BABYLON's Fall in MARYLAND: A fair WARNING to Lord Baltamore.  
OR, A RELATION Of an Assault made by divers Papists, and Popish Officers of the Lord Baltamore's against the Protestants in Maryland; to whom GOD gave a great Victory against a greater force of Soldiers and armed Men, who came to destroy them.  
Published by Leonard Strong, Agent for the people of PROVIDENCE in MARY-LAND.  
Printed for the Author, 1655.   

Babylon's fall in Maryland. A fair warning to Lord Baltamore.  
IN the year 1649. many, both of the congregated Church, and other well-affected people in Virginia, being debarred from the free exercise of Religion, under the Government of Sir William Barkely▪ removed themselves, Families, and Estates into the Province of Maryland, being thereunto invited by Captain William Stone, than Governor for Lord Baltamore, with promise of Liberty in Religion, and Privileges of English Subjects.  
An Oath to the Lord Baltamore was urged upon this people soon after their coming up, which if they did not take, they must have no Land, nor abiding in the Province. This Oath was very scrupulously looked upon: first, In regard it binds to acknowledge and be subject to a Royal Jurisdiction and absolute Dominion of the Lord Baltamore, and to defend it and him against all power whatsoever. This was thought far too high for him, being a Subject, to exact upon such terms as it was exacted, and too much unsuitable to the present liberty which God had given the English Subjects, from Arbitrary and Popish Government; as the Lord Baltamore's Government doth plainly appear to be. Secondly, It was exceedingly scrupled on another account, viz. That they must swear to uphold that Government and those Officers who are sworn to countenance and uphold Antichrist, in plain words expressed in the Officers Oath, the Roman Catholic Religion. And for these people to own such by an Oath, whom in their hearts they could by no means close with; what could it be accounted, but Collusion?  
Yet nevertheless the people that were then come up to Providence, considering Lord Baltamore to be Lord of the soil, and willing to acknowledge him, and pay him his due Rents and Services; upon that account took an Oath which was much qualified and moderated from its former rigour: but this, though it was accepted by Captain Stone the Lord Baltamore's Lieutenant, yet utterly rejected by his Lordship, who gave order, That the Oath absolutely should be urged; and gave special instructions and charge to his Lieutenant to proclaim, That all that would not take the Oath within three Months after publication, and pay Rents, and sue out Patents, should be expulsed the Province, and the Land seized to his Lordship's use; who required his Officers to see the contents of the Proclamation executed.  
Now the people having been formerly sensible of such yokes, imposed contrary to what was promised them before they came into the Province, complained by their Agent in England,  
First, to the Lord Baltamore, desiring his Lordship, That such burdens as the Oath and other great inconveniences mentioned in our instructions, might be removed. But the Lord Baltamore rejected the motion. Our Agent presented a Petition to the then Council of State, where it hath been depending near four years, without any hearing, Answer or Relief; which hath brought unspeakable troubles upon this Province, & now at last occasioned the shedding of much English blood; yea, of the Saints in Maryland. God grant that Right and Justice may have a more open course to flow into all the Dominions of England, without obstructions; and, that innocent blood be not shed any more for want thereof.  
In the year 1652. Richard Bennet Esq Colonel William Clayborne, and Captain Edmund Curtis, Commissioners from the Supreme Authority of the Commonwealth of England, arrived in Maryland, in the Guiny Friggot to reduce that Province into the obedience of the Commonwealth of England, according to their Commission; which was effected by them, first, in their taking away the Commissions and Powers of the Lord Baltamore, in the hands of Captain William Stone his Governor, and Thomas Hatton his Secretary, and the rest of the Lord Baltamores' Council; as they had very good cause so to do; for none of the English Dominions had more need of being reduced; and caused them to take the Engagement to the Commonwealth of England, as it was then, without King or House of Lords. And so they might have continued in their places still, only to the Commonwealth of England; but they would not yield to issue out Writs in any other name, than Lord Baltamore's, because of their Oath to him.  
In the year 1654. upon some Instructions and Relations from the Lord Baltamore out of England, Captain William Stone, and Mr. Thomas Hatton, and the Popish Councillors, risen up against the Reducement, displacing those whom the States Commissioners had placed, and introducing the old Popish Council; calling that which was done by commission from the Council of State in England, Rebellion against the Lord Baltamore; and those that were Actors in it, Factious and Seditious Persons: which was done by a Proclamation full of railing terms, published at Providence in the Church-meeting.  
The Commissioners for the Commonwealth of England, hearing that new Orders and Instructions were come to Maryland from Lord Baltamore, and that one Scarborough a mischievous instrument of the Lord Baltamore was gone up Maryland, resolved to come and see in what condition their affairs stood. And finding a direct contradiction to, and receding from that obedience to the Commonwealth of England, which was promised, but not performed, by the Lord Baltamore's Officers, applied themselves in a peaceable and loving way to persuade them into their due and promised obedience, yet became the said Commissioners were given to understand, That there was a mischievous design by Lord Baltamore's Officers and their Complices, to apprehend their persons, and to raise Forces against the lawful Power of the Commonwealth of England;  
The said Commissioners desired some to come down from Providence, and some from Putuxent to guard their Persons, and defend themselves & people from that power of men in Arms, which by this time Captain Stone had pressed in Lord Baltamore's name, upon pain of death to assist him against the said Commissioners, and gathered together in a formidable manner. But the said Commissioners being greatly desirous of peace, and willing to avoid the shedding of blood, applied themselves to the said Captain Stone▪ to bring him to a parley and conference; where, after some arguing, the said Captain Stone resigned up the Government which he took up in the Lord Baltamore's name, into the hand of the Commissioners of England; promising to be obedient to that Government, which by their Authority should be set over them, under his Highness the Lord Protector.  
The ordering and governing the affairs of Maryland, was then committed to Captain Will. Fuller, Mr. Rich. Preston, Mr. Richard Durand, Mr. Edward Lloyd, etc. others mentioned in the Commission, who were required to attend the Engagement of the Commonwealth of England, to keep Courts, etc. and to summon an Assembly in October following. At this Assembly there was a full and lawful Representative of the whole Province, where the Act of Reducement of this Province by Commission from the Council of State in England to Richard Bennet Esq Colonel William Cleyborne, Edmund Curtis, was freely and fully acknowledged by the whole Assembly; the Burgess of every respective County and Limit confirming the same, and submitting thereunto. And did pass, and record an Act, That whosoever did publish any Writ or Summons, Declaration or Proclamation, either in the Lord Baltamore 's or any other name, than the Government so settled as aforesaid had and received, should be accounted a Delinquent against the Commonwealth of England, and dealt with accordingly.  
The same Assembly did make Protestation against a Declaration sent over by his Lordship, and recorded by his Secretary; wherein the said Lord did declare the people at Providence, by him called Annardundel, to be Rebels; and strictly charged his Officers efficaciously to deal with them accordingly: but no ground or reason thereof could be found, But their not compliance with his Arbitrary and Popish Government, and the adhering to the Engagement and the Reducement aforesaid, and Government settled by the aforesaid Commissioners.  
After this Assembly, the Province was quiet, and so continued until the later end of January; about which time, the Ship Golden Fortune, whereof Captain Tilman was Commander, arrived in Maryland.  
Then the Lord Baltamore's Officers, and the Popish party began to divulge abroad, and boast much of power which came in that Ship from his Highness the Lord Protector, to confirm the Lord Baltamore's Patent to him, and to re-establish his Officers in their former places under him: which pretended power they assumed to themselves; Captain Stone and the rest giving out threatening speeches, That now the Rebels at Putuxent and Severne, should know that he was Governor again; giving Order, That neither Act of the said Assembly should be observed, nor Writ from the power established by the Commissioners aforesaid obeyed, but what should issue forth in the name of the Lord Proprietory, viz. Lord Baltamore. And further, the said Captain Stone gave several Commissions to the Papists and other desperate and bloody fellows, to muster and raise men in arms to be ready upon all occasions, giving out that he would go to Putuxent, and seize the Records of the Province at the place where they were appointed to be kept by an Act of the Assembly, and to apprehend Mr. Richard Preston also, at whose house they were; which shortly after was effected by Virtue of a Warrant in Captain Stone's name, without Proclaiming, or showing any power by which he acted such high Robberies. But in threatening speeches declared, That they would have the Government; and for the terror of others, would hang some of the Commissioners, which were entrusted with the Government by the Commissioners of the Commonwealth of England, under his Highness the Lord Protector, namely, Captain William Fuller, Mr. Richard Preston, and Mr. William Durand.  
About this time Captain William Fuller, Mr. William Durand, Mr. Leonard Strong, and Mr. Richard Ewen, to whom among others the Government was committed, sent two Messengers of quality and trust with Letters to Captain Stone, in a way of peace and love; desiring him to make it known by what power he surprised the Records; and desiring him, the said Captain Stone▪ to give an Answer, as by the Letter, relation thereunto being had, more at large appeareth: But the said Captain Stone, instead of giving a satisfactory Answer, imprisoned the Messengers, and in much wrath and sury said he would show no power: at last he affirmed, that he acted by a power from Lord Baltamore; and that the Lord Protector had confirmed the Lord Baltamore's power. If so, Sir, said one of the Messengers, if it be confirmed, let that appear, and it will satisfy. Confirmed, said Captain Stone, I'll confirm it; and so sent them home. After this, the said Captain Stone and his Officers proceeded in their wicked design; yet to colour it over, the said Captain Stone published a Proclamation to deceive the amazed and distracted people at Putuxent; wherein he called God to witness, that he intended not to use any hostile way to them or the people at Providence. Which Protestation how false and feigned it was, the following proceed of himself and Officers, will clearly evidence to all the World: for notwithstanding this Proclamation and Protestation, the said Captain Stone sent up to Putuxent one William Eltonhead and Josias Fendal, and with them twenty men in Arms, who did beset and entered the house of Mr. Richard Preston, with intent to surprise him; but not finding him at home, took away in Guns, Swords and Ammunition to the value of 30 l. sterling; ransacked every place in and about the house, to seek for the said Richard Preston; and as some of the Company then said, with purpose to hang him for his rebellion against the Lord Baltamore. At the same time they surprised John Sutton, who was appointed by the Assembly and Secretary to attend the Records, for any that should have occasion to use them, either for search or Copy; and carried him away Prisoner with such Guns and Ammunition he had, and kept him about twenty days; even so they dealt with Lieutenant Peter Johnson; several other houses at Putuxent, they served in the like kind. And when they were desired to show by what power or Commission they so acted, they would in a proud bravado clap their hands on their swords, and say, Here is a Commission. This was no sooner effected at Putuxent, but presently they mustered in Arms two hundred or two hundred and fifty men at the house of the aforesaid Eltonhead, which Eltonhead and Fendal sent up by night several Boats with armed men, and forced many of Putuxens whether they would or not to go with them upon their warlike Expedition to Providence; taking all the Guns, Powder, Shot, and Provision, they could anywhere find. And when they had done what they pleased at Putuxent, they bent all their Forces towards Providence, the chief place of the residence of most of the Commissioners, and people that were forced out of Virginia by Sir William Barkely for conscience sake. Some of the said Company marching by Land, others by Water; they that marched by Land, did much spoil and robbery in all the Houses and Plantations where they came, breaking open Doors, Trunks and Chests. In this barbarous manner they carried it for about forty miles.  
Now again the Commissioners at Providence sent other Messengers with a Letter to Captain Stone, still complaining his proceed, and seeking the knowledge of his power; and that some better accommodation might be attended to prevent the ruin and desolation of the whole Province, which this course was very likely to bring to pass. If he were resolved to come to no Parley or Treaty, they protested in the said writing, that by the help of God, they were resolved to commit themselves into the hand of God, and rather die like men, then live like slaves. This was also rejected by the said Captain Stone and his Complices, the Messengers apprehended, their Boat seized, and only three of six escaped to bring the report of their desperate and bloody design, and that they were upon their march in a hostile way.  
Capt. Stone and his Company still drew nearer to Providence, unto a place called Herring-Creek, where they apprehended one of the Commissioners, and forced another man of quality to fly for his life, having threatened to hang him up-at-his own door; and not finding the man, affrighted his wife, and plundered the house of Ammunition and Provision, threatening still what they would do to the people at Providence, and that they would force the rebellious factious Roundheads to submit; and then they would show their power.  
Having now left the Country behind them bare of men, save only such as fled into the Woods from their cruelty and rapine, as also of Arms and Ammunition; the poor women urging this to them, What should they do if the Indians should come upon them, being thus stripped of men and Arms to defend them; and in what a sad and sorrowful condition they were left: These merciless men answered scoffingly, It matters not, your sorrow is our joy.  
And indeed, it is too apparent, that the Indians waited upon their motions, and by examination it was found at Providence, that the Indians were resolved in themselves, or set on by the Popish faction, or rather both together to fall upon us: as indeed after the fight they did, besetting houses, killing one man, and taking another prisoner.  
Now the people at Providence perceiving such a tempest ready to fall upon them, and all messages rejected, prepared for their coming, looking up, and crying to the Lord of Hosts and King of Ston, for counsel, strength and courage, being resolved in the strength of God to stand on their Guard, and demand an account of these proceed, seeing no other remedy, for so great a mischief, could be found.  
About this time Captain Stone sent two men to publish a Proclamation quite against the Law established by the Commissioners of the Commonwealth of England, and against an Act of a lawful Assembly; which being read, and having no other Treaty to offer, they were quietly dismissed to their own Company, to whom they might have gone if they would.  
That night Captain Stone and his Army appeared in the River of Severne at Providence, with eleven or twelve Vessels greater and lesser, some of which had plundered by the way, in which their whole Army were wafted.  
Capt. Fuller & the Council of War appointed at Providence Mr. Wil Durand, Secretary, to go aboard the Golden Lion which then lay at Anchor in the River, and to fix a Proclamation in the main mast, directed to Captain Heamans, Commander of the said Ship, wherein he was required in the name of the Lord Protector, and Commonwealth of England, and for the maintenance of the just Libertyes, Lives, and Estates of the free Subjects thereof, against an unjust power, to be aiding and assisting in this service.  
The said Captain Heamans at first was unwilling; but afterwards seeing the equity of the Cause, and the groundless proceed of the Enemy, he offered himself, Ship, and Men for that service, to be directed by the said William Durand.  
The Enemy was come within the command of the Ship at the shutting in of the evening: the Captain of the Ship was required to command them aboard by a piece of Ordnance. The Enemy with a great noise rejected the warning. Then another Piece was leveled where they heard the Boats rowing; the shot whereof lighting something near, but doing no hurt; A Messenger came aboard; but had nothing of any message to deliver, save only, that Captain Stone thought the Captain of the Ship had been satisfied. To which the Captain answered, Satisfied, with what? I never saw any power Captain Stone had, to do as he hath done; but the superscription of a Letter. I must, and will, appear for these in a good Cause.  
That night the Enemy run into the Creek, where they landed out of the reach of the Ship.  
But in the morning, all their Vessels were blocked up by a small Bark with two pieces of Ordinance, which was commanded to lie in the mouth of the Creek, and so kept from coming out.  
The same day being the first day of the week, and the 25 of March, the Enemy appeared in a body upon a narrow neck of the Land, near their Vessels, and with Drums and shoutings said, Come ye Rogues, come ye Rogues, Roundheaded Dogs; which caused the Captain of the Ship to give fire at them, and forced them to march further off, into the neck of Land.  
In the mean time Capt. Will. Fuller with his Company came up the River with shoutings and courageous rejoicings, and landed with a hundred and twenty men, six mile distant from the Enemy: and immediately sent away all their Sioaps and Boats, committing themselves into the hand of God: he marched directly where the Enemy lay waiting for him. The Enemies Sentry shot; immediately they appeared in order. Captain Fuller still expecting, that then at last, possibly they might give a reason of their coming, commanded his men upon pain of death not to shoot a Gun, or give the first onset; setting up the Standard of the Commonwealth of England: against which, the Enemy shot five or six Guns, and killed one man in the front before a shot was made by the other. Then the word was given, In the Name of God fall on; God is our Strength, that was the Word for Providence: the Marylanders Word was Hey for Saint Maries. The Charge was fierce and sharp for the time; but through the glorious presence of the Lord of Hosts manifested in and towards his poor oppressed people, the Enemy could not endure, but gave back; and were so effectually charged home, that they were all routed, turned their backs, threw down their Arms, and begged mercy. After the first Volley of shot, a small Company of the Enemy, from behind a great tree fallen, galled us, and wounded divers of our men, but were soon beaten off. Of the whole company of the Marylanders there escaped only four or five, who run away out of the Army to carry News to their Confederates, Captain Stone, Colonel Price, Captain Gerrard. Captain Lewis, Captain Hendall, Captain Guither, Major Chandler, and all the rest of the Councillor's Officers and Soldiers of the Lord Baltamore▪ among whom, both Commanders and Soldiers, a great number being Papists, were taken, and so were all their Vessels, Arms, Ammunition, provision; about fifty men slain and wounded. We lost only two in the field; but two died since of their wounds. God did appear wonderful in the field, and in the hearts of the people; all confessing him to be the only Worker of this victory and deliverance.  
Examinatur per me, William Durand, Secretary of MARYLAND.   

The Postscript.  
THus God our Strength appeared for us; and the blood which they thirsted after in others, was given to themselves to drink; the miseries which they threatened to the innocent, fell upon the guilty; the pit which they digged for others, themselves fell into; the cords which they brought to bind us, bound themselves. This is the Lord's doing, it may well be marvellous in our eyes.  
What hath been written, is but a very abstract of those great and various providences of God toward his people, and against Antichrist; a great Volume would not contain the wonders which the Lord himself hath wrought and manifested to the hearts of his people in this dispensation. The sum is, Satan and his seed, rising up against the seed of the woman, bruises the heel of Christ, but destroys himself utterly. The further evil men proceed in their own way, the nearer to destruction: so is it with all flesh, it works itself into ruin, through the adored depths of the wisdom of God.  
Those who are acquainted with the clear and familiar appearances of God to his people in times of distress, can understand and rejoice in what may be now a little further hinted.  
First, the Lord confounded the Language of Babel in the hearts, projects, and consultations of his people, when they were devising to defend themselves from this danger, till they came to that condition of Jehosaphat, We know not what to do, but our eyes are towards thee; wilt thou judge them? for we have no strength against this multitude.  
Secondly, Now the Lord gives testimony from himself in the Spirits of many of his Saints, in a wonderful, plain, yet glorious manner; (for the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him) so that as well women as men spoke, or rather God spoke in them an express testimony what should be the issue of this conflict, that is, glory to God in the highest, deliverance to his people, destruction to Babylon, Songs unto Zion: which was revealed so powerfully, evidently, and certainly, that it ravished the hearts of some, astonished others, and encouraged the heart both of General, Captains, and Soldiers, as well as others that could not fight, to a Triumph before the Engagement, and the enjoyment of a victory by the assurance of faith, before one stroke of the battle.  
The bow of the Lord was made quite bare, to be seen of all that had an eye to see, & his arrows were seen to be sharp in the heart of the King's enemies before they fell under him. God made the feeble to be as David, and David as God: they were carried out in the strength of the Lord, who gave this testimony to one of the Captains, just as the Enemy came up, The Victory is yours; but God shall be seen, and not man in it. After the battle, what acknowledgement of God in is was in every mean Soldier's mouth, as well as the Commanders, what praising of God, is beyond expression. They run through all the Company, Give God the glory, Blessed be the name of the Lord.  
FINIS.