Mercurius Rusticus: OR, A country Messenger. Informing divers things worthy to be taken notice of, for the furtherance of those proceedings which concern the public Peace and Safety.  
BY your leave Gentlemen. When seriousness takes not effect, perhaps Trifling may. Every man hath some toys in his head, and I (God help me) a great many; One will now discover itself, which hath itched in it ever since last night. Mars had lately tired me with long Marches and Skirmishes; Jupiter cast so ill aspects on me, that I could not be jovial; The moon was in the wain; Venus' retrogade; and because Apollo would not lend me his Fiddle, that the Influences of Saturn might not oppress me with melancholy, I complide with Mercury; with whom having made a rustic progress, and understanding that you love variety of news, I am bold to present you with such Gleanings as I have gathered in the country.  
And though I am not so witty as my friend Britannicus, nor bring Relations so worthy the Whetstone as Monsieur Aulicus, nor come so furnished as Master Civicus, nor so supplied with Passages as the Weekly Intelligencer, nor so at leisure to sum up all Occurrences as the accountant, nor so large in promises as the Scout, the Informer, and therest of your diligent Mercuries, nor so impudent as to aver that I present you with nothing but truth; yet I have brought that which perhaps you may be, for once, as well contented to hear, though they be but such gatherings as I had from the Mill, the alehouse, the Smiths-shop, or the Barbers: for, these are our Countrey-Exchanges, wherein we talk of as many things with little good success as they do at Westminster; and other-while also, to as ill, and to as good-purposes.  
I hope you will not be so severe to expect Truth in every circumstance; for all Mercuries having the Planet Mercury predominant at their Nativities, cannot but retain a twang of Lying; Yet this I will assure you, that (though it be not all exact literal truth which I present) here are no such downright Lies as my other Cousin-Mercuries make no bones of; but only rhetorical, metaphorical, parabolical, or poetical Lies, insinuating that which may prevent deceit, without purpose of deceiving any to their damage:  
And these (if well considered) are no Lies,  
But Truths-essential clothed in some disguise.  
Out upon't, that rhyme slipped from me before I was aware, and may discredit all my Relations to some Readers, who know not, that rhyme, Reason, and Truth too are sometimes found together: But, lest like one or two of the forementioned News-mongers I tire you with Prefaces and Preambles, trifling out more time than my Intelligence will be worth, I proceed to the matter.  
As I was setting pen to paper to prosecute my purpose, 〈◊〉 was cast into me, giving me very good assurance that the 〈◊〉, Informations and Relations which come weekly and daily abroad (except some few published by Authority) are for the most part either Lies, Mistakes, Vanities, or Impertinencies multiplied & patched up out of each other, but to employ the Printer lest he should else forget his Trade in this long Vacation from selling serious books. And thereupon it hath been (or may be) voted that they misled more than they rightly inform; And permission is, for that cause, granted to every Reader (Ex officio) strictly to examine them that they may be censured as they deserve; and even this Mercury is by the same Vote left liable to the like examination.  
My first Intelligence shall be of that which hath most need to be taken into present consideration. It is assured me that seeing the Cavees (which is the Gloucester title for Cavalleers) are newly fluttering into Bedforeshire and toward Cambridge, that they may divert the Parliament Forces from pursuing their late Victories at Hull and Hornecastle; It will be good discretion for them both to prevent that diversion, and the mischiefs which those Locusts and caterpillars may do in the Associated Counties (if they should commence in that university as they have done in the other) by sending speedily a strong party thither, and withal to have an eye to the securing of the backway to London, lest while they have drawn us to look Northward, they wheel about Southward, to attempt the obstruction of the eastern-water-passage to this city; which if my Mercury deceive me not, is the main design of our Adversaries, what way soever they seem to take.  
It is reported out of Hampshire (and it may be believed) that Basing-house hath been so long permitted to be a receptacle for the Malignants of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, and a means for their secure passage to and from Abingdon, Wallingford, and Oxford, that it is now become a Garrison of papistical Cavees daily strengthened more and more with Ammunition, men and victuals. Thence we hear likewise that Denington Castle near Newburie, and not far from Basing, is now fortifying to be a strengthening thereunto; That Andover is possessed by the King's Forces to enlarge their Contributions; That a tax of ninescore pounds the week is imposed upon every Hundred near those places, to the enriching of the Parliament Adversaries, to the disadvantage of our chief City, and to the impoverishing of those parts of Hampshire, Bark-shire, and Wilt-shire, who now begin to cry out by reason of their oppressions, and to curse the malignancy and Neutrality of those who allured them to take such serpents into their bosoms: yea some among them protest with tears (where they dare complain) that if now the Parliament would send to deliver them, they should find many hands to help forward the work; which their neighbours also would be glad to further before they come under the same lash: and it is much wondered that a place so near London upon a passage thither so convenient, and so easy to have been cleared, should have been left so long obstructed to the Parliaments great disadvantage, unless it had been unheeded and neglected for the nonce.  
I have heard from his own servants that the marquess of Winchester, a very dangerous Papist, (because once a Protestant, and perverted by a woman) and who is owner of Basing-house, and now resident therein; hath a Commission to be General of the Forces raised and to be raised in those South-parts; and when his Lady's father's Country men are come thither from Bristol and Westchester to assist him, you shall see how needful it would have been to have settled ere this time the Association of Kent, Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire, which I hear say is now again revived, and as my Mercury persuades me may yet be undertaken with good success, and for the prevention of the mischief designed, if it be proceeded in with speed and courage, and be not by them made fruitless, who were no good friends to it heretofore. But it is probably suspected that some will directly hinder it if they can; or, by pretending the promotion of it take occasion to diminish our strength some other way, under colour of saving charges, which (considering the chances of War are uncertain) may so fall out, that it may be the breaking of the Associated Forces, the loss of some part of the country for the time, or the endangering of all; and therefore it is desired by the well-affected in those Counties; that deluding Propositions tending to such purposes may be well observed by the Associaters in their meetings and discreetly prevented.  
And now I think on it, the mention of this Association brings to mind somewhat which a soldier in one of those Counties made me acquainted withal of his opinion touching the same, which I will here insert, because perchance some may advise worse. If it be not worth heeding, it shall cost but the reading; If it be considerable, the benefit of it may by this means be taken, though he should not be called to counsel in that Association, His opinion was briefly thus, and these are his own words.  
First, that considering the present necessity, there should be no delay in establishing that Association, lest they who diligently meet, and talk much that nothing may be concluded, lose that opportunity which is yet remaining, and must be suddenly caught. Secondly, before the main work shall be completely resolved on, (which will require more time) he would that those Forces which are in readiness in those four Counties (reserving a small power to watch over the Malignants in Kent and Suffex) should immediately march to Farnham Castle, making that their rendezvouz and place of refuge to retreat unto when any unequal power should march against them, as also to be a refreshing place for the weak and tired, and a nursery out of which the Association should be still supplied with disciplined men.  
At Farnham he would not have them stay longer than for a day's rest, or so long as the ordering of other pertinent affairs might require and that then they should remove to Odiham or Alton in Hamsheire (the furthest not being much above two hours march) there to settle or move up and down to live upon those that must maintain the enemy's garrison at Basing; and to gather from them their impositions so far into the country as they may adventure till the assotiated body is completed, that (as usually we have done) we put not the State to as much charge during the time of preparations, as would with good husbandry bear the expenses of the whole expedition. As they grew stronger he would have them daily march farther even to the walls of the adversaries garrisons, labouring continually by their scouts, or by hiring the country people, or insinuating with them, to gain intelligence of such things as might conduce to their own security and the disadvantage of the foe, every day so visiting some or other of the neighbouring villages that their adversaries might be furnished with no considerable aids or supplies. By which means, & by that time the body of the assotiated forces were completed, the foxes of those burroughes would be much straightened, and the Southern parts of Hamshire (seeing their inmates awed shall be won by fear or love to hasten their assent and contributions to the said association: & perhaps before the said association is fully settled (& during which interim many disadvantages may else befall us) the enemy's quarters being some and some gained, their garrison may be taken, or well prepared for taking without a winter siege, which may else lose us more men, money and time than we would willingly spare.  
When the associated brigade is made up, he would not have it (as some have projected) kept in one or in several bodies in the several associated counties; for that (as experience hath taught us) would prove rather an oppression than a defence unto them. But he rather adviseth that they should march into those parts of Hamshire which either will not or dare not associate, leaving behind them Kont, Surry, and Sussex as secured sufficiently by Farnham: garrison, by the watch afore mentioned to be set over them, and by that readiness which the associated counties will be always in, to return upon any emergent occasion.  
By this course they shall not grieve or burden their friends by being continually billeted upon them, nor discourage or disable them in contributing to their pay. Besides, they shall by making the seat of war without the association, give the plough peaceable passage at home, disturb their adversaries reicevers and confederates abroad, and daily enlarge their own quarters. Yea by thus proceeding, the associators shall have means to augment their forces (if there be cause) with less charge: for God assisting these endeavours, the next bordering shire will shortly petition to unite itself to them to prevent being the seat of war, and so the next, and the next, till all come in.  
For that expedition he would have scouts, intelligencers, and spies chosen out by good advice from among the stoutest and most witty of the well-affected, who are of quality for such an employment, and would have them punished and disgraced for their falsehood, and rewarded for diligence, and considerable services according to their merits, that encouragements from others as well as their own consciences and interests might make them endeavour the more. For these are the nimble and sure hinges upon which their forces must move forward and backward, shut and open, as there is cause: And it is through want of these that we have been so lame in our late executions. None of these should be a common Trooper or Dragoneer, but men set apart merely for that service, because we can neither confidently rely on men casually set forth; neither can they or their horses perform such services as they ought to do, who are tired with other duties, and brought off and on, at adventure upon a sudden.  
And were he to select a Brigade of such a number as the associators have resolved on, which (as he hears) shall be 1200 horse, and 800 dragoneers, he should choose rather 800 horse, and 1200 dragoners, for that service, because horse are not only a greater charge and more hardly raised but less serviceable, and in some places and cases not serviceable at all, yea perhaps 800 horse, 800 dragoneers, and 400 musketeers may do better service than they, if in lieu of charge saved by that change, so much might be added in engines to secure a passage in galtrapes, swedes feathers, shovels, spades and pilteaxes, which three last mentioned (though now slighted) are the security of Armies and such as the most famous. Soldiers of the world made great use of.  
He mentioned somewhat also of having a certain number of fire locks in steed of muskets for night services, Ambuscadoes and other such like occasions pertinent to the same design, and of many other things, of which some are not to be revealed until there be opportunity to put them in execution, and the rest are overmany to be recited here. Of this or of some other good course to be seriously prosecuted for the strengthening of our hands the Country people desire to hear, for though an evil spirit hath long deluded them, now their eyes begin to be opened, and they do see that the King, by the contribution and personal aid of Papists from abroad, by arming Papists, Delinquents, oppressors of the people, and the most vicious of his Subjects at home (and by calling hither the barbarous Irish Baptists after their murdering of nigh an hundred and fifty thousand of his loyal Protestant Subjects in Ireland) and by some other such proceedings) will be both his own destruction and theirs if they come not in speedily to help the Lord against the mighty oppositions and machinations of those instruments of Antichrist.  
We have had lately complaineings almost out of every County, that the greatest enemies and hinderers of settling the Militia in a fit posture for the public safety, were and are some Deputy Lieutenants, and such as are authorized to order the same; and that none meet more frequently nor seem to employ themselves more zealously in that business than some of them that are most mischievous thereunto yet, this is no disparagement to those who are sincerely active therein, because there is not one of these hypocrites in any county but he is discovered, and by some passage or other observed to be what he is, though to the general damage he still 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 questioned, questioned, and continues i● employments enabling him to do new mischiefs every day for the punishment of our sins: and if any of them be now in presence while this is reading he may be soon discovered if you will but observe his looks and words; for they will evidently show that his worship's copyhold (as we say in the Country) is touched by this relation.  
I have received the like rural complaints against some Officers Committees for the sequestrations and the twentieth part, &c. and many of them are true in my own knowledge, it is said that some of them countenance the malignant's against the best affected, and most befriend the Parliament enemies in all hearings, assessments, services, & contributions; That no men are more gracious with them, than such as have most slighted and vilified the Parliament; That some of them are frequent and familiar visitants of those prisoners which were committed for taking arms against the State: That they have counselled, abetted, and assisted them (to the abuse of the Parliament Ordinances and Orders) even against those faithful servants to the King and Parliament whose houses they unmercifully plundered; and it is probably conjectured that many of them who have broken prison were by some of these Committees or their instruments assisted in▪ or toward their escapes.  
It is certified also, that they are more zealous of their own interests, and pleasing their friends and acquaintance, then of the public honour, profit, or safety; That some of them make use of those employments to satisfy their avarice some their ambition, some their pride, some their lust, some their revenge; and that it some other there is neither pity, justice or conscience it is therefore verily believed in the Country that for our sins, and by the sins of th●se our miseries are prolonged, and that if these had been delig●●● and faithful in the execution of their trust, money had come better in and the soldiers pay had not been so long deferred to the hazard of the kingdom's safety▪ yea so many good designs had not miscarried or been so slowly proceeded in, to the dishonour of the Parliament, the discouragement of her supporters, and to the strengthening of the enemies thereof. There is a petition exhibited somewhere, by many freeholders to desire both houses seriously to consider the dangerousness of such men and their practices, and to take order concerning them; or if they cannot, sire that God would.  
I have heard lately from every part of the kingdom a general applause of his Excellence the Earl of Essex, as well for many other virtues, as for his valiant and discreet managing of the late expedition to Gloucester, and the battles at Alborne and near Newberie, and am apt to believe the truth of it, in regard I have been an eyewitness & an observer of his worth in those and many other evidences of the same, yet I have no assurance either from city, Court, or) country, that an honourable opinion shall be long continued of his or any other man's heroic Virtues among the Vulgar, for they will be ready to sacrifice him to morrow, to whom they sacrificed yesterday; and be ready to vilify him upon one improbable suspicion; of whose worthiness they have had a thousand undeniable proofs.  
We hear from every quarter of the country that the kingdom is crucified between the two Armies, like Christ between two thieves; for though one of them be good in respect of the other, yet sure I am they are both thieves. Some are discontented that the army is quartered so near to the City, and fear they will be more weakened by idleness, than they were by action; and verily believe that it would be more both for their health and Accommodation, if they were farther off, and where they might more straighten the enemy's quarters, and enlarge the limits of Contribution to their own maintenance, which (no doubt) our prudent general will take care of when opportunity serves.  
We are certified from Reading that it is repossessed by the Cavees, and that they make haste to fortify the same, whereupon the opinion of the country is this, that when places of such consequence are gotten with much expense of money and blood, it were good discretion for preventing further loss and charge to secure them better when we have them; and it is thought that many citizens and others will be shortly of the same opinion; yet Mercury holds it a point of good discretion also not to censure harshly of what was left undone, or might have been better ordered in their judgements; for they that are Actors find more difficulties than the lookers on, and many times for our sins, the Divine Providence doth permit (to humble us) many failings and oversights in our actions, which else our understanding might have foreseen and prevented.  
It is voiced from the North, that the Scots have entered Northumberland with a very great army, and that the Cavees doubting their ability to resist, have projected by slanderous detractions, and by seeking to raise jealousies, and beget divisions between the Nations, to weaken their hands, and make void, if it be possible, the intended effect of their Expedition: And therefore it was advised by a plain Country-fellow, that to make such malicious plots and endeavours unsuccessful, we should believe of them as we find, and hope of their sincere dealing with us according to their Christian profession, and their noble and honest demeanour in their last Expedition, at which time their army was an exemplary pattern both to us and other Nations of that Civility and Justice which ought to be in Soldiers and Commanders professing Christ. He is liable to a severe judgement that misjudgeth his brother; but doubtless he exposeth himself to a greater condemnation that judgeth scandalously of a whole Nation, and the honesty and faithfulness of such a one is justly to be suspected.  
Now to prevent the murmurings of those seeming to be on the Parliament side, who grumble at the money which they are to receive from us towards their Expedition to neweastle, the honest country people hold it good counsel to put these murmurers in mind, First, how cold this winter may prove, and perhaps the next also, if the Collieries there be not set open to us, before a passage be made thither by Forces from this place. Secondly, how much it concerns us to have the Scots engaged with us in our Cause, as now they are: And lastly, that the money wherewith by God's help they may finish that work is not probably so much as would be required to raise, carry thither, & bring back an army sent from us to that purpose, though it should cost nothing during their abode there.  
There is cause of hope that by means of the New-great-soale which is now coming forth, Justice will have her course more freely then of late, and many mischievous designs of the King's ill Counsellors will be prevented. If it had power also to conjure down the spirit of malignancy which is raised in these I lands, and take away Faction, hypocrisy, self-love, and discord from among us, it were a qualification which I fear it hath not; yet perhaps it may be a means to further those proceedings which will much hinder their evil effects for the present, and abate, at least, the predominancy of those vices ere long.  
We are incredibly informed from Oxford, that the King had no considerable losle at the skirmish by Alborne, or at the battle near Newberie, as we have been made believe. It is true indeed, that he lost many Men and Subjects; but they are but trifles, and it is almost generally supposed (though hoped otherwise by me) things which he regards not. He lost also many good horses, as his own party doth confess; but he had them only for taking up, and hath takers enough to recrute them: He lost Lords, and a great Officer, &c. but that is a loss the least worth notice of all the rest, for they are toys, which if he please he can make of the veriest rascals in his Army; they did well therefore to give God thanks that their losses were no greater: But had they been so great on our side, we should rather have addressed ourselves unto him by way of humiliation, then have mocked him with a counterfeit Thanksgiving, as they have often done, and may now do again for their late overthrows in Lincolnshire and at Hull.  
It is further certified from Oxford, or else Mercury devized it, (which is very probable) that the Archbishop of Canterbury (hohourable in nothing but in this, that he will be the occasion of rooting out the prelacy from this Kingdom) hath made a motion that Prince Rupert (who was there Incorporated and made Master of Arts, when that little good Bishop (then dreaming not of such a change) entertained him and His majesty) might proceed Doctor, to make him the more capable of a bishopric, which it is presumed the Papists will procure the Pope's holiness to confer upon him for his good services in their Cause at his return, I know not-whither; for habitation he hath none, and that makes him so mischievous to those that have.  
It is, there, thought also by some of His majesty's servants (as our Mercury verily believeth) that the Queen will not have so many Masks at Christmas and Shrovetide this year as she was wont to have other years heretofore; because Inigo Jones cannot conveniently make such-Heavens and Paradises at Oxford as he did at Whitehall; & because the Poets are dead, beggared, or run away, who were wont in their Masks to make Gods and Goddesses of them, and shamefully to flatter them with Attributes neither fitting to be ascribed or accepted of; and some are of opinion, that this is one of the innumerable vanities which hath made them and us become so miserable at this day. We hear not yet any particulars of the late ambassador's entertainment at Oxford, but wagers may be laid that he shall hear there many lying vaunts of their valorous achievements, and untrue allegations against the Parl. for what will not they aver in private discourses, who are not ashamed to belie them in public, and to their face?  
We are informed of many strange Sermons preached every Lord's day at Court, some tending to P●perie, some to tyranny, or to the encouragement of their Auditors to a furious prosecution of this unnatural War. And we hear of as many preached in other places to as ill purposes another way: Insomuch that the well-affected country people are persuaded, that if God had not by the Parliaments wisdom and their exemplary loyalty caused those false Prophets to dissemble their secret desires, many of them (if they have not done it already) would have preached Treason, and animated to that Rebellion whereof we are falsely accused, by the promoters of tyranny, because we will not desert the reality of allegiance to profess and practise the bare compliments thereof to the destruction both of our Liege Lord, His Kingdoms, and ourselves. Other Doctrines are also vented among us by some pretending to Reformation, which all the Reformed Churches would be loath to own; and which will prolong our miseries, if the Parliament and synod (with whom they in some things comply for their present security) do not (as we hope they will) timely discover and prevent their increasing Heresies and false maxims.  
There was lately a meeting at one of our country Exchanges, where Mercury being in the chair, many particulars pertinent to the present affairs of the time were put to the Question, but what is fit to be resolved or voted thereupon, it is referred to your conscience who now shall read them. The Questions put are these:  
First, Whether the King being yet constant in the Protestant Religion, and real according to all his Protestations made before God and Man touching this Church and State, the prevalency of his Queen may not make him (contrary to his present purpose) do for a woman's sake as much as Solomon; and the flatteries and importunies of his young and evil counsellors bring him to as great a loss as Rhehoboam's: whether also he may not be permitted to slip into some failings for our sins (which drew down these judgements for our chastisement) as it befell the Israelites for David's sin: And whether he may not repent also as well as David, and be at last reconciled to God and us, to the public advantage, and his increase of honour, when we have repented our transgressions?  
Secondly, The Queen having ●o many years after her first coming enjoyed the love even of those of this Nation who are of a contrary Religion, might not then have been won to become a Daughter (nay a nursing Mother) of this Church, if she had not been left to their delusions, who (if it were possible) would deceive the very Elect; If those who had place and opportunities to have endeavoured it and (as we hear) had inducements to hope it might have been effected, had according to their duty attempted the same; And whether it is not likely that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the whole prelacy are now come to this shame, because they complied with her seducers, and rather confirmed her in an Idolatrous worship, than assayed to inform her in the right way?  
Thirdly, Whether it be possible that a King, many years honoured with evidences of Piety and Morality, could possibly proceed as he hath done, if the falsehood and impiety of his evil counsellors were not vailed over with some disguises: And whether (though he make use of them for the present necessities) he can esteem them in his private judgement bettep then Traitors or base Parasites, who having been at first zealots for the Parliament, afterward left it for the wages of Ambition: Or whether he can esteem of those, more than of a dog deserving the halter, who being first raised by His royal favour, (and long maintained by Projects and Monopolies obtained by abusing that royal Power) could desert their Advancer, and comply with the Parliament to avoid their censures; and afterward again, when they saw the Parliament eclipsed, could basely creep and insinuate back into his bosom whom they had forsaken?  
Fourthly, Protestants and Papists being so exasperated against each other, and the Papists having begun a bloody Massacre in Ireland, which the Tenets of their Religion bind them to prosecute upon all advantages) whether can they ever be so reconciled as to live securely together again in these lands so long as they continue of different Religions? And whether they will think the King out of their debt until he hath given them leave to prop●gate their Religion at their pleasure, and means to secure it in this kingdom, by power put into their hands: And if he should so do whether Truth and Peace were then likely to be settled in these kingdoms?  
Fiftly, Whether his Majesty be not, by reason, discharged from all obligations to the Papists for personal services and contributions to this war, and bound in justice to punish rather than reward them for the same, seeing he cannot but know, both by their tenets, and by those motives whereby the Queen encouraged them in her letters, that they aided him for n● respect to himself (if he be not totally theirs) but merely for their own ends; and to continue that barbarous and murderous project which they long since begun here; lately revived in Ireland, and do now prosecute throughout his majesty's dominions, for the accomplishment of our general premeditated destruction, under the false colour of serving his Majesty, and promoting his privileges?  
The last Question of theirs which I will trouble you withal is, If we suffer the policies of Antichrist, for the continuation of his mystery of iniquity thus to divide the body from the head, the King from the Parliament, the Court from the City, the City from the Country, the Nobles from the Commons, the Commons from themselves; yea to divide the Church, the State, every Province, every County, every City, every Village, every Family, and many individual persons in their own judgements, whether this be not or will not be shortly such a divided kingdom as cannot long stand without God's miraculous aid and our more serious working with him? And whether will not the children of Babel seek to repair again her decays by the ruins of our British Churches? And whether it be not required of us, (and high time for us) to be reconciled to God and to each other, that we may hasten the fullfilling of his decree concerning the whore, the malignant City, the false Prophet, the Beast; and do that to them which they purpose to us (and have already begun to do in Ireland with unexampled cruelty) even to beat or banish them, who will not forsake their abominations, out of these Islands; that Babylon may vanish, and the new Jerusalem come down amongst us? How these questions are to be voted upon, let every one consider and resolve by himself according to his discretion.  
Perchance there be some who are desirous to here what opinion we have in the Country touching the national covenant lately tendered, and perhaps also the knowledge thereof may be to some purpose. You shall hereby understand therefore, that not only all men well affected to the Parliament, but every other reasonable man also in these Counties, where this Mercury hath been, thus conceives of the said Covenant.  
First, That it tends to the strengthening of that national union which is now made betwixt us and the Scots, and the want of which was an occasion of much bloodshed in this Island many ages together.  
Secondly, That it conduceth to that unity and conformity throughout all the reformed Churches, which may by God's blessing, settle Christian peace, prevent the future increase of heresies and schisms hitherto multiplied amongst us, help to preserve truth in purity against the encroachments of popery and superstition, and further the overthrows of Antichrist. Fourthly, That it will help secure unto us our just rights and privileges, with the preservation of his majesty's person, honour and lawful prerogatives, against Traitors, Flatterers, tyrants and Oppressors. Fiftly, That it engageth us to a speedy repentance of those sins which have brought on us the present plagues; and to the amendment of our lives also for the time to come. 6. They hold it agreeable to the practice of the ancient Churches of God, who when such occasions were, made covenants to the like effect by Divine approbation, as their covenants recorded in holy writ may testify. And the opinion of those among them whose judgement is not to be despised, is this; that whosoever wilfully refuses this covenant, deserveth to be reputed an enemy to all that is good, to be chastised by all the miseries attending division and discord; and to be deprived of every good effect which it may produce hereafter; for the present, to be denied the use of those good things which they possess among us, and to be judged unworthy to continue in this land, or to partake of this air, any longer.  
Of the like opinion is this Mercury, who among many other observations in his rustic preambulations had these two, which I thought not impertinently divulged at this time: One is, that they who would seem to have the tenderest consciences in this cause betwixt the King and Parliament, and who usually colour their opposing the Parliament by pretending a conscionable obedience to all the King's commands, are they (if we may judge them by their former conversation and present course of life) who make little conscience of that, or of any sin else. As if for making no conscience of breaking such laws as were once written in their hearts, God had now justly infatuated their understanding, and left them only such a conscience, as might bring deserved chastisement on us, and confusion on themselves.  
His other observation is, that the most violent pleaders against the Parliament, and the most active malignant's among us are only such as th●se. Beggarly and ambitious Courtiers; Riotous and vicious Gentlemen; Broken Citizens; drunken innkeepers and Vintners, with their dependants, tapsters, ostlers, chamberlains and drawers: Needy Popish or debauched scholars, seeking or possessing preferment by complying with superstition or profaneness; Luxurious Gallants and Gamesters; Fencers, fiddlers and Players; Silly people led according to the capacity, folly, or frenzy of their Kindred, Familiars, Masters, landlords, or of the neighbouring Justices, or unsound Parliament members malignantly affected; good-fellows and pot companions, who confirm each other in their malignancy on the alebench, and wonderfully strengthen their cause by drinking healths to Prince Rupert, and confusion to the Parliament, while horrible oaths and imprecations are shot off, Libertines that fear the change of Church discipline will abridge their pleasures; projectors, and Monopolizers whose livelihood is taken away, if injustice and oppression may not continue; Papists, Atheists, Prelates and their, &c. yea it is observed (though I would be loath to be author of it) that among those women which are zealots of the Cavallerro way (which many of them favour for divers carnal respects) none are such pert and violent Oratresses for it, as they who are either known, or justly suspected, to be little whorish. To these if you add a wandering Prince or two, some Lords (and such Commanders as become these Regiments) you have that mass, out of which you may marshal up that Army which opposeth our King and Parliament.  
We are certified that some are much troubled to perceive so many men, who are learned, seemingly honest, wise, religious and conscionable of the right way, and of those things which tend to the glory of God, the peace of their country, and the prevention of Antichristian designs, should now be questioned as Apostatizers and fallers away from their first love and profession, in this time of trial, and of our great need of their assistance, & exemplary constancy. Therefore to comfort them, & strengthen their faiths, we do here give notice of two observations that a Country man (who hath heretofore rightly conjectured things pertinent to these times) hath lately made: one is an assurance that this falling away of men, star-like for their eminency, is no strange or unexpected novelty, but a fulfilling in part of that mystical prediction by which we were long since forewarned, that the dragon's tail should draw down stars from Heaven; For there is nothing now left of that Beast (in comparison of what he was) but the tail. And (as Serpents usually do when a mortal wound is received) the tail wriggles about so furiously that it strikes down those from their spheres, who, being but Meteors, eemed stars in this lower heaven, the military kingdom of Christ on earth.  
The other note is this; He hath observed that all the marks by which the Prophet David marked out his enemies, and the malicious enemies of God and his Church from other sinners, are undoubtedly now found upon the adversaries of this Church and State, confederated together in these kingdoms; whether you have respect to their practices, their qual●ties, their purposes, or their languages as would appear if I should here insert the several texts expressing their tyrannies, their impudent wickedness, their haughtiness, their scoffs, their scorns, their insolences, their blood-thirstines, their oppressions, their treachery, their blasphemy, their lyings, their cursings, their slanders, their prepartions for war and hostile attempts when they are in Treaties of Peace, their drunken songs, their impious and derisory Intergatories concerning our God, his promises, our trust, our hopes in him, our fastings, our prayers, and other Christian duties, and such like. And I was moved here to divulge this for glad tidings, That though for our chastisement these may persecute and exercise our patience for a while, yet they shall at last receive the portion, and come to the destruction prepared for such offenders.  
More of these things I could tell you out of the country, but I have other business. Here is more than I first intended, and more, I fear, than some of you will either thank me for, or make a right use of. If ever you hear of me in this kind again, (which I will not promise) it shall be but once more, as occasion is offered; and, I will be Mercurius Sublimatus, at least above the clouds; and then farewell.  
FINIS.