grew into a mutuall je. lousie, and in the end the one slew the other to be rid
of a Competitor.
This Puppit play being over in the Convocation-house, a new one began
up above staires in the Publick Librarie, with a Banquet into the bargain, at
the publick charge of the Universitie; in the midst whereof Reynolds the Fox
was bold to make a Motion, which concerned his own Particular, as will
appear by the Sequel of the Story, telling what a pitty it was that no Lectures
were set up for the exposition of the Scriptures by some of the best
gifted Bretbren; which Oliver and the rest assented to immediately, and gave
Order for a letter to be sent up to the Supreme Voters about the business; who
understanding their duty thereupon, have since voted up the Lectures and
Lecturers too, viz. Reynolds, Tho. Goodwin, and Josep Caryl, who are turned
over to the Committee of Oxford for maintenance: which if it be considerable
then 'tis possible the Soldiery may strike in for Lectureships, and these
Spirituall Dragoons be turn'd out by the Troopers, as the more able gifted
Brethren.
The Pageant being thus at an end, Dr. Cromwel, and Dr. Fairfax said a
long Grace of Thanks to the Universitie, but not one word to God Almighty,
it being a Thing beneath such Christians as They, who are able to live above
Ordinances; as They have don a long time, breaking Them all one after One
another in the House at pleasure; but yet we must needs say; they have made
Amens by turning them into Acts, and furnishing the Shop of the Commons
with fine-knacks of all sorts and sizes.
Now being return'd home to All-Soules, they staid all the next day being
Sunday and made it no Sabbath; that being thought needlesse in their opinion:
But there was another Reason, and that was the Intelligence brought
of a new Insurrection as bad as that was about Ranbury and Burford, and
Carryed [unr]y the famous King-killer Major Ralph, and Cornet Joyce the
King Plunderer, with the rest of their Brethren in the isle of Wight: So that
on Monday morning early the Saints all left Oxford in a fright, and took
their journey by Redding and Odihem to Portsmouth, whether Amunition
and all necessary Tooles of Reformation are sent to them , by force (if not by
fair means) to Reduce that Remnant of the lofty free-born Confederacy.
The Pursudrainers of the Publique have a knack in the forge, draining the
Fens in Lincolnshire, now they conceive it t[unr]o late to venture upon the bogs
in Ireland, and that the most noble Ormond is become Muster of the bog of
Allen, which was delivered up to him by the Souldiery, in so much that he fits
Close upon the skirts of Jones his quarters; whose Agent is come with fresh
instructions to Westminster, to cry aloud for releef, and help against the mighty.
And so much the rather, because Col. Tuthils new-landed men are good
Christians, and drop away one after another to serve better Masters: And
therefore the Saints Supreme might well say, They were a rotten Regiment,