British LIGHTNING OR Sudden tumults, in England, Scotland and Ireland; to warn the united Provinces to understand the dangers, and the causes thereof: to defend those amongst us, from being partakers of their plagues.  
Cujus aures clausae sunt veritati, ut ab amico verum audire nequeat, hujus salus desperanda est.  
The safety of that man, is hopeless, we, may fear,  
That stopps his ears against his friend, and will the truth not hear.  
Mors est servitute potior.  
Grim-death's fierce pangs, are rather to be sought;  
Than that we should to Babels-yoke, be brought.  
Written first in lowe-dutch by G. L. V and translated for the benefit of Britain.  
Printed in the year 1643.   

The Translator to all his loving Countrymen.  
EXperience teacheth that, a skilful physician standing by, beholding a patiented, and ask him of his pains and order of his body; findeth the nature of the disease sooner than the party himself that groaneth under the burden of it. The same we find often times in cases Ecclesiastical and Political: we can sooner see an others blemish than our own imperfections. The reason is, because mankind is generally negligent in self-examination. I must ingenuously confess, I can not say so, of the author of this dialogue; the very cause of his publishing it witnesseth the contrary; and proveth him (what soever he be by calling) a feeling member of his own body, and a good friend to his neighbours. For though I have seen many excellent remonstrances, resolutions of questions &c published by the High court of Parliament in England (whom I take to be (under God) the Physician of the land) and their well-willers, which have most exactly laid out the sickness of their body, with the causes and cure, which must have the pre-eminence: yet so soon as I first began to read this (considering that it is the work of a stranger, and composed in a method and style most pleasing to some capacities) I thought it might help to the information of my poor Countrymen in the estate, of their body politic that knowing their disease, they might (being humbled for their sin which is the cause) fly unto him for cure, who changeth the times and seasons, shaketh the mountains, and maketh the earth to tremble, and the great ones to hid themselves when he is angry; who maketh the wars to cease, and sendeth peace into the habitation of the righteous. If in the publishing hereof I shall do my Country any profitable service, I shallbe bound to give God thanks for his mercy; and the acceptation of it shallbe my reward. In the mean time whither this profit or no, my prayers shallbe incessantly to the Lord, that England may not be a seat of war; but that therein may flourish the Gospel of peace, which bringeth down the lofty spirits of men making the wolf to dwell with the lamb, & the leopard to lie down with the kid, and the calse, and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child; to lead them, etc. Isa. 11, 6. yea causeth them to beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, Isa. 2. 4. &c: and that he who is the King of Kings, & Lord of Lords, by whom King's reign & Princes 
Rev. 19, 16 Pro. 8, 15 Pro. 24, 1  decree Justice, (who hath their hearts in his hand turning them as the rivers of water which way soever it pleaseth him,) would be pleased to make the King a nursing father, and the Queen a nursing mother unto 
Isa. 49, 23.  his Israel.  
Holland this 20 of the first month according to our new computation. 1643.   

The AUTHOR To the READER.  
MY Lords, and you the honest Inhabitants of the united Provinces. That star with a tail seen in the year 1618. was a warning and type of a rod that should come over all Christendom: whereupon followed those bloody effects, those horrible wars, lamentable wastings, barbarous destructions of countries and cities, the ruin of so many costly buildings, of so many gentle men, so many inhabitants men and women, young and old in Germany. And o that we could yet see the end, the bottom of the cup of indignation! but the rod flourisheth still, the destroyer is yet busy: the hand of God is stretched out still, there is yet too much chaff to hang away the fan, the silver is yet too unclean, to blow out the refyneing fire. The inhabitants and those that are fled from Germany must (by the weight of their miseries and plagues) be brought to a better mind, to farther reformation, to a greater feeling of, and sorrow for their past and present sins, before there can be any hope that the rod of God's wrath (wherewith they are now oppressed) shall be cast into the fire.  
That earthquake not long since felt in the year 1640. was a token of great commotions, and mighty shake of the Kingdoms of the earth: for a little before and shortly thereupon was concluded the revolt of Cathalonia, the falling-off of Portugal, the stirs in Scotland; the rebellion of the Ireish, those civil (uncivil) wars, great alterations, unexpected tumults in England: amongst which none more near, none more fearful and dangerous to us, than the rebellion of Ireland, which had its original and rise in England, from the great ones, from the Papists, from the enemies of our religion and state, seconded by our deadly enemy the King of Spain, plotted by the Jesuits, executed by the barbarous Ireish, who are already grown such profitiens in the school of those murdering jesuits, that they (according to their disposition and counsel) strive for the prize, who can invent the cruelest manner of torments for the Protestants, cutting of their privie-members, ears, fingers, hands, boareing out their eyes, stripping some wives naked and that in the presence of their husbands, and bruitishly abuseing others, ripping infants out of their mother's womb, and presently dashing them against the stones, exerciseing many other cruelties (which are published and dispersed fare and near in print to the amazement of all men) upon our fellow-members that are of the same covenant and faith with us. Do not then these miseries touch us which are executed on our body? and that so near; yea, the civil wars in England are yet more dangerous for us: where the friends, members, citizens, inhabitants, subjects, of one Kingdom, professors of one faith, Manasse and Ephraim, strive one against an other. They there are our confederates, brothers, friends, ancient assistants, nearest neighbours. There wrestleth the King against his subjects, the head against the members, the master against his servants; There the defender is become a Spoiller, the Shepherd a destroyer, Eden an Adamah, Cunaan a wilderness. There a long-lasting misse-used peace, is changed into an unexpected wasting war. There may we now see worn in the place of plush, velvet, silks, sattines, costly apparel, chains of gold and pearl, harnasse, swords, bandaleers, muskets. There may we bear now in stead of Luxurious wantonness, danceing, masking, viols, flutes, harps: ratlings of drums, sound of trumpets, neighing of horses, the sound of an alarm, groans of the wounded, and the rumour of the approaching furious cavaliers. There all merchandising and trading standeth still. There is expense without gain; there consume they that treasure in trouble and distress, which they were so long in gathering; cities and houses are pillaged, the country ruinated and wasted. They were foretell of this misery, but none would receive, none believe it: Now feel they the evil day, which they had put so fare from them; now they feel what they have brought upon themselves through their unbelief; now those things press them which for want of feeling they cast into the air. These things we see afar of, we hear this, but with little observation, to provoke us to behold ourselves in them: that so we may avoid those rocks, whereon they have suffered shipwreck. Their haughtiness and ambition went before their fall, the pride in apparel, and diet, the state (that sucked the money) had taken the upperhand: and now the King's high way-Robbers. Scrabble, spoil, steal, waist, destroy, burn, the treasures and riches of England. Shall not we then amend these things? and put away these sins which are grown to such an height among us, that so they may not bring the like miseries upon us? wantonness, danceing, drinking, swilling, masking, stage playing, fornication, adultery, hate, envy, have borne such sway, that it was accounted the highest crime to speak or write against them: and those that have so offended have been (without mercy) openly brought upon the schaffold, burn-markt, their ears cut off, and they cast into perpetual imprisonnent. How fare these have broken in upon us experience teacheth us but too too well. o that (as traitors to our state) they were banished out of all places and hearts; that by them our peace and happiness be not banished from us. That bad government in church and common wealth, brought in by unfit, unexperienced, audacious, ambitious, revengeful persons, hath made the land reel like a drunken man, who have wrung wrested, moulded the laws, privileges, liberties, rights to their own ends and passions: who dispossess, affront, terrify and compel the most ancient, grave, honest, fit, faithful, expert, courageous governors to choose their party, or else to forsake their places, and live in highest indignation. To what height this also is grown amongst us, and daily more and more increaseth, the stones cry; that confusion teacheth which gins to be acknowledged by all men that with clear eyes do mark the discords in religion, and suppressions of those privileges which they have with lives and goods so long maintained, which must be remedied, or else they will bring forth our most certain ruin. That I idolatry heartening of papistry, foisting in of papistical superstitions, freedom of Jesuits, and other holy (unholy) orders that with out fear spread themselves over the whole Kingdom to the misleading of many thousand souls, advancing of the popelike Hierarchy, suppressing of the truth, and true professors of the same, and that with such countenance, that the King himself was become their patron and Spokesman, when at any time (according to the laws of the land) they were justly condemned to any punishment: whereas the honest, godly, prudent, politic preachers could not have any beam of favour from his Majesty, when they were by the Bishops unjustly condemned to open shame and punishment (worse than death) for well doing, for withstanding the sins of the land, and overflowing of papistry. At this Cod himself was grieved and waxed jealous for his truth, and faithful servants, and would not suffer the Sceptre of the wicked to rest always on the lot of the righteous, lest they should put forth their hand to wickedness: but hath taken the refyneing pot into his hand, and put the fire of dissension under it, which hath already discovered many for dross. These grievances, this flood of Idolatry, this freedom of popish exercises, Saying of mass, bonfires on holy-days, processions, toleration of all sorts of friars and nuns, to the misleading of the inhabitants, weakening of our state, encouraging of our neighbouring enemy, was (not many years since) so increased, that the wound was judged incurable, the poison too much, and their power too great to be daunted, destroyed or hindered by sharp proclamations, strong resolutions, or power of officers. Shall not this then needs make the least danger that shall befall us remedielesse, by reason of the enemies within which desire our ruin no less than those that are without, who will be ready (according to the example of the papists in England and Ireland) whensoever they shall have a fair advantage to contribute thereunto? Shall not this then awaken us before it is too late, and the time shall not permit, to drive out these Canaanites, and take away these high places? otherwise they shall take away both us and our religion. This is the case of England, and these be the causes thereof. The same humour is amongst us; and shall not the same disease follow thereupon? we are like them in sin, and shall we not be made like in punishment? If we persuade ourselves otherwise, we deceive ourselves: we are the next to be cured by the like medicine, that would not hearken to those lively admonitions and warnings exhorting us to repentance. Every one prepare himself for a storm, to undergo the plague that comes driving on. In the mean time let us have compassion on our brethren in England and Ireland; let us pray for them, that the great ones may help to reconcile the King and Parliament, to remove the differences, that their ruin become not ours: which will surely come to pass, if those that are on the King's side together with him get the upper hand. Then shall they root out the Parliament, altar the government, suppress religion, proceed in their begun revenge against the subjects, restore the Bishops, who as instigated persons shall rage's more than ever, to bring their miss carriage to a perfect issue; striving to make of force their Popish Canons, and again to lord it over the consciences of the Inhabitants. The Papists, as being now the King's trustyest assistants, shall then be his best beloved children: then shall the best Christians be under the yoke. And when England, and Scotland (which shall not go free) shall be subdued, and made slaves; then shall they enter their action against us; the pretence of the North Sea shall be revived: restitution must be made for that imagined damage they have suffered in the East-Indies, and here at home; and transfer their plagues upon us. What can we else expect from the King's Counsellors, who (now these many years) have been friends to Spain and enemies to our State, who shall not become better, but worse by this war. But if the Parliament get the upper hand, then shall the King be preserved (being delivered from the slavery of his servants) and remain as free and absolute a King as ever, if he will but advance the good. Religion shall be maintained, the Inhabitants defended, and brought into their former rest, the laws and privileges established, reformation in Church and common wealth shall powerfully proceed, to the adorning of the State. Our common weal shall be by that means secured, and the malignants restrained. Let no man then contribute to the suppressing of the Parliament; especially let not us Netherlanders, for the foundation of their war and ours is all one: they have maintained us therein with their goods, and bloods, we must not help to suppress them; else God shall suppress us, the inhabitants would protest against us before God and the world, and God would see, and search it. Let us not employ those soldiers, which are in our service, to help the papists there, to suppress both them and us. Let us not transport the arms of the land, and leave ourselves naked: for that is our Capital. Let no Inhabitant (to satisfy his covetousness) further, or assist them: for shall we not then put a knife into their hands, to cut our own throats? But be well informed concerning the drift of the King and Parliament▪ and then you shall quickly see whose side you must take: that you shall find in this British Lightning which showeth the unexpected and sudden tumults of the Kingdoms with the causes thereof. Read with consideration, and judge right.   

The British Lightning, or sudden tumults in England, Scotland and Ireland: for a warning to the United Provinces.  
Englishman.  
Netherlander.  N. 
WElcome Sir: when came you from England?  E. 
I came thence but just now, as you see: I have my travelling clothes yet on.  N. 
I am glad I have met you here, I have a long time expected your coming, that I might once hear how all things go.  E. 
How should it go? bad enough: there is no Kingdom more miserable than ours; it stands all in confusion.  N. 
How can that be? for it is but a little while since that all your Kingdoms were alone at peace, when the whole world was at wars I have also heard that you have had the negotiation of all kingdoms & states in your havens, whereby every one among you became rich and wealthy.  E. 
IT is so; we sat (as it were) in Abraham's bosom, dwelling among our own people, had good things under our fig tree; we eaten the fat, we drank the sweet, knew of no evil: yea, we feared no mischance, not knowing from whence it should come upon us, seeing that we dwell in Lands that have the sea, the sand, the rocks, our ships, & Sailors, for our defence; whereby we became a careless people.  N. 
I have also always heard the same, therefore I wondered so much when you told me that your kingdom was the most miserable of all kingdoms, when notwithstanding all Kingdoms in Germany, France, and elsewhere, are in exceeding bloody wars, to the ruin of many thousand souls.  E. 
You are in the right, that Christendom is in a lamentable condition, where the blood of men is spilt like water, so that many country's cities and towns are wasted, , and destroyed: yet their war is not to be compared with this of ours.  N. 
How! have you wars? from whence is it come upon you? you are (always provided) in peace with all Kingdoms: I have heard of no breach, and how can any man come with soldiers into your land, seeing you are so mighty within, both in men and ships? This is very strange news to me.  E. 
Well! but how can that be, that you have not heard of our wars, when the flame thereof is gone up into heaven, and the sound thereof to all parts of the earth? have you no better intelligence? yes, we are at wars, but not against our enemies without, but within; it is a civil war that scourgeth us which is the most miserable, for it is near us, the one Kingdom against the other, the father against the son, one citizen against the other.  N. 
What do I hear! mine heart trembleth. Are you come into our place where we were once, when here in our land the one city stood up against the other, the one province against the other, each using soldiers and guards against the other: so that our land, our church, our liberty hung on a silken thread; yea, we should have consumed one an other, had not God's blessing and the wise and courageous counsel of Prince Maurice prevented it. Oh! I bemoan with weeping eyes those that are in such a condition.  E. 
Yea, our flourishing Kingdom is now in the highest disunion; it is Ephraim against Manasseh, & Manasseh against Ephraim, we hear of nothing but wars and rumours of wars. All trading traffic and prosperity stands still, Citizens are turned soldiers; in all places you may see the houses provided with arms, every one standing (as it were) sentinel, not knowing from whence they should expect their enemies, for the one brother, the one Citizen, doth not trust the other.  N. 
But how friend! Come you with such tidings? my heart bleeds to hear it: who should ever have thought it? how speedily can the Lord GOD raise an adder out of our own bosoms, that shall eat us up. Why do men than gape after present friends, strength, river's alliance, mighty people? for men may have all these, and yet notwithstanding fall into the greatest calamities.  E. 
You say well; for but three years ago there was not the least appearance of any unquietness. When the servants of God forewarned us of the plagues that hung over our heads; every one asked, from whence they should come. Such preachers as spoke of heavy tidings, of great punishments that should come upon the Kingdom, were accounted for railers, loggerheads, melancholy persons, puritans, whose words the land was not able to bear.  N. 
Oh friend! it goes just so also amongst us. When our teachers warn us and foretell us (as they many times do) that our quietness shall be turned into unquietness, our mirth into sadness, our riches into poverty, our blessing into a curse, that there are heavy plagues hanging over our heads, that we shall not escape the tempest of God's wrath, but (as is to be feared) we (not taking example by the punishments of others) shall drink out the dregs of the cup of God's indignation: then they make a jest of it, no man believes it & accounts it an impossible thing as long as we have so many valiant soldiers both by sea & land, stand in such alliance, & have such a General. But as you told us concerning England, so may they well lay it to heart, for it was a great deal more unlikely to come on you, than upon us: but tell me (I pray) how came you into this war? how began it first? who, and what were the causes thereof?  E. 
That can not so Suddenly be related, but if you please to accompany me to my lodging, where I may shift and refresh myself a little, I shall willingly spend an hour with you; for I perceive you have compassion on our estate, & therefore I will presently lay open all things unto you, that so you may the more heartily pray unto God for us, & (if need so require) afford us all the assistance you can, & also stir up others to do the like.  N. 
I will very willingly go along with you, & give you the welcome: for I love the English nation with mine heart, & would be angry with all such Netherlanders as should not take compassion on the heaviness of England, that had so great compassion on us when we were wrestling against the tyranny of Spain, when they came to help us, both with their goods and bloods & were the principal instruments of our freedom. No true hearted Netherlander shall forget that favour, but by all means seek to requite it. Seeing then that we are come to a good fire, I pray you relate unto me in order, what are the occasions of all these stirs in England, & also who be the causes thereof?  E. 
The causes thereof are divers, the Jesuitical papists, the Bishops, those politic flatterers that are about the King at Court, & other malignant persons besides, who have each his particular end; yet all tending to the falsifying of religion, changing of government, suppressing of the subjects, and ruin of church and commonwealth.  N. 
You tell me strange things! how could all these persons wove one web, seeming so contrary one to another, as light and darkness, heat and cold; the Jesuits and bishops are always so fare different one from an other, as truth and falsehood, Christ and Antichrist; the one being supporters of the pope's kingdom, the other heads of the reformed Religion; they serve divers masters, are of a divers Kingdom, yea religion; the one seeketh always to build up what the other seeketh to pull down. How can these two walk together, when they are not a greed?  E. 
We thought so too, that the Papists and our Bishops were so fare from one another, as the east is from the west, and that they were deadly enemies the one to the other, because in former times many of the Bishops have resisted the Romish kingdom, even unto blood, yea many of them have been martyred by the papists, beheaded, burnt; and in all places in the pure religion persecuted unto death. But we have in our times of peace and wealth all too well observed, that our Bishops have forgotten and slighted their office, their promises before God and the congregation, the example of their predecessors, and in stead of leaders are become misleaders, of defenders of the pure worship of God falsifyers and corrupters of the doctrine of salvation, and extinguishers thereof.  N. 
You relate unto me such things as I should never have believed. What! I have sometime heard (as I think) propounded by our best politicians, that it were good that we had also Bishops in our land, or at least supper intendants, that then all things would be better carried in the church for the preservation of order, to breed reverence; whereas now every one being master alike great confusion by that means is bred in the church, trouble and an heavy burden upon the government, for when any man will now prosecute a matter in the church before church men▪ he is so retroubled, than it were no more but speaking to the head, and he should give order to the rest; hereby also those Synods which cost the land so much should be cut off, which seemed to me not so unreasonable a proposition: but if the Bishops or Superintendants should make such work as you tell me, the Lord deliver us from them.  E. 
O friend! call you them good? yea, your best politicians that are with child of such a pernicious conceit; that were the right highway to turn all things upsidedown amongst you, to disturb the peace both of Church and common weal, and to put to hazard the purity of religion, which by God's special blessing is established amongst you in spite of so many enemies and wicked opposers, and crowned with many blessings from heaven; for that your free order and Church government agreeable to God's word, not without reason so highly commended among us, is the hedge whereby the truly reformed religion must be preserved and maintained; which our brethren the Scots well knowing have judged that they could not answer it before God and their posterity if they should suffer their old church-government and order (which as I am informed differeth not much from that of yours) to be changed, and will rather lose their lives and goods in God's cause than suffer the purity of religion which is the foundation of all prosperity both in church and common weal to be given over as a prey to the enemies, and suffer a company of half papish Bishops to domineer over their consciences. And we hope that our Lords and Burgesses of Parliament (perceaving how fare we are run out in this point of Church-government & worship) will labour to bring our churches into the same church order with our brethren the Scots, at least that they will utterly root out the Episcopal government, together with all its hurtful roots and branches. And should you have such persons amongst you that would bring in these evil plants which God hath not planted, then were you utterly undone. Let not therefore the ancient landmarks be removed, hold that you have that no man take your crown.  N. 
You open mine eyes more and more; I had not so deep an insight into these things before, and I perceive that our Churches and the land wherein we dwell as a free people, can not have peace if they should remove the land marks of civil and ecclesiastical government; the whole house should by that means totter. And now I think upon that which was written to me a while since concerning those stirs which here and there appear in our provinces where men under pretence of a papish right (which yet ought to be nullified and cashiered by the power of our reformation) seek to rob the churches of that godly right which they have received from Christ their King in the free election and choice of their teachers; how that the pretended patrons thrust in preachers against the wills and liking of the assembly, and if they refuse to receive them they shut the church doors and thrust the lawful preachers out of the pulpit, so that public worship could not be performed without danger of blood shedding, quarrelling and unsupportable insolences; God preserve us that it break no further, out and therefore I will pray to God that all good and godly governors of the land may maintain the authority of Synods, and Church-assemblies for the redress of such like evils, and that they may not be hindered in their proceed in those things which concern the churches; then should not the assemblies many times last so long, but the land be unburthened of unnecessary charges which otherwise are here very narrowly reckoned on. But I am wholly inclined to hear the state of your church, tell me then what might be the intention of the Bishops and jesuits which you account one brood.  E. 
What intention should they have had? to bring in papistry into England, and the Inquisition over the Inhabitants.  N. 
That is lightly to be believed concerning the jesuits, who disperse themselves like poison over the whole world, to make one child of hell twice as bad as themselves; to which end they creep into all courts, sow jealousies in all places, and are the cause of all the wars in the world: but that the Bishops had such an intention that made profession of the reformed religion, that sometimes write and preach against the papists, that is not so easy to be believed.  E. 
You speak the truth therein, that the Bishops (to deceive the people, and that the King should not entertain those complaints that come against them concerning that point) do some times writ and preach against those of the papacy: yea the Archbishop himself preaching on a time before the King, did wholly proceed against popish doctrine, and in the pulpit did exhort all churchmen to teach & write against them, and that every one in his parish should have a watchful eye over them, to make them come to Church, or else to complain; which when some have done, then hath he (by indirect means) persecuted, imprisoned, and distressed them for the same, letting them secretly know that it was because others should be affrighted from doing the like.  N. 
Then must he have been an horrible hypocrite, and have had a seired conscience, so shall God's judgement certainly follow him at the heels, and his kingdom shall not stand.  E. 
Such an one he was indeed, who knew how so cunningly to dissemble, that the King thought him the holiest man in England, he was always a scoffer of the upright, a friend of jesuits, & a flatterer of great ones, by which means he became so great, but now truly as little and despised, sitting where he can do no more mischief.  N. 
But how! is he out of favour? is his game ended? hath Cod brought his wheel about?  E. 
O yea; God hath verified it on him, that those that oppress his shall also be oppressed: for with the same measure that he hath measured to others it is measured to him again. He hath thrust many out of their offices, and cast them into prison, and that is justly come upon himself: he sits fast in the tower, and is long ago condemned as a Traitor to the land, and were it not for his age, and that he is Godfather to one of the King's children he had been long since executed, and what shall become of him yet, is uncertain.  N. 
Yea, I thought that the great God of heaven and earth should yet do right upon him which had abused his right to the greatest Injustice against his church & worship. But tell me (I pray) where hence it appears, that the Bishops together with the jesuits sought to alter the religion and bring in papistry?  E. 
That shineth as clear as the bright noon day; you must also confess it, and the whole world, when you hear what ways they went in.  N. 
I pray now explain it a little unto me, for many in our land especially amongst the great ones believe it not, and think that they are but reproaches and misse-reports of the puritanes or Brownists or some discontented great ones, because they can not have choice of ear and share in the prey.  E. 
O No! they be no slanders, it appears by the particulars, for all that the jesuits could have been able to do suddenly to make the people papists before they were ware of it, that have they done and to that end they have by little and little and by degrees set up all the outward form of papistry in the church of England, for the apparel which the Bishops and preachers wear in God's service are of the same fashion with the apparel of the Bishops and priests under the papacy.  N. 
Do the Bishops and preachers amongst you wear other clothes then our teachets, & the teachers of the reformed churches in France, Geneva, Switserland, and Germany do wear.  E. 
O yes, if you did but see the Bishops or the Bishop's preachers say service in our church, you could not distinguish them from the popish Clergy, for they have then on a Bishops-gowne, wide sleeves, a four cornered cap, the tippet, the surplus, the Cope, the hood the canonical clothes, and all that a Priest at any time puts on.  N. 
Is that possible? if our preachers here should begin to go so, the children would run after them, and tear such clothes off their backs, & throw dirt at them, and esteem them for the papists apes.  E. 
Yea▪ so do our Episcopall-clergie carry the business who have a long time used our people to these clothes, that it should not be accounted new, when they should appear in them not as reform but as public servants to the seat of Rome; yet this is but the least, the churches also a few years since were made altogether like the papists churches.  N. 
What do I hear? I hope that there be no Images set up there, or that Dagon is placed by the Ark, there are too many excellent Authors that have written against such high places, as that they should not be taken away.  E. 
O that it had been so; but we must confess to the shame of our Nation that the Temples of God are become slaughter-howses, and right Inns for all the wares of Antichrist, for the Bishops have caused to be set up in our church's Pictures, Images, Crucifixes, Wax-candles, Altars, they sing their evening and morning song with Beads, Organs, Music, as in the popish Matins, they cause the pulpit to be hanged with the Arms and mark of the jesuits, especially in the Cathedral churches, and in the King's Chapel, where they set up great Cracifixes after the manner of the papists, and have also so adorned all corners with Images that many papists and other strangers coming thither knew no better but that they had been papist churches and chapels.  N. 
That is no wonder, for according to your relation, one egg is not so like an other, as your churches and the papists. But it is wonder that the governor's (and specially the King) have suffered such things for that is the right way to lead all the inhabitants blind fold to all Idolatry.  E. 
It was well said concerning the governor's; but experience hath taught us that where the Bishops are masters the governor's have not much to say: yea they had such power that they have given out process to bring divers officers, Majors, justices, prisoners to their spiritual Court, confiscated their goods & made them so afraid, that they must fly the land, and all because they did not dispatch to set up Altars in place of the Communion Tables: no man durst lift up their heads against them; and concerning the King they made him believe that the toleration of the outward form of papistry should bring to pass, that seeing there was so little difference in the outward, and that the King condescended so far unto them; that they also would then be ruled by the King's religion to give him content, and hereby have they blinded the eyes of the King, and brought him so far, that he in stead of hindering this bringing in of papistry, hath judged it convenient and maintained it by his authority, to the grief and astonishment of all the godly, and joy of papists.  N. 
What! were the Bishops such lads, to deal by such false practices? then it is no wonder, that all the honest men in England care not for them: but tell me yet, again, were they also papists in their form of doctrine? or was it only in the outward ceremonies and worship?  E. 
You can easily imagine, whither it be possible, that any man can come so near the popish Religion in the outward worship, with such zeal for those Idolatrous institutions, without being one with them indoctrine also. It is very true that the Bishops and their adherents will not go to church with such a cloak, that they should be thought papists in doctrine, they have kept that a longtime hid, but the older they grow the more their painting falls off, and the more their Esaws coat is worn out: So that all men by little and little begin to see what was hid under it, so that they could not always play behind the curtain, as also was not their intention; but they have now and then begun to appear on the stage, and made it apparent, that their mouth was reform, but their heart papish.  N. 
You say true, for he that is a true protestant, he will hate even the garment spotted with the flesh, she that is not a whore in her heart, will not put on a whorish attire: he that is a right Reformed one will not be burdened with such traditions, he will not touch, taste, or handle them, as being brought in according to the institutions and doctrines of men, much less he will defend them himself, appoint them, be zealous for them more than for the truth itself. But (I pray you) tell me yet, wherein have the Episcopal Clergy manifested that they are one with the papists in Doctrine also?  E. 
There can plentiful proof be given of that: for they have not only caused these foresaid things to be observed as indifferent, but they have with the papists placed holiness therein, as by this appears, seeing they compel the people to do reverence to those things, for when the bare name of jesus is uttered, then must every one bow, also no man may approach to the meanest of those Altars which they have set up, (and named by the name of the mercy seat, the place of God's gifts,) without bowing three times before it, and then fall upon his knees. They have consecrated and hallowed their Churches, Chapels, & pavements of the same, the pulpit, cups, church yard, and many other places, pretending that without this consecration, the places are unholy, and unclean, and therefore no service might be performed therein till that were first done; yea if by any occasion they were never so little defiled than they were pronounced unclean till they were again purified by the Bishops. Who may not from hence clearly see that their faith concerning humane traditions is all one with that of the Papists?  N. 
You are in the right, for such administrations are altogether according to the faith of papists; so that I hold it for certain, that the Bishops and jesuits, understood one the other in their doctrine also; but tell me (I pray) is there yet any thing else whereby we may judge that they were papists in the faith also?  E. 
O yes, for I scarcely know any thing exercised in papistry which may not be found amongst them. They administer the L: Supper upon an Altar, and they must receive it kneeling, they administer Baptism out of a font, with a cross on the fore head of the child, they have had that form of confirmation whereby the Bishops must consecrate the children, they have made marriage purely Ecclesiastical as depending on the bishops who have forbidden Marriage at some certain times, and almost half the year, and unless their consent be gotten either by favour or money, none must Marry, yea some Clergymen amongst them may upon no condition Marry though it be against the minds and allowance of their parents and friends. They have caused the Holy days to be more precisely observed then the Saboth, forbidding all work therein upon great penalties. They pray over the dead. They make women after childbirth to appear in the church with white consecrated garments, and then they are purified; and many more such like things according to the papists institution, are very precisely enjoined by order from the Bishops.  N. 
You move my heart, so that I am at the Highest pitch, to hear such things of the government of Bishops. I have always thought England to be the most reformed land in the world, because I have seen so many excellent books that were penned in England against all such popish institutions & for the advancing of the doctrine of salvation and the purity of worship; and therefore I can not enough wonder, that so many unclean things should bear such sway there.  E. 
It makes you wonder, and it hath made us many times exceeding sorrowful, and to fear (unless God speedily prevent it) that we should shortly see all our land papists, which we may perceive by their general bent that way; for in the universities they began openly to defend, that we must pray for the dead, yea it was preached in London at Paul's Cross, there are books written of it, as also that the Pope is not that Antichrist, that men may very well be saved in the papish Religion as the Arch Bishop made it manifest to the Queen; therefore he hath forbidden to pray for her any more, that God would convert her, and open her eyes as being a Papist. They have publicly taught, that men may be saved by their good works, and that with the approbation of the Arch bishop, as from hence may appear, when he perused the liturgy of the Scots in the place concerning good works, it stood that they were not causa regnandi the cause of our salvation, but via regni the way to salvation, which he caused to be put out, and willed them to exhort the people to good works simply, without such distinctions, where hence we might easily perceive what he bore in his buckler, as he hath also approved the foresaid books, and by all means countenanced the pen men thereof. From all which it clearly appeareth, that they were right Papists both in faith and doctrine.  N. 
This cuts deep, and is something more than Caeremonies: by such stalking we often see that the cat leaps quite out of the sack, and that they were altogether Papists, and would have made the whole land papists. They must without doubt have had great correspondence with the papish Clergy that have so infected them.  E. 
You have read right, for it hath been long observed, muttered, and in the end come to light by a certain jesuit Tho: Abernen a Scottish gentleman, who being by God wonder fully converted, hath discovered how that there was great correspondence held between the Arch bishop and the jesuits in England and Scotland, yea betwixt him and the Pope, writing letters to and again to each other on this subject, what might be the best way to make England Papists. In which business, himself was employed; so that he can speak by experience.  N. 
You have made me sufficiently under stand and believe, that the most Bishops and their adherents intended to make England papists, but that would have cost hot water, for the commonalty of England (as I have heard) are exceeding zealous in God's service, and well instructed in Religion, and therefore they could not by that means have gotten the mastery.  E. 
IT is very true, that in England (by God's mercy) there have been, and are many Godly, honest, well disposed preachers and members, who would have stood for the truth unto blood: but these Bishops have had devilish practices by little and little to falsify the doctrine, and root out godliness; where by they doubted not, but that they should have attained their purpose.  N. 
I pray let me once hear, what they were.  E. 
They have had divers, besides their bringing in of the outward form of papistry in all places, that so all might be acquainted with it, as I have told you before. They have also stripped all the assemblies of their faithfullest preachers, which they have degraded, imprisoned, banished, or so persecuted, that they were feign to forsake the land, and fly into New-England or other lands: and in stead of Godly, zealous, learned, desired preachers, have thrust in to their places unruly, ignorant, doboisht, infected persons, which were either Arminians or partly papists, that so they might bring the people to ignorance, and ungodly life, and that so they might be able to frame them to what doctrine they listed.  N. 
Well, those were lamentable works, to silence lawful Preachers without cause, that is to touch the Lords anointed, the apple of his eye, that is openly to advance the kingdom of the devil: they must surely have had some pretence, for I cannot imagine that they have done such things without orderly proceeding.  E. 
It ought indeed so to be, but their will was a law, and they have taken for a pretence, their dissobedience against their popish canons, because they would not subscribe to, and observe all those fore mentioned things; therefore they have thrust them out: In former times they made sale of subscription, and winked at many honest and learned preachers, but some years since they would excuse no man, and when any honest and distressed preachers, not knowing what was best to do whither to forsake their church for the institutions, or to condescend thereunto, that they might remain by their churches, and preserve them from the claws of ungodly preachers, than were they not content with the ordinary subscription to the old Caeremonies, but have so long burdened them with new, till that they could not in conscience yield thereunto: then have they entered their action, and justled them out, not here and there one, butifie and sixty, yea some hondreds in a short time, without mercy, or hope of restauration not withstanding the earnest solicitation of their assemblies, the requests they put up the gifts they presented, as being famous, learned preachers, that had great audience, were beloved of their congregation, and had wrought great edification in their places, for such there was no hearing, yea though whole shires came upon their knees, with tears in their eyes, in so much that sometimes they have wrung tears from the King himself to hear▪ their grievous lamentations for the want of their faithful servants, begging for the glory of God, and the safety of their souls, that their preachers might be given them again, yet they could not prevail, the King sent them to the Bishops, and that was to knock at a deaf man's door: and the stones should sooner be moved, than they.  N. 
You make me weep for the pitiful condition of such churches; how could God be so long suffering as not to hear such tears? O what a curse have such Bishops pulled on their own heads? God hath seen it, and will regenge it, how could the devil, have dealt worse? but have they used this cruelty against the Preachers only?  E. 
O no, for after they had destroyed the Shepherds, then like ravening wolves, they have also destroyed and dispersed the sheep: for they have daily cited to their spiritual Courts the honestest, godliest men, and women, married & unmarried, accused them that they would not follow their Ceremonies, that they went to hear, here & there out of their Parishes, where they knew was a good preacher, held fast days by themselves, and came together to repeat the sermon, to read, or sing, and pray. These were causes sufficient to imprison the people by heaps, and to let them sit there, and consume, to seize upon their goods, to draw them to themselves, so ruinating many households, whereby many thousands were compelled to forsake the land, and to wander into strange countries.  N. 
O the miserable condition of the honest inhabitants of England! they have been there as bad as under the Inquisition, yea worse, for this is exercised against them by those, that say they are of the same Religion with them, and the Curates for their souls. O what reason have we to thank God, that we dwell in such a freeland, where no man is compelled or troubled for his conscience! we know of no such persecution, thanks be to God, and God keep us from it; for our nation should never endure it, but stand up, and quickly hunt such instruments out of doors, as they did that troop of Shavelings that dealt so with the inhabitants in the beginning of the Reformation. It was lately seen in the Hague how the inhabitants could ill endure that any man should be over burdened, each drew it to himself, and then appeared first the loveliness of liberty, and the sidelity of the Netherlanders to each other, that always take compassion on the oppressed, and venture their goods and bloods therefore.  E. 
It is a commendable thing to relieve the oppressed, and resist the oppressors, so it be orderly performed; But alas? what could we do! the Bishops were too mighty, and our nation is also exceeding slavish under those that are mightier than they; there was great murmuring at it, the will was good, to resist such tyrants, but they could not see where it should begin, nevertheless, they thought that it would break out into a bad issue one time or other.  N. 
Undoubtedly, God will from some place or other give a good issue, as he did in the beginning of our persecution: God wants no means either to punish a Nation, or to deliver them out of their distress, yea when the danger is at the highest, and the water at the brim, than God takes most pleasure to manifest his power. But tell me (I pray) more particularly, what ways the Bishops have further proceeded in, to bring the papish Religion into England?  E. 
Besides that spoiling the Kingdom in all places of their faithfullest Preachers, and thrusting in others according to their own humour in their places, or leaving the church unprovided, giving them only a reader that read their Injunction in the church out of the service book, so that great circuits of land of 30 or 40 miles in compass had scarce two or three sermons in a whole year, to the unspeakable spoil of the people, who nevertheless must bear the burden of God's worship, and pay out of their Parrishes, two, three, or four hundred pounds sterling per annum according to the quantity of the Parish, unto such lazy and idle bellies that had the name to be their preachers. Besides this wicked practice (I say) they have used many other means to banish wholly all saving knowledge of the truth, out of the Kingdom, that so they might the better draw the people unto popery.  N. 
Loving friend! what do I hear? have they so took care for sowls, as to feed them only with humane Traditions, without the preaching of the word of God the hey and grass, and yet were so shameless, as to take such great wages of the people; God will revenge it. But proceed to show me, what have been their further practices?  E. 
They had a thousand tricks to blow out that zeal and practice of Godliness, which had been exceedingly inflamed by so many excellent preachers for an example to the world; and to set up in the place thereof an Athiestical liberty, and worldliness, to which end they have withstood the means of salvation, and set the contrary ready for the people: as when they brought into contempt the sanctifying of the Sabbath by exceeding ungodly practices, for they knew so far to abuse the power of the King, that they have stirred him up to give out a Proclamation in the year 1633. wherein he required that all his subjects should have liberty, servants against the will of their masters, and children against the will of their parents, to spend the Sabbath (after service) in all manner of recreations, and danceing, men and women going to plays, in running, shooting, bowling, stoolball, and all to this purpose that they might change the repeating of sermons, and other Spiritual exercises into such idle, wanton sports, and that by Proclamation, as if men were not sufficiently of themselves inclined to profane the day of the Lord by such vanities.  N. 
Is it possible? knew they so far to misled the king as that he should give out a Commandment directly contrary to the Command of God, wherein he willeth that the Sabbath should be sanctified and set a part to all such exercises which tend to the prosperity, not only of the body but of the soul of man. You must surely have given strange attention, when you heard such things proclaimed, for I have always heard, that the English make great conscience of the Sabbath, yea when they went in the streets of the City, they saw not the least work done, or any wantonness used: but that in all houses the Sermons were repeated, psalms sung, and profitable questions propounded: So that all understanding men did judge, that the sanctifying of the Sabbath, was the principal reason of God's blessing and mercy over England. There is great profanation of the Sabbath in our land, by working, playing, riding stoolball, dicing, drinking, wrestling and running but (God be thanked) they are not done by virtue of any command of our Govervours, but contrary thereunto; so there be many excellent Proclamations against the profanation of the Sabbath in many Provinces come forth: o that God would grant, they might be well maintained.  E. 
Yea, so is it come to pass amongst us, and yet the Bishops are so shameless, that whereas they ought to have stood for God's right, and to have informed the King better, they have caused all preachers to read the same Proclamation out of the pulpit to all the people, and to exhort them to observe the same against the fourth Commandment: those that have refused have been deposed, to more than an hundred in number, not with standing that the Dean which was sent by the Bishops to see this executed in all churches a little without London, fell dead from his horse for a warning: yet they, could there by be brought to no remorse, but went forward with the business.  N. 
O how inst are Gods judgements; and how sottish are the hearts of men, if God mould them not? It was never heard; that preachers were commanded to deliver from the pulpit that which clearly and evidently opposeth the command of God: those that have refused to do it, have done like Christians. But what more practices had they?  E. 
They have also forbidden to preach twice on the Sabbath, under the pretence of Catechising, which was then ordained, appointed, and directed, to instruct the children, and teach them the traditions of the Pope, or Bishops. They have to their power forbidden the printing of all good books, and contrarily suffered to be printed all Arminianish, Papish, vain books of Amadis de Gaul, and of Comedies, to 40 thousand in a year: They have also suffered Relics to be sold openly, yea they have been sent from the Pope to the Archbishop himself who knew well how to make his profit by them.  N. 
Well! those were great wickednesses, which God will seek, and find. How soever it goeth▪ also very bad amongst us in those things (for there is here in our land also great liberty to print all unfeemlie. hurtful, heretical books) yet the honourable Magistrates of Amsterdam have exceeding worthily caused to be burned certain Socinian books, and have hindered the players, and dancers on the ropes (which follow fairs and Markets) from playing; oh that it were in all places imitated: yet it is so, that here in our land there be some papish booksellers that openly sell nothing but papish books of Breviaries, Masses, Rosaries, Legends, and publicly hang out Idolatrous Images, Crucifixes, Beads, Pater-nosters, Agnus This, etc. without hindrance; which is to be feared will bring God's judgements on us; and although (by God's blessing) it is not so yet ordered amongst us, that good books are forbidden: yet there are few printed, because there is so little vent, while all hands are full of vain, unfit, uncivil, venomous works, that hinder them from reading good ones. But tell me what are the deceits the Bishops have used to bring in the Popish Religion?  E. 
As it appeareth from that which hath been said that the Bishops and papists understood one the other in all things well enough, so have they given them great liberty in all places, not executing the Proclamations, and orders against them; but have connived at their assemblings, Idolatrous exercises, absence from sermons in all places: so that England became full of jesuits, and all manner of Seminaries, that have so done their endeavour to turn England from their Religion, that they have heartened, or won many thousands to the papish religion, to the unspeakable weakening of our state, & trouble of the reformed, that were (where they were mighty) oppressed by them, yea must suffer great distress, without being heard therein, when they came to complain of it to the clergy, where the favour not withstanding was continually on the papists side.  N. 
There hath been then a great fall in England, for I have always heard, that every man was compelled to come to church, and attend upon God's service, so that none were excused, no not the greatest; and that there were very strict orders against the Papists made in divers Parliaments, so that I hear well that it hath gone amongst you as it doth amongst us, for (the more is the pity) there were many times strict Proclamations read against the breaking in of papistry, but notwithstanding papistry is openly set up in the midst of us, for they have their formal churches with stools, benches, Altars, ovals, quires, Candelsticks, cups in sundry cities, as also in the country, and they say service at the sound of our bells, going openly thereunto, the Priests are known amongst us: preaching against this government, that it is unlawful, exhorting the people to help the King to his land: will absolve no man in shrift, but such as hold the king for the lawful Lord of the land, go public processions with an hundred at a time, place crucifixes in the churchyards at the graves of the dead, come to torment the people of our religion upon their deathbeds with their Idol and oil. Yea they have their whole church-goverment amongst us, and have divided the whole land, amongst Bishops, Arch-Bishops, Deacons, Arch-deacons, every one knowing his jurisdiction: they have also given all the civil offices unto certain persons, and when they die, than they confer them upon others again upon hope, that though now they be but titular, yet ●hat once they shall have the real possession thereof▪ So that if any change through any stir or other ways should come, (which God prevent) each should know his place and office both in Ecclesiastical and civil affairs, that so they might at once over rule the land.  E. 
You wondered that it went so in England, but I wonder exceedingly that it should go so amongst you; for while you give such liberty to the papists, you put the souls of the inhabitants, yea the whole church and land in a scale, and suffer your sworn enemies, that are bound by oath to the King of Spain and the Pope, to set up a government in your government: Who (if it should go ill but in the least, or that there were any likely hood to make the King of Spain master) would straight fall off: so that you foster an Adder in your bosoms.  N. 
You are in the right, and all good Patriots understand it so; it hath also sundry times appeared to be so, when the land was in any trouble, as when the enemy was in the valle, all papists pricked up their ears, spoke exceeding boldly, said openly out, now shortly it shall be our time: and the further the enemy broke into the land, the boulder they were; as also when we lost Schenk-Scans, and that the enemy meant thereby to come in, the countenances of the papists were then cheerful, and yet when there cometh any bad news, you may easily perceive with which fide they hold, although peradventure they should be no more the better for it than we, as it appears in many places, yet their hate is so great that they would willingly wish to perish themselves, so that we might but perish with them: yea they are yet so bold in some places, that when any godly preachers are something zealous to bridle their insolences, they dare send word to such persons, that they should consider how it now goes in Ireland: yet not withstanding these deadly enemies of our state are winked at because they blind the eyes of the Officers and great ones, with great gifts, and yearly pensions, as they them selves do say, that they are beholding to no man for their freedom but their money; by which means they cannot be effectually proceeded against, notwithstanding those Remonstaunces given against them by the church, so that the Synods were necessitated to leave it to God, and protest before all the world, that they would be free of the souls by this means lost, having done according to their places what they could, as also from that destruction which shall certainly come upon the land thereby, if not speedily prevented. Whereunto I pray God the Lord to stir up all Corporations and their particular members to take the redress of these things into their hands; and not to let it hang upon the officers, or a few persons as it is here, and thereunto the great advantage of this cause.  E. 
Yea, I hear then that things go ill, not only in England; but that in this matter it stands ill enough amongst you also, although you have no Bishops to let such mischiefs break in: but hold this for certain, that the whole heap of papists, if they can master us? and it hit right, shall be quickly a tip toe against you: for I have lately seen a letter out of the Netherlands, to one of our papists, which earnestly stirreth ours up, to use all means possible, to become masters, and to advance popery, assuring them that they with the help of England should be here strong enough to make themselves masters both of land and Religion; therefore their breaking in, groweth, and increase of such is not to be slightly esteemed, for they can all ways at a start be seconded by your neighbour enemies, if they but make themselves masters of one pass or other, so as they can not do with us, because they must fetch all assistance from beyond Sea.  N. 
You say right, and I know not how our government is so besotted that they do not better consider it, for every one knoweth that there cannot be a more hurtful nor dangerous enemy, than that within, especially if it be one with a powerful enemy without: and therefore God open all eyes to see it. You have now told me much concerning the designs of the Bishops, and the means they used to bring in papistry, but tell me now once, wherein the malignant Courtiers, and other infected statesmen were the cause of the stirs in England.  E. 
You well remembered what I told you in the beginning, that the Bishops and the malignant Politiks, besides the papists have occasioned all our heaviness; for it is certain, that the Bishops have spoiled all in the church, and together with the Politiks have turned all things up side down in the common weal also.  N. 
How understand you that, together with the Politikes, I think not that the Bishops had also the care of worldly matters.  E. 
How! have you not known that? O yes, the Bishops have had not only ecclesiastical, but Civil offices also, & have been also privy-counsellers, Treasurers, Keepers of the great Seal, and I know not what; therefore they have been a member of the Parliament in the upper house: yea they have spent the most part of their time in politic affairs, and had so far engrossed them, that scarce any man without their assistance, could attain a civil office.  N. 
I hear you, but I thought that the preachers, much more the Bishops, had so much to do in their own offices, that it well required the whole man, and therefore that they had no time to trouble themselves with states matters. But tell me, (pray) how had the Bishops and Politiks contrived it, to bring all government into their hands, to finish their design?  E. 
To this purpose they had conceived strange wind, and first they put it in to the king's head, that he ought to be an absolute Sovereign, not to be under any, according to the example of France, and that they would bring him thereunto, by means of the Ecclesiastical persons, which they had now at hand in all places, and sat in the ear of the people. When they had made the King to relish this to make him confirm all their design, than they made him presently believe that all their doing tended thereunto.  N. 
Was the King than no absolute King, so that he might do all that he would, not having any man above him?  E. 
In no wise; for Kings are limited by laws, so that they can make no new laws, nor lay any impositions on their subjects, nor go to war with any, without the consent of the Parliament, else the inhabitants are not bound thereunto; yea they are liable to punishment, if they pay any impositions or subsidies to the king upon his particular order, or will; and those that council the King thereunto, or assist him therein, are guilty of high treason.  N. 
What is the Parliament, under which the King stands also?  E. 
It is the highest assembly of the Kingdom, which consisteth of the King, Dukes, Earls, Barons, Bishops, & the Commons, which is two persons out of every shire, and chief city, deputed with absolute power, that together they might redress the enormities of the kingdom according to the laws, and to ordain new laws and impositions to the advantage of the King or kingdom, without any compulsion of votes; which assembly is gathered and dissolved by the King.  N. 
That is a stately and powerful assembly, if they understand themselves, and of great might, to redress the greatest abuses, and to assist the King with great sums of money. It were to be wished, that we had sometime also such Parliaments, as in former times the assembly of the states general used to be, before that there was a Parliament company of states general set up; thereby might great abuses amongst us also be reform, under which now, it is to be feared, we shall sink, But have the great ones liked this Parliament?  E. 
That you may easily imagine, O no; the Archbishop, and all Courtiers, and those that were in favour with the King, have always withstood it, many years, delayed it, or when it was assembled, and that it began to touch the soars, and to search out the bad practices of the great ones, then knew they how to order the King, that he from time to time hath caused the Parliament to break up: and now the last time in May 1640. not withstanding that the King and state was in an exceeding great distraction, by reason of great stirs, that were in all places of the kingdom.  N. 
I hear it well, there is much-adoe in all places; it goes so with us also, that they that know how to make themselves masters in the Provinces, they hinder as much as they can, that the states may not come together, or when they are together, they set one city against the other, casting many things in amongst the members, that so they might not understand one another; and so departed a sunder without effecting any thing, to the highest discommodity, burden, trouble, dishonour, and spoil of the Provinces, and unspeakable disavantage of many that it concerneth, that can procure no expedition from the table, which in the end (if the members be not wise to understand one an other to use their own freedom, without depending upon these or any) will bring all into confusion, as you said it was in your three kingdoms. But tell me what were the stirs that were in all places of the kingdoms?  E. 
Unmeasureable great, and dangerous; for Scotland was in arms, we had a leaguer in the field on the frontiers of Scotland, the King was set on to fall upon the Scots, and they practised daily to set the two Kingdoms together by the ears.  N. 
But tell me (pray) whence proceeded this disunion? for the two Kingdoms have one King, one Religion, and have till this time lived in peace; what hath brought forth this disquiet?  E. 
This disunion hath been a long time in breeding by the Bishops and Papists, whose design was not only the changing of Religion in England, but also in Scotland, yea to thrust in all their superstitions into Scotland first, as being the weaker nation, and from thence into England; to which end they have (by little and little) thrust in Bishops there against the mind of the Kingdom, which they first pretended should but serve to keep good order in the Church, without having such authority over the church, and Ecclesiastical persons, as in England; but growing by little and little in authority, & power, so it was, that they endeavoured always to have as great authority in Scotland as in England, wherein they were heartened by the Bishop of Canterbury, and (through his advice) by the King also, and in the end set on work to thrust in the Service-book (that is the liturgy) of England into the church of Scotland, augmented with many additions, some openly, and some covertly opposing the reformed Religion, together with all those former papish Caeremonies that were before in England which first of all began to be set on work when the King was in Scotland to be crowned.  N. 
How have the Scots behaved themselves therein? for they have been always famoused for great Protestants, and lovers of the purity of worship, full of courage to maintain the liberties of the Kingdom against all opposers.  E. 
The Scots so soon as they were ware of these novelties, and that they were propounded by the king himself in their Parliament, so to thrust in some beginning thereof into Scotland, then have all the gentry and burgesses cried it down in the presence of the King, and persisted therein, notwithstanding that the King took it very discourteously and manifested the same by his sudden discontented departure out of the Kingdom, commanding his Counsel to thrust in such church orders as he had given them in charge, by authority.  N. 
Durst the King's counsel attempt such a thing, against the mind of the gentry, and Commons; for they might well fear, that they were less able to bring such a thing to pass, and now against the resolution of the Parliament, which the King himself could not accomplish.  E. 
The council was exceedingly animated by the King, and specially by the Bishops, as well of Scotland as of England, to go forward courageously herein, not to fear; with promise of assistance, and punishment upon all those that should refuse; where upon the Council with the advice of the Bishops of Scotland, and command of the Archbishop of Canterbury, did augment the Service-book of England, and mingled it with a great deal more poison than in England which together with the five ceremonies of England they decreed to thrust into the church by public Proclamation, declaring those preachers to be fallen from their obedience that should oppose it, and severely to punish all such inhabitants, that would not subject themselves to these institutions.  N. 
This was a bold attempt; but what was the issue?  E. 
Presently thereupon it came to pass, that a great number of Comitees out of the church and state addressed themselves to the high Council, and divers times desired, that such a resolution might not go forth, but that they would leave the church and churchmen to their ancient customs, without thrusting in of novelties; otherways the whole kingdom was prepared to come into a great uproar, which exceedingly distracted the Council; but being set on by the Bishops, they went forward, to the great discontent of the Committees, and their chiefs; whereupon the gentry, the particular Magistrates, and the ecclesiastics, began to bethink themselves of some means to resist this evil; and to this end resolved to bind themselves by oath to maintain (with their estates and lives) that old Covenant, concerning the maintenance of Religion, form of doctrine, and government, as it hath been always maintained in Scotland. Which Covenant was confirmed and subscribed by all the inhabitants of Scotland, except those that were papists, or held with the Bishop's faction.  N. 
That was a fast Bond, and exceeding fearful; for by that means the strength of those that would stand for Religion, against the popish institutions, did presently appear. But what way could the Council together with the Bishops take to mainteyn their resolution?  E. 
They were exceedingly distracted hereabout; but their fury & zeal to the popish institutions, was so great, that they would hold firmly this point against the whole Kingdom: & to this end they persuaded the King, that his prerogative was engaged, that he mainteyn his purpose, use all his strength therein; yea though he should compel them thereunto by force of arms, advising him to this end to insure all the Castles & forts of Scotland, which was in like manner put in practice; in the mean time they in Scotland went forward to thrust in the Service-book and the five Caeremonies deposing and punishing many that were against it: so that there fell out great stirs and heavy oppositions, in all places; which by little and little increased more and more, bred great distrust against the King; and so much the more when it was found, that he caused arms and ammunition to be secretly brought into the Castles where he had his governor's.  N. 
I hear well; there was a bad fire kindled, which could not so quickly be quenched; but how went it at last? did no man put himself upon the pikes to prevent this threatening evil, to inform the King of the danger he should bring his Kingdoms into, and that for a few papish Caeremonies?  E. 
O yes; divers did seek to dissuade the King; but in vain: for either they could have no hearing, or else the ●●shops knew straight so to bewitch the King that he believed no man, but accounted them all for enemies to his prerogative, that counsilled him to the contrary: whereby the common governor's of Scotland were necessitated, for the mainteynance of their freedoms and defence of themselves, to come into arms under General Lesly, with such a General concourse of all the people, that every one alike willingly offered himself thereunto, bo●h with his person and also his money, which in great abundance was given, for to pay the soldiers.  N. 
How did the King take this? for it seemeth much that a Kingdom should betake themselves to arms, without consent of their King.  E. 
The King is hereby induced, to take up men against the Scots; to beset their havens, to ploclaim their ships prize, and to permit the Duynkerkers to take all such as had no commission from him; so that Scotland was exceedingly distressed, both by Sea, and Land, which made them resolve, to take in certain forts: to free their sea coasts, to bring their leaguers to the frontiers of England: and so to begin a formal order of war, not against the King but against his bad Counsillers.  N. 
So it is often seen, that a great fire cometh of small sparks. These were sad beginnings, but how did the king behave himself in these dangers?  E. 
The king did also place himself in order of war through the Council of the Bishops, who promised to pay his leaguer out of the contributions of the Clergy, so that an English leaguer was pitched, which together with the king came to the borders of Scotland▪ In the mean time proclaiming the Scots for Rebels, and suppressors of the king's prerogative; so that the two kingdoms stood in direct opposition, the one against the other, yea so fare that the king made the greatest part of the English leaguer approach upon the Scots, who encompassing the English, took some prisoners and got their ordnance and ammunition without blood shed; all which they discharged, and sent to the king, to show that they intended not the damage of their brethren the English: whereby the English gentry have gotten better experience of the Scots than others had informed them, in reporting that the Scots began this war to enrich themselves out of the revenues of the English: which then appeared to be contrary; and was also otherwise conceived by the English.  N. 
You report strange things unto me; I never read in any history, of such civiltie, in those that were together by the ears, that they should so freely dismiss one an other; here hence it also appeared that the Scots sought not the blood of their brethren, but their own freedom; which without doubt made the English to entertain a good conceit of the Scots.  E. 
We have all in general so conceived it, and our gentry began to perceive that it was but the work of the Bishops to adorn their chair; who knew how wonderouslie to lead on the King, to the destruction of both his Kingdoms which hath excited the great ones to advise the king to make an agreement with Scotland, which was also performed upon condition that both the armies should be cashiered the Castles restored into the hands of the king, and Synod and a Parliament assembled, absolutely to end all differences; where upon there was great joy, & all the former conditions likewise performed on the Scots side, but not in the least on his Majesty's behalf.  N. 
This was yet a happy issue: but wherein did the king hold his word?  E. 
He did exceeding slowly cashier his soldiers, insured the Castles contrary to agreement, it is true he consented to the Synod but many ways abridged their freedom by his Committers, which caused great jealousies. For although the king hath consented to the deposing of the Bishops called in his proclamations against the Preachers, and approved their Covenant: yet there was much deceit under it; for the king did in the mean time strengthen himself against that party as well with in as without Scotland, showing all courtesies to the Bishops, privily taking in and fortifying certain holds where at every one began to look about him, to take up arms a new, with a purpose to come into England to the king, by him to be maintained in their freedoms, which exceedingly distracted distracted the faction in England, and also the King.  N. 
That's easy to imagine, for the King who is the head of the kingdom might easily conclude, that a kingdom divided could not stand; and therefore it must exceedingly prick him at the hart.  E. 
I may be the King did well fore see the danger, but he was never himself, but always lead by others: and therefore they made him believe what they would, persuading him that the Bishops and their adherents alone could maintain him against the Scots, if the King would but let them alone as he hath done, whereupon they held a kind of a bastard ynode, where all the institutions of the Bishops were approved, to contribute out of the means of the Clergy, to the maintenance of the war against the Scots, which came all toolate. In the mean time the Scots seeing their leaguers in the land, their havens blocked up, their trading to fail, & their kingdom in danger of ruin, did resolve to march into England, as also they happily did, and overcame New-Castel, where they fortified themselves, yet without blood (excepta little in the conquest) or indammaging any of the inhabitants of England, to the wonder of the whole English nation.  N. 
It is also greatly to be wondered at, that the Scots durst enter upon so populous a kingdom to come so far out of their own country; but it is much more to be wondered at, that they knew how to keep such a strict order in their leaguer, that they should do violence to no man, which is almost unheard of, but how could this be cleared?  E 
Our whole nation is by this coming in of the Scots yet more confirmed that they intended not to spoil England, as the Bishops had accused them, but that they were led by God's Spirit, and intended nothing but their own freedom, and the freedom of England, and the maintenance of the purity of Religion, whereby the eyes of our nation were also opened to take notice of their oppression under that insupportable yoke of the Bishops.  N. 
Were not the English exceeding jealous of this invasion, and did they not endeavour by all means to drive the Scots out of the Kingdom?  E. 
In no wise; but (on the contrary) all were glad that such a reformed leaguer was in England, which gave some freedom to many that sat bowing under the burden, than also a great number of the gentry went unto the king at York, laying open before him the grievances of the Kingdoms, and also of England, in divers notorious instances, desiring that the Scots and they might have satisfaction, and that to this end a Parliament might be called, which the king also granted, whereupon the Bishops presently sent their agents through the whole kingdoms to many hundreds, to procure Burgesses to their own minds, by them to hinder all their former proceed, and to procure means to fall upon the Scots: which they knew how to effect by the Earl of Strafford in Ireland, where the Parliament had granted many men and divers subsidies against the Scots, that so they might to purpose bring under the Scots and the purity of Religion.  N. 
You report strange things. The Bishop's faction did well perceive that it should now come to the point, and therefore they took such pains to get men after their own minds in the Parliament, but did they effect it.  E 
In no wise; although they made use of the king himself to desire (in many places) that such & such might be chosen, but the inhabitants would not suffer themselves to be so over reached; but as the election of Parliament men is in the power of the commons, so have they chosen none, but such as with whom they knew religion and the liberty of the land to be in highest estimation, and went with absolute power as their Deputies, so that the Parliament being independent in her resolutions, and having power out of her own head, to make and alter laws, to appoint impositions as great and as many as it will, therefore every good man was careful to send conscionable and courageous men, that could not easily be overcome, either by deceits or promises; but go resolved, to suffer all things rather than to yield to any thing that shall be to the least damage of the Inhabitants, as ordinarily divers Parliament men at the dissolving of the Parliament have been by the King set in the Tower, because they durst with such liberty resist him in the Parliament, to the advantage of he inhabitants.  N. 
That is a great privilege of the inhabitants of England, that all freeborn do choose and appoint to the highest assembly, there can be no cup prepared that can corrupt so many thousand men, the commons are ordinarily good, all the corruption is about the head, and the great ones, who to get into places and offices carry themselves a loft, and they are no sooner come upon the cushion, but presently they are Politics, though they were never so good Patriots before; which we have also had experience of in our popular government; Many so long as they are citizens, are lovers of Religion and Liberty: But so soon as they come into the council house, then observe they presently how the wind blows, and suffer themselves to be miss led by some great ones that bear sway in all assemblies, and begin to be enemies to Religion, and help to suppress the cities and provinces, making one or two masters, who then direct all things in government for themselves, and their fat offices: yea it goes so gross in this point, that it is to be feared, that the Commons shall one time or other go to pot; oh, that there might be once amongst us also, a general Parliament assembled, for the redress of that great declining amongst us! and that the governor's themselves (though upon their Oath, and for all those advantages which they reap by the government) would take care to maintain our dear bought freedom, and watch to the furtherance of the prosperity and welfare of their citizens: then should the lords have honour love and all things from their subjects who with great affection are taken up with all those lords which show themselves good Patriots.  E. 
Yea, have you also flatterers amongst you? I thought that all Netherlanders were free born, & that the blood of their forefathers was in their veins, who did not fear the mighty king of Spain, but adventured their lives and estates for their liberty and would not be slaves to these or any. Whom hath any man need to fear amongst you? you have no Soverreign, the cities themselves make the sovereignity amongst you, every Lord amongst you is a member of the assembly, and each can have in himself great attention, and power, if they be but wise enough to employ it.  N. 
You speak with understanding concerning our government; and no man needeth to be a slave, if every one were content with his own, and were not too ambitious; but there are many who (for an office, or to remain on the Cushion) fear not much to dam their souls, and to ruin their country, & to give away all to some great ones, to make the cities Amen-sayers, and the provinces slaves, that by their means they may effect that which the time all too soon (as is to be feared) shall manifest, but we digress from our purpose, tell me then how had the Parliament its beginning, and how all things went there.  E. 
The Parliament by God's wonderful direction, against the will of all the great ones, are come together, & after that the Scots had shown the end of their falling into England, that it was not out of any covetous desire either of the goods or bloods of the English nation, but only out of an upright desire and love to their own freedom, and the freedoms of their loving and affectionate Brethren in the Kingdom of England, then have they presently more exactly understood one an other, and the Parliament began more narrowly to consider the disorders of their own state.  N. 
So was there then presently concluded a brother hood between the English and the Scots? O wonderful work of God that knew how so suddenly to remove that dispersed jealousy; and to use so small a nation; (but full of courage and religion) to open the eyes of the mighty Kingdom of England, to affect their own freedoms. But how did the Parliament then farther proceed?  E. 
That would be too much to relate but we will only point at some principal things? They have first inquired what were the inormities of the Kingdom, and who were the causes thereof, and they found such a mass of corruption, that in the whole Kingdom (either in the church or common weal) there was scarce any thing sound, and all occasioned principally by the Bishops, and some Espaniolized English about the king, as it was manifested to the Parliament daily by an overflood of requests, and greevances of the inhabitants, out of all quarters of the Kingdom, with the subscriptions of many thousands of men, exhorting them to remove the evil, and Authors thereof.  N. 
We may see that the boil was ripe; for the lance no sooner came near it, but presently the matter issued out. But what were those matters which they found out?  E. 
Concerning the church matters and the exorbitances thereof, I have noted them before; there was a general cry against them, all calling for the deposing of the Bishops, and the rooting out of their Hierarchy: whereupon presently there arose a great ado, and opposition of the whole Episcopal faction, especially in the Higher-house, where they about four and twenty or more are members, and also all the Papish lords of the upper-house which were also 24. or more, which constantly held with the Bishops, whence men may easily judge what correspondence the Bishops have had with the Papists, who ought by the form of their office to have been so far separated from them, as light and darkness, Christ and Belial: so that whatsoever was concluded against them or their popely institutions in the Lower-house, was presently opposed in the upper-house; so that there could be no proceeding, till by degrees divers matters were discovered, whereby now these Bishops are in the Tower, and at last the Archbishop also for divers heavy, accusations which the Scots, brought in against him, by whose absence the good Lords of the Parliament procured now one, and then another good resolution, to the hindrance of many sorts of newly appointed institutions.  N. 
These are great beginnings of Reformation, it is wonder that the Bishops have not (as it began to be thought of them) incited the king (with whom they are at all times conversant) to dissolve the Parliament as other Nimrods' have done in the like case.  E. 
That was prevented, for the Parliament being desired to grant the King certain subsidies, have granted the same upon this condition, that the King should pass an Act, that he should not dissolve them but by consent of both houses, which he hath subscribed; beside there were many thousands of apprentices stood up in London to defend the Parliament, desiring that the Archbishop and other bad instruments might be punished, so that the Parliament could not be dissolved, especially seeing the Parliament men had bound themselves to each other by oath, not to departed till all things were redressed.  N. 
Therein hath the King yet manifested an inclination to reformation, in that he hath granted the Parliament such an act.  E. 
The King perceived well in what hatred all his servants that were about him were, by reason whereof many through an evil conscience fled to France, or the Netherlands, so that the King without the Parliament could not have quieted the people, and therefore he was necessitated to agree to it, hoping (through his authority, & those persons which he had in the houses) to bring all yet to his own mind: but the King was too great a Patron of all the malignants, which he sought to save, that made the members more and more to strengthen themselves against the King, to resist him therein: whereupon the King put on the fox's skin, dissembling, and abandoning many persons; yea did pass an Act that the Bishops should sit no more in the Higher house, which gave great content, and had the king left all his bad servanrs, and joined himself with the Parliament, there had never been a more mighty king in England then this.  N. 
I am also of that opinion, but do we not see ordinarily, that the servants of Kings and Princes, abuse their masters, with calumnies and lies against the best to displace them, and then alone to abuse the ear of Princes to their own ends, not caring whither their masters be beloved or hated, if they can but be great with them, and by their power work but their own passions against others. It goeth always so amongst us also, that the servants that are most about our Prince in all places where they have authority, bring in drunkards, and novices: thrusting out the ancient, honourable, beloved, grave gentlemen, to the great distaste, and offence of the Comunalty and that by false reports brought to his Highness against them, who unwittingly, and without his fault is thereby ill thought of in all places, as if he where a patron of such vile persons, which we must notwithstanding judge to be far from his princelike disposition. But tell me, what is there more fallen out in the Parliament?  E. 
Continual Requests of the inhabitants, full of complaints against the King's Courtiers, concerning the great oppression which they have used over the people in Monopolies, and unjust impositions, whereby they have drawn millions from the comunalty, part for the King, but most for themselves, whereof many that sat in the Parliament are found guilty, which were presently put out of their commissions, and places, as well in the Higher as the Lower house; whereby the Parliament was more and more refined; which being disannulled, and declared to be unlawful to the great content of the common alty, who thereby have gotten more affection to the Parliament, and given them the more encouragement, to proceed in the Reformation: so that they themselves have caused the Earl of Strafford to be apprehended, made his process, and proved that he had brought the King to many bad enterprises; made him break his covenant with the Scots, tyrannised over the Irish, as was daily confirmed by a thousand abominable instances out of Ireland: held the Dominion for himself, compelled the Parliament of Ireland, to grant great sums of money and men to employ against the Scots, and other criminal causes more, for which they have (with an enforced consent from the king who would willingly have saved him) beheaded him, and so made him an example, whereupon yet more that were also guilty are fled.  N. 
This was a great resolution of the Parliament, and I wonder exceedingly, how they could bring the King to consent unto that, seeing I have always understood, that he was one of the principallest instruments, by whom the King hath brought out his designs having promised to maintain him.  E. 
The King hath done much for him, taking all his guiltinesses upon himself, & by practices hath sought to get him, out of the Tower: but the stream was too great against him, as well of the Parliament who manifested unto the King by many learned lawyers, that he was worthy of death, as also of the people that by force would have him out of the way: so that the King must (although exceedingly constrained) consent thereunto; but he did not subscribe the sentence himself, but caused it to be done by others.  N. 
There cometh to my mind the Marriage of the young Prince, tell me once, how it went about that, for he was in England, when the Deputy of Ireland was executed: I think I have heard some say, that it was thought, that the young Prince would have made intercession for him to the Parliament; but I understood that he did it not, lest he should thereby gain the hatred of the people, which should be discommodious for him.  E. 
Concerning the Marriage of your Prince, it was first set on foot by the Queen Mary, being in the Hague, to make her acceptable: but many judged that she meant it not: for being in England it was opposed by her faction, as also by the Bishops, and most of the Courtiers and great ones which are yet by the King: but the Parliament did exceedingly press it forward to hinder, her, that she should not go to Spain, from whence she was solicited by many Ambassadors, one after an other; but to marry with a Reformed Lord, who presently coming into England, was gracious and welcome to the inhabitants, so that in the end that Marriage was solemnised, & made sure, to the great content of the good inhabitants in England, who have judged that it would be a faster bond, to maintain the true Religion, resist the Popish faction, and bind the king faster to the Parliament: but I hear that many amongst you have been much troubled about that Match.  N. 
I know nothing of that; all, have accounted it also a good Marriage for our state, thereby to make yet a nearer friendship with England which is of one faith with us. Only some are troubled least by this Marriage, all the corruption pride, vanity, and ungodliness of the English Court coming over with her should break in upon us, seeing that our nation at this time is exceedingly inclined to pomp and novelties, to the ruin of many.  E. 
No that is not it which I have heard: but I have understood that some were jealous of this great Marriage, because they thought it might be an allurement to the young Prince to affect the Sovereignty of the Provinces, whereunto his Father in law, and his Uncle the King of France, should help him.  N. 
Those are but evil aspersions, like those wherewith Prince Maurice was accused by the Arminians▪ for therewith our Prince should win nothing, but lose much: for he hath now more to say than any Duke of Gelderland, or Earl of Holland, or Zeeland ever had: disposing of all places and offices in the state and Camp, by which means every one reverenceth him, and seeketh to do him all manner of service; without having any burden of war to bear, or to have his head troubled from whence the money should come, to maintain the war, he lets the States take care for that: so that it is not to be thought, that there is one hair on the Prince's head, that thinks thereupon; Besides his Prince like Excellency hath been brought up in this land, and knoweth the nature of our Netherlanders, who should not be brought under any Sovereign, every one would rather adventure his life and goods, as they have done now these sixty or seventy years, than that they should let go their liberty, or stand under the absolute government of one Sovereign: Should that be ever attempted, it would prove the ruin of the land, therefore it is not to be thought, that the King of France, or England, would lend any assistance thereunto although the Prince should desire it. How dangerous it is to entertain Soveraingty hath been well to be seen in the King of Bohemia; the English nation hath yet too great a feeling thereof, than that they should attempt the like again in any of theirs, and therefore entertain not such calumnies, let us leave this, and return again to the English affairs. What more hath since that passed there?  E. 
After that both the English, and Scots leaguer, was cashiered, the King went into Scotland, where he disburdened the Scots, and pronounced them free from rebellion, confirmed all the Acts of the Parliament, and the resolution of the Synod, and declared that they were falsely accused by him whereupon there was made a new covenant betwixt the King and them, as also with England, to the great joy of both the Nations, who thereupon have performed solemn thanksgiving in both the Kingdoms, that GOD the LORD hath brought to shame the evil counsillers about the King, who always incensed him, thereby to cause war between the two Kingdoms, that so by the help of the papists, and the force without (as they persuaded themselves) they might be master of the King and the two Kingdoms, to root out the true Religion, and bring in popery; but GOD be thanked, that hath made the King to see, how shamefully they have possessed him against Scotland, that he himself before the whold world must callin, and nullify all his poclamations against the Scots, as having unjustly proceeded against them.  N. 
So knoweth GOD how to bring the Counsils of the wicked to shame. GOD preserve the King that he may no more hearken to those bad instruments, that he come into no greater danger, which I exceedingly fear, for I have heard that most of his bad Counsillers are yet with him, & those that are fled for their misdeeds, do yet hold correspondence with the King, and especially with the Queen, who is a papist, and hath many Jesuits about her, who together will never rest, but always stir to bring in the popish Religion, and to incense the King thereunto who is kind and hearkeneth much to the Queen; what think you thereof?  E 
This troubleth many amongst us also exceedingly, so much the more, because it hath appeared to the Parliament, that the Queen by an Act in her name, subscribed by the Secretary which is fled to France, hath ordained a fasting-day amongst the Papists, to pray to the Saints, that the great design, which was in hand, for the favour of the Catholics, might prosper; from whence may be easily gathered, that she hath knowledge of all those bad designs.  N. 
Yea, is it so? Then shall you quickly see, though (so long as the king is among the Scots, who open his eyes) it now goeth well with him, that he shall be soon otherwise led, when he shall return into England to the Queen and his bad counsellors; for if they knew how to make the king unfaithful, and to break his kingly word, in that first agreement made between him & the Scots whereupon the Scots laid down their Arms, and surrendered the Castles and Forts in Scotland to the king; they will know how to do it yet once more (as is to be feared.) But tell me, have I not heard, that there are now and then many treasons discovered?  E. 
You must not have so bad a conceit of our king: but that there are divers treasons discovered, is true, both before the kings going into Scotland, in the time of his being there, and also since his return thence unto London, and especially there is discovered (by some intercepted letters written out of Scotland to London) a treason against the principallest Lords of Scotland, by some great ones in Scotland; as also against the eminentest gentlemen of the English Parliament, whereupon the papists in all quarters should instantly have stood up, mastered the Tower of London, and in all parts over run the strong holds, and then have massacred those of the Religion, according to the example of the murder in Parice.  N. 
O horrible design, if it were so! but were these not counterfeit letters, by that means to make the communality more enraged, and to stick closer to the Parliament?  E. 
Oh, that it had been so, that they were but shadows, & flourishes! yet many things that followed thereupon do demonstrate that it was but all too surely intended, for there are many great ones before this apprehended in Scotland, which had intended to have massachred some of the greatest, as was discovered by some, who themselves should have had a hand in it, for whom the King did intercede before his departure out of the Scots Parliament, which did also pardon them, where of they shall in time feel the smart. In England a french Cook hath confessed, that he had undertaken to poison all the meat at a certain feast, where all the principallest gentlemen of the English Parliament should have been, by that means to have murdered them.  N. 
O wonder full work of God, that discovereth such hellish designs! these come no other wise than out of the bosoms of the jesuits, who after the example of their father the devil, are murderers of men; Truly out of these instances, it sufficiently appeareth, that the traitors were in the knot, but should there be any thing of that, that the papists (if this murder had succeeded) should have betaken themselves to Arms?  E. 
There is nothing more sure; for so soon as the treason in Scotland was discovered, then did the Papists of Scotland stir up the English, to proceed nevertheless with the design, as also the Ireish did revolt at the same time; who (as is probable) had no certain intelligence of the ill success, which the design in England and Scotland had; and therefore went they forward with the concluded work, as also certain of the chief in this rebellion being taken prisoners have confessed, that there was intelligence concerning this point, between the papists in Ireland, England, and Scotlaed, & that with the knowledge of the Queen, whose leaguer they have openly professed themselves to be; so that the effects have showed, that while the King was busy in England and Scotland, with deep protestations, declarations, and remonstrances, to manifest his zeal, for the reformed Religion against the Papists whom he hath caused to departed from his court, and from about London, with giving out sharp Proclamations against them, to make all the world believe, that he meant it; In the mean time, not withstanding that, the Queen and the Minions, and counsillers of the king, were busy, to raise up, strengthen, and arm the papists against the Religion, Parliament, and good inhabitants of England, which made many to fear, that such a thing is not come to pass, without the king's knowledge, though it be not to be believed, that a king should play so with his fidelity, certainly God would not suffer such things unpunished.  N. 
A crafty country clown would judge, if that the king had no hand therein, he would not retain such servants by him, as were found guilty of such mischiefs, but punish them as traitors, to justify himself: but is there nothing come to pass, whence we may well perceive, that the king is no longer in the Scottish air, but hath forgotten all his fair conclusion in Scotland?  E. 
There are (sure enough,) heavy things come to pass, wherinto the king hath suffered himself to be led, which give great suspicion, that the king is yet ruled by the malignants, for the king hath suffered himself to be so far carried away by his bad council, that he went with armed men to the Parliament, and that as his servants themselves have confessed to fall upon the Parliament Lords, whereby the king did put himself in the greatest danger, to cause a common massachre, had not GOD himself wonderfully prevented it; for which the king hath yet thanked GOD afterward: for through but one unadvised word from the King, those bloodhounds should have fallen on, as they already began to justle, and strike some gentlemen, coming to the Parliament.  N. 
This must have exceedingly distracted the Parliament Lords, and made great alteration amongst the people, for had that come to pass, the whole Kingdom should have been in an uproar. We may well see, that these counsillers care not, though they bring the King in great danger of his life, and spoil his Kingdom, so they may but effect their design. But what was the issue thereof?  E. 
Some of the counsillers to this work, are fled: the people began to fall upon the soldiers, the Parliament insured themselves with a guard, and begun to perceive that is was coined for them, which made the members of both houses unite themselves, with the more courage to take in hand the reformation. The malignants have so much the more incensed the King against the Parliament and his people, making him believe that he was not safe within London, whereby they induced him to leave London, and go into the country with his Son, that by his absence from the Parliament, all resolutions might be the easier hindered, & to make farther distrusts between him and the Parliament, of which also we daily perceive the effect, for notwithstanding that the Parliament have been very instant, to get his Majesty again to London by them, and to remain by the affairs of the Kingdom, yet all was in vain. How great security they have also promised the King? But he is yet departed farther and farther, to the wonderful hindrance of all the affairs of the kingdom.  N. 
These were all bad signs of farther mischief, for if the malignants be so powerful with the King, that they can make him to forsake his great council, (who in all her actions hitherto hath manifested nothing else but to be Advocates for the Religion, prerogative of the King, & Defenders of the privileges of the inhabitants) to be take himself wholly to their council, so shall they in the end draw him wholly from his Parliament, and bring him into a civil war But how goeth it in the mean time with the Irish rebellion?  E. 
It goeth there very pitifully the rebels are exceeding strong, almost master of all, and deal more barbarously with the reformed, than the Spaniards have done with the Indians, as appeareth by many printed papers, which maketh men's hearts to melt with grief, when they do but hear of their Tyranny, so that those of the Religion be in the extremest distress, & relief cometh but slowly to them, so that we may fear that the rebels will go away with that Kingdom, which God preserve.  N. 
What is the reason that it is not speedily handled to send secure that way, for the King is well inclined to the furtherance of that work, as is not to be believed, but that he hath compassion on the poor people of the Religion, who every moment are in fear of death?  E. 
What shall I say? Oh that it were so, that we had no reason to believe it; the Irish brag that they are the king's leaguer, and have no other intention, but to maintain him against the Parliament, for whatsoever ordinance the Parliament passeth for the hindering of the rebellion in Ireland, the king refuseth to subscribe, or delayeth it so long till the occasion to send succour is by past, without taking this work to heart, or encouraging the inhabitants thereunto; yea the King showeth that he is quite otherwise conceited against them, than he was against the Scots, these he proclaimed presently rebels, beset their havens, gave their ships to the prey, when he would not but by great ado suffer the Irish to be declared rebels by publication, whereof he would have but forty copies printed, that this proclamation of the Kings should be the less known, when he hath declared the Scots rebels by a thousand Proclamations, yea he hath caused th●s to be read in every pulpit, and so manifested more affection, or mildness, to the papistical Irish; than to the reformed Scots. Every one may from hence judge, where the King, or his council is lodged.  N. 
I begin wholly to believe, that the Queen hath made the King sure to the papish faction: and though he be now fair of the Religion, and meaneth not to root it out, they should yet bring him thereunto; to the destruction of himself, and his Kingdom. GOD open the eyes of the King, to take notice of those Achitiphels', & sons of Belial which are about him, & to be ware of them; O unhappy Kings that meet with papish Wives, who thrust forward their husbands (unawares) till they be drowned in tumults! Oh that this bad instrument were separated from the King!  E. 
There is great likely hood thereof, for the Queen hath made it known to the Parliament, that she with her daughter would come hither, to the Hague, by the young Prince, her son, which the Parliament hath assented to; and she is come already, fetched in by your Prince, and welcomed in the Brill, & thereupon come with the young Prince to the Hague, where show was some days entertained in the lands behalf, and welcomed by all the counsils.  N. 
You tell me now some news; which doth not please me very well, this must have a bad foundation, that a Queen should so come out of her Country, while her husband with his inhabitants are in such distraction, and that she herself so inconsiderately and unexpectedly should bring over the young Princess, before the appointed time, GOD grant that she bring not the two divisions of England, into our Land, or engage our Prince, or State, for the King, against the Parliament, which should cause great stirs here in our Land.  E. 
This was also feared in England, that she should use all means to get in this State, against the Parliament, for the King, whereby great disadvantages should happen both to the good party, as also to netherlands itself: yet it is hoped, that the Prince of Orange, and the States of the Land should keep themselves out of this, and not meddle in this matter, but hold themselves neutrals, seeing they know well, that the Parliament seeketh but to maintain the Religion, & their Privileges; on the contrary the King's council intendeth nothing, but furtherance of the popish Religion, and oppression of the inhabitants as hath been before plentifully declared.  N. 
It is a needless fear, our State shall in nothing resist the Parliament, else we should condemn our own war, their cause is just as ours was in the beginning, when the States of the Land maintained the Religion, & freedom against the King of Spain, wherein the English Nation did help us: far be it then, from any true hearted Netherlanders, that they should resist the Parliament either in council or action, yea if it should come so far, all should rather help the Parliament, than the King. If the King get the upperhand, the papish Religion shall be exalted, yea the King himself, and all well-willers should be ruinated: if the Parliament prevail, so shall the King be yet well preserved, and honest men shall dwell in rest.  E. 
Our fear is not without reason, for now of late soldiers and officers which are, and remain in the service of the Land, and hold their gauges here, with much ammunition out of the Magazines of the land, have been sent to the King, at the request of the Queen, & with knowledge of those, from where the man is now lost: What is this else, but to give the knife to cut our own throats & yours? for which we have cause to protest before God, and the world, and call for vengeance thereupon; This exceedingly distracted our Nation, that they have not so much favour shown them, as the Scots, with whom they have not so handled.  N. 
If it be so, you have reason to be distracted, we have also as great cause: for in so doing we disfurnish ourselves of ammunition and men, that we might be the more easily fallen upon. To do so, is the head, and if the commons should know it, it would not go well with them. I cannot receive it that the governor's would trouble themselves herewith, for though there were many slaves among the Lords, yet there be many good cities, that would take it upon them.  E. 
You judge well, for they of Holland take it exceedingly on them, have well received the messengers of the Parliament, at their entreaty have arrested divers ships with ammunition, that would go to the King, notwithstanding the deep protestations of the Queen against it: they also will that those shall be sought for, that have sent away the former ammunition without their knowledge, yea they press this point so far, that they have sent a message to them of Zealand, to be one with them in this point, and other points tending to the maintenance of the freedom of the Land, which is there also exceedingly well taken up, and concluded to the conten●ment of those of Holland, although it were there stoutly struggled against: God grant that the Provinces may understand it so likewise.  N. 
Sir, whence heard you all this; you must have listened with a curious ear; you tell me here choice tidings, God must be praised for the zeal of the honourable States of Holland, this is a token that there must be yet many good Lords there, God make their number tenfold more and so encourage them, that neither by promises, nor deceits, they may be won to desist from this good begun work; their reward shall be with God, and all good inhabitants shall carry them upon their hands, and with them, adventure all for the freedom.  E. 
We doubt not of the affection of the Commons: but they know not many times, that their safety dependeth upon ours, and that this doing is not for us alone, but for them also: But the Governors see this well, and therefore we hope that they shall be for us, as for themselves, as it is also very needful; for the Queen doth not cease to be on his Highness' ear, to engage himself, and assist her with men, and money, for the Marriage sake; yea she regardeth not to write to the King, that the Prince hath afforded her all help in this thing already, which must be received with discretion, for she can write that, to animate the King, although there be nothing of it, such practices go through the world; she pawneth still daily the jewels of the Kingdom, knoweth how to send officers privately, with ammunition to the King, which by little and little through the wonderful providence of GOD falleth into the Parliaments hand, by which all her designs are discovered, like as GOD from time to time hath brought to light all enterprises against the Parliament. GOD grant it may be always so.  N. 
All good men are with his Highness exceedingly perplexed, who by this Marriage, is in a great strait, on the one side he would willingly give content to the Queen and the King, being so near bound unto them by alliance, in regard of his son; on the other side, the best governor's, and body of the inhabitants incline to the Parliament, whose good will doth most concern his Highness, for therewith he must keep house, God give his Highness' wisdom, that he sail not against the stream to engage himself farther with them that no farther diseases or unquietness come upon us and England. But tell me how it goeth forward with the King's matters.  E. 
I have gotten even now, a Letter from England, that the Earl of Essex with the Leaguer is marched towards the King, first to desire his Majesty by request to be pleased to join himself to his Parliament, and in case of refusal to see if he can free his Majesty from his bad counsillers, with so little blood shed as he can.  N. 
But I hear that the King hath also a mighty leaguer, & besides that, he gets the Papists daily to his assistance, yea, that he himself hath called them to aid him. Tell me once what there is, concerning that, for that should manifestly oppugn all his former deep protestations, wherein he hath many times called God to witness, and thereby should before GOD and the whole world, make himself a perjured person, justify the Parliament in their proceed, and let every one see, that they intent nothing but the suppression of the freedoms of the kingdom, and the Religion.  E. 
That is certain, that the papists who were disarmed by order from the Parliament, have at their request received express order from his Majesty, to arm themselves, for his, and their own defence.  N. 
But we wonder, that the Parliament hath so long delayed: they might long before this time, have more easily beset the King, when he had but 2. or 300. men with him, now it will cost much blood, & spoil England.  E. 
The Parliament have taken the mildest way, and always hoped by humble messages, supplications, and high presentations to the King, to mollify him, open his eyes, and bring him again unto them: Now they can manifest to all the common people, and before the whole World, that they are brought, by the greatest necessity, to the last remedy of open war against their King, and are free from all the innocent blood.  N. 
The Parliament showeth themselves to be right fathers of their country, that seek to content their inhabitants so much as they can. GOD give them wisdom, and courage, to do all things according to justice, and right, in sincerity before GOD, for his holy truth, to the rooting out of papacy, and then they need not fear, but GOD will further his own cause.  E. 
This the Parliament Lords of both Houses, have professed with high and deep oaths, and all their actions also manifest the same. But they about the King show, that they have sworn the destruction of the whole Kingdom, for they do nothing but pilledge and steal, and especially from the best inhabitants, and such as are known and commended for their godliness, whom they have upon a roll, not to pass by their houses, before that (like a company of ungodly persons) they have turned all things upside down, and like barbarous men, have handled the men, and women, and children. So that it is to be feared, if these blood thirsty persons should once get the upper hand, and effect their design, there would follow as bloody days, as in the time of Mary.  N. 
In truth, the estate of your kingdom and church is exceeding pitiful, it is wholly a popish work, the LORD go forth with the Parliaments Leaguer, & bring to shame such blood thirsty men; have you not heard, whither any thing hath passed between the two Leaguers?  E. 
I got even now writings, that the 2 Leaguers are on each other, that there hath been a fierce battle, yea, with great advantage for the King, seeing that 2. Regiments of the Parliament presently took flight; but the Earl of Essex, with some other assistance, fell on with new courage, and have after a bloody fight, put the king's folk to a retreat, and with honour and advantage kept the field, so that on the king's side well 3000. and amongst them many great ones, were slain, and on the Parliaments side but about, 400. God the Lord fought for them.  N. 
This was a bloody beginning, God stay this fury, heal the wound, appease the quarrels, and change the, wa●r into peace.  E. 
There is little sign of it, for the King seemeth rather to be a king of a pillaged people, & wasted country, than that he should study to agree with the Parliament; to the reforming of the Kingdom, yea since this battle, his folk, and especially Prince Robert, have to the great distaste of the English who have been so tender hearted of their troubles more, and more enraged, plundered Banbury, and some other places, and used the people most shamefully, and so they approached close towards the city of London, with their leaguer, there to share the best boot, if they could but get it.  N. 
There must then needs have been great fear in London.  E. 
You may well think that, but there was good order held in all places within and without the City, watch set at all passages, and ordnance planted, besides this the Earl of Warwick is on foot with a new leaguer, to join with the Earl, of Essex and then apparently to fall again upon the king's leaguer. God, grant that we may hear good news, I must go about my business, we must break off, till a better opportunity.  N. 
One word more, is there no more hope of an accommodation?  E. 
Those that now speak of an agreement in the Parliament are fearful hearted men, and it may be also many of them not true hearted enough, the business is goens too far; not with standing seeing many have good hope to bring the king to a good agreement, therefore the good members of both houses, to give unto his Majesty full measure, have again nominated certain persons to deliver a request to his Majesty, tending to peace and agreement, and there upon some intercessons begun, but they in the mean time fell upon the Parliaments troops, and occasioned new blood shed, contrary to all protestations, and so all proved fruitless, and now all things are made ready in London, to adventure the utmost for the religion, and liberty. The people are full of courage, alla like willing to pawn their lives upon it, and a new bloody battle is spoken of: the Lord fight for his.  E. 
Well is the cause so exceeding pitiful? how shall we answer it before God, that we take no more compassion upon you? God shall see and search it, that we are now so careless, knowing nothing but of devilish masking ungodly and wanton ballads, and dances, superfluous meals, wherewith we daily pamper our selus as on afeast day; and the queen of England with our greatones can make themselves merry with these, in this time of sorrow, as if this misery concerned them not, how can it go well with them and us? is it now your turn, it can quickly be ours, my heart is so overwhelmed with sorrow, that I can scarce speak any more. I thank you for your friendly communication, I shall pray to God for England, that he will spare that glorious Kingdom, discover the malignants, open the eyes of the King, and also of all our states men, that we may either remain neutral, or choose the right party. Far well my good friend, If you hear any more news, I pray make me partaker thereof.  
FINIS.