354 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. sermon on the Lord's daybefore, encouraged the soldiers to the work.". It would certainly have looked much better, and have been much more consistent with his office as a minister of the gospel of peace and love, if, instead of this, he had excited them as much as possible to spare the effusion of human blood. His conduct in this, however, was not singular. This was too much the spirit and infatu- ation of the times. During the above year, Mr. Peters was called before the house of commons ; when be gave a particular account of the siege of Bristol, and the cause of sitting down before it, to prevent the plunder and cruelties of Prince Rupert in that,part of the country. On this occasion, lie pressed the desire of Sir Thomas Fairfax to have more recruits sent him. He afterwards brought letters from Lieutenant- general Cromwell, concerning the taking of Winchester- castle ; after which, being called before the house, he gave a circumstantial account of it, when the house voted him to receive fifty pounds. In this year he returned from the army, and gave an account to the houseof the storming and taking of Dartmouth; whenhe spoke of the valour, unity, and affec- tion of the army, and presented letters, papers, and cruci- fixes, with other popish relics taken in the place. During his stay on this occasion in London, says Mr. Edwards, " he improved the whole of his time in preaching against the presbyterian government, the assembly, uniformity, common council, and the city of London, and FOR A TOLE- RATION or ALL SECTS rt About the same time, having preached in the market-place at Torrington, and con- vinced many, it is said, of their errors in adhering to the king's party, he was sent, with Lieutenant- colonel' Berry, to Plymouth, to treat with the governor. Towards the close of this year, be was again called before the house of commons, and, after giving a particular relation of the proceedings of Sir Thomas Fairfax, he signified, that Lord Hopton's army of five thousand men was disbanded; that Hoptonwas not gone to Oxford, but had taken shipping fot France ; that many of the commanders had accompanied him, and others were gone to their own homes ; that Pen- dennis-castle was closely besieged; and that the general in- tended to return towards Exeter. An order, at the sametime, passed the house, for one hundred pounds a year to be settled upon Mr. Peters and his heirs, out of the Earl of Mrhitlocke's Memorials, p. 88, 156. t Edwards's Gangraena, part i. p. 214. Second edit.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=