucceſſe which Waller found in raiſing his Army, and of their loſſes in the Weſt, propoſed the renewing of the Treaty; deſiring that ſuch Propoſitions might be ſent His Majeſtie, as they might reaſonably hope would be hearkned to. Which being agreed on by the reſt, and a Committee named for the Propoſitions, they drew them to ſome certaine heads, ſuch as might give ſome little ſhew of ſatisfaction to His Majeſtie, but more ſecurity unto themſelves, and a free pardon to all thoſe who have beene either Inſtruments or Authors of this Rebellion. And yet this pleaſed not my Lord Say, who by chance was abſent, and therefore when he came next into the Houſe, he laboured very earneſtly to have them altered, and prevailed in it at the laſt. Inſomuch, that whereas it was firſt agreed on, that the Ships, Forts, Townes, Magazines, and Revenues ſhould be delivered to the King, without any condition; and if the Parliament ſhould be adjourned to ſome other place, being the only points in which there was any ſhew of ſatisfaction to His ſacred Majeſtie; he obtained to have both of them altered, and put into ſuch generall termes as might beſt ſuite unto the humour of his friends in the other Houſe. But being the buſineſſe ſtayed not here, but brake out into greater and more publike heats; you ſhall heare more of it after a day or two.

WEDNESDAY. Aug. 9.

It was advertiſed this day that the Caſtle and Iſle of Portland (wherof St Edw. Sydenham Knight Marſhal was & is Governor) were reduced againe under his Majeſties command, which had beene taken by the Rebells about March laſt. The manner how it was regained is reported thus. A Gentleman well known unto the Rebells which had the guard of the Caſtle, and uſed to be much there for his owne ſafety and preſervation in theſe dangerous times, came to the noble Earle of Carnarvon, and gave him very good aſſurance that if he would truſt him with 60 of his men he would forthwith make him Maſter of the Iſle and Caſtle: the Earle conſidering that the Caſtle and Iſle were richly worth the adventuring of 60 muskets, having taken ſo many armes at Dorcheſter, condeſcended he ſhould have them: which being obtained the Gentleman furniſhed them with Parliament colours, and making towards the Caſtle with ſo confuſed a ſpeed as if he fled from an Enemy, called upon the guards and told them he had brought ſome Parliament forces to make good the place; but that they were purſued ſo cloſely by the Earle of Carnarvon; that if they had not ſpeedy entrance they ſhould all be loſt. This was no ſooner heard by the credulous Rebels, but all the haſt was made that could be to ſet open the Ports: at which His Majeſties Soldiers entred, and ſeizing on the guards, who looked not for ſuch unwelcome viſitants▪ made themſelves maſters of it without further trouble. A place of very great importance, as having the command of the haven and Towne of Weymouth, againſt which it lieth, and as the caſe then ſtood, of moſt infinite wealth, all the rich houſhold ſtuffe and Treaſure which had beene taken by the Rebells out of Wardour Caſtle with a great deale more of goods plate and money, being ſtored up there.

It was alſo certified from thoſe parts, that Poole Melcombe, & Weymouth which were in treaty with the Earle of Carnarvon (as you heard the laſt weeke) upon the yeelding up of Dorcheſter, have ſince ſubmitted to His Majeſtie: ſo that all Dorſetſhire is totally reduced againe to its old obedience; which cannot but very much conduce to the diſpatch of the worke at Exeter, and conſequently to the abſolute and finall ſetling of all the Weſt. And it was alſo ſignified, that a ſhip of His Majeſties Navy called the Charles, being the ſhip of the ſecond ranke, had left the Earle of Warwick, and was come to Folmouth, according to His Majeſties Proclamation of the 7 of July. Nor is it (in my mind) without ſome good Omen, that the firſt ſhip of ſtrength and burden, which did obey that invitation ſhould be the CHARLES.

THURSDAY. Auguſt. 10.

It was advertiſed this day that the Lord Capell with his forces appeared before the Walls of Namptwich, in hope to finde them in a diſpoſition of returning to his Majeſties ſervice; conſidering how His Majeſties affaires had thrived and proſpered, not only in raiſing the ſiege of Cheſter, but in cleering of the North and Weſt from the power of the Rebells. But finding them continue in their wonted obſtinacy, he fell off againe, and retreated ſafely to his owne quarters, with the loſſe of ſixteene only of his men. And on the other ſide to make amends for the defailement of this hope (for it was no more) we had intelligence this day, that the Lord Willoughby of Parham being gone from Gainsburgh, on his redelivery of that towne, had recovered Lincolne. But ſeeing an impoſſibility that either Cromwell ſhould time enough recruit his beaten and diſtracted forces, or that hee could receive any ſeaſonable ſupplies from London; on the firſt newes that the Earle of Newcaſtle was comming towards him, he forſooke the place, and made what haſt he could to Boſton: leaving the City and Cloſe of Lincolne, which he had neſted in ſo long, to be the next example (as we have had very many lately) of Gods great mercy to His ſacred Majeſty.

It was alſo ſignified this day, that the heates in London (according to the ſeaſon) doe ſtill increaſe; and that the diſcontents which have late beene growing betweene the remaining partie in the two Houſes, are at the laſt improved to a ſedition, if not unto a Civill Warre amongſt themſelves. For howſoever the Lord Say had ſo farre altered the Propoſitions, intended by ſome peaceable Lords to be preſented to His Majeſty, as to make them of a better reliſh to the Lower Houſe: yet when they came into that Houſe, they were very eagerly oppoſed, and the Houſe continued ſitting untill nine at night; in hope ſuch men as durſt declare themſelves to be well-affected, would be wearied with their long debates; and they of the malignant faction, might there carry matters upon that advantage as they had done formerly. But finding that they ſate it out, and carried it for the Propoſitions by the major part; they had no other way to effect the buſineſſe, then to returne againe to their former practices, and bring downe their City Club-men to awe the Members of both Houſes, and repeale thoſe Votes. And ſo accordingly they did. For the next day, being Sunday laſt, they had ſo faſhioned and prepared their partie in the City of London, that printed Bills were ſet up on the Church dores, (and ſomewhat you muſt think was done in the Pulpits too) a copie whereof wee here offer you.

All ſuch as deſire there may be a generall raiſing of the people againſt thoſe Iriſh Rebels, and blood thirſty Papiſts now in Armes, (fully purpoſing to deſtroy us, our Religion. Lawes and Liberties) are deſired to meet at Weſtminſter Hall, to morrow morning by nine of the clocke, being the ſeventh day of this inſtant Auguſt▪ to move the Parliament that this may be put in ſpeedy execution.

Twenty thouſand Iriſh Rebels are appointed to come over againſt us.

According to which intimation, the Rabble came in ſuch multitudes, and with ſo great clamour, that ſuch of the Lords and Commons who had favoured the Propoſitions, were forced to take boate and make haſt towards Kingſton, where the Earle of Eſſex then lay with that part of his Forces, which Gods hand and the Kings ſword had left alive: conceiving that the declaring of themſelves in favour of him (of which you heard at full before) had beene ſufficient to oblige him faſt unto their partie. But contrary to their hopes and expectation they found him ſo reſolved for the other ſide, as they were faine to diſpoſe otherwiſe of themſelves. And it is ſaid, that, notwithſtanding thoſe indignities which have beene offered to him by the City faction, he is ſo much inclined that way, that upon notice ſent unto him, that the women had made an uproare in demand of peace, he ſent ſome Troops of Horſe amongſt them, and killed three of them: for which (and ſome other former courteſies) that ſex will ever honour him and his poſterity.

On Wedneſday laſt a partee of Horſe (about fifty) were ſent out from Banbury towards Towceter (commanded by Captaine James Chamberlaine) twenty of this number divided and went towards Northampton; the other thirty within leſſe then a mile of Towceter met with the Rebels Forces, in number about one hundred and twenty, commanded by Captaine Lawſon, which though they had ſo great advantage in number, yet Captaine Chamberlaine very valiantly charged through them with part of his men, (his Rere falling off from him) and with that ſmall ſtrength maintained a ſharpe fight with them above halfe an hower, wherein he received many wounds, and at laſt was ſhot dead through the head, and one of his men alſo. Of the Rebels there are at leaſt 20 ſore wounded, as by intelligence from Northampton (where they are) is certified, and five were carried away behind them dead from the place. one left on the ground, and Captain Lawſon himſelfe wounded. This gentleman was the youngeſt brother to Sir Thomas Chamberlaine now high Shriffe of this County, and was in moſt of the principall Fights, at Worceſter, Keynion, Brainſford, &c. where his valour was eminently manifeſted, and by this laſt action wherein he loſt his life, hath added further to the honour of that worthy and loyall Family.

FRIDAY. Auguſt▪ 11.

This day wee were certified by Letters from Yorke, that about foure hundred of the Rebels of Lancaſhire came ſtealing into Yorkshire, hoping to have ſurprized ſome of His Majeſties horſe quarters about Halifax; which being timely perceived by Sir Francis Mackworth, he fell upon them and routed them, killed above forty in the place, and tooke fifty, the reſt (as they were taught) ran away, and eſcaped by the advantage of the place.

At Coventry they pull downe many houſes of the Suburbs, and tell the people that the Kings Army is marching towards them with twenty pieces of Ordnance, and they had ſome reaſon▪ for this day we received an expreſſe that his Majeſty yeſterday ſate downe before Glouceſter, and ſent in a moſt Gracious Summons to the City, in theſe very words, Out of our tender Compaſſion to Our City of Gloceſter, and that it may not receive Prejudice by Our Army, which We cannot prevent, if We be compelled to aſſault it, We are perſonally come before it to require the ſame, and are graciouſly pleaſed to let all the Inhabitants of, and all other Perſons within that City, as well Souldiers as others, know, That if they ſhall immediatly ſubmit themſelves, and deliver this our City to Ʋs, we are contented freely and abſolutely to pardon every one of them without exception; And doe aſſure them in the word of a KING, that they nor any of them ſhall receive the leaſt Dammage or Prejudice by our Army in their Perſons, or Eſtates; But that we will appoint ſuch a Governour, and a moderate Garriſon to reſide there, as ſhall be both for the eaſe and ſecurity of that City and that whole County. But if they ſhall neglect this Profer of Grace and Favour, and compell Ʋs by the Power of Our Army to reduce that place (which by the helpe of God We doubt not We ſhall be eaſily and ſhortly able to do) they muſt thank themſelves for all the Calamities and Miſeries muſt befall them. To this Meſſage We expect a cleere and poſitive Anſwere within two houres after the publiſhing hereof▪ And by theſe preſents doe give leave to any Perſons ſafely to repaire to▪ and returne from Ʋs whom that City ſhall deſire to imploy unto Ʋs in that buſineſſe. And doe require all the Officers and Souldiers of Our Army▪ quietly to ſuffer them to paſſe accordingly. But this Rebellious City anſwered, that they would obey His Majeſties commands as they were ſignified by the two Houſes of Parliament. And now let the world judge if His Majeſtie could have ſent a more Gracious Meſſage to His moſt Loyall Subjects, and whether theſe deſperate Rebels deſerve any mercy, who after ſo many offers do ſtill refuſe a pardon. But ſince their returning this Rebellious Anſwer, they have ſet their owne Suburbs on fire, which ſurely is not to keepe the City either for the KING or Parliament. Yet His Majeſties Forces quenched the fire, and in ſpight of the Rebells, entred the Suburbs where ſtill they are, and have already raiſed Mounts, and digged trenches ſo neare the City wall, that I dare promiſe you (God willing) a very ſpeedy account of the ſiege of Glouceſter.

SATURDAY. Auguſt 12.

This day newes was brought to Town of Sir William Waller's extraordinary progreſſe in raiſing the great Army intended for him. You heard before how the good women flocked to Weſtminſter on Tueſday laſt, to cry out for peace; three of the which were killed directly in the place, and thirteene or fourteene more moſt ſhrewdly wounded. And the next day, to ſhew the men were better ſtudied in the point then ſo, came downe ſome 5 or 6000 of the uſuall hacksters, which had beene alwayes ready for ſuch purpoſes at a minutes warning; and they cryed No peace. And being told by ſome who were appointed to returne the Anſwer, that they who were for the continuance of the Warre, (as every one of them ſeemed to be) ſhould goe to Haberdaſhers Hall, and there liſt themſelves under the conduct and command of Sir William Waller: it wrought ſo much upon the courage of thoſe gallant ſpirits, (Reader, thou canſt not chooſe but wonder at ſuch monſtrous forwardneſſe) that of 5000 men which would have no peace, no fewer then fifteene ſturdy fellowes (in words at length and not in figures) liſted their names upon the Roll to purſue the Warre. And ſome of thoſe perhaps may ſee Glouceſter one day.

It was advertiſed this day alſo, that 200 of the Rebels by the appointment of Sir William Brereton, have laid ſiege to Eccleſhall Caſtle in Staffordſhire, (an houſe belonging to the Lord Biſhop of Coventry and Lichfield;) the greateſt part of thoſe who are ſhut up in it, being Ladies and Gentlewomen of that County, who purpoſely came thither to ſecure themſelves in theſe times of danger. And that they are ſo gallantly reſolved upon it, that though their victuals doe begin to faile already, they meane to ſtand upon their guard and defend the place (in hope His Majeſtie will relieve them e're it come to that) as long as they have horſe fleſh, water, and old leather left to preſerve nature. Which as it ſhewes the bravery and courage of thoſe noble Ladies, ſo is it an infallible argument of the incivility and rudeneſſe of thoſe barbarous Rebels (who regard neither ſex nor quality of perſons) from whom the beſt that can be looked for, is more unſufferable then the miſeries of warre and famine.

This day there came to Towne from London, the Earle of Lindſey▪ Lord Great Chamberlaine of England, and Sir George Radcliffe; the firſt tooke Priſoner at Edge-hill, the ſecond made a Priſoner by appointment of the Houſe of Commons at the beginning of this Parliament: but by what meanes and accident they are at liberty, is not yet made knowne to mee.

But becauſe the Rebels are now ſo farre vanquiſhed, that they diſpaire of their deſignes, they reſolve (like bloudy cowards) to make uſe of all baſe advantages, for which end they are now beginning to ſhip away beyond ſea ſuch of His Majeſties good Subjects as are in their cuſtody; and wee were this day informed, that Mudford alias Murford (that infamous Browniſticall Governour of Southampton) hath this weeke taken a learned ingenuous Gentleman one Mr Jones of Lincolnes Inne, and others out of Priſon, and ſent them by ſea to New-England, or ſome ſuch other place as the Devill and they think fitteſt for their puniſhment, making the ſaid Maſter Jones to paſſe through the ſtreets by his owne doore, but would not ſuffer him to take leave, or ſpeake with his Wife, or any other friend or Kinſman to furniſh him with linnen and other neceſſaries for this unexpected voyage; and that yeſterday their brother Rebels at London conveyed Colonell Goring▪ Sir George Sands, Sir John Goodrick and other gentlemen (three or foure Coaches full) to the water ſide on ſhip-board, there to lye under hatches like ſlaves of Argiers, exſpecting every hower how this barbarous bloudy faction will diſpoſe of them. Nor is this ſtrange if you conſider their devotion, for this aforeſaid Mudford ſent up his Levite into the pulpit at Southampton, to move the people to take the New Covenant, who (like a Prieſt of their Religion) fell on curſing (praying they call it) in theſe very words Bleſſe the King, O Lord, mollifie his hard heart which delighteth in bloud, open his eyes that he may ſee that the bloud of thy Saints is deare in thy ſight; He is fallen from faith in thee, and become an enemy to thy Church: Is it not He that hath ſinned and done evill indeed? but as for theſe ſheep, what have they done? Let thine hand, we pray thee O Lord our God, be on Him and on His Fathers houſe, but not on thy people that they ſhould be plagued. And (to let you ſee both Prieſt and people are of the ſame profeſſion) Saint-barbe himſelfe after he had taken the Covenant ſaid aloud before many witneſſes, that he had rather ſee the Kingdome in a flame, then that the King ſhould prevaile againſt this cauſe they have undertaken. This is pure Proteſtant Religion, ſuch as their brother Judas ſcarce findes among the damned. And it was alſo ſignified by Letters from Wincheſter, that this aforeſaid Murford in purſuance of his former threats to the Prentiſes of South-hampton (whereof you heard laſt weeke) for refuſing to take the rebellious new Covenant, ſent one Thornborough, Riggs, and divers others to Portſmouth, where they are lodged in ſuch a dungeon, as they are not able to ſtand upright, but are forced to doe their neceſſary acts of nature in the ſame place where the poore men muſt make their lodging: And yet the Newes-men at London have the impudence to tell us in print, that no body hath beene puniſhed for refuſing their Covenant. And in the ſame Letters it is advertiſed that the Maior of Southampton (a very ancient man) is ſo over awed by this Murford, that being lately come from the two Houſes (whoſe priſoner he hath beene theſe eleven weekes for his loyalty to his Soveraigne) hee muſt not now be ſuffered to goe out of the Towne gates▪ but every common Souldier by Murfords command forceth him backe again; in ſuch contempt is the Kings Lieutenant amongſt this faction; and all this out of Whitehead of Portſmouth his malice to the Maior, becauſe he would not deliver the keyes of the Towne to him when hee demanded them for the two Houſes; the good old Maior (being a Jer • y man) anſwering him, Me no hang for you Maſter Whitehead, you hang for your ſelfe.

This day alſo we received a copy of Iſaack Pennington's Petition againſt peace, (though moulded and penned by John Pym himſelfe) deſiring the Houſe of Commons, or rather commanding them to perſiſt in this warre (though they periſh in the worke;) and tendring a forme of an Ordinance to preſſe and force every man rich and poore (excepting ſome few) to take Armes for this cauſe, or pay ten pounds a peece; which accordingly was voted, and the Petitioners had thankes returned them from the Houſe.

This day wee ſaw a printed Ordinance from the two pretended Houſes, for the ſpeedy rayſing and levying of a weekly contribution towards the maintenance of their Army, to be paid by the ſeverall Counties and Cities of this Kingdome for two moneths together: as for example, the Citie of Cheſter is to pay weekly unto the two Houſes 62l. The County of Cornwall 625l. The Citie of Yorke 62l. The County of Salop 375l. The Citie of Lichfield 5l. Briſtol 55l. Worceſter 16l. The County of Worceſter 500l. Oxford 400l. If the worthy Members will come to theſe places, the money lyes ready for them.

The Earle of Northampton this weeke intercepted divers Letters from London, wherein we ſee ſuch pretty devices as the Brethren uſe to cheat one another; One writes, That 3000 Cavaleirs were ſlaine at the taking of Briſtol. Another, That Waller will be 30000 Horſe, and 20000 Foot. Another, Th •• Waller is 8000 ſtrong already. Another, That 20000 Scot • are come as far as Barwicke. Another, That the Scots will not come, becauſe the Citizens have no money. Another, That all is loſt except ſpirituall comfort. Another, That the Earle of Eſſex would have all their Souldiers leave their Garriſons, and come away with their Armes, leſt they be all taken by the King. Another, That Glouceſter cannot be relieved. Another, That the rotten Lords (a pretty-pretty epithete) would now have Peace. Another, That now they muſt no longer truſt in the Parliament. Another, That the loſſe of Briſtol hath diſcovered many falſe hearts, who onely had creature-confidence. Another, That to vote for peace now, was like the plot of the Trojan horſe, and like Saul, to fly in diſtreſſe to the Witch of Endor; with a world more of ſuch excellent expreſſions, as doe trouble me to want paper for them.

And the Printed Newes-men are this weeke turn'd Preachers, urging Scripture (in place of Newes) againſt fainting in tribulation, yet ever and anon ſprinkling a lye: as 1. That the Lord Digby hath one Troope of Spaniſh Papiſts: (My Lord thankes you for raiſing a new Troope for him; but hee thinkes you meane the Walloones at Fulham, allowed to have Maſſe by the Cloſe Committee. 2. That the Lord Willoughby of Parham's Souldiers marched out of Gainsborough with all their Armes: (You were cudgelled for this the laſt weeke, and yet you are at it againe.) 3. That the King commands to kill men for fearing God, (for labouring to murther him in the feare of God; feare God, obey the Parliament.) 4. That Sir William Waller hath many thouſands of men: (yes, at Round-way Downe.) 5. That thoſe men are moſt of them good luſty Butchers (to knocke downe the Oxe at Kingſton.) 6. That Sir William went in triumph to Butchers Hall neare Newgate: (he went himſelfe now, but next time he ſhall be brought to Newgate.) Laſtly, That the Cloſe Committee had newes that Dorcheſter, Weymouth, and Lincolne, were delivered up to the Kings Forces, and yet were not diſheartned at it: I thinke it would pleaſe them to ſee one another hang'd; which God for his mercies ſake, &c.