THis little Manuscript penn'd by my honoured friend, Sir Edward, Harwood Colonell of an English Regiment in the Low-Countries, was intended for the presse, and ready thereunto, when by Gods gratious providence I coming over (having had much experience of his worth;) and in some respect, obliged unto him, was not a little glad to meet with an oportunity to shew my love and respects to him. I therefore desired leave of his brother, of whom I have now obtained it, though with some difficulty, to offer to the World some Testimony of it, wherein I will forbeare to say what I may, neither is there need for mee in that kind to say any thing at all, in respect of those that knew him, and have beene conversant with him; they have beene eye witnesses to more then I write, but for their sakes, who did not know him: I desire a little to acquaint them with his worth. To the end, that they, who have alove to that Honourable profession, may have a worthy example to incite them to imitation.

It being my portion to travell with him one whole night not loing before his decease; Hee was (beyond his custome) kept awake all that time by his owne Spirit, which constrained him to open his bosome to mee, and to give mee an Epitome of his time, and Gods dealing with him, of which, and my owne observations concerning him, you may please to take this briefe extract.

His Birth was Gentile, and from a roote fit to engraft his future education and excellency; furnished hee was with such learning as his age was capable of, and grew up in an especiall respect unto the faithfull Dispensors of the Gospell, and accordingly reapt the fruits of it in Gods season. His spirit (though sad enough) yet accompanied with much naturall mettall and courage, and look's above other callings, to that which narrow minded and effeminate men close not with.

Hee soone attended the Schoole of warre of those times, where quick and curious designes issued into dayly action and execution. There my Lord Veere, who could well distinguish of men, cast his eye upon him, by whose favour, exhal'd by his owne worth, hee was not long ascending the usuall step whereon the warres placeth reward for its followers; as hee grew skilfull in his trade, so was hee amiable to others: They live who know how deare hee was to that justly lamented, Prince Henry, who tooke such delight in him, that his closset thoughts were open to my Noble friend, from whom that Noble Prince got no smale advantage in his military way; Hee was also ever precious to King James, of blessed memory; so also no lesse in the esteeme of our now gracious Soveraigne, witnessing their Royall affection toward him in severall expressions of their favours. The illustrious Princesse, the Queene of Bohemia, who hearing of his death, cried out in a great passion! Oh that uggly Towne of Mastricht that hath bereeved mee of so faithfull a Servant. Also to that mirrour of his time, the last Lord Harrington, to whom hee was so endeared, that hee offered to hazard estate, liberty, and life, for his good, as by divers of his Letters still extant, appeares. To the late Duke of Buckingham, who after the defeat at the Ile of Ree, remembring what service hee did at Cadiz voyage, in bringing of the retreat, cried out! Oh Ned Harwood, Ned Harwood, that I had had thee heere. To the last Lord Steward, To the old Earle of Southampton, To the late Earle of Bedford, To this now Earle of Essex, And to the now Earle of Leycester, who was sometime his Colonell; To the Earle of Warwick, To the Lord Carleton, and to most of the chiefe Nobilitie of this Kingdome. Whose Letters found among his papers mention such reall affection, as is scarcely credible, from men of their quality. Neither was hee a little deare to that highly honoured Lord, the Lord Craven (who beside the late reall expression of love to his Brother, and for his many, great, noble, and pious workes, deserves to have his name written upon pillers of brasse) who when hee heard of his death (as was related to his brother,) cast himselfe on his bed, cried out, hee had lost his Father, such was his love and opinion of him.

Moreover, when his death was noised in the Army, there was such a generall lamentation for his losse, that his Excellency was faine to send speciall command to still it, least the enemy should take courage, as thinking it were for some of greater quality; And his Excellency himselfe in my owne hearing, I being appointed to goe before his Excellency after the Hearse, heard him say, to Count Earnest, He had lost his right hand, in the losse of Monsieur Harwood. To bee briefe his name amongst Souldiours was, In omni ore, tanquam mel suavis est, & tanquam instrumenta musica in convivio lauto. Hee lived, desired; and died, lamented.

Hee soone ascended (in the States service) to the highest step that Englishmen usually tread, & that was a Collonell; in which condition, I had my knowledge of him: And these things my eye observed, that Religion, fidelity, and prowesse so met in him, that there seem'd a constant strife among them, which should most appeare, and often shewed themselves together, by which hee brooke the back of that Proverb: Nulla fides pietasque viris qui castra sequuntur.

The first of these, shewed it selfe in attendance upon the word, intimate acquaintance with, and respect unto the faithfullest dispensours of it; The exercise of his family therein; His purse standing open to the advancement of every worke of that nature in England and Holland; Hee gave a large summe annually to the redeeming impropriations, the ruine whereof was none of his least griefes, together with the many soules that suffer by it; His conceipt was, that nothing lesse then Atheisme and hellish malice could blast it; Hee kept a diary of his inward man, wherein hee wrot his owne slips, infirmities, and Gods severall wayes of providence toward him, which stood him in no small stead; He was very often in humiliations, and loved those dayes in his life time, and to his death, being slaine in a publique day of fasting; In all his actions, hee gave testimony, that hee thought as much of dying, as of living. For the second, hee was famous and precious to both the Princes of Orange, in that respect.

In the quelling the Arminian faction, hee alone was trusted with a message of King James, and upon his returne Barnevell, went to his last home. In the leaguer of the Busse, hee had the charge of the Velloe, when Picolominy was in the bowels of the Countrey with 10000. men. His Excellency intrusting him with the sole trust, mannaging and ordering of that service, without limiting his commission, left it, though a matter of maine concernment to his wisedome and fidelity. In which service, hee watched 30. whole nights on Hor • eback, and never in that time came in bed, and in conclusion by his providence and vigilancy discharged that great trust, and fully secured the Countrey.

At Cadiz voyage Wch was a matter of trust & great difficultie, hee had imposed on him the Charge of bringing up the Reare, where the Enemie setting upon many scattered Troupes, hee brought them off with safety, by an honourable Retreat. For want of which at the Isle of Ree, how many brave Engglish lost their lives, and our Nation, much of their honour.

Lastly, his Valour was unstained, as all the Services he was in, can beare large testimony thereof. To be short, He was first hurt by a Granado in the foot, at Mastrick (a sufficient warrant to have exempted him from the Service for that day) yet would he not leave the prosecution of the designe, though often disswaded and advised, of the great danger he adventured, by the worthy Gentleman, Captaine Skippon, now Serjeant Major Generall, for the Citie of London, but going often into the Trenches, to view the Enemies Workes, in a Scarlet Coate, gave the Enemy so faire a marke, that he received from the wall, a sudden shot, out of a small Brasse Piece, which strucke him through the heart, and was from thence, by Command of the Prince of Orenge, carryed to the Hague, where he was interred, with as much honour, as ever was any that dyed in those parts, of his quallitie. In fine, Thus much I must say of him, He was true to his Principles, (a rare vertue in this Age) Hee was neither above, nor beneath his Calling, but very aeduquate and true unto it; So sad, serious, and skilfull in his way, that you may doe well to beleeve what he writes. Hee was a good man, a good Souldier, a good Christian, and is now wearing his Crown. Much more I might have said, but I must not make the Porch greater then the Building, and therefore I conclude,

AFter I had resolved to publish this Manuscript of my Brothers, I remembred I had read something, long since, in a little Treatise, written by that brave and worthy Commander, the late Earle of Essex, concerning Sea Preparations (though then written in a time when we had an open Enemie, and now no such occasion, yet we know not how soone we may,) Which though but short, yet my Brothers judgement concurring with it, which was, that the safest and surest defence for this Kingdome, was our Navy, and that we could never be hurt by Land, by a Forreigne enemy, unlesse we were first beaten at Sea. I thought it not amisse, to annex it to this of my Brothers, and by that occasion, reading the whole Discourse from which I had it. I found in it besides, what concernes this point, which was Directions for the securing of this Kingdome, some such worthy expressions, which as they did much affect me in the reading, so I conceive, they might be of some use also for these times; as some for imitation, others, for other purposes. I thought it not amisse to revive, and bring them againe to light; some things were spoken by that brave Lord of himselfe, some others are related by him of those Ancient and renowned Romans, where we may see a bravenesse of spirit, even in those that were but Heathen. Now if there were such brave spirits in them that had nothing but the light of nature to direct them: What should be then in Christians that have a Sunne to their Candle, Shal they come short of them, in love and affection to their Countrey? Will it not one day rise up in judgement against us, as our Saviour saith of Tirus and Sidon, that haue such principles, and such encouragements of rewards above them. They had but honour and reputation, I may say, a vaine and windy motive: We have the Command of God, and a heavenly reward promised, even a Kingdome, and that everlasting; and shall we come so short of them, as not to venture any thing for God, his Gospel, and our Religion: Did a Roman say, he cared not to leave to bury him, so the Common-wealth might flourish? What shall a Christian doe for his Countrey? shall he not lay aside all private respects of his owne, and only seeke Gods honour, in his care of the Common good.

Now most noble Lords, and Gentlemen, God having called you unto it. Let your Countrey see, and all the World know, that there is more power in Religion, then in Heathenish Principles; Ioyne all your forces together to promote his Gospell, and your Countreyes good.

O that the reviving of these few sparks that I have by this occasion brought to light, might adde fervour to your brave English Spirits; What though there be some so degenerate, as to raise their fortunes and keepe their honours, cares not what becomes of the Common-wealth, and Gospell of Christ; Yet we have found there are many, yea many, that still retain that ancient vertue in them, and doe even at this time practise it; to such I will say, goe one Noble Lords and Gentlemen, doe worthily in Bethel • m, and you shall be famous in Ephrata, set aside all private respects, and as you have begun with unwearied paines and patience (which in all due thankefulnesse we doe humbly acknowledge) Goe on still to continue your care of us, and our Countries good, and for all others contrarily minded, the Lord either convert them, or suddenly confound them.

In this ensuing relation, I shall onely use that Honourable Lords owne words. I leave their application to all true-hearted English-men. The heads are these,

First, His advice for Sea Preparations, which are not (as I conceive) un-usefull for this present time.

Secondly, his Protestation of his affection to his Country, worthy the imitation of men of his quality.

Thirdly, his extraordinary affection to Souldiers and men of Warre, the favouring and cherishing of whom, will be no small security to this Kingdom.

Fourthly, his Iudgement concerning Pluralities of Religion, tollerated in a State, A thing worthy of due consideration.

Fiftly, the sweet harmony betwixt a loving Prince, and loyall subjects, a desireable and imitable thing. Lastly, a sweet reprehension of the superfluous expence of these times, which if some course were taken therein to limit them: I see not, but it would make much to the generall good of this Common-wealth.

First, for his advise for Sea-preparations, it was this, that if Her Majestie would be pleased, but to raise up a summe of a hundred, and fifty thousand pounds a yeare; and put it into the hands of an honest and sufficient Treasurer, for the warres, and to bee issued by a Councell well chosen, would fully and sufficiently maintaine the warre with Spaine; yea, such a force should be maintained thereby, as Her Maiesty having a convenient number of her owne ships, and repairing and furnishing them, as yearely she doth, the enemy should bring no Fleet into the Seas for England, or Ireland, or Low-countries, but should be beaten, nor seeke to gather one into Spain, but the parts of it should be defeated, before the whole could be assembled, yea, those services should bee done upon the enemy, that the poorest Prince or State in Christendome, should have little cause to feare his malice.

2. For his Protestation of his affection to his Country, it was, that the reputation of a most faithful subject, and zealous Patriot, with the hazard of his life, and decay of his estate he had sought to purchase, and when he was offered by the King of Spaine, what Tittle, summe of money, or pension he would desire, so as hee might be won to take their part, hee did professe, that if God had not put him back, and arrested him by contrary winds and tempests that summer, he would have taught that proud King, what effects his proffer had wrought in him, and the longer the will of God, and his Soveraigne did restraine him, with the greater interest to hope to pay him in the end, that had sought him out as a fit man to betray his Queene and Countrey.

Thirdly, for his respect to Souldiers, and men of warre, hee profest he did intirely love them. First, for his owne sake; for hee found sweetnesse in their conversations, strong assistance in their imploiments with him, and happinesse in their friend-ship: that he loved them for their vertues sake, and for their greatnesse of mind (for little minds, though never so full of vertue, can be but little vertuous) and for their great understanding, for to understand little things, or things not of use, is little better then to understand nothing at all; That he loved them for their effections; for selfe-loving men, love ease, pleasure, and profit, but they that love paines, danger, and paine, shew that they love publick profit, more then themselves: That he loved them for his countries sake, for they are Englands best Armour of defence, and weapons of offence, if we have peace, they have purchased it; if we should have warre, they must mannage it; Yea, while weare doubtfull, and in treaties, wee must value our selves by what may be done, and the enemy will value us by that which hath beene done by our chiefe men of action. Before action, providence made him cherrish them for the service they can doe, and after action, expeperience, and thankfulnesse made him love them for the service they had done.

Fourthly, concerning Plurality of Religion, profest in one Estate, that it was against the policy of all States; because where there is no unity, or order in the State, it is the manifest ruine of that State; for as the mingling of poyson with wholesome liquor in one vessell, doth not correct that which is Lethal, but corrupts that which is wholesome: so the poysoned doctrine of those Hispanioliz'd Iesuites once brought in that state, will not indure any profession (save their owne.)

Fiftly, for the sweet harmony, betwixt a loving Prince, and loyall subjects: Thus doth he say, wee, thankes be to God, have a Queene, who hath never beene wastfull in her private expence; yet will shee sell her plate, and jewels in the Tower, ere her people shall be undefended: We are a people that will turne our silken coasts into iron Iacks, and our silver plate into coats of plate, rather then our Soveraign shall be unserved.

Sixtly, and lastly, his pleasing reprehension of the superfluous expences of those times, it is by way of objection that was made in those times; that they could neither have a good peace, or jnst warre; and of two evils, it were better to have a patched peace, then an unsupportable warre. To which he answers, that those that did so thinke were injurious; First to our men of warre (that fight for them, and defend them) in thinking their armes (which have ever done honour to our nation, and stricken terrour into the hearts of our enemies) lesse able to defend our countrey, then their treaties, which have never beene free from scorne and disadvantage. Injurious they are to the Countrey that bred them, which being one of the bravest, strongest, and happiest States in Christendome, is judged by these men, to be as weak as their owne weake hearts. Injurious they are to her Majestie, who being so great, so glorious, and so victorious a Queene, shall be judged unable to maintaine warre, when she cannot have peace, but at the pleasure of her enemie. Yea, injurious, and most unthankfull they are to God himselfe (who hath hitherto fought for them) in that (for an unsafe peace, with an idolatrous, and irrelegious nation) they would leave an honourable, and just warre. But when some objections might bee made, that Her Majesties Treasure was drawne deepe into, and if there were any weaknesse in our meanes, to make warre, it was in our Treasure: To this he answers, that though Her Majesties treasure be drawne deep into, and the poore Hus-bandman by the late hard yeares past, hath now left scarce any meanes to live; yet if our sumptuous buildings, our surfetting diet, our Prodigality in Garments, our infinite Plate, and costly Furniture of our houses, be well considered, England cannot be thought poore: can we exceed all nations in Christendome in wastfull vanities, and can we not arme our selves against one nation (whom wee have ever beaten) for our necessary defence? Was Rome so brave a State, that the very Ladies to supply the common Treasure, and to maintaine the warres, spoyled themselves of their Iewels, and rich ornaments, and is England so base a State, as that the people therein, will not bestow some part of their superfluous expences, to keepe themselves from conquest, and slavery? Did the godly Kings and religious people, which wee read of in the old Testament, to maintaine warre, against the enemies of God, sell the ornaments of the Temple, and the things consecrated to holy uses? and shall not wee that have as holy a warre spare those things we have dedicated to our owne idle, and sensuall pleasures? Could our owne nation in those gallant former ages, when our countrey was farre poorer, then now it is, levy armies, maintaine warres, atchieve great conquests in France, and make our powerfull Armies knowne, as farre as the Holy-Land? And is this such a degenerate age, as wee shall not be able to defend England; no, no, there is yet left some seed of that ancient vertue. I remember with what spirit and alacrity, the Gentlemen of England have put themselves voluntarily into our late actions, there wil ever be found some valorous, which (so the State may stand) and flourish care not though they leave not, w • erewith to bury themselves: though others bury their money, not caring in what case they leave the state.