and judged, is Mr. Thompson, whose father had been some time an
inn-keeper at the White-Hart in Newark.]

[Footnote 15: I devised the forms and fashions of the several
schemes. E.A.]

'That God had blessed the army with many signal victories, and yet their
work was not finished. He hoped God would go along with them until his
work was done. They sought not themselves, but the welfare and
tranquillity of the good people, and whole nation; and, for that end,
were resolved to sacrifice both their lives and their own fortunes. As
for the art we studied, he hoped it was lawful and agreeable to God's
word: he understood it not; but doubted not but we both feared God; and
therefore had a good opinion of us both.' Unto his speech I presently
made this reply:

'My Lord, I am glad to see you here at this time.

'Certainly, both the people of God, and all others of this nation, are
very sensible of God's mercy, love, and favour unto them, in directing
the Parliament to nominate and elect you General of their armies, a
person so religious, so valiant.

'The several unexpected victories obtained under your Excellency's
conduct, will eternize the same unto all posterity.

'We are confident of God's going along with you and your army, until the
great work for which he ordained you both, is fully perfected; which we
hope will be the conquering and subversion of your's and the
Parliament's enemies, and then a quiet settlement and firm peace over
all the nation, unto God's glory, and full satisfaction of tender
consciences.

'Sir, as for ourselves, we trust in God; and, as Christians, believe in
him. We do not study any art but what is lawful, and consonant to the
scriptures, fathers, and antiquity; which we humbly desire you to
believe,' &c.

This ended, we departed, and went to visit Mr. Peters the minister, who
lodged in the castle, whom we found reading an idle pamphlet come from
London that morning. 'Lilly, thou art herein,' says he. 'Are not you
there also?' I replied. 'Yes, that I am,' quoth he.--The words
concerning me were these:

From th' oracles of the Sibyls so silly,
The curst predictions of William Lilly,
And Dr. Sybbald's Shoe-lane Philly,
Good Lord, deliver me.

After much conference with Hugh Peters, and some private discourse
betwixt us two, not to be divulged, we parted, and so came back to
London.

King Charles the First, in the year 1646, April 27, went unto t