EXCEEDING JOYFUL NEWS FROM THE EARL OF BEDFORD'S Army, brought to London by Captain Johnson, September, 6. The said Army consisting of five thousand Foot, seven hundred Horse, and 28. Ensigns, now ready to give Battle against the Marquis of Hartford, and Colonel Lunsfords Forces, being in Shereborn Castle.  
With the Resolution of Colonel Lunsford, to the High Court of Parliamed, expressed and discovered by his making of Fireworks against the Earl of Bedford's Army, the manner whereof is as followeth, worthy of observation.  
Likewise the Resolution of the Trained Band of Devonshire, concerning Colonel Lunsford, being Resolved to march against him with 900. Foot, and was accompanied with 200. horse and many brave Gallants from the Town of Dorchester September. the third.  
September 7. London Printed for john Wight, 1642.   

THE RELATION OF Colonel Lunsfords' Proceed at Shereborn Castle, against the Parliaments Forces, rout the 1. of September to the 6.  
Loving Friend,  
THE greatest news and chiefest, occurrences now stirring in our County, is about the marquis of Hartford, fortifying of himself at Shereborn, and of Colonel Lunsford his Fire weeks, of which it is reported, he hath made abundance, and began to domineer in those parts, till the Parliament Forces came, giving out divers scandalous and seurrolous speeches, saying, that the would keep the Castle against 40000. Round-headed Soldiers, and that he doth not esteem of such a Number, and he and divers of the Cavaliers hath entered into an Oath of Association, to be true one to another, and to strive to the utmost of their power to resist all those that shall oppose them, he is very resolute.  
Here hath been much pains used by Sir, Walter Earl, with the rest of the Deputy Lieutenants, in raising of forces to go to Shereborn, but such is the basenesse of the Gentry and scandalous Ministers, as that they will do nothing themselves, but have discharged all our soldiers of our trained Bands, as that very few of them will go.  
Captain Gould and Captain Sidnam made great show of their forwardness at the first, but it proved nothing but dissembling with our Lieutenants at last; for they dishcartned their soldiers themselves, and then gave out that their Soldiers would not go: their Lieutenants and under Officers are gone from their service, and have listed themselves under other Captains, and so have many of Captain Sidnams' soldiers, daring him to his face to go with them.  
Thus you see the wickedness of our County, occasioned by Malignant Ministers, who do nothing else but preach against the Parliament and their Proceed.  
But I hope the Wisdom of that great Council is such, that they will take notice of it, and take convenient time to rid the Kingdom of them and set honester and faithfuller Preacgers in their places, that so Gods true Religion may once flourish again in this Kingdom.  
Upon Saturday being the 2. of this instant month, our soldiers being about 500 horse, and foot, marched out of this Town, accompanied with 900. of the Trained Bands, and Volunteers of Devonshire, towards Shereborn, being all very courageous and stouthearted soldiers.  
They was also accompanied with our Deputy Lieutenants, and two Barronets of Devon, with many more of the chief Gentry of that County, there was about 200. and 50. went out of our Town, most of the young men being also gone, Mr. Hewet, Mr. Edward Dashwood, Mr. William Whis, Meychant, are likewise gone in this service, had it not been for the forwardness of Dorchester few of the Country would have gone.  
Yesterday about two of the clock in the afternoon, the Earl of Bedford sat down with his Forces before Sherborn, being a mile distance from the Town, having with him 28. Ensigns, five thousand foot, and seven hundred Horse.  
Our company having notice that the Earl was set down, marched yesterday night to be there this morning. The Earl hath promised to send them 300. horse, when they are within three miles of Shereborn, to conduct them safe from the Cavaliers, those that came out of Devonshire are very Religious people.  
It is thought that the marquis of Hartford is in the like condition that Colonel Goring is in, by reason of the abundance of Forces that have now besieged him in his strong hold at Shereborn Castle.  
For upon Saturday last, it was signified to the jouse of Commons, that the marquis is compassed in with 4. or 5000. men, and that they could easily fetch him out, but that they are very unwilling to shed any blood.  
The Devonshire Voluateers are very resolute, and stand fast for the Parliament.  
They take much courage to hear of the happy and fortunate success of the Parliaments forces at Portsmouth, and of the proceed of Sir John Meldrum there.  
Having information of the brave Exploits that he hath performed since his going down, as it was signified to to the County by Letters from Portsmouth, that Sir John Meldrum is raising of great Horn works against the Town, and that his Advice much advantageth the service, daily endeavouring, and using his best skill to further that happy work, he is a great encouragement to the soldiers, and a man much esteemed of amongst them, being sent down by the consent of both Houses of Parliament.  
Published for the Encouragement of all those that are well-willers to this happy Reformation.   
FINIS.