THe Common Enemy, by great slight, and profound skill, having brought us all, in a manner, insensibly and smoothly, we hardly perceiving it, to such a passe, that we were all catched almost, when we did think our selves freest: For how many were there amongst us, who, thinking themselves sincere professors of the true­ly reformed Religion, were altogether infected with errour and heresie, by an unparallell'd cunning of the Enemies of the Truth, in one way or other? He then did judge it fit time (as in all probability it was) to dallie no more, nor deal with us by undermining any further, but in an open way, to overthrow whatsoever should lie in his way, in case of any opposition to his [Page 2] main designe, which is to withdraw men from the Service of God, and from true love one to another.

Now, when he had cast his eyes up and down among us, to see where it was fittest for him to begin this his great and open undertaking, in the end he resolves to begin at Scotland, where if he found compliance, he had what he desired; for they, who were so far distant from him, having once complied, would not only invite others by their example to submit; but also help him to go on with the work. And in case the Scots should refuse, being not able to resist long, as he thought, by reason of their weaknesse for counsell and action; with means to sup­port both, they should be made an example of punish­ment to all others, not to dare to refuse, and against their will to serve unto the advancement of the designe.

So the Scots are gone too, and compliance is requi­red of them, which almost had been obtained, (the most part of the spirits of the people being kept under by heavy pressures, and the great ones inslaved by Court-interest;) but God in his Mercy to that Nation, did stir up the spirits of divers of all ranks and degrees, despise­able indeed in the eyes of the Enemy, to stand in the gap with wisdom and resolution:

First, In a fair way to decline and put off what was unjustly required of them by the Court, acting for the Enemy of God and his people.

Next, When no better could be, they take Arms and stop the Enemies coming unto them, upon which a Peace is made with them, and their just demands are granted for the most part, in words at least.

The Articles of Peace are no sooner agreed upon, but resolution is taken by the Court to break them thus:

First, There is a Plot set afoot to catch at Berwick the chief sticklers for the Truth. Which Plot, by Gods Providence, is discovered and disappointed.

Then shortly thereafter, at London, the Articles are [Page 3] burned publikely, the Scots Commissioners put in pri­son, and (a second expedition) undertaken against them.

So the Scots Reformers were put to work again by a new undergoing of War, which they perform as for­merly, with wisdom and resolution, and with successe, under Gods blessing: For, having in a very short time setled their own Countrey, by subduing those who had then risen and stood out against them, they come into England to seek out the Enemy, who was bound for their Countrey; unto whom they give a repulse, and thereafter they come forward to New-castle, from whence they send their Commissioners to treat with the King, where all the time they stayed, they behaved themselves with such temper and moderation, that their sworn Enemies had nothing to say against their carri­age.

The Scots incoming and abode at New-castle, did embolden some of the English Nobility, chief Gentry, and Magistracy, to petition the King openly and freely for a Parliament, to redresse all the disturbances in the Common-wealth, both of Church and State.

The King, although he had never intended to have any Parliament (as was clear, not onely by divers ex­pressions of himself, and of the Court, but also by the managing of publike affairs) is necessitated by reason of the Scots to grant a Parliament, which he doth, and since he could not refuse it, his second thought is how to make it work for his purpose, which he endeavoureth by causing to be chosen divers Members of the Commons, so far as he was able to do, what by his own private Or­ders, what by the Court-dependers, Nobles, and others of credit: but all will not do; for some of those who were chosen by his procurement are rejected, others do not answer according to his expectation: Then he plots with the Army he had gathered against the Scots, and by [Page 4] Papists, to undo the Parliament; but the Plot, through fear of miscarriage (the Scots being so neer) is disco­vered, and faileth.

After this, the King hath his recourse to the Scots themselves, if they would come forward and destroy the Parliament, they should have the plunder of the Ci­ty of London for their pains, with the four next adja­cent Counties for their inheritances, besides store of money.

The Scots are so far from consenting to this base act, that they reject it with disdain, and give notice of it to the Parliament, with assurance of their affection and faithfulnesse.

Upon this, the Scots are cryed up to be Parlia­ments Army, by some, and the Parliament to be for the Scots.

Then jealousies must be raised against the Scots, That they would never remove, nor go home. This reproach is raised and spred abroad by the adversaries of Church and State, and received by the simpler ones, otherwayes well-meaning and well-disposed men.

So the Scots, to take away all kinde of suspicion, re­paire home peaceably. Then the King must follow them home to try conclusions:

First, He essayeth again if the Scots Army could be cor­rupted for his designe: But he loseth his pains.

Next, He goeth on, and being in Scotland, he try­eth if he can make sure the chief opposers of the great designe, as of some also who had not served him accord­ing to the trust he had given them therein: This Plot also faileth.

By this time, the Irish break forth in Rebellion, burning and spoiling the Countrey, and slaying the English Protestants there amongst them: The Villains give out, That they have nothing to say against the Scots their old Friends, Brethren, and neer Neighbours, but [Page 5] against the Adherents to that wicked Parliament of Eng­land, so displeasing to the good King.

This they did, hoping that by these fair words, and not doing harm at first to the Scots amongst them, to make the Scots be quiet, whom they knew would be very soon in readinesse to fall upon them, if the King and Parliament of England would allow and desire it.

The Scots make offer of their Service unto the King (while he is amongst them) for repressing the Rebellion in Ireland: He waves the businesse, and puts it off, with that he could do nothing without the Parliament of Eng­land; and so he cometh to the Parliament, where till he was constrained, he said little or nothing of the Rebels; at last, he is made to make a Declaration against them, and then course must be taken for repressing them. The Scots continue to offer their assistance; but with shifts, they were put off by the Court, and by some corrupt men fiding with the Court, for a long time.

At last, the Scots send an Army into Ireland, willing to do their best; but not being furnished with neces­saries for the prosecution of the Service, nor supplied in their wants, they could not go on so earnestly and with such heartinesse as they themselves wished: so after divers of them had starved and perished for want, some return back to their own Countrey, yet they leave there a considerable body under the conduct of Ma­jor Generall Monro, which number had absolute­ly starved if it had not been supplied from Scotland, who although it was not able to provide for that Army in such a proportion as was needfull for a more earnest pursuance of the Service, yet they kept them alive, and encouraged them to go still on with the Work; and al­though that Army there hath not done all what was ex­pected of them, yea not so much perchance, as some men conceive they might have done, yet one thing is acknowledged by all, That this Army hath kept alive [Page 6] the Protestant-businesses in that Kingdom; for without it, the cessation and compliance with the Rebels had gone on through the whole Countrey, unto the preju­dice of the Common Cause, and to the damage of these Kingdoms; for the English Army sent thither, being corrupted and drawn hither by the King, the Prote­stant-Indwellers in Ireland had complyed, being in­clined to the Court for the most part.

But to return unto England:

The King having left London, resolves to make War against the Parliament, and being at Windsor he causeth to gather together some men, to try what he could do in the businesse; but he seeing his few gathered men to be dispersed by the Countrey, finds for such an undertaking he must have a help from beyond Seas; to this effect, he sends the Queen unto Holland: and he finds that he must go further off from London: So after her depart­ing, he goeth to York, where he sets afoot, and lays all the devises he can to make War against the Parliament.

The Scots hearing of this, presently send Commis­sioners to deal with him, and to desire him to leave off the designe of making Civill War in England, while the Protestants were thus massacred in Ireland. He ob­stinatly rejects their remonstrance, and sends them back, not suffering them to come any further according to their order and mind, which was to repair unto the Houses of Parliament, and to deal with them for the taking away all mistakes betwixt the King and them.

The King having essayed all he could in York-shire to little purpose, at last cometh Southward to Nottin­gham, where seeing his bad successe in his undertaking, he sends to the Parliament for agreement. The businesse is slighted (at least not so earnestly laid hold on as the Scots had done, at far lesse ouverture) by some chiefly who since have made known that they had more their own particular to heart then the publike good.

[Page 7]So the King continuing his designe of War, with the few men he had then, goes Westward, where he gets more men, and so with open force carrieth on the War.

The Winter following, the Scots seeing the pur­suance of the service of Ireland slacked, yea in a kinde neglected, and things come to a great hight in Eng­land, with the losse of much blood already, and spoile of a part of the Countrey, resolve to send once again unto the King▪ (then at Oxford) the same Com­missioners that were sent to him at York, with one or two more from the Church and State. The King be­ing moved for a passe to them, refuseth it for a time; but at last he grants it as they desired, which was to repair freely to and fro betwixt him and the Parliament as the occasion should require; Upon which, the Scots Com­missioners come to Oxford, and tell their message to the King, who slighteth them, and useth them coldly and corsely: After their abode for divers moneths, to no purpose, they give notice to those who had sent them, that they could do no good with the King, not so much as to have liberty to go unto the Parliament, yea not to converse with the Commissioners from the Par­liament then at Oxford. At last they are sent for to go home.

The King not being willing at that time to give such an open occasion unto the Scots, as to make them rise then in Arms, sends their Commissiones home with generall and ambiguous words, and tels them that if they would be quiet, he would ere it were long have reason of the Parliament of England; but if they should stir, he would be put to it. So they go home, and give accompt of their voyage.

The K. perceiving partly by the Commissioners, partly by his spies from the Countrey, that since he would not be moved to agree with the Parliament, the Scots were inclining to side with the Parliament in case of need; [Page 8] so underhand and secretly he sets a Plot afoot to give them work so at home, that they should not think of going abroad.

The Commissioners are hardly arrived, but there breaks out an undertaking by Malignants, in the South part of Scotland, under the favour of the Garrison of Carlile, (then in the Enemies hands) and the Papists in the North part of England: but by Gods blessing the businesse is quashed, and order is taken for the securing of the Countrey from all intestine insurrections and forrain invasions, withall to be in readinesse to help their Friends in England, at a call.

So the Sommer goeth on, in which the Kings party prevaileth so far, that they master all England (some few places reserved) except the associated Counties about London, and these in a very tottering condition, with a great dejection of spirit.

Upon this exigence, the major part of the Houses of Parliament thinks it fit time to desire the aid of the Scots; they in all appearence being the onely men they could call to for help:

First, By reason of their common interest in the Cause of Religion and Liberty with the people of Eng­land.

Next, In respect of their neernesse and Neighbour­hood.

Thirdly, In respect of their bound duty to requite (according to power) the favours their Fathers former­ly, and they themselves lately, had received from the good people of England in their own troubles.

Divers in both Houses were against the sending to the Scots, chosing rather to undergo the extremity, then to be beholding to their Friends.

After divers debates and delays, at last, it is resolved upon to send Commissioners into Scotland. None of the Peers could be perswaded to go.

[Page 9]The Commons send their Commissioners (Mem­bers of their House) with power from the Peers to transact and agree for both Houses with the Scots, by whom they are welcomed with heartinesse, as they had been for a long time expected with devotion.

They come to treat; and in a word, The Scots tell the English Commissioners, That since they desire their aid and help, in opposing the Common Enemy in this Common Cause of Religion, the sub­version and change whereof is mainly intended by the Enemy▪ all other things being but subservient to this designe, as the Houses of Parliament did well and wisely declare in that Declaration they set forth when they were to take Arms for the Cause; it were very fit that there should be a solemn Oath and Covenant drawn up and taken by both Nations, to be stedfast to the Cause of Religion, and settle it against all heresies and errours, tyranny and confusion.

And so much the rather did the Scots move this, that they had been told by the King ofter then once, and by divers of high rank, yea all the papers written by the Court against the Parliament, did tell over and over again, that the Parliament did not intend a setled Refor­mation in the Church, notwithstanding that they had called a Synod.

The English Commissioners did reply unto the Scots, That they could not but acknowledge that the thing was fit to be done; yet they had not the power to do it by their Commission. Upon this, the English Com­missioners send hither to the Parliam. for that purpose.

As some of the said Commissioners did say this in simplenesse and sincerity of heart, Others did what they could to delay and wave the Covenant▪ if it were possible; for they had no liking to it, as we have seen since; yet it was no time to reject the Scots so just desire.

[Page 10]So the Scots send Commissioners to the Parliament, who together with some deputed from the Parliament, draw up the Covenant, and it is solemnly taken.

One of those who went unto Scotland from the Sy­nod, followed thither the Scots Commissioners, and did what he could to obstruct the drawing up of the Cove­nant, and to wave the taking of it; yet he was constrain­ed to take it, with others of that mind, for it was then not season to appear otherwayes.

The Covenant is no sooner taken, but the Court changeth its language of the Parliaments intending no­thing but Schisms and Sects, and tels us, That hereafter the King will have a care of tender consciences; which was, since he could not hinder the making and taking of the Covenant by both Kingdoms, at least he will do his best to hinder divers particular men from taking it, and from studying to keep it, as that which is the most contrary to his designe.

The Scots Commissioners send the Covenant into Scotland, where it is generally taken; and thereafter ac­cording to agreement, the Scots come into England for the help of their Brethren; but it was the deep of the Winter, to wit January, before they could be ready: So in frost and snow, they come as far as Tyne, finding but small opposition by men to that place; their main ene­mies were evil weather and want; being come to Tyne, they find an Enemy with a Body of Horse and Foot ex­ceeding them in number, namely in Horse, Master of all behind him to Trente, except Hull, and of all the Coun­trey about, and strong holds.

After divers encounters and skirmishes, the Scots passe the River in spite of the Enemy, whom they make re­tire before them, and also keep together, and weary him so with hot Service and constant alarms, that divers of his men fell sick with toiling and lying without in so hard a season. At one encounter neer Durham, they [Page 11] made 7 or 8 hundred fall to the ground of the Enemy his men. Then they take Hartlepoole and other places upon the Sea, from whence they had all their provisions from Scotland, for a good while, till at last some are sent to them from the South, namely, from the Citie. As they were thus pressing the Enemy, Sir Thomas Fairfax issueth out from Hull, (whereinto he had re­tired himself for a while, being constrained to leave the Field) assisted by Sir John Meldrum, and fals upon Sel­by, which he takes with valour and successe. Upon the news hereof, the Enemy runs to York; the Scots follow upon the heels, and take some of his men and baggage. Presently the Lord Fairfax his Forces (have­ing come after his Son upon this successe) and the Scots Forces, joyn together neer York: The Enemy fearing to be inclosed, sends a party of his Horse Southward, which is followed by a joint party of the Scots & Fair­fax his men as far as Trente; then the followers return, and resolution is taken to besiege York; but the Scots having left some of their men in divers places that they had reduced, had not men enough to besiege the Citie, and keep the Fields in the Enemies Countrey, notwith­standing the addition of Fairfax his Forces: Where­fore they wrote to the Earl of Manchester to come and help with his Forces, which he did willingly with all speed he could. Then some there were who were against the joyning of Manchester and his Forces with the Scots and Fairfax, as there had been lately some who would have them to go home at the taking in of Selby, and as some had been against their in­coming, and thereafter some were employed be­fore York to sow the seed of dissension betwixt the joyn­ed Generals with their Forces, and as some likewise were railing at the Scots, while they were daily en­countring and skirmishing with the Enemy. After this another sort of men began to shew themselves unto the [Page 12] world, seeing that by the help of the Scots they were made able to appear again, who for their miscarriage of things durst not shew themselves, and finding in themselves that they began to stand upon their own legs, they feel the pulse of the Scots to try if they were plyable to their phantasies and opinions, & perceiving the Scots constant to their principles, and firm unto their Covenant, be­gin to care lesse for those who had raised them from the dust; yea, they begin to oppose the Scots; and, to make the relation short, the Battel of York is fought and the Town taken.

In all such actions those new factious men, to indear themselves unto the simple people, by their Emissaries, spred abroad that they did all; but God knows they had little share in things.

After the businesse of York, Manchester returns into the associated Counties; Fairfax stayes in York-shire; and the Scots return towards New-castle, where they find a new supply of six thousand men under the com­mand of the Earl of Calendar, to represse the Enemy, who had been for a while domineering thereabouts in that Countrey, while the Scots Army was ingaged at York; who having drawn neer, make their approaches, and lay a formall Siege about the Town, which after some moneths pain, they take by storm, having tryed all means possible to keep things from extremity, but it could not be; yet their moderation was such after they had taken the said Town, that it was admired by their Enemies.

While the Scots were thus busied about the Siege of New-castle, they were ill spoken of by those new fa­ctious men, who expressed tokens of sadnesse when they heard it was taken.

Then the Scots clear all the four Northern Counties except Carlile, (which of late they reduced by compo­sition) [Page 13] and so the Winter coming on, they kept in their Winter-quarters.

As the Scots (making the quarrell their own) did send their Army to fight in the Field, to help their Friends and Brethren by action; so they send Commis­sioners both from Church and State, to help with their counsell the carrying on of things in Church and State.

When the Commissioners come hither, they pro­mise unto themselves to find nothing ado, but to go on with the Work unanimously, for the good of Church and State, against the Common Enemy. But since, they have found themselves hugely mistaken; for, where they thought to have most opposition, they have found least; and where they did look for none, there have they found most.

First, Some factious men in the Synod have stopped the conclusion of things there; it is without example, that so few men being convinced with Scripture, rea­son, antiquity, and the example of the best reformed Churches so, that they have nothing to reply, yet in stu [...]urnesse they will not give over to disturb. It is found true in those men which is remarked, That the more mildly the adversaries of Peace and Truth be dealt withall, the worse they are.

Then, in the Counsell of State, the Scots have a long time been crossed in a high measure, by those who were against their incoming; and thereafter still have been opposed by these men, and their participants, who are advers to the setling of the Church.

The former did oppose the Scots, namely because they were not to approve their wayes in the managing the affaires of State, and thereafter perhaps in the Church-government.

The second, Because the Scots cannot give way to their phancies and faction in Church-businesse, and con­sequently in the State; but stand constantly to their [Page 14] principles, and firm to the Covenant, not regarding to either the one or the other, with temper and modera­tion to give offence to no body, if it were possible unto them.

The Spring drawing on, the Scots presse to have ne­cessaries for the Field. After much delays, things go to them in New-castle, but in a very small proportion. Howsoever, they are no sooner ready, but they dispose themselves for marching: till then, they were not idle, but they were busied up and down to the setling the Northern Counties, and they did send parties to and fro unto their Friends; namely unto Sir William Brereton they sent a party of Horse by David Lesley, who then made the Kings Forces turn back, which at that time did intent to go through Lancashire for Scotland.

Thereafter, as the Scots Army was moving and about to march Southward, they have advice given them, that the King being then towards Westchester, was bound once more for Scotland; to stop which, the Army went with great difficulties and did so put themselves in his way, who made him change his resolution, and [...] re­turned Southward again.

And at that time the Scots supplied their Friends which lay then before Carlile, who were there altogether unprovided. Thereafter they return Southward; and although by agreement they were not to passe Trente, yet in compliance to importunities, they past and went Westward towards Worcester, and cleared the Fields there so of the Enemy, that he durst not appear before them.

Next, Against their own Maxime, which is to clear the Field and wait upon the Enemies motion, that they may alwayes be in readinesse to hinder his courses & pursue him; to stop the clamours of some raised against them, they lay down before Hereford, which if they had been supplied with necessaries at first, they had doubt­lesse [Page 15] taken; and when they had the things required for the Service in some measure, the great rains hindered them to perform what they earnestly intended, and whereunto they were prepared. As they were thus in­gaged about Hereford, the King with all his Horse, having made a great circuit, goes Northward, where; by divers promises made unto him, he did hope to do great things for his designe.

The Scots send their whole body of Horse (some few excepted) by David Lesley, who by his diligence and activity, gets North before the King, and sends him back Southward once more, and so breaks that de­signe.

At this nick of time, cometh the news to David Le­sley, being then neer Trente, upon his return South in pursuance of the Kings party, and he is desired to go in­to Scotland without delay, and help his own Countrey in distresse, by an overthrow that the Enemy had given there to the Forces of the Countrey. He thinks to go onely with a party into Scotland himself, and send back the rest to the Army before Hereford: but the whole Company hearing of the straigth of their native Coun­trey, would needs go with him. Of this he giveth no­tice to the Committee of both Kingdoms and to the Ar­my before Hereford, and so goes into Scotland.

The Army before Hereford having designe to end the Work they were there for, and seeing the Enemy his marching unto them, upon David Lesley his going into Scotland, send unto their Friends at London for a help of some Horse to be neer by them (as in Glocester-shire) in case of need, they not having Horse enough to en­counter the Enemy, and to serve the Army to bring in the provision, which they were constrained to do with strong hold in the Enemies Countrey, having ever since their march Southward struggled with great difficulties for necessary provisions, yea for divers dayes they have [Page 16] been without bread. But they could obtain no Horse, howsoever some were very willing to grant their just desire.

Things being thus, it is put to a Counsell of War whither they should storm the Town, or no; some that were most forward, gave their voice for the storm; others voiced, It was fit to save the Army whole, con­sidering how the posture of affaires was then at home; and since some of their Friends for whom they had un­dergone so much, were backward to assist them in their great extremity, they thought it the safest course to raise the Siege, and return Northward to help their Coun­trey; and so the plurality of voices carried it, and Northward they went.

As the Scots were upon their march in York-shire, news comes to them that David Lesley had given a great overthrow to the Enemy in Scotland; yet they went: after this, they are desired by the Parliament to come back and besiege Newark, and not to stay there in the North Countrey, for fear of burdening that Countrey, so much already wasted, as was given out.

The Parliaments desire is not answered so hastily as was expected, which hath given occasion to some to ir­ritate and do what lieth in them to make ill blood, and not to stay for an answer, nor receive any reasonable one without reall performance of what was requi­red, whereunto the Scots are most willing; but by rea­son they have so few Horse with them, they conceive it is not safe to venture their Foot when the Enemies Forces are onely in Horse: and chiefly, because they knew that the Enemy was to send a considerable party into Scotland, hoping to make a great faction there by the help of his Friends by the way, and so joyn with the Enemy there; and the Malignants in the North of Eng­land were to rise with the open Enemy.

And so it proved indeed; for the Enemy sends from [Page 17] Newark a great party of Horse, commanded by Lang­dale and Digby: They were meet withall by the York-shire Forces, commanded by Poyntz and Rossiter, who dealt so roughly with them, that they were routed, divers killed, and many taken, with a great part of their bag­gage; yet they rally again, and go on in their journey to invade Scotland: Before they were at the borders, they were a thousand strong. Generall Lesley having notice of their designe, sends a party under the command of Vandruske, with expresse order to fight with the Enemy wheresoever he found him. Vandruske followeth so actively the Enemy, that he thinks to get into Scotland before him, and send him back again; but he misseth him: and the Enemy going another way, enters into Scotland, where there were divers parties ordered to wait for him, and fight with him; one from David Lesl [...] was sent; another of the Earl of Balclough; the third, and the least of all, not exceeding three hundred Horse, under the command of Sir John Brown, who seeing the Enemy in Scotland, could not have patience till his Friends joyned with him; but by an hardy attempt with his three hundred men, fals upon the Enemy, who was a thousand strong, (as we have said before) routs him, killeth him a hundred of his men upon the place, takes two hundred of them with bag and baggage, di­vers were drowned. All this did Sir John Brown with the losse of about thirty or fourty men; then he pursued the Enemy, seeking him up and down, and at last upon the third day after the fight, he assisted with his Friends, meets with the remainder of the routed Enemy, then about five hundred strong, where he took all with little shedding of blood, onely some few who were extraor­dinarily well horsed did escape, among whom were Digby and Langdale, wi [...]h these good Patriotes and good Christians the Earls of Nidsdale Maxwell, and Carne­wath-Daz [...]l.

[Page 18]When by treachery at divers encounters, the Enemy did prevaile against the Forces of the good party in Scotland, some of the superficiall Brethren about West­minster-Hall, jearing and gibing, could say, That the Scots could not and durst not fight in their own Countrey: which at this time they find untrue; for the Scots have shewn since that they both can and dare fight, not onely one to one, but one against two, (contrary to the Pro­verb Ne Hercules contra duos) yea one against three. Let the glory be to God, who is pleased to own his own Cause, and honour despiseable men to be instru­ments in this his Work, to the confusion and shame of the Haughtie.

The Enemy had so laid down this Plot of invading Scotland, that he promised unto himself (without fear) an issue according to his mind; for he thought having once entred in Scotland, by the Papists, Atheists, and Libertins, (for Sectaries there are none) to make up in the lower Countrey a great party; and so joyning with the Enemy now afoot in the hills (who is gathering what he can, and hath already betwixt three and four thou­sand men, although divided amongst themselves, as we are informed) he did think no lesse then in a very short time to subdue all Scotland, and presently thereafter, to come into England.

Those who have read the intercepted Letters, can tell much stuffe to this purpose; but he that compteth with­out his host compteth twice.

The rumour of this designe was so great in Scotland, that the good party thought fit to draw a good part of their Horse Southward, and to make sure the chief and most commodious passages to hinder the conjunctions of the intestine Enemy, and the invaders; so David Le­sley lay with one party at Glasgo upon Clyde, and Mid­dleton with another at Alloway neer Sterlin upon Forth.

Yea to see this enterprise repressed is the chief reason [Page 19] why the Scots Army in the North of England, did not come so soon Southward to Newark as was desired: w ^ch just and lawfull delay of the Scots for a time, by factious and malicious men, although they knew very well the reasons and the cause thereof, is published as a deniall; and so it hath been beleeved by the simpler sort, and laid hold on as argent contant present count; it is not enough for the malicious and factious ones; not considering that the good party in Scotland hath made the Parlia­ments quarrell its own, in joyning with it in Covenant for the pursuance of the Cause it took Arms from the very first beginning, that is, for the Truth of Reli­gion, all things whatsoever, yea Liberty and Priviledge being subservient unto it, as it is expressed, first, in generall terms in the Declaration at the giving the Commission to the Earl of Essex; then, more particu­larly in the Covenant.

This sheweth the forgetfulnesse of him who in a so­lemn Assembly, was so unmindfull of the Truth as to aver that Religion was not the ground of the quarrell betwixt us and the Common Enemy at the first, abusing the simpler ones, and making use of the connivence of others; yea, he was put at work by some to say so, at least, he was applauded by them, as the story runs.

This quarrell here in England hath cost the Scots a great deal of pains:

First, In the Counsell both of Church and State.

Then, In the Fields, with the losse of many a gallant & brave man, which they think all well spent & bestowed, since God hath been pleased to make use of their endea­vours, to put forward in some measure his good Work in both Church and State, and to represse the domineering of the Common Enemy, who ever since the conjunction of the Scots with the State of England, hath been declining (if the thing be well considered with judge­ment) although now and then he hath had some lucida [Page 20] intervalla, as we have all seen.

As the Scots think their pains, labours, expences, charges, &c. well bestowed, so they complain not of the manifold reproaches and lyes that have been said and spred against them, what by the open Enemy, what by the false Friends, nor of the hardship their Army hath endured to this day in the Field, no more then of the small content of their Commissioners in the Counsell, which all they passe and lay aside, not as insensible and leprous men who have no feeling, for in any other thing they are touchy enough; but as being resolved to do all what they can, and suffer what they are able, for the Cause of God and of his people, with grief of mind to see those whom at first they conceived certainly to be right and round in this businesse, to have corners and by-wayes wherein they must acknowledge the shortnesse of their own judgement and confesse the infirmity of man: But their great grief is, (at least should be) that their Ar­my hath not been timely nor duly furnish'd with conve­niencies and necessaries, to make it go on with action in the Field; yea to see them kept back from doing as if it were plotted of purpose: Then, that their counsells in Church and State have not onely not prevailed, but have been hid, yea opposed, and so hindered to yeeld their due fruit unto the Cause in hand as they intended. Besides all these things, in joyning with the Parliament in action and Counsell, and coming in when it was below a stand, they have not onely exposed themselves and their poor native Countrey to all kinde of perills and inconve­niency, but have drawn evil upon it.

More, They have gone in the highest degree of con­tradiction to the King; for they have not onely in down­right terms declared themselves opposite to his designe, but have quite spoiled it; which as he told them, he would easily compasse in this Kingdom, if they would be quiet: and indeed he had brought his businesse to a pretty passe, [Page 21] before the Scots came in. Then their coming in into England, and their going before into Ireland, did em­pty their native Countrey much of men of Counsell and action. So for England they left their own Countrey as if it were to be a prey unto the Malignants there, who since, not being kept under by the good party by reason of its weaknesse, shew themselves to be in great number.

Next, The indifferent and neutrals, whereof there be but too many everywhere, most men looking more to their convenience here upon Earth, then to the Glo­ry of God, or to his Kingdom; who had sided former­ly with the good party, bearing the sway; but since see­ing them absent for the most part, helping their Friends, and weakest at home, begin to have other thoughts, and fall in with the Malignants.

All this being perceived by the King, who hath his thoughts full of revenge against the Covenanted Scots with England, bethinks himself of all means possible to oppresse and destroy that poor Countrey of Scotland, and, in the first place, the Danes are invited to in­vade it, unto whom are promised the Isles of Or­kades for their pains, (their old pretension;) But as the Danes were preparing to come hither, God sends them another work to do at home, which was to defend themselves from their invaders, to wit, the Swedish; with whom after a great strugling by Sea and by Land, they have been constrained to make their peace almost upon any terms: Yet we hear they are now making again themselves ready for War, and against us (as we are informed) to try perhaps if they can make up their losses in some measure (in one way or other) up­on us.

Again, The King seeing the Scots siding with the Par­liam. of England, sets afoot Plot upon Plot in the South part of Scotland: but by Gods blessing they all fail, being [Page 22] no sooner discovered but repressed, and thrown in the dust.

More, By Pyrates and men of War having Com­mission from the King, the Scots Ships with goods and men are taken, yea divers men are thrown overboord: Their onely quarrell is the conjunction of the Scots with the Parliament of England in the Service of this Common Cause.

The losses the Scots have suffered by Sea since their side­ing with the Parliament, do exceed far the monethly al­lowance agreed upon for their Army, although it were well and fully payed; which they are far short of; for since these eight moneths, they have had but one moneths pay to wit, about Thirty thousand pounds, and these from the City of London.

Last of all, The King bethinks himself, (since he is pleased to own all the undertakings of the Juncto, al­though he be not alwayes one of the number, it taking its authority from the Pope and the Roman-Catholike Princes abroad more then from him, although he hath the name of all;) to send over out of Ireland some of those desperate Villains, who at their first rising in Re­bellion in Ireland, did offer all kindnesse unto the Scots, saying that they would not stir against them; who take a fit opportunity of the good party of the Scots being ab­sent out of their Countrey for the most part, and they en­ter into Scotland by the Isles and the Hills, finding a party of Malignants, some whereof and the chief Trai­tors had been sent from the Court to manage the busi­nesse, who not only privatly do favour & openly do side with them, but make a number of disguised Villains be­tray the trust they had from the Countrey, in places of power and command, yea some in the time of action in the Field, either slakly acting against the Enemy, or flying from before him, or running over to him, at di­vers places and times.

[Page 23]So the Enemy increaseth his party in Scotland, spoil­eth and destroyeth divers places of the Countrey, name­ly the Lands of those who were most deeply ingaged with England, (above all the high Lands of the Marquesse of Argyle) which they have totally depopulated and burnt, as the Lands of his Friends; some other parts they have so depauperate and wasted, that in one County they have put many scores of good Families to meer mendicity What did most then grieve good men, was to see not onely the good Work of Reformation at a stand and not likely to go on, as they looked to it with carnall eyes; but also the former abominations set up again, and also to see the poor well-meaning people (for fear) aban­doning the Truth, and imputing unto the profession thereof the cause of their sufferings, as many men do when they suffer for the Gospel.

Now albeit the losses be great and excessive which the Scots have had by Sea, in regard to the extent of their Countrey; yet their losses and damages by Land are a hundred times greater and more.

Further, God suffered the wicked Enemy, by the mis­carriage of the chief Leaders and Directors of businesses, to give a great overthrow to the good party of Scotland, at which, as the good party was much dejected, the Ene­my in his pride was highly puft up, and he thought to carry all things before him, mastering all; but in a short time, it pleased God to abate his pride by a great Victory against him, God making use of David Lesley for that Service.

More, As Digby and his associates going to the wicked Enemy in Scotland had first a good blow in his way thither, and then was totally defeated at the second time, when he thought himself, as it was, at his joyning with the Enemy in Scotland: So doubtlesse, under Gods Mer­cy, ere it be long we shall hear, that the wicked Enemy there, having had already this great blow, will have next his fatall and totall destruction.

[Page 24]Here let it be noted, that among the papers taken from the Enemy, when he had this great blow given him by David Lesley, there were found instructions for the holding of a Parliament, wherein all things setled in Church and State since the yeer 1639, were to be chang­ed and altered, the Covenant broken with the English Rebels, so were they pleased to call all those who stand for the Parliament; those who had been active for the Covenant, to be furnished and deprived of a [...]l benefit and priviledge of a Patriote or native, according to their se­verall ranks and stations.

All the sufferings and undergoings of the Scots for their joyning with the Parliam▪ are so far neglected, that not onely in their distresse they are not helped nor assisted, as generosity had required, after so much undergone for Friends at home and abroad, making other mens quarrel their own, and drawing evil upon themselves for their sake; but divers who have received benefit in a high measure by their joyning and incoming, have been glad heartily at their sufferings, expressing now and then, It was well they were beaten; and when they were droven to the greatest pinch of necessity, what by the prevailing Enemy, what by the fault of their Leaders, which lies heavily upon some; at last, having kept off to trouble or disquiet their Friends, going constantly on with the Work so far as they were inabled, and could do: they required some help of Arms, and of Money due unto them; but what comfort they received more then a so­lemn Fast, and private condolance of some Friends, let them tell if they can: Yea when they were thus low, then they were most neglected and vilipended by some; Was it not said by some of your prudentiall men, That the Scots would undo both themselves and this Kingdom? yet their wisdom and valour, blessed with successe in their own affaires, were not questioned before they were joyned with England in the businesse, and if they had not [Page 25] come in, England was undone, at least a good part thereof.

Was is not said, That they had buried their honour at Hereford? Yet they have shewn since that they had both heart and hand to gain and to maintain honour.

Was it not told openly, That they should be sent home, as being troublesome to the Countrey: and if they would not go with good will, they must be killed by half-do­zens?

Are not their Garisons, and Places of retreat, (so long as they are in the Service of the Publike) which they have reduced and brought into obedience with a great deal of pain, losse, and hazard, demanded from them, and spoken to be put in the hands of those who are not thought to be faithfull to the Cause we have all fought for to this day?

If this smell of piety and generosity, let God and all the World judge.

Here I forbear to give answer to this; onely I say, It is done, and let it undergo the censure of under­standing and indifferent men, without exception: onely we shall see how this stands with the Publike Service, and with the Treaty, to deal so with Brethren and Friends, who have put their breast betwixt their Brethren and the stroak of the Enemy, and who did stand first in the gap against the Enemies Plot, to teach their Brethren to be upon their guard, and timely pre­vent the Enemies assault; yea, who (under God) have put their Brethren in posture of defence, by occasioning the Assembly of Parliament, and in protecting it by their stay here for a time, lastly, by rescuing it (as it were) from the jaws of Death, and from the brink of perdition. Now, by neglecting, vilifying, crossing, and opposing, to dishearten Brethren who have been and are to this day, so usefull unto the Ser­vice of the Common Cause, cannot be but much preju­diciall [Page 26] to the happy end intended by us all, to wit, the setling of a true Reformation in Church and State.

If the Scots went not upon higher principles then those of human interest, of phanaticall opinions, of self-conceit, and the like, this usage of such Brethren could not but produce so bad effects as the hinderance of the end intended, with the losse of all whatsoever hath been done, employed, and undergone thereabouts, and the destruction of both Nations at last. But blessed be God who hath given them wisdom and longanimity not to be so disturbed with the forenamed occasions of miscontent, as either to be weary of the Work, or to leave it off. And to uphold them therein, God yeelds the Scots the good will and assistance of divers well-affected men, maugre all malice and malignity, with the earnest desires and wishes of the people for com­passing the first purposed and pursued end, which is (in few words) the Glory of God, and the safety of his people.

Now let us see how this carriage towards the Scots stands with the Treaty and Covenant made with them at their incoming:

Are not the Brethren of England with their Ships bound by the Treaty, to guard the Coasts of Scotland by Sea, to save it from forrain invasion, and to secure the Scots in their trading by Sea? But how slakely this du­ty hath been performed, the great losses and wofull suf­ferings of that poor Countrey can now tell; of which inconveniencies and evils they had been free, at least to this present, if they had not joyned with their Friends in England.

I know it will be said, When the Enemy had done with England, his designe was with all his power to go into Scotland.

But human reason tells you, That it is wisdom to put off an evil, if we can, for a time; for he that hath [Page 27] time hath life, as it is commonly said; and the mean while, God will provide some means or other to return the evil from his people.

And so human Policy would have taught the Scots to look to themselves, and be quiet: but their zeal to the Cause of God could not suffer them, and for it they have undergone all this hardship, who can and will deliver them in his appointed time. And if those for whom they undergo this Service, do not requite faithfully their kindnesse, God will by some means or others not for­get, but recompense them according to the sincerity of their intentions: But if any of the Scots (as I doubt not but there be some) who had or have some by-ends in this Work, God will punish them for it, and shew their vanity for mixing their own interest with his Ser­vice, who requires the whole of man, which is so known to the Enemy of God and of his people, that he cares not what good a man do, providing he can nou­rish in him any little evil, being sure to catch him at last, if he do continue in it.

Then the Brethren of England are bound not onely by reason, to make the Scots no worse then they have found them, that is, then they were before their late conjun­ction; for it stands against the Laws of all human Socie­ty and partnership, that one party being preserved from totall ruine, and reaping a seen benefit by the Society through the hazard and great losses of the other party, not to make the party at least in the same condition he was before the Society: far more is it against Justice, to see the party undone and perish for us; above all, if we can afford him help or comfort; least of all, to re­joyce and make our own advantages of his losses, who hath lost himself for us.

If the thing be so among particular Societies of men▪ Why not so betwixt State and State, who are nothing else but a Congregation of lesser Societies? And if Ju­stice [Page 28] is to be done by the lesser, Why is not the greater far more tyed to it? For the most part, particular men are either punished, or cried out upon, as cheaters, if they cozen or deceive their fellows. And shall States escape free not onely from censure, but be thought wise and prudent men, for their deceits? And shall circum­vening in publike affaires be not onely not thought evil, but esteemed as a vertue?

Hence cunning deceitfull man is called Politick, and deceit is called Policy. To such hight of wickednesse are we now come, that vice must go under the name of vertue; for Policy is the honest, just, and prudent car­riage of publike affaires, and not deceit and guile in them.

If it were onely to give sin a term lessening the shame of the crime, it were to be born withall; as for ex­ample, to call stealing, robbing, and spoiling, plunder­ing, as now adayes we do. But to call vice vertue is intolerable.

Next, We may see if this stands with the Treaty by this sole instance, which is here inserted as it is in the first article:

And in case that notwithstanding the monethly sum of Thirty thousand pounds payed as aforesaid, the States of Scotland shall have just cause to demand further satisfa­ction of their Brethren of England, when the Peace of both Kingdoms is setled, for their pains, hazards, and charges they have undergone, they shall have due recompense made unto them by the Kingdom of England.

Now if the Scots, for their pains, hazards, and charges, be not payed of their monethly allowance, How is the Treaty observed? But the necessity of the times may ex­cuse, (if there be not a full payment) when there is wil­lingnesse to perform if there were capacity: But to give reproaches and injuries with threatning and to send men home with shame and without satisfaction, who have [Page 29] done and undergone so much for thy good and to save thee from perdition, is doubtlesse far from grati­tude.

I pray thee, What is it, and how far is it from re­compense▪ Not to allow men to run home and quench the fire in their own house, left having devoured the one, it should destroy the other? which it would do, if it were not quenched in time: Yea, so long as the fire was but burning in one end of the house (in respect of the ingagement) it was in a manner little regarded: but when it came to shake the very foundations of the building, and deface it quite, then it was full time to look to it: And yet it cannot be approved by some, because forsooth There was not a formall warning given as in decency was fit: yet it was done with such order as could be expected upon such a nick of time.

But here it may be said, What needs all this to speak of the Treaty? Hath ever been any Treaty made betwixt two Nations or States, but each have made their best advantage of it? and ordinarily the Southern Nation hath been too cunning for the Northern; as may be seen in all the Treaties betwixt Spaine and France, Spaine hath out­cunning'd France; and so in the Treaties betwixt France and England, France hath over-reached England; and so of such others, for the most part. But as the Southern Na­tion hath over-reached the Northern by slight and cun­ning, so the Northern oftentimes hath surpast by Field-action the other.

The reason of this is from the constitution of the body in the Northern people, (vile domineerers) where­by they are inclined to do things rather by a strong hand then otherwise. In the Southern people, melancholy reigneth, whereby they are inclined unto devises to com­passe things with lesse force and hazard; for where there is most wisdom, there is least hazard. The more North [Page 30] or South that a people be, the more or lesse they have the one of the other.

But since the Treaty betwixt the Parliament of Eng­land and the State of Scotland runs upon other princi­ples, to wit, of Religion, this human over-reaching, cunning, or surprising, is not and ought not to have any place; but all is to be guided by conscience according to equity before God, and as weare sworn to in our Co­venant.

Wherefore, now, let us see how this agrees with the Covenant, whereby we are all solemnly sworn to pro­mote and advance the setling of a through Reformation in the Church, according to the Word of God, and the example of the best Reformed Neighbour Churches; and if these reproaches, injuries, and hard usage of the Scots, who have contribute so much to bring this King­dom to such a posture, do not proroge the compassing the same end, let God and the World judge.

And then, Are not these things flatly against the third article of the Covenant, whereby we are all sworn to defend one another in this Common Cause? which how do we perform, when we deny assistance to our Brethren in distresse, and will not allow them to help their own selves, yea we rejoyce at our Brethrens suf­ferings?

Are we not bound also by the fourth article, not one­ly to stop and remove any thing which may or might give any wayes occasion of mistake, and consequently of division betwixt the two Nations? Yea we are sworn to discover those who endeavour any such action: and so according to Oath, I here declare, That it is those incendiaries, and factious ones, who contrary the ends expressed in the Covenant, phancy to set up their evil opinions, and invent all means they can to hinder the setling of Government in the Church, and consequent­ly (as appears by all symptoms) to bring Anarchie in [Page 31] the State, promising to set down a Seraphin-Modell of a Church, which they after so long forbearance will not nor cannot agree among themselves to set down; onely they are resolved to stop the setling of the Church-government, (according as aforesaid) to the end that all heresie, errour, licence, libertinisme, and corruption, may creep in the House of God: this is their main drift, after their own interest.

Then, Is not the dealing of these factious men with the Scots against the fifth article of the Covenant, where­in we are all sworn not onely to keep a good corre­spondency betwixt the two Nations; but also to keep a fair Union for ever?

Here these factious men will say, That the Scots de­serve to be thus dealt withall, for not doing more Service then they have done this Sommer, and not following the de­sire of the Parliament.

To which is answered,

First, Let it be seen what the Scots have done; and if that which they have done, be not as much important to the Common Cause as any thing done elsewhere by any.

Then, If they have not done more, let it be seen where the fault lieth, whether in them that would not do, or in others who have stopped them from doing, by hindering them to be furnished and provided for fur­ther action.

More, Let it be seen whether or no it were not out of good reason, and not by chance, that they have not instantly followed the course they were desired to do; and whether or no it had been better for the Service of the Common Cause to have so far complied with the de­signes pressed by those who either would not or did not see and foresee what is most advantagious for the Common Cause; or whether or no there was a set Plot to undo the Scots Army.

[Page 32]Then, The Scots are accused To lie heavily upon the Countreys where they come, and that they have done many things against the Liberty and Right of the Subject of Eng­land.

I answer, As for their burdening or wronging the Subject in the least kinde, it is not their intention, being come in into England for the relief and righting of the Subject from the oppression and injury of the Common Enemy: and if any Souldiers or Officers of theirs have exceeded in any kinde, upon just tryall of their faults, they are to suffer and to be punished for it; besides, all things taken by wrong, are to be restored, and repara­tion is to be made to the full by the judgement of honest and understanding men, upon the place, to the end that all mistakes may be taken away, and the Union kept be­twixt the two Nations, in spite of faction and malice against upright men.

Further, Let it be known, how the Scots are payed, and how they offer to repay ten for one for any thing taken by extortion, if they could have the half pay that others have employed in the same Service.

For this, the Scots have frequently sollicited.

If the Committees of York-shire (set a work by some secret Enemy) had not gone so high, and published at every Parish-Church their orders against the Scots, as the Prelats did in former times with their bloody thun­der-bolts of excommunication; and if they had remem­bred in whose hands the Liberties and Rights were, when the Scots came in to help, or where their Com­mittees were then sitting, and how far their orders had been obeyed then; they might have thought whether or no they had ever had a Parliament given to authorize them, if it had not been for the Scots; and the Parlia­ment being assembled, whether or no sitting this day.

Till these factious men did rise, (who besturre them­selves [Page 33] so much now of late) it was said ordinarily for any Reformation obtained either in Church or State, and for stopping any evil to the Publike, or to any pri­vate men, Gara mercy good Scot.

As this is now forgotten by divers private men to their shame and discredit, so these factious men would have it to be out of memory by the Publike: but they strive in vain; for, neither Parliament nor People, Sy­nod nor Church will ever, nor can forget what they owe to the Scots for the good they enjoy at this present, and hope to enjoy hereafter, in Gods Mercy.

Then, It is reproached to the Scots (to their great grief,) That they pursue too rigidly the setling of the Church, which may be done at leasure when other things are ended, and must be performed with ripe consideration, for fear of mistake.

And, That they presse too much for Peace, when it is ap­parent none can be made but by the overthrow of the malig­nant party.

As also, That they stand so much for Royaltie, when God knows the King deserveth but little at their hands, they being the men he hath the greatest splen against, and whom he ha [...]es most, as he declares himself by all his expressions.

To all this they answer,

First, That they are obliged in the first place to see the House of the Lord setled, and then to look to tempo­rall things: for this they have not onely Law and rea­son, to begin at God; but also, example, First, out of the sacred History, where we see that all true Reformers of the State of Israel and Judah did begin at the Refor­mation of the House of God: Then we see the same in the Ecclesiasticall History practised by the Ancients: And of late, Hath not the same been done in our Neighbour-Countreys, yea in our own, by our Fathers? And is it not full time, after so long and so tedious a debate, since it is agreed upon, how, & what it should be, by the [Page 34] full consent of Divines assembled for that purpose, ex­cept of some few of a private spirit for self-conceit and by-interest, who having nothing to answer unto the de­monstration of the Truth and the reasons for it, made known unto them, yet with obstinacy do oppose the setling of the Church; and so way is given (if not countenance) to all kinde of heresie, errour, and blas­phemy against God, so generally and so long a time, now these five yeers, since the Reformation is in hand?

As for the pressing of Peace by the Scots, Is it not full time, after so much blood shed, devastation of the Countreys, and such a deal of all kinde of wickednesse committed in the War, to seek after a firm Peace, & lay hold upon any occasion to help us to it? First, Because it is the end we make War for, not having intention to make a Trade of it. Then, If we beg for Peace at God, Why should we not seek earnestly after it from man, by all honest means? Otherwise, God will not grant our demands, and will tell us that we are but hypo­crites, having a thing in our lips when our hearts are far from it.

As for standing for the King, It is true, we stand for him, and respect him, as we do on the other part stand for the Parliament the great Counsell of the Land, as those whom God hath been pleased to set over us, not fond­ly and feignedly idolizing & worshipping them as gods on Earth impeccable, one day, (as Parasites and Syco­phants do) and another day vilifying and rejecting them, when our turn is not served by them: but sincerly, & with reason; for as we avouch him to be our Soveraign Magi­strate, so we acknowledge him & all those of the Counsel to be but infirm and weak men, him misled & miscarried for the most part by those who are about him, deceiving him to his own and the peoples ruine; and them also subject to mistake and errour: So as we pray God for [Page 35] him to save and protect him from doing evil, & from re­ceiving evil; we freely admonish him both from Church and State of his errours and faults both before God and man: This we do both in private and publike, as the cause requires or occasion will permit; and when neces­sity drives us to it, we take Arms to oppose the evil courses he is insnared in, and represse them, alwayes with respect to his Office and Person, which we ac­knowledge to be lawfull, and him lawfull possessor thereof, and no further we go then to stop him from doing evil, if we cannot gain him to do good.

Then for faults, although they be great, we must not change till we see that we can do better. We have abolished the Prelacy, not so much for the abuses thereof as for the unlawfulnesse of it, although of long conti­nuance, it being against the intention of God expressed in his Word, howsoever wrested by the Prelats; but for Royalty, it is approved and ordained by God, & hath so continued with us, that we can hardly leave it; besides we find already such inconveniencies by not keeping it up in its due right and authority, that we smart hugely for it; and if it were altogether cast off, we should be far worse; witnesse the infinite disorders now adayes.

Now let the English ingenuously confesse, That [...]ey never have told the tenth part of the truth of things un­to the King, which he hath heard of from the Scots. Hath the Parliament and Church of England spoke so home, and acquainted him so freely with his errours as the Scots have done? or would they have so withstood the evil courses he is cast in, had the Scots not shewn them the way?

Then, we must not cast off a good accustomed and lawfull office, for the faults of a man who bears it, yea in the exercise of it, and that about main businesses; for lawfull things are not to be rejected for the abuses, but the abuses to be taken away, and a reformation to be [Page 36] made; otherwayes the most things and most necessary should be cast off; for we offend almost in all things, and abuse many things.

But it is said, The King hath spoiled the three King­doms, and endeavoured to overthrow the Liberties and Re­ligion.

It is true; but if he had not found Peers and Com­mons in the three Kingdoms to second the evil counsels suggested unto him, he would never have attempted it; for they caused him to set the work afoot, and they laid down the wayes to go on with it, and have served him in it. Although that other kindes of government may be fit for other people, sure I am, Monarchie is best for us, being regulated (according to the Law of God and right reason, with the Prerogative and the Priviledge subservient,) to the good of the people.

Then, It is reproached unto the Scots, That they are a poor weak people, and not considerable.

Truely, They do not hold themselves either potent or considerable in regard of greater Nations; but such as they are, God hath made them very helpfull to other Nations, which think themselves very consider­able:

For example;

Did they not turn the ballance in the affairs of France under Charles the seventh, when things were very low with the French? for at their going to help that King, they found him so distressed and so under the power of his Enemy, that he was constrained to keep himself at Bourges in Berry. Hence he was called in derision, King of Bourges. But in a very short time, they helped him so, that he repossessed himself of his whole Domi­nions, and repulsed the Enemy.

Now, Have they not done more unto their Brethren of England? Have they not made their quarrell their own, exposing their lives and all that is dear unto men [Page 37] for them? And by their help, are not their Brethren come to have the face of affaires changed unto the better, so far, that not onely they are come to equall terms with the Enemy, but they have brought him so low that in likelyhood he will not rise again so hastily?

Howsoever the Scots be inconsiderable in the eyes of some men, yet God in his goodnesse, hath considered them so far, as to make them usefull instruments in this his great Work of opposing the Enemies of his Truth, both open and declared, and secret and undermining.

And ye see both parties of open and secret Enemies to the Truth of God, have considered the Scots so far, that each of them hath by all cunning pressed to have the Scots for and with them; but the Enemies seeing they could not prevaile, they have made their earnest study by devises and Plots underhand, and by open vio­lence and force, to wit, by an absolute and declared War, as far as they can, to destroy the good party in Scot­land, as the onely obstacle of hindering the one and the other Enemy to compasse their designes, and to set up their by-ends.

Hence the good party in England considereth the Scots, as their onely helpers; for without their assist­ance they had all been undone before now: and how­soever they are strong in appearence for the present, if the Scots should retire and leave them, it is conceived upon just grounds, that they were to begin the play again.

As for despicability, Howsoever the Scots be de­spised by some now adayes, I am sure, had it not been for these despised men, many here who are at this time come to a great hight, had been in little consideration: and they whose valour and wisdom are so much questi­oned at this time, surely in their own businesse, they did shew themselves to have both, to the admiration of their Neighbours; and their valour and wisdom were never [Page 38] questioned till they were joyned with England: and al­though they have shewn & do shew daily both, as much as men can do for the carrying on the Work wherein they are ingaged, unto the content of all impartiall men, although not to the mind of self-conceited, phantasti­call, and by-ended ones, who gave out That the Scots will destroy them and themselves: Surely I am perswad­ed, had the Scots framed their courses according to the desires altogether of some men, they had long ere now both been destroyed; and had they not so far complied with the humours of some men, the Publike Service had been in a better estate, in all probability.

In this I blame the wisdom of the Scots, for other­wise they had not suffered their own Countrey thus to be spoiled, in compliance to some, when they might have helped it in time.

As for their means, Although in the eyes of the su­perabondants they be not so considerable, yet they were such that they lived well upon them, and they could wish with all their hearts to have no more then they had when they joyned with England for the Service of this Common Cause.

And if they reproach the barrennesse of the soile in Scotland, It is the fault of the Climate which lieth so Northerly, and not of the people; and the soile, if it be not so fertile of fruits as hotter grounds; yet it abounds in men of valour and wisdom as much as any Countrey whatsoever of its compasse. And these despicable ones, of old and of late, have obtained Victories against great and considerable Enemies, by valour. Perhaps if the Scots were more enclined to husbandry, or impro­ving their ground and other things which nature affords them, by the goodnesse of God, they would be in a kinde more plentifull of conveniencies for the life of man then they are.

As to the Garison-Towns which the Scots have re­scued [Page 39] from the Enemy for the good of this Church and State, with hazard, hardship, and losse of divers brave men, and which are still in the Scots hands for the pub­like Service, it hath ministred one convenient occasion unto those factious ones to make a great deal ado, yea to strive to bring things to a breach betwixt the two Kingdoms, if it were possible; and they have proceeded so far as to cause the Towns and Places to be demanded from the Scots betwixt such and such a day, without any consideration unto equity, Whether or no it is just that the Scots have some places of retreat, so long as they are in the Service of the Common Cause, wherein they are obliged by Common Interest, and bound by Trea­ty to continue till the full setling of things in Church and State.

Next, Without consideration if it be or not for the benefit of the Service now in hand, that these Garison-Places should be left by the Scots, since we have seen by divers passages and occurrences of affaires that it hath proved very usefull for the said Service that those places were in their hands for a time, namely in the enter­prise of Digby with his associates towards Scot­land.

Then, When we cast our eyes upon those who have an aim particularly at the having of those places, we shall finde it to be fit for the Service of the Cause which we fight for, that those Garison-Towns should remain with those who now have them for a time, who are both constant and trusty to their true principles of the Covenant, and the others altogether against the good of the said Service.

Yea, It is most prejudiciable to the Cause we have now in hand, to put those places in the hands of those who either side with the Common Enemy still in their affections, as they have been serving him openly by their actions formerly; or of those who underhand with cun­ning [Page 40] stop the setling of things amongst us as we are sworn to by the Covenant, and so frustrate so far as in them lies the intention of it.

Further, Those men who are so little faithfull to the Covenant, cannot from their heart, mind the good of the State, or people, more then they do the welfar of the Church.

As the Scots took Arms for the publike Service, they neither pretended, nor did intend, to hold the places they have taken any longer then the said Service shall require for the setling of the ends of the Common Cause expressed in the Covenant, no more then they did for­merly, witnesse their returning so quietly home, and their refusall of those Seigneuries, Towns, and Coun­ties adjacent, from the King, to joyn with him against the Parliament; and that more then once.

Me thinks, that after all this, all rationall and unpre­judiciall men should speak clearly for the Scots fair and honest intentions, since they are entred into so solemn a League and Covenant, for which they have undergone and do to this day undergo so much hardship, hazards, and losses.

Men may talk and babble, yea devise tricks and fan­cies, for a time; but it is honesty and truth that holds out to the end; and it stands with Gods Justice to make lyes and double dealings fall to the ground.

Before I conclude, I will adde this short ensuing dis­course:

First, There hath been a great busling raised by those factious men, who trouble both State and Church, about the publishing of some papers given in to the Houses of Parliament by the Scots Commissioners. Those men had prevailed so far with some of their Friends in authority, as to make an exact scrutinie by whom these papers were first printed, and by whose order, (as for the second impression they had nothing [Page 41] to say, which the Commissioners caused to be made up­on a nicety for some faults of the Printer committed in the first impression;) thinking themselves wronged, namely, because it was not corrected according to their mind; and the thing to have been done without their expresse order; but since it was done, it could not be ret called.

Next, Those factious men moved their Friends in authority to draw up a Declaration against the Scots for those papers, with very tart expressions, as we are informed: but after riper deliberation, the fume of an­ger being setled, the thing was left off a time; for they did clearly perceive, that no Declaration satisfacto­ry to the people could be made against the Scots, or their papers, since it could not be demonstrated that full sa­tisfaction in reason had been given to the Scots upon their severall papers from time to time given in.

Now, Let the Scots Commissioners confesse, that they have failed by their silence, in not making known unto the world from time to time the papers of greatest concernment which they have given in to the Houses, and what satisfaction they have received upon them; for if they had done so, they had spared themselves of much drudgery, and of many sad thoughts for the small con­tent they have received by reason of some factious men, who have hindred due satisfaction to be given unto their just desires; and they had stopped many evil reproaches raised against their Nation, and against their Army: and lastly, the publike Work had gone better on; for those who have thus long time stopped it, had not been able to carry things so under boord as they have done: and since the publike is so concerned in main things, is it not fit they should be known by the Publike.

But the Scots must be warry, mild, and civill, where they should have been plain, rightdown, and forward in the businesse they come for.

[Page 42]Wisdom and warrinesse are good, and civility is to be praised; but resolution and forwardnesse carry on the two thirds of human actions, (namely when the cause is good; for ordinarily men impute much warines to want of courage, and great circumspection to doubtfulnesse and irresolution: there must be a mixture, otherwayes things cannot go well on;) both publike, and pri­vate.

This I say for the Truths sake, and not to blame the Commissioners; for I know, from the beginning, they have taken the way which in all sincerity they con­ceive to be the best for the advancing of the Work they are come hither about: but they have mistaken themselves, not being throughly acquainted with the temper and interest of those on whom they have relied so much, that they were said to dote upon them; no more then of some others with whom they have ado withall.