SUch are the severall distempers and distracti­ons of this Kingdome, that former ages could hardly paralell the like. Every day produces heavy newes, and sad novelties of warres, and rumours of wars, proceeding from the Ma­lignant Party of this Kingdome, such as are open and profest enemies to the peace of great Brittaine; and such (I am sure) as beare no good will to Sion, nor to the tranquility of Jerusalem. What hainous, and never the like heard of insolencies they have already acted? what impudent affronts they have offred the Kings Maje­stie, and his good government? what horrid plots and hideous conspiracies they have contrived and attempted, both by For­raigne invasion and domestick insurrection, the history of these times doth sufficiently testifie.

The great Councell of the King and this Kingdome (the high and honourable Court of Parliament now assembled) have beene credibly within these few daies enformed of 8000. men, which are speedily to be sent from France and Spaine towards the Nor­therne parts: What the designes of those two Kings are, none can [Page] as yet tell; God only knowes, and we may all certainely suppose that they doe intend no good to this little Island of ours: They (being of another Religion) have beene heretofore, and will bee still adversaries to us, and emulators of our prosperity. Besides these, the two Houses have had intelligence of late of Armes and Ammunition to be transported to New Castle, with many Cap­taines and Cavalliers (who are shrewdly suspected to be the Ma­lignant Party) whose designes have beene malevolent, and (tis much feared) will be little better towards the peace and welfare of the Kingdome of England, and this City of London.

There hath been likewise a Report made to the upper and low­er House of Parliament, how that the Popes Nuncio hath gone about to raise forces for the aforesaid designes; and to that end, that he might effect, and the better accomplish his attempts, hee hath sollicited the two Kings of France and Spaine to lend the King of England foure thousand men a piece. There hath beene likewise a Report made (and it was in a Letter sent from Holland, which was read in the House of Commons) that the Queenes Majesty had provided certaine Ships laden with Ammunition, with a purpose and resolution to goe in them towards the North: As also the Lord Digby that was impeacht by the Parliament, of high Treason, with Master Piercy (the Earle of Northumberlands brother) Master Termine, and divers others that runne away the last yeare, are all a comming over (as they say) with a great Fleet from Denmarke. And (if Fame be true, and we may give credit to a printed Pamphlet which this day came forth) there have beene strokes given, and bullets shot here in England, which is lamen­table to consider that there should be Civill Warres at this time amongst us. Upon the fourth day of this instant Month of July, there was a skirmish between the Lord Strange and the Inhabi­tants of Manchester in Lancashire; the occasion whereof was (as that Booke makes mention) through the Lord Stranges Resoluti­on to take away their Magazine by force, having received for that purpose many forces from Yorke. Tis very strange, if this be true; [Page] I wish it may be false; if it be not, I am certaine it is an ill omen to the peace of England, and doth prognosticate no good tidings to the City of London. If this be the beginning of Civill Warre, God knowes (and no mortall but he) when the ending will be: When that dreadfull time is once come (as God forbid it ever should) many a weake wife will bee husbandlesse, and many a poore childe fatherlesse: Then will be mourning and lamentation in our Cities and Countries, many Rachels mourning for their children, because they are not: Many thousands will then lose their lives before that this Kingdome be agine setled in peace.

A Civill Warre will teare in pieces our flourishing Kingdome, be a meanes for the invasion of a forraigne foe, exposing us to the fury and derision of our enemies, to the pitty and deploration of our friends. Bellum Dei fl [...]gellum, warre is the scourge of God; it will quickly bring a people and Nation to ruine, vastation and de­solation; we have had wofull experience of the miseries of warre. Dulce bellum in expertis. If warre be sweet, it is to them that are ignorant of it. No man truely knowes the malignity and cruelty of warre, but those onely that have felt and tryed it: What a ha­vocke has the Sanguinian hand of warre made in the Christian World? How it hath enervated the strength, vigour and sinewes of whole Kingdomes, the direfull and sad Tragedies of Germany, and still bleeding Ireland, doe evidently declare and make known what a lamentable story warre is: The very charge and continu­all cost of maintaining two Armies will exhaust the wealth and treasure of three Kingdoms. Of this we have had a deare example in the late skirmishes of Scotland.

After the pacification w [...] concluded betweene the two King­domes, it cost England [...] then a million of pounds. And such is the vast expe [...] [...] [...]aining two Armies, that if they be once on foot here [...] Kingdome, either a sudden en­counter will destroy one o [...] [...] the keeping them both will destroy the whole Kingd [...].

These premises co [...], and the present state of this King­dome [Page] seriously weighed, we have great grounds of strong feares. And for this cause, that wise Senate our hopefull and happy Par­liament have taken into their sage and grave consideration the present condition of this tottering and distracted Kingdome and Nation, and finding it to be in such a pittifull predicament as it now is, they have in their indefatigable endeavours against all op­positions of the malignant party, and in their conscionable care for the preservation of this Kingdome, given speciall order to the right honourable the Earle of Warwicke, Admirall of his Maje­sties Navy Royall, to intercept and stop the passages of all those that shall at any time present or future, transport or cause to bee transported any manner of Armes or Ammunition, Powder or Shot, Furniture, Victualls, Commaunders and Souldiers from Rome, Venice, Paris, Holland, or any further or nearer places.

The wisdome of prevention (we all know) is beyond the wis­dome of remedy; and that great Councell well knows, that it is better keeping out of danger, then getting out of danger. And therefore with an unanimous consent all aiming at the peace and happinesse of this Land for the prevention of the sword, which is now brandished over our heads, they have settled the Militia, and settled the Kingdome in such a posture of defence, as by their severall Votes resolved upon in both houses of Parliament doth here appeare for the safety and security of the Kingdome of Eng­land and Dominion of Wales.