HAving in obedience to the Or­der of both Houses attended the Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Essex this day to Brent-wood, for the putting of the Ordinance of the Militia of this Coun­ty in execution; his Lordship hath directed us to give you an accompt of the service, so farre as it could be yet prosecuted, as hee hath himselfe done to the House of Lords. There were five Companies of the Ordinary Traine bond, this day drawne into the field, being about a 4th part of the Trained bonds of this County, and all that were directed to meet at this place, their numbers were full, and their Armes compleat, a supply being made by Voluntiers of those Armes that were carried forth of the County, upon the late expedition for Scorland, and one of the said Companies (being under the charge [...]f Captain Massam) was doubled to the usu­all [Page] proportion, a sixth company did appeare at this place, consisting of about 500 Volun­tiers, under command of Captain Barring­ton, youngest son of Sir Thomas Barrington, The Declaration of both Houses touching their indempnity, was read in the head of each Company, and the Captaines, Officers and Souldiers being required by the Lord Lievtenant; to observe such further directions as in pursuance of the said Ordinance should be hereafter given them in charge by his Lordship, or us his Deputy-Lievtenants, for the service of his Majesty, and the Par­liament, in defence of the Kingdome, they did unanimously expresse Resolution so to doe, and in the same cheerfully to spend their lives and Fortunes.

IT is no [...] unknown unto you and all men what great care and la­bour the Houses of Parliament hath bestowed in ordering of the Mi­litia and putting the Kingdome into a po­sture of defence. Likewise 'tis not unknown what Plots and Stratagems the malignant Party have used to prevent their Religious Designes, leaving no way unattempted that might either conduce to the furtherance of their owne designes, or hindring the perfecting of the other, such hath beene their practized in all ages but at this time especially at Court, wherewith their flat­tering and dissembling words, they worke more mischiefe betwixt King and Parlia­ment, then even their lives can make a­mends for.

A true Example I will give you of the same which happened lately at Leicester.

Vpon the 4 day of this present moneth the Earle of Stamford, arrived at Leicester, [Page] being s [...]t thither by the High Court of Parliament to dispose and order the Mi­litia, but comming to the Angell where [...]e intended to l [...]e, there met him a Lord sent from the Kings Majesty with Commission under the br [...]d Seale for the same businesse, which Noble man seeing the Earle demanded the occasion of his comming thither, withall told him he heard he came to seduce the Kings Liege-People, withall charging him in his Maje­sties name to depart, as for the Militia he had authority from his Majesty to order it, and he conceived that they were bound rather to obey him according to his Ma­jesties Command, then the Parliament, many other sharpe and uncivill words he gave the said Earle, which so incenst him, he drew his Sword and wisht him to depart or he would make that place too hot for him, the Lord and his ser­ [...]nts [...]w, so did the other, betwixt whom there grew a desperate Combate, but it being Market day the multitude of peo­ple rushing in took the Earle of Stamfords [Page] part, and made the other leave the Town with shame, the people hissing, and cal­ling him Popish Lord, and many oppro­brious words, in which time the Maior and Aldermen were assembled, and came to the Angell, where after a large expressi­on of sorrow for that sad accident, they presented to him a paper wherein was writ their Resolution, the contents whereof was to this purpose.

1. They resolved in all Lawfull Obedience to fullfill his Majesties just Commands.

2. They resolved to maintaine as farre as in them lay, the true Protestant profession, and according to his Maiesties Command, to execute the Lawes against Recusants.

3. They resolved in all Obedience to sub­mit themselves to the Commands of the high Court of Parliament, knowing it to be most expedient both for his Majesties safetie, and the Kingdomes future security, withall manifesting such hearty Obedience and earnest Zeale to the said Earle, both concerning the Militia, that the said Earle hardly knew how to give them so great thanks as he concei­ved [Page] was due for such large expression of their love.

Neverthelesse he with a deale of cour­tesie thanked them and animated them on to a hasty performance of what they had promised, and withall tould them that he would make knowne to the high Court of Parliament, from whom they should receive a gratefull acknowledge­ment as a just reward for all their Service at which the people gave a generall shout crying a Stamford a Stamford with such ioy, that the good Earle was forced to withdraw, tears of ioy standing in his eies, to see his Countrys love and obedience.

This is all that at this time happened onely there is great expectation that on tha [...] generall training day our numbers will be full, the manner of which meet­ing, in my next Letter I will give you notice of till which time I rest.