. -Iifory of thePuritans, exarin'd. 367 abroad, becaufe all neighbouring Princes (being Catholiques) would then look on their Anions with a more partial Eye. Scripture alto, which is the Stalking-Horfe of all Sets, could not be wanting to them, who had already, with a Curfe ye Meroz, invited all to Rebellion. That very Example might have been a Warrant, that the Godly and Prophane may join in a Confederation ; at leaf' 'twas evident, that the Children of Ifrael, ' who went to fight the Battles of the Lord, ufed Rahab's Affiftance, a Harlot of 7ericho ; for which Service, they [hewed favour to all her Father's Houfe. And why then might not the Elea (when the Caufe required it) receive Aid from us, tho' Children of the Whore of B.ibyIon ? Doubtlefs in Confcience, this Advantage could not have been omitted by the Saints, fince it might have been a Means towards our Converfion, as Cromwell afterwards urged, when he fo pafpio- nately'tickled to bring in the 7ews.' But the King's Speech, and Proteftation made at the head of his Army, between Stafford and Wellington, the 19th ofSeptember, 1642. mentioned by feveral of our Hiftorians, is Proof fufficient, that the King had no Inclination to Popery, not- withftanding he had Papißs in his Army ; and might convince any Perfon, lets prejudiced to the Royal Martyr than Mr. Neal, in this Particular. Having drawn up his Men to a Rendezvous by Wellington, a Day's March [port of Shrewf- bury, he the firft time caufed his Military Orders to be read ; and putting himfelf in the middle, where he might be belt heard; in a fet Speech " .Echard, Vol. II. p. 344. Clarendon's Hiflory of the Re- bellion, Vol. II. p. 13. Husbands's exact Collections, p. 614, 615. Bifhop Kennet's compleat Hiftory, Vol. III. p. i 7. Sir Roger Manley's Fliftory of the Rebellions in England, ` &c. P. 42. NJ. she
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