intermedling made against them and the Queen at last so incensed that she would not to her dying day heare any in their behalfe To mention no more Conspiracies in her Reign the Earle of Essex a popular and powerfull Man that had some pretence in that variety of claimes to the Crown that were layed in the latter end of her reign to the Throne that was Governour of Ireland and General of England had a great Army at his command and a great Interest to serve him for 158. Lords favour him and the people generally love him this upon some affronts in the declining age of the Queen sets up a plot to remove ill Councellors keepes open house for all comres entertaines silenced Ministers to preach to great throngs of people every day engageth the Lord Mayor and Aldermen resolves to seize VVhitehall by Water and by Land under the pretence of a Shew what success I pray Why the City fail him his Complices disclose him the Queens Councel surprizeth him with a summons and a Message the Nobility follow him to the City proclaime him Traytor he flieth to his house he is there besieged taken and secured in the Tower whence he is brought forth to Trial and Execution with 20. more of his Complices in whose busi-300 good Families were utterly undone and ruined § 21. Anno 1603. King James is setled on the Throne of his Ancestors by all the establishments that are as yet discovered to the World when the Lord Cobbam Sir VValter Rawleigb the Lord Grey of VVilton and others some Protestants some Papists some Priests some Lay-men some upon discontent some for Conscience some Noble-men some Knights some Gentlemen and these backed by the Popes Bull seconded by the Kings of France and Spaine endeavoured to alter Religion and change the Government but with what fortune why their Plot is discovered they themselves are apprehended arraigned and condemned VVatson Clarke and Brooke are executed and the rest come to miserable ends within a while after Yet the discontented will take no warning for not long after Catesby Percy VVinter Sir Everard Digby Garnet contrive to blow up the Royall Family the Clergy Nobility and Gentry of Great Brittain sitting in Parliament they are encouraged by the Pope set on by their own Ghostly Fathers assisted from Spain take an Oath of secresie hire a convenient Room under the Parliament House furnish it with Materials for the blow as Powder Faggots Iron the Villain is ready his Candle and his Match light but doth it succeed No the Parliament is twice adjourned and the very night before they were to sit a Letter must be sent from one of the Conspirators to the Lord Mounteagle to save himself yet the Court understood not the Letter but the King laying hold upon some odde expressions as this There is no danger as soon as the Letter is burned c. ordereth a more diligent search the store-house is found 36. Barrels of Pouder are discovered Faux that should have fired them is apprehended the other Catholiques that made the Hunting match to surprize the Lady Elizabeth are amazed at the discovery and commit Outrages are pursued by the high Sheriffes of Warwick and Worcestershire Catesby and Piercy are slain the rest are hanged drawn and quartered several Lords are fined the Government is firmely setled the Oath of Allegiance is devised two thirds of Papists Estates are forfeited to the King most severe Lawes are made against the Papists who lye under the dismal consequences of this treason to this day § 22. Anno 1625. King James dieth and leaves King Charles an empty Treasure a Warr abroad an incensed Parliament and People at home envied and hated persons of his Councel his necessities put him upon calling Parliaments the Kingdomes discontents debauched those Parliaments they demurre his Supplies they draw up remonstrances they clip the Prerogative they question his Favourites and Servants they set the Ministers of State one against another as Digby and Buckingham they raise some petit disturbances in Lancashire and thereabouts and occasion some ill resented Proclamations upon those disorders some Favourites are murthered Parliaments are dissolved in discontents many great men are laid aside the King is necessitated to take some displeasing courses for Money daring offendors provoke his Majesty to severe courses and those severe courses make more daring offendors a dark Cloud hangs over the face of the Nation Scotland armes Ireland Rebells England could not remedy either without a Parliament after twelve years discontinuance and grievances all the ill humour of the Nation meets in Parliament as in the Common-Shore where some would reforme Religion others would reforme Grievances all would embroyle the State the King parts with his most faithful Councellours it becomes dangerous to serve him he gives away his Prerogative the Tower the Militia of London a power to the Parliament to sit as long as they pleased suffers the Scots to rage and domineer leaves the City the whole Kingdome is up against him for Religion Law Liberty and the removal of ill Councellors the Treasure the Magazines and Militia is in his enemies hands with whom yet he contested four or five years When they prevailed they seized on the whole Kingdome imprison the King defeat all the attempts for his release and at last put him to death reduce his three Kingdomes under their Tyranny Banish all his Family and notwithstanding all forreign assistance all endeavours at home all the resolutions of Scotland and Ireland and Holland with thirty thousand men to restore his Son at several times as 1649. 1650. 1651. 1654. 1655. 1657. 1658. they settle first a Commonwealth then a Protectorship the first Protector carryeth all before him dieth a natural death and succeeded by his Son Credimus esse deos And now you will say Treason prospereth and Rebellion thrives but alas nothing less the first party is divided into Presbyterians and Independents they are first jealous of one another the Presbyterian Officers are displaced as Essex c. they plot against one another in the House the Old Officers fall off the City of London and the old Puritans revolt close with the Kings party for peace Duke Hamilton marcheth in order to that peace in the head of 30000 men Waller Brown and Massey correspond with him the Ministers preach against the present Proceedings the Scotch stand by the K. Son the Presbyterians are all discontent neither are the Independents unanimous an evil spirit of division creepes into the Army Cromwell takes the Government upon him and so disobligeth the Commonwealths men and the Long Parliament aimes at a succession and displeaseth the great Officers they watch the opportunity of his death and with the countenance of the people lay aside his Son and Interest they Quarrel among themselves call in General MONK who suppresseth them all makes way for his most Excellent Majesty and puts a period to twenty years Treason what was the effect
so much opposed A. No it was for some smart truths concerning that party which they were not willing to hear of Court What did wisemen judge of that stir the Commons kept with Mr. Mountagues Book A. My Lord of Canterbury hath entred it in his Diary thus ' I seem to see a cloud arising and threatning the Church of England God for his mercy dissipate it Court What was the Danger A. It was this That the Nonconformists under pretence of suppressing Arminianisme were able to be revenged of Master Mountague for some tart expressions against them notwithstanding his Majesties protection of his own Chaplain so that the King was faine to leave him to himself and to stand or fall as he told the Duke of Buckingham who sounded him to that purpose according to the justice of his Cause C. How went they on P. H. As the great Champions of truth forsooth they procure two conferences at Yorkehouse before the Duke of Buckingham by the mediation of R. E. of VVarwick between Dr. Buckridge Dr. VVhite Mr. Mountague on the one hand and Bishop Morton and Dr. Preston on the other where their design was to divide the Nobility Clergy and Gentry and get as many as they could on their side against Arminianisme until they had got such a party as might be able to carry all before them for they knew that those learned Gentlemen and Ministers who were of their mind in some points would being provoked by their adversaries be of their mind in all C. But do they stay here L. No but being intent upon their Design and knowing that the King was well setled and resolved against all Innovations they intend to weaken his power and to that purpose they retrenched his Prerogative by many Laws and Statutes and questioned Dr. Manwaring for preaching up his Prerogative being resolved to put all power in the Parliaments hands who were too well affected to their way F. Yea they were so bold as to employ two persons Humphreys and Jones to hinder Bishop Mountagues Confirmation by alledging against him some frivolous exceptions so much did they prevaile now they had joyned themselves to the discontented the Antiarminian c. S. But while the wisemen of this party were driving on their design covertly and politickly one Leighton was to break the Ice and feel the pulse of the times and to that purpose he sets out a Book called Zions Plea rayling against the Queen as Idolatrous and exhorting men to kill the Bishops and to smite them under the fifth rib C. Was he suffered A. No when his party saw that he was not suffered they let him shift for himself and they go on in a more prudent method Court How F. That they might engage the Clergy to themselves they set up a Committee for buying in impropriations viz. Dr. Gouge Sibbs Mr. Offspring Davenport c. who were to buy so many Livings to be bestowed on the Favourers of the new way whereby of nine thousand Ministers three thousand and nine hundred might be sure to their side beside those presented by the many Patrons that were devoted to their party Court Here they took care to prefer their friends how did they bring men up still in their way notwithstanding the discouragement of publick authority P. H. When they had preferment they were sure to have friends yet they had persons of their way in both Universities very vigilant for their Interest as appeared in Oxford where one Thorne of Baliol and Ford of Magdalen Hall broke out into bitter invectives in their Sermons on this Text Numb 14. 4. Let us make us a Captain and let us return into Egypt 1 King 13. 2. And be cried against the Altar in the word of the Lord and said O Altar Altar Court It was a notable way to buy out impropriations to set up Lecturers knowing that they who hold the helm of the Pulpit in England alwaies steer peoples hearts whether they please whereby they might have more Chaplains depending upon them then either King or Bishops but the great plot lay in securing the Universities where if young men were tainted with their way they would not depart from it when they were old But did any Countenance these persons A. Yes the Proctors and Dr. Prideaux with Dr. Wilkinson untill the King appeared against them at Woodstock Court Now the King interposed his authority we may presume this faction was quite dashed E. G. By no meanes for the expelling of these Preaches expelled not but encreased the differences in Oxford which burnt the more for blazing the less Court How came Dr. Prideaux to favour such persons A. H. His love to the Predestinarian way which these men promoted in an high degree this was these mens policy to joyne with some eminent men in some opinions that they might have their favour and assistance in other things Court What was their next project A. W. They set up the Sbabatarian controversies again by one Bradbourne which if the Church allowed of she went against her own judgement if she disallowed she was looked upon as an enemy of Godliness and a friend to all prophaneness yea so high did they raise these controversies that they made a difference between the Judges and the Bishops the one allowing a liberty on the Lords day the other punishing it And when the Church declared her judgement moderately they procured underhand many reproaches and hard speeches to be cast upon her as if she intended to destroy that Godliness which she taught and to undermine that Religion she professed Court Not a word all this while of their Discipline A. No for they resolved upon other wayes of undermining the Church of England and upon her fall they would raise themselves but some hot-headed persons as Bastwicke Burton and others break out to some excesses for which they are severely punished Court What is the reason that they are so fierce now F. M. Upon Bishop Abbots death who was over-indulgent to them the Arch-Bishop pressed conformity very severely whereupon they who hid themselves under other pretences discovered themselves against Altars kneeling at the Sacrament holiness of Churches c. L. C. M. Let me tell you that there was one accident happened that helped this party very much Court What was that L. C. M. The Bishop of Lincolnes discontent who said that all flesh in England had corrupted their wayes and maintained many private correspondencies dangerous to Church and State L. C. N. The design of these men growing now ripe as they had by Lectures and private conferences debauched many here so they go abroad for aid to the brethren of Scotland who are at their Devotion and ready upon their call to disturbe the peace of England Court How durst Scotland stir J. C. The people in England having kept the King bare put him upon some displeasing courses to furnish himself and maintaine the peace of the Kingdome who should oppose this his Majesties course but the
part of its glory renown that it provides best for Government and obedience for the security of Princes and the peace of the people of any perswasion under Heaven is the Reverend person instanced in many of its Theorems and principles especially Rom. 13. a Pet. 2. to which I had my replies ready from the several discourses in justification of the late War and the Kings death still extant and still someting mens dangerous and discontented thoughts especially the sermons before the Parliament from 1641. to 1649. 3. The third and so much the more cogent argument as Fear is more prevailing then Conscience and a care of our selves of more force with us then a sense of our duty was the dreadful event of all attempts against Government mentioned in Holy Scripture which the good man urged with much earnestness and power As Had Zimri peace that flew his Master Can a man touch the Lords Annointed and be guiltless My Son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them who are given to change for their calamity shall arise suddenly and who knoweth the ruine of them both Whosoever loveth Rebellion a cruel Messenger shall be sent unto him Curse not the King no not in thy thought for a Bird of the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter The terrour of which words was yet much allayed by the immunity and indulgence we already had and might alwaies expect only one day considering with my self that the events and issues of things in the World were exactly correspondent with the Prophecies and predictions in the Scripture that Heaven and Earth might pass away and the Government of the Creation be altered and not one jot or title of the Word of God should fall to the ground I resumed the last argument examined those sayings of Scriptures aforementioned comparing them with what happened upon that occasion in the World and particularly recollected such Memoires and observations of that nature as occurred in the English Nation from the time of William the Conquerer to our Age out of which to my great astonishment I gathered this great Conclusion which I think it the interest of this present age and posterity to take notice of that as the Scriptures have foretold some 3000. years Since so we find it true in every age that Government is so secured by the ordinance and providence of God that all attempts against it have come to nought and all open and secret conspiraties and plots have had only this remarkable issue That they ended in the â—â— ine of those that were engaged in them § 1. It is now near 600. since the Government and Monarchy of this Kingdome was after the barbarousness of the Brittains and Romans the confusion and unsettledness of the Saxons the Incursions and Intervalls of the Danes setled upon the Foundation it now stands upon by William Duke of Normandy In the year 1074. Edgar Æthelin King Harolds Son with his Mother Agatha and his two Sisters Margaret and Christine all of the Blood Royal retyred in discontent to Scotland Our ancient and most desperate enemy followed by the great Earles Edwyn and Morchor his Uncles the two Arch-Bishops Stigand and Aldred and many other Lords where first by alliance with the King of Scots who married Margaret 2. By a correspondence with the Danes they procured an invasion that made the North for 60. miles desolate 3. And by their Agents in England raised Insurrections in Exceter Oxford the Isle of Ely the issue of which notwithstanding the dangerous combination was first the ruine of the King of Scots who submitted to King William's mercy 2. The Imprisoument of Edgar and his Lords during the Kings pleasure and the settlement of the Government by the Curfeau bell the Law against the peoples Armes and the provision against the Clergies temporal Jurisdiction § 2. But restless discontent notwithstanding those dreadful examples foregoing of the ill success of Rebellion goeth ou for the year 1079. Waltheoff Earle of Northumberland with the Earls of Bologn Norfolk and Hereford with the King of Scotland and the Princes of Wales whom the Kings of Denmark and Ireland asisted with 265. sail of Ships contrived a most dangerous plot to seize the Kings Castles and Sea-Towns while the King was engaged in the Siege of Dole in France a conspiracy that threatned another change when behold Lanfrank to whom Waltheoff had communicated the design discovereth the whole to the King who prevented their uniting and engaging them one by one overcame them all putting Waltheoff to death sequestring imprisoning banishing all the rest Who are observed never after to prosper in any thing they undertook § 3. In the year 1087. King William leaving his Dukedome to his eldest Son Robert and his Kingdome to his youngest Son William Robert making use of the Bishop of Bayeux and many other Lords grudges against his Brothers Government especially his Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Lanfranke with their assistance surprizeth the North as furthest from Loudon divides the Kings Councel raiseth some disturbances in the South and West thereby dist acting the King so that he knew not where to begin nor where to turn himself the King having the Arch-Bishop and the Bishop of Winchester of his side and obliging his people by some Acts of grace defeated all the Rebells made his Brother abjure the Realm and be contented with a Pension and ruined 700. Families that were concerned in that Conspiracy And a while after hearing that Mans in Normandy was besieged as he was at Supper the King asked which way it lay and immediately commanded Masons to make way for him thither through the Wall and when his Lords entreated him to stay untill his people were ready he replied That they who loved him would immediately follow him and a Tempest arising when he was at Sea he commanded the Master of the Ship to go on notwithstanding For said nt never was King drowned Thus he came suddenly to Mans raised the siege dispersed the Rebells undid 652. Families that were of the Confederacy and left a fatal Monument of conspirators success behind to late Posterity § 4. Anno 1100. no sooner had Henry the first succeeded his brother William who died Childless and compounded with his brother Robert of Normandy but Robert de Belesm Earle of Shrewrbery and the Earle of Cornwall in discontent made a general Insurrection about Wales and the borders surprize the Castle of Bridgenorth stop Trade gathered the people together who no sooner heard that the King was drawing towards them but they fled and left their traiterous Leaders at the mercy of an incensed Soveraign who seized their Estates banished their Persons and put a period to their Names Honours and Families in England § 5. Although Steven invaded the Kingdome against the right of
Conscience sake and to remove ill Councellors raise 26000. men they come to London terrifie all before them but mark the event the City is shut against them the Court is in Armes behind them they are most of them cut off the Duke of Suffolk Wyat the Lord Grey the Lady Jane Grey are executed at Towerhill as one Fetherstone a Miller who acted Edward the 6th was afterwards hanged at Ty-burn and all the good they did was to ruine several Families and exasperate the Queen to those severe Courses against the Reformed Professors which we read of in the Acts and Monuments of those times § 20. Anno 1558. Queen Elizabeth succedeth who now the fourth time altereth the publick Profession in this Nation the Pope excommunicateth her the Queen of Scots sets up her own Title against her Margaret Countess of Lenox and her Husband Arthur Pool and Anthony Fortescue favour that Queen the Papists were underhand stirred up by Ridolph a Florentine Commissioned to that purpose by the Pope The Duke of Norfolk consults with the Bishop of Roste about a Marriage with the Queen of Scots the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland and the Lord Dacres are up in Armes 1. That the Religion of their fore-fathers might be restored 2. That wicked Councellours might be removed from the Queen to great purpose you may be sure for first the Queen upon these practices was enforced to make those severe Lawes under which the Catholikes groan to this day 2. The Queen of Scots falls to very great troubles and hath not where to lay her head but in the Dominions of Queen Elizabeth the Duke of Norfolk comes to a miserable end the Earles of Northumberland Westmerland and many other Lords are proscribed and many hundred Families upon this account dispoyled of all they had in the World no less then twelve score of them being hanged drawn and quartered in London York Durham and the other seats of their Rebellion Felton that set up the Popes Bull upon the Bishop of Londons Gate was hanged drawn and quartered and they who attempted and conspired to release the Queen of Scots out of Prison fasten her more irremediably'in and brought themselves to sad ends no less then 37. being at once executed upon that occasion Campian and Parsons are hanged drawn and quartered Throgmorton is racked and hanged but the Papists go on write Books and perswade the Queens servants to kill her as Judith did Holophernes but to what end to their own ruine for the Authors and dispersers perish and the Government endureth Mendoza the Spanish Embassadour who procured the Catholikes much favour he was thrust hereupon out of England the Papists would have married the Queen of Scots to an English Catholike but that hastened her death and her friends ruine the Earle of Westmerland dieth miserably in exile Dr. Parry would kill the Queen at a Feast in his house but he brings himself to a wretched end the Male-contents contrive against the Queen and the Lords associate in her behalf particularly one Savage was by Dr. Gifford encited to kill the Excommunicated Queen when to make the Queen and Councel secure there was a Book written by the Papists exhorting their brethren to attempt nothing against their Prince to use only the Christian Arms of fasting prayers and teares Ballord is joyned with Savage who having consulted with Mendoza and others comes over in a Souldiers habit and under another name discovereth himself to Babington who drew into the Plot many zealous Catholikes as Tho. Salisbury Edward VVindsor c. and one Polly who discovered their progress of the Plot to VValsingham day by day but Gifford relented and opened to the Secretary the whole matter the Secretary sent him to the Queen of Scots to keep on his correspondence with her that he might betray her Letters which VValsingham perused sealed up again and sent to the respective persons to whom they were directed all their design was laid open the persons apprehended and fourteen of them executed the Queen of Scots Closets searched and Boxes secured and she her self after all her infortunate medling arraigned condemned and not withstanding the Intercession of France Scotland of the one whereof she was Queen Dowager of the other Queen Mother beheaded To prevent the Queen of Scots death about this time L' Aubespine the French Embassadour deales with one Stafford a needy young Gentleman whose Mother was of the Bed-Chamber to Queen Elizabeth Trappes and Moddy to dispatch the Queen while they are disputing whether it should be done by Poyson in her Meat and Cloaths or by Gun-powder under her Bed or by a Blunderbush as the Prince of Aurange was slain Stafford reveales all to the Lords of the Councel upon this the Queen seals a Warrant for that unfortunate Ladies execution and this was the fate of all these treasons that they hastened those mischiefes which they were designed to prevent as never taking any effect but in the downfall of the Authors The Catholikes conspire again the King of Spain invades us the World gave England over for lost in 88. when beyond expectation the King of Spains great Navy comes to naught abroad the Papists answer for their lives at home and a Law is upon this occasion enacted That none should entertain Popish priests upon pain of the Queens displeasure Yet the Papists are at work still to this purpose hire one Lopez the Queens Physician to make the Queen away by poyson and one Cullen an Irish man to do it with a Rapier both which Conspiracies are discovered by intercepted Letters and the persons are hanged drawn and quartered at Tyburn as Yorke and VVilliams were the year following for being bribed to kill the Queen a Traytor hitherto seldome escaping an extraordinary death But Treason is restlesse and about this time one Squire Groom of the Queens Stable poysons the Earle of Essex his Chaire and the Queens Saddle neither the one nor the other came to any effect save that the Traytor being discovered by VVallpoole his ghostly Father who upon the failure of his successe doubted his fidelity is arraigned and severely executed The Papists did not contrive more designes to overthrow the Reformation than some well-meaning Protestants did to promote it even beyond the established Laws they Petition they make Cecill Leicester and others friends at Court they hold meetings at Cambridge London Oxford Northampton and Leicester they draw up their Discipline they admonish the Parliament and make many friends in both Houses they write against the Queens marriage with Papists against the established Government and worship of this Church but what came of it why 1. Stubs for writing against the Queens marriage had his right hand cut off 2. The Authors Printers and Dispersers of Martyn Marre Prelate and Sions Plea with other Bookes are executed Penry and Barrow are hanged Mr. Cartwright Mr. Udall and others are Confined Suspended Silenced and Discountenanced severe Injunctions are upon their
CABALA OR THE MYSTERY OF Conventicles Unvaild IN AN Historical Account of the Principles and Practices of the NONCONFORMISTS AGAINST Church and State FROM The First REFORMATION under King EDWARD the VI. Anno 1550. to this present Year 1664. With an APPENDIX of an CXX PLOTS against the present Government that have been defeated By Oliver Foulis LONDON Printed for Thomas-Holmwood Anno 1664. THE MYSTERY OF Conventicles UNVAIL'D ORthodox Why how now Scruple what ailes you now with your Friday face and Sabbath day Lookes Scruple Add not reproach to affliction and thy sin to our suffering I am glad to see thee Orth. Right Presbyters scripture at one end and hypocrisie at the other reproach affliction sin suffering out of the Concordance glad to see you out of the bottom of your heart why thou hast not seen that that made thee glad these sixteen years But why here at Amsterdam Scrup. Here a man may be as holy as he will Orth. So you may any where else if you would be but as honest as you ought But what is the matter is England unsetled that you cannot live there Scrup. Yea upon the Lees. Orth. Something it was you made that Vineger face what a Gods name would you have Scrup. Only liberty of Conscience Orth. What do you mean by that Do you mean liberty to do what you will or to do what you ought if liberty to do what you will we know where about you would be if what you ought who shall judge what ought to be you or your Superiours if you say your Superiours you know their mind if you say your selves they know yours But prithee tell me truly is the Conventicle broke in England and must it be made up in Amsterdam a man may pick a Church here when it is lost in the World or are we for the Commonwealth against Tyranny or have you any more Spoones Bodkins Thimbles for this Warr or do I smell a Rat or rather a Rat-catcher and is there a new Act against your Conventicles Scrup. There are snares enough laid for tender Consciences but yet it doth not lie in their power to restrain us Orth. Why I thought there was such a provision made of late as would roote up the Schisme Scrup. Some such thing was aimed at but they cannot touch an hair of our head Orth. I know you have your starting holes yet it were worth the while to know how you will escape that late Statute Scrup. Many wayes as first none can come to a house and see our Meeting without a Warrant from two Justices of the Peace 2. No man hath any encouragement for so invidious a toile as to trot from one Justice of Peace to another for that Warrant 3. The Militia cannot as formerly distarbe us without that Warrant 4. Our Meeting places may be contrived at distance enough from any Justice of Peace 5. The Justices must meet before they can proceed against us 6. They may punish us for the three first offences we are convicted of as little as they please and its odds but we can make friends to them and as we may meet often before we are convicted the first time it will go very hard if we be convicted the fourth 7. We may meet and confer and yet nothing proved against us concerning the worship of God 8. We may walk into the Fields and never come within the compass of the Act. 9. Our Ministers may go from house to house and visit so instruct too we may visit them To all this I may add that many of the Magistrates in the Land are not so zealously affected to prosecute the people of God Orth. See now how safe you are yet it is persecution oppression of Consciences Scrup. Yet still the Act of Uniformity is in force Orth. Look now that Act takes away only the preferment of some few of you as what State can prefer those who have sworn to overthrow it and its Constitutions and will not renounce that Oath which is their case that come under the stroke of that Act and not the conscience of any of your consciences and your livings are not all one with you Capt. Prithee what dost thou spend thy breath with that sniveling pretender there is no hope of him here where he may serve any God for twelve Crowns Scrup. We might have had the same liberty in our native Country Capt. You have deserved it indeed so good use you made of the last kindness of that nature Scrup. Why we are men fearing God and loving righteousness Capt. And why not fearing God and honouring the King and medling not with them who are given to change But that Text is not in the last Edition of the Geneva Bible nor in Cannes Alcoran Merchant Lord What good men are these Blew Cap Saints these Scotch Christians these Knockes Protestants Butter will not now melt in their mouths what is it to be poor now we must be Religious but if God would trust them with the Sword once more what gallant thing would they do in the fear of God! Scrup. No more then carry on the Reformation Orth. Reformation it's a dreadful word and in thy mouth imports no less then ruine and desolation These are the men that propagate Religion by Warrs force Consciences nourish seditions authorise conspiracies and rebellions that put the Sword into the peoples hands that sanctifie Tumults preach off the heads of Kings overthrow constitutions and Governments undermine Lawes and settlement that resist for Conscience sake and teach others so to do for their Salvation that make Christ a raiser of sedition and his Religion a Firebrand that give Kings too much reason to stand up and the Princes to conspire together against Christ and against his Annointed these are they that fear God and speak evil of Dignities and despise Dominion kill the devil for Gods sake Scrup. Verily our late miscarriages are to be bewailed but our Principles are peaceable Orth. Bewailed yes now they do not prosper with what face can you say your Principles are so peaceable when your practice is so unquiet either never speak so well or never live so ill why I 'le tell you there have been two new Sects broached within this 120. yeares both the same year both to the same end I mean the Jesuits and the Presbyterians the one set up by John Calvin the other by Ignatius Loyola the one is confessed to be the Boutfew of Christendom the other is known to be the Incendiary of the Protestant part of it many have discovered the mad pranks of the one none indeed have yet laid open the sly insinuations of the other Merch. I have brought over as good an Historian as England ever bred we will go to him and he will give you an exact account of this Schisme in England from the very Egge beginning at the time of Edward the sixth and carrying it on to this
Puritans who thereby became the Patrons of their Country and were sure to be chosen to the next Parliament where they might joyne with their brethren the Scots who if they made a War were assured that the King should not be able to resist them for they being sure to be chosen in Parliament let them know that they would not assist the King against them Court When they got at last to be the prevailing party in Parliament what did they A. They called to an acount all persons who had pressed strict Conformity and countenanced those that refused it witness Dr. Cozens and Smart Bastwicke and Burton who came triumphantly to London and were ordered reparations for their services and sufferings Court How did they proceed A. They setled a Commitee for Religion who appointed a Subcommittee to prepare matters for their Cognizance where was CONFORMISTS Bishop Williams Doctor Hacket Bishop Vsher Doctor Holdsworth Bishop Morton Bishop Hall Doctor Prideaux Doctor Ward Doctor Browning Doctor Featly NONCONFORMISTS Doctor Burgess Mr. White Mr. Marshall Mr. Caryl Mr. Calamy Mr. Hill Mr. Newcomen Doctor Twisse C. But this meeting was only a pretence while the House carried on higher designes against Deans and Chapters root and branch for whom Doctor Hacket made a Speech in the behalf of the Church against whom Dr. Burgesse made a speech in behalfe of the faction L. C. N. Yes and they began to pull down the Bishops step by step First From the Lords House 2. From all civil power and then they pull down those Courts that kept them in Order all this while viz. the Star-Chamber and the High commission N. O. I observed that the poor Bishops went down first in their reputation and esteem they not suffering them to be called right honourable nor to have precedency N. M. And to make sure work the Rabble were stirred up against them to the danger of their lives and strange Petitions procured in so much that the poor men were in a streight to keep the House was dangerous to leave it at this time was unworthy C. What did they do N. They were trepanned by Bishop Williams to a Remonstrance for which they were all committed to the Tower and Impeached of High Treason and now the Bishops were safe in the Tower the Bill against them passed the House and they were for ever excluded the House C. Now the King could not help the Church the Bishops were secured the severe Courts against the Factions were down how did the people appear N. Q. Their restraint being removed they broke out to an excess of Riot in Petitioning Preaching Rayling a Company of Fanaticks in Southwark crying that the Law of Uniformity was the Law of Bishops and so to be repealed the Citizens crying to your Tents O Israel Court Having now almost destroyed the Church Government Discipline and Worship what do they not endeavour to set up their own way N. H. Yes by all meanes but by degrees that the Kingdome might not perceive it but think they were easing it all this while C. How did they contrive to set up their new Government N. H. They called an Assembly of that way 〈…〉 Gouge Mr. Calamy Mr. Caryl Dr. Spurslaw Tho. Goodwyn Phil. Nie c. who proposed to the Parliament the new Church Government and Directory who thereupon abolished the ancient Church Government Worship and Discipline and took a Solemn Oath as they of Scotland had done before every one in his place to stand by this new way which Oath they Imposed upon the Kingdome C. What do they Impose any thing K. C. O yes there are none more severe in Imposing upon others than those that would have liberty themselves Court Where was the King all this while L. B. N. Being not able to reach the Church but through him they having made him as odious as they could to the people by ripping up all the faults of Government in a remonstrance and having frighted him away with the fury of the incensed multitude that were in open War with him that the World may see that there are no Innovators in the Church but such as are Traytors to the State Court It was very strange the whole House of Commons should go along with them in these enormities N. H. The honest Gentlemen could not help it for they were overawed by the rude rabble who came to the House in whole multitudes with Petitions remonstrances grievances about Religion Liberties and rights to which was added all that prevailes with men of force or flattery of craft or terrour Court Now Ireland was all in a Rebellion Scotland was up in Armes and they in England practised they after some Treaties with the King and Disputations with his Divines alter Church Government and settle that Discipline which they had contended for these 120. years L. B C. When it was established did the people submit to it N. H. No for they looked upon it as a yoake which neither they nor their fathers could bear Court How did they propagate it H. J. They sequestred all the Orthodox Clergy and setled in their places such men as were ready to advance their new project th 〈…〉 who complained so much when a dozen Ministers were 〈…〉 made nothing to silence five or six hundred at a time L. H. Yet for all this the new Government was not owned for there arose other factions innumerable who though they differed among themselves yet agreed in this viz. that they would have no Government but that every one according to his own conscience might do what was good in his own eyes as the Presbyterians cryed formerly so the Independents cried now that Christians should have liberty of Conscience to do according to the best light afforded them Court It pleased God to let them set up what they so long looked for that the World might see what they are and what is their way and what is the dreadful consequence of that way when it doth prevaile their pretences before they had the Government in their own hands were such as rendred them very amiable and made them the darling of the people their practices when they had it made them the most odious of Mankind L. B. C. The people would never believe their mischeif untill they saw their practice and providence let them take a turn upon our stage to see how they would behave themselves untill they went off Odium humani generis L. H. When they had suppressed the Orthodox Clergy alienated their maintenance overcome their Friends and put him to death who they knew must otherwise avenge on them these abominations for these people had the face too before the world to lay violent hands upon the Lords Annointed they made an Act wherein it was not lawful for an Orthodox man by any meanes to exercise his Ministry being made uncapable either of performing the duty or of enjoyning the maintenance of a Minister either as Chaplain Tutor Schoolmaster Curate Vicar or Pastor L. H.
This cut off all the Orthodox men that were already root and branch but what care did they take of the next Generation A. C They furnished the Universities with active men that might instill their Principles into all the Youth yet lest some honest men as D. H. Dr. S. Dr. G. and others should take care for the succession of true Ministers by encouraging some youth to embrace the antient Catholique and Apostolique way they set up a company of Triers as Manton Caryl Nie c. at Church door as it were who were to take care that every man should be true to their faction before he were admitted to any place bestowed upon him L. O. Yea and least any man that was approved by the Triers should afterwards embrace any of the antient Rites and orders of the Church of England they set up in the several Counties Commitees of Ejection who upon the first discovery of an Orthodox man had power to render him uncapable of any livelyhood in the Church L. W. And that they might be sure of the following age they set up new Ordinations and new associations of Ministers L. I. Yea and rather then fail if they had not the Clergy to serve their turn they were resolved to take away Tythes and all the setled maintenance of Ministers and to let into the Church all persons whatsoever that were well affected to themselves and the good Old Cause in somuch that we were like to be all Teachers and no Hearers yea in a word they intended to destroy all Law Order Civility Learning and pure Religion before God and undefiled they denyed the being of the Church and so began to set up a new Church but that God who seteth in Heaven laughed at their devices and brought their Counsel to nought CHAP. VI. King Charles the Seconds Reign COurt When a miracle restored the Church and a wonder defeated these prosperous Parties to their own and the worlds amazement we presume that they acquiesced in it and thought this is the Lords doing and it is marvelous in our sight stand off from these designes lest we be found fighters against God R. L. Especially when besides a providence that might awe these men there came along with his Majesty so much Clemency mercy and goodness as made him ready to condescend as far as reason honour ' or conscience would give him leave and content to yield them all that seemed to advance true piety he onely desiring to continue what was necessary in point of order maintenance and authority to the Church Government and what he was perswaded was agreeable to the true Principles of Government raised to its full stature and perfection as also to the Primitive and Apostolical pattern and the practice of the universal Church conforme thereto nor were the remaining differences so essential to the peoples happiness or of such consequence as in the least to have hindred the Subjects security or prosperity for the best enjoyed both many years before those demands were made Court But the violence of these men was not so allayed R. L. No as soon as ever the King set foot on English ground Smectymnuus was Re-printed the Covenant maintained the Kings engagement in Scotland was urged and many more pestilent Papers whose common business was by affronting the Law and slattering the rabble to cast all back into a confusion a multitude of persons are dissatisfied to whom his Majesty must either yield or endanger himself and three Kingdomes whereby they extorted from his Majesty an Interim or a Declaration concerning Ecclesiastical assaires which allowed them their own liberty untill his Majesty could with the advice of his Divines take further order Court Where they herewith satisfied L. R. No for I do not well remember where ever that party was ever satisfied with less then all allow these people their askings in what concernes their Discipline will they rest quiet there without further hankering after the Legislative power the Milita or some such thing C. How did they proceed R. L. They endeavoured to settle that temporary indulgence for ever in Parliament and when that would not do they endeavour to confirme the people in what they had taught them formerly and urged his Majesty to a Conference which he granted them at the Savoy between Mr. Baxter Dr. Seaman Mr. Calamy Bishop Reynolds Dr. Jacomb Dr. Manton Dr. Conant Dr. Spurstow and Dr. Gunning Dr. Pearson Dr. Peirce c. C. What was the success of that Conference R. L. The same with all others of that nature whence both parties go away as firme in their several Opinions as they came it was not very likely that a day or two's conference should perswade them out of that way out of which the last hundred years law power and reason could not force them C. It 's strange to see a few people endeavouring to impose upon a whole Nation it's strange that a novel and vulgar imagination should bear down an Apostolical institution that a private opinion should consist with a publick and solemn sanction R. L. Yet what these men could not do by argument they endeavour by policy using all meanes to secure to themselves the next Parliament by the most notorious canvasing that was seen this twenty years elections being carried with much partiality and popular heats in most places by the last endeavour of a gasping faction C. It is well they kept themselves within the compass of private policy and design R. L. Not so for at first all the lesser factions were hid in Presbytery till time and military success discovering to every one his own advantage invited them to part into several parties as Independents Anabaptists Quakers Fifth-Monarchy men who all before the King came drove on their several designes but were united since as against a common enemy C. Then these factions grew to the same excess with them in Germany who were at first an harmless people but at last made havock of all Order Law peace Religion c. and whatsoever is sacred among Mankind But what did they attempt R. L. They contrived a design so comprehensive as might take in the whole stream and strength of discontent and faction in the Nation a design for liberty of Conscience in Religion for ease of all payments as Taxes Tythes c. in estate for recovery of King and Bishops Lands to the thousands that bought them of selling all in common to all the poor people that in quiet times could not live C. O their cunning they knew that they were inconsiderable untill discontents drave men into sidings as ill humours fall to the disaffected part so all who affected any novelties or complained of any grievances adhere to that way as the most remarkable and specious note of difference in point of Religion But did they break out into any violence R. L. Yes they set up a desperate party to break the Ice as Venner c. according to whose success the rest were ready to
go to dinner only a Chapter is read and O what times do we live in that a man cannot read a Chapter without the danger of a Premunire 5. The Servants are all of the Church C. What do they do at their meetings D. B. They that have been there say how truly I know not that first they bewaile their apostacy from the old cause 2. They pray that the Kings heart may be turned and the Councel of the wicked may be overthrown 3. They bewaile their neglect of the many opportunities put into their hands 4. They wish an union between all parties 5. They take in all intelligence and likewise communicate all those scandals that lie upon the Government 6. They teach perseverance 7. They take order about any new occurrences that happen As first if there be a new Law how to evade it 2. If any brother is taken in a snare how to get him out by purse interest or importunity C. How do the Presbyterians keep the people in these courses from running into Independency B. D. Mr. Crofton hath taken care of that by teaching that the people ought not to separate from the Church as hearers though the Ministers do as Preachers the Presbyterian Rabbies saith my Author must leave the Church lest Presbytery be swallowed up of Episcopacy the people must not leave the Church lest Presbytery should be brought to nothing by Independency C. Really that was warily done but what hope have they to bear up in this way B. D. Why first they watch the vacancies in this Parliament and tugg hard in the new elections 2. They clap their hands at the little plots and the great quarels and are observed to ride up and down incessantly at that time 3. They engross the stock and stop the trade of the Nation 4. They have active Agents in Ireland where they are very troublesome and unpeaceable 5. There is as it appears from the late Plotters examination here at York a constant Committee to manage all affaires yonder at London 6. Forreign Warrs 7. Yea they promise themselves good Christians the whilest great matters from the Turk and bless themselves when they consider what liberty they shall enjoy under that good man Calvino Turcismus Right 8. Besides that many Patrons reserve their Livings for them C. Where can so many lurke as have forsaken their callings rather then their Rebellion D. B. They have a combination that every well affected noble or rich Family shall no sooner want either a Chaplain or a Tutor then a hopeful or an honest man for so they talk is recommended thither or if an honest man offer himself the first question is Did you know Mr. Boules c. C. It is well they are not suffered to print and preach however D. B. They Print as much as ever There is their Bishops no Preachers their Vindiciae Pietatis as if none took any care of godliness but they or as if there were no godliness in the world but their sniveling hypocrisie Dr. Owen of Liturgies and his Book against Popery I 'le warrant you if it had not been for these men the silly people must think Popery had been here before this time the Latine Apology for the Nonconformists to their brethren abroad as if they would perswade us notwithstanding what Mr. Durell a forreigner hath written of the Conformity of forreign reformed Churches to our Church that they agree with all Protestants but we yea they have engaged with some poor forreign Divines to meddle with what concerns them not yea with what they understand not not to mention that dreadful Libell called Meue Tekel and dispersed the very day of the Kings death and infinite more phanatick Rhapsodies printed every day C. How do these men escape the Bishops Courts D. B. 1. They keep in fee so many confiding Lawyers who are to find out all the wayes to escape and elude the Lawes 2. They keep the Officers in fee 3. They care not for an Excommunication for a Nonconformist in our parts durst come to Church even before the Judges though he was excommunicated 4. They make the Church Wardens their own therefore it is they busle so much at the election of them As at Newbury where the faction was so unruly in Easter week that nothing but the Train-bands could keep them in order they shift their dwellings and live in a corner that may be in two Counties or Diocesses or at the worst they hide themselves in London where they are most secure and most serviceable C. It is a very strange thing that men should continue in a state of disobedience and uncharitable considering how short their life is and how sad their fame after death B. D. Alas they are as famous as any men after their death for Mr. Clark he writes their lives and the brethren erect their Monuments as any man I am told may see in the new Church-yard where Mr. Biddle hath a large square stone over his grave and this Inscription over it Hic jacet Johannes Bedellus artium Magister Oxoniensis qui maxima dedit tam pictatis quam eruditionis specimina And another this Here lyeth one that feared God and honoured the Truth Not one that feared God and honoured the King C. An obstinate people D. B. If you knew all I have been told that either in London or Westminster upon the 30 of Janu. last a silly fellow that could not speak sense must needes bestow a Sermon upon a Congregation and for the more solemnity give warning of it a week before hand but when he came what did he pray and prate against even three or four abominations whereof one was the turning out of the ejected Clegy another the corruption of Gods worship and a third the patience and stupidness of the people under these abominations and not a word all this while of the Kings death C. Was this man a Conformist B. D. A very early one they say C. Lord who encourage such men D. B. It was observed as I am informed that one whose Cozen was hanged here with us at York was a maine stickler for this fellow C. They are the most dangerous people that declare before God and men their acquiescence in the Government and yet thus act against it D. B. I O if you did but hear how solemnly the graver sort of our Bopeepes out of Grotius Du Plessis Amyrald Vives c. prove the truth of Christianity as if we were all heathens again since his Majesties return though just before it was the most glorious time for the light of the Gospel that ever was in the World though I must needs say that their hypocrisie would make any man an Atheist and that by their many religions we were in danger of enjoying none C. But the Ministers that fell off have been silent of late B. D. So they may as long as there are so many that speak for them yet they are not so silent did you not hear their charge
to Archippus I mean did you not see a Book called so wherein they were stirred up by all the arguments in the world to invade their Pulpits and the Newes yonder yonder at London was so stronge that some of their Reverences they say took Coach very demurely to Whiteball to wipe off forsooth that aspersion although many of them creep up into some careless mens Pulpits and you know how Mr. Calamy Preached boldly at his own Church and how he made it a Moot-point whether he had offended or no. C. Was the late plot in the North a general one B. D. They would not a great while believe it was any yea and that was the main plot to perswade others that it was none yet in the mean time how insolent how busie are they what riding what posting what writing We will be in Chester the 24. of the sixth Moneth saith one Tell brother Owen we are 6000. stronge of our own friends c. How sullen how dogged are they here as well as some of our wel-wishers abroad untill the design was broken which in the breaking discovered a Committee here in London that united all interests and managed all affaires Now the question will be whether the dissenting brethren considering their carriage and behaviour since the fancy began in King Henry the Eighths time of which we have given an exact account to this hour are to complain if they are restrained by laws and kept from meeting or acting by publick constitutions For answer to this it is the observation of all men 1. That private men must be checked rather then the publick Government violated 2. That it is not safe or reasonable for any private opinion or fancy to controule or guide a publick authority 3. That the King must either violate his own Conscience and so not have the liberty of it which they insist on for themselves or else check their pretences of theirs 4. That they were never satisfied with any thing that was granted them he that allowed them a little doth but give them a power to take more Could all the late Kings concessions keep them from his blood first its Liberty but at last it is a Warr they are a party not to be gained by Obligations 5. That neither Scotland nor England had an houres peace or quiet since Knox set footing in the one or they who had conferred notes with him in the other but that blood rapine violence malice animosities and plots have been the attendants of the good old cause since it was in the cradle 6. That the Law must not be ruled by a faction and yet that the question is now whether they who overthrowed the Law formerly may now controule and they who raised a Warr against it may be free from it in peace 7. That the indulging of men because they are many is rather an encouragement to Villany then a provision for tenderness 8. That to ask liberty of Conscience is to ask liberty to what they please which they may call conscience for who shall judge what is really Conscience and what is really malice 9. That to grant these people what they desire is to allow the reason of the reason of their requests and so at once to reward one injury and justifie another 10. That the late Warr begun with calling that Christian liberty which the Law calleth treason that Religion which the Church calleth Schisme 11. That no Oathes or Vowes but one to rebell can tye these people 12. That they would never trust others with the least indulgence 13. That they are a people that rather then submit expostolate whose Addresses look like mutinies and their Petitions like threats 14. That the whole business and bustle is but a contest between a Law and a Faction And now considering these things we must conclude that either the Government must be again banished or the Faction that either the King for upholding the Church according to Law must be an exile or they for supporting Conventicles against the Law must be proscribed and which is fittest let the World judge THE History of Plots OR ALL The Plots against the Government of England since the Conquest to this day which are 247. in Number unsuccessfull In a continued Series of them from year to year to this present of February 1663. Concluding with an Exact Narrative of the Plot in York-shire History is the knowledge of things past whereby we may judge of things present and guess at things to come Dionys. Pet. Pref. WHen I had taken up perswasions that Interfered with the established Religion of this Nation the publick Laws laid hold upon me as well for my former engagements under the late Revolutions as for my present sentiments of the state of things that now prevailes those unruly lusts of pride ambition envy covetousness and looseness that remain in the best assisted with prejudice discontent and sufferings and all improved by those vehement impulses of conscience and a desire of liberty that all men are sensible of transported my impatience not only to murmuring to speak evil of Dignities to despise Dominions to entertain evil thoughts of the Rulers of my people but so endlesse and boundlesse are the workings of a foule heart under fouler temptations to some dangerous Considerations how necessary how lawfull how easy and how successfull an attempt more upon this Government might be all the Principles and Grounds of our late Engagements that are scattered in our Remonstrances Apologies Declarations Propositions and States of the Case immediately offering themselves unto me then prepared for such Impressions yea the Scripture it self wherein I was much conversant in my solitudes to my apprehension exactly answering my thoughts and inclinations and with those glosses upon it thee lay before me there twenty years looking like one great remonstrance for the good old Cause so that my exceptions of things being before hand wrapped in Scripture notions I saw my own mind there so clearly that I was resolved that an undertaking for the alteration of the present frame of things was not only my interest but also my duty not only a kindness to my self and our common cause but some service to my God under these temptations a reverend and a most excellent person endeavoured to relieve me with three sorts of arguments 1. The first whereof was from the concernment of private persons in the publick peace and welfare and the great advantages men had from all Governments in general and every English mans Interest under this Government in particular which I easily evaded with the maximes of a Commonwealth which possess more men then are publickly observed and carry them to the affront and weakening of all the rules lawes and principles of Monarchy that are now extant in the world 2. The second was from the great Obligations laid upon men to peace and obedience in great rules and examples by Christianity above all the Religions in the World it being not the least