ON the first of this instant January the Prince of Conde took the field against the Kings forces, where his Highnesse charged himself in person with the forlorn Hope, doing gallant execution; the grounds and rea­sons of his so sudden and unexpected Engagement were as followeth: The Prince of Conde receiving intelligence, that the King had a conjunctional design against his Highnesse, he im­mediatly resolved to fight General Harcourt (who then lay within one league of his Rear) and accordingly advanced himself in per­son with his own Regiment, whose Colours resembled the King of Scots at Worcester, being green & white; but differed in the Motto; for whereas the King gave a type, For Religion Crown and Kingdoms; so the Prince gave his Typification, To the Law and Testimony of the Go­spel. This proved an acceptable Sacrifice; for no sooner had his High­nesse appeared at the head of each Regiment, and after an excellent Speech, exhorting them to puissancie of spirit, for the fighting of the Lords battel, they unanimously resolved to fight it out to the last man; and accordingly fell upon Gen. Harcourt (both Armies being in battel array) and after a sharp dispute, (which continued for the space of three hours) routed the Kings forces, killed about 5000 up­on the place, took 3000 prisoners, 90 Colours, the Kings Standard, with his blew Ribbon, and the Holy Ghost, engravened in letters of Gold, as a Crucifix; together with all the Ordnance, Armes, and ammunition.

In this Action the Prince of Conde deported himself with most puissant valour and magnanimity of spirit; The D. of York charged against him in person, and commanded the forlorn Hope, most of them consisting of the English Ca­valry: His horse was snot under him, but he himself recei­hed little hurt.

The Cardinals return into this Kingdom hath brought all things to the utmost extremity; and the increasing of the Armies on both sides, doth shew that they are resolved to make an end by force, there being now no appearance of any reconciliation.

Monsieur de Chas [...]caun us [...], and Marshal de Villeroy (though together with the Princes friends they have forwarded the return of the said Cardinal on a design to unto him) being mistrusted, have forsaken the Court. It is likely the quar­rel will not be suddenly appeased. I hear that the said Car­dinal passed last Saturday from Sedan to Rhetel, and by Let­ters from Rheims we hear, that he came over the River of Marue on the 3. instant with 50. Horse only about Espern [...], whilst his forces were getting over at another place. It is very probable, that at this time he is not very far from the Court, though his adherents do give out that he is still in Campayne. In the mean while we are informed, that a par­ty of the Loraines Forces, some Spanish Troops, and Monsi­eur le Princes Forces upon the Borders of Champagne, are to joyn together at Arley, intending to march in a Body into France, to the number of 8000. men, well commanded by Monsieur de Fauge, Dom Stephen de Gamarra, and by the Count de Tavannes.

The Duke of Orleans Forces, and others sent for out of Picardy, do commit very great violences upon their march, sparing neither friends nor foes, as well about Paris as in the remotest places. The Horse are gone towards the Ri­ver of Loire to seize on the passes: 15. or 1600 Muskets went from hence last Tuesday with abundance of Match and Bullet towards Estampes for the Foot, or for the Recruits [Page 5]which are raising for the said Dukes forces, which are very poor and naked for want of pay.

An Express come from the Court saith, That there is no likelihood of any accomodation with the Prince, and that several honest men were leaving the Court, not being wil­ling to see the said Cardinal.

Since the surprizal of Captain Green, we hear, That Cap. Smith hath met with some of the Hollanders, and hath mered the same measure to them again, giving no quarter. It is probable, this breach will grow wider and wider suddenly, for the English are resolved to pay them in their own coyn, and not to sell mens lives for gain.

We hear that Captain Peacock hath taken a French prize but not without loss; for she disputed it to the last man.

There hath been lately a proclamation printed at Am­sterdam, and dispiersed up and down the City, full of inve­ctives against the parliament of England, calling them Re­bels, Traytors, and Bloudsuckers; but herein they hit them­selves a notable box upon the year.

There is greparation for shipping in all parts of Holland; a Fleet of one hundred sayl is intended.

From Constantinople they write, That the Emperour of Turkey hath positively declared against all the Kings, Princes, States, and Com­mon-wealths in Christendom, and hath imprisoned about 4000 Christians; amongst the rest, many eminent Gentlemen: some where­of, are men of quality, belonging to the English Nation; who were Agents and Factors at Skaro [...]n, Smirna, and other places; yet notwith­standing the Janisaries are not a little obstructive to his proceed­ings; which in time may cause a glorious Sun-shine of the Gospel, over those dark A [...]heistical and Mahometan Corners; But as ancient Pithogoras said, That he was assured the Ayr was full of Spirits; so am I confident (as yet) that Turkey is full of Devils.

But the Venetians are preparing a great Summer Fleet, to go out against the Turks, under the command of the Lord High Admiral Foscolo, who hath already took 4 stately Gallies; and hath made him­self Mastes of the strong Castle of Nedren, wherein he found 30 brasse pieces, 500 bar [...]ls of powder, and great store of Ammunition. The Emperor of Germany is likewise raising 40000 men. [...] Turkes Design against Christendom.

Cardinal Mazarine hath entred that Kingdom with 7000 horse and foot, to assist his Soveraign Lord the King, against the Prince of Conde. The Duke of Orleans hath declared against his invasion; but the Duke of Elbeuf doth declare himself for the Cardinal, and so doth all the new Cardinals in Picardy and Champane. The Prince en­deavours very much to win his Enemies by fair means: His gallant and civil Order or Discipline in the Army, takes great Influence up­on the hearts of the people; and many excellent Presidents are ex­tant touching the glorious success of all those who fight under the Banner of Jerus Christ, viz.

Sennacherib (the King of Assyrians) invading Judea with a pow­erful Army, commanded it to be related by his Captains to Ezcchias the King, that in vain he reposed his trust in any Divine power; for seeing (said he) the Gods of other Nations were not able to defend their Worshippers against the puissance and might of the King of the Assyrians; therefore neither could the God of Israel. For which horrible blasphemy God in one night destroyed almost his whole Army, there being 185000 armed men slain by an Angel. And the King himself after his return into Ninivie his City, sacrificing to his gods (who could not defend him) was murthered by his own sons.

Nabuchodonesor (King of Chaldea) when in his fury he cast the h [...]ee children into the fiery furnace, for that they refused to adore a Statua erected by him, and further blasphemed against God, in preferring his own power before the power of God, in these words: Quis est Deus? Who is God that can take you out of my hands? Did immediatly af­ter acknowledge the contrary, and confessedia Deity, through the sight of that stupendious miracle, by the which the children being in the midst of the flames, remained unhurt and not burned. But after when he had forgot the same, and bear himself with his former cl [...]ti­on and pride of mind, maintaining, that his power and glory stood obnoxious or subject to none, he was suddenly punished by God; a voyce from Heaven rushing upon him, and speaking thus: Tibi dici­tur Nabuchodonosor Rex, &c. O King Nabuchodonosor, to thee be it spoken: thy Kingdom shall depart from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the Beasts of the field; They shall make thee to eat grass as the Oxen; and seven times shall passe over thee, till thou knowest, that the most high beareth rule over the Sons of men, and giveth it to whomsoever, he will. Which voice being ended, he was presently deprived of reason and grew mad. Whereupon being driven from all mens society, he begun to live in the Woods among Beasts, and during seven yeares lived after the manner of beasts. Which period [Page 7]of time being ended, he was restored to his wits and senses, and pre­ently thereupon most excellently confessed a divine power. That this was to happen unto him, God foreshewed it a year before in a vision which he had, while he dreamed; which vision Daniel did in­terpret.

Agrippa the elder being in Cesaraea, and cloathed with sumptuous apparel, and sitting in a high and regal seat, began to make a speech to the people; but some of his people cryed out, that it was the voice of some God, and not of man; which words being grateful un­to him, (who could be willing to assume divine honour to himself) he was suddenly strucken with an Angel, and so his flesh and bowels putrifying, he was consumed with lice.

The Syrians being overcome in War by the Israelites in certain mountainous places, ascribed their overthrow to the Gods of the Mountains, who (they said) did favour the Israelite; therefore they would fight with the Israelites in the vallies, where they thought the God of Israel was not interessed; upon which cause, God by his Prophet thus spake to the King of Israel; Quia dixerunt Syri, &c. Be­cause the Syrians said, the Lord is God of the Mountains, and not of the va­lies, I will give all this great multitude in to thy hand, and you shall now, that I am the Lord. And thereupon both their Armies joyning battel after, the Israelites (though but few in number) killed in one day a hundred thousand footmen: And there remained in a neer place twenty seven thousand Syrians, who flying into the City, were kil­led with the fall of the City walls: doubtlesly this was a manifest revenge and punishment of the former blasphemy.

Nicanor being leader of the Army of Demetrius the King, and in­tending to invade the Jews upon the Sabboth, was admonished that in honour and reverence to God (who fecth all things) he should forbear that facred day: to the which advise he thus answered: Estnepotens quispiam in caelo &c. Is there a Lord in heaven, that commands the Sabbath day to be kept? to whom when it was answered, Est [...]minus vivus &c. There is a living Lord, which ruleth in Heaven, who command­eth the seaventh day to be kept: he replyed; Et egopotens &c. And I am mighty upon Earth to command them, for to arm themselves, and to perform the Kings business. Upon which occasion the day of War being begun, though Nicanor had a most powerful Army, furnished with all kind of Munition and Armour; yet was he overthrown by a very few, with the loss of 35000 men. His blasphemous tongue was likewise cut off, and by small pceces cast unto Birds; and his hands which he lifted up against the Temple, were set up in an opposite place to the Temple.

At what time Achior commended the power of the God of heaven, and averred, that the Jewes were secure and safe, in that they wor­shipped God religiously, at which words Holofernes in great indig­nation thus answered. Quoniam prophetasti, &c. Because thou hast pro­phecyed among us to day, that the people of Israel is defended by their God, I will shew thee, that there is no other God, but Nabuchodonosor, &c. For which blasphemy he payed dear, forth is own head was cut off by the hand of a Woman, and his Army being driven to flight, a great part therof was put to the sword by the Jewes.

Antiochus for his pride and blasphemy, was strucken from God with an invisible and incurable disease; for first, suddenly a violent [...]ain of his Bowels invaded him; and then quickly after he fell out of his chariot, wounding himself dangerously: lastly his body pu­rifying with a filthy consumption, and breathing out a most loath­ [...]om smell, was consumed alive with worms.

Balthazar (King of the Chaldeans) when he commanded the holy Vessels to be brought to him (which were taken out of the Temple of the Lord at Jerusalem) and did drink in them with his Noble men, and his Concubines; for such his profaning of them did presently fool Gods just revenge; for in the middest of the banquet and jollity with his guests, it is said, Apparuerunt digiti, &c. There appeared fingers of a mans hand, which wrot over the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the Kings palace. And this appeared in the fight of all men, and with great consternation of mind and fear to the King himself.

The King of Portugals eldest son is advancing with his Army a­gainst the Spaniard, for the relief of the French in Barcellonia.

The King of France hath sent Prince Edward (son to the Queen of Bohemia) to make opposition against the Prince of Conde: the King of Scots, and the Duke of York are designed for the field; the first as Lieut. Gen. of the Horse: the second, as Major General. And its said that they are already advanced again the Prince of Turence, and hath fallen upon his forces, and after a sharp dispute, beas them out of their Trenches.