of a Purge for choler by some convenient Committee, or else
it may turn to a burning-Fever of sedition, now the dog-daies
are a beginning: For it hath been the endeavour of his Excellency
to raise a Regiment of Foot in that County, but the bold
Dragoons of the Clergy are drawn up to oppose the Levy,
crying out Heresie and Schism, the Covenant and Damnation,
just after the same strain that the Jockies use to rant, when they
have a Plot upon the people.
But by way of Prevention, it hath been the wisdom of
Parliament, to take care for a timely setlement of the Militia
in sure hands, in all parts, for the safety of the Nation; to
which purpose an Act is passed, impowring and directing the
Commissioners in each County (any three, or more of them)
1. To meet the first Tuesday in every moneth.
2. That they, and all officers and souldiers of their Listing, do
subscribe the Engagement.
3. That thy inform themselves, and take notice of all Plots,
Conspiracies, designes, and suspicious meetings of Malignants
(over the Ale-Tub.)
4. To dis-arm and secure all Papists and other dif-affected persons,
that either mutiny or murmur against the present Government,
or venture their necks to correspond and comply with young
Tarquin, or any of his pedling Projectors of the Scotish Monarchy.
5. To charge Persons with Horses and Arms. He that is
worth 200. li. per annum, or 2000. li. personall estate, is to
provide a horse and Arms: And any person of 200. marks per
annum, or 2000. marks personall estate, is to raise a Dragoon-horse
and Arms. Lastly, none are to be charged with a whole
Foot Arms that have not 20. li. per annum, or a personall
estate of 200. li.
6. That the said Commissioners shall have power to List, Train,
Muster, and draw out their forces, for suppressing, &c. all Invasions,
Insurrections, and Rebellions (be they in the Pulpit,
or out.)
7. To allow two shillings a day to each Trooper, and twelve
pence a day to every Foot Souldier, and impose a rate for providing