Honourable Houses of Parliament the 19. and 20. dayes of November 1645. with a Vindication of them and the proceedings in them from the scandalous aspersions of the weekely Pamphleters especially of him who miscals himselfe the Moderate Intelligencer p. 71. Sect. XXI The occasion of the Petitions of the Common Councell and Ministers of London and the presenting of them to the Honourable Houses of Parliament p. 77. Sect. XXII The offensive acceptance of them by the Parliament as the weekely Newes-makers falsly report it Cautions premised before their confutation p. 79. Sect. XXIII A Copy of the Ministers Petition and the Intelligencers scandalous consure upon it p. 84. Sect. XXIIII Britanicus taxed for traducing the Petitioners p. 89. Sect. XXV An answer to the Intelligencers commination of the Petitioners p. 92. Sect. XXVI The misreport of the Diurnall and Weekly Account confuted and the loose sheete called Perfect Passages convinced of absurditie and sedition p. 93. The Conclusion p. 97. The Postscript or after reckoning with the Moderate Intelligencer and Mercurius Britanicus p. 99. Errata PAge 70. lin 10. after the word taken in the Parenthesis read the words and indeed it is and blot them out in the following line pag. 84. lin 2. after the word tryall for of read to lin 3 after the word plainly for to read as p. 97. lin 20. after the word lives read long lin 21. for it was a read upon this p. uit Marg. after the word called put out Lilbiâ—ues AN EXAMINATION AND RESOLVTION OF the New Quere SECT I. Of the Authour and Title page of the Quere and Determination upon it OF the Authour I have not much to say save that when he was sent for examination to the Committee of Divines I found him well qualified for parts and gifts to be imployed in the Ministery and as he was entertained by us with beseeming civility and courtesie so did he carry himselfe towards us with an ingenuous modesty and we met and parted with mutuall acceptation After that he was pleased to owne me as his Friend and to honour me as his Censor with a request to peruse some papers of his which he intended to publish yet to this day I never saw them unlesse they were graduates from his pen to the presse and so I might reade them and not know them to be the same whether he changed his mind concerning his owne paines or my perusall or wanted a convenient opportunity to bring or send them unto me I cannot resolve nor will I conjecture but I will take his invitation of me to play the Critick with him for some more authority to examine his divulged dictates then others have who have none other interest in them then that of an ordinary Reader Vpon this intercourse betwixt us having heard adverse opinions and reports of his impression in the present difference of discipline I thought I had acquaintance enough with him to put a Question to him Whether he were an Independent or no a Title by some of our dissenting brethren a That proud and insolent title of Independencie was affixed unto us as our claime the very sound of which conveighes to all mens apprehensions the challenge of an exemption from all subjection and dependence or rather a Trumpet of defiance against whatsoever power spirituall or civill which we do abhor and detest Apolog. Narrat p. 21. abhorred by others b Mr. Whites Book which he calls Truth gloriously appearing c. in the Title page and fol. 2. pag. 1. of the Epistle Dedicatory and fol. 2. p. 1. of the Epistle to the Reader owned and honoured he told me he was not but that he had a latitude of charity for them of that way and so have I also Since this answer I had some glympse of more inclination in him to that side then he acknowledged before by his Dawnings of light which have lately shone forth to a full discovery of his mind in his booke which he calleth The opening of Master Prins Vindication wherein he hath laid himselfe so open to the view of them that reade it that none of them can doubt but he is an Independent at least and at best not well affected to the Discipline so much desired as in the first page of his New Quere he hath phrased it for in his Epistle Dedicatory to the worthily much honoured Major Generall Skippon he makes the Controversie of these times to be but this that some would walke more close with Christ some can be content like Peter to walke at more distance and to follow him afarre off and to stand warming themselves with the multitude in the Common-hall and let the world judge betwixt us which is of best report Who he meanes by such as walk close with Christ and who by those that walke at more distance we may gather by his answer to the Vindication c Pag. 24. Of the opening where he saith That our Parishes are not constituted nor yet the government according to the Gospell order which he referres for their originall by way of reproach to Dionysius Bishop of Rome Anno 276. and in England to Honorius Bishop of Canterbury while he endevours to prove the particular d a. p. 33. ad pag. 37. gatherings and separations of Congregationall meetings to be a fruit of the spiritual antipathy betwixt grace nature flesh spirit and that their pure and unmixt communion is the ordinance of Christ of which after he hath laid a charge upoÌ„ the Presbyterial Churches he saith As I know not any such things among them so I will make none Apologie for them because that would bring them within the compasse of some thing like a crime and I know nothing but well by them By which comparative censure he bewrayeth himselfe to be partiall to one side and prejudiciall to the other and to that I professe my selfe a Servant whereto he sheweth himselfe to be no friend yet in defence thereof I will not entertaine him as an enemie for my Genius hath alwayes been very averse from jarres and it is the lesse disposed to quarrel with him because I see he dealeth not so harshly with Mr. Prin as most of those polemicall Penmen have done who have written against him and to give him his due in all that I have seene set forth in his name I find him rather opiniative than passionate and more luxuriant in new notions of his braine then exorbitant in the passions or perturbations of his spirit I premise thus much that you may not mistake my mind in my contestation with him in this cause as if I tooke him for an enemie because he telleth what he taketh to be a truth for whatsoever different apprehensions we have in our heads I wish wee may have nothing in our hearts which may tend to effect or foment any alienation of affection betwixt us For it is my desire and shall be alwayes a part of my care that
of power to let into the Church by the Sacrament of Baptisme as indeed it is and whom to admit to and whom to keep back from participation of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper it is a degree of power farre above both whom to ordaine to or whom to debarre from the order of Presbyters for 1. Whatsoever power or authoritie a Presbyter may claime by the word of God is virtually included in his Ordination 2. They that have power to ordaine a Presbyter have power upon just cause to silence and suspend the execution of that power and to stop his mouth Tit. 1.11 if it be opened to broach heresie or blasphemie or if his conversation be vitious and scandalous 3. The Covenant for the generall heads of it comprehendeth a perfect enumeration of the maine parts of the desired reformation under the titles of Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government but Ordination is not to be referred to Doctrine or Worship but to Discipline or Government for the ordaining of Governours and the exercise of Government properly appertaine to the same Topick or Classis 4. Though Government and Worship be distinguished betwixt themselves yet both agree in this that their generall grounds and rules are found in the word of God and in that respect the one may be set forth in the Civill Sanction with a relish of and reference to a religious constitution as well as the other But in case they will not be pleased to expresse any Divine right in any part of the Government in their Civill Sanction and will in a Parliamentary and Legislative way establish that thing which really and in it selfe is agreeable to the Word of God though they doe not declare it to be the will of Iesus Christ as is noted before out of the learned Commissioner of Scotland his * Sect. 8. p. 25. Brotherly examination and he hath the like in his * p. 32. Nihil Respondes we must be satisfied * p. 22. SECT XX. An Appendix to the precedent examination being an Apologeticall Narrative of the Petitions of the Common Councell of the Citie and Ministers of London presented to both the Honourable Houses of Parliament the 19th and 20th dayes of Novem. 1645. with a Vindication of them and the proceedings in them from the scandalous aspersions of the weekely Pamphleters especially of him who miscals himself by the name of the Moderate Intelligencer BVt howsoever the hope of union hath gon on hitherto since the Petitions of the Common Councell and of the Ministers of the Citie were presented to the Parliament there is great likelyhood of a dangerous breach betwixt the Parliament and them which will not easily be cemented up to perfect accord So haply may some conceive who know no more of the matter then they are told by the Moderate Intelligencer or by his Plagiatie the writer of the continuation of especiall and remarkable Passages who repeats his lying and scandalous Relation word for word in these termes This day the Common Councell did present a Petition to the Commons House of Parliament by divers Aldermen and others of that Councell which seemed to complaine or take ill the proceedings of the Parliament with the Assembly in the late businesse past concerning the election of Elders c. The Commons sate long about the businesse and laid it much to heart that any such thing should come from the Citie and that they should lend an eare to any that should in so evill a way represent things unto them and of what dangerous consequence it was and gave them an answer to this effect That they did perceive that they had beene informed and that they could not but lay it much to heart that they who had ever beene so ready to doe all good offices for the Kingdome and goe with the Parliament should from any but the Parliament take a representation of their proceedings and intreated them that herealter they would take satisfaction from themselves It s true they did beleeve they meant well and had a good meaning and intention in it but they were abused They had no sooner given answer to this but there came another from the Clergy to the same effect which was more sad then the former for they conceived this latter was an appeale from the Houses to the people and of as dangerous a consequence as could be imagined and that it deserved a high censure and withall they resolved if that was the way intended they would goe on with their Declaration and quickly undeceive the people and in the interim they referred it to the Committee of examinations that the first contrivers and after fomenters of this businesse may be dealt with according to merit This is a parcell of their weekly report but principally his who miscals himselfe the Moderate Intelligencer for he is neither Intelligent writing what he understands not nor Moderate being passionately addicted to a partie to flatter either out of an erroneous sancie fondly set upon irregular novelties in opinion and practice or out of a covetous affection to the wages of iniquitie the reward of flatterie or slander as the bad cause whereto he hath engaged his Pen hath need to be served with the one or the other and in the latter he hath shewed himselfe this last weeke a very 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that 's the word in the Originall for a false accuser 2 Tim. 3.3 a false accuser of the brethren Revel 12.10 not of brethren in evill as Simeon and Levi Gen. 49.5 but in good in most sincere and zealous desires and endeavours to be serviceable to the Parliament in prosecution of the great Cause that is in hand the through reformation of Church and State Among whom there are many who taken single by themselves might in good manners have been entertained with termes which savour more of reverence then of contempt but this three-farthing News-monger takes upon him as if he had beene authorised by the Parliament to involve all the venerable Magistrates and prime men of power and trust in this Honourable Citie and a very great number of the most learned laborious and consciencious Ministers of the Province of London in an unfaithfull and undutifull association against the Parliament for their joynt petitioning to the Parliament And where lyeth the crime that may make them lyable to so loud a clamour was it for petitioning in generall or for their petitioning in particular If we consult with his scandalous paper we shall find that he layeth an heavie charge upon both First for the generall in the precedent page he ushereth it in with an egregious calumny in these words * p. 203 Now let us come home and looke about us and see if while our Army is labouring to subdue the enemy and end strife there is not new beginning by those that Fame saith have beene the causes of all the strife we did intreat them the last weeke they would let the Parliament alone and waite
what he writes it is but as the Devill beleeves there is a God with a very ill will and if he do not tremble at it he is afraid of it and he would have the Orthodox party but so to beleeve it too as to make them neglect the best meanes to procure it for it hath been another piece of subtilty of these sonnes of Zerviah 2 Sam. 3 39. to delay resolution against their way by pretence that there is no need of speed in it or no fit season or opportunity for it that their opposites may securely sleep or slacken their endevours while they with intentive vigilance and double diligence worke on their owne webbe towards the period they have projected and give them but time to prosecute their cause and they that say now wee need not feare will say at length perhaps wee may not hope to enjoy our desires and it may be they will endevour to * See the Epistle Dedicatory to the High end Honourable Court of Parliament of Mr. Prinues â—resh Discovery of some prodigious new wandring-blazingstarres and firebrands c. fol. 3. p. â— And Dr. Bastwicks Preface to the second part of his Booke against Independency called the Postscript fol. 14. p. b. fol. 15. p. 2. affright us that they will have theirs by force of armes Lastly he makes as if over earnest pressing for the Government were the way to hinder it and abating the word Over which is his word of aggravation for he thinkes all 's too much that is done to such a purpose we doubt not but an earnest and humble pressing by way of petition will prevaile for it is not fit to trouble the Parliament with any matter which is not worthy of pressing importunity though I confesse there is a prudence to be observed when and how and how farre to prosecute a suite in that most high and Honourable Court And so from his exception against Petitioning in Generall we will come to what he hath said of the Petitions in Particular which this weeke were presented to the two Houses of Parliament This day that is Wednesday the nineteenth of November c. saith he The Common Councell did present a Petition to the Commons House of Parliament and there came another from the Clergie to the same effect c. Of these Petitions it will be convenient to consider 1. How they were framed 2. How they were presented 3. How they were accepted 1. For the first we shall distinctly observe 1. The occasion of the Petitions 2. The contents of them 3. The consent and concurrence for resolution about them SECT XXI The occasion of the petitions of the Common Councell and Ministers of London and the presenting of them to the Honourable Houses of Parliament THe Occasion is contained in this Declaration following made by the Ministers of London and by them presented to the Honourable Court of Common Councell of the City in this Tenour Wee the Ministers of London having heretofore received from the Right Honourable the late Lord Major A Resolve of the Honourable House of Commons of September 23. 1645. for choosing Elders forthwith in the Province of London with their Order annexed of October 8. 1645. for communicating the same to our respective Congregations did thereupon choose a Committee in our names both to acquaint the Lord Major how we had obeyed the said Order and further to signifie unto him some doubts and difficulties for present obstructing our further progresse therein Whereupon his Lordship was pleased to impart the same to the Honourable Court of Common Councell which the Honourable Court so farre resented as to appoint a Committee of their owne members to conferre further with the Ministers about the Premisses October 20. In which conference we declared to the said Committee that some of the former doubts were removed by the Directions of the Lords and Commons of August 19. and the Ordinance of October 20. 1645. but that some were continued and other new difficulties did rise by occasion of the Directions and Ordinance The result of which Conference was represented to this Honourable Court attested by their owne Committee Vpon which an Order of Court was sent unto us Dat. Octob. 27. 1645. intreating the Ministers to present their desires and reasons thereof to this Court in writing under their hands In reference unto which Order wee the Ministers of London thankfully acknowledging our selves much obliged both to the Right Honourable the said Lord Maior and this Honourable Court for all their loving respects unto us in this matter so much laid to heart by them did humbly present both our desires and the reasons thereof Their desires are the same which are comprised in their Petition which in its proper place will offer it selfe to the Reader The Reasons I thinke it fit to forbeare for divers reasons whereof that which I shall mention in the third particular may be sufficient The second thing is the Contents which consisted chiefly of requests and reasons for the establishment of the Presbyteriall Government wherein though the penning of each Petition was divers in style and forme of words yet as I know for the one which I saw so I beleeve of the other which I saw not that there was nothing in it which they thought would be offensive to either House of Parliament This traducing Intelligencer saith the Citie Petition seemed to complaine and take ill the proceedings of the Parliament with the Assembly in the late businesse past concerning the election of Elders But they did but seeme so and to such perhaps onely as were not acquainted how carefull they were who were composers or perusers of the Petition to shunne any expression that might be justly lyable to the exception of the chiefe Sages of the Kingdome For the third particular they consented to exhibite the same Schedule of Reasons being in number twelve that were tendered by the Ministers to the Honourable Court of Common Councell which because they were pleased to owne I will not presume to make publique without their consent yet their consent I may note to their great commendation and for their just vindication from the imputation of Schisme which hath beene reproachfully charged upon the Citizens of London which was such that as I have heard from such as I dare beleeve the Petition being read in the Common Councell passed with a nemine contradicente not one man giving a negative vote against it which is an assured argument of the soundnesse of the Aldermen and Common Councell the most Honourable and considerable part of the Citizens and of their clearnesse from the taint of hereticall and schismaticall Tenets and this union was well observed as a confutation of their reports who had gloried in a pretended generall opposition to the Presbyteriall Government in this Citie The second thing is the presenting of these Petitions which was done at the House of Commons upon Wednesday the nineteenth of November to whom the Citie Petition
delivered the next morning And for the Honourable Court of Common Councell of the Citie though their prudence integritie dignitie good affection and fidelitie to the Parliament have no need nor doe desire any defence of so meane or feeble an hand as mine is I hope it will not be either offensive or ungratefull to them if having had often conference as well as other of my Brethren with their Committee and being sent with some of them in the name of the Ministers of London to the Honourable Court of Common Councell on Tuesday November 18. where the Citie Petition was publiquely read and ratified by common consent I make report of some passages wherein they and we are joyntly concerned as followeth There being a Committee of Common Councell chosen by that Councell to consult with a Committee of Divines and to consider of our common engagements in the Presbyteriall Government for some of them with some of us were already chosen to be Provinciall Tryers of Elders and the same and many others of the Citizens were like to be chosen for Parochiall Elders we saw not how we could be divided in difficulties if the Directions were not cleared nor in hazards if we were not sufficiently authorised to carry on the service who were in part already and yet were further to be united in that great and to this Kingdome altogether new undertaking at our Committees we observed nothing in those worthy Citizens of the Committee nor in those who were partly permitted and partly requested to be present at our meetings but what was sutable to piety prudence and to affectionate and dutifull observance of the Parliament and it was our joy as it may be their glory that we found so many men of excellent parts and spirits so well composed and balanced without any propension to be swayed any way further then the light of truth and dictate of conscience did dispose them and yet so farre from over-weening wit or selfe-conceited wilfulnesse that while we debated difficulties with them we saw that of Solomon verified in them Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser teach a just man and he will increase in learning Prov. 9.9 And though they were pleased to entertaine us with much honour and favour we neither tooke upon us to be their guides in the carriage of this Cause nor to perswade them to any thing but what would be the result of their owne judgements and consciences upon a due consideration of the matters before them nor did we know untill Tuesday night the next night before the morning of their going to Westminster that they would petition nor when that was resolved on did any of us know or see that Petitionary draught or so much as a line of it which they presented to the Parliament onely when my selfe with some of my Brethren were sent from the Divines of London then Assembled at Sion Colledge to know their minds how farro they would appeare in the proposall of requests and reasons or what part they would assigne or leave to us who were resolved to make an humble addresse by our selves to the Parliament if they would not being called into the Court of Common Councell we received from the mouth of the Right Honourable the Lord Maior that now is some generall words of gracious acceptance of what we had done and of their concurrence with us for the establishment of Church Government but withall not knowing their purpose in particular we were left to our owne resolutions to present our desires to the Parliament as we conceived to be most convenient for us In all this what was there which might imply any digression from dutie or any diversion from their or our due respect unto the Honourable Houses Object But they tooke the representation of the Parliaments proceedings not from the Parliament as they desired but from others viz. the Ministers The quite contrary is true The Ministers received the representation of the Parliaments proceedings from the Lord Maior and both Citizens and Ministers being in a concurrent condition for scruples and dangers tendred their Petitions and Reasons unto them for satisfaction from them wherein there was as faire and ingenuous dealing as could be desired for the Ministers tendred nothing to the Committee or Common Councell but what they were willing should be read heard and examined and discussed by any of what mind or affection so ever nor could that possibly be carried in a private way which came under the consideration of the Committee so many times and afterward was committed for probation and tryall of the whole Common Councell and as openly and plainly to the Ministers dealt with the Citie so did both the Citie and Ministery with the Parliament presenting the same Schedule of Reasons annexed to each of their Petitions to their view and censure which patterne of plaine dealing I commend to the imitation of some of our Independent Brethren that their waies may not be such Ridles even to those who are no lesse wise but more innocent then they that they cannot tell where they have beene working no more then of the Moles of the earth untill they see the heapes they have cast up and they glide away so slily in their pace as if they meant to give occasion for a fifth particular to be added to Solomons Proverbe There be three things too wonderfull for me yea foure which I know not the way of an Eagle in the ayre the way of a Serpent upon a rocke the way of a Ship in the midst of the sea and the way of a Man with a maid Prov. 30. 18 19. To these as a marginall note though not as a part of the Text we may adde and the way of some Independents in their plots SECT XXIII A Copy of the Ministers Petition and the Intelligencers slanderous censure of it HAving done with the Cities Petition which he makes the Simeon he brings in the Petition of the Ministers as the Levi or its Brother in â—vill in this sort But there came another Petition from the Clergy to the same effect which was more sad then the former for they conceived this latter was an appeale to the people and of as dangerous a consequence as could be imagined and that it deserved an high consure and withall they resolved if that was the way intended they would goe on with their Declaration and quickly undeceive the people and in the Interim they referred it to the Committee of Examinations that the first contrivers and after fâ—â—â—â—tors of the businesse may be dealt withall according to merit For answer unto this it might be sufficient if I had to doe with one that were indeed and not in name onely a Moderate Intelligencer to set downe the Petition in Terminis as it was presented to both Houses of Parliament but laying that as a ground-worke it will be meet to build on to a full confutation To the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons Assembled
in the High Court of Parliament in ENGLAND The humble Petition of the Ministers of the Gospel within the Province of London Humbly sheweth THat your Petitioners and daily Oratours at the throne of Grace doe unfainedly blesse our God and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour the head over all things to the Church that in the midst of those many insufferable miseries over flowing and almost over whelming both this Church and Kingdome he hath graciously opened for us a door of hope in raising up continuing together and assisting of this Renowned Parliament above our expectations and against all oppositions for the rescuing both of Church and State from their deepe calamities having to these ends engaged your hearts and with you the three Kingdomes unto himselfe in so Religious a Covenant And we humbly present our hearty thankes unto the Right Honourable Houses for all their indefatigable endeavours these five yeares together for the Kingdomes happinesse and the Churches Reformation and in particular for the hopes of a speedy establishment of Church Government intimated unto us in your Directions of Aug. 19. 1645. Order of September 23. and Ordinance of October 20. 1645. In which Directions and Ordinance notwithstanding divers difficulties appeare both to us and to our people hither to obstructing our putting the Presbyteriall Government therein mentioned into actuall execution according to our earnest desires by reason of divers things as we humbly conceive partly doubtfull partly defective therein Wherefore your Petitioners in pursuance of our solemne Covenant in zeale to the glory of God the Kingdome of Jesus Christ and the compleat establishment of puritie and unitie in the Church of God for the satisfaction of our owne and our peoples consciences in this weighty matter of Church Government and for the generall benefit not onely of the Province of London but of all the Provinces in England both for present and future Ages Do most humbly and earnestly beseech the Right Honorable Houses That the Presbyteriall Government in Congregationall Classicall Provinciall and Nationall Assemblies agreed upon already by the Right Honourable Houses may be speedily established with such fulnesse and sufficiencie of power upon all the said Elder ships that they may fully faithfully and chearfully with well satisfied consciences submit unto and put in execution the said Government And that there may be to that end by your Authoritie superadded a cleare explanation of things doubtfull and full supply of things defective in the said Directions and Ordinance of the Right Honourable Houses according to the Schedule annexed and herewith humbly presented to your Wisdomes and Piety And your Petitioners c. This being the Petition to a word pardon mine incredulitie if I beleeve not that you can perswade any Intelligent Reader that so prudent a Senate as the Honourable House of Commons is could so mistake the meaning of it as to put such an odious construction upon it as an Appeale from them to the people the people of London that were to sow sedition and endeavour dissention betwixt the Parliament and the Citie whose unanimous consent and correspondence in counsels and executions have been under God the strongest suppport of the whole Common-weale a crime worthy of the reward of Metius Suffetius in * Vt paulo ante inquit Tullus animum inter Fidenatem Romanemque rem ancipitem gessisti it a jam corpus passim distrabendum dabis Exinde duabus admotis quadrigis in currus earum distentum illigat Metium deinde in diversum iter equi concitati lacerum in utroque curru corpus qua inhaeserant vinculis membra pâ—rtantes c. Liv. Dec. 1. lib. 1. p. 14. Livy who for his double dealing betwixt the Fidenates and the Romanes was so fastened to two Charets that the Horses that drew them being forced divers waies into a furious pace fore him in pieces But Sir if those on your partie doe no worse offices to the Citie by your insinuations into the minds of the worthy Members of the Honourable Houses then Presbyteriall Ministers doe to the Parliament by their entercourse with the Citizens there will be no occasion given for the least shew of suspition or jealousie betwixt them and whosoever shall read your paper and mine Answer will see good cause to conceive that some of your spirit have too busily bestirred themselves out of the union betwixt Citizens and Ministers to raise a Division betwixt the Parliament and Citie which he that desires to see I wish rather that the Ravens of the valley pick out his eyes Prov. 30.17 But that union doth clearly confute the calumny you cast upon the Ministers Petition for so farre is it from an appearance of an Appeale from the Parliament to the people that it plainly representeth both Ministers and people consulting and concluding joyntly to make an Appeale to the Parliament and humbly waiting to be disposed of by their finall Resolutions This is it sure for which you say the latter Petition was more sad then the former for when that came in so conformable to the Citie Petition in matter though differing in phrase style and in scope and Intention and word for word the same in a Schedule of Reasons annexed to it it was an evidence of so good agreement betwixt the most eminent Citizens and the forementioned Ministers as must needs be a great griefe of heart to those that make great advantage of the divisions of Reuben yea and of all the Tribes throughout out Israel He goeth on with a proficiencie from bad to worse and though he hath no honey at all he hath a double sting in the taile of his Intelligence scruing up a charge against the Petitioners to the highest aggravation that may be and concluding with the commination of a censure commensurate to their merit For the Charge these be his words They that is the House of Commons conceived this latter that is the Petition of the Ministers was an Appeale from the Houses to the people and of as dangerous a consequence as could be imagined Having answered the former words I will now speake onely to the latter But first I must pause and wonder a while at this superlative Slander How Sir Was that Petition of as dangerous a consequence as could be imagined no such matter Sir For what danger at all can be imagined in it when all is in effect no more but this that the Citizens and Ministers upon Petition may clearly understand the mind of the Parliament and may be throughly enabled to put in execution their commands to obey them to the full according to their engagement in the solemne Covenant Such fearefull apprehensions even of dangerous consequence if they be reall not fained may proceed from the selfe-love of your party who confine the common felicitie to your owne particular Interests and thinke the world will be in a very ill condition if the Presbytery should be set up and should set bounds to your ambitious or covetous
encroachments upon the rights of Ministers and people and it may be because you are no Ionasses to be willing to be cast into the Sea to save the Ship and passengers in it you may have in your thoughts some Military commotion of your owne making for you know or may know that bloody words lyable to such a sence and tending to the like effect have beene more then once laid to the charge of some of your side as hath beene noted pag. 76. And if your dangerous consequence be but a fiction and pretence which I rather imagine it must be supposed to be but a cast of your subtilty to make the simple afraid of and to beget a mistrust of some dangerous designe in the Ministers that they may desert them and adhere unto you as men of prudent insight into imminent mischieves and of provident forecast to secure them from danger who betake themselves to your cause and complices for succour and safety Which of these conjectures is true or whether any other any worse for a plaine Presbyterian is too shallow to sound the depth of a projecting Independent I will not determine but I will confidently resolve that such an imagination of transcendent danger in the Petition of the Ministers was no part of the mind of the major part of the House of Commons which must give denomination to the whole for they can never be so much mistaken as to put such an exuberant expression of offence upon so inoffensive a Petition who very well know and cannot but as well remember your Brother Lilburnes businesse and what seditious papers he and his faction sent abroad which if you had forgotten for I doubt not but such a schismaticall polypragmâ—â—n as those that know you report you to be if not wise enough to be of his counsell may be busie enough to be active in his desperate designe I would helpe your memory with a repetition of some such passages out of them as might be worthy of your now misapplied aggravation of as dangerous consequence as may be imagined but that I thinke them fitter to be burned by the common Hangman or buried in everlasting oblivion then now to be mentioned especially in a Discourse of defence of the Innocent And truly Sir next unto Lilburnes Libels we may say of your malevolent Intelligence of this weeke that it is a matter of as dangerous consequence as may be imagined For doo not you as farre as your credit will carry a mischievous suggestion disperse all about a suspition of the Cities and Ministers combination against the two Houses of Parliament who have hitherto with honour and safetie very much confided in their affection and fidelitie as I doubt not they will ever have cause so to doe though such malignant medlers as you say and doe what they can to the contrary SECT XXIV Britanicus taxed for traducing the Petitioners YOur Athenian Colleague Britanicus though they that reade you both will haply take you to be rather a * Boeotion in crasso jurares aere natum Horat. Beotian hath a conceit of some disparagement to the Parliament by a supposed division though he lay his action wrong mistaking an occasion for a cause and one person for another whom though I first mention him in way of opposition to you I must take for an adversary to us I meane to the City and Ministry in this businesse of Petition and when I have given him an animadversion by the way I shall return unto and proceed with you It may prove saith he a train to blow up the reputation of the renowned Parliament and harden the enemy in their courses if they should see a doore of hope opened through any supposed divisions the common Adversary will take heart againe and those which favour them whether at home or abroad will dare again to shew themselves as not doubting to perfect their designe if we disjoynt our selves and contribute to our owne ruine Divisions among us divulged by you may animate the common Enemy to a greater height of hopes and attempts so much his observation implyeth and that 's your fault Mr. Intelligencer but he applyeth it to the Petitioners and that 's his calumny as well as yours It may prove saith hee a traine c. What is that that may prove so the Petition the Petition a traine to blow up the reputation of the Parliament Reade it Sir and you will see it is not a trainâ— but a Trumpet to blow up their reputation with a loud sound and melodious accent with humble thankes acknowledging and highly extolling them by the name of A renowned Parliament for their indefatigable endevours for five years together for the Kingdoms happinesse and the Churches Reformation And can the Petition be charged to open a doore of hope to the enemies through supposed divisions from the Parliament when it expresly maketh the Parliament a doore of hope of much happinesse to the Kingdome It is an easie matter to turne the most innocent action or businesse into an occasion of exception but they are the causes for the particular in question both of disturbance to the Parliament and of danger from the common enemy who proclaime unkindnesse betwixt the Parliament and their most faithfull and serviceable Votaries the Common Councell and Ministers of the City of London This Retortion as by a kind of partnership belongeth to both these false Brethren but taking Britannicus by himselfe he beginneth at the beginning of the weeke by the figure Anticipation for the Petitions were not presented to the Honourable Houses untill two oâ— three dayes after and so he cometh over the matter againe upon Wednesday and Thursday In the first place he findeth fault with Petitioning as out of season and so indiscreet and as imputing neglect to the Parliament and implying distrust of the Indgment care of those whom we acknowledge the wisest and supreme Councell and so undutifull but neither so nor so for the purpose of Petitioning was so fanned and sifted by the free and impartiall debates of divers wise and worthy Citizens and by learned and well advised Ministers that if there had been any folly or indiscretion it would have vanished into nothing but Sir I can assure you of my knowledge the more it was weighed and examined the more it was approved by the prudent as well as the pious of both Societies not only as necessary but as seasonable also And if the Honourable Houses were intentively imployd to perfect the Government and did set themselves in a constant course and chose set dayes for that purpose and the day of presenting the Petition was one of them all which I beleeve and cannot thinke of it without thankes to them nor without praises of them and prayers for them yet was it not unseasonable to petition them because the concurrent desires of so many so considerable Petitioners might be a meanes to remove some obstructions Qui monet uâ— facias quâ—d jam
while I seek after a controverted truth I may not turne aside from a certaine duty which is in meeknesse to deale with a brother that is contrary minded so farre as may not prove to the prejudice of what in conscience I am bound to undertake and to manage also to the best advantage This for the Author and for the Title page besides for the Authors Name is a part of it it is as followeth SECT II. Of the Title Page A New Quere at this time seasonably to be considered as we tender the advancement of Truth and Peace He knew very well how the Athenian humour of listening after news prevaileth with our people of all sorts and therefore being to fish in troubled waters he puts upon his hook that bait at which it was like many would be nibling Next he saith It is at this time seasonably to be considered as we tender the advancement of Truth and Peace He commends his New Query to acceptance in two respects 1. As seasonable 2. As much importing the advancement of Truth and Peace For the first he saith it is at this time seasonably to be considered So it is now it is published but it was very unseasonably offered and I marvell that he who hath written a whole booke of policy should be so unpoliticke as to thinke it seasonable to set forth such a Quere and so to resolve it such it tends to retard the establishment of Government whereto the Parliament is so much engaged not onely for the thing it selfe but for a timely proposition and imposition of it by their civill sanction For the first that they intend to set up a Church government we have it 1. From their expresse profession December 15. 1641. We doe here declare that it is farre from our purpose or desire to let loose the golden reines of Discipline and Government in the Church to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what forme of service they please for we hold it requisite that there should be throughout the whole Realme a conformitie in that order which the Lawes enioyne according to the word of God So in the first Remonstrance of the Honourable House of Commons pag. 25. 2. from the first Article of the solemne League and Covenant published by Authoritie of Parliament September 21. 1643. Wherein they and all others that take it doe covenant to endeavour the reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches 3. this Covenant was ordered againe by the Honorable House of Commons Januarie 29. 1644. to be publiquely read every Fast day and to be set up in every Congregation in a faire Table where every one may read it and to this are set the names of Master Speaker and 243. more of the Honourable House of Commons And for the second that they meane to expedite the settling of Government with all convenient speed we have good cause to conceive 1. Because they have bestowed already very many dayes in consultation about it 2. They insist in the same consultations still 3. They according to the eminence of their wisdome apprehend many and great evils that grow both in number and power by Doctrines of Libertinisme which necessarily require the restraint of a reformed Church Government 4. They have already set it up 1. In their Ordinance of Ordination set forth the last yeare 2. In an Ordinance for making London a Province this last yeare dividing it into severall Classes and for choosing a Committee for tryall of Elders to be chosen and Rules to be observed for orderly proceeding in the same and this before this Quere came forth 3. Since that they have advanced further by a Vote and Order for choosing Elders forthwith in particular Congregations 4. And last of all they have published an Ordinance with rules and directions for suspension from the Sacrament in cases of Ignorance and Scandall Yet they cannot make that speed with the Government which by most is desired and very much desired by themselves as we of the Assembly can witnesse who have often beene sent to by that Honourable Senate to quicken our worke and to ripen our debates to a full resolution because as with us the libertie of speaking wherein every one is free to propose and prosecute any doubt prolonged the Government in our hands so the like libertie in the Honourable Houses or rather our libertie is like theirs it being the Prototypon lengthens the debates and delayes the Votes of that most Honourable Senate and so much the more because they are more in number then we in our Synod and because their determinations are finall as ours are not And though that which is published doe not yet reach home to our full satisfaction we hope it is in the way towards further perfection which cannot reasonably be expected in the first Essayes of frames and formes of Government for we may say of Jerusalem as well as of Rome that it was not built in a day though in time it became the perfection of beautie the ioy of the whole earth Lam. 2.15 Such we pray God that fabrick may prove which is under the hands of our Honourable and holy Nehemiahs and Lord polish finish and establish the worke in their hands yea the worke of their hands establish thou it Psal 90.17 The other particular he propounds to make his Quere more plausible is the reference it hath to two precious things viz. Truth and Peace both which are upheld by Government Church-Government and without it for truth we have abundance of errours and heresies broached among us which divide men into manifold Sects and Factions and where they are multiplied there can be no peace without a treacherous toleration which will resolve at last into an Anarchy and confusion Having premised this he putteth his Quere thus Whether it be fit according to the Principles of true Religion and State to settle any Church-government over the Kingdome hastily or not and with the power commonly desired in the hands of the Ministers First he putteth the case according to the Principles of Religion and State which if he had well considered he might have thought the Parliament for the one and the Assembly of Divines for the other competently qualified each in their profession for resolution of such a doubt especially since it is a chiefe part of the publique worke of them both to drive it to its issue might have prevented such a Quere as this from a private Divine Secondly he suggests a suspition as if the Parliament were driving on the Discipline and Government of the Church in Jehu's Chariot with furious haste whereas both Parliament and Assembly have much adoe to ward off imputations of procrastination and delay for debating so long and determining so little whereof we have rendred the reasons before Thirdly he presents it as a gravamen or
distinction of times so of places some are more some lesse civilized as in Scotland * Abbot Geogr. P. 207 208. the Low-land is the most civill part of the Realme where Religion is most orderly established but the other part called the Highland which lyeth further to the North or bendeth towards Ireland is more rude and savage and so further from conformitie in Religion And there may be great difference also in respect of Preachers and Sermons wherewith some Countries are much better furnished then others and thence are not onely more Civill but more Religious also for civilitie and religion mutually conduce to the helpe of each other Civilitie makes men more capable of Religion Religion makes them more conformable to Civilitie this is observable in many parts of Wales and Cornwall which are but poorely stored with well gifted Preachers in comparison of London and many other places of this Kingdome And whereas it is said that in the reformed Churches as in the Churches of France Germany Denmarke and Scotland the people be lesse strict and pious more licentious and scandalous then in England where there hath beene powerfull preaching without the practise of excommunication and suspension from the Sacrament It is to be considered that in England both suspension from the Sacrament and excommuication have beene in use before the deposition of the Prelates and Service Book and by this Argument we might plead for the retaining of the English Prelacie and Liturgie and against the establishment of the Presbytery and Directory both which Mr. Priune hath in a better opinion and reputation then the Government and Book which were their predecessors in the English Church and if we suppose there is powerfull preaching with the one Government and not with the other we should ascribe the prelation to that which is principall and present viz. the preaching of the word and not cast a reproach upon that which is accessory though in a secondary degree necessary also because it is absent since the want thereof can contribute nothing to spirituall proficiencie but the presence and exercise of it very much 2. Question If the precedent assertion be true what may be the reason Answer If there be lesse strictnesse in those forementioned Churches then in the Church of England it cannot be charged upon the Presbyterian Discipline or Government for there is nothing in that which tends to licentiousnesse and scandall but to the quite contrary and I can speake it by experience that the formall admonition of inordinate walkers by the Minister and Churchwardens without any further proceeding in Discipline hath kept many in more awe and better order then without it they would have beene so that where the Word is powerfully preached and that Discipline duely and piously and impartially administred it is not onely very effectuall for preservation of the profession of Christianitie from Heresie and Schisme as * See the Preface to the new Annotations of the Bible p. 1. of the Church of Scotland is observed but for promotion of the practise of piety and prevention of loosenesse of life as of the Church of Geneva is noted and acknowledged by Bodine a Papist in the sixth Chapter of his Booke de meth historiae And if any where the people living under this Government be more generally profane then where it is not it may or rather must be referred 1. To some other reason as in Germany the sinne of Drunkennesse prevaileth so much that this reproachfull Proverbe passeth upon them * Heylinâ— Gâ—â—ogr p. 256. Germanorum vivere est bibere The Germans life is drownd in his liquor whence it is that they abound in Brewers * Ibid. p. 260. having 777. of that Trade 40. Bakers one Lawyer one Physician in the Towne of Hamburge and where they are habitually addicted to that vice they are little disposed to the power of godlinesse 2. In some Countries where the Presbyterie is established the Ministers are in meane estimation because they are reduced to a despicable povertie their revenues being kept from them by the Nobility and Gentry and they tucked up to * The large Declaration of the late Tumults in Scotland p. 7 8. some poor pittance either by way of stipendiary benevolence or some other meane allowance unworthy of the Ministers of the Gospel and which exposeth them to all manner of contempt and a base dependance upon their patrons Now where the Ministers of the Gospel are despised the Gospel is lesse honoured and the people lesse affected with any doctrine or dutie of piety and conscience 3. Some reformed Churches though they admit of the Presbyterian Government are the lesse reformed because they are in their habitation and conversation mingled with profane Papists as in France 4. And lastly the most reformed Churches in forraine parts are and long have beene much unreformed in the Doctrine of the Sabbath which few foraine Divines teach so soundly few foraine Christians observe so conscientiously as doe the Divines and Christians of the Church of England and it is experimentally proved that according to mens care or neglect of the sanctification of the Sabbath they are more or lesse pious or profane strict or licentious in their conversations It is not then the absence of Discipline where the Word is powerfully preached and the Sabbath religiously observed that furthereth any thing to holinesse of life but the want of these which should be joyned with Discipline which makes it lesse effectuall for popular reformation but where all are joyned together there not onely the ordinary behaviour of men is more orderly but divers are in their lives so strict so exact that as a * The Essayes of the Lord â—erulam Essay â—2 〈…〉 witty Authour makes the resemblance they are like a verse wherein every syllable is measured SECT XVIII Shewing what might be retorted upon the Antipresbyteriall party but concluding for Vnitie and Peace with allegation of Mr. Burroughs his propositions of reconciliation and accord and some other particulars tending thereto HItherto I have for the most part held out the Buckler of Apologie against the exceptions taken at the present setting up of the Presbyteriall Government I could now take up the Sword of Assault and put Mr. Saltm to be Defendent while I bring in Objections against the haste which some of his party make in setting up their Congregationall way not onely without Authoritie but against it For the Presbyterian Discipline hath beene by Authoritie of Parliament in â—â—bate first in the Assembly afterward in both Houses of Parliament and so farre as it is agreeable to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches covenanted to be established in this Kingdome and in the Kingdome of Ireland contrary to the Congregationall and Independent platform and many parts of it have beene set forth already by Ordinance or Order of the Honourable Houses yet the Presbyterians take not upon them to be active in the choice of Elders or in any other part of Ecclesiasticall power but humbly wait for further warrant from the Parliament to
proceed in the work while many of our dissenting Brethren of their owne accord and without the command or consent and against the Vote of the Civill State gather Churches or continue the Government of those they have gathered according to the modell of their owne choosing notwithstanding the joynt admonition of many eminent Ministers as well Independent as Presbyteriall to forbeare untill what was and yet is in part under deliberation came to accomplishment and * M. S. Eaton Teacher and Tim. Taylor Pastour of the Church of Duckenfield in Cheshire in their late defence of sundry positions and Scriptures to justifie the Congregationall way some take the boldnesse publikely and in print to avow themselves as Ministers under the name and office of Teachers and Pastors of new constituted Churches and publikely to assert their repugnant principles and practises in opposition to that which the Honourable Houses of Parliament have partly authorised already by their Civill Sanction and engaged themselves further to authorise throughout the Churches of both Kingdomes as God shall be pleased to make way for a thorow reformation by reducing the severall Countries under the command of the King and Parliament But I had rather then recriminate friendly and kindly close with my yet dissenting Brother and therefore heartily commend it to his Christian consideration to study the reconciliation and union of all the godly party as Mr. Burroughs hath lately done and not to proceed to discourses which tend to make or maintaine division or estrangement and alienation of affection betwixt them To that purpose I shall propose as a patterne of imitation to Mr. Saltm and to all others who partake with him in his present Opinion what he hath set downe in the seventh Chapter of his Irenicum in his owne words First Mr. Burroughs his Irenieum c. 7. p. 43 44 45. Those in the Congregationall way acknowledge that they 〈◊〉 bound in conscience to give account of their wayes to the Churches about them or to any other who shall require it this not in an arbitrary way but as a dutie that they owe to God and man Secondly They acknowledge that Synods of other Ministers and Elders about them are an Ordinance of Iesus Christ for the helping the Church against errours schismes and scandals Thirdly That these Synods may by the power they have from Christ admonish men or Churches in his Name when they see evils continuing in or growing upon the Church and their admonitions carry with them the anthoritie of Iesus Christ Fourthly As there shall be cause they may declare men or Churches to be subverters of the faith or otherwise according to the nature of the offence to shame them before all the Churches about them Fiftly They may by a solemne act in the Name of Iesus Christ refuse any further communion with them till they repent Sixthly They may declare and that also in the Name of Christ that these erring people or Churches are not to be received into fellowship with any of the Churches of Christ nor to have communion one with another in the Ordinances of Christ Now all this being done in Christs Name is this nothing to prevaile with conscience If you say private brethren may admonish and declare in the Name of Christ This is more then if any private Brethren should do the same thing for at Synod is a solemne Ordinance of Christ and the Elders are to be looked on as the officers of Iesus Christ But our Brethren say There is one meanes more in their way then the Congregation all way hath that is if the sixe former will not work then Synods may deliver to Satan In this very thing lies the very knot of the Controversie betweene these who are for the Presbyteriall and those who are for the Congregationall way in reference to the matter in hand namely the meanes to reducing from or keeping out errours and heresies from the Church in this lies the dividing businesse But I beseech you consider at what a punctum we divide here and judge whether the cause of division in this thing be so great as there can be no helpe and whether if an evill spirit prevaile not amongst us we may not joyne For First consider what is there in this delivering to Satan which is a seventh thing which our Brethren thinke may hopefully prevaile with mens consciences when the sixe former cannot Yes say they for by this they are put out of the Kingdome of Christ into the kingdome of Satan and this will terrifie This putting out of Christs Kingdome must be understood clave non errante if the Synod judges right not otherwise yes this is granted by all Then consider whether this be not done before and that with an authoritie of Christ by those former sixe things for bereticall Congregations or persons are judged and declared in a solemne Ordinance by the officers of Christ gathered together in his Name to be such as have no right to any Church Ordinance to have no communion with any of the Churches of Christ Now if this judgement be right are not such persons or Congregations put out of the Kingdome of Christ and put under the power of Satan consequently But thirdly If some brethren rise to a seventh degree and others stay at sixe which have yet such a power over conscience that if they prevaile not the seventh is no way likely to prevaile why should not the Apostles rule quiet us all Phil. 3.15 16. Whereto we have already attained let us walke by the same rule if in any thing you be otherwise minded God will reveale even this unto you if we have attained but to sixe and our Brethren have attained to seven let us walke together lovingly to the sixe if God shall after reveale the seventh we will promise to pray and study in the mean time we shall walke with them in that also why must it needs be now urged with violence so as to divide else and although we hold not the seventh yet there is an ingredient in the sixt that hath in it the strength of the seventh for wherein lies the strength of the seventh above the rest is it not in this that it is the last meanes Christ hath appointed in his Church to work upon the heart this consideration hath much terror it it Now those in the Congregationall way say that this is fully in the sixth wherefore that is as terrible to their consciences as the seventh can be to the consciences of our brethren and that upon the same ground If so what is the difference for this matter more then that which hath beene betwixt many godly and Orthodoxe Divines about the division of the Lords Prayer whether it containe 6. or 7. petitions when those that are for sixe have as much matter in those sixe as those that have seven and those that
and not doubt they would see a good issue and good content they need not feare they may be kept a while from their desires but in the end they will have content if their owne earnest pressing for it doe not hinder Now let us come home It would be well Sir if you would come home and keepe at home and take measure of your owne parts and sit close to your Trade and not ramble abroad to busie your selfe in writing Intelligence of matters which are farre above the elevation of your Pole or the comprehension of your head-piece But your zeale perhaps such a zeale as the Apostle taxeth which is without knowledge Rom. 10.2 just like a pressing-iron which hath heat without light stirred you up to complaine of some troublesome spirits who while the Army is labouring to end strife begin it anew and they are such say you as Fame saith have been the causes of all the strife and who be they Fame saith the late Deputie of Ireland and the little Drelate of Canterburie were prime causes of the Kingdomes and the Churches disturbance And are they since their heads were cut off as Herod thought of John Baptist Mark 6.16 raised from the dead to revive our divisions Common Fame saith the Queene and her Faction that have parted the King and the Parliament Digby Hopton Goring Greenvile and other Military male-contents have caused and doe still continue the most dangerous contentions and convulsions in England as Moutrosse and his party in Scotland Ormond and his barbarous and bloody Papists in Ireland But we must looke for these make bates at home and find out such as at present doe trouble our peace and if we doe so Fame saith that they are such among us as oppose the settling of an uniforme Government and breake out communities into severall Sects such as so divide the husband from the wife the parents from the children the master from the servants that a zealous Ioshua cannot say I and my house will serve the Lord Iosh 24.15 since his family is distracted and sorted into severall Congregations and it may be also into hereticall conventicles Fame saith that such factious journeymen as Mr. D. are publique Incendiaries and Trumpeters of Sedition by taking all occasions making use of all advantages casting about for all manner of devices to increase their divided partie that they may be able to uphold a faction and because they cannot hope that their noveltie and paucitie should be able to maintaine a publique contest against so many both persons and Churches as are engaged against their way they make it their Master-piece to leaven the most considerable Societies Cities Sea-Townes Armies but especially the Parliament with their Independent Principles and practices and either to get Independents into places of chiefe power and trust or to seduce such as are eminent in dignitie endowments or authoritie to their side and if they cannot obtaine them they plot how to displace them and if they cannot doe that to render them lesse serviceable to the Publique their way is to weaken their reputation with reproaches or cunningly to intimate some matter of suspition touching their acts or intentions if they be of such integritie as is of impregnable proofe against their obloquie then they will by way of compliance worke out of them what they can which may conduce to their designe and if they can prevaile no further they will at least by an artificiall sweetnesse of behaviour by appearances of more then ordinary piety by a pretended extenuation of difference of opinion and practice and by such insinuations so becalme or becharme the spirits of some Presbyterians of eminent parts as to make them if not favourable to their cause yet so that they may not appeare against them when they should or but in a very remisse and moderate degree of opposition Lastly to returne to our Intelligencer they set up weekly Pamphleters who are wholly of their stampe or fee them or by some other artifices worke upon them to take all occasions to magnifie their partie and to vilifie and calumniate those that oppose them and so they sometimes hyperbolize a Shrub on that side into a Cedar and disparage those who under God are the chiefe pillars and supporters of the publique welfare as if they were of no more worth or use then Reeds shaken with the wind and this is not the least part of the Independent policy to drive on their designe all over the Kingdome for most of the common people know little of the progresse of publique affaires but by such Informers and they furnish them with weekly lies to honour those of their owne sect or sects rather for they are many and to cast reproaches on such as are serious and resolute in all just and lawfull meanes of establishing of truth and restoring of peace But it may be he meaneth by Fame that report which he and his fellowes in loose sheets have dispersed abroad in City and Countrey and if so I say Famaest malum his fame is infamous notoriously false as he applyeth it viz. to those who make addresses to the Parliament by way of Petition We did intreat saith he the last weeke they would let the Parliament alone and wait and no doubt they would see a good issue and good content We did intreat them to let the Parliament alone We Sir who besides your selfe and why you and what meane you by letting the Parliament alone doe you forbid the subject of England to petition the Parliament if that be your meaning as a man of Moderate Intelligence may easily perceive it is do you not mean they should be deprived of the most undoubted Priviledge and Libertie which by the Law of Nature and of Nations is allowed all over the world if the Parliament had beene of that mind since their first Session they would not have tendred so many Petitions to the King nor have received so many Petitions from all parts of the Kingdome nor could they but by the informations received in them have knowne so much of the distemper of severall Counties nor had so just grounds and causes as they had for many of their Orders and Ordinances which were issued out from that Honourable Senate and your selfe say in the next page that a part of the Parliaments Answer to the Citie Petition was that the Citizens were intreated hereafter that they would take satisfaction from themselves that is satisfaction of their doubts and desires by immediate recourse to that Honourable Court and how can that be better or more acceptably done then by way of petition But he saith They need not feare they may be kept a while from their desires but in the end they will have content if their own earnest pressing for it doe not hinder How knowes he that better then they who have put up their desires for expediting the difficulties of the Government by way of petition to the Parliament The truth is if he beleeve
both ingenuous and religious correspondence doth dispose them for no where in the Protestant Churches so farre as I have read or received by report are good Ministers better accepted of or more respectively used then in this City nor by any Citizens more then by those who are most worthy of honour and is cannot but be the desire as well as the duty of godly Ministers to advance them as much as may be in the estimation of the people and to presse upon them obedience according to their duty and dependence for conscience sake And though it be obvious to common observation how much the Magistrates favour maketh for the Ministers honour and succour it is not unknowne nor unobserved by the wise that the Ministers have been very serviceable to the Civill State and to the Military too not onely by their supplications to God for good successe to all their publique undertakings and their happy proceedings in all their warlike marches and motions as at the removall of the Arke Numb 10.35 Rise up Lord and let thine enemies be scattered let them that hate thee flee before thee but by their informations and soliâ—itations of the people to engage both their estates and persons in the Cause of God and their Countrey and I could name such at have bâ—â—â— looked on by the blood shâ—tten â—yes of professed enemies and fained by them by way of most hatefull reprâ—ach at the Authours of the Rebellion of whole Counties that is in the true sense of their charge the perswaders of them not to betake themselves to a divided party but to unite in the union of the King and Parliament And I am sure that some of them who have been envied and reviled in Print by libellous Schismaticks as growing rich upon the revenues of fat sequestrations when by a just accompt they have come short of a competent subsistence have been offered both riches and honour in the Kings name by persons of eminent degree to imploy their parts in his Majesties service the termes were no worse the intention likely not so good and have modestly and yet resolutely refused them then when it seemed both most profitable and honourable to aâ—cept them and not a little dangerous to withstand rewards when there was power to call for observance by minatory commands And it was then an advantage visible enough which the King had above the Parliament as the Pope hath above a Councell that the dispoâ—all of Church dignities was held in right and exercised in fact as a branch of the Royall Prerogative whence arose the Proverbe which made so many Ecclesiasticall Courtiers No fishing to the Sea No service to the King and by the power and Court Countenance that such had over the inferior Ministers both they by the Prelaticall Clergie and the people by them were made more obsequious and serviceable to whatsoever constitutions and impositions which came upon them whether from the Civill or Ecclesiasticall Authority And though wee have cause to multiply our benedictions as David did 1 Sam. 25. â—2 33. Blessed be God and blessed be the Parliament and blessed be their advice not only to themselves but to all the Kingdom that the heavie yoke of the domineering Hiâ—rarchy is taken off our neckes yet betwixt the Magistrates and the people the godly Ministers of the Kingdome and ordinarily the Ministers of this Citie especially for the Synod of Divines is an extraordinary Assembly will be alwayes as least instrumentally profitable for the promoting and upholding of a conformity and commodious correspondence on both sides according to the Relations wherein for the glory of God and the publique welfare they are mutually obliged to each other In prâ—posall of these particulars to your Lordship I shall not be thought to present you with an impertinent discourse by any thus will consider bow much the union of three Kingdoms depends upon the union of this Metropolis or mother Citie with the Parliament above it the Ministry within it and all the sister Cities and daughter Townes and Villages round about it and how much the union of this City now depends upon your Honour and I doubt not but that by Gods speciall providence your Honour was reserved for such a time as this when by a prudent and zealous and authoritative endevour for the cure of the manifold distractions among us you may be a blessed meanes to keepe off the destruction from us which is threatned by our Saviour to a Kingdome and there is the like danger to any either City or family given over to division Matth. 12.25 wherein your Lordship and your Venerable Colleagues may have the deepest share in suffering according to the measure of your eminent prelations in honour and estate above ordinary Citizens if which God forbid violent and unruly spirits should not be circumscribed with the virge of your awfull authoritie To this end though the Presbyterian Government may be very subservient and the Ministers of the City will be alwaies ready as their faculties furnish them with abilitie and their duties oblige them with diligence to serve your Honour yet since that is set up but in part and for a good part subiect to dispute as your power is not for it is wholly compleat and no way questionable the through reformation of this spatious and populous Citie next under God and the Parliament will more depend upon your head for counsell your heart for affection and your hand for execution then on any humane helpe or meanes whatsoever it be And if in regard of newly emergent mischiefs for Satan infusâ—th into his Agents new fancies and devices and stirreth them up to dangerous Innovations every day you find not ready remedies for all present or imminent evils within the bounds of your municipall Charters you are so neere the well-head and spring of Civill Government the Legislative Senate at Westminster that you may easily and speedily procure a supplement of power for any service that may conduce to the safety of the Parliament and Citie and with both by consequentiall operation and virtuall influence of many millions of subiects within the three Kingdomes united in the most Sacred bond of our solemne Covenant which may with more iâ—genuitiâ— be desired and with more facility be obtained because thereby the Parliament it selfe may be the better secured both from contempâ— and tumult which may justly be feared from such an insolent and violent generation of fanaticke and some franticke Enthusiasts and other fiery spirited Separatists who account it the height of their Evangelicall zeale to bring downe the highest and most eminent Worthies of the State for true piety prudence dignitie and power under the feet of confused Anarchy and popularity Wherein that they meane to make no reserves of reverence for the supreme Senate of the Kingdome nor to allow any protection by priviledges of Parliament is clearly discovered in that most seditious Pamphlet besides many others called Englands Birthright For notwithstanding the present
* M. Robert Baylie his Disswasive from the errours of the time wherein the Tenets of the principall Sect of the Independ are drawne together in one Mappe Printed for Sam. Gellibrand at the Brasen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard exact delineation or description of the whole body of Schismaticall and Hereticall noveltie drawne by a very skilfull and faithfull hand and newly published to undeceive the English especially the people of the City of whom many are miserably misled and more will be if both Magistrates and Ministers doe not watchfully overlooke them and seriously sot themselves to prevent their increase Wherein your Lordships prudence and power beginning betime and continuing your care in a proportionable tenour untill your Office expire which is the expectation of all that know the soliditie of your judgement and stability of your spirit may prevaile very much though it be but for an yeare for how great matters in how short a time have beene attempted and accomplished by that worthy Generall Sr. Thomas Fairfax undertaking and prosecuting the warre with a couragious and constant resolution not as a Trade to enrich himselfe but as a Remedy to deliver his Countrey from partly present and partly imminent miseries And for that purpose your Lordships Sword in the City may be of very great use as his in the field and that with both the Sword of the Lord may be associated as with the Sword of Gideon Iudg. 7.18 and his power may still support your state protect your person and promote your proceedings to most happy successe is the hearty desire and shall be the daily prayer of Your Honours most humble servant JOHN LEY An Advertisement to the Reader to prevent mistaking in the variety of Petitions IN the Postscript of the late Answer to Mr. Burton from Aldermanbury entituled The doore of truth opened there is an Apologetical Reply to his tart reproofe of a London Petition in these words There is one thing that Mr. Burton mentioneth in the * Pag. 2. ante med Narrative which though it concerns not Aldermanbury yet we must not wholly bury it in silence and that is concerning the late large Petition for the speedy establishment of Religion Of which he speakes very dishonourably as also of the Petitioners as of men led with blind obedience and pinning their soules upon the Priests sleeve We leave it to the Petitioners to answer for themselves For our parts we conceive that no Reader unlesse blinded with prejudice can charge them with blind obedience For the Petitioners doe not desire to have the Modell of that Reverend Assembly established but the government of Christ established a Modell whereof c. These words a Modell whereof c. come in with a Parenthesis and the sentence is compleat without them all that they affirme about the Modell is that the Reverend Assembly hath framed a Modell of the Government of Christ according to their ability and presented it to the Parliament And who but he that hath pinned his faith upon an Independents sleeve can except against this But if Mr. Burton be displeased with the Modell of the Reverend Assembly we would intreat him that he at last after so long expectation would set forth his Modell Which some have mistaken conceiving both parties speake of the late Petition sent from the Common Councell of London whereas there be these differences betwixt them 1. That Petition is of a different style tenour and date from this of the Common Councell for it was brought forth to light before this later was conceived 2. That hath the Parenthesis a Modell whereof the Assembly of Divines c. specified in the Exception and Answer the Petition of the Common Councell hath no such clause in it as I am informed for yet I have not seen it 3. That was never presented by the Petitioners to the Parliament this of the Common Councell was 4. The Petition of the Common Councell was not printed that was priuted both in a single sheet and in the Booke called Truth it 's Manifest p. 130. Which I note in this place because having denyed that the Petition of the Common Councell was yet printed a Gentleman of qualitie said he would shew it me presently and produced for proofe the Booke forementioned 5. Lastly the former Petition had not so good acceptance with the Parliament as the later partly hath had and partly may be further hoped for when the Honourable Houses have opportunitie to make their returne unto it The Contents Section I. OF the Authour and Title page of the Quere and Deter mination upon it Page 1. Sect. II. Of the Title page p. 3. Sect. III. The matter and scope of the Quere and resolution upon it p. 7. Sect. IIII. Reasons against the present settling of government taken from conscience answered p. 12. Sect. V. The Argument against the speedy settling of Church government taken from eâ—ample of the New Testament in generall answered p. 14. Sect. VI. The Argument against the speedy establishment of Church government taken from Christs description answered p. 17. Sect. VII Master Colemans experimentall exceptions against the severity and rigour of the Presbyteriall government answered p. 20. Sect. VIII The Argument against the speedy setting up of the Presbyteriall government taken from Christs practise answered p. 23. Sect. IX Reasons taken from rules and considerations of prudence answered p. 26. Sect. X. The Negative Argument taken from want of experience of the New Clergie answered p. 32. Sect. XI Objections against the Reasons for the not establishing Church government propesed and answered as Objections against M. Saltm his Tenet in the Quere with Replyes to his answers The first Observation his Answer and the Reply unto it p. 36. Sect. XII Objection second answered with a Reply to that Answer p. 38. Sect. XIII An additionall Answer to some exceptions of M. Saltm taken out of M. Prins Vindication against the present establishment of Church government in his late Book entituled The opening of M. Prins New Book called a Vindication p. 45. Sect. XIIII The Objections taken from a supposed needlesnesse of the Presbytery answered p. 47 Sect. XV. Of M. Colemans Interiâ—ist is all Magistracle p. 51. Sect. XVI The Objection of eager contestation for Church Discipline and 〈…〉 p. 53. Sect. XVII The Objection of inefficacie for holinesse of life in such as live under the Presbytery answered p. 57. Sect. XVIII Shewing what might be retorted upon the Antipresbyteriall party but concluding for unitie and peace with allegation of M. Burroughs his propositions of reconciliation and accord and some other particulars tending thereto p. 61. Sect. XIX Further grounds and hopes of union in the Churches of the Sister Kingdomes of England and Scotland with Answers to the Objections that are made against it p. 64. Sect. XX. An Appendix to the precedent Examination being an Apologeticall Narrative of the Petitions of the Common Councell of the City and Ministers of London presented to both the
2. If he have well prepared his heart for that holy Communion he hath so much charitie as not to take offence at the scrupled conscience of his Minister at least not to desire that he should act any thing against it because of the counsell and determination of the Apostle Whatsoever is not of faith is sinne Rom. 14.23 so much humilitie as to take the repulse in a doubtfull case with meeknesse and patience so much faith as to beleeve that though his innocence for the present be under a cloud the Lord will bring forth his righteousnesse as light and his indgement as the noone day Psal 37.6 Object If it be said the Minister may pretend conscience when it is perhaps some secret grudge which tempts him to put upon his Parishioner an open disgrace Answ 1. I hope we shall have such Ministers so well knowne by their faithfulnesse in preaching and conscionablenesse in walking that there will be no ground for such a suspition at such a time 2. Though the consciousnesse of mine owne innocent intentions might dispose me for mine owne particular to accept of any penaltie that a civill Sanction can impose or that the arbitrary revenge of the repulsed partie would inflict if I were convinced to have kept any from the Sacrament out of spight or a perverse spirit or inconsiderate rashnesse without a cause which may be allowed to be just before a competent Iudge yet I hope that all who have authoritie to determine any thing upon such miscarriage of the Minister will thinke it sufficient and answerable to exact justice that he who shall abuse his power or transgresse his dutie in such a case be dealt withall lege talionis that is that the Classis for his undue suspension suspend him from the Sacrament which will bring so much more reproach and shame upon him then he brought upon the party refused as the more prudence pietie and charitie was required in him and the more notice is taken of him when he prevaricates in his office and function and is punished for it in such an open and eminent manner Object But to leave it in the power of the Minister without an expresse and particular rule to receive or reject whom he pleaseth is to put into his hands an unlimited arbitrary power which on all hands in all sorts of men is disliked and disclaimed Answ 1. It is not to be left to the Minister alone but to the Presbyterie 2. Though he act alone in the administration it selfe he is not to be thought to act by an arbitrary power when according to his duty following the rule and his present light he endevoureth to put difference betwixt the holy and profane betwixt the uncleane and the cleane â—zek 22.26 and to preserve the holy Sacrament from contempt that by a confusion of holy and unholy communicants the Brownists others who act according to their principles may not be hardened in their separation from our sacred Assemblies And in such a case for any private man to obtrude himselfe upon the Minister is to act an arbitrary power upon him yea an arbitrary tyranny if he should be authorised so to doe and should it be so out we have so much experience of the piety prudence and indulgence of the most Honourable Houses that we can never suspect any such pressure to proceed from them we can readily resolve to act or to forbeare what according to the Dictate of our consciences we conceive to be enjoyned or prohibited by our great Master and to beare and suffer what shall be imposed on us by our Superiours under him to whom we professe our obedience is due being but private persons either actively or passively in whatsover they shall determine concerning our persons liberties and estates 2. For that he saith of severe lawes and punishments to be constituted and good Magistrates chosen to see them actually executed we confesse if that could be generally and perpetually expected or but for the most part there were great hope of much helpe by such meanes against both the scandalous sinnes contained in the Catalogue and others of like kind but so long as Magistrates are men of no purer mould or metall then Ministers are and they passe not through so severe an examination before they be admitted to their offices as Ministers doe nor have so many obligations laid upon them for sinceritie and integritie as are laid upon Ministers nor so many eyes upon them to observe their aberrations from a right rule as Ministers have nor are like to have so many mouthes open to reprove or reproach them for or so many hands to restraine them from misdoing or to punish them for it as most Ministers in regard of their poverty and impotencie for the most part may expect which the Magistrates their superiours in estate and authoritie need not so much to feare there is no reason I conceive to take all power of censure from the Presbyterie for the Ministers sake for the Elders are not denied to be capable of jurisdiction as they are members of the Civil State and to put all upon the power and vigilant and conscionable execution of the Magistrate And I doubt not but we may confidently averre and the experience of precedent and subsequent times will make it good that it is so farre from being superfluous that there be a concurrence of the Civill and Presbyteriall power for suppression of sinne that when both are imployed and improved with all prudence diligence and conscience to suppresse the corruption of nature and to prevent the spreading and prevailing of scandalous sins and when the severe and strict discipline of private Families and of common Schooles is added unto them there will be no cause for all that to suspect any pleonasme either of piety or civilitie among the people of the Kingdome SECT XV. Of Mr. Colemans Interimisticall Magistracie NOr would that way which Mr. Coleman in his late and yet perhaps too soon put forth Re-examination of the Examination of his Sermon remembreth be so sufficient of it selfe A Brotherly examination reexamined p. 1â— as that if it had prevailed there would have been no need of a Presbytery to supply the defect thereof as he delivereth it it is this At the extirpation of the Prelacie the Honourable Parliament would have established Commissioners in all Counties as an Interimisticall Magistracie c. And this he seemeth to conceive a better way of Church Government then that of the Presbyterie so much better that if that had beene set up this would have beene superfluous But in this historicall passage of his there be many particulars which may come under correction for first he saith the Parliament would have established Commissioners in all Counties as an Interimisticall Magistracie And would the Parliament have done it why did they not doe it was any power greater then the Parliaments any prudence more prevalent then theirs Secondly Some saith he and who they were is
enough knowne fearing that if once it were there placed they should never get it into their hands againe cryed it downe and were a stop in the way of the intended worke Answer Who these some were is not knowne enough I thinke not at all for it is like that a party a smaller party for so must that be which is a contra-distinct to the Honourable Parliament should oppose and overbeare the greater part resolutions being made by plurality of Votes It is much more probable to say no more that some and but some would have set up an Interimisticall Magistracie and that the Honourable Parliament cryed it downe and were a stop in the way of the intended worke my reason is 1. Because they never made Ordinance or Order for that Interimisticall Magistracie 2. Because they have done both for the Presbyteriall Government 3. Because an * Interim Germania decestabibis farrago Bez. respons ad Baldwin p. 49. See Bucolz Ind. Chron. p. 562. ad an 1548. Epist Brentii Calvine p. 77. Interimisticall Temperament hath beene alwaies by the godly and orthodoxe party attended with jealousie and feare and hath beene by them as much hated as feared 4. Because that Interimisticall Magistracie that was projected was too like Prelacie to be liked by such as desired a thorow Reformation and that in three things especially 1. In that it had no warrant in the word of God 2. That it would shrinke up the power into a few hands which should be communicated to many as the Prelacie did 3. In that it was contrary to the example of all the truly reformed Churches in the Christian world SECT XVI The Objection of eager contestation for Church Discipline and Censures answered HAving done with Mr. Colemans Interim which came in as a parenthesis to the Discourse we were in though it be pertinent to it I returne to Mr. Saltm his exception taken out of Mr. Prinnes Vindication where he aggravates the matter against the Presbyterie in that though by the sufficiencie of other Remedies it be needlesse so it hath beene said and thereto we have replied it is yet very eagerly contended for The Answer is if he meant it concerning admission to or rejection from the Sacrament of the Lords Supper which is that which hath beene most agitated betwixt him and some of our Tribe the contestation on the Ministers part is but for the libertie of their conscience the puritie of Gods Ordinance the preventing of Scandall which causeth and confirmeth Schisme and in such cases it becomes them not to be remisse or to manage such a Cause with a Laodicean luke warmenesse but with servencie of spirit and yet I doubt not but their zeale therein for the chiefest of them is and will be guided with knowledge and both tempered with humility modesty and meeknesse of spirit And that it hath none affinitie with an affectation of power or liberty to reject men from the Sacrament at their pleasure I beleeve because I am confident it is the mind of most of those Ministers who are competently qualified with knowledge and grace for their holy function that it is matter of great griefe of heart unto them to have any occasion of sending any of their Congregations sad from the Sacrament or as it may be likely to prove in most cases with wrath and heart-burning against themselves For my part I ever tooke it for one of the great aggrievances which many godly Ministers who were conformists in the gesture of receiving the Lords Supper suffered under the domination of the Bishops that they put it upon them to put such from the Sacrament as out of scruple of conscience durst not kneele at the receit of it and that such were threatned with suspension and some actually suspended from the Ministery as admitted Communicants either standing or sitting though never so well instructed and well affected in matter of Religion and never so religious in life and conversation and if I might make mine owne choice I had rather submit my selfe to the meanest man within my Pastorall charge in the most servile offices belonging to his person for a weeke together then for one time onely returne him from the Lords Table as unworthy to be admitted to partake of the provision thereof or as Coenam proximo die dominico sinnus celebraturi Hinc cogita quibus angustiis nunc constringar utinon me absente posset celebrari bac conditione ut ad vos usque vel manibus reptarem Calvin Epist Farello data Calend. Septemb. 1546. Ep. p. 64. in fol. excus Genev. anno 1575. Calvin once said on the like occasion I had rather absent my selfe from the Sacrament for that turne when there is cause to turne any from the Sacrament though I went away somewhither upon mine hands then to make any distinguishing disturbance in the celebration of the Supper And if I know mine owne heart in this point I thinke it would be as great a trouble to me to be an agent as to any man to be a patient in such a repulse and as great a joy if any were able to cleare it unto my conscience that no part of that Government ought to be committed to my charge which I ever apprehended as a burden and that an heavy one rather then a priviledge Secondly for the hope that he hath that the Parliament will consider of and take care that our Ministers like the Bishops formerly may not be taken up too much with ruling and governing Answer I hope so too and I have more then hope also for I am well assured the Parliament is so wise that their Reformation will have so much of the spirit of sound judgement so little of pangs of excessive antipathy that they will not runne so farre from one extreme as to arrive at the other There is a golden medium betwixt so much as the Bishops had and none at all as some would now have it Thirdly for the Reason of that hope it is because preaching and instructing is worke enough wholly to engrosse their time and thoughts Answer Yet not so wholly but that there may be a competent time allowed for assistance in Discipline there have beene many Disciplinarians who have beene frequent Preachers and great Writers also as Calviu Beza Moulin and divers others and there are many Divines at this present who bestow many howres daily at the debates and other businesse of the Assembly at Westminster and yet are not wanting to their Pulpits on the Sabbath and who preach many times on the weeke dayes besides and in modesty to omit the account of mine owne time studies and taskes for above fourtie yeares together and I beleeve divers of my Brethren have much to say for themselves to the same purpose I shall instance onely in the great abilities and diligence of my very learned and religious friend and Brother Dr. Hoyle who had occasion by way of Apologie to plead for himselfe before his Rejoynder to the lesuite
was first presented by a competent number of Aldermen and of the Common Councell and afterwards the Petition of the Ministers by many of them and on the twentieth day was each Petition presented to the House of Peeres in like manner as the day before to the House of Commons SECT XXII The offensive Acceptance of them by the Parliament as the weekely News-makers make report of it Cautions premised before their confutation FOr the third particular the acceptance the Petitions had This Malignant Intelligencer tels his Reader that the Commons sate long and laid it much to heart that any such thing should come from the Citie and that they should lend an eare to any that should in so evill a way represent things to them and of what dangerous consequence it was To which before I make any punctuall Reply I desire to premise these particulars 1. That in nothing that I have said or shall say I intend any contradiction to the Honourable House of Commons 2. I beleeve not this Relater hath truly delivered the fence of that House 3. That if any worthy Member among them according to any information received and beleeved by him have used his libertie in speaking of his mind though his wisdome as well as others innocencie may be abused by mis-report I shall not desire to raise any part of my Reply so high as to him but to confine my selfe to the report of this Pamphleter who I am sure hath no Parliamentary priviledge to speake what he pleaseth which yet a Parliament man that hath it will not take upon him to use when he is out of Parliament as when he is in it And if any of that grave and judicious Senate supposing us faulty have thought it fit and just that we should be charged we doubt not but there are many among them who if we be innocent will be well content to see us cleared since for many of us their Honour is in part ingaged for our reputation in the * We have consulted with the Reverend Piâ—us and Learned Divines called together to that purpose The Ordinance of Parliament of the third of January 1644. prefixed before the Directory p. 1. publique Testimonie they have given of us to three Kingdomes and the most of us are the same men and have the same consciences engaged in the desire of a present establishment of Government so as it may be safely and profitably practicall who in confidence of the goodnesse and godlinesse of the Reformation owned managed and maintained by the Parliament and in hearty and faithfull devotion thereto and ready and cheerfull obedience to them have suffered the shipwrack of our estates and hazarded our lives and we repent not of any part of our paines or pressures or perils so long as we may be serviceable to so good a Cause and to such good and gracious Masters as under Christ they have hitherto approved themselves toward us and I hope we may without vain-boasting say by way of Apology that we have not beene altogether their unprofitable servants in respect of our Interest in and endeavours with the people without whom the greatest Kings are rather cyphers then figures and destitute both of honour and safety Prov. 14.28 to informe their judgements and to inflame their zeale and to oblige their consciences to fasten their affections in loyaltie and fidelity to those worthy Pâ—triots whom they have in their choice and votes of election intrusted with the Religion the lives and the estates of themselves and their posteritie To which purpose we cannot be of so good use nor our mediation so effectuall for hereafter as aforetime if we be such Prevaricators as he hath represented us to the publique view or not being such if we suffer our innocence to be betrayed in mistrust to suspition by either inconsiderate or cowardly silence Thus much premised in dutie to the Honourable House of Commons and in due circumspection and caution to my Reverend Brethren and my selfe I shall now make answer to the charge given out and the answer so farre as it concerneth us may be partly made out of the conclusion of the Schedule as it was tendered with the reasons of the Ministers to the Court of Common Câ—uncell in confoâ—â—itie to their desires made knowne unto us which was as that Honorable Assembly can witnesse with us in these words These our desires and reasons we humbly present to this Honourable Court not that we have the least intention of investing our selves and the Ministery with any arbitrarie unlimited and exorbitant power For the power is not to be settled upon the Ministers alone but upon the Presbyteries in all which it is provided already that there shall be alwaies two at least of the people for one Minister And we sincerely professe our desires and intentions to manage this weightie Government not according to our wils or wisdomes but as neere as is possible according to the will and word of God the most certaine Rule in the world nor that we would carry on this work by might and power for we have good hope that God in due time will patronize his owne Cause though men should be wanting but that we may discharge a good conscience in our utmost endeavours to advance the Kingdome of Christ in the puritie of Reformation to be faithfull to the Church of Christ wherein we are stewards and watchmen and to succeeding posteritie to maintaine the truth to which we are bound to beare witnesse to fulfill our solemne League and Covenant with God from which we cannot goe backe and as your remembranâ—ers to put you in mind to neglect no pious endeavours in your places and callings for expediting both your selves and us out of the former difficulties and for promoting of such a Reformation of Religion in Discipline and Government as may have due puritie in it selfe may bring sweet unitie amongst us and most conduce to an happy uniformitie in all the three Kingdomes according to the vowes of God that are upon you in your solemne League and Covenant He goeth on saying that the House did perceive that they had beene mis-informed and that they could not but lay it much to heart that they who had ever beene so ready to doe all good offices for the Kingdome and goe with the Parliament should from any but the Parliament take a representation of their proceedings Mis-informed wherein is there any thing untrue in that they presented in their Petition or Schedule annexed and by whom mis-informed by the Ministers of London that is the meaning but certainly they that originally made this suggestion are little acquainted with the minds consciences intentions or proceedings of the Ministers who gave in their writing to the Common Councell of the Citie subscribed with no fewer then fourescore and nine hands and they had presented more to the Parliament if they had not beene straiâ—ned in time for the Petition was drawne up but at night and was to be
facis â—de movendo and to facilitate and expedite the businesse they had in hand Nor was it any distrust or impeachment of the high praise of their prudence for you know the old and ever true Aphorisme when the Acts of goodnesse doe anticipate admonitions Laudat hortatu comprebat acta suo Ovid. and we may say the like of Petitions they are so far from reprâ—ofes that they are the praises of the Actors Nor is there any more cause to impute undutifulnesse or ill manners unto the Petitioners then there is to accuse them of want of policie or prudence for this particular nor any ground to straine up the charge so high as if that which they did were prejudiciall and derogatorie to the Majesty of Parliament in forestalling their counsels with any particular desires So say you Mr. Br. in your Wednesdayes accompt But I pray you Sir by what dialect doe you call those Petitions particular desires which were concluded in a full Common Councell the representative body of this famous and never more then since our late and unhappy warres renowned City not one man as I have been credibly informed appearing against it at the passing of the Vote and that not for any particular person or purpose but for the generall good of three Kingdomes both for the generation present and for posterity in the ages to come And what prohibition I pray you lyes against particular Citizens and Ministers that they may not Petition the Parliament with particular desires as well as you Did not you when you were confined for shewing your selfe rather an over-nimble Mercury then a sober paced Britannicus petition them your selfe for your enlargement And when you did so did you do any thing prejudiciall and derogatory to the Majesty and Dignity of Parliament and as it were forestall their counsels with your particular desires If not shew us your priviledge which may make it no fault in you and an indiscretion or undutifulnesse or ill manners in others I shall need to proceed no further in answer to your Criticismes I see you are ingenious in your apprehensions and ingenuous in confession of your owne misprisions and since I perceive you so punctuall in rectifying your Reader to a title for you acknowledge a mistake in honouring Sir The Aston with whom I have had much and some perillous opposition in the Cause of the Parliament with the Title of a Lord doubt not but you will be as ready to retract an undeserved traducement of the Parliaments friends especially so many and of so great reputation as to recall an undeserved advancement of the Parliaments enemy I will take leave of you with a word of advice which is but this take heed of engaging your selfe any further in this cause see first how the Immoderate Intelligencer speeds with his precipitated reproaches against the City and Ministers of London to whom now I will returne and take leave of him though not in such a manner as I doe of you and having answered his crimination I shall now enter a defence against his commination of censure SECT XXV An answer to the Intelligencers Commination of the Petitioners HAving set the suspition of guilt up to the height not onely of reality but of imagination he scrueth up the censure to a proportionable elevation saying in the name of the Honourable House of Commons but without any warrant from them that it deserved an high censure and withall that they resolved if that were the way intended they would goe on with their Declaration and quickly undeceive the people and in the Interim they referred it to the Committee of Examinations that the first contrivers and after fomenters of that businesse may be dealt with according to merit These words may sound some terrour to him Hic murâ— abeneus esto Nil conseire sibi c. Horat. that hath but a brasen face but he that hath a wall of brasse a cleare conscience from the guilt objected may be bold as a Lion when such as you may flee when no man pursueth Prov. 28.1 For more particular Reply Sr. we cannot be put into fear of an high censure while we are assured of our owne innocence and the Houses of Parliaments both prudence and justice and therefore we shall willingly submit our selves to examination when and where they please to call us to our answer and if our accusers would meet us at the barre upon such just and equall termes as lege talionis by the Divine law is ordained Deut. 19.16 c. we would petition them againe for a tryall and punishment upon conviction as before for the establishment of the Presbyteriall Discipline For the Declaration you speake of there be two things which will secure us from all danger of it the one is that whatsoever it is it is but conditionall viz if this be the way that is the way of seditious appeale from the Parliament to the people and we are sure that 's no way of ours how neere the Independent by-path coasts upon or bends towards that way may appeare by their making combinations with the people and setting up a popular Government in the Church without any authoritie from the State The other securitie we have is both from the Parliament and our selves as we have professed before and in confidence of both neither Parliamentary Examinations Declarations no nor Visitations shall trouble us for if we be guilty let them visit our transgression with the rod and our iniquitie with stripes Psal 89.32 and if we deserve it let them chastise us not onely with Solomons whips but with Reboboams scorpions 1 King 12.14 There is one thing more in his minatory report which though he tell it as a threat I would take it for a promise if he could make it good in the right sense of it that is quickly to undeceive the people for they are shamefully deceived many waies especially by such impudent Impostors as this weekly Newes-maker with whom I have now done And in confutation of Britannicus and him I have confuted others who concurrâ— with them in the same calumnies against the Common Councell and Ministers of London SECT XXVI The misreport of the Diurnall and Weekely Account confuted and the Perfect Passages convinced of absurdity and sedition YEt I must bestow a few words on the Perfect Diurnall and Weekely Account and a few lines on the Perfect Passages For the first omitting what is virtually or formally answered before under the Titles forementioned I shall note but one particular which is that it was ordered as a part of the answer to the Ministers that they should returne home and looke after and attend the charges of their severall Congregations so saith the Perfect Diurnall and the Weekly Account saith the Ministers were desired to looke diligently to their owne flocks with this addition of the Writer a neighty charge and worke enough by which is implied that they were negligent in their Calling and too busie
both and so in stead of clearing your owne conscience you corrupt iâ— againe with a new guilt If the House of Commons did so conceive of the Petitioners as you have published before you have indiscreâ—tly deserted the true information you had from them by a good hand as you call it twice but how good soever you take it to be there be some false fingers in it iâ— it wrote that to you which you have written to others and have mâ—â—â— your self an offender above the degree of your 〈◊〉 for though the tale you were told were matâ—rially an untruth it was not foâ—mally a slander in you while you did but publish it not as any thing made or 〈◊〉 by you â—ot as received by report from an 〈◊〉 with yourselfe of much 〈◊〉 for his trusty Intelligence And yet I conceive it had been a part of good manners to have forborne the divulging of such newes of so great moment wherein not only the integâ—â—y of the Common Councell and Ministers of London but the prudence of the Honourable House of Commons was highly concerned unlesse they had given you warrant to proclaim to the world that which in such cases is or should be kept within the compasse of their owne walls You conclude as you began with commendation of your selfe for the innocency of your intentions and charitablenesse of your affection saying in your first lines There past us the last weeke something that was displeasing both to the Common Councell and likewise to the Clergie to neither of which we intended the least displeasure and you end with the same selfe conceit wherein you began for you tell us in the close of your speech that you hold it 〈◊〉 high offence to wrong the poorest particular man yea if an enemy nor durst we say you ever publish that against the Parliaments and Kingdomes present enemie much more much lesse you should say against their friends which we did not receive from very good hands as truth If you say this in sinceritie we shall see some clearer evidence of your conscientious acknowledgement then that contradictory confession can be accompted which is like an Iliaca passie in the belly and bowels of your retractation though the head and loot of it be sutably qualified of your wronging not of a single or a private enemy but of a numerous society of the most publique Honourable and venerable Friends and Votaries of the Parliament in the Kingdome which if you seriously consider you cannot satisfie your selfe much lesse can you expect that they should rest satisfied with such a recanting recantation as you have now made if other wise this Paper will assure the Intelligent Reader that as Belshazzars government so your repentance is weighted in the ballanâ—e and found wanting Dan. 5.27 But untill I know the worst my charitie disposeth me to hope the best and my hope is that you are on the mending hand and so fare you well Now for the bold Britainâ— who brags of his daring spirit and would have every man to turne coward in a good Cause for 〈◊〉 of his courage in a 〈◊〉 yet it seemeth some body 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 to tell him of his miscarriage towards the Magistrates and Ministers of the Citie in such sort that as Salust said to Cicero * Si quam voluptatem male dicendo cepisti eam male audiendâ— amittas Orat. Salust in Ciceron Cicer. Orat. p. 671. If he tooke any delight in speaking what he ought not he may lose it againe by hearing what he would not and I must now doe it the second time by giving him another check for his vanitie in magnifying himselfe and his injurie in vilifying such as he cannot sufficiently honour For himselfe he makes as if he were a man of such high elevation that it is a stooping below his genius to have any thing to doe though by way of reproofe with such a despicable company as the Court of Common Councell and the Ministers of the City whom he would not meddle with were it not to serve the Parliament and serve them I dare saith he in as high a nature as any man and shall in all things comply with their proceedings and endeavour to make this compliance universall Were it not to serve the Parliament For your service to the Parliament Mr. Brit. I would not have you to be confident either in your owne performances or of their acceptance or of the good effects it hath brought forth among the people of the Kingdome there are some who though they doe not bragge of wit as you doe have a great deale more wisdome then you have and they say you have begotten much malignitie in many against the Parliament and confirmed it in others and have much weakened the hands of their most conscionable friends by the licentious extravangancie of your Pen beyond all bounds of grace or modesty and they further adde which honest men will lay hold on as a promise but you perhaps will take as a threatning that they will trace your irregular steps from the first page of your first Pamphlet to this present of the number 945. and represent you so in one entire delineation and discovery as if you be not a man of impenetrable impudence will make you ashamed of your owne resemblance And for your particular service you pretend to doe unto the Parliament in abusing the Petitioners I beleeve they will have little cause to give you thanks much lesse any reall reward for your painer since it will scarce lye in your power to doe them a greater dishonour then to make good men beleeve and Malignants insult that their most potent and beneficent I may say munificent Assistants the Citizens and their most faithfull and not altogether impotent or unusefull servants the Ministers of the Citie of London either give or take such offence at each other as may tend to a rupture but the hope is there will be present helpe and an effectuall Antidote against this scandall in the Apologeticall Narrative of the Petitions as now it is presented to publique view which will be the more expedite and prevalent in its operation by the little credit you have with all such as read your papers as the dictates of a Poet not of an Historian and you are like Sir to have lesse credit hereafter and to doe the Parliament lesse service then you have done if ever you did any worthy acceptance because you professe you will in all things comply with their proceedings For 1. No body will beleeve you will be so regular in you writing as they are in their Parliamentary passages 2. When you say you will in all things comply with their proceedings you must either suppose that they cannot erre which is farre from their thoughts for they know it is a pitifull and perillous ignorance or perversenesse not to acknowledge their humanitie Psal 9.20 and that it is the presumption of the Papall Conclave not a Priviledge of Parliament to assume
an infallible guidance in their determinations or that they may erre and then we must think that though they doe so you resolve to be on their side be it right or wrong if so doe you not tell the world that your complyance with them hath more of policy in it then of conscience and will it not readily follow that such a Mercurius at Westminster would easily turne to an Aulicus at Oxford if which God forbid the Royall Prerogative should so farre advance as to plunder the Parliament of their ancient and Honourable Priviledges The other Animadversion upon Britanicus this weeke concerneth the vilifying of the Petitioners whom Lucian like he fals upon in this scornfull and jeering manner It is a fine humour in any to cry We will have this we will have that done Come let 's petition he should have said we would have this or that done for we will have this or that done are termes rather of the Imperative then the Optative Mood fitter for Commanders then Petitioners Besides Sir you know there be a sort of men who have taken upon them without petitioning to the Parliament or Authoritie from the Parliament to set up a Government of themselves which the Petitioners dare not attempt without warrant from the Parliament this is a humour indeed a fine humour of a new impression but when did you bestow a jeere or a taunt upon them in this surely you bewray your partialitie and somewhat worse which you may heare of hereafter but say on Yes I warrant you we are wise Statesmen know the due times and seasons well enough and though we lye under the decke are able to discerne as well as they that sit at the sterne Did the Petitioners take upon them to be Statesmen did they not professedly disclaime so vaine a conceit when in a modest and humble way they came to the Parliament as to Statesmen the Fathers and Physicians of the State to receive from their prudent resolutions present remedies against the maladies wherewith the Citie is dangerously infected and infested and was it not time to complain when they perceived the subtle insinuations of Schisme creepe into their families and found it had stolne their wives from their bosomes their children and servants from Oeconomicall communion in their families and from hearing Orthodoxe Divines in the publique Churches of the Citie to sort themselves under erroneous and hereticall Teachers in private Conventicles And whereas you would degrade the Petitioners sitting at the stâ—rne to lying under the dâ—cke though you for feare or shame may have occasion to play least in sight and to lurke under the hatches to secure your selfe the Petitioners are for the chiefe pâ—â—t of them eminently conspicuous divers of the one sort sit upon the Tribunall of Authoritie and all of the other weekly appeare visible to common view in their Pulpits and have so much advantage ground for discovery of the evils of the times and places they live in that it can be no disparagement to the Parliaments prudence in many particulars to receive informations from them But they goe beyond their bounds as Britanicus chargeth them for their duty leads them 〈◊〉 further saith he then to present matter of grievance in things already established not to demand the establisment of any thing 〈◊〉 this must be left in the Parliament who it is presumed and we must hold to this maâ—ime will neglect nothing necessary or convenient Now he takes upon him to play the Casuist and to resolve both positively and negatively how farre men may proceed to petition how farre not they may saith he present matter of grievance in things already established not demand the establishment of any new thing This Aphorisme is framed of purpose for the pulling downe of the Prelacy and against the setting up of the Presbytery that Independencie and under that Title all Sects of what sort soever may be set up and spread abroad without restraint but a man would think it more reasonable that when things are established they should command either assent or silence but in the want of necessary things the presenting of requests for supply to those that are able to grant them hath no affinitie with a fault but rather hath the nature of a dutie and therefore they who petitioned the Parliament for Ordination of Ministers in a new way without Bishops new to this State though most ancient in the Church of Christ were never blamed but approved by the Parliament and accordingly an Ordinance passed both the Honourable Houses for enabling a certaine number of Divines to put it in practise much more cause is there to approve the Petitioners who received a command for the choice of Church Governours whereto without further direction and warrant they could not performe compleat obedience as they desired And for that he saith of leaving all to the Parliament in confidence of their universall care neglecting nothing which may be necessary and convenient it hath a pretence of respect to the Parliament but the drift of it is to make all those who desire a deliverance out of dangerous confusion by a setting up and settling a regular Government remisse in their mediation for it while Independents intentively bestirre themselves in severall Counties to make choice of such for Knights and Burgesses as favour their faction and quicken their Patrons with uncessant importunitie to expedite their designe in Parliament in Committees in the Army and some of them are such ubiquitaries within the Kingdome and without to worke themselves up to a capitulating partie that none but that great Peripatetick 1 Pet. 5.8 goeth beyond them for sedulitie in prosecution of a plot And yet whatsoever he aimeth at in this diversion or prohibition of Petitions the Parliament may have need of them and may make good use of them yea and as some Antipresbyterians bragge a The most and best things that ever this Parliament did were first mâ—tioned by private men and then authorised and established by them The Postscript of the Libellous Pamphlet called Lilburnes Englands birth-right have done so and may be very well pleased therewith For instance having a purpose to ordaine the Presbyteriall Government which as the b The Copy of the Remonstrance lately delivered to the Assembly by T.G.I.B. c. Independents confesse they have voted already it may be matter of much incouragement to them to perfect their purpose in that behalfe since they see such a generall accord of the Common Councell and Ministery of the Citie petitioning together for the establishment thereof This may suffice for the second Edition of this scandalous contumely against the Petitions and Petitioners of London for whose sakes they being so many in number and so eminent in ranke and order and for the good Cause wherein they and many more are so much engaged I have taken the opportunity that was cast in my way to make this Apologie otherwise I should not think it meete to bestow my most idle minutes upon so meane an imployment as a conflict or contestation with such Antagonists as now I have answered Who if they appeare againe with any degree of folly or offence in this Cause above that which discretion may disdaine or Religion must pardon though I be silent which yet I doe not promise there will be a course taken to make some more sensible of their unsufferable excesses and others more circumspect and cautelous then to runne the hazard of their deserved reward FINIS