MORE NEWS From the PALATINATE; AND MORE COMFORT To every true Christian, that either favoureth the cause of Religion, or wisheth well to the KING of BOHEMIA'S proceed.  
According to faithful and honest Letters, sent over since the beginning of March, and now published for the satisfaction of every true English heart.  A jove surgit op●●. 
MDCXXII.   

More News from the Palatinate, etc.  
THe history of the jewish captivity is so remarkable, that it affordeth many observations to the Church of God, and is like the Balm of Gilead unto festering wounds, or curing salves unto sore eyes: For for the times of their humiliation they were derided of all nations, their credit lay like water spilt out of a bowl never to be gathered up again; the Heathen had no word for their Temple, but down with it, down with it, nor for the walls of the City, but let them be pulled to rubbish, the crown of the Priesthood was tumbled into the dirt, and Nehemiah with the Princes were mocked to scorn, when they attempted to re-edify jerusalem and to recover their reputation. And hath it not fared thus with Count Palatine, whose investure with his ever memorable and heroic Queen was for the time glorious, and the manner acceptable, till the supportation of his greatness fell from him, and Prague itself stood tottering in her firmness, proving like an Egyptian reed not to be trusted unto, yea the Princes of the Union were exanimated, and gave way unto the unresistable power (as it seemed) of the adversary: then was nothing heard of but the loss of his crown and dignity, the surprising of his Country and inheritance, the pursuit of his enemies, the clamours of the Papists, the derision of the jesuites, and Priests, the exclamation of the Bishops, the attempts of Saxony, and Bavaria, with all the formidable preparation, that the Emperor and house of Austria could make against him.  
But now comes the comfort and cure, jerusalem is re-edified, the people restored, the Temple erected, the wall builded, the Princes sent home again, the Law read, the Sacrifice exalted, the Priesthood magnified, and a work is done of admiration: for the God of breath and spirits blew gentle calms upon the violent heat of their persecutions, and slacked the burnings of their outrageous fires: and why may it not be thus with the Palatinate? or, if you will, the King of Bohemia's proceed? he hath hitherto had Nemesis in tergo, and according to the proverb every place hath been a Seians horse unto him, for in hope of restitution, and a peaceable end, he hath found no rest, but one wave of turbulence following another: Spinola and his army enters on the West: Bavaria and his forces comes upon the East, and the whole Country is trampled upon with the cruel feet of his enemies: but now Rota fortunae in gyro, and through God's mercy the veil of despair is taken away, and a new face of cheerfulness appears. For the Princes of Germany are ashamed of their former retraction, and some Catholic Bishops begin to suspect a further incrochment and tyranny, and so promish fair to set upright the flourishing liberty of their Cities, which can not be done, except the Palatine be restored, the wars ended, and strangers kept from usurping the plenty of their Country.  
As for the Bishop of Strasburgh, brother to the Emperor, Count Mansfeild hath already abated his strength, and in a manner dismounted him from riding away with the triumph of prevailing, yea, he hath affrighted Leopaldus himself, and thrust up all his enemies into Towns of Garrisons, so that what with the malignity of the time of the year, and weather, and the fear of his Greatness, being 30000. strong: here is nothing talked of, but Treatises of pacificationwith him, and martages for atonement. For the Bishop of Spires Country is wholly in his power, except one Fort, and every place he comes to either compoundeth for his friendship, or associates herself unto him: yea, he is grown so strong, and so well appointed, that there are messages (I dare not name them Embasses) sent unto him on all sides, namely, from France, Venice, Hage, Lorraine, and peradventure England herself, and that worthily too. For if ever Hannibal was commended for Discipline, and good order in his confused Army, consisting of so many several Nations, this man hath augmented his reputation for his Martial government one way, and his noble Spirit, commixed with mansuetude, and commiseration another way: so that his very enemies can lay no imputation upon him, more than amazement, what course this brave built Bark will take in this turbulent Ocean of defiances, when all the Princes of Europe stand thus watching one another's proceed. And thus much for Count Mansfeild, and the King of Bohemia's hopes to see once again the scattered limbs of Pelops gathered together and the broken bones of his Fortune well set again, made strong and stronger, like broken bones indeed, that prove the better for their first fraction, being well cured by a cunning Surgeon.  
The elder Duke of Brunswick, as it should seem, is not dead: For by reason of the Bishop of Haverstaffs letters, the younger Duke of Brunswick hath played the Soldier all this Winter, and taken in 8. or 9 Towns of the Bishops of Mentzes and Cullen, and although since February Count Harry Vanderbergh is gone up against him, since he took Gulick, and a Colonel of Bavaries, and another of Don Gonzales, being in all 12000. foot, and 2000 Horse, are likewise marched to intercept his forwardness: yet hath he proved very fortunate in his expeditions, and kept his ground in despite of the proudest wrestlers. But we say here, that these two last Colonels named, are retired back again, as taking their first journey upon a rumour, that there were 8000. English coming into the Country, and hoping of good passage by the Duke of brunswick's means, whom these Bavarians meant to intercept. But this rumour ran herself quickly out of breath. For by the first of March, letters of credit came, that not a Drum was beaten in England to such a purpose, whereupon they returned back again to their Generals, for fear of Count Mansfeild's coming upon them, and surprising them unawares.  
Whilst Count Mansfeild thus proceeded, and had his affairs carried in a sweet passage boat of success, the Protestant Princes loath to be behind hand with him in correspondency, seeing the great aids which came in, and the many Forces promised, engaged themselves likewise to his assistance, namely, the marquis of Baben, the Duke of Wittenbergh, the marquis of Aensburch, and the Lanssgrave of Hess, who every one prepared 10000 men for the Spring, and made tender of their service accordingly, so that if performances follow, & this fair shadow of good words have but an equal body of substance, and available actions, the Summer fields may be filled with an Army of a 100000. men, which though it sound too harshly in the ears of Soldiers, who know, what 40000. armed men can do, and seem ridiculous to Politicians, who presently demand after the money to pay them: yet is it certain, that these Princes & Lords of Countries have made their tongues pronounce the judgement, as for the consent of the heart, and the many contingents, which may happen disastrously, these are wrapped up in the closet house of Heaven, and being arcana coeli, it is not for polluted hands to reach at them, no more then for us to know, whether Bethlem Gabor will go on, as he hath done, to hold the Emperor play in those quarters, which if he do, then let equal men judge (for all there is a report, that there are 8000. men come out of Italy to Leopaldus) whether the Emperor can be any way so strong, as the Princes, I might better say, his Excellency Count Mansfeild. For without controversy, he is now such a spirit raised that I believe will hardly be conjured down again by such forces, as the Emperor can either spare, or provide so soon. But the Summer is the time that Armies go into the fields, and so till that time, we will suspend all predictions, and anticipations.  
The fast letters from Vienna report diverse things, both of the Emperor's pretended marriage, and of the Turks making peace with Poland; but especially, concerning the contracts with the Hungarians, which hath spent most part of the Winter in their Treaties, and is indeed suspected not to have any good success, because Bethelem Gabor will not conclude it without the Emperor of Turks consent, to whom he is Tributary; and the Turk will not consent, because he pretends that the Emperor hath broken with him, and set upon his friends in his absence, or not kept promise in sending his Ambassador to the Sacraporta, as hath been the custom, and so to attend him in his wars. Thus instead of reconciliation, is he rather threatened, and for any thing we hear, the Prince of Transiluania affects the restitution of the King of Bohemia, and will prosecute his recovery as fare as he can, or is able. But which way soever it chance, Dulce Bellum inexpertis, and the war hath not only made scars in the face of this pleasant Country, but filled it with wrinkles, which have taken in so much soil, and dirt, and sweat, that I am afraid the running water of peace will hardly wash it clean again in good time, and it will scarce recover her pristinat glory in many years. But of all other things most lamentable, the Church of God hath suffered devastation, and the backs and sides of Religion have been lashed with cruel stripes, and the tormentor's hand hath gone over them and over them again: For Idolatry hath made the walls of those Churches weep, where God hath been truly worshipped, and not the name of an Image heard in many years. The pulpits have been trampled in with those obscene feet, whose masters have trod up on the graves of poor deceased Christians, and by the name of Heretics, thought them only worthy to be receptacles for their ordure, making their Chapels a very Stews: the houses which have lodged their garrisons, have been filled with their strumpets, who have made the hearts of the owners sad again, with their filthy prostitution, abominable Masses, songs of ribaldry, invectives against Christ and his Gospel, and many other fearful impieties of superstition and blasphemy: yea all places have been replenished like the groves and alrars of the heathen, with mixtures of incense and sacrifice, which I know, stink worse than the smell of a dunghill in the nostrils of our sanctifier, and great God, so that I make no question, he will one day take his own cause in hand, and deliver us from this usurpation and intrusion, so that for this point I end with the Motto, Dies dabit, quod dies negat.  
I will not dispute neither of the prerogative of Conquerors, nor condition of the conquered, of the riches of Emperors, nor the power of Princes, of the treasure of Kings, nor abundant wealth of Monarches of the necessity of the Soldiers, who must either live upon their prey, salary, or spoil, or the inconveniences of a garrison in a Country over-watched with many disastrous accidents. But this I am sure of, that those soldiers which Spinola left behind him, are not only wasted with many malignant circumstances, but wearied and tormented for want of pay and entertainment: Insomuch that Don Gonsales de Cordira the Spanish General laid a new imposition upon that part of the Palatinate under his jurisdiction of a 100000 dollars, which amounteth to 20000. lib. sterling, whereabout the people were miserably handled: For although they pleaded the devastation of their Country, and the many wrest from them the blessings which God had imparted after great toil, labour, and endurances: yet nothing served the turn but present money, and the Captains had much ado to pacify the Soldiers before the tax was gathered, and the imposition raised.  
By this time, it is the midst of February, and therefore it is time to tell you, what a hard Winter we have had, and what strange sights we have seen. The Palatinate hath been subject to such frost and snow, that the Rhine hath been frozen 7. or 8. weeks together, and since it began to thaw, which was the 5. of February, we have had dry and close weather, yet fair and srosty mornings: then grew it close and misty again 2. or 3. days, afterwards it waxed warm but not long: then the mornings brought us small rain till ten of the clock, but the 14. and 15. were very wet, by reason of which uncertainty of weather many projects were disappointed, and divers excursions being made, the Soldiers returned without effecting their purposes: yet did General Vere overslip no opportunity, which either served to annoy the enemy, or relieve his friends, he visited the sconces and garrisons, & supplied their wants as he could, he made new ramparts at Hidelburg, leaving therein Sir Garret Herbert as I take it with 2. Companies of English: but the main government was under a dutch Colonel, he fortified Franckendale, and the sconces on the passages, he watched Mainhem and lay therein himself: he reveiwed all other places, which stood in need of his care, and diligence, and so much for weather, now to our sights and apparitions.  
The 5. of this present February, about one of the clock, there appeared very plainly 3. full coloured Rainbows, one bending from south southeast toward the north: the other opposite to it from south-west northward, the third was called Iris Verticalis, whose Centre was the Sun itself: there were also 3. more dimmer and not so well coloured, compassing the Sun as it were, but yet of distance some degrees: The night following were many flashings of the air of lightning, and as it happeneth in such cases some there were, that saw armed men fight, and some that heard the clashings of armour, and some, that said plainly these things were not customary, but portended tumultuary convulsions on all sides: I confess I remembered the Star 1618. and made a Catalogue of many accidents, which have happened since, and although we were not much amazed at these things, because there was no preventing of that which God had appointed: yet it made us make this use, to pray to God to divert his judgement from us, and continue his mercy towards us, as for conjecturing the worst, which was war, blood, and trouble, who could not apprehend as much, without whispering of prophecies, or calculating nativities, or affrighting any fearful man, when all Europe was in Arms, and the Princes of the earth stood gazing at one another's Fortunes.  
By this time Count Mansfeild had sent to Lorraine, and had likewise answer from the Duke, which some will have to this purpose, That for his own part he was willing to give way for his passage, whether he meant to go to Artoys, or France: But the King of France would by no means consent thereunto, which whether it were pleasing to his Excellency or no, I will not dispute: this I am sure, that it made his own Soldiers talk at random, that he meant to divert the war from the Palatinate, and either draw it into France, or Flanders. As for the hope of rendition, he would not meddle with other Prince's designs, but in a manner he warranted the King of Bohemia a better recompense than the rendition of his Country, or peradventure the Crown of Bohemia itself, whereupon reciprocal letters have passed between them, and no doubt there shall no enterprise be set on foot, but by direction of a Council of war from the King of Bohemia, and the Prince of Orange, and so running to one another with sweet conveyance, Count Mansfeild shall be (as it were) the Cistern to entertain the water coming from these Springs: For although the King of Bohemia lieth now quiet at the Hage, yet no question is his spirit working in other places, and time will perfect that, which we now imagine is an unperfect Chaos of confusion, and so much for the business as it hangeth in suspense, and cannot yet make even the skoales of mischief and misfortune, as we profanely abuse that term, and Character.  
I understand by many messengers, that your Corantoes in England are so translated, and obsequious to the Dutch Copies, that they never mention any exploit of the English, nor vouchsafe to attribute the glory of any enterprise unto them, as forgetting Captain Boroghs, at the siege of Franckendale, and diverse valiant Gentlemen in other places, nay, they scarce mention General Vere himself, who is worthy of all memory, for his constant resolution, and noble courage in these wants & endurances: For although some Politicians have given it out, that Spinola might as well have run all over the Country, as do that he did, yea, taken Heidelberg itself, if he had kept his Army together, and therefore that which was left undone, must be imputed to his commiseration, or peradventure, directions from higher powers: yet will not I give way to such opinion, but answer plainly and honestly, that by that time the English had fortified the places, and hunted the enemy with set Batalions, it was not so easy to climb trenches and ramparts, and come over the heads of Pikes, or stop the mouths of Cannons: Witness the interception of Bavaria himself, who ambitiously swallowing the whole Palatinate, as a gift of the Emperor, came forward a pace with proud steps to straddle over it like a Colossus, and thought at once to invest himself with her robe and Coronet: but GOD be thanked, it is yet undone, and if ever a Proverb was verified, we may well say by him; Multa cadunt inter Calicem, supremaque labra.  
But to my first purpose, seeing the Dutch will tell you no Stories of the English, I will tell you one of the Dutch.  
Upon the last of january, when the Frost began to break, a certain Dutch Captain, full of presumptuous words, and ostentous brags, resolved to perform some exploit upon Steine a Castle, which stood in the midst of woods and waters, and for which Don Gonzalis first broke the Truce, the 20. of August last: whereupon as well acquainted with the passages, and all the secrets of the place, he undertook this enterprise with a 100 men, and came accordingly thither by four a clock in the morning, nor did he this temerariously to the outward show, but had good searches and scout-masters before to understand the strength of the place (besides his own knowledge of the situation) the number of the Guard, and the order of the Sentinels, with all other things appertaining to a surprise. But see the misfortune! as soon as ever the Sentinel had discharged his Musket, he quickly fell from his resolution, as a man distracted, and very basely cried out, We are discovered, A retreat, a retreat; and when the Soldiers answered again, there was yet no danger, nor could be any in the prosecution, he road in amongst them, and beat them back most cowardly, as if 10000 enemies had come toward them: yet for all this, when he and his company had thus run away, at the same time a Dutch Lieutenant, with less than fifty men, surprised, and cut off the whole Court of Guard in the Sconce before the Castle, took many prisoners, and made the rest secure themselves with in the walls, from whence they played apace, but did not hurt above one man: but by reason they wanted their Patars, and that the Captain and his company were gone so far off, they could not enter the gates, nor sap the walls, but made a brave Retreat indeed, and came safely to their Rendezvous. But the Captain in stead of rendering an account to my Lord General of his actions, ran away for shame, and was no more seen in public among the Soldiers; yet had the Lieutenant thankes, and a gratuity, according to the worthiness of his deserving.  
This I thought good to set down as a taste of such bitter pills, we are many times constrained to swallow, as either the Dutch prove unruly, or out of suspicion of overmastring, cast up an untoward account of their own weakness: Thus lost we this opportunity of the lasting frost, considering the place was of importance, and now must be contented: For in open weather the Castle is in a manner impregnable, as standing (as I said) in such a fastness of wood, and water.  
Whiles the affairs of the Palatinate cheered our hearts with the expectation of good deliverance from all our troubles, news came for certain, that the Emperor was married, and the Pope had sent the Empress an hallowed rose of gold, with other relics, which she received very graciously at the hands of Seigneur Perospi his Nuntio.  
Although the frost and snow was very great, yet it is said, that the Neopolitans, and other Italian soldiers taking advantage of certain contracts, and articles between the Grizons, and the Spanish garrisons, have adventured through the passages, and with the loss of 800. men by the asperity of wether, presented a body of 800. to Leopaldus, who thereupon attempted both to recover Elsas Saveren, and his Country, which were spoilt a new for breach of their faith to Count Mansfeild, and to send a defiance to his Excellency, who for all the report of the Catholic greatness, smiled at the bravado, as resolving upon other manner of business, then fight of a battle in a country where nothing was to be gotten.  
About the 15. of February, a great fire happened at Landenburgh, as you go to Heidelburgh, which not only burnt down the two great gates, but consumed many rooms and chambers, yea diverse soldiers, that had the watch of the Tower, and guard of the place: yet was the mischief imputed to the watch, and the Country much affrighted came in to complain to the Governor of the offenders.  
Report is still busy amongst us, and to comfort us in our wants and distress in the Palatinate, assureth that all the Countries round about, namely Spires, Elsos, Strasburgh, and all the bishoprics in general, are ready to starve, and have not sufficient viands for their own inhabitants, whereupon Count Mansfield hath written to the Duke of Wittenbergh, for passage through his country, so that it is supposed, he either intendeth for Bavaria or Vienna, unless he play the lap wing, who commonly flieth furthest from her nest, & so may he give notice of one thing, and yet pretend another.  
Much about this time his Excellency Count Mansfield understanding that the Bavarian Regiment was under the command of Montaigne, and lay quartered upon the neckar in the ampt mosbegg, sent to the town of Hagenaw for a new composition, & so had 30000. Florins by way of a tax or new leavy: thus doth he both increase and enrich himself, yet is not his determination known, what he will do with his great army, more than that (as they say) he writ letters of comfort to Heidelburg, and General Vere at Mainhem, whose horse went out the same day upon an expedition, and took many wagons loaden with provision, and diverse prisoners, who were ransomed after the manners of soldiers: they went out to relieve Landenburgg and other towns in the enemy's possession, for they were subject to hunger and cold, and there perished of the inhabitants very near 600.  
After Grave Hendrick Van being with the garrisons of Gulick, had passed the Rhine, as was supposed, to join with the Bavarians and Spaniards that were coming into Hassia: the Duke Christian of Brunswick, stored Pater borne and many towns with soldiers, and resolved to encounter them, which way so ever they came or went, but as they had done once before, some occasion divided them all, for they never met; but for any thing I hear, they were glad of good shelter in this cold and unseasonable weather.  
There are other things, of which I could write, but I am sure you dare not publish: For such is the nature of rumour, that a little truth begetteth many absurdities, like a Ball of snow, which by often rolling groweth bigger and bigger; and therefore I desist at this time, till better occasion present better matter unto me, which, I am sure, is now in the womb, and longeth for a birth and fair deliverance. The sum of all is, that God (as he hath done) will maintain the cause of his Church; and Religion (as she hath done) will show her own splendour, in despite of clouds and opposition, like the Sun, that may be a while obscured, but at last openeth the vapours, and cometh like a Bride out of her chamber. As for man, though there is no quarrel so justifiable as the defence of the Gospel, and propagation of the same, if yet there be mixtures of private revenge, envy, ambition, desire of renown, covetousness, and that which we call heroic valour in the ampliation of territories; it will taint the good cause, like dead flies in boxes of ointments, and God will have no such mixtures, as collateral corruption to be shadowed under the defence of his Truth: therefore I make no question of a recovery in the Palatinate, because I see apparently so many good souls and dispositions both grieved at the cessation of the public Ministry in many places, and vexed again at the impiety of Papistical Priests, who dare bring the pattern of the Altar of Damascus into the temple of God. And as for their objection, that maintain, that the Soldiers of Count Mansfeilds' Armies, and the rest of the Princes, which pretend the defence of the King of BOHEMIA's cause, are either most of them Papists, or of no Religion: and yet forage, and spoil the Countries of Catholic Bishops, and such Lords, as know no other but the obedience of the Pope's Supremacy. I answer plainly and honestly: What of that? God will bring his purpose this way about: Though Nabuchadnezzar be an hypocrite, yet for the time shall his Idol be trampled to dust, and be no more worshipped: Though Cyrus be a Heathen, yet God calleth him his servant, and he shall send the people to re-edify jerusalem, and the vessels of Gold back again to adorn the Temple: And though Papists maintain their absurd opinions, yet shall they be made instruments of God's glory, and even destroy one another, till either they be converted, or effectuate that work, which he setteth them about: In which expectation we remain at this hour, and exhilerate ourselves, that the business in hand is in so good a forwardness.  
FINIS.