AN ACT For setting apart Tuesday the Eighth of October next, for a Day of Publique THANKS-GIVING.
Together with a Narrative and Declaration OF The Grounds and Reasons thereof.
Die Martis, 17 Septembr. 1650.
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act, Narrative and Declaration be forthwith printed and published.
Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti.
London, Printed by Edward Husband and John Field, Printers to the Parliament of England, 1650.
AN ACT For setting apart Tuesday the Eighth of
October next, for a Day of Publique THANKS-GIVING.
Together with a Narrative and Declaration OF The Grounds and Reasons thereof.
IF any Nation in the World hath at this day upon them mighty and strong Obligations unto the Lord, for his peculiar Manifestations of Mercy and goodness unto them; wherein he hath filled with Admiration and Astonishment, all that have been Spectators and Observers of the out-goings of his Power, in Deliverances and Preservations; It is the Parliament and People of England, in the midst of whom the Lord hath walked most eminently for these Ten years last past, and constantly exercised them, by various and wonderful Providences; being pleased to make use of a few weak and unworthy Instruments, contemptible in the eyes of men, to bring great things to pass, and carry on his own Work, that the Power might appear to be of God, and not of Man; and this in the weakest and lowest conditions of his Servants, when we have been reduced to the greatest Straights, and had, as it were, the sentence of death in our selves; and our Enemies heightned and hardned by their Power and Multitudes, in their Confidences, even to Pride and Arrogance, ready to swallow us up and destroy us: So that upon most of the Victories vouchsafed unto us, there hath been written in broad and visible Characters, This hath God wrought, Thus far hath God helped us.
And as it is the duty of all persons in this Commonwealth, especially those that fear the Lord, to observe these his marvellous and gracious Dispensations, and be taught by them not onely to submit unto, and close with the Actings and Appearances of the Lord (who worketh all things according to the Councel of his own Will) but to be enlarged in Rejoycings and thankful Acknowledgements, and to [Page 1002]trust him in like straights for time to come; So the memorial of such Mercies and glorious Deliverances of the Almighty, deserve to be transmitted to Posterity, and for ever recorded unto his Praise.
In the Number of these, and as that which may have the first place, The Parliament is most exceedingly affected with the late Wonderful and gracious dealing of the Lord, towards their Army under the Command of their present General, General CROMWEL in Scotland, and with the glorious Victory which he hath there wrought for them in an unexpected season against the Scots: For which inestimable Blessing of God unto the Parliament and People of England, enriched with so many remarkable circumstances, that all along evidence his Divine Presence, this Commonwealth can never be sufficiently thankful; especially if it be considered, That in this is given in a Seal and Confirmation from Heaven, of the Justice of our Cause, and of the Sincerity of his Servants, that are his unworthy Instruments in the carrying of it on, after that most Solemn Appeals were made on both sides to God himself, the Righteous Judge, in this necessitated War between England and Scotland; And that all means of Christian love and tenderness towards those that bear the Name of Godly in the Scotish Nation, have been used to inform, and perswade them, and prevent (if it had been the will of God) a decision by the Sword, and the same rejected.
And indeed, such is the riches and fulness of this high and unexpressible Mercy, that the value and consequence thereof, is not in a short time to be apprehended, but is of that nature, as succeeding Generations will be tasting the sweet and good of it, as often as they look back upon it, and penetrate into it. For in the bosom of it is comprehended the safety of all that hath been fought for these many years late past: And together with this Victory, God hath renewed Being and Life it self to this Commonwealth, and the Government thereof; whose total Ruine and Subversion was not onely contrived and designed, but almost ripened unto an Accomplishment, by all the Enemies of it, under the fairest Vizards and Disguises they could clothe themselves with; that is to say, of The Cause of God, The Covenant, and Priviledges of Parliament, the more easily to seduce and deceive a Party within this Nation, who lay waiting for it, and to concentre in one all the Strength that could be heap'd up together, of various destructive Interests unto the Power of Godliness, and true Liberty and Freedom of the People, the maintenance whereof is so much in the desires and endeavors of this Commonwealth.
In this Combination the Popish, Prelatical, Prophane and Malignant Parties stood behinde the Curtain, and seemed for a season to be quite laid aside, that the Cause of God, the Covenant, and Work of Reformation might bear the Name, and the Promoters thereof the onely Power and Sway, through whose seeming Credit and Authority [Page 1003]our hands might be weakned, our Cause blemished, and general Insurrections from all parts of England procured, and so obtain that through Deceit and Hypocrisie joyned with Power, which by Force alone they durst not attempt, as having found by frequent and dear Experiences, the mighty hand of God drawn out against them, as often-soever as they appeared in a way of meer and open Force: And now when the Design was thus subtilly and dangerously laid, and the Enemy in his own thoughts was in so fair a way of accomplishing thereof, that they doubted nothing less, then of having our Army at their mercy, and of marching up unto London without opposition, with their new King at the Head of theirs: The following Narrative will declare how suddenly the Lord turned himself against them, and arose like a Gyant refreshed with Wine, bestowing upon England the most seasonable and wonderful Victory over his Enemies, that it hath ever known, or been made partaker of.
The Narrative.
AFter the march of our Army into Scotland, upon the grounds of Justice and Necessity, and in the prosecution of those ends heretofore declared by us; And that all means had been used by the General, and his Councel of War, for to prevent the effusion of Blood, and bringing the guilt of it upon their own heads, which might incur upon their obstinacy, especially of such as we beleeved might fear God in the Scotish Nation: Our Army did often press upon them, and several times tempt them to engage with us; which they did as often avoid, waiting for their advantage over us by our weaknings and sickness, and their own strengthning, by the continual access of forces to them. And when it was found, notwithstanding all ways used by us, it would work no effect to fight us; It was at length by the General and his Councel concluded to march with the Army back as far as Dunbar, for the more convenient supplying it with victuals, and providing for our sick and weak men, who fell so fast down of the Flix, that we were compelled to Ship away at Muscleborough Five hundred of them.
The Enemy mistaking the Grounds of our March, [Page 1004]took Courage on a sudden, perswading themselves we now durst not Engage with them, as verily imagining we had with our sick men shipp'd away our Ordnance already (which was indeed onely sent with a Party before towards Haddington) and having been informed that we intended after we were come to Dunbar, to send away all our Infantry by Sea, and with our Horse to return back into England; Between which and our Quarters then, they knew there were many Passes, where they might have an advantage easily to annoy us.
Upon our rising therefore from Muscleborough the last of August, our Army having with them but four days Provision, The Enemy, who by the coming of their Kings Guard of English, and several other Recruits from the North to them, were made effectively Twenty two thousand men, ours being weakned to Eleven thousand, rise also and marched close after us, attempting the disordering of our Rear, especially upon the lodging our Army at Haddington; whither coming neer night, and having passed most of our men over the River, the Enemy fell on so hot, that though we brought up our Rear-Brigade of Horse to succor our Rear-Forlorn, which the Enemy had faln and broke in upon, yet we could not have come off without a considerable loss, the Enemies whole Army being neer at hand, had not the goodness of God seasonably interposed by his Providence, and so ordered it, that a dark Cloud passing over the Moon, we had the opportunity given us of drawing off our Horse again, undiscerned by the Enemy, and of sheltring it with our Foot, and the rest of the Army by Haddington Town-side, the Enemy having got nothing by the scuffle.
The whole Body of the Enemies Army lying within two Miles of the Town, about midnight they sent up a Party of Horse and Foot to try what success they should have upon our Quarters. The General having notice of their approach, commanded out Captain White with his Troop to charge them, which he accordingly did; but [Page 1005]meeting with greater numbers, both Horse and Foot then was expected, was put to a Retreat, the Enemy pursuing to the Town-Wall: But the General drawing out another Party, they retired to their Army, leaving without any loss of ours, some few of their men slain.
The next morning (the Enemy lying upon a very good Ground for Battel) our Army put themselves into order, as thinking it had been the Enemies intention to fight: And moving towards them there, where the Enemy had drawn some of his men over a Pass, the Enemy thinking not then his best time, commanded his men back again, and the River interposing, our Army in this order faced them four or five hours, when a motion was made by some of the Officers to send to them to offer them Battel; but this Proposal took no effect, as not judging it fit to anticipate the time and design of Providence, which they had ever found best patiently to wait upon.
Perceiving therefore they would come to no resolution to fight, our Army proceeded in their march again to Dunbar; and the Enemy having received a fresh Recruit of Three new Regiments, sent some of our men that they had taken Prisoners in to inform us of their supply, and that they were now bent to fight us. Their Considence upon this supply; and their former mistakes of us, being greatned to a very high degree, so that they followed our Army with that eagerness, that before we got within a mile of Dunbar (where we came that night) their whole Bodies of Horse and Foot were in our Rear, within Canon shot, where our Army being to pass over a small River that had pretty high Banks, made a Halt, and drew up in Battalia: The Enemy again declined to joyn, and espying an advantage he had, drew off to the Right Hand, marching in great haste to possess himself of some Hills that did intercept between us and England; which he accordingly did (we being not able to prevent it, without leaving our Train and Provisions behinde us) his Camp overlooking our Army, and sending afterward a [Page 1006]considerable number of Horse, did possess himself likewise of the Pass at Copperspeth; we placing our Tents in the mean time close by the Sea, and leaving Dunbar behinde us.
Here begun the pride of the Scots Army so to swell, as they quite forgot an over-ruling Providence, their Scouts upbraiding us, They now had us safe enough, and that though they had afforded us a Summers Quarters, they hoped to have it quickly repaid them, when they come to take up their Winter Quarters, intending, as they said, to convoy up our Rear for us to London; yea, so far had their Passion blinded them, and their Presumption prevailed upon them, That as we were informed by some of their own, they sate in Consultation what Conditions it was fit they should offer us, whether or no Quarter was to be allowed to any for their lives, and to whom onely, and upon what terms.
And indeed, many were the difficulties that it pleased the Lord at that time to set before our Army, the ground the Enemy had gotten being inaccessible, and not possible for us to engage him upon, without apparant hazard; on either hand, and on the Rear of our Army was the Sea, and before them onely a narrow Pass, and the Hills where the Enemy lay; nor were we without straights in our selves, our Army being so sickly, as a hundred of them fell down of a day, and our Provisions growing scanty for those that were well.
But in this began the Wisdom, Power and Goodness of God, the more to break forth in upholding, notwithstanding the hearts both of the Officers and Soldiers, quietly and patiently to expect the glorious Appearance of his Divine Presence in this their Distress, of which they had oft times humbly boasted, and by which they had no time hitherto been deserted.
All the next day we lay still; toward the Evening, on Monday, the Enemy drew out nigh three parts of four of their Horse, South of Dunbar, intending to interpose [Page 1007]and shut up quite the way of our Army to Berwick; which the General observing, declared to Major General Lambert, That now in his apprehensions there was an opportunity given of attempting something upon the Enemy; which the Major General having at the same time upon his spirit also, was about to prevent him in; and after advice taken with the Councel of Officers (who were all consenting) it was resolved to be ordered in this maner, That Six Regiments of Horse, and Three Regiments and half of Foot, under the command of the Major General, should first fall on, and that Four Regiments and half of Foot, and Two Regiments of Horse should bring up the Canon and Rear; the time of the Onset to be break of day.
The night proved blustering and wet, so that our Army fell not upon the Enemy at the hour appointed, till it was somewhat later in the Morning; their Motions being soon descryed by the Enemy, who before any of ours came up, had put himself in so good a posture to receive them, as he had the advantage of his Canon and Foot against our Horse onely, which according to order first charged the Enemy, while that our Foot was coming up, opposition was made by the Enemy with very great Resolution; a very hot dispute at Swords point being between our Horse and theirs. Five Companies of our Foot that were first commanded out, after they had discharged their dutie, being over-powred by the Enemy, received [...]ome repulse, which they soon recovered; the Generals Regiment timeously coming in, who (God eminently assisting them with Courage) at the push of Pike, did break the stoutest Regiment the Enemy had, and totally routing them, did full execution upon them; which proved as great an advantage to us, as it was a terror & amazement to the residue of their Foot; nor was the issue in the mean time less successful in our Horse, who being carryed on by the same Divine Power and Presence, did with a great deal of spirit and valour daunt the Resolution of the Enemy, [Page 1008]charging through and through the Bodies both of the Enemies Horse and Foot, who after the first Repulse were as Stubble before them. And now the best of the Enemies Horse and Foot, being in less then an hours dispute broken, and their whole Army put into confusion, it became a total Rout, our men having the chase and execution of them near eight miles; in all which Fight, notwithstanding it is credibly affirmed, our Army lost not thirty men, so great was the mercy and protection of God over them.
And thus in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, the Lord shewed himself to be above them, causing their foot to slide in the duest time, even when he had reduced our Army into such straights, that room was onely left for Believing.
While our Army having rested themselves, and given thanks to God for this great Victory, were preparing their march to Edenburgh, news was brought to the General, That Edenburgh and Leith were both quitted: The Provost of Edenburgh having acquainted the people of the overthrow of their whole Army, unsafety of their present condition, and that visibly there was nothing appeared that could protect them: Whither our Army sooner after marching, did quietly take up their Quarters, not meeting with the least resistance; The Enemy being retired to the other side of Sterling.
In this Battel were kill'd upon the place and near about it, above Four thousand men.
Of private Soldiers taken Prisoners, above Ten thousand.
Of their Horse taken, killed, and made unserviceable, about Two thousand.
Commission Officers taken Prisoners, as Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, &c. about Two hundred and ninety.
Two of their Committee of Estates taken Prisoners, the Lord Lybberton and Sir Iames Lunsden, who was also Lieutenant [Page 1009]General of their Foot, and some of their Ministers.
The Foot Arms taken, were about Fifteen thousand.
About Two hundred Colours taken.
Two and Thirty peeces of Ordnance, with the rest of their Artillery, Bag and Baggage, and all their Ammunition taken.
There was not above Five thousand Horse and Foot of ours ingaged in this Battel.
The Enemies word was The Covenant, ours The Lord of Hosts, who manifested himself to be with us.
Their King, as some of their Prisoners said, was within a day or two expected to come into their Army.
The serious consideration of all which, as it doth give the Parliament cause of great Thankfulness unto God, for this his unspeakable Goodness: So they do most earnestly desire, That the whole Nation, together with themselves, may be deeply sensible of the same; And therefore they do Enact and Ordain, and be it Enacted and Ordained by this present Parliament, and the Authority thereof, That Tuesday the Eighth day of October, One thousand six hundred and fifty, be set apart, and appointed for a day of Publique Thanksgiving and Holy Rejoycing in all the Churches and Chappels within England, Wales, and Town of Berwick upon Tweed, for this great Mercy; And that the Ministers of the respective Parishes and places aforesaid, be, and hereby they are Required and Enjoyned to give notice on the Lords day next preceding the said Eighth day of October, of the day so to be observed; to the end the people of their several Congregations may the more generally and diligently attend the publique Exercises of Gods Worship and Service there to be dispensed upon [Page 1010]that occasion: At which time, that the prople may be the more particularly and fully informed of this great Deliverance and Success, the said Ministers are hereby Required and Enjoyned to publish and reade this present Act and Narrative. And for the better Observation of the Day, the Parliament doth hereby inhibit and forbid the holding or use of all Fairs, Markets, and servile works of mens ordinary Callings upon that day; And all Majors, Sheriffs, Iustices of Peace, Constables, and other Officers, be and are hereby Enjoyned to take especial care of the due observance of the said day of Thanksgiving accordingly.
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act, Narrative and Declaration be forthwith printed and published.