THE great Hand of Providence having in a most high and wonderful manner appeared in the Issue of these late Changes, Overturnings, and Confusions; and in the midst of our great Fears, Dangers, and Calamities, miraculously to work and point out a signal Deliverance for these distracted languishing, and, woful afflicted Nations; by raising up some noble and faithful Patriots, true spirited English men, and renowned Assertors of the peoples Rights, Liberties, and Freedoms, standing up in this great Day of Englands Tryal and Trouble, even in the very Gap and Gulph of Desolation threatning the inevitable Ruine of many Thousands, who desired nothing more then a true settlement of the publique peace, upon a firm Basis, and irremovable Foundation, of Truth and Righteousness, and to preserve a good Conscience, in casting off those ignominious Reproaches, of breach of Faith to their Representatives.
And thereupon divers Honourable Members of Parliament, being spirited to stand firm for the Interest of this Commonwealth, (being warranted in their present actings, by especial Commission and Authority from the Council of State) unanimously declared their Resolutions and Concurrence, to hazard All, even Lives and Fortunes, for restoring of the Parliament and People to their ancient Rights, and undoubted Freedoms: In pursuance whereof, it pleased God to raise up Deliverers, both by Sea and Land, having by admirable providence put an opportunity into the hands of General Monck, a most able and experienced Commander of the Parliaments Army; Vice-Admiral Lawson, Commander in chief of the Fleet under his immediate Conduct; and Colonel Whetham, Governour of Portsmouth; whose Actions and Undertakings have been so Honest and Honourable, as that they have given an absolute Check to the Exorbitances of divers perfidious Apostates, who have walked contrary to the Light of Knowledge, in these late and glorious [Page 4] Dispensations, and so to become Instruments of some mens ambitions, by making the good people of England their Enemies and exposing the Nation again to the hazard of a new War and intestine Troubles.
But blessed be God, these Clouds are extinguishing, and the black Vizards of these dark and obscure Tyrannical Streams, begin to run and center in their proper Current: For, not onely Colonel Riches Regiment of Horse have deserted the Army, and returned to their former duty of obedience to the Parliament, but also some of Colonel Berry's Regiment of Horse, in all Nine Troops; and several Companies of Companies of Colonel Lago's Regiment of Foot are gone into Portsmouth, marching with Drums beating, and Golours flying, where they declared for the Parliament and their Resolu [...]ions (by the help of GOD) to stand by and assist them with their Lives and Fortunes, and to hazard all that is near and dear unto them, in dedefence of the Parliamen [...], and the security, service, and peace of this Commonwealth.
Upon the coming in of the said Nine Troops, and five Companies of Foot, Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, Colonel Morley, Col. Walt [...]n, and Colonel Whetham (the Governour) sent out a party of Horse and Foot to make a discovery of the remainder part of the Army; and having good intelligence amongst them, and of their motion, upon their approach near, it pleased God the whole party came in, some few Officers onely excepted; so that the Siege was raised, and the Town at liberty, without a drop of bloud.
The Town is very strong, and the Souldiery unanimous, Sir Arthur, and Col. Morley having behaved themselves very gallantly.
This Western Brigade being so providentially reduced to the Obedience of Parliament, 'tis said, that several Regiments of Horse and Foot are upon their march from Portsmouth toward London under the Conduct of Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, and other faithful Commanders; and that there are four Troops of Horse, and four Companies of Foot raised in the Isle of Wight, for the [Page 5] service of the Parliament: besides, it is ascertain'd, that two Troops of Horse, and two Companies of Foot in the said Island, have also revolted from the Army; and likewise Carisbrook Castle, Hurst Castle and all the rest of the Castles thereabouts, except Cowes Castle, which is blocked up, and a speedy reducement thereof is suddainly expect [...]d.
For the carrying on of this great Work so happily begun, and for a timely delive [...]ance of these almost destroyed Nations, it is the Duty of every English man to assist, that Posterity may be happy under a Succession of Parliamentary Authority, derived from a Civil, rather than a Military Foundation, from whence floweth nothing but unlimited and a [...]bitrary streams. In order whereunto, a Letter hath been sent from Sir Arthur Hasilrigg, and the rest of the Parliaments Commissioners at Portsmouth to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council of the City of London desiring them to contribute their aid and assistance, for restoring of the Parliament, and setling the ancient Rights, Charters, Liberties, and Fundamental priviledges of these Nations.
In pursuance whereof, Vice-admiral Lawson hath also represented to his Lordship, the state of affairs with the Fleet, importing. That they were resolved (through the Lords assistance) to stand to their Declaration, and with the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes, to endeavour the Re-establishment of the Parliament, interrupted the 13th of October, 1659. to the Exercise of their Trust: Not doubting, but to find the assistance and concurrence both of them and others, in this Undertaking and Resolution: And in confidence of their Complyan [...]e herein, he assures them of all assistance for the advancement of the Trade, Freedom and Safety of the City in particular, and the Nation in general.
Hereupon the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, assembled at Guild Hall, London, on Thursday the Two and Twentieth of this instant December; where, after reading of the said Letters, a Committee of Safety was chose, who are forthwith to consider thereof, and to return an an [...]w [...]r unto Vice-admiral [Page 6] admiral Lawson: as also unto that which came from the Commissioners at Portsmouth.
The said Committee is also appointed to consider of setling the Militia of the City, to the end, that the peace and safety therof may be inviolably preserved, and the Exorbitancies of all persons whatsoever (for the future) prevented. Which will be the onely means (under God) to prevent Confusions and Desolations, the sad Companions of Civil Discords, and to establish Peace and Truth throughout Her Confines; by putting a Check to such ambitious and insolent Spirits, who thirsted after the Treasure of her Pavilions, and fain would have made her habitable places even as so many Thrones.
This day the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, resumed the debate of setling the Militia of the City, and resolved upon severall Officers of approved Trust and Fidelity, there being a singular choice, by free Election, of such Gentlemen, and persons of quality, as do, and with God's assistance will always adhere to their former principles and Declarations, in the use of all lawful means for the maintainance of the true Reformed Protestant Religion, the support of a setled lawful Magistracy, the preservation of a learned pious Ministry, the restoring of the ancient Fundamental Laws of the Nation, and the just Rights, Properties, and Liberties of the people.
The Revolt of divers of the Army Forces in the Western parts, is not one ratified by sundry Testimonies from very good hands; but also a Confirmation of the advance of Sir Arthur Hasitrigg from Portsmouth, on Wednesday last, with about five thousand Horse and Foot, leaving onely four hundred in the Garison.
They began their march about Ten of the Clock in the Forenoon, and quartered that Night at Petersfield. The next morning they began their march again, intending to quarter at Gilford on Friday Night: but whether the inclemency of the Season, or the shorrness of time impedes them, a few hours will prove the onely Resolve. In the mean time, no small expectations, but as high Conjectures, what Event these strange Mutations will produce: Since that the Spirits of men are extreamly dissatisfied and elevated, and possibly cannot be allayed, without a restauration of their long-lost Trade, Liberties, and Freedoms; With which God of his infinite mercy crown these Nations.