INTELLIGENCE FROM THE ARMY, In a LETTER, Dated from His excellency's QUARTERS, NEAR READING, June 5. 1643.  
WITH A Relation of Captain Wingates escape from Oxford, and the condition of the Prisoners there, being about 70.  
LONDON: Printed for Samuel Gellibrand, June 8. MDCXLIII.   

INTELLIGENCE from the Army: With a Relation of Captain Wingates escape from Oxford, and the condition of the Prisoners there, being about 70.  
SIR,  
YOu wonder at my silence, and I at your wonder, howsoever you have been pleased to give my Letters the title of Mercurius, I can assure you the Writers Brain and Pen are not so Mercurial as to make something of nothing, no not much of a little. Oxford Mercury is Ovid's Mercury, that steals Oxen, and with a charmed Rod endeavours to beslumber and stupefy the people, till their eyes, or what should be as dear to them, become a prey for the ornament of Juno's Birds. But I am so professed a servant of Truth and Seriousness, that I almost repent me the mention of a Fiction, though very well recompensed with the reality of the Moral.  
But since you press me to write something, to give you evidence that I can deny myself sooner than my friend, I have forced my Pen to this Letter, and myself to deal more freely with you then the world with me, and tell you some of my thoughts: for in this vacancy of action I have endeavoured to turn Idleness into Meditation. And first taking myself something concerned in affairs of the Church, I have spent (it may be cast away) some time and thoughts in the consideration of that unhappy and unnecessary difference betwixt the pretenders to Reformation, I mean the more sober part (for as I have forgotten the Bishops, so I shall scarce trouble myself with thoughts of the rigid Separatests) some whereof are called Presbyterians, others Independents; betwixt whom I conceive the Divisions stronger than the Distinctions. First, let me disclaim any interest in the Quarrel, and then give you my observation of it. I hope I may be allowed to a Sceptic in this point till our learned Antiquary hath declared himself concerning the necessity of any Government at all, Though some say, The bottom of the business is, Not so much no Government; as no other than what hath been; And our judicious Senate made their Determinations upon the Disputes of our reverend Synod; if these be Riddles, time will expound them. But to the purpose (if it be possible) this Difference, or rather Defiance, for the imprudence of men hath almost strained it so high, is doubtless unseasonable, it may be unreasonable. For the season, we doubtless have enemies now that challenge our united strength: For the reason, something its like there is, but if there be much, there is more than I discern. This may be observed in general, That the feud is more bitter among the disciples than the masters, and where there is least light there is most heat; They agree best when nearest, and a sober Conference makes them almost friends: Were I for a Presbytery, I could yield to be Independent till there should fall in an evident necessity of Communion with neighbour Churches: Were I for Independency, I should rather dispense with my Opinion than Truth and Justice, when they challenged a necessity of Communion. As for the other differences, there may be some mistake; The Independent party compare their opinions with the practice of these Churches corrupted, and not with the rules of Churches, as their supposed adversaries would have them constituted: I hope they would both agree to those rules which should be most for the increasing and establishing the Church of Christ. For the present, as I see in this vacancy no Presbyterian Discipline exercised, so neither would I have Independentiary; if it be of absolute necessity to make this Separation, let the world be evinced of it, and the grounds and rules be known, If not, let it for a time be dispensed with; Some think it would be as to this place and time, only a dispensation with a fancy in the most, and the reputation of a taking opinion: For the real advantages of gathering a scattered Church are (say they) hard to be understood, and the great pretended benefit of Covenants and Communion, in these distances and confusions, lost. I have heard some look upon it as a great fault, that some men make that their great glory and rejoicing, which is the shame and sorrow of the Church of Christ, That they are divided from others whom yet they acknowledge not to be divided from the Head; which some say is a Schism: And it may be worthy consideration whether it can be a matter of glorying; I am of this or that Division; when the Prayer of Christ was, That we might be one, as his Father and he were; and even the distinction of Assemblies, is but a fruit of natural necessity, not a part of Moral beauty. In brief, it is to be wished, rather than hoped (yet, quid non speremus amantes) that these Differences and Distances were reconciled, but to be hoped as well as wished, that they may be for the present consopited; and doubtless they would, were it not for some Dreamers. They are but both yet upon the way (they hope) for their relief; Why should not joseph's counsel be acceptable, if in this new world any old counsel were to be taken, See that ye fall not out by the way? I am sure the world would laugh at me, if I should be now in a hit quarrel with my brother whether he or I should be governor of Hispaniola when we had got it from the Spaniard. Why may not the accomplishments of these men be as far off? I add no more than this solemn Obtestation; For this Cause and Kingdom's sake, for the Churches, for Christ his sake, let us labour to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of Peace. If we will not agree, we must be beaten together, and by a communion of affliction be helped on to union in affection; let us prevent the rod, and fashion ourselves as dear children. But enough, I hope not too much of this, I must write, not according to the extent of the business, but the limits of a Letter.  
There is something else hath challenged part of my thoughts, which I shall with equal freedom impart; and that is the variety of new Doctrines, under the most glorious pretences of new light and free grace spread abroad; I will not stand to examine them, but truly the issue of my thoughts upon them hath been, just thankfulness to my God, that I had received my Principles, I hope and believe, a form of sound Doctrine from a sober and pious Ministry, which in mercy was afforded me, before this Libertinism of opinions, in which it is impossible for the heart to be established. And here let not me be thought guilty of confining men to the bounds of former ignorance; I wish to all the Saints a growth in grace and the knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which yet I think in fundamental points of Conversion and Salvation, must not be expected to be a laying new Principles, but a building upon the old, scil. Repentance from dead works, and Faith toward God, working by love unfeigned. If nothing but novelty will suffice, this is a new and a living way, though Preached and practised of old. But I will pass no absolute censure of these men's raptures, lest I be thought to speak evil of the things I know not, till I see the fruits of them, Leaves is the most that they have yet produced, and scarce enough to cover their own nakedness.  
But it's like you expect something concerning the present state of the Commonwealth, if there be any such thing; I must confess I have been so presumptuous as to adventure some thoughts this way, and can reduce things to nothing but confusion, in which confusion there is yet a distinction, for it is threefold; a confusion of ends, a confusion of means, a confusion of minds. For ends, it may be easily discerned that on both parts there are different, on the Anti-parliamentary part, the conspiracy is not a consent, but as in the Ephesian confusion, some cry one thing, some another, all, it may be, Great is Diana: On this side like wise there are doubtless different aims in the same actions, and I observe every man hunting his brother with a net, and sounding him with a plummet to know his end, possibly to prevent his execution of it, but men are grown so mischievously cunning that they do as studiously conceal their designs as prosecute them. I can only say that some of them are not so good and public as they ought, thought it be strange that men should have so high an opinion of their persons or places, as to think blood and rapine, and all the other miseries of war, to be no more than a sufficient price for their obtaining particular ends in this public distraction. As for the rest, I shall wait the discovery of time, and rest satisfied in this, That the supreme disposer hath finem supra finem, some end or other for his own Glory, and the good of his Church and people, which he will accomplish in the best season, in the midst of all the cross and underwork of the sons of men. But for their own sakes, I could wish men were a little honerster, though I hope their mischief shall not reach the public. Some things, I confess, I could, were is not for a resolution to the contrary, be angry at, That the iniquity, I speak of the Cause (for as for persons, there is iniquity on both parts) should lie on the one part, and yet the danger almost solely on the other. Were there no other world or Kingdom but this, I should never do as I do, but presently engage myself on the King's part, and expose myself to the merciful justice of the Parliament, especially if I had relation to some Lord, where I might, although after actual service against them, either lie in honourably with the Earl of Lindsey, or have licence to walk abroad with another Lord, to air his tainted honour; or with a third and fourth, be admitted to the House again for further mischief: it were not much matter to lie in the Gate house at Westminster, and beg under the professed notion of a Cavalier, which they there constantly do. Not that I envy any man's so acquired security, that which I enjoy of conscience, is far more to be prized by all honest men. But there are some others whose felicity you think a sober man may emulate, and that is those who profess themselves yet on the Parliament part (I know not how this new expected discovery may shake their Copy) and yet can with the same affection hear of the success or loss of that which is yet called their Cause; these are sure men of a gallant temper, and excellent wits, that make so good use of any thing; I wondered at it a while, but after found it to be this; Their end is any kind of Composition, that they may have at least their old enjoyments upon any terms; it may be an acquisition of some new advantages, if they can do good service, and to this, good and ill success are equally conducible; the prosperity of the Parliament Forces will make the King more pliable; the disadvantage, will abate of the rigid humour of the Puritan faction, to them equally formidable: Think you not that these men have learned the Apostolical Lesson, In ●●y condition to be content: Howsoever, I wish them the Apostolical Benediction, Grace and Peace.  
But you require my most serious thoughts concerning the issue of the present business, What these things are like to come to: Let us be wise to sobriety; If we look to our affairs as in the hands of men, what can be expected but miscarriage? And truly if we consider them with relation to heaven, they may seem scarce to have a favourable aspect from thence; in this regard, That we have not attained in any measure the first step to a Restauration, which is, Reformation, according to that method in the Prophet; In the day that I shall have cleansed them from their iniquities, I will build their waste places, Ezek. 36. Notwithstanding our new Doctrines, we retain our old sins, and it may be have added some new: The profaneness and contempt of Piety remains still as deep, and the divisions and distractions of the Church are rather increased, which to me speaks sadly, and sometimes make me think, That this froward and adulterous generation shall be spent in conflict (always reserved to the remnant of God's waiting people the benefit of their particular promises) & turned back into the Wilderness of confusion, with unthankful Israel, to perish there, and leave the enjoyment of their hopes to posterity. The works that some think run parallel to ours, as that of Israel's coming out of Egypt, and the building the second Temple, after the Captivity, have endured strong interruptions, and of some continuance. But yet I doubt not but the issue will be good; which I am persuaded to, by the observation of a strong and fine thread of divine providence running thorough this Contexture of Knavery and Folly, which make up the Webb of this present world, which disposes of things to correction, rather than destruction: The punishment of our iniquity seems not yet accomplished; I speak it not that we should wilfully protract it in obedience to an uncertain guess, but willingly and patiently accept it, and labour that the iniquity of jacob may thereby be purged, that the plaster may fall off when the sore is healed: I confess I have not arrived at that Seraphical infallibility which some profess themselves to have attained in this point; I have a good hope, but my faith must not go beyond my promise for fear of presumption.  
But something of News you expect.  
In general, our condition, as it is not so good as our friends would have it, so neither so ill as our enemies report it: The particulars you must bear with me for; I have given you an account of my own idleness, I shall shortly do it of others actions. The resolution of slighting Reading is in action, and so far proceeded, as to consent to tomorrow's march, as I believe. We sustained some loss of 14 or 15 Dragoons, I think more, at Pangborn, four miles from Reading, which I hope we turn into the gain of a warning, and be more vigilant. Sir William Waller, we hear, is now at length upon his march for the West, and our Auxiliaries of Buckingham-shire, Bedford-shire, and Hertford-shire, in good forwardness: The best is, if we be not in good condition, our enemies, I think, ●…e in little better; so that we are like to be the fit march.  
Yesterday we were very much gladded at the arrival of resolved Captain Windgate, whom we received as it were from the dead; wonder not at the expression, it is rather too modest then otherwise, for his condition in Oxford Castle was below the grave, as appears by the Petition of which he hath a Copy about him, That himself and some others, might rather be executed, then continue in their present condition: It's a miserable world when hanging is a courtesy. At first he acknowledges he was honourably entreated by the duo fulmina Belli, as the world takes them to be; and promised the Rights of a Cavalier; but they were quickly weary of welldoing, only at Edge-hill that monster of iniquity, Smith, the Provost Marshal General, had such a qualm, as to use him fairly, and confessed his ground, That he suspected the scales were turning, and the Prisoner like to become Keeper. But since the embitterment of that day's work, himself and fellows have endured with more than Christian patience, more than Turkish cruelty; as close Imprisonment in a noisome place, without the benefit of converse with the living or dead, men or books; which was a punishment for the highest form of Captains and Gentlemen: the rest fed with bread and water, which they were almost pined for want of, beaten, burned with Match, set in a place called Bridewell up to the ankles in their own excrements: which kind of usage hath taken away the lives of many of them, as of nine Captains, beside other Officers, Countrymen, and Soldiers. One story of himself I cannot but relate for his honour, for it may be it will not stand with his modesty; That when his enlargement was procured, upon condition of obliging himself to quit the Parliament service, he stoutly refused, in the midst of all that misery, to lose any freedom of spirit, to gain the freedom of his body; and chose rather to have his carcase in p●ison, than his courage. The ground of that tyrannical cruelty they exercise, is their refusing to take that most unconscionable Protestation, which yet they disclaim the pressing of: Men that had not given defiance to Religion and Reason, would never so severely urge so irrational a thing; First, I must be fully assured of His Majesty's purposes and promises, The heart of man is deceitful, and desperately wicked, who can know it? And the Wiseman tells such fools, That the King's heart is unsearchable: if he give no other assurance of the integrity of his intentions for Religion and Liberty then what His actions of raising a Popish Army, trading with the Irish Rebels, and such kind of imprisonments; be not angry if an honest man cannot rest fully assured.  
Then I must be persuaded of the necessity and justice of the cause and means. I cannot force my own belief; It is a Scholastical Rule, Nemo credit, quia vult credere, either my conscience must be seared, or my fingers. I must profess myself not obliged by Vote or Ordinance of Parliament, though I have not so much Law as to know myself disobliged, and more conscience then to free myself where I fear Law hath bound me. And to colour the business, I must profess against obedience to any Order of the King contrary to the known Law. En quomodo mentita est iniquitas sibi; in their own snare is their foot taken: For first, The administration of this Oath is from the King, or those that represent, not only without, but against Parliament, and known Law; which order they must yet obey, while they profess and protest not to obey any; thus in the same breath is their faith broken and given: it was said, That it was a thing only expected, not exacted; but we are ascertained of the most violent compulsions to this contradiction that could be; so that the world need lie no longer under the ignorance, and danger of such rash and horrid perjury.  
Pardon this Digression from the story of the Captain, it is not altogether impertinent. His usage continued very bad, till within this Month, when the barbarous dealing of this Monster, I cannot call him man, became odious to the authors of it, or at least was found disadvantageous to their designs, when he treated him more fairly, lest he should give in too strong evidence against him if questioned. He is now, through the good providence of God, escaped, and hath only this misery upon him, The thought of the miseries of his friends and fellow-prisoners left there, which I hope, upon his account given, that Court that is so merciful to their enemies, will see relieved.  
It is a sad thing to think how slight a thing we make of this solemn appeal to heaven, for so War is, and manage it betwixt jest and earnest as if our thoughts were really conformable to the expressions of him who called fight playing, Let the young men arise and play before us. If the height of our enemy's faults arrive not to the desert of some severity, let the depth of our friends miseries call for so much as may help on their relief. The way of his escape, which was on Wednesday last, while some were praying for his deliverance, I leave to himself to relate; it was in general, with much danger and difficulty, and special providence: As for the particulars, I hope some more able pen shall be entrusted with the whole story, so fare as concerns the Public, that the sins of our enemies, yet all this while strongly pretending to Religion and Liberty, may go before them to Judgement.  
The noise and confusion about the execution of Colonel Fielding, which was then pretended, though a Reprieve granted, and the people's passing to and fro, gave the advantage; which as he is, so let all his friends be thankful for.  
If I have not yet tired you, I could tell you news from London, and thoughts of it. The demolition of the idols at Somerset House makes a great noise; but they say Master Martin's zeal is like Jehu's, it destroys the idolatry of Ahab, but leaves the Calves of Jeroboam still, and is not proceeded to White-Hall and S. James, though doubtless the images and idolatry there, is as contrary to the Laws of God and the Kingdom for the Marriage Contract, they say it was private, and ought not to rise to the breach of a known Law. We hear that the Queen is impeached, as well as many more; And that there is a strange damnable Plot upon the matter discovered; And that the Parliament and City have one more warning given them, before their throats be cut; I pray God they take it, and make not the most serious intimations of providence to be in their use ridiculous and vain: if this advantage be not taken to the utmost, I shall not shut them out from my prayers, but deny them much of my pity, if any evil befall them.  
But I will not be too unmerciful, I mean to you, in tyrannising upon your patience; but till the next opportunity, which I hope will be suddenly, rest yours.  
From the Quarter at Cavesham Lodge, June 5. 1643.  
FINIS.