AN encouragement TO war OR, bellum PARLIAMENTALE▪ Showing The unlawfulness of the late Bellum Episcopale. As also the justness of this present Expedition for the defence of the Kingdom. With the illegal, Rebellious, traitorous, Barbarous, and bloody proceedings and Intentions of the Cavaliers. Lately published at the request of a Friend, by John W●●d Trooper under the E●● of 〈…〉 ford, Bellum Parliamentale Bellum Episcopale Th' 〈…〉 winds and as the 〈…〉 carri●● away. Job 〈…〉 Quadra Senatus. Nitimur in Votitum sed quo rapit impetus aureo Pellimur haud valleat niti fugimusque retrorsum. TO HIS worthy AND much ESTEEMED GOOD Friends, Mr. John Millington, Mr. Peter Goodwin, and Mr. Samuel Clark. Sirs, THough I be already much obliged unto you, for former kindness, and am like to remain so engaged: My Lot being so like a blank, in respect of outward abilities, that I am unable for the present, to return you a only a verbal satisfaction. Yet I beseech you to let me run so much further in your debt, as to be pleased to show my Infant Muse, that favour, as to read over these few of her childish expressions, (she being yet in the lowest form) and to speak mildly of them; that so she may with the more celerity, march to the head of this Ages Helicon. Which when she shall once attain, (assisted by your favour) she shall never care for the hardest censure, that any of Zoylus Faction can pass upon her: but shall be grateful to you, and remain, Yours, J.W. AN encouragement TO war. WHat odds is twixt this Breach? and that late plot, Laid by the Prelates 'gainst the harmless Scot, What difference I say? is't not the same In its Effect? save't hath another name? That done by Popish Prelates: but this bears The name of Popish lawless, Cavaliers. That only 'gainst the Scot, but this is made Th' English, Scottish, Irish, Liberties t'invade At once: and strike the parliamental power Of the three Kingdoms dead, (even in an hour) That power whereby the freedom of these Lands In their perfection, strength, and union stands. And which once lost, we all must presently Turn to that old Egyptian slavery. What could the Prelates than aspire unto, That Cavaliers, now'll not attempt to do? Was not the quarrel then, and now all one? The aims of both, 'gainst true Religion. Did not the Prelates then (as these do now) Persuade the King, the Scots would overthrow His just Prerogative: because they would Not by their Romish power be controlled. Because they would not (as the Scripture saith) Make them as Lords, and Rulers, of their Faith? And did they not in our dread sovereign's name, As Rebels, all the Covenanters proclaim? Cause their heroic Spirits would not yield The episcopal Liturgy the field. And (though free born) cause they would not consent To slavery: far worse than Banishment. And in a word, because they would not be Enthralled to that hard yoke of Popery. And do not these French prosolites endeavour. To make divisions that may last for ever Twixt King and Subject? Misinterpreting All Messages that pass betwixt the King And his great council: Making such construction Of grave advice, as needs must bring destruction. And though they understand the sense of Laws, Yet cause themselves have broke them; and because Th'intend to live as outlaws: and as men That never mean to live by Law again. Therefore they wrest them from their proper sense, Stamp them with false interpretations: whence (The King being once postest therewith) proceeds Such fears and threats of civil hostile deeds. Hence 'tis so many fruitless words are spent In vain betwixt the King and Parliament. Hence 'tis the king declares the Law to have Another sense than Parliament conceive: Hence 'tis so many slight and so contemn The Parliament: and speak so base of them And their proceedings: hence the misery Of England doth most necessarily Its pedigree derive: and till Misprisions Disunions, Alienations, and Divisions Twixt king and Parliament united be: And right constructions made yea till we see These spirits of division, severed from His majesty: and quite cashiered and gone. England will not be England, but will be, And so remain, Babel perpetually. But when these base Malignant spirits are (Through God's free mercy, and the tender care Of our good Parliament) scattered, dispersed, As those were that for Scottish blood did thirst. When th'head of that same serpent's brood is broke, And their deceitful Projects want a cloak, To carry their hid poison in, and when The Prelates lordliness is laid again As low as when it first began to spring 'Twards that Exorbitancy that 'twas in, Till these few months last past, yea when the Land Shall freely, stoutly, valiantly stand In every part from Beersheba to Dan, United in their Members, as one Man. For Christ, and for the Gospel, and for all Just Rights and privileges both great and small, For our dread sovereign's just Prerogative: Neither to add thereto, or to deprive Him of a hair that's due to him: (the one Is to detract from him that wears the Crown: The other wrongs the Subject) and likewise For privilege of Parley: Th' Liberties And Rights of Subjects. And to stand unto Each promise made in our late solemn Vow; (Which he tha● does refuse, O let him be For evermore Anathema (for me) Then shall our British Island that hath been The Receptacle, yea the common inn Where all Idolatry, and Superstition, Profaneness, armenism, and Sedition. Atheisme, Oppression, Blood, and cruelty, Extortion, Persecution, bribery, Excess, Oaths, Blasphemy, and every sin, With great applause hath been persisted in. Be as the Holy Land: like Israel The people shall be blessed, that therein dwell. This City shall be like Jerusalem, Each town, like Zion fair; And as for them That dwell in country Villages, they shall Them Christ's beloved, Redeemed people call. Then shall Rome's pride abate, then shall the three Distempered Kingdoms be at unity. Then shall we praise our God, and serve our King Unanimously: without murmuring. When these Sanballets and Tobiah'ss, shall (Enforced thereto) let us build up the wall Of our own peace and safety, and shall say That a more just and honourable way Then settling the Militia cannot be Thought on, t'advance Britain's prosperity, And their destruction, which already they Know to be true, and therefore plots they lay To cross it: but I trust shall never be Of such considerable ability, To perfect their Intentions; for where e'er Hushais good counsel is received, even there Achitophel's rejected is, and then We know the common end of such wise men. But since it is our present misery By such lewd sons of violence to be Opposed and maligned, yea since it is To question parliamental privileges: Their chief endeavour, yea and to disdain And scorn that power that in them doth remain: And scoff at their proceedings, as they were Objects too base for them to flout and jeer. And since there's left for us no other way, Our God, our King, our liberties t'enjoy: But all hopes else are fled, and they alone Next under God, (or surely we have none) Are left to be a means to bring this (late Apostate) Land to a reform estate. O then let every one that knows the prize And worth of such a Parliament, be wise, And not discert them; But let every one Call former Racks and Impositions Into their memory: O let them call Those Popish Rites and Innovations all, That burdened many a conscience to their mind, And seriously search if they cannot find Their spirits greatly eased; and than consider So many unjust Courts cast down together, (The vastness of whose arbitrary power Did many a loyal Subjects state devour, And spoil them of their Liberties) which we Without a Parliaments authority Had ne'er attained: and call to mind the cause Why they were called: wast not because the Laws Were trampled on? When all things out of order Were rudely cast on every several border Throughout the Kingdom: and when civil war Did threat our former (Slighted) peace to mar. Had they not been, our freedoms, lives, estates Had been a prey to Popish Runagates. And think upon the call that brought them hither, To sit so long a time in parley together. When all the Kingdom was distracted so, God moved the Lords, they to the King did go, In humble manner him petitioning, That heed convoke a Parliament, to bring An end to these distempers, and possessed Him, with the justice of this their Request. And furthermore advised his Majesty, That that alone would work an unity. Or else confusion would straight way step in, And all to ruin and destruction bring. The King approved and granted their Petition, Called for a Parley with all expedition; To settle peace betwixt the Lands divided, And t'have things controverted and decided Twixt King and Subject; that exactions might Be eased, that long against all Law and right, Have been imposed; and that Religion So long exposed unto derision, Might have just vindication 'gainst all those That have been known to be her godless foes. We see the cause then why the Parliament Was called together, and for what intent: Their call st●n●s good in point o● Law we see, From God, and Man, King, Peers and commonalty. So's their continuance too, the King hath sealed Their sitting: which is not to be repealed: Till Church and State have past and overcome These Agu●s, fevers, and Consumptions; That make them sick to death: When these are cured, The Court may be adjourned: yet they assured, They have discharged their duties, and the Land Shall evermore to them obliged stand For their good service: and all thought to be Too mean to answer their fidelity. Let these considerations work upon Th'affections and desires of every one, That do desire to lead a Christian life, And to live free from civil wars and strife. Or that desire that wholesome Law should be The Rule whereby to judge indifferently. As they their God, Laws, King, selves, Liberties, Wives children, country, and their substance prize; Or any thing that unto them is dear, I'th' City, or i'th' Field, or anywhere: O let them stand courageously for those That have stood so for them against their Foes. Have not our Worthies for us sacrificed Lives, Honours, States (and what so highly prized) For our enlargement? What conspiracies, devices, plots, and Hell-hatch policies, By Jesuits and Papists have been laid, (And all to have their good proceedings stayed) Against their lives what threats have been belched out Against them by that superstitious Rout. What scandalous aspersions have been cast, And what gross censures vulgarly have past, Their candid Reputations to bespot With some pretended ignomimous blot: As if they traitorously should undermine Our government politic and Divine: And set an Arbitrary Course of power, To wrong the King in's right, and to devote The Subjects state, and overthrow the right Of King and Subject by their (Lawless) might. How have our Anti-sabbatists, and those Arminian sots (true Reformations foes) In our corrupted Springs of Litterature, And at our inns of Court, and (I am sure) In many other places, (though of late theyare grown more wary) in their common prate, Spoke ill of Reformation, and all such Ith' Parliament, that stand for it so much. Yea, how have they by every rustic swain, And Ignoramus, (that can scarce speak plain And tolerable English;) been defamed Miscallde, abused, and barbarously nick-namde: If any shall presume to say, I lie, I'll bring the world this truth to testify; For scarce is there that city, town, or place, Where some have not endeavoured their disgrace: Nor is't unknown t'th' Houses, for themselves Hear of the rude behaviour of these Elves, By Information, and perhaps the times May come when such may answer for their crimes. But yet, have they been daunted? or dismayed? At what these envious Spirits did or said? Have they given o'er the work they had in hand, Can any say, that slavishly they stand, In fear of any? No: whose there? will say; He that dares rouse a lion from his Prey? And force wild Beasts, to fly from den to den, And fright them, that they dare not turn again: Fears any Colours? Who can say of them, That worthily have played the parts of men, Of noble Spirits: but that they should be, Spoke of with honour, thought of reverently. They have not flinched a step out of the way, Although these curs have held them at a bay; But (as the spiritful Horse no notice takes Of the shrill noise that every mongrel makes) Have in their pious course persisted still, Promoting good, not fearing any ill. So let them still proceed, till they have run The race of Reformation, that's begun; So let the Spirit of grace and wisdom be, Redoubled on their heads in each degree; So let their courage be increased, and so Let them Rome's power (in England) overthrow; So let their legal Orders be obeyed, And all their black-mouthed enemies destroyed: So let the Lord of hosts himself as he In all things hath been with them formerly; So finish what's begun; and though their foes Be twenty times in number, more than those That came against King Asa; let the same Dismal destruction than overcame Those Egyptian Nigers, seize upon These bloody minded villains every one. And if no other way, to public peace Be found, but civil war; or we must cease To be a privileged people; and must yield Base tyrannising Cavileers the field, Without resistance; and like conquered slaves, Crouch to their yoke (Outlaws and bankrupt knave:) Whose mercies are but Heathenish cruelties, And their best acts murders and robberies. O then Great Britain (Everywhere) be ready, To oppose such deeds so tyrannous and heady, Assemble all your strength with joint consent, To fight for God, the King, and Parliament. 'tis time ye Western Counties (that have been So backward, and remiss) now to begin To stand upon your guard, (now ye are made The seat of war) O let it not be said, Amongst those rebels, that your slackness lost The Victory, and so much blood hath cost. As may be shed in such a civil war: Meet them i'th' face, and drive them back as far As they can fly for Sea; and when they can Shun you no farther, cast them every man Into the Ocean: Or if she disdain Such base degenerate Spirits t' entertain; As Britain hath spude out: O then to show How unworthily they got the overthrow; And how unworthy they themselves have made, As not to get room t'have their corpse laid In British ground: Let them on Gibbets hang Till th'aiery fowls consume them every one. And as for those that by the Sword shall fall, Let none of them obtain a Grave at all; Let dogs and ravenous Wolves (if such were here) And Vermin with their entrails make them cheer, Until their paunches burst, that so the guilt Of all the causeless blood that hath been spile, May be took off, and may no longer stand, Upon the general score of all the Land. Th'almighty will destroy them certainly Before us, if we be not backwardly And fearful to oppose them, God hath quite Forsaken them; yet he for us will fight, If we will fight for him: These are the times When God will visit Rome for all the crimes She hath committed, since the Brothers twain, Strove which the regal Power should obtain. Now must must they pay for all the Christian blood, That for almost two thousand years they shed; Now must they pay for all their blasphemies, Their oaths, their curses, and Idolatries: This is the time that all the Popish powers, Must be exiled this English Coast of ours; This is the time wherein the Lord hath said, Babel is fallen, ●uinde, and destroyed: This is the time wherein that Whore of Rome, Must to perpetual desolation come: And God hath made us instruments, whereby To bring to pass that ancient prophecy. Therefore may we return glory and praise, And honour to his Name, that in these days; These hard and Iron days hath honoured us To be his people, fight his Battles thus: Who when all power, authority, and hope Of any good, was frustrate, void, and broke; Reviude our drooping Spitus, and translated The ruledom of the State, from such as hated Justice and Right▪ to such as are ambitious To honour good men, and correct the vicious, And hath infused a Spirit of life and power, Into these liveless catcasles of our▪ And hath stirred up the body of our Nation, To speak for, stand for, fight for Reformation, Against a crew of rebel Cavileers, Composed of Popish and Arminian heiress Whose maxims, are the blood of Kings to shed, And then affirmeed a meritorious deed. Whose purer Language is in pieces small, To tear Christ's body, blood, heart, nails and all; With horrid Oaths, and fearful Imprecations, Provoking God to hasten their damnations▪ Whose best expressions are to breathe out threats; Whose perjurde practice is to break all threats; T'abolish laws, and bring poor people under Their slavish yoke, (or the Popes dreadfull● blnders) Our Ancestors, did long desire to see These times, and yet could not permitted be; Yet did rejoice to think that bloody Rome, Should once to final desolation come. What they esteemed therefore of such weight, (Though in reversion) lets not rudely slight, That see it now approaching, 'tis no small Nor common mercy to see Babel's fall. Such fair occasion comes not every day, To right ourselves; let's do it whilst we may: For now both heaven and earth together joins, To purge the base corruptions of these times. Occasions bald behind, time once past over, Not all the Indian gold can ere recover. Then you the Thousands of our Judah, go Sheath all your Swords i'th' bowels of your foe; Be clothed with Valour, let your resolution Be bent to bring all traitors to confusion; Let not fair words entice you, but let fly As thick as hail, 'gainst such an enemy: Break thorough their guilty ranks, and overthrow That commonwealth of rebels at a blow. That that vast treasure they so long a time Have whorded up, to use in this design: And all the arms they have so slily got, And kept so close as if they had them not: Their Horses, pistols, Swords, and Carabines, Their Muskets, Pikes, Callivers. Magazines Of Powder, Shot, and Bullets; and what ere From France, or Spain, or from the Hollander, Hath been transported hither, to help out To ruin us at such a civil bout. We as our due may seize on for a prey, When they be slain (or run for fear away; That the surviving part may once again, Their freedoms, laws, and Liberties obtain. That when this corrupt generation shall, Be cut by heavens bright Sword of Justice all: The next ensuing age, may quite forget, And scorn those rites that we admire at yet; And may set up the true Discipline and Order, Of Jesus Christ in every British border. Now you whose forward Spirits countrymen, Affect the justness of our cause, yet when You hear that odious name of Cavalier Opposing you; that mazes you with fear; That traitorous, bloody, branded name, casts down Your drooping Spirits equal to the ground; So that for fear of such an Impious crew, Y' had rather (shave) like part from all your dues, And privilege, then seek how to obtain Your freedoms, laws, and Liberties again. Y' had rather lose all that you do possess, Then take up lawful arms to seek redress. How plainly do such Cowards show to be, Given up to base pusillanimity: Scorn then to be afraid of such a name, Which unto them is but a brand of shame, And not of honour: Can a worthless name Crown them with glory, or our deeds with shame Think you? Shall arrogated Titles make You such a just and pious cause forsake? Can painted shows, true substances exceed? Can liveless Statues do a manly deed? Or does the Spirit of Valour rest on them, Because base swearing domineering men? Y' are all deceived, the valiant man is, that Hath fewest sins to be affrighted at; T'rue soldiers, will ne'er use violence, Nor fight but to secure their conscience; Thy are no profane swearers, nor will curse Or ban, when things are bad, to make them worse: Nor will they cry, God damn them, or them sink, Nor overcharge themselves with too much drink. Nor will they civil war seek to prefer, In hopes that they may all prove conquerors; But do abhor all Motions that may lead To the execution of so base a deed. But being once debarred their proper right: And finding that their liberties, by might Are torn in pieces, and their freedoms made A life of bondage, though they have assaude All ways for their enlargement; do prepare Unwillingly to tight themselves by war, 'Gainst their injurious enemies: which shows Our preparation 'gainst mad-capped foes, Is upright, just, and legal: cause we stand To hold up the foundation of the Land From sudden ruin: and to fortify Our laws against the rage of tyranny. Our preparation for a civil war, Is to keep the body from a mortal scar, By taking off some pieces of proud flesh, Which will in time her miseries increase; And cause her death if let a while alone, But help her health if once cut off and gone. Our Parliament this legal war begins, To cut off some superfluous useless limbs; Whose preter natural vigour being infused Through every part, hath every part abused With monstrous principles, such as were ne'er Affoote (I think) in any place but here. And drawn the Subjects of our English Nation, T'admit a change, t'admit an alteration Of Government, as well divine as civil, (A violent Floodgate to let in all evil.) This likewise doth demonstrate unto you, The desperate madness of our envious foe; Who like distracted Bedlams run about, Their own and others' ruin to seek out. These damned Cavaliers, and all what ere They be that help them out of love or fear It shows the base unworthiness of those, That to their country prove such mortal fo●s; O what Malignant Spirits them possess, That they envy their country's happiness! What Empire, kingdom age, or generation, Since Babel's rise, or since 〈◊〉 world's foundation, Can show the like, that ever England should Nurse up a sort of men, that if they could Would cut poor England's throat: was't ever known That any people did envy their own Prosperity? Sure no: yet England hath Foster such hideous Monsters, that would bathe Their swords in friends, kindred, and neighbour's blood, Till down the fields there run a crimson flood. What judgements this great Britain? that thy walls And streets are filled with such rude cannibals, That throw out all thy Courts, Errinnis fell, That cruel, fierce and hellish Fiend doth dwell? Thy sins are sure unparrallelled, which makes Thy judgements peerless, for their odious sakes: Fire, pestilence, and war, and many more Inferior judgements, waste thy kingdom sore. What's to be done? to quit us of this grief, Since we have been so long without relief. Thou must return from thine apostasies, Thy superstitions and Idolatries: And down before thy Maker in the name Of his dear son (that on him took the blame Of all thy sins) thy Saviour, thou must fall, Desiring him to free thee from them all, And show thee mercy: and especially Invoke him now again, thine enemy, Beseech him to vouchsafe his helping hand, This one time more to this distressed Land, And let him know, if he'll be pleased, to give Thee victory, he shall much praise receive. And add to this thy martial strength and force Of Muskets, Pikes, Swords, Pistols, men and horse, And all munition else, what ere it be That may annoy thy vaunting enemy: And he that hath preserved thee hitherto, Both teach thee and direct thee what to do. But specially, O Gloustershire, improve My counsel; 'tis a pledge of native love, Go muster up your Volunteers, whose number May strike your damned Foe with dread and wonder. ●uksbury. And thou my native* Town especially, Whom I respect, that hast been backwardly In this defensive service stir thee now, Make it appear that thou hast paid thy vow. Where are the scores of Horse, thou hast set forth, To answer thy external shows and worth? Where are thy voluntary youths, that dare Defend their country in this civil war? Some two or three are gone indeed, but they Were fain (Courageously) to steal away Unknown, lest if they should themselves disclose, Thy male-affected would account them foes, And them discourage; yea, since our adieu, They have maligned us with reports untrue. But I forgive them: and do thee advise, As for thy private good thou wouldst be wise, (If public good thou slight''st) that thou'dst but make Inferior towns thy precedent, and take Them for a pattern: here, as little towns As are the least that coast upon thy bounds, Have set forth fifty Horse: Young men and maids Of all sorts, as theyare able, lend their aids, Some six pence, twelve pence some, as they are willing And stored, some five, some ten, some twenty shilling; Or more, or less, as God hath blessed them With means, and hearts to part from it again, Up therefore quickly, be not like the drone That eats up others' sweetness, but gets none, If nothing but dead trading might persuade To this, that might in common sense be made A motive to stir up the drownest heart, From somewhat towards this great design to part: For be assure that till the kingdom 〈◊〉 Reduced to perfect peace and unity, And freed from civil war, your trading shall Continually decay, not mend at all. And this methinks should stir up every place To do the like, because it is the case Of all the kingdom; For my part, had I A thousand lives, and for each life, lying by A thousand pound (which are above my sphere, I'd hazard all to free the State from fear. But some there be will say, do what I can, These ravenous vultures will not wrong a man Alas, say they, here's great mistrusts and fears, Where needs not any of the Cavaliers, Alas good men, they do no hurt, they strive For nothing but the King's Prerogative: They be religious men, and they will go To Church as well as other people do: And speak as well as most men in the town, Where e'er they live, few men can put them down. And shall we fight against them (God forbid) Shall we do what good Subjects never did? Make war against the King: we'll rather do The servil'st work he shall command us to, Is it not better give the King his way, In settling the Commission of Array, And to be peaceful: Then to have the Land In a perpetual combustion stand? Alas poor silly gu●les, that neither see Nor understand th'approaching misery, That such as they have brought upon us all, If by the Sword of civil war we fall: These men given up to slavish fear, have brought Themselves and us and all the Land to nought. Did these but apprehend at ●●far dear rates Our Ancestors, our freedoms and Estates For us have purchased? What a world of pains They undertook, that we might reap the gains: What sums they paid; With what great industry, Th'obtained our Suffrages, and liberty: Sure then they would not be so easily won To part from them (as many have begun) Who Edom-like have for a mess of broth Sold birthright, freedom, substance, faith and troth. Did such but know experimentally The value of the freedom they enjoy; Had they but noble spirits; they would scorn To live in slavery, that were free born. But rather choose to die a noble death, Then to live here ignobly underneath The feet of tyranny: For when our Laws Are changed: and when our liberty withdraws, Straight every upstart scoundrill will out-braves, And English States shall live like Turkish slaves. As for the carriage of the Cavaliers, Their tyranny and wickedness appears So gross, and palpable, that it will be But needless labour, and time lost for me Their rude and barbarous actions to repeat; Their robberies and murders are so great In Yorkshire, Leicestershire, at Coventry: Northamptonshire, Bath, Portsmouth, Banbury, And superstitious Oxford, that was glad At their first entrance; but are since grown sad, To see their rude behaviour, and what preys They make of all things that fall in their ways. And now 'tis scarce unknown to any Nation, That Papists have a general dispensation From their unholy Father; and they may Now go to Church, and hear Don Bletro say His Enigmattick Legend and may hear A temporizing Sermon without fear, So they advance his work: and do their bests Through Europe to set up his papal hests. Which now are falling down, and those that be Church Papists, as men term them certainly Are out most dangerous enemies; and do Oppose, malign and undermine us too. If any Ignoramus yet there be, That will not his own privileges see, Nor will retain them: But will side with those That are both Gods, the Kings, and country's foes, And will of such proceedings brag and vaunt, Let them I say remain still ignorant. Let the Concomitants of such a war Attend them; and let them wax worse by far, Till God hath finished his good work, upon This Land, and brought them to confusion. Now little book fly on the wings of fame, As far beyond the place from whence I came As it is thither: that both North and South, And all the winds may have thee in their mouth, And take thy counsel: that from Cornwell and From th'utmost limits of Northumberland, And Durham: yea from Dover in the East, To th'utmost bounds of Chester in the West, Thou mayest have audience: that our Heroes may Muster their Forces 'gainst that fatal day. Grave Essex the chief Leader of us all, And Bedford our Lieutenant general, Not all the Roman States can make us fear, Nor the great Turk himself if he were here. Our Cause is just, therefore though thousands die, We are confident to get the victory. It is credibly affirmed that the Cavaliers do usually drink this wicked and blasphemous health, viz. 1. A Health to his majesty by whom we live, move, and have our being. 2 A Health to the Confusion of Pym, his 〈◊〉 and his Gospel. FINIS.