when it should be obeyed may be questioned upon that ground and nothing in Government should be certain but a man may say this Law this Order is null void for how doth it appeare the Universall represented people gave consent or the Representative acted in it from the instructions of the Universall 20. If this Doctrine were true that Magistrates might do nothing but what the greater part of the generality of a Land would have whether many good things would ever have been done that now are and whether in many Kingdoms would ever a Reformation have been effected and whether if the Parliament had gone by the Pole of tagge and ragge would ever Common-Prayer-book Bishops with many other things have been put down which yet I hope the Sectaries dare not say but the House of Commons did well in so doing A Catalogue of some Blasphemies of the Sectaries not mentioned in the First nor Second Parts of Gangraena A Sectarie said That the Prophets in the Old Testament Prophecied two and fifty lyes That in the ninth chapter of the Romans Saint Paul lyed and said he did acknowledge him self to be so to gain some to Christ The same Sectarie being stowed a place of Scripture which were the words of Christ took the book and threw it away and said that was not ordered by the Holy Ghost to be penned but it was the Rogue Printer that did put it in Another Sectary said there is no God or if there be a God the Devill is a God Master Saltmarsh the Sectary preached at Bath that as John Baptist wore a Leathern Girdle so the Doctrin that he preached was Leathern Doctrine A Sectarian Souldier at Bristoll finding fault with something a godly Minister had preached of Christ wondering at their unbeleif this Minister told this Souldier they were Christs words unto whom this Sectarian Souldier replyed Christ spake thus in his darknesse And another time this Minister speaking with the same Sectary about being justified by Christs Righteousnesse this Sectary replyed Christs Righteousnesse was a beggerly Righteousnesse A She-Sectary an Anabaptist said it boastingly again and again That she was every whit as good as Christ no way inferiour to him but equall to him and if she were not so the Scripture was a liar A Relation of some Passages in the Prayers of some Sectaries IT was for certain related to me and to many persons of worth that in June last when the King was with our Brethren of Scotland an Independent prayed publickly to God that God would deliver the King out of the hands of those evill Counsellors in whose hands he now waâ— T is written to me in a Letter and testified under the hands of three witnesses that an Independent in a publick Church prayed thus Lord if thou art not pleased to blesse us in the seducing King and trayterous Queen then blesse us in the Prince his Son or the Duke And at another time the same man prayed thus Lord now that the Sword is drawn let it never be sheathed untill it be glutted in the bloud of the cursed Malignants A Great Sectary in London upon occasion of the City Remonstrance prayed as followes of which prayer many Citizens had Copies and I was told it from good hands it was brought in to the Court of Aldermen O Lord thou knowest there is a Remonstrance to go up to the Parliament which is much to thy dishonour and the hurt of thy Saints for Lord thou knowest the Kingdoms of the Earth by right belong unto us thy Saints Suffer not thy Saints any longer to be trampled upon but stand up for thy people and do not suffer the ungodly to go up with this wicked Remonstrance Confound their device and suffer it to take no effect And Lord we thanke thee that thou hast stirred up some of thy Saints with courage already to protest against it we beseech thee stir up more Lord stir up the women that lie in their husbands bo 〈…〉 es and the children to cry unto their parents every one to be helpfull to one another to stay this Remonstrance Lord we will fast and pray unto thee this day to morrow and the next day O Lord hear our prayers and let our cry come unto thee as thou haâ—t been mercifull unto us so we beseech thee to continue thy favour and love unto us I was told it also by an understanding godly Minister that this Summer about the time of Lilburns commitment by the House of Lord a great Sectary in one of their Conventicles prayed to this effect O Lord cast down or confound all Monarcks aâ—d Monarchies and lift up or advance thy servant Lilburne This Minister had it from some who said they were eare witnesses and I desired to speak with them about iâ— and he promised I should but having not yet spoken with them I do relate it but as a report and not with that confidence as I do things I hear or find written or that I have from godly persons I know who are eare witnesses Some of the Independents and Sectaries use to court God in prayer having as affected straines and strong lines as ever University Preachers used to have in their Sermons at Saint Maries One of them began his prayer Right Honourable Lord God another begins oft-times Immortall God and then makes a stop and pause and then comes on the Seâ—aphinâ—s tongues are tipâ— with thy praises and praying in an affected manner Another Independent spake to God in prayer by way of complaint against the Presbyterians Lord they hate us because we know more of thee then they do but we beseech thee Lord give 〈◊〉 still to know more of thee and let them hate us more if they will A Relation of stories and sundry remarkable Passages co 〈…〉 ng the Sects and Sectaries and amongst others of some Souldiers who are great Sectaries JVly the third 1646. two Citizens honest men related to me this story in the hearing of another Minister and that with a great deal of confidence one of them having laâ—en in the Town where the fact was committed and having spoken with many Inhabitants about it that summer was a two yeares Captaine Beamant and his company being quartered at Yakesly in Huntingtonshire there being a child in the Town to be baptized some of the souldiers would not suffer the child to be carried to Church to be baptized and the Lieutenant of the Troop drew out a paâ—â— of the Troop to hinder it guarâ—ing the Church that they should not bring the child to be baptized and instead of the child being baptized in contempt of Baptisme some of the souldiers got into the Church pissed in the Font and went to a Gentlemans stable in the Town and took out a horse and brought it into the Church and there baptized it and after they had done so such of the Townsmen as spake against them before they went away they did them mischeif and this was
Heresies and Sects that they which are approved may be made manifest among us The good Lord in due time purge his Church and now his Fanne is in his hand let us pray that he may thoroughly purge his floore nothing but pure Wheat shall be in the Lords Barne Lord thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven so commending your holy labours both in Pulpit and Presse to the blessing of God I rest Your lover in the Truth and for his sake who is ipsa veritas Nichol. North. From Dover July 13. 1646. Sir Last day repeating to my people here in Saint James Parish the summe of these Errors that they might avoid the like Captaine Temple a great stickler in this Town for the maintenance of all Sects as I hear sent me this letter after Sermon being as it seems displeased that I should forewarn my people of Heresies and Errors I pray consider of it and make the best use of it you can The man is a stranger to me and I an to him I never saw him to my knowledge and he did not hear me preach that day he wrote to me though in his Letter he sayes he is my observer Mr. North DOubtlesse you may get into your peoples affections with enveighing against any pretenders to Religion as if all such did hold such points as your story wherewith you filled up your hour But I pray Sir be so honest as to tell them this afternoon that it was very likely that Tiltboat â—ent your companion to London was an Atheist one of your Church of England For such swearers drunkards blasphemers do use to go in your Tilt-boat and there talk of Religion according to your story But all wise men know your objects of spleen called Independents Anabaptists c. hold fundamentalls in Religion and can maintain it by Scripture better then your self Your observer Miles Temple Dover the 12. July 1646. This is a true Copie to a tittle of Master Temples Letter sent to Master North on the Lords day July the 12. 1646. Attested by Nicholas North John Dyâ—us Ministers A Copie of a Letter from a worthy Minister in the West of England Worthy Sir I Had not the happinesse either to see or heare of the second part of Gangraena till within these very few dayes The first part did so much good in weakning the reputation of the Sectaries and marring their market wheresoever it came that it is not unlikely there may be meanes used by some agents in London to hinder the spreading of this How it comes to passe I know not but if any corrupting Books come forth making for Independency or any of the Sects we are sure to here of them soon enough and finde them in too many hands I am glad you have made good your ground so well against Cretensis whose bitter arrogant unministeriall stile and passages will be enough to lay open to the world the temper of the mans spirit though you should be silent In that which concernes Master Burroughs I thought verely you had been mis-informed He utterly denyed the truth of that relation to a good Presbyteriall friend of his and mine who alwaies hath had him in good esteem for piety sure it will amaze his friend and many others when they shall see this largenesse of conscience in Master Burroughs You cannot immagine how I was struck at the reading of it If Saints of the first magnitude in the Independent way the greatest pretenders to conscience can do this what credit can we give to the rest such Presbyterians as they will scarce owne to be Saints have not that latitude of conscience to tell 〈…〉 willingly much lesse write it print it and give it under their hâ—â—ds to all the world This is too too bad As concerning that Collier whom you spake of in your Book I could give you a large relation as how he was banished out of Garnesey he and many more of his followers whom hee had seduced for their heresies and turbulent behaviour afterwards imprisoned at Po 〈…〉 th 〈◊〉 was the â—irst that sowed the seeds of Anabaptism Anti-sabbatariâ—â—ism and some Arminianisme among the rest in these parts hee hath had the boldnesse to publish two or three pamphlets full stuffed with erroneous principles and â—avouring of an illitterate Carter or an Husbandman for so he is by his calling I heare though now by usurpation a Preacher The first time he preached amongst us which was in time of publike exercise some that heard him said afterwards if that were true which Master Collier had taught them they would never heare any of our Minâ—â—ters more You may guesse his doctrine by the use was made of it doubtlesse 〈◊〉 was stronge poison he gave them that wrought so strongly at first Sir if I were not in great haste I should writ more at large I should be glad to heare from you in a word oâ— two how things are likely to goe for which I shall rest June 1646. Your thankfull friend A Copie of a Letter sent from some of the Committee of the City of Exeter to some of that City here in London GEntlemen we referre you to our former Letter sent you by post wherein we gave you information of the imprisoning of our honest Citizeâ—s by the Deputy Governour and Officers of that Garrison they yet continue in custody The Committee was refused to have the knowledg of the cause of their imprisonment Our Constables are opposed in doing their duties in a word they do openly contemne and violently incroach upon the civill power contrary to former ordem sent them Yesterday they demanded more monies of us for the Garrison We do what in us lyeth to oppose them in their undue courses But the insolencie of this day is such that we thought it our duty to make this present dispatch to you doubting what a day may bring forth The cause is thus we taking notice of the frequent preaching of Captaines at the Castle Guild-Hall and in private housés and of their drawing away of the people thought it necessary with the advice of Ministers to have the Ordinance of Parliament of the twentie sixth of Aprill 1645. to be published which prohibits all such to preach as were not ordained Ministers c. which accordingly was read at the Cathedrall before the morning Sermon this day The Deputy Governour hearing it commands it to be read the second and third time the Officers jeering and scoffing all the time of the publishing of it in contempt both of the Ordinance and of the Committee After the Sermon was ended the Deputy Governour most presumptuously stands up in the Bishops seat and takes upon him publikely to give the meaning of the Ordinance and saith aloud that it did not forbid their meetings and that in the after-noones they would have their exercise in the Custle which accordingly they had and that he had the command of the City and of all that were in it with many words
not onely with a bare Imprimatur but set before it the commendations of Aâ—sefull Treatise of A sweet and excellent booke making for love and peace among brethren or some such discourse In Buckingh â—mshire there are many notorious Sectaries as at Ailâ—bury one Dagnall a Book-seller a map of errors who to a godly Minister denyed Originall sinne and maintained other wicked opinions one Barre a Weaver and at Châ—sham or thereabouts one Hâ—ch spoken of at large in the First part of Gangraena and another a Gentleman who was an Officer in the Army a great Seeker There is one Carter having but one eye a Sectary at Watton in Haâ—tfordshire and a great Prâ—acher who keeps Conventicles on the Lords day there being greaâ— resort to him never coming to the publike Assemblies There are many Independents and Sectaries at or neare Lewis in Sussex some of the chiefe being Mr. Peters Converts as one Mr. Banniard Minister one Mr. Postlethwait one Mr. Crafts as I remember the name Mr. Bunnâ—ard will not preach upon nor keep the Fast-dayes being at London on a Fast-day hee would not goe to Church a Gentlewomâ—n who lives in his house useth to spin upon the Fast-day And there are divers Sectaries in that Town that work openly on Fast 〈…〉 yes Oats the Weaver spoken of in the First and Second parts of Gangraena being arraigned upon his life at Chensford the last Assize for dipping one Anne Martin who 〈…〉 ied some fourteen dayes after and being found not guilty was bound by the Judge to his good behaviour and made to â—ind Sureties that hee should neither preach nor dip and yet notwithstanding the very next Lordâ— day hee preached in Chensford and goes on still in Essex preaching his errors The people of Wethersfield hearing that Oats and some of his companions were come to their Town seased on them onely Oats was not in the company and pumped them soundly And Oats coming lately to Dunmo 〈…〉 in Essex some of the Town hearing of it where hee was fetched him out of the house and threw him into the river throughly dipping him A Citizen who was at Chensford when Oats his triall was having some knowledge of him reasoned with him that setting aside the dispute of the lawfulnesse of Rebaptization in prudence it could not be well done to doe that which in ordinary reason would destroy the creature viz. in cold weather to dip weakly persons Unto which answer was made by one Teach an Anabaptist and a companion of Oats that God had made a promise in that case When thou goest through the fire and through the water I will be with thee And when this Citizen said that was not understood literally in that sense it was insisted upon that it was to be taken in that sense The City Remonstrance and my books are exceeding hatefull to the Sectaries in the Army they speake desperately against the City and the City Remonstrance as among divers other speeches a Captaine of Lievtenant Generall Cromwells Regiment of Foot spake words to this effect That the City Remonstrance was as devillish a thing as ever was penned by man which this Captaine in his testimony against Adjutant Generall Gray June the 19. being examined did give in himselfe under his owne hand of which I have seen a true copy taken out of the originall Records I have been told also from good hands that my books are so hated among the Sectaries in the Army that no Commanders nor Officers dare be knowne to have them or to read them and some Presbyterians whose names I shall conceale getting the books have been forced to read them by stealth in the night in their beds when they have been sure none should carry tales of them The Presbyterians and Orthodox have been glad to deale with my books in the Army as the Protestants are glad to doe with Bibles Mr. Perkins Works c. in Countries as Spain where the Inquisition is in force A godly young man and a Scholler who hath been in the Quarters of the Souldiers divers times with them yea some of the great outâ— when they were in the West in July last told me and some other company that hee had heard some of the Sectaries in the Army say they would not tolerate Presbyterians though they toleâ—ated all others because they looked upon them as most destructive to them September 23. I was told from good hands both from a Minister in the City who hath relation to the place and from one who came from the place that a Captaine of the Army quartering with his Company at a Town called Auster in Warwickshire preacheth in the Parish Church sometimes twice on the Lords day and the Minister though an honest man is glad to stand by A godly Minister of Bristow preaching in Bristow by way of Exhortation to exhort men to goe out of themselves and to rest on Christ one stood up in the Church either whilst hee was preaching or presently upon finishing his Sermon telling him that hee had preached Antichristianisme to exhort men The same Minister related it that a Souldier a great Sectary finding fault with something hee had preached of Christs wondring at their unbeleefe hee told him they were Christs words to which this Sectary replyed Christ spake thus in his darknesse or in the time of his darknesse This Minister also one day discoursing with this Sectary about our being justified by the righteousnesse of Christ the same Sectary replyed Christs righteousnesse was a beggarly righteousnesse A godly Minister who lives in Somersetshire told me of a Sectary and a Sequestrator who to him maintained Adultery was no sinne and to another Minister that drunkennesse was no sinne but a help to see Christ the better by Hee told me also that some Sectaries having a Book among them called The fulnesse of Gods love maintained generall election that God had chosen all men to life and that election was of all men with whom this Minister reasoned alledging that in the 9. of the Romanes vers 11 13 c. and telling them the word Election implied it was of some not of all for if I come and chuse I take some and leave others but if I take all I doe not chuse There is a godly Minister who came out of the Army lately and understands the state of it very well that told some Members of the House of Commons there are some whole Troops in the Army that hold such desperate opinions as denying the Resurrection of the dead and hell which relation I had from a worthy Member of the House with the names of the Parliament men to whom it was told and of the Minister who told it I was told by some honest understanding men who heard Master Barroughs preach that on the day of the last Thanksgiving in September hee preaching at his Lecture at Michaels Cornhill on Psal 78. 42. spoke against the City for being unthankfull to the Army the Instruments of their deliverance
24. A godly and understanding young man told me that a Quarter-Master belonging to a Regiment of horse coming up into a Pulpit to preach prepared the Country people for his Sermon by saying they should not wonder to see a man in such a habit to preach for he had a command from the Spirit to preach and he was under the command of the Spirit and must do accordingly and told them though they might say he was no Scholar yet that was no matter for the Spirit without learning could enable a man to the work A Gentleman of good understanding told me lately before other company that he meeting with a Captaine of horse belonging to Cromwells Regiment as 't is commonly calld with whom he rid some miles and dined also at the Sheafe in Daintry the last of August this Captain told him that the Parliament and Scots were agreed that was the newes of delivering up the King to Colonell Poyns who was with his forces to convay him as farre as Trent or thereabouts and then Cromwells Regiment was to bring him up to London to see him safe convayed to the Parliament and if he would not signe the Propositions then he said the Parliament would decoll him and thus they will decoll him acting with his hand in putting it to his own neck in away of cutting off and this Captain added further that he thought it would never be well with this Kingdome till the King was served so This man in his discourse speaking of Presbyteriall Government said it was a hundred times worse then Episcopall This Captaine when he came to Daintry enquiring for his Company where it quartred and not hearing suddenly where they were quartered was much troubled miting his hand on his breast that at such a time as this of going to fetch up the King hee should be away and hee took care for fresh horses for his journey Northward to fetch up the King This last August I was informed from a good hand viz. one who came out of Northamptonshire that some of that Regiment calld Cromwells Regiment quartering in Northamptonshire would not suffer the Ministers to preach quietly but affronted them among others one Master H. a godly Minister going to his Cure one S. a Trooper who quartered in that Town pleaded that Jesuites should have their liberty of Conscience as well as other men and in the afternoon when this Minister had done preaching stood up in the open Church speaking to the people pretending as to question some things delivered but indeed fell upon venting to the people the doctrine of Universall Grace that no man was condemned for any thing but unbeleef whereupon Master H. spake to him why do you not speak to somewhat which I preached as you pretended upon that this Trooper said I accept against that you preached for saying we might not question God but where he hath given us a word for such a thing we must beleeve it without questioning him to whom Master H. replyed if you will question God you may well question me I was told at the same time by one who came out of Northamtonshire that one of the Sectarian souldiers laid his hand on his sword and said this sword should never be laid down nor many thousands more whilst there was a Priest left in England I have been told it by severall that in Northamptonshire some of the Sectarian souldiers being in company with a young Scholar a godly Ministers sonne in Northamptonshire one Master Smith and venting some of their opinions he reasoning against them and belike putting them to non-plus they wounded him terribly so that it was thought he could not live yea it was feared hee was dead already A worthy Member of the House of Commons told me at the latter end of August last that Letters were written out of Hampshire from some persons in place there to Members of the House of Commons complaining that the souldiers who billited there carried themselves so ill as that if they continued there they could not serve them but must leave the Country for they infuse such poysonous opinions against all Government and persons of Authority as that none of us shall be regarded August the 12. I was certainly informed from eare witnesses that a few dayes before two very godly and understanding men well known had discourse with a Captaine belonging to Colonell Hammonds Regiment who positively maintained and affirmed these things to them speaking them often as his opinion and the rest of the Army of his way That the House of Commons was the Parliament of England and not only a part of it That if this House of Commons should give any Order for them to go fight with the Scots they would go That if the House of Commons should give order to come against the City of London they would do it and he spake of the City of London with much detestation saying hee was perswaded the City of London hated that Army with other words to that effect This Captaine asked them if they heard not of the plot to destroy the Army to send part of them into Ireland to be there cut off so the sending of forces into Ireland was interpreted This Captaine to another honest man either the same day or within a few dayes maintained the same things in substance so that one of them telling a Colonell belonging to the Army what this Captaine had said that upon an order of the House of Commons they would as willingly fight against the City of London and Scots as ever they did against the Cavaleers the Colonell answered readily it was no such wonder for he beleeved it was the sense of a great many in the Army A person of worth who was at the Bath this Summer told me that he had heard Master Saltmarsh and Master Del preach there before the Generall but never heard them pray for forgivnesse of sinnes and said he was glad he had heard them that he might know what manner of men they were It hath been told me by two or three of the Town of Wantwich in Barkshire that at a Town neer Wantwich and in Wantwich a great Market Town a Sectary belonging to the Army preached in the Parish Churches one of the Texts upon which he preached was out of the Revelation where he spake much of Antichrist and that all those were Antichristian who were for childrens Baptisme and that none could be saved unlesse they were rebaptized The man when he had done preaching at Wantwich spoke to the people and desired them to object what they could against his Sermon and he would answer them he did not bid them come to his chamber to be satisfied as many would but he was publikly ready to answer any objections made against what he had preached There is a very honest man of Master Whitakers Parish in Bermondseystreet told me that one Marshall of that Parish a great Sectary refusing to pay his Tyths according to the Ordinance of
Reader to look Mr. Cartwright on the Proverbs 2. That when the King freely cast himselfe into the Armes of our Brethren of Scotland in Covenant with us and did nor go for Ireland France or into Scotland to Montrosse and the Rebels there as he might have done which courses as they might have proved most sad and dangerous to himselfe and his posterity so very pernicious to these Kingdomes in the continuance of a most destructive civill Warre and sad effects thereof the Independents and Sectaries were so farre from blessing God for keeping the King from running those ways and inclining his heart rather to go to our Brethren in Arms and Covenant with us that they were much troubled at it and some of them have expressed as much wishing the King had gone rather to France or Ireland then to the Scots An Independent speaking with a Presbyterian of the Kings going to the Scots the Presbyterian answered him what would you have had the King done Would you have had him gone to Ireland the Independent replied it had been better for us if he had gone for Ireland then now though may be not better for himselfe And since the Kings being with the Scots the Sectaries have expressed themselves as being afraid of nothing more then the Kings yeelding to the Propositions and a peace thereupon A great Independent speaking of the Propositions said God forbid the King should signe them and some speaking of the Kings refusing the Covenant an Independent said Gods blessing of his heart for refusing of it and I have been told from good hands that so 〈…〉 e of the Independent party underhand make use of some instruments to keep the King off from taking the Covenant and hint some encouragements to him if he refuse it all which showes the abominable wickednesse of our Sectaries that they would rather have had the King runne upon the destruction of himselfe and his Kingdomes then their Independent opinions to be hazarded by the Kings agreeing with his Kingdomes and settling of Church and State 3. The transcendent wickednesse of the Sectaries and Independent party appears by their evill carriage towards our Brethren of Scotland by whom as by a speciall meanes under God both the Kingdome and they came in a capacity to be freed from Tyranny and Popery and it hath been acknowledged since this Parliament even by some of themselves that they were the first meanes and instruments of casting off oppressions and Popery and how usefull and instrumentall from first to last the Scots have beene to this Kingdome and Parliament all the world cannot but know who knowes any thing and without whose helpe according to all humane reason and second causes the Sectaries had not been in a way of doing the Scots any wrong notwithstanding all which such hath beene the horrid ingratitude of the Sectaries that they have and doe hate them infinitely worse then the Papists and Malignants have with all possible Art and industry reproached viliâ—ied them by printing and reporting by word of mouth all kind of evill of them studied to put upon them them all affronts and disgraces sought all occasions to fall out with them and to engage in warre against them not caring to involve these Kingdomes in a most deadly and destructive warre that they might be revenged on the Scots for the Covenant and the Presbyteriall Government and the Sectaries have a long while made account of a warre with Scotland and ordered many things in reference to that that they might be ready for it Many of the Sectaries made such reckoning of falling ouâ— with Scotland that the last yeere some of them bought many score chaldron of New-castle coles thinking thereby to get a great deale of moâ—ey and being disappointed have lost much by the bargaine otheâ—s of them perswaded their freinds to lay in good store of Coles for their provision the lâ—st winter because of wars with Scotland and when Lilburne was in prison in Newgate upon Order of the House of Commons one coming to visit him in prison and giving him twenty shillings to releive him there Lilburne told him for his love he would doe him this good turne wish him to buy in his store of Coles because of a breach that was likely to be with the Scots It would be too long to relate all the stories have beene told me of severall passages and discourses used by Sectaries tending to a warre with Scotland both by Sectarian Chaplains Commanders and others of that way as preaching to souldiers of another party Formalists rising up against you but they shall fall under you as the pressing upon some imployed to Treat with the Cavaâ—ierâ— to give them conditions contrary to Ordinances of Parliament and all reason that our Armies might be at liberty to deale with the Scots aâ— of endeavouring to remove some Commanders out of the way because looked upon as great friends of the Scots as of some imployed to sound and try men in City and Army how they stood affected to a warre with Scotland as saying that they had been upon the Scots before now but for this City and that they would upon Order from the House of Commons go as willingly against the Scots as ever against the Cavaliers as intercepting and opening of Letters of the Scots staying their Messengers at Courts of Guard by Independent Officers as as I shall therefore draw to a conclusion upon this head and conclude that in the Histories and Chronicles that shall be written of these times the Sectaries wickednesses in reference to the Scots will be recorded and fully spoken of and they will be infamous for it to all generations and some particular men among them who now hold up their heads full high will be by name branded for their â—alsities and unworthy dealings with the Scots and not caring to have involved the Kingdomes in a new warre for their fancies and New-light of which themselves hold they have no such assurance or certainâ—y but before next weeke they may see a contrary light 4. Among all other wickednesses of the Sectaries their carriage towards the Kingdome of Ireland and the Protestants there is prodigious some of them having justified that Rebellion others having reasoned against sending helpe many of them having retarded and hindred help from going none of them as I know having beene forward and earnest for sending helpe but have cast in many objections raised and nourished needlesse fears and jealosies of the Scots and of plots at home not caring to have Ireland lost over and over againe rather then their particular opinions or designes should in the least be hazarded In the beginning of the Rebellion in Ireland when wee had no Armies on foot nor knew not the way of warre and wanted many advantagâ—s we have now yet how was the House of Peeres cried out on great multitudes coming up to Westminster in a tumultuous way ready to pull the Lords out of their House and all
of the Sectaries in their writings against the Presbyterians the Assembly godly Ministers the Scots and particular persons by name have done it in the most scornfull prophane blasphemous and abusive way even to the abusing of the Scriptures the Spirit of God Proaching Prayer and other Ordinances as ever was heard of in any age witnesse The Arraignment of Persecution Martins Eccho Cretensis and divers others but in my Discoveries of the Errors Heresies Practises of the Sectaries I have shunned all such wayes setting my selfe plainly to discover the Errors and abominable Practises confuting them with Scriptures and Reason and in a serious sad manner applying the danger of those evils to the consciences of all both Presbyterians and Sectaries and thus much for removing that stone of offence out of the way taken from the manner and way of writing 2. For the matter of this Booke that there 's a Truth in the Opinions Stories Practices related in it notwithstanding the clamours and speeches of the Sectaries that they are lyes all lyes I desire the Reader to observe and remember these following particulars 1. That the Sectaries of our time are so shamelesse in this kind as to say all things written against them are lyes thus they have said the stories of the old Anabaptists in Germany written by Sleydan Bullinger Lambertus Hortens 〈…〉 s other worthy men were lyes and they would not beleeve them so Master Saltmarsh in one of his Pamphlets against Master Ley denies the truth of those stories and other Sectaries in Pamphlets before him have said the same affirming if the King had over-come the Parliament stories would have made them as bad as the Anabaptists and the Princes of Germany prevailing against them set men on work to set them out so but all was false Now if our Sectaries will speak and write thus of all the relations of the old Anabaptists how can it be expected but that they will cry all downe for false written of themselves So our Sectaries will not beleive the stories of the Antinomians Anabaptists Familists in New England of Mistris Huchinson and the rest but say all is false all lyes and some of them have cryed out of Master Wells his Booke of the Antinomians of New England as much as of mine 2. The truth of the maine substance and matter of this Booke both for opinions and matters of fact is in the Booke it selfe by quoting Books knowne to hundreds by naming of persons knowne for witnesses by relating of things common in the times and these set by the Errors in the Margents or joyned to the matter so manifest that he that runs may read it and rationally there can be no more question made of them then whether the Scots tooke New-Castle the Parliaments Forces had a Victory at Nazeby Feild there be such a man as M. Hugh Peters or John Lilburn 3. That the Sectaries have used devices and found out inventions on purpose to possesse people that relations of things in my Books are false when most true as for instance some Sectaries that have been of the same name of those Sectaries that I have related stories of though they could not but know by many circumstances and particulars in the stories they were not the men but others have said Ther 's a story related of me I am the man he speaks of and t is all false for I was at such a place then and could not do so thus one Webb an Officer in the Army did telling the people in the West where he found Gangraena that the story of Webb was of him I am that Webb in Gangraena and 〈◊〉 all false I never preached such things nor was ever questioned about such things or did such things related This a godly Minister in the â—â—st of England told me he heard one Webb an Officer in the Army speak thus to the people to possesse them against Gangraena Now I writ not of that Webb but another Webb a younger man here in London not one of the Army who put out a Booke for the vindication of himselfe where he confesses most of the things and this other Webb could not but by many passages related as of the age as of being a Schoole-Master as of the Christian name and divers others but know well enough I meant him not and yet by this did he labour to blast my Book Again some who having beene mentioned in Letters written up to friends and printed by me have come to my house denying peremptorily those things spoken of them in the Letters desiring to know who writ them that they might have â—eparations I having told them their names withall writing to those Ministers to know more fully their grounds of such relations they have returned 〈…〉 e Answers that those things were most true and they would make them good when ever they should question them in which kind I could give divers notable instances but the nature of a Preface not admitting many I will relate only one namely of Master Mascall of Dover spoken of in a Letter sent from Dover subscribed by five hands to a Member of the Assembly printed in the Second Part of Gangraena in p. 135. of the Second Edition who presently after the coming forth of that Book coming to my house with a friend of his and mine formerly denyed positively and peremptorily what was written of him in the Letter declaring he was of another judgement then to speak so of our Ministers and Synods as is expressed in that Letter holding our godly Ministers to have a lawfull calling and Synods to be needfull wherupon I writing to one of the Ministers all passages that passed betweene us and desiring to know what he said to it he sent me this Answer Worthy Sir I received your Letter dated June the 18. but could not conveniently Answer it till now because I would see the carriages of the Independents on last wednesday when we chose our Elders What we wrote of Master Mascall we can cleare and will maintaine and much more and according to your advice you shall not faile of sufficient testimony if that Letter be crossed whereas he saith that he holds our godly Ministers to have a lawfull calling he will not say it in Dover till he have distinguished the word godly into a shadow For his saying they never kept Church-meetings in time of the publicke exercises it s a very false untruth and for his seeming to accord with us in our account of Synods he knows that we hold it a duty to combine Churches and to have a combination rule the Elders and Pastor of a Congregation which we know they will never allow Thus much in breife for Master Mascall who I dare say will not challenge any man in Dover for that that is done against him or if he doth will find as ready an Answer as ever man received by man Your loving friend and Brother MICH. PORTER June 29. 1646. And thus much for
so certainly and generally spoken of that a godly Minister who dwelt hard by heareing of it came next day to the Town to find out him who baptized this horse and the rest who had a hand in it and to stirre up the Parish to complaine and prosecute them Which story being thus related to me with much confidence from these two Citizens as having spoken with this neighbour Minister and divers of the Inhabitants of Yaksly yet because I well know that reports will flye variously and many mistakes may arise in relations and because this was so sad a 〈…〉 ory and such a dâ—sperate proph 〈…〉 ation and contempt of Gods Ordinance of Baptisme I therefore intreated these Citizens for my satiâ—faction and for the credit of the story to others to get under the hands of some of the Inhabitants of quality who related it the truth of the story wh 〈…〉 of it was true and what might be built upon 〈◊〉 certa 〈…〉 â—herâ—upoâ— they sent about it and took such a course that aboâ—t ten dayes agoe in September I received from the hands of a godly Minister this certificate to a tittle and do keep the Originall by me to produce when ever I shall be called to make proof of it August 15. 1646. THat Captaine B 〈…〉 an t was quartered at Yakesly in the County of Huntingdon about June 2. 1644. and preached on the Lords day in the Parochiall Church and in the time of his quarter there his souldiers fecht a bald horse out of Master Finnmo 〈…〉 s stable of the Captaines where he was quartered and in the Church at the Font having pissed in it did sprinkle it on the horse and call him Ball 〈…〉 because he was hairie and crost him in the forehead They had souldiers Godfathers and one Widdow Shropshire a souldier sonick-named was the Godmother This the Leâ—â—tenant Brayfield by name reported to the Captaine and they all gloried in it at Master Finnmoâ—rs and the other souldiers immediatly reported the same to be done in many houses where they were q 〈…〉 Which we the Inhabitants of Yakesly do witnesse whose names are subscribed William Finn 〈…〉 Thomas Eva 〈…〉 John Caryer Robert 8 Sumerly his marke John Pal 〈…〉 er Robert Cu 〈…〉 dge Hollâ—â— Bell. Robert Ra 〈…〉 er Corporall was the man 〈◊〉 acted the part of the Minister Bartly Ward by name was the Godmother Laureâ—ce Dodds 〈…〉 man was 〈◊〉 that fâ—cht the horse out of the â—â—able The â—ame godby Minister who hath relation to those parts and 〈◊〉 whom I hall this paper tells 〈◊〉 here are 〈…〉 y other misde 〈…〉 anore of some of the Sectariaâ— souldierâ— spoken of By many in these parts as the baptizing of a piggâ— and other straâ—ge exploith with he will enquire the 〈◊〉 of and 〈…〉 ordingly 〈…〉 finds give me notice and he saith 〈◊〉 S 〈…〉 souldiers are so 〈◊〉 that the godly Orthodox Ministers cannot with safety to their persons preath against some of those 〈◊〉 which they 〈◊〉 as against universall grace and some others some of these souldiers to one godly and able Minister who preached against their opinions laid their hands upon their swords threatning him with a great deal of â—ury There is a godly Minister and a man of some place more then ordinary whose wise being much incl 〈…〉 ed to the Sectaries and going often to their meetings he went divers times with her and among many strange passages which he hath seen and heard in those Assemblies he relates this following story for a certain truth which hee both saw and heard but was not willing to have his name made known because of some estate lying so that he perhaps might suffer much for discovering any thing concerning the Sects About Algate in London there was a great meeting of many Sectaries among others one Master Knowls Master Jesse and some other of the Sectarian Ministers were there for the restoring of an old blind woman to her sight by anointing her with oyle in the name of the Lord The manner of it was after this manner the old blind woman was set in the midst of the Roome and she first prayed aloud all the company joyning with her to this effect that God would blesse his own Ordinance and Institution for the restoring of her sight after she had done praying Master Knowls prayed for some spice of time to the same effect for a blessing upon this anointing with oile and after prayer she was anointed with oyle these words being words uttered by him who anointed her or to this effect The Lord Jesus give or restore thee thy sight In my first part of Gangr 〈…〉 a a story is related of some Sectarian Troopers assaulting Master Andrews a Minister in Northamptonshire Now I shall give the Reader a continuation of that story viz. so farre as to shew to what place these men went from Wellingborrough and what pranks these and others of that Troop played in Warwickshire which was told me by a good hand from one who came out of those parts and assured me it was most true and proferd to give it me under his hand and the hands of others in that Town and the story is as followes That very company spoken of came to a Town call'd Lemington or Remington in Warwickeshire and to the house of one John Mathews who looks to Baron Trevers estate there where their Captaine quartred viz. one Captaine P. and they told him of the passages at Wellingborrough boasting what they had done and how narrowly the Priest escaped them and what they would have done if they had gotten him and there was a great deale of applauding them by their fellowes who were there The constant course of that Troop whilst they quartered in that Town was to speak against the Ministrie calling them Priests disswading the people from going to Church hardly three of a hundred of that Troop would goe to Church they would tell the people that they would give them a Book should do them more good then all the Sermons they should ever hear in all their lives from all the Priests and that they could preach better then the Ministers of England and this Company of Sectarians was so rude that they did more hurt to a fine Dove-house of Baron Trevars which this John Mathews was to look to then Prince Rupert and all his souldiers when they quartered there This John Mathews intreated them they would not make such spoyle and wast killing old as well as young without distinction and he prevailed with their Captaine to go to them to forbid them but they answered him that pigions were soules of the aire given to the sons of men and all men had a common right in them that could get them and they were as much theirs as the Barons and therefore they would kill them take their liberty and not part from their right upon which words the Captaine said he was so convinced with their arguments that he could not answer
where they meet for that end and I spak with one that came from Oxford in Aug. last who told me they preach now daily in Christs Church one of the greatest Colledges in Oxford in a kind of Gallery where the souldier stands that preaches many sitting on the stairs others standing below and this young man heard one of them preach there discoursing on these words God would require the life of man at a Beast this Souldier expounded that by Beasts was meant a wicked man There are two honest men who last July told me that they had heard an Independent who lives at Dover say it and so had others that the Scots and the Assembly were pests and plagues of the Common wealth the Assembly were a company of dissemblers the Presbytery was Anti-christian and speaking of the Ministers called them that ugly tribe A Commander in the Army of known fidelity and worth told me he had heard Master Peters preach in Hedington Fort against the City of London incensing the Army against the City telling them that after you have done all this they would not have you live nor enjoy any places July the first 1646. I was told by some of the Aldermen of the City who were come that day from the Sessions and from hearing the cause that a great Sectary was brought to the Sessions of Peace before the Lord Major for that having woed a Maid to be his wife and he profering to be her husband she consenting he tooke her by the hand and for his wife but said he would be hanged rather then be married by a Priest calling all our Ministers Priests and perswading her there was no ground in the word to be married any other way whereupon they both consenting came together but afterwards he cast her off and would have nothing to do with her nor allow her no meanes This woman being brought a bed of two Children in her travell related this and was ready to take her Oath the Children were his and that she never knew any man but him Some who come from the Army tell me that the Sectaries in the Army do exceedingly raile against the City and Citizens and call them the Sect of the Adamites A Citizen of London of good ranck told me and divers others that he being at Boston Faire but a little before there was a Commander a great Sectary spake to many whom he met with against the City of London how the City was quite turned against the Parliament and was come to that passe that if the Army came neere London to lye neere them and to awe them they would raise an Army to set them further off and if the Army went north-ward against the Scots they would help the Scots against them this Citizen said he taking notice of it spake freely to this Commander and told him his mind of the faithfulnesse and fidelity of the City and at the same time this Citizen related viz. the fourth day of August that it was given in to some Committee or members of a Committee under two hands that this Officer having an Order for so many Barrels of Powder and a Tunne of Match out of the Tower to send to such a place he never sent it but sold it and afterwards being sold again it came to be brought to the Tower and some knew it to be such Powder that was given out by order to such a man and so it came to be discovered I was told it by two persons of quality a Member of the House of Commons and a minister that some of the Sectarian Souldiers speaking of the Remonstrance called my Lord Major Rascall and for those who had a hand in the Remonstrance they hoped ere long to have the pulling them out of their houses August the 30. Two persons of quality and worth a Reverend Minister and another person in publick imployment went to the Spittle in the afternoone to hear Master Randall out of a desire to be satisfied upon their owne knowledge as having heard many strange things of him and coming they heard him preach on that text A sower went out to sowe from whence he raised this observation That all the Creatures held forth God in Christ and preached the Gospell The heavens declare the glory of God that is the glory of God in Christ and he preached that all the creatures and all actions are Sacraments and do set forth the death of Christ common ordinary eating and drinking do set forth the death of Christ and are to be done as Christ said Do this in remembrance of me He gave no blessing at the end of his Sermon no Psalme was sung there were three great rooms full of people to hear him A mong many Physitians in these times that are Sectaries Independents Anabaptists Seekers I have been told from good hands of two of them these speeches one of them speaking about the Ministers said there was a necessity of the falling of the Tribe of Levi The other about Aprill last at which time the Independents were in their great â—uffe that the Ministers would be a contemptible generation as hateâ—ull within a while as ever the malignant Ministers and Prelates were About the latter end of Aprill last I entreated a Doctor of Physick a godly man and prudent to go along with me to a house not far from Cheapside where some company were appointed to meet me to discover some things to me about the opinions and wayes of some of the Sectaries and there came three who in my heareing and the Doctors related these following particulars of Mistris Attaway Master Jenney and some others of their way and what they related were such things that they had heard from their own mouthes often Mistris Attaway held that the Book of Esdras and some other Apocryphall Books were Canonicall Scriptures that she should never dye and that she should bring forth Children at Jerusalem and that at Jerusalem she should meet with Christ and enjoy him visibly and this Mistris Attaway had so perswaded Jenney that he beleeved he should never dye and both Mistris Attaway and Jenney held themselves as pure from sinne as Christ was when he was in the flesh and this Mistris Attaway told Master Jenney shee had Letters sent her from a Prophet who was shut up for a time and none could come to him only there was a Maid one Ellen whom they among themselves call'd the Prophets Maid that went to him and Mistris Attaway shewed Jenney these Letters which were to this effect that she must go to Jerusalem and he must go with her and he should be a Preacher there have a great hand in repairing Jerusalem and there Abraham Isaac and Jacob should come down from Heaven and meet them and this Prophet by the end of this Summer should come forth with power For the present there was none that was an Administrator and dispenser with power but this Prophet should come with power and do greater works then
after them When the Army was marching from Exeter for Oxford upon their marching there was a Fast kept by the Army and upon that Fast day divers of the Sectarian souldiers instead of keeping it were drinking all the day in Ale-houses and many of them were stark drunk Of this there was a Letter written from a worthy Colonell in the Army which was communicated to divers persons of worth and a worthy Member of the House of Commons who read it and knew all the particulars of place time c. related it to me in the hearing of a Member of the same House A Copie of a Lettter to a tittle sent to me from two worthy Ministers in Norwich Sir TThe second part of Gangraena gives us an intimation that you intend a more large and full reply unto him whose jugling aquivocations and fallacies have cleared you and deservedly branded himself and the rest of his fiction with the name of Cretensis your work the Title page tells us is a fresh Discovery of the Errours Heresies Blasphemies of the Sectaries of this time We are heartily sorrie that we have so reall grounds and so much cause in our City of Norwich to contribute any thing to so sad yet necessary work How daring and insolent they be appeares as by many other things so by this that one of them professed openly which we can prove that they would set up and maintaine in the City an Independent Lecture in despight of the Magistrate What scorne cont 〈…〉 ely and reproaches we and our Brethren of the Ministery meet with all you may guesse by this inclosed which information was taken by the Major as appeares by the date June 18. 1646. and was the day following deposed in open Court Whereupon this woman Priscilla Miles was by the Major and Justices bound over to the next Sessions The paper we send is no Transcript but the very information taken by the Town-Clark and subscribed by the hand of the Major and Informant We leave it to your wisdome whether you will stifle and lay it aside or make use of it for the publike and subscribe our selves Norwich June 25. 1646. Your Brethren and fellow labourers in the Lords worke John Carter John Thornbeâ—ke The Information of Richard Gunton Weaver taken before Henry Watts Major of the City of Norwich the 18. of June 1646. HE saith that Priscilla the wife of Richard Miles of Saint Margarets Parish hath often times abused Master John Carter the Minister of Saint Peters Parish by very vild and wicked revilefull speeches as namely about three weeks since she said that the said Master Carter was one that ought not to preach to a Congregation of people for he did not teach the Gospell of Jesus Christ but was an opposer of it so far as he was able and that when he should be preaching of the Gospel of Christ then he was talking of the height and length of the Tower of Babell which were lyes and further said it was a thousand pitties he was not pulled out of the Pulpit by the eares And she further said that she did think the intent of his heart was when he came into the Pulpit to blaspheme God and to draw men from Christ so farre as he was able And she further said that before three yeares come to an end those black-coted preachers that now did preach in the Steeple-houses should have their black coates and gownes pulled over their eares and that there should not be one of them left and she said the said Master Carter and such as he is were sent from the Devill and the Pope and so they continued and lived Devills here And hee further saith that about a moneth since the Informant caused his servant to read some notes of a Sermon of Master Thornebecks the said Priscilla came into his house and this Informant commending Master Thornebecks Sermon she said that he spake lyes and it was a thousand pitties that he was suffered and not pulled out of the Pulpit and said he was turned out where hee was before and if he had been good hee should never have come here And he further saith that about Lady last a maid servant of Henry Gunton said that one Renniger who had teached in a private house was a man who was sent from God and fitter to teach then Carter for he was not sent from God and further said that they were none but Whoremasters Drunkerds and Lyers that would speak against the Anabaptists Henry Watts Major Richard Gunton And he further saith that the said Priscilla about six weeks since said that the Prophets in the Old-Testament prophesied two and fifty lyes which was occasioned by some discourse that was between this Informant and the said Priscilla upon some places of Scripture And then this Informant shewed her a place in Scripture in the ninth Chapter of the Romans and she said Saint Paul lyed and said he did acknowledge himself to be so to gaine some to Christ And at another time before that about a quarter of a yeare since when this Informant and the said Priscilla were in discourse together this Informant shewed her a place of Scripture which were the words of Christ she took the book and threw it out of her hand and said that was not ordered by the holy Ghost to be printed but it was the rogue Printer that did put it in Henry Watts Major Richard Gunton William Gunton doth likewise informe that he hath heard the said Priscilla Miles say that Master Carter did blaspheme God and he likewise saith that she said Master Thornebecke preached a false doctrine and if she had been there she would have bidden him come down you old foole A Copie of a Letter to a tittle written to me from a godly Minister at Dover Sir THough the Stories of Errors and Heresies be so sad as that pious souls cannot but mourn and sigh and grieve much at the reading of them yet since your publishing of them is many wayes usefull as that false Doctrines and false Teachers might bee discovered and made odious and that truth might bee the more manifest to and lovely in the professors of it opposita juxta se posita magis elucescunt Wherefore I have sent you a Copie of those Errors which were stifly defended by one William Bowling of Crambrock in Kent on Wednesday last the eighth of July 1646 in my passage with him in a pair of Oares from Gravesend to London there bee five other passengers in the Boat that did witnesse these Errors and Heresies to be stoutly asserted by the party aforesaid so that you may be confident you shall publish nothing but the Truth in publishing that these Errors following were vented and justified by him in lesse then foure houres passage upon the waters 1. He affirmed that Adams sinne in eating the forbidden fruit did not deserve Hell 2. That Heavens blessednesse was not proposed to Adam in case of his obedience therefore
Banbury Castle must not be slighted they say it may be a Garrison for the Saints it is conceived to be the strongest in England They use an Argument which takes with people much that if they will joyne with them they shall pay no Tythes and some are so foolish to give out there is a considerable party in all Countries where ere they have been that will stand for them so they may be excused for paying Tythes Ninthly Though that Argument do generally take with prophane men yet they see there are a company of godly men that are willing to pay Tythes to them therefore they urge all Arguments against mixed communion and they assure them that the Assembly will beare with all close dangerous Malignants that can speake Greek and Latine if they be not scandalous in their lives and will conforme to the Presbyteriall government and observe the Directorie Tenthly They would not have the old military Orders observed which was set forth by the Earle of Essex that Blasphemers should be bored through the tongue The Argument which they urged was that sinnes whiâ—h are directly against God should be punnished only by God yet they confesse that bold sinners should be admonished by the Church and beare a spirituall censure I pleaded that men did consist of a soule and body and that both joyned in this sinne the Devill in the soule making use of the tongue to vent Blasphemies against the God of Heaven and therefore it was fit that the tongue should be pnnished and that it was probable that those spirituall meanes should work the better which were used for his reformation and edification and with much adoe by some under-hand dealing with honest Commanders wee prevailed to have the Blasphemer punished I hope there will be a disbanding very shortly if not there are five Regiments that want Colonells and if there could be five Presbyterians put in the Independents would be well ballanced for there are a great many considerable men in this Army well affected to all godly Presbyterians June 3. A Copie of a Lettter to a Member of the House of Commons SIR IF Independents be made Governours of Castles Cities and strong holds as fast as they are taken if under a pretence of frugality for the state and reducing of Regiments Presbyter Commanders are frequently outed and the Independents prefer'd to their places if the souldierie under Presbyterian Commanders be unpaied and thereby inforced to abuse the Country to the dishonour of that party and the contrary party paid and by that meanes gaine affections every where if under a pretence of charity Independents plead in the behalf of the greatest Malignants and by that meanes scrue into their favours to make a party if their agents be working every where to chuse Parliament men of their own opinions if they be devising to send away the Scots into Scotland and the Presbyterian Commanders and souldiers into Ireland ought not these things to be seriously and speedily considered and forthwith indeavours used for the preventing the effects which the premises may produce Your humble servant Some passeges taken out of the Originall Letter sent from a godly Minister in Northamptonshire to a Friend of his a Common-Councell man here in London SOme of Colonell Whalies souldiers quartered with us full of Errours of a high nature The Lord reduce or rebuke them I feare they will scatter much poyson as they spread their quarters alas the poore soules in danger of their seducements They are full of high invectives and scornes against the Parliament Ministery and all kind of religious duties After a fortnights free quarter they had our free leave to march and are marched beyond Market Harborough and are about Lough-Borrow in Lester-shire Though they draw North-ward yet I hope not to the ends that some do hope viz. to encounter with our Brethren I have heard some of them say that had they the opportunity they would be more bitter against them then ever against the Cavaliers but I hope their expectation shall perish Septemb. 1. 1646. The extract of a Letter sent to a Citizen of London from a godly Minister in Darbyshire SEctaries abound strange yea damnable opinions are maintained with much zeal and pretence of conscience by those who I feare were never acquainted with a good conscience Monarchie is misliked and a new fashioned Government too much thirsted after There are so many new fashions in Religion that the true feare of God is almost grown out of fashion Sir I thank you for your remembrance of me and I heare that Master Edwards hath yet more work for a Masse-Priest when it comes out I pray you let me have it August 10. 1646. An extract of a Letter from a godly Minister neer Bristoll to a godly Friend of his in London DEare Friend we have peace for the present and hope of plenty for the future that only which damps our comfort is That whiles the Teachers were removed into corners the envious man hath taken his opportunity and sowen tares which spring up in our neighbour City abundantly and are spread much over the Country the whole Kingdome I think is sick of the same disease Help Lord. A true Copie of a Letter to a tittle of Mr Knollys the Anabaptist which comming to the hands of some of the Committee of Suffolk was shewn me and I extracted it out of the Originall BEloved Brother I salute you in the Lord your Letter I received the last day of the week and upon the first day I did salute the Brethren in your name who resalute you and pray for you The City Presbyterians have sent a Letter to the Synod dated from Sion Colledge against my Toleration and they are fasting and praying at Sion Colledge this day about further contrivings against Gods poor Innocent ones But God will doubtlesse answer them according to the Idoll of their own hearts To morrow there is a Fast kept by both Houses and the Synod at Westminster They say it is to seek God about the establishing of Worship according to their Covenant They have first vowed now they make enquiry God will certainly take the crafty in their own snare and make the wisdome of the wise foolishnesse for he chuseth the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and weak things to confound the mighty My wife and family remembers their love to you Salute the Brethren that are with you farwell Your Brother in the Faith and fellowship of the Gospel Hanserd Knollys London the 13. day of the 11. moneth call'd January 1645. To his beloved Brother Mr John Dutton in Norwich these deliver Leave this Letter at Mr Buttevant his house to be delivered as a bove A Letter from a Sectary with this suprescription To his much honoured Captaine Paul Hobson at Mr Carwithyes house in Exon. Endeared SIR MY best respects and service to you presented That relation which formerly I had unto you hath enboldened me to
present you with these rude lines It doth not a little rejoyce me that providence hath so disposed of it as to bring you down into this dark corner of the Kingdome It is my desire for you to the Throne of Grace that God would cure that weaknesse of body under which your spirit hath so long travelled and that he would give you such strength and utterance of spirit whereby you may be able to declare unto the world the glory and the â—iâ—hes of the good newes of Jesus Christ which he hath manifested to your soule John saith That which wee have seen with our eyes and our eares have â—eard and our hands have handled even the word of life that declare we unto you Such kinde of preaching and declarations of Christ from experience of it in the heart the Friests of England but especially of these Westerne parts are unacquanted withall I should account it a happinesse if God would so dispose of it as to open such a way that I might have relation to you as formerly That small remnant of the Saints in this Town will be very joyfull to see you here and so shall he that desires to be Your servant in any office of love Robert Carye Dartmouth June 12. 1646. THere is one Sims of Hampton a Shoomaker as appeares by the following Examination and a Letter presently following who goes about as an Emisâ—ary all the West over from place to plâ—â—e to infect the people who at Bridgwater in Summersetshire being apprehended by some in authority was examined and divers Letters found about him written by severall Sectaries to the Saints as they call them in Taunton and elsewhere this examination and Letters were sent up to a person of worth then in London and that Gentleman gâ—ve the 〈…〉 me so that I have the Originall Letters by me The Examination of John Sims Shoomaker SOnday the last of May preached in the Parish Church of Middlâ—sâ—y took his Text out of the 3. Col. 1. One Master Mercer and Master Esquier Ministers with a hundred more persons and being desired to know how he durst presâ—â—e to â—â—ach so publikely being not called and an Ordinance of Parliament to the contrary Answered if Peter was called so was he 2. Being desiâ—ed to know what he teached contrary to the law of God and the lawes of the Land answ 〈…〉 why are they suffered to teach in London so neer the Parliament House and that he would allow of the Parliament is for forth as they goâ— with his Doctrine 3. Being desired to know whether he allowed of our Baptisme answered no that for his part he was baptized a year since by one Master Sickmoore and his manner of Baptisings was that the aforesaid Sickmoore went first into the water and he after him so that he for his part would not allow of our Baptisme The Letters taken about him To the Saints in the Order and fellowship of the Gospel in Taunton Your deare Brother Thomas Collier desireth the increase of grace and peace from God the Father and from out Lord Jesus Christ Deare Brethren and Sisters I have not had an opportunity of writing unto you untill now although my spirit hath been up to the Lord for your continually The Lord hath manifested his presence with me exceedingly in my journy I desire the Lord to raise up your heart in thankfullnesse he hath gathered Saints in Poole by me 14. took up the Ordinance at once there is like to be a great work and confirmed the Churches in other places I am not yet got so far as London but I shall I expect to morrow Dearely beloved my desire and prayer to our Father on your behalf is that your soules may be satisfied with his fullnesse that you may live above and then your soules shall not want comfort And my exhortation to you is to wait upon the Lord in his own way and not to look forth into the world there is bread enough in your Fathers hâ—use There he hath promised his presence though you seem to want gifts yet you shall not want the presence of your Father your Jesus if you wait upon him There are two Brethren I suppose will visit you from Hampton Brother Sims and Brother Row whom desire you to receive as from the Lord. The 〈…〉 ted power of the Plesbyterians is denyed them of which you shall heare more shortly I desire to be remembred to all my kind friends with you and at present rest Gilford April 20. 1646. Your deare Brother in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel Thomas Collier I shall see you as speedily as possible I may To the Saints in the order and fellowship of the Gospel MY deare ones in the Lord Jesus I salute you desireing him who is our head and husband our life and liberty our all and in all to gather up our soules more abundantly into the glorious unity and fellowship of the Son of God that you may not live upon these lower things which are but instruments to conveigh light â—nd love unto us I meane even Ordinances or the like which indeed are but as a shell without the kernell further then wee enjoy Christ in it My deare ones you are in my heart continually and my desire is to be with you as soon as posible I can to impart some spirituall gifts unto you and to enjoy fellowship with Jesus Christ in you but what is this your are upon the heart of Christ nay ingraven upon his hand and shall be had in everlasting remembrance before him I am much in haste at present the Post being coming forth of Town only I have sent you these few lines and two Books here inclosed as a remembrance of my love I desire to be remembred to all my deare friends with you and at present rest and remaine Your deare Brother in the faith and fellowship of the Gospell Tho. Collier London May 2. 1646. To his Friend William Heynton Buttler in the Castle at Taunton these DEare Brother in the Lord Jesus Christ with the rest of our deare friends with you my kind love remembrd my desire to you is that you will receive this bearer Master Reeves as a deare friend for he is a Member in the order and fellowship of the Gospel with the Saints in Taunton I need not tell you of the oppositions here in Taunton our Brother will tell you the particular passages our Governour does labour to beat us down and doth say that any meeting in private is meerly to crosse the publike meetings and that it is not out of tendernesse of conscience but damnable pride that we do but this doth not any way cause us to draw back or sadden our spirits for our spirits are carried above the feare of men All our friends are in good health so I remaine Your deare Brother William Hayward May 16. 1646. MOst kind and loving Brethren and Sisters in the Lord Jesus my indeared love remembred unto all the Saints unto
with unbeleevers when Christ prayed he took his Disciples apart indeed he taught and exhorted all so the Saints in the Acts they prayed alone from the world and Christ saith goe preach the Gospel to all he doth not say goe pray with all and Christ nor his Apostles never prayed with the world the Apostles taught in their Synagogues and expounded in their Assemblies but not a word of praying with them and experience teacheth us how our hearts are straitned and how wee limit the spirit if I may so speak when we pray with unbeleevers and faith commeth not by praying with them but by preaching for faith commeth by hearing I know no word for the Ministers praying with the world nor Saints to joyne with them Object But Christ gave thanks The Apostle Paul gave thanks before them all Answ Christs thanksgiving was sometimes miraculous for by his blessing the creature he did a miracle so the Apostle's was too as farre as I know for you know how wonderfully after hee and all with them were preserved Or if we may give thanks with them it is because all have a right to the creatures restored them by Christ that in a way of exhortation or praise a Saint may informe them therein of their right by Christ Object But what shall they do that have families shall they be as Heathens doth not the word say that he will pour out his wâ—ath upon the Heathen and the families that call not upon his Name Answ That makes nothing for it for it is not said that the Heathen and these that know him not shall call on his Name this is not for it but to shew the misery of these that cannot sure it is sweet for Saints to eye the rule for all that they do Sure I do not write this that I would diminish any of the unbeleevers priviledges for Christ Jesus knowes my heart is more pitifull unto them then ever but I finde in the word that the Gospel must be preached unto them they must be exhorted and pitied and prayed for and Saints must shine before them by a holy The rest was torne away by a Sectary it was signed M. D. Plymouth the 5. day of the second moneth 1645. And subscribed thus To her Loving Brother Nicholas Couch in Dartmouth This Couch is an Ensigne in Dartmouth Animadvers on this last letter by way of Confutation Thanksgiving is made a part of Prayer as well as the other three Petitions Intercessions c. 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. v. Acts 27. 35. Paul gave Thanks to God in the presence of them all where in the Ship by many passages of that chapter Acts 27. particularly the two first verses it is evident they were not beleevers and so Christ Joh. 6. 10. 11. v. gave Thanks among them all and set aside the Disciples ther 's no ground to think any of them were beleevers but called the multitude men and such like phrases not Disciples in 1 Corinth 14. where the publike meetings of Christians are spoken of and severall parts of worship described as Singing Praying Prophesying unbeleevers are spoken of as coming into those Assemblies where these parts of worship are performed and they are not excluded from being present at one more then another nor beleevers commanded to suspend Prayer upon their coming any more then Prophesying but the chapter carries it as free to come in at all and the Church free to performe Praying and Singing as well as Prophesying notwithstanding unbeleevers present compare these Verses together 14 15 16 22 23 24 25. As for those Answers in this Letter that Christs Thanksgiving was miraculous c. they are meer subterfugies and by the same reasons men might argue against all giving of thanks before meat saying these examples of Christ and Paul were miraculous and so not binding but with these compare 1 Tim. 4. 3 4 5. verses how meaâ—s are to be received with Thanksgiving and sanctified by Prayer speaking of meats and drinks and then consider Christs and Pauls example and it will show t is for our practise besides t is such a Thanksgiving as hath Prayer and Petition in it for a blessing as is cleare from the fifth verse t is â—anctiâ—ied by Prayer and Pauls Thanksgiving in that twenty seven of the Acts had Petition and Prayer in it not only for the meat but to raise up their dejected minds in the Ship almost killed with griefe vide Calvinum in locum Acts 27. 35. loriâ—â—m Some Passages taken out of a Letter written out of Oxfordshire to a Citizen in London ONe Floid newly come to be a Preacher to the Troop of Major Huntingtons that now quarters at Aston Roreant preaching in that Church on Sunday last June the 14. on John 20. 17. Touch me not I am not yet ascended collected from those words these three transcendent points First That Lay-men Weavers Tinckers and Coblers being gifted might be Preachers Secondly Learning was not any meanes or help to understand the meaning of the Scriptures Thirdly That any Chamber Barne or Stable or other place was as holy as the Church and that there was no holynesse in the Temple for God destroyed it nor in any Church This Floid a youth of twenty yeares did lie at Master Calverts the Bookseller at Ludgate-hill Major Middleâ—ons man did not only rend with his hand the service-Book but cut it with a knife and burnt it in the fire at John Chiches of Kinston and it set the Chimney on fire till they quenched it And they justifie the burning of the ten Commandements Creed Lords prayer Psalmes ninty five Epistles and Gospels I would bee glad to know of Mr Edwards the Antagonist of Hereticks what to do in this matter To whom though unknown I present my love in the Lord. June 16. 1646. A Reverend and learned Minister living in Oxfordshire was by some in the Army and some of the Parish conspiring together as he was preaching in his Church opposed and with tumults disturbed There was one souldier a great Champion that did openly and boldly in the Church affirme that he was raised up of God immediatly and inspired with extraordinary revelations whom the Minister by this place of Scripture Matth. 24. 26. Wherefore if they shall say unto you behold he is in the desert goe not forth Behold he is in the secret chambers beleeve it not overcame and put to a non-plus so that they went out of Church with a kinde of a Diabolicall fury TThere is one Master Del a Preacher in the Army and Sir Thomas Fairfax's Chaplaine who summer was two yeares preached a strange Sermon at Lincolne and since put out a Pamphlet against uniformity in Religion calling it Anti-christian c. the man preaches and speaks much against Tythes and yet besides his Chaplains place to the Generall keeps a great living in Bedfordshire This Master Del Expounding the seven last verses of the 54. of Isaiah in Marston Church neer Oxford before the Generall and
is in man and whether it be any part of man and how or when man is first possessed of it and how it comes to be guilty of Adams sin and what promise of Salvation is made unto it in Scripture and how it is redeemed by Christ and now desiring you will make it good by Scripture what you do affirm that so your Christian Brother may receive satisfaction I rest and shall be thankfull unto you Yours Thomas Sidebothom This was delivered me July 28. 1646. This is the Originall Mr. I Received your Note and for answer thereto hoping you are not of the spirit of those which sent to Christ to intangle him in his words neither am I afraid to declare what my Faith is for I beleeve the word of God contained in the Old and New Testament to be a truth yet in them I cannot find that man or any part of man is Immortal but that he is wholly Mortal even whole man is wholly Mortal and ceaseth to have any lively Being betwixt Death and the Resurrection Now if this be an Errour thus to beleeve I require you as you are a Christian and spiritual to restore such a one in the spirit of meeâ—nesse and to convince by sound Doctrine the gainsayer proving by scripture what you do affirm and if you do affirm a Mortal soule that you will according to rationality give Answers to those Queries you have and then I will Reply that so we may bring it unto the ballance and weigh the scriptures on both sides and so hoping in a loving and Christian way to bring the grounds of these to light I rest Thomas Sidebothom This was delivered me Aug. 3. 1646. and is the Original A Copy of a Letter written to me out of Lancashire SIR THe bearer having a great desire to see you my self a greater desire to serve you from whose faithful labours in the ministry I have formerly received much good I make bold to trouble you with these rude lines the inclosed will faithfully informe you of a sad accident fallen out in York-shire if the knowledge of it have not come to you from better hands my self and some others are here ingaged with you in the quarrell against the Sectaries and shall indeavour to serve you and the Church of God according to your desires expressed in your Gangraena I hope ere long to present you with a true relation of the Independents gathering and constituting their Church at Sawerby in York-shire which will not be unworthy your consideration we have for the present only one Independent congregation in all Lancashire which never yet had Officers it consists not of above thirty persons most women all of mean quallity Mr. Eaton of whose activity to promote this way I beleeve you are not ignorant hath been the great apostle to promote their design in these parts all our Godly Ministers generally stand right and in their course preach a weekly Lecture in Manchester against Independency If I might have a few lines of direction from you by this bearer how I and the rest of my friends might best serve you you should not fail of the faithfull indeavours of him who is Your reall servant to love you and serve you May 25. 1646. Though I be a stranger to you and unknown yet Mr. can inform you what credit you may give to me and what I shall write Some passages extracted out of a Letter written to me from out of the Northern parts THe Church at Sawerby since our conference in March hath been blasted in its growth only one and she a woman hath been added The Church at Birch which is but two miles and a half from Manchester growes in number but yet hath no Officers as I can hear of I shall hereafter give you a particular account of the Church of Duckenfield the ruling Elder there is a Sequestrator in Cheshire and their Deacon a Sequestrator in Lancashire The Deacon I shall speedily bring upon the stage and make a notable discovery of his knavery in couzening the state Your reall friend to love and serve you August 3. 1646. A Copy of a Letter written out of Yorkshire concerning an Independent Church in that Country SIR MUch respected I give you many thanks for your love when I was with you since we have spoken to Mr. Roats about a conference but as yet have no satisfying Answer So soon as we heard of their intention to chuse their Officers we sent a Note to him to this effect That whereas we heard it was their resolution so to do such a day that we desired him if that so he could with conveniency to forbear and suspend the doing thereof for a time in regard that we desired that there might first be a conference in the place by some Godly Ministers that if it might be the true way might be more cleerly found out that those that are deceived or misled might be undeceived so as we might assent to them or they to us so far as truth might appear so his Answer was first before any thing was done that they might have satisfaction given for what wrongs they had sustained And 2dly he would allow us to propound some questions provided they might do the like against our way so seeing no better answer could be had and that they resolved still to go on still in their businesse It was thought fit by the Inhabitants of the place for that day to lock the Chappel door to testifie their not approving their way and so it was done the which doth much incense them and the last Sabboth they had the liberty of the Chappel wherein they began their Election by the Deacons And in the forenoon such words as these was expressed in his Sermon as it was given in to me by an honest understanding man that was present in an Use of exhortation to those that are joyned together in Societies in a visible Church viz. You must deâ—end one another as Abraham did Loâ— when he armed those that was born in his house and brought up with him to defend him and as Moses did the Hebrew against the Egyptian and as those who defended Paul when he was in Prison against those that had taken an Oath c. And denounced the punishment threatned Zac. 14. 18 19. against those who will not joyn into the visible Churches saying It is a Gospel Text see the which me thinks are strong applications and may prove of dangerous consequence I cannot yet send you nor Mr. Holinworth the Questions that are to be discussed nor certainly the day when or whether or no but Mr. is to be with us next Sabbath and then if any thing can be pitched you shall hear by the first I pray you remember my respects to Mr. and desire him to take so much pains if that we do send directions to come and also I pray write me in two words by the first what was the issue of your conference at Biâ—tch
Parish for his company to meet in Many of these Manifestarians being at a time together there was some occasion fell out to send for the Constable of the Town who being come charged some of the company in the Kings name to aid him to which some of the Sectaries replied that the King was out of office and therefore to require any thing in the Kings name was nothing A Fellow of a Colledge in Cambridge whom I well know meeting me in London told me he had been lately at the Leaguer before Oxford and in the company of some of the Sectaries belonging to the Army where he met with one M. Wainwright so he related his name formerly a Minister who said he came out of such a Country Suffolk as I remember and had a Living there of two hundred pounds per annum this man boasted he had pull'd down the Bishops and hoped to do as much for some others meaning the Presbyters he vapoured he had left his Living as being Antichristian and saith he I have every day since asked God forgivenesse for holding it he told me also that in the Army he was told from good hands of an Officer a civill gallant man because he would answer the Sectaries when they spake for their opinions and against the Presbyterians was upon other pretended suggestions either formally casheered or glad to be gone There are foure famous Preachers in Hartfordshire as I have it from sure hands one Heath the Collar-maker of Watton one Rice the Tinker of Aston one Feild the Bodies-maker of Hartford one Crew the Taylor of Stevenage and besides these there are some other Preachers who sometimes were Ministers in the Church of England but now great Sectaries as Master Feake at All-Saints Church in Hartford one Master Harrison about Saint Albons side and some others of whose strange preachings practises of the complaint to the Judges at the Assise of Master Feake c. I shall hereafter in a fourth part of Gangraena or some other Tractate about the Sects give the Reader an account There is a Shoemaker in Coventry or thereabouts a famous Preacher who goes from Coventry and those parts up and down Glostershire Warwickeshire Wostershire preaching and venting erroneous points of Antinomianisme Anabaptisme preaching against Tyths Baptisme of children A Minister of the City of London being in Glostershire heard him preach and heard of his large Diocesse and perambulations from place to place August 16. 1646. Preached at Hackney one Master Downing a Preacher of the Army and a young Peters as he was called some who were eare-witnesses told me of his Sermon and it was to this effect That the Country people say that is he meant the Sectaries in the Army say that the Parliament would do them good but he Lord Major the Common-Councell and the Citizens of London would not permit them he feared God would bring the Plague upon them and Risings among them and the cause of all was the uncharitablenesse of London against the Saints and that the opposition now was not between worldly men but between Saints and Saints This Downing alias Peter junior spake in Hackney pulpit of the Common Councell of London at that time in way of 〈…〉 persion of them as if they were for the Cavaliers that when they entred Oxford the Cavaliers told them T is your turn now it may be ours hereafter for we have the City of London and the Common-Councell for us THere is one Master Clark in London whose wife being dead and wanting a staid Maid-servent to look to his house and Children having some acquaintance with one Master Josse sometimes a minister of the Separation but now an Anabaptist a Seeker and no man knowes what he commended to him for that use one Mary Abram aged between 40. and 50. a Separatist an acquaintance of his highly enrolling her whereupon Master Clark entertained her and he having a Sonne between fifteen and sixteen years old falling very lick his calling and occasions necessitating him to be much from home this Mary Abram being to looke to him takes her opportunitie in this weaknesse and want of understanding his disease being an Apoplexie to labour to make this Boy marry her and for the effecting of that works in a fl 〈…〉 ring fa 〈…〉 ing way with one who often came to Master Clarks house to proâ—â—re a License for two friends of hers to marry concealing the persons who brought her word they at the Office could grant no License to any which had not their friends consent and one to be bound in a Bond to save them harmlesse Now when she saw this way would not do then she further moved the same man that if he knew if any man would marry them of any fashion she cared not Whereupon this man â—old her he knew one Master Stampe a School-master in Shoelane whom he heard one say had done such a businesse Upon that the man could not be quiet till he brought her to this Stampe and after a time she told him she was the woman party but concealed the man At the last when her master Clark was gone from home she enticed the Boy to go with her and they went to Stamps Chamber who lay bed-rid and he spake some words to them which she pleads was a marrying of them and she gave this Stampe eleven shillings six pence for his paines For the proofe of these things besides master Clarks particular relation to me of these things more then once in private as also his relating it to me in other companies I have seen a Certificate under the hand of Doct. Meverell subscribed Sep. 29. 1643. Ottuell Meverell testifying of master Clarks Sons disease in his brain for the space of sixe moneths wherein he was divers times deprived of sense and motion and sometimes vexed with Convulsions ignorant of things done and said to him as also I have perused Certificates under other hands as Mr. Stamps one Samuell Perkins and others too large to set down besides the Petition of Master Clark drawn to be delivered to the House of Commons for relief of his Sonne in this case and for justice against this Separatist who claims this youth for her husband a Copy whereof is as followeth To the Right Honourable the Knights and Burgesses in the Commons House of Parliament Assembled The Humble Petition of Thomas Clark Most Humbly Shewing THat the Petitioner entertained one Mary Abram to be his house-keeper and to be especially carefull of his Sonne being grievously visited with the sicknesse called the Apoplexie and by the vehemency of the disease not sensible many times what he did She the said Mary being between 40. and 50. years of age and your Petitioners sonne being 16. years of age at most The said Mary being gone from the Petitioners house comes and claimeth the Petitioners sonne for her husband and threatneth the Petitioner for keeping her husband from her pretending she was married to him by a sick man who
he which broached the Error had done in promoting it for he did beleeve a man might serve God better in an Error then he who was in the truth Here is a brave Patron of Error and a fine fetch to plead for and uphold it for if Errour must not be condemned till men have taken so much paines it may never be spoken against or at least not till 't is grown to such a head that 't is past help For a Heretick who broaches any Doctrine against the Scripures the Trinity the humane nature of Christ Justification may say to him who opposes these Doctrines I have studied this twenty yeares these points when you have studied them as long then preach 〈◊〉 against them but not before Besides this implies as if Ministers and Christians could not be sure any Doctrines were Errors without long searching whether they were so or no and as if there were no received known principls and Doctrines of Christian Religion lay'd down so plainly and clearly in Scriptures that when errors were published contrary to them Ministers and Christians might not condemne them at first but must study and search to know whether they were Errors or no which preaching fits well with many passages in some Books of Cretensis especially his thirtie eight Queres upon the Ordinance against Heresie and Blasphemie Secondly There are many thousand truths both to be beleeved and practised that are not contained in the Scriptures as that Jesus Christ Son of the Virgin Mary was the Son of God as the Resurrection from the dead as Baptizing of Infants womens receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper all which could not be proved by Scripture but by a strong hand of Reason deducing them Many other passages I have from good hands of Cretensis preaching of his preferring Reason before Faith in points of Religion of holding the sleeping of the soule till the Resurrection of bodies that dye not rising the same again with divers such but I shall reserve them with the proofs of them both persons times and places till my nex Answer comes out against him and shall now instance only in one Pamphlet lately set forth by him call'd some Modest and humble Quenes upon the late Ordinance against Heresies concerning which I may say as the Holy Ghost doth of Herods imprisoning John he hath added yet this above all to write such a wicked Pamphlet and at such a time there being not a more desperate ungodly Atheisticall peece written by any man since the Reformation I have had occasion to read many Discourses and Tractats of Libertines and Scepticks that have been writ within this last hundred years and have seen much wickednesse in them both in those of other Countries and our own especially those written and newly printed within five years last past but in none of them do I find all things considered such a spirit of Libertinisme Atheisme prophanesse and laying waste of all Religion breathing as in these Queres for besides those evill spirits of Error scoffing disorder confusion irreligion that works in all the other Queres ther 's a Legion of wicked and uncleane spirits seven fold worse then those that have been cast out in that second Quere wherein it will appear manifestly to all who compare the first part of the Ordinance with that Quere that all Christian Religion is overthrown at once yea that principle written in all mens hearts by nature that there is a God for doctrines and opinions contrary unto these for ought any knowes may be the sacred truths of God and the publishers of them our Brethren according to this Quere Now I challenge any man to shew me a more desperate destenctive passage in the writings of any Libertine or Sectary then this How hath the Lord left him to himself to write such Queries I remember that in my Second Part of Gangrana in that part of it which is a Reply to Cretensis in Page 35. I write thus That I feared unlesse God gave him repentance if hee lived but one seven years hee would prove as Arch an Heretick and as dangerous a man as ever England bred and that hee would be another David George Francken Socinus and behold within a few moneths not giving God glory to repent of his evill deeds but going on to write hee hath by these Queries made good what I prophesied of him and hath filled up the measure of his iniquities so that I beleeve hee hath justified Cornâ—â—rt Sebastian Franck Francken Sâ—cinus David George with all the rest of that rabble and I doe not think 't is lawfull for Christians to receive such a one into their house or to bid him God speed but rather if they come where he is to fly from him and not to stay as Saint John did from Câ—rinthus and for his writing of these Queries I think godly Ministers speaking of him may call him as Polycarpus did Marcion I hope some good hand will make Animadversions upon them and give an Answer to those Queries Now notwithstanding all the desperate opinions and principles he pleads for and the Independent separated Church that hee is Minister of there 's one opinion hee holds and practises accordingly different from the Independent way viz. That Baptisme belongs not onely to the Children of those who are added to a particular Church and that Ministers may not onely baptize the Children of Parents of their own Church but may baptize Children to whom they have no relation viz. in any Parish or place where they are desired and two honest Citizens told me they heard him preach That Baptisme was not a Church Ordinance that required the presence of the members of the Church but might be administred any where either in the same Congregation or in another place And I conceive though he be an Independent yet he holds this and some other things in his Church way different from the other Independents as for this Reason that he may be singular in his way and in something differ from them so that hee might keep a doore open for his profit and gain and hence 't is I have been informed from severall hands that as he is a zealous man for Funerall Sermons so he is a Baptizer generall baptizing in Stepney Parish Hackney severall Parishes of London and baptizes sometimes three or foure in a day going from one place to another and that 't is thought hee many times gets fifty shillings and three pound a day by baptizing children who are not of his Church and I have spoken with some women who have been at such baptizings and have seen the gold put into his hand which I must confesse is a good wise way to the maintenance allowed him by his Church to have this additionall means from them that are without for the more comfortable maintenance of his wife and children But by the way whilst Master Goodwin baptizes those who are not of his Church which surely hee doth noâ—
Oxford by the Parliament forces hee hath preached in Saint Maries the same day when Master Saltmarsh did besides other times that hee hath preached in Oxford and there goe credible reports from persons of worth both of strange passages preached by him concerning the King and of souldiers in the Army that he could pick out that should be able to open Scriptures draw Doctrines make uses better and more proper then any of the Schollers in the Universitie and that he would make a boy of twelve yeares of age to preach as good Divinity as most of them or to that effect But because I had not these Relations at first hand from eare witnesses I will not assert them till I have fuller proof Master Peters at Plymouth and since at London preached that suppose a Father have five Children one a drunkard another an adulterer a third a swearer and so in the rest and hee cannot reclaim them will hee presently throw them into the Thames will he not wait for their amendment use meanes for their conversion so now in a Kingdome their are some Anabaptists others Antinomians others Brownists others Papists will the Magistrat presently because these cannot beleeve their Truths cut off their heads and kill them with more words to this effect M. Peters preached at Linclons Inne upon that text Acts 5. of Gamaliels counsell and upon that Text in the same Sermon he contradicted himself for his first point taken from Gamaliel that Gamaliel a great man in place a rich man and yet a gracelesse wicked man was this that a man may be a great man in place power and yet a gracelesse man and in the latter part of his Text and Sermon he fel upon speaking of Gamaliels giving that counsel Refrain from these men and let them alone and there he called him good Gamaliel honest Gamaliel wise Gamaliel with many words to that purpose saying I professe I had rather live under Gamaliels Government then any I know of where shall a man read of such a man I had rather live under Gamaliels Government then under any of the Presbyterians And in his pleading for Liberty of conscience upon those words of Gamaliel one of his Arguments against all restraint was because we the English Nation naturally above others were given to change and did not love to be held to any thing in a few years we turned foure or five times we were Papists in Henry the eights dayes Protestants in King Edwards dayes Papists in Quene Marys dayes Protestants again in Queen Elizabeths raigne Master Peters preached on a solemne day of thanksgiving at Christ Church before both Houses the City of London the Assembly and in that Sermon among many other odd passages he would make a marriage that day between the Parliament and the City marry them together and he bid all those who consented to this marriage to hold up their hands he holding up his own but as it fell out this did not take for very few of the Congregation held up their hands I heard not the Sermon but it was related to me by some Ministers and Citizens who did hear it that they beleeve never in the memory of man so weak and so odd a Sermon was preached before such an Auditory In August last Master Peters preached at Stepny upon that Text In me yee shall have peace on which words he discoursed as followes That now every one was inquiring after peace asking for peace desiring peace he told them here was peace in Christ but as for that other peace which they so much asked after though now they had a month or two a time of cessation reprivall for in Gods keeping Sessions yet they must look shortly for Warre and he said for himself though many are â—oâ— peace peace hee was for Warre he said there were times and offers of peace which God offereth to places and if they take them well and good but if not they may never have them more and he cryed out O Stepny Steptny thou hast had thy time of peace and the day of visitation by two famous and worthy lights you have had your morning Star and your evening Star still he spake of two lights some half a score times in this Sermon never taking notice of a third Doctor Hoyle the Minister of the place and speaking of the offers of peace which if men take not they shall never have again he spake of New-Castle and the King how he had had offers of peace in the Propositions lately sent him but for ought he knew for refusing the offer of peace hee might never have it more but he and his Children and that ere long might beg their bread I might further relate some passages of Sermons preached by him in divers other places as Islington where commonly upon his returne out of the Army he payes his first fruits Wapping Fishstreet-hil Lumbardstreet Chensford Kent Holland with other places but I have yet divers things to relate of his conferences and discourses and out of his printed Pamphlets and shall come â—rom his Sermons to some of his Discourses A godly understanding Citizen told me the twenty ninth of May last that Master Peters had said to him a few dayes before that the City Remonstrance was the foundation of all the Cities misery and would be so the Army would disband and the Commanders would come and lay down Armes presently upon it He brag'd also to this Citizen that he would prove the Church of England to be no true Church and meet any man to maintaine it next morning at eight of the clock Upon Master Peters Sermon preached the last of May 1646. at the three Cranes spoken of a little before there were two Citizens being offended at many passages in that Sermon went to him that night to conferre with him for satisfaction and under both their hands they gave me in writing the summe of the conference between him and them which is as followes Upon occasion of Master Hugh Peters preaching at the three Cranes Church in the Vintry we went to speak with Master Peters about his Sermon and finding him at Colonell Rowland Wilsons house we waited on him till he came forth and speaking to him one of us told him we had some businesse with him and would come to him another time apprehending it unseasonable because late he told us we must speak with him now for he was to go forth of London the next morning about foure of the clock We then told him we came to speak with him about some things he had preached that afternoon and the first thing we spake to him of was that he should say men made an Idoll of the Covenant to which Master Peters replied so you do I can meet with none almost in London but they â—ry 〈…〉 the Covenant the Covenant as if we were beasts before we took the Covenant and that made us men he further said that he had taken it as hee thought at
least twenty times and saw nothing in it that men should make such a stir about it Wâ— spake to him of his speaking in his Sermon against the City R 〈…〉 st he stood to justifie what he had said and calld it a wicked thing and being asked wherin he said there was a passage in it that no godly man must live amongst us or have any place of trust in the Kingdome being told there was no such passage in the Remonstrance and that he being a Minister might be ashamed to speak that which was so false a friend of his standing by said Master Peters meant it was so in effect and Master Peters said that we would let no Sectaries as wee term'd â—hem live or have any place of trust amongst us and for his part hee was an Independent and one of those we termed Sectaries and in that no Independent nor Sectary might have any places of trust that implyed the godly it being replyed the word Independent was not expressed in the Remonstrance he affirmed it was but other discourse put of the examination of it Master Peters said what would we have and asked if we did not live well and quietly enough and might not follow our Trades and businesse in peace and why should we trouble our selves with these things the Sects and Schismes did us no harme we told him there was other danger besides our Trades they destroyed soules and wee were bound by our Covenant to oppose Heresies and Schismes and asked him whether or no it was not lawfull and warrantable to Remonstrate or Petition against sinne and â—â—rour and whether our late Petitions against Popery and Prelacy were not Justifiable and whether or no he had not a hand in that against Bishops He answered he thought Errors did not so destroy soules and that he could worke upon a Papist as soon as one of your Protestants And for the Bishops had not they troubled him in his temporalls by taking from him his maintenance and subsistence he had never molested or troubled them for he knew not but that the Papists Prelats and we might live quietly together and serve God in love and peace And being asked then how the Parliament could justiful their quarrell and Warre yet on foot seeing they opposed both by open Armes terming it in all their Declarations the cause of God and Religion He answered that the true cause was not for Religion for he knew no word of God to warrant fighting or taking up of Armes in the cause of Religion but it was only to maintain our civill rights and liberties and there being discourse of the Magistrats power he asked what the Magistrate had to do in Religion answer was made the Magistrate had power to put Blasphemers and Idolaters to death Master Peters replyed yes in the old law but none in the Gospel He being asked by what power they in New-England did banish for opinions he made a kind of a slight answer saying they did but send them over a River out of the Patent and would you would give us Cornwell we would be content to live there He being spoken to about what he said of the King was asked whether wee ought not to use all lawfull wayes for bringing the King unto his people seeing he lately had made such faire offers Master Peters replyed we might trust him if we would but if we knew what Letters of his they had lately intercepted in the Army we would soon be of another mind Master Peters asked us whether as we came to him about what he preached had we ever been with Master Edwards about what he had written against the Saints we told him we conceived Master Edwards had written nothing against the Saints neither was what he had written any offence to us as what he had preached was and that we had cause to beleeve what Mr Edwards had written was true he being a godly Minister Master Peters asked what had he to do with the particular infirmities of particular men we told him as he was a Minister of the Gospel he had to do with them as Paul had to do with Hâ—meneus Rhileâ—as Master Peters said that was in matter of Faith but Master Edwards had medled with the Saints in matters of practise to which wee replyed that Saint John wrote against Diotrophes in point of practise and wherein men made their seeming holinesse a meanes for the receiving of their Erroneous opinions there was cause that their practises should be spoken against to undeceive people and so parting with him one of us advised him to forbear his practises for hee laboured to deceive the people June the third 1646. I walking in Westminister Hall Master Peters meeting me spake to me that I had abused him in Print and that I had broken a Gospel rule which was If thy Brother offend thee go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone I answered him I had not transgressed the rule for that was in case of private ofâ—â—nding but he had publikely preached and vented himself and private telling would not have been a remedy sufficient he said I had wronged him in those things I had written of him and that coming twice up from the Army each time he found himself in a Book of mine I told him I would prove them and name time and place when and where delivered and he was like to be in a third Book whereupon hee call'd me Knave and stincking â—ellow I answered him he had abused our Brethren of Scotland and I told him what I had written I would make good and so spake quick and freely to him whereupon he said speak not so loud and threatned to beate me or fall about my eares saying I spake against the Saints I replyed Paul Best Wrighter c. such Saints but he made nothing to speak against the Reformed Churches and Presbyterians in his Sermons and they were no Saints with him some other discourse there passed at the same time between us but no more of it now And lastly that the Reader may judge of Master Peters by his discourse I was told it within these few weeks from good hands upon occasion of pigeons being on a table that Master Peters at that table spake what a world of pigeoâ—s they had in New-England how hee had seen such a flight there such a â—â—mber at once even covering the heavens and being asked whence they should come he answered from an Island not far off which was twenty miles long and three miles broad which was so full of pigeons that the Island was all covered over with pigeons dunâ— two foot deep Now as I have given the Reader some passages of his Sermons and discourses so I will give a taste of the man by eâ—tracting a few things out of some of his Pamphlets and I will begin with his Book call'd Mr Peters last Report of the English Wars which a great Commander of the Army commonly call's Peters Politicks upon which
about Bridgewater and drew the modell how to storm Bridgewater and who routed the Enemy at the entrance into Cornwall and who reduced Exeter and Worcester to the last point of extremity with many particulars about Bristow and at Oxford but it shall not need there are some men in the Army upon the places keep a true account of these things and in a convenient time will speak and undeceive the world And so Master Peters pag. 12. writes thus How long therefore shall I intreat some three or foure Iâ—inerury Ministers in a County Evangelists went out before Churches were setled how easily might the Land be in some measure reduced to God and their own civill Interests if provision was laid in of this kind But you will object We have about nine thousand Parishes and not a thousand able men I answer You see the need of Itinerants and secondly why may we not follow the practice of other Reformed Churches and gather up godly youths our of shops and send them for improvement somewhere c. Master Peters is carefull to propagate his Church-way at home as well as abroad and that in all haste and at once to over-spread the Kingdome with it by his importunity for three or foure Itinerary Ministers in every County to goe over each County and therefore asks how long he shall intreat implying this was not the first time and indeed the first fruits of these Itinerary Preachers that I can heare of clearly shewes the designe there being three named who have passed the House of Commons for some parts of Wales Master Cradock Master Symonds Master Walter or some such name who are said to be Sectaries and two of them I know to be such and decline coming to the Assembly though appointed by the House of Peers the Assembly should give that House an account of them and lest there should not be Independent Preachers enough for this worâ— Master Peters is earnest to have youths gathered out of shops and sent to Oxford for improvement and though they fall short in Arts and Tongues to be sent abroad But by the way let me ask Master Peters why not some sent to Cambridge but all to Oxford This clearly shewes the designe because Cambridge all the Colledges in Cambridge are Presbyterian but at Oxford there being so many preaching Commanders and Officers they may quickly learn the opinions of the Army and their way of preaching and be sent forth with their desperate Principles destructive both to Church and State 5. Master Peters cryes up magnifies and extolls to the heavens the Commanders in the Army of his Religion and mind and takes occasion to instance in particular men as if there were none to be compared with them as may be seen pag. 6. Fear not the Army whose Commanders like Samuel can ask any County or Town where they have been Whose Oxe or Asse have they taken never fewer complaints nor many men of such quality whose design is only to obey their Masters viz. the Parliament the â—lighting the Army is their money triumphant chariors would have broke our necks So pag. 4. For Worcester I am sorry so little is spoken of it where so much worth and gallantry appeared and indeed I cannot remember where I have seen so much done in so short a time foure Regiments of Foot under the command of Colonell Rainborow came and raised works within Pistoll shot of their Royall Sconce c. wherein Lievtenant Colonell Pride and Lievtenant Colonell Ewers had a chief share whereupon the Enemy accepts of those Propositions you have seen and truly I wish Colonell Raâ—nborow a sutable imployment by sea or land for both which God hath especially fiâ—ted him Foraign States would be proud of such a servant 6. Weakning and darkning the valour faithfulnesse and worth of other Commanders not Independents though of the same Army and of the other Armies in comparison relating matters wrong and very partially for the extolling his own party as the Reader may observe in the Relation of Worcester giving to Colonell Whaley only a preparatory part making a little way for the taking of Worcester but attributing the glory of the work to Colonel Rainborow now Governor of Worcester Colonel Pride c. speaking thus pag. 4. Where when that valiant Commander of Horse Colonel Whaley had done his duty and with the help of Countrey Forces had block up part of the Town foure Regiments of Foot under the command of Colonell Rainborow came and raised works within Pistoll shot c. whereas I have been told from good hands and so I beleeve hath Master Peters before this of the great wrong and injury he hath done Colonell Whaley in this Relation Colonell Whaley before ever Colonell Rainborow was sent having reduced Worcester to the last point and Worcester being in a such condition then that there wanted little else tantuâ—â— non that it was not actually surrendred but of this more afterwards So pag. 6. Feare not that Army whose Commanders like Samuel never fewer complaints nor many men of such quality whose design is only to obey their Masters viz. the Parliament as if no other Army or Commanders like them And so pag. 10. By the same means the mercy is gained it may be preserved if men yea good men were instrumentall in the one they must be in the other conside when you see cause to conside c. as if no other Armies were means to gain Conques and Victories but this nor none other to be trusted to conserve what is won and instances in men to be credited with Garrisons who are honest godly English-men he may know by other passages who are his honest godly English-men viz. Sectaries and such as are opposite to the Scots though differing in opinion as all France being most Catholike trusts it self to their Protestant Leaders So would he have all places of strength and command trusted with Independents Anabaptists though the Parliament be Presbyterian 7. The seventh particular in this Pamphlet is the excessive boasting trusting in and omnifying this Army as if it were omnipotent able not only for all ends and purposes at home but to conquer all Christendome yea the whole world to goe to Bavaria Lorain the Palatinate Ireland France to incounter forraign threatnings and teach Peasantâ— to understand Liberty to secure us against Danes and Saxons yea to cause the West Indies and the East to offer themselves to our devotion the proofe of which the Reader may find pag. 6. Were I perswaded that forraign threatnings were in earnest I wish this Army might be sent to encounter them and teach Peasants to understand Liberty and I would not doubt but to see good fruit of it soon I would rather our men should live upon their wine then they upon our beer So pag. 9 10. What you hear of a conjunction between the Prince of Wales and his Lievtenant Generall the Duke of Lorain with some promises from his Uncle Bavatia need not
the Socinians One of the Dutch Ministers of this Town told me when we were speaking of this purpose that a Book-seller said to him that sundry English Merchants were seeking to buy the works of Socinus Ostorodius Oniedinus Crellius and especially Socinus de servatore and when the Book-seller answered that they could not have those books in those Countries because they are discharged by Ordinance of the Generall States the Merchants said unto him Neverthelesse you may bring them from other Countries and we will give you for them what you will whereupon that Minister when he told me this said The Estate of England is lamentable for it seemeth that Socinianisme waxeth there for this practice and that excepting at the word is too great evidence thereof I heare also that Master Simons hath written unto his Congregation here very confidently that Toleration shall be granted even with these terms In spight of them who have enterprised the contrary Wherefore beloved Brethren I humbly beseech you to let me know the certainty of this matter that if possible I may give satisfaction unto wel-affected persons who think this excepting at that word to import no lesse then a condemning of or at least a departing from the Orthodox Confessions of all the Reformed Churches If in this or any other particular Occurrents it will please you to give me intelligence you may direct your Letters unto R. W. who is a Skipper and comes usually betwixt London and this Town wherein you shall do good unto many and especially unto Octob. 13. 23. 1646. Your Loving Brother There is one Andrew Wyke of the County of Suffolk a Mechanick but turned a great Preacher and Dipper who for his Preaching and Dipping being brought before the Committee of that County carried himself like Lilburne Overton and other fellow Sectaries refusing to answer the Chair-man any questions as whether he had been at the University saying I am a free man and not bound to answer to any Interrogatory I will answer to no Interrogatory either to accuse my self or any other besides he gave reproachfull words reproving the Committee as You may think to speak what you please now with such other language This Wyke or some other Sectary hath printed a Pamphlet call'd The Innocent in Prison complaining or A true Relation of the proceedings of the Committee at Ipswich the Committee at Bury St. Edmunds in the County of Suffolk against one Andrew Wyke a witnesse of Jesus in the same County who was committed to Prison June 3. 1646. In which Pamphlet the Committee and divers Members of it by name are abused resembling them to the Jewes who condemned Christ and himself to Christ and the Committee is exclaimed upon fearfully pag. 10. There is one Katherine Chidly an old Brownist and her sonne a young Brownist a pragmaticall fellow who not content with spreading their poyson in and about London goe down into the Country to gather people to them and among other places have been this Summer at Bury in Suffolke to set up and gather a Church there where as I have it from good hands they have gathered about seven persons and kept their Conventicles together who being one night very late together about their Church-affairs a mad woman breaking from her Keeper and running out of the house she was kept in happened to light upon the house where this company was and stood up in the entry of the house they being upon dissolving their meeting and going to their severall homes as they were going out there stood this woman in her smock in the entry speaking never a word which when they saw they ran over one another for fear of this white devill some one way some another almost frighted out of that little wit they had Gaffar Lanseter of Bury for so he was unlesse he hath commenced Master by preaching whom I have spoken of in the Second Part of Gangraena was a great man with Katherine Chidly and her sonne and is left Preacher to that company of Sectaries in their room and I have great reason to think by the Epistle to the Reader that Katherine Chidly and her sonne made that Book call'd Lanseters Launce because Katherine Chidly and her sons Books for the mother and the son made them together one inditing and the other writing are highly magnified and the brasen-faced audacious old woman resembled unto Jael but as for Lannâ—ters Launce for my Gangrana I shall shew it to be made not of iron or steele in no sort able or usefull to lance or enter the Gangraena but a lance of brown painted paper fit for children to play with and to assure the Reader of it I received this last week a Message to this purpose from one of the Ministers who gave intelligence about Lanseter that he was about perfecting the proofes and particulars about Lanseters businesse and I should shortly hear from him and within this two dayes a godly understanding man who was present at this meeting when Lanseter preached upon Ezra gave me an account of the businesse of the truth of the whole and hath put me in a way whereby under the hands of persons present at the meeting I may have it confirmed and so among the confutations of some other Pamphlets I shall insert this of Lanseters There is one John Hall a great Sectary who hath vented many erroneous Positions in some parts of Barkshire and thereabouts I had a copy of them from a Reverend Minister of the Assembly and in the Second Part of Gangraena in the Catalogue of Errors such Errors as he vented viz. such as were not reckoned up in the First Part of Gangraena were there inserted by me though he was not named at all in that Book but now discovering in severall Counties more Sectaries then I did formerly in the First and Second Parts I have thought good to name him among many others that the people of those parts may beware of him and shun him as a dangerous man concerning whom I received a Letter from a godly Minister in Barkshire which is as followes Sir THat I may not be wanting to the Cause of God or my promise to you I sent the last week to speak with Master F. but failed of a full answer he not being within but thus much I received that Master S. had been there and that he had taken a Copy of the Positions so that if you have any acquaintance with him he can fully inform you about this matter He is one of the Synod a Reverend and Orthodox Divine I shall send to Master F. again and when I understand more if I see just cause you shall hear further from me The Teacher of these things is one John Hall sometimes of Colebrooke but as I am informed now resident in or about Henley upon Thames Thus desiring the Lord both to direct and prosper your labours in vindicating the Truth of God and opposing Heresies I rest Yours in the Lord Christ Aâ—gust
Parliament was questioned and upon proof before three Justices of Peace was adjudged to pay it but not paying for all this two godly men Master W. and he who told me this story came to demand it or else distraine whereupon he calld these honest men robbers and theifs and said the Parliament made an Ordinance to rob men which being complained of and proved this Marshall was committed Now when he was committed Lilburne assisted him in his businesse came to this honest man who related to me the story to see the Warrant by vertue of which they proceeded to distraine and in fine this Marshall arrested the Justices of Peace who went according to the Ordinance and the Distrainers but at last being brought before the Committee of Examinations he promised to withdraw his action and said he spake those words in his passion and yet since his promise hath renewed his suite and the Justices and Distrainers are now troubled by him A godly Minister of this City told me June 12. 1646. that he discoursing with a Major belonging to the Army about the Government of the Church he told him plainly that they were not so much against Presbyteriall Government though many thought them so as against the being tyed to any Government at all for if the Parliament would set up the Independent Government and injoyne that upon them they should be as much against that as against Presbyteriall Government They held liberty of Conscience that no man should be bound or tyed to any thing but every man left free to hold what they pleased that was the judgement and true genius of that sort of men in the Army calld Independents that in all matters of Religion no man should be bound but every one left to follow his own Conscience There is a libellous Pamphlet entituled The Lord Majors farwell from his Office of Majoraltie which was sent to him in a Letter by an Anabaptist one of the meek and quiet of the earth as he often calls himself and his fellowes in that Pamphlet and coming to my Lords hands over-night next day he heard that it was in print the substance of which Pamphlet is to charge my Lord Major with breach of promise in not endeavoring to procure of the Parliament a publike disputation between the Anabaptistâ— and the Presbyterians and for presenting an unjust Remonstrance to the Parliament for suppressing both Anabaptists and Separatists Now I shall speak something to both these and vindicate the truth against this lying Libeller Secondly I shall Animadvert on some passages and expressions in this Pamphlet For the first my Lord Majors breach of promise upon which hee runns out and descants builds this inference among others That if Master Edwards or Doctor Bastwick had any such blot against us doubtlesse there would be great Volumes of a hundred sheets a peece blazed throughout the Kingdome to disgrace us as your breach of promise I answer breifly the building must needs fall when as the foundation falls my Lord Major broke not his promise but was very carefull of it and mindfull of what you say hee promised namely to know the pleasure of the Parliament and to endeavour the liberty of a publike disputation and my Lord was so consciencious in it both in regard of God and in regard of men that he might not be upbraided with breach of promise knowing well what a generation he had to deale with that he was never at quiet after his promise was made till the House of Commons was moved in the businesse and therefore every time when he â—aw Master Recorder he minded him to move the House he put a note into his hands because he should not forget when he saw him not for some time he writ to him to mind him and was never contented till it was done and Master Recorder did take in his time within some weeks after my Lords promise watching when he might acquaint the House seasonably without interrupting other great publike occasions of the Kingdome and the House of Commons Answer was they approved of the wisdome of my Lord Major in forbidding the disputation at that time and that they would not give consent for a disputation and for the truth of this let Master Recorder be asked and other Members who were present and therefore Master Recorder in all places and to all who speaks to him about it clears my Lord Major that he punctually performed his promise and if it be any such hainous crime to hinder such a tumultuous disputation as that was like to have been let them lay the blame upon the House of Commons if they dare and not upon the Lord Major And what I write in this matter I speak knowingly as being assured of the truth of it from the mouth of him who should know But least the Anabaptists should think whilst I vindicate the truth against a scandalous reproach cast upon the Lord Major I do it out of respects as being glad the Disputation was put off and since denyed I here declare my self that I could wish withall my heart there were a publike Disputation even in the point of Paedobaptisme and of Dipping between some of the Anabaptists and some of our Ministers and had I an interest in the Houses to prevaile to obtaine it which I speak not as to presume of any such power being so meane and weak a man it should be one of the first Petitions I would put up to the Honorable Houses for a publike Disputation as was at Zurick namely that both Houses would give leave to the Anabaptists to chuse for themselves such a number of their ablest men and the Assembly leave to chuse an equall number for them and that by Authority of Parliament publike Notaries sworne might be appointed to write down all some Members of both Houses present to see to the Peace kept and to be Judges of the faire play and liberty given the Anabaptists and that there might be severall dayes of Disputation leave to the utmost given the Anabaptists to say what they could and if upon such faire and free debates it should be found the Anabaptists to be in the Truth then the Parliament not only to Tolerate them but to Establish and settle their way throughout the whole Kingdome but if upon Disputation and debate the Anabaptists should be found in an Error as I am confident they would that then the Parliament should forbid all Dipping and take some severe course with all Dippers as the Senate of Zurick did after the ten severall Disputations allowed the Anabaptists For the second particular my Lord Major is charged with presenting of an unjust Remonstrance to the Parliament for suppressing Anabaptists c I answer my Lord Major presented it not hee went not to Westminster with it but some Aldermen and Common counsell men chosen by the Court The Remonstrance was the Act of the Court of Common-counsell and not my Lords Majors alone nor my Lord
Majors any otherwise but as a Member of that Honourable Court concurring with the rest and then whereas this Libeller calls it an unjust Remonstrance 't is a most just and equall Remonstrance as hath been fully proved by Master Bellamie in his Justification and Vindication of the City Remonstrance and in that Book entituled the Sectaries Anatomized and if I would give liberty to my pen I could further justifie not only the justnesse of it but the necessity of it and show demonstratively that it will never be well with this Kingdome whilst Sectaries are in places of publike trust and that the subjects of this Kingdome can never expect justice nor right whilst men of other Religions then what is established by Law are in places of power and I wonder that the Anabaptists and Sectaries should be so offended at that part of the Remonstrance when as 't is their dayly practise not by faire and just wayes God knowes but by undermining watching for iniquity laying snares for men yea going against all principles Military and Civill of Honour and of Justice to put men from places of Trust and Command of which there are many remarkable unparalleld instances and the world in due time may have a true account of them And lastly whereas 't is said presenting a Remonstrance for procuring Licence and Authority to suppresse all such as have good principles and grounds for their practises that 's most false for in the same Remonstrance against Hereticks Blasphemers Anabaptists c. they petition for the setling of Religion and Church-government according to the word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches which Religion Church-government so built hath certainly good ground for its practise For the second I desire the Reader to observe a few things upon some of the expressions in this Pamphlet that he calls the Anabaptists and Sectaries the meek and quiet of the Land as Master Peters doth the harmlesse Anabaptists then which that there are not a more turbulent unquiet people in the world made of Salt-Peter let this Book witnesse and the language in it given the cheif Magistrate of the City with the railing seditious Libells put out dayly against the King House of Lords Assembly yea and the House of Commons too The Anabaptists of old calld themselves the meek of the Earth and said that now the promise must be fulfilled the meek shall inherite the Earth when they by bloud Rapine cruel Warrs seased on the possessions of others Secondly that these Sectaries will take things for granted and therupon passe desperate censures upon Magistrates Ministers and all when as there is no such thing but quite contrary as going on to aggravate things against my Lord Major and resemble him to wicked Ahaz c. for breaking his promise when as he performed it most punctually and conscientiously considering himself both as a Christian and as a Magistrate in such an eminent place Thirdly that these new Anabaptists as well as the old are guilty of speaking evill of dignities and bringing railing accusation in print against Powers branding the Lord Major with that brand set by God himself on wicked Ahaz this is that Lord Major of London Thomas Adams by name c. A Citizen a freind of mine having been this last summer in Cheshire and divers other Countries upon his occasions heard many Malignants say they would turne Independents for then they should not take the Covenant nor be forced to any thing but be at their liberty June the 11. I was told by a godly Citizen and a cordiall friend to the Publike that some of the Independents have said they will have their way yet whatsoever it cost them In some of the weekly news-Books I have observed passages inserted of the great love and unity in the Army between the souldiers Presbytery and Independency making no breach and in the Perfect Occurrences of the Week calld the two and twentieth Week ending the 29. of May 1646. the Pamphleter tells us 't is very observable to consider the love and unity which is among the souldiers Now I asked about that time a Chaplaine of the Army a moderate Presbyterian whether it was so and how it came about he gave me this answer through the great forbearance of the Presbyterians who suffered them to have their wills and crossed them not took all patiently and said he if the Presbyterians should not have done so but stood upon things as the Independents it had been impossible but the Army had been broken in twenty peeces many a time before this for the Sectaries are of such a proud high spirit that if they had not had their wills there would have been no peace and indeed both in Armies Assembly City there hath been that forbearing yeelding on the Presbyterian party in reference to the publike that the Independents and Sectaries if they had been in their place would never have done though it had cost the totall losse of three Kingdomes I beleeve no age nor story can parallell all things considered the Love Patience long-suffering of the Presbyterians yea the passing by and putting up so many provocations and unsufferable abuses as they have done and that from a contemptible handfull of men in comparison but that 's our comfort That the patient expectation of the poore shall not be forgotten for ever and that God will save the afflicted people but will bring downe high looks I have been assured from divers good hands as Citizens and others that the greatest thing in the City Remonstrance that the Sectaries are offended at is that about places of publike trust they take that most hainously that Sectaries should not have places of honour profit and power which clearly shewes to all the world 't is not a bare Toleration of their consciences of enjoying their own personall Estates in the Land that they seek or which would content them but they look for Preferment Rewards power to have others under them so that 't is a Domination and to be in such a condition that others may seek to them to be Tolerated that they aime at a Toleration and liberty of conscience contents them not but a Liberty of Offices and a power of great places both in Military and civill affaires they stand for Master Burroughs in the yeare 1645. both preached and printed even in that Tractate where he pleades for a Toleration That the Magistrate may to men who differ from the State in greater Errors at least deprive them of the benefits and priviledges of the State notwithstanding their pleas of conscience and in evills of lesse moment put them to some trouble in those wayes of evill so farre as to take off the wantonesse of their spirits and the neglect of meanes some trouble may be layed in the way so that men shall see there is something to be suffered in that way and there is no reason why any should be offended at this yea Master Burroughs
the Magistrates shall come to use a co 〈…〉 cive power in matters of Religion then this Kingdome will bee utterly destroyed I might also relate some strange passages out of speeches spoken not long since by some Independents as Master Sympson in the Assembly and elsewhere too for a Toleration but I for be are and wish the Reader to remember some passages related in foregoing pages of this Book especially that in page 175. 2. Many of the Independents and Sectaries of these times are guilty of many kinds of uncleannesses First of Incest of which out of one Country I have the names of three sent me up and attested by the hand of a godly Minister one who ma 〈…〉 ed the mother and afterwards the daughter 〈◊〉 this liberty of consciences mother marrying his owne brothers wife and the third marrying his brothers wife I have beene informed also for 〈…〉 taine by a Gentleman of quality in Kent that a great Sectary in Kent hath married his N 〈…〉 It hath been related to me also of one in London 〈◊〉 of the like 〈…〉 d but I may not enlarge having exceeded already the number of sheets I intended and having yet many things to 〈◊〉 of Secondly of wicked and ungodly matriages leaving their owne husbands and wives and taking others to live with them as Master Jenney and Mistrisse Attaway and so that New-England Captaine who was about another wife his wife being living of which the Reader may read page 94. and so others of them living wholly from their wives not coming at them denying they have been married to them or else saying they are unbeleevers and of the world of which I could give stories as of one M. and in a precedent page of this Book the Reader may finde more And for ungodly marriages some Sectaries are guilty of entising children to marry unequally in regard of yeers and without Parents consents taking advantage of sicknesse c. of which there is a remarkable story in this book of Mary Abraham a notorious Sectary page 82 83 84 85. And lately a Widow an Anabaptist about forty yeers of age intangled and inveagled a youth of about nineteene yeeres of age and married him without his father ever knowing or imagining any such thing This youths father lives in Swithins parish and Mr. Knowls the Anabaptist as t is said married them Thirdly ofâ— rapes and forcing young maidens too young for the company of men of which I could tell some sad stories of Independents in New-England in this kind and upon whose daughters but I forbeare out of my respect to the Parents Fourthly of adulteries and fornications and if I should here set downe all the instances in this kind that I have had from good hands and relate the stories at large I should fill some sheets There are divers of the Dippers and mecanick Preachers of the Sectaries not onely shroudly suspected for filthinesse and uncleannesses but some of them accused by women and have beene so taken as they could not well deny it There is a famous Sectarian Preacher in the Isle of Ely betweene a Cobler and a Shoemaker who is now accused by many women for tempting them and solliciting their chastity and one woman cries out of him for being naught with her and 〈◊〉 distracted upon it There is a Fidler here in London a great preacher to whom many women resore that hath beene taken in the act and hath in a manner confessed it There is one of the first Dippers in England one of the first that brought up the trade of whom I heard a modest and good woman say that had observed his filthy behaviour he resorting often to her house upon some acquaintance formerly betweene her husband and him though indeed for the wives sake as she plainly discovered and so could not endure him that it was no wonder he and many such turned Dippers to dip young maids and young women naked for it was the fittest trade to serve their turns that could be and no question but it was found out and propagated with so much industry as being fed by lust that a company of uncleane men under the pretence of Religion might have thereby faire opportunities to feed their eyes full of adultery in beholding young women naked and in handling young women naked being about them in dressing and undressing them and indeed Saint Peter speaking and prophecying of the Anabaptists 2 Epist chap. 2. verse 10 11 12. viz. those who despise Dominion and speak evill of Dignities as we see our Anabaptists do of all Kingly government and Lordly government despising both King and Lords and being presumptuous and self-willed in it as is evident by their sayings and doings tells us these men are uncleane persons walk in lusts of uncleannesse have eyes full of adultery that cannot cease from sinne and that he makes the ground of their beguiling unstable soules verse 14. T is observed there have been and are a company of lusty young men betweene twenty and and thirty yeeres of age that are Dippers and their cheif commodity they trade in is in young maidens and youdg women and that in the night oft-times and these fellowes living in idlenesse going from Country to Country being feasted and well fed and having converse so much with women in preaching to them alone and washing them what can be expected else but a great deale of filthinesse and thereupon I have beene told it from a godly Minister who came out of those parte in Essex where Oats hath beene dipping that it was spoken of by many that some young women who having beene married divers yeeres and never were with child now siâ—ce their dipping are proved with child There was a Sectaries wife with me who showed me severall Letters written from Sectaries to other mens wives Sectaries to tempt them from their husbands shee had intercepted the Letters that shee might the better discover her husbands naughtinesse shee told me the names of the women and of the men and intreated me to move some Parlia men that there might be a Committee appointed and shee would produce the Letters bring witnesses that should upon â—ath discover such uncleannesses and wickednesses among some Anabaptists and Seekers as could hardly be beleeved I moved a worthy Member of the House of Commons about it who told me the House was full of publike businesses and would hardly intend to appoint any such Committee and if the House should there would come little of it for these Sectaries would finde such freinds at a Committee as it should go hard but they would obstruct it one way or other There is a famous shee Sectary an Antinomian and an Anabaptist that living in ones house here in London was a meanes to turn the woman of the house and shee being converted did highly extall this Sectary for her rare gifts and new light to all shee conversed with but this womans husband coming out of the Army this famous Sectary was
plaine with you we are not nor shall not be so contented that you lie ready with open Armes to receive the King and to make him a great and a glorious King Have you shooke this Nation like an Earth-quake to produce no more then this for us We do expect according to reason that you should in the first place declare and set forth King Charles his wickednesse open before the world and withall to show the intolerable inconveniencies of having a Kingly Government from the constant evill practises of those of this Nation and so to declare King Charles an en 〈…〉 my and to publish your resolution never to have any more but to acquit us of so great a charge and trouble for ever and to convert the great rev 〈…〉 w of the Crowne to the publike treasure to make good the injuries and injustices done heretofore and of late by those that have possessed the same and that we expected long since at your hands and untill this be done we shall not thinke our selves well dealt withall in this originall of all oppressions to wit Kings The Just mans Justification page 10. I wish with all my soule the Parliament would seriously consider upon that Law Who so sheddeth mans bloud by man shall his bloud be shed that so wilfull murtherers might not escape the hand of Justice but especially that they would thinke upon the grand murtherer of England for by this impartiall Law of God there is no exemption of Kings Princes Dukes Earles more then of fishermen c. The Arrow against all Tyrants page 11 12. Soveraignity challenged by the King is usurpation illegitimate and illegall c. The power of the King cannot be Legislative but only Executive So Overtons Defiance to the House of Lords Overtons Petition and Appeale to the High and mighty States the Knights and Burgesset in Parliament Assembled Englands Legall Soveraignâ— power The last warning to the Inhabitants of London with divers such like 3. The Sectaries have spoken written done much against the House of Peeres the supreme Judicature of this Kingdome that House which gives to the Parliaments of England the denomination of the High Court of Parliament as t is a Court of Record and having power of judiciall triall by oath c. of the greatest subjects of this Kingdome in the greatest matters as life estates liberty whose Tribunall and Power hath ever beene acknowledged and dreaded in this Kingdom in all times by the greatest Peeres and persons of the Land and when questioned by them have given all high respect and humble submission as we see that great Favorite the Earle of Strafford did yet this Supreme Court hath beene by word and deed so used by base unworthy sonnes of the earth as the 〈…〉 st Court in England or p 〈…〉 iest Constable never was till these times and certainly the ages to come who shall read the History of these times and the Books of the Sectaries written this last yeere against the House of Lords will wonder at our times and inquire what exemplary punishment was done upon them The facts of some Sectaries abetted and pleaded for also by other of their fellows have been these 1. Refusing upon the Summons Warrants of the House of Peeres to appeare before them and resisting to the utmost so that the Officers have been necessitated to drag them and bring them by force as Overton who in print is not ashamed to relate it 〈◊〉 When they have beene committed and under custody refusing to be brought by their Keepers to the House of Peeres upon command of the House to answer to their charge as Lilburne did keeping his chamber shut refusing to come forth and resisting to the utmost so that glad to carry him by power to the House of Lords which relation also Lilburne hath printed 3. In refusing to answer any questions put them by the House of Peeres 4. In refusing to kneele at the Barre in token of any submission to the House or to be uncovered 5. In appealing from and protesting against the House of Peeres and any power they have over them both by word of mouth and writing drawn up and thrown into the House 6. In stopping their eares in a contemptuous manner that they would not heare their charge read 7. In reproving sawcie taking up and reproaching the House of Peeres to their faces in the House 8. In Petitioning the House of Commons for justice against the House of Peeres and for reparations of dammages using many reproachfull words of that Right Honourable House even in their Petitions as is to be seene in Overtons John Lilburnes and Elizabeth Lilburnes Petitions 9. Threatning the House of Peeres what they will do against them if they maintaine their power and honour and what the house of Commons will do 10. Stirring up and inciting the common People also to fall upon them to pull them downe and overthrow that House The Speeches and writings of the Sectaries against the House of Peeres within this last sixe moneths or thereabouts ever since the commitment of Learner about The last warning to the inhabitants of London are fearfull and strange many Pamphlets having beene written in that time tending apparently to the totall overthrow of the House of Peeres and of having any Lords in this Kingdome denying them all Legislative and Judiciall Power and giving it all to the House of Commons or rather to that Beast of many heads the common People allowing the Commons only so much as they please and for so long making them their meer deputies and servants at will I shall give the Reader a few passages out of their Books and referre for further satisfaction to the Books themselves A Pamphlet entituled The Just man in Bonds writes thus pag. 1. The power of the House of Lords is like a shallow uneven water more in noyse then substance no naturall issues of Lawes but the extubâ—rances and mushromes of Prerogative the wens of Just Government putting the body of the people into pain as well as occasioning deformity Sons of conquest they are and usurpation not of choyce and election intruded upon us by power not constituted by consent not made by the people from whom all power place and office that is just in this Kingdome ought only to arise A Pamphlet call'd A Pearle in a Dung-hill pag. 3 4. speaks thus And why presume ye thus O ye Lords Set forth your merit before the people and say For this good it is that we will raigne over you Remember your selves or shall we remember ye Which of you before this Parliament minded any thing so much as your pleasures Playes Masques Feastings Gaming 's Dancings c. What good have you done since this Parliament and since the expulsion of the Popish Lords and Bishops where will you begin It was wont to be said when a thing was spoyl'd that the Bishops foot had been in it and if the Lords mend not it will be
or any of the money Upon this he went to a Counsellor at Law one Mr. W. related his case desiring his councell in it He advised him to make no words of it say nothing but at the Sessions endite him and get a Warrant of a Suddain before he could take councell to fetch him away and it may be being so surprised he would pay him the money rather then stand it out to answer it at the Sessions The Citizen followed his advise when the Sessions came had a bill drawn against him the Atturney who had seen the Bond witnessed there was such a speciall tye the Bill was found and a Warrant sent out for to attach him the Officer serving it and threatning presently to carry him away thereupon this Sectary confessed his evill he entreated his mercy that he would not shame him publikely it should be a warning to him for ever after and so he paying the money the man prosecuted him no further A Relation of some remarkeable Passages of divers Sectaries and of the Contents of severall Letters written up here to London from good hands concâ—rning them THere is one Mr. Knollys an Anabaptist spoken of in my first part of Gangraena and in this third part page 48. 49. a Letter of his is printed this man preaches up and down in severall Churches in London and Southwarkâ— and that with all fiercenesse against Childrens Baptisme and against our Ministers as being Antichristian and having no call to baptize and among other places where he hath preached lately he preached this Novemb. the 15. at Georges Church in Butolph-lane in the afternoone on these words He that beleeveth and is baptized shall be saved where after he had spoken of beleeving in the latter part of his Sermon comming to speak of baptizing he used these words I have spoken to you of the first part of the Gospell believing I must be faithfull and speak to you of the second viz. baptizing and of that there is as great a necessity as believing and therefore I advise and charge all you who believe to be baptized and whereas it may be you will object you are baptized already I answer that is a lye indeed you were rantized but not baptized and that too was into the name of your God-fathers which was blasphemy and not into the name of the Father Sonne and Holy Ghost besides they who did it had nothing to do with Baptisme as being no Ministers but Antichristian and whereas heretofore these Ministers of the Church of England rantized into the name of their Godfathers now to mend the matter they do it into the name of their Fathers There is one Mr. Symonds a great Sectarie Mr. Cradocks Colleague who came to London since the wars and preached at little Alhallowes Thames-street and at the Tower where I have been informed from godly understanding men as well Ministers as others that he hath preached severall strange things as for a Toleration and liberty for all men to worship God according to their consciences and in favour of Antipaedobaptisme and so preaching once at Andrewes Vndershafâ— for Mr. Goodwin he preached high strains of Antinomianisme as that Christ was a legall Preacher and liv'd in a dark time and so preached the Law but afterwards the Gospel came to be preached and preaching at Laurence Pountneys summer was twelvemoneth on the day of thanksgiving for taking of Sherborn Castle he spake of the great Victories the Saints had obtained for us viz. the Independents and yet now the Parliament was making Lawes against these Saints with other things to that purpose and as at London he hath preached thus so since he left London this last Summer he preached at Bath before the Generall strange stuffe as I have been told from understanding men who heard him viz. against Presbytery saying it was a limb of Antichrist pleading for liberty of conscience and for those who would not have their children baptized till they came to years of understanding and for Weavers and ignorant mechanicks preaching and speaking of these mens guifts and having the spirit before learned men and men bred at Universities with a great deale of this stuffe insomuch that Mr. Bodeâ— Minister of the Bath as I was informed confuted his Sermon the next Lords day and spake against it insomuch that â—ome of the Independent Souldiers as C. B. c. â—lung out of the Church in the midst of the Sermon and would not heare him out and truly 't is a sad thing that Sir Thomas Fairfax that valiant and well-affected Gentleman should have such kind of Chaplains and Preachers upon all occasions to preach before him as Mr. Dell Mr. Saltmarsh Mr. Peters Mr. Cradock M. Symonds M. William Sedgwick and such like and I have spoken the more of this Mr. Symonds because I hear he is nominated for one of the Itinerary Preachers of VVales that so the Country and Ministers may be ware of him where he comes and that the Assembly when he comes to be approved of may doe their duties and not let him passe so easily as they did Mr. Cradock There is Mr. Burton of London a great Independent who hath these five last years written many wild and weak Pamphlets beginning with his Prâ—testation Protested and ending with his Conformities Deformitie in which Pamphlets the poore man hath laid down many grounds of Donatisme and pure Brownisme yea of Libertinisme and of a generall Toleration of all Religions and hath laid about him striking all who have come neere him without feare or wit whether whole Assemblies and Societies or particular persons he hath cast durt in the face of the Church of Scotland and their generall Assembly our Assembly this famous City of London and the Honourable Court of Common Councell the Ministers of Sion Colledge particular Ministers M. Calamie my selfe and others nay he hath not spared his Brother Prynne his Brother Bastwick his good old friend M. Vicars and in all these five years among all the Books he hath put forth notwithstanding all the damnable Hereticks and Blasphemers among us hath not had the heart to speak one word for God against them which gives too just ground for the world to thinke M. Burtons former oppositions of Arminianisme Popery c. was not out of zeale for God and his truth and hatred of those errours but out of discontent and spleen against the Bishops who had crossed him in his hopes of preferment For if it had been out of zeale against the errours and not out of anger against the men how could he thus patiently beare all the injuries and dishonours of Christ and his truth done by other men even a hundred times worse then before Did Mr. Burton know what some of his wisest Brethren have said and do say of his Books he would give over writing as that his writings are weake and do more hurt then good would to God he would give over his writing Shall I tell M. Burton what Mr. Nye
whom you thus see shall come to preach againe in this City and have free Liberty of his Ministrie when all damnable Heresies and Errours shall be vented by preaching and writing and yet shall never speake against them this man who hath preached and written with so much earnestnesse against bowing at the Name of Jesus against people coming up to the Raile about the Table to receive the Lords Supper against Christs dying for all men sufficiently when the Divinity of Christ shall be denied the Scriptures denied to be the Word of God when all Churches Ministry and Sacraments shall be denied he shall never write nor preach against them yea this man who will not yeeld now to Bishops in a Ceremony or some outward matter of order to keepe his Ministry shall afterwards yeeld to the people and submit to base conditions contrary to his judgement as to forbear baptizing some of his peoples children and to let singing of Psalmes be suspended with other such like and all to enjoy his Ministry and Church Certainly the people would have beene ready to have stoned such a man and said it could not bee or if they had believed it fewer certainly would have pitied him or visited and rewarded him in prison nay when Mr. Burton was in prison if any man had sent to him such a Message that he should do what he does now viz. write against and be a more bitter enemy against the Reformed Churches our Brethren of Scotland yea the godly Ministers Mr. Calamie c. then ever Canterbury was or Dr. Wren certainly the man would have defied such a Message and said as Hazael am I a dog that I should do so and yet now we see what he hath done and doth daily Mr. Burton surely is in a sad condition and I have often thought of him to be in the case of that Idolater the Prophet Esay speaks of 44. Esa 20. hee feedeth of ashes a deceived heart hath turned him aside that he cannot deliver his soule nor say is there not a lye in my right hand The Lord in mercy open his eyes and give him repentance for this last five years work and particularly for writing his last Book cal'd Conformities Deformity Thrdly I shall propound a few Quaeries to Mr. Burton to show him how he is mistaken all along in his grounds 1. Let me ask you M. Burton why you are so angry with the Magistrate the Assembly Sion Colledge the City for establishing and setling of Church-Government if it bee of God and they are perswaded so why should they not be for it and if Independency Brownisme Anabaptisme c. be not of God as they are well assured they are not why should they not be against them hinder and suppresse them M. Burton you will upon your rash and weake perswasion hinder Presbytery all you can the Administration of the Sacraments in a Presbyteriall way may not then the Magistrate upon strong perswasions after serious debates by a learned Assembly and Scripture-grounds satisfying their consciences enact by a Law Presbytery and forbid Independency c. 2. Mr. Burton whether is this a good Argument because Jeroboam did evill by a Law and commandement to set up the golden Calves at Dan and Bethel therefore Asa Hezekiah Josiah c. might not lawfully command the true worship of God in their Kingdomes and put down the false and whether may not Magistrates lawfully make use of their power from God for good because some Magistrates abuse that power for evill and if it be no good Argument as certainly 't is not then hath M. Burton said little against the Magistrates power in matters of Religion for this is the way of his reasoning in Conformities Deformitie and the strength of the man 3. Pray M. Burton let me ask you this question suppose the Parliament would by a Law or Ordinance set up Independent Government and the Church way would you account this so great a sinne as Hypocrisie Idolatry c. and if not how can you then the setting up of Presbyteriall Government especially seeing the question is not so much about this or that particular but the enacting by a Law that which all should conforme to 4. Mr. Burton I am serious with you pray answer me here are such and such men hold all kind of errours and vent them up and down and they say 't is their conscience would you have them suffered to preach write and infect all that come neare them if there be no such evill and danger in errours but they may be preached printed why were you so fierce and violent against the Bishops and their Chaplaines for preaching writing Arminian Popish points though they vented them in an orderly way in comparison of your Saints who goe from Country to Country venting errors in their own Pulpits and when called to preach by Authority not intruding into other mens Pulpits and printing with license not in contempt of Authority There are divers other Sectaries to be discovered and their waies and preachings laid open as Greene the Felt-maker who was one of the first Mechanicks that presently upon the first sitting of this Parliament preached in our Churches publikely as at Algate and elsewhere and was one of that company that went over with Colonell Homstead about Summer was two yeares to Trinidado but is returned lately and now preaches in an Alley in Coleman-street once on the Lords day and once on the weeke day where there is great resort and flocking to him that yards roomes and house are all full so that he causes his neighbours Conventicles as Cretensis and others to be oft times very thin and Independents to preach to bare walls and empty seats in comparison of this great Rabbi as Spencer sometimes the Lord Brooks Coachman an early Preacher too as Gorton who hath lately set forth a Book cal'd Simplicities Defence against Seven-Headed Policy wherein are many dangerous and erroneous passages but I cannot speake of them now the fourth part of Gangraena will supply what 's now wanting I have lately seen divers Letters and some Petitions that have been written and sent up from godly Ministers and others to Worthy Members of the House of Commons to some Members of the Assembly to other Ministers in the City and Citizens concerning the insolencies tumults and strange carriages of many Sectaries Commanders and Souldiers as also other persons both men and women of their Sect but it would be too long to give a Copy of them as I have done of others in the former part of this Book and therefore I will onely relate the Contents of some of them In one Letter a godly Minister about Bristow writing to a Member of the Assembly tells him he had formerly written to him of a preaching Troope that had infected the Countries with errours but now he wâ—ites to him that many of them breake into houses steale Horses and have been indighted here These are our Saints saith he who need
Gods good providence this old Minister of 70. yeares of age with much adoe escaped their hands and after his departure VVebb preached and in his Sermon compared our Church of England to that of Laodicea that was neither hot nor cold but lukewarme For that in Queen Maries daies her Proclamation made them all Papists In Queen Elizabeths daies her Proclamation made them Protestants but now an Ordinance of Parliament makes them for Presbytery and he was very confident that shortly he should see Presbytery laid as low as Prelacy or to that effect On the first of November 1646. Colonell Hewson came into Aston Church accompanied and guarded with his Souldiers contemned the Ordinance of Parliament read that day against Lay-mens preaching and did preach whether M. Skinner would or no both forenoone and afternoone he bid M. Skinner be silent and threatned him that in case he would not let him preach he would lay him by the heeles he said Mr. Skinner was no Minister but a false Prophet an Antichrist and he would prove him so to be in the afternoone by 13. marks of a false Prophet which he laid downe in the afternoone In June last divers Sectaries of Mr. Skinners Pariâ—h joyning and combining with the souldiers did interrupt him as he was preaching in the Pulpit and would not be intreated to forbeare till he had ended though he desired them and told them the penalty of the Statute in that case And among others a Woman one Margeret North cryed to him with a loud voice M. Skinner M. Skinner you take great pains with us in preaching twice every Sabboth and Catechizing but all comes but to one Sermon in the end of the yeare On the 25. of October Colonell Hewson came into Wallington Church and there interrupted the Minister one M. Price as hee was at Prayer and then afterwards as he was reading the first chapter of the Proverbs and also as he did expound the foresaid chapter The Church was made a prison for the Souldiers seven or eight daies and nights there they made a fire in the Chancell and tooke Tobacco in the time of Prayer and Preaching In the foresaid Church did Colonell Hewson and Major Axston preach the one in the forenoon the other in the afternoone being the 18. day of October In May last one M. Rastell of Sydnam preaching on the 5. of Math. 20. Except your righteousnesse c. one Captain Nevill a Captain of a Troop of horse in Col. Rich his Regiment being then and there present started up and said This is fine stuffe this is grosse who can endure it I will heare no more of this he deserves to be pulled down and many words to that effect and so departed out of the Church and walked without under the wall where with a loud voice he uttered many contumelious words against the Minister I have seen divers Letters out of Oxfordshiere that speake of one M. Potter of Lutenor about a mile from Aston leaving his Church being driven from thence by the Lay-preaching Souldiers who have for certaine daies made a prison of that Church and have burnt up the seats and boords in the Church so that it now lyes wast and destitute of a Minister and these preaching souldiers refuse to preach now in that Church they have laid wast but come to Churches where there are Ministers who preach constantly as at Aston and divers other places and trouble them in their preaching and performing of other services of God A Reverend Minister in Oxfordshiere having lately occasion to admonish his Parishioners to take heed of Anabaptisme for tha they denyed the Lord Christ that bought them by his blood shed signiâ—ied in Baptisme by water For in Baptisme we put on Christ Gal. 3 27. but if we be baptized again we deny him and put him of as the Anabaptist doth upon which Sermon an Independent neighbour desired to heare the Minister againe on that point which accordingly the Minister did on the Lords day Novemb. 〈◊〉 taking that text Math. 28. 19. v. And used Arguments to disswade from Anabaptisme for it was a denying and putting off of Christ whom by oath they put on in their Baptisme Now Lievetenant Webb hearing of this Sermon did in the afternoone preach on the same Text Math. 28. 19. bragging that he could by the spirit do as much ex tempore as that Minister by study The Minister hath sent to entreat a Copy of his Sermon with a promise of giving him a Copy of his that so the world may judge considering all their boastings who comes nearest to the spirit of God I have received some Letters of late written to me out of the Country bewailing the great oppressions and sufferings some of Gods Ministers undergoe both in their owne houses by souldiers laid upon them and in Gods house by being disturbed and affronted in their Ministry wherein I am stirred up not to faint in prosecuting the good cause of Gods Ministers oppressed and his Churches in these parts laid wast and the Ministers case is thus represented to me The Romane Clergy have been Solomons flagellum on us many years I but now the Lay-Clergy these preaching Souldiers are worse they be Rehoboams whips of Scorpions worse then Solomons and Rehoboams yea then the Spanish whip in 88. The Lord give us all grace that are under Gods rod the wicked the sword of his hand that our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may bee our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 our Nocumenta our Documenta our Destructions our Instructions our Corrections our Directions to Heaven and happinesse And then there being divers sad stories related in the body of the Letters all is concluded after this manner O scelus Independentium come Lord Jesus come quickly and whip out all these Independent worshippers out of thy Church with a dog-whip A godly Citizen of good quality and a Common-Councell man being in company with another Common-Councell man and a young Schollar Chaplain to one of the late Sheriffes of London and some other company they being in discourse about many passages of these times he told them this story which within a day or two after the Common-Councell man and the young Chaplain told me with all the names of the persons and circumstances of it that a great Independent I will not say a Member of the House of Commons being desirous to get another great Independent to be a Burgesse of Parliament for a place of note within lesse then 60. miles of London spoke to this Citizen about it to further it as having some chapmen in that Town and the Mayor also his great friend whereupon this Citizen did stirre in it to make the Mayor and others for this Independents Independent friend and meanes were used to get voices but after some triall of getting voices the Mayor of the Town signified that he thought another man who sâ—ood would carry it most inclining to him and that they should not have voices
Pills and that without being wrapt in gold yea Arrian Socinian Tenets and what not We heare of no Remonstrances famous Speeches plain home Sermons now against errours in doctrine as heretofore no Committees sitting upon Books to deale with Mr. Dens Mr. John Goodwins M. Burtons and divers others as with Mountagues Dr. Jacksons and Cosens Books Magistrates Ministers too silent the people also too contented and quiet yea many instead of crying out and being pained at heart love to have it so will prefer a man and give a great deale for some to preach errours among them and disturbe their faith when as they will give nothing for an able man every way qualified to preach the truth God may take up that complaint of our present times which he doth by Jeremie My people have committed two evills they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters and hewed to themselves broken Cisternes that can hold no water hewe and be at a great deale of cost and paines for puddle poysonous water but reject and slieght a fountain of pure and living waters 6. Coroll Hence then we may see from all the Errors Heresies Insolencies of many Sectaries in our Armies and among the Souldiers laid downe in Gangrâ—na what a great plague and judgement of God to this Land some of our Armies and Souldiery have been and are now more then ever namely in that so many Commanders and Souldiers diffused throughout the Body of the whole Army yea some whole Troops and Regiments should be desperate Sectaries and Hereticks We must needs be under a great plague to have those who should be the Instruments of our safety and have the sword in their hands to be such kinde of men and to do as they do Heresies and Errors in any men are a great evill upon a Land a sad matter but in the Souldiery 't is armed impiety who by power and force may propagate and spread all kinde of errors and opinions without controle and by marching from Countrey to Countrey have opportunity of infecting all parts of a Land Certainly the Sectaries in the Armies I speake now as a Minister of the Gospell judging of things according to Scripture and not according to carnall policy and outward appearance are the greatest plague and judgement of God that hath been upon this Kingdom this hundred years when I heare daily of the errors they scatter the insolencies they commit and see what great evills they are the cause of in Church and State I often thinke of a passage in a famous Speech made by Sir Edward Deering in the beginning of this Parliament speaking of the corruptions in Religion among us to be first remedied before the Scots Army then in the Land to be considered of used these words or to this effect Let the sword rage from North to South or 't is better it should rage from North to South rather then the corruptions in Religion not be taken away so say 〈…〉 it had been better the Sword of the Enemy had raged from North to South then this Sword of Heresie and Plague of Error like a Gangrene should over-run the Kingdome as it doth T 〈…〉 is destroyes the precious soules and I am fully assured the Sectaries in the Armies have destroyed more soules and overthrowne the faith of more with their heresies and wicked opinions then they have killed the bodies of their enemies with their Swords The constitution of our souldiery so many Sectaries being in our Militia besides that 't is a great and fearfull plague of it selfe 't is a great cause of all other evills 't is that which emboldens the Sectaries all the Kingdome over and encourages that party to do so many wicked things as they doe daily affront the House of Peers abuse Scotland the City of London Ministery publikely print preach all kind of abominable errours 'T is that which awes the good party oâ— at least out of policy makes them not so zealnus and oâ—solute against the errours of the t 〈…〉 'T is that keeps the Church Government from going on a pace that is a great remora to the punishing of Hereticks c. 't is that indeed which hath infested and infected the Kingdome so generally There are few of our Eâ—issaries and not 〈◊〉 Sectaries but are oâ— have been Souldiers belonged to the Armies as Chaplaines or one way or other have followed the Campe they all smell of the Army Hich Knollys Erbury Dell Sâ—ltmars 〈…〉 Peters 〈…〉 cheler c. we 〈…〉 ay truly say 〈…〉 a B 〈…〉 Our Ar 〈…〉 the N 〈…〉 of all 〈◊〉 and a 〈◊〉 evills and 〈◊〉 we may see the true cause why all the Sectaries are so 〈◊〉 warre and keeping up the Armies can not abide to he 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 ing because their Kingdome is in larged and maintained thereby but certainly it will never be well with the Kingdome till the Armies be disb 〈…〉 ded or at least 〈◊〉 〈…〉 delled the Sectaries put 〈…〉 God be me 〈…〉 ifull unto 〈◊〉 we 〈◊〉 in strange handâ— and things are come to a strange passe and all wise men who have read Hiâ— stories understand any thing and by together many of the Sectaries Speeches and Practises conceive it cannâ—â— but be very perillous to have the sword in so many ma 〈…〉 mens hands and scare a new Tiragedy to be acted like that in G 〈…〉 and at M 〈…〉 ster by the old Anabaptists yea worse 〈◊〉 The godly Orth 〈…〉 Ministers and Christians and all true hearted English men may 〈◊〉 out and say as in 10. Psal Helpe Lord 〈◊〉 wicked walks â—n every fidâ— when the vi 〈…〉 and with the Prophet M 〈…〉 lachie 〈◊〉 Mal 15. 〈…〉 the proud happy yâ—â— they th 〈…〉 yea they that 〈◊〉 God are 〈◊〉 delivered The Sectaries of our Armies invading the Pulpits abasing the godly Ministers laying wast and prophaning the publike places 〈◊〉 apart for Gods worship are like 〈◊〉 and like 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 the Houses of God in possession nay they are like to those husbandmen in the 20. of Luke that reasoned among themselves saying This is the heire come let us kill him that the inheritance may be ours So they cast him out of the vineyard and killed him The Sectaries knowing that so long as the godly Ministers and such a Ministry continues in the Kingdome they shall never doe their worke bring in all heresie and confusion the inheritance shall not be theirs therefore they set themselves to destroy the Ministry and Ministers that the inheritance may be theirs The Apostle Paul 2. Tim. 3. bids Timothy know this that the perilousnesse of times stands in false Teachers seducers creeping into houses to lead captive silly women and in men reprobate concerning the faith resisting the truth and not in so much in war famine nor other calamities which happens to the body and therefore makes this preface before it this know also implying it was not so well known and stirring up Timothy the better
doe to be tolerated and suffered nay in many places they cannot serve God quietly nor live in peace but are affronted molested thereatned yea their lives hazarded The Dommation and Insolencies of the Sectaries in England both in City and Country are unsufferable and beyond all example and let but all things be considered the nature of the Lawes and civill Government of England that all the people are subject to the same Lawes and all the Countries of this Kingdome under the obedience of King and Parliament none exempt not some parts under one and some under another as in the Cantons and some other Countries as also that great and solemne Covenant taken for the nearest uniformity in Doctrine Government c. and the extirpation of all heresie schisme c. with some other such like considerations I am ready upon my life to make it good at the Barr of both Houses that there is in England the greatest sufferance and countenance of a Dissenting party from what is held out and established by Authority that ever was in any age where there was a Christian Magistrate or that is in any part of the world whatsoever at this day the Toleration in Holland France Transylvania c. in many things falling short of that liberty the Sectaries here enjoy I had thought upon and drawn up twelve pregnant particulars with the proofes wherein the Toleration here is greater then in those Countries but I must defer them till the fourth part of Gangraena having enlarged this part already so much beyond the former parts and my intentions and shall conclude this seventh Corollarie that if the Sectaries shall be still suffered to go on and all kind of errors and opinions vented for the future as they have been for these three or foure last years this will be such a thing as never was read or heard of in any age or among any people that the end and issue of a solemne Nationall Covenant made with God another Kingdome and one another for Reformation should end in a universall Toleration and Confusion both in Church and State 8. Corollar Hence then we may plainly see by many speeches passages in Letters facts insolencies of the Sectaries related in this Book that the Sectaries hold not to their principles of Toleration and Liberty of Conscience but only in receiving it they will not give it when and where they have the power of giving it unto others The Sectaries in all their Bookes Sermons Speeches Discourses contend for liberty of Conscience and that no man should suffer any thing from another for his differing in opinions from him or be hindered in printing and speaking his conscience and yet if the Reader do but remember the severall passages I have laid down of the Sectaries dealings with godly Presbyterians in City and Country Army and Ministry and in all places he must necessarily conclude when they are grown strong enough and where they can they will suffer none but themselves In all ages Hereticks and Sectaries at their first rising when but a few and weake have cryed for Toleration liberty of Conscience but when by being let alone they have grown to great numbers and by their industry subtilty and activity have got power in their hands then they have been the greatest persecutors of all others denying all liberty to the Orthodox and this the Ecclesiasticall Histories of all times both ancient and moderne show Thus the Donatists Arrians Anabaptists of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Holland with other such like maintained and pleaded for a Toleration â—anquam prâ— aris focis and yet after a time that either they got Princes and Magistrates 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 or being increased in number got the sword into their 〈◊〉 they killed banished spoiled of their goods threw out of offices and places all those who were not of their opinions And thus our present Independents and Anabaptists notwithstanding all their pretences of liberty and conscience have and do where they are in power and can by any way or means suppresse prosecute Presbyterians to the utmost and indeed for this very end plead for liberty and worke night and day too get into all places of power and command both military and 〈…〉 It wâ—re too long to relate all the instances of godly Ministers and other worthy men troubled and complainâ—d of by them to Committees of honest Christians troubled by theâ— means for discharging their consciences in petitioning the Parliament and Common Councell of all the godly Ministers put by from preaching in their owne Churches by Sectaries and of their retusing to let godly Ministers of the Presbyterian judgement preach in any Chappels and Churches where they have power of the many threatning speeches spoken by them against the godly Ministers that they would leave never a Preist in England that the Presbyterians should be dealt with as Malignants sequestred ere long and such like of their not licensing any books or matters of Intelligence but stopping the Presse all they can to men not of their judgement of their incensing and strring up the Parliament in printed books to punish godly Ministers for laying open the Errors of the times of their labouring to keep out of all places in Parliament Armies Livings c. Orthodox godly men of their putting affronts upon hindring of pay turning out of places by one trick or other the faithfullest and worthiest men if Presbyterians yea going against all principles of Justice Honor Rules of Warre Gallantry What should I speak of all the affronts neglects complaints of troubles vexations which have happened to many gallant valiant faithfull Commanders and all because Anti-Independents by meanes of the Sectaries as Sir Willam Waller Major Generall Massey Major Generall Skippon Colonel Harvey Colonel King Colonel Whaley Major Fincher Adjutant Generall Gray Lieutenant Colonel Kempson Lieutenant Colonel Jackson c. besides the putting by of some from their places what gallant man almost is there but hath beene heaved at complained of some way or other affronted by some Sectaries and neglected by having men put over their heads into commands and they unpreferd though places void There are strange but true stories in the Army in this â—ind and some keepe a Register of them and when time shall serve may make them knowne though for the present because they see how strong the streame runs and for the quietnesse of the Army they are silent though they cannot but speak to their friends of these things I have been told from a good hand upon the occasion of Adjutant Generall Grayes being questioned at a Councell of Warre for reading the City Remonstrance that a great Commander of that Army writ a letter to another great Commander to this effect that he wondred that they who were so much for liberty of conscience and a Toleration for themselves would not afford the same to other men but that Adjutant Generall Gray because he was a Presbyterian and that according to his conscience should have
Articles put in against him and be so violently prosecuted And if the Sectaries dare do thus whilst they are a labouring for a Toleration as they say before they know whether they shall prevaile and have the upper hand when t is evident the House of Peeres the Kingdom of Scotland the City of London the Ministery of the Kingdome and the body of the people are against them yea and whatever they vapor the greater part of the House of Commons too what will they do if ever they should get their way established by a law and come to have all the strength of the Kingdome in their hands what will they doe when they are masters of the Presbyterians that thus persecute them whilst they are Probationers Qâ—id facient Domini aâ—dent cum taliâ— fures and therefore by these beginnings of Persecution these Kingdomes of England and Scotland may judge what to trust to and look to finde if ever these men come to have power in their hands they will be as bad as the Circumcelliones among the Donatists as those Anabaptists to the Citizens of Munster they will be desperate persecutors of the faithfull Ministers of Christ thinking they shall doe God good service in killing them The Lords may know what to trust to if ever the Sectaries prevaile The Scots had best look to it also they will finde them worse neighbours a hundred times then ever the Bishops were all the reformed Churches had need contribute their help against them for if they prevaile they will all suffer and be much disturbed in their place The Assembly of Divines shall feele their liberty of conscience The City of London and Citizens shall be reckoned with and paid for their Petitions and late Remonstrance The House of Commons also may assure themselves they shall feele their power when they are grown strong enough as is evident by many threatning passages in Pamphlets of the Sectaries especially those Members of the House who are not theirs but have vigorously appeared against them they will pull them out by the head and ears and kick them out of the House Certainly the House of Commons so great and understanding a body notwithstanding many flattering Petitions of late to them crying them up in late Pamphlets above the House of Peers and protesting deeply to be at their service and command against all the world cannot be so weak as to beleeve them and to think if the Sectaries get power into their hands and overthrow the House of Peers Ministers City that they shall escape and not follow after they have written spoken done as much against them as the House of Peers Ministers Citie and no question will again as they see their advantage or are discontented or upon some new light that they were not chosen by all the free-men of England but only by the Prerogative men the Freeholders No man knowes where these Sectaries will stop or stay or to what Principles they will keep and is there any safety then in adhering to such a party and caring to please them who are off and on T is evident even in those Books made against the House of Peers and in which the Commons and their Power are so cried up that many things are laid down destructive to that House and in the midst of flattering the House of Commons they brand them with in justice medling with what they have nothing to do with as matters of Religion As the fit takes them they now will cry crucifie them crucifie them but what may they expect from that party if once all the Militia and strength should be in their hands To conclude this Corallary I say God keep me and all true Presbyterians from that liberty of conscience the Sectaries would give us if we lay at their mercy and liberty of conscience were theirs to give 9. Corall Hence then from what I have laid downe of the Sectaries as in a Mirrour and Christall Glasse we may with open face behold the true bottome cause of all our evils and mischeifs both in Church and State the maine reason of the obstructions of all good things why Religion and Church Government not yet settled why Ireland not releived peace not attained and the great ground of all the miseries upon us why such jealosies and differences have beene betweene England and Scotland such discontents taken at London why the Assembly and godly Ministers of the Kingdome slighted many well-affected Counties offended Petitions not regarded the well-affected discouraged many great greivances not remedied many Delinquents protected and not call'd to an account strange Articles given to some in Armes at some places contrary to Ordinances of Parliament illegall elections of Members of the House of Commons taking place so many scandalous pamphlets against Monarchie the House of Peers and House of Commons sold openly such high insolencies committed against the House of Peers as never were in any age with many more namely that great love and favour of Sectarisme and Errors in too many persons of our times This is the spring that feeds all our evils the primum mobile or great wheele that turns all the rest about Hence t is no matter though Ireland be lost England and Scotland embroyled Parliament and London at a distance the godly Ministers hearts lost the Kingdome offended Armies and great Taxes continued c. rather then any thing be done against Sectaries Sectaries must not be dis-eased or displeased what ever come of it they must be nourished and increase Erastian principles must be maintained and cried up prophanesse let alone open wicked men joyned with and all to further Sectarisme and Liberty of Conscience so called Whosoever knowes and hath observed the present affairs and state of things cannot but see the truth of what I now say and I challenge any man to instance in any one thing at least for these last twelve months wherein so many evils have been and are upon us but I will rationally resolve into that and though other pretences have been held out as sometimes priviledges sometimes the liberty and safety of the subject sometimes godlinesse sometimes unseasonablesse an unfit time c. many things folded together and indeed the love of Sectarisme sometimes so wrapt up in them that not discerned by all as in all ages men have not wanted pretences yet â—is apparent to all wise men that this is the very cause Is it not evident whatever hath been pretended the true cause of all the jealosies differences and faults found with the Sâ—ots to bee a great love and care of Sectaries whom we know the Scots so hate and therefore have done it out of revenge Is it not evident the true and only reason of the Cities being so slighted reviled such a change of carriage towards them to arise from their appearing against the Sects and Errors of the times and striking in with the Ministers to joyne for a thorough Presbyteriall Government have not all the
Ghost hating the light once known blaspheming the work of the Spirit and so I might instance in the rest though I beleeve I could give better grounds why Master Saltmarsh should a great deale more probably bee guilty in that kind then he can upon any pretence of me though I professe I do not charge him with that sinne but the charging godly Presbyterians for writing against Errors and Heresies with committing the sinne against the holy Ghost and despighting the Spirit and sinning wilfully is the great charity and brotherly love of Sectaries divers of them having done thus Master Price charging M. Bâ—ll 〈…〉 ie Master Goodwin Master Brinne and M. Saltmarsh me But I would have Master Saltmarsh know ti 〈…〉 not his bugbar of charging me with the sin against the holy Ghost and threatning me with flashings lightnings and praying against me for contending earnestly for the Faith once delivered unto the Saintâ— against certaine men crept in turning the Grace of God into lasâ—iviousnesse can scare me to make me go out of my way and I find this branding with the sinne against the holy Ghost of Orthodox men by Sectaries to be no new thing but very old used by the Donatists in Saint Austins time who as Augustine showes in his writings accused the Orthodox of being guilty of the sinne against the holy Ghost Fifthly for his two stories he relates of discourse with me upon two severall times speaking together they are deceitfully and falsely related the greatest part concealed and what is related not justly set downe I writ them both downe in my Diary espâ—cially the last immediatly after I left Master Saltmarsh and so can give a just and good account of them but they are too long to be inserted in a Postscript and of the first that being at Master Vicars his house and in his hearing he hath given the Reader already a good part of it in his Schiâ—â—â—atick sifted little I think to M. Saltmarshes credit And now good Reader the next Tractate thou shalt expect from me shall be a Tractate against a Toleration which I hope by the end of the next moneth or the beginning of February may be in thy hands and nothing by Gods help shall divert me or re 〈…〉 d that I am resolved if twenty Pamphlets should be written against this Third Part to let them all lie till I have put forth a Treatise against Toleration and pretended liberty of Conscience And now finally Brethren pray for me that God would be in a speciall manner with me in the setting forth of that Tractate at this time and that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified and â—hat I may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men and that my service which I have for this Kingdome may be accepted of the King Parliament and all that are in authority of the City of London the Ministers of the Kingdome and of all Saints Amen FINIS a Paraeus in 2. Galath v. 9. Hodiâ— quid fit Opinionibus res geritur imo affectibus Nulla Argumenta nullae Apologiae locum inveniunt b Baldwin Cas Consciâ—n lib. 4. cap. 7. pag. 10. 53. 1055. Falsorum dogmatum Propugnatores nominatim perstringendi sunt quomodo enim alias ab auditoribus caveri possunt c Calvin Instructio adversus libertines cap. 4. * The Vision of God by Cardinall cusanus The third part of the Rule of perfection by a Cappuchian Friar Another booke written by a Preist A mesius lib. 5. de Coâ—sc c. 14. ☞ ☜ * Cal. Instr advers libert c. 4 Quod autem Quintinus ejusque socius ex Sartoribus Doctores facti atque ita immutati sunt id in causa â—uit quod delicate molliter vivere vellent nec sibi putarent labores convenire Propterea coÌ„modius omni no existimarunt ut quemadmodum sacerdotes monachi cantillando sic ipsigarriendo vitam quaererent ☞ Erasmus saepe dixit Deus dedit huic postâ—emae aeâ—ati propter morborum magnitudinem acrem medicum Mel. Adam vit luth p. 162. For proofe of this vide Pamphlet entituled Little-Nonsuch printed at London very lately pag. 2. Animadvers Little Nonsuch pag 4. Animadvers * Danaeus in his Tract de Haeresibus cap. 4. 3. Among other Errors of the Origenists shows this to he one that in the interpretation of Scripture they would perpetually Allegorize so that they left nothing certain in the word of God neither that Paradâ—se nor Adam nor Eve nor the waters nor any thing which Moses laies down in the whole Book of Genesis Whereupon Augustine writ 12 Books de Genesi ad literam against such Allegorists and Corrupters of the Scripture Little Nonsuch pag. 5 6 7 8 9 10 c. Animadvers * Vide Ainsworth in Lev. 18. v. 19. ☞ For proof of this see page 25. of this third Part of Gangr This Doctrine was Preached at a Funerall sermon in London brought to comfort men against that trouble of death They shall 〈◊〉 and he removed from their friends and â—e strangers to the affairs bâ—low This point was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 bâ— way of Answer i 〈…〉 upon and amplified I and divers other Ministerâ— were â—are witnesses and spake together of the Sermon when it was done I have been told it also from good hands â—hat an Independent Minister of great note when he was dying 〈◊〉 to his wife and friends to have a care how they used his body when it was dead for 〈◊〉 should know what they did to him Animadvers Animadvers Animad vers * This Error the other three last mentioned were preached last Sept. 17 at a Funeral Sermon by an Independent of great note I many other Ministers were â—are witnesses of these doctrines * Proof Webs Pamph. writteÌ„ against my first Part of Gangr page 6. * Respondâ—o Baptismum Johannis discrepasse à Baptismo Christs qua tenus Christus Baptizat interius baptismâ— spiritus Et hac in parte diffâ—rt Baptismus Christi ab omnibus Ministâ—orum Sacrorum baptismis nihil autem discrepasse à baptisme ceremoniali à Christo instituto nisirationâ— temâ—oris significationis clâ—ritate quâ— ante Chriti manifestationem taâ—ta non suit quanta post cam Non sâ—â—us ac Apostolorum baptismus ante mortem Christi diversâ—â— suit à baptismo ab ipsis post mortem ejus administrato pag. 25. 26 27. * Proof of the 10. and 11. Errors pag. 36 37. of this Third Part. * Proof p. 80. of this Third part Proof of the 13 14 pag. 80. of this Third part Proof of the 15. pag. 21. Proof of 16. pag. 80. 45. Vide Proofe of these pag. 20. of this Third part * Vid. Proof of this pag. 107. * For proof see a Book entituled Divine Light manifesting the love of God unto the whole world with the true Church printed in the year 1646. * Divine Light maniâ—esting the love of God pag. 25. The maine scope of that Pamphlet
cald Divine Light manifesting the love of God unto the whole world is to plead for a generall salvation of all men and devills and that Christ hath paid the Price of his bloud for them all Divine Light pag. 19. Divine Light pag. 11 12 13. Divine Light pag. 11 13 14 23. The proofe of this is in p. 36. of this Third part of Gangraena * Vid Pareum in hunc locum Nemâ— nescit ut post consummationem saeculi fiat temporis abolitio sequatur aeternitas * Divine Light manifesting the love of God unto the whole world page 5. Vide Divine Light Manifesting the love of God * Proof p. 22. of this Third Part. * Proofe A godly Minister of this City told me he heard an Independent Minister maintain this Opinion before company Animadvers * Proof of this Third Part of his Gangaena page 107. * Proof vide p. 84. of this Third Part. a Proof p. 36. of this Third part b I have been told from good hands of severall Anabaptists brought before the Magistrate who have refused to take an oath and of others who would speak the truth as in the presence of Christ but not sweare c Proof p. 147. of this Third part of Gangraena d Proof Pamphlet entituled Certain Queres 1645. by Thomas Câ—lyer and in Third part of Gang. p. 28. e Vid. Pamph. entit An alarum to the H. of Lords p. 1. f Proof pamphlet Overtons defiance to the H. of Lords p. 6 Proof vide pag 111 112 of this Third part of Gangraena Proof vide Master Burtons Conformities deformity the whole scope of the Book being to maintain this among other pages vide pag. 7 8 13 14 15. and for Animadversions on this the Reader shall find in the latter part of this Book Pamphlet entituled A Remonstrance of many thousand Citizens and other Free-born people of Engl. to their own House of Commons p. 12 13. * Many Ministers M. Spurstowe M. Cardel M. Wills my self with others heard this Exposition given in the presence of a thousand people at least * For proof Vide pag. 23. 24. of this Third Part of Gangraena Animadvers ☞ ☜ * Vid. Overtons petition to the High and Mighty States the Knights Burgesses in Parliament Assembled ☞ * Last Reports of the English Wars p. T. Ames lib. 5. de Conscient c. 25. De mutua obligatione inter Magistratus et subditos A Remonstr to the House of Commons page 19 20. * Proof Vide page 35. of this Third part of Gangr * For proof Vide M Bellamâ—es justification of the City Remonstrance p. 11. * Proof p. 114. of this Thâ—rd Part of Gangr * Proof p. 107 of this Third part of Gangr Vide Doct. Bastwicks utter rouâ—ing of the Army of the Independents Epist to the Reader ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ * pag. 51. 52. Certain Queres * pag. 18. 19. page 22. 25. page 27. page 27. ☞ page 28. page 29. ☞ Animadvers ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ ☜ * Bristoll ☜ ☜ A Seeker ☜ ☜ ☞ ☞ It hath been usuall for men given to fafour heresieâ— Schismes to speak evill of the zealous Ministers who oppose them so Constan the Emperor often call'd Athanasius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 impiâ—m item 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sâ—elestum Theod. lib. 2. cap 16. * A fit man to be a Deacon of an Independent Church ☜ ☞ ☜ ☜ Animadver ☞ ☜ ☜ Second part of Gangrana 131 Blackwood Apostolicall Baptisme or a Rejoynder to M. Blake p. 81. 82. I am of opinion that Heaven received few such souls â—s this Sectarie and Christ saith non retipio tales animas * Sâ—e Mr Walwins Pâ—edict of Master Edwards conversion Whisper in M. Edwards eare c. * Bushers Book of the old Edition page 19. New Edition page 23. ☞ ☜ Animadvers * This Pamphlet is generally spoken and beleeved by all to beâ— his and many of his Church have openly said so to 2 John 10. 11. ☜ Minors no Senators A Discovery of New lights This was upon occasion of the City Remonstrance * It was in some of the Newes Books of that week * Master Burroughs the morning starr preaching about seven a cloke in the morning and Mr Greenâ—al at three of the clock in the afternoone ☞ ☜ ☞ He speaks of the surrender of Oxford Animadvers * Quaest nonâ— Quinam habent pâ—testatem excommunicaâ—di Resp Classium Synodum est quando diâ—â—iculâ—as aliquae subest commu 〈…〉 consiâ—io declarare decernere quinam debeanâ— excommunicari * Ecclesiae ta 〈…〉 en particulares â—t carâ—m communio postulat naturâ— lumen aequitas regularum exemplorum Scripturae docent possunt 〈…〉 ac saepissime etiam debent confoederationem aâ—t consociâ—tioâ—em mutuam inter se iniâ—e in Classibus Synodis ut communi consensu subsidâ—o mutuo utantur quantum commode â—ieri potest in iis praesertim quae sunt major is momentiâ— Ames lib. 4â— de Conscient cap. 29. quaesh octâ— * Mr. Peters message from Sir Thomas Fairâ—ax ☜ * This is fully proved in the first sheet of this Gangraena and in some sheets following this * Vid. A Letter eâ—tit Englands lamentable slavery The Copy of a Letter from Lic vâ—en Col. Lilburne to a Friend A Pamphlet call'd A Question and an Answer Lil 〈…〉 es 〈◊〉 â—â—d Truâ—h jâ—s 〈…〉 Englands Bâ—rth-right ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ Vide Mr Pryns Animadvers on Mr Goodwins Theomach pag. 22. Master Pryns Truth Triumphing over falshood pag. 106. 107. 108. * City Remonstrance Remonstrated pag. 23 24 25 26. Page 7. City Remonstrance Remonstrated Animadvers Animadvers * The inclosed is the first Letter in this Third Part of Gangraena pag. 21. a copy of which was given me from the Citizen in whose Letter it was inclosed and not from the Gentleman to whom it was written ☜ * The Parliament may by this see what prejudice some of these Independent weekly Pamphleters doe them by speaking of their affaires whilest under debate and before finished and how by their expressions in their Newes Books the reformed Churches abroad and many at home come to be greatly offended with the Parliaments proceedings as if they denyed the Three Persons in the Trinity whereas this debate was not upon the Assemblies presenting the Articles of Religion but upon an Ordinance to punish wiâ—h death those who should deny the Terms expressed in the Ordinance where among others Person was but for the thing whatsoever was said of the word Person it was Voted at that time ☞ ☜ ☜ ☜ ☞ * Epist Zuing. Oecolampad lib. z. ☞ ☜ * Mr Rurr 〈…〉 enicon pag. 34. * Mr Burroug 〈…〉 enicon pag. 36. 37. ☜ ☜ Animadvers * Remonstrance of many thousand Citizens and other Free-born people of England to their owne House of Commons An Alarum to the House of Lords a Vide A Pamphlet ontit A Parable p. 4. 12. 16 as