THE Westerne Sea-coasts in Cornwall are not yet secured of their feares or dangers, from their common enemies, the Turkish Pyrates, they are in great hopes, that the large summes of mo­neyes, collected out of so infinite a scarcity as the poverty of this countrey hath long groaned under, shall speedily be imployed in shipping for the safety of the Seas, against an invasion of the land. No sus­pition of further perill remaines, but that the pre­vention (long look't for) may come at last. However, the parly about it, and preparation for it, takes up so much time in the year, that their doubts are not few, the remedy may come too late for the disease. Spe­ramus meliora.

The dismission by Parliament of the tyranny and irregularity of some Courts in Yorke and Wales, give us some assurance, that the intollerable abuse and corruption shall be taken away, which reignes in the Stanneries in Devonshire and Cornwall. A grea­ter mischiefe and oppression by subordinate Mini­sters, can never rage in a more unsufferable vio­lence. If the grand Councell of this Kingdome now assembled, take not into consideration this desparate [Page]calamity, and remove it, the whole body of two Counties are upon an irrecoverable losse: for now we expect redresse, or never.

Here our weekly comforts in particular letters from London of the departure of the Scots, prove in effect but f [...]int cordials. What our losses have been by subj [...]ction to so many hourly thraldomes, the rest of the land may conceive, we only feele. Their mo­neyes being received, they will (no question) re­move. Power and compulsion for the most part, ef­fects more peace then either treaty or reward. Our Coales (which are our treasure and subsistance) are cheaper then the labour in working for them: Our returnes for the commodity we cannot call our own, since wee are daily accountable for all wee can call ours. E [...]ther we unconfidently look for a quicke de­liverance, or must uncomfortably perish in our mise­ries. Our last refuge is our continuall refuge, our prayers. No warre is so terrible as that which de­voures and consumes under the visor of Amity and p [...]ace.

It is hard to write in [...]w many straits this Citie and Countrey are incumbred. The disbanding of those Souldiers, who have too long p [...]stered our Co [...]trey, proceeds not with so easie successe as is desired. They move hence with such a slow pace, as if they retreated b [...]ckward with their faces for­ward. No doubt needs a resolution for their passage to their owne homes. It is most likely they will prove as troublesome in their [...]urnes, as they have [Page]been in their stay and abode here. Let us once quit these disorders, and wee resolve hereafter (if the wisedome of the supreame authority will give us le [...]ve) to be safest in the defence of our own strength, yet ( [...]owever my Lord Generall very nobly endea­vou [...]s) we know not what will follow till we be ut­terly cleared of this burthen.

Discontented persons, and Popishly affected (of which conjuration our countrey yeelds not a few) upon hearing of the Priests execution at Tyburne, Iuly 26. l [...]st, begin to mutter, that now the Crown of Martyrdom is burnishing for their trayterous brood. That this Saint (so they miscall Walker the seducer) is on [...]ly a Harbinger for the glorious (villaines and) professors which must follow. They talke generally, how banishment or death is the mercy they must ex­pect. Some emissaries have been intercepted between their confederates in Cheshire, in Wales, and the lo­custs in this County. They desist not from plotting, but we trust that he who fitteth in heaven dot [...] laugh them to scorne, and will in his owne blessed time dis­cover both them and it.

It is not an easie griefe to heare how many pesti­lent Sects and Schismaticks are couched in London, the name of Puritane lieth too long br [...]n [...]d, the more refined Protestants of England. Infinites in number have coveted the addition of that reputation, whose l [...]berty insensu [...]lity, perfidiousnesse, cozenage, ignorance, and all licentious reproach, rendred them not more odious then inexcusable: neither have some [Page]eminent Prelates of our Kingdome forborne advan­tage without distinction to contemne and plucke up those wholesome seeds in steed of the other tares. We in this towne have tasted too deeply of that im­putation, though our lives and actions have pleaded an integrity: for we never kickt against the holy of­fice of a Bishop, but have heartily sorrowed for the avarice, ambition, &c. of such as usurp the Episcopall See; we wish, pray for, and expect a pious reformati­on, not confusion in the church, or absolute abolition.

Since the memorable execution of the Tinkers in this towne, no severity of any itinerant Iudge hath been filed upon our records. Here is a strong rumor of the charges and delinquencies of the Moderators in law, who determined suites in the foure Westmin­sters tearmes; but what satisfaction any of them hath made either by defence or sufferance, wee are clearly ignorant of. The brethren amongst us (so tearmed & covetous to be tearmed so) are as ignorant as here­tofore, but more malepert. They trust they shall bee allowed (not a Church but) a formality of discipline independant on any superiour, but whom they shall chuse out of their pack. Insolent are their presump­tions, and they have an intollerable measure of the Spirit amongst them; excuse them, 'tis the evill spirit, which we hope will ere long by the lawfull exor­cisme of authority be conjured.

Having lost our country man (lately A L. keeper) we are as naked and unprovided of our Summer Hos­pitality in our Archbishops Restraints. An old saying [Page]hath in times past galloped about our Island, that Kent and Christendome were two, let that be true or not, sure we are as the streame runs, London and Canterbury are not Christians alike: you at London enjoy too much plenty, though you keep your owne close enough; and wee at Canterbury complaine, that we have little of our owne to keepe, and yet are as willing as you, to part with part of that little by the poll. It is better (saies the proverbe) to be for­tunate then wise; we will add no more at this time, onely it is better to say nothing and live without an­swer, then by over much talke to be found guilty of want of silence.

Great is the joy throughout Wales, since the Act and the Rate for collection of monies is come to their view. They (I meane the Welch) content themselves with the single payment of six pence a man, though they be all and every one of them seve­rally and joyntly a Gentleman per se; yet they envy not the Esquires so reputed, their titles purchased with the large and unknown sum of ten pound. A Yeoman of Kent (say wee in wales) may have a thousand per annum, and not compare with one of us for a long pedegree from the beginning of the world. Heere wee live in peace, not troubled with feare of enemies, nor overprest with our few frie [...]d [...] the Scots; the Irish, indeed, sometimes visit our coastes, but as newtralls for we neither much reward their begging, nor they thanke or commend us for our Almes, and charity.

How the changes of times worke effects in other Shires, we l [...]st not after. The old saying was, the Divell looks over Lincolne, but we defie the moth-eaten proverbe, and hope one way or other, that Lin­colne shall over looke the D [...]vell. Mistake us not, for though wee have a fatt country, which is a shrewd temptation, yet we are not prouder then we were wont, for feare wee may be fl [...]eced as some of the northerne parts have beene. Being neither too neere London, nor too farre off, we stand as free from the thunder of Excommunication as from the Bulls of the [...]ope. The fall of Doctors Commons (if it be true) hath much disheartned our Officialls, (with whom this county swarm'd) and the ruine of the High Commission and Star-chamber Courts, puts us in comfort (a cold one) that more Mercy might be found in the Kings Bench. We acquaint you with our state for the present, but have else little matter to write of, till in another letter, you may chance to here something of the drain'd land and Marshes.

Cambridge is in no small doubt of some of his chiefe Divines; and we for neighborhoods s [...]ke, are with child to heare some good of our Bishop. Tis wondrous strange that businesses of expectation are carried with so miraculous a Iustice and Secrecy. We dare not inquire into a wisdome, which wee know we cannot attaine unto, but will therefore humbly w [...]ite upon the issue, which in actions or any nature returnes the Instrument, either reward of honour and profit, or punishment.