IN time of Warr, that some times happy peacemaker, when vnlookt for mischeifs are either hatching or of ripe age; prevention and pollicy is the best antidotes, which the best even our blessed Parliament have vsed as soveraigne in these worst ages.

And indeed if upon a conceited survey of im­minent danger, they had left to be caustious, they had resigned injoyed security to hap haz­ards Cruilty; but that honourable Assembly hauing a wellconceated ill conceit of some aduerse party, who deeming Maiesty Loyalty, would faine Lord it over them with some up­start tyranny, have well fortified those places [Page 4] most aimed at, because most dangerous to their assaults, and turrited and resartiated those time­worne Bulwarkes, which lay as it were gaping for the issue of the enemy. Nay, not onely so, but since that monies are the finewes of warre, victuals and provision the usefull artillery, they they have with as much care as speed, caused to bee transported to Hull, such conveniences which their private necessities cry for: a ship laden with victuals.

But since that Fortune is commonly adverse to vertuous and good intended designes, it had not swept the surface of the water, to New Ca­stle, but it had run on the pikes of danger, by some Cavaliers; if execution had not proved more unlucky then intention [...] for no sooner were their eyes commanders of the Vessell, but drove with envy rather then hunger, armed with temerity rather then civill honesty, without sulration, they let flye a Cannon shot at her: but it came short of their longing, and, as it were approving their innocence, the hard iron cryd in his errand, as loath to doe his message, and for griefe fell downe dead. Which when these Buffes perceived, presently, not knowing the cause of the quarrell, they seemed to lay battery against heaven, and with thundring and selfe-damming word-shot, threatned to im­barke the poore Barke in some disadvantage. [Page 5] Whereupon they lifted up their voices in a high execrable straine, others were in a lower Key, all ran division, and no musicke sounds, well, unlesse there be another Base shot, com­mand therefore was given, that they should glut a piece: and after they had roard it with a Dam Me, they seconded it with a Ram ye to the top, so that they fed the piece belly full with the deadly enemies of life, for how they will shoote and indeed in the upshot they did, for having discharged their Engine: againe as if the others cause was good, it broke its heart, and as inraged sent his intrails into theirs who kindled his an­ger, and with his sides thrust them into deaths doores. Here might you see a Separatist, a leg parted from the body, there an Athiest, as if he had denied its Essence, many to the number of thirty massacred, some as Church Papists, share equally of life and death.

Thus did they fall and were intangled in their owne yarne: thus they became their owne exe­cutioners, who, whilst they intend to build a house on others ruine, and make others wret­chednesse their happinesse, found no enemies but themselves, as if they onely had been the men who were to be prosecuted with such ven­geance. And now would this accident faine traduce the constancy of my faith: and I begin to iudge of the cause of the iniured party, which useth skill in selfe-defending not man offending [Page 6] guided by nature, which clemency and patience have named good; whose cause Fortune hath Christened just, vnlesse it be turn'd a crime to secure ones selfe; I am therefore struk with dull amazement at the thought of that tongue de­structions that slee our Common wealth in so many peece, that Mortals should judge occur­rents as their fancies reacheth, each man as is inclined to Warr or Peace imbrace either, not respecting their owne persons nor the Cause but the person for whose safeguard their wea­pons are suscepted, or if not so, for for what they have not long bin acquanted with Pillage, who are the more desperat [...], c [...]use they are past hope, I speake of those only who know it serues, no way to save a Country but to destroy it, whose headlong actions spe [...]ke t [...]em unfortu­nate even in the least attempt [...]or their hopes were frustrate, and that swimmi [...]g sto [...]ehouse like the Trojan Horse linde wi [...] ammunition safely dauncing upon the waue, for joy they arri [...]in wisht for port.

If they would but sit downe and recolect what dangers hoper ouer us and them how sha [...]pely they haue been intertaind in their aduentures; they would I suppose, take breath and parle be­for a second one sett; for lately they were stuft with such ouermeting audacity that taking as they thought time by the forehead, they in tended to inuade Hull, and hauing a freind of [Page 7] night to distowne Sr. John Hotham; which under maske of darkenesse they did, intending may I say like Cowards which strike winking or blind fold, but he found fortune as fauarable as the Parliament findes him faithfull for first he seeming as it were carlesse Congested the Waters together and bridled them in which som fresh Water Souldiers being priuy to, Con­ducted by their ancient Captaine, Captaine fancey began to inherit after the Flood, and hauing won the opportunity orespred the earth; this Sr. John Hotham gaue leaue to Rand [...] ­uowz in his thoughts; who presently felt these Flyes wagging in his Web; whereupon he saluteed these Brauadoes with a peece of ordi­nance welcome sent about threescore soules to Pluto [...] rest into an Ague H [...]rd Fate.

Sr. John not only welcomd them but payd the shot, such intertainment were they never like to rein o [...]or the rest to be tasters of unlesse they come with a powder, thus those daring Grim spirits have bin cur [...]d of the desease of long life: for indeed they have bin engines of torment of torment to the Country, and that Nobleman is crownd with glory; who remembers rather that he is a Subject then a Knight, whom the Honourable Houses of Parliament, have as a gurdeon and [...] for his desarts, willingly with [...] [...]ions for the secu­rity [Page 8] of his persons as their owne, whose happi­nesse consists in theirs: to maintaine which, he [...] is as ready as able to put in force any thing by force, from force, the endeavors of incroaching adversaries; wherefore answerable to their com­mand, to let in the water, hee hath opened the flood-gates, which measuring the out-fields, make cloathes of Chrystal for the neighbouring plaines: which, that it may not be disrob'd of its pure garment, to the subversion of many. Let such Merchant adventurers take heed to batter for goods, or thought-good to King, with life or limmes, lest while they strive for that little Iland in a forced ebbe, they bee ill willers to the King and Kingdom estate, whose ruine is smirkt with the name of safety, and gain the Parliaments displeasure to their own losse.

The Lords and [...], that a Garrison of Souldiers is at New Castle. Likewise Earl Rivers being put into the Com­mission of Aray, exercises it with much rigour imprisoning all the that oppose him.