VPon the 25. day of Novemb. [...]41. there was a great and solemne Fast: insomuch that those who did abhorre to keepe it. were to suffer the penalty of Ex­communication.

The Churches were well filled, and the best Teachers which were to bee had preached upon that day: to the comfort and stirring up of those which were the Audience to Piety, and true Re­ligion.

But as it hath bin commonly knowne, that when the best things are in agitation, then are the wicked most enflamed to worke mischiefe. So it proved then, as shall now appeare: for at that present time▪ when most devotion was used, then did a company of French-men raise a most hor­rid commotion.

[Page]In the Market place of Edinborough, where Commonly Farmers leave their corn which they doe not sell upon one Market day for the next market, there did these Traytors gather them­selves together, and about ten of the clock before noone they resolved all together to fire those chambers, where in all manner of corne and pro­vision was left, that therby the place might come to the more need and want: and consequently, that a dearth might presently ensue.

Fire they did set unto those places of the mar­ket, which would soonest take, which did flame out after an extraordinary manner. Then did these French-men[?] goe crying up and down, Fire, fire, to the great amazement of all those which were gathered together at Kirk: but God which will not suffer treachery to lye hid, revealed their damnable intents, thus.

There were certaine strangers travelling that way, which did see them when they were about their hellish enterprises: and as they were cry­ing, fire, fire, they did lay hold on them, and as the multitude came to quench the flaming market, they wondred why those French-men were laid hold on.

Then did the strangers relate unto them the whole matter, how that vvhatsoever was there done, was acted by the treacherous French-men, who vvere presently committed to the custody of Officers: and being examined they answered, that had their purpose taken full effect, it had bin [Page] the best deed which in many yeeres had beene done[?] in Edinborough, they said the people being Hereticks[?], would have had a good fire to warme them by, after that their rites had bin celebra­ted.

The French-men which were about the num­ber of twelve, are at this time in the Castle of Edinborough, and wait for their judgment, which will be, according as all traytors merit, a rope to hang them, and good sharpe knives to quarter them.

That part of the Market pla [...]e, which did so violently flame, was by hookes pul'd downe: much Corne there was burnt, but the greater part was saved.

THE Major of New-Castle with the Aldermen his Brethren rid to visit on hors­backe the Colepits, as their Office is to do every quartrer of yeer, where by the way he was [Page] shot with a Dag into the arme, which caused him to fall off his horse, and with the fall bruised his body more, and doth at this time lye very weak, scarce any hope being of life.

He being sent home in a Coach, the Aldermen continued riding: but at length there did fall foure of them in a pit, which was not to be per­ceived before they did fall: but being in, one of them was drowned, and the other three in great danger of losing their lives, to the great griefe of the whole Towne: but those which were the plotters of so great villany, are not to be found; yet some are taken upon suspition, but there is no certainty whither they be the men▪

THe Rebels comming into the aforena­med County, came unto the hose of a re­ligious and upright Protestant, which was a Lady, and brought with them an impudent queane, who came into the Ladies house, which did discend of a noble house, and told her that she must presently change apparell with her, or else she should surely be put to death: the good Lady to save her life, parted with her garments, and put on those of the Rebels, and so went away to the Citie of Dublin, where she was enterteined kindly.

IN the same Countie came the Rebels to the house of a religious Minister: and because hee would not yeeld to their Religion, they haled him out of his house, and in a most cruell man­ner hanged him; although for his deere wife, and tender babes sake, hee did intreat them to spare his life: yet had they no remorse, but car­ryed him to the house of Sir Philip Moneale, and there hang'd him vpon a Pine-tree.

THe Rebels had newes in some parts of Ireland, that the Earle of Tyrone was come from Spaine, and arrived at Monto­ham. Wherefore they gathered themselves toge­ther at Annera, & took counsell how they might congratulate the love of the renowned Earle of Tyrone (as they tearmed him.) It was agreed upon by that Arch-rebell Sir Hugh Oneale, that hee should be entertained by them all, according as their riches would permit them.

Which they did, and being in Annera the Earle of Tyrone counselled them speedily to be siege Dublin, which two days after they did, and stop­ped the passage of the water there. But notwith­standing [Page] the Protestants[?] did beat them back; and tooke the Earle of Tyrone prisoner: but it vvas the Rebels chance also to take the good Lord Moore, vvherefore one vvas released for the o­ther.

After that the rebels departed into the woods and were (as the Protestaats thought) surrounded and compassed about, but they knowing of the woods got the better; then the rebels issued out of unknowne places, and unawares gave the Protestants a great overthrow: untill the Com­panies of the Lord Moore marched up, then they were put to flight.