A great & terrible Fight AT SEA Near the Coast of HOLLAND, between the English Fleet commanded by General DEAN, General MONK, And Vice-Admiral PEN, And the Dutch Fleet commanded by Admiral VAN TRUMP, Admiral DE-WIT, Admiral RUTTIER, And Vice-Admiral EVARSON, With the number of ships burnt, sunk, and taken, the loss on both sides, and the manner of this great and lamentable Engagement. Together with a humble Representation to his Excellency the Lord Gen. Cromwell, and the Officers of the Army. Published according to Order. May 9 London, Printed for Robert Eeles, 1653. TO HIS EXCELLENCY The Lord General CROMWELL; MY LORD, YOur just dealing with your Adversaries, is matter of real Honour to your Person, your Enemies themselves being Judges; your instructing the ignorant, your rebuking the obstinate; your remitting the Penitent; your remitting the Innocent; your keeping Covenant and condition of Articles with all men, have manifested your proceed both of War and Peace, to be truly Honourable to them, but especially to Us, who have heard how Judah-like you have ruled with God, and have been faithful with the Saints, Hos. 11. last. Your silence before the Lord, when a Cloud was upon the Camp) had great confidence, when the Lord went before you like a Pillar of Fire by night, shining upon your ways, and telling you, that you should be to your Enemies, as threshing Instruments with teeth; And this your confidence in God, what boldness wrought it before the Battle? and what humbleness of mind after the Victory? refusing honour of men, when God had put glory upon you, in sight of all the world. It may be said, Before honour goeth humility. Prov. 15.22. That may be an humbleness, as of necessity; but that humbleness which followeth honour, is ever matter of lasting praise; for, Honour upholdeth the humble in spirit, and victory over a man's self is the greatest conquest: Fortior est qui se, quam qui fortissima vincit Maena. Yea, this your confidence uttered did put life into your Counsels, courage into your Resolutions, and made your Forces more forcible and active, so as they did the work of the Lord effective, both at Dunbar, and Worcester, For there fell down many slain, because the War was of God, 1 Chro. 5.22. God is the judge himself to whom both Parties at Dunbar made their appeals, God has pleaded the Cause of his People, and since these appeals hath given sentence for you now twice. The issue must no longer pass under the vain titles of mere events and chances of War. It hath been the wonder of all Lands to hear of England, how the meek of the earth here, have formerly born all manner of yokes and oppressions under Royal and Episcopal Rulers, and how they have lately risen like Giants and men of might, for recovering their Liberties, to defend their just Rights and to bring wrong-doers to condign punishment. As if the judgement (against Moab) written, had been sealed upon their hearts, Cursed is he that doth the Work of the Lord negligently, and cursed is he that withholdeth his sword from blood, Ier, 48.10. Neither regarding Nature nor Nations, that they might execute God had said, Distress not Moab, Deut. 2.9. till Moab had thus sinned. But after Moab had committed Idolatry (a sin against the Nation of Israel) he shall bear his curse, that spares Moab: any former command of God to the contrary notwithstanding. Sinful men's changes justify God and good men, in these changes of Times. Now England is delivered from her Enemies, and the people dwell safely through the mercy of God under your hand, We humbly desire this, that after all public expeditions against open enemies, you may (now) keep yourselves from foes of your own Household, from friends of your own Council; for Christ himself was betrayed with a kiss, wounded in the house of his friend: Gallant judas was treacherously slain by Demetrius: And good jonathan captivated by Triphon pretending kindness to him. Cura teipsum, cautus esto, ne fidas. Set the Lord God always before you, wait for his counsel; let impartial justice be your greatest design and be not perverted by envy or flattery of men; So run that you may obtain, in due time you shall reap, if you faint not. Courageously follow the Captain of your Salvation, patiently carry the cross after him, and let us pray for the peace of the Commonwealth of England, AMEN. To the valiant Commanders, and watchful Soldiers. GENTLEMEN, IT was an old question of one Hetruscus, Whether a Christian may in any case go to war? It's answered, he may; for to do justice and judgement, is more acceptable than sacrifice, Prov. 24.3. And it's answered by Osorius de Nobilit. Christian. lib. 3. Respublica non poss it stabiliri, nisi armorum presidio, qui millitem tollit, Rempublicam funditus evertit: Christus politeias non eripuit, sed in melius instruit. The Commonwealth cannot be established, unless it be guarded with arms. Take away the Soldier, and ye overturn the Commonwealth. Christ would not abolish Civil Governments, but form them for the better: he neither took the Axe from the Judges; nor did Paul deny the Sword to the Magistrates; nor did John Baptist disarm the Soldiers, but prescribed them Laws of Innocency and moderation, Do violence to no man, and be content with your wages, Luk. 3.13. yea, Paul calls the Magistrate a Minister of God to thee for good, thou doing well; and saith, he bears the Sword to execute wrath upon them that do evil. Indeed, it were to be wished by every Christian, that all men may contain themselves from doing evil, that there were not this occasion given for punishment, and for war; The boldness of Vice must be reproved by the couragiousness of Virtue. Our Fathers of old were led by the Spirit for the rebuking Malefactors; and we know that vengeance in a private matter becomes valour in the case of a Commonwealth. Patience in personal injuries, does in National wrongs assume a magnanimity invincible, as Joshua did; and it was a fruit of their peace with God, when our Fathers undertook Sanctissima Bella contra sceleratos, most holy wars against notorious offenders; for what peace? so long as Jezabels' whoredoms, and her witchcrafts are so many? The end of War upon the wicked, should be the quietness and peace of those that are godly and honest. Humbly acquaint yourselves with God, and be at peace among yourselves. Courageously follow the Captain of your Salvation, patiently carry his Cross after him, faithfully commit the safe keeping of your souls in well-doing to him, and let us pray also for the peace of England's Commonwealth, Amen. To the free People of England. Dear Countrymen, THe best way to settle the Commonwealth in a firm and lasting peace, is to look back to Rules of Equity and justice, to principles of Nature, and Right-Reason, to God's Law, and good Conscience; and every one of you must contribute your utmost hereunto: That power lieth in you; and there is now recovered your right to use i●. Your Liberties have been redeemed to you at a dear rate, and with great expense of blood and Treasure; maintain it then as freemen, and use your Liberty, not against yourselves, but for yourselves; Cease mourning for Saul, the King and his Trains, the Body is not destroyed by removing bad humours: Let your hearts be towards the present Governors of England, who have willingly offered themselves among the people, and to their servants, who have jeoparded their lives for your sakes; I mean, to the Officers and their Army, who have not designed you for their own worldly advantage, but have scoped at your welfare, who by no sensible fears have suffered themselves to be perverted from impartial justice, but have bound up your safety and theirs in one. On Saturday last came Intelligence, of a great fight between the English and Dutch upon the Coast of Holland; and that after a sharp Dispute, the English became Victors, and pursued the Enemy to their Ports and Harbours. In which Conflict they took seven stately ships, five hundred prisoners, burned two, and sunk five; but not without some loss: Into the truth whereof, I shall make some further enquiry; & refer you to the Moderate Occurrences for just and ample satisfaction therein. FJNJS.