The new Sheriffs in the severall Counties for the yeer ensuing
were this week confirmed by the Juncto, made out of such
Persons as the Crap-eard Tribe might confide in, and such as
would not in the least straine Conscience at their New Oath, but
willingly submit to their Idoll Government, and become as perjur'd
Knaves as themselves; and for their better incouragement
thereto, they ordered the Barrons of the Exchequer to
confer with a Committee of their House, for easing the Burdens
of Sheriffs in passing their Accounts, and speedy passing of
Nichil Accounts in the Exchecquer, and to bring in a knack to
that purpose. And likewise that Committee is to have the view
of the Book of all the Free-holders in England; [here is a Mystery
of Iniquity to be peep'd into, and what thinke you is it?] to
know who is able to lend most money, raise most Horse, &c. yet
they pretend redresse of abuses therein, as once they pretended
reformation of Church and Kingdom, but 'twas to get the
means of both to themselves, and so it is now; as appears by the
Vaunts of a company of their Millitary Canniballs, who this
week I meet with in the fields, as they marched on some design
of mischief, the formost of them no sooner comming into the
Fields but fell a hollowing; one of his Comrades demanding
of him why he hollowed so ? quoth he, Wee are a hunting; wee
have kill'd the King already, and now wee will hunt the Kingdom;
you may easily guesse his meaning, for if they feared not to
hunt and kill the royall Hart, they will not spare the fallow-Deer,
if they doe, they are raskalls; if they spare not Churchlands,
nor the Kings life, nor lands, you must think they are
not minded you shall scape free with yours;for I dare sware they
themselves will confesse, they have as much right to yours, as
they had to the Kings, or the Churches either.
The Crowns of France and Spaine, with the Estates Generall
of the Low-Countries are now busy Negotiating a Peace, and
to that effect have agreed upon certain Articles; and are to
have free accesse each to other, likewise the Pope, & the Duke
of Parma are upon conclusion of a Peace; Wat. Strikeland the
Irnctos Agent in Holland is now returning back, quite frustrate
of all hopes of Accommodation, so that next summer we shall
goe neer to have all Christendom about our eares; and then