A royal STORY, FOR loyal READERS.  
For they intended mischief against thee, and imagined such a device as they are not able to perform.  
And why? because the King putteth his trust in the Lord, and in the mercy of the most Highest, he shall not miscarry.  
Qui cupit optatam cursu contingere metam, multa tulit fecitque.  
Printed in the year, 1651.   


Parcere subjectis et debellare superbos.  
Charles the second (Son to Charles. I. the martyr) King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith &c. Now in the head of a gallant and numerous army of the valiant and faithful English & Scots, marching (by the power and mightiness of his Maker) towards the possession of the rest of his father's crowns: with olive branches, (Emblems of Victory peace and mercy). To restore to the loyal their Religion laws and Liberties, to show pity and compassion to all the seduced and sorrowful returning to their obedience, But to execute Vengeance on the impenitent malicious and implacable murderers of his royal Father  
Cornelius Van Dalen sculpsit-Amster▪    

Ejaculation.  
MAy God and his anointed the King, and all that are God's, and his anointed the King's, forgive me, if in these thoughts, whilst they were yet invisible, or now that they are become legible, I have offended him, or them: human fraielties excepted, I hope I may appeal to Heaven, the searcher of all hearts in point of my integrity, in the matter of Loyalty, and in the honest and hearty intendment of these Papers; Lord, continue and increase all good designs in my breast, until they come to that perfection thou wilt please to accept: And O thou, whose proper work it is, to make the people of one house to be of one mind, and to whom 'tis equally possible, to make those of one or more kingdoms to be so too: bless (in thy time and way, and that in the time and way present, if it be thy holy will) these distracted, divided Kingdoms, with composed, united minds; that after so horrible, and so long a separation from thee, by Rebellion, Blasphemy, Sacrilegde, murder, and all other deadly sins, we may once again, enjoy thee our God of Peace, in Peace, and by thee, thy Vicegerent our King, and under him, our Church, our laws, our Liberties, and our mutual Loves, through Jesus Christ the eternal son of thy love, in whom thou hast loved us first. Amen.   
Now know I that the Lord helpeth his anointed, and will hear him from his Holy Heaven, even with the wholesome strength of his right hand. 
NAy, nay! forbear, forbear Gentlemen; judge not that ye be not judged; 'Tis not to you, high flying Youths, but to the soberly Loyal souls, who have candour as well as judgement, that I intend these; for your parts, you were ever too rash in your actions, and uncharitable in your censures for my conversation: Pray pardon me that I am by mischance rushed into your company; indeed, I was looking for a more grave society; you know I affect not yours, and I am not ignorant that you hate mine; therefore if you take ill this my misfortune, pray tell me before I go, 'tis not generous, to calumniate behind any man's back; if I have offended, I am ready to cry you mercy, or give you any handsome satisfaction in its defect, mean while, I kiss your hands Gentlemen, and leave you to the wise man's first Course, eat, drink, and be merry: yet may I find you hereafter to be recollected, or but once becalmed amidst the surges and surfeits of your sinful excesses, I shall then present you with his second course; but remember, that for all these things you must come to judgement, and I'll add too, that you know not how soon, the times are dangerous, swords are drawn, and the thread of man's life, as 'twas ever soon cut or knapped asunder, so it seems now to be environed with Armies of weaponed and engined men, at contest, which shall give first that fatal blow, and as the tree falls, so it lies, as life leaves, death and Judgement find; Vestigia nulla retrorsum, who rememembreth thee in the grave? saith valiantly holy David; shall the dead praise thee? no, no, the living, the living, they shall praise God: Therefore damn not, sink not now, lest you sink and be damned for ever: God will not bless, nor the King accept such persons; some of you know it from Breda, and I could tell you more from His majesty's own mouth to an acquaintance of ours; His Majesty now stands upon His father's headless shoulders, and sees the plagues attending the cursing, drinking, debauched crew which helped bring to the Scaffold the barbarously murdered (but most blessed Martyr) CHARLES the first, who saw indeed in His time, and sorrowed for, but could not help, the vic●s of His Armies and abuses of His Commisioners and governors, the former His gracious Meditations let you and all the world know. As to the latter, I am satisfied from His own sacred lips, when upon occasion of my giving His Majesty (according to the duty of my command) an account of affairs and persons in the West of England, His Majesty (Dear King) was pleased passionately to tell me, that he was confident the relation I gave was just, and patiently he added (Oh the mirror!) that he was reduced to that unhappy condition, as to be forced to trust Knaves and knew not how to help it. Our present King, Charles the second (such a Son to such a Father, as I believe the world never paralleled) though reduced certainly to as much necessity, as ever so great a Prince was, what time as he went from one Nation to another, from one kingdom to another people, (God suffering no man though to do him wrong abroad) he became an object of pity (Mixed with admiration) from all the nobly disposed persons in the world, and an object of scornings & lashings of the Independent English tongues, especially in Holland, that had never seen him, but such as with the Queen of Sheba (hearing of his fame) came to behold the magnanimity of his courage, and the constancy of his virtues in the banishment from His other royal possessions, became astonished, and either returned convinced, penitent and loyal, or else seized with horror, went home trembling in their souls, at the sight of His sacred Presence, that I have charity to hope, an holy operation from His majesty's divine influence, will steal them also by degrees to their own salvation; yet this King (strangely happy, and I know not how it comes to pass) in this low condition, (as it seemed to the world) was then (now His Majesty is in power is more) a strict reprehender of vice, and a vigilant observer of those who became too saucy with Majesty (clouded in fortune only, not in face) and kept up by his own grace and presence, a Kingship perfectly in himself, not discovering the least passion for the absence from His crowns, which was the greater conquest then of the world, and that desire of His martyred Father hath therein taken effect, when he wished, rather that he might prove CHARLES le bon, than CHARLES le grand; indeed as the world already knows Him CHARLES the good, for I believe, that goodness is now leading His Majesty by the hand to greatness (having sought the kingdom of Heaven first, the rest shall be added,) and according to the old prophecy, as he is e Carolo Carolus, so he will be shortly Deo annuente Carolo magno major; and that I always saw with the eye of faith; but since the beginning (stilo novo) of June 1650. God's immediate hand hath guided the King visibly to the eye of sense and reason (yet above comprehension too:) And at this day His Majesty, by the conduct of Heaven, is arrived, from the most uncertain (I may say desperate) condition, wherein His Majesty then was, to so great a degree of glory, as was then wholly despaired of by most, that ever he would have compassed in this world; for, what clouds were over His majesty's affairs at Breda! after a treaty there began with the Scots Commissioners? to effect which treaty, there was no small difficulty attended His Majesty at Jersey, where His majesty's Privy counsel, Lords, and counsel at Law were divided in opinion; nay, the Duke of York, that most hopeful and illustrious Prince was persuaded in judgement, for the King to declare against all treaties with that party of rebel Scots, His highness and the discenting Lords, relying wholly with God's blessing, on the formerly almost miraculous marquess of Montrosse, who was then gone to kindle a loyal fire by His majesty's Commission, in the Highlands of the Scottish Nation, but God's ways are unsearchable, and his works past finding out; the King's heart is in heaven's hand, and he disposeth it as Rivers of waters, which way soever pleaseth him; and though most think it tedious to wait on God's providence in the weary steps which must be taken, about the meanders, dividings, and unitings, turnings and returnings of the streams (after many miles straggling, passing again near the same place) and though almost all that look not with the eye of faith more steadily than the eye of reason, not only lose the current when it entereth the concaves and hollows of the earth, but their hopes too, and are possessed with despair of ever seeing those refreshing waters break out any more: yet the hand of God brings them to life again, though they channelled under many an hill and rocky crag, he cuts a way to their appearance, and satisfieth the world by experience, That his leading Providence never leaveth them until they be safely brought to the Sea, their Centre, where they embosomed in the greatness and glory of the triumphant Ocean. Blessed be God, that leaveth not his anointed comfortless, nor our sovereign Councellesse; He himself whose name is Mighty, counsellor, proves his council; designing strangely, first to winnow and try the King's faith by affliction, laying low that foundation, whereon he intends to erect so glorious a fabric, as ever since (and before) Heaven hath been modelling in our gracious King, whose heart divided in the division of his friends and council, unites again in God, who strongly inclines his soul to treat, with the illest looked and falsest hearted party that ever drew breath, in that noble Nation of Scotland, in almost all whose Countenances, any man that durst look in their faces (which I confess I could never scarce do, without fear and trembling, for our dear King's sake) might visibly read treachery and most abominable falsehood; their priest's Prayers and Preachings, premising nothing but slavery to the King, and their groanings and whinings, only to gull the silly flock that could have so much unchristian patience as to hear them. His Majesty by this Treaty, if he could not convince them into an agreement, (which if any thing, unless a contract to lay down his life, and (which was infinitely dearer) his Honour, he was resolved to bring them to, if not,) yet his Majesty would leave them excuseless in whatsoever might be the consequence, that so they should by their own irreligious, and avaricious capitulations, and saucy rejections, affronting their Maker in the person of his anointed, draw their own guilt, and their own blood, upon the pates of them and their posterities. The King during this Treaty, had a hard task, to comport with variety of tempers and constitutions, so, as to keep them, though enemies one to another, friends to himself. The Commissioners often grew peremptory; but at such time, his Majesty would quickly awe them into some reverence, by letting them know he was their King. His majesty's old friends, that all wished one end, yet unhappily divided in their opinions of the means thereunto conducing, grew to as much jealousy and enmity one with another, as ever the Presbyterians and Independents were at: So, that the friends to the Treaty, look on the opposers, as enemies to the King, and the other party reciprocally on them, that not only the declarers, became averse one to another, but the moderate or neuters, (who waited for the King's Highway) having their souls bound up in buff of obedience to Him in either, became neglected or mistrusted of both; yet the Treaty goes on, the antipathy undermines the whilst, and it is believed marquess MONTROSSE was persuaded from thence, by private instructions from eminent persons, to make a bolt or a shaft of his business, to win the horse, or lose the saddle; break the Treaty by Conquest, or at least attempt something to make the Treaters more modest, which his Excellency putting in execution during the Treaty, failed of those friends in Scotland, and of those supplies of horse, arms, men, and (as the sinew of all war) money, from foreign Kings and Princes, which probably had the Treaty never began, or had been then ended, he would have found, and have been accompanied with wonted success. But his Excellency (all these things falling under a strong fate) became most unfortunately taken in his first design, was carried Prisoner to Edinburgh, where he was met with the Sentence of Condemnation, to be hanged by the common Hangman, (O unworthy bloody Judges!) which he cheerfully embraced, and they most barbarously put in Execution with all speed, to hasten his death and glory and their own sin and shame together, and that power which the kirk only feared in the person of that gallant MONTROSSE, being now laid low, they resolve to break all treaties with the King, but in the nick the Commissioners had concluded with His Majesty, and His Majesty was removed with them from Breda towards Scotland; His Majesty no sooner came to Hounslowdike (an house of the Prince of Oranges near the sea side) in order to his voyage, but His majesty's cares were there saluted with the unwelcome news of the death of that incomparable MONTROSSE, the deep sense whereof so pierced His majesty's royal heart, that there could not but arise new conflicts within His Princely soul: The opposite Lords 'tis probable take this advantage to renew their arguments of dissuasion: And His Majesty was no doubt at a great strait what to resolve; to take notice of pitied MONTROSSE either by word or look, (I may say) His Majesty durst not, (though he dared do any thing heaven should command) lest then the squinting Commissioners should grow jealous of his love to them, by any kindness His Majesty might show to his dear MONTROSSE'S memory; if His Majesty should go with them now, He saw well, that that party that had contributed to the Execution of his royal father's Person, had already executed his own present power in His Commission to brave MONTROSSE; and therefore if His Majesty went, 'twas with apparent danger to His own life: If he stayed he knew not which way to turn himself, that year must needs be quite lost, for all the Offers and Officers from Denmark and Sweden, and all other assistance, the Scots had rejected, as able to do the business (they intended) alone; besides, His Majesty should be strangely looked on the world over: And more than this, His majesty's word was passed, and no other visible means left for His Majesty to be active towards His crowns at present; after all which considerations, Heaven inclines the King's heart, and His Majesty most cheerfully approves, and on Sunday morning 9 of June (stilo novo) 1650. before the Sun appeared, was His Majesty taking Coach for Trehagh, and so to take shipping, divers of His majesty's Lords and Servants having been aboard three or four days before in His majesty's ship, and divers of the Scots Commissioners and Priests had been as long in their ship; a noble young Lord and myself having on the Saturday evening come off from His majesty's Ship, were only after His majesty's departure from Hounslowdike left there behind, condoling His majesty's condition, and following him with our prayers for heaven's protection: His Majesty had not been gone two hours, (my Lord and myself retiring to the next harbour to refresh before we took Boat for the Hague) but in comes a waggon full of those priestridden Commissioners, and those Commissioner-ridden Priests) such a Gallimofery of ill looks I know not how to express them) enquiring strictly for His Majesty, whom we soon let know, that His Majesty was newly gone, at which they seemed much troubled, and going into the next room to us, they drew out their papers and perused them, in consultation what next to do, by which and their ill-boding countenances, we easily guessed that they had brought some new tormenting Propositions, and so, soon after we heard, they had received, sent to them from the power in Scotland, after marquess MONTROSSE was shamefully butchered, which 'tis believed were so much higher than formerly, that His Majesty could not with honour have granted, but would rather in probability have dissolved the Treaty, which was their design, intending (as 'tis thought, having now freed themselves of their fears of MONTROSSE) no more compliance with His Majesty, rather choosing to adhere to the fortune of their swords: But a good providence had (before these tormentors could recover the Sea shore again) safely conveyed His Majesty on Shipboard; so the Commissioners they take Shipping too, and His Majesty (with three ships only of Holland's men of war) sets sail for Scotland, relying on heaven as His best Convoy, under the shadow of whose wings he shall not miscarry, which brought him, in his time to a desired Port: His Majesty had no sooner quitted the Holland shore, but the three new-built English rebel frigates (the best that ever were) called the faithful Speaker, the precedent, and the FAIRFAX, came upon the Holland Coast in quest of the King, sending to the Hague, they found the King was newly gone, thereupon set sail Northwards in pursuance of His Majesty, whom after they had sought two days, with a brave gale of wind they came upon the North Coast of England near Scotland, where missing the King's Fleet, they called a counsel, at which 'twas concluded, that if the King had the same wind with them, (whereof there was no doubt) than His Majesty by that time must needs be in Scotland, setting sail a day (at least) before them, so the counsel resolved to sail according to their former orders towards the West of England, quitting all hopes of their old trade of King-catching for that bout. This Relation ANTH. YOUNG captain of the precedent made to me. Whereas His Majesty was three and twenty days at Sea, blessed (as it proved) with contrary winds, and crossed (as they thought then) with calms; so that His Majesty was forced to put into an Island, in the King of Denmark's dominions, for fresh provisions, where His Majesty himself in a disguise went on shore, and soon returned, and at length they came near the Scottish ground, very far Northwards (so far that they out went night, being able to read under decks the smallest print, when 'twas least light) and when the King with his Fleet came to the mouth of Straboggy on one side of the harbour, a squadron of the English rebel Ships, which had lain thereabouts, as an ambushment for his Majesty (Having their expectation of him wearied) then sailed outwards on the otherside, so near were they meeting each other, that they on the shore looked with no small admiration, whilst one party was sailing in, and the other out; But by reason of a thick Scottish mist that then fell, they were indiscernable each to other, at least the rebel English did not espy the royal Fleet, God being to them as to the Israelites of old, a cloud to conceal them from their English Enemies; indeed Scotch ones had then possession of his majesty's Person, as more clearly every day appeared; for before his Majesty was permitted to land, they offered a disloyal violence to his majesty's righteous soul, and 'tis admirable to observe, the wonders that God wrought in the deep for His majesty's Preservation so far, for in all probability, had His Majesty not set sail when he did, (neither sooner nor later) had He had one gale of wind more, or one calm less, or any thing but what God did (now apparently) then allot for Him, His Majesty had been made a prey to His devouring Enemies, or entombed in the monumental Ocean: But his Majesty (Thanks be to God) safely lands at Straboggy in the Highlands, being entertained the first night by the Loyal Marquis HUNTLEY, at his house, and that being so far Northwards, proves no small advantage to His affairs; for the people all the way came in to see, seeing admire, and admiring love with honour their distressed (but made by God's blessing on their affection a most hopeful) Prince: Whereas had His Majesty landed nearer St. Johnstone's (if possibly he could) yet in all probability it had been very unhappy; for when His Majesty comes thither, though they salute him with hail Master (King of Jews indeed) yet they cut Him short in reality, not admitting His Majesty to sit in their counsels, either of State or War, nor to be in the Army, because the soldiers were so taken with (and fond of) Him, which the kirk were jealous of, lest in time He should get their crown from them, for they resolve, that at best He shall have only the name of King, the sovereign power is fit to reside in the kirk alone, those inspired sons of Government; and if His Majesty can but once bring His faith to that spiritual pitch, as to believe as the kirk believes, He shall not need trouble himself with any thing else. They'll ease His head of cares, and His shoulders of all Kingly burdens; His Majesty shall need only sign and seal what they please, and himself may hawk, hunt, and enjoy those Noble Recreations suitable to His Youth the while, and if this will not content Him, He shall be brought to the stool of Repentance, hear God and himself (his anointed) blasphemed in their next belching prayers, and affrighting preachments (as an Antidote against which His Majesty might not be permitted to take any of His Orthodox Divines, either English or Scottish chaplains over with Him) and His English, and many Scotch Lords, Officers, and household servants are banished the Court. His Majesty must further then, be humbled under the pride of these spiritual Trumpeters, but it shall be said to be for the sins of His father's house, and the Idolatry of the Queen his Mother: Indeed His Majesty must (must was never used for a King in this sense before) do whatsoever they'll have Him do, if He intend to have any rest in life, or respite from death. Well, His Majesty (wise as an angel) acts now the part of a Subject, hears, sees, and says nothing, Blessed be God, that hath endued so young a body with so prudent a mind, with so meek a soul, a soul so humble, that I am confident God reveals his secrets to Him, as he hath promised to do to those that are so qualified to receive them, but he resisteth the proud, and the loftiness of the kirkmen foreruns their destruction; God so infatuates their Counsels, as that in the great pride of their hearts, notwithstanding Cromwell had entered the kingdom of Scotland, with a potent Army, from whom surely they expacted little mercy, yet in the nick of time before they should have fought with him, did this Kirk-Faction, proudly presuming upon their own strength, and being bewitched with an opinion of their own righteousness, disband and cashier divers thousands (the best Officers and soldiers) of their Army, resolving to carry on the work, only with their own spiritual Bumkins, an heard of untutored Disciples, and these were of the Kirks teaching to fight Ex tempore, as they should be unpremeditately, by an impulse of spirit put upon it; Cromwell notwithstanding finds himself too weak for these Kirkers, and resolves, as privately and as speedily as he may, to ship away his train, his wounded, and his sick men at least, if not all his infantry and so break away with his horse, to which purpose he makes towards Dunbarre, where the English Fleet lay ready; the Kirkers, (principled in this particular purely like Cowards, who naturally press hard upon a running party, no holding them from pursuing such as fly, more than persuading them to engage handsomely against a party that will stand, but) those zealous hotspurs follow violently Cromwell's rear, before he could ship his Artillery, and encamp so near to their Army, that Cromwell sending a party to a pass in his way to England, to see whether it were open, and finding it possessed by the Scots, and himself necessitated to fight or yield dishonourably, resolves to make a desperate venture, and expect the issue of a bold attempt; (Audaces fortuna juvat, timidosque repellit:) had those Kirkers learned our English Pro●erbe (as they may do in time) give them rope and they'll hang themselves, they had then certainly been better advised, then to make an Enemy either desperate or contemptible, or to put that in hazard by a fight, which they might (upon the matter certai●ly) have compassed by forbearing, had they possessed their souls in patience; but it seems they wanted that belief, which keeps people from making h●st, and they finding Cromwell to be but in a stinking condition, his Army being extremely weakened with the Flux, (which so violently seized upon them, that 'tis said they were ●o●ced to march with their breeches untrussed in ●heir hand, ready to give (not fire, but) water or blood at a minute's warning. They pursue the chase whilst the scent was hot, and Cromwell ●●●ng thus straightened, wisely gives the first blow, so they go too't: Now fight Dog, fight bear, neither barrel better herring, 'tis ten thousand to one, but if traitors be beaten, Rebels prove conquerors: The matter receives a sudden issue, whether by God's immediate providence, that this way (and no other) his and the King's Enemies, should at this time, destroy his and the King's Enemies, by their infatuated division of interests, (Quos Deus vult perdere, dementat prius:) or whether as a means thereunto conducing, some of the Scots Officers (as 'twas believed) proved treacherous, or whether only out of improvidence or necessity, the season being wet, and the Scots Army very weary, the foot generally having not their matches lighted, and were (non vino, sed somno sepulti,) all sleepy and drowsy, when Cromwell by the assistance of that fate, which constantly appears with active souls (vigilantibus, non dormientibus) gave them betimes in the morning a resolute and unexpected charge (mixed with a frightful surprise) and put the whole Army into such a confusion, that though there were on each party many slain, (of the Scots most) yet I can hardly call it a battle, for unless Major general ROBERT MONGOMERY (Youngest son to the Earl of Eglington) had with a body of Horse under his Command, and the Atholl Regiment of foot, which were all cut off, maintained the field a while (which by both sides they are acknowledged to do very gallantly) the business had scarce received a dispute; however (ultra posse non est esse) MONGOMERY was overpowered by the adverse Horse, (which indeed was their main strength) Cromwell proves victorious, slew as 'tis generally 〈◊〉 about 4000 on the spot, and took about ●●00. Prisoners (besides the wounded men which 〈◊〉 turned off, to a very great number) amongst the rest, lieutenant general LUMSDALE, said to be a very good Officer, and stout, was taken, but the unchristian usage which the common soldiers of the Scotch Party received, in their Imprisonments, from those that led them away captive, by famishing and surbating them in their cruel and tedious overmarchings towards Newcastle, and then quartering them in a great Cabbage field, when they came there, before they could otherwise be disposed of, suffering the poor creatures, to have nothing to eat bu● their own flesh, or that as raw food, (too cold for over heated bodies,) the Cabbage leaves and 〈◊〉 to satisfy their hungry appetites, there the sad Scots eat & die soon, most of them, and the rest live a while longer, and do worse (by degrees they all perished) under that Monster, Sir ARTHUR HASELRIGGE governor, whose 〈◊〉 in this, and his barbarous carriage at Chichester thentofore (where after Articles made, and the town delivered to them, he barbarously caused Musketeers to give fire in at a window, upon Sir CHRISTOPHER Lewkner the governor, (differing only with Sir ARTHUR in Argument after liberty given of discourse, and other then unarmed Officers, being in a room quietly together) and his vile carriage in other places, during this war (which got a habit in him, by being unnaturally cruel to his own mother's sons, from his Youth) make him appear one of the most unparalleled Rebels in this adulterous Generation, and may forever discourage any from taking quarter from so base an Enemy, (Choosing rather to fall into the hands of God, than man, (whose very mercies are cruel) by attempting the highest actions that may hope to be crowned with a noble life, or an honourable grave) But thus ends the main Scene of the chief Act in this Tragedy between Cromwell's and the kirks Factions, Saints both of the new Edition, and I hope of no great duration, only Cromwell hath the luck to be the longer liver, and having snuffed out the glory of the kirks new light, which here expires in a stink, possesseth himself of the City of Edinburgh, and town and harbour of Lieth, presently garrisoning Lieth, and besiedging the impregnable, well ammunitioned, and provisioned Castle of Edinburgh, whereof one DUNDAS was the unworthy (Governor, who (after some inconsiderable siege) through the corruption of reward or cowardice, or both, delivered it up to Cromwell, upon Articles, and continued afterwards under his protection, where for the present he inherits the shame, and may hereafter receive the reward of an unfaithful servant to a gracious Master. The King this while is where he was, at St. Johnstone's, not being before admitted to the Army, whereof the remainder now repairs towards him, and possessing the town and Castle of Sterling, which commanded the Bridge over Firth River into the County of Fife, the Armies have time now to breath and to look one upon another: The kirk Army thus grown weak in their number, (not in the confidence of their Clergy) the Loyal Highlanders, and those Northern Gallants under marquess HUNTLEY, the Earl of ATHOL, and lieutenant general MIDLETON, begin to model themselves for His majesty's Service; the King knowing their ancient Loyalty, receives fresh hopes of good towards Him: But the kirk are as cross of His majesty's interest still, as before, and for the King's sins, and for the sins of his father's house (they say still) it must needs be, or for theirs in having to do any thing with Him, that this great overthrow and strait was come upon them: His Majesty well perceiving their villainy, was very solicitous to cast himself and Cause upon God's Providence, and the fidelity of those Northern Nobility and Gentry, and to that purpose removed himself, with some of His servants, privately from St. Johnstone's towards them, the faithful Lord new: BURGE, lieutenant Colonel of His majesty's Regiment of Guards, with all those loyal souls that would go with Him, declares to wait upon His majesty's Person, and follows Him; but by a Providence (working all for the best in the end) His Majesty was overtaken by some of the kirks more moderate friends, who partly by argument, and partly by their greater number in arms, use a kind of violent persuasion, and prevail with His Majesty to return to St. Johnstone's, promising all the Honourable Reception that's possible; and now indeed, and not before, (another Power appearing) His Majesty is admitted to sit in council with them: But Sir JOHN Browne with a part of the kirk Army must needs go to reduce the Northern Forces under MIDLETON, His Majesty is desired to command them to disband; yet the matter was composed by God's blessing upon His majesty's wisdom and Intercessions without blows: The King they agree shall be crowned the first day of January, which being happily performed, he became the New years Centre then, to which all parts of the Circumference made address, and the great work which His Majesty begins to labour at, is to bring all Parties and Interests to reconcile in himself, (Hic labour, hoc opus est) which, whilst His Majesty is doing, by way of digression I take liberty to let you know, that Cromwell and the council of State of England's New commonwealth, this while do not less bestir themselves, not only by open force, but by all manner of secret treachery, and Machiavellian policy, to subvert and destroy our most hopeful King: One of their cursed works of darkness being more eminently come to light, was thus damnably contrived: MORS, an active villain, when formerly servant to Sir WILLIAM ERMYN of the North, deceased, a notorious vermin, that whilst he liveed, was always knawing at the root of Monarchy, and viperlike eating away to his own inventions, through his mother's bowels; but he is dead, and his servant MORS, receiving a double portion of his wicked spirit, after his (feared descension) departure, bestirs himself in His Masters and grandfather's errand, the more industriously, designed by the infernal council of White-Hall, (which now is become a den of Thieves, and a cage of every unclean Bird) That he should pretend himself since the murder of our King to be a great Convert, the Engagement to be faithful to England's commonwealth, established without King or Lords, he should by no means approve: So that being wholly dissatisfied with the present Power, and to avoid the penalties for noncon●●●y●nce, he quits the kingdom, and takes an h●u●● to himself, Wife, and Family at Callais in France, where he had not been above a month or so, but under pretence of his conversion, becoming acquainted with some of His majesty's Friends, expresseth a great desire he had to go to Paris to gain the honour of kissing our Queen's hand, and to offer Her Majesty his service, which they very readily encourage him in, and address him to some of Her majesty's servants, upon which he comes to the Queen's Court, and was brought to Her Majesty, who gave him Her hand to kiss; MORS takes the confidence to discover the deep sense he had of Her majesty's sufferings, and the extreme sorrow wherewith he was affected, for the barbarous murder of Her King and Husband, confessing he had been so unhappy, as in the time of war, to act in his sphere for the Parliament, believing their thoughts towards His Majesty had been equally innocent with his, which though upon better consideration he found injudicious, they had nothing of that guilt in their intentions of (which proved the sad consequence of all their actions) His majesty's death; yet inasmuch as he was sometime so unfortunate as to move or breathe in that wicked way, he knew nothing too hazardous for him, by way of expiation for his former offences, to venture against Cromwell, (or any other, but) him he looked on as the great dictator and Commander in that high mischief, and if her Majesty pleased to command him, he would either by poison or stob, though with the certain loss of his own life, give a period to Cromwell's days. Her Majesty (the mirror of Her Sex for constant love and loyalty to Her King and Husband) pierced to the heart with this fresh renewing of her grief, in the loss of her incomparable King and Consort, after She had recollected herself, answered, that he might apprehend that offer as some satisfaction to himself, but she had better learned Her Saviour, and would not by any consent of Hers, take the matter out of God's hands, who had said vengeance was his, and he would repay, in whose due time, She expected to see their ruin that had committed that unheard of murder, the fountain of Her and all loyal Subjects misery, the shame of Christendom, and the astonishment of the known World, to which MORS replies, that though her Majesty was not pleased to accept of his service in that particular, yet, by that, he hoped her Majesty believed he would then be ready to do any thing less dangerous; wherein he might serve her Majesty towards a public good, and her Majesty he conceived must needs have affairs of weight with the King, and to send to His Majesty, as he understood she did by the way of Holland, was very uncertain, tedious, and expensive, as a quicker dispatch; if her Majesty could think of any service he could do, in that or any thing else, he would undertake to go from Calais to Dover, and so by land, much sooner, and in respect of his knowledge in the North, much safer he believed, and would venture his life to carry Letters or message from Her Majesty to the King: Her Majesty glad at all times to have opportunity to present her duty and love to her son the King, and at that time having some more immediate business with His Majesty, embraceth MORS his offer, and prepares Letters to the King; MORS no sooner receives them (with promise of all sidelity and secrecy) but posts away for England; at Whitehall he acquaints his Black Masters how far he had succeeded in this dark design, (at which Hell and they 'tis to be supposed kept a private thanksgiving) MORS receiving fresh encouragement and instructions, hies away for the North, and in great pretended privacy coming into Lieth, there he disguiseth himself into woman's apparel, in that habit cunningly passeth over the water to Burnt Island, where after he was harboured, he sends to the governor, imparting the matter to him, that he came from the Queen, &c. and desired his assistance that he might be presently fitted with man's clothes again, and accommodated with Horses and Guides to go to the King, then at St. Johnstons, the governor glad of the employment, doth accordingly: MORS no sooner comes to Court, but there meets him a Major, an English Gentleman, who (knowing him most maliciously active formerly, against the King) saluted him, asking him whether he were a Convert, MORS tells him the same kind of lamentable story of his sadness which before he had told the Queen, and that the Queen had honoured him with Letters to the King, which he was in great haste to deliver; the Major joyed at his conversion presseth him to drink a Cup of Scotch Ale with him upon the Guard, before he went in to the King, when they came into the Court of Guard, the Major chargeth the captain of the Guard with him as a spy, and causing him presently to be searched, there was found nothing about him, but those Letters from the Queen, which the Major (leaving MORS a prisoner) presents to the King; His Majesty seeing his distressed Mother Queens hand, receiveth them joyfully, and asks for the Messenger, the Major thereupon tells the King what a dangerous person MORS (that brought them) was, of a disposition so implacably malicious, that he could not sleep (as the Psalmist says) unless he had done (at least contrived) mischief, and humbly begged the King, that he might be tried as a Spy, for he wus confident he came upon some horrid design, such another person not being to be found for their purpose; His Majesty advising with his counsel, and being pressed by many arguments from the Major, granted a Commission of life and death to certain persons according to the form of that kingdom, who calling MORS to trial as a Spy, he pleaded not only not guilty, but rather merit in running so great a hazard, to do the King service in a time so dangerous; but the Judges found cause enough to condemn him, and told him they were justified in themselves for what they did upon the evidence given; yet that he might justify them also to the world, they caused a rack to be brought before him, and soldiers with lighted matches, told him he was as a dead man already, yet if he would confess his intentions, he might receive mercy, else (whether guilty or not guilty at present, must be between God and his Conscience) they would burn his hands and feet with matches, as far as they would burn, that done, they would rack him one joint from another, until he should confess, or if not confess, they would execute him at last. MORS seeing death at the door, and that better die in an ingenious confession, then in so much guilt to throw body and soul headlong, he, without either the matches burning his flesh, or the rack torturing his bones, freely confessed the design was laid by the States of England, and that he had undertaken for reward, to slay innocent blood; and either by poison he was to have done it whilst he stayed in expectation of an answer to the Queen's Letters, or if he could not effect that, then, when he received his dispatch from the King's hand, he was resolved to have given a fatal blow. MORS thus having confessed, being condemned, was remaunded to prison: before Execution, the Lord LOTHIAN (Car) His majesty's Secretary, mistrusted always for a Juggler with the English Rebels, tells the King that this MORS was the first person condemned to die by the King's immediate Power, and humbly propounded, how acceptable a thing it would be to God and man, in his first action to show rather mercy than judgement; His Majesty answered, that His own inclination did naturally prompt Him, rather to pardon then punish offenders, yet at that time he would not out of that regard remit MORS, but His Majesty would look upon his lordship's proposal, as a desire, and His Majesty did not think fit to deny a Nobleman of Scotland, the first request that should be made to him after His Coronation; MORS therefore for his lordship's sake should live and not die, for which his Lordship returned thanks to the King, and within few days was repaid it to himself by Cromwell, who had sent his Lordship a Letter gratulatory, which coming by a providence to be made known to the King, His Majesty therewith acquainted the Earl of Eglinton, colonel of His majesty's Regiment of Horse-guards, (who is my Relater of the story) and presently His Majesty signed a warrant to the jailor, expressing, that though MORS were pardoned, yet that he should keep him close prisoner still, which warrant His Majesty left to the Earl's care, who soon sent it to the Prison, else MORS had been freed; Cromwell hereupon by letter disowning the act of MORS, yet at the request of MORS his wife, being great with child, was contented to exchange any one of three Scotch lieutenant Coolnells (which he named) for MORS: His Majesty seeing Cromwell interest himself so far in the business, whom His Majesty had little cause to believe, to be of so gentle a nature, as to exchange an Enemy for an Enemy (as MORS (had he been heartily the Queen's servant) was) at the request of a great belly, denies to exchange him for any of those there, but if lieutenant general LUMSDALL might be exchanged for him, His Majesty would release MORS, and not else: Cromwell considering the quality of the Persons (I believe) so unequal, and fearing all the world would then conclude him guilty of MORS his horrid and bloody intention, (which upon the former grant of a lieutenant colonel for his exchange, they had cause enough (besides the native probability) to imagine) refuseth to exchange LUMSDALL; so MORS continued prisoner, where I leave him, (without descanting on so unchristian an enterprise, or aggravating their crime by the Queen's candour, which doubtless made it more out of measure, sinful) and I heartily wish him, and all that had, or have hands or hearts in so foul an intention of blood guiltiness against so gracious a Prince, either by their actions of open and rebellious hostility, or obscure treachery, hearty and timely repentance before they go hence, and be no more seen. And I bless God for this merciful deliverance of his anointed our King: For, This also cometh forth from the Lord, which is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working. I take leave (begging pardon for this tedious wandering) to return to His Majesty, whom I find to have passed strange difficulties, this while with admirable dexterity, and blessed success. He hath now, God be thanked, made a general Reconciliation, & enemies to shake hands as his friends, the valiant Earl of Cleveland, and his English Nobility. Officers and servants, are after so long a banishment from His majesty's presence admitted to their duty, Lords, faithful Wentworth and WILMOT, lie in their turns in His majesty's bedchamber, as in His former freedom: And now the great men of Scotland that were excommunicated from King and Court, return to their King, and Duke HAMILTON, marquess HUNTLEY, Earl of ATHOL, Li●vtenant general MIDDLETON, and the rest, have their sentences recalled, and draw into union with all the moderate of the Army party, so that the power of the Kirkers (which I take to be a mongrel Faction, generated between rigid ●●●●bytery and Indepency) is now vanished, now the King as King, commands without the Dictates of those pretended spiritual Guardians, and all Loyal souls, whose heart God hath touched, (not otherwise designed for the King's service) repair from all Parts, to take their fortunes with His Majesty, who shines in arms, in the Field of Honour, where he is sprung up as a Light for the Righteous, and joyful gladness for such as be true hearted: And though in His way to His crowns, many Clouds of Disasters may ●bscure His Light, and by interposition of the moon, this Sun may sometimes be eclipsed, yet doubtless He shall by the goodness of God, His Guide, break through all again, (as Rivers that often inter, yet still rise with their refreshing streams) at length, a strong earnest of which mercies to come, are God's deliverances of His Majesty from dangers past, and therefore let every one that's faithful, continue to do his Duty, and leave the issue to God's disposal, who certainly will arise in his own time, and have mercy upon Zion, and we hope, that time will shortly come, for why? His servants think upon her Stones, and it pitieth them to see her in the dust, as which dust before the wind, shall the Enemies of God and the King, in due time be, and the angel of the Lord scattering them.  
FINIS.