A MOST TRUE And exact RELATION OF That as Honourable as unfortunate Expedition of Kent, Essex, and Colchester.  
By M. C. A Loyal Actor in that Engagement, Anno Dom. 1648.  
Printed in the Year, 1650.   

The Author's Letter to the Publisher.  
To the truly Noble, and my Worthily honoured friend Sir C. K.  
Honoured Sir,  
SInce through the Calamitous, and dark distractions of these unfortunate times, I am thus eclipsed, and linked to an ill and dusky fate; as by being Cloistered in a Dungeon, am debarred of that happy liberty that might allow me the wished-for opportunity of kissing your hands; Yet am I thus only Cloistered, since though my Body suffer a most severe and strict confinement, it rather adds to the liberty of my Soul, and makes it expatiate itself with a greater Freedom; And so I am always waiting on you, though not to your apprehension, yet with my better Genius; and though not as an Angel guarding you, yet still attending the illustrious throne of the All-powerfull Majesty in my wishes, and Prayers for you.  
And that you may not only know the reality of my Soul, but the command also you have over it; I have adventured to answer (in my obedience) your Will, though perhaps not Expectation, in sending to you, with this my account of Colchester; by which you shall only understand I stood not there as a dumb cipher, though not as a very eminently active Figure: Other Honour to myself I dare not appropriate by it, but am content (choosing ex malis minimum) to lay open to your serious scanning my greatest imperfections, rather than adventure the hazard of falling under the censure of ingrateful disobedience; hoping your Charity will extend to a Courteous reception of my imbecilities, because clothed with as cheerful endeavours; in which garb they humbly thus come to wait on you, having for attendance only this serious request: That your own eyes alone may be made witnesses of their nakedness.  
For though I know that truth (which I assure you here really is, and nothing else) need not be abashed who ever she meet with, she is naturally of herself so Beautiful, and never was more than in this service: Yet I am sensible enough how gross an absurdity it is for any man to send her abroad in vile, and ragged unshapen Garments; of which I must acknowledge myself too much too guilty to expect a Justification when I shall appear at the bar of a judicious Examination; but therefore suffer under the condemnation of a just and weighty Censure.  
Which I might the more seriously expect, were it more exactly done, should it come to the public stage, since I have been informed, and made it my observation too, how the Honour of that unparallelled action is daily crucified, with a confusion of monstrous, and prejudicial opinions, almost metamorphosing it into a prodigious disguise past knowledge.  
Yet I have a little digressed as possible, knowing that many passionate Historians transported with splean against Tyrants, or too great a luxury in the glorification of those theyhonored, have imperfectly delineated the image of Truth; like Aurelius a Roman Painter, who, when he was to draw the face of any Image, always made it to the resemblance of a Woman that he most dearly affected.  
But I have confined myself to a strict-Commentary of the real passages; and to add more to your satisfaction, I have drawn my rise not only from the first step of its motion, but the cause that gave a product to that motion. By which means it must prove something more tedious to you; Yet if your patience shall so far sympathise with my desires, as my obedience hath done to your will; and at some intermisse times permit you to run it over: You shall not only receive the benefit of satisfaction to your own fancy in requital, but a knowledge to give the like to others that you shall find unresolved, and deserving, in it, and heap much of Obligation and Honour on  
Your most entirely devoted, and humblest Servant, M. C.   

To the Reader.  
INgenious Reader, (for to none other do I wish this may come) not that I value any man's censure of the Author, but because it is an Age wherein Truth is accounted Diabolical, and Loyalty a Treason unpardonable: And I may justly suppose some thick-skulled Separatist, or frothybrained Ignoramus, whose customs are to criticise, because they would undervalue what they fancy not, as much as what they understand not, will be swarming about it with their Hypocritical Censures to stifle it with an undeserving odium: But let not the so sloslovenly, and obscure birth of this offspring of Loyal Zeal, any whit derogate from its worth in your opinion; for you cannot but know, that many gallant Pieces, and Personages, have received life from as great an obscurity; and truly I shall thus far Apologise for it, (though its deserts require not any) read but the foregoing Letter, (not at all intended for what is now placed) and you shall easily understand, that the Authors will, and desire of not publishing it, as not intending it for the public stage of the world, hath been the chiefest reason of it: having made it his request, as being diffident of its worth, that it might not suffer the danger of the Press. But I having raised a contrary reason, and far exceeding his for silencing, from the same grounds, thought it a greater evil to let so worthy a structure lie buried in the womb of perpetual oblivion, when it had received so happy a conception, then to give it a lasting life, though by so obscure a birth.  
I cannot but expect that the so many Legions of Lies, that do every day oppress the very Press itself, and tire out men's fancies with their mutinous tumults upon the stage of the world, will be ever justling at so handsome and candid a piece of Loyal truth, whilst the Devil the Father of Lies is so much adored, and Christ that fountain of honour and truth crucified and slandered every hour amongst us. But I am confident their power will never prevail to beat it off, while there is yet a spark of Loyalty left to light us through this dark Chaos of Atheistical Rebellion.  
That I am cautious of too plainly divulging its Author, is, because otherwise there might much of inconveniency accrue to him for so bold a discovery of his conscience, (being already in prison) by the splenitick malice of some base-born phlegmatic dispositions; whose stomaches are so full gorged with Rebellion against God and his Vicegerent, they can brook or digest nothing that savours not of Treason or Disloyalty.  
These reasons being well weighed by any ingenious and Loyal Reader, will be sufficient. Wherefore I shall urge no more, but desire all such, as they peruse, to draw examples of Loyalty from it, and pick not out more cautiously what they may more artificially convert to poison, if not liked; as it is too often seen: and let your constant endeavour (who ere you be) in the behalf and Service of your King, and Country, exceed his if you can; then censure and spare not; So wishing all men's Consciences as good and faithful Subjects to a sweet and glorious Prince ought to be, Reader I commit you to the protection of Heaven so long as you are so, and bid you farewell.  
Your Friend as you censure mine, C. K.   

A most true and exact Relation of that as Honourable as unfortunate expedition of Kent, Essex, and Colchester.  
UPon Christmas day, 1647. many Gentlemen and others of the meaner rank in the City of Canterbury in Kent, being Religiously disposed to the Service of Almighty God, according to the Liturgy and Orders of the Church, (a heinous offence, I must confess, in these times of Reformation) met at Saint Andrews Church in the High Street, Where M. Allday the Resident Minister of the Parish preached to them a Sermon answerable to the day; A thing so much out of Custom now, that we begin to forget even that Christ was ever borne, as well as the Celebration of his Birth. And now this piece of orderly and Christian Devotion startled the consciences of the new Saints, who inflamed with fiery zeal, began to make tumults in the streets, and under the Church windows, thinking thereby to drown the voice of the Preacher: but it could not any whit discourage him from persisting in his holy and devout Exercise.  
The Sermon being done, the people began to flock more tumultuously together, so that the disturbance increased very much; By the means especially of the Major, (a man indeed Knave enough, and I think as much Fool, as appears by this) who walking through the Streets purposely, would have forced some people to open their Shops, and set out their Wares to keep the Market (the day being Saturday, and Market day) but he denying, and urging of it more seriously; one man answering his Commands with some words which he could not well relish, he struck him a blow in the face with his Fist: Making himself, by that means, the first ingager and instrument to the breach of that Peace, which upon all occasions whatever, he was Sworn to see kept and preserved.  
This made a greater Distraction and Hubbub in the City; and many men thronged together, and so mad they grew, that the Mayor's heels were soon flung up, and all his Worship thrown in the Channel, he was afterwards glad to shift for his life, as he supposed. But one of the Constables, by name and quality Huse, a Shoemaker, a Senior of the Faction, ran hastily out with a Pistol in his hand; and running up and down the Streets with aggravating Clamours summons out his Crew, who immediately tumbled out of their houses with their Arms in their hands, and such mischievous Weapons as first they could lay hold of, in such haste, they over poured all they met: among the rest, one White a Barber, (a man swelled as full of ungodly Schismatical Principles of Rebellion as a Toad with poison) standing in the Street with a Musket loaded, and his match ready cocked, meeting another man by chance stepping forth of his door, as being Inquisitive to understand the occasion of the tumult; whom he knew to be one that fancied not his humour, made not much dispute with him, but upon his questioning his standing in that posture, le's fly at him, and Shot him through the Body, so that there was little hope of life in him.  
Thus the business grew still to a greater height, and more people still flocked together, as it is always seen in such Mutinous Broils; and many bicker fell out in the Streets: But ere long those Gentlemen, who ranged about as furiously at first, as Herod's Soldiers in the Infant Martyrdom, began to slink, and were at last glad to betake themselves to their heels, and every one to shift for himself. White being taken, was committed to Custody into the Town Goal, there to lie till he should receive the Justice of the Law for so horrid a Villainy.  
The other party being thus enraged, and incensed by so foul an Affront, began to think of their own security; and knowing the malice of those they should most certainly have to do with, seized on the Magazine of the Town, and placed Guards about at every Gate of the City; fearing that mischief which indeed afterwards came to pass, and might have been prevented, had they not thought themselves too secure. At last they grew something violent, and increased to a very great number, till Sir William Man, Master Lovelace the Counsellor, and some other Gentlemen, by an extraordinary Industry had persuaded them to a quiet desisting from prosecuting those rash Attempts which they boldly resolved on; engaging themselves with the Mayor, and Master Savin an Alderman, and Justice of Peace, by Articles drawn up, and Signed between them, that no man should be molested or questioned for an thing that was done.  
Upon this, they all quietly lay down their Arms, and every man betook himself to his Vocation, and particular Habitation, which else might have produced greater matters both in that City and the whole County.  
About a month after, upon the instigation of the Mayor, whose malice could not be appeased without revenge, by Order of Parliament came down Col. Huson's Regiment of Foot from about London to quarter in Canterbury; who no sooner were settled in their quarters, but by Order from the House they seized on Sir Will: Man, Master Lovelace, M. Savine, M. Dudley Wiles, and some other Gentlemen; and many poor men of the City also, and hurried them away to Leeds Castle near Maidstone, where they continued Prisoners about two months, and more, till some of the poorer sort that had not where withal to subsist (none daring to relieve them) were well nigh starved there, as their Wives and Families at home. At last, with some solicitation of the Gentlemen to the House, by the mediation of the Burgesses of the City, and some other of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County, who began to be a little touched with a sense of their abominable Injury, procured so much favour as to have Bail taken for their Liberty, till they should be called upon to answer at the Bar of their Mock-Justice for this high and unpardonable Riot of Peacemaking. This high favour being obtained, they all returned home; but they were no sooner there, and scarce settled, but the Mayor, out of his own power, having Myrmidons enough then to maintain him in any thing, though never so ignoble, wicked, or unjust, (although he had before Signed to the Articles of Indemnity, and that those poor men had suffered so much misery, notwithstanding) would have had all those of the most Inferior rank to be Whipped, or ride the Wooden Horse; for now he knew how to domineer, having the Soldiers to clap him at the back, and encourage what ever he would do: But by the more grave advice of some of his more moderate Brethren he was taken off from that project, & the business lay quiet till about a fortnight before Whitsuntide; at which time the Parl. gave Commission of special Oyer and Terminer for a Court of Sessions in the Castle at Canterbury, and sent done Sergeant Wild, and Sergeant Steel to try them upon Life and Death, who in the whole business were the only Sufferers, and the Raiser's of that, got either to be their Judges, or Witnesses against them to condemn them. Condemned indeed beforehand, as by the sequel appears.  
A Grand Jury also was Summoned in of Gentlemen from every Lathe of the County, and none to be pricked but such as they thought so well affected to the Parliament as to cast any whom they should desire to convict. All the Deputy Lieutenants were also appointed to meet at this great Sessions; Sir Michael Lusey being then one of the House, and not in Command (a Colonel in the Service once, and before that, in debt far beyond what he was worth, but now clear from all, and his Estate very much augmented) made it his suit to the House that he might have leave to be there at the Bench, which he soon obtained; and coming down, made it his Brags that he thanked God he had obtained leave of the House to be there, and that he would endeavour to set some of those Gentlemen packing to another World, which he would willingly have done had God given so large a power into his hands; but his protection guarded them from the intended ruin these Unjust Judges had preordained them to.  
For the day being come, and the Judges and Bench in much State and Pomp set, the Prisoners were summoned to the Bar, and the Jury Impannell'd: Then the Indictment was read, and the Jury sent out to bring in their Verdict, who retiring, and scanning the business after they had heard the Indictment pleaded against, found an Ignoramus upon it; and being again brought in, gave in their Verdict accordingly, at which the Bench wondered, and the Judges were much displeased, having resolved their doom beforehand; wherefore the Jury was a second time commanded forth, and again returned the same Verdict; whereupon the Judges, as it were forced to it, cleared the business for that time, and broke up the Court, but would not absolutely quit them, till the House should resolve farther upon it, intending to have brought them to a second Trial: But ere the Bench could rise, came in a Packet from the House of Parliament, with a Relation of that great defeat given the Welsh at S. Fagons' near Cardiff in Clamorganshire; which being read, one of the Bench rising up, said to one of the Grand Jury, Had we known but this news before, we would have made you found something else than an Ignoramus: But the Gentleman being a resolute man, and as Conscientious, soon made him this answer, Neither your news Sir, nor your threatening words should have made us give in a Verdict upon another man's Life, contrary to the result of our Consciences.  
Let the world now judge by this, what the Justice of these men is, whom nothing but fear shall keep from committing Homicide and murder on their fellow-Christians, Subjects and Country, upon the very seats of Justice and Judgement.  
After this passage, the Grand Jury all meeting together, began to revolve in their discourses, (being aggravated by so inconscionable a speech) of the intolerable misery and slavery this wretched Kingdom was involved and plunged into; and under what a Tyranny they did now suffer, by the Unlimited, Usurped, and Arbitrary Jurisdiction their fellow-Subjects now used over them, as so many illegal Lords & Kings; supported in it, by the unmerciful power of the blood thirsty Sword; still disputing with much resolution and boldness among themselves, which way they might best set themselves Freemen from such an inhuman slavery, and unsufferable bondage: They refolved unanimously at the last to Petition their Servants (that should be) the Commons, and their Servants Servants, the Lords once more, to see if they could be persuaded yet into any remorse, or consideration of the misery with which they had overwhelmed this gasping Commonwealth. Where a Petition was drawn up, and after some Correction, showed to some of the Deputy Leiutenants, who seeing the Gentlemen so confident in it, though visibly against their Interest they were sensible enough it was, yet durst not disapprove of it. The Petition was as followeth: 

To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLIAMENT at Westminster.  
The Humble Petition of the Knights, Gentry, Clergy, and Commonalty of the County of Kent, Subscribed by the Grand Jury the 11 of May, 1648. at the Sessions of the Judges upon an especial Commission of Oyer and Terminer, then Executed at the Castle of Canterbury for the said County.  
Shows,  
THat the deep sense of our own Miseries, with a fellow-feeling of the Discontents of other Counties exposed to the like Sufferings; prevaileth, with us, thus humbly to present to your Honours these our ardent desires.  
1. That our most Gracious Sovereign Lord King Charles, may with all speed be admitted in Safety and Honour to Treat in Person with his two Houses of Parliament, for the perfect settling of the Peace both of Church and Commonwealth, as also of his own Just Rights, together with those of the Parliament.  
2. That for prevention, and removal of the manifold inconveniences occasioned by the continuance of the present Army under the Command of the Lord Fairfax, their Arrears may be forthwith audited, and they Disbanded.  
3. That according to the Fundamental Constitution of this Commonwealth, we may for the future be governed and judged by (the English Subjects undoubted Birthright) the known and established Laws of the Kingdom, and not otherwise.  
4. That according to the Petition of Right, our Property may not be invaded by any Taxes or Impositions whatsoever; and particularly that the heavy burden of Excise may no longer be continued, or hereafter imposed upon us.  
All which our earnest desires we humbly recommend to your grave and serious considerations, not doubting of that speedy satisfaction therein, which the case requires, and we humbly expect: Whereby we may well hope to see (what otherwise we cannot but despair of) a speedy and happy end of those sad and heavy pressures and distempers, whose continuance will inevitably ruin both ourselves and our Posterities: Your timely prevention whereof, by a cheerful condescent to what we here propound, in order thereunto, shall oblige us ever to pray, etc.    
Which Petition soon obtained the approbation of all the Gentry and Clergy, excepting some who were troubled with the heartburning Faction, and could not digest so great a State-pill. Some Deputy Lieutenants also did approve of it, and willingly Signed; others seemed to approve of it likewise, but when they were desired to Sign, slipped their necks out of the Choler, and left the City: but that day it was Signed by above two hundred Gentlemen then in the City, and Copies transcribed, and dispersed amongst them all, by which means, by a very quick flight they were dispersed over all the County also; there being so many Centlemen than met together from every Lath and Hundred, a more fitting opportunity could never have been fancied. Then on the backside of every Petition was Endorsed this Postscript: 
It is desired, that all Copies and Subscriptions be brought into Rochester on Monday, the 29. of this Instant May 1648. And that all who intent to accompany this Petition do meet at Black-heath the day following by nine of the Clock in the morning.   
By this means the whole County might unanimously go, not only in their Subscriptions, but in the presentation of it to the Parliament.  
But there were at the same time some of the Grandees, in the City, who by no means could swallow it, lest it should have choked their Reputation, with the House; and indeed, being stung with too guilty a Conscience, found this pill too harsh a Corrosive to them. Amongst the rest, Sir Henry Heyman, and Sir Michael Lnsey, who posted immediately away to the Parliament to give them a timely notice, for prevention of a design so Honourable, Conscientious, and Religious, but absolutely destructive to their Interest and Proceedings; or at least, that they might, by being praemoniti, be also praemuniti, which two are seldom other than Correlatives; the one drawing a usual consequence from the other, as indeed it proved by them, as will afterwards appear by their Votes, and Stratagems against it.  
But ere they went, out of the tender affection his rebellious Bowels yearned with, towards his true brethren in Iniquity, went to the Prison where White the Barber lay for his horrid Villainy; (the man not being yet recovered) and brought him out, with hat in hand, giving him thanks for his so good service, and extraordinary zeal to the Cause; and thus set him at liberty without ever being questioned for his Fact.  
Upon Sunday following, Letters were sent from the Speaker of the Lower House, to all the Deputy Lieutenants in the County, and what Justices of Peace the House thought good, that they understood of an intended Petition to be preferred to the House from that County, willing them to use their utmost endeavours for the speedy preventing it, and suppressing the people in it. Never disputing the Justice of it, nor injustice of themselves in denying the proceeding of it, which was as horrid as might be for any man that knows how to judge between right and wrong almost in any thing, knows that the intentions of a Kings calling a Parliament are for the speedy redressing the aggrievances of his Kingdom, and the admitting by him, and the choosing by the People, the Commons into Parliament never for any other reason then to present the Aggrievances of the Commons in general for what part of the Kingdom they served as Representatives, by way of Petition, from them to the King and Lords for redress. But they have now so altered the Constitution of Parliament by their newfound Kirk-lawes of Reformation, that no man, no not the best of Politicians is Physician good enough to feel its pulse, though in a most horrid distraction too of ill humours; and our blessed Reformers have so long fought for the Privilege of Parliament, as that they have both lost that, and the Liberty, and true Rights of the Subject, with the Prerogative of the King to Boot; and Metamorposed the Laws of the Kingdom into the shapeless monster of an Arbitrary Government, and Tyrannous power of the Sword.  
But these Letters also they were ordered and authorised to Seize, and Surprise all persons they should find, or suspect to to be active in the prosecution of it; & to secure all Castles, Towns, and strong holds in the County; and by their greatest care to prevent all public Meetings at any places whatsoever within the County, except their own. Then began the Committee to thunder abroad their loud menaces with high threats, to all such as should dare to prosecute so bold a Villainy, and tumultuous Seditions, as they termed it; and issued forth a Libellous Order against it, and all such as should sign it, or any way prosecute the progress of it amongst the people, by any public or sinister means. The Order was as follows. 

By the Deputy Lieutenants of the County of KENT, the City, and County of Canterbuy, at their General Meeting at Maidstone the 16. of May, 1648.  
WHereas we understand, that divers persons have given out, that they intent to assemble themselves towards the latter end of this Month, or the beginning of the next, at several days and places, upon pretence of carrying a Petition to the Parliament, which doth concern matter against the Authority of both Houses, and tendeth to the raising of Seditions and Tumults, within this County: We having lately received a special Command from the House, to use our best endeavours for the preserving the peace of that County, do hereby, in order thereunto, advise all whom it may concern, to forbear all occasions of public disturbance, by any such pretence whatsoever: And if any well-affected persons have been abused, and misled, so as to Sign, or procure hands to any such seditious Paper under the name of a Petition, and upon false-giving out, that the Deputy Lieutenants of this County do approve thereof, to the end that such wellmeaning persons may be undeceived, we having seen a Copy of the said pretended Petition, do hereby signify our utter detestation of such Seditious practices: and do advise all wellwishers to their Country's peace to take heed thereof, and to Counsel, and persuade their Neighbours accordingly: And if any pretended Copies of such pretended Petition come unto or be in their hands, to deliver up the same unto the next Deputy Lieutenant. And we do hereby, require the Ministers of several Parishes publicly to read this signification in their Parish Churches upon the next Lord's Day after the receipt hereof, immediately before they begin their Morning Sermon; And the Church Wardens of the several Parishes, are hereby required the next day after the time appointed for the said Publication, to certify what hath been done therein under their hands unto the next Deputy Lieutenants, who is hereby directed forthwith to transmit the said Certificate to the standing Committee at Maidstone, that so notice may be taken what Ministers, and Church Wardens or other Persons do their Duty therein: And such as shall be found wilfully faulty, may be proceeded against accordingly.  


Ant: Wilding.  
John Rivers.  
Richard Lee.  
Thomas Lewis.  
James Oxenden.  
Richard Beale.  
Thomas Syliard.  
Lam: Godfrey.  
Will: James.  
John Bix.  
Will: Keniorash.    
To the Mayor of Gravesend, who is hereby required to cause Proclamation hereof to be read in open Market, next day after the receipt hereof, in the height of the Market by the common Crier, and afterwards to deliver it to the Minister of the said Parish to read it in the Church.    
But this violent course of theirs in endeavouring to obstruct, added rather a more vigorous life to it, and made it fly through the County with a far greater velocity, and the more exasperated the whole Country to a prosecution of it, according to the saying of Seneca: Patientia laesa fit furor.  
The whole County being, by this means, enraged, they resolved upon the prosecution of their Petition, being so far engaged, maugre all obstructions what ever, which caused many meetings of the Gentry, in Canterbury & Rochester, and divers other places of the County, at which meetings the business was more deliberately weighed; and upon a serious deliberate scanning they found themselves likely to be lost in a maze of Inconveniencies if they went not resolutely forward in what they had begun, whereupon this Order of the Committee was re-viewed, and a Vindication of their proceedings in Answer to it, drawn up, and published as followeth:  

The Petitioners Vindication and Answer to the Deputy Lieutenants Declaration against the said Petition.  
WE the Knights, Gentry, Clergy, and Commonalty of the County of Kent, who have Subscribed, and do intend to present the real Petition (which is absolutely called a pretended one, and a Seditious Paper) to the Honourable the Lords and Commons Assembled in Parliament at Westminster, according to the Just Rights and Privileges of the Subjects of England, in pursuance of the Suscriptions of the Grand Jury of our County the 11. of May, 1648. (who are, and aught to be representers of the sense of our County) have taken notice of a late Order, or Declaration, of the Deputy Lieutenants of our County, of the 16. of May, 1648. tending to the discountenancing, and suppressing of our said Petition; and untruly charging the same to contain matter against the Authority of both Houses (to whom it is addressed) and the Petitioners to be raisers of Sedition and 〈◊〉. In a deep sense whereof, and indignation of such false Scandals imposed upon us, we do declare to the world,  
That the matter of the Petition, contains in it, nothing but what is Just, and fit for freeborn Subjects to demand, and tends to the preserving of the Peace, not only of our County, but of the Whole Kingdom.  
And the manner of our Intentions to prosecute the same shall be so peaceable (on our parts) as shall not give occasion of Tumults, or public Disturbance.  
We do protest against raising of any Factious against the Parliament, to whom we address ourselves for a Just relief of our Grievances: In pursuance of the Right of Subjects, and their own Ordinances, and our intentions so peaceable, we must declare,  
That (not withstanding all 〈◊〉 threats, published to our discouragement) we shall go on to prosecute our Just rights and desires, in such a way as shall neither render us guilty of Sedition, or public Disturbance; nor of betraying ourselves to the violence of such who shall unjustly endeavour to oppose us.  
And we do desire all persons of our Comity, well affected to the said Petition, not to be discouraged from the just prosecution thereof, upon any Threats or Orders: Whatsoever. Our intention being (if it shall please God 〈◊〉 dispose us) to Sacrifice our 〈◊〉 and Fortunes in the prosecution of these our Just Rights and Desires.  
We have not a desire to deceive any 〈◊〉, nor have we 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉, with pretending the Deputy of our Paetition. Nor do We desire any to join with us, but those whose Reason and Conscience dictate to themselves the sense of our Petition.   
Now the Committees began to bestir themselves on the other party with more resolution, because they saw Threats would no whit prevail to their Advantage; and sent out their Warrants for all the Trained Troops and Companies to meet at Rendezvous at several places of the County. But this neither would avail, or any whit answer their Expectations; for, not any showed in answer to their Warrant, but rather absented themselves from their Homes, except Captain Foach, and some of his Troop; who, with about twenty of his Men, met together, and Marched away to Maidstone there to attend the Committee, who thought it by this, time to consider of their own security. Sir T. T. sent out his Warrants likewise for his Troop to meet him at Barham Down, where appeared some ten, but not one Officer, nor any Colours, for his Officers were all engaged for prosecution of the Petition. There he waited almost all the day in constant hopes and expectation of their coming up; but towards night, no more appearing, he dispatched his Man away to Canterbury, to see if any were met together there, and to Invite them (for now he durst not Command) but his Worship's man no sooner entered the Gates of the City, but he was surprised by a Guard there, and Dismounted, and so forced to return back to his Master on foot. In the interim Sir T. staying on the Downs with his few men he had, by chance was resolved to drink; and calling for some Beer, one of his men began the King's Health to him, which relished not well with his palate, having long time been a trusty Wight for the Parliament; and as he said, not being accustomed to drink Healths, it would impair his own Health very much; but indeed was something jealous they did that but as an occasion to advance some other Inconveniency to him: Whereupon he stole away from them, and clapping his heels to his Mule (for Spurs he seldom wore any) away he drove as furiously as Jehu, never making the least stop till he thought he was clear of the danger of the Cannon Jug; and like a Hare, regarding nothing before him; overtaking by chance another of the Deputy Lieutenants more suttlely plodding along, and ruminating upon the business; he had certainly overrun him had his Beast been big enough to have performed it without taking any notice of him; so extraordinary was his haste, as I was informed by the same Deputy Lieutenant himself.  
Now, as it was high time, the Gentlemen engaged in the Petition began to consider farther of their Interest; and being so far engaged, how to make what they had done good, and which way with most security to go forwards; for retreat they could not now, and not to perfect what they had initiated, was not only to undo it, but themselves also without dispute; wherefore they neglected not to meet every day. And considering withal, the imminent danger of that perpetual slavery, not only they, but the whole Kingdom were fallen into; and the extremity of violence the Grand Taxments of the Kingdom did threaten to crush them with, for but Petitioning (with the Children of Israel under the slavish Tyranny of Pharaoh) for ease of their burdens; resolved like Men of Kent to maintain, if it were possible, their Ancient Honour and Liberties, or to perish in the Attempt, which indeed they knew must prove a hard difficulty, having such an infection within themselves all over the whole body of the County; insomuch that they knew not any sound part in it, but that every one might be likely enough to cherish and breed up Vermin to destroy it. But yet, notwithstanding their losty menacings, and bugbear threats, to proceed in their Engagement. Whereupon a Manifesto was drawn up by them, and Signed as an absolute and unanimous Engagement amongst themselves, and afterwards dispersed to the view of the whole world, that all might know the candid reality of their Resolutions, in these words:  
THat the Innocency of our intentions, and Justice of all our undertake may clearly appear to all men of uncorrupt understandings, and hearts not made too servile by the long, and odious custom of Oppression. We the Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy, and Franchlins of the County of Kent, the most free people of this late flourishing Nation, by the wisdom and valour of our Ancestors delivered from the Laws of the Conqueror, and to the late days of unhappy confusion and distraction enjoying the same, through all the reigns of the most glorious, and victorious Kings and Princes of this Nation: Do hereby declare, and manifest to all the world, that our Meetings, and Assembling together, is no other than a Vindication of ourselves, and purposes from the scandal and aspersions of the Committee of this County; who, upon occasion of a Petition, in behalf of the County of Kent, assented, and subscribed to, by the Grand Jury at the Sessions of the Judges, upon special Commission of Oyer and Terminer, executed at the Castle of Canterbury the 11. of May instant for the said County; have not only made Orders against the same, and Commanded them publicly to be read in all Churches, sentencing and condemning the said Petition, and all the Abettors thereof; but have summoned the Troops of Horse, and forces of Foot of this County for suppression of the said Petition. Which tends not only to the suppression of the Liberty even of the most enslaved persons in the world, but also, as much as in them lies, show an endeavour upon any causes whatsoever, which suit not with their humours, to over-owe the sentences of other men; and, upon opposition therein, think they have ground enough to take away the lives or fortunes, or both, of their said opposers.  
In consideration whereof, and that now the said Committee finding themselves unable to involve this County in blood, have made their addresses to the Parliament and Army; and make strange, and malicious representations of our purposes, thereby discovering nothing so much as their own pride and malice.  
We the said Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy, and Free Yeomen of the said County of Kent, do hereby appeal to all the world to judge, if it were not high time for us to put ourselves into a posture of defence: And do further declare, that we will prosecute our said Petition, with our lives and fortunes, not doubting of a fair reception from the two Houses of Parliament, whom we know to have been instigated against us by the said Committee.  
And therefore, saving to ourselves, the enlarging of the said Petition: we have resolved to charge the said Committee with increasing the Taxes of this County above due proportion, and only for maintaining their own private luxury and pride; with usurping a power over the Estates and Fortunes of the free men of this County, not granted to them by any power of Parliament; and with a Tyrannical, unlimited, and embittered spirit naturally engrafted in them, and expressed by words and actions all along the exercise of this power (which makes them unfit to rule) to the exasperating of the people's hearts into all animosity, and overthrowing of all love and peace in this County: which also hath been followed to that height of persecution, that had not the two Houses given a stop to their 〈◊〉 proceedings, we had suffered much more under the torment of these men's projected designs.  
Wherein we do acknowledge ourselves also to have been secured in the temper and moderation of the Houses. We have no more to say or do, but to defend ourselves till we can have a right understanding of our purposes and actions before the Houses. In the mean time we shall look upon all opposition as the provocation of a conscious and endangered Committee; and in respect of the Invasion lately made upon the persons of our neighbours, we think fit not to lie at the mercy of the Soldiers, but to have refuge to our Arms, from which no threats, or face of Soldiery shall drive us, knowing well the justice of our Cause, and the temper of our own Hearts.  
Thus resolved they proceeded in their desigue, seizing all the Arms and Ammunition at Scots Hall, Ashford, Feversham, and divers other places, whilst Sir Michael Lusey, and some others of the Deputy Lieutenants ceased not to act, to the utmost of their power, for the suppressing of them; But Esquire Hales (being a man well beloved, and that indeed for his true desert, and worth) in short time had raised a great party in that part of the County; and falling to work with those bold opposers, soon laid their Power flat, and their Honour in the dust, till at last they were forced to shift for a better security than their Arms, and took sanctuary in Sir Peter Ricots house at Ailsford; but the Foxes lay not long there ere his Terriers were so near forcing them forth, that they were glad to make Conditions for Law to run away from them; which being granted, they delivered up the House, a great Magazine of Arms and Ammunition, which proved very serviceable to the Victors.  
In the interim other parties being increased, and modelled into order, still moved up and down, and received all that wished well, and had signed and engaged in the Petition, who were so unanimous, that within two day's space there were strong parties gotten together about Why, Ashford, Sittingborne, Rochester, Gravesend, and divers other places; insomuch, that the whole Committee were glad to make trial of the old Proverb, One pair of legs is worth two pair of hands, so they posted away to London to tell a lamentable story to the Parliament. Captain Lee, and another of the House being sent down by order of the House, came to Rochester to Parley with those that were met there; where, upon debate of the business, they used the greatest policy they could to persuade them to accept of an Act of Indemnity from the House, and to lay down their design; but these Gentlemen were immediately confined, and were forced to treat for their own Indemnity and Liberty at last; for well the Engagers knew what the Indemnity of the House would be, if once they laid their Swords out of their hands, and were submitted to the malice of theirs.  
Tuesday, May 23. a great number of Knights and Gentlemen were again met at Canterbury, intending one and the same Interest, and as Active as Cordial in the real advancing the general business, not minding any other interest than the public welfare; concluding with a magnanimous courage, to March with the Petition in one hand, and a Sword in the other: Not, though (as some have Malicioufly (not Conscientiously) given a false interpretation to) to force the Higher Powers to what they should fancy, or desire, (which indeed they might have done, (according to so grand examples in that kind, as have been showed by those too they were to deal with) the Law now being swallowed up into the unlimited arbitration of the power of a, though bloud-drunk, yet bloodthirsty Sword) but that they might make their way through all obstructions, and have liberty; maugre all apposition to present their Aggrievances (according to the Ancient Custom of this Kingdom) to the Houses of Parliament, a thing never opposed, nor accounted Riotous till this Parliament by their All-powerfull Arbitration voted it so. Which being a general resolve through the County, all men betook themselves cheerfully to their Arms; the Inferior sort, and Commonalty, submitting themselves to the Commands of the Superiors; who, as Commissioners, acted what by a General Council was thought most convenient for the security of so great an Engagement as that was now brought to. And that there might be a clear, and candid satisfaction given as well to their friends as enemies throughout the Kingdom for their thus Arming themselves, caused this ensuing Remonstrance to be Published. (Having also understood before of the Bloody answer their neighbours of Surrey had to their peaceable and legal Petition; for which unhuman massacre the Butchering Myrmidon (being fetched for the same purpose by some of both Houses) had the thanks of the House.)  
BEing reduced to this choice, whether to deliver up our Lives and Liberties together, or die Free: We are resolved to act the last scene of this Tragedy with our Swords in our hands, which we shall sooner turn upon our own hearts, than upon the public Peace. By what necessities exasperated to this resolve let the world determine, and understand, that a Petition to Religion and Honour (if the Parliament may be Judge) is by some persons neither Warranted by any Authority from the two Houses, nor pretending to it, upon their own Score have audaciously affronted: The Petitioners menaced, and persecuted into this extremity, by spirits so implacably distempered, that Sir Anthony Welding vowed he would not cross the street of Rochester to save one Soul that subscribed to the Petition. And it was a proposition of Beales, to hang two of the Petitioners of every Parish. If this be not enough to admonish others, let it suffice that it awakens us into a just sense and scorn of these Indignities. We have lost all with patience; and if at last it be accounted a crime to Beg, we shall prefer to Perish.  
Therefore we do Solemnly, and Religiously, oblige ourselves, with our lives and fortunes, to oppose effectually, what person or persons soever shall presume to interrupt us in the just and legal presentation of our humble desires to the two Houses of Parliament; and to the utmost of our endeavours to save harmless, and protect each the other in a Privilege so undoubtedly our own; and so not only adjudged, but practised and encouraged by this present Parliament. And further, in case any single person shall be for this Engagement prosecuted, all of us to rise as one man to the rescue; this so help us God, as we shall respectively perform, and resolutely.  
Thus gallantly resolved was the greatest part of the Gentry in the County, which animosity encouraged also the Commonalty into as great Bravery, and resolute Boldness. And indeed it was high time, as the state of all the Kingdom than stood, in so dismal a cloud of dull and sordid Slavery: The Tyrant's swords having so long time drunk the Blood of the Loyal-hearted Gentry of the Kingdom, that now they were insensible how they went on, or upon whom they exercised their Cruelty.  
This Tuesday, about noon, the Knights and Gentlemen that were entrusted as Commissioners (for that part of the County) at Canterbury, gave Commission to Colonel Robert Hammon for the beating up his Drums to raise a Regiment of Foot, and Colonel Hatton for Listing, and raising a Regiment of Horse. Their Commissions ran thus:  
For the more safe and speedy expedition in preferring the general Petition of this County, we the gentry now Interested and trusted therein, do nominate and appoint you R.H. Colonel of one Regiment of Foot, etc.  
Having the day before seized on the Magazine of that part of the County then in that City, being very great both of Arms and Ammunition of all sorts; Colonel Hammon immediately beating up his Drums, he had in a short time Listed a considerable number of men, more, I think, than ever were listed by one man in so short a time. Then both Colonel Hatton and he had Orders given to Rendezvouz the next day at Barham-Downe, where all the Trained Soldiers of that part of the County were appointed (by warrant from the Commissioners) to meet: But this day proved extraordinary wet, which hindered the appearance very much.  
However Colonel Hammon came with about 300. Foot well Accoutred and Armed; and Colonel Hatton with about threescore Horse: a good Collection for so short a time as one half day to 〈◊〉 them in: But there came not in above 〈◊〉 Trained men by reason of the illness of the weather. Here met also most of the Knights, and Deputy Lieutenants then in that part of the County, for now many of the Deputy Lieutenants had joined with the Petitioners, although, I suppose, out of a Politic consideration, not a Cordial 〈◊〉, as indeed did afterwards appear. There (after some consultations) they 〈◊〉 many businesses for the advancement of the Engagement, using their utmost endeavours for the raising not only of Men, but Money also, for the supporting, and encouraging those who were not able to go through it themselves, being off from all their Callings and Employment. Engaging for the constant paying both of Soldiers and Officers whilst they should continue in the Country's Services: For the better advancement whereof, every Gentleman, according to his Ability, subscribed to the loan of Moneys, some a Hundred pounds, some Eighty, some Fifty, some Forty, some more, some less; and sent abroad their Warrants into all parts of the Country for the summoning all such men as had, and would engage in that service for the advancing the general safety of the County, and Liberty of the Kingdom. Towards night the Rendezvous breaking up, Colonel Hammon, and Colonel Hatton Marched off to quarter towards Dover. Then Sir Richard Hardres, Sir Anthony Aucher, and Master Ant. Hammond, Justices of the Peace, and men as hearty, as real, and as indulgently Industrious in the propagation of the Engagement as men could be. And Mr. Thomas 〈◊〉 with about seven score Trained men, being then by reason of the witness of the weather on horseback as Dragoones, marched towards Sandwich, having dispatched a Messenger with a Letter to the Mayor of the Town before to advertise him of their coming, and intentions. Where, when they came, they found the Ports all shut, and guarded round about the Town; then Master Mat. Carter, by appointment of the rest of the Gentlemen marching in the head of the men, gave a summons to them; but they at first refused to open the Gates, till after some parley with them an Officer asked him if Sir Rich. Hardres were there or not, who was one of the Deputy Lieutenants for the Parliament: who coming to them, and demanding entrance, the Recorder of the Town came out, and told him that the Mayor's orders were, that if he came the Gates should be opened, but not else. So immediately they were, and marching quietly in, they drew up in the Market place, and first changed all the Guards about the Town before they engaged in any other business, it being then almost night. Then the Commissioners being together, they sent for the Mayor of the Town, and demanding his subscription to the Petition, gave him orders immediately for the raising of Moneys for the forwarding the business; but he proved very slow in that service, pretending that the Town was very poor, and could by no means raise any: The Excise officers were also called in, but their stores proved very poor also; insomuch much that there remained little hopes of any good to proceed from that place.  
In the evening came in a Gentleman that had been formerly a Divine, and a Chaplain at Sea, and a Major in the service of the Parliament, (as it seemed by his deportment) very penitent for that he had engaged himself in so unjust a Cause, and Horrid Employment; and proffered the best, and utmost of his service to the furthering the Petition, and the Engagement of the Country if he might be employed in any thing that might give him opportunity. Whereupon, they knowing him to have been at Sea, and well acquainted with the Navy, being both Chaplain there to the Earl of Warwick, and Minister of Deal, thought it could not prove amiss to employ him, having signed to the Petition before; and so had Letters drawn up for him that night, to every Ship one, and in every Letter a Copy of the Petition, making this absolute result, that some happy success might follow; however, if it did no good, yet it could no way endamage them; which indeed proved a most happy, and fortunate design as all the Kingdom are witnesses of. The next morning being Thursday, the Mayor and Aldermen were again called upon to know what moneys they had raised, or would advance to that Service, being solely for the Re-enthronement of the King (as they told them) and the speedy redemption of the most Turkishly enslaved Subjects of England to their true, ancient, and native Liberty: But they were then found as tardy as before, dull, and unwilling to endeavour, pleading the great necessity, and inability of the Town, as nothing touched with any consideration of Loyalty or Conscience to their imprisoned King, or the bleeding 〈◊〉 of their enslaved Country. Whereupon the Commissioners thought it neither 〈◊〉, nor fitting, to intrust them with a Military Power; but took away the Comissions from the Mayor (who was Captain of a Trained Company in the Town) and the other Trained Captains, and disposed of the Companies to other Gentlemen in the Town, such as for their Honesty and loyalty were thought worthy the trust; cutting to pieces that Commission of the Captain of the Auxiliary Company, then seized on the Magazine of the Town; and having loaded a Wagon with powder, Match and Ball, for the present occasion made ready for a March towards Dover.  
But ere they Marched, the Soldiers being again drawn up to their Colours in the Market place, the Commissioners went together to give a Visit to a stripling Imposture that lodged (by order of the Mayor, and his wise Brethren) at Captain Forstalls house, one of the Jurates, who pretended himself to be the Prince of Wales, and that he was forced to fly out of France, because the Queen, his Mother, had endeavoured to poison him: Which notable fancy he had seriously insinuated into the general opinions both of Town and Country, by his often asseverating it with impudent Oaths, and damnable imprecations: Insomuch that many Gentlemen and Women came daily to kiss his Hand; and many Presents he had made him, Rich clothes, and Accommodation in every kind provided him by the Mayor and Jurats of the Town, who were so serious in it, that Sir Thomas Dishingto a Scotish man, being upon a Message from the Queen, and Prince, into England; and at Dover, in his journey back again, hearing the report so generally in the Country of the Princes being at Sandwich was much startled at it; and to satisfy himself went to Sandwich to be informed, where he found him indeed a Welsh Prince, but not the Prince of Wales: and coming to him, after some discourse, as ask him who was his Gentlemen Usher, who his Pages, and other Servants? where the Queen was when he left her, and the like questions? he not being well provided with answers to either; and those questions so unexpectedly proposed to him, could give him no account at all (which was enough to satisfy any reasonable opinions that he was an Impostor) whereat Sir Tho. being much incensed, called him Villain, and Counterfeit Rogue; the new-coined Prince immediately shows his power, and Commands the Mayor to clap Sir Tho. up in prison for his Treason; The Mayor presently obeys his Command, and Sir Tho. instead of going back to Dover, is carried to prison, where he lay about two days ere he could be set at liberty. Master Carter was also the Sunday after Sir Tho. was confined to see him too, to satisfy not only himself, but some Deputy Lieutenants in the County whether it were he or not, (coming in so strange a manner as on foot, and in an old black ragged suit, without any Companions but Lice) being acquainted with some of the Jurates, who knew that he could satisfy them well too, but would not be convinced of their foolish confidence, although he not only assured them (amongst the rest, Captain Forstall, at whose house he lay) that he was an Impostor, but affronted him upon the beach, before the Mayor and Jurates, who, with a Guard of Musquetteers were walking there with him. So highly did this young Prince of Sandwich bear up his business in as high a rant as can possibly be imagined above a week; Trumpets sounding his Meat to the Table most commonly, and, as some say, most nights drunk ere he was acquainted with his Bed.  
But the Commissioners having had this account, and understanding of him, intended to carry him away with them; believing he was sent (by some who have too long enjoyed a power of marring Princes, though not of making any) upon some design on the County; and finding the hearts of the people much inclined to him (as believing what he had said to be true) spoke nothing at all of him over night, nor of their resolutions, but just as they were ready to March, as to give him a civil visit, went to see him, having an empty Coach of Sir Richard Hardreses, in which they intended to Invite him to March with them, as to free him from that restraint he had, by a Declaration which he had published, pretended to be in, lest by violently taking him away they might cause a Mutinous Hubbub in the Town and Country: But this would not take, for when they came to the House, this precious Prince, and his confederates, surmising their intentions, as guilty of their real Knaveries, refused to let them in; Captain Forstall shutting his doors, told them, the Prince had commanded him to keep them out, and he durst not disobey him. This they took as a high indignity and affront; and upon their desires Master Carter immediately drew up sixty Musquetteers before the house to force an entrance, the rest of the party loading their Muskets, and lighting their Matches, stood all to their Arms, expecting some sudden service; for now the whole Town grew into a Mutiny, and Distraction, so that the Commissioners were forced to prepare themselves for to fight too, for they did expect it every minute, and commanded all Houses, and Shops, to be shut up.  
Mean time this young Impostor raunting in his new invested Authority, waves his Hat, and Plume, out at the window, calling out, Raise the Town, Raise the Town: Seamen, stand to me Seamen: throwing out handfuls of Money into the Streets among the people, which began to swarm up and down in throngs and tumults; women weeping for the violence they feared would be done to their Prince, and men swearing they would all die rather than suffer the Prince to be injured any way, or violently taken away: Almost every one either certainly believing him to be really the Prince of Wales, or else undoubtedly confederates in the same design, raised so high a Tumult as would have ended in much mischief, had not the Gentlemen bestirred themselves resolutely, and undauntedly, in the quelling them.  
But whilst they were thus forcing an entrance into the House, those Confederates who were within, privately conveyed him through the Backside; and some Seamen waiting purposely at the Waterside, transported him immediately over into the Isle of Thanet, where a party being sent after him, found him that night at Master Crispes house at Supper, where he was entertained like him that he pretended himself to be: from whence he was conveyed to Canterbury, Master Crispe being so courteous as to lend him his Coach thither also, and from thence to Newgate. This passage being over, he escaped for the time; they took Captain Forstall, and would have carried him away prisoner for refusing to let them enter his House; and by that means expressing his confederacy in the design of that Mock-Prince, and so being the cause of the Hubbub in the Town, which was so dangerous as might have caused much Blood. But pretended he did really believe him to be the Prince, and he had commanded him to it, and he durst not disobey him: Then the Town Clark engaging himself for his appearance when he should be called to answer for his default, he was left behind.  
Then the Gentlemen leaving some of those men they brought with them, and an Officer with them in the Town for the securing of it, and Orders to the new Captains to call their Companies to their Arms; they Marched away with the rest towards Dover, where they found Colonel Hamon's Regiment increased by that time to five hundred, and upwards; and Colonel Hattons of Horse to be about 200. according to their former Orders drawing up to face the Castle, with some Trained Companies of that part of the County; and many people with Cartes of Scaling-ladders, Spades, Shovels, and Pickaxes, according to the former day's Warrants.  
Here they found the Town in a joyful posture to receive them with much alacrity, where Captain Bethels Fort resigned to them, and all the Town unanimously betook themselves to their Arms; Trained men (which were two Companies) and others to join with them in so hopefully-happy a design, as by all appearance that must of necessity be.  
In the afternoon divers summons were sent to the Castle for Surrender of it to the service of the King and Country, but all denied. Sir H. a grand Independent, and Parliament man being then in it (pretending no power at all there (as by his Letters indeed appeared) yet bearing the only sway, & commanding all privately) by whose command those in the Castle had made incursions up. on the Country a night or two before, and drove in many Sheep for to Victual it; resolving to make out his own Interest, as it seems, under the notion of the Parliaments; for it was without any Commission from them, as if it were an axiom amongst them, every one to act his fancy for the propagating the general Calamity of the Kingdom, no matter at what rate, so their interest were secured: So large an extent hath their arbitrary Prerogative, and unlimited illegal Jurisdiction, as to abhor, as destructive, all conscience, or thought of affection to their Country's peace, which easily discovered itself by the answers he made to the Letters and Propositions which were sent into the Castle to him from the Commissioners: As if that burden of intolerable guilt of innocent blood, and unparallelled misery of this gasping Nation had overwhelmed his Conscience with a cloud of despair of any other safety than the old Roman Rule, Per 〈◊〉 semper, sceleribus tutum est Iter; knowing indeed himself to have been as zealous a promoter, and accessary to the general Calamity as any confederate in the grand Juncto what ever; to whom indeed the name of Peace is as odious as the Punishment they know themselves guilty of, and if given over to the hand of Justice, and the Law of the Kingdom, they must unavoidably perish under. Of which I doubt not, but though their resolutions be with Catiline, yet their end will be as the thirty Tyrants of Athens, whose proceedings have not much deviated from theirs.  
Now they sent not only summons to the Castle, but also civil Letters to Sir Hen: H. to invite him to a compliance, or at least to a cessation from his Engagement, with all promises of their Engageing for his security, and safety, either for his staying in the County, or passing to London, or where he pleased; But he was far enough from harkening any whit to their civil Treaty, and by his means and one Lieutenant Swans, (who had before betrayed the Prince's Commission (after he had engaged his faith for the acting according to it,) and endeavoured the taking away the lives of some Gentlemen that himself treated with about it) those in the Castle withheld from any rendition though often summoned, and the greatest part as often willing to deliver.  
This night Major Keme that went to the Fleet returned, assuring that those Letters he carried to the Commissioners, were not only received with extraordinary cheerfulness, but answered with as industriously real action, relating, that the Mariners had no sooner read them, but immediately declared, one, and all, for the King, the liberty of the Kingdom, and the Engagement of the Gentlemen of Kent. Boldly disputing the business upon the deck (though they knew not generally one another's minds) with their Arms in their hands; as if being surprised with so happy an opportunity were resolved to try what party they could make against opposition; which they found indeed so weak as not to engage, much more dispute, then to give them occasion to seize on some Officers and a few mariners in their particular Vessels, who did but timorously seem to contradict their actions; for oppose they durst not, so small was their Party, they were able to make amongst them, as any else whose former knowledge made them undesirous, or unwilling to trust, who they secured immediately upon their business in the holds, and round-houses of the respective vessels.  
Upon this, the shouts they made Aboard were so loud, that they echoed a shrill alarm to the ears of Colonel Rainsborow, than Vice Admiral, who being a Shore at Deal Castle, and hearing such acclamations made him haste from the Leads of the Castle (where he stood all the while the Commissioners and Gentlemen were marching by, waving his Sword over his head in a threatening defiance to them) to go Aboard, that he might be the more certainly informed of the cause of this so general Shout, not being from one, but every Ship then riding at Anchor in the Downs.  
But when he came near, and would have Boarded, the Admiral, he was put off by the Mariners, who told him he had nothing to do with them, nor should he. He demanded their reason, and what the matter was, being so much amazed at so sudden an alteration? they answered him immediately, That they were now upon other designs than they knew he would lead them on, or join with them in, and had declared themselves for the King, and the Gentlemen of Kent. But did confess he had been a loving, and Courteous Colonel to them; and in that respect should have no injury offered unto him, nor should he suffer any the least damage in Person or Goods; but what things he had aboard he should have safe away when he pleased.  
Whereat, seeing them so serious, and resolute, demanded a Pinnace to carry him up to London, for he was something timorous, and jealous how to trust himself a Shore, although he had the Command of Deal Castle within his Commission. But a Coxon stepping forth upon the Deck, answered him: Sir, we cannot spare you any the least Vessel in the Downs, they are engaged for better Service; but there is a Dutch Flyboate at shore, and for six pence you may have a passage in her to London. This much distracted him, and augmented an apprehension of danger in him; for understanding that Sandown Castle had at the same time declared with the Navy for the King and Country: He did not know how to trust himself either at Sea, or ashore. For he might justly fear the same in every Castle for aught he understood of their resolutions, yet was forced to betake himself to that ultimum refugium; in which manner, with his Wife, Children, Sisters, and the rest of his Family, which remained before in Deal Castle, he wafted it away to give an account of his Honourable escape to his great Masters at London: which alteration, with him, was as much beyond all men's expectation as his own.  
This welcome Messenger having given this fortunate account of his, and the general good success: he was immediately dispatched away with Letters of Summons to the other two Castles of Deal and Wamer; having instructions also, and power to treat with them for Rendition. Which actions, at that time, although they carried a martial face with them, to the opinion of our Enemies, yet took form and life only from prudential, and cautious premonition, not military Designs, for who could not but think it most unsafe to the Country, especially that part of it? and dangerous both to private and public Interest, to leave the strongest holds of those parts? in the Rear of them possessed by a violent and bloody Enemy to make Encursions, and Inroads upon them, when they should please, the greatest strength of the County being to March away with the Petition; of which, those in Dover Castle, by Command of Sir H. H. had given us a taste, as a fair warning, some two or three nights before; having sent out a party, and plundered the Country, taking (or rather robbing) from one man at least a hundred Sheep, and many more from others, that they had intelligence to have been interested in the Petition. Yet in all these actions of possessing the Fleet and Towns, was there so orderly a comportment, that not the least prejudice accrued thereby, either to the Life, Person, Estates, or Goods of any man.  
Then were Letters sent into France, and Holland, with Engagement of the Gentry and Merchants, for the bringing over ten thousand Arms, and a great proportion of Ammunition of all sorts; as Letters also to the Prince to give him an account of all proceedings and intents of the engagers; altogether as honest, as resolute, and as yet (by God's providence) so prosperous, that fortunes gates seem to be wide set open to their so Honourable resolutions: being nothing intended, or inclinable to the raising of any offensive War, but the purchasing (though at the hazard of all our Lives and Fortunes) of a happy and lasting peace; and that not particular to ourselves, but general, to the Zion of our Church and Commonwealth for which all men, I think, ought both to pray, and fight, if rightly, and Loyally called to it.  
And now having thus far proceeded, and with so auspicious success, they went on, and prosecuted their business with much expedition, alacrity, and courage: know that time admits not any delays where danger always is knocking at the door; and sloth and neglect in desperate and difficult erterprises, are advancements only to ruin and destruction; but in extremities the winning of time is the purchase both of life, and Honourable success.  
Wherefore the next morning they marched back from thence towards Deal Castle, leaving in Dover, and before the Castle, the Trained Bands of the Town, and three other Companies of that part of the Country that were not yet completely come up. And M. Arnold Brumes, and one or two more Justices of Peace more, being Commissioners for the Country, to steer at the Helm, lest for want of good Pilots the business should suffer wrack; who the next morning drew up the great pieces that were planted on the Bench, and mounted them on the most advantageous ground on the hill near the Castle, which they did without any more loss than of one man, although the Castle played both small and great Shot very thick upon them; and having boldly planted them (where, I believe, never any Cannon were ever known to be placed, it being a most extraordinary 〈◊〉) very near the Castle; they played very hot upon it, and battered the walls very much, being old; supposing, that seeing this violent prosecution, they would have yielded it up, but all to no purpose, and Storm it they could not.  
The Commissioners, with the rest of the Gentlemen, (which were a handsome Company) marched on towards Deal, carrying with them Colonel Hamon's Regiment, being by this time completed to a thousand, well Armed, and as perfectly resolved, with Colours Flying, of white answerable to the candid innocence of a peacemaking Egagement; and Col. Hattons Horse, with some Dragooners: The Gentlemen being about forty, were orderly drawn up into a Troop, and marching thus all the way upon the Downs, gave a very handsome appearance both to the Country on the one side, and the Ships then riding at Anchor in the Downs on the other, which gave encouragement to both, and a disheartening also to the Castles, then upon treaty for Rendition.  
Then the Castles discovering so orderly a Body of men advancing towards them, sent to the Commissioners to desire that they would not advance any nearer to them till they had concluded their Conditions, being on Treaty about them, the Articles being drawing up. Whereupon a halt was made, and a Rendezvouz, the party being drawn up, and planted an orderly Front towards the Castles.  
The Knights and Gentlemen then leaving them at the Rendezvouz, rid away to Deal Town; where the first (as indeed most requisite) thing they did, was the taking care for sending provision to that small Army they left in the Field; and afterwards went aboard the Ships to take possession of them, and to place such Officers as they thought fit to entrust with their Command. Where they were received with great acclamations and expressions of Joy.  
There one might have read in every man's face a perfection of cheerfulness, as having been a long time like slaves Gally-chained to a more than Turkishly condemnation, and now happily set free into the glorious liberty of Loyal obedience; wherein they expressed themselves so highly devoted to the service of the King and Country, as that they would not only be Commanded by Sea, but desired they might have first admittance to be listed Ashore; but that would not be granted them by the Commissioners, for they should thereby have disfurnished the Ships, and did not perceive they should have any need of them for Land service; for now they thought, that although they expected nothing less than an affront, and opposition ere they should have performed what they had undertaken concerning their Petition; yet they supposed the County would so unanimously join, as there should be little want of number, able to force through all obstruction whatsoever: Foot coming in at that time also very fast from all parts, and this happy success, and gallant deportment of the Gentry being so high an encouragement to call them to their aid, gave new life and courage to the Commonalty, and made them content to leave all rural occasions to join in that so Christianlike, and Loyal design. Although there were yet too many that lay lurking in their dunghill dens suttlely, to join with any Enemy that should endeavour to make a prey of them, and help forward (upon any opportunity) so desperate a ruin, as they cared not though it turned to a general dissolution to the whole Kingdom, and a most wretched and untimely fall to their too indulgent, gloriously virtuous, and unparallelled patient Sovereign; so their own Factious Interest might recover to their wished (but ignorantly proposed) end.  
A nest of other Cockatrices lay brooding also as idly in the very heart of the County, nay, too many all over, whose dirty Souls were so settled on the lees and puddle of worldly interest, as depressed them down to so ignoble and cold a disposition, that would not suffer them to look up to Loyal obedience, nor permit their capacities to climb so high as a knowledge of that duty they owed to their King and Country, though their own Interest was as much included as any's that was the most active, every man being alike concerned in a general peace; and, I think, according to his quality and condition ought to endeavour as industriously for its advancement, many of them, knowing as much too, yet so wretchedly worldly as to prefer the enjoyment of their Estates, though like Jews, under the worst of bondage, than like Christians to hazard (the impairing them only) for the settled and assured enjoyment of them in the happiest liberty the Golden Age of a Just and Religious peace would give them in the future.  
There were some Deputy Lieutenants also came in, (for their security more than their Conscience sakes, which they slubbered o'er with a counterfeit disguise of dissimulation to purchase a better welcome) whom I could name too, but shall forbear; the coming in, and entering the Lists, with these Loyal Engagers, after they had signed not only to the Petition, but Warrants, and Commissions too, made a fair retreat, and bidding adieu to the danger of proving Loyal Subjects, slipped their engaged Choler, and stole away to London, and may chance deserve a Halter for it hereafter, as well as the rest of the greatest Opposers: But, I suppose, ere this, though not in respect of their fortunes, (for which they may rejoice) yet in respect of the better wealth of their Souls they may have undergone so much of repentance, as may purchase a pardon from Heaven, which my charity makes me hope rather, than wish the contrary: and they are sensible enough they have a Sovereign to deal with, so far inheritor of his Father's Virtues as well as Honours and Prerogative, as by his excess of mercy to mitigate the rigour of Treason and Law against them.  
But to return to our new Sea-Royalists, who now not only thought, but expressed also the great happiness of their changed condition; saying cheerfully, many of them, They only now lived, and had a long time, as it were, lain amazed 'twixt life and death, and desired rather to die in the service of their King, then to live again in that of the Parliament.  
All which the Commissioners were much joyed to see, and encouraged them on in their gallant Loyalty, giving amongst them in every Ship, a sum of money to drink, which they as gratefully received; and at their putting off to shore, gave them from every Vessel many great Shot, answered with as many Shouts, and Acclamations. But many of the Mariners were so eager in prosecuting this new engaged Loyalty, that the greatest difficulty in the ordering them, proved in the keeping them Aboard, being almost Mutinous to come ashore to list themselves for Land service, as believing they should not find any opposition at Sea; or if, yet not time enough for them to express in their actions what they had already done in their words, and as absolutely resolved in their hearts, as it was the expression of many of them.  
Which, to make up the more complete, they afterwards, of themselves, sent away a Messenger to the Commissioners of the Navy with this Declaration following. 

The Declaration of the NAVY, in a Letter to the Commissioners at LONDON.  
Worshipful,  
THese are to certify you that we the Commanders, and Officers of the Ship called the Constant Reformation, with the rest of the Fleet, have secured the Ships for the service of the King and Parliament; and we have refused to be under the Command of Colonel Rainsborow, by reason we conceive him to be a man not well-affected to the King, Parliament, and Kingdom: And we do hereby declare unto you, That we have unanimously joined with the Kentish Gentlemen in their just Petition to the Parliament, to this purpose following, viz.  
First, that the King's Majesty may be with all expedition admitted in safety, honour, and freedom to Treat with his two Houses of Parliament  
Secondly, That the Army now under the Command of the Lord Fairfax, their Arrears being paid them, be forthwith Disbanded.  
Thirdly, That the known Laws of the Kingdom may be reestablished and continued, whereby we ought to be Governed and Judged.  
Fourthly, That the Privileges of Parliament, and the Liberty of the Subjects may be preserved.  
And to this end and purpose we have sent our loving friend Captain Penrose with a Letter to the Earl of Warwick; and we are resolved to take in no Commander whatsoever, but such as shall resolve to live and die with us, in the behalf of the Kingdom, and Parliament, which is the positive result of us: And  
We humbly desire your speedy Answer.  


Officers of the Constant Reformation.  
Thomas Lisle Licutenant.  
And: Michael Boatswain.  
James Allen Gunner.  
Tho: Best Carpenter.   

Officers of the Swallow.  
Leonard Harris Captain.  
Joh: London Master.  
Nic: Lawrance Licutenant.  
Andrew Jackson Gunner.  
John Short Carpenter.    
Signed also by the Captain of the Roebuck, Hind, and several other Officers of these, and other Ships.    
This day about night the Articles for the Castles of Deal, and Wamer were signed, and the one delivered before, the other after the Commissioners marched away. Their conditions upon surrender were to march away with their baggage, leaving their Arms and Ammunition behind them entirely, without any imbezelment or diminution.  
The Rendezvous being broke up, they marched away and quartered in Sandwich again that night, leaving in Deal Anthony Hamond, Esq. and Cap. Bargrave, who had been formerly an Officer of the Navy; (both Justices of Peace, and gallant discreet men, (not according to those of this wise reformation) as Commissioners for the managing of the business there, and in the Fleet; having sent away for Sir John Mince, Capt. Fogg and some others, Officers that had formerly been employed at Sea by the King, and for their Loyalties displaced by the Parliament, who were also earnestly desired by the Officers and mariners aboarde.  
When they came to Sandwich having been so prosperous in all these undertake, and done so much in so little time as indeed amazed the whole Country. The Mayor and his brethren began to comply, and received them with far more cheerfulness then before they had done; and that night made them a present of two hundred pounds to the advancement of the Design, who before were so needy they knew not how to subsist amongst themselves, much less to raise any sum of money for extraordinary service.  
The next morning they hasted their march from thence to Canterbury, leaving also behind them two or three Commissioners, and five trained companies, for the better securing that Town, being a place very factious and apt to take the opportunity of the weakness of the Country, to make a mutinous opposition in case of a retreat.  
That night being Sunday night, they quartered in Canterbury, not slipping any opportunity or minute of time, without an improvement of it to the best advantage, and acting something to the furtherance of that Engagement; the next day being the appointed limitation for their meeting at Rochester. Here there came in many Gentlemen and others to Join with them that were not at all Engaged before, unless against us; amongst the rest, Sir John Roberts, and one or two Deputy Lieutehants more who Signed to the Petition, and Subscribed to the Loane of Money, although they had before engaged themselves with the rest of the Committee against the Petition; But rather like Physicians, that out of a private interest, are nimble to assist and pleasure others to profit themselves, than out of any cordial affection to so just, and honest an enterprise.  
The Dutchmen of the City (which indeed are very numerous) engaged themselves for the raising and paying of two Companies; here also Colonel Hammon completed his Regiment, many more men coming in to him, and others that he had raised in the City, and near about fitted themselves for a farther March.  
In this City and Suburbs were three Trained Companies which were all drawn up to Arms; which, that they might secure the place (with the two Dutch Companies then a raising) they left behind some Knights and Gentlemen to manage the Affairs in that part of the County were left there, lest some insurrection might happen by the obstructers of the design, who swarmed about that place; and by surprising it, not only do much mischief in the Rear of the Body, but in case so much misfortune should befall them, as to force them to a Retreat, (which caution is no whit too soon remembered in the strongest, or more prosperous Armies at any time) and which indeed most unfortunately fell out to them at the last.  
In this time the noble Peer, the Earl of Tha. acted his most Heroic gallantry about Ashford, Hotfield, and Charing, being indeed the first that rose, and drew that part of the Country to a resolution of betaking themselves to their Arms, by sending his Letters to all Gentlemen he knew had any power, and secured above a thousand men in that part to rise in a short time; and at the first of any rising at all in the County, giving an account of it also to Squire Hales, encouraging him thereto, who far more gallantly proceeded than ever he began.  
So now, when he had made a fair and hopeful beginning, and had assured very large assistance from his purse, makes a slovenly exit from this scene of Honour, and obscures himself behind the hanging of Apostatisme. In so much that when he was sought for by his neighbouring Gentlemen, whom he had incited by his forwardness, and invited by persuasions, the Noble Earl was fled, (not for Religion, nor I think to any) to take council of his peer the Earl of Pembroke; whom (after some grave and wise consultation had) he Engaged so far as to go with him to Derby-house, there to plead with the quintessence of his oratory for forgiveness, promising if he might but scape a whipping, than never to do so again, Which he did.  
Where the gallant and doughty Earl (after a pause for recovery of breath) made what discovery the whole action was liable to, and his capacity could reach; Making also several propositions to the Committee, which he assured them was the only way to remove those distempers; declaring, that he had heard such things from divers Gentlemen in the Engagement that gave assurance to his hopes.  
The Committee thereupon began to be a little enclinable unto his discourse, and gave as much credit to it, having his Friend, and Cousin P: to swear for him; and thereupon resolved upon some Instuctions to be given him as concerning indemnity upon a disbanding, and submission again to the Yoke, and the like: Which being rereported to the House, were resolved on; and he on the thursday morning dispatched away with them.  
Who immediately posts home, and with his greatest power endeavours the disbanding of the Commonalty; beginning first with the discouraging the Gentry, who being once down, the other must necessarily fall; and indeed proceeded so far in it, that caused divers Gentlemen, as well as Commoners, to desert the business; but the generality being constant, and their Consciences linked to the service, by the golden chain of Religion, and Loyalty, were not to be disheartened; insomuch, that I think, those stratagems, as the other endeavoured for suppression, gave a more courageous life to their actions, and converted that pestiferous obstruction to a cordial advancement.  
The Gentlemen and Commoners being not only sensible of this his baseness, but also incensed at it, gave the noble Earl this satisfaction to that design of his (or rather treachery) as it were a pill for to purge his Apostatisme (better physic I confess might have been administered, and more proper) remitted him up to the Committee with this Letter.  

To the Right Honourable the Committee of Lords and Commons at Derby House.  
My Lo:  
WE have seen the Instructions from your Lordships, to the Right Hourable the Earl of Thanet, upon consideration whereof we have thought fit to return this answer to Your Lordships.  
That we have cause to believe there are many persons about your Lordships, who endeavour to infuse into you very sinister opinions of our proceedings, in relation to the safety of this County at this time: who when we shall be admitted to a fair and equal hearing, will appear to be the greatest disturbers thereof themselves: And that our intentions are free from all other ends than natural defence, We humbly beseech your Lordships to understand, that we are in firm resolution to observe the Declaration of the Houses; and for the manner of presenting our Petitions and Complaints will follow the directions in the said Declaration. But saving to ourselves always the liberty of preserving the most Ancient and inviolate Freedoms of this County; we must desire your Lordships to put a fair interpretation upon our purposes of continuing within the safeguard of our Arms, till we have assurance from your Lordships that the Clamours of those above against us, have had no success in their enraged designs of engaging against this County in blood and ruin when they find never so small a diminution of their Arbitrary Power, so long exercised over us, endeavoured to be taken from them; not doubting but upon the presentation and fair reception of our Petition, and just Complaints, the Houses will give such seasonable relief therein, as will abundantly discover the inclination of this County to Peace and Amity.  
My Lords, this is the account we can give you of this County by the hands of the noble Lord, the Earl of Thanet, whom also we have desired to inform your Lordships further: That our present posture tends not to offer violence to the Parliament; nor suffer acts willingly unbeseeming our fair intentions; but do, and shall take strict care to repress wheresoever ever we find it, the incensed spirit we see in the people: Which, how it hath been raised, we shall in due time be able to make appear. And so we rest  
My Lords, Your Lordship's most humble Servants. 

Tho: Peyton.  
John Darell.  
Tho: Palmer.  
James Hales.  
Tho: Hardres.  
Tho: Godfrey.  
Geo: Newman.  
Ja: Newman.  
Tho: Courtop.  
Edw: Whitton.  
Will: Hugesson.  
Rich: Lee Jun.  
James Darell.  
R: Wilkinson.  
Edw: Roberts.  
Philip Ward  
Mayor of Rochester     
Thus did this Jewish Apostate Lord fall short of his intended Treachery to his Lord and Master the KING, and disloyally to his Country: And his supposed Glorious design extinguished in a stink, so great, I fear, as will remain fresh in the nostrils of Fame, and render him odious to his Country to all Posterity; how he savoured in the apprehensions of the Committee I know not. Yet he hath obtained thus much reward, he hath gotten a fame by it, which he may if he please boast of; that in it he shall live after death; But it is no better than that of Erostratus, who wilfully set fire to the Temple, that he might get to himself a fame when he was dead. Which will be as due a recompense as so unhandsome and unnatural Apostatisme can deserve.  
But now on the contrary our Resolute Engagers resolving to regard no obstructions what ever, any further than to kick it out of the way; and the time drawing near to the limitation of the Postscript, those from Canterbury hasted their march on the monday morning towards Rochester both Horse and Foot: But the march was too tedious, and the men not able to perform it, that day being the time of meeting, and to march away again the next morning towards Black-heath; Wherefore the Foot marched no farther than Sittingborne, where they quartered that night, intending to march on the next morning. But the Commissioners and the rest of the Gentlemen, with Col. Hattons Horse marched on that night to Rochester, ordering their march to a very military conformity.  
At Rochester they met with the Gentry of the County from all Quarters, in a very great number, as at a general Rendezvous: But the main body of those men they had drawn together, (or rather who had drawn themselves together) for they came in with a voluntary cheerfulness, and as cheerful a resolution) lay in, and about Daertford, as being an advance twenty miles forwards of their next days march to the appointed Rendezvous.  
That night came one or two Gentlemen out of Essex, To treat with the Commissioners at Rochester (being then generally met from all parts of the County) about the association of both Counties in that general Engagement, assuring that the whole County of Essex would unanimously rise to join with them, and desired a meeting of a resected party of the Kentish Gentlemen, to join in a parley some where over the Water, with some that should be selected in Essex for that purpose, but we being then so near the period of that time, wherein by our general Engagement we had bound the whole Country to meet, and to march towards London, could not Join in any such thing; but took the promise of those Gentlemen as an assurance, that the County of Essex would unanimonsly Concur to rise at the same time to join with us in the main Interest; Others came also from Surrey to treat on the same terms, promising as great a readiness of that County to join in that association which was received with a great deal of alacrity.  
But about midnight the same night (they being to march onwards the next morning) came down a post with an order from the House of Commons to Rochester, to the Commissioners joined in that Engagement to this purpose; that, whereas they did understand that the people of Kent were coming up to Westminster in a tumultuous, and pretended petitionary way, they knew not the Intentions of it, and had therefore referred them to treat with the General the Lord Fairfax, and the Committee of Derby-house.  
This rigorous order of prevention being received and read, In the morning the General council being met, the business was scanned and discussed; for now this grain of paper had quite turned the Balance, and absolutely altered the constitution of the General Interest; for they could not but believe that the Army would advance entirely against them, knowing well enough (considering the posture the Country was in) what it would be to treat with a conquering and potent adversary, in that inexperienced condition, I mean of a new raised and unmodelled body of raw men.  
Whereupon by a general result, orders were immediately dispatched away to Dartford; and the other places adjacent, where the main Body then quartered and lay upon Guard, to march then back to Rochester; having also intelligence within a very short time that the Lord Fairfax with his main Body was advancing towards us already: But however upon their retreat left a Guard at a place called Stone bridge near Gravesend to secure that pass, but they could not long hold it, the enemy (for so we might easily guess them to be by this time, by the ceizing all Gentlemen and others they met) coming up so close, although, to say truth, a better order might have been observed in it; and indeed would, had the Party been a formidable Body.  
When they came back to Rochester, Master Mat: Carter having received Commission of Quartermaster General of all the forces then raised, or to be raised in that County, from the Commissioners and Gentlemen engaged, received Orders from the Council for the Quartering them there, Whereupon he first caused them to be drawn up by distinct Regiments in several Fields; whereby he was able to take an exact account of the strength of every. Regiment, so to know how to dispose of them, and ascertain the Council of the full number in gross; which than he Mustered in rank and file completely armed, seven thousand of the Infantry, and as well accoutred, being most of them very sufficient men of ability, and not wanting of as Honourable resolutions. The Horse not being drawn together, but abroad, the most of them upon several parties, could not be so well taken notice of. At which time also there were at several places of the Country about three thousand more which never came up to this party, as at Canterbury, Maidstone, Sittingborne, Sandwich and Dover. This gallant Body by his care were equally divided into Quarters in Rochester, Strood, and Chatham the Horse in Villages near adjacent. And the Engagers now began to cling more closely, and taking time by the forelock, thought it not good to let slip any minute, lest their hopes and security might be lost with it; and began more seriously to consider what might most probably advance their safety and honour, knowing that what they were now to trust too was difficult severity of Fortune, the Army being like enough to fall in suddenly upon them.  
Amongst many considerations, at last they easily concluded, that the next business that must be endeavoured, must be to mould that party into a formidable Army, and to appoint one particular man to Command in Chief. For now they were forced to stand upon their own guard, to maintain that with the Sword which was intended only in a just and peaceable way, according to the Ancient Customs of this Kingdom. But this is a new liberty of the Subject, none of the old I am sure: A sad world when men shall fall deeper into the pit of Destruction, by the endeavours of those they supplicate for aid to bring them out; and who, by natural, as well as legal alliance, and interest, are bound to assist, and by themselves placed for it. If this be to Reform, Heavens bless all good Christians, and Loyal Subjects from Reformation. Having now thus resolved, they appointed a Rendezvouz the next day at Barham Down, some three miles distant from thence towards Maidstone: Where the Lord Norwich was proclaimed General in the head of the Army, (for now being drawn together, they deserved that Title) so gallant a Body they were of Infantry, who received him with as much cheerfulness; expressing an unparallelled willingness to serve their King, and as much joy that they were so engaged to it, knowing that their service was not only for Him, but the whole Kingdom's peace, the recovering of their Country's Liberty, and the Church's tranquillity. As it hath been a general, and as true an Observation in all Ages and Commonwealths, that those that engage in other men's quarrels are more remiss, and unspirited, as knowing that they shall partake in the danger, but not in the victory, since another would receive the greatest and fairest fruit thereof, and arrogate the Honour likewise to themselves: whereas they also that take Arms for their Country, may conceive better hopes that God will prosper them, for that they seek not to take from others, but to keep their own; and that they fight not for other men's fancies, but their own defence, whereby the whole benefit of victory will redound to themselves.  
This Rendezvouz being broke up, the Army Marched again into Quarters, though not the same as before, neither by the Quartermaster Generals laying out; much, I confess, contrary to the Lord General's sense or intentions, whose advice it was that it would have been most convenient to lodge them close together, or in the Field, it being very fair weather at that time. Although I have been informed there are some, who have broached a most damnable Aspersion on the Earl of Norwich; throwing this dirty and odious Calumny in the face of his innocent and unspotted Fame: That he was the man who betrayed that service to its succeeding destruction; and that he made it his design to take that Command upon him, that he might the more easily effect that design, being himself no Soldier.  
And so impudently, or else ignorantly, they proceeded in this Ignoble derogation, as to raise a confirmation of it from this conclusion: That had it not been so, he had as well paid the loss of life for his Loyal service, as the Lord Capell, and the Earl of Holland, etc.  
First, that his own design steered him to that Interest, is so palpably false, that it was as absolute an accident as could be, that brought him to Rochester, (as at the first of his coming, and at his being in Colchester I have heard him relate myself) being in his Journey to Sussex, and taking that road to scape the Army, who then lay very thick in the other, and who knows not how dangerous it is to travail amongst them. Where when he came, and the Commissioners (Just then upon the dispute, whom to invest with that command) hearing of his arrival, Immediately selected peculiar Gentlemen to make a civil address unto him, with the tender of that Command, and their serious obedience and service with it, as being a Peer of the Realm, and a man of so known a worth, and a mind so deep and able, as to capacitate him for any great command. Whereby he might easily end that strife which so suddenly might have been blown up to a destructive flame, being already kindled by those more than sparks of Emulation, in the breast of some Gentlemen then Interested; Having before with much earnestness solicited the Duke of Richmond, to that no whit dishonourable (though it might be feared unbeneficiall) Engagement. But his fears turning Prophets, dictated to his Soul more powerful arguments for easy denials.  
To which the Earl of Norwich returned this most courteous answer, (with as modest an excuse from undertaking so high a concernment in a Country where he had so little engagement) That he was confident the Duke would yet Engage with his Country, being so generally, unanimously, and courageously met, and upon so just, unquestionable, and candid a design, and that he believed he would undertake the command. For the further advancing whereof, proffered himself a solicitor for them to the Duke; which favour they accepted gratefully, and he as willingly performed.  
And going to Cobham to him with his best rhetoric, and powerful persuasions, Invited, and courted him to it; But all to no effect. Whereupon the Commissioners at his return still entreating him, and as it were pleading a necessity of it to him, he at the last accepted of it, to the great content, and satisfaction of all the Gentry, and Commonality too, then met together.  
But (as I have heard him declare since) only that the Army might be modelled, whereby it might be a greater invitation to the Duke; Not that he intended afterwards to dissert the service, but continue it, only with an acknowledgement of superiority in the Duke, for the better encouragement of the Army; who must of necessity receive so much the more of a vigorous courage, by how much the more nobility, and Generous honour, is Engaged in their Conduct.  
Yet all persuasions proved alike in effect; By which means he became totally Engaged. Which I think (though he were no Soldier) was then as advantageous (if heaven had designed it fortunate) as could be then expected.  
For through the whole course of the succeeding service, upon any nicety, he did most prudently declare himself, and after his own opinion laid down, gave it a reference to a Council of War, for a more mature and general result: Appearing in his constant actions more a Soldier then some of no small name and undertaking, who have so boldly adventured to traduce his Loyalty and Honour. More confutations, I neither need, nor shall desire to give.  
Now this night the Army, (by persuasion of some at the Council held in the field (as being indeed more generous spirited Gentlemen than experienced Politicians, or Soldiers) was quartered at large in the Country, the General and Commissioners returned back to Rochester, where Sir Anthony Aucher, and Master Hales left them; not as some falsely surmise, and give out, because they heard of the Enemies advancing; nor through any discontent as others as Idly report; But upon this account, Master Hales being of a more noble and virtuous gallantry, than his years might speak him to be, living within fifteen miles of Rochester, had upon his first Engagement, (as his expression to my hearing) made a resolution not to see home till he had seen the Army in a formidable posture; according to which resolution he had not, but constantly continued with them till this night, and now having seen the Army in such a model as that day's Redevouze and the appointment of a General rendered it: took it for an absolute solution of his Engagement, and resolved that night to go home only to accommodate himself the better with Money, and other necessaries for a longer March, and to return the next morning; so took his leave of the General, the Commissioners, and the rest of the Gentlemen, and rid to his House; and Sir Anthony Aucher, by his earnest entreaty, went along with him, but the misfortunes of the succeeding night obstructed their return.  
For in the night the Lord Fairfax, with his whole Body, marching down towards Maidstone, and finding the River slightly Guarded, about Farley Bridge beyond the Town some two miles, easily got over; and with a strong party fell upon the Town, ere those within it were almost Alarmed; in which Town lay part of Sir John Maynies, and Sir Will: Brockmans' Regiments enquartered, that never came to the Rendezvouz, consisting of about eight hundred men.  
The Enemy being possessed of that pass, Marched over with their whole Body, they in the Town not having any true Intelligence all the day before of them, or their motion, and fell in upon their Outguards so violently, that within a very short space those in the Town were forced to fight upon extraordinary disadvantages; the Enemy so far exceeding them in number, and the Army quartered at such a distance, they could never make a Retreat, nor have any Relief time enough to assist them. However, their Courage was such, as made their Enemies know they fought with men so well satisfied in the justice of their Cause, as not to be daunted, or startled at the appearance, or apprehension of Death, though in never so grim a shape; but rather like trueborn Heroes contemning all danger, and death itself, so they might but bury their misfortunes in the wounds of their surious opposing, and oppressing Enemies; who thinking them no other than a number of men huddled together in a tumultuous manner, because of their being so suddenly gotten together, the whole Body being raised within ten days; fell on them with so much violence, as if they had been Lions, and would have devoured them at an instant; or like a boisterous whirlwind scattered them before them like dust: But much contrary to their expectations, instead of finding a prey, they met with those that were more likely to make a prey of them, whose bold resolutions soon daunted their fury. And these tumultuous disorderly fellows, as they termed them, they found orderly enough to oppose them; and although newly raised, yet of courages of the oldest Soldiers, selling their Lives and Liberties at as dear a rate as ever men did; few of them falling without first dispatching twice as many I am confident, (and their survivers must confess it) to receive their reward of their Grand Lord and Muster, who, I believe, hath ere this paid them their Arrears in the other world for their good service in this.  
This service, (though unexpected) grew very smart, and hot, both parties contending which should express more Valour; the one defending their Lives, disputing their fortification, which were but bare, and thin Hedges, with as little thought of danger, or security, as if this had been in an impregnable Fort.  
The Foe behaving themselves as gallantly as if they did not think of such a thing as a possibility of being beaten. Yet this overpowered party so bravely defended their ground, that ere long them had beaten they off, in such manner that the Lord Fairfax finding his party in such disorder, even upon a Retreat, alighted from his Horse, and came on himself with them to encourage them on, who were so daunted by the unexpected courage of these defendants, that their disorder was like enough to have much endangered their whole Body.  
But at the last, fresh men still pouring their shot in upon them, they were beaten off from their Hedges, and forced to dispute the loss of their ground from place to place, against an extraordinary disadvantage, the Enemy's Horse now breaking in upon them on all parts, and showing but little remissness in their execution, when they had an opportunity to make any home Charge upon them; yet they left not their Courage with their ground, but still disputed the loss of every foot with as clear a Courage as if but still beginning to engage; from Street to Street, and from Porch to Porch, often falling upon the Enemy's Horse with only their Swords, in such a generous manner, as they seemed as prodigal of their Bloods, as they were of their Blows, which they distributed in a plentiful manner on every one durst stand to receive them; insomuch, that they put them to as often Retreats, by their so handsome and bold Encounters; but being still overpowered by the numerous reserves that continually advanced on them, were enforced still to Retreat, till at the last they came to the Churchyard, and from thence to the Church, quitting not any place dishonourably, or unhandsomely: So that they made the business so really hot, and difficult, that I am confident the Victors themselves would have wished to have rather been without that Victory, than to have purchased it at so dear a rate. But this party, after a long Fight, were drawn to so hard a push, they were forced to capitulate, none coming up to their assistance or relief unless it were a few scattering men, who hearing them so engaged, though without any order, left their Quarters and huddled into this Crowd of confused Destruction, which they were overwhelmed in.  
And here again in a cause received, that too many Gentlemen conceive sufficient for them to approbriate the General, as either treacherous, or infinitely negligent in not relieving that Party, which as they say might easily have been done. And then in all their discourses they frequently urge, endeavouring thereby to obscure the face of his Honour with black shades of Infamy. But all cannot do; his Honour is too high flown, for those short winged Bastards to reach at, having a Soul I am confident as white, with Innocent and Loyal thoughts, as his head with hairs, and a Spirit as active as the boldest he that dares question it: And to clear him in this, first, although proclaimed General of that Army, yet of so little a date was that Title to him, as that he was not so immediately and clearly impowered with the charge of them, and conduct of their Interest, as (like a General) to act his own will immediately in it; There being as yet too many Generals, or at least ambitious Spirits Interested, who having formerly a power in the 〈◊〉 of them, had not yet so clearly laid down their power, they supposed, that nothing must be done (or at least ought) without the result of their opinions in it. By whose advice and persuasion the whole body was quartered in the Country at large; too wide indeed to be rallyed in any time considerable, or drawn to any Rendezvous, what ever occasion might, or should fall out; as it fell too appearantly true in this. Although of my own knowledge it was the advice of the General, to Lodge them all that night in the field by the river side; which counsel, had the Gentlemen of that County observed, the body had remained entire, ready to wait, and receive the Enemy upon any motion they should, or could make; and the river so guarded that the Enemy could never possibly have forced any place, pass, or Ford of it. But the men are thought weary, and harased off their legs, (having indeed marched very tedious marches) and therefore must have fresh quarters, and large, to revive and refresh their tired Spirits; By which means the enemy made an easy passage over the river, without any opposition at all, and the Party in the Town quite lost, ere the Army or a Party considerable for their relief could be drawn together to any Rendezvous. And yet not only strangers to the business (who indeed ought also to be careful how they censure, and asperse men of so much Honour) but some whose young Soldierships counsels were partly the cause, cast the loss of the business upon the General, who I am assured all that night, while constant Alarms were sounded in his ears, of their being in fight, did his endeavours to draw Parties to a Rendezvous from their quarters, to their assistance; but none could be forced out, at least considerable; Whereupon the next morning early, he caused the Army as soon as it was possible to get them together, (having sent out orders at the first news of their being in fight at Maidstone) to be drawn up to a Rendezvous at Finsbury fields, on the other side the river Medway, by Stroode; Where a Council was called in the field, and upon a report that it was yet possible to relieve them at Maidstone, it was a general result, and desire of the General, yet to march entire thither. Whereupon the whole Army marched through Rochester, it being the resolution of the General if it were yet possible to relieve them or to fight the whole Army of the Enemy.  
But he had not marched two miles, when certain Intelligence came, that they were all cut off, and taken Prisoners the night before early; though many of them came up to the Army afterwards having made their escape.  
Upon this Intelligence the Army was marched back again to Rochester; Where the General with the Commissioners betook themselves to their Counsels again, to consult what was best to be done in that condition; the Parliament having before hand refused to receive their Petition, and the Enemy already entered the very bowels of their Country, and a party roving about, and making a prey of their Estates, and Friends. For one Major Osborne an Officer of the Parliaments with a Troop of Horse, was before wheeled down about Ashford, and so towards Sittingborne, whereupon Col. Hammon was ordered to stay with his Regiment at Sittingborne, and Col. Hatton marched back with his Horse, and liting on this troop of the Enemies, Chared them, where Major Sumner was killed, and one or two Gentlemen more wounded. Upon which Sir Rich: Hardres was again entreated back, by the Commissioners, into East-Kent to raise the rest of the Country, and to take care for the securing of Canterbury and the other towns. Sir Michael Lusey was also raising all he could make, this Major Osborne with his troop securing him in it; by which means the whole Country began to seem with a face of an absolute seat of War. But now the courage of the Soldiery at Rochester was such, as would not admit the General time enough to resolve on any thing, being then at consultation what course to steer; For though the weather were such as would have envited them rather, to desire the shelter of the town, then to expose themselves to such an extremity of Rain, as then showered down; yet they were so desirous and greedy of action, as almost tended to mutiny; For drawing out their colours themselves caused their Drums to beat, saying; If their Officers would not march, they would both march and fight without them. Whereupon the Earl of Norwich commanded them to be drawn into the field to a Rendezvous in the same place as before; not being yet resolved which way to contrive the laying of his design to the best advantage; for he would act nothing without the absolute conclusion of the Council, in which was now included many able Soldiers, which came in from several parts to Join and engage with us, more indeed there came then the present condition of the County would permit accommodation to: Which gave an occasion to divers Gentlemen to think themselves disrespected, wanting Horse, and other conveniences for War, by reason of their coming down from London by water, and unprovided: But indeed the County at that time could not yield so many Horse as was supposed it would, therefore they could not be furnished for the present, but order was given by the Commissioners for their Civil treatment, and an Ordinary provided at the County charge for them, that they might continue on free quarter with promise of the furniture of all accoutriment answerable to their Quality, as opportunity would give leave: Master Hales also out of his own purse presented a Party of them that most wanted for the present, with thirty pound to be distributed amongst them.  
Now it had been the advice of some to plant the Army in that place, and by fortifying that City to maintain it as long as they could; But this young military policy was not liked by some, who better understood that the General Engagement concerned action, and not to lie still under a passive design, besides that town was not to be maintained, though some think it was, by reason of that River which of itself was a fortification to one part of the town.  
Wherefore now coming into the field, the General called again the chief Officers of the Army and Gentlemen to Counsel; Where it was a great dispute, and the only now, whether they should march on towards London in the prosecution of the intended design, according to the Engagement, or march back to fight the Enemy who was wildly roving, and raving in the very heart of their Country; and by Joining with those in East-Kent strengthen their force, and either fight the Enemy or secure that County: But it was not long, ere they concluded to march on; knowing that though their body of Infantry was strong enough for to give the Enemy a field, if occasion should require it; yet the Horse was so weak as not to enable them to any Fight at all, having not two hundred Horse they durst put any confidence in; and for joining with those in East-Kent, they were strong enough, or would be, of themselves; besides, they knew, that if they Marched backwards, the Enemy would certainly draw down more powerfully upon them; and forcing them to retreat into a corner of the Country, take off all hopes of any assistance from any other County, which they expected, according to the association agreed on betwixt Surrey, Essex, and themselves. And if they Marched on, they should draw the Army after them: And by drawing nearer those two Counties be both an encouragement, and assistance to draw them together; who once joining with them, would make so great a Body, as in all probability would be formidable to the Enemies; for now they were forced by that violence, into an absolute defensive War.  
This being the result of the Council, we immediately Marched from the Rendezvouz towards Dartford; only Colonel D. Wyles with his Regiment (some of them being gone before) Marched away towards East-Kent; which Regiment was full upon Muster twelve hundred men. Colonel Hammons of Foot lying about Sittingborne, Feversham, were ordered by the General to March back to Canterbury, to strengthen that place, and never came up to the Rendezvous at all.  
About midnight we came to Dartford, where the General caused a Letter to be drawn up, and sent to the Mayor, aldermans, and Common Council of the City of London, to give them notice of our March that way, as also of our intentions. Desiring withal, that if it might be, we might have their assistance, which we hoped for, having Treated before with them: Or at least wise that if we might not have their assistance, yet that they would permit us to March through the City of Westminster without interruption, or resistance. Engaging the whole Counties security for theirs that they should not thereby be endamaged the least mite.  
But they (like a Dog to his Vomit) turned to their old course of Parliament Service; and no sooner received the Letter, but immediately instead of returning a civil Answer to the General, dispatched it away to the Speaker of the House unbroke up.  
However, we knew nothing thereof till the next evening; so we marched on all that night, and the next day without any refreshment, or repose at all. The next day about noon we came to Greenwich, where the General drew the whole Army into the Park, expecting to receive some good satisfaction from the City, as also from Surrey, Southwark, and Essex.  
But we found but small encouragement, or reason for the continuance of those hopes, receiving no intelligence from Surrey, nor any news of appearance of men for our assistance, either from thence, or any other place. London we heard had shut, and guarded their Ports against us; Only there came a Gentleman out of Southwark, as he said, who coming to the Quartermaster General, assured him, that if the General would send any considerable party into the Burrow of Southwark for their assistance, that they would unanimously rise and join with us; which he acquainted the Lord General with, and returned him this Answer: That in regard he was a stranger, and not known, he must not expect a party should be adventured upon his bare assertion; but if he would return to those Gentlemen of the Burrow that he said employed him, and that any of the Principle men would engage to what he promised, that then they should have what party they should desire. With which answer he returned, but never came again.  
There came a Gentleman also out of Essex, who assured the General that the County was up for to join with us, (which was more than we expected, having heard contrary news before at our first coming to the Park, or afterwards found trne) and that about Bow there were two thousand men in Arms, and more at Chelmesford: Upon which intelligence the General (earnestly intending the prosecution of what he had undertaken) crossed the Water in the Ferry-boat with his Horse, and went over privately into Essex himself, not carrying one Servant with him, intending only to go to Stratford, or Bow, where his intelligence assured him a Body was gotten together, to assure himself of the truth of it, and to return; and in case it proved not true, to steer some other design with the Army: But if he should find the Country in so good posture as his Intelligencer related, upon his return to provide Boats, and to conduct the Army safe over to join with them. Leaving Sir William Compton with the charge of the Army then Major General, by whose appointment provision of Bread, Beer, and Cheese, was brought into the Park: Though it proved a great difficulty to procure it in that Town, not being very well furnished for its own store.  
But now our party began to be much weakened from what it was two days before, and no assurance of any aid appearing, and we absolutely frustrated of our design, of marching through the City to Westminster: Our Condition began to seem something desperate, not knowing what to trust to, besides God's providence: For we were not able to fight with any hopes of victory, or success, if they had followed us, although so great a resolution was still amongst us, that had an Army double the Enemies Engaged us, it would have proved something of a difficulty to have vanquished us.  
Now the night being come, and the General not returned, according to expectation; Which he could not do, for finding no party stirring at Bow, or Stratford, he made no stay till he came to Chelmsford, because he would assure to himself a certainty of the condition of that County ere he returned, which would be the next morning. There being no possibility of procuring Boats for the transporting such a number of men over the River in the night, which was the next hopes we had left, some timorous Spirits began to steal away, which put such a distraction amongst the whole Party, as every man was almost in an amazed confusion. To advance which disorder, one Riding into the Park in the dark of the night, told the Soldiers, that they were in very great danger, and that their Officers wished them to shift for themselves; no man regarding what he was, nor demanding his reason; which so amused the Soldiers that heard it, and so aggravated the distraction (although no Enemy were near) then many began to shift for themselves, and procuring the Ferry boat wafted over to the Isle of Dog as they thought for their absolute security. Some also endeavouring it, and being got into, were again forced back by other Soldiers, who exclaiming upon them for running away, threatened to fire at them if they should offer to stir off the shore with their boat.  
Thus did this hopefully well-ordered business suddenly suffer under the unconstant humour of fortune, to the greatest change that ever was. But all men are naturally subject to change, and therefore aught to be the more cautious in prosperity and resolute in change; for too much security in the one precipitates to the other, and too much dejection and remissness in the other hurls into despaite; to destruction.  
At last this causeless, and unlooked for distraction begat in some a panic fear, in others a mad fury; so that every man began to shift for himself, and hunt out for his own security, being doubtful of it almost in every place; but as a thing designed by an extraordinary providential power of that All-powerfull Divinity that always prevents misfortunes, and so gives life to future; actions, especially such as are ground in religious Honour, though in a disorderly rout, throwing themselves into the very mouth of Destruction (who else might have been secure enough, had they remained till the General's return where he left them) the greatest part of the Foot, and some few of the Horse at several places transported themselves over the River of Thames, no man knowing what would be the event of their rashness, nor able almost to give a reason for what they did in it, or if any, but a supposititious one, though it proved lucky enough: For had we remained there till the General's return, according to the condition he found the Essexians in, he would hardly, in reason, have laid the scene of his design that way; by which means we had likely, not only have lost that service which afterwards happened, but have fallen in an instant, and in much less Honour.  
But this rashness had been ill enough too, had not the great and Allseeing Soul of Nature inlivened our then almost dead fortunes by a miraculous guidance through that gulf of mischief we were then plunged into, and as before strangely, and unexpectedly brought us together, so now as providential conducted us through a misery as great, and else, unevitably ruinous. For having thus confusedly, as it were, thrown ourselves over to the other side of the Thames for our further safety, (in that fear where indeed no danger was) we had no sooner landed, but supposing ourselves to have been in Essex, where then our only hopes had fixed their Anchors; but we unexpectedly understood that we were in Midlesex, under the Hamlets of the Tower, and posting to absolute ruin; like that unfortunate vessel, that seeking to avoid the fatal Rock of Scylla, plunged herself into the more desperate gulf of Charybdis.  
Here (by the appointment of the House) lay a Regiment of Hamletteers of the Tower drawn up to their Arms in several Guards, ready to receive, and cut us off at our Landing, which might easily enough have been performed, considering the disorder we were then in; every man Marching according to his own fancy, and coming up from the River sides at several places and ways: Yet all, at it were by a strange sympathy, steering one and the same course.  
But Sir Will: Compton (a man truly Noble, and more complete in Gallantry, Virtue and Honour, than years) having first discovered this plotted mischief, and perceiving the ruin we were running blindfold into: As supposing it the best course in that condition, treated with them for the whole party before he would permit any man almost to March in amongst them. By which means conditions were drawn, and Signed between him, and the Officers in Chief of the Regiment: Which were, that all our Foot should, upon laying down their Arms, depart to their own homes, or where they pleased quietly, without any violence, or molestation offered to them. And all Gentlemen, and Officers, with their Horses, and Arms, to March where they pleased also without any disturbance. But those conditions were soon as almost broke, as made; for, before the foot came up, some Gentlemen marching through their Guards, had their Horses and Arms both taken from them by the Major of the Regiment, by whom the Articles on their party were Signed.  
Then the Foot, and a greater number of Gentlemen, by their easy March coming up together; and understanding what was done, and how unlikely they were to keep Articles when they should lie unarmed at their mercy, that had so unworthily begun, and so soon broke them, Marching through two or three Guards, no man being permitted to pass any by-way, by reason of the easy March the Gentlemen made, the Foot came closer up; so that they hoped the better to avoid abuses of those who began already to scoff and fleer at us.  
And considering what a condition an inauspicious fate had reduced us to, and how these Gallants had broken conditions; we began to think of some other way then so lamely disband, and submit ourselves by such worthless Boors, (who understood not so much Honour (I except the chiefest of them) as to know what was meant by drawing, and signing Articles of Conditions) and so began to sift out the disposition of the private Soldiers, who we soon found so resolute as to express themselves rather desirous to die there, in the bed of Honour, than to survive such an infamous misfortune, and live slaves all the days of their lives after.  
This bold resolution proved now the happy guide to a better Fate; and all concluded to make a second dispute for Conditions, and Charge through them. And being now in the midst of them, every man provided himself accordingly, the Foot all lighting their Matches, and the Gentlemen drawing their Pistols, began to alter the constitution of our fleering Hamletteers, who left their vanity of jeering, and so we marched on from guard, to guard, through the midst of them, as moving to the place of disbanding, where we expected an opposition, and as much resolved to force through it; but that proved the last and utmost guard just at Bow town.  
But now they beholding us marching in this resolute manner, and still moulding ourselves into better order, were absolutely dashed from a thought of opposition; so we marched on without the least affront till we came to Bow-bridge, where we supposed was the place for our disbanding: At the other end of which bridge was a turnpike strongly guarded with Musketeers, and having entered upon the bridge, we made a stand to parley with them; but after a very short discourse being asked whether they were Friends, or Foes, we were answered from them, Friends; whereupon we replied, if you are Friends let your turnpike be opened; so they opened their turnpike, and with a very great shout let us in. And now we were in Essex.  
So we marched clear through these Hamletteeres, and carried away the Major Prisoner, and another Officer; but afterwards, upon their parols, they were suffered to go to London, but never returned again according to their Engagements, by which also you may guess how much Honour they had in them; so we marched on still till we came to Stratford.  
Here we met with the General again, returning back to us, expecting to have found us in the same posture he left us in the Park at Greenwich: But understanding the carriage of the business, and what had fallen out, was much troubled at it, and knowing the long and tedious marches they had made, and the precedent night's actions, could not permit them any repose; nor that they had received any refreshment for two nights, and that the third day. Immediately gave command for the drawing them up into order, and by planting on the green, to procure such refreshment as the place would afford for the present, ere we marched any further.  
And here was a providence in all this unhappiness, had we received the least affront or opposition by these Hamletteers, or by any obstruction been hindered never so little time, we had been absolutely cut off; or had we been disbanded, we had been as suddenly ruined; for we had no sooner marched over the bridge, and scarce drawn up, but we received a very strong Alarm by a Party of Col. Whalies' horse; Who, as it was conceived, came thither purposely upon the Intelligence that we were to disband, to make a prey of us when we were naked; and by surprising us, make what spoil they pleased with the private Soldiers, and take all the Gentlemen Prisoners; but by Gods assisting providence that was prevented; and now they fell on thinking to have beat us off from our guards by their sight only, so they marched on a full career (having laid an ambuscade of Dragoones to secure their retreat) as if they would have destroyed us in a minute, which indeed had been facile enough had we been as tame as they supposed we had been, and had not the Gentlemen bestirred themselves courageously; But now we were awakened again by this Alarm, and roused from the drowsy spirit that possessed every man almost, if he but sat down, or still on Horseback; and drawing out a Party of Foot to strengthen the Guard, rallyed a Party of Horse to a number of thirty, and marching forth the turnpike, gave them such a home charge, that so started them, as it put them to such a perfect rout in an instant, and killed and wounded many of them; which successful action gave life to our defatigated spirits, and encouraged our Party so, that they followed the pursuit as far as Milend-greene; but by that means fell into their ambuscade, who fired upon them from the hedges, so they were forced to make as much speed in retreating, though none pursued. In which service only one Gentleman, a Grecian, being shot by the Dragooners was left behind about the Green, and in the Charge Cap. John Lynne cut over the Chin, and over the Breast, which was all the hurt we sustained in it. But although our pursuit continued no further, yet the Enemy kept on their flight in that disorder, no body following them, till they came to White. Chapel; which, as I was Informed, gave an Alarm to the whole City, as far as Temple-bar.  
But now the Hamletteeres began again to oppose us, but were as soon forced to take Sanctuary in Bow Church, where we surrounded them with a Party of Horse and Foot, and put them to treat with us for a quiet returning home to their own houses, engaging themselves never to oppose us again. Thus was there a convertible change of various fortune in two opposite Parties, in less than two hours' space.  
After this our Party again retired within the Turn-pike; and strong Guards commanded on all Passes and Fords about the River, and on all Highways and Avenewes, for hindering the Enemy from making Incursions upon us, who were again calling and drawing up a strong Guard at Milend-greene, both of Horse and Dragoones.  
But after all this, our Party resting a little began to take heart again, as thinking themselves secure from any opposition or Inconveniency, being amongst our professed Friends; When our condition gave another reverse, and was like to change for the worse, than ever before: For after he had run through so many difficulties, and wearied out with so tedious marches, our Soldiers ready almost to fall down in the Street for want of food to sustain them: we were like to fall into another encounter with adverse fortune. The General, notwithstanding his great age, which might easily have disenabled him from such toil, yet as if he had been absolutely Indefatigable, or else miraculously nourished, (not receiving almost any rest or sleep, for the space of four days, and three nights, and yet not seeming to want any) posted immediately away again to Chelmsford, where the Gentry of the Country were met; giving order for the Quartering that shattered Army in Stratford till further orders from him.  
But when Quartermaster General Carter had sent for the Constable, and given him Order accordingly: The Constable seeming to go about in obedience to his Warrant (whilst by some other Gentlemen he was civilly, and honourably treated as a stranger) makes no long stay ere he returned again, accompanied with three or four burly Gentlemen, (as I conceive Justices of Peace of that part of the Country) who making it their business, began to question the Quartermaster General of his Authority of Quartering an Army in that Country, intimating that they were all quiet before, and at peace amongst themselves, and with the Parliament; and that the Parliament had granted them what they desired, and had sent them an Act of Indemnity: But we bringing an Army into their County, should draw down the Parliaments Army upon them, and make it a Seat of War; and they could not any way condescend that we should fix a Quarter there, it being no way for their safety, but like to prove the readiest way to their destruction.  
Cheerful expressions to men that had run through so many hazards, and confused difficulties. Having let our own Country to the Cruelty of a most barbarous and merciless Enemy, to come as by an abolute associated engagement to their assistance; whereby we hoped to be strong enough to break the bonds, and tear off the shackles from our most inhumanly imprisoned Sovereign, and unnaturally enslaved Countrymen; and now no sooner entered the Confines of their County (from whence so many public Declarations of their Loyal and sincere Intentions had flown abroad throughout the Kingdom) and so late checked the Insolence of the proud Enemy, and beaten them off from forcing a violent incursion upon it, and to have such an unexpected welcome, was too harsh, and severe, and might have proved very mischievous, if resented by the inferior sort of the Army, whose fury knows little, or no more, when inflamed with so just a discontent.  
But the Quartermaster General returned them this Answer in short: That for the power by which he Quartered that Army, it was by Commission from the General, and that he quartered them in that place by immediate Command also from him: But for our coming into that Country, it concerned him not to dispute it; neither could he give any other account then the Engagement between both Counties, and the General, the Earl of Norwich: But if they should desire any further satisfaction, to their desires, they must receive it from the Lord General himself.  
But the General being gone to Chelmsford, Sir Will: Compton being Major General, hearing of this dispute, came also to them, and gave the like satisfaction, but would not long dispute the business with them, knowing nothing at all of them, nor by what Authority they were empowered to make those interrogatories.  
And now our Bloods being hardly cool, since the last Affront, when heated again by this new, and the consideration of the sad success of our so just, and honourable Designs, almost boiling to fury, resolved to Quarter there till we should again receive Orders from the General; and then (in case the business of the Country should prove so, contrary to our hopes, and the expectations of the whole Kingdom, as to answer the expressions of those men of belial) to March on, forcing our way through all obstructions, till we should find a party to join with, or be destroyed in the Field; that we might thereby win an Honourable Liberty, or Tomb.  
Here we Quartered till Wednesday in the afternoon, it being Sunday morning when we came thither, still keeping the Enemy in some play, who lay with their Guards within half a mile of us, and their Scouts still pekiering with us at Bow Townes end. All which time the Earl of Norwich continued at Chelmsford, agitating the business with the Gentlemen of the County; and minding to what it would turn there, who had not long before put forth this declaratory Engagement. 

The Engagement, or Declaration of the Grand Jury, Free holder's, and other Inhabitants of the County of Essex, in prosecution of their late Petition presented to both Houses.  
WE the Grand Jury, Freeholders', and other the Inhabitants of the said County in the prosecution of the said Petition, do Engage ourselves one to another, and Declare,  
1. That we will not pay any more Exoise, or other Taxes, till all the desires expressed in our said Petition be obtained by us.  
2. That we will admit of no Soldiers to come into our County but such as agree with us in our said Petition, and in this Engagement.  
3. That we will employ our utmost endeavours to preserve and defend our Royal King Charles, His Kingly Government; the Subjects Liberty, and the known Laws of this Kingdom: That is to say, the Common, and Statute Laws, and will never submit ourselves to any other kind of Laws, much less to any Arbitrary power whatsoever.  
4. That we will protect, and defend one another, and all that shall adhere to us in the pursuance, performance, and keeping of this Engagement: And that if any Inhabitant of our County shall refuse to join with us herein, we shall esteem him a person dis-affected to the Peace and welfare of the same.    
But notwithstanding this Engagement, they were yet backward enough in prosecuting any thing to the purpose, in answer to their Petition, or Association here. When his Excellency came, he found the greatest part of the Gentry of the County met; but all business so disjoined, and so strangely confused, as there seemed almost an impossibility of any good to proceed from that so high Engagement, and mountainous Conception: And our party consequently left (as inconsiderable) to be cut in pieces by a most cruel Enemy, who had already possessed themselves of our whole Country; ruined our Friends, made lavish havoc of our Estates: and having proclaimed us Traitors for coming thither for their assistance, would prove as undoubtedly prodigal of our lives, if ever we should fall under their power.  
The distraction indeed was so great, that the Gentlemen, and Commoners, who came there with real intention to prosecute their Petition, and Engagement, were likely to have been dispersed in less time than they were in coming together; Capt. Lin of that Country had once before raised a thousand men, which were immediately dispersed. An order of Indemnity being read in the head of them by Colonel far, which the Committee of the County so pressed to them, that they went all quietly home. And now were as active in their Endeavours for the ruin of the main interest of that Design; as indeed it concerned them enough, for they knew the prosperity of Loyalty is destruction of Rebellion: I leave them to make the Application.  
They were so active in their Machivilian Stratagems for countermining all policy against them, as that Charles Lucas being there urgently tending upon the design, and many other Gentlemen with careful diligence for the advancement of the King, and Country's Liberty, (it being the sole and general end, both they and we really intended, and the sole reward of our actions we all aimed at; and consequently prosecuted secuted all circumstantial opportunities which we conceived conducing to it, that at last, though by the hazard of a War, we might generally attain to the happy blessing of an honourable and lasting Peace) thought it their best course in that distraction to depart privately forth the Town, lest some unexpected inconveniency might take hold on their persons, if once it had overwhelmed the general interest, as now they began to fear would be, absolutely despairing of any good at all.  
But some of the Country Gentlemen then got together in the Town, and by chance meeting them, desired Sir Charles Lucas that he would not go away so, but let the Committee do what they would, they were sensible enough how they had ruined and undone them, and they would be abused no longer by them; but if he would be pleased to draw them out into the Field, and stay with them, they would one and all engage with him, and live and die in that Engagement, according to the intention of their meeting together, having resolved not to return till they had performed something.  
This sudden change in a little time proved very violent, as it is commonly scene in all things; so they immediately drew into the Field, and seized on the Committee, and were so furiously incensed against them, that some of them would have killed them immediately, had not some Gentlemen rescued them, & pacified the others fury, and afterwards placed a Guard over them; for now they were resolved, that since they had actively engaged themselves, they would be no more obstructed in their prosecution by those grand Opposers; who they well understood would be active enough in their endeavours, for the destruction of that design, (if at liberty) and the ruin of the Actors in it, being right-becked Committee-men of the Parliaments own bringing up, as appeared afterwards by Sir Tho: Honywood, who being at liberty, and at his own house at Coxwell, always an Enemy to the King and Kingdom, made himself appear so really now, by raising both Horse and Foot, as many, as by his power he could draw together, either for love, or fear, and made his house a Garrison to oppose the County (as much in him lay) in their proceedings in that design; But his party proved so inconsiderable then, as it could do but little injury.  
The business coming to this height, his Excellence the Lord Norwich sent his orders to Sir William Compton, to march away towards Chelmsford; so we marched away from Stratford with our whole Party, which by this time was well recruited by many of our men that came up, and divers Prentices from London, who came daily in and listed themselves; And about Wednesday night we met the General at Rumford, but the Enemy marching after us, so obstructed our march by Alaruming us in the Rear, that the whole Body could not get up till the next morning; though the Enemy durst not adventure in all the march to fall on upon the Rear guard.  
The next day being the eight of June, we marched on towards Burntwood, whither Sir Charles Lucas was advanced with a Party both of Horse, and Foot, to join with us: And having Intelligence, how the Enemy followed us with Alarms in our Rear, commanded forth all the Horse that were then in the Town to assist us; so we marched up, and quartered that night at Brentwood; and the next day being the ninth, we marched on to Chelmsford, where the Lord Capell, the Lord Loughborow and divers Gentlemen of quality 〈◊〉 Hartfordshire, and other Counties, came in to join also with us; which gave a great encouragement to our Army. There came in a Party also of Gentlemen consisting of about fifty, who entering their combination in London made their Rendezvous at Hyacinth corner, and marching all night, the night before intended to beat up a quarter of the Enemies at Epping (being in their way) But the Party was drawn out by chance hard by the Town, upon some other design, so they were disappointed of their Strategem; but though they found them ready drawn up in order, yet unexpecting any affront (not thinking of any Enemy) they marched up, and being well Horsed charged through them, and the next day came up to us, having lost only one Man, and one Horse; but the Horse being a gallant one and taken by a Countryman, was recovered again, the Gentleman that lost him coming off afterwards, went out with a Party and fetched that man in, and so regained him.  
That afternoon both Parties of Kentish, and Essex, were drawn out to a Rendezvous in Newhall Park near the Town, belonging to the Duke of Buckingham, which General meeting gave much encouragement to both Parties. Where the General and Sir Charles Lucas joining in consultation the Gentlemen of both Counties also, that by a unity in the engagement, as well as the Interest, there might be greater hopes of prosperous success.  
At which council it was once a general result to have marched away Immediately, and fallen upon the Party of Sir Tho: Honywoods at Coxwell; but upon a more serious deliberation otherwise resolved on, and orders given out for the quartering in the Town that night; But this Party of Coxwell disincouraged the Country that they began now to be very slack in their apearance to join, in relation to what they were before; not only by reason of Sir Thomas Honywoods' activeness, but because of the Enemies entering also into the Country with their whole Body.  
Saturday the tenth we marched on towards Brantree, but took Leeds house in our march, belonging to the Earl of Warwick, where we were like to have been opposed by some people who were purposely placed there, and upon the Quartermastergeneralls' coming thither to secure it from the violence of the Soldiers, refused to open their gates, being about twelve or more men with Fire-armes and two Drakes, saying that they were placed there for the securing that house, and they would rather die, then deliver it up to be plundered tamely. But being afterwards by some parley Informed that the General himself was coming, and that the Quartermaster General was commanded before to secure them from Injury; they gave him entrance with some other Gentlemen, believing it was but little boot for them to dispute with an Army: about noon the General and Sir Charles Lucas came, and haviug first dined there, seized on the Armoury, where they found a good Magazineboth of Arms and Ammunition of all sorts; so we carried from thence the two brass field pieces, and about two or three hundred Muskets, and as many pikes, with about 60. great Saddles, and body Arms proportionable to them, and some Pistols and Carbines; and a good proportion of Match and Ball, with divers other Instruments and furniture of War; But many of the Saddles we left behind for want of carriages for them. Here we Rendevouzed all the afternoon, till towards night in the Park beyond the house; the Enemy of Rendevouzing also with a Party of theirs very near the other side, and that night in the Park; but adventured not to appear all that day in sight of our Army. There was a Party of Horse also came in to us upon the march, (which along time we supposed an Enemy) from Hartfordshire and Bedfordshire consisting of about six score. From thence we marched forwards, and quartered that night at Braintree. Where the next day being Sunday, both Parties were drawn into the field in the forenoon to Rendezvous: And after prayers all the Gentlemen that were in the Army, were drawn into troops, under the command of the Lord Norwich, Lord Capell, and the Lord Loughborow, and Sir Charles Lucas; that they might not only know to dispose of themselves upon any occasion of Alarm; but being in order it would be a great conveniency, for disposing them into quarters upon every remove.  
About nine of the clock at night we marched from thence; and continued our march all that night, making only one halt about daybreake, till the next day about four of the clock in the afternoon; about which time we drew near Colchester, whither at a Council the night before, upon Sir Charles Lucas his desire, and belief of recruiting very much there, they concluded to march, but not to stay above one night or two at the most, and therefore moved in the night to amuse the Enemy that they might not to suddenly follow us; And being within five or six miles of the Town, a Party was sent before towards it, for Sir Charles Lucas had received intellithat they would not receive him in Arms; than himself, with some other Gentlemen, marched onwards before the Army, after that party was marched away: But ere the Quartermaster General left them to go to the Town, came intelligence from the Party, that the Town stood upon their Guard, and were so far from giving entrance to our party, as that they opposed them, and were too strong for them: At which news Sir Charles, and the Gentlemen with him, set Spur to their Horses, and hasted on with a full speed till they came within sight of the Town, and coming near, they found that they had shut their Gates, and drawn out about sixty Horse in a very formal Troop, well Armed and Accoutred; some of their Scouts being without the Turn-pike by the Alms Houses, than Sir Charles made a stop to send back a Messenger to the Army to hasten their March; but some four or five Gentlemen keeping on their speed, drew their Swords only, and Charged up to them, and forced them within their Turn-pike; so they retreated on the Head gate, where their whole Troop was drawn up in order; and the Gentlemen retreated again towards the Turn-pike, but some of them, as they retreated, fell in amongst the Gentlemen, yet never fired a Pistol till they came out of the Turn-pike again, than one of the Gentlemen turning quick about shot one of them, and he fell from his Horse. But when they perceived the Body of the Army coming, and that Sir Charles Lucas had drawn up two or three Troops of Horse very near them, they sent out to treat with him; and upon his Engagement that the Town should not be plundered, nor any injury offered them for what they had done, they submitted themselves, and engaged to deliver up their Horse, and Arms, with the Town; so the Gates were opened, and the Army quartered that night in the Town.  
The next day being Tuesday, June 13. about noon we received a very strong Alarm, and that the Enemy was advanced within a mile of the Town; and indeed by that time we could provide parties to send forth, their Forlornes were engaged with our Outguards in the Suburbs; which Guards were immediately doubled, and it was not long ere we were as ready to receive them, as they to assault us: Our men being drawn up to their Colours, fresh parties were sent out to assist the Guards, both of Horse and Foot; and the Enemy came on as strongly on all parts of that side the Town next Lexden, and fired up to the very Hedges and Guards of our Foot, but were as furiously opposed, till at the last some of the Guards wanting Ammunition to maintain the heat of the Service, about the Alms houses, and the house called Grimstones house, were overpowered with the number of men that threw in their Shot like hail upon them, and so forced to retreat, and gave the Enemy the Liberty of all that ground. Which retreat gave them also advantage of falling upon our other Guards near Sheere-gate; whereupon the Outguards were ordered to retreat within the town; it being the best policy to take the greatest advantage in opposing an Enemy, were an Army double the Enemy's strength: But ere this retreat could be made; and the Guards drawn within the Gates, that dispute grew close, and very hot; the Enemy coming on so violently, that it was much difficulty to maintain any ground against them, yet were they still as resolutely opposed, so that it was as hard a matter to judge whether showed more courage, the Enemy in assailing, or our Party in defending.  
Now we being forced to a retreat, although as much out of policy, as danger, gave an enencouragement to the Enemy to prosecute their charge upon us, as thinking themselves more then half victors already, and that they should in short time make themselves masters both of the Town and us.  
But this new and scarcely fleshed Army of Country men, added fire to the heat of the Service, in such a height, and with so undaunted a resolution, far contrary to the Enemy's expectation, although they had received an experimental knowledge of them at Maidestone, that many of them could not digest it, but left their bodies in the Streets, and Hedges, as Infallible witnesses of what was done; yawning out their Souls to receive their arrears, in another world, for their so Religious rebellion in this.  
Many of their dead bodies they threw into wells, some they buried in ditches, many they carried off; yet left so many behind, upon the place, that by some relations we received from the Country, of the condition of their Army the next day, and the account we had of many of their Soldiers, that came voluntarily in to us; we could not believe that they lost less than seven hundred men; Col. Needham and divers others of their prime Officers being also killed, besides many which were wounded, and above one hundred and thirty Prisoners, taken and brought into the Town; for having retired within the walls, our shot fell so thick in amongst them, they could not long abide it; but after a seven or eight hour's fight were so galled, that they were forced to a dishonourable retreat, leaving behind them one brass piece of Ordnance (which they brought to force the gate) twelve of their train Horses being shot within twenty yard's space of ground, and about five hundred Arms, which the next morning were brought into the Town. Their retreat was in such distraction, that had we sallied out with a fresh party upon them, as was once intended, we had cut their whole Army off, or the greatest part, as many of their own acknowledged. I must confess I never yet saw any men fight with a more gallant resolution, and courage, than those men did, although raw Country men, as they could not but do indeed, having so rare precedents, in so honourable personages, as those Lords and Gentlemen under whose conduct they were brought thither, and under whose Command they then fought, who ceased not themselves to act the duty of the meanest and most inferior Officers, or run the hazard of the privatest Soldier; but took Pikes in their hands, when their Horses were not of immediate service, as well for the maintenance of their ground, as to give encouragement to the more inferior sort lest by unusual heat of the service they might grow slow, and dull in the performance of their duty to the utmost: The Lord Capell charging at Head-gate (where the Enemy was most pressing) with a Pike, till the Gate could be shut, which at the last was but pinned with his Cane. The Enemy still gallantly enough too, (to give them their due) endeavouring to force their entrance in upon us, adventured on so far as to fire under the Gate, and oft times to throw stones over.  
In this service we lost Sir William Campion and Col. Cook, men of incomparable and unblemished honour, both receiving mortal shots upon the first charge in the suburbs, and one Lieutenant, and about thirty or forty private soldiers, though many more were wounded  
Sir William Layton, though not interested in any immediate command in the Army, yet of so high and noble a soul, as could not admit of a private engagement, in so general a design, took the charge of an out-guard, and endeavouring to make his retreat, when he perceived the enemy possessed of so much of our ground as to get between him and home, was unfortunately shot in the foot; so that ere he could recover the gate, it was shut, and the enemy intermixed with his party; so that he could by no means escape being taken; but by chance, by a soldier that had formerly served four year under him, in the King's service, and in his own Company; who upon the service, knowing him, came to him, and would have carried him off, but was forced by reason of the shot that came so thick in upon them from the town, to run away and leave him; but though he were very near, yet had lost so much blood, and was grown so stiff, he could not shift for himself: After a while, the soldier coming again, carried him off, and rescued him from the most inhuman usage of other soldiers; which soldier afterwards proved very officious also to him, and upon the receipt of the next pay to conduct him home, left the Army upon the unchristian demeanours he observed amongst them.  
Lieutenant Colonel George Rawlins, commanding another out-guard on that part of the town, was also surprised ere he could make his retreat, and about forty foot soldiers; so that in all were taken of ours about fourscore prisoners; But many of them that were taken, upon their distracted retreat got from them again, and came safe into the town.  
But night coming on, and it proving very dark, was an opportunity for them to steal a retreat; but ere they drew off, set fire on some houses near to Head gate; hoping thereby that the wind would so force the fire inwards, that it should burn the whole town; but the diligence of the soldiers proved as great in defending it from fire, as before from plunder and the sword, guarding it from an enemy merciless in the one, and insatiable in the other, as the suburbs in the town can well witness; where although poor people were so little indamaging them, or assisting us, that they rather seemed to oppose us, not only in our coming thither, but in all we did there; yet the next morning we found scarce one house unplundered, from the one end to the other, and many poor men dead in their houses, and women and children fled.  
Amongst the rest myself by chance recevied this account the next morning by break of day: Just over against the Almshouses lived a poor Weaver, where I chanced to ride by, and finding a poor woman very heavily 〈◊〉 herself, and in so lamentable a nature, could not but demand the cause of so much grief; whereupon she answered me, that the last night, some of the soldiers that fought against the town came violently into her house, and took what they pleased; and that they were no sooner gone, but more came in, and not finding any thing in the house left that pleased them, came to her husband in the loom at work, and demanded money of him, who told them, that he had been worth but a little before in the house, and what he had, the soldiers that came before them had taken from him, excepting only some small sum he had in his purse, which he would willingly give them if they would be satisfied with it; But it not answering their expectations, no more would they answer his desires, but told him he was a Cavalier Rogue, and had more money, which they would have or kill him; both which he denying, one of them shot him through the body, so that he immediately died; at which noise his son coming in, they fell to cutting of him, and had so cruelly wounded him, that he lay more likely to die then live.  
Now having thus made their retreat in the night, the next morning they drew back to Lexden, a village about a mile from the town, where they fell immediately to work, and cast up a Fort just upon the highway to secure the headquarters, and barricado's cross all the highway; here they lay about two days still; then approaching nearer, in the night cast up another Fort in that road towards the town, where they placed a guard; and the next night they entered ground upon the hill called the Warren, and placed a strong guard there the night following, and so every night broke up fresh ground in several places, which they thought most advantageous, running their line by degrees from one Redoubt and Fort to another.  
This gave us just occasion to believe that they intended to plant themselves before us for a longer continuance then before we had imagined, and to block us up; by which we were invited to consider of our own future security, which then consisted in the greatest care of victualling and fortifying; the only two things to be first thought on in such a case; especially in a town so much defective in the one and the other. A place, I suppose, as little ever supposed, as before by us intended, for what it was afterward ordered to; no man, I think, that had surveyed it with the judicious eye of an experienced soldier, could be so weak as to suppose it a place fitting to be mantled, or maintained for a garrison; it was our intentions only to take it as a present quarter for a night or two.  
But this engagement having forced us to it, enlivened every man with an active and cheerful diligence to forward an advancement of all requisites.  
To march away now we could not, for we had no way to march, but that we must within a day fall into a champain country, where the enemy being so very strong (as we were weak) in horse, would have cut us off at an instant; our Foot being no such experienced soldiers as to maintain a charge of themselves, both against Horse, and Foot, where there were no hedges to guard and shelter them from Horse; though some have judged otherwise of the design, and the conduct of it.  
Now by this incomparable diligence on all parties (no man at the first knowing where to find provision of any sort, more than belonged to every private family for ordinary sustenance) we found in a short time, in several places of the town, and a place called the Heyth adjacent, many private stores of corn, and wine of all sorts, with much salt, and some fish, and a good quantity of powder, the want whereof would suddenly have thrown us into absolute ruin, having very much exhausted our magazine by the last day's business.  
It is said, that he that will picture War, must first begin with the belly: so we (according to that policy) having many bellies to feed; and not knowing how long it should please God to continue us there, were the more inquisitive after provision; by which means at the Hieve (for so it is more vulgarly called) we found a greater assistance than indeed we could have hoped for, which was conveyed into the town as conveniently, as time would permit, the Enemy being so favourable as never to endeavounto cut us off from that place, till we had almost drained the honey from the comb: which they might easily have done, had they ever enterprised it. A providence almost as great as that of the Israelites in the Wilderness: For, it is reported, that in the memory of man there never was known such plenty of all things in that place, as accidentally then.  
Whilst we were thus active for prevention of all dangers that might happen, by strengthening the walls of the town, and fortifying where no wall was, by casting up rampires and counterfcarves, as a very great part of the town required, the Enemy was as busy without, in running their trenches, making their approaches, and casting up Forts and Batteries against us, still earthing themselves, and we as diligent and laborious within, as in truth not without much necessity on our part, the Town being in all places very weak, neither had it any more than one Flanker about it, and that very bad too, which was called the Old-Fort.  
Now if it shall be objected, why in this time, not being certain of any timely relief, we did not draw out and fight with them, as it hath been often urged: They that will judge discreetly of our condition, will easily be satisfied of it: had we had no hopes at all of relief, which we then had, both from the Scots, and divers other places, at the same time in action; besides it was conceived the greatest piece of policy, by keeping the enemy in a linger action, to give a remora to their designs, and so ruin them by delays; by which means especially we should give liberty, and all opportunity to others that intended any action, to work their designs without interruption, and not to run the hazard of an immediate ruin, by giving them battle: for had we fought with them, it must have been upon infinite disadvantages, (as I said before) first in the inequality of the number of Infantry: And secondly in that we had no considerable party of Cavalry in respect of theirs, whose greatest strength consisted in horse. And it was not a rash or fond supposition to think that could we hold what we had, till the rest of the Kingdom should rise, we should then do as good service, as in the immediate victory: we supposed we might possibly hold out a month, and were resolved on it, though it concluded in our own ruin; yet by that time, if not sooner, we could not but expect (in all probability) a relief.  
By this design also we were 〈◊〉 to give liberty to the Scots to march 〈◊〉 into the Kingdom, being then as we most assuredly understood, upon their march, and near the borders.  
Neither was this all the hopes we cherished by this resolution; but there remained a possibility of a victory over that Army, by delaying to fight with them, till some more fit opportunity should offer itself, or the tediousness of the service weaken them by hard duty, constant action, & unseasonable lying in the field, in respect of the weather; & we have many gallant examples in this kind. Pompey was well advised for a while when he refused to fight and gave Caesar ground: But when by the importunity of his Captains he adventured the battle at Pharsalia, he lost the battle, the freedom of Rome, and by it his own life.  
The Constable of France made frustrate the mighty preparation of Charles the fifth, when he invaded Provence, by wasting the Country, and forbearing to fight; so the Duke of Alvaria, by that policy wearied the French King in Naples, and dissolved the boisterous Army of the Prince of Orange in the Low Countries.  
One 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I shall insert, to touch more 〈◊〉 upon those hotspur Politicians that shall so violently criticise upon that point, and accordingly refer the application, by looking into that battle of Pavy, as tragical as fatal to France, where the King was taken prisoner, and the French frustrated of their main hopes of Italy.  
The day before this overthrow, the King summoned a general Council of War, and desired the opinion of his Officers, whether he should give a Field to the enemy or not: Whereat an old Captain began exceedingly to persuade the King to stay, and delay engaging till supplies (which were already levied) should come up and strengthen his Army: desiring him not to throw into hazard unnecessarily, the welfare of France; Urging, that the consultation was not only for the King's honour, but his safety: At which time there was at the Council a young hotspur, fitter to begin, then continue a charge, who alleged, that nothing was more honourable than that the victory should be gained by fight, etc. taunting the old Captain, It was no marvel though an old man and fearful sought delays, whose mind was disturbed with his usual fears, and now was seeking a passage through his guts: The old man could not endure this his scurrility, but replied, Seeing the King will have us fight, I will die to morrow an honourable death before his face; when thou, forgetful of thy brags, and rashness, shalt by a base flight forsake the field: Which Prophecy in all respects was fulfilled, the field desperately lost, and the King taken prisoner. Many more examples in this nature I could insert, but I think it as unnecessary, as tedious.  
Now although we gave them not a field-battel, yet suffered them not to lie idle from fight constantly almost in one place or other, both night and day. Neither were they so weak 〈◊〉 some suppose, after our shattering them, but that they were in their foot still above, or equal our number before the Suffolk Foot joined with them, who lay upon the bridges of the river so strong before the enemy drew them over, that we could not have forced our passage, in case we had attempted it, but that we had been fallen on by the enemy in the rear, and been engaged both ways, to the hazard of an immediate destruction of our whole Army.  
About the twentieth day of the month, divers gentlemen were sent forth privately with Commissions to raise men in Norfolk, Suffolk, & Cambridge shire: But the Country forces having broken up the bridges, and guarded the passes, and the enemy taken the Fort called Mersey Fort, that commanded the passage into the Island, there was no passage left open for them, so they were forced to return again, which they did secure, although through the enemy's quarters, not a man being taken.  
The next night a party of horse, and foot was commanded forth into the hundred of tendering, for the bringing in of provision, which returned the day following safe, with about one hundred sheep, and sixty beefs; which were all delivered into the Commissary for the general store, and so everynight fo far as our bounds would reach till the enemy begird us closer, provision was brought in to the public store.  
Two or three days after that part of the Country rise, to join with us: but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who by Commission from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lucas was to levy and command them, would have betrayed them to the enemy in their rising, to ingratiate himself with the prevailing power, (an Epidemical disease in this Kingdom) but was discovered, having not so much policy as villainy; and seized on by the Countrymen, till Sir Charles Lucas: his pleasure might dispose of him; and them: To whom they sent two sufficient men of their party, to give him an account, making it their earnest suit, that he would send a party of Horse and Foot to assist them in their rising, and conduct them, safe into the town, which according to their request was done; A party was drawn out and sent in the night, who stayed there about a week, and afterwards returned safe with those they had raised through the quarters of the Suffolk Foot, who were drawn over the river, and encamped betwixt them & the town.  
Then was another party commanded forth in the night, which marching out at the North-gate, forced through their quarters, and in the morning returned safe, losing not above two men, for which loss they gained livelihood for many more; for they brought in with them about fifty oxen, and cows, besides sheep, and some corn and other provisions, and might have brought more: But Sir Charles Lucas being tender of his Country, would not permit them to drive from any, but those they should know to be actual enemies; which proved afterwards a very great inconveniency, and prejudice to the Town, for after that we never obtain the like opportunity, the enemy drawing immediately down nearer upon us, came within less compass, and begirt us more strait; for they were indeed much 〈◊〉 with anger amongst themselves, that they should suffer us to march through their quarters upon a sally, and return again safe. Yet we secured the Heith, as a final refuge for provision, from whence we conveyed daily, such provisions as it would afford, keeping a constant guard there; which the enemy endeavoured not to hinder us of, till we had left very little there.  
July 5. The Council of War published a Proclamation, for the calling in all such townsmen, as would serve upon the line for the security of the Town, to list themselves for the service under several Captains and Officers, being deputed by Sir Charles Lucas to command them, and all others, to bring in their arms to be delivered up into the Magazine; and that none, who should refuse to list themselves, should keep any arms in their houses, upon pain of death, and the forfeiture of their goods, to the benefit, and use of the Town.  
About this time the enemy encroached so near upon us with their approaches, notwithstanding our daily sallies, and skirmishes with them on all parts, as that they fell down into East-street, and seized on the Mill on the river, and placed a strong guard there; which guard, (out of hopes to have fired all that part of the street hetwixt them and the Town, because many of our men both quartered and guarded there also) set fire to a Tanner's house and barn, with all the goods, leather and corn in it; the house being the next house to the innerside over against them, and bringing down two Drakes began to be something busy, and troublesome to our guards; whereupon at the next Council of War upon the dispute, a result was made for a grand sally on that part of the Town, which was accordingly performed, and Sir Charles Lucas commanding in chief, marched in the head of the horse, and Sir George Lisle commanded the foot; the whole party consisted of five hundred foot, and two hundred horse, out of which a forlorn party being drawn out, they first marched down towards the river, where the enemy's guard was on both sides the street, and a Barricado cross, from whence with their case shot from their Drakes, and small shot from the Barricadoe and guard-houses, they played very thick upon them, having no other passage over 〈◊〉 river then a foot bridge, the end whereof reached within five foot of the enemy's barricado. But as if it had been but a sporting skirmish amongst tame soldiers at a general muster, they regarded it not; but running on in a single file over the bridge, & some for haste through the river, mounted their barricado, and beat the enemy off in an instant; and having once gained that, overturned the Drakes, and charged on upon other parties that still fired on them in the street, and passed by the Guard-houses till they had cleared a great part of the street; then surrounding them, charged in upon them, who having neither possibility of relief, nor indeed of retreat, or escape, yielded upon Quarter; so they took the Captain, Lieutenant, and Ensign, and about four score private Soldiers, with all the other inferior Officers. Many were also killed in the adjacent houses, the whole street almost being full of Soldiers. The Drakes they over turned, and one of them they threw into the River, but not having Teams ready, could not bring them off. Now the whole party being marched up, and having thus surprised the Guard, they marched on, and made good the Charge till they had cleared the whole Street; which gave so great an Alarm into all their Leaguer, that they immediately rallyed together all the Foot and Horse on that side the River, and marched down the hill from behind the Windmill, on the top of another hill in a very full and orderly Body, only they left their Colours and Pikes with a reserve behind the Windmill. But our Party having gained almost the top of the first hill, followed their charge so smartly upon them, that they soon forced them to a disorderly retreat, and quickly made them strive to take their leave of their ground: But the Fields were overspread with distractedly dispersed Soldiers both of Horse and Foot, some from Houses out at Backdoors and windows, and others from Hedges in a great disorder. Our Party being thereby encouraged, prosecuted their success, till they had beat them up beyond the Wind mill, and forced Reserve and Colours, and all they had, or could rally, to quit their ground, and so to disperse themselves, that they were forced to divide their Horse into three Squadrons or Bodies, one Division to keep the Field against ours, having now made a stand to draw into better order; and the other two constantly 〈◊〉 up and down, beating their Foot up as they ran away: Which course, had they not taken, their Foot would never have disputed a hedge, (for that was their refuge now) and we had immediately cleared all that part of the Leaguer.  
But now having gotten a very thick hedge for their shelter, and being thus forced up, began again to stand: and our Foot out of more heat of courage indeed then mature policy, having engaged thus far, some of them still ran on, till they gained an old thin hedge, opposite to the Enemy, beyond the Windmill, where they still fired upon the Enemy, maintaining the opposite hedge, a party of the Enemy's Horse still wheeling about in the Field between them; Which party by chance discovered that they had spent all their Ammunition by hearing a Soldier foolishly ●●●ing out for some, and thereupon suddenly clapped spurs to their Horse, and made a full Charge in upon them through that hedge, (as they might easily do any part of it) who not having Ammunition, nor time to retreat, were most of them killed and taken. Till when we had lost very few in all the Charge, though many were wounded in it, as could not otherwise choose in so smart a service: Althrough I confess the Saints of our times have found out such a way of fight, as to kill thousands, with the loss of very few unites: but 'tis only Tongue-charmes that guard their Armies, and not any Providence, that conducts them to such Miracles.  
Now the Body of our Party being upon their Retreat, and perceiving of this, faced about again, and received their Charge with such an undaunted retort, they forced them again to as speedy a Retreat; and so marched easily off into the Town 〈◊〉 and in very good order.  
In this action Sir George Lisle was once taken Prisoner, but immediately rescued; and in all we lost one Captain, and one Lieutenant, and about 30, private Soldien which were taken at the broken hedge, 〈◊〉 very few killed. Mr. Weston, a Gentleman of the General's Troop, being shot in the belly, was also taken Prisoner. Of the 〈◊〉 80. and odd were brought into the town prisoners, and between two and three hundred killed; amongst which was the Colonel that succeeded Colonel Needham, in the Command of his Regiment, who was killed the first night's onslaught, and many of them wounded; of which very few escaped, but died within a very short time, as their party confessed themselves to our prisoners: either through neglect of their Surgeons, (in which we suffered very much also within the Town) or through the unseasonableness of the weather, 〈◊〉 that divers that came into the Town afterwards, and these men too that had been formerly in the King's Service, affirmed that the business was at the least 500, men 〈◊〉 to them; besides many that left the Leaguer upon it, some coming into the Town, three or four in a day, and often more for a long time together, and others stealing away to their own homes.  
After which Sally the Countrymen began to disgust the Service, and thought it hard duty to lie so long in the Trenches, and were glad to entertain all comers that would undergo their duty for them, allowing them 10. s. a week constant pay to be excused themselves: By which means many that came up from London and other places to have joined with us, not being able to come into the town, entered themselves in their Arms; by which means they might more advantageously come to us, if it had been our fortunes to march out into the Field; But Heaven had otherwise ordained, having a farther Judgement for this wretched Nation.  
The next night the Enemy strengthening their Leaguer on that part of the Town, fell into the street again, with a stronger party than before, and possessed themselves of their former guards and ground, and again fell to firing the houses on that side of the River next the Town, supposing thereby to fire our 〈◊〉 which we had now placed in the face of them, being but a River 〈◊〉, which much end 〈◊〉 them, and kept the fire still from doing any harm: Then they set fire to all the Windmills near the Town, to hinder us from grinding our Corn, but we soon salved that sore; for finding at the Heith by the River side many Millstones, lying for transportation, some of them were brought into the Town, and divers Horse mills set up, which proved very serviceable all the Siege.  
Then they raised two or three Horn works and Redoubts on the North side of the Leaguer, running their Trench up to them from the River side over against the Warren, where they placed divers great Pieces, which they played violently at 〈◊〉 Mill called the middle Mill upon the 〈◊〉 the only Mill they supposed we had left and indeed was, excepting those Horse-mils, but did little hurt to 〈◊〉 for they thought, if they disenabled us to grind Corn for the Soldiers, that they would mutiny for bread which was probable enough, and might have been, having such poisonous 〈◊〉 to set them on as they had (I am confident) privately 〈◊〉 amongst them, and 〈◊〉 towns people to second them; but this was happily prevented by the diligent care of the Lo: Loughborow, who made the most laborious toil as pleasing as the lightest recreation, by undertaking, and continuing the general charge of providing all necessary provisions to be daily ordered and distributed by the Commissaries to the whole Town; insomuch that he would many times half a day together continue his strict eye over both Mills and Bakers, lest by their indiscreet (or it might be 〈◊〉) neglect, very great inconveniences might happen.  
The same care was also ordered to be taken by the Mayor for the people of the Town, who was commanded by the Council of War to make supplies of provision for the Inhabitants of the Town, and to set up Mills for the grinding their Corn, who by this time began to be in want, the Town very full of them, and many of them indigent people, who were not in a capacity to provide for themselves, nor had scarce been when the Town was open: But the Mayor (whether out of a rebellious wilfulness, or sottish simplicity, I leave others that know him to judge) but as I guess myself, rather desiring to hazard the starving them, that so by the violent instigation of unmerciful hunger they should be urged to a mutiny in the Town, by which means the Enemy might take hold of our confusion amongst ourselves, and over-whelme us in a sudden and general destruction; for, notwithstanding all 〈◊〉 and daily urgencies from the Lord Loughborow, and Sir Charles Lucas, he still neglected all care to provide Corn for those who had none, or Mills to grind for those who had yet some left.  
Whereupon the poor of the Town having quite exhausted their provision, began to throng together, making great clamours and exclamations of their ill usage, and the necessities they were fallen into, their Bellies sounding alarms to their Mouthers, made their mouths instruments to thunder them forth to the ears of the Officers of the Army, now not at all reflecting upon the duty of the Mayor and Officers of the Town: Then Sir Charles Lucas at the next Council of War (commiserating them as his own Towns-born people) made his desire to the Lords, that they might have some Corn delivered them out of the general store, which was as easily granted as motioned, and an Order immediately drawn; by which Order the Comissaries were appointed to deliver to every Family according to the number of people in it, such a proportion of Breadcorn, which amounted in gross to 300. quarter of Wheat and Rye; the want whereof proved afterwards so great an inconyeniency to ourselves, as that half that quantity would have supported us till we had obtained better conditions from the enemy.  
At a Council of War the 12. by a general consent, the Earl of Norwich caused this ensuing Declaration to be dispersed, as well in the Enemy's Leaguer, as in the Country:  
A Declaration of his Excellency, George Lo: Goring, Earl of Norwich: With the Gentlemen and Freeholders of the County of Kent and Essex, in Arms for the presecution of their General Petition, and solemn Engagement: And their Offer unto all such Officers & Soldiers as shall repair unto them.  
COuld Prosperity make us insolent, this overture should be the story of our present fortunes: how numerous, how unanimous, how associated, how associated, or (in a word) how heaven and earth conspire to our deliverance. Consider with what assurance we have managed our very despairs, and raised ourselves to this height out of nothing. Consider withal, that we move still by the same resolves, as we are favoured and encouraged by that hand of Providence, which at first raised us.  
From this posture (Gentlemen and Fellow-Subjects) we salute you in a temper of love, and Christianity, disengaged (we assure you) from any interest, or mixture of revenge or fear. Peace is the end we aim at, and by Peace, if it be possible, we propound to accomplish that end.  
To which purpose, upon a sad and 〈◊〉 thought, how many Innocent souls are seduced by the Imposture of a pretended liberty, and how many more corrupted, by their own importune necessity, into an erroneous, and unfortunate engagement; all which must in probability perish, except they may be recovered by the offer of this, and this only expedient: 
What Officer, or Soldier soever, now in Arms against us, shall before the 21. of this gresent July, make his repair unto us, or any part of our Forces, and there enter into an Engagement, not to Act any thing against us for the future, shall have his arrears audited and paid: And we do further oblige ourselves, to interpose unto his most Sacred Majesty, for an Act of Indemnity; the success whereof from our gracious Sovereign the King, we at all doubt not. And for the performance on our parts, we 〈◊〉 our Honours and the Faith of the County; Avowing with all, that we design nothing of alteration either in Church or Commonwealth, but what this present Parliament hath declared to be the duty of good Christians, and Loyal Subjects.   
July the 28 the Enemy drew down upon the Heith, where we had a guard placed in the Church, but the Officer (Cap. Horsmander by name) who then Commanded the guard no sooner saw the Enemy, but delivered up his guard, himself, and Soldiers, without so much opposition as the firing of one Musket; Which had he disputed he might in a very short time been relieyed and drawn off; though the place could not have been maintained. But that place proved very little benefit to them for by that time we had scarce left any thing of Provision or Ammunition there, only this benefit they might receive, they might understand what a neglect they had committed, in permitting us so long to keep it within our Quarters, when with so much ease they might have surprised it from us, for it lay so opportune to them to have fallen on, that had they made an attempt upon it we could not have maintained it without engaging our whole Body, and quitting the Town; and indeed had they surprised that place in any convenient time, as they might easily enough have done, before we drained it, we could not have kept the Town ten days, there lying the greatest part of our Provision, by which we afterward Subsisted.  
The next day having drawn the line very near the Lord Lucas his house, they planted to Demy Cannons, against St. Mary's Church, from whence they fired threescore and odd great shot at St. Mary's Church steeple, but did very little hurt, for with as much speed as could be a battery was raised against them upon the Curtain, from whence we had not played above four shot, but one of their best Cannonneers fell, and about six men more, whereupon theydrew off their Guns from that place, finding it too hot for their continuance.  
Now the cause that made them so envious at that Steeple, was because we always kept a Sentinel there, which discovered their motion both night, and day; besides we had made a platform in the frame of the Bells, and planted a brass Sakar there, which flanking their trench did them much Injury.  
The 25. day the Enemy drawing their line nearer the Lord Lucas his house, under the shelter of an old wall, and some buildings, brought up two Demy Cannons, and battering upon the Gatehouse (wherein was a guard of a hundred Musketeers) beat one side of it to the ground, which falling into their work (that was but a small half moon drawn from one side of the great House to the other) annoyed them very much; then fired two or three Granades immediately with it, which buried many in the stones and dust, the rest not able to stand the shock; betaking themselves to their Swords, and the but ends of their Muskets, disputed it very hard from one place to another, after they had lost their line, till most of them got away, some out of the Wicket of the gate, and some out of the windows, and broken places of the house. The Officers also forcing their liberty with the points of their Swords, came all off safe.  
Neither could the Enemy much boast of this surprise, although it were some advantage to them; for they purchased it with the loss of many stout men, and of their oldest Soldiers, who they quickly found by the wall and trench sides, some dead, and others speaking their Enemy's valour, in their own miserable dying groans, Whilst of the whole guard consisting of a hundred men, not above ten were taken Prisoners, and some four or five killed, many I confess were wounded, but came off and recovered.  
And having thus 〈◊〉 themselves of this House, (as it is their custom in all other places, the first thing thought on is plunder) they fell to searching the House, and those things that were in it 〈◊〉 though little of worth, or conveniency they took away; which could be little more than bedsteeds, and 〈◊〉, and the like. That house having been 〈◊〉 times before, and indeed the 〈◊〉 in the Kingdom, as is believed plundered: But finding themselves no better rewarded for their service, that they might be more notorious in their villainy, broke up the vault wherein the ancestors of that Family were usually Interred, under the pretence of searching for money, and finding them not yet quit dissolved, the corpse of the Lady Lucas, and the Lady Killigrew, (as I received it from eye witnesses) wrapped in Lead; they tore open that coffin, beyond what ever was known or read of before, or amongst the most unhuman barbarous thoughts, dismembered their trunks, throwing a leg in one corner of the vault, and arm in another, and were so Impudent in this so and worse than 〈◊〉 act, as to bear away the hair of their heads in their Hats as a triumphant 〈◊〉 in honour to their villainy. In which posture the vault continued, till the corpse of Sir C. Lucas, that Loyal Martyr, was brought to possess it. Is not that Commonwealth happy that must receive a reformation from such Saints? Who have these ten years been practising acts, absolutely monstrous to even nature itself: Beyond parallel, precedent, or political complotment of the most subtle Machavillian, or bloody Tyrants in the world.  
By this time our Magazines began to be very empty, all our flesh being spent, whereupon the next business that was concluded on and ordered, was the searching what private stores there were in the town, but they proved as weak as the other, than the Council of War, (receiving a return of the searches what the condition of the town was, for matter of Provision, who had now examined every private Family.) ordered that all the Horse excepting two hundred, should in the night 〈◊〉 forth, and break through the Leaguer, and if they could get through with that convenience they wished, to march Northward towards our supposed relief; For at that time we had received very great assurance by private letters, that relief was intended, and hasting towards us from Duke Hamilton, under the Command of Sir Marmaduke Langdale: So the Horse were allidrawne to a Rendezvouz in the Castle yard late in the night, and a party of Foot with them for their assistance in forcing the Enemy's line with Pioners, to level a way for them to let the Horse in, when the Foot should have 〈◊〉 the Enemy from their line, which was supposed would easily have been performed, and thus they marched over the River by the Middle-mill, and came within the Enemy's Sentinels ere they were discovered, or any part of their guards Alarmed; but their guides, and Pioners (being for the most part Townsmen) as out of a plotted combination amongst them, ran away from them, the night being dark. So they were forced to retreat again into the town which they did, without the loss of a man but it gave the enemy so much notice, as 〈◊〉 made an absolute discovery, together 〈◊〉 their intelligence from the town: so it 〈◊〉 (though afterwards) but bootless to 〈◊〉 a second attempt.  
At the next Council of War, considering that the stores were so exhausted, and all the stesh, or very near the matter, spent, it was thought most convenient to keep those horse, which were fitting, for the Soldiers to eat; so they were again drawn into the Castle yard, with order that not any Officer whatsoever should conceal his Horses, but cause them to be brought into the field, upon the forfeiture of them to immediate slaughter; & the 3dpart of every Troop drawn out and disposed to the Commissary to be killed, and some to be immediately distributed, and the rest powdered; which the Soldiers very willingly submitted to, and as cheerfully fed upon them, rather than deliver themselves to their Enemies, upon any base or dishonourable terms, which expressions of theirs were so common and public, as that the Enemy hearing of our falling to Horseflesh, heard also of that resolution of the Soldiery, which did something startle them; for before they hoped for, and expected, our da yly submission to a Treaty for Rendidion.  
Now upon the last search that was made in the townsmen's houses and shops for all things edible, there was very little Corn found, as in some houses not above a peck, and in some two, some none, or any Flesh hardly, yet was there a good quantity of spice and Oil; which so far as it would hold out, proved very useful with the Horse-slesh; some starch also was found, which was preserved, and made very good puddings.  
It hath been reported, as I understand that at this time we had some relief brought into us by water, from the 〈◊〉 at Sea, but it was nothing at all true, for although there were a River that came up to the Town, yet the Sea was not 〈◊〉 by seven miles of the Town and upwards; and besides the enemy had possessed themselves of the Blockhouse against the Island of Mersey that commanded the pass into it, so that no boat could stir by them to the Hieth, which was the nearest place that any could come.  
And it hath also been esteemed a very great ruin to the Engagement, that the 〈◊〉 was neglected and lost, for want of first possessing that Fort. As for my part I believe no such thing, for indeed had we taken it, as it was once intended, and Col. Tuke (though to late the Enemy being prepossessed) appointed for the same design, I cannot understand any way possible that it could have been any thing beneficial, as the constitution of our Interest then was; for it lay above seven miles then from us, so that the Enemy falling about the Town and begirting us, as we might without any prospective of extraordinary policy discover, would possess themselves of all parts of the River betwixt them and home, and soon hinder all recourse betwixtus, the River being not above twelve foot broad in most places; then had it been the same thing in respect of the River, and those men in the Fort left to work out an improbable safety for themselves. Neither was it such an Island as some fancy it to be, that is not capable of relieving half such a body as we then were, had we endeavoured to seek any sanctuary there, as some would believe would have been our best course, when we saw we could not keep the field; and to think to strengthen our power by dividing it, is a stratagem beyond my shallow capacity, and I am certain no policy of Machiavils, unless our number had been complete to have engarisoned both places and if they shall think that had we marched entire thither we might have been relieved by Sea, they are easily answered, that though we knew of the submission of the ships to the Royal Authority, yet we did not understand the condition they were in, which had we, I suppose was such, as not to be able to furnish us with a months' provision, much less more, when they could hardly victual themselves, and I would fain have those politic men inform me, which way we could expect relief there, when five hundred men at the pass would have kept us in till we should be starved, and the Army at Liberty to March whither they pleased to obstruct all parties from rising to our assistance.  
But let men dispute and censure what they please; The Enemy (having possessed themselves of the Lord Lucas his house, and the Hieth) began to draw their Line more straight about us, and now lay absolutely round us, so that we were suddenly begirt within a very little distance; Then they brought their biggest pieces of Battery, as 2 Demi-Cannon, & 2 whole Culverins, near St. John's House, and again fell to Battering St. mary's Steeple, and after some time beat down one side of it, and a great part of the Church, & broke the Saker that was planted in it, but killed not on man, only bruised one of the Matrosses.  
The five and twentieth, in the night, the Enemy alarmed us round the Line, and fell on upon the Guard in the Middle Mill, against Ryegate, and getting over the River at a fordable place came in upon them, and beat them off to a retreat into the Town, and set fire of the Mill (Colonel Rainsborow commanding in chief) but a party of fresh men with Halberds and Scythes (most of them Gentlemen) 〈◊〉 drawn down upon them, gave them so desperate a welcome as made them soon betake themselves to their legs, & throwing down their Arms run disorderly off, and mistaking the ford of the River, many of them were drowned, and about twelve killed, and some five or six taken Prisoners, and the Mill suddenly quenched, by the Soldiers throwing water into the fire with their hats; so that little harm was done, and the Enemies storm prevented, which we were informed they had intended that night.  
It will not be much out of the way in this progress to look into an accident that happened at this Guard, neither do I think it any whit unworthy to be taken especial notice of.  
An Ensign of Col. Tills Regiment, being shot through the Body, in at one side, and out at the other, with a five pound Bullet, went from the Guard to his quarters in the heart of the Town by the help of one Soldier only leading him, the Bullet hanging by his side in the skin, and being laid on his bed, the Bullet 〈◊〉 out and carried with it his last spirits of life; only giving him time to breathe out this expression; Oh that I had been shot with my Colours in my hand, that furling myself in them, I might have so died; my Friends might then have believed, I really loved my KING, and that I 〈◊〉, and cheerfully died in His, and my Country's service. An expression as gallant as the 〈◊〉 of the shot by which he died; & pity it were the memory of so great a loyalty should sleep in security, but be rather erected an everlasting Trophy in the hearts of all true Christian Royalists, and conscientious Subjects to his never dying fame, and it much grieus me, that I am unfortunate in the ignorance of his name.  
The seven and twentieth day the Enemy lying in Maudlin-street, began to cast up two or three Redoubts in the Field, betwixt it and the Town, over against Berry fields, (for so were they called next East-gate) and beginning to express their unwelcomnesse by their turbulent behaviour, we supposed they intended to be ill Neighbours, whereupon a party was drawn forth, which made a smart sally upon them, and beat them off from their works, and followed them into the street, and houses, and killed many of them, still maintaining their ground (although it were about noonday) till the Enemy began to draw great Bodies of Horse and Foot upon them, than they made an orderly and fair Retreat, bringing off some 〈◊〉 or more Prisoners, with the loss of one man and two more hurt; and afterwards that they grew thus near, daily sallies were made in one place of their Leaguer or other, to the end of that 〈◊〉.  
On the Sunday following Sir William Massam, one of the Committees that were Prisoners in the Town, was sent forth in Exchange for Mr. 〈◊〉; whose man was permitted to come to the Walls (but not within the town) where he received him; joyful enough of his Liberty from that Imprisonment; though some have boldly aspersed the Gentlemen to whom they were Prisoners, and avoucht that they were placed just upon the Line, because they should be killed by the Impartial shot of their Friends; which is false enough, they being lodged there at our first coming to Town, not suspecting any such service, but as the best, and most convenient Inn, and afterwards the Town being so full, would not admit any better conveniency for them, and I think, let them acknowledge only the truth, and they must needs confess civility enough was showed them to the end, being allowed to receive any provisions of fresh and hot meats, as Venison Pasties and the like into the Town, without any the least opposition or affront, whilst the Lords and Gentlemen themselves fed generally on Horse flesh. I must confess that once or twice the top of their House was shot through with great shot from the Leaguer, (I know not what House could be assured free in the Town) whereupon they sent a special Message to the Lord Fairfax, to let him know what House they lay in, and desired him that he would not shoot that way; they should have gotten an Order of Parliament that the bullets should not have dared to molest them, if he did shoot that way, they might then have fedsecure. Now the Enemy thus proceeding in their siege in a very formal order, crept still with their approaches nearer and nearer to us; yet many of their men paid dearly for their boldness, for though by reason of the scarcity of our Ammunition we could not make very great sallies upon them, nor constantly fire from the line, yet sallies were made almost every day in one part or other, and our shot so warily disposed of, that many of them fell daily; some of our men they often killed going out to 〈◊〉 and bring in grass for the Horse; for we had no Horse-meat left in the Town, but what they first fought for, and brought in and sold; going in parties, and some firing at the Enemy whilst the others cut grass, all the thatch from the Houses, and boughs from the Trees being eat up, but very few else did we lose in all the time of the siege.  
August the tenth, The Lady Kath: Scot, accompanied with some other Ladies, desiring leave of the L. Fairfax that she might have the liberty of going to the L. Norwich her Father (the Lady Norwich being newly dead) could not procure so much liberty as to go into the Town to him, but only to come to the Sally port; and not 〈◊〉 neither but accompanied with a guard, that might hear all discourse that should pass between them; there came with them the Quartermaster General Gravener, and some other Officers, and were entertained with a collation of Horseflesh, and a Bottle or two of wine; the best accommodation we could treat them with, which they eat heartily on, and liked.  
And now began Horseflesh to be as precious to us as the choicest meat before, the Soldiers in general, and all Officers and Gentlemen from the Lords to the lowest degree or quality, eating nothing else, unless Cats and Dogs, which the enemy disgusted very much, expecting a daily rendition by us, by the assurance whereof, they constantly encouraged their Soldiers on, to the continuance of the hard duty they then underwent, who else would have been hardly kept together being often upon the March, either away into the Country, or else to us into the Town.  
It was so handsome a diet grown by this time amongst the Soldiers to eat such food, that we could harely secure our Horses in the Stables, but every morning one Stable or other was robbed, and our Horses knocked o'th' head, and sold in the Shambles by the pound; nor was there in a short time a dog left, for it was the custom of the Soldier to reserve half his ammunition Loaf, and in a morning walk the streets, and if he discovered a Dog, to drop a piece of bread, and so drill him on, till within his reach, then with the but end of his musket knock his brains out, and away with him to his quarters; I have known there six shillings given for the side of a Dog, and yet but a small one neither.  
Then the Enemy perceiving they could work nothing upon us by summons, threats, nor force of arms, betook them to petty stratagems, sometimes sending false fires of strange improbable News of great victories over the Scots, long before they ever met with them; and Lists of prisoners taken, never in Arms, and such like Whimsies, hoping thereby to terrify the Inferior sort of Soldiers to such a timorous apprehension of their condition, as to force their Officers by their mutinous resolutions, to treat for conditions, orleave them in the lurch, which of the two this Enemy rather wished, that so many Gentlemen might fall a prey to their unsatiable malice.  
Then they sent private papers into the Town amongst the Soldiers by Women, incensing the Soldiers against their Officers, reproaching them with that odious name of Rebels (which they knew to whom more properly due) and men acting against the Peace of the Kingdom without Commission, which still they hoped would so poison the brains of the Soldiers, that if they would not mutiny, yet at least the greatest party would be incensed against their Officers & quit their Line, by whose loss we should have been so weak, as to be easily stormed & taken.  
But instead of receiving any benefit by these sucking stratagems, they wrought nothing more than an injury to themselves; for it engaged the Soldiers to higher resolutions.  
Then they shot Arrows into the Town at several places, with papers fastened to them, promising our Soldiers, that if they would desert the Town, they should have fair quarter, pardon for what they had done, and liberty to go to their own homes, with passes from the General, without being plundered, or suffering the least prejudice or injury: But this neither proved any benefit to them, or injury to us, but still rather exanimated and enlivened the Soldiers, who were so courageous in their resolutions as very often to express that they would either live with Liberty, or die with Honour, neither of which could arise by a poor submission to an ignoble Enemy.  
And now the Enemy had possessed themselves of all places of conveniency and advantage round about the Town, and began to annoy us very much in divers places about the Line, from the opposite and flanking Houses, and our Magazines began to grow very low of powder, so that Order was given out, that the Soldiers should be careful not to waste their ammunition by firing without a very real occasion, and that no Gunner should fire a Cannon without the Command of a Field Officer of his Post, or a General Officer of the Field. But these Houses under the Line proved so obnoxious, that by degrees they made that line to hot for any almost to abide it; & the enemy having found this advantage drew thicker down into the Suburbs, under the shelter of the houses; which the Officers being very sensible of, knew there remained no securer remedy, sallied out amongst them, & beat them out of the Streets, & some houses they set fire to, having given order to those Inhabitants 〈◊〉, to secure and convey away their goods first; and those which lay immediately under the Line, & Wall they first pulled down by Carpenters, and other Workmen, that the Materials might be preserved, and the less 〈◊〉 done to the Town, and Owners; Which should they have let stand, would have proved so miserable an inconveniency, that we could not have maintained the Town one half hour, I am confident, had the Enemy ever attempted a resolute storm, when once they had begirt us so close; by reason that in many places the stairs came up to the top of the Wall, in the highest places of it, so large that two or three men might have come up a Breast, and some Rooms equalled the height of the Wall in a perfect Diameter. And if the Enemy should have taken no other benefit but the opportunity of a Wind, and set fire to them, they might probably have set fire of the whole Town; Which they attempted the first night, and once after had effected, had not the Wind been very calm, and the Soldiers as extraordinary diligent in quenching still as they fired.  
The eleventh day more Arrows were again shot into the Town to entice the Soldiers by alluring charms, 〈◊〉 with as severe threats, to quit the service; intimating, That if they came not away before the next Monday (it being then Friday) that not a man which came after should have any quarter; Which Messages the Soldiers still resented so well, as that they resolved to answer it by the same Messengers, and took some of their own Arrows anointing them with a 〈◊〉 and wrapping the same in paper fastened it to the heads of the Arrows, and writ on the papers this superscription, An Answer from Colchester August the 11th. 〈◊〉 as you may smell; informiug by that how little they regarded their baits, or esteemed their threatenings.  
And now by this time the greatest part of our Horse had changed their Stables for Slaughter Houses, and their Riders being willingly dismounted took up foot Arms, the Gentlemen Halberds, and the private Troopers Scythes, ready fitted with long staves for the service, which were very terrible for execution; and there were many Scythes found in the Town upon a search for Arms, more than ever was known to be in the Town before; and many brown Bills were also made in the Town; so that no man might be idle for want of Arms; these men were all listed both Gentlemen and private Troopers (for more orderly disposing them in duty and service) in particular companies, under the Lord General, the Lord Capell, and Sir Charles Lucas; the Lord Capell marching himself a foot, with a Halberd on his shoulder, in the head of his Company to the guard, that none might make any scruple or acception against it; which Company lay constantly upon reserve at several places of the Line at some distance in Tents built purposely for them; which point of War must of necessity arise from as high a conveniency as any, and indeed was a course constantly practised amongst the best and most judicious Conquerors of the World, and they have left us Arguments for it in the Chronologie of divers Victories obtained, and lost fields recovered by Fortune and resolute Reserves, although but of small numbers, of which I shall instance one of Serverus the Emperor, who in a Battle against Albinus, General of the Britain's, before Lugdunum was himself put to 〈◊〉, beaten off his Horse, and hid himself, whilst the Britain's followed the Chase, chanting out their praise as 
H. I. H.  victors; till Latus, one of Serverus his Officers, staying behind with some fresh Troops, and making a fresh charge, the Serverians took heart again, and Mounting Serverus, put on his purple 
* A Military Mantle.  〈◊〉, when the Albinians thinking themselves Masters of the field, being disordered, and furiously charged by fresh Troops, after a short resistance fled, the Severians following them with great execution to the City Gates.  
Now these Companies must not be understood neither, for the only reserves we had, for it was the constant method of the Army's duty in General (for I cannot willingly, nor I think rationally, term it a Garrison, but a quarter) to lie every Regiment on their several post, the one half upon guard, and the other all night very near, at the most convenient place upon reserve.  
And having maintained and held it out in defiance of a proud, successful, and imperious Enemy (this being the 17 of August) still cherishing our resolutions with hopes of relief, and having yet no certain intelligence of the state of affairs in the other parts of the Kingdom, nor relief approaching, and our stores very much-wasted, insomuch that all our Corn was well-nigh spent, and very little Ammunition left to maintain our guards only with; by a General result of the Council of War, His Excellency the Lord Norwich, the Lord 〈◊〉, and Sir Charles Lucas, signed Letters to the Lord Fairfax, to desire him to grant them twenty day's respite, and a pass through his quarters, for them to send some Gentlemen to Sir Marmaduke Langdale, that they might receive a real information of his condition, and if they found him as they had given him out, and not advancing towards us, and that in that time there was no hopes of relief, that then they would Treat for surrender.  
Other hopes we had none left (and indeed but little reason for these) the Duke of Buckingham's, and the Earl of Holland's parties were already dissolved into nothing (indeed without doing any thing) and no other parties risen, or expressing any inclinations, much less intentions, to it.  
But this would not be granted; then they were forced to send away private Spies and Messengers, and concluded in a general resolution, to maintain and defend it to the last; and in that time not to be idle with them, but as active as the want of Ammunition would admit; and according to those resolutions, send out a party every day or night at the Sally port (they went voluntarily upon it) and sallying upon them were troublesome enough to them, and kept them upon constant and hard duty; but ultra posse, non est esse; and our Ammunition was so exhausted, that we could not send out great parties often; yet found out a way with what materials could be gotten to make some match, which though it were not so good as what we had before, yet served our present necessity; and some powder also we made, but it was not much, for we were forced to resign ere we could bring it to prefection.  
Then our Commissaries began to complain their stores which were almost empty, the people generally much necessitated for bread (the true staff of Life) and the poorer sort merely for want of Corn near starving, we being not able to relieve them again.  
Then the poor people Petitioned the L. Fairfax by the Mayor and Aldermen, that they might have liberty to leave the Town and disperse themselves into the Country amongst their friends, that would keep them from famishing. But he thought it not policy to grant it, but on the contrary gave order to his whole Army round the Leaguer, that if any should be turned forth, by us, they should fire at them; but at that time they considered by their private friends (our bosom Enemies) their Town intelligence, that we had made Proclamation at that time, that whosoever had not twenty day's provision in their houses, should depart the Town, as well rich as poor; at which time search being made again, very few were found to have provision for above two or three days, and then the Enemy having given this unchristianlike, though politic, order, it would have been a very difficult thing, to have forced so many people through a Sally Port, and dangerous to attempt, who of themselves were apt enough to a Mutiny, and as inhuman a policy (though policy it would have been) to have forced them from their own houses upon the Swords of a most cruel and merciless Enemy.  
Then the stores were again reviewed, and the Magazine also, and the stores found to be so empty as not to yield two day's provision of bread in them, for the whole Army; and the Magazine not to maintain two hours fight, if a storm should happen: Then a Council of Warr was again summoned, where this want being considered, it was agreed, That it was the best course to Treat with the Enemy in time; and by the Major part by Voices it was carried; and Letters accordingly were drawn up, and Doctor 〈◊〉 a Physician then living in the town employed in the Message.  
And now too sad it was to understand, we had done our utmost, and as much that was, I think, as was possible for men to do in our condition; having engaged so potent and conquering an Enemy so long, with so inconsiderable a party, and now at the last destitute of any hopes remaining of a possible relief in so short a time as our Condition would enable us to hold out.  
The next morning the Doctor returned again with this Answer from the General; That we had held it out so long against him, and to the utmost denied his Summons, That the best Conditions we must expect from him, must be to submit to Merey, only that the Inferior Officers and Soldiers should have liberty to go to their own homes. Which was so much beyond the Honour of our actions, that it was thought as unhonourable to be accepted.  
Tuesday the two and twentieth, Early in the morning more Arrows were shot into the Town at several places of the Line, with Papers fastened to them, wherein was written as followeth.  
August 21. 1648.  
Whereas on Sunday last, in a Letter to the Lord Goring, Lord Capel, and Sir Charles Lucas, Conditions were offered to all private Soldiers, and inferior Officers under 〈◊〉, to have liberty to go to their several homes, without injury or violence; and all superior Officers, Lords and Gentlemen to submit to Mercy. And whereas the same hath been concealed from the Soldiers and Inferior Officers aforesaid, nevertheless if they will before Thursday next lay hold on the said Conditions, and come away in a Body from the Enemy, the same Conditions shall be performed to them which have been offered; but in case they shall suffer the 〈◊〉- People (whom we shall not receive) to be turned out of the Town, and suffer them to perish under the Walls, they must expect no Mercy; And if the Townsmen in arms shall join with the soldiery in coming forth in a body as aforesaid, they shall also be free from violence.  
This pretty little stratagem they thought would have infused such a wildfire in the mutinous brains of the Rout, as would in an Instant have blown our Interest into Air, and invited the Soldiery to have delivered their Officers up as a Sacrifice to obtain their own Liberty: But their hopes were laid flat in this, for instead of a compliant acceptance of these Propositions, they resolved to accept of no Conditions, wherein their Officers should not receive a benefit.  
The Council of War having also the day before permitted Doctor Glyston to go out again, with one Master Sheffield (one of the Committee than Prisoner in the Town, brought from (helmsford) to mediate with the General for the People of the Town, sent also by him other Letters concerning the Soldiery, for Condiditions of Rendition, but Answer was returned, that they had given us a former account of what Conditions they would give us, and those they would stand to, and no other we must expect.  
And now being drawn to a sad exigency, and plunged into a very great extremity, it was not for us to protract time, but to add Wing to our resolutions, and close up our misfortunes as near as we could, with an honourable conclusion, and with the best contrivancy of speed that might be; for we had scarce left uneaten, one Cat or Dog in the Town, some Horses we had yet alive, but not many, for there were at that time in the Commissaries account a list of seven hundred and thirty Horse, that had been killed by him, and orderly distributed out; besides those that the Soldiers had stolen out of the stables and killed, and others that Gentlemen flaughtred for their private tables, which I am confident made the number above eight hundred; and for Bread there was not Corn left for one day's provision, and many mouths to feed, for we had made all kind of Corn the Town would afford, as Malt, Barley, Oates, Wheat, Rye, Pease, and all we could recover into bread, for eight Weeks togegether, to lengthen our store, still contented to undergo any thing in particular that we might advance the general service; but our hopes were now quite dissolved in absolute fear of unavoidable ruin.  
Yet this ghastly visage of our Interest could not exile that incomparable courage that generally inspired this gallant party with lively actions and patient sufferance, as if it had been equally indifferent to them, contentedly to undergo prosperity or misfortune; all men's resolutions were set on fire to desperate designs and by some unpresidented attempt to ruin their Enemy, or to perish nobly in the enterprise, since it is much better to die Honourably, than live Basely.  
The meanest of the Soldiers as yet held a conformable obedience to the commands of their Officers, undaunted in their courages, and courageous in their actions, notwithstanding the many designs and politic engines the Enemy had employed to alienate them from their duty, and dishearten them in their service.  
But least there might be any misapprehension betwixt the Soldiers and Officers upon the putting any design in execution, This Engagement was drawn, and generally signed by the Officers, and Gentlemen through the Quarters.  
WE whose names are here under written, do in the presence of Almighty God, protest against all conditions that are or shall be sent from the 〈◊〉, by which our libertyes may be infringed, and our Honours blemished. And we do upon our honours solemnly engage ourselves, not to desert one another, nor the Foot, till by God's assistance we have forced our passage through all that shall oppose us, or to perish in the act, which we 〈◊〉 this three and twentieth of August, one thousand six hundred forty eight.  
Then the Town was again searched what Provisions was left, a severe account given, and all private stores taken, and brought into the Commissaries, leaving but to every family that had most but one peck of Corn, of all or any sorts, yet all would hardly amount to one day's Provision of bread.  
The next day being Thursday the four and twentieth, the Enemy sent in a paper Kite to the Town, which hover a good while over, that the Soldiers might take notice of it, at last they let drop in the midst of it, with many papers fixed to it, to the same purpose as those before shot in with the Arrows, and with them a book also of the relation of a great Victory over the Scots, and their general rout; and within two hours after made a general triumph through the whole Leaguer, giving a volley both of small and great shot, round the Town in all quarters; and some of their shot playing thick into the Town gave us a very strong alarm, and as great hopes that it was but the forerunner of a storm, or the Beginning of one, till we perceived it at so great a distance, as beyond and about the Windmill beyond the East-street. But now their assurances were so great of gaining a Victory without blows, that they thought (as indeed it was) the best policy to forbear, although they had drawn their approaches so near the Line under Berry Fields, by the shelter of a wall which was yet standing, as that their Soldiers from the Trenches, and ours from the Line might talk together, and throw stones at one another, and did frequently.  
Friday the five and twentieth, the Council of War met again early in the morning, where they resolved to send the Lord Fairfax word into the Leaguer, That since he denied to treat upon any conditions that were Honourable, notwithstanding our actions and demeanours in the 〈◊〉 had been nothing but what became our Honoursand fidelity, if he were pleased to make an attempt of attaking us, he should not need to spring any Mine (as he boasted he had ready,) but that any Gate 〈◊〉 the Town, that he should 〈◊〉. choice of, should be set open, and his entrance disputed afterwards.  
But he was now sure (as he thought) of having us at an easier rate than the loss of so much blood as such a surprise must cost him if he had carried it, which he would hardly have dove. And indeed it was his best policy not at all to storm us, since he had leisure enough to wait our doom, the Kingdom in general being so dull & sluggish, as not to act any thing that might require his remove; which had but any parts done by rising, though with small parties, at that time, might have easily forced him to; so that he must either attempted a surprise by storm, or fairly retreated with a hazard ' of his honour, if not his Army; and 〈◊〉 he stormed we had endangered the shattering of his whole Body, the edge of whose fury was by this time much taken off, and something startled both at our resolutions and courses for defence, and much frighted at our Scythes, and scalding Pitch, which was kept boiling in Iron pots and caldrons, every night round the Line, with long Ladles to cast it over the Rampire upon their storming.  
Wherefore considering the condition we were so sadly plunged in, through the defeat of the Scots, the disloyalty of the whole Kingdom, and the want we were in of provision to subsist any longer, not having any hopes that we could possibly hold out two days longer, unless without bread, which we must do, or not 〈◊〉 all; it was the final result of the Council of War, to draw out the whole party that night, to their Arms, both Horse and Foot, with what Ammunition was lest, which was not much, and as many short Scaling Ladders as could be procured in the interim, and in the deadest time when we might be least expected, to set open two of the Gates, and march out and storm their Line, and so falling into their head quarters, beat up their whole Army, and relieve ourselves, or force our march through all oppositions that they should endeavour to obstruct us with, or perish in the attempt; and if the private Soldiers should entertain any suspicion that the Gentlemen, and Officers, who had yet Horses, should seek out their safety by flight, and leave them engaged every man (excepting only the General and the Major General) to pistol his own horse in the head of them; Which design being agreed on, and secrecy enjoined, and every one taken his orders according to his duty in it, the Council broke up, & every man betook himself with the utmost of his endeavours to the making preparation in the day for the night's service.  
The Enemy having this day planted four great pieces for battery against Berry field; fired about sevenscore great shot in the foorenoon against the old Wall, but did very little hurt, only beat off the tops of two old ruined Towers upon it, and killed some three men.  
This was taken as an opportune alarm to call the Soldiers generally to the Line, whereby they might unexpectedly be in a readiness for the intended sally without Bag or Baggage, which was concluded generally to be left behind; for if we gained our hoped victory, we should command both them again, & our Enemies to boot; if we failed, we resolved to have no need of them.  
This I confess would have been a desperate enterprise, but as Noble, and had it proceeded to action, it might (for aught I know) to as honourable success, by a glorious victory; and turned not only to our own liberty, but the whole Kingdom's freedom, and peace; as it happened in Paris once, when the Duke of 〈◊〉 being besieged, and so distressed, that his Soldiers called out to him to yield rather than starve, made a resolute sally upon the French Army, destroyed the whole body, and took the King prisoner; and from 〈◊〉 marched against Rome, where, although he was killed, yet the Army took the City, and besieged the Pope in the Castle of 〈◊〉.  
Now all things were almost in a readiness before night, and the Ammunition and scaling Ladders brought to a particular place, ready to be carried to the Line; but long ere night there was some Officers that (although I am so charitable as to think not dissenting from the design) alleged many Arguments, that it might be better deferred till the next night, because they thought that then they should be in a far better readiness; by which means it was put off.  
But that night, by a most desperate misfortune, though by what means I know not, but before morning, some mutinous spirit had insinuated, into the private Soldiers, that the Officers and the rest of the Gentlemen were resolved that night, or very suddenly to break away through the Leaguer, and escape, and leave them all engaged.  
Which spark role to such a flame, as indeed proved a prefating Comet to our succeeding ruin, and those Soldiers so remarkably gallant before, gave a curb to that courageous spirit that guided their Actions in the honourable obedience; and poisoned their disturbed brains, into a frenzy of desperate mutiny round the Line; In foam places threatening to cast their Officers over the Line: So high a mutiny indeed it was grown before day, that it was rather likely to end in an immediate ruin to themselves and Officers too, than a 〈◊〉; for the Enemy never wanted their incendiaries amongst us, to aggravate any mischief that mightpost forward our destruction, and we might be assured would not only (and did) add 〈◊〉 to this unnatural combustion, but give the 〈◊〉 notice thereof, that they might make the best use of it.  
Then the Lords, and Sir Charles 〈◊〉, Sir William 〈◊〉, and Sir George Lisle, expressed themselves indeed in all the proceedings, men as active as honourable, and beyond expression in both; but never more than in the managing of this Business, the rest of the Officers as diligently bestirring themselves also as could be expected, and indeed to admiration, so that at the last they had wrought a little mildness amongst them, by endeavouring to give them all the satisfaction that could be in this their misapprehension.  
Yet notwithstanding all endeavours to pacify and allay this strangely conjured Devil, it proceeded so on till it grew to such a height, that many left their guards and got in crowds about the Line, and at the last, whilst the Council of War was sitting, selected about thirty, which they sent to the Council, to know what their intentions were, saying, That if they would not make conditions for them, and such as they should 〈◊〉 of, they 〈◊〉 Article for themselves over the Line, and leave their Officers to shift for themselves as they understood their Officers would have done by them. This put the Council of War into a great distraction, the Soldiers, till then, never having acted any thing dishonourable, or unlike the most gallant Soldiers that ever defended Town; and had suffered the greatest inconveniencies that ever, I think, men did, with as extraordinary 〈◊〉, never showing the least discontent at any thing.  
These coming to the House where the Council sat, sent in two, which they supposed to be most able speakers, who being called in, The Lord Norwich assured them of the falsity of their allegation; to confirm which, he also gave them a true understanding of the design; telling them-also, hat they were so far from 〈◊〉 them, or seeking any good, that should not extend in as great a measure to the meanest Soldier amongst them, as to themselves; That they were resolved to give themselves a prey to their Enemy's mercy, (as it proved indeed) and cast 〈◊〉 into the greatest inconveniencies that cruelty of a bloody enemy could 〈◊〉 them with, if thereby they might 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Soldiery from suffering; and that it was their desires to deliver themselves 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Enemy, to purchase them an honourable liberty; to which end, they were Commissioning Gentlemen to the Lord Fairfax to Treat for it.  
To which the Soldiers returned this Answer, that they desired not any liberty that should be purchased at foe dear a rate, with many affectionate expressions of their resolutions to serve their Officers again then, or at any time, when they should be commanded, and departed very much satisfied: which for the present appeased the Mutiny, and so well indeed, that through their own folly their misery was like to arise, and began to examine how this jealousy began, but now it was unseasonable.  
And now it was as much too late to think of any thing but the worst of adverse Fortune for the superiors, and present delivery; the Enemy already knowing as much of our Condition in every respect as we ourselves.  
So the Soldiers being thus pacified and and 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, it was generally resolved as most convenient in that condition, to 〈◊〉 a Gentleman from the Council to 〈◊〉 with the Enemy for conditions, being frustrate of all hopes of longer subsistence or security, or possibility of further attempting any design. Whereupon Col. Sam 〈◊〉 (〈◊〉 in Honour and Ingenuity) was immediately sent forth, with full power to accept of any conditions he could obtain, and to conclude before he came back, who returned not till very late that night, yet time enough to let us know the sad conclusion we were like to have. For the General (by the instigation ofhi Council of war) was fallen from those conditions which formerly he had offered, and now they began to insult over our miseries, and the best that could be obtained, were to deliver ourselves up, the Soldier's Prisoners at War with all Officers under Captains, and the Lords, and other Officers and Gentlemen, to submit to Mercy; and that we should send the 〈◊〉 forth (that were Prisoners with us) the next morning, if we would have any thing at all with him.  
See a just judgement for disobedience, in this reward these Soldiers gained to themselves, for their so tumultuous & mutinous disorder: their own thraldom (〈◊〉 proved ruin to many of them) their 〈◊〉 destruction, and (for aught I know the ruin of a design, that might else have been so prosperous, as to give redemption to the whole Kingdom from that Vassalage it is unhappily plunged into.  
The next morning, being Sunday the 27 of August, the Council of War meeting again, and this account given, inthere was no refuge, nor remedy left, nor any thing to trust to, but what conditions the Enemy would give us; the Committee was therefore immediately dispatched, and Col. Tuke with five other Officers sent forth again to the Enemy, to confirm and sign Articles for rendition, and manner of delivery. The Soldiers of the Enemy's Army and ours being already mixed on many places of the Line, no fire given on either side, as if we had been absolute Prisoners, long 〈◊〉 any conclusion was made.  
Towards night they came back, and brought with them the articles, which were to be put in execution the next morning.  
The several Regiments to lay down their Arms at their several Posts, and there to 〈◊〉 with their Officers under Captains, till they should be disposed of.  
The Lords, with the rest of the Officers and Gentlemen to be by eight of the Clock in the morning at the Kings-head, and 〈◊〉 Horses and Arms without any imbezilment, in Saint Mary's Churchyard.  
All the Ordnance to be 〈◊〉 on the 〈◊〉 as they were planted; all the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉, Match and Ball, to be left in the 〈◊〉 at the Town Hall which was easily done, for there was but one barrel and a half of powder left; many great shot were indeed left, in the Lord Capulets quarters, which the Enemy had shot into the Town, and the Soldiers gathering up, sold to him for six pence a Bullet.  
But many of our Horses were taken violently out of their Stables by the Soldiers of the Leaguer, who flocked into the Town before the Gates were opened, contrary to the Articles, and plundered every thing they could lay their hands on.  
And now began the last sceene of this Tragedy; The Lords and Gentlemen according to the Articles met at the King's head, & the rest of the Army at their appointed places, and all things ordered according to conditions; & about two of the clock in the Afternoon, the Lord Fairfax entered the Town, and rid it round to view our Line and show himself in triumph to the inferior Soldiers, but camenot near the Lords; where he found a just cause for his admiration, how it was possible we could maintain it so long against him, whose very name was as he thought enough to conquer.  
Then he went to his quarters in the Town, where a Council of War immediately met according to his appointment to luxuriate their unsaciable malice, in a collation of Loyal blood, and raise their trophies in ruin of Incomparable virtue.  
And after they had insulted upon our conditions, 〈◊〉 sported away some Votes of contempt upon us, then lying at their unmerciful mercy, they concluded their 〈◊〉, and decreed a barbarous sacrifice of innocent virtue, and of some prey.  
Then they sent Colonel 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to visit, as we thought the Lords and Gentlemen, but he brought a sentence of death in his heart, though not 〈◊〉 in his mouth, which easily discovered itself in his deathlike 〈◊〉.  
Coming up into the Chamber, first 〈◊〉 the Lords, and afterwards came to Sir Charles Lucas, and with a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 told him, That the General 〈◊〉 to speak with him at the 〈◊〉 of War, with Sir George Lisle, Sir 〈◊〉 Gasquoine, and Colonel 〈◊〉 if he were there, but he was not there; so Sir Charles 〈◊〉 as presaging what indeed did afterwards follow, took his 〈◊〉 leave of the Lords and the rest of his fellow prisoners that were near him, and call Sir George Lisle (who was in discourse, and heard not what was spoke) and Sir Bernard 〈◊〉 went 〈◊〉 with him, leaving the rest of the 〈◊〉 with sympathising Souls, sighing prayers for them, for well they might imagine what evil was intended 〈◊〉 them; though they knew them guiltless of any thing that might justly bring their lives in question, though 〈◊〉 the mercy of the Enemy, it being a general rule, that the greatest expression of noble valour appears in the highest civility to an Enemy subjected to 〈◊〉, and was always the practice of the most gallant Enemies in the World.  
So 〈◊〉 Caesar, having 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, in the field (his most implacable Enemy) pursued him into 〈◊〉, where, when he came, his head was presented to him (treacherously taken off) by Theodotus, who thought 〈◊〉 that means to ingratiate himself into 〈◊〉 extraordinary favour with 〈◊〉; but he no sooner beheld it, but 〈◊〉 of rejoicing at the 〈◊〉 of such an Enemy, turned away his head, and wept; and understanding the actors of that 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 an 〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉, immediately 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be put to 〈◊〉, and had given the 〈◊〉 reward to the other, had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Army and opposed him.  
Many examples in 〈◊〉 kind 〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 with, but never any for men to murder with mercy.  
But what should we expect in a Kingdom, so heathenishly reform, but loyal obedience by pretended Law to be made Rebellion, and horrid T: placed judge of the Court; whilst innocent Allegiance receives its deadly doom at the Bar.  
The Lords and Gentlemen sitting thus expostulating with their discontents, and still revolving in their distracted minds what would be the event; about an hour after came a Messenger from Sir Charles 〈◊〉, to desire a Chaplain to be immediately sent to him; which struck a dead sorrow in to the hearts of all.  
Whereat the Lords (desiring that no man might be a particular sufferer in so general a cause) called up one Captain 〈◊〉 an Officer of the Enemies, and Entreated him to hasten to the Council of 〈◊〉, and desire them in the behalf of the Prisoners, that they would not make those Gentlemen they had taken from them any greater sufferers than they intended to all; who being all 〈◊〉 concerned in condition, desire also to be so in suffering.  
But all this could take no effect in them, having past their doom without ever calling the convicted to the Court, or Bar. A new unheard of way, of condemning men in our Nation.  
The Condemned, though not Convicted Knights, were immediately conducted to the Castle; which was nothing now but a Dungeon and the County Goal; Then Col. 〈◊〉 coming to them, said they must prepare themselves for death; Then Sir 〈◊〉. Lucas asked him, by what Law they were to die, or whether by an Ordinance of Parliament, by the Council of War, or by command of the General? To which Ireton made this answer; That it was by the Vote of the Council of War according to an Order of Parliament; by which Order all that were found in Arms were to be 〈◊〉 against as Traytirs.  
Then Sir Charles Lucas replied, alas! You deceive yourselves, me, you cannot, but we are conquered and must be what you please to make us: with a countenance cheerful as one going to a banquet rather than death, not showing the least symptom of fear; but as it were scorning Death as much as he did the Instruments that gave it; Only he desired time till the next morning, as to settle some things in this World, so especially to prepare and fit his Soul for another, but that could not be granted, than he went on again, Sir, Do 〈◊〉 think I make this request 〈◊〉 of any desire: I have to live, or escape the death you have doomed me to, for I scorn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 life at your 〈◊〉; but that I might have time to make 〈◊〉 addresses to God above, and settle some things below, that I might not be thrown 〈◊〉 of this world with all my sins 〈◊〉 me; But since it will not be by 〈◊〉 charity, I must submit to the mercy of 〈◊〉 whose holy will be done; Do your worst I shall soon be readyfor 〈◊〉.  
Sir George 〈◊〉 said very little, only in the like manner desired a little respite, that he might have time to write to his Father and Mother; but was also denied. True Servants of their old Master, and good practitioners in his doctrine, thought it not enough to destroy the body, but as much as in them lay to kill the Soul also.  
But Colonel 〈◊〉 having taken his leave of them, they took an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that poison, and went immediately to prayers; Sir Charles Lucas first praying and breathing forth such zealous expressions and heavenly ejaculations that 〈◊〉 seemed translated already into another World while he was yet alive, they afterwards prayed with the Chaplain, and received the blessed Sacrament.  
This religious devotion being finished they were hastened, forth into the Castle-yard to be executed; But Sir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 (whom they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ere they understood what Conntry-man he was, and after they had again considered of him) was reprieved out of the consideration that he was a stranger to the Kingdom.  
When these two true English Worthies came to the place appointed for execution (scarce to be believed amongst Christians or men of humanity) there came Col. 〈◊〉, Rainsborow, and 〈◊〉 to be as well spectators as actors, in this inhuman tragedy; to make their eyes witnesses (though not their souls sensible) of their unchristianity.  
Where they found the Loyal 〈◊〉, ready to be sacrificed, & with as undaunted resolutions to receive death there; as ever before they had dared it in the Field, where the boldest Rebel never gained Honour by questioning their Gallantry.  
Sir Charles being the first that was to receive this honour of Martyrdom told them that he had often looked death in the face in the field, and now they should see he durst die; Then having a little while retired himself upon his knees, he rose upwith a cheerful countenance and opening his doublet, showed them his breast and setting his hands to his sides calls out to them, see I am ready for you, now Rebels do your worst; so they immediately fired at him and shot him in four places; so that he was suddenly dead.  
Then Sir George Lisle his turn being next, (being before carried a little aside, that he might not see his Friend fall) was brought to the place to perform the conclusive part of this bloody scene; and viewing the Body of his dear friend and fellow Martyr dead and bleeding on the ground, kneeled down and kissed it sobbing forth a funeral Elegy in many sweet Characters of his peerless and unspotted honour.  
Then standing up, took out of his pocket five pieces of gold (the whole stock he had about him) and gave one of them to his Executioners, and the rest to a Gentleman then standing by (who formerly had been his servant) to deliver as his last Legacy to some friends in London, with some filial expressions of duty to his Father and Mother, and recommendations to some other friends.  
Then turning to the spectators said, Oh! how many of your lives here have I saved in hot blood, and must now myself be most barbarously 〈◊〉 in cold? But what dare not they do that would willingly cut 〈◊〉 throat of my dear King, whom they have already imprisoned; and for whose deliverance, and Peace to this unfortunate Nation, I dedicate my last prayers to Heaven, and now Traitors do your worst. Then standing regardless of them with many invocations on the name of jesus, was suddenly also thrown dead on the ground; Which place lest there should want a monument of that cruel 〈◊〉 to all eternity, I am informed (by those, and they divers, who have since viewed it) is yet bare of grass, & cannot be forced by any art to bear any.  
And since I have endeavoured to erect. a monument to their immortal fames, though but their very names alone were enough to adorn it, yet shall adventure (though with a hazard of many a heavy censure for my audacity) to imprint this Epitaph upon its cloudy front.  

Though here's no Calpe, nor Arbyla nigh,  
Yet here two Pillars with non ultra lie;  
And those Herculean too whose red 〈◊〉 st and's  
(As t'other) crushed betwixt 2. mighty lands.  
Measure their lives by their brave Images  
In Death (as by the foot was Hercules)  
Each a Colosse of Honour was, and strid  
O'er 〈◊〉 higher than a Pyramid.  
Their Foes (more 〈◊〉 than what Africa bred)  
Insulted when these noble victim bled;  
Whilst they were glad their Souls were Ushers made  
To march in Glory 〈◊〉 the Royal 〈◊〉.  
Malice thy work is done, While this sad Isle  
New 〈◊〉 surround for Lucas and for Lisle.   
Thus fell these matchless twins of valour, and pair of glorious Martyrs, posting to receive the inheritance of that never-dying honour in the other world; being thrust headlong out of this for having too much here.  
Night being come, and the Chaplain being returned, and this being related to the Lords and Gentlemen, every man expected that his own turn might be next, looking one upon another with clouded faces, that dictated to each other a noble sympathy of their troubled hearts, not out of any consideration or fears of what they expected to suffer, but for the untimely loss 〈◊〉 those Gentlemen so untimely by a barbarous mercy murdered. Thus they were all thrust into one Room, from whence if any but stepped to another, he was immediately stripped stark naked; thus continued the rest of the Prisoners till about Candlelighting, then in came Commissary General Ireton, Col. Whaley, and Col. Ewers, and saluting the Lords, told them, They were sent from the General, to them, and the rest of the Gentlemen, to tell them that now (for they supposed it was not unknown what had been done) he did by them give an assurance of what before they held doubtful: fair quarter as Prisoners of War.  
But the Lord Capel, instead of returning thanks, told them, They should have given the General 〈◊〉 thanks if he had saved the lives of those two Knights, whom they had already executed, then for the grant of their own; saying also, that their conditions in relation to the service, and their own yet alive, were alike, and all equally concerned in the managing of that design, and it was their desire to have run all one hazard; which seemed much to displease the Messengers; after this these Gallants made an exit, the Lords, with some other Gentlemen, were drawn out and conducted to Mr. 〈◊〉 house over against the King's head.  
Colonel far having escaped for the present, escaped also the judgement the other two underwent; but was afterwards taken, and sent with a guard, to his own quarters, and there kept close prisoner till the remove of the rest.  
After the General had kept us thus up three or four days, he found out a new stratagem, both for disposing the prisoners, and paying his Army; first he lays a fine of 13000 l. upon the Town, with which money he intended to pay the private Soldiers; and for the Officers, he distributed to every Regiment a certain number of Gentlemen that were prisoners, as slaves to the Galleys, or to ransom themselves. The Officers whereof came to the pound (as the manner of graziers is by their cattle) and called them first out of that into another, and then drove them away for the market, to make the most of them; so most of them afterwards as they were able, and according to the civility of those they were distributed to, bought their liberties, and returned home; in which manner they disposed of the greatest part excepting those who in that design were in principal command.  
The private Soldiers and inferior Officers were drawn from their Line, and shut in the Churches, where they immediately placed guards over them, and gave free Liberty to their foot Soldiers, to go in and pillage them; so that in a very short time there was very few or none left with any clothes on them, hardly shirts, and afterwards they having thus pillaged and stripped them, some changing for their rags, & some giving them nothing, they marched them away, in a day when it reigned so violently, as (had we not had God's engagement to the contrary) we might have feared a second deluge; how they disposed of them afterwards I know not, but there are divers in the Kingdom that will tell you how they marched them from place to place 〈◊〉 the country, lodging them in Churches and such places till many of them starved, and divers that could not march by reason of their 〈◊〉, they pistold in the high ways, and some they sold (as before they did the Scots) to be transported into foreign Countries from their Wives and Children, no matter whither so they were once gone.  
The Lords, with the rest of the prisoners, were kept in the same places they were at first, till the Tuesday following, and then (that they might be dispersed, as near as possible to their absolute ruin) they first (by examining their servants) having gotten knowledge of each particular man's Country, transmitted them to several prisons, as contrary and far distant from their own homes as they could contrive; the Lords with some of the Gentlemen to 〈◊〉, and the rest to Oxford, Lynn in Norfolk, Warwick, 〈◊〉 in Cornwall, & St. michael Mount, 〈◊〉 Castle in 〈◊〉, Gloucester, Hereford, Cardiff in Glamorganshire, and 〈◊〉 other places.  
What became of them since, is writ in the daily book of their several misfortunes.  
This unhappy success waited upon these noble Gentlemen and their design, which let no man judge by the event (a great argument with those whose understandings cannot perpetrate beyond the outward bark or face of things) for by the same inference they may conclude unrighteousness in God, who is sometimes pleased to give victory to the enemies of his truth. It is too saucy a thing to confine his providence, or determine his holy will, for my part I am confident had our repentance been as ripe for his favour and mercy, as our sins were before (and I fear do yet continue) for his frowns & judgements, this engagement had brought home the Ark to Israel, our liberty, and His, whose glorious seat is now in Heaven, while His memory on Earth lives fresh in the martyrdom of the most Saintlike man that ever swayed an Earthly Sceptre.  
It was said by Plutarch of those who murdered Caesar, ex percussoribus Caesaris 〈◊〉 triennium nemo vixerit, of those murderers of Caesar, not one survived three years. I am no Prophet, but I believe God is just, and it not possible, but his vengeance is preparing for so execrable a Regicide, that wanteth an equal in story for the malice and barbarity.  
As I dare not say without blasphemy there is no God in Heaven. so I must not say without Treason there is no King in our 〈◊〉, while our hopes bud in the name of CHARLES the second, who may yet succeed his Father, both in His Throne and Virtues. Exurgat Deus & 〈◊〉 inimici, you that have not hands to help him, may yet take up the arms of the Church, 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉.  
For my own part I will not despair while there is mercy in Heaven, and a just title upon Earth, but he may fulfil that Prophecy that is so authentically averred concerning his Person; when all these horrid distractions and clouds shall vanish into a calm, and there shall be no more a Babel City,  
Carolus, a Carolo,  
Major erit Carolo Magno.  

To my ingenious friend upon his Exact journal of the Kentish Forces.  
What I must say on this (my very Friend)  
Should rather be to cherish, than commend;  
Since Critics jurymen (perhaps) may grudge  
That one so partial should be thy judge:  
Yet I may draw my attestation so,  
That as a Witness they may let me go.  
Then on thy Commentary (which in right  
I can't call less, since thou didst act and write)  
I will say this; Thou dost not Mercuryed  
In any circumstance, except in Wit:  
For he will know that language understands,  
Thou 'st Jacob's voice, as well as Esau's hands.  
Thine own herds slaughter too, thou'st dressed so neat,  
That to the aged it will be savoury meat:  
And may they bless the for't, that thus dost tell  
With how much bravery Lisle and Lucas fell.  
There thou tol'dst thy Saint's bell, that our eyes  
To them might pay their annual obsequies.  
And showd'st their slaughtermen, that they survive,  
Whom they of life intended to deprive.  
Indeed their Mansion they have changed thus;  
That is, they live, not in themselves, but us.  
Thus by thy pen, thou givest them what they lost,  
Anticipating their last rise almost:  
For them (as then) we now in Glory spy,  
But I confess, 'tis Intellectually.  
Thy language thus givs both a life, & shape  
To th' Martyred Corpses, as an AEsculape.  
Yet for this Art none can reward thy pen,  
Since there's no triumph o'er a Citizen;  
Unless you'd saved (not raised them) you can't own,  
A just pretence unto the Grassy Crown,  
Thus (stead of Laurel) I must now bequeath  
Nought to thy Front, except a Cypress wreath.  
For (I think) rightly no man understands  
A fatal Tragedy, that claps his hands.  
〈◊〉 (friend) thou seest, I can no bays confer;  
I'll be thy Usher not thy Trumpeter.  
Thy new born offspring I will cherish rather,  
(As Gossips do) saying, 'tis like the Father.  
Your impartial Fidelio, G: W.   

To the Ingenious Author of these Commentaries.  
I'Ve read thy tract, this is my sum,  
Thou'st made thy Kent, our Christendom.  RODERIGOE.  

To my Honoured Friend upon his Commentary.  
THose able Souls who can claim great Estates  
In the large fields of fancy, whose conceits  
Free, high, & virgin in each golden-line,  
Like gems set in that glistering metal shine,  
May chance go near to clothe their muse (my friend)  
In a fit equipage for to attend  
Thy triumph, when a poor, and needy brain  
Must be a blot in thy more pompous train.  
When such as I endeavoure thee to praise,  
We do but bring thee thorns instead of Bays,  
And by an indiscreet affection wound,  
Those Temples we intended to have Crowned.  
Yet must I on, and so with what I do  
Thee Injury, must crave thee pardon too;  
For should I see thee thus engaged among  
An host of Enemies, fcourged by thy tongue,  
And like a trueborn coward, nor strike a blow  
In thy behalf, nor dare to face the foe,  
As well might these great spirits who there died  
Condemn my cowardice, as now my pride.  
thoust greater art than D●dalus ere knew  
To twist even Ink itself into a clew.  
More power than the highest fates afford,  
Makes paper fight, and a pen a Sword.  
Then lead the way, and we will learn of thee  
Anew to spell our misled loyalty.  
Thou who couldst guide us thorough the wild maze  
Of error, and teach truth those narrow ways  
she's often lost in, learn confused fame  
In her mixed Dialect for to speak plain,  
Taught by what thou'st observed, and done before,  
And now hast said we'll act, and err no more.  
No more shall Kent hang down her drooping head,  
And sadly tell the number of her dead;  
But bless her overthrow, as proud that thou  
Hast taught her thus the way to conquest now.  
Lucas, and Lisle, shall start amazed that words  
Should have a power to vindicate their swords.  
And CHARLES himself confess his Wain to be  
A great deal fitter to be driven by thee.  
Nay which is more, he shall at length confess  
His Wain full mooned by thy brains increase.  E. P. 
FINIS.