THe Malignant Party of this King­dome hath for a long time conti­nued in their wicked and damna­ble Designs; insomuch, that their impu­dencie is grown to such a height, that they are not ashamed to make their in­tentions publikely known to the whole world, as may appear by this insuing Re­lation.

Upon the 4. day of this instant month of July, 1642. the Lord Strange came from Yorke, and approached neer the [Page] Town of Manchester with a great num­ber of Armed men, and comming neer the Town he sent to the Inhabitants thereof to know their minds whether they would agree to the Proposition which he had sent them two or three dayes be­fore, for the restoring of the Magazine which were in that Town to his own [...] Custody, threatning them, that if they would not, he would send such a Messen­ger that should make them yeeld, and bring them to due subjection.

The Inhabitants having received this Message, they resolved to send this An­swer unto him, which they did accor­dingly, that for the Magazine which was in that Town, they would not restore it to him, it being the only safeguard and defence they had.

And they likewise Declared, that if his Lordship did take any other course to seize upon it violently, they would lose their dearest lives in defence thereof, by reason the Country was in such a great distraction and perplexity, that they did [Page] not know how soon they might be dis­possest of all they had, if so be they had not Arms to defend themselves withall. The Lord Strange having received this Answer, and hearing what their Resolu­tion and Intention were, hee was much perplexed in mind, drawing all his For­ces together, he marched against the said town of Manchester, and shot off 3▪ or 4▪ Muskets against them, but the Inhabitants seeing that he were come, and that Hee were resolved to take the Magazine away by force, understanding his full intention by the Messengers which came from him, they resolved every man to fight it out.

Wherupon each man stood upon His own guard, and about 9. of the clocke in the morning on the 5. day of this present month, the Lord Strange came with his forces against the town, and would have entred, but that they kept him out by force, but Captain Smith being in the Front, gave a sierce siring against the In­habitants of Manchester▪ but was answe­red [Page] with most puissant courage again, and slew two of the Lords men.

Whereupon a great and furious skir­mish did insue; The Lord Strange having besieged the Town, he began to give battell a­gainst them, but the Inhabitants being true within themselves, ordered the businesse so well, that they drew out, ten small Companies, and set them in a faire Battalion against them, answering each other very furiously at the first: but after some two or three houres skirmish, there was seven more of the Lord Stranges men slain, and two of the Inhabitants of Manchester, onely one Master Band was shot in the thigh.

After they had ceased two or three houres, they began again, each Company striving for the day, and after the space of two hours, they ended the Battell with the Sun of the day, the Lord Strange withdrawing his forces about two miles from Manchester, having lost as is iustly supposed 27. men, of the other side, 11. Captain Band is very well recovered a­gain praised be God.

Wee expect d [...]i [...]y when the L. Strange [Page] will visit us again, but I hope the Lord will enable us against his comming.

They give out many threatning spee­ches against us, and it is thought here, that he hath sent for many more Forces towards Yorke.

The Lord Rivers gives out many scan­dalous speeches against us, and striveth by all means he possible can, to set the whole Country against us.

This is the beginning of Civill Warre, being the first stroke that hath bin struck, and the first Bullet that hath bin shot, but GOD knowes when the ending will be, or when the troubles of this Kingdome will grow to a period.

Many thousands I doubt will lose their lives before that this Kingdome be setled in peace and untity, as it hath bin formerly, for no man knoweth the Cruelt [...] of war, but those that have felt and tryed it for when that time commeth, many Child will be left Fatherlesse, and many a poore wife Husbandlesse.

But God of his great mercy, stop the sword from going any further, and as it [Page] is but a little way drawn, so Lord I be­seech thee sheath it again, before that it be drawn any further, that so by that meanes the Walls of Syon may not bee beaten down nor destroyed.

It is ordered, that the Lord Strange be re­quired to deliver that part of the Magazine of the County of Lancaster into the hands of the Deputy Lieuten [...]nts.