MERCURIUS RUSTICUS. THE COUNTRIES COMPLAINT Recounting the Sad Events of this Unparraleld WAR    

Angliae Ruina: OR, ENGLAND'S RUIN, Represented in the Barbarous, and Sacrilegious Outrages of the Sectaries of this Kingdom, committed upon the Lives, Consciences and Estates of all His Maj: Loyal Subjects in general; but more particularly upon the Churches, Colleges, Clergy, and Scholars of the same.  
Containing two brief Catalogues of such Heads and Fellows of Colleges in the University of Cambridge, and other Learned and Pious Divines, within the City of London, as have been ejected, Plundered, Imprisoned, or, Banished, for their Constancy in the Protestant Religion, and Loyalty to their Sovereign.  
Whereunto is added, A Chronologie of the time and place of all the Battles, Sieges, Conflicts, and other remarkable passages which have happened betwixt His Majesty and the Parliament; with a Catalogue of such Persons of Quality, as have been slain on either party, from Novemb. 3. 1640 till the 25. of March, 1647.  AMOS 9 11. 
I will raise up the Tabernacle of David that is fall'n, and alose up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old.  
ANNO 1647.   

The Preface.  
WHen the sins of this Kingdom were ripe for punishment, the Divine Justice permitted a great part of it to be besotted with Discontents, either wholly causeless, or such as His Maj. was pleased to remeay with Grants so unmeasurably gracious, as could not otherwise be justified, then by their importunity that demanded them, and His Majesty's Royal tenderness of his Subjects peace and safety.  
These grants were so far from satisfying those whose broken fortunes and boundless desires would not permit them to live without a Civil War, that they made of them no other use, than thereby to strengthen themselves to demand more: till at last they broke out into most unnatural Rebellion.  
The people always apt to cherish murmurs and invectives against their Princes, and now grown wanton with the fruits of a long peace, incline to Abners' mind, and think the War (which yet they knew not) but a sport. Therefore with a great facility they embrace the design: and the baits to cover the Hooks with, are the preservation of Religion, and the vindication of liberty. And howsoever they cannot reconcile their practice with God's command, which under pain of damnation forbids all Subjects to resist their King: yet they are so wedded to that interest which they Challenge in Religion, and Liberty, that for God's command, if they cannot untie the knot, they resolve to cut it. Do but assure them that the forbidden fruit will make them as Gods, and they will eat it though it be forbidden: do but persuade them that to take up arms against their Sovereign is the way to secure their Religion and Liberty, and they make bold with God for once to choose their own way for so good an end.  
From so desperate Resolution, had they had but Moral justice, they might have been kept back by the improbability of those calumnies whereby His Majesty was traduced, as intending to alter Religion and infringe their Liberties.  
Or had Religion (to which they do so Zealously pretend) had that potent influence upon them, it might have taught them, that Religion cannot be defended by transgressing Gods commands, which are the Rule of it.  
But if nothing else, yet even regard to their own pretensions, the defence of Religion and Liberty, should have wrought in them a detestation of Rebellion, which is so contrary to both.  
For as an eye had to God's dominion over us should exact obedience to his commands, though never so much to our prejudice: So the meditation of his infinite goodness ought to win it from us, because his commands enjoin us only what is for our good, if we could see it.  
He would not have forbidden Subjects to defend Religion against their King by force of Arms, but that he knew as Rebels can be no friends to Religion, so it gains love & admiration by the innocent patience of those that profess it; where as Bloodshed, Force, and Rapine, the fruits of Rebellion) procure Hatred or Hypocrisy.  
And for Liberty, it is for he good of Mankind, to forbid the assertion of it by Subject's Arms taken up against their Prince: both because that pretence would otherwise be used by those that have a design to make the abused people their own slaves, and because Rebellion doth more violate the Subjects liberty, then is morally possible for the worst Prince in times of peace to do.  
This truth was known before by speculation to a few, whose endeavours to infuse it into the distempered people's minds, had the fate of Caffandraes' predictions, to hit the truth and want belief, till these sad times have at last verified it by acostly experience.  
That this may be more universally beneficial; you have too plentiful a harvest of Instances collected in the ensuing Relations: wherein may evidently be seen, that this War which the multitude was so fond of, as the only means to preserve Religion and Liberty, hath been the utter ruin of them both.  
Here you shall find these great pretenders to Religion, Suppressing that which themselves confess to be Divine Truth, Debarring poor prisoners the comfort of joining their prayers together, enforcing men to take Oaths of blind obedience to whatsoever they should afterwards command them; turning out Clergiemen above all exception, and placing most scandalous and insufficient wretches in their rooms, darting from their envenomed mouths most horrid Blasphemies against our Lord and Saviour, abusing the service of God, and profaning not only the Form of it, the Book of Common Prayer, which now they have utterly extirpated, but even Gods own Word, the holy Bible, which they pretend to reverence.  
Here shall you behold them not only (like those Canes Sepulchrales) violating the bones & ashes of the dead, to make the world know that they believe what some of their fellows openly profess, that of those sometime living Temples of the holy Chost, there shall be no Resurrection, but exercising their fury on the Churches of God; which they have defaced with barbarous rudeness, defiled with more than beastly nastiness, & (as if contrary to their wont they had studied the Book of Maccabes to find out and outdo the most Heathenish wickednesses therein related) they have polluted the very Altar with their whoredoms.  
Nor can these Reformers (at whose door the profanations of the Houses of God must lie) make the world believe they are in earnest when they plead for Religion, whilst they deface and demolish the places where it should be taught and practised, and put out the Eyes of the most flourishing Universities of Christendom.  
Then for the other point, the Subjects Liberty, the following Narrations will plainly show that it hath not been spared by those that would be accounted the Champions of it, when the violation of it might satisfy either their Lust, their Covetousness, or their Cruelty.  
Their Lust hath prompted them not only to threaten Rape, but with violence to attempt it, and to wound and murder those upon whom they could not effect their beastly purpose.  
To satisfy their Covetousness, they have unmercifully robbed of their fortunes, and exposed to the extremest want, not only those that were their opposites and able to hurt them, but those whose sex, age and condition might have melted stones into pity, women, children, the sick, the aged, women in labour, and even those of their own party.  
Their Cruelty hath not contented itself with the murder of those they hated, but, as if they had been the professed Scholars of that inhuman monster, whose Maxim was, Perimat Tyrannus lenis, in regno meo mors impetratur, they have insulted over the persons and lives of their fellows Subjects with most exquisite Tortures, whipped some to Death, and starved others: they have made it a Crime in some that they were neighbours to those whom they persecuted for Loyalty, & punished others for showing them mercy: As if they would tell you, that they are not inferior to the worst of all the Primitive persecutors Dioclesian, by whose command (as Eusebius lib. 10. Chap. 8. reporteth) all charity was forbidden to those in Prison, yea even to those whom they were bound to pity by the Law of Nature, their kindred, etc.  
Nay more, so far hath their malice transcended all bounds: that they have done mischief where they were not invited by any benefit to themselves or any other, only for the delight they took in doing it, burning houses, spoiling goods, destroying Books, Evidences, and Public Records, to the prejudice of Posterity, the disturbance of Pessessions, the obstruction of Justice, and the impairing of Learning, only to make themselves Sport: They have by breaking Articles of surrender, by offering savage force to the persons of messengers for Treaty, and to the goods & houses of foreign Ambassadors, broken the Sacred Laws and disturbed the Commerce of N●tions.  
In a word, these new Physicians of State, have proved such Saltimbancoes to the Common wealth, & by their recipes prescribed such drugs, as have purged the Body Politic of all its Treasure, and left nothing, but Melancholy behind. This truth clearly appears in the late London Account, from which single City, they have drained 17. Millions, and it can be no small. Proportion, therest of the Kingdom bears to it: Consider next, how they dispose of the Kingdom's Treasure, in voting every Active Member a Benja. part (no less than 89000l. in three days) whilst some of those that hazarded their lives, in their Service, are forced to starve in the streets, and lie three days unburied, ere their Masters would vote them a Winding sheet: But these heavy burdens, must dwell upon our shoulders, for we cannot but imagine their swelling greatness must be maintained: If so, than which way the supplies must be raised Tacitus will truly tell us, AErarium ambitione exhaustum, per scelera supplendum erit, Treasure spent Ambitiously, must be supplied by wickedness: To the Intelligible Common wealth's man, Verbum sat, nay half a word is sufficient.  
'T was a sad Omen to this Kingdom, to have the Sun Eclipsed, that very hour this Parlia. begun; And though it was not visible here, yet the effects have not been clouded from our Eyes. But let the afflicted comfort themselves, Post nubila Phoebus, Eclipses are never perpetual. No age was ever blest with a more pious Prince, or brought forth more crooked natures to perplex a righteous soul. His easy Inclinations gave their dark practices confidence to appear in the light, and through whose yielding clemency (thinking like the Sun by attracting vapours to disperse them) they (with the help of a Northern Fag) condensed into a cloud, that first darkened, then reigned blood over all the Land, and what number, or power, was not able to overthrow, Treachery, or Bribery did on a sudden ruin.  
And now, in the close of all miseries; behold an action detestable beyond Expression, a misfortune, which (heightened with accumulated Injuries) deserves to be looked upon with a compassionate Eye, and a bleeding heart. Is it not a most sorrowful object to see a king set forth to Sale? to behold Majesty to become Merchandise, and Sovereignty sold for Silver? To see a Prince weighed in a Treacherous, and perfidious Balance, & made to turn which way Coin shall move the Beam? to deliver him up for the same cause Aristides was banished, Justus quia justus, and at length to Crucify him between two Thiefs? O high Ingratitude, to ruin so great a Benefactor, when they found his hands bound up from usual tenders! Doubtless they are worse enemies, that surprise by Ambush, than those that fight in open field.  
We read, that Wealth may choke as well as a Halter; and Judas his Bribe was the cause he became his own Executioner. Time may manifest to the world some noted issue; for sure both parties cannot but become Bankrupts, as well those which buy dear, as those that sell cheap.  
But this being an action beyond precedent, (the rehearsal whereof, is enough to make the most innocent and patient pen criminal) I'll forbear to trace it any further, but leave it to a vindictive justice, stigmatised with that brand Cicero stamps upon such another, Perditissimi est hominis, fallere cum qui laesus non effet, nifi credidisset: None but the most villainous of Mankind will deceive him, that had been safe, but for trusting.  
But though I decline them, yet may I not leave my injured Sovereign in His Sufferings, without letting the world know, how sad and weighty they are, his Infelicities sinking a deeper Impression, because thrown from so high a Spire, heretofore enjoying what Majesty could present, and now doomed to embrace what the worst of miseries will impose: And surely the Consideration hereof cannot but press them the closer together. This conditions strips him of those ordinary Consolations, every Peasant may enjoy, & robs him of all those Comforts that are dear unto his Soul; His Royal Consort, Children, and Friends; The last of which the Devil's charity extended to allow Job, and which if they shall deny him (from whom their former Comforts flowed) they deserve to be branded with the Character of unpresidented Impiety.  
And that nothing might be wanting to fill up the measure of their Iniquity, behold another of their unparallelled impieties, whereat Posterity will stand aghast; such an one as will justify all the barbarous acts that the most savage Persecutors of the Church were ever guilty of: Yea such a one as the Lords of the Inquisition, yea the Turk himself would not have denied an ordinary Christian, nor our Laws the worst of Malefactors: That a King of his Greatness, and piety, should be denied a Spiritual Minister to assist him, in his Devotions; and to direct him in point of Conscience. If ever there was such a thing as Implicit Faith, they are the greatest Assertors of it, that would enforce not only their own fellow Subjects, but even their Sovereign King, to believe, as they believe, or else to forfeit all, both spirituals and temporals. Yet let the sufferings of the Loyal Party receive this Consolation; That these present Misfortunes cannot startle him, so as to make him warp from his first Principles, his clear Conscience and well grounded Resolutions rendering him like a Marble Wall, that shivereth all the shafts that are shot against it.  
But we fear we have trespassed upon the Rules of prepertion, in framing too large a Portall, for so little a Fabrics: We shall therefore draw the Curtains, and withhold you no longer from viewing the Scenes, promising in the sight of God, and remembering that Liars are in the number of those against whom the gates of the new Jerusalem shall be shut, to deals in the ensuing stories with all candour and ingenuity, not out of a desire to render the actors of these impieties odious, or abuse the Reader either with falsehoods or uncertainties, but to report nothing but what hath been examined and attested by men of known truth and integrity; And that the world may see what violent affect one these Sectaries brought to these hostile acts, we shall begin with the times of peace when the King had no formidable Army toi s●me their jealousies, nor these men provoked to 〈◊〉 by any foregoing injuries; The Sce●e is Essex and the 〈◊〉 man that shall be tendered to your view in Sir John Luca●.  
Viget, Vigebit, victa vincet veritas.   
JER. 15. 13. 
Thy substance and thy treasure will I give to the spoil without price, and that for all thy sins, even in all thy borders.   

MERCURIUS RUSTICUS: OR, The Country's Complaint, etc.  

I.  
Sir John Lucas and M. Newcomin a Minister, barbarously used by the Brownists and Anabaptists of Colchester: Sir John's house plundered, his Mother, Lady, and Sister abused, and committed to the common Ga●le. The inhuman usage of Sir William Boteler in Kent, his house plundered, and his servants tortured, etc.  
ON Monday Aug. 22. 1642. Sir John Lucas intended with some Horse and Arms, to begin his journey towards the North to wait upon the King; which purpose of his being on Saturday by a treacherous servant discovered to Joh Langley of Colchester Grocer, and Captain of the Train Band; He, with Henry Barrington Brewer, and Alderman of the Town, spent the next day being Sunday, in riding to Coggeshall, Bocking, Bayntree, Halsteed, & other Towns of their own Faction, to communicate to them the knowledge of it, and invite them with strong guards of muskets, to beset the ways, & intercept him in his journey, & did also (by the assistance of the Major) set a guard of Colchester Train-band, on Sunday night about his house. Sir joh. Lucas intended to begin his journey carely by one or two a clock on Monday morning, supposing he might so pass with most privacy and no opposition, but the back gate at which he thought to issue out was no sooner opened, but a strong guard from under a hedge present themselves, and one of them discharged his musket as a Warning-piece to the Town, where the Alarm is presently taken, the Drum struck up and the whole Town raised, The Volunteers (of which there were 400 or 500 then in Town gathered to serve under the Earl of Essex and Lord Say) brought up the Beacon, by direction of Dan. Cole Alderman, fired, & ●orsemen into all parts sent forth to call in the Country against the Cavaliers in Sir john Lucas house.  
The house is presently beset with at least 2000 people, and two pieces of Ordnance are brought to make a Battery; at last they rushed into the house, and the first man they seize upon is M. Newcomin, Parson of S. Trinity Parish in Colchester; they tear his clothes off his back, beat him with their Cudgels and Halberds, and with infinite exclamations, carry him in triumph through the chief streets of the Town; by the way entering into a wild but very serious consideration, not whether he should die (for that they had resolved at first) but to what death to put him; one votes drowning, another stoning, another bids beat out his brains. At length having consulted with Alderman Cole, they carry him to the common Gaol, commanding the Gaoler to put him in the strong hold, (a place provided for the most desperate Malefactors) affirming they would soon return to take further order with him. There he remained till one a clock, being then removed to another chamber. They now return to their fellows who were searching Sir john Lucas' house, some twenty of them rushed into the Lady's Chamber, laid hands upon her, set a sword to her breast, requiring her to tell where the Arms and Cavaliers were. The Horse and Arms are soon found and seized on by the Major, who sends the Arms to the Towne-hall, the Horse to an lane to be there kept on Sir john Lucas' cost, till they could be sent to the Parliament. The people lay hands on Sir john Lucas his Lady and Sister, & carry them attended with Swords, Guns, & Halberds to the common Gaol. Last of all, they bring forth his Mother with the like or greater insolency, who being saint and breathless, hardly obtained leave to rest herself in a Shop by the way; yet this leave was no sooner obtained, but the rest of that rude rabble threatened to pull down the house, unless they thrust her out, being by this means forced to depart from thence. A Countryman (whom the Alarm had summoned to this work) espies her, and pressing with his Horse through the crowd, struck at her head with his Sword so heartily, that if an Halberd had not crossed the blow, both her sorrows & her journey had there found an end. Two Gentlewomen (one of which had long been sick) by flight escaped their fury, but their most wel-wishing neighbours dared not to be known to receive them into their house, the people threatening to burn that house that gave them entertainment. Having secured the Master, they now begin to Plunder the house, all is prize that comes to hand, ●oney, Plate, Jewels, Linen, Woollen, Brass, Pewter, etc. A few hour's dis-robe the house of that rich furniture that had adorned it many years. The Major & Aldermen standing by all this while, but either not able or not willing to conjure down the devil which themselves had raised up. All the servants they could meet with they bring to prison, they laid hands on I. Brown (one who had been a servant to the family from the time of Sir john Lucas' Grandfather) they bind him to a tree, set a Musket to his breast, & a sword to his throat, and tie lighted matches between his fingers, and Io. Furley (a young pragmatical boy) examines him concerning his Master's Intentions, Horses, Money, &c, but especially concerning M. Newcomin, whether he had not given an Oath of secrecy: Whether he were not to ride a great Horse? whether he were not habited in a Buff jerkin & velvet coat? etc. Fear easily prompts the old man to answer what he thought would give content. Out of his Examination the Major frams an Information against Sir John & M Newcomin, not forgetting to relate the good service he had done, the Horse and Arms he had taken, but withal implying, how miserably the house was plundered by the zealous people, adding in his Letters (& that very truly) That he could do no more than a child among them, with these Letters he presently dispatcheth a Post to the House of Commons.  
About one a clock a new Alarm is raised, that 200 armed Horsemen are discovered in a vault at Sir J. Lucas', That they had killed nine men already, and were issuing forth to destroy the Town. The shops are shut up in an instant, and the multitude throng down thither to take or kill these Cavaliers. And because they find none there, they now spend their rage upon the house, they batter down the doors & walls, beat down the windows, tear his Evidences, deface his Walks and Gardens, do any thing that may do mischief. From thence they go to his Park, pull down his Pales, kill his Deer, drive away his cattle. And to show that their rage will know no bounds, & that nothing is so sacred or venerable which they dare not to violate, they break into Saint Giles his Church, open the Vault where his Ancestors were buried, and with Pistols, Swords, and Halberds, transfix the Coffins of the dead.  
And now the Major's care begins to show itself, he sets a Guard upon the house that no hurt should be done unto it, yet that Guard suffered 100 l. worth of corn, (which at first was neglected as contemptible luggage) to be carried out, and the most of it to their own houses. Another guard he sets upon the Prison, left the Prisoners should be assaulted by the people who were so much incensed against them, though it had been sit to set some honest men to guard them from those guardians, who were as forward as the people to drink their blood.  
On Thursday comes down Sir Thomas Barrington and M. Grimston, as a Committee from the House, who coming into the market place before the Prison-doore (the Town-Hall not able to receive the least part of the multitude) there published two Orders from the House, one wherein Sir John Lucas and his adherents were proclaimed guilty of high Treason for intending to assist the King. Another, wherein thanks were given the people for the good service they had done, yet they were told withal, that their act of Plundering was against the sense of the House. Some of the agents in that work, produced a Printed Order of Parliament (not heard of before among honest men) by which they justified what they had done; Sir Thomas Barrington replied that it was a false and feigned Order, contrived by the malignant party to render the House odious, and very lovingly besought the people to do so no more. And indeed the next weeks Diurnal tells us, that upon occasion of the outrageous plundering in Essex, It was Ordered that thence forward none should Plunder but those that were authorized by the House to do it.  
Friday was designed for the carrying up of the Traitors (Sir. john Lucas and Newcomin) for whom there was one Messenger come from the Black-Rodde, and another from the Sergeant at Arms, (for the Ladies were declared no prisoners after they had lain in the common Gaol four days.) When the time of their departure was come, many thousands of people were gathered together (both of Town and Country) a Drum being struck up to give them warning. The Coaches are come, and the Prisoners called forth; only M. Newcomin they dared not carry forth as yet, because the people threatened to tear him in pieces; as assuredly they had done, had not M. Grimston's care been very great, who placing a Court of Guard on each side of Sir Thomas barrington's Coach from the prison door, brought him forth unexpectedly and put him into the Coach, the people than not daring to strike or stone him, lest mischief intended him should light on Sir Thomas Barrington.  
The Coach being guarded thus a mile out of Town, they passed on, suffering no other strokes but those of the tongue (bitter Curses and revile) and those they met withal abundantly, at Chelmesford, Ronford, and in all the Towns whither the news of their Treason had gone before them, Sir john Lucas' captive Horses being carried in triumph with the Coach all the way; at London Sir Thomas Barrington sent the Horses to the Red Lion, the Prisoners to the Sergeant at Arms, where they remained all Sunday, not permitted to go to Church with their Keeper: on Monday they were sent for to the House, and committed Sir john Lucas to the Gatehouse, M. Newcomin to the Fleet. Immediately issued out a Declaration of both Houses to the whole Kingdom, but especially to the County of Essex, ordered to be read in all Churches and Chapels; wherein for the better encouragement of good people (so run the words) it is told them that Sir john Lucas' Horse and Arms are employed for the service of His Excellency, that Sir john, and M. Newcomin are committed to several Prisons, and shall speedily be brought to their trial, to receive condign punishment according to their demerits.  
Sir john Lucas was afterward enlarged, giving 40000 l. bail to appear upon summons, and not to depart London and the Suburbs without leave. M Newcomin remained in the Fleet from Aug. 29. to Sept. 24. being never called for, and at length discharged.  
Sir William Boteler of Kent, returning about the beginning of April 16●2, from his attendance, (being then Gone Gentleman Pensioner) on the King at York, then celebrating Saint George's feast, was by the earnest solicitation of the Gentry of Kent, engaged to join with them in presenting the most honest and famous Petition of theirs to the House of Commons, delivered by Captain Richard Lovelace, for which service, the Captain was committed Prisoner to the Gatehouse, and Sir William Boteler to the Fleet, from whence after seven weeks close imprisonment, no Impeachment in all that time brought in against him, many Petitions being delivered and read in the House for his enlargement, he was at last upon bail of 20000 l. remitted to his House in London, to attend the die in diem, the pleasure of the House. And having thus danced attendance six weeks more, at last he obtained leave for his health's sake to go to his own house in Kent, called Barrhams Place in Teston, and from thence, for recovery of his health much impaired by long Imprisonment, he visited the Wells near Tunbridge, leaving with his servants both in London & in the Country a strict charge as of his house, so to give him speedy information, if Sergeant Hunt should summon him to make his appearance: while Sir William Boteler remained thus a Prisoner to the House, resolving to yield obedience according to the condition of his bond, 500 Horse & Dragoones under the command of Colonel Edwine Sands, Sir john Seaton, and Dowglas, accompanied by several Gentlemen his Neighbours; as Sir William Brookes, Sir Michael Lucy. M. Richard Lea Burgess for Rochester, M. Blunt, and others, on the 24. of August, between eight and nine of the clock at night, beset his house: The servants were within and the doors shut, only William Nelson, Sir William's Groom coming from the Stables pressed through the midst of them to the Hall door, where Sands and Seaton stood: They demand of him whether he belonged to Sir William? who answering that he did, Thou Rogue, says Sands, open the door; the poor Groom tried, but could not, but assured them that there should be no resistance made: and withal told them, that his Master was at the Wells, but had lest order to give them the best welcome the house could afford, and upon notice given would be ready (if they had such Order) to render himself up to the House of Commons, whose Prisoner he acknowledged himself to be: and withal offered that if they would have patience but while he went to the back door, the House should open unto them. This so reasonable an answer could not satisfy unreasonable men, who it seems were resolved to force the door, rather than have it opened, to give a peaceable admittance: Therefore they revile the Groom, call him Rogue, and threaten to kill him, not because he would not, but because he could not give them entrance. And to make good their threats, Sands and Seaton commanded some of their Rout to hold him up against his Master's Hall door, and bade some twelve or more Dragooners to give fire on him, which was done accordingly: on the word given, they that held him withdrew, not trusting to the undistinguishing bullet, and presently the Groom fell down, by which means he escaped the fury of the shot, which took effect only on the door, and beat it down. The entrance that was offered, thus forced, the house is instantly filled by the Commanders, the Gentlemen, their abettors, and the Soldiers. The first man they meet with is Ben. wiand, Sir William's Steward, who being demanded by Sands where his Master was, returned answer, the same in effect which before they received from the Groom: Sands was as courteous to the Steward as the Groom, calls him Rogue, and tells him that he would have his Master alive or dead, commands him to bring him to the Chamber where Sir William did lodge, their drawn Sword and Muskets bend upon him extort obedience. Being brought into the Bedchamber, Sands demands whether there were no private Outlet or Closet? to lay all naked before him, the Steward solds back the Hangings, by which means the Colonel discovers a close-stool, which at worst could not be so loathsome, as he was before he died: This sight enraged him, not only to revile the Steward, call him Rogue, but cruelly to beat him with his Pole-axe; and having thus prepared him, he commands him upon no less pain than the loss of his life, to reveal his Master's Plate and Money; and to enforce the discovery from him, with drawn Swords they prick him, and force him from one room to another. At last being come to the Dining Chamber, Colonel Sands causes a dozen of Candles to be lighted, and so to be held to and under the Steward's hands, and lighted Match to be applied between his fingers, for the space of a quarter of an hour, Sands himself all the while looking on, commanded both Candle and Match to be renewed, as often as either went out, or burned dull. In this Torment they continued the poor soul, until both his hands were shamefully burnt, not being able to relieve himself by that discovery for which they tortured him. Nor was their barbarous cruelty thus practised on the Steward only, from him they descend to the rest of the servants, whom they prick with their swords, beat with their Pole-axes to the endangering their lives, and all this to extort a Confession where their Master's Money and Plate were: but when this inhumanity produced not the effect they looked for, they broke up every door, plundered every Trunk and Chest, and examined every dark place from the Closet and Cabinet to the Powdering-tub and Oven. Nay, the Cellar escaped not their fury; What they could not drink, either Wine or Beer, they let out and poured upon the ground. In this search they found and carried away five hundred pounds in money, and some store of Arms. And because the great adventures of valiant Knights must not be forgotten, To the Eternal same of Sir Will. Brookes we are to tell you, that when the Lady's Closet was broken open, besides the charitable provision of Medicinal ●yrupes and Salves for the poor and the needy neighbours, all which were trampled under foot and spoiled. There were some hospitable provisions for Entertainments, as divers sorts of Preserves and other sweetmeats, and in these this doughty Knight had his finger as deep as any, except a common soldier, who seeing him feed greedily on a Galley-pot, and presuming his judgement to be good in the choice, (for the Proverb is true which end soever you put foremost, A liquorish jail hath a liquorish tooth) rudely thust his whole fist all begrimed and besmeared in blood and powder, into the pot with him: which as it turned his Worship's stomach for the time, so it may serve as a sure Prognosticke, That it these distractions go on, where the Gentleman hath his finger, the Clown will be sure to have his fist. But to leave him to his sweetmeats, which perchance may have a sour sauce, and return to the Colonel and his plundering Regiment. Being Masters of the House, they plundered and pillaged not only Sir William Boteler, but all his servants, men and maids, not only their chests, but their very pockets. News of this being brought to Sir William Boteler the next morning early by three of the clock, and finding by their threats, that his life was in danger, he resolved to fly for protection to the King at Nottingham: In his way thither at Pinkeny M●wlton in Northamptonshire, he was seized on by the Country people, and by about 150 Horse conveyed first to Northampton, and from thence to London. About the beginning of September he was brought before the House of Commons, and there in a full House was examined twice; to whom he gave a full and clear satisfaction in every particular. And being unimpeached, the whole House being utterly unable to accuse him of any the least kind of offence or Delinquency, Sir William Boteler did th●n and there in the public House make his complaint of this intolerable oppression and injustice, charging by name before the House, Colonel Edwine Sands, Sir john Staton, Sir Michael Livysey, M. Richard Lea, who then was present fitting in the house, and Sir William Brookes with Felony and Burglary, for breaking up his house in the night, and stealing and carrying away his Money and Goods: and implored the justice of the House against them. And now behold their great zeal of Justice, their care of the Subjects Property, and the freedom of their persons from illegal imprisonment, in stead of harkening to his just complaint, and relieving him in his losses, to keep Magna Charta inviolable, they Remand Sir William Boteler again Prisoner to the Gatehouse, where he remained for six months longer: at last being certainly informed, that it was really intended if not ordered by the House to send him to I●switch, he endeavoured and effected an escape from the Gatehouse, and got safe to Oxford, where he attested all these particulars.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. II.  
Sir Hen. Audley's house plundered: Variety of insolences committed by the Rabble of Essex, upon M. Laud, M. Honifold, M. Stevens, and M. Simmons, Ministers. The Countess of Rivers is plundered to the value of 100000 pounds, etc.  
THe last week's Mercurius told you of the Plundering of Sir jobn Lucas his house in Essex, and the barbarous insolences practised on him and his. The Tumult thus raised, and made confident by success, they go on in triumph, and like a violent Torrent swelling above its Channel, carry all before them, and fearing no opposition, they divide themselves into several companies, every place where they come ●asts of their fury & madness: Some go to Sir Henry Audlyes' at Beerechurch, whose house they Plundered of its furniture, and his Grounds and Pastures of his Cattle.  
Others go to M Erasmus Land a poor Minister of Little Try, whose very name with these men was a Crime and reason enough to expose him to their rage: guilty he was of nothing but a good & honest name, yet they spoil him of his goods, drive away his Cattle, rob him of 20 li. in Monies, his own and his Wives Clothes, all except those upon their backs: M. Land knowing divers of them, and knowing them to be Colchester men, repaired thither to the Major for Justice, and by chance found him well circumstanced for an action of that nature, both in respect of place and company, for he found him at the Moote-hall, and the Aldermen his Brethren with him: Being come thither, he was so far from finding what he sought for, Justice, that he was not permitted to make his complaint, M. Cole one of the Aldermen, telling him openly, that they knew him and his Cause, he was the Minister of Try that was Plundered the day before, but they had other business in hand and he must be gone, for they could not hear him.  
Others of them went to M. Honifold a Bachelor in Divinity, and near 70 years of age dwelling in Colchester, there they rifle his house of all its furniture, take away his Bonds, Bills, and Evidences, leave not a shelf behind them, nor a pin to hang a hat on. The good old man, thinking that spoil and Robbery had been as punishable now as when he was a young man, & not knowing that the pretending defenders of the Law had banished all Law out of the Kingdom, went to crave the Major's assistance, to restore his goods and punish the offenders. Alderman Cole the Fulk of Colchester being present, told him, That he wondered he would offer to come abroad being a man so much hated, and so rated him away. In his return, a multitude of boys & rude people throng about him, and prosecute him throng the streets with exclamations and outcries: nor do they stay here, their hands second their tongues, throwing stones and dirt at him. So little did either the hoary head and venerable old age, or the Privilege of his sacred function afford him protection from the enraged multitude: Many see him, some pity him, but none dare own him or take him into protection, lest they should divert this swelling tide of popular fury from the good old man, and draw it on themselves; at last bowels of compassion yearn on him, a kinsman of his emboldened, what by the urgency of Nature, and the constraint of Charity, opens his doors to afford him shelter from this storm, but all in vain; like so many Bears robbed of their Whelps, they double their rage, the multitude threaten to pull down the house unless the prey be delivered up unto them: the good old man seeing the inexorablenes of his prosecutors, to make a full return of the kindness which he found, resolves rather to expose his own person as the subject of his fury, than his kinsman's house: and so he did, for out he goes unto them; and now having retrived the game, they pursue him with a high advanced din and confused clamour: At last, when all other means to escape their fury failed, he made a voluntary captivity his safety, and took the Common Gaol for his Sanctuary.  
Having thus thrown Master Honifold into prison, not so much the ignominy of the place where they had lodged him, or satiety of contempt of God's Minister which they had cast upon him, as the want of more day light, sets an end to this day's frenzy. They part for the present, but resolve to meet next morning; and so they do, a day or two are too scanty to act their boundless malice. Being met, their next plundering expedition is to the Countesle of Rivers house at S. Osyth, a rich prize: there they enter the house, and being entered, they pull down, cut in pieces, & carry away her costly Hangings, Beds, Couches, Chairs, and the whole furniture of her house, rob her of her Plate and Monies: They tear down her Wainscot, Leads, and Windows, they leave not a door, nor so much as a bar of a window behind them, The Countess with her family, forewarned of their intentions to come thither, made an escape, and retired to her house at Melford in Suffolk: thither within a day or two they pursue her, Essex is too narrow to bond the madness of the Essex Schismatics; in Suffolk they meet with some that are as mad as themselves: Few Counties (the more is the pity) but can y●eld companions in such outrages. From thence she hardly escapes with her life, she abandons her house, and leaves it to the mercy of these new Ministers of new justice, who not only rifle the house, but make strict search for her person. And that you may ghesle what spiritual men they were, and likewise in what danger this honourable Person was in, they express themselves in this rude unchristian language, That if They found her they would try what flesh she had. From whence she fled to S. Edmunds Bury, where the Gates were shut against her an hour at least at length she was suffered to lodge there that night, and next day with a strong guard she was conveyed out of Town, and so keeping herself as private as she could, made an escape to London. Her losses at both her houses were valued at an hundred thousand pounds at least, though some that knew the rich furniture that adorned both, affirm it to be no less than an hundred & fifty thousand pounds, besides her Parks in both places were utterly spoiled. One of these Plunderers whose name was Bawyer, was apprehended in London selling some of these goods in the very act, and for this committed to Newgate as a Felon, two of the Countesse's servants entering into Recognizance to give in evidence against him for the King, but upon his Petition to the House of Commons it was ordered he should be discharged without paying any fees, which was done accordingly; and 'twas but an oversight that his prosecutors had not been laid in his place, and public thanks decreed him for his zeal to the Cause.  
M. Stevens Parson of South-Hamfield in Essex, hearing that the Plunderers of that County were coming on him, took horse and fled, and so saved both himself and his horse, for he knew that both were sought after. The father being fled, the children left to their own providence, bethink how to secure those little pieces of Plate which each had received from the bounty of their Godfathers and Godmothers; neither time nor acquaintance could give them latitude of much choice where to hide it; and thinking any place safer than their own house, they run to a poote woman their neighbour, and there with her they deposit their whole Treasure. When the Plunderers came and sound that the birds were flown, having intelligence, or as some say, but suspecting that the poor woman's house might hide M. Stevens his goods, they go to her house and demand them: The woman denies that she hath any of M. Stevens his goods: hereupon one of the Plunderers strikes her on the head with a Club with such violence, that her brains came out at her nostrils. The poor woman being thus murdered, the bloody Murderers insult over her, and say, that the just hand of God was upon her, for lying against her knowledge, and denying those parcels of M. Stevens his goods that were in her possession: so usual a thing it is with these men to blaspheme God, and entitle him to all those wickednesses which they commit on others.  
M. Edward Symmons Parson of Rain in Essex, in the Months of June and July 1642. Preached against the sin of Rebellion and Disobedience, and against traducing the King, slandering the footsteps of Gods Anointed, and refused to promote the Civil War (then begun) by stirring up the people to contribute Money, Plate, and Horses, the maintenance of so unnatural, so destructive a division as most of the Ministers of those parts did. This as it was more remarkable in him, so it was more heinously taken from him, in regard of his former intimate acquaintance with M. Stephen Martial Parson of Pinching field in Essex, the great incendiary of this unhappy war, and had given him the right hand of Fellowship: Hereupon he was sent for to the House of Commons by a Pursuivant, and was told, That he being an honest man (but of a different judgement from the Sense and Vote of the House) did more prejudice to the good Cause in hand, than a hundred Knaves, and therefore would suffer accordingly: which saying since that time, hath been plentifully made good, and verified in many particular oppressions & sufferings, unjustly inflicted on him and his whole family.  
First, he was imprisoned and most illegally deprived of his liberty, for no other cause, but because he would not, contrary to the dictate of Religion, and his own conscience, countenance and promote an accursed Rebellion against his gracious Sovereign.  
Secondly, he was referied after to the Committee for scandalous Ministers, thereby to blast his Credit and Reputation in his Ministry: a most diabolical and devilish Course, and a work of him who is the accuser of the Brothers, to defame honest Orthodox Ministers with the odious name of Scandalous and Malignants, though made so neither by error in doctrine, wickedness of life, or debauchnes of conversation, but by the malignity of a Vote, knowing, that by this means, such Ministers doctrines and Testimonies will be of little or no credit afterward with the vulgar: for had it been Scandal in a true and proper sense, which they endeavoured to take away out of the Church, they would never have brought over his head, so scandalous, so infamous a man to be Lecturer in his Cure as they did: for to the wounding of M. Simmons his soul, and the endangering the souls of his Parishioners, one Lemuel Tuke is appointed Lecturer in Master Simmons his Church, a man by education a Weaver, and that had not so much as saluted either University, yet while men slept he intruded into a Cure of Souls in Nottinghamshire, from which ever since the Parliament began he hath been a Nonresident: for not long after the sitting of this Parliament, his Parishioners framed a Bill against him to the Lower House, Articling against him, not only as negligent, but insufficient in his calling: Nay they accuse him of no less than Barrettry and Battery, Drunkenness and whoredom, and some such other sins, which in the judgement of all honest men, make a man truly and properly scandalous: yet this man thus Articled against to the House of Commons as Scandalous, is thought worthy to be substituted as a Coadjutor in M. Simmons his Cure, who only was voted Scandalous because not Rebellious: so that all the world may judge what it is to be Scandalous in this new sense, To honour the King, and to live in obedience to the established orders of the Church.  
Thirdly, having preached that it was unlawful to take up Arms against the King, and contrary to the doctrine of the Scriptures to contribute to a War against Him, in opposition to Lemuel Tuke, who laboured to pason his People with Sedition and Rebellion, affirming openly, that in some Cases it was lawful not only to Resist, but (which I tremble to relate) to kill the king; instancing in the example of Athaliah, 2 King. II. yet the said Tuke is countenanced and encouraged, whereas Master Simmons for asserting the Truth, was summoned before the Committee, there to answer as a Delinquent: who was so f●rre from a Retractation, that he justified the doctrine: which he did so fully, that one of the Committee was convicted of it, yet as he himself did, so he would have Master Simmons to withhold that Truth in unrighteousness; for Sir Thomas Barrington (who was the man) confessed that it was a Truth and a Divine Truth, yet not fit to be preached at all times, no not by those that were entrusted with it by God himself, no though it might be in some danger of Impeachment. At last being charged to preach no more such doctrine, and putting in bail, by the Committee he is permitted to return to his charge. But behold what it is to be voted a delinquent, or a Scandalous Minister by the Committee; it is to be put out of the protection of the Law, and exposed to the fury of the people: for on his return Oath is made before a Justice of Peace, that at Halstead in Essex it was concluded that an hundred men from Cogshall and Colchester side (some of that Crew that plundered Sir John Lucas his house) should suddenly surprise M. Simmons in his house, Plunder his goods, and cut off his person as one not fit to live, because he was (as they said) against the Parliament: But by the good providence of God this conspiracy was discovered and prevented.  
Fourthly, they oppressed him in his State, for after his Return home, seeing the necessity of opposing that inundation of wickedness which was overflowing his Charge, and pressed earnestly in conscience according to his duty and place, to labour to undermine tha● throne of Satan which by the Luxation of the nerves and sinews of Government was like to be set up both there and in all parts of the Kingdom, he bent himself in his Sermon chiefly against the prevailing sins of the time, as Lying and Slandering, Rebellion and Treason, Pride and Opprestion, Malice and Cruelty: yet these Sermons by his malicious enemies were interpreted little better than Libels against the Parliament: and upon Information given he was sent for up, three or four times, to the Lower House, to his very great charge and trouble, though when he came to London he was never called to answer to the Accusation. And because he refused to contribute voluntarily to the maintenance of the Rebellion, his malicious Neighbours resolved to extort it from him in a seeming legal way: for in the rates made for the Royal Subsidy, they raised him far beyond his just proportion, and therefore in the first rate, they seized him twice as much, and in the second almost thrice as much as themselves; and contrived their business so cunningly, that they caused him to be font for up to the Parliament while these things were in doing, and returned rates in to the Exchequer in his absence, that so he might not have the opportunity, by complaint of a just grievance, to relieve himself.  
Lastly, having by most unjust v●xations exhausted his Estate and drained his purse: without hearing his defence indeed without further summoning him to appear, they sequester his Parsonage and Glebe, and Tithe, and put one Robert Atkins a stranger into Cure; and as they put his Livelihood into a stranger's hands, so they put his life into the power of his enemies, who are authorized to apprehend him, and carry him Prisoner to Cambridge: but upon Intimation given, he withdrew himself, and leaving all to the mercy of his Enemies, was forced by flight to socur● his Person.  
And here by the way give me leave to observe one thing to the Courteous Reader, and it is the Reason which was alleged in the sequestration of M. Simmons his Parsonage, and indeed is generally used in all these sequestrations, and it is, For the better supply of an able and godly man in the said Church: I would they go●ll tell us where we should find these two Epithets Able and Godly to meet in any one of those which they have Substituted in the Revenues and Employments of those Orthodox Divines, which they have banished from their Cures and families: do but survey the new Plantations which they have made, and you will think that jeroboams Priests were risen again from the dead, the lowest and basest of the people: for while honest, learned, and conscientious men could not suffer themselves to be made the base instruments to corrupt and seduce the Ignorant multitudes to comply with the treasonable practices of the heads of this Rebellion, it was necessary to seek out and invite such of the Clergy into their Party whom either want of merit, or want of honesty, had left destitute of means, and wh●n Orthodox men are displaced or driven away, and such Trencher Chaplains put in their places, we may easily guess what work is in hand, even the alteration of the Government; for while they are so earnest both to Preach and Print that other forms of Government are God's ordinance as well as Monarchy, they will in time go on to undervalue Monarchy in comparison of the rest: but to leave my diversion and to return to M. Simmons.  
His living sequestrated, and his person exposed to the licence of his veriest enemies, but he withdrawing himself from this storm, and being out of their reach, they wreck their malice on his poor Wife and Children, and his aged Father: They threaten to beat down the house about their cares, unless they would yield possession to M. Atkins: his father for cutting down three trees on the Glebe for necessary uses, and an honest Parishioner for loving M. Simmons and ploughing his Land, were most maliciously handled, and sent for up before the Committee in the Exchequer Chamber: and when after all these threats and oppressions they still keep possession of the Parsonage house, having no place else wherein to put their heads, at last May the 15. Watt Tyler, I mean Watt Long, whom some call Colonel Long, came with some Troops of Horse, and cast his whole family out of doors, his aged Father, his Wife and three Children, the eldest but seven years old, and his servants: and so gave possession of the house to M. Atkins.  
He that desires to be better satisfied concerning this faithful Minister of God, and what raised this persecution against him, let him have recourse to that Learned and Orthodox Book of his lately published, called, A Loyal Subjects Belief, worthy every man's reading, wherein he shall see a solid and satisfactory Answer to all those Arguments divulged by way of a Letter by Stephen Marshal the great Patriarch of Rebellion, whereby he endeavours to maintain the Lawfulness of this present War against the King: In which Letter you may see the true character of a Cauterised Schismatique, for as if he were afraid the World should not think him sealed up to a reprobate sense, and past all grace of Repentance, he tells us that as soon as he hath recovered his health (much impaired by a hot eager prosecution of this Rebellion) he intends to return (with the Dog to his vomit) to sacrifice his strength to the service of the Cause and his Excellency, in all which, while he labours to free himself from the imputation of Madness, and apologizeth against a prevailing report, that the horror of his guilt had distracted him, he proves himself to be madder than ever the World took him.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. III.  
The great increase of Brownists and Anabaptists at Chelmsford of late years. Their abuse of the Church, and Doctor Michelson Parson there. Their Te●ets in matters of Religion. Master Cornelius a Minister plundered, etc.  
ESSEX is a deep Country, and though we have traveled almost two weeks in it, yet we cannot get out: we are now at Chelmesford, which is the Shire-towne, and hath in it two thousand Communicans; all these are Parishioners of one and the same Church, for there is but one Church in this great Town, whereof at this time Doctor Michelson is Parson, an able and godly man. Before this Parliament was called, of this numerous Congregation there was not one to be named Man or Woman, that boggled at the Common-prayers, or refused to receive the Sacrament kneeling, the posture which the Church of England (walking in the footsteps of venerable Antiquity) hath by Act of Parliament enjoined all those which account it their happiness to be called her children. But since this magnified Reformation was set on foot, this Town (as indeed most Corporations, as we find by experience, are Nurseries of Faction and Rebellion) is so filled with Sectaries, especially Brownists and Anabaptists, that a third part of the people refuse to communicate in the Church-Lyturgie, and half refuse to receive the blessed Sacrament, unless they may receive it in what posture they please to take it. They have amongst them two sorts of Anabaptists; the one they call the Old men or Aspersi, because they were but sprinkled: the other they call the New men, or the Immersi, because they were overwhelmed in their Rebaptisation.  
In August 1641. there was an Order published by the House of Commons (indeed by some leaders in a Committee) for the taking away all Scandalous Pictures out of Churches, in which there was more intended by the Authors then at first their instruments understood, until instructed by private information how far the People were to enlarge the meaning. When this Order came forth, there was standing in the Chancel a goodly fair Window at the East end, untouched from the first foundation of the Church, in which was painted the History of Christ from his Conception to his Ascension: and to perpetuate the memory of the Benefactors, in the vacant places there were the Eschochions and Arms of the ancient Nobility and Gentry, who had contributed to the building building and beautifying that fair structure. In obedience to the Order the Churchwardens took down the pictures of the blessed Virgin, and of Christ on the Cross, and supplied the places with white glass. But the Sectaries who understood the sense of that Order better than the Churchwardens, did rest very ill satisfied with this partial imperfect Reformation: That therefore they might, according to the phrase of the times, make a Through Reformation, on the Fist of November in the Evening, all the Sectaries assemble together, and in a Riotous manner with long Poles and stones beat down and deface the whole Window.  
This excrcise of an usurped power in the People without the Lawful Magistrate, like that which Andreas Corolostadius put in practice in the Reformation under Luther, and was sharply condemned by him: and ind●ed gave the unhappy occasion to that Schism● which is hardly made up at this day: st●rred the spirit of the Doctor to inveigh, the next Lord's day, against Popular tumultuous Reformations, though to the ●etter: as being vitiated, First, by the defect of lawful Authority, which cannot reside in the people: Secondly, in the intemperancy of the prosecution, who commonly cast out one Devil by another: abolishing Superstition with S. dition. This so incensed the Sectaries thus to be opposed in their furious zeal, that they threatened the Doctor to ruin him if he preached any more on that subject: and to let him see how welcome such doctrine was unto them, there was a Carbine discharged at a window of that room where the Doctors usual abode was, the Bullet passed through the place, and in all probability had slain him, had not the good Providence of God (without which a Sparrow falls not to the ground) diverted him unexpectedly from a business before known to be appointed for that place and hour. This design frustrated, about a fortnight after one of these new Proselytes a young Clothier with others possessed with the same frenzy came into the Church immediately after divine Service was ended, laid violent hands upon the Doctor, took him by the Throat, and would have torn his Surplice off his back, and were so enraged, that had not some of his honest peaceable Parishioners come to his rescue, they had in all probability endangered his life: but whom they could not wound with their hands, they cut with their tongues, as with a sharp razor: they revile him and call him Baal's Priest, and Popish Priest for wearing the Rags of Rome, my they cry out against him as a Perjured Person that had violated his faith engaged in the Protestation, to abolish Popery, of which (in their opinion) wearing the Surplice was a part. Many attempts they made upon the Doctor and his Curate, affronting them, both in officiating Divine service, and administration of the Sacraments; but they being countenanced by a considerable part in the Town, the Sectaries could not effect what they desired, until at last in the Months of june, July, and August, 1642. they were animated by the coming of the Forces raised in Essex, Suffolk and Norflok: for as they raised each Company it was sent to Chelmesford the common Rendezvouz, and there stayed until they were made up three hundred or four hundred, and so sent to London. In all the time of their stay there, the Doctor lay at the mercy of the Soldiers, who egged on by the Brownists and Anabaptists of the Town, used his house as their Quarter, consumed his provisions for his Family, and commanded there as Lords: Amongst many Outrages committed by the Soldiers, Three are most remarkable.  
First, upon a Fast day they send a Command to the Doctor that he should not pray for the Bishops, nor so much as make mention of t●em in his lips: nor use the Book of Common Prayer, if he did they threaten to pull him out of the Pulpit, and tear him in pieces: the Doctor not intimidated by their Threat, gives order to his Curate to read the Prayers apppointed: which accordingly he did. The Soldiers right bred being Volunteeres of Colchester and Ipswich; and rightly designed too, for my Lord Says own Regiment, fit Soldiers for such a Leader, irreverently fit with their Hans en, make a noise to drown the Curates voice, nay they call to him to come out of his Calf's Coop, meaning the Reading-deske, and make an end of his Pottage: the Curate remembering that advice of our Saviour not to cast pearls before Swine, nor holy things to dogs, gives over ●eading, unwilling to expose the holy worship of God to so soul contempt and scorn. Having thus silenced the Curate, their commanders looking on, they violently take the Sacred Bible to tear it, but being reproved for it by Sergeant Major Bamfeild then present, they exchange the Bible for the Book of Common Prayer: having it in their power in Solemn triumph they carry it into the streets, and that which holy Martyr's inspired by the holy Ghost composed, and sealed the truth and sanctity of it with their dearest blood, these Savage Miscreants rend in pieces: some of the leaves they tread under feet, some they cast into the kennel, some they p●ssed upon, and some they fixed on the end of their Clubbs and Cudgels, and in a Triumphant manner marched with them up and down the Town.  
Secondly, about a week after when the Doctor was in the Chancel there to inter the Corpses of a Gentleman lately deceased, these Soldiers rushed into the place with an intent to bury the quick with the dead, to put the Doctor into the same grave, which they had done (for no other reason but because he used the form prescribed by the Church at burial of the dead) had he not been powerfully rescued by his Parishioners. Lastly,  
when the glad Tidings were brought to Chelmesford, that Episcopaty was voted down by the house of Commons, all usual expressions of an exulting joy were used, amongst the rest Boonefires were kindled in every street, but most of the fuel was violently taken from the Doctor's woodyard. And now the pile raised and the fire kindled, they want nothing but a Sacrifice, this they resolve shall be the Doctor himself: to this purpose the Separatists of the Town assisted by two companies of Soldiers, in the Evening assault him in his house, seize upon his person, and are ready to carry him to the fire, there to throw him headlong into the midst of it: but some of his friends having information of the design, go and acquaint the Command●rs with the bloody intentions of their Soldiers, who presently take a guard and rescue the Doctor out of their power as soon as ever they had seized on him.  
Since that oppressed and worryed every day by these ravenous wolves, he was forced to forsake his Charge (as many other godly Ministers are) and to fly for his life: leaving his wife and eight children to the m ●cy of the Rebels, who have deprived his family of all their livelihood, and exposed them to extreme want: Nay, they have several times broken violently into his house under pretence to search for him, and have held Pistols cocked, and Swords drawn, at the breasts of his Children and Servants, charging them upon their lives to reveal where the Doctor was.  
It was lately certified from thence by a chief Member of that Town and no friend of the Doctors, that he finds the case there to be far worse than he expected, for while they hoped that the power being (Traitorously) wrested out of the King's hand, they should have shared it amongst themselves, they find that either the power is fallen into their hands that are fa●re beneath them, or else hath raised these men up far above them, for as he writes, the Town is governed by a Tinke●, two Cobblers, two Tailors, two Pedlars, etc. And  
that the World may see what a Systeme of Divinity these Cobblers and Tailors are like in time to sti●ch together, and what Principles they intent to Rule by, I shall here set down certain preparatory prelusory Propositions which they usually Preach (for Preach they do) to their infatuated Disciples, and by them are received as the divine Oracles of God: and you shall have them in their own● Termes: viz. 

First, That Kings are the burdens and plagues of those people or Nations over which they govern.  
Secondly, That the relation of Master and Servant hath no ground or warrant in the New Testament, but rather the contrary: for there we read, In Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free, and, we are all one in Christ.  
Thirdly, That the Honours and Titles of Dukes, Marquess', Earls, Viscounts, Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen are but ethnical and Heathenish distinctions amongst Christians.  
Fourthly, That one man should have a Thousand pounds a year, and another not one pound, perhaps not so much, but must live by the sweat of his brows, and must labour before he eat, hath no ground, neither in Nature or in Scripture.  
Fiftly, That the common people heretofore kept under blindness and ignorance, have a long time yielded themselves servants, nay slaves to the Nobility and Gentry: but God hath now opened their eyes, and discovered unto them their Christian liberty: and that therefore it is now fit that the Nobility and Gentry should serve their servants, or at least work for their own maintenance; and if they will not work, they ought not to eat.  
Sixtly, That Learning hath always been an enemy to the Gospel, and that it were a happy thing if there were no Universities, and all Books burnt except the Bible.  
Seventhly, That any man whom God hath (as they call it) Gisted, may be choose by the Congregation for their Pastor: and that imposition of hands by the Bishop and Presbytery are mee●e Papish Innovations.    
What more additions to these monstrous Opinions, the wildness of such men's brains, a●ist d by the cunning of the Devil, and encouraged by th●●surped ●ower of these times may produce, we must l●ave to the discovery of time. In the interim (good Re●der) stand amazed, and wonder at this excellent patterns of the inten●ed bl●ssed Reformation. Had not God, to prepare us for destruction, deprived us of knowledge, had he not closed our eyes that we should not see, an● hardened our hearts that we should not understand, were we not a people as the Proph●t speaks, forsaken and meted out for destruction, it could not be, but that Mankind would rise up against this Generation of Vipers and their Protecto●s, and sweep them away, to use the Metaphor of the holy Ghost, with the besom of destruction, who if a while connived at, will prove moths fretting to the destruction both of Church and State: for in this Model you may see the Babel which is now in building, and the budding forth of those Brambles, out of which (if not timely quenched) will come forth a fire (as it is in Jothams' Parable) which will devour the Cedars of Lebanon.  
The same godly Reformers which plundered Master Laud before mentioned, came afterwards to Master Cornelius Parson of Peldon in the same County of Essex, whom they rob of all his goods within doors and without: they spared not his Library, nor his Wife's Childbed Linen, though the was great with Child, and in danger by the fright she took at their coming, to have occasion to make use of them before her due time, they plunder him to the value of four hundred pounds, a very great sum in a poor Clergie-mans' purse, especially as these times go. For relief of his loss he sends his servant to the Major of Colchester (a famous Justiciary as you may remember the last Wreak in the relation of Master Laud and Master Honifields' cases) having made his Complaint, and accused the Plunderers by name, the Major knew that some body deserved Commitment, but had the ill luck to be mistaken in the person, and therefore instead of the Plunderers he commits Master Cornelius his man to the Gaol, where he is lodged for a Malignant, until his Master (plundered of his man too) came and put in Bail that his servant should be forthcoming to answer to all objections the next Sessions. Master Cornelius knowing that he should in vain expect Justice where he found Oppression, from the Major goes to Master Gardner a Justice of Peace not far off, who grants his Warrant for apprehension of the parties: who being apprehended (though for Felony) put in Bail to answer the next Sessions. When the time came, Master Cornelius indicts these Plunderers, the Bill was found by the Grand Jury upon the evidence of three or four witnesses who were Spectators, and saw them carry away the goods: nay the Prisoners at the Bar not only confessed the fact in their examination before the Justice, when they were first apprehended, but in the face of the Court, and presence of the Jurors: yet the Petty-Jury, contrary to reason and their own consciences, found the Indictment against the King. The Court wondering at so wilful blindness, cause the Statute to be read, lay open the evidence, and remand them back, not doubting but comparing the fact with the Law, the Result would be a verdict for the King: they persist in their obstinacy and return Ignoramus: Being asked by the Bench how they could go against so clear evidence? They answered in general, Because they did not think PLUNDERING (a new name for an old Theft) to be Felony by the Law: but being beaten out of this starting hole, though ten are convicted, yet two stand out, and give this reason, that they were a Malignants goods, and the Parliament had given power to plunder such: but when it was replied that no such Order was produced, nor was it pleaded by the Prisoners at the Bar, they then professed openly, that these men arraigned at the Bar were honest men, that they had an In●ent to do them favour and they would do it: Hereupon the Bench justly incensed against so wilful perjury binds over the jurors to answer it the next Assizes: and withal, order M. Cornelius to indict these plunderers again upon an other Felony, he obeys their command and the Grand jury find it to be Billa vera: but when the undersheriff went out to impanell a Jury to try the Prisoners, he could find none but Separatists, who attended there that day purposely to be of the Jury, and professed openly that they stayed there to save the Prisoners. Happy men these, that may commit Murders, robberies, and thefts, and yet sear no Condemnation, neither at the Tribunal of God or Man. It is an usual doctrine of this Sect, That God sees no sin in his children, (for that name they will engross to themselves, though no men less deserve it) and it seems they are resolved to see no sin one in another. It was a wild saying of a gre●t Patriarch of theirs, That the Children of God were Heteroclites, because God did often save them even contrary to his own Rules. I know not how true they will find this assertion at the great day, when Murder shall be Murder, and Theft Theft, and God that righteous Judge, who without respect of persons, shall render to every man according to his d●eds, yet here on earth, if these men may judge one another, they may commit what wickedness they list, and let the reins lose to all kinds of villainy, and yet be saved contrary to all the rules of Law and Justice.  
M. Archer Lecturer at the same place, in his Sermon encouraged the people to take up Arms against the King, but it may be objected, says he, that the Gentry gainsay this Doctrine, and the Learned utterly disclaim it as erroneous and damnable, but what though the Gentry and Learned. (as you call them) descent, yet let it not Stagger your belief of this undouted Truth: for I tell you that in my Conscience you may do it, and in doing it you are so far from sinning, that you will do that which is acceptable to Go●. Be liberal therefore in contributing to this holy war, and sending forth men to fight this Battle of the Lord. This man in his Prayers and Sermons constantly calls the Parliament, The Lords Anointed, but with what Oil it is not yet determined: I am sure by experience we find that it is not Oil of Gladness.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. IU.  
Sir Rich: Mynshull's house in Buckinghamshire plundered by the Lord Brooks command. The King's picture abused. A house burnt near Hounslow by the Lord Warton's Soldiers. M Wiborow and M. thorn, the one a Minister in Essex, the other in Bedfordshire, the first ill-intreated on the Lords day by the Lo: S. John's Troopers, the other unjustly committed to Prison for a private revenge.  
ON Monday the 15. of August, 1642. Sir Richard Mynshull of Bourton in the County of Buckingham Knight, furnished with ten Horse and Arms, began his journey into the North to wait upon the King, as in the duty of a servant and subject he was bound. This being discovered (for they have spies in every corner) to the Lord Brooke, Sir Peter Temple, Sir Rich: Ingoldesby, Master Goodwin, and others then at Aylesbury, leaders of an Army raised against His Majesty. It fell under consideration to make Sir Richard Mynshul a precedent to deter others from serving the King, since it was not to be done but by exposing their persons to Imprisonment and their estates to plundering, for the Result of that deliberation was, that since they could not secure his person, they would seize on his estate, Nor do they stay long before they put the sentence in execution: for on Thursday the 18. of August, the Lord Brooke commanding a great part of the Army, came to Sir Richard's house, and in case he should find Resistance, they bring divers piece of Ordnance to batter the House: but being come they find no opposition. The first company that enters the house were under the command of one Cap: jones, who either detesting the oppression, or yet not fleshed in the sin, which but then found footing in this Kingdom, (for this was the first of this kind committed in Buckinghamshire, and the second in England) moderated the eagerness of the Soldiers sharp set on the prey, so that they gleaned but a little here and there; this moderation renders Captain jones suspected for a Papist both to the Lord Brooke and the rest of the Commanders: nay he is not only voiced for a Papist, but a Rumour is raised that he was bribed into this Moderation, and had taken a reward to spare Sir Richard's goods: the Captain blasted with these reports, the jealousy of him grew so high that they threaten to kill him: to avoid the fury of the Soldiers he is fain to withdraw himself, nor d●rst he appear before a Servant of Sir Richards had made oath that he was Innocent of any such Contract. And now the Lord Brooke and his Company being masters of the House, the first thing on which they express their rage is the King's picture, which with their swords they most traitorously pierce through in divers places: and not content to wound him in that representation, (whose person God miraculously hath, and we hope will preserve from them) They whet their tongues against their Sovereign, using Traitorous and scornful language against Him: by all which it is more than manifest to all the world, what they would do to the Substance, if they had Him in their power, that express such malice on his shadow: having at first entrance violated their loyalty to their King (according to His Majesty's frequent predictions) their fellow Subjects cannot expect Justice at their hands: now all is lawful prize that comes to hand, Money, Plate, Jewels, many fuits of Rich Hangings, Linen, Bedding, they Plunder from the Cabinet to the Larder, and make clean work as they go, leaving no booty for a second Plunder. And though that house were but one, yet in that one they Plundered three, Sir Richard having dis-robed two houses, one in Essex, the other in London, thinking to secure all in this third: while these things were in doing, the Lord Brook; with other Commanders, commands the Wine-cellar to be broke up: but in a saucy imitation of greatness, they will not drink without a Taster, yet not being confident enough, professedly to own Regal observances, for prevention of danger, a pretence was made, that the Wine was Poisoned, and one of Sir Rich. servants is compelled (a Pistol set to his breast) to begin and lead the way, that if there were any danger the experiment might be made in him: he having gained a Cup of Wine by their dissembled State, they follow freely, and drink very liberally to the good success of their designs: without ever scrupling whether drinking so, did not come within the nature of a health. And indeed it was an oversight that Casuist Prin was not consulted in the Case, the Cup often goes round, at last some inspired with the spirit of Wine, Prophecy, that Sir Richard's Treasure was buried in the Seller, presently they fall to digging, and instead of Treasure find a Mine of Bottles: they drink up the Wine, and in indignation break the bottles: from hence to cool the Wine they go to the Beer Seller, and in both what they could not drink, they break the vessels, and let run on the ground: after this they break open his Library, and the place where he kept his Evidences: they seize on all the Bills, Bonds, Deeds, Evidences, Writings and Books which they find, whether Sir Richards, or his friends: some of these they take away with them, some they tear in pieces, some they bind in bundles and make them serve instead of fuel both to heat Ovens and to roast meat for their supper: and would by no means suffer any of them to be redeemed, though large sums of money were offered for them: the house itself escapes not their fury: wanting Ladders to come at the Lead, they supply this defect with the Racks broken down from the Stables: they rip up the Lead and carry it away, they tear down the walls of the houses with Spades and Mattocks, they dig up the lower rooms, hoping there to find more Treasure: they break the Windows Doors, Wainscot, Ceilings, Glass, they take away all Iron Bars, Casements, Locks, Keys and Hinges: They break open his Wooll-house and Barns and empty and all: they enter the Dove-house, and like vermin destroy the Pigeons: only one of these vermin falling from the holes broke his back and died thereof: and because they could not carry away his house covertly they endeavour to fire it, to this purpose they leave matches burning in the mats but were discovered. From his house they issue our into his ground; there they lay all common, they break up his rales and fences: of his Sheep, what they did not eat, they sold, Sheep worth 20 ●. for twelve pence, Lambs worth 10 ●. for six pence: and the reasons why the rates of their market were so low, were, first they were a Malignant and Traitor's goods (so they styled Sir Richard.) Secondly, they were sold to their Brethren, and therefore must afford good Pennyworths. The rest of the Stock they run their swords or Pikes into most of them and spoilt them. Nor was Plunder the only thing they looked after, blood is in their thoughts. First, they send a Troop of horse to pursue Sir Richard, and threaten to cut him as small as herbs to the Pot: they clap a strong guard on Sir Richard's Lady, deny her a bed to lie on, though the neighbours earnestly entreated. Some there were among them, who (poor Souls) affrighted with these barbarous Insolences fled into the field, and hid themselves in growing Hemp, and there lay on the ground almost 20 hours without meat or any sustenance, so that what with fright and dampness of the earth, some of them contracted dangerous sicknesses, and hardly escaped with life. The Torrour which fell upon the Country there about was so great, that the neighbouring Justice of Peace durst not grant his Warrant to search after any of Sir Richard's goods, though earnestly entreated to it: and the neighbours were so ill used and threatened to extort confession from them where Sir Richard was, or where any of his goods were conveyed, that some sounded for fear, some fell mad, and some died. Certain it is their carriage was so barbarous, that it enforced M. Jo. Crew one of the Company to profess his dislike, and to tell the Lord Brookes and the rest, That they being Lawmakers should not be Law-breakers, nor make such precedents as would discover their intentions and render them odious unto the Country: since that knowing Sir Richard to have put himself for preservation of his Life under his Majesty's Protection, they have caused his Pond heads to be digged down, and have destroyed all his Fish, they have cut down his woods and seized on all his Lands, or made them utterly unprofitable unto him, for they will not suffer any Bailiff or servant of his to take any care of his estate, but have often sent parties of horse to seize on them or kill them.  
At a place called Kings-harbour near Hounslow-heath, three Soldiers, under the Command of the Lord ●ha●ton, came into a house to drink, going away, they of the house demand money for their drink: so unexpected an affront did so incense the Soldiers, that one of them told his Companions he would show them how they see houses on fire in Ireland, and so put his Carbine into the Thatch and discharged it, let the house on fire and departed. The General ESSEX returning from London, came by as the house was on fire, complaint is made unto him that the owner of the house was undone, but all in vain, his excellency was not at leisure to do Justice.  
The Countess of Rivers (who as you heard in the second Weeks Relation was Plundered to the value of an hundred thousand, or an hundred and fifty thousand pound) finding her abode here unsafe, having lost her goods, and her person in danger, to secure herself resolved for a time to abandon her Country, and rather expose herself to the hazard of Travel, then commit herself to that protection which the contemned Laws now affords. To this purpose she obtained a Pass to go beyond Seas: While she was in preparing for her voyage, Master Martin Plunder-master General, he that so familiarly speaks Treason, and steals the King's Horses, or doth any thing, Plunders the Countess of her Coach horses, notwithstanding a Warrant from the Lords House to secure them: And when this Warrant was produced to stave off this Parliament Horse-taker, he replied, That if the Warrant had been from both Houses he would obey it, as coming from the highest Authority in England, (sure this man was borne with Treason in his month) but since it came But from the Lords, he did not value it. When this Warrant could not prevail, the Countess obtains a Warrant from the Earl of Essex to have the Horses restored unto her again, but Master Martin, to over-bear all, procures an Order from the House of Commons to keep them. This honourable Lady's goods were seized on, though licenced to pass by the Lords, and searched and allowed by the Customhouse;  
At Pebmarsh in the same County of Essex, on the Lords day, divers of the Parliament Volunteers came into the Church, while the Parson Master Wiborow was in his prayer before Sermon, and placed themselves near the Pulput, and when he was in his Prayer, one of them struck divers times with his staff against the Pulpit to interrupt him, and while he was in his Sermon in contempt of the place where they were, and the sacred action in doing, they were almost as loud as the Preacher, to the great disturbance of the Congregation. No sooner was the Sermon ended, and the Parson come out of the Pulpit as far as the Reading desk, but they lay violent hands upon him, rend his clothes, and threaten to pull him in pieces in the Church. With much entreaty they spare him there, and permit him to go into the Churchyard: he is no sooner come thither, but they assault him more violently than before: Master Wiborow seeing the Constable (who all this while stood a spectator of his hard usage) calls unto him, and charges him in the King's name to keep the King's Peace: at his request they did a little forbear him: but before he could get half ways home, they assault him again, and demand his Book of Common Prayer which he used in the Church, (That which was found by the Parish, being torn in pieces before) which he refusing to deliver up unto them, they wreck their fury on him: They tug and ●ale him, and vow to kill him, unless he deliver up the Book of Common Prayer to their pleasure: he stoutly refuseth: Hereupon they fall upon him, strike up his heels, and take it from him by force, and so carry it away in triumph.  
M. Blaker by (a silenced Minister heretofore) preaching at Halstead in the same County, told them that to bow at the Name of Jesus, was to thrust a spear into Christ's side, and such Ministers as signed children with the sign of the Cross, did as much as in them lay to send such children unto the Devil.  
When the Earl of Essex and the rest, went from Reading to London, after the unhappy (to say no more) surrender to that Town, they left there a Committee consisting of none but City Captains & Tradesmen, these according to the authority commited unto them, summon all the able men of the Parishes thereabout, to appear before them at Reading, and assessed them at their pleasure. In Marlowe they assessed one Master Drue at 1000 l.. they fell to 500 l. he refusing to pay was imprisoned, but the Prison being, most nastic and loathsome, denied the Accommodation of Bedding, was forced to pay 300 l. Master Hor●epoole, they feased at 200 l. Master Chase (a man Plundered before) at 40 l. twenty pound was offered, but nothing will be abated of thirty Eliot a Butcher at an hundred pound and imprisoned. Cock a Baker at 20 l. Master Furnace the Vicar (not suffered to speak for himself because a Malignant) at 10 l. and paid seven. John Langley 10 l. Thomas Langley 20 l. William Langley 5 l. and Wilmot his servant 5.l. John More 80 l. Haskins a Shoemaker 5 l. Cane an Innkeeper 7 l. Rates so illegal, or had they been legal, so unequally proportioned to these men's Estates, that had Ship-money been still on foot, it would not have drawn so much money out of their purses in forty or fifty years, as this blue Apron Committee at Reading, removed some seven or eight degrees from the Close Committee at Westminster, extorted from them at one clap. O that we were but so wise as to compare our Conditions! certainly than we could not but acknowledge the just wrath of God upon us for our ingratitude, murmuring so much when we had so little cause, and bless God for the return of our former Peace, though with all its grievances, and those maliciously aggravated.  
Master Gues Thorn, Bachelor in Divinity, and Parson of S. C●berts in Bedford, was upon Sunday in the beginning of August last 1642. apprehended in his Parish Church immediately after he came out of the Pulpit (ha●ing preached three Sermons in the Town that day) by the Lord Saint-Johns Troops, who lay then in Bedford, and in a very boisterous manner carried away to an Inn in the Town, not permitted to go home to his house to visit his family, nor any of his friends suffered to come to him: the next day he was carried away to London, where when he had ly●n more than three weeks under the Messengers hands, he was brought to his I rial at the Bar in the Lord's House: Accusations are framed against him out of Sermons preached nine years before, Witnesses are produced to prove the Articles, who so well remembered what they were to say, that they were fain to read their depositions out of Papers which they brought in their hands. Master thorn gives so full an answer to all the objections, that the Lords pronounce themselves satisfied and him innocent, only the Lord Say disputes with him, and the Earl of Bullingbrooke grumbles at him. At length it is pretended, that there is another witness in the Country that can say somewhat, especially if it be written down in a Paper, as it was to his fellow deponents: hereupon he is committed to the Fleet, there to remain till that Witness can be prevailed with to find leisure to come up. About three weeks after the Witness appears, and is sworn, and contrary to the Rules of that Court is sent to be examined by a Clerk. Master Thorn with much ado obtains a Copy of his depositions: which upon a view contain no new matter but what he had before answered unto & cleared: hereupon he Petitions again for a sentence: he is ordered to attend the House: after a chargeable attendance of many days with his Keeper, he is called, the cause reviewed, upon the review, the Earls of Pembroke, Holland, Clare, and divers others, affirm that in their consciences they had acquitted him at the first hearing, and now upon the review, found nothing to alter their opinion, and therefore thought it fit he should be discharged. But well f●re a good neighbour at a dead list: the Earl of Bullingbrook objects, that he is a man of a malignant spirit, that he hath great interest in the affections of the people amongst whom he lives, and therefore if enlarged and remitted home may do much prejudice to the good Cause in hand, upon these just and weighty Considerations, M. thorn is remanded to the Fleet: ●nce that time he hath used the assistance of many friends, drawn many Petitions, humbly desiring that he might be heard: or if the great affairs of State would not afford their Lordships so much leisure, that he might have leave upon bail to go down to attend his Cure, until their Lordships should please to call for him: but was so far from obtaining his desire, that he could never get so far towards it as have his Petition read. His Parishioners sensible of his oppression and their own injury, being bereft of the comfort and labours of their own Pastor, sent up a Petition subscribed with three hundred hands to the same effect, that Justice might have a free uninterrupted course either to condemn or absolve him, but all in vain: so that for aught we yet understand he is still a Prisoner, and for any thing we are yet informed to the contrary, he is without hopes for enlargement, though his Judges have pronounced him innocent. And now would you know the true cause of all this oppression? Know then that it is possible for the high Court of England to be made the instrument of private revenge: for Sir Samuel Luke divers years since suing M. Thorn in the Star-Chamber, it was M. Thornes unhappiness to get the day of him, an injury which Sir Samuel could never forget, and did now revenge it by the help of the Earl of Bullingbrooke, the Lord Saint John's son, and his own interest in the house. This story hath been attested by some that were both care and eye witnesses of these particulars, and let me be substituted Prisoner in M. Thornes place if he (for aught I know) know any thing that I know this, or intended to make it known to the World.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. V.  
Warder Castle gallantly defended by the Lady Arundel, agasinst Sir Edward Hungerford and his power: his perfidiousness in breaking the Articles of Surrender: his barbarous usage of the Lady, her children, and goods. Master John Bykar, a Vicar's son, murdered at Coventry. Master Abraham Haynes robbed, abused, and unjustly committed, etc.  
ON Tuesday the second of May, 1643. Sir Edward Hungerford, a chief Commander of the Rebels in Wil●shire, came with his Forces before Warder Castle in the same County, being the Mansion house of the Lord Ar●ndel of Warder: But finding the Castle strong, and those that were in it resolute, not to yield it up unless by force, called Colonel St●ode to his help: Both these joined in one, made a Body of 1300 or thereabout. Being come before it, by a Trumpete● they summon the Castle to surrender: The reason pretended was, because the Castle being a Receptacle of Cavaliers and Malignants, both Houses of Parliament had ordered it to be searched for Men and Arms, and withal by the same Trumpeter declared, that if they found either Money or Plate, they would seize on it for the use of the Parliament. The Lady Arundel (her husband being then at Oxford, and since that dead there) refused to deliver up the Castle, and bravely replied, that she had a command from her Lord to keep it, and she would obey his command. Being denied entrance, the next day being Wednesday the third of May, they bring up the Cannon within Musket shot and begin the Battery, and continue it from the Wednesday to the Monday following, never giving any intermission to the besieged, who were but 25 fight men to make good the place against an Army of 1300. In this time they sprung two Mines, the first in a vault through which Beer and Wood and other necessaries were brought into the Castle: this did not much hurt, it being without the foundation of the Castle. The second was conveyed into the small Vaults, which by reason of the intercourse between the several passages to every office, and almost every room in the Castle, did much shake and endanger the whole fabric. The Rebels had often rendered some unreasonable conditions to the besieged to surrender, as to give the Ladies, both the Mother & the Daughter in Law, and the women and children quarter, but not the men, the Ladies both infinitely scorning to sacrifice the lives of their Friends and Servants to redeem their own from the cruelty of the Rebels, who had no other crime of which they could count them guilty, but their fidelity and earnest endeavours to preserve them from violence and robbery, choose bravely (according to the Nobleness of those Honourable Families from which they are both extracted) rather to die together then live on so dishonourable terms. But now the Castle brought to this distress, the defendants few, oppressed with number, tired out with continual watching and labour from Tuesday to Monday, so distracted between hunger and want of rest, that when the hand endeavoured to administer food, surprised with sleep, it forgot its employment, the morsels falling from their hands while they were about to eat, deluding their appeties now when it might have been a doubt which they would first have laded their muskets withal, either Powder before Bullet, or Bullet before Powder, had not the Maid servants (valiant beyond their Sex) assisted them, and done that service for them. Lastly, now when the Rebels had brought Petards, and applied them to the Garden door (which if forced, opened a free passage into the Castle) and balls of wildfire to throw in at their broken windows, and all hope of keeping the Castle was taken away, now and not till now did the besieged found a Parley. And though in their Diurnals at London, they have told the world that they offered threescore thousand pounds to redeem themselves & the Castle, and that it was refused, yet few men take themselves to be bound anything the more to believe it, because they report it. I would Master Case would leave preaching Treason, and instruct his Disciples to put away lying, and speak every man truth with his neigbbour: certainly the world would not be so abused with untruths as now they are: amongst which number this report was one, for if they in the Castle offered so liberally, how came the Rebels to agree upon Articles of Surrender so far beneath that overture? for the Articles of Surrender were these: 

First, that the Ladies and all others in the Castle should have Quarter.  
Secondly, that the Ladies and servants should carry away all their wearing apparel, and that six of the Serving men, whom the Ladies should nominate, should attend upon their persons wheresoever the Rebels should dispose of the●.  
Thirdly, that all the furniture and goods in the house should be safe from Plunder, and to this purpose one of the six nominated to attend the Ladies was to stay in the Castle, and take an Inventory of all in the house, of which the Commanders were to have one Copy, and the Ladies another.    
But being on these terms Masters of the Castle and all within it, 'tis true, they observe the first Article, and spare the lives of all the besieged, though they had slain in the defence at least 60 of the rebels: but for the other two they observe them not in any part: as soon as they enter the Castle, they first seize upon the several Trunks and Packs which they of the Castle were making up, and left neither the Ladies or servants any other wearing clothes but what was on their backs. There was in the Castle amongst many rich ones one extraordinary Chimney piece, valued at two thousand pounds, this they utterly deface, and beat down all the carved works thereof with their Pole-axes. There were likewise rare Pictures, the work of the most curious pencils that were known to these latter times of the World, and such that if Apelles himself (had he been now alive) needed not to blush to own for his. These in a wild fury they break and tear in pieces, a loss that neither Cost nor Art can repair. Having thus given them a taste what performance of Articles they were to expect from them, they barbarously lead the Ladies, and the young Lady's children, two sons and a daughter, Prisoners to Shaftsbury, some four or five miles from Warder. While they are there Prisoners, to mitigate their sorrows, in triumph they bring five cart loads of their richest Hangings & other furniture through Shaftsbury towards Do●chester, and since that, contrary to their promise and faith, given both by Sir Edward Hungerford and Strode, they have Plundered the whole Castle: so little use was there of the Inventory we told you of, unless to let the world know, what my Lord Arundel lost, and what these Rebels gained. This havoc they made within the Castle. Without they burn all the Outhouses, they pull up the pales of two Parks, one of Red-deer, the other of Fallow: what they did not kill, they let loose to the world for the next taker. In the Parks they burn three Tenements and two Lodges, they cut down all the Trees about the House and Grounds, Oaks and Elms, such as few places could boast of the like, whose goodly bushy advanced heads drew the eyes of Travellers on the Plains to gaze on them, these they sold for four pence, six pence, or twelve pence a piece, that were worth Three, Four, or Five pound a Tree: The Fruit Trees they pluck up by the roots, extending their malice to commit spoil on that, that God by a special Law protected from destruction, even in the Land of his curse, the Land of Canaan: for so we read, When thou shalt besiege a City, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof, by forcing an axe against them, for thou mayst ca●e of them, and thou shalt not cut them down to employ them in the siege: only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat thou shalt de●●●oy, Deut. 20. 19, 20. Nay, that which escaped destruction in the deluge, cannot escape the hands of these children of the Apollyon the destroyer. They dig up the heads of twelve great Ponds, some of five or six Acres apiece, and destroy all the Fish: They sell Carp of two foot long for two pence and three pence apiece: They send out the Fish by Cart loads, so that the Country could not spend them: nay, as if the present generation were too narrow an object for their rage, they Plunder posterity, and destroy the Nurseries to the greater Ponds: they drive away and fell their Horses, Kine, and other Cattle: and having left nothing either in the Air or Water, they dig under the earth, the Castle was served with water brought two miles by a Cunduit of Lead: and intending rather mischief to the King's friends then profit to themselves, they cut up the Pipe and sold it (as these men's wives in North Wil●shire do bone-Lance) at six pence a yard: making that waste for a poor inconsiderable sum, which two thousand pounds will not make good They that have the unhappy occasion to sum up these losses, value them at no less than an hundred thousand pound. And though this loss were very great, not to be paralleled by any, except that of the Countess of Rivers, yet there was something in these sufferings which did aggravate them beyond all example of Barbarity, which this unnatural War till now did produce, and that was Rachel's Tears: Lamentation and Weeping and great Mourning, a mother weeping for her Children, & would not be comforted because they were taken from her, for the Rebels, as you hear, having carried the two Lady's Prisoners to Shaftsbury, thinking them not safe enough there intent to remove them to Bath, a place then much infected both with the Plague and the small pox: The old Lady was sick, under a double consinement, that of the Rebels and her own in-disposition, all were unwilling to be exposed to the danger of the infection, especially the young Lady, having three children with her, they were too dear, too rich a treasure to be snatched away to such probable loss without reluctancy: Therefore they resolve not to yield themselves Prisoners for that place, unless they will take the old Lady out of her bed, and the rest by violence, and so carry them away But the Rebels fearing left so great inhumanity might incense the people against them, and render them odious to the Country, decline this, & since they dare not carry all to Bath, they resolve to carry some to Dorchester, a place no less dangerous for the infection of Schisine and Rebellion than B th' for the Plague and the Pox. To this purpose they take the young Ladies two sons (the eldest but nine, the younger but seven years of age) and carry them captives to Dorchester.  
In vain doth the Mother, with tears entreat that these pretty pledges of her Lords affections may not be snatched from her: in vain do the Children, embrace and hang about the neck of their Mother, and implore help from her that neither knows how to keep them, nor yet how to part with them: but the Rebels having lost all bowels of Compassion, remain inexorable. The Complaints of the Mother, pitiful cry of the Children prevail not with them, like ravenous Wolves they seize on the prey: and though they do not Crop, yet they transplant those Olive branches that stood about their Parent's Table: A barbarous fact, and such as must look out of Christendom for a precedent, and hardly find it though amongst the Heathen except amongst the unwashed Turks, who take Christian Children from their Mother's breasts either to make a Seminary for their guards of Janissaries, or by desalation to make them eunuchs unsuspected guardians of their Concubines, or if in Christendom, amongst none but the Jesuits their brethren, a generation whom they would be thought most to hate, yet are known most to imitate. Exod. 21. To steal a Man was death by the Law of Moses, nay the Romans that saw by no other Light, but that dim Spark of Nature discerned the equity of this Law, as is apparent in their Lex Fabia de Plagiarii●: and though these men blanche the Inhumanity pretending that they rob the Mother to enrich the Church, to bring them up in the true Religion, it were worth the while to ask (if they would vouchsafe an answer) what they mean by the true Religion, if they mean the Protestant, or to speak more properly the Religion of the Church of England, 'tis apparent they persecute that, but suppose (which we do not grant) that they did bereave Parents of their Children to that purpose to bring them up in the true Religion, yet cannot a good Intention warrant an unlawful act, not aught they to do evil that good may come of it: nor do we find either that the Church was ever pleased with such accessions, or that God did give a blessing to such unwarrantable zeal. When Sesibutus King of Arragon in the year 600 prevailed against the Saracens, and in a better zeal than this, but not according to knowledge, compelled his Captives to be baptised, he quickly found his error by the want of God's blessing upon his endeavours, nay God's dislike was so visible in the success, that the Church of God observing it, determined, That the children of Infidels not having the use and exercise of right Reason, should not be baptised Invitis Parentibus, contrary to the consent of the Parents. And the fourth Council of T●ledo, Cap. 56, disallow the inconsiderate zeal of Sesibutus forbade to compel any man to the faith under the censure of Anathema, & determined withal, that to baptise children without the consent of the parents, is all one as to compel men of full age to be baptised. The same determination is cited and approved by the Canonist. Dist. 45. Cap. De Judaeis, and were it but consistent with the nature of this work, it were easy to decry this Jesuitical Turkish practice by most impregnable arguments, both in the Schoolmen and Casuists: but I must leave this to men of the sacred Function, and only beg leave to infer, that if it be not lawful to baptise the Children of Jews, Infidels, or Heretics without consent of their Parents, though without Baptisine when it may be had there is no entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, certainly it must be far more unlawful being baptised to take them from their parents to season their tender years with dangerous principles leading to Profaneness, Brownism, Anabaptism and Rebellion. A just indignation against so barbarous practice hath transported me in this argument farther than I intended, though not so far as the heinousness of the Fact deserves, therefore if any man desires to be more fully satisfied of the power and interest which Parents have over and in their Children, being an Inheritance given them of the Lord, as the Prophet David, and the possession of their Parents, as Aristotle in his Politics, and the great violation of Justice in relation of the Laws of God, nature and men, in despoiling their Parents of them, let him have recourse to that learned and Elegant discourse of Petrus AErod●us, Chief Justice or Precedent of Anjou, in his Book de Patris Potestate, who being robbed of his Son stolen from him by the Jesuits, to plant him as a hopeful Imp in their Society, and not able to rescue him out their power, though he implored, and had the King of Spain's assistance (for thither he was carried) pursues his Son with Arguments, and Labours to recall him to his Obedience by laying before him his duty Artificially Collected and strongly applied from the Laws, Divine, Natural, and Moral, and therefore to him I remit him and turn my discourse into its proper channel.  
On Friday the 12 of May 1643. M. John Bykar (son to the Vicar of Dun-Church) was with his Father in Law, one of the High Constables of Warwick shire, at the market at Coventry. Being in a house in the City, he rece●ved some rude affronts from a Soldier of th●t Garrison: He being a very civil man, of good moderation, and it seems well instructed not to answer a fool●●n his ●olly, or being reviled to answer again, withdrew himself from the place, to decline the insolent madness of the Soldiers, and free himself from his provocations: being come into the streets, secure, as he thought, from all violence, he was suddenly run through the body, and falling down, died instantly. His offence was (for as yet we can hear of no others) that he was a Parson's son; so inveterate malice to that function and all depending on it, do these Rebels bear. And therefore if in this Relation you meet with frequent mention of Affronts, Oppressions, Plundering and murders of the Ministers of the Gospel, do not attribute it to any partiality, as if the Relator were more querulous for them than others, but to a serious desire to proportion his labours in a just measure to the merit of each man's case.  
Master Abraham Haynes of London, in September last, travelling into Shrop-shire to visit his daughter and some other friends, being benighted, was forced to take up his lodging in a little Village some eight miles short of his daughter's house: After supper, his Host in a seeming way of courtesy comes to visit his guest, and brings with him two or three of his Neighbours, whereof the Constable was one, to bear him company. After a little discourse, they will needs persuade him that he is a Malignant, a hard word in those parts before this Parliament began, but however it served the Constables turn well enough to lay hold on him: having seized on him, they search him, under pretence that he carried Letters of dangerous consequence, but searching, they find what they sought for, his Mony. 14 l. he had about him, this as good booty they take from him, and for ●eare he should run away from his Money, that night they set a strong watch upon him. Next morning very early they carry him before a Parliament man, residing about two miles distant from that place, who most Committee-man like, out of the abundance of his Justice, though no crime were objected, nor any thing found about him to render him liable to restraint, but only the sin of ●aving 14 l. or because he was guilty of the Constables affirming him to be a Malignant, he commits him to his former guardians, by them to be conveyed to London. M. Haynes unwilling to come so near his journey's end, & yet not arrive there, tenders bail, Gentlemen of the best rank and quality in the Country: but it will not be accepted: he desires to have leave but to send a Messenger to his daughter where he was that day expected, but it will not be granted: Away they carry him, they mount him and his man upon two poor Jades, while my Host and M. Constable ride on their Geldings. The first night they will allow him no supper, unless he will pay for it, though they knew he had no mon●y, having themselves seized on all he had. Afterward, upon much opportunity & earnest entreaty, they are pleased out of his own Moneys to allow him a poor thin allowance of food by the way. Being arrived at London, they bring their Prisoner before the Committee, who upon an implicit faith send him unheard, unaccused, unexamined Prisoner to the Fleet, where after he had lain six weeks, having made use of many friends, & presented many humble Petitions, ●nd (t●s thought some Moneys too) he is restored to his liberty upon this ground, that there were no Articles nor any accusation found in the Committee against him: but for his Money that (in the great justice and equity of the Committee) was bestowed upon his Accusers as a just reward of their zeal ●o the Parliament.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. VI  
Welling borrow in Northamptonshire miserably I lundered. Master Flint a curate murdered by a Rebel there. The Rebel's breach of faith at the surrender of Sudley Castle, and their abuse of the Church and Monuments there. Col. Purefoy's desacing S. Mary's Church, and the Chapel, with other Monuments in Warwick, etc.  
THat the Kingdom might not be undone but at their own charges, sundry ways and arts, both by force and entreaty, have been used to extort moneys from the King's good Subjects to maintain the present Rebellion. Amongst others Master Grace of Wellingborow, Clerk of the Peace for the County of North-hampton, was assaulted by persuasion, and very earnestly solicited by Sir Rowland S. John, to contribute liberally to this unnatural War: but his refusal to partake in so crying a sin, did produce a double effect, indignation in the Rebels, that hate all men that run not into the same excess of Treason & Rebellion with them, because others backwardness doth upbraid their forwardness that rush into Rebellion like the horse into the battle: but brought forth imitation in others, not only in Wellingborow, but in some Villages bordering on that Town: who seeing so good a precedent of Loyalty, refuse with him to hearken to so traitorous proposals: and now thinking themselves endangered by their refusal, and exposed to the mercy of Rebell-Plunderers, they enter into a consultation how to secure themselves from violence, and resolve to come to each others assistance, it the Dragooners from North-hampton or anyelse should assault them, upon notice given by jangling their bells: and that the world might not think their fears to be groundless, on the 26 of December 1642. at 12 of the clock at night, Captain Fran●is Sawyer (and as is supposed a brother of Sir Gilbert Pickerings) attended by 100 Dragooners beset M. Gray's house: and the signal of jangling the bells being discovered by some of the Town that were of their Faction, to prevent the Alarm to the Country, they tie up the bell-ropes, and place a guard of twelve Musketeers in the Church yard to secure the passage to the belfry: having thus beset the house, and as they thought frustrated the device of calling the confederate Villages to their help, Captain Sawyer demands entrance, M. Grace out of his Window tells him, that he and his family were in bed, and withal desired to know what their intentions were, thus in the dead of the night to disturb their rest, and what Warrant they had to command entrance ● they return him answer, that they had a Warrant to apprehend his person, and seize on his Plate and Arms for the use of the Parliament: half an hour was spent in this Parley, M. Grace protracting the time, that perhaps his neighbours hearing of his danger might come to his rescue: which accordingly fell out, for some of the Town hearing that the Rebels had beset M. Gray's house, hasten towards the Church, that by the sound of the bells (the signal agreed on) they might summ● the Country: when they come thither, they find the way intercepted, a guard of Musketeers denying them entrance: but enraged to find opposition where they did not expect it, they fell foul on the guard, beat them off, took five of their Muskets, forced their entrance, & so rang the bel●. Hereupon the Rebels, fearing that their entrance was delayed thereby to gain time till the Town and Country might come in to his Rescue, broke open a Window, and put in one or two of their company who presently open the doors to them and give them free entrance; having thus possessed themselves of the house, their first work is to seize upon M Gray's person, to this purpose they make directly to his Chamber, whom they found in his shirt, and would hardly give him leave to put on his clothes; and that their seizing of his person might not be without all show antho●itie, they produce a Warrant signed by the Earl of Essex, in which M. Gray's name was, this they show only, but will not permit him to read it. All the moneys and Pl●●e which they found in the house they take away, and as for M. Grace himself having taken him prisoner, they compel him to go on foot from Wellingborow to Welby: while they are on their way towards Welby, some 40 or 50 men from Wellingborow, armed only with Swords and Staves come to rescue M. Grace from the Rebels: after a short skirmish (wherein one or two of the Pursuers were hurt only, not slain) finding that they were unequal for the Rebels both in number and Arms, leaving the prey in the hands of the Oppressors, they retreat to Wellingborow: being returned thither, they find five hundred of the Country come in to their assistance: The common people (who seldom love or hate moderately) enraged that Master Grace should thus be taken from them, especially some of his poor neighbours, who in him were robbed of the relief which they received from his Charity, resolve to make some of the Rebel's Faction in that Town sensible of their displeasure: and therefore since they cannot wreck their anger on the Rebels that did the Fact, they fall foul on those that did approve it, if they were not abettors and underhand contrivers of it: they break their windows, break into some of their houses, and spoil their goods. Amongst the number of those that suffered under the fury of the people, a Chandler and a Cooper underwent the greatest loss, yet it could not be much, since upon a strict survey the whole spoil done in the Town did not amount ●o 30 l.  
Many of this assembly, utterly disliking such disorders, did not only reprove the chief actors in this outrage, but to discountenance their proceeding withdrew themselves: They of the Town to their houses, they of the Country to their several habitations: so that by the break of day the Tumult was appeased and the Town cleared. While these things were in doing, the Cooper and one or two with him post away to M. Perne the Parson of Welby, a Turbulent and Seditious man, and make their complaint to him, and to inflame him that was too apt to kindle without their holp, they do not only aggravate their own losses at Wellingborow, but tell him that they threatened to come and do the like at Welby: M. Perne, (changing his black Coat for a grey) instantly goes to North hampton, and there represents the injury done to their Faction at Wellingborow, and the pretended danger of Welby so effectually, that by noon that Tuesday Colonel Norwich commanding in chief, Sergeant Major Mol●, Captain John Sawyer, Captain Francis Sawyer, Captain Pe●t●ow, Captain Redman, Captain Farmar, Captain Harrold, with 500 but others say, 1000 Horses and Dragooners, came to Wellingborow: being come thither, they divide themselves into several Troops to make good several passages into the Town, thereby to keep out the Country that were coming to their aid, Captain John Sawyer with 80 or a 100 Dragooners enters the Town at that side which leads to Welby: and riding in the Front of his men, marched directly towards M. Neile of Wollaston, and some few with him who stood to oppose him: Sawyer discharges at M. Ne●le, and whom he miss with his Bullet h● would be sure to hit with his tongue, shooting out arrows, even bitter words, calling him Popish Rascal: but what reward shall be given unto thee O thou false Tongue● he stayed not long without it, for the words were no sooner spoken, and (●o second his words) a charge given to his Soldiers to give fire, but he received what he would have given, his death's wound by a shot in the head and neck by Goose-shot, which made him fall on his Horse neck, which shot was seconded by a Countryman, who with a Club beat him off his Horse into the dirt; being thus beaten down, the women to revenge their husband's Quarrel fasten on him: but M. Oliver Grace (Nephew to M. Grace before mentioned) & M Woollaston rescued him out of their hands, who otherwise had immediately died the death of Sisera by the hands of women: reprived thus for some few hours, they carry him to one Gray's house an Alehousekeeper, whose wife was Capt. sawyer's Aunt, where they administered what they could, but in vain, for after two and twenty hours' Languishment he died: as soon as Captain Sawyer was fallen, his Soldiers instantly ran away, only his son, unwilling to leave his Father, followed him to the hazard of his life by many wounds which he received. In other Parts of the Town, the Townsmen quit themselves like valiant Soldiers & loyal Subjects, and with very little help of the Country Kept the Rebels out: M. Gray's man and another, with each man his Musket, kept out above a 100 at the lower end of the Town, and repelled them twice or thrice: and had not Captain Sawyer coming to himself a little before his death, persuaded them that it was in vain to stand out, there being three Pieces on the way from Northampton to batter the Town (which proved true) and withal persuading them to write a Letter to the Commanders, promising that upon their submission the Town should be secured, they had held it out to the last man: but the dying Captain prevailed with them, they write a Letter according to his advice, which as they say, was signed by his own hand, the apprehensio of his desperate condition having put newthoughts in him. But this resolution not being so fully made known to the Town as a business of that concernment ought to have been, some of the Town, being ignorant of any Treaty, made some shot, and the Rebels willing to take advantage, rush into the Town, put both those of the Town and Country to flight. Captain Francis Sawyer much enraged for his Brother, and coming near the place where his Brother was wounded, seeing Master Flint the Curate of Harrowden stand there, not any way engaged in the resistance, having not given any provocation, he barbarously struck him with his Pole-axe, and cloven his head down to the eyes, of which wound he died instantly: the earth drinking up that innocent blood, shed by the hand of an accursed Doeg, which like the blood of Abel, calls loud in the ears of God for vengeance upon them who authorise and countenance such horrid Murders; Cursed be his anger for it was fierce, and his wrath for it was cruel.  
Being Masters of the Town at three of the Clock in the afternoon, they begin to Plunder, and continue the spoil until the next day light failed them, until Wednesday night. In this time they carry away the Wealth of the Town to Northampton and other places, sparing none but those whose tongues were framed to Shiboleth, men of their own Faction, whether they were active against them or stood Neuters: by which Essay those Lukewarm men (who stand pendulous equally poised between Rebellion and Loyalty, and know not which side to lean unto) may guess what measure they are like to receive from the Rebels hands, if ever they come to have them in their power.  
In the Town, two men especially suffer under these Freebooters, Master Grace and Master Fisher; from the first being Clerk of the Peace, they take away the Commissions of Peace, the Session's Rolls, together with his own Evidences and Leases, all his householdstuff, even to his very bed-cords, leaving but one sheet for his wife and five children: his Wheat and other Corn they give to their Horse; what they did not care, they threw into the streets, and trampled it in the dirt. From the other they took goods, and other things, amounting to a very great sum: and to complete their wickedness, to their oppression they add scorn; for having taken away all that they could, in derision they affix Protections in writing under Colonel Norwich his hand, at his and some others doors, forbidding any man to Plunder. Generally what they could not carry away, they spoil, so that the loss sustained by the Town is valued at six thousand pounds.  
They took Master Neile Prisoner, and some forty more, amongst them they took the Vicar, Master Jones, a grave and learned man, but lame and very sickly, and having Plundered him of all he had, they mount him on a poor Jade, with a Halter instead of a Bridle; the rest they tie two and two together, and drive them before them to Northampton. Master Grace as I told you, was the day before led Prisoner to Wilby, from thence to Northampton, where his Prison cannot afford him protection from the fury and rage of the Soldiers; to make way to his death, they threaten to pull down the house where he was confined: and the Commissioners finding that he could not remain there with any safety, were constrained to send him away Prisoner to London. Being come thither, Articles are framed and exhibited against him, which being examined at a Committee, and no proof at all made, he was voted to be discharged his Imprisonment: yet to delude Justice and the Petition of Right, the Chaire-man could never find a time to make his report to the House; so that he remained a Prisoner for a long time.  
On the 28 of January, 1642, the Castle of Sudley upon composition was delivered up to the Rebels; there were Articles agreed on and sworn to, but as he spoke truly, Children were deceived with Apples, and Men with Oaths; the Rebels as they swear to Articles for their advantage, so they break them as easily for their advantage, and make Perjury an easy uninterrupted passage to Theft & robbery, for these Rebels broke as many Articles as they swore unto: they Plunder not only the castle, the Seat and house of the Lord Chandoi●, and Winchcomb a neighbouring Village, to the utter undoing the poor Inhabitants, but in defence of the Protestant Religion and vindication of the honour of God they profane his House. There is in the Castle a goodly fair Church, here they dig up the graves, and disturb the ashes of the dead: they break down the ancient Monuments of the Chandoses, and instead thereof, leave a prodigious monument of their sacrilegious profaneness: for each part of the Church they find a peculiar way to profane it: the lower part of it they make their Stable, the Chancel their Slaughter-house. Unto the Pulpit (which of all other places in probability might have escaped their impiety) they fasten pegs to hang the Carcasles of the slaughtered Sheep: the Communion-Table, according to their own language, they make their Dresser or Chopping-board to cut out their meat; into the Vault, wherein lay the bodies of the Chandose●, an Ancient and honourable Family, they cast the guts and garbage: mingling the loathsome entrails of beasts with those bones and ashes which did there rest in hope of a joyful Resurrection. The Nave or body of the Church was all covered with the dung & blood of beasts: & which was (if it be possible) a degree beyond these profanations, in contempt of God and his holy Temple, they defile each part and corner both of Church and Chancel with their own excrements, and going away left nothing behind them in the Church (besides walls and Seats) but a stinking memory that part of the Parliament Army raised for the defence of Religion had been there. Let that railing R●bsh●kah or jeering Sanballat, I mean the Author of the ridiculous Pamphlet, entitled, One Argument more against the Cavaliers, read this Story, and then tell me which are most guilty of profanation of Churches, the Cavaliers or the Roundheads; which were most profaned, either Saint Mary Maudlin's in Oxford, or the Church at Sudley Castle: and yet this dog sticks not with Shimei to ba●ke at his Sovereign and blaspheme his Piety, as if the Rebels brought from Cy●encester had been Quartered in this Church by his approbation, who to expiate that guilt gave an hundred and fifty pounds to adorn and beautify that Church. The truth is, there was a fault in the Commanders for lodging them in Churches, who if they had had their due, had been hanged for Rebellion, their Carcases exposed to the Fowls of the air, and the Beasts of the Field, that the Ravens of the valleys might have had their due portion, and never suffered them to come so near the Church, as to have the privilege of Christian burial in the Churchyard. So, even so, let all the King's Enemies perish, O Lord, and let all the people say, Amen.  
In Saint Mary's Church in Warwick, and the Chapel, (commonly called the Earl's Chapel) adjoining to the Choir of that Church, are divers fair Monuments of the Beuchamps, anciently Earls of that place, which Family long flourishing there, had been great Benefactors & beautifiers of that Church, whereof Thomas Beuchamp (Earl of Warwick, and Earl Marshal of England, and one of the Founders of the most noble Order of the Garter, in the Reign of King Edward the third) built the Choir now standing, in the midst whereof is his Monument, & adorned the windows with the Pictures of himself, his wife and children, which were many, upon the Surcoats of the men were their Arms skilfully depicted, the women having the like, and Man●les, over which were the Arms of their Matches, their Husbands being the prime Nobility of those times: the like portraitures in glass, but much more rich and costly, were in that stately Chapel before mentioned: In this stood the Monument of Earl Richard being Brass gilt; and in the opinion of judicious observant Travellers esteemed the rarest Piece erected for any Subject in the Christian World: but such is the barbarousness of the pretenders to Reformation, that upon Wednesday the 14. of this instant June, the Soldiers by the appointment and encouragement of one whom (in these degenerous times wherein the dregs of the people are made Commanders for the advancement of Rebellion) men call Colonel Puresey (a man of a mean desperate fortune, but by the means of the late Lord Brook chosen Burgess of Parliament for Warwick, & who had the greatest influence in seducing that unhappy Lord to this desperate Rebellion, in which he miserably perished:) did beat down and deface those Monuments of Antiquity, and not content with this, by the same Command they break down the Cross in the market place, not leaving one Stone upon another, Purefey all the while standing by, animating and encouraging them, until they had finished their so barbarous work: In which the World may observe that these men are the sworn Enemies, not only of pretended Superstition, but of the Ensigns of Nobility and Gentry, that if their Diana, I mean their Parity may take effect, posterity may forget and not read the distinction of Noble from ignoble in these venerable monuments of ancient Nobility: there being in these windows something ●●deed to instruct a Herald, nothing to offend the weakest Christian.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. VII.  
Doctor Cox barbarously used by the Earl of Stamford at Exeter, contrary to the Law of Arms. The unheard of cruelties committed by the Lord Grey of Groby and his Soldiers, on the person, house, goods and servants of Master Nowell in Rutland-shire. Doctor Bargrave ill entreated by Col. Sands in Kent, etc.  
AFter the great and happy defeat given by the victorious Sir Ralph Hopton to the Devon-shire forces at Starton, it pleased the Commanders of His Majesty's Forces to entertain thoughts of Clemency towards the remainder of the Rebels. To testify to the world therefore that there was nothing more in their desires then a Thrift of Christian blood, and withal to heap Coals of fire upon their heads, to conquer them by kindness whom they had often conquered by the Sword: by their Letters they signify their readiness to close up those wide ●ents between them, by a Treaty. And that a Message of Peace might be well suited with a Messenger, they sent the Letters by Doctor Cox Doctor of Divinity, who attended by a Trumpeter, came to Exeter that Sunday in the afternoon. The Trumpeter as the manner is gave the Town warning as soon as he came within sight of the first guard, and presently an Officer came to receive him, who blind-folding him with a handkerchief pinned over his eyes, conducted him through the City unto the Earl of Stamfords' house: having admittance there, the Doctor takes off his handkerchief, but accidentally did not dispose of the pin that fastened it, but still kept it in his hand: the Earl he had no sooner set his eyes upon the Doctor, but presently he reviles him, and calls him all the reproachful names he could imagine, and swore that he would hang him instantly: but first to extort a confession from him, he offers a Knife or Dagger to his breast, demanding an Answer to some Interrogatories: the Doctor not affrighted with such rough usage, replies very discreetly, that he had received commands to deliver certain Letters from the commanders of the Cornish to those of the Devonshire Army, but that he had no Commission to satisfy any different and by-demands, this denial to answer, together with after dinner, inflamed the Earl, and put him into a new sit of railing: and for variety sake he did intermix the opprobrious names with many menaces and others of stabbing him: In the end, seeing that this harsh welcome could effect nothing, nor awe the Doctor to make any discovery, he demands the Letters: the Doctor, that he might clear his hands, and so dive into his pockets suddenly, put the pin which he held in his hands between his lips: hereupon one Baxter, a Sergeant Major of the City, observing the motion of his hand, but not perceiving what it conveyed to his mouth, cried out, What doth the Rogue eat there? He swallows papers of Intelligence: With this, the Earl forgetting the gravity and serious deportment of a Peer of the Kingdom of England, began in an antique manner to leap, and skip, and frisk, crying out, Treason. Treason, he comes to betray the City, Courage my brave blades; and so turning to the Doctor, he set his dagger again to his breast, & demanded what it was that he had put into his mouth? The Doctor mildly and softly putting his hands to his lips, took the pin thence, and showing it to his Lordship, said, It is a pin my Lord. The Sergeant Major thinking to intercept the supposed Intelligence going down the Doctor's throat, instantly flies to him, took him by the throat, and gripped him so hard that he had almost strangled him. The Earl himself (most unworthily) crying out, Cut the villain's throat, cut it: nor did he command another what he would not do himself, for with his own hands he offered his knife thrice at the Doctor's throat to cut it, but the Doctor still put it by, God who is a present help in trouble, restrained the Earl, and delivered the Doctor out of his hands. Nor was it his hap to suffer from honourable hands only, the standers by are not idle, but follow so leading an example: as if he had been sent for from Cornwall to Exeter on no other errand then to be made the City scorn, and the subject whereon their wanton insolency should vent itself: every one in the room had a fling at him: some with their fists beat him about the head, others scratch his face, one with his finger's boars his ears, to his extreme torment another with his finger's rakes in his mouth, hoping there to find some papers of Intelligence: one tears his hair, another forces his hand down his throat, and the thing for which they make this strict search is Intelligence, some scroll of Intelligence: Sure there is much want of Intelligence in their own heads, that made such strict inquisition for it in another man's. Well, they continue this pursuit of Intelligence so long and so eagerly, that the Doctor fainting under so barbarous usage, was ready to give up the ghost, and for fear he should die under their hands, they leave him a sad Emblem of that entertainment which the Messengers of Peace find from the men of this Generation. Let that rebellious City remember and tremble at that condolement of our Saviour over the like sin, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophet's, and ●o●est them that are sent unto thee, I am unwilling to go on and read her destiny, and therefore shall return to the story.  
Having in this unchristian manner insulted long enough upon the Doctor, they divert their rage, and spend the residue of their fury on the Trumpeter, and having either before, in part breathed out their madness, or not thinking the poor Trumpeter so Malignant as the Doctor, though they used him bad enough, yet they express not so keen a malice against him as against the Doctor Having satiated themselves by cumulating injury upon injury upon them, they are both commanded to an outward Room, here they are assaulted by fresh furies, for they had not stayed long there, but two Alderman renew the same insolences and act the injuries all over again, and the very dregs of the people animated by their example bear them Company. After this the Earl Commits them to Prison, and being brought into the Room where they were to lodge, they were stripped naked, and their clothes narrowly searched: and though after all this scrutiny nothing could be found, yet Intelligence is the thing the Earl looks after, and Intelligence he will have if it be to be had. And though the world never took his Lordship for a Physician, yet he prescribes two vomits, where his honour had his Simples I know not, but the composition was of a green colour, divided into two draughts, put into two bowls, these the Earl commands to be administered to the Doctor and the Trumpeter, that so they may vomit up those supposed Papers of Intelligence which Sergeant Major Baxter thought they had swallowed: the Doctor the chief Patient begins first, whom instantly they ply with Posset-drinke, having likewise some infusion in it to provoke and help on the Potion taken: all night long did they keep the Doctor at this exercise, though they saw that what came from him came with great difficulty and Torment, yet they gave not off, till at last it drew blood from him: all the return that was made into the basin was very exactly strained, to see if there were any rag of Intelligence: but there was none: but in case it should work both ways, (though his Lordship had many about him wondrous fit for such employment) yet whom he placed Sentinel for the postern if any Intelligence should chance, to escape that way, my intelligence fails me. This inhuman usage brought the Doctor so low, that in three days he was not able to receive any sustenance. In this his extremity and weakness, he had many visits from the people of the Town, who like Jobs comforters ●●vile him instead of pitying him: and the third night as he lay very sick and weak in his bed, there came into his Chamber a man very likely to prove the messenger of death unto him, his name was Down, Lieutenant to Captain White, who presently ask for the Jesuit, and calling him Rogue, and as many base names as himself deserved, offered to lay violent hands upon him: but one of the Soldiers abhorring so barbarous cruelty, in mere mercy to a dying man, as he had reason to judge him, interposing, restrained him from acting those murderous thoughts which he brought with him. After the Doctor had remained Prisoner five or six days, and having recovered so much strength as to hold out another worrying, he was, (with an ill intention in some) brought before the Council of War, where upon the Doctor's complaint of the hard usage he had undergone, some of the prime Gentry being ashamed of the cruelties acted on him, being a Messenger, and in that regard by the Law at Arms ought to be privileged from all affronts, much more from such violent outrages, Sir John Northcoote endeavoured to palliate the business, and to take off from the odiousness of it, by alleagding the Contents of the Letters, which indeed being for some preparatories and overtures of Peace, might enrage these men that were Enemies unto it: To which the Doctor replied, that under favour, that could be no ground nor yet excuse for their savage usage of him; because they had beaten him, and almost murdered him in the Earl of Stamfords' presence, before they knew the Contents of the Letters, or read so much as one syllable of them, or indeed received them, the violent Sergeant Major seizing on him before he could deliver them: This so unanswerable a return, put the Knight to his Italian shrug, and rejoined no more, but I know not That. After a week (and more) imprisonment, the Earl commands the Doctor to be carried aboard the Hope of Toptham, where the stench and noisome smell of the Ship had almost poisoned him. The Doctor's wife hearing of her husband's imprisonment came to Exeter to see him, but before she came her husband being shi●t for London, on much entreaty she obtained leave to go on Shipboard to see him, but on her return she was imprisoned till her husband being under sail, she had liberty to go away. After ten days being at Sea, the Doctor arrived at London, where he was long detained Prisoner at the Lord Peter his house in Alders●gate-street.  
The Lord Grace, with other some Rebels under his Conduct, came to Master Nowel's house, Brother to the Lord Nowell that now is, demanding his person Prisoner, and his Arms for the use of the Parliament. Master Nowell modestly replied, that he knew not wherein he had offended, that he should forfeit his liberty or goods to the justice of the Parliament: his house was his Castle, his Arms were his Defence, and his liberty was precious unto him; so that he could not satisfy their demands in any thing. Hereupon they plant a Cannon very near the house, so near that the fire of it took hold of an outhouse that was thatched, this house though burned down was not of any great consequence. Therefore they discharge again, and beat down a beam of his dwelling house, but hurt no man within it; and making a third shot, they beat down a Chimney, and the fall of it bruised the foot of one of his servants. At last, finding that Master Nowell was resolved to make good his house against them, notwithstanding their Cannon Battery, and would not deliver up his person to Captivity, nor his house to their Plunder, they fire six of his Neighbours houses, in one of which there was a woman in Labour, by which means the neighbours were compelled to expose her to a probable, by snatching her from certain destruction, for in the midst of her Throws and pangs of Childbirth, they were fain to carry her in a Chair out into the streets: having a while sported and warmed themselves at those flames, at which the poor Inhabitants wept and wrung their hands, they threaten, that unless Master Nowell will yield himself Prisoner, and deliver up his house to their pleasure, they will not only fire his house, but will not leave a house unburnt in the whole Parish. This so affrighted the poor Inhabitants and Neighbours, that men, women and children, come with tears, and earnestly beseech him to surrender himself, rather than suffer them to be ruined, and utterly spoilt before his face. Overcome at last, not by the Rebel's Ordnance, but by that which spoke louder in his ears, The pitiful complaints and out cries of his Neighbours, he found'st a Parley, the result of which was, 

First, That the Rebels should see the fire quenched.  
Secondly, That all in his house should have liberty to depart whither they pleased.  
Thirdly, That none should enter the house but Commanders.    
But this generation of Truce-breakers (that keep faith neither with God nor man, and break Oaths faster than ever Samson did his Cords, whom nothing can tie fast but a Halter, the strongest Obligation for a Traitor) were no sooner entered the house, but presently they seize on Master Nowell and Master Skipwith as their Prisoners: and whereas by the Article of agreement none were to enter the house but Commanders, and since if the Article had been kept unviolated, there were like to be as many Thiefs within as without doors; Therefore Commanders and common Soldiers, common Soldiers & Commanders, all Thiefs, enter the house, and rifle it. They take away his goods, cut the Ticks of his beds, burn the Feathers, tear in pieces his Accounts, Writings, and Evidences, and That which we have not read in the black Catalogue of the outrages of the Rebellious Irish, was attempted by these, for in the examinations upon Oath of those that report the miserable sufferings of the poor Protestants in Ireland, & the barbarousness of the Irish, published by Order of Parliament, we do not find that God gave them up to so reprobate a sense, as to commit or attempt any Rapes; give the Devil his due, this sin we find not laid to their charge: But these blessed Reformers, whom they have not blushed blasphemously to call The Houst of God, and Christ's Armies, and Champions of Religion, added this to the rest of their innumerable wickednesses, that they attempted to ravish two of his maidservants, one was dumb but fourteen years of age, another had her knee put out of joint, striving to resist a villain in so beastly an attempt. In a word, their practices were generally so wicked, so impious, that one that stood Spectator of all passages, & observed strictly what was done, affirms, that Master Griffith (whom some call Prince Griff●●●) was the only civilised man amongst them. Having committed these inhuman acts among the Living, they go into the Church among the Dead, and there deface a goodly Monument which this Noble Gentleman Master Nowell had erected for his deceased Wife: deeply wounding the living Husband, by spoiling that Memorial which he had consecrated to the dear Memory of his dead Wife. Having ransacked all from the living to the dead, they carry away M Nowell and M. skipwith Prisoners to London, and commit them to safe custody in the Lord Peter his house (before mentioned) in Aldersgatestreet, where they remained Prisoners for a long time.  
Colonel Sandyes in his perambulation of Kent, bestowed a visit upon Doctor Bargraves house then Deane of Canterbury, the Dean himself then being from home. Sandyes came late in the night, and the whole family were in bed: they soon raise the house, and where they did not find they make an entrance, forcing Mistress Bargrave, a virtuous good Gentlewoman (whom their hasty summons had permitted to cast only her Night gowue about her) to wait upon them from room to room, not suffering her to turn aside (though she for modesty sake requested that favour at their hands) to draw on her Stockings, unless they might stand by and see it done. They rudely rush into Mistress Boys her Chamber, the Widow of Doctor Boys Deane of Canterbury, a Gentlewoman about four score years old, there they seize upon a Cabinet of hers, and break it open, (though the good old woman would very sane have had it spared, and offered them the key to open it) they find in it forty five pounds in old Gold, which she had laid by to bestow as Legacies upon her friends: this they hug and call their own. She entreats them to forbear it, and directs them to her Will, which was laid up with the Gold, and in that they might see how she had bequeathed it. Upon perusal of the Will, they find that she had made Deane Bargrave her own Brother her Executor, this they pronounce a Crime of so high a nature, that nothing could expiate the guilt, but the forfeiture of the Gold, and the Cancelling of the Will; but by the earnest mediation of Master King, one of their company, at length they are persuaded to restore the Gold, and spare the Will. From hence they go to the Chamber where young Master Bargrave the Deans Son did lodge; Sandyes valiantly breaks his Sword (which hung at his bed's head) before his face, and calling him out of his bed, sends him Prisoner to Dover Castle. Soon after, the Deane hastening home to comfort his distressed Family, Sandyes hairs where he was lodged at an Inn at G●avis-end, and as he was undressed and ready to go into bed, Sandyes and 13 of his Soldiers, press into his Chamber with their Swords drawn, and command him to yield himself a Prisoner, which the Dean (having neither power nor will to resist) did accordingly; having (with out any reason given) brought him a Captive to London, they commit him Prisoner to the Fleet, where after he had lain three weeks, he was at last released, without ever being examined, or so much as called to the House. After this, Sandyes writes (I blush to mention so degenerous a Pamphlet) a book, and was not ashamed to call it, His Travails into Kent, unworthy his Predecessors, to stain the Name of Sandyes with such Travails: In this worthless commentary, the Register of his perpetual Infamy, amongst Others things he fastens the Note of a debauched drunken young fellow, upon young M. Bargrave, a Gentleman of so ingenuous a Countenance, so modest and sweet a Temper, that he deserves a far better Character. The old Deane, a grave and Learned Gentleman, heartbroken with these Injuries, soon after dyes; the World in the mean time Condemning Sandyes, not so much for his Barbarity as ingratitude in dealing thus with him, who had not many years before, been a special means to save him from the Gallows, when he was indicted for a Rape at the general Assizes at Maidstone. But you know the old Proverb, Save a The●fe from the Gallows, and he will cut your Throat.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. VIII.  
Master Swift Parson of Goodwich in Hereford-shire, his wife and ten children most inhumanely dealt with by Captain Kirle a stony hear●ed Rebel. The Duke of Vendosme Plundered at Uxbridge, with other frauds and abuses committed by the Rebels, etc.  
WHen the Earl of Stamford was in Herefordshire in October 1642. and Pillaged all that kept faith and Allegiance to the King, information was given to Mistress Swift, wife of Master Thomas Swift Parson of Goodwich, that her house was designed to be Plundered: To prevent so great a danger, she instantly repaired to Hereford where the Earl then was, some ten miles from her own home to Petition him, that no violence might be offered by his Soldiers to her house or goods: He most nobly, & according to the goodness of his disposition, ●threw the Petition away, and swore no small Oaths that she should be Plundered to morrow. The good Gentlewoman being out of hope to prevail, and seeing there was no good to be done by Petitioning him, speeds home as fast as she could, and that night removed as much of her goods as the shortness of the time would permit: next morning to made good the Earl of Stanfords' word, Captain Kirle his Troop, consisting of 70 Horse and 30 Foot which were hangers on, (birds of prey) came to Master Swifts house; there they took away all his provision of Victuals, Corn, Householdstuff, which was not conveyed away: they empty his Beds, and fill the Ticks with Malt; they rob him of his Cart and six Horses, and make this part of their theft the means to convey away the rest: Mistress Swift much affrighted to see such a sight as this, thought it best to save herself though she lost her goods, therefore taking up a young Child in her arms, began to secure herself by flight: which one of the Troopers perceiving, he commanded her to stay, or (holding his Pistol at her breast) threatened to shoot her dead: the (good Woman) fearing death whether she went on or returned, at last shunning that death which was next unto her, she retires back to her house, where she saw herself undone, and yet dared not oppose or ask why they did so ● Having thus rifled the house and gone, next morning early she goes again to Hereford, and there again Petitions the Earl to show some compassion on her, and her ten Children, and that he would be pleased to cause her Horses and some part of her goods to be restored unto her: the good Parle was so far from granting her Petition, that he would not vouchsafe so much as to read it: when she could not prevail herself, she makes use of the mediation of friends: these have the repluse too, his Lordship remaining inexorable without any inclination t● mercy: at last hoping that all men's hearts were not Adamant, relentless, she leaves the Earl and makes her address to ●apraine Kirle, who upon her earnest entreaty grants her a Protection for what was left, but for restitution there was no hope of that, this Protection cost her no less than 30s. It seems Paper and Ink are dear in those parts: And now thinking herself secured by this Protection, she returns home, in hope that what was left she might enjoy in peace and quietness: She had not been long time at home, but Captain Kirle sends her word, that if it pleased her, she might buy four of her own six horses again, assuring her by his Father's Servant and Tenant, that she should not fear being Plundered of them any more by the Earl of Stamfords' forces while they were in those parts. Encouraged by these promises, she was content to buy her own, and deposited eight pound ten shill, for four of her horses: and now conceiving the storm to be blown over, and all danger past, and placing much confidence in her purchased Protection, she cauleth all her goods secured in her neighbour's houses to be brought home; and since it could not be better, rejoiced that she had not lost all. She had not enjoyed these thoughts long, but Captain Kirle sent unto her for some vessels of Cider, whereof having tasted, but not liking it, since he could not have drink for himself, he would have Provender for his Horse, and therefore instead of Cider he demands ten busnels of Oats. Mistress Swift fearing that the denial might give some ground of a Quarrel, sent him word that her Husband had not two bushels of Oats in a year for ●ythe, nor did they s●w any on their Glebe: both which were most true: yet to show how willing she was (to her p●wer) to comply with him, that the Messenger might not return empty, she sent him sortie shillings to buy Oats. Suddenly after the Captain of Goo●r●ge-Castle, sends to Master Swifts house for Victual and Corn, Mistress Swift instantly repairs to him, and shows him her Protection: He to answer show with show, shows her his Warrant, and so without any regard to her Protection, seizeth upon that provision which was in the house, together with the Cider which Captain Kirle refused. Hereupon Mistress Swift writes to Captain Kirle complaining of this injury, and the affront done to him in slighting his Protection: But before the Messenger could return with an Answer to her Letter, some from the Castle come a second time to Plunder the house, and they did what they came for: Presently after comes a Letter from Captain Kirle in Answer to Mistress Swifts, telling her, that the Earl of Stamford did by no means approve of the injuries done unto her, and withal by word of mouth sends to her for more Oats: She perceiving that as long as she gave, they would never leave ask, resolved to be drilled no more: the return not answering expectation, on the third of December two hours before day, Captain kir●es Lieutenant, attended by a considerable number of Horse and Dragoones, comes to M. Swifts' house and demands entrance, but the doors being kept shut against them, and not able to force them, they broke down two Iron Bars in a Stone window, and so with Swords drawn and Pistols cocked, they enter the house. Being entered, they take all Master Swift and his wife's apparel, his Books and his children's clothes, they being in bed, and those poor children that hung by their clothes, unwilling to part with them, they swung them about until (their holdfast failing) they dashed them against the walls. They took away all his Servants clothes, and made so clean work with one, that they left him not a Shirt to cover his nakedness. There was one of the Children, an Infant lying in the Cradle, they robbed that, and left not the little poor soul a rag to defend it from the cold. They took away all the Iron, Pewter and Brass, and a very fair Cupboard of Glasses which they could not carry away, they broke to pieces: and the four Horses lately redeemed are with them lawful prize again, and left nothing of all the goods but a few stools for his wife, children and servants to sit down and bemoan their distressed condition. Having taken away all, and being gone, Mistress Swift in compassion to her poor Infant in the Cradle, took it up almost starved with cold, and wrapped it in a Petticoat which she took off from herself: and now hoped, that having nothing to lose, would be a better protection for their persons, then that which she purchased of Captain kirle for 30 shill. But as if Jobs Messengers would never make an end, her three Maidservants whom they of the Castle had compelled to carry the Poultry to the Castle, return and tell their Mistress that they in the Castle said, that they had a Warrant to seize upon Mistress Swift and bring her into the Castle, and that they would make her three maidservants wait on her there, threatening to Plunder all under the petticoat, and other uncivil immodest words, not fit for them to speak, or me to write. Hereupon Mistress Swift fled to the place where her Husband for ●eare of the Rebels had withdrawn himself; she had not been gone two hours, but they come from the Castle, and bring with him three Teems to carry away what was before designed for Plunder, but wanted means of conveyance. When they came, amongst other things, there was a batch of bread hot in the Oven, this they seize on, ten Children on their knees entreat but for one loaf, and at last with much importunity obtained it: but before the Children had eaten it, they took even that one loaf away, and left them destitute of a morsel of bread amongst ten Children. Ransacking every corner of the house, that nothing might be left behind, they find a small Pewter dish in which the dry Nurse had put Pap to feed the poor Infant, the mother which gave it suck being fled to save her life, this they seize on too The Nurse entreats, for God's sake, that they would spare that, pleading that in the Mother's absence, it was all the sustenance which was or could be provided to sustain the life of the Child, & on her knees entreated to show mercy unto the Child, that knew not the right hand from the left, a motive which prevailed with God himself, though justly incensed against Nineveh. But to show what bowels of compassion and mercy are to be expected in Sectaries, and how far they are from being Disciples to him who says, Be ye merciful, as your Father which is in heaven is merciful, They transgress that precept of our Saviour in the Letter, and take away the children's meat and give it unto dogs for throwing the Pap to the dogs, they put up the dish as lawful prize.  
Master Swifts eldest son, a youth, seeing this barbarous cruelty, demanded of them a reason of this so hard usage; They replied, that his Father was a Traitor to the King and Parliament, and added that they would keep them so short, that they should eat the very fle●h from their arms; and to make good their word, they threaten the ●iller, that if he ground any Corn for these Children, they would grind him in his ●wne Mill; and not contented with this, they go to Master Swifts next neighbour (whose daughter was his Servant) and take him Prisoner, they examine him upon oath what goods of M. Swifts he had in his custody, he professing that he had none, they charge him to take his daughter away from M. Swifts' service, or else they threaten to Plunder him, and to make sure work, they make him give them security to obey all their commands: terrified with this, the neighbours stand a● far off and pi●●ie the distressed Condition of these persecuted Children, but dare not come or send to their reliese: by this means the Children and Servants had no sustenance, hardly any thing to cover them, from Friday six a clock at night, until Saturday twelve at night, until at last the neighbours moved with the lamentable cries and complaints of the Children and Servants, one of the neighbours overlooking all difficulties, and showing that he durst be Charitable in despite of these Monsters, ventured in and brought them some provision. And if the World would know what it was that so exasperated these Rebels against this Gentleman, the E. of Stamford, a man that is not bound to give an account of all his actions, gave two reasons for it, first, because he had bought arms and conveyed them into Munmouth-shire, which under his Lordship's good favour was not so; and secondly, because not long before, he Preached a Sermon in Rosse upon that Text, Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, in which his Lordship said, he had spoken Treason in endeavouring to give Caesar more than his due: these two Crimes cost Master Swift no less than 300 l.  
About Feb. 1642. the Duke of Vendosme being to return home into France, but resolving first to take his leave of the King at Oxford, obtained a Pass from the close Committee, that he might be free from any ●et or molestation in his journey, but notwithstanding this Pass, in his Return from Oxford he was searched and Plundered at Uxbridge, by that worthy Knight Sir Samuel Luke, who was sent by his Excellency from Windsor, with a Troop of Horse for that purpose, That France by experience might know, that Thiefs Rob as confidently in the Towns of England, as in the woods of Ardenna, or any Forest in France.  
About December 1642. the Colonels, Waller, Browne, and others, marching from Aylesbury to Windsor, & thence by Newbury to Winchester, their Soldiers in their March Plundered every Minister within five miles of the Road, without distinction, whether of their own party or of the other, whether they subscribed for Episcopacy, Presbytery, or Independency, whether they wore a Surplice, or refused it; only if they did not, they afforded them the less booty. Those that were Considers, whose Irregularity, and non-conformity, armed them with confidence to appear, Petitioned the House of Commons for Relief and satisfaction: it being taken into Consideration, that this was not according to their new Phrase to weaken the wicked, but the Religious and such who stood well-affected to the Parliament: hereupon slandering the Cavaliers, with the fact which their own Soldiers had done, and to make the foolish Citizens bleed free, there was an Order drawn up and published, That in regard the Petitioners were well-affected men, and Plundered by the Cavaliers, that there should be a general Collection made for them the next Fast day, and that the Preachers should exhort the People, and Pray to God to enlarge the People's hearts, bountifully to relieve the Petitioners.  
But winchester being surprised, and the Lord Grandison taken Prisoner, Colonel Browne in a Letter to famous Isaac Pennington, magnifies the Victory, and enlarged the glory of it very much by that Circumstance of taking that Noble Lord Prisoner, but which did much eclipse the honour obtained that day, in the Letter he adds, that by the treachery of Colonel Vr●ey, he was escaped: little Isaac had hardly so much patience, as to read out the Letter, but he Summons his Myrmidons, and gives an A arm to his Red-contes, the Messengers of his fury, and sends them instantly to Plunder Mistress Vrri●s lodging: It was no sooner said then done, they being as swift to act misch●efe as Isaac was ready to command it; what they had in charge they perform faithfully, and Plunder her of no more but all. Mistress Vrrey presently gives notice to her Husband what measure she found in the City, while he was in their Service in the Country: the Colonel upon the Information hastens to London, to expostulate for this Injury, and for redress, complains to the House against the Ringleader Browne, and Rout-Master little Isaac: upon hearing both parties, the House quits Colonel Vrrey from any conspiracy with my Lord Grandison or connivance at his escape: and for reparation of his losses, they order him 400 l. to be paid him out of the moneys collected the last Fast day for the Plundered Ministers, who by this means were Plundered twice: and so one order begetting another, they order that a new collection shall be made for the Petitioners the next Fast day: nor was this the first debt by many that have been paid by the abused Charity of London, the great Tax-bearing Mule as one justly calls it.  
There is one Bea●e dwelling at Hasely (as I take it) in Oxfordshire: a man much devoted to the proceedings of the two Houses of Parliament, yet it was his chance to fall into their hands who weaken the wicked: some of the Rebels under the command of the Earl of Essex Plundered him of two Horses: upon complaint made unto the Earl, he gives Beal command to attend him at Tame, and there he should have them again: according to the directions given him by the Earl, (accompanied by his Brother) he comes to Tame, hoping to have his Horses restored, being come thither, Bcale is apprehended and committed to Prison, and his Horse, together with that which his Brother road on, are both seized for the Earls use, nor can either Man or Horse be released, unless he will pay down 20 l. in ready money: having continued in Prison four days, at last his Mother (for fear if she had rode she might have been Prisoner for her Horse's sake, as her Son was) comes to Tame on foot and brings 20 l. with her to redeem her Son out of Prison, upon receipt of the Money, being a debt so justly due and so truly paid, his Excellency released him out or his Imprisonment, and restored him the two worst Horses of the four, and wisely kept the two best for himself, which with a very little help, may serve to explain the mystery of his Motto, CAVE ADSUM: i.e. where I come look well to your Money and Horses.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. IX.  
Master Jones Vicar of Wellingborow, starved to death in Prison at Northampton. A Barber and a Maidservant murdered by the Rebels at Wellingborow. Captain Ven●, ab●se of Windsor castle, and his barbarous usage of Prisoner's there, etc.  
When I first entered on this Work, it was a pro●ise solemnly made, not to abuse the World with salthoods or uncertainties, but to use all Candour and Integrity: and if any thing should chance to pass, which upon better information should appear false, I should not blush to make a free and an ingenuous acknowledgement. In these several Relations what to retract or recall of the Rebels cruelties, I yet know nothing, but what to add unto them I do.  
The sixth week's Mercury told you of the Plundering of Willingbo●ow in Northamptonshire by the Rebels, and the taking of Master jones, Vicar of that Town Prisoner, and in tha● account which I there gave of him, I left him in Captivity at North●mpton: since that Mercury went abroad, some good body finding that Relation to come far short of th●t barbarous usage which Master jones found from the Rebels, moved either with detestation of such inhuman cruelt●e not to be buoyed in oblivion, or out of affection to his person murdered by these savage Monsters, hath supplied the former defect, and enabled me to bring this Story to its sad conclusion.  
Master jones was a man very aged, being arrived at that Term which Moses made the usual boundary of man's life in his life, Threescore and ten, and had not these bloodthirsty men shortened his days by an untimely death, he might have been so strong as to come to fourscore years; and though age itself be a disease (which yet few men that have it are willing to be cured of) it pleased God to add a casual infirmity to his natural, for some two years since by a fall he unhappily broke his leg, of which he continued lame to his death. When the Rebels, those Locusts that devour all the good things of the Land, came to Wellingborow, having ransacked the Town, they took many Prisoners, and amongst the rest Master Jones: all that knew him must bear him record, that he was a man of a most unblameable life and conversation, an able Scholar, and extraordinarily gifted for Preaching, of which he gave ample proof by his Labours diligently bestowed among his Parishioners by the space of forty years: having h●m in their power whom they knew to be a great means by his Orthodox Preaching to keep that Town and some parts thereabouts in Obedience, when the rest of the Country were in Rebellion against their Sovereign: they neither reverence his Calling, nor honour his age, nor pity his infirmity, but abuse him by scosse●, and jeers, and compel him to go on foot a great part of the way (lame and weak as he was) between Wellingborow and Northampton: and that he might keep pace with the rest, they compel him to make more speed than his infirmity could brook. At Wellingborow the Rebels murdered a Barber and stole away his Bear, and when they could not force this reverend old man to mend his pace, Lieutenant Grimes (a desperate Brownist, the master of this misrule, and the chief agent in inflicting all this scor●e and tyranny on Master Jones, but since a prisoner in Banbury Castle) to see if fear would add to his strength, forceth the Bear upon him, which running between his legs took him upon her back, and laying and the intractableness of its Nature, grew patient of her burden; and to the astonishment of the beholders carried him quietly, so that what was intended as a violence, became his ease. The Rebels overcome by so unusual an example of kindness, the savage Bea●e reproving the madness of their fury, they remove Master Io●es from off the Bear to a Horse, but such a Horse as did but vary, not better the condition of his transportation. One of the rout observed to be extremely active in all these insolences, and to have a hand in murdering the Barber, seeing the tameness of the Bear, as quiet under Master jones, as if she had been accustomed to the Saddle, prefumes that it was no more but up and ride, and presently bestrides the Bear, who as if she had been of that race that did revenge the Prophet Elis●as quarrel, dismounts the bold Rider, and as if she had been robbed of her whelps, did so mangle, rend, and tear him with her teeth, and paws, that the presumptuous wretch died of these hurts suddenly after.  
Stay, Reader, suspend thy opinion, be not too hasty, I profess ingenuously the relation seems at first blush to partake something of the Romanse, or at best to be but an imitation of some Popish Legend, as if we meant to implore the help of seyned miracles to gain credit to a party: but against all this prejudice I must oppose, first the Integritic and quality of the Relator, being beyond all exception, and affirms it on his credit. Secondly, why may not God stop and open the mouth of the Bear now as well as the Lions heretofore ● to revenge the indignities offered to a Minister under the Gospel, by the same creature, as those offered to a Prophet under the Law? Or lastly, why may not the blood of him that owned this Beast, be required by this Beast of him that had his hand in shedding it? This was not the first time that God gave commission to the Brute to execute his vengeance. But I forget myself; my business is to relate things done, not to encounter Objections against their probability of doing. To go on therefore.  
Having brought Master jones to N●●thampton, his entertainment there was as bad as his usage in the way thither: though it were in the depth of Winter, when old age needed good fortifications of Lodging and Diet against the incursions of Cold and Wet, yet they afford him nothing but a hard mat, with a little straw under him, and to cover him and to keep him warm nothing but one Blanket and his own wearing clothes: As for his food, they give him the bread of afflict on, d●●ying his own friends leave to supply him with competent diet, to sustain nature, and his growing infirmities: yet to show that Man lives not by bread only, but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of God, it pleased his good providence to preserve him like the young children in Daniel, fed only with Pulse so that he was in good plight and seemed to want nothing, though he continued in this distressed condition from Christmas to almost Easter: about which time, not remorse of conscience for so much cruelty practised on a decrepit old man, (but an Orthodox Reverend Divine) but importunity of friends, prevailed with the Rebels to release him of his imprisonment in Northampton, and to remit him to a neighbour Ministers of his one M. walter's, Bachelor in Divinity, Vicar of Doddington near Wellingborow, a very learned and industrious Preacher, and permitted him to Officiate in his own Cure at Easter, there being but one Parish Church in the Town, but no less than two thousand Communicants. Having licence to visit his Charge, not awed by that Tyrannous usage which he had undergone, Conscience of his duty doth press him to a punctual observance of the Orders and Canons of the Church: he Celebrates Divine Service according to the Book of Common Prayer; preacheth Obedience as boldly as if there had been no Rebels in Northamptonshire, administereth the Sacraments with the same Reverence, Decency and Devotion, as if there had been no Puritans in Wellingborow. Nor doth the undaunted old man remit any thing enjoined by Canon or Rubric. This constancy of his so incensed the Schismatical Puritanical party of the Town, that complaint is made at Northampton, that M. Jones is the same man he was, as much a true Son and Minister of the Church of England as ever. Upon this information, he is apprehended in Easter week, and carried Prisoner to Northampton a second time, where they use him with more inhumanity (if it be possible) then before; they will not permit his wife to visit him, and kept him so short in h●s diet, not suffering his wife or friends to relieve him, that most barbarously they starved him to death, for about Whitsuntide his spirits exhausted, and his body pined by famine, the good old Martyr resigned his soul to God.  
There is in Northam●ton one John Gifford, for his extraction the Hogge-herds son of Little-Hougton, for his education a Knitter, afterwards a Hose-buyer, now Major of Northampton, and Colonel of the Town Regiment. This man to his power Civil and Martial, assumes an Ecclesiastical Superintendency too, and orders what forms shall be used in Baptis●e, the Lords Supper, Burial of the Dead, and the like: When therefore they came to inter the skin and bo●●s of this starved Martyr, for flesh he had none, the form enjoined by this Gifford was the same which one Brooks, a London Lecturer, used at the burial of Jo●n Gough of S. james Duke's place within Algate in London, viz. 
Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust,  
Here's the Pit, and in you must.   
The World may in this see what devout Liturgies we are like to have, when a Major of a Town shall suppress the Ancient Pious Forms, and introduce rhyme doggerels, fitter for a painted Cloth in an Alehouse, than the Church of Christ.  
Before I leave this particular Relation, I must not forget to tell you one act of these Religious Reformers: being at Wellingborow at the Sign of the Swan, two Maidservants making a bed. some of these Rebels did solicit them to Incontinency, but the Maids refusing to hearken to their beastly solicitations, they began to offer violence, and to enforce what they could not persuade, they still making resistance, they shot one of them dead in the place, and shot the other through the wrist: such Monuments of Religion and Purity do these blessed Reformers leave at all places where they come  
Master Frederick Gibb Parson of Hartist in Suffolk, in Morning Prayer before Sermon, desired his Parishioners to give attention to one of His Majesty's Declarations newly set forth, with an express Command to have it Published in all Parish Churches, thereby to rectify the people, and to wipe off those false Impressions which the Incendiaries of the Kingdom had made in them concerning the King's Actions & Intentions: whereupon one Master Coleman a Parishioner being present, impudently replied unto him, openly in the Church, that he might be ashamed to abuse the people by Reading His Majesty's Declarations unto them, and therefore he would fetch him some Parliament Declarations which were a great deal better to be Published unto them, while this railing Rabshekeh reviled his Sovereign, Master Gibb, as it he had received the Command in that case given, answers him not, made no reply at all, but as not heeding this snarler, calls on the Congregation a second time to give attention, Coleman interrupts him again, and in a scoffing manner, says, well then Sir, you mean to be an obedient Servant to his Majesty. Master Gibb then thinking it not only seasonable, but necessary to profess his Loyalty, replied, yes, Sir, I am, and hope to continue a faithful Servant unto Him as long as I live: and so proceeds to read the Declaration; the People notwithstanding all this Encouragement from Coleman to contradict with them, standing very attentive to hear it: The main drift of the King's Declaration, was to assure all His loving Subjects, That as He expected that they should make the Laws the rule of their obedience, so He would make the Laws the guide of His government: Master Gibb having published the Declaration, Coleman stands up, and most Traitorously replied to his Parson, well, Sir, the King neither is, nor shall be judge of the Law what ever such prating fello●e● as you would have him: after this, being enraged (as the rest of that Faction are) that the people's eyes should be opened, or that they should, being truly informed, conceive of the King as he is, a most just and pious Prince, but still to look on him and all his actions through those false Perspectives of slander and falsehood which they hold before their eyes; Coleman speeds to London, and complains (to that Conventicle which call themselves a Parliament) against Master Gibb for so foul an Affront put upon them by publishing the King's Declaration: presently (being servilely Observant to every base informer) they dispatch several Pursuivants to apprehend Master Gibb, he seeing the storm coming (as wise men do) hides himself, after sometime of retirement (advised unto it by his friend) he goes to London, where by the great mediation of friends, and paying fees to the sum of 30 l. he was dismissed, upon engagement to be forthcoming, whensoever they should call for him.  
There is none so insolent and intolerable as a base mean man started up into Command or Authority, we cannot give you a greater Instance, then in That beggarly Captain Venus, Citizen of London, made Colonel & Commander in chief of Windsor Castle, who doth not only assume to himself the propriety of his Sovereign's house, dating his Letters to jezabel his wife, From our Castle at Windsor, and building some additions to the Deans Lodgings, as if he meant to set up his rest there, and make that his habitation: when no place in that Royal Castle is fit for such a Couple but the Coal-house, and even that too good for them; but as if there would never come a time to call him to an account, he doth use the Gentlemen and Soldiers taken by the Rebels, and sent Prisoners thither, with that cruelty and inhumanity, as if they were Turks, not Christians, for the Gentlemen that are Prisoners there are not only kept from Church, nor permitted to receive the Sacrament neither from their own Preachers, nor from any friend whom they could procure to do that office for them, nay, they were not permitted to join together in devotions in their private lodgings, but each man a part, and if this petty Tyrant could have hindered that intercourse which every particular devout Soul enjoys with his God, this Ath●●st would have hindered that too. And because the sedentary Solitary Lives which they led there were prejudicial to their healths, they earnestly entreated Venus that they might: recreate themselves in the Tennis Court near the Keep, and offerred to be at the charges of a Guard, if those high walls, and the many guards about them were not thought sufficient to secure them, but yet were denied. Nay, when the Sheriff of Sussex was brought Prisoner from London to Windsor very lame, though his Chirurgeon offered Colonel Venus to be deposed, that on the least neglect his Leg was like to Gangrene, yet after he came to Windsor, he was forced to lie with the rest of the Knights and Gentlemen on the ground many nights; at last, showing his Leg to Venus, he confessed, that he never saw a more dangerous lameness, and promised to acquaint the Earl of Essex with it: and the Sheriff himself being acquainted with the Earl, presuming on some interest in him, wrote unto him to acquaint him with his Condition, and earnestly entreating him that he might be sent to London and disposed of, though in a Dungeon, for a week, that he might have the assistance of his own Physician and Chirurgeon, offering to give anysecurity, & be at any charges to assure him of his safe Return, to render himself true Prisoner; but neither the sense of his misery, nor his earnest solicitations could prevail with his Excellency. And if the Knights and Gentlemen, who had money to bribe that compassion which they could not entreat, found no better measure at their hands, what then, think you, were those heavy pressures under which the poor common Soldiers groaned? there were in the Castle eight poor Soldiers to whom the Sheriff of Sussex allowed eight shillings a week: yet not withstanding, because they refused to take the wages of Iniquity, and serve under the Rebel's Colours, and fight against their Sovereign, they starved them, insomuch that being released, (that they might not die in the Castle) coming into the air, three of them fell down dead in the streets: three more recovered as far as Eton, where a good woman for five shillings a Week given for their relief by the Sheriff of Sussex, gave them entertainment, and when the Sheriff made his happy escape, he left them alive.  
There was a poor man living near Moor Park, whom (when Prince Rupert was in those parts) commanded to show him where the Pipes lay which conveyed water to the Castle, for this crime they apprehend him, and commit him prisoner to the Castle, where they fed him with so slender diet, that they even starved him: and when upon his wife's tears and lamentable cries that she and her children were like to starve at home, while her husband starved at Windsor, they having no subsistence but what he got by the sweat of his brows, he was released, he was not able to stand on his legs, and whether dead since we have no Information.  
There was at the same time in the Castle, one Lieutenant Atkinson prisoner, who suffering under the same want of necessary food, sent to his Father, humbly petitioning for reliese; his Father, though a man of good estate, returned answer, that unless he would take proffered Entertainment from the Parli meant, he should ly● there, rot● and starve, and be damned, for him: He finding no p●t●ie from his Father, where Nature and Religion bade him expect it, petitioned the Gentlemen in the Keep for bread, as many others daily did, and on his Petition had moneys sent him, but died starved two days after, and left this just ground to the world to make this Observation, That whe●e Pur tanisme prevails, it cancels all Obl●gations both of Religion and Nature, and never fa●l●s to make men guilty of that ●in which is in the n●mber of those wh●ch the Scriptures tell us, shall hear wrath on the end of the World, the want of Natural affection   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. X.  
Master Chaldwell and his wife barbarously used by the Reb●ll● at Lincoln, and his servan● murdered. Master Le●●e, Parson of Wedon-Pinkny in Northamptonshire, hi●selfe and his Church infinitely abused on the Lord's day by some Rebell-Troopers of Northampton, etc.  
WIlliam Chaldmell of Thorgon●y, in the County of Linco●ne Esquire, and Justice of Peace, being an aged Gentleman, yet his Loyalty and desi●e to se●ve the King in ●is just Wars, made him overlook his infirmities, so that he resolved in person to come to His assistance: To this purpose he provided four horses completely furnished, of which the Rebels having intelligence, they surprise him and seize on his horses. In Februa●y 1643. some Rebell-Troopers came to M. Chaldw●lls house and demanded entrance, which he denying unless they could show some Commission from the King, they presently broke up his hall windows, and forcing his entrance, apprehend his person: yet his person is not all they come for, they begin to plunder his goods, and the first thing which they lay hold on, was some Linen lying, on the Hall Table. A servant of Master Chaldwels standing by, unwilling to lose any thing, if it might be saved, takes hold on the Linen too, and entreats the Troopers to spare it: Presently same cry out shoot him, which was no sooner said then done, for one discharging a Pistol at him, shot a Bullet into his heart, and the top of his seouring-stick into his body near it. The poor man instantly fell down dead, hardly by any motion expressing the farewell of life: While most stood amazed at so barbarous an act, some make towards him, thinking to help him, but were forbid by the bloody Villains to come near him, who were so far from remorse for what they had done, that to murder they added theft, diving into the Pockets of him whom they had thus murdered, and ●obbing him of his moneys: Nay, his wife whom they had murdered, hearing of this sad accident, being great with child, came to see her dead Husband, but was not permitted to come near him, being threatened by these Troopers, that if she came near him, they should do unto her as they had done unto her Husband, shoot her dead.  
Having done their pleasure in Master Chaldwels hoveses, they carry him away Prisoner to Lincoln; Being come thither, they commit him to the Town Gaol, and lodged him there in the common Keep amongst Murderers and Felons: The day after the Lincolne-shire Rebels received the defeat before Newarke, by a verbal command from the Earl of Lincolne●, he was removed from the Towne-Prison to the Castle in Lincoln, where he was put into a ●as●ie stinking place called the Witch Hole, and without any regard to his quality, being a Gentleman of prime ●ote in his Country, or to his age being an old man, they permit him to stay there all night, having no other bed but the Ground, and no other Pillow but the hard stones. The next day they vouchsafe him the favour to let him purchase a little and but a very little better accommodation by buying out some poor Prisoners out of their lodging: remaining there in this disconsolate condition, his wife an aged Gentlewoman came to visit him, being very willing to share with him in his Misery, as before she had done in his Prosperity.  
Having spent some time in mutual consolation, and exhorting one another patiently to bear this unjust oppression, hoping that they might enjoy one another's society, in so mean a condition, without the envy of their oppressors: but even this contented misery did not last long, for the next day after the Rebels lost Grantham by the Kings recovering that Town, out of their possession, the Governor of Lincoln (Welden by name) enraged, and not knowing where to wreck his malice, safer then on this poor old Gentleman, comes up to the Castle, and most imperiously commands that Chaldwell should come before him: the Messenger that was sent to command his appearance, returned with this answer, That Master Chaldwell laboured under some indisposition, that he was in bed, and his Wife with him: the Governor not satisfied with so reasonable an answer, snatched a cudgel out of a Soldier's hand, and swears that he would make the old rascal rise: in this fury away he goes to Master Chaldwells chamber, and rushing in, in a menacing way shakes his cudgel at him, and holding it upon his head, threatened to bastinado him if he did not rise presently, the good old Gentlewoman his wife, prognosticating by the rough message sent her Husband, that there was a storm coming, forsook her bed, and stood by it in her nightgown, but barelegged, there to interpose and plead for her Husband if occasion served: and now finding more inhumanity than her fear at first suggested, in an humble manner she beseeched the Governor to use her Husband like a Gentleman, not like a dog, to be awed by a cudgel. The Governor impatient of any mediation, though from a wife, and though b●cked with never so much reason, command's his Soldiers to take her away, which they did in so rude and boisterous a manner, that they dragged her down the stairs, pulled her dressing off her head, and at last thrust her out of the Castle. Being thus violently snatched from her dear Husband, and ●ea●ing he might suffer as much violence within, as she did in being thirst out of the Castle; she sits down on a stone at the Castle gate, where the winter blasts sand her grey hair, a sad spectacle to all that passed by, and knew who she was. Many there were that pitied her distress, and would willingly have received her into their houses, but durst not; 'tis a crime to show mercy where the Rebels intent cruelty. At last having sat there long, full of tears and sorrow, baffled with cold winds and weather, a sister of Master Saint 'tis the Apothecary (and the God o● mercy restore it an hundred fold into her bosom) ●ends her a Petticoat (for they thrust her out with no clothes on but her nightgown) to fence her against the extremity of the cold. But to let this charitable Gentlewoman know, that the rewards of mercy are to be expected in another world, and that here to do good, and for that to suffer evil, is the recompense of this world, that very afternoon her Brother's house was plundered, and all their goods seized on, so that they needed a return of that compassion in the evening which they showed to others in the morning. Welden the Governor, having compelled the good old Gentleman to rise out of his bed, notwithstanding his present infirmity, sends him from his poor lodging which he had lately purchased, to the common Dungeon, where he had neither light nor air but what the Grate afforded. The place was of such condition, that there being three Prisoners with him in the same room, but one of four must lie down at once, the rest must stand: and yet in this little case (as was testified by a Letter under his own hand) he remained eleven or twelve nights without Bed, Chair, or Stool: and in that time, for four or five nights, he was not permitted to go forth to do the offices of nature, a command being given, that if he offered to stir forth they should beat out his brains. Thus much, and divers other particulars were signfied to the Commissioners at Newarke, when the Ammunition came from thence: At which time information was given, that Master Chaldwell was then in a condition not much better than what you have heard here related: and whether their barbarous cruelties and inhumanity have not set an end to his sufferings by death, is uncertain.  
On Sunday the second of july 1643. in the afternoon, ten or twelve Troopers under the command of Captain Samuel, came from Northampton to Wezon Pinkney in the same County, and coming thither in Prayer time, they came into the Church, one of them being Horsekeeper (as it was reported) to Sir Richard Samuel, father to the Captain, came up to the Reading Pew, where Master Loss, Parson of that Parish was officiating Divine Service, and commanded him to leave off his Portage and to follow him: Master Loss increating him in that Sacred work, but to have patience until he had finished what he had begun; Patience me no patience (replied the Groom) my business is of greater importance then to admit of any delay, come away therefore, or I will pull you ●●t by the cares: thereupon, not knowing whose Soldiers they were, nor of what consequence their business might be or it he had known both, yet not able to make resistance, be obeys his command, and followed him into the Churchyard. Being come thither, Master Loss demands what he would have with him? the Groom tells him, that he must go along with them to Northampton, Master Loss demands again, by what authority, and by virtue of what Commission? The Groom replies, that he should know that when he came to Northampton: Master Loss entreats that he may be excused, alleading that he had lost twelve or thirteen horses taken from him by the Parliament Soldiers, and that he had never a horse able to carry him two miles out of the Town: one of the Troopers swears wounds and blood, that he would carry him behind him, and if that did not like him, he would drag him along with a Halter at his horse tail. Master Loss abominating so great insolency from Grooms, boldly told them that he would never be a slave to slaves; and so rushing from them took Sanctuary in the Church, and shut the door upon him, and perceiving the door on the other side of the Church open, the people having unbard it for their speedier passage out, he hastens thither, and though he made what speed he could, he was like to be prevented by one of the Troopers who was come about and was ready to enter the Church on horseback: which Master Loss observing, took up the bar of the door, and resolutely ran at the Trooper to unhorsed him: This unexpected resistance so valiantly made, put the Trooper to a retreat, whereby M. Loss gained time to bar the door fast against him. Having shut both the Church doors upon himself, and the remainder of the Congregation, some being fled for fear; the Clerk at a hole gave him the Key of the Belfry: Master Loss not thinking himself secure enough in the Church, gets up into the Belfry, and locks the doors fast after him; being come to the place where the Bells hang, he discovers over head a little hole, only big enough for a man to creep thorough, and a Ladder standing there which led up unto it, Master Loss goes up the Ladder, and through the hole gets upon the Leads, and with great difficulty draws the Ladder after him, being massey and very heavy; by which means he did not only deprive his pursuers of the means to come at him, but with the Ladder laid over the hole barricaded the passage against them: and now being here, had he had any weapon to defend himself, he had been impregnable. While Master Loss was up in the Belfry securing of himself, the Troopers are at the Church windows, endeavouring to wrench out the Irons bars, but without any success: at last, with their Pole-axes and great Tombstones, Impiously taken from the graves of the Dead, they break open the Church doors; having thus forced their entrance, they r●de into the Church (not remembering they were in God's house) from one end of it to another, spurring and switching their horses purposely to endanger the People. These barbarous outrages did much affright the People, but especially Mistress Loss; and her poor children, whom it most concerned, M. Loss being the only man aimed at; Mistress Loss fell into a swound in the Church, and had no show of life in her for a long time; at which the people moved with compassion interceded with the Troopers, and desired them to desist, putting them in mind of the place where they were, a place where God met with his People, and they with their God. It seems this Congregation had been better taught, then to subscribe to Doctor Twist the Prolocutor of the absurd Heterogeneous Synod, his Interpretation of that Text of Scripture, Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my Sanctuary, In his Preface to Master Meads Book of the Apostasy of the latter times; as if this Text enjoined no reverence to be used towards the places of God's public worship: they were much scandalised at this profane irreverence, and made it an argument to awe them to civil demeanour at least, because of the place: and withail they objected, that they did much abuse themselves and dishonour their Cause by such our-ragious carriages: all this would reflect on the Cause they pretended to maintain. And lastly, they alleged, that if they had any shame in them, they might be ashamed, in the Lord's house on the Lord's day to abuse a Minister in his own Congregation, who besides the honour and reverence due to his Calling, might challenge some respect from them being a Gentleman of good birth, and descent. In reply to so good reason, (being indeed but Pearl cast before Swine) one breaks out with a great oath, swearing wounds and blood (so that all the Blasphemy is not on the Cavaliers side) and saying, What do you tell me of birth and descent? a plague take him and his Gentility, ● h pe within this year to see never a Gentleman in F●●land: you remember the Proverb, Children and Fo●●st t●ll truth, having thus despised all wholesome admonition, they go to the Belfry, they break open the door, and come to the place where the ●els did hang, and from the top of the Frames of the Bells endeavoured through the hole (but now mentioned) to get upon the Leads, where Master Loss was, but he having stopped that passaage with the Ladder, and making the best use he could of his hands and feet (being all the weapons ei●her offensive or defensive which he had) made good the place against them: yet notwithstanding in the Resistance he was in very great danger to lose his life, for they discharged their Pistols at him at least eight or nine times, but by the good providence of God they missed their mark, with their swords they wounded him in three several parts of his body, yet God be blessed the wounds were not mortal, at last having received a hurt in his hand, having a vein pricked w●th one of their swords, his blood flowed so fast upon the Troopers underneath him, that as they bragged there, and in other places after they were gone thence, they thought they had dispatched him, and therefore thinking him to be a dead man they left him, yet to imbalm him to his Funeral, they pour out a flood of reproachful names upon him, call him Rogue, Rascal, Slave, Villain, Dog, Devil, making no stop till their master the Devil, and their own memories could suggest no more names of the same stamp: At last, to seal up all, for fear they had not murdered him, they protest with many Execrations upon themselves, that if they had not now sped him (which yet they hoped they had) they would return another time, and have him either dead or alive.  
At Bridstow in Devonshire there dwells a Husbandman (and though I cannot tell his name, yet let it not weaken the credit of the Relation) who not satisfied with the Parliaments proceedings in taking up Arms against their lawful undoubted Sovereign, stood in a seeming Neutrality: at last conceiving it time to declare himself, he openly adhered to the King's party, hereupon he was very diligently sought after, and the Earl of Sta●ford sent a Troop of Horse to his house to apprehend him: When they came thither, they found not the good man at home, but a son of his, about ten or eleven years old, they ask him where his Father was, the child replied, that he was not at home, they threaten him, and use all arts to make him discover where his Father had hid himself the child being ignorant where his Father was, still persisted in the same answer, that he knew not where he was: hereupon they threaten to hang him, neither doth that prevail; at last they take the poor innocent child and hang him up, either because he would not betray his Father, had he been able to satisfy their doubt, or for not having the spirit of Prophecy, not being able to reveal what by an ordinary way of knowledge he did not know: having let him hang awhile, they cut him down, not intending to hang him unto death, but being cut down they could perceive nothing discovering life in him, hereupon in a barbarous way of experiment, they prick him with their swords in the back and thighs, using the means leading to death, to find out life: at last after some long stay, some small symptoms of life did appear, yet so weak, that there they left him nearer the confines of death than life: and whether the child did ever recover, is more than my Informer former can assure me. Only courteous Reader observe from this short Narration, that these bloody Rebels spare neither the venerablenesse of the sacred Function, the infirmities of old Age, or the tenderness of Youth.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XI.  
The particulars of the first Siege of Corfe-Castle, gallantly defended by the Lady Banks, and Captain Laurence, against the Powers, Plots, and Policies of Sir Walter Earl and his Adhereats, etc.  
THere is in the ●●●e of Purbecke a strong Castle called Corffe-Castle, seated on a very sleep Hill, in the fracture of a Hill in the very midst of it, being 8 miles in length, running from the East end of the Pentrsu●a to the West: and though it stand between the two ends of this fracture, so that it may 〈◊〉 to lose much advantage of its natural and artificial 〈◊〉 as commanded ●●o thence, being in height equal to, if not overlooking the tops of the highest Towers of the Castle yet the structure of the Castle is so strong, the ascent so s●●●p, the walls so massy and thick, that it is one of the imp●●gnablest Forts of the Kingdom, and of very gre● concernment, in respect of its command over the 〈◊〉, and the places about it. This Castle is now the Possession and Inheritance of the Right Honourable Sir John Ba●ks, Chie●e Justice of the Common Pleas, and one of His Majesty's most Honourable privy-councel, who receiving commands from the King to attend Him at York, York, in Easter Term 1641. had leave from the two Houses to obey those commands: After the unhappy difference● between the King and the two Houses, or rather between the King and the Faction in both Houses, grew high, it being generally feared that the sword would decide the controversy, the Lady Ranks, a virtuous and prudent Lady, resolved with her children and fan●ly to retire to this Castle, there to shelter themselves from the storm which she saw coming, which accordingly she did, there she and her Family remained in peace all the Winter, and a great part of the Spring, until May 1643. about which time the Rebels under the command of Sir Walter Earl, Sir Thomas T●enchard, and others, had possessed themselves of Dorchester, L●me, Melcome, Weym●●th, Warham, and Poole. (Portland Castle being treacherously delivered to the Rebels) only Corffe Castle remaining in obedience to the King: but the Rebels knowing how much it concerned them to add this Castle to their other Garrisons, to make all the Sea-coast wholly for them, and thinking it more seizable to gain it by Treachery then open Hostility, resolved to lay hold on an opportunity coming on, to see if they could become Masters of it.  
There is an ancient usage that the Major & Barons (as they call them) of Corffe Castle, accompanied by the Gentry of the Island, have permission from the Lord of the Castle on May-day to corpse a Stag, which every year is performed with much solemnity and great concourse of People: On this day some Troops of Horse from Dorchester and other places came into the Island, intending to find other game then to hunt the Stag, their business being suddenly to surprise the gentlemen in the hunting, and to take the Castle; the news of their coming dispersed the Hunters, and spoiled the sport for that day, and made the Lady ●anks to give order for the safe custody of the Castle gates, and to keep them shut against all comers. The Troopers having missed their prey on the Hills, (the Gentlemen having withdrawn themselves) some of them came to the Castle under a pretence to see it, but entrance being denied them, the Common Soldiers used threatening language, casting out words implying some intentions to take the Castle, but the Commanders (who better knew how to conceal their resolutions) utterly disavowed any such thought, denying that they had any such Commission; however the ●ady Banks very wisely, and like herself, hence took occasion to call in a Guard to assist her, not knowing how soon the might have occasion to make use of them, it being now more than probable that the Rebels had a design upon the Castle. The taking in this guard as it secured her at home, so it rendered her suspected abroad, from thence forward there was a watchful and vigilant eye to servey all her actions, whatsoever she sends out, or sends for in, is suspected, her ordinary provisions for her family are by same multiplied, & reported to be more than double what indeed they were, as if she had now an intention to Victual and Man the castle against the Forces of the two Houses of Parliament, presently Letters are sent from the Committees of Pool, to demand the four small pieces in the Castle, and the present was, because the Islanders conceived strange jealousies, that the Pieces were mounted and put on their Carriages; hereupon the Lady Banks dispatched Messengers to Dorchester and to Pool to entreat the Commissioners that the small Pieces might remain in the Castle for her own defence; and to take away the ground of the Islanders jealousies, she caused the Pieces to be taken off their Carriages again; hereupon a promise was made, that they sold be left to her possession; but there passed not many days before forty Seamen (they in the Castle not suspecting any such thing) came very early in the morning to demand the Peace's, the Lady in Person (early as it was) goes to the Gates and desires to see their War●●●●, they 〈…〉 the hands of some of the Commissioners, but in stead of delivering them, though at that time there were but five men in the Castle, yet these five assisted by the Maidservants at their Ladies Command, mount these pieces on their Carriages again, and lading one of them they gave fire, which small Thunder so affrighted the Seamen, that they all quitted the place and ran away. They being gone, by beat of Drum she summons help into the Castle, and upon the Alarm given, a very considerable guard of Tenants and friends came in to her assistance, there being withal some fifty Arms brought into the Castle, from several parts of the Island: This guard was kept in the Castle about a week, during this time, many threatening Letters were sent unto the Lady; telling her, what great Forces sold be sent to fetch them, if the would not by fair means be persuaded to deliver them, and to deprive her of her Auxiliaries, all or most of them being neighbours thereabouts, they threaten that if they oppose the delivery of them, they would fire their house: presently their wives come to the Castle, there they weep, & w●ing their hands, and with clamorous Oratory persuade their Husbands to come home, and not by saving others to expose their own houses to spoil and ruin, nay to reduce the Castle into a distressed condition, they did not only intercept two hundred weight of powder provided against a siege; but they interdict them the Liberty of Common-markets, Proclamation is made at Warham, (a Market-town hard by) that no Beer, Beef, or other provision should be sold to the Lady Banks, or for her use-strict watches are kept, that no Messenger or intelligence shall pass into or out of the Castle: being thus distressed, all means of victualling the Castle being taken away and being but slenderly furnished for a siege, either with ammunition or with victual, at last they came to a Treary of Composition, of which the result was, that the Lady Banks should deliver up those 4 small Pieces, the biggest carring not above ● 3 pound bullet, and that the Rebels should permit her to enjoy the Castle and Arms in it in peace and quietness.  
And though this wise Lady knew too well to rest satisfied or secured in these promises (their often breach of Faith having sufficiently instructed her what she might expect from them) yet she was glad of this opportunity to strengthen herself even by that means, by which many in the world thought she had done herself much prejudice, for the Rebels being now possessed of their Guns, presumed the Castle to be theirs as sure as it they had actually possessed it. Now it was no more but ask and have: hereupon they grow remiss in their Watches, negligent in their observations, not heeding what was brought in, not taking care, as before, to intercept supplies, which might enable them to hold out against a Siege: and the Lady making good use of their remissness, laid hold on the present opportunity, & as much as the time would permit, furnished the Castle with provisions of all sorts. In this Interval there was brought in, a hundred and half of powder, and a quantity of match proportionable. And understanding that the King's Forces under the Conduct of Prince Maurice, and the marquis Hertford were advancing towards Blanford, she, by her Messenger made her address to them, to signify unto them the present condition in which they were, the great consequence of the place, desiring their assistance, and in particular that they would be pleased to take into their serious consideration to send some commanders thither to take the charge of the Castle; hereupon they send Captain Laurence son of Sir Edward Laurence, a Gentleman of that Island to command in ch●e●, but he coming without a Commission could not command monies or provisions to be brought in until it was too late. There was likewise in the Castle one Captain Bond an old soldier, whom I should deprive of his due honour, not to mention him, having a share in the honour of this resistance. The first time the Rebels faced the Castle, they brought a body of between two and three hundred Horse and Foot, and two Pieces of Ordnance, and from the Hills played on the Castle, fired four houses in the Town, and then summoned the Castle, but receiving a denial for that time they left it But on the three and twentieth of June, the Sagicious Knight, Sir Walter Earl (that hath the gift of discerning Treasons and might have made up his nine and thirty Treasons forty, by reckoning in his own) accompanied by Captain Sidenham, Captain Henry Jarvis, Captain Skut, son of that Arch-traitor, Skut of Poole, with a body between five and six hundred came and possessed themselves of the Town, taking the opportunity of a misty morning, that they might find no resistance from the Castle. They brought with them to the Siege a Demy Canon, a Culverin and two Sacres, with these and their small shot, they played on the Castle on all quarters of it, with good observation of Advantages, making their bettery strongest where they thought the Castle weakest. And to bind the soldiers by tye of Conscience to an eager prosecution of the Siege, they administer them an Oath, and mutually bind themselves to most unchristian resolutions; That if they found the defendants obstinate not to yield, they would maintain the Siege to victory and then deny Quarter unto all, killing without m●rty, Men, Women, and Children. As to bring on their own soldiers, they abused them with falsehoods, telling them that the Castle stood in a Level, yet with good advantages of approach, that there were but forty men in the Castle, whereof twenty were for them, that there was rich booty and the like; so, during the Siege they used all base, unworthy means, to corrupt the defendants, to betray the Castle into their hand, the better sort they endeavour to corrupt with bribes, to the rest they offer double Pay, and the whole Plunder of the Castle; when all these Arts took no effect, than they fall to Stratagems and Engines. To make their approaches to the wall with more safety, they make two Engines, one they call the Sow, the other the Boar, being made with boards lined with wool to dead the shot. The first that moved forward was the Sow, but not being Musket proof, she cast nine of eleven of her Farrow, for the Musquetiers from the castle were so good marks-men at their legs, the only part of all their bodies left without defence, that 9 ran away, as well as their broken and battered legs would give them leave; and of the two which knew neither how to run away, nor well to stay, for fear, one was slain. The Boar of the two (a man would think) the valianter creature, seeing the ill success of the Sow, to cast her Litter before her time, durst not advance. The most advantageous part for their Batteries was the Church, which they without fe●●e of profanation used, not only as their Rampart, but their rendezvouz: of the Surplice they made two shirts for two soldiers, they broke down the Organs, and made the Pipes serve for Cases to hold their powder and shot, and not being furnished with Musquet-bullets, they cut off the Lead of the Church, and rolled it up, and shoot it without ever casting in a mould Sir Walter and the Commanders were earnest to press forward the soldiers; but as prodigal as they were of the blood of their common soldiers, they were sparing enough of their own; it was a general observation, that valiant Sir Walter nevel willingly exposed himself to any hazard; for being by chance endangered by a Bullet, shot through his Coat, afterwards he put on a Bear's skin, and to the eternal honour of this Knight's valour be it recorded, for fear of Musquet-shot, (for other they had none) he was seen to creep on all four, on the sides of the hill, to keep himself out of danger. This base Cowardisme in the Assailants, added courage and resolution to the defendants: therefore not compelled by want, but rather to brave the Rebels, they sallied out, and brought in eight ●owes and a Bull into the Castle, without the loss of a man, or a man wounded. At another time five boys setcht in four Cows. They that stood on the hills, called to one in a house in the valley, crying, Shoot Anthony, but Anthony thought it good to sleep in a whole skin, and durst not look out, so that afterward it grew into a proverbial jeer, from the Defendants to the Assailants, Shoot Anthony. The Rebels having spent much time and Ammunition, and some men, and yet being as far from hopes of taking the Castle, as the first day they came thither, at last the Earl of Warw●cke sends them a supply of an hundred and fifty Mariners, with several Cart-loads of Petards, Granades, and other Warlike provision, with scaling Ladders to assault the Castle by scaladoe; They make large offers to him that should first scale the wall, 20 l. to the first, and so by descending sums a reward to the twentieth, but all this could not prevail with these silly wretches, who were brought thither as themselves confessed, like sheep to the slaughter, some of them having but exchanged the manner of their death, the halter for the bullet, having taken them out of Gaoles, one of them being taken Prisoner, had Letters Testimonial in his hands whence he came, the Letters I mean when he was burnt for a Felon, being very visible to the beholders, but when they found that persuasion could not prevail, with such abject low-spirited men, the Commanders resolve on another course, which was to make them drunk, knowing that drunkenness makes some men fight like Lions, that being sober would run away like Hares. To this purpose they fill them with strong waters, even to madness, and ready they are now for any design, and for fear Sir Walter should be valiant against his will, like C●sar, he was the only man almost that came sober to the assault: an imitation of the Turkish practice, (for certainly there can be nothing of Christianitic in it, to send poor souls to God's Judgement Seat, in the very act of two grievous sins, Rebellion & Drunkenness) who to stupefy their Soldiers, and make them insensible of their dangers, give them Opium; being now armed with drink, they resolve to storm the Castle on all sides, and apply their scalding Ladders, it being ordered by the Leaders, (if I may without a Solecism call them so, that stood behind and did not so much as follow) that when twenty were entered, they should give a watchword to the rest, and that was Old Wat: a word ill cholen, by 〈◊〉 Earl, and considering the business in hand, little better than ominous, for if I be not deceived, the Hunters that beat bushes for the fearful timoous Hare, call him Old Wat.  
Being now Pot valiant, and possessed with a borrowed courage, which was to Evaporate in sleep, they divide their Forces into two Parties, whereof one assaults the Middle ward, defended by valiant Captain Laurence, and the greater part of the Soldiers; the other assault the Upper ward, which the Lady Banks (to her eternal honour be it spoken) with her daughters, women, and five Soldiers, undertook to make good against the Rebels, and did bravely perform what she undertook; for by heaving over stones & hot embers they repelled the Rebels, and kept them from climbing their Ladders, thence to throw in that wildfire, which every Rebel had ready in his hand. Being repelled, and having in this Siege and this Assault lost and hurt an hundred men, Old Sir Wat, hearing the King's Forces were advanced, cried, and ran away crying, leaving Sydenham to Command in Chief, to bring off the Ordnance, Ammunition, and the remainder of the Army, who afraid to appear abroad kept Sanctuary in the Church till night, meaning to sup and run away by Starlight; but supper being ready, and set on the Table, an Alarm was given that the King's Forces were coming; this news took away sydenham's stomach; all this provision was but messes of meat set before the Sepulchers of the dead, he leaves his Artillery, Ammunition, and (which with these men is something) a good supper, and ran away to take Boat for Poole, leaving likewise at the shore about an hundred Horse to the next Takers, which next day proved good prize to the Soldiers of the Castle. Thus after six weeks strict Siege, this Castle, the desire of the Rebels, the tears of Old Sir Wat, and the Key of those parts, by the Loyalty, and brave resolution of this honourable Lady, the valour of Captain Laurence and some eighty Soldiers, (by the loss only of two men) was delivered from the bloody intentions of these merciless Rebels on the 4. of August 1643.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XII.  
Master Thomas Jones, Bachelor in Divinity, ill-intreated by the Rebe●s in Devon A Soldier hanged at Tame on th● signpost of the King's head. Master Wright, a Minister in Cheshire Plundered, and two of his Maidservants murdered. D●ctor Beale, Doctor Martin, and Doctor Ste●ne, brought Prisoners from Cambridge by C●on well, and their barbarous usage, etc.  
MAster Thomas Jones, Bachelor in Divinity, and Rector of Offw●ll in the County of D●von, having discovered that the right of Patronage of one of the Cures of Tuisord●on was in the Crown, and worth three hundred pounds per annum, did in the pursuance of this Right, spend a thousand pounds to recover it from ●hose, who account all lawful gain whatsoever they can purloin either from God or the King. The pretended Patrons, who had invaded this Right, were much offended with Master jones for being at so great expense to redeem the prey out of their hands, and did but watch an Opportunity to make him know how sensible they were of this their loss. This Parliament being called, and these men made Members of the Lower House, they quickly perceived that this wished-for opportunity was now come, wherein they might pervert public justice to private revenge, quickly learning to exercise that Arbitrary unlimited power over their fellow Subjects, which the prevalency of a dangerous faction had put into their hands. According to the general practice since this Parliament, they accuse Master Jones of some Anti-parliamentary passages in his Sermon, which his Judges understood as little as his Accusers: Nay perhaps it was with him (as with many of his Orthodox Brethren) the same men were both his Accusers and Judges. However any or no accusation we know have served these mensturnes, to bring Godly and Learned Ministers to the Bear-baiting of a Committee, and to put them into the expensive custody of a Sergeant at Arms: so it was with Master Jones, they first pretended some Crimes, and on these pretences they commit him prisoner to a Sergeant at Arms. Having deprived him of his Liberty, and put him into a consumption of his estate by the unreasonable unlimited exactions of Parliament-Gaolers, they then think him reduced to such a condition as to be willing to hearken to a Composition, on any terms. At last, vexed to an agreement, he is to enjoy his Liberty and Peace on this mutual stipulation: They are to pardon him the error of his doctrine, to deliver up his bail, being with two sureties Parliament men bound in a Bond of two thousand pounds, and to give him two hundred pounds towards his charges. Master Jones must resign his lately recovered Cure at Tuisord●on to make way for a Clerk of their own: which to avoid farther molestation, to his very great prejudice, he was enforced to condescend unto. After, in September, 1642. Master jones riding to Taunton in Somerset-shire, accompanied by one of the Prince his servants, who wore his Master's Colours, was for that reason, together with that Gentleman, immediately after his departure from thence, apprehended, and like a ●elon brought back to the Castle, where he remained Prisoner three weeks, and could not be released without the earnest solicitation of his friends, and his Wives humble and often petitioning the Earl of Bedford. In November last, suffering under continual molestations, and out of all hope to live peaceably at home, he resolved to put himself under the protection of Sir Ralph Hoptons' Army then in Cornwall. To this purpose he furnished three Horses and Arms proportionable, and set forward to deliver them up for His Majesty's service: but unhappily in the way thither he was intercepted by the Earl of Stamfords' Forces, under the command of Captain Gould, taken Prisoner, robbed so the value of 80.l. the Plunderers leaving him not so much as a Boot to ●ide in. By these he is led Captive to Liskard in Cornwall, where they kept him three days, in which time he and another Minister with him, with his servant, had but one pint of Beer for their sustenance, being kept without either fire or light, and for one night had their hands bound behind them, and had st●ll been kept in the like bondage, had not God in mercy rescued them by Sir Ralph Hopton, after the famous battle of Liskard: During the time of their imprisonment, they offer them Conditions on which they may purchase their liberty; viz to pay three hundred pound; to take an Oath never any more to assist the King with Horse, Arms, or Money: But being delivered on far better terms he was not long after imprisoned for giving God public thanks for his deliverance. Afterwards, seeing that Religion if self was but abused, being made the Cloak of these men's Hypocrisy and Treasons, and that they did ●ast but is strife & debate, he did not observe the Fast every ●ast wednesday in the month, with that strict observation as was expected from him by that Faction, hereupon some of them put him in mind of it: Good-Friday coming on presently, upon the last Wednesday in Apr●ll ●e cessed his Neighbour's and Parishioners to keep that ancient Fast enjoined by the Church, in Commemoration of the bitter Death and Passion of Christ; and the better to invite them to that days antemne Humiliation, he Preached to them twice that day. Though Se●mons be all their Religion, yet two Sermons on Good Friday are with these men no better than Superstition: ●or, for this contempt (as they interpreted it) of the Parliament Fast, not setting so high an estim●t on on it as on this Ca●b●like Fast of Good Fryd●y (received and practised by all Churches in all Ages, ti●l o● late a Jewish observation of one day hath shouldered out the religious observation of all other days) he was convented before the Sessions, where Edmund Prideaux a Parliament man, and a pretender to this Law, pressed this his obedience to the Church most violently against him; maliciously affirming, that he did it to affront the Parliament, & to advance Popish Superstition, and Innovation, and that therefore He (see what it is to be a Parliament man) would make him an Example to the world, and as the times than were (God, as he threatened Israel provoking us by foolish people) was like enough to have done it, had not M. Io●e● prevented him by withdrawing himself, and so declined the evil intended against him. Yet we may not omit one thing: though it were so heinous a C●ime in M jones not to observe one of their Wednesdays Fasts, yet M Dark Minister of Musbury in the same County, and a man of that Faction, could command his men to follow the Plough that day, and yet was never thought fit of a Reprehension, nor so much as a Brotherly Admonition: and no wonder, for though heretofore Actions did Qualify persons, and denominate them, by the Sectaries new Divinity they make persons to Qualify Actions; those things which are sins in others lose their Nature and their Name in a Child of God, and they will take it very ill from you not to be so reputed, though living in the most notorious scandalous sins that de●le the soul, and lay waste the Conscience of Man. But to return to our Story.  
From the beginning of this Parliament (till God, by the glorious and no less than miraculous Victories of Sir Ralph Hopton, restored some Peace to that miserably distracted Country) Master jones was not permitted to live quietly at his own dwelling, they threaten to hang him, and burn his house, which they Plundered no less than seven times: and not content with this, they threaten to carry away his aged Father Prisoner, being no less than 86 years of age; and had been as good as their word, (for in mischief they seldom fail of their promises) had not the Women of the Parish (in detestation of so great barbarism) rescued him out of their hands: After that memorable defeat of the Rebels at Sira●ton in the edge of Cornwall by the brave Sir Ralph Hopton, M. jones returned to his own house, fearing no danger from the fitters of that broken Army: but four Troopers of the Rebel's horse came to his house, searched it very narrowly for him, insomuch that he heard them swear, how cruelly they would use that Cavaliering Priest if they could meet with him, when they were nearer him than they were aware of, (had they known it) there being but an Inch board between him & them: at which time missing of the intended Prey, they wreck their malice on his household stuff, what they could not carry away they spoil; Beds, Bedsteeds, Hangings, all are torn and spoilt: They Plunder the Maid servants, and that of their Smocks, and exchange in their very presence their lousy shirts for their clean Linen: Hereupon M. jones finding by experience (that there was no safety out of one of the King's Armies (the only Protection which the King is able for the present to afford His good Subjects) he put himself under the Protection of Sir Ralph Hoptons' Army, where he now ●emaines.  
While the Rebel's Army lay at Tame sending out parties, by chance they lighted on some of the King's Soldiers, and amongst them there was one, who touched in conscience for so grievous a sin, as listing up his hand against his lawful Sovereign, the Lords Anointed, forsook the Rebel's Army and was entertained in his Majesty's pay: and being in their power they resolve instantly to hang him: but with such Circumstances as in the murder of the Subject they evidently manifest their malicious rebellious hearts towards their Sovereign. Nothing will serve to hang him on, but the sign post of the King's Head in Tame; the poor man being ready to be thrown from the Ladder, Prayed very servently, and cried out Lord I●sus receive my Soul. The Rebels standing about him, instead of joining with him in his devotions made a confused noise, and laughed at him. They that had so little mercy for his Soul were not likely to draw out any bowels of Compassion towards his body. No, they will not only Murder him, but Murder him by a lingering Torment, they will not afford him the favour of a running knot quickly to obstruct the Throat, and totally deprive him of breath, but the halter is tied so fast, that he hanged gasping for breath, not drawing so much as to maintain life, nor so little as suddenly to lose it: having in this Torment hanged a while, a barbarous Inhuman Villain, stepped to him, & fearing he should give up his vexed Gh●st too soon, he puts his hands under his feet and listed him up to give him some scope of Respiration, but even in this unchristian usage of a poor wretch he did not forget to blaspheme his Lord and King: for having lifted him up, he turned the dying man's face towards the sign itself of the King's head: and jeering said, Nay, Sir, you must speak one word with the King before you go, you are blindfold, and be cannot see, and by and by you shall both come down together: Let the world if it can now give us a parallel of so undutiful, so high a có●empt of regal authority, or tell us whether any of the several Spawns of Hell but only an Atheistical Puritan could possibly commit such devilish Cruelties against his fellow Subject, or belch out such venom against his Sovereigns Amongst those many Sins which call for our public Humiliation, and our earnest zeal to purge the Land from the guilt which hath polluted it, certainly Contempt and Scorn of so good, so gracious a King, is none of the least.  
On Monday the 29 of May 1643, a boy of five or six years of age, attended by a youth, was coming to Oxford to his father an officer in the King's Army, passing through Buckinghamshire, he fell into the hands of some Troopers of Colonel goodwin's Regiment, who not only Pillaged him of the clothes which he brought with him, but took his doublet off his back, and would have taken away his hat and boots, if the youth that attended on him had not very earnestly interceded for them to save them. For one of the company, more tender hearted then the rest, moved with the child's cries & affrightment, and with the youths earnest entreaty, prevailed with the rest not to rob the child of these necessary fences from the injury of wind and weather. Yet though they spare him these things, they rob him of his horse, and leave the poor child to a tedious long journey on foot: This barbarism to a poor child far from his friends, almost distracted with fear, so prevailed with some, that they made Colonel Goodwin and Sir Robert Pie acquainted with it, hoping to find them sensible of so cruel practices on a poor child: but these great Professors and Champions of Religion, only laughed at the Relation, without giving any redress to the child's injuries. This want of Justice in the Commanders, animated the Soldiers to prosecute their villainies to a greater height: for that night they came to the place where the child lay, and the poor Soul being in bed fast a sleep, his Innocent rest not disturbed with the injuries of the day: they dived into his, and his attendants 〈◊〉, robbed them of all their monies, and lest them ●ither to borrow more, or beg for sustenance in their journey to Oxford.  
Captain Duck●●peld a Commander of the Rebels in Che●●●re, came to M. wright's house, Parson of Wemslow in that County, a man of fourscore years of age, of a very honest li●e and conversation, and eminent for his hospitality amongst his neighbours. The Captain and his follower enter the house by violence, killed two of his maidserva●●ts, wounded others, and in all probability had murdered M. W●●gh himself, had not his neighbours that loved him well, rescued him out of their hands. The crime objected against him, was Loyalty, and that amongst Rebels is crime enough: for this he is forced to live an exile from his own habitation, and hath absented himself from his house now twelve months. The same Rebels came to one Master John Leeth his house in the same County, as I take it, they enter his house by violence, they kill one of his maidservants for endeavouring to keep the door shut against them, and took away Master Leech prisoner. There was a gentlewoman in the house come thither but two days before, who seeing so barbarous cruelty practised upon Innocents' for no other fault but living in peace and obedience, was so affrighted, that for some time she remained almost distracted.  
When the rebellious city of London first delivered up it s; elf the servile instrument to execute the illegal Commands of the heads of the faction in Parliament; a Troop of factious citizen's under the command of Colonel Cr●m●e● came to the University of Cambridge, and there seized on the persons of Doctor Beale, Doctor Martin, and Doctor St●rne, men of known Integrity, Exemplary lives, profound learning, and heads of several Colleges in that famous University: having them in their custody they use them with all possible scorn & contempt, especially Cromwell behaving himself 〈…〉 when one of the Doctors made it a request to Cromwell, that he might stay a little to put up s●me linen, Cromwell denied him the favour; and whether in a jeer, or simple malice told him, that it was not in his Commission: having now prepared a show to entertain the people, in triumph they lead the captives towards London, where the people were beforehand informed what captives Colonel Cromwell was bringing. In the Villages as they passed from Cambridge to London, the People were called by some of their Agents to come and abuse, and revise them. When they came to London being to bring their prisoners to the Tower, no other way would serve th' it turn but from Shoreditch through Bartholomew-Faire, when the Concourse was as thick as the negotiation of buyers & sellers, and the warning of the Beadles of the Faction (that use to give notice to their party) could make it; they lead these captives leisurely through the midst of the Fair: as they pass along they are entertained with exclamations, reproaches, scorns, & curses, and considering the prejudice raised in the City of them, it was Gods great mercy that they found no worse usage from them: having brought t●● to the Tower, the people there use them with no less incivility within the walls, than the people did without, call them Papists, Arminians, and I know not what. After some time imprisonment there, they were removed to the Lord ●ete●s house in Aldersgate-street and though they often petitioned to be heard and brought to Judgement, yet they could obtain neither a Trial, nor enlargement, unless to free their bodies they should ensnare their souls by loans of money to be employed against the King, or taking impious Oaths or Covenant●●●t last after almost a years imprisonment, on Friday the 11 of August, 1643. by order from the Faction that call themselves a Parliament, they were removed from thence, and all put on Ship board, in a Ship called The prosper●●● S●●le, or the Prosperous Sailor lying before Wapping. They ●ent by Coach from Aldersgatestreet to Billingsgate, in the way to the Common Stair, there to take water, one was overheard to say, these look like honest men, and he was not a jot mistaken: however for bearing testimony to the truth he incurred the censure of a Malignant, and was in danger to be committed: but another looking these grave learned Divines in the face, reviled them, saying, that they did not look like Christians: and prayed that they might break their necks as they went down the Stairs to take water. This harsh usage they found by land, but yet they found far worse by water: being come on shipboard they were instantly put under Hatches, where the Decks were so low that they could not stand upright, and yet were denied stools to sit on, or so much as a burden of straw to lie on. Into this Little Ease in a small ship they crowd no less than fourscore Prisoners of quality, and that they might stifle one another, having no more breath than what they sucked from one another's mouths, most maliciously, and (certainly) to a murderous intent, they stop up all the small Auger holes, & all other in lets which might relieve them with fresh air: an act of such horrid barbarism, that nor Age, nor Story, nor Rebellion can parallel; But, O Lord God to whom Vengeance belongeth, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself, O let the vengeance of thy Servants blood, that hath been shed in this land, be openly snewed upon these worse than Heathen Savages in our sight, O let the sorrowful sighing of thy prisoners come before thee, according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are apppointed to die.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XIII.  
Master Anthony Tyringham a Minister, wounded and most inhumanely used by the Rebels in Buckinghamshire. Mistress Wiborow (the Parson's wife of Pebmarth in Essex) and her children exposed to great extremity by the Sectaries of that County. A lively pattern of ingratitude acted by a Schismatical Smith at Dalham in Suffolk, etc.  
MAster Anthony Tyringham, Parson of Tyringham in Buckingham-shire, having business at Maidsmorton, at his return came to Buckingham, where he met with two of his Nephews. The Uncle and his Nephew's glad of so happy a meeting, after some stay to congratulate the good chance, and to refresh themselves, set forward in their journey, and passed in peace without danger until they came near Stony-Stratford, where a partee of Diagooners coming from Aylesbury surprised them: and instantly (scarce ask them from whence they came) searched and disarmed them, which was no difficult achievement, there being but one Sword amongst all three. The Rebels take from them their Horses, their Coats and Money: superfluous things as they conceived for men designed to captivity: for having spoilt them of their Horses, Money, and Garments, they send them with a strong guard Prisoners to Aylesbury: while the rest of the Partee, lurking about Stony-Stratford, stayed there to expect some fresh booty: And that in this we do not slander these great Champions of the Subject's Liberties and Properties, the issue will acquit us, for presently after (to show that all was Fish which came to Net) they seized upon a poor Bone-lace-man & a Shoemaker, rob them of what they had, & in the same manner sent them away prisoners to A●lisbury. The guard of Dragooners having brought their ● prisoners about a mile and a half on the way towards Alisbury, commanded them again to alight: The first Plunder was for the Captain or Commanders, or else a share was set apart Anathema for the support of the Public Cause, these men to whose trust they were committed, now intent to plunder for themselves: And first, they command Master Tyringham to put off his Cassock: who being not sudden in obeying the Command, nor overhasty to untie his girdle to disrobe himself of the distinctive Garment of his Profession: (though now a cassock, contracted into the Compendium of a Gippo, is become the Garb of the Reformers) one of the Dragoons to quicken him, cut him through the hat into the head with the sword taken from one of his nephews, and with another blow cut him over the fingers: Master Tyringham wondering at so barbarous usage without any provocation, came towards him that had thus wounded him, and desired him to hold his hands, pleading that he was a Clergyman, a prisoner, and disarmed: the cowardly villain either fearing the approach of a disarmed man, or willing to lay hold on any advantage to expose the prisoners to the fury of his fellows, cried out, Shoot the rogues, for they intent to resist: the word was no sooner given, but a Musket was instantly discharged at one of M. Tyringhams' nephews; but the Musqueteere missing his mark, another of the Rebels with his sword aimed righter, and ran him into the shoulder: a Musket was presented to the other nephew, but God's providence restrained the murderous intention of the Rebel that he did not give fire. Thus exercising their pleasure upon disarmed wounded men, they rob M. Tyringham of his Cassock, rifle all their pockets, and take from them what they please; and to palliate their cruelty, they send two Dragooners back, to tell their Captains and their companies that the prisoners committed to their custody and conduct made resistance: Upon this false alarm given, presently the Captains and their Companies make up to them, to assist a strong Guard against three disarmed, and of them two wounded men; being come where they were, they encompass them about, and without any examination of the business, presuming the suggestion to be undoubted truth, one of the Rebels, Captain Pollard by name, with a full blow strikes at Master Tryingham, and with his sword cuts his Arm and Cub●-bones cross the elbow almost asunder: M. Tyringham (almost three●core years of age within two) bore this barbarous usage with undaunted courage, and hearing this bloody villain called Captain Pollard, in a pleasant indignation expressed the sense of the injury but thus, That now he had made him a Pollard indeed: A Metaphor easily understood by Woodmen, who usually call a Tree, whose limbs or branches are lopped off, a Pollard: M. Tyringhams' Arm thus miserably wounded, and hanging dangling from his shoulder, without any government from the nerves or sinews, one of his nephews having a mourning Ribbon, tendered it to his Uncle to bind up his Arm, but the Rebels will not permit it: though M. Tyringhem entreat the favour to have his wounds bound up, and the very spectacle before their eyes, was argument enough to extort this mercy from them; yet they remain inexorable, nor would they be persuaded until a long time after: having now made sure work with their prisoners, and rendered them so far unable to resist, th●t some were hardly able to sit the jades on which they were mounted, they again set forward for Ailesbury. The Dragooners horses on which they were set, being tired, made the way very tedious, especially to M. Tyringham, who lost much blood all the way as they went.  
While these Gentlemen were in this miserable condition, Captain Pollard, not troubled at all for so bloody a fact, barbarously committed by himself on an aged Gentleman, and a Minster of that Gospel which they falsely pretend to maintain, but indeed deny and blaspheme in all their actions, turned aside to whaddon Chase, and sported himself in killing some of His Majesty's Deer, which he carried along with him to Aylesbury: after almost four hours riding, tired out with tired Jades, and ●ainting with loss of blood, the Prisoners were again commanded to alight at a Town called Whitchurch within two miles of Aylesbury. Here they fall on Master Tyringham afresh, and Plunder him as eagerly as if he had been new come into their hands, and not touched by them before. They pluck off his boots, and take from him his Jerkin, his Hat, and Cap, all the fences provided for cold and weather, and the usual fortifications against the injuries of wind and rain: and so made a Pattern of the man wounded between jerusalem and jericho, they mount him on his spital again and drive on, and after an hours riding in cold and darkness, at last they arrived at Aylesbury, that night the Surgeons (as soon as they could be found) viewed and dressed the wound, but concluded unanimously that they must cut off his Arm the next day, or else it would Gangrene and infallibly kill him, which next day was done accordingly: Master Tyringham bore the loss of his Arm with incredible resolution and courage, as knowing the Justice of that Cause for which he suffered, and as willing to lay down his Life in testimony of his Loyalty, as his Brother Master Edward Tyringham, one of the Gentlemen of the King's Privy Chamber had done before him, who the last Winter being employed in His Majesty's service, & set on by a Partee of Rebels fought valiantly, but oppressed with multitudes, received so many wounds that he died of them. But it hath pleased God so to bless the means used for this Gentleman's recovery, that there are great hopes he will survive these maims, and (as himself undauntedly told the Rebels to their faces) Live to see them banged. Amen.  
In the fourth Week of this Mercury, you heard of the cruel usage of Master Wiborow Parson of Pebma●sh in the County of Essex, by the Rebels in those parts; how they abused him in the Church, beat him in the fields, and took from him the Book of Common-Prayer, having before torn another of his in pieces. After this the Brownists and Anabaptists of that place (with which that Country swarms) threaten to kill him; Master Wiborow, not da●ing to trust himself amongst these cruel bloodthirsty men, to preserve his life, was compelled to leave his Cure, his Wife and Children, some seven months since, and to put himself under the King's Protection: hoping that his absence might be a means to secure his Wife and Children, and prevail with these Monsters to permit them to enjoy that which he left behind him for their sustenance: but his absence was so far from working this good effect in them, that they made use of it, to eject him out of the possession of the Profits of his Parsonage, and his Wife and Children out of their house, exposing them harbourless to the wide world: for taking advantage of his absence, they accuse him to the pretended Parliament, and frame a Bill of Falsehood and Lies against him, thereby to gain a Sequestration of his Living: A business not of any great difficulty, they being more ready to grant such illegal oppressive ejections than the People to ask them: for upon the Accusation, John White that fornicating Brownist, sitting in the Chair, M. Wiborows Living was Sequestered, and the Profits of it given to one Burrows, though the Cure was never neglected, but supplied by M. Wiborows friends, to the content and satisfaction of all moderate peaceable men: yet though they had robbed him of his livelihood, and given his Wives and children's bread to strangers, by most unjust practices, yet his hopes were that his poor Wife and Children should enjoy the accommodation of their dwelling in the Parsonage house: but such is the implacable cruelty and malice of these Sectaries, that on the tenth of June 1643. a Troop of the Rebels came to the Parsonage house and demanded entrance: Mistress Wiborow and her Children being alone in the house, she barred up the doors against them, and for her better safetic retired to an upper room, to which the passage was through a Trap-door, which likewise she made as fast as she could: all this fortification could not keep these Rebels out, they break open the doors, and make way to the ●oome where Mistress Wiborow and her Children thought to secure themselves: when they came thither, three of these Rebels set their Pistols at her breast, threatening to shoot her, if she and her Children would not suddenly depart the house, and leave it to a new Master. Mistress Wiborow replied, That she would rather be killed within doors, then perish without, but withal earnestly entreated that she might enjoy so much of her husband's right, as his house to shelter her and her Children, who poor souls stood about their mother crying, and in their natural oratory craving compassion towards their Mother, whom at every word the Rebels threaten to Pistol; but neither the earnest entreaty of the Mother, nor the pitiful outcries of the Children, could prevail with them, they remain as dease men, void of all pi●ti● or bowels of compassion: ●ay, they violently seize on her, drag her down the stairs, and out of the house into the yard: the poor Children being almost distracted and at their wits end for fear what would become of their Mother, being thus violently drawn out of the house into the yard, there she found Mer ton Simpson and Cook the Sequestrators, with other attending there to see this joyful spectacle, a poor oppressed Gentlewoman & her small children cruelly cast out of their own habitation by Rebels & Traitors. As soon as Mistress Wiborow saw them, she presented them with the King's Proclamation against the Oppression of the Clergy, by the intrusion of Factious and Schismatical persons into the Cures and Revenues of Learned, Orthodox Divines, by Order of one, or both pretended Houses of Parliament, contrary to all Law and Justice: which she hoped would have found so much obedience and respect, as to restore her to her house: This was so far from mollifying these Rebels and Schismatics, that it provoked them to great insolences: at last, when Mistress Wiborow perceived that all her entreaties, and her children's tears prevailed nothing, to restore her to her house, she entreated the Sequestrators, that in case she could not be permitted to dwell in her own house, that yet she might have some other place of accommodation provided, to receive her and her children: Meriton insolently replied, That he would provide his Tumbrill, that is, his Dung-cart, to carry her and her Children from Constable to Constable, till she came to her Husband: After many bitter scoffs and scorns in this her affliction, she desired, that if she might not obtain so much favour to dwell in her house, yet they would not deny her access to her house, but that she might go in to fetch out provision for her children's supper that night: but these Monsters of men would not give her leave: and to complete this unheard of Tyranny and Oppression, the Authorized Theoves, I mean the Commissioners appointed by the pretended House of Parliament to seize upon the Estates of all Delinquents, and to point out who shall be Plundered next. Order, that whatsoever Master Wiborow had left, should be seized on for the use of that Thing which they call a Parliament: thereby to support Rebellion with Robbery and Theft. Instantly they seize on his Corn, and those few Cattle, the remainder of former Plunderings, though they knew it was the life of the Mother and her children, and that in taking away these, they deprived them of all means of subsistence, and exposed them to extreme want, having reduced them o this miserable condition, to beg or starve: Now for the comfortless trouble sake of the needy, and because of the deep sighing of the poor, I will up saith the Lord, and will help every one from him that swelleth against him, and will set him at rest: The good God perform his promise, Let God arise, and let these enemies of God and man be scattered.  
Master Thomas Dalton Bachelor of Divinity, and Parson of Dalham in the County of Suffolk, being Plundered of his Horse by Colonel russel's Troop, Deputtie Lieutenant of the County of Cambridge, on more than probable grounds, fearing that they would seize upon his person, and commit him to Prison, was compelled to leave his family & retire privately to some friends, where he continued some months. In the interim, one Barnard a poor Smith, & one that formerly had lived on the Parish alms, informed the Committee at Cambridge of M. Daltons' absence, & making it his Crime, Petitioned for a Sequestration of his Living, intending to make a gain of it himself; for whereas the Living is worth 140 l. per annum, and had been so let for many years before, Vulcan, I mean Bernard the Smith, having got a Chaplain of his own, one Randal by name, indents with him to serve the Cure for 50 or 60. pounds a year, intending to put up the Overplus into his own purse: nor did he fail of his pious project, so apparently tending to the public good, and reformation of the Church: For on the Smith's bare instance, though earnestly opposed by the Lord of the Town, and about forty of the chiefest of the Parish, who all laboured earnestly to withstand it, the Committee for the advancement of the reformation, harken to Barnard and substitute Randal Vulcan's Priest in Master Daltons' place, and revenue; This grant of the Committee was ratified by the Committee at Westminster, for'tis not impossible but Barnard might have sharers with him in both Committees: For the Tithe of the Tithe was enough for an Almsman: nay, this Committee did not only ratify the Order of the other Committee, but added to the injustice by ordering Mistress Dalton instantly to resign possession of the Parsonage house to Randal: of which Ordinance, when the Patron of the Living had intelligence, ●he instantly posted to London, and knowing how unjust and trivial the Accusations against M. Dalton were, absence being his main Crime, (being put to this hard Option, either to stay and be committed Prisoner, or to fly and be robbed of the Profits of his Living, for this is the Dilemma to which all Orthodox Conformable Ministers are now put) resolved to intercede for him, hoping either quite to take him off, or at least to procure a mitigation of the Order; but contrary to his expectation he found the Smith Courted, Applauded, and to enjoy freedom of access to the Committee, and himself (a Gentleman of very good rank and esteem in his Country) to be slighted, neglected, and made dance attendance, and after long waiting, not regarded what he spoke for his Minister: At last this good Gentleman having by experience observed, that the practices of the Faction in Parliament did engage them to sleight and suppress the Gentry, and all that made Honour or Conscience the rule of their Actions, & to court and observe the dregs and scum of the people, (as the fittest instruments for their designs) returned home, and sending for Mistress Dalton, entreats her to make use of his house as her own, until God should enable the King to restore her, and all his loyal Subjects to their own: Mistress Dalton accepts of his courteous offer, but leaves her man to keep possession of the Parsonage house: she had not stayed long here before her Host is threatened to be Plundered for his hospitality: Barnard the Smith (as bad as Alexander the Coppersmith) being now so rich as to be able to travail to London, and trouble his neighbours; that his Levite might have the Parsonage house to better his bargain, speeds to the Committee, and prefers a Complaint against Mistress Dalton for not giving up possession of her house according to their Order: upon complaint made, it is further ordered by the same Committee, that because she had not presently quitted the house, she should be brought up to London before the Committee, there to answer the contempt: to avoid further vexation she obeyed the Order, and gave up possession, hoping that this resigning of her right, would set an end to her trouble: but according to the Rebel's Method from the beginning of this Parliament, first invade the Clergy, & then the Laity, so here they vary not from the first pattern, for having robbed Master Dalton of his Ecclesiastical Revenues, presently they seize upon his Temporal, his Rents and other debts due unto him, they leave him nothing. But if you please to see the lively Character of a Malicious, Ingrateful, Cheating Schismatic, whole Religion it is to return evil for good, & hatred for good will, look once more on this Barnard the Smith, & you will conclude it doubtful which is hardest, his Anvil of his heart. For this wretch owing to M. Dalton twenty seven pounds, when the time of payment was come, Barnard comes to the Church-Porch, the place appointed for payment of the Debt, attended with four Rebel Troopers, as witness of the tender of the monies. Mistress Dalton being there to receive it, he pours it out, she having told it was putting it up into her purse; but Barnard interrupted her, saying, Sta●, this is for better use than so, it is for the service of the Parliament: and presently (as the Plot was laid) the Troopers bent their Pistols at her breast, & force the moneys from her: ●ay, before it was lawful by Order and Ordinances to violate all the Obligations of religion & gratitude, this Barnard acknowledged himself much bound to Master Dalton for many favours, who having many ways endeared him, thought all things sa●e which were committed to Barnard, trust; in this confidence Master Dalton laid up divers Coo●es of Wheat in Barnard's house, to be a help in time of need: when M. Dalton was gone, his wife sent to Barnard's house to demand some Wheat, this unthankful wretch denied it, affirming, that M. Dalton, being a Malignant, had no right or property in those goods; and therefore forbade her man to come on his ground, threatening that he would run his Pitchfork in him, if he came thither to make any such demand: Ab uno disce Omnes.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XIV.  
The Rebels barbarous usage of Sir Ralph Canterils man in Chancery-Lane London. Of the Minstery of London. A Character of Master Ephraim Udall, Parson of Saint Augustine's, with the cruelty used towards him and his wife. Sir Tho Hides covetousness and neutrality, here rewarded by the Rebels. Master Bowlstrodes Prayer by the Spirit, etc.  
IF in the Relation of these sad Stories thou find (Courteous Reader) some Complaints of London, mingled with those of the Country, know that the earnest request of Mercurius C●vicus must plead my Apology. The heads of this Rebel on, deal with that miserable City as unjust Stepmother's do with their poor Children, Whip them till they cry, and then whip them again for crying: for they have not so much loser's Privilege le●t them as to have Liberty to Complain: and then let the World judge to what a narrow Scan●ing the Liberty of the Subject is reduced, by these pretended Assertors of the Liberty, when it is lawful for them to Murder and Plunder the King's good Subjects, and yet it is not lawful for the oppressed to bemoan their own Condition. Being therefore denied the common natural mitigation of great pressures, to be wail their own miseries, and breath out the sense of them in free expressions, for fear they further provoke their Oppressors while they implore the compassion of their friends, Mercurius Civicus in his letter, dated Aug. 5.1643 and directed to me, earnestly entreated (their own Presses not da●ing to publish the truth of their miserable condition) that their sufferings under the Insolency, Injustice, tyranny and R●pine of this horrid Rebellion, might be made known to the World by a borrowed Pen, and interwoven with those of the Country: that therefore we may not be wanting to so just requests, nor leave posterity ignorant what transcendent cruelties are practised as well within the Walls of that wretched City as without, as o●t as they shall privately (by such secret ways of intelligence as the present condition of the times permit) impart their Calamities, I shall according to Mercurius Civicus desire, insert them with those of the Country, & so impart them to the World; and though the Barbarous murders committed on Master Tompkins & Master Chaloner, that second pair of State-Martyrs, together with the butchery of a Peaceable Citizen slain by Captain Harvey: and the women slaughtered by Sir William waller's Troopers (that ran away at Roundway Down to kill Women and Virgins in London, for the unpardonable crime of petitioning for Peace) might justly challenge precedency, yet because the memories of those two Worthies are reserved for a peculiar Martyrologue, and these are already imbalmed by the Piety of our Brother Aulicus, I shall set before you the misery, into which that Rebellious City hath plunged itself and us, in some other instances.  
On Tuesday the 15 of Aug. 1643, a Partee of Colonel Harvies Regiment came to one Walkers house in Chancer●Lane, to seize on Sir Ralph Cante●●l, whom they supposed then to have lodged there: on their coming, finding that the Knight was either gone out of Town, or had shifted his lodging, but on diligent inquiry discovering that there was a man in the house that now was, or lately had been Sir Ralph's servant, they apprehend him, and demand where his Master was, and where he had hid his Money, Plate, and Jewels? The man replied, that he had left his Master's service, and did know nothing, either where his Master was, or how he had disposed of his goods: presently they lay violent hands on him, and carry him out into the backside into the house of Office, there to examine him by Torment: there they rip up the Tiles, and one of the Rebels taking a cord out of his pocket, fastened one end of it about the poor man's neck, and threw the other end over the rafters of the untiled house: Having him at this posture, they interrogate him again where this (Imaginary) Treasure was hid: he returns the same answer, that he could give no account what Sir Ralph had done with it: for being to leave his service, he was a stranger to his Master's actions: Not satisfied with so reasonable an answer, they hoyle him up by the Neck, and let him hang a good distance from the ground, where having hanged a while, they let him down, and examine him again where Sir Ralph had bestowed his Money, Pla●e, and Jewels? The poor man not able to give any other answer to their Querie, protests his ignorance, and that if the discovery might save his life, yet he could not redeem it so, for he knew nothing concerning what they asked him: enraged that the man could not Prophesy, (for without that gift he could not resolve them) they suddenly hoist him up to the top of the house, and letting go their hold, they let him as suddenly fall to the ground: being fallen, there he lay for dead without any expression of life but these barbarous Rebels, hoping that there may yet remain some life in him whereon to practise further cruelty, stand by the man, and watch him, and at last perceiving that he was not dead, but that he began to stir and breath, presently they put burning matches between his fingers: hoping by this way of Torment to extort a discovery from him: but in vain, the extremity of this Torment indeed (though half dead as he was) made him cry out and roar in a very lamentable manner, which a maidservant of the house hearing, and affrighted at the noise, ran to her Master, and told him, that certainly the Rebels were murdering the man in the house of Office, hereupon Master Walker ha●tned out, and when he came to the place, found the conjecture of his Servant true, and amazed at so horrid, so inhuman a spectacle, interceded for the poor man, and earnestly desired them, not to defile his ground and habitation with innocent blood: instead of desisting, they return the Egyptians answer to Moses, Who made thee a Ruler and a Judge? bad him be silent, and withdraw, or else they threatened to use him in like manner: M. Watker searing that those perjured perfidious Villains, which keep their words in nothing else, might yet be punctual in performance of mischief, not daring to commit himself to their mercy, left them, and went into his house, where the Quartermaster to the Rebels lay sleeping while the Troopers were acting this cruelty, him he raiseth from sleep, & tells him what the Troopers were doing without: who something moved at the relation, went out unto them, and took them off from farther prosecuting their Barbarous intentions. But whether or no the man on whom all this cruelty was acted, survived this Barbarous usage, is uncertain.  
As amongst the many blessings wherewith it pleased God to advance the City of Lon●on far above all other Cities, either of this, or other Nations of the Christian World, one was their Clergy: for a more Pious, Learned, & laborious Ministry no people ever enjoyed, even their enemies themselv●s being ●udges: So amongst the many crying sins whereby that Proud Rebellious City hath provoked God, to give them up to a Reprobate sense and hardness of heart to their own destruction, certainly, the contempt & oppression of their Clergy are none of the least: as before the last Parliament began, a main part of their Religion was to strive with their Priests, and to rob them of their maintenance, by all possible arts of deceit, and fraud, so as soon as the Parliament was sat, and the basest of the people were set loose to worry their Ministers (though never so blameless, never so Orthodox, if they did not conspire with them to innovate both Church and State:) the Citizens of London showed themselves most forward in Petitioning against their Ministers: yet at first pretended to molest such only, who had expressed greatest zeal to the order, and decency of God's worship, professing that for the rest there was no thought to trouble them: but at last, having put to slight or imprisoned those, they go on and discover plainly, that whosoever is a friend to the Protestant Religion, as it is established in the Church of England, is their Enemy: how many have they silenced, imprisoned, or banished from their Cures, whom heretofore they did magnify for the undaunted Champions of the Protestant Religion? and stou● opposers of those supposed pretended innovations, which they vainly imagined were the eager endeavours of some men to impose upon the Church: he that knows London, and hath frequented the most thronged Congregations there, cannot be ignorant, that Master Ephraim Vdal, Parson of Saint Austin's in the O●d-Change near Saint Austin's Gate, is a man of eminent Pictie, exemplary conversation, profound learning, indefatigable industry preaching constantly every Lord's Day twice, and for the Winter half year, if not the whole year, preaching a Lecture at his own Parish every Tuesday in the afternoon, and if I am not mistaken, every Saturday before the first Sunday in the month a Preparatory Sermon to the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper: and besides all this, he is a man of an affable, courteous, peaceable Conversation amongst his neighbours: in a word, he was a man of their own Vote: and is (without profanation be it spoken) a shining and burning light, and his people for a while much pleased themselves in their choice, and were content to walk by his light: but when he found himself mistaken in the ends & intentions of the heads of this Rebellion, when he saw that the zeal of some did degenerate into madness and frenzy, and that the endeavours of others (under the pretence of Reformation) was to bring in Anarchy and Sacrilege, to devour God's portion, & the poor remainder of the patrimony of the Church, he did strongly and powerfully bend both his tongue and pen against them: against Sacrilege be published that learned Tract, called A Coal from the Altar: against Anarchy he declared himself for episcopacy, and the established liturgy: and published another Book, called Communion Comeliness, in which by many impregnable arguments he proves a high Conveniency, if not a necessity, for that most laudable custom of having Rails about the Lords Table: These were in the Schismatics opinion Crimes enough to un-saint a man, nay, had Saint Paul himself been now in the 〈◊〉, and preached against Sacrilege and Anarchy, there is no doubt, but there would have been some found to Petition against him, and John White sitting in the Chair, a● undoubtedly he had been voted a scandalous Minister at a Committee: but because when these Books were published, Injustice and Oppression did not march so ●uriously, nor were grown so frontless and impudent to seize on Innocency itself, not slured with slanders and calumnies, Master Vdal sat something quiet, some murmurings there were, but his former Reputation in the City bore him up against the Obloquy of private discontent: the Faction found it no eas●e matter to brand M. Vdal with Po●●ry, or Popishly affected, or these slanders to make any impression in that estimation which the people had of him: but at last when they came openly to defy their Sovereign, the Lords Anointed, and it was almost Treason but to name the 13. Chapter of the Romans, it was a fit time to Silence and remove M. Vdal, for neither Doctor Gouge his Church in Black Friars, or M. goodwin's in Coleman-street, were half so full before this Parliament began, as M Vdals hath been since. First, therefore, they Plunder his house, they take away his Library and householdstuff: Then they remove him from the execution of his Ministry, and Sequester the profit for a Levite of their own: Thirdly, they sought for him to commit him close Prisoner, being aged, of very weak and infirm body, his strength exhausted with continual labours in Preaching the Word of God, visiting the sick, and in execution of other Ministerial Functions, in performance of which in his own person few of his Brethren were more Conscientious: And Lastly, they cast him out of his dwelling house: But when they came to seize on his house, they found one impediment, which unless they could find some art to remove, they could not take full possession of it: Mistress Vdal (besides the infirmities of age) was lame, and it had been monstrous inhumanity to take her by violence and carry her our of her house, not knowing where to dispose of her, but in the open street: Therefore to gain her consent, and prevent clamour until the ●eat was done, they tell the good old Gentlewoman that the Parliament had a tender respect unto her years, and to her present Infirmities: and therefore though they had ordered to dispossess her of that house, yet they did not mean to leave her harbourless, but had out of the abundance of their goodness provided another house to receive her: She, good old woman, neither awed by fear, nor won by their persuasions and promises, was taken up by two men brought in by him that had broken open three locks, and entered the house by force, and carried 〈◊〉 of her house into the street, there they set her down in 〈◊〉 Chair, and so leave this weak infirm Matron of a long time not accustomed to the open air, nor being able to go out of doors in three or four years before, unless unto the Church, exposed her (a sad spectable of the Rebel's cruelty) to the mercy of wind and weather.  
The Rebels in their march towards Gloucester, seized on Sir Thomas Hide a Bed●ord-shire man, whose fordid covetousness had made him so far forget all Duty and Loyalty to his Sovereign, as that he refused to assist him either in his person or his purse: but because either his estate lay nearer to the power of the Rebels, then to the King's Protection, a Consideration which in these Atheistical Rebellious times is admitted as a just Apology, either for neutrality or ready Compliance with the Rebels, so far as to submit to all Taxes and Impositions laid on them, a most Traitorous and Irreligious liberty and dispensation of Conscience, which if all men had made use of, the King's Crown might long before this have been thrown down to the ground: Or else conceiving it a very unlikely, if not an impossible thing for the King to withstand their power, who had not only by Lies and Slanders s●olne away the hearts of the people, but had seized on all his Castles, Towns, Forts, Magazines: did contribute to the Rebel's aid, and wholly complied with them, not so much out of judgement, as ●eare: thinking that this compliance would be the security of his estate, and turn to his great advantage: but his wealth was so well known, that bare compliance, and final Contributions must not serve his turn, he must bleed more freely: They seize him the Twentieth part, and that highly set: This demand struck his heart like pangs of death; and he that was so forward in p●ttie assistances, now discovered the love of himself to be more than that of the holy Cause, and refused to part with more monies: wherefore in recompense of his former good deeds, they seize on his person, and carry him captive in their Army, and suffered his servant to walk along by him, leading a horse in his hand, while his Master the Knight was chained arm to arm with another Prisoner, and was compelled to beat it on the hoof: Thus did he march for three days on foot, coupled with another Prisoner, and that Prisoner, as we are informed, is Doctor Stubbing, Doctor in Divinity, whom likewise the Rebels gathered up in their march, and taking him from his Cure, added him to the number of their Captives: So soon can these Rebels forget former aides, if men do not comply with them, and answer their expectation in every thing: and indeed what measure their dearest friends are to expect from them, if they fail them in any particular, not running into the same excess of Madness and Treason as they do, and shall not show themselves ready at a call (to their perpetual infamy, contrary to the Religion which they profess, the Oaths which they have taken, and the solemn Protestations which they have made) to rush into the damnable s●●ne of Rebellion, and give the right hand of fellowship to the Rebels here, to assist them in so unnatural a War against their own gracious native Sovereign, we may fully learn by a Prayer (for now they have turned their vary Prayers into sin, being no better than very Libels and Pasquil's) lately made by Master Bowlstrode, son to Colonel Bowlstrod a Factious Rebel of Buckingham shire, before his Sermon at Horton near Colebrook, which that you may see what Spirit of Prayer and Supplication it is of which they boast, and that the Nation whom it concerns may see what opinion the Factious Preachers here have of them, unless they will serve their vile purposes and engage themselves as deeply (which God forbid) in the present Rebellion as themselves, we have here inserted.  
Thou hast, O Lord, of late, written bitter things against thy Children, and forsaken thine own Inheritance, and now Lord, in our misery and distress, we expected aid from our Brethren of the neighbouring Nation, (the Scots I mean) but good Lord, than knowest that they are a false and perfidious Nation; and do all they do for their own ends, and not for our good: if therefore, good Lord, their coming into the Land at this time be for our good, bring them in speedily, if otherwise, keep them out, for they are a false and perfidious Nation.  
There was present at Church at that time, one Master Kenada a Scotchman, who being drowsy was wakened by a friend that sat by him, to hear the devotion of the Preacher; who hearing his whole Nation thus publicly blasphemed by this contemptible Zealot, spoke out in the Congregation saying, I think the man is mad: and certainly Master Kenada was not a jot mistaken, to think him mad that should thus rashly in the face of a solemn Congregation traduce a Nation, and if there be amongst the heads of the Rebellion (in whose power he is) any care of the honour of that Nation, we doubt not but we shall shortly hear of some exemplary punishment inflicted on this incendiary between the two Nations: and heightened according to the nature of the Crime. If any man doubt of the truth of this Relation, whether it be a fiction or a thing really done, he may consult Master Kenada or any of Horton Parish, who are ready to bear Testimony to this Truth.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XV.  
Master Squire of Little Saint bartholomew's London, Plundered of four thousand pounds. Nath. Fiennes his Warrant for a Citizen of Bristol. A touch of Col. Morleys' tyranny in Suffex, with the hard usage of M. Hinson a Minister there. A woman most unchristianly tortured to death by the Rebels at Chippingnorton, etc.  
UPon Friday the 18 of Aug. 1643. Master Squire of Little Saint Bartholmews London, having this present Rebellion upon several Rates, Taxes and Loans, disbursed near a thousand pounds, was sent unto for a new Sum towards the maintenance of the Holy Cause; but he foreseeing, that as long as their purses were open to foment this unnatural War, there would be no end of it till their Estates were exhausted, and the wealthiest amongst them reduced to beggary, and a morsel of bread, returned a denial, yet withal professed his readiness to have supplied them if he had been provided: and his Wife to endear themselves, and to show how well-affected they were to the Cause, wished that all the Malignants in London were Plundered, and then there would be less cause to call so often on the well-affected for so great supplies, not imagining (good woman) that her Husband might be numbered shortly amongst the Malignants: or, that to be wealthy and not pour out all, as often as the heads of this Rebellion should call for it, was in their opinion, high Malignity: for next day, notwithstanding their former compliance with the Rebels in so great a measure, six men with Pistols were sent to Master Squires house, under pretence to search for Arms, but indeed to find out a hoard of moneys which either their own jealousy, grounded on the general received opinion of his wealth, or the treachery of some, who knew the house had suggested unto them. After some small search, (though M. Squire thought that his tre●sure had been close enough hid) instead of Arms they find four thousand pounds, a rich booty, and very greedily seized upon. At last, Mistress Squire finding herself so unexpectedly in the number and condition of Malignants, robbed of so great a Sum, fell into a swound, and for fear she should be recalled to pursue the injury with just Clamours and Expostalations, when Strong-waters were brought to relieve and comfort her surprised spirits, the Rebels would not permit it to be administered unto her: but left nature to the work of its own recovery, without the assistance of any borrowed help. Of this four thousand pounds, eight hundred was due to a Son in Law of Master Squires, a Creature of the Parliaments, and a great friend to the Cause, and therefore to redeem the rest, Master Squire freely offered to give the Parliament (as those tame people call the Faction of both Houses) the sum of three hundred pounds, so the rest might be restored unto him: but all in vain, it was judged a very high Symptom of Malignancy to hide four thousand pounds, and suffer the Holy League to be endangered for want of supplies, and therefore as a just panishment for his coldness, and want of zeal to the good Cause in hand, it was wholly taken from him without restitution (for aught we yet know) of a farthing: and indeed what measure the Rich either of London or any other place, cursed with the Tyranny and Oppression of this Rebellion are to expect from their hands (when the necessities of supplies shall press upon them) the world may read in this Warrant, directed from Nathaniel Fienn●s, in the time of his reign in Bristol, to Master Gunning the younger of that City: which for the plain English that it speaks, and because it contains a perfect discovery of their Resolutions when occasion shall serve, we have here inserted.  

BRISTOL.  
WHereas the City is at this time environed, and in great and imminent danger to be swallowed up by many cruel and barbarous enemies of Papists, Irish Rebels, and others: and most of the Inhabitants of this City have, and all aught to take an Oath & Protestation for defence thereof with their lives and fortunes: These are to require you forth with, to pay to my Servant Ralph Hooker, to be employed for the defence of the City, the sum of two hundred pounds, which sum, in respect of your estate, is below the proportion required of other persons of your quality by an Ordinance of Parliament. And if you shall refuse in this time of so great necessity, you may expect whatsoever the desperate resolution of Soldiers, reduced un●● extreme necessity, may put them to act against your persons and estates, unless by a speedy Constitution towards their supply you shall prevent the same.  
NATH. FIENNES. Given under my hand, July 25. 1643.  
To Master Gunning the younger.   
On Sunday morning, being the ninth of July, 1643. in time of Divine Service, Colonel Morley, the Crooked Rebel of Sussex, came towards Hasting, one of the Cingue Ports, but in his march being discovered, presently notice was given to Master Hinson Curate of All Saints, who knowing that one end of the Colonel's Sabbath days Journey, was to apprehend him, was compelled to break off Divine Service in the midst, and fly into a Wood near at hand, there to hide himself: The Colonel being entered the Town, scattered the body of his horse into several parts, to intercept all passages out of the Town: and having secured the Ports, he summons the Major and Jurats, and demands the Arms of the Town: to which he found ready obedience, for presently the Major & Jurats sent their servants to command all the Inhabitants to deliver up their Arms, which was done accordingly, and one of the Jurats, Fray by name, furnished the Colonel with a Wagon, he sent them away to Battle, being a Town in Suffex some five miles from Hasting: that night some Soldiers lay in the Church, where Master Hinson officiated, where one Wicker, a common Soldier, getting up into the Pulpit, preached unto his fellows: and to show the Fruits of so good doctrine, going out of the Church, either the Preacher, or one of his Auditory, stole away the Surplice, Ralph Mills, the honest Parish Clerk, to recover it, complained to their Captain Richard Cockeram of Rye, but received no other answer but this, Do not you think he loves a Smock as well as you? Morley being now master of the Town, began to exercise his power given him for the good of the Kingdom, and the preservation of the Subjects Property, and demanded a sum of Monies from some of the Jurats, which they paid him, and because they came off so readily, he demanded more, which they refusing, he took them with him Prisoners to Battle: where having stayed but a night, they return with a Warrant next day signed by Morley, which they undertook to execute upon such persons as themselves had designed for Plunder and Imprisonment: whereof Master Car the Parson of Saint Clements in Hasting, and Master Hinson, were the chiefest: M. Car that Sunday was not at home, being ●ed to prevent surprisal: but hearing that Colonel Morley was gone to Battle, and thinking the storm to be now blown over, he resolved to return to Hasting, and being on the way thither, he met Fray the Jurat, who was one of the Combination to execute Morlyes' Warrant, and apprehend him: as Fray was drilling M. Car along, by chance one Master Breame met them, and seeing M. Car so familiarly conversing with a Judas that was resolved to betray him, called Master Car aside to speak with him, what he said is uncertain, but in all probabilite he discovered to Master Car the danger in which he was, for immediately he left Frays company and road back again: Fray thus unexpectedly robbed of his prey, instantly informed Colonel Morley, that Master Breame had srayed away the Bird that was so near going into the snare: Morley presently sends some Troopers to apprehend Master bream, and at what sum he did redeem this Crime, is uncertain. On the Tuesday after Morlyes coming to Hasting, Master Hinson returned home: and that day, the Jurats that Morley took with him, being come back, summoned the rest of their Brethren unto the Towne-Hall, where they acquainted them with the Contents of their new Warrant: who with, joint consent, promise their best endeavours to put it in execution: To this purpose, having picked out of the Town a sufficient number to assist them and execute their commands, and having put their names in the Warrant with their own, they bind them by the Religion, and strict bond of an Oath, to do what they would have them, without ever specifying any particulars, wherein they intended to exercise their obedience, until they should give them in charge what they were to do: N●y, not only so, but having received their commands, they swear them not to reveal what commands were laid on them to any body, no not to their own wives, until they had executed the commands and when some of these assistants startled at this Jesuitical implicit Obedience, to know to what in particular their Oath should bind them: Wenb●m a Factious Jurat replied, that they must swear in general, and afterwards they should know the particular. Thomas Staple, one of the Assistants, being pressed to take this Oath, rejoined, That you may make us swear, and the business we swear to, may be to knock our Fathers in the head, or betray them: W●nham (most convincingly) replied, That if they would not swear, they had authority for their reful all, to imprison them for a year: The rest adding, That they need not be so scrupulous, though they did not know what they sw●●● unto, it was no harm. for they had taken the same Oath themselves, to d●e that which they were to assist them 〈◊〉: And so, partly by fear, and partly by the inducement of the Jurats' example, they took an oath upon the holy Evangelists, to assist the Jurats in what they were to do, not knowing what, and to be secret, until it was done. Sure the Oath of Canonical Obidience, and the so much decried & ●aetera, must now for ever rest in peace, and never more be maliciously and ignorantly traduced after this most Papistuall, jesuiticad, Puritanical Practice.  
Having thus engaged these men by an Oath, to do any thing which they shall command them, they then think them sufficiently prepared to receive the Mysteries of the Warrant which now they reveal unto them, and tell them, that they must apprehend Master Hinson, and ●ome others nominated in the Warrant: In obedience therefore to the command, they presently go to Master Hinson, and seize on him in his lodging and being brought before the Major and his Brethren the Jurats, he never questioned by what authority he was apprehended, but only told them, that he had not done any thing that deseved this usage: presently Weaham replied, that be had highly deserved it, because he read the King's Declarations. After this, all the Jurats went out, one by one, and left Master Hinson locked up with one Master Parker, whom they had a little before committed, because he would not pay for the carriage of some Ordnance to Rye, a most Factious Town not far off: Master Parker was that night removed from the Town Hall, but Master Hirson was left there all night, strongly guarded by eight Billmen, having no other bed but a bench: next day Master Parker (who had the favour to be lodged that night in a Sergeant house) desirous to see his fellow Prisoner, prevailed with his Landlord to go along with him to visit Master Hinson: of which when Wenham had notice, he told Biddenham (for so was the Sergeants name) that he deserved for this to be laid by the heels himself: which check so awed many of Master Hinsons' friends, that they durst not visit him for fear of imprisonment: The Major and Wenham command the Maidservant that attended him, not to carry any Letters from him, and being examined by them, whether she had conveyed any from him already, upon the denial, Barlow a Factious Schismatic (who because heretofore his neighbours of Hasting refused to concur with him in Petitioning against Episcopacy, joined and subscribed with those of Rye) told her, that she deserved to be put into the Ducking-house (a Prison for women) for denying it: That night Biddenham the Sergeant was commanded to carry Master Hinson out of the Town Hall, and put him into the Common Gaol, which the Sergeant refusing, that busy fellow Wenham told him, that he deserved to be committed himself, for refusing to perform his Office: hereupon by virtue of this Oath, they command four of the men whom: they had sworn to apprehend Master Hinso●, to tell him that he must exchange his Prison, the Town Hall for the Common Gaol, whither they presently led him, there they lock him fast up, in a loathsome place, where there was but one short bench, and no company but a Tinker, and he none of the jovialists neither, for the stubborn sullen Tinker pleading seniority in the place, took possession of the bench, and most unsociably kept in all night, not interchanging with Master 〈◊〉 his repose for a walk ●●varietie take, but left him one while to walk, and 〈◊〉 while to sleep on that sloore, in which he was forced to do the necessary acts of Nature: while he lay in this loathsome condition, four of the Jurats, Jurats, I mean four that had taken the Oath, to do what ever was commanded them, came to die Gaol, and processed to Master Hinson their hearty sorrow that they ever had a hand in his Attachment, entreated him that he would not think evil of them, for they were compelled to do that for which they were now sorry: And Thomas Staple that (as before you heard) expostulated so freely, and pleaded against the taking the Oath before he was awed to take it, showing the monstrous evil in which it might engage them, openly exclaimed against the Major and his Brethren, wishing that the plague from God might light upon them, for ensnaring their consciences with such an Oath; when not only Religion, but right reason might have told him and the rest, That their sin was to take an unlawful Oath, it had been no sin to beak it: while Master Hinson lay thus in the Goal, one Master Besanno a Counsellor at Law interceded for him, and earnestly entreated that he might be removed from the Common Goal, & commited to sat custody in some Chamber in the Town, but could not prevail: at last, after three week's imprisonment, upon Master Besanno's request, seconded by Master Brian (heretofore a Jurat of Hasting, but now removed to Battle, as too honest for such a Fraternity as he left behind him) Master Hinson was sent with a strong Guard to Colonel Morley, by whom he was transmitted to London to Learned Miles Co●be●, who committed him to the Custody of a Messenger, and having no particular Acculation but a general charge, and finding no hopes to be brought to a hearing, but perceiving himself designed (as others before him had been) too long attendance and vexatious delays, he withdrew himself from his Tyranny and Oppression, and escaping to Oxford, put himself under the King's Protection.  
As the Rebels in their march towards Gloucester passed through Chipping-Norton in the County of Oxford, a woman of that Town (whose zeal to the King and the Justice of his cause, could not contain itself though in the midst of his mortal Enemies) said in the hearing of some of the Rebels, God ●lesse the Cavaliers: (●o are all good and faithful Subjects called by the Rebels) this expression of the poor woman's affection to the King and his loyal Subjects in so innocent a Prayer, so highly incensed the Rebels, that to punish so heinous a Crime, presently they tied her to the tail of one of their Carts, and stripping her to the middle, for two miles march whipped her in so cruel a manner with their Cart-whips, that her body in many places was cut so deep, as if she had been lanced with Knives, the torment being so great (as much as her strait bounds, would give leave) she cast herself on the ground, so to shelter herself from their stripes, but in a most barbarous manner they dragged her along, insomuch that her legs and feet were so to torn by the stony rough ways, that her flesh was worn off in many places to the very bones, at last, having far exceeded the number of stripes limited by God himself in the Law of Moses, (though given by the hand of Justice) Forty stripes be may give him and not excced, Deut. 25. 3. they left her a Lamentable spectacle of their cruelty: in this miserable condition lay this poor soul for some few days, and since died of those wounds which she received from them: The blood of this innocent, mingled with the rest shed by their hands, crying loud with them under the Altar, Rev. 6. 10. How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on earth?   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XVI.  
Burton, Prinne, and Bastwick, three Arch-Schismatiques, unjustly freed from a just censure. The committing and removing of Master Chestlen from S. Matthews Friday-street, to make way for Burton, contrary to all Law and Equity, etc.  
AFter that bold affront offered (and that without check or control) to public Justice, and the known Laws of the Land, in those Triumphant Reductions of that Triumvirate of seditious Schismatics, Burton, Bastwick, and Prinne, from their several Confinements: It was no hard matter for the world to guess what measure the obedient Sons of the Church of England might expect, when that spurious, degenerous Brood, (which most undutifully cast dirt in their mother's face, and in their scurrilous, Libellous Pamphlets proclaimed her a Harlot) became the darlings both of the heads of the Faction in Parliament and the people: And though it seemed good to the heads of the Faction, by restoring these Turbulent men, to brave that Authority by which they were justly censured, yet being restored, all were not thought to be of equal concernment: As for Bastwicke, if any man labouring under any lndisposition (besides that to the present established Government) had a mind to be a Patient, and put himself into the hands of a mad man, he might do as he pleased at his own peril: every man was left to the liberty of his own choice: So for grin, if any man desired to retain him of his Counsel, it was lawful for the Client to give, and him to receive his Fee; but all this was but voluntary: no man was constrained to be a Patient to the one, nor a Client to the other: for the intended Rebellion might well go forward, though Bastwicke never wrote an Apothecary's Bill, or Prinne pleaded at the Bar: But for Burton (a main Engine to promote the design in hand) it concerned them to restore him, not only to a Liberty of the exercise of his Calling at large, but likewise to invest him in his former Cure in particular; from which, by the just sentence of Law he was ejected: To this purpose no arts were left unattempted, by the under-Agents, for the heads of this rebellion, to restore Burton to his Parsonage of Saint Matthewes in Friday-street London: by unjust molestations they endeavour to weary out Master Chestlen that succeeded him (but not immediately) in it, to relinquish his cure, and make way for this Trumpet of sedition; That so, what was not feasible in Law, might yet be effected by horrible in justice and oppression: First, therefore, some of Master Chestlens' Parishioners, (but Burtons' old disciples, levened with his schismatical doctrine) deny to pay him his Tithes, or any other accustomed duties: nor are they content with their own denial, but by earnest persuasions, & other means they labour to draw other men into the like obstinacy and perverseness: nor did they stick openly to profess that they did this, that by unjust vexations they might weary out Master Chestlen, and make way for Burton: hereupon (the Ecclesiastical Court being suppressed, which otherwise have cognizance of the Causes of Tithes of London, nor can there any prohibition be justly granted as Coram non Judice, The Statute only enabling the Lord Major to be Judge, if the person grieved think fit to appleale unto him, but no way disabling the Ordinary, or abolishing his power) Master Chestlen petitioned (as the Statute in that case provides) the Lord Major that then was, Sir Edmund Wright: To the hearing before the Lord Major came Little I saac Pennington, no ways interested in the cause, but only to give countenance to Master Chestlens' Parishioners: being there, he openly reviled Master Chestlen, calling him Saucy Jack, brazen faced fellow, and the like; nay he threatened the Judge, thinking by this to stave him off from doing Justice, who bravely scorning the threats of so contemptible a Mushroom, in a just indignation replied, What, shall I be afraid to do Justice? and indeed the event showed that he was not afraid; for upon a full hearing of the Cause, the Lord Maior gave sentence for Master Chestlen, and ordered the Parishioners to pay their Tithes: Tillat a Linen Draper, one of the Citizens that was sued, refused to obey the Lord Mayor's Decree: and therefore the time limited in the Decree being expired, the Lord Maior, according to the power given him by the Statute of the 37 of H 8. committed Tillat to prison, without bail or mainprize, until he did submit to the sentence as the Statute gives him power: But see the Justice of the great pretenders to the maintenance of the Laws of the Land, Tillat had not stood committed many days, before two of the House of Commons (as the Keeper of Newgate says) in the name of the House of Commons, command him to be set at liberty, which accordingly was done, though he were in upon Execution, and the debt not satisfied: every man wondering at, but no man daring to question so illegal an action. When this way took no effect, they joined their purses to vex him with an Action of Ejectment, threatening to spend five hundred pounds, but they would out him of his Living: but presently deserted those intentions as not seizable. After this, they slander him for preaching Popery and Arminiasme: which unjust scandal so prevailed in the City, that he could not pass the streets without affronts and jeers put upon him: they dislwade his Parishioners from hearing him, telling them, that they would be damned if they lived under his Ministry, they branded them with the name of Malignants, if they frequented their own Church, and procured them to be deeply taxed in all Sessements. In a word, that nothing might be wanting to their own malice, and M. Chestlens' vexation, they threw menacing Libels into his house, laid wait in the pews of his Church, while others provoked him to express himself in the great differences of the times, hoping to entangle him in his words: and examined his conversation in the very places where he lived, even from his Childhood to that time, hoping to find something whence to frame an Accusation against him: When all these malicious courses would not effect the thing they aimed at, they go from house to house for hands to a Petition against him, to the House of Commons, pretending that he had preached false doctrine, and made it the subject matter of their Petition: & if any man refused to subscribe (as many did because they could not testify the truth of the Petition) in their spirit of meekness, they called them Malignants, Papists, and Enemies to Religion: however it is too well known, that two or three men (though the very dregs of the people) petitioning against Orthodox Ministers, have in the judgement & acceptance of the Faction of the House of Commons, out-poized the rest of the Parish, though infinitely beyond them, as in number so in quality: their testimony being rejected with much acrimony and sharpness, when the others Libels have gained credit and reputation with them: Therefore about March, 1641. the Schismatics of Master Chestlens' Parish, presented a Petition against him to the House of Commons, in the name of the whole Parish, though three parts of sour protested against it under their own hands: When it was presented, Pennington and Venne car●cstly urged that it might be read, pleading in their drivelling, railing Oratory, that he was a very dangerous man, fit to be looked after: To satisfy their Importunity; the Witnesses (who as their manner is, were never sworn, and yet were both Witnesses and Accusers) were produced and examined at the Bar, and upon examination the Petition was thrown out as frivolous, but like eager bloodhounds not giving off the pursuit, for being at one loss, upon Easter Eve, to show the world that malice is part of a Puritans preparation to the Sacrament, when the House was very thin, the Protestants of the House being in their Closets, close at their devotions to prepare themselves for the great Feast at hand, and when private businesses by Order of both Houses were laid aside (for as yet all opinion of the Sanctity of the ancient Festivals of the Primitive Church, was not lost amongst them) Pennington and Venus prevailed to have this soiled ejected Petition to be revived and read again in the House, and the Patrons of Justice and integrity being then absent, the Petition was referred to the Committee for Scandalous Ministers: so they are pleased to call all Orthodox, consclentious Ministers, who abhor their Rebellion, and refuse to comply with them in their seditious practices: and that no time might be lost, in Easter week, the Committee sat purposely for this business: to which there was a full confluence of Seditious Schismatical people from all Quarters of the City; that so nothing might be wanting to this Triumph: while Master Chestlen was thus tied to a tedious chargeable attendance, God, to whom appertain the Issues of death, ●mote Tillat, the main promoter of Master Chestlens troubles with the Plague, of which he died: with whom also for the present died Master Chestlens' trouble and vexation: and though some (that think that all acts of providence are aimed pointblank at them) having such an opportunity as this, would interpret this to their own Interest as a sign of personal favour to them, yet not daring to press into the hidden will of God, nor making ourselves of familiar acquaintance with his Counsels, I shall not make any inference from hence, but leave every man to abound in his own sense, only thus much we say, Tillat being dead, the hot prosecution of Master Chestlen, for a while lay dead too: when all these endeavours could not re-estate Burton in the Parsonage, some of the Factious of the Parish combine to make him their Lecturer, and perhaps better approved of him as their Lecturer then their Parson: to this purpose cunningly, & on feigned pretences they get some subscriptions of the Parishioners, and annexing them to a Petition, for which they were never intended, preferred it in their own names, and the names of the rest, to the House of Commons, that Burton might be their Lecturer: which was no sooner proposed then granted, and an order presently drawn up to give Burton power to preach in M. Chestlens' Pulpit, which M. Chestlen resolutely opposing, kindled such Coals against him as afterwards fired him out of the City: for since Master Chestlen will not give way to Burton to be partner with him in his Pulpit, they resolve to give him possession of the whole, by removing Master Chestlen totally from his Cure: To this purpose Master Case sends to the Faction in Master Chestlens' Parish to frame some accusation against him, in obedience to so ghostly Council, Master Chestlen is presently accused to the House of Commons for Preaching a Seditious Sermon on Sunday the 23 of October, that very day whereon the Battle was fought at Edge-Hill: The subject of the Sermon in truth, being nothing else, but an earnest exhortation to his Parishioners to persuade them to constancy in the Protestant Religion, perseverancc in the fear of God and the King: presently a Warrant is granted for the apprehension of Master Chestlen: on the Thursday following, they riotously assault him in his house, with great Tumults, armed with drawn Swords and Pistols: and seizing on him, in great triumph they carry him to the Court of Aldermen, who now (it seems) are succeeded in the place of the High Commission, and are to be Judges of true or false doctrine: being brought before this Lay Sanedrim, whereof Pennington the pretended Lord Maior was Precedent, and a rabble of Schismatics crowding in, to give countenance to the business, Captain Venus their Leader, stands forth and accuseth Master Chestlen for a most dangerous seditious Preacher (though he confessed that he never heard him) and that he stood a delinquent in Parliament: others objected against him, that he discouraged the Citizens from going to Windsor, though this Sermon were preached before that treasonable design was known, that the King's Royal Castle should become Captain Vens Royal Castle, or his Countryhouse for the recreation of his Mopsa: and that the people might have full content, M. Chesblen was there baited on every hand, every Alderman had his fling at him: at last having made him a public scorn of the multitude, Pennington commits him into the hands of his accusers to expose him to more abuse, and to commit him to the Compter: the Rabble being now made Sergeants, they threaten to carry him in a Cart through the open streets to the Prison: to deliver him from the fury, and rage of the people, his Father (a known able Citizen) tendered Bail of ten thousand Pounds, but it was not accepted: away they carry him to the Compter, and the next day being Friday, he is brought to the B. ●●e at the House of Commons: where the Speaker (who had been happy in the deceived world's opinion both of his wisdom and honesty had he never known other Bar, but that of the Exchequer) interrogated him touching his Preaching against Brownists and Anabaptists: and presently, though no witness appeared, though no crime were objected, though no accuser appeared against him: he was Voted by the House of Commons to be sent Prisoner to Colchester Gaol in Essex, there to remain during the pleasure of the House: and to pay the Charges of his conveyance thither: And that Posterity may read, and reading stand amazed to see how Tyrannical, how unlimited an Empire, these Subjects have exercised upon their fellow Subjects, without any legal Process, or any cause shown, to doom them to Banishment and Captivity, during their high and mighty pleasure, we have here inserted a true and perfect Copy of the Warrant and Sub-warrant, by which Master Chestlen was sent from hand to hand, till he came to his Gaol at Colchester.  

By virtue of an Order this day made by the Commons House of Parliament, These are to will and require you, to take into your custody the body of Master Robert Chestlen Clerk, and him by yourself, your deputy or deputies, according to the said Order, to carry in safe custody to the Prison of Colchester Castle in Essex, there to be delivered to the Gaoler or Keeper of the said Prison, to be kept in safe custody as his Prisoner, until the pleasure of the House be made known to him to the contrary: It is also Ordered, That the said Master Chestlen shall defray the charges of his carriage to Colchester Castle aforesaid: And for so doing, this shall be a sufficient Warrant.  
Dated this 26. of Octob. 1642. Henry Elsing, cler. Parl D ●   

To John Hunt the Sergeant at Arms, attending on the House of Commons, his deputy or deputies.  
I do appoint the Party or Parties, whose name or na●●● are subscribed to be my lawful deputy or deputies, for the execution of this warrant. witness my hand this 28. day of Octob. 1642.  
John Hunt Sergeant at Arms. 

M. Dodson. Gentlemen.  
Walter Story. Gentlemen.  
John Hind. Gentlemen.     
Next morning being Saturday was this (righteous) sentence put in execution: Thus to make way to reduce Burton, a Stigmatised infamous Schismatique to his former place, was Master Chestlen doomed to banishment and captivity: in a remote place from his Father, his Wife and Family, into a noisome Gaol, where he was made a companion to Thiefs and Felons; in a Town, where 'twas little less than death to be Loyal: or as themselves phrase it, to be Caesar's friend: A Town in which they that sent him thither, could not but know that they exposed his life 〈◊〉 the fury of an enraged fanatic people, and not long before had almost murdered Sir John Lucas, his Mother, and Sister, together with Master Newcomin, one of their Own Ministers, and for this had received public thanks from the House of Commons for their forwardness and zeal to the service of the Parliament; Lastly, in a Town arrived at that high degree of madness, that the Independent Church is openly practised in it, and the Major banished one of the Town for a Malignant and a Cavalier, whose name was Parsons, and gave this learned reason for this exemplary piece of Justice, Because it was an Ominous same: While Master Chestlen remained in this durance, if any man durst visit him, it was at his peril, he was in danger to be Plundered and branded with the dangerous name of a Malignant. They raised reports of great resort of Cavaliers to him, and of Arms brought unto him, insomuch that Alderman Barrington told the Committee, that their Town was not in safety because of M Chestlen, who ●oore man, had no other endeavour then how to free himself from the loath some nastinesle of his Prison; To this end many Petitions were delivered to the House of Commons, that he might be delivered from the Gaol to some private house, which boon, after much and earnest prosecution by Mistress Chestlen, and his friends, was obtained: 〈◊〉 an Order to exchange his Gaol for a private 〈◊〉 Master Hammon, an honest Gentleman, dwelling in the Town, entertained Master Chestlen: but for his charity incurred the hatred of the common people, for whereas before he lived beloved, & in good estimation amongst his neighbours, now for harbouring Master chestlen, and for this and other actions, being under the jealousy of the crime of Loyalty, they call him Cavalier, they threaten to call him up to the Parliament, and at last were as good as their word, for upon their Complaint, he was sent for up to the Parliament, and committed for receiving Master Chestlen into his house: though in reason he might safely conclude, that, that Order of the House which gave Master Chestlen liberty to remove to another house, did withal give that house liberty to entertain him: Thus continued Master chestlen in this exile and Imprisonment from October 1642. until the February following, when the Kings express Warrant being sent for his release, having the opportunity now and then to go abroad and take the air, he left the Warrant for the Jailor to make use of for his best advantage, while he came away to Oxford and put himself under the King's Protection: since that, in London they have broken up his house and Plundered his goods: a common evil incident to all the Kings faithful Subjects, which are within the Verge of the Rebels usurped power.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XVII.  
Master Fowler, Parson of Minchin-Hampton in Gloucester-shire, his wife and children barbarously used, & his house Plundered by the Rebels. Master Bartlet's house at Castle-morton in Worcester-shire, five times Plunderd, but especially by Captain Seriven, an Impudent Rebel, etc.  
ON New-year's day, 1643. seventeen Soldiers sent by Captain jeremy Buck, came to Master Henry Fowlers house, Parson of Minshin-Hampton, in the County of Gloucester; being entered the house, they find Master Fowler fitting (as the season of the year required) by the fire side, presently they seize on him, and tell him, that he is their Prisoner: and though he instantly submitted unto them without any the least resistance, yet to wreck their own malice, and the malice of him that sent them, upon him, one of the Rebels takes him by the throat, and holds the point of his Sword at his breast, two more (on each side one) present their Pistols at him, another shakes his Pole-axe over his head, others strike him with their Pole-axes; threatened he is on every side with varieties of death. All Smile him with the tongue, they raule at him, objecting against him as heinous crimes. First, that he read the Common-Prayers at length, and that he had published the King's Proclamations with a loud voice: and then with renewed fury they assault him again they beat him with their Pole-axes, and call him Masse-priest, Rogue, Rascal, and tell him, Sirrah, you can 〈◊〉 the King 〈◊〉 Musquer, a Carstel, and a Light-Horse, Horse, but thou old knave, thou canst not find any thing at all for the Parliament: And then to work they fall again with their Pole-axes, and beat and bruile him in most parts of his body; so that being aged, (no less than Threescore and two years old) and being not yet perfectly recovered or a former lameness in one of his hips, though he were in a probable way towards it, by this barbarous usage, being so cruelly beaten, and tugged, and haled by them, he is made a very Cripple, irrecoverably lame, without all possibility of recovering of his Limbs: All this inhumanity was practised on Master Fowler in the presence of his Wife and Children, the Wife in the behalf of her Husband, the Children in the behalf of their Father, humbly entreating on their knees, that they would have compassion on him, and not murder a peaceable man in his own house. While some of these Rebels were executing this Cruelty on his person, others go up into his Study and Chambers, and take away all that was of good value, and portable. And having crippled the Master of the Family, and rifled his house, like the true Servants of that Master whom they serve, the Devil, they leave him, but it was but for a season.  
Now, though the present sense of these sufferings could not be but very great to an aged man, and one labouring under former infirmities, especially to have his sufferings embittered by the reproachful raylings of the Rebels, and the mocks and mows of Captain Bucks friends and Kindred, who stood by jeering, and clapped their hands for joy, applauding the exact execution of Bucks commands, given his Soldiers concerning Master Fowler, yet the sad effects which followed were evidence enough how cruel his usage was: First, Master Fowler presently upon the Rebel's departure, fell into an extreme bleeding, which continued, and could not be staunched in six hours and more, by which great outlet of Spirits, his strength was so much exhausted, that he was not able to stand. Secondly, the next day after his bleeding, what with the loss of so much blood, and what with violence offered to his whole body, the Retentive faculty was so weakened, that his Urine came from him insensibly, and in this wretched condition he continued very near a month. Lastly, by the many contusions and knocks which he received on his head with their Pole-axes he lost his hearing, which he hath not prefectly recovered unto this day. And now after all this barbarous usage, remains there yet any thing else to be added to his sufferings was not their malice satisfied, and these outrages (designed to be committed on him) completed yet? No, Captain Buck knew that it would not be lawful always to commit murder, and rob those that are quiet in the Land, and therefore resolved to make use of the present opportunity: he was not ignorant that the wages of a faithful servant to the Rebellion was full licence to do any thing that can satisfy Lust, private Revenge or Avarice: And therefore in July last, Buck himself, not like a Captain of Soldiers, but a Ringleader to a Rout of Rogues, came to Master Fowler's house at Minchin-Hampton, and most theevishly broke open the Window of his Son's Study, and so entered the house: In the Study they found rich Treasure which they did not know, being indeed without a Metaphor Pearl before Swine's, for young M. Fowler, a practitioner it seems in Physic, had in his Study Extract of Pearl, Aurum Potabilc, Confections of Amber, a great quantity of Compound waters, a good proportion of Pearl in Boxes, a Box full of Bezoar Stone, with many other things of admirable use, for the preservation of the life of man, and of very great value, all which they took and broke in pieces, and trampling them under foot, made them utterly unuseful either for themselves or others. One of M. Fowler's daughters in a just indignation at so great waste of things so precious, told Buck, that he might be ashamed to spoil things of that use and value, Buck (a rude untutored man as he is) called her Whore, and with his Pole-axe gave her a blow on the neck, and struck her down, and being risen again, again he strikes her down with his Pole-axe, nay, to pursue the glorious victory, he strikes her down a third time, and had she been able to rise from the floor, questionless, had struck her down a fourth time. The compassionate mother Mistress Fowler standing by, and seeing her daughter thus barbarously used, to redeem her from this cruelty, resolved to expose her own person to the fury of this mad Beast, and therefore interposing, asked Buck, whether he thought she could endure to see her child murdered before her face? But as soon as Mistress Fowler came within his reach, without regard either to her Age, or Sex, he caught her by the Throat, knocked her down, and being down, kicked her, and trampled on her with his feet. At last, having acted what cruelty he pleased (according to the Latitude of that Tacite Commission given every Captain of the Rebellion) on Mistress Fowler and her daughter, he and his Rabble Plundered the House, and so departed.  
If the monstrousness of these barbarous and inhuman cruelties, committed on this Reverend Divine, his Wife and Daughter, and reported in this Relation, shall weaken the credit of the Relation, and render the truth of it suspected, let the world know, that there is nothing set down in this account given unto the world, but what was testified upon Oath before the Right Honourable Sir Robert Heath Knight, Lord Chief Justice of his Majesty's Court of King's Bench, on the 18. day of Aug. 1643.  
On the 21. of Septemb 1642. being Saing Matthew the Apostle and Evangelists day, a hundred and fifty Soldiers, some from Gloucester sent from Captain Beard being of his Company, and some others from Tevabury, (all conspiring together, and taking advantage of the people's absence from their homes, and being at a Pair that day at Ledbury two miles distant from Malverne Hills) under the conduct of Captain Scriven, son to Seriven the Rich Iron-monger, and late Major of Gloucester, came to castle-Morton, in the County of Worcester, to Plunder Master Rowland Bartlet's house: a man so well beloved in his Country, for his hospitality, so dear to all sorts of people, especially to the poor, for his Charity, and those helps which he freely bestowed on them, for the recovery or the sick, the lame, and infirm, that had not these Rebels taken the opportunity of his Neighbours being at the Fa●re, this force had been too weak, to have made him the first instance of the Rebel's insolency (in that County) by way of Plunder: when they came to Castle-Morton, for fear of surprisal their Horse secure the streets, and highways, while the Pikes and Musqueteers beset the house: having made good all passages, that none could go in or come out, without their leave, Scriven advanced towards the house: M. Bartlet perceiving himself to be enclosed with armed men, their Muskets being bend upon his house, and his Pales serving them instead of Rests, coming out of his doors, met Scriven in the Porch, and after a friendly salute, demanded of him the Reason of this warlike approach to his house: Scriven answered, that he came in the name of the Parliament, and by their command to search for Arms: Alas! replied Master Bartlet, you are like to lose your labour, for Justice Salloway (meaning that traitorous beggarly fellow, who in the time of the late universal madness, was made Knight of the Shire for the County of Worcester) hath prevented you: yet Master Bartlet bade him use his discretion, to see if he could find any gleaning, after the others full Vintage: and so brought him through his Hall into his Parlour; being there, Master Bartlet, according to the freeness of his disposition, and after the good old English way of bidding welcome, called for some Beer, while Scriven fare there, and with a curious eye surveyed the furniture of the Room, he espied Master Bartlet's Sword hanging on the Wainscot, Scriven presently taking it down, said, Is not this Arms? yes, replied Master Bartlet, but no more than is necessary for every honest man, to prevent or repel injury on the highway; young Master Bartlet's Sword hanging by his fathers, Scriven takes down that too: and utterly to disarm them, that so they might rob them without resistance, the Rebels in the outward Rooms possess themselves of Master Bartlet's man's Sword: young Master Bartlet coming into the Parlour, hoping to recover his Sword, Scriven perceiving a Ring (in which was set a Rubey) hanging in his Bandstrings, rudely seized upon it, and after some struggling, some seconds with Pistols and Carbines, coming to his assistance, Scriven either broke, or cut it off: having robbed the youngman of his Ring, animated by the presence of his fellow Thiefs, he dives into his Father's Pockets, and takes thence his moneys, between three and four pounds; Master Bartlet, perceiving his hand in the return to be full of money, put his own hand into his pocket to see what was left, and finding but one poor three pence, to have escaped his thievish fingers, tendered him that too, desiring him all might go together, which was no sooner offered, then taken by this poor conditioned unworthy fellow, yet Heir to a thousand pounds a year, unless the Hangman cut off the entail; Master Bertlet being clad in a fair Scarlet Gippo (a shroud temptation to a man not accustomed to wear good Clothes, especially at his own charge) so dazzled Srivens eyes, that he offered to pull it from the others back: Master Bartles entreated him not to strip him of his Clothes sincc he had taken away his moneys, with which he should buy more: O Sir, replied this doughty Captain, you have money enough to buy more, & so the hopes of a greater prize making him forget the Gippo, he drew his Sword, and threatened to kill M. Bartlet, unless he would confess where he had hid his money & plate: but finding him resolute not to betray his own Treasure, Scriven seizeth upon a woman that was Master Bartlet's housekeeper, an old faithful servant, in whom Master Bartlet and his wife reposed much trust, and thinking to work upon the weakness of her Sex, and affright her into a confession, he causes some to present Pistols at her breast, and others the points of their Swords, threatening her with present death, if she would not discover where her Master's Treasure was: but finding this woman not to be terrified with their threats, & fearing surprisal by some Forces which might come from worcester, or the return of the Country people from the Fair at Ledbury, he resolved to make trial if he could find out that which he saw would not be disclosed unto him: Therefore without further delay to work they go; resolving to search the house from the top to the bottom. In Master Bartlet's chamber, Scriven seizeth upon Mistress Bartlet's Watch, he breaks open a Trunk, and took thence (by his own confession) six hundred pounds in money, he takes away all Mistress Bartlet's wearing Linen, to the value of threescore pounds, he breaks open her Cabinets, Trunks, and Boxes; and in them seized, or (to speak more properly) stole more Money, Plate, Jewels, & Bracelets, amounting to a great sum: amongst other things valuable, both for Rarity and use, took a Cook Eagles Stone, for which thirty pieces had been offered by a Physician, but were refused: having thus scimed the house, and rifted it of the Principal things in it, a warning-Piece is shot off, to signify to the rascallity, that now they might have free leave to enter: upon the signal given, leaving (instant) their Guards & Stations, in a confused Tumult they rush into the house: and as eager hounds at a loss offer here and there, and know not well where to fasten, so these hunt from the Parlour to the Kitchen, from thence, by the Chambers, to the Garrats: every Room is full, every one fearing that his allow thief would prevent him, and seize upon the prey before himself; besides Master Bartlet's, his Wives and children's wearing apparel, they rob their servants of their Clothes: with the but ends of their Muskets they break open the hanging-Presses, Cup-boards, and Chests, no place was free from this ragged-Regiment: and if so barbarous an out rage, could possibly have admitted any time, but for a serious detestation of so soul injustice, it might have drawn a smile from the most concerned beholders, to see their thrusting and tumbling one another, the rude arts used to supplaint one another, and how one thief snatched and stole from another: after this storm was seen coming on, and to threaten this house in particular, the servants fearing, that though the main brunt might light on their Master, yet some sprinkling might chance to fall on them, used all the art of cunning they could devise, to preserve those small sums of money of which their honest labour, and frugalite had made them masters. But ●twas in vain to hide, where desperate beggary, and resolved Rapine were to be seekers: in one place the Rebels find twenty shillings, in another forty, three pounds here, more or less there: but were it more or less, all was fish which came to Net, they spare none: In this strict search, they met with Mistress Bartlet's sweetmeats, these they scatter on the ground, not daring to taste of them for fear of poison: a wary consideration, and such as staved not off the hardy Knight Sir William Brook of Kent, to meet fists with a greasy common Soldier in a Galley-pot, when the Rebels of that County did the like outrage on the truly honoured Lady Butler's Closet, as you heard in the first weeks Relation of this Mercury: and as for Syrups and Salves, those charitable Provisions for the sick and maimed, these they trampled under foot, not providently foreseeing, that some of their Brethren in this Rebellion, might stand in need of them, the Friday next following, at the Battle of Wickesield near Worcester, where God, by the hand of the King's Forces, under the Conduct or Prince Rupert, gave the Rebels their first over throw; The happy Omen of Edge Hill, and those many other succeeding Victories with which (no less to the wonder than confusion of the Rebels) it hath pleased God since to bless his Sacred Majesty: In a word, except Bedding, Pewter, and Lumber, they left nothing behind them, for besides two horses laden with the best things (Scrivens own Plunder) there being an hundred and fifty Rebels, each Rebel returned with a Pack at his back. As for his Beer and Perry, what they could not devour, they spoil, the earth drinking what the Rebelis could not, and then triumphing in their wickedness, and glorying in their villainy, they vaunted, That they had made Bartlet a beggar, and left him not worth a groat: yet all the Rebels were not of the same belief, for presently after, when the Earl of Essex possessed himself of Worcester some under his Command came from Worcester to Master Bartlet's house, where what was undervalved, and left by Scriven, and his Rout, was good booty to these; They take away good store of Bacon from his Roof, and Beef out of the Powdering-Tubs; they steal his Pots, Pans, and Kettles, together with his Pewter to a great value, they seize on all his provisions for hospitality and house-keeping, and then break his Spits, as unnecessary utensils, they expose his Bedding to sale, and Presle Carts to carry away his Chairs, Stools, Couches, and Trunks, though emptied before by Scriven; and sharply threaten all such as should be known to harbour any of Master Bartlet's goods. And though these two Plunders, one upon the neck of the other, left Master Bartlet a desolate naked house, yet when the Earl of Essex came lately down towards Gloucester and hid himself, and his Army in Hedges, Ditches, and the enclosures about Tue●bury, on three several days, three several Companies came to visit Master Bartlet's house, presuming, that in almost a twelve months' time the house might be new furnished, nor were they altogether deceived in their expectation; without, they Plunder him of eight Horses, and within what ever they found, they made clean work, the fifth Plunder not sparing his Kitchen-stuff, which being reserved in a small barrel, a Soldier putting it on his shoulder, carried it away: coming this last time to M. Bartlet's house, and understanding that he and his sons were in the King's Army, they abused his wife in beastly, immodest, scurrilous Language, which I shall omit to relate as offensive to Christian ears: I shall conclude this fivefold Plunder, with the Relation of one of their Captain's hypocrisy, and a common Soldier's impiety, glorying in his wickedness: The Captain being invited to eat of a stubble-Goose, which a Soldier had Plundered and brought into his Quarters, refused to taste of it, and gave this reason for his refusal, because it was stolen, which bred in Mistress Bartlet a great opinion that he was a conscientious man, but being to match away, he that would care no stolen Goose, made no scruple to ride away upon a stolen Mare, for Plundering Mistress Bartlet of her own Mare, this hypocritical Captain (and pity it is I cannot tell you his name) gave sufficient testimony to the world, That the old Pharisee and the new Puritan, have consciences of the selfsame temper, To strain at a Gnat, and swallow a Camel, measuring all actions, not by lawful and unlawful, but as they are more are less gainful. But while the Captain chose rather to be a Villain, then openly to appear so, the common Soldier would not only be so in deed, but desired so to be accounted; and therefore when his companions were carrying out M. Bartlet's goods, amongst other things, one seized on some live Partridges, and being entreated to forbear, and to spare them, because they were provided for a Great-bellied Gentlewoman, and now readyto lay down her burden, the common Soldier hearing him plead thus, barbarously replied, If we had made Venison of her great belly, the would not have longed for Partridges, for I have killed young & old, Men, Women and Children: and boasting himself in his sin, and glorying in his Shame, without regard had to the dangerous longing of a pregnant woman, if not satisfied, took them away. So truly is that of the Prophet, verified in these miscreants, They declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not, woc unto their Soul, for they have rewarded evil to themselves, Esay 3. 9   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XVIII.  
The R bells persecution of Doctor Featley, a known Champion of the Protestant Religion: part of his Sermon against the Sectaries: his death: Together with their murdering of two of the Inhabitants of Lambeth on the Lord's day, etc.  
IN Novemb. 1642. some of the Rebeils Foot Soldiers being Billetted at Acton in the County of Middlesex, they presently inquire of their Hosts what their Doctor was, (meaning Doctor Featley, their then Rector) and what Divine Service they had; they answered according to the truth, that he was a man who precisely observed the Canons of the Church, and swerved not a tittle from the Rubric of the Common Prayer, wearing the Surplice, and using all the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church established by Law. Some of the Red coats replied, Doth he so● We will teach him another Lesson, and make him leave those Popisn Superstitions, or he shall ●ue it. Soon after, they repair to the Church at Acton, break open the doors by force, in the Chancel they find ●his subscription on the wall, This Chancel was repaired and beantified such a year by Daniel Featley D.D. Rector, Which they utterly deseaced: Then laying hands on the Rails, they dealt with them (as Ducks do with a frog) tear them limblesle, and afterwards burnt them in the street, saying, That if they had the Parson there, they would burn him with his Popith Trinkets.  
Soon after, Colonel Vrrey took up his Quartors at the Parsonage house, some of whose Soldiers (whether willingly or by carelessness being in drink is not certified) lying in the Doctor's Barn, set it on fire, which burned the whole Barn full of Corn, and two Stables down to the ground, the loss being estimated by the Inhabitants at 211 li.  
But to leave Acton, and come to Lambeth, where the Sectaries wrecked their spleen, not upon Pales or Rails, or the fruits of the earth, as at Acton, but upon the bodies of Christ's Servants, on his own day, and in his own House and Court. For Feb. 19.1642. even in the midst of Divine Service, at the reading of the Te Deum laudamus, four or five Soldiers rushed into the Church with Pistols and drawn Swords, affrighted the whole Congregation out, wounded one of the Inhabitants, (whereof he soon after died) shot another dead, as he hung by the hands on the Churchyard wall, looking over to the Palace Court, who might truly have said in the words of the Poet, though in another sense, Vt vidi, ut perii.  
It was gathered by many circumstances, especially by depositions taken before thc Coroner, and by some speeches that fell from their own mouths, that their principal aim at that time was to have murdered the Doctor, which 'tis probable they had effected, had not some honest Inhabitants premonished the Doctor, who was at the same time on his way towards the Church, intending to have Preached.  
About the same time many of these Murderers were heard expressing their rancour against the Doctor, thus: Some said, they would chop the Rogue as small as Herbs to the Pot, for suffering Pottage (for by that name they usually style the Book of Common Prayer) to be read in his Church: Others said, they would squeeze the Pope out of his belly, with such like scurrilous and malicious Language.  
The Sunday seven-night after this outrage, being the fifth of March, the Doctor perceiving some Separatists at Sermon at Lambeth, took occasion to speak as followeth:  
IF ever Schismatics and foul-mouthed Separatists were set forth in their native colours, the Schismatics of this age are: P●al. 50.16, 17, 18, 19, 20. What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldst take my Covenant in thy mouth? seeing thou hatest instruction, (whatsoever thou pratest of Reformation) and castest my words behind thee, (namely, Prov. 14.21 Eccles. 10.20 Rom. 12. 1, 2, 3, 4. Heb. 13. 8, 9, 17. 1 Pet. 2.13.) when thou sawest a thmese, than thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with Adulterers. Thou givest thy mouth to lying, and thy tongue frameth deceit. Thou fittest and speakest against thy brother, and standerest thins own mother's son. For is not this their chanting Language? The Prelates of England, are all Antichristian; The Ministers, Baal's Priests; The Public Service, Idolatrous; The Ceremonies, Superstitious; And the Sacraments, corrupted with man's invention? I take them at their word; If this be true, then is the Church of England no true Church of Christ; then they which have received all the Religion they have from her, are no better than Miscreants, Pagans, and Infidels, in apparent peril of drowning in everlasting perdition, because out of the Ark, without God in this world, because without his Church. For as the blessed Martyr St. Cy●●ian sound argueth against their forefathers the Catharists, Deum non potest habere Patrem, qui ●t clesiam non habet Matrem: And Church they have none for their Mother, for they disclaim the true Protestant Church of England, and the Popish disclaims them; so they are mere A per se A's, Independents, like the horli pencils in Lactantius, and Mausolus his Sepulchre in Martial, hanging and hover in the air.  
The Scripture sets forth the true visible Church of Christ upon earth, under the emblem of a great field, a great floor, a great house, a great sheet, a great draw net, a great and large foundation, etc. The Church shadowed out under these similitudes, cannot be their Congregation, or rather Conventicles: For as they brag and commend themselves, wanting good neighbours, In their Field there are no tares, in their floor there is no chaffe, in their house no vessels of dishonour, in their sheet no unclean beasts, in their net no trash, on their foundation nothing built, but gold, silver, and precious stones. They have not sat with vain persons, nor kept company with dissemblers; they have hated the assembly of Malignants, and have not acompanied with the ungodly; they have not, nor will not christian in the same Font, nor sit at the holy Table, (for to kneel at the Sacrament is Idolarry) nor drink spiritually the blood of our Redeemer in the same Chalice with the wicked. Get ye packing then out of our Churches with your bags and baggages, hoist up sail for New England, or the Isle of Providence, or rather Sir Thomas Mores Utopia, where Pluto's Commoner, and Os●rius his Nobleman, and Castillio his Courtier, and Vegetius his Soldier, and Tully his Orator, and Aristocles Eelix, and the Jews Ben●ohab, and the Manichees Paraslet, and the Gnostics illuminate ones, and the Montanists spiritual ones, and the Pellagians Perfect ones, and the Cathacists pure ones, and their precise and holy ones are all met at Prince Arthur's Round Table, where every guest (like the Table) is totus teres alqque totundus.  
There are three heads of Catechism and grounds of Christianity, The Apostles Creed, the Lords Prayer, and and Ten Commandments; these may be more truly than Gorran his postils, termed aurea fundamenta, which they go about to overthrow and cast down, and when they have done it, no place remaineth for the to build their Synagogues or Maria Rotunda's, but the sand in the Saw pit, where there Apostle Browne first taught most profoundly. The Lord's Prayer they have excluded out of their liturgy, the Apostles Creed out of their Confession, and the Ten Commandments by the Antinomians their Disciples out of their rule of life. They are too good to say the Lords Prayer, better taught then to rehearse the Apostles Creed, better lived then to hear the Decalogue read at their Service, for God can see no sin in them, nor man honesty.  
Tell me, ye bastard-brood of Martin's, is it not sufficient for the conviction of your cauterised consciences, that ye wreck your spleen upon the material Temples of God, by breaking down Organs, burning Rails, and defacing the Monuments ot the dead, but will ye go about to destroy the spiritual Temple of the holy Ghost? not fearing that dreadful sentence of the Apostle, He that destroyeth the Temple of God, kim shall God dstroy. Could they not be content to tear the Book of Common Prayer in pieces, and scatter the leaves all about the Church, but will they also rend and dilacerate the living members of Christ's mystical body? Will they charge the Cannon with murdering shot to destroy and dislipate whole assemblies of Gods; Servants met together upon his own day to worship him in his own house? Do they that their bare opposition to Popery will save them? If that alone would give a man a good title to heaven, not only the Socinians, Liberrines, Fami●●sts, Antinomians, and other damnable Heretics, but even the Jews & Turks would snatch heaven from them, and take it by force, for these are as vehe●●ent opposers of Popery as they are: And howsoever the ●●●nt opposition to Popish Superstition is all the Religionize of them have, yet are they not at so deadly feud with Papists as they would bear the world in hand, for they shake hands with them in many of their Tenets and practices, both of them condemn our English liturgy, and profess Recusanci●: both of them Idolise their teachers, etc. Who hath bewitched them, that they should believe Bedlam shall be so far enlarged, and the spirit of Frenzy possess Old England, that they should have the like success here, as their cousin germane the Anabapticts had at Munster? though we envy them not their high preferment in the end. After these fits of Convulsion are over, and Peace settled in the Body of the Kingdom, do they think the wisdom of the State will ever change our holy Churches into their profane Barns and Stables? our Pulpits into Tubs? our Linen Ephods into their Aprons? our Lyturgy into their extemporary Enthusiasms? our Learned Pastors into their ignorant Hirelings? and our Apostolical Hierarchy into their Apostatical Anarchy? But I will restrain myself, and confine my discourse.  
Soon after this Sermon, seven Articles were preferred against the Doctor to the Committee for Plundered Ministers by three Mechanics, who had formerly been indicted for Brownists at the Sessions for the County of Surr●y, but after long attendance the Doct. was acquirred of the●● yet at length these Sectaries wrought so powerfully, that the Doctor must be committed to Prison, how unjustly soever, 'twas enough that he was a Doctor, and maintained the Religion established in the Church of England: And accordingly on the 30 of Septemb. 1643. he is committed to Peter-house, his own house, Library and goods being frist seized on, and his estate Sequestered The Sunday after his commitment, and for divers other Lords days, he preach●● to his fellow-prisoners, but after a while he was prohibited by Isaac Pennington the pretended Major of London. And though Sir George Sands, Sir John Butter, Master Nevile, and other Prisoners of quality Petitioned that he might continue his so doing, yet it would not be granted.  
See how this unjust imprisonment is relished by a Foreign Divine, in these words:  
I Am sorry to hear of the close Imprisonment of that worthy Doctor Featley; What? He who is, and ever hath been so stout a Champion for Religion to be soused by the Reformers thereof? But let not the Disciple think it strange, when his Master suffered so much cruelty from the great Rabbins of Israel.  
Yours from my heart, J.S.  
After the Doctor had been many months stifled up in Prison, and having a Certificate from his Physician, that he could not live long, if he had not some fresh air, he Petitioned these soule-enthralling tyrants, and at last obtained leave to go to Chelsey College for six weeks, upon good bail, to recover his health; but it pleased God to take him out of this world, upon the 17 day or April, 1645. being the very last day of the six weeks limited for his return.  
During his sickness, he gave himself wholly to Divine Meditations, often bewailing with tears the present state of the Church of England: he made a Confession of his Faith to Doctor Leo, and the Dutch Ambassadors Chaplains, saying, That the doctrine which he had always Preached, and the Books which he had ●riated against Anabaptists and other Sectaris, were agreeable to God's Word; And that he would scale the Protestant Religion, (as it was established and confirmed by the Acts of three Pious Princes) with his blood. And being asked by some that came to visit him, what he thought of the Covenant? he said, it was a damnable and execrable Oath, made purposely to ensnare poor souls, and full of malice and Treason against our gracious Sovereign. And said he, For church-Government (a thing now much controverted) I dare boldly affirm, that the Hierarchy of Bishops is most agreeable to the World of God, as being of Apostolical institution, the taking away where of is damnable, and that by consequence, both the presbyterian & independent Governments are absurd and erroneous, neither of them being ever heard of in the church of God, till of late at Geneva ● nor is there so much as any colour for them in holy writ. It is evident (said he) that as the ● riects in the Old Testament were above the Levites, so in the Now the Apostles were above the Disciples, and that the seven Angels of the seven Churches in the Apocalypse were seven Bishops, and that Polycarpus was Bishop of Smyrna, and Timotheus of Ephesus. And for the Laity, no pregnant proof can be produced, that they ever meddled with the Priest's Function, or had any power to or deign Ministers. And these things (said he) I intended to have published to the world, if God had spared me longer life, which I might (through his goodness) have enjoyed, had I not been unjustly imprisoned: which he several times reiterated to his friends.  
Anon after he prayed thus: Lord strike throuth the reins of them that rise against the church and king, and let them be as chasse before the wind, and as stubble before the fire; let them be scattered at Partridges upon the mountains, and let the breath of the Lord consume them but upon our gracious Sovereign and his posterit●e, let the Crown flourish, This (said he) is the hearty and earnest Prayer of a poor sick creature. With which, and other such spiritual ejaculations, he expired.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. XIX.  
The Murder of Master Robert yeoman's, and M. George Bowcher, Citizens of Bristol, by Nathaniel Fiennes, (second s●nne to the Lord Say) and the rest of his Accomplices, etc.  
THe care that God took to preserve the Land of his people undefiled by Innocent blood was very great, and therefore did provide not only when the Murderer was known, that he that thed man's blood, by man his blood should be shed again, according to that command, Te shall not pollute the Land where year: for blood it defileth the Land, and the Land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed the ein but by the blood of him that shed it: Namb. 35.33. But likewise, where the Murderer was not known, that the Innocent blood shed in the Land might not be charged upon them: and therefore in the 21 of Deut. God prescribes an Expiation for Murder when the Murderer was not known, for if a man were found slain in the field, The Elders of the City next to the slain man were to take an Heiser and strike off his ●ec ke in a rough valley, and shall wash their hands over the Heiser: and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, Neither have our eyes seen 't: Be merciful O Lord unto thy people Israel whom thou baste redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge: and the blood shall be forgiven them: so shall thou put away the guilt of Innocent blood from among you: vers. 6 7, 8. &c. In which law it is plain, that the guilt of Innocent blood may cleave to our hands though our hands have not shed it, and the way to wash our hands clean from that guilt is to protest against the shedding it, to deny our consent to it, being done, and as much as in us lies, to bring the punishment of Innocent blood upon the heads of those that shed it: without this we contract another's guilt and communicate in his sins. The Innocent blood shall not be forgiven us. When therefore God, to whom appertain the issues of Life, shall come and make Inquisition for blood, and the murdered shall cry out with Job, O earth cover not thou my blood: Job 16-18. That then we may lift up pure hands undefiled with our neighbour's blood, though but with consent and approbation; Nay, that we may free ourselves from the blood of all men by earnest prayer to God, not to lay Innocent blood though shed by others to our charge, to inflame your devotion, I have, as it were, brought forth the bodies of these two State-Martyrs, Master Robert yeoman's, and Master George Bowther, Citizens of Bristol, and exposed them to the view of the world, that so shedding some tears over their graves, they may remain an Everlasting Monument of our Innocency in the sight of God, of our Just indignation against such cruelty in the fight of men, and a sweet ointment to imbalm these men to their funerals, That though with their Saviour (the ignominy of whose Cross fanctisiyd the death even of that accursed tree) in their death they were numbered amongst the transgressor's, yet (Loyalty being their Epitaph) they may make their graves amongst the Honourable.  
But because to blind the eyes of the world not to see the cruel Injustice practised on these worthy Citizens, to amaze the minds of the people, and to take off from the odiousenesse of so soul a Murder, they did not only in their lying Pamphlets proclaim it unto the world, that Master Ycomans, Master Bowether, and some other weiassected Members of that City had contrived a horrid Treason, that in the barbarousness of it did outdo, the Powder Treason, having conspired at once to ruin the Protestant Religion, and to murder all those of that City which did adhere to the Parliament, but also to mock God (to that height of impiety they were grown) Solemn thanks were Ordained to be given for deliverance from so dangerous a conspiracy: It will not be amiss to derive this tragedy by way of Historical Narration from the first to the last Scene: that so the abused world may see what arts are used on that side to possess themselves of the good opinion of men, that in the mean time they may practise cruelties unheard of, until the bloody Anabaptists sprung up the most pernicious weeds that ever intested the Church or Christ.  
When this Parliament first fate, these two Gentlemen with the rest of the Kingdom rejoiced to see that day, and stood at gaze as greedily as any, expecting what acts of bounty, what relief from grievances our Gracious Sovereign through their hands would convey unto his Subjects. While their endeavours were Loyal, though roughly carried; while bounded within the duty of Subjects, though only not exceeding it, they were as forward to applaud them as any: but after the publication of the Remonstrance by the House of Commons (that appeal to the people, and indeed the groundwork of this present Rebellion by slandering the King's Government) they that went one mile with them would not be compelled to go two, especially after the way appeared dangerous, and apparently leading to open Rebellion: Nullam esse Civitatem qua non improbes ●ives aliquando & Imperitam Mult●●udinem semp●r babeat: was the saying of the Rhodii in the Reman Senate recorded by Livy, lib. 45. There is no City but hath sometimes some illaffected Citizens, but always an Ignorant multitude, perhaps this in part might be the temper of Bristol at this time: but the Critical time was now come, in which men must declare themselves either for the King or against him; and though many men in that City than were deeply Leavened with disloyal principles, yet the major part of the City were the King's faithful Subjects, of this party the most eminent men were, Master Ro●ers Yeoman's Sheriff of Bristol for the year 1642. Master George Ba●●ber, with divers others, men of good esteem, plentiful estates, known integrity, and true Children of the Church of England; These men seeing the miserable Condition of those places where the Rebels bare sway, and beginning to be sensible of the same bondage under Colonel Essex, enter into a Consultation how to put the City of Bristol into the King's possession and protection: To this purpose they dispatch an Agent to the Court, to inform the King that he had many good Subjects in Bristol, and withal to signify their desire to deliver up his own Citieto himself, if he would be pleased to send some of his Forces thither, to take it.  
The Reasons which prevailed with them, to make this tender unto His Majesty, were many, we may reduce them to three heads.  
First, Confedence to God, not to resist the King, Knowing, that they that do resist shall receive unto themselves damnation, and therefore resolved never to join themselves to the damnable Sect of the Hotbamites, those State-Heretickes, who accounted it their duty to keep the King's Towns for the King's use, by shutting the Gates against the King's Person.  
The second Inducement was the frequent affronts given to His Majesty by the Rebels, to the great regret of every good Subject: and of these they give many Instances.  
First, Scandalous and disloyal Speeches on all occasions belched out against His Majesty's Person, His Protestations, Declarations, Proclamations, indeed all his Actions.  
Secondly, Contempt of His Majesty's gracious offers, even to the very face of His Messenger; for when in February 1642, the King sent His gracious Letters to the City of Bristol, requiring them not to give admittance to any of the Parliament Forces, promising that He Himself would not impose any on them, but what they themselves should desire; together with the tender of many promises of his favour (given in charge to Sir Baynham Throkmo ton (whom he sent unto them for that purpose) vet notwithstanding at that very instant, in contempt (〈◊〉 say) of this great vouchsafement, The Major, Richard Aldworth, with Brown the Sheriff, two Boutefues in perverting that City, with some other their Associates, did send four pieces of Ordnance to Marlberough, there to be employed against the King. And though Sir Ba●nham, upon information given unto him, did expostulate the affront with the Major, and in the King's name commanded the stay of them; and though some of the well affected Citizens having notice of it, came and threw them off their Carriages, because they knew that the intention was to employ them against the King: yetover-borne by a greater number, who produced the Major and Sheriffs Warrant for their conveyance without let or interruption; they were enforced to give way, and thither they were sent.  
Thirdly, When in the beginning of March, 1642. amongst other Proclamations sent to Bristol, one was concerning the King's Royal Navic, invaded and possessed by the Earl of Wa● wicks, and employed against His Majesty and His Loyal Subjefts; The King by that Proclamation forbidding all Seamen, and Mariners, and all Officers of His Navy, to take employment under the Earl, or to obey His Commands, though Colonel Fines then Governor of Bristol, could have caused that Proclamation to be suppressed and not published, yet as much as he could to dishonour the King in the eyes of His Subjects, He permits it to be Proclaimed, that thence he might take, occasion to blaspheme His Sovereign: for being Proclaimed on Friday the third of March, the next day (Saturday) being the chief Market day, when the Market was fullest, that the news might be carried into all parts of the Country, and every one learn from so desperate an example to contemn their Sovereign's Commands: Fines comes in his Coach to the high Cross, attended by a Troop of Horse, and after a Declaration read, That the Proclamation published the day before was a Scandalous and Libellous Paper, and such as deserved to be burnt by the hand of a public Hangman; he caused the Sergeant that Ploclaimed it to burn it, holding Pistols to his breast, and threatening to shoot him if he did not hold them high enough, fearing it seems that so damnable, so unpardonable a Treason should want witnesses.  
Lastly, As the direct end of their desire to deliver up the City to the King's protection, was conscience of duty to God and their Sovereign, so the reflected end was their own security, and quitting themselves of those Oppressions and Grievances under which they suffered; And these were many.  
First, The often repeated Taxations and Loans of Money unto the King and Parliament, as they were pleased to join them upon the threadbare security of the Puplique Faith, and if any man refused to lend on that credit which they had banckrupted long before, he was threatened with Imprisonment, Plundering, or which was worse then both, sending up to the Parliament: And to these may be added, the daily draining their purses by illegal exactions employed for repairing the Castle, building of Forts, and maintaining a Garrison against the King.  
Secondly, By urging upon them new and Treasonable Votes and Protestations: If not fully in words, yet in the the use and interpretation of them directly opposite to the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath of the City taken by every Citizen when he is elected into the place of a Burgess, in which they swear in the sixth Article of that Oath, not to enter into any Oath or Confederacy against the king, contrary to the Laws of the Land: and likewise contrary to the Protestation recommended from the Parliament to the Subjects of this Kingdom: The Oath (for the tenor of words) was this following.  
JA. B. do protest and vow, in the presence of Almighty God, that I will to the utmest of my power, and to the hazard my t see and fortunes, oppose all such Forces as shall attempt any thing against the City of Bristol, Without the consent of the King and Parliament so to do.  
In which Protestation, they took the name of the King in vain, for when they say (King and Parliament) they meant the two Houses without the King, for if actions be the best interpreters of the Agents words, it is more than manifest, that by the Protestation they intended to engage that City in Rebellion against the King, and that under the tye of Religion. And for proof, I offer first their seconding this Protestation with another which spoke more plainly, wherein they were to protest with their lives and fortunes to resist Prince Rupert the Lord General the Earl of Forth, the Lord marquis Hertford; the Earl of Newcastle, Sir Ralph Hopton and their Forces: and secondly, because as before the tendering of this Protestation, they had received Colonel Essex to Command there for the Parliament; so within 2 few days after the first Protestation was tendered, they admitted Colonel Popham and Sir Edward Hungerford, with their Regiments, and afterward Colonel Fines without any oppositiog, that so now being backed with so strong a power, they might make the latter Protestation the interpreter of the former Upon the Petition of Mistress Majoress, the Lady Rogers, Mistress Holsworth, Miresse Vicaris, with other Zealous Sisters, to the number of a hundred.  
Thirdly, By difarming all such as were any ways suspected to bear a good and loyal affection to His Majestic, unless they would take such Protestations as should be tendered to them, and having taken away such Arms as they found. (not satisfied with this) they urge on them another Protestation, protesting in the sight of God, and calling him to witness, that they had no other Arms concealed in their houses, either their own or ohers: and if any man refused to take this Protestation, he was instantly imprisomed as an enemy to the State, and a man not to be confided in.  
Fourthly, The perpetual scorn and obloquy to which they were exposed, reproached every day as they passed the streets, with names of Malignants, and Papists; nay, as if they had been worse than Jew's, they spit at them, and threaten to take a speedy course with them.  
Fifthly, The general contempt and profanation of God's holy Worship and Service, rending of Surplices, tearing the Book of Common Prayer, breaking down Organs, exterminating the whole Liturgy out of their Congregations, and all these Outrages, not only winked at, but countenanced and encouraged by Fixes and his fellow Rebels; and that they might have Like People, Like Priest, They discountenance or drive away the Orthodox Ministers, and substitute in their places the most infamous notorious Schismatics that they can pick out of several Counties, as Tumbs of Limster in All-Saints, in Master Williamssons Cure an Orthodox and godly man; Craddocke Bacon, Walter, Simonds, and one Matthew Hazard, whom though f name last, yet deserves to have the precedency of all the rest, as being a main Incendiary in this Rebellion, violently egged on by his Wise, whose disciple the silly man is: this gave occasion of scandal to all pious godly men, which honoured the Protestant Religion as it is established, and made them even to abhor the service of the Lord.  
Lastly, because upon the point they were confined to Bristol, not daring to go out of the City, for in all places, where the Commands and Ordinances of the two Houses prevailed, they had given a List of the names of the Malignants that durst appear for the King, to the end, that if any of them, came thither they might be apprehended and sent Prisoners to Taunton, Barkley Castle, or some other Prisons; or as Delinquents sent to the Parliament.  
It was no wonder therefore, that a City thus robbed of its wealth and liberty, groaning under an unsupportable yoke of bondage and tyranny, should endeavour by restoring the King to His Rights, to restore themselves to their former freedom; which could not be done but by breaking these bonds, and easting these cords from them: On these weightic motives therefore, they enter into a loyal confederacy to deliver up the City from its captivity under the Rebels into His Majesty's protection, and that without shedding of one drop of blood if it were possible, but most certain without any resolution to Massacre the Citizens, as hath been most falsely both Preached and Printed: for Master yeoman's and Bowcher, both on their Examinations, and after their Condemnation both affirmed, that their was not any intention of bloodshed; and in the Examinations of Master yeoman's and others, taken before the Council of War at Bristol sent up by Master Clement Walker Usher of the Exchequer, but since Advocate to that Congregation of Murderers that adjudged these Innocents' to death, and Ordered by the House of Commons, Die Luna, 22 Maii, 1643. to be Printed, we thus read, pag. 3. The King bade also assured us, and given charge to Prince Rupert, that no violence should be used to any, which 2 do believe was his full intent, the 〈◊〉 for that I hear there came a Proclamation to that effect: Where 'tis observable, that Walker (a man that had his hands stained with his own Wife's blood before he dipped them so deep in these Martyrs,) though in that contrived Confession of Master yeoman's, he brings him in, professing his Conviction in conscience of the justness of the Parliaments Cause (when 'tis known, that if he would have recanted and contributed towards this unnatural War, he and Master Bowcher, both might have saved their lives) yet he dares not so to murder his fame after his person, by charging upon him so bloody a Crime, as an intention to Massacre his fellow Citizens.  
'Tis therefore cenfessed on all hands, That Master yeoman's, Master Bowcher, and others, had an intention to cast out the Rebels, and to deliver Bristol into the King's possession, resolving to secure the person of the Governor and some others of the chiefest Rebels, but not to kill them: To this purpose, a Commission is obtained and sent to Master Robert yeoman's to raise Forces, and constitute Commanders for the King's service. Master George Bowcher contrives a Protestation to be taken by all that joined themselves to this Association, fully expressing the latitude of their intentions in that undertaking: The Protestation is extant in Master Bowchers Examination taken by Walker, on the 10 of March, 1642: and published in the Book before mentioned: and is attested upder his own hand, which I have seen, and was Written nor long before his death. The Protestation was this:  
IDee voluntarily protest before Almighty God, upon the Faith of a christian, That I will to the ulmost of my power, and with the bazard of my life and fortunes, defend my Dread Sovereign Lord King Charles, His Rights, crown, and Dignity, against all Force and Forces which are or shall be raised within His Majesty's Dominions without His Royal Assent, Authority, and Command. Which was the sum of this pretended horrid Treason.  
After communication of Counsels, and many Messages interchanged between Oxford and Bristol, drawing some of Colonel Essex his Commanders into the Combination, who loathed and condemned themselves in their own employment, it was resolved, that upon-Monday the seventh of March, 1642. Prince Rupert, with a parte● of the King's Forces, should face the City on Durdan Down, distant not a full mile from the City, and for the Association in the City, their task was to make good two Ports, Proome-gate and Newgate: who having seized on the Guards, were to open the Gares, and to signify the accomplishment of the design, to the King's Forces to make their approach by the Ringing of Saint john's and Saint Michael's Bells: Prince Rupert a vigilant and valiant Prince, comes that Monday night to the place apppointed, expecting the next morning by five of the clock the signal to be given, and the Ports opened unto him: but that night (whether by negligence amongst their own, or vigilancy of the Rebels, is uncertain) the Combination was discovered, and Master yeoman's, Master Bowcher, and divers others, were that night apprehended in their houses, having some armed men with them, and were instantly committed to safe custody; which bring signified to the Prince, he immediately withdrew his Forces, and marched away.  
And now having them in their power, they clap Irons on them, tie them head and feet together, commit them close Prisoners, deprive them of all comfort to be administered by their Wives or Children, or Friends, and used them with that barbarousness and inhumanity as cannot be imagined, could be practised by one Christian upon another; and after seventy six days hard Imprisonment, oftest examination, barbarous insulting overthem, especially by Nathaniel Fines, they were brought to their trial, at a Council of War; where Articles being exhibited against them by Advocate Walker, they received Sentence of death: what the Articles exhibited against M. yeoman's were, may be collected out of the Sentence itself, as we find it in pag. 4. of the before mentioned Book of M. yeoman's his examinations, published by command of the House of Commons, which for satisfaction of such as shall cast a compassionate eye on this sad story we have here inserted.  
The Judgement upon Robert yeoman's.  
UPon due consideration of the Articles exhibited on May 8. by Clement Walker Esquire, Advocate to this Council of War, against Robert yeoman's, and others the late Conspirators in this City, and upon due hearing of the Answers, and defence of the said Robert to the several Articles, and also upon examination and proofs before them taken upon Oath. It is unanimously adjudged by this Court, That the said Robert yeoman's is guilty of traitorous intelligence, and correspondency with the Enemy, and of a traitorous and wicked conspiracy to betray this Town into the hands, of the Enemy; and thereupon this Court doth adjudge and passed Sentence of death upon him as a Traitor and Conspirator; and accordingly doth order, That the said Roberts yeoman's shall be returned to the place of his former Imprisonment, and from thence be brought before the main Court of Guard, there to be hanged by the neck till he die:  
Nath. Fines, Richard Cole, Wal. White, James Ford, Joh. Clifton, Joh. Chamneys, Tho. Hippesly, Martin Husbands, Tho. Raulins, Rich. Hippesly, Tho. Eyre, Tho. Goodere, James Hean, Tho Wallis, Will. Bowel, Robert Baugh.  
To this bloody Sentence I have added the names of that bloody Conspiracy of Murderers that gave it, that their names and memory may stink with posterity, and be loathsome to all Generations that shall hereafter read and bemoan the condition of their predecessor that groaned under the tyranny of a prevailing Faction of Br●wnists and Ana●aptists.  
Mister Robert yeoman's being thus most unjustly condemned, May 8. on the 22 of the same Month, Master George Bowcher was called before Fines and the rest of that Rebellious crew which called themselves a Council of War, and that you may guess at the whole by some; William Bowel was a Pedant, and from whipping of boys was made an unrighteous Judge of men; James Heane a drunken Attorney; and Robert Baugh a Sheep-skinne dresser, who in the times of peace durst not come near Master yeoman's, but uncovered at a distance as his duty was, now plucked off Master yeoman's his Hat, commanding him to stand bare before him: the Articles exhibited by Walker their Advocate were seven, Recorded under Master Bowchers own hand, whereof the main and first they insisted on, was,  

1. First, That he had framed a Protestation to defend the King. His Crown and Dignity, against, etc. The Pro●… which you heard before.  
2. Secondly, That he had raised Men, and provided Arms and Ammunition of all forts, Crowed of 〈◊〉, Pickaxes, Axes and ●●on wedges, with Torches and Links, to further the Design of suppressing the court of Guard at Froome-gate.  
3. Thirdly, That he conspired with others to let in Prince Ruperr, a foreign Prince (as they styled him) who being entered the City, should put to death and plunder all the Inhabitants of that City that came not out to assist and join with them.  
4. Fourthly, That be did undertake to give Prince Rupert a signal when he should make his approaches to the City, by Ringing Saint john's and Saint Michael's Bells.  
5. Fifthly, That he certified Prince Rupe●t, that the Design of giving him entrance into the Town was discovered, and advised him to retreat.  
6. Sixtly, That he forced a open the crowd door (being a burial place under the Choir) under Saint John Baptist Church, with an intention to use it for a Prison, to secure such as sold make resistance, whether they were of the Guard or others, while they were in pursuance of their Design.  
Lastly, That he had Looks and other Provisions to cleanup the passages at Saint Johns-gate, in case any of the Parliament Horse should rush in upon them while the work was in doing.   
These Articles, though maliciously expressed and a● gravated, yet for the matter of them, were drawn either from his own Confessions, or Depositions of others, and upon these, at the Lady Rogers her house, he received the like Sentence of death, as Master yeoman's had done before.  
When the report of so illegal, proceedings arrived 〈◊〉 Court, though at first few men did think that their bold insoleney would go on to put the Sentence in execution; yet at last considering, that they were in the hands, not of honourable enemies, but of Rebels; and of Rebels that were Sectaries, and which was more than both, Rebellious Sectaries at the devotion of Master Fints, who did command in chief, and had strong influence on the rest. The Earl of Forth, Lord Lieutenant of all His Majesty's Forces, resolved to write unto Fines, and that by way of Threat, Pari p●ná exactá, at hosts à superb● & insolenti supplicio temperarent, as Diodorus Siculus reports of Phi●ometus in the like case; that by the menace of the like punishment on the Prisoners here, he might stave them off from their intended cruelty on the King's good Subjects there: for thus he writes,  
Patrick Earl of Forth, Lord Etterick, and Lord Lieutenant of all His Majesty's Forces.  
I Having been informed, that lately at a court of war, you have condemned to death Robert yeoman's, late Sheriffs of the City of Bristol, who hath His Majesty's Commission for raising a Regiment for his service, William yeoman's his Brother, George Bowcher and Edward Dacres, all for expressing their Loyalty to His Majesty, and endeavouring his service, according to their Allegiance, and that you intent to proceed speedily against divers others in the like manner: Do thereso e signify unto you, That I intent speedily to put Master George, Master Stevens, Captain Huntly, and others taken in Rebellion against His Majesty at Cyrencester, into the somecondition: Do further advertise you, That if you offer by that unjust judgement to Execute any of them, you have so condemned, that those now in custody here, especially Master George, Master Stevens, and Captain Huntly, must expect no favour or mercy.  
Given under my hand at Oxford, this 16 of May, 1643. To the Commander in Chief and the Council of War in the City of Bristol. FORTH.  
Having received this Letter by a Drum, and knowing the the great advantage they had by the meanness and baseness of the Prisoners in the King's hands, put in the balance with those of the Kings in their hands, while Earls, Barons, and the flower of the Nobility and Gentry were exposed to blue Aprons and Broom-men, Fines knowing this advantage, returns this insolent Answer.  
Nathaniel Fiennes Governor, and the Council of War in the City of Bristol.  
HAving received a writing from your Lordship, wherein it is declared, That upon information of our late proceedings against Robert yeoman's, William yeoman's, & others, you intent speed'y to put Master George Master Stevens, Captain Huntly, and others into the same condition. We are well assured, That neither your Lordship, nor any mortal man, can put them into the same condition; for whether they live or die, they will always be accounted true and honest men, faithful to their King and Country, and as in a fair and open way have always prosecuted that Cause, which in their judgement, guided by the judgement of the Highest Court, they held the Justest: Whereas, the Conspirators of this City must both in life and death carry perpetually with them the brand of Treachery and Conspiracy. And if Robert yeoman's had made use of his Commission in an open way, be should be put into no worse condition than others in the like kind bade been: But the Law of Nature amongst all men, and the Law of Arms amongst all Soldiers, maketh a difference between open Enemies, and secrei Spies and Conspirators: And if you shall not make the like distinction, we do sgnifie unto you, That we shall not only proceed to the execution of the persons already condemned, but also of divers others of the Conspirators, unto whom we had some thoughts of extending mercy: And do advertise you, That if by any inhuman, and unsouldier-like sentence you shall proceed to the execution of the persons by you named, or any other of our friends in your custody, that have been taken in fair and open way of war; then Sir Walter Pie, Sir William Crofts, colonel Connesby, and divers others taken in open Rebellion, and actual War against the king and kingdom, whom we have here in custody, must expect no favour or mercy. And by God's blessing, upon our just Cause, we have pawns enough for our friend's security, without taking in any that have gotten out of our reach and power; although divers of yours, of no mean quality and condition, have been freely released by us.  
Given under our hands this 18 day of May, 1643. Nath. Fiennes, President. Clement Walker, etc. To Patrick Earl of Forth, Lord Lieut. General.  
When this took no effect, the King, gracious as he is, and full of goodness, His bowels yearning over the destruction of His worst Subjects, takes the condition of these that suffer for him into his pious consideration; and since Fines swaying the rest remained obstinare; the King by a Trumpeter sends His Letter to the Major, Aldermen, and Sheriffs of Bristol, commanding them to raise the power of the City, and employ it to the resecue of these men designed for slaughter: Thus He writes.  

CHARLES R.  
Trusty and Well-beloved We greet you well. Whereas We are informed, That by the power and Authority of certain Factions and Rebellious Persons in that Our City of Bristol, divers of Our good Subjects (as namely, Robert yeoman's, George Bowcher, William yeoman's, Edward Dacres, and others) of that Our city are imprisoned for preserving their Duty and Loyalty to us, and for refusing to join in, or assist this horrid and odious Rebellion against us, and that the said wicked and traitorous Persons, have presumed to condemn the said innocent men to die, and upon such their sentence, notoriously against the Laws of God and Man, they intent to execute and murder Our said Subjects; We have thought fit to signify to you, the Major, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and the rest of the body of the Common Council of that Our City, That if you suffer this borrid and execrable murder to be committed upon the persons aforesaid, and thereby call the Judgement of God, and bring perpetual infamy upon that Our City, We shall look upon it as the most barbarous and inhuman Act that hath been yet committed against us, and upon you as the most desperate betrayers of us, and of the lives and liberties of your fellow Subjects. And We do therefore will and command you, not to suffer any violence to be done upon the persons aforesaid, but that if any such be attempted against them, that you raise all the power and strength of that Our City for their rescue. And to that purpose, We command all Our good Subjects of that Our City, to aid and assist you upon their Allegiance, and as they hope for any Grace and favour at Our hands; And that you and they Kill and Stay all such who shall attempt or endeavour to take away the lives of Our said Subjects, And for so doing this shall be your Warranty. And hereof you may not fail at your almost Peril.  
Given at Our Court at Oxford the 29 of May, 1643. To Our Trusty and Well-beloved the Major, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and the rest of the common Council of Our City of BRISTOL.   
This Letter arrived at Bristol that very day that these Gentlemen by laying down their lives did bear a good testimony to the truth, but came too late; yet had it come sooner, Fines having intelligence that a Letter was coming from the King, kept the Gates shut to keep out the Messenger, until their intended Murders were fully finished: But at last, when he had admittance, contrary to the Law of Arms and Nations, Fines committed him to prison, where he remained long.  
All these endeavours of a pious Prince to rescue His faithful Subjects, being frustrated by the obstinate malice of these bloody Rebels, and having no force to compel what he could not persuade, they go on to act their cruel intentions. After Sentence of death passed on them, they pursue them with threats, and use no language to them but death and hanging, often menacing what they could but once inflict: So that each night they thought to die next morning: Having some days languished under the insulting Cruelty of these bloody Butchers, and being frequently robbed of their necessary food by the Sentinels, (that stood at their Prisons, not so much that they might not withdraw themselves from the intended death, as to intercept all comforts that were brought unto them) had they not hastened the execution, famine would have saved them that labour: for Master yeoman's (whom of the two they most hated) laden with chains, stifled with the nastiness of a Dungeon, macerated with want of food, but filled with the scornful reproof of the proud, reproached every day with the name of bloody villain, and the like, was like to have prevented their malice by dying that morning that he died: he was a man of a magnanimous spirit, a large Soul fit for great employments, and therefore more sensible of indignities, for great spirits or pressed like Tapers held downward, are extinguished by the same matter which gives them life; so that sitting by his dear Wife that morning that he died, and leaning on her breast, he fell into a sound, and in probability had then departed, had not the shrieks and outeryes of his Wife recalled him to a more glorious death, that so posterity might read his ●name●, together with Master Bowchers, not in the Catalogue ●e● of Confessors, but enrolled in the Noble Army of Mayor's.  
When the time of their Martyrdom drew near, Colonel Fines, for fear the City should oppose his bloody intentions, concealed the time resolved on to put them in execution: But when the fatal day was come, Fiennes drew his Force into the Marsh, the common place where they made their Masters: he caused the Gates suddenly to be shut, the City not knowing his intention, and presently drew parties of Horse and ●oot into every street, to awe the Citizens, and to suppress insurrections, if haply they should recover so much of the ancient courage of true Englishmen, not to suffer so great a breach to be made on their lives and liberties, as to see their fellow Citizens led to the slaughter, and they in the mean time stand dumb like sheep and not oppose it: nor was it without good raeson that Fiennes should suspect some opposition from the City, for (besides that, they now saw the basest of the City made of the Council of War, and the power of life and death over the Magistrates delivered in their hands, that before this Rebellion were never thought fit to bear the office of a Scavenger) Master Temans and Master Bowcher, were men of Eminency in the City, generally beloved, and then Crime known to be nothing but Loyalty, That they could not likewise but consider, that an isisue of blood was that day opened that might in time prove satal to them, & involve them in the same condition, for it Fiennes and his bloodhounds shall for any other virtue pass the like Sentence on any of them, as they did on these for their Loyalty, not conspiring with them to murder their Sovereign, what power shall protect them from such oppression, who having to their own ruin refused the King's protection, are grown so tame, as not with the hazard of their lives to protect themselves?  
Having thus made all secure, they bring the Prisoners from the Castle to the main Court of Guard, in the way as they went, the people greedy to see, and salute these unhappy assertors of their liberty, press to the hazard of many blows to take their farewell of them, they in a courteous deportment, returning heartic thanks for those dangerous expressions of their affections, for it was reason enough to be committed as a Malignant to own them, or so much as to pay for them.  
To prepare themselves for their death, they made it an humble request, that they might have the assistance of Master Twog●od and Master Standsast, two Orthodox and Learned and Pious Ministers of the City, to help to sweeten that bitter Cup of which they were to drink, and by spiritual comfort to take off from the sharpness of those dregs which they were to suck up: but as if they meant to murder their Souls as well as their bodies, to vex their righreous Souls instead of comforting them against the approach of death, they refuse to condescend to so reasonable a request, and impose on them Cradock and Fowler, two Eunssaries sent to that City, to poison it with Schisine and Rebellion, that so they might fill up the measure of their sins and ripen them for destruction.  
Standing at the foot of the Tree, that by and by was to bear fruit unto eternal iife, it was observed by some of these Murderers (well skilled it seems in the art & Method of hanging) that the Halters were too long, or too short, or else not ●yed fast enough, some fault there was which the death's man had directions to correct, he obeying the directions of the chief Hangman, goes up & takes off the halter's; the people, who came thither spectators of this bloody Tragedy, standing at distance, and not privy to the intention, fond conceited, that certainly Colonel Fiennes had sent a Reprieve, and instantly expressed the greatness of their joy by the loudness of their Acclamations, Never considering Fines his Extraction, being borne and bred in a family. Sworn Enemies to Monarchy and all that love it: At last, seeing the Guards stand fixed, and that this stay was but to make surer work, the Executioner fastening his instruments of death, according to the directions given him by them, whose journeyman he was, The people, as if struck with thunder, or blasted with lightnings stood amazed, until at last, astonishment giving way to Compassion, they sent out tears instead of Acclamations, and exchanged their joy for lamentations.  
All things thus made ready to offer up these Innocents', sacrifices to the implacable rage of Fines and his fellow Rebels, Master Rober● yeoman's is first commanded to ascend the Ladder, thence to reach his Crown of Martyrdom. But remembering whose pictie it was, in the midst of his sufferings to recommend his mother to the care of a Guardian (being himself to leave this world) he first makes his address to his Father-in-law Master yeoman's, and tells him, that he had left him a Legacy, viz. his Wife then great with-child, and vl small children, the eldest not able to put on its own clothes: and so with many embracements left him, and set forward in his way to Heaven  
And now being seated in that place of shame and Ignominy (so it is in its own Nature where the goodness of the Cause doth not change the accursed Tree into a Theatre of honour) and finding himself made a spectacle to that City wherein he had lived in plentic and honour, being Sheriff but the year before, in discharge of which office he was interior to none of his Predecessors in bounty and magnificence, which Colonel Popham and his friends by frequent experience know very well: And from that sad prospect, taking a view of many friends that could hardly look through their own tears to see him again: And from thence too, seeing some of a farre different affection that rejoyeed in his sufferings, and amongst them Robert Baugh the Sheeps-skin-dresser (Fines his associate in the Council of War) in a devilish cruelty (And let God that righteous judge require it at his hands) stand jeering and mocking at him to his face, here flesh and blood interposed, which transported him to an expostulation bordering between Indignation and Submission, saying, Good God, what have I done to be here? But instantly sorry that humane fraileie should extort any thing from him, ●ubeseeming the justice of his cause, or the braveness of Christian resolution, silencing suggestions of such ill Counsellors, he composed himself to speak something to the people.  
His strength exhausted by long and many sufferings, disabled him to speak much or loud, yet willing to clear himself from that prejudice under which he lay, of an intention to Massacre all that should adhere to the Two Houses (which some miscall a Parliament) laying his hand upon his breast, and fixing his eyes on Heaven, the habitation of the God of Truth, he made a solemn Protestation of his innocency from any such thought: he professed his firm persuasion of the justice of that cause for the defence of which he suffered, affirming, that if he had more lives he would sacrifice them all to the service of His Sovereign in the same way: and therefore we may justly wonder at the frontless impudence of that Clement Walker, that should tell the world in Print, That Master yeoman's did confess, that he was convicted in conscience of the justness of the Parliaments Cause: But they that know the man, and that poor stock, either of Religion or Honesty which he hath, need not wonder, that he that before this Parliament made it his frequent Theme to declaim against Puritans, should now (judging them to be the prevailing Faction) to endear himself unto them: first imbrue his hands in this Gentleman's blood; and then report him falsely to posterity, as if he had recanted that Loyalty, for which, and in which, he professed he died.  
While he was thus speaking to the people, Sergeant Major Langridge and Cliston, call upon the Executioner to hasten the work: Nay, they did not stick to interrupt Master yeoman's in his discourse, and to goad him on the sides and thighs with their Halberds, bidding him to contract and make an end: hereupon he desired the witnesses of his suffering, to sing with him the 130 Psalm, which he sung with great elevation of spirit and fervency of devotion, knowing that presently he should be translated from this Bochim the valley of tears, where we do not so much as sing or sigh out our Hymns into that triumphant Choir, where with Angels, and archangels, and all the powers of Heaven, he should sing Halclujahs & Anthems of Joy for evermore. Having finished the Psalm and some other Prayers, and amongst the rest, instanly beseeching God, not to charge his death upon that City, nor require his Innocent blood at their hands: prayed for his Persecutors, and adjured his friends not to harbour a thought of revenge, he began again to make some address to the people, challenging the world there to testify against him, if he had wronged any man, and beginning to apologise for his Innocency, even in the very cause of his death, Langridge and Cliston, the chief Hangman under Fines their Master, knowing how much his words might prevail with the people, and that one Martyr falling quickly springs up into many Converts. caused him instantly to be thrown off, hardly giving him so time as in some short ejaculations to recommend his Soul to God: and now, there he is under the Altar, and ●oynes in that shrill cry that calls loud in the cares of God, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? Rev. 6 10. Being thrown off, and his body swinging with the fall, his Brother in-law Master John Haggat, an honest Gentleman, and of good quality in the City, put out his hand to stay it, which (that inhuman villain) Cliston seeing, struck him with his Cane, with that violence, that he had almost strooken him to the ground: good God which shall we most wonder at, either the barbarous inhumanity of this Murderer, or the degenerous Ignoble patience of the Citizens of Bristol, that could stand by and see all this, and not choose either to live freely, or die courageously together?  
Having had sufficient experience of the Tameness of the citizens, and that there was no danger of opposition to be feared from them, the Rebels wade on in blood. And having murdered Master yeoman's, they command Master Bowcher so ascend the Ladder: It seems by what he left written by his own hand, and written to that purpose to communicate it to the world, that he intended to be large, Exhorting those (to use his own words) who had set their hands to the Blow (meaning the maintenance of the King's cause) not to be too hasty (as terisied with their sufferings) to take them off: nor to regard those beggarly and Schismatical rudiments which crafty and malicious men had inverted and introduced into the Church of God in these last and worst times of the world, denying the Truth, & bringing in damnable positions of their own devising, etc. And likewise, giving an exact Character of the Schismatics that domineer at this time in the draught, borrowing the pencil of the Holy Ghost, I mean describing them in the Phrase of the Scriptures, a man very well able to do it, b'ing versed in the Scriptures, a frequent hearer of Sermons, and by the testimony of his very enemies, confessed, to be a Religious man; Proud (says he) They are Boasters, Heady, Unstable, who censure as unjust the actions of others, before they receive resolution from God, or rightly understand his will touching their own, having hearts fraught with malice, incessantly labouring to bring to pass their devilish designs by pestilent Plots, daw●ing and painting them over with false glosses against the light of their ow●e conscience, and against that knowledge which they have in the Laws, both of God and Man; justifying the wicked, and condemning the innocent, etc. This was too much truth to be spoken to them whom it did so much concern, and therefore was not permitted to speak so largely to the Assembly: at last, presled on to hasten his death, by those that are swift to shed blood, he desired to sing Psal. 16. which being ended, he began to recommend his Soul to God in most pious pathetical Prayers and ejaculations; but they are not content that he should speak either to the People or to his God; For Rosewell, a Levi●e of their own, and a cract-braind Separatist, interrupts him in the midst of his Devotions, reviles him, and calls him Hypocrite and Apostate, That after so strict a conversation, so much time spent in the profession of Religion, he should render all suspected for hypocrisy, by so obstinate perseverance in his Rebellion against the Parliament, he meant for dying for his Loyalty to his Sovereign: all this moved not the constancy of this resolved Martyr, but according to the advice of Saint Bernard, he held up s●utum consciexti● con●●a Gladium Lingue, the buckler of a good conscience to ward the blows of a malicious Tongue, Serm. 4●. De mode bene vivendi. Knowing that as the flattering Tongue is no c●re for a bad, so the railing Tongue is no wound to the good conscience, possessing his Soul therefore in patience, he lets this snarling Dog bark on, resolving with holy Job, Ecce in c●lo Test is me●●, Behold my witnesse● is in Heaven, and my Record is on high: Job 16.19. And so sustaining his Soul under the burden of that reproach, with that comfortable promise of our Saviour, Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven: Mat. 5. 11, 12. He yielded himself to the will and desire of his Murderers, This Rosewel, in his very fall from the Lader, pursuing him with the odious names of Hypocrite and Apostate, thereby (if it had-beene possible) to disturb the peace of his Soul, and endanger his Charity in that very instant when he was going out or the World, and ready to be presented at the dreadful tribunal of that most Righteous Judge, who putteth no 〈◊〉 in his Saints, yea the Heavens are not c●eare in his sight, Job 15. 15. a practice so void of Christanitie, nay so perfectly devilish to extend malice even to the endeavours of a second death, That had a black Angel been dispatched from Hell, (an agent for that kingdom of darkness) he could not have done more to advance damnation, or approve himself a malicious emissary of that bottomless pit, than this Schisnatique did.  
These two now glorious Martyrs, having thus through their ignominious death's rendered their Souls to God, the spectators smite their breasts and return: Never was there so general a face of sorrow, such bitter lamentation heard in that City, as on this day: Their bodies taken down, were both carried to Master Ye●mans his house, Father in-law to Master yeoman's: In the evening Master Bowchers body was conveyed to his own house, a sad spectacle to his poor Widow and seven Orphans, and that night they were both interred, Master yeoman's at Christ Church, and Master Bowcher at Saint Warburgh's; their Funerals being attended by those Orthodox Ministers that the persecution had left, and by most of the honest well-affected Citizens; though they knew that they could not express this piety to the dead, but to the hazard of losing their liberties, and plundering their estates.  
Thus have you seen the Martyrdom of these Loyal Citizens, suffering for their Religion, by Sectaries and Atheists; for their Loyalty, by Traitors and Rebels; and for their Laws and Liberties, by Libertines and sons of Belial; a Fact so horrid, and in which so many Acts of Cruelty and Injustice did meet and concentre, that as no History (not that of the Anabaptists of Germany) can give us a Parallel of this Rebellion, so this Rebellion cannot give us a Parallel of this Murder, except that of Master Tompkins and Master Chaloner at London, in the same manner.  
FINIS.    

Mercurius Rusticus: OR, The Country's Complaint, OF The Sacrileges, Profanations, and Plundring, Committed by the Schismatics, on the Cathedral Churches of this KINGDOM.  MATTH. 21.13. 
My house shall be called the house of Prayer, but ye have made it a den of Thiefs.  
OXFORD, Printed in the Year, 1646.   

The Prefece.  
THe Author of the French History, relating that horrid Rebellion of the holy League in Franch, the Prototype of the present Rebillion in England, gives this definition or Character of one of those Zealots: The Essential form (said he) of a Zealous Catholic in the Holy League, was to Rob and Profane Churches, to Ravish Wives, and Virgins, to murder Men against the Altars, to spoil the Clergy, not to be the King's Servants, which that age held for a Crime, but to vomit out against him, all the indignities, and all the wickednesses which Irreligion, and Injustice could invent in mad Soldiers: do but change Zealous Catholic into Zealous Puritan, and no Pencil ever limbed a Rebel of this present Rebellion so exactly to the life as this: And though they have outdone all examples, precedent, of Wickedness, Cruelt●e, Disloyalt●e, Sacrilege, and Profanation, as if in them the devil meant to show his Mster-piece, raging in them horribly, because he knows that he hath but a short time, yet to their dishonouring of God, their vilifying his holy worship, profaning his Temples, blaspheming the footsteps of his Anointed, affronting and contemning his Priests, & Minister, to their rending, tearing, & trampling underfoot all Hallowed Ornaments and utensils, provided for the reverend and decent worship of God; I know nothing that they have left undone, which remains yet to be added to their accursed impietes: So that what the old Eustathians, Messalias', Pratricelli, & the rest of those wild Heretics, (who placed their Religion in Contempt of Consecrated Churches, Temples, and Oratories, places consecrated, and set apart for the public worship of God) durst not do. These Schismatical Rebels, (having wilfully smothered, not only their Consciences, but the dictate of common reason) putting no diference between Holy & Profane, have acted with greednes● whatsoever things they are, whereon the Name of God is called, whether Persons, times or places, in the judgement of venerable Antiquity; whether Counsels, Fathers or Historians, those things were ever held Sacred & Inviolable, always habenda cum Discrimine, and that extra U●um Sacrum, to be regarded with areverentiall, and discriminative ufance, that is, with a select and different respect from other thing of the same kind, but not employed to holy uses: Nay, the honouring God's house, was ever held an Ingredient of that Petition of the Lords Prayer, Sanctisicetur Nomen tuum, Hallowed be thy Name: What opinion the Ancient Fathers, both Greek and Latin, had of such places, may be collected from those Magnificent, and honourable Names, whereby they commended them to the due esteem of several Ages in which they lived: Some in regard of their use and employment called them the Lords house, some the Patrimony of Christ, some the Dowry of the Spouse of Christ, some a Consecreated Possession of God, and a holy Soil: Others, in respect of their Magnificance of Structure, and costliness of Oranments, called them Royal or Kingly Houses: Nay, would we but sharpen our Gords at a Philistines Forge, or wove the woollen Yearn of the Gentiles, with the linen web of the Christians, I mean, call is the Testimony and practice of the Heathen, in what veneration, and esteem they had their Idol Temples (which was in them the dictate of Nature, mistaken only in the object) and they would stand up as so many witnesses, and cetainly in the day of Judgement, shall condemn this Profane Generation, who under an Hypocritical pretence of worshipping God in Spirit, in a true anabaptistical fury, have laid waste the Sanctuaries of God, polluted his Temples, and broken down all their carved work with Axes and Hammers: And though these Rebellions Schismatics have in all place (which have been plagued with their presence) roared in the midst of our Cogregations, set up their Banners for tokens, and left some infamous memorial of their frenzy, and hatred of the beauty and magnificence of God's house; and therefore in every place made it their first business (as in introduction to the rest) to rob and deface Churches, and violate the Sepulchers and Monuments of the dead, so they have expressed their greatest hatred against the Mother Churches, and Cathedrals of this Kingdom, because in them, the Primitive Order and decency, prescribed in the Rubric of the Book of Common Prayer, and ratified by act of Parliament, have been best preserved from those Omissions, Neglects, and Contempts, which had almost banished them out of private Parochial Congregations, and rendered them obnoxious to sinister interpretations, and suspected of no less than Popery, Superstition, and Innovation, in those places wherein they were retained, and practised: when therefore our Posterity shall see this Abomination of desolation, which these Rebels have brought into these Temples of God, and by Tradition hear of those costly utencills, and Ornaments, which most Sacrilegiously they have carried out, and shall with wonder, and astonishment inquire, what Lunacy? what Frenzy? what accursed madness possessed the hearts of the men of this present age, to lay waste the places where God's honour dwells? where God vouchsafes to meet with his People, & the People, with united devotion, to propitiate their God, and impiously (as much as in them is) to turn these Beauties of Holiness into desolate places, for Zum & Ochim, (as the prophet speaks) and the Satyrs to dance in, Esay 13.12. Let them know, that the Puritans, Brownists, and Anabaptists Rebels, marching under the banners of a Faction in two pretended Houses of Parliament (which yet some have the impundence to call the Great and Highest Court, the Supreme Judicature, and the most zealous Protections and Assertors of the Established Protestant Religion) have brought this desolation upon us. And because this Tempest raged first in the East, and so spread itself into all parts of the Kingdom, West, North, and South, I shall in the relation keep the same Method (if so great confusion can be ranged into a Method) whereby we shall give (as is due) Precedency to the famous Metropolitan Church of Canterbury, which as it is (in respect of her lesser Sisters) first in Order and, Dignity, so was it then, and now shll be, the first instance of the Rebel's Sacrilege.   


Mercurius Rusticus, amp; c. I.  
The Cathedral Church of Canterbury horribly abused and desaced by the Rebels, under the conduct of Col. Sandys and Sir Michael Livesey: Together with themiserable end of the said Colonel at Worcester, etc.  
THe City of Canterbury, the ancient seat of the Kings of Rent, while the Saxon Heptarchy flourished in this Island, was by King Ethelbert given, together with the Royalty thereof to Augustine, the first consecrated Archbishop of the English Nation, who there fixed his seat for himself & his successors: for whose sake Gregory the great, than Bishop of Rome, translated the Metropolitan dignity, together with the honour of the Pall, from London to Canterbury: This City (as the rest) had its share in that spoil and devastation, which War & the Sword in the Innovations of Foreign nations & domestic broils brought upon it: the greatest impressions of desolation made on it, were in the Danish Wars, but the Normans succeeding, through the piety of godly religious men, residing there, and the bounty & liberality of the Bishops, it did suddenly start up, not only into its primitive beauty & lustre, but outstripped all other places, as in the number & sumptuosnesse of private houses, so especially in the magnificence and splendour of religious houses: amongst which, two were most famous, far exceeding all the rest, viz. Christ-Church, Et hujus pertinacissimus amulus (as Learned cambden speaks) the eager rival of Christ-Church, Saint Augustine's. This Church, by the injury of Sacrilege and time, (two greedy devourers) lies almost buried in its own Ruins, presenting nothing else to the eye of the beholders but a sad spectacle, how spacious & ample a structure it once was, when now, a piece of it hath the honour to be styled (though seldom employed as) the King's House. But Christ-Church, placed as it were in the Navel of the City, raiseth itself to so great a Majesty and Stateliness, that Krasmus, a man not too much taken with magnificence in this kind, I am sure not doting on it, says, that this doth present itself with so Majestic State, VI procul etians intuentibus religionem incutiat, that it occasions that devotion which should be used there, and strikes a sensible impression of Religion, in their hearts that behold it, though a far off, and at a distance. This Church built in old time (as Beda says) by the faithful and believing Romans, and by King Ethelbert given to Augustine, in process of time needed the like piety to susport it, as at first built it, & works of that nature in those days did not long lie neglected for want of Benefactors: Lanfranke therefore, the thirty third Archbishop of this Sea, (whether more famous for repairing of decayed Churches, as this of Canterbury, Rochester, and S. Alban, or his indefatigable pains, in correcting the corrupt translations of the Holy Bible, scattered every where through the Kingdom in his days, is uncertain.) William Corbet, or (as others will have it) Gorbois, the thirty sixth Archbishop of the same Sea, re-edified the Choir, and the upper part of this Church, and the piety of succeeding Bishops built & joined the Nave or body to the Choir, and brought it to this magnificence and splendour in which we now see it. But what out forefathers thought Religion to build up, we, their degenerous posterity, think Piety to pull down, so that while some leading Atheists (enemies to God and his Religion, and reprobate to every good work) are busy to Vote & cry down Episcopacy, with the Sacred Hierarchy, Root & Branch: their Emissaries encouraged and set on by them, first deface these Churches, and in the next place, will utterly ruin them ' that so, the places where God is worshipped, being demolished, the revenue that maintains the worship, may become a prey to these Sacrilegious Cormorants: But my God shall make them like a wheel. Now, how the Rebels behaved themselves in their first attempt, in this kind, on the Cathedral Church of Canterbury, under the conduct of Colonel Sandys, I cannot better express then in the passionate elegancy of Reverend Doctor Pas●e, one of the prebend's, and at the time Sub-deane of that Church, to the Earl of Holland, the most ingrateful, and most unthankful of men.  
My ever honoured Lord,  
Did it not conduce unto the Public, I should not preume to interrupt your Lordship's weighty affairs; but the long experience of your Lordship's 〈◊〉 for Religion, and vigilancy for your university of Cambridge, hath assured me of your Lordship's Patronage of our whole Church in general, and (as the case new stands) of this Mother Church in particular: 〈◊〉 spected P●…, but have found much trouble from the Troopers sent among 〈◊〉; with what barbarousness they have 〈◊〉 themselves at Rochester, and in other parts of this County, I leave to the Relation of others, and beg your Lordship's patience, only to be informed what hath happened here with us: and wherein I am more nearly concerned, by mine Office in the absence of the Dean.  
Colonel Sandys arriving here with his Troopers, on Friday night, presently casued a 〈◊〉 Watch and Sentinels to be set, both upon the Church, and upon our several honses, to the great affright of all the Inhabitants 〈◊〉 this done, Sergeant Major Cockaine came to me, and in the name of the Parliament, demanded to see the Arms of the Church, and the store Powder of the county, which I presently showed him; when her possessed himself of the Keys, and kept them in his own custody: the next morning we were excluded the Church, & might not be permitted to enter, for the performance of our Divine Exercises, but about eight of the clock, Sir Michael Livesey, attended with many Soldiers, came unto our Officers, and commanded them, to deliver up t●e keys of the Church to one of their Company, which they did, and thereupon be departed, when the Soldiers entering the Church and Choir, Giantlike, began a fight with God himself, overthrew the Communion-Table, toare the Velvet-Cloth from before it, defaced the goodly Screen, or Tabernack-worke, violated the Monuments of the dead, spoilt the Organs, broke down the ancient Rails and Seats, with the brazen Eagle which did support the Bible, forced open the Cupboards of the Singing-men, rend some of their Surplices, gums, and Bibles, and carried away others, mangled all our Service-Books, and Books of Common-Prayer; bestrowing the whole Pavement with the leaves thereof: a misereble spectacle to all good eyes: but as if all this had b●ene too little, to satisfy the fury of some indiscreet Zealots among them (for many did abhor what was done already) they further exercised their malice upon the Arras hanging in the Choir, representing the whole Story of our Saviour, wherein observing divers figures of Cbrist, (I tremble to express their blasphemies) One said, That here is Christ, and swore that he would stab him: Another said, here is Christ, and swore that he would rip up his bowels: which they did accordingly, so far as the figures were capable thereof, besides many other villainies: And not content therewith, finding another statue of christ in the Frontispiece of the South-Gate, they discharged against it forty shot at the least, triumphing much, when they did hit it in the head or face, as if they were resolved to crucisie him again in his Figure, whom they could not hurt in truth: nor had their fury beeme thus stopped, threatening the ruins of the whole Fabric, had not the Colonel, with some others, come to the reliese and rescue: the Tumults appeased, they presently d●parted for Dover, from whence we expect them this day; and are much afraid, that as they have already vilisied our persons, and offered extreme indignity to one of our Brethren, so they will Plunder our houses at their return, unless the care of the Major, the Colonel, and some Members of the House of Commons (Sir Edward Masters, and captain Nut, now with us, who have promised to present their knowledge to that Honourable House) do prevent the same.  
Your Lordship will be pleased to pardon my hasty expressions, which proceed from a grieved heart, and I am confident the honourable Houses of Parliament, being rightly informed herein, will proceed against the like abuses, and impieties in other places, in the mean time we submit with patience to the providence of him, who can, and will bring good out of evil, which is the earnest prayer of  
Christ-Church, Cant, Aug. 30.1648. Your Lordship's most obliged Servant Thomas Paske.  
What effect this just complaint wrought, how it prevailed, either with that Lord to whom it was addressed, or with the pretended Houses of Parliament, whose authority and assistance was implored to prevent further ourrage, either here or elsewhere, we have too clear testimony, not only in the like sacrileges and profanations, every day acted, without any the least check, or restraint from the heads of this Rebellion, but more especially from their Votes and Ordinances, for the abolishing all remainders of Popery and Superstition, as they call it: in all which, Intelligi malunt quain Audiri, they would have their creatures understand, more than they speak, being certain politic Litotes, in which, Minus dicisur, plus inselligitur, signifying more than the Grammatical construction will permit, and carry in them a hidden secret sense and meaning, which their own Emissaries know how to interpret and enlarge, according to the full intention of the Authors. But before we pass from the relation of this horrid Sacrilege, committed on the Church of canterbury, I could not free myself from being guilty of that great sin of obscuring the great manifestation of God's Justice, it I should in silence pass over that most exemplary vengeance, which pursued to death that unfortunate Gentleman Colonel Sandys, the ringleader to that Rebellious rout, which were Actors in that more than Barbarous outrage.  
Whether the cunning persuasions of others or his own ambition first embarked him in this fatal undertaking is uncertain, but as himself confessed on his death bed, to a friend & kinsman of his, who asked him, what he meant, being a Gentleman of so fair an estate, to engage himself in this Treason: He answered, That he was so far drawn in before he was awar●, that he knew not how to come ●ff without the danger of his head: So usual it is, for one sin to engage the finner for a second: having therefore once lifted up his hand against his Sovereign, the Lords Anointed, he thought the way to be secure from the pun shment of Rebellion, was to persevere in his Crime, and go on in Rebellion: In pursuance therefore of so black designs, being Colonel of a Regiment of Horse, in Sept. 1642. with the rest of the Rebel's Army under the Conduct of the Earl of Effex he advanced towards Worcester, and making some excursions with ten Troops of Horse from the body of their Army, at wickefield near Worcester, accidentally were met by Prince Rupert, accompanied by Prince Maurice and some others, Lords and Gentlemen of his Majesty's cavalry: being thus by chance met, the Prince glad of any opportunity, to express the brayenes of his resolution, charged the Rebels with incomparable valour: In this short but fierce Conflict, Colonel Sandys was wounded, and being dismounted his Horse, became prisoner to the Kings Partee. Being thus wounded, and as then was conceived, mortally, he began to reflect upon himself, and finding so little warrant in his now unblassed conscience for his undertaking, which had brought him into this condition, his perplexed soul broke out into many sad expressions of remorse: crying out, Woe, Woe, to evil Counsel, and happy are they that do not take it. And being put in mind by a Reverend Doctor in Divinity, and Chaplain to Prince Rupert, of the heinousness of the sin of Rebellion, he acknowledged himself to have fallen into that sin, and that God was just in his judgements for finding him out in his iniquity, professing withal his hearty sorrow and repentance for it: whereupon the Doctor replied, that if he recovered, perhaps the same persuasions from others, or inconside●atencsse in himself, might again engage him in this Rebellion, at which words, a little lifting up his hand, he processed, He would rather have it cut off, then ever again life it up against the King: he freely acknowledged the justice of the King's cause, and that he had observed the blessings of God to accomany it and when the Doctor desired leave to restihe his repentance to the world, he freely gave him leave, ask God and the King forgiveness, praying for a blessing upon him, and his proceedings. In this mind he continued while Prince Rupert and the King's Forces with him stayed in Warcester: and whether after the Earls possessing himself of Worcester, by the impetuous solicitations of those Murderers of Souls, those Factors for hell, their Schismatical Lecturers, (who make men twosold more the children of the devil than themselves) he fell off, and turned Apostate from his newly resolved Loyalty, as repenting of his repentance, in uncertain; Those that were about him & saw his weakness, ever declining from the first hour he received his wounds, must testify to the World that he had neither strength of hand to write, nor so much composedness of spirit, to be the Author of that Spurious, Supposititious Vindication, Published in his name Oct. 11. 1642. he being (whatsoever that sorgery pretends) as unable to vindicate himself with his pen, as his sword: but if they had his heart as well as hand, subscribing to that Atheistical resolution, where they thus bring him in foaming out his own thame, The App●chension of death never hitherto so nearly touched me, but if God shall once restore me to my former strength, I shall by his help, with as much alacrity and I hope courage, endeavour to defend, and maintain with my dearest blood, this so good a cause (meaning this present Rebellion) as ever I was at first engaged in it, If I say they had his heart as well as his hand to that Resolution, I am afraid it was too evident a Symptom of a wicked man, given up to a Reprobate sense, which of all spiritual judgements questionless is the greatest; and might justly call for those Torments of body, which afterward, as a Gangreen devoured and eat up his flesh, and those pangs of Conscieace, which I am afraid were but the earnest of a worse condition to ensue: for as the Psalmist says, As for such as turn back unto their own wickedness, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity, Psal. 125.5. but I remember that of Saint Paul, Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, I Cor. 4.5. And therefore while on Supposition I write my fears, positively I determine nothing, not knowing whether God might not give him the grace of repentance at the last, which if he did, he only (I d●re say) that gave the Grace, knew of it: concerning his eternal condition therefore, I shall leave him to the judgement of that Righteous God, that judgeth Righteous judgement, and gives to every man according to his works: and only inform the World in what condition the Colonel lay, until the time of his dissolution, and putting off his earthly, bat loathsome Tabernacle.  
As the Colonel was amongst the Rebels a very considerable man, both for his extraction and quality, and likewise for his Estate (to say nothing of his valour and resolution, had they been Loyally employed) so it was among their chiefest cares to recover him of tho●e wounds which he received in their unchristian quarrel: while therefore the Rebel's army lay in Worcester (which was about three weeks) though then upon more strict searching his wounds, in the opinion of the best Surgeons they were not mortal, yet, whatsoever the Art & invention, either of the Physician or Chirurgeon, could contribute to his recovery, was not omitted: when the Rebel's army drew out to meet the King, in their march from Shrewsbury, which they did to their cost at Edge-hill, the Colonel was committed to the care of his own Chirurgeon, then in pay under him, John Anthony of London: to whom, as a witness and an assistant in the cure, was joined a Chirurgeon of the City of Worcester, Edward Martial: who, though they both used all the art & industry that possibly they could to effect the cure, yet the difficulties every day multiplied against the means, and in despite of their Balsams, his wounds did putrify & the flesh rot, to the wonder of the Artists, and the Scorn of their Art: In so much that the Surgeons, after much variety of means used, & much struggling with these growing-evils (the cure still going backward, as if their skill had been employed to widen those wounds which they pretended to close up) were heard by many of the City of Worcester, to confess, what Hypocrates syes, every Physician should first look after in every cure, that there was S●… ri, the hand of God in it, that it was a peculiar judgement upon him, & that the cause of this putrefaction was more than natural: nor were they without good grounds for this conjecture, for besides the conclusions of their own Art, directly thwarted, experience on the several parts of the body of their patient, was a clear demonstiation: those wounds in the upper parts of his body near the vitals, and therefore more dangerous, were cured long before his death, but those in his thigh, which were flesh-wounds, asthey call them, These were the Opprobria Chirargorum, here the flesh did daily rot and putrise, and was cut away by degrees, even to the leaving of the bones naked, and stunk in so to loathsome a manner, that as he was a burden to himself, so to his friends too, and those that were about him, being hardly able, for the noisomeness of the smell, either to come near him to do the officers of necessary attendance, or so much as to endure the room where he lay, so intolerable was the stench, and so offensive.  
Nor were the wounds of his body more insufferable to his friends, than the wounds of his conscience to himself, the guilt of Rebellion wrought in him strong convulsions of Soul, high distempers of mind, yet that he might not sink under the burden of his wounded spirit, a weight that requires more than man to support it, he sent for Master Cotterell, an Orthodox godly Minister, and Parson of Saint Andrews in Worcester, to Administer a word of comfort unto him in this his afflicted condition.  
When Master Cotterell came unto him, he found Obadiah Sedgwick, that scandalous seditious Minister of Effex, in private conference with the Colonel, and Bread and Wine, ready prepared for the Lords Supper: Sedgwick having ended his discourse, went to Prayers, whereup in Master Cotterell offering to withdraw, he was entreated by one of the Colonel's servants to stay, which accordingly he did: Sedgwick having concluded his extemporary prayer, took his leave and departed, refusing to stay either to administer the Sacrament to the Colonel, or to communicate with him: of which refusal, when Master Cotterell afterward desire to know the reason, all satisfaction that was given him, was, That Sedgwick was not fully assured of the fitness & due preparation of those that were to receive the Sacrament with him. Desperate Hypocrisielwhatsoever he was persuaded of the preparation of the other Communicants, 'tis most certain, he could not be ignorant of the unfitness of the Colonel himself, whom he himself in all probability persuaded to return with the dog to his vomit, and to justify himself in that sin of which but very lately he seemed to repent: 'tis more probable, that, that poor remainder of Conscience in Sedgwick, not quite yet put away, though it suffered him to betray, in private, a dying man to impenitency, under falned pretences of what he in his own soul must need confess to be a crying sin, and inrowled by Saint Paul himself amongst those works of the flesh, which do exclude from the kingdom of Heaven: yet his heart might smite him, and his conscience withstand him, as it were to the face, that he durst not seal that destructive counsel by delivery of the Sacrament: Sedgwick being gone, the Colonel willingly entertained conference with Master Cotterell, to whom he made a general confession of his sins, and the grievousness of them, professing his hearty repentance and sorrow for them, But as the two pretended Houses of Parliament, in their Catalogue of sins, reckoned up in their Homily (if without offence I may so call it) and offered to this Nation as the subject matter of their solemre humiliation, quite forgot Lying and Rebellion, for some reasons best known to themselves: so this Champion of theirs, in his general Confession, made no mention of the sin of Rebellion, which most nearly concerned him, and for which in all probability he was verysuddenly to render an account to God: a Confession most necessary both for him to make, and the Minister to require, before he could be thought a fit receiver of those dreadful mysteries: but after this general Confession, having received the Sacrament, Master Cotterell commended him to the grace of God, for that time left him; and having by one or two visits, after that, as he thought gained some interest in the Colonel, coming again to him, and finding him in a calm temper, and judging it a fit opportunity to inquire into his Conscience, and found him what persuasion he now had of his taking up Arms against his Sovereign, he desired the Colonel to command his servants out of the room, that he might speak with him in private, which being done, and all witnesses removed, but God, and their own Consciences, Master Cotterell; prefacing his discourse, with a solemn Protestation, that in what he did, he proposed no other end, but the salvation of his soul, demanded of him, whether he were not sorry for drawing his sword against the King: And whether he were not persuaded in his Conscience of the unlawfulness of it? To which the Colonel replied, That he was persoeaded, that it was lawful, having taken up Arms not against the King, but for the King, for his good, to being him back to his Parliament, to make him more glorious than any of his Predecessors, and to redeem him from his evil Counsel rs, and those Popish Malignants that were about him. To which old threadbare pretences (invented to palliate Treason, and blanche their most gross Rebellion) when Master Cotterell opposed the Laws of God, the Laws of the Kingdom, and seconded both, by the Kings most clear and satisfactory Declaration, able to undeceive the abused world, and dispel that mist of error and prejudice, which the heads of this Rebellion had cast before the eyes of the people of this deluded Nation: the Colonel not able to return any reasonable answer, or pre-instructed by edgwick, who foresaw what encounter he was like to meet withal, suddenly called aloud to his servants to come in, whose presence set an end to the Conference: after this, ● after Cotterell, (some say by Doctor Bruc● his Physician's advice, though I do not absolutely affirm it) was wholly neglected, & Master Halsetor was sent for, Parson indeed of Saint Nicholas in Worcester, but more acceptable to those that gave this counsel, under another capacity, as he was the City Lecturer.  
But before we acquaint you with what success Halsetor undertook, and discharged this employment, it will not be amiss to let the world know, what reward this dying Colonel intended to bestow on Master Cotterell for all his pains taken with him, when the Colonel's Wife came to Worcester to visit her husband, and being informed by her servants how frequently Master Cotterell had visited her husband, what pains he had taken in administering the Sacrament, and his great care in praying and conferring with him: the very nobly pressed her husband to gratify Master Cotterell by some honorary gift, as an acknowledgement of his thankfulness, that he might reap some of his temporals, to whom he had so plentifully sowed spiritual things: to so reasonable a motion, made by the wife of his bosom, the Colonel most unworthily, and most uncharitably replied, Sweetheart be content, we shall find him a Delinquent: but he that shall reward a cup of cold water, shall not forget so great a work of Charitieche that endeavours to turn a sinner to righteousness (though the success answer neither his labour, not expectation) yet he shall shine at the Stars for ever and ever, nor shall his work be in vain in the Lord.  
Master Coterell being thus most unthankfully rejected, the Colonel is now committed wholly to the care of his new ghostly Father Master Halsetor, a man of a Schismatical Turbulent spirit, fitter to make a Rebel then reclaim a relapsed Traitor, and since hath followed that counsel which he gave by deserting his Cure and joining himself to the Rebel●: the men of this Faction have an Art to torment perplexed consciences instead of cosorting them, dispensing not so much the pro●is●s of the Gospel, as the terrors of the Law, as if the way to spiritual Consolation were through despair, and no way led to Heaven so sure, as what coated by the confines of Hell: whether Master Helsetor dealt thus with the Colonel, I cannot say, perhaps he might go about as some others of his Faction have done, to sow pillows under their seduced champions armholes, and to justify the sinner in the sin, comparing circumstances, questionless this was his way, but the lad effects of his Rebellion which the Colonel felt in his body, and those flashes of horror affrighting his guilty soul, would not permit this dying man to be lulled asleep in so vain presumption: though at first therefore when Master Cotterell was with him, to assist him in that great work, to prepare him to stand before the judgement Seat of Christ, and the preparitories were Concessions and Sorrow for sins, (though but in the general) deprecations of judgement, and the wrath of God, and the like, some spiritual comfort, began to dawn in his be-nighted soul, and that he might seal that obscure glimmering of hope opened unto him in this valley of Anchor, and obtain more, he desired to Communicate in the body and blood of Christ, yet after Master Halsetor came unto him, (Woe, woe to evil Counsel, to use his own exclamation) it was observed that the Colonel tell into strong distempers or mind, which suddenly grew to so great a height, that he was utterly distracted, even to raving and madness: which amongst them that think the Gospel ineffectual, unless the spiritual man be mad, is taken for the undoubted evidence of a Powerful Ministry: certainly it was a sad spectacle, to see him lie in this condition, and a horrid thing to hear, that his last breath, which should have been breathed out in prayers and deprecations, and humble Confessions of sin, should be spent in venting the wild fancies of his distracted brain: sometimes crying out, that his Chirurgeon and servants had broken up his Trunks, and robbed him of his gold: and by and by starting up, and crying out, that the Enemy was at the wall's of the City, and calling for the keys to lock up the gates: Thus he lay divers weeks, and in these distractions died; dreadful things are these, but 'tis written, The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart. His Wife and Son coming to visit him in this wretched condition (poisoned with the stench of his body) both fell sick of the small Pox, of which she died, and both of them lie buried in the South I'll of the body of the Cathedral, in that Cathedral of worcester, where his Grandfather Doctor Edwyne Sandys, afterwards Archbishop of York, made his first step to the Archiepiscopall honour, being first Consecrated Bishop of that Diocese, & therelayd the foundation of those fortunes, which descending to this man, made him forget his own extraction, & certainly it was no final aggravation of his sin, that being descended from an Archbishop, and that estate which made him considerable in the world, being raised out of the Revenues of the Church, and a Cathedral Church (a blessing which but few Churchmen have attained unto, though advanced to the same, or the like dignity to raise a family) he should yet so far degenerate, so far forget himself, & the Rock from whence he was hewn, to be a Ringleader to so Barbarous a Rout, which beginning at Canterbury, went on to ruin and deface all Cathedral Churches where they came, ending with that of worecester, where he had the undeserved Privilege to be interred.  
Thus as briefly as I could, I have given an account of the unhappy end of this miserable Gentleman. In which; I call God to witness, there is nothing sained, nothing suborned, there being no hang here recorded, but what is attested by men beyond all exception. And I must appleale again to the same God, that this account is not given to that end to make his name or memory odious, either with the men of this present age, or with posterity (I must confess I would disgrace the sin) but my intent is, by this example, to teach those that are seduced as this man was, to know, and foresee in him, what end attends those, who forgetting all Religion and Loyalty, shall lift up their hands against their God in Sacrilege, and against their Sovereign in Rebellion.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. II.  
The Cathedral Church of Rochester violated: the Sacrilege and profaneness of the Rebels under command of Sir William Waller and Sir Arthur Hasterig, acted on the Cathedral Church of Chichester, etc.  
As when the Spirit brought the Prophet Ezekiel into the Holy Temple, he led him from place to place, and each place, entertained him with greater Abominations than the former, so that the farewell to the last Vision, and the invitation to the next is, Turn thee yet again and thou shalt see greater Abominations than these: So, having brought you in the cathedrals of this Kingdom, Temples (in despite of Atheists, Rebels and Anabaptists) of God too: and having showed you the Abomination of Desolation in one of them, viz. in Canterbury, the first instance of their accursed rage, and having viewed that, I must now lead you on as the Spirit did the Prophet; from place to place, and the enticement may be the same, for though you have seen great profanations in the former relation, Yet you shall see greater abominations than these.  
The next instance of the Rebel's profaneness, which I shall offer unto you, is in the Cathedral of Rochester, recompensed for the finalnesse of its Revenue, with the honour of its Antiquity, as boasting of Ethelbert King of Kent, a common Founder to this Church, with those of Canterbury and London. The unhappy loss of Earnulphus History, the thirty second Bishop of this See, deprives us of that Light which discovered the various condition of this Church, how long in the beginning it struggled with its own poverty, and in after-ages with the injuries of Time and War, remaining some years in a kind of Widow hood, without the Government and Super-intendency of a Bishop; till at last Gundulfus the thirtieth Bishop of this See, re-edified this Church from the ground, and brought it into that magnificence in which we now see it: To which pious work, he brought so good, so vigorous affections, that as Malmesbury records of him, Praevene●at vivacitas Gundulsi omnium successorum diligeatiam, Gundulphus ●lacrity in that work did so prevent the piety of his successors, that he hardly left them any place in this kind wherein to exercise their bounty. Little did the overflowing zeal of our Ancestors to the house of God, like that of the old lsraelites, pouring out their wealth and precious things to adorn the Tabernacle, in so great measure, that M●sas was said to publish a Proclamation to restrain their liberality, For the stuff they had was sufficient for the work to make it, and too much, Exod. 36.6.7. Little (I say) did they think, when they did this, that what they thus bountifully gave unto God, should ever, while this Kingdom remained Christian, become a prey to those, which as Tcr●●llian speaks, Gentes agunt Christs nomine, have not so much as a form, but the bare usurped name of Christianity, which they fulley and pollute with those worse than heathenish crimes of Sacrilege and Profaneness: had the sacrilege lately committed at Canterbury been applauded by the people, (to gain whom, no arts though never so repugnant ' pugnant either to Religion or common honesty were left unattempted) certainly, this Church which next stood in their way, and immediately after Canterbury tasted of their fury, had been utterly demolished, and offered up a sacrifice to Popularity. But Plundering being then but a stranger in England, newly arrived here from desolate Germany, especially Plundering of Churches, which heretofore were held inviolable Sanctuaries for offenders, but much more for their own innocent ornaments; this made a general outcry, every manderested so soul impiety; nay, their own party (some of them) not yet so deeply leavened with their anabaptistical Doctrines, nor given up to so reprebate a sense to believe monstrous lies for truth, did not only not approve, but sparingly condemn the Fact: and the general vote of the people, awakened by Doctor Pask his Letter, declared it barbarous and wicked; nay, the dislike of such proceedings grew to so great a height, that some wise men were deceived into an opinion, that the Houses would punish the offenders for the present, and publish an Order to restrain the like outrages for the future; & indeed, though some good men, Members of both Houses, did earnestly desire it, yet by experience they quickly found how unequal they were to effect any thing, in which they had not the concurrence of the heads of the Faction which ruled in both Houses, but much less when they rowed against the stream, & had them for their adversaries. The Rebels therefore coming to Rochester, brought the same affections along with them which they expressed at Canterbury, but in wisdom thought it not safe to give them the same scope, here as there; for the multitude though mad enough, yet were not so mad, nor stood yet so prepared to approve such heathenish practices: by this means the Monuments of the dead, which elsewhere they broke up and violated, stood untouched; Escoucheons and Arms of the Nobility and Gentry (upbraiding eye-sorcs to broken, mean Citizens, and vulgar Rebels) remained undefaced, the Seats & Seals of the Choir escaped breaking down, only those things which were wont to stuff up Parliament Petitions, and were branded by the Leaders of the Faction, for Pepery and Innovation, in these they took liberty to let loose their wild zeal: they broke down the Rail about the Lord's Table, or Altar, call it which you please; and not only so, but most basely reviled, a now Reverend Prelate, who being lately. Deane of that Church, had for the more uniform, and reverend receiving of the blessed Sacrament set it up, with the odious name of Rogue, often repeated: they seized upon the Velvet covering of the holy Table, and in contempt of those holy Mysteries which were Celebrated on the Table, removed the Table itself into a lower place of the Church, in this, perfect disciples of that profane Author of the book called, Altar Damascenum, Who in the 718P. devoutly resolves thus: De loco ubi consistat cur solliciti, sùm quovis loco utl Angulo extra Tempus Administrationis c●ll●cari ●ossit; Concerning the place where the Lords Table shall stand, what need we to be solicitous, when out of the time of administration of the Sacrament it may be see aside, in any place, or obscure corner. And to show what Members they are of the Church of England, they strewed the Pavemenet with the torn mangled leaves of the Book of Common-Prayer, which, with the Book of Homilies, and the 39 Articles, makes up the third Book, wherein the Doctrine of the Church of England is fully contained: under standing that the Dean that then was, was to Preach on Sunday morning, Colonel Sandys and Sir John Seatont, that false Traitorous Scene, sent unto him to command him to forbear the wearing of the Surplice and Hood; to which this answer, That if they would expect any Sermon from him, they must permit him to appear in such Ornaments, as the Church, and his degree required, and accordingly did so: afterwards Sandys and Seaton, Coming ming towards the Church, and hearing the Organs, Seaton started back, and in the usual blessing of some of his Country, cried, A Devil these Bagpipes: perhaps he never read so far as David's Psalms, whereit is written, Praise God upon the Strings and Pipe: Psal. 150.4. or if he had, it is more than probable, that it had been all one to him: however, this served them both, as a pre●ence to cloak their Irreligion, and refusal to join with that true Protestant Congregation. While the Rebels were pulling down the Rails about the Communion-Table, one of the prebend's of the Church, Master Larken, interposed, and attempted to stay their madness by reason, and persuasion; but he quickly found, that he did not only profane Reason, by urging it to Saint paul, absurd, unreasonable, wicked men, men made up of incongruities, but that he did it to the hazard of his life; for one of the Rebels, instead of returning a reasonable answer, discharged a Pistol or Carbine at him, to have murdered him at the very Altar, but by the good providence of God he missed his mark. Thus, having done some spoil, that they might render themselves not altogether unprofitable to their party, and not daring for the present to do any more, for fear of losing that party which they hoped to gain for that season, they left the Church: but into what further outrageous Impicties, their Schismatical fury hath since transported them, or what else they have practised on this Church, to complete their Monstrous Reformation, is not yet made known unto us.  
The third Instance, which I shall give of the Rebel's Sacrilege and Profaneness, is in the Cathedral church of Chichester; Successor in the honour of being the feat of the Bishop's Residence to Sealsey● for wilfrd Archbishop of York, being driven into Exile by ●gfrid King of Northumberland, retiring himself into Suffex, and finding the South Saxons wholly given up to Idolatry, his spirit like Saint Paul's at Atbens was stirred with in him, and knowing the unprofitable servants doom, that buried his Talon, he Preached unto them the Gospel of Christ: and Edelwalch King of those parts (not long before converted to the Faith, by the persuasions of wolfbere King of the Mer●ians●) willing that the same saving-knowledge, which he himself had embraced, should be imparted to his people, seconaed the pious endeavours of wilfrid and therefore amongst other acts of bounty, he gave the Arch bishop Sea●ey for the place of his ●sfidence. Not long after, Cedwilla Conquering Edilwatch, built here a Monastery to the honour (as Mamesbury says) of S. Peter, and erected the Episcopal Chair: where it stood fixed the succession of 22 Bishop, or as others say (reckoning wilfrid Archbishop of York for the first) the succession of 23 Bishops; from the year 711. to the reign of William the Conqueror 1070. at which time Stiganeus translated his Chair from Sealesey to Chichester, and so became the last Bishop of Scalesey, and the first of chichester, where the Eepiscopall power did flourish ever since, until now; in these last, and worst days, wherein while the heads of a Rebellious, Schismatical Faction, Vote down the Sacred Function and Order of Bishops, their Emissaries are mad to deface, if not utterly to demolish their Churches. To this purpose, the Rebels under the Conduct of Sir william waller, entering the City of chichester on innocents' day, 1642, the next day, their first business was to Plunder the Cathedral Church; the Marshal therefore and some other Officers, having entered the Church, went into the Vestry, there they seize upon the Vestments and Ornaments of the Church, together with the Conseerated Place, serving for the Altar & Administration of the Lords Supper; they left not so much as a Cushion for that Pulpit, nor a Chalice for the Blessed Sacrament: the Commanders having in person executed the covetoms part of Sacrilege, they leave the destructive & spoiling part to be finished by the Common mon Soldiers: broke down the Organs, and dashing the Pipes with their Pole-axes, scoffingly said, Hark how the Organs go. They break the Rail about the Communion Table, which was done with that fury, that the Table itself escaped not their madness, but tasted of the same fare with the Rail, and was broken in pieces by them. At the East end of the Quite, did hang a very fair Table, wherein were written the ●en Commandments, with the Pictures of Moles and Aaron on each side of the Table; possessed with a zeal, but not like that of Moses, they pull down the Table, and break it into small shivers. 'T was no wonder that they should break the Commandments in their representation, that had before broken them all over in their Substance and Sanction: they force open all the locks, either of doors or desks wherein the Singing-men laid up their Common-Prayer Books, their Singing-Books, their Gowns and Surplices: they sent the Books in pieces, and scatter the torn leaves all over the Church, even to the covering of the Pavement, but against the Gowns and Surplices their anger was not so hot, these were not amongst the Anathemata, but might be reserved to secular uses: in the South cross I'll on the one side, the History of the Church's Foundation, was very artificially portrayed with the Pictures of the Kings of England; on the other side over against them, are the Pictures of the Bishops, as well of Scalsey as Chichester, began by Robert Sherborn, the 37 Bishop of that See and the Series brought down by him to his own times at his own Charges, who as he made that of the Psalmist, Dil●xi decorum domus tui domins, Lord I have loved the beauty of thy house, his Imprease and Motto, so he made it his work, and endeavour. These Monuments they deface and mangle with their hands and swords, as high as they could reach: and, to show their love and Zeal to the Protestant Religion, established in the Church of England, one of those Misereants picked out the eyes of King Edward the sixt's Picture saying, That all this mischief came from him when he established the Books of Common-Prayer. On the Tuesday following they had a solemn Thanks giving, for their success in gaining that City. Men of cauterised Consciences, and given upto a Reproba●tesense, thus, not only to take the Name of God in vain, but damnably to Blaspheme it, as if he were the Patron of Rapine, Blood and Sacrilege. After the Sermon was ended, as men not inspired by the holy Spirit of which they so much boast, but possessed and transported by a Batchanalian fury, they ran up and down the Church, with their swords drawn, defacing the Monuments of the dead, hacking and hewing the Seats and Stalls, scratching and scraping the painted walls: Sir William Waller, and the rest of the Commanders standing by as spectators, and approvers of these Barbarous Impieties: yet for fear left in this Schismatical frenzy, the sword in mad men's hands might mistake, Sir William Waller, a wary man as he is and well known not to be too apt to expose himself to danger, stood all the while with his sword drawn, and being asked by one of his Troopers what he meant to stand in that Posture? He answered, That it was to secure himself. you know, 'tis written, The wicked are afraid where no fear is, for though the People made him an Idol in London, yet being no Popish, but a Puritanical Idol, (for they have their Idols, and their Idolatry, as much as the Church of Rome) there was no danger to his person, to be mistaken for an object of their Reformation at Chichester. The same Trooper added also, That if his Colonel in the Low-Countries were there, and commanded in thief, he would hang up half a dozen of the soldiers for examples sake: it no: being the custom of the Low-Countries, (though long time hath made their enmity inveterate, and added much to the animosity of the parties) to Plunder Churches, it being amutuall stipulation between the Spaniard and the Hollander, that what Town soever should by conguest pass from the possession of one, Nation to the other, though the Conqueror hid the free Plunder of the Town, yet churches with their Ornaments, and whatever was conveyed into them should be invialable, the church being sanctuary to what sooner was under ●is Roose se, and, if they would have any thing thence, it was to be purchased at a valuable price. These good intimations of moderations from a man of less command, but more Religion than Sir William, prevailed nothing with him to restrain the outraigous madness of his fellow Rebels. Having therefore made what spoil they could in the Cathedral, they rush out thence and break open a Parish Church, standing on the North side of the Cathedral, called the Subdeanery: there they tear the Common Prayer Books, both those belonging to the Church, and likewise those which were left there by devote persons which did usually frequent Divine Service; and because many things in the Holy Bible make strongly against them. one did contradict and condemn their impious practices, they marked it in divers places with a black coal; 'tis more than probable, that the 13 Chapter to the Romans did not escape their Index Expurgatorius, for certainly if that be the word of God (as undoubtedly it is) they cannot so far withhold the truth in unrightenusnesse, as not to read their doom in that word, they shall judge them at the last day: here they stole the Minister's Surplice and Hood, and all the Linen serving for the Communion: and finding no more Plate but the chalice, they steal that too, which they broke in pieces, to make a just and equal dividend amongst themselves; for an Engeneer of theirs, Robert Prince a Frenchman, with a wooden leg, afterwards showed the foot thereof broken off; and when complaint was made of these barbarous outrages, Captain Keely replied, That he Know not whether all this were not done by Order, or no. About five or six days after, Sir Arthur Haslerig demanded the Keys of the chapterhouse, being entered the place, and having intelligence by a treacherous Officer of the Church, where the remainder of the Church Plate was, he commanded his servants to break down the Wainscot round about the room, which was quickly done, they having brought Crows of Iron for that purpose along with them; while they were knocking down the Wainscot, Sir Arthur's tongue was not enough to express his joy, it was operative at his very heels, for dancing and skipping, (pray mark what Music that is, to which, it is lawful for a Puritan to dance) he cried out, There Boys, there Boys, Hark, Hark, it Rattles, it Rattles: and being much importuned by some members of that Church, to leave the Church but a Cup for administration of the Blessed Sacrament, answer was returned by a Scotchman standing by, That they should take a wooden dish: and now tell me which was farthest from a Christian, either this impure Scot, or that blasphemous Atheist, who seeing the masty Plate and rich Ornaments wherewith the Christian Altars were adorned in the Primitive Church, in indignation & scorn of Christ beltched out Enquà preciosis vasis filim Maria ministratur? Behold with what costly vessels the Son of Mary is served: what further spoil and indignitic they have since done to that house of God, And the habitation where his honour dwelled, is yet uncertain.   

Mercurius Rustius, etc. III.  
The Rebels defying God in his own house: their Sacrilege, in stealing Church Plate and goods: their irreverence towards the King, by abusing his Statue: their heathenish barbarity in violating the bones and ashes of dead Monarches, Bishops, Saints and Confessors in the Cathedral Church of Winchester, etc.  
THe next instance which I shall give of the Rebel's Sacrilege and Profaneness, is in the Cathedral Church of Winchester: which City, as it was the Royal Seat of the Kings of the West Saxons, in the time of the Heptarchy, so was it the Seat of the Bishops of that people, after Kenwalshus King of the West Saxons (not brooking the Barbarous broken expressions of Agilbertus his Bishop) divided this large Diocese between Agilbertus and Wina, and leaving Agilbertus to reside at Dorchester, caused Wina to be Consecrated Bishop of Winchester. Before we tell you by whom, and in what manner this Church was robbed and spoilt of its Ornaments and beauty, it will not be impertinent (while it may serve as an aggravation of their impiety) briefly to set down by whom this Church was built, and so richly adorned, as lately we saw it. This magnificent Structure which now stands, was begun by Walkelinus the thirty fifth Bishop of this See: which work left imperfect and but begun by him, was but coldly prosecuted by the succeeding Bishops, until William of Wickham (the magnificent Sole founder of two Saint Mary Colleges, the one in Oxford commonly called New College, the other a Nursery to this near Winchester) came to possess this See: He amongst many other works of Pletie, built the whole Nave, or body of this Church, from the Choir to the West end, the Chapels on the East end beyond the Choir, had their several Founders: The hallowed Ornaments and Utencills of this Church, being many, rich, and costly, were the gifts of several Benefactors, who though their names perhaps are not recorded in earth, have found their reward in Heaven. This Church was first differenced by the name of Saint Amphibalus, who received a Crown of Martyrdom under the persecution of Dioclesian: Next it exchanged this name for that of S. Peter; and again, this, for that of Saint Swithine, the eighteenth Bishop of this See: last of all, it was dedicated to the Holy Trinity, whose blessed name is now called upon it: which Holy name, though it could not but put the Rebels in mind whose possession and house it was, did not at all afford it patronage, and protection from their accursed rage and madness.  
The Rebels under the Conduct of Sir William Waller, fate down before the City of Winchester, on Tuesday the 12 of December, 1642. about twelve of the clock, and entered the City that afternoon between two and three: being Masters of the City, they instantly fall upon the Close, under a pretence to learch for Cavaliers. They seize upon the prebend's Horses, and demand their persons with many threatening words: That night, they broke into some of the prebend's Houses, such houses as they were directed unto, by their Brethren the Seditious Schismatics of the City, and Plundered their goods. But the Castle not yet surrendered into the Rebels hands, something awed their insolency: which being the next day delivered up to their power, did not only take away the restraint which was upon them, but encouraged them, without check or control, to rob and defy, both God and all good men. Wednesday therefore, and Wednesday night, being spent in Plundering the City and Close, on Thursday morning between nine and ten of the clock (hours set apart for better employments, and therefore purposely in probability chosen by them, being resolved to profane every thing that was Canonical) violently break open the Cathedral Church, and being corred, to let in the Tide, they presently open the great West doors where the Barbarous Soldiers stood ready, nay greedy to rob God and pollute his Temple. The doors being open, as if they meant to invade God himself as well as his prossession, they enter the Church with Colours flying, their Drums beating, their Matches fired, and that all might have their part in so horrid an attempt, some of their Troops of Horse also accompanied them in their march, and road up through the body of the Church and Choir, until they came to the Altar, there they begin their work, they rudely pluck done the Table and break the Rail: And afterwards carrying it to an Alehouse, they set it on fire, and in that fire burned the Books of Common Prayer, and all the Singing books belonging to the Choir: they throw down the Organs, and break the Stories of the Old and New Testament, curiously cut out in carved work, beautified with Colours, and set round about the top of the Stalls of the Choir: from hence they turn to the Monuments of the dead, some they utterly demolish, others they deface. They begin with Bishop Fox his Chapel, which they utterly deface, they break all the glass Windows of this Chapel, not because they had any Pictures in them, either of Patriarch, Prophet, Apo●●le or Saint, but because they were of painted coloured-glasse: They demolish and overturn the Monuments of Cardinal Beaufort, son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, by Katberine Swinsort, Founder of the Hospital of Saint Cross near Winchester, who fate Bishop of this see forty three years. They deface the Monument of William of Wainslet, Bishop likewise of Winchester, Lord Chancellor of England, and the Magnificent Founder of Magdalen College in Oxford; which Monument in a grateful piety, being lately beautified, by some that have, or lately had relation to that foundation, made these Rebels more eager upon it, to deface it: but while that College, the unparallelled example of his bounty, stands, in despite of the malice of these inhuman Rebels, William of W●inslet cannot want a more lasting Monument, to transmit his memory to posterity: from hence they goeito Queen Maries Chappel, so called, because in it she was married to King Philip of Spain: here they broke the Communion Table in pieces, & the Velvet Chair Whereon she fate when she was married. They attempted to deface the Monument of the late Lord treasurer the Earl of Portland, but being in Brass, their violence made final impression on it, therefore they leave that, and turn to his Father's Monument, which being of Stone, was more obnoxious to their fury: here, mistaking a Judge for a Bishop, led into the error by the resemblance or counterfeit of a square Cap on the head of the Statue, they strike off, not only the Cap, but the head too of the Statue, and so leave it. Amongst other Acts of Bounty and Piety, done by Richard Fox the fifty seventh Bishop of this Sc●, he covered the Choir, the Presbytery, and the isles adjoining, with a goodly Vault, and new glazed all the windows of that part of the Church, and caused the bones of such King's Princes and Prelases, as had been buried in this Church, and lay dispersed and scattered in several parts of the Cathedral, to be collected and put into several Chests of Lead, with inscriptions on each Chest, whose bones lodged in them: These Chests (to preserve them from rude and profane hands) he caused to be placed on the top of a wall, of exquisite workmanship built by him, to enclose the Presbytery: there, never to be removed (as a man might think) but by the last Tr●●pe, did rest the bones of many Kings & Queens, as of Alfredus, Edwardus Seni●n, ●adredus the brother of Athelstane, Edw●●us, C●●●tus tus, Hardicanutus, Emma the Mother, and Edward the Confessor her Son, kinigliss●s the first founder of the Cathedral of Winchester, Egbert who abolishing the Heptarchy of the Saxons, was the first English Monarch, william Ruf●s, and divers others: with these, in the Chests, were deposited the bones of many Godly Bishops, and Confessors, as, of Birinus, Hedda, Swithinus, Frithestanus, Saint Elphegus the Confessor, Stigandus wina and others. Had not the barbarous inhuman impiety, of these Schismatics and Rebels ●hewed the contrary, we could not have imagined, that any thing but the like Piety that here enshrined them, or a Resurrection should ever have disturbed the repose of these venerable, yet not Popish Relics. But these Monsters of men to whom nothing is holy, nothing is Sacred, did not stick to profane and violate these Cabinets of the dead, and to scatter their bones all over the pavement of the Church: for on the North side of the Choir they threw down the Chests, wherein were deposited the bones of the Bishops, the like they did to the bones of William Rufus, of Queen Emma, of Hardicanutus, and Edward the Confessor, and were going on to practise the like impiety or the bones of all the rest of the west Saxon Kings. But the Outcry of the people, deresting so great inhumanity, caused some of their Commanders (more compassionate to these ancient Monuments of the dead then the rest) to come in amongst them, and to restrain their madness. But that devilish malice which was not permitted to rage and over flow to the spurning & trampling on the bones of all, did satiate itself even to a prodigious kind of wantonne●le, on those which were already in their power: And therefore as it they meant (if it had been possible) to make these bones contract a Pesthume guile, by being now made passive Instruments, of more than heathenith Sacrilege, and prophanenefse, those Windows which they could not reach with their Swords, Muskets, or Rests, they broke to pieces, by throwing at them the bones of Kings, Queen's Bishops, Confessors and Saints: So that the spoil done on the Windows will not be repaired for a thousand pounds: nor did the Living find better measure from them then the dead: for whereas our Dread Severaigne that now is (the best of Kings) was graciously pleased, as a pledge of his Princely favour to this Church, to honour it with the gift of his own Statue, together with the Statue of his dear Father King James, of ever blessed memory, both of massy Brass: both which statuas were erected at the front of the entrance into the Choir: These Atheistical Rebels, as if they would not have so much of the Militia to remain with the King, as the bare Image, and representation of a Sword by his side; They break off the Swords from the sides of both the statuas: they break the Cross from off the Globe, in the hand of the Statue of our gracious Sovereign now living, and with their Swords hacked and hewed the Crown on the head of it, Swearing, They would bring Him back to His Parliement: A most flagitious crime, and such, as that for the like S. Cbrysustome, Hom● Adpopulum Antioch. with many tears complains, he much feared, the City of Antioch, the Metropolis and head (as he calls it) of the East, would have been destroyed from the face of the earth: for when in a Tumult, the Seditious Citizens of Antioch had done the like affront to Theodetius the Empetour, in overturning his statuas, how doth that holy Bishop bemoan 〈◊〉 how doth he bewail that City 〈◊〉 which, fearing the severe effects of the abused Emperors just indignation, of a Populous City, a Mother boasting of a Numerous Issue, was on the sudden become a widow, left desolate, and forsaken of her Inhabitants: some, out of the sense and horror of the guilt abandoning the City, and flying into the deslote Wilderness, others lurking in holes, and confining themselves to the dark corners of their own houses, thereby hoping to escape the vengeance due to so Disloyal, so Traitorous a Fact; because of this foul injury offered the EmpeTours Statue, He (as that Father speaks) was wronged, that was the Supreme head of all men, and had no equal on Earth. But what wonder is it, that these miscreants, should offer such scornful indignities to the Representation of his Reyall Person, and the Emblems of his Sacred power, when the heads of this damnable Rebellion (who set these their Agents on work) offer worse affronts to his Sacred Person himself, and by their Rebellious Votes, and illegal Ordinances, daily strike at Substones of that power, of which the Crown, the Sword, and Sceptre, are but Emblems and shadows, which yet not withstanding, aught to have been venerable and awful to these men, in respect of their Relation? After all this, as it what they had already done, were all too little, they go on in their horrible wickednesle, they seize upon all the Communion Plate, the Bibles, and Service-Books, Rich hangings, large Cushions of Velvet, all the Pulpit-Clothes, some where of were of Cloth of Silver, some of Cloth of Gold: They broke up the Muniment house, and take away the Common Seal of the Church, supposing it to be Silver, and a fair piece of guilt Plate, given by Bishop Cotton: They tear the Evidences of their Lands, and cancel their Charter; in ● word, what ever they found in the Church of any value and portable, they take it with them, what was neither, they either deface, or destroy it. And now having Ransacked the Church, having defied God in his own house and the King in his own Statue, having violated the Urns of the dead, having abused the bones, & scattered the ashes of diseased Monarches, Bishops, Saints, and Confessors, they return in Triumph, bearing their spoils with them. The Troopers (because they were most conspicuous) ride through the streets in surplices, With such Hoods and Tippers as they found: and that they might boast to the world how glorious a Victory they had archieved, they hold out their Trepbies to all spectators: for the Troopers thus clad in the Priest's Vestments, road carrying Common Prayer Books in one hand, and some broken Organ Pipes, together with the mangled pieces of Carved work but now mentioned, containing some Histories of both Testaments, in the other. In all this, giving too just occasion, to all good Christians to complain with the Psalmist. O God the Heathen are come into thine Inheritance. ● by holy Temples have they defiled, The dead bodies of thy Servants have they abused, and scattered their bones as one beweth wood upon the earth● Help us, O God of our Salvation, for the glory of thy Name, Psal. 79.   

Mercurius Rusticus, etc. IU.  
The Rebel's Profanation and horrible abuse of the Abbey Church of Westminster: Together with their several Out rages and Abominations committed on the Cathedral church of Exeter, etc.  
IF in the Catalogue of Plundered cathedrals, we in●owle the now Collegiate Church of Westminster, I hope I shall not be thought to make my discourse, no more of kin to my Title, than Mountain doth some of his ●ssayes: For if we look back on the various condition of this Church (no place set apart for Religion's Persons, having so often shifted its owners) we shall find that among it many changes, it had the honour of a Bishops See. On the dissolution of the Abbeys, amongst the rest, Henry the Eighth suppressed this Monastery, and in the place thereof founded a Deancry, An●●,1536. And two years after, added a Bishopric to the De●ne●y. The Bishop sat here but nine years, and again resigned his dilapidated Revenue into the hands of a Deans Middlesex, which was the Diocese of the Bishopric, being devolved to London yet though this Bishopric of westminster, as it relates to the Saxons, was but of modern Erection, yet in the time of the Ancient Britons, it was no less than the See of the Archbishop of London: and therefore it is more than probable, that, that record which tells us, that the Archbishop of London See was planted in Saint Peter in cornhill, was either corrupted or mistaken, for S. Peter's in ●horney: for Sic olim●spinis, as Learned Cambden, and other Antiquaries affirm, from the great crop of thorns which heretofore grew there, that which we now call westminster, was then called Thorney. This Church so famous for its Antiquity, so admired for its Elegancy of Structure, especially by the addition of Henry the seventh's Chapel, a Pile of that polished magnificence, Vt omn●m Elegantiam in illo acerva●am dicas, as if Art and Bounty had conspired to raise it to a wonder of the world. Lastly, a Church so venerable, as being once the seat of an Archbishop, and a Bishop, and now a long time the place where the Kings of England receive their sacred Unction, and Crowns at their C ronation, and where their body's rest in honourable Sepulture, when they have exchanged their Temporal for Eternal Crowns. This church, under the eye, and immediate protection of the pretended Houses of Parliament, had its share in spoil and profanation, as much as those cathedrals which were more remote from them: for in July last, 1643 some Soldiers of weshborne and cacwoods' Companies (perhaps because there were no houses in westminster) were quartered in the Abbey church, where (as the rest of our Modern Reformers) they broke down the Rail about the Altar, & burned it in the place where it stood: They broke down the Organs, and pawned the Pipes at several Alehouses for pots of Ale: They put on some of the Singing-mens' Surplices, & in contempt of that Canonical Habit, ran up and down the Church, he that wore the Surplice was the Hare, the rest were the Hounds. To show their Christian liberty in the use of things, and that all consecration or Hallowing of things under the Gospel, is but a Jewish or popish Superstition, and that they are no longer to be accounted holy, than that holy use to which they serve, shall by the actual use only, impart a transient holiness to them, they set Forms about the Communion Table, there they eat, & there they drink Ale and Tobacco: some of their own Levites (if my Intelligence deceive me not) bearing them company, and countenancing so beastly Profanation. Nor was this done once to vindicate their christian Liberty, as they call Profanation itself, but the whole time of their abode there, they made it their common table on which they usually dined and supped, though Saint Paul calls it despising the Church of Christ, and asks his Corinth●ans, if they had not houses to eat and to drink in 1 Cor. 11. They did the ●fenients of nature, and laid their excrements about the Altar, and in most places of the Church. An abomination which God did provide against bya peculiar prohibition in the Law of Moses; and that, in places not rendered so dreadful, by so peculiar a manner of the presence of God, as in the hallowed Temples of his public worship: God would not permit the Jews to do these offices of nature in the Camp, they must have a place without the Camp, and a Paddle to dig and cover it; you have the Law, and the reason of the Law both together, they must not do so; For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of the Camp, therefore shall thy Camp be holy that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee, Deut 23.12. If God, for these reasons would not endure it in the Camp, how much more doth his soul abhor such beastly uncleanness in his House, and holy Temple? Nay, which is the height of all Impiety, they familarly kept their whores in the Church, and which I tremble to write (Prodigious Monsters as they are) lay with them on the very Altar itself, and did in that place commit such things as are un●●t to be done by christians  
There remain yet two Prosanations more of this Church, not to be passed over in silence. The hrst was committed by Sir Robert Harlow, who breaking into Henry the seventh's Chapel, broke down the Altarstone which stood before that goodly Monument of Henry the seventh; the stone was Touchstone all of one piece, ● Rarity not to be matched that we know of, in any part of the world: there it stood for many years, not for use, but only for Ornament: yet it did not escape the freazy of this man's ignorant zeal, for he broke it into shivers. The second was committed on the 13 of December, 1643. When the Careasle of John Pym (as much as the Lice left of it) was brought into this Church, and after a Scimon preached by Stephen Martial, Arch-Flamine ot the Rebels, and the Church Service Officiated by Lambart Orbaston, one of the prebend's of that Church, it was interied under the Monumental stone of one windsor, buried about 200 years' since in the void space, or passage as you go to Henry the seventh's Chapel, between the Earl of Dovers place of burial, and the Monument of Henry the Third, Founder of that Church: usurped Ensigns of honour displayed over him. 'twas pittic, that he, that in his life had been the Author of so much bloudsned, and those many calamities, under which this Kingdom yet groans, and therefore deserved, not only to have his death with the transgreslours and wicked, but afterward to be buried with the burial of an Ass drawn, and cast forth beyond the Gates of the city, Jer, 22. 19 should after his death make hit Sepulchre amongst the Honourable, and mingle his. Vulgar, Low● ashes, with those of Kings, Princes, and Nobles.  
The sixth lnstance of the Rcbells' Sacrilege and Preph●●e●esse, which I shall present unto the world, is in the Ca●d●all Church of Exeter: which was once a Monastery, Founded by Athelstane the eighth King of England, of the Soxon race, & by him conscerated to Saint Peter. Edward the Confessor, removing all the Monks from hence, and planting them at Westminster, which he had newly founded and endowed, made it the Bishops See for Devon and Cornwall: That Pile which we now see, owes its being to many Founders. william Warlwast, the third Bishop of this See, aftcr it was translated from cridington, or as it is now usally called Kirlon, to Exeter, built the Choir which now is, but was intended by the Founder for the Nave or body of the Church: but Peter Quivill, the 13th. Bishop of this See, laid the foundation of that which is now the body of the Church: but he prevented by death, left the work impersect: John Grandesson therefore, the seventeenth Bishop of this See, thinking the foundation laid by his Predecessor Quivill, to be faultic in Geometrical proportions, the length not being answerable to the height, added two Pillars more to the length of the Nave of the Church; of a distance, proportionable tothose laid before: he closed up the end with a wall of most exquisite work, in which, he built a Little Chapel, and in that Chapel a Monument, wherein himself was entombed. He built likewife, the two side Isles, and covered the whole Fabric with an Arch of exquisite work, and brought it to such perfection, that in splendour and magnisicence, it gives precedency to few Cathedrals of the kingdom: and which is very remarkable, though this Church was first began by King Athelstane, and made many steps before it came to arrive at its perfection, so that there are numbered almost five handred years from the laying the first stone, to the covering of the Roof; yet the wisdom and care of the several Benefactors was so great, that the most curious Surveyor, must confess, that the Symmetry of the parts, and the proportions of the whole, are so exact, as from the Foundation to the Koose, had been the work, not of one age only, but of one, and the same hand: and that the Ornaments of the Church might be answerable to the beauty of the Structure itself, Bishop Grandesson, bestowed upon it Vessels of Gold, and Vessels of Silver, Books, and all other kinds of rich furniture, Copid lmmensd, Immensi pretii: in execeding great measure, of execeding great price. All which, with many other things of necessary use, and Public Ornament, became a prey to the Schismatical Rebels; whose sin was so much the greater, because being neither imaged by Opposition, nor made insolent by conqucst, (Apologies that may possibly be taken up for other Rebels, in other places, as chichester and winchester) but which was a main aggravation of their crime, Citizens within their own wall, in cool blood, not provoked, spoil, and lay waste their Mother-Church: for after this City (now most unworthy of those privileges, and honorary rewards, once purchased by their Loyaltic, now forfeited by ingratitude and rebellion) had once shut up their Gates against their Kings: it was not long before they shut up the Gates 1ike wife of God's house, denying all accusse to devout persons, there to make their Prayers and Supplications: so near bordering upon Rebellon against the King, is Atheism and Contempt of God: for having demanded the Keys of the Cathedral, and taken them into their own custody, they presently interdict divine Service to be celcbrated: so that for the space of three quarters of a year, the Holy L turgy lay totally filenced. Nor was the restrainr upon the Reading Desk only, the Pulpit was made inacceslible to all Orthdex Loyal Minister, and was open only to Factions: Schismatical Preachers, whose Doctrine was Rebellion, and their Exhortation Treason, that so the people might hear nothing but what might som●n● their disloyaltic, and confirm them in their unnatural revolt, from their duty and obedience. Having the Church in their possession, in a most Puritanical beastly manner, they make it a common Jakes for the Exonerations of Nature, sparing no place neither the Altar, nor the Pulpit, though this last finds a better place in their cstimation then the former: yet profaned it was, may, so profaned, that it remains a doubt yet undetermined, ned, which profaned it most in their kinds, either the common Soldiers, or their Lecturers. Over the Communion Table, in fair letters of gold was written the holy & blessed Name of Jesus: this they expunge as Superstitious and execrable. On each side of the Commandments, the Pictures of Moses and Aaron were drawn in full proportion: these they deface, they tear the Books of Common-Prayers to pieces, and as if this had been too final a contempt, and despite done to that form of God's holy worship, they use them, as if they had been a second sacrifice of Curious Arts, and burn them at the Altar with exceeding great Exultation and exprestions of joy. They made the Church their Storehouse, where they kept their Ammunition and Powder, and planted a Court of Guard to attend it, who used the Church, with the same reverence that they would an Alehouse, and defiled it with tippling and taking Tobacco: they broke and defaced all the glass windows of the Church, which cannot be repaired for many hundred pounds: and left all those ancient Monuments, being painted glass, and containing matter of Story only, a miserable spectacle of commiseration to all well-affected hearts that behold them. They struck off the heads of all the Statues on all monuments in the Church, esperally they deface the Bishop's Tombs, leaving one without ahead another without a Nose, one without a hand, and another without an arm. A sad emblem of that Trunk of Baiscopacy, which the accursed Atheists of these times have fancied to themselves, and endeavoured: a poor deformed, mangled, mutilated thing, having neither head of Pretetion, nor face of honour, nor arm, nor hand, nor finger of power and jurisdiction: they pluck down and deface the Statue of an ancient Queen, the wife of Edward the Confessor, the first Founder of this Church, mistaking, it for the Statue of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God; So she was styled by the holy Catholic Church, many ycares before it was in danger to be voted Blasphemy in that Committee where learned Miles Corbet sat in the Chair. They broke down the Organs, and taking two or three hundred Pipes with them, in a most scornful contemptuous manner, went up and down the streets piping with them: and meeting with some of the Choristers of the Church, whose Surplices they had stolen before, and employed them to base servile offices, scostingly told them, Boys, we have ' pouled your trade, you must go and sing hot Pudding Pies. By the absoluteness of their power, they send forth their Warrants to take away the Led off a Conduit and a great Cistern that stood in the midst of the Close, giving plentiful supplies of water to many hundreds of Inhabitants; and by virtue of the same warrant, they give their agents power to take a great quantity of Timber, which was laid up and designed for the repairing of the Church; such Timber as that it will be a very hard matter to procure the like, all Timber not being sit for that use: and with these a great stock of Lead out of the common Storehouse, reserved there for the same purpose; which warrants were accordingly put in execution to the full. They did enter into a Consustation about taking down the Bells, and all the Lead that covered the Church, to convert them into warlike Ammunition, the Bells might be cast into Cannon, the Lead into Bullets, both would serve towards the effecting their Traitorous designs. They took down the Gates of the Close, which the Dean and Chapter bade set up, and kept locked every night for their security: which Gares they employed, to help forward and strengthen their Fortifications: They lay intolerable Taxes on most of the Members of the Church, and whosoever refused to submit to those most unjust illegal Impositions, were threstned to have their houses Plundered, and their persons sent on shipboard; where they must expect usage, as bad as at Argier, or the Galleys. Doctor Burnell, grave Learned man, and Canon of that Church, refusing to submit to their Taxations, they gave command (though he were at that time sick and contived, not only to his Chamber, but to his bed) to take him in the night, and bring him away to Prison, though they brought him in his bed: but upon much importunity, some of the best ●anke of the Citizens being tendered his security, to render himself a true prisoner, for that time they 〈◊〉 him. For the like refusal, they took Doctor Hutchenson, another Canon of the Church, a man of a weak and infirm body, but of a vigorous knowing Soul; and violently carried him towards the Ship, there to imprison him; by the way as they carried him along, he was (not only by the permistion but by the encouragement of those that led him Captive) blasted, and abused, and howted at by the boys, and exposed to the affionts and revile of the base insolent multitude: at twelve of the clock at night they seized on Master 〈◊〉 in his bed, and another Canon of that Church, being, almost fourseore and ten years of age, and for the like refusal, because he would not disburse such sums as they demanded, for the maintenance of this horrid Rebellion, they carry him first to the prison, and from thence to the Ship: In the way to the Prison, they throw dirt in his face, and beat the good old man●o cruelly, that his roaring and outcries were heard, and pitied by all his neighbours: and at last, not able to indu●e (byreason of his extreme old age) the barbarous usage of the Rebels, he was forced to redeem his liberty at eight hundred pounds: and now having dispossessed the owners, the Rebels find new employments for the Canon's houses: some of them they convert into Prisons, and in an Apish imitation, call them by the names of Newgate, Kings-Bench, marshalsea; others they employ, as Hospitals for sick or maimed Soldiers: Some they use as Slaughter-houses and Shambles: and for the Bishop's Palace, they might have called it their Smithfield, for in, and about it, they kept their fat Oxen and sheep, and all their Plundered Provision. These houses, though foully abused, yet do still stand, as to upbraid the Rebel's injustice and oppression; so to give entertainment to their own Masters, or their successors, unless some men, possessed with worse devils then ruled in these children of disobedience, shall to their just damnation alienate them from their Original use: but other houses belonging to the Church, they set on fire, and burn down to the ground: for they burned down the Guild Hall in Saint Sidwels, belonging to the Dean and Chapter, and as many houses more of the ancient Inheritance and Revenues as were worth 100 〈◊〉 per annum, making likewise great havoc and spoil of their Woods and Timber, maliciously intending to disable them from re-edifying what they had most barbarously burnt down.   

Mercurius Rustius, etc. V.  
The Cathedral Church of Peterborough robbed, defaced, and spoiled by Cromwell, and his Schismatical Adherents, etc.  
COuld we sooner have produced a certain and full relation of the observable circumstances, about the ruins and desolations of the sometimes flourishing, though now demolished Cathedral of Peterborough, the same might justly have challenged to have been inserted before this time and place, both in respect of the dignity of the Ancient, Religious, and Royal Founders, the same of the irreligious and unworthy defacers, the admirable vicissisude of its own condition, and reasons of its Fatal doom, having suffered not so much by the fury of the Danes, because a rich Monastery, as by the zeal of Cromwell, because an Episcopal See: and (it his knowledge reached so high) for that it had been so much and often honoured by the Princes of this Nation in several ages.  
When Peada the first Christian King of the Mercians, to propagate the faith of Christ, laid the foundation, but had a sudden period put to his life and pious intentions by his unnatural and wicked mother, Wolpher his brother, albeit at the first averse, yet afterwards a convert to Christianity, (to expiate the murder of his two sons, whom he had cruelly put to death for embracing the Gospel before him) by the help of his brother Ethelred, and his sister's K mburga, and Kinswith, having finished that work in the year of our Lord, 633. consecrated it to the memory of Saint Peter (whence the place ever since hath been styled peterborough, which before was called Medeswelhamsted, or Medeshamsted) and it continued for the space of two hundred and fourteen years, in such glory, that in the judgement of our Learned Antiquary, Monesterium suit longè Celebratissimum, till the Dan●s mastacred the Monks, and destroyed that place of devotion, which was after an 108. years restored to its former state, by Ethelwould Bishop of Winchester, assisted by King Edgar and Adulph his Chancellor, about the years of our Lord, 960. in which it remainded, until covetous Sacrilege began to get the upper hand of well-meaning charity in his reign, who was as fitly, as truly said to have had Ingentes virtutes, ●es minora vitia, though at the undoing of its Kindred, this had least reason to complain, being then advanced to a Bishops See; But this third woe hath so much disfigured that Majesty, which till then this building retained in its forefront, this Cromwell hath so far our-vied in acts of Piety his Precedent, that Cromwell in Henry the eighth's time, this place hath now suffered in so great a manner for its l●yaltic, as that we know not where to enter upon the narration of the same, except at the great West-window (where his Soldiers, made their first breach and entrance) which was adorned with such variety of Ecclesiastical History, as will evidence them to be deformers of that through Reformation in our blessed Queen's time of happy memory, whom notwithstanding they so highly cried up. From thence they presently hurried to the Choir, where as soon as they had broken open the doors, they, according to their trade and custom in other places, tell on tearing in pieces the Books of Divine Service, and Sacred Anthems, yea (which may seem more strange) they were so hot against Preaching or hearing Sermons, that all the se●ts of the Auditors were plucked up, and the Pulpit, the place of the Divine Oracle, and the Booke-seat pulled down, with that blackmouthed cry, Down with that throne of A●tichrist, down with it even to the ground. And when their zeal had driven them to that height of impiety, that some standers by could not behold it without great reluctancy, which moved one of them to request cromwell, that he would please to stay his Soldiers from further defacing and ruining that place, all the satisfaction he could get, was but a provocation to further mischief, replying, That his gods were a pulling down, and when the other answered, That the God he served was beyond the 〈◊〉 of Soldiers, Cromwell told them, That they did G●d good service in that action, as if even in these days were fulfilled that Prophecy of our Saviour, Job. 16.2. The time is coming, whosoever doth the greatest Mischrese will think he serves God. But observe the wages that Divine Justice repaid one of them for their work, which may testify how he accepted of the same; When they had demolished the ●uire, the East-end was the next they aimed at, where one espying in the roof right over the 〈◊〉 Table, our Saviour portrayed, coming in glory with his holy Angels, and at the sour corners four Evangelists (none of which they will endure, as knowing how opposite they are unto them) he charged his Musket to shatter them down, but by the rebound of his own shot was struck blind; If he did his God good thereby, he did himself and ill turn, his wickedness falling on his own pate; He lay a long while in a woeful condition, and never recovered his former sight: His life by God's mercy was reprieved, that he might repent, but he was surely scourged, that he might take notice there is punishment for Sacrilege, and bear witness of that truth unto his fellows, although he found more favour than Calisthenes, who attempting to burn the Temples, by setting fire on the Gates, was for that act himself burned; or Alcimus, who whilst he was pulling the house of God down, was struck with a Palsy, and died in torment. Some would have thought, that, that remarkable judgement overtaking him so on the sudden sustlaminated their running on, and that striking of him blind, should have opened their eyes. But let favour be showed to the wicked, yet they will not learn righteousness in the land of uprightness, they will deal unjustly, and will not behold the Majesty of the Lord; but Lord, when thy hand is lifted up they will not see, as thou foretoldest by thy Prophet, Esay 26. 10, 11, 13. it should come to pail, Whenother Lords besides thee have dominion over us; They were not at all deterred, neither left any ways un-attempted to get down that roof which Ladders failed, they cut the Bell-ropes (which if rightly applied, might have cured their Itch) to eke out their tackling, till they reached it with their Pole-axes, and broke down the carved works, Psal. 7. 4. Afterwards, espying the rare Structure of stone-workes over the Altar, admired by all travellers for the excellent artifices, which was no ways guilty of superstitious workmanship, they made all of it rubbish, breaking up also the Rails of which they compiled bonfires, tumbling the Communion Table over and over, they were also, so offended with all memorials of the dead, (knowing themselves in the number of those whose memories at the best shall perish, as if they had never been) that not one Monument in the Church escaped undefaced, no not of the Pious Benefactors (whose accusation was sufficient, they had done good to the Church) nor those two fair Tombs of Ka herine Queen Dowager of Spain, the Repudiate of King H. 8. and Mary, albeit Qwen of Scots. It was great a crime to have been Queens, the marble walls, and guards of irons wherewith they were surrounded and encircled, could not preserve them in ●epose from all their miseries, but they would add this one unto the rest, to lay the Emblems of their honours in the dust, pulling away the Hearle of black Velvet, and carring away whatsoever was vendible: When their unhallowed toilings had made them out of wind, they took breath afresh on two pair of Organs, piping with the very same about the market place lascivious Jigs, whilst their Comrades danced after them, some in the Copes, others with the Surplices, and down they broke the bellows to blow the coals of their further mischief, and left any should ring auke for the fire they had made, they left the Bells speechless, taking out their clappers, which they sold with the Brass they flaied from the graven Stones, and the Tin and Iron from other parts of the Church and Chappells belonging thereto, which were many, and richly adorned, but the daughters sared no better than their Mother; there was not suffered any window to remain unshattered, or remarkable place in them unruined, their intent being to leave those consecrated walls as a room fitted for vermin to nestle in, or which was worse for Cap. Ashwell to exercise his Soldiers in, where while he was in Town he made his Rendezvous, and when they went away, set fire on some part of the wood-work, to have burnt the remainder down, if it had not timely been discovered; neither did the Cloisters attending, scape better than those they were made to wait upon, though these, both in their roof and glazing, might be compared with the chiefest Cathedrals, the first square being beautified with the History of the Old Testament, the second of the New, the third showed the whole relation of those by whom the Church was builded, the fourth presented us with all the Effigies of our Kings since william the Conqueror: But it seems, those unreasonable and wicked men care for Scripture, and Princes, and Pious Monuments all alike, their wide throats were as open Sepulchers, their Sacrilegious appetites (being yet unsatisfied with devouring) must needs swallow up the Lands appertaining to that Church; to which, that they might pretend the juster title, they broke open the Charter-house, Plundered away the great Charter, all the Evidences, Leases, and other Writings belonging thereunto, manifesting their parties desires to have all Estates of others to come, and be at their Arbitrary disposals, and they unto whom in right they are due, to lie as these places and persons at this day, mourning in sackcloth and ashes.    

TO THE READER.  
ENgland lately gloried in being Mistress of 28 famous Cathedral Churches, beautified with such magnificent Structure, that no Nation in Europe could equalise them; and of these, the Impiety and Irreligion of the Schismatical Reformers of these times, hath hardly left any one undefaced, though for the present the exact relation of the particulars are not come to our hands. God in his good time will, we doubt not, pour down his judgements upon the Actors of these horrid Profanations.   


A Catalogue of the cathedrals in ENGLAND and WALES.  
1 Canterbury.  
2 Rochster.  
3 London.  
4 Lincoln.  
5 Chichester.  
6 Winchester.  
7 Salusbury.  
8 Exeter.  
9 Bath.  
10 Wells.  
11 Gloucester.  
12 Worcester.  
13 Lichfield.  
14 Coventry.  
15 Hereford.  
16 Ely.  
17 Norwich.  
18 Oxford.  
19 Peterborough.  
20 Bristol.  
21 Landaffe.  
22 S. david's.  
23 Bangor.  
24 S. Asaph.   

York province  
25 York.  
26 Chester.  
27 Carlisle.  
28 Durham.   

Besides,  
1 Rippon.  
2 Southwell. And,  
3 Westm. Abbey,    

A General Bill of Mortality, of the Clergy of London, which have been defunct by reason of the Contagious breath of the Sectaries of that City, from the year 1641. to this present year 1647. with the several Casualties of the same. London  
OR, A brief martyrology and Catalogue of the Learned, Grave, Religious and painful Ministers of the City of London, who have been Imprisoned, Plundered, barbarously used, and deprived of all livelihood for themselves and their Families in these last years: For their constancy in the Protestant Religion establish● in this Kingdom, and their Loyalty to their Sovereign.  
The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul's, the Dean, Residen●●an●ies, and other members of that Church, Sequestered, Plundered, and turned out.— 

Alban Wood-street. D. Wat's Sequestered, Plundered, his wife and children turned out of doors, himself forced to fly.  
All-hallows Barking. D Lafield Pursivanted, Imprisoned in Ely house, and the Ships Sequestered, and Plundered, afterwards forced to fly.  
All-hallows Bread-street.  
All-hallows Great.  
All-hallows Hony-lane.  
All-hallows Less.  
All-hallows. Lumbard-street. M●●eston Sequestered.  
All-hallows Staining.  
All-hallows the Wall.  
Alphase. D. Hail shamefully abused, his Cap pulled off, to see if he were not a shaved Priest, voted out, and 
Dead with grief.   
Andrew Hubbard. D. Chambers Sequestered.  
Andrew Undershaft 1. M Mason through vexation forced to resign. 2. M. Prichard after that Sequestered.  
Andrew Wardrobe. D. 〈◊〉 Sequestered.  
Anne Aldersgate. D. Clewet Sequestered.  
Anne Blackfriars.  
Antholins' Parish.  
Augustine's Parish, M. V●al Sequestered, his bedrid wife turned out of doors, and left in the streets.  
Bartholomew Exchange D. Grant Sequestered.  
Bennet Fynck. M. Warfield Sequestered.  
Bennet Grace-Church. M. Quel●b Sequestered.  
Bennet Paul's wharse. M. Adam's Sequestered.  
Bennet Sheerhog. M. Morgan 
Dead with grief .  
Bo●●lph Billingsgate. M. King Sequestered and forced to fly.  
Christ-Church. turned out, and 
Dead   
Christopher's. M. Hanslowe soreed to resign.  
Clement East-cheap. M. stone shamefully abused, Sequested, sent Prisoner to Plymouth, and Plundered.  
Dionys Back-Church. M. Hams Sequestered and abused.  
Dunstan's East. D. Childerley reviled, abused, and 
Dead .  
edmond's Lumbard-street. M. Paget molested, silenced, and 
Dead .  
Ethelborough. M. Clark Sequestered, Imprisoned.  
Faiths. D. Browne Sequestered and 
Dead .  
foster's. M. Ba●●y Sequestered, Plundered, forced to fly, and 
Dead .  
Gabriel Fenchurch. M. Cook Sequestered.  
George Botolphlane. D. Styles forced to resign.  
Gregory's by S. Paul's. D. Styles forced to resign.  
Helen's. M. Miller turned out.. 
Dead   
James Duke's place. M. Sequestered.  
James Garlick-hithe. 1. M. Preeman Plundered, and Sequestered. 2. M. Anthony his Curate turned out.  
John Baptist M. Walmesley Sequestered.  
John Evangelist.  
John Zachary. M. Eldlyn Sequestered, Forced to fly, and Plundered.  
Katherine Coleman. 1. D. Hill forced to resign. 2. M. Kibbuts Sequestered.  
Katherine Cree-Church. M. Rush turned out.  
Laurence Jury. M. Crane Sequestered.  
Laurence Pountney.  
Leonard East-●neap. M. Calse forced to give up to M. Roborow, Scribe to the Assembly.  

Dead for want of necessaries.  Leonard Foster-lane. M. ward forced to fly, Plundered, Sequestered, and  
Magaret Lothbury. M. Tabor Plundered, Imprisoned in the Kings-Bench, his wife and children turned out of doors at midnight, and he Sequestered.  
Magaret Moses.  
Magaret New-Fish-street. M. Pory forced to fly, Plundered and Sequestered.  
Margaret Pattons. M. Megs Plundered, Imprisoned in Ely house, and Sequestered.  
Marry Abchurch. M. Stone Plundered, sent Prisoner by Sea to Plymouth, and Sequestered.  
Marry Aldermanburic.  
Marry Aldermary. M. Browne forced to forsake it.  
Marry Le-bow. M. Leech Sequestered, and 
Dead with grief .  
Marry, Bothaw. M. Proctor forced to fly, and Sequestered.  
Marry Colechurch.  
Marry Hill. 1. D. Baker Sequestered, Pursivanted, and Imprisoned. 2. M. Woodcock turned out, and forced to fly.  
Marry Mounthaw. M. Thrall Sequestered, and shamefully abused.  
Marry Somerset. M. cook Sequestered.  
Mary Staining.  
Marry Wool-Church. M. Tireman forced to forsake it.  
Marry Woolnoth. M. Shute molested, and next to death, and denied a Funeral Sermon to be preached by D. Holdsworth, as he desired.. 
Dead   
Martin's Iron-monger-lane. M. Spark Sequestered and Plundered.  
Martin's Ludgate. D. ●ermin Sequestered.  
Martin's Ogars. D. Walton Assaulted, Sequestered, Plundered, forced to fly.  
M. Moss his Curate turned out.  
Martin's Outwich. D. Pierce Sequestered, and 
Dead   
Martin's Vintry. D. Rives Sequestered, Plundered, and forced to fly.  
Matthew Fryday-street. M. Chestlen violently assaulted in his house, Imprisoned in the Computer, thence sent to Colchester Gaol in Essex, Sequestered and Plundered.  
Moudlins' Milk-street. M. Jones Sequestered  
Maudlin's Old-fish-street. D. Griffith Sequestered, Plundered, Imprisoned in Newgate, when being let out, he was forced to fly.  
Michael Ba●h●shaw. D. Gifford Sequestered.  
Michael Cornhill. 1. D. Brough Sequestered, Plundered, wife and children turned out of doors, His wife 
Dead with grief . 2. M. wild his Curate assaulted, beaten in the Church, and turned out.  
Michael Crooked-lane.  
Michael Queen hithe. M. Hill Sequestered.  
Michael Querne. M. Lawns Sequestered.  
Michael Royal. M. Proctor Sequestered, and forced to fly.  
Michael Wood-street.  
Mildred Bread-street. M. Bradshaw Sequestered  
Mildred Poultry. M. Moden Sequestered, and gone beyond sea.  
Nicholas Acons. M Bennet sequestered.  
Nicholas Coleaby. M. Chibbald Sequestered.  
Nicholas Olaves. D. Cheshire molested, and forced to resign.  
Olaves' Hartstreet. M. Haines Sequestered.  
Olaves Jewry. ●. Tuke Sequestered, plundered, and Imprisoned.  
Olaves Silver-street. D. Bo●sye abused, and 
Dead with grief .  
〈◊〉 S●perlane M. E●cop Sequestered, Plundered, forced to fly, wife and children turned out of doors.  
Peter's Cheap. M. Vochier Sequestered, and 
Dead with grief .  
Peter's Cornhill. D. Fairfax Sequestered, Plundered, Imprisoned in Ely house, and the ships, his wife and children turned out of doors.  
Peter's Pauls-wharse. M. Marbury Sequestered.  
Peter's Poor. D. Holswerth Sequestered, Plundered, Imprisoned in Ely house, then in the Tower.  
Stephen's Colemanstreet.  
Stephen's Walbrooke. D. Howel through vexation forced to forsake it, Sequestered of all, and fled.  
Divers since turned out.  
Swithins. M. Owen Sequestered.  
Thomas Apostle. M. Cooper Sequestered, Plunred, sent Prisoner to Leads Castle in Kent.  
Trinity Parish. M. Harrison.. 
Dead with grief. Dead. 16     
In the 97 Parishes within the walls, besides S. Paul's, outed 85.  

Parishes without the Walls.  
Andrew Holborn. D. Hacket Sequestered.  
Bartholomew, Grear. D. Westfield abused in the streets, Sequestered, forced to fly, and 
Dead .  
Bartholomew Less.  
Bride● Parish. M. Pa●●er Sequestered.  
Bridewell Precinct. M. Browne turned out.  
Botolph Aldersgate. M. Booth sequestered.  
Botolph Asgate. M. Swadlin sequestered, plandred, imprisoned at Gresham College, and Newgate, his wife and children turned out of doors.  
Botolph Bishopsgate. M. Rogers Sequestered.  
Dunstan's West. D. Marsh Sequestered, and 
Dead in remote parts ..  
George Southwark. M. Sequestered.  
Giles Cripplegate. 1. D. Fuller Sequestered, Plundered, Imprisoned at Ely house. 2. M. Hutton his Curate, assaulted in the Church, and Imprisoned.  
Olaves Southwark. D. Turner Sequestered, Plundered, fetch● up Prisoner with a Troop of Soldiers, and after forced to fly.  
Saviour's Southwark.  
Sepul hres Parish. M. Pigot the Lecturer turned out.  
The Temple-church. D. Littleton forced to fly, and Sequestered.  
Thomas Southwark. M. Spencer Sequestered and Imprisoned.  
Trinity Minori●s.   
In the 16 Parishes without the walls, outed 14. 
Dead, 2 .  

In the 10 Out-Parishes.  
Clement Danes. D. Dukeson Sequestered, Plundered, forced to fly.  
Covent-Garden. M Hall Sequestered, and forced to fly.  
Giles in the Fields. D. Heywood Sequestered, Imprisoned in the Compter, Ely house, and the Ships, forced to fly, his wife and children turned out of doors.  
James Clarkenwell.  
Katherine Tower.  
Leonard Shoreditch. M. Squire Sequestered, lmprisoned in Gresham College, Newgate, and the King's Bench, his wife and children Plundered, and turned out of doors.  
Martin's in the Fields. D. ●ray Scquestied, Imprisoned, Plundered, forced to fly, and 
Dead in remote paris   
Mary White-chappel. D. Johnson Sequestered.  
Mazdalen Bermondley. D. Pa●ke Sequestered.  
Savoy. 1. D. Balcanquel Setquestred, Plundered, forced to fly, and 
Dead in remote parts . 2. M. Fuller forced to fly.   
In the 10 Out-Parishes, cuted 9 
Dead 2 .  

In the adjacent Towns.  
The Dean and all the prebend's, of the Abby-Church Westminster, (but only ●ambart O●banston) Sequestered.  
Magarets' Westminster. D. ●imberly Sequestered.  
Limb●th. D. Featley Sequestered, Plundered, Imprisoned, and 
Dead ● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .  
Newington. M. Heatb Sequestered.  
Hackney. M. Moor Sequestered.  
Reddrisse.  
Islington. Divers Ministers turned out.  
Stepney. D. Stamp Sequestered, Plundered, and forced to fly.   
In the adjacent Towns, besides these of the Abby-Church, and islington, outed 7. 
Dead● .  

The total of the Ministers of London within the Bills of Mortality, (besides Paul's and Westminster) turned out of their Livings by Sequestration and otherwise, 115.  
Whereof Doctors in Divinity, above And the most of them Plundered of their Goods, and their wives and children turned out of doors. 40.  
Imprisoned in London, and the Ships, and in several Gaoles and Castles in the Country. 20.  
Fled to prevent Imprisonment. 25.  
Dead in remote parts, and in Prison, and with grief. 22.  
About 40 Churches now void, having no constant Minster in them.   
Vsque quo Domine?  Rev 6. 10.  
2 Chron. 13. 9 Have ye not cast out the Priests of the Lord, the sons of A●aron, and the Levites, and have made you Priests after the manner of the Nations of other Lands? So that whosoever cometh to Consecrate himself with a young Bullock and seven Rams, the same may be a Priest of no gods. 2 Chron. 36. 16. But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his Words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord rose against his people, till there was no remedy. Luk. 6. 22, 23. Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, (〈◊〉 〈◊〉. shall Sequester you) and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil (〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as Malignant) for the Son of Man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in Heaven, for according to these things did their Fathers to the Prophets. Phil. 1. 28, 29. In nothing be ye terrified by your Adversaries; which to them is an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you the grace is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake. 2 Tim, 4. 3. For the time will be, when they will not endure whole some Doctrine; but louving itching ears, shall. be ape to themselves Teachers according to their own private lusts. I Pet. 4.16, 17.18. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this behalf. For the time is come, that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the just man be saved with difficultte, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 
The end.