A DIURNAL OF SEA DESIGNS, which is as strange as true.  
RELATING WHAT great preparations many mighty Foreign Princes have now upon the Ocean, no man knowing for what intent or purpose.  
WHEREIN IT MAY be perceived that the case is pitiful when so many dangers are floating about our ears  we can hear of them.  
WRITTEN FOR A WARNING, that though fears and jealousies be necessary; yet it is more necessary to lay them in their right places.  
Not unprinted betwixt York and Beverley, By W. H. August 30 th'.  
LONDON, Printed for W. S. 1642.   

A DIURNAL OF SEA DESIGNS, which is as strange as true: Relalating what great preparations many mighty Foreign Princes have now upon the Ocean, no man knowing for what intent or purpose.  
IT is not to be conceited or conceived, that there are great divisions in England at this time, nor can it be imagined that any man that hath wit or sense, will think that there is any strife or contention amongst us, or that there are two parties in opposition (the one well affected, and the other malignant.) All this is not to be thought, and it were well, if it were but to be thought. But the more is the pity, these things are certainly too apparent, and too true, (and therefore they are passed thinking) though every man that is endued with Christianity or humanity, cannot but continually have in memory the manifold perturbations and distractions that do molest the King's Majesty, the Honourable Court of both Houses of Parliament; and generally three whole Kingdoms both in Church, State, and Commonwealth. All (or the most part) of which troubles do proceed from fears and jealousies of which too many of them are supposed Chimaeras, with very few (or non) realities mingled with them; so that the main of all our disturbances, is the want of faith and confidence that either Subjects should have in their Sovereign, or the Sovereign in his Subjects. And though they seem (and more than seem) to differ, yet they all do agree in every fundamental Point for which they contest.  
The King protests (and will keep his word) that He will live and die in the Profession of the true Protestant Religion, and for the suppression of Popish Superstition; that all former Laws made since the time of King Edward the sixth, and to be made against Romish Priests and Recusants, shall be in full force executed against them: All which the Parliament agrees to with a full consent; so all parties are agreed and yet they disagree.  
The King protests to maintain the Laws, Rights & Liberties of His Subjects, with the Privileges of Parliament. The Subjects and Parliament, and all agree with the King in these things; yet for all this they agree not.  
The King most hearty desires to Rule and Reign in Piety towards God, and with such Love and Peace amongst His people, as may be for His Honour, and their most security; and all this the Parliament desires, and yet they are at distance.  
The King is most unwilling to have any War with His Subjects, and He knows that side which so ever wins, yet He must be the loser; therefore He would not have the bloods or lives of His people lost or hazarded in any Civil War▪ All which the Parliament do most humbly pray, and labour for; and yet there are Armies raised, and mighty preparations for defence of each of them, from the oppositions of the other.  
The King would have distressed Ireland speedily relieved and Reduced, and the Rebellious Papists conformed or confounded: All which the Parliament do in all humility desire, and take extraordinary care and paine● to accomplish; and yet for all this they are at difference.  
So that though they do agree in all matters, yet (upon the matter) they agree in none. But fears and jealousies and malignant parties are of each side, who do infuse causeless distrusts betwixt them, to the excessive charge and molestation of all.  
There are also weekly diurnals, some true, & some foisted, as some (of the wiser sort) may take this for one; but this is all Sea-businesses which may breed fears and jealousies and suggest dangers, if they be not rightly understood, as first on  

Monday.  
THis day news was brought to the Bull at Barn●t in the County of Westmoreland. That a Troop of French Horse entered, to surprise the Isse of Wight, under the command of Mounsire Shackatroone; but near the Islands of Garnsey, and jarsey they met with a Fleet of Turkish Galleys (in number sixteen and twenty) and 〈◊〉 a sharp fight of six hours, the horses had the better of it, and drove the Galleys into the Island of Silly, where they were presently surprised by the Natives; their horses were deperly shod with Cork, and as it may be supposed landed near to the Town of Shoteham in Devonshire; what their intents were, is not yet known; but yet (to prevent the worst) it is not amiss that we have fears and jealousies of them.   

Tuesday.  
ABout three of the Clock in the afternoon, before dinner, there was a small Brigot of 1500 Tun in Burden, loaden with Letters from the Pirates of Argetere to the Pope; it is thought that those Letters do treat of an agreement in Religion between the Turk and his Roman Catholic holiness: And truly they do not much differ upon the main point, for they are both inclined to thrust Christ out of the Church, and the one of them hath entertained Mahomet, and as for the other he hath Sants and Relics enough of his own making to patch up such a religion as neither Christ nor his Apostles ever knew of.   

Wednesday.  
ALl this day the wind blew hard, at North-east & by South, and South-west and by North, by which means Ketches and fish eboates had almost lost their Tides, whereby the Haven of Billingsgate was doubtful of the Arrival of the fleet, and the whole City and suburbs in Hazard to have no Oysters, But the wind shifted about East Northwest, that by good fortune all our fears were ended at twelve pence a peck, & so much other good meat as did serve for that day.   

Thursday.  
IT is Reported that the Queen of the Sheba, was upon the Sea with six Galloones, 12. Carrackes and many ships, Galley Asses, and Ass' Galley, the fleet being in number of great and small, threescore and thrteene. The news was known by a strange Accident of a Tempest, that happened upon the Coast of Ginny, where one of the ships being overladed was forced to lighten her of her burden, by casting much goods overbord (of great value (amongst the rest therewas a heavy trunk which sunk, and was swallowed presently by a Grampus, (which is a young whale.) There then being in the said Trunk a Case of Ethiopians strong waters; the case breaking in the Trunk, made the Grampus drunk, so that he never left tumbling, reeling and rolling till he ran himself a ground near a place called Cliff in Kent, three miles from Gravesend, where the huge fish was token at low-water, and being ripped up the Trunk was found, with the Queen's great Seal in it, and some notes that there was 200. Tons of Gold in the fleet, besides other treasure; It is not yet known to what Coast she is bound, therefore it is wisdom to let her alone till we know further, in the mean space the Constable and Churchwardens of Claffe can certify the whole truth of this matter.   

Friday.  
THis Friday two Dunkirks ships would feign have taken six Holland ships, but fear of being taken themselves, they retired into their own Haven (or den of thiefs) by which means certain Barrels of Butter, some Holland Cheeses, and and Pickled Herrings were safely brought to London.   

Saturday.  
NEws came of 200 sail of ships and Arguseyes, with other vessels, were newly Rig'd, victauled and man'd in Spain, and it is Reported that the Spaniards are such kind people, that they with the rest of the Romish catholics do wish England so well that they do earnestly desire to have it All; for which purpose they have made a damnable stir in Ireland, and a mad quoil in England of which there is great hope there will be a happy conclusion, and for the which let us expect and humbly pray to that power of powers, who is the one and only peacemaker.  
Nor let any man make a doubt of this forementioned diurnal, for it will be proved upon the Oaths of as honest men as either the Writer or Reader is, that all herein is as true as some 20 of the Penny Pamphletts that are daily bought and sold in the streets by the new Ragged Regiment of Tatterdemalian Booksellers.  
There is news brought also, since this Diurnal was printed, that some fishing Sailors, or Mariners, did most feloniously steal all such Ropes out of the King's ships as are called Sprttsaile Bolemis, to the great prejudice of their being steared right, for many do fear that the said ships will hardly fetch their Helms as they should do. But the Thiefs were taken, and after great examination they were found guilty and because some of them were married men. Bachelors, and some Appentises, they were adjudged to three several punishments, the married men were Doomed, to be at their wives disposing, and be allowed every meal (at home) a mess of Moundring broth sealding hot; and they should never, have meat, drink, or  without love, credit, or Ready money. The Bachelors were sensured to have each of their heads placed between a pair of Ears, and the Apprentices were never to be seen or look upon, but under the eyebrows.  
I know it is a dangerous matter to speak wisely, and therefore, for mine own safety, I will write this Diurnal to such as are troubled with the simples; It is a dear year of wit: But Abuses are exceeding plentiful, as God knows. And the King, Parliament, Church, State and poor Commons, have all joy ●●ly and severally so much woeful experience.  
The Reader may expect more news the next Dyurnall, if Letters be not Intercepted.    
FINIS.