S2 LIVES OF THE PURITANS. tell him plainly. of his blood-guiltiness ; have sent for out of Scotland the ablest ministers to converse with him ; have banished all malignants six miles from his person by procla- mation ; refused to entertain him with any token ofjoy ; and told him he was a great sinner before God, and that he must give satisfaction to both kingdoms. The malignants droop, who were gathering towards him out of both kingdoms. The French agent, who was active in making a breach, is much discountenanced. The nobles and ministers profess their earnest longing after a happy union, the settling the govern- ment of Christ in his church ; which being done, they will presently return to peace. The independents themselves stand amazed at their wisdom, resolution, and fidelity: zeal, with humility, doth accompany all their actions. The malignant party, which was much feared, is borne down. The mouths that were so wide, both of independents and malignants, are sewn up : they have not a word to say. And see how the Lord blesses them. All their enemies in Scotland are routed and brought to nothing. The king refuses to proclaim Montrose and his adherents rebels ; but the King of kings bath taken the quarrel into his own hand, and utterly dispersed them. I have not time to write the particulars, only to let you know I am Your assured friend, IL BALSO THOMAS EDWARDS, A. M.-This very singular person' was born in the year 1599, and educated in Trinity college, Cambridge, where he took his degrees in arts, and was incorporated at Oxford. One of his name, and apparently the same person, is said to have been of Queen's college, Cambridge, and one of the preachers to the university. For a sermon which he delivered in St. Andrew's church, he was committed to prison, February 11, 1627, where he remained till he entered into bonds for his appearance before his ecclesiastical judges. Upon his appearance at the time and place appointed, he was charged with having uttered in his sermon the following words: -"When therearise any doubts about the way, that thou knowest not well whichway to take, if thou art a servant, thou must not go to thy carnal master, to enquire of him : if thou art a wife, thou must not go to thy carnal husband, to ask him : if thou art a son, thou must not go to thy carnal father : ifthou art a pupil, thou must not go to thy carnal tutor to ask him ; but thou must find out a
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