their partie crying them up in Pulpits News-books conferences calling them the saviours of the Kingdomes and for this purpose they have certaine men that are Criers and Trumpetters between the Armie Citie and Countrey who trumpet forth their praises giving them the titles of Terrible c. a large book would not containe the relation of all the victories glorious actions exploits having been given to the Armie called Independent 2. Practice They give out and boast their partie to be more and greater than they are some of them will speak in all places as if all were theirs all for them they have given out as if Parliament Armies Citie of London Countrey all the godly wise judicious understanding men were theirs and will be theirs yea that the Assembly the French Churches the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland thought well of their way and so of particular persons that are prime men they have given out as if they were or are coming over to them Some of them have bragg'd that Sir Thomas Fairfax that vâ—liant victorious Commander in chief of the Parliament Forces began to have some glimmering of new light and I can prove Letters have been written over to some of their partie in Holland that Mr. Marshall was turned Independent they use to boast of their friends in the House of Commons and they will acquaint their friends in the House of Commons and they brag of a Toleration giving out their friends in the House of Commons have said they shall have a Toleratioâ— and they boast thus to awe persons and to make men afraid to speak against them or to oppose them but rather to adhere to them who are so powerfull and have so many on their side 3. Practice They appropriate to themselves the name of the godly and well-affected partie the title of Saints calling themselves the Saints that they only preach Jesus Christ and though they be Anabaptists Seekers c. yet they are the Saints this is common in printed Books Petitions Sermons Discourses what speak against the Saints be against a Toleration for the Saints meaning themselves only 4. Practice They pretend one thing when they intend quite another and it is usuall for them to pretend the publike good the benefit of the State when it is evident they intend their owne interest and strengthen of their partie they pretend peace love forbearing of all names of difference to make the Presbyterians secure negligent and to forbeare all means of setling things and yet at the same time go quite contrarie using all means and waies for promoting their own partie as they did after the losse of Leicester 5. Practice What themselves are most faultie in that they will charge upon others the Presbyterian Miâ—isters and people as making dâ—visions wanting love as breaking the peace and causing mis-rules tumults as be guilty of persecution when as 't is evident to all the world they are most faulty in these particulars and in many more and for the proof of it I Iould demonstrate it in a hundred instances 6. Practice They do on purpose having got Churches void keepe manie Churches without Ministers seeke out for none stop all they can Orthodox Ministers from coming in which they do for two reasons 1. That so they may pay no Tithes 2. That so they may have the liberty of the Pulpits for all kinde of Sectaries and mechanick preachers who come from London the Armies and other places to preach in and corrupt the people and that the people being as sheep without a shepherd may be more easily now drawne away to error and schisme and of this practice there are many sad examples in Hartfordshire Bucking Essex and that in some great market-townes as Chesham where thousands of souls are 7. Practice They have laboured and do by all waies to have no Church-Government at all setled in this Kingdome but to keep it out Or secondly if there must be any yet to have a defective imperfect loose Government and Reformation that may not be able to do the worke that so others may fall off to their way the more and for proof of this they have refused to joyn for a pure full Reformation in points according to their own principles that so one good might not hinder a greater good as was expressed and have opposed to the utmost a thorow Presbyteriall Reformation 3. They have laboured to get a Toleration granted before the Government be setled to get an exception before the rule was made and if once they had gotten that let the Presbyterians get the Government then when they could and this they stirred in and sought to effect last winter 4. Seeing they could not do this but this policy was espied they labour for a Toleration together with a Reformation that the Church-Government and a Toleration might be borne and brought forth together as twins in one day and so go hand in hand and this they are labouring for now the monster of Toleration conceived in the wombe of the Sectaries long ago they having growne big with it ever since are now in travell to bring it forth and till they could be ready and get things fitted for a Toleration they bestirred themselves so against the London Petitions that of September those of November lest Government should be setled before a Toleration and therefore one of them said to some Citizens why should you bee so hâ—sty for Government cannot you stay awhile how long said they To spring said this Sectarie hoping their toleration businesse would be readie by that 8. Practice In some Parish-Churches where the Sectaries are put in they have put downe all siâ—ging of Psâ—lms as at Elsly in Cambr. sâ— Alberie in Hartford-shire and will not suffer the Parishes to enjoy any singing of Psalms and in other places they begin to put down all Prayer in the publike Assemblies and to say there must be onely discoursing and preaching and in places where they cannot prevaile to shut out singing of Psalmes they in a contemptuous manner clap on their hats in the time of singing of Psalms and having been pull'd off put them on again yea in prayer also many of them keep on hats 9. Practice They send forth into severall Counties of this Kingdome from their Churches in London as Church-acts severall Emissaries members of their Churches to preach and spread their errours to dip to gather and settle Churches they are not content with their owne meetings on Lords-daies week-daies keeping constant Lectures in set places for all to come to that will thereby poisoning many in the City but they endeavour the leavening of all the Counties as I might give instances of Lam Kiffin with many others sent abroad yea of some sent into the North as farre as York 10. They have appointed and kept Disputations from towne to towne in the Countrey giving out the time places and questions they will dispute of as of Poedobâ—ptisme the Ministery of the Church of England
of power and command that so they may trample upon and crush them O had the Sectaries been in the place of the Presbyterians and the Presbyterians in theirs and they so dealt with by the Presbyterians as the Presbyterians have been by them I know what they must have expected from them I dare appeale to everie ordinarie common understanding yea to the conscience of the Sectaries themselves whether if they had had the Parliaments of both Kingdomes the Assemblies and Ministers the Churches and Pulpits the representative body of this Citie and the people and wee had been as few as they were in the three first yeares of the Parliament would they have suffered us to preach in their owne Churches against them and their way to have from time to time confuted their Doctrine to have preached up another Government and way against what the Parliament had voted and was a setling to have enjoyed speciall Lectures in principall places to promote a way contrarie to theirs to have drawne away their people and maintenance from them to have fallen upon the practice of setting up Prebyteriall Churches and Government Classicall Synodicall in Citie Countrey to have printed freely against their way and used all meanes to have rendred them odious among the people would they have sate still and gone without places and offices of honour power profit and suffered the Presbyterians a small partie to get into Court Armies Committees c. to increase to such a number such a strength and head as to possesse most places of command in the field and in the strongest Garrisons and Forts as also Civill offices both of power and profit yea to have a pluralitâ—e of places and offices Would the Sectaries if they had been two powerfull Armies consisting of Commanders and Souldiers for their way under Generals after their owne heart have born those things at the hands of Presbyterians which Presbyterians have done from them O no they would never have endured the hundredth part of those wrongs discouragements injuries had the Assembly consisted of Independents excepting a matter of eight or nine Presbyterians would they have endured that and put up that from the Presbyterian partie as the Assembly hath done from the Independent suffered them to spin out time so long to speak those things in the Assembly some of them have and in stead of bringing in according to Order the whole frame of their judgements concerning Church-government in a body with their grounds and reasons to bring in a Remonstrance casting dirt upon them and their proceedings Would they in New-England endure one or more Presbyterians to live among them and to go up and downe their Countrey and in chiefe Towns and places to preach against cry downe their Churches and Church-government and to extoll and cry up a contrarie way as Mr. Peters and others do here For mine owne part I am confidently perswaded and so I beleeve are all wise men that have observed the waies of the Sectaries that if they had been in the place of the Presbyterians having had their power number authoritie and the Presbyterians had been a small number as they were and should have offered to have done but the twentieth part of that in preaching writing c. against them which the Sectaries have done against the Presbyterians they would have trod them downe as mire in the street casting them out with scorn before this time of day not have suffered a Presbyterian to preach among us or to have been in any place or office militarie or civill but all would have been shut up in prisons banished or else hiding themselves in holes and corners many godly persons in some places having much ado now to hold up their heads to live by them to preach quietly to go safely in the streets and to be quiet in their houses And for conclusion of the differerence in the carriage and behaviour of the Presbyterians and the Sectaries the righteous Lord judge between them and recompence to the Presbyterians according to their kindnesse love peaceablenesse forbearance and righteousnesse and the Lord forgive the Sectaries and turn their hearts and cause their folly insolencies unrighteousnesse and unjust dealings with their brethren to be so manifest to themselves and all men as they may proceed no further Now for the particular practices of the Sectaries they are many and it would require a Tractate by it selfe to set them downe indeed I hardly know any strange practice that hath reference to their wayes but some or other of them are guiltie in one kind or another Most of their practices and wayes may be referred to these ten heads 1 To loosnesse and libertie in life and conversation 2 To covetousnesse ambition and self-seeking 3 To policies and subtiltie 4 To activenesse sedulitie and numblenesse in the prosecution of their way 5 To tumultuousnesse disorder and confusion 6 To the disturbance and overthrow of oeconomicall ecclesiasticall and polâ—ticall relations and government 7 To insolencies pride and arrogancie 8 To acts of immodesty and incivilitie 9 To power and will carrying all before them and throwing downe all that stands in their way 10 To hypocrisie under pretences of pietie and holinesse Now for the particular practices of the Sectaries I had drawne up many to the number of seventie and provided for everie practice instances for proofe and upon some of them I could write a large discourse even a book upon severall of them as of their behaviour and carriage towards the Parliament the Kingdome of Scotland the Assembly of Divines the Citie of London the Ministerie of England yea of all the Reformed Churches as of their seeking and getting into all sorts of offices and places they are any way capable of being Sequestratours Collectours Receivâ—rs Surveyours Excisers Customers Secretaries Clerks c. getting places in Court great Townes dwelling in sequestred houses freely procuring Arreares c. not a man almost of late coming into any place or office but an Independent or Independentish there being no kind or sort of preferment employment place but some or other of that way enjoy as of their plotting and labouring from the first yeare of the wars to get into their hands the sword and power of Armes by having a considerable Army which they might look upon more particularly as theirs and of their way by attempting to remove and heave at many gallant Commanders to get the command of the strongest Garrisons and places yea to make Townes of consequence that were no Garrisons to have been Garrisons as Yarmouth but I am necessitated for divers reasons to passe by wholly for the present many of their practices and others to name only desiring the Reader as hee goes along to supply the defect by calling to mind all particulars he knowes and hath heard of upon the severall heads 1. Practice They use to ascribe and attribute all the successe of things all that is done in field at Leaguers all victories brave actions to
Answer to the Antapologie shall be with me ere long and that he may abuse me he abuses the Scripture playing upon that of Amos 5.18 resembling his Answer to my Antapologie to the day of the Lord the judgement of the 70. yeers captivity me to the sons of Belial his foretelling long ago of an Answer as to the Prophets predictions of judgement that the Answer to M. Edwards Antapol will not be for his honor c. Reply Belike I shall have a terrible thundring Answer from Cretensis when as it shall be to me as the day of the sore judgement of the 70. years captivity to the sons of Belial who derided the predictions of the Prophets a day of darknesse and not of light I know not well what the man means by this whether he intend not concluding by that time his Answer comes abroad to my Antapologie the Cavaliers will be quite subdued to try by his interest if he cannot procure some part of the Army call'd by Cretensis and his Disciples the Saints the honest men c. to carry me into captivity and to imprison me all my time in a Dungeon where I shall not see the Son nor be able to make no Replies nor never write against the Sectaries any more this I confesse were like to prove as bad to me as the 70. yeers captivity to the Jews to be a day of darknesse indeed but as for any paper writing an Answer by Reasons and words to be so to me like the 70. yeers captivity and a day of darknesse I cannot imagine I had thought Cretensis Answers would have been rather a day of new light to the world and to me then a day of darknesse especially considering what Cretensis faith pag. 16. of light and truth I am somewhat doubtful and suspitious of Cretensis threatnings because of the ill usage of some Ministers by some Souldiers and of many words given out daily by too many of Cretensis Saints in our Armies against the Presbyterian Orthodox Ministers I cannot well tell what other construction to make of Cretensis words they are very doubtful and dangereous words What an Answer to be as the sore judgement of the 70. yeers captivity against the sons of Belial and to be darknesse and not light I have read heard of such Answers in matters of difference between great men who instead of an Answer in writing or with an Answer in writing have sent an Army of ten or twenty thousand men and I must tell the Reader what increases my fears I cannot well tell how it first came into my head but I have had a strong opinion this 18. moneths and expressed it to divers that my Antapologie would never be answered till the Independents had got that power one way or other as to cast me into prison to seiz on all my papers and writings by which I should make good my proof and then they would bring forth an Answer to my Antapologie Now considering how far and how high in many things the Independents have proceeded and Cretensis threating me with such a kind of Answer I am apt to interpret him thus and truly were it not that there is a Noble General and the greatest part of the Army by farre as I have expressed often free from Cretens way and that I live in a good strong City neer the High Court of Parliament and by the Honourable Court of Common-Counsel I should expect and be afraid that his threating might be fulfilled before ever his Reply to Antapologia would be ready to come abroad But whereas Cretensis saith that he verily beleeves his Answer to my Antapologie will not be for my honour in which respect I have no great ground to be so restlesse and importunate in calling for it I Reply the Antapology I am sure was for the honour of the cause I undertook and turned to my honor both at home and abroad and made not for the honor of the Apologists and Independent party neither do I believe Cretensis Reply to my Antapology will make more for his honor then this brief Answer of his to Gangraena And however for the present Cretensis Reply when it comes first forth by his railings revilings scoffs and lyes put upon me may not make for my honor yet by that time my Rejoynder can be made and printed it shall appear to all the world that the whole businesse both Apologetical Narration Antapology Cretensis Reply and my Rejoynder will make for the honor of the Presbyterian cause and of my self as a poor Instrument pleading for it against the Zanzumins of the time and to the dishonour both of the Apologists and their great Champion Cretensis Cretensis in this 15 page makes an Apology and gives his Reasons why Mr. Edwards Antapology is not answered in so long a time as 18. Moneths namely That the Independents are not men who have little or nothing to do like Presbyterians having the priviledge of ease to Preach to bare walls and pews in their meeting places nor that shamelesnesse of forehead to make the subject matter of their Sermons little else but loose lying and frivolous reports and stories or virulent invectives against the Saints as the Presbyterians neither was the way free and open to bring light into the world but hedged up with Clergy Classique Councels as with thorns against them And besides Mr. Edwards took not much lesse then 18. Moneths time for his Antapology and therefore no Wonder if the Independents be not men of more expedition Reply Cretensis plays the Sophister here making use of that fallacy non causa pro causa giving the false cause of not Replying and concealing the true and that all these are false is evident 1. Because Cretensis hath had leasure to have attended the motions of my pen and hath since the 18 moneths given an account to the world more then once twice thrice and had leasure now the priviledge of ease to make an Answer to Gangraena and could he not with the labour of all these have Replyed to Antapology It should seem for all the weaknesse contradictions and such like which Cretensis speaks of Antapology 't is a hard piece that Cretensis can write and print five several Books have time enough from his constant and standing labors with those who have committed themselves to him in the Lord before he finde time to Reply to Antapology Besides Cretensis had five great Champions the Apologists to assist him in it some of which will be found to have or to take more priviledge of ease and seldom Preaching then the Presbyterians use to take and some of them have had leasure to Print other things since wherein not so much concerned as also Cretensis hath a priviledge of ease and idlenesse when he pleases to help himself which none of the Presbyterians have viz. to appoint some of his Prophets in his Church to Preach for him which he frequently practises upon all occasions as I can prove and hath
were quickly dried up and so will the Sects now and we may expect it so much the sooner because the visible symptomes and fore-runners of destruction are upon them And therefore I shall now toll the great Bell for the Sectaries the Anabaptists Antinomians Independents Seekers c. and hope shortly to ring it out and to preach their Funerall Sermon or rather keep a day of publike Thanksgiving and rejoycing for the bringing downe of the Sectaries and the breaking up of their Conventicles as well as for the downfall of the Popish and Prelaticall partie And that they shall shortly fall and be dried up as a floud and though they have been in great power and spreading themselves like a green Bay-tree yet that they shall passe away and not be that they shall be sought for and not found I shall give these Symptomes 1. Their horrible pride insolencie and arrogancie extolling themselves and their partie to the Heavens with the scorning vilifying trampling upon and despising of all others and that in such unparallel'd wayes as no age câ—n shew the like and that not only against particular persons of all ranks Nobles Gentrie Ministers but great bodies and Societies as the Parliament of England the Kingdome of Scotland the Common Councell of the Citie of London Assembly c. The Luciferian pride high spirit and haughtinesse of the Sectaries of all sorts in all places and businesses and towards all persons they have to do with in their writings speeches gestures actions is seen and spoken of thorowout the Kingdome and breaks out daily in their impatiencie of being contradicted or having any thing said against their way in their endervouring to break and crush all that will not dance after their pipe in their not caring to hazzard and ruine all Religion both Kingdomes but they will have their wills and so in manie other things Now God assures us in the Scripture that Pride goes before destruction and an haughty spirit before a fall Prov. 16. 18. that A mans pride shall bring him low Prov. 29 23. that When pride cometh then cometh shame Prov. 11.2 and God threatens by his Prophets he will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease and will lay low the haughtinesse of the terrible Isa. 13.11 Dan. 5.20 and indeed pride hardens mens hearts and when their hearts are lifted up and their minds hardned in pride then God throwes them downe 2. The Sectaries in promoting of their wayes and cause are grown extream violent desperate and unreasonable knowing no rules of moderation nor forbearance they go violent ways and like Iehn dâ—ive furiously they do those things daily which wise staid considerate men would never have done nor anie but mad men and which anie man who hath his eies in his head may see must needs destroy them God hath hid wisdome from them and befooled them leaving them to do manie things against sense and reason God hath left them yea given them up to those courses and waies of which I could give divers instances which no wise men would ever have taken and which makes them abhorred of all good and moderate men Now the befooling of men hiding wisdom from them leaving them to rashnesse and violence are presages of ruine according to that saying quos Deus vult perdere hos dementat and according to that of the Prophet I will hide wisdom from them Nullum violentum est perpetuum is seen in daily experience and we may remember that the violence and furie of the Prelaticall partie did undoe them and according to all humane reason without that it had been impossible to have câ—st them out being so deeply rooted in the lawes and customes of this Kingdome and therefore the Sectaries before they are rooted and setled being so violent furious and daring far above the Bishops what can we expect but their speedy downfall give them but rope enough and they will hang themselves they run so fast and â—ide so fiercely that they cannot but fall and break their necks they drive so furiously and madly that they cannot but overthrow all 3. The great prosperitie strange successe and marvailous prevailing of the Sectaries in their waies opinions their devices and designs for the most part taking effâ—ct and succeeding so as they are mightily increased many fallen unto them and 〈◊〉 wind almost favouring them whereas on the other hand the Presbyterian partie both our Brethren of Scotland and the Godly Ministers and People in England have beene sorely afflicted much crossed and troubled to to see things as they are The Scots have beene sorely visited with Sword Pestilence in their own Land obstructed reproached evill intreated by many in this Land the Assembly the godly Ministers and people of the Kingdome despised scorned and abused severall wayes yea deserted and looked upon with an evill eye as if the troublers of Israel and worse then Malignants so that they have beene forced manie a time to cry out to God Heare O our God for we are reproached Now great prosperitie successe in a bad way and in the use of bad meanes as lyes scandalous reports under-minings plottings false-dealings c. is a great Symptome of destruction both to particular persons and to a partie whom God intends certainely to destroy he fattens before and lets them bee verie happie thereby to prepare them for the day of slaughter whom hee meanes to doe good unto in the latter end and deliver he afflicts and laies them low before laies the Foundation deep that he may build high and for this let the Reader consult with these foure places of Scripture Ier. 12. 1 2 3. Psal. 37.7 and 10.35 36. Psal. 73.3 4 5. and 18 19 20. Psal. 92. 7. the sum of all which places is to teach us that the more men prosper in a bad way and flourish more then ordinarie having what their hearts can wish bringing all their devices to passe the more sure they are of being puld out as sheep for the slaughter and prepared for the day of slaughter and that within a little while they shall not bee nor their place found but brought to desolation as in a moment and utterly consumed and then when they are at their height of flourishing then is it that they shall be destroyed for ever great prosperitie is but a lightening before death and as a great calm which presages the more dreadfull storme and tempest 4. The great plotting of the Sectaries laying their counsells deep contriving and working continually night and day by all kinde of waies and means and all kind of instruments to effect their worke and to carrie on their way I do not think this manie hundred yeares there hath been a more cunning plotting undermining generation in the Church of God then our Sectaries or more plots and devices of all sorts on foot more irons in the fire within so few years as hath been and is among them there 's nothing they doe but they have a design
among us hence taking occasion to write for a Toleration of all as Anabaptists Antinomians c. and the great Historian and Chronicler of the Sectaries the Moderate Intelligencer Num. 36. who writes their lives and deaths and trumpets forth their victories and praises so immoderatly as if they did all and hath published to the world some weeks ago that there are twenty severall opinions in the Army and hath pleaded more then once for liberty of conscience for them all so that I by writing in this kind of the Errours of the time cannot be guilty of discovering our nakednesse the enemy having known so much before But why stand I to prove that our Heresies and Schisms are openly known in England when as their sound is gone into all Lands into Holland Zealand France yea to New-England The Walachrian Classis in their Letter to the London Synod complain much of Heresies Schisms Errours confusions in Religion spreading in the City which by such an expresse holy and sacred oath is bound to God to cast out all Errours Heresies Scisms out of the house of God Many Letters have been written over into Enland out of Holland from Ministers and Professours of schools men zealously affected to the cause of the Parliament complaining of the Errours Sects and Schisms amongst us which have been communicated to some prime members of the Assembly and others New-England speaks much of the Heresies Errours and all sorts of Sects amongst us wondring that the Assembly suffers them and that they do not stirre up the Parliament to supresse them Mr Shepards Letter written from thence shewes their knowledg of the heresies errours and sects amongst us so that our errours and schismes so publikely known to the world cannot be concealed from Oxford Seeing then there are so many errours and monsters of opinions spoken of in all places I cannot be taxed for the discovery of that which was before concealed but in this work am only a gatherer together of those errours that were scattered which by Gods blessing may be a meanes to keep many from falling into schisme seeing such monsters in that way and to cause many to returne when they finde that they never dreamt of nor intended Secondly supposing our errours to be known which is fully proved in any first Answer I then secondly say 't is so farre from being unseasonable and inconvenient that 't is most necessary that some Ministers who are friends to the Reformation and zealots for the Parliament should lay them open to the full by testifying against them and disclaiming them that so our enemies may not say wee favour and countenance them and one of my great ends in this Tractate is to take away occasion from the common enemy to blaspheme the Reformation and speak ill of the Parliament by our not owning them but speaking as much against heresie schisme and all errours as any of them can Thirdly I answer we should be so farre from being afraid to give the common enemy advantage by speaking against heresies and errours that on the contrary I may say we have no such enemies as those persons that broach and spread their heresies and damnable opinions these are our enemies which wee have cause to fear more then all the Cavaliers these are the Achans the accursed persons and things which are most likely to undo us and if ever the Parliament and their party be ruined which God prevent it will not be so much by the Cavaliers they could not have done it but the heresies blasphemies and schimes of some among our selves will cause it and therefore the finding of these out and labouring to have these removed is a work of great importance to the saving of the Kingdom and of great prejudice to the common enemy whose hopes and confidence are much more placed in our heresies prodigious opinions and schismes then in their own strength 2. Ob. As this book will give occasion to open the mouthes of enemies so it may cause distractions and divisions among our selves weaken the hands of many who are cordiall to the Parliament apprehending themselves to be written against besides this may offend many good persons that are not sectaries especially that Independents should be put into this Catalogue and ranked with all sorts of hereticks and schismaticks 1. I answer to this as Luther did in an Epistle of his to Spalatinus upon a like occasion Spalatinus would not have had Luther at such a time to have writ against the Papists for feare of disturbing the publike peace to whom Luther thus replies That 's excellent indeed that thou thinkest it not fit to have the publike peace disturbed and yet judgest it fit to have the externall peace of God disquieted not so O Spalatine Shall the grievous wolves come freely to the flock not sparing them and if the doggs barke to give warning of them shall they be said to disturbe the peace and cause distractions Brethren things are come to a good passe that hereticks and sectaries must do what they please and if any course be taken by preaching writing petitioning to remedy it 't is given out by Sectaries 't is a plot to make division discourage the Army disturbe the peace I say no more if this be to preserve union and peace and to be cordiall to the Parliament to let hereticks and sectaries do what they list preach writ spread their errours destroy many souls and no man must say what do they cursed be that union peace and affection to the Parliament 'T is a golden saying of Luther and worthy to bee thought of in these times Cursed be that charity which is kept with the losse of the doctrine of faith to which all things ought to give place Charity an Apostle an Angell from Heaven yea and I will add Parliaments Answ. 2. If in such a time as this and such a case when by many persons all the things of God are laid waste and made null Church Minister Sacraments Scriptures and what not men will be offended for speaking let them 't is better they should be offended then the glory of Christ should suffer 't is an offence taken and not given Christ cared not in that case that the Pharisees were offended Mat. 15.12.13.14 I wonder they are not offended at the heresies and errours daily broached and yet should be offended at the discovering and speaking against them I have more cause to be offended at this objection of theirs and their lukewarmenesse wo be unto them that broach these errours and to those that countenance them for every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted up Answ. 3. I name not these things to provoke and exasperate any especially none of those who in simplicity of heart and under pretences of greater holinesse and new light are taken in these wayes for as I have writ before so I say again I put a great difference between Independency strictly and properly
their lives and places so doe our Sectaries make it their study to remove worme by degrees out of places upon one pretence or other when they cannot doe it otherwise active Presbyterians of which we have too manie instances and set themselves to vex them by over-rating in Townes where they have place by bringing them into Haberdashers Hâ—ll by putting in Articles against them which they cannot prove and so putting them to chargeable journeyes and expences with abundance of such 4. The Bishops and the Court-party to bring about their ends would bring matters to such a condition and such a necessitie and then would make those necessities that condition of affaires as a ground of such and such following actions pleading the necessities and the condition of the times as their warrant so our Sectaries doe in many cases they have by their policies and wayes hindred the setling of Church-Government all this while and they plead the long delay of setling it as a ground to justifie their gathering Churches saying how manie yeares would you have us to stay when as in the Assembly Citie in all places by all meanes where they have anie interest they retard the work and so if meanes be used by Petitioning the Parliament to settle Church-Government and to suppresse the great errours then some of the Sectaries say and give out The Army will be offended when as many of the Sectaries have used all meanes and do still to bring things to that passe that we might have an Armie under the commands and in the hands of the Sectaries though blessed be God we have a Noble Generall free from sectarisme and not above one in six in the Armie that way tainted 4. The Prelaticall faction and that Court-partie were great Innovatours given to change running from one opinion to another being Arminians as well as Popish yea some of them Sociâ—inians and countenancing such and were everie day inventing some new matter in worship adding this ceremonie and the other putting downe some part of worships and altering them by substituting other as in putting down singing of Psalmes in some Churches and having Hymnes in putting downe all conceived Prayer and commanding bidding of Prayer with a multitude of such like so our Sectaries are great Innovatours as changeable as the Moon bringing into their Churches new opinions daily new practices taking away the old used in all Reformed Churches and substituting new taking away of singing of Psalms and pleading for hymnes of their own making bringing in anoynting with oyl bringing in their laying on of hands to give the Holy Ghost with severall other strange wayes and practices which the Reader shall find in this following discourse among the narrations of passages and stories 5 The Prelaticall faction and that Court-Clergie were daring bold men that durst venture almost upon any thing upon counselling to prorogue and break up Parliaments in times of danger and distraction upon putting men out of offices and places that were not for their turne and to bring in others calculated for their Meridian upon corrupting Religion and Lawes at once breaking in both upon the Truth and the libertie of the Subject at the same time upon any thing or person that stood in their way So our Sectaries many of them are daring men have attempted and been upon high businesses about counselling and drawing up Petitions for adjourning as they call it the Assembly in a time when the distractions of this Church are so infinite and things so unsetled as also have inserted strange passages into other Petitions which yet have not been presented others of the company opposing them with severall other particulars which would be too large now to relate in one word there is almost nothing which they have not and dare not venture on that stands in their light and in the way of their designes and I may say of many of the Sectaries for I do not mean all as I have said before so I say again there are some good souls meerly seduced who are not of the Faction they have overpassed the deeds of the wicked not only walked after their wayes nor done after their abominations but have corrupted themselves more than they justified the Bishops and their Faction by falling into those opinions and doing those actions in an high bold and open way which that Faction never durst do for feare of the people Next the present Malignants and the Sectaries agree in the generall thus that thorowout the Kingdome it is now notorious that the greatest Malignants and Sectaries hold together and vote together against the Presbyterians and the Reformation in all places and upon all businesses of which there are many examples in the choyce of Burgesses for Parliament in the Petition presented in London at the choyce of the new Common-Councell the grandest Malignants and the Independents joyned together to oppose and in some Committees where men of both these sorts are it is observed also but to come to some particulars The parallel between the present Malignants and our grand Sectaries stands in these 1 The Malignants have opposed the proceedings of Parliament by preaching and writing books against them reviling the Houses especially the House of Commons and many particular worthy Members by name speaking against their Ordinances constitutions as Covenant Directorie Ordination against their Power and Priviledges we know what Aulicus that grand Malignant hath done and how manie books both from Oxford and here at London hath been by the malignant partie printed and vented so also have manie Sectaries and here it would fill a great book to bring into one all the speeches with the passages in Petitions Sermons Prayers printed books that have been vented against the Parliament and particular Worthy Members of both Houses their Power and Power and Priviledges with their Ordinances and Orders in reference to matters of Religion as the Nationall Covenant Directorie Ordinance against mens preaching out of Office the Monethly Fast the Ordinance for Tithes the Orders and Directions about Classes and chusing Elders in which Sermons printed Books Discourses Petitions and other carriages of the Sectaries there have been more things vented distructive to the verie power and nature of Parliaments undermining the verie root and foundation and all their proceedings in reference to matters of Religion yea of justice and civill matters then ever have been by all the Malignants in England as ever I could heare of witnesse Lilburnes booke with that lately come forth call'd Innocency and Truth justified all the printed Letters and Papers that were printed upon occasion of his imprisonment Englands Birthright the Ordinance of Tithes Dismounted the Arraignment of Persecution and all his fellowes as Martins Eccho c. Turners Heavenly conâ—erence for Sions Saints resembling the Directory to the golden Calves of Jeroboam and affirming there are untruths contradictions to the Canonicall Scriptures errours c. And here I dare be bold to say that here have been greater insolencies and
addressing themselves in most humble manner by way oâ— petitioning and that both Assembly Court of Common Councell Ministers people and when sometimes their hopes have been deferred beyond all expectation and have met with some disappointments and discourâ—gements in their Petitions about setling the Church as by a vote passed against one Petition before it was presented as small thanks given for another and little respect shewed to a third besides the Sectaries insulting over them and their Petitions branding them in Pulpits in the weekly News-books and in their daily discourses notwithstanding what ever they might conceive of neglects and hard usage on the one hand and of great abuse of them by the Sâ—ctâ—ries on the other hand yet they have taken all patiently waiting still petitioning still in all humble and thankfull manner foâ—bearing to print what was presented though there was no Oâ—der nor command against it out of their tender respect of giving any offence or displeasing the Parliâ—ment though in the meane time they suffered much by mis-reports of their proceedings both for matter and manner The Presbyterian partie though the Assembly of Divines the representative body of the Citie the Court of Common-Councell the Ministerie of the Kingdome thousands and ten thousands of godly well affâ—cted persons the Kingdome of Scotland yes all the Reformed Churches own that way hath not upon the fore-named things and others as the not giving leave upon a Petition to print an Answer to the Remonstrance of the Independents in which the Assembly is extremely wronged brokeâ—â—t either against the Parliament saying they will fight no longer c. speaking their pleasure of them drawing up all their grievances to a head and setting them forth in print or agâ—inst particular Members falling upon them by name making them to be knowne to the world whom they conceive and have been informed of to be the great hinderers of their desires and sticklers against them but even as becomes Christians have taken all patiently waiting upon God and the Parliament And as the carriage of the Presbyterian hath been thus in all humble dutie and high respect to the Houses of Parliament and everie Member in their places for I have not yet heard of any Presbyterian that hath singled out any one Member by name to abuse him in print as some Sectaries have done both particular Members and the whole House of Commons so hath it been with all love brotherly kindnesse tendernesse respect and forbearance to the Sectaries and considering that the Presbyterians were as I have shewed before both of the Ministers and people standing for Reformation the body of both Kingdomes having the command and power of the pulpits so great an interest in the people c. their love and forbearance to the Sectaries hath been admirable when the Independents were but few and other Sectaries a small number in the first and second yeare of this Parliament some halfe a score or dozen Ministers three or foure hundred people the Presbyterians gave them the right hand of fellowship admitted them to their meetings opened their pulpit doores unto them shewed all brotherly respect of love and kindnesse to them even more then to most of their own way condescending to such a motion as to forbeare preaching and printing against their opinions and way making them who were so small and inconsiderable a party as it were an equall partie putting them into the balance with themselves they appeared not to hinder their being chosen to bee generall Lecturers for this City in severall great Churches and as at first so all along they have been tender and respectfull of them in Assembly City and in all cases suffering them to grow up to thousands and notwithstanding breach of agreements drawing away their people preaching against them in their own Pulpits many high and strange carriages yet still using all fairenesse and love hoping by brotherly kindnesse forbearance and a thorow Reformation in the Church wherein they have been willing upon all occasions to gratifie and have respect to their consciences at last to have gained them ☞ O the faithfulnesse dutifulnesse patience long-suffering forbearance of the Presbyterians their dutifulnesse and patience in waiting upon the Parliament their faithfulnesse in not abating in their zeale and respects to them O their love kindnesse and tendernesse to the Independents yea to other Sectaâ—ies also who have had something of Christ and grace in them and have not fallen into errours and blasphemies razing the foundation But now on the other hand the Sectaries though a contemptible number and not to be named at the same time with the Presbyterians have not waited upon the Parliament and Assembly for the Reformation but preached against it and stirred up the people to imbody themselves and to joyne in Church fellowship gathering Churches setting up Independent Government rebâ—ptizing and dipping many hundreds and upon any thing that hath been voted by the Assembly Parliament that hath crossed them though alas few Orders or Ordinances which have reference to the Sectarries or are against their minds have little life in them or are put into execution witnesse that Ordinance against mens preaching who are not ordained Ministers witnesse that Ordinance about Printing cum multis aliis Lay-men never preaching so much noâ— so openly as since the Ordinance and all kind of erroneous wicked books printed dispersed as much as before they have put forth books against the Parliament Assembly preached against them and their proceedings the Directorie Ordinance against preaching of persons not Ordained c. talked their pleasure that they would lay down Arms that the King would give them a Toleration that these proceedings would discourage the Army and such like they have not forborn prinâ—ing of Answers to books Petitions passages in Letters or other things which might make for their cause because the Parliament did not like them or had forbid them there 's nothing that may make for the furthering of their way but they do it Parliament Assembly Citie Kingdome say what they will to the contrarie And as their carriage hath been thus to the Parliament so they have and do all kind of wayes within their power wrong and abuse the godly Orthodox Ministers and people vilifying sleighting and scorning them raising up all kinds of evill reports and casting reproaches on them requiting them for all their love and kindnesse with preaching against them in their owne pulpits stealing away their people from them labouring by all means in places where they have any power or interest to keep good Ministers out of such Churches and Presbyterians out of all offices and employments yea in many places where they have power they study and watch to throw out by one wile or other godly Ministers who are against their way detaining their dues vexing of them and making their lives bitter unto them domineering and abusing the godly Orthodox partie yea using all policie and industrie to get themselves into all chiefe places
c. and agree among themselves that some of them shall seem to be for Poedobâ—ptisme and in the disputation 't is maintained at first eagerly by some of their party against others of them who oppose it but then after long and great disputation at last they confesse they are by the evidence of truth convinced and before all the people give glorie to God that now they see the truth whereby the people seeing them who pleaded for Poedobaptisme confessing their errour and yeelding they knowing nothing of this precontract and deceit they also stumble question and fall yea and to spread their errours the more in some great towne where some of the Sectaries being souldiers have been quartered they have desired the use of severall houses of persons well-affected that in the afternoon some Christians might meet to confer together of some points not contenting themselves to reason in the house where quartered or in any one house that might be larger to hold many but to get a new house every day the more to infect and possesse the people with their waies and Tenets 11. All things that have fallen out and do in the Kingdomes of Victories Losses Oâ—dinances Petitions Actions Death of particular persons of all matter in Church State Parliament Assembly City they make use of it one way or other to further their designe and turne it for the furthering of their way and against the Presbyteriall Government as the businesse of Dennington Castle as the losse of Leicâ—ster upon that framing a Petition to adjâ—urne the Assembly with other particulars which I cannot now mention 12. Some of the Sectâ—riâ—s plead miracles revelations visions for their way and to confirme their doctrine as some Anabaptists at Yorke for their rebaptization that being baptized in the winter in the river Ouse the water was as hot as if it had beene in the midst of summer as healing the sicke with the anointing of oyle as giving out Christ appeared to an Anabâ—ptist and forbade her to baptize her child of which the Reader may read more in the second Letter 13. They are wont upon the coming forth of books against their way which they see take with wise men and for which both their opinions and themselves suffer to give out they shall be answered and are answering of them to keep the people in heart till they be forgotten and the speech of the booke over of which I could give many instances and so upon the new Modell when in stead of bringing that in to the Assembly they brought in pretended reasons why not they suffered much in the esteem of all unprejudiced men speaking they durst bring in none because of the weaknesse of their way then severall Sectaries gave it out in many places and to many as I can prove it and name persons too that the Modell was a printing it was certainly in the presse and all the world should see it 14. They have done and practised many strange things in reference to baptisme of children dressing up a Cat like a child for to be baptized inviting many people both men and women as to baptizing of a child and then when neighbours were come having one to preach against baptizing of children they have baptized many weakly ancient women naked in rivers in winter whereupon some have sickned and died they have baptized young maids Citizens daughters about one and two a clock in the morning tempting them out of their fathers houses at midnight to be baptized the parents being asleep and knowing nothing 15. They use to give great and glorious names swelling Titles to their books they set forth as Innocency and Truth Triumphing together as Truth gloriously appearing c. as also to their erroneous Doctrines lâ—id down in their books casting upon Truths of God odious names as The â—â—orming of Antichrist Discovery of the man of sin c. their books being just like the Aegyptian Temples whose outsides were beautifull and glorious having the inscription of a Deity upon them but within nothing but a Crocodile an Ape an Onion or some such vile mean creature 16. They are extreamly full of partiality in all their waies not allowing that to others though far more considerable for quality dignity which themselves ordinarily do speaking against that in others which they daily practise of which I will give a few instances they have cried out in Pulpits Pamphlets discourses of the Citizens Common Councell Ministers for petitioning to settle Government or humbly representing their desires O 't is an interposing medling anticipating and I know not what when as a few Sectaries Lilburne and his fellowes can appoint meetings and give notice to manie to come to them at such times and places and draw up Petitions and that strange ones too medling with manie things before the Houses and in debate not determined and against the known Priviledges of the Houses of which I might give manie instances as after the losse of Leicester in the meetings of the Sectaries this was one of the clauses of their Petitions to name such and such members of the House of Commons to be a Comittee for the raising of the Countieâ— and appointing Commanders but opposed by some godly Orthodox Citizens who saw their dâ—ift and observed well whom they named as being against the Priviledges of Parliament for them a few private persons to nominate a Committee of the members of Parliament as also that the Assembly might be adjourned thus one of the Pamphlets tell us among his Newes that inferiour Râ—presentatives which no man of understanding can interpret of anie but the Common-Councell of London must bee wary of medling or interposing by Petitions or gathering together but leave all to the Parliament but now the Sectaries foure or five hundred of them they may meet together interpose repâ—esent may speak their pleasures of and arraign the Parliament Committee of Examinations M. Speaker and other Members of the House as they did after Lilburns committing and the Intelligencer will not diâ—câ—pline them Again they may print preach speak against Assembly Ministerie for Independency against Presbytery and what not and yet if any of them be questioned or book stopped at presse 't is persecution and they cannot be heard noâ— have liberty to speak for their way whereas the same men use all means and waies against Presbyterians preaching printing yea labouring to hinder their putting forth of Answers and calling in Answers made yea endeavouring to trouble those who License books against their waies as for instance the Assembly being falsly and scandalously dealt with in a Pamphlet intit A Copy of a Remonstrance lately delivered in to the Assembly the Sectaries have used all their friends to hinder the printing of the Assemblies Answer so manie of the Sectaries at their meetings drew up a Petition to the House of Commons to have Mr. Prynns and Dr. Bastwicks bookes called in and that House to declare their sense against them and that no such books
when there 's no Lecture else besides the Exposition Lectures on week dayes in the severall parts and quarters of this City and new Lectures in other eminent places of the City which they have endeavoured to set up if they could have obtained the Ministers consents and in their places they have an eye to good pay a hundred pound a yeare for preaching once a week in one place and seventy pound per annum for preaching once a fortnight at another and a peece for a Sermon as soone as they have done and a good supper for another and yet they will have a care to take no more paines then needs must as M. B. having a hundred pound per annum for preaching at Cripplegate on the Lords day in the afternoone could never be got to give the Parish a Sermon now and then on a Fast day or a day of Thanksgiving as a great friend of his in that Parish who knows told me besides I could name others who will do nothing on the Fast dayes They take upon them the names of such Lectures and Churches as being chosen and nominated to them but others of their own partie supply them somtimes one and somtimes another they have one Sprig or another one Emissary or other from the Army one House-bird or other to serve the places It would make a book by it self to relate all particulars in this kind One man of their way besides being a member of the Assembly and his a private Church hath places in Norwich Yarmouth Fishstreet-hill in London A second besides the Assembly hath places at Acton four Lectures at Westminster besides his interest and share in some Lectures in London A third hath a place at Stepney Cripplegate Cornhill besides part of another Lecture and all reserves for this Parliament man and the other to ingratiate himself with them A fourth besides the Assembly which he seldom comes to and his particular private Church hath Lectures in London which all the last summer he seldome preached at not preaching at one of them in the space of three quarters of a year together And they do not only neglect their Lectures in our Churches but they take to themselves more members in their owne Churches then they can preach or look too for they admit members who live constantly many miles from them here one ten miles off there another five miles another sixteen miles off some at Norwich some at Yarmouth another forty miles off every one of their particular Churches is not a Parish Church but a Bishops Diocesse nay some of them are Archbishopricks and Provinces far larger then the Presbyterian Provinces reaching from London to Dover as D. Holms who hath severall members there going twice or thrice a yeare thither to visit and in one of his visitation Sermons preaching to his members prayed God to blesse and remember them who had but a bit once in a quarter or halfe a year And as this is the practice of the Clergie so the Laity among the Sectaries have plurality of offices and places some have both militarie and civill others two or three civill offices and I could name one who hath some five or six besidâ—â— his being a Committee-man In a word our Sectaries are become Pluralists Non-residents and some of them Vbiquitaries and are well paid for it as M. Peters 22. They generally walk loosely and at large over what they did before they turned Sâ—ctaries and in comparison of the godly Presbyterians they do many things under pretence of Christian liberty which professours heretofore were not wont to do nor do not neither durst they have done of which I could give many instances both in persons things I do not know nor hear of a Sectary in England that is so strict and exact in his life as he was before and as thousands of Presbyterians are and this is not my observation alone but a general observation many of them play at Cards and Tables are verie loose on the Sabbath days go to Bowls and other sports on dayes of publike Thanksgiving as M. Iohn Goodwine and severall of his Church they wear strange long haire go in such fine fashionable apparell beyond their places as 't is a shame they will feast ride journeyes do servile businesses on the Fast daies and give their Parish Churches no Sermons no Prayers at all on those daies they make little conscience of family duties they will sit and tipple be joviall and merrie together I could tell true and certaine stories of manie Sectaries who were exceeding precise and strict before they fell into those waies but are abominable loose now and let but a man turne Sectarie now adaies and within one half year he is so metamorphosed in apparell hair c. as a man hardly knowes him 23. In all matters and businesses which succeed not according to their mind but crosse their waies and designes as if a choice of persons they like not be made to places or if such a thing passe and be done that pleases them not they will try all waies possible and cast about to finde some flâ—ws or other pretend this thing and the other to question the election and make it null or to obstruct it they will put in Articles against men chosen though they cannot prove them they will pretend somthing or other was omitted and such a passage was illegall and all to bring to a new election and then they will worke all kind of waies to efâ—ect their designes 24. They have spoken strange and high speeches against the setling of Presbyteriall Government and the Presbyterians as one Anabaptist of late That he hoped to see Heaven and Earth on fire before Presbyterie should be setled another Sectarie That it was one of the Articles of his beleefe that within seven yeares there would not so much as the name of Presbyterie be heard in England a third That hee hoped to see the Presbyterie as much â—rod under foot as the Bishops were a fourth That if the Saints were thus persecuted and could not have the libertie of their conscience it would come to A Gentleman told me he had heard many Souldiers of a Regiment of Horse which I forbeare naming say That when the Army of Cavaliers was overcome there would be another Army to overcome intimating the Presbyterians and I could relate strange speeches told me by faithfull ear-witnesses no sleight persons spoken against our brethren of Scotland by some Sectaries 25. After they have set their hands to papers as upon agreements in such and such points of difference as upon the receipts of money as upon giving in what they desire when they think such things may make against some of them have used means to get those papers back again into their hands and have come to those that kept them some dayes after pretending they desired to see them and look upon them for some reasons and then have desired to borrow them for a few dayes to compare
doth the more good Thus beseeching the great God to continue your courage and resolution for his name to the utmost I rest Your affectionate Brother in the Lord. Memorandum that upon the 18. day of Febr. 1645. one Goodwife Cosens of Peter Parish in Colchester brought forth two children both dead the one a perfect child the other was born without a head having upon the breast some characters of a face nose and eyes wanting one arme and the other arme being rather the stump of an arme ended in a crotch of two fingers with something like a thumb coming out of one side of it Downward one of the feet was perfect the other foot wanted a heel and had only two toes which grew forward and another toe growing out of one side of it The Father of this Monster is a Separatist frequenting their congregations an enemy to the baptising of his own chiâ—dren the Mother a hearer in the separated congregations likewise who resolved heretofore that if ever she had any more children they should never be baptized ☞ This Relation is affirmed by those of trust and understanding that saw this Monster and know the parties An Extract of a Letter sent me from a Commander now in the Parliament service dated Decemb. 29. 1645. SIR THe constant practise of many Officers and souldiers with them was to exclaime against their Ministers wheresoever we marched pressing them and their adherents more then any other they did dscourage the people generally affirming that the best of our Preachers were Popish and that it was unlawfull to heare them but did hope to see them all pact to Rome and their superstitious Steeple-houses puld down to the ground great variety of opinion was amongst our Officers and Souldiers some affirming that they had had Revelations and seen Visions al of them at liberty to argue and hold what phantasticall opinion they pleased those were the men most countenanced and soonest raised to preferment some of them would take upon them to prophesie ☞ saying they should live to see all lording power laid aside in this Kingdom In my distresse when the enemy was upon me I sent to most parts adjacent for assistance but could have none only from one place came to me forty Volunteers with some two or three Officers professing thenselves all Independents and they told me they hoped to finde me so and if I should continue still in my opinion for Presbytery they thought their labour ill spent they staid with me all night and the next day there came to them a Leiutenant a most dangerous fellow maintaining most horrid opinions as you may see by the information which is truth this Lieutenant was to preach to them in a private house which I had notice of and did prevent him which they took very ill of me and immediatly they left me and marched away with Lieutenant Since one of the chiefest of them sent me word by our Quarter-master that I should have little or no pay so long as I staid in if I did not agree and side with I finde the mâ—â—sage too true for I finde little pay or none Sir I could say much more of their practises against me and others but I should be too tedious but this more I shall adde I never marched where I heard more talk of godlynesse and lesse practise of it in my observation for they are cruell without mercy covetous without ☞ measure professing self-deniall yet leave no stone un-turned to advance there estates and honours The Lord prevent their wicked designes and keep this Kingdom from being ruined by such a wicked people Sir I rest Your servant A Relation of some passages of a great Sectarie a Lieutenant about the beginning of June last 1645. HAving had much arguing with him and his adherents in opposition to the Antinomian way in the morning wherein they seemed to glory much in the victorie though I know no cause for it at all The Lieutenant came courteously towards even in to my house as he said to take his leave of me which some of his party perceiving followed him and others taking notice of their resort followed also The subject of our discourse was about the meanes of God revealing himself and his minde and will to his servants in reference to their salvation He affirmed and maintained violently that God did it immediatly by himself without Scripture without Ordinances Ministers or any other meanes He being asked about the third Person in the Trinity denyed there was any such thing as a Trinity of persons but affirmed them to be three Offices and being demanded what he thought of Christ whether the Godhead and manhood were united in one Person in Heaven He answered only to the last word and denyed that it could be proved by the Scriptures Christs presence in Heaven and when some Scriptures were produced which had reference to his Resurrection and Ascention he replyed that it was a great question whether there was a Resurrection or not he said he did not deny it absolutly but that he made a great question of it At the parting before him I replyed to the by-standers Gentlemen if I should have come and a told you that this Gentleman had denied the Trinity of persons and Christs presence in Heaven and that he called in question the Resurrection you would not have beleeved me had not your own eares heard the same This is attested and subscribed by the hand of a godly Minister in whose persence all this was â—pken together with a Relation of the names of the other â—â—â—nesses persons of quality and worth who were all present at this Discourse and I have the Originall in my power to porduce upon any occasion A Relation of some Stories and remarkable Passages concerning the Sectaries THere is one Lawrence Clarkson a Seeker spoken of in my Gangraena pag. 104 and 105. who put forth a Pamphlet called The Pilgrimage of Saints wherein are many passages highly derogatory to the Scriptures denying them to be the rule of a Christian or that in Doctrine or Practise half of Gods glory was revealed as yet this man a Taylor and a Blasphemer preached on the Lords day March eight at Bow-Church in Cheapside in the afternoone He began his prayer to God with Right Honourable Lord God and in his Prayer he prayed that God would blesse the Kings Army and blesse the Saints both in the Parliaments Army and the Kings his Sermon was a Rapsody of nonsence This was not done in a corner but in a great and full Audience there was present at this Sermon one Member of the House of Commons if not more besides divers other persons of quality and though this Clarkson was in London some time after this and may be still for ought that I know yet was he never questioned nor called to any account for this or for his Pilgrimage of Saints as ever I could learn Saturday Marchâ—he â—he seventh a Minister who preached
free people and should do what they did voluntarily and not be compelled but now contrarie to this they had assessment upon assessment and rate upon rate Some passages also in his prayer were repeated as that hee prayed the Parliament might not cart the Ark nor meddle with making Lawes for the Saints which Jesus Christ was to do alone Since Oats commitment to Colchester Jaile there hath been great and mightie resort to him in the prison many have come downe from London in Coaches to visit him as a godly Minister who came out of Essex told me And I have a Letter by me from a Minister in Colchester sent last week to a friend of his in London wherein he writes thus Oats the Anabaptist hath had great resort to him in the Castle both of Town and Countrey but the Committee ordered the contrarie last Saturday There is one Collier a great Sectarie in the West of England a mechanicall fellow and a great Emissarie a Dipper who goes about Surrey Hampshire and those Counties thereabouts preaching and dipping About a fortnight ago on the Lords day he preached at Guilford in the meeting-place and to the company of one old Mr. Close an Independent Minister who hath set up at Guilford and done a great deale of mischiefe having drawn away many of the well-meaning people from the Ministerie of those godly Ministers whom before they much prized there this Collier exercised and it was given out in the Countie he was a rare man and the people came from the Towns about to heare him This fellow in his circuit at an exercise where he was preaching to many women for rebaptization and dipping made use of that Scripture to that purpose as it is reported Isa. 4.2 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man saying Wee will eat our owne bread and weare our owne apparell only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach And truly it is a sad thing there should be such Emissaries so like the Devill their Master compassing the earth and going about seeking whom they may devoure in the severall parts of the Kingdome North East West and South not one part free for the East and South we who live in these parts know it fully for London Kent the Associated Counties As for the West besides this instance of Collier I received a Letter out of Dorsetshire dated March 13. written by a godly Minister from thence Sir I am not yet furnished to my mind with particulars of that nature you expect but with the help of my fellow-Ministers in these parts I shall send them to you in an exact Historie of our Westerne confusions And for the North besides many instances I could give you of Hull Beverley York Hallifax c. of Independent Churches gathered there and of many Anabaptists and other Sectaries in those places I shall only desire the Reader to mind these three or four lines written to me from a countrey further North I received the books sent me and shall make the best use I can of them the one I keep for mine owne use the other I pleasure friends with and truly never more need in our Countrey for whereas formerly wee wanted the Ministerie now wee have such varietie and strife amongst them that truly I know not what will become of us A person of qualitie and a godly man told me April 15. meeting me accidentally in Westminster Hall that saith he just now neere the House of Commons doore I had discourse with a great Sectarie viz. one of Wrights Disciples and presently the man came into the Hall with another great Sectarie and he shewed me him and the discourse was as followes That he would be loth the Parliament should bring Paul Bests bloud upon them for his denying the Trinitie Whereupon this Gentleman answered him that he could prove cleerly out of the Scriptures a Trinitie of Persons Vnto whom this Sectarie replied How will you prove the Scriptures to be the word of God and this Sectarie reasoned against them saying there were twentie severall Scriptures as many as Translations and Translations are not true for so the Priests will tell us that this is not rightly translated and for the Originals there are divers Copies besides I cannot understand them neither is it my fault that I do not In sum the man reasoned there was no Religion at all in the Kingdome but all Religion he knew of was To do justly and be mercifull Vnto which the Gentleman replyed The Heathen they were just and merciful and therein did as much as you This Sectarie re-joyned For ought he knew the Heathens were saved as well as any now A godly Minister of the Countie of Middlesex told me April 16. that there was a great Sectarie and a Souldier because he had perswaded a family that he was well acquainted with and where the Sectarie much resorted to cast him off and to have nothing to do with him this Sectarie conceiving it to come from this Minister when this Minister came downe one day to this house this Sectarie came to the house and enquired for him to speak with him this Minister fearing the Devill might stir him up to do him some mischiefe refused to speak with him as having no businesse with him this Souldier and Sectarie sent him in word if he would not come out to him hee would come in to him Whereupon hee desired the Master of the house hee might be safe in his house and as hee came in love to him so hee would defend him and let him returne home in safetie whereupon the Master of the house sent out a servaâ—t to him to be gone for this Minister had nothing to say to him and as the servant was going this Sectarie was already come in whereupon the servant asked him why hee came in without bidding hee replyed to speak with Master upon that the servant caught him by the collar and said hee should not the Master hearing them bustle together hee went out and his wife followed to oppose him and in conclusion having his knife before ready by his side hee reached it to pare the dirt off his shooes to shake it off against that house because they would not receive him as making himselfe an Apostle and when hee had done so he departed There is one Master Durance a Preacher at Sandwich in Kent a bold conceited man and an Independent who since the beginning of this Parliament was a Washing-ball-maker or seller of washing-balls here in London but now turned Preacher and being never ordained Minister hath consecrated himselfe to be one of the Priests of the high places Among many high affected straines of new light and strange expressions which the man uses in his Sermons prayers to get himselfe a name by viz. of a Washing-ball-maker to become such a rare man these are some Hee prayed to the Trinitie to take care or cure of these three Kingdomes God the Father to take
who will settle here with them Hereupon they are presently so high flowne that they will have our publike meeting place commonly called the Church to preach a weekly Lecture though we have an Order from the Committee of Parliament that there shall bee none without the consent of both the Ministers in Dover and have acquainthem with it yet some have threatned if the Key be kept away they will break open the doores and since M. Davies journey to London the Members of his Church meeting everie Lords day twice and once in the weeke Mr. Mascall a man employed by the State to bee a perfector of the Customes undertakes to feed the flock expounds the Scriptures and with much vehemencie cries out to the people expressing himselfe thus against the present Ministerie Your Priests your damned Priests your cursed Priests with their fooles Coat Your Levites who if they get an Ordinance of Parliament will thunder it out but they let alone the Ordinances of Christ and perswades the people of the evill that Synods and Learned men have done to the Church and therefore presses them to the uselessenesse of humane learning and at other times in private meetings perswades people that they will fall into most miserable slaverie if they have a Presbytery and saith That hee shall stand and laugh at them when they are under their burthens For our parts if the State will suffer themselves to bee so vilified in what they have by the best advice proposed and will have us trodden under foot for following Christ and obeying them and will have us take Covenants and suffer as many as will to violate them wee shall then thinke that wee are fallen into worse times then ever wee yet saw Wee desire you to counsell us and to improve your power in the Assembly and with the Parliament what you may to stop these violent proceedings here that we may enjoy our priviledges especially the peace of our Consciences and Countrey we rest Your loving Friends Dover April 13. 1646. This Letter is given into the hands of a Peer of this Kingdom The Copie of a Letter written from a learned and godly Divine from beyond the Seas to a speciall Friend of his here in London and translated by him out of Dutch into English VVE do earnestly long for some Ordinances from England for the suppressing of the high growing Sects Heresies and Schismes which get the upperhand We are afflicted in our verie souls that there is such a depth of Distractions and Errors such liberty for Schisme Blasphemie and ungodly Tenents both at London and in the whole Kingdome O blessed holy Holland righteous Amsterdam heretofore accounted the sink of Errours and Heresies but now justified by London With us are punished with banishment or piercing through the tong with a hot Iron those that but slanderously speak of the Virgin Mary Here we burne the books of the Socinians Errours and they may not with knowledge be sold in these parts Here indeed every one is left to enjoy the freedome of his Conscience in his own Family but to keep Conventicles and meetings of divers Families together Amsterdam it selfe will not suffer except in Anabaptists Lutherans and Remonstrants At London is taught Blasphemy against Christ God his Word Worship and Sacraments by Enthusiasts Antinomians Libertines and Seekers There the Socinian tricks are new moulded there all Sects and Hereticks may keep their separated publike and secret Conventicles Whence is it that you are so suddenly led away unto another Gospell Is there no balme in Gilead that the wounds of the daughter of Sion are not healed are the Prayers of the Saints and the Labours of the upright all in vain Gods judgements hang over that Kingdom which feeds and fosters such sins A Passage extracted out of a Letter lately sent from a godly Minister in Colchester to a Minister in London THe last Sabbath day we had one Clarkson a Seeker that preached at Butolph Church the same man I believe that M. Edwards mentions in his Book His Sermon tended to the vilifying of the Scriptures all Ordinances Duties Ministers Church State Hee vilified the Scriptures and would not have the people live upon white and black and that they of themselves were not able to reveal God of which I shall give M. E. a full account the next week An Extract of a Letter written from a Minister in New-England to a Member of the Assembly of Divines DIscipline or Church Government is now the great businesse of the Christian World God grant we forget not the doctrine of Repentance from dead works and Faith in the Lord Jesus I long much to see or heare what is done in England about this matter I shall not fall into particulars as I might do could we speake mouth to mouth I am no Independent neither are manie others who say Communi Presbyterorum consilio Ecclesiae ab initio regebantur nor am I of a democraticall spirit Much have I seene in my almost eleven yeares abode in this Wildernesse and I wish such as maintain an Independen Democracie had seene and found as much experimentally A house like to be well governed where all are Masters but no more of this For my self God hath been here with me and done me much good learning me somthing of himselfe of my selfe and of men N. E. is not Heaven and here we are men still Decem. 8. 1645. To his loving brother M. Thomas Edwards SIr that Book which discovereth our generall Gangraena containeth truth which will procure you many enemies it s the fate of Truth But to this end saith our Lord Iohn 18.37 was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse to the truth and so for this Cause are Christians begotten againe by the Word of Truth Everie one that is of the truth should do so espcially such as are his Ministers Revelasse will be superasse I le joyn with one of your adversaries in that alleadged Text. But they shall proced no farther for their folly shall be made manifest to all men as theirs also was 2 Tim. 3 9. I wait for its accomplishment You yea we all must look to suffer for plaine dealing especially now when as truth lieth in the streets and is trampled on by dirty feet when as there are so many adversaries unto it and such an Independent Combination against it The great objection against you is You are too too vehement in your opposition which when I heard I remembred I had read in Luther de servo Arbitrio the same objected to him by old Erasmus The Answer of Luther unto it mee thinkes may well bee ours yours and yeeld us much comfort and encouragement Quod antem vehementius egerim agnosco culpam si culpa est imo testimonium hoc mihi in mundo reddi in causa Des mirificè gaudeo Atque utinam ipse Deus id testimonii in novissimo die confirmaret
this Kingdome have gone crosse to their desires hopes and the Reformation they expected and divers things have succeded to the content and desire of the Sectaries yet they have put up all waiting upon God for a change said little neither the Commissioners for Scotland nor anie particular person of their Nation having put forth intemperate books against those whom they conceived the Authours and chief Engines in these matters but have borne to admiration considering they left their peace and incurred the displeasure of their native King to come in to our help and lay under such great sufferings in their owne Countrey all the evill surmisings scandalls reports jealousies raised of them disgraces and scorns without anie breaking forth But now the Sectaries upon everie little occasion of being crossed in their way as by Ordinances coming forth against anie of their principles and practices though God knowes they have been little put in execution by calling in question any of their partie though most deservedly and justly by petitions put up against the Sectaries how proud how impatient have they beene what strange words have they given out what meetings have they had and what railing Pamphlets have been written one upon another against Parliament Assembly Citie 3. The Scots upon all occasions and opportunities have beene forward for peace moving for peace and the settlement of the Church desirous of Propositions to be sent to his Majestie But now manie Sectaries could not endure to heare of peace not of the Kings coming in nor of the settlement of the Church they have looked so much to their particular ends of profit increase of their party while things were unsetled that they have alwaies expressed themselves to the contrary fearing their way could not thrive nor stand if once things should come to be setled and the Government and the peace concluded of Manie more differences might be showne between them but I must draw to an end and the understanding Reader may by these easily hint at more and it concernes the whole Kingdom now at this time wisely to consider and lay things together concerning the different carriage of our Brethren of Scotland and the Sectaries that so a good understanding may be between the two Nations for the putting a speedy end to our troubles and distractions in Church and State and that we may not by mis-understanding of things nourishing jealousies beleeving false reports serve the designes of some particular men to put us into a new warre and occasion new differences now that blessed be God our worke is even done and the ship richly laden come into the haven And to stop the mouths of Sectaries and Malignants forever and to possesse us of the reality honesty faithfulnesse of our Brethren of Scotland consider but what we have found them all along experimentally from first to last and let any man instance if he can in any one action from the beginning of our troubles wherein the State of Scotland hath broken with us or beene unfaithfull Their going out of this Kingdome to their own Countrey when they had been in England about the space of a yeare with their good carriage in the Land and upon going home is knowne unto all and confessed and it was a reall confutation of many evill surmises against them in those times When they were desired to come into this Kingdome then they were a most worthy Nation a Nation that God loved and honoured and that in the judgment of Mr. Burrâ—ugâ—â— an Independent who in a Speech at Guild-Hall in the face of the Citie and Kingdome proclaimed them so and as they shewed themselves a faithfull people in returning back to their Countrey and are confessed a worthy people at the time of their coming in so in their coming in in the depth of winter wading up to the neck in waters and leaping over the mountains of ice and snow and so in all the time they have been in this Kingdome having wrastled with many difficulties a cruell prevailing enemy at home and many sad discouragements in this Kingdome yet they have been faithfull to the Cause of God and both Kingdomes resolving when they were at lowest in all respects both in regard of the common Enemy and false Brethren to stand to the Covenant in all the parts of it and to see it kept though they all perished and now lately since God so strangely and unexpectedly moved the heart of the King to cast himselfe upon them by their good and faithfull carriages in the bunsiesse they have confuted and given the lye to all the evill surmizings jealousies fomented reports raised false suggestions given out against them as that they meant to possesse themselves of Newark the Kings person being as the shadow and Newark as the substance as that the Kings partie should repaire to him yea that the Newark Army was joyned to the Scots as that they would protect Delinquents and Malignants against the Parliament that they would keep the King and require a ransome for him and make use of him for their own designes and such like whereas we see they would not meddle with Newark but professed if it were given into their hands one houre the next hour they would surrender it to the English for the Parliament they have not suffered any who have been in Arms or ill affected against the Parliament to come to his Majestie have taken order to discourage all Malignants have commanded obedience to all Ordinances of Parliament even at Newcastle where the Kings person is and have made use of the Kings coming to them to perswade w th him for a speedy setling of Religion and Peace in both Kingdoms God in his wonderfull providence gave the King to them for this end among others to shame their adversaries and to stop the mouths of all gain-sayers that he might bring forth their righteousnesse as the light and their judgement as the noon-day and might honour them before all the world So that I may say of them in the words of Mr. Burroughs pag. 29. of his speech at Guild-Hall upon the coming in of our Brethren of Scotland A Nation that God hath honoured by giving as glorious successe unto as ever he did unto any whose low and mean beginnings he hath raised to as great a bright as ever low beginnings in any Countrey were How hath God dissipated and blasted the counsels of their Adversaries How hath he discovered all their treacheries although they be in themselves comparatively at least a poore people and of little strength as the Church of Philadelphia was yet they have kept the word of Gods patience and God hath kept them in the houre of temptation God therfore is with them Well I say it is happie for England that we are joyned with them in Covenant for we needed them as much now as ever before and we are as much beholding to them in regard of our divisions many of us not knowing what we would have and
in epist. ad Gâ—lat Maledicta sit charitas quae servatur cum jactura doctrinae fidei cui omnia cedere debent Charitas Apostolus Angelus é Caelo d This present Parliament having often declared in their Declarations their resolutions to hazard all for the safety of the Reformed Religion and doctrine of faith a Theodoret. Haeret. Fabul lib. 4. cap. de Ario. b Codex Canonum Eccles. Africanâ— 53. Can. a Christoph. Justello Sunt enim plerique conspirantes cum plebibus propriis quas decipiunt ut dictuÌ„ est earum scalpanteâ— aures blandi ad seducendum viriosae vita homines vel corte in flati ab hoc consortio separati qui putant propriae plebi incubandum nonnunquam converti ad Concilium venire detractant sua forte ne prodaneur flagitia metuentes The words in the Greek are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are mere significant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifying absurdities and unusuall novelties Bonum non est contrarium bono sed tantum malo at malem contrariatur bono malo Verum est unum mendacium vero multiplex Of the Scriptures Vide the third printed Letter or also a coppy of â— Articles in a MS. Pamphlet intituled Pilgrim of Saints by Lawr. Clarckson Pilgrim of Saints Of GOD. Vide Book intit Comfort for Beleevers pig 36. Vide A short Declaration of the Assembly of Divines against it b The first branch of this Errour is verbatim in Bloody Tenet in the Preface d Last part hath been spoken by some eminent Sectaries D. Stewait second part of Depl to M.S. pag. 128. M. Bail Diswasion from Errours of the time Vide proof of this in the first Letter Of CHRIST Vide full proof of this in the Narration of stories Vide proof of this in the first Letter and in the fourth Letter and in another M.S. Proof of this is in Articles given in against on Thomas Webb and in the third printed Letter Vide â—irst printed Letter for proof a Paul Hobsoâ— Serm. Christ the effect â—ot the cause of the love of God p. 47. Vide Animad on the 4 Letter whiâ—h will satisfie the Reader how Christ is both the fruit and the cause of Gods love and these errors in such ignorant mechanicks as Hobsâ—n arise from not being able to distinguish the causes of câ—â— Iustiâ—â—cation and Salvation The first and supreme cause is the undeserved grace and favour of God the moving and meritorious cause is redemption and reconciliation purchased by Christ the instrumentall cause whereby the same it imputed is the bloud of Christ the finall is the glory of God in the declaration of his riâ—hteousnesse and faithfulnesse b Vide fourth Letter proof l Pâ—ul Hobsâ—â—s Sermon icâ—it Christ the effect not the cause of the love of God pag. 13. Of the Spirit of God and of Sanctification r Into this opâ—ioâ— some of the Anabaptists are fallen and have separated from their Churches upon it e Of Adam and Mankinde This was preached in a house and the Preacher said this was a mystery 〈◊〉 all the Gospel was Book intit A vindicatiâ—n of Free-grace against M Iohn Goodwin Of the Morall Law Iustification Faith Repentance good workâ— M. Gatak Gods eye on Isr. pref M. Gataker Gods eye on Israel pref Gatak ibid. Gatak Gods eye on his Israel Preface to the Reader Article 12. Septem 1. 1643. Gatak Gods eye on Israel Preface to the Reader Denn Man of sin discovered pag. 12 Of Man after this life of the Sâ—ul Resurrection from the dead Heaven and hell Of the Church Gospel Ministry and Sacraments Pilgrimage of Saâ—nts and MS. * But the Apostle Peter tels us 2 Pet. 2.19 20 â—1 We have a more sure word oâ— proâ—hecie whereunto ye do well that ye take â—â—ed c. Spiritus sanctus non est scepticâ—â— nec dabia aut opiâ—iones in cordibus nostri scripsâ—t sed assertiones ipsa vita omni experienâ—is certiores ac firmiores Lutherâ—s Confess of Faith of Anabapt Arcâ—â— Pilgrimage of the Saints Pilgrimage of Saints Vide Doore of truth opened in answer to Truth shut out of doors page 10. This is as false as any Doctrine that is preached in Rome Compasse Santaritâ— page 24 25. Of Preaching and Hearing of Praying singing of Psalmes of the Christian Sabbath or Lordâ—-day d This opinion begins to spread much as a godly Minister told me of his own kâ—owledge knowâ—ng them who vented it many refusing to joyne with him in prayerâ— in a publike Assembly where hâ—e came to preach upon this ground and requiring Scripture of him to prove it And some begin already in the publike Churches to leave off all praying only speak and discourse to the peoâ—le c This hath been lately practised in London among some of the Sectaries Of Church Government Compass Samarit pag. 21.22 f Revel 16.19 The great City was divided into three parts and states and branches of it begin with P. in 1. Popery 2. Prelacy 3. Paul Hâ—â—sons Discovery of Truth pag. 63. Of Revelations and Miracles Of the Civil Magistrate g Queries of highest consideration in Epist. to the Parliament Anâ—nym Ans. to M. Prins 12. Queries p. 8. As the Grounds of Independent Government attribute nothing to the Magistrate in Church affairs further then the Magistrate is a member of their Churches and Assemblies so no people under heaven ascribe more unto Magistrates then the Independents in civill matters h Door of Truth opened p. 5. i M. Borroughs Heart divis p. 65. Animadversion upon this errour This is an errour destructive to the power of civil Magistrates and safety of Common-wealths in divers cases and in many instances that may be given to give one for the present a Church may not according to M. Burroughs principles excommunicate a member who out of conscience is not satisfied of subjects taking up arms against Armies raised by a Prince nor of the lawfulnesse of such a war and therfore declines and refuseth both bearing arms all maintenance to such armies and all assistance to them disswading others also and that out of conscience only 〈◊〉 â—e prosesses and yet the Parliament I think hath sequestred many upon such occasions taken their estates and many Independents of Mr. Burroughs judgement have been forward sequestrators selling buying their goods and holding their lands at reasonable rates but in the Traâ—â—ate I intend not so much a formall refutation as a recitation and discovery but of this false principle and others in M. Burr book I shall speak more upon occasion of answering the groâ—â—dâ— brought for pretented liberty of conscience whereas this so others of M. Burroughs principles and rules about Toleration will be found both unsound and weak fit to take women and weak people with but not to satisfie â—ny Scholarâ— d Vide Englands birâ—hright p 33 Letters printed upon Liâ—burns imprisonment Englands Lamentation â—la p. 7. Vide three Letters printed e Vide Miltons Doctrine of
Divorce Of Marriage and of Parents and children Of Warre and of fighting and killing These three last Errours vented in a Book called A true Vindication of the generall Redemption of the second oneâ—atte â—atte printed 1645. Book intit A Heavenly Conference for Sions Saints by Iohn Turner printed in the year 1645. Book intit The fulnesse of Gods love printed 1643 pag. 25. Fulnesse of Gods love manifested pag 39. Fulnesse of Gods love manifested pag. 58 93. Fullnesse of Gods love manifested pag 1.59 Arreignment of Persecuâ—ion pag. 93. This Best with his Manuscripts were sent up last summer and is by the Parliament committed to the Gate-house Heresiography or Descrâ—t of Heret and Sectaries An Independent Minister in a Church here in London prayed these words following * It vvas the first Position of many vvell-affected Citisens for setling the government subscribed by manie hands but not presented In Septemb. last * This praier vvas the next Lecture after Mr. Iohn Goodvvin vvas put by Coleman-street It vvas upon the great prevailing of Montrosse Practises of the Sectaries * Augâ—st lib. 1. contra Parmen l. â— de baptismo contra Donatistas lib. 2. contra Petil. * August contra Parmen contra literas Petillian * August contra Petilian * August lib. 1. contra Parmen * August contra Parmen * August contra literas Petil. Vide Lit. Guil. Apoll. Respons * Lib. 1. de Bapt. contra Donat. lib. 2. de baptist * Book intiâ— The ancient bounds or lib. of Consc. a Title page b Synopsis purior Theolog disput de Magist. 50. Sect. 59 60. a Vide M. Rob. answ to M. Good Doct. of â—ustif cleared pag. 75 p. 110. b Vide M. Prynns Truth triumphâ—ng over falshood pag. 111. The seâ—st you 〈◊〉 is M. Edvvards whâ— maintaiâ—s 〈◊〉 blaâ—â—k against you thorouâ—out 〈◊〉 Treatisse a Good Innocencies triumph Out of my Antapol 169. The tovver of the Magâ—strate by vvhich hee punisheth sin doth not subserve to the kingdome of Christ the Mediatour Hee leaues 〈◊〉 that which follows in the same sentence there being no fullpoâ—t that he may apply efficaciously to the elect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Pâ—opheâ—icall and Priestly office of Christ hee doth not affect the invvard man and conscience vvith spirituall punishment c. Voâ—â— select disput penes quos sit potestas Ecclessiastica 1 Thes. 4 Thes. 5. Thes. Videâ—lius de Episcopat Constant. magni pag â— 4 â— 6. Vide Voet. Thes. 2. de Potest Eccles. Vedel de Episcop Const. magni Post habitam Synodum Dordraicam etiam libelli longè aliorum stilo scripti sunt quinâ— potestatem hanc non parum limitant ac contrahunt quam tamen tam liberaliter ante hac admensi erant These things I speake not of all the bishops that were nor of all men that were of that judgement there being some Orthodox learned painfull pious men that approved not those wayes but of the Faction * Lilb Innocency and Truth justified pag. 37. I conceive I may justly say without breach of their Priviledges That I have unjustly dealt with in my late imprisonment to be imprisoned so contrary to the known and declared Lawes I have been without either cause showne or a legall Triall Vide pag. 71. p. 75. But you will say the House of Commons is not at leisure by reason of the publike I answer lesse then an houres time will serve my turne in this particular and it is very strange in five yeares space so much time cannot be found from the publike to transmit my businesse sure I am they can finde time enough to settle great and rich places upon some of themselves and to enjoy them notwithstanding their own Ordinance to the contrary yea I know some of them at this day hath plurality of places I say the thing I desire of them is more justly my due then any of their great places are theirs and therefore I hope they have not had cause to be angry with me for craving justice at their hands being it was the end wherefore they were chosen and trusted and that which they are sworn to do Vide pag. 71. speaking of some passages in a Parliam Declarat not easily to be forgotten by those that made them if there be any sparks of honesty in their hearts Pag 21. which Warrant and Commitment though made by a Committee of the House of Common it as illegall at all the rest and in my apprehension against the very tenour and the true intent and meaning of the Petition of Right and expresly against the words of the Statute of the 41 of Ed. 3. Again pag. 37. But I have severall times been imprisoned both by the Committees and by the Vote of the House of Commons it selfe contrary to a knowne Law made this present Parliament by themselves against which there is at present no Ordinance published and declared by them and the Peeres for the cognizance of Ergo I say they are tied in justice according to the tenour of this Law to give me reparation against those persons that were chiefe instruments either in Committees or in the House of Commons it selfe to vote and take away my liberty from me contrary to this Law and for my own part I doe expect my reparation for my late causelesse molestations and imprisonments Pag. 69 I shall freely declare the maine reason which makes me in being true to my liberty and freedome that in point of honesty I cannot submit to that Oath in that I conceive all Lawes and Ordinances in such cases as this is ought to be universall to binde all and not so restrictive as the additionall Ordinance of Accounts is which exemptâ— Peeres Members of the House of Commons for my part I iudge my selfe as free a man though otherwise I desire not to make comparisâ—ns as any of them and I conceive I ought not to be in bondage to any Law or Ordinance that they themselves will not stand to a Theodoret. Hist. Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 7. Iulianus primum vetuit ne Galilâ—i sic enim fidei Seâ—vatoris nostri consecratos nuncapabat Poeticam Rhetoricam aut Philosophicam disceâ—ent Nam nostris ipsorum inâ—â—it penniâ— ut est in proverbio percellimaâ— siquidem nostrerâ—â— scriptorum praefidâ—â— muniti contra nos bellum suscipiunt Postea etiam aliam tulit legem qua mandavit ut omnes Galilaei id est Christiani è militia pelleâ—entur b Iulian the Apostata therefore granted a Toleratis on of the liberty of perdition as Austin callâ— it because he did hope by that meanes to destroy Christian Religion August Epist. 166. Iulianus inquit desertor Christi inimicus haereticis libeâ—tateâ— perditionis permisit et tunc Basilicaâ— haeretics â—ed sidiâ— quando templa Demoniis eo nodo â—â—tans Christianum nomen posse perite 〈…〉 veritaâ—e Ecclesiae de qua lapsâ—â—â—utâ—aâ— invide et et sacrilegas dissersiones libetas esse 〈…〉 peâ—m eteret