Resolution Against the Lord Strange

MANCHESTERS RESOLVTION AGAINST THE LORD STRANGE.

S Uch are the several distempers and distractions of this Kingdom, that former ages could hardly parallel the like. Every day produces heavy news, and sad novelties of wars, and rumors of wars, proceeding from the Malignant Party of this Kingdom, such as are open and professed enemies to the peace of great Britain; and such (I am sure) as bear no good will to Zion, nor to the tranquility of Jerusalem. What heinous, and never the like heard of insolencies they have already acted? what impudent affronts they have offered the Kings Majesty, and his good government? what horrid plots and hideous conspiracies they have contrived and attempted, both by Forraigne invasion and domestic insurrection, the history of these times doth sufficiently testify.

The great Council of the King and this Kingdom (the high and honorable Court of Parliament now assembled) have been credibly within these few days informed of 8000. men, which are speedily to be sent from France and Spain towards the Northern parts: What the designs of those two Kings are, none can as yet tell; God only knows, and we may all certainly suppose that they do intend no good to this little Island of ours: They (being of another Religion) have been heretofore, and will be still adversaries to us, and emulators of our prosperity. Besides these, the two Houses have had intelligence of late of Arms and Ammunition to be transported to New Castle, with many Captains and Cavaliers (who are shrewdly suspected to be the Malignant Party) whose designs have been malevolent, and (tis much feared) will be little better towards the peace and welfare of the Kingdom of England, and this City of London.

There hath been likewise a Report made to the upper and lower House of Parliament, how that the Popes Nuncio hath gone about to raise forces for the aforesaid designs; and to that end, that he might effect, and the better accomplish his attempts, he hath solicited the two Kings of France and Spain to lend the King of England four thousand men a piece. There hath been likewise a Report made (and it was in a Letter sent from Holland, which was read in the House of Commons) that the Queens Majesty had provided certain Ships laden with Ammunition, with a purpose and resolution to go in them towards the North: As also the Lord Digby that was impeacht by the Parliament, of high Treason, with Master Piercy (the Earl of Northumberlands brother) Master Termine, and divers others that run away the last year, are all a coming over (as they say) with a great Fleet from Denmark. And (if Fame be true, and we may give credit to a printed Pamphlet which this day came forth) there have been strokes given, and bullets shot here in England, which is lamentable to consider that there should be Civil Wars at this time amongst us. Upon the fourth day of this instant Month of July, there was a skirmish between the Lord Strange and the Inhabitants of Manchester in Lancashire; the occasion whereof was (as that Book makes mention) through the Lord Stranges Resolution to take away their Magazine by force, having received for that purpose many forces from York. It is very strange, if this be true; I wish it may be false; if it be not, I am certain it is an ill omen to the peace of England, and doth prognosticate no good tidings to the City of London. If this be the beginning of Civil War, God knows (and no mortal but he) when the ending will be: When that dreadful time is once come (as God forbid it ever should) many a weak wife will be husbandlesse, and many a poor child fatherless: Then will be mourning and lamentation in our Cities and Countries, many Rachel's mourning for their children, because they are not: Many thousands will then lose their lives before that this Kingdom be agine settled in peace.

A Civil War will tear in pieces our flourishing Kingdom, be a means for the invasion of a foreign foe, exposing us to the fury and derision of our enemies, to the pity and deploration of our friends. Bellum Dei fl • gellum, war is the scourge of God; it will quickly bring a people and Nation to ruin, vastation and desolation; we have had woeful experience of the miseries of war. Dulce bellum in expertis. If war be sweet, it is to them that are ignorant of it. No man truly knows the malignity and cruelty of war, but those only that have felt and tried it: What a havoc has the Sanguinian hand of war made in the Christian World? How it hath enervated the strength, vigor and sinews of whole Kingdoms, the direful and sad Tragedies of Germany, and still bleeding Ireland, do evidently declare and make known what a lamentable story war is: The very charge and continual cost of maintaining two Armies will exhaust the wealth and treasure of three Kingdoms. Of this we have had a dear example in the late skirmishes of Scotland.

After the pacification w •• concluded between the two Kingdoms, it cost England 〈…〉 then a million of pounds. And such is the vast expe ••• 〈◊〉 ••••• aining two Armies, that if they be once on foot here 〈…〉 Kingdom, either a sudden encounter will destroy one o • 〈…〉 the keeping them both will destroy the whole Kingd ••• .

These premises co 〈8 letters〉 , and the present state of this Kingdom seriously weighed, we have great grounds of strong fears. And for this cause, that wise Senate our hopeful and happy Parliament have taken into their sage and grave consideration the present condition of this tottering and distracted Kingdom and Nation, and finding it to be in such a pitiful predicament as it now is, they have in their indefatigable endeavors against all oppositions of the malignant party, and in their conscionable care for the preservation of this Kingdom, given special order to the right honorable the Earl of Warwick, Admiral of his Majesty's Navy Royal, to intercept and stop the passages of all those that shall at any time present or future, transport or cause to be transported any manner of Arms or Ammunition, Powder or Shot, Furniture, Victualls, Commaunders and Soldiers from Rome, Venice, Paris, Holland, or any further or nearer places.

The wisdom of prevention (we all know) is beyond the wisdom of remedy; and that great Council well knows, that it is better keeping out of danger, then getting out of danger. And therefore with an unanimous consent all aiming at the peace and happiness of this Land for the prevention of the sword, which is now brandished over our heads, they have settled the Militia, and settled the Kingdom in such a posture of defense, as by their several Votes resolved upon in both houses of Parliament doth here appear for the safety and security of the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales.

A true Relation of some certain passages between his Majesty and the Town of Hull.

SIR John Hotham through the care of that trust imposed upon him by the right honorable the Houses of Parliament concerning the Town of Hull, hath fortified it so, and hath floated the water four miles about the said Town for the defense of it against any that shall oppose it. His Majesty thinking it to be a disturbance to his good Subjects, hath besieged it with five thousand men, besides he hath planted Ordnance, so that there can be no passage to it by Sea or Land: And it is thought that it will be rendered up because they will not be able to subsist long for want of provision.