THE LAST news FROM THE KINGS MAJESTIES Army now at MAIDENHEAD: CONTAINING Many Remarkable Passages, with Prince ROBERT his Intentions.  
ALSO Matters worthy of observation in and about the Ctiies of London and Westminster, with several Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament to this present 11. of November.  
LONDON, Novemb. 11. Printed for T. Watson and J. Jackson. 1642.   

The last Intelligence from His Majesties Army, together with Prince Roberts intentions, and other remarkable Passages and Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament to this present 11. of November.  
IT is a maxim undeniable, that belly alea est incerta, the chance of war is uncertain: even in lawful undertakings the success is often ambiguous, & proves contrary to our hopes sometimes; much more when two great Armies are met together,( such is the hazard of war) which of the two valiant Generals shalbe master of the field, is hard to determine: no mortal man can resolve this quaere, only the God of battels and Lord of hosts doth assign victory to what and whose Forces, as himself pleaseth. At this present in regard of civill wars begun and continued amongst us, we are involved in a labyrinth of calamity, reduced to the very brink of misery and jaws of death. It is true, England and London never enjoyed so universal and blessed a peace as for a long time they have had, neither have they been molested or disturbed with any visible enemy in the world, either Christia or infidel: our enemies are they of our own house, such as our discords, divisions and distractions have raised up: and certainly where these are found( especially betwixt a King and his people) there is no greater cause of the misery and ruin of a State. The Scripture informeth us; that a little city united is very strong, but a great kingdom divided within itself cannot stand: there is not more strength and security in the one, then disquiet and instability in the other. From these premises this inserence I deduct, that our unhappy divisions and discords are the chief cause of our past troubles, present jealousies, and suture fears: so that Perditio tua est ex te, we may thank ourselves for the miseries we ourselves have brought upon ourselves. Intra muros hostis, the enemy is within the walls. The Parliament is informed of a malignant party within the city of London, that hath privately endeavoured to invite the Kings Army to besiege London, promising to use their utmost power to betray the city into Prince Roberts possession. Whereupon it was ordered, that a Warrant in the name of both Houses should be sent to the Lord Maior, to have a special care of guarding the city, and to apprehended such malevolent and ill-affected persons in whom they could not confided, but are suspected will prove treacherous when opportunity shall concur with their desires. There is no better way to eschew a d●nger, then to premeditate of it before it come: and in a State, the wisdom of prevention is far beyond the wisdom of remedies. Praemoniti sunt praemuniti, they who are fore-warned are fore-armed. Hence is it that the great council of the Kingdom have been so circumspectly for the public good; as to put the kingdom into a posture of defence, and strongly to fortify the city of London, by enjoynin● all the trained Bands to be in a readiness, amongst whom there are multitudes of soldiers lately come out of Essex, and now resident about the city. Hence is it that there are such trenches & bulwarks made in all places near this city for the safety therof, that drums daily beat for more volunteers to stand for the defence of the true Protestant Religion, the safety of His Majesties Person, the privileges of Parliament, and the happy peace of the whole kingdom. Hence is it that there is such incessant marching up & down in the day, and such strong Courts of Guard in the night, and field-pieces of ordnance at every gate, and many other places, for preservation of the city against the invasion of the enemy. Our adversaries are near us, and their approach may be sudden, and sooner then we expect, and the horrible outrages and insolences which the Cavaliers have lately committed in all countreys where they have come, do teach the Citizens to put themselves into a posture of defence, least the Cavaliers having once entred London,( which God avert) should attempt the like rapine and mischief, by plundering and pillaging them as lately they have done others. Prince Robert( they say) is become a notable Robber, who hath lately in his advancing towards London seized upon whole cartload and wagons full of cloth coming to the city out of Glocestershire: His running army run away with all that they meet with in their way, and care not how they come by it so they may have it: Unde habeant nemo quaerit, said oportet habere. means they must and will haue, they fear not by to haue it, they desire nothing more then to obtain their own ends by a general divastation and ruin of their own country, they expect to be happy by others misery, and rich by their poverty; they would infringe our liberties, ensnare our consciences, haue swallowed us up long a go in their thoughts, having fancied to themselves the besieging, and taking of the City of London, and( if report be true) haue divided the streets among themselves already, hoping all to haue Aldermens estates and to raise their decayed estates and lost fortunes by the fall and mine of others. These are their intentions and practices, many of them having supplied their necessities with ransacking of rich mens houses in towns, cities and countreys. Prince Robert an excellent horseman, and chief Captain of the Cavaliers( whose name signifies an horse-rider, being derived from the French word Chevalier) did to his utmost power seek to pillage his Excellencies wagons and carts loaden with silver and other necessary provision the last great battle at Kinton near Banbury, which was the bloodiest battle for its continuance, that ever was fought in England: since which fight he hath menaced( if famed be not false) that when once he can but get into London, he will sell smocks as cheap as herrings are now sold in the city, he meant( as they say) the smocks of such as have carried their plate into Guild-Hall. In regard of these threatening speeches, and the like violent and notorious actions, we have just cause to fear and be jealous: and therefore it is that the Commons of England do fear, for which cause they have put the kingdom into a posture of defence; and in the city of London every man stands upon his own guard; the former being an act of State-policy, and the latter an action of prudent security. Long may the Commons continue in their renowned resolution, and be united together as one man for the common good; and may our courageous Citizens like valiant Centurions of old) march up and down for the safety of their Metropolis, and undauntedly stand in opposition, to keep out of their gates the outrageous Cavaliers. If they once enter with their forces into London, we are then in great danger, but the Lord forbid they ever should, and I pray God they never may. In the mean time let us not cease to pray unto our good God, upon the bended knees of our souls, from the bottom of our hearts, that he would be graciously pleased to put a period to these unnatural jars, and uncivil warres, in his good time and pleasure; that these dismal clouds of dissension and difference may be dissipated and scattered, that there may be a clear apprehension & right understanding between our royal sovereign and his loyal Parliament: for the happy effecting and accomplishing whereof, let us ascribe unto our all-sufficient God perpetual praise, and to him I will subscribe for a conclusion this short prayer: O bone Jesu, esto nobis Jesus; O good Jesus, be thou unto us a Jesus; we confidently hope, rely, and depend upon thy gracious mercy, that thou wilt not fail us now in the time of our extremity; we lift up our hands to the horns of the Altar, and elevate our eyes to the hills, from whence cometh our help; assuring ourselves, that as thou art able, so thou art willing( according to thy promise) to work all things together for good to them that love thee; and this not for any merits of ours,( for we disclaim them, nothing belonging unto us but shane and confusion of face) but for thy mercies sake, for thy names sake, for the peoples sake that are called by thy name, even for Christ Jesus sake, the anointed of God, and Saviour of man. O thou preserver of men, save and deliver us from the hands of our enemies, abate their pride, assuage their malice, and confounded their devices, that we being preserved through thy help, may glorify thee who art the only giver of all victory: to thee be rendered all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.   
FINIS.