The last marshmallows IN LONDON. OR, A discourse Between a Citizen and a Country-Gentleman, as they did ride betwixt London and Ludlow, October 12. 1642.  
Concerning the present estate and affairs of the city: viz. 

The Guild-halls night-work.  
The Skirmish at S. Pauls.  
The passages at the Sessions-house.    
LONDON, Printed for R. R. 1642. Octob: 25   

THE LAST news at LONDON.  
A Discourse between a Citizen, and a Country Gentleman, betwixt London and Ludlow.  Countryman. 
YOu are very well over taken Sir, do you ride far upon this Road I pray you?  Citizen, 
As far as Ludlow.  Countryman, 
truly, I should be very happy in the enjoyment of your Company, if your occasions require not too much hast.  Citiz. 
My occasions indeed are some what urgent, but good company upon the road is very welcome.  Count. 
I pray can you tell me of any good news in London?  Citiz. 
It is news, to hear good news there; I am sure Trading is decayed, onely I think the Potters have some work for their Earthen Ware, since their carrying of their Plate into the Guild-Hall London.  Count. 
truly that is well bestowed: or at least I hope it will be, when His Majesty comes to London; but I pray, have you no other news stirring with you?  Citiz. 
O yes, did you not hear of the Guild-Hall night work?  Count. 
What was that I pray, do they work in the night?  Citiz. 
No, no, they played all night.  Count. 
Why, I thought that plays & play-houses had been put down:  Cit. 
Yes so they were in the suburbs, but they were set up in the City, and Guild-hall is made a Play-house.  Count. 
But I pray, what Play was it that was Acted?  Cit. 
In troth, I cannot well tell, I saw it not I thank God; there were none but great ones there: the Marshall that kept the door would let no honest men come in.  Count. 
But could you by no means here the name of it?  Cit. 
Some say it was called a King or no King, or King Careo, but they say that Skippon was so frighted at the sight of him, that he left his seat; what would he have done think you, if he had seen the King indeed:  Count. 
truly it was a strange play, did not they whisper Treason in it? on my word we Country folks dare not be so bold as to make sport at Kings, the very name of King( me thinks) carries such a majestic found with it, as that it makes the Auditors amazed to hear it, and dare your Citizens be so bold?  Cit. 
Fie fie, what do you talk? what dare they not do? Citizens and Players may do any thing, you poor simplo Counrry men are a fraid, like the frogs in the fable, to come near your King, the Citizens they can insult and leap upon him.  Count. 
In faith take heed that he doth not leap upon them first, and say a Country fool said so, but I pray, was the City Praetor there all night?  Cit. 
No sure I think not, but he was seen there( they say) about two of the clock in the Morning.  Count. 
On my word, that was very early to see a play me thinks, when I am in London, I had rather go betimes in the morning to Saint Paules, to say my prayers, then to Guild-hall to see a Play; but now I have name Paules, I pray what good news with that? I hope the Organs stand still.  Cit. 
Stand still, no God be thanked, they go as merrily as ever they did; but they were vilely threatened upon Sunday last.  Count. 
Why I hope the Prentices were not there, were they?  Cit. 
Yes mary were they, but they had better have been in the little ease at Guild-hall, then have had so much elboe-roome in Pauls; they had more swords about their ears then my Lord Mayors, I am sure.  Count. 
But I hope there was no hurt done.  Cit. 
No nothing but a little dry basting, the rogues were grown stiff with too much ease, and the honest Gentlemen did but loosen their joints for them, that so they might learn to handle their Arms more nimbly.  Count. 
Why but alas this is too much, that such disorders should be at S. Pauls in Prayer time, was not the Kings Lieutenant and his sword there to keep the Peace? I remember I have seen them there in my dayes.  Cit. 
Yes, so have I too, but you know the old Proverb, New Lords, New Laws, and why should not every man, they say, do that which is good in his own eyes, when there is no Government in Israel?  Count. 
Truly it is great pity, I am sorry to hear this news, this is the worst you have  told me yet, no Government; I would those that have brought us to this pass were fast enough, and we could govern them I warrant you.  Cit. 
In troth Ile speak my conscience,( although we Citizens use but little) when the King comes, I hope we shall have better dayes, a better government; well in my mind, no governor like a King.  Count. 
Truly I am of that opinion too, and though I am no great Scholar to decide the Question, whether Kings were ordained of God or no, yet truly I believe they were.  Cit. 
But my belief is grounded upon reason, but I will keep the reason to myself, while I speak with Master Case, and then I will put the case to him, because he hath no reason to maintain his own reason, viz. that they were not ordained of God. I will give him some reason to manifest they were.  Count. 
But I pray Sir, did you hear of such a doctrine preached, that Kings were not ordained of God?  Cit. 
O yes, it was at Guild-hall, in the Sermon before the Mayor and Aldermen.  Count. 
Why this was strange doctrine indeed, this was enough to have set the people in rebellion, not ordained of God? what but an ordinance of 〈◇〉 then it is at our pleasure, we will not obey our King, we will depose our King: shall he exercise a dominion over us, and hath no authority from God to do it? What a strange Case is this? were the Lord May●● or and Aldermen there to hear this?  Cit. 
Why they are Justices of the Peace.  Count. 
Yea matry, are they? I wonder they could with justice hear it; truly had it been alone in my country, I should have taxed the Preacher for his labour, he should have been acquainted with the Prison as well as the Pulpit, but I have nothing to do in another mans diocese, and therefore I must hold my peace: But I pray Sir, what news at the Sessions house?  Cit. 
Oh I can tell you Sir, I heard there were five or six executed, amongst which, one was a Priest.  Count. 
What Priest? a He-priest or a She-priest? for they say that you have such kind of cattle in London.  Cit. 
It was a He-priest Sir, and a Roman Priest.  Count. 
Nay that was a good act to hang him, but I pray did you hear his examination? were you at his trial?  Cit. 
Truly I was, and he had a faire trial, and cast himself; but besides him there was a woman to be tried too, a Roman catholic.  Count. 
What was her fact I pray?  Cit. 
She was indicted for harbouring this Priest.  Count. 
And what answer might she make?  Cit. 
Truly never did I see a woman appear with such an undaunted courage at a bar, and pled herself guilty with so little terror.  Count. 
It may be the resolution of her holy father her president might ●●cou●age her.  Cit. 
You are in the right, but that was not all: for when shee was urged, why shee would not recant her Religion, shee made this Answer, That should she do it, shee knew not what Religion to be of, and desired that there might be a Religion nominated that would last but three Yeeres, and Shee would be of that.  Count. 
truly it is a great dishonour to our Nation, and I am sorry, such a thing should be spoken at so public a place; I must speak the truth, we have lost more of the glory of our cause, by those schisms and divisions that are amongst us, then ever we shall gain whilst that we are a Nation.  Cit. 
Sir, I deplore the sad condition of the times, and I am heartily sorry to see so glorious a Church as we have had, to see that Church which hath been the Crown and honour of all reformed Churches, that hath been the envy of all others, to be now laid so low in the dust, that it can scar be said there is a Church in England.  Count. 
Many there be that are ready to say to the Church Quomodo, huc cecidisti, how didst thou fall so low? but there is none that labour to recover her from this fall. I could wish that the City and Country, yea the whole kingdom would join together to Petition His Sacred majesty, and the high and honourable Court of Parliament, to reform these abuses that are amongst us, that so we might have our Church restored to her former purity, both in Doctrine and Discipline; and till this be done, we shall but disadvantage our Religion and make ourselves become a scorn and a laughing stock to the Enemies of our Church and State.  Cit. 
You have said the truth, and your council is very good, and I wish I could promote the business, I shall do my part, and I doubt not but you will do the like; I pray God give a Blessing unto it.  Count. 
I shall always say Amen unto your Prayers.  Cit. 
Sir, I thank you for your good company, and your good discourse, I could wish that my Journey were not ended, but as the proverb is, friends must part, and therefore I shall for this time bid you farewell: and so I leave you.   
FINIS.