A VIEW OF THE Proceedings of the WESTERN-COUNTIES FOR THE PACIFICATION Of their present troubles: AS ALSO OF THE PLOTS AND PURPOSE to disturb the same.  Psal. CXX. vers. V. 
My soul hath long dwelled amongst those that be Enemies unto Peace.  
Printed in the year, 1642.   

A view OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE Western Counties for the Pacification of their present Troubles &c.  
IT hath been long the mischievous design of those, who have embroiled this Kingdom in a civil war, not only to maintain an Army of discontented and seditious persons, for the destruction of their sovereign, but to engage the greatest and most populous Counties in an unnatural dissension amongst themselves. In prosecution of which wicked counsels, as they have spared no subtle Artifices, to infatuate and seduce the people to their own destruction, and the undoing of their wives and families: so when they find them sensible of those afflictions which they have pulled upon themselves, and willing return into more peaceable courses; they have not failed to animate them to their former fury, and interrupt all Consultations and Agreements which might conduce unto their Peace. The first example of this kind was that of Yorkshire, the Gentry and Commonalty of the which, having played too long a part in this woeful Tragedy, had mutually agreed upon such equal terms of Pacification, as might restore that Country to its ancient quiet; and this they had confirmed by the subscription of the hands of the most eminent & able men of either party. But this was presently disallowed by those factious spirits, who have too great a power in the two Houses of Parliament, as being utterly destructive of their ends and hopes: and upon that dislike commanded not to be observed, and so by consequence annulled. How miserable a Theatre of blood, death, and rapine, that wretched County hath been made ever since that time, as we see now not without grief and Lamentation, so shall Posterity, being less interessed in the quarrels which are now on foot, peruse the story of it with a greater sorrow. Cheshire as not far off in situation, was next unto this people in example also. They on the sense of those calamities under which they suffered, by nourishing an intestine war in their own bowels, had fallen upon the like atonement: and for the keeping of the same, the principal Agents of each side had promised one another severally in the word of a Gentleman, and as they did desire to prosper, that both themselves, their Tenants, friends and servants would most strictly keep it. But yet this promise made in so solemn manner, and bound with such an imprecation to observe the same, was not found sufficient, for the preventing of all further acts of enmity and desolation, there following on the neck thereof, a Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, wherein was signified and declared, That the said Pacification and agreement, was very prejudicial to the whole Kingdom, derogatory to the power and privilege of Parliament; and therefore that not only the inhabitants thereof, but that the Gentlemen themselves who were the parties to the Articles were not bound unto them; and finally all the inhabitants thereof, commanded and required to pursue their former Resolutions, for the assistance of the Parliament in the Common cause.  
Though these examples might have terrified the most moderate men, such as were most inclinable to their country's peace, from venturing on the like conclusions, which they perceived would not be left unto their power to observe or not: yet war and discord are such troublesome and unwelcome guests, that notwithstanding these discouragements, the Western Counties have embraced the same counsels also, and entertained some Propositions, conducing to the introduction of a blessed peace. And first the Gentlemen and other intelligent persons of the County of Dorset, having felt some of the effects of war in the action of Sherborne, and seeing how great a flame was raised in Devonshire, bordering next upon them, endeavoured to preserve themselves from that combustion which had laid wast so many of their neighbour's houses. And to that end agreed amongst themselves upon such Articles, as the necessity of their affairs, and the sad spectacles before their eyes, did invite them to: whereof Sir Thomas Trenchard Knight, and John Browne Esquire, two of the Deputy Lieutenants for exercising of the Militia, according to the Ordinance of the two Houses of Parliament, were as the first movers so the most effectual promoters too. And yet this Pacification so agreed upon, and at a time, when the whole County so distasted the proceedings of the two Houses of Parliament, that there was ten against them for every one that would adventure in their cause, (as the said Gentlemen did signify by letters to diverse of their friends in the Lower House) was not held convenient. And thereupon Sir William Waller must be hastened to the Western parts, that by the power and reputation of his arms the said Agreement might be broken; and all that had consented to the common Peace might either be compelled to advance the war, or fly the Country.  
In the mean time, whilst Waller was upon his March, and the affairs of Dorsetshire in so good condition, that it was hoped they would be able to make good their own Conclusions: the Devon-shire and the Cornish Armies, who had so oft imbrued their hands in each others blood, though still with loss of men and reputation on the Devon-shire side, began to harken to such counsels, as God had put into the hearts of some honest Gentlemen, (though otherwise of different opinions) to propose unto them. And it pleased him who maketh two to be of one mind in an house, so to incline the hearts both of the greater and the better part of those several Counties, as first to harken to a trnce, and on the expiration of that Truce (which was expired the seventh of this present March) to yield to a Cessation for twenty days, that so the Treaty might advance with the more apparent hopes of an happy issue. Which being mutually agreed on for the common good, their next care was to choose Commissioners for each side, men of integrity and honour, on whom they might confer a concluding power to bind all parties; and unto whose determinations they might with safety and assurance submit themselves. This done, and the Commissioners assembled at Mount-Edgecomb a place in Cornwall, on the fourth of March, to give assurance each to other, and to all the world, of their integrity, and of the real intentions which they had to peace (secluded from all sinister and particular ends) they took a solemn Protestation, and afterward received the blessed Sacrament, for ratification of the same. The Protestation is as followeth, which I have here transcribed verbatim, that all the World may see, (if they be not blind,) with what sincerity and candour they purpose to proceed in so great a business.  
I. A.B. do solemnly vow and pretest in the presence of Almighty God, that I do not only come a Commissioner to this treaty, with an hearty and fervent desire of concluding an honourable and firm Peace between the two Counties of Cornwall and Devon, but also will to the utmost of my power prosecute and really endeavour to accomplish and effect the same, by all lawful ways and means I possibly can, First by maintaining the Protestant Religion established by Law in the Church of England, The just rights and prerogative of our sovereign Lord the King, The just privileges and freedom of Parliaments, together with the just rights and the liberty of the Subject; and that I am without any intention (by fomenting this unnatural war) to gain or hope to advantage myself with the real or personal estate of any person whatsoever, or obtaining any Office, Command, title of Honour, benefit or reward, either from the King's Majesty, or either or both houses of Parliament now assembled. And this I take in the presence of Almighty God, and as I shall answer the same at his tribunal, according to the literal sense and meaning of the foregoing words, without any Equivocation, mental Reservation, or other Evasion whatsoever, So help me God. Which Protestation being thus taken, was subscribed also by the hands of all the Commissioners, being eighteen in number, for each County nine.  
This preparation being made, and the sincerity of their intentions so fully manifested, the Commissioners authorized for Cornwall (considering that they stood on the higher ground) did first propound their Articles to those of Devon: Articles of so even a temper, and so agreeable to the laws established, that those of Devonshire had been bound to admit the same, if all things had succeeded answerably to their former expectations and endeavours. The most material of them were to this effect. 1. That the book of commonprayer, the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England formerly established by lawful authority, for the true and sincere worship of God, be duly and truly observed in all the parishes of both Counties, until the Discipline be altered by such authority as it was established by; and that all the infringers & depravers of the same either of the Clergy or Laity, be duly proceeded against according to the known Laws of the land. 2. That the Common and statute laws of this Realm of England be truly and really put in execution against all offenders & violaters of the same laws in either County, according to the usual legal course, and as hath been anciently accustomed. 3. That all trade, traffic, and free Commerce be open in and between both Counties, as heretofore in the most peaceable and best times. 4. That no man in his person, estate, or goods, be arrested imprisoned, detained, outed, dispossessed, or any ways molested, by any power or authority, whatsoever, without due process of the laws of the Land. And 5. That all new erected fortifications & set guards within the City and County of Exeter, and in and upon all towns Castles, Bridges and passages within the Counties of Devon and Cornwall be removed and slighted at the cost and charges of the Erectors of the same, and that his majesty's Forts, Castles, and other ancient and usual places of command within both Counties, be put into the same hands and custody as they were in before these unhappy differences; and assurance given for the maintaining of the same without any addition or alteration: and that all arms and Ammunition, of all and every person and persons whatsoever, be restored again to the right owners. Tho other Articles there were, but these the principal. And these together with the Protestation, the said Commissioners desired might be published in all the market-towns and parochial Churches of the said two Counties, without any alteration either in the writing, reading, or publishing thereof: to the intent it might appear unto all the world, who were the faithful observers of the said Protestation, first sworn to on the holy Evangelists, and afterwards confirmed by the receiving of the blessed Sacrament; and who the violaters of the same.  
These Propositions being so equal, and so agreeable to the known laws of the Land, were like to find but little opposition from the Commissioners for the other County, if they met with any. But whilst they were in consultation how to transact and settle their affairs, in such a way as might be permanent and secure▪ it pleased God to put into their minds the offering of a communication of the same precious benefit to the adjoining Counties of Somerset and Dorset; who as they had participated somewhat in the Calamities of the war, so could they not but be as sensible of the blessings & effects of their neighbour's Peace. Which being taken by them into consideration, it was agreed upon of all sides, that letters should be written to the principal persons of those several Counties respectively, to invite them to join with them in so good a work, conducing so apparently to their common happiness. And this accordingly was done, letters being written and subscribed by the hands of twelve of the Commissioners, Sir Ralph Hopton subscribing in the first place: which letters were dated from Mount-Edgecomb on the sixth of March, being the very next day save one, that they were assembled. So soon did they agree on that weighty point, that there may seem to be, some superior power, which did so readily induce and incline them to it. The place appointed for the meeting, was the New inn in Exeter; the day the fourteenth of this month, which was Tuesday last, being the seventh of the Cessation. And that they might attend the service with the greater safety and more assurance of their lives and persons: there was a safe Conduct granted by the chief Factors of the two Houses of Parliament, for every one of the Commissioners of the said four Counties, with two men a piece for their retinue, to come, remain, and return (I speak out of the words of the original) to and from the said place or any other places which shall be appointed for the treaty by the said Commissioners. Which letters of safe Conduct do hear their date at Plymmouth, the seventh of March, subscribed in the first place, by the Earl of Stamford, after by Sir George Chudleigh, Northeote, Martin, and others the chief sticklers in the former troubles.  
One would not think, that an Accommodation so just and necessary, tending so visibly to the ease and benefit of all His majesty's Subjects in those Counties, so evidently conservative of their lives and fortunes, which had before been made a prey to the sharpest sword; so sensibly conducing to the advancement of God's glory and the King's Honour, should meet with opposition in that place, and amongst those persons, who hitherto have given out (and certainly would take it ill not to be believed) that they endeavour nothing more, than the establishment of all these on the surest grounds. Yet so it happened, that when this news was brought to the House of Commons, which was on Saturday March the eleventh in the afternoon: it was received with great heat and passion, as finding their authority to be thereby lessened, and that unlimited and arbitrary power which they had exercised before on the Subjects there, to be restrained very much, if not quite destroyed. For now they saw that all those Counties would be freed from all those tyrannical constraints and impositions, which had been forced upon them by their Committees; that those in whom they most confided had betrayed the cause, and were no longer willing to advance their ends in the oppression of their neighbours; that the people would again return to the King's obedience, and submit themselves to no other rule, than the known laws of the realm; and who could tell whether the contagion of so dangerous an example might not infect the neighbouring Counties, and so prevail at last over all the Kingdom. Besides there was another circumstance, which added much to their vexation and disquiet; which was that here they met not with a bare subscription of men's names; as in that of Yorkshire; or only with a promise made in the word of a Gentleman, though bound and made up with an imprecation, as in that of Cheshire: but with subscription of the names of the Commissioners, the taking of a solemn Oath, and the receiving of the Sacrament to confirm the same. And such a threefold cord (in case the Wise man's note be of any credit) is not easily broken.  
And yet well fare a gallant confidence. They were resolved upon the question to Break all these bonds, to dissolve the Treaty, to reduce matters there to the same confusion which they had brought them to before, and make those nigh 〈…〉 like the sons of Cadmus, employed upon no other service then to kill one another. Why should not two whole Counties perish, nay to say truth, why should not a whole Kingdom be exposed unto spoil and ruin, rather than some suspected Malefactors be brought to yield themselves to a legal trial? Were not the Tribunes of the People in the State of Rome, held to be inviolable; exempt for whatsoever they committed, from all Law and punishment? Rather than to give up the power, with so much art and industry acquired; let us adventure once on a point of Popery, and dispense with them for their oaths; which being taken by them without our consent, have no power to bind them. This last insisted on so cordially, by some that do pretend most hatred to Popish errors, (as is advertised from London by letters of the 11. of March) that at the last it was concluded to dispatch Prideaux and Nicols two of their Members in all haste to Exeter, to signify their mislike of the whole business to the several Counties, and by all means to break in pieces the Agreement, from which they feared such mischiefs would redound unto them. But it is hoped, that notwithstanding their endeavours to subvert this Treaty, and the Gentlemen and others of those Counties whom it most concerns, will not so easily be altered from their resolutions: beginning at the last (though long first) to reassume the use of their own senses; to trust no farther to the ensnaring arts of others, than they see cause for; to find in what a comfortable state they lived, when they could feel no power above them, but the mild sceptre of a merciful and gracious King; and finally to perceive what irremediable calamities the Yorkshire and the Cheshire men have drawn upon themselves and their several Countries, by breaking those Agreements, on the like temptation, which were so faithfully condescended to for their common good. However we may see even by these endeavours, what hopes of ease, what inclination to 〈…〉 expected from the hands of those cruel Chirurgeons; who are so far from binding up the wounds of this bleeding body, that they enlarge the Orifice and increase the number, and take delight in torturing the poor Patient, whom they have in Cure: how little sense there is in them of our deadly miseries, who sitting safely in the Senate, wrapped in warm furs, and guarded by full troops of their own Auxiliaries, hear not the groans of slaughtered men, nor the cries of Orphans, nor the lamentation of the widows, nor see that spoil and devastation, which they have made of late in this flourishing kingdom, under pretence of rectifying some few slips and errors in the former Government. From which unmerciful kind of men, no less than from the Plague and Pestilence, Good Lord deliver us.  
FINIS.