WElcome Sir: when came you from England?

I came thence but just now, as you see: I have my travelling clothes yet on.

I am glad I have met you here, I have a long time expected your coming, that I might once heare how all things go.

How should it goe? bad enough: there is no King­dome more miserable than ours; it stands all in con­fusion.

How can that be? for 't is but a little while since that all your Kingdomes were alone at peace, when the whole world was at wars I have also heard that you have had the negotiation of all kingdomes & states in your havens, whereby everie one among you became rich and wealthy.

'T is so; we sate (as it were) in Abrahams bosome, dwelling among our owne people, had good things under our fig tree; we ate the fat, we dranke the sweete, knew of no evill: yea, we feared no mischance, not knowing from whence it should come upon us, seing that we dwell in Ilands that have the sea, the sand, the rockes, our ships, & Saylers, for our defence; whereby we became a carelesse people.

I have also alwayes heard the same, therfore I [Page 2] wond'red so much when you told me that your king­dome was the most miserable of all kingdomes, when notwithstanding all Kingdomes in Germanie, France, and elsewhere, are in exceeding bloody warres, to the ruine of many thousand soules.

You are in the right, that Christendome is in a lamentable condition, where the blood of men is spilt like water, so that many countries cities and towns are wasted, burnt, and destroyed: yet their warre is not to be compared with this of ours.

How! have you warres? from whence is it come upon you? you are (alwayes provided) in peace with all Kingdomes: I have heard of no breach, and how can any man come with soldiers into your land, seing you are so mighty within, both in men and ships? This is very strange newes to me.

Well! but how can that be, that you have not heard of our warres, when the flame thereof is gone up into heaven, and the sound thereof to all parts of the earth? have you no better intelligence? yes, we are at wars, but not against our enemies without, but within; it is a civill warre that scourgeth us which is the most miserable, for 't is neere us, the one Kingdome against the other, the father against the son, one citizen against the other.

What doe I heare! mine heart trembleth. Are you come into our place where we were once, when here in our land the one city stood up against the o­ther, the one province against the other, each using soldiers and guards against the other: so that our land, our church, our liberty hung on a silken thred; yea, we should have consumed one an other, had not Gods blessing and the wise and couragious counsell of Prince [Page 3] Maurice prevented it. Oh! I bemoane with weeping eyes those that are in such a condition.

Yea, our flourishing Kingdom is now in the hi­ghest disunion; 't is Ephraim against Manasseh, & Manas­seh against Ephraim, we heare of nothing but warres and rumours of warres. All trading traffique and prospe­rity stands still, Citizens are turned soldiers; in all pla­ces you may see the houses provided with armes, every one standing (as it were) sentinel, not knowing from whence they should expect their enemies, for the one brother, the one Citizen, doth not trust the other.

But how freind! Come you with such tydings? my heart bleeds to heare it: who should ever have thought it? how speedily can the Lord GOD raise an adder out of our owne bosomes, that shall eate us up. Why doe men then gape after present friends, strength, rivers aliance, mighty people? for men may have all these, and yet notwithstanding fall into the greatest calamities.

You say well; for but three yeares agoe there was not the least appearance of any unquietnesse. When the servants of God forewarned us of the plagues that hung over our heads; every one asked, from whence they should come. Such preachers as spake of heavie tydings, of great punishments that should come upon the Kingdome, were accounted for raylers, logger­heads, melancholly persons, puritans, whose words the land was not able to beare.

Oh friend! it goes just so also amongst us. When our teachers warn us and foretel us (as they many times doe) that our quietnes shall be turned into unquietnes, [Page 4] our mirth into sadnes, our riches into poverty, our blessing into a curse, that there are heavy plagues hanging over our heads, that we shall not escape the tempest of Gods wrath, but (as is to be feared) we (not taking example by the punishments of others) shall drinke out the dregs of the cup of Gods indignation: then they make a jest of it, no man believes it & ac­counts it an impossible thing as long as we have so ma­ny valiant soldiers both by sea & land, stand in such al­liance, & have such a Generall. But as you told us con­cerning England, so maie they well lay it to heart, for it was a great deale more unlikely to come on you, than upon us: but tell me (I pray) how came you into this warre? how began it first? who, and what were the causes thereof?

That can not so Suddainly be related, but if you please to accompanie me to my lodging, where I may shift and refresh my self a little, I shall willingly spend an houre with you; for I perceive you have compassion on our estate, & therfore I will presently lay open all things unto you, that so you may the more heartilie pray unto God for us, & (if need so require) afford us all the assistance you can, & also stirre up others to doe the like.

I will verie willingly goe along with you, & give you the welcome: for I love the English nation with myne heart, & would be angry with all such Nether­landers as should not take compassion on the heavi­nesse of England, that had so great compassion on us when we were wrestling against the tyrannie of Spaine, when they came to helpe us, both with their goods and bloods & were the principall instruments of our free­dome. No true hearted Netherlander shal forget that [Page 5] favour, but by all meanes seeke to requite it. Seing then that we are come to a good fire, I pray you relate unto me in order, what are the occasions of all these stirres in England, & also who be the causes thereof?

The causes thereof are divers, the Jesuiticall pa­pists, the Bishops, those politicke flatterers that are about the King at Court, & other malignant persons besides, who have each his particuler end; yet all tending to the falsifying of religion, changing of government, suppressing of the subjects, and ruine of church and common-wealth.

You tell me strange things! how could all these persons weave one webbe, seeming so contrary one to another, as light and darknes, heat and cold; the Jesuits and bishops are alwayes so farre different one from an other, as truth and falsehood, Christ and Antichrist; the one being supporters of the popes kingdome, the other heads of the reformed Religion; they serve divers masters, are of a divers Kingdome, yea religion; the one seeketh alwayes to build up what the other seeketh to pull downe. How can these two walke together, when they are not a greed?

We thought so too, that the Papists and our Bishops were so farre from one another, as the east is from the west, and that they were deadly enemies the one to the other, because in former times many of the Bishops have resisted the Romish kingdome, even unto bloud, yea many of them have been martyred by the papists, beheaded, burnt; and in all places in the pure religion persecuted unto death. But we have in our times of peace and wealth all too well observed, that our Bishops have forgotten and slighted their office, their promises before God and the congregation, the [Page 6] example of their predecessors, and in stead of leaders are become misleaders, of defenders of the pure wor­ship of God falsifyers and corrupters of the doctrine of salvation, and extinguishers thereof.

You relate unto me such things as I should never have beleeved. What! I have sometime heard (as I thinke) propounded by our best polititians, that it were good that we had also Bishops in our land, or at least super intendants, that then all things would be better carried in the church for the preservation of order, to breed reverence; whereas now every one being master alike great confusiō by that meās is bred in the church, trouble and an heavy burthen upon the goverment, for when any man will now prosecute a matter in the church before church men▪ he is so retroubled, then it were no more but speaking to the head, and he should give order to the rest; hereby also those Synods which cost the land so much should be cut off, which seemed to me not so unreasonable a proposition: but if the Bi­shops or Superintendants should make such worke as you tell me, the Lord deliver us from them.

O friend! call you them good? yea, your best po­lititians that are with childe of such a pernitious con­ceit; that were the right high-way to turne all things upside-down amongst you, to disturbe the peace both of Church and common weal, and to put to hazard the purity of religion, which by Gods speciall blessing is established amongst you in spight of so many enemies and wicked opposers, and crowned with many bles­sings from heaven; for that your free order and Church government agreable to Gods word, not without rea­son so highly commended among us, is the hedge whereby the truly reformed religion must be preser­ved [Page 7] and maintained; which our brethren the Scots well knowing have judged that they could not answer it before God and their posterity if they should suffer their old church-government and order (which as I am informed differeth not much from that of yours) to be changed, and will rather loose their lives and goods in Gods cause than suffer the purity of religion which is the foundation of all prosperity both in church and common weale to be given over as a prey to the enemies, and suffer a company of half papish Bishops to dominere over their consciences. And we hope that our Lords and Burgesses of Parliament (perceaving how farre we are run out in this point of Church-go­vernment & worship) wil labour to bring our churches into the same church order with our brethren the Scots, at least that they will utterly roote out the Epis­copall goverment, together with all its hurtfull rootes and branches. And should you have such persons a­mongst you that would bring in these evil plants which God hath not planted, then were you utterly undone. Let not therefore the ancient land-marks be remo­ved, hold that you have that no man take your crown.

You open mine eyes more and more; I had not so deepe an insight into these things before, and I per­ceave that our Churches and the land wherin we dwel as a free people, can not have peace if they should re­move the land marks of civill and ecclesiasticall go­vernment; the whole house should by that means tot­ter. And now I thinke upon that which was written to me a while since concerning those stirs which here and there appeare in our provinces where men under pre­tence of a papish right (which yet ought to be nullified and cashiered by the power of our reformation) seeke [Page 8] to rob the churches of that godly right which they have receaved from Christ their King in the free ele­ction and choice of their teachers; how that the pre­tended patrons thrust in preachers against the wils and liking of the assembly, and if they refuse to receive them they shut the church doors and thrust the lawful preachers out of the pulpit, so that publike worship could not be performed without danger of blood shedding, quarrelling and unsupportable insolencies; God preserve us that it break no further, out and ther­fore I will pray to God that all good and godly gover­nors of the land may maintain the authority of Synods, and Church-assemblies for the redresse of such like e­vils, and that they may not be hindered in their pro­ceedings in those things which concern the churches; then should not the assemblies many times last so long, but the land be unburthened of unnecessary char­ges which otherwise are here very narrowly reckoned on. But I am wholy inclined to hear the state of your church, tell me then what might be the intention of the Bishops and Iesuits which you accompt one brood.

What intention should they have had? to bring in papistry into England, and the Inquisition over the Inhabitants.

That is lightly to be beleeved concerning the Iesuits, who disperse themselves like poison over the whole world, to make one childe of hell twise as bad as themselves; to which end they creep into all courts, sow jealousies in all places, and are the cause of all the warres in the world: but that the Bishops had such an intention that made profession of the reformed religi­on, that sometimes write and preach against the pa­pists, that is not so easy to be beleeved.

You speak the truth therein, that the Bishops (to deceave the people, and that the King should not en­tertain those complaints that come against them con­cerning that point) do some times write and preach a­gainst those of the papacy: yea the Arch-Bishop him­selfe preaching on a time before the King, did wholy proceed against popish doctrine, and in the pulpit did exhort all church-men to teach & write against them, and that every one in his parish should have a watch­full eye over them, to make them come to Church, or els to complain; which when some have done, then hath he (by indirect means) persecuted, imprisoned, and distressed them for the same, letting them secretly know that it was because others should be affrighted from doeing the like.

Then must he have bin an horrible hypocrite, and have had a seired conscience, so shall Gods judge­ment certainly follow him at the heels, and his king­dome shall not stand.

Such an one he was indeed, who knew how so cunningly to dissemble, that the King thought him the holyest man in England, he was alwayes a scoffer of the upright, a freind of Iesuits, & a flatterer of great ones, by which meanes he became so great, but now truly as little and despised, sitting where he can doe no more mischief.

But how! is he out of favour? is his game ended? hath Cod brought his wheel about?

O yea; God hath verified it on him, that those that oppresse his shall also be oppressed: for with the same measure that he hath measured to others it is measured to him again. He hath thrust many out of their offices, and cast them into prison, and that is just­ly [Page 10] come upon himself: he sits fast in the tower, and is long agone condemned as a Traitor to the land, and were it not for his age, and that he is God-father to one of the Kings children he had bin long since execu­ted, and what shall become of him yet, is uncertain.

Yea, I thought that the great God of heaven and earth should yet doe right upon him which had abused his right to the greatest Injustice against his church & worship. But tell me (I pray) where hence it appears, that the Bishops together with the Iesuits sought to al­ter the religion and bring in papistrie?

That shineth as cleer as the bright noon day; you must also confesse it, and the whole world, when you hear what wayes they went in.

I pray now explain it a little unto me, for many in our land especially amongst the great ones beleeve it not, and think that they are but reproches and misse­reports of the puritanes or Brownists or some discon­tented great ones, because they can not have choice of eare and share in the prey.

O No! they be no slaunders, it appears by the particulers, for all that the Iesuits could have bin able to doe suddainly to make the people papists before they were aware of it, that have they done and to that end they have by little and little and by degrees set up all the outward forme of papistrie in the church of En­gland, for the apparrel which the Bishops and preachers wear in Gods service are of the same fashion with the apparrell of the Bishops and preists under the papacy.

Doe the Bishops and preachers amongst you weare other clothes then our teachets, & the teachers of the reformed churches in France, Geneva, Switser­land, and Germanie do weare.

O yes, if you did but see the Bishops or the Bi­shops preachers say service in our church, you could not distinguish them from the popish Clergie, for they have then on a Bishops-gowne, wide sleeves, a fower cornered cap, the tippet, the surplus, the Cope, the hoode the cannonical clothes, and all that a Priest at any time puts on.

Is that possible? if our preachers here should begin to go so, the children would run after them, and tear such clothes off their backs, & throw dirt at them, and esteem them for the papists apes.

Yea▪ so doe our Episcopall-clergie carry the bu­sinesse who have a long time used our people to these clothes, that it should not be accompted new, when they should appear in them not as reformed but as pu­blike servants to the seat of Rome; yet this is but the least, the churches also a few yeares since were made altogether like the papists churches.

What do I hear? I hope that there be no Images set up there, or thar Dagon is placed by the Ark, there are too many excellent Authours that have written a­gainst such high places, as that they should not be taken away.

O that it had bin so; but we must confesse to the shame of our Nation that the Tempels of God are be­come slaughter-howses, and right Innes for all the wares of Antichrist, for the Bishops have caused to be set up in our churches Pictures, Images, Cruci­fixes, Wax-candles, Altars, they sing their even­ing and morning song with Beades, Organs, Mu­sick, as in the popish Mattens, they cause the pul­pit to be hanged with the Armes and marke of the Iesuits, especially in the Cathedral churches, and [Page 12] in the Kings Chappell, where they set up great Craci­fixes after the manner of the papists, and have also so adorned all corners with Images that many papists and other strangers coming thither knew no better but that they had been papist churches and chappels.

That is no wonder, for according to your rela­tion, one egge is not so like an other, as your churches and the papists. But 't is wonder that the governours (and specially the King) have suffered such things for that is the right way to lead all the inhabitants blind fold to all Idolatrie.

It was well said concerning the governours; but experience hath taught us that where the Bishops are masters the governours have not much to say: yea they had such power that they have given out process to bring divers officers, Majors, Iustices, prisoners to their spirituall Court, confiscated their goods & made them so affraid, that they must flye the land, and all because they did not dispatch to set up Altars in place of the Communion Tables: no man durst lift up their heads against them; and concerning the King they made him believe that the tolleration of the out­ward form of papistrie should bring to passe, that seing there was so little difference in the outward, and that the King condescended so far unto them; that they also would then be ruled by the Kings religion to give him content, and hereby have they blinded the eyes of the King, and brought him so far, that he in stead of hindering this bringing in of papistrie, hath judged it convenient and maintained it by his authority, to the grief and astonishment of all the godly, and joy of papists.

What! were the Bishops such lads, to deale by [Page 13] such false practices? then 't is no wonder, that all the honest men in England care not for them: but tell me yet, again, were they also papists in their forme of do­ctrine? or was it onely in the outward ceremonies and worship?

You can easily imagine, whither it be possible, that any man can come so neer the popish Religion in the outward worship, with such zeal for those Idola­trous institutions, without beeing one with them indo­ctrine also. It is very true that the Bishops and their adherents will not go to church with such a cloak, that they should be thought papists in doctrine, they have kept that a longtime hid, but the oulder they grow the more their painting falls off, and the more their Esaws coate is worne out: So that all men by little and little begin to see what was hid under it, so that they could not alwayes play behinde the curtain, as also was not their intention; but they have now and then begun to appear on the stage, and made it apparent, that their mouth was reformed, but their heart papish.

You say true, for he that is a true protestant, he will hate even the garment spotted with the flesh, she that is not a whore in her heart, will not put on a who­rish attire: he that is a right Reformed one will not be burthened with such traditions, he will not touch, tast, or handle them, as being brought in according to the institutions and doctrines of men, much lesse he will defend them himselfe, appoint them, be zealous for them more then for the truth it self. But (I pray you) tell me yet, wherein have the Episcopall Clergie ma­nifested that they are one with the papists in Doctrine also?

There can plentifull proof be given of that: for [Page 14] they have not onely caused these foresaid things to be observed as indifferent, but they have with the pa­pists placed holinesse therein, as by this appeares, see­ing they compell the people to do reverence to those things, for when the bare name of Iesus is uttered, then must every one bow, also no man may approach to the meanest of those Altars which they have set up, (and named by the name of the mercy seate, the place of Gods gif [...]s,) without bowing three times before it, and then fall upon his knees. They have consecrated and hallowed their Churches, Chappels, & pavements of the same, the pulpit, cups, church yarde, and many other places, pretending that without this consecra­tion, the places are unholy, and unclean, and therefore no service might be performed therein till that were first done; yea if by any occasion they were never so little defiled then they were pronounced unclean till they were again purified by the Bishops. Who may not from hence cleerly see that their faith concerning hu­mane traditions is all one with that of the Papists?

You are in the right, for such administrations are altogether according to the faith of papists; so that I hold it for certain, that the Bishops and Iesuits, under­stood one the other in their doctrine also; but tell me (I pray) is there yet any thing els whereby we may Iudge that they were papists in the faith also?

O yes, for I scarcely know any thing exercised in papistrie which may not be found amongst them. They administer the L: Supper upon an Altar, and they must receive it kneeling, they administer Baptisme out of a font, with a crosse on the fore head of the childe, they have had that forme of confirmation whereby the Bishops must consecrate the children, they have made mar­riage [Page 15] purely Ecclesiastical as depending on the bishops who have forbidden Mariage at some certaine times, and almost half rhe year, and unlesse their consent be gotten either by favour or mony, none must Marry, yea some Clergie-men amongst them may upon no con­dition Marry tho it be against the mindes and allow­ance of their parents and friends. They have caused the Holy dayes to be more precisely observed then the Saboth, forbidding all work therin upon great pe­nalties. They pray over the dead. They make women after childbirth to appear in the church with white consecrated garments, and then they are purified; and many more such like things according to the papists institution, are very precisely enjoyned by order from the Bishops.

You move my heart, so that I am at the Highest pitch, to hear such things of the goverment of Bi­shops. I have alwayes thought England to be the most reformed land in the world, because I have seen so ma­ny excellent bookes that were penned in England a­gainst all such popish institutions & for the advancing of the doctrine of salvation and the purity of worship; and therefore I can not enough wonder, that so many unclean things should bear such sway there.

It makes you wonder, and it hath made us many times exceeding sorrowfull, and to fear (unlesse God speedily prevent it) that we should shortly see all our land papists, which we may perceive by their generall bent that way; for in the universities they began open­ly to defend, that we must pray for the dead, yea it was preached in London at Pauls Cross, there are bookes written of it, as also that the Pope is not that Anti­christ, that men may very well be saved in the papish [Page 16] Religion as the Arch Bishop made it manifest to the Queen; therefore he hath forbidden to pray for her any more, that God would convert her, and open her eyes as being a Papist. They have publikely taught, that men may be saved by their good workes, and that with the approbation of the Arch bishop, as from hence may appeare, when he perused the Lithurgie of the Scots in the place concerning good workes, it stood that they were not causa regnandi the cause of our salva­tion, but via regni the waye to salvation, which he cau­sed to be put out, and willed them to exhort the people to good works simply, without such distinctions, where hence we might easily perceive what he bare in his buckler, as he hath also approved the foresaid bookes, and by all meanes countenanced the pen men therof. From all which it cleerly appeareth, that they were right Papists both in faith and doctrine.

This cuts deepe, and is something more than Caeremonies: by such stalking we often see that the catt leaps quite out of the sack, and that they were al­together Papists, and would have made the whole land papists. They must without doubt have had great cor­respondence with the papish Clergie that have so in­fected them.

You have read right, for it hath bin long obser­ved, muttered, and in the end come to light by a cer­taine Iesuit Tho: Abernen a Scottish gentle-man, who being by God wonder fully converted, hath disco­vered how that there was great correspondence held betweene the Arch bishop and the Iesuits in England and Scotland, yea betwixt him and the Pope, writeing letters to and againe to each other on this subject, what might be the best way to make England Papists. [Page 17] In which busines, himself was imployed; so that he can speake by experience.

You have made me suffitiently vnder stand and believe, that the most Bishops and their adherents intended to make England papists, but that would have cost hot water, for the commonaltie of England (as I have heard) are exceeding zealous in Gods service, and well instructed in Religion, and therfore they could not by that meanes have gotten the masterie.

'T is verie true, that in England (by Gods mercy) there have beene, and are many Godly, honest, well disposed preachers and members, who would have stood for the truth unto bloud: but these Bishops have had divelish practizes by little and little to falsifie the doctrine, and root out godlynes; wher by they doubted not, but that they should have attained their purpose.

I pray lett me once heare, what they were.

They have had divers, besides their bringing in of the outward forme of papistrie in all places, that so all might be acquainted with it, as I have tolde you be­fore. They have also strip't all the assemblies of their faithfullest preachers, which they have degraded, im­prisoned, banished, or so persecuted, that they were faine to forsake the land, and flye into New-England or other lands: and in stead of Godly, zealous, learned, desired preachers, have thrust in to their places unru­ly, ignorant, doboisht, infected persons, which were either Arminians or partly papists, that so they might bring the people to ignorance, and ungodlie life, and that so they might be able to frame them to what doc­trine they listed.

Well, those were lamentable workes, to silence lawfull Preachers without cause, that is to touch the [Page 18] Lords anoynted, the apple of his eye, that is openly to advance the kingdome of the divell: they must surely have had some pretence, for I cannot imagine that they have done such things without orderly proceeding.

It ought indeed so to bee, but their will was a law, and they have taken for a pretence, their dissobe­dience against their popish canons, because they would not subscribe to, and observe all those fore mentioned things; therfore they have thrust them out: In former times they made sale of subscription, and wincked at many honest and learned preachers, but some yeares sithence they would excuse noe man, and when any ho­nest and distressed preachers, not knowing what was best to do whither to forsake their church for the in­stitutions, or to condiscend therunto, that they might remaine by their churches, and preserve them from the clawes of ungodly preachers, then were they not content with the ordinarie subscription to the olde Caeremonies, but have so long burthened them with new, till that they could not in conscienc yeeld there­unto: then have they entered their action, and justled them out, not here and there one, butifie and sixtie, yea some hondreds in a short time, without mer­cie, or hope of restauratiō not withstanding the earnest solicitation of their assemblies, the requests they put up the guifts they presented, as being famous, learned prea­chers, that had great audience, were beloved of their congregation, and had wrought great edification in their places, for such there was no hearing, yea though whole shires came upon their knees, with teares in their eyes, in so much that sometimes they have wrung tears from the King himself to heare▪ their grievous la­mentations for the want of their faithfull servants, [Page 19] begging for the glory of God, and the safetie of their soules, that their preachers migt be given them againe, yet they could not prevaile, the King sent them to the Bishops, and that was to knock at a deaf mans door: and the stones should sooner be moved, than they.

You make me weepe for the pittifull condition of such churches; how could God be so long suffering as not to hear such teares? O what a curse have such Bishops pulled on their own heades? God hath seene it, and will regenge it, how could the devill, have dealt worse? but have they used this crueltie against the Preachers onely?

O no, for after they had destroyed the Sheep­herds, then like ravening wolves, they have also de­stroyed and dispersed the sheep: for they have daily cited to their spirituall Courts the honestest, godliest men, and women, married & unmarried, accused them that they would not follow their Ceremonies, that they went to hear, here & there out of their Parishes, where they knew was a good preacher, held fast dayes by themselves, and came together to repeat the sermon, to read, or sing, and pray. These were causes sufficient to imprison the people by heapes, and to let them sit there, and consume, to seize upon their goods, to draw them to themselves, so ruinating many housholds, wherby many thousands were compelled to forsake the land, and to wander into strange countries.

O the miserable condition of the honest inhabi­tants of England! they have been there as bad as un­der the Inquisition, yea worse, for this is exercised a­gainst them by those, that say they are of the same Re­ligion with them, and the Curats for their soules. O what reason have we to thank God, that we dwell in [Page 20] such a freeland, where no man is compelled or troubled for his conscience! we know of no such persecution, thanks be to God, and God keep us from it; for our na­tion should never endure it, but stand up, and quickly hunt such instruments out of doors, as they did that troop of Shavelings that dealt so with the inhabitants in the beginning of the Reformation. It was lately seen in the Hague how the inhabitants could ill endure that any man should be over burthened, each drew it to himself, and then appeared first the lovelinesse of liber­ty, and the sidelity of the Netherlanders to each other, that alwaies take compassion on the oppressed, and venture their goods and bloods therfore.

It is a commendable thing to relieve the oppres­sed, and resist the oppressors, so it be orderlie perform­ed; But alass? what could we do! the Bishops were too mightie, and our nation is also exceeding slavish under those that are mightier than they; there was great murmuring at it, the will was good, to resist such tyrans, but they could not see where it should begin, never­thelesse, they thought that it would break out into a bad issue one time or other.

Vndoubtedly, God will from some place or other give a good issue, as he did in the beginning of our per­secution: God wants no means either to punish a Na­tion, or to deliver them out of their distresse, yea when the danger is at the highest, and the water at the brim, then God takes most pleasure to manifest his power. But tell me (I pray) more particulerly, what wayes the Bishops have further proceeded in, to bring the papish Religion into England?

Besides that spoiling the Kingdom in all places of their faithfullest Preachers, and thrusting in others [Page 21] according to their own humour in their places, or lea­ving the church unprovided, giving them onely a reader that read their Injunction in the church out of the service book, so that great circuites of land of 30 or 40 miles in compasse had scarce two or three sermons in a whole year, to the unspeakable spoil of the people, who neverthelesse must bear the burden of Gods wor­ship, and pay out of their Parrishes, two, three, or foure hundred pounds sterling per annum according to the quantity of the Parish, unto such lasie and idle bellies that had the name to be their preachers. Besides this wicked practise (I say) they have used many other meās to bannish wholy all saving knowledge of the truth, out of the Kingdom, that so they might the better draw the people unto poperie.

Loving friend! what do I hear? have they so took care for sowls, as to feed them onely with humane Tra­ditions, without the preaching of the word of God the hey and grasse, and yet were so shamelesse, as to take such great wages of the people; God will revenge it. But proceed to shew me, what have been their further practises?

They had a thousand tricks to blow out that zeal and practise of Godlines, which had been exceedingly inflamed by so many excellent preachers for an exam­ple to the world; and to set up in the place thereof an Athiestical liberty, and worldlinesse, to which end they have with-stood the means of salvation, and set the contrarie readie for the people: as when they brought into contempt the sanctifying of the Sabboth by ex­ceeding ungodly practises, for they knew so far to a­buse the power of the King, that they have stirred him up to give out a Proclamation in the year 1633. where­in [Page 22] he required that all his subjects should have liber­tie, servants against the will of their masters, and chil­dren against the will of their parents, to spend the Sab­bath (after service) in all manner of recreations, and danceing, men and women going to playes, in running, shooting, bowling, stool-ball, and all to this porpose that they might change the repeating of sermons, and other Spirituall exercises into such idle, wanton sports, and that by Proclamation, as if men were not sufficient­ly of themselves inclined to profane the day of the Lord by such vanities.

Is it possible? knew they so far to mislead the king as that he should give out a Commandement directly contrary to the Command of God, wherein he willeth that the Sabbath should be sanctified and set a part to all such exercises which tend to the prosperity, not only of the bodie but of the soul of man. You must surely have given strange attention, when you heard such things proclaimed, for I have alwayes heard, that the English make great conscience of the Sabbath, yea when they went in the streets of the City, they saw not the least work done, or any wātonnesse vsed: but that in all houses the Sermons were repeated, psalms sung, and profitable questions propounded: So that all under­standing men did judge, that the sanctifying of the Sab­bath, was the principall reason of Gods blessing and mer­cie over England. There is great profanation of the Sabboth in our land, by working, playing, riding stool-ball, diceing, drinking, wrestling and runing but (God be thanked) they are not done by vertue of any command of our Govervours, but contrary thereunto; so there be many excellent Proclamations against the prophana­tion of the Sabboth in many Provinces come forth: [Page 23] ô that God would graunt, they might be well main­teyned.

Yea, so is it come to passe amongst us, and yet the Bishops are so shamelesse, that whereas they ought to have stood for Gods right, and to have informed the King better, they have caused all preachers to read the same Proclamation out of the pulpit to all the people, and to exhort them to observe the same against the fourth Commandement: those that have refused have been deposed, to more then an hundred in number, not with standing that the Dean which was sent by the Bi­shops to see this executed in all churches a little without London, fell dead from his horse for a warning: yet they, could there by be brought to no remorse, but went fore­ward with the busines.

O how inst are Gods judgments; and how sottish are the hearts of men, if God mould them not? It was ne­ver heard; that preachers were commanded to deliver from the pulpit that which cleerly and evidently oppo­seth the command of God: those that have refused to do it, have done like Christians. But what more practices had they?

They have also forbidden to preach twise on the Sabbath, under the pretence of Catechising, which was then ordeined, appointed, and directed, to instruct the children, and teach them the traditions of the Pope, or Bishops. They have to their power forbidden the prin­ting of all good books, and contrarily suffered to be printed all Arminianish, Papish, vaine books of Ama­dis de Gaule, and of Commedies, to 40 thousand in a yeare: They have also suffered Reliques to be solde openly, yea they have been sent from the Pope to the Arch-Bishop himself who knew well how to make his profit by them.

Well! those were great wickednesses, which God will seeke, and finde. How soever it goeth▪ also very bad amongst us in those things (for there is here in our land also great libertie to print all unfeemlie. hurtfull, heretic­all bookes) yet the honourable Magistrates of Amster­dam have exceeding worthilie caused to be burned cer­taine Socinian books, and have hindered the players, and dancers on the ropes (which follow fayres and Mark­ets) from playing; oh that it were in all places imitated: yet 't is so, that here in our land there bee some papish booke-sellers that openly sell nothing but papish bookes of Breviaries, Masses, Rosaries, Legends, and publikly hang out Idolatrous Images, Crucifixes, Beads, Paternosters, Agnus Deis, &c. without hinderance; which is to be feared wil bring Gods judgments on us; nd although (by Gods blessing) it is not so yet ordered amongst us, that good bookes are forbidden: yet there are few printed, because there is so little vent, while all hands are full of vain, unfit, uncivil, venemous works, that hinder thē from reading good ones. But tell me what are the deceipts the Bishops have used to bring in the Popish Religion?

As it appeareth from that which hath been said that the Bishops and papists understood one the other in all things well enough, so have they given them great li­bertie in all places, not executing the Proclamations, and orders against them; but have connived at their assem­blings, Idolatrous exercises, absence from sermons in all places: so that England became full of Iesuits, and all manner of Seminaries, that have so done their indeavor to turn England from their Religion, that they have heartened, or won many thousands to the papish reli­gion, to the unspeakable weakening of our state, & trou­ble of the reformed, that were (where they were mightie) oppressed by them, yea must suffer great distresse, without [Page 25] being heard therin, when they came to complaine of it to the clergie, where the favour not withstanding was con­tinually on the papists side.

There hath been then a great fall in England, for I have allwayes heard, that every man was compelled to come to church, and attend upon Gods service, so that none were excused, no not the greatest; and that there were very strict orders against the Papists made in divers Parliaments, so that I heare wel that it hath gone amongst you as it doth amongst us, for (the more is the pittie) there were many times strict Proclamations read against the breaking in of papistrie, but notwithstanding papistrie is openly set up in the middest of us, for they have their formall churches with stooles, benches, Altars, ovals, quiers, Candelsticks, cupps in sundrie cities, as also in the countrie, and they say service at the sound of our bels, going openly thereunto, the Priests are knowne amongst us: preaching against this goverment, that it is unlawful, exhorting the people to helpe the King to his land: will absolve no man in shrift, but such as hold the king for the lawfull Lord of the land, goe publike processions with an hundred at a time, place crucifixes in the church-yards at the graves of the dead, come to torment the people of our religion upon their death-beds with their Idol and oyle. Yea they have their whole church-goverment amongst us, and have divided the whole land, amongst Bishops, Arch-Bishops, Deacons, Arch-deacons, every one knowing his Iurisdiction: they have also given all the civill offices unto certaine persons, and when they dye, then they confer them upon others againe upon hope, that though now they be but titular, yet [...]hat once they shall have the reall possession therof▪ So that if any change through any stir or other waies should come, (which God prevent) each should know his place and [Page 26] office both in Ecclesiastical and civil affairs, that so they might at once over rule the land.

You wondered that it went so in England, but I wonder exceedingly that it should go so amongst you; for while you give such liberty to the papists, you put the souls of the inhabitants, yea the whole church and land in a scale, and suffer your sworn enemies, that are bound by oath to the King of Spain and the Pope, to set up a go­verment in your goverment: Who (if it should go ill but in the least, or that there were any likely hood to make the King of Spain master) would strait fall off: so that you foster an Adder in your bosoms.

You are in the right, and all good Patriots under­stand it so; it hath also sundry times appeared to be so, when the land was in any trouble, as when the enemie was in the valle, all papists prickt up their ears, spake ex­ceeding bouldly, said openly out, now shortly it shall be our time: and the further the enemy brake into the land, the boulder they were; as also when we lost Schenk-Scans, and that the enemie meant thereby to come in, the countenances of the papists were then cheerfull, and yet when there cometh any bad newes, you may easylie perceive with which fide they hold, although peradventure they should be no more the better for it than wee, as it appeares in manie places, yet their hate is so great that they would willinglie wish to perrish them selves, so that we might but perrish with them: yea they are yet so bould in some places, that when any godly preachers are somthing zealous to bridle their insolen­cies, they dare send word to such persons, that they should consider how it now goes in Ireland: yet not with­standing these deadly enemies of our state are winked at because they blinde the eies of the Officers and great ones, with great guifts, and yearlie pensions, as they them [Page 27] selves do say, that they are beholding to no man for their freedome but their monie; by which means they cannot be effectuallie proceeded against, notwithstanding those Remonstaunces given against them by the church, so that the Synods were necessitated to leave it to God, and protest before all the world, that they would be free of the sowles by this meanes lost, having done according to their places what they could, as also from that distruction which shall certainlie come upon the land therby, if not speedily prevented. Whereunto I pray God the Lord to stirr up all Corporations and their particuler members to take the redresse of these thinges into their hands; and not to let it hang upon the officers, or a few per­sons as it is here, and thereunto the great advantage of this cause.

Yea, I heare then that thinges go ill, not onely in England; but that in this matter it stands ill enough a­mongst you also, although you have no Bishops to let such mischiefs break in: but hold this for certaine, that the whole heap of papists, if they can master us? and it hit right, shall be quicklie a tip toe against you: for I have latelie seen a letter out of the Netherlands, to one of our papists, which earnestlie stirreth ours up, to use all meanes possible, to become masters, and to advance poperie, assuring them that they with the helpe of Eng­land should be here strong enough to make them selves masters both of land and Religion; therfore their break­ing in, groweth, and increase of such is not to be slight­lie esteemed, for they can all wayes at a start be secon­ded by your neighbor enemies, if they but make them selves masters of one passe or other, so as they can not do with us, because they must fetch all assistance from beyond Sea.

You say right, and I know not how our goverment is so besotted that they do not better consider it, for e­very one knoweth that there cannot be a more hurtfull nor dangerous enemy, than that within, especially if it be one with a powerfull enemy without: and therefore God open all eyes to see it. You have now told me much concerning the designs of the Bishops, and the means they used to bring in papistry, but tel me now once, wher­in the malignant Courtiers, and other infected statesmen were the cause of the stirs in England.

You well remembred what I told you in the begin­ning, that the Bishops and the malignant Politiks, besides the papists have occasioned all our heavinesse; for it is certain, that the Bishops have spoiled all in the church, and together with the Politiks have turned all things up side down in the common weal also.

How understand you that, together with the Poli­tikes, I think not that the Bishops had also the care of worldly matters.

How! have you not known that? O yes, the Bishops have had not onely ecclesiasticall, but Civill offices also, & have been also privy-counsellers, Treasurers, Keepers of the great Seal, and I know not what; therefore they have been a member of the Parliament in the upper house: yea they have spent the most part of their time in politick affairs, and had so far ingrossed them, that scarce any man without their assistance, could attaine a civill office.

I hear you, but I thought that the preachers, much more the Bishops, had so much to do in their own offi­ces, that it well required the whole man, and therefore that they had no time to trouble themselves with states matters. But tell me, (pray) how had the Bishops and [Page 29] Politiks contrived it, to bring all goverment into their hands, to finish their dessigne?

To this purpose they had conceived strange wind­ings, and first they put it in to the kings head, that he ought to be an absolute Soveraigne, not to be under any, according to the example of France, and that they would bring him thereunto, by means of the Ecclesiasti­cal persons, which they had now at hand in all places, and sate in the ear of the people. When they had made the King to relish this to make him confirm all their design, then they made him presently believe that all their do­ing tended thereunto.

Was the King then no absolute King, so that he might do all that he would, not having any man above him?

In no wise; for Kings are limited by laws, so that they can make no new laws, nor lay any impositions on their subjects, nor go to war with any, without the con­sent of the Parliament, els the inhabitants are not bound thereunto; yea they are lyable to punishment, if they pay any impositions or subsidies to the king upon his par­ticuler order, or will; and those that counsil the King therunto, or assist him therin, are guilty of high treason.

What is the Parliament, under which the King stands also?

It is the highest assemblie of the Kingdome, which consisteth of the King, Dukes, Earles, Barrons, Bishops, & the Commons, which is two persons out of every shire, and chief citie, deputed with absolute power, that toge­ther they might redresse the enormities of the kingdom according to the lawes, and to ordeyne new laws and impositions to the advantage of the King or kingdome, without any compulsion of votes; which assembly is ga­thered and dissolved by the King.

That is a stately and powerfull assembly, if they understand themselves, and of great might, to redresse the greatest abuses, and to assist the King with great sums of mony. It were to be wished, that we had sometime also such Parliaments, as in former times the assemblie of the states generall used to be, before that there was a Parliament companie of states generall set up; thereby might great abuses amongst us also be reformed, under which now, 't is to be feared, we shall sinck, But have the great ones liked this Parliament?

That you may easilie imagine, O no; the Arch-Bishop, and all Courtiers, and those that were in favour with the King, have alwayes withstood it, many yeares, delayed it, or when it was assembled, and that it began to touch the soars, and to search out the bad practises of the great ones, then knew they how to order the King, that he from time to time hath caused the Parliament to break up: and now the last time in May 1640. not withstanding that the King and state was in an exceeding great distra­ction, by reason of great stirs, that were in all places of the kingdome.

I hear it well, there is much-adoe in all places; it goes so with us also, that they that know how to make themselves masters in the Provinces, they hinder as much as they can, that the states may not come together, or when they are together, they set one city against the o­ther, casting many things in amongst the members, that so they might not understand one another; and so depart a sunder without effecting any thing, to the highest dis­commodity, burthen, trouble, dishonour, and spoil of the Provinces, and unspeakable disavantage of many that it concerneth, that can procure no expedition from the ta­ble, which in the end (if the members be not wise to un­derstand one an other to use their own freedome, with­out [Page 31] depending upon these or any) will bring all into con­fusion, as you said it was in your three kingdomes. But tel me what were the stirs that were in all places of the king­domes?

Unmeasureable great, and dangerous; for Scot­land was in arms, we had a leager in the field on the fron­tiers of Scotland, the King was set on to fall upon the Scots, and they practised daily to set the two Kingdoms together by the ears.

But tel me (pray) whence proceeded this disunion? for the two Kingdomes have one King, one Religion, and have till this time lived in peace; what hath brought forth this disquiet?

This disunion hath been a long time in breeding by the Bishops and Papists, whose designe was not onely the changing of Religion in England, but also in Scot­land, yea to thrust in all their superstitions into Scotland first, as being the weaker nation, and ftom thence into England; to which end they have (by little and little) thrust in Bishops there against the minde of the King­dome, which they first pretended should but serve to keep good order in the Church, without having such au­thoritie over the church, and Ecclesiasticall persons, as in England; but growing by little and little in authoritie, & power, so 't was, that they indeavoured alwaies to have as great authoritie in Scotland as in England, wherein they were heartened by the Bishop of Canterbury, and (through his advice) by the King also, and in the end set on work to thrust in the Service-book (that is the Li­thurgie) of England into the church of Scotland, aug­mented with many additions, some openly, and some co­vertly opposing the reformed Religion, together with all those former papish Caeremonies that were before in England [Page 32] which first of all began to be set on work when the King was in Scotland to be crowned.

How have the Scots behaved themselves therein? for they have been alwayes famoused for great Prote­stants, and lovers of the puritie of worship, ful of courage to mainteyn rhe liberties of the Kingdome against all opposers.

The Scots so soon as they were aware of these no­velties, and that they were propounded by the king him­self in their Parliament, so to thrust in some beginning thereof into Scotland, then have all the gentrie and bur­gesses cried it down in the presence of the King, and persisted therein, notwithstanding that the King took it very discourteously and manifested the same by his sud­dain discontented departure out of the Kingdome, com­manding his Counsell to thrust in such church orders as he had given them in charge, by authority.

Durst the Kings counsell attempt such a thing, against the minde of the gentrie, and Commons; for they might well fear, that they were lesse able to bring such a thing to passe, and now against the resolution of the Par­liament, which the King himself could not accomplish.

The councill was exceedingly animated by the King, and specially by the Bishops, as well of Scotland as of England, to go forward courageously herein, not to fear; with promise of assistance, and punishment upon all those that should refuse; where upon the Councill with the advise of the Bishops of Scotland, and command of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, did augment the Ser­vice-book of England, and mingled it with a great deal more poison than in England which together with the five ceremonies of England they decreed to thrust into the church by publike Proclamation, declaring those preachers to be fallen from their obedience that should [Page 33] oppose it, and severely to punish all such inhabitants, that would not subject themselves to these institutions.

This was a bould attempt; but what was the issue?

Presently thereupon it came to passe, that a great number of Comitees out of the church and state addres­sed themselves to the high Counsil, and divers times de­sired, that such a resolution might not go forth, but that they would leave the church and church-men to their antient customs, without thrusting in of novelties; other­wayes the whole kingdome was prepared to come into a great uprore, which exceedingly distracted the Counsil; but being set on by the Bishops, they went forward, to the great discontent of the Comittees, and their chiefs; whereupon the gentrie, the particular Magistrates, and the Ecclesiasticks, began to bethink themselves of some means to resist this evill; and to this end resolved to bind themselves by oath to maintein (with their estates and lives) that old Covenant, concerning the maintenance of Religion, forme of doctrine, and goverment, as it hath been alwayes maintained in Scotland. Which Co­venant was confirmed and subscribed by all the inhabi­tants of Scotland, except those that were papists, or held with the Bishops faction.

That was a fast Bond, and exceeding fearfull; for by that means the strength of those that would stand for Religion, against the popish institutions, did presently appear. But what way could the Counsill together with the Bishops take to mainteyn their resolution?

They were exceedingly distracted hereabout; but their fury & zeal to the popish institutions, was so great, that they would hold firmely this point against the whole Kingdome: & to this end they perswaded the King, that his prerogative was ingaged, that he mainteyn his pur­pose, use all his strength therein; yea though he should [Page 34] compell them thereunto by force of arms, advising him to this end to insure all the Castels & forts of Scotland, which was in like manner put in practice; in the mean time they in Scotland went forward to thrust in the Ser­vice-book and the five Caeremonies deposing and pu­nishing many that were against it: so that there fell out great stirs and heavy oppositions, in all places; which by little and little increased more and more, bred great di­strust against the King; and so much the more when it was found, that he caused arms and amunition to be secretly brought into the Castels where he had his governours.

I hear wel; there was a bad fire kindled, which could not so quickly be quenched; but how went it at last? did no man put himself upon the pikes to prevēt this threat­ning evil, to informe the King of the danger he should bring his Kingdomes into, and that for a few papish Cae­remonies?

O yes; divers did seek to diswade the King; but in vain: for either they could have no hearing, or els the [...] shops knew strait so to bewitch the King that he belie­ved no man, but accounted them all for enemies to his prerogative, that counsilled him to the contrary: where­by the common governours of Scotland were necessi­tated, for the mainteynance of their freedomes and de­fence of themselves, to come into arms under Generall Lesly, with such a Generall concourse of all the people, that every one alike willingly offered himself therunto, bo [...]h with his person and also his money, which in great abundance was given, for to pay the souldiers.

How did the King take this? for it seemeth much that a Kingdom should betake themselves to arms, with­out consent of their King.

The King is herby induced, to take up men against the Scots; to beset their havens, to ploclaim their ships [Page 35] prise, and to permit the Duynkerkers to take all such as had no commission from him; so that Scotland was ex­ceedingly distressed, both by Sea, and Land, which made them resolve, to take in certain forts: to free their sea coasts, to bring their leagers to the frontiers of England: and so to begin a formall order of war, not against the King but against his bad Counsillers.

So 't is often seen, that a great fire cometh of small sparks. These were sad beginnings, but how did the king behave himself in these dangers?

The king did also place himself in order of warre through the Counsill of the Bishops, who promised to pay his leager out of the contributions of the Clergie, so that an English leager was pitcht, which together with the king came to the borders of Scotland▪ In the mean time proclaiming the Scots for Rebels, and suppressors of the kings prerogative; so that the two kingdomes stood in direct opposition, the one against the other, yea so farre that the king made the greatest part of the English lea­ger approach upon the Scots, who incompassing the En­glish, took some prisoners and got their ordonance and amunition without blood shed; all which they dischar­ged, and sent to the king, to shew that they intended not the dammage of their brethren the English: whereby the English gentry have gotten better experience of the Scots then others had informed them, in reporting that the Scots began this war to enrich themselves out of the revenues of the English: which then appeared to be con­trary; and was also otherwise conceived by the English.

You report strange things unto me; I never read in any historie, of such civiltie, in those that were toge­ther by the eares, that they should so freelie dismisse one an other; here hence it also appeared that the Scots sought not the blood of their brethren, but their own [Page 36] freedome; which without doubt made the English to entertaine a good conceipt of the Scots.

Wee have all in generall so conceived it, and our gentrie began to perceive that it was but the worke of the Bishops to adorne their chaire; who knew how won­derouslie to lead on the King, to the destruction of both his Kingdoms which hath excited the great ones to ad­vise the king to make an agreement with Scotland, which was also performed upon condition that both the armies should be cashiered the Castels restored into the hands of the king, and Synode and a Parliament assem­bled, absolutly to end all differences; where upon there was great joy, & all the former conditions likewise per­formed on the Scots side, but not in the least on his Ma­jesties behalf.

This was yet a happy issue: but wherin did the king hold his word?

He did exceeding slowly cashiere his souldiers, insured the Castels contrary to agreement, 't is true he consented to the Synode but many waies abridged their freedom by his Committers, which caused great jealou­sies. For although the king hath consented to the de­posing of the Bishops called in his proclamations against the Preachers, and approved their Covenant: yet there was much deceipt under it; for the king did in the mean time strengthen himself against that partie as well with in as without Scotland, shewing all courtisies to the Bishops, privily taking in and fortifying certain holds where at every one began to look about him, to take up arms a new, with a purpose to come into England to the king, by him to be mainteyned in their freedomes, which exceedingly distracted distracted the faction in England, and also the King.

That's easy to imagine, for the King who is the [Page 37] head of the kingdome might easily conclude, that a king­dome divided could not stand; and therefore it must ex­ceedingly prick him at the hart.

I may be the King did well fore see the danger, but he was never himself, but alwayes lead by others: and therefore they made him believe what they would, per­swading him that the Bishops and their adherents alone could maintein him against the Scots, if the King would but let them alone as he hath done, whereupon they held a kind of a bastard ynode, where all the institutions of the Bishops were approved, to contribute out of the means of the Clergie, to the maintainance of the war a­gainst the Scots, which came all toolate. In the mean time the Scots seeing their leagers in the land, their havens blocked up, their trading to fail, & their kingdom in danger of ruine, did resolve to march into England, as also they happily did, and overcame New-Castel, where they fortifyed themselves, yet without blood (excepta little in the conquest) or indammaging any of the inha­bitants of England, to the wonder of the whole English nation.

It is also greatly to be wondred at, that the Scots durst enter upon so populous a kingdome to come so far out of their own country; but it is much more to be won­dered at, that they knew how to keep such a strict order in their leager, that they should do violence to no man, which is almost unheard of, but how could this be clee­red?

Our whole nation is by this coming in of the Scots yet more confirmed that they intended not to spoil England, as the Bishops had accused them, but that they were led by Gods Spirit, and intended nothing but their own freedome, and the freedome of England, and the maintainance of the purity of Religion, whereby the [Page 38] eyes of our nation were also opened to take notice of their oppression under that insupportable yoake of the Bishops.

Were not the English exceeding jealous of this in­vasion, and did they not indeavour by all means to drive the Scots out of the Kingdome?

In no wise; but (on the contrary) all were glad that such a reformed leager was in England, which gave some freedome to many that sate bowing under the burthen, then also a great number of the gentrie went unto the king at York, laying open before him the grievances of the Kingdomes, and also of England, in divers notorious instances, desiring that the Scots and they might have satisfaction, and that to this end a Parliament might be called, which the king also granted, whereupon the Bi­shops presently sent their agents through the whole kingdomes to many hundreds, to procure Burgesses to their own minds, by them to hinder all their former pro­ceedings, and to procure means to fall upon the Scots: which they knew how to effect by the Earle of Straf­ford in Ireland, where the Parliament had granted many men and divers subsidies against the Scots, that so they might to purpose bring under the Scots and the purity of Religion.

You report strange things. The Bishops faction did well perceive that it should now come to the point, and therfore they took such pains to get men after their own mindes in the Parliament, but did they effect it.

In no wise; although they made use of the king himself to desire (in many places) that such & such might be chosen, but the inhabitants would not suffer them­selves to be so over reached; but as the election of Parlia­ment men is in the power of the commons, so have they chosen none, but such as with whom they knew religion [Page 39] and the liberty of the land to be in highest estimation, and went with absolute power as their Deputies, so that the Parliament being independent in her resolutions, and having power out of her own head, to make and alter lawes, to appoint impositions as great and as ma­ny as it will, therefore every good man was carefull to send conscionable and couragious men, that could not easilie be overcome, either by deceipts or promises; but goe resolved, to suffer all thinges rather than to yeeld to any thing that shall be to the least damage of the Inhabitants, as ordinarily divers Parliament men at the dissolving of the Parliament have beene by the King set in the Tower, because they durst with such li­bertie resist him in the Parliament, to the advantage of he inhabitants.

That is a great priviledge of the inhabitants of England, that all free-borne doe chuse and appoint to the highest assemblie, there can be no cup prepared that can corrupt so many thousand men, the commons are ordinarily good, all the corruption is about the head, and the great ones, who to get into places and offices carry themselves a loft, and they are no soo­ner come upon the cusheon, but presently they are Poli­ticks, though they were never so good Patriots before; which we have also had experience of in our popular go­verment; Many so long as they are citizens, are lovers of Religion and Libertie: But so soone as they come into the counsill house, then observe they presently how the winde blowes, and suffer themselves to be misse led by some great ones that beare sway in all assemblies, and begin to be enemies to Religion, and helpe to suppresse the cities and provinces, making one or two masters, who then direct all things in goverment for themselves, [Page 40] and their fat offices: yea it goes so grosse in this point, that 't is to be feared, that the Commons shall one time or other go to pot; oh, that there might be once amongst us also, a general Parliament assembled, for the redresse of that great declining amongst us! and that the gover­nours themselves (though upon their Oath, and for all those advantages which they reape by the goverment) would take care to maintein our dear bought freedome, and watch to the furtherance of the prosperity and wel­fare of their citizens: then should the lords have honour love and all things from their subjects who with great affection are taken up with all those lords which shew themselves good Patriots.

Yea, have you also flatterers amongst you? I thought that all Netherlanders were free born, & that the blood of their forefathers was in their veins, who did not fear the mighty king of Spain, but adventured their lives and estates for their liberty and would not be slaves to these or any. Whom hath any man need to fear amongst you? you have no Soverreign, the cities themselves make the sovereignity amongst you, every Lord amongst you is a member of the assembly, and each can have in himself great attention, and power, if they be but wise enough to imploy it.

You speak with understanding concerning our goverment; and no man needeth to be a slave, if every one were content with his own, and were not too ambi­tious; but there are many who (for an office, or to remain on the Cushion) fear not much to damme their souls, and to ruine their countrie, & to give away all to some great ones, to make the cities Amen-sayers, and the provinces slaves, that by their means they may effect that which the time all too soon (as is to be feared) shal manifest, but we digresse from our purpose, tell me then how had [Page 41] the Parliament its beginning, and how all things went there.

The Parliament by Gods wonderfull direction, a­gainst the wil of all the great ones, are come together, & after that the Scots had shewen the end of their falling into England, that it was not out of any covetous desire either of the goods or bloods of the English nation, but only out of an upright desire and love to their own free­dom, and the freedoms of their loving and affectionate Brethren in the Kingdome of England, then have they presently more exactly understood one an other, and the Parliament began more narrowly to consider the disor­ders of their own state.

So was there then presently concluded a brother hood between the English and the Scots? O wonderfull work of God! that knew how so suddainly to remove that dispersed jealousie; and to use so small a nation; (but full of courage and religion) to open the eyes of the mighty Kingdome of England, to affect their own free­domes. But how did the Parliament then farther pro­ceede?

That would be too much to relate but we will only point at some principall things? They have first inquired what were the inormities of the Kingdom, and who were the causes thereof, and they found such a masse of cor­ruption, that in the whole Kingdom (either in the church or common weal) there was scarce any thing sound, and all occasioned principally by the Bishops, and some Espaniolized English about the king, as it was manifested to the Parliament daily by an overflood of requests, and greevances of the inhabitants, out of all quarters of the Kingdom, with the subscriptions of many thousands of men, exhorting them to remove the evill, and Authors thereof.

We may see that the boil was ripe; for the launce no sooner came neer it, but presently the matter issued out. But what were those matters which they found out?

Concerning the church matters and the exorbi­tances thereof, I have noted them before; there was a generall crye against them, all calling for the deposing of the Bishops, and the rooting out of their Hierarchie: whereupon presently there arose a great adoe, and oppo­sition of the whole Episcopall faction, especially in the Higher-house, where they about fower and twenty or more are members, and also all the Papish lords of the Vpper-house which were also 24. or more, which con­stantly held with the Bishops, whence men may easily judge what correspondence the Bishops have had with the Papists, who ought by the form of their office to have been so far seperated from them, as light and darknesse, Christ and Belial: so that whatsoever was concluded a­gainst them or their popely institutions in the Lower-house, was presently opposed in the Vpper-house; so that there could be no proceeding, till by degrees di­vers matters were discovered, whereby now these Bi­shops are in the Tower, and at last the Arch-Bishop al­so for divers heavy, accusations which the Scots, brought in against him, by whose absence the good Lords of the Parliament procured now one, and then ano [...]her good resolution, to the hinderance of many sorts of newly ap­pointed institutions.

These are great beginnings of Reformation, it is wonder that the Bishops have not (as it began to be thought of them) incited the king (with whom they are at all times conversant) to dissolve the Parliament as other Nimrods have done in the like case.

That was prevented, for the Parliament being de­sired to graunt the King certain subsidies, have graun­ted the same upon this condition, that the King should passe an Act, that he should not dissolve them but by consent of both houses, which he hath subscribed; be­side there were many thousands of apprentices stood up in London to defend the Parliament, desiring that the Arch-Bishop and other bad instruments might be puni­shed, so that the Parliament could not be dissolved, espe­cially seeing the Parliament men had bound themselves to each other by oath, not to depart till all things were redressed.

Therein hath the King yet manifested an inclina­tion to reformation, in that he hath graunted the Parlia­ment such an act.

The King perceived well in what hatred all his ser­vants that were about him were, by reason wherof many through an evill conscience fled to France, or the Ne­therlands, so that the King without the Parliament could not have quieted the people, and therefore he was ne­cessitated to agree to it, hoping (through his authority, & those persons which he had in the houses) to bring all yet to his own minde: but the King was too great a Pa­tron of all the malignants, which he sought to save, that made the members more and more to strengthen them­selves against the King, to resist him therein: whereupon the King put on the foxes skin, dissembling, and abando­ning many persons; yea did passe an Act that the Bishops should sit no more in the Higher house, which gave great content, and had the king left all his bad servanrs, and joyned himself with the Parliament, there had never bin a more mighty king in England then this.

I am also of that opinion, but do we not see or­dinarily, that the servants of Kings and Princes, abuse [Page 44] their masters, with calumnies and lyes against the best to displace them, and then alone to abuse the ear of Princes to their own ends, not careing whither their masters be beloved or hated, if they can but be great with them, and by their power work but their own passions against o­thers. It goeth alwayes so amongst us also, that the ser­vants that are most about our Prince in all places where they have authority, bring in drunkards, and novices: thrusting out the antient, honorable, beloved, grave gen­tlemen, to the great distast, and offence of the Comu­nalty and that by false reports brought to his Highnesse against them, who unwittingly, and without his fault is therby ill thought of in all places, as if he where a patron of such vile persons, which we must notwithstanding judge to be far from his princelike disposition. But tell me, what is there more fallen out in the Parliament?

Continual Requests of the inhabitants, ful of com­plaints against the Kings Courtiers, concerning the great oppression which they have used over the people in Mo­nopolies, and unjust impositions, whereby they have drawn millions from the comunalty, part for the King, but most for themselves, wherof many that sate in the Parliament are found guilty, which were presently put out of their commissions, and places, as well in the Higher as the Lower house; whereby the Parliament was more and more refined; which being disanulled, and declared to be unlawfull to the great content of the common alty, who thereby have gotten more affection to the Parliament, and given them the more incouragement, to proceed in the Reformation: so that they themselves have caused the Earl of Strafford to be apprehended, made his proces, and proved that he had brought the King to many bad enterprises; made him break his covenant with the Scots, tyrannized over the Irish, as was daily confirmed by a [Page 45] thousand abominable instances out of Ireland: held the Dominion for himself, compelled the Parliament of Ire­land, to graunt great summes of money and men to im­ploy against the Scots, and other criminall causes more, for which they have (with an enforced consent from the king who would willingly have saved him) beheaded him, and so made him an example, whereupon yet more that were also guilty are fled.

This was a great resolution of the Parliament, and I wonder exceedingly, how they could bring the King to consent unto that, seeing I have alwaies understood, that he was one of the principallest instruments, by whom the King hath brought out his designes having promised to maintein him.

The King hath done much for him, taking all his guiltinesses upon himself, & by practises hath sought to get him, out of the Tower: but the stream was too great against him, as wel of the Parliamēt who manifested un­to the King by many learned lawyers, that he was worthy of death, as also of the people that by force would have him out of the way: so that the King must (although ex­ceedingly constrained) consent thereunto; but he did not subscribe the sentence himself, but caused it to be done by others.

There cometh to my minde the Marriage of the young Prince, tel me once, how it went about that, for he was in England, when the Deputy of Ireland was execu­ted: I think I have heard some say, that it was thought, that the young Prince would have made intercession for him to the Parliament; but I understood that he did it not, least he should thereby gain the hatred of the peo­ple, which should be discommodious for him.

Concerning the Marriage of your Prince, it was first set on foot by the Queen Mary, being in the Hague, [Page 46] to make her acceptable: but many judged that she meant it not: for being in England it was opposed by her fa­ction, as also by the Bishops, and most of the Courtiers and great ones which are yet by the King: but the Parlia­ment did exceedingly presse it forward to hinder, her, that she should not go to Spain, from whence she was so­licited by many Ambassadours, one after an other; but to marry with a Reformed Lord, who presently coming into England, was gracious and welcome to the inhabi­tants, so that in the end that Marriage was solemnised, & made sure, to the great content of the good inhabitants in England, who have judged that it would be a faster bond, to maintain rhe true Religion, resist the Popish faction, and binde the king faster to the Parliament: but I hear that many amongst you have bin much troubled about that Match.

I know nothing of that; all, have accounted it also a good Marriage for our state, thereby to make yet a nee­rer friendship with England which is of one faith with us. Onely some are troubled least by this Marriage, all the corruption pride, vanity, and ungodlinesse of the Eng­lish Court coming over with her should break in up­on us, seeing that our nation at this time is exceedingly inclined to pompe and novelties, to the ruine of many.

No that is not it which I have heard: but I have understood that some were jealous of this great Marri­age, because they thought it might be an alurement to the young Prince to affect the Sovereignty of the Pro­vinces, whereunto his Father in law, and his Uncle the King of France, should help him.

Those are but evill aspersions, like those wherwith Prince Maurice was accused by the Arminians▪ for there­with our Prince should win nothing, but loose much: for he hath now more to say than any Duke of Gelderland, [Page 47] or Earle of Holland, or Zeeland ever had: disposing of all places and offices in the state and Camp, by which meanes every one reverenceth him, and seeketh to doe him all manner of service; without having any burthen of warr to beare, or to have his head troubled from whence the money should come, to manteyne the warr, he lets the States take care for that: so that it is not to be thought, that there is one hair on the Princes head, that thinks therupon; Besides his Prince like Excellency hath been brought up in this land, and knoweth the nature of our Netherlanders, who should not be brought under any Soveraigne, every one would rather adventure his life and goods, as they have done now these sixty or se­venty years, than that they should let go their liberty, or stand under the absolute goverment of one Sove­reigne: Should that be ever attempted, it would prove the ruine of the land, therefore it is not to be thought, that the King of France, or England, would lend any as­sistance thereunto although the Prince should desire it. How dangerous it is to entertain Soveraingty hath bin well to be seen in the King of Bohemia; the English na­tion hath yet too great a feeling thereof, than that they should attempt the like again in any of theirs, and there­fore entertein not such callumnies, let us leave this, and return again to the English affaires. What more hath since that passed there?

After that both the English, and Scots leager, was cashiered, the King went into Scotland, where he dis­burthened the Scots, and pronounced them free from rebellion, confirmed all the Acts of the Parliament, and the resolution of the Synod, and declared that they were falsly accused by him whereupon there was made a new covenant betwixt the King and them, as also with Eng­land, to the great joy of both the Nations, who therupon [Page 50] have performed solemne thanksgiving in both the Ki [...]g­doms, that GOD the LORD hath brought to shame the evill counsillers about the King, who alwayes incensed him, thereby to cause war between the two Kingdomes, that so by the help of the papists, and the force without (as they perswaded themselves) they might be master of the King and the two Kingdomes, to root out the true Religion, and bring in popery; but GOD be thanked, that hath made the King to see, how shamefully they have possessed him against Scotland, that he himself before the whold world must callin, and nullifie all his pocla­mations against the Scots, as having unjustly proceeded against them.

So knoweth GOD how to bring the Counsils of the wicked to shame. GOD preserve the King that he may no more hearken to those bad instruments, that he come into no greater danger, which I exceedingly fear, for I have heard that most of his bad Counsillers are yet with him, & those that are fled for their misdeeds, do yet hold correspondence with the King, and especially with the Queen, who is a papist, and hath many Jesuits about her, who together will never rest, but alwayes stir to bring in the popish Religion, and to incense the King thereunto who is kind and hearkeneth much to the Queen; what think you thereof?

This troubleth many amongst us also exceedingly, so much the more, because it hath appeared to the Par­liament, that the Queen by an Act in her name, subscri­bed by the Secretary which is fled to France, hath or­dained a fasting-day amongst the Papists, to pray to the Saints, that the great designe, which was in hand, for the favour of the Catholikes, might prosper; from whence may be easily gathered, that she hath knowledge of all those bad designes.

Yea, is it so? Then shall you quickly see, though (so long as the king is among the Scots, who open his eyes) it now goeth well with him, that he shall be soon otherwise led, when he shall return into England to the Queen and his bad counsellers; for if they knew how to make the king unfaithful, and to break his kingly word, in that first agreement made between him & the Scots wherupon the Scots layed down their Arms, and surren­dered the Castels and Forts in Scotland to the king; they wil know how to do it yet once more (as is to be feared.) But tell me, have I not heard, that there are now and then many treasons discovered?

You must not have so bad a conceipt of our king: but that there are divers treasons discovered, is true, both before the kings goeing into Scotland, in the time of his being there, and also since his return thence unto London, and especially there is discovered (by some in­tercepted letters written out of Scotland to London) a treason against the principallest Lords of Scotland, by some great ones in Scotland; as also against the eminent­est gentlemen of the English Parliament, whereupon the papists in all quarters should instantly have stood up, mastered the Tower of London, and in all parts over run the strong holds, and then have massacred those of the Religion, according to the example of the murther in Parice.

O horrible designe, if it were so! but were these not counterfeit letters, by that means to make the com­munalty more inraged, and to stick closer to the Parlia­ment?

Oh, that it had been so, that they were but sha­dows, & flourishes! yet many things that followed ther­upon do demonstrate that it was but all too surely inten­ded, for there are many great ones before this appre­hended [Page 50] in Scotland, which had intended to have massa­chred some of the greatest, as was discovered by some, who themselves should have had a hand in it, for whom the King did intercede before his departure out of the Scots Parliament, which did also pardon them, where of they shall in time feele the smart. In England a french Cooke hath confessed, that he had undertaken to poy­son all the meate at a certaine feast, where all the prin­cipallest gentlemen of the English Parliament should have been, by that meanes to have murdered them.

O wonder full worke of God, that discovereth such hellish designes! these come no other wise than out of the bosomes of the Iesuits, who after the example of their father the devill, are murderers of men; Trulie out of these instances, it sufficiently appeareth, that the trai­tors were in the knot, but should there be any thing of that, that the papists (if this murder had succeeded) should have betaken themselves to Armes?

There is nothing more sure; for so soone as the treason in Scotland was discovered, then did the Papists of Scotland stir up the English, to proceede nevertheles with the designe, as also the Ireish did revolt at the same time; who (as is probable) had no certaine intelligence of the ill successe, which the designe in England and Scotland had; and therfore went they forward with the concluded work, as also certain of the chief in this rebel­lion being taken prisoners have confessed, that there was intelligence concerning this point, between the papists in Ireland, England, and Scotlaed, & that with the know­ledge of the Queen, whose leager they have openly pro­fessed themselves to be; so that the effects have shewed, that while the King was busie in England and Scotland, with deep protestations, declarations, and remonstran­ces, to manifest his zeal, for the reformed Religion a­gainst [Page 51] the Papists whom he hath caused to depart from his court, and from about London, with giving out sharp Proclamations against them, to make all the world be­lieve, that he meant it; In the mean time, not withstand­ing that, the Queen and the Minions, and counsillers of the king, were busie, to raise up, strengthen, and arm the papists against the Religion, Parliament, and good inha­bitants of England, which made many to fear, that such a thing is not come to passe, without the kings know­ledge, though it be not to be believed, that a king should play so with his fidelity, certainly God would not suffer such things unpunished.

A crafty country clown would judge, if that the king had no hand therin, he would not retein such servāts by him, as were found guilty of such mischiefs, but punish them as traytors, to justifie himself: but is there nothing come to pass, whence we may wel perceive, that the king is no longer in the Scottish aire, but hath forgotten all his fair conclusion in Scotland?

There are (sure enough,) heavy things come to pass, wherinto the king hath suffered himself to be led, which give great suspition, that the king is yet ruled by the malignants, for the king hath suffered himself to be so far carried away by his bad counsill, that he went with armed men to the Parliament, and that as his servants themselves have confessed to fall upon the Parliament Lords, whereby the king did put himself in the greatest danger, to cause a common massachre, had not GOD himself wonderfully prevented it; for which the king hath yet thanked GOD afterward: for through but one unadvised word from the King, those blood­hounds should have fallen on, as they alreadie began to justle, and strike some gentlemen, coming to the Parliament.

This must have exceedingly distracted the Par­liament Lords, and made great alteration amongst the people, for had that come to passe, the whole Kingdome should have been in an uproar. We may well see, that these counsillers care not, though they bring the King in great danger of his life, and spoil his Kingdome, so they may but effect their designe. But what was the issue therof?

Some of the counsillers to this work, are fled: the people began to fall upon the souldiers, the Parliament ensured themselves with a guard, and begun to perceive that is was coyned for them, which made the members of both houses unite themselves, with the more courage to take in hand the reformation. The malignants have so much the more incensed the King against the Parlia­ment and his people, making him believe that he was not safe within London, whereby they induced him to leave London, and go into the country with his Son, that by his absence from the Parliament, all resolutions might be the easier hindered, & to make farther distrusts between him and the Parliament, of which also we dayly perceive the effect, for notwithstanding that the Parliament have bin very instant, to get his Majesty again to London by them, and to remain by the affairs of the Kingdome, yet all was in vain. How great security they have also promi­sed the King? But he is yet departed farther and farther, to the wonderful hinderance of all the affairs of the king­dome.

These were all bad signes of farther mischief, for if the malignants be so powerful with the King, that they can make him to forsake his great counsill, (who in all her actions hitherto hath manifested nothing els but to be Advocates for the Religion, prerogative of the King, & Defenders of the priviledges of the inhabitants) to be [Page 55] take himself wholy to their counsil, so shal they in the end draw him wholy from his Parliament, and bring him into a civill war But how goeth it in the mean time with the Irish rebellion?

It goeth there very pittifully the rebels are ex­ceeding strong, almost master of all, and deal more bar­barously with the reformed, than the Spaniards have done with the Indians, as appeareth by many printed papers, which maketh mens hearts to melt with grief, when they do but hear of their Tyranny, so that those of the Religion be in the extreamest distresse, & relief cometh but slowly to them, so that we may fear that the rebels will go away with that Kingdome, which God preserve.

What is the reason that it is not speedily handled to send succour that way, for the King is well inclined to the furtherance of that work, as is not to be believed, but that he hath compassion on the poor people of the Reli­gion, who every moment are in fear of death?

What shall I say? Oh that it were so, that we had no reason to believe it; the Irish brag that they are the kings leager, and have no other intention, but to maintein him against the Parliamēt, for whatsoever ordinance the Par­liament passeth for the hindering of the rebellion in Ire­land, the king refuseth to subscribe, or delayeth it so long till the occasion to send succour is by past, without ta­king this work to heart, or incouraging the inhabitants thereunto; yea the King sheweth that he is quite other­wise conceited against them, than he was against the Scots, these he proclaimed presently rebels, beset their havens, gave their ships to the prey, when he would not but by great adoe suffer the Irish to be declared rebels by publication, whereof he would have but forty copies printed, that this proclamation of the Kings should be the lesse known, when he hath declared the Scots re­bels [Page 54] by a thousand Proclamations, yea he hath caused th [...]s to be read in every pulpit, and so manifested more affection, or mildenesse, to the papisticall Irish; than to the reformed Scots. Every one may from hence judge, where the King, or his counsill is lodged.

I begin wholy to believe, that the Queen hath made the King sure to the papish faction: and though he be now faire of the Religion, and meaneth not to root it out, they should yet bring him thereunto; to the destru­ction of himself, and his Kingdome. GOD open the eyes of the King, to take notice of those Achitiphels, & sons of Belial which are about him, & to be ware of them; O unhappy Kings that meet with papish Wives, who thrust forward their husbands (unawares) till they be drowned in tumults! Oh that this bad instrument were seperated from the King!

There is great likely hood thereof, for the Queen hath made it known to the Parliament, that she with her daughter would come hither, to the Hague, by the young Prince, her son, which the Parliament hath assented to; and she is come already, fetcht in by your Prince, and welcomed in the Brill, & therupon come with the young Prince to the Hague, where shew was some daies entertein­ed in the lands behalf, and welcomed by all the counsils.

You tel me now some news; which doth not please me very well, this must have a bad foundation, that a Queen should so come out of her Country, while her husband with his inhabitants are in such distraction, and that shee her self so inconsideratly and unexpectedly should bring over the young Princesse, before the ap­pointed time, GOD graunt that she bring not the two di­visions of England, into our Land, or ingage our Prince, or State, for the King, against the Parliament, which should cause great stirres here in our Land.

This was also feared in England, that she should use all means to get in this State, against the Parliament, for the King, whereby great disadvantages should hap­pen both to the good partie, as also to Netherland it self: yet it is hoped, that the Prince of Orange, and the States of the Land should keep themselves out of this, and not meddle in this matter, but hold themselves neutrals, see­ing they know well, that the Parliament seeketh but to maintain the Religion, & their Priviledges; on the con­trary the Kings counsill intendeth nothing, but further­ance of the popish Religion, and oppression of the inha­bitants as hath been before plentifully declared.

It is a needlesse fear, our State shall in nothing resist the Parliament, els we should condemne our own war, their cause is just as ours was in the beginning, when the States of the Land mainteined the Religion, & free­dom against the King of Spain, wherein the English Na­tion did help us: far be it then, from any true hearted Netherlanders, that they should resist the Parliament ei­ther in counsill or action, yea if it should come so far, all should rather help the Parliament, than the King. If the King get the upper-hand, the papish Religion shall be exalted, yea the King himself, and all welwillers should be ruinated: if the Parliament prevail, so shal the King be yet well preserved, and honest men shall dwell in rest.

Our fear is not without reason, for now of late soul­diers and officers which are, and remain in the service of the Land, and hold their gages here, with much ammu­nition out of the Magazines of the land, have bin sent to the King, at the request of the Queen, & with knowledge of those, from where the man is now lost: What is this els, but to give the knife to cut our own throats & yours? for which we have cause to protest before God, and the world, and call for vengeance thereupon; This exceed­ingly [Page 56] distracted our Nation, that they have not so much favour shewed them, as the Scots, with whom they have not so handled.

If it be so, you have reason to be distracted, we have also as great cause: for in so doing we disfurnish our selves of amunition and men, that we might be the more easily fallen upon. To do so, is the head, and if the commons should know it, it would not go wel with them. I cannot receave it that the governours would trouble themselves herewith, for though there were many slaves among the Lords, yet there be many good cities, that would take it upon them.

You judge well, for they of Holland take it ex­ceedingly on them, have well received the messengers of the Parliament, at their intreaty have arrested divers ships with amunition, that would go to the King, notwithstanding the deep protestations of the Queen against it: they also will that those shall be sought for, that have sent away the former amunition without their knowledge, yea they presse this point so far, that they have sent a message to them of Zealand, to be one with them in this point, and other points tending to the main­tainance of the freedom of the Land, which is there also exceedingly wel taken up, and concluded to the conten [...] ­ment of those of Holland, although it were there stoutly strugled against: God graunt that the Provinces may understand it so likewise.

Sir, whence heard you all this; you must have list­ned with a curious ear; you tell me here choice tydings, God must be praised for the zeal of the honorable States of Holland, this is a token that there must be yet many good Lords there, God make their nomber tenfold more and so incourage them, that neither by promises, nor de­ceipts, they may be won to desist from this good begun [Page] work; their reward shall be with God, and all good inha­bitants shal carry them upon their hands, and with them, adventure all for the freedom.

We doubt not of the affection of the Commons: but they know not many times, that their safety dependeth upon ours, and that this doing is not for us alone, but for them also: But the Governours see this well, and there­fore we hope that they shall be for us, as for themselves, as it is also very needfull; for the Queen doth not cease to be on his Highnes ear, to ingage himself, and assist her with men, and mony, for the Marriage sake; yea she re­gardeth not to write to the King, that the Prince hath afforded her all help in this thing already, which must be receaved with discretion, for she can write that, to ani­mate the King, although there be nothing of it, such pra­ctises go through the world; she pawneth still daily the Iewels of the Kingdom, knoweth how to send officers privately, with amunition to the King, which by little and little through the wonderfull providence of GOD falleth into the Parliaments hand, by which all her desig­nes are discovered, like as GOD from time to time hath brought to light all enterprises against the Parliament. GOD graunt it may be alwayes so.

All good men are with his Highnes exceedingly perplexed, who by this Marriage, is in a great streyt, on the one side he would willingly give content to the Queen and the King, being so neer bound unto them by aliance, in regard of his son; on the other side, the best governours, and body of the inhabitants incline to the Parliament, whose good wil doth most concern his High­nes, for therwith he must keep house, God give his High­nes wisdom, that he sail not against the stream to ingage himself farther with them that no farther diseases or un­quietnes come upon us and England. But tell me how it goeth forward with the Kings matters.

I have gotten even now, a Letter from England, that the Earle of Essex with the Leager is marched to­wards the King, first to desire his Majesty by request to be pleased to joyn himself to his Parliament, and in case of refusall to see if he can free his Majesty from his bad counsillers, with so little blood shed as he can.

But I hear that the King hath also a mighty leager, & besides that, he gets the Papists dayly to his assistance, yea, that he himself hath called them to aide him. Tell me once what there is, concerning that, for that should manifestly oppugne all his former deep protestations, wherein he hath many times cal'd God to witnesse, and thereby should before GOD and the whole world, make himself a perjured person, justifie the Parliament in their proceedings, and let every one see, that they intend nothing but the suppression of the freedoms of the king­dom, and the Religion.

That is certain, that the papists who were disarmed by order from the Parliament, have at their request re­ceived expresse order from his Majesty, to arme them­selves, for his, and their own defence.

But we wonder, that the Parliament hath so long delayed: they might long before this time, have more easily beset the King, when he had but 2. or 300. men with him, now it will cost much blood, & spoil England.

The Parliament have taken the mildest way, and alwayes hoped by humble messages, supplications, and high presentations to the King, to mollifie him, open his eies, and bring him again unto them: Now they can ma­nifest to all the common people, and before the whole World, that they are brought, by the greatest necessity, to the last remedy of open war against their King, and are free from all the innocent blood.

The Parliament sheweth themselves to be right [Page 59] fathers of their country, that seek to content their inha­bitants so much as they can. GOD give them wisdom, and courage, to do all things according to justice, and right, in sincerity before GOD, for his holy truth, to the rooting out of papacy, and then they need not fear, but GOD will further his own cause.

This the Parliament Lords of both Houses, have professed with high and deep oaths, and all their actions also manifest the same. But they about the King shew, that they have sworn the destruction of the whole King­dome, for they do nothing but pilledge and steal, and especially from the best inhabitants, and such as are known and commended for their godlinesse, whom they have upon a roll, not to passe by their houses, before that (like a company of ungodly persons) they have turned all things upside down, and like barbarous men, have hand­led the men, and women, and children. So that 't is to be feared, if these blood thirsty persons should once get the upper hand, and effect their designe, there would fol­low as bloody dayes, as in the time of Mary.

In truth, the estate of your kingdome and church is exceeding pittifull, it is wholy a popish work, the LORD go forth with the Parliaments Leager, & bring to shame such blood thirsty men; have you not heard, whither any thing hath passed between the two Leaguers?

I got even now writings, that the 2 Leaguers are on each other, that there hath bin a fierce battail, yea, with great advantage for the King, seing that 2. Regiments of the Parliament presently took flight; but the Earle of Essex, with some other assistance, fell on with new cou­rage, and have after a bloody fight, put the kings folk to a retreat, and with honor and advantage kept the field, so that on the kings side well 3000. and amongst them [Page 60] many great ones, were slaine, and on the Parliaments side but about, 400. God the Lord fought for them.

This was a bloody beginning, God stay this fury, heale the wound, appease the quarrels, and change the, wa [...]r into peace.

There is little signe of it, for the King seemeth rather to be a king of a pillaged people, & wasted coun­try, than that he should study to agree with the Parlia­ment; to the reforming of the Kingdome, yea since this battail, his folke, and especially Prince Robert, have to the great distast of the English who have bin so tender hearted of their troubles more, and more inraged, plun­dered Banbury, and some other places, and used the people most shamefully, and so they approached close towards the city of London, with their leaguer, there to share the best boote, if they could but get it.

There must then needs have been great feare in London.

You may wel thinke that, but there was good order held in all places within and without the Citie, watch set at all passages, and ordnance planted, besides this the Earle of Warwicke is on foot with a new leager, to joyne with the Earle, of Essex and then apparantly to fall againe upon the kings leaguer. God, graunt that we may heare good newes, I must goe about my businesse, we must breake off, till a better oppertunitie.

One word more, is there no more hope af an ac­commodation?

Those that now speake of an agreement in the Parliament are fearfull hearted men, and it may be also many of them not true hearted enough, the busines is goen too farr; not with standing seing many have good hope to bring the king to a good agreemēt, therfore the good members of both houses, to give unto his Majestie [Page 61] full measure, have againe nominated certaine persons to deliver a request to his Majestie, tending to peace and agreement, and ther upon some intercessons begun, but they in the meane time fell upon the Parliaments troopes, and occasioned new blood shed, contrary to all protestations, and so all proved fruitelesse, and now all things are made ready in London, to adventure the utmost for the religion, and libertie. The people are full of courage, alla like willing to pawne their lives upon it, and a new bloudy battaile is spoken of: the Lord fight for his.

Well is the cause so exceeding pittifull? how shall we answere it before God, that we take no more com­passion upon you? God shall see and search it, that we are now so carelesse, knowing nothing but of divellish masking ungodly and wanton ballades, and daunces, superfluous meals, wherwith we dayly pamper our selvs as on afeast day; and the queene of England with our greatones cā make themselves merry with these, in this time of sorrow, as if this misery concerned thē not, how can it goe well with them and us? is it now your turne, it can quickly be ours, my heart is so overwhelmed with sorrow, that I can scarce speake any more. I thanke you for your friendly communication, I shal pray to God for England, that he will spare that glorious Kingdome, discover the malignants, open the eyes of the King, and also of all our states men, that we may either remaine neutrall, or chuse the right partie. Fare well my good friend, If you heare any more newes, I pray make me partaker thereof.