MERCURIUS SCOTICUS Giving the World to ground upon this evident truth, Videlicet, That the Scotish Rebels, the Presbyter, or Kirck-faction: Never intended that CHARLES the second should be their King. Published to underceive the Cozoned Covenanters of the three Nations, merely drawn into Blood and Ruin by the juggling of Some ruling jockeys. Printed at Rotterdam by P. C. and are to be sold By GYSBERT van ROON, Bookseller in the Draybridge-steegh, in the English Bible, 1650. WHen the news of Charles the firsts death came into Scotland, the Statesmen who were invested with the government of that kingdom before, by L. Gen. Cromwell and the English army, in Octo. 1648. (Duke Hamiltons' army being defeated and betrayed three months before.) The King's death seemed to them to be much grieved for, & those Estates pretended to be as forward to revenge it as any. And lest it should appear to the people, that they with L. Gen. Cromwell had complotted his death, at my Lady Humnes her house in the suburbs of Edenbrough, they complain against the Independants of England or murdering the King, but the furious Kirkmen, which could not so well dissemble, in their Kirkprayers and preachments: in plain terms told their credulous, ignorant, easy auditors, that he deserved to die, having been a hinderer of Reformation, I, and had shed much blood of the Saints. He, fiery Sir john blamed the Independent for doing it without the house of Lords, did not disclaim the act as unjust or contrary to the laws of God and man, as an unchristian, as an inhuman and unheard of, savage, monstrous bloody act, in their answer to L. Gen. Cromwell's declaration to the equal scarlet Scots in Scotland july 20. 1650. These states of that nation (never without a cloak, for their designs,) proclaimed Charles the second, to make the world believe that they and the elder juncto in England were not united in hearts and counsels, and equally abominated Monarchy. Yet so proclaimed they the king, that no judicious man, but might see they never intended to receive him to be their King, (what ere, to gull the simple, they pretended,) whereupon a royal party in the North betook themselves into the field, finding he must not be their free Prince, but in bonds: for they heard him proclaimed King with this limitation that he should give such security to preserve Liberty, Law and Religion, as the Kirk and State should judge satisfactory, that is, he should give what ever the factious Rebels should ask of him, before he should be admitted to enter the kingdom, hereupon the Scottish Statesmen dispatch Commissioners unto him at the Isle of jersey with such unreasonable propositions and demands; as that his Majesty could not in honour or safety grant them. In this treaty his Majesty disclaimed his Scotch friends who were in arms for him, May 15. 1649, The Treaty being dissolved, the Commissioners return his Majesty's negative answer to the State and Kirk of Scotland, which was most acceptable to the Grandees of that rebellious crew, for now they had some ground of quarrel. His title to the Crown was unquestionable, his innocent age blameless, O but now, now they have what they fished for, his negative answer will afford them matter enough to declare against him, as now concluding him (one overruled by evil Counsel, the old way of worming in) an enemy into the Estate and Kirk, whereupon they resolved at that instant to declare peremptorily against him, and for a month continued in this resolution, but upon further debates and second thoughts, finding the greatest part of the kingdom loyal and ready to join with the Marquis of Montrose, if he came in with any considerable force, they resolve once more to send to his Majesty before they would publish the declarations they had then provided, judging it a far better way to defeat the Marq. Montrose his design, in making his Majesty an absolute Monarch by a Treaty, then opposing his General in the field, this being subject to the chance of war: but the other safe and sure a subtle way, and finding divers eminent persons that had power with the King, to persuade him to desert Montrose, and cast himself upon them and their faithful, godly party. Upon this consideration Mr. George Windrum was sent to the Isle of jersey, to desire his Majesty would be pleased to appoint a convenient place and time for a second treaty, which he according to the good meaning of his innocent royal heart did, naming Breda, and the 15 of March 1649. the place and time of meeting. In the beginning of which second treaty, his Majesty did stand to his former principles: But at last some eminent persons prevailed with him to yield to the Scots demands, to work which the Hamiltonian faction in the Court, to my knowledge, were also exceedingly assistant, representing to his Majesty that the Marq. Montrose was not 200 foot strong in Orkney, and that such an inconsiderable force could not be able to raise the country of Scotland, and that for foreign aid from Princes, there was no possibility of expecting it, most of them being unable, and much engaged in war, and others having scare quenched the fire in their own dominions, were not willing to involve themselves, or subjects in a foreign war, which would require a daily supply of men and money from them. They told him it would be encouragement to his friends abroad to be aiding and assisting to him, if he were possessed of one of his kingdoms, and that his yielding to the Scots party would give great satisfaction to the Presbiterians of England, and much hearten them and others to take up arms against the Rebels of England. Upon these and other motives, with the earnest solicitation of those persons, his Majesty concludes an absolute agreement with the Scots Commissioners, and sends a letter to the Marq. of Montrose commanding him to disband his forces, and retire to Denmark until further order, and that he should deliver up his arms and ammunition to the Scots Commissioners, or to the Sheriff of the County wherein he was. But before the Gentleman could come into Scotland the Marq. of Montrose was taken prisoner, and most barbarously murdered by the Kirk and State, for his loyalty and fidelity to the King. Here judge you if Charles the first was not murdered, and Charles the second wounded, not in effigies or in picture: but in the highest image and character that could represent Majesty, in his General and Viceroy. Now all this while his Majesty is treating at Breda, the Scots hold known correspondency with those of England, Mr. Ansley being Agent at Edenbrough, sending daily provision to the garrisons of Barwick and Newcastle, and soliciting them daily for aid against the Marq. of Montrose, but a week before the Marq. landed, a Statesman wrote a letter to Sr. Arthur Hasselrig, giving him a true account of their present condition April 14. 1650, assuring him that the affairs of that kingdom were come to that height, that the godly party would be forced to fly to England very suddenly, if that the English did not advance presently toward their borders, During this treaty also likewise the Ministers did endeavour both by their prayers and preachments, to make the royal Family odious to the people, and to disgrace the loyal party, affirming them to be more wicked and greater enemies to God and true Religion, than the Sectaries or Independants of England, and that they might with greater safety join with Independants, then with the Malignant party, that were honoured by the King, but dishonorous of God and his true worship, such and some of them were Mr. Hogge, Lesley, Mungalaw, john Sterling, and Hamilton. The States of Scotland being now free of all fear of being annoyed any more by the King's party, his General and Viceroy hanged, and his body quartered, they begin to assume their former resolutions and design of having no King. And to that end dispatch Mr. William Murray with letters and new instructions to their Commissioners, requiring them forthwith to break off the Treaty and return, because their proclaimed King had broken faith with them, in sending the Marq. of Montrose to invade Scotland in the time of treaty, (wherein they highly and falsely abuse his Majesty, for there was no cessation agreed on) and that if they had made any agreement with their King to disclaim it, in their name, as having gone further than their Commission or Instructions led them or would warrant them. And that they might have some colour of reason for this, they send some Animadversions upon their first instructions, showing their true meaning and intention in them, (which I may one day get and publish,) and that their Commissioners had missetaken their meaning in concluding and agreeing with the King. They command Mr. Murray to present unto the King, how much the kingdom of Scotland was enraged against him, and how by common consent and the universal cry, his General was executed (that in him, and his death he might see the affections of that people alienated from him, and what his own fate might prove,) that he died excommunicate, being denied absolution, was quartered, his head staked up, and bowels buried under the gallows. And that it might clearly appear he could not go for Scotland in safety, they give him a list of fourteen Noblemen and Gentlemen that were banished Scotland, without whose personal presence his Majesty could not continue in the kingdom one day in safety. And that these Machevills might have some show of reason for disclaiming their King, and draw the people to join with them in this their last design against his Majesty, they appoint two declarations to be penned, one by the Kirk, another by the State, and that the penners of those declarations might be the better furnished with matter, they examine their then prisoners of Montroses party concerning their Commissions granted to them to invade the kingdom, interogating them what Princes his Majesty had solicited to that end, and whether they ever heard his Majesty call them Rebels and Traitors, and whether he did not threaten to destroy Scotland with fire and sword, in case they did not submit to him. And whether they did not think his Majesty popishly affected, and whether, while he was in France he did not go to Mass. These and the like intergatories were put to the prisoners, in hope that through fear to displease them, some of them would depose what might contribute to a charge against their innocent King. And that the people might be the better persuaded for disclaiming their King, their Ministers in their Pulpits and Sermons told the people that his Majesty did now show himself an Hawk of the right nest, and that he would be more bloody than ever his father was, or any of his Progenitors; Mr. Lesly, Mr. Hogge and others. That it appeared clearly, God had such a controversy with the royal Family, as he had with Ahabs, and that he hoped to live to see that Race out off Root and Branch. In their prayers they made the King and his father of ever blessed memory, guilty of all the blood that had been shed in the three kingdoms, and prayed God that Charles the second might never come to sit upon his Throne until he repent himself of granting Commissions to wicked men, to shed the blood of God's peculiar people. But further, these Rebels knowing that a baredeclaration would not maintain the quarrel against the King and his party, they resolve to rue model their army, and to keep open correspondency with the State of England, and to make a league offensive and defensive with them. To this end they dispatch one Major Dicsn, a known Independent to the State of England, to let them know they had sent to their Commissioner Mr. Will. Murray to recall them, and disclaim any agreement with him their proclaimed King. Having thus clothed their design, they dream of a perpetual enjoyment of their usurped power, and of settling the peace of that State in such a way, that the whole world should not be able to disturb it. But vain and foolish prove the counsels of men, where God sits not precedent, the wisdom of these Achitephels', a month's time finds turned into folly, for before Mr. Murray could get into Holland, his Majesty and the Scots Commissioners were fully agreed, and his Majesty gone with them into Scotland, and before the Parliament of Scotland knew his Majesty was landed, the agreement which was made at Breda was ratified by both parties on Scotch ground and so fully confirmed, that it was not possible in the State to question the Agreement, The unexpected news of his Majesty's landing, though it amazed the Statesmen, and such as I will not name (for some reasons until my next,] yet was the hearts of all sorts of other people transported with unspeakable joy, insomuch as they received him as King, and as another Moses sent of God to deliver them from their unjust and overtiring Task masters, which did not only oppress them in their estates, by continued illegal taxes and impositions, by free quarter and excise, and in their persons by banishments and imprisonments: but in their very souls, forcing them to go on in, and perpetrate their wicked courses against God and their King. But upon his Majesty's arrival, as if at present they felt ease by his presence from all these, general joy is expressed by firing beacons and making bonfires three nights together, and such like publications to the world of honouring their King, with much studied joy, and that it was in vain now for the Scotch party to oppose the King, or confine him to the castle of Dunnotter, as some of them after his arrival moved he might have been, but his Majesty's unexpected and sudden coming, together with the people's universal joy for an honourable reception of him Not only prevented the plots of the rebellious party of Kirk and State against him: but likewise it increased the jealousy the English had of the Scots Presbitry. and did engage them against their brethren of Scotland, who a week or two before had given them assurance that they had sent a messenger into Holland to recall their Commissioners, and that they were resolved absolutely to have no King, And wrought upon the State of England to command Gen. Cromwell forthwith into Scotland with a powerful army, and a squadron of ships to be sent to sea: but unsearchable are the works of God, and his ways past finding out, now are the wicked ensnared in their own devices, and brought to such a strait they know not what to do. Their King having given all satisfaction, and being brought home by their Commissioners, is so high in the heart of his subjects, that they find it impossible to eject him. And the English enraged, as if undoubtedly they had been deceived by the Kirk and Parliament of that kingdom, In wrath approach with a powerful army, whereupon the Parliament and Kirk send a messenger unto Gen. Cromwell, desiring him not to approach near the borders, but that a Treaty might be admitted, whereby a right understanding between the Nations might be preserved, and that they might the more plainly make it appear, that their intentions were true and real in keeping the solemn league and covenant of peace between the nations. To this, Gen. Cromwell replied, he would treat with them when he came to Edenbrough, This answer being returned, the Parliament put it to the vote, whether an army should be raised for the defence of the country. Eight of the prime Statesmen vote no army: (their names you shall have in the next) but the Ministers or Kirk faction, whose interest the Independent could not, or they knew would not secure, voted for an army, and the forward of those Kirkers gave assurance for the raising of a Regiment of horse for Major Straughan. And that they might abate the fury of the English, they set forth a declaration, in which they call heaven and earth to witness, that they never intended to invade England. His sacred Majesty within a day, after his landing wrote two letters, one to the Parliament, and the other to the Committee of Kirk, signifying to them, that he had satisfied their demands to the full, and that he was come into that his kingdom, with a resolution to be ruled by them, and that it should evidently appear to be their fault, and not his, if there were failer in any thing, These letters seemed to give satisfaction to his greatest enemies, and hereupon they voted for the speedy Coronation of his Majesty, in that he had given full satisfaction to their Commissioners, and had himself taken the Covenant, so they grounded their vote for Coronation, as by a true extract from their Parliament journal book is witnessed. Now observe next, that his Majesty traveled from the North of that kingdom to the Southward, and was received (as before) at Aberdeen, Dundee, St. Andrews, St. johnsons', &c. by the Earls of South Ask, and Marshal, The more the people express their love and loyalty to him their King, the more jealous grew the State factions in Kirk and Parliament. And thereupon the Parliament is wrought upon to send forth a Proclamation, commanding the English that came in with his Majesty (but such as should be approved of by Kirk and State) to departed the kingdom, and that no Malignants should come within ten miles of the court. And to second this, the leading Kirkmen bellow it out, that the people's rejoicing would ere long be turned into mourning, and that for all they knew, God had sent them a King in his anger. Within a fortnight after his Majesty came to Faulkland, he removed to Sterling, where he received an invitation from the Committee to come to the army, which his Majesty cheerfully embraced, and was no sooner entered their Trenches, but the soldiers raised a shout (which gave an Alarm to the Enemy) and in their exclamamations said, We have a good cause, We have a good cause, Now let us fight for God and our King. But this heartiness of theirs, gave exceeding great offence, and spurred up the leading Kirkmen, in their things, a little like Sermons, that they had a good cause, when they had no King, yet say what they could, whilst his Majesty was in the army (which was five days) the soldiers express most observable resolutions, chalked upon their Arms when they went out to charge the Enemy, We are for King Charles, and when they saw Sir james Hacket make a cowardly retreat in the sight of his Majesty and Army, the soldiers cried out, let Colonel Hacket be hanged, for he is a Coward and a Traitor. The leading Kirkers finding his Majesty to have such an unexpected influence upon the army, ruggedly desired him to be gone, for that they had observed, that since his Majesty's coming into the army, the soldiers did neglect their duty to God and themselves his Ministers, and therefore he must away. The King being gone, they fall to purging the army of all Malignants English and Scots, to the number of five thousand assured fight men, who knew what enemies were, Within a week after his Majesty went from the army, the English Rebels retreat to Dunbar, which was some twenty miles, whereupon the Kirkers are raised to such an height of pride and insolency, as that nothing fills their stalls more, then that God had shown they were beloved of him, his dear children and chosen, whom he would protect as he did Hezekiah and jerusalem, to which purpose the Chap. ordered to be expounded by all the Levites in the Camp was 2. Kings 19 But woe and alas, these jocund thanksgivings of theirs prove very fatal, for the enemy by his retreat drew them from their Trenehes, to gain opportunity, the better to fight them abroad, whom he knew could never stand one charge in open field, being an irregular fresh and raw number of men, from whom the fight Nobility, Gentry and soldiers, were (as Gen. Cromwell could have desired) either forced or casheared the field, and inhibited bearing Arms. Remarkable now is it, how this Kirk and States presumption, treachery, insolency and pride did forerun their destruction, for no sooner did the English rebels Army charge them, but they fled. threw away their Arms, and cry for quarter. Thus wicked men hasten to their ruin, and are resolute to their own overthrow: for had they not been led by the headstrong Kirkers to pursue, but had kept within their Trenches, the English Army through want of health by famine, and many distresses to which they were driven, must uncontrovertibly within few days have retreated with as infinite shame and dishonour on their parts, as it would have been advantage and encouragement to their now beaten brethren, dear brethren of Scotland. For the confirmation of much (if not of all) here asserted, (my unbyased Reader) excuse the incerting of the Kirks own declaration Aug 15. 1650. worth thy running over. THe Commission of the general Assembly, considering that there may be just ground of stumbling from the King's Majesty, refusing to subscribe and emit the declaration offered unto him by the Committee of Estates and Commissioners of the general Assembly, concerning the firm carriage and resolution for the future, in reference to the cause of God, and the enemies and friends thereof: Doth hereby declare: That the Kirke and Kingdom do not own, or espouse any malignant party or quarrel or interest; But that they fight merely upon their former grounds and principals, and in defence of the cause of God and the kingdom, as they have done the twelve years past, and therefore as they disclaim all the sins and guilt of the King and his house, so they will not own him nor his interest, otherwise then with a subordination to God, and so far as he owns and prosecutes the cause of God, and disclaims his and his father's opposition to the work of God and to the Covenant, and likewise all the enemies thereof. And that they will with all convenient speed, take in consideration the papers sent to them from Oliver Cromwell, and vindicate themselves from all the falsehoods contained therein, especially in those things wherein the quarrel betwixt us and that party is mistated, that is if we owned the late Kings proceed, and were resolved to prosecute and maintain his present Majesty's interest, before and without acknowledgement of the sins of his house and former ways to God's people in both kingdoms. A. Ker. The Committee of Estates having seen and considered a declaration of the Commissioners of the general Assembly, anent the stating of the quarrel wherein the army is to fight, do approve the same and hearty concur therein. Tho. Hend. Printed by Evan Tyler Printer to the Kings most excellent Majesty. 1650. Further Collectives conducing to the proof of the purposed ground. Since the Scotch Army was routed, the Kirk have commanded a general Fast, and have in Print, given these reasons to incite thereunto, 1. For that we have sinned, and find the displeasure of the Lord upon us of this Nation in general. 2. For the sins of our Commissioners, in bringing our King so soon, contrary to the mind of the godly party. 3. For our acceptance of him for our King before he had more sufficiently repent him of his by past sins. 4. For not throughly purging the Army of the Malignants of the Nations. 5. For our too much trusting to the Arm of flesh. Consider these things, and I shall only offer two or three more for thee to ruminate at present. Advise. 1. Their moulding the gross lump of their Scottish State according to the English Rebels present Plotforme. 2. Their murdering his Majesty's General, or executing them who appeared with him in Arms, that had any spark of loyalty, No cessation being agreed upon. 3. Their depriving those Ministers that affected Monarchy, hated independency and antemonarchicall Sectaries. 4. Their establishing their government of that kingdom these last years to this very day, in the hands of those who were enemies to Monarchy, and engaged to destroy the royal Family, having been so highly active in the late rebellion against Charles the first. 5. Their entrusting the Army and Forts of that kingdom to this hour, with none but the known Enemies of Monarchy. Their not being in a posture of defence in their kingdom to receive the enemy, at their not fortifying Leeth and other places. 7. Their making no provision for the reception of the King, by preparing any of his houses for him before he came. 8. Being come, the banishing his Majesty's domestic servants. 9 Their Ministers Mr. james Guthery, Mr. Blair, Mr. Rotherford, etc. impudently as falsely disgraceing and dishonouring his Majesty, and his father of eternally blessed memory in their Court sermons, or such like things to his face. 10. Their not crowning his Majesty. 11. Their not suffering his Majesty to abide in the Army, or to call to his aid those whom he knew would not fear an enemy. 12. Their not setting, or suffering him to set up his Standard royal. 13. Their daily setting forth most dishonourable Proclamations of their own in his sacred name. And to look a little back, for keeping correspondency with the English Rebels, and entertaining Mr. Ansley as their Agent from England, during the time the Commissioners were in tretay at Breda. To all which, add Mr. Murrays commission and instructions to the Scots Commissioners at Breda, to break off the Treaty, and to disclaim any agreement with their King, and now Mercurius Scotius appeals to the judgements of rational men through the world, whether he be from such premises, false in his conclusion, Vizt. That the carrying Kirkmen and Committee of State in Scotland, never intended their King should come into Scotland, or themselves to engage in a war with the English upon his Interest. In short, that they never intended or do intent to have a King. Salutes due, etc. SIr, at present to satisfy you further of our public affairs here, this nation is divided, and stands upon three Interests, Colonel Straughan and Carr have one Army in the west of Scotland, David Lesly and Argile about Sterling and St. johnstons', Major General Middleton and the Marq. of Huntly another in the North, which last army hath made a new Covenant, almost in the old language. The loyal party in Athold have cut off a Regiment of David Leslys horse, suprising them in their quarters by night. Dr. Frozer contrived a conveyance of his Majesty from Argiles party to Clova in Angus: but was betrayed in his design by the treachery of some of them that carried him away, and his Majesty forced back again. The old plot only the Scene altered, God prevent. Aberdeen Octob. ult. I thank my friend for his intelligence, much more for his Prayers, and have some reason to join with him, God grant it be not turned upon the King. he deserted us, we are at large to desert him, and the fate of Charles the second be not the same with the first. The change of affairs may be strange upon this small action of Major Gen. Middleton: Grant a uniting of these Interests, and find an expedient for the preserving Argiles person and securing his friends, and I shall proclaim hopes for the abused King. FINIS.