secretly and publicly advising that course. The Treaty was completed: ‘Colonel Michael Jones,’ lately Governor of Chester, arrived with some Parliamentary Regiments, with certain Parliamentary Commissioners, on the 7th of June:[1] the surrender was duly effected, and Ormond withdrew to England.
A great English force had been anticipated; but the late quarrel with the Army had rendered that impossible. Jones, with such inadequate force as he had, made head against the Rebels; gained ‘a great victory’ over them on the 8th of August, at a place called Dungan Hill, not far from Trim:[2] ‘the most signal victory we had yet gained’; for which there was thankfulness enough.—Four days before that Sermon by Hugh Peters, followed by the military conclave in Putney Church, Cromwell had addressed this small Letter of Congratulation to Jones, whom, by the tone of it, he does not seem to have as yet personally known:
FOR THE HONOURABLE COLONEL JONES, GOVERNOR OF DUBLIN, AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF ALL THE FORCES IN LEINSTER: THESE
Sir,—The mutual interest and agreement we have in the same Cause[3] give me occasion, as to congratulate, so “likewise” abundantly to rejoice in God’s gracious Dispensation unto you and by you. We have, both in England and Ireland, found the immediate presence and assistance of God, in guiding and succeeding our endeavours hitherto; and therefore ought, as I doubt not both you and we desire, to ascribe the glories of all to Him, and to improve all we receive from Him unto Him alone.
Though, it may be, for the present a cloud may lie over our actions to those who are not acquainted with the grounds of them; yet we doubt not but God will clear our integrity, and innocency from any other ends we aim at but His glory and the
