An Answer to Mercurius Aulicus: OR, His Communicated Intelligence from The Court to the rest of the Kingdom: Faithfully trased through, to undisceive those who love the truth.  
The forty ninth week, ending December. 9  
MErcurius, To make us take him for a Courtier, styles himself Aulicus, that is of the Court, but his Actions proves him an Auleticus, that is, Good for nothing but to make a Pipe on, So that we have his name but by a figure, and in stood of a Message (which Office he professeth) by his lies, (Piper like) he makes himself only a spot, to deceive the Kingdom by his alluring tongue.  
But he forgets, or is ashamed to tell us why he lies in a sheet and a half this cold weather: But if your Mistress want , give her the t'other half too (Auleticus) the Plunderers know very well that you kill more in your sheet, than they do in the Field.  
Auleticus tells us that his Majesty according to his wont goodness, did set out a Proclamation Decemb. 1. That if any were found to rob or take away any horse or Cattle, or other goods whatsoever ☞ without Authority, or that they cannot produce any Authentic pass under the ☟ hand and Seal of the Colonel etc. they should be apprehended, and tried by a Counsel of War; why Auleticus, for his Majesty's wont goodness, we are very sorry that the bloody Cavaliers should abuse it, an● keep his Majesty from us; And the very same day that this Proclamation came out, the Soldiers of your Army were much offended, and would not be appeased until by another Proclamation (which was granted the very same day) it was certified, that the Counties of Oxford, Berks, and Wilts, were content rather to pay weekly sums, than (as they have done hitherto) endure the robberies, and insolent cruelties of their plundering.  
He calls the two Houses of Parliament ☞ pretended Houses of Lords and Commons, whose sitting is confirmed by an Act from his Majesty under the great Seal. Auleticus do you think that we are so mad to disert them to adhere to your Counsels of Priests, Friars, and Jesuits? what though you think these to be a jure Divino, we hold the sitting of the Parliament to be according to Law.  
He tells us of differences between the two Houses, and that the House of Commons would not consent to the House of Lords for Treating with the French Ambassador; But the Piping Mercury plays a false tune, both Houses are very ready and willing to Treat with him in a Legal and Honourable way, and accordingly have proceeded. It was your factious Lords at Oxford that have hitherto laboured to hinder the Treaty for Peace, that was so violent to tear the first Propositions for fear that his Majesty and the Parliament should agree. The Ambassador was very angry when he roused up Cottington out of the Embers of the Spanish fire.  
He tells us that Colonel Long deserves to be Register of the Chancery, because he hath been a Rebel; But Auleticus you are mistaken, for though you was made Register to the Prelates at Oxford because you broke out of the Gaol at London; yet the reason why Colonel Long is respected, is, for that he is a good Protestant, and an honest man.  
He tells us a story of the gold Oar that came in the Guinea ship that was taken, and enquiry to be made after some malignants that were owners thereof, why let me tell you (goodman piper) this is but dull music at Oxford but test yourself, satised we shall employ it to better purpose, than Captain Cr●spe employed his treasury. But Colonel Massey had like to have called him to account, for if his mistress had not showed him a private way to fly out at Cicitcr. Now in one thing to (give the Piper his due) Auleticus speaks truth, That the Earl of Warickae deserves to have his Commission enlarged, because he is so good and loyal. But he tells us that the seeking of Reformation hath brought us to visible wants, and that a dearth is at hand. Just as Dudley the great Cavalier, a common highway man said of his linen at his Inn, at Saint Alban's, which he had taken to wrap his stolen plate in, O saith he to his fellow thiefs, If that be washed we are all undone, we are all dead men, and such a terror doth Reformation strike into the hearts of the lawless Cavaliers.  
He tells us a large story of some difference between the Earl of Denbigh, and Colonel Barker, and Colonel Purfey: But let me tell you Auleticus, you are much deceived in your news: For the Earl of Denbigh, and Colonel Barker are unanimously agreed to join with Colonel Purfey. And if Prince Rubert march that way, they may chance make him leap over as many hedges as he did before to make an escape. Indeed we heard from Oxford, that when the Lord Lowden was called for, some said it was illegal to use a messenger so, as he hath been, which had like to have caused a mutiny to the purpose: and therefore he was sent away to Bristol, where he remains close prisoner.  
He tells us that his Excellency, and Sir William Waller strive for speedy pay, and puts us in mind of Newberry and Basing-House. Auleticus, His Excellency, and Sir William Waller do both scorn to rob the poor Country people for want of pay; as the Cavaliers do: or your Ladies pay in the Camp with the P—. But honestly, godlily and legally, And it is upon account what the Cavaliers received from his Excellency at Newberry: who paid them so well, that they reported at Oxford, they thought th●y had fought against ☞ devil's by reason of the fury of his Excellencies valiant Soldiers, and had the Westminster men stood to it at Basin, Sir William Waller would have paid himself out of the house. And he can give an account of the Lord Salt an and others, besides the Amazonians, concerning what design: besides what hath happened since, concerning which; Because (Auleticus) you say we had some great expectation of Sir William waller's future success, concerning which we can give you an account already of forty prisoners taken at Farnham fight: where you and your dead, the most of them were kept from our knowledge: but the pretended Lord Hopton was in such a fright; that he fled for it, and his Army after him; for which he hath since received a check from Oxford, nay more than this, there is between 7. and 800. with their Colonels, Captains, Ensigns, and other Officers all save the Lord Craford, and some few, that narrowly escaped, all taken at Alton by Sir william, besides 40. slain there of the Best soldiers Hopton hath, oh Auleticus, your Organist at Oxford will play this tune very base.  
He tells us that the people are very backward to be pressed in Essex, Surrey, & Kent; But this is an impudent lie, for in all places they have raised great strength to keep the Cavaliers out of those parts. And yet Auleticus is so audacious as to say, that they do kill and hang those that will not go along with them; Indeed your own field Marshal, Hopton, sent out such a Warrant which cost some of the poor men their lives, which for that purpose were driven before them to Arundel house.  
He tells us of some disagreement about the Recru●ing of his Excellency's Army; Auleticus, his Excellency intends to leave a Garrison at Newport Pannell, and to secure those parts where he is with sufficient strength, and you are like to hear from him before the Lord Craford in the West, or the Earl of Newcastle in the North, or your bloody General Prince Rupert be Recruted; whose dead pay, and plunder have ☞ conveyed away too much plate and Jewels beyond Sea. ☞ A strange way to Recrute the Palatinate.  
On Thursday morning the first of all, falls a railing against Captain Terrell, Master Greenevill, Captain Phips, and Captain Pollarded in Buckinghamshire, and to no purpose at all; but like the Prelates in their private Conventicle at Oxford resolve upon the Business that it must of necessity be taught in all pulpits; that the Parliament and all good Protestants ☞ must be railed against by reproaches, or else Popery will never be established. And for the Excise you tell us of (Auleticus) you see what a just and equal way the Parliament take for money.  
He tells us that the Chilterne parts have raised Forces to defend the Country from both parts: He means the Papists and Prelates; For when Prince Rupert sent privately into that Country, he had an answer to the purpose; and the very women, and maids being sensible of their wickedness in places where they come, will rather fight themselves to the last drop of blood in their body, than to expose themselves to be Ravished and spoiled by the Cavaliers.  
And (Auleticus) relates as very a piece of nonsense for News as ever was written; That some of the Earl of Essex Forces, all or most part of them Dutch Walloons and French in Hartfordshire are a scourge to those parts; Well Auleticus, we grant there is Foreigners in his Excellency's Army, but they are Protestants; there is no Taffes, nor Oneales', nor La Vives, nor Signior Corges that ☞ bring their Commission from Rome with them, with a promise to be Canonised for Saints by acting for the continuing of these wars, as one writ from beyond Sea to the Lord Digby, that if the King harkened to a peace, all their pl●●● were spoilt.  
He tells us that about Chesham they are very weary of the Earl of Essex, because they are forced to bring his Soldiers in so much provision; No Auleticus you play false music, they have sent the Army a Letter of thanks for preserving them from being plundered by Prince Rupert, and are very desirous that his Excellency would not leave them without sufficient Garrisons to keep out the Cavaliers; and whereas you tell us that the trained bands are ready to leave Sir William Waller; you are much deceived, for they have given a testimony to the contrary at Alton, where their valour deserves a Trophy of perpetual praise, and other Trained Bands are ready to relieve them, as themselves to be refreshed; but I doubt not but Sir Edward Deering hath told his tale at Oxford by this, and how much the Cavaliers under Hopton are out of heart.  
Auleticus makes himself music with the fancy of a great Victory at Howarden Castle in Cheshire, which is a place where Sir William Brereton had been with some of his Army, but since so many came out of Ireland, he left it as nothing at all advantageous unto him, and Colonel Earnley hath since possessed himself of it; yet Auleticus tells us they took 2 Drakes, sure it was some Ducks swimming in the pond, and he saith the Cavaliers took 100 Arms, he means 100 Irish women in their arms, he speaks much by figures, especially the middle to be sub intelligitur. And then he tells us of more coming from Ireland, the more is the pity, for by this means the Protestants there are used with the more cruelty, the Papists increase in strength, & that the Kingdom is in the more danger to be surprised by the ☞ Spaniard, and further we are in England from peace. He tells us a story of an house that was fired at Kingston in Surry Auleticus, you might have held your tongue there for shame, for whereas there was a Parry in these parts, which were absolute Caveleeres that lay gaping for some rebels, to raise them an head, but saw little hopes to find it, because the country was raising of forces to keep out the Cavaliers, and seeing themselves in some danger, began to mutiny rob and plunder, endeavoured to have fired the Town, and so to fly away, but some of them are taken and in Prison: and the rest I fled to Oxford.  
Saturday he gins with lamentation, for Prince Maurice his loss at Plymouth yet to daub up the matter he reckons up many slain, amongst which 3. Commanders, but they were beaten off that they could not know what execution they had done, Auleticus you will tell a pretty tale a non, Colonel Gold you say, is shot through the arm: and keeps his bed, why what a bundle of Bulls his here Auleticus, indeed you tell us you have threescore Oxen and Kine, and as many sheep, and they are all Bulls, you tell us you took a Gentleman and a Colonel prisoners: and carried your Prisoners a way, and left them in Plymouth: that is you would have had them to have given themselves up to have been your prisoners, and they would not: but stayed still in Plymouth, But you tell us that Prince Maurice was not in the siege, where was he think you? in Limbo Patrem, or Infantum: if he be dead tell us plainly, that we may talk no more of him, and yet now I think of it, you are charged to the ●●ntrary, and must be the Court Mercury no more if you say so.  
He tells us of Maistet Pims death, as remarkable news, and how he was impeached of Treason, and that he died of the Herodian visitation, and that he was a most loathsome and foul Carcase: Auleticus, M. Pim is dead, but his fame life's: and will in despite of thee, and all the Cavaliers, and Papists of the Kingdom: he is ascended too high for thee to hurt him, and for that scandalous aspersion which thou hast laid upon him, many hundreds, who were eye witnesses, do testify that he was a very clear and unspotted Corpses, having nothing loathsome upon his body, from head to foot, but as fair a Course as the beholders ever saw: It is only our loss, that he is dead: and yet the Lord hath left us many more Pims, many more godly Patriots, to stand for God and his Cause: And whereas you tell us of the death of the Lord Brookes and Master Hampden, they died in their appointed time, full of the Holy Ghost, with God in their mouths, and Christ in their hearts, Freely pouring our their souls to God: Not like the Earl of Northampton and other Cavaliers, cursing and swearing, with their last breath: Thesr indeed are fearful things, and to be considered. And for Sire john Hotham and his Son, and Colonel Fines, leave them to their Trial: they will find Law with us, though you have neither Law nor Gospel, save only your Lady's Oracles.  
In the last place he falls a railing agianst the Parliament, and calls them the Rebels of Westminster, and would traduce the City to have an hard opinion of the Scots; Auleticus I would advise thee to come to Bedlam, and let thy pipes be new mended lest thou grow stark mad and incurable through the extremity of thy distracted brain, the more thou railest against the Parliament, the more thou bewrayest thine own impudence; and the more hateful thou art in the eyes of all Protestants; And for the coming of the Scots, you have just piped a lesson of the devils own making; First to make the people you have seduced to presume they would not come, and now to bring them to a desperate opinion against them to expect nothing but ruin: whereas it is most apparent, that you and your popish Lords, Priests, Friars and jesuits, and the advancement of your persons in your Lady's Favours, to the undermining of the 〈…〉, and the ruin of King and People, and have been the cause of all our misery; But for all your malice we doubt not but that this happy Union will be confirmed and 〈◊〉 between us and our brethren of ●●●●land to perpetual Generations.   

Printed for W. W.  
FINIS.