Mercurius rusticus, or, A countrey messenger informing divers things worthy to be taken notice of, for the furtherance of those proceedings which concerne the publique peace and safety.
         Wither, George, 1588-1667.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A66761 of text R19091 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing W3171). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         ESTC R19091
         12114336
         ocm 12114336
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             Mercurius rusticus, or, A countrey messenger informing divers things worthy to be taken notice of, for the furtherance of those proceedings which concerne the publique peace and safety.
             Wither, George, 1588-1667.
          
           16 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London :
             1643]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Date of publication from Thomason Coll.
             Attributed to George Wither. cf. Thomason Coll.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Royalists -- England -- History -- 17th century.
           Great Britain -- History -- Civil War, 1642-1649.
        
      
    
       A66761  R19091  (Wing W3171).  civilwar no Mercurius rusticus: or, A countrey messenger. Informing divers things worthy to be taken notice of, for the furtherance of those proceedings Wither, George 1643    7662 11 0 0 0 0 0 14 C  The  rate of 14 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           Mercurius
           Rusticus
           :
           OR
           ,
           A
           Countrey
           Messenger
           .
           Informing
           divers
           things
           worthy
           to
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           ,
           for
           the
           furtherance
           of
           those
           proceedings
           which
           concerne
           the
           Publique
           Peace
           and
           Safety
           .
        
         
           BY
           your
           leave
           Gentlemen
           .
           When
           Seriousnesse
           takes
           not
           effect
           ,
           perhaps
           Trifling
           may
           .
           Every
           man
           hath
           some
           toyes
           in
           his
           head
           ,
           and
           I
           (
           God
           help
           me
           )
           a
           great
           many
           ;
           One
           wil
           now
           discover
           it self
           ,
           which
           hath
           itched
           in
           it
           ever
           since
           last
           night
           .
           
             Mars
          
           had
           lately
           tyred
           me
           with
           long
           Marches
           and
           Skirmishes
           ;
           
             Iupiter
          
           cast
           so
           ill
           aspects
           on
           me
           ,
           that
           I
           could
           not
           be
           joviall
           ;
           The
           
             Moone
          
           was
           in
           the
           Waine
           ;
           
             Venus
          
           retrogade
           ;
           and
           because
           
             Apollo
          
           would
           not
           lend
           me
           his
           Fiddle
           ,
           that
           the
           Influences
           of
           
             Saturne
          
           might
           not
           oppresse
           me
           with
           Melancholie
           ,
           I
           complide
           with
           
             Mercurie
             ;
          
           with
           whom
           having
           made
           a
           Rustick
           Progresse
           ,
           and
           understanding
           that
           you
           love
           variety
           of
           Newes
           ,
           I
           am
           bold
           to
           present
           you
           with
           such
           Gleanings
           as
           I
           have
           gathered
           in
           the
           Countrey
           .
        
         
           And
           though
           I
           am
           not
           so
           wittie
           as
           my
           friend
           
             Britannicus
             ,
          
           nor
           bring
           Relations
           so
           worthy
           the
           Whetstone
           as
           Monsieur
           
             Aulicus
             ,
          
           nor
           come
           so
           furnished
           as
           Master
           
             Civicus
             ,
          
           nor
           so
           supplide
           with
           Passages
           as
           the
           
             Weekly
             Intelligencer
             ,
          
           nor
           so
           at
           leisure
           to
           summe
           up
           all
           Occurrences
           as
           the
           
             Accomptant
             ,
          
           nor
           so
           large
           in
           promises
           as
           the
           
             Scout
             ,
          
           the
           
             Informer
             ,
          
           and
           therest
           of
           your
           diligent
           Mercuries
           ,
           nor
           so
           impudent
           as
           to
           aver
           that
           I
           present
           you
           with
           nothing
           but
           truth
           ;
           yet
           I
           have
           brought
           that
           which
           perhaps
           you
           may
           be
           ,
           for
           once
           ,
           as
           well
           contented
           to
           heare
           ,
           though
           they
           be
           but
           such
           gatherings
           as
           I
           had
           from
           the
           Mill
           ,
           the
           Ale-house
           ,
           the
           Smiths-shop
           ,
           or
           the
           Barbers
           :
           for
           ,
           these
           are
           our
           Countrey-Exchanges
           ,
           wherein
           we
           talk
           of
           as
           many
           things
           with
           little
           good
           successe
           as
           they
           doe
           at
           
             Westminster
             ;
          
           and
           other-while
           also
           ,
           to
           as
           ill
           ,
           and
           to
           as
           good-purposes
           .
        
         
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           not
           be
           so
           severe
           to
           expect
           Truth
           in
           every
           circumstance
           ;
           for
           all
           Mercuries
           having
           the
           Planet
           
             Mercurie
          
           predominant
           
           at
           their
           Nativities
           ,
           cannot
           but
           retaine
           a
           twang
           of
           Lying
           ;
           Yet
           this
           I
           will
           assure
           you
           ,
           that
           (
           though
           it
           be
           not
           all
           exact
           literall
           truth
           which
           I
           present
           )
           here
           are
           no
           such
           down-right
           Lies
           as
           my
           other
           
             Cousin-Mercuries
          
           make
           no
           bones
           of
           ;
           but
           onely
           Rhetoricall
           ,
           Metaphoricall
           ,
           Parabolicall
           ,
           or
           Poeticall
           Lies
           ,
           insinuating
           that
           which
           may
           prevent
           deceit
           ,
           without
           purpose
           of
           deceiving
           any
           to
           their
           dammage
           :
        
         
           
             
               And
               these
               (
               if
               well
               consider'd
               )
               are
               no
            
             Lies
             ,
          
           
             
               But
            
             Truths-essential
             
               cloth'd
               in
               some
               disguize
               .
            
          
        
         
           Out
           upon
           't
           ,
           that
           Rime
           slipt
           from
           me
           before
           I
           was
           aware
           ,
           and
           may
           discredit
           all
           my
           Relations
           to
           some
           Readers
           ,
           who
           know
           not
           ,
           that
           Rime
           ,
           Reason
           ,
           and
           Truth
           too
           are
           sometimes
           found
           together
           :
           But
           ,
           lest
           like
           one
           or
           two
           of
           the
           fore-mentioned
           
             News-mongers
          
           I
           tire
           you
           with
           Prefaces
           and
           Preambles
           ,
           trifling
           out
           more
           time
           then
           my
           Intelligence
           will
           be
           worth
           ,
           I
           proceed
           to
           the
           matter
           .
        
         
           As
           I
           was
           setting
           pen
           to
           paper
           to
           prosecute
           my
           purpose
           ,
           〈◊〉
           was
           cast
           into
           me
           ,
           giving
           me
           very
           good
           assurance
           that
           the
           
             〈◊〉
             ,
             Informations
          
           and
           
             Relations
          
           which
           come
           weekly
           and
           daily
           abroad
           (
           except
           some
           few
           published
           by
           Authority
           )
           are
           for
           the
           most
           part
           either
           Lies
           ,
           Mistakes
           ,
           Vanities
           ,
           or
           Impertinencies
           multiplyed
           &
           patcht
           up
           out
           of
           each
           other
           ,
           but
           to
           employ
           the
           Printer
           lest
           he
           should
           else
           forget
           his
           Trade
           in
           this
           long
           Vacation
           from
           selling
           serious
           books
           .
           And
           thereupon
           it
           hath
           been
           (
           or
           may
           be
           )
           voted
           that
           they
           mis-lead
           more
           then
           they
           rightly
           informe
           ;
           And
           permission
           is
           ,
           for
           that
           cause
           ,
           granted
           to
           every
           Reader
           
             (
             Ex
             officio
             )
          
           strictly
           to
           examine
           them
           that
           they
           may
           be
           censured
           as
           they
           deserve
           ;
           and
           even
           this
           
             Mercurie
          
           is
           by
           the
           same
           Vote
           left
           liable
           to
           the
           like
           examination
           .
        
         
           My
           first
           Intelligence
           shall
           be
           of
           that
           which
           hath
           most
           need
           to
           be
           taken
           into
           present
           consideration
           .
           It
           is
           assured
           me
           that
           seeing
           the
           
             Cavees
          
           (
           which
           is
           the
           
             Gloucester
          
           title
           for
           
             Cavalleers
             )
          
           are
           newly
           fluttering
           into
           
             Bedforeshire
          
           and
           toward
           
             Cambridge
             ,
          
           that
           they
           may
           divert
           the
           Parliament
           Forces
           from
           pursuing
           their
           late
           Victories
           at
           
             Hull
          
           and
           
             Horne-Castle
             ;
          
           It
           will
           be
           good
           discretion
           for
           them
           both
           to
           prevent
           that
           diversion
           ,
           and
           the
           mischiefes
           which
           those
           Locusts
           and
           Caterpillers
           may
           doe
           in
           the
           Associated
           Counties
           (
           if
           they
           should
           commence
           in
           that
           Universitie
           as
           they
           have
           done
           in
           the
           other
           )
           by
           sending
           speedily
           a
           strong
           partie
           thither
           ,
           and
           withall
           to
           have
           an
           eye
           to
           the
           securing
           of
           the
           back-way
           to
           
             London
             ,
          
           lest
           while
           they
           have
           drawn
           us
           to
           look
           Northward
           ,
           they
           wheel
           about
           Southward
           ,
           to
           attempt
           the
           obstruction
           of
           the
           Easterne-water-passage
           to
           this
           Citie
           ;
           which
           if
           my
           
             Mercurie
          
           
           deceive
           me
           not
           ,
           is
           the
           maine
           designe
           of
           our
           Adversaries
           ,
           what
           way
           soever
           they
           seeme
           to
           take
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           reported
           out
           of
           Hamp-shire
           (
           and
           it
           may
           be
           beleeved
           )
           that
           
             Basing-house
          
           hath
           been
           so
           long
           permitted
           to
           be
           a
           receptacle
           for
           the
           Malignants
           of
           
             Kent
             ,
             Surrey
             ,
          
           and
           
             Sussex
             ,
          
           and
           a
           means
           for
           their
           secure
           passage
           to
           and
           from
           
             Abingdon
             ,
             Wallingford
             ,
          
           and
           
             Oxford
             ,
          
           that
           it
           is
           now
           become
           a
           Garrison
           of
           Papisticall
           Cavees
           daily
           strengthned
           more
           and
           more
           with
           Ammunition
           ,
           men
           and
           victuals
           .
           Thence
           we
           heare
           likewise
           that
           
             Denington
          
           Castle
           neere
           
             Newburie
             ,
          
           and
           not
           far
           from
           
             Basing
             ,
          
           is
           now
           fortifying
           to
           be
           a
           strengthning
           thereunto
           ;
           That
           
             Andover
          
           is
           possessed
           by
           the
           Kings
           Forces
           to
           inlarge
           their
           Contributions
           ;
           That
           a
           Taxe
           of
           ninescore
           pounds
           the
           week
           is
           imposed
           upon
           every
           Hundred
           neere
           those
           places
           ,
           to
           the
           inriching
           of
           the
           Parliament
           Adversaries
           ,
           to
           the
           disadvantage
           of
           our
           chiefe
           City
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           impoverishing
           of
           those
           parts
           of
           
             Hamp-shire
             ,
             Bark-shire
             ,
          
           and
           
             Wilt-shire
             ,
          
           who
           now
           begin
           to
           cry
           out
           by
           reason
           of
           their
           oppressions
           ,
           and
           to
           curse
           the
           Malignancie
           and
           Neutrality
           of
           those
           who
           allured
           them
           to
           take
           such
           serpents
           into
           their
           bosomes
           :
           yea
           some
           among
           them
           protest
           with
           teares
           (
           where
           they
           dare
           complaine
           )
           that
           if
           now
           the
           Parliament
           would
           send
           to
           deliver
           them
           ,
           they
           should
           find
           many
           hands
           to
           help
           forward
           the
           work
           ;
           which
           their
           neighbours
           also
           would
           be
           glad
           to
           further
           before
           they
           come
           under
           the
           same
           lash
           :
           and
           it
           is
           much
           wondred
           that
           a
           place
           so
           neere
           
             London
          
           upon
           a
           passage
           thither
           so
           convenient
           ,
           and
           so
           easie
           to
           have
           been
           cleered
           ,
           should
           have
           been
           left
           so
           long
           obstructed
           to
           the
           Parliaments
           great
           disadvantage
           ,
           unlesse
           it
           had
           been
           unheeded
           and
           neglected
           for
           the
           nonce
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           heard
           from
           his
           own
           servants
           that
           the
           Marquesse
           of
           
             Winchester
             ,
          
           a
           very
           dangerous
           Papist
           ,
           (
           because
           once
           a
           Protestant
           ,
           and
           perverted
           by
           a
           woman
           )
           and
           who
           is
           owner
           of
           
             Basing-house
             ,
          
           and
           now
           resident
           therein
           ;
           hath
           a
           Commission
           to
           be
           General
           of
           the
           Forces
           raised
           and
           to
           be
           raised
           in
           those
           South-parts
           ;
           and
           when
           his
           Ladies
           Fathers
           Country
           men
           are
           come
           thither
           from
           
             Bristol
          
           and
           
             Westchester
          
           to
           assist
           him
           ,
           you
           shall
           see
           how
           needfull
           it
           would
           have
           been
           to
           have
           setled
           ere
           this
           time
           the
           Association
           of
           
             Kent
             ,
             Surrey
             ,
             Sussex
             ,
          
           and
           
             Hampshire
             ,
          
           which
           I
           heare
           say
           is
           now
           againe
           revived
           ,
           and
           as
           my
           Mercurie
           perswades
           me
           may
           yet
           be
           undertaken
           with
           good
           successe
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           prevention
           of
           the
           mischiefe
           design'd
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           proceeded
           in
           with
           speed
           and
           courage
           ,
           and
           be
           not
           by
           them
           made
           fruitlesse
           ,
           who
           were
           no
           good
           friends
           to
           it
           heretofore
           .
           But
           it
           is
           probably
           suspected
           that
           some
           will
           directly
           
           hinder
           it
           if
           they
           can
           ;
           or
           ,
           by
           pretending
           the
           promotion
           of
           it
           take
           occasion
           to
           diminish
           our
           strength
           some
           other
           way
           ,
           under
           colour
           of
           saving
           charges
           ,
           which
           (
           considering
           the
           chances
           of
           War
           are
           uncertain
           )
           may
           so
           fall
           out
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           the
           breaking
           of
           the
           Associated
           Forces
           ,
           the
           losse
           of
           some
           part
           of
           the
           Countrey
           for
           the
           time
           ,
           or
           the
           indangering
           of
           all
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           desired
           by
           the
           well-affected
           in
           those
           Counties
           ;
           that
           deluding
           Propositions
           tending
           to
           such
           purposes
           may
           be
           well
           observed
           by
           the
           Associaters
           in
           their
           meetings
           and
           discreetly
           prevented
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           I
           think
           on
           it
           ,
           the
           mention
           of
           this
           Association
           brings
           to
           mind
           somewhat
           which
           a
           souldier
           in
           one
           of
           those
           Counties
           made
           me
           acquainted
           withall
           of
           his
           opinion
           touching
           the
           same
           ,
           which
           I
           will
           here
           insert
           ,
           because
           perchance
           some
           may
           advise
           worse
           .
           If
           it
           be
           not
           worth
           heeding
           ,
           it
           shall
           cost
           but
           the
           reading
           ;
           If
           it
           be
           considerable
           ,
           the
           benefit
           of
           it
           may
           by
           this
           meanes
           be
           taken
           ,
           though
           he
           should
           not
           be
           called
           to
           counsell
           in
           that
           Association
           ,
           His
           opinion
           was
           briefly
           thus
           ,
           and
           these
           are
           his
           own
           words
           .
        
         
           
             First
             ,
             that
             considering
             the
             present
             necessity
             ,
             there
             should
             be
             no
             delay
             in
             establishing
             that
             Association
             ,
             lest
             they
             who
             diligently
             meet
             ,
             and
             talk
             much
             that
             nothing
             may
             be
             concluded
             ,
             lose
             that
             opportunity
             which
             is
             yet
             remaining
             ,
             and
             must
             be
             suddenly
             caught
             .
             Secondly
             ,
             before
             the
             main
             work
             shall
             be
             compleatly
             resolved
             on
             ,
             (
             which
             will
             require
             more
             time
             )
             he
             would
             that
             those
             Forces
             which
             are
             in
             readinesse
             in
             those
             foure
             Counties
             (
             reserving
             a
             small
             power
             to
             watch
             over
             the
             Malignants
             in
          
           Kent
           
             and
          
           Suffex
           )
           
             should
             immediately
             march
             to
          
           Farnham
           Castle
           ,
           
             making
             that
             their
             Rendevouz
             and
             place
             of
             refuge
             to
             retreat
             unto
             when
             any
             unequall
             power
             should
             march
             against
             them
             ,
             as
             also
             to
             be
             a
             refreshing
             place
             for
             the
             weak
             and
             tired
             ,
             and
             a
             Nurserie
             out
             of
             which
             the
             Association
             should
             be
             still
             supplyed
             with
             disciplin'd
             men
             .
          
        
         
           At
           
             Farnham
          
           he
           would
           not
           have
           them
           stay
           longer
           then
           for
           a
           dayes
           rest
           ,
           or
           so
           long
           as
           the
           ordering
           of
           other
           pertinent
           affaires
           might
           require
           and
           that
           then
           they
           should
           remove
           to
           
             Odiham
          
           or
           
             Alton
          
           in
           
             Hamsheire
          
           (
           the
           furthest
           not
           being
           much
           above
           two
           houres
           march
           )
           there
           to
           setle
           or
           move
           up
           and
           down
           to
           live
           upon
           those
           that
           must
           maintaine
           the
           enemies
           garison
           at
           
             Basing
             ;
          
           and
           to
           gather
           from
           them
           their
           impositions
           so
           far
           into
           the
           country
           as
           they
           may
           adventure
           till
           the
           assotiated
           body
           is
           compleated
           ,
           that
           (
           as
           usually
           we
           have
           done
           )
           we
           put
           not
           the
           State
           to
           as
           much
           charge
           during
           the
           time
           of
           preparations
           ,
           as
           would
           with
           good
           husbandry
           beare
           the
           expences
           of
           the
           whole
           expedition
           .
           As
           they
           grew
           stronger
           he
           would
           have
           them
           dayly
           march
           farther
           even
           to
           the
           
           walls
           of
           the
           adversaries
           garrisons
           ,
           labouring
           continually
           by
           their
           scouts
           ,
           or
           by
           hiring
           the
           country
           people
           ,
           or
           insinuating
           with
           them
           ,
           to
           gaine
           intelligence
           of
           such
           things
           as
           might
           conduce
           to
           their
           own
           security
           and
           the
           disadvantage
           of
           the
           foe
           ,
           every
           day
           so
           visiting
           some
           or
           other
           of
           the
           neighbouring
           villages
           that
           their
           adversaries
           might
           be
           furnished
           with
           no
           considerable
           aids
           or
           supplies
           .
           By
           which
           means
           ,
           &
           by
           that
           time
           the
           body
           of
           the
           assotiated
           forces
           were
           compleated
           ,
           the
           foxes
           of
           those
           burroughes
           would
           be
           much
           streightned
           ,
           and
           the
           southerne
           parts
           of
           
             Hamshire
          
           (
           seeing
           their
           inmates
           awed
           shall
           be
           won
           by
           fear
           or
           love
           to
           hasten
           their
           assent
           and
           contributions
           to
           the
           said
           assotiation
           :
           &
           perhaps
           before
           the
           said
           assotiation
           is
           fully
           setled
           (
           &
           during
           which
           interim
           many
           disadvantages
           may
           else
           befall
           us
           )
           the
           enemies
           quarters
           being
           some
           and
           some
           gained
           ,
           their
           garrison
           may
           be
           taken
           ,
           or
           well
           prepared
           for
           taking
           without
           a
           winter
           seige
           ,
           which
           may
           else
           lose
           us
           more
           men
           ,
           money
           and
           time
           then
           we
           would
           willingly
           spare
           .
        
         
           When
           the
           associated
           brigade
           is
           made
           up
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           have
           it
           (
           as
           some
           have
           proiected
           )
           kept
           in
           one
           or
           in
           several
           bodies
           in
           the
           several
           associated
           counties
           ;
           for
           that
           (
           as
           experience
           hath
           taught
           us
           )
           would
           prove
           rather
           an
           oppression
           then
           a
           defence
           unto
           them
           .
           But
           he
           rather
           adviseth
           that
           they
           should
           march
           into
           those
           parts
           of
           
             Hamshire
          
           which
           either
           will
           not
           or
           dare
           not
           associate
           ,
           leaving
           behinde
           them
           
             Kont
             ,
             Surry
             ,
          
           and
           
             Sussex
          
           as
           secured
           sufficiently
           by
           
             Farnham
             :
          
           garison
           ,
           by
           the
           watch
           afore
           mentioned
           to
           be
           set
           over
           them
           ,
           and
           by
           that
           readines
           which
           the
           associated
           counties
           will
           be
           alwayes
           in
           ,
           to
           returne
           upon
           any
           emergent
           occasion
           .
        
         
           By
           this
           course
           they
           shall
           not
           grieve
           or
           burthen
           their
           friends
           by
           being
           continually
           billeted
           upon
           them
           ,
           nor
           discourage
           or
           disable
           them
           in
           contributing
           to
           their
           pay
           .
           Besides
           ,
           they
           shall
           by
           makeing
           the
           seat
           of
           war
           without
           the
           association
           ,
           give
           the
           plough
           peaceable
           passage
           at
           home
           ,
           disturbe
           their
           adversaries
           reicevers
           and
           confederates
           abrode
           ,
           and
           dayly
           inlarge
           their
           own
           quarters
           .
           Yea
           by
           thus
           proceeding
           ,
           the
           associators
           shall
           have
           means
           to
           augment
           their
           forces
           (
           if
           there
           be
           cause
           )
           with
           lesse
           charge
           :
           for
           God
           assisting
           these
           endeavours
           ,
           the
           next
           bordering
           sheire
           wil
           shortly
           petition
           to
           unite
           it selfe
           to
           them
           to
           prevent
           being
           the
           seat
           of
           war
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           next
           ,
           and
           the
           next
           ,
           till
           all
           come
           in
           .
        
         
           For
           that
           expedition
           he
           would
           have
           scouts
           ,
           intelligencers
           ,
           and
           spies
           chosen
           out
           by
           good
           advise
           from
           among
           the
           stoutest
           and
           most
           witty
           of
           the
           well-affected
           ,
           who
           are
           of
           quality
           for
           such
           an
           employment
           ,
           and
           would
           have
           them
           punished
           and
           disgraced
           for
           their
           falshood
           ,
           and
           rewarded
           
           for
           dilligence
           ,
           and
           considerable
           services
           according
           to
           their
           merrits
           ,
           that
           incouragements
           from
           others
           as
           well
           as
           their
           own
           consciences
           and
           interests
           might
           make
           them
           indeavour
           the
           more
           .
           For
           these
           are
           the
           nimble
           and
           sure
           hinges
           upon
           which
           their
           forces
           must
           move
           forward
           and
           backward
           ,
           shut
           and
           open
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           cause
           :
           And
           it
           is
           through
           want
           of
           these
           that
           we
           have
           been
           so
           lame
           in
           our
           late
           executions
           .
           None
           of
           these
           should
           be
           a
           common
           Trooper
           or
           Dragoneer
           ,
           but
           men
           set
           apart
           meerly
           for
           that
           service
           ,
           because
           we
           can
           neither
           confidently
           rely
           on
           men
           casually
           set
           forth
           ;
           neither
           can
           they
           or
           their
           horses
           performe
           such
           services
           as
           they
           ought
           to
           do
           ,
           who
           are
           tired
           with
           other
           duties
           ,
           and
           brought
           off
           and
           on
           ,
           at
           adventure
           upon
           a
           suddaine
           .
        
         
           And
           were
           he
           to
           select
           a
           Brigade
           of
           such
           a
           number
           as
           the
           associators
           have
           resolved
           on
           ,
           which
           (
           as
           he
           hears
           )
           shall
           be
           1200
           horse
           ,
           and
           800
           dragoneers
           ,
           he
           should
           chuse
           rather
           800
           horse
           ,
           and
           1200
           dragoners
           ,
           for
           that
           service
           ,
           because
           horse
           are
           not
           onely
           a
           greater
           charge
           and
           more
           hardly
           raised
           but
           lesse
           serviceable
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           places
           and
           cases
           not
           serviceable
           at
           all
           ,
           yea
           perhaps
           800
           horse
           ,
           800
           dragoneers
           ,
           and
           400
           musketiers
           may
           do
           better
           service
           then
           they
           ,
           if
           in
           lieu
           of
           charge
           saved
           by
           that
           change
           ,
           so
           much
           might
           be
           added
           in
           engines
           to
           secure
           a
           passage
           in
           galtrapes
           ,
           swedes
           feathers
           ,
           shovels
           ,
           spades
           and
           pilteaxes
           ,
           which
           three
           last
           mentioned
           (
           though
           now
           slighted
           )
           are
           the
           security
           of
           Armies
           and
           such
           as
           the
           most
           famous
           .
           Souldiers
           of
           the
           world
           made
           great
           use
           of
           .
        
         
           He
           mentioned
           somewhat
           also
           of
           having
           a
           certaine
           number
           of
           fire
           locks
           in
           steed
           of
           muskets
           for
           night
           services
           ,
           Ambuscadoes
           and
           other
           such
           like
           occasions
           pertinent
           to
           the
           same
           designe
           ,
           and
           of
           many
           other
           things
           ,
           of
           which
           some
           are
           not
           to
           be
           revealed
           untill
           there
           be
           opportunity
           to
           put
           them
           in
           execution
           ,
           and
           the
           rest
           are
           over-many
           to
           be
           recited
           here
           .
           Of
           this
           or
           of
           some
           other
           good
           course
           to
           be
           seriously
           prosecuted
           for
           the
           strengthning
           of
           our
           hands
           the
           Country
           people
           desire
           to
           heare
           ,
           for
           though
           an
           evil
           spirit
           hath
           long
           deluded
           them
           ,
           now
           their
           eyes
           begin
           to
           be
           opened
           ,
           and
           they
           do
           see
           that
           the
           King
           ,
           by
           the
           contribution
           and
           personall
           ayde
           of
           Papists
           from
           abroade
           ,
           by
           arming
           Papists
           ,
           Delinquents
           ,
           oppressors
           of
           the
           people
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           vitious
           of
           his
           Subjects
           at
           home
           (
           and
           by
           calling
           hither
           the
           barbarous
           Irish
           Bapists
           after
           their
           murthering
           of
           nigh
           an
           hundred
           and
           fifty
           thousand
           of
           his
           loyall
           Protestant
           Subjects
           in
           
             Ireland
             )
          
           and
           by
           some
           other
           such
           proceedings
           )
           will
           be
           both
           his
           own
           destruction
           and
           theirs
           if
           they
           come
           not
           in
           speedily
           to
           help
           the
           Lord
           against
           the
           mighty
           oppositions
           and
           machinations
           of
           those
           instruments
           of
           Antichrist
           .
        
         
         
           We
           have
           had
           lately
           complaineings
           almost
           out
           of
           every
           County
           ,
           that
           the
           greatest
           enemies
           and
           hinderers
           of
           setling
           the
           Militia
           in
           a
           fit
           posture
           for
           the
           publike
           safety
           ,
           were
           and
           are
           some
           Deputy
           Lieutenants
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           are
           authorized
           to
           order
           the
           same
           ;
           and
           that
           none
           meet
           more
           frequently
           nor
           seeme
           to
           employ
           themselves
           more
           zealously
           in
           that
           businesse
           then
           some
           of
           them
           that
           are
           most
           mischievous
           thereunto
           yet
           ,
           this
           is
           no
           disparagement
           to
           those
           who
           are
           sincerely
           active
           therein
           ,
           because
           there
           is
           not
           one
           of
           these
           hypocrites
           in
           any
           county
           but
           he
           is
           discovered
           ,
           and
           by
           some
           passage
           or
           other
           observed
           to
           be
           what
           he
           is
           ,
           though
           to
           the
           generall
           damage
           he
           still
           〈◊〉
           〈◊〉
           questioned
           ,
           questioned
           ,
           and
           continues
           i●
           imployments
           enabling
           him
           to
           do
           new
           mischieves
           every
           day
           for
           the
           punishment
           of
           our
           sins
           :
           and
           if
           any
           of
           them
           be
           now
           in
           presence
           while
           this
           is
           reading
           he
           may
           be
           soone
           discouered
           if
           you
           will
           but
           observe
           his
           lookes
           and
           words
           ;
           for
           they
           will
           evidently
           show
           that
           his
           worships
           coppihold
           (
           as
           we
           say
           in
           the
           Country
           )
           is
           touched
           by
           this
           relation
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           received
           the
           like
           rurall
           complaints
           against
           some
           Officers
           Committees
           for
           the
           sequestrations
           and
           the
           twentieth
           part
           ,
           &c.
           and
           many
           of
           them
           are
           true
           in
           my
           own
           knowledge
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           that
           some
           of
           them
           countenance
           the
           malignants
           against
           the
           best
           affected
           ,
           and
           most
           befriend
           the
           Parliament
           enemies
           in
           all
           hearings
           ,
           assessments
           ,
           services
           ,
           &
           contributions
           ;
           That
           no
           men
           are
           more
           gratious
           with
           them
           ,
           then
           such
           as
           have
           most
           slighted
           and
           vilified
           the
           Parliament
           ;
           That
           some
           of
           them
           are
           frequent
           and
           familiar
           visitants
           of
           those
           prisoners
           which
           were
           committed
           for
           taking
           armes
           against
           the
           State
           :
           That
           they
           have
           counselled
           ,
           abetted
           ,
           and
           assisted
           them
           (
           to
           the
           abuse
           of
           the
           Parliament
           Ordinances
           and
           Orders
           )
           even
           against
           those
           faithfull
           servants
           to
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           whose
           houses
           they
           unmercifully
           plundred
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           probably
           conjectured
           that
           many
           of
           them
           who
           have
           broken
           prison
           were
           by
           some
           of
           these
           Committees
           or
           their
           instruments
           assisted
           in
           ▪
           or
           toward
           their
           escapes
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           certified
           also
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           more
           zealous
           of
           their
           own
           interests
           ,
           and
           pleasing
           their
           friends
           and
           acquaintance
           ,
           then
           of
           the
           publike
           honour
           ,
           profit
           ,
           or
           safety
           ;
           That
           some
           of
           them
           make
           use
           of
           those
           employments
           to
           satisfie
           their
           avarice
           some
           their
           ambition
           ,
           some
           their
           pride
           ,
           some
           their
           lust
           ,
           some
           their
           revenge
           ;
           and
           that
           it
           some
           other
           there
           is
           neither
           pitty
           ,
           justice
           or
           conscience
           it
           is
           therefore
           verily
           beleeved
           in
           the
           Country
           that
           for
           our
           sinnes
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           sinnes
           of
           th●se
           our
           miseries
           are
           prolonged
           ,
           and
           that
           if
           these
           had
           been
           delig●●●
           and
           faithfull
           in
           the
           execution
           of
           their
           trust
           ,
           mony
           had
           come
           better
           in
           and
           the
           Souldiers
           pay
           
           had
           not
           been
           so
           long
           deferred
           to
           the
           hazzard
           of
           the
           kingdomes
           safety
           ▪
           yea
           so
           many
           good
           designs
           had
           not
           miscarried
           or
           been
           so
           slowly
           proceeded
           in
           ,
           to
           the
           dishonour
           of
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           the
           discouragement
           of
           her
           supporters
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           strengthning
           of
           the
           enemies
           thereof
           .
           There
           is
           a
           petition
           exhibited
           some-where
           ,
           by
           many
           Free-holders
           to
           desire
           both
           houses
           seriously
           to
           confider
           the
           dangerousnes
           of
           such
           men
           and
           their
           practises
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           order
           concerning
           them
           ;
           or
           if
           they
           cannot
           ,
           sire
           that
           God
           would
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           heard
           lately
           from
           every
           part
           of
           the
           kingdome
           a
           generall
           applause
           of
           his
           Excellence
           the
           Earle
           of
           
             Essex
             ,
          
           as
           well
           for
           many
           other
           virtues
           ,
           as
           for
           his
           valiant
           and
           discreet
           managing
           of
           the
           late
           expedition
           to
           
             Gloucester
             ,
          
           and
           the
           battails
           at
           
             Alborne
          
           and
           neere
           
             Newberie
             ,
          
           and
           am
           apt
           to
           beleeve
           the
           truth
           of
           it
           ,
           in
           regard
           I
           have
           been
           an
           eye-witnesse
           &
           an
           observer
           of
           his
           worth
           in
           those
           and
           many
           other
           evidences
           of
           the
           same
           ,
           yet
           I
           have
           no
           assurance
           either
           from
           Citie
           ,
           Court
           ,
           or
           )
           Countrey
           ,
           that
           an
           honourable
           opinion
           shall
           be
           long
           continued
           of
           his
           or
           any
           other
           mans
           Heroick
           Virtues
           among
           the
           Vulgar
           ,
           for
           they
           will
           be
           ready
           to
           sacrifice
           him
           to
           morrow
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           sacrificed
           yesterday
           ;
           and
           be
           ready
           to
           vilifie
           him
           upon
           one
           improbable
           suspition
           ;
           of
           whose
           worthinesse
           they
           have
           had
           a
           thousand
           undenyable
           proofes
           .
        
         
           We
           heare
           from
           every
           quarter
           of
           the
           Countrey
           that
           the
           Kingdome
           is
           crucified
           between
           the
           two
           Armies
           ,
           like
           Christ
           between
           two
           theeves
           ;
           for
           though
           one
           of
           them
           be
           good
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           other
           ,
           yet
           sure
           I
           am
           they
           are
           both
           theeves
           .
           Some
           are
           discontented
           that
           the
           Armie
           is
           quartered
           so
           neere
           to
           the
           City
           ,
           and
           feare
           they
           will
           be
           more
           weakned
           by
           idlenesse
           ,
           then
           they
           were
           by
           action
           ;
           and
           verily
           beleeve
           that
           it
           would
           be
           more
           both
           for
           their
           health
           and
           Accommodation
           ,
           if
           they
           were
           farther
           off
           ,
           and
           where
           they
           might
           more
           straiten
           the
           enemies
           quarters
           ,
           and
           inlarge
           the
           limits
           of
           Contribution
           to
           their
           own
           maintenance
           ,
           which
           (
           no
           doubt
           )
           our
           prudent
           Generall
           will
           take
           care
           of
           when
           oportunity
           serves
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           certified
           from
           
             Reading
          
           that
           it
           is
           re-possest
           by
           the
           Cavees
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           make
           haste
           to
           fortifie
           the
           same
           ,
           whereupon
           the
           opinion
           of
           the
           Countrey
           is
           this
           ,
           that
           when
           places
           of
           such
           consequence
           are
           gotten
           with
           much
           expence
           of
           mony
           and
           blood
           ,
           it
           were
           good
           discretion
           for
           preventing
           further
           losse
           and
           charge
           to
           secure
           them
           better
           when
           we
           have
           them
           ;
           and
           it
           is
           thought
           that
           many
           citizens
           and
           others
           will
           be
           shortly
           of
           the
           same
           opinion
           ;
           yet
           
             Mercurie
          
           holds
           it
           a
           point
           of
           good
           discretion
           also
           not
           to
           censure
           harshly
           of
           what
           was
           left
           undone
           ,
           or
           
           might
           have
           been
           better
           ordered
           in
           their
           judgements
           ;
           for
           they
           that
           are
           Actors
           find
           more
           difficulties
           then
           the
           lookers
           on
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           for
           our
           sins
           ,
           the
           Divine
           Providence
           doth
           permit
           (
           to
           humble
           us
           )
           many
           failings
           and
           oversights
           in
           our
           actions
           ,
           which
           else
           our
           understanding
           might
           have
           fore-seen
           and
           prevented
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           voiced
           from
           the
           North
           ,
           that
           the
           Scots
           have
           entred
           
             Northumberland
          
           with
           a
           very
           great
           Armie
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Cavees
           doubting
           their
           ability
           to
           resist
           ,
           have
           projected
           by
           slanderous
           detractions
           ,
           and
           by
           seeking
           to
           raise
           jelousies
           ,
           and
           beget
           divisions
           between
           the
           Nations
           ,
           to
           weaken
           their
           hands
           ,
           and
           make
           void
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           ,
           the
           intended
           effect
           of
           their
           Expedition
           :
           And
           therefore
           it
           was
           advised
           by
           a
           plain
           Country-fellow
           ,
           that
           to
           make
           such
           malicious
           plots
           and
           indeavours
           unsuccessefull
           ,
           we
           should
           beleeve
           of
           them
           as
           we
           find
           ,
           and
           hope
           of
           their
           sincere
           dealing
           with
           us
           according
           to
           their
           Christian
           profession
           ,
           and
           their
           noble
           and
           honest
           demeanour
           in
           their
           last
           Expedition
           ,
           at
           which
           time
           their
           Armie
           was
           an
           Exemplarie
           Patterne
           both
           to
           us
           and
           other
           Nations
           of
           that
           Civility
           and
           Justice
           which
           ought
           to
           be
           in
           Soldiers
           and
           Commanders
           professing
           Christ
           .
           He
           is
           liable
           to
           a
           severe
           judgement
           that
           mis-judgeth
           his
           brother
           ;
           but
           doubtlesse
           he
           exposeth
           himselfe
           to
           a
           greater
           condemnation
           that
           judgeth
           scandalously
           of
           a
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           and
           the
           honesty
           and
           faithfulnesse
           of
           such
           a
           one
           is
           justly
           to
           be
           suspected
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           prevent
           the
           murmurings
           of
           those
           seeming
           to
           be
           on
           the
           Parliament
           side
           ,
           who
           grumble
           at
           the
           mony
           which
           they
           are
           to
           receive
           from
           us
           towards
           their
           Expedition
           to
           
             New-eastle
             ,
          
           the
           honest
           countrey
           people
           hold
           it
           good
           counsel
           to
           put
           these
           murmurers
           in
           mind
           ,
           First
           ,
           how
           cold
           this
           winter
           may
           prove
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           the
           next
           also
           ,
           if
           the
           Collieries
           there
           be
           not
           set
           open
           to
           us
           ,
           before
           a
           passage
           be
           made
           thither
           by
           Forces
           from
           this
           place
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           how
           much
           it
           concerns
           us
           to
           have
           the
           Scots
           ingaged
           with
           us
           in
           our
           Cause
           ,
           as
           now
           they
           are
           :
           And
           lastly
           ,
           that
           the
           money
           wherewith
           by
           Gods
           help
           they
           may
           finish
           that
           work
           is
           not
           probably
           so
           much
           as
           would
           be
           required
           to
           raise
           ,
           carry
           thither
           ,
           &
           bring
           back
           an
           Armie
           sent
           from
           us
           to
           that
           purpose
           ,
           though
           it
           should
           cost
           nothing
           during
           their
           abode
           there
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           cause
           of
           hope
           that
           by
           means
           of
           the
           New-great-soale
           which
           is
           now
           comming
           forth
           ,
           Justice
           will
           have
           her
           course
           more
           freely
           then
           of
           late
           ,
           and
           many
           mischievous
           designs
           of
           the
           Kings
           ill
           Counsellors
           wil
           be
           prevented
           .
           If
           it
           had
           power
           also
           to
           conjure
           down
           the
           spirit
           of
           Malignancie
           which
           is
           raised
           in
           these
           I
           lands
           ,
           and
           take
           away
           Faction
           ,
           hypocrisie
           ,
           self-love
           ,
           and
           discord
           from
           among
           us
           ,
           it
           were
           a
           qualification
           
           which
           I
           feare
           it
           hath
           not
           ;
           yet
           perhaps
           it
           may
           be
           a
           means
           to
           further
           those
           proceedings
           which
           will
           much
           hinder
           their
           evill
           effects
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           and
           abate
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           the
           predominancie
           of
           those
           vices
           ere
           long
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           incredibly
           informed
           from
           
             Oxford
             ,
          
           that
           the
           King
           had
           no
           considerable
           losle
           at
           the
           skirmish
           by
           
             Alborne
             ,
          
           or
           at
           the
           battell
           neere
           
             Newberie
             ,
          
           as
           we
           have
           been
           made
           beleeve
           .
           It
           is
           true
           indeed
           ,
           that
           he
           lost
           many
           
             Men
          
           and
           
             Subjects
             ;
          
           but
           they
           are
           but
           trifles
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           almost
           generally
           supposed
           (
           though
           hoped
           otherwise
           by
           me
           )
           things
           which
           he
           regards
           not
           .
           He
           lost
           also
           many
           good
           horses
           ,
           as
           his
           own
           partie
           doth
           confesse
           ;
           but
           he
           had
           them
           onely
           for
           taking
           up
           ,
           and
           hath
           takers
           enough
           to
           recrute
           them
           :
           He
           lost
           Lords
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           Officer
           ,
           &c.
           but
           that
           is
           a
           losse
           the
           least
           worth
           notice
           of
           all
           the
           rest
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           toyes
           ,
           which
           if
           he
           please
           he
           can
           make
           of
           the
           veryest
           rascals
           in
           his
           Army
           ;
           they
           did
           wel
           therefore
           to
           give
           God
           thanks
           that
           their
           losses
           were
           no
           greater
           :
           But
           had
           they
           been
           so
           great
           on
           our
           side
           ,
           we
           should
           rather
           have
           addressed
           our selves
           unto
           him
           by
           way
           of
           humiliation
           ,
           then
           have
           mocked
           him
           with
           a
           counterfet
           Thanksgiving
           ,
           as
           they
           have
           often
           done
           ,
           and
           may
           now
           doe
           againe
           for
           their
           late
           overthrows
           in
           
             Lincoln-shire
          
           and
           at
           
             Hull
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           further
           certified
           from
           
             Oxford
             ,
          
           or
           else
           
             Mercurie
          
           deviz'd
           it
           ,
           (
           which
           is
           very
           probable
           )
           that
           the
           Arch-bishop
           of
           
             Canterburie
          
           (
           hohourable
           in
           nothing
           but
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           he
           will
           be
           the
           occasion
           of
           rooting
           out
           the
           Prelacie
           from
           this
           Kingdom
           )
           hath
           made
           a
           motion
           that
           Prince
           
             Rupert
          
           (
           who
           was
           there
           Incorporated
           and
           made
           Master
           of
           Arts
           ,
           when
           that
           little
           good
           Bishop
           (
           then
           dreaming
           not
           of
           such
           a
           change
           )
           entertained
           him
           and
           His
           Majestie
           )
           might
           proceed
           Doctor
           ,
           to
           make
           him
           the
           more
           capable
           of
           a
           Bishoprick
           ,
           which
           it
           is
           presumed
           the
           Papists
           will
           procure
           the
           Popes
           Holinesse
           to
           confer
           upon
           him
           for
           his
           good
           services
           in
           their
           Cause
           at
           his
           return
           ,
           I
           know
           not-whither
           ;
           for
           habitation
           he
           hath
           none
           ,
           and
           that
           makes
           him
           so
           mischievous
           to
           those
           that
           have
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           ,
           there
           ,
           thought
           also
           by
           some
           of
           His
           Majesties
           servants
           (
           as
           our
           
             Mercurie
          
           verily
           beleeveth
           )
           that
           the
           Queen
           will
           not
           have
           so
           many
           Masks
           at
           Christmas
           and
           Shrovetide
           this
           yeare
           as
           she
           was
           wont
           to
           have
           other
           yeeres
           heretofore
           ;
           because
           
             Inigo
             Iones
          
           cannot
           conveniently
           make
           such-Heavens
           and
           Paradises
           at
           
             Oxford
          
           as
           he
           did
           at
           
             White-hall
             ;
          
           &
           because
           the
           Poets
           are
           dead
           ,
           beggered
           ,
           or
           run
           away
           ,
           who
           were
           wont
           in
           their
           Masks
           to
           make
           Gods
           and
           Goddesses
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           shamefully
           to
           flatter
           them
           with
           Attributes
           neither
           fitting
           to
           be
           ascribed
           or
           accepted
           of
           ;
           and
           some
           are
           of
           opinion
           ,
           that
           this
           is
           one
           of
           the
           innumerable
           vanities
           which
           hath
           made
           them
           and
           us
           become
           so
           miserable
           at
           this
           day
           .
           
           We
           heare
           not
           yet
           any
           particulars
           of
           the
           late
           Ambassadours
           entertainment
           at
           
             Oxford
             ,
          
           but
           wagers
           may
           be
           laid
           that
           he
           shall
           heare
           there
           many
           lying
           vaunts
           of
           their
           valorous
           atchievements
           ,
           and
           untrue
           allegations
           against
           the
           Parl.
           for
           what
           will
           not
           they
           aver
           in
           private
           discourses
           ,
           who
           are
           not
           ashamed
           to
           belie
           them
           in
           publique
           ,
           and
           to
           their
           face
           ?
        
         
           We
           are
           informed
           of
           many
           strange
           Sermons
           preached
           every
           Lords
           day
           at
           Court
           ,
           some
           tending
           to
           P●perie
           ,
           some
           to
           Tyrannie
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           encouragement
           of
           their
           Auditors
           to
           a
           furious
           prosecution
           of
           this
           unnaturall
           War
           .
           And
           we
           hear
           of
           as
           many
           preached
           in
           other
           places
           to
           as
           ill
           purposes
           another
           way
           :
           Insomuch
           that
           the
           well-affected
           Countrey
           people
           are
           perswaded
           ,
           that
           if
           God
           had
           not
           by
           the
           Parliaments
           wisdom
           and
           their
           exemplarie
           loyaltie
           caused
           those
           false
           Prophets
           to
           dissemble
           their
           secret
           desires
           ,
           many
           of
           them
           (
           if
           they
           have
           not
           done
           it
           already
           )
           would
           have
           preached
           Treason
           ,
           and
           animated
           to
           that
           Rebellion
           wherof
           we
           are
           falsly
           accused
           ,
           by
           the
           promoters
           of
           Tyrannie
           ,
           because
           we
           wil
           not
           desert
           the
           reality
           of
           Allegeance
           to
           professe
           and
           practice
           the
           bare
           complements
           thereof
           to
           the
           destruction
           both
           of
           our
           Liege
           Lord
           ,
           His
           Kingdoms
           ,
           and
           our selves
           .
           Other
           Doctrines
           are
           also
           vented
           among
           us
           by
           some
           pretending
           to
           Reformation
           ,
           which
           all
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           would
           be
           loth
           to
           owne
           ;
           and
           which
           will
           prolong
           our
           miseries
           ,
           if
           the
           Parliament
           and
           Synode
           (
           with
           whom
           they
           in
           some
           things
           comply
           for
           their
           present
           security
           )
           do
           not
           (
           as
           we
           hope
           they
           wil
           )
           timely
           discover
           and
           prevent
           their
           increasing
           Heresies
           and
           false
           Maximes
           .
        
         
           There
           was
           lately
           a
           meeting
           at
           one
           of
           our
           Countrey
           Exchanges
           ,
           where
           
             Mercurie
          
           being
           in
           the
           Chaire
           ,
           many
           particulars
           pertinent
           to
           the
           present
           affaires
           of
           the
           time
           were
           put
           to
           the
           Question
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           fit
           to
           be
           resolved
           or
           voted
           thereupon
           ,
           it
           is
           referred
           to
           your
           conscience
           who
           now
           shall
           read
           them
           .
           The
           Questions
           put
           are
           these
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             Whether
             the
             King
             being
             yet
             constant
             in
             the
             Protestant
             Religion
             ,
             and
             reall
             according
             to
             all
             his
             Protestations
             made
             before
             God
             and
             Man
             touching
             this
             Church
             and
             State
             ,
             the
             prevalencie
             of
             his
             Queen
             may
             not
             make
             him
             (
             contrarie
             to
             his
             present
             purpose
             )
             doe
             for
             a
             womans
             sake
             as
             much
             as
          
           Solomon
           ;
           
             and
             the
             flatteries
             and
             importunies
             of
             his
             young
             and
             evill
             counsellors
             bring
             him
             to
             as
             great
             a
             losse
             as
          
           Rhehoboams
           :
           
             whether
             also
             he
             may
             not
             be
             permitted
             to
             slip
             into
             some
             failings
             for
             our
             sins
             (
             which
             drew
             down
             these
             judgements
             for
             our
             chastisement
             )
             as
             it
             befell
             the
             Israelites
             for
          
           Davids
           
             sin
             :
             And
             whether
             he
             may
             not
             repent
             also
             as
             well
             as
          
           David
           ,
           
             and
             be
             at
             last
             reconciled
             to
             God
             and
             us
             ,
             to
             the
             publique
             advantage
             ,
          
           
           
             and
             his
             encrease
             of
             honour
             ,
             when
             we
             have
             repented
             our
             transgressions
             ?
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             The
             Queen
             having
             ●o
             many
             yeers
             after
             her
             first
             comming
             enjoy'd
             the
             love
             even
             of
             those
             of
             this
             Nation
             who
             are
             of
             a
             contrary
             Religion
             ,
             might
             not
             then
             haue
             been
             won
             to
             become
             a
             Daughter
             (
             nay
             a
             nursing
             Mother
             )
             of
             this
             Church
             ,
             if
             she
             had
             not
             been
             left
             to
             their
             delusions
             ,
             who
             (
             if
             it
             were
             possible
             )
             would
             deceive
             the
             very
             Elect
             ;
             If
             those
             who
             had
             place
             and
             opportunities
             to
             have
             endeavoured
             it
             and
             (
             as
             we
             heare
             )
             had
             inducements
             to
             hope
             it
             might
             have
             been
             effected
             ,
             had
             according
             to
             their
             duty
             attempted
             the
             same
             ;
             And
             whether
             it
             is
             not
             likely
             that
             the
             Arch-bishop
             of
          
           Canterbury
           
             and
             the
             whole
             Prelacie
             are
             now
             come
             to
             this
             shame
             ,
             because
             they
             complyed
             with
             her
             seducers
             ,
             and
             rather
             confirmed
             her
             in
             an
             Idolatrous
             worship
             ,
             then
             assayed
             to
             inform
             her
             in
             the
             right
             way
             ?
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             Whether
             it
             be
             possible
             that
             a
             King
             ,
             many
             yeers
             honoured
             with
             evidences
             of
             Piety
             and
             Morality
             ,
             could
             possibly
             proceed
             as
             he
             hath
             done
             ,
             if
             the
             falshood
             and
             impiety
             of
             his
             evill
             counsellors
             were
             not
             vailed
             over
             with
             some
             disguises
             :
             And
             whether
             (
             though
             he
             make
             use
             of
             them
             for
             the
             present
             necessities
             )
             he
             can
             esteem
             them
             in
             his
             private
             judgement
             bettep
             then
             Traitors
             or
             base
             Parasites
             ,
             who
             having
             been
             at
             first
             Zelots
             for
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             afterward
             left
             it
             for
             the
             wages
             of
             Ambition
             :
             Or
             whether
             he
             can
             esteeme
             of
             those
             ,
             more
             then
             of
             a
             dog
             deserving
             the
             halter
             ,
             who
             being
             first
             raised
             by
             His
             Royall
             favour
             ,
             (
             and
             long
             maintained
             by
             Projects
             and
             Monopolies
             obtained
             by
             abusing
             that
             Royall
             Power
             )
             could
             desert
             their
             Advancer
             ,
             and
             comply
             with
             the
             Parliament
             to
             avoid
             their
             censures
             ;
             and
             afterward
             againe
             ,
             when
             they
             saw
             the
             Parliament
             eclipsed
             ,
             could
             basely
             creep
             and
             insinuate
             back
             into
             his
             Bosome
             whom
             they
             had
             forsaken
             ?
          
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
             Protestants
             and
             Papists
             being
             so
             exasperated
             against
             each
             other
             ,
             and
             the
             Papists
             having
             begun
             a
             bloody
             Massacre
             in
          
           Ireland
           ,
           
             which
             the
             Tenets
             of
             their
             Religion
             bind
             them
             to
             prosecute
             upon
             all
             advantages
             )
             whether
             can
             they
             ever
             be
             so
             reconciled
             as
             to
             live
             securely
             together
             again
             in
             these
          
           Ilands
           
             so
             long
             as
             they
             continue
             of
             different
             Religions
             ?
             And
             whether
             they
             will
             think
             the
             King
             out
             of
             their
             debt
             untill
             he
             hath
             given
             them
             leave
             to
             prop●gate
             their
             Religion
             at
             their
             pleasure
             ,
             and
             means
             to
             secure
             it
             in
             this
             Kingdome
             ,
             by
             power
             put
             into
             their
             hands
             :
             And
             if
             hee
             should
             so
             doe
             whether
             Truth
             and
             Peace
             were
             then
             likely
             to
             be
             setled
             in
             these
             Kingdomes
             ?
          
        
         
           Fiftly
           ,
           
             Whether
             his
             Majesty
             be
             not
             ,
             by
             reason
             ,
             discharged
             from
             all
             obligations
             to
             the
             Papists
             for
             personall
             services
             and
             contributions
             to
             this
             war
             ,
             and
             bound
             in
             justice
             to
             punish
             rather
             then
             reward
             them
             for
             the
             same
             ,
          
           
           
             seeing
             he
             cannot
             but
             know
             ,
             both
             by
             their
             tenets
             ,
             and
             by
             those
             motives
             whereby
             the
             Queene
             incouraged
             them
             in
             her
             letters
             ,
             that
             they
             aided
             him
             for
             n●
             respect
             to
             himself
             (
             if
             he
             be
             not
             totally
             theirs
             )
             but
             meerly
             for
             their
             own
             ends
             ;
             and
             to
             continue
             that
             barbarous
             and
             murtherous
             project
             which
             they
             long
             since
             begun
             here
             ;
             lately
             revived
             in
          
           Ireland
           ,
           
             and
             do
             now
             prosecute
             throughout
             his
             Majesties
             dominions
             ,
             for
             the
             accomplishment
             of
             our
             generall
             premeditated
             destruction
             ,
             under
             the
             false
             colour
             of
             serving
             his
             Majesty
             ,
             and
             promoting
             his
             Priviledges
             ?
          
        
         
           The
           last
           Question
           of
           theirs
           which
           I
           will
           trouble
           you
           withall
           is
           ,
           
             If
             we
             suffer
             the
             policies
             of
             Antichrist
             ,
             for
             the
             continuation
             of
             his
             mistery
             of
             iniquity
             thus
             to
             divide
             the
             body
             from
             the
             head
             ,
             the
             King
             from
             the
             Parliament
             ,
             the
             Court
             from
             the
             City
             ,
             the
             City
             from
             the
             Country
             ,
             the
             Nobles
             from
             the
             Commons
             ,
             the
             Commons
             from
             themselves
             ;
             yea
             to
             divide
             the
             Church
             ,
             the
             State
             ,
             every
             Province
             ,
             every
             County
             ,
             every
             City
             ,
             every
             Village
             ,
             every
             Family
             ,
             and
             many
             individuall
             persons
             in
             their
             own
             judgements
             ,
             whether
             this
             be
             not
             or
             will
             not
             be
             shortly
             such
             a
             divided
             kingdome
             as
             cannot
             long
             stand
             without
             Gods
             miraculous
             aid
             and
             our
             more
             serious
             working
             with
             him
             ?
             And
             whether
             will
             not
             the
             children
             of
             Babel
             seek
             to
             repaire
             again
             her
             decayes
             by
             the
             ruines
             of
             our
             British
             Churches
             ?
             And
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             required
             of
             us
             ,
             (
             and
             high
             time
             for
             us
             )
             to
             be
             reconciled
             to
             God
             and
             to
             each
             other
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             hasten
             the
             fullfilling
             of
             his
             decree
             concerning
             the
             whore
             ,
             the
             malignant
             City
             ,
             the
             false
             Prophet
             ,
             the
             Beast
             ;
             and
             do
             that
             to
             them
             which
             they
             purpose
             to
             us
             (
             and
             have
             already
             begun
             to
             doe
             in
             Ireland
             with
             unexampled
             cruelty
             )
             even
             to
             beat
             or
             banish
             them
             ,
             who
             will
             not
             forsake
             their
             abominations
             ,
             out
             of
             these
             Islands
             ;
             that
          
           Babylon
           
             may
             vanish
             ,
             and
             the
             new
          
           Jerusalem
           
             come
             down
             amongst
             us
             ?
          
           How
           these
           questions
           are
           to
           be
           voted
           upon
           ,
           let
           every
           one
           consider
           and
           resolve
           by
           himself
           according
           to
           his
           discretion
           .
        
         
           Perchance
           there
           be
           some
           who
           are
           desirous
           to
           here
           what
           opinion
           we
           have
           in
           the
           Country
           touching
           the
           nationall
           covenant
           lately
           tendred
           ,
           and
           perhaps
           also
           the
           knowledge
           thereof
           may
           be
           to
           some
           purpose
           .
           You
           shall
           hereby
           understand
           therefore
           ,
           that
           not
           onely
           all
           men
           well
           affected
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           but
           every
           other
           reasonable
           man
           also
           in
           these
           Counties
           ,
           where
           this
           
             Mercurie
          
           hath
           been
           ,
           thus
           conceives
           of
           the
           said
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           That
           it
           tends
           to
           the
           strengthning
           of
           that
           nationall
           union
           which
           is
           now
           made
           betwixt
           us
           and
           the
           Scots
           ,
           and
           the
           want
           of
           which
           was
           an
           occasion
           of
           much
           blood-shed
           in
           this
           Island
           many
           ages
           together
           .
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           it
           conduceth
           to
           that
           unity
           and
           conformity
           throughout
           all
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           which
           may
           by
           Gods
           blessing
           ,
           settle
           Christian
           peace
           ,
           prevent
           the
           future
           increase
           of
           heresies
           and
           schismes
           hitherto
           multiplied
           amongst
           us
           ,
           help
           to
           preserve
           truth
           in
           purity
           against
           the
           incroachments
           of
           popery
           and
           superstition
           ,
           and
           further
           the
           overthrowes
           of
           Antichrist
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           That
           it
           will
           help
           secure
           unto
           us
           our
           just
           rights
           and
           priviledges
           ,
           with
           the
           preservation
           of
           his
           Majesties
           person
           ,
           honour
           and
           lawfull
           prerogatives
           ,
           against
           Traitors
           ,
           Flatterers
           ,
           Tirants
           and
           Oppressors
           .
           Fiftly
           ,
           That
           it
           ingageth
           us
           to
           a
           speedy
           repentance
           of
           those
           sins
           which
           have
           brought
           on
           us
           the
           present
           plagues
           ;
           and
           to
           the
           amendment
           of
           our
           lives
           also
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           .
           6.
           
           They
           hold
           it
           agreeable
           to
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           ancient
           Churches
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           when
           such
           occasions
           were
           ,
           made
           covenants
           to
           the
           like
           effect
           by
           Divine
           approbation
           ,
           as
           their
           covenants
           recorded
           in
           holy
           writ
           may
           testifie
           .
           And
           the
           opinion
           of
           those
           among
           them
           whose
           judgement
           is
           not
           to
           be
           despised
           ,
           is
           this
           ;
           that
           whosoever
           willfully
           refuses
           this
           covenant
           ,
           deserveth
           to
           be
           reputed
           an
           enemy
           to
           all
           that
           is
           good
           ,
           to
           be
           chastised
           by
           all
           the
           miseries
           attending
           division
           and
           discord
           ;
           and
           to
           be
           deprived
           of
           every
           good
           effect
           which
           it
           may
           produce
           hereafter
           ;
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           to
           be
           denied
           the
           vse
           of
           those
           good
           things
           which
           they
           possesse
           among
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           judged
           unworthy
           to
           continue
           in
           this
           land
           ,
           or
           to
           partake
           of
           this
           ayre
           ,
           any
           longer
           .
        
         
           Of
           the
           like
           opinion
           is
           this
           
             Mercurie
             ,
          
           who
           among
           many
           other
           observations
           in
           his
           rustick
           preambulations
           had
           these
           two
           ,
           which
           I
           thought
           not
           impertinently
           divulged
           at
           this
           time
           :
           One
           is
           ,
           that
           they
           who
           would
           seeme
           to
           have
           the
           tenderest
           consciences
           in
           this
           cause
           betwixt
           the
           King
           and
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           who
           usually
           colour
           their
           opposing
           the
           Parliament
           by
           pretending
           a
           conscionable
           obedience
           to
           all
           the
           Kings
           commands
           ,
           are
           they
           (
           if
           we
           may
           judge
           them
           by
           their
           former
           conversation
           and
           present
           course
           of
           life
           )
           who
           make
           little
           conscience
           of
           that
           ,
           or
           of
           any
           sin
           else
           .
           As
           if
           for
           making
           no
           conscience
           of
           breaking
           such
           lawes
           as
           were
           once
           written
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           God
           had
           now
           justly
           infatuated
           their
           understanding
           ,
           and
           left
           them
           onely
           such
           a
           conscience
           ,
           as
           might
           bring
           deserved
           chastisement
           on
           us
           ,
           and
           confusion
           on
           themselves
           .
        
         
           His
           other
           observation
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           most
           violent
           pleaders
           against
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           the
           most
           active
           malignants
           among
           us
           are
           onely
           such
           as
           th●se
           .
           Beggerly
           and
           ambitious
           Courtiers
           ;
           Riotous
           and
           vitious
           Gentlemen
           ;
           Broken
           Citizens
           ;
           drunken
           Inkeepers
           and
           Vintners
           ,
           with
           
           their
           dependants
           ,
           tapsters
           ,
           hostlers
           ,
           chamberlains
           and
           drawers
           :
           Needy
           Popish
           or
           debauched
           Schollers
           ,
           seeking
           or
           possessing
           preferment
           by
           complying
           with
           superstion
           or
           prophanenes
           ;
           Luxurious
           Gallants
           and
           Gamesters
           ;
           Fencers
           ,
           Fidlers
           and
           Players
           ;
           Silly
           people
           led
           according
           to
           the
           capacity
           ,
           folly
           ,
           or
           frenzie
           of
           their
           Kindred
           ,
           Familiars
           ,
           Masters
           ,
           Land-lords
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           neighbouring
           Justices
           ,
           or
           unsound
           Parliament
           members
           malignantly
           affected
           ;
           Good-fellowes
           and
           pot
           companions
           ,
           who
           confirme
           each
           other
           in
           their
           malignancy
           on
           the
           ale-bench
           ,
           and
           wonderfully
           strengthen
           their
           cause
           by
           drinking
           healths
           to
           Prince
           
             Rupert
             ,
          
           and
           confusion
           to
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           while
           horrible
           oathes
           and
           imprecations
           are
           shot
           off
           ,
           Libertines
           that
           feare
           the
           change
           of
           Church
           discipline
           will
           abridge
           their
           pleasures
           ;
           Projecters
           ,
           and
           Monopolizers
           whose
           lively-hood
           is
           taken
           away
           ,
           if
           injustice
           and
           oppression
           may
           not
           continue
           ;
           Papists
           ,
           Atheists
           ,
           Prelates
           and
           their
           ,
           &c.
           yea
           it
           is
           observed
           (
           though
           I
           would
           be
           loth
           to
           be
           author
           of
           it
           )
           that
           among
           those
           women
           which
           are
           zelots
           of
           the
           Cavallerro
           way
           (
           which
           many
           of
           them
           favour
           for
           divers
           carnall
           respects
           )
           none
           are
           such
           pert
           and
           violent
           Oratresses
           for
           it
           ,
           as
           they
           who
           are
           either
           known
           ,
           or
           justly
           suspected
           ,
           to
           be
           little
           whorish
           .
           To
           these
           if
           you
           adde
           a
           wandring
           Prince
           or
           two
           ,
           some
           Lords
           (
           and
           such
           Commanders
           as
           become
           these
           Regiments
           )
           you
           have
           that
           masse
           ,
           out
           of
           which
           you
           may
           marshall
           up
           that
           Army
           which
           opposeth
           our
           King
           and
           Parliament
           .
        
         
           We
           are
           certified
           that
           some
           are
           much
           troubled
           to
           perceive
           so
           many
           men
           ,
           who
           are
           learned
           ,
           seemingly
           honest
           ,
           wise
           ,
           religious
           and
           conscionable
           of
           the
           right
           way
           ,
           and
           of
           those
           things
           which
           tend
           to
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           peace
           of
           their
           country
           ,
           and
           the
           prevention
           of
           Antichristian
           designes
           ,
           should
           now
           be
           questioned
           as
           Apostatizers
           and
           fallers
           away
           from
           their
           first
           love
           and
           profession
           ,
           in
           this
           time
           of
           triall
           ,
           and
           of
           our
           great
           need
           of
           their
           assistance
           ,
           &
           exemplary
           constancy
           .
           Therefore
           to
           comfort
           them
           ,
           &
           strengthen
           their
           faiths
           ,
           we
           do
           here
           give
           notice
           of
           two
           observations
           that
           a
           Country
           man
           (
           who
           hath
           heretofore
           rightly
           conjectured
           things
           pertinent
           to
           these
           times
           )
           hath
           lately
           made
           :
           one
           is
           an
           assurance
           that
           this
           falling
           away
           of
           men
           ,
           Starlike
           for
           their
           eminency
           ,
           is
           no
           strange
           or
           unexpected
           novelty
           ,
           but
           a
           fulfilling
           in
           part
           of
           that
           mystical
           prediction
           by
           which
           we
           were
           long
           since
           forewarned
           ,
           that
           the
           Dragons
           taile
           should
           draw
           down
           starres
           from
           Heaven
           ;
           For
           there
           is
           nothing
           now
           left
           of
           that
           Beast
           (
           in
           comparison
           of
           what
           he
           was
           )
           but
           the
           
             Taile
             .
          
           And
           (
           as
           Serpents
           usually
           do
           when
           a
           mortall
           wound
           is
           received
           )
           the
           taile
           wriggles
           about
           so
           furiously
           that
           it
           strikes
           down
           those
           from
           their
           
           sphears
           ,
           who
           ,
           being
           but
           Meteors
           ,
           eemed
           starres
           in
           this
           lower
           heaven
           ,
           the
           military
           kingdom
           of
           Christ
           on
           earth
           .
        
         
           The
           other
           note
           is
           this
           ;
           He
           hath
           observed
           that
           all
           the
           marks
           by
           which
           the
           Prophet
           
             David
          
           marked
           out
           his
           enemies
           ,
           and
           the
           malitious
           enemies
           of
           God
           and
           his
           Church
           from
           other
           sinners
           ,
           are
           undoubtedly
           now
           found
           upon
           the
           adversaries
           of
           this
           Church
           and
           State
           ,
           confederated
           together
           in
           these
           kingdomes
           ;
           whether
           you
           have
           respect
           to
           their
           practises
           ,
           their
           qual●ties
           ,
           their
           purposes
           ,
           or
           their
           languages
           as
           would
           appeare
           if
           I
           should
           here
           insert
           the
           severall
           texts
           expressing
           their
           tyrannies
           ,
           their
           impudent
           wickednes
           ,
           their
           haughtines
           ,
           their
           skoffes
           ,
           their
           scornes
           ,
           their
           insolencies
           ,
           their
           blood-thirstines
           ,
           their
           oppressions
           ,
           their
           trechery
           ,
           their
           blasphemy
           ,
           their
           lyings
           ,
           their
           cursings
           ,
           their
           slanders
           ,
           their
           prepartions
           for
           warre
           and
           hostile
           attempts
           when
           they
           are
           in
           Treaties
           of
           Peace
           ,
           their
           drunken
           songs
           ,
           their
           impious
           and
           derisorie
           Intergatories
           concerning
           our
           God
           ,
           his
           promises
           ,
           our
           trust
           ,
           our
           hopes
           in
           him
           ,
           our
           fastings
           ,
           our
           prayers
           ,
           and
           other
           Christian
           duties
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           .
           And
           I
           was
           moved
           here
           to
           divulge
           this
           for
           glad
           tidings
           ,
           That
           though
           for
           our
           chastisement
           these
           may
           persecute
           and
           exercise
           our
           patience
           for
           a
           while
           ,
           yet
           they
           shall
           at
           last
           receive
           the
           portion
           ,
           and
           come
           to
           the
           destruction
           prepared
           for
           such
           offenders
           .
        
         
           More
           of
           these
           things
           I
           could
           tell
           you
           out
           of
           the
           Countrey
           ,
           but
           I
           have
           other
           businesse
           .
           Here
           is
           more
           then
           I
           first
           intended
           ,
           and
           more
           ,
           I
           feare
           ,
           then
           some
           of
           you
           will
           either
           thank
           me
           for
           ,
           or
           make
           a
           right
           use
           of
           .
           If
           ever
           you
           heare
           of
           me
           in
           this
           kind
           again
           ,
           (
           which
           I
           wil
           not
           promise
           )
           it
           shall
           be
           but
           once
           more
           ,
           as
           occasion
           is
           offered
           ;
           and
           ,
           I
           will
           be
           
             Mercurius
             Sublimatus
             ,
          
           at
           least
           above
           the
           clouds
           ;
           and
           then
           farewell
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .