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upon our just defence, and to seek this speedy "and powerful assistance of our brethren of Scotland, according to that act agreed upon in the parliament of both kingdoms, the common duty "of Christianity, and the particular interests of "their own kingdom: to which we hope God will give such a blessing, that it may produce the preservation of religion, the honour, safety, and peace of his majesty, and all his subjects, and a more strict conjunction of the counsels, designs, " and endeavours of both nations, for the comfort "and relief of the reformed churches beyond sea."

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"affection, concur with us in settling peace in this "of better success of our petitions than we forkingdom, and preserving it in their own; that" merly had; and are thereby necessitated to stand so we may mutually reap the benefit of that "amity and alliance, so happily made, and strongly "confirmed betwixt the two nations. Wherefore, as we did about a year since, in the first appearance of trouble then beginning among them, actually declare, that, in our sense and apprehen"sion of the national alliance betwixt us, we were thereby bound to apply the authority of parlia"ment, and power of this kingdom, to the pre"servation and maintenance of their peace: and, seeing now that the troubles of this kingdom are grown to a greater height, and the subtle prac"tices of the common enemy of the religion and "liberty of both nations do appear with more evi"dent strength and danger than they did at that "time, we hold it necessary to declare, that, in our judgment, the same obligation lies upon our brethren, by the aforementioned act, with the power and force of that kingdom, to assist us in repressing those among us, who are now in arms, " and make war, not only without consent of parliament, but even against the parliament, and "for the destruction thereof.

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"Wherefore we have thought good to make "known unto our brethren, that his majesty hath given commission to divers eminent and known papists, to raise forces, and to compose an army "in the north, and other parts of this kingdom, "which is to join with divers foreign forces, in"tended to be transported from beyond the seas, "for the destruction of this parliament, and of the religion and liberty of the kingdom: and that "the principal part of the clergy and their adher"ents have likewise invited his majesty to raise "another army, which, in his own person, he doth "conduct against the parliament, and the city of "London, plundering and robbing sundry well "affected towns within their power; and, in pro"secution of their malice, they are so presumptuous, and predominant of his majesty's resolu"tions, that they forbear not those outrages in places to which his majesty hath given his royal "word and protection; a great cause and incentive "of which malice proceeds from the design they "have to hinder the reformation of ecclesiastical government in this kingdom, so much longed for by all the true lovers of the protestant religion. "And hereupon we farther desire our brethren "of the nation of Scotland, to raise such forces they shall think sufficient for securing the peace "of their own borders, against the ill affected persons there, as likewise to assist us in suppressing the army of papists and foreigners; which, as we expect, will shortly be on foot here, and "if they be not timely prevented, may prove as "mischievous and destructive to that kingdom, as "to ourselves. And though we seek nothing from "his majesty that may diminish his just authority, or honour, and have, by many humble petitions, "endeavoured to put an end to this unnatural war " and combustion in the kingdom, and to procure "his majesty's protection, and security for our religion, liberty, and persons, (according to that great trust which his majesty is bound to by the "laws of the land,) and shall still continue to renew our petitions in that kind; yet, to our great grief, we see the papistical and malignant counsel so prevalent with his majesty, and his person so engaged to their power, that we have little hope

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It will not be here unseasonable, having, according to my weak abilities and observation, described the general temper and disposition of that time, and the particular state of affairs in the several parts of the kingdom, to take some short survey of the affections and inclinations of Scotland; the ordering and well disposing whereof, either side sufficiently understood, would be of moment, and extraordinary importance in the growing contention. From the time of the king's being last there, when he had so fully complied with all they had desired, both for the public government, and their private advancements, that kingdom within itself enjoyed as much quiet and tranquillity as they could desire; having the convenience of disburdening themselves of their late army into Ireland, whither their old general Leslie, then made earl of Leven, was employed in his full command by the king and the two houses, at the charge of England. So that many believed they had been so abundantly satisfied with what they had already gotten from England, that they had no farther projects upon this kingdom, but meant to make their fortunes by a new conquest in Ireland, where they had a very great part of the province of Ulster planted by their own nation. So that, according to their rules of good husbandry, they might expect whatsoever they got from the rebels to keep for themselves. And the king himself was so confident that the affections of that people could not be [so] corrupted towards him, as to make a farther at tempt upon him, that he believed them, to a degree, sensible of their former breach of duty, and willing to repair it by any service. Leslie himself had made great acknowledgments, and great professions to him, and had told him, "That it was nothing to promise him, that he would never more bear arms against him; but he promised " he would serve his majesty upon any summons, "without asking the cause.' "The earl of Lowden, and all the rest, who had misled the people, were possessed of whatsoever they could desire, and the future fortune of that nation seemed to depend wholly upon the keeping up the king's full power in this.

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His majesty had, from time to time, given his council of that kingdom full relations of all his differences with the parliament, and had carefully sent them the declarations, and public passages of both sides; and they had always returned very ample expressions of their affections and duty, and expressed a great sense of the parliament's proceedings towards him. And since the time of his being at York, the lord chancellor of Scotland, in whose integrity and loyalty he was least secure, had been with him; and seemed so well satisfied with the justice and honour of his majesty's car

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riage towards the parliament, that he writ to the Scottish commissioners at London, in the name, and as by the direction of the lords of the secret council of that kingdom, "that they should present "to the two houses the deep sense they had of the injuries and indignities, which were offered to "the king, whose just rights they were bound to "defend; and that they should conjure them to bind up those wounds which were made, and not " to widen them by sharpness of language; and to I give his majesty such real security for his safety among them, by an effectual declaring against "tumults, and such other actions as were justly "offensive to his majesty, that he might be induced "to reside nearer to them, and comply with them "in such propositions as should be reasonably "made;" with many such expressions, as together with his return into Scotland without coming to London, where he was expected, gave them so much offence and jealousy, that they never communicated that letter to the houses, and took all possible care to conceal it from the people.

The marquis Hamilton had been likewise with his majesty at York, and finding the eyes of all men directed towards him with more than ordinary jealousy, he offered the king to go into Scotland, with many assurances and undertakings, confident, "that he would at least keep that people "from doing any thing, that might seem to coun"tenance the carriage of the parliament." Upon which promises, and to be rid of him at York, where he was by all men looked upon with marvellous prejudice, the king suffered him to go, with full assurance that he would, and he was sure he could, do him very good service there : as, on the other side, in his own court he was so great an offence, that the whole gentry of Yorkshire, who no doubt had infusions to that purpose from others, had a design to have petitioned the king, that the marquis might be sequestered from all councils, and presence at court, as a man too much trusted by them who would not trust his majesty.

that when there should be need of that nation, (which the other thought there would never be,) they should be as forward to second them as they had been; in the mean time returned as fair and respective answers to all their messages, and upon their declarations, which were constantly sent to them, as they did to the king; assisting them in their design against the church, which was not yet grown popular, even in the two houses, by declaring "that the people of that nation could never "be engaged on any other ground, than the re"formation of religion." And therefore, about the beginning of August, the assembly of the kirk of Scotland published a declaration; "how exceedingly grieved they were, and made heavy, that "in so long a time, against the professions both "of king and parliament, and contrary to the joint "desires and prayers of the godly in both king"doms, to whom it was more dear and precious "than what was dearest to them in the world, the "reformation of religion had moved so slowly, " and suffered so great interruption."

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The ground of which reproach was this: in the late treaty of peace, the commissioners for Scotland had expressed a desire or wish warily couched in words, rather than a proposition, "that there were "such an unity of religion, and uniformity of "church-government agreed on, as might be a

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special means for conserving of peace betwixt "the two kingdoms :" to which there had been a general inclination to return a rough answer, and reproof for their intermeddling in any thing that related to the laws of England. But, by the extraordinary industry and subtilty of those, who saw that business was not yet ripe, and who alleged, that it was only wished, not proposed, and therefore that a sharp reply was not merited, this gentle answer, against the minds of very many, was returned:

"That his majesty, with the advice of both "houses of parliament, did approve of the affection "of his subjects of Scotland, in their desire of

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having conformity of church-government beLastly, the king had many of the nobility of "tween the two nations; and as the parliament Scotland then attending him, and among those the "had already taken into consideration the reformearl of Calander, who had been lieutenant-general "ation of church-government, so they would proof the Scottish army, when it invaded England," ceed therein in due time, as should best conduce and had freely confessed to his majesty, upon what "to the glory of God, the peace of the church, errors and mistakes he had been corrupted, and "and of both kingdoms.' by whom, and pretended so deep a sense of what he had done amiss, that it was believed he would have taken command in the king's army; which he declined, as if it might have been penal to him in Scotland by some clause in the act of the pacification, but especially upon pretence it would disable him from doing him greater service in that kingdom: whither, shortly after the standard was set up, he repaired, with all solemn vows of asserting and improving his majesty's interest in those parts.

The parliament on the other hand assured themselves, that that nation was entirely theirs, having their commissioners residing with them at London; and the chief managers and governors in the first [war], by their late intercourse, and communication of guilt, having a firm correspondence with the marquis of Argyle, the earl of Lowden, and that party, who, being not able to forgive themselves, thought the king could never in his heart forgive them, when it should be in his power to bring them to justice. And they undertook

Which was consented to by most, as a civil answer, signifying, or concluding nothing; by others, because it admitted an interpretation of reducing the government of the church in Scotland to this of England, as much as the contrary. But it might have been well discerned, that those men asked nothing without a farther design than the words naturally imported, nor ever rested satisfied with a general formal answer, except they found, that they should hereafter make use, and receive benefit by such answer. So they now urged the matter of this answer, as a sufficient title to demand the extirpation of prelacy in England, and demolishing the whole fabric of that glorious church; urging his majesty's late practice, while he [was] in person in Scotland, in resorting frequently to their exercises of public worship; and his royal actions, in establishing the worship and government of that kirk in parliament. And therefore they desired the parliament "to begin their work "of reformation at the uniformity of kirk-government; for that there could be no hope of unity

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"in religion, of one confession of faith, one form "of worship, and one catechism, till there were "first one form of church-government; and that "the kingdom, and kirk of Scotland, could have no hope of a firm and durable peace, till prelacy, " which had been the main cause of their miseries " and troubles, first and last, were plucked up root "and branch, as a plant which God had not planted, and from which no better fruits could "be expected, than such sour grapes, as at that day set on edge the kingdom of England." Which declaration the lords of the secret council, finding, as they said, "the reasons therein expressed to be very pregnant, and the particu"lars desired, much to conduce to the glory of "God, the advancement of the true Christian "faith, his majesty's honour, and the peace and "union of his dominions," well approved of; and concurred in their earnest desires to the two houses of parliament, "to take to their serious consider"ations those particulars, and to give favourable hearing to such desires and overtures, as should "be found most conducible to the promoting so great and so good a work."

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peace of the church at home, and happy union "with the church of Scotland, and other reformed "churches abroad; and to establish the same by a law, which they intended to frame for that purpose, to be presented to his majesty for his royal assent; and in the mean time to beseech "him, that a bill for the assembly might be passed "in time convenient for their meeting;" the two houses having extrajudicially and extravagantly nominated their own divines to that purpose, as is before remembered.

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It was then believed by many, and the king was persuaded to believe the same, that all those importunities from Scotland concerning the government of the church were used only to preserve themselves from being pressed by the parliament, to join with them against the king; imagining that this kingdom would never have consented to such an alteration; and they again pretending, that no other obligation could unite that people in their service. But it is most certain, this last declaration was procured by persuading men, "that it was for the present necessary, and that it was only an engagement to do their best to persuade his majesty, who they concluded would be inex"orable in the point," (which they seemed not to be sorry for,) "and that a receding from such a "conclusion would be a means to gratify his majesty in a treaty." At worst, they all knew, that there would be room enough, when any bill should be brought in, to oppose what they had, for this reason of state, seemed generally to consent to. And so by these stratagems, thinking to be too hard for each other, they grew all so entangled, that they still wound themselves deeper into those labyrinths, in which the major part meant not to be involved. And what effect that declaration of the two houses, after the battle of Edge-hill, which is mentioned before,wrought, will very shortly appear.

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This being sent to the parliament at the time" they were forming their army, and when the king was preparing for his defence, they who, from the beginning, had principally intended this confusion of the church, insinuated "how necessary it was, speedily to return a very affectionate and satisfactory reply to the kingdom of Scotland; not only to preserve the reputation of unity and con"sent between them, which, at that time, was very "useful to them, but to hinder the operations of "the disaffected in that kingdom; who, upon in"fusions that the parliament only aimed at taking "his majesty's regal rights from him, to the prejudice of monarchique government, without any thought of reforming religion, endeavoured to pervert the affections of that people towards the parliament. Whereas, if they were once assured "there was a purpose to reform religion, they "should be sure to have their hearts; and, if "occasion required, their hands too; which possibly might be seduced for the king, if that purpose were not manifested. Therefore, for "the present, they should do well to return their hearty thanks for, and their brotherly acceptance "and approbation of the desires and advice of that "Christian assembly, and of the lords of the coun"cil; and that though, for the present, by reason "of the king's distance from the parliament, they "could not settle any conclusion in that matter, [yet] for their parts they were resolved to en"deavour it.”

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By this artifice and invention, they procured a declaration from the two houses of parliament, of wonderful kindness, and confession of many inconveniences and mischiefs the kingdom had sustained by bishops; and therefore they declared, "that that hierarchical government was evil, and justly offensive, and burdensome to the king"dom; a great impediment to reformation and growth of religion; very prejudicial to the state " and government of the kingdom; and that they were resolved, that the same should be taken away; and that their purpose was to consult "with godly and learned divines, that they might "not only remove that, but settle such a government, as might be most agreeable to God's holy "word; most apt to procure and conserve the

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The king found himself in good ease at Oxford, where care was taken for providing for the sick and wounded soldiers, and for the accommodation of the army, which was, in a short time, recruited there in a good measure; and the several colleges presented his majesty with all the money they had in their treasuries, which amounted to a good sum, and was a very seasonable supply, as they had formerly sent him all their plate. It had been very happy, if the king had continued his resolution of sitting still during the winter, without making farther attempts; for his reputation was now great, and his army believed to be much greater than it was, by the victory they had obtained, and the parliament grew more divided into factions, and dislike of what they had done, and the city appeared fuller of discontent, and less inclined to be imposed upon, than they had been: so that on all hands nothing was pressed, but that some address might be made to the king for an accommodation; which temper and disposition might have been cultivated, as many men thought, to great effects, if no farther approaches had been made to London, to shew them how little cause they had for their great fear. But the weather growing fair again, as it often is about Allhollontide, and a good party of horse having been sent out from Abingdon, where the head quarter of the horse was, they advanced farther than they had order to do, and upon their approach to Reading, where Harry Martin was governor for the parliament, there was a great terror seized upon them, insomuch as go

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vernor and garrison fled to London, and left the" the hour before, be proclaimed traitors: that to place to the party of horse; which gave advertise- "submit to such a limitation of the king's was, ment to the king, "that all fled before them; that upon the matter, to consent to and approve the "the earl of Essex remained still at Warwick, highest breach of privilege, that had been yet having no army to march; and that there were "offered to them." "so great divisions in the parliament, that, upon "his majesty's approach, they would all fly; and "that nothing could interrupt him from going to "Whitehall. However, Reading itself was so good a post, that if the king should find it necessary to make his own residence in Oxford, "it would be much the better by having a garrison at Reading."

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Upon these and other motives, besides the natural credulity in men, in believing all they wish to be true, the king was prevailed with to march with his army to Reading. This alarm quickly came to London, and was received with the deepest horror: they now unbelieved all which had been told them from their own army; that army, which, they were told, was well beaten and scattered, was now advanced within thirty miles of London; and the earl of Essex, who pretended to the victory, and who they supposed was watching the king, that he might not escape from him, could not be heard of, and continued still at Warwick. Whilst the king was at Nottingham, and Shrewsbury, they gave orders magisterially for the war: but now it was come to their own doors, they took not that delight in it. Before they were resolved what to say, they despatched a messenger, who found the king at Reading, only to desire " a safe conduct from his majesty for a committee of lords and commons, "to attend his majesty with an humble petition "from his parliament." The king presently returned his answer, "that he had always been, and was still, ready to receive any petition from them; "that their committee should be welcome, pro"vided it consisted of persons, who had not been by name declared traitors by his majesty, and excepted as such in his declarations or pro"clamations.' The cause of this limitation was as well the former rule his majesty had set down at Shrewsbury, (from whence he thought not fit now to recede, after a battle,) as that he might prevent the lord Say's being sent to him, from whom he could expect no entire and upright dealing.

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The next day another letter came from the speaker of the house of peers to the lord Falkland, one of his majesty's principal secretaries, to desire 66 a safe conduct for the earls of Northumberland "and Pembroke, and four members of the house "of commons, to attend his majesty with their petition;" which safe conduct was immediately signed by his majesty, excepting only for sir John Evelyn, who was by name excepted in his majesty's proclamation of pardon to the county of Wilts; which proclamation was then sent to them with a signification, " that if they would send any "other person in his place, not subject to the same exception, he should be received as if his name "were in the safe conduct." Though this was no more than they had cause to look for, yet it gave them opportunity for a time to lay aside the thought of petitioning, as if his majesty had rejected all overtures of peace: "For he might every day proclaim as many of their members traitors, and except them from pardon, as he pleased; and "therefore it was to no purpose to prepare peti"tions, and appoint messengers to present them, "when it was possible those messengers might,

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So that, for some days, all discourse of peace was waved, and all possible preparations for defence and resistance made; for which they had a stronger argument than either of the other, the advancing of their general, the earl of Essex, who was now on his march towards London; and a great fame came before him of the strength and courage of his army; though in truth it was not answerable to the report: however, it served to encourage and inflame those whose fear only inclined them to peace, and to awe the rest. The king, who had every night an account of what was transacted in the houses all day, (what the close committee did, who guided all private designs, was not so soon known,) resolved to quicken them; and advanced with his whole army to Colebrook. This indeed exalted their appetite to peace; for the clamour of the people was importunate, and somewhat humbled their style; for at Colebrook, the 11th of November, his majesty was met by the two earls of Northumberland and Pembroke, with those three of the house of commons whose names were in the safe conduct; they satisfying themselves, that the leaving sir John Evelyn behind them, without bringing another in his room, was no submission to the king's exception: and this petition [was] by them presented to him.

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"We your majesty's most loyal subjects, the "lords and commons in parliament assembled, 'being affected with a deep and piercing sense of "the miseries of this kingdom, and of the dangers "to your majesty's person, as the present affairs

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now stand; and much quickened therein with "the sad consideration of the great effusion of "blood at the late battle, and of the loss of so

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many eminent persons; and farther weighing "the addition of loss, misery, and danger to your majesty, and your kingdom, which must ensue, if both armies should again join in an"other battle, as without God's especial blessing, "and your majesty's concurrence with your houses "of parliament, will not probably be avoided: we "cannot but believe that a suitable impression of "tenderness and compassion is wrought in your majesty's royal heart, being yourself an eyewitness of the bloody and sorrowful destruction of so many of your subjects; and that your ma"jesty doth apprehend what diminution of your own power and greatness will follow, and that "all your kingdoms will thereby be so weakened as to become subject to the attempts of any ill"affected to this state.

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"your majesty's honour, safety, and prosperity; "and to the peace, comfort, and security of all your people."

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The king, within two or three hours after the receipt of this petition, delivered to the same messengers this ensuing answer, with which they returned the same night to London.

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"We take God to witness, how deeply we are "affected with the miseries of this kingdom, which "heretofore we have stroven as much as in us lay "to prevent; it being sufficiently known to all the "world that, as we were not the first that took up arms, so we have shewed our readiness of composing all things in a fair way, by our several "offers of treaty, and shall be glad now at length "to find any such inclinations in others. The same tenderness to avoid the destruction of our subjects, (whom we know to be our greatest strength,) which would always make our greatest "victories bitter to us, shall make us willingly "hearken to such propositions, whereby these "bloody distempers may be stopped, and the great distractions of this kingdom settled to "God's glory, our honour, and the welfare and flourishing of our people: and to that end shall "reside at our own castle at Windsor, (if the "forces there shall be removed,) till committees may have time to attend us with the same, (which, to prevent the inconveniences that will "intervene, we wish be hastened,) and shall be Iready there, or, if that be refused us, at any place where we shall be, to receive such propositions as aforesaid, from both our houses of parliament. Do you your duty, we will not be wanting in ours. God of his mercy give a blessing."

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It was then believed by many, that if the king had, as soon as the messengers returned to London, retired with his army to Reading, and there expected the parliament's answer, they would immediately have withdrawn their garrison from Windsor, and delivered that castle to his majesty for his accommodation to have treated in and without doubt those lords who had been with the petition, and some others who thought themselves as much overshadowed by the greatness of the earl of Essex, and the chief officers of the army, as they could be by the glory of any favourite, or power of any counsellors, were resolved to merit as much as they could of the king, by advancing an honourable peace; and had it in their purpose to endeavour the giving up of Windsor to the king; but whether they would have been able to have prevailed that so considerable a strength, in so considerable a place, should have been quitted, whilst there was only hope of a peace, I much doubt. But certainly the king's army carried great terror with it; and all those reports, which published the weakness of it, grew to be peremptorily disbelieved. For, besides that every day's experience disproved somewhat which was as confidently reported, and it was evident great industry was used to apply such intelligence to the people as was most like to make impression upon the passions and affections of the vulgar-spirited, it could not be believed that a handful of men could have given battle to their formidable army, and, after taking two or three of their garrisons, presume to march within fifteen miles of London: so that, if from thence the king had drawn back again to Reading, relying upon a treaty for the rest, it is

probable his power would have been more valued, and consequently his grace the more magnified. And sure the king resolved to have done so, or at least to have staid at Colebrook, (which was not so convenient,) till he heard again from the parliament. But prince Rupert, exalted with the terror he heard his name gave to the enemy, trusting too much to the vulgar intelligence every man received from his friends at London, who, according to their own passions and the affections of those with whom they corresponded, concluded that the king had so great a party in London, that, if his army drew near, no resistance would be made, and too much neglecting the council of state (which from the first hour the army overmuch inclined to), without any direction from the king, the very next morning after the committee returned to London, advanced with the horse and dragoons to Hounslow, and then sent to the king to desire him that the army might march after; which was, in that case, of absolute necessity; for the earl of Essex had a part of his army at Brentford, and the rest at Acton, and Kingston. So that if the king had not advanced with his body, those who were before might very easily have been compassed in, and their retreat [made] very difficult.

So the king marched with his whole army towards Brentford, where were two regiments of their best foot, (for so they were accounted, being those who had eminently behaved themselves at Edge-hill,) having barricadoed the narrow avenues to the town, and cast up some little breastworks at the most convenient places. Here a Welsh regiment of the king's, which had been faulty at Edge-hill, recovered its honour, and assaulted the works, and forced the barricadoes well defended by the enemy. Then the king's forces entered the town after a very warm service, the chief officers and many soldiers of the other side being killed, and took there above five hundred prisoners, eleven colours, and fifteen pieces of cannon, and good store of ammunition. But this victory (for considering the place it might well be called so) proved not at all fortunate to his majesty.

The two houses were so well satisfied with the answer their committee had brought from the king, and with the report they made of his majesty's clemency, and gracious reception of them, that they had sent order to their forces, "that they "should not exercise any act of hostility towards "the king's forces;" and, at the same time, despatched a messenger, to acquaint his majesty therewith, and to desire "that there might be the "like forbearance on his part." The messenger found both parties engaged at Brentford, and so returned without attending his majesty, who had no apprehension that they intended any cessation; since those forces were advanced to Brentford, Acton, and Kingston, after their committee was sent to Colebrook. However they looked upon this entering of Brentford as a surprise contrary to faith, and the betraying their forces to a massacre, under the specious pretence of a treaty for peace. The alarum came to London, with the same dire yell as if the army were entered their gates, and the king accused "of treachery, perfidy, and blood; "and that he had given the spoil and wealth of "the city as pillage to his army, which advanced "with no other purpose."

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