THE SCOTS scouts DISCOVERIES: BY THEIR LONDON INTELLIGENCER. And presented to the Lords of the Covenant of Scotland. Anno Domini. 1639 LONDON, Printed for William Sheares, 1642. TO THE RIGHT honourable, MOST WORTHY and Noble Lords, the noblemen, and others of the Covenant of Scotland. May it please your Lordships, ACcording to your honour's directions, the Scouts (which were sent into England, to discover the estate of things there) came unto me their Intelligencer at London, who have collected together all such observations, as they in their several travels have found, or myself observed, either in my own abode now two years at London, or in my returning home: But by reason of all passages now shut up at sea, and all Land ways belayed, I was forced to put myself in Arminian Attire, and so came home through England, and so remained some certain time in the camp royal, where my Collections may manifest my love to my country, and care of the trust by your Lordships imposed upon me. But if my observations be not answerable to your lordship's expectations, I am heartily sorry: Yet, ye may see, I have not been altogether idle, nor will be more careless hereafter (as occasion is offered) then formerly I have been, and shall in my Northern news (which is also now in collecting) make good what is omitted, and in confidence of your favourable acceptance hereof, I rest, Your honour's most humble servant, D. L. THE FIRST scouts DISCOVERY. I Came to Dover in a Flemish bottom, where (after a day's rest) I went to see the Castle, but I was forced to fain myself one of Madam nurse's kindred, & spoke nothing but french, or else I had not been admitted. This Castle is called the Key of the Land, but it's grown rusty for want of exercise, for most of the Ordnance are dismounted, their carriages standing one half in the ground, and the other out; here lay one wheel, and there lay another: In the Eastern outwork lay one piece all overgrown with grass, and hard by that lay another along by the wall on two Logs of timber; I wondered to see such a confusion in so eminent a place; but I was told that the last great wind was the cause thereof; and if the Lieutenant were once able to walk round the walls to see it, all would be made good and mended; but till than it must stand as it doth: Their Lord is at London to be cured of the Gout, the Deputy Lieutenant was at Downs seeing the King's ships, and most of the men were at bowls on the green Beach: I came down to the town, and left the Castle with a Memento to look to itself, lest the French do it for them; this I observed, that if the French had been as provident as the Dutch, to have seated themselves in Dover, than the most Christian King might have had this Castle at his Command, and so might have been Master of the narrow Seas, and have had Calais and Dover for two bulwarks, and Block-houses, and so kept the Dunkirk from domineering on the seas. All the news I could learn here, was that six of the King's ships lay ready for a Convoy of sixty Vessels with provision for Dunkirk. The next day I came to Canterbury, where I went to view the glass windows, and see Sir Thomas a Becket's tomb, to which the people had prayed so often, as they had made two holes in the stones with their knees: the next day being sunday I went to hear a Sermon where (they said) the Archbishop of St. Andrew's was to preach, I was in amaze to see him there; but the noise of the Organs soon put me out of my dumps. Now (thought I) he is in his kingdom, for he hath danced a long time after this music: when service was done; I thought to have heard him tell the people some news out of Scotland, but the old carl spoke not one word thereof. The next morning I took a charcoal, and drew on the white wall in the Church Porch these three words, (Archi: Cant: Auli) and so departed out of the town, lest I should have been apprehended for the Author of it: All the news that I could learn in the town, was that the Archbishop's Grace was too great to dwell amongst them, that he loved Croyden, better than Christ-Church. That he had some Engineers to see if they could remove Christchurch to Croyden by land, or to Lambeth by water, for he meant it should stoop to him, and not he to it: But lest it should fall to be forfeited; for non Residency he hath put the other Archbishop there for his Deputy. As I came through Kent, I saw much mustering, and preparing of men and arms to send into Scotland: This had almost made a mutiny amongst them; some said it was done purposely to weaken the Country, others said it was an ill example for other ages: And an old 88 Captain said they might well retain the name of Kentish Long-tayles, but to be called any more men of Kent, they could not claim it. As I came a long, I saw the King's storehouse at Chatham, and some of the King's ships which are of such bigness, as a small ship may be built, ere they can be rigged, and brought to the sea to do any service. When I came to Gravesend, I saw the great Fleet riding in the Hope, ready to carry the marquess and his men for Scotland: But there fell out a foul fray between the Parson of the Parish, and the Pursers, for demanding double duties, for burying such soldiers as died on shipboard. On the way towards London, I saw Stone-church which was burnt down with thunder last winter: And Erith, Micham, and many other Churches (for all their high Altars) did not scape scot free. The next Sunday I went to Lambeth to hear a Sermon, and see what form of worship was used there; when I came, I was in hope to have seen the little good man of Lambeth there, but I saw no such man in all the kirk; for I could have kend him by his white sleeves from all the men there: but I well wot, there he was not. I speerd for him, and some said, he was either at Whitehall or Somerset house, others said that he was at home choosing of a new churchwarden, because the old one had presented him for not coming to Kirk these 7. years. After preaching was past, I went up the River side to see Guy Faux his manor house, the fatallest house, that ever was built; for there was the plot laid, and powder provided for blowing up the Prince and Peers of the realm, in the Parliament house by the Papists conspiracy. There was the Leather Ordnance invented, there was the white soap and blue starch first made, there was the most part of the projects and Monopolies hatched, which have so much troubled the whole kingdom. There was a new rare invention, lately set on foot for blowing up of Castles and Forts, but for a conclusion it was first blown up itself: And now an engineer hath begged it of the King, and hath new built it, for which he hath promised to blow up all the lands in the Frith in Scotland, that the King's ships may have sea-room to besiege Leeth: from thence I came cross the River, where a Duchess like a Dive-dapper was a swimming, but the water was so cold, as it made all her body shiver, and put her in sick a fit of a fever, as no Physician could cure her, but a German. On the Sunday before Easter I went to St. Margaret's anent the Abbey, where the Minister mistook himself, and instead of a Prayer read a Preface, forbidding all people to beg at Whitehall, for the King was gone to York wellaway (thought I) now, I have missed a mandy, which I thought to have had, to have carried me again home into Scotland. Well, I could hardly eat my dinner for grief thereof: But a country man of mine would needs have me in the afternoon be Goffer to a girl, where when I came the women fell to quarrel for the name; one would have it Maudlin, & another would have it Mary, now out upon't says another, we have too too many of that name already; pray let us have old Elizabeth again: by my soul says another, if this were spoken in Scotland, it would be counted reason wh●n I heard that, I stole away, and left them to look another Goffer: upon good Friday as I came through Whitehall, a country man had me in to give me a dish of drink, and to show me the dancing Barn, & then afterwards carried me to the King's choir to hear a me●s of matins, when I came there the people were all groveling on the ground as though they had been picking pearls out of the pavement: Well, down I was driven on my marrowbones amongst the rest, and about half an hour after they all stood up again, turning their arses to the East, and their snouts to the West to hear an Anthem, which being done a tall slim carl in a long gown made the people turn their faces to the East, where I spied a curious wrought Crucifix hanging over the high Altar, with two women kneeling to it, to teach the rest of the people their duties: Upon Easter day I went thither again, and then the Crucifix was taken down, and the Resurrection set up in the same place, the music went so loud, and the old droning dunces, and young fry of choristers made such a noise as I could not hear, nor understand one word was spoken, and so came away for fear of deaffing: About a week after my countryman would needs have me go thither again, and then I saw in the same place over the Altar a fine old man riding on a bonny nag, hunting a wild Beast, many a long leg, and low courtesy was made to the man on horseback: I asked what he was, and my countryman told me, it was St. George, and they were all praying to him to make haste, for they had need of him in the North, when I saw him so ready on horseback with his spear in his hand, and his spurs on his heels: Well St. George, thought, I, ride as fast as you can, I will be in Scotland before you, and so I departed, and left him to end his quarrel with the Beast he had before him: When I was gone out of the Court, my countryman told me, I had some reason to be afraid. For St. George having formerly broke his spear with the Spaniard, and rebated his sword at a foil with the French; therefore he had now his hands bound by the one, and his tongue by the other: And having taken a truce with them both, he had vowed to be revenged on St. Andrew, whom he threatens to turn into a Wind-will, where his cross shall serve for the sweapes: Alas, and woes me (quoth I) poor St. Andrew is so weary with carrying his cross on his back, and a Bishop's Bonnet on his head, as he will never be able to encounter this man, who being so bravely mounted, will run over him before he come at him. This made me so afraid, as I went home to supper for fear of fainting; the next morning I got up betimes, and went to the Exchange to meet our Intelligencer; when I came the news was at an end: For their Packets were opened, and their Letters taken away, which made a mighty muttering amongst them, in so much as one of them in a mad humour said that they were quite disgraced, and thereupon made these verses following. London's disgraced, Lincoln's displaced, York now hath the golden bag, The Clergies gift, the Papists thrift Maintains the English Flag: The Clergies curse, Rex minat mors, Ere Bishops be put down: The gain is great, though far unmeet, A mitre for a crown. THE SECOND scouts Discovery. I Went out in a Dunbarre Boat, and sailed all along the Northern coasts, where we met two ships laden with Ammunition for Berwick, and fix Colliers with provision for Newcastle. When I came to Hull, I went on shore to see the mighty magazine there, from thence we were driven to the downs, where the King's Fleet lay at Anchor: in which the Mermaid marquess, (being changed from true blue to all the colours in the rainbow) was there cabbined up with a Cable for fear of the French, where like a Kite in a windy day with seventeen smaller birds at her tail, he was hovering up and down the seas to surprise all such shipping as should pass for Scotland. When we came near unto Dover, a Dunkirk set upon us with two French, and a Fleming relieved us, or else (for all the ship money paid in, for guarding of the seas) we had been carried to Dunkirk instead of Dunbar: But having scaped that scouring, we landed in Sussex near old Arundel, where we went to see the Castle, the strongest defence whereof, is the number and greatness of the owner's titles; It's kept by four Priests, two Porters, and a rat-catcher, but it hath above a hundred Watchers and Warders belonging to it; who (before ever we came near it) came flying over our heads crying, Ka, Ka, Ka, Ka, which made us so afraid of being clapped up in the Castle, that we returned and left them to look to their charge. The people of the town were all crying, every tear as big as a millstone, lest their Lord should love the North country better than theirs: And because he is gone to conquer an other country, and left his own to the mercy of his enemy, I quickly left this place of mourning, and sailed by the I'll of Wight, where they were very hot at their Musters, in so much as the smoke thereof made such a mist on the sea, as we mistook our course, and landed at Portsmouth, instead of Newcastle, where we heard, those islanders are as hot in their Barrels, as the French in the Breech: so as if they come there, it will prove a hot piece of service, ere they can enter: Portsmouth is but meanly provided with Ammunition, and therefore they were all in amaze, for fear the French should come in a Fog. Southampton was the next place of 〈◊〉 I came at, and there the Aldermen were busy begging a benevolence for the wars: But because I had none for them, I thought it better to show them my backside, then to be called rebel for refusing: From thence I came to Winchester, where I was afraid of a Goose. This town I left and came to Bagshot, and so to Basing-stoke, where a lordly loon swore me out of ten shillings with his merry conceits of his questions and answers, amongst which these were a part. What hunting is most in use? The fox in the forest, and the Conie in the Court. What profession is most in practice? Buff Coats in the camp, and black Coats in the church-camp. What is that which few men love, and most men hate. The curse of a Cuckold, and the pride of a Prelate. What are the two worst evil in the Commonwealth. Covetousness of the Clergy, and contention of the Commonalty. I left this place, and took my way to wards Gilford, in hope to have seen Arundels Earl, but he was gone to Court; yet I did not lose my labour, for there I saw the finest and best governed almshouse in the kingdom, built by old George of Canterbury, for a precedent for his successors, to do like. The next day I came to Croyden, thinking to have seen the little man, that makes so mickle matter, but he was at Lambeth; whereupon I came along towards London with a collier's Cart of Croyden, where after some whistling and merry tales, I heard these mystical Novelties. That of late some are so much for Church Ceremonies, as they do nothing in true sincerity: And that others are altogether for pride and prodigality, and nothing for love and charity; That the owl counterfeits the Eagle, the Buzzard the Blackbird, the cuckoo the Nightingale, and the Wren would fly with the falcon, but for fear his wings should fail him. That the Fox would fain lap himself in the lion's skin, the better to terrify the other Beasts. Thus the wolf would fain be chief Shepherd, that he might the better feed his flock, and the ass must have the heart's skin on his back, to keep him from the Northern storm. When they had made an end of their Parables, they fell to singing: And asked me if I could help them to sing a three man's song: I told them I would do my best, than they began, and the bearing of the song was this, with which I end my Relation. O'good King Charles blame not my pen, Spare your purse, and save your men, Give Laud to the Scots, and hang up Wren, The echo answered still, Amen. THE THIRD scouts Discovery. I Came in Kirke Patrick's Boat, all about the Irish seas, where we saw some soldiers sent from thence, to the Lord Clifford at Carlisle. We landed three of our men in Wales (being Papists) but they were quickly snapped up for Covenanters, and called Rebels, for refusing the oath of supremacy, and shortly after were learned traitors by open Proclamation. We viewed all the English lands as we passed along, as Man, Garnsey, Silly, and the like: The Inhabitants had need be honest, for they are entrusted with keeping of the three greatest Enemies of the clergy, viz. Divinity, Law, and physic: In all our voyage we saw but only two of the King's ships, which were sent to scour the seas, we did veil our Bonnets unto them, and bid them good day, and so departed undiscovered. We put in at Portsmoth, where there is a good Harbour, and good Forts, but sorrily kept; their governor (that Baggage Bag) having taken a surfeit of a Star-chamber suit, and being a little overshadowed with the moon, gave them the bag and died, whose Successor will never fill the bags he hath left empty behind him. As I came through Somersetshire, I saw great mustering: They are notable windy fellows, and strong breathed, with eating of beanbread, they mean to show you a Taunton trick, and fart in your faces: you may ken them from all the camp, by the beans rattling in their bellies, a mile before they come at you. In all the country as I came along, there was a great complaint of the decay of Trading: The Farmers and Sheep-masters blame the Clothiers, the Clothiers the Merchants and Drapers, and they lay the fault on the troubles in Scotland, which hinders their traffic, but some of them say, they could find it out nearer home, if they durst discover it. I came down by Reading, where little Laud was borne, his Father was a Clothier, his Mother a Spinster (He being the worst thread that ever she spun in her life:) he was from his Cradle ordained to be a Punisher of poor people: For he was borne between the stocks, and the cage, which a Courtier one day chanced to speak of; whereupon his Grace thought himself so disgraced, as he removed them thence, and pull down his father's thatched house, and built up a fair one in the same place, because none should say hereafter, that he was descended of so mean a house. The next day I came to Windsor, which is the worst place that ever I came in. For the Knights are poor, and the Priests rich, the Prebends proud, and the dean deaf, for a poor man hath called a long time to be released, and cannot be heard. Away I came towards London, and landed at Hampton Court, in hope to have seen the Prince and Duke Jemmy, but the Dupper Doctor had carried them to St. James to see the Queen Mother, where he left them, until he himself went to Lambeth for Canterbury's blessing to a better bishopric, in which if he behave himself well, and please his Patron, in bringing up his pupil, he shall be promoted to a better bishopric. When I came to Westminster, a country man of mine had me to see the tombs, where (amongst many other Kings and Queens) I saw King James, and Queen Elizabeth conferring about the troubles in Scotland, which they said was plotted in Spain, ratified at Rome, and agitated by the Jesuits in England, to be acted in a tragical procession in Scotland, but it was not so in their days, and they hoped it would not long continue as now it is. The next morning I got up betimes to go to our Intelligencer; but ere I came at Whitehall, I was pressed for the King's service: whereupon I presently fell lame of my left leg, and with a pitiful look I said, Messe Constable I am a poor lame Passenger, I pray you let me pass, but if I must have your money, then change me one shilling for an other; with that I blessed myself with a good angel, and then gave it him for his shilling, which he perceiving put it up, and so out of pure love let me pass. When I came to the Exchange, our Intelligencer, and two or three more of my country men went to dinner, where I was relating my Reading Journey and news, whereupon one of them pulled a paper out of his pocket, saying, now by your Relation, I understand the meaning of my verses, which were bestowed on me: And before now I did not well know what they meant: A copy whereof he gave me to end my Discovery withal, which are as followeth. The King wants coin, the Bishop's blood, The Church is changed, none dares do good, The three chief Arts in all the Land, In Pillory at once did stand: The Welsh may run, the English ride, To kill the Scots for Prelates pride; Which makes men cry, and curse that Age, Hatched little Laud, twixt Stocks and Cage. THE INTELLIGENCERS own Discovery. AT my first coming to London, I heard little news of any Scots grievances, but within a little while after, when I saw Burton, Bastwick, and Pryn promoted to the Pillory, for speaking against the power of the Prelates, than I began to smell a fox. They rejoiced as much in their sufferings, as their Adversaries did in their sentences; but because they should not prate, nor talk to one another, as they did when they stood in the Pillory. Therefore they were sent first into three several Castles in three remoted counties, and afterwards removed to three several lands, every one of them at their departure from the Pillory to their Prisons, made two verses. Pryn. triumphing I return, my face discryes Laud's scorching scars, God's grateful sacrifice. Burton. A painful Pastor I have been, my flock I truly fed, And now in honour of Christ's cause, my blood I freely shed. Physician's for soul and body, and Lawyer for the State, Bastmick. All here now have lost their blood, to please a proud Prelate. The next term after this, the Bishop of Lincoln came to his sentence in the Star-chamber, where he received a sharp censure, but he may thank himself for it, in keeping two prime places in his hands, when others want preferment. But he stood too much upon his trumps, thinking that King James his Patents had been now as good, as when he had them: Alas good man, though he be a great scholar (not a better in the kingdom) yet he had forgot the little man's Motto (Sic volo, sic jubeo) The original cause of this was never heard; but this I learned, that two flesh flies having fed at his Table for a long time together, had purposely laid a train to entrap him, and then they combined with one Kilvert (A cannibal) who having devoured his own Master (Sir John Bennet) undertook to do the like with him, and hath hunted him so hard, that the Tower is become his Tabernacle, where he is like to remain, unless he will pull off his mitre, and give it for his ransom. Long he had not lain there, ere he was roused up again for a second course, pretending that he had given a false exposition on the great Leviathan, (false Mediator) and the like: whereupon (through the means of a false Steward, a faithless Secretary, and a foolish Scribe) he was (actaeon-like) pulled down with his own hounds, which he had fed at his trencher in his prosperity, but had now fallen upon himself in his adversity, yet his own patience, and the people's prayers may one day be a comfort to him. That when the news came first of the troubles in Scotland, Archie the King's fool was questioned for something against the Prelates, whom he thought was the cause of it. For which he had been had up in the Star-chamber, but that the Fool told them he would plead the privilege of his Coat. For (quoth he) if neither fool nor wife man must scape this Court, I will be neither. But for all this Archie could not scape scot free, for he was led to the porter's lodge, where (albeit he found favour in his lash) yet he lost both his Coat and his place by it. That about a week after I met Archie at the abbey all in black: Alas poor fool (thought I) he mourns for his country; I asked him about his Coat, O quoth he, my Lord of Canterbury hath taken it from me, because either he, or some of the Scots Bishops may have use for it themselves: But he hath given me a black coat for it, to colour my knavery with, and now I may speak what I please (so it be not against the Prelates) for this Coat hath a far greater privilege than the other had: when I heard him say so, albeit (thought I) a fool's bolt is soon shot, yet perhaps he may hit the mark: whereupon I went and bought me a canonical Coat, and put myself into an Arminian habit, which hath kept me freer from danger, then if I had been all clad in buff. That about Christmas last, all the passages of your Assembly were presented to the King, and all the names of the Lords and others that had subscribed the Covenant, or consenting to the putting down of the Prelates were given in: whereupon a Convocation of the Clergy of England, was once resolved to be called, and to have the matter disputed, but the Bishops were busy, and could not attend it, and advised that (ipso facto) you should be proclaimed Rebels, and all your Lands should be confiscate to the King, which made some of the Courtiers mouths so water (in hopes of a Lordship) that they looked as if they had been troubled with the scurvy. That about Candlemas the news was nothing but war, and that the King would go in person into Scotland, and had promised to gratify those that adventured with them, for cutting off the Covenanters: And therefore to make them the more contemptible to the English, Proclamation 〈◊〉 made in all market towns, and read in all Churches: That you were base fawning fellows, and people of broken fortunes, and would fain repair your ruined estates, by the spoils of the good subjects of England; which Proclamation (notwithstanding the fair and true declaration of your intentions) so animated many of them (as like Hogs in the wind) they ran on (but knew not whither) ro fight, (but knew not for what) hoping to be rewarded (but knew not when) and they may return, but know not how. That of late every man at London hath been in his humours. The Courtiers were learning how to toss tennis balls, instead of Bullets. The captains were preparing to see the tragedy of traitors, the Clergy were studying a Masque for a mitre; the Ministry were drawing the map of misery, the Jesuits were at wily baguiliely, and the Scots Bishops were at Boe peep with the kirk. That one day I went to see the Tower, which is newly rapaired, there are forty new beds and lodgings provided for entertainment of the Scots traitors: well, let me advise ye to look to yourselves; for if ever you be lodged there, the next news after will be your coming out to Tower-Hill, where either your heads must land, or your Crags crack. I came home by the custom House, where there was such an outcry with Merchants, concerning their new Impositions: As it made the old farmer's 〈◊〉 for a court Lord, and a city captain to assist them, who came ruffling into their offices with such violence, as (for fear of Goring) it made all the Virginian Merchants to run away, and leave their Plantations. For Tobacco was grown so cheap, as the King's customs came to more than the Merchants had for it. For it was taken by a worse name, and sold by the measure of Jacobs' staff, whereupon, when the old Pinder saw such shavers, come to share in his office, he gave over, and left the daws, to shift among the Rooks, which the common people seeing, they prayed that their Court Customer might die drunk in his new Impositions of Wines, and the Crispe city captain might break as fast as doth his glass beads. Whilst I stayed at customhouse, I heard a muttering of a red dear pie, full of gold going to the Nuns of Nancy, from the holy sisters in England, under colour of a piece of Venison sent to the Prince of Peymont from Catholico Mariano: But they said, a wily waiter had put his finger further into the pie then was fitting, and after it was discovered it was hushed up, no man can tell how. Likewise, I heard that the Cardinal of Cordel● being cast away in crossing of a River, his hat came floating up to the custom House, where it was taken up for a miraculous monument, and carried to the Lord Treasurer for a wreck, who hath order to keep it, until some fitting person be found to wear it. This accident makes good the old proverb, Quot homines, tot sententia, for some says our country man Con: (the Pope's Legate) must have it; others say, Sir Tobit Mathewes doth better deserve it, some say, that as soon as the King hath established Bishops again in Scotland, St. Andrew shall have it instead of a blue Bonnet, and others say Canterbury must be served before him. But some say, it's kept until St. Paul have a new coat, and then he must have it for his hat, or else when Paul's is quite built, it must be carried round about it procession, and then left on the high altar for a religious relic. That all Lent long His majesty's chaplains, instead of Fasting preached fighting; and instead of Peace preached punishing of Rebels, amongst whom wily Warner of Rochester having got a bishopric for making one Sermon, he gave the King an other gratis, wherein he so railed at the Rebels, as his Patron hath promised a better bishopric, when it falls. That such time-serving clergy men, as have not the gift of Preaching, seek preferment by railing; as one Harison, who looks for a Deanery at least, for calling Judge Hutton traitor, when he sat on the seat of justice, for speaking his conscience for the subject against Prerogative. That the case of ship-money was fully argued, first by four councillors, and afterwards by the twelve judges, whereof the goldfinch, Vernon, and five punies past for the King, and five Seniors, (whereof two were capital) stood for the country, but what can withstand fortune; for most voices miscarried it: nevertheless, the Lord Say would fain have had another assay at the matter, but could not be heard. That about Mid-lent, the names of all strangers, as well French and Dutch, as Scots, were collected in and about London, and sent to the King, viz. 60000 French, 40000. Dutch, and 900. Scots, but if Priests, friars, Jesuits, and the rest of the Romish rabbis, had been also collected, they would have exceeded the number of the Scots, and if the Papists and Protestants of the French and Dutch had been likewise collected, the number of the Protestants had stood but for a cipher to the other. The voice went that all the Protestant strangers should have been sent into New England (if the King could have spared shipping) and the others should have made a Catholic Army, to have gone against the Scots: But now the Scots taking their new oath to fight against their consciences and country, and the rest paying in their money without grumbling, they may all stay in Old England if they please. That albeit, with the pilling and polling of the Commonalty, England is fallen into a very dangerous disease, which grows every day worse and and worse, in so much, as one Sunday at one Master Shutes Parish Church, a Bill was delivered, that John commonwealth of England being sick of the Scots disease, desires the prayers of the Congregation, for calling a Parliament, the great Physician of the kingdom, to cure their infinite infirmities. That all men must contribute to this holy, and zealous expedition; whereupon the city of London having made a collection of, at least 6000. l. presented it to the King, who thanked them for their loves, but would not receive it, because some say, it was too little, others say, that he will come home by them, and then they must present him with a golden calf, and a greater gift for a peace offering: But in the mean time its said, that York must be made the royal city of the kingdom; but when no man knows, yet the Merchants care not if both Court and town be carried thither, so long as they cannot carry Thames with them also: For if their wives loved Courtiers no better than they do, their rooms were far better than their company. That the King being resolved upon his journey, wrote his Letters to all noblemen in the kingdom, to attend his royal Standard at York. The first day of April with fitting men and furniture, according to their birth and qualities, degree and honour, where by the Papists report his Majesty will be with 100000. English. 20000 Welsh 20000 Irish 20000 chosen Catholics, all in complete armour, and that the King of Spain would send him 20000 of his old soldiers (if he had no use for them himself:) The King of Denmark would send him 20000 of his Drunkards, if he could spare them: The King of Morocco would send him twenty tun of Barbary Gold, if Argier and Tunis stood not in his way, and the Pope would send his Benediction, if he thought it would do him any good. That the King was by the Prelates so exasperated, and made so eager on the business, as he took his journey on his Coronation day, which some think unfortunate: But the Papists proverb prevailed, The better day the better deed. At this departure he had Canterbury's blessing, and a book of Remembrances what is fit to be done to such a rebellious people. That all things are much altered, since the King's departure from London, Whitehall is become an Amazonian Castle, St. James an hospital for strangers, Somersethouse a Catholic college, Westminster a receptacle for Seminary Priests and jesutis, London is like a private friend in close mourning, Coaches and Carts are half idle for want of employment, and great Horses, Sedans, and wherries fight for their employment, Porters are taken up for Gentlemen ushers, & Clergy men (by reason of their pastoral protection) clap in with all the good matches about London. That my country man Con: the Pope's Legate, is fallen lame of late, and is writing an invective against Abernathy, for discovering his coming into England: he saith, that if these troubles had not been, he had got as much money in seven years, as (with the help of a Letter or two, from the Court to the Conclave of Cardinals) would have made him Pope; and then if you had not yielded to the King on any conditions, he would have cursed you with Bell, Book, and Candle. That the seven Champions of Christendom are now (this critical year) all up in arms, St. Anthony is enchanted by the Pope in S. Angelo, S. James, and S. Dennis are this summer to try their strengths in a simple combat: And S. George, S. David, and S. Patrick, are all riding into Scotland, against S. Andrew, but the quarrel against him is unknown; some say because he will not wait upon S. George his Ceremonies, but others say, it's because he dare Maintain that there was neither Pope, nor Prelate in the Primitive Church. That one Baker, the Bishop of London's chaplain, being one morning desired to present a Petition from a Minister to his Lord for a Prebends place, carried the matter so craftily, that he had it for himself, together with the Ministers curse, for cozening of him; but to prevent that, the Bishop gave him his blessing; yet it did him no good, for ere night he was so puffed up with pride, and grown so great, that the weight of his body broke his leg, and so laid him and his honour in the dust, yet theer be some that attribute this accident to another thing, for they say, that this Baker was so overjoyed with the death of some good Divines, and the going away with others, that he made verses of them, and the same day he made them he broke his leg, and his verses were answered the next day following. Baker. Dike is dead, Davis is fled, And Symmons is run away, Carter is flying, Stanton is dying, And Good win is left to pray. Carter. Carter is at hand, Baker cannot stand, With a fall he hath broke his leg, Our Bishops are flying, their cause is a-dying, And the Scots will make them beg. That when the King lay at New castle, Fleetwood's news came fleeting to London, with as many lies, as lines in it, but that's no matter, Colonels may lie by commission: It tells us of your Iron flails, harrows, Knives, and the like, taken going to you from Sheffeild, and threatens to beat you with your own weapons: Now as for your men he never mentions them, because he means not to meddle with them: But when he comes to relate the valour of your women, he cries out, the Lord be merciful unto us, for we shall have a bloody business of it, yet he declares his resolution, is to fly in their faces, and concludes with a Protestation, that his father may tell it for truth. That albeit you were offended with that Proclamation, which terms you people of broken fortunes. They have made another against you, its just like Janus in the head; and in the body like a Scorpion with a sting in his tail. For first you are pardoned if you subscribe Jgnoramus, but if you do not, you are condemned before you are convicted, and your traitorous obstinacies are to be cured with the sharp sword of justice, which being put into the hands of Papists, they swear by Peter's keys, Paul's sword shall be put in practice. The body of the Proclamation breeds a Scorpion in your bosom to devour you. First your debtors must pay your money to His Majesty, who (because he can give no lawful discharge) will give them a good share back again. Next all your lands are given away to such as will fight for them. Lastly, your tenants must pay you no more rents, for His Majesty will turn landlord, and let them their lands for a third part abatement of their old rent, and promises to put them in possession before Pentecost next, unless you prevent it. That there was some whispering news about the town of a dissension, between the spiritual Lords: whereupon a great Politician had drawn His Majesty to command all the temporal Lord's attendance (purposely to be revenged on the Nobility) whilst others lie lurking at home laughing in their sleeves, to see how they made their enemies take up arms to defend their quarrel: In which if any of the Nobility, and Gentry be slain, their sons may prove Wards, and so bring in much money to maintain the wars. That if the Prelates project succeed well, 'tis thought Wren and Warner should have the keeping of the great and little seals, and London now (like John hold my staff) being Treasurer, the Clergy will have a golden time of it, but let them remember this Admonition. That spiritual pride brings temporal war, And temporal war brings peace, That Lords and Lawyers end the jar, And Prelates pride must cease. That there is a new counsel Table erected at London, where the Catholic Lords, Knights, and superiors of the Roman Clergy, meet to consult upon fitting means for raising of money towards maintenance of this holy war, which they hope will either procure a dissolution of your Religion, or a toleration of their own. At this meeting divers motives, and advices were drawn up for certain Priests to move the Catholics to contribute in a large manner towards the maintenance of those wars, to the 8. 9 10. part at least of their annual means, according to the true and just value; for which, besides the benefit, which may redound to them by their Religion: the King hath called in his Commission against Recusants: The Queen hath undertaken to secure all those as shall be Contributors herein, and the Pope hath promised, that no man which dies in this quarrel shall ever come in Purgatory. That these advices and motives being discovered, the Pope hath written to his Nuncio, not to be too forward, until they see time, for fear of discovery, nor to let the Laity know too much of the Provincials minds, lest they fall off, nor that the Catholics bestow so much on the society of Jesuits, as other the Orders can have no part. That there is a Feast of fancies at London free for any man, that hath a mind to it. The first dish is a Redshanks sermon, instead of a salad, the second a pickled Projector, the next a piping hot pig, and next a handsome hog, there was a red dear pie, but that's past, instead of that, they mean to have a Bishop's head and bacon, which will serve for a grand dish: and albeit it be somewhat out of fashion, yet it is like to be in season. Their bread is Bishop's biscuit, and Burton's bait. Their drink is Britain's tears, their dining room the Castle of care. Their attendants Tom telltruth, and Bastwick's younger brother. Their music hath for tenor Vox Regis. For their Base, Vox Clerici, for their Discords, Vox consilij, for their Treble, Vox populi; for their Counter, Uox pauperis: for their mean, Vox pueri: for their Consort, Vox Cali: for their comfort, Vox Dei. The voice of this music hath been heard throughout all England, and is like to grow louder, unless some course be taken to stop it. That, there are a kind of Beadles runs up and down about the town, yelping out your destruction, crying, Oh the valour of the Welsh-men! which are gone to kill the Scots: well, look you have Leeks, and causbobby, and give them good words, and call them bold Britains; and than you may do with them what you will. That Halter, and Ballad-makers are two principal trades of late: Ballads being sold by whole hundreds in the city, and Halters sent by whole barrels full to Berwick to hang up the Rebels with, as soon as they can catch them. That old Johnson the Poet being dead, great moan is made for one of that quality, to write the Bishops wars: yet two have petitioned for the place, and each of them have something for trial, which because you may see their strain, I thought fit to insert, as followeth. 1. POET. The Doughty Dane, the force of Spain, Morocco rude and rout, The Irish wild, the English mild, And Welsh men bold and stout, Are taking arms, and vows great harms, To Scotland they will bring, For Bishops right they mean to fight, To please their royal King. 2. POET. The Englishmen both bold and strong, The Irish stout and hardy, The valiant Welsh-men will be first, To take the Scots men tardy, Our ships by sea, our men by land, Will pull their courage down; And make men know, King Charles will keep, The mitre next the crown. The trial of these verses were put to two John's poetically affected, who allowed of the Latter, for two reasons. First because the former makes them fight for Nations to one, which is too much odds, where the other mentions only three, being somewhat unequal too. Secondly, because the former forgets the King's ships: whereupon depends the hopes of the success, and honour of the kingdom, which the latter observing he shall therefore write the history, but he must not begin until he hear the success of the first battle, which if it proves unfortunate, than it spoils a Poet. That the news at London is so uncertain, that no man believes it, sometimes we hear of Peace, and then the Papists storm and fret, saying, the King is too merciful. For my Lord Howard (not the chief of the Howards) hath three sons, all Colonels newly come over from the Cardinal's camp, who threaten, if the King will give them leave, they will pluck the Scots out of their trenches by the ears; but when news come they must fight, and that we shall have blows for blows, than they tell us, that the King's forces are two weak for the Covenanters, but as soon as the Irish will come over Dunluce, and his Dimilances will drive them all into the mountains. That such news as this comes out by owlelight in little books or Ballads to be sold in the streets. And I fear it's held a prime piece of policy of state, For otherwise, how could so many false Ballads, and books be tolerated: yet the next morning sun exhales all their vain Evening vapours: As that news of taking Lesley Prisoner, killing of colonel Crayford, and imprysoning most of the Nobility, but I never believed it, because if it had been true Ballads, would have been sung by day light, books printed, bonfires made, and a solemn Procession with a Te Deum, at least, had not been wanting at Lambeth. That I went one day to the Star-chamber to see what Lords where left at home, where I heard colonel Crosby and others fined, for reporting that the Lord Deputy of Ireland going to Knight a poor man, Sir Knave, with a Cane, he hit him so hard as he killed him, when in truth, he died not until three days following. At which sentence, little Laud made a Sermon of an hour long, telling them how the Deputy had cozened the Scots in Ireland of all their arms, and was providing men to wear them into Scotland against their own countrymen; And that it was a fortune that followeth all men in high places and authority to be evil spoken off. But it was not so of old, for then the man whom the King did honour should ride in his Chariot, be apparelled with the King's robes, and esteemed the second person in the kingdom; but now, if the people might have their wills (quoth he) those whom the King honoureth, should have Haman's reward: with this he concluded, keeping the application to himself; whereupon, I went out and wrote these Verses following, and left them in the window: Now wicked Will doth reign as King, And Finch sing sweet by Windybanks, The Priests placebo still do sing, But the Scots if crossed, will play mad pranks. The next day, I took my journey homewards, and left one to take notice of passages in my absence; And a first night I lay at Ware where my host showed me the great bed and told me that 24. Captain's lay altogether in it, and named it the bed of honour; If (said I) honour could be go with lying in featherbeds few would be without it. But sure (said I) they will lie both worse and further asunder before they return home again. When I came at York, I heard the King was bravely entertained there, and that the Recorder had so tickled his ears with flattery and fables that both he and the Major were knighted, well thought I this makes good the old proverb; Some may better steal a goose, than others stick down a feather; For if the Scots had done so, they had been called fawning fellows by open Proclamation. When I came to Durham, all the Drummers were drunk, for the Bishop had bestowed good store of wine upon them to forbear beating, because the noise of the drums should not drown the sound of the Organs. I needed no guide to Newcastle for whole troops of soldiers lay lame by the way; This town is now called little London albeit it hardly deserve the name of coal-castle. I went round their town to see the works, and thought to have seen a Castle in it, but mine host told me that the Scots had long ago laid the Castle level with the ground, and lest they should do the like with the town, the King had sent a garrison to defend it. When I came first to the camp, I was examined what I was, I told them, I was chaplain to the Lord High crowned Howard, and was come on a message to his chief. Upon this, I had a fair passport, but never came near him. The first news I heard there was, that the marquess was sent to find out the floating Islands, and that he had been round about England, and most part of Scotland, but could not find them, and in the Interim, most of his men falling Sea sick; A pink was dispatched to Apollo's Oracle, to know their destinies. Answer was made, that they were all unsanctified people, and not fit to be employed in so holy a war, until they had done penance, and made their confessions in some fitting Land. This made them more amazed then before, until a subtle Sphincks expounded the riddle and told them it was meant by the holy Island, unto which he would prove their pilot and bring them thither, where if their men died as fast on Land as they did at Sea, than they might save a labour of digging of Graves, and bury them in conyborowes; unto this they all agreed and weighed anchor, hoist up sails, and in short time arrived in the harbour where they landed their men. And the marquess himself after he had made his orisons at Saint Cutberts' shrine, he posted to Apollo for further direction. That when I came to the camp, I saw diverse troops of voluntaries, who (like so many prodigals) having got their patrimonies, are come thither to spend them in hope to return richer. They have taken with them three horses a piece, one to carry the ass himself, an other to carry a Prisoner if he can take any; and the third, to carry his provision. But it's commonly seen in all Lotteries (this being the like) that there are above ten blanks to one prize. I met with a great many gamesters there, and with some Players and Poets, but all out of employment, yet a Poet told me, that because he would keep his hand in ure, he made every day a few lines in Verse; a parcel whereof he gave me as followeth: No enemies face yet have we seen Nor foot set on your ground, But here we lie in open field With rain like to be drowned. The Earths my Bed, when I am laid A turf it is my Pillow, Our Canopy is the sky above, My laurel turned to willow, Then mighty Mars withhold thy hand And Jove thy fury cease, That so we may, as all do pray, Return again in peace. About the end of May, either a fool, or an unskilful physician, told the King, that the Scots camp had such stinking breaths, as the English durst not come within ten miles of them for fear of infecting, whereupon a Proclamation was made, that the King did respect the safety of his subjects of England. So as the Scots camp under pain of displeasure, should not come within ten miles of the English borders, or camp, wheresoever it lay; but if they did, than the Generalissimo was to kill all they could catch, wherein they should do his Majesty good service and honour. Shortly after this; a vain man persuaded the King, that all the Scots were retired above 14. miles from Barwick, and that 5000. would be able to take them all in their trenches. This being granted, upon Ascension day, the English army went out of Barwick very early to put this design in execution, but ere they had marched two miles, news came, that general Lesley was coming towards them, whereupon, they returned, saying, they went out but only to go in procession round about the bounds belonging to the town of Barwick. About two days after, there happened a great misty morning, in which the cows coming down the Hill towards Barwick seemed like so many men, and the white horses like so many colours, which put the town in such a fright that the Scots were coming, that they barrocaded their Gates, ran up their Rampires, mounted their Ordinance, and made ready for a defence: But when the day grew clear, and that they heard Cowes low for their Calves, they opened their Gates, and let them in to Suckling. That I observed in the camp, that both the French and Spanish factions (like to Caiphas and Pilate) are now agreed to your overthrow in this expedition, who were always, opposite enemies one to another, even in their very apparel, which I will decipher unto you, because if you see them, you may know them. The Frenchmen be known by their curled periwigs, Franciscan Cap, short wasted doublet, long arsed hose, and curtal cloak, with boots as though they meant to be buried in them. And the other may be known by his Spanish hat, Armenian band, long bellied doublet without a belt, trunk hose, start up stockings, buskin boots, and large cloaks, which is the general fashion now in the Army. That when I was in the camp, Proclamation was made, that every man upon pain of death should observe these laws and Ordinances of war, which all the camp were sworn to as sacred and good, out of which ten of the most material were collected, and set up to be observed as truly, as they do the ten commandments. 1. Whosoever shall speak any thing in favour of the enemy, or say that this army in unlawful or unnecessary, shall suffer as a rebel. 2. All such as have intelligence with the enemy or shall relieve them, or give them any thing (saving blows,) shall die without redemption. 3. That all such as disparage or speak against the actions of any chief Commander, or refuse to do what they desire, shall suffer death. 4. That all such as forsakes their colonels, leave their captains, or draw of sword against any, but the Scots, shall suffer death without mercy. 5. That no man lift his hand, wag his tongue, or stir a foot against his Commander when he shall correct him, upon pain of death. 6. That whosoever shall see a Commander in danger, shall venture his own life to save the others, upon pain of death. 7. That when the enemy is driven out of the field, no soldier leave his rank to fall to pillage, until licence be given them, upon pain of perpetual imprisonment. 8. That all such spoils as shall be taken above the rate of ten shillings shall be brought undiminished to the Lord general to be rewarded for a memorial of victory, and after it is proclaimed with sound of drum and Trumpet it is to be sold, and the money to be kept to build an hospital for old cashiered captains, and such soldiers as shall be lamed or spoiled in this expedition. 9 That he which can take any of the Lords, or principal Covenanters Prisoners, shall bring them to the Lord general, where he shall have an honourable reward for his pains. 10. That whatsoever any man can spare unspent of his pay, he is at his return to London to offer it up at the high Altar, at Paul's, towards the repairing thereof, where his name shall be enrolled, as a valiant Warrior against the Scots, & a brave Benefactor too. Per Generalissimo. Some of the captains, and soldiers being displeased with these orders, the next night pulled them down, and put up these other ten in their places. 1. That no man be too forward to fight, until he know the quarrel, and that such correspondency be kept with the Covenanters, as they do with us, upon pain of the next Parliaments displeasure. 2. That such soldiers as use any unlawful gaming, or cozening, shall suffer imprisonment, and such captains and Commanders, as by the cog of a Dye could set forth whole troops of horses (but lost their luck since they came from London) shall likewise lose their credit in the camp, and their colours in the field, if they do not maintain their troops in the same manner they set them out. 3. Item if any soldier learn, or use more terms of Art in his exercise, than his captain can teach him, shall have three blows with a Bastinado for his presumption. 4. Item, If any captain cannot understadd his colonels command, he shall forfeit a Goose for his slender judgement. 5. Item, That no Sutler trust the soldiers with too much meat, for fear of surfeiting, upon pain of nonpayment thereof. 6. Item, if any Trooper be kept short of his pay, than it shall be lawful for him to sell his great cart Horse, and furniture, and to fight on foot, until by his valour he can get a Galloway Nag to ride upon. 7 Item, that no soldier set foot further in Scotland, than their general, colonel, or captains dare lead the way, lest when they come to employment they be left in the lurch. 8. Item, that whatsoever any soldier can bring away out of Scotland, without molestation, he shall keep it to himself, without any account rendering. 9 Item, that after the camp is broke up, that every man that hath not money to bear his charges home, shall have licence to beg into his country; and if the people's charity will not supply him, than it shall be lawful for him to take what he can by way of borrowing, with promise of repayment the next Northern journey. 10. That if any sluggish soldier get nothing by his journey in this expedition, he shall at his return lie three nights in the Savoy, in a straw bed, and at his departure have three lice for his labour, if he bring none with him. By Authority under his Excellency. Hereby you may perceive there is no great unity in the camp, but there is far less edge in the kingdom towards this action, for take this for a general observation throughout England, that many of the best Nobility, and prime Gentry, a Commonalty are well Wishers to the cause; albeit they be not openly seen in it. So as I may truly tell you, that though nature have provided two hands to one heart; yet God hath prepared two hearts to pray for you, for one hand that is to fight against you. That the most of the common soldiers in the camp, are such as care not who loose, so they get, being mere Atheists, and barbarous in their resolutions. And indeed they are the very scum of the kingdom, such as their friends have sent out to be rid of, who care not if both kingdoms were on fire, so they might share the spoil. Upon this I thought good, to try if I could take off the edge of their fury, by making a Quere of the quarrel, and a Declaration of your intentions, by the verses following, which I put up under the Orders: English. What will you fight for a book of Common Prayer? What will you fight for a Court of high Commission? What will you fight for, a mitre guilded fair? Or to maintain the Prelates proud Ambition? What will you get, you must not wear the mitre? What will you get, you know we are not rich? What will you get, your yoke will be no lighter? For when we're slain, this rod comes on your breech. Scots. we fight to have our true Religion stand: We fight to keep our laws unvilified, We fight to preserve our lives and land, Our only ayme's to beat down Prelates pride: Our King is wise, and so we hope he'll hear us, Our cause is good, we'll seal it with our blood, Our conscience that doth perfect witness bear us, That what we do, is for the general good, Then learn in time to ease your heavy state, Lest one day you repent, when 'tis too late. The next morning these verses were taken down, and carried to the general, who gave order for apprehending the Author, but Mumbudget for me: And about noon, a controller came and put up an Answer to them, as followeth: Thou rebel Scot, we fear thee not, Our quarrel is to fight: Lashley we'll lash, dear Sandy slash, And Douglas put to flight. By King's command, we have your land, As soon as you are slain, Then with all speed we'll do the deed, Else call the bragger Vane. By Authority. By this you may perceive they think it a won game, yet I see no miracles they have done, since they went out; only I observed a wonder, that is, to see their pride and patience have agreed so long together, expecting an end of this action. That I saw the Regiment of giants sent out of Yorkshire, under the command of Don Quicksot, who threatens, that after they have carbonadoed the Scots like so many capons, than Sanco Panco his Page shall cut off their heads, and carry them to the Prelates for a present; but the Enterprise will prove worse, than the windmills was, that the third day after, all the forces were drawn into Battalia, where the Welsh-men had the vanguard the Irish the rear, and the English the main battle, and the Papists were purposely backwardly placed, to see that none forsook their colours, and the Bishops could willingly have desired to bear the Banner; but that they feared their white sleeves were such fair marks, and the Scots such good Marksmen, as they could not miss them. That when the Muster roll was cast up (of their 100000. English. 20000 Spaniards. 20000 Irish. 20000 Welsh. 20000 Danes, and 20000 choice Cotholikes) it was found in toto not above 1600 If I be mistaken in the numbers, London news misled me: Now if all these, with the help of three bordering counties, after three days' Battery with the great Ordinance, and three months' labour of the Engineers cannot make a breech big enough for the general's greatness to enter Edinburgh, and cut off all the Covenanters, than they mean to take an other course with you, viz. First they mean cunningly, under the colour of a parley to catch you in a pursenet, and if that fail, than they mean to yield to a Parliament; and in the Interim possess themselves of all the strong Castles, and then on the sudden to catch you all napping, as moss caught his Mare: But if your wisdoms do prevent that, than they mean to starve you by land, and by sea; for which purpose the marquess hath surrounded the seas, & hath entered the Frith; where like swallows after flies he will so fight with the Fisher-boats, as you shall not have a Whiting, a Haddock, nor a Herring to relieve you: And all the frontier towns between Carlisle, and Barwick shall be laid full of soldiers to keep you from catching any thing out of England: But here's your comfort, winter will come, and then our rough rocks, and shelvy seas will force the ships to retire homewards, and our cold climate will quickly cool their courages, if they continue their intended courses. That upon the first of June, news was brought to the English camp, that all the Scots Army was blown as far as Edinburgh, with the wind of the last Proclamation: whereupon order was given for an Inroade into Scotland, within two days after thinking to have taken in the two market towns of Kelsey and Duns, but they proved dunces in their designs, for they went fiercely on the Monday morning, as some of their Commanders had put on periwigs instead of Helmets, and the rest had no time to take their leaves of their friends, but hastily marched with such a fury, that they raised such a dust with their fifteen hundred horse, and 3000. foot, Nota. that they were almost choked with it: But when they came towards Kelsey, there appeared 400. Horse on the top of a Hill; whereupon the English Commanders gave order for a charge, which the other perceiving retired down the hill on the other side, and then wheeling about with a foot Army, they encompassed the English Army round about ere they knew of it. And after some small pause on the business, a trumpeter was sent to the Scots to submit, who returned answer, that if they meant to fight, they should see their submission, and demanded of the English the cause of their coming to invade them in such hostile manner, who replied, that they came out to see how the Scots Markets were furnished with flesh, for the English soldiers were almost surfeited with eating of fresh Salmon, to which a Scots captain replied: Most Gentle general, our Markets are well stored with provision, and if you will but take the pains to march into our market with your Army, you may see almost 5000. English Calves, which our friends have sent us for a Prey this morning, but we never mean to hurt them, but intend to send them safe back again for a present to his Majesty, as a token of our Loyalty to him, and our loves towards you. When the English had considered how the case stood with them, they fell to a parley and parted loving friends, and so sounded a retreat, and returned homewards again; every man carrying in his hand, instead of a (Rosemary, branch the emblem of Death.) An Olive branch the emblem of Peace, all of them singing: Fight who will, we will not draw our swords, 'Gainst those that for bad deeds, return good words, We found their love, and know they mean no ill, Then let's shake hands, be friends, and brethren still. When the English Army saw their fellows return in this manner, it caused a great confusion amongst them, but when they truly understood the matter, Let us have Peace, Let us have Peace, the most cried with the news; I was so far overjoyed, that I came posting to your Lordships to tell you the same, whose wisdoms can well tell how to take the opportunity offered for the peace and prosperity of this kirk and kingdom, the welfare whereof is the hearty desire of him, who hath adventured himself to bring your Lordships these few Intelligences. FINIS.