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Collection of Puritan Literature.
Division Section
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Digitized by the Internet Archive
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http://archive.org/details/disyofOOpryn
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ISCOVE
! Of fomc Prodigious
Wjw JVandringSBlaJing-Stars, 3c Firebrands, S tiling them (elves
NEW-LIGHTS,
Firing our Church and State into New Combuftions.
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* J Divided into Ten Se&ions , comprifing feverall mod j |*
<£ J Libellous , Scandalous , Seditious , Jnfolent , Uncharitable > ( and fomc Blafphemous) Paffages . publi(hed in late Unlicensed Printed Pamphlets, againft the Eccktiafticall furifdiclJon and Pofter of Parliaments, founcels9Synodsy Cbriftian Kings and Magijl [rates ,in CjeneraH ; The Ordixan- . , w #W Proceedings ofthisprefent Parliament, in fpeciall : The Natienall Cove- «£• »^»r, AJfem&fjfyD irettory, our Brethren or Scotland J* resbyterian Government; The (fhurch of England, with her Minifiers,Worfhip ; The Oppofers of Inde- pendent Novelties; and fome Seditious £lMeresJncitations,Praclicesy\o ftir up the Commonalty & rude Vulgar againft the Parliament, Aftem- bly,M.mfte<y\ worthy both Houfes,and all Sober-minded Chrifliam ferious confidcration,detcilacioP , and eying for fpeedy
t exemplary Juftiee on the Libellers and Libels a to
prevent our churches, Religions, Parliaments % <fr Kjngcfomcs eminent mine.
<$» Whercunto fome Letters and /^fr* lately fent from the Sornmer-
♦ iflands^TQ. fubjoyned, relating the Scbifmsticall^Uegall^ Tyran- ♦£. ; »/Vd// proceedings of fome Independents there, in gathering their
Nety- churches , to the great Did ration and pre- judice of thac 'Plantation.
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Published for the Common good By William Prynne of Lincolns Inne5Efquirc.
Tal(A heed therefore, that the Light which is in thee £e not Darkneflc ; if thine Eye be evill, ■ *^ t\yy ivhol body is full ofDarknefle : if therefore the Light that is i« thee be Darkcncflc, j jf* how neat is that Darfcnefle ? Luk. II. is. Mat. 6. 13.
Ihefc filthy Dreamers defpife Dominion, and fpca\ ciillof Dignities • Thefe are raging waves of the Sea^ foaming out their own fhame ; WAN DR I N G S T A R S3 for whom is referved the Blacknefl'eof Darkncile for ever. JuJe 8. 13.
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LONDON J
Printed by John Macock^, for Michael Spar!^ (enior, at the fign of the blue *> B'ibte in Green esfrbour. I 645. Jf
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5A*
TO
The High and Honourable Court of
Parliament.
Oft Religious and Judicious Senators, I here prefent to your faddetf thoughts and ferious deliberati- ons, an abftraft of fundry molt fcurrilous, fca.ndalous, feditious railing Libels, lately published to the world in Print, by (ome Anal apt itfi call independent Secta- ries 3 and New- lighted tiRE-BRANDS^ where- in the undoubted Priviledges, Ordinances, juft Proceedings of Parlia- ment • the Reverend Affembly of Divines h our Brethren of Scotland-^ the Church of England, with her Governments Minifters, Worfhip; the National! Covenant, Dire8ory,Prestytery^ profefTed Defenders of the Parliaments Priviledges* Ordinances againft their Licentious Schifma- ricall Pra&ifes, (according to their Solemn Vow and Covenant)are Co .audacioufly affronted, oppugned, flandered> railed againft} and the CQramon people fo earneftly excited to mutiny againft the Parliament A family, Presbytery, Government and Miniftcrs of our Church of England, that I am confident no former Age did ever produce fuch Monftrous Infolcncics, fuch detcftable virulent Libels, which neither 'the Honour, Justice, nor rvifdome of that Sovevaigne Court of JuHice wherein you are AflcfTors, nor the Peace and Safety of our Religion, Church, State,nor your own perfonall. fecurity, nor .the National! Vow and Covenant,(er\gaoir,v both your Honours an iall others who have ta- ken it againft thtfepemitiovs Mutiniersjcan any longer fuffcr you pati- ently to tolleratc (as hitherto you have done J without exemplary pro- ceedings againft, and punifhments upon the Authors, Printers, Pub- lifhers , Difperfers of thefe mod fcurrilous and mutinous Pamph- lets. Wherein they moft injuriously and falflv revile, traduce all fuch for P erfecut or s, Fighters againft Chrift and his Kingdom e, Enemies to the wajes of Chriit , pulling his royall Crqvtn from- off his head, his kingly Scepter out of his hand, Oppugncrs of rhe moft religious, con-
fcientious
THE EP I STL E
fcientious, Godly, beft-affe&ed Parry (as they Pharifaically andfalfly termethemfelvesj dividers betweene the Parliament and their beft y their faithfulleft Freinds ; Prophane Apofiates, Popifh Jefuiticall Jncen- diaries, haters of Gods people, and the like 5 who out of conference, folid Judgment and cordiall affe&ion to the fafety, tranquility of Religion, Parliament Church, Kingdome, dare openly by word or writing* maintain the undoubted Jurifdi&ion of Parliaments, Synod5, Ma- giftrates in Ecclefiafticall affaires, or oppofe their fa&ious, fchifma- ticall Independent waves and [nnovationsjdeftru&iveboth toMagi- ftracy* Miniftery, Vnity, Parliaments* and that bleffed Reformation fo much defired.
For my owne particular, I have with much Patience and Contempt endured, without any Reply at all , their falfe unchriftian InveBives a- gainft my felf, only for Writing in Vindication of che undoubted Ec- clefiafticall jurifdi&ion, dire&ive and coercive power of Chriftian Emperours, Kings, Magiftrates, Parliaments, in matters of Religion and Church-government, in my, Truth triumphing over Falfehood, An- tiquity over Novelty , publifhed with Your fpcciall approbation ; and my Independency Examined, (which have much incenfed this wafpifh Generation, unable to give any fati«fa<5tory anfwcrs to them) and I fhould have continued filenceftilL had my own private intereft only toPfal 72 9 ^cn concerned' But when I difcerned them to be fo audacioufly licctf tious, prefumptuous, as To * ftt their mouth again ft the Heavens , (b) Ex©d, 22.. to b revile the very Gods themfelves, and curfe the Rulers of the people • Col^t*'*' c t0 dtfpif* Government and fpeak evill of Dignities, to- bring railing 10. accusations again ft s and d refift the Higher Powers, publifhing Li-
(rf) * ThcCa* bell after JLibeil^ againft the Proceedings, Ordinances, and Jurifdi- 6i:ionoftheprefent Parliament and Aflembly, yea with Antichriftian CO * Pec 2. pride, to e oppofe and exalt themfelves above all that U called God, or RoUit. *&** # wrfbipped (as they have lately done, in the Pamphlets hereaf- ter mentioned, and in the Nativity of Sir Iohn Presbyter, &c. frefhly publifhed fince the reft • every of thefe latter Libels being more fe- Kp Mar. 1 s . dit{ons an(j pcrnitious then the former) and fBarrabxs like* to ftirre up [edition and infurreBion among the people , againft the Ordinances, Votes of Parliament, and that Ecclefiafticall reformation and Presbyteriall government You have refolved to eftablifh j ? My bowels, U} Jcr.4. 19. my bowels were pained within me at my very hearty fo that I could not hold my peace, nor keepe [ilence any longer, becaufethouhafl heard, O my foul, the found of the feftditious Trumpets, and the alarme of this Sckifmaticall
Anti-
dft»»djtfr it i^wn i 'i ■ '' " r ■. > a ; _*_. -^
DE DI€ ATO R r.
Anti-Parliamentary ***i Yea fhould I nowrefraine from writing, the very ftones therafclves would immediately cry out againft their cnoft infamous Libels and mutinous presumptuous Pra&ifcs,oppofite te all publike Order, Gncrmmnt, Authority.
And the rather am I neceffitated to this ungratefull worke, becaufc their very Libels, a&ions, fpecches proclaime a plotted avowed Con- federacy among feme furious Ringleaders of thefe Independent Secta- ries (though 1 prefumc the more moderate are not guilty of it,) againft the Parliament* Aflembly> and all their Refolvcs in matters of Reli- gion or Church- Government, yea, againft our very Church, Minifters, wad Tithes themeanes of their fupport;as their Libellous Paflages againft the Ecdefhfticall Power, proceedings of the Parliament and Affcmbly * rheir publike oppositions againft the Nationall Covenant, DireSwyjhc Ordinances prohibiting dilbrderly Sc unliceafed Printing e£ Libellous Scif uaticajl Pamphlets; againft Lay-mcns preaching in the Army or cife-w here; for due Payment of Tjthes, &c. recited in the enfuing Sections, will at large declare.
And that which further confirmes me in this opinion , is : Fir ft, the New Seditious Covenants which the Members of fome Independent Congregations enter into \ To adhere, defend, maintain to the utmoft of their powers,andcontendf or, even unto bleod,the eftablifbment ofthatjnde- pendent form of Church Government which themfclves have fet up and fub- mined to, and oppofe the Presbyterian J in contempt of the Parliaments Authority: in truth mecre Anti-covenants to the Nationall League and Covenant, which chey utterly refufe to take, and rayle againft.
*. Their menacing predi&ions to the Affembly and Presbytery in their two laft 4 Libelsjwherin they prkt,That the time haftens the peo- c* Mm'ms Fc4 pie will c ill them to an Accounr, and rcpell and confound them by the ^ NaVwky fword y That the life of Sir lehn Presbyter is like to be neither long nor ccf Sir M» good ; That he wilbe brought to a fudden untimely end , Perhaps c*«dWi ^ HANGING. Ttar Presbvcry (hall live but a fhnrt time todo mif- cp' v ** ' cheife,and tben;> th E CO UMON PEOPLE will begin to fing, He* c Tejfe, The Devil's dead $ Presbytery will quickly dye,the Synod be dif- r folved, thedivell chained up: and therefore? folio v the advife of old < Csto . Spt tn retire. Rcj^^e G heavens^ fing alcud O earLh, cbp thy hands forjoj,0 EngUh&jtQJjl tuiula files* thoufazlthwea Jt>^of(^etneJJe,ofc pucijofcentvit, fo- Presbytery will have never a Child tovexethec, to c Imprilbn thy free Denizen?, to fucks up thy fatte, devoure thy good c
A thingsc
\ THE EnSTLE
i things and eat up thy bread out of thy Ghildrens mouthes, and himfelfc c is not long livcd,as 1 fhewed before^ and then farewell perfccution for c confcience, farewell Ordinance for Tithes , farewell Ecclefiafticall 8 Supremacy, farewell Pontifical Revenue, farcwel A JJembly of Divines c diflembled at ^rejiminffer, you fhall confult together no more, farewell ? Sr. Simon Synod, and his (on Presfyter lacke.
Gens ant iquaruit, multos dominate per anms3 &e. Which paflages,prefage and intimate nought elfe> but a plain can- fpiracy, confederacy , againft the AfTembly, Presbytery and presbytc- rian party.
3 • Some late feditious fpeeches of two preaching Captaines of this Schifmaticall Confederacy ; who being apprehended and queftioned by Sr. Ssmuell Lukes Officers for preaching in N ewport- Panne 11 3mdo- ther places nearc adjoyning , in contempt of an Ordinance of Parlia- ment made the 2 6. of April 1 £4 5 . which ordaines , That no per f on bo permitted to preach &ho is not ordained a Minifter-, threatnirg condignc puaifhment to the offenders againft it for their contempts fenjoyning Sr. Thowas Fairfax, the Lord Ma]or,the Committee of Militia for Lon- don-y the G overnours,C9>nmandcrs,zr\i Magistrates of all Garr/fons faciei ', places of flrength3Citties, Tonnes, Forts, Ports, 2nd the refveRive Com- mittees of each County, To fee the fame duly olferved in the Ar-vy **d places afore far d, and make fpeedjrepre fentatt onto both Houfes,of fu b at (had cjfend therein. Thefc Captainc preachers-, Tarwifer then that devout Centurian Cornelius, who feared God with all hisheufe, and pray- ed to God alwaies 5 yet never turned Preacher to his owne Banc/, for ©ught we read, tut by Gods mu direRim from heaven, fe at fer the Apoftle c T eter to inflruB him zn&his family, &fc to.) among other fpeeches £ € verred;Thar they were illegally ufed by Sr Samuel in being apprehended c (for their contempt againft this Ordinance;) moft fafly and feditionfly c affirmingjThattheGenerall &all the Colonels in the Army were deep- 'ly engaged IN THEIR DESIGNE : That they would acquaint their c FRIENDS IN THE HOVSEOF C O M M O N 5 of their bad »- c fage, that they had done nothing but taught the Word of Goi + 1 (among other things, that wee had ro true Church nor Mtniftrv, and * that thechifdren of Beleevers had no more right to B^t^fme then thofe c of Infidels, &c) which they would juftifie, and thofe friends likewife: 4 That they had Commiflfion from the Parliament for what they di i.&r* ? Whereupon one C^«Oxfir^anfwering them; That he was confident
there
BED iC A TOR Yt
there were few or none in the Houfe would uphold them (againftan exprcfle Ordinance of both houfes ) and that the Generall and Collo c nels would not fide with them in this cafe: The faid Pedicant Captains e replycd; That fhouid 6e tryed fpeedily : For they were refolved c to make this bufincffc THE LEADING CASE OF THE KiNG-*Note, DOME FOR ALL THE GODLT p ARTY .-adding; That if the c godly and wcl-affe&ed party were thus perfecuted, they fliould be for- c CedTO MAKE AWORSE BREACH THEN WHAT WAS YET, c WHEN THET HAD DONE YlTH THE KINGS PARTY: c and telling Enfign Rat ford and his Souldiers, that they were vvorfc c then Cavaliers j and that when they had made an end of the war with c th* Cavaliers, THET SHOVLD BE FORCT TO RAISE A NEf?\ ARMY TO EIGHT WITH THEM.
Certainly thefe (editions privy Covenants, Libels, Speeches, com- pared with the enfuing Se&ions, Letters, difcover and portend no leflc then a ftrong confpiracy among fome Anaiaptifficall Sectaries to op- pofe the Power, Ordinances and Proceedings of Parliament, to extir- pate all other Governments but their own,and to let it up by the fword, or popular commotions in defpight of your Authority. And is it not then high time for your Honours, with all other well-affe&ed Per- fons to look about you ? to Vindicate your own T>over> Honour, Ju- (tice, againft thefe moft fedi tious, audatious, contemptuous Libellers againfl your Soreraign Authority, your moft Religious Ordinances, proceedings in the defired waics of 'Reformation-, and to make fome of them Exemplary Monuments of your Impartial/ feverity, to deter o- thers from the like unparalleld Jr.folencies, not read nor heard of in any preceding Age, nor pra&ifed by any Generation of men, but thefe Nemfurieus SeBaries : who to engage all forts of people in their £>*ar- rcll, proclaim a free Toleration and Liberty of Confcience^ to all Setts, all Religions vvhatfbever, be it J udaifme, P aganifme* Turcifme, Arianifmey Popery . fas all their Pamphlets manifeft J And to intereft the fe- male Sex, and draw them to their party, they (contrary to the * Apoftles n i Cor.i4. precept) allow them not only decifve Votes, but Liberty of preaching 'li*** Prophefyingyfptaking\x\ their Congregations 5 yea, power to meet in \i. their * NoBarnall Conventicles, without their Has 'ands, parents, Mini- * Which they tfers?rivitie> the better to propagate Chrifts Kin^dome, and mu!ti- f^^lu^ ply the Godly party : Which, whit confuiion and Ataxy it will loon contrary to produce in Church and State, if not prevented by your Honours ex- theGolXei"
A 2 traordma- mand,
N THE EP I STL E
traordinary fpccdy Diligence jri pome^ Pomer, I humbly fiibmittoyour deepeft Judgements.
I am certain your Honours have read the • Hiftoriesof theTra- (<) s ui Jan, g{caH Wars and Commotions of the Ariabaptifts in Germany j whofc Atffejy ic° Opinions where-cver they predominate, are fatall to the Government, Anabaptift : Magiftracy, Miniftery of all States, Churches, and bring in popular Buiiiigcrad- *¥***}* and licentioufneflt, the worft of evils. O then let not your ▼erf. Anabap- Honours Patience or Indulgence to fiich Anabaptifticall Libellers in- Ifes^c11 4c wive both you, us our Realm, in like german pepular Seditions^ De- L's An.bap- vacations,, and ileody Maffacres, which they threaten: but if thefc tides, p. Fiat- New feditious Lights and Fire-brands, will needs let upNcwGhur- ^i?t^p.Pjr9l ch^> Herefies, Church- governments, and vent their new errors or o- 300,'fti pinions againft your Power and Authority, jet them doe it onely in Thc^Hiftory NEtV-ENGLAND > or other NE*r-FOVND LANDS^ fince OLD ^ptifts, M" ENGL AND needes them not,unlelTc it be to fet her all on fire.
As for thofe furious Champions and Emiffaries of theirs who have moft prefumptuoufly oppofed your religious Ordinances* by word , deed, and presuming on the ftrength of their Freinds within your JValsr (the opinion wherof3with your former Lenity towards them hath much increafed their fpreading^™/)] intend now at iaft to try this iflu^irh your Honours^ whether your ju ft Ordinances, or their will full Con* tempts againft them fhaJl take place^It is prefumed you w ill fo proceed gainft them, and the Authors, Printers, Publifoers of the execrable Li- bells here prefented to your veiw, that they and all the world flial know, Touare a Soveraigme Court of Parliament • whofe priviledgcs, Honour, you have all joyntly Covenanted to raantarn with your Lives Power, Fortunes \ and to proceed againft all fuch fecret llndcrminers or open Impugners of them>as Capital Delinquents^^ thefe Mutineers experi- mentally know,that no one Member of your Honorable Aflemb?y,will fo far difhonour himfelf, or violatehis publike truft & Covenant, as to countenance fuch audacious willfull offenders in the leaft decree ; nor yet for Fear or Favour of any Fa&ion,any Perfon how great foever3de- cline one hairs-bredth from that flraite path of Troth and publike Ju- ftice, Cthegreateft Security and fupport of Parliaments, Kingdoms] t fpecially in thefe Leading-cafes^berein you are moft concenied,and as much obleiged to maintain your own Privi ledges. Power* Rcputa- tioriSjOrdinances, againft Seditious SeHaries^ as againft Rebellious Cava- liersi or clfc diffolve, give over your intended almoft-accomplifoed
&9fw«
DEDIC ATORT.
Reformation-, and fo render your fclves,with your Proceedings con- temptible to all the world : which God forbid*
If any {hould Objed; that the Punifhment of thefegrofle LiMkrs Oh}tQ> SiRing-luders of fedition would difcontcnt and diftngage the Indepen- dents, with all other Sectaries of their opinioa,who are a confiderable party now; which might prove dangerous to theftatein this/unSurc of our publike Affaires.
I anfwer : i . That I doubt not all moderate and juditious perfons of tAnfb, that party wil willingly dilclaime, if not eXcomunicate,banifhthem their Congregations, and yceld them up to publike Juftice, as perfons worthy the fevereft Cenfures ; elfe all the world will cry fhame upOfl them. Secondly, Admit your executing Juftice oo them fhould dif- contcnt their party; yet thankes be to God (for all their vapouring] they are not fo porent,fo coofiderable as to over-aw a Parliament from doing Juftice on fuch of their party, who Libel againft, or affront their power & proceedings^ which cafe,our whole three Kingdomesare fo* lemnly engaged by publike Covenant to affift you to the utmoft, with their very Jives and fortunes. Thirdly,The greatnes of the Kings Pover^ /wy,!wth not retarded you from executing Juftice upon StraffordyCaM- ttrhury, Tompkins >& fundry other delinquents: Shall then the lefle con- fiderable FaAion of Anataptifls and other SeBdries hinder you from proceeding ^gainft a few feditious Libellers and Delinquents of their party ? Fourth Iy,E it her you rauft permit them to go on to libel and af- front your Authority,Order,proceedings ftiI!,without exemplary pu- nifhments, to your great drfhonour, infamy : or elfe proceed againft them now, whiles your Ordinances, and their contempts againft them are frefh> their party fmaiJ : elfe they will plead prefcri prion, and you will be leffe engaged, lefTe able to punifh them hereafter, in cafe they fhould grow ftronger and more numerous. Vrincipiisok^Andum^ is ever the bed policy. Fiftly, Let their party be as confidera- ble^ as potent as is falfely furmifedby themfelves, yet I humbly con- ceive, it ftands neither with the Majefty, Honour, Power, nor Wif- dome of a Parliaments be afraid of doing JufticeCefpecially in main- tenance of their own Ordinances, Priviledges whoever theydifcon* tent : In fuch a cafe, Fiat Juftitia^ run Cxlum ; is the fafeft Refolution. Maieftrates and ioferiour Judges ('much more then fiipreameft Courts of Judicature) muft not * fetr the faces nor Frowns of any * pfal. u. 4. Mori Alls in discharging their duties, bur execute Juftice and Judge- w^w
A ' g. ment?
THE EPISTLE
6. C
ment, \f hat ever comes ©fir, and trnft God with the Event.
Sixtly, The not doing Exemplary Justice in fuch leading cafes of publike Concernment, will render your Parliamentary Autboritjfirdi- nancesjroceedings more contemptible toyour own party >thcn ever they were unto the Kings: yea, animate the Country Club-men and every in- confiderable Secfaryynot only toJear,contemn,difobey your Ordinancet andCommands^ut at laft toprefcr'de Laws unto you,[as * lask Cade and ^Scc^x.H. jjis Confederates did to the Parliament inthea^.of #<?*.<*.] Which will by confequence bring Parliaments into contempt, and fe fpecdy defolation upon all our Dominions ^ after fo many fucceflefull pre£ ceedings. Up therefore and be doing Jufticc upon fome few chiefe offenders of this kinde for the prefenr,* to prevent execution upon ma- ny others, if not ruin on us all, for the future, and God himfelfc will no doubt be with you ; * You neede not fear what ftofb can d$ unto you, Pfal.* * .4. or Se&aries freak* or writ* againft you : whofe enfuing fcurrilous Li- bellous Seditious paffages will fo publikely difcovcr their uncharita- ble, unchriftian. Libellous, flandcring, tumultuous difpofitions, and hypocritically falfe, froward, licentious tempers, to all the world, as will render them odious to all fober~minded,peaceable, conscientious, modeftChriftians,ifnottothemfelves, and all ingenious perfons of their own Sc&s j and fo,through Gods blefling, reduce many of them to the bofome of our Church,from which they have formerly revolted.
It is not my intention by any the prcmifTes to foure or exafperatc your Honours in the leaft degree againft any peaceable, fconfeiencious, Orthodox, or truly Religious Chriftiaas, feducedbythe Independent party s or to ftir up any kind of perfecutioa againft fuch; whofe confei- ences vvilld doubt not)in due time be fully iatisfied,pcrfwadcd to fub- mit to that Prcsbyteriall Church- Goverment and Difcipline, which you have now refolved to eftablifh in our Churches* there beingj nought there in repugnant to Gods word* or which any well-informed Confcience, can have caufc to fcruple at. Towards fuch as thefe, it is moft juft and reafonable, all Chriftian Charity, meeknefTe, long-fuffering, bro- therly love, and fitting liberty ftiould be Indulged for the prefenr, till God (ball further open their eyes and turn their hearts unto us. For whofe better fatisfaAion in the irregularities of their new concealed Independent way, I have hereunto fubjoyncdfome£<tf^™ and other Papers lately fent me from the Summer j (tanas -y whereby they may dif- cover, the fa&ion;, arrogance, pride and Cruelty of the Independent
Minifters
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DEDICATORY.
Minifters there, and that the Liberty of conference they plead for,& pre- tend they grant to Presbyterians, others^and the peaceablenefle of their way, is butameere fi&ion, contradicted by their pra&ife; and like- wife difcern, how they lead their followers by* metre implic he faith ^ impofe upon them * Popifh blind Obedience . exercife a meere Pa- pall Authority and umlymited dangerous Arbytrary pmer over them ando- thers^ pretending an Utopian Government after the mindofchrift, which is no where mitten in hit word • nor in any clafiicall Authors^ Ancient w Modern,but founded only in their owt\Fancies,not yet fully difcover'd, norfet down in writing, nor agreed on among them felves, nor pub- lifhed to others for their better fatisfa&ion. The ferious Consideration whereof may happily reclaime our Independents here from the error of their feperating dcftru&ive ways, and eafe the opprefled Planters of thofe //lands from that Independent y oak e of Bondage under which they f$ mucbgroane, as to cry out to You f*r releife of their fore oppreflions in their Letter: which Khali befcech your Honors in their behalfe (fince they h^ve mide rheir ad dreflfes to your Tribunal by my media- tion ) (erioutlv fin fty to heart, and feafonably to rcdrefle.
TKis humbly cr-viu6 Pardon from your Honorable Affembly for my true-hearted Zealc to do you faithfull fcrvice,by this unburthening $f'mi qtnfcience% and prefenting You with this Frefb difcovery of thofe NewwanW:r^(\.srres and Firebrands who revile, oppugne your Ec- defiafticall Jurifdi&ion, Proceedings,Ordinances ; difturb the much- defirtd peare of Church, State, (which we fhould all carneftly endea- vour in rhefe diftraAed Timesj) I humbly recommend all your faith- full undertakings for the fecurity, tranquility of both, to Gods owne hieing with my devouteft Orisons to the throne of Grace, and everremaine,
Your Honours, the Republikcs, Churches,", moft devoted Servant,
William Prykhr
*,. *\
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A freflh Difcovery of prodigious ^^^JVandring^la/ing^Stars and Eire-brands,
ftiling thcmlelves New -Lights:
Firing our Church and Statb into New Combuftions.
He Apoftle Paul, led by a Propheticall Spirit, hath left as iuch an exact Char abler of the lafi times, and of the exor- bitant tempers of many Chriftian Profeffor living in them, as never f uited with any age fo fitly as this wherein we live, nor with any generation of people, fo well, as thofe New-Lights and Sen Aries, fprung up among us, who (be- ing many of them Anabaptifts) have all new-chriftned them k Ives of late, by the common name of Independent si This character we finde recorded, 2 Tim, 3. 1. to 1 o. This knoW al~o, that iri*the lafi dayes perillous times {kail come : (and what times were ever more perillous then the prelent i) For men (hall be lovers of them fe Ives , cove- teons, boaflers, frond, blafphemers, difobedient to Barents (Naturall, Civill, Ecclo fiafticall) unthankefull , nnholy ; without naturall affeftion, truce-breakers, falfe Accufers, incontinent , fierce > diffifers of thofe that are good ; Tray tor s, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures ( of their own bellies, lufts, wayes, opinions, fancies J more then lovers of God; having a form of Godlineffe , but denying the poWer thereof ': F R O M SVC H TVRNE *AW AT. But fome might de- mand of him, by what diftinguiQiing marke may we know who thefe perfons are ? The Apoftle therefore lubjoynes fuch a fymptome, as fuits molt exactly with our new Separating Lights & (fonventickrs} who forfake the publike aflfem- blies,and creep into priva't houfes, working principally (as the *Devilldid at firftj upon the weakeft Sex: F or of this fort are they wH IC H CREEP INTO HOVS ES (thus interpreted by the Apoftle: Heb.\o.i<$. Not for faking the ajfembling of our felves together, or the publike A§emblicsy as the MANNER OF SOME IS y and of our Sectaries now J and lead Captive SILLY WO MSN, laden With fin nes, led aft ay With divtrfe lufts : EVER LEAR- NING *ANT> NEVSR *ABLE 7 0 COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF TUB TR VT H (as thofe Independent Seekers Judc . are, who like * rvandring Stars, gad every day after New-Lights, New-fafhions of Church Government, Wavering like empty Clwdt Without Water, or Waves of t *
thefea, driven With the Wind and tojfed j not knowing yet what Government they
B would
Gcn.j. ij4j 12. 1 Tiu$. 1. 14.
\
A frefh D if covery of Prodigious
would have, or where to fix ; 'Believwg andpraElifing all things. With a referve3 to alter their opinions an£praUife every da) upon difc'pv'ery of further light , fat he Independent Apologifts profeffe for themfelvesy and advife all others to do* Now bccaufe fiich Houfe-creepers and New-lights , haveufually lofty conceits of their own opinions, judgements, wayes j as if the truth of God were monopolized unto them , and therefore all the World fhould fpeedily fubmit to their foolifh dictates, and erronious by-<paths : the. Apoftie immediately paffeth this cen- fure of their perfons and proceedings. Now as Jannes and Jambres Wth- fiood Mofes, fodo thefe alfo reft ft the.truth : men of corrupt mindes, reprobate {or of no judgement) concerning the faith : hut they JhaH proceed no further , for their folly {hall be manifeft unto all men9 as theirs alfo Was, The very detection of their abominable, fedittous, feducing practlfes, fhallpataftop to their proceedings, ancrfruftrate all their expectation. Now if any man fhould doubt whether this prophefieoftheApoftlewere really intended of Separates and Sectaries; the Holy Ghoft hath rtfolved it in direct termes in thtgeneraH €pftle of fade, v. 17, 1 8, 1 p. But beloved, remember that the words which Were fpokgn before of the Apo- ftles of our Lord Ieftis Chrift ('and among ; others of the Apoftle Paul in the fore- cited Text,) How that they told them, there fhould be mockers in the lafi time, Who fhould WalJ^after their oWn ungodly lufts (not after the Spirit and Word of God which they mod: pretend to: and would you know who thefe are? ) Thefe be they Who SEPARATE THEMSELVES ,fenfu*ll> having m the Spirit. To which the Apoftle Pmraddes thefe further descriptions of "them. 3 Pff.2.10, 11,12,14,18,10. That they desfife government, are prefumptuow,felfe- willed, jfieak will of Dignities , bring railing accufations again ft them, Jpeal^evill of the things they underftandnoty beguile unftable fiules having hearts exercifedwith covetons praftifes, being clouds carried frith a tempefi, JVels without water , Who When they ftp eakj^r eat fuelling words of vanity, allure throuqh the lufts ofthefefh^ through much wantonnes (of fpirit as well asBtzth^thofe who are clean efcapedfrom them who live in error : While they promife them liberty fthe liberty of Confidence to profeffe what Religion they lift, to life what Church government they pleafe, without controll of Parliament, Synod, or MagiftratesJ they themfelvey are the fervams of corruption*] and as Iude, v.i 3. prove Raging Waves ofthefea „ fram- ing out their oWn fljame, Wandringftarres, to Whom the blachncffe ofdarknejfe Is refervedfor ever. All which descriptions, how properly they fuit with our New- Independent-lights and Incendiaries, I fhall clearly demonft rate out of ieve^ll claufes in their late tedicious Anti-Parliamentary I rnprefllons, betraying the rpt- tenneiTe of their hearts, the pride, fedition, and rebellion of their ipirits, which I flull reduce to thefe ten Sections.
1, Seditious, fcandalous, libellous, and uncharitable pafTages againfl: the au- thority and jurisdiction of Parliaments, Synods, and tern porall Magi- Urates ingencrall, in Ecclefialiicail affaires.
3i Againft fundry Ordinances and proceedings of this prefcnt Parlia- ment in particular.
9, Againft
Nevp'WAndrin* Hazing- Stars and Firebrands.
3. Againft the Nationali Covenant prdcribed by Parliament.
4. Agiinft the prefent Aflembly of Divines, fitting and acting by order of
Parliament.
5. Againft the Directory ratified by Ordinance of Parliament.
6* Againft our Brethren of Scotland, whom of late they much applauded.
7. Againft Presbyterians and Presbyterian government in gentralL
8. Againft the Church oiSngland, herWorfhip, Miniftets, and Govern-
ment in generall.
9. Againft fuch who have out of conference written or preached againft
their {editions wayes, and Libels.
10. Seditious Qneres, Parages, and Praftifes, to excite mutinies and popular
commotions againft the Parliament, and dilobedience to its commands.
Section I.
Containing divers feditio us y fcandalous, libellous paf ages againft the authority And jurifdiclion of 'Parliaments, Synods, and temporal/ Magiflrates in generally in £ cc le,^ aft ic a 11 affaires, in the late Writings of fever all Independent NeW- light s§ and Firebrands,
T Shall begin with a Copy of a Letter Written by John Lilburne, Lieu. Colonell% (the Rii gleader of this Regiment of New-Firebrands) to William Fry nneYLty upon the comming out of his hft book, intituled, Truth triumphing over Falfe- hoody Antiquity over Novelty : Of which Letter there have bin three Impreflions made by him, wi houtlicenfe; contrary to the. Ordinance of both Houfes, re- straining the printing or difperfing of unliccnfed,libcllous,& feditious Pamphlets : whre he p.4. writes thus.
Sir, in your lift book that you put out, you fpend a great deale of paines in ci- « ting old rufty Authors, to prove that Kings, Counsels, Synods, and States, have c forfo many hundred yearesmedled with matters of Religion. I grant you they < have ; but I demand of you, by what right, or by what authority out of the Word c of God they have fodone ? Hath God the Father, or Jefus Chnft his Sonne gi- « ven them any allowance in this? Or have they not hereoy rather fulfilled the pro- < pheficsofthe Scripture, which faith, £<^-. 17. 17. That the Kings of the Earth fhall < give their power unto the Beaft tili the VVord of Goi be fulfilled , which < they have done in aflifttDg the Popes to j\>yne the Eccleiufticall and Civil! « State together , making the Golden Lawesof Chrift to dep; nd upon the Leaden c Lawes of Man; yea upon i'uch Liwes, as w^s juft fuifable to their ty- < rannicall lufts, and which might the moft advance their wicked ends and < defignes : and in the doing of this , they have fet up a perfect Atltichrift fi againft God's Christ, yea, England is not free from this. *
B 2 And
\
A frefh Difcovtrytf Trodigiout
And to hold, that Kings, Parliaments, Synods, States, have any thing to do in mat- ters of Religion and Church-Government, he concludes w. 5, to be a fetting of the-Potentatesofthe earth together by the eareswith Chrilt ( who is to rule all Nations, Rev. 1 2. 5.) to pluck his Crown from his head, his Scepter out of his hand, and hisperfonout of his throne and State, that his Father hath given him to raign glorioufly in.
Which is thus backed by Henry Robinfon the (fuppofedj Author of the Arrfwer to Mr. William Prynnes 12. Jgveslions concerning Church- Government, pag. 6. Particular Churches, members of a Kingdome and Nation , are not obliged in point of Confcience and Christianity, to fubmit unto whatfoever publike Church Government, Rites, and Difcipline, a Nttionall Councell, Synod, and Parliament fliall conceive moft confonantto Gods Word, unle-ffe it prove foin the whole Kingdomes, Nations, and thofe very particular Churches Judgement, pag. 8. The grounds of Independent Government, attribute nothing to the Magiftrate in Church affaires further then the Magiftrate is a member of their Churches and Affemblies,/^. 12. You can no more Juftiflea Nationall Church of Chriftians (hall likewife go up to the Tempte of fernfitlem from whence by the fame Pro- phefie, they arealfo to receive the Word of God, and not from Parliament, Pope, Synod or Presbytery v
Mr. Henry Burton in his Vindication of Churches commonly called Independent , cjre. p.49,?o,?i,&c: The Church is a fpirituill kingdome, whofe only King is Chrift, and not Man : It is a fpirituall Re-publick , whofe only Law-giver is Chrift and not Man. No man nor power on earth, hath a Kingly power over this kingdome. No earthly Lawgiver may give lawes for the government of this Re- publick. No man can or ought to undertake the government of th is communion of Saints. No humane power or law may intermeddle to prefcribe rules for the government or form of this fpirituall houfe. NOT COUNCELS, NOT SE- NATES. This is Chrifrs Royall Prerogative, which is uncommunicable to ANY, TO ALL THE POWERS ON.EARTH, &c. headds,p.tfo,6i.
We challenge you to fhew us, any Parliament, Counceli, Synod, ever fince the Apoftles, that could or can fay thus, Itfeemedgood to the Holy Ghollandus, to determine controverfies of Religion, to make and impofe Canons to binde all men,&c. Shew this to us at this time , and we will obey. But if you cannot, as you never can; never let any manpreflfe upon us that Scripture, that Synod, which hath no parallell in the whole world, and fo is no precedent or patterne, for any Councell, Synod, Parliaments.
lAfhert Anfiver to Adam Stewarts fecondpart of his over-grown Duply to the T^o Brethren ; with certaine difficult questions eafily anfwered: printed (^with- out licenfe) 16*44. fuppofed to be written by Mr, John Goodwin, p. 13 17. But perhaps youT fay, theie is an Act of Parliament, a Givill law declaring htrcfie, or any different from the State opinions , fuch as for the prefent are in tafhion to be cenfurable by the civill power ; I anfwer, not without fll due refpecr. untr; the lawes, and fuch as made them, that if there be any diftinftion between a Church- ftate and a civill-ftate, which all Chriftians hitherto ack owkiigc, the enafting civill hwes to punifh fpirituall offences, is not only ufoleciime or impropriety
in
New- Wandring blafwg- Stars, and Fire-brands.
in ft ate , but an incroaching on the Churches power , a profaning of the Keyes, and injurious to the offender j who by this meanes is punifhed both beyond the degree and nature of his offence. If the blcfied Spirit fhould at any time bear wit- neffe unto your fpirit , or unto the fpirit of a whole Parliament and Synod, what were this to the fpirits of other men ? muft not they wait with patience untill the bleffed Spirit be pleafed to vifit their fpirits like wife , before they can joyne with yoursortheAfTemblies fpirit? But if the Synods determination of this or that controverfie fhould feem good unto the holy Ghoft,as the Churches decrees of Je- rufalemdid, muft they therefore be impofed upon frhe Countrey, the whole world? Is not this to equallize your Synodail Canons with thofe decrees of the Apoftolicall Church of Jerufalem, and to make Scripture of yours, as well as theirs? is not this to adde to Scripture? nay, to alter it, p. 2 8. But if King and Parliament may not force a new Religion or Seel, fuppofe Presbyterian a upon the kingdome, much leffe can the Synod, which neither has nor yet pretends as is alieaged, to ufe the materiall fword ? And if for matters of religion all power ori- ginally is in Chrift, as you fometimes acknowledge, How can King, Par- liament, or Synod , wrefl it from him ? Nay what think you ? is it not fecondari- ly in the people, as well as civill power, which you affirmc in the fame page ? and fodoubdefle is fpirituall power, unlefle you will make God to have provided mankinde better of a fafegard, or liberty to defend rfceir bodies, than their foules : If then the fpirituall power be fo inherently in the people next under Chrift, as that they cannot fo well renounce and part from it in many refpefts, by what they may of civill ; how can it be thought by any one, that the King, Parliament, Sy- nod, though never fo much importun'd by a the uf and fuch A firs , fhould goe a- bout to fettle a new Presbyterian Scotch government, with an intention to force a conformity of the whole Kingdome , three quarters whereof cannot as yet be thought to fubmit unto it willingly or for confeience fake, Pag. 32,33, 34,35,36% Q#. 5. Is if not an ungodly thing to fuffer men to be of any Religion ? Anf. No , ]:or both our Saviour his Apcftles, end the Primitive Chriftians did the fame: neither is it in the power of flefh ar: d blood to hinder it. Qx.6. Is it not the mod unfeemely fight to fee the people ofone Citty run fcambling from their Parifhes to twenty Conventicles where fo many ieverall doctrines are taught? <zsfn. No, but farre more monftrous and abominable in the eyes of God, for peopleof twenty feverall opinions for fearc o favour to aflemble and Joyn together hyprocritically in one way of worfhip or Church diicipline. JL.8. Ought we not then at leaffc to keepeour diflkren* opinions and Rtiigionumoour felvesin obedience to the Civill Magiflrat: that commands it ? An. No, becaufe it is better to obey God then man. Qtu 9. If Jefuited Papiftsand other fubtile Hereticks be fuflfered, will they not likely feduce many unto their erronious by*pathej ? Anf. Though a Tolleration of erronious opinions may gaine fome to fathan , yet truth being therewith to be publifhed and improved will in all probability, notonely gaine fo many more to God ; but any one thus wonne to God, unto his truth, is worth thoufands of thofe that fall from it. Q#. 10. But may not the multiplying of He- refies ftifV or expell the truth like as the abounding of tares and weedes often, choake the wheate and for this caufe not to be permitted ? An. Though it feeme to
B 3 be
6 x A frefh Difcovery of Prodigious
be many of the fitft, yet oar Saviour in the parable of Tares. Math. 13. teaches us a quite contrary doctrine, and forbids (Herefks) the Tares to be pulled up before £ the day of Judgment ]] the harvtft. v* 30. 39. leaft the wheare, the children of the Kingdoms true profeflors, ■#. 30.39. be therewith rooted up. Q#. 21. Is it not a pious A<fl to compsll a Company ofcarckfTc IdLa people to he are a good fcrmon, to do a good worke whether they will or ro; Anf. No more pious <m Adr,then for Papiftstoufetheiike compulsion towards Lwes and Protc (rants, inforcing them to hcare their fermons, MafTe, or Vefpers- ^24. May not the Civill Gover- nment interpofe to punifti luch Church members with whom the fpiritu&li by rea- fon of their refracTorinerTe cannot prevaile? *sinfa% Nothing kite, fince the Civill State or government has no more power, nor venue to paake a Papi.t turne Proteftant in England, then it can prevailed make a Protcftant become \ Pupift in Spaine. Q^, 29. But can there be any hurt in forceing refraclory p o>;ie ro be prefent at Religious orthodox affemblies, where if thev will, they in^y be infor- med of the truth. tAn. Yes, firft btcauL- there can come no good thereof through Want of willingncffe, which God cnely rcguards ii 1 him which is thus compelled; and fecondly, becaufe this ( forceing J is a doing evil! that goo:! may come there- of, which is prohibited, Rom. 3. 8.
The Fal(boodof }A%fV.?ry n nes Truth triumphing, (Reprinted in London 1 647. wi.hout licenfef written by H,Rebinfon,\v\\Q hath let up a private unlictnfed prin- ting PrelTeJdetermines thus: p. 19. 20. iS But did,the only wife God chink we 1 e- folve to create man after his own Image, to eft ate him in Juch a fad and exea able condition, worfc then that of beads, woives,Bears&Tigres,as that he muft n, c^ ?ffa- riiy tyrannize or be Tyrannized over both in foul and body and yet it cannot poffi- Uy be otherwite; if you will grant a power to Kings.Parliaments or Synods, to re- quire conformity from others in any thing which is net agreeable to their conf- idences ; for if fitch a Latitude and height of Iurifdiftion be granted but :oihc more orthodox Kings Parliament sand Synods; both Papists, Lutherans, Cahfinitts and Independants pretending and really takeing themklves to be the moft ortho- dox, are bound inconfeance tolayClaymeto, and put in Execution this power of Compelling all the world unto their uniformity , and fo infallibly produce the moft cur fed enmity and hatred betwixt all the people but differing in opinion ex- ceeding that of Cannibals, or the profoundeft of Antipathies betweene any ratio- nail creatures whatfoever. You fay the ©pontes to Parliaments Eccleiullicall Ja- rifdieTions have formerly and more efpecially in this Prefent Parliament addrtifed feverall Petitions to this High and honorable Court for Reformation of rhe Church.&c. wherein under favour, I conceive you have mil- apprehended their proceedings & Intentions, which doubtleffe was for the moft p;.rt,or beft affected, that the Parliament, in whom they acknowledge the Soveraigne power to reflde, would permit, Coiu t nance and encourage all godly men of gifts in preaching down Herefics, Errors, Idolatry, Popery, &c. Many whereof had either bcene formerly eft abliilied by Law, or not permitted to be preached dovvne, through the Prelates corruption contrary to the Law. This is the beft, even all the Refor- mation, which the Civill Magiftrate, as Civill, has a Capafiity of comparing a- gainft all H .relies and Euors, which muft necellarily be vanquished by the lwoid
of
Nevp-Wandring* blafing-Star^ and Fire-brands
©f the Spirit and cannot poflibly be fuppretfed by carnall weapons or the civill
fword ; they may deftroy the flefh, but cannot properly be (aid ro touch and
worke upon the Spirit. Tis no fmall dif-fervice winch you do both Parliament
and Aflembly, in thus expofing their proceedings, to be queftioned by no little, » pray God
and that the * mod confcionable and beft affected party of the kingdome, fuch y»u pro\<c fo.
fpirits of contention as this of yours, were thofe which made the firft great
breach among the Parliaments friends,
Matter John goodwins Tbeomathia, pag. 48,49, 50. The generality and promifcuous multitude of the World , who have a right of nominating persons to a Parliamentary truft and power, are but a Secular Raot,out of which the Independent Brethren conceive , an impoflibility that a fpi- rituall extraction fhould be made: A man may as v/dl bring a clean thing out of an unclean, fin fobs expreffion) as make a fpirituali extract ion out of this fecular root, who have no Authority nor power from Chrift to nomi- nate or appoint who (hall be the men, that fhill order the affaires of Chrifts kingdoroe, or inftitute the government of his Church ; Therefore there is an impofliolity that a legitimate Ecclefiafticall power, fhould according to the tninde of Chrift , or any precept or prefident of Scripture bje by them conferred upon any man,or that the perfons fo elected fliould have a power by vertue of fuch nomination or el*cli3n,to enact Laws or Statutes in matters of religion; & to order undy: Mulcts and Penalties, how we (hail worfhip and ferve Ood.
Se&ion 1 1.
Comprizing their [editions^ fcandalous^ libtllom and daring parages againfi fundry Ordinances and Proceedings efthis prefent Parlia- ment in particular not to beparaiel'd in any Agejtor tiler able in tbps.
THcir intolerable libellow feditious pa0ages of this nature arc fo many and x % Libellous various chat I muft branch them jmo feverall Heads. fedkious paf-
I (hall 1. begin with their ImreSives againft the fcverall Ordinances of both fages againft • Honfet of Parliament^ or the regulating of Printing, and {uppr effing the great ^e Oidirwn- late ubufes, and frequent diforder sy in printing many fa/fe, fcandalous, feditious, ^n^ Printing libellous and unlicensed Pamphlets, to the great defamation of Reltgton and Go- ^Neither I no* vernmentm the black-
Lettt
ing that (b ) you and the Blacks coats in the Synod, have not dcadr. fairly with Au&msoI ' your Antagonists, in flopping the Preflc againft us, while thiogs arc in de- diefe Ordi- ' bate, yea, robbing «s of oar Liberty (as we are Subjects) in time of free. "*n"s' •dome, when the Parliament is fitting, who ate fufficiently able to punifr that for"J*e^ ' man (*) whatfoever he be) that {ball abufe his Penne ; fo that whilft we are have abufed* ' with the hazard of our dearcft lives, fighting for the Subje&s Liberty, we your fen, \ are brought into Egyptian bondage in this and other particulars, by the Black- as miich a? * coats , who I am afraid will prove more cruell Tatk^matters then their a'lXnun-
deal'5
John Ltbournein hi* unlieenfed, printed Libel!, intitHled, A copy of a coav3bucthe ter to Matter Prynne^hus declares again ft tkefe Ordmanees,pag.2>3.But be* wcrcthcfc£
N
A frejb difcovery of Prodigious
« deare Fathers the Bt(hops ; who cowardly fit at home, in ray apprehefifion, for c You would < no other end but to breed faftion and divifion araongft the (c) weLaffetledto cdiaywL^Li- ' td *^c Parlt*ment' promoting thereby their owne intereft, which is Lazinefle, beh'agairift1 'Pr^e, CovetoufneiYe and Domination, endeavouring to lay lower then the their po-.ver, ' duft, a generation of men whom rhey falQy call Sectaries, chat have in the up- Ordinanccs, < rightueffe of their hearts, without Synodianlike ends, ventured all they have
dH sevidence ' *n L*ie worl(* [or the ^00(^ °^ ^ ParliamctK> an(* ^ Common- wealth of e I England, and who may bid defiance to all their adverfaries, that brand them
* with unfaithtulnelTe ; fo that by mcanes of which, I have not been able that 'way, yet to accomplifh my earncft defire ; and truly it argues no manhood 1 nor valour in you nor the BUck^coats, by force to throw us downc and tye 'our hands, and then to fall upon us, to beat and buffet us ; forifyouhadnot
* been men that had beeo afraid of your Caufe, you would have been willing to d So it is m nave f0Ught and contended with us upon even ground and equali tcrmes name- rcgula", Y ty' tnac tnc &) Prefe might be as open far us a* for jouy and as it was at the be- though not in gi°ning of this Parliament ; which I conceive, the Parliament did of purpofe, a Libellous & that fo the free borne Englafa Subjects might enjoy their (e) Liberty and Pri- ceLib°Ut Wa>* vile^e' which thc Bifaop* hac* learned of the Spanifh Inquihtion to rob them PrimTibeTs °^ ^y locking it up under the key of an Imprimatur, in whofe tyrannicall fteps flanders3inve- the Synod treads ; fe that you and they think you may ray le at us cum privile- dives againft gio> and ranke us arnongft the worft and bafeft of men, as (f) rooters up of Par. Parhamenta- ltAme»ts, and diftutbers of States and Common-wealths.
dLPe°7sViot Tlie feur"lou$> blafpemous, unlicenfed Libell, ftiled, The Arraignment of the s ubjeds V*rfa*tion-tticm eontemptuouily affronts & jeers this Ordinance, with the Par- Liberty or liament, Synod and Directory, in the very Title Page ; This is Ucenfed and priviledge but printed according to holy OrAer> hut not entred into the Stationers Monopoly •
If ami1"1 *** flnd in thc °PP°flte Pa§C :
/Your Libels, Die Saturni, April. 6- 1^45.
cL7nifhenr Ic is D«r"***i OnUtoedbj&tKtvemd 4femblyof D/triw, no* Af-
fuch. ' fembled in holy convocation, that Doctor Burgeffe and Maftcr Edwands doe
'returne thanks unto the worthy Author of this Treatife, intituled, The Ar- g Impious, & * raignment of per fe cut ton, for his (g) pious endeavours and vigilant care he hath feditious, if < therein, at the entreaty of this Synod, And it is further Ordained, that they you will not < c[oe jcrire hinrl} t0 print an(j puoijfh tnc fay Treatife forthwith, and that it be
/^Rather a ' recommended to the people, as (h) a divme Hand-maid to thc right under- Diab >licali * ftanding of the Directory. And it is yet further Decreed and Ordained, that Libell againft none (htll prefame to print or re- print the faid Treatife, but whom he fcall 1C- authorize under his owne hand writing, till this mo ft holy S/>W fhail further
Order. Uenr, loh.rcngh > ib
Adontran oyfield 5
I appoint my divine Cczin MARTIN CLA W-C LERGY, Printer to the Affembly of Divines , and none clfe to print this Treatife.
Young MARTIN MAR-PRIEST.
What
ng- St drS y a nd Fir a- h/sf, ds .
~ > could be afforded to die Commons or Af-
fcrnbly ci ;n ed lib* lioas Order ?
In the Hook i felfe, page -. P erfeeuthn had atheu fond trickj^ove all the reft, far ;o blocf^up a!lpaffagej,ftop all months, aid fort/ fie htmfelfe round ; he turned reverend Imprimatur .- and here the purfuer was ^: a ftaodjfor ail was as foft as the J3<?v//and the Presbiters could rrukc it : They fought to authority to (»') 9/ktm *A* / Nor to pi In; f re [fe. and (till the Presbiters (as the cuftome is) were in the way, that nothing lY'?j !}, i),a
rj i j D fobwrl;c.i-
eon;dbedone. ^ rfcsbucfedi-
' P.io.th<s fellow Perfccution (loppcth Preflei whereby meneannor make their cious /.i! .Is,
* juft defence, fuffers nothing to be licenicd, f rimed, preached., or otherwiie cab- fcurrllity,
4 limed, bat what himfelfc ailowcth ; and having thus bound the hmh and ftopt Walphemy. ' the tn ~>u:hs of all good men, then he comes forth in print againftthem, like an c armed man, and furioufly aflaulrs them, exults and exalts himfelfc over them,
* rainech Arguments for them, and then Like a valiant Champion, give? them 'aconquering Anfwer, and thus puts chem to flight, and parfues them witb 'rcvilings, (cmdals, forgeries, and opprobrious nlck-rjamci, as AnahapttBt%
* Bremuifts, Independents i Sctfiuattquej, Heretiquest Thus he dealoth with the 4 godly forty (Howpdly you are, well appearcth to all the wcrld by thefe your ■ libellous feditiou*. ungodly pamphlets.)
The libellous Book in pnrluance ofthis, ftiled. Afacred Decretatl&c. proceeds in the fame language page 14. Left they fhould fall upon our reare, under pre. tenet of fu^prejfwg the Kmgs papers }ive bounded the Preffe with our (k.) Pre shy ten- £ vvas a ar~ an comzAJf? r that they could nor withouc hazird of plundering, tranfgreffe our re* Ordinance of verend Imprimatur- Then iifued out witefTe fehoUsltck^ Tractates, againft both Houfes, tixzAnriamfts ptc. Having thus neatly ftopt their mouthes we fophifttcarecf their noc mldc bY Arguments, &c. and then with our politick Anfwers; we prcfent them to the peo- Prc$b7,:cians« pie mth in Imprimatur, JAMES CRANFORD, or the like. We imploy Doctor Featl/s Devil <a very reverend ten pound Sir John) to make a defcriptioa of the Anabaptists, &c. and this foale fpiric for the love he bearei to the Black? coats, at the Doctors deceife, tranfmlgrated into old Ephraim Pagit (feldome lyes the Devil dead in a dry ditch) fo that the good old man to confute the (/) mor- 1 It fecms this tality of the [ante, hath made himfelfc fure of an tmmortallfpirtt. L ibellcr de-
Many fueh fcurrilous paffages againft the Ordinances for relating printing, nlesthcfouIes (made by both Hoofer fpeaall care ant direction before the AiTembly met) SE2^ are fcatrered in their libellous Pamphlets, which I a
as if there were neither Heaven nor hell. *
Onely I fhill adde, that fome of thefe pe rfons have againft thefe Ordinances av thev have wr:tten and printed.
For Matter Henry Kobit.fjn (the fuppofed Author of the Arraignment p) terfe- cut ion, A fitted DecretalL Martyrs Eccho, and other moft fcnrrilou fedi- tions Libels) hath maintained a private Printing, preflc, and lent for Printers from A-nfle'dtm, wrheremth he hath printed moltV the late fcandaloas, libellous books again!* the Parliament ; an \ though he hath been formerly fent for before the Committee of Examinations for this offence, which was patted by in filence ; yet he hath finee preikmed and proceeds i herein in a farrc higher ftraine
C . then
\
jifrB^b dffrcrjery ofPredigicuS
theft erer, behdes John Ltitmrne being quertioned before that Cornmltcc by (f®+ ciall Order of the Commons Houfc for printing his libellous Letter, contrary to chefe Ordinaneet,hath pending his veryExamimtioni coaremptuou fly printed and difperfed abroad his falie and feandalous Reafons delivered in 10 that Committer for printing'nts foraser UbelUm Letter, wit h Lome roarginall Annotations, and a vialous*hbdlous Petition. ^.emonftrana (as formerly Unifies) again!* Co!** mell King, (to omit other printed nnlicenfcd papers) an infclent conrempt; not to t-k !i 2* Ccr be p3 rallt/d. at leatt not to be tolerated.
V. Secondly, Ifttli proceed to their libellottf. rcurrilow and (editions Invcfthre* ft Stgainft ihcOrdm4xce fr pyment of tj/t he f'f which John bilbxrne in' bit foremca- ,an^tio»ed lib«licus Letter trim affronts, charjiirgthe PailianiemwHhnolcilcihea *or I/thes' perjury and breach ofrheir Covenant, For making it.
7 If you put the Parliament in mind of their Covenant., tell them, I
c lately abolifhed d tjthetj&to ike i* a coKtradiElien
Lv - tar £ ' whom the>' look upon u the prtfcfed e«m,« n* weir noimedClnft ; heihtf JwVU, ' wfi W tyihe is j(*«*/*a to the whili b» of if het; in which Um* wa* a L«»*# t Cor. 9. 7' « to be brooght for a lira* Offering, which is at-ohfii-J ; aiio, be thar was » 'ake roitf. cTVtfe»Wa»«netb*twa»to*{ftr .:#*»?/&* Hatlffafmc . which it ar.ycsoelo
L K I0- 7- < ™ « it » tw&bv Chriitcotne is the flerti, and .O 0. tne »i0i,, i?:ri!:C1 tor Iidm ^^rhiV^athanifoov«,hro^a!iourcor,,tott,)oyandhopf " A ; mo-i Sbtor, fcunilowand feditionrpaflage to faurc »p thereto rebel]
isr.
Ci! «. tf
K^'SS^^SSSSM in the feditious pmphkt, mailed ,*»*««*
ciu^iVat" _. r Reverend, learned Prolocutor, AffefFors, the tI™. lo tne ^W ^ »f cv, hof s<iri^, andtherett
|f*v»-f< wu Affembly of D:vme», S33W fitting 10
^onvocauon at Wcftmt*fl&9
b«ntakenx«p»^rt'»r»^ j ,nTriid«ll and d:me* the frith.**
N ew-w andring-bh'fwg- S tars y and Fire-brands, i x
dant fmdsofa hi benefice ; fee, fee, his pockets arc full of presbiterianftceplet, tha Agra ftiek under his Girdle , &«, &*, ha : inftead of Weather. cocks .every $w hath cot a £A*^ ^v UP°Q ic,and in it the pure and imaculats Ordinance for J 'y the s Ob- latioas, &c Tare fliortly inftead of Mo fa and ^?™», and the t** tables, we flull have Sic Simoi and Sir John, holding the late folcmns League and covenant, a^i that demure, fpotlcfle, pretty, lovely, facrcd, divine, and holy Ordinance for tythss (the two Tables of our new Presbyterian Geffsll) painted upon all the Churches in England : O brave Sir Simon, the Belt in y oar pocket eh imc *//-/*, ours chime ali-oac ; I pray give yon a funer all Homily for yoar friends here, be- fore you depart ; hercs twenty fallings for yonr fames ; yo» know *iis faerilcdge to bring downe the price, as tt was tn the beginning, is now, and ever (hall be world without end, Amen. Sop. 38. My Lord, but our dtffembly D^^rj teach other- wife ; yet I think if your Lordfhip fhould fettle Anabapttfiry or the like- even that which they now perfecote and threaten, preach and pray agamft, and forwarne the people of as hereticall and damnable provided you fhonld endow it with goodly fat Beneficcs^ndfanftifie it with the ha1 owed Ordinance for Tyt hes. offer ings^bUnoHt &c. queftioniefle the generality of thofe perfecutors of Anabaptifls, wooldhave the wit to turne Anabaptifts, for their Religion is moved upon the wheels of the State : Our Temporizing Doftors, our flats Proteftant Minifters are not fo !:m- ple to fwira again!* the ftreame, they are wifer in their generation, for they know moft wealth goes that way; as long as our Ordinance is laden with Tythes,offertng3 oblations, they'ie be fare to give fire ; but Choold the State deprive their Religion of ail Ecclefiaslicall revenue, of parfinages, tythes, &c. yea, fhould it be this very Presbytery they fo aime at, that they fhoald'fo impoverifri, certainly we (ho Ad have more panfhes then Presbyters, more (leeples then Doliors-, then they would not be fo hot for Presbytery, or zealous to perfecute its oppofers ; I would your Lordfhip would make tryall ; call in but your Ordinance for tythes, and turn*
them to the good will of people, and then a tythe-Pig will be fold for a
pennie.
Page 44. there is thu feurriloui Severe pot among others. 5; Whether the late divine Ordinance for tyther, offerings, oblations and conventions, be not better G'jJfsl, and in all Presbyterian wifdome to be preferred and provided before the /?#«. rettory for the worfmp of God ?
O elves, cives, qu&renda pecunia prtmnm Virtus poft nammos.
Many more claufes of like nature are in this propbane Libdl, which I pre- termit.
Bat that which is the rnoft audacious, contemptuous, feditious, publike affront of all others againrt the Ordinance, is the prophane, fcurrilous Libell, intituled. A Sacred D&CRETALL : or Hue and cry front his fttperlative holsnejfe, Sir Si- mon Synod, for the apprchenfion of reverend yoang M ART IN M AR-PRIEST : In the front whereof there is the pi^ure of a Bull, toiling Sir Simon synod on his horn-s, and trampling the ordinance for Tythes under his feet, with this infeip upon it, ORD. for TYTHES.
C a *\ '5 And
jifrefb difccFVery of -Prodigious
And page *r this explanation of it; nothing appearcth but a Ball'toffing Sif € Johnnpwi his homes, find Chiming the blcflcd Ordinance for tythes under his 'cloven icet; O PROPANE MARTIN! O wicked MARTIN! O facrile*u " ons MARTIN ! O blifphcmoai MARTIN ! what ? totfe a Presfyert and pro- ■ phanc the holy Ordnance for tyth;s f MARTIN'S not abencftVd man, that's in- fallible divinity ; wherefore being tim* jecr'd and b»l'd, we Decree and Or- • dainc- &c.
Page 7. 8. 10. the fubtill tell-ulemuft be taken, elfe all's mart' d ; both Parlia- ment and people wiil underftand our deceit, and then Sir John may goe whittle for his tythes, if the people oace anderliand their ownc right : and that the exatti- en of tythes Is MEERE THEFT and ROBBERY : thcjle have the wa (if they be wile; to keep their owne ; ceafc hiring ns to cheat and delude them to their faces, and we iliall be laid kvell with the mechanick- illiterate Laicks : a wicked- nelFe not to be mentioned in the Church of God. Page 10. 1 1 . Elie how mould we hav? got in our Tythei, though now, God be thanked and the Parliament, we feave an Ordinance tor it": In cafe Martin runne, p oil* or gore at tht Ordi ancefor tythes with the right home, at the Directory with the left home, let all the trained lands in the Kingdome be fpeedily raifed to confute him, thu we may fophirtical- \j conclude our Pre&byterian premiies, with take htm Coaler.
Martyns Eccho proceeds in the like dialed, page 3.4. 14. (s divine pillage, graceful! children! J if he had considered your pious providence to make furc the ordinance for tythes, before you could be infpired with the Dtrctlory, he would firft have had his 400. J. par Annum, with the Dcane of Pants houfe confirmed by the Ordinance of Parliament upon him during hisnaturall life, like as our Bro* cher Barges hath (gfuper-Eftfctpall IndHtlion.&Q.) If Sit John Synod mail re- nounce the Ordinance of tythes, be content with the good will of the vulgar, &c. then Martjn will ceafe libelling agtinft him:In the mean time yon are to provide that order may be taken, that the fupervifers make diligent fearch and enquiry after all conventicles and private meetings, Sec. for they are very dangerous and dc- fku&ive to your proceedings-, for truly their praflice £nd obedience to Chrift will make your Law and Goffel^om Ord.fer tythes, and your Directory. ikt two great cotxmaxtUatentj, the fulfilling of the Law, and the prophets, your Fathers, of none effect.
M^ny fueh paiTagcs I find againft the Ordinance for tythes ; the very defigne of thefe libellous and feditioos Sectaries being to incite the people to with-hold all Tythes and maintainance from their Mini iiers,and lb to fubvertthe Miniftemthac ecne but their illiterate Tub- preachers may inftruft mens fouls ; and this (I fearc) brings many Minifters into aue-Hion as fcandahsts and malignant; who might e y delert their Tythes, and renounce their minificry
i;_ topleafe ;t«srtes»
Thirdly, I Trial! recite force of their contumelious, libellous InvecYivea againft !t the Old >f both Houfcsof the ?6\of April: That no perfon orpeifons be pr-
Uttted to preach that is not or dune d a Minister.
The factious, libellous pamphlet intituled. A [acred [ynodt call Decretal % or line &. . m SirSiraon Synod./or the aptrzhcndixg of Marty nMar-prieft: ■
(the
New-W&ndring-kLxyfig-Sti\r$^ and Fitt-b?
(the Qjuntcflence of fcurriiity, biafphemy ind feditfon) writes thui; pag. 5. Yea hec'i hoc ftiek to tell the people, that the inhatfing W ingroffmg hf Inters pret*;tons\ Preachings aid Difiip/me into oht otvne handf, t<r a mecre Mmo^oly of the fpjntJn&tk then the Monopoly offoape, &c. and that tkc NEW ORDI- NANCE of the 16. o/AprilithlC nofrfoHotferfon) be -permitted to preachrl at is not or defied 4 Minifter, &c. is bat a Patent of the Spirit, to get the whole r rack in- • to their ownc h*nds; and forob the people with/whit Ware, and of what price wz plcafc, thereby onely to advance and enrich themfclvcs, impcverifh and delodd them, look in their faces and pick their packet s, : If preaching fhouldnot be re- d«c'd and confined in the ancient bounds of the Clf ?gy, the Meisbantck} would OHt-ftrip (he Scbolafliekl in teachingand * knowledge would fo encretfc and mui- j-rc r tip'y amoug the common- people, and preaching grow fo common with thcm,that we fhoold grow out <rf efteem, and all things that are good an j dainty depart from »«**« • us ) therefore it wa*wif«ly prevented in time.
Pag. 17. ^r/j* will tell the people, that we (Sir S'mohSjnod) FORGED THE NEW ORDINANCE (tb# none mayyreach that u not ordained Mi. fier, on pnrpoic to make the Scftaries fly before ut (to ufc the Doftors phrafe) itke lightmng before the tfotpdet. Their preaching in the Army is very deftna&ivc to'our Cloth ; therefore the Ordinance was wifely commended to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax to be executed there, which occasioned a pretty tfory betwixt in Enoliflh-maa and one of Jemmy s ©wne Countrymen : quoth the Seotck-mdni Man.is it fit that Colonell CromweU Sowldiers mould preach in their Quarters, to' take away themimftcriall fen&ion out of the Minifters hands ? Why man (quoth the English man) doe they lb ? quoth the Scorch -man, I lay man it is a common' thin* amongft them ; truly iaith the Englim-man , I remember they made a gallant Sermon at Mar/ton* Moore neer ?V^ (where they were Infirnmentsto f this Kingdome) but your Country.men were in Inch a fright, they durft not ihy to heare them: MARTIN prayes {notnuthfi anting the Ordinance) they may make many ftaeh Sermons, for that was one of the belt Sermons that hath been preached in the Kingdome fince oar troubles began.
Pag. 21. Indeed Sir Johns gummes oeing lately rarVd with a Parliament Corall (the laic Ordinance that none may preach that is not ordained 4 Mtmflcr)\i mad to pat his boarifti tuskes, his huge great tron fangs in execution ; to devoar, rend, teareand cnrli thefc H^reticks. And therefore we wifely confulted among our felvesofa COMMITTED OF EXAMINATIONS tobechofcnoucofwi. Ic nmft not be eftcemed a Court of Inqmfitusnjskw:* Popery : nor a renovation of the High-commtffuntbtC* Antic hip/an; oncly an inlet to athorow Reformation* ■ that's a godly nime, and may doc much good, &c.
How coacemptoonfly they have oppofed this very Ordinance in their pra&ifc, fending our their BroilTiricf, Capta;nes and Souidicrs every where to preach in corners, and giving tickus of the time and place of their conventicles (fome of thcrn boding oftoorkjvg mtracle r , and cafting dcvtls cut of men foffeffsd by their cxerctfmes as the Jcfuks $nd Papifti doe) is fo experimentally knowne to all> a?xi proved before the 'ommttetoj */, ia the cafe of Captaine (newly) '
J&o&fon, a Taylor, an4 his confederate Lsy-prcachers, who lately cxcrcifci-
C 3 th:ir
15 * jifrejb difcovsry of Prodigious
their new mimfterial function nttiNeuport Prf/W,railirig agaisjft oar Chureh,MI- niitery and children* baprifmc, chat ic needs rather Reformation by, then I»form matton to the higher powers.
I (hall clofe this Seflion with Come general! paffages, affronting and jeerin^ all Ordinances ol Parliament in direct termes.
The new moft ledtcious Ltbctl, called Martyns Eccho, pablifhed the laft week ftiles Ordinances of Parliament TO YES : pagcu. Yoa moft be care foil thac your V-jareftmy and ail other yout Ecclefiaftical uiSlsy be with great fanility and reverence ador'd amongft the people, or elfc your eftcem will goe downe ; and this cannot be done without fome (cMzzzLawes^rdinances and the like to that end, which yon mutt put the Parliament upon 5 you know yout power and influence up^ on them, tbey'legratifie yon with SVCH TOYES;&c*
The lace fedkioas pamphlet, ftilcd A fared Decretal '1% yet more vile ; pa*.^1 4. O ye eladicail Clerks and Sextons of the three Kingdom**, demoiifh and puli do?rne all the Marty m ncfts from your Church- wals and decplcs, and have rfpi- rituall care (as you will anfwer the contempt of the new ordinance) that hereafter no birds build, chatter, doe their budneiTe, or fing there, but Church- owlcs, Jack- dawes, otherwife called Sir Johns, blind Bats, Presbyterian woodcockj7 and the like : O ye two Houlcs or Parliament, make another Ordinance to make all the MARTINS flye the three Kingdomes the next midfoaimer with Cuckowes and S??ai!owes, that we may have a blew-cap Reformation aoocng Bats, Owles, Jack* dawes and Woodcocks (and then blew-cap for us.)
I could fumifh you with more fuch Independent ftu#e, but I am loth to defile more paper with this tnfimal language of railing Rabfhaketis ; and (hall here ap- peale to every ingenuous mans conicience, whether he can with any ftiadow of reafon or charity beleeve, that this froward. libellous generation of Independent $p)*tzJohn Sectaries, who thes publikely libcll, inveigh and oppofe themfelves againftthc nst ^ jarifdicVion, Ordinances and proceedings of Parliament, are the mod (p) holy, re- -l™e ligiow^ettfcientioiti 'Jbeft affetted party $ the moft prectom Saints and generation of ; ' l \ Gods dear eft ones; the Parliaments be ft and faithfnlleft friends whs have to their Htm r? moft power .and divers of them beyond their abt lity, fufported & ventured their lives in the Par [laments cat ft and fer vice • doing them more reatt and fait bf nil fcrvice teFa-lf- then any other generation of men in England, and the onely Vindicators of . , .. the Parliaments Pnvil edges and Subjects Liberties again jt presl iter tan andfyno* ';'i l die al u ftr pat ions ^ (as they boift in every one ofthefe their Libels agiisft the Parli- ament and Its proceedings;) Or whether they are not in truth thofe ( $) dejptftrs of • P^' ^ovemment^hoic evtllfheakcrs again ft dignities, thofe refislers of the higher pow~ p z Vrs, prophecied of the lad times; who have forgotten Saint Paul's Canon, Rom. 1 5. I . Let every foule be febjeft to the higher powers. &c. and Tit. 3, Put them 13.^3. in mind to be fubjeti to privcip.ijities and powers, to oKey Magiftrates, &©. Y«?,*hc mod defperatcunparaileifdj publike contenders, affronters denders of the Parlia- ment power. Ordinances, proceedings that ever breathed in oar Engliffe Climate: \. 0 Under the pretext. mme'aadaoloUBQf the wcLajfefled, faith full, godly party, and floured Champions for the Parliament , endeavour by degrees to advance thcmicivcs (by policy and the Sword) above it, and trample its authority (as they
dee
io.
Ntv-v/andring-lUifir^-Star^ and Fire-brands. i ^
doc the Ordinance for Tythes, and others) in the very Front of their facred De- cretal, muter their cloven feet. Doubclefle they can never fight cordially for the Parliament md it* proceedings (bat onely for their owne delTgriej and intcreils) who lb** fcdiciouHy* concemptnonfly fpeak> write, print agiinft them; and if their infolencietagainMic parliament, Synod, Magiftrates,be already gfcbwne fo intolerablcwhilcs their faction is yet bat in thtbirthjhow tratifcendently arog*nc aad contumelious will they prove wfrcn they have aeerca;hed greater power, both in our Armies and Conncels ? God give our fapreame conncell^ hearts, totf- dowoe, zeale and fervency ferioufly to fupprefle and pnnim thef* Epidemicall growing mfolenctes in due time, for kite they become matter lefe>remedi/efe iu the end ; elfe thefe Analaffsiltcal fe£taries, chefc Germane opinions and pra- dlifts will(Ifeare) ibdainly involve us in rhc Germane, AnabaftifiUall dt~ JlraZltons, infolenciesy warres and deflations , recorded by Sleidan and ethers, for En* lands admonition.
Section III.
Vtntamingfcandalout^ [editions^ fcurrilous paffages againfl the Nation naU Vow and Covenant, prefer ibed by Parliament.
THis National Vow And covenant was deemed at firft the onely probable means under God to unite our three Kicgdomes and the protcftant party of all forts together in a rautoall, brotherly, inviolable League a°ain(t the common ene- mies of our Religion, parliament, Lawes and Liberties ? It was therefore waiver- fally prefenbed to the Members of both Houfes, the Aflembly of Divines, Law- yer! of all forts, the Officers aad Souldiers in the Army, a«d to the Ministers and people ofali conditions under the parliaments power in all our three Dominion?, being refafed, oppagncd at firft apparently by none but papifts, Royaliits or Ma- lignants : ^nd the Honfes were fo impartial! in the prefcription of it, that fuch Members of the Lords or Commons Houfe, who did but fcruple the taking of ir, were fufpended the Honfes till they did conforme. But now of larc, a genera, tion of Independent Sectaries, conceiving this Covenant to thwart their licca- tiow>fciifmaticall whiaafey»,noc onely generally refufe to take ir, and plead a fpe- clall priviiedgc and exemption from ic (as if they were more pr»viledgcd pcrfons then any Peeres, Commons or Subjects whatfoever, and mutt be left at large to doc watt they lift, when all others are obliged, (and wh*"eh is ftrange to me and others, fome Independent, Mimfters,) if not Members of Parliament who have taken ic themfelves, and enjoyned it to others, have yet adventured to plead for an exemption of this rmer refractory party from ir,which much encoursgeth them in •heir obrtinace refufali of ir, and hath fo animated this icdiuous,la ffJcffe generati- on, tha: they have lardy in print, no: onely oppugned, but derided, libelled a^ainlt 'his faerrd Covenant (which we hive ail mo't folemnly in Gods pretence fworne, and under oar hands fubferibed to ma'tntasne to the utmifl of our power, Tvna rfnh thi hazard of oar lives and fortunes), whic.i, I befcech you, let u* ali
n^v
I 6 Ajrefy d/fcovery of Prodigious
now mott chcarfolly, really obferve, by proceeding againft the contemner* in* fringcri of it, or elfe for ever as readily, as iblcmnly renounce it, to our eternal! infamy, at we at firit cheai. fully fubferibed to it.
I (hall begin with %obn L :Uohy ■;-,:$ Letter : pag. 6. 7. It m4j be w ft cad of fa* tufymgmy deprc> ysn will run and compile to t,>e Parliavie. it, wA pre ffe them with their Covenant, to take vengeance upon me. If yon dor, I weigh it mt ; for I bleffe God I am fitted to doe or fajfir whatfoeve* the Parliament fhaH iwpofi Hpon me ; hut if pu doc% take theft two along w:th yon : if yea put them m mind of the'r Covenant, :eH them, 1 thmkjthey baveJWorne to root out all Pozery, but yet have eliahlifhed Tythes, the very rest andfuzport of Popery, which / humbly conceive a a contradiction to their Covenant Sec. A bold cenfure and icandall.
The Arraignment of perpcuttonfhm trr.daectb and jeers the reverend A 'ffembly ofDiz'tnesznd Covenant together : page 3? -34. Perfection, Is thy name perfect Reformation? Pcrfr.Yzs ray hoti: Judge. Who gave you t hi* name?/. £**/**, His God-fathers &God-mothcis inhisBiptifmcwherin he w*s made aMemberof the Aficmbly, and an inheritor of the Kingdome of Amiehrift. Jftdgt, Who are your God- fathers and God.rnotheri? P*r/!MyLtfrd,Miftc* Eccltfiafttcak p*premacy,vb(L Mafter See. ch- government are my God fathers ; Mifhris %****. ambition, and Mi- ftfis Church, revenue arc my God-mot hes, 2nd I was ifcrinkled into the Affembly of Divines at the taking of the hte SOLEMNE LEAGVE AND COVE- NANT. 3**dg. Tis Grange that at the making of rhelate plemne League and C^^^^blood-thirftyperfccarion (houldbc anabaprized prefent Reformation : then HERES A DESIGNE OF BLOOD IN THE COVENANT, if un- der the name of Reformation the Clerpy havcinfufed the tray*erous, blood-thir- fty fpiritof pcriecudon inro it. J. Unmam My Lord, there" wSTnever any Nati- onal! or prcvinciall Synod but ftrengthncd the hand of perfection, and that endec the vizor of Religion, J. Reafont As foon as thefe underling Divines are from tin* dcr their Eptfcopall Tdikmafierty and beginning to encroach upon your Lordfhips power, they prcfentiy rake this notorious, bloody traytor perfeftttnA , ftript by yourLordnYip of fait Htgb.comimjfion habit* and est of their zeale dreflc him in a. divine Pynodicx'i.'Garbe y snd change name from perfection, and ehriftcn him Preformation, Co to engage your Lord fhip and the Kingdome of £«f/,W and 'Scotland in blood, to fettle and eftiblifli bloody ferfeemtf* BY COVENANT, over the Consciences of honcft and faith f»ll men to the State, under the fpecious atdl godly pretence of Rcformtticn : page 39. By the late SOLEMNE LEAGVE and CO VENI AS* I\ good Lord deliver us.
Ti.e far-'fcl Decretal runnes in the fame ftraine : pagen. rp. When we had inJ trodne'd the i irf the holy League,nc (o joyned thefr hands in the Syrodian
bands of Presbytery .that their Leaguecould nnt be invioJitfctheif COVENANT (the bed of their contra &) undefiled if onr presbiiry were ret concluded. Martjn , wili ceil the; people, that we contrive Oaths and COVENANTS meerly to en- fnarc and catch the people in our wiles j make rhem earry a free of Reformation according 10 the Word of God, and thereby betray their innocent fubfeription to qit presbvterianconftru^ion.
n L ./bourne in the unUcenfcd printed Reafons »f ' fending* bit Letter ; 015:4.
compl.v.
Na*.&*xA - % *** W-<****.
cotmltiactagainft <* ^°,VEN ^N \ WT ft Trufl}
Jefmnh tender t » *efe were n*»(Ht do*b:},>U:* m
NemraU md *<* - ' " - : */7#IW **F*ti»*'i tm f>'om °fc
*$'*ftr»jt,*d!*tik$<mrT<>)ments:> _
Y t moftbf our lccurici and Tr. jcpcn knti (tn nwmcatidn of Ac r^WtarjJ bavecntred imbi4*i-"w & thii-SOLEMNE COVENANT* in tbek
private Congregation!, r* ir^wJ and maintain* their amnt Indefi [evern-
mem even ublwd to. whatever forme of" gofcnKncnt ; b!i&; ?hc rerj extremity and height of ndftriitioft, i* «* ©f profeftd
. atbnttoviliifie trainee
^ c is SOLEMN GOVEN AN ad
mtbtrhave mtheArnryw a»ct)mll prefoH^ lh«r •CffChircfe-
COVv foyie, a* r,o^ they do*
. tew and th* Sacrajnents, iridic are will 66- mic usto chcru.
Seaion IV.
t feditii§uS^1iMleuS^raili^g ajidtUtfhe* tnous inVtSivu agaiafl the Ajfemtly tf Divines ^ the fttfryterian Members §fit9 And their proceedings, though fummened, nominal e.'y continued and directed in all things by Ordinances of both Houfes of Parliament,
B Store this Afiembly met fey Order of bothHoafes, or ha-j gnren Smlnnucn vhat kind of Ecclefialikall Government they intended to fix upon, our Inde- pendent fc&ariei not only petitioned Tor inch an ArTcmbly to be called, bet made mc*nes that as many of their party as poifible might be cle&e-i Membcrapf it. Bar t?Hcn at lafttheydifcerncd the Aflembly and Parliament ro dif-afceft their a JOtrolons, afeihrd Independent wajti% having no foondation in Dtvtntty nor Poli- cy., and tending to niter eonfoiion in Church, State ; and thereupon to incline to a PretVireriall government , embraced by ail rearmed Chorches in tht Chril I world ; inon this they prefentiy begin to declaims a&ainft [he A(Tt«nbly and their proceedings In private, an \ toon after to KbeH againft them in pdblike mtb I
BDciviUiapprobricus, Billingsgate* ermci, as (I ameonfi dent) no Oxm ford a* ' :tyric*:i ' 3 paraleH>their very tqognesand p<*fs,
beint denh/efe (r)fet tn fire officii : KM no: contented her? < cy lately r
COmpirt x ro exhibit i petition ro the Parliament, for frefent a.
the A f;*ih and fending th m benee to country cures (to prevent the fating of znj Chnrdj wvernment , ) co nrhifch end. they met at die Windmil Faveroe, whtre
Lie i J fate in
e and M - feggfftcd the advice, ivhiefa rem accords
inferred into the Petition ; bat the Qomoen cexnfeli-mui (unc . the 3e-
D i *ej
j 3 Afr&> dtfc&r#ry afProdigiems
?} sfhcn the Petition cainc te their hands,moi* difercedy left ca: that reqseft, t* tcditioas andiaijn'l; which yet the libellous Anchor of Martini Ecch^ page i y. bath (iace in wKb renewed is thefe fcandalo&s ter rcu-s.
< yoa [,r v i jj3 nCere a* you can made a third party, in labouring by your Jefei-
rtic*Nituch bbtttty* to divide the Parliament, contrary to the traft repo*
! ie godly party, who have afilfted them with their e&jtes and
■ • . e their firichrell friends of their juft defervings, their par-
* chafed " - ^!d they doe, they would be branded it infamous to
ithfalLuBgtatefulL&c. at mtLerafhero, I hope better of the rri
iavi lion Ajfemkij/ mr* b&t taken frcm tle» andfent to the*
j
fort they have libelled agsinft them, hath partly appeared in other So
C yan a more parricnlar recount thereof in this.
h that Kioft inf&anoni. (editions, railing Libell, iwitnlcd > Tht
ptrfeCHtien, the whole feope whereof ag jl is thus
bOi ie ?cry Title page. The £r lent of 1; ;ati*
leHonfeofG . : .' the profecutioh wl t%oi his Defendanti, '
l)B^A -ted
-\bvrcv onngSpai thi
<>J • > - tedby i$! ' ^n-
'fcly ofD^viseMbr !Barrod^tc^)15ats^**p: tefi and freTto be fold at his fhopiii
1 Tokr&ioa- focct, at the (igae of the fab ..c^s liberty, right o; pofice to Perfeeatt-
< on court \6*<%.
Tht i indj^lffleDedicatorytOthe Affembly before it. are altaL
■^qfjudiftfaf »hole book, againitihcA sndics Members \ I
■!if£ ef crocking, f t f.A reverend
•vuh a iophfitieai] b:eec-;c*. faving your pre fence i*
i frisking Presblteri, Synodi'an Cormorant
- - S/W, called tht Afcmblj cfDi-
cchesbiood tbirfty Cartle-, this great r^evbellicd idoll
\ *i,Arcb-Jduiucall traytorsjthe Jefniticall end trai-
;i legibly Podocij Confiftory of devils, t&i
. eft, Independent Epithitc* which this libei-
Seeneithu ianibk(pneait«ifpefehesaga\Bft
d end bis charity wiflveth to them , did b) tht hr.y Ghtfhfent
iah)tbtk9ljGh*fhfemin*ctfa-bAggrfrpm$eQ£- OMMctlUfTtaxti Beaafe the Affembly haw 3 uisnriiaw^forthePjrcAiperatogoeonfoot: j»j
>;0tt)i*tb*U f
- • iat£hi«&lSoqr> whofe name Sir S^»6»mh .: bad (facftReJc »
rash
iter as £«<*** -Mwtf'j Clergy, their itfornauoa, mw!c , c ia fin
snifacnot»
JnJ^Oh infaff*raSie Atembly! I ftt/fcu tegaom foe a (fate jo pia cbcii fefeb ipc^AtfltartoftheC^ijr^ _ . .
J.Redfif/. FttiUiCr mjL*rd% whereas orben are i»pOTCn<>
ieftatet,et^eafidtooicilKK!^^ rati*
^cedbyu,^^^'^^^^81^^110-1 .'«WlrtfiMtIi«§fccdygut* roofothy i «»3bcarrkdtoi^4r<r, heap ap if eaJth to thctnfelre* aod give &oraf ' tvhilc otheri (j gamft whom :hcy exclaicae) fcaare rod expend ait; yea n*y L
. thj, ,r^f gtreMlj ldol> tailed the Af'***lf *f divin$sn i»notaQurned in this < t!«wofHrc.ncceiiity, to gallop and devoortrorc at ens meale, then wcali »kc j fcaft fot £W ^ w Dr^ff w : for bs£dcs ill their /V ft fbffooth
tm?
«beft trade to England; z\\ i tree; pooreiaeotfiatbiYet*
« bread to ftill the cry of tl ;;;* cither pay and goc in per fen to the '
<Y3*H . ethefedevoo VlMtrs live at cafe* feed o&cfaimiei>nc .
• gwehewfeives^bat^r^^r^^rv^^:^/, keiiatafe
•ofconxicree to give ill, bat wife rn^n they're ^iy-o: -one :I •andms : that have loft their limbs and begge m fttct ij
• let nomen that have loft heir Hmbands, let parent? that haK loft reu, « let children that have loft their parent*, and Jet all that have or. ha c&nri band for thepoblikeCaufeconlider this, and be n
«aad Jaded by Clergy tmftero ; totaeWcthedeviilhis :o their
• commendation* 1 have obferved, that they are fo z.ea)onfyflj&^ed ?mh the • ■ ftosr of their Cloth, tblt ' ry to difrobe tbcrh c
cbc!edtaatfrirgnom^?#«/«/'r to Algats '^Br •"-■«•
' *#<£?/ <? ■ T' : scd my Lord, though feme thinke they wt
State more good m to&bem* jacks? * and Mvtockfs, then in /<m£ r/ra : f0cif.fi yvt my think they reonld doe the A*r<? fafrr ftrvtse with theii r gtrdUt, were the knot tysd tv the right yhice.
page $6. $7. Primacy, Mtvr*f4'Ut*nifmiifreUcj&<z, are (hnmk into tbepratj- te?y, and c nmijfivn tarned into an jiffembly *f D»'r<«/,
Kv Lord, they hate f^f even till they have racne mad, ycrs might doe vrd! to tdjoarne; them to BdA«* ; Tor my Lord, they are raging mad & have the is&o- ©*»«• oabapifts.Broiiniftf* Independent! &c.
My L«r4 they have ©Ver-ftadied themfelves &: even wackei their wftsto £s4 ontaPvt .' ore men they have beene mightii- rabotttitv k
hath co'l tnem the eon'i*wipcio«.i of many a rat pif, chickfn%c*fon, Hz, the infa of m^iy ^ c^ offtcit to bring it to birth, and after fiich ielorimpMfigs a»db |^Bbleffbral<noftthe\etwoye«rfj who wonld hare thought they would be - Vtr< wfminti called a Prcjfytgr; f&tttrmnt mottityiLifci.
ridtwto jm#f* Aadao^r tajLptd^ ifttr thii *n*tA*iw &Uv<rj> tbey ire at
D 3 their
2 o <A fr*J* difc&vcry e^P rodigicui
y ur inaff- ^5** *"K* enc*' ^na* drefing to put it cert in; ill the Taylor nn the Kisgdoft^c
arc aot able to conrenc them, what to doc tbey know nor, and cow the mattei'i
s be like ff orfc thee ever it w« ; they had thought to have fhewne the world it id the god-
°j n'ho \y (ha pc of Reformation, bat npon cxi una? ion, Vis rb*nd to be Perfection; a
•^aSncid* ^cvcnc- there it no way now bttBdlamVoroarD>etors, it may chance' to
ebaftife them into their wit-i againe* and i hen opon thrir lecsad ihtwghti, it may
o- be, chey'lc bethink thcnflfelTO to pot a bU* bonnet wpfaft, asd then zc will paiTc
ti rrs what go. from England tC Scotlend> l£&$coiU>id to England tgilBC without qocftioB Ot
\ , console.
Pagv 93. Gooi my Lord have mrrcy npon inr ; I befeech yoar horoar even for - the Qlefgy f*k$ hive mercy Bpoa not; confidcr my Lord, that ia my death is their p.culd tok. relae, it wi 1 »c the grcitcft inroad npon the Divtacs of ChrirtcBdomca that ever was made : Oh !
/ befteeb y*H my Lori, by the Myft*~y of ;. heir h&'y Qonvo'auon, hj thzir agony and bi.tdyfae.-t, by their crojf* and pijfiv/i, at my jh^votefoili affriachtng it alb and \ burial Good Lord deliver mc
By tbetrglot # w refnrre&ton and ajfintion frem the fnlpH ia%v* the State • by the csmmirg of the holy Gboft to them t» a cloak? bag from Scotiandj G-:njd L ri deliver mc.
By the late fbJeniwc Eeagttt and Covenant ; by the 40% snd >o= 1. fer the Copy of their Dire^oiy, bectfiJc they coald get no more, by ail the fat Benefices *nd goodly revenue* or the Glirgy . Good Lord deliver me.
Page 43, 44. It i§ che f< ncc ice 0*1 his Ooarr concerning Sir $*«?#* and Sir Ubn pr//^;ffr, who have thnsJef»kieailyc«leavoitrcd to pervert the Tttftci o: tint Co«rt,TliK Sir Simsnbccotnmvaidelafe yrtfotm ia KutgHcmf ws etgfas ebafr
Saimxaftht mtjt hgbjxhtttvritbtattobtarrmgaod with the reft or his holy *T'ribc whether tniperfaf, nail ■ • icUlar.ctufiftortalco^ftltarSyaoibi lihariiieverbcfcrchM Highntftti* Ki I ^%,*ftti%*M \ mdroy
jo:i u toketphliH.l ift&taa&ioo, J befcech pom Ho now
2 fallrefolnrioairjothelcenfmngQiieriea, u Whether ic j tct to I he fbfp&J /'*<"7 ftUl to b 1 Epifi*
fti t gitcn Wtt CO Vufbytatym crsefy} W betiaer Saint P«rrrj
r^4j'r/ d ccome a ?reshyter> at well at a Mi[hoi > Sec.
DOme.thtrt t/i befaft bound Ifitb • Jjt
'„; ,:, • if .-.:'«i,tmi.lthcanpeari«^o^thar great and terribiejn
1 cakctbc€tiif«,wiASir&tmotia Sir
Sietwd
i ife ?:opr*t arc, tnce to be tfrmc:.
N fih>fV0fodrt?!f-l4*fipg-8tAf$) 4MQ Fi>t-br*hck
Here is the fadependemj iissoropanbiccnaricy to tha Af}embly} I r j -•;:;/•; ^W *£*;>- Adherents, to adjudge thcna thus to etcmall tornocssts in ijtk* fiery L*ike£ fai theirA/Vw- £jg£fj originally fprnngap tlTnccnidxntmorcc-ari^jobntry . aadaubte -;:ly be extingmfhid m this^r; region which they allot to dthmrtnt of chc Invcdivrs againftthe Afputb/y and Presbytery in this , < / . , w/wf,I dud! paffe b> in iileoec and proceed co feme xreQiel fcarrilitei ofcha kind. I find mother cnoft fettrrlow Lifel! igiinftthe Aflembly and their proceeding* thai intiwled ; A facrcd Dccrctall, op Hue aniC,ryjr»u$bi$ (upcrlativx Hofintffe Sir Simon Synod, |*r the dpprebenfien *f reverend pung qpartin 9a:<$;tefj ; ' irfaertintredilblfyed *uny witty fynodsaucencetts, both pleafiffi and commo- dtoni ; printed by Martin folate- Clergy, printer to r tnd Affemb/v ofDi*
*vines% ibr Barthelme* Bang Prieft, ind arc ro be fold t: his fhnp in Teleraiien. ftrett) it tbeiigncof the JkbjeUi [Liberty right OppO&C to Perfe cut ion. Court: and ic conclodes thttij Given at crarCtisr/ ofi.qwf.ioK in KingRcnrj thefiventbi CJja?pil]mc6> \6tf*
v?u l; am i wt fe, p relocate r ,
Cornelius Surges Mlcflbr. VJHyfield) "**r
UhnfVbitiy Mftflbr. /*>«. *»*»r**g£ J bnDC?*
This Libel! bi uig» in the ^/**#?,blafpheman(ly ibnfing the facred Scriprure Ntmes of Gad (as £/, £&rtw, /*/?, r&W, Ado***-, &C>} it? SynodtcaU Convocation, eUjfi .a&and PresbiteriaA Exorafmes: & pag.^.Gives the Aifttubly and Presbyters thefe nrsoft icarn'ore, railing BpithjtCJ ; chfficatl Sorc-ptgges. divide, whire.faced Bvtt- calves ; fresbytertan Tnrkej.c*ckj, bidding them advance their learned Covroisfo, &c. Cbwrcb-weUsy Jack: Javes, blwdBats, Presbyterian tVcod-csckjs, Vralrpsr'ui* Hangmen, iruei executioners \ terrible tormenttrsifynodtanCaxibahy tbe rave tout tribe punched mm?r cm head*d Hydra of Divines : The holy ravenous Order of Sjon Jefut. , * I ■' lute Jefvttes, tmely a Utile werfe : It begins thfcs, J?age I. We the Parliament tf Div>ntf oc»^ ArRmbly in holy Cenvocatron at WeTtmm- fe*9 ukpg imo our grtve kartscdand ptooteonlideractooj all cht goodly fat Be tsefijr* of the King dome, the fltvereod eftitaadoOj honooc and ftprenucy dec cc- to the Clergy, znd out of a godly otrc and pious proviicocc as besomtneth Dl- VflKt, for oar owae gotti having nfed all fubtiky asd policy we in oar divine wif- doraacs cottld devi &t ro f4ke a goodly eoffeflion ot the dearly beloved glorioas in. htrtttnee ofoor Fathcri the late Lord BiJhopJ... their divine fop?-wac*»thcir i^ecx, tbexr frholfo-^se aod *>«ui/Ving revenaei.. their dearc, delicite, tooch&tte tytheii v*r} Cn^sxniXmM «»J pjeaitt roa divine piJUfe : After ttbieh tc ealsthcm Tbe pniffart A fern blj pf r>ivmes( Lords Varjimeunz ever CJmrch and State) tn ^arlttu went Afemklciat Wt&mm9ttyd*+tu* Mcrcbants&x. Avers p. sg. Tnat the Or- der. JeCutts tm be o >vn cDl ^cxpt?t to thcOrder of presbyters tor equtvecatfm,mend tM&rtfervmioni d m 9fpatke*>C9ve***tts£cc*CbargCth theAlfaftbly,p.c».
For dealm* trafpi ly witb the parliament a?d cheating tbe State, Adding this tuoft fca&da. cmt, Bed ■ * e < trea • gas or y ro the Parliaitienu Irir.our .
As the way -. : upon a rock^ie unknowable ft have o»r circawventums,***
' contrtvavws beeue ever tnvikbUt mfen/i&Ie te rhcuMi ana ft * aiua!ly>- have inttfd them with tbs batt of Religion* aid caught them wit : a fyuoAaa hooke ; ^' Md9m tic League aad Qoverumt* *b*
D 3 Caujk
jffrtfb difefv&y tfPndfjritus
Ca*fc *f G*d, dtid the lik$y t$the Untgdem** And & length yh--- . > ■ rafftd
the
and Pariu-' bat the Aifcmbly of Divines in the Mjjferf, as QpZXtin mfcly hinted in his t\. ■*nc« ccaic before thebook* of the Arraignment « for we arc become the nbole di«
re&iveand cnereive poorer both in Chnrth and Sute, a fxpremacj dae cmo ej, as well as io the Paps ; and thocgh ??c gin them (as men doe babies to children) cbccirle©i*m3kiiigMK5pad|iflgcf Lams*, to p'ctfe them, yet svirh fechd ftioBJ and limitations (to {peak this under the Rofc) tbic we iarct^ i& onr fc 1 y e^ tbat which we give nt&o them, e?es si oar Brethren of the fcciety of /#/* dee concerning hii HeUneffe the Pa/t, in the infallibility anji temporal! power: dtis honour and privilcdge was of diving right given, and anciently enjoyed by car reverend Fathers the Bifbops • feed why Inoald not we bs heires onto ir. b^ r legitimate lineall defcem ? AH Lawes, Statutes aadOt con-
cerning Church a&d Sure, were Decreed* Ordi hytbel
** and for
As alt other wicked men* lb tbefefeditioits Libellers grow woffeand worfej their aext moft fedittdni Libel! ag&inrt rheAflcmbly and Parliament! proceedires being intltnltd* Mart in r Etche, or <* Rtrngnftr* *Jfe reverend
y*ng ©hit iil fym^lidU rtiffinfory te the fat fared fyntditeil D* retat* tx All humility prsfented t§ the reverend, fttus andgrxve tin/*. f the rifht rext*
rend Ftthtr im G§dt the HmverftllRtfof efePff fifths fit* fufirlttive Hehaeffe Str (OH.
WhwtlthiiHoIifieffiercve oong t^srtin.^Mr^iiett - Isto his
agaiwt tnc poor bairns or me tnoit nign <a oo>tncir mormnate.intetisDle cave
ton&efle after the3 fat things of the Land) their nnjarailcrd bypocri(te> their pla»-
ttblejsrctencei.tliekiUeomprehenrible policy, craft and tobtiicy ^ their erasing
infenfible encroachments npon the! priviiedge* erf Parliament, tnc jnft liberties of
tad tVeedome of ihc people ; their inchanting delnfions where with they bewitch
both Parliament and multitude, the ctnell thraldomc, iahomtne (livery , infnffe-
rabie bondage they wonld reforms ns and out Children unto from generation to
>rs; their powetfell endeavours to make the Parliament betray their truft,
ktheirOithes,p«!ldowneol4Conrrsof tyranny and oppreffion, to fct mp
5 free ai from EpifeoptU p?rfecmion,to devoor m with p^sbyteriftn ctit^y ;
convey t :: pontifical Bfiarpajiaa o? theCie rgy, ^
KX iftz t - - {wtv'iibftt*lt*& th$ expense ofenr eftjtet
rmne
&t &&-??&& itw-U *''??- $:+'!* *nd FfTi~irt o » o
#f a*r ftMihes, efifnA c " <-*r ,v/ • f* th*m) may live la th
mthoBtrfithiufdofimpti " .^'*:-
except *chs presbiteriao : :> - hex thii gi ot high coocermncnc, re-
_iy as« ioiainiy .
.oacoV fiaccrity to Godi u&Barari L ioi si^ohiidiftrcffcd Country, » ifillUigly became Gcxvaac to yonr I c ftolmcfic ■ 10 etft ye a
tbis yoa: toyi&nt cimeof C
meal fbpremacy & as mash es io bun lyettvo ricdicate the prinlec: m^sc, oar birt! • ighes tad native frszoowc 'ion your c. may have the more cime cc • p* 5 exceed y oar pafieha crtm yofcr belli* s,
kqnuKitiiagainftfci fog* in hitTrcaiifc; I hope yen
jriildcalebe* - * ■ lelifuhm
ih : Btfrj might have cooiide-
fct^ . ojt. jrhom formerly yon received the
holy G Wii ind itcrt fjtft p«c into a a-
or' Lordfn£ U, uyoqaotfd tbc people; wbom, iikcpcgracioav
ftaading their gr?ce a . : x bbmtaoca aipongft yoa. [O &?/»* &£. . t.'Yv:. ;e yoqrs) might appears immaculate and
aod demonftmci teallper-
f*ns E-r;.':'?a~ vr difttngUifbed, whether
Ar? anU'jj *" infetiexr f nfle-feU ?rt sifters ; ThithisKoli-
7 o&rcrsch plenary psrdos&ad
• to that traucroaj, blood thirfty M«a- cater Sir 5«w» Syn$ifQt h:$ foifle
ia^r jom^urtherew dtbmes, tenfnltAtioni and **«-
icbloodi reverend yex;<£ tit*
aaJ delnrec bina 25 a fr/? to »* h#retrs» f*j*g* aod vcsocao-Hs tearifk
~s of bit (bsac JjuIl'-j asd hit bloody era--! f£r - . ir f##£ 0 0*4 10 tJ&^rr
m*Mt?>-tl Lfffttel 'the fiud (avagci>arbaf6o Pfol, 0*
Cani: *f hnmduitien after die pabUm's^heresF,
rrrrrp** ' . . } cook ioii&to reft*
rraf ; elfecohiiH ichii/4*#*4ryia7*-i
/*r* "•■ ve-oprefan *ai fj tyr&n*j . tnd (here
b*t»b ci )o:eflciriiefil!,ackao*
bafiicne j lit* fociaWy aadqsiietlyamongilhu] •.Siurei: E nfeitmee, &ffcrbi$v<
be ;'-,3:'xr. 03' a/id pa«"cj b/ as -' xcr be ®xy
2 4 Jiffifh difcoverj ofPredigious
itt up all the goodly fat Benefices in (he Kin^dome to fiapply t he rec^ jfi< fcs of the State, pay their «4(rrr ,tr<r.r in the Amy grttifethetf /fa^f, /**?<? vr^matmedfonL d^ers with a rcirird nnrc hoseorable r^^^'^ ^ /^#/r dejerts) then a rr^r fo ^&f' ; iiapply the calamity, poverty and n i cry or pcore V/idowcs and Orpbant; VfkolcdeajeHasbands and Fathers have been fliincircthe icrvice of the State, and not (eat of fjnodtan /tate- policy) to iave their charity, fttbje& the irmoeeisc Blbci to bt led by the jfttrtt inta Indium deferts /wdfVilderneJfej&nii under pretcrce of Authority, rob the tender morheri or" the fruit of their wonabi (a vnckjdneffe infaff; rail* in .1 Commonwealth) and to fen { the free- borne erst cf their native protection toforraigne definition, leaft the cry of the faikerJejfe and fVtd*v»;t Arnold can for relicre ont of their tat Benefices poHtificM - 1 met, Ore, O the coveteufneffe of the Priefes and the mercy of God (ss the German* rdxrefvr
ever : If he fhall hereto aflcnt. renounce the Ordi^arce pfijthts, be content v»ith the good will of the toa!f3cc, lay dorvtse his (bee ambit ion and nfnrparion of the Ctvsll fewer, fsfter the Commons of the Laod (both rich asv.i poorej which axe free.borne people, to fcajoy qaietlf their owne national 1 frecdome* &c. hi deride you any more. -Bbc if Sir $i«w» (hall reject this grace a - tcly '
offered to him and to all the Sir Johns in the Kingdom by his H*l**tj[$l rcverera yoo&g gpartin £gar*p£Ufk oat of frs ajvtceclemeocy tha7graaioBftyextei from nij^o/^f/lV.proclaimcxh to the whole a//**^//*/ Mr Ukm zb6 to the wfcele u Its well you Kingdsme, thlt come bendttgs, ceme liberty, csme lift Come dea'b; eon*? u bo. come 0iM, by the grace of God, yocn« &)3lt 111 « refehted to t* mule, yen? vi'any to fefle*
}s nry, <s»^ lay nfonxd^ticn for a future ^ if not for the prefent recovery of the privfe
Wg£ of Parliament. &n& liberties of the common feevle from your fyvidlcaU, clafli-
Kin;
cAllprtsbyterusn predominancy; mi therefore Sir Simon be sdviied be time, accede of this grace and tivonr orTered> fc^rden not yotsr heart iai in the dayes of the Bi- fcops. left the fierce math of the Lord* even foda«ne derho&ion fall crpon yoa as it
;T>n them; for be ailared, ifVcift and ttarrbll dettrnftion and rninc docs act end yoa:*ad ihcLerd will avenge hisqoarrcll styonr hands and at it is done enro yonr , . trs the Tftflhepf, fo mail it fa dene tint 9 you : snd if your rihng ambition be not
' cly reptl'd JOW ftfejretgn and fall vyill be terrible to thcKingdomiyou may d«- l.vdc the ptOflC a ff hi!e,bot the time l^eneth that the(x)*to?!e red cal yon to mas-
tjlts t*$rd grant it be aor,.« /fear(/)$5p t%Z&tyO%bHt adcies f . 5.6. Wdl Sir
Simon, if you will doc mend your ranncn> Martin will cbferve si 1 5 oor r3oflnr«,
. at bee'I not only faji npoi> your bones himfelk*, hut heel fee
bis.ee her, (~ knJloihcr Sta£x&#>hbeatechxftie; eti RotlmdRav-
of$;r/« kjfr, y?4 hecl'e jeereyo«oBK
:;ke yoaa&imedofKirg fiT^rythefetcBtb'tChtp- -vork «Fich yoot hmdit ot ro b^ content with the gcodvtdl of id then ic will be too late to compooud with reverend M AR- Lt; Til itbrioj tftcrdbre: c^iiii-u.i with yesr ftl<c Sir S»>
before
Nevp'W&ndring- Hazing- Stars and Fire-brands. 2 <
before the mighty nAQs of the houfe of Martin be come forth againft you ; we do not intend to dally with you, wec'l handle you with Mittins, thwack yourCaf- focks, rattle your Jackets, (lamp upon the panch ofyour villany,and fqueze out the filth and garbidge of your iniquity, till you ftink in the noftrils of the com- mon people; yea, wee'l beat you and your fonne Jack, guts and all, into a Moufc-hole. There's noone of MARTINS Tribe, buc jsa man of Mettali, and hates a Tithe-devouring perfecuting Prieft, as he hates the Devill , fcornes their bribes, and bids defiance to their Malice.
Thefe are to advife you, Sir Simon turne ye to MARTIN in Tolleration-ftreet, yeftifFe necked generation of Priefts, left the fierce wrath and foredifpleafure of xnighty MARTIN fall upon you, confound you and your whole , Sir Johns ge- neration, Root and Branch; hearken ye rebellious Affembly unto MARTIN, perfrcute no more,take no more Tithes,be content With the goodwill of the Vulgar. Whether thefe molt feditious menacing paflages and railing Libels againft the Affembly, Presbyter}', and all Ecckfiafticall Parliamentary proceedings, be not publifhed in print by feditious Seeftarics to ftirre up the people to mutinic againft the Parliament, Affembly, Ministry, to fire us into new Civillwarres and commotions among our fdvis, and that by the underhand plots of fomejefuiticallfpirirs, and Malignant Royallifts, I Hull humbly fubmittothe faddett thoughts of our fupreame Councell, which is beft able to judge of them, and moft able to prevent the eminent dangers which they doe portend.
I -fhall clofe this Section with a new printed Libell, intituled , The Nativity efSir Iohn Prefbyter ; Dedicated , To the Right WorfbipfuU the : tASS : of Di- viner, ajfembled at fVeflminfier ; with a moft rayling libellous Epiftle j to whicb thele Verfes in d.f ifion ti it are fubjoyned.
Reverend Affembly up, arifey and jogge,
For you have fairly fifyt and caught a Frog.
NoW have yon fet tWo years , fray can yon tell
*s4 man the Way that (fhrijf wevt downe to Hell f
In theft tWo years what can a Wife man thinly
That ye have done, ought el/e but eat and drinkj
Presbyterie (climb* d up to the top of fame)
Directory and all from Scotland came ;
O monftrous idlenejfe ! alach^ and Welly,
Our learned Rabbies minde nought but their belly.
Se&ion V.
Containing libellous , fcurrilous , prophane, and unchristian parages againfi the
Directory, eftablifhcdby Ordinance of Parliament. YOU hav,1 met with lome of thefe Inveftivcs already in th^ preceding Sections, which I (hall not repeat; but only ad det wo or three paffiges more ot this na- ture, full of Atheih'call and blafphemous fcurriuVy.
The Arai'nwent of lerfecutUn, p. 44 difir«T, TMr his Holineffe Sir Simon Sjnod my Sjnodecate afullrefolution to thefe enfuing g^crcs.
E Wetter
2 i J* fr*{h D ifcvvtry of P rtdigitm
Whether it would not have been more profitable for thekingdome of EntlivU to have forthwith hired a Coach and twelve Horfes , to have fet a li'sre&ory from Scotland \ then to have fpent the learned confutations, piom debates , zndfacred conclufions of faeh an holy, {uch a reverend, fuch a heavenly, &ch a godly , fuch a learned, fuch a piom t fuch a grave, fuch a wife, fuch a/#/*V, Juchak/Wr, fuch a Spirit /tall § fuch an Evangelic all, fuch an infallible, fuch a venerable fuch A fuper-celeHioll Queer of Angels, (uchlfuparlative A ffembly of D nines ; for ai- moft thefe two yeares fpace, after the ppofufeand vail expence of above forty ihoufond pounds , befides their goodly fat Benefices, upon their devouring G***s for an Snglifb DIRECT O II Y of worfiup, equivalent to the Scotch DI- RECTORY? ^
Whether this DireShry (landing in fo many thoalands to fumble it together , and the Copy fold at 40© and 5* L be not of more value then the writings of the Prophets and Apoftlas ?
Theficred Synodicall Decretall or Hue and Cry, afeththelikeDialcft,/).^ BchfecuUfecukrum, is authenticjustheD/r^r^&c. We had better have fet two years longer in our mofi holy Confutations, and made our forty thoufaad four hundred pound D ircBory, a V/reftorj of fourfcore thoifand eight hundred |>oundv*lue«
Pag. $. Martin vr*,J tc& the Country, That we fanclific onrncwDIREC* TORT Qosjell, but to the temper of the City 1 Tell the City, That the fo*»try people k#ow not what to do with it , except to ft of their Mottles , ■nlcfle we iptnd the State the other odde trifle of 4000* pounds, to divideit into Chapters and W ttics {the Lordput it into their hearts 1) and that csthc truth is, itsfm&ftyis fcnly grounded upon the Divine Ordinance for Tithes, (fo«e wifcr then foui«i for no longer Penny, no longer Pater»nofter*
I will defile no more Paper with fkch horrid blafphemie* ; only addo , That Martins Ecco, p. 1 a. makes the Parliaments endeavouring to eftabiifh the Dire* iiory the caufe ol theloffe of Leicefter, in thefe words ? And now the "Parliament being bttfted to fortifie yowr Directory, &c in the mean time Leicefter ie taken* thonfands are put to thefword, &ct Which is fttfficiently anfwered, by Sir Tho* cats Fairfax routing the Kings whole *Army and re-taking Leicefter, ercn whiloc the Parliament was mot bul* in fortifying the Directory. Bat I procted to aa^ ther Section.
Se&ion V.'L
Containing their Ubeltot* , fcandalom, fedhion* parages, again ft our brethren of Scotland, to rtifc divifione between ns and them , contrary to the AOt ofPtcifi* i/.pi**, and the late folemne League and Covenant,
IWTAny are their intolerable libellous In¥c&ives of this kinde. I (hall tranfcritfc -LV1b« few.
I Hen. Robinfon m his Anfwer to M. Tynnes 1 2 C^ueftions, made the fi ft artank apou our Brethren, in this Language. And w^at, tluuk wc ma4c war Brethren the
Scots
Nt&wandring-Mafing-StarS) And Firebrands. %j
Scots fo fiicceffeleffe here in England , whileft the warres art now beginning to kindle in their own Countrey, if it were not that they joyne with this Nation, or nther provoke them to eftablifh their fo much iftolized Presbyteriall difciplinc of perfecutions ? when they themfelves thought they had >uft caufe to be highly offended with the fame (their own) pcrfecuting fpirit in Epifcopacy. When the Lord recjuired the Israelites to appear before him at J erufalcm thrice a yeare, he promi&d,that no man fhould invade their habitations in their abfence^ £*W,$4.2g$ 24, which gracious providefice of his, no doubt continues ft ill protecting all fuch as ire imployed cy his command : bnt unlerTc our Brethren of Scotland bethink thcmfrlves in time , and confider, that even as the perfecting Bifliops of England attempting to irapofe their government in 5^//^Wgaveoccaiion to begin the warres in England : fo if the pcrfecuting Presbyters of Scotland continue to ad- vance and get fet «p the Scotch government in E»glandy it may likely bring all the three Kingdomcs to make the lest of warrc La Scotland : I would be loath to prophefic upon this occtii«n; but do much fear , that in how bad condition fo- ever both England and Ireland are at the prefent , if tliQ warres laft but little lon- ger Scotland' will yet be farre worfe. (Sod of his infinite mercy open the eyes of aU three Kiflgdomes in this their hetvie vi(itation,reconciling himfelfe unto thern all, and them to one another, for his deir Sonne Chrift lefus fake.
Tfce tArmgnment of Perfection by way of jeaxand fcorne, p.3,8,9. 19,39,42. fatyricaUy inveighes agaiaft and derides Scoth government^ ranking it with Sa» tan, Antichrifi, the Sfanifi lnquifition% C ounce 11 of Trent, High Qommiffion, See. bringi in Liberty of confeiene, thus complaining. My Lord, Sir Simon Synod a like to pull cut my throaty with the ravinous clawes of an AJfembly ; and Majler Scotch Government yraefit to Hab mo with his Scoth Dagger : Iemmyput up thy D agger \ AvetTCS, The Synod 'it guided by the Holy Cjhoftfent in a Clekt-bagfiom Scotland, m of old from Rome to the CounceH of Trent, Oft mentions by way of fcorn aad jccvcThe advancing of the mickle Army into the South 5 addes,^** may eafily perceive hoVe they Would finch your Lordjhifs nofe with a pair e of SCOT C& SPECTACLES, that your Lordlhip might fee nothing but BLEfVfAPS', he hathplaiftredup the Crinkles of hu face with SCOT CHMORTER> &C.
The Sacred Synodic all Decretal! ', p Jf, tels US, &c. of a Ble^'Capreformationy%ivi then Bletvcaffor uc,p.JtOfthe ay-bhjfed Divines of Scotlandyp.l6.Of laying Rods in pi(fefor (Srumwtl; let him take heed of a Scotch" : another courfe mufl be taken with Hereticks , elfe oar Brethren cannot further engage ; God fpecd them Well ' home again?, and let all the people in the kingdome fay, *sfmcn, p. 1 8. Of their run- ning away at Mafion-More. p< 20. Of an Angel in the Mount, upon whom our reverend Aflfembly of crave and learned Divines do daily wait, which Mount is Duzee-Hill ('which by tranfhtioa out of the Original!,) by the Divines of Scot- iand fwhofe coamrey^man this Angel isj is engliihed Mount Slon : with other fuch like ftufre.
And Martins Eccho,p.2. Our Scottifh Brethren advanced lately as far into ths South, as from<B rampton-moore to Weflmerland^ox your alTKtance, are all yours, byvertue of the Holy League and Covenant, which they may in no wife -falfiuV, trntili they.fe^ it convenient for them to do , as in the moft leered Exhortation ro
E 2 the •
2 g A frefb Di (cover y of Prodigious
the taking of the fiid League and Covenant you have taught them. Many other luch feditious parages, tending to fow divifion between both Nations, (contrary to the fourth claule of the National! Covenanrjthefe New-Libels, have lately pub- lifhed,which I forbear to Regifter.
Sedion VIL
Containing mofi fcurrilus, libellous , fcandelotts, railing invetlives again ft Trejby- terians} and Presbyterian government in generally Which many of them not long fence fo much applauded, defired, before the Bifhops removalL
TX7E have met with much of this fcurrilous fluffe in other Sections • to which ' * fome few additions only fliali be made in this.
Nix. Henry Robinfon his F A LSEtiGOD, &c. (hall leade up the Forelorne- hope : where thus he writes to the Chriftian Reader ; Free thy confeience from the thraldome and bondage of thok Egyptian Taskmapers , who care not what traQi and trumpery (hey vent, fo they may gaine Profelytes and contributions. Which he thus proficutes, p* 9. But what availeth it to have the head of one Lord- ly Epifcopall Prelate cut of , when a Hidra, a multitude* above feventy fev.n times as many Presbyteriali Prelates fucceed inftead thereof ? Prelatiay PreUcy , Prelacy , as we ufe it vulgarly, is a preferring one before another; and the Presbyreriall government is much more truly laid to be PrelaticaU, then either Epifcopall or Papall ; unlelTe you will fay that neither Epifcopall nor Papall be Prehticail at all. For in either of thofe governments there are but few Prelates ; # but in the other there are, to wit, fo many Prelates as there are Presbyters, each
h mreT whereof is an abfolute * Prelate ; that is, one preferred above his Brethren.
in Indvpcnd. The Araignment ofrPerfecution> declaimes thus againft Presbyterian govern^
Churches , ment,/>. 21. Both Papall and Epifcopall government is better then cPre[byterian%
where the Mi- for they are^ and have been more uniformey and have continued many hundred years
n-ftcr i'i truth iong€r t£,erj prefbyterianyandWere long before Prcjbytcry Was thought on : For alas,
rules^lUhe ** %VXi ^nt a $ ft at a finc^ f^e Devill made , when neither of the other Would Jerve
reft at his hie tnrne , andfo came up Prejbyterie ; but What good the Devill Will have of it I
plcaiurc ? knoWnot : for Who l*noWes the luck of a loWfie Cur, he may prove a good Dog.
will admit ^ fhe Sacred Synodic all Decrctall inveighes thus againft Presbyterian govern-
ofhis^ h0 C ff?en^P«H- Martin will put the Parliament and people in minde of their Prote-
fattiou Vn ^ l< ion, and tell them , that by the fame rule they pp. lldoWnt the Bifbe-pt, they are
hundtoputdownethe Prcjbyters,&c. For id Atart ins AftrologicaU judgement,
all the Plague t of Eiypt Were but a Flea-biting to What one Presbyterian Church
Wiif be f vinci (i poivint regales Cf-ftibus enies; we having mortified Spifcopall
lh r iesy and poffft his Club. p. 1Q. Indeed the Pope \S as truly £hrij}ian$ and
bis fnnBion \s equally Jure Viv triors our Prr[byterietcon\tj\d from his Holinejf'^
b\ pm I - hers the lace Lord Bifhops upon us.
TV: u ilicenfed Nativi$y of Presbyter f, hid to be Itcenfed by RoWUn&fyattlt*
QVl^a ten ibic Imp imarur : v- 1 itcs p. > . 7 hat the Devill made the Vrchin Sir
Jofc - a b]cfl y a Fugitive, neWly come out of Scotland, a Witch, a
Rogue i y d lighting in blackju hU rather the Devill* fitter to bi 4
' ..'-.' ine: only the Evill Spirit of Mercury , p) ejented hi™ to bt
h d. S^diOif.
n e» tvandring blading Start and Ftrt-lrandt. t p
Se&ion VIII.
Comeimng fundrj Libellous > Sehifmaticall, uncharitable^ and uuchriflia* faff Ages ag&intt the Church of England, her Wtrjhip and Mini flers in general!.
IOhn LUburne in his Anfwer to nine Arguments, Printed without Licenfe, Lon- don, io*4). with his pidure cut before it ; Writes thus of the Church of Eng- land, pag 4. The Church of England is a true whorifh mother, and you are one of heibafe-be^otten^nd'B.ifts.rdly children, for you know a tvhore\s a woman as truly as a true wife, and fhe nuy have children as proportionable, as the chil- dren of a true wife ; yet this do:h not prove her children which are baje-begot- ten mc true- begotten children bccuife they have all the parts, and limbes of chil- dren, that are begotten in a true married tftate and condition ; even fo fay I, the Church of England neither is, nor never was, truly married, joyne^, or united to Jefus Chrifi, m that efpoufail band, which his true Churches are, and ought to be, but is one of Antichresis Nationall whorifh Churches, or Cities fpoken of s\v.\6.\g. Vnited, joyned, knit to the ?<?/>.? of Lambeth; as Head and Husband thereof; being fubftuuee to the Tope of Rons*, from whom he hath received his Arch-£pi,rccp *U power, and Authority.
Ta T. 1 8. Your Church is falfe, and %Antk hrifiian : Therefore if every Parijhin England had potter in them [elves (tthich in the leafl they have not) to shoofe and m*k? thir o\\'-tt Officers, yet for all this they ttould be falfe, fir a falfe and zAnti- chriftian Clurchas yours it, can never make true Officers *WMinifters of lefus Chrift, and though that the Churches of the Separation, Want tsfpoftlcs in per- fonall pre fence to lay hands upon their Officers tt hie h lawfully they choofe out from amorgthemp Ives, yet have they their Latts, Rules, andDireftions in ttriting,tthick is their Office, and Is of as great Authority as their per fonall prefencc.
Pag.io. And thus have I fufficiently by the Authority of the Sacred Word of God proved all your Olticers, and Miniilers falfe and Antichriftian, and none of Chrilts, which if you can groundtdly contradict, fhew your bed skill chalengc I you, and put you to prop, to hold up your tottering and fandy Church and Mi- tiiftry, or tlfe your great brags will prove no better then winde and Fables, and yon your felf found to be a Liar.
Pag. 22. And as for thefe two thing*, Of Converfion, and confirmation ,or buil- ding up in the ttayes of God, which you fpeak of, if you mean by converfion, and §pening of the eyes, to turn them from darkneffe to light, and from the potter of Sa- tan unto Qod ; or if you mean by converfion, a deliverance from the potter of darks neffe, and a tranflttion into the Kingdom of the Son of God, both of which the Apo files Miniftry did accomplifb in the hearts and lives of Gods people, Act". 20*. I £. Coll. 1.1 3. I abfolutely deny ir, that your Minifiery in England doth this : And therefore I defire you to declare, what you mean by (fonverfon, and prove your definition by the holy Scripture, and alfo prove that you in England are fo conver- r^which when you have done I (hall further anfwer you by Gods ailiftance,and iifotxhtii building $hm up in the ttayes of God, as all true Shepherds ought to
F build
Not!
3 o A frejh D ifc<rvery of (prodigious
build up their fheep, as Ails 26. 1 Tet.$. Yet I deny it, that your Minifters do it, for hoW can they build them up in that, Which they themfelves are ignorant of, And enemies unto } ror as fannes and fambres Which Withftood Mofes, fo do thefc men alfo refill the Truth, being men of corrupt minde*,and deftitute of the truth, iTim. 3.8. And do feed you Withhufkj and(fhaffe, being neither billing toim- br ace it themfelves, nor to let thofe that Would, as their conftant preaching and fpeaktng againft the truth of God, and the Kingdom of his Son doth \\ itnefll,&c. I have nken the pains by the Word of God, and demoxftrable Arguments grounded thereupon} to prove the Church of England Antic hriftian : / do promifeyou, I Will by the flrength of the Lord of Hosts, for ever feper ate from (fhurch, Miniftery and
2^tf» Worfhip in England 5 all and every on* of them, as Antichriftian andfalfe:Yct thus
much J fay, and do acknowledge, and the Scripture proves it, that God hath a ■people or an eletl number in fpirituall Babylon ; yea in the Kingdom of Antichrift, part of tyhtch the (fhurch of England is, and none of them /hall perijh, but be eter- nally faved 5 yet I fiy, it is the duty of all Gods EleQ.andchofen ones, that are yet in the whorifh bofome of the Church of England, or in any part of Antichrifts Re» giment to feparate aWay from it, and come out of it, lea ft God plague them for their fiaywg there e
~j Pag. 23, All the Minifters of the Church of England are not true Minifters of
Nm* Chnilbut falfe and Antichriftian Minifters of Antichrift.
Pag. 24 And as for your Minor and A{fumption,whkh is,that you in the Church ©f England do enjoy, and outwardly fubmit yourfelves to the true worfhip of God : It is moft falfe, and a notorious lie and untruth, and as well might wicked faux, and the reft of the Gunpowder- Plotters fay, that they fubmitted unto Noble King fames Laws and Scepter, when they went about to blow up the Parliament Houfe, that fo they might deftroy him and all his ; for you do not only oppofe and juftleouc the true worfhip of God, and throw down and trample upon the Scepter of fefus Chrift hisfon, but alfo you fet up falfe and Antichriftian Wor- fhip, the inventcrof which is the Devil, and the Man of fin, his eldtft and moft obedient Son.
Pig.26,27. Now from that which I have faid, I frame thefc Arguments :
1 . That Worfhip which is of the Devils and Antichrifts invent ion jnftitution and fitting up, is no true Divine worfhip.
J$qk, *%** the Worfhip of the Church of England is of the Devils and Anti-
cjirifts invention, inftitution and fet ting up, as Revel, 13. doth fully prove. Ergo, the Worfhip of the Church of England is no true Worthip.
2. That Worfhip, Which is a main means and Caufe of pulling doWn the King- HoU% dom of Iefus Chnft, and eftablifhing, maintaining, and upholding the Kingdom of
the Devil and Antichrift, and fends more fouls to Hell, then all the Wickedneffe, im- piety, ungodlineffe, in the Kingdom dtth be fides, is no true Worfhip of God, but ought to be dctefted and abhorred of all his peopled Htfuch is the Worfhip of the Church of England •, Ergo, &i\ .
^tc,_ Pag.29. I abfolutely denyyour Argument, and afftrme, that your Religion
neither is the true Religion, nor that it leads men the true w ay to falvation.
Pag.37,38. I groundedly and abfolutely deny, that either iheChurcnof £ng- tendis, or ever was a true Church, and till you have proved it uue, aii th, puns
that
new wm&ring blafing Stars and Fire- brands. 3 1
to be trt you nor
that you have taken in proving that it is po fib le for corruptions & evil livers a true Church^ fpent in vam,and to no purpo!e,and l am confidence rue ] none eife will ever be able to prove the Church of %Wtrue, nor any other , Nationall Church : for Chrifi \efiu by his death did abolifh the Nationall Church of the lefts, with all their Laws, Rites and Ceremonies thereof, and in the New Teftament did never indicate no Nationall Church, nor left no Laws, nor Ofti- ccis for the governing thereof, but the Church that he iritituted,are free and In- dependent bodies, or Congregations,depending upon none but only upon Cnrift their Head : Therefore Nationall Churches under the Gofpel are of Anuchnlts, that man of' fins inftitution and ordaining, who only huh ordained Laws and Of- ficers of his own for the governing of them; Therefore for you, or any 0- thertofay,andaiHrme, that this monftrous, ugly, botched and (cabbed body, is Chrifts true Spoufe, is dishonourable to his blelled being and MediatorQitp.
HisScnifmaticallfeditiousconclufion from all thefe Premifes is this, f*g*S$* Thereforelet all Gods people, that yet are in the bofome of the Church of £ng- ?{ote. land, as they love their own inward peace, and fpirituail joy, and look true cheir fouls (hould profper and flouriih with grace and godiinefle look to it, and with- draw their ipiritual obedience and fubjedion from all AntichnftsLiWs and wor- (hip, and joy ne themfelves as fellow Citizens of the City of God, to woriliip and ferve him in Mount Sion the beauty of holinefle, and there only to yield all fpirituail obedience to Chrifts fpirituail Laws and Scepter.
Thts language and opinion of his, concerning our Englifli Church, andMini- ftry, is feconded by moft Independents in their late Pamphlets; of which you have'hada bitter tafte in the preceding Sedions , and their practice proves
as much.
Fot fiift, though they proclaime Liberty of confeience to all SecTs and Reli* gions whatfoever ; yet they have fo harfh an opinion of Presbyterians , and all others, who fubmit not to their Independent Mod. L ^ that they efteem them no better then Heathens, Infidels, unbelievers ; and proclaim them in their Books to be * Menftho deny,difclaim, and preach againft Chrifts Kindly Government ^^:X ™VY over his Churches ) men unconverted, or at leaft converted but in p*rt, wanting Vindication rf the main thing, to vWf, Chrifts kingly Office ; men viftble out of the Covenant of the Churches Grace, Vcho have not femuch as an outWard profejj/on of Faith, ftho d°nj Qhtifi convnonlycal- to be their King ; toVohofe perfons and infants, the very Sacraments and feals oj lwlnucpen- erace, Kith all Church Communion, may, and ou?ht to be denied, "tohich is in effect V^V^'* Vo un-Chriftif.n, un- Church, un-Mimfter all Presbyterians, and to make them caft-awayes : If this be. their charity to us already, what may we exped from them hereafter if their Fad ion bear the fway >
Secondly, when they gather any Independent Congregation, their pradife is* for their Minifters folemnly to renounce and abjure their former Ordination it} and the people their Prifiine Communion with the Church of England, and a!! Congregations elfe, whereof they have been Members, and then to new-mould themfelves into an Independent Church; which pradife they have lately begun in the Plant? r<ons of chcSummer lflands;as a Friend of mine from thence infor- med me by a Letter dated, May 14. 1645. *n thefe infuing termer.
' The Independent Church was fet up here the kft year, wherein they have
F 2 cove-
j i A frejh Difcrvcry %f Prodigim
€ covenanted to ftatd unto the death : but their Covenant is not fully expreft rc^ c (erving f ower in themfelves,efpecially in their Paftor,to alter it when they will,
* and is they think good ; they have expreft nothing in wricing, th*agh ofcen ur- Nite. ' ged to it,but he that joy ns with them,muft do it by a kinde of implicire faith, to
cimbrare what their Church doth or fhall imbrace, not knowing what it is or
* will be: When they began it, their Minifter called a Faft for all that would be •prcfcnr, where in the pnblique Congregation, our Minifters being then but
*Wtte' c three, Did lay do^n and renounce their Ordination and Miniflry received in the c Church of England, and fo become (as they faid) no Miniflers * but did joyn c themfelfe* together in Covenant by words only to become a Church ; firft ma- ' king a kiadc of confeflion of their (ins,and fignifying that others might alfo joyn 6 themfelves to them, if they were fuch as after fuch confeflion they fliould ap-
* prove of, and there was one principall Officer did then joyn htmfelf with them; c chey then continued weekly Lecturers dill, yet as -they faid, not as Minifters, ' but only as private men to exercife their gifts: wherein they laboured to draw o-
* thers to joyn wiih them,and every week received in fome : but that confeflion of S ch were fit ' ^ins Srevv *$Y Rlore and more out of date,the rather for that* fome were threat- to makelnde- c ned to be called in queftion ar.the Aflifes for fome things which they confftffed pendant Mem- c there ; fo that at this time all is in a manner implicire, and though little or no- bcrs. 'thing be cxpretfedby theparty to be received in, yet he is not pat back : But
* when they had gotten about thirty ro joyne with them, they again called a Faft ' for all that would be prefent, where it feems having appointed one of our aflift- cant Governors for their Prolocu:or,he nominated Mafter white to be their Pa- i ftor, which the reft confirmed by erection of hands: then it feems Mafter white 1 nominated our other two Minifters, Mafter Copland and Mafter Cjolding for his 'ruling Elders, yet they continue to preach conftantly as before, but Mafter ■ white-only doth Adminifter the Sacrament9,and that only to fuch as have joyned
* themfelves in their implicire Covenant with them.
Their pradife therefore and their writings demonftrate, what ungratefuil fons, and unnatural 1 Vipers they are to our Mother Church and Minifters of Eng- land j which hath little caufe to harbour thefejlcbeliious Apoftate fons,who thus abominate, renounce both her and her Minifters,as Antichrifiian,
Surely, fome of theirown Independent Faction, had other thoughts of her and her Miivftry (unlefTe they diffembled before God and man , as they com- monly do without blufh or check) but very few years fincc ; and among other: the five Independent Afofagifts, and Mafter Hugh Peter, ( Solicitor gene rail of' the Independent Caufe and Party; ) whofe Subferiftion before the Bifbop of. London, concerning our Church of Englandin the late Preraticall times, when far more unreforroed then now, I fhali here prefent you with; the Originall whereof 1 found inahe Archbifhops ftudy, under Mafter Pe ter his own hand, cjndorfei with the Archbiflhops, thus.
Mafter
mHo TtMidr'tng blazing Stars and Fire-brands. 33
CMtJier Hugh Peters Subfcriftlen before the Bifiop of Lon- - don3 Ksiugnfk 17. 1627.
Right Reverend Father in God, andmy very good Lord; being required ro make known to your Lordftiip my Judgement concerning feme thing pro- pounded at my Jaft being before your Lordftiip, from which Propofitions though I never difientcd, nor know any caufe why I fhould be fufpefted, yet being rea- dy and willing to obey your Lordfhip in all things efpecialiy in fo j .ft a demand as thi^T having confulced with Antiquity, and with our modern Hoikjr , and o- thers, humbly defire your Lordfhip to accept the fatisfa&ion following.
1. For zheCburehof jE*g/#e»^ingenerall (I bleffeGodJ I am a member of it, -r and was baptized in it, and am not only afTured it is a true Church, but am perftea- ote ded it is the w oft glorious and fiourijhing £ httri-h this day under the fun, which I de- fire to be truly thankfull for; and for the Faith, Doctrine and Articles of that Church, and the maintenance of them, 1 hope the Lord will inable me to contend; Tancj-iim at pre arts & focu : Yea, I truft to lay down my life, if I were called thereunto.
2. For the Covernour and Government thereof; viz. The reverend Fathers, the Archhijhops and B'*jhifs\ I acknowledge their Orfices, and jurifdiftions, and cannot fee, but there ivould a fearfull ataxy follow, without the prefent Govern- ment, whereof Ifo approve, that I have, and do willingly fubmic to it, and them ; and have, and Kill preffc the fame upon others*
3 For rhe Ceremonies that are in nfe among us (as I have already fubfcribed) fol (lull diligently anddaily pra&ife, neither hive I ever been accufed for ne- glect therein, where I have formerly exerctfed my Miniftry, but to them do give 2<ote my full approbation and allowance.
4. For the Book of Common-Prayer, the Lyturgic of the Church, and what is in them contained (finding them agreeable unto the Word of Ged) I have ufed as other Minifters have done , and am refolved fo to do, and have not been Refractory in this particular at anytime, nor do T intend 2(*te robe (God willing) andtothefe, I SubfcribeVvith my heart and hand; humbly, fubmitting them, and myself to your Lordfhips pleafure.
London theiy. of tAx- Tour Lordfhips in all humble fer vice %
gnft. 1617.
Hugh Peter*
IF Mailer Peter be now of another Judgement, it manifefts either his grofie ignorance , or temporizing then3or his levity now, and that he is as unftcady in his opinion, as in his excentrrck motion from place to place: But this is in verity, the eflcntiall property of our Lunacy Neft lights, who like the Moon (whofe light Predominates in them) ?re alwayes changing; yea,'t*r learning, and 1 Tim.^:/ never able to come to the knoVtiedgc of the Truth ; which they continually intricate with thtir Independent doubts.
SECT,
34 A frcfr Dijco-^very of Trodgwm
Se<5tion IX.
Contain1 ng Libelliout \ Scandalous , unchriflian Cenfures , and In- vectives againft thofe Perfons, who out of conference have Written or
m Preached againjl the Independents Seditious , Schifmaticall wayts and Praciifes.
1 Shall firft begin with fuch Invectives as concern my felf : What large En- comiums (beyond my deferts) I received from the Independent party, before I writ againft their new waves & opinions,only in a moderate & modeft manner by way or CKitftions ; is very well known to themfelves and others, being fuch and fo many , that modefty forbids me to relate them ; left I fhould be thought the Herald ot my own praifesand deferts: How many Libells, Scandals, and falfe reports of all kindes they have caufkfly publifried of me fince, by Speech and Printed Libells, only becaufe I differ from them in opinion, and have in point of confeience ( being requefted fo to do) declared my opinion of their new ground lefl'e way es and Tenets, is very well known unto many, who have leifure to perufe the feverall empty Pamphlets and Invectives daily publifhed a gainft me : I (hall give you a tafte of fome few in lieu of many.
It pleafed Iobn Lilburne among others , for whom I have done fome courte- fies, but never the leaft injury.or difcourtefie in word or deed, upon the coming out of my Truth Triumphing over Faljbood, &c. (Licenfed by a Committee of Parliament for the Preffe) before ever he had read the Book, to write a Libel- lous Letter to me concerning it, which he fent to the Preffe and publifhed in Print without Licenfe, before I received and perufed it : which though anfwered in Print by others without my privity ; openly complained of in the Com- mons Houfe,(who referred it to the Committee of Examinations as a moll: Sediti- ous Libell againft the Parliament and Affcmbly ;) yet I deemed, it more worthy contempt then any Anfwer, as refuting not one fyllable in my Book : In this Letter, he ftiles me, An inciter of higher Toners to Wage War ifrith the King of Saints, and his Redeemed ones: ssfn endeavourer tofet the Trinces of the earth toge- ther by the ears With Chrift, to plucky his Crouton from his head, Li* Scepter out of his hand, and his Perfon out of his Throne of State, that his Father hath given him to raignglorioujly in : He moft falfely chargeth me with this falfe Pofition : That there is no rule /eft in the Word, hoft lfef may ftorfhip God ; but that Kings and States may fet up What Religion they fleafe, or may mould it to the manners of their people; Whereas there is not any fuch fyllable in any of my Books, but the con- trary profefledly uffrrted-and theControveifies therein debatedyroncernenotthe fubftauceof Gods worfhip or Religion, but only the Circumftance of Church- Government: whichl afferted then,on fuch grounds as their party hath not yet re- fu'ed, not to be precifely fet doStin & determined in the N& Tefiament in all particu- lars,but yet conclude,that no Church Government ought to be fet up, but that Vchich is agreeable to the Scriptures .though not dogmatically and precifely yrefcribedin them ; So that if this Libeller were not p3ft all fhame, he might have blufht to Print and Rcpnnc fo notorious a fahhood, without retractation.'
After
new wandrtng blading Stars and Firebrands. 35
After wis he thus proceed*: Had I not fren jewrwmn* to your Boo^l Jhould rather have )ul>edthem a Papifts or a Iefuits, thm Majfcr Pryr.nesj undVrth- ,ut doubt, the Pope When be fees them, Will CANONIZE YOU F O 11 A SAINT, in throwing doWn bit enemy Cbrifi. Certainly no Book ot mine, cither in the Front or Bulke, carries the fcaft badge of a Prieft or Jtfuic in it; and fo far am 1 from dementing any thing trom the Pope, or to be Canonized by himforaSaint; that 1 can without vanity or often'tation affirme before ail the world, that 1 have done mere diiTervice to PrieiV, Iefuits and the Pope: made more difcoverics of their Plots, and written more againft them and Popety, then all the whole generation of Sectaries and Independents put together; and I challenge all their Seels to equalize, or come near, what 1 ruve really perfor- med in this patticularjlb that if any man this day breathing in England dtkrye an jtnathtmaMaranatrafromihcVope&his pmy ,\ have more cauk to expect itthen any other: The whole Kingdom therefore will Proclaim him a notorious (Un- derer in this particular: He proceeds yet further,*?*^// (he writes, but his words are no Oracles) you have given aWay your ears, and have fufftred 04 a bufte-bodj in oppofmg the King and the Prelats : without doubt all is not Gold that glifter* : for Were you not a man that had more then truth to lool^after, namely your oWn ends and particular interefts, Which I am afraid you ftrive to fet up more then the pub- tike good , you Jhould have importuned the Parliament to h<tve continued their favour and re If eh to that people, that cannot profirate their confeiences to mans devices.
Surely my conference tells me,that I am free from this injurious calumny : For my ears, ji blcfle God I gave them not away,but loft them in a juR quarrell,againft all Law and Iuftice, as both Houfes of Parliament have unanimoufly adjudged : But whether you did not juftly lofe ycur ears for Sedition then, and deferve nottolofehc remainder of them (that I fay no more) for ycur Seditious and Libellious carriage now, is a great queftion among your moft intelligent friends : For my oppofing King and Prelates as a bufie-body, perchance it might be your own cafe, it was never mine : What I have done againft the unjufi usurpations, and illegall exceffes of either, I did it in a juftand Legall way, upon Such grounds and Authority, as was never yet controuled ; and this I dare make good without vainglory, that I have done more reall cordiall fervice with my pen againft the Ufurpations of Regality and Prelacy, in defence of the Subje&s Liberties, and Parliaments jurisdiction , then all Independent Sectaries whatSoever, and that only out of a z-:al to Gods glory and thepublick good, without the ieaft private endorlntercft, which never yetentred into my thoughts, having Suffered as much as any man o( your Std (if rot more) forthePublick, without eitherSee- Ktngor receiving rhe leaft recompence, or reward; having Spent not only my time and Studies, but Some hundreds of Pounds in the Republicks Service face my inlargemenr, withou: craving or receiving one farthing recompence- in any kinde; whereas if I had Sought my Self, or been any way covetous or ambit i- ous,I might perchance have obtained as advantagious and honourable prefer- ments, as any Independents rnveafpired to, if not challenged as their right, for leflemerirorious pub'ickServ:ccs and Sufferings then the leaft of mine, As for my importuning the Par!/ 'men: for continuance of their favours to that people ycu Speak or/u. I, when I fin.e them more obftquiouno the Parliaments juftOr-
dinances
3 6 A frejb Difcwery of fndigu>u$
dinances and commands, lefle wilrfuli and more confcientious; I (hall do them ail the offices of Chriftian lovejbut whiles contumnacyjobftinacyjlicentioufneffe, un* charitableneffc and SchiGnc are mod: predominant m them, the greateft favour I can move the Parliament to indulge them, is to bridle thefe their extravagances with th<j fevered Laws, and to prefer the publike fafety of Church and State, before their private LawlelTe conceits and phantafticall opinions.
He addes, That 1 am in this as cruella Taskcmapcr as Pharaoh : and that the Son of God, and hi* Saints are but little beholding to me. Surely to confine Licen- cious lawleffe confeiencesto the rules of Gods word,the juftLaws of theRealm,ind reftirkd reafon, can Proclaime me no Egyptian Taskzwafter : but rather declare yonr Se& meer Libertines, who will not be Regnlated by, nor confined within chefe Bounds ; yea, I truft the Son of God and his true Saints are as much beholding to me (in your fenfe) as to the greateft Patriarchs of your In- dependent Tribes^ they whom they will.
This Libeller being que ftioned before the Committee «f Examinations con- cerning :his Letter, by their fpeciall favour returned his Reafons why he fent it in writing, which he no fooncr exhibited, but publifaed in Print the next day after, \:j defame and (lander me among his Confederate5;who give me now no other E- pithites in their difcourfes; but a Papiftya Perfecutor of gods Saints, an Enemy of Chrifis Kingdom, who dtfsrve to life my head for oppofmg them in this caufex eye* which I no more value, Then the Moon doth the barking of a loupe Cur.
In this new unlicenfed Paper, flrft he vaingloiioufly relates his own Offerings anddeferts: Secondly, Traducerh the jiftiec of the Parliament and others, a- giinft fome fedicions Sectaries; mifreciting many of their proceedings to the fcan- dailof Publick juftice, and the Parliament, pag^rf. Thirdly, pag. 5. He pre- tends my Books againft Independents (Licenfed by Authority of a Committee of Parliamentjto be the principall caufes of the rigid Proceedings againft Separates efpecially my Truths Triumphing over Faljhood ; which being fubfequent in time to all the particulars he recites, could certainly be no occafion of them ; and therefore he piayes not only the Sophyftcr , but Slanderer in this particular. Fourthly,^. 5 ,6. He mifrepeats, and mifapplies fome Paffages of mine, to all of his Seel in generall, andtoHlMSELF and SVCH ASHE ISinthe ARMY and E L S E W H E R E : Whereas there is not one Syllable in my Paflages to that pnrpcfe,but only againft fome particular Authors /thare mention, and fuch of their Cor federates, who malicioi.fly and audacioully ©ppugne the undoubted Rights, Priviledges, and juft Proceedings of Parliament, contrary to their Solemne Covenant, League^ and Proteftation ; and if you proclaim jour felf or any other in the Army or elfewhere to be of this tsfnti- Parliamentary Regiment (as now you do) I then profeffe my felf anoppofite to you, and ("hall make good againft y*u what ever I have written, when and where you pleafe. Fiftly, He writes, That I eagerly endeavour to incenfe the Parliament againft himy and fuch as he is in the Army, andelfetyhere, and In the Conclusion of my Indepen>- dency examined ,pr^j(f<? the cutting of them off by the fVQord>& execnting Vtrath and vengeance on them upon pain of contraUinq the guilt of higheft Perjury : A moil malicious fcandall : For firft I never mentioned him or his in particular ; neither knew I how heftood inclined. Secondly, la my Independency examined 5 I only
in
neTb Tbandring blaqng-Stars and Fire-brands. y?
in a generall difcourfe a fie re, that Kings and Civitt Magifirates, have by the LaVo of God a Laftfutl coercive potter, though not to reft rain the fine ere Trenching oj the Gofbti and truth of God, yet tofupprejfe, reftrain, imprifon, confine, banifl the broa- der s of Here f eg y Schemes, Srronious, [eduious Dotlrims}Enthufiafmes, or fetters vpof n*Vt Formes of Ecclefiafticall (government Without Laftfull Authority ,to the endanger ing of mens fouls , or difturbance of the Churches And Kingdoms Peace: Thefe are my formall words which I there make good by Scripture,&Prefidencs in all Ages(& will juft ftc by Gods afliftancc upon any occallon againft all Sefta* ries tc Independents whatfoeyer) After which I dofe up this difcourfe in thefe very words ; And if anf Heretic ^s/alfe-Teac hers, Schifmaticlrs (chufe which of thefe three ranks you and yours will fall under) obftinatly refufe conformity after due admonition, and all good means ufed to reclaim them, the Poets Divinity and Folic y muftthen tuks place, as Wei in Ecclefiafticall js civiU and naturall maladies, j CunUa prim tcntanba, fed immedtcabile Vulnitts, * Enft reddendum eft, nepars fyncera trahatur. # £» ffc
Is this any urging of chc Parliament, To cut you a J yours of by theptoerd} and to execute Wraih and vengeance on you Mf you be fuch obftinate Herttickl, Schif* matickfyor falfe-Teachers,who fall within the compaife of my words,God forbid, but the iwoid of luft ce lhould be drawn out agair.ft you, as well as others , at J leaft to ch ftife ard reduce you to obedience, rhough not finally to cut you tflF, unUtTein cafe of abfoluie neceflicy ; But if you are none of this obitinate Here* cicall, Sth fmt'cal! Brigade (as I nrkeyon not, unieffe you make yourfdves) my geneuli ind finite words will relate, neither to your felf in perfon (whom I never once minded in my writings,) nor to any of your Tribe : And the*fore in this particular, I charge you for a malicious llanderour and falfe Informer , de- manding juftice and reparation from you for this andall the forenjentioned paf- fages, wherein you have wilfully done me wrong. Sixtly, fag. 6. He injuri- cully chargeth wc, as guilt} of being an Incendiary, betftixt the Parliament and their fait bfull friends and fervants ; and that my atlionsand praftifes tend to no better ertd,but to make mm and hispartie ( VS ) to be fleighted and contemned, and that they a fait hfull, confeientiow, AND CONSIDER ABLE PARTY IN THE ARMY and KINGDOM MIGHT BE DISIN- jy*ff GAGED and CAVS ED TO LAY DOWN THEIR ARMES, &c. After which, he concludes thus P*£«7« N0** I appeal to everie true hearted Engtifhm*'n> t> at dejlrts a fpeeoi* end of thefe fVars, of ^hat evil confiquenee it "timid be to thenar liament and Kingdoms, to have fuch a faithfull and con fider able forth as Mr, Prynne culnmniateth, andreproachethas bad, if not ftorfe then ever the Birtiop of Canterbury did, fhouldbe ea flcflle cut off&ith the ptoord, or be dif- ingaoed by hti means (efpeciallie feeing the Kingdoms nee iff) ties is fuch, that they ft and in need of the help of For r aineri) \r\ which PalTage he intimates ; Firft, that thofe Anti- Parliamentary feditious Sectaries, who confederate with this Libeller know theirown particular (pretended) ftrength in the Army and Kingdom. Se- cond 1\\ that they fight only for their own private intercft?,an1d toertd their own Church Government,not for Religion norrhepublick Caufe; fincemy very wri- ting againft their Schifmaticall feditieus wayes but in meer generail tcrms(as this iib<Uer,one of their privy Cabinet Councell intimates) and that by Authority of
G a Com-
J 8 A frejb Vifco<very of Prodigious
a Committee of Parliament, in juft defence of the Parliaments undoubted Eccle- ftafticail jurifdi&ion and Authoriry f which they moft affront of any men what- foever) Is a means to di(mgagey andcaufe them to lay doftn their Armes\ Thirdly I anfwer,thatifhe & his party be fuch faithful! friends and fervantstothe Parlia- menr,and fucn a confeientious considerable party both in the Army and Kingdom as he pretends,my writing in defenceof the Parliaments junfdidion (whicrwhey pretend to fight rorj can be no dikingagement or dif-couragemenc to them • And therefore himfelf alone muft be the Incendiary twixt them and the Parlia- ment, and the dif- ingager of them to lay down their Armes, by theft his flanderous Libells againft the Parliaments jurifdiftion, Priviiedges,Proceedings, not I who have only Cordially maintained them (according to my folemn Vow and Covenant,) by publike encouragement, and fpeciail approbation.
I (hal therefore challenge fomuch luftice from this Epiftoler, as p.ublikely to re- trad all thefe his malicious Libellous llanders of me,withouttheleaft provocation i given him on my parlor elfe he muft expect from God & all good menfyea from his own btft friends and party) the brand of a moft malicious Libeller, (lander er, Jnctndiary, and undergoe the punifhment due to fuch.
To this I might add e a whole bundle of Calumnies and injuries againft me ia IvLfter/o&tf Goodwins Calumny Arraigned and caft, wherein he chargeth me, pag.2. for afperfing the. Honourable Committee for Plundered Minifters and him'* felfm averring,that he was fufpended and fequeftred by that Committee ; which all the Committee then,, and himfelf with his Confederates fince experimentally: know to be a reall truth, however they outfaced it for a time : His other Ca- lumnies are fo grofife, and trivial!, that I will not wafte Paper to refute tUem-
Thefe Libellers are not fmgle, but thus feconded by a Brother of their SecT, one Henry Robinfon in his Pamphlet intituled ; The Pretences of Mafter Wil- liam Prynne, &c. (Ameer empty Libell fraught witb. nothing but railings and flanders againft me)and in his latter Libell intitu\ed/7& Faljhood of Mafter Wil- liam Prynnes Truth Triumphing, in the Antiquity of Popijh Princrs and Parlia- ments : To Which he attributes a file Soveraign Legijlative, (fotrcivepoWer in all matters of Religion • Difcoveredto be full of abfurditiesy contradictions, Sacr Hedge, and to make more in.favour of 'Rome and Amichriiij hen all the Book* and Pamph- lets Which Were ever puhlifhed^hether by Papall or Epircopall PrcUts or Parafites, fince the Reformation : With tWelve Queries, eight thereof vi fit Mafter Prynne the fecond time , becaufe they could not b? fawfied at the firft • Printed in ^tffcondon, 5645-..
Here is a large Libellous Title,but not one fy liable of it fomuch as proved or \ 2£?to made good in the Book : wherein he convinceth me, neither of Faljhood nor al-
furcLities.nor Contradictions, nor Sacriledge : And whereas he chargeth >yThat my \ Truths Triumphing, &r. Makes more in favour of Rome, and <iAntichrift then aU ; the'BooksanXPamphlcts which Were ever publijhedby Papallor EpifcopallTrelats J or Tarafites fince^he Reformation (of which he makes not the leaft offer of proof | in his Book) I (Wi aver to all the world (I hope without cftcntation, being thus enforced to it) and appeal to all men of Iudgement who have read it; that it makes more againft Rome,Antichrift,and the ufurped power of Popirt^Lordly Frektes and Clergy ra;B> point* of calling Comtek , the Authority of
Pre* 1
mlo lomdrmg blazing-iytars and tire- brands. } 9
I Prelates, Clergymen and Synods in making binding Canons,&c.and other points therein debated then any Book or Pamphlet whatfoever of this Sub; eel written fay any Prelate, Clergy man,Laicke, or by all the whole Mungrell Regiment of AnabaptiftsjScctariesor Independents pur together .-Therefore this Title of his,ts a moft falfe malicious impudent fhnderjOfaLibellerpaftflaamejVoid both of truth and confeience.
• ■ Hispafiigeagain{tme,/>*£.o.io. Is much of kin to his Title Page5 where thus he writes : 'The truth is, 1 cannot deny but Matter Prynne was once by more
• then many,and they godly too,held to be a man of Piery ( and was highly honou- red, in whofe Books and Pamphlets nctwkhffandmg which have been pub- c li(hedoflate)may be obferved more corrupted Principles, and a far worfefpi- c rit of perfecution, then ever was difcovered in rhe late Delinquent Decapitated 1 Arcbbi flop, from his firft afcending unto his higheft growth ot Authouty and c greatneffe; and in the Diary of hts life, which 1 fuppofe Mafter Prynne Printed, £ not to do him honour (though after Ages will not be tyed to be no u ifer then ' Mafter Prynne) I findc fuch eminent fignes of a Morall Noble piou<= rmnde, ac- c cording to fuch weak principles as he had been bred up in (his own perlecuiing c difpoficion,difabling him from being inftru&ed berter^ and p Ticularly fo inge- 4 nious a paftage in his Funeral Sermon, whereby he j\ ftifi s ihe Parliament in put- ' ting bim to death ; as I may fafely profefle to all the world, I never y tr could dif- ' cerne any thing near of like piety, or ingenuity co be in Matter rpryune, by all ' that ever I yet heard of him from firft to laft, or by all the books of his which 'ever came to my hands, wherein yet I have hitherto done him the honour in 4 being at charges to buy as many , I mean one of every fort, as I could ever
• meet withall.
Surely, I am much beholding to this Gentleman, for proclaiming me a man ©f more corrupt principles, and a perfon poffeffed ftith a Worfe fyirit of perfecution then the late Decapitated Archbijhop, but the Archbifhop far more obliged to him,in Canonizing him for fuch a Saint: As for his D iary>[ publifhed it as 1 found it,not fo much to do him honour as right, which is due to the very Devill himfelf ; But had this LibeHcr remembred , that I referved the criminall part of his life, for two other Volumes, one of them already published ; and the firft pare ©f the other now at Pre lie, which will render him, the Arckeft Traitor and un~ derminer of Religion, LaVvjy Lib er tie ffTarlmments that ever breathed in Eng- lijh Aire-, or had he fenoufiy confidcrc&jm obj&nate impenitency, md'juftificntio* of his innocency (though'moft criminall of*altenat ft>r wBicjh he*was condemned ) even on the very Scaffold; he would have blufhed at his large Encomiumt of fuch a Tray tor in affront of publike juftice, to caft the greater blecrtilh on my felf, who was publikely called by Authority to bring him to his trial!. * Having thus reviled my perfon only for writing againft Independent new wayes and fancies ; having naught elfe to object againft me, he fals foul upon my very Profeflion of the Law in thefe reprcachfull terme?,p^.2i,2 2, Certainly tis none 'of Mafter Prynnes leaft overfights thus to bring Tiimfelf a Lawyer , fwhofc c wrangling faculty fets and keeps all people at worfewar amongft themfelvesj r- then all Forraign enemies can do) into i Conteft with Mr.(7W\V/>,/&c.
1 If Mafter Trynne were a man truly godly and conscientious, he* mightJ!*fif
G z ere
40 a jnjn vtjconjery of rroaigtouf
•ere this time have confidcred the unlawfulnelTe of his very calling acto ding to 'chegreateft part of Lawyers pra&ife, in entertaining more caufes then they can
* pofli Ay take care of as they ought, in taking of excelTive Fees, prolongirg mitt,
* and fo involving the whole Kingdom in their Svphiflicall eyuirhj, tricks and € quillets, as that a man can neither buy nor felt, fpeak nor do any thing, but he
* mull be liable to fall into their tallom, withou. ever being able to redeem him- tkif, the Liwycrs having moil of iheir myfteries written in little IclTe then Hea- lth en Language, and detaining us in fuch Ignorant captivity, as that we may not
* plead nor underftmd ; by which and fuch like devifes oftbei ry they are become SRftW . * the greate ft grievance, crying loudeft to heaven for fajticc to be djnt upon them by
6 this Parliament^ next to the corrupted, depraved Cltrgy m'n.
Surely rhefe Independent Seftuies , rcl ive to~ex irpate all Lawyers and Clercy men, as the greiuft grievances under Heaven; that fo both LaVe and Goffdmiy bed:fpe fed only bv their La \-hffe% Go{pellffe li^s, hands : and ihis makes them raile at thtfe two Honourable Projtfli,ns, without which no Kingdom or Church can long fubfift : For my own part, 1 bU ile Cod, T am not afru^td of my Profeflion ; its no d .{honour unto me, ( :nceGod riimteif hath honoured Zf»0aProfeiTourofit,7'*;. 3.13. ) and I *ruft I (hA\ never difhonourit : and though fome perchance abufe it (as rrany do all o^her Callings) tbis makes it no: unlawfull or a grievance, no more then oth^r Callings it being the fa ttk of the perfon, nor of the Profeffion : Take heed therefore how yr u pr< fll* this Argu- ment furthered it reflect with difadv~nt?ge on yourfelf, who have much abufed tne Profeffion of a Gentleman, by turning Ltblhr^ of a Merchant \ in turning *n Independent Preacher ; ofzMiniftery\n becoming an u^licenkd Mr. Printer of ail thefe new Seditious Libels, in an Alley in Bijbtffgate ftreet, the very name whereof, made you fuch a Panegyrift , to trumpet out ttic A?chbifko$s Piety ar>d Graces to the world, after his Ex' cation as a Tray ton.
I (hall rake no more ia this Pamph!c:ers nafty Kennel, which abounds wi h fuch filthy (line king ftuffe, and Biilingfgare Language as this*
The Author oi The Araijnment ofVerfecvtion, thus makes hiznftlf merry wuh ffle, pag. 1 5. That Learned Gentleman, Juft-as conformity of Line oh s Inne, E\ty\ can throughly refolveyou, both by Scripture Texts, Vrefedetts of *ll forts , and theconftant uninterupted praftifes, examples cfthe Smminenteft Smperours, Vrin- ces, Councels, Parliaments, efrc% it is well rhefe illiterate Affes arc able thus to de- ride, what they can no wayes Anfwer or Refute by Scripture, Reafon, or Au- thorities of any kinde,but their own brainfick fancies.
He proceeds thus, pag. 39. *Bythe Apochrypha Writings, and Non-fenfe Argu- ments of Mr. Edwards ; By the diftratled thoughts , and fubitane apprehenfons of Mr. Prynne ; By the define of the Clergy • By their fo, ted tears ; By their Hy- focrifie ; By their falfe Gloffes , Interpretations , and Xophyftications, Good Lord deliver us. Here I am joyned with very good company, thouga in a Blafphe- xnous railing Ly turgy fit only for fuch Conventicles as this Libeller indoctrinates.
The Compiler oi the Sacred Synodicatl Decretallt thus fyorcs himfelf with Dr. J^Wifi^andme.pag. 22. "Dr. tBaft)k>icl^ind fockey frull be God-fathers, and the Whore of Babylon God mother, and it (hill be Chnftened, COMMON- COUNCELL OF PRESBYTERS; (hearts like to ha City toll
governed)
ne i» mandring blazing-Stan and Firebrands. 4 1
f governed) bu: his t\otyczR::o be known by thatNime, while the Childeisin c the Cradle, when it can go alone, it will be a pre ty thy fellow for myfoa € /acl^if the *Doclor can bur cure him of the Marti* : * lis true, he hath given him
* a good Cordiall againft: fome Independent Qjalmes, wherewith my fon/r^ 1 hath been much oj.prcffed,fuice Mr. ?/■/»** hacn been Ou'law'd by the Gof rl, 'his Voluminous errourshad the bene h\ (Sir Reverence) oi the peoples peft ri- c ours to correct them, {Let the DoEtor have a care of 'his Bills) Nam in posteriori * pagindy omnia jua fie C *or rignntur Errata : that's a fi^ne of fome Grace ; who
* layes bU.rrjnnes not an honed man, that hath conlemted fo much to fuch a € Reverend ufe? But he ilia! I have a better place when ic falls, hce's in the way
* of preferment, he doth fupply the place of an Informer already, for he muft uo
* a lirrle i rudgeiy before he be a Judg^.
In what an untivill, unchr.ftun minner they have rayled againft my ever honoured B o*her Dr+Baflwkbj as an ^^r^afi^hteragiinltGod.aneremy ot lefiw Chr;fts,-c^r. only for writing a gainft their Independent Novelties, him- felf hath at large related in his Poflfcript.
How ihcy have abufed Dr. TtW/fV, Mr. Hinder foam, Mr. Ctlamy, Mr, Mar* &JI, l)r Purges, Dr. Featl)y M'. Paget,nnd cfpecially Mr. Edwards, (whom they revile beyond all meafure ) only for oppefing their new Anarchicall Govern- rooitjha h in part been formerly touched, and would be over-tedious particular- ly Co relate : I Chall therefore conclude with twopjffiges more ; the one con- cerning Docter Purges, rhe other Doctor Ttoiffc and the Aflembly, in their laft Libel), called Martins Eccho, p.7 8. 5uch hath been their good fervice to the Church and State, that for my part, iidiouldno: much trouble me,to fee therrtas wcWknockjdoVrn : I mean to fee Doctor Surges, and a competent number of his brethren, fct down upon their Presbjterian Thrones, judging the Tribes of this omr Ifrael-y Be ye mounted upon your great Coach-Horfes, which trundle you too and fro, pn London to fVejiminfter ; mount all your new Canons, and ad- vance like mighty men of valour, The horfe men and Chariots of Ifrael , even whole blacky Regiments of y cu inco the field*, under the Conduct of you Gcne- ralifTimo, William ITiW/f^Prolocu'or; and fire all your new caft Ordinances at once in the face of your enemies and fofinifliyour^itor^ your fclvcs, and truft your Sacred caufe no longer in the hards of the profam.
By this fhort tafte,you may difcern the meft uncharitable, flanderottsji ing,L*- bellow difpofition of thcrc*rfc Independant lights, whofe works are fo fall of p* f email deeds of dark"^, and of the blac\ Language of HUL
Section X.
Containing f edition Qu'r/es, Pajftges and Prattles to txcitt the people t* mutiny, S edit ten, Dtfibe&ience, and contumacy again H the Parliament s freceedings, Ordinances, a»dto rtfume their fowerfrom them*
I Ha?e in the preceding Sections already tranferibed fundry daufes of this na- ture ; 1 ftiall rememberyou only of fome few more, in two or three late unli- ecofed Libels.
4* A frefh Dijcarvery of ^rodigiohs
The Auchorof,^« AnfWer to A - u$$£*eftibns concerning CKkrth-
* You mean government (fuppofcd to be Matter Henry Robinson) pag,2. makes this Otere : and I con fphai if tfce Parliament fhcirld be for P^rj again, ludai'me or Tnrctln\i>
jTiftS Tis no cffcnce to make a J^r*, NOR IMPOSSIBLE TO C(JME obey them in TO PASSE: Thegreateft part of inch as choofe our Parliament men are pulling down thought to be Popifhly or Malignantly affected .• by the fame Law and Doftrine Popery.-ind the whole Kingdom rfmft in corf quence, and fuch obedience as you didate^on- p""}811?2,, forme themfelvcs to Toperie, Judaifme, otTurcijwe^c. Government Ami P3g-24-25- He propounds thefe Juries, of purpofe to blaft the power, igainftusribw. and Eccleftalticali Proceedings of our prefent Parliament, and render them de-
* Not fo, but tcfhble, or contemprible to ihe people.
jjnly m things whether have not Parliaments and Synods of England in times pafl eflablifhed
anTdnretl P°pcrJ -? And whether may they not poffibly do * fo again hereafter? Whether in cafe
•gainft Gods * 'Parliament and Synod fcould fct up Popery y may they therein be difobeyed by the
word : We people ? ]f they may be difobeyed in one particular, Whrther may not they uvon the
mult not obey U\e grounds be difobeyed in another ? Whether the people be not judge of the orounds
lQ€m jn * ?es for denying obedience to Varliament and $) n id in fuch a cafe ? Whether the pretence of
word but muft &v'"£a Varliament and Synod poWer to efiablifh Religion, and yet referve in onr
o cy them in °^n hands ; a "Prerogative of ye elding or denying obedience thereunto , as \\e bur
all things not felves thinks good, be not an abfoluf: * contradiction ? And laftly, whether they that
repugnant to Attribute fuch a poWer to Varliament r and Synods, at ihey them felves Will queflion
l:,jSi10C°n avddifobey, When * they think void - donotia tfFcll eakjnand quhe enervate the tradiction. ,. ,* -L ' > -t. tr i t r 1 • V . / . i *
* No but poteen of Parliaments, or elje condemn t hem] elves in renj^rsng the Indtpendents for
when God withholding ef obedience from Parliament and Synod in fuch things, Wherein * they
commands us NEVER GAVE, OR MEANT EVER lO GIVE POWER?
nottoo'bey. \f theWliol" Kingdom ma) denie obedience unto Popifh Alls and (^anons, or upon ote, the any Qtirjer t.joe foj^ juflQrCafi0n^ and they them/elves be judge Whether the occafon be muft have no \uftor n& * Whether may not In dependents a part of the Rih^dom onlie^io the (j&e in more power atlreffetli } Or whether ought they becaufe a l<ffer part of the Kingdom^ to yield o- then lndcpen- bedience toVopifj AUs and Canons becaufe a Major part approve of \ and agree dents give, or with a Parliament and Synod in cflablifhing them ? whether Would it not be an un- rhemt0^1Ve godlie Courfe for anie people to hazard ante thing at the disfofall of others, or to be
* Where any carried by mofi voices, Which may pojftblie, if not more then probablie be decided in fuch are impo- fuch a manner as the yielding obedience thereun'o Would be burthen fern to their con* fed on them fciences , if not ab'Aolutelie finfull ? whether Were it not an * ungodlie courfe by the Par- jor tye yfch0/e Commons of a Kingdom fo farre differing i'/T Religion a* may piffcvdv T^dt t^3e7 ProfcJfe before hand that they dare not yield to another, upon pe- difobcy, not rill of damnation, to make choife of a Varliament and Synod , With entring into fed) tiouny rp- YoW and (fovenant,to become afterWards all of that Religion, What fever the Var~ pofe $ But this Hament and Affembly jhould agree on ? whether it be not abfurdfor men to fay, they is not our pre vvm fa 0f fuch a Rclioion as fball be fettled, before they fee evidence to convince the quite con- them ? t^nd whether it be in the power of man to be really of what ^Religion he trary. willy untill he fee reafon and demonfiratisn for it} If a reprefentative Staie or
* A piefump-
tuous cenfure o{ the Vow and Covenant, and Parliaments f rtfling of it. * You PcvuMike omit out 'A the Vow and Covenant, according to. Gods word, (?c.
Magi*
Mb wattdring blazjng-Stan and Fire-brands. 43
Magiftrate way have La&s forfeiting up of a 'Religion, or cfiablifivvkat flunk- Govemmentthcy pteafe; whether have not the people the fame power originallk^ in themselves, to * ajfume aqain> and put it in execution when they pleafe ? And ^ whether were this othervvife then to attribute unto a mixt multitude, to the £J^ft* world, if net abfolutcly <u it u diffinguifbed from the Saints in Scripture, Ioh.15. ^the ?{10^\Q 18,1/. and 17 6 2,1 V 4. at Uaft bj fame voices, to make choife of a Religion, againftthe Laws andTH 'chime , wherewith the SaM s% honjhdd *nd Church of God mufl Parliament,
,r -r 1 »J ~ *i? and rcidnis »
nece (fart lie le eoverned f \ A&s
Thefe feditious guares are lince reprinted and propounded by the fame Au- 1 1Cir thor (Henrie Rolnnjon) in another Libell of his, Intituled, The Faljhood of Mr. William Prynnes Truth triumphing, Sec. p. 26,27. t0 wnaC other end, but to ftir up the people to Mutiny, to rebellion agairft the Parliament and its proceed- ings (a thing lately attempted by a mutinous Petition framed by Independents, but afterwards moderated by fome difcreeter perfons , and by fome late Libeiiou^ fedkicus Pamphlets^ no wife man can conjecture.
To omit many new feditious, mutinous Paflftges in the Arraignment tfPerfecu- *Gl*nviL\.i+> tiott, A facredVecretall , and Martins Eccho ; compiled, published, printed, S'y7^ jj vended , difperfed by ^dependent Sectaries, who highly app-laud them; in- V2ii^^y°U ftead of excommunicating, detecting, fupprelTing, punifhing the Authors and fm.10US difperfers of them, I frull (Tor brevity fake) rranfenbe only this mod feditious Stearics and Oration in the clofe of Martins £ccko, directed to the common people, to excite Anabaptiftical them to mutiny and Rebellion againft the Affembly , Parliament, their Mili- l^^Sf" tary, Civil and Ecclefiaiticall prefent proceedings, delving no kffe then capitall peiJeunrt q*~_ punishment, being done in feditionem l^gni, no leffe * then high Treafon by the venticles,ad- Common Law. mitofnoap-
c Pag.16. Rejoyce, Re Joyce good people, for this bleflfed Reform.ition,\\h\ch p?al,ind foare 'is ready, like an evening Wolf to feizs upon you and yours: Loving Friends n,eert?^1*j 'and Neighbours, ftand ftili gaping with your mouthy and quietly bow down J^^tf y" 1 your back?, whiieft you are bridled and failed, and let the holy, humble, and *Thcymayin; * * gentle Presbyterians get up andridey they will doubtleiTe deal very meekly with falhbfy fipeck c you, and not put you out of your place, though the proverb be, Set a Beggar on »t from your c borft-back,, and bed ride to the Devil-, though they have fpurf, yet they will not ^ufpi?dc"l 1 ufe them. You remember how the Bifhops pofted you formally to and fro like cjaimc £i c 7*/wthelbn of 2V/w/&/,untill withfoundring and furbats they have even wea- their own pri- c ried you of your lives ; the geptle Presbyters will in no wife ride you fo hard, vate ufurped 'though fome Malignants would make you believe, that Sir John will ne- p?wer,autho-.- *ver be off of your backs, becaufe it is intended he fliall have his holy Spi- l^°rcxy %rituall Courts in every Parifli of the Kingdome; but this benefit you are Sacraments & Mike to have, That if by his continuall riding hee fo gail your backs and their Children c ^boulders, that you can no longer endure, but cry out by reafon of your rromB.ipti£w.> 'fevere oppreffion, you fliall have Liberty granted you, To leap out of the and impriicr* ' Fryingpan,into thefire^by making your * appeal to the Common- CounceH of jiliiucnwno ' Presbyters ; forfooth,where when you fhall come with this complaint,:?W Fa- 0^ opp0fe fat 1 thers the 'Bifhops made your yoke qrieveom, and our Tarochiall Presbyters, (thofe Government 'Lyons Whelps ) do adde hereto : 7<fo^p do you eafe fome^hat the grievous fervi- uponjuft' ■ tude, and heavy yoke put ttt$* w* You may * expert from this Honorable Court §l0UI*Js °*£i*
7 an'«yandpolk|^
44
A freft Difcwey of Trodigioki
•Your Inde- pendent Chur- ches power, is fuchwhoadmit cf no appeal or fupenour Judicature, whrch Presto* tcrians plead for.
* Again ft In- dependents proceedings, admitting no Appeals.
* Doth not your neck de- ferve to be broken at Ti- burn, for fuch feditious inci- tanons to Re b.lhon & mu- tiny againft th. Parlia- ment <•
Aloud lye.
* Wiy not the Ii dependents r heijwhoare gYrlticit of the tv. o» id boaft f i much of their numb r in tht Army, Stui £«ou fer- v ce in rhe w.irs greater Taxes, Why may no
an Anfwcr like unto thicot RebohamJ to thofe diilreiled people, thatcrved unro him, Our Fathers made your yoke's heavy y but Wr Vb// udde there;* ; Our Fa- thers €k*fti hi you tokb whips, bat *e Kill Cbafiife you V?itb Scorpions, and mend your f elves a* yen can .for Kcdr* the Divine potoer, and consequently the La\*-ei- vers both of fourth and State ; therefore you are te be content and fubmit jour [elves to your Superiors ; your fever all Presbyters in yon feverall P arises, that have the Rule over you% mufi in no Voife be reft/led, but as it is meet, be humbly *- beyedin all things that they Jhall Command you ; and * their potter is not to be quejlioned$r the fame potoer Which lately V?as reftdent in & confined to the breaft of one man, to ftit,an Archbifhop M inherent % and of Divine Right, in the body of a Presbytery, and conveyed equally to every particular Presbyter : therefore if this Eptfcopall pofter be offenfive and obnoxious to youj$ever expel! to have it others i(e% for your * Parliaments themfelves cannot lawfully help you.
1 Now have you not caufe co rejoyce for this lubtlee, this yea* of deliverance from your tsfttti-chrifttAnfcrvitudc, to Egyptian bondage } Yes fure, therefore I fay, Rejoyce and be glad, and again Rejoyce, life up your heads, For doubtlcfe your Redempton draft eth nigh : The Righteous /hall be delivered out of trouble ^and the wtcieed [hall come in h$sfleadt Prov. 1 1. 8. But in plain terms (loving friends, Neighbours. tnd Country-men) let us a little reafon together fenoufly ; Have not you born the brunt and heat of this unnaturail War?Is it not you that pay all the Taxes, Cc dements , and oppre (lions whatfoever } is not the *>hole burthen laid upon your backs e 'Burthen after burthen* Even till your * backs breakj How many thoufands of you, who were of great Eftate, are even reduced you** felver, yourdeir Wives and Children, to mifery and poverty ? How many thoufands and millions have you exhaufted .? Yea, hath not your hands been liberal! be- yond your Abilities f How freely have you brought in your Gc H, your Silver, your le web, Ring? &C. which in London, Mildlcfex and EJfrx, amounted to a* bove eleven Millions, btfides threefcore Millions extract d our of the Counties, with the innumerable fums otherwife raifed , and fpent in his fcrvice? Hath not ycur blood, the blood of your dear Children ard Friend-, been only enga- ged and fpilt } And is it not dayly fhed in this Quarrel!, while :hc * Presbyters- clap you on rhe backs, animate, encourage, and Preach our your very lives 3rd - elates, and involve you in al thefe mifenes, and themfelves touch it not with, the tin of their little finger; You have your Husbands, your Sons and ServantfJ Impreftcd from you, and fotfoorh, aPrieft muft not be r.tddled wi hall, urder Sacriledge,Blufphemy>or rrophanerelTeatleait : They are* freed from ell char*i grs and Tax xiions, <*nd rAlis laid upon yon ; and notwhriUnd ir> ^ your infnfft, r- ablc mifery, your unfupportable charge and opprtflion, urder which you groan, and are fit to 1 xyir y hofe greedie \*>r?tch(S «re not tftamedto exalt their * tyttes, though they plucky it cut of your Child -ens mopthes, Tttre had been more need of an Ordinance f> have Stffedtke Vri fts, andimprefi'd them to the Wars, for that would be moreconducent for the Kingdoms good: For fhou'd t he h ing fer up his
* A moft filfe,feditkus flander, the contrary being true, that Prcsl' terian Mimfters pay ccordingto ih.ir pr©P*rtioP, then any other nun, though many Independents fcape fcotfree. Presbv reruns ?s juftly exact Tythcs for their pains and maintenance, being due by Law^af
Epifco-
i
JiKkp> .rdci.t Mmifters both Tytfiv$ anu Cornel uuon» too3 Independent Officers Souldicrs,pay
N tw-WAndringMapng-StarS) and firt- brands. 45
* Epifcopall Qergy, and tie Parliament their PresbyterUn Clergie, tn the fore-# when all
* front of their battclls,/*r/#r** hopes, ind put f hem inftead of other honeft inno- M,l|lfte" '
* cent harmeletfcfoules, upon all their "defperate attempts, without doubt they "fJ^J^' ' woaid as zealoufly preich {ox peace, as they doc now for war: they would quick- £dCi) in4c.
■ ly agree and turne as they were, rather then looie all. I am confident this would pciunau *pr§Vi the mojl effectua/l me ones for * our reconciliation , then any that hath i.a/-f*oaei»- 'beene yet attempted, Confider this I beJetch >ou, call to minde all your ffOf '• ct% ^"^J^T
* mercKpences, ventures and ceffementsror this preicnt wane, and the miferable ^ oacc^ 'condixionyouandthe whole Kingdome Itfugleth in, as it wer* for life , and are not bctorc. *
' now all ready to be devoured ; your eftatcs are wafted , your men flaine, your hands b bomc tnmk
* weakned.and the Kingdome is fit to be over-run, your Itrength decayuh,and your Bloft money 1 enemy increafcth, and all your afiiftance hath beeoe conveyed through the hands c/fn* ' n" emi
* the(b) Presbyterian party, they h*\e(c:)born al offices, & have had all in tneirown gngCVs pfe, 1 difpofing, but what is become of it ? VVifemen lay, that the treasures and wealth, have bcene
« thit: hah been fpenc for the managing of this warn1, would have maintained a *>oft active in
■ greater wirrc (even yeares longer, ioinc body have feathered their ncfts, though ^c?n^ a*d
■ yours are bare : Now how thinke you, is it otherwise poilible but the Kingdome n'c^ n%tm*~ ' muft be ruined if this courfe be continued, and to addc more certainty of d*ftrucT:i- which forac of ' on to it,the(e men n#w in this ourgreatcit extremity, libour to divide rhe (d)Par- thc«i give v<j-
* /iament part icf in twainc ; Before rhe Synod was affembied, the rr*>/ of the pec, *yp<*>reac- ple Were heard, their Petitions *nfWered,miferies redrejfed, Monopolies remooved , co"ncs* , . .< opprejfions eafed,tender confeiences refpetied,the fervants ofCjod delivered out of pri- Independents Jons, courts of tyranny and oppreffton lupprcfted^C. But fincc their Sellion, the Cafe have bom tw« is quite altered, nothing but Iefuiticall and Machivillian pollicy hath bin on footc> to on« for tht thoufandsof Petitions of poor e WtddoWes%Orphanes and all manner of diltrefled op- PKlt>ytcmw prciTed perfous, who cry daiely and cannot be heard; and thefe fat 7>reifls can have JJJJ number Ordinance upon Ordinance for their ends ; they can have the free at of other mens d\t% iuch li-* broWes confirmed upon them by an Ordinance , whiles others(e ) cannot have their juft bilious hre- recjueds , tor their oWne rights Anfweredi though their Wives and (Children peri(b ; brands as you our f)T>refbyierians wives muft^o lik.e Ladyes, wkhthc'u (Uke vSc Tafetyfome with *h" a*efir* their \anns and filver Watches forfooth hanging by their girdles, to plealcthc pretty (cln^\\ ^^ IWect faced, lovely Mopphct with;di: prctiy' things, tispitty there's not an Grdi- Parliament nance all this while, for tliem to weare Rattles y Confix er this with your felvcs, & tending to
I for what your e&atc S nnd blood have beene engaged , The liberties of the fubjetl , ™"c!n<v\ and the "Proteftant Religion, noW hoW much after this vift txpence, thSfca of blood, (s tT™tf ^ ul thefubjrtts Liberties, have you attain d ? even thus much , He that (hall open his Independents m uth freely for the Vindication of your Native Liberties , cannot doe it Without; the wives who k I
for
teflant Religion hath it not beene lock'd up i.) the brealb, of the Affembly } hath not your faith been? pin'd upon their fleeve? your eftaresfpmr, and your blood llied for the refult of their mindes, right or Wrong, and fo have fought for you know not What f But it may bcyou'l dy, you hare engaged for the fiippreflion of Prelacy, High- Commijfion &c. you have indeed beat the bulh, but the Presbyters fuve caught the
H Hare
■Afrefb Difcovery of Prodigious
Hare, in&eidof one High-commiJJion, in the whole kingdome, you fhaii have one
* This is true in * every Parifh under the name of a Paxochiall *SV#/w, befides the generall Hirk- •f your 1™*C^ cemmiffion calTd the Common C^unc ell of Pre/by ters ; How have you not, tojbxn rencide*. 0I1" the fmoke, skifftintothe fire? isthematter any thing amended ? fure you have got
a worthy Reformation : But it may be you have a better eftcem of thefe new Courts then of the old High-commtflion : Let me aske you ? do you thinke that theyl be bet- \ ter then their patterne? &c.
Thus you may fee what you arc, to rely upon, if in confeience you canuot fubmit to any thing they command, you know your wages,; ou mufi he banijbed : and doe not our Presbyters not onely labour for the banimment., but for the lives of the Con- trary minded to them ? And is not this thinke yorr, as evill meafure as ever was mea- fured out of the High-commiJJion ? Wherfore I befeech y©u Triendsy confider what you do, confider the frait of your bodies ; into what flavery you are fit to inthrall3' them. I know you would be loath your Children after you (hould be deprived of trading or living in the Kingdome, though they fliould differ a litle in opinion from others.
I btfeechyou therfore,fave your feives from thi/ kicked Gneration,V}hb bwtfpext
* A moft fedi- lour efiat€S>J0Hr blood and all, and you are now ftorfe then ever you were hither to, all . ti*u$ flaadcr, hath beene in their difpo(ing,andyou are betrayd, and date ly delivered as a Prey to the
Enemy : The Lord Deliver us y Amen.
Whether this be not another Shebay a Trumpeter to blow up popular fedition and Rebellion againft the Parliament, Synod, and their proceedings, deferving Sheba's
Eunifoment-and whether it be hot more then time for the Honorable Court of Par- ament to proceed feverely againft fuch Scifmaticali Libellous and Seditious Muti- nies as thefe forementiened,let all wife men judge. If our fooliih pitty and indul- gence towards them (accord ing to the proverbe) defiroy our &nh our Church, our Religion, our Parliament, cur Realmts, let thofe fuperior Powers anfwer it, who have authority to prevent it ; I can with a good confcienceprofefTe and fay, Liber avi animam meam, what ever cenfures, reproaches Scandals, Libels 1 fuffcr for my *2Trief. 3.1, good intentions, from this Libellous Generation of* unreafonable men, who have title faith and lcfle Charity.
Certain Quercs propounded to Independent Miniftersand their Members, convincing them in many things to be meer Papifta, andfvververs from the Word of God.
i,TX7Hether Independent Minifters prefcribiwg* and Members iubtmtting to a . New-forme of Church-Government, not yet fully knowne to, or agreed on among themfelves ; nor reduced unto certainty by any of their Seft, but fluctu- ating and fwimming in their Minifters giddy braines, with a referve of altering, adding or diminifhing at their pleafure; benotameere Popiili blind obedience .? a receivingof a Church-Government with an implicit Popifh faith, to believe &s their Minifteror Church believes, without knowing certainly and determinate^ what they do dogmatically believe I and a plaine worfluppiflg of they know not what, their Independent way and Government* being yet not folly delineated aor jput in W£&n? by any of their party,. though fi^quendypreffoj to &.
2<Whe~
■--
Ntw-TTAndring BUfwg-Stars, and Fire-6rA*ds. 47
2. Whether Independent Miniftcrs, Members, Churches denying the ltwfull le- giflative, dire&ive, coercive Authority, Jurifdf&ion of Parliaments, Councels, Synods, Kings, and Temporall Magistrates in all Eccle/iaftictll affaires, or matters or Religion ; appropriating this power wholy to thernfelvts and their Independent conventicles ; Their pleading or an exemption of fhemfeluesand Members from all fecular Powers in Church matters, as being immediately fubjeft herein to none but Chrift: Their ufurping Authority to ereft and gather New Independent Churches not onely without, butagainftthe command of Parliaments and Princes; Their dayly pra&ife of admitting,reje&ing Church-members^ excluding godly Chrifti- ans no't encly from their Churches, but even from the Sacraments, and their children from baptilme in cafe they fubmit not to their New-fangled way : Their denying the liberty and benefit of Appcales from them felves to any fuperior Tribunal^ be it a Claftis, Synod, or Parliament, by way of uurifdidtion but onely of advice. Their proefeimeing their owne Independent Churches, to be the onely true Churches of Chrift j and allocs fllfe, erronious, Antichriftian, from which all muft fever un- der paine of damnation; Their impofing New Oathesand Covenants, under pajn of eiclufion from Church-cc-mmunion on all their new members; and binding them wholy to their wayes,Edicls;Their ft fling themfelvesfupreame heads of the Church next tinder Chrift ; and exalting therr>felves, above all that is called God, orwor- (hipped, above all other Minifters or Chrift ians whatfoever, as the ONLY Lights of the world, and tying the Scriptures to their owne new-fangled cxpofitions ; be not an erefting of ameete arbitrary, tyrannical!, Papall, Anrichriftian Jurifdifli- on in every Independent congregation, both over the foules, conferences, bodies of Chriftians, and a (etting up of as many Petty Popes, as there are Independent Mini- fters or congregation? f
3. Whether Independents ldmitting Women, ret onely ro vote as members, but fbmetimes to p:e3ch,expound,and fpeake publikely as Predicants, in their Conven- ticles, be not dircftly contrary to the Apoftles Doctrine and pra&ife, 1 Cor. 14. 34,35. 1 Tim. 2. 1 1 ,i 2. and ameer politick invention to engage that St x to thtir par:y ? Whether their pretended Liberty of confeience for every man to btleeve, profeffe, and pra&ife, what Religion he pleafeth, (be it Paganifme, Judaifme, Turcifme, Popery) without coertion or punifhment by the migiftratf , be not a like wicked Policy, contradictory to Scripture and Religion : which proclaimes a licen- lioufheiTe to pradtife any (inne with impunity ? and warrants Popes, Papifts, Iefuits to murther Prcteftant Princes ; blow up Parliament^ Maflacre Heretiques ; ak- folve fubjefts from their allegiance; Equivocate; worfhip Images, Saints, Re- liques, and their Breadcn-god ; and commit any wickednefle for the advancement of the Cttholique caufe^ becaufe their Religion and Confciences hold them lawful, And how then can we juftly punifh any Traytor,Rebell, Murder, Adulterer, Swe«- rer , Drunkard, Polygamift,Thetf, in cafe he be really pcrfwad«d in his confidence, what he doth is Law full ?
4. Whether the Independent Minifters in theAfTembly will undertake robind either themfelves or all others of their party for the future, without any referveof altering or changing their opinions and praftife,to that Independent way of Church Government, which Mr. Thorns Goodwin, or they fhall at laft, after long expefta- tioAjfct dowa in Waiting ? Ifyea#that contradicts their owne Profeffion, and Pro-
teftation
^g A Frsfh DffcoveryofProdigiwts
■
teftation in theix e^o//<>£/ : takes away t ha c liberty of confidence they contend for ; and Attributes a greater Authority to them alone to oblige their party, then to the whole Parliament or Synod. If no,thcn certainly it is vaine to exfpeft a fet form of Church-government from thofe fluctuating Divines, who will neither under-take to oblige themfelves or others fiw the future, by any thing they refolve on or pradtiie for the prefent : and a meare fottiforielTe for any people to depend upon iuch un- liable weather- cocks, and roling ftones, who know not where to rcll or fettle : And that way certainly can be none of Chrift s, on which the very prime ftickias for it dare not abfolutely and immutably to faften for the future,what ever they pre- tend for the prefent.
5. Whether publike preaching, prophefying, and expounding the Scriptures by Independent Souldiers, Taylors, Weavers, and other illiterate Mcchanicki, neither publikely called tof nor ficted for the Miniftry /Specially when and where there arc able painfull preaching Minifrersto inftrnft the people, be not a mod exorbitance arrogant, fcandalous, and diforderly practice, no where warranted by Gods word, but direftly condemned by Numb. 18. 11. 21,13. c.\6.$Ao 41.2 Sam. 6.6. j, ' 2 £hron. i6.l6.t02$.Ier. 1 4. I4.f. 27. ip. Hofea 4. 4. p.vifw/. 1.7.2 Cbron. ij, 8.9. Neh. 9. 4, 5.^.1 2. throughout. Mat. 2~8'. 18. 40. 10. Mar 16. 14. 15.10* Ails \ 20. 2$.GaL6.6.Hebr. 13. Ij.c. 5. 4. 1 Tim.^. I.e. 4. 14.16.1 Tim. 4. l. ^dd-m* \ 10.14. 1 5. 1 CV.12. 28. 2p. <:. 14. 29 totbecnd.T^. 1.7. p. Contrary to tl*L ve- ry light of Nature/, he Priefts among all heathen Na:ions whatsoever being diftin- guifhed from the people, and not all promiicuoufly Prielts,C7«t. 42. 22. 26.2 King. 17. 32.1 Kings 12. 31. $i.Zepb. 1. 4. Afts 14.1 3. And quite oppoike to the pra- ctice of all chriftian Churches in all ages ?
r 6. Whether MuHanferd Knots (the illiterate Anabaptiftjhis Moderate AnfWcr
to Dr. BaftWicks booke, p. ip. 20. where he averns : That the condition upon whkh
people are to be admitted into the Church yare Faith9Repentancer4fid B APTISMEj
and NONE OTHER.And \\>hofoever(poore at well as rich, bond an Uv// at freezer-
•Aft vants as Well as mafiers ) * did wake a profeffsn of their faith in Chrift lefus% \and
1 it I^°* Vtouldbe baptised (he meanes re-baptized ) into (he fli mid fay in) the name of the
Acti l.'x z. \$ FathertSont and holy Spii'it% were admitted Members of the Church ; but fuch as did
37- 38. 39. not beleeve9 and would not be baptized { though formerly baptized by others ) they
Ad* x 8. 8. yfcould not admit into church communion* And that this hath bin the fratlife offome
h h°r churches in this city^vithout tsrgtwg or making auy particular covenant with mem*
warrant your ^crs uPon Admittance : Doth not herein diametrally contradict his other Independent
practice of brethren ,who exift particular covenant j,from their new admitted Memfck rs and do
\\t4aftixMti. not re-baptize them? Whether he hath not plaid the Anabapttfiicall jugler with
onot Chriiti-Mr, Cranford/m printing ondy , Imprimatur I A: QRANFORD%\u the title of
ba$ rizof b7 his Booke,and leaving out the preceding formall words of his Licenfe , to tfce great
other* * tDu^e both of the Reader and Licenfer, viz* J have per ufed this Treatife ( called A
Moderate Anfwer to DcVafiWick^hich THOUGH I lUDGEEHRONlOUS,
yet to fatisfie the defire of a Frieud2and prevent the cavils offome Adverfaries} I <*/>-
pofey Imprimatur la: iZranford.
• The Dip- Anc* whether thefeaBd fuch like practices proclaim not the Anabaptifts fuch as
}>ers dipt. * I^r« Featly proves them : A Falfe and lying feet , if not blafphemotss too, as the pte-
p. 104, &c, niiied SeSipns declare fome of them to be ?
u
A Tranfcript of a Letter lately written from
the Sommer Iflands , to William Prynne of Uncolnes Inne Efquire 5 relating the Schifmaticall,Tyrannica!l,and SeditiousProceedings of the Independents there ; and how they Lord it over the foules and bodies of thofe who
dare oppofe them; how contemptuoufly they fpeak againft the power of Parliaments, the Church of England, and fcandalize all others whatfoever, who are not of their Fattitn.Whkh Gods Providence newly brought to my hands from thence, when I was clofingupthe prcmifed Difcovcrj.
Worfhipfull Siry
WAlFy§- H health, happinctTe, and profperity wiflicd unto you ( as to mine owne foule.) The occafions moveing rne at prcfent ro trouble you with thefe unprofitable papers, are gi eat ar\d ma- 9 t^ ny ; an^ happily I being a (Iranger unto your Wor/hip, ycu J^'jyy? may account it more then boldneffe. yea even peremptory iau- cinefTe, in me to prefume to write and crave favour to and from one who never had theleaft knowledge ofmc. But the manifold reports I have heard of you by divers good Chriftians,emboIdeneth me; but efpecially feeing your good works which I have perufed with care and diligence, which from Mr Sparks his brother T procured, enforccthme fo much the more in this my boldneffe, not doubting butthat you are a trueheartcd Chriftian,truly fearing God, embracing piety and hateing iniquity, a faithfull well. wilier to the Church of God • and to all the Jfrad of God, and to all true Ifraeiites Avho with faithfull hearts love the Sion of God truly and fincercly, without hypocrite or halting between opinions, deflentingfrom it in any by or falfe refpc£ts,the which arc the only caufes moving me hereunto: And for which I have fufferediandami and have beene thefe thirteen monthes * prifoner in bonds ) for ftanding in defence , and an oppofite unto9 cr againft a cert nine Inde- pendent Church , hatched and forged in the brain es of our Divines ; and by them conftituted, erelled, and fully accomplifhed ,* and with us held in gieat repute and adoration, yea and the Actors of it not as men, but even as demy hands.
A gods,
* This is the Independents liberty of con- science where they have pow- er in their
z A Copy of a Letter from the Sommer Jflands^ relating the
gods, attributing that unto them, which is only proper unto God ; efpecially Note unto their Paitor Mr White , the chiefc A&or of their Faction, a mofl [editions
turbulent, and hate full malicious perfon, and at politick, ** *s4chitopheU9 and ai crafty andfnbtle a* the Devill, having as he holds the world in hand , that by his wifedome none can excel! him in the lawes , both Ecclefiafticall and Civill; and therefore amongft us, fa company of poore fimple ignorant and undifecrning people,) he is fo accounted of, as all his words are oracles, and himfclfe no IciTe fen: from God ; and therefore whatfocver he faith, is and muft * Is this the li- ^c a ^aw y whether it concerncs Body, Soule, or Confcicnce ; for he cannot bcrty of con- & re, fo perfect is he in their conceits ; A nd if * Chriflians ingriefe and diftra- feience Inde- Rions of foule and confeience ^ at their courfes^fhall fueunto our Rulers for re* pendents plead dreffe of their factious aud (editions courfes byway of * humble petition, for a io much for ? ceffation ofthofe things, till we fhall heare from England, what Difciplire the high Court of 'parliament andSynodhath concluded upon, and that to embrace and follow ; then /ball we prefentty be fummonet<fto an Affiles, and there under* goefuch penalties as by the Court ft all be cenfured upon^ or elfe, which they mofi aymeat3to have us , contrary to knowledge and confidence, acknowledge we have wronged them , and there in open Court before the Countrey confffe our f elves forry for whit we have done; this is our mifery : yea if I fhall fpeak , much more write in our owne defence agatnft their Independent Church, laying open their factious and fchifmaticall government , and their envying Agaivifi our Church s and (fhurch government , and Dtfcipltne , though they have proof es and grounds fujjicient by the word of God to convince them , the which 1 could never yet fee dtfprovedbj them ; together with my name annexed thereunto, yet if he threaten me for boldneffe herein to have a Counfell Table called again ft me, I am fure of n , and there to bee baited and banded to and againe by a whole Counfell; together with our Schifmaticall Divines, even as r> Beare at aftake,not one to (peak one word m my defence, nor in the defence let their own of Gods caufe; but with an unwimous confent andveyce my writings exclaim Law there bee med againft , pronounced Libels , and ignominious and flanderous writings , their ludge though none of them approved fo to be , nor dtsfrsved for the Truth I [land for ; yet [hall I be cenfured by them, for them, bound to my good behaviour^ put infureties ; and if at any time afterwards I /hall divulge any thing either by pen or tongue againft this Independent (fhurch, their Governours,or Govern* mentyDoilrine, or the! ik* J muft then prefently be declared infamous , and lie inprifon till to the contrary we heare outofEnghnd; yea her: ever, for want of Sureties in this cafe9 to lie inprifon notwithftanding till I can or doe put in Sure- ties; the which I did for the fp ace of five weeks, to my great damage and charge, tind alfo detriment, being an aged poore man ofj^yeares of age; and five nights inlhecotdwintertimt aimoft drowned in theprifon with r am e, and fore Independents tewjfftmus weather, having no ftjelter tofave my felfe dry : Thefe, with other ChaTiT w **>*"&' > have J tsndergon, too large for to relate, andthat chifelyfrom this ikefrVfi&rov White of this Independent Church,? aft or; Imeanehy hismeanes,for if hee fay it, it muft and ftj all be by our Rulers, who indeed ought to be chiefe injlru- ments in removing and cafting out fuch venomous v ermine out of both Church and Common-wcalc* But how can it be expeftcd , when they themfclycs are
-n
fa£tiot*s uachffiidn Proceedings cf fame Independents there.
in confederacy with him, and joy ne hand in hand to work wickcdnefTc • there- fore whoever ipcaks or writes againft one, doth ic againft all ; therefore with a cunning (Vght they put it off, as not being done in the behalf e of their (fhurch\ bnt tu that by it I labour thefubverfion of the peace of our Qountrey as much as
, in me lay , as though our C nun treys peace refted wholly upon the planting of this their Independent Church, whereby they have made more and greater breaches,
i as can be mamfefily proved, then ever they will be ablet$ make g°°d, both in Church and Common wealth : yea tn private families alfo^ the husband againfl 7yv* the wife^the wtje againft the husband, the children againfi the parents, the pa^ rents again ft the children ; and the like, according as your felfe have worthily noted in your twelve Interrogatories. Is not this a great miicry in Co little a (por, even a h mdfull of people; Oh miferablc limes! Oh unhappy condi- tio s / Now if yon demand a title or name of this their Church 3 or from whence derived, I cannot anfwer you 5 for 1 fuppoie themfelves know not, only framed of their fancie and braines, onfy to gecthemfelvcs a name, fame, and popular applaufe and eftimation of the world: But thus much I am furc of, it is derived partly from the Anabaptifts, partly from the Brownijls , but moft efpecially from the Donatifts, having in it a fmatch of each,* however they feign it to the Church of 2^jw England, which, as they ($y% is the pureft Church this day in the world; yet come they farrc wide of it, fo that it is but 'heir faying not their doing. But grant that they were in their way aright, yet hold it we not requisite that their examples fhould be rules to us to walk by , feeing that both the one and the other have beene constituted and erected' by an mdireft way, without the adviccand approbation oflawfull Authority yr ot of King, ? irliament,and Synod, the which our men fay they are not to attend or w ait e upon Princes nor ^Parliaments leifures, the caufe being Chrifts owne$ and depending only and alone upon him, and not upon any humane power : and they hts fervants, andChrifi their Lord, it refteth on them in hisbehalfe to doe it, it being a fpirituall and no carnall wor^. And againe fomc of them have faid it, that Parliament and Synod can eftabhfh no other Church 'Difciplineer y t ' r ~- Government thentheirs3unlep they will goe contrary to the word of God; this !enc tomb*' hathbeene publikely delivered : yea by the fame party fuch ftuffe hath becne the power of delivered , nat hath made all modeft and fliamefuJl faces to blufh, cares to Tarliments* glow, and hearts to grieve that hath heard it; yea and that upon day es of hu- miliation, making divers people both obje&s and fu6jcc5ts openly to work upon ; thundering out punilliments and judgements, both fpirituall and tem- porally againtt divers perfons, as though they had both fwords in their owne power, or as though they had abfolutely knowneGods fecret decree ; and
this hath beene held for found and good Orthodox Dodrine,when divers' have repented of their hearing 5 and thefc not once nor twice, but often. Infinite might I relate, even from their ovine mouthes , which would make wife men admire, bnt I muft paffe over them to avoyd tediouineflc to my felfe, and trouble to you. And chat in your wifedome you may the better conceive of this their Church , The fi.ft beginning was acertaineFeaft, held every week atfcverall houfes, which Fcaft they called & loblolly Feafi ; which for the common fire of our Countrcy is as our watergtueH in England, (0 they would
& .% have
4 A Copy of 4 L etter from the Sommr Ifl&nds relating the
have it but of a common food ; at which Feaft each did ftrive to excell ano- ther in the difference of making it rafter they had once gotten a certaine num- ber unto them, and fo of an ordinary food they made it extraordinary; yea fo extraordinary, that feme in few meetings were forced to fell the feathers
2{ote out of cnc'r bedding, for milk, butter, and crcame to feed them withall, and
to make their Loblolly the more dainty and toothfome ; others againe to maintainethis Feaft, for one dayes entertainment, themfelvcs and wholefa- mily muft pinch for it two or three months after ; by which Feaft^by the fhew ofneighbourhoodorFeaftof Love,though never none was found, in ftiort time theyencreafed in every parifh to a pretty number. At which Feaft alfo their bellies and ftomacks being well gormondized,the Minirter prcpoundcth certaine queftions unto them by way ofcatechifing of his owne framing, for halfe an howre ; which each had in writing one from another, and like Schoi- lers thefe their leffons to learneagainfteach Wednefday, and great care was taken • feme for feare of reproofe, and fome popular applaufe: and thefe ca- techifings being ended, they then for an hourc or two difcourfe of neighbours that would not joytie with them, traducing both names and perfons ; this man is a drunkard, a whooremafter , andthe like $ fuch a woman was light and wanton, and loved fuch and fuch a man ; fueh a man loved fuch a woman ; this was the manner and order of their Feafts, till at length them/ "elves were
^ytfe tuofl of them drunkards and whooremongers.
The next thing was, a day in a week at noon for two houres fpace to cate- chife youth and children, upon "a fimple fmall Catechifm fct out by one Mr Oxenbridge , fonne to Doclor Oxenbridge of London , who with his wife efpecially were the firft. ground-works of this Faction : Who in time before it came to any perfection, departed from us, but left thecurfed feed or fruit of their FacTion behindc them : they being gone, this Mr White aschiefc, takes in hand to accomplifh this bufmerTe , which with another as forward, but better fecnein it then themfelveSjOne Mr golding, a young head but well learned inSchifmaticallScience,ifnot worfe, joynes together, iabourswith and overcomes an ancient man, Mr Copelandby name ; and then on all hands with an unanimous confent, they joynetheir forces for the erecting and efta- biifning this their Church ; and then in fteadof catechifin^ youtrr, they would catechifeancicnx people young and old of both Sexes : This they could not well accomplifh, being by divers withftood ; but feeing they could not S>ring that to paffe, then- would they notfuffer any to communicate without examination before, and that as well Beieevers as others , yea them efpecially, though never fo learned and fufficient, which bred a fore broile amongft us ; yet of many could they not have their wills, though put from the Sacra- ment.
Then denied they to baptise children, unlejfe the Parents rehearfedthe Creed, and fuch as did had their children baptised, and fuch as would not , /heirs were not. Then having made themfelvcs ftrong by encreafing their CGmpanyjihcy then began a weekly Lcclure upon every Wednefday, one one week, anotheranother week ; thefe excrcifes were wholly and only for the building up,of this their Church % Exclaiming againft our Church, both in-
tMatier,
faBious unthriftan Proceedings offome Independents there.
ijfttatter y Manner, Order, Government, Difcipliney and Gov >ern ours \applau- dingthii t their owney the kotiefo and pure ft Church upon the earth, next unto New England : here they deny all fupr earn power of M^giftracy, yea, of the King him [elf e, only to guide them in the channel^ and to defend them andm-im* tainethemin this their Church, Orders, and Bifiiplme, to pnnifo all fuch at /hall oppofe them : thernfelves being chief e thereof under drift, but especially their P aft or White , fo pronounced by their ProUcutor, one of cur prefent Go- vernors in the houfe and ' pre fence of God, and the whole congregation, that he was * Supreame head of this Church next under Chrift, and none above him : this was oncMr Painter a Cooper. Then the other two Minifrers werechofen Elders, whereof Mr Go/ding the younger man in yeares was the chiefe, Mr G?/?d7Wtheinferiour, next a Deacon one Mrii<?^f Cy^^tfaCounceller, and a great flickler; thus have you as yet all the Officers ; Bat before tli:s choyce the baptizing of Infants was quite rejciled and given over y holding a tenet y that children ought not to be baptized, but only fuch at were of j cares of difcrttion, and able to render an account of their faith y according to Mark^ i6\ l6\ with diners other places, faying, ^*?j were no P 'aftors, and therefore durft not * baptize one nor other y and that they hud baptized more children already thentheyknew how to anfwer : this was Mr £/^ ;><?•>' own e'fpecch untoiny felfe upon a Lecture day9 1 having two of my children to bap: ize at the fame time. Vpon this I confeiTe^and feeing the great inconveuiency that did arife thereon, and many children in the Countrey to be baptized, and many more like to be, I put pen to paper and write unto our chiefe Governour Capt. William* Sayle, foure or five meets of paper, and preiented as a new yeares gift, hee being the only man, as I fuppofed ,, to redreiTe and reforme by vertue o( his place and power, all fuch erroneous and factions crrours both in Church and Common wcale; but hard fuccefle I found inmy.Epiitlcuntohim : In the front of the work , I (hewed him how I was perplexed both inmindeand confcienceforyeclding unto them through his instigations and pcffwafions, at an A/ilzes before, for another writing delivered by me unto Mr white himfelfe, upon his and the reft their file nemg themfelves, leaving our Churches upon the Lords da-yes, attd gathering fwarmes of people inta their owne houfes as Conventicles ', and there have reading, finging% prayings expounding, and preachin^^yea if truth were knowne, the Sacrament alfo admimflred in their private houfes i and all thefe Ordinances denied in the houfes of God, yea they were flighted y contemned, fcorned, andrejelltd, even as lakes ; thefe at the beginmngof conftitution of their Church ; nay in one fmall tribe or par if) three. or foure fuch fever all places of meetings, and the houfes of God deftitute* Se- condly I writ againft Independent Churches according to my poorc under- franding, I being a man of no learning, but efpeeially againft their Church r fay ing, had /.power and approbation y I would (hake the whole fabrick^t hereof ^ this was taken very hey 'noufly. But to let pane other things containedthcrein, come we to the work, where firft I maintained our Church of England agaixfi. all Independent Churches , to be a true and aperfetl Church ; yet fo, as not- being free or clearc from all defecls, as no Church under heaven was, is, nor never will be, comparing our Church with all other reformed Churches, and
ihcic
'ANewInde: pendent King and Pope.
* Indepen- dents rrue A» nabaptifts.
Note ■ tfu's fchifmaticaii pra&ife.
£ A Copy of a Letter from the Somrner lflands, relating the
their defe&s and deformities. Secondly byfeven wayesl maintained the lawm ffdnelfe and the necejfitj of baptizing Infants ^ where I anfwered divers objecti- ons of the Anabaptifts, and theirs alfo unto me in number fourteen, and laid downe their objections fevcrally.
Thirdly and laftly, I fhewed who of neceffity were bound, and therefore ought to baptize infants, namely thofeto whom God had given thedifpenfati- on of the Word and Sacraments, that is, fuch as God hath called to the Mini- l\ eriall function , and endued them with gifts and graces anfwerable for their Callings, fuch and none but fuch ought to meddle in the word or Sacramcnr • I here I fhewed the duty of all who had children to baptize only to fuch, and to none but fuch : then next, the duty of M mifters, they being fo fought to; they ought, they mull baptize them : next I confuted and condemned certain here, ticks and fchifmatkks that denied and refufed to baptize infants, and namely themfelv.es ; and laflly concluded with a friendly exhortation to all Miniflers to be careful] to perform their duty in this, and in all other points. This in brief was the fumme and effeft of my new yeares gift, of which I heard not a word for three weeks fpace, in which time, yea fofoon as he hadir,hc£hewcs it to the Ministers, who ail this time perufed, fcanned, and lifted it ,* upon the which bUfVhiteccmes to my Schoole, klutcsmcklndcly 9-»itb ontvith kim to catch and beare witnejfe "what proceeded from me , at length uttered his mind % amongft many other parTagcs, that I perverted the Scripture to my own ends, laying I had abufed the words of our Saviour, Luk^io, where he com- mdndeth little children to come unto him, and forbid them not : you maintaine faith he, he meanes fuch children as fuck the breaft, here is your errour faith Sou* he, and for this you Jhallfmarf, but faith he, his meaning was, fuch as were
* This is the newly converted to the faith, thefe, faith he, art thofc that Chrift calls little hordly Anabap- children or babes, as in I Iohn 2.1. Therefore for thus jonr * abufing and liflicall liberty wrefting the Word, you Jhall anfwer it% and I doubt not but to crave fo much ofconpe nee that favour of the (Jovemour 9 as to tall aCouncelltable, where you piall anfwer independents y0Hr ayuf€S^ and peremptory fcandalous and libellous writings, and fo at length %nLdlxBrV departed. The next week following I writ a Letter to the Govcrnour,gi- thre», vin& mm t0 unefcrftaud, I had taken him for an honcft Chriftian friend, telling
him withaJl, 1 fent it not to them but unto him, fuppofing himfelfeonly would have made ufe of it for fome better ends, and withal! laying open Schifmaticks more plainer then before, advifing him upon them five marks or tokens to know them by, to fearch and fee rf he knew none or could flnde none. Then I jhewedy thatFatlioH and Sedition did Jpring from thefe finnes, Pride, Hypo- crifie, and Ambition ; and from thefe three did arife prefumption, and rebel* lion j both again ft god and man, [hewing how and wherein ; praying thefe fwnes were not found among ft us} but neither named nor pointed at any that hold could * Why fhould be taken The next Sahbath a warrant wai ferved on me for my appearance at mt lndepcn- aQounaU table the thirteenth of February 1644, where being at before^ I was dents have the f0 baited and banded to and agatney *s wonder it was, andfiortly * after clapt lc%ciwTyai°f tM?rifon: however nothing travecft that day, fave only the Letter, nor my the/ grant nCvvyears gift never queftioned; when and where 1 made mine appeale their oppofnes ? f°r hngUni7 where God blefling mc, would I have bcenc at prefent, had it
not
faBious unebriftian Proceedings of fome Independents there.
not fallen out, chat in Oclober laft in the dead of the night, ffl v houfc with all I had therein was burned , to my great lofle and prejudice • fo that being altogether unable, I am forced with forrow to fhv behinde, as not being able to put clothes on my back; having alfo burnt all my writings, which bath bcene more griefe to me then the lofTe of all my moanc s and goods, which was more then of mine ownc I fnall ever fee againe.
But having digrciTed from the proceeding of this Sc£t, I returr.e againe where I left : and having given over the baptizing of infants for agoedfeafon, At Unfit h they gave over preachings at being no Mmifters, as being madefo in an Antichriflian manner ; and no true Miniftcrs till fitch time as they -were new Note the man- called and, ordained by their holy (fhureh ; which at length was accomplished: in ner of g ai he- which time they ftill continued their weekly Lelluresy whereat there w.u addedy fing lndef en. and they received members unto and into their Church daily . but after a mojl dent Churches n J . . • /- / ■ i//^) and ordi: anon
firange manner ; their exercife bang enaed, thefe that were to enter tn , came of their ^^
up to the (fhancellwith great fobriety and psew of humility , andforrow>with con- ftcrs# tr it ion j and wounding ofconfcienceforflnne ; and there ft and, but with muchhy- pocrife and diffimulation ; and there before the Pulpit ,wtth all the holy brethren and fiftcrs about them', they make a confeffion of their finnes, are m outward Jhew firry for them, with great contrition : upon which enquiry is made among them% what they thinkj>f their confeffion and contrition y and whether they are not wor- thy as members of thsir holy Church to bee received in ? anfwer is made, yea : then th?y tell them, they do accept of them, and with great applaufe they all re« ceive them t all Jhaking a<d embracing and huggingthem, with great joy Jbiding welcome brother ^welcome ftfter. But fuch corfeffions and deings as you never c^ , "re . Jaw the like; infomuch that Law might juflly take hold of many of them : but ja wjeflc \n4£ thefe open confeffion s have a pretty while bin left off9 they being afhamed of it in pendent Chur- regard the people mockjhem, telling them that this open auricular confeffion is ches. meere idolatry and fuperftition ; therefore now they have private confeffons; and whofoever enter eth into their church, muft alfo enter into covenant to ft and to and to maintain their church and ehurch-difcipline ^orders , govermurs , and ffovemmenty to the Httermoft of their powers and abilities ; yea they muft endea- Note this con- vour and/irive therein even unto blood. And concerning baptizing of infants fcteacy, at the taking up againe of their miniftery ; they alfo have taken up againe the ufe of the Sacraments, but only among themfelves ; but for any that are not in , or oj their church % their children fhall not bee baptized unleffe they will enter into their church, and covenant with them ; neither for the Sacrament of the Lords S upper, flj all any partake thereof j but only their vwne Flocks and Members , by « . thisiibdV- wh$ch caufe many people who have an ardent de fire thereunto J?ave beene de- ly 0f Ccnfci- f rived of it, fome * two yearcs, fome three yeares, fome mc re fome lejfe, to their ence or rather great griefe and forrow; 9S$nd for the manner, forme, and order of the Sa~ tyrannizing crament amongsl themfelves, it ts according to their Fatlion , derogating from over . raens our mother Church as I he are : and for all fuch as arc not of them, nor ad. heres unto them, we are accounted as \ heathens, yea even as dogs, or frvine, t This is Inde- andfo reputed. Thus in bricfe have I laid you downc the order and manner pcndJ?|xi - of their Church from the beginning to thisprcfent, which hath beene in agu ^ * tatton thefefoure w five yeares 5 and whether it be yet fully perfecled, I thinly
themfelves
6 A Copy of a Letter from the Somrn&r lflmd%ynUting the
tbemfelves are ignorant of; but now is their maine hope, that their great Pa- llor of their Church is now come for England , and that from and by the
(parliament he will accomplifh a Jul I and abfo lute Jet ling andeftabli/bingthis Note their Church amongH my by vertue and power from the Parliament, and by
friends that he will raife, efpecially by the meanes of one M r Holland • one that bearesfome place ofeminency in 'parliament , who is a great and extraordinary fiend of his ; the which if he ftculd accomplifh this their wicked de fires, then will they tyrannise over us , and bring a great confufion upon our whole Qounm trey , and ratfe civiliwarres among us , to our utter fubverfionsj being in com- vtrifon but ah andfull of people <> to the great grief e and hearts for row of many honefi Qhriftian heart sy who defire the peace of Gods true Church, but for all fdfewayes we utterly abhorre. And now Worfhipfull Sir, with favour give me leave to ufe by way of fimilitude the words of Mordecay unto Efterc.4. £4. who k$ow eth whether thou art cometothe Kmgdomefor fuch a time as this} Even fo fay I to you Sir, what know you whether the Cod of mercy and confolation hath railed you upasaninrtrumentormeanesforthefe di- ftra£ted times? yea, what know you, whether by your help and afliftancc you may not be a meanes and help for the releafe and delivery of many poore jXote Aifireffedand diftratted Chriflians from the cruelty and tyranny ofthefe Schif*
matica/lSchifmaticksy whofe mercies are meere cruelties^ which we know by woefull experience we Jhallfinde* And however we are farre remote froai you, yet we befeech you ( I fpeak in the bchalfe of many) let your goodneile by your ayde and aitiitance even (trctch it felfe to theutmoft ends of the world, it occasion be offered, fur the good of Gods Church and people; and as your works comming by Gods bleffings amongft us, to our great joy and comfort, raid to the vexation of our malignant adverfaries ; who notwithstanding flights them, fay ing}you have writ ace or din gto your undemanding^ and to the cor- ruption ffyour owne hearty and that yen have beene anfwered and foiled in your owne arguments; perfwading poore (imple ignorant people unto any thing ; for divers having fecne your twelve Interrogatories , ftruck them into fuch -a damp and diftemperature , that they knew not what to fay or doe, untill -their Paftor efpecially with their Elders, through deluding fpeeches, gave *hem as they fuppofe fome comfort ; otherwife I perfwademy (elfc many of their adherents had revolted from them, and turned Cat in the pan. But no marvell though they Height yon; for they doe flight all the moft reverend Independent? Dtvines and men of learning, wifedomc, and gravity y whofe lives have beene fpiricuall pride catiti°us, pious, and religious that have beene before them : let a man name any forr eigne and domefltck^, fome they will fet at naught ^others haf ply with a more reverend retycU ,yet freight them (as my felfe at times have produced at leaf a hundred upon occasions ) they will anfwer , they were good Reverend men in their dayes , and taught well according to thetr times ; though you ■name the Interpreters of the Scriptures \ or bring in Beza or Iunius, upon their Annotations , yet fay theyythcfewere but men, fubjeel to failings and errourS, and their dayes were the times of ignorance, and offuperfiition, and the cleare hgft 0] the Gofycl was r>ot thenfo manifestly and fo clearly made knowne unte 1 hew as now it //, the Lord revealing his will with a greater fflendor in thefe
latter
faBious unchiiftian Proceedings of fome Independents there.
latter day es unto his Servants the CM'tnifiers then informer times, for the calling and gathering together of his Elett from the foure corners of the world, and by them in the f clatter times hath [hewed a more nearer and easier way to Heaven thenformerly (O impiotu impiety! ) wherewith they delude poore firnple peo- ple, deceivh g them , being voyd of underftanding and difecrning even to their destructions : for lee a man difcourfe with them, and fhew them their folly anHtheir blindnefle, and fhew them the erroneous wayes they are in ; this pre fently is their anfwer, * we doe know that our Teachers 3 who are our « Indcpen- Leaders, thty are Wifcjearned, r el tgiou*, pious, and holy men, and they cannot ^cn?s blir.de err e, fay they ; and they have paund their foules upon this way , and would they P*^ cnce ** vrilful'y damne their fonlcs were it not the right way, no tis tmpoffible ; therefore chCnpOTUh. yve will never for fake this way, but whatever they fay or teach we will build our Salvation upon it, and feale it with our blood : Thus have they taken poor e foules" captives and deceiv:d chem; and through their delufions we have daily a falling aw y , for fakiyg the old way which is the true way, and turning to Sinne and Schffme , and erroneous Fattions, which are new invented wayes never heard on till not much my time before. Wherefore we beiecch you, we befcech you in the bowels of love and companion , let the fcrious confederation hereof move you to enter lift with this {tout Champion , who(e pride we know to befuch, true hee will overcome ten thoufand better then himfclfe; and not
\jjply to enter lift, buc alio a* God hath called you to, and fcatcd you in a place in that high ('our of Parliament ; that fo you would oppofe his enter prsfes and hinder him of his defiredpurpofes, that fo he may not comewitl^Tower and Authority f$m that High Court , to lord it and to beare rule over the Lords inheritance amongst us> but rather freed to recant , and lay downfall his and their Schifmaticall courfes , or confine them all together te feme other place. Things comming into my minde one after another, caufeih me not to fet them downc fo exac~Uy in order as they hapned, but lomewhat con&fedly : I fhould have told yoirat firft, this man, Mr White ^ was by the Company of ^Adventurers fent over feme ycares fincc, Minifterforonr two Tribes, Pern* brook^ and T>evon, and by the^arle ofDorfet then Gcvernour,with the whole Company , they bound him ima bond of txeo hundred pound fir ling to live + with su peaceably and quietly , and to follow the Orders and T)ifcipline of our (fhurch forthe ffacc of three yeares after his arrival; which argued he was a man of a turbulent fpiritin the place where he was, at Knightsbridge ntzrc «rnjeDe je
^ Weflminfler* ; during this time of his bonds he was as hot a zealot as pojfible formcily as might or could be^ both for the Bookjof Common- Prayer, as alfofir all other (fc- EpifcopaJI nnd hmc nies of the (fhurch, as kneeling at the Sacrament, Crotfe in Baptifme, Ring Ceremonious in the iJ^Urriage, and all other things whatfoever, fo long as his bonds lafted: as Pfcst>ytcr$» Butfuddenly after he turned upfide downc, and after foure yeares hee began thefe things; and feeing he could not accomplish his defire with us, he made ftiewcs of Jcavirg us and goe to another Charge that was vacant, unleffe
we would fue unto him by | humble petition, as unto a Prince, which werefufed ,<- • * n to doe; the other they did , and gave him a Call, and with their &$>* k°gge pride if not •f forty fhilltngs price, which Lali he received and embraced, fprfook us, pjpal],
B * and
i
> ■ , . m ■ ■
I o A Copy of a Letter from the Sommer Jflands^ relating the
and went unto them : He had not long becne there, but by fome ©f our Tribe he was fued unto to come to us to baptize three children j the which he did, he and his wife, Mr C°f^And anc* hi* wife being witnelTes to one ; where his Text being ( He that dejpifrth you, dejpifcth me ; and he that dejpifeth me> de- Jpifeth him that fern me ;) Ac which time he did fo cxclaime againft us, fay- ing, we deffifed htm and his <Dotlrine> and hadcafkboth him and it from us, and fo confequently God the Sonne, and God the Father , becaufc we would not fue unto him by way of petition: When he alfo for our facft, pronounced a doomc againft us in his Pulpit, faying, Standupye efTcmbrook Tribe and heare your dfcwatt, which was, yon {hall live here thefe twenty yeares without a preaching CMinifter; comparing alio our Reader to the Idoll(Dagon\ the Reading- pew U the place of 'Deflation, faying, Here Jits the I doll of Abomination in the place ef Deflation ; faying our Book of Common-Trayer was an I doll alfo. And ftill in their weekly £x*rcifes9 defame they our Qhurch, and Church Difcipline, with the Order; and Manner thereof, crying ,fhe is uncle ane,\he is uncle ane, pol- luted ydefiledwith Antichriflianifme , both in Church- government, Manners .Or- ders, and Difcipline,yea throughout ; therefore fay they, Cowe out of her my people , and take not ofher pollutions, with divers fuch like ; yet for the man, I muft confeffe he hath beene and is a worthy and reverend Teacher , which caufeth many , yea moft people theeaficr and foonerto be deceived , as alfo by humble carriages, and pious walking, which is fuch, that as our Saviour faith, is able to deceive the very Elett , by their walking infheeps clothing ; but fare I am, they are ravening wolves, andeajily may be difcerned by their fruits j that is, by their Do6trincs,the which however it found good to fimple people, and is as honey in their mouthes, but fnre 1 am, they tend only and wholly to their owne Schifmaticall Fattion. And thus have I beene large in my Difcourfe, and troublefome unto you, though in briefe. Now Sir, you know that he who cutteth wood over his head, is in danger of the chips flying in his face % fofareth it with me, I having beene an oppofne againft them, both"by fp?a- 3ring and writings ; they are therefore become mine inveterat enemies, and have from time to time traduced me : and as the cafe once was yours, fo is ic aad hath beene mine , having furTered much by our Rulers, tidfeugh their meanes, they being all in a confederacy; and likely, if he cam^ffibly, fuf- fer more ; but I hope will defend me from their cruelcy by the help and aneanesof ycu; who are able to fympathize another mansxafe by his owne, and be the eafier ftirred up to companionate my cafe, andrto doeyoptr beft en- deavour for me, and many more hone ft hearted people, who by me defire from joh the like favours ; fofhall I and them alfo be bound to pray for your pro* fperity hee, and cveriafting happinefTc bereafter ; defiring you to keep this writing to your felfe? and make ufe of them, and not {hew them to any, ex- cept to fern* lure friends, not but that any thing herein contained is alfo ab- solutely true ,but that they are mine inveterate and malicious enemies, and :f by the Parliament they fhould get their defircs, then am I fureto furTermoft exceedingly ; therefore I am forced to fend to you'uncierhand by way of Mr Jpark,, znd another so write the fubferipcion oftm Letter, that my hand bee
ncj
faBious unchifiian Proceedings of fome Independents then. % \
not feen; fuch hying wait there is for any my writings. This Gentleman the Bearer, hath in fome meafure beene a co-partner with me in fufFcring, and hath had much trouble, and is now come for Sngland to cleare himfelfc from many falfe accufations Jaid to his charge, as alfo to maintafne the Councreys agrievances and hisowne alfo : And if your Worfhip fliali bee pleafcd to doe him any friendly office, either by word or Counfell , he will be thankfull, and fo (hall more; and with my fclfc in efpeciall be bound to pray for you, and ever reft your truly devoted and fafthfull well- wilier in heart till death to becommanded,
Richard Beake.
Sir, I defire your favour I may hearc from your WoriTiip, which will be a joy tome and many others, who rejoyceof you, and hope well in you.
This Letter is feconded by fundry others from thence to the fame ef?c<5r, and to move the Honourable Houfes of Parliament to take fome fpecdy courfe for the quenching of thofc flames of Schifme and Sedition, which thefe New In- dependent Lights and Firebrands have kindled in this Plantation, and taking orTtheunfupportacJc yoakof Tyrannicall and Arbitrary Government over thePerfons, E It ate?, and Conferences of the F,ce- borne SngUfo Subjetts there, which thefe Lordly Tyrants have impofed on them , threatning nunc to this Plantation ; which 1 hope their Honours, and all others concerned in it, will fcrioufly lay to heart,
I fhall addetothis&wo other Papcrs,(towir,a/V/>/>>7, and Advertifement) fent lately from the Sommer Iflandstomc by Mr Richard Norwood* which fujjy difcover the Schifmaticall and arrogant Proceedings of the Independents there: and refute their prcfent Innovations in a fubftantiall fatiifa^ory manna*
To the Right Worftiipfull our Worthy Governour Captaine Iofias Forfter , and hi* touncell.
Right Worftiipfull and worthy Governour ,&c. * \
Know you are not ignorant of the rent or diihfion here begun, wbicft * though 1 beleeve (as you have often tepfted^&you favour not , yet through your gentlenejjc %nd forbearance towards the Autlo'irsand Abetters • It grow es very prong, and is like toprevaile^ which I (up- pofeyou know not , but may fun^r underftand if you bepUafedto make enquiry, and to heare other men%^or mine ownepart \fame not this as a complaint or accufation againft them, being but ont man, and the mater concerns all • befJis I havefeene thefuccejje that others have
fi a had
j 2 A Copy of a Letter from the Sommer Iflands, relating the
had that wayes^ and I know they are too firong a party for me or any one man to encounter with. But being very fenfible of the danger ap- proaching^ lefi by myftlence 1 might Jeem to confent unto it, I thought it necefjary to give notice, and to endeavour what in me lies to prevent it, whatfoever may befall me for [o doing .
Therfore 1 have written this Jdvertifement following, which i could wifh might come to the hands of all. The intent andfcope wherofis,to in* vite and per [wade all to a cefjation from fetting up any new difcipl'me and government amongft m untill we heare what is decreed by the Honorable slfjembly of Parliament: Or if that cannot be obtained (as ihavefrnaU hopem confidering how eagerly they pwfue their end?, and how great a number they have gained to their party , yet that the authours would ex - pefepunBually in writings what manner of Difcipline and Govern* ment it is which they would fet up.
Andbecaufe (it may be) they will fay, that they have already exprefl it in their Sermcns, especially in their LeBures ordaynedfor that pur- pose • therefore I have fet down thirty or more doubts of fpeci all moment which they have not yet ikaredm Neither is it fit that our Religion or this part of it (which they would feem to make a principal/ pari) fyould remain in their breads only, for fo they may adde, detra&> or alter, as they pleafe 5 but ought to bee fully exprefl in writing. And I beleevt they are fear ce agreed themjelves touching all points of their intended &ifciplir&; which you may perceive if you pleafe to examine them fe- ver ally, according to thefe or fach other queflions, as youfhall think
Therefore in the fir fi place (according to my duty) I humbly prefent this Advertifement to the c on fi deration of your Worfhip and your Coun- €eU> to whom God hath committed the Government of this place, and of allperfons here, and of whom he will certainly require it, iffuchaneviS as is threatned fhould befall through your negleB. For although the great Antichrist and his Clergy did prevaile to perfwade Chriftian Princes anb Afagiftrates^ that the Government of the Church and care of Religion pertained not to them, but to the Clergy, and the like^ is mow here preached amongfl u< : yet I verily trufi, you entertain no fuch faVe principle. For^ to eflablijb true Religion, to maintain it, and to fee that the duties of Religion be duly performed to God and man, is al- meft aH that the Lawrequireth, and fotfalmcjl (if not all) the duty of the Qhrifiian Magistrates And this being taken from him^ and put npm the QUrgy^hemay ferve as an officer to execute what the Clergy " ^" fbali;
faBious uncknftian Proceedings offome Independents there. \ 3
fball decree, hut ceafeth in a manner wholly to be a Afagiftrate. Thus commending y ou to the tuition and direction of Almighty God. 1 reft
March 6. 1 £4 2 . Your Worfhips in all due obfervance,.
Rich* Norwood.
-An Advertisement to fuch here as have care of the Confervation of true Religion,
IT is and ought to be the principal! care ofevery good Chriftian, to con^ fervethc knowledge and cxercife of true Religion in himfelfc and others, being the one thing necejfarj. But from this thefe times have much declined everywhere; and even in our dearc native Countrey, fo farre as called for a fpeedy Reformation, or threatned ruine. And feeing little hope of the one^ the latter was ]\imy feared by many, and by my felfc( Xconfefle) amongft others, being the principall caufe of my comming hither. But the Lord hath mercifully frayed thofe fearesP and given tisfrcfh hopes by the Reformation in (6 great a mcafure begun by the prefent Parliament, which alfothey en- deavour through many difficulties to accomplifh more fully. And con/i- dcring how worthily they have begun, and what great things they have ef- fected above all expectation, we have no caufe to mif-doubt them, nor to anticipate their Honourable proceedings, but rather to attend what fhall be determined by them; efpecialJy confidcring that wee of this place, as wee have not beene much burthened, except by fomeMinifters; fo now we are altogether unbuvthened of the Ceremonies, and whatfoever elfe hath ufually beene offen five to good Chriftians in England. For if we fhould fee up a new Government or Difcipline and forme of Religion here , wee rnuft alter it againe when wee unde (land out of England what forme the Parliament have or fliall eftablifh : Some fay no , our MinKiers are as fuprearne heads under Chrift of their feverall Churches here , ind not fubordmatc in theft things Ecclefiafticall, to Parliament or any other power upon earth whatso- ever : but this opinion favors too much of AntichrirTian pride and preemp- tion, Others fay, the Parliament will eftablifh the fame forme that our Mi- nisters will fet up here ; but thefe conjectures doe much wrong that Honou- rable Aflembly ; for if the matter were fo eafie and evident, that our Mini- fters here can prefently determine it ; then what need the Parliament fo Jong to debate and confider of it? What need fuch confutation with the abklt Divines in England, and many other from all parts? And why hath there beene fuch difference of opinions touching this matter eves amongft the moi\ godlv and learned in Chriftendonac for thefe 1 00 year* together,
x a A Copy of a Letter from the Somrner Ijlands, relating the
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It remaines therefore, that wee muft change againe when we heare from thence, and confidering what changes have becne made by fome already, if we fhould now make another change in fetting up a new Difcipline, and {hortly after another when we hearc out of England; fuch mutability would $ neither be fafe for this place, nor futeablcro the ftedfaftnefTe of the Church and people of God, which is the Ptllar and ground of truth, and muft not be wavering, and carried abeut with every winde of Doftrine &c. The Apoltle makes ic a figne of a doublt minded man to be unftable in all his wayei : and in the Epiftle to the Hebrcwes ; Be not carried about with divers andftrange Do* Etrines &c. And the Prophet faith, Why runneft thou about fo much to change thy wayes ? It will be anfwercd, we intend not to change, but to the better ; but wichall remember , that fuch is al wayes the pretence , and oft-times the intent in all Innovations whatfoever. Therefore Solomon faith, CMyfonne feare God and the King , and meddle not with them that are given to change. Not but that even the Deft Chnuians may alter fometimes in fome circum- ftanccs of Religion (fome good and weighty caufes requiring it ) but it muft not be through levity, nor of an high minde, nor for felfe ends. AreftlciTe .levity, and that with contempt of Authority, under pretence of greater and new lights, is a dangerous figne of an Anabaptifticall fpirit. Therefore I fay, what we change, ought to be done with the feare of God and the Kivg. In the feare of God, nameiy according to his Word- and. with the feare of the iC/*g,that is, confenting with the Lawes and Soveraignc Authority fet over us; or at leaft not with an high hand in contempt thereof- For every 'Rom. 13*1. finle muH befubjett to the higher powers; yea faith Chryfoslomcy though he be an A poftle, though an Evangeliil, though a Prophet.
Therefore I could wifh ( as I have often perfwaded ) that wee might (lay for the determination of the Parliament in thefc things, and likewifcthe ap- probation of the Company in thofc that concern? them. But becaufe fome here are very impetuous, and a further change is daily preached and preiTed amongft us, I have little hope to Mop the violcnceof this ftreame. Therefore to the intent we may underitand and confider what to doe, and (as the fay- ing is ) look before we leap, I fliculd in the next place defire, as many others doe, and as it concerns us all to defire of them, and of our Minii ers eipecially, .-, that they would be pleafed to fet down in writing , whatfoever new thing
in Doctrine or Difcipline they would have us entertaine , different from the practice or tenentsof the Church of Sr.vland ; that foeach thing being well confidcred , examined , and adjudged by the Word of God^ we may enter- taine orrej;& it accordingly.
I know there are fundry Obje&xns alleadged and pretended, more then I need to repeat or anfwer here ; For howibevcr it is true that we are to fub- mit our felvcsto the Word of God, J meane the holy Scriptures in alhhings; Objections yCt n?*fotomen, efprcially when they lick themfclvesin ftcad ofChrift : No though they tell u , they are the mouth of God, and fitin«^/<r/chaire; and therefore muft be heard and obeyed; and that the government of the Church belongeth to chem next unda Chriit, and that even fatapbas, though
a per-
faBious unchriftian Proceedings of fome Independents there. I 5
a perfecutor of Chrift. yet when he had the? place of High-prieft he prophefied the truth. And though they tell us we muft not ftrive with the Prieft, nor re- prove our Reprover ; and though they accuie us to have teje&ed and oppofed more good Minifters then any other like place profefllngGhriftianity (of which there is no fliew of truth I know ) and that they which rebeJl againft the Minifters, cannot be under the Government of Chrift, with many heavy threats againft fuch : And though they threaten to leave us destitute of the Word of God, if we make any refiftance j and though it be often alleadgcd, that we have rare and reverend Minifters , endued with new light, and that fo great, as the like hath fcarce becne fince the Apoftlcs times ; Nay I have 0 Arrogance \ heard fome, and tbofc of note, prcferrc it before that of the Apoftles, at leaft in fome things. And further, that all fourc of our Minifters concluded of a new Difcipline, and new courfes of edification, whereof two being gone into England to agitate the bufinefle there with their friends, and in Parliament : God hath fent another from 'Providence almoft miraculoufly, who was not of their counfell, and yet doth approve of all their proceedings, and as ean» neftly preffe them as the reft. Beftdes (fay they) all the chicfc profeffours in the Countrey are for the fame; yea the chiefe Authority in the Ifland, next theGovernour. So that all things thus concurring, (hewes(fay they)thac there is an extraordinary hand of God in the effecting of it ; and therefore wee ought quietly to yecld our feives to them , leaft wee rcfift even God himfclfc
Thefe (I fay) and other the like arguments in this cafe, however they Anfocr may prevaiie much with fome that have other foundation for their Religion befide$ the Scriptures ,• yet to an undemanding man they will eafily appeare robe offmall value, as would be more evident in anfweringthem particularly, which I fhall readily doe if it bee nccdfull. But having no purpofeherc to difpute, but rather to invite to a ceilation from thefe occafions of ftrife and controvcrne, or-at ieaftwile to a due confederation of what we doe; I (hall only anfwer in generall. It is a faying of Divines agreeable alfo to the expe- rience of good Chriftians, That Satan never tempts more dangeroufty whe- -. therby himfelfeor others, then when he doth moft perfwade us not to refift his temptations, but to yeeld cur fclvcs to them; And even the Lord himfelfe doth femetimes prove his Church and people, whether they will cleave unto him (that is hold faft to his Word) or unto other Lords, other lights, other fpiritsbci1dcshis5as Z>^»f^r.i 3.3. Andfothc Apoftleforctelleth, there fhould c bcSchifmes, and Herefies in the Church , as, For there mufi be herefics even among you, that thej which are approved amongslyou might be knowne. And fo, 2 Per. 2, 1 , But there were falje Prophets alfo among the people •, even as there fia/l be falft Teachers among you* Therefore we muft not take up our Religion upon the credit of men, how great focver they may feeme to be, but examine things by the word of God, and fee that it be firmly grounded there. To the Law and to the tejfimony, if they fpeakjnot according to this wordt it is becaufc there is ns light m them* Therefore they muft prove by the word of God ( not by out- ward figncs and yvonders) the things they tcach? and would have praftifedo -
And
Aft. i/.
1 6 A Copy of a Letter from the Sommer lfl&nd$y relating the
And firft Ice us know them fully, and with thofe noble Bereantyfczxchthc St:riptures,*aod examine them throughly before weentertainethem.
They tell us daily of a greater light, whereby they difcerne thefc things and other great and glorious things that are working and already begun in the world within thefe three ycares, and will fhortly bcaccomplifbcd, even ib great and lb excellent a change in the world as may fcene to be a heaven upon earth ; the Lord grant it, and haften it ; but withall let us defire and expect thefe things with fobriety and watchfulnefle , left whillt our eyes be taken up and dazzled with a prefent expectation of thefe high and glorious things, we fee not the danger that is at our feet , but be caught in the fnarc before we be aware, rcmembring the words of our Saviour in this cafe, when his Bifciplcs asked him faying , Lord wilt thou at this time reftore the Kingdome Act.1,7, f0 jjraeit pje anfwcrcd , It is not for yon to know the times or the fcafons, which
the Father hath put in his own power.
I have read in fome Hiftory of the Weft-Indies, that about loo yeares irnce or more, the Hand Vianis (which fome of our men are now gone to dis- cover) and all thofe Hands thereabout were Inhabited by certain Indtans, which for ingenuity and feature fiirpaflcd many others; thefe held the im- mortality of the foule, and thought that when it departed the body, it went to a kinde of Purgatory,which they fuppoftd to be the cold Northern Moun- taines congealed with froft and fnow ; where afcer it was fuflficiently purged, it went from thence into countreys more Southerly , and there abode for ever, enjoyning a thoufand delights and plcafures. The Spaniardshnving knowledge of this opinion of theirs, and wanting men to work in their gold mines, came thither with Ships from Hifpaniola or Cuba ( which arc to the Southward) and making fome goodly (hew, told thefe ftily Indians thit they were come from the Southern parts , places of great felicity, where the fbules of all their Anceftors and friends departed were in all joy and happineffc ; and they were now come to tranfport them immediately thither, that they might never come at all into that Purgatory in the Northrcn parts? Thefe fimplc people being dazelled with the conceit and imagination of thefe things, could not forcthink their danger at hand, but came flocking to the Spaniards in great numbers ; who when they faw their opportunity fc: faile, and carryed them thence to their gold mines, where they were foonc con* fumed with grievous fervice and flavery. , In like fort it conccrnes us not to be lb much cranfported with any glorious pretences of fome great tem- poral! freedome and felicity ac hand, astobedrawne in any fort from the Church of England, efpecially as it is now reformed and in reforming, but to know fully of thofe that would draw us whither they would have us goe, and upon what grounds, that fo we may fcarch the Scriptures, and throughly examine thofe grounds thereby.
Gcd hath delivered our Nation (as many others in Chriftendom) from under the bond ?ge of the great Antichrift , we have not prized this delive- rance, nor made that ufeof this libcrty,nor thole many mercies and bleflings accompanying it that we ought. And considering our great abufe of Gods
favours,
fuBhut uncbtiftUn froceedings offome Independents there. ij
favours, and in particular the finnes of this place in all fort?, Magiftraref, Minifters and people, and efpeci ally the evident unfoundncfTe of thofc that are Profit (Tors here : It were juft with God whilft we look for light to fend us darkneffe, and whilft we propofc to our fclves the fpecdy ruiuc of An- tichrift, great freedo me and glorious times fall which the Lord can effect in his due time') wee fall our fclves into another fervitude and bondage per- haps as grievous as the former, under petty Antichrifts. For if chat grand Antichrift comedown (as we have good hope J and a company of Clergy- men fhould arifc (whether Minifters, or whocKc) that fhould as ic were di- vide his kingdome among them, by affuming every one to himfclfe fuch a like power over his Church, or the people committed to his charge as the grand Antichrift ufurped over the Cathohquc Church , ai.d that as he did lure Divino (which they pretend) furcly they would become fo many petty Antichrifts, and the Church fhould be brought into fervitude andthraidomc as before.
And indeed, as theerrour to which the Iewes were moft inclined in ge- neral), was to fet up other gods,thatis falfe gods, attributing fomething to them which was proper to the true God: So theerrour to which Chriftians in generall are moft inclined, is to fet up falfe Chrifts; that is Antichriflsof the Clergy, attributing fomething to them that is peculiar to Ghrift him- felfe, or to his Church, which is Chrift myfticall ; As was foretold by the ApolUcs, and is evident by the experience of all Ages fince Chrift : And of which our Saviour himfelf feems to give warning,when he faith ;For there fbal Mnth.14. u^ arife falfe Chrifts and falfe Prophets, and (hall jbew great fignes and wonder s , fo that if it were pojfible, t he j fhould deceive the very E/etl. And by fuch mcancs,evcn the Pope himfeiie and all his Clergy had their firft rifiog, having the Suffrages and helpc offome that fecmed otherwise to be good Chriftians.
It behoves us therefore to be earneft with God in prayer , to walk more worthy of his grace, and the 1 i gh t of theGofpel vouch fa fed unto us, leaft he iThef.i.ir* fendusftrongdelufons; to be fober minded and watchfull, remembring there viill bee alwayes fome Antichrifts, and that thcGhurch and people of God is never like to be free from perfecution, affliction, and temptation in this world; And that we (Hall never have fuch Minifters, whom we may ab- fblutely truft to for our Religion (as fome here profeffe to doe. ) c Calvin c in his Preface to Pfychopannychia, hath thofe words, Is this to learn Chrift, * when a man fiall apply his ear* to any dottrines ; yea> though they bee true c without the word oftfod? If thou receive it as from man , wilt thou not as % eafly enter taine lies*, for what hmh a man that is hi* own but vanity ? There* fore we muft alwayes have the toy net of our minds girded and our lamps luk.ntjy, burning, and ftand upon our guard our fclves: And fo follow men (even the Cor.u.i. Apoftles themfelves) as they follow Chrifi. The Apoftle ipeaking of Mini- ftcrs tilth, Let no man at his pleasure he arc rule over you by humbleneffe of Col.j.iK
minds— advancing himfelfe in thofe things which he never faw (but are of
hiiown deviling,) rafbly pnft up with hisflejbly mindu And in another place ,
C Belicvs
1 8 A Copy of a Letter from the Sormner Jjland^ relating the
- , Believe net every fptrit, but try the fpiritt whether they are of God : And for
trying the fpirits, we muft follow the rule of our Saviour, who faith, Beware ef falfe Prophets which come toy oh in fheeps c'oAthivg, but inwardly they are ra-
Mat,7,if, vetting Woolves^ ycefhall know them by tfieir fruits, &c. And their fruits are
their convention and doctrine : But the converfation of themfclves arjd their adherents , being a thing more perfonall , and fo apt to liirre up offence (which I would avoid (o much as J may J I forebeare to profectite.
Their Do&nne then we mud examine by the rule of Gods wordjwhichjthat we may the bcttcrdoc bc4ng a matter that fo much concerns us , wc (hould defire as I have before laid, we might have the particulars wherein they differ from the publike doctrine and praStife of the Church of England (et down in writing. This if they be not able,or fhalldifdaine to doe, as not accounting us worthy for whom they fhould doc it, they muftnot be orTended,norcom- plaine of us that wc are oppofers in this matter ofthe Kingdome of Chril!t,and will not be ruled by them in the courfe of their Miniftry jfor what difcretion were it, to follow grangers wc know not whither ?
Its like they will fay , they are no Grangers, they have lived long here. But as we know one of them came by an accident very laic'y; the other two though they ha?c6b:en long among us, yet they are in a manner Grangers to us, for they are not the fame men that formerly they were, having changed their opinions and pra&ifes in many things that we know, and it is like in many other things that we know nor,and how farre they will proceed, and whire they will make a ftand wee know not, nor it may be they them- selves.
If they (hall fay (as fome pretend ) that the Government and Difcipline which they would have us entcrtainc , is of it feife evident by the word of God, to every one whofe eyes arc not blinded by the god of this worJd,& that they have declared it already in their Sermons, efpecially in their weekly Lectures, which it feemes they have inftitutcd for that purpofc : As hee that preached thethird Lecture feemed to intimate, when fpeakingof this intended Church and DTciplinc,he faid,Hisfirft reverend Brother had laid the foun- dation, his fecond reverend Brother had fhewed what muft be the materials of this building, namely, fuch snd onely fuch as could bring good teftimony of their convcrflon and holy converfation: And he was now to fhew the forme and order to bee obferved in every particular Church/and how each one was to be Superiour or Subordinate to others ( though he did not this at that time fo farre as I undcrflood. ) The fame things or co the fame purpofc were againe repeated in the fourth Lecture. But I fay, all this notwith- ftanding, the things are of themfelvesobfcureanddoubtfull; which doubts they have not taken away, but rather encreafed. Some of which doubts a- Hiongft many, I will here fet down, not railed from (peculations of things afarrc off, ind not like to trouble us, but fuch as arife from that which is frequently preached and preffed orpra&iiedamongft us. In which though lendeavourto undeltand things in the beft fence, yet becaufethey expeflc act themfclves plaincly, I may mjfta c their meaning in fome things, and
therefore
faBious uncbfifiian Proceedings of Jome Independents there.
therefore alfo doc the rather defire they would fully and plainly cxptefTe their intent in writing : as one that am ready ro joynjin whatfoevcrl underftand, eo tend truly and indeed to the advancement of the Kingdom:,and Govern- ment JcfusofChrilt , but would not be milled byjthc devices of men, under this or any other pretence whatfoever,
I. \ \ 7 Hcther they meane to fct ut Vcftriesagainc, for every Tribe as
Y V formerly they havedone, and (b to govern the fevcrall parts of
their charge by feverall VeHries of a douzen men in each Veilry, whereof the
Mimftcr to be the chicfe; and fo to enquire,heare, and prefent Offenders as
heretofore ?
^.Whether they meane to continue thofe weekly meetings which they call Loblolly Feafts, whereof alfo the Minifter is the chiefe; And what perfons ihall bee admitted to them, and upon what termer?
3. Whether they meane to continue that Lordly or MafterJy pra&ifc of univerfail Catecdifing all men and women weekly , begun here aJmoit two yearespart,andprcrTed upon all with great vehemency ; And that all (hall ilill be tied to anfwer according tot hat Catcchife of Mr Oxenbridges, called Babes Mtlke, or fbme other ?
Thefc threcpraclifcsasthey have been ufed here, being as I conceived their own inventions, and not grounded on the word of God. nor the examples of the Primitive or other Reformed Churches, nor on the LawesofourLand, but prefled upon us meerc'y by their own Authority, I did infomc lbrtop- pofe at their firft comming up 5 namely, by tettify ing bo h privately and pub- likely my did ike of them, and thereafonswhy : Butcfpecially.thc laft more at large, when unto I was moved by Mr hhnOxenbndge, who took upon -Jrim to write a defence of this pra&ifc of univerfall Catcchi/ing all men and women, and of true Bclecvers in (pcciall ; and to anfwer the Objections which I had made againh: it. But what he hath performed, and how well bdeeminghis worth and reputation, I leave to the j dgcmnt offuch as have ©rfha 1 perufemy Confutation ofrhat his Defence and Anfvver, where I have put them together : Touching thefe three p a&ifes, I fhould move iundry ^ nftions , but that it feemrs they are«all laid down of late^and as it is thought will not be taken up againe, therefore we {hail paifc them over, that we may come to thofe new things which chey urgenow.
4 Whether this Diicipline and forme of Religion,which they would fee up, Tbe the fame in ail points of moment with any other Reformed Church whatfeever , except perhaps in <Trovideticei where it had no fuch fucceffc as &. njld induce us to embrace it. If they fay, yes, in New-EvgUr:dtvicait ve- ry doubtful] of that, ^mot knowing certainely what is practifed th^rej the rather foe that fome have endeavoured to eftablifh univerfall Cacecbtfiflg here u^nn that ground faying, it was generally ufed thcrc,which appears nor to be true. Befidesjif fuch a Difcipliuc be there,itisno leading example to us, part* ly becaufe they have had no long experience of it5and partly became there h.ay |te£rmch difference between the people there and here ; for if<ali M^i ra.es,
C 2 Jvximiiers
I*
A man would thin^ibat fiemg there are twelve Laymen (as the) to m them) to oncCieargy- man,he louli not retaine hh po.%er over thcm5butsx- p£t ience Jhcwa rhc contrary, that if he be att a ft iv e Politi- thn thai*, hub authority on bH fide, and em ™^e ufcofa Popifi Prince cifle which is Pi wflntenbyiw* tort) be may rule them at- moflubtlifl.
a0 -^ Cty °f* L etter frw Me Sommer IJhttdsy relating the
Idiniftcrs and People were eminent in piety , we need not much care what Government were ufed , no, chough ic were whoJy Arbitrary > for none would injure another (and to this condition the Churches in theApoftlcs times fecme neareft to approach,) But here where itisfarre otherwile,and in other places in general!, men muft be wary what Difcipline and Govern- ment they fet up, prcfuppofing it muft come into evill mens hand's as well as good, yea, and that more often.
5. Whether this Difcipline be fully fct down by any found Divine, and not rather framed by themfelvcs , borrowing from fevcrall Churches,and feverall Divines , what will beft ferve their turne ? And whether our three Minifters agree in aall points touching the Difcipline they would have us embrace ?
6. What feverall Offices,and how many Officers (hall be in every Church, and how fubordinateone to another ? And whether the Miniftcr (hall not be thechiefc of thofe Officers, or as it were the fupreme Moderator or/ Govcrnour of them all , without whom nothing (hall bee eftablifticd, and alio to have the principall hand in putting in and putting out thefe Officers ? for fo they feerae to intimate*
7. Whether this Minifter and his Officers will govern and ceniure the jeft according to fome lawes or in an Arbitrary way? and if in an Arbi- trary way, to whom (hall chey appcale if they have wrong ? And who (hall queliion and judge the Minifter if he decline from the truth, or be a wicked liver ? And whether this bee not like to prove a very tyrannicall government if it come into evill hand?, which muft be prefiippofcd ?
8. If they will govern and judge according to forae lawes j what be thofe lawes ? whether fome already extant, or fbrhe others which they will frame, and who they be that fhall frame thefe lawes? and what (hall be the feverall penalties or cenfurcs for Delinquents ?
o.Whattryail(in things of importance^ the party accufed fhall be al- lowed ? The Common Law of England {10 avoyd tyranny and injuflicr, to which the corrupted nature of man is much inclined , and even of Clergy men as well as others) allowes a tryall by 12 indifferent men,which are ho- ned and free men, of good ranke, having nodependance, nor are in feare of the Iudge, nor bearc no ill will to the party accufed, butfuchas are like to dcale impartially, and that upon Oath. Whether he (hail have that or fome othcrlbfairea tryall?
10. Whac things they be which they will undertake to judge of? and wha« <ther any thing fhall bee wholy referved to the judgement of the Civil! Ma- giftratc? or whether the party offending, or the matter in concrovcrfie, (hall bepunifhed or judged of both, namely, by the Civill Magiftratc, and alio by thefe Ecclcfiafticall Iudge* ?
Si. If they fay they will judge only. ofTkclefiaftical I mattrrs,what arethofc mattcrsEcclcfiafticall, and how exempted from the juriGli&ion ajii authori- ty of the Chriftian Magiflratc? For the Pope and Bifhop obtained of Kings tha fundry things might bee called Ecclcfiafticall, and fo belong to their
ipirituaH
faHious unchrt$Un P recudhgs of feme Independents there. 2 1
{pirituall Courts (as they call them) which arc no more Eccle 'apical! then ei- ther matters which belong not to them.
1 2 Whether thefe Ministers and other Officers fhall be ;*ic!gcd by the Chri- ftian Magiftrateinall things as other men ? or how farre forth they fhaJI bee under his jurifdi&ion and authority, and how farre forth exempted ?
13 From what places of Scripture is fjch a form of Government deduced* juftificd, or allowed ?
14 Who fhall be the other members constituting thelc intended Churches, and who (hall be excluded from them .? To this all or fome of them at leaft fcemto anfwerexprcfly, that they fhall confift only of fuc has arc truly rege- nerate, and can bring fufficient tcftimony of their conversion and holy con* verfation; and all others (hall be excluded as Heathens , Carnnites, Pub. licans, &c.
1 5 And feeing they have faid fomctimes, and will, I fuppofe * grant, thac : not one fourth part, nor it may be, one tenth part of the people here or in €ng* land, are able to bring fuch fufficient teftjmony of their true conversion and holy convcrfation,and thereupon fhall be excluded Chriftian focicty, and re- puted as aforefaid, whether this will not breed a moft dangerous di virion be- tween Church and Common wealth, thrcatning the ruine of both 1
16. I fuppofe they cannot but be fenfiblc in part, and forefee the defperate itfues of fuch a Separation ; and therforc it would in the next place be known^ whether they intend not to filvcitby fome politick courfe, contrary to thele principles, and whatgcod policy can be ufed to this purpofc ? For mine own- part, I can think of none; for either rhey mutt frame Religion to the people as the Popes and Romifh Clergy did heretofore, making it futeable to the dif- pofitions of moft men ; or elfe ( which is more ufuall ) feign a people to Re- ligion, admitting and accounting whom they lift through partiality , favour, and finiftcr refpe£ts,to be truly religious, though they be not, and fo receiving them into the Church as true converts, though they can bring no good tefti-- mony of their converiion and converfation. This policy (Iconfefic) may havefaire pretences, and would advance them highly above all men ; As they which opening, no man can fhutj and flatting, no man can open ; this would fet them ai Gods in the Temple of God, the Church, and bring them in infinite gaines. But it would let up many Antichrifts, as bulie, violent, and rigorous within the fmalllphcare of their activity, as the great Antichrift hath been in his: It would turne Religion into policy, making it ferve for humane purpofes. The faith ofourglorions Lard Jtfu* Chrift jhould he had \AW 2 . in refpeft of perfins ; It would prove a tyrannicall ufurpation over the true Ckirch,as the popifh policy hath donej for which, as for fundry other rea- fons that mfght be allcadged ( if it were not palpably wicked ) it ought not to be furTtred.
17. Whether there be any place of Scripture to juftifie fuch a Separation
as is afore mentioned ? th y fay, yes ; becaufe John the Baptift faid to the
Scribes and Pharifecs, O generation of V if erf t who hath forewarned you to
fife from the math to s$me f therefore a Minifier may ieep out of the Church
fuch-i
2% A Copy of a Letter from the Sommer !fl*nds: relating the
fuch as cannot bring teftimony of thcirtrue converfion and holy conven- tion ; This and other like reafens they alleadge, which are So infi fficient,that they need no anfwer, especially having no purpofe, as I havefaid, todifpute here. But a matter of lb great confequence ought to be clearly and foundly proved ; which doubcleiTc they can never doe.
18. What times they were wherein the Church did thus Separate from ic felfe all that could not bring fufficicnt teftimony of their convcrfion and holy converfation? becaufe they fay, in foimer times ic wastheufuall practice of j the Church, bur {hew not in what times, nor whcre,nor for what caufes. i There is no doubt but thofe that liYCorfall inrogroffeor manifest fins, may befeparated or excluded ; Alfo in times of pcrfecution they would no dcubt be very wary what ftrangers they did admit into the Church ; but that's not the thing inqueftion.
1 p. Many other doubts in this matter they leave untouched or uncleared ; As I. Whether Infants Shall be received intotheChurch by Bapufm before they can bring this teftimony? a. Whether thole that have been baptized without fuch teftimony > have been rightly entreJ into the Church, or Shall need to be baptized againe? fuch a rumour there is ipread, upon what occa- sion I know not, 3. What manner of teftimony this muft be? 4. Who muft give it, and whether a mans own teftimony may notferve in this cafe, and V?hvn?&c. thefeand many other like Should be cleared, which wc paffc over. 20- Whethertbey meane, thatany man may of himfclfe excommunicate another, when they fay frequently, a man may, or I would paffe a private excommunication againlt fuch or fuch a man ?
21. What they meane to alter in the administration of the Sacraments? Ihearethere is much variety of late. The laft child which I faw bapt zed, the Minifter required the Father to Say his Creed, which done, the Minifter made an expofition of it, making fome doubt alio of fome part efit,\and then asked the Father if he would have his child baptized into that faith , who anfwering, yea, it was baptized; and thus I heare he ufeth of Jate to baptize others. Now it would be knowne, why it may not ferve the turne for the Father to teftifie his aifent to the Articles of the Creed &c as heretofore hath been ufed ? 2* Whether the child and parent alio may not be very un- certain of the Faith inro which the child was baptized, feeing theMinifters exposition is not recorded ? 3. Whether they have the fame opinion of the Creed that they fceme to have of the Scriptures, that it may not bee publikely read or repeated unlctTe it be alfo expounded by a Minifter, and why ? 4. Wh«« ther thistying of rhe Baptifmtothc Ministers exposition, may not ferve as a fit opportunity for Hereticks (not yet discovered,) to baptize children into their Here fie?
22. Whether the Scriptures be not the word of God, able to make a man
*Tiin.3,if» wife unto falvmon^ except on iy then, when they arc pronounced andexpoiin-
ded by a Minifter ? And whether the places of Scripture that we (which arc
no Minivers) all d^e in any ca!c,bcnor*alSbthe wordofGod, as true and of
as much force as if they were pronounced by a Minifter?
23.Whc«
fdUious unckriftia* Proceedings of fome Independents there. 2 3
23. Wither the writings of Eminent and approved Divines may not be read in the Church, whenthere is no Sermon? Nay whether they may not prove more profitable then the Sermons of lb me fchifinaticallor other unwor- thy MiniHers?
24 Whether our Er.gltfh Common Prayer (having never yet been called in) may notberead in the Church, fuch things being altered or left out as have bindoubtfullorofFcnfive togoodChriftian> ? Or whether it is fo faulty that it may not bee uf.d ar all ? Becaufe they will not fuffer it to bee read at all where they preach ; and as I hcare, intend to abolifh the reading of it quite.
25 Whether they will permit any other book of Common Tra/er ufed in any other Reformed Church, or fome other that may be framed, or that no fet form at all may be ufed but fuch prayers only as the Miniftcr doth then con- ceive, nor any thing read, no not out of the Scriptures, but what the Miniftcr doth then expound ?
26 How long it is they mean when thty fay a few dayes y that they would have men that would be converted or receive a further degree of grace to cxer- cife'themfelvesi 1 humiliation, before they fhall partake of thofe cnlightnings and comforts they fpeak of ? and after what manner this is to be done, and from what ground of Scripture ?
27 What Covenant it is which they perfwade fo much all the members of this Church to enter into at their admittance (and which as is thought is alrea- dy begunne) whereby they muft bee bound one to another ? and how farrc forth they muft affilt and defend one another ? what are the particular parts and circu mtf ances of this Covenant,* nd how it fliall be confirmed,whethcr by fubfeription or by fomefolemn vow ?
28 Whether he which hath cntrcd this £W#4itf, fhall ftill remayn as hee was, a true member of the Church and Common wealth of 8KgUndy 01 be of fome other Reformed Church, or of fome Separate & Independent Church'?
29 We grant there is often mention in Scriptures of aGovenant betwixt God and thepeople^&c. but whether there may be any warrant in Scripture for fuch a Covenant between all the members of this Church, as they would
have ? They alleadge for it thefe words, sAnd when Taulwascometo Jewfa- a&s 9, 26*
/em, h ? fiffttyedtojoyn himfelf with the Difctples : where fay 'fome, the word
joynthit is in the original! *j.fodfyuy fignifies a joyning by covenant ; but \ findc
no fuch thing in my Lexicon. I flnde the like word ufed where it is fi;d, Then Ac*ts8.*j«
the Spirit faid unto Phillip , %o near and joyn thy felf to yonder Chariot ; where,
by jojningh meant no Covenant. Other places they alleadge, but we would
fee fome tothcpurpofeifihey have any.
30 Whether it bee not injurious ro the Honourable isfjfembly ofTarlia. went, to pretend fuch Innovations or changes to be according to their minde, which they have never authorized, nor declared thcmfclvcs to have any pur- pofe to authorize or allow ?
Many other doubts I have omitted, but by thefe which I have noted, i( may fufficicm ly appears, chac chough they have long preached of theft mac*
ters,
24 -A Copy of a Letter from the Sonrmer l/JmdSy relating the
rers, yet many things remaine very unccrtaine. And if they would take the paines to Set downe in writing, as aforefaid, all parts of their intended Difci- pJine and Government , it would be very profitable to themiclves ; for ie would give them occaSion more throughly to confider if, and more wifely to order it. Is there caufe then that they fhould bee Co incenfed againft thoSc that make queftion of theie things in a moderate and Chriftian way? or whom they feare will oppofe any of thcm,as to threaten them with the judg- ments of this life, and of the life to come ; yea , to afligne them the Jowcft places in hell, as if thcmfelves were well acquainted, and had Such power in diSpofing places there, as the Pope pretends to have in purgatory ? Surely we learne in our firft entrance into learning, Qui dttbitat} quifepe rogat, me* ditta tenebit ; Is -qui nil dnbttat, nil captt inde boni. Is it juit orreafonablc they fhould accufe, cenfure, and defame fuch an one publikely in the Pulpit,' where the party accuSed cannot, without offending the Congregation, and the Lawes, anfwer for himSelfe, thoegh he be innocent ? Surely in all equity the accufation^cfpecially of one that is innocent,ought not to be more publike then hit defence or anfwer is permitted to be. Is it futeable to Chri(Uan cha- rity to ufe heavy imprecations or curSings againft fuch, and when the hand of God is upon fuch a man in any affliction, as fickne&e JoflTes, death, or the like; tofcthim out in the Congregation by evident and well known circumftanccs, asan adverfary to God , and as one whom God was now imiting to destru- ction for his opposition and obftinacy againft the Kingdom and Government of Chrift ( as they call this their intended Difcipline.) DoubtlefTe it behoves Minifters to have fome feare of God , and refped of man, and to lay afide thefe carnal! weapons, whereby they would affright and ternfie us, that wee ftiould not dare to quitch nor make the leaft refinance, whilft in the meane time they Set up thcmfelves as Lords over us in their intended Discipline, cal- ling it the Kingdom and Govenmcnt of Chrift; But if they would indeed fee
Eph.rf. 17 uptheKingdome of Chri(r,lct them take the fwerd of the Spirit ^which is the word of God> and make good what they deliver, by that. And for us fas many I meane as have care of the prcfervation of true Religion ) let us hold faft to the word of God, and not bedifcouraged ; nor let that goe, though they up- braid us in a Scoffing manner, faying , Come y on Scripturiaw 9 you Scripture' men that mufi have Scripture for what you wii doe ; cowei I will give) cu Scrip* ture enough to overthrow your Religion^ turne to Ezekicl &c. Thcic and ma- ny other fuch fpecches, what clfe doe they relliSh but of a fpirit of the old An- tichrift, which being now more difcovcred and expelled from his former ha- bitation, walks about through dry pldccs, fecking himftifc an habitation ia fbmc other perfons and places, where in a new dilguife he may pra&ile his wonted malice undifcovered. Let wiftand faft in the liberty wherewith
Oil u t. Chrift ha h made w fte<,znd not bedrawne from the Church of England,
which we know, to joyne our felves with any new Separate and Independent Church which we know not ; although we hearc many contumelious and reproachful! fpecches uttered againft the Church of England. They ought to be better affetftcd , and to give that honour which is due , as the*
which
■ . . I — I III)
fdfthas unchtiftan Froceedings offome Independents there, 2 5
which have fucked her breafts, and received as their naturall,fo their fpiricuall birch there, if ever they were new born.
We ought to acknowledge, with thankfghring the aboundant grace and mercy or God towards the Church of England • who hath made it no JeiTc honourable tbrn any other Reformed Church whatsoever, whether we con- sider the firft Reformers, being men of lingular Piety, and blefled Martyrs of Cbrift ; Or the purity of Dodrinc there publikely profefled even to this pre* fcnt.Or the number of holy Martyrs,who have advifedly fcaled that Do&rine their blood: Or the eminent lights in the Miniftry fucceifi vely (Tuning there in great number : Or the many and fincere ProfelTors and Praltifcrsof Rcligort there, ever fince the Reformation; Or laftly, if weconfiderthemany great Deliverances which the Lord hath vouchfafed us, from the wicked plots and holtile attempts of the common adverfary crowning all with much proiperity, and caufing the fame and glery of it to be ipread throughout the world. Thefe and the like have not been ieene in their (eparate and Independent Churches* In the meane time, we deny not, but that befides our many other grievous finnes, there have beene alio many groflc faults and intoilerable ift the Ecclehaftical I Policy and Diicipline, as it was abu fed by thofc that were intruded with it, and many foule effe^s have thence proceeded, which have ( elpccially of lare ycarcs) corrupted Religion , cclip&d our glory, and laid it in the duft, caufed the Lord to hide his gracious and loving countenance from us : And was like to have proved the remedileffe ruine of Church and Com* mon- Wealth : Of which finnes though wee all ftand guilty before God, as having been Authors or Procurers of them ; yet it becomes not any,chat ispor lately was a member of that (Church , to upbraid her with thefe things in a defpightfull manner : Such men accord ng to that faying of the Apoftle, Are jealom over us amijfe, yea, they would (alienate our affe«?tions,and ) ex* Gal.4,iyc elude us (from the Church of England ) that we fhould altogether love them* But thefe corruptions as they have beene for the moft part forced upon the Church, by the ufurped power of thole which were intruded, and pretended the greateit care of the Church; fo they have been, and wee truft will bee cart out and Rrformed by the prcient Parliament.
Now 1 would not be miftaken, as if Idefircd to derogate any thing from the dignity of that moft eminent calling of the Miniftry • I have no fuch meaning, neither doe I think a worthy Miniftcr to be unworthy or unfit for other the moft eminent Offices or callings in Church or Common- wealth , were it not that he hath a m©ft eminent calling already fufficicnc to take up the whole man , and unmeet to be yoaked with other callings; as the Apoftlc fo\th>who is fufiicient for thefe things; And the Apoftlcs doe re- i Cor.i.if, je fuch employments with a kinde of contempt faying , It is not meet that we (hom d leave the word of God to (erve Tables, and a little afcer,»v will give A&f .21 §ur felves continually to prayer, and to the Mmiftry oftheWord, intimating that thefe things would hinder them from prayer and the miniflry of the Word; wherebv it appcares, they would not be Deacons, nor take upon them any other Office in or over the Church, but ipend thcmfelves wholly
D in
I - - -™— ^
i $ A Copy of 4 Letter from the Sommer Iflandf) relating the
in the word and prayer ; the like might be manifefted by fundry other Scrip- tures. And the evill of it hath becne fo generally oblerved in England \ that fas I heard) ££*eene Elizabeth , when Che had conferred upon a Miniftcr authority and power to rule, was wont to fay, / have fpoyled a good Tr ei- ther to dayl And furely ( if we obferve it) the dcfirc of Superiority and Do- minion in or over the Church , in Minifters and Clergy men , and the readi- ncflc of Princes and people to conferre it upon them ; hath been a principall, if not the principall caufe in corrupting Religion from time to time, and of letting up the great Antichrift, and many others, as might calily be (hewed if it were not an argument too long for this place.
Thus farre (through the gracious affiftancc of God) I have expreffed my snindc in this matter, to the intent I might flop, fo much as in me lies, the letting up of a new Difcipline and Government of our owne framing , feeing we are already freed of all thole things that have ufually becne burthenfome and offenliveto goodChriftiansin England; and that we expect daily the further determination and decree of the Honourable slffembly of Parliament in thefc things. Or if I cannot prevaile fo farre as to ftop it, yet that wee might look before we leap, and underftand well what we doe before we doe it. Or if neither that may be obtained, yet hence it will ippea re, that my lilfe and Come others deferveno blame, much lefTe fuch cviil fpeechesas arc ufu- ally vented againft us by fome, becaufc we will not raflily runne with them we know not whether. And laftly, I defire that this may be a publikc teftL- mony of my judgement in thefe things. For to be prefent, and hcare them daily preffed, and to bee alwayes £Jenta is taken for a fignc of confent and approbation.
March 2, 1^42 s Rich. Norwood* •
s
Voftfcript,
Incethis AdVcrtifernent of mine came abroad ( though but a months) 'what horrible forelpeakings, threatnings, imprecations, and cenfures have beencpublikcly denounced againft me in feverall parts of the Countrey,I jfhali not need to repeat, being too well knowne. Neither will I anfwerthem ac- cordingly left I alio be like them ; I will only in the feareofGod,and by the comfortable a fli ft a nee of his holy Spirit apply that faying, How Jk odd Nfeiab, 13.5. tfoey Cfirji,where God hath not cur fed ? Or how fhould they detefi where the sSam.26. 12, Lord hath xot detefled? And thole words of 'David It may be that the Lord tvill look on mine af^iBion^ and doe me good for his curjlng this day. A delpcraw thing it is for men to blafpheme againft fome good light ; and what is it, to acknowledge the good gifts and graces of God in thole which they lb bitterly preach againft ; and to overwhelm them all with moft foulcand feigned faf- ipicions and afpeifions without caule? As when they fay, Satan will not ufe profane and wicked men, but he makes choife of thole that are of good and abJe partSp men of a religious life, of a bJameleflc conversation - theft clofe hy
pocrite*
faBious unchriflUn Proceedings of [owe Independents were.
potritcs he makes his instruments to oppofe the Kingdom of Chrift (that is their intended Difcipline ) &c. with other like fpeeches. I fay it is very dan- gerous for men thus to give way to wrath and malice. The Scribes and Pha- rifces did fee, and would no doubt have acknowledged the eminent gifts and graces that fhined in our Saviour, if he would have applied them to the cfta- blifriing of their Faction. But becaufe he would not doe fo, they maliciously traduced him, and faid he had an uncleanc fpirit; but he reproves their de- fperate wickednefTe, Shewing how nearly they did approach, or became guil* ty of the finnc againft the Holy Ghoft. And let every man take heed how they doe cunningly fatten (landers, orotherwifefbewdefpight unto the fpiric of Grace, becaufe. it will not be fubordinate unto their ends. I could wifh ilfo they would confider the words of CMarJilitu Tatavinus , in his Book zntitxxkd, Defender ef the 'Peace. Where fpeaking ofthofe that prefume to frame or preffe Orders, Decrees % and other parts of Difcipline , without licenfe afthe true Law-giver or Prince, and endeavour to draw people to the obler- /ation of them by furreptitious words, as it were compelling them by threat- ling eternall damnation to fuch as tranfgrefTc them , or denouncing cxecra- ions, reproachfull fpeeches, excommunications, flanders, rcvilings, or other naledi&ionsagainft them, or any of them, in word or writing; fuch (faith iej are tofufFcrcorporallpunifrimentin a moft high degree,asconfpirators, mdftirrersupofcivillfchifme, ordivifionin a Common- wealth. For it is kith he, a moft grievous kinde of trcafon, becaufe it is committed directly a- >ainft the Royall Majefly uf the Prince and his Soveraigne Authority ; and endeth to let up a plurality offupreame authorities or powers, and fo of ne* cfTity to the diffolutioft or overthrow of every civill Government.
They object alfb, thatl am but a Lay-man, and therefore Chou Id riot med- lle with matters of Divinity, applying that Proverb Nefutor ultra crepidam, tnd faying, that even the Sunne, Moone, and Starres, wherein he hath skill, "hould teach him that lefTon, which al way es move in their ownefpheares, ex- ept they be wandring ftarrcs, for whom the blackncffe of darkneffe is refer- red for ever, with many other bitter exprcffioris. But this is an old plea of jhc Popifh Clergy , to hold the people in ignorance and thraldome,and fhould not be taken up by thofe that would feeme to be more oppofitc to Popery theft Protectants are. That eminent and bleffed J) ivine Doctor ^^i" wasofano- ther mindc, who fpeaking in commendation of Mr Sherland ( that was no Preacher) difdaines not to fay he had good skill in controverted points of Divinity, and that he was a good Divine. And furely thccalling of a Chri- fiian is of that importance, that he mufl, if need fb require, omit whatfocver calling he have befidcs,to make good that one moft ncccflary, neither can he juftly be charged to move out of his fphearewhenfbever he meddles with mat- ters of Chriftianity and Religion, efpecially fuch points as he is preffed to em- brace and fubmit unto. The Apoftle exhorts us all, that weefhonld tarnefily contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints. And I may fitly anfwerthem in the word- of that renouned Souldier of Chrift Do#or Bafl- wick* who being checked by phcBilhop of Canterbury in like fort as I am by
thefcj
si cop) of & Litter f? cm the Semmer /foods, reUxing the
thefe,that he being a J*hy Titian, a Lay-man, fhould prcfume to write of fome points in Divinity, anfwers in Latine, to this purpofe in Enghfh.
I writ a Book ( faith he ) not to finde my 'elfc employment or to ftirre a
ftrifc,butofa Chriftian mindc and affc&ion, according to my duty to Go
and my Prince. The reproach of a Lay-man touchcth not me, for he wh»c
hath vowed himfclfeto Chrift is one of Gods Clergy. The ancient Church
doth not acknowledge that furnameof a Lay- man, but reckons it among the
Sola riftves of the Bcaft. Wchavegivne, promifed, and vowed ynto Chrtftj
in Bapcifme our name and faith ; and have folemnly denounced battel!
againft the flefh, the world, the devill, herefie &c. againft which wee mufti
fight unletfe wee put oft the reverence and refped of our Vow. How unfea-
fonable is it then to ask by what authority we fight againft thefe ? ( And a
little after) (hall that be a fault in me, which is a prahe to Divines ? Thej
cxercife phy rick Gracing mcrchantdizc, they husband their grounds, plant,
gather in their fruits, they all may doe all things, I envy not ; yet I wondei
we fliould be fo ftrcighened, whilft they have fuch liberty. But if fbme blun
fellow fliould ask a Divine, Hcar'ft thou good man, what haft thou to do
with the Court, with privy Councell, with Seats of Judgement ? what haf
thou to doe with renting lands, with planting vineyards , with breeding cat
cell, with money the provocation of all evills ? would he not check fuch
bold queftion with fome fliarp anfwer t yes doubtlcflehe would. Wha
tken fliould we doe when we are asked>.VVhac wee have to doe with Goc
with Chrift, with Religion, with the Truth f We will laugh to (corncfuc
envious queftions , and performe with diligence what God calls us to. We
will endeavour with all chearfulneffe the defence of the truth, the conferva
tionofRcligion,thcobfcrvationofour fidelity and allegiance to that Sove
raigne Authority which is over us; rendring an account of our endeavour
to him, to whom wee have vowed our (elves &c. He that defires to fee hi
defence more at large, may perufc his apology to the Snglijh Trelatcs.
Ttyw 1 iefeethjou brethren, mar\ them dtltgemly which caufe dtvtjton an
Rom. 1 6. 1 74 o fences contrary to the Doftrine which yee have learned, and avoid them*
1 8. For they that are fuchferve not the Lord leftu Chrifi%but their cw# Mies i and wit hf aire Jpeech and fatter ing% deceive the heart! of the Jimp ft,
March 30. 1643*
* *
F/NIS.
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