contrary to all Law Equity and Conscience where they alone are the Plantiffs the Accusers the Judges and the Executioners of their most fearful and barbarous Tyranny They should not by the Laws of this Land go any further in Cases of Religion then their own Ecclesiastical Censure and then refer us to the Civil power their Fore-fathers Gardner Bonner and Story dealt thus equally and we crave but this Equity Oh let her Excellent Majesty our Soveraign and your Wisdoms consider and accord unto this our just Petition for Streams of Innocent Blood are like to be spilt in secret by these Blood-thirsty-men except her Majesty and your Lordships do take order with their most cruel and inhuman proceedings We crave for all of us but the Liberty either to die openly or to live openly in the Land of our Nativity If we deserve death it beseemeth the Majesty of Justice not to see us closely murthered yea starved to death with hunger and cold and stifled in loathsome Dungeons If we be guiltless we crave but the benefit of onr Innocency viz. That we may have peace to serve our God and our Prince in the place of the Sepulcher of our Fathers Thus protesting our Innocency complaining of Violence and Wrong and crying for Justice on the behalf and on the name of that righteous Judge the God of Equity and Justice we continue our Prayers unto him for her Majesty and your Honours whose hearts we beseech him to incline towards this our most equal and just Suit This complaint was Penned by H. Barrow and is by me truly Copied Verbatim out of my Author through CHRIST JESUS our Lord. And now I find that besides many that ended their dayes in loathsome Prisons there were six executed who sealed up their Testimonies with their blood the six that were executed are these viz. Henry Barrow and John Greenwood at Tyburn John Penry at Thomas a Waterings neer London William Dennis at Thetford in Norfolk and Câ—ppin and Elias at Edmunds-Bury in Suffolk I have here inserted as followeth two Letters of John Penry which was all I could meet with by which Letters the Reader may see what a Zeal and religious Courage was stirring in these people at this day To the distressed faithful Congregation of Christ in London and all the Members thereof whether in bonds or at liberty these be delivered my beloved Brethren M. F. Johnson M. D. M. S. M. S. M. G. I. M. I. M. H. M. B. M. S. R. B. M. R. M. K. N. B. M. B. I. M. N. P. W. C. P. A. my Brethren M. I. C. W. B. A. P. M. M. M. E. C. C. D. G. M. A. B. with the rest of you both men and women as if particularly I named you all which stand members of this poor afflicted Congregation whether at liberty or in bonds Jesâ—â— Christ that great King and Prince of the Kings of the Earth bless you coâ—fâ—â—t you with his invinceable Spirit that you may be able to bear and over come these great Tryals which you are yet and I with you if I â—â—â—e to undergo for his Names sake in this Testimony Beloved let us think our Lot and Portion more then blessed that now are vouchsafed the favour not only to know and to profess but also to suffer for the sincerity of the Gospel and let us remember that great is our reward in Heaven if we endure unto the end I testifie unto you for mine own part as I shall answer before Jesus Christ and his Elect Angels that I never saw any Truth more clear and undoubted then this witness wherein we stand First Against false Offices Secondly The callings Thirdly The works Fourthly The maintenance left and retained in this Land by and from Popery Fifthly Against the obedience which spiritually either in Soul or in Body is yielded and the communion that is had with these inventions of darkness Sixthly The mingling of all sorts in these Assemblies Seventhly The worship done but scant in one of the three parts of the Commission given by our Saviour scant done I say in one of the three parts of the Commission by the best Teachers of this Land and I thank my God I am not only ready to be bound and banished but even to die in his Cause by his strength yea my Brethren I greatly long in regard of my self to be dissolved and â—o live iâ— the blessed Kingdom of Heaven with Jesus Christ and his Angels with Adam Enoch Noah Abraham Moses Job David Jeremiah Daniel Paul the great Apostle of the Gentiles and with the rest of the holy Saints both men and women with the glorious Kings Prophets and Martyrs and Witnesses of Jesus Christ that have been from the beginning of the World particularly with my two dear Brethren Master Henry Barrow and Master John Greenwood which have last of all yielded their Blood for this pretious Testimony confessing unto you my Bretheren and Sisters that if I might live upon the Earth the dayes of Methusala twice told and that in no less Comfort then Peter James and John were in the Mount and after this life might be fure of the Kingdom of Heaven that yet to gain all this I durst not go from the former Testimony wherefore my Brethren I beseech you be of like mind herein with me I doubt not but you have the same pretious faith with me and are Partakers also of far more glorious Comfort then my barren and sinful Soul can be strive for me and with me that the Lord our God may make me and all us able to end our Cause with joy and patience strive also that he may stay his blessed hand if it be his good pleasure and not make any further breach in his Church by the taking away of any more of us as yet to the discouraging of the weak and the lifting up of the horn of our Adversaries I would indeed if it be his good pleasure live yet with you to help you to bear that grievous and hard Yoke which yet ye are like to sustain either here or in a strange Land and my good Brethren seeing Banishment with loss of goods is likely to betide you all prepare your selves for this hard entreaty and rejoyce that you are made worthy for CHRIST's Cause to suffer and bear all these things And I beseech you in the Bowels of Jesus Christ that none of you in this case look upon this particular Estate but regard the general state of the Church of God that the same may go and be kept together whithersoever it shall please God to send you Oh the Blessing will be great that shall ensue this care whereas if you go every man to provide for his own House and to look for his own Family first neglecting poor Sion the Lord will set his Face against you and scatter you from the one end of Heaven to the other neither shall you find a resting place for the Soles of your Feet or a
wont to say that there was no more Miserable kind of Life than to be a Pope About this time William the first King of England years since Christ 1079 took down the Prelates in Temporallities in England for he ordained that they should exercise no Temporal Authority at all but in spirituallities he rather raised them as may be seen by a passage between Aldred Arch-bishop of York and the King for at a time upon the repulse of a certain suit the Arch bishop in great discontentment offered to depart when the King in awe of his displeasure fell down at his Feet desired pardon and promised to grant his Suit The King all this while being down at the Arch-Bishops feet the noble men that were present put him in mind that he should cause the King to rise nay said the Arch-Bishop let him alone let him find what it is to anger Saint Peter and as by this Story we see the insulting pride of a Prelate in those days so by another we may see the equivocating falsehood of a Prelate at that time for Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury would often swear he had not one Penny upon the Earth when under the Earth it was afterward found he had hidden great Treasures About this time William the second King of England claimed the making of Bishops to be his right years since Christ 1098 and forbad Appeals and Enter-course to Rome For Appeals had been seldom used tell Anselm in this Kings raign Appealed to the Pope upon whose complaint the Pope was about to Excommunicate the King but having a little before Excommunicated the Emperor Henry the fourth he forbore at that time to do it least by making Excommunication common he should make it be slighted at this time great Contention arose between the King and Arch-Bishop Anselm and Anselm not yeilding to the King in any Point Perjudicial to the Popes Authority nor the King yeilding to Anselm in any point prejudicial to his own Prerogative the Contention continued long and hot Anselm often threatning his going to Rome the King told him plainly he would not thrust him out of the Realm but if he would go without his leave he would then keep him out during his pleasure and besides he should carry nothing out of the Realm with him yet Anselm ventured it and the King performed it for William Warlswast was sent to riffle him in his passage at Sea of all he had neither was he suffered to return as long as the King lived during all which time the King took all the profits of his Arch-Bishoprick to his own use At this time Henry the first being King of England at his first coming to the Crown he forbore his claim to the investitures of Bishops years since Christ 1112 but after he had been King some time he claimed that both to invest Bishops and to allow or hinder Appeals to Rome belonged to him In these Anselm Arch Bishop of Canterbury who was now returned into England opposed him affirming that both of them belonged to the Pope the contention at last was brought to the Pope to whom King Henry sent William Warlestwast Elect Bishop of Exeter who saying to the Pope that his Master would not for the Crown of his Realm loose the Authority of investing his Prelates The Pope started up and answered neither will I loose the disposing of spritual Promotions in England for the Kings head that wears the Crown before God I avow it so the Contention grew long and hot and many Messengers were sent to and fro about it the Conclusion was that the King should receive homage of the Bishop Elect but should not invest them by Staff and Ring to which the King said nothing for the present but forbore not to do it nevertheless for five years after the death of Anselm Ralph Bishop of Rochester was by the King made Arch-Bishop of Canterbury notwithstanding all the Popes threaâ—nings At this time there being two Popes chosen at one time made a great Schism and Tumult years since Christ 1159 the Emperor to quiet them sent for them to appear before him Alexander being one that was chosen scorns the motion Victor doth appear him therefore the Emperor aids to the City and settles him to be Pope Alexander flyes to France and Venice and requires aid against the Emperor at last the Emperor was fain to submit to the Pope who putting his foot upon the Emperors Neck spake these words Thou shalt walk upon the Adders and Basilicks and shalt tread down the Lyon and Dragon mean while the Emperor speaking to the Pope from under his foot not to thee but to Peter the Pope answers both to me and to Peter Thus the Emperor having subjected himself promising to take Alexander for the true Pope and to restore all that he had taken from Rome departed Henry Emperor is crowned on condition of restoring many things to St Peter pretended by the Pope to have been taken away the Pope holding the Crown between his feet and so the Emperor stoops with his head to take it on the Pope immediately with his foot strikes it off again intimating his power to depose him as well as Crown him the Cardinals taking up the Crown thus kicked of puts it on again years since Christ 1216 About the year 1216. after the death of Habert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury the Moâ—ks of that Covent secretly in the night elected one Reginald their Sub-prior to succeed him and caused him to go to Rome for confirmation but afterward doubting how the King would take it being done without his Knowledge they crave leave of King John to chose a fit man the King is content to allow them the Election but requires himself to have the nomination and thereupon commends unto them John Gray Bishop of Norwich whom he specially favoured and accordingly the Monks Elect him but the matter being afterward referred to the Pope which of these Elections should stand good after many Allegations on both sides the Pope to shew himself indifferent to both disallows them both and nominates a third man one Stephen Langton an English-man a Cardinal the Monks admit him but the King opposes it the Contest grew hot but at first the King gave the Pope as good as he brought for as the Pope threatned the King to Excommunicate him and to interdict the Kingdom so the King threatned the Pope to nullifie his Authority and to banish the Clergy men out of the Realm as the Pope acted as much as he threatned for he interdicted the Kingdom So the King performed as much as he had spoken for he drove the Monks out of the Cloysters yet at last when the Popes Legate came into England he told the King in what great danger he stood first of the King of France by invasion and then of his own Subjects by Rebellion forboth which there was no other help but reconcilement with the Pope this so touched him to the quick that he made him
Flesh and Blood of Christ And for saying That he would never vail his Bonnet to it if he burnt therefore And for saying That if he heard Mass he should be damned For these things he was accused of his Master and Mistress and sent up by them to the Bishop of Canterbury with Letters desiring that he might be severely punished for the same but no mention is made of his Execution and so that may be past by and return may be to give a short account of the Reformation in this Kings time and how far it extended Injunctions were set out in his time viz that Bibles in English should be placed in some convenient place in the Church so called that the People might read in them when they pleased and rather be furthered to read them then hindred by the Priests or Curates And the Priests or Curates should not at any time haunt Taverns or Ale-houses neither spend their time Idly in unlawful Games but should give themselves to read and hear the Scriptures read and every Benificed-Preacher to preach twice a year and that all Monuments of Idolatry in Churches so called and Houses and Windows should be taken away and that Homilies should be read every Sunday He took away and abrogated all Acts made by former Kings for reformation of Hereticks and Lollords and the Act of the six Articles and all Acts published prohibiting the speading the Scriptures in English He also sent out a Letter to the Arch-Bishop signed by the Council to abolish Images and that the Altars should be taken down and a Table set up instead thereof Though this may be acounted but a little Reformation to what is since yet it so troubled the Popish Adversaries that they sought all the wayes and means they could to hinder its further proceeding and growth and would not be satisfied untill they had found out a way to answer their Wicked purposes And now the old Adversary of all good put it in the Heads of the Popish Party to charge the Duke of Somerset the Kings Vncle and Protector of his Person and the Realm as that he was the occasion of all the Sedition that had happened in the Realm c. And though he was in a high state yet that could not nor did not preserve him and indeed it is a vain thing for man to put Trust or Confidence upon the brickle Pillars of Worldly Prosperity how high soever it seemeth considering that where vertue is most prefect it is there most envied by Wicked men as in the Example of this Duke appears This Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset being Protector had a Brother who was high Admiral of England these two Brethren so long as they were knit and joyned together in Love and Concord preserved themselves the King and whole Common-Wealth from the Violenâ—e and Fear of Danger of all their Adversaries But the old Subtil Serpent alwayes envying mans felicity through Slanderous Tongues sought to sow matter first of discord between them then of Suspition and last of all of Extream Hatred insomuch that the Protector suffered his Brother being accused whether true or false the Lord knoweth to be Condemned and to lose his Head whereby it came to pass that not long after he himself was over-matched by his Adversaries and overthrown by them and being cast into the Tower at last lost his Head also to the great Lamentation of many good men and so the fall of one Brother was the Ruin of the other for it was not long after the Admiral was beheaded but that Insurrections began in several parts of the Kingdom but after they were subdued several of the Lords assembled at Baynard Castle and at the Mayor of Londons House and had great Consultations against the Protector who was then with the King at Hampton Court which the King hearing of sent the Secretary to them with a Message to which they made no answer and not long after published a Proclamation in the City against the Protector charging him with divers Crimes as that he should be the chief Occasion of all the Sedition that had of late happened in the Kingdom and that he did what in him lay to cause Variance between the King and the Nobles and desired the City to aid them the King also sent the Mayor and City a Letter requiring aid likewise This made the Mayor and Citizens in a strait some being for helping the King and some on the other side for helping the Lords and against the Protector the Recorder prest the Citizens to assist the Lords against the Protector who he said had abused the King and the whole Realm and prest the Common Council for an Answer and that they would declare what they would do but they were silent in the matter until one Geâ—rge Stadlow stood up and told them It is good to consider of things pâ—st to avoid dangers in things to come and then related to them what inconveniences damage befel the Citizens in assisting the Barons in their Wars against King Henry the third In conclusion the Lords hearing what past in the City assembled in the Star-Chamber next day sent a Messenger to the King to VVindsor who so ordered his matter with the King that the Protector was apprehended and shortly after was had to the Tower in London and there was charged with several Articles and a terrible Proclamation put out against him but through the Kings Love and labouring in his behalf he was shortly after let out of the Tower and the Proclamation called in again after which trouble he continued two years at Liberty though not restored to his former Office But after this respite he was again apprehended and committed to the Tower from whence he was in a short time after convey'd through the City with the Tower-Ax carried before him to VVestminster and there tryed by the Peers where in a quiet patient and Suffering Spirit he Modestly Behaved himself shewing himself an Example of Meekness yea wisely replying to the Articles objected against him and was at last cleared of the Treason laid to his charge which the People understanding were greatly rejoyced at but his Adversaries quickly found out another Snare for they charged him with Felony for intending and purposing the death of the Earl of Northumberland which was by them adjudged Felony according to a Law wherein it was enacted That it should be Felony for any Subject to seek or procure the death of any Pâ—â—â—y Councillor and being condemned he was again conveyed to the Tower and shortly after from thence was had to the place of Execution where neither his Voice nor countenance changed but after his usual manner he spake to the people to this effect Dearly beloved Friends I am brought hither to suffer death though I never offended the King neither in Word nor Deed and have been always as faithful and true to this Realm as any man hath been And after other words he said morecover Dearly beloved
miserably Also one named Claude De Astes a Councellor in the said Court the same day he gave his Opinion and Consent to burn a faithful Christian albeit it was not done indeed as he would have it after he had dined committed Whoredom with a Servant in the House and even in doing the Act was stricken with a disease called an Apoplexia whereof he died out of hand Peter Lyset chief President of the said Court and one of the Authors of the aforesaid burning Chamber was deposed from his Office for being known to be out of his right wit and bereaved of his understanding Also John Moren Lievtenant Crimnel of the Provost of Paris after he had been the cause of the Death of many Christians was finally stricken with a disease in the Legs called the Wolves whereby he lost the use of them and died also out of his wits many dayes before denying and blaspheming God Likewise John Andrew Book-Binder of the Palace a spie for the President Liset and of Bruseard the Kings Soliciter died in a Fury of Madness The Inquisitor John De Roma in Province his flesh fell from him by piece-meal and so stinking that no man might come near him for the smell thereof Also John Minerius of Province who was the cause of the death of a great Number of Men Women and Children at Cabriers and at Merindol died with bleeding in the lower parts the Fire having taken his Belly blaspheming and despising God besides many other whereof we might make recital which were punished with the like kind of death It may please your Majesty to remember your self that ye had no sooner determined to set upon us but new troubles were by and by moved by your Enemies with whom ye could make no Agreement which God would not suffer forasmuch as your Peace was grounded upon the Persecution which ye pretended against Gods Servants as also your Cardinals cannot let through their cruelty the course of the Gospel which hath taken such root in your Realm that if God should give you leave to destroy the Professers thereof you should be almost a King without Subjects Tertullian hath well said that the blood of Martyrs is the Seed of the Gospel wherefore to take away all these evils coming of the riches of the Papists which cause so much Whoredom Sodomitry and Incest wherein they wallow like Hogs feeding their idle Bellies the best way were to put them from their Lands and Possessions as the Old Sacrificing Levites were according to the express Commandment given to Joshua for as long as the Commandment of God took place and that they were void of Ambition the purity of Religion remained whole and perfect but when they began to aspire to Principallity Riches and worldly Honours then began the Abomination of Desolation that Christ foretold It was even so in the Primitive Church for it flourished and continued in all pureness as long as the Ministers were of small wealth and sought not their particular profit but the Glory of God only but since the Pope began to be Prince like and to usurp the Dominion of the Empire under the colour of a false Donation of Constantine they have turned the Scriptures from their true sence and have attributed the service to themselves which we owe to God wherefore your Majesty may seize with good right upon all the Temperallities of the Benefices and that with a safe Conscience to Employ them to their true and right use First For the finding and maintaining of the faithful Ministers of the Word of God for such Livings shall be requisite for them according as the case shall require Secondly For the entertainment of your Justices that give Judgment Thirdly For the relieving of the poor and Maintenance of the Colledges to instruct the poor Youths in that which they shall be most apt unto and the rest which is infinite may remain for entertainment of your own Estate and Affairs to the great easment of your poor People which alone bear the Burden and possess in manner nothing In this doing an infinite Number of men and even of your Nobility which live of the Crucifex should imploy themselves to your Service and the Common Wealths so much the more diligently as they see that ye recompence none but those that have deserved whereas now there is an infinite Number of men in your Kingdom which occupy the chiefest and greatest Benifices which never deserved any part of them c. And thus much touching the Superfluous Possessions of the Popish Lordly Clergy Now proceeding further in this Exhortation to the King thus the Letter importeth But when the Papists see they have not to alledg for themselves any reason they say to make odious to your Majesty the Lutherans as they call us and say if their sayings take place ye shall be fain to remain a private person and that there is never change of Religion but there is also change of Princedom a thing as false as when they accuse us to be Sacramentaries and that we deny the Authority of Magistrates under the shaddow of a certain furious Anabaptist which Sathan hath raised in our time to Darken the Light of the Gospel for the Histories of the Emporors which have begun to receive the Christian Religion and that which is come to pass in our time shew the contrary Was there ever Prince more feared and obeyed then Constantine in receiving the Christian Religion Was he therefore put from the Empire No he was thereby the more confirmed and established in the same and also his Posterity which ruled themselves by his Providence but such as are fallen away and followed mens Traditions God hath destroyed and their Race is no more known in the Earth so much doth God detest them that forsake him and in our time the late Kings of England and Germany were they constrained in reproving Superstitions which the wickedness of the time hath brought in to forsake their Kingdoms and Princedoms All men see the contrary and what honour fidelity and obedience of the people in our time that have received the Reformation of the Gospel do under their Princes and Superiours yae I may say that the Princes knew not before what it was to be obeyed at that time when the rude and ignorant people received so readily the dispensations of the Pope to drive out their own Kings and Natural Lords The true and only remedy Sir is that ye cause to be holden a holy and free Council where ye should be chief and not the Pope and his who ought but only to defend their causes by the holy Scriptures that in the mean while ye may seek out men not corrupted suspected nor partial whom ye may charge to give report faithfully unto you of the true sence of the holy Scriptures and this done after the Example of the good King Jehosaphat Hezekias and Josiâ—â— ye shall take out of the Church all Idolatry Superstitions and Abuse which is found directly
before and he was buried with his Fathers after he had been the avenger of the Israelites twenty years The Israelites being grievously oppressed by the Philistines year of the world 2908 Sampson being dead Samuel was raised up of the Lord to be a Prophet unto them who by his faithfulness was found a true Prophet Samuel the Prophet is raised up and by his word he was known to be faithful in Vision he exhorted them to turn unto the Lord with all their hearts and to put away their strange Gods and to prepare their hearts unto the Lord and to serve him only and then he would deliver them out of the hands of the Philistines Then the Children of Israel did put away their Gods His care to turn the People from Idolatty and served the Lord only and the Philistines came no more to envade the borders of the Israelites because they saw the Hand of the Lord was against them all the dayes of Samuel till Saul came to be King under whom they returned again and grievously oppressed Israel Samuel taking his Sons to help to Judge the People they walked not in the way of their Father and Samnel being now grown old took to him his two Sons to be his Assistants to Judge the People and his Sons walked not in his wayes but turned aside after lucre and took Bribes and perverted Judgment wherefore the Israelites were offended and desired Samuel that they might have a King to Rule them as other Nations had this displeased Samuel and he prayed unto the Lord At which the people being offended desire they might have a King and the Lord said Hearken unto the People for they have not rejected thee but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them Whereupon God gave them a King in his Wrath to wit Saul and now began the Israelites trouble again for the Amorites besiege them Saul being given for a King he reigned but a short time and Saul reigned but a short time until he was put from the Kingdom by the Philistines and the Israelites were again grievously enthroaled by them Jesse the Ephrathite in his old age had his youngest Son David born at Bethlehem year 2919 which was afterwards therefore called the City of David thirty years before he succeeded Saul in the Kingdom God having now rejected Saul year 2941 and debarred his Race and Family from succeeding in the Kingdom sent Samuel after his long mourning for Saul to Bethlehem there to anoint David to be King forty years before the Rebellion of Absolom who being a lovely keeper of a lovely Flock was called from keeping his Fathers Sheep and prefered before his Elder Brethren and being anointed in their presence he incurred their envy no lest then Joseph did of his Brethren David is anointed King and at last was set over the Tribe of Juda at the same age that Joseph was made Ruler over all Egypt mean while from the very day of his anointing the Spirit of God came upon him to wit the Spirit of Courage and Wisdom in both which respects even whilst Saul lived he was made Captain over Israel and withal grew a great Warrior to Fight the Lords Battel and besides was a Prophet and made the sweet Singer of Israel as one who by his divine Psalms should teach and instruct the People of God Davids Combate with the Philiâ—â—ine The Armies of the Israelites and Philistines being ready to Battel Caliah of Gath the Philistine their great Champion defied the Armies of Israel wherefore David being stirred in his Zeal said who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defie the Armies of the living God but Eliab Davids eldest Bother hearing him was offended and askt him with whom he had left the Sheep in the Wilderness and told him he knew his Pride and naughtiness of his heart and saith he thou art come down that thou mayst see the Battel David said what I have now down is there not a Cause Saul being acquainted with Davids words sent for him and David told Saul he would fight the Philistine Saul replyed Thou art not able to fight him he is a man of War and thou art but a Youth David tells him whilst he was keeping his Fathers Sheep he had killed a Lyon and a Bear and that this uncircumcised Philistine who had defied the Armies of the living God should be as one of them then Saul bid him go and said the Lord be with thee and armed him with his Armour which David put off again and took only his Staff and five smooth Stones out of the Brook and put them in his Shepherds bag and with his Sling in his hand he drew neer to the Philistine The Philistine defied his coming so meanly armed David said Thou comest with Sword Spear and Shield I come in the Name of the Lord of Host and all thy Assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with Sword and Spear for the Battel is the Lords And David slew the Philistine with a Stone and a Sling and Saul taking notice of David's Valour enquired whose Son the Stripling David was and David brought the Philistines Head to Saul which he had cut off with the Philistines own Sword having first slain him with a Stone he Sling at him and David told Saul whose Son he was and after this David went out whithersoever Saul sent him and behaved himself wisely The cause of Sauls anger against David And David returning from the Slaughter of the Philistine because it was said Saul hath Slain his thousands and David his ten thousands Saul was very wroth with David from that day forwards and an evil Spirit entered Saul and the Lord departed from him and he was affraid of David David well beloved of the People because he saw the Lord was with him and David behaved himself wisely and all Israel and Juda loved him but especially Jonathan the Son of Saul who made a Covenant with David because he loved him as his own Soul and David fearing he might at last fall into Sauls hands fled for Saul became Davids Enemy continually And now David being fled and the Armies of the Philistines invading the Land Saul fell into a fear sought counsel from the Lord Sauls Evil course in going to the Witch of Endor and what the effects thereof proved to him but receiving no answer from him neither by Dream nor by Urim nor by Prophets he went to Endor by night to consult with a Witch where by Vision he saw Samuel who told Saul God shall deliver Israel together with thy self into the hands of the Philistines for the Lord hath rent the Kingdom out of thine hand and given it to thy Neighbour even to David because thou obeyed not the Voice of the Lord nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalcek The Host of Israel being routed the Sons of Saul were all slain and Saul killed himself when David heard it
David Lamenteth the death-of Saul and Jonathan he much lamented the Death of Saul and Jonathan saying Tell it not in Gath publish it not in the Streets of Askelon lest the Daughters of the Philistines rejoyce left the Daughters of the uncircumcised triumph and further he said I am distressed for thee my Brother Jonathan very pleasant hast thou been unto me thy Love to me was wonderful passing the love of Women David having now built him an House of Cedar and living in a full and perfect peace imparted unto Nathan the Prophet year of the world 2960 Davids purpose to build a House for God but put by it and why the purpose he had of building an House for God but was answered from God that this was a work which should be done not by him because he was a man of Blood but by his Son Solomon a man of Peace which should be born unto him Now David subdued the Philistines the Edomites the Amalekites the Moabites the Ammonites and the Syrians and the Bounds of Israel were stretched out to the outmost part of all that Land which had been formerly promised to the Seed of Abraham but never before possessed so fully by any of them as by David and Solomon his Son year of the world 2969 David's great sin At the end of this year whilest David took his ease at Jerusalem he there defiled by Adultery Bathsheba the Wife of Uriah the Hittite who was then in the Army and in consequence thereof procured the Husband to be slain by the hands of the Ammonites â—eing convinced of his evil by the Prophet repented when the Child so gotten in Adultery was born David being convinced by Nathan the Prophet of his evil acknowledged his Transgression saying My sin is ever before me and repented of his sin as may be seen at large in Psalm 51. yet the new born Babe was taken away by death year of the world 2971 Bathsheba being now his Wfe bare David a Son unto whom Solomon born as to one who should prove a man of Peace God gave the name of Solomon as to one beloved of God the Name of Jedidia year of the world 2987 The Lord was angery with David and why David for numbring the People kindled the Wrath of God against the Israelites wherefore Gad the Prophet told David thus saith the Lord Chuse one of them that I may do unto thee viz. whether Famine Sword or Pestilence and David said I am in great streight and his Heart smote him David chose to fall into the hands of God for he saw the evil he had done in Numbering the People and said Let us now fall into the Hands of the Lord for his Mercies are great and let me not fall into the hands of men So the Lord sent the Pestilence upon Israel and there died seventy thousand men in one day David being now seventy years of age year of the world 2989 and broken with continually Cares and Wars David grown old grew weak and feeble and Adonias his Son seeing his Father thus declining by the counsel and advice of Joah and Abiathar the high Priest Adonias his Son strives for the Kingdom David causeth Solomon to be anointed King made himself King whereof when David was advertized by Bathsheba and Nathan he presently caused his Son Solomon to be anointed King by Zadock the Priest and Nathan the Prophet and Benajah the Son of Jehojada in Gihon which so soon as Adonias heard he presently fled and afterwards laying hold on the Horns of the Altar was pardoned by the favour of Solomon and set at liberty Whereupon Adonias flies and now David assembling all the Governours and chief of Israel together with his Sons and Servants exhorted them all to fear and worship God David departed this life year of the world 2990 having reigned in Hebron seven years and and six Moneths David dies and thirty three years in Jerusalem over all Israel Solomon loved the Lord year of the world 2991 and walked in the Statutes of David his Father Solomons Uprightness to walk before the Lord. and in Gibeon the Lord appeared to him in a Dream and bid him ask and chuse what he would and it should be given him and Solomon said Thou hast shewed unto thy Servant David my Father great mercy according as he walked before thee in Truth and Righteousness and now O Lord my God thou hast made thy Servant King instead of David my Father and I am but a little Child I know not how to go out or come in He asketh Wisdom and he asked Wisdom and an Understanding Heart to be given him of God and the Speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing God therefore gave him Wisdom from above Wherefore God gave him Wisdom beyond any before or after The first experience of Solomons Wisdom exceeding any that was before him or should come after him and of his Wisdom the first Experiment was made in deciding the Controversie between the two Women about the Child which first gave him an esteem among the People when they saw the Wisdom of God was in him to do Judgment Solomon having according to his Fathers direction in whose heart it was to build an House for the Name of the Lord God of Israel built the Temple year of the world 2012 which was seven years and a half in building How long the Temple was building in the building of which there was neither Hammer nor Ax nor any Tool of Iron heard in the House whilst it was in building and now Solomon having built the Temple he placed there the Ark wherein was the Covenant of the Lord which he made with the Children of Israel when he brought them out of the Land of Aegypt and Solomon stood before the Altar of the Lord and in the Presence of the People said Lord God of Israel there is no God like thee in Heaven above or in Earth beneath who keepest Covenant and Mercy with thy Servants that walk before thee with all their heart and he made a long prayer for the Preservation of the People desir'd the Lord would be with them Solomons Prayer for he People as he was with their Fathers and not leave them nor forsake them and that he would incline their Hearts unto him to walk in all his Wayes and to keep his Statutes and Judgments which he commanded their Fathers Thus was Solomons beginning Solomons heart drawn away from the Lord. but it was not long after until he was drawn away by many strange Women who towards his latter dayes drew away his Heart into Idolatry and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God as was the Heart of David his Father for he went after the Abominations of the Amonites and he did evil in the sight of the Lord The Lord angry with Solomon and went not fully after the Lord as
did David his Father and he built an high place for Chemosh the Abomination of Moab and for these things the Lord was angry with Solomon and said Because thou hast not kept my Covenant I will surely rend the Kingdom from thee yet in thy dayes I will not do it for David thy Fathers sake but after this Solomon repented deeply and made his peace with the Lord Solomon repenteth as may be seen at large in the Book called the Preacher and at last he died when he had reigned forty years Rehoboam the Son of Solomon year of the world 3029 when all Israel met at Sechem to make him King Rehoboam through his unadvisedness turns away the Peoples heart from him by a harsh answer made unto them alienated the hearts of the ten Tribes from him who presently sending into Egypt for Jeroboam the Son of Nebat made him King over them and fell off both from the House of David and also from the true Worship of God in memorial of which sad disaster the Jews afterward kept a Solemn fast yearly upon the twenty third of the third Moneth called Sivan from this dismal rent made in that Kingdom Rehoboam reigned over Judea and Benjamin seventeen years and Jeroboam over Israel that is over the ten Tribes by the space of twenty years And now Jeroboam fearing lest his new-gotten Subjects should revolt from him again Ierâ—â—â—ms Idolatry to divert their thoughts from looking any more after Jerusalem set up a new deviced Form of Religion setting up two Golden Calves the one at Bethell the other at Dan and there he offered Sacrifices to his Calves and the People run a Whoring after his Idolatry At which time a Prophet and Man of God out of Judea went to Bethell and cryed out against the Altar in the Word of the Lord The Prophet is sent of God to reprove him and bore his Testimony against the Kings Idolatry and when the King stretched forth his hand to lay hold on him his hand was dried up and the Prophet foretold That the Altar should be Rent After this Prophet had done his Message he was charged by the Lord not to eat Bread nor to drink Water nor return by the way that he came but being deceived by another who said he was a Prophet and abused the Word of God unto him was unfaithful to Gods Command wherefore The Prophet slain for his disobedience as he was returning homeward he was slain by a Lyon whereof when tidings came to the Prophet which had deceived him he took up his Body and buried it mourning over him year of the world 3030 saying Alas my Brother and assured his Sons that what had been foretold by the man of God should come to pass The Israelites who feared God falling off from Jeroboam to Rehoboam maintained the Kingdom of Juda three years for so long walked they in the wayes of David and Solomon Rehoboam being once settled in his Kingdom year of the world 3046 forsook the Law of the Lord and all Israel and Juda with him Rehoboam forsoke the Lord. for the Jews who by their good Example should have stirred up their Brethren the Israelites to repentance provoked the Lord with their own Sins wherein they offended more then any of their fore-Fathers had done for they made also to themselves High-places Images and Groves upon every high Hill and under every green Tree doing according to all the Abominations of the Gentiles which the Lord had therefore cast out before them After Rehoboam succeeded Abijah year of the world 3046 who putting his trust and confidence in God obtained a great Victory against Jeroboam and slew five hundred thousand men and took Bethel where one of the Idolatrous Calves was set up After the death of Abijah year of the world 3049 Asa his Son succeeded and God gave ten years peace without interuption in the Land and this godly King Asa put away all Idolatry Asa throw down Idolatry and reformed the Kingdom but when Asa dyed though he was good yet a better succeeded in his staâ—d his Son called Jehosaphat who being settled in his Kingdom began with taking away the High-places Iehosaphats good reign and the Groves but when Jehosaphat dyed year of the world 3115 Jehoram his wicked Son slew all his Brethren and many of the Princes of Israel and following the counsel of his wicked Wife Athaliah set up in Juda Iehorams Idolatry and even in Jerusalem it self the Idolatrous worship of Baal after the manner of his Father-in-law Ahab and his house He is reproved by the Prophet for which he was reproved in a letter by the Prophet Elias who foretold him what Calamities should fall upon him because he had not walked in the wayes of his Father but had made Juda and the Inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a Whoring like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab and also had slain his Brethren of his Fathers house The Judgment that God inflicted on him which were better then himself and according to what the Prophet had foretold the Lord struck Jehoram with an incurable dissease in the Bowels and he died a miserable death and his Son Achazia succeeded him who also walked in the wayes of the wicked house of Ahab for his Mother was his Counsellour to do wickedly and the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord was his destruction being sick he asked counsel of Baal-zebub the God of the Ekronites concerning his recovery the Prophet Elias told the King plainly that he should dye and accordingly he dyed Athaliab through cruelty possesses her self of the Kingdom The secret Athalia the Daughter of Ahab seeing her own Son Achazia dead destroyed all the Race of the house of Juda and possessed her self of the Kingdom but Jehosheba the Daughter of King Joram and Wife to Jehoida the high Priest took Joash being then an Infant and Son to her Brother Ahazia and him with his Nurse hid six moneths in the Temple preservatien of Joash whilest Athalia ruled and at seven years end brought him forth and anointed him King and caused Athalia to be slain and restored the worship of the True God Athalia slain destroying the worship of Baal Whilst this King had good Counsel he did right This Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the dayes of Jehojada the Priest now after the death of Jehojada the King hearkning to the Princes of Juda they left the house of the Lord God of their Fathers and served Groves and Idols for which Sin the Lord sent his wrath upon them He turns into Idolatry yet he sent his Prophets to testifie against them and to bring them back again but they would not hear and Zechariah the Son of Jehoiada was moved by the Spirit of God to tell them that they had forsaken God The Prophets reproves him and that he had forsaken
the Council sought false Witness against him and found none at last two Witnesses came but their Testimony agreed not Caiphas then said answerest thou not to what they witness against thee but Jesus held his peace then he adjured him that he should tell whether he were the Christ and he answered I am wherefore they judged him guilty of death for this Blasphemy as they accounted it Their cruelty to him Then they Mocked him and Spit on him and cruelly beat him with Buffits and Staves and covering his Face they said Prophesie who smote thee and many other things they reproachfully spoke against him And they led him bound unto Pontius Pilate the Governour from Caiphas to the Hall of Judgment and they began to accuse him saying We found this Man perverting the Nation and forbidding to give Tribute to Caesar The chief Priests accuse him falsly saying that himself is Christ a King and when he was accused of the chief Priest and Elders he answered nothing then said Pilate unto him Hearest thou not how many things they Witness against thee but he answered him not a word so that Pilate marvell'd then said Pilate take ye him judge him according to your Law but they urged it is not lawful for us to put any man to death Pilate then entered into the Judgment Hall again and called Jesus and said unto him He is called before Pilate again Art thou the King of the Jews Jesus answered Sayest thou this of thy self or did others tell it thee of me Pilate answered Am I a Jew thine own Nation and the chief Priests have delivered thee unto me what hast thou done Jesus answered My Kingdom is not of this World Pilate therefore said unto him Art thou a King then His answer to Pilate Jesus answered For this cause came I into the World that I might bear Witness unto the Truth Pilate said unto him What is Truth And when he had said this he went out again unto the Jews and said unto them Pilate finds no fault in him I find in him no fault at all and they were the more fierce saying He stirreth up the People teaching throughout all Galilee to this place Pilate therefore hearing of Galilee asked if he were a Galilean and when he knew that he belonged to Herod's Juridictions he sent him to Herod who was at Jerusalem in those dayes Being in Herods Jurisdiction he is sent by Pilate to him and when he saw Jesus he was exceeding glad but being deceived in his hopes of seeing a Miracle and not vouchsafed any answer either to him or the chief Priests and Scribes vehemently accusing him after Herod had set Jesus at nought and mocked him Sends him back to Pilate arrayed in a gorgeous Robe Herâ—d sends him back and both the Governors were made Friends that same day and Pilate when he had called the chief Priests and the Rulers and the People said unto them Neither I nor Herod find any fault in him Pilate would have released him nor any thing worthy of Death I will therefore Chastize him and release him for the Governor was of necessity every Feast as the custom was to deliver to the People one Prisoner whom they would and the Multitude crying out aloud began to desire that he would do unto them as he had ever done Pilate therefore calling them said unto them Ye have a custom that I should release unto you one at the Passover will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews The Iews still prosecute their envy against him Which will ye either this man or Barrabas For he knew that the chief Priests had delivered him for envy but they stirred up the People that he should rather deliver Barrabas unto them Now he was a notable Thief who lay bound with them that made Insurrection and for Insurrection and Murder in the City was Cast into Prison and when Pilate was sate down in the Judgment Seat his Wife sent unto him saying Have nothing to do with the just man Pilate fits again His Wife Warns him for I have suffered many things in my Dream by reason of him this day Pilate therefore spake unto them again being willing to release Jesus which of the twain will you that I release unto you but they all cryed out saying not him but Barrabas Pilate therefore answering said unto them what will you that I shall do unto him that ye call King of the Jews and they all cryed out again Crucifie him Pilate said but what evil hath he done I find no Cause of death in him I will therefore Chaâ—tize him and let him go but they cryed more earnestly Crucifie him and were very instant with loud Voices desiring the same The Jews Cruelty then Pilate took Jesus and Scourged him and the Soldiers plated a Crown of Thornes and put it on his Head and cloathed him with Purple saying Haile King of the Jews and beat him with staves Pilate therefore went forth again and said unto them behold I bring him forth unto you that you may know I find no fault in him then Jesus came forth wearing the Crown of Thorns and the Robe and Pilate said unto them behold the man When the Chief Priests and Officers saw him they cryed out saying Crucifie him Crucifie him Pilate said take ye him and Crucifie him for I find no fault in him the Jews said he ought to dye because he made himself the Son of God when Pilate therefore heard that saying he was the more affraid Pilate went again into the Judgment Hall and went again into the Judgment Hall and said to Jesus Whence art thou but Jesus gave him no answer then said Pilate speakest thou not unto me knowest thou not that I have Power to Crucifie thee Jesus answered thou couldest have no power unless it were given thee from above and from thence forth Pilate sought to release him but the Jews cryed out then thou art not Caesars Friend when Pilate heard this he brought forth Jesus and sate in the Judgment Seat in the Place called the Pavement and it was the Preparation of the Passover and about the sixth hour then said he unto the Jews The chief Priests wickedness behold your King but they cryed out Away with him Away with him Crucifie him Pilate said unto them shall I Crucifie your King Then answered the Chief Priests we have no King but Caesar Pilate washeth his hands and why when Pilate therefore saw that he prevailed nothing but that rather a Tumult was made he took water and washed his hands before the Multitude saying I am innocent of the Blood of this just Person see you to it and all the People answered and said his Blood be upon us and our Children then willing to content the Multitude he released unto them Barrabas and when he had scourged Jesus he delivered him â—ver to their will that he might be
leave his great words and fall to ask him forgiveness so as taking off his Crown from his head he laid it down at the Legates feet to be disposed of as the Pope should please and the Legate stuck not to take up his Crown and to keep it three or four dayes in his hands before he restored it and did not then neither but upon Condition that he and his Successors should hold the Kingdom of the See of Rome at the Annual Tribute of a Thousand Marks This King John was shortly after as it is Recorded poysoned by one Simon a Monk who being absolved of his Abbot before hand for doing this fact to accomptish his Design he finds a Toad in the Garden and pricks him with a Pen-Knife until he had made him vomit up all his Poyson which he having conveyed into a Cup of Wine began to the King with a smiling countinance speaking these words If it shall please your Princely Majesty here is such a Cup of Wine as you never drank a better I turst this Wassel shall make all England glad The King having drunk and anon being ill enquired for Simon the Monk to whom some answered that he was departed this life for his Guts gushed out of his Belly the King replyed then God have mercy on my Soul and so he dyed much repenting of his former life About this time several persons were stirred up by the Lord to declare against the Pope as an Heretick and were by him condemned for their pains viz. Arnoldus Johannes Semeca Gulielmus de Santo amorie Gallus and Grosthead great Writers against the Popes Decrees giving many signs of false Teachers of whom see more in my Testimonies of the Martyrs The Pope being at odds with the Emperor Fredrick the second years since Christ 1248 would not at any hand be reconciled though the King of France strongly interceed and the Emperor himself cleared himself of all imputation and offered full saitsfaction for all pretended wrongs and to go out of his Empire if the Pope would not endure him there to the holy Land never to return into Europe again so as his Son Henry Nephew to King Henry of England might succeed him with offer of other most reasonable conditions These Oppositions of the Pope against Christian Emperours and Kings gave the Turks great advantage of prevailing against those called Christians and the grand Cause that God did not prosper the Christians in their wars in the holy-Land was imputed to the Christians adhering to their Masses and other Superstitions And thus having given a brief Relation of the most material Passages in the Affairs of the pretended Christian Church till this time I shall now Proceed to give a Discovery of the beginning and proceedings of the Monks Fryars and Jesuites who now began to swarm in the Apostized Church of the Papists We read that many Religious men heretofore contemning the World and all the Pomp Pride and Vanity thereof withdrew themselves into the Wilderness and Desart places in Syria Aegypt and other Countries it being in the time of great Persecution to the end they might the better being not troubled in the worldly cares and incumbrance bestow their time in reading the Scriptures Fasting Praying Meditating and such divine Exercises whereof Paul sirnamed the first Hermit Anthony Hilarion Basil and Jerome were the first and chiefest among the Christians who for their Sanctity of Life were in those dayes had in great Honour for then this kind of life was simple and free and not bound or Tyed to Unlawful Vows and Ridiculous Ceremonies as afterwards came to be observed by such as were called Monks and Fryars their Habit was then homely and yet decent as every man best pleased to wear neither were they bound to abide or remain in any one particular place nor tyed to one kind of life by Vow but free to stay there where they liked best or to go into any City or Country where they would at their own pleasure they sought out the most Desart place as they could find that is in the Wilderness working with their hands and getting their living with the sweat of their Brows gave a singular good Example to all men to live Virtuously and Godly instructing their Families and others that resorted unto them to lead a godly and Christian Life and were admired and honoured of all good men for their Doctrine Integrity of Life and godly zeal for as yet saith the History the Christians had but one Law and one Religion which afterwards fell out otherwise to the Grief and Sorrow of the Upright among them to see what Rents and Divisions Sects and Factions Superstitions and Ceremonies were brought in amongst them although good stirrings there might be amongst these that lived this private life Their Successors and Imitators were far unlike them for the words of Philo cited by Eusebius are these Now let our Monks saith he who live like Kings who swim in all manner of delights and pleasures who affect nothing more then Promotion and Honour and whose chiefest care and studdy is to gather Wealth and to hoord up Gold Silver c. About this time several Sects of Monks began to spread forth out of the Order of Benedictus years since Christ 562 their Habit was to wear a black loose Coat of Stuff reaching down to their heels with a Cowle or Hood to cover their bald Pates which hangs down to their Shoulders and under that Coat another white Habit as large as the former they shave the hairs off their heads except one little round Circle which they leave round about their heads which they call Corona they are bound to abstain from Flesh unless it be when they are sick These Benedictine Monks would have the World believe that they are godly and religious men and would not be ranked with the Jesuites who were States men for they poor Monks meddle not with matters of State or with Kings Affairs but for all their counterfeit holiness an English Benedictine Monk of Swinsted Abby Poysoned King John as is before related for the which fact he was still is highly honoured by all Papist in general and one saith on him thus Regem perimere Meritorium ratus est he thought it a meritorious deed for to kill the King About this time began to peep out another Sect of Monks years since Christ 1047 called Montelinetences at the time when there were three several Popes living who troubled all Christendom for their Papacy the Institutor of this Family of Monks was one Bernardus Ptolomeus they lived at the first at Sienna in Italy but afterwards having gathered their Crumbs together they built an Abby on the top of a hill not far from thence they wear a white Habit this Family was approved by Pope Gregory the twelfth The Bethlemite Fryars began 1257. their first dwelling was at Cambridge years since Christ 1257 and their Habit was like the Dominican Fryars saving that these did wear a Star
preached by Christ and his Apostles pag 20. Part IV. Containing an Account of such as suffered Persecution and Martyrdom under Episcopacy c. pag. 235. An Account of the Just Judgments of God inflicted upon Persecutors wherein is shewed the Wicked Lives and most Horrible Vntimely Deaths of many of the Persecutors of Old pag. 248. A Christian-Plea against Persecutors for the Cause of Conscience grounded upon Scripture Reason Experience and Testimonies of Princes and Learned Authors Published for general Service Part I. Containing the History of the Persecutions and great Sufferings sustained by the faithfull Servants of the Lord hoth before and after the Jews Apostacy and before the Coming of Christ THe great Enemy to all mankind is that wicked Spirit of Persecution Abel persecuted by Cain it moved Cain against his righteous Brother Abel The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his Offering but unto Cain and his Offering he had not respect and Cain rose up against his Brother Abel and slew him and the Lord said unto Cain where is Abel thy Brother and he said I know not And the Lord said A Fugitive and a Vagabond shalt thou be in the Earth and Cain said unto the Lord My punishment is greater then I can bear And Pharach afflicted the People of God a long time The Children of Israel persecuted in Egypt which grieved the good Spirit of God in his People but they Cryed out to the Lord in their Oppressions for the Egyptians made the Children of Israel to serve with rigour and they made their Lives bitter with hard Bondage the King commanding the Midwives to slay all the male Children yet the Lord delivered his people out of all these afflictions with a mighty hand and he poured out his Judgments upon Pharach and upon the Egyptians that oppressed his people and he set his people free for while the People of God had a sence of their Bondage and Sufferings and Cryed unto the Lord through the multitude of their Oppressions the Lord heard and answered them and delivered them by the hand of his servant Moses by whom he gave them Laws which they were to obey and which they submitted to then God was with them as a mighty Defence and in this time of sufferings they kept nigh to the Lord and he was with them and was as a Rock of Defence unto them And because Mordecai the servant of the Lord could not bow Mordecai and the Jew persecuted by Haman nor do reverence to proud Haman Haman was full of wrath and he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone wherefore he sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole Kingdom of Abasuerus even the People of Mordecai And Haman said unto King Abasuerus There is a certain People scattered abroad and dispersed among the People in all the Provinces of thy Kingdom and their Laws are diverse from all People neither keep they the Kings Laws therefore it is not for the Kings profit to suffer them If it please the King let it be written that they may be destroyed and I will pay ten thousand Talents of Silver And the King said the Silver is given to thee the People also to do with them as seemeth good to thee and Letters were sent to the Rulers of all the Provinces to destroy all both young and old little children and Women and to take the spoil of them for a prey Thus this Proud Persecutor endeavoured to have destroyed this People A just judgment against a persecutor had not Queen Esther made supplication the King on their behalf and by that means a stop was put to the wicked design and he was hanged on the Gallows that he prepared for Mordecai And Jezebel cut off the Prophets of the Lord but Obadiah who was Governour of Ahab's house being one that feared the Lord greatly he took an hundred of the Prophets 1 Kings 18.4 and hid them by fifty in a Cave and fed them with Bread and Water And Ahab persecuted Elijah and said to him Art thou he that troubleth Israel Elijah persecuted he answered I have not troubled Israel but thou and thy fathers House in that you have forsaken the Commandments of the Lord and thou hast followed Baalim And Jezebel persecuted Elijah so that he fled into the Wilderness And Manasses persecuted the Prophet Isaiah for reproving him Jeremiah persecuted Jer. 29. and caused him to be sawn a sunder with a wooden Saw And Jeremiah for declaring the word of the Lord to all the Cities of Judah and saying Thus saith the Lord If you will not hearken to me to walk in my Law which I have set before you c. Then will I make this House like Shiloh and will make this City a Curse to all the Nations of the Earth for this Testimony he was persecuted and all the people were gathered against him in the House of the Lord and the Priests and Prophets said unto the Princes and People This man is Worthy to dye for he hath prophesied against this City Jeremiah said The Lord sent me to Prophesie against this House and against this City As for me said he behold I am in your hands do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you Chap. 23.2 But know for a certain that if ye put me to death you shall surely bring Innocent blood upon your selves and upon this City And Jeremiah was shut up in the Court of the Prison which was in the King of Judahs house And in the 37 Chap. verse 15. the Princes were wrath with Jeremiah and smote him and put him in Prison into a Dungeon Nebuchadnezzar persecuted Shadrach Meshach and Abednego because they would not bow to the Golden Image he had set up The three Children persecuted Dan. 3.23 the King told them that if they would not worship the Image which he had made they should be cast into the burning fiery Furnace they answered O Nebuchadnezzar we are not careful to answer thee in this matter if it be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the fiery Furnace and he will deliver us out of thy hand O King but if not be it known unto thee O King we will not serve thy Gods c. then was he full of fury and commanded the Furnace to be heat seven times more then it was wont to be and commanded that they should be bound with their Hats and Coats on and cast into it but the Lord preserved them in the Flames so that the Fire had no power over them The Princes under Darius also persecuted the Prophet Daniel against whom they confessed they could find no occasion except it were concerning the Law of his God Daniel persecuted wherefore they perswaded the King to make a Decree That whosoever should ask a Petition of any God or man for thirty dayes save of the King should be cast into the Den of Lions But Daniel as
constancy and so embracing the Fire she sweetly slept in the Lord. Thus near the space of three hundred years was the Church of Christ assaulted on every side had small rest no joy nor outward safety in this present World but in much bitterness of Heart in continual tears and mourning under the Cross passed over their days being spoiled imprisoned contemned reviled famished tormented and martyred every where by night assembling to sing Praises to God in all which their dreadful dangers and sorrowful afflictions notwithstanding the goodness of the Lord left them not desolate but the more their outward Tribulations did increase the more their inward Consolations did abound and the farther off they seemed from the joyes of this Life the more present was the Lord with them with Gracâ— and fortitude to confirm and rejoyce their Souls and though their possessions and riches in this World were lost and spoiled yet were they inriched with heavenly Gifts and Treasures from above an hundredfold then was true Religion truely felt in the Heart then was Christianity not in outward appearance shewed only but in inward affection received then was the Name and Fear of God true in Heart not in Lips alone dwelling Faith then was fervent Zeal ardent Prayer not swiming in the Lips but groaned out to God from the bottom of the Spirit then was no Pride in the Church nor leisure to seek riches nor time to keep them contention for Trifles was then so far from Christians that well were they when they could meet to pray together against the Devil the author of all dissention But after this the Christians coming to be in favour with the Emperours and riches and worldly wealth crept into the Clergy and the Devil poured his venom into the Church so that true humility began to decay and Pride to set in his Foot and after the Church through favour of the Emperours was indued with Lands Donations Possessions and Patrimonies and the Bishops feeling the smack of Wealth ease and prosperity began to swell in pomp and pride and the more they flourished in this World the more Gods holy Spirit forsook them till at last the Bishops who were for a long time kept low and persecuted as before is related now of persecuted People began to be Persecutors of others and through their pride and riches were wholy degenerated from the true Religion and became Adversaties to God and persecuted and destroyed his living Witnesses and Members as any were raised up from time to time to bear a Testimony against their Apostacy as in this following History will appear Part III Containing an Account of the grievous Sufferings Persecutions and Martyrdom of the Servants of the Lord inflicted on them by the Papists after the Apostacy from the antient Primitive Gospel of Truth preached by Christ and his Apostles IOhn saw there would be an Apostacy from the blessed Faith in his daies Rev. 13. for he saw a Beast rise out of the Sea and the Dragon gave him his Power and his Seat and great Authority and all the World wondered after the Beast and they worshipped the Dragon which gave Power unto the Beast and they worshipped the Beast saying Who is like unto the Beast Who is aâ—le to make War with him And he opened his Mouth in Blasphemy against God to Blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven and it was given unto him to make War with the Saints and to overcome them and power was given him over all Kindreds Tongues and Nations and all that dwell upon the Earth shall worship him whose Names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World After this great Darkness had spread over Nations and People for some years the Lord raised up some from time to time to bare Testimony according to their measures of light and knowledge they had received against the blindness and ignorance that the World was under as in the following instances the Reader may observe Robert Grosthead living in the year 1240 wrot sharply to the Pope especially for the evils he committed in England that he was opposite to Christ a Murderer of Souls and an Heretick and complained on his death-bed of the corruptions which were sprung up in the Church and inveighed bitterly against the manifold abominations of the Church and Court of Rome saying well may these verses be applied to them The whole World cannot suffice their greedy covetous mind Nor all their drabs and naughty pack their filthy lusting kind For his thundring against the Romish Church and for his publick reproving of the covetousness pride and manifold Tyrannies of the Pope he was excommunicated to the pit of Hell by Innocent the fourth and cited to come to his bloody Court but he appealed from the Popes Tyranny to the Eternal Tribunal of Jesus Christ and shortly after died Yea before this there were some found in England who testified against the corruptions of the Church of Rome and suffered for the same for in the year 884. John Patrick Erigena wrot a Book about the Lords Supper which was afterwards condemned by the Pope and he martyred for it In the year 960. some were braned in the Face at Oxford and banished for saying That the Church of Rome was the Whore of Babilon Monkery a stinking Carion their Vows nurses of sodomy Purgatory and Masses c. inventions of the Devil In the year 1126. there was one Arnold an English Preacher was cruelly butchered for preaching against Prelates pride and Priest wicked lives About the year 1160. about thirty Waldenses came into England one Gerrard being their Minister these People labouring to win Disciples to Christ were quickly smelt out by the Popish Clergy and great complaints were made against them to the King being Henry the Second who caused them to be brought before an Assembly of Bishops at Oxford where Gerrard speaking for them said to this effect we are Christians holding the Doctrine of the Apostles in their Examinations they would not admit of Salt Spittle and Exorcisms in Baptism and the Eucharist nor of binding with the stool in Marriage and being admonished to repent and return to the unity of the Church they despised that counsel and scorned threats saying Blessed are they which Suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Then did the Bishops excomunicate them and so delivered them over to be corporally Punished by the King who caused them to be burnt as Hereticks in the forehead and to be whipt through Oxford they singing all the while Blessed are ye when men hate you and dispitefully use you and the King further commanded that none should persume to receive them to house nor to cherish them with any comfort whereby they miserably perished with hunger and cold none affording any comfort to them These Wâ—ldenses are repâ—ted the first Reformers after the darkness of Popery had overspread the
nod its Head hang the Lip and move and shake his Jaws according to the value of the Gift offered if it were a small piece of Silver then would he hang a frowning Lip if it were a piece of Gold then should his Jaws go Merrily Thus were poor peoples Souls seduced and their pockets pickt by these Idolatrous Forgers until Cromwel caused the said Image to be carried publickly to Pauls where the People tore it in pieces He was a man not only Zealous for the publick Reformation but also always ready to help private persons that were in distress and though its common amongst men that are raised from low estate to great place and outward preferment to forget themselves what they formerly were and the persons from whom they received benefits It was not so with him for in his Travels beyond Sea being brought to a low condition and being relieved by a Rich Merchant in Florence and entertained in his House when he was in great distress and when he was minded to return to England the Merchant gave him a Horse Money and Apparel which Cromwel received with great thankfulness This Merchant not long after through great losses fell to decay and having money owing him in England came over to see if he could get it and arriving at London not thinking of the kindness he had shewed to Cromwel but as he was travelling the Streets Cromwel as he was riding along espied him and knew him and alighted and took notice of him and of his former kindness and invited him to Court who coming there after he had dined with him he had the Merchant into a private Room and paid him fully for all he had of him at Florence and gave him sufficiently over as a Recompence for his kindness and kept him in his House all the time of his remaining in England This is but one example of many that might be mentioned to shew this Cromwells Gratitude and Courtesie His care and Zeal for the setling the Protestant Religion was that which brought him to his end for that for the better estalishing thereof he devised to effect a Marriage between the King and the Lady Anne of Cleeve whose Sister was Married to the Duke of Saxony a Protestant Prince by which Marriage it was supposed there would be established a perpetuall Peace and Amity between this Kingdom and the Protestant Princes of Germany which would much strengthen the Protestant Party against the Tyranny and Oppression of the Pope and his Adherents But presently after the Marriage Stephen Gardner who had soon after crept into favour with the King as is before related suggested to him some occasions of distaste against the Duke of Saxony and some apprehensions of fear by reason of that Odium which he had pulled upon himself by rejecting the Pope and demolishing Abbies and Monasteries whereby as he told him he had made the Pope the Emperour the King of France and the King of Scotland his Enemies but especially his own Subjects who were much distasted with the Innovations in Religion and that the only way to heal all was to shew himself Sharp and severe against the new Sectaries This occasioned the King to withdraw his favour from Cromwell for being one day in the Council Chamber he was suddainly apprehended and committed to the Tower of London at the hearing whereof many good men were much troubled the charge laid against him was that he was a supporter of Hereticks and a Spreader of their Books and that he had caused to be translated into English Books wrote against the Sacrament of the Alter and that he had spoke words against the King but whatever he was accused of he was soon after condemned in the Tower without coming to his Answer and was beheaded his death the King shortly after bewailed wishing he had his Cromwel alive again so that it appears it was more the malice of his Adversary that stirred up the King against him then any real cause by him given or acted that might justly occasion his death In this year viz. 1545. one John Athee was indicted by the Kings writ for speaking certain words against the Sacrament That he would not believe in the thing that the Knave Priest made neither in that which Longs wife selleth but only in God which is in Heaven and when it was told him that God through his Word could make it Flesh and Blood he answered so he might if he would turn it into a Chickens leg Here followeth a Narative of a sudden Fear and Surprizal that fell upon the Doctors and others at Mary's Steeple-house in Oxford by reason of a mans Crying Fire in the Street and what hapned thereupon There being a Sermon to be preached in the aforesaid Steeple-house at the Recantation of one Malory the Priest had no sooner got into the Pulpit and Malory come forth with his Faggot on his Shoulder accompanied with a great Congregation of people but one in the Street seeing a Chimney on Fire cryed out Fire Fire which so alarumed the People in the Steeple-house that the Doctor and Congregation were amazed expecting the Steeple-house had been on Fire and at last they all generally concluded it was on Fire and that the Hereticks had set it on Fire and with eagerness running on heaps to get forth they raised such a dust that it seemed like Smoak of Fire and thrusting many together to get out they stopt up the Doors that few could pass and thus being afrighted as if great Danger or present Death were at hand did they crowd one upon another the Heretick throwing down his Faggot and shifting as well as he could among the rest the Doctor that was preaching his Recantation cryed out Lord have Mercy upon me this is the Hereticks doings amongst the rest a Monk one of the Auditors fearing the Danger and seeing the way to escape stopt he got up to a Window and breaking the glass thrust himself part thorow but there stuck and could get no further neither in nor out a Boy also endeavouring to escape got upon the Door and jumping down jumpt into a Monks Cowle as it hung at his Back the Monk hearing one in his Cowle cryed out who is that at my Back The Boy cryed I am Bertrams Boy Who art thou said the Monk I am Bertrams Boy good Master let me go and with that the Cowle began to crak the Monk took him out and the Boy ran away Some lost their Clothes in the throng and some their Money in this Surprizal and Fright at the noise of a Fire that did them no hurt About this time one Sr. George Blague of the Kings Privy-Chamber was falsly accused for speaking against the Mass whereupon Wrisly the Lord Chancellor sent him to Newgate and the next day he was arraigned and Condemned at Guild-Hall and within a day or two after should have been burnt in Smithfield but some of the privy-Chamber making suit to the King on his behalf the King was
accused on several Articles by the Bishops and afterwards Condemned by them as an Heretick to be burnt when he came to the fire he said Father of Heaven I commend my Spirit into thy holy Hands and then turned him to the People and said these Words I beseech you Christian Brethren and Sisters that you be not offended in the Word of God for the affliction and Torments which you see already prepared for me but I Exhort you that you Love the Word of God and suffer patiently and with a comfortable heart for the Words sake which is your undoubted Salvation and Everlasting Comfort Moreover I pray you shew my Brethren and Sisters which have heard me oft before that they cease not nor lâ—â—ve off the Word of God which I taught unto them after the Grace given to me for any Persecutions or Troubles in this World which lasts not and shew unto them that my Doctrine was no Old Wives Fable after the Constitution made by men and if I had taught mens Doctrine I had gotten great thanks of men but for the Word and true Gospels sake I suffer this day by men not sorowfully but with a glad Heart and Mind for this cause I was sent that I should Suffer this Fire for Christs Sake this grim Fire I fear not and so I pray you to do if that any Persecution come unto you for the Word's sake and fear not them that Kill the Body and afterwards have no power to Kill the Soul Then he prayed for them which accused him saying I beseech thee Father of Heaven to forgive them that have through Ignorance or an evil Mind forged Lyes against me I forgive them with all my heart and I beseech Christ to forgive them who have Condemned me to death this day ignorantly So being first Hanged he was then burnt many People bewailing his death VVabter Mille amongst the rest of the Martyrs of Scotland his Constancy is not to be past over with silence out of whose Ashes Sprung thousands of his Religion in Scotland many Articles were drawn up against him for which he had sentance pronounced against him that he should be delivered to the Temporal Judge and punisht as an Heretick which was to be burnt Now when all things were ready for his death and he conveyed with Armed men to the Fire Andrew Olifant Judge that past sentence upon him bad him Go to the Stake he said Nay except thou pull me up with thy hand for I am forbidden by the Law of God to lay hands of my self then Olifant put him up with his hand thereupon he went gladly saying I will go to the Altar of God and desired that he might have time to speak to the People which his Executioner denyed saying That he had spoken over-much and that the Bishops were oâ—fended that the matter was so long continued but some young men that stood by desired him to speak what he please so after he had prayed he rose up and standing upon the Coles said on this wise Dear Friends the Cause why I suffer this day is not for any Crime laid to my Charge but only for the defence of the Faith of Christ Jesus for which as the faithful Martyrs have heretofore gladly offered themselves being assured after the Death of their Bodies of Eternal Felicity so this day I praise God that he hath called me of his Mercy among the rest of his Servants to seal his Truth with my Life which as I received it of him so willingly I offer it to his Glory Therefore as you will escape the eternal death be no more seduced by the Lyes of Priests Monks and Bishops and the rest of the Sect of Antichrist but depend only upon Jesus Christ and his Mercy that you may be delivered from Condemnation All that while there was great Mourning and Lamentation of the multitude for they perceiving his Patience Stoutness Boldness and Constancy were not only moved and stirred up but their hearts also were so inflamed that he was the last Martyr that died in Scotland for Religion after his prayer he was hoised up on the Stake and being in the Fire he said Lord have Mercy on me pray People while there is time and so be constantly departed The Persecutions in the Reign of Edward the sixth Henry the Eighth being dead Edward the sixth succeeded him at the Age of nine years he was a Youth of a meek nature and disposition much inclined to Clemency and Mercy yea so much that when one Joan Butcher being condemned to be burnt for Heresie all the Council could not move him to set his hand saying to Cranmer what will you send her quick to the Devil in her Error Doctor Cranmer perswaded him with much ado at last to put his hand to whom he said He would lay all the charge thereof upon Cranmer as before the Lord. But though this King was of so mild a Nature and a Person inclining to love Religion from a Child being very Zealous for a further Reformation in the Church abolishing the Mass c. and a Protector being appointed during his Nonage which was his uncle the Duke of Somerset a man also very Zealous for Reformation and an Encourager of such as profest the Gospel but in the midst of these meek and gentle times on the other hand the Pâ—pish party having a great power in the Kingdom used all the Means and Endeavours to stir up Persecution and to hinder that good they found the King and his Uncle inclinable to yet the most of this Kings Reign which was but short the Sword was taken out of their hands so that they had not power to shed much Blood all his Reign yet some there were that suffered for Religion viz. Joan of Kent an English woman and one George a Dutchman and one Thomâ—s Dobb who was apprehended for speaking against the Idolatry of the Mass and committed to Prison where he died The cause of the Imprisonment of Thomas Dobb was as followeth The said Thomas Dobb being a Man fervent and zealous for Religion and as it is recorded of him a man so Innocent that he was like a Dove without any Gall or Bitterness and more apt to receive Injury then do wrong to any one It happened that as he was passing by Pauls in London seeing the Priest at Mass being at the Elevation as he passed by the young man filled with godly Zeal pitying the Ignorance and Idolatry of the People in honouring that so devoutly which the Priest lifted up was not able to forbear but opened his Mouth and turning to the People exhorted them testifying against their Idolatry for which cause he was presently apprehended by the Mayor and being accused by the Bishop of Canterbury was Committed to the Counter in Bredstreet where falling sick he soon after died In this Kings time there was also one John Hume a servant to one Lewnax accused by his Master of denying the Sacrament of the Altar to be the real
against him and Stoned him with Stones at the Commandment of the King in the Court of the House of the Lord and slew him but the Lord soon according unto this good mans Prayer at his Death lookt upon this evil and required it at his and their hands by executing Judgment upon the King and his evil Councellors for at the end of that Year the Lord sent the Host of Assyria against him even but a small Company and destroyed all the Princes of the People the Kings evil Councellors first from among the People and sent the spoil of them to the King of Damascus and delivered a very great Army into their hands Because they had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers and so they executed Judgment against Joash the King and when they had departed from him having left him in great Diâ—tress by reason of great Diseases his own Servant conspired against him for the blood of the Sons of Jehoida and slew him on his Bed that he died 2 Chron. 24. Proud Haman Persecutor Haman the Persecutor who persecuted Mordecai because he would not bow unto him and do him reverence according to the Kings Command who therefore sought to destroy all the Jews that were in the Kingdom promising to pay into the Kings Treasure ten thousand Talents of Silver if he would grant his Writing for their Destruction unto which the King consented to and in the mean time Haman builds a Gallows fifty Cubits high to hang Mordecai upon for not moving nor rising up nor doing reverence unto him but the Righteous God the Judge of Heaven and Earth who seeth all things soon overtook this Persecutor in his furious Pride and Blood-thirstiness and put a stop to his intended Persecution by turning the Kings Heart against him by the intercession of Esther the Queen whereby he came to be hanged himself upon the same Gallows he had set up for Mordecai the Jew Esther 3. Nebuchadnezar humbled Nebuchadnezzar that Proud Persecuting King of Babylon and Caldea how did the Lord humble him for his pride and cruelty exercised towards the three Children in casting then into the Fiery-Furnace which he caused to be heat seven times hotter then ordinary for them because they would not Worship the Golden Image which he had set up by renting his Kingdom from him and driving him from Men and making his dwelling with the Beasts of the Field and to eat grass as an Ox till seven times past over him and that his hands grew like Eagles Feathers and his nails like Birds Clawes that he and all might know that the Lord only changes times and seasons and Rules the Kingdoms of men and giveth to whomsoever he will and that his Wayes Works and Judgments are Truth as he afterwards confessed and that those that walk in pride he is able to abase Dan. 3.14 to the 18th verse The Executioners executâ—ed Those chosen men that were the most mighty men of all that King Nebuchadnezar had in his whole Army that were the appointed Executioners of the Kings cruelty in fulfilling his Commands in binding the three Children and casting them into the burning Fiery Furnace soon tasted the just Judgment of God for their frowardness to obey such commands of cruelty for the flames of the Fire slew those men that took the three Children up while the Saints of the most high themselves though bound in their Coats Hosen Hats and other Garments being cast into the midst of the burning Fiery Furnace where they fell down bound into the midst of it yet upon their Bodies the Fire had no power nor was one hair of their head singed neither were their Coats changed nor the smell of Fire past on them Dan. 3.20 Those Presidents and Princes of Media and Persia that were the Persecutors of Daniel in King Darius his time that sought the occasions to find something against Daniel The Presidents and Princes of Mâ—dia and Persâ—a that they might accuse him to the King concerning the Kingdom but could find no occasion nor fault forasmuch as he was Faithful neither was there any error or fault found in him save only in that matter concerning the Law of his God against whom that they might have something against him in that matter also they are constrained to procure a Degree that whosoever shall ask a Petition of any God or Man for three dayes save only the King he should be cast into the Den of Lions which he the said Daniel even as they thought would not obey but immediately as soon as he be understood it was signed he went into his House his Windows being opened in his Chamber towards Jerusalem he kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before God as he did before time for which those men aforesaid accused him before the King by whose means according to the said Decree he was cast into the Lions Den but God sent his Angels and shut the Lions Mouthes that they could not hurt him for no manner of hurt was found upon him because he was Innocent and believed in God but his Persecutors soon felt the just and righteous hand of God upon them for their so wicked persecuting the Innocent for Conscience sake for the King commanded those men to be brought that had accused Daniel and they cast them their Wives and their Children into the Lions Den and the Lions had the Mastery of them and break all their bones in pieces ere they came to the bottom of the Den Dan. 6. King Antiochus King Antiocuâ— surnamed Epiphanes a great Persecutor of the Jews who committed great Evils at Jerusalem and took all the Vessels of Gold and Silver that were therein and sent to destroy the Inhabitants of Judea without a cause and as himself confessed who in a Proud and insolent manner protested he would make Jerusalem a common burying place and the Streets thereof run with the blood of Gods People was by Gods just Judgment plagued with a grievous sickness having a remediless pain in his Bowels and an intolerable Torment in his inward parts his Body bred abundance of Worms which continually crawled out of the same yea he so rotted above ground that by reason of an intolerable stink no man could endure to come neer him neither could he himself endure the same but in a flood of extream Misery ended his dayes which as he confessed came upon him for the evil aforesaid see the Life of Judas Maccabees in Clarkes Martrol page 13. as also the first Book of Maccabees Chap. 1 10. and Chap. 6 8 c. Sennacrib King of Assyria murthered by his own Sons Sennacrib King of Assyria the great Oppressor and Persecutor of Israel and Judah and horrible blasphemer and reproacher of the Living God the God of Israel and Judah though they were left of him for a time for their forsaking him and falling to Idolatry and a great Defyer of him by the Mouth of wicked
consider the former real or objected Miscariages which might occasion my Troubles that you may avoid them c. Beware of Exasperating any Factions by the Crosness and Asperity of some mens Passions Humors and private Opinions imployed by you grounded only upon differences in lesser matters which are but the Skirts and Subburbs of Religion wherein a Charitable Connivance and Christian Toleration often Dissipates their strength when rougher Opposition Fortifies and puts the despised and oppressed party into such Combinations as may most enable them to get a full revenge on those they count their Persecutors who are commonly assisted by that vulgar commisseration which attends all that are said to suffer under the notion of Religion Pag. 166. Take heed that outward Circumstances and Formalities of Religion devour not all Pag. 164. Your Prerogative is best shewed and exercised in remitting rather then exacting the rigour of the Laws there being nothing worse then Legal Tyranny To these Sayings we add more as Collected out of the same Book in Duodecimo IN his Prayer Pag. 1. O never suffer me for any reason of State to go against the Reason of Conscience which is highly to sight against thee the God of Reason and Judge of our Consciences Page 121. Break in sunder Oh Lord all violent Confederations to do wickedly and injuriously Pag. 136. Thou Oh Lord shalt destroy them that speak Lyes the Lord will abhor both the Blood thirsty and Deceitful men P. 164. Church Affairs should be mannaged neither with Tyranny Parity nor Popularity neither people oppressed P. 168. He declares his willingness for fair satisfaction unto all and against Covetousness and Superstition Pag. 171. Oh thou that art the God of Reason and Peace soften our hearts and perswade us to accept of Peace with thy self and both to secure and preserve Peace among our selves as men and Christians Condemn us not to our passions which are destructive both of our selves and others Clear up our Understandings to see thy Truth both in Reason as men and in Religion as Christians Page 180. Stir up all parties Pious Ambitions to overcome each other with Reason Moderation and such Self-denial as becomes c. P. 200. O thou Soveraign of our Souls the only Commander of our Consciences And further in his Advice to the Prince of Wales now KING c. Pag. 234. The best Government and highest Soveraignity you can attain unto is To be subject to God that the Scepter of his Word and Spirit may rule in your heart P. 239. He pleads for better Arguments for Convincement then Tumults Armies and Prisons Pag. 241. Alwayes keep up sollid Piety and those Fundamental Truths which mend both hearts and lives of men with impartial Favour and Justice Pag. 242. My Charge and Counsel to you is that as you need no palliations for any design so that you studdy really to exceed in true and constant Demonstrations of Goodness Piety and Vertue towards the people even all these men that make the greatest noise and ostentations of Religion so you shall neither fear any detection as they do who have but the Mask of Goodness nor shall you frustrate the just Expectations of your people Pag. 243. Use all Princely Arts and Clemency to heal the Wounds that the Smart of the Cure may not equal the Anguish of the hurt Pag. 244. As your quality sets you beyond any Duel with any Subject so the nobleness of your mind must raise you above the meditating any revenge or executing your Anger upon the many Pag. 248. Keep you to true Principles of Piety Vertue and Honour you shall never want a Kingdom In his Meditations on his Death p. 346. It is indeed a sad fate for any man to have his Enemies to be Accuser Parties and Judge SECT X. Several Promises and Declarations for the Liberty of tender Consciences taken out of the Speeches of King Charles the Second IN the Kings Letter from Bredah that was sent to the House of Peers and read in the House May the first 1660. and which Letter was ordered by the Lords in Parliament assembled that it should be forthwith printed and published for the service of the House and satisfaction of the Kingdoms it is said in the Book of Collections of the Kings Speeches Page 8 and 9. And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several Opinions in Religion by which men are engaged in Parties and Animosities against each other which when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of Conversation will be composed or better understood We do declare a liberty to tender Consciences and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences in Opinion in matters of Religion which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament as upon Mature deliveration shall be offered to us for the full granting that Indulgence And in the Kings Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical Affairs which was dated October the 25th 1660. it is said In a word we do again renew what we have formerly said in our Declaration from Bredah for the liberty of tender Consciences That no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of Opinion in matters of Religion which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom and if any have been disturbed in that kind since our arival here it hath not proceeded from any direction of ours And it is said We do in the first place declare Our Purpose and Resolution is and shall be to promote the Power of Godliness and to encourage the Exercise of Religion both in publique and private And in the same Declaration it is said Our present Consideration work is To gratifie the private Consciences of those who are grieved with the use of some Ceremonies by indulging to and dispensing with the omitting these Ceremonies In the Kings Speech to both houses of Parliament the 8th of July 1661. It is to put my self in mind as well as you That I so often I think so often as I come to you mention to you my Declaration from Bredah And let me put you in mind of another Declaration published by your selves about the same time and which I am perswaded made mine the more effectual An Honest Generous and Christian Declaration signed by the most eminent Persons who had been the most eminent Sufferers in which you remounced all former Animosities memory of former Unkindnesses And my Lords Gentlemen let it be in no mans power to charge me or you with the breach of our Words or Promises which can never be a good Ingredient to our future security And in the Chancellors Speech to both Houses May 8. 1661. It is said He told you but now meaning the King that he valued himself much upon keeping his word upon performing all that he promiseth to his People And also in the Kings discourse with Richard Hubberthorn soon after he arrived