There lay many difficult passes between Dunbar and Berwick, and of these Lesley had taken possession.
The English general was reduced to extremities.

He had even embraced a resolution of sending by sea all his foot and artillery to England, and of breaking through, at all hazards, with his cavalry.

The madness of the Scottish ecclesiastics saved him from this loss and dishonor.
Night and day the ministers had been wrestling with the Lord in prayer, as they termed it; and they fancied that they had at last obtained the victory.

Revelations, they said, were made them, that the sectarian and heretical army, together with Agag, meaning Cromwell, was delivered into their hands.

Upon the faith of these visions, they forced their general, in spite of his remonstrances, to descend into the plain with a view of attacking the English in their retreat.