Indies; and although the managing of so grand affairs, and matters of high concernment, were committed to some, who had the repute of being well principled, valiant, and politick in war, yet there wanted not means to frustrate the design, and expectations of most men, the particulars whereof I shall deliver in as brief and true a manner as possibly I may; but before I proceed further, it will not be amiss to insert these queries with their resolutions.

1. Whether or not the setting forth of this army were really intended for the glory of God, and propagation of the gospel?

2. Whether those that were of this army were fit instruments to be employed in the exaltation of God's work, and pulling down of Antichrist.

3. And lastly, whether the hand of Almighty God hath not been plain and manifestly seen in opposition to their actings and proceedings?

To the first is answered, that, after divers serious debates and results, pro and con, it was at length resolved, by the supreme authority and council of state, to send an army into the West-Indies. What preparation was made, is not unknown to most of the nation; but for what, or against whom, was scarce understood by any, except some few supe riors; and, for this cause, divers conscientious men, who preferred the service of God, before that of men, and treasure in heaven, beyond riches and honour on earth, scrupled the design, and deserted the service. For what zealous heart would willingly embrace an unknown enterprise, which might perhaps tend to his own destruction sooner than his enemies, by endeavouring to pull that down, which God hath set up, and to set up that which he never called him unto? Shall a multitude perish, through means of some few particular men, in fulfilling that proverb, by pinning their faith on others sleeves? Hath not God conferred as much of the gifts of grace and nature on the mean men of the world, as on those of the greatest rank and dignity? Doth honour add zeal, riches, valour; or have the most eminent in office and command, always the greatest eminency of wisdom and conduct? Certainly we have found otherwise, for oftentimes such involve themselves in eminent and irrecoverable dangers; nor is it always pregnancy of wit, valour, and discretion, although these be famous in war, that gives the victory, but God that worketh all in all, and who can say, What dost thou ?

To conclude the design to be altogether grounded on a wrong and corrupt principle, were to accuse our grandees with folly, irreligion, and what not; when indeed it is beyond the ability of man to pry into the secret thoughts and intents of the heart, it is only the Almighty can do it; and although there may be a probable conjecture given of the intent of the workman, by the instrument he taketh in hand, yet God hath been sometimes pleased to make the wicked instruments of good. But it doth not therefore follow, that such should be employed in good works, neither the servants of God in bad. All created things move in their proper sphere; the natural man acts in his natural function, and mindeth only the things of the world; and the spiritual man (although he be in the world) is not of the world, bnt mindeth the things of the spirit, and the лаз

fulfilling of the glory of God, whose power and justice are as well seen in the destruction of the wicked, as preservation of the righteous.

Now, to return to the good intent of the cause whereof I treat, if we reflect upon the consequence of actions, it will soon appear there was nothing less aimed at, than God's glory, and establishment of the gospel, nor nothing more coveted, than gain to themselves, and establishment in the rich possessions of others. But servants often disobey the command of their master, and act contrary to his will and pleasure; it is possible it might be so now, and that might cause their greater punishment.

If we look upon this expedition in reference to the lawfulness thereof (as it is in itself) we may find, by these following considerations, that it was both lawful, just, and warrantable by the word of God, and law of nations. First, in regard those they went out against were idolaters, hereticks, and members of the false church. Secondly, for that they, some years since, most wickedly, and inhumanly murthered and destroyed divers of our nation that traded peaceably with them in the West-Indies. Thirdly, there was no breach of league in the prosecution of this war, there being no articles of peace or cessation in force betwixt both nations, to the southward of the tropick. Lastly, conquest is free to all people; no law of nations can prohibit the power of the sword; it is only God that sets its bounds and limits, and where his pleasure is, it should make a final conquest, there it is free inheritance to the conqueror, and his successors. By that power did the Normans invade and conquer England, since which time there have no less than twenty-five kings and queens successively,although not successfully,reigned. By the same power was there lately a period put to that government, and a new established. By this power had the kingdom of France been subject to the crown of England, and by the same power again recovered. By this power are the Turks and Infidels, at this day, possessors of the best and and fruitfullest parts of the earth; and by the same power Julius Cæsar became conqueror of the whole world. Many and incredible are the difficulties and admirable exploits run through and performed by this power, and that sometimes by a weak hand; for, when the Omnipotent punisheth the wicked, and correcteth his own people, he often maketh choice of one and the same means to be instrumental for both.

And thus much for the legality of the cause, by which we must not measure the good intent; if we do, we may deceive ourselves, for, as hath been said, the very actions and deportments of this army were such, that no good at all might be expected from them, either in their intent or proceeding. To condemn all, because many were guilty, were an act of much injustice; some might be better principled, otherwise of all armies were they most miserable, but the byass of riches and honours many times carrieth men headlong to destruction.

A common-wealth of people is as man's body, some member may be corrupted, and yet the vitals preserved, and the head not impaired. In such cases the skilful surgeon, that takes care to keep and preserve the microcosm, dismembereth that part from the rest of the body, that might otherwise destroy the whole fabrick.

Those who are called unto high places, and bear rule and dominion over nations, ought not only to be repleat with true zcal and wisdom, but

also valour and state policy; that so, the gifts of grace and nature being united, they may (as pious patrons and good surgeons) preserve the body of the nation, in spiritual and temporal health.

God hath already begun a good work amongst us, and let not England now despair of such a governor; there are yet some consequences to be shewn, that the primary intents of our grandees were nothing suitable to the following actings, or rather misactings of this army. Grapes could not be expected from thorns, nor figs from thistles, but rather that the bad treee should be cut down and cast into the fire. England is now very populous, and the abundance of fruitless trees so encumber the vines, that they cannot fructify. The late civil war hath yet left some species of malignancy, the sores and corruptions of the nation are not healed, because not cleansed, for the tincture of ungodliness is yet savoury in their palates; men of desperate fortunes have desperate means of remedy, they subsist not by sweat of their own brow, but reap the fruit of others labours, sowing the seed of sedition, and abominable wickedness, in a land where they have no right inheritance. Can a Christian commonwealth flourish either in godliness, plenty, or peace, when it abounds with such profane vile caterpillars, and corrupters of all good manners? Is it not justice in God, and wisdom in man, to expel such unworthy and unwelcome guests from among his people? Ireland hath already a sufficient share, and Barbadoes, with the rest of those small islands, subject to this dominion, who were wont to be a receptacle for such vermin, are now so filled, that they vomit forth of their superfluities into other places.

Could there be a less crucl, and more just means used, than to employ such in a foreign war? The Indies are spacious, pleasant, and rich, too rich indeed for either the vicious inhabitants, or no less vicious invaders. But those, whom England sent forth on this first expedition, were not many, their number was compleated elsewhere, and the design being advanced with much secrecy, even to the members of the army itself, manifestly argueth what they were which were intended for that service; even such who willingly proceeded, although they knew not whither.

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That which now remaineth, is the proof of the cause, whether really intended for God's glory, and propagation of the gospel, as was first propounded. The arguments and consequences, conducing to the confirmation hereof, are briefly comprehended in this, that, if it had pleased God mercy, for the righteous sake, to prosper the proceedings of the wicked, and to give the Spaniards and their rich possessions into the hands of those who were more sinful than themselves, that then there would be a fair gap opened for the inriching divers good people of the nation, and utter extirpation of all idle, profane, and ireligious ones that should be sent over as soldiers and servants into this new conquered commonwealth; that so, all impediments being removed, the glory of God, above all things else, might be exalted, and the gospel have free passage and recourse throughout the dominions.

Secondly, Whether the instruments were suitable to the work, hath been in part already resolved, but more fully will appear in the following journal, wherein is declared, what and whence they were that acted,

also what and where their actions were from time to time, together with the manner of success.

In the whole written word of God may not be seen in any one instance, that ever he employed those of his people (in his intended work and service) which remain polluted in their sins and wickedness, but always first brought them, by some means or other, unto true humiliation and repentance; and this was sometimes performed by giving part of them over to be destroyed of their enemies; in which is seen, that, by God's permission, good is sometimes acted by means of the wicked. Good consequences may be drawn from bad subjects, as in the former sense; but that ever such should persevere in any good or godly work (as to the compleating thereof) is not only very improbable, but impossible, for that, which is divided against itself, cannot stand. Human reason will also tell us that any rare and curious piece of work cannot be performed by dull and unfit instruments.

But to return to the resolutions of the third and last query, that the hand of God hath been plainly and manifestly seen in opposition to their actions, doth not only appear in the manner of success, but also of proceeding, and that in so miraculous a manner, that scarcely any age may parallel. God indeed confounds the counsels of the high and mighty, and turneth their wisdom into mere foolishness. That an army so numerous, strong, and well provided should be so cowed out, beaten, and shamefully repulsed, by less than a handful of men in comparison, was certainly the work of God, and it is marvellous in our eyes. O that men could be sensible of the guilt of sin, and humble themselves by repentance, before destruction sweep them hence that they be no more seen; or that they could take ensample by the destruction of others to persist no longer in the ways of wickedness! But such were the obdurate hearts, and seared consciences of this people, that neither blessings nor cursings could mollify; the golden calf was already set up in their hearts, and, although Aaron were present with them, yet there wanted a Moses to destroy it, and supplicate the Almighty to avert his just judgments from a people that were so exceeding sinful.

Now follows the journal itself, wherein is described each proceeding and action in due place as they happened (with all things pertinent thereunto.) Whereby the judicious and impartial readers may, at leisure, give that solid and just construction of each particular matter, according as the justness or unjustness of the cause requireth, which probably (through haste, multiplicity of business, and a troubled spirit) I may 1 not have so well performed in resolution to the former queries.

AFTER it was absolutely resolved to send an army into the WestIndies, preparations were accordingly made as well by land as sea. The generals appointed for both were his excellency Robert Venables, and the Right Honourable William Pen, men who had seen much of God's actings for his people, in going in and out before them to their deliverance, and crowning their endeavours with many glorious and triumphant victories. Divers good ships and frigates were allotted for this service, had they been but as well victualled and manned, and all seamen'

that were willing to proceed in the service, received entertainment; but for want of a due complement, many fresh-water sailors, and others, were pressed. Drums were also beaten up for such voluntary soldiers as were willing to serve the commonwealth beyond sea; which gave encouragement to several who go by the name of Hectors, and knights of the blade, with common cheats, thieves, cutpurses, and such like lewd persons, who had long time lived by the sleight of hand, and dexterity of wit, and were now making a fair progress unto Newgate, from whence they were to proceed towards Tyburn; but, considering the dangerousness of that passage, very politickly directed their course another way, and became soldiers for the state. Some slothful and thievish servants likewise, to avoid the punishment of the law, and coveting a yet more idle life, followed after in the same path; there were also drawn forth, out of most of the old standing regiments, such as were newly enlisted, to compleat the number. For those who were better principled, and knew what fighting was, were, as it should seem, reserved for a better purpose, some few only excepted, which were as a mixture of little wine with much water, the one losing its proper strength and vigour, and the other thereby little bettered. And thus went on the preparation by land, whilst the ships were rigging, victualling, and manning; the general rendezvous for the navy and army was at Portsmouth and thereabouts; where, by the tenth of November, 1654, most of the ships were arrived, and such proportions of victuals and other necessaries ordered to be compleated, as each vessel could conveniently store; some that was defective was also exchanged, notwithstanding there remained much in the fleet. There likewise the sailors and soldiers received some wages for better encouragement before their departure.

On the eighteenth of December following, divers companies of soldiers were shipped, and the rear-admiral, having orders, set sail accordingly with his squadron the next day. Within two days after, followed the generals with the remainder of the fleet and land-army, consisting, in all, of about three-thousand men, divided into five regiments, besides commissioners, treasurers, and other officers of the states. The next rendezvous appointed was the island of Barbadoes, whither it pleased God to grant them a fair passage and safe arrival, and that within four days one of another; so that the whole fleet, being about thirty sail, one half being victuallers, were riding together in Castle-Bay by the first day of February, there remaining behind only two ships of the commonwealth's, the Great and Little Charity; which proved afterwards prejudicial to the army, in their proceeding, not only in respect of the proper signification of their names (which indeed, in that sense, were both wanting) but quality of their loading, the one being ordered to carry mortar-pieces, granado-shells, and store of other ammunition; and the other, horses with arms and furniture for horsemen; but, through what intent or policy they were left in England, more than an ordinary capacity cannot apprehend; and, although expedition be said to be the life of action, yet, through inconsiderate rashness, many a gallant design and action are merely overthrown.

Immediately after the arrival of the fleet, as aforesaid, the soldiers were all put on shore, and distributed into, several quarters on the