Wholly intent on offending his enemy, he had exposed his friends to imminent danger, and saw the king with numerous forces marching into England; where his presence, from the general hatred which prevailed against the parliament, was capable of producing some great revolution.

But if this conduct was an oversight in Cromwell, he quickly repaired it by his vigilance and activity.

He despatched letters to the parliament, exhorting them not to be dismayed at the approach of the Scots: he sent orders every where for assembling forces to oppose the king: he ordered Lambert with a body of cavalry to hang upon the rear of the royal army, and infest their march; and he himself, leaving Monk with seven thousand men to complete the reduction of Scotland, followed the king with all the expedition possible.
Charles found himself disappointed in his expectations of increasing his army.

The Scots, terrified at the prospect of so hazardous an enterprise, fell off in great numbers.

The English Presbyterians, having no warning given them of the king's approach, were not prepared to join him.