THe Clouds of England are now dissol­ved, and her bright Star begins to ap­pear in its full lustre, having steered its Coast towards the Southern Climate; so that this poor disconsolated Kingdom, doth now begin to discern a glimpse of that glorious light which formerly she enioyed, who for [Page] these four or five yeares, last past, hath been over shadowed and eclipsed, by many poy­soning Fogs, and unsavory Vapours: And had it not pleased God (out of his abundant of mercies) to enlighten this poor Kingdom with many pure and bright Stars, (by cal­ling a blessed Parliament) this languishing Nation had been in a most sad condition: But by the great wisdome and care of these renowned Patriots, the great Pillars of ob­scurity are quite broken and cast dow, and a most pure and cleer Lanthorn set up with in this Kingdome, that so the light of the Gospel may shine forth in abundance tho­row out all the dark corners thereof.

But for the more full and firme establi­shing of this Gospel-light, the Estates of both Kingdomes doth humbly beseech his Maje­sty to give his Royal assent, for the enacting of the Government of the Church of Eng­land, now set up & established by the great Councel thereof. But as yet his Maiesty can­not approve of the Directory; and saith, he cannot joyn in saying Amen. to such praying as is against his Conscience: his Maiesty wil not as yet condescend to heare the English [Page] Divines preach, but saith, he doth (in part) approve of their prayer, if they would but insert the word (Queen.)

There were great tryumph at Northam­pton upon Tuesday last, when the tydings were, brought, that his Maiesty were neere Holmby, the Bells rang, and the great Guns went of, insomuch, that a gallant eccho made its appeal at Holmby, and the sound thereof did much reioyce his Maiesties heart; who little thought, that the joy of his subiects would have beene so great at the arrivall of his Royal person.

Multitudes of people resorted to wel­come his Maiesty, the Road from Harborow to Holmby being adorned with thousands, and thousands of spectators, crying with a loud voyce (God blesse your Maiesty) the King smiling upon them, passed along cheer­fully, saying, he hoped this Journey would prove a prosperous voyage, both to him and his Posterity.

Many hundreds of the Gentry of North­hamptonshire, met his Maiesty two miles on this side Harborow, and accompanied his Maiesty to Holmby.

The bells rang in every town that his Mai. passed through, which annexed a double ioy to his Royal heart, causing many a smile from his Princely countenance.

At his arrivall at Holmby, there was a gallant guard appointed for his Maiesty to passe by, who entred in at the great Court Gate, being accompanied by the Commissi­oners of both Kingdoms, who deport them­selves with much gallantry, performing the trust reposed in them faithfully, and their o­bedience to their Liege-Soveraign most loy­ally. He entred the house in great tryumph, and in a most sumptuous maner, taking some delight in conferring with the Commissio­ners about som [...] points concerning the Di­rectory; they leave no meanes unassayed, that may any wayes prove effectual, for the per­swading and gayning of his Maiesties Roy­all assent, to signe the Propositions, and take the Covenant.; which we hope, will, ere long prove effectual, desiring to hear that tryum­phant sound, and comfortable eccho, of the uniting both of Prince and Subject, that so peace and truth may flourish within his Maiesties Dominions.

Provisions is very deare at all the adiacent townes neer the Court, especially at North­hampton, where Butter is sold for six pence a pound, a loafe for two pence, that wants a­bove three Ounces of the ordinary weight, Corn at an extraordinary rate.

One thing I shall here insert, which is ve­ry requisite for publike view, concerning se­verall remarkable passages and Propositions which passed between the King and his Ex­cellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, which I will intimate as followeth.

UPon his Majesties advance to Holmby, his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax had some conference with him, and after some dispute together, his Majesty enquired much [Page] after the Lord Lisle, and concerning the bu­sinesse of Ireland, and the Forces desired for that Service, and other things in relation to preparations, and prosecutions of that War, His Maiesty also declared his will and plea­sure to the English Commissioners, intima­ting his good affection towards his Excel­lency Sir Thomas Fairfax, saying, that he was a Souldier, and a Gentleman of honour, his fidelity and renowned actions, being ap­parent to the world, further inaimating, that he had proved faithfull to the trust reposed in him, and like a noble Generall, had per­formed all Articles, according to the condi­rions agreed upon, for the surrender of his Maiesties townes and castles to the Parlia­ment, and that he had kept his word faith­fully with him; for his performance here­in, the greatest Monarchs will approve his fame.